Transitional spaces offer an opportunity to have a little fun; to try something unexpected and show-stopping that you might not feel comfortable committing to in another room. This was definitely true of the entryway in my NYC apartment. I knew that I wanted to transform the long and non-descript space into something memorable, while also committing to brighter colors than I had done in the rest of the apartment. You guys all know how much I adore blue (in any and all shades!) but I also love yellow, too. Luckily, these two colors work together beautifully. As blue is a key theme throughout the rest of the apartment, I knew it would make sense to incorporate some blue accents into the yellow base. After the jump I’ll talk through the full entryway space, including this amazing lemon wallpaper. Come take the tour!
This fabulous lemon wallpaper had my name written all of it! From the moment I saw it, I knew that it would be perfect for the apartment entryway. Playful, bright, cheerful and graphic: it was everything I was looking for to transform this transitional space into a wow moment. I love it! All our friends and family go crazy for it when they come over to the apartment, so it always makes a fun talking point, too. I even did a live morning TV interview (via Skype) while sitting on this bench and we ended up talking about the lemon wallpaper for half the interview! The art print is one of my own photographs that I took several years ago during a trip to Miami. I had it framed by Framebridge in a gloss white frame which helps provide a visual break to the graphic pattern behind. (Last year, I wrote this post about how to choose the correct frame for your art which you might find useful if you are currently looking to frame art!) I love having a personal piece framed in the entryway because it evokes special memories as I arrive and leave the apartment – it’s perfect for soothing any nerves before heading to an important meeting, or to help bring about a smile as I come home after a long way at work.
The pillows were an opportunity to layer pattern on pattern against the lemon wallpaper. I mixed and matched a series of pillows, including some beauties I bought from Rebecca Atwood’s sample sale back in 2015. I love them! A few neutral solids help to break up the patterns and prevent the line up from being too busy on the eye.
Our apartment has a strong Scandinavian feel throughout and I was keen to weave this into the entryway, too. The BJÖRKSNÄS bench was the perfect piece to do just that. It looks great but it’s also super practical, too, because we have a place to put our shoes on and take them off, as well as place parcels and bags that we need to take out of the apartment later in the day. The Danish designed pinboard by the front door is where we keep concert and theatre tickets, along with postcards and notes from friends and family. TBH it usually looks a lot messier than this but I gave it a tidy up a few days before I shot these pictures!
I’ve rounded up the pieces you can buy to recreate this look in your entryway:
1. Frame pinboard
2. Lemon wallpaper (The Serena & Lily wallpaper I hung is no longer for sale but this one is very similar.)
3. BJÖRKSNÄS bench
4. Marble Stripe pillow
5. Artwork (My personal print isn’t for sale so I found this one that’s kinda similar!)
6. Rug
// Photography by Will Taylor
21 Comments
This is gorgeous, Will! I’m loving your makeovers, your interior design sense is awesome!
I hope you have a fab Monday,
Michael
https://www.mileinmyglasses.co.uk
@Michael – Thanks very much! Grateful to have you following along. Have a lovely new week! 🙂
We don’t want the similar one, we want your photograph! Hah :). I looove your entryway! The wallpaper is so bright and cheery, and the bench is a perfect neutral counterpoint. Those Rebecca Atwood pillows with the contrasting strip of fabric are so fun too!
@Jackie – Ha! Well, once I get the beach house renovation completed hopefully I’ll have time to properly plan a print store. It would be so fun! 🙂 I agree that the bench is the perfect piece to break up the graphic print. It also helps to anchor the brighter colors, too. So glad you approve of the space!
Haha when life gives you lemons — Seriously I need this wallpaper in my life! It’s going to look sweet with my gorgeous scented jar candle from https://barenaturals.com have you seen them, they would be a really great candle to review!
@Darcey – I’ll check it out! Glad you love the wallpaper, too. Yay! 🙂
The lemon wallpaper looks amazing and really great idea of integrating blue color with the bright yellow background. Glad to see such beautiful interior.
@Color N Interior – Thanks very much!
I like the wallpaper and LOVE the bench!
@Jess – I knowwwwww! The bench is my favorite piece. It’s so Scandi!
Will, this is a very happy space you have made. The blue pillows accent the yellow lemons perfectly. Well done! SB xo
@Sara Beth – So sweet of you to say, thanks!
I have this wallpaper in my laundry room and love it! This is so happy!
@Ellen – Oh, it’s the perfect paper for that space! Great way to bring about a smile while doing chores! 😉
So good! What a perfect way to be greeted when you get home!
@Jenn – Thanks! Yes, it genuinely makes me smile everything I come home and see it! 🙂
This wallpaper totally makes me smile! I love it all! Upon first glance, I thought your photograph was just your view out your window. How amazing that you took that!!
xxoo
Mary
http://www.BelleOnTrend.com
@Mary – Yay! I’m so glad it made you smile, Mary! And thank you for the lovely words about my photograph of Miami, too! Have a lovely weekend!
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These bright colours and fearless patterns make me so happy! The wallpaper design in particular is very modern to me; it could easily be a phone or computer wallpaper, or a tablecloth, but blowing it up and putting it on your walls brings up those small happy images, and says ‘why can’t I have this on my walls?’ But it’s not overpowering, as the blues of the cushions brings the tone down, and makes it a more relaxed and liveable room.
@Sarah – Yes! It’s such a feel good, fresh and modern print. I love it!