I would at least remove the part of the pony wall from the wall to the stairway railing. I think that would help a lot-people coming in wouldn't feel so much as if the were being directed down a chute. Then, I would change all the the railings to ones that are MCM. I can't see what flooring is in that family room, but maybe tie the two areas together with the same flooring. If there is room, maybe a small table or chest (MCM) under the landscape opposite the front door.

i don't see your partition photo.

i love MCM. Please come back with after pics!

ETA:. Just opened another thread asking about cable railings, which I love and want to use on our deck when we redo it. I think it would look great in your house! Here is that conversation thread:

Modern railing

It's hard to tell without standing in the space or at least seeing more of it, but I think I'd be tempted to close off that stairway all around to the ceiling and have access to the stairs with a door in the rear. I'd break through the pony wall by the door to have access to the living room from there as well as where you have it now.

Just a note of caution: horizontal railings with small children is not a great choice. It can be too much like a ladder—up and over they can go, falling down the stairs. Sheets of plexiglass in front of the railings can be a temporary solution until kids are older and know better.

I would put the wall back that some remuddler took down. Good grief.

Thoughts:

1) finish painting the top of the pony wall

2) paint the grout on your tiles to more closely match, rather than current very dark -- will update considerably.

3) I'd put either a slim console table on the wall with the gallery pictures, or a narrow table at the end of the hall -- either one, to serve as a place to drop keys and mail, etc., as well as to ground the art hanging there.

4) I'd put a bench inside the entry. In the long term, it might look best in the corner by the top of the stairs, which is wasted space, but for now, with little kids who might climb, maybe on the same wall as the narrow console, or against the door that's not getting used.

5) honestly, the door is sort of the homeliest part of this entry -- just a colorless featureless slab. I'd consider replacing with a wider door + sidelight (or window!), or at least changing to a panel door that would have some visual interest, whether wood or painted (or keep slab door but paint some color). nicer handle set too.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/cape-cod-style-in-dana-point-california-traditional-entry-orange-county-phvw-vp~654679

https://www.houzz.com/photos/somerset-renovation-midcentury-entry-dc-metro-phvw-vp~32773348

https://www.houzz.com/photos/waverley-street-midcentury-entry-perth-phvw-vp~19285353

https://www.houzz.com/photos/trails-end-exterior-midcentury-entry-austin-phvw-vp~41055

Thanks all. We'll definitely add a shallow console table underneath the landscape painting.

Cyn427 I do love that type of railing, but we have a 1.5 year old with an adventurous spirit so I don't think that'd work currently. We were tempted to take our redwood floors from the rest of the house into the entry way but we live in CO and during the winters I'm afraid the moisture from people coming and going would eventually warp them even with rugs in place. I don't know.

Milly Rey I'm not sure what you mean about a wall. We haven't removed any walls at all. Can you please clarify?

acm, the paint will be finished I don't don't know why the edges weren't done first. Painting the tile grout is an option but I dislike the dingy, beige tile altogether so we're just going to have it redone once we decide on railing. The entry is actually two really large double doors. When we get new doors we'll probably get rid of the irons even though I actually kind of like the look of them. We've been looking at replacement options but don't know where to start. Love the somerset and trails end projects you shared. Even the darker tile.

Tried to upload better pictures, doesn't look like houzz will allow currently.

For MCM style, I'd definitely change the railings to something more streamlined, maybe metal, & perhaps the tile could be replaced w/ a wood or wood-look floor? If ceramic tile is desired, how about something w/o texture or gradation of color? Closet doors in MCM would usually be slab or louvered, I think.

Thank you DH! That explains what Milly Rey meant, I misunderstood. LOVE that second railing! We have the original blueprints of the home somewhere, I'll have to find them. The kitchen was redone in the late 80s/early 90s as far as we can tell and it's pretty tacky, so we'll definitely consult someone before that reno this winter. We figured the entryway would be an easy-ish project since we like the current open concept and don't plan to move the basement entry or anything drastic.

Here's a closer look at the doors from both sides. I think someone mentioned them. I think we're going to stick with slab doors, but definitely want to have glass on either the door itself or replace the left door with glass and enlarge the right door.

Like these simple, but colorful slab doors.

I think that's a good idea. Are those screen doors with the concentric square patterns? Those are wonderful! I could see a bright cheerful yellow on your doors, similar to the 3rd photo down so there's some contrast and a good pop of color showing through. Bright turquoise would work well too.

Yes those are screen/security doors (they are iron), we have the same door style in front of our glass sliding doors on our back patio. On the fence as to whether the house would look better without them, but I love the pattern, especially since the outside half wall has that same styling. Hm never thought about yellow, I do like the color you're referencing in the 3rd photo down! Are you referencing painting that on the doors inside or outside? Our house exterior is a completely different beast currently... a lot of work to be done.

What about a ceiling to half wall custom partition? I feel the right partition would be a happy medium between a full wall, which would make the entry feel closed in to me, and what is currently happening, which is admittedly slightly off. Plus it could make for a fun way to add some MCM flair back to the area.

(Excuse the toys... we're renovating the playroom and the lazy photoshop skills).

Yes, that was what I was trying to reference in some of my photos. Some kind of screen that will still let some light and air through, but that is in keeping with the MCM vibe. It could be something like what you've suggested, or just the simple vertical slats, depends a little on your budget.

Not sure what the situation is with your exterior since you haven't posted photos of it. But MCM or not, doing a bright color on front doors is pretty popular right now, and it would definitely be a step in the right direction if you want to get your house back to it's roots more. And yes, if it was me, I would want to paint the inside of the door the same color. Pick a color that you love and makes you smile whenever you see it. It should feel like a special treat. : )

Here's a post about our exterior. We're just working some more on it as well.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/direction-needed-for-midcentury-exterior-dsvw-vd~4895054