I really like this.

But (there always is a but) I find the rug distracting. I think there would be more impact without it mucking up the curvy space and also the diminishing the contrast of the table & reflective finish of the chairs.

Still, love the palette & the new function of the space- Great Job!

Ditto hunted's comment about the rug. Otherwise, having priced built-in bookshelves myself, I imagine this curvy custom beauty wasn't cheap, but it's a great makeover! So much more character, so much more function!

I agree with "hunted" -- I'd like to see a round rug, or even a round table for a little more visual symmetry and space definition. But everything else is fabuloso! I wish that I had a corner like this one for the same treatment.

Love the bookcase, but the furniture looks off. Those don't look like very comfortable reading chairs. I would have preferred to see the older chairs painted and reupholstered without the odd side table in between them.

Major improvement with the builtins...
...but I must agree that the older chairs appeared to be more comfortable - they just needed updating w/ new upholstery.

Ditto on that rug! I thought it was a drop cloth and I was wondering why they didn't clean up the space before taking pics for AT! Very nice shelves though.

Amazing job!

I agree, The rug is a bit distracting. Before taking a closer look at the photo I thought that there was still a drop cloth on the ground.

I love the new chairs but I think the older ones will look better in the new space. I think I like the old arrangement of the chairs better as well.

I agree with the concept that the built in is an improvement, BUT... I do not understand why would a designer specify a built in and not take it all the way to the ceiling. The corner above the "built-in" is very distracting to me. Maybe not so much in this photo, but I imagine if I was in the space I would keep looking at the corner and be bothered by it.

"BUT... I do not understand why would a designer specify a built in and not take it all the way to the ceiling."

Probably that's about maintaining a scale for human proportions- human proportions in repose- aka for their "reading nook". Knowing the space would be most used when sitting down, the designer chose not to extend storage to ceiling as it might have an imposing/intimidating effect, the very opposite of an inviting reading nook.

that's my take on that. Scale.

Also Function & Accessibility.

Beautiful bookshelves. The old chairs looked like they matched the style better and were more comfortable. It also seems odd to me to walk in the front door of an apparently larger home and immediately see the facing chairs and tiny table right there, along with a rug that is not easily cleaned. Do people generally read in the foyer? or sit down in the foyer with a cup of tea with the neighbor who popped in? I've never had a large entryway and only used the space I did have for a floor mat and a small dresser or bench that were used daily.

Another vote against the rug! But the bookcase is wonderful.

Glad I'm not alone. I liked the before chairs and don't like this rug or the little table.

Very nice bookcase, but I'm with those that dislike the chairs, table, and rug.

Love, love, love the bookshelves! I agree the old chairs were better. I don't dislike the new ones but think at they need a different table. The height of it is competing too much with the height of the chairs.

Gorgeous shelves. Love the rounded angle when my first instinct would have been to do a right angle.

Beautiful shelving unit! Personally, when I read I feel like a kid again, getting absorbed in the pages (yes, even with nonfiction)... so I'd probably rather fall into a pile of floor pillows and spawl out than I would want to sit upright in a chair. That's just a personal preference, but man do I envy that shelving unit!

I'm thoroughly in love with Tom Ford, but does anyone else agree that that big book look rediculous on that little table. Seems quite hefty to pick up in such a petite space!

The shelves on the other hand, have a great big impact!

Hi everyone - Annie here - the lucky girl whose home this is. I was thrilled when my designer, Sam, emailed me to say that my beloved entryway was featured on AT.

Thanks to everyone for your comments and compliments. I'd like to invite everyone to look at the entire makeover on Sam's blog http://www.styleswoon.com/2010/09/02/annies-house/ so you can enjoy the rest of the downstairs. It is my heaven! You'll actually find the "before chairs" that many of you liked in the dining room - the scale seemed to fit that space much better.

One of the great things about Sam was that she was FABULOUS about working with my budget. I'm a 28 year old, so she had to get creative in many areas, and at some point we may "upgrade" certain pieces. For instance, those chairs (which I truly adore) in the reading nook - Sam found those for me for $25 each!!! Not only did I love the look, but the price was truly right to allow for luxuries, like the built-in shelf unit. The little table was from my parents garage - which Sam had repainted (it was mahogany).

Each piece works perfectly together, and it's a place I feel so happy in when I come home from work each day!

Thanks for your feedback, it is so fun to read!