The Flawless Foyer

As a design consultant, I recently had the pleasure of meeting a client who needed a home consultation. She was in need of furnishing her bedroom, living room, family room, kitchen and dining room. We selected beautiful furniture that was delivered to her new home just last week. The in-home consultation was a great chance to see the room and offer suggestions of what could go where and how to layout the room. Upon arriving, I was in awe of the grand foyer, which was accentuated with marble floors and a circular staircase. The foyer most often provides a physical link between rooms, but is frequently treated as an afterthought, when it comes to decorating a home. Since these spaces are visible from the main rooms, including the foyer as part of the overall design scheme is essential. While the living room, kitchen, family room and dining room receive our full attention, the underutilized connecting space is frequently forgotten. However, it is always the first thing seen when someone walks into your home, making the foyer the first impression of your home. The biggest mistake most people make is by focusing on decorating our homes on a room to room basis. This means we may deprive the foyer or entrance of the attention it rightfully deserves. My design tip of the week is to think of your foyer as a first impression; make it a warm welcoming space as it greets your guests or your family. If you have the space, a center hall table can make a world of difference. Instead of placing a boxy piece of furniture in the middle of the room as a traffic blockade, consider a round pedestal table. The round pedestal table is similar to a round-a-bout on the road. Since there are no hard edges to bump into, people will move around the table and flow with the room; while the table stands proudly as the focal point. Placing a fresh flower arrangement with a unique vase or even a colourful statement piece will ensure a smile every time you enter your home. Design advice by Ellen Zworth, Design Consultant at Decorium