Sunday, July 4, 2010

entry room progress

If you've been following, you know I've been working on a makeover of the 2 room entry we have when you enter our house.  Well, we've made some progress and entry part A (the larger main entry) is almost finished.  Let's remember the before:
It was painted yellow, had a wooden bench, black mirror and a hodgepodge of stuff.  Although this was supposed to be a soft yellow, at certain times of the day, it became a blinding sunshine in your face yellow.  So, first thing we did was paint the room a soft neutral.  Now I have to add here, have you seen the latest issue of Country Living Magazine?  It's full of blinding sunshine in your face yellow walls and somehow their's looks good.  Mine didn't.  Okay, so here goes the thrifty "after."


First, we added this PB entry bench set.  Jennie had it and didn't want it anymore so she let me have it.  It was black.  You've seen it before I'm sure.
photo from Pottery Barn

I just gave it a coat of Kilz primer (in a spray can) and then a coat of white paint.
Next, I layered a red/white check quilt that I already had.  I love this quilt.  It looks and feels old but it's relatively new from JCPenney's!  I've had it about a year or so.
Then, I added accessories.  This is an old-fashioned ice cream maker that was my grandmother's. I remember many of my family members (including aunts, uncles, cousins) getting together at a park for a good ol' southern "fish fry" and then making ice cream after dinner, usually peach ice cream. We did this all the time growing up.   It still has all the parts but we just lifted those out, put them away in a safe place and will use the bucket as a place to put umbrellas.  Those new smaller tote-style umbrellas people carry now will fit perfectly in here without being seen.
I made a sign to go above the bench set.  I wanted a big red vintage sign but couldn't find what I wanted so I made my own using the technique I mentioned in a previous post.
This is the little, inexpensive mercury light we added a couple of years ago to replace the builder's standard brass fixture that was there.
This old metal toy horse was kept. It's been in the entry since we moved in because I didn't know where else to put it.  Now, I like it here.  The red and blue colors on it go well in this area now.
...and the details.  This cute simple mirror hung in my Dad's jeweler's shop forever.  It was the only mirror in the shop and the jeweler's used to check their hair in it before going out to visit their clients in Dallas.  (Someday, I'll have to post more about that.  It was an interesting time.) 
vintage bingo set and a flag we received for my uncle's military service
and old metal portable light with wooden handle, tiny stack of red books and a vintage blue glass thingamajig with a wick (I don't know what these are called but I have two; this one and a clear one from my Dad's shop).
We hung the sign, added a vintage-looking wire basket on top and a small woven red basket in the middle.
I painted a small vintage ladder white (but left the galvanized part as is).
So, here it is.  It's finished...for now.
What's left to do?  It needs something.  There is a lot of blank wall on either side of this area as well as between the bench and the section above it.  We most likely won't be hanging a bunch of jackets and coats here so the wall space will stay.  I guess this gives me something to hunt for when we go out junking!

Total cost for the last two weeks of work: less than $10 for 3 cans of Kilz spray primer.  Everything else, I already had.  If we add what I've purchased over the last year: light fixture $50. from Mothology (cool place!)  and the JC Penney quilt I bought on sale for around $60.00. 

I may be linking this up to my favorite link parties listed in my blog list above or down on the right hand side!

32 comments:

  1. The entry is so nice and large. Love that and your new decorations are gorgeous. Love them. Hugs, Marty

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  2. Just found your blog, and I am now a proud follower! I love it!
    Liz
    http://mylovelylittlelulu.blogspot.com/

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  3. It looks so nice! I love the red family sign you made, and that antique looking horse is super cool! I remember churning ice-cream with my grandma too. Such great memories!

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  4. love the change,the colors and all the vintage items! you shopped your house well...just love that it hardly cost you anything.

    a flag made from old fence boards might be nice in that space...
    and this doesn't solve your wall dilemma but have you thought about adding a runner..perhaps a jute with red cotton webbed edging to entry? we have them and i love how it anchors the room. just a thought.

    judi ;)

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  5. I love all your touches or red in the front hall. It all looks very welcoming. I think you need some beadboard wainscotting to fill in the space between the bench and the shelves. You could even paint it the same neutral as the walls but it would add some texture and break up the wall space. By the way, what does the sign mean?

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  6. Great makeover Gina! Your entry looks fabulous. I love the bench and shelf and your sign is fantastic! xx

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  7. I wish I had a large entry like that. It turned out so pretty. The red to me seems more cheerful than the yellow did. Very inviting.

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  8. Gina, it's perfect! I love the little horse and all the accessories.
    AWESOME!

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  9. Luv'n the warm cozy look of the quilt! The spashes of Red are Super pretty! Bravo!

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  10. I just adore it, it looks wonderful!

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  11. Love the entry! By the way, the thingamig with the wick, looks like an old style oil lamp. I have one that is similar, it has a wick that you have to pull up when you want to use it, instead of the traditional type wick that has a lever that you turn to raise and lower it. Anyway, I love what you have done!

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  12. Very cool! Gotta love hand-me-downs! Love the red.

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  13. I am in LOVE. That sign is awesome! The bench, the flag, the ice cream bucket. . . in LOVE.

    I would like to take this opportunity to again say that I really loved the yellow. Like the new color, though.

    I would also like to take this opportunity to say that I am convinced that a professional photographer for rooms can make almost anything look amazing, when in real life if we walked in there, the color on the wall would probably be overwhelming.

    That's my theory.

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  14. How funny! We're on a search for a bench now that we've made the bedroom's feng more in line with its shui.

    White is too bright for the room, but I looked at that exact bench in the original color.

    What excellent taste you have!

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  15. I like your new look! We have an entry way that's looked the same way for a few years now and I'm getting inspired to mix things up a bit...

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  16. I LOVE the mercury lamp!! The entry way look super nice!

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  17. Oh I love your new entryway! It is just wonderful! The red and white go together so well -- and I LOVE that sign! You did a wonderful job!

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  18. GORGEOUS!!! You really did a fabulous job.

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  19. Amazing fun redo. Love the quilt can't go wrong with that. All the vingettes are perfect. I think we have the same wooden floors. Bruce?

    Lori

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  20. How about a geranium sitting on top of that little ladder? It would add a pop of color...I would hang some thing on the door too...something with a touch of red...it looks great. Nice work. Dianntha

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  21. Your entry looks great! You did a wonderful job of pulling it all together.
    Debbie@houseatthelake

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  22. You have done a great job. So much personality!

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  23. Looks awesome! Truly.... love it!

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  24. Hi Gina, I absolutely love what you have done with your entry way! It is decorated so beautifully and I love that sign, you clever lady! Fabulous job, you must smile whenever you look at it! I know I certainly would :) ~ Tina xx

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  25. It looks amazing and I love the sign. I'm hosting We're Organized Wednesday til Friday and I would love for you to join the party if you get the chance. THere's a giveaway too. http://organizeyourstuffnow.com

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  26. I love the red and white in your room! What an awesome entryway you have.

    I'm stopping in from Transformation Thursday! I just read your profile...I'm (or used to be!) an interpreter! I also have a son! I'll definately be stopping back!

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  27. Very, very pretty! Great use for that quilt, too.

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  28. I love it! Especially the quilt and your sign.

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  29. Very nice, I love the red and all the extra touches you've added.

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  30. Love the redesign and so many nice touches...

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