HHello friends, Kylee here! I’m excited to be posting again. If we haven’t met before, I’m Melissa’s oldest daughter. A couple of years ago my husband and I bought a three-story townhouse in Seattle and have been slowly decorating it. I’ve shared some of that process on the blog.
It’s been a while since I posted—fall and winter made it hard to take photos after work—but with brighter evenings I hope to be more consistent. I still help with the blog behind the scenes and have a few small updates and recipes I’d like to share when I can.
To kick things off, I want to show one of the few spaces in our townhouse that actually feels finished: the entry hallway. Settling into a new home takes time, and this space is one of the first that felt right. It’s functional, pretty, and exactly what I pictured.
This hallway was one of the first areas we tackled. When we moved in it felt blank and very yellow. I like yellow in small doses, but in this narrow hall it made the space feel darker and smaller than it actually is.
We wanted the entry to be bright and welcoming, so we painted the hall Swan White by Glidden. The white creates a clean, neutral backdrop for wall decor and helps bounce the natural light that comes from the door windows and adjacent rooms. The result feels open and fresh.
Function was a big consideration since our house has no coat closet and we live in the Pacific Northwest where weather changes quickly. We needed a practical system for daily coats, scarves, and guest items. Hooks were an obvious solution and the baskets help keep smaller items organized.
We installed three hook rails—two near the door for my husband and me and one closer to the lower-level bedroom for my sister Courtney, who lives with us. The wire cubbies on the rails are especially useful for storing hats, gloves, and scarves so everything is easy to grab on the way out.
I also wanted lighting with personality to replace the standard recessed cans. I found capiz shell chandeliers and hung them using clear command hooks and bendable wire, which was an easy, non-permanent way to add a layered, soft light to the hall. The change made a big aesthetic difference.
We added a mirror by the door for quick checks before leaving—practical and classic. Below it sits a Hemnes shoe cabinet from IKEA, which I’ve found to be one of the most useful furniture pieces for small spaces. It stores shoes but doubles as storage for dog leashes, picnic blankets, gloves, and other odds and ends.
From the second floor you can see the entry and the gallery wall I recently added along the stair. The wall is a mix of photos, meaningful art, and some of my own paintings. When I don’t have a specific print for a frame, I’ll often use pretty paper, maps, or decorative wrapping as a temporary filler until I find something more personal.
The final touch in the entry was a Celestial Chart above the bench. I considered buying one but ended up making a similar piece myself at a fraction of the cost. Using a Cavallini-style poster and a simple poster hanging kit gave me the look I wanted without breaking the budget.
All together, the paint, hooks, lighting, storage, and art turned a dated, cramped hallway into a bright, welcoming, and highly functional entry that suits our daily life in the townhouse. Thanks for letting me share this completed little space—I’m looking forward to sharing more updates soon!
RELATED POST:
Come take a tour of my townhouse office makeover!
Our Seattle townhouse tour
Solutions for a Small Entry or Non-Existent Entry
Source List:
Rug
Hemnes Shoe Cabinet
Capiz chandelier
Sunburst Mirror
Globe
Wire Cubby Hooks (similar)
Wood bench (similar)
Celestial Chart
Poster Hanging Kit
Baskets (similar)
Wall Paint Color – Swan White by Glidden