Diary of a

Daydreamer

Turning an Awkward Entryway Nook into a Moody Speakeasy Corner

Creating a functional and stylish entryway with a DIY bench project

Something wasn't right...

When we first moved in, this entryway felt…off. It was a split-level space, and you could see straight into the room above, giving it a bit of a basement vibe. And then there was this awkward brick jut-out that seemed to serve no purpose at all. I knew it could be more, but I had no idea where to start.

Closing in the wall

One thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to cover up the jail-cell-bars and make it a real wall. Did I know how to do that? Nope! but where there’s a will there’s a way right?

Full disclosure: it was my first time using a saw, and honestly, everything I was doing was a first for me. I was equal parts excited and terrified, hoping nothing would go terribly wrong. Spoiler alert: sometimes it did but that didn’t stop me. I fixed mistakes as they came, learned along the way, and kept going.

Attempting new things can be scary but one thing that helped me gain confidence was watching a bunch of tutorials and reaching out to DIY creators for advice. If you ever need help on a project, don’t be afraid to DM me. I promise I’ll help in any way I can! 😊🫶

Happy Tears

When the wall was finally up, I cried a little. It was such a proud moment. My husband came home from work and just kept walking into the entryway, staring at the closed space and saying, “Wow, I can’t believe you actually made a wall! 😂

The truth was, neither could I! You would be surprised what you are capable of if you just build up enough courage to try. Don’t let fear hold you back!

It's okay to not get it perfect the first time. Keep trying, and you might just end up with a space that makes you cry happy tears too

Giving the brick ledge a purpose

Next, I wanted to turn that awkward brick bump-out into something functional. A bench felt perfect. I cut a piece of 1/2″ plywood to match the shape of the ledge using my jigsaw, added some carpet foam from the hardware store, covered it in batting, and stapled it all together. Then came the fabric, which took me forever to find, but it was so worth the wait. The subtle ticking stripe matches the entryway vibe perfectly!

I placed the bench in position, but I didn’t glue it down in case I ever want to move it or switch out the design, that’s the magic of DIY: once you know how, you can switch things up whenever you want!

The last step for this little bench project was to trim it out with small pieces of quarter round, stained to match the beadboard. What beadboard you ask? 👀👇

Paneling and Paint

I covered both walls in the corner with moody brown panels. I stained each one individually to make sure the finish was perfect. Each board needed a layer of wood conditioner, three coats of walnut wood stain and a protective topcoat, so this took a few days and boy was my hand cramping at the end! That wood grain though, was oh so worth it 😍

Next came the bold move… I color-drenched the entire room in black using a paint sprayer, which was another first for me! It was intimidating, but honestly, trying new things, even when scary, can be so rewarding and the black backdrop made a HUGE impact on the overall vibe of the space. It was starting to look exactly like the moody vision I had in my head.

The fun stuff

Finally, it was time for the fun stuff, some pretty accessories: soft cushions, a mail organizer, and a large vintage looking lightbulb brought interest to this little corner. This once awkward space now feels like a little moody speakeasy corner, and I love it. It’s cozy, functional, and full of personality! If you enjoyed this transformation you are going to want to see how the rest of the entryway turned out! 👀 Don’t worry, I saved every step to my Instagram highlight for you!

Before & after

a friendly reminder

This corner was all about trying things I’d never done before, making mistakes, and learning as I went. If you’ve been holding back from tackling a project, let this be your reminder: it’s okay to not get it perfect the first time. Keep trying, and you might just end up with a space that makes you cry happy tears too.

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A post shared by Stacey | Home Inspo | DIY | Budget Renovation (@dawn.of.a.daydream)

Thank you for reading

Stacey

Dawn of a Daydream

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