Come in with a big bang
Entryway options when you’ve got lots of space,
I read your column regularly and have never noticed anyone else with my design issue. I’m hoping you have a suggestion or two for me. I own a 4,500-squarefoot home that has a disproportionately large entrance. It’s approximately 400 square feet and is two storeys high. As you come in the door, there’s a bench, a console and a mirror, but they look dwarfed and uneven because there’s so much more space before reaching the staircase. Any ideas?
You are correct, I have never addressed anyone’s oversized entrance in print. But you will be glad to know I have a few suggestions.
First, the elephant in the room — or in this case, see the 15-foot, 12-foot and fourfoot oversized bronze vessels used as sculpture. I realize your entry is not this tall, but consider my suggestion.
These impressively large sculptures made by Thai artisans are in the four-storey lobby of the St. Regis Hotel in Bangkok. However, the same decorating principle applies to your home in Canada — scale is everything.
I’m not suggesting you commission a sculpture for your home (though good for you if you can), but rather visit a garden centre for interesting tall urns or sculptures that will look appropriate indoors.
Another spot to scout is HomeSense. I often see oversized pieces there that would work well in a large space, though it’s always when I’m on the hunt for something small.
If space and budget allow, use three varying heights in your entranceway, as the Studioaria design firm did here. These will make an impressive statement. You mention having plenty of space in the entrance before reaching the staircase, so you may wish to place your sculptures in the centre of the area.
On that subject, have you considered a centre hall table in your entrance? You definitely have the room and I personally love the look and functionality of one. If your budget doesn’t allow for a costly show-wood table, buy an inexpensive 36-to-48-inch round table and have a table covering made for it. The cover could be coarse linen or damask, depending on your style, and should touch the floor.
I love stacking books on a centre-hall table or you could place one large vase or multiple vases in varying heights. Even placing a plant on a stack of books looks elegant.
The key to successfully decorating your oversized entrance is making sure you bring drama to the area — whether it’s an elegant table or thought-provoking sculpture.
And once you have the centre area filled in, look at the scale of your existing console, mirror and bench to make sure it looks proportionate with what’s now going on.
You may find that what you own doesn’t appear so dwarfed, or you may think it’s time to find larger-scale pieces.
I realize you’re not decorating a hotel, but it does sound as if your house is large enough to run a B&B.