Entryways are the first thing people see when they enter your home, so why not make them inviting! Martha Stewart has a lot of great ideas on how to do this..
An Entryway that Welcomes
Foyers are all about first impressions. When done right, these entry spaces sum up a home’s style in a few square feet, visually preparing visitors for the rooms that lie beyond. Foyers have a practical aspect as well — a bench to rest on, a mirror for touch-ups that owners and guests alike look to when coming and going. The examples that follow strike a balance between the two roles, and some of their ingenious solutions might just make your entry the perfect first step into your home.
Country Comfort
This high-traffic foyer serves an active household and stores outdoor gear.
1. Surface Treatment
Wallpaper runs horizontally to accentuate the direction and color of the paneling, providing visual richness without overwhelming the space.
2. Displays on High
In a foyer with no room for a console, a shelf holds decorative items, including a clock for time checks.
3. Useful Hang-Ups
Pegs hold coats and accessories, including a shoehorn beside the bench. Horizontally mounted umbrellas evoke rifle racks, adding a rustic touch.
4. Hideaway Tray
A galvanized metal tray on the shelf beneath the seat holds footwear, keeping dirt and water off the floor.
5. Bucket of Options
To encourage a no-shoes policy, slippers in assorted sizes are stowed next to the shoe tray.
City Planning
An entry’s small size doesn’t preclude it from making a strong statement.
1. Expanded View
Leaning a full-length mirror against the wall rather than hanging it gives it sculptural presence and makes the area seem larger.
2. Vertical Storage
Streamlined, wall-mounted nightstands are even more versatile in a foyer, keeping keys, leashes, and other small items at hand, as well as providing surfaces for decorative displays.
3. Bold Statement
The graphic carpet might be dizzying in a large room, but a few square yards add energy and provide a vivid contrast to the solid-colored walls.
4. Artful Hanging
Foliage-themed lithographs reiterate the carpet’s lively pattern. Their placement leads the eye forward into the main living area.
5. Separate Seating
A low-slung bench set against the far wall serves as a perch for visitors and a place to set bags, scarves, and other personal items temporarily.
Formal Lessons
A stately home offers an intimate spot for a respite when entering or leaving.
1. Play Up the Architecture
A trio of framed mirrors echoes the geometry and the glossy-white finish of the door and the surrounding windows. The mirror in the middle is wider than those that flank it, matching the proportion of the table and chairs.
2. Defining with Color
Soft, pale caramel hues on the console table, chairs, and rug give the foyer a distinct identity amid the house’s blue-and-white color scheme.
3. Visual Repetition
The area rug’s pattern accentuates the room’s crown molding, the fluted table legs mimic the door casing, and the mirror frames resemble the chair rail, adding to the foyer’s harmony.
SOURCE: http://www.marthastewart.com/
For more great articles like this one go to http://www.marthastewart.com/