P.S. This is why the rug has to move....

This post is answer to some questions asked from my last post- where I told Rose to change the direction of her area rug- without an explanation.

Let me start by explaining about the direction you should install your hardwood floors. As you walk into the house- you should be walking WITH the wood planks- not against them. Even if your entry is wider than it is long- you still would install your flooring with your entry. (That does not mean that you might not change the wood direction at different points in your home- but this is the entry that I am addressing.) Why? Subconsciously it is more comfortable and welcoming to walk in with the grain. Yes- we do this for the subconscious benefit of peace and comfort. It FEELS better.

The same principle works with an area rug in the entry. It feels better subconsciously to walk in with the length of the rug. This is not to say that I would never break this rule - especially if an entry were extremely shallow and very wide- etc. However- if I were to be working with such an entry- I would go with a pattern that did not accentuate the shape of the rug- such as an all over random pattern- or a sisal- that kind of thing.

In Rose's entry- I can tell that she has the space to move the rug the long way. For those of you out there that want a practical reason rather than my psychological reasons- you also get more steps to walk off dirt- and it would give you cleaner shoes in your home. :)

Will it ever get to the point where people will just believe what I say- and need no explanation other than "I said so?"

Photo from the Rug Goddess

Rose- I just noticed that your wood floor is installed the wrong way- don't worry about it- what's done is done- I am sure your subconscious will still be super happy in your new home!

Form and Function

Christine,
I saw your design blog and wanted to enlist your help. I have a space in my entry way that I want to decorate. I'm also limited on space in my house so I was hoping to make it functional as well. When you walk in my front door you see our stairway that curves around and the white wall below it. The first picture shows the wall from the front door. In the 2nd picture I've turned around showing you the front door with the stairs so you can get a sense of the space. I was planning to put some kind of table with plant/decorations on the wall below the stairs it but what I really need is a place for coats/boots etc. I have six kids and the house has no coat closet. We live in Utah so we use coats or jackets a big part of the year. I thought maybe I could put a wardrobe there but that seems so boring and I have no idea where to find one. The wall is 5' wide and 63" high from it's lowest point going up to the 2nd story. I want the entry way to be inviting but I also need the space to be usable. Do you have any ideas? Thanks for being so generous with your time,
Michelle

Hi Michelle,

Let me start by saying that that your entry has a lot of potential- but it is untapped potentential. The wall with the entrty door is very symetrical. Remove the picture- and go symetrical on your wall decor- with two matching mirrors. The one above from Uttermost is 30 x 60. This would also be a fantastic location for two generously sized sconces.

I found a storage chest from Decorize that had a lot of "functionality" for you. But with more style than an armoire. This is the first look that people get of your house- this is your focal point. Also- armoires are usually more like 80 inches in height. This piece could give each child a spot for mittens and hats, as well as an "inbox" for paperwork. The small door could house a stray coat or pair of boots.

Your walls are really putting me to sleep. I selected some wallpaper for you from York. This deep bluish gray would be beautiful.

For your rug, consider a "runner" size. It appears that you have the length for it, and whereas the entry is not deep, it is also not small, and the little rug is out of scale for the room. The rug above is from Momeni.

It will be gorgeous!

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.

Beautiful but Boring part II

Michelle wrote in wondering how to decorate her entry in an "earthy, rustic, casual" style, in a way that still blended with her formal home. Yesterday we addressed the walls, and today I wanted to tackle the table. To help you make a centerpiece selection- I want you to take into consideration three principles: scale, balance, and style.

1. Scale: Your table appears to be approximately 36 to 42 inches in diameter. Your centerpiece should be approximately 12 to 16 inches in diameter for a table this size. That is for the "pot, urn, vase, etc." Whatever you have coming out of it can be much wider. (even as wide as the table itself- but not wider) I would have an arrangement with greenery coming out of it. This will draw the eye up to the grandeaur of the entry.
2. Balance: Your table has a glass top, and a fairly light "visual weight" To avoid your table feeling "top heavy" do not have a centerpiece that is too "thick and dense." If you were to have a "heavier" looking table, you would want a thicker, denser arrangement. (like the one in the lower photo)
3. Style: You describe your personal style as "earthy, rustic, casual." You also descibed your home as "fomal," which is clear to see from the photo. I would perhaps consider replacing the table. The glass, smooth lines, and cherry finish are definitely formal, and also I feel like your entry needs a heavier "visual weight" in the center. The picture that I posted is a table from K&K Interiors. It has a distressed finish, more visual weight, and is rustic, yet formal. If you opt to keep your table- your arrangement should be consistent in style with the table that it is sitting on, for example- the centerpiece in the upper photo.

Good luck Michelle! Let me know if you have any furthur questions, and be sure to send "after" photos!

Thanks to Decor magazine spring 20008 for the photo.

Beautiful but Boring

Christine

I have a massive two story foyer with a double staircase and two curved walls. These walls need some personality but I'm not sure how. I wish I could hang some pictures or something. And then there is the table which is a start but I can't come up with the right way to decorate it that reflects my more earthy, rustic, casual style but would still look good in my formal house. Please help!

- Michelle

Hi Michelle,

Let me just start by saying that you have a beautiful home- a great pallet to work with. Your stone floors, beautiful neutral wall color and what a grand staircase! Let's start with your walls. We'll tackle your table next time. Now that I've just complimented the nice color, let's change it. This entry way needs to be more inviting. I would look to the color pallet of your adjoining living room for a color choice. It certainly does not have to be a bold red, but contrast with the floor would be great. I am not a huge fan of hanging pictures on curved walls. I have seen it look "OK"- but it tends to feel awkward to me. You could hang tapestries or a rug- but with the symmetry of the staircase, I would maintain symmetry in your wall design. Perhaps a beautiful fresco hand painted wall mural or wallpaper. My personal style would keep it somewhat subtle. I love the example photo- muted colors, aged- to look like it has been there for a hundred years. Can you picture it? What do you think?

Thanks for writing in- and especially for the photo- that is fun to see. I want to see an "after" photo also!

- Christine