Pedestal Entry Table with Dentil Trim

Our foyer has been an after-thought since we moved in because we primarily enter using our kitchen door. But recently, with our "window to nowhere" finally closed, I've gotten the itch to create a more welcoming space to greet guests, especially after finding just the right piece to jump start the entry decorating process.

"What I'm Workin' With" Week: The Foyer & Hallway

This week I'm taking you readers on a house tour full of "befores" in a series I'm calling "What I'm Workin' With". To fully appreciate the eventual "afters," you have to be subjected to the not-ready-for-primetime "befores", right? Most bloggers would cringe seeing these current photos without immediately sharing a jaw-dropping "after" but I'm keeping it real.

You've seen the kitchen, the living room, the den and the master bedroom; but today we're talking about the all-important first impression: the foyer. Foyers and entryways are the perfect place to introduce friends and family to the style of your home and, right now, our foyer doesn't offer much about us so why not start here?

New Bright White Lamp

Last week, I stopped by Ikea while Mom was around. I was a woman on a mission while there, because I knew I couldn't leave without taking home the new Tisdag work lamp to add a bit more extra bright white feeling to the top of my entry chest.

I'm sinply crazy about it.

I've been very busy all week continuing projects for my guest bedroom (say goodbye to these ugly shelves!), so I'm looking forward to some time with my husband this weekend.

'Til Monday, dear readers.

Rug Rotation

'Member last week when I shared with you my new entryway rug?

Well, never one to leave a good thing alone, I managed to find another rug (also appropriate for my entrance) this weekend while visiting a few local thrift stores with my soon-to-be sister-in-law (Hi, Jenna!)

Found for only $85, this little vintage wool beauty is a bit smaller than the first rug but is oh-so-soft.

Check it out:

I know what you're thinking: No, you can't have my $78 Heritage Unlimited rug. 

It's staying with us...just moving somewhere else in the apartment.

Perhaps it will move to the kitchen...

What do you think?

Speaking of rugs, I also ordered a nice neutral jute rug (about 9'x11') to layer with the rug in our living room. I decided long ago that layering was a must given that the area rug in the room was so small. It really irked me that most of my living room furniture was "floating."

I'm hoping that the jute rug (yet to arrive) will ground the space and provide additional visual interest.

Lots and lots of rug-talk today! 

Opinions wanted: Where should all my new rugs go?

New Entry Rug

Like my new rug?

I want to lie and tell you that I bought this rug during some fantastically exotic world travel, but I won't...I got it on the interwebs.

Last week, I happened upon Heritage Unlimited, which sells a variety of Persian and Turkish rugs at very discounted prices [FYI: this 3' x 5' rug was $78 with free shipping]. What's more, we ordered the rug on Tuesday evening and it had arrived by Friday morning!

Someday I'll be sure to add to my rug collection with finds from far-off lands, but until then I think I'll just rely on the internet.

I realize I'm not showing you much of our entryway, buuuuuuut...

I'm contemplating a few interesting changes here if we remain in our current apartment. Perhaps I'll paint the inside of the front door and possibly the closet doors (on the left).

More changes to come!

First Impressions

(Lulu DK's entrance via her blog, Trail of Inspiration)

As the saying goes, "you never have a second chance to make a first impression," and I think this wisdom is especially applicable to the home. Sure, not all of us are graced with an expansive marble entryway or a staircase worthy of Scarlett O'Hara. Some of us just have a front door, be it an apartment door or otherwise, that enters directly into our living room.

Rita Konig, former Domino and T Magazine blog contributor, recently touched on this subject, too. Great minds, I tell you...

Scarlett-worthy foyers are the stuff of dreams for some of us, myself included. Here's just a few grand entrances I've pulled from the ol' style files, as they wait for my future home.

(an Albert Hadley design from House Beautiful)

(Martha Stewart via Decor Pad)

(Jonathan Adler via House Beautiful)

(Kim Cornelison's home from Design*Sponge)

(a Tom Scheerer design via House Beautiful)

The foyer, entrance way, front hall, whatever you call it, is the first impression visitors have to your home.
How does yours stack up?