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Dramatic Entrances
I'm a design and food-obsessed freelance writer and market research analyst, and a stay-at-home mom.
I'm a design and food-obsessed freelance writer and market research analyst,... More »
When I decorate, I'm usually focused on the room itself. That's natural and it yields good results. For exceptional results, though, it pays to take a broader view. Think about how your room will look from other spaces in the house and how it will be unveiled as people walk in. When you create a fabulous unveiling AND a fabulous room for living, that's when you've got a real winner.
For example, when we moved into our house, we painted our dining room a pumpkiny orange and our kitchen a grassy olive green. When I walked in our front door, the walls of our white living room perfectly framed the entries into the kitchen and dining room, creating a pretty contrast to the stronger colors. It looked great.
That was a simple way to create a strong statement. Here are some other entry points—some simple, some more involved—guaranteed to turn heads:
For example, when we moved into our house, we painted our dining room a pumpkiny orange and our kitchen a grassy olive green. When I walked in our front door, the walls of our white living room perfectly framed the entries into the kitchen and dining room, creating a pretty contrast to the stronger colors. It looked great.
That was a simple way to create a strong statement. Here are some other entry points—some simple, some more involved—guaranteed to turn heads:
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When we redid our kitchen, we wanted to create a connection between the basement and the kitchen area. I thought we'd remove a wall, but our architect made a much more practical (and less expensive) suggestion: add a glass door.
She was right: Glass does a great job of connecting two spaces while retaining a barrier between them for noise or keeping out the elements.
She was right: Glass does a great job of connecting two spaces while retaining a barrier between them for noise or keeping out the elements.
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Sometimes all it takes is a great color and a bit of contrast to create a dramatic entrance.
by Maureen Stevens
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We can't see what's behind this door, but given the color, I bet it's a great surprise.
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| Ditto for this gate. Gates create so much interest and expectations (plus, they keep the dogs in the yard). |
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by Howard Hvid
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| This image proves that the exit view can be just as powerful as the entrance. In this case, a pretty front porch becomes another living space. |
by Faiella Design
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I really like this narrow passageway and the mystery provided by the curtain to the right.
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This garden arch frames the yard in a decidedly "Secret Garden" sort of way.
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This is similar to the look at my house: White walls create a perfect frame for strong green wallpaper. And I love the black and white floor.
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Sliding doors create a perfectly timed reveal of the room. These Frank Lloyd Wright-esque doors are wonderful, too, for their design.
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| The next few pictures show off a fantastic set of folding doors that open to reveal a great space. |
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| Step one... |
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| And they're open! It's nice that the doors are glass to start with. The material is perfect for the space. |
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Here's what's interesting to me about this space: Even though the walls of the home are nearly all glass, the door is solid wood. That adds contrast and a little mystery.
Ideabook updated on Nov. 9, 2012.
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And Lmcmahon - what's not to love about a dog cage? Really, though, I think you could make the mirrored doors work. Would Old Hollywood glam look out of place in your house? You could go over the top with black and white and even hot pink with mirrors...