"From mom's to mine" - Entryway Re-style

Being that my profession is an Interior Designer, I often get asked for tips or advice on color selections, fabrics, or even furniture. Sometimes I am asked to go shopping with various friends or just to help them re-examine their spaces to make them more functional. Last year I helped a dear friend repaint the exterior of his house, from a salmon pink to a nice blend of greens and tans. (Although he has yet to replace the salmon pink garage door! Get on that!) Sometimes its help hanging art, or putting together a piece of furniture. I am always around to give tips and tricks to help make a your space the way you want it to look.

Case in point; last weekend. I have a dear friend who needed help with their entryway. Her and her husband bought her childhood home from her parents and her brain was stuck with what to do with her entryway. Her mom had it one way, and she couldn't get around the way it always was. They went and bought some really lovely pieces to go along with functional storage to try and make it an easy place to put mail, coats, shoes, etc. without looking dumped and disheveled. She kept throwing me ideas and we just stared at the wall for about 20 minutes. My brain trying to figure out the best way to incorporate all her needs in one little space and still have it be inviting.

We had discussions of old items, and some plants. Whether to use them or not. Her husband did not want to use them and in fact they no longer went with the style they were looking to create. A modern-traditional blend. Blended styles are very common because it gives a homey lived in look, but can still be dressed up to look formal. So here are some tips that I gave her while we plowed through her stuff to figure out how to create her perfect space.

1. If you don't love it, don't keep it. If you as a couple aren't in love with a particular piece, send it away to somebody that will love it. Keeping things because you feel like you should creates clutter, and clutter always turns into chaos. You want your home to be in order and a place of solace and relaxation....not chaos.

2. When choosing items, everything doesn't have to "match" or be completely symmetrical. To create the blended look you need a mix of contemporary/modern items mixed in with your traditional look. Wood colors need to blend, but don't necessarily need to match.

3. When hanging items on the wall sometimes its easier to figure out the look by laying your arrangement out on the floor to get an idea of what it will look like finished. It might not exactly go up on the wall the way you lie it out, but at least you'll have somewhat of a plan, which leads to less work for the husband putting the holes in the wall, and less holes in the wall.

4. Play with scale and arrangements. you don't always have to have the same piece in a line. look for other patterns that create interest. Lean artwork on shelves and play with heights and textures.

5. If you have empty frames, hang them anyways. That way you'll have the complete look done and a gentle reminder to print photos for the frame!

6. Have fun! Choose things that you love and if you mess up it's ok. Design and art is always about taking chances and doing things a little different! If you get stuck, start with a clean slate. Pull everything off the walls and just start again. You can always put it back!

Without further ado.....the finished look:

Not completely finished, but she was very happy with the results. She has a functional and nice looking entryway. Sometimes all you need is another set of eyes. Great style lady!