So far I think we’re off to a great start! I was so thrilled with how many of you undertook January’s clutter challenge! How did you do? If you’re just joining us, catch up here.
Kathryn Robyn and Dawn Ritchie, authors of the book The Emotional House: How Redesigning Your Home Can Change Your Life
This month we are going to address that area we find just as we enter our homes. (I’m referring to the place where you would greet guests or answer the doorbell.) The entryway/foyer is meant to create a welcoming feeling, helping us and our guests to feel comfortable, to relax and to be themselves. Your entrance is the first sight that visitors have of the personality of your home, so incorporate some mementos or objects that reflect who you are. Warm colors in your decor and accessories give instant coziness.
An entryway should obviously invite entry. That means an obstacle-free path from the door with enough room for people to remove their coats and purses and hang them up. And it’s a transitional space, something for people to move through as they come further into your space. So as you make changes, think how you’d like your guests to feel when they enter your home.
Here are a few articles to help inspire you:
- Foyer decorating ideas on BHG.com
- How to create a warm, welcoming home on SFGate.com
- Maintain an efficient, orderly entryway on BHG.com
- Designing a welcoming home on Deseret News
* * * * *
Here’s a “before” and “after” view of our entryway:
I decided to add a rug to define the space, incorporating the colors in our living room and that I’ve been drawn to lately. I added the picture frames to the wall (on sale at Aaron Brothers last month) and painted red the ones that were white. I bought and painted the bird coat rack, and also painted a grey paper lamp cover that I really didn’t like since it was dull.
I’m pleased with the outcome. It’s a lot more inviting now. I would still like to add a little chair, perhaps something like this one I saw in a magazine.
Just like last month, please let us all know in the comments what you’re up to this month! As you can see from my redo, it doesn’t have to be anything major. Have fun with it. 🙂
This is awesome ! You are so talented – Just absolutely gorgeous. I wish I was have as talented as you are — my home needs some different things going on in here, but I try. Love this !
Renee recently posted…A Guest Post: Kelly Proellocks; Becoming Kelly
That’s why we can work together to help each other! You are equally as talented, but in different areas.
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What sweet creative fun…and such a warm and wonderful way to be welcomed into your home. Love what you did here!
Love, love those colors. Definitely an inviting entryway. Our front porch is our entryway, of a sorts. It’s closed off by a bamboo wall from the front yard and has a nice little seating area. Plan to mosaic the table this summer. It’s one of my favorite places to sit in the morning with a cup of tea.
Linda Watson recently posted…A Sunset Silence Walkabout
Love what you did with the wall. Super cute!
Tiffany recently posted…How I’m Balancing Fitness & Knitting + New Blogging Space
I agree…I love a welcoming entry way. I just re-designed my a few months ago and love it! I love your colors and those frames! Gorgeous! I would love to come home to that every day.
Caroline recently posted…I got a chauffeur!
Loving the clutter challenge, Naomi. people can now drop in unannounced with me being totally embarassed. Or so I thought until I described our front entry down below.
Nice job with your entry, love the colors! Mine has a grand curving staircase with a baby gate at the bottom to keep the dogs downstairs. Braced against the baby gate is a plastic garbage pail loaded with books to keep the dogs from knocking over the babygate and running upstairs and eating the kitty poop. There’s a dining room chair against the curve of the staircase so the cat can slip through the railings and go upstairs to do her kitty business with the privacy of not having a dog sticking their nose in her butt. There’s also a dog crate because sometimes puppies just need to be in there.
Sigh… after reading your description and writing my description I do believe that’s an area I need to deal with.
Susan recently posted…I Gots Me Some Art to Do
What a fun transformation Naomi – and what a fun project for the month. I absolutely love that rug! We have the tinest, probably most structurally awkward little entry way in the history of houses, but I’ve got it to a point where I’m pretty happy with it. Freshening it up with a new rug is always a fun thing, and for some reason I always delight in the search for them.
I’m all about colour. Love your entry now Naomi. So warm and inviting and fun.
Kelly L McKenzie recently posted…Olympic Fever 24/7
so bright and warm! you’ve done a lovely job!
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Looks lovely, Naomi!