Entry
a surprise in store beyond the threshold. The trees come indoors. The cedar tree trunks are the organic underpinning of the design, but the details help hold it together, literally in the case of the custom metal connections and strapping. Also part of the detailing: Engelmann spruce and lodgepole pine logs.
Half-sawn branches outfitted with rock knobs help keep things interesting and organized by offering a place for hanging coats, bags and hats. Copper buckets contain mucky shoes and boots, and keys can go on an antique sewing table. To the right, shelves made from sanded and painted salvaged corbels hold mittens, gloves and more. The corbels came from an old building in Lowell, Massachusetts; the shelves are made from a broken-down armoire the couple cut up. Vases that look like logs add another woodsy touch. Colorful Flor tiles create a welcoming entry. They are easy to clean, and if one gets really mucked up, it can be easily removed and replaced. Overhead, the ceiling reveals the original timber wood. Made-to-look-vintage train lights are an appropriate choice and are spaced across the ceiling. Wall paint: Jute AF-80, Benjamin Moore; train lighting: Restoration Hardware; carpet tiles: Flor; log vases: Roost
Strike a Warm Note at the Threshold The entry is the first part of your home visitors see. Set a warm and welcoming tone by making sure the entry is well-lit and clutter-free. Supplement an overhead fixture with a table lamp for more even lighting, and provide a seat for setting down bags or taking off shoes. If clutter tends to build up in this area and you don’t have a closet, consider adding a chest of drawers where you can stash mail, papers and other get-out-the-door essentials. Finally, add a personal touch — a framed photo, vase of flowers or small painting — to give visitors a taste of your decorating style.
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