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bienvenue

the foyer says "welcome" in a way no other room can. why? because by the time your guests reach your fabulously decorated living room or your glamorously high-tech kitchen, they've already formed their first impression of your home. make it a good one by brushing up on a few of my favorite foyers:
scour flea markets and tag sales for unique items could use as a console table — a place for keys and mail but more importantly the spot to stage a welcoming little vignette with fresh flowers and personal objets d'art.
incorporate color strategically. i believe this room is actually a master bath (can you imagine?) but the way the designer moves your eye around the space (orange in the photograph, then the boxes on the table, then the bag on the floor, then the throw blanket in the next room) should be applied to the foyer as well.
the foyer is also a great place to incorporate more luxurious fabrics or finishes than in the rest of your room. worried your kiddos will find a way to ruin your silk-covered stools? relocate them to the foyer, where they'll be used far less frequently but still contribute to strong visual impact.
your foyer should speak to the style of the rest of your home. think of it as giving your guests a sneak peek of what's to come — beachy, minimalist, vintage, modern, etc.

what does your foyer look like?

27 comments:

Lilacandgrey said...

that first entry way is my favorite...EVER!
<3
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chantelle said...

wow, amazing post, as always :) what wonderful ideas! these photos are truly beautiful :)

Anonymous said...

You're absolutely right! It's so important for first impressions... Ok you've got me thinking now!

Lindsay said...

Great inspiration and just in the nick of time. I'm having the hardest time decorating our entryway, now I have tons of inspiration! xx

hip hip gin gin said...

Love love love that first photo!! We unfortunately don't have a foyer, our front door enters into our dining room. Which I hate. It makes it really challenging to decorate an entryway type space, I must have redone it a dozen times by now and I'm still not happy with it.

Unknown said...

Love these. Although we don't have a foyer. You walk right into our living room:) We live in an original 1950's beach cottage. So, it's a give and take. I will however, mark this post because one day I will have one and I'll need your ideas:)

Will @ Bright.Bazaar said...

You are so right! The foyer is so important, I always like to make a quirky statement in this space.

jane said...

love the orange accents in the windsor smith shot, and the clean minimalist decor of the first. if only i had a foyer... sigh. xx

chanteuse chérie said...

I love the windsor smith photo. The photo on the wall is stunning and I think the Wellies under the marble table are such an adorable touch. If this really is a master bath, holy cow! What a master bath!

MY REPUBLIC OF FASHION said...

Love the first foyer and the mirror in the 4th one is stunning. I want it!SarahD:)

Audrey Allure said...

Beautiful foyers! Love the 3rd one :)

Emily said...

Love love love that first table, don't have a clue what in the hell it is but I think it rocks.

Diana Mieczan said...

That first one is so great!It gives the wow factor...I adore this post so much:) Thanks sweetie

Deepali Kalia Interior Design Blog Filling Spaces said...

woo so fun!

this free bird said...

gorgeous! that top pic is incredible!

paula said...

my foyer is on my blog today:) wish it looked like the first image though.

Jamie said...

That starfish mirror is intense. I love it!!

http://glamlatte.blogspot.com

Lila said...

I love the starfish mirror! It's so beautiful against that blue. It's true, the foyer is probably the worst or best first impression of a home!
Lila Ferraro
Queen Bedroom Sets

Unknown said...

Windsor Smith, her foyers send me to a very happy place! Adore her style so much!

Shannon King said...

Windsor Smith, amazing as ever. xx

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

Windsor Smith! Love so much!!! Wish I had a foyer...mine's pretty much nonexistent.

The Neo-Traditionalist said...

The Windsor Smith Foyer might just be my all time favorite. Hermes orange takes the cake every time : )

xx Katie

Oh, My Darling said...

Wow, so lovely! That mirror is beautiful.

SBG said...

love that mirror!

sarissweetlife.blogspot.com

Pratishtha Durga said...

Great! And well-timed too. I am planning on redecorating my house as soon as the monsoons get over. Great tips. Thanks so much for sharing.

franki durbin said...

Those are beautiful! Of course, a stack of Hermes boxes and a big shopping bag will send quite the message to visitors ;) LOVE it!

The Everything List said...

we are in a one story town house and we don't have one. i kind of dream of having one though. is that weird?