Happy Monday and welcome to Dressed for My Day. As the name implies this is definitely a fashion blog and not a home interiors blog. I’m not a professional stylist, but I do manage to do the research and think through fashion choices pretty well. But when it comes to home interiors I’m only able to conceptualize the results I want to achieve and I rely on the expert direction of others to help me realize those goals. So today we’re taking a brief step away from the clothes closet to invite you through the front door of my home. I’m sharing my entryway makeover with Havenly!
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For a little background, we moved into our almost 30-year-old home just outside of Cincinnati, in May of 2021. I immediately furnished one of the living areas with the help of Ethan Allen. Well, I say immediately, but it actually took several months to get the furniture, of course. That’s not to say Ethan Allen was slow. Due to inventory and distribution challenges worldwide, that was simply the pace at which things were moving at the time. I’m not sure if it’s better now or not.
Here are just a couple of pictures (taken last fall) of what we fondly call the morning room. We love how it turned out.
Next we purchased a new kitchen table, chairs and buffet because the kitchen table my dad had built for us as a wedding gift over 30 years ago didn’t fit our new space. But we still needed to purchase new furniture for our family room (which we call the evening room) and our entryway. No, I’m not someone who necessarily needs all new furniture when I move into a new home. But our family room furniture was purchased when our children were, well, children. Need I say more?
And we’d never really had a home with an entryway, so we just didn’t have anything that fit this space the way I wanted it. We desperately needed an entryway makeover.
I envisioned a warm, inviting and joyful entryway. I figure this is the space that immediately sets the tone for the rest of the home as you walk through the front door. And for the past year it’s looked pretty bland.
I felt a little stuck since I didn’t necessarily want to enlist the assistance of Ethan Allen for the entryway, but I definitely needed some help. So I jumped at the opportunity when Havenly reached out to me in June, offering me a complimentary design package if I would share a little about them on Instagram.
Havenly is an interior design service that operates mostly online. While they do offer in-person consultations in eight urban areas currently, Havenly is most known for their virtual interior design services. You start by completing their design questionnaire and setting up an account. Then you set up a project and are connected with a real-life interior designer with whom you will meet virtually or work with through a message board.
While I did receive my design service for free as well as a stipend toward my account in exchange for sharing on Instagram, today’s blog post is not sponsored. Nor was I required to share my finished entryway makeover with Havenly at all. I’m just that excited about the results I got by working with my Havenly designer, Priscila. She was in Mexico, and we communicated once on a Zoom call face to face. But otherwise, we worked through the message board. She did a beautiful job capturing my initial concept and turning it into reality. And she was just so pleasant to work with.
I shared with Priscila that I wanted my entryway to:
- look warm and inviting
- provide a functional place for James and me to store mail as it arrives and packages before they go out
- feel joyful
- connect with the morning room and kitchen so that all the downstairs spaces feel cohesive
- reflect our personalities and affinities
Here are the design concept boards Priscila sent me when we first started my entryway makeover.
At that point we talked about what I liked from each of the concepts. I particularly liked the middle design, but I wanted the more polished, navy dresser from the first one. I loved that Priscila seemed to want to take my original concepts and work her design knowledge to make the space reflect my personal style. She next sent me the visual rendering of my space. She sent me this concept board which truly reflected my personal choices.
After I approved everything, she sent me a 3D rendering of my entryway makeover with my chosen pieces.
And this is what Priscila at Havenly helped me create. You’ll notice I did change just a couple of things, but overall I created the space Priscila had designed for me. The original rug we decided on had sold out before I could order it. And I ended up ordering just one of the baskets and situating it at the stairwell landing.
From the beginning I named our interior design project Our Joyful Entryway. And that’s exactly what we created. I wanted a playful mix of primary colors in muted tones, lively visuals, earthy texture and real family functionality.
This beautiful blue dresser is actually a kid’s dresser, so it has all the safety features you might need for a nursery. But it functions beautifully in this space, filling it with the color and functionality I desired. I wanted a piece of furniture that felt formidable and large enough for this large space. No, the floor space is not that large, but because the entry way is situated at the base of our stairwell the space feels tall and vacuous without a substantial piece of furniture. The dresser comes in other neutral colors as well.
By the way, I’m sharing links to everything when possible. But I also wanted to share that Havenly helps you get the best price possible on everything you purchase through them. So if you find something they recommended for less, they’ll help you shop that source, too.
James and I have taken to bird watching since moving to Ohio. We even have his and her binoculars conveniently situated at our kitchen dining nook window to view the bluebirds currently nesting in our bluebird house. Ha! Priscila recommended these beautiful bird prints for our stairwell. When they first arrived I thought there was no way I’d hang all six in this space. But now I’m so glad we did.
(Psst! James did an amazing job hanging our wall art and mirror. He uses this handy tool to get things just right!)
By the way, did you know biophilic design is really trending in home decor? That’s simply the concept of bringing a little of the outside in to your home with hints of nature. My bird prints, botanical prints, sea grass tray (similar) and the seagrass basket on my stairwell landing are all biophilic touches. You can participate in the biophilic design trend with textures, pictures and objects from nature. Do you have biophilic style elements you could pull out of storage and use? Think seashells, rocks, natural woven baskets, feathers and driftwood.
Because of the layout of this area, we needed either a shorter rug that would just extend slightly from the dresser and an additional doormat, or we needed a rectangular rug that would serve both areas. I felt like the larger rectangular rug created more warmth and cohesion. and I love the colors and patterns in the one we selected.
The umbrella stand adds a bit of whimsy, but it also feels practical and “in place” here. I love mixing prints! I think it’s a smart way to add both color and texture to an area. And remember, my goal was JOY.
In the photo below you can see just a hint of the morning room. Do you see how the theme flows between these two rooms? Both feature blue ceramic pieces. And the botanical prints act as a precursor to the live plants we enjoy in the morning room.
Thank you so much for stopping in to see my entryway makeover with Havenly. Right now I have two great deals to offer you. Depending on when you’re reading this one may be more advantageous than the other. Use my code KAYHARMS to get 25% off either a Havenly mini or full package. Or shop through THIS LINK and get $50 off a FULL package only. I really enjoyed my experience with Havenly and will probably use them again for my bedroom makeover.
Let me know if you have any questions. I’m glad to share. Have a great day!
Blessed for My Day
This week let’s take a deeper dive into the concept of biblical faith. Yes, there’s faith and then there’s biblical faith. Let’s make sure that we are practicing a faith that is based on biblical precepts and one that actually accomplishes something. I often hear the word faith tossed around in movies as though it’s just pie-in-the-sky, wishful thinking. But biblical faith is not a floaty concept. Instead it’s rooted in truth and grounded with accurate information.
So today let’s just consider what faith really is. The Bible tells us it is an assurance, a conviction. Those are strong words. Hebrews 11 goes on to assure us that our faith in God can be rooted in the very fact that He has done what He says He did and can do what He says He will do. God is worthy of our faith. And when we place our faith in Him, we can trust that He will keep His Word.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. ~ Hebrews 11:1-3
Thanks for showing us your entryway! I love decor. The dresser looks great there and adds interest. Love the colors too!
Thanks so much, Karin. I’m just really pleased with it. Feels so much better now!
Love your entryway – thanks for sharing! All bird prints links go to the umbrella stand, which is gorgeous; but would you be able to fix? Thank you!
Fixed! Thank you so much for the alert. I’m glad you like it. 🙂
Your home is just beautiful and so are you. I like the entryway and the dress on you. Is the dresser in the entry way blue or black?
Thank you Rory. The dresser is navy blue.
Kay, The entryway definitely reflects you and James. It is joyful! I really like the rug and the dresser. Is the kitchen behind the entryway wall? Sine I am terrible with hanging wall art without making a lot of holes in the wall, I am going to check out the tool James uses.
Yes, the hall beside the entryway leads directly to the kitchen and the morning room is off to the right from the kitchen. Our dining nook is at the back. And then we have a formal dining room and living (evening) room to the left. It’s all circular, too. I’m sure I’ve shared before, but we call the room to the right the morning room because we sit in there in the mornings. It has the fireplace. And we call the other room the evening room because it has the television and we tend to sit in there in the evenings. We’re quite the creatures of habit! Thanks for dropping in.
I love that rug in your new entryway! Absolutely gorgeous. And your family room is so eclectic. Love that gorgeous chair by the fireplace! (Is it bad that we have the same furniture from before our kids were even born?) Oh well…not buying any new furniture at this stage of the game! lol Anyway, everything looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Hahaha! Absolutely not bad at all. Mine just shows a lot of wear and tear. We’ve loved it for over 20 years, but I’m aching for something new. I’m still saving up for it right now though. I’ll only pay cash for my furniture. 🙂
Excellent! It’s wonderful at this stage of the game to be able to bring joy into our lives without incurring debt! Enjoy your beautiful home!
Havenly certainly did you well! Looks beautiful and I’m really crushin’ on that umbrella stand😍
Enjoy it all for many years to come! Beautiful home!
Thank you Helena. I’m very happy with everything.
Kay, love the new entry way! Definitely invokes “joy”! I have little vignettes sprinkled all throughout my home of natures treasures that I treasure…bird nests, bird feathers, pretty rocks, seashells and various pictures of those items. Brings me joy to look at them as does your new entry way!
Thanks so much, Anita. I know from the photos I’ve seen on Facebook that your home is warm and inviting and lovely. Thanks so much for stopping in.
I just love how this turned out! The way you hung the mirror and bird prints just looks amazing. I look forward to your blog every day!
Thank you so much, Sarah. I’m pleased with it, too. Thank you for the encouragement.
I love all of the prints and your mirror! I also like your wall color a lot. What paint color is that?
It’s the ever-popular Agreeable Grey from Sherwin Williams. However, I hear grey is on the way out for home interiors. We just painted it last year of course. But then again this shade is supposed to work nicely with both grey and beige pieces.
Wonderful entryway! Perfect! I love the umbrella stand! Thank you the introduction to Heavenly.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. And I really did enjoy my experience with Havenly. No problems at all. And I should add that as far as I know, Priscila did not know I was an influencer. So I didn’t get any special treatment or anything. It was just a really good process.
Love your new entry way! Blue and green are also my favorite colors, and nature. I have used E.A. and love them too. Glad you shared this option with us. Great job and love the dresser idea. Thank you for sharing your home with us all, so warm and welcoming.
Thanks so much, Susan.
Great news for you! You missed the extra 25% off Talbots Aubrey Cashmere sweaters. They are $56!!
Your entryway is beautiful!
Oh my goodness. Seriously??? Everyone definitely needs to take advantage of that then! Wowsa!
Beautiful! What a wonderful entry to your home!
I think so, too, Cheryl. Thank you so much for dropping in.
Lovely entry! I especially like that you changed the mirror to the adjacent wall and staggered the bird pictures instead of stacking them. It is more interesting and dynamic! Well done!
Thanks so much, Elle. I struggled with those decisions, but I’m happy with the results. The main reason I changed the mirror placement was because Priscila didn’t know we already had a large wall art piece on the back wall. So it just made sense to move the mirror.
Love your entry Kay! I’m always drawn to Navy/Blues so I’m in love with this high dresser and love how you used it in your entry. With you ceilings so tall this space can carry a tall piece of furniture. James did an amazing job at hanging the mirror and bird prints and I would have never thought of hanging them the way he did in which I Love it!
You look so beautiful in this dress as well.
Blessings,
Thanks so much, Holly. He worked hard on those hangings and it really paid off.
Wow, you entry way is gorgeous! But I especially likes today’s blessed for my day. Knowing exactly what we put our faith in is the most important part of our journey and there is nothing that ever can replace our faith in our Heavenly Father. Have a great week!
Absolutely. thanks so much for sharing, Bobbie.
Love your new entry. It takes a village doesn’t it?
Well it does for me! Ha! Thanks so much. 💕
It’s fabulous Kay. I adore the larger rug and think your eye for good fashion definitely leads to this beautiful space. And that umbrella holder?? OMG, it’s perfect. (I know that’s new because it’s definitely not something needed in AZ, haha)
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Indeed! In fact I had to buy the umbrellas to go in it! 🤣😂🤣
Wow! Your home and entryway are so beautiful and inviting. I was particularly drawn to your floor. I love the color and it brings such a warmth to your rooms. I, too, love to bring nature into my home as much as possible. Is that why I have three dogs in my home? Lol. Your ‘Blessed for my Day’ captured my heart. My granddaughter’s middle name is Faith. She is our only grandchild. I believe that my daughter and son-in-law had such faith in God as they went through the process of IVF to bring this beautiful child into the world. We feel so blessed!
That’s a beautiful testimony, LuAnn. Thanks so much for sharing.
So beautiful! I just love it all. Especially that navy dresser!! I would have never have thought of that. It’s perfect. I had never heard of Havenly. What a great concept. Thanks for sharing and enjoy this beautiful space.
Thank you Mary Ellen. I’m frequently putting out packages for James to mail for me and they were cluttering the entryway. So I thought it would be nice to have a piece of furniture with storage where I could put the packages until he ships them. And now I have a little extra storage for other things, too. Thanks so much for dropping in.
First, that dress is gorgeous on you! I really like J.McLaughlin dresses, but they don’t always fit me. Your entry turned out so nice – joyful! I really love your morning room, the fabrics you chose are beautiful. I would love to see your dining room too!
Thank you, Dena. The dining room has a nice dining room table, china cabinet and chairs. It’s a large square table. But I haven’t really done much as far as drapery and rug yet. I just have the things the previous home owner had in it. So it suffices for now, but I’ll be working on it later, too.
What a wonderful entry. You were successful in achieving your goal. Lovely!
Beautiful! You have given me ideas and inspiration to spruce up a few areas in our home. Thank you for sharing.
I love the pictures you have chosen for your home!!
Hi Kay ,
Just been looking at the pics of your Entryway , which in England UK we call the Hallway. Its absolutely Beautiful and Welcoming , youve Nailed it . Your whole home looks Stunning , very clever colours and designs . I hope you and your Family enjoy it for many years to come . Xx
Ahh, thanks so much, Kym.