HHello friends — Kylee here. I’m excited to be posting again. If we haven’t met before, I’m Melissa’s oldest daughter. A few years ago my husband and I bought a three-story townhouse in Seattle and have been slowly making it our own. I’ve shared parts of our decorating journey on the blog; you can find those updates in my author archive.
It’s been a while since I posted — I meant to keep up, but the darker fall and winter evenings made photographing the house difficult. Now that daylight savings has shifted the light later in the day, I’m hoping to get back to sharing more. I still help behind the scenes on the blog, and I’ve been working on a few small updates around the house that I’m happy to finally share. I also hope to post more recipes when I can, though I won’t promise a rigid schedule — just more frequent updates when possible.
To mark my return, I wanted to show one of the first spaces in our townhouse that truly feels finished: our entry hallway. It’s a narrow space that we use every day, and it’s practical, pretty, and exactly how I hoped it would be. Settling into a new home takes time when life is busy, so I’m delighted this area is complete enough to share.
This was one of the first corners we tackled. When we moved in the hallway felt blank and, for our taste, too yellow. Yellow can be lovely in the right place, but here it made the passage feel small and dim instead of welcoming.
We wanted an entry that reflected our style and that felt light and fresh the moment you walked in. My sister Courtney lives on the lower level and uses this hallway every day, so making it both attractive and functional was a priority.
We painted the hallway Swan White by Glidden to create a clean, bright backdrop and to help the natural light in the space bounce around. The door and two walls have windows, and the bedroom at the end of the hall contributes additional daylight, so the white paint helps keep the area feeling open and airy. We’re very happy with the color choice.
Function was an important consideration. Our house doesn’t have a coat closet and, living in the Pacific Northwest, we need easy access to coats, scarves, and other weather gear. While some seasonal items can live in the garage, we wanted an everyday solution that made it simple to grab what we need.
Hooks became the obvious answer. They give everyone a place to hang jackets and provide spots for guests to store their things when they visit. We also used baskets to keep smaller items organized.
We installed three hook rails: two near the door for my husband, guests, and me, and another lower one closer to Courtney’s room so she has a convenient spot for her things. The wire cubbies we added to one rail are especially handy for corralling hats and scarves.
The hallway originally had basic can lights, but I wanted a fixture that added personality. I used capiz shell chandeliers hung on clear ceiling hooks to create a softer, layered light. The install was straightforward and dramatically improved the feel of the space.
We also added a mirror near the door — practical for last-minute checks before heading out.
The Hemnes shoe cabinet from IKEA has been invaluable in this narrow space. It’s designed for shoes but works for all kinds of small-item storage. We keep dog leashes, picnic blankets, and gloves in ours so the entry stays tidy.
From the second floor you can look down into the hall and see a gallery wall I recently added. It’s a mix of photos, meaningful pieces, and a few works I painted. When I don’t have a specific artwork ready for a frame, I often use pretty paper or maps as placeholders until I find a piece I love.
The final touch above the small bench was a celestial chart. I searched for the right piece for months, and after a bit of research I decided I could DIY a similar poster and hang it with an affordable poster kit. It saved money and gave me exactly the look I wanted.
That’s the tour of our entry hallway. It’s one of those small spaces that makes a big difference in daily life — welcoming, useful, and reflective of our style. Thanks for letting me share it!
Related posts:
Come take a tour of my townhouse office makeover!
Our Seattle townhouse tour
Solutions for a Small Entry or Non-Existent Entry
Source list (highlights):
Rug
Hemnes Shoe Cabinet
Capiz chandelier
Sunburst Mirror
Celestial Chart and poster hanging kit
Baskets (similar)
Wall paint color – Swan White by Glidden