Wednesday 2 June 2010

Before and After: Entry Inspiration

Our little entry has been cluttered and dark since we moved in. It's a narrow, short hallway. The landlord left a bookshelf there, but I didn't like the natural wood color so I asked him if I could paint it white. He didn't have a problem with that, so I painted it a creamy white. Above the bookshelf is an ugly, half-moon sort of lighting fixture (see below). It's quite the fixture as it's apparently part of the wall. I couldn't figure out what to do with that lighting fixture, so I thought I just try to disguise it. I thought about putting a plant in it, but a real plant in there would be a pain, and I don't like synthetic plants, so I scrapped that idea.
I've had this picture (top picture) of a shelf with branches in a vase for a while now in my inspiration folder. I love everything about it. I love the painting--how it's off center, the vases (including the paper cone-vase), and especially the the branches in the vase and the notes and pictures in the branches. I used it for my entry inspiration. Our entry looks much better than before, I think, though it still needs some tweaking. For now though I'm happy with it being the first thing you see when you walk in. It includes some of my favorite things--a pretty lamp I bought for $10 in San Francisco at the Alemany flea market, a seashell box my neighbor left when he moved out, some books I love, a bulbous wood vase Andrew gave to me, and some pictures and notes that mean a lot to me. I like the idea of changing out what goes into the branchy-tree. During the holidays, some ornaments and Christmas cards will look very festive there. Welcome home!

7 comments:

Nina said...

Looks very charming, very cosy and welcoming. Well done!

Erin said...

I love this, the mixture of different textures and colors. I like the subdued colors of the painting on the wall beside the shelf. So inspiring!

Kim said...

OK! I love this and I love the twigs in the jar! I do that to but never hung photos on them...so I'll have to use your idea! So happppy that you are posting all your decor ideas making your abode cozy and eclectic! Love it! Thank You!xo

Lisa & Alfie said...

Bravo little one! It looks fresh and sparkly bright with the mirror and paint treatment. They hide the light fixture beautifully. Very welcoming. If you ever do want to change the vignette, you can always have a demi lune piece of glass cut or place a couple small books to rest on top of the light like a little shelf! Great for a votive perhaps???
xoxo
Lisa

mizzshelley said...

you have totally inspired me to fix up our (pitiful) entry area. you do absolutely beautiful work, leigh! :)

heidi said...

I like the idea of the branch holding those bits and bobs you want to keep for inspiration and allows you to display them at the same time. What a great transformtion and something you can keep updating as well.

Mindy said...

Very sweet. We don't really have an entry area, but I am so inspired to spice up a bare dresser on a small wall of our bedroom! The best part is, we just pulled out a bush in our yard with twigs that will work well for this... heehee...Thanks for the inspiration!