Come on in, folks. Our entry is finished (for now) and ready for you to get a full tour. I love it. If you are just catching up, head to this post from last Thursday where I walk you through the full renovation process of this little happy room. For those of you caught up let’s head straight into the reveal.
“Setting the tone” for a house can be a lot of pressure, especially for someone like me whose mood changes frequently. Regardless, I want it to feel calm but full of personality and have it represent our style. So I kept the wallpaper super quiet, and then the art, bench, plant stand, and rug really pretty with color and bigger personality.
I love every element in here so much. That beautiful window from Sierra Pacific is the focal point of this view (from inside the living room), but when you are walking in from the front door, the art and bench make a more eclectic fun statement.
The Brass Gallery Rail Art
While I love a mirror in the entryway, we actually don’t have a TON of wall space in this house (what with my addiction to windows). This room was fairly self-contained – you could see it from the living room but you couldn’t really see this wall from the living room – thus giving us an opportunity to do something really fun and specific here. So I brought out one of my favorite pieces – a vintage painting that my friend Scott gave me as the anchor and then I started building the gallery from there. But then I got nervous…
Hanging The Gallery Rail…
Putting nails OR command strips on wallpaper can be super destructive with less to no ability to repair like you can on drywall. So I decided to do this gallery art rail which would allow me to switch it up, anytime, including just having maybe two large pieces or even one larger one. I ordered the 72″ rail from Pepe and Caroles which came with middle brackets and two endcaps, plus the length of the gallery chain and S hooks. Our handyman, Dave, came over and hung it because I don’t trust myself with “measuring” or “making things level” (he’s also my neighbor so it makes it really easy:)).
We laid it out for him and obviously decided on the distance from the walls and ceiling.
Time To Play…
Per usual, my first go-around is always BIG. LOTS of stuff. I really really tried to not steal all the best art for this room because many of them looked great where I had already put them. Admittedly I have collected a lot of great art over the years – both vintage and contemporary and I personally think it’s the fastest way to make your home feel personal to you.
I knew that I loved a few of the pieces together (the big abstract and the collage with the tan background). So then it was a matter of adding to it to get the right combination. I first put up the “Molly Vidor Destroyer” piece that’s in the left photo but Brian had the oddest but honest reaction – he said it felt too “dorm room”. I think the vintage graphic print (the one with the arrow) and gallery poster felt too “young” (which I felt looked cool and was a great contrast with the busier abstract and the old-timey art). But his reaction was immediate and strong and I certainly had more to play with so I eliminated those two and added more (as you can see in the photo on the right). That felt a bit much for me despite loving every piece. I think that the space is just too small to have quite so many pieces (although secretly I miss my dog in this mix).
Here’s Where We Landed…
Ok, I KNOW that this might now look too pared back, but I think it’s a great balance of fun but not too busy. The artist left to right are: Kiril Bergart, underneath MaryAnn Puls (a new purchase of mine by a local artist I love). Then the middle painting is vintage from the 60s, a gift from my friend Scott. On the right, is a new hand-dyed paper collage by Marilyn Joyce (another recent purchase by a local artist).
Pendant (vintage) | Wallpaper | Art Rail | Plant Stand (vintage) | Bench | Pillow | Rug (vintage) | Trim and Ceiling Color | Outlet Cover
I think all together it looks really pretty, but admittedly maybe the art is not not as balanced as it can be. Luckily we have the gallery rail to add more or switch any out. Now as you can see the one on the lower left is askew which was NOT my intent. Whoops. That is the only drawback of the chains – they can be wonky and taking them on and off is easy, but making the super straight with the S hooks on the exact same ring of the chain can be challenging. We still plan on using museum wax to make sure they all stay in place. Next time I’m going to loop the chain like a triangle so that it hooks on both brackets on the back but only has one center S hook (does that make sense?). Anyway, I can keep playing with it forever and likely will 🙂
The plant stand is an antique stair newell that I bought at an antique store. It has a threaded bolt thing on top that I threaded through the bottom hole of the plant so it stays on top (but is wonky from different angles and I don’t know how to fix it). I love the busyness of the newell with the simplicity of the bench – the mix of woods that is just so pretty.
I splurged on that pillow from Lost & Found LA because the colors are so beautiful and it’s so lush. We styled it simply here which I really love. Please note how the Rejuvenation milk glass vintage light fixture allows the window to really pop (and the door to fully open which was a consideration obviously).
Seeing it side by side with the before photo is pretty mindblowing. I’m just so so grateful.
So there you go. Our entryway. I hope you like it (we do). All resources are linked below 🙂 xx
Resources:
Floors: Oregon White Oak by Zena Flooring
Wall and Interior Door Color: Extra White by Sherwin-Williams
Wallpaper: Scalamandre Raphael Sandberg Wallpaper in White
Windows: White Oak Sierra Pacific Windows
Wood Bench: Thos. Moser
Pillow: Lost & Found
Plant Stand: Vintage
Rug: Vintage
Light: Rejuvenation
Outlet Cover: Rejuvenation
Art Rail: Pepe & Carols
Outfit: Blouse (similar) | Shorts | Sandals
*Design by Emily Henderson and ARCIFORM
*Photos by Kaitlin Green
So cool! I love this entry – I’m so jealous as for the second (2/2) time owning a house, I have a front door that opens straight onto the living room, with no formally defined entryway. (But alas, it has other benefits, including letting me justify more living room splurges haha.) So great to have a specific tone-setting vestibule. And I can see why the wallpaper was so exciting for you – the pattern pops more in these shots than in the more blank ones when you first showcased it, and it’s so so pretty!
For people who love that pillow and want to find something similar in a different colourway, check out Christina Lundsteen
I’m having the opposite issue. Our entry is HUGE and not super defined and I just don’t know what to do with all the space! You walk in the door and 8 or so feet ahead of you are the stairs with a stone wall and built-in planter full of plants. To the right is a blank wall, to the left opens into the kitchen. The space is about 8′ deep x 15′ wide and feels so sparse!
I love a large entry because you can often float a round pedestal table with a little ottoman tucked underneath! The ottoman comes in handy for removing shoes and the table can be styled with bowls, trays, or baskets for mail, keys, wallets, glasses, etc! Functional and beautiful.
That rug and plant stand – I immediately want to go antiquing today! Try switching the art piece on the right with the two on the left for more balance – that way the plant will fill in some of the negative space both within and below the piece currently on the right (whereas it’s currently obscuring some of the bottom left piece and tying them together, adding more weight), and the visual weight of the two pieces currently on the left will fill in the wall on the right a bit more. Does that make sense at all?? It’s so difficult to write out detailed visual explanations haha – but try swapping the sides and see what you think?
I thought the same! Nice to have the brass rail to play with options.
Oh, that’s a good idea. I had the same thought as MS-R and Michelle (elsecomment) that the dog painting could get added on the right, on top of the Marilyn Joyce piece, for a bit of a representational vs abstract contrast (plus the dog colours work great with the rest). But I like the idea of giving the plant and beautiful newel post more breathing room too. Or still swap right and left but hang the dog below the Marilyn Joyce, hiding behind the plant and looking out the window…
I love the whole entryway. The picture rail system seems so great for being able to play with different gallery wall options.
Beautiful! But I think you mean askew, not eschew.
Ha thank you Jen! I had an inner debate about correcting her myself this morning.
hahaha. whoops. thank you. LOL
As a long time fan who loves watching you iterate and reiterate your home, this gallery rail idea makes me so happy! What a nifty way to enable “Style Play Everyday.”
thank you! (and thank you so much for being a long time fan, that means so much to me). xx
It looks so beautiful! I’ve never seen a hanging rail like that im someone’s house and I love it! (Btw, I think “askew” autocorrected to “eschew” in the paragraph that you’re talking about the chains.)
It is such an inviting, fun welcome!
This is remarkably both very simple and very elegant. I adore the subtly of the wallpaper as a backdrop for the art and bench. Maybe a touch of whimsy in the form of your beloved dog portrait (included in one of the process shots)? Perhaps above the single piece to the right? Beautiful as always; thanks for sharing! 🥰
Just want to ditto the add of the dog portrait. It would look lovely at top right, although I can see why you didn’t want to foursquare frame the center art….
Yes! You have to bring back the dog!!! Somehow, somewhere. The dog is just so perfect and deserves to be a part of this. Or if you have the space above the front door, the dog would be a wonderful little treat there. I love a smallish piece above a door, and you’d be able to adore it from the family room. I have strong feelings about that dog painting… I wonder how many of your readers would arm wrestle to get that dog in our own homes. I know I’d be first in line!
OOH. i love all this dog portrait support. I will totally try that. I miss that guy and colorwise he was PERFECT. the rail thing is awesome, but taking them on and off is def more of a thing than it looks. so I kinda got exhausted trying so many options, but I agree that it just needs a bit more 😉
It looks lovely. Calm and welcoming with a little bit of different. A thought about the newel post. You could screw on a small wooden disc to the top in a similar circumference and stain to the post. Then the plant would have a stable spot to sit.
Yes the wonkiness made me nervous even though she said it’s attached.
May I suggest taking the newel post to a carpenter and have that person add a round wooden base for a plant pot to reside properly.
I was thinking the same thing. A round top/dsic on the newel post would really make it shine!
I agree! Plus, if it current has a bolt which goes through the bottom of the plant put, I’d be worried about watering the plant – it would be a shame to have the top of the newel post rot from residual moisture.
yah, its not ideal i know. I take the plant off and put it outside on the front porch when I water it. Maybe my handyman can fix the newell? I just don’t think i’ll ever prioritize it into my schedule to fix it, but agreed that its not ideal yet.
This is really beautiful. This space and the kitchen and the pantry are my very favorites. They remind me of my childhood spent in many east coast farmhouses – so I think they’re the spaces that read the most “farmhouse” to me. Quiet and beautiful.
thank you 🙂 yah, many of the spaces don’t read farmhouse at all (just wait til you see our bedroom) but slowly its coming together 🙂
That window is *everything*. It makes me want to go evaluate all of the windows in my house! P.S. I think the gallery pictures look good in all of their iterations.
Who couldn’t love this? I bet it’s even more enlivening and airy yet soothing and calming in real life. Also, I want to buy your sandals and also may I have your legs and your shorts and your blouse, please? Thank you.
SAME with the request for Em’s legs! Same. 😉
that is VERY nice of you. We all have the things we don’t mind showing off. For instance I don’t think you’ve seen my upper arms more than once in 15 years so theres that 🙂 But I will take that compliment!
The entryway is great, but I’m dying for the outfit details!!
This is very fun!
Looks beautiful! Love all the unique, thoughtfully selected pieces.
Gorgeous. This entry truly sings. And the pillow! Feels pretty ridiculous to gush about a throw pillow but it’s just so perfect in the space and SO quintessentially Emily—unique, restrained, a little folksy, clearly well-made with beautiful materials. The piece de resistance!
THANK YOU. I know, that pillow was a splurge but Its just so perfect. So I will take that appreciation because I totally agree. thank you 🙂
I love that bench so, so, so much. It’s just a stunning piece of craftmanship.
And interesting to note about command strips–I would have thought that was the obvious choice and was planning to use them on a wallpaper accent wall in our office, but now maybe not!
the command strips left a bubble the size of the application sticker! I’ve been using them for decades but maybe its different on wallpaper?
Chiming in on the dog portrait; it just feels right for the current vibe of your home and family. I betcha handyman Dave could remove or rig the newell post so a plant could sit flat. Maybe consider a simple, smooth planter so the eye lands on the carved newel details. Oh, and love the whole space!
Yes I think you are right on all accounts 🙂
Lovely work. But that tree looks amazing!
I can ‘understand’ the wallpaper better now. It kind of disappeared a bit too much in the other posts.
The stair newell is fantastic as a plant stand!! Love it! I think repurposing things is great coz it makes a home unuque. I have an antique wardrobe door with a bevelled edge , oval mirror hung in my entry. Everyone comments on how it’s so unique and somehow calming – golden antique English Oak and the loght bpunces around. I actually don’t care what others think of it coz I love it, but it is nice to have positive feedback.
Someone suggested having a carpenter adjust your newell – great idea.
I lurve your top. It’s cold and winter here now and these pics make me yearn for my denim shorts! Brrr! 🥶
All in, the vestibule entry is light, airy, calm and welcoming. Really lovely.🤗
It’s gorgeous and how fun to be able to change out the gallery wall as you see fit. We live in an old Craftsman with picture rails, and it’s great to know we can change things out without gouging the plaster. I love the look of the entry, and it’s very you, but every time I see one of the before photos, with the dark wood trim, I have a little pang, because that’s the style of our house and I’d have loved to see and be inspired by how you worked with those features– I love love love our house, and our dark wood trim is beautiful and original, etc., but it has its challenges.
Emily this turned out great! I love the art you have chose but I also love that you can change it up. I get tired of my wall art and always want to make changes. I have a ledge above wide beadboard where I can make changes as often as I like and I have picture shelves in my office where I often have my photography but also other art that I swap. But now I want the rail you used in your entry! It’s so awesome. I have to find a wall for it! The bench in your entry is perfect and the window adds so much light and it’s it’s own art as well. I watched as you were in the process and I think you made it come together so well. The wallpaper is just right. Doesn’t fight with the art. Thx for inspiring!
It’s perfect.
yes. What she said. The side by side before&after pic at the bottom… wowowow! Bravo.
thank you thank you 🙂
I LOVE the art that you selected here! I don’t think it’s too paired back at all. It’s engaging and fun and the colors work together really well. The art rail was a fantastic idea and the perfect solution for this space. You also nailed the wallpaper choice. What a sweet little spot, and the perfect appetizer to your beautiful home. Thanks for sharing with us!
I LOVE this! Possibly my favorite space you’ve done yet (which is really saying something!).
oh wow. THANK YOU. i’m super super happy with it and was afraid it wasn’t going to read as well in person. so i’m glad that its working on all fronts 🙂
That bench really is gorgeous. And man the wood window and stair post together must be so incredible in real life!! Also the photographs are so perfectly framed and styled 👏 love it
Also I was like OMG haircut fit the pups! Hahah was more excited about that for a second. which reminded me where will the dog portraits go?? I vote for the front entry or somewhere funny.
HAHA I know. they are finally growing out (they look like little lambs at first). I haven’t framed them yet – i want to find two matching vintage oval frames or at least frames with an oval opening. MIght look this weekend at the flea market. I’m going to hang them in the family gallery wall up the stairs this summer 🙂
lovely may i blouse info please. 🙏
It’s the Basalie Top in Patchwork Blues by Emerson Fry: https://emersonfry.com/products/basalie-top-patchwork-blues?
Such a pretty space, each element is absolutely gorgeous. However I’m wondering how this space functions as an entryway to the home? Shoes, mail, keys, jackets etc? Would love to see. Thanks!
They use the kitchen and mudroom doors more. This is for visitors.
Omg. This is SO good. Perfect mix of quiet and fun.
She has mentioned they don’t use that entrance other than for guests. Everything you’re asking about collects at the kitchen entrance.
This is very pretty, which imo, is what an entry should be! The window is incredible and I love the gallery wall! Is this entry primarily used for when guests come over? I assume the Henderson family would use the mudroom, correct? Being that you are in the PNW, your guests will have coats on for a good chunk of the year, is there a coat closet anywhere? Did I miss that?
I’m still on the hunt for a coat tree/stand thing. I didn’t find any that I loved. Guests still don’t really come in here, but honestly we only had 2 winter gatherings last year so i’m unsure what our protocol is. Most of our friends come through the kitchen. not sure where they put coats, haha. So point is, we’ll see how guests use it but I don’t think i want anything more than a pretty coat tree. I found one from Nickey Kehoe that was PERFECT but it was $1500 …. haha
The front door is no longer red!
What is the new color called and who makes it?
SW 9655 Mountain Pass by Sherwin-Williams
Sherwin Williams Mountain Pass
I think it is lovely and perfect even though I said, earlier, that it was PERFECT WITH NO ART.
Would it be possible to use some of the museum wax as a shim to level the plant on its stand? I don’t think it would be noticeable at all, especially if you use it on the side facing the wall.
The entry has a quiet elegance AND it is also so cool! I love the pillow on the bench and how it speaks to the colors in the painting. I would sit in there all day staring at everything.
Love this so so much! We’ll done, Ems!❤️
Regarding the plant holder; can you bolt a clear saucer just the right size to hold the plant? Or substitute a basket with liner?
Love the balance of the abstract art with the traditional bench and newel post. Very Chez Henderson. Very lovely.
I probably would have done the same but I feel like that bench would look even more beautiful without the pillow? Seems like a lot going on and my eye doesn’t know where to rest.
The vintage painting in the middle is a bit bright for my liking but I love the other pieces, particularly the Mary Ann Puls one!
Love this sooooooo much. I wasn’t expecting any of this, besides the bench. Uggggg, so good! That pillow is my new obsession though. I love that graphic element with all the more traditional ones. Nice contrast! Also, that gallery wall! That big abstract!!!! Le sigh! Love it all! Also, I say bring the dog portrait back! Man oh man I love this!
Simple and welcoming!
Gorgeous entryway!
What stain did you use on your wood flooring?
I believe they were just sanded and sealed. Mentioned in this post: https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/farmhouse-primary-bedroom-update
I love this! It looks amazing. I think that space on the right is calling for a coat rack. This one from Blu Dot comes in your signature blue (and a lot of other great colors). https://www.bludot.com/splash-coat-rack.html
Such a lovely entrance to a beautiful, inviting home! I love the branches outside, the bench is glorious, so is the newel-as-plant-stand especially if it can be steadied up. And the pillow, yes, a bargain at any price. Maybe because I have no personal connection to the art pieces, the gallery wall strikes me as “off” … when your guests come in, they’ll be looking at your smiling faces, not the art … the multiple pieces have nothing that unifies them, frames, hanging height, subject, color, style, etc. … thus together, to my eye, they’re busy and distracting from the otherwise simple, curated entry that’s soooo easy on the eyes and yes, reminds me of a farm we once visited in southern Sweden. One piece? Maybe two? Maybe nothing or something tone-on-tone with texture and a little softness that allows that natural wallpaper show itself off? But presumably you’ll keep the gallery wall, you might be happier with the simplicity of wood moulding placed high, with hooks used to easily swap pieces. We move paintings around with ease all the time (we collect western art and my husband is a talented watercolor landscape painter) but I’ve also found that once… Read more »
Beautiful! For balance on the art, I think flip-flopping the sides would do it. That puts the shorter side by the tall plant to thin it out and gives more length to the “empty” side to fill it up.