Our Home Tour – Front Porch and Entryway
Oh Happy Day! We’ve finally put together a few home tour posts for all of our readers to enjoy and reference! Basically it’s a quick overview of our spaces that will hopefully be helpful for old and new readers to reference when wanting to know more about each area around our home. Within our explanations we’ve added links to specific posts as well, that will explain in more detail, each process or project.
Enjoy!
Our first stop, naturally, is our front porch and entryway.
We built our house about 5 years ago, when the “Tuscan” color-trend was in. You know, the reds, oranges, dark browns, glazed walls and black furniture? We really loved it (at the time), but we grew out of that look quickly and wanted something brighter and more welcoming.
One of the places we started was the outside of our home. We don’t have a huge porch by any means, but we knew how important it was to have a clean, manicured entryway for our visitors, so we did the best with what we had!
We added window planters, landscaped our front flowerbed with simple plants, black bark and cleaned up our outdoor lighting fixtures and shutters.
Our porch is pretty small, but we still utilized every inch of space we had, by adding an outdoor rug from Walmart, for only about $15.00, a simple white bench from Ikea for $30, colorful pillows and a wood curl wreath on our front door from Target.
After the outside of our house was presentable, we moved inside to give our entryway a much needed face lift. As I mentioned before, our house started out a bit dark, so the first thing we did was lighten up the paint using Autumn Haze from Glidden, in a Satin finish. We then added a new lighting fixture we got for free that we spray painted white, a $20 rug from Ikea, a small thrifted entryway table, and a big chunky mirror that would reflect light, to make the space appear larger!
Along with all of these changes, we also decided that having the backside of our front door painted black would be really cool! We love how it anchors the space now and gives the area a focal point.
Just last Summer we also realized how much of our entryway was being underutilized. We had a standard coat closet on one side, and rarely even used it. So instead of letting all of that space go to waste, we removed the door, cut out a bit more of the wall, designed a custom mudroom type nook, and opened up our space even more!
Now our entryway is a lot more functional and has tons of personality and charm that reflects our family’s style a lot better than before.
We’re in LOVE with our homes outside and inside entryway now. Even though it’s taken us almost two years to get it right… we’ve finally accomplished the task of utilizing every square inch and taking this once boring, dark space to it’s fullest, brightest, most functional potential!
Our other home tour posts coming up will include:
Hallway & Main Bath
Laundry Room
Kitchen & Living Room
Stay tuned!…
🙂
Felicity says
Love the window planters. I want to hang some on my house, but I'm nervous about drilling into the brick. Any chance you have a post on how you hung those babies?
scrapperbecka says
WOW I love how you turned the closet into a little sitting area!!! Very clever. TFS
Anonymous says
LOVE your porch! We have a small porch too and I have been searching HIGH and LOW for a bench! I couldn't find the bench on Ikea's website so it must not be available anymore. Do you know the name of it? Maybe I can source it on Craigslist.
Thanks!
Michelle
SD says
B E A U T I F U L!!
Kelly @ A Swell Place to Dwell says
I love your entry way. It seems so functional! Can I ask how you deal with the rug by your front door inside? We have a classic mud-rug (ugly, grey, industrial looking) at our front door now and I hate it! I want to get something prettier but my husband says it will be impossible to maintain. We live in Alberta, so we have lots of snow, etc that comes in during the winter. How does your Ikea rug make out? Did you treat it with anything?
simplyvonne says
wow gorgeous results! i love the entry way soooo much, please come over and help me fix mine!
Ruby Jean says
Oh it all looks so Lovely. Is that your Sweet Daddy helping out again… we SERIOUSLY need to borrow your him over in these parts.. 🙂 I was so glad you posted your entry closet redo. I have only recently come back to blogging after an absence due to Extreme Morning Sickness. I believe you were still in the process of the redo when I Vanished!! It looks absolutely Beautiful.
Have a Lovely day!
Blessings
Angelina
Samantha @ Designer in Teal says
This looks amazing!!! It is such a transformation. I really love the mudroom nook. Its utilizing the space much better than the small closet. Please feel free to check out my design blog for inspiration! designerinteal.blogspot.com
Anonymous says
Beautiful!!! Love it all! How did you hang your greenery wreath thats hanging on the door inside?
Jen 🙂
The Sonboul's says
This is so fab-o 🙂
I love the black door and the pops of black here and there. It's such a great base for other colors.
You're so fun.
Anonymous says
I love it!! I have a cubby in my dining room that I'd like to covert to a sitting area with storage. Thanks for inspiring me 🙂
Unknown says
You have a very pretty and functional entry! We also painted the back of our front door black several years ago and still love it.
Unknown says
Beautiful work!!! I adore your mudroom type nook 🙂
Have a wonderful day,
Kristina
Unknown says
I absolutely love everything you do and your style!! You have amazing taste and I love how you and your hubby do it all together! Beautiful entry way
nest of posies says
SO pretty, Shelley! it's amazing what you all have done & accomplished in your entry way. goes to show, never under estimate a small space!
love it all!
kellie
p.s. oh, yeah ~ girl you are the queen of photo collages! 😉 love how they tell a story.
Kari Wagner Hoban says
Ok so will you please come to my house and help me redecorate! I love your style so much but sometimes just need that push. And I am totally painting my door black on the inside! It would totally make a statement. Your hard work shows, amazing!
Meagan says
You are SO talented. I absolutely adore your home. It doesn't matter how many times I scroll through your posts and look at each transformation, I am in awe every single time. 🙂 Makes me excited to own my own home hopefully someday soon!
Lorelei says
Wow, Shelley. That was amazing! I'm a fairly new reader, so now I'm off to click all the links. Thanks for sharing!
The {Prince} Family says
you forgot MASTER bath!!!!! lol
Brandi says
Beautiful spaces and perfect timing on your post…I've been struggling with my front door. You've definitely given me some inspiration. 🙂
Brandi says
Beautiful spaces and perfect timing on your post…I've been struggling with my front door area. You've definitely given me some inspiration. 🙂
Jen Vogt says
Shelley, I love your entry way! There are so many great parts about it, I can't even name them all!! I'm kind of in the same place you are…when we purchased our first home, we loved the richness of reds, oranges and golds. Now I'm over it, and trying to convert everything to fresh, clean colors. Anyway, the reason I'm writing (aside from telling you how awesome you are) is that I'm wondering where you got the gray & white jars on your entry table? I've been looking for something similar for a few weeks now. If you know, or have seen something with a smiliar pattern, I'd love to have more details. Thanks so much!
Posh House Originals says
Your bench area is gorgeous! Loving this idea…. Hmmmmm, might have to put the hubby to work!
Http://whatmeeganmakes.com says
A few year ago I wanted to change my dark furniture and accessories to a lighter look. So I googled it and your blog came up!! I have been a huge fan and follower ever since! Thanks for the inspiration!!
Rebekah Lindenmayer says
Thanks for sharing. I have no idea how to decorate and I mean at all! Seeing what you have done is a great resource! Everything is beautiful!
Anonymous says
You seriously INSPIRE me!
KC Naegle says
Thanks for adding comments on how long it took you to get things looking just so. I often get frustrated when it takes me forever to get a project finished. Thanks for being real!
Marissa says
I love your entryway and front door area. I just built my house and have only lived in it for 3 months and can't figure out what to do with my front porch. Yours provides good inspiration! Garrdenoflove.blogspot.com
Rhonda @ home.made. says
You have done such a wonderful job with your entry. So light and inviting! I still DIE over that converted coat closet!!
B In Real LIfe says
looks great! You mud room are is GENIUS! and I think you just talked me into painting the inside of our exterior doors…will you please tell my husband for me? 🙂
Also, I was wondering what you have framed in the entry way? I love seeing what kind of art people choose and I'm trying to get some ideas for myself.
Thanks!!!
Debra @ Life in a 320 square foot home says
It doesn't even l;look like the same house! Beautiful! Love your choice of colors.
Colleen N says
Such a great change! I just got this month's This Old House and it was fun to see your guys' entryway coat closet make over in there.
Sarah Smith says
For the reader who mentioned the bench not being available… I think I found it! At least one that is very similar. However it is listed as $70, boo! ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30101111/
Deborah Bolton says
You are a bundle of creativity. Anyone would enjoy living in a house decorated by you. I liked all your entry ideas, from the colors, to the accessories and furniture.
Kim T says
That mudroom is to die for! Very inspirational
Kristin@bliss-athome.com says
Gorgeous! Love the black shutters and closet turned mudroom area! xoxo Kristin
Kristin@bliss-athome.com says
Love the black shutters and the closet turned mudroom area! xoxo Kristin
Jeannie-JB says
Oh Shelley, your making me want to go decorate my front entrance! You are one talented lady! Can I borrow your Dad for oh, maybe a year or so? JK
Love your black door – your so right, it adds so much to your foyer. Love your house, love your style . . . just love your blog {not in a stalking kind of way}!
Andrea @ Decorating Cents says
Love the changes. The room seems so much brighter and larger.
christinekellogg says
What a difference…Looks fabulous!!! Love.Love.Love the new look! I too want to paint the inside door black! Did you spray paint it? WHy?
christinekellogg says
Wow! Love.Love.Love the new look! It looks fabulous! I too want to paint my inside door black. Did you spray paint it? Why?
Rachel says
ARGH!! I'm so jealous! I tried to do the exact same hall closet-turned mud room in our small entry way but the hubby could not imagine what I envisioned and he shut me down. 🙁 But yours looks fabulous! I knew I had a great idea, I just knew it! Enjoy!
Lindsey says
Love love love!!!! Where did you get your narrow soda table? I have been looking for something like that forever!!!!
One bolt short of a toolbox says
lokks amazing!!!
Janet
door251.com
Anonymous says
I was looking through This Old House and saw the section about your closet make over!
Jessica Middleton says
Drool, LOVE!!!! Where did you get your white console table? I need/want it! Wish we lived closer….Would beg you to let me hire you for a makeover in my home! Come to Virginia!!!!!!
xoxoxox
Jess
(middleton.jessica[at]gmail.com)
Becca says
Such a beautiful and welcoming entry! I love how you turned your closet into *mudroom* nook! Fabulous color palette, too!
Unknown says
I LOVE that you painted the inside of the door too- I would have never thought of that. It definitely gives a nice focal point as you look down the entry way…not to convince my husband to do the same…. 🙂
Jen says
Really love what you did with the closet Shelley!
Unknown says
WOW, gorgoeus! You have an amazing sense of style. I have always wanted to see all teh rooms in your home so I am really looking forward to more house tour posts. Can't wait. Thanks
Unknown says
Wow looks gorgeous. I ahve always wanted to see each room in your house so I can't wait for the house tour. So exciting. You have amazing style.
How2home says
This looks amazing! Absolutely love your home!
Tile and Stone by Villagio says
Wow!!! Absolutely lovely!!!
Alissa B says
Can you please let me know or post a blog posting about where you purchased your entry table items. I love the yellow frame, gray and white lanterns are amazing. I would love to know the specifics. Please email me at alissa.renee[at]hotmail.com
Leslie says
Shelley. Love the house tour idea. Could you also provide a list of sources of colors and where you purchased items? Thanks so much!
Anonymous says
waouhhhh c'est magnifique (wonderfull ?)
votre entrée est superbe, que ce soit la couleur de peinture, votre tapis, votre nouvel dressing, et votre porte noire (black door?) superbe !!!
tout est fait avec beaucoup de goût, c'est pas cher et super
bravo Family Smiths
Yamina (de France,Lyon)
velvetsoleil[at]hotmail.com
tiff says
love your blog!! what is the print hanging in the entry as you walk in the front door?? I would love to see it…
Shannon says
I love everything about your space. I'm searching high and low for a narrow entry table. How wide is yours? I can't find one less than 14 inches.
Shannon says
For those looking for the lanterns on the table, I found some on Amazon…
amazon.com/Carthage-Pierced-Lantern-TALL-WHITE/dp/B006W6TEEE/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hg_2
Easy Home Concepts says
I love how you transformed your front porch and entry way from Tuscan to modern look. You also did a good job on creating the space near the main door. Overall, the entryway/porch progress looks beautiful.
Visit My Site: easyhomeconcepts.com
Unknown says
Wow it all looks so beautiful and modern and clean!!! You have completely inspired me! I love the black inside door, the green wreath, the "mudroom" – what an inviting way to welcome people into your home!
Unknown says
WOW – I love how bright, modern and clean it all looks! You have completely inspired me! I love your black inside door, the green wreath strung up by ribbon, the "mudroom"… what an inviting way to welcome your guests!
Carrigan2 says
Love your style! I did a little foyer make-over of my own as well. 🙂
houseandhandyman.blogspot.com/2013/03/foyer-before-and-after.html
Unknown says
This is a wonderful and lovely job! I would love to have an entrance like that! I really love it! I have a weekly post where I gather a list of posts that inspires me and makes me dream! This week I'm featuring yours!
Hope you are having a lovely weekend
Hugs
Cami @ TitiCrafty by Camila
Kathryn S. says
Lovey, lovie, love LoVe lv lov LOVE! This is a master idea! So, I just found your blog today and this other lady's blog today, and wasn't even looking for mudrooms, but how crazy you two both had the same idea, so cool! Your molding/doorway frame for the mudroom just makes it look stunning.
Here's the other one I found if your curiosity is getting to you:
housetweaking.com/2010/07/29/feature-friday-my-mini-mudroom/#comment-46551
JenniCummings says
I'm a little late finding this post but I'm glad I did! Everything looks so amazing. You both did such a great job. I live in a tiny home with a husband that is really handy so we are constantly making changes like this to our home. One of our areas we would like to tackle next is the closet/front door area. I love how yours turned out but I do have a question. In the "before" picture it shows several items that don't seem to be stored in the "after" picture. The coats, baskets, iron. I was just wondering where you store those now. Again, I know I'm a little late finding this blog so maybe you answered this already. If so, sorry! Any help would be appreciated!
JenniCummings says
I'm a little late finding this post but I'm glad I did! Everything looks so amazing. You both did such a great job. I live in a tiny home with a husband that is really handy so we are constantly making changes like this to our home. One of our areas we would like to tackle next is the closet/front door area. I love how yours turned out but I do have a question. In the "before" picture it shows several items that don't seem to be stored in the "after" picture. The coats, baskets, iron. I was just wondering where you store those now. Again, I know I'm a little late finding this blog so maybe you answered this already. If so, sorry! Any help would be appreciated!