Ok kids, this project took me ages to figure out and complete. And it’s a tiny space! Our front entrance. It has bugged me since the day we moved in and I have been dying to make it interesting and welcome. But first let me take you to what it looked like before and what it looked like after my “I’m sick of beige” feeling kicked in:
I loved the new look that the paint refresh gave (it’s a rich dark gray and the trim was freshened up as well) but I couldn’t figure out what to do with it afterwards so it stayed bare for awhile (a year maybe?!) That was until I found a mirror that I loved and some lovely leggy stools:
What’s the problem you ask? This:
Yeah…see those light switches and alarm panel? They’re functional but not very pretty. And they were not installed straight might I add. I had to find some way of hiding them while still being able to access them. I racked my brain (and Pinterest!) for solutions. Until it hit me – A GALLERY WALL!!! (Yes I’m shouting!)
Let’s take a closer look:
The idea was to blend in the alarm panel and light switches with other art on the wall so that they didn’t stick out like a sore thumb (where does that expression come from btw?!) And they remain functional which was a requirement. To make the gallery wall seem less heavy, I stripped the frames of everything except the pre-cut mats and the frames themselves and hung each frame with my favourite product, 3M Command Strips (I’m not paid to endorse them but I love them SO much!)
The pictures I used are from calendars I picked up at 50% (thank you January!) and they’re from Rifle Paper Co, one of my favourite illustrators. I used two desktop calendars for the images and one very large one that I used as a calendar (You can find them here, here and here). I attached the images to the wall using painters tape so that if I decided to change the look, I won’t have a ton of holes crucifying my walls:
Isn’t it cute?!
To round out the space I added in a clock on the other side since I’m always asking for the time (I own a bazillion watches but I don’t wear them):
And this runner from IKEA:
It’s made of polypropylene which isn’t a cushy surface but given the crappy weather we get in Ottawa, it’s very necessary to have something that cleans easily and well. Bonus is that it has a punchy pattern so it doesn’t look like you’re stepping onto a plastic mat.
More pictures you ask? Of course!
It’s finally DONE!!! (And adorable to boot!)
Do you have any nagging areas that you’re trying to finish? Do tell please, and let me know I’m not the only one!
Shirley says
WOW…best redo post yet! Very impressive! Will comment further this weekend when I can check it out in person!! PS From JM …buying shares in 3M!!
Lidia says
Thanks so much!! Can’t wait for you to see it! And yes to buying shares in 3M! LOL!!
Kindha says
Love this!
p.s. I miss you.
Lidia says
Thanks Kindha! Miss you too!!
Ariel says
Now THIS is a mudroom I can get behind. WAY TO GO! I love all the RPC art, well chosen!
Ariel recently posted…DIY Champagne Buzzer – TGIF
Lidia says
Aw, thanks my friend!!!
Joelle says
Wow looks fantastic!
Lidia says
Thanks so much Joelle!!
Sheila says
Wow what a transformation! You are so incredibly talented and creative!!
Lidia says
(*blushing*) Thanks cherie!!
Caitlin says
Omg – I LOVE this. Rifle paper is one of my favourite paper brands 🙂 and the stools are so unique and perfect for the space 🙂 which room is next? I’m very excited 🙂 can we do a fairy princess bedroom or bathroom?
Lidia says
Caitlin! Thank you so much!! I’m going to reveal our kitchen nook soon and then I’ll be participating in the ‘One Room Challenge’ this spring where I’ll be tackling our powder room – I’m excited but nervous!!!
Colette @ restyle it wright says
Turned it so cute! Great use of space and I love the dramatic dark color and warm wood tones.
Lidia says
Thanks so much Colette!!
Laurie @ Vin'yet Etc. says
Wow, that turned out great and so clever to frame out the ugly that is light switches and alarm panels, I didn’t even see them until the before picture, awesome!
Lidia says
Oh Laurie, that is music to my ears! Thank you so much!!
Jessica says
What a great idea to hide the switches! At first I never even noticed them because of all the pretty frames and pictures. Great job!
Jessica recently posted…Not Your Typical Barnboard Clock
Lidia says
You are so sweet Jessica, thank you!!!
Lindsay says
It looks FANTASTIC! I love all the colors and finishes together!
Lindsay recently posted…Punk princess bedroom reveal – making over a basement guest room into a pre-tween paradise!
Lidia says
Thanks so much Lindsay!!!
gemma@thesweetestdigs says
One word: BRILLIANT.
Love this space!!
Lidia says
(*blushing*) Thanks Gemma!!!
Ola | Jadoreledecor.com says
Great, great job with this project! I LOVE the mirror and white frames. Take a bow!
Lidia says
Bow taken! LOL! Thanks Ola!!!
Kenyatta Harris says
This is so stinking clever!
Lidia says
Thanks so much!!