I'd use it as a plant room and fill it. Too bad you took out the trees - they would have helped.

Yes....what was the problem with the trees? This room would look great filled with well-chosen, i.e. tall and stately and glamorous, plants. The light available would let them thrive and they can't hurt the porcelain floor. The space looks to be at least 12 feet high, so you need to be careful of scale for anything you put there....normally scaled furniture, tables etc. may look really off.

Is there any particular function you need here? Do you already have storage for shoes, coats, umbrellas near this entrance? What is your climate, how hot or cold will this space get seasonally, is there a risk of mud being tracked in?

One obvious item....those little ceiling lights in no way match the size and glamour of this space, they will need to be changed out, but only as part of an overall redesign.

reminds me of a picture I have saved. I agree about the lights. bigger lights, long curtains and lots of plants would be my vote.

Floor to ceiling is 8ft. The house had not been lived in for a few years and we took the trees out because they were dead/dying. Because that area is not just a planter, but actual ground we need to cover permanently because we have had mice (I've live caught 12 mince so far), roaches and ants/spiders come up out of it and infest our house. We live in Puerto Rico so its summer year round with hot/humid weather. While I like the idea of lots of plants I already have 4 young kids to keep alive and I tend to have good intentions, but typically a black thumb.