A Warm Welcome: Reimagining a Traditional Front Entry
The front door is the first page in your home’s story. It’s where guests form their first impression and where we return at the end of each day, and it is also such an easy place to make a meaningful change. A new light, a fresh coat of paint, and a few well-chosen details can transform the way your home greets you.
When Tald and Art of the Entry invited me to take part in their first Entry Edit, I was delighted to say yes. The series pairs homeowners with designers to reimagine the front of their homes, and I was matched with Caitlin, who owns a Georgian-style home in Virginia.
BEFORE
Caitlin adores her house but felt she hadn’t been able to give it the attention it deserves. With its red brick and traditional architecture, the home offered such a gracious foundation, and my aim was to choose pieces that feel as though they belong there while bringing a little more color, character, and charm to her front door.
The Vision
The Lighting
The Fremont Medium Bracketed Wall Lantern from Visual Comfort was an easy choice. Its generous scale sits in proportion with the façade, and the classic shape speaks naturally to the architecture. Lighting is one of the places entries most often fall short, and choosing a fixture sized to the house makes all the difference.
The Paint
For the front door, I chose Benjamin Moore’s Chiswell Blue CW-660. This color is from their Williamsburg collection, and it has that wonderful depth that feels especially pretty against the red brick. It’s a little unexpected, but still very traditional.
The Hardware
The Carré One-Piece Exterior Handleset from Grandeur Hardware in brass is a favorite against that blue door. The longer backplate gives it more presence, and the warm brass keeps the combination from feeling too serious.
Then come the details that are simply fun!
The Finishing Touches
The Vine Ring Door Knocker and Brass Tassel Door Stopper, both from Art of the Entry, are the kinds of pieces that give an entry its personality. I am always drawn to details that feel as though they have been part of a home for generations, and both have that quality.
At the threshold, the Braided Jute Doormat, also from Art of the Entry, adds texture against all of that brick, and its green and white border is a sweet nod to the landscape.
Planters and Shutters
A pair of Chantal Planters from Frontgate would complete the doorway. Their aged finish suits the house, and they have the scale and structure to hold their own beside the door. Filled with something simple and green, they would be a pleasure year-round.
Finally, I would add exterior shutters from The Shutter House. They give the windows more weight and break up the brick so the entire façade feels more finished. Here, I would keep them dark and classic.
AFTER
A few thoughtful updates give this Georgian-style home a fresh sense of character while still honoring its original architecture.
What I love most about this edit is that it isn’t about making the house look new. It’s about choosing pieces that feel at home with what is already there: a handsome lantern, a rich blue, warm brass, and a few charming details at the door.
To see the inspiration behind each selection, visit my Entry Edit with Tald on Instagram, and explore the full collection of door knockers and entry accents at Art of the Entry.