Thank you so much Barnhartgallery! You are always so nice ;) So....." Less is more" in this case then? How large can I go with a round table? Any suggestions on the style? I'm wondering, is it better to leave the bottom half open? Or with a skirt?

Yes, everything barnhart said! I love the concept - a pauseless introduction to a lake view upon entry. And the house is really beautiful. How lucky you are!

I think an area rug is a must. It will slow down the chi as it comes through the front doors. Perhaps a console upon the right of the entry and a bench opposite would work well. (You need a place to put your keys, mail and purse when you get home anyway, right?)

I like the hand painted mural idea. Only I would consider it for the ceiling - not Sistine Chapel style, but something contemporary. Perhaps even a stencil like the one below by modellodesigns, a Susan Kasler treatment or a three dimensional treatment as created by Patricia Gray (posted in order of appearance).

You have a dream come true house. Perhaps, it's calling for a different sort of warmth. Bud Dietrich, posted an ideabook here on Houzz called High Style for Real life https://www.houzz.com/magazine/high-style-for-real-life-stsetivw-vs~1640321 check it out and see if anything about it resonates with you.

Photos:
Modello Designs http://www.modellodesigns.com/Showcase.asp
Style Chronicles http://stylechronicle.blogspot.com/2010/08/fifth-wall.html
Patricia Gray http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/2009/04/8-great-ceiling-treatments.html

Thank you Manon Floreat! My only apprehension in doing anything at all to the entry ceiling, is the coffered ceiling it opens up to in the living room. Soon that ceiling will have grass cloth between the beams. That's gonna be alittle too much happening for my taste I'm afraid.... I love the pics you sent, really love that 2nd one with those gorgeous burnt orange drapes! I am about to check out the links you've sent- thank you!!

Hi lakehouse. Maybe this will give you some ideas.
Definitely would start with a rug. Low bench on either side and plants in pretty containers. I like seeing through to the lake, wouldn't want anything to block that view. Hope this helps. Charmean Neithart

Thank you Charmaine! I will check out that link! I like the idea of doing a low bench on each side a lot... Oh and my grass cloth samples you arranged to be sent, came in the mail! Thank you again for that! ;)

You're very welcome. Glad you got the samples. Charmean

I understand, Lakehouse. If you think the treated ceiling would be too much, you're probably right. Maybe just start small - with a rug, benches and/or console and then re-assess. This is your home - it's totally fine for it to evolve as you do.

I've been keeping an eye out for a bench for the foot of my bed for a while now.... Think I'll try to find two for the entry with the curvey feel of this first one pictured, but backless. (I'm not in need of a console for keys, etc... as we enter the house thru our garage most of the time and have a "catch all area".) I also have alot of space to work with at the end of the entry where it meets the adjoining hallways as well. I could do 2 large majestic palms in pretty planters at the end of benches and then maybe 2 very large oil paintings or something on each side of the wall facing the living room?
Not sure... Opinions?...suggestions? Thank you!

Hi, this is my professional advise, a table at the entrance would be a major mistake, it seems this foyer is right in between the entrance to two other rooms, so that would make the traffic somewhat odd, if you believe in Feng Shui or the Art of Placement, placing a piece of furniture right at the door would block the energy coming into the house. Here is what I would do, keep in mind, I only do high end Interior Design and by no means, I am trying to put down others advise. I would do a venetian plaster finish on the walls in a nice mid-tone color, such as wheat,( since you have dark wood floors ) would do some soft distressing on all the moldings to blend with the walls, I rarely keep moldings a different color, tall wall are very rich looking and I would add a gorgeous rug that would be very focal almost the size of the entry( keeping in mind the door as it opens ), I would add a bit more color to the adjacent rooms, no furniture of any type in this entry, its not that wide enough and could feel contrived. You do need drapes in the living room with rich gold tones, reds, etc and it seems the chandelier in the living room is placed in the wrong spot or you need to move your furniture. If you can afford it, a metallic italian plaster in a soft slate blue in the dining room, would turn your house absolutely gorgeous, after this is decided and done, then I would pick some extra pieces of furniture and Art. Hope it helps.

Thank you Georgous Homes Inc!

Sorry Georgous Homes Inc, I didn't have time to finish my response unil just now!
I agree about the table in the entry... seems like it would just be in the way and would create the "pause" I did away with! Venetian plaster sounds really pretty, however, I don't think it's in line with this style of house, although I can see why you suggested it based on the pics I provided. I'm trying to take the formality "down a notch" in these rooms. We built this house on the lake and I want a more relaxed feel. We have alot of shake siding, wood beams and stone on the exterior, which I believe is perfect for our setting. I realized I was getting too formal with these front rooms while in construction, however, we were almost finished building it by then... The chandelier is dead center by the way ,I just took that picture at a wierd angle, plus the couch was pushed over to allow a clear view of the entry when taking a picture from that end of the house! Any other thoughts knowing all this and also seeing the exterior?

more like this look

Some light Persian rugs will definitely help balance, and some big art pieces since you have such big beautiful walls. Beautiful house by the way. love it

Thank you :)

HI lakehouse I was thinking about your entry today. I bought this bench a few years ago for a client who had a similar home to yours. http://www.bakerfurniture.com/baker/1_1_5_0_coll_prod.jsp?brand=Baker&prod_id=389250&prod_num=17-422-1#
We used it in her music room. It is a pretty piece with good proportions. Not too formal, but you can dress it up if you wanted to. Zoom in on the picture, it has pretty details. I think this is a nice style for your home. Just a thought. I used it in the music room below. Enjoy. Charmean

Oh wow Charmaine... That is beautiful! And I love the cane back. I'm going to measure my space and see how it would fit! That's a GEORGOUS room you created by the way!

It would fit the space and may even make sence of the buffet I currently have in the dining room.... which was perfect in our previous home, but doesn't seem to have found it's place in this one. I was thinking about having it painted, but now wondering if the bench would help me tie it in?

Oh good, I couldn't really tell from the pictures how much room you had. It's a great little bench. Baker is sold nationally so you should be able to find a dealer close to home. On your buffet, the good thing is you already own it so you can try it in the space. I like touches of black in a room, it anchors the space. I always have at least one black detail in all my rooms, sometimes small and sometimes big details. Let me know if you need help tracking down that bench. I attached some examples of black furniture in various spaces. Hope this helps, call the office if you need anything. Charmean

Thank you!

Here are some great examples of our PVC ceiling tiles with the overlapping edges for glue up applications.

ceilingtilesbyus.com

how about a little contrast to bring out details? maybe just the little molding partway down from the top of the columns the dining color, or even all the molding on the column. as a custom home designer, i love the architecture of the space and like to enhance it.

Speaking of molding, molding was something that stood out to me (it always is, I'm a firm believer in it). The front door could use thicker molding, and the openings on either side are lacking it. The square columns look a little too thick and imposing, maybe round ones instead? And there should be a header trim (some derivative of an entablature) so the columns appear to be holding up a beam instead of dissolving into drywall (this is a basic rule of classical architecture). Your house is beautiful and I'm excited to see where your improvements go!

The spaces need rugs to anchor them (and to help acoustically). Art and colour are needed.

I think two sets of planters on either side with palms (as suggested above) or other dramatic/leafy plants would be ideal for adding color and texture. I've included some different styles below that would compliment the space each with a distinctive feel depending on the tone you want to convey.

https://www.urbilis.com/european-tall-curve-planter/

https://www.urbilis.com/case-study-cylinder-planter-with-metal-stand/

https://www.urbilis.com/athena-floor-and-table-planter/

https://www.urbilis.com/daniel-tall-planter/