Wow -- thanks so much for your kind words!  This was such a fun project to work on (I may send more pictures in a future blog), and small things like this entry had lots of impact.  I agree with you about the color, Terry -- especially because the exterior of the condo complex is a combination of limestone and miles and miles of taupe paint.  Neutrals look great with all the natural greenery, but the entry just needed more contrast and panache.

I'm so pleased to have a community like this to share ideas and inspiration -- thanks for your welcoming comments!

Leslie Olson - Leslie Olson Interiors, Austin Texas

Thanks again for the nice words.  Funny you should mention the porch swing, Sandi!  Actually it's down temporarily enjoying a new paint job -- a rich chocolate brown, to be exact.  We're thinking along the same lines!  I very much appreciate the feedback...

Leslie

Sandi -- just to make it all the more appealing, I should have said that the porch swing is currently being dipped in dark chocolate!  - Leslie

Thanks Sheron and Anthea! 

By the way, I stumbled across some interior pictures of the same door before and...welll.. almost after!  I love the way the new door makes beautiful light and shadow patterns in the condo throughout the day.  These pictures also show what subtle paint colors can do as well. 

Thanks for your interest!

Thanks for the welcome, Michelle!

By the way, my "new and improved" web site with lots of Before and After pictures is expected to launch by the end of this week.  I'll keep you posted!

Leslie Olson    Leslie Olson Interiors - Austin, Texas   www.leslieolsoninteriors.com

Thanks, Leslie and Maureen!  I agree with you on the exterior Maureen -- so much has already been decided by the potential buyer before they've even opened the door!  Can't miss any opportunities to make a good impression...

Julia: After much deliberation, we decided to keep the beam stained as it was, since it seemed to go with the architecture (rustic limestone fireplace, etc.), and draw the eye up.  In retrospect I'm glad we did -- everything else that was originally stained -- baseboards, trim and cabinets - were happily painted.  The beam just added some nice contrast by leaving it as-is.  Thanks for your comments! 

Leslie Olson   Leslie Olson Interiors - Austin, Texas   lolson11@yahoo.com (to be updated later this week!)

Thanks Meg, Maureen, Kathleen and Sue -- I very much appreciate your comments!

Forgive me for being inaccessible on Active Rain recently -- thanks to the wonderful leads I've gotten recently from this site I've been VERY BUSY Staging!  I've just posted a couple of blogs showing a couple of new vacant listings I just Staged in the Austin area (one very limited Staging, the other much larger scale).  I will soon be blogging with more Before and After photos.  And yes, my expanded web site is STILL almost ready -- my busy Staging schedule has delayed that launch as well.  I'll keep you posted...

Leslie Olson     Leslie Olson Interiors - Austin, Texas  leslie@leslieolsoninteriors.com

Thanks Tina, Nora, Susan and Lanita!  Actually the color has been used on several doors I've seen on recent Active Rain blogs -- Benjamin Moore's aptly named "Classic Burgundy." 

Nora and Susan: I've got a couple of other before and after pictures from this condo on my newly-revised web site, www.leslieolsoninteriors.com.  You're welcome to come visit Austin anytime!

Leslie Olson    Leslie Olson Interiors - Austin, Texas   www.leslieolsoninteriors.com   leslie@leslieolsoninteriors.com