Enter This Way
Entryways are such beautiful spaces for opportunity. Oftentimes, the go trudged through, forgotten or even unused. Such was the case in our small San Francisco apartment. I hadn’t really considered our entryway much of an “entryway” as it resembles more of a narrow hallway upon first glance.
However the more I considered it, the more I fell in love with the idea of actually making space. Now, given we currently rent our apartment that didn’t mean going and knocking down walls to enlarge the hall. I instead needed to think about the space as less of a “passthrough” and more of a destination.
It took a bit of experimenting to finally find just the right pieces to fit our small 34” wall. I definitely wound up purchasing a console that totally didn’t fit and has since been “rehomed” into my closet. Alas, thus is the process of trial and error within the unknown.
I then began working around the greatest unknown in the space which was the console. I didn’t know if I’d ever find something that would fit – so instead I started gathering smaller decorative items that I knew I loved and wanted to work within the space.
I started by finding the perfect wall candle holder. I purchased a few of these for our home – two of which live in our living room flanking our bay window which I also love.
The second piece I found was this lovely cane stool. I think it’s perfect for anywhere – but I loved the idea of it nestled under an open console for a bit of visual depth and contrast. The cane inspired me to pair it with a soft burl wood. Cane works so well against almost any wood – but there is something lovely about burl that brings it wall together in a lovely way. And so began my burl hunt. Burl wood is a bit rare and usually very expensive so I was so surprised to find the literal perfect piece at CB2.
After it arrived (and fit perfectly), I started tinkering with the styling. Everyday the surface styling of this console changes a bit – I add new pieces, switch out vases or books for trays, etc. However, that’s the beauty of the entryway – it can be a forever evolution. The entryway, by design, has to be forgiving. It must feel welcoming, open, and flexible to move with the ever-constant flow that is rushing through it. Therefor its design must be thoughtful and reflective of that.
I tend to style pieces in our entryway that I really love. These pieces are objects that I cherish and love coming home to everyday. They are also incredibly forgiving. They can move, shift, and get rearranged based on how I need to use the space at a given moment. A favorite candle can be replaced for a vase with fresh blooms, while trays and bowls can supplement in when needed.
We tend to come home and drop our keys, sun glasses and bags in our entryway so we need a forgiving and sizable surface. But that doesn’t mean that the entryway becomes a cluttered area – instead it beckons creative ideas to conceal everyday objects in a functional way. I love placing a basket under our console for a hint of added storage when needed.
The entryway is a space to have a bit of fun. Tinker with it, play, and experiment with what works not only in your space but also with your lifestyle.
