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Home Decorating Design Dilemma entry

Odd Entryway decor, please help

5 years ago

We recently bought a house and this entryway was an add on that the previous owners did. The windows which were originally facing outside were left and covered by a 1980 poofy valance and the strip of brown is actually a part of the ground that had 2 palm trees planted which we obviously took out. I have no idea how to decorate this and could use help. It's a long and narrow space and because right now it doesn't have a designated purpose it's a catch all for home improvement items. Definitely not inviting for guest which we have often. My style is simple yet warm with soft colors.

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Comments (4)

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Anglophilia
5 years ago
I'd use it as a plant room and fill it. Too bad you took out the trees - they would have helped.
qam999
5 years ago
Yes....what was the problem with the trees? This room would look great filled with well-chosen, i.e. tall and stately and glamorous, plants. The light available would let them thrive and they can't hurt the porcelain floor. The space looks to be at least 12 feet high, so you need to be careful of scale for anything you put there....normally scaled furniture, tables etc. may look really off.

Is there any particular function you need here? Do you already have storage for shoes, coats, umbrellas near this entrance? What is your climate, how hot or cold will this space get seasonally, is there a risk of mud being tracked in?

One obvious item....those little ceiling lights in no way match the size and glamour of this space, they will need to be changed out, but only as part of an overall redesign.
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I would get a 4'x6' or 5'x7' and run it horizontally in front of door and then get a long co-ordinating runner to run lengthwise down the hall. How many feet would that be? I would probably end before the stub out past the stairway and you will want some space between the two rugs. I would definitely go with some pattern and color, for interest, as well as not showing footprints/soil, etc. A nice bench on wall in front of stairway would be nice. I really can't see the area the foyer encompasses. edited-I just saw the first picture of the foyer. it doesn't look like there is any place to put anything there, unless I'm missing something.
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Have you tried cornering the two chairs (L-shape)? One on the window side, one on the laundry wall? Give them some space in between. Add some drama in corner like a full plant on an eye catching pedestal. Also need some color, consider interesting picture above the chair on laundry wall. If you have any children's artwork have it custom framed and show it off proudly.
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You've done nice work so far. The kitchen is beautiful and so is the floor. I just have a couple of comments. I think your current seating arrangement is as good as it's going to get. I wouldn't buy a loveseat if you can fit two sofas instead. Put a sofa table behind the one facing the TV to will help to define the entrance. Square the TV cabinet up to the wall. Then either put the TV on a swivel or on an articulating arm to adjust for viewing. I like whitewashed fireplaces, so I would start there. You can always paint it if you don't like it, but you can't go the other way. As for style and color, save your favorite rooms in your living room ideabook. I see you already have two, both neutral, both transitional. Try to identify what it is about each room that you like. You will eventually either get a clear vision for the space...or be totally confused and run back here screaming and we'll help you sort it out. ;-)
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Comments (16)
Please don't pressure wash wood siding unless you like to see splinters flying in the air. As soft and spongey as that is, that is not a good idea. New siding with a factory applied color might be, highly recommended. Had a family next door pressure wash their deck which the previous owners had applied some of that 'great gel stain' tooo...mildewy now, gel stain ed by sap from trees above, etc etc........pressure washer....wallah.....holes in deck floor. Do NOT force water into your wood siding/sub walls/etc. You really might need some consult specialist in this case, but I do not see why painting this would help it for more than a couple of years. New siding, would be the most effective use of dollars and labor, you might check into this and see. Anytime you have a wood of this age, there is just the sense it has served its' purpose. I don't know what people put on homes like this other than wood, but NEW WOOD siding at minimum would seem the best cure for the problems. Have others experienced different results? Curious to hear from others with similar aged homes.
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Boopadaboo
5 years ago
reminds me of a picture I have saved. I agree about the lights. bigger lights, long curtains and lots of plants would be my vote.
Kendra Kim
Original Author
5 years ago
Floor to ceiling is 8ft. The house had not been lived in for a few years and we took the trees out because they were dead/dying. Because that area is not just a planter, but actual ground we need to cover permanently because we have had mice (I've live caught 12 mince so far), roaches and ants/spiders come up out of it and infest our house. We live in Puerto Rico so its summer year round with hot/humid weather. While I like the idea of lots of plants I already have 4 young kids to keep alive and I tend to have good intentions, but typically a black thumb.

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