Project Front Entrance

An incident a couple of months sparked in me the incentive to decorate an area of my home that to date I had not designated as a priority. We had ordered a rather large assemblage of pizza from Domino’s to feed the hungry attendants of William’s birthday party. Upon delivery of said pizzas the Domino’s delivery driver says to me “So you just moved in, huh?” In my utter state of mortification I answered in the affirmative though thinking to myself, we’ve lived here for about seven months. Unfortunately, from the perspective of that individual, I could see the point. Standing just inside the front door, one can see directly past the expansive front entrance (completely empty) to the entirely unfurnished dining room. We appear to own not a stitch of furniture from this angle. Lo and behold this troubling situation arose again this past week when a mover (for the house next door) brazenly asked me if we owned any furniture, while requesting that I fill his water bottle. 

Thus, project front entrance has been underway since that first unfortunate incident, though little progress had been made until this week. Many people fail to recognize how difficult the procurement of just the right pieces can actually  be, how time consuming, how expensive. How frustrating... Though they are often the same people who wonder why I don’t just drop into The Brick or Ashley Furniture. But, I digress. I scouted and then purchased the most stunning credenza which then proceeded to arrive with an exceedingly mangled chrome base. I nearly cried, and then spent the next week dealing with the shipper, the seller, and a furniture restorer. I am hopeful that the repair will happen soon, and I will reveal the details and photos of my beloved piece when it has been restored to its full glory. For now it sits upended, wrapped in cardboard at the front entrance, adding a certain je ne sais quois to the space. I have also ordered a chair which will ultimately reside next to said credenza, however the estimated date of arrival extends to late July. Good things come to those who wait.

Occasionally I become so smitten with a piece of furniture that my quest to own overrides any thought as to where it will reside, the practicality of the item or if it will actually work in my home. Case in point, I have now bought myself a bar. Disregard the fact that we have already a lovely bar built into our butler’s pantry, and that having three children is not exactly conducive to a vast display of open alcohol. My latest obsession is furniture from the era of the late 60’s through the 1970’s, I would characterize it as Hollywood glam, with lots of chrome, angles and pattern. Prominent designers of the era would be Karl Springer, Milo Baughman, Gabriela Crespi and Paul Evans to name a few. Perusing 1st Dibs is my downfall and it is there that I first spied the pieces of American designer Paul Evans. I was particularly taken with the furniture he created for Directional in the 1970’s, a patchwork of chrome somewhat akin to a Tetris game. I stumbled across this vintage, signed Paul Evans bar on Ebay and after much coordination it winged its way all the way up north, from Florida. My first experience dealing with the customs broker proceeded quite smoothly.

Now as you might have guessed the bar has been positioned near the front entrance (in the awkward nook beneath the stairwell), at least for the time being.  A permanent designation has yet to be determined, but for now this should dissuade further unwelcome commentary from visitors. I quickly styled it (not my forte) with a resin Martha Sturdy vase, a Jonathan Adler bird, a couple coffee table books and an inoperable lucite table lighter (exactly what every non-smoker needs).

 

I lied, the first Paul Evans piece (though I didn’t realize the designer at the time) I spied and then proceeded to lust over was this bed frame in Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan’s Palm Beach Home.

 

A few other Paul Evans pieces for your viewing enjoyment.

Image Sources 1, 2, 3, 4

Comments

[Stephanie]

your blog is so pretty! love the header! I'm a sucker for good, clean graphics.

Let me know if you book with AirBnB! I'm curious about how smooth the process is.

[Sarah MacMillan]

I can see why you just had to have that bar! The bed frame is pretty amazing too. Thanks for sharing! I've seen the wood credenza by Paul Evans. The "tetras pieces" weren't flush with one another. They were set at different depths (if that makes sense). I'm not a pro on these kinds of things like you are!

[Sundeep @ Designwali]

ooh love it...can't wait to see your final piece! I need an entryway makeover too!

[Kathy@myinteriorlife]

Now I can't wait to see your entry. Love the Domino's pizza man encounter - he's obviously a decorating genius. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog so I could find yours. I absolutely love your style and your home and am so incredibly jealous. What a dream to be able to envision a house from the ground up. A dream come true. That Paul Evans bar is phenomenal - you did the right thing! Look forward to reading/seeing more.

Thanks,
Kathy

[Aubrey]

That is an awesome story...it reminds me of other awesome situations like people asking overweight women when they are due or calling a rather masculine-looking woman "sir" before realizing...(c: And I couldn't agree more with the design dilemma and the people that just don't get it...why don't I just go to Ashley??? Have you *SEEN* their stuff lately? Or EVER? HA! That bar is without a doubt drool-worthy...the piecing together pattern of the mirrors is GENIUS.

[Anne-Marie]

there's no point in filling your space with things you don't like, you just end up replacing them over and over... I love your bar, and I'll bet it makes you happier than a room full of "ashley" - as for the comments, well, as Kathy said, they are obviously decorating geniuses!

[Stephanie]

I found a lake house in europe with a piece of this furniture today!! and did not know who made it. thanks!