Category Archives: Individualized Advice

Letters from Readers

Faux Foyer

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Posted by Denise Smith on January 27, 2009 – 4:30 pm
Filed under Foyers and Entryways, Individualized Advice, Rooms

Image from Better Homes and Gardens Decorating gallery

We are having our first snowfall in over a year, so my later appointment to work on basement window treatments was postponed.  So instead I draw from my inbox. 

I received an email from a reader asking me for help with her decorating dilemma. 

Denise,
Can you help me with the design for the front door in my living room? I have no foyer and the room is long and narrow.
Thank you,
Jill in Mass

I assume from your note that when you enter your home, you walk directly into the Living Room. This is an awkward setup visually and well as functionally. I am going to assume that there is a coat closet nearby.  But I realize that here in the metropolitan Washington DC region there are hundreds of thousands of townhouses with entrances directly into the living space and no coat closets whatsoever.

Tidiness is of the upmost importance here. Use the closet to hang coats and place a basket on a shelf for hats, scarves and gloves. And add a small cabinet to house any miscellaneous items and place a tray or another basket on the top for items often dumped at the door, like keys and mail. Whatever you do, tame the beast that throws coats on the sofa!

Since your Living Room is long and narrow, paint out a foyer. Use good quality painters tape to mask off an area near the door three or four feet on either side. Paint this “Faux Foyer” an accent color. Choose something bold and dramatic. Just be sure your color harmonizes with the current Living Room scheme. This could be the perfect spot to try a graphic wallpaper.

Consider purchasing a console table. Try something like the Pia Table from Crate and Barrel, which looks attractive from all sides. To create a visual break, place it perpendicular to the wall at the edge of the painted out area. Avoid placing a lot of items here, but fresh flowers or a potted plant will add life and energy.

Pia Console. Image from Crate and Barrel

Finally, paint your door and add it to your cleaning routine. Because it is a visible element in your living space, it must be maintained like any other structure there.

 

Create Conversation. Lose the Runway.

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Posted by Denise Smith on January 15, 2009 – 11:12 am
Filed under Individualized Advice

I have been getting a lot of questions lately.  The holidays are over and thoughts are back to the home, I suppose. 

Denise,

Where should I place my area rug? In front of sofa or love seat? Both are against a wall with an entrance between them.

It sounds to me like your arrangement needs to be reworked.  An entrance between in the center of a grouping is a sure conversation killer.  Do you have your furniture up against opposite walls?  Move them so they are perpendicular instead. 

Perhaps the sofa can remain on the wall and the love seat can be move to one side of it to create an L.  It now becomes obvious where the rug belongs.  Place it in front of the sofa.  (Hopefully it is large enough to have at least the front legs of both pieces on it.  If not, consider replacing it.)  The rug serves to designate the space as one for “sitting together”.   Notice, too, how welcoming the room feels when you enter.  The new arrangement calls you in by providing a cozy seat in your line of sight. 

Before:

The arrangement creates a big hallway instead of a room to enjoy. Sofas slammed up against the wall allow too much space between.

After:

Just by moving the love seat a conversation area is created. The room has a purpose. Optimally, the rug should be a little bigger.

Entering In

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Posted by Denise Smith on January 12, 2009 – 12:49 pm
Filed under Color, Design Principles, Foyers and Entryways, Individualized Advice, Rooms

Sherwin Williams Reddened Earth and Enigma. Close in tone and value and not shocking to the senses.

I received an email from a reader in Ohio who asked for advice.

Denise, 

My Foyer and Mud Room of our new home are both visible from the Kitchen and Family Room.  I would like to paint them the same color.  I was thinking of purple, because I love that color and my sectional is a taupe with purple pillows.  All of our walls currently are builder beige.  Our Kitchen has maple cabinets and Kashmir Gold granite counters.

Congratulations on your new home!  Choosing to paint the areas first visible when you enter is a very good idea, because the project is very doable in a weekend, and will make a dramatic welcoming statement every time you come home. 

I agree with your choice of purple, but why use the same color?  I think you will be happier if you choose two similar colors instead.  Keeping a color scheme tight, especially when the rest of the house is yet unpainted, will prevent the other walls from looking neglected.

I suggest a very sophisticated yet dramatic tone for the Foyer. Try Enigma from Sherwin Williams.  This color has a perfect balance of gray and purple.  If there is room, hang a mirror  with a wide silvery frame in this space.  If you can fit a small table beneath, place a collection of scented candles on top.  Choose varying heights and sizes in different shades of purple.

For the Mudroom, go with a shade take contains more red.  This will harmonize better with the maple cabinets and the golds in your granite.  Try Reddened Earth, also from Sherwin Williams.  Black accents will work nicely here.  Since Mud Rooms can be the family Landing Strip, be sure to configure any cabinetry or furniture that may be in there to suit your needs. 

Let us know how it goes!