Picture frame moldings are dustcatchers and they also limit what you can put on the wall and where. How about thinking about what artwork, mirror, etc. you can hang on the wall, and what furniture will go there?

I don't think "modern" when I see picture frame molding. I would add wallpaper if you want to accent the wall.

Thank you @Suki Mom - those are great points to consider. Thanks @Sammie J. I guess it's more classic than modern, maybe even traditional? How would you suggest wallpapering: the entire wall or in boxes with molding around it?

if your wall is like the example you showed, I would go for it. looks great, and doesn't need additional decorating. ...

I think that wall with picture molding can be modernish. I love it!

The elements in your room make it modern. Decorating with modern pieces brings the room together. Whatever you do, do not paint it two different colors or put wallpaper in between, it will chop it up.

Picture frame molding is not considered modern.

I would forgo the molding.

Since that is an entryway, I would get a knockout mirror.

It is customary to have a mirror at the entryway so people can check themselves as they enter and take off their hats and coats and vice versa. Even if you live in a warm climate.

Starburst or round mirrors are interesting and add a nice contrast to that very square wall and spare rectilinear door.

In the past there was no electricity, and most people did not have servants to raise and lower chandeliers to put candles on them.

We all have adequate electricity now.

No doubt you will have a significant chandelier in the entryway, and lamps on that table are probably not necessary at all.

Having 2 lamps on the entryway table now is just a decorating cliché, and the lampshade you have now are too large, and are calling too much attention to themselves.

Depending on the size of the mirror, if you feel you still need some light, you can find some marvelous modern or contemporary or transitional scones for either side of the mirror.

An electrician can easily fishtape the wiring to the existing sockets.

If you don't need the lighting you can put up brackets on either side and display some sort of interesting objets, whatever you like or collect.

Tall interesting candlesticks, architectural remnants, shells, fossils, bones, taxidermy (yes, I have that bent), large shadow box with a display of something interesting- your great-grandfather's war medals, the plaster cameos someone collected on their grand tour.

If you are re-doing your house to make it contemporary or modern, you might want to change the stairway spindles on the second floor.

Another thought, many houses don't have clothing closets these days. If you don't have one (perish the thought!), you can purchase a hall tree and put it aside the hall table. and add its dimensions in the total wisth in proportion to the width of that wall.

Thank you @Lyn Nielson and @njmomma...I thought it looked pretty cool too! Helpful to get all this great input. Thanks @loobab...really appreciate the detailed comments and am looking for a knockout mirror. The stairway railing will be replaced with a modern cable railing.

What about painting the whole thing A color?

Also the mock-up is more of a traditional trim style. But you can do something with more clean lines for a more modern approach

Paint ideas

More modern

These are great, @HU-187528210. Thank you. I can't paint this wall a different color because the one parallel to it is charcoal gray.

Modern cable will look great!

The bigger the mirror the better.

Please peruse Architectural Digest and the British decorating magazines and the French ones too.

Sometimes a very modern decorating theme will use a statement piece that is more traditional and it is just knockout.

The French and Italian do just the opposite with the same marvelous statement effect. In their situation, they are often working with very traditional bones- traditional architecture, traditional molding, a vintage stove with that tiling, but then they use modern furniture and art.

In your case, unless you can find the gigantor modernish sunburst mirror you like, assuming you are going with modern furniture, do the opposite.

Find a gigantor quality very vintage, or better, antique gigantor mirror (doesn't have to be sunburst) that screams quality.

Do try to have the scale of the mirror and the table be somewhat in proportion.

You wouldn't want a huge brutalist type table and a delicate spindly mirror.

I have also seen 8 foot antique mirrors just resting on the floor in the entryway.

I wouldn't advise that if you live in a seismically active area.

Love those ideas! Thanks so much @loobab. Looking for a statement mirror :)

I think you have a great idea for this large wall. Many ways to further decorate that beautiful entry.

@Flo Mangan, thank you as always! These are beautiful ideas. Do you think it is possible to achieve the same look without the molding?

@loobab, looking at the RH Gilt Mirror or the Anthropologie Gleaming Primrose. Or I could do as @Flo Mangan shared, a big, bold rectangular modern mirror. Thoughts?

No. Haha! It’s the textured look that draws the eye up and creates the drama. But you could still create a dramatic look without it. Giant oversized art for example with bench under it for a dramatic but more modern look.

Thanks @Flo Mangan.

Here are a few more modern looks.

Yes, some great ideas there! Thank you!!

If you are uncertain of styling for your home, molding will be limiting so wait until you have found the perfect look. It will be quite an investment to do molding and then repaint so be sure of that before you jump into that. Plus, you might find a great piece of art and want to accent its size and shape with molding. So wait!

@loobab, that is excellent advice! Thank you! I was rushing to get the place done, which can mean taking pricey shortcuts. I love your candid feedback and will look for something more authentic. The design will happen more organically, which is better for my space and wallet! Thank you so very much!

@Flo Mangan, you nailed it! I love the photos with the moldings but was thinking through the pros and cons, including the investment. I think I'll wait till I am clear on what is needed for this space. Thank you so much!

You can look online at the mirrors in auction houses such as Sotheby's, Christie's, Bonham's.

Even if their item are beyond your price range, you can still peruse their offerings to get an idea of what is available out there of quality.

Once you decide on furnishings for the entry I ran across this more modern look for the wall. You can create your own design that fits the look you want. Tuck this away, just in case.