Fabulous Foyers

Christine,

For open floor plans, furniture arranging is so important and with the entry opening immediately into the great room/dining/kitchen combo, could you offer some ideas on how to create a sense of space in that entry so that a guest doesn't immediately walk into your living space? That is driving me insane! Would a screen of some kind be helpful (a concrete wall!) or does that block the flow? You posted on my great room before (Too chicken for grasscloth) if you want to see what I'm talking about here.
Cheryl

Dear Cheryl,

I like to look at a foyer as an opportunity. Would I separate it from an open floorplan? Not in most cases. Your foyer- if it could talk, would say, "Welcome to our home!." OK- so that sounded a little cheesy- but blocking it off to me does not seem welcoming. Here are some foyer considerations:

1. Light. Do you have a cool chandelier? How about sconces? Lighting is not only good for safety and functionality- but also helps to define the space in a more open floorplan. Especailly for the aging population- do I have any readers over the age of 65? Good lighting where there is a little step (the step out the door)- is important.
2. Rug. If your visitor has nine steps of rug- (include your outside rug)- most of the dirt will be removed from their feet. (I read that somewhere) Use as large a rug as visually fits in your entry. Again- for open floorplans- rugs also help to define the space- as well as adding softness, color and texture to your home. Some people like to have a beautiful design in the floor of an entry- but the practical part of me says to have a beautiful rug instead. A beautiful floor will tempt you to not have a rug at all.
3. Wall surface. Some foryers architecturallly invite you to change the wall surface- using stone, wallpaper- or in this photo above- mirrors. This adds texture, interest- and works to "define the space."
4. Furniture. Don't use furniture if you don't have room for it. This is a common mistake. When too much furniture is there- guests have to walk around it- it is not inviting- there should be ease in the walking.- Sometimes the furniture might fit physically- but that does not mean it fits visually.
5. Furniture take II. However- when you do have the space for it- it is really nice to have a place to sit in the entry- a bench- a chair- a spot to remove shoes comfortably. If I had to choose between a bench and a console table- I say- go bench. If you have a really good size room- go console with chairs on either side.

Have you given thought to your entry?- If it could talk- what would it say?

Thanks to Elle Decor and Metropolitan home for the photos.

A Bench with a Back

I still want a bench in my entry (see this post) and cannot seem to find the perfect one with the perfect price- which of these two is your favorites? I have decided that I want a back for sure. I need more visual weight :) What do you think? The one above is from Wisteria- and the one below is from Decorize.

Cool New Find

I love Habersham. I personally think their items are too ornate for a house full of them- but love a piece here and a piece there. I am still looking for a bench for my entry (remember this post?) and came across the one pictured above. Very cool- what do you think? Which do you like better? I know they are totally different. But I could pull off either one...

Cool New Find

OK- Sorry I haven't been posting- I have been a little ill. OK a lot ill. I passed out in Costco on Friday- how embarrassing is that? Anyway- a few days in bed and now I am as good as new :) (plus I finally got to read New Moon- which was very good, but lacked a little Edward in my opinion- my theory- DO NOT tell me what happens- I think Bella is turning into a vampire. I think she got a little venom in her with James- and she kept saying how cold she was and how her chest hurt in New Moon DON'T TELL ME if I am right or wrong. I will try to get sick again and read Eclipse as soon as possible :) OK- back to the subject at hand...

I want a bench in my entry. I found this one from Wisteria and loved it so much I thought I would share it with you. I still think maybe I want a back on my bench... but I do really like this one. This from Wisteria. What do you think? I love how log it is 91" :) And the finish makes it a timeless piece. I find the length a little unexpected. I like the "unexpected".

OK- and while we are discussing cool things from Wisteria- check out this side table. It was once a part of a living tree 100 million years ago. Wouldn't you love a petrified antique fossil for your side table? I would. It makes me wish that I just happen to have a petrified tree in my back yard...