Today’s contributor piece is coming straight from one of our fave design experts, Kate Lester, and we can’t wait for her to share her (ever-so-genius) tips and tricks with you. Kate has educated us on everything from curating the perfect coffee table to pulling off the coastal look (without the kitsch), and even how to take the perfect shelfie. Now, with all those valuable design skills under our belt, we’re moving on to quite possibly the most important part of the house: the front entry!
That said, keep reading for part one of Kate’s two-part series on how to create THE most enviable entryway on the block. (And keeps your eyes peeled for Part II, hitting the blog soon!) Here we go…
PART I: START OUTSIDE
So, it’s November, and you got talked in to hosting Friendsgiving this year. Yay… but your front porch looks like a frat house, and your entry is still housing a bag you haven’t unpacked from your weekend getaway last month. Sound familiar?
With the holidays quickly approaching it’s time to get your entry in tip top shape. (In a hurry.) I’m here to help take you from drab to fab just in time for all those surprise visits, drop-ins, and impromptu gatherings that are sure to happen over the course of the next two months.
Photo by Lauren Pressey
1. Please paint your front door.
This is the most cost effective way to add interest and a bit of curb appeal to the front of your house. I like to pick a bold color like red or plum. I am currently working on a custom home where the door is bright orange, and another lime green. Don’t freak about the color being trendy or too funky—it’s just the front door. You can change it in a year if you get tired of it! If you are unsure of where to start when picking a color, pull a color from your entry artwork or rug to tie it all together and add some instant wow-factor! #thebrighterthebetter
Photo by Lauren Pressey
2. Use statement hardware.
The Internet is a wonderful tool. It means that you have access to hundreds of thousands of door hardware options at your fingertips. So why in the world are you still using the set from the hardware store that came with your door? Do something oversized, or in a unique shape or finish to compliment your newly painted door. Get creative, get it on order, and get a carpenter who can make it all functional. Door hardware is def. not. a DIY thing. #internetFTW
Photo by Amy Bartlam
3. Rethink your porch.
Think of your front porch as a tiny room that also needs to be designed and decorated. Yes, just when you thought you were finished, I am inventing new spaces for you to decorate. This means that you need to clear out that enormous pile of shoes, sporting equipment, and the dead poinsettia you still haven’t tossed since last Christmas. Your front porch should be an extension of your interior vibe, so bring some of those colors and textures outside. A bench with a cushion in an outdoor fabric is always a good idea; so are patterned throw pillows. Add in a couple of (living) potted plants and hang some fresh house numbers to compliment your new door hardware. The next thing you know you will be proud to Google Map your own address, and will be wondering why you didn’t do this ages ago! #perchonyourporch
Photo by Lauren Pressey
4. Install a funky light fixture.
Whether you need a hanging fixture or wall sconce to illuminate your front door, by all means, make it a chic one! I like to go with something a little oversized since it feels more unique and unexpected. Dark colored fixtures tend to stand out more than those in nickel or silver finishes, and provide more contrast and interest. Also remember to shop for a fixture that complements the overall architectural style of your home, and keep it consistent all around the house. #lightitup
5. Tie it all together.
Complete this whole fabulous front porch look with a nice-sized textured rug. A standard doormat always feels too small for me so I like to play around with larger rugs and see what works with the space. Don’t be afraid to go big if you have the space, and remember that a sisal or jute rug looks good pretty much everywhere. #soldonsisal
Now that your outdoor look is complete, you can sit back and relax. So pour yourself a cocktail, and enjoy your new outdoor space that you’ve always had but never used!
A big thanks again to Kate for giving us the low-down on this carefully crafted art—what would we do without her?! Now, you heard her… get out there and enjoy that (unbelievably chic, envy-inducing) entry! BUT before you do, don’t forget to stop by for Part II to complete your entryway, coming to the blog very soon…
To see more from Kate, visit her website here, and follow her on Instagram @klinteriors.
Xx Team GM
Photos: Amy Bartlam (header photo), Lauren Pressey