A white front door with glass panels is next to a small wooden cabinet with its door open, sitting on a hardwood floor in a bright entryway.

// mini acorn jingle bell //

Remember when I mentioned that I was redoing the back entryway with the wraparound staircase?

You may have forgotten all about it.

It’s been a hot minute.

If you want to see more of the before, click here.

If you just want the Reader’s Digest version here’s the overall plan:

  1. Paint the entryway SW Pure White (check)
  2. Replace the runner (more on this later)
  3. Rearrange the furniture (check)
  4. Redo the curtains (not check)
  5. Change out the mirrors (check)
  6. Add new artwork (check)

Whew.

That was a list.

I didn’t even realize how much we’d done until I looked at the list.

It’s almost done (and it’s decorated for fall).

And now?

The entryway looks like this.

A decorated staircase with white railings, a white cabinet with gold accents, a blue vase with red flowers, framed art on the wall, a chandelier, blue plates, and a blue patterned rug on the floor.

// blue and white washable rug //

And this.

Bright entryway with wooden staircase, white walls, framed artwork, a blue rug, a white sideboard with red flowers, a candle, and a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Sunlight streams through glass doors and windows.

// blue and white washable rug // white cabinet //

And this.

A white cabinet with red flowers in a blue vase sits under a staircase. A chandelier hangs above, and a wooden door labeled “Office” is in the background. A blue patterned rug covers the hardwood floor.

// blue and white washable rug // white cabinet //

It’s finished just in time for a local group to come and tour it on Friday.

And guess what?

I LOVE IT.

Seriously.

Let’s unpack the changes.

First of all, we painted the walls SW Pure White. It made such a difference. The reds and blues and browns truly pop now. And wait until I add Christmas decor. It’s the perfect backdrop for whatever kind of decor colors you want to add. SW Pure White is a really good white paint color. It has a little bit of warm undertone, and it reads as a soft white rather than a creamy white.

A decorative wooden and gold acorn bell sits on a white table with a blue patterned bowl, white pumpkins, and red autumn leaves in the background.

// mini acorn jingle bell //

Framed botanical prints with gold frames hang on a white stairwell wall, reflecting window light. A wooden stair railing is in the foreground.

Next, we took down the mirrors (don’t worry, they are scattered all over the house).

If you take nothing else away from this post—-it’s that every room needs a mirror. I can’t believe the difference when you add a mirror to a space. Maybe I need to give you a mirror tour and show you where all the mirrors live now.

In place of the mirrors, I added these blue and white pictures that used to hang in the dining room.

I love the pop of blue and white going up the stairs.

A gold-framed mirror is decorated with a floral wreath. Blue and white decorative plates are arranged on the wall around it. Red leafy plants sit below the mirror.

// similar gold mirror //

One of the mirrors ended up at the foot of the stairs.

I think I’m going to redo this plate wall so it’s not so symmetrical. I’m adding in some larger plates and making it more fun.

I added a wreath with velvet ribbon and painted this tree burgundy.

White cabinet with glass doors displays blue-and-white dishes, vases, and decor items. Two wicker baskets sit on top. The cabinet stands on a hardwood floor, next to a white wall and an open dark wood door.

// blue and white peel and stick wallpaper //

On this wall, the hutch was repainted, and blue and white wallpaper was added to the back.

You can see the blue and white peel and stick wallpaper here.

Then I freshened it up with blue and white pieces and artwork.

I’m (hopefully) replacing the hardware with cremone bolts (stay tuned).

A brass lamp with a woven wicker shade stands next to a decorative brass sphere on a white surface, in front of a blue and white geometric patterned wall.

//rechargeable wicker shade lamps // blue and white peel and stick wallpaper //

One of my favorite things that I added to the shelves?

These rechargeable wicker lamps.

They add just the right amount of light for the bookcases at night and make it look so cozy.

The lamps come with wicker shades and have three different light settings (I like the first one with soft, warm lighting).

You can see the lamps here.

A blue vase with vibrant red and orange autumn leaves sits on a white cabinet, next to a basket holding small white pumpkins, in front of a staircase and a wooden door.

// white cabinet // similar fall stems //

I replaced the table with this cabinet from the office and moved that table into the office, into the mini bay window.

You can see the cabinet here and there’s a GIANT coupon right now if you are looking for a cabinet.

And of course I added fall stems.

And pumpkins under a cloche.

Close-up of a blue and white patterned rug or fabric featuring intricate floral and paisley designs with decorative borders.

// blue and white washable rug //

A close-up of a blue and white patterned rug on a wooden floor, next to a white cabinet. The rug features intricate floral and geometric designs.

// blue and white washable rug //

I added this rug (which was not the original rug in the design) to the entryway.

It’s washable (which is perfect for muddy shoe season ahead), and it’s 4′ x 6′.

The pattern is so full of joy and I love the border trimmed in leaves and flowers.

You can see the rug here.

A close-up view of a staircase with a patterned grey and white carpet and a wooden handrail beside white balusters. the focus is on the texture and pattern details.

Now, in sad news.

The blue and white DIY runner idea did NOT work on the stairs.

I had this whole runner plan, and you know what they say about the best-laid plans.

They oft go awry.

I’m going to have to pay to have a runner installed (in the future). There are too many twists and turns on the stairs and the stairs were too wide for the runner.

So for now, I’m deep cleaning the carpet and making the gray and white work.

A bright room with wooden floors, a vintage wooden sideboard, and vases of red and green foliage. Sunlight streams in through a glass door, highlighting autumn floral arrangements.

// pomegrante stems //

A decorated staircase with white railings, a white cabinet with gold accents, a blue vase with red flowers, framed art on the wall, a chandelier, blue plates, and a blue patterned rug on the floor.

// blue and white washable rug // white cabinet // similar fall stems //

I still have a few more DIYs for the space.

I’m rethinking the curtains, and I have the CUTEST monogram pillow DIY that I’m going to share tomorrow.

But for now?

I’m going to welcome in fall and enjoy this space.

After all, just like Anne Shirley, I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.

disclosure: affiliate links are used in this post.

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Posted On: October 1, 2026

Written By: KariAnne Wood

Comments

  1. Image for Karen B. Karen B.

    I think the entry looks great. I'm sure you'll find a runner for the space but it looks great with the one you have for now. Don't you just love this time of year. (Even if So. California is supposed to be in the high eighties!) xx, Karen B.

    Reply

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