How about a map? Or two? Or four?

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

Here is a link that might be useful: art.com -- reproduction antique map of Florence

Thanks for the suggestion, Jan.
Most likely those prints will be moving to another room. Our family room has more of a travel vibe going on, but not so much in this room. It's very traditional and as I mentioned, I do have some nice prints that I'd like to use. Most of them are landscapes, but my biggest concern is where to hang them. The arched opening and that big wall are throwing me for a loop. Do I hang the prints eye level (while on the stairs?) or just start with one larger print and work an arrangement of some sort around it?

I'd go with a colorful quilt or rug, or maybe a very large wall sculpture, or antique iron grill or gate. I think you want something really dramatic and big; framed pictures, unless they're really large, might not work as well. I do really like your calendar pictures in the upstairs hall.

I spent today at a beautiful artisan craft show and there were lots of things there that would be great for a spot like yours: contemporary quilts, beautiful mixed metal sculptures, all kinds of things. There's a trendy southwestern restaurant near me that has very cool metal sculptures like a huge sun face; I could see something like that in your space.

I would buy large flat baskets and make an arrangement like Suzanner Kasler (google it) does with her mirrors. It would be relatively inexpensive, have lots of drama and fill the space, leading the eye up the wall.

Linked are a few photos of our foyer. We have hung some large framed pieces to view from the entry, walking the stairs and also some best viewed from the 2nd floor. Some posters have felt they may have been hung too high but in real life, and from how we prefer to view them, they seem fine.

Here is a link that might be useful: Foyer

Its hard to tell from the photo what would look best. Could you take a picture straight on. I am more incline right now to say instead of a bunch of photos, one large or perhaps two large canvas prints, no frames would be my suggestion or a very large iron piece.

Perhaps if you could find an artwork or two matching artworks that are tall and rectanglar in shape .....

Here's a tapestry that might work .... perhaps hung on the section of the wall at the first small landing .....

Jan

Here is a link that might be useful: art.com -- William Morris tapestry

Thanks for the suggestions, all. That tapestry is lovely, Jan. I'm not usually into that sort of thing, but you may have changed my opinion. I do have a large (36"W X 48"H) canvas piece that our neighbor did for us. I'm wondering if that would do the trick. The question is, where to hang it. I'll make a template with some wrapping paper and see how it looks in various places on the wall. Be back later with some mock-up pics. The weather here is just perfect to get some outdoor tasks completed, so out to the barn I go for a few hours.

fnmroberts and homersmom - I'd love to know what paint color each of you used.

I can't remember who this belongs to, but I saved this picture awhile back.
{{!gwi}}

Also, did you see gobruno's post?

Laurie

Here is a link that might be useful: gobruno's post

Laurie - the paint in the foyer is BM Baby Turtle. Thanks for the link to gobruno's post. The pic of the staircase is what I would like to do, but the whole two-story thing makes it daunting to me. There doesn't seem to be a good place to stop with a two story configuration?

fnmroberts,
Your afoyer is done wonderfully. I love everything you have there.

msrose

We used 3 different colors in the Entry and Stairway. The dark accent color seen by the art niche is SW Latte. The medium color which is behind the case clock and goes to the corner of the landing is Kilim Beige (also used it in the adjacent LR and DR). The rest of the stairs and 2nd floor hallway are Divine White - it is difficult to see the color distinction of thses two in the photo. All colors are from the same card. Hope this helps.