Our Most Fabulous Foyers

The front door in this entry opens to the pool area, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living. White shiplap adds to the coastal feel of the space. 

A bold front door, in Pratt & Lambert's Premium Yellow, sets a lively tone in this 1950's North Carolina rancher.
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Pairing antiques with modern pieces refreshes older items and gives a more collected, less ‘designed’ look.

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Forgoing hallways in a small cottage created space for this room. "Entries set the tone for and give a sense of prelude to a house," says designer P. Allen Smith.

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Pairing heirlooms like a china set or these oil-rubbed kerosene lanterns with exposed wood plank walls is a great way to add character to your point of entry.

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Greet your guests with sophisticated style by combining hues from the same family. By using different blue tones on the walls, table, and accents, you can make a modern style statement the instant your guests step inside.

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Anything is fair game when you are searching for color inspiration. Here, the vibrant colors and X-pattern of this interior door are lifted from the wall jockey paintings.

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The space under your stairs doesn’t have to be wasted. An upholstered chair paired with a vintage chest provides a cozy landing spot near the front door, and personal accents like this grouping of vintage trophies is inexpensive and rich with patina.

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The exuberant purple of this diamanté-patterned front door works in contrast with the warm yellow hue of the walls, but ties in nicely to the hanging lanterns that are trimmed in matching purple velvet.

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Just because you actually plan to use your entryway, doesn’t mean it has to look cluttered or drab. These bright shades hide away bins of shoes and toys while adding a nice pop of color.

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The foyer serves as more than just a point of entry with a cozy reading nook tucked in beneath the staircase.

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Get major impact in small spaces with a lively print like this geometric pattern. Use sparingly to ensure the bold design doesn’t overwhelm your room.

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Unify the look of your entryway by grouping artwork in similar tones or feel. Here, nature pulls it all together.

Since the foyer is the first room that guests see as they enter your home, let your personality shine from the start by displaying favorite pieces. Whether it’s an antique mirror or even a mounted rhinoceros head, your unique pieces can serve as great conversation starters.

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Mix found pieces to create unique furniture and accessories. This entryway combines a bench made from reclaimed wood beams and wrought iron fence materials with personal nature photographs framed in antique wood.

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When decorating your house, consider the first thing guests will see when they come in the front door. Here, seasonal accents are seamlessly paired with distressed wood-framed photos.

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It's not always important to make a big statement in the foyer, as this one opens directly into the living room. Pairing dark wood with white walls adds just the right amount of drama.

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Chose a color palette that leads well into the adjoining spaces A rug can soften and define the space as well as bring in more colors.

Although the overall look and feel is traditional, Bill included a few minimalist elements for impact. "The foyer's stairs and bridge are modern in their structural honesty," says Bill. The graphic staircase adds a sculptural wow factor right inside the front door. He coated the wood-clad walls and exterior trim in glossy white paint (Benjamin Moore's Creamy White) to contrast with the rustic stone.

Step inside the house's foyer and it's easy to see the homeowners' decorating style is all about the mix—old with new, dark with light, color with—well—color. Case in point: the globe-trotting, cross-cultural mash-up of a white, carved Moroccan mirror; subdued antique demilune table; and Chinese porcelain pottery. The classic blue-and-white scheme anchors the space, while a mercury glass lamp adds a bit of glint.

Love it? Get it! 
Wallcovering: Harwood Leaf Green by Colefax and Fowler, available through DCOTA; 954/921-7575.

A bold foyer welcomes guests to this Palm Beach, Florida, pied-à-terre designed by mother-daughter duo Marjorie Johnston and Wendy Barze. Geometric-patterned walls and subtle coastal elements strike the perfect balance.