I’ve started updating my entryway earlier this year. I was tired of seeing all of the beautiful space go to waste. I had items in one section of the room and that was it. The room was not representative of who I am. Look at the picture and see for yourself. It was nice but not, n-i-c-e, if you know what I mean. I have changed this space a few times but decided to move it from a traditional to modern traditional style. I wanted to change the room from being so predictable. I am in a place where I want everything that represents me and who I am now.
As I grow and change, so does my home. For the entryway/foyer, I added pieces that reflect my ethnicity, mood and feeling
I had the builder grade lights in the foyer until recently **insert shreik**. I wanted to take my time on this because once up, I wasn’t going to make changes – maybe. Often, the need to have a space finished we rush to find things that we adore in other people’s homes, designs, etc. Once the item is up and on display, the feeling of regret may sink in because you didn’t marry the style with your own or you didn’t “love” the item as much as you thought you would. It happens. I have been in this spot. I understand completely. That is why I decided to take my time.
Color of Light
If I don’t catch myself, my whole home will be a variation of brown. Brown is my favorite color and I can’t get enough of it; tan, almond, mahogany, neutral and soft shades of brown. I had this color displayed in my foyer originally but I chose to step away from it and keep splashes of it throughout the home. I have to keep in mind, I don’t live in a sand dune and that I want to display the variations of colors I love in my home. In the foyer I decided I wanted to see a pop of color here.
I started out by changing the color of the entryway wall. Since the entire space of my formal living room, dining room and entryway were one solid color, I added the color Murky Sage by Sherwin Williams to make it offset the space and separate it from the other rooms. The greenish hue plays off of the cream/light tan walls so well without taking over the space. I love it because it is a well photographed color. I don’t see many sage green walls and I yearn for individuality amongst all of the sameness, I’ve been seeing in designs.
Next, I added new lighting fixtures. I found these lights on Amazon. I wanted a pendant style flush mount light. My foyer is a little over 26 feet long, which is not very long but within this section, I had to replace five lights. I had the vision of dangling lights without the crystal effect. I loved the idea for gold or brass lighting and when I found these it was perfect, and the price was not too shabby. I had clear bulbs on hand but will be using the Edison lightbulbs for a more gathered effect in the future.
I installed my lights myself. I did have some difficulty getting one of the old lights down and screwing the new plate in place. Once I made it passed this light, it was smooth sailing for the rest of the fixtures.
Disclaimer** I am not an electrician, please consult with a specialist for your lighting needs. These lights are on a one (single panel) way panel, which made it easier for me to install.
Time for Art
Once the lighting was installed, I moved on to the artwork. The main wall in the entryway is approximately 9 feet high, 18 feet wide. I looked for artwork that accented my table I purchased from Scout & Nimble, see here. I love art and different pieces that I thought would move me didn’t look right for my space. I had already had the idea of using abstract art in several frames that played out like a story on my wall but stretched the space and allowed the art to vibe without feeling like it didn’t belong there. The problem was, the abstract work I had in mind was expensive…way more than I wanted to pay. I decided to create the art myself. I purchased the canvas and the acryllic paint, sat down to plan out what I would do, how I would draw it, picked up my laptop and ordered abstract renderings on Etsy….LOL!!
I have created abstract art before, my heart was not in it this time. Link to some art renderings on Etsy here.
I picked up two wooden wall panels with gold overlay, seen here, and placed them in between the abstract art. I wanted the space to not be the average gallery wall. Also, because I am lovingly dramatic, I added 3, 3-foot glass cylinders filled with wood branches and placed them alongside the back of the chairs, sectioning off the foyer space and my office.
Framed around the front door were curtains I had to cover the area windows. I have removed the curtains and added stained window film tint (i.e., stained glass window) for an even more dramatic effect.
On the adjacent walls I added more artwork and macrame wall tapestries.
I finished off the space with additional accents, more artwork and my favorite piece, a statue of a woman meditating. I call her Joy.
As always, I’d love to hear what you think. Follow me on social media and stay up to date on what’s to come in the days ahead. Stay well.
