Entry Makeover

Wow...can't believe it's been over a month since I posted. Clearly things have been a bit too hectic for blogging lately. Anyhow, I'm coming up for air now and hope there are a few of you still out there reading despite my vanishing act. I do have lots to report, so stay tuned!

I've been trying to rework some things around my house over the past couple of months and it's definitely been a struggle because I just haven't had spare time to focus on it. Slowly but surely, I'm chipping away at my list and I have glimpses of progress to share. First off, I changed up my entry. Step one of the process was installing wallpaper. I chose Schumacher's Mosaic in silver, which looks white but has a subtle silvery tile-esque pattern...

It feels really light and fresh and is a good change of pace from the dark bluish gray paint that was on the walls before. This shot shows the pattern a bit more closely...

The new wallpaper called for fresh paint on the trim and ceilings...and I took that opportunity to change out the baseboards and beef up the door frame moulding. I'm pretty sure the existing moulding was original to our 1952 home, so it was pretty spartan. I asked my carpenter to layer a trim piece over the old moulding to create more interest. This route meant I could improve the look without ripping out all of the old stuff. Here's a look at the trim before it was primed and painted...

After the walls and trim were dealt with, I sent the main piece of furniture in the space, a commode that belonged to my great great aunt, off to be refinished. I chose an ebony stain with a light wax finish because I wanted to highlight the lines of the antique and its pretty hardware. The original finish was a flat light/medium walnut and it just wasn't doing the gorgeous chest any favors.  After the finish facelift was underway, I selected a Calacatta Danby marble remnant for the top and voila...

Another major change in the room was the rug. I transplanted one from the living room and I'm loving it in the entry. It's amazing how different something can look in new surroundings. It brings just the right amount of color to the area.

In case you never saw it (or don't remember), this is what it all used to look like...

So, the entry is almost finished aside from hanging more artwork and improving the front door situation. Our door is pretty ugly so I either want to get a new one or just change the glass (it's that rippled Flemish glass) and have it lacquered or restained. I'm anxious to get that underway. It's totally one of those things that I've tried to ignore since we moved in four years ago and I think it's officially time to make a move.

So, what do you think of the changes? I'm liking the new vibe...it definitely flows better with the adjoining rooms and it just feels light and airy.

Good Bones

I always fall for classic architecture with buttoned-up, proper millwork. Good bones, as many of us like to call it, can elevate almost any set of furnishings. Context is very powerful! Which is why smart art directors often scout stately spaces for photo shoots.

Ralph Lauren Home's new Iconic Design collection looks pretty fabulous in this not-so-humble abode. I LOVE the modern black and white painted floor against the traditional paneling and mouldings...

Image via Ralph Lauren Home

 I'm salivating over this Brook Street Desk...and of course, I'd love for this gorgeous, light-filled blue room to be my office :)

Image via Ralph Lauren Home

And a last one from the Iconic Design set, this faux croc Brook Street Chest looks like it deserves its $8k price tag in the luxe, perfectly trimmed out room. I'm not so sure that it would in another space!

Image via Ralph Lauren Home

And of course, the French have it easy in terms of shooting in spaces with stunning, intricate millwork. Even humble, insignificant spaces in Paris look grand thanks to the hand-applied trim and moulding that seems to be everywhere there. Textile house Lelièvre Paris takes advantage of this situation and smartly showcases their fabrics in rooms with EXCELLENT bones!

This shot showcases one of my favorite fabrics, Twist, from the Sonia Rykiel Maison collection...

Image via Lelièvre Paris

Image via Lelièvre Paris

Image via Lelièvre Paris

I'm not totally sure what's going on with the floor in this pic, but I think I love it...

Image via Lelièvre Paris

 Couldn't resist calling out the exquisite fabric used on the draperies above...it's another fav of mine, Camondo...

And finally, Farrow & Ball chose a spot with awesome paneling and trim to show off their latest wallpapers. Here's the lovely Ocelot looking great on the wall...

And Tessella, which looks terrific in the same millwork setup...

So, three cheers for good bones! Unfortunately, most homes built after WWII were not graced with intricate trim and moulding so it's definitely not the norm in the US. I live in a 1950s ranch house so my world looks nothing like the spaces above. I am super jealous of that setup and one day hope to own a home that is decked out with millwork from a bygone era!