You won’t believe how much this space has changed! What was once a dated “lawyer foyer” or a two-story entry has now become a super cozy and inviting spot.
When we first moved in, the two-story entryway seemed pretty grand. But after spending our first Halloween and Christmas here, I realized a one-story entry would feel much cozier and be easier to decorate.
So, we decided to close in the second story. The extra space upstairs was transformed into a children’s library. We added herringbone wood floors, some gorgeous molding details, and even a wallpapered ceiling. It’s now my dream room!
Take a look at how this space looked the day we moved in. It felt “big” and “nice,” but it needed some personality. It took us two years to finish, but I’m really proud of how it turned out.
I absolutely love herringbone wood floors. We installed them in both the entryway and our main bedroom, while the rest of the house features plain white oak floors. We kept the original front doors but gave them a fresh coat of paint.
Having a double front door is awesome because I get to hang two matching wreaths that I switch out with the seasons.
The transformation was slow since I didn’t have a clear vision right away. Sometimes it’s good to live in a space for a while before making big changes. For example, if we had renovated right away, we probably wouldn’t have closed in the second story or added arches to define the living areas. Some ideas just need time to develop.
Upon walking into our home now, you can see how the colors complement each other and the arch leads your eye to the next room. We splurged on wood moldings, and they really add an interesting touch to the room.
Paint Colors:
- Interior: Marshmallow by Sherwin Williams (my go-to clean, bright white)
- Outside of Door: Meadow Sage by Sherwin Williams
- Inside of Door: Pinky Beige by Behr
Our floors are white oak with a soft white wash stain.
Favorite Etsy Shops for Vintage Rugs:
- Oushak Rugs
- Turkish Ruggram
- Jewel Rugs Collection
More Wallpapered Rooms in My Home:
- Elsie’s Office
- Narnia Wardrobe – Hidden Children’s Library
- Elsie’s Guest Bedroom
- Kids’ Shared Bedroom
My Number One Design Tip:
Always add something vintage and something deeply personal to every room. In this room, my personal touch is a bowl filled with photo booth strips we’ve collected with our kids. Other great ideas include photo books, framed kids’ art, or candid family photos. I love quirky photos like Halloween costumes more than professional portraits.