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Little Brick Cottage Back Entry Re-Do

January 27, 2020

Several years ago, when I first started to blog, I showed you this project I was working on. It was a very charming 1800’s little brick cottage that really needed a redo! When we purchased this house, this is what the back entry looked like:

before

It was ‘yucky’ at best, and it had some real issue. There was no natural light in the space, there was a door closing the kitchen off from the entry, yet the landing from outside was completely opened to the basement and felt dangerously close to the first basement step.

removed half wall

The first thing we did was to remove that half wall, temporarily making it even more dangerous LOL. But that was necessary to put in the full wall and door to fix it.

full wall next to old stairs

Then we built a full wall right next to the existing steps coming from the kitchen.

wall studded out with door

Here you can see the full wall studded out with a door frame that will house the new basement door.

half step for basement

To fix the scary drop off on the landing to the basement, we added to the landing so that it would fill the entire area when the basement door is shut, no falling or tripping over the edge. To make that first step wider and safer, we built an angled step that makes the turn nicely. Problem solved!

Once the sheetrock was installed, taped, mudded and all the beadboard (HERE is is link to the real wood beadboard we installed) and trim up, I could paint. Here are my go-to supplies for painting:

paint supplies

Well, more like my go-to supplies getting ready to paint. I always caulk first!

caulk tip

Cut a tiny angle on the end of the caulk tube nozzle, then it will run along the corners easily.

crack

See that shadow of a crack between the door trim and wall? Caulk will take care of that and make the job look so much better.

lay the caulk down

Run a bead of caulk along that crack. Don’t worry if you mess up, you can clean it up, if you do it right away. Don’t let it dry though, or you’ll need to cut it out.

finger tool

Some people us a rag, but I have found the best thing to get the caulk smooth is my finger, (gloved finger). Right after I run a length of caulk about 5-10 feet, I immediately go behind it with my finger and smooth it, wiping the excess on my rags.

Caulking before you paint makes a world of difference to how the finished job looks!

  • Vinyl Gloves: I go through boxes of vinyl gloves, frequently changing them as they fill up with caulk on the outside, and/or dripping with sweat on the inside. It’s horrible to have to keep on a pair of gloves that are filled with sweat. They slip around on your hand.
  • Rags in a Box: These rags in a box are terrific too. They are tougher than regular paper towels. The way they dispense from the box is perfect for grabbing them as you go along.
  • Caulk: I love this particular fast dry caulk. Caulking the seams and joints of woodwork gives a finished look as it fills those shadow lines and cracks before painting. To successfully use this caulk read further for the tips.
new basement steps door

This is what the basement doorway looks like now, all painted:

Now, all completed, the new wall and door completely separate the basement from finished living space, and makes the entry feel much safer and looks a lot cuter.

From the kitchen the back door sheds natural light in.

new back entry

From the kitchen, it’s so cute and welcoming, I purposely continued the same elements and colors into the back entry from the kitchen to visually enlarge the space.

Nothing speaks the language of farmhouse like beadboard, right? Love it! For this back entry, as well as other places in this little brick cottage, I used THIS real wood beadboard. It’s durable and not expensive. Even the installation is cheaper because it comes in 4 x 8 sheets, so it goes up quick, saving labor costs!

beadboard in back entry

Most of the elements from the kitchen to the back entry are the same, except the floors are different.

In the kitchen, we found this original oak plank floor, but the entry floor is partly original and partly new, as we needed to rebuild these steps, the old ones were really rickety, so the treads are new, as well as that added piece by the basement door. It got finished with a darker grey paint as the walls.

numbered hooks by back entry

Even though I needed to keep this space neutral, because I was preparing for someone else to live in it, I found these super cute numbered hooks. Perfect for this vintage farmhouse little brick cottage back entry!

Here are 2 really cute other options of numbered hooks: THESE HOOKS incorporate rustic barn wood and metal. THESE HOOKS are cute colors and on a single bar making installation super easy.

Did you know I now offer e-decorating? I can help you with your decorating needs via email, without having to step foot in your home. If you’re interested in more information, visit my e-decorating site: Frame and Frills. I’d love to help you with your project!

Here are more posts featuring this little brick cottage renovation:

front entry sdtips
 living room before and after SDTips
SimpleDecoratingTips.com Little Brick Cottage Dining Room Before and After
front bedroom reno before SDTips
Bedroom Redo Before SDTips
simpledecoratingtips.com little brick cottage bathroom before and after
little brick cottage back entry SDTips
DIY canning jar lights SDTips
Mixing Hardware Styles SDTips
SIMPLEDECORATINGTIPS.com Antique Brick Cottage Farmhouse Style Kitchen Before and After

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Comments

  1. Jason Myopic says

    February 22, 2020 at 9:46 am

    Great job! Isn’t it amazing how much you can change the look of a space just by changing something simple like a door. I really like the beadboard and wooden floors.

    Reply
  2. Misty says

    June 5, 2012 at 11:29 am

    I absolutely LOVE this! Great project! I want an entry 🙂 I’d love for you to link up to my first ever linky party, Ta-Da Tuesday 🙂 check it out here !

    Reply
  3. Laura @ House Of Joyful Noise says

    June 5, 2012 at 11:25 am

    AMAZING work, making over your home! I am BLOWN away to read it was built in 1985! You are truly making it look authentically like an older farmhouse. The wood floors, and bead board walls?…..LOVE!!
    BTW, I wanted to comment on your kitchen rug too, but could not find how to comment on that one. Got dizzy scrolling up and down looking! Anyhoo…very impressed with your diy solution!

    Reply
  4. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    June 5, 2012 at 10:43 am

    Thanks for sharing this charming makeover at Nifty Thrifty Tuesday!!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  5. laurel@chippingwithcharm says

    June 5, 2012 at 6:56 am

    Wow…it looks amazing! And yes, I agree numbers are neutral 🙂 Laurel

    Reply
  6. Shannon @ Cozy Home Scenes says

    June 4, 2012 at 9:05 pm

    This is such a cute space. I love the creamy yellow with the white trim and those numbers are adorable. Anyone will enjoy this great space!

    Reply
    • Lynnie says

      January 29, 2020 at 2:17 pm

      I luv how the door brings another window/light into your kitchen too. All too cute❣️

      Reply
      • Liz says

        January 29, 2020 at 2:28 pm

        Yes, it made such a difference to have that open doorway for letting in light. It made the kitchen feel bigger by not making your eye stop where the previous door closed it off.

        Reply
  7. Stacey says

    June 4, 2012 at 11:47 am

    I love it! Especially the steps – so pretty!!!
    Thanks for linking this week-
    Stacey of Embracing Change

    Reply
  8. Jeanine Okio B Deisngs says

    June 4, 2012 at 9:16 am

    Oh my – so much to love! The wood floors are amazing and I am loving your numbered hooks. Stunning!

    Jeanine

    Reply
  9. Grace @ sense and simplicity says

    June 3, 2012 at 10:18 pm

    Love your entryway with all the sweet touches like numbers and beadboard and pretty pastel colours.

    Reply
  10. jenny says

    June 3, 2012 at 7:54 am

    WOW! It looks fantastic! I love your pretty details like the beadboard and the door hardware!

    Reply
  11. Amber @ Recipes We Love says

    June 2, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    I LOVE the entry! I want an entry with the hooks like that but my hubby just doesn’t seem to agree. This looks great!

    Reply
  12. Ellie says

    June 1, 2012 at 9:06 pm

    What a cute little back entry! I love how bright and clean it looks, and it seems so right for the house! Visiting from Serenity Now!

    Reply
  13. Claire says

    June 1, 2012 at 7:56 pm

    What a difference! We have such a narrow back entryway that leads straight down to the basement or up three steps to the kitchen. I would love, love, love to have some sort of mudroom or space for hooks etc. in our next house.

    Reply
  14. emily says

    May 31, 2012 at 2:46 am

    All that work for a place you are leaving? Wow, now I am super impressed. It turned out beautiful though… I love it!!!

    Reply
  15. Sharon Hines says

    May 31, 2012 at 12:16 am

    I love those floors! And numbers…I don’t know what it is about numbers, but I love them. I agree with you…they’re neutral. Thanks for sharing this darling cottage with us at Show & Tell. I’m so glad the renters appreciate and love this house. I’m really going to miss it!

    Sharon @ mrs. hines class

    Reply
  16. Megan and Emily says

    May 30, 2012 at 8:42 am

    I love your wood floors! Great job on the entry way so much better than the before.

    Visiting from Whimsically Homemade!

    Reply
  17. Shelia says

    May 27, 2012 at 8:25 am

    Oh, this looks wonderful! I know who ever will live in this darling little cottage will love it.
    Be a sweetie,
    shelia 😉

    Reply
  18. Marnie says

    May 27, 2012 at 1:48 am

    What’s the colour on the stair treads? Love it and need to finish some here.
    Thanks,

    Reply
  19. JaneEllen Jones says

    May 27, 2012 at 1:19 am

    Lucky family living in your adorable little brick house. May they be happy and make many wonderful memories in that house. WEll done.

    Reply

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