My Journey to Transform My Brooklyn Rental: Entry Hall Update
See how I updated my entry hallway to feel like a warm hug when you enter my home
A vignette consisting of a console table with decorative paint, gild mirror and zig zig carpet set against walls painted in Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster
As I set out to redecorate my Brooklyn, NY rental apartment to make it more of a home, I decided to start with my entry hallway. Practically speaking, it was the smallest space, and I thought I had everything I needed to get it done expeditiously. Boy was I wrong! It took way longer than expected, but for good reason. Every update seemed to lead to a new idea, and I decided to follow each to their conclusion.
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Inspired by: English Country Decor
Design Stories: The ART of Design
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I’m so glad I gave myself the space play with the possibilities, for the result is a layered space with lots of personal and interesting details that make the room sing. So, it turns out it was right to start with the entry hallway after all, but for a different reason than I previously thought. The entry hallway sets the tone not only when you walk into the apartment but also for how I am going to tackle the rest of the rooms with a spirit of experimentation, creativity, and freedom.
Here’s a little peak behind my process:
Vision: I wanted the entryway to feel like a hug when you walk in to our home. Our entry is a long corridor with no windows, so I decided to lean in to the lack of light and make it extra cozy and inviting. Plus, I wanted the space to reflect us, turning a boring white box with generic furniture into a portal into our world.
Inspiration: I am drawn to English designers who are fearless in their use of color and pattern; their designs are sophisticated but never too serious, with just a touch of playfulness via unexpected touches.
I was smitten by this eclectic design especially the red pop on the pink walls (Design by Lonika Chande via House & Garden UK)
This whole color palette is so inspired (Lucy Williams’ home via House & Garden UK)
Mood board: The color palette is anchored by a dusty pink that exudes warmth. As secondary colors, terracotta and gold complement the pink, creating an almost soothing tonal effect. Burgundy as an accent color adds some much-needed contrast. Likewise, repeated shapes, like zig zags and scallops, and floral details offer visual interest.
The elements: The walls were dutifully painted by my husband in Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster — a color I am certain I’ll return to over and over again throughout my life as the perfect soft, dusty pink, named for plaster walls. In terms of decor, I started with what I had which included an antique gilded mirror and wall sconce (borrowed from my mom’s garage). The area carpet and ceiling light (to replace the ubiquitous rental boob light!) were the only new items. After deciding to forgo a plan to put a large shelving unit in the hallway that would overshadow the walls, I sourced a secondhand console off of Facebook Marketplace and gave it new life with a fresh coat of Farrow & Ball’s Entrance Hall Pink and trompe l'oeil decorative detail in Farrow & Ball’s Brinjal.
A close up of the decorative painted console adorned with shell-encrusted obelisks made by me!
A dialogue between a gild wall sconce and a cream & gold wall bracket with a moss green sculpture sourced from Alice’s on Portobello Road
Styling: This was the least planned out part as I believe it should be. Early on I decided to use red picture frames for the pop of color and came up with the idea to make art out of dried pressed flowers with a custom red rimmed mat. The wall bracket stemmed from wanting to complement the wall sconce on the adjacent wall. On a whim, I grabbed the moss green statue as a fun, kitschy element — the moss green and dusty pink go surprisingly well together. I had a collection of shells and some unused urns that were looking for a proper home/use and decided they’d be great all together on the console. For added drama and height, I insisted on creating the shell-encrusted obelisks (all I needed was a glue gun, obelisk form, tiny shells and a whole lot of patience).
Decorative art made with red frames, custom mat, and pressed flowers
Lessons learned: It’s great to have a plan, but keep an open mind to new ideas as you go. Even things that seem like mistakes can turn into the biggest design gifts pivoting you in a surprising and even better direction. Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves and create or alter decor or furniture if that allows you to get the look you want. I leaned on my artsy / crafty side and feel really proud of the results. I think you’d be amazed at what you can create, and it will feel so much more personal — not to mention you can save a lot of money! For instance, the cheapest shell obelisk I could find was $158 whereas I created both of mine for $90.
