What’s your budget? I would consider reworking that wall to eliminate the planters and (probably) the curve. Drywall over it all, and consider standard hung doors for the closet instead of the mirrored sliders.

Does the wall curve or just the planters?

Please tell me you're keeping the shag carpet.

I think it’s great, the only thing I would change is the flooring. What does the rest of the house look like?

No help, but your plant boxes reminds me of my Aunt's 1980s house. She has two small aquariums in her living room walls.

When was the house built, and what is it's general architectural style? I would want the entry to echo that style, while introducing your personal preferences.

@mjlb, it was built in 1986 and is fairly contemporary. The curved walls are a feature that is echoed on each floor of the quad-level home. So while a curved wall may not be the standard for today's homes, it is an architectural feature that I probably want to preserve but find a way to update. I have also thought about topping the boxes with a shelf. A friend suggested painting the wall a nice black like Tricorn black which I like better than removing the wood trim altogether. I think white would end up being too much white since I'd like to keep the other walls fairly light. Thanks for all the comments!!!

If you are keeping the wood generally, I would paint it and keep it as a texture, and I would also see if you could get more if it and make different doors for the closet.

If you drywall over it, I would maintain the curve in drywall but carry it all the way to the ceiling with the largest curve. I would not remove the curve since it is a repeated element.

Another possibility would be to rip it out out (assuming not structural) which would open it up considerably. It would would look great to have full sidelights on either side of the door instead of half.

I am not really seeing the furniture you have working with the architecture and a black and white color scheme. Could you maybe try stripping and sanding that oak down to bare wood and then just doing a clear coat to lighten it up. Not sur eif you have a spot somewhere to test it .As alight wood it might have a much different feel

Great house, tons of potential. I also have an eighties house with a huge bathtub the size of small lake. You have a lot of space and light. Paint, new flooring and light fixtures will go a long way to updating. What are your plans?

Thank you! Yes, we love the light in the house too. The furniture in those pics is actually from the prior owner's listing. I have a lot of rustic furniture with iron accents already. I have already taken down all the heavy drapes to open up the pretty windows, taken down the border and trim in dining room, updated the guest bath and kids rooms (not shown) and I have a long, black lantern-style fixture to go in the dining room, still looking for a good statement light for the foyer. Definitely want to work on the floors and MBR first and probably do the kitchen in a few years. The cabinets are solid wood and in good condition, but want to do some rearranging and probably open kitchen up to the dining room and have a large island for entertaining/cooking.

The first thing in the kitchen is some proper lighting

The house is actually amazing. Like my daughter says, "it's not *my* Thing, but it is *a* Thing." The attention to detail and the repeated themes throughout are interesting and worth preserving so I'm happy to hear you're keeping curved walls, etc. I think Art Deco/Regency could work here.

Okay, so sue me. I think the curved oak wall is fabulous and should not be painted or demo-ed. I would place be a large beautiful painting opposite it with a very modern console table and lamp, all of which would be reflected in the mirror and that's what you'd be looking at when you come in the door--art, light, a beautiful piece of furniture on both sides. Maybe change out the light fixture to something more contemporary but complementary. With a huge rug, you might not even need to change the flooring right away. Sometimes estate sales if gorgeous bold rugs, which your entry can take, for not a huge amount of money because most people don't have the space for that. You do. Embrace your foyer.

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I like the tambour wood (the stuff that looks similar to rolltop desk), and I see it repeats in other areas, which means I would definitely keep it. If it were me, I'd keep it in the current oak finish.

People talk about 80's style, and this house really is illustrative -- I hadn't realized all the features that encapsulate the 80's until you pointed them out.

I'd cap the planters....and since you know the floor you want,I'd put it in and then decide on paint (dark for drama,maybe) or re-finish. As mentioned above,it is a "thing" and it should not die. Remember,even Godzilla got rehabilitated and saved the world.

Leave exactly as is, including planters. paint walls a medium gray. I would do wood floors in same tone through whole first floor, Except I’d do foyer section like this pic, for definition, you could also do All wood in foyer and cover with a bright colored rug

ETA: this color gray paint. Ignore cabinets but notice contrast of gray with wood tone

@bossyvossy, so funny you mention the floor detail - I was looking at doing a pattern like you posted or herringbone for interest! @mjlb - yes! tambour! I saw the name on the original floor plan and had forgotten the name! @ housegal200, thank you! The walls have actually grown on me since we moved in last fall, I may try to change flooring and lighting first then reevaluate painting the tambour.

So if I don't paint the tambour wood walls right away, what tone of hardwood flooring would you all suggest? And would you paint at least part of the stair railings? I was thinking white for handrail, bottom rail and newell posts and leave the oak spindles. Also, what about the door? It's actually a steel door made to look like wood so it could be painted easily. I just feel like I need less oak tone in that area.

Hello! You asked specifically about the entry, so I'll stick with that for now. :) I am going to echo a little of what was said above. I do like the wall! I wouldn't change the wood or rip it out although it could be refinished a little if it's too 80s looking in color. The biggest problem in the entry is the tile, the carpet and all that wood the railing. Get that little square tile out (the contrasting grout is def 80s!) from the whole entry, dining and kitchen, and maybe replace with something more linear (like a 6x24 plank-style tile) with matching grout. If that's simply not in the budget, perhaps you could have the tile all re-grouted with something that matches that color of the tile instead of contrasting so strongly with it. Replace the stair carpet with a low loop, more pale carpet (no more shag and definitely not mottled brown!). And then perhaps replace the railing balusters with metal instead of all that wood...it looks like you may need to keep the handrail since it is built in over on the living room wall? Change up your light fixtures (entry and dining) to something more sleek and modern and I think you'll like it a lot better!

Difficult call re:rail. Would need to see a bit of your furniture. Understand need to tone down oak but too much white could be equally jarring. Also remember what attracted you to the house. If you change too much, it may lose initial appeal,

I love the entry floor that bossyvossy posted - that would look great!