Best Decorating Ideas For 2 Story Foyer (staircase, color, photos, door)

[oldhousegirl]

Hi, I really want a nice, casual and welcoming entryway for a 2 story foyer. The key is for whatever furniture I put in to not get swallowed up by the size. I am considering a larger console table with two lamps, and some decorative objects on the table, a larger circular rug, a vase/planter off to the side, and assorted art on the walls. I don't want to spend a ton of money, a few hundred dollars.

Suggestions?? What have others done that is warm and inviting?? Thanks.

[kshe95girl]

We need a picture of the foyer! cant offer advice without seeing it!

[oldhousegirl]

Kshe95, I was hoping you would not mention actual photos!! O.K., here goes, I know these are horrible, and the files are waay too big, just have mercy on me. Thanks everyone!!

p.s. The console would go along the space by the stairs.

[oldhousegirl]

Also, for the creative types. The staircase is double, there is another staircase just like the one in the pic to the left of the hall closet door that feeds off the kitchen/family room. Maybe I could duplicate in some way, or pick up a theme of whatever I do in the foyer with the same wall space on the other staircase on the family room side. Open to all ideas.

Once you come into the foyer, the family room is straight ahead. The den/office is the room to the left, and the formal dining room is to the right. By the way, we use neither of those two rooms, and I am considering hanging some of those bamboo door twigs or whatever they're called from Cost Plus to "hide" the empty office.

[kshe95girl]

I am an interior designer, and I can tell you I have seen way worse in my career!
Thanks for the pix..... I like all your ideas, they are really good ones, except for the 2 lamps. I would just do one, one the left hand side of the console. I would balance that out with a pair of candlesticks on the other side. Asymetrical balance is whats that is called, rather than matched pairs.
We pros very seldom do matched anything, the asymetrical (I know I am spelling it wrong) look is something you will see in the design mags...... gonna rummage around in my portfolio and see what I can find for an example....

[oldhousegirl]

Thanks kshe95!! An image would be great, I can sort of visualize it but...

[kshe95girl]

was having puter trouble last night, will post a pix after work today.....

[kshe95girl]

ok, took the camera to work today, and created a do pix, and a dont pix, thought that would be easier than a bunch of portfolio pix. Remember, the foyer is the opportunity to introduce your color scheme and style......
First, the dont pix......

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj260/kshe95girl/misc002-2.jpg (broken link)

see how everything is the same color, and feels lopsided?
Now for the do pix........



even though nothing matches, there is a flow to all the objects, and an introduction to the style of the room.
Hope this helps!

[oldhousegirl]

Thanks alot for the before and after shots.