Please help! Beyond frustration with my entryway.

13 years ago

I was planning to remodel my whole house, starting with the entryway.
So many decisions to make when remodel a house and so easy to go wrong! I changed and painted my entryway closet door, purchased new furniture and light fixture, and painted the wall. But it is not coming out the way I wanted. The color palette I had in mind was gray with silver, yellow and purple as accent. The style I was targeting is sophisticated and classic yet modern (rebecca robeson and olson candice are my favorate designers). My room seems to be turning a little "cottage" style which is definitely not what I'm aiming for. The pictures on the right were my inspiration pictures. I used the same paint in the pictures (Sherwin Williams North Star), but the supposedly gray came out very blue on my walls.

I still need to buy a mirror, a rug (maybe runner), and some picture frames for the stairway. I can't make any decisions now. Any suggestions as to the size, shape, material of a mirror, frames, and rug?

Any suggestions to save my entryway? Any recommendation for an affordable online interior design service? Thanks!

Traditional Entry by Seattle Architects & Designers Conard Romano Architects

Contemporary Living Room by Markham Interior Designers & Decorators Jennifer Brouwer (Jennifer Brouwer Design Inc)

Featured Answer

User

13 years ago

I think you have too many things going on in a small space. Your dark table I don't think really works. The darker wood clashes with the lighter wood of the stair railing and doors and it's so tight, I really don't think you have much room there for a table. I would consider instead, just putting artwork in the colors that you like there, or a mirror or collection of mirrors in silver or white frames. If you did have a table, I would go as narrow as possible and possibly in a white. I would get a pretty roman shade for the window near the bench including the colors and style you want to incorporate.

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Comments (129)

mefor
13 years ago
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mefor
13 years ago
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mefor
13 years ago
They're all at home decorators. Trying to keep the price down :)
Last one is taupe with a tiny touch of burnished gold, just in case you decide you don't want silvery tones
mefor
13 years ago
What do you think of a lamp like this?
northlandyogi_mi5a thanked mefor
tennisanyone
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I would do a few things to change the space.

l. Get two lamps for the console maybe like mforr suggested. More contemporary.
2. Get a big mirror for the console.
3. Get a area rug for the entrance.
4. Paint the closet doors all white and get rid of the blue inserts. That is where it is starting to turn cottage looking.
5. Stain the back of the front door dark.
6. stain or paint the stairs dark or white OR get wrought iron banisters.

I don't mind the paint or the oak floor
northlandyogi_mi5a thanked tennisanyone
northlandyogi_mi5a
Original Author
13 years ago
mforr, It looks great! Do you have information as to where I can buy this lamp?
mefor
13 years ago
Home decorators !!! :)
flexnit
13 years ago
Wainscoting. Up stairs & on left wall OR chair rail with picture frames underneath.
northlandyogi_mi5a
Original Author
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
To It's a Beautiful World!: Thanks I'll check out your site. For arts I prefer modern style with yellow and purple. The little paint work I put on the table was for my reference of colors- purple, grey, and yellow. I did this little painting years ago before I had kids (Now I don't seem to have time for anything!)
northlandyogi_mi5a
Original Author
13 years ago
Tried out a stacked crystal ball lamp, and not sure about it. See the attached picture.
northlandyogi_mi5a
Original Author
13 years ago
I also learned to use photoshop to put products in, here I photoshopped an oval silver tone mirror and a couple silver accessories(The scale might be off). I'm tempted to place an order.
mefor
13 years ago
Looks quite nice, I definitely like the silver toned mirror. Looks good with the grey of wall. Will your hubby agree to painting of interior doors and inside of front doors? Before you order mirror, try a few styles to be absolutely sure you like the one you order. Photoshopping it in is free, returns aren't always free :)
mefor
13 years ago
Were you able to find the lamp on the home decorators site?
mefor
13 years ago
Hi again, I think you could go a bit bigger with mirror, look at some of these inspiration pictures and see what you think about going bigger. These are not all your style, but I wanted you to see how the larger size works with all of them :)
mefor
13 years ago
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mefor
13 years ago
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mefor
13 years ago
Have fun and get photoshopping :)
mefor
13 years ago
Hmmm, actually, not taller just wider. Not making myself clear tonight, am I?
northlandyogi_mi5a
Original Author
13 years ago
To mforr, nope. I browsed through all the lamps on homedecorators and coudldn't find the lamp you showed.

Yes I agree oversized mirrors look nicer!

About the doors, it was hubby's idea to paint the closet doors different tones-- He was actually talking about three tones-- with a darker blue on the trim between the white and blue. He's waiting for me to decide whether I would veto his plan. He's rustic, country style, and I'm more modern. I have the final say about home design and decoration, but I don't want him to feel his opinion or likings are totally ignored.
northlandyogi_mi5a
Original Author
13 years ago
My console table is 52 inch wide. The Silver Beaded 32" High Oval Mirror is 32"h x 22 wide. Is it too small?
northlandyogi_mi5a
Original Author
13 years ago
I cut out a piece of paper roughly would be the size of the oval silver mirror. Again, the table is 52" wide, the mirror is 32"h x 22"wide
Ann
13 years ago
I think it will be a bit small.
northlandyogi_mi5a thanked Ann
Ann
13 years ago
Uttermost.com makes a lot of mirrors sold all over (online and in stores). When I'm searching for mirrors, I figure out a size, go to uttermost.com, and find a mirror I like in the right size and shape. Then, just google for the name of the mirror and you'll find many sites that sell the mirror. Uttermost.com doesn't sell the mirrors, they manufacture them, but you can see many options there and once you see one you like, it's easy to google who does sell it.
northlandyogi_mi5a thanked Ann
libradesigneye
13 years ago
Oh, the dark blue would help I think if you can't go back. 22 wide is less than half the width of your console - so then you are not going to feel that it visually fills the wall above it. I think you want something around or more than 2/3 wide.
northlandyogi_mi5a thanked libradesigneye
mefor
13 years ago
Hi, definitely wider then, you're so sweet to include your husband in these things, it's just unfortunate that he's a country style to your more sleek, streamlined style. If he would agree, it would be best for the room to have white doors. I'll look for that lamp again. Did you like any of the rugs I posted? They were also home decorators. Like Ann's idea for uttermost. Keep trying to photoshop them onto picture.
mefor
13 years ago
Here you go, home decorators site
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northlandyogi_mi5a
Original Author
13 years ago
I'll keep looking then. Mforr, most of the mirror pictures you posted are rectangular. Is that your preferred shape?

I know lots of people like sunburst but my hubby and I don't quite love it. It reminds us of some granma's mirrors in the 60s. Our house is mid-century house and we try to give it an updated feel.

I like the oval shape, but they don't seem to come in wider size. I'll keep looking.
mefor
13 years ago
How do you feel about the rectangular mirror with the circles inside? It's not so much that I prefer a rectangle, it's the versatility of being able to get a wider or larger size in that shape. You might have more luck finding a round than an oval.
Ann
13 years ago
Very smart of you to find the mirror you like and tape paper to the wall to test the size. You won't make a bad decision and you'll save yourself an expensive return fee when you've tested the size like that.
User
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I would consider going for a square or round mirror. It doesn't have to be a starburst pattern, but I think it would fit better above the console as the oval looks a bit narrow. Think I would go a bit taller on the lamps. It definitely helps to look for things in your area that are returnable, in terms of checking out different options. It often can be difficult to tell what things look like online. Love your artwork. Hope that that's something that has a prominent place of display on your table. Given the colors that you wanted to draw from in your artwork into the room, one possibility would be to use a table runner in one or some of the colors from the art on the console table. You could pick up the color in your window treatments as well.
northlandyogi_mi5a thanked User
mefor
13 years ago
These two are available from ikea. The long one could be mounted on wall, by itself, between console and front door. Then you could hang artwork over console if you would like. The shorter one could be hung horizontally over console for a nice wide look. Check out the measurements and photoshop them in if you can
:)
mefor
13 years ago
Pics
northlandyogi_mi5a
Original Author
13 years ago
Ann: Thanks for your compliments! I'm regaining some interest in designing now thanks to all you friendly folks. Besides cutting shapes, I;m also experimenting with photoshop. :-)
northlandyogi_mi5a
Original Author
13 years ago
collettec , Yes I also agree about the height of the lamp.
Unfortunately we don't have lots of selections locally. I need to heavily rely on online shopping.
J. K. Wiskamp
13 years ago
Could the bench be moved so that it faces the closet doors? It seems to cramped there. Paint or cover the console table and put it by the window with a trailing ivy.

If not, try 3 full length mirrors hung horizontally above the console.

Definitely agree on painting spindles and closet doors, as well as chalk painting the table. Changing the door to a 1/2 or 3/4 glass would make a significant change to the foyer!
northlandyogi_mi5a thanked J. K. Wiskamp
J. K. Wiskamp
13 years ago
Do a larger version of your beautiful painting, too and put it on the wall where the bench currently sits.
clubneddy
13 years ago
have thought of a large wall fountain? I have one at the base of my stairs & lit is fabulous at night, other than that a very contemp painting with lighting, keep it simple but dramatic
northlandyogi_mi5a thanked clubneddy
northlandyogi_mi5a
Original Author
13 years ago
To J. K. Wiskamp: Yes I love glass doors, and I would have gone for an espresso color with frosted glass closet door but I have an active family (young kids). That's why I didn't choose glass closet doors or mirrored console table or glass top console table that I like.
northlandyogi_mi5a
Original Author
13 years ago
Clubneddy: A large wall fountain? Never thought of that and sounds really unique. Where in my room do you suggest putting it?
Crystal Bailey
13 years ago
I'd do a dark mahogany flooring & re-stain your stair railing. Paint a large blank canvas yellow w/ your wall paint paint a simple line or stencil. Match the yellow w/ the pillows you use on your bench. Lay a rug on the dark flooring that matches your bench. Think about putting a lamp on your side table.
Crystal Bailey
13 years ago
and the mirror will reflect the light. Replace the "canvas" idea w/ mirror. Lol
trolauemicol
13 years ago
Some ideas to help you along...

1. paint out closet door to match trim.

2. consider architectural mouldings on lower portion of wall and running up the staircase wall... paint out same colour as trim

3. keep console you have, but change out knobs for some acrylic or glass 'faceted' knobs. candace Olson is all about sparkle.

4. add a large mirror (perhaps arched?) over console to introduce more light and sparkle. You say Candace Olsen is your fav designer? Her 'thing' is creating interest in a space with light. Maybe some sconces on either side of the mirror? The orchid is lovely and adds height :). Maybe a lamp to the other side of console to help balance the orchid? Acrylic base?
northlandyogi_mi5a thanked trolauemicol
mefor
13 years ago
Ooooooh, I have some beautiful knobs for you, anthropologie, gorgeous
mefor
13 years ago
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mefor
13 years ago
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Ann
13 years ago
Those Anthropologie knobs are awesome. Mforr told me about them for a bedroom project I'm working on. I happened to have an Anthropologie not too far away and had sooo much fun choosing my 2 new knobs. I love them! They aren't cheap but they will really change the look of a piece of furniture!
Dorota Mitoraj
13 years ago
I would suggest interesting art work, beautiful rug, timeless classics. More rug ideas on my website :www.DoMiRugs.com
northlandyogi_mi5a thanked Dorota Mitoraj
trolauemicol
13 years ago
@mforr. Love that first knob in the first of three posted. Amazing what a change in hardware will do for a piece :)
mefor
13 years ago
They really can dress it up, make it custom. Anthropologie has a huge selection of knobs, I only included a few of the "shiniest", you should check out some of the others. I love to share great info that makes a big pop from a small change. :)
Hi Ann :)
mefor
12 years ago
Anything happening, dreamsailor?