How to Shop Your House: Styling a Moody Traditional Entryway
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Now that the Entryway Reveal is officially live, I can let you in on a little secret: a beautiful, intentional home doesn't require a trip to the store for every single project.
As we work on transforming our builder-grade house into a space that feels like a Modern Heritage estate, I’ve learned that the most soulful pieces are usually the ones we already own. Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes to show you exactly what I shopped from other rooms to finish our entryway and the two specific items I chose to invest in to make the space truly functional.
The Strategy: Investing in the Foundation
While 90% of this reveal was sourced from within these four walls, I did make two intentional changes to anchor the space.
First, the beautiful Love vs. Design wallpaper (which was kindly gifted) provided the modern heritage color palette that helped set the tone for the entire project. Second, I decided it was time to upgrade our area rug.
Disclosure: I’m so excited to partner with Love vs. Design for this project! They were kind enough to provide the wallpaper materials for this makeover in exchange for this post. As always, all opinions are 100% my own—I’m never obligated to love a product, but in this case, I genuinely do. Their quality and tools are amazing, and I’m thrilled to recommend them to you!
Why I Replaced the Entryway Rug
I’ve always advocated for shopping your house, but sometimes you have to admit when a piece just isn't working for the job of the room. Our previous rug was beautiful, but it was constantly sliding around on our builder-grade floors, definitely not ideal for a high-traffic entry!
For this refresh, I chose a new washable area rug for three specific reasons:
The Grip: It features a rubber backing, so it finally stays in place without a bunch of extra rug pads.
The Neutrality: I wanted something understated that allowed the floral wallpaper to be the star of the show.
The Practicality: Being a mom of two and a dog owner, having a rug I can throw in the wash is a game-changer for keeping our home feeling crisp and clean.
Before: Loloi Chris Loves Julia Area Rug
After: Washable Area Rug
4 Things I Shopped From My Home for the Entryway
1. Meaningful Artwork (The Heritage Element)
To nail the Modern Heritage aesthetic, you need art that feels lived-in and layered with history. Instead of reaching for mass-produced prints, I went straight to my most cherished collection: the oil paintings created by my grandmother. She was an avid painter, and her work is the heartbeat of our home’s decor. Being able to walk past her landscapes every morning in our new entryway doesn’t just elevate the design; it keeps her spirit part of our daily lives.
Pro-Tip: For an authentic, collected over time feel, don't feel obligated to hang every piece of art. Leaning smaller vintage paintings against the wall on a console table creates a relaxed, grandmillennial vibe that feels curated rather than staged. To add a bit of height and architectural interest, try using a delicate brass or iron tabletop easel. It’s a simple way to make a small heirloom painting feel like a focal point.
2. The Contrast of Brass & Suede
If you follow my blog, you know I’m a sucker for brass. To complement the deep tones of our new wallpaper, I used a brass vessel for our florals, which adds a necessary gleam against the dark walls.
To balance the metallic shine, I shopped for a suede tray from my office. Mixing the reflective brass with the soft, tactile texture of suede is a simple way to make a builder-grade space feel incredibly high-end and intentional.
3. The Power of Visual Weight: The Furniture Swap
Sometimes shopping your house means moving the big pieces, too! Previously, we had a clear glass and brass table in the entryway. While beautiful, it tended to fade into the background. To ground the new, moody design, I swapped it with an antique wood table from our living room.
The wood table has the heaviness and history needed to anchor the floral wallpaper, making the entryway feel like a permanent, established part of the home. The best part? The glass and brass table actually looks much better in the living room now! Against the dark walls there, the brass pops and the glass keeps the room feeling airy rather than cluttered. It was a win-win swap that cost $0.
Plaid Armchair | Faux Fur Throw | Glass and Brass Table (Facebook Marketplace) | Art (family heirlooms) | Wedgewood Blue Jasperware
4. The $10 Marketplace Treasure: Why You Should Buy What You Love
While styling, I went digging in my decor drawer, that spot where I store treasures that aren't currently in use, and I fell in love all over again with a silver monkey bowl I found on Facebook Marketplace years ago for just $10.
Candle Warmer Lamp | Faux Suede Tray | Picture Easel (similar) | Antique Table (Facebook Marketplace)
I didn't have a dedicated spot for it at the time, and it usually stays tucked away during the holidays, but as soon as I saw it, I knew its unique, whimsical vibe was exactly what this space needed. This is why it’s so important to buy things you truly love, rather than buy things to tide you over. Items bought for convenience almost always end up in the donation pile. But if it’s a piece you truly love, youwill eventually find a home for it.
The Ultimate Shop Your House Room-by-Room Checklist
Use this checklist to hunt for treasures in your own home to help transform your builder-grade spaces.
The Living Room: Hunting for Scale
Coffee Table Books: Look for linen-bound books or those with muted, moody spines. These are perfect for elevating a small lamp.
Throw Blankets: A high-quality wool or plaid throw draped over a bench signals moody traditional coziness.
The Kitchen & Dining Room: Textures and Metals
Brass and Copper: Look for vintage trays or antique-looking bowls. Brass pops beautifully against dark paint.
Wooden Boards: A leaning breadboard adds instant warmth to a hard stone or metal surface.
The Bedrooms: Art and Ambience
Small Art Prints: Small, framed landscapes or sketches from a gallery wall can be moved to an entryway to create a layered look.
Accent Lighting: A small shaded lamp from a nightstand creates that warm, low-light glow essential for a moody entry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does shopping your house actually save money?
Absolutely. By re-mixing what you already own, you can allocate your budget to high-impact upgrades, like the wallpaper and a high-quality washable rug, while the smaller styling pieces remain $0.
How do I make old decor look fresh in a new room?
The secret is contrast. If an item felt stale in a bright white room, try placing it against a moody, dark-painted wall. The change in background often reveals details in the item you never noticed before.
Why choose a washable rug for an entryway?
In an entryway, durability is everything. A rug with a rubber backing prevents trips and falls, and a washable feature ensures that mud, paws, and kids don't ruin your design.
Slow Decorating is Better Decorating
Decorating our house by the preserve is a marathon, not a sprint. By shopping my house for this entryway reveal, I was able to keep the soul of the home intact with pieces we already love, like my grandmother's paintings and that $10 Marketplace find.
Area Rug | Curtains (similar) | Ceramic Accent Table | Antique Table (Facebook Marketplace) | Faux Suede Tray | Faux Pink Peonies
Our homes should feel collected over decades, not purchased in one weekend. When we shop our own homes, we aren't just saving money; we are mindfully tending to the things we’ve already invited into our lives.
What’s one item in your house that needs a new home? Or do you have a decor drawer full of hidden treasures? Let me know in the comments!
I’m a mom of two and wife to a seriously supportive hubby, living our best life in our forever house by the preserve! I'm all about helping you create a stylish, Pinterest-worthy home on a budget. Let's obsess over interior design, home decor, DIY, and home improvement projects to help you create your best home. Follow along and say hello! I love hearing from you.
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