Looking for Some Inspiration for Our Foyer

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As I have shared with you a couple weeks ago, I was and still am in the throws of painting our entry foyer. So of course with new paint in a space comes...

yes you know it and so do I...

A NEW FURNITURE ARRANGEMENT

...plus the purchase of a few other new items. So I have been perusing the Internet, Google Images being my favorite way to go, looking for some much needed inspiration. I had fun checking out the many beautiful foyer ideas, so I thought I'd share with you a few that really caught my eye.

Here we go in no particular order...

I just adore the cozy feel of this first pic from Southern Living. 
(I can imagine the palms outside that little window swaying away in a warm gentle southern breeze.)

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And I am really crushing on this wood and iron railing. Thinking that maybe just what is needed on our staircase. Isn't it pretty?

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This next entry is cozy as can be and wonderfully charming.

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Vanessa from the blog At the Picket Fence, shows off her elegant foyer. She strikes the perfect balance between wall art and furnishings.

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You know the saying...Go Big or Go Home! 

This is not the entry to the home, excuse me, mansion, it is actually on the second floor, however it very well could be a foyer. This is the Blairsden Mansion, one of the largest privately owned homes in the country, located in Peapack-Gladstone NJ. I went on a tour of this magnificent place last May. If you would like to see the entire mansion tour just click here.

And now for something really striking! (Or should I say "Striping"?)

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This next foyer is my hands down favorite. I love the architectural detail of the walls, ceiling and doorway casings, which seems to render this space absolutely timeless!

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And who doesn't adore StoneGable farmhouse? Yvonne has the most amazing style and her entry is simply stunning! Don't you love her new chair? I'd want to park myself in that chair for hours just to sit and admire her lovely farmhouse inspired home.

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Here's another entry idea from Pottery Barn. I've recently noticed that I am drawn to the idea and look of gallery walls. To me they tell a story.

And finally this last entry, which is way way way out of my reach, I had to share because I think it is just beautiful!

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So there you have it! Some wonderful inspiration for me to mull over in my mind. I do have a few ideas of what I'd like to do in our foyer, I just need to play around with them over the next few days. But in the meantime, I am wishing you all a very happy last week of February! 

Come on SPRING!

XO

Adding Architectural Detail to Your Home

If you know me you know I am a sucker for wood detailing in a home. I simply swoon over molding, casings, wainscoting, corbels, well you get the picture. I have often told Mr. RL that if I ever learn how to master the art of wood crafting he'd better watch out because I would probably cover every inch of our home with wood.

Here are 10 ways we have added some architectural interest or detail to 21 Rosemary Lane.

1. Crown Molding: Since moving to 21 Rosemary Lane we have added wood detailing to almost every living space in our home, and in 3 of our rooms the addition was in the way of crown molding. The latest addition was in our master bedroom.

2. Built in Book Cases: The fireplace wall in the living room has been through a huge transformation over the years. To give you an idea of what I am saying, here is what the living room looked like when we first saw our home back in 2002.

And here it is by the end of February of 2013 with the addition of bookcases and  shelving to flank the fireplace and mantel.

3. Adding a new Mantel: This brings me to the addition of a custom mantel and surround for the fireplace. The original mantel was nothing more than a piece of wood on top of the brick, not very substantial or deep enough for my decorating needs. The surround was actually bought pre-fab from Loews, then Mr. RL had to make a custom mantel to fit between the book shelves.

4. Painting a Mirror Frame: In March of 2013 I decided to paint the black frame of the mirror white. Painting the mirror frame to match the wood of the mantel definitely added some architectural detail by making the mirror seem more like a window.

5. Wainscoting: Another way we added interest to our walls in the dining room was by incorporating some wainscoting under the existing chair rail.

6. Bead Board Back Splash:The kitchen received a new bead board back splash to liven up the room. This was an incredibly inexpensive project costing just under $50 for all materials. 

7. Window Shutters: I have always loved the look of window shutters in the home. Even before the new back splash was installed I had Mr. RL hang these on my kitchen windows.

8. Over the Door Shelf: In our kitchen over the back sliders which lead out to the screened-in porch, Mr. RL put a shelf up using wood drapery rods as the brackets for the shelf. Then I just slipped the rod through the holes to hang my drapes.

9. Hang a Shelf:  Just last week Mr. RL hung yet another shelf for me, this time in the entry way over a mirror. This gives the wall some 3D interest and another place for me to decorate!

And yes there is more wainscoting in the entryway!

10. Louver Doors: Finally the last way we have added some architectural interest to a space was in the guest bedroom. I know I know I haven't shared this room with you yet, but soon very soon I promise. Any how we have this one wall in the room which is just closet space and I wanted the doors to be more that regular old double doors which slide back and forth. Mr. RL installed bi-fold louver doors to add some interest to the long wall.

Aren't they pretty?

So those are just a few ways we transformed our mid-century kind of boxy Cape Cod into a much more interesting and cozy place to call home.

Wishing you a wonderful fun filled weekend!!!

XO

Getting the RED Out...Our Big Dining Room Reveal

OK my dear bloggy friends...I know it has been a couple months in coming but the dining room is finally done and it is time for the big reveal! However first let us take one more look back at the dining room before...

It was very VERY red!

Although the red did work for Christmas, after that it got a little, well, monotonous.  

 So everything came out of the break front and it was moved away from the wall.

Then all the walls and woodworking were washed down.

 And with my trusty paintbrush and roller in hand, I painted on Benjamin Moore's Boothbay Gray primer and then topcoat in a pearl sheen between the crown molding and chair rail. The same process was applied below the chair rail in Ben Moore's Navajo White. The Boothbay Gray needed on one coat of primer and topcoat, the Navajo White needed three coats to cover the red.

I also purchased new drapes for the room from Country Curtains. The pattern is called Jacobean Floral. 

Now for the big reveal...drum roll pleeeeease!!!

BEFORE...

and AFTER

(Of course I had to decorate it for Christmas!!!)

Now the cherry-wood furniture seems to pop off of the walls instead of blending in like before.

I also added a piece of furniture to ground the plates hanging on the wall. This little buffet actually belonged to my parents, they purchased it on 1968. Keeping the top in its original color, I gave the rest of the piece a nice coat of antique white and distressed it a bit. Then new hardware was added.

Again...BEFORE

...and AFTER

(notice Mr. Rosemary Lane's wainscoting on the wall)

There is nothing like a fresh coat of paint to transform any living space! After the holidays I promise to share with you a tutorial on how Mr. Rosemary Lane put up the wainscoting.

Merry Christmas!!!

XO

Linking to parties at these wonderful blogs...

Coastal Charm

Savvy Southern Style

Ivy &Elephants

The Dedicated House

DIY Showoff