Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Changes Revealed!

Ok, so I know it wasn't fair to keep you in suspense like that ... but I have to tell you a secret! I wasn't quite ready to take pictures of the entire space. There was something very special missing, and I had to wait until normal waking working hours to run out and get it!

As most of you guessed, the roses were not the clue. They're gorgeous, though, right? What they hinted at was the orange hue of my foyer, and the big hint was the new, much lighter color in the background.

Here is what the foyer looked like in the summer with my blue and white china collection, along with some decor books, and loved antique accessories. It was a beautiful vignette that a lot of you commented kindly on. But the orange/clay color of the walls was starting to wear on me after 3 years, and I had to make a change.

When you walk through your front door, better yet, when guests walk through your front door, you want them to feel welcomed, comforted, and at home; and while paint and chandeliers, rugs, and accessories play into first impressions, the mood is firmly set when they notice how the entry is integrated into the rest of your house. The foyer at CdlV is intimate (aka - SMALL), and a challenge to furnish. When I first walked through the door I immediately thought - how can I put the needed entry table, and perhaps a chair without this space feeling crowded.

We moved in on December 4th, and the house was painted during the bleakest winter I've experienced here. I wanted that welcome home feeling, but I also wanted to create a since of warmth and WOW. So, hastily, I chose a Ralph Lauren rose color - and hated it from the day it went up. You want a wow, but entry halls should be neutral enough to relate to the rest of the house. Ours, sadly, didn't.

Now however, with the light blue/gray/green/taupe color on the walls - the relation to the sage toned entertaining zones (sunroom, living room, and dining room) is not so distant, and the transition is effortless.


I know, big change when you get to see it side-by-side, huh?


Now, don't get me wrong. I'm still in love with orange. But I think for a while, I can handle it as an accessory. Of course, nothing at CdlV could go unstyled. So open that secretaire door, and ...


This is of course after a few minutes of scavenger hunting for accessories. So there you have it. Part of the big changes that are happening all around the house. There is much more to the foyer, some of it still left to complete. I'll give you the whole tour when I introduce the room in the near future in my Story of a House series.

Thanks for checking in! See you real soon!

21 comments:

  1. Artie -- I like both -- I love the orange and blue but then I really love the new hall too!

    And I think the new hall -- the more neutral hall will go better with the adjoining rooms.

    I wish Linderhof had a hall -- alas, our front door opens to the living room.

    I can't wait to see the other changes!

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  2. I think the new color is beautiful. I can't wait to see the entire space. I bet it's going to be stunning! Great work, as usual! Big fan ... Tara

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  3. Well, I'm an orange fanatic...but I love this subtle color. It is still full of personality, but in a gentle way as to "make friends" easily with every other room. And you can always incorporate the orange (Oh, Hermes, I'm whispering your sweet name even now) with accessories whenever you want. I wanted a cinnamon red or turquoise foyer for something with PIZAZZ, but it flows right into the hall and is open to the adjoining living room and the dining room is visible, too, so I went with a neutral "camel brown" for the same reasons you decided to change the orange, so I'm there with ya!
    I've been meaning to comment on your site for ages (I used to with a lot of your tablescapes) but then I was in the middle of directing a play for several months, so I'm glad to be back to stopping by!
    I love your changes and can't wait to see more!!!!
    Hugs, Lana PS Thanks for stopping by my blog--I'm new to blogging and appreciate the welcome kindness! You were one of my first followers a few months ago, so I doubly thank you!

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  4. Hi Artie...thanks for making a stop to 'South Street' and saying hello! I'm lovin' the new color. Although I'm not a huge fan of orange, I did like it on your walls...but the new color is warm as well. Your secretary looks great with it too!
    Well done! Tami E.

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  5. Artie, a really great change, and I do love orange. It is just great to try new things in decor!!

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  6. It's cool and soothing and DOES make your art sing! Good work...And I am right behind you...just haven't picked a color yet.

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  7. Okay- you know I was firmly against you even TOUCHING that gorgeous secretary vignette or the wall behind it! But you did it again. It is beautiful- very different from the other, but beautiful. It will transition well to your other rooms. You've also shown how one piece of furniture can strike such different moods with different accessories and wall color- so many people go straight to changing the furniture itself or painting it.
    Now- what did you put over your fireplace??
    xoxo Pattie
    P.S.- your "original" is still my inspiration for the secretary I don't have yet but will someday :)

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  8. Wow, loving this. Great job!
    Angex

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  9. I love the new look Artie! I loved the orange before and even though the new color is neutral, it is still warm and will transition very nicely with the adjoining rooms. I miss having a hall. My front door opens directly into the living room.

    ~ Tracy

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  10. Wow Artie, what a difference. What I am curious about is what is now over the fireplace mantle????

    I like orange too but really more as an accent color.

    Very soothing and quite feeling, great job as usual.

    xx kelley

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  11. I love them BOTH ways! Hard to choose a favorite :)

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  12. I'm curious as to what the blue and white would look like against your new color, but I have to agree that both of your choices were exquisite, and it's hard to choose a favorite.

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  13. Wow! I like them both, but I am madly in love with your secretary!

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  14. I love both looks too... its nice to be able to change up looks during the year anyway! Beautiful!

    Rainey

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  15. I like the new color as well as the old, however I am haunted by the painting (sorry)...I would love to see the other paintings and accessories back on the desk. I react to art emotionally and if that was my first impression, entering your home, I would be troubled - don't hate me - just my lil ol opinion - which I don't think you even asked for, so I'm shamefully sharing it anyway!!

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  16. Ooooh this came out beautifully - the color is fantastic, and as always, you did an amazing job with everything - the color choice, the actual painting, the styling... you are the busiest and one of the most talented people I know, Mr. Vanderpool. Love it.
    xo your twin
    Pisa

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  17. Well what a difference! At first, I didn't notice too much of a change, but then you did the side-by-side, genius idea, and you really get to see how different it really is. I love the new lighter color, and I bet it intergrates into your living rooms much better, like you said. I'd love to see how it feeds into that space - and like others, what you've done with your mantel now that the painting is in the hall.

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  18. This is my first visit to your blog and I love what I see. The orange was stunning but I love the subtlety of what you have now, but still with all that interest. I wish I had an entry..my front door opens on to a view of the linen cupboard door...still trying to figure out what to do about that!

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  19. New here, and based on your foyer glimpse, (both versions) can't wait to see the rest...off to figure out if the Story of the House series already exists on your blog, to see more!

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  20. Very nice. Not quite so "in your face" (though I did think the orange color was lovely and bold) Of course, your styling is terrific. I like both version (open secretary vs closed) equally. Beautiful choices.

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  21. Love it both ways. I know what you mean about needing a change, though. I have a feeling in a year or so, I'll be craving a change in my red dining room. Maybe color is best left to the accessories...well, most of the name. ;-) I still love a cozy red-walled study or library.
    Susan

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