Bring a Touch of Elegance to Your Entryway
Beyond your front door, your foyer or entryway sets the tone for your entire home, creating a first impression of your interior living space. But while inspiration abounds for the main rooms in the home, the front foyer is often overlooked. This missed opportunity holds great potential. Think of it like the first paragraph of an amazing story. It should be stimulating and inviting, encouraging us to discover more of what lies within. (NC)
Elevating this space from ignored to impactful is easier than you think. It simply requires bringing in elements of elegance you might already be using in other areas of your home.
By far, the easiest way to do this is with paint. I like Para Paints' designer-inspired serenity colour collection palette to create a tranquil space that feels just a little bit luxe. When it comes to paint colours, my favourite pairing is Glamour (405 A), balanced by the darker stone Malachite (405 E) and the freshness of White Design (WH 01), perfect for trim. This combo instantly creates an upscale sophistication to make your foyer feel worthy of any home décor magazine's chic and glossy pages.
With paint as your foundation, complement the beautifully painted walls and trim with sleek, stylish furniture and accessories to complete the look. Opt for a console, foyer or sofa table with clean lines to act as an anchor. A mirror can serve as a statement piece, bringing the illusion of light and space. Elegant additions can include fresh flowers, a tufted bench, sconces, vases or artwork.
Whatever your style, your home's foyer should be a striking space with colour that evokes feeling. It should serve as a preview, inspiring guests to anticipate the beauty beyond its welcoming preface.
Scott McGillivray is the host of the hit HGTV series Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays, a real estate investor, contractor, author and educator.
You can easily combat winter dryness and give your hair the moisturizing boost it needs with this simple DIY natural hair mask.
The combination of banana, avocado, coconut oil and essential oil of your choosing will improve the look and feel of your hair. The natural oils in bananas help soften and moisturize hair while the avocados are high in B vitamins, which improves hair strength and elasticity. And coconut oil is rich in antioxidants, making it the perfect natural solution to moisturize and soothe an itchy, dry scalp. Consider including peppermint essential oil, which feels uplifting and cooling and can help to soothe any scalp irritations.
Simply mix together in a bowl one banana, half an avocado, one tablespoon of coconut oil and a few drops of your favourite essential oil. Smooth onto your hair, particularly the ends, and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes for a treatment that will keep your hair looking shiny and fresh for the season.
To find the ingredients for your natural DIY hair mask, visit your local Canadian Health Food Association member retail store. Find your nearest location at chfa.ca.