Entryway Archives - Love Grows Wild

New Entryway Console

Liz Fourez — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 10:00:34 +0000

You can definitely say I’m embracing my dark and moody era, or at least my version of dark and moody. For years my signature style has been visually light, bright, airy, and very… well, white. It has always felt clean and fresh and calming, and I love the peacefulness that aesthetic brings to our home. In the last year or two, I’ve craved a bit more contrast and warmth – just a few touches to make each space feel more grounded, more refined.

Right before the holidays, I decided to move things around in our dining room, which also doubles as an entryway. Not the ideal set up, but I’ve always found a way to make it work. I pushed the dining table closer to the exterior wall, away from the kitchen, making room for a console table on the opposite side.

Normally I would choose a light wood or a white finish, but when I saw this console by Studio McGee for Target, I fell in love. The rich, dark wood finish. The woven drawer fronts. The antique gold handles. It somehow feels traditional and modern at the same time.

Shop: East Bluff Woven Drawer Console in Brown

The drawer space is perfect for sunglasses, keys, a dog leash, gloves… the typical things you might need when heading out the door. And on the shelf underneath, I have two woven baskets for umbrellas, scarves, and other large items that won’t fit in the drawers.

I kept the decor pretty simple to allow the table’s beautiful details to stand out. A few stacks of books, a vase with some faux branches, baskets, and a platter to keep any incoming clutter (mail, keys, wallets, change, etc.) contained. The last thing I added was a stunning large black ceramic table lamp with a beautiful empire shade. Another recent Target purchase that I am head over heels for.

Shop: Large Ceramic Black Table Lamp

Current favorite candle I always have lit: Cozy Cabin + this wick trimmer

I still have a few more little projects/purchases to make before I share a full view of the dining room, but I am so thrilled with the direction it’s going in. And the way the dark wood and black pops against the white walls… perfection

– CLICK IMAGES BELOW TO SHOP –

Other Sources:

canvas covered books – diy tutorial | faux branches – Hobby Lobby
candle – Grow + Gather | wick trimmer – Grow + Gather

As always, I sincerely appreciate you shopping through the links I share, which allows me to make a small commission from your purchase while your purchase price stays the same. When you use my affiliate links, I’m better able to create content for this blog as well as support my family, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting what I do!

The post New Entryway Console appeared first on Love Grows Wild.

Ten Years of Creating Our Home – Part 1

Liz Fourez — Tue, 03 May 2022 09:00:00 +0000

It has been such a surreal month celebrating the last ten years of Love Grows Wild. We moved into this house just a few months after I started my blog back in 2012, documenting all the changes we’ve made to this little house along the way. Naturally, I’ve spent a lot of time looking back on just how much has changed over the last decade, and I want to take you on a little photo “tour” of the house going all the way back to 2012. You’re in for a real treat, my friend.

Please let this trip back in time remind you of a few very important things:

We all start somewhere. It’s not going to be pretty or anywhere near perfect, but the important thing is that you don’t let fear paralyze your progress. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing as far as interior design goes, but I did know what I wanted our home to feel like. Back when I had a young family, I spray painted many thrift store finds to fit my shoestring budget, and if that’s where you are able to start, then go for it! You deserve to live in a home you love today… not in ten years when you have the money, time, skills, etc. to do it.

THE LIVING ROOM

Welcome to our living room back in 2012 when I still had moving boxes on the floor. I had just purchased my first set of brand new living room furniture and got rid of all the old hand-me-downs we had for years. Silver spray painted thrift store lamps and a rug a few sizes too small.

I painted the entire house Woodlawn Colonial Gray by Valspar (which I believe is now called Soulful Gray) when we moved in, but all the trim and doors were dark wood. Modern and gray felt like my style at the time.

2012

Eventually I added in a little bit of personality with some refinished furniture pieces and decor.

2014

This was probably the first major project I tackled: adding board and batten trim more than halfway up the wall and painting it white. I also painted all the wood trim and doors white and loved how much brighter it made the space feel.

2015

This was when I really started embracing the farmhouse vibe. I added slipcovers to the sofas and hung these HUGE black lanterns on either side of the picture window. Our home started to feel like it had character and a story to tell.

2016

Some questionable furniture choices have been made over the years, but this was probably the worst. Two gray armchairs that looked more purple than anything else, and a “sofa” that was really the size of a small settee. I learned to pay closer attention to measurements and other details after this purchase. But I did enjoy playing with different furniture arrangements and layouts for this big, open living room/dining room space.

2016

My first light color sofa, a jute rug that hides everything, and a random floral curtain I bought hoping to make the purple-ish chairs work.

2017

After my divorce, I went through a period of time embracing a more “feminine french country” vibe. It felt fitting to add things like lace, floral, and ruffles while I made this huge transition in my life.

2017

With growing boys, I eventually upgraded to a sectional sofa in the same tufted light linen fabric.

2018

Many different furniture arrangements, and many different coffee tables. Some of them I built!

2019

Then I started to embrace a more simple. laid-back vibe. Layered rugs for softness, cozy neutral pillows, and plenty of sunshine.

2020

I loved this shelf I built for the living room to display art. Such a great, easy focal point.

2020

A rare look from this angle to show where our TV is and how the different spaces flow together.

2020

I added two bookcases and lights in the living room, which made such a pretty focal point behind the sofa. And I finally got a new front door (in black!) that lets in a ton of light.

2021

I’m about ready to get rid of the sectional and look for some new couches, so we shall see where 2022 takes this space!

Now let’s check out the dining room/entryway area that is open to the living room.

THE DINING ROOM/ENTRYWAY

This space has always been difficult because it really doesn’t feel strictly like an entryway or like a dining room. It’s sort of an odd space that is combined into one since this is the door we use most often instead of the front door.

2015

But that hasn’t stopped me from styling it a million different ways over the years.

Remember when I created a wood bench from an old door? That was such a cool piece.

I painted the door with Rust-Oleum door paint in a custom mixed color called Rustic Pewter. It definitely needs some touch-ups now, but it has held up really well over the years. It’s much thicker than normal paint, and not as easy to apply, but very durable.

2016

At one point I built a huge plate rack on the wall to display my wood cutting boards.

Then I moved the dining table out of this space for awhile and added a little desk area.

I loved finding antiques to mix old with new.

Then I really switched things up and moved the dining table to the opposite side of the living room by the front door.

And built a custom wood bench for the entryway.

We have no overhead lighting in the living/dining room, but this candle chandelier I hung above the table was SO pretty. Would you believe I painted that huge piece of art myself?

Eventually the table moved back to the other side of the room with a little more of a simple, laid-back style.

I got new dining chairs to update the space, including upholstered armchairs for the head of the table.

I started to lean more towards black and other darker colors, which made the space feel more cozy and grounded.

And today the dining table is back where it originally started, in the “entryway”.

Creating a home is a journey that is never truly “finished”. Your home grows and changes with you, which is why I think I get so emotional looking back on these photos. I can remember where I was at in my life in each one and see how far we’ve come… the house, myself, and my family.

H O M E … what a beautiful gift to ourselves and those we love.

I hope this post helped or inspired you in some way, no matter where you are in your own journey. If you have any questions, I’m happy to answer them, and I have a Part Two I’m writing with a look back on more spaces in our house! Look for that soon… xoxo Liz

The post Ten Years of Creating Our Home – Part 1 appeared first on Love Grows Wild.

Updated Entryway

Liz Fourez — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 14:00:00 +0000

In partnership with Walmart | Earlier this week I shared a decorating tip for making any room instantly feel bigger and brighter (see that post here), and I mentioned more entryway updates coming later on in the week. Our entryway tends to be a catch-all for everything as we enter and exit the house, and I often forget that this is the first view people see when they come into our home. I want it to be first and foremost functional for our family, but I also want this space to feel warm and welcoming when guests come to visit. Last weekend I had family come stay with us, and my brother-in-law laughed at the empty picture frames I have had hanging on the wall for who knows how long… it was time the entryway got a little bit of an update!

I always recommend shopping your home first to see what you can move around or repurpose without spending any money, and I was able to switch a few pieces of furniture to make the space more functional. Then I bought a few items from Walmart Home to complete the new look…

I started with this black wooden bench to give us somewhere to sit while putting on our shoes, and I love how the dark color contrasts against all the wood and white and also ties into the lights in the kitchen, which you can see through the wall opening above the bench. To soften the more modern lines of the bench, I added a cozy throw blanket and a few pillows. One rule of thumb I often use when styling pillows is to have one that is more simple and solid like this plush ivory pillow and one with a little bit of color or pattern, like this reversible stripe pillow.

Sometimes I confuse people when I talk about where our entryway is because it’s technically not by our front door. We always use our side door that is right beside the driveway and garage, so it just makes sense to utilize this space as our entryway. You can see in the photos below that the layout is open to both the living/dining room on one side and the kitchen on the other.

I absolutely love this little console table area next to the bench with the big mirror, pampas grass, and a new lamp I bought. I always have my eye out for larger lamps like this that resemble old pottery, and you can easily pay upwards of $200-$300 for them at some stores. I was thrilled when I found this one at Walmart for less than $100!

One the opposite side of the entryway is a large armoire I painted a few years ago, a wicker trunk for shoe storage, and a brand new light fixture I’ve had my eye on for awhile now. Do you remember this rattan shade floor lamp I bought for my living room a few years ago? They also had a large rattan pendant light available for such a good price, but I never had a good place to use it. I finally decided to update the old black chandelier I had hanging in here and install this gorgeous textured rattan light instead. It adds SO much warmth and coziness to the space!

Look at that gorgeous distressing and texture on the lamp…

What do you think of the new look in our entryway? It’s been awhile since I’ve shared this view of our home, so it may be the first time seeing it for some of you! Do you better understand the layout of our home now after seeing the photos? Have you found anything for your home from Walmart lately? Let me know if you have any questions!

I partnered with Walmart on this post, but as always the thoughts and opinions shared are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting our blog and brand partners! As always, I sincerely appreciate you shopping through the links I share, which allows me to make a small commission from your purchase while your purchase price stays the same. When you use my affiliate links, I’m better able to create content for this blog as well as support my family, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting what I do!

SHOP THE POST

The post Updated Entryway appeared first on Love Grows Wild.

How to Make a Room Brighter – No Electricity or Painting Required

Liz Fourez — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 19:26:01 +0000

This week I’ve been working on a little mini makeover in the entryway. Later on in the week I’ll have a bigger “reveal” to show you, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to share one of my favorite decorating tips for instantly making a room feel bigger and brighter without any lighting or painting required…

… want to know how?

D E C O R A T I N G T I P :

Hang a mirror across from a window to bounce light around the room, making it feel both larger and brighter!

I moved a console table from my dining room into the entryway and decided to hang a simple round mirror on the wall above for two reasons:

a) I like having some kind of mirror in the entryway to make sure I don’t have puppy hair all over me before I walk out the door

b) placing a mirror in this spot across from a window bounces a ton of light back into the room, making the whole space feel bright, clean, and spacious.

This tip works great in smaller rooms with little to no natural light, but you can use this trick almost anywhere in your house. It’s such a simple concept, but never ceases to amaze me how adding a mirror can completely change the look and feel of a room.

SOME OF MY CURRENT FAVORITE MIRRORS

click any photo below to browse or shop

SOURCES:

Creating a Simple Entryway in a Small Space

Liz Fourez — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 09:00:25 +0000

You may remember earlier in the year when I added this sconce (without wiring thanks to this tutorial) to a wall in our combined dining/living room. For reference, just to the right of the light is our front door. While I love the sconce itself, it just felt out of place on the wall with nothing else around. The tight space between our big farmhouse dining table and the sofa (both just a few feet away) left no room to add any kind of furniture below, so I needed to come up with something else that could fill in the space, while still leaving an open, airy feel in this cramped corner.

Even though we don’t use the front door as our main entry to the house, guests still sometimes use it, and there really isn’t much of an “entryway” here. You step in the door and walk right into a coat closet, turn, and you’re standing in our living/dining room. Not extremely welcoming. While I don’t have enough room for a bench or any furniture here, I do love the look of coat hooks on the wall, and this would create the feeling of a small entryway without crowing the floor and walkway at all. It ended up being the perfect solution for this small space!

Here’s what I love most about this quick and simple project:

First, the dark sconce on a very plain white wall feels much more intentional and coordinated now that I added the hooks below. It gave the contrasting color of the sconce something to blend with instead of sticking out like a sore thumb. In complete honesty, the color of the sconce is more of a dark oil-rubbed bronze, and the hooks are black, but they are similar enough that it works. I’ve considered taking the sconce down and spray painting it matte black, but for now I think I’m fine with the way it looks.

Second, I love that this space became something both pretty AND functional instead of purely decorative. I feel like the coat hooks just make sense by the front door, even though it’s technically in our dining room and just next to the living room… you really get a feel for just how small our little farmhouse is when you see photos like these. Some of you may have big, beautiful homes, but I know many of you have the most charming smaller homes, and I wanted to give you some ideas and inspiration for creating an entryway in even the smallest of spaces. Just a few coat hooks and maybe a small, narrow bench or basket underneath if you have the room is all you need. I also love that my favorite denim jacket I wear almost daily hanging here just makes the space feel beautifully lived in and cozy… my kind of perfection.

I purchased these specific hooks at Menard’s and found a package of 2 that was much cheaper, about half the price, than all the other hooks sold individually. The main difference is that the package of hooks had a high gloss finish, and the more expensive hooks I wanted had the soft matte look I always lean towards. I decided to buy the less expensive glossy hooks anyway to save some money, knowing I could probably dull the high gloss finish at home.

To get rid of the gloss, I first lightly sanded the hooks, then used a can of clear matte spray paint topcoat to spray on several light coats. Because the paint was clear instead of black, it did slightly lighten up the color of the hooks to a dark charcoal gray, but you’d never be able to notice unless you got up close. I let them dry completely, then used my drill to install them over the board and batten trim we installed years ago.

Somebody knows how to get right in the way when momma is taking pictures…

So what do you guys think of the “entryway” I created by our front door? I love the new look and the coziness it brings to the space without feeling cramped and cluttered. Sometimes the simplest 30 minute projects can make the biggest impact on the way your home looks and functions!

Sources:

hooks – Menard’s
sconce – Wayfair discontinued (similar here)
dining table – tutorial here
dining chairs – World Market
chair cushions – World Market
rug – Rugs USA
faux olive tree – Etsy
basket – HomeGoods
shoes – Old Navy
denim jacket – Walmart
bag – Goodwill
table runner – Pier 1
vase – Target
candle chandelier – Rustic Garden

The post Creating a Simple Entryway in a Small Space appeared first on Love Grows Wild.

Entryway Archives - Love Grows Wild

New Entryway Console

– CLICK IMAGES BELOW TO SHOP –

STAY CONNECTED:

Ten Years of Creating Our Home – Part 1

THE LIVING ROOM

THE DINING ROOM/ENTRYWAY

STAY CONNECTED:

Updated Entryway

SHOP THE POST

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!

How to Make a Room Brighter – No Electricity or Painting Required

D E C O R A T I N G T I P :

SOME OF MY CURRENT FAVORITE MIRRORS

SOURCES:

MORE SIMPLIFYING HOME BLOG POSTS:

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!

Creating a Simple Entryway in a Small Space

Sources:

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!