Making An Entrance

By The Inside Source
August 23, 2010

From left to right: Chad Renfro -PHOTO: Frank Moore Photography; Ken Fulk - PHOTO: Meg Messina; Sally Steponkus -PHOTO: Angie Seckinger

This time of year we’re thinking about tucking away the towels and flip flops, sweeping up the sand, and making sure our entry is ready for fall. The tenets of good entry design is straightforward – it’s about making a good impression and controlling the clutter. Here are tips from three designers who know how to get a WOW while reigning it all in.

Chad Renfro, Chad Renfro Design, Atlanta and Palm Beach

What’s an entryway all about for you?

A great entry is essential. It is your "first impression" and should be a clean, useful space. Don't overlook the entryway as a place for maximizing storage or for adding the WOW factor or both to your design. The entry can be a separate environment aesthetically, or incorporated it into your overall design.

Tips:

1. When choosing pieces for your entry don't forget scale! Measure and use templates made from newspaper or tape off the area to ensure that the size of your pieces work.

2. If your entry is directly behind a door, instead of a mirror you can substitute a piece of art, plants or flowers or a lamp on the console.

3. In a hallway type entry you can use an upholstered bench perhaps with some storage underneath, instead of a table.

4. Lighting is important in the entry. A pendant, chandelier, or sconces can all work well, depending on the space.

Console & mirror pairing from eBay:

Bone Inlay Wall Mirror Flower Design from India (buy it now price, $400); Faux Bamboo Industrial Nickel Steel Console Table (buy it now price, $965)

Sally Steponkus, Sally Steponkus Interiors, Washington, D.C.

What’s an entryway all about for you?

I like to show what’s to come in the rest of the house. I think of the entry as the appetizer to the meal that is your home. It’s fun to try to pull your whole style together in one powerful capsule at your front door. You can easily accomplish this with a fun mirror, great and practical console, gorgeous paint color or wallpaper fabulous rug, and some accessories that speak to your personality and that of your home.

Tips:

1. I like to fill the space, so I suggest selecting pieces that they are proportionally appropriate. There’s nothing worse than a dinky table and too small mirror!

2. You don’t want anything too low – I prefer consoles that are a little taller, if you can find them – as close to 35-high as you can find. They are more appropriate for pushing against a wall.

3. I love symmetry, so I place a striking pair of lamps on top, and it’s lovely when they reflect nicely in the mirror.

4. Be careful what you reflect in your mirror! If your mirror reflects only the back of the front door, which often isn’t gorgeous, consider placing the mirror elsewhere in the entry. This happened in our client’s condo (pictured above), so we hung a large vintage Queen Anne mirror over a bench. This brightened the somewhat dark hallway and made it seem longer than it is. Plus now our clients can check out their outfits on the way out!

Console & mirror pairing from eBay:

Antique French Louis Philippe Style Mirror (buy it now price, $2,900); Painted French Louis XVI Marble Top Gilt Console Table (buy it now price, $1,295)

Alissa Swedlow, Swedlow Design, and The Goods Design blog, Los Angeles

What’s an entryway all about for you?

A good entryway should have great visual impact. It makes the first impression, so it should really express who you, and the overall vibe of your house. A well-designed entry should help keep you organized without guests seeing too much clutter. A gorgeous glass bowl or interesting leather tray can be a great place to stash your keys and sunglasses, and consoles with drawers or shelves can help provide extra storage for mail (and in my case, my dog's leash.)

Tips:

1. The mirror should be narrower than the console, though not too small, or else you run the risk of having the mirror seem lost.

2. The console should fill the wall nicely without getting in the way of traffic flow.

3. There’s no need to get too matchy-matchy with the mirror and console. Rather, they should complement each other. They should have something similar in terms ofcolor, finish, or era, but they should be able to stand on their own too.

4. I love to include other accessories on or around your entry console, like an adorable umbrella holder (though not so necessary in Los Angeles!). On the console I might use a pair of lamps, a candle, a small bowl vase with fresh flowers, maybe even a small stack of art or design books.

5. A recent trend I've been seeing is tucking two adorable ottomans or small stools under an open console. These make great additional seating for parties.

6. If you are looking to change up the look of your console, have a seamstress or tailor create a linen or fabric slipcover - you can get creative in terms of colors, trims, etc. It's like a mini-facelift for the entry.

A great way to make that wall a focal point of the room is the put up a fun patterned wallpaper.

Console & mirror pairing from eBay: