my mini mudroom makeover

It's done!


Ready for a little before-and-after to start your week off? Well, this weekend I finally painted that kitchen entry door black, and my mini makeover of my mini mudroom/entry is complete at last. Here's what it looked like last winter. {Yup, that's how long this little project has been going on!}


What a mess. The disorganization just kills me. And it's so cold. Those plain white walls. Ugh. I really did have all the functional basics—hooks and the basket and even the mirror. But there was still way too much stuff here for this tiny space. And there's was no style. Nope. None, whatsoever.


Finally I got my act together and started painting, both walls and door. I debated painting the mirror, but I like the warm wood tone now against the toffee-colored walls and black door. And here's that black door.


The slate floor that used to bother me looks totally right with the colors around it now.


I had fun printing out these bird friends out and framing them. And my mirror is still the original finish. What say you: Leave as is or paint? As I said, I kind of like it now. It works with all the deep tones here. 

And since everyone loves a source list, here are the details. Though, fair warning, much of this stuff is not new. Try Home Goods or Target now for the accessories.

wall color: Benjamin Moore Brandon Beige
door color: Behr Premium Plus Exterior {since I used this for the outside too} Jet Black
iron hooks: Ikea, years ago
mirror: Bed, Bath, and Beyond, years ago
basket: Target, years ago
bird prints: Vintage Printables
frames: Walmart

And a last look again at that black door. It makes the space! Or does the wall color? Or the birds, since they draw the eye up? Or the mirror, because of how it expands the space and provides storage? Ah well, it's all good now.


I'm linking up to Rene's organization party.

Cottage & Vine

24 comments

Meg said...

Looks so great!
I love how you dressed up the space with the bird art. And the colour is great. I think you should just keep the mirror as is. It warms up the space a little and ties in nicely with the slate. Well done!

Martha said...

Hi! I'm a new reader and LOVE your blog!

I love your entry and love the mirror as-is!

Pine Tree Home said...

Total transformation with a little paint. I want to paint my door black!

A room with a view said...

It looks like a very warm and inviting space!

Erin Deegan said...

looks fantastic. i think the slate floors, wood mirror, wall color and bird artwork make for a wonderfully rich color palette. they all work very very well together. don't change a thing!

Unknown said...

I like the prints and the mirror. Great job!

LindsB said...

What a difference some paint makes- its like a whole new space now! I love the colors you picked out and the framed birds- just beautiful!

Ashley said...

Casey, it looks fantastic! The color of the walls, the black door, and the slate floor are such a warm combination. And I vote for you to keep the mirror as is. It's a beautiful rich color and adds an interesting wood tone to the space. GORGEOUS!

Anonymous said...

I'm a pretty new reader, and I'm so enjoying sifting through your blog.

Love the mudroom makeover. It's so warm and earthy. The mirror looks perfect for the space, as is. I think the black door and bird prints make it. Most of all, I love that it took you forever. I feel like I have projects on my list for eons. At least I'm in good company ; )

Have a great day.

Emily@TheWickerHouse said...

I'm always jealous of anyone with a mud room. Yours is great! I think my favorite part are those cute hooks.

My Many Moments said...

It look awsome! Love the black door. Those bird prints are lovely.

Holly Gruszka said...

It's awesome!! You really delivered and delivered quickly on this one - I love the new look. I say leave the mirror as is - I love the wood in there. It almost seems as though the color palette came from the floor - it all looks so great together. And painting that door black was a great great move. Enjoy it - it's perfect!

Sarah said...

Ack! I love it all!!!! Yay! Such a beautiful space now! I'm really loving the cozy and rustic, but elegant vibe. Sigh, the birds get me. I have a thing for nature illustrations and evenly spaced symmetrical grids of the same kind of wall art:) Welcome to the black door club! It looks killer. Don't you think black doors make you feel like your place is on a country estate in Great Britian or something? PS. Totally leave mirror as is.

The Vintique Object said...

Casey, yay!! Look at you. Love, love, love the black door, love the wall color, love the bird prints, and most of all I LOVE the warm wooden mirror. No painting it, Casey. Cause I said. ;) A few simple changes have totally transformed the space.

René said...

As much as I love white walls, this color brought your mudroom to life! I say leave the mirror as is. The bird prints are awesome & love that black door.

Kelly@Bungalow Blue said...

Wow, what a difference! I love the mirror as is. Very warm and cozy now!

Shannon @ Project Shannon said...

I love how this turned out, and that you used a bunch of stuff you already had! I have been wanting to paint the inside of my front door black, but Hubby is fighting me. Any rules for making this look "right"?

casey at loft and cottage said...

Hi Shannon, a black door can look right no matter what--it's classic. But it might help if, like here, there are some deeper colors (or at least some color) around it--floors, trim, walls, etc. Good luck!

Carrie @ Hazardous Design said...

Holy WOW, Casey! What a difference a little paint can make!

Megan said...

Love what you've done with the space; it looks fantastic. The prints and mirror really add a lot to the look!

Unknown said...

Perfect! Love the bird prints, it adds just the right spice, and I agree with the other readers who say leave the mirror. Great updates!

cathy @ room rx

annie@mostlovelythings said...

I love all white walls...and then to see this before and after is really making me rethink the all white. It looks so fabulous and I did have to scroll back to see if the floors were new or existing...they look great as does the entire space!

SHERRY HART said...

Damn...paint is such a hard working miracle worker :) You really can't beat it....what a transformation!

René said...

Popping back in to say thank you for joining the party! You know I love your mudroom!