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Tips for a Functional Yet Beautiful Hallway Entrance

September 17, 2013

Whenever we move, I always fix up the entrance hallway first. It’s the first thing people see and it’s the most used part of the home. It also has a tendency to be a complete mess because we have a tendencty to leave things in the entrance i.e. coat, bags, coins, keys, etc. So I work really hard to design furniture that can keep it organized and clutter free.

the diplomatic wife berlin hallway

Please click on the links below to check where I found the items. All recycled teak furniture on this post was made by Danni Roestam. Contact details at the bottom of this post.

Hallway (after)

I asked myself and thought really hard about, “what are the last things we grab before leaving our home?” Remember those times that you are about to step out of your house, but you remember you forgot something (i.e. cap, shawl, yoga mat, shades…) and it’s such a hassle because you need to remove your shoes and head all the way back to your room? It can be inconvenient and annoying.  That’s what my entry hallway is about. I don’t have to rush back into my room after I’ve put on my shoes because, what I need is already sneakily-hidden in the hallway.

the diplomatic wife berlin hallway-002

CLICK HERE to see where I purchased the metallic colored pot (the one with the green leaves sticking out) in Jakarta.

I carefully designed these hard-working but beautiful hallway furniture pieces and had them made in Jakarta. The great thing about them is they are all separate pieces designed to look like one piece when placed beside each other. A cohesive look also makes it look neat and put together. I could have bought traditional console tables like this, which is great in theory but can lead to a very cluttered looking space because there is no storage.

In Jakarta we had a longer but narrower hallway so we had all this furniture on one side. Now we have a wider hallway with 3 wall spaces that are broken up by the doors

WALL #1

the diplomatic wife berlin hallway-003

  1. Shoes
  2. Shades
  3. Sports accessories (i.e. goggles, elbow support, pedometer, etc.)
  4. Shawls, cardigans, caps
  5. Sports equipment (i.e. yoga mat, bicycle pump, etc.)
  6. A full length mirror – for that last check  before leaving the flat. Gotta be sure it’s not only the flat that looks put-together! I love that this mirror has a separate base and body. It doesn’t need to be drilled to the wall either. You can read about where I had it made here.
  7. Hidden compartment – yep, that is where I hide all the other crap haha! It is also a hidden charging station. Gotta keep all those wires hidden!

WALL #2

the diplomatic wife berlin hallway-004

  1. Floor mat to leave shoes on
  2. Hidden drawer for socks
  3. Bench with hidden drawer
  4. Shell shaped bowl for coins (from Vinoti Living)
  5. Oil burner to greet guests with delicious aromas
  6. DIY Photowall to add some personal touch
  7. Magnetic board to place things that we use often around the house (i.e. timer, level) and things to remember (i.e. DIY birthday calendar, invitations to events, etc.)
  8. Sturdy magazine rack to hold catalogues and magazines that we receive

For me, no entry way is complete unless there is a bench for sitting on when putting on your shoes. (We don’t allow shoes inside the rooms to prevent scratching the parquet flooring and to keep outside dirt out.) The hidden sock drawer under the bench is very convenient. It just makes moresense to me that the socks are stored in the entrance instead of the closets in our room. Grab socks + sit down + put on shoes! I added a sturdy mat to place just-removed-shoes so that it looks neat instead of cluttered. This delineation of space for shoes makes a big difference in making the area look less cluttered , rather than just having shoes all over the floor without a visually marked area for them. This also helps us remember not to leave shoes in other parts of the entrance. The shoe horn is also within easy reach.

the diplomatic wife berlin hallway-008

I read in this book, Speed Decorating, that magnetic boards, magazine racks and hooks can really help one place everything in properly instead of just dumping things on available surfaces. I have to agree! I wanted mine to be white to blended with the wall.

the diplomatic wife berlin hallway-005

I also placed a white basket on the floor so we can place our last used bags there instead of dumping it on the bench. Does that ever happen to you that there is so much stuff on the bench that you can’t even sit on it? This helps a lot!

DIPLO TIP: If you are like me and tend to lose things inside your bag (“I just can’t remember which bag I had it in!“) then I’ve got the tip for you. Just used bags are dumped into the bag basket if I plan to use them again soon. If not, I put them back in the closet, but not until I’ve checked all the pocket and emptied out all the contents into a special a tray (specifically for this purpose). When I get different bag to use, I transfer stuff from the tray to the bag. I never put bags in the closet, until I’ve emptied out all the pockets. Otherwise I end up not being able to find my things! Especially small things like lipsticks or calling cards.

the diplomatic wife berlin hallway-009

Wall #3

This wall has my Indonesia keepsake, a stamp used to make the ubiquitous batique. This wall is mostly decorative.

the diplomatic wife berlin hallway-006

  • Framed batik stamp
  • Teak tray with pebbles to hold candles (from Dunia Yogyakarta)
  • Console – used to be my shoe cabinet, but since there is a built in one, we use it as storage for bags
  • Fisherman’s fish basket decorated with a sack cloth

the diplomatic wife berlin hallway-007

I am not fond of batik, however a framed batik stamp is a beautiful keepsake of Indonesia since batik is their traditional fabric and seen worn by everyone in the archipelago, especially on Fridays (wear your batik day). You can buy these framed stamps in stores like Vinoti Living but it will be expensive (IDR 1 – 4 Million). We had a friend visiting Yogyakarta buy the stamp for cheap (IDR 350.000) at Mirota Batik and then had it framed in Koncept Gallery (Kemang Timur, konsepgallery@gmail.com) for only IDR 150.000.

NEXT STEPS

The hallway is almost complete. The only thing I haven’t finished yet is the coat closet. Since it is the very first and last stop of anybody coming and going to our home. What are the last-last things we grab before leaving the house?

  • Coat
  • Umbrella
  • Reusable bags for shopping or grocery
  • Trolley for big purchases
  • Keys
  • DiploDogs leash
  • Anything for repair or cleaning

I plan to address these needs once I can think about how to do it in a way that is still pleasing to the eyes. Right now it looks like below with a comparison to how we got the flat. Not much difference except for the custom-made umbrella holder, Umbra mail/key holder and my shoe cabinet.

the diplomatic wife berlin hallway-010

I hope you liked this post and it gave you inspiration on how to personalize your foyer or entrance hall so it can serve your entire family better.

What do you think of my tips? Can you share tips of your own on how to have a multi-functioning yet beautiful entrance? I’d love to hear it!

Teak furniture by DANNI ROESTAM

Mobile: +62 818 863326
danni.roestam@gmail.com
Other furniture I designed and had Danni build for me here!

5 Comments · Diplo Home

Comments

  1. Kaho says

    September 18, 2013 at 4:03 AM

    Looks great and beautiful!! I bought the same letter and key holder back in Jakarta before I left and now it was hung on the wall yesterday beside my shoe box. I love it!!

    Reply
    • diplomaticwife says

      September 18, 2013 at 10:06 AM

      Hey Kaho! Thank you so much! I love Umbra products! They are designed so well. And I like that this key/mail holder is so light that I can put this up on the wall without having to drill any holes. Perfect for expats!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. JAKARTA FINDS ✽ Custom-made pottery at Galeri Pot | The Diplomatic Wife says:
    September 18, 2013 at 6:21 PM

    […] You can see the 2 Prada Silver pots serving the same purpose in my Berlin Hallway in THIS POST. […]

    Reply
  2. JAKARTA FINDS: Koncept Kemang says:
    January 11, 2014 at 9:03 AM

    […] and can do many different styles. It’s also quite affordable at only IDR 150.000. Right now this framed batik stamp is hanging over my hallway. We did not use teak for this frame or it would be too heavy to hang. I had her to the frame in […]

    Reply
  3. Party and Travel Must-have: Folding Ballerina Flats says:
    February 27, 2016 at 4:22 AM

    […] other designs to suit any style! I’ve had them for a while now… and I keep them in the hallway so I can toss them into my bag on the way out when we are traveling or during the rare times […]

    Reply

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Welcome

Hello! I’m Ayessa, trailing spouse to a diplomat, mama to DiploBaby and DiploDog and founder of Declutter MNL. I love talking about how to achieve a minimaluxe lifestyle one step at a time.

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FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @UNDIPLOMATICWIFE

I love Halloween because it’s super fun for @dip I love Halloween because it’s super fun for @diplobaby. I love how his eyes light up. Before I was a parent, there was no reason to decorate.

Glad there is now a @gifi.ch near us with affordable HALLOWEEN DECOR & COSTUMES. 🧛‍♂️ 

I hope you enjoy seeing what they have in this short video! 👻 

It’s not lost on me how much plastic is used during Halloween, from the polyester costumes to the decor elements. 

ECO TIPS:

🎃 I usually slowly built up my Halloween decor. I buy 2-4 pieces each year

🎃 I take good care of them & store properly so I can reuse for years to come. It’s never singe use!

🎃 I also don’t throw away as much as possible. If there is damage, I repair.

🎃 If i dont use something anymore, I pass them on to others by selling it for a fraction of the price on Marketplace.

🎃 If it doesn’t sell, I pass them on the Pay it Forward Nyon group or place them in the donation pile in our dechetterie where others can take them.

🎃 if it’s not repairable, I take it apart so that the materials can be recycled.

🍭 As for TREATS, I hate the PLASTIC wrapped candy 🍬 so we usually give PAPER wrapped mini chocolate bars.

⛑️ HEALTH TIP:

If a piece of decor or costume SMELLS STRONGLY OF PLASTIC, DO NOT BUY IT! That’s toxic VOCs leaching into the air. It’s not good for you!

What about you? How do you try to have a sustainable Healthy-ish Halloween?🤪

I usually go in the same costume every year. Change is overrated lol. What about you? Do you know what your wearing this year?

#UDWinGeneva #udwholidays #udwhalloween
HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport? We are very lucky th HOW NEAR IS @geneveaeroport?

We are very lucky that the Geneva Airport is very near because it is located 4 km northwest of the city centre. It takes us less than 15mins by car & is easier to get to than airports outside the city.

BUT also means that many of the Geneva residents suffer from AIRCRAFT NOISE POLLUTION. 

In some parts of Geneva, like Vernier, Meyrin, Bellevue, Versoix, etc will have the airplane pass on top of you or very near you. This is something to consider when you are MOVING TO GENEVA & looking for a home.

When we were in @bioparcgeneve recently, it felt like airplane after airplane was going overhead every few mins. The poor animals were screaming each time.

A  report by the European Environment Agency(EEA) in 2017 said that 12% or 73,500 Geneva residents have their hearing disturbed by aircraft noise. Probably the figures have risen with the natural increase population & travel?

“The EEA describes noise as a pervasive pollutant that directly affects the health and well-being of humans and wildlife. Populations exposed to high noise levels can exhibit stress reactions, sleep-stage changes, and clinical symptoms like hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. All of these can contribute to premature mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) reckons that humans exposed to noise levels above 40 decibels at night experience adverse health effects.

Across Europe it is estimated that noise contributed to at least 900,000 additional cases of hypertension in 2011.” - @le_news_ch 

DID YOU KNOW that owners of homes affected by the noise can request for soundproofing to be paid for by GVA? 

Check if your home meets the conditions for FREE SOUNDPROOFING c/o Genève Aéroport here:

https://www.gva.ch/en/Site/Geneve-Aeroport/Questions-Reponses-FAQ/Bruit#

SAVE or SHARE this now with someone you know who might be moving to Geneva or is already suffering from aircraft #noisepollution. 

#UDWinGeneva #UDWgenevagoodtoknow #expatingeneva #diplofamily #expatlife #genevaswitzerland #expatingeneva #filipinoingeneva #pinoyingeneva #movingtogeneva #movingtoswitzerland #movingtogeneva #genevaexpats #switzerlandexpatlife #geneva #genevaswitzerland
MERCADONA HAUL Whenever we go to Spain, we love t MERCADONA HAUL

Whenever we go to Spain, we love to go to @mercadona. It might be small but has a good affordable selection. It’s my thrifty Spanish MIL’s favorite.

We were so lucky that we had a @mercadona right beside our hotel Marina Badalona. Very convenient.
Our favorite things to bring home are:

☕️ frozen porras (bigger than churros)

🐑 baby lamb chops (the only lamb I eat coz it’s not malangsa & all you need to do is fry till crispy in olive oil with S&P) it’s called Chuletas Cabrito but TD calls it lechal 

🐽 chicharon or crispy pork rinds

🥔 Homemade potato chips. The best potato chips for me are from Spain. I don’t know how it’s so much yummier! The olive oil???

🎣 canned Sardines & tuna for me and Yaya B

TIPS:

🧊 For frozen items, we usually ask the hotel before we buy if they can put it in their freezer until we fly.

✍️ I usually bring different sizes ZIPLOCK BAGS, MASKING TAPE & MARKER when we travel so we can put everything in, label with our name and room number.

📸 then I take a photo so we can just show it to the staff and they can easily find it in their freezer.

✈️ When it’s time to pack, I placed our beach towels around the frozen packages coz I know they will SWEAT & I don’t want our other things to get wet 💦 

What  grocery do you usually like to shop for when in Spain? Where do you buy them?

#udwinbarcelona #udwinbadalona #udwtraveldiaries #udwtraveltips #udwtraveltip #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW C FREE GEAR RENTAL @boxup.app + OUTDOOR GYM at ISW Calisthenics Park 

📍Chem. des Tuileries 140, 1293 Bellevue

After the lovely BIOPARC we headed across to this chill park with ample PARKING that had so many things for kids & anyone who wants to move & work out:

⚽️ The kids wanted to kick around a football so we borrowed a ball from @boxup.app (they also have pumps, 🏓, 🏐, 🏀, etc) just download the app & turn on your Bluetooth & follow instructions! Return after 3hrs.

👟 Outdoor gym - this was a huge hit with the kids

⚽️ football - this too!

🏀 basketball court

🏓 Ping-pong 

🏐 Beach volleyball court

🤸🏻 Monkey bars

🛝 small playground

Thanks for the wonderful afternoon guys @lidia_otilia_botezatu! 
How lucky are we to have these beautiful, clean open spaces. And the free rental gear is AMAZING! so convenient.

This is in Geneva, about 15mins drive from where we live.

SAVE THIS on your list of PARKS to visit!

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. It’s not as close as the bioparc but bring earplugs/earphones if you are sensitive.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
BIOPARC GENÈVE Yesterday was a holiday in Switze BIOPARC GENÈVE

Yesterday was a holiday in Switzerland (except for Geneva). It was raining & miserable so I wanted to take @diplobaby out for a few hours. Thankfully midafternoon it stopped raining.

We met with our friends @lidia_otilia_botezatu in @bioparcgeneve and had a lovely time in this volunteer run zoo.

TIPS💡

🆓 It’s free for families on your FIRST visit!

🦢 you walk inside animal enclosures so wear shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty/stepping on poop. We wore boots & happy we did

🅿️ there’s parking inside on wood chips, if it’s full there’s another pavement parking (free up to 4hrs) across the roundabout 

🦔 Do not feed or touch the animals no matter how cute they are

🗺️ There are 2 routes (purple & blue) and 1-1.5hrs #diplshould be enough 

❎ Park closes at 4pm

SAVE THIS NOW if your looking for a fun & not too you can do in well und2hrs. It’s nice that you can go inside unlike most zoos so it’s quite unique.

⚠️ WARNING

it’s in the airplane path so there will be loud noise from that. @diplobaby who is super noise sensitive did not mind as much as I thought he would because he was so entertained by the animals.

#udwingeneva #genevaswitzerland #genevaforkids #diplobaby #diplofamily #filipinotravelblogger #pinayblogger #diplowife #diplomatswife #filipinoabroad #tdwtraveldiaries #takekidseverywhere #travelblogger #travelvlogger #travelvloggerph #filipinoblogger #filipinablogger #filipinavlogger #filipinoineurope #welltraveledkids #expatwoman #pinayblogger #familytravelblog
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