The entry and living room at Wellesley were already full of character, but time had worn down the details that once made them shine. Our goal was to revive what made these spaces special – bringing back pattern, warmth, and craftsmanship – while staying true to the home’s Tudor roots. Instead of reworking the layouts, we focused on restoring the architecture, reintroducing historic texture, and adding thoughtful updates that helped the rooms feel grounded and connected again.
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Built in 1928
Full Home Remodel + Addition
Our Client's Vision
Living Room + Entryway Color Palette
Living Room + Entryway Mood Board
The vision for Wellesley’s entry and living room was to bring back the charm these spaces had slowly lost over time. We started with the front door – the first space you see in the home. Our initial plan was to refinish and repaint the original door, but once we dug in, it became clear it wasn’t salvageable. It wasn’t weatherproof, it was warped, and it simply couldn’t be restored in a way that would hold up for another hundred years. The only right choice was a custom door built to fit the original arched opening, so the architecture stayed honest and the house stayed warm through Minnesota winters.
The entry felt like the perfect place to bring back the home’s original wallpaper print instead of covering everything in a modern white that didn’t fit the history of the space. Pairing it with a hand-laid mosaic floor made the space feel special again – every 2x2 tile placed one by one to create a custom pattern.
The living room, on the other hand, just needed its spark returned. It wasn’t in bad shape, it just felt tired. Retiling the fireplace brought color back after the brick had been painted white. Refinishing the floors and replacing the windows helped the room breathe again, and salvaged Tudor sconces and a chandelier added the history it had been missing. The goal was simple: let the architecture lead, bring warmth back, and help the room feel connected to the house the way it always should have.
The Moonstone Effect
The final result of the entry and living room is a pair of spaces that feel connected to the home’s history while supporting how life happens today.
Reintroduced historic patterns and details, including the home’s original wallpaper print
Added a hand-laid mosaic floor in the entry to create a crafted, welcoming moment
Retiled the fireplace and refinished the floors to bring color, warmth, and clarity back into the living room
Incorporated and preserved period elements like salvaged Tudor lighting and the original railing to restore architectural character
Living+Entryway Reveal
Before + After
