Greetings, friends! If you can believe it, we are officially at the halfway mark in our 12 Days of Christmas Series.

Since it’s the weekend and my holiday to-do list is growing by the minute, I’m going to keep the next couple posts short and sweet, but hopefully still just as inspiring!

A few weeks ago I shared a couple updates from my office. Namely, a new rug and the handles for my sliding barn doors. Directly in front of those doors are my entry areas. I’ve always struggled with those spaces because of their size and layout. Although I was making progress, something still seemed off, so I asked for your help.

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I love having a little table in this entryway, but as you can see it doesn’t really work. A few of you suggested painting the table, and I think one of you even told me I should paint it black.

Well, that’s just what I did.

Here’s what happened. I was doing some Christmas shopping and came across some gorgeous side tables at Crate and Barrel. They were black. I thought they would be perfect for the entry, but after measuring them, I realized they were way too short. Then it hit me. “Why don’t I just paint MY table black. … Wait a minute, that’s what folks told me to do. They are genius.” Do you ever have one of those moments where you suddenly see a solution that was right in front of your face all along?

Well, the next morning I ran out to Sherwin Williams and got a quart of their all surface enamel paint in black satin, sanded my table, and gave it two coats of paint.

And let me tell you what, it has made a huge difference. It’s perfect! (Please pardon my photos. Not only is this area of my house hard to decorate, it’s impossible to photograph, especially on a day so dreary and gray that it feels like sunset at 1pm.)

As I was painting the table black, I had another a-ha moment. I could paint the top with chalkboard paint! Now, I know what you’re thinking. Chalkboard paint is sooooo 2012. Well, not around here. I wanted it, so that’s what I did. I had just enough paint to apply two coats.

Once the paint was dry. I had a brand new entry table that works so much better for the space. And it only cost about $20.

Anyway, the space just really came together around the black table. I also hung festive wreaths and a piece of artwork. It feels so much more homier.

I’ve been playing with a few different messages to see which one I like best. I think “Merry and Bright” will stay for now.

My office is a bit of a mess at the moment, so I’ll show you a photo from that angle on Monday. I also need to tweak my greens a bit. I think I went overboard. (I told you my holiday to-do list just keeps growing!)

What do you think? Better?

 SEE HOW THE OTHER 12 DAYS BLOGGERS ARE DECKING THEIR HALLS:

Wood Black and Twine Frame – Shanty 2 Chic

Illuminated Shutter Toolbox – Funky Junk Interiors

Christmas in the Kitchen – Thistlewood Farms

Christmas Vignette – Songbird *GIVEAWAY*

Embroidered Reindeer – Remodelaholic