Summer Project #2 - The Entryway

"Welcome, come on in, be comfortable, we've missed you..."

This is what I want our entryway to say. Our entire home actually. Prior to starting Vista Trail I had already started making some changes.  A new front door.  The mud bench (in black) that now resides on the front porch (in white) was here instead of the dresser.  The coat rack, mirror and key are the same.    I recovered these hat boxes and painted the picture frame earlier this year.  The wheels were turning, but I wasn't sure what I wanted...

When we replaced the front door when we first moved in (6 years ago) I did not realized how much I would miss the natural light that the original door gave.  I love the door itself, but the entryway definitely needs brighter lighting.

I think that I still really like these each of these pieces, but there is so much brown and black that it's just adding to the darkness of the space. 

We've had this dresser for a long time.  It's a great piece, in wonderful condition, but a little out of style.  I'm thinking about painting it. 

So today, you see a dresser, the coat rack, mirror and a black key on the right. Again, the light fixture is pretty, but doesn't really help my desire to lighten and brighten. I would love a lantern.  The entryway definitely needs brighter light, and the lamp cannot be plugged in because there is not an outlet.  Is there such a thing as battery operated lamps?  The connecting hallway has some black  iron pieces that I could repaint or take out all together. That will be for a different post.

All in all, I would like to paint, maybe re purpose some items, shop my house and find some new ones - we will see.

Summer Project #2 - The Entryway After

Well, I have to say, I am super excited to show off my progress.  Progress because really I'm never completely DONE.  I decided to paint the dresser a creamy white, make a wreath I saw at Jones Design Company (tutorial here), switch out the pewter bowl to a jar of shells, change the lampshade and add a new piece of artwork.

The lighting is sooo bad.  You can really tell in these pictures.  However, the overall feel is much lighter!

This is the new piece of artwork.  I really like the color it gives the space.  I tried to keep a little triangle of black.  The picture frame, the mirror and the coat rack.  Not sure why, but it seemed to balance and ground the space.

Now, when you look toward the door it's not a black hole.  The door is still dark, but the things around it are much lighter and really make it all feel more welcoming instead of scary.

My favorite part of all was how the dresser came out.  We have had this piece for 10 years, 3 different houses and I had not ever realized how pretty the bottom of it was.  Kind of crazy - but it has always sat on dark wood floors so you couldn't see it.  I LOVE it!  Now I'm trying to decide if I want to glaze it.  I love the tried and true Ralph Lauren Tea Stain Glaze.  I don't even think they still sell it, but I have some and think it might be great!

I would still like to get a new light fixture, a rug (I'm trying out a zebra print right now which you can see in the corner, but it's a little much) and maybe paint.   Hope you have a great day!

Summer Project #1 - The Front Porch After

I am super excited to share the progress I have made on the front porch.  There are still some side projects I'd like to tackle (the mud bench, the ceiling, and maybe some curtains), but I think it really does look lighter and you can actually sit on it and walk across it - bonus!
Just as a reminder of where I started...

Before - with Christmas trees

Black Adirondack chairs - too deep

Front Door Before

The mud bench was already painted.  I also spray painted a frame and stuck it on top.  Not sure what I will do with it, but it does add some height.  The chair got a fresh coat of white as well.  I had seen many tips in Blogland on Moss Covered Letters and decided to try it out for myself!  I used Diet Dr. Pepper can tabs to hang the ribbon on the back so that I can change it out for the seasons.  I thought this would be brighter than my grapevine wreath.

Front Door After

Benches from the back yard, originally from Costco

 Here is a shot from the front that shows the benches, pillows and my new book page canvas that still needs to be hung.  One step at a time, right?  I thought it would be fun to do several different monogram items as my basics and then switch the rest of the pillows out seasonally.

Ikea accessories

 I put a little table in the middle of the two benches so that you can actually sit, relax and have a glass of iced tea.  I bought the lanterns and plant at Ikea and put it in a tomato can for cuteness.  I love it.

The view from the mud bench...

 The cushions on the benches match the cushions that we have in the back around the pool.  I pulled this rug (from Hobby Lobby) out of my entryway.  I like it, but I'm not sure it's big enough.

Just one more shot...

I love the changes!  I am sure I will continue to play with it some, but I feel like it is much lighter and much more welcoming for our family and friends!


Onto Summer Project #2 -  The Entryway

Summer Project #1 - The Front Porch Before

The Front Porch Before

Good afternoon!  I have spent part of the morning on Pinterest and I am loving the simplicity of it.  It's too cool!  One of my favorite things to do is sit down with a new magazine, and pull out and organize the pictures I like.  However, it does take so much time.  It amazes me that I can do all of that with just a few clicks and I don't have to figure out where to keep my growing files!

Ok, where to begin?  The front porch BEFORE.  My goals here are brighten things up and make it more welcoming for people coming into our home.  The photo above is the front door as you are walking up the sidewalk.  The porch is dark, dusty and needs a facelift.  When we moved into our house almost six years ago we purchased this great front door at Lowe's.  I love it, but it doesn't "brighten" things up much. I want to keep it, so maybe one day I'll paint it.  For now, I am going to try to save the wood finish and brighten things around it.   My first attempt at brightening the front porch was to paint the mud bench I bought at Target years ago Heirloom White.  I really like it white, but that by itself was not enough.  I might even make a cushion for it or maybe  pillows?

Here's another view.     Do you see the tree peeking out from behind the column?  There are three of them on the porch and they are Christmas decorations.  Yikes!  It's funny how you become so desensitized!  Those will have to go!  Below is a picture that I took from a little farther back.  I love the Adirondack chairs, but they are too deep for the space.  Between the chairs and the Christmas trees you can't walk on the porch.  Hopefully Summer Project # 1 will be an improvement.

Welcome

My Home

Welcome to Vista Trail -  I cannot believe that after talking about this for so long, I am actually getting started!  I'm so excited to share with you my passion for making our house into a home.  I am also very nervous.  What if I don't have enough to talk about?  I'm definitely not a great writer like my sister.  Will I be able to keep it relevant and interesting?  Yikes!  Well, here we go. 

I would like to kick Vista Trail off with "Summer Projects".   There are always projects to be done around here.   This summer it seems more than ever.  This is probably because my husband is starting a company, I'm starting Vista Trail and we are watching every penny we spend.  That is usually when the chaos begins.

Summer Project Ideas:

1. Front Porch
2. Entryway
3. Office
4. TV room
5. Hallway
6. Kitchen
7. Boys rooms
8. Boys bathroom
9. Master Bedroom and Bath
10. Dining Room
11. Library 
12. Mudroom 

I am excited and tired from just typing the list.  Should that concern me?  These projects are not necessarily in order.  Many are subject to time and resources.  Most will require painting of some sort, repurposing and rearranging furniture.  All will require decluttering and maybe even a yard sale before it's all said and done!  The fun never stops around here - Happy Summer!