Front Entry Reveal

12 October

We have finished the front entry at my boyfriend's house. Today I'll be sharing how we created the accent wall and the final reveal pictures and then I'll have separate posts for a couple of the other projects.


If you didn't see the inspiration board and before pictures, be sure to check those out here:


Front Entry Inspiration Board and Before Pictures


If you remember, the entry opens right up into the living room so our goal here was to make it look like its own space and give it a little personality.


I think we succeeded!

Front Entry Reveal


Front Entry Reveal

Let's check out that before picture again... I can hardly believe the difference!


Front Entry Reveal

The first thing we did was create the super cool wood slat accent wall to define the space. We almost didn't get to create this though because when we went and priced the wood we'd need it came out to over $400 😲 There was no way we were going to spend that kind of money for a 6-foot wall!

I had my heart set on it though so we found a way to create it for about $100. 

Originally, we were looking at the nice 1" x 2" boards. They are priced by the linear foot which meant we could get the boards the length we needed them which would have been 9 feet to go all the way to the ceiling. That would have been over $400.

So, we found something called furring strips which are used to level or raise surfaces to make space for insulation and level ceilings and walls. They are generally not as nice in wood quality. They are rough, sometimes warped, wider (3" instead of 2" which meant we didn't need as many) and they only come in 8-foot lengths. But SO. MUCH. CHEAPER!

We picked out the best ones... not warped and at least one nice side. I'll show you how we made 8-foot boards go the full 9-feet we needed.

The first thing we did was paint the section of the wall where we would put the wood slats black. We used leftover paint from the DIY Home Gym.


Front Entry Reveal

Then we added 1 board horizontally at the same level as the top of the front door. It's a little bit wider than the rest of the boards that will go on the wall vertically.

Front Entry Reveal

Then we cut all the boards to the lengths we needed. We did have to cut each one individually because as is the case in most houses, the walls are not completely level. 

We put our horizontal board level so that meant each of the vertical boards was a slightly different measurement. I think the difference ended up being about 1/2" by the time we reached the last board.

I numbered each board on the back so I would know where they went when it was time to install them.

Front Entry Reveal

Next, we sanded and stained them all. I used Minwax Stain in Special Walnut.

Front Entry Reveal

Then we put them up. We started at the left edge and used construction adhesive and 2" finish nails to attach them to the wall.

Front Entry Reveal
 
We used scraps of the board to make sure the spaces between them were all the same.

Front Entry Reveal

We actually thought about leaving it like this... mostly out of pure laziness... but we decided to go with our original plan and continue with boards on the top section. 

By using the horizontal board as a divider, this is how we got boards to go all the way to the 9-foot ceiling but only used 8-foot boards!


Front Entry Reveal

And here is the finished wall!

I spray painted the doorbell cover black to match the wall and we switched out the electrical outlet for a black one.

Front Entry Reveal

I painted the front door navy. I used leftover paint from the cabinets in the Laundry Room Makeover. Painting doors like this is easy, you start with a brush and paint the inset areas, and then use a small 5" foam roller to paint the rest.

Front Entry Reveal

Front Entry Reveal

Now came the fun part... my favorite part... seeing what was in my head come to life!!!

Front Entry Reveal

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I already had the big, Round Framed Mirror from Target at my house so I brought it over. 

We took the hooks off the coat rack he had and installed them individually on the boards. Every entry needs a mirror so you can check your hair when you are leaving and of course a place to hang jackets and coats when you come in.

Front Entry Reveal

I found the little faux plant in the window at TJMaxx and I already had the little wood plant stand. The "Ok, Bye." decal on the door is from a shop I found on Etsy called Prinvity.

Front Entry Reveal

Front Entry Reveal

The Safavieh Handmade Jute Rug in navy is from Overstock. I don't really like the color of the tile so this rug helps cover it up. Also, once we got the wood slat wall up, the tile seems to blend better 😃

Front Entry Reveal

I made the pendant lamp (I'll be sharing that in a separate post).

Front Entry Reveal

I had the little Mid-Century Modern bench already, and I made the blue pillow. I have a tutorial for Easy DIY Envelope Pillow Covers, it saves so much money (I made this one for about $5, there are some just like this for sale on Etsy for $35!!) The basket under the bench is from TJMaxx, it will hold shoes, gloves, etc.

Front Entry Reveal

I also made a key rack which I will also share how to make in another post. It's got a handy shelf for him to put his wallet.

Front entry reveal

We are both so happy with how this turned out, he has been wanting to make the entry feel a little more like a dedicated space for years.

Front Entry Reveal

Here is one more comparison before and after.

Front Entry Reveal

Check out how I made the key rack and basket light here:




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Front Entry Reveal


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  1. Very cool! Love the bent keys on the key holder and the Ok Bye decal on the door. All those little things add up for a great impact. Nice job!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Lori! I love details like that I just have to be careful that I don't get carried away!

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  2. What a difference! Love the wall and all the added touches that make it complete. Great job!

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  3. You so smart!! This looks magazine-worthy. Who knew furring strips could look so classy! I love the wood against the dark, and now the floor looks like it belongs. Good job!

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    Replies
    1. Wow, magazine worthy!!! That's so nice, thank you!

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  4. This is genius! And taking the wood to the ceiling was a wise decision. I actually like the tile color with the wood strips and blue rug on top. It compliments the wall without competing if the floor had been wood also.

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  5. That wood wall is super cool! Love how it totally warms the space! All your attention to detail is incredible!

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  6. I just adore everything about this makeover and I would love to have just a small portion of your creative imagination! I hope he is paying you well lol!

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    Replies
    1. Aww, you're so sweet. I take it out in trade! hahahaha!

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  7. Wow, you guys nailed it (literally) Tania! What a huge difference and I love the MCM/boho vibe. It is so warm and welcoming now and I completely agree, the floor tiles look much better with the wood wall.

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