Our entry has evolved so much over the two years that we have lived here (check out the full evolution over on Instagram today! @chrislovesjulia), probably more than any other space, and with each tweak it gets functional for us and more beautiful, too. Most recently, we swapped out the mirror for a full length one from our bedroom, added a bench we were using as a make-shift coffee table in the living room and large art from Minted (big giveaway from them at the bottom of this post!).
Remember when it used to look like this? Eek!
Once upon a time I actually stretched a large canvas to paint something for this space, but my mother in law asked if I could make one similar for her so all the grandkids could paint on it and they could hang it in their home. It was the sweetest idea and she’s the sweetest mother in law, so I up and gave it to her then and there. It was about the same time, earlier this summer, that Minted approached me to see if I’d be interested in anything from their online market place. It’s filled with independent artists from all over the world and all the pieces are sourced through on-going art competitions. I kept my eyes peeled for months, constantly checking out the new arrivals until something spoke to me. It became such a fun way to spend some down time, I almost forgot that I was waiting to find the perfect piece for our home.
It took over 4 months, but when I saw Maria Murphy of Lulaloo’s piece called Sombras it was, what I can only describe as what I think love at first sight must feel like. You just know. This is the one.Maria Murphy, a Geneva, Switzerland native, tells this about her work:
Holidays usually inspires me, I enjoyed watching people walk. People walking towards their own reality, carrying their own history. Sometimes happy and sometimes sad, sometimes alone and sometimes together. The colors that I have choosen also refex the nostalgia in the painting. I called this sombras because of the reflexions on the floor.
For me, It’s moving and calm. It’s thought provoking and simple. The colors and the negative space were begging to go large, and large we did. We ordered a 44×44 print in a simple, modern frame to really let it shine.
It’s the first thing you see when you come in the front door, but it’s also visible from a lot of different angles, like when I’m working at my desk or coming upstairs or out of the hall bathroom or Faye’s room. It’s right on the other side of our bedroom, which you can see from this angle which, hopefully!, helps you get your bearings on how things flow around here.
Since adding a coat closet in the laundry room, we don’t need to utilize as many of the hooks in our entry anymore, or maybe we don’t overstuff the hooks in the entry anymore. Ha! We still hang a few frequently used bags, but really they are so perfect for when guests come over.
The large mirror is by BluDot from AllModern. We got it for our bedroom earlier this year but we found the gold framed mirror (and blue bench) that were in the entry fit so much better in our bedroom and this full-length mirror is a welcomed addition out here. I think it works so well with the wallpaper and it’s nice to have a full mirror by the front door, too. While it can be a leaning mirror, we opted to utilize the hanging mechanism on the back since it felt safer to have it off the ground for the girls’ sake and our sanity.
And since we almost always get asked, What about the shoes!? We have a lidded wicker hamper by the front door that we toss them in. This is a cheap-o one from TJMaxx, but I’m on the hunt for something that looks a little less…hamper-ish.
Now that you’re all caught up on the entry, Minted wants to give one of our readers $500 toward art for their home!! Which, is actually making me emotional because, gah!, it just adds so much. It has always been a goal of ours to have fine art pieces throughout our home and Minted’s collection of new artists can’t be matched.
To get entered to win, click here for an easy entry. Take luck. I’m rooting for you! (Giveaway ends 11/13)
SOURCES //
Area rug: Flor | Wallpaper: Stones Throw, Hygge and West | Gold Hooks: Pottery Barn | Mirror: BluDot from AllModern | Art: Sombras by Maria Murphy of Lulaloo (shop more of Maria’s pieces at her Minted Artist storefront: www.minted.com/store/lulaloo) | Bench: Overstock
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I LOVE what you’ve done with your entry!! What a transformation! Wow!
Hi Julia! Love the minted print. What is the paint color of your entry way (behind “Sombras”)?
Benjamin Moore Hazy Skies
Is your bench dark brown or black? You are an inspiration! Love your design!
Curious to see if you had other options of art from Minted.com that you were considering. Would love to see those links if available!
Wondering what size is your print?
It’s 44×44
This post was INSANE. When I saw it on IG it made my mouth drop. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your aesthetic. Would you be able to tell me if you bought the frame on Minted or found a cheaper option? I can swing $175 for a print but when you add the frames it keeps my walls bare :( I was curious if you had a genius alternative to simple and chic framing that wasn’t so expensive.
This frame is from Minted. I’ve seen a few tutorials around the web about DIYing your own!
You’ve got such great style, the space is beautiful. I especially love the wallpaper, may I ask where you got it and the name?
That wallpaper is still just calling to me! I love your entry so so much. I just wish I could see it in person! And let’s talk about that gorgeous print. It’s 100%-absolute-most-definitely THE one.
These pictures took my breath away! Every time you did an update to your entry I thought “this is perfection — don’t change a thing!” but then you change it and it looks even better! And everything from Minted is gorgeous! great pick.
You too!
This truly turned out beautifully! I love the new piece of art and bench!!! Did you guys add little lamp shades to the light fixture above the table in the kitchen?
Gorgeous! Where did you find the light fixture?
The one by the front door? That’s from Shades of Light. Check out this post for a link:
Cool piece of art. And I really like that bench in the space. The mirror complements it well.
First off, I love that wallpaper! So fun and yet so polished at the same time. The entry is such a pretty space and that artwork totally makes it! Thanks for sharing such a great giveaway!
Julia, would you mind sharing where you purchased the basket with the house plant?
That’s from Target and the snake plant is from Home Depot.
I love how the house is coming together! Where o where did you find the large frame for your minted artwork?
Thanks!
You can have your art framed through Minted! So we just did that. :)
Your entry looks amazing and is an inspiration. Also the piece by Maria is so wooing to me…I can see why you picked it – love it!
Your home is so beautiful! And your blog is my fav :) I am constantly coming here for inspiration! Keep up the good work!!
Thanks so much, Jenna!
So lovely!! I love the wallpaper…it just such a fun pop! and that artwork is beautiful!!!
Gosh I have loved watching this space come together! It has really transformed since you started. I really like the way the painting you chose plays off the wallpaper. I think you’ve perfected it…finally! Kudos! Ps I’ve already started pinning from minted.com!
Just gorgeous… Seriously. Your home is really shaping up into something so so so beautiful! Thank you for the constant inspiration. Dare I say the first floor is “done”????
I wish! We still have the master bath/closet and bedroom to finish, but we are ready to start downstairs!
Such a difference from the before pictures. Looks great and thanks for the giveaway!
I usually never comment, but I love your blog and your home is so so so beautiful!
Man your house is beautiful from every angle
Your house is such an inspiration to me. Seriously. I need to get it together and get my own place finished!