Feature Friday: Diane’s Transformed Foyer

Diane hired me a few months ago to help her with her foyer. She was never happy with its cave-like feeling and really wanted to make it warmer and cozier with some additional elements brought in. So, I came up with this inspiration board and now I’m excited to show you the finished product, since Diane faithfully executed almost every single element from the board. I can’t tell you how exciting it is to see AFTER pics of my Inspiration boards! Thrills me to no end!

Diane’s Foyer by Rhoda12 on Polyvore.com

Diane’s Foyer BEFORE:

And here’s the much better, AFTER:

The cave-like quality has been helped greatly.  Do you see the major changes?

• Trim was lightened up to now contrast with the pretty damask tone-on-tone wallpaper, which Diane liked and didn’t want to take down. I actually really love this paper. It adds a nice texture to this space.
• Stair risers were painted white
• New bookcase, which is much more substantial than the old piece.
• Chunky mirror over the bookcase throws some light around
• New rugs  (runner and rug inside the front door)
• Framed prints of her 3 children now grace the stairway
• Vinyl lettering welcomes guests
• 2 New bird light fixtures really add some punch in this small space

BEFORE

And, AFTER.  Don’t you love the new piece?

BEFORE

AFTER

And the rest of these are AFTER shots.  I love the rugs Diane found for this space.  Pretty colors on a black background.  And the addition of simple, but colorful artwork on either side of the door is great.

Looking back at the front door. 

The runner is a great touch in this hallway.

The Welcome vinyl and the bird light fixtures really adds to the ambiance.

Job well done, Diane and thanks so much for letting me work with your space!  It’s so much fun to see these boards come alive.  It makes me giddy!

Here’s what Diane had to say about our collaboration:

Rhoda,

I cannot thank you enough for all your advice.  The one thing I love about the foyer is the texture – with hardwood floors and stairs and so many doors/entries off this foyer – I could never warm it up.  Now it is so inviting and warm, the textures of the iron lights, the rugs (particularly the long runner down the hall which I never would have thought of doing), the vinyl lettering, the cane collection in the pottery umbrella holder and the “to die for” bookcase which took 6 months to arrive. Painting the stair risers lightens up and enlarges the feel of the foyer.  Also, I took down that half wall that you saw when you came in the front door (it divided kitchen from family room area).  That opened up the view when you walk in the front door. You really have such vision.

I just have to tell you how happy I am with your design.  I have lived in this house 13 years and most of the time, I can hold my own in decorating.  I have even helped  several people with decorating, but I was so lost in this little foyer that I could not make it come to life – I was stumped for years!  And to walk in and feel how warm it is and I LOVE seeing pics of my precious kids on the wall – I adopted all 3 of them from Russia and they are God’s greatest blessing to me.  Keep up all your good work, I know we will be doing another room soon.  To anyone who hasn’t worked with Rhoda, I would say not only are the results fabulous, but the process is so much FUN – when I had ideas, Rhoda either agreed and encouraged me or she graciously pointed out alternatives that might work better.  I felt so comfortable with all the decisions in pulling this foyer together and that comfort removes all the stress of decorating.  Hugs, Diane

If you would like to get an online consultation and Inspiration Board of your own, click over to my Design Consultation page for all the details. I’d love to work with you too!

Here are some good reading links for you this weekend:

How to Blog (Better): Miss Moxie’s guide to blog design for non-designers.

Want to learn more about Twitter? Social media basics: Twitter terms

Want to win $100?  $100 Question: NieNie wants to know your favorite lullabye.