As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and the entry foyer of a home is a great place to convey the personal style of the owner and set the tone for the rest of the home. 

The Entry Foyer of our recently completed West Clay Project has a beautiful wall of architectural fenestration that feels very formal.  We wanted to preserve this gracious feeling, and create a slightly edgy counterpoint with the furniture selections. 

We chose a console table with a petrified wood top, the owner’s existing Chippendale chairs were recovered with a zebra printed hair on hide, and we used mixed metals and leather for lamps and accessories.

As part of the entry sequence of our Noe Valley Project, there is a generous foyer that leads to the central staircase.  Originally a door to the powder room limited how the space could be used, but by relocating the door, we were able to create a focal point with this settee that our clients had inherited from their parents, recovered in a Robert Allen windowpane plaid. 

On the opposite side of the stair foyer is a smaller entry foyer that leads to the front door.  We filled this space by re-purposing our client’s antique Italian desk as the entry console, which gives them plenty of drawer space to hide all the supplies necessary to get out the door, like sunscreen, bike locks, glasses, and hats.  Above the console, we hung a piece of Larry Bell artwork from their personal collection.  The piece incorporates a mirrored component, so it has a dual function as a discreet way to do a quick lipstick check on the way out the door.

For the entry of our North Beach Project, we were able to address a range of our clients’ wishes, including to create a moody space where they feel transported to a personal atelier.  The custom-designed bookcases hold just a small portion of an expansive personal library and each flank a central storage cabinet that doubles as a console where they can drop keys and phones.  The cabinets below conceal music books and craft supplies for the wife’s many artistic pursuits. A long-time favorite red leather chair was the perfect anchor in the corner and serves as a perch to remove shoes, as well as a cozy place to settle in for a long reading session. 

When planning an entry foyer, consider this checklist to make sure it will be both functional and beautiful:

• A place to hang coats and hats.  If there’s no dedicated coat closet, a coat rack or hooks is the next best thing
• Somewhere to sit and remove shoes, or set down a bag while you get your coat on
• A mirror to make sure your coat is on straight, and arrange your scarf
• At least one drawer to keep handy things such as sunscreen, lint roller, dog leash, glasses, and museum membership cards
• A surface to set fresh flowers, or have a low-maintenance succulent
• A bowl or tray for loose change, keys, and mail
• If there are kids in the house, consider bins for shoes and sports equipment, and have a plan for backpacks!
• An area rug that’s not too precious if the entry is directly connected to the exterior
• An umbrella stand during the rainy season
• A few pieces of art that make you happy every time you walk in the door