I am going to share a project of my Foyer in my former Colorado home. Neither of us fell in love with this home when we purchased it. We had 2 days to find a home, and the pickings were slim. But, when we walked out back, and saw a $40,000 stone patio that backed up to the Rocky Mountains – we both said “we’ll take it.” 🙂
It was a standard builder’s home…you know the kind. Contractor grade white paint, contractor grade white tile, contractor grade light fixtures, contractor this and contractor that. ugh! :-/
Have you ever heard the saying about the cobbler whose children never had shoes? Well, my life was similar. I was so busy with my design business that I had no time to decorate my own home. But at some point – I just couldn’t take it anymore. It was time to “shoe my children.”
This is one of the projects I completed over a weekend.
Did I mention I had paint samples? How many can you count above? LOL
…I created a faux leaded glass window.
FOYER AFTER...
I chose a wallpaper that resembled faux stone. The funny thing about the wallpaper…part of my design business was working as a faux artist. I could easily recreate this look with paint. But, the paper was quick and easy.
The color I chose was Benjamin Moore’s Springfield Tan. It’s one of the colors from the historical collection which I love.
I also switched out the antique drop-leaf desk and exchanged it for an antique dresser I purchased in Belgium. It is part of a 5 pc bedroom suite I purchased at the Salvation Army downtown Brussels…for $500. The marble top you see is from a Belgian quarry which no longer produces stone.
Robin says
Absolutely great transformation!!! Gorgeous as always!
I so need something in my foyer, but I just can’t figure it out…thanks for the inspiration!
I will be praying for a calm, uneventful (other than surgery) week for you both. (and a quick and complete recovery for Mr. Grits!)
{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}
Robin
View Commentmbkatc230 says
Wow, I can’t believe you did this in a weekend. Then again, yes I can, because you are a whirlwind! I love the window treatment, and that dresser is gorgeous. This gives me inspiration to start on our front hall – it’s very small, so it shouldn’t take long, just have to get off of the computer and start! Prayers and good thoughts for you and Mr. Grits tomorrow! Hugs, Kathy
View CommentKristens Creations says
It turned out just beautiful! Love the stone look on the wall. Great idea!The rug works well and I love those dogs! Kristen
View CommentMomovthree says
Great makeover! I love what you did with this foyer, it is so inviting.
View Comment~Michelle
English Cottage in Georgia says
What a fabulous transformation! When you get bored (hah!) you can do rooms in my home. I am starting to get intimidated by sooo many talented bloggettes 😉
View CommentCynthia says
This is a fabulous Met Monday Post! Your foyer looked good to begin with, but it became gorgeous! I love the faux wallpaper, the lighting, rug, dresser. Great Job, Cindy
View CommentLinda says
That is a wonderful transformation, as usual. The window enhancement was so pretty, and the stone wallpaper really gave a dimension to the walls. You are always so creative and clever! Linda
View CommentLana G! says
I love the new scaled down look! It looks bigger and the paint choice is fabulous. Love it all!
View CommentJulia @ Hooked on Houses says
Nice work! I really like the new light fixture you installed. It’s amazing what a difference something like that can make!
View Commentellen b says
Barb! You have great vision and skill to transform this space so beautifully! Do you hire out :0)
View CommentLoved your transformation!!
santamaker says
Nicely done, love the paint color and new lighting.
View CommentKBeau says
There is definitely something to be said for a view of the Rockies. My oldest son lives in Denver, and when my nephew was comtemplating moving his family there, my son sent him a picture of the Rockies with a note, “Out here we call this the backyard.”
View CommentLynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) says
What an incredible transformation.. I absolutely “love” the changes you made in the foyer…I hope whoever purchased it loved your changes.. I forgot to tell you.. the cartoon you shared is very similar to the card my daughter gave her dad while he was in the hospital last week.. we got quite a chuckle out of it.. many prayers headed your way darling…hugs ~lynne~
View CommentKathy's Red Door Welcome says
Wow, all in a weekend. I’m impressed. Everything looks beautiful.
View CommentKimm at Reinvented says
That is an amazing transformation. I love your choices.
View Commentsoutherninspiration says
you have some of the greatest pieces and I love hearing all the stories that go along with each of them!!! Thanks for sharing!
Suzanne
View Commentmarty39 says
Barb, it always amazes me that you have the ability to see the possible and not what’s there. I love the transformation. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Mr. Grits for the surgery tomorrow. God Bless. Hugs, Marty
View CommentGollum says
Oh, Barb, you should be doing this professionally. You have such an eye for design. I know what you mean about paint turning wicked.
View CommentI nodded when I saw your paint samples. My basement is FULL of them (almost a year now), and I’m hoping Metamorphosis Monday will help jumpstart things.
Lady Katherine says
Love the window! Love the wallpaper! I thought it was painted. Your foyer is very lovely.
View Commentjanet says
oh my i wish i had a foyer to decorate, mine is just a long narrow hall…….your transformation is beautiful!!!! so rewarding
View Commenthugs
janet
Kathy says
A beautiful makeover for your entry! Love that dresser – and the window looks fabulous.
View CommentKathy
susan says
This is much better. When you tackle a job, you do it right!!
View CommentPaula says
What a great transformation! I especially like how you changed the window to make it look like leaded glass.
View Commentcarolinajewel says
Great transformation. That mushroom color is one of the hardest to get right. In our old house, we wanted that color trim, just like a Colonial Homes pic of a tavern in Wllmsburg, VA. None of the colors in the Williamsburg collection matched it and the trim in the tavern didn’t match it either. We wanted what it looked like on the page. SIGH! Finally found it and enjoyed it about a year before this house became available!!! The rest is history.
I am praying for you and your DH!!!! Keep us updated! 😀 Jewel
View CommentKnitty says
You were a woman on a mission! It sure turned out great!
View CommentKathysue says
Barb, what you get done in a weekend would take most(me) a week or more.You are amazing and what a difference.You had to be so pleased with yourself,I sure would be.You know where my heart is today!It is in prayer and in thought with you and Mr. Grits.xoxo kathysue
View CommentMaryrose says
Beautiful change. Love the entries warm and inviting feel. Thanks for sharing, Maryrose
View Commentann says
So much better.Well doen.Great choice of colors…Ann
View CommentValerie says
Barb, I absolutely love what you did with the foyer. While you had many beautiful pieces, I think that the pared down look allows the gazer to see so much more!!!
I totally understand the cobbler scenario! I just recently resigned from my job as an educator to stay home and care for MY two kiddos and home. For so many years I have been busy nursing/teaching/loving on other peoples precious gifts that I had little time or energy left to spend on my own family. Thanks to Susan, at Between Naps on my Porch, I have been motivated to reclaim my home now that I have reclaimed my kiddos!
View CommentScribbler says
I couldn’t agree more! Here at Scribbler’s Cottage, the process is still under way. I, too, was a design professional, and it is so easy to fix other people’s dilemmas, and then hit a wall when you tackle your own!
Scribbler
P.S. Good thoughts to you and Mr. Grits.
View CommentJeanette says
As usual, another beautiful room done in a hurry and on a budget. You are amazing! You and Bill are in my prayers today.
View Commentxinex says
So much more open and spacious, it’s lovely,Barb! What a great deal you got for all those furniture! Great transformation!…Christine
View CommentShelia says
This is gorgeous, Barb! You did this in only one weekend? You must take some mighty fine vitamins! 🙂
View CommentYou have my doggies! I collect Staffordshire dogs and have some just like yours! Well, I do have a few Staffordshire wannabees! 😛
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Pat@Back Porch Musings says
This is gorgeous, Barb! Great transformation!
View CommentJoy says
I love how the little window turned out! The whole makeover
View Commentturned out very nicely.
kimmcl says
Hey Barb – this transformation was awesome, but what’s funny is that the desk in your before pic looks just like the one I’m having refinished (see my Met Monday post)! When I saw yours I got even more excited to have mine. Where do you have it now??
View CommentI’ve been thinking about Mr. Grits, hope he’s doing well.
Kim
Raggedy Girl says
Praying for you and for your hubby as he has his surgery.
The foyer is lovely.
Roberta Anne
View CommentDonna@designson47thstreet says
Goodness Barb. I liked it when I saw the first pictures, but I can see where it did get better. Lucky you to have pieces from Europe! I liked that sweet little secretary, but the little stand has a cleaner look. Where did you put the little secretary?
Love the faux stones and the faux stained glass. Great job, Barb!
lol! I do know what you mean about the cobbler’s children…I had a customer over the other day and she peeked around to see what my kitchen table centerpiece looked like!!! :-{ I didn’t have one!!
View Commentlaurie @ bargain hunting says
Barb, this is such a gorgeous tranformation! You are so brilliant! Those faux leaded glass windows are incredible, and I love your pretty new rug. How wonderful to have such special pieces of furniture and that clock.
Praying for both of you! laurie
View CommentChandy says
Lovely choice for today’s Met Monday! Sorry for the late visit; too many errands…
Carolyn of What Now? Tablescapes
View Commentprairiedog says
Barb,my favorite part was the lead glass window.Was that just one of those plastic sheets or how did you do it? If it was that plastic stuff,did it stay on the window good? Curious because I seen some with the stained glass look and I wondered how good they look and work.Hope all is good,thinking of you.(((hugs))))
View CommentCyndi
Melissa Miller says
Very pretty Barb!
I hope all went well today.
View CommentAlisa Lucas-Brown says
Hi Barb,
View CommentGreat transformation! I love the chest and the new accents and colors make a world of difference. I agree the new rug is much better! I liked the stone look wall paper. Adds lots of depth.
Great work!
Warmly,
Alisa
laurie @ bargain hunting says
Barb, just came over to let you know I’m still praying for ya’ll. I pray that all is going well. laurie
View CommentCass says
Fabulous makeover, and that you did it in a weekend is amazing. I don’t do anything in a weekend; doing my laundry takes longer!
gorgeous things, too… that marble topped chest of drawers is stunning.
View CommentThanks!
Cass
kimmcl says
Hey Barb,
View CommentDon’t know if you’ll still be reading these comments or not, but I just wanted to find out how you and Mr. Grits were doing? I’ve been praying all week and hope hubby did well with his surgery. ~Kim
Happy To Be says
Just beautiful Barb…now girl I am one of those nuts that love wall paper..I always felted it added warmth to a room..I love everything you did here..and that chest is really a WOW! factor in that entry..Barb I hope all went well with your Mr. Grits…I have you both in my prayers girl…Hope you have a Great Thursday…hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
View CommentGaston Studio says
Just joined you and love the transformation you made in your foyer and the faux leaded sidelight. Been wanting to do this on our sidelights because the originals (etched) were sold along with all the chandeliers in our historic home. What kind of faux leading did you use?
View Comment