Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Part 2 of Before's and After- The Foyer

Ok, so last week I showed you the many phases of the "Friends Entry" to my home. It was so fun to see which one was your favorite. I believe it was unanimous that the Country Cottage style was the winner.

Today I thought I would show you the "Formal Entry" phases. Oh, many of you asked the time frame for all of these phases. These changes were made from 2005 until this month. Again, I have a decorating disorder. hee,hee,hee.  Alrighty then, let's get hopp'in.

This is the "Frou Frou" phase complete with Victorian fainting couch and expensive hand painted mural and Venetian plaster by a local, Russian, Artist, Irina Skalova. (yes, she know's I got rid of it)

Next, we have the "I'm kinda over Victorian stuff" phase so out with the fainting couch and in with the cottage style display cabinet (made in China and a piece of crapola).

Then we have the "bye bye yellow walls and you're so outta here frou frou mural, Shell has lost her mind, can you believe she painted over the mural, I love this Italian antique mirror" phase.

Then we have the "I moved the vases and the pussywillows to the whirlpool tub and replaced them with these French style lamps with annoying gold cords phase."

And finally, here we are today with the "Country Cottage" phase complete with old shutters and a solid wood chair from a thrift shop. The chair even has a brass plate on the back so it may have been in a library or business office. The hammered aluminum pitcher came from Ebay. Those fuzzy things in it reminded me of bunny tails, so I had to get them. Of course, they shed like bunny tails too!

I also brought out an old doll cabinet that has been in my family a while. I filled it with things that are very meaningful to me.

I found this cute little sign and just had to have it as most of you know, I adore little houses. Even if I had millions of dollars, I would still live in a little house.

Well there it is. My new "formal entry." The front door actual has leaded glass in the door and the transom. You just can't see it in this picture. I'm also on the lookout for the perfect braided rug to put at the front door.

So which phase do you like the best?
xx, shell

36 comments:

Karen said...

I would never guess that you love rabbits!

KaHolly said...

Seeing these pictures of your home is like stepping into the pages of House Beautiful magazine!

Lin on Maine said...

I love the white (can't have white with 3 irish setters and the desert winds), but I also love the new look - and transitions with the cottage feel so well!
I'm enjoying this - thanks!

Lin in Phx
http://azmaine.blogspot.com

neora chana said...

Have to say I love the Victoria with the murals and fainting couch.

Staci said...

I do like the current style very much! It seems so much more cozy and homey.

Your mural and fainting couch and all were quite glamourous and very pretty, but so formal, I would have found a visit to your home uncomfortable.

Barb said...

Love your entry.....looks awesome and very inviting!

JudyCinNC said...

The new foyer is quite lovely - But why is there no rabbit on that table or cuddled in the basket? Surely you have one. Thank you so much for sharing. BTW - what happened to the fainting couch? Judy C

The Fab Furs said...

I like the latest version the best, it seems the most personal (esp. the small cabinet) and the browns are on both sides of the door which ties them together. I'm not sure about the shutters though.

Sheila said...

I love the last photo the best, although all phases were very nice.
I received my thread today, thanks so much!1

Hef's Mom said...

I realy like the fainting couch, it wouldbe so fun! Other then that I love the new foyer!

tana50 said...

I love every entry!! I couldn't choose just one. nothing is more fun than seeing how people decorate their homes. thanks for showing us yours.

Jo in TAS said...

I do love the one with the willows but your country style looks more homely :-)

BubzRugz said...

They are all lovely for different reasons.... but my personal favourite is the last... a more simplistic style suits me
Hugz

Vroomans' Quilts said...

THe last is getting there, but I don't think the shutters go with the curved, heavy mantel. Interesting changes over time. Love the fainting couch, but more of a guest bedroom piece.

StitchinByTheLake said...

Definitely the last one! And do you live anywhere close to me? Because I need a friend to come help me rearrange my stuff. Please, I'm desperate! blessings, marlene

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

You love to move things around like I do---I drive my lil sister crazy at times--I think I finally finally have it just right--then before you know it--something gets moved and then I have to move other stuff==on and on!!!!
be glad that it is your own home and you can paint the walls whenever you want!!!
I loved all the looks==but the last one is more me and more friendly looking!!!!
Hugs, Di and miss gracie

Natascha said...

I really liked your yellow decorative walls. I had a business for many years where I did painting like that and murals in peoples homes, so I can really appreciate the work involved in doing three panels like that.

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Hi Shell:
I love what you've done to the entryway! Every change is just a notch up from the last. I'm just having trouble not trying to faint every time I see something BLACK in your house! lol
See ya soon.
xoxo
Donna

Patty C. said...

I think I changed my phase preference repeatedly throughout this post - lol

It all looks wonderful to me -
Enjoy your space :)

Shirley said...

Hi Shell, I like the last change the best. It looks more inviting to me, but then I Like the cottage look. I have enjoyed catching up with my friends tonight. Have a great day. Your Missouri Friend.

Unknown said...

Loved going through the Process but I am for the Last One Too...White is so Fresh..
Great Job!
cheers

The French Bear said...

I love the new design!!!! I think we have the same train of thoughts, I am adding splashes of black in my decor.....if I could get TDM to paint it would be awesome!!! Your house is huge compared to my teeny tiny one!!! I love the high ceilings and wide open feel of it, looks fabulous!
Hugs,
Mags
xx

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

I loved the first one the best. It felt the most homey to me.

Clovie Boy said...

I like the overall look of the frou frou entry. The mural is beautiful.

RG said...

You know, we have visited Shell's house 5 times in the past 20 months and never seen the same thing twice. Soemtimes I was not sure we were at the right place.

Allie said...

Shell - I'm sorry - I love the new look but that frou frou got me, I love it the best! I can't believe we're so much alike, I change the layout in my sewing room weekly - I tell hubby since I can't move, at least I can change the view every now and then. No matter what phase you're in, your home is ALWAYS beautiful!!!!!

And I love the little houses sign too. My grandparents had the tiniest house you can imagine - we held wedding receptions there, Christmas parties, we'd be all squeezed in and overflowing into the yard but nobody complained because it held enough love to fill the biggest house in the world!

Crafty Green Poet said...

I really like the new look but also the frou frou, particularly the fainting couch...

Anneke Potgieter said...

Well all the phases were beautiful but I prefer the Country Cottage as it is now.

Sparklyjools said...

Oh, come and redecorate for me, please, please, please!x

Lisa said...

I do enjoy the fainting couch, but I think all the phases look great! But, is that the litter box bunny on your old doll cabinet? Doesn't he need his litter box so as to not yuck up the doll cabinet?

Rachel S-H said...

Very pretty! I love the last one. It looks very fresh and springy.

Northern Deb said...

It's looking nice! Did you ever think of crocheting a rug using fabric scraps? I cut my long scraps into 1/2" pieces, stitch or tie them together.. roll into balls then crochet them into rag rugs using a size J hook. It's a nice way to get the colors you love and use up scraps.

Love Bears All Things said...

I like the latest one best as it is light and airy...
I have a similar window in my door but keep it covered with a blind as someone can walk up on the porch and see me sitting in the living room before I see them.
Mama Bear

DIYbyDesign said...

Heard it's your birthday...happy birthday. I love moving things around as well. I am your latest follower. I would love for you to come and check out my blog and follow me back at www.diybydesign.blogspot.com. Thanks so much.

Stitches said...

Where do you get all of your energy?? Your pictures are wonderful and your decorating talent is beyond my imagination. You really have a knack for it.

Mandy Saile said...

looks amazing Shell...you've a talent here as well for sure. XO.

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