My taste tends toward the simple and dramatic. Based on your images, I think I would take everything out and replace it with some LARGE stunning art and coordinating dramatic rugs on both landings.

VDM | vista del mar residence · More Info

To me the area is lovely, good job! Saying that I think the floor and the cabinet are too similar in tone and color. You need some contrast; think of a bouquet with alot of sizes, textures, and contrast. Either paint the cabinet the deep blue of the vase or remove the cabinet and replace with a bench upholstered or painted in a strong color from the painting

Please find another place for the vase, as it looks a bit crowded.

Hang a large functional mirror over the cabinet or if you use bench keep the art work.

Large pictures going up the wall in a line would be nice.....some ideas could be framed colored papers in the turquoise tones you are using.

Large family photos of each family members close up face in black and white

Black and white photos enlarged of a single flower taken from the art work; dairy, rose, petunia, etc or even do the photo and have it tinted a turquoise, but large like 24 x 24, etc.

You can even do printed pages from books; Staples lets you blow things up and print them in large format architectural vibe for about 2.00 I think.....my daughter did a large print from Little House on the Prairie about Christmas Day and hung it for the Holidays....she is going to change out a book fragment for each season of the year. Just an idea; I think she found the idea on etsy....there are so many thing you can turn into art and cover space at the same thing,

Wrapped fabric on a canvas can be a nice repeat too.....just some ideas.

I think when you are putting art in an area it should take up about 2/3 or the area showing.

You have too many small, cute-sie items. You need to understand scale in decorating, you pick things that are too small. Remove all of that and get a few pieces of the correct size that will have some impact.

The space appears too filled with "hard items" and could use some softening. Rugs as mentioned by others are a good idea, including a runner down the lower hall. You need some fabrics/soft goods like a couple of chairs, small settee or an upholstered bench. The dresser looks to rough hewn so you might find a more tailored "half table" or demi-lune table and I'd suggest a mirror instead of the artwork. Good Luck.

Too much little stuff. Simplify and balance.

Nice thread to read. At first I thought the chest was too color-distressed, and a rug would help that. If your feet already get on a rug outside, I guess you don't need one inside. ;-)

I agree about 'filling wall space' cause it looks unlived in without the large canvases. If a bit of metallic, just a bit, is pleasing, it might shine from light above.

I didn't really explain - what I can see of the chest and art together: they both seem too similar, as though both are abstract... sense in that - a bit of the 'blah' feeling?

I'm not a fan of signs as decor; but if that is an item you love, put it right of the closet, opposite the second landing and centered 5' above the floor. Not a fan of puffy faux flowers and ribbon either, so I'd be removing those. The urn is a bit bright for what you have going on in the wood piece and the art above it. I like doctornancy's drama bit, but you seem to lean more into country with the wood cabinet. Remember, a foyer introduces you, your style and hints at what may be anticipated in the other rooms. Is your's doing all that?

If you had a rug, wouldn't beautiful vase color be more a complement to chest / art? .. what I could find:

Nourison Karma Rug, Blue, 3'9"x5'9" · More Info

[https://www.houzz.com/products/nourison-karma-rug-blue-22x76-runner-prvw-vr~33067500[(https://www.houzz.com/products/nourison-karma-rug-blue-22x76-runner-prvw-vr~33067500)

... remove art above, and try this?

Traditional Vintage Hannah Sunny Token Rug, Blue, 4'x6' · More Info

Somewhere? wool and only 2 x 3'

Surya Zahra Hand Knotted Area Rug, 2'x3' · More Info

We definitely think the smaller artwork hung is, well too small. Take it down and place it somewhere else in your home if possible. The entry way needs a colorful rug. You want something to compliment the colors you have chosen and to be big and bold. You can also replace one of the pieces of artwork with a bigger piece, but it needs to be much bigger. Here are some of our designs to help you in this dilemma.

Entry · More Info

Home Decor · More Info

These are great - thanks! We're slowly updating our entire house and getting a bit of "design fatigue". And yes, I said we - my husband has been really involved in the process and wants (close to) an equal say. So, there's that. The aqua vase was his purchase, so thank you to Houzz for convincing him it needed to go someplace else!

A couple more questions:

1) When the landing has a more colorful rug, what should I do about in front of the door? A plain sisal doormat? I'm not very adventurous about mixing patterns but I'm open to it with guidance!

2) Anyone have suggestion for where to buy affordable large scale art online? We love the idea of a big piece on the landing, and we try to get original art whenever possible. Affordable pieces are hard to find locally, so I'm looking online. I'd also love suggestions - our look is modern farmhouse with a vintage twist.

3) Now that the aqua vase is gone, I'm looking at either putting a tall plant (maybe bamboo?) in that corner OR replacing it with a wrought iron coat rack. Would a coat rack be too busy? It's super practical, I know, but I'm a bit worried it'd end up being a junky mess of my teenager girls (and hubby's) crap rather than the cool, artfully arranged statement piece I'd want!

Someone asked about the cabinet - we got it at a local boutique in Seattle a couple of years ago.

Here's a couple more pictures.

Karen, I am not a fan of coat racks - they usually appear messy - though coats on a coat rack are less messy than coats lying on a chair or over a stair rail. Personally, I have never thought of a coat rack as being a decorative item. Just my opinion and remember, I am fond of the simple, dramatic look, so my tastes may be quite different than yours.

Have you tried your cabinet on the right at that first landing? You might like a bench up or down. Both could take art.

Karen, love your foyer. How about painting the closets in blue/turq hue for color and visual interest. Artwork like this with movement and right scale to balance next to door and harmonize the wall and distract from the wall outlets. No rug as have a door mat at front for wiping off shoes. Your foyer is very inviting.

I don't understand what purpose is served by the rug at the top of the three steps. It's not where you'd wipe your feet, it's too small to really own the landing, it's not a runner leading you inward... I'd get rid of that and focus on the immediate entry, unless you're going to do something larger and bolder as suggested above...

New photo, new perspective: with the 2 color of floors - as said already, no need to emphasize the upper 'landing'. But emphasize the main deal which is the entry.

Unless you love one....and maybe seems nice with gold above...for 11.50.

Well Woven Amba Sultana Traditional Vintage Blue Area Rug 2'3"x3'11" · More Info

If in person you'd like your blue saying - this rug? - [guessing not the greener art]. $38.

Joli Area Rug, Blue, 1'10"x3' · More Info

Realizing - your style goes more casual / rustic. This would seem:

Indoor/Outdoor Montego Area Rug, Rectangle, Blue-Brown, 2'5"x4'5" · More Info

Just for fun, here's what we started with 3 years ago when we bought this house. I'm positive no one ever thought it was bland!

You've made an amazing transformation of this space, Karen! The before/after make it look like a different house.

Rather than the chest you have, what about a bench with a bolder piece of art like this: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/Aaq_DAICmqOI4jh3-KKxbqs8te7vkKBLQjMZIIkJtkfK1oyPlKU5DTc/ or https://www.pinterest.com/pin/102245854010954061/?

Wonderful transformation,:)

Checkout Amy Gordon for original art works, she is NC. Her prices are good. I commissioned her do do a piece of our great room. Ask her about pricing for a canvas unframed to help keep the shipping cost down. It looks as though you maybe on the West coast.

https://amygordonart.com/

"Wipe your feet, please." ;-)

I'd say, put a poly - practical small rug there - could it come out to farthest edge of chest? maybe.

I even thought about putting up wallpaper on the wall with the chest. Is that weird to only have it on one wall, though?

I like the idea of a mirror with bench, with with 2 messy teens, I'm worried it'd end up being a dumping ground for their crap. They already leave endless pairs of shoes by the front door. That's why the basket is there - to try to contain those.

You could go large and dramatic on the landing:

https://shop.getty.edu/collections/exhibition-banners#

No rug on the landing. It breaks up the the continuous line of the stair which is awesome when viewed from the front door.