Recently, I did a consultation for one of my readers for her foyer. She told me she had struggled to bring some life to this small space and to make it look welcoming as people came in her front door.
You can see it’s not a huge space, but I think it can be spruced up with some changes and with the addition of some key items. Notice the lack of wall space, so there is really not a lot of room for much furniture, just one piece. At first, I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to come up with enough changes to make her happy, but once I set my mind to the task, there were some sparks of creativity going and I think this space is really going to come alive with some of these changes implemented.
First, I advised Diane to add 3 large black and white framed prints going up her staircase. That will draw the eye up. And she asked about painting her stair risers white and I said a definite YES to that, so she will work on that too. Possibly adding a runner to the stairs later. That’s just an option, but not necessary. I sort of like wood stairs as is, since I have that in my house.
The foyer opens up to the dining room on one side.
And the living room on the other. She’s got some very nice, Traditional furniture pieces in both of these rooms, so we need to keep that vibe in the foyer too. Beautiful home, Diane!
This is the only wall for a small piece of furniture here in this space, so we are going to make the most of that. And we’ll want to draw the eye up on this piece too. Her ceilings are 8′ here in the foyer so that has to be taken into consideration too.
There is a subtle patterned wallpaper on the walls, which is still pretty, but down the road she might think about a warmer paint color in here. Not dark, just a warm and creamy neutral against white trim would be YUM.
And that brings us to this inspiration pic from my House Beautiful book. I had seen this pic before and fell in love with this look and immediately thought of Diane’s foyer when I began working on this project:
What an absolutely gorgeous space this is, don’t you agree? I really think that Diane’s foyer can have some of this same feel and vibe with a few key changes. So, I came up with this inspiration board and sent it to her.
My favorite is the black cabinet with a pretty mirror over it, along with a nice lamp for that space. Check out the bird light fixture, which will really add some punch to her foyer. The rugs are ideas for colors, but I advised her to do a runner like the inspiration photo. I thought the small wall space on the left of the foyer by that first door (that sort of juts out into the hall) would be a great space for a family name on the wall. The iron lovebirds (or something similar) might fit over the doorway at the end of the hall and would show up nicely as an architectural item.
I love, love, love the Inspiration Board! Top of my list is I love that bird ceiling light! And the lovebirds over the door – how cool is that? The family name on the wall is a surprise. I am going to play with that too. I am leaning towards the bookcase type stand, that black is so different from my dining room furniture, plus I can decorate inside of it. The idea of a runner down that hall is awesome, it will warm up the space a lot and I had not thought to do that. My door is not painted black on the inside (just the outside) but it will be soon. The fronts of the steps are going white. This is so much help, I am really excited to work on it now instead of just feeling “lost”!!! You are the best and I promise to follow up with progress photos.
Diane has already emailed me back to say that she loves that black cabinet SO much that nothing else will do and she researched online until she found a better price for it and ordered it. I can’t wait to see the progress on this space and what all Diane does with it, following some of my suggestions. She has 3 children too and their photos will be perfect for framing and adding to the stairway wall.
Hope this got you thinking about your own space and what you can do with it. If any of you would like an online consultation too, please go HERE for all the information. I would love to work with you too!
I love your Polyvore suggestions for Diane’s pretty foyer.
Rhoda, I love it when you share your ideas from consultations like this! I can see why Diane is so pleased and motivated now!
I love your blog Rhoda. I’ve been a loyal visitor for almost two years now. I also get tons of my interior designing ideas right here from you blog! <3
these are my favorite things you do Ro! I would push push push this, major hole in the design world for this type “decorating advice”. LOVE IT!
That’s a tough space – and you have some terrific ideas for it!
That magazine picture is gorgeous! I love what you found for Diane’s foyer. They can be difficult areas to decorate, especially if they are small or you have no real walls to do anything with.
Great ideas, Rhoda! I had to laugh when I saw the wallpaper, as I have a large two-story foyer with the same type of wallpaper only in a larger white-on-white pattern. 16 feet of it!!! So looking forward to the day I can afford to have it taken down, believe me. 🙂 I’m sure Diane will be thrilled when her foyer is done and I can’t wait to see the “after” pictures!
The bird chandelier is my absolute favorite! That is something I have never seen before. Wished I had a foyer for it to go into. It would look strange in my house with all my normal 8 ft ceilings.
Great ideas!
I cant wait to see what she does with your great ideas! Hope you show us..smiles~
It is going to be gorgeous and I can’t wait to see the finished product!! Such great ideas and inspiration!!
Lou Cinda 🙂
Hi Rhoda,
Thank you for hosting the recipe swap yesterday it was so much fun. I hope you try the muffins I posted they are really yummy.
Thank you for the kind comments I feel as if I just got a visit from someone famous. I have read your blog about a year now. I wrote once before to say hi ..and let you know I was from Plant City Fl. Again ‘Thank You’ for the visit
Many Blessing’s
Ann
Rhoda, I absolutely love the ideas you had. And, I just ordered the bird light fixture! I’ve been wanting something in our foyer to replace the old brass fixtures but had not seen anything special until this. Even though we only have an 8 foot ceiling, this will do fine I think (since it isn’t very tall). And the black bookcase gave me some wonderful ideas on how to modify an old bookcase that we have (it was my parents when they first got married so I defenitely want to use it). I can add the legs and some more trim and it will look very similar to that one. Great ideas, keep them coming!
Love your suggestions … hope we get “After” pictures.
I just saw this House Beautiful photo the other day while searching their site for something else and just fell in love with this foyer..so funny that you posted it! I too would love to see the after photos…it is such a welcoming foyer.
Kristine
Great ideas — as usual! I have a small foyer, stairs and a kind of long hallway too, so I may try and copy! 🙂 Have a great weekend.
Janet
I love your suggestions.
Hi Rhoda – I’m running out of adjectives for your design projects…..
To me, your creativity and eye for design equals Meryl Streep range as an actor…. !!!
LOVE the bird chandelier…… Would you share where you found it?
hugs – janice
Opps…. me again…… Just noticed how to find the products you suggest…… DUH……
janice