A few weeks ago, one client called me with an accent wall project for her current entryway.
The original design was plain, nothing special really!
All you get is the plain white walls, faded gray laminate floors, and basic overhead lighting. The space was just boring and dreary.
My client had lived with this basic entryway for years. Every time she came home and stepped inside, she felt her mood drop at the bland sight.
Finally, she decided things needed to change. She wanted to give her entryway a warm, inviting look to wow guests’ right from the moment they walked in the front door.
But without thousands of dollars to spend, a major redesign seemed out of reach.
Still, she was determined to make it happen on a strict budget. That’s where I came in!
In this post, I’ll walk you through how I helped my client completely transform her entryway from drab to dazzling for lower than her original budget.
Planning the Design
The first step in any makeover project is deciding on the design concept and overall look. I sat down with my client and had her walk me through the vision she had in mind.
Three priorities emerged from our discussion:
- Using natural wood elements for warmth
- Use a bold, contrasting color scheme for maximum visual interest
- Add better lighting to make the space feel open and airy
I could tell she gravitated toward modern farmhouse style examples with black and white palettes. We decided to create the main focal point using a black accent wall with crisp white geometric shapes reminiscent of mudcloth fabric.
Mudcloth is a traditional African textile design recognized by its graphic repeated shapes and lines. We felt this direction would allow us to marry modern and traditional elements beautifully.
Once we solidified the concept, I created a mood board with inspirational images to match the vision. This helped me develop a shopping list of everything we would need:
- Primed wooden beams
- Black and white interior wall paint
- Paint brushes and rollers
- Painter’s tape
- Drop cloths
- Round mirrors
- Faux plants and vases
- Black and white art prints
We decided to keep the existing white trim, doors, and laminate flooring to save money. I suggested adding new recessed lighting at a later date if needed.
Installation
Over the course of several days, I tackled the installation process. Here is a detailed look at how it all came together:
Sanding and Staining the Wood Beams
The first step was preparing the main wood element – the beams! I began by laying out all the beams in the driveway and lightly sanding them to ensure a smooth surface for finishing.
Next, I applied two coats of Jacobean wood stain using a foam brush and rags. I wanted the rich, warm brown tone of the stain to contrast nicely against the black and white wall colors.
Once the stain dried fully, I used 120 grit sandpaper to smooth out any drips or uneven areas. The beams now had a beautifully finished look and were ready for installation.
Mounting the Beams Across the Accent Wall
My client and I decided the beams would be the focal point of the black accent wall running the length of the entryway.
I used painter’s tape to mark off the area we wanted to transform. We protected the surrounding walls and laminate flooring using drop cloths secured with blue tape.
Her husband assisted with this tricky step – mounting the beams evenly across the wall. Using a stud finder, we identified solid points in the wall framing to attach them securely.
I then used a level to ensure each beam was perfectly horizontal and marked their placement with pencil. Her husband mounted the beams into the wall framing using wood screws.
Above the door, we had to cut a beam to size to fit the smaller space. We filled screw holes with wood filler and sanded everything smooth.
Painting the Accent Wall Black
With the stained wood beams in place, I could move on to painting the wall. I used high quality interior black wall paint and applied two coats with a mini roller and brush.
Cutting in the edges by hand ensured no white peeked through. The coverage was perfect, and the dark black color looked great with the wood tones.
Creating the Geometric Mudcloth Pattern
Once the black paint dried fully, I could move onto the most fun part – designing the bold graphic pattern!
Referencing traditional mudcloth designs, I lightly sketched shapes like diamonds, triangles, concentric squares, and zigzags using a pencil. This allowed me to visualize the scale and spacing.
Next, using interior white paint and a small brush, I replicated the sketches by hand in paint. I stepped back frequently to check proportions looked balanced.
The pattern truly came alive after I applied the second crisp white coat of paint. My client and I were thrilled with how beautifully it complemented the wood and black background!
Accessorizing the Entryway
With the statement accent wall complete, I turned my attention to accessorizing the space. I wanted to incorporate elements that enhanced the modern farmhouse vibe we’d created.
Vintage-Style Mirrors
My client loved the idea of adding mirrors to reflect light and create depth. I scored a deal on a set of three round, sunburst-style mirrors with black frames at a thrift store.
Arranging them asymmetrically down the length of the entryway helped draw the eye and make the long space feel more expansive. The mirrors really amplify the visual impact of the bold wall.
Faux Plants for Organic Appeal
No farmhouse design is complete without some greenery! I opted for faux plants so my client wouldn’t have to worry about maintenance.
I found a tall, slender snake plant and aloe vera plant that fit perfectly in matte white planters. Their vertical shapes contrast nicely with the graphic lines on the accent wall.
I also added a large, leafy Fiddle Leaf Fig tree in the corner to balance the space. The organic textures soften the black and white palette.
Black and White Photography
To align with the color scheme, I printed and framed three black and white photographs of natural scenes. Keeping decor cohesive is an easy trick to make everything feel purposeful.
I hung the prints along the accent wall, scattering them to look like an art gallery display. They add the perfect finishing touch!
The Final Result
After several hours of hard work, the moment had arrived – the big reveal! My client was absolutely stunned when she saw her transformed entryway for the first time.
The bold black accent wall with crisp white pattern immediately grabs your eye as you open the front door. It goes from dull to dazzling in an instant!
The interplay between the graphic mudcloth shapes, warm wood beams, and rustic-chic accessories is striking and cohesive. The space now has so much character and visual interest.
I’m incredibly proud I could take my client’s vision and make it a reality. She is over the moon with how her outdated, uninspiring entry was given new life.
You too, can make your dream accent wall design come true. Call me at (your phone number) and I’ll help you every step of the way!
FAQs
What type of paint is best for creating a mudcloth look?
I recommend using high quality interior wall paint in black and white. Apply two coats for full, saturated coverage. A semi-gloss finish will make the crisp shapes pop but matte or eggshell paint works too. Test sample patches first.
How do you get clean lines when painting geometric shapes?
Use painter’s tape to create borders and margins for the shapes. Take your time painting by hand with a small brush and go slowly for maximum control. Acrylic craft paints allow you to get very precise lines with no bleeding.
What’s the best way to hang large wood beams on a wall?
Locate studs using a stud finder and use extra long wood screws to securely attach beams into the wall framing. Having an assistant helps! You can fill holes with wood filler before painting over them.
Should you paint the wooden beams or stain them?
Staining wooden beams adds warmth and a natural look that works well in farmhouse styles. Pick a rich stain color that contrasts the black wall for definition. I don’t recommend painting beams – the texture of the wood grain gets lost.
Where can you find affordable vintage-looking mirrors?
Check thrift stores and garage sales for unique secondhand mirrors at low prices. You can also find new mirrors with vintage styling on sale sites like Wayfair and at stores like HomeGoods. Look for round, sunburst, or rectangular shapes.
What faux plants look best in a modern farmhouse entryway?
Opt for plants with sleek, contemporary shapes like snake plants, succulents, or large-leaf tropical varieties. Add height with tall bamboo or fiddle leaf fig trees. Put them in simple white planters to complement the black and white color theme.
