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My Entry Redo for Project Design

March 23, 2017 By kimwheeler 24 Comments

The day is here and I’m revealing what I did for the Project Design challenge. I loved my entry, but knew it needed some color to give it a little oomph and I went with yellow. See my before pics on my previous post. I feel like yellow is such a California color and being blonde I love it in my wardrobe, so why not in the home? My entry feels even more me now.

I also chose a yellow since our entry is small and quite dark. There is no light source really and as much as I contemplated doing a grey or navy wall, I felt a green or yellow would brighten it and also complement my mix of botanical and bird prints I have collected over the years. I never realized how many bird prints we had until I decided to try a gallery wall in here.  The vintage Garden Society sign goes with it all as does the C’est LaVie on glass, a sweet gift from a friend.

The entryway is small, but painting just the one wall, made it seem much larger. The gallery wall was something I just did by accident and it kind of grew organically. I’d try a few, move them around and try others until it really filled the space and made it appear much taller, wider and a lot better than it just a single print could ever do.

I wasn’t sure it would work with my little row of hooks left on the wall, but I think it worked out nicely and I like using the hooks to hang other cool seasonal bags and things. We also have a mudroom/pantry situation and enter the house through there most times so these hooks are really for guests.

The best way to do this is to start with one large picture and then work around that until it feels right. It is okay to have your prints a bit off center from each other here and there. Having it all too symmetrical and perfect though lacks the gallery feel and fun of it. You may have a few holes from moving nails around, but I find I can usually cover that with strategic hanging of things. You could also lay them out on a floor first or tack up papers in the same size as the items you are hanging. I usually don’t have the patience for that though!

Our entry is small, narrow and has zero architectural interest. It’s amazing how much bigger it looks filled up horizontally and vertically. Way more impressive. Like lipstick on a pig you know?

The color I went with was Mulholland Yellow by Benjamin Moore. Okay I have to be honest as I was a bit suckered in by the name. I’ve always wanted to live in the Hollywood Hills. 😀

I wanted a yellow that had some depth to it, not a buttercup color nor too lemon chiffonish, with a bit of green and black to it and this fit the bill. Once on the wall though I wasn’t so sure. However, it dried down to something that worked just right with all the greens in my pictures, so I decided to keep the same prints and add in some gold with a leafy print.

The layout of my art isn’t right yet, as I was a bit rushed yesterday with appointments and a school concert. I will probably move them around still, but I had to keep the leaf print on the lower left where it is to cover an awkward outlet. I might also add in a small vintage oval gold mirror I have.

The great thing about these collected walls is you can change as you feel like it and I personally love to change things up frequently, though it drives my family bananas.

I was lucky to have this beautiful Trina Turk linen pillow I had yet to find a perfect spot for which had yellows and grey. I think the combination of yellows and golds plus the grey tones of the pillow and rug compliment each other. The black in the frames, hooks and prints ground it all. I threw my Golden State tote and a scarf and army jacket on the hooks for more of those colors. A little more fiddling with it all and I will have it just right.

A special thanks to Cindy Hattersley of Rough Luxe Lifestyle and Mary Ann of Classic Casual Home who were the hosts. I was glad to be asked to join this as it proved to me what a little paint and a effort can do to make your home more updated and chic in a few days, or in my case two! 
I can’t wait to see what the others in this challenge did to their entryways. For more inspiration you can visit these lovely blogs:

cassie bustamante
claire brody designs
classic casual home
Dixie Delights
Maison de Cinq
Our French Oasis
Rough Luxe Lifestyle
This is Happiness

Thanks so much for playing along with us. 
Kim

Filed Under: Home & Design

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kimber Feece says

    March 23, 2017 at 2:25 pm

    Well done!

  2. LPC says

    March 23, 2017 at 2:39 pm

    Nice!

  3. Mary Ann Pickett says

    March 23, 2017 at 3:23 pm

    You have such a great collection of art for the gallery wall. I love the C'est La Vie sign! That last photo is stunning with the acrylic legged bench and perfectly sunny walls. Gorgeous! Thanks so much for playing with us, Kim! Isn't your entry fun to come home to?

  4. Adrienne Shubin says

    March 23, 2017 at 3:35 pm

    Love it, Kim! You are inspiring me to do something about our front entry way. I had a ratty old rug that I tossed last weekend, going to look for a new one that will brighten up that area.
    Hope you are well. I sure miss seeing you!
    xo, A

  5. Cindy Hattersley says

    March 23, 2017 at 3:41 pm

    Kim this is fabulous! My internet is not working properly this a.m so I am slow to get to everyone. I am going to add this color to my arsenal. You have proved that yellow can be hip again. I love yellow and I love that this color nods a bit to green. I love the combination of gray and yellow (I am working on a master bedroom in those colors right this very minute). The creative arrangement so reflects your relaxed norcal style! I am so happy you joined us! You did not disappoint!

  6. bunacat says

    March 23, 2017 at 9:47 pm

    Looks fabulous Kim!

  7. Sheila Irwin says

    March 24, 2017 at 5:19 am

    Kim,

    I love that sunny color, and I love that it reflects you so well! Your gallery wall of bird pictures is so cute – it truly feels like it belongs there.

    Great job my friend – and I'm so glad to have gotten to do this "hop" with you:)

    Sheila
    xo

  8. Coulda shoulda woulda says

    March 24, 2017 at 10:22 am

    You did a great job there Kim! I would do something but I only have a vestibule at best!

  9. Becky {This Is Happiness} says

    March 24, 2017 at 11:58 am

    It turned out beautiful! Love the yellow and the gallery wall looks awesome! Enjoyed hopping with you.

  10. Leslie Sinclair says

    March 24, 2017 at 1:22 pm

    Love your groupings! I find that so hard to do and your look great–Great post!

  11. La Contessa says

    March 24, 2017 at 2:22 pm

    ADORE THE COLOR CHOICE!
    YOU DID A WONDERFUL JOB IN JUST TWO DAYS!!!!

  12. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    March 24, 2017 at 4:19 pm

    Thanks Kimber! Appreciate it from you who always doing this!! xx

  13. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    March 24, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    Thanks Mary Ann for including me in this! I'm super glad I had the opportunity to try this and now it's done! Feels like a new space.

  14. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    March 24, 2017 at 4:22 pm

    Adrienne, I agree it's fun to all of a sudden pay attention to an area you never barely gave thought to before. A new rug is a great chance to brighten things up! I found mine at Home Goods. I miss you too and we need a get together soon! xo

  15. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    March 24, 2017 at 4:24 pm

    Cindy, really glad to have the chance to do this. It kicked me in the butt to actually get something done in a week, vs mulling over paint chips for eternity in my usual non-decisive way! You are very kind. I am happy with the way it came out. I can't wait to see your yellow and grey room which I think is lovely together! Thanks so much!:)

  16. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    March 24, 2017 at 4:24 pm

    Thanks Kelley!!

  17. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    March 24, 2017 at 4:25 pm

    Sheila, Thank you! I guess it all kind of works. Was fun to do this together and get to see what you all did which was lovely too! xx

  18. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    March 24, 2017 at 4:27 pm

    Naomi thanks! I know Cindy of Classic Casual Home had something similar. Check out hers. I am sure your home is gorgeous. I have loved all your choices and wallpaper!!

  19. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    March 24, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    Becky, So nice to get to know you and see your take on this too! Loved you entry and pillows. Fun to do this with everyone!

  20. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    March 24, 2017 at 4:29 pm

    Thanks Leslie! I am sure mine need some tweaking still and they are a work in progress. I just found some gold birds to add to it!

  21. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    March 24, 2017 at 4:30 pm

    Thanks Elizabeth. Good to know I can actually get something done on my own and between school run and everything else if I put my mind to it. In fact I am thinking of painting a few other areas now. The just go for it approach is not so bad, unlike my usual mulling over things for decades… xo

  22. Dani BP says

    March 25, 2017 at 12:41 pm

    I love it. The colour is so sunny and fabulous and the Trina Turk pillow ties it all in beautifully. You did a great job! xx

  23. Bita Arabian says

    March 25, 2017 at 4:12 pm

    Hi Kim. Love the yellow! You have inspired me. When we built our house 11 years ago we had accent walls everywhere, then we changed everything to white. Now I'm missing pops of yellow (or orange) and I'm craving an olive wall like we used to have in the family room. Accent walls are such a quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive way to completely transform a space. Your post inspired me! Your entry way looks brighter and better. Love the Trina accent pillow. The gold mirror will be a nice touch. Great job!! Hugs, Bita

  24. Carla Aston says

    March 27, 2017 at 4:58 am

    Nice job! Love the bench and your gallery wall. You've all done a wonderful job.

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