I think your ideas are good. You need to make sure you keep the traffic path clear obviously and if you use a shelf at all, it will really need to be slender. Any art or collection of art, a rug that extends from the door to near the first wall break (if the closet/powder room door opening will allow a rug and not obstruct the door opening ), and potentially installing a more distinctive lighting fixture will jazz up the space. I could see a narrow console on the angled wall to the right instead of a shelf in the entry proper. A mirror or piece of art that repeats the arch of the door might be nice over the console or in the entry itself. Or maybe repeat arch in some sconces . I love the green and think black frames on art or mirror would add nice contrast as I really like the black in your current rug.

Thank you - that really gets me thinking and gives me a start.

Looking again at the space, I am afraid that the wall shelf will invade the traffic path and make you unhappy. Art, lighting, longer rug with black, green, tan should make you happier.

This picture which might be useful in your Foyer.

I'd avoid a shelf in the entry. You can hang a collage of art in the entry and put a shelf if desired on the angled wall. Definitely you need a runner and elegant light fixture. Make the rug interesting - not plain. Look for a transitional or oriental rug if that's your style.

I would keep anything on the walls flat and uncluttered. Maybe a large French advertising framed poster or triptych of oriental art, depending on your style, a long runner for the floor and bling chandelier to bounce some light around in the hall (look for good deals on a "bling" chandelier on overstock.com) even a Jonathan Alder chandelier/pendant might look nice. Good luck!

You can add applique to break up the green by painting the lower half white, add a chair rail. You should not have stopped the green on an outside corner, you should have continued around to the inverted corner. Photo attempt at showing you two-tone paint with chair rail, or white from chair rail down. Then add photos along the top to bring more interest etc. Maybe a nice big floor vase with natural twigs to bring more of your brown floor up into the space to break up the green.

Like the idea of a chandelier or pendand light - my only problem is that there are 2 light fixtures in the foyer. Unfortunately you can't see the 2nd one in the picture, but it is slightly past the wall break (inwards) :(

Post a picture of the other light fixture. I love the bench in the picture above potentially for the angled wall to the right as you enter the foyer.

Picture of the 2 light fixtures.

maybe do two lantern style light fixtures - that would look fab.