Jean and Andrew’s Design Dilemma
When this cute couple wrote to us for help with their front room and entryway, we were excited to create something light and welcoming for a house that says “why hello there” every time they enter. Here’s their letter:
We’re looking for beachy, light and airy entryway and front room with clean lines, kid-friendly style and a fair dose of whimsy. We’re big fans of relaxing colors and things that make us smile. The rug in the front room can go and we also would like a runner for the entryway (maybe jute for both rugs?). We’ll also need new end tables and lamps for either side of the couch, and we need decor for the walls, a chair, a coffee table, etc. Only the beige couch, entryway piece (bench with long, upright mirror), and hallway credenza have to stay. We’d love a new wall color, not only for the front room but also for the adjoining stairway wall. We favor greens and blues and I probably overly avoid patterns and tend to stick with monochrome blocks of color – to a fault. One challenge is figuring out how to store the shoes at the entryway. Without fail, either the floor of the coat closet ends up being a pile of shoes or there is an ever-expanding array of neatly-placed pairs of shoes flanking the entryway bench and it just gets out of hand. I’d also like a small entryway table that I can hide two backpack hooks underneath. Oh and I’d love if you could work a star into the space (even subtly as it’s a symbol of my children and my husband). Thanks so very much, in advance. – Jean & Andrew
This space is already open and flooded with light- two things that really help to create a welcoming and inviting vibe from the second you step through the door. So here’s our handy dandy mood board full of colors and pieces to bring out that beachy & whimsical style that Jean and Andrew seek:
Here’s the mood board breakdown.
1. Our color palette for the space will be light and beachy with hits of green and blue just as Jean and Andrew have requested. For the walls we’ve selected a gorgeous blue-gray-green tone that changes with the lighting and the time of day (Glidden’s Gentle Tide) and for the accent wall running up the stairs, a light and airy gray-tan tone (Glidden’s Quiet Light) will complement the beachy blue in the foreground for a welcoming combination. We’ll also be bringing in some dark wood furniture pieces, some mirrors and metal, and tons of texture for that layered and casual feel with style for miles.
2. Since Jean and Andrew wanted to replace their current oversized green arm chair we hunted down a sweet patterned slipper chair (now 15% off with free shipping) to work better with the small scale of the room and inject some movement and interest into the space (thanks to the soft pattern). And instead of positioning it in the same spot as the existing chair, we though placing it in the near right corner of the room (angled in towards the coffee table and the couch) would create an airier layout and allow the coffee table to breathe a little. Oh and patterns are super kid friendly since they hide imperfections, so we have a feeling Jean and Andrew will be super happy with this addition.
3. We hunted down the perfect piece for Jean and Andrew to hang (in a crisp and simple white frame) above their existing credenza. This beachy and interestingly cropped nautilus shell works perfectly with our color palette for a chic and geometric effect.
4. When it comes to end tables for either side of the existing couch, we totally dig these discounted Victoria Hagan for Target ones with gorgeous lines and an elegant x-detail (one of our favorite things in the world).
5. And since Jean and Andrew requested that a subtle star be incorporated into the design, we thought these glammy mirrored star votives (on sale for $15) would be just the thing, placed out of reach of the kiddies on the existing credenza for some added sparkle.
6. Another item that we think would look right at home on that credenza (the first thing you see when you walk through the door) would be this whimsical lamp (which reminds us of a beachy sea urchin) to add glowy ambiance and texture to spare.
7. Jean and Andrew also mentioned they would like a small entryway table for next to their door (not pictured) so we searched high and low for something narrow enough to fit the space and devoid of a bottom shelf (to facilitate backpack storage underneath). And after much searching we discovered these classy little nesting tables from Pottery Barn (on sale!) which we think would look great greeting people at the front door.
8. And for our two new side tables flanking the couch, we’d love to see two of these beachy blue lamps (the cheapest we’ve seen of their kind). Double swoon.
9. Because there’s a window directly behind the couch, instead of one large piece of art, we dug up two tall and skinny mirrored candle sconces (no wiring necessary!) to hang on either side of the window for an open feeling (mirrors= more light bouncing around) and a bit of soft romance. Oh and Jean and Andrew should remember not to hang those sconces until they’ve hung their curtains (high and wide on the window for added height and drama) since wide-hung curtains eat up wall space and they’ll want the sconces to look centered after the curtains go up.
10. Here’s another accessory to add to that beachy-chic feeling. On the side table or the console it’ll look pretty and natural in that glossy white finish that John and I always adore. Oh and it’s only $29!
11. The coffee table is another Victoria Hagan for Target find (we actually own three of her accent tables ourselves, so we can vouch for the quality). The clean lines merged with the rich chocolate tone will anchor the seating area and create the perfect surface for coloring, resting a sippy cup, and a plethora of other kid friendly things. And it’s 15% off with free shipping so the purchase will truly be painless.
12. Here are those jute rugs that Jean and Andrew requested (perfect for a light and airy feeling- and they’re super low maintenance). The brown 2×5′ runner will be great for hiding dirt (and isn’t too long for the hall like many other eight or nine foot runners). Plus at $20.99 it’s a bona fide steal. The natural sandy toned jute rug will define the seating area in the front room while creating a cozy layered look on a dime (the 6×9′ one is just $149- a total deal compared to similar versions at Pottery Barn). The reason we’re replacing Jean and Andrew’s old 8×8 square rug with a 6×9 new one is because the new seating arrangement (with a rectangular coffee table cantered on the couch and a slipper chair in the front right corner angled in towards the coffee table and couch) will facilitate a rectangular rug that makes everything feel more open and balanced.
13.This whimsical little rope accent table (on sale no less) will look adorable next to the new slipper chair in the front right corner of the room (and every arm chair deserves a side table for book and drink placement). It’ll add even more texture for that truly layered casual look that just screams chic & beachy to all who arrive.
And we didn’t forget about the shoe storage solution or the curtains and blinds. We dug up this shoe storage system for the back of the coat closet door to instantly create order and make putting away little shoes fun and fast. As for the curtains and blinds, we think replicating the look in our living room would work perfectly with Jean and Andrew’s new palette, so snagging some Vivan floor length curtains from Ikea along with some bamboo blinds from Walmart will take their space from almost there to ooh la la.
So there it is. Jean and Andrew’s inviting and airy entryway and front room full of style with a smile. We can’t wait to hear what you think- especially you Jean and Andrew! And if anyone else has a design dilemma on their hands, click here for some simple and speedy suggestions.
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Comments
That “sea urchin” lamp is incredible. I love the idea of a lamp as art.
My Mom has the nautical rope table and uses it between two chairs. She got a round piece of glass and put it on top to make it seem a bit larger for the space she needed it. It also makes it feel a bit dressier.
Hey guys! Thanks for putting so much hard work into spiffying up our space. You two are quite amazing. We wonder, do you have even an ounce of procrastinator’s tendency in you? (…and, as we sit and ponder this, you’ve probably whipped up yet another mood board!) We are really lovin’ some of these finds. Personally, the stars are my very favorite thing (Jean) and a very good match with my taste. While I am not yet sure that the shell and coral decor will suit us (mea culpa, as I did say “beachy” and you followed suit), your boatload of great advice here gets us going. We’re ready to take that moodboard and run with it! We will commit ourselves to getting you the “after” shots. It may take us a little while, but knowing that we owe you those will hopefully get us to complete this by, say, springtime? ;-)
Best,
Jean & Andrew
I love the rugs and the tables! Makes me wish we had room for a coffee table. Does anyone know if jute rugs typically smell funny when you first get them? Are they good for a bedroom?
Elizabeth – I have two large jute rugs from Target, and I did not notice any smell.
However, while beautiful, they are not very comfortable under foot. If you wear slippers, they might be good for a bedroom.
I love it. Please excuse me though, for I fear that I may have just drooled on that gorgeous chair.
We’re glad you guys are enjoying the latest mood board, especially you Jean and Andrew! We can’t wait to see how it all turns out so definitely keep us posted. Is it springtime yet?
xoxo,
Sherry (& John)
p.s. Oh and Elizabeth, I’ve never experienced a smell with jute (it’s a natural fiber so there aren’t any chemicals or rubber backings which tend to smell) and as for the softness underfoot, it really depends on the type. For example, we have a braided one in our den that’s super soft while the one in our third bedroom is semi-rough and the one in our bedroom (actually seagrass, not jute) is even more textured- like a little exotic Indonesian vacation on the feet.
I love that coffee table and the chair (we have the same one in white). Jean & Andrew… have you thought about staining your stairs and banister darker to match the door and the furniture you have in that area?
Hi, Casamacho!
Oh, good question! The answer is a great big “Yes;” all too often I think about this very thing. Since this photo, the newell posts, balusters, and risers have all been painted white to match the rest of the trimwork in our house. (Our front door is actually painted black inside and out – not a stain.) The horizontal plane of the stairs have long been polyurethaned, but the handrails remain completely unfinished to date and have been the topic of much discussion recently for the very reasons you note.
While I wish we had wide-plank, darker wood floors throughout our home (very us), our red oak floors aren’t changing any time soon. We’ve determined that, despite the furniture color, the answer wouldn’t be to add yet another color to the stairwell woodwork. Red oak flooring, semi-gloss white painted millwork, then adding a chocolate or espresso color to that woodwork (a more permanent application than just having darker wood furniture pieces) seems like too much. I’ve had to resign myself to thinking of it as furniture is furniture and we would have that furniture no matter what color our floors were. The main problem is that the rise of the stairs brings the floor color into the same plane as the darker furniture.
I’ve asked a few contractors about the possibility of bringing a darker (espresso or chocolate) stain into the handrailing and horizontal plane of the stairs and whether they’ve seen this in homes on which they’ve worked. In the end, all have advised that we match the existing flooring. One problem would be the look of the darker stairway stairs when they meet the red oak flooring at the top and bottom of the stairwell. Despite this, the picture of how nicely tied-together the whole thing would look if the handrails and stair tops were a darker color is something that still crosses my mind. Almost daily. Sigh.
Any/all suggestions welcomed warmly!
Thanks, in advance!
- Jean
Hi Sherry,
I absolutely love your beachy themes! I’m in the process of redoing my new bedroom with my version of beachiness and your mood boards have inspired me. I love your recommendation of Vivan floor-length curtains. My new ceilings are 112″ tall, so I thought a hemmed version of the 118″-long Vivan would be perfect to hide my bookcases. I went to Ikea yesterday and found the Vivan bin, which said the curtains were 118″ long, but when I got to the checkout, I realized the package said 98″, which is 14″ too short for my room.
I went back to the curtain section and looked all over for any white/neutral curtains longer than 98″ and the only ones I found had grommet tops, which won’t work with the rods I’m mounting to the ceiling. Do you have any recommendations for a Vivan replacement?
Thanks a bunch,
Shereen
Hey Shereen,
The Vivan curtain panels do come in 118″ so you’re in luck! They also come in 98″ and sometimes they’re mixed together in the bin (or sold out) so check back in a week or so and I’m sure you’ll find ‘em. Sometimes you just have to read each package for the length and dig through the pile to find the one 118″ pack among the other shorter ones. Hope it helps!
xo,
Sherry
oooh, love! my favorites are the chair, wall art and lamps!