Author: Jenna

Flatbread Social: Restaurant Tour

Written by Jenna on April 10, 2019. Posted in Renovations.

For the past year, I’ve been knee deep in some amazing interior transformations. One in particular, was renovating a commercial space into a new restaurant…

Flatbread Social.

Flatbread Social is located on Henry Street in Saratoga Springs, NY. It specializes in wood fired pizzas topped with farm fresh ingredients, served with craft beer and cocktails.

This new establishment was spear headed and created by the owners of Henry Street Taproom – another restaurant I designed – who I have worked with for years.

The space was previously another restaurant and closed. The space was dark, drear, dated, and needed a complete overhaul.

Once a plan was in place, the town provided approval, and the old was cleared out (that sounds so much easier than the process actually was), we were able to start the steps to creating a whole new aesthetic!

Here is a peak at some views of the previous restaurant space…

And this is the result of a lot of labor + love…

The bar area stayed in the same vicinity as before, but the entire space was redesigned and overhauled.

The overall aesthetic vision for the restaurant was to create a California, laidback, 80s vibe style space.

Some of the mechanicals + electrical components were challenging to work with as they are positioned (and needed to remain) in the maining dining area. To conceal them, I created an enclosure framed with 1×8 horizontal pine boards that were given a whitewashed finish to convey a distressed beachy aesthetic.

The whitewashed boards were continued around the face of the bar and to finish it a steel grey concrete finish granite was used for the countertop.

The mural is quite the showstopper. From the start, I envisioned this wall being the focal point of the restaurant. Aside from the two oversized pizza ovens, the custom mural is so incredibly vibrant and engaging.

Centered on the mural is a striking tiered bottle storage rack that I designed using a copper frame and distressed wood for the shelves. Above are three copper sconces that shine beautifully over the workspace.

Touches of copper were also used in other areas of the space, like the foot rail at the bar…

Can we just chat about the flooring for a moment?

Isn’t it incredible? This was a vision I had all along and I couldn’t ask for it to be better executed. The wood floor was existing and was cut to weave in 3 different colors of randomly placed 8″ hexagon ceramic tiles.

Here is a picture during the installation when we layed out the pattern…

And here is the result…

It’s all in the details…

Each tables are topped with a simple turquoise painted low box that contains the silverware, napkins, and spices…

These pizza ovens are where it all started… When the project was first presented to me, these oversized ovens were already chosen and at the start, there was only to be one. As the creation of the space evolved, a pair of ovens were decided and are positioned on center as you walk in the space.

The view when you enter through the front doors…

A fun and eye catching chalkboard wall is a focal point on the back wall. The 9 pizzas on the menu are creatively displayed and labeled with the fresh ingredients. A do-it-yourself pizza is also an option with any topping you’d like!

Who doesn’t love shuffleboard?!? It’s addicting. Great for kids. And equally (or maybe more) fun for adults.

Again, another mechanical area that needed to be concealed got wrapped in horizontal whitewashed boards.

Not every person knows the rules of shuffleboard, so they were painted on the door. Here they are…

The booths, adjacent to the 2 shuffleboard tables, is a seating hot spot.

To balance the dynamic art mural at the bar, a calmer, but equally interesting + engaging art wall was created in the seating space above the booths.

Here was the original vision board that I presented…

What do you think?!? Did I achieve the vision that I set out for?

It was so awesome to work on this renovation project to create a fun and unique space. The undertaking of this transformation – design + execution – pushed me as a Designer (which is what I strive for with every project) and I was able to create a space that so many can enjoy.

Of course, I’m all about the design and how it looks, but I will say the food is equally incredible. The aesthetic + the food will not disappoint!

Don’t wait to head to Flatbread Social.

Modern Metal + Wood Staircase

Written by Jenna on April 2, 2019. Posted in JBD Client, Staircase.

A few months ago I wrapped up a year long client renovation project. It was quite the undertaking when I walked into the cavernous house that was like stepping back into the 80’s with shiny cabinetry + mirrored walls.

I was planning on creating one post with a full house tour of this new Modern Bohemian style home, but there are too many good details that shouldn’t be missed, so I’m going to share multiple posts. First up… the staircase.

Here is a glimpse at what it looked like when you stepped inside before the renovation began…

What a blast from the 80’s past, right?!?

And here is how we transformed it with a whole new updated staircase…

Modern Bohemian interior design with colors of turquoise, navy, and terra cotta red. Design by Jenna Burger Design, www.JennaBurger.com

If you can believe it, the stair structure is existing. The dated metal railings were removed, as well as the closed wall between the first floor and the lower level to create a more fluid space. In it’s place, a new modern metal + wood railing was installed.

Here is a peak during construction…

And the result once complete…

Modern wood and metal stair railing, design by Jenna Burger Design, www.JennaBurger.com

As you head upstairs, here is a peek at the second floor landing..

We added a fun + fabulous cactus print wallpaper in a coral hue on the one wall.

Here is a view of how the railing looks peeking at the first floor while standing upstairs…

There is so much more to show you! For now, I hope you enjoyed the result of this gorgeous new staircase.

Curb Appeal Exterior House Makeover

Written by Jenna on March 27, 2019. Posted in Exterior.

Exterior Renovation with new paint color, yellow dutch door, and screened porch. Remodel designed by Jenna Burger Design, www.JennaBurger.com

Happy Spring!

No more snow. No more cold. I am thrilled! March is always a tough month but as the snow slowly melts (it’s almost all gone – yay!) and the temps get warmer, I can feel the signs of Spring approach.

As this new season begins, it dawned on me that I never shared an exterior makeover project that I worked on with a Client that started over two years ago. Admittedly though, it took a good year to complete after the planning process and the full remodel.

Check out where we started…

And the result…

What a difference, right?!? It’s amazing how paint can transform!

When we started the project (2+ years ago), the objective was to update the exterior with a new paint color, new front door, new garage doors and to enclose the existing porch to create a screened porch. The roof, windows, and trim were to remain.

The front entry of the home also needed to be reconfigured with a new front patio and path from the driveway.

Here is how it looked before…

And the new front entry…

The existing stone patio was removed that led visitors from the driveway to the entry. In it’s place a new stamped concrete-style path (to match the driveway) was installed with new garden beds on each side. By removing the large patio area, a more organic entry to the front door was created.

To give an unexpected splash of color to the entry, I chose a vibrant yellow color for the front door, which is a dutch-style door. So fun!

Along with the front entry, the Client also wanted to create a screened porch space using the existing covered porch at the front of the house.

Here’s how it looked before…

And here’s the result…

The existing columns were sanded down to reveal the natural wood and then stained with clear polyurethane. Using cedar wood, panels were constructed between each column, then painted white. A new screened door was added that leads to the new oasis.

And guess what the interior entry is just as exciting + inviting as the exterior. Here is a peak at the updated front entry with a new built-in…

So fun, right?!? Would you love to come home to a space like this?

Bathroom: Green With Envy

Written by Jenna on March 18, 2019. Posted in Bathroom, Bathroom Makeover, JBD Client.

As an ode to St. Patrick’s Day yesterday, I have to share this recently finished spa-like bathroom that I designed for a Client. The overall space is filled with lots of varying shades, but to make it unique + unexpected, we added a major splash of color to the vanity…

GREEN!

Bathroom Renovation with neutrals and a pop of color for the vanity. Wall Paint Color - Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter; Vanity Paint Color - Benjamin Moore Green with Envy; Design by - Jenna Burger Design, www.JennaBurger.com

The pop of green was a request of the client and I was all for it. When she mentioned wanting to introduce a fun color for the new 7′ long custom vanity, I was on the hunt for the perfect shade.

In the end we chose Benjamin Moore Green With Envy 2036-30. It’s a fabulous color that is a true green with a slight blue undertone instead of yellow like a typical kelly green color would be.

Here’s a Benjamin Moore color chart for greens and you can see where Green With Envy falls compared to other greens…

On to the rest of the bathroom space…

The existing window had to be moved because it did not work with the proposed shower / tub configuration. We reused the existing window and positioned it to be centered over the new soaking tub.

The tub is an undermount style and we had a quartz top templated for the tub deck, which extends into the shower to create a bench to sit on. The design when the deck continues into the shower is such a modern, clean look.

Once the slab was in, the glass enclosure was templated and created the needed separation between the tub space and the shower.

Check out that detail here..

At the tub face, we added in a mosaic tile in shades of grey and positioned it vertically. The tile continues on to the face of the bench and is also used at the sides + back of the vertical niche.

Shower Niche with vertical layout; Mosaic accent tile at the niche back with a barliner surround; Design by Jenna Burger Design, www.JennaBurger.com

The walls are complete with a simple + modern 4″ x 12″ white subway tile that runs floor to ceiling in the shower and continues partially up the wall at the tub space.

Wouldn’t you love to get ready in a space like this every day?!?

DIY: Painted Brick Fireplace

Written by Jenna on March 15, 2019. Posted in Brick Ranch Fixer Upper, Do-It-Yourself.

Do It Yourself: Painting a Brick Fireplace; Details on www.JennaBurger.com on how to paint a brick fireplace black!

When we moved into our brick ranch fixer house a little over a year ago, we originally planned on painting the exterior brick on the house. In the end because of the era and placement of the house, we decided to leave it and add some other elements to break up the monotony of brick.

So what does that have to do with the fireplace??? Good question! Even though we were definite on keeping the exterior brick natural, I had an equally definitely feeling that the brick fireplace inside had to be painted!

So what color did I choose? BLACK! I love a good focal wall that introduces black. I feel that with lighter elements in the space, black (or a darker hue, in general) gives such amazing contrast.

I’ll admit, even though the designer-side of me know black was best, I hesitated. And then one day, I just went for it!

I’ve heard certain types of paint are best for brick, but I had a gallon of low lustre semi-gloss black paint from another project and it worked great (and is still holding up perfect 4 months later).

With a good-quality angled brush, I put on some good tunes and simply, painted the brick. Here are pictures during the transformation…

Two full coats of paint + a third coat for a few spots that needed additional coverage, it was complete.

Thankfully, I love the result. The fireplace is not only a striking focal point now, but the natural brick was too busy + distracting (plus dirty). With the brick being one color now, it really gives the eye a calming place and provides a beautiful backdrop for layering.

Check out the before & after again…

And can spot another difference between the before and after?!? I’ll give you a hint… look at the hearth.

DIY: Wood Shelves + Brackets

Written by Jenna on January 18, 2019. Posted in Brick Ranch Fixer Upper.

Two blog posts and it’s still January… impressive. One of my goals / hopes for the year is to share and showcase more of our brick ranch fixer upper projects + in-progress and completed client projects… there’s always so much to show you!

Onto today’s DIY… I shared a picture on instagram the other day of the finished living room. The space has been complete (well nothing is ever done as I’m always moving, adding, or removing little details) for about 6 months and earlier last year, I finally decided what to do with the nook to the right of the fireplace.

We needed more shelf space to display books and accessories, so shelves were the ideal solution for the setback wall space. I originally envisioned floating wood shelves, but I was worried about the length of the shelf and the potential of them bowing + floating shelves seemed very involved to build, so I decided on using shelves with simple brackets.

Here’s the before…

1 / To start, I removed everything in the space. Then I figured out the number of shelves + the heights. 1

> I wanted the one shelf to align with the top of the fireplace mantel, so I determined the shelf heights starting from that point.

2 / BRACKETS – Using a measuring tape, I determined the bracket locations and made marks for the screws. Then with a drill, I installed toggle anchors and screwed the brackets in to the wall.

This is closeup of the finished brackets (I used regular screws and still have to paint the screw paints black).

3 / SHELVES – For the shelves, I chose 2×12 – I like the thicker look of the shelf.

When I purchased the wood at Lowes, I had them cut the boards to the desired length (about 1/2″ less than the exact wall length so there was some wiggle room to install the shelves in place).

4 / STAIN – For the stain, I used special walnut, which is the perfect medium brown. I poured a small amount on the wood shelf and spread it out using a cloth. I covered the entire board (all sides) with the stain. In about 10 minutes all 4 boards were stained. The process is really easy.

This is a closeup of the finished shelf in place…

5 / INSTALL – With the brackets in place and the shelves stained, the project was almost complete. The last step was to set the shelves in place. The shelves were set on to the brackets and screwed in place to the underside of the wood.

Done! This project – start to finish – took about one hour and was fairly easy to execute. The important part is to ensure the proper anchors + screws are used so the brackets are secure!

This is the finished result…

Definitely a big change from when we moved in and the space looked like this…

And now to this…

Next up is sharing pictures of the entire finished room… Maybe another post for January?!?

Color Trends 2019

Written by Jenna on January 8, 2019. Posted in Paint.

2018 was a busy year hustlin’ and bustlin’ with projects. Unfortunately though not on my home, but for others (my home upgrades have been minimal and I still have so much to share since moving into our brick ranch fixer upper a year ago. All in due time.) The real focus for ’18 was on my client roster of about 40 for the calendar year. This breaks down to about 125+ rooms that I designed, so I’ve had my fair share of time flipping through paint color swatches.

Throughout the year of choosing paint colors for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and beyond, I found that I keep gravitating toward the same specific colors or a general color palette. I thought it would be fun to share a post of what’s trending now (in my world) and what colors I love…

Note: All the paint colors I’m sharing are from Benjamin Moore, but this isn’t a sponsored post. I just typically use BM as my-go to paint company. I know their colors the best and I personally have used their paint and love them. Other designers + pros use other companies, which I’m sure are equally great, but I’ve found my niche with Benjamin Moore.

WYTHE BLUE / HC-143

One of my favorites of the year is Wythe Blue, which is a soft green hue with blue undertones. Years ago, I used to adore sage green, and this is an updated version of that hue, but with slightly more cooler blues included. It’s ideal for a mudroom, bathroom, or bedroom!

WEDGEWOOD BLUE / HC-146

This green-blue hue is very similar to wythe blue, but whereas wythe blue is green with slight blue undertones, wedgewood blue is more blue with green undertones. The blue is more dominate in this color, but mixed with the green it has such a rich tone. Perfect for a bathroom or bedroom, this color is so versatile and serene.

COLLINGWOOD / OC-28

If there is a now color, it’s Collingwood. I first used this color in my own living room last year and I’ve used it in at least a dozen applications since. It is the most beautiful soft gray that has slight warm undertones so it isn’t too cool. It’s light enough in color, but gives great contrast to white mouldings. In my book, this is the best neutral and color of the year!

BALTIC SEA / CSP-680

Another favorite paint color that I’ve used over and over… baltic sea. This turquoise hue is so engaging and strong, yet isn’t gaudy or overwhelming. The deep color is so striking, yet inviting. Recently, I’ve used this color on an accent wall, on the front door (inside and outside), in a laundry space, and on a bookcase built-in.

SNOWFALL WHITE / OC-118

There is no such thing, as just white. When you flip through the paint colors, it can be overwhelming. There are so many whites to chose from. Snowfall white is one of my favorites. It’s a very true white with no real warm or cool undertones, which delivers a true white. Some whites can be very warm with red undertones, while others are very cool with blue undertones, but this hue is a great mix giving a gorgeous balance resulting in a true white.

BLACKTOP / 2135-10

Opposite from above, this black hue is amazing and striking, but not harsh or confining. Blacktop is one of my favorite black paint colors because it’s ideal to use to balance lighter hues in a space, but it has a soft feel so it’s not overwhelming. I recently used this color on my garage door and on the brick fireplace . And let’s not forget the black wall in my previous home. I most definitely heart black!

CUSHING GREEN / HC-125

This is a new hunter green hue is a new color for me this year. I am so drawn to the rich, dynamic quality of the green color and it appears amazing with soft tones like blush, cream, and lilac. I recently worked with a Client who had a sofa with a floral fabric that had a feminine aesthetic. To balance the soft hues, I introduced darker elements in this hunter green palette along with lighter layers like soft creams. The result was a mix of darks and lights which created depth and intrigue to the space.

In all honesty, I started this blog post over a month ago and life got in the way. In the meantime, the Pantone Color of the Year was announced and the in-trend color LIVING CORAL made it’s debut. It’s slightly brighter, but similar to this next favorite of mine…

TOMATO CREAM SAUCE / 2089-40

Hues of coral have been in my pocket for a long time. The vibrant color range that mixes red, orange, and some brown to create a striking coral hue is so unexpected and engaging. Tomato Cream Sauce is a favorite for layering or a pop of color on an accent wall or door. This is the perfect hue for layering and pairing with navy, turquoise, or lime green!

GERBERA DAISY / 2015-60

Let’s stay in the family and turn a little more orange towards a peach hue. I used this recently in a girls bedroom and paired it with this fun wallpaper. This popsicle peach color was ideal for pairing with navy, coral, and truly any color in the rainbow.

HALE NAVY / HC-154

Be still my heart. My love for navy is still so strong. If I had one color to choose of all out there, it would be navy. A favorite navy of mine is Hale Navy because of it’s bold, rich quality. I stand by this color for so many applications. It would work on the walls of any room complimented by white mouldings and furnishings. In my house, I used the dynamic color on my kitchen cabinets and the barn doors. Again, contrasted with white or light layers, this deep blue is so striking.

KENDALL CHARCOAL / HC-166

This is one of my favorite colors this year. I’ve used it so many places! From cabinets to garage doors, this color is incredibly rich and savory. It’s an amazing hue that is grey mixed with undertones of brown to bring warmth.

SUNBURST / 2023-40

Certainly the boldest of the bunch, I’m rounding out my favorite colors for 2018 with a punch! Yes, it may be too bright for an entire room, but this striking yellow is amazing. I love color and this bold hue is perfect in small doses. You’ve seen my vibrant yellow in our pajama lounge. When I first told other that I was going to paint it yelloe, they thought I was crazy, but look at the result. The yellow door makes the room. Sunburst is striking, hands down. It’s a winner!

All these colors have a quality that are rich, striking, and engaging! I have the luck of choosing paint colors daily and I feel blessed to have the experience of pairing colors that I know will work with each other. Over the last year of flipping through many paint fan decks, I have found these 12 hues to be my favorite.

My school of thought and mission for design is to incorporate classic, timeless, unique, and eclectic elements that are in – trend, but not trendy. I think all these colors evoke that philosophy. BUt as always, trends are continually changing and influencing our likes. It’ll be interesting where the next year takes us in the world of color.

Let There Be Light – Cellular Shade Experience

Written by Jenna on July 20, 2018. Posted in Bedroom.

A few weeks back I shared my revamped blue bohemian bedroom – thank you for all the kind thoughts on how colorful, but classic it looks!

One major aesthetic and functional update was the upgrade to the two windows in the room. As you may have noticed, the previous owner had curtains mounted on the window trim (which hid all the natural light from filtering in) and had heavy faux wood blinds which made the room feel dark and closed in.

As soon as we closed on the house, every window treatment was ripped off so the light could shine in. Even though I love light, I also like privacy.

After making and mounting straight valances at the two windows of the bedroom, I installed beautiful + functional top-down, bottom-up black out cellular shades for privacy.

These shades are a dream!

They offer so many options for how much light or privacy that’s needed. And to mount them was a breeze too.

Upon placing my cellular shade order at Payless Decor, the shades were cut to the exact width and length that I requested, and in about two week they were delivered. There are several ways to mount the cellular shades so many hardware items are included, but all will not be used.

I first layed everything out and then read through the instructions.

I chose for my cellular shades to be inside mounted, which means mounted inside the window frame. Using a screw driver (or drill), I installed the mounting brackets to the window header.

Following the installation of the brackets, the shades simply click in. It was a little tough to push them into place, but once they were snug in the brackets, they were extremely secure.

When I placed my order for the cellular shades, I chose a continuous cord (which is exactly that, one loop of continuous cord, so no need to deal with dangling cords), which makes the operability of the shade super easy. Using a drill, I secured the cord to the inside of the window and called this project complete!

Now I have every option under the sun (ha, no pun intended) for how much light comes in…

or not…

The shade can be positioned at the top and half way down.

Or it can be positioned in the middle of the window to allow light in from the top and bottom.

Or it can be positioned from the window sill to half way up the window (this is my favorite to provide privacy but still allow light in)

And, of course, the cellular shades can be completely closed, but then the room would be entirely dark and I wouldn’t be able to take a picture. Actually, I’ll tell you, the black out part of the shade is a delight, especially on the weekends when we get to catch a few extra zzz’s.

To have the windows in all rooms of our home feel cohesive, we installed these cellular shades at every window.

They are the perfect solution for privacy and to block the sun!

DISCLAIMER: THIS POST ON CELLULAR SHADES IS A COLLABORATION WITH PAYLESS DECOR. ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN

Blue Bohemian Bedroom

Written by Jenna on July 6, 2018. Posted in Brick Ranch Fixer Upper.

Hey there. Goodness, it’s been a while (many of my blog posts seem to start with similar wording. I guess time isn’t always on my side…)

Anyway, I finally snapped some pictures of the master bedroom (there’s really nothing ‘master’ or grand about it though) and I’m excited to give you a peek.

To take a step back to look at where it started, here is the space before…

The space is a step back in size from the bedroom in our previous home. We’ve had to cut out a couple pieces of furniture, which I was fine with – paring down is refreshing for the soul. The most challenging part has been the closet space. Or should I say, lack of closet space. We went from a sizeable, nicely organized walk-in closet to a one-wall closet. BUT again, it’s been enlightening to release unnecessary, unused items, and to pare down to the essentials. Enough on that (for now). Let’s get to the tour.

The space is about 14′ x 14′ with 2 windows. The bed is positioned on a wall with one of the windows, so it is off-centered on the overall space. This is actually a benefit as it creates more open floor space when you walk into the room. The upholstered bed, from Crate and Barrel, has moved several times with us from house to house. Because of the light, cream-colored fabric, the bed is simple and classic so it works in any space and mostly with any style bedding.

Here is a look back at the bedroom in our previous home.

As you’ll see, the nightstand is the same – it provides wonderful storage – and the chaise has remained as well – a staple for when one of the kids comes traipsing in during the middle of the night. I did freshen up the nightstands with new crystal-like knobs (similar to these).

For the bedroom in our current house, I wanted to steer away from warmer tones (brown hues) like in our last home, so I chose a beautiful + deep dusty blue. It’s a mix between turquoise and colonial blue with slight undertones of green. The color is Benjamin Moore Montpelier AF-555

The striped coral + turquoise bedding is also new and it’s from the bohemian-style Opalhouse line at Target. I love how fun and unexpected it is with the oversized pom poms at the edges. Inexpensive quilts or duvets are easy to switch out and are a great way to update a look of a bedroom without breaking the bank!

The pillows that adorn the bed seem to go with everything. Even though they are vibrant colors – bold green and deep plum – all the bedding that I’ve paired them with have complimented well.

To lighten + brighten the space, I ditched the previously darker rug and chose to ground the bed with a new, neutral bohemian tribal area rug.

As you continue around the room, the chaise that we bought a lifetime ago from Crate and Barrel (similar to this chaise) sits to the right of the bed on the other side of the nightstand.

The window treatments are a loose, but structured straight valance. I made the valances using leftover Robert Allen fabric and they are hung right below the ceiling using a heavy duty metal curtain rod.

Above, I’ve hung family photos and pretty hooks for hanging scarves, hats, and bags. With our lack of closet storage, I’ve tried to make good use of the walls in an aesthetically pretty AND functional way!

If you’ve been a follower of JBD for a long time, you may remember when I made this wedding lyric pillow for Valentine’s Day – I’m such a romantic…

On the other side of the room, opposite the bed, sits a large-scale dresser. When we moved, I was planning on replacing this with a smaller scale dresser, but with the amount of storage it provides (again, lack of closet space), I couldn’t let it go.

Art that we love and/or have collected from traveling is arranged in a collage above the dresser and surrounds (and distracts) from the TV that sits on the dresser. I shared a step-by-step post a while back on creating a photo gallery similar to this.

Let’s talk about lighting (and ceiling fans)…

We went from central air in our previous home to without (yes, this heatwave has been brutal), so when we were making updates to the house after the purchase we updated all the ceiling fans. The kids all have this modern fan, but for our bedroom, we chose something a little more ornate and pretty. The ceiling fan is modern with black blades, but the light is concealed with a pretty drumshade of crystal finial.

Also being cognizant of space, instead of table lamps on the nightstands, I chose a simple modern plug-in sconce. We adore them. They provide the perfect amount of task lighting without being cumbersome. After having them for a few days, we unexpectedly realized that the cover rotates to provide indirect lighting. Check it out…

And that’s a wrap. Thanks for taking a tour of our serene, bohemian bedroom!

SOURCES

upholstered bed

coral striped quilt bedding

chaise

bohemian tribal area rug

Vibrant Wallpaper in the Foyer

Written by Jenna on April 15, 2018. Posted in Brick Ranch Fixer Upper.

As the cold days have continued (it’s still feels like winter even though it’s been officially spring for almost a month), we’ve slowly been making changes to our new-to-us brick ranch fixer upper. I actually can confidently say that we’ve been making our envisioned updates faster than I’ve had time to share on the blog… life has admittedly been full.

Right after Christmas – the day after to be exact – I took the plunge into updating the foyer with a vibrant new wallpaper.

I am wallpaper obsessed and would love to adorn every wall with a colorful pattern. Thankfully in reality, I know where to draw the line and I know how to balance a dramatic wallpaper with a more subtle surrounding.

For the foyer space, a vibrant + colorful paper on all walls would have been overload. Instead I chose to use this blue & white Ikat patterned wallpaper by Graham and Brown on one wall and then balance the deep hue with a light neutral, Valspar Snowy Dusk, on the remaining walls.

The result is so pretty. Most of the elements in the space were seen in the foyer of our previous home – the gold dresser, the fern art prints, the ottoman, and the rug.

As always to appreciate the ‘after’, you have to take a look at the ‘before’…

Once we moved in, the space was a black canvas. I knew I wanted to add in a pop of color, but I didn’t want to overpower the space. I chose to use one wall – the side wall of the entry space – to add the wallpaper.

I’ve shared tutorials here and here for how to wallpaper a wall, but I’ll share another quick rundown…

1 / starting from the center of the edge of the wall (depending on the design), measure the wall to mark the width of the wallpaper

2 / line up a level on the on the measurement

3 / mark a level line with pencil – this will be the edge for the paper to align to

4 / this paper required to use wallpaper paste, so using a paint brush, I ‘painted’ the paste onto the wall, then applied the paper

First line of paper went up easily…

The most important part of installing wallpaper is to line the edges up with the next panel. The edges can’t overlap but have to join side by side without a gap.

Once the paper is positioned, then using a wallpaper smoothing tool, lightly glide over the paper towards the seam / edge to smooth any air bubbles. Then wipe away any excess glue with a damp cloth.

At the wall corners, ceiling, and base use a sharp blade + the smoothing tool to carefully cut the extra wallpaper.

This one wall took about 2 hours to wallpaper start to finish.

From how it looks before to now, the difference is quite dramatic…

The foyer space is so striking and inviting now with the bold wallpaper backdrop.

Even though there is a new pendant ceiling light in the space, I added a plug-in wall sconce that has brought beautiful ambient light. It was a great find from World Market for less than $60! I adore the pretty, soft glow in the evening hours.

The 6 fern framed pieces are watercolors. Years ago I framed dried ferns, but over time they started to brown, so I found these watercolor prints through Etsy (wonderful shop by the way) and made the plunge to purchase them. I love how they look so real and bring an organic vibe to the space.

The gold dresser has been around for 5+ years (sorry, can’t find the source) and the bench adjacent to it was from One Kings Lane (again, no source but it’s a typical x-leg bench stool). The pretty pillow was a recent markdown, red sticker sale item I picked up from Home Goods. The yellow + apple green hues perfectly paired with the other elements and colors throughout the house.

We also have a new color on the front door… we went from apple green in our previous home to a vibrant, bold yellow.

The color is Valspar Lemon Curd and is a true yellow hue. If you haven’t checked out our recently renovated Pajama Lounge, the rich + bold color is also used cohesively throughout the space as well.

A new black lockset also adorns the door and brings an updated modern look to the mid-century house.

From the moment you step on the porch and set foot inside, the goal we set for ourselves and for those that visit is to feel greeted with a colorful, vibrant space balanced with warmth and an inviting ambiance. Do you think we achieved that?

Thanks for visiting and please return soon for more room renos + DIY projects!

DISCLAIMER: THIS POST ON CREATING A COHESIVE COLOR PALETTE IS A COLLABORATION WITH LOWEâ€™S. ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN.