Ripping Out the Dated ‘80s Decor Gave Me the Entryway of My Dreams

Dana McMahan
·2 min read
26
Pink painted entryway before renovation.
My home’s entryway, in its most recent life before my husband and I moved in, was a living room. Credit: Dana McMahan Credit: Dana McMahan
PInk painted entryway before renovation.
It had no windows, bleak drop ceilings, painted wall paneling, muddy gray-brown vinyl floor tiles, ‘80s-style niche shelving. Credit: Dana McMahan Credit: Dana McMahan
Pink painted walls in dated entryway before renovation.
It didn’t exactly beckon. Credit: Dana McMahan Credit: Dana McMahan
Shelf remains in entryway during renovation.
We hired pros to peel it all back and create the welcoming entrance our home was missing. Credit: Dana McMahan Credit: Dana McMahan
Barcart in newly renovated entryway.
Removing the niche shelving from the ‘80s allows light to pass though the space better. Credit: Dana McMahan Credit: Dana McMahan
Large clock hangs on brick wall of newly renovated entryway.
Large clock hangs on wall on brick lined entryway.
When we tore up the old floors, we unfortunately found plywood. (I was hoping for original hardwoods.) A gray and white ceramic tile that matches our kitchen was the next-best option, and I’ve grown to love it. Credit: Dana McMahan Credit: Dana McMahan
Potted plant next to vintage bench in brick walled entryway.
I found my light fixture, leather bench, and large wall clock for the entryway — all at majorly discounted prices. Credit: Dana McMahan Credit: Dana McMahan
Light fixture hangs in newly renovated entryway.
Lastly, I added a bar cart to finish off the space.
Credit: Andrew Kung Credit: Andrew Kung

When my husband and I downsized, we were happy with the smaller footprint of the new house, but we couldn’t let go of just one perk that often comes with living in a big house: a dedicated entry area. We really liked having a space that wasn’t the living room where we could welcome friends and say goodbyes.

In our 140-year-old shotgun-style brick home in Kentucky, which we’ve dubbed “Cherry Pop,” the room where people enter the house was a living room for its most recent life. For us? It needed to be an entryway.

The room wasn’t very promising at first. With no windows, bleak drop ceilings, (admittedly cheerful) pink painted wall paneling, muddy gray-brown vinyl floor tiles, and some ‘80s style niche shelving, it didn’t exactly beckon.

I can’t always completely visualize the final result when I redo a room, but this one was so clear in my mind: exposed brick, dusky pink walls, tall ceilings painted black, leafy green plants, a Paris bistro-style coat rack, and a mirror. And it came to life even better than I imagined. Here’s how we did it.