One of our inspiration pics for our entry, source is unknown (please let me know if you know it)
We’re excited about how the entry sets the style for the whole house. From the start we’ve had a clear vision for this small hallway, even if getting to the final result has taken longer than we planned. Between schedules, priorities and the usual life interruptions, progress has been gradual — but it’s moving forward and the direction feels right.
Entry hall, before (dark and swine-esque)
Along the way we’ve made a few adjustments, so here’s an update on the choices we’ve settled on and a visual idea of how the entry might look when it comes together.
One of the reasons we loved this house is that it actually has an entry space — a rarity in many Seattle homes that open directly into the living room. Our front hallway connects the main floor rooms, so giving it the right personality from the start felt important. The original color leaned toward a pinkish “swine” tone, so the first step was a fresh coat of white paint (Swan White by Glidden) to brighten and neutralize the space.
Hall with a little paint progress
Initially we planned to add planked walls or possibly even a planked ceiling to introduce more character, a feature we loved in our previous home. We still intend to pursue that look, but that part of the project may wait while we invest in our kitchen first. Balancing priorities is part of renovating, and even if planking comes later there are immediate, less costly changes that will give the entry personality right away.
A next step door, light and art design mock up
One change we’re moving ahead with immediately is installing a Dutch door — we’re thrilled about that! A Dutch door will bring charm and a lot of personality to this compact space, and we can’t wait to see the impact.
We also finally settled on light fixtures for the entry. Choosing the right lighting took some time because different fixtures would push the space in slightly different directions. To clarify our decision, we created a simple mockup showing a Dutch door, new lighting, the white walls and the existing slate tile floor. We left off the planking in the mockup since that’s a future phase — this helped us visualize the entry realistically with the elements we’ll add now. The door shown is an inspirational reference, not the final model.
After trying a few options, white Barn Light Electric fixtures felt like the right statement for the entry. We ordered four flush-mount ceiling lights this week. We loved the fixtures we had in our previous house and the quality of these lights is excellent — they add the character we want without overwhelming the room. Because our ceilings here are lower, we carefully chose the scale and size to suit the space.
Using the mockup helped us see the balance of light, door and art, and made it easy to tweak things before committing. That step saves time and money compared to changing elements after installation.
Some of the art for our wall
Since we’ll likely save the wall or ceiling planking for a later phase, we decided to install a simple gallery wall now to warm and “finish” the entry. We’ve been collecting frames at estate sales and thrift stores and placed orders for a few prints, so we’ll assemble a cohesive mix of old and new when everything arrives. Making selections and placing orders feels like real progress — seeing it finished will be even better.
When choosing art, I’m aiming to weave in an “island” ambience alongside our other influences. I love Lanai, and because our home overlooks an island, that vibe feels natural here. My goal isn’t to create a literal theme but to introduce a mood that reflects our family and the places we love. Botanicals, birds, maps, ships and coastal imagery fit that mood and will combine with our existing pieces to create a personal, layered look.
Some frames we’ve gathered from estate sales and thrift stores. We’ll add new mats and mix these with new prints on order.
Entry hooks and accessories to finish the space
Readers often ask how the style of this house compares to our previous home. There are core elements and colors I always love that will appear again, but I’m also excited about some unexpected choices that suit this house — like the plum walls in our bedroom and a new beaded chandelier that brings a touch of island flair. The result will be familiar in spirit but fresh and uniquely ours.
Do you feel like your entry helps set the tone for your home?
PS. We’re hosting a giveaway for signed copies of my new book, and I appreciate all the encouraging responses. I hope the book inspires you to make room for what you love.
Click through the past posts and updates on this house to follow along as it comes together.