Today we're talking about entryways and foyers {if you want to be fancy!} A reader and fellow blogger, Chelsea, wrote in and asked how to make her entryway inviting and cozy. After seeing pictures of her entry, I had some ideas right away! Take a peek:
First thing I notice are those high ceilings! I'd die for a foyer that grand. Here are some of my tips for your guide to a welcoming entryway design:
1. Function: Every entry needs some sort of table, credenza, or seating area so guests can set down their bags, put on their shoes, and homeowners have a place to throw their keys, mail, etc. {of course the keys and mail would have a pretty bowl or dish to go in:) }
2. Create a Vignette: A long entry table or dresser isn't complete without a pair of stools, benches, or baskets for shoes underneath. An occasional chair next to this furniture piece is always a great option, too.
3. Play Up the Best Features: In Chelsea's case, this would be her ceiling. This entry is screaming for a statement piece of lighting. The jewelry for the room, if you will. I see a suspended lantern pendant or chandelier.
4. Lighting: It's important to feel safe and welcomed in the entryway of a home. This is the first space one enters into after coming in from outside, so the light level needs to be adjustable. If it's dark outside, the homeowner will want some light in the entry as soon as they enter the space. An overhead light {pendant or chandelier} AND a light on the entry table would be key in creating this welcoming feel.
5. Accessorize: Other fun things I see going into Chelsea's entry would be a printed rug for some pattern and/or color, a mirror to add some light and depth to the room, and some artwork.
Here are a few entryways that I feel are beautiful, functional, and combine all the above elements!
If you had to give one piece of advice to Chelsea for her entryway, what would it be?!
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In other news, today is the first day I'm running this Spring E-Design Promotion!
If you are interested in an e-design, please email me and inquire about getting on the waiting list. I will be taking on 5 clients this Spring and it is by a first come, first serve basis. I would simply love to design a room for you :) As mentioned above, all packages are up to $10 off, so please email me for more info.
email: michaelawarner90@gmail.com
Happy Thursday!
What's your latest design dilemma? Do share, and maybe you'll find your question answered here!
Love,
It has been so fun to look through all your Christmas Crafts and Holiday Vignettes! Thanks for linking up (:
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Today I'm back with another installment of Dishin' on Design Dilemmas. Brooke over at Bright Wishes just got married and moved into her first apartment with her husband! With a new apartment comes a lot of design challenges. Here's what Brooke told me...
"What I really dislike about this space is how small it is. What I do like is all the wall space I have, although I am not sure what to put on the walls to make it all balance and look cute. I also would like to have a space to put keys and random things when we get home. My husband likes to take everything out of his pockets and I hate seeing it sitting on the counter where the food is supposed to be. We also can't paint the walls so trying to make the entire apartment look not so cheap and more home-y feeling would be great!"
Here's her apartment:
I've come up with a quick design plan for Brooke to hopefully have her in love with her first house in no time!
Cotton Canvas Printed Tortoise Window Panel | west elm, $34
IKEA Billy, $80
IKEA Knipsa, $17
LOVE CANDY GRAPEFRUIT - LOVE CANDY GRAPEFRUIT, $35
zinc letters, $18
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*First off, apartments needs storage! This Billy bookcase from ikea is simple and will store lots of little things. Square baskets make the bookcase look clean and sleek {even if there are toys filled to the brim inside!}
*Because Brooke can't paint, we need to add color in other areas. Pillows from my fav pillow shop, The Lacey Placey, patterned curtains from West Elm {on SALE now!}, and a great gallery wall of family photos and graphic prints, will all help brighten up the space.
*A great way to add a new feel to a gallery wall is to get your photos printed on canvases. I always use Canvas People because they're easy, inexpensive and do a great job. Mixed in with some wedding photos on canvases, Brooke can add a Made By Girl LOVE print, photos of her adorable little girl, and a monogram of their last name. Anthropologie sells metal letters, but they are on the expensive side coming in at $18. For a cheaper price tag, you can buy your letter at Michael's and spray paint it a nice metallic slate gray/silver color. Same look for less. Framing her little girl's drawings and artwork is also a fun way to bring color to the gallery wall.
*Wall decals can be found on etsy to spice up the walls, too. Last but not least, I found this great bowl for an affordable price over at West Elm. Brooke's hubby can now dump his pocket contents into a cute little patterned bowl (:
We all know that's probably not realistic...but a girl can try!
I was in this same position last year in my first school apartment. Here's what I did to make it my own:
For my whole apartment tour, click here!
Floor to ceiling curtains, colorful pillows, fun DIY lampshade, DIY wall art and of course my favorite Made By Girl print (:
I think that covers it! If you have any tips for Brooke, or if you have a design dilemma let me know in the comments!
Love,
It's baaaackkk! Some of you may remember I did a segment a few months ago called "Dishin' on Design Dilemmas"... well I miss it, so we're bringing it back. Watch my little message for the info!
To get some questions rollin' and really, just to inspire you, here are some of my favorite projects or fall decor floating around the blog world lately!
Natasha's Thanksgiving Tablescape
Michelle's Living Room Reveal {seriously check out the gallery wall!}
Courtney's Writing on the Wall in her Pretty Kitchen
Christine's Nursery Reveal {Can you tell why I love it so much?!}
Emily's Thankful Branches
BBB Sister's Cardboard Pumpkin Settings {as seen on Design*Sponge}
Fun stuff, right?!
Have you seen any fun DIY's lately?
What design dilemma's do you have?! They can be as simple as how to refinish furniture or where I find cute knobs, or you can ask about an entire room! Get creative (:
Happy Thursday!
Love,
PS. Welcome to my newest sponsor Nicole from Running in Heels!
Follow sweet Nicole as she blogs about all the things she loves- the top one being running, of course! And any girl who has a shoe fetish is a friend of mine (:
Go say hi...you'll love her spunk!
xoxo
Today I'm addressing my sweet friend, Nicole's, question:
I have many questions swimming around in my head. Haha! Here is my big one right now. A lot of the trends I'm seeing (on pinterest, mainly) are shabby chic and scream GIRLY. I really like several styles that I have been seeing, but when thinking about a future home, I usually picture a husband there. And I don't think he wants to live in a house that could easily pass for a bachelorette pad. How can you get a good mix of shabby chic and manly man?
Love this question, because I think the issue is rarely addressed! Here's my take on this problem...
My advice is to mix shabby chic elements with the following:
1. Clean lines
2. Geometric patterns
3. Darker stain finishes
For example, if you want to follow the shabby chic trend with crisp, fluffy, white bedding, just balance it out with some geometric patterned pillows on top. If you want a pretty upholstered headboard, try a simple shape, like a rectangle, with no tufting. A simple color like gray is a great compromise. If you want a white chaise lounge, pick one with clean lines instead of curves. When choosing your plush rug, choose one with a shorter pile cut and simple design. Choose darker furniture, but dress it up with your favorite Anthro knobs (:
Nicole told me they enjoy dark furniture and crisp clean colors like neutrals, blues and greens. Here's what I came up with for Nicole and her future husband:
You're probably thinking the chandelier is a little girlie...YEP. You have to hold your ground somewhere, ladies! (: Over all it's a very geometric, stylish space that still alludes to the shabby chic style without screaming a girl lives here.
What is your advice for this topic?
What are YOUR design dilemmas?!
*****
Big Announcement! I'm so excited to tell you all I'm now taking on clients for e-design.
I'll be offering several packages, tailored to each of your needs.
I'll be taking a few clients per month and am now accepting for the month of June. Since it's my first month offering e-design services, I'm extending a $10 off discount if you sign up in June. I'd love nothing more than to help you fall in love with your space (:
E-mail me at michaelawarner90@gmail.com if you're interested!
Happy Thursday!
Love,
Hello, Hello!
I'm so excited to have started this new little installment. It's fun to hear everyone's design dilemmas and try to come to the rescue to solve them! There were so many I wanted to answer today, but because of time {make that lack there of...} I'm just doing one. Normally I'll answer two or three. Look out next week for more!
This week, I was intreguied by my pal Ashley from Run With Me, when she said:
"My dilemma is this big empty corner in my apartment. It's supposed to be the "dining room." Apparently midgets were supposed to live here because there's NO way a dining set could fit there...what's your recommendation? It's big enough for a piece of furniture but not a dining set?!"
She's funny. I like her a lot.
I asked her to send me a few photos so I could see this little space. Here they are:
Here's what I've come up with:
Option 1: Dining Corner
I know she says the space is small, but I'd be willing to bet this smaller-than-average dining table would fit if placed at the correct angle.
A fun rug, two small dining chairs, some floating shelves for added storage and display, and her cute mini existing gallery wall- and she's set. I chose this table because not only does she need a physically small table, she also needs a visually small table. This table doesn't take up too much space to the eye, and the chairs covered in the lighter fabric will help this cause as well. Pillows are always a fun way to embellish (: Floating shelves are great for a small space because they provide vertical storage without taking up any floorspace. I could see some fancy cups and bowls up there...or just some pictures and books. The rug helps define this little space.
Option 2: Reading Nook
This is also a great option! I would place this tall Ikea bookshelf right next to the TV console in order to make that area look more like a built in media center. I added a fun wall paper behind the bookshelf to take it from ordinary to personalized. Of course she can choose to wallpaper, paint, or leave it! Then, I'd angle the chaise lounge out into the room a tad to add some depth. Throwing down the same cute rug at an angle will help define this little reading corner. Filling the bookshelves with books, vases, and knick knacks is a great way to display things she loves. The existing photo wall would be a great finishing touch.
{Next time I promise not to use purple in a design board. I may be addicted. #help}
What do you think? What option is your favorite? What is YOUR design dilemma this week?!
Love,
ps. my best friend from home is coming to visit me tomorrow! Can't wait. If you think of her- pray for safe travels (:
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