Original Stone fireplace in narrow entry… she needs love
Hi! So we bought this charming late 1950s hand built home and are updating slowly but surely. This entry way has me stumped. It’s narrow when you first walk in with a sandstone “mid century mod” stacked fireplace to your left when you come in. It leads directly into our living room which I would love to make feel cohesive but not so plain and blah! I prefer a neutral, sort of farmhouse/cozy/boho vibe. The floor is stick tile because the original hardwood doesn’t extend. I don’t know what to
Do to make this space inviting and functional.
Comments (10)
elcieg
last yearlast modified: last yearA 1950's mid century house wants to be a modern farmhouse ( oxymoron?)
Put a farmhouse rug, hand hooked, over the entry floor,
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Comments (41)Aw caroline94535, that was such a sweet comment. I was not able to bring those antique pieces b/c they are too big, but the library card holder I purchased from dh, Randy's, elem school in Marksville. Small desk is from a school where I taught. The washboards and triangles were purchased through a grant I received from The Cajun French Music Association. Renowned musician, Mr. Hadley Castille, and his band did a 6 week set of lessons with my 4th grade class and the kids learned to play these primitive instruments. They did a PBS performance. It was fun. The 2 sets of shutters on windows are from Mom's kitchen (they make me smile). The huge roll of craft paper was my mom's. She was very artistic and always sketching something. I need to get a holder for it. That little wooden index card box is from my daddy's furniture store. He and my Uncle Oscar borrowed $500 from my Aunt Lillie's husband - an "orphan train baby", my rich uncle (LOL!), and opened a mom and pop furniture store in 1949 after they came home from war. Daddy and Uncle Oscar were both unmarried so they volunteered to stay longer so that married men could go home to their families. Many other items are gifts from my sis-in-law, best friend and soul mate, Carmen- old jars w/ zinc tops, soda pop crate, pics, a sheet of Elvis stamps, and old phone. Shades-of-idaho, Carmen is "Louise" to my "Thelma". Thank you for the prayers, caro....See MoreNeed ideas for reconfiguring long narrow 11.5 x 5.5 bath
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Comments (16)Please don't pressure wash wood siding unless you like to see splinters flying in the air. As soft and spongey as that is, that is not a good idea. New siding with a factory applied color might be, highly recommended. Had a family next door pressure wash their deck which the previous owners had applied some of that 'great gel stain' tooo...mildewy now, gel stain ed by sap from trees above, etc etc........pressure washer....wallah.....holes in deck floor. Do NOT force water into your wood siding/sub walls/etc. You really might need some consult specialist in this case, but I do not see why painting this would help it for more than a couple of years. New siding, would be the most effective use of dollars and labor, you might check into this and see. Anytime you have a wood of this age, there is just the sense it has served its' purpose. I don't know what people put on homes like this other than wood, but NEW WOOD siding at minimum would seem the best cure for the problems. Have others experienced different results? Curious to hear from others with similar aged homes....See Moreexterior entry needs something but what?
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cawaps
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circonium
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PROFrameMyMirror
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Rosefolly
last yearSarah Kern
last yearThank you all so much for your comments. I should be clear, there are mid century accents because of when the home was built, but that is not my jam. Previous owner had home for 40+ years and did much of her home updates in 80s-90s. I will post several photos. Our layout is bit strange with a lot of wood. I think I’m just overwhelmed at this point because it is so sterile, unwelcoming and dated. I know I’ll get some hate, but I am NOT committed to the knotty pine. This post is evolving and for that I apologize. Here is the layout with photos. You won’t hurt my feelings, I am truly at a loss on decorating this place. I appreciate and welcome your input!
PRODiana Bier Interiors, LLC
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year JT7abcz
last yearlast modified: last yearYour home has some great features and the bench is very nice but I agree with Rosefolly, it's width is constricting the turn into the living room and making the entry feel more narrow. Replacing it with a more narrow console table, and a mirror or artwork above will look nice from the living room and when entering. Add a runner at the door. This may be a controversial suggestion but if replacing the peel and stick with actual wood isn't an option right now, consider getting a peel and stick that looks like your wood which will make it flow better and feel larger.
If you remove the bench, try putting it on the window wall next to the fireplace and add a coordinating rug to create a small seating group. Either get a larger coordinating rug for the sectional area or try turning it, it looks a little small and adding a console under the TV will fill in that wall.
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