One of my favorite prints, "I Will Help You Grow" by Creative Kismet. Regina sent this to me before Lachlan was born, and I can't help but think that he grew red hair just so he could look like the baby in the painting! So sweet.
Are you ready to see the ugliest photos I've ever posted on my blog? Well, here you go - the before pictures of our front entryway.
Welcome to my home closet and depressingly taupe hallway/stairwell!
I've mentioned this before, but we bought this house for the yard. The house is coming along with the help of paint, patience, and some homemade touches. The previous owner, while an artist, did not share my aesthetic. Lots of dark paint on those walls ... trying to make it look like a tuscan estate. I'm converting it to a bright farmhouse. Slowly.
Lovely view! Notice the numerous control boxes on the wall. Pretty unwelcoming, as is the view of the side of the fridge and the laundry room.
Whenever I walked down this hallway or up those stairs I really felt like I was living in someone else's house. While not an essential living space in our home, we do pass through it all the time, so it became a decorating priority. I started this project in December, and I only recently finished it. I am NOT a weekend warrior. I'm more like a half-a-year warrior.
Much better! I took off the doors of the closet and made it into a little entryway nook, adding storage with a re-painted and re-knobbed cheapo set of drawers and some baskets up above. There's also a coat rack by the door that you can't see in these photos. I took off the door to my laundry room and replaced it with a panel of cheery fabric on a curtain rod. Taking off that door gave us a lot more space in the laundry room, too.
The chair is from Pier 1, and I found the vase garland a long time ago at Urban Outfitters.
I can't claim the idea of using an IKEA Dignitet curtain rod as a display area for Finn and Lachlan's art - I think I saw it on Pinterest. I was able to find our set on Ebay for a very reasonable price. As an additional benefit, the art wires hide the multiple control boxes in the wall.
The space is so much brighter now. The hallway is ultra pure white and the stairwell/entry alcove are Sky High from Sherwin Williams. I just have to finish the stairwell photo display and I'll be able to cross this whole area off of my list.
It feels like home now.
