One of our inspiration pics for our entry, source is unknown (please let me know if you know it)
We’re excited about setting the tone for the house right at the front door. From the beginning we’ve had a clear vision for this entry, inspired by photos we’ve collected, but progress has been gradual. Between scheduling, busy seasons, and balancing priorities, some projects have moved slower than we’d like. Still, we’re making steady progress and are happy with the direction.
Entry hall, before (dark and pigmented)
Since it’s been a while since our last entry update, here’s a summary of decisions we’ve made and a preview of how the space may look. One of the things we loved about this house is that it actually has an entry instead of opening directly into the living room. It’s a small hallway that links our main-floor rooms, so defining its personality felt important. The original color leaned toward a muddy swine hue, so the first move was a fresh coat of white paint (Swan White by Glidden).
Hall with a little paint progress
We had considered adding planked walls or even a planked ceiling to add character—ideas we still plan to pursue. However, the planking may become a second-phase project while we prioritize the kitchen. That said, there are immediate updates we can make to bring personality to the entry without waiting.
A next-step door, light and art design mockup
One change we’re moving forward with right away is installing a Dutch door to replace the current front door. We’re thrilled about this—it’s the kind of distinctive, welcoming element that will give the compact space instant personality. We also finalized the entry lighting after experimenting with several fixture styles. To aid decision-making, we created a simple mockup showing a Dutch door, new lights, white walls, and the existing slate tile floors. We left the planking out of the mockup to keep the visualization realistic for this stage.
Once we added white Barn Light Electric fixtures in the mockup, everything felt right. They provide the crisp character we’re after, so we ordered four ceiling entry lights this week. We loved the Barn Light fixtures in our previous home for their quality and charm, and we felt they’d bring similar warmth here. Because our ceilings are lower than in our old house, we carefully measured to choose fixtures with the right scale.
Our mockup isn’t an exact representation of the final door or fixtures but serves as a useful tool to refine the plan before construction. It allows us to test elements and make changes before committing to work that will be harder to reverse.
Some of the art for our wall
While the planking may wait, we can warm up the entry now with a simple gallery wall. We’ve been collecting frames at estate sales and ordering art prints to mix with pieces we already own. Getting items ordered and making decisions feels great—seeing the finished wall will feel even better.
When choosing artwork and accessories, I aim to evoke an island-inspired mood among other influences. We love places like Lanai, and our home overlooks an island, so that feeling meshes naturally with the house. Rather than creating a literal theme, I try to infuse the home with moods that reflect our family—botanicals, birds, maps, ships, and other elements that speak to us are being mixed throughout the house to create a cohesive, personal vibe.
Frames gathered from estate sales and thrift stores. We’ll be adding new mats and mixing old and new art.
Row of hooks, tote bag and sun hat staged for the entry
Some readers have asked how the style of this house will relate to our previous home. There are signature colors and elements I always return to, so familiar touches will appear here, too. At the same time, I’m introducing surprises that suit this particular house—like unexpected plum walls in the bedroom and a new beaded chandelier that contributes an island feel. The result should feel fresh and unique while still unmistakably ours.
Do you feel like your entry helps set the tone for your home?
PS. Please consider entering the giveaway for signed copies of my new book on Instagram. I’m grateful for the warm response so far and hope the book encourages you to make room for what you love.
Click through my past posts and updates in the Seattle house category to follow along with the rest of the project.