8.13.2009

Welcome Home - The Beautifully Organized Entryway

It's the first and last area in your home that you and your guests see. The front door entryway - or foyer depending on your homes architecture - deserves your design attention. Entryways come in all shapes and sizes, yet all welcome guests and residents. In some homes the entryway also functions as a storage area for items such as keys, shoes, purses, mail, hats and coats. The overall function of the entryway will determine the organizational design.

Above, the gracious pair of multipane cross-buck doors greets guests to the retreat cottage of Detroit-based designer Stephen Knollenberg. This traditional entrance hall features a beautifully carved early-20th-century five-legged table with a 19th century copper street lantern suspended above it. The mounted wood folk art walking stick on the table looks American, yet was purchased at a Parisian flea market. The large woven basket is perfect to store shoes, backpacks or small sporting equipment.

This warm and inviting foyer by designer Suzanne Kasler features a custom damask wallpapered ceiling by Walter Knabe and empire chandelier. It coordinates beautifully with the persimmon floor length draperies in fabric by Holland & Sherry. If the space is large enough, a desk is a nice furniture piece in the entryway and serves many functions. It's a great place to display floral arrangements, home accessories as well as storage for small items. I'm also a fan of benches in entryways - love how Kasler placed one below the far gallery wall of artwork.


Keeping it simple and clutter free. This long and narrow entryway looks great with simply a small bench and light fixture. The black and white tile floor makes quite an impact and defines the space nicely.

This stunning New York City condominium foyer by designer, Charlotte Moss welcomes its guests with custom wallpaper made from 18th century architectural engravings from Le Rouge. Mirrors are also great in an entrance. In this room, Moss adds a convex mirror centered over the antique demilune table to create a nice focal point. The table is also symmetrically accessorized with faux marble obelisks flanking a silver cachepot. She makes it look so easy!

Ahhh - beautiful form meets practical function. This small entry is loaded with all the right design elements. The lighting design includes natural light from the front door's window and a perfect proportioned whimsical chandelier. My favorite element however, is the floating shelf with storage drawers - great to store small items such as keys or mittens.

This last entryway clearly serves several functions and I think would be a great design for a mudroom. The clock, calendar and wall storage bins help this busy family keep organized and information centralized. The baskets - color coded for each individual - are perfect for storing shoes, small bags and sweaters. The tile floor is also practical for an entryway in snow or beach terrains.


16 comments:

  1. Oh--that very first picture took my breath away! I'm all about the big black doors!!! Black or red, something to say "hey you...come on in!"

    ~Misti

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  2. These look great. What's important to me as a clumsy guy is not to mess anything up when we visit someone. Anything too fragile can get bumped taking off a coat or bringing in a package or umbrella. A foyer needs to be Terry-safe.

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  3. Fantastic images! I love a polished looking foyer. Always so welcoming. And something about the more functional ones make me crave to have children running around! One day I hope to have a mudroom like the last image. Oooh, and I also love that floating shelf with the drawers. So cool!

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  4. Love that first picture! Thanks for some very inspiring ideas!

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  5. That first picture is all me! I love that sort of Shaker design (at least that is what it seems like to me)...very simple and clean looking. Love the lantern.

    I have a very small area at the front door and was glad you showed the one little table with mirror area...this is just what I have...but I think I will get a taller table...mine is short, which I now realize needs an update!

    Thanks for showing these...it has inspired me!

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  6. Those are all very inspiring - but I can see myself having one like the last one in my own home! Too cute!

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  7. What a welcoming area of anyone's home! I love the lantern centered in the foyer of the first picture. I really like the simple, clutter free foyer with the clean white walls and marble floor.

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  8. Good ideas presented in these pictures. All so neat and organized!

    Thanks for visiting Porch Days and admiring my sunflowers. That corner of cut flowers was a real photo opp!

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  9. I love the last two - they're a little less grand and full of practical features! The last one is really fun.
    My only real must-have in the entryway is a little basket (each) to catch keys and other shrapnel!

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  10. I'm in love with the hanging light in the first picture and the double doors!

    I agree with you totally - an entryway is an oft neglected space that has the ability to really be special since it does create a first impression.

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  11. Beautiful pictures and great description, my entry somewhat resembles the second to last shot.

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  12. lovely entryways! my favorite is the one with the architectural wallpaper. maybe, u can help me out,looking for a skinny entryway cabinet (a la pottery barn with hooks for coats, a cubby hole & drawer at the bottom, something a little more exciting than the PB ones)

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  13. Every one of these foyers looks better than my entire home put together.

    It's nice to have a spot where you or guests can sit to put your shoes on. (Living in NYC, street shoes don't generally come all the way in on the carpet.)

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  14. Great tips and some fabulous photos. I long for a house with an entryway large enough to place a table right in the middle!

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  15. Really like the first entryway with the table, nice!

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  16. LOVE THESE IDEAS
    I am going to feature your post on my blog
    Jenny
    www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

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Thanks for leaving a comment. I love hearing your thoughts!