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entryway help - change art and bench?

3 months ago

I was inspired by another post to seek help for our entryway. This spot is directly across from our entry closet and also across from our front door. The plans show entry bottom left and then closet and area in question to the right once inside. We currently have something I bought eight years ago on a whim really to fill the space and a second hand piece of art that is large is that is mostly why we chose it. Things we love about the current set up are being able to sit on bench when putting shoes on, place bags or what not there as we get ready to leave, when guests come thet almost always place bags on bench. Things I don’t like are that it is a bleh ikea bench and fairly boring. Have also considered changing large art to three framed pictures of landscape from our travels. Would love suggestions. We are in Canada so hoping to locate here or find similar products here.

Comments (125)

  • 3 months ago

    Three framed pieces is too busy?

  • 3 months ago

    Three framed 25x36 are bigger than the current large print that is there.

  • 3 months ago

    I was trying to show that you might be able to use 2 of the smaller size(since you have them framed) in the middle and the larger verticals on the side. However, it might or might not be too busy.

  • 3 months ago

    I don’t have anything framed

  • 3 months ago

    I thought your helper was holding up your framed art. Okay - just another possibility to consider for your artwork design.

  • 3 months ago

    It’s just a frame we already have with the new picture taped. I wanted to get a sense of size. I am going to measure out some paper tomorrow and see how three in a row of 25x36 looks as a starting point.

  • PRO
    3 months ago
    last modified: 3 months ago

    " I would get custom matting so the horizontal images would be centered, but the frames themselves would occupy a ton of vertical space. They are actually 36” tall".

    There is no way to mat a landscape orientation to portrait /vertical correctly, attractively or appropriately. No pro worth a dime, or one valuing his reputation will even do it.

    You frame to the image/ content, You don't pre select a frame unless willing to change the content.and then you CAN decide mat size, increase presence, but you can not force any orientation change that will not look 100% awful.

    About the largest you can take a 16 x 20 image, minus a very painful!!! amount of money? Below pic and 24 x 28"

    Mat board is very pricey. Labor is money, and I just do not think it's a great look.

    Your frames @ 25 x 35 need PRO advice at a frame shop, for how to tweak the image size. and even then...?

    Do you love below..? As to a vertical stack of three using same/correct orientation? No better (worse, actually.)



  • PRO
    3 months ago

    How about a mirror, instead of art? I think it is more appropriate for a last quick look before you leave the house. Of course, some lighting and a runner add to the design.





    You should think about some extra storage as well.



  • PRO
    3 months ago
    last modified: 3 months ago

    You must do you/hubby......however. Unless you want lies? I just don't think you will love your result,

    I would close the space to 6' plus inches/ allowance for clearing, baseboards/SNUG .....with good old drywall. Slide a console in there @ 72" length as they are abundant, even in

    Canada Any upholstery shop can make a great ottoman in a fabric you choose, and you slide it under.Add a lamp.....and pop a great piece of art above, that suggests your locale...etc. Do you. 42 x 60 h ISH.

    Dollars/look all considered. Bev had you at hellooooooooo? and I think the width of the niche is burning dollars.


    This is also better, and same closed in to fit snugly, adjust one major piece of art......






  • PRO
    3 months ago

    ^^

    The OP does not want a runner, has another "mud" entry. : ) Wants a different look here, has an air return to deal with, requiring some clearance fro whatever shall be in front.

  • 3 months ago

    Thanks everyone. Just fro clarity as it seems to be getting lost on this the pictures can be put in a large frame and then matted to fit. It is a look similar to but not exactly the same as the pics below. We now have irons in the fire for three quotes on the built in bench and are keen to see where those lead us. We don’t need storage, have entry carpets just outside of this image at the front door and the garage door and a mudroom down the hall by the garage door so a runner is overkill ajd not at all needed.

  • PRO
    3 months ago

    If you want it, know what you want ? Then you do it.

    A 36 inch height, three across an 8' span......

    I think the matting is odd and th images will loo splotchy. You must do ..you





  • 3 months ago

    It’s okay of this matting style isn’t appealing to you. I’ve seen it in images and in a friend’s home and quite like it. That said I haven’t purchased anything yet. All I have is the photos blown up. Once we have the quotes for the bench we can begin to see this all develop.

  • 3 months ago

    I am very grateful for the two posters who recommended the floating bench idea. It wasn’t remotely on our radar and both my husband and I really like it as an overall concept. Thank you for that!

  • PRO
    3 months ago
    last modified: 3 months ago

    Whatever happened to this?



    " I store the pillows in the closet, It works for us......Would new lamps look good and skip the art? I''d love some green in there........live plant or something? and we don't spend alot of time in there. .........

    If you rented it for a night in a hotel? You'd be thrilled?

    In a heartbeat, I would major joooooosh this room!!.

    I'd use 18 x 24 of your planned hallway photos, three across., tight together, in new frames you can buy for a song, mats already in them.



    Whatever!!!









  • 3 months ago

    Funny you bring this room up! It is a part of the process. I have pictures I am thinking of putting here too. Either here or in primary bath and then transferring art from bathroom to this room. But it is all on hold till I sort out entry and what frames and pics go there. Between the entry, bedroom, bathroom, I will use, in some format the six landscape photos of our travels and the one custom piece a dear friend made me. I guess you couldn’t help yourself and find something to drag with the wall colour and bedding hey. Interesting to pull in another post and then make a completely unneeded dig.

  • PRO
    3 months ago

    It's not a dig..........it is get one spot to a finish you may love. I get the "picture" concept in hall.....Just saying proportion and opportunities, within the easy to do.....,leads sometimes, to better results. The photos are clearly meaningful......not sure that much mat enhances the meaningful, just because you can find it on the internet. : )

  • 3 months ago

    I am totally content to have a number of projects on the go and pick away at them. I love my home and am grateful daily.

  • 2 months ago

    We are getting quotes for a wood floating bench for our entry niche that appear to vary quite a bit in terms of how the neck is supported and what materials are used. Google isn’t really helping me understand what method is best and most safe.

    The niche is 8 feet 3.5” inches width. The bench is going to fill the space and be 18” deep. There is an air return along the back wall of the space that needs to be considered too.

    Options we’ve been given so far are:

    1. solid 4” Douglas for piece of wood installed with steel iron angles at the ends and a continuous support piece at the back. This is securely anchored to the studs and the bench itself.

    2. A 2x4 shelf being created and anchored to the studs and then plywood veneer in white oak being added to it to create the bench or using real 3/4” white oak although I can’t picture this.

    3)L brackets being installed and the wooden bench sits on top. Although I am not sure how they would do this and deal with the air return.

  • 2 months ago

    You mentioned that folks will sit on it putting on shoes. You might want to find out about the weight capacity for the benches.

  • 2 months ago

    It’s a bench. So yes people will sit on it. That is why I am clarifying and asking for. Suggestions here too. I want to understand what method is safest.

  • 2 months ago

    So again, looking for feedback on the construction options of the floating bench, which is what we have decided to do, and want to do it safely.

  • 2 months ago

    @wsea and @jan how thick should the floating wood bench be?

  • PRO
    2 months ago
    last modified: 2 months ago

    @ 93 1/2, length I think you need the finished "look" of

    3 1/2 " ........the wood itself need not be 3/1/2, because you can frame support brackets in plywood. I'm staring at my ruler too....fyi and feels right at 3.5

    I'd use "Right On" Brackets. - how many depends where exactly studs are., but seems you should have four between walls.

    Five of these, each holds 150 lbs

    Great video link below, on a DIY ,! ( I even like the THIN tufted pad, ( any upholster could make a channel tufted )which has an nice modern/organic look for its non traditional thickness and maybe a bit of color . Or not : )



    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p-hzzHwtp0

    _______________________________________________________________________

    No sagging !!!! ( thank u AI )

    " Support Points: An 8-foot span is too long for a "true" float supported only at the ends. You must anchor a 2x4 or 2x6 ledger board into every wall stud along the back length using lag screws.

    • Deflection (The "Sagulator"): At 8 feet, a 3.5" thick bench with a 1,000 lb load (about 4-5 adults) will typically sag only about 0.03 to 0.09 inches, which is nearly invisible to the eye.

    Get with your guy, and HOWEVER he frames/supports it...no sag lol and safe, If three of you sat ast the same time, ( unlikely ) I doubt you'd exceed 600 lbs, but hardly the point, Wood does what wood does. Bows.

    Freezing a couple shots from that video......and shorter length of bench which might be 2 3/4 thick? and six feet at most in length.....

    I'd stick a 3.5





  • 2 months ago

    It is looming more and more like it will be a slab of wood not a box. He has quoted 4” thickness but the photo provided by him looks super thick. I was thinking 3” would be lighter and easier to navigate. Going to get him on site to check out the studs and do some measuring.

  • 2 months ago

    I think 4” plus would look nice, but id be tempted to mock it up with cardboard. 3 might seem out of proportion due to the length.



  • PRO
    2 months ago
    last modified: 2 months ago

    Guess you have to take it up with him, - mock it up in place with cardboard and duct tape. : )

    It can not be less than 3"

    Not at that length ........and tht is why I think 3.5 is the sweet spot.

    Watch the video up above.


  • 2 months ago

    Have seen a similar video. It is one of many ways to do this. Our carpenter wants to use a solid piece of wood not this method. We need to get him on site to see how realistic thos is.

  • PRO
    2 months ago
    last modified: 2 months ago

    If I wanted to be certain of best method? I'd first do this:

    Go get a stud finder at the hardware store. Move your bench, mark those with masking tape on the walls. They are probably 16" apart , two each side of the return? Mark exact size location of the air return..... to make a sketch.., to show us.

    You may need a contractor prior to this wood guy.

    You can rip off the lower drywall, install wood blocking between studs use the right brackets and be able to stand Atlas on it.

    I'm just getting a sense he's trying to do this with least disturbance to surface, I might be dead wrong! But with 3" ..3 1/2 , I'd invite @ Millwork to the thread. He's the guru

    But its a bit vague content for best answer support and method. ......in what we all know as to conditions behind current bench and drywall.

  • PRO
    2 months ago

    I'd not trust that without iron, solid blocking every stud. JMO...

    The link doesn't show whole process....




  • 2 months ago

    No one is worried about disturbing the drywall or not. The goal is a safe bench . If that requires drywall removal then it will be done. The L shaped metal brackets are commonly used for this from all we have read and definitely require drywall impact. Someone is coming to do a site visit today to get a real world look at it and make a safe plan.

  • 2 months ago

    Great site visit today. The brackets attached to studs is definitely the way to go. There are five studs along the back wall. So now to wait for quotes to get the supports installed would place and finalize the bench quote too. This is going to take awhile but will be well worth it if done well.

  • 2 months ago

    Just wanted to give an update tust we are going ahead with the built in bench but do to schedules and work etc it will be happening this summer so project on hold till a few months from now when I am off work and the trades can take us on. We are excited to have a plan.

  • 2 months ago

    Yeah, cant wait to see the final result



  • 14 days ago

    Okay don’t be mad. We still have plans ok the calendar for the built in bench but Im wavering. What do we think about refinishing something like this instead? It’s 8 feet long.

  • 14 days ago
    last modified: 14 days ago

    That bench along with your travel photos displayed above it could be really cool, too.


  • 14 days ago

    I really like the floating bench but this new bench could work too. Very different looks.

  • 14 days ago

    Agree the above would be very different look. How would it fit in the space?. is it deeper than the the side walls? you say its 8’ how wide was the opening again?



  • 13 days ago

    It would be a very different look. To be honest I am just questioning the cost of the floating bench. It’s making me wonder if finding a furniture piece makes more sense

  • 13 days ago

    Seat depth is 15”. Overall depth is 20”. We have 25” so depth is fine.

  • 13 days ago

    I love the bench you found, but think the floating one would be cool too. But if you have the time and skill to refinish that wooden bench I'd go for that choice just because I love unique old things given new life. I'm not a designer so take my advice for what it's worth ;)

  • 13 days ago

    How much space between the walls and the bench sides will there be?



  • 13 days ago

    Your drawing shows 8' 3 1/2" outside wall to outside wall. Width of niche will be considerably less. Recommend double-checking. Don't forget baseboard thickness on each end of niche.


    The bench seems interesting if you can get correct size.

  • 13 days ago

    Will measure once home.

  • 13 days ago

    There is 25.5inches baseboard to front of niche area so lots of space .

  • 13 days ago

    I think the measurement several of us are asking about is the longer length. you say the bench is 8 feet. how wide is the opening?



  • 13 days ago

    Oh! Yes, thank you for catching that. It is too big 🤦‍♀️

  • PRO
    13 days ago

    Too big, and feels too "country" for all the rest of your home. Wait for the right thing- the float

  • 11 days ago

    Smart to contain costs and purchase furniture rather than build. But this isn’t the right piece for your space. It isn’t clean or modern enough. I’m sure you can do better.