Software
Houzz Logo Print
soniap6

Need help decorating a 2 story foyer.

8 years ago




This is my first question here. I’m a little nervous but, have seen amazing responses to other questions. So here it is.

We’ve just bought a house. It has too many colors going on in the main floor. We’re planning on painting it a neutral color light raffia valspar or a similar color from Sherwin Williams. The foyer has a large 2 story wall. I want to do something dramatic but, not too expensive. The painters are coming tomorrow to do the prep work.

The pictures I’m attaching are of the previous owner.

I’m planning on white couches with blue and white pottery is the living room. . ( I have a large collection already)

I would love your help. Thank you

Comments (26)

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I like a large picture hung where the one is now but it should be a vertical piece not horizontal to draw your eyes up the wall.

    Something like this (just substitute the Orange for Blue):

    GLENVIEW · More Info

    soniap6 thanked Jamie Ludwig
  • 8 years ago

    Or use a mirror (or mirrors):

    Coronado Country Club Lane · More Info

    soniap6 thanked Jamie Ludwig
  • 8 years ago

    Oh wow! That looks so dramatic! Where are those mirrors from? I’d have to find tall mirrors. Thank You for the idea.

  • 8 years ago

    I think the chandelier could be lowered so that it is more visible...

  • soniap6 thanked Jamie Ludwig
  • 8 years ago

    How low should the chandelier be? @threers

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Could you hang that tall mirror or needs to be on the floor?

    As for the table I have table I’m planning on using. Will this work? It needs to be cleaned it’s in storage. @Jamie Ludwig

  • 8 years ago

    Sonia,


    I just looked on line to answer your question. There is a lot of info on the subject. One suggestion is that you hang the fixture about two-thirds the total height of the room. So if your ceiling is 30 ft the chandelier should be hung at 20ft ( my math is not great so I used easy numbers). Do some reading. My thinking in my first answer is that you want the chandelier to be seen, and to fill up some of the vertical space. Good luck.

  • 8 years ago

    Hmm. Interesting. I’ll check it out. Right now I think the chandelier is visible from the outside, the big window on top. I’m ultimately going to change it. It’s too gold and dated. Thanks

  • 8 years ago

    The chandelier is hung to be seen through the second-story window. That's typically the case for a foyer like this. Also, it could be the angle of the picture, but it looks like it would come down over the stair rail if lowered, which could look bizarre. I would leave it where it is, but changing it out for something newer is an excellent idea.

    I love Jamie's ideas. I would also get a large entry rug and maybe a runner for the hall. I would also put a small round table in the corner by the door with a small plant and a bowl for keys, etc.

    soniap6 thanked Emily Jowers
  • 8 years ago

    That’s a great idea Emily! I wasn’t sure what to put in that corner where the coat hanger and lamp were.

    Would a small round table and a tall plant behind it work?

    I will get a rug for the entryway. Should it have blue accents, since that’s what I’m going for in the living and dining room?

  • 8 years ago

    I'm not sure there's room for a table and a floor plant.

    soniap6 thanked Emily Jowers
  • 8 years ago

    I have a very small round table which just holds a bowl for the keys. I was thinking of a house plant behind it. I guess I’ll try and see how it works. Thank You for the quick answer.

  • 8 years ago

    We’re moving this weekend. Will post pics of new paint soon. Thanks everyone

  • 8 years ago
    Love the table in storage. That would look lovely. Just need to find the right mirror or art to go over it. Good luck with the move!!! What colors are you going to use for paint and decorations?
    soniap6 thanked Jamie Ludwig
  • 8 years ago

    Sorry for replying late but, it's been a long day moving etc. I'll probably be able to get online in the night after I'm done.

    Thank you for all your help @Jamie Ludwig. The walls are going to be light raffia valspar. I am planning on using some blue and white pottery. So the accent colors are blue, white and, gold. I'm looking for mirrors or wall art. What type of mirror should I look for? Rectangular, or like the white one you posted above? Does it need to be a dark frame or gold would work?


  • 8 years ago

    The demilune table you have is very nice for the spot. Don't make the mistake of thinking you need to fill the whole wall just because it's tall. Try to keep things in proportion and remember to "decorate where you live". That means hanging artwork, mirrors, etc. as if your ceilings were 8 or 9 feet tall. Whatever you hang over your entry table should be about 2/3 to 3/4 the width of the table and no taller than the height of your door frames. I know it seems like there's going to be a lot of empty space, but that's okay. I moved from a 1949 cape with 7 1/2 foot ceilings to a house with 11' vaulted ceilings and had to learn that things really do look better hung at normal height. The current chandelier seems to be well proportioned for the space and hung at the right height. When you replace it, try to stay to something in that same size range. Congratulations on your new home!

    soniap6 thanked katinparadise
  • 8 years ago

    You could put a twine/mesh/chain all up and over the walls, then put a vine plant such as pothos at the base and let it cover the walls with foliage


    soniap6 thanked Collin Chorba
  • 8 years ago

    Thank you @katinparadise. I had forgotten the tip of art no taller than your doorframe. I'm going to definitively keep all these suggestions in mind when searching for artwork or mirrors. I'm so glad I posted here.

  • 8 years ago

    That is a great idea of doing multiple prints. These are pics and, furniture are from the previous homeowner. The house is being painted as we speak. The color is Light Raffia by Valspar. I have a dark wood demilune table ( I call it the half moon console table) which I plan on using in that space. I'm not sure the ottomans will work with that table. Thank you again @BeverlyFLADeziner

  • 8 years ago

    I'm skeptical of putting vines inside the newly painted house. Also worried about bugs and such hiding in there. That looks so beautiful though for the patio. Thank you for the wonderful idea @CollinChorba

  • 8 years ago

    Do a gallery wall of old mirrors. I had one at an old house and it was awesome.

  • 8 years ago

    soniap6 thanked louislinus
  • 8 years ago

    That's a great idea @louislinus. I'm going to check out vintage and thrift stores for mirrors or cool frames.

    So many ideas, now to see what I can find that'll work for me. I'm so excited!