One Room Challenge Week 1 – The Back Entry Foyer

Today I’m joining a challenge to transform a room in six weeks. It’s called the One Room Challenge and it’s hosted by Linda from Calling It Home. Each week for the next 6 weeks, I will be updating you on my progress on the room I have chosen to transform. Then, if you follow the link in the logo, you can see the other participants’ work, as well.

So, I’d like to welcome you to the One Room Challenge Week 1 – the Back Entry Foyer. It was pretty easy for me to find a room to transform, since we moved into our house less than a year ago, and there are still plenty of spaces to complete. I’ve chosen our back entry foyer, a tight little space with no windows, as the room for my challenge. I’m including the before photos below, so you can see what I’m starting with.

The space is the entryway that connects the garage to our home, so it’s the primary entry that we use and the first thing we see when we enter the house. It’s a space that would generally be considered the mudroom, but given its central role in welcoming us home, I feel strongly that it be decorated in a way that makes me smile when I enter my home.

The space has little to offer in terms of character and interest. The beige floor tiles are bland, the cream walls equally so, and the double sliding door coat closet is bare bones functional. This is a space that’s calling out to be loved.

In our front entry I’ve gone very grand, with a beautiful antique French bar server and an oversized gilded mirror. I wanted this to be the first thing a guest sees when they enter our home, as it sets the tone for the decor that can be found throughout the house. But the back entry can’t carry such grandeur, particularly given its size. That said, the one thing I am certain of is not wanting a classic cubby-clad mudroom. Below I have shared some of my inspiration with explanations of what I have in mind. The photos are all linked to their sources, as these are not my own.

As lovely as it is, the mudroom above is precisely the look I am planning to avoid. We are empty nesters without small children at home and I prefer to walk into a more welcoming and elegant entry. So now that you know what I don’t want, let’s look at some ideas that I find inspiring.

The photo above represents the classic layout I am looking for, with a small French looking chest of drawers, lovely decorative mirror above it and flanked by two pretty chairs. I plan to go lighter in color and a bit less formal, and noting the size of my space, much less grand on the mirror.

This photo is closer to the size of the space I have to work with, with the chair tucked into the corner. I also like the whitewashed bureau and think it would work better than dark wood in our small space.

I love this set up because it gives you optimal functionality in a tiny area. The chest is good for storing hats and gloves while the chairs provide a spot to sit and remove shoes and boots. The mirror is there for a quick check before you leave the house and I like to keep a decorative box in the entry to corral keys and the like.

I plan to hang something on the sides of the mirror, whether it be sconces or something similar.

This photo is here for the general vibe it gives. I like the patina on the painted console, the bust sculpture and the chippy candlestick. It has just the right degree of formality for what I am aiming for.

This photo is for color, as I like the pale creamy yellow walls working with the painted console and the gilded mirror. Candles and garden urn would also be welcome in my entry.

While the main focus will be on the bureau area, I have enough room for a little shelving as well as a corner for something decorative like vintage canes and walking sticks. Next week I will back with our first few furniture pieces for the room and I’ll continue to update you in the ensuing weeks. Let’s see if I can get it all done in just the short time allotted!

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