First (unsolicited) comment - I think your rug may be a bit small for the space. I urge more talented ATers than I to offer some suggestions for the floor covering...
For the lighting, I'm thinking large pendant or modern rustic (perhaps danish - i'm thinking something even room and board-ish) chandelier. I can't tell if your entry table has a table lamp on it, but if it doesn't, I'd add one there.
Love the skull and cross bones pillow on the fancy chair - fab :).

Scratch Room and Board - maybe Restoration Hardware is what I was thinking for the chandelier...

Maybe a big crystal chandelier like this?

http://www.spectrumhome3.com/PurchaseItem.aspx?ChandelierID=205&SpecialTableID=60&Pieces=Chandelier&name=Large%20Size&sku=A46-383/8 4 5&description2=Spectrum

A chandelier difinitely but stay away from a frilly one.

Maybe something like this:
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/easton-chandelier/?pkey=cchandeliers

or if you want more going on something like this:
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/bellora-chandelier/?pkey=cchandeliers

What about lights along the walls?

I agree with all the above.

Plus I would alter the lighting in the kitchen to flood more into the foyer.

look at circa lighting and i cwould suggest something in belgian design. im thinkind a circle, cylinder or square might be fun.

Adding a fixture will give the space some interest and focus, but don't abandon your cove lighting altogether. It's a simple, inexpensive, energy-efficient way to create a nice, even glow in a room. Consider ditching the metal "gutters" but replacing them with nice crown moulding designed for this purpose. Adjusting the tubes to fit the length of the wall will prevent that hot spot effect you're getting now.

I don't have any suggestions. But oh, to have a large and spacious entryway like yours! That's about the size of our kitchen. I'm not jealous, I'm just...okay, I'm a little jealous. One day we'll have a real house. :)

I think a chandelier would be lovely. Whatever type of light fixture you find, definitely add a dimmer. You can create a nice mood when welcoming guests for a dinner party.

This is an impressive set of responses. In such a traditional apartment, I would really favor a central, traditional pendant fixture rather than a chandelier - a glassy bowl or shade with a diameter of around 24 inches seems about right. My concern here would be: is that ceiling the underside of the structural slab? If so, will the building permit channelling for wire to the center of the foyer? If not, you might consider dropping the ceiling a couple inches to allow for the wiring. This approach would work nicely with dwelement's comment above about the cove lighting being concealed by a uniform crown instead of a "gutter," and it would give you an opportunity to continue the cove lighting on all 4 sides.

I also think a chandelier would look great. But it looks like yoru foyer is a space you'll be crossing to get to and from every room in your apartment, and that at least one room will be permanently open to it. So I would suggest you also get a side light, either a lamp on a table or a standing lamp, that will give a less bright light than your main light fitting, which you can use to give it a cosy glow in the evenings.

Oh I do agree about the rug being too small.

How much light do you need, how traditional do you want to stay, and can you even put in a ceiling fixture?

If you don't need a lot of light, looks like you have an opportunity for two buffet-style lights on the entry chest. You can also implement the sconce ideas above, and (were it me) I'd consider picture lights above your art.

If you need some more light and don't want to keep traditional, replace the fluorescent tubes with incandescent rope lighting, on a dimmer. Opportunities for the lamps/sconces/picture lights still exist.

If you are looking for a traditional overhead light feel (although the skull pillow leads me to believe you are not a full-on traditionalist!), and CAN install one in that ceiling (if it's slab. you won't be able to without channeling and/or building permission), I'd go with a low profile alabaster bowl type fixture. Dropping the ceiling is a possibility, yes, but NOT a cheap or fast one. And you will still need building approval.

If you are going whole hog, can install in the ceiling, and want something midway between modern and traditional, I'd ring the room with small recessed highhats, rope light the soffit, install the alabaster bowl fixture, hardwire in your picture lights, AND add lamps to the entry chest.

When picking a fixture to install, match the metal to the door hardware in the space.

And since the unsolicited advice is flowing so freely, I'd replace that one plain white door with a paneled model, even if you keep it white/painted.

I also think this entry (a gorgeous space, btw) is a great opportunity for a gutsier color.

You don't say anything about budget, so I'm throwing out something big:

http://www.dwr.com/product/lighting/ceiling/chandeliers/murano-glass-chandelier.do?sortby=ourPicks

Red is on sale! Well, sale for DWR.

how about a pendant light or small chandelier that matches your style.

You are so amazingly lucky to have a lovely large entrance like this!

It practically *begs* for a chandelier!

The chandelier should be big, but I think the triple chandelier might be a bit too big.

I would go with the Moooi Light Shade Shade, which combines the modern and traditional. I am not sure which of the 3 sizes would look best in your space, but suspect it to be the largest (and most expensive). It is a stunning investment piece, and perfect in your case:

http://www.ylighting.com/moi-lightshade70.html

http://www.ylighting.com/moi-lightshade95.html

Something modern and unusual is the dandelion chandelier, also by Moooi:

http://www.ylighting.com/moi-dandelion.html

Other options are a Murano chandelier (the red one may be interesting), or a traditional (ideally vintage) crystal chandelier.

http://www.dwr.com/product/murano-glass-chandelier.do

http://trouvais.com/2009/11/21/timeless-in-provence/maison-cote-sud-dec-03-trouvais-com-9/

There are many other options, but I think given the style of what I see in the entry, these would be the most appropriate. I would also place a round hall table in the centre with the chandelier on top. Elegant and timeless.

Good luck in your search!

The only way I'd put a drop-style chandelier in here would be if I were using a central foyer table.

Otherwise, a bowl style or a lantern style.

I agree with the above comments that suggest using wall sconces. Maybe something like these would work http://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/411397.htm

If you're leaning more toward pendant lighting, something I would suggest something like this fixture by access lighting.

http://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/252173.htm

I would stay away from a chandelier unless you put an accent table beneath it. An accent table would compliment that type of lighting fixture nicely.

its a lovely hallway and i think it would be even more atmospheric with some floor lamps like:

http://aifff.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/floor-lamps-φωτιστικά-δαπέδου/

I agree w/ Patrick - an oversized lantern would look fabulous in this space...
...but that doesn't mean it should be the only source of light - You should still have a console table w/ a lamp or a pair of sconces in there.

Oh wow---what a terrific space. This is the perfect place to be indulgent! I am not a fan of built in lighting so ...

1. up-lights, with lots of green plants and one really stunning orchid under a plant-friendly spotlight

2. Free-standing torch lights in art deco style, and a fabulous art deco mirror

3. Library, with a dozen small lamps stashed between the books, to come on when you flip the entry switch.

My vote would be for one of those large LeKlint pendant's like this one:

http://www.nest-living.com/collections/le-klint/products/le-klint-172-pendant/

The Giant one is so impressive and looks great in older homes.

Have to disagree with Patrick that a chandelier *must* be paired with a center hall table, especially not with a Moooi Light Shade Shade. While I think it would work in your space, it is not de rigeur.

http://www.livingetc.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=5013

http://8603rapleygateterrace.com/image_display.php?image_id=515223&imgid=515223&w=298

Maybe the solution is to add more than one light source
1. table lamp
2. chandelier
3. sconces

Rejuvenation Lighting is a wonderful source for repro vintage and they even have some antique fixtures.

www.rejuvenation.com

It is a lovely foyer.

P.S. Is there a vintage lighting store in your city? Go browsing.

Chip in toronto

I would suggest a domed alabaster light light like these here http://www.brasslight.com/Alabaster_Lighting_s/64.htm?gclid=CIHap_CDjKACFZdM5QodAzQgdw (but in a faux/cheaper version!), perhaps on a dimmer. I think it feels both a bit traditional and modern at the same time, accentuates the high ceiling without getting too frilly, and perhaps you can find one with black rods, to go with the black of your chairs. This light would provide overall illumination of the space and then you'd need a table lamp for more targeted light and atmosphere. I also think the rug might be a little small, and a floor plant next to your chair by the kitchen would be nice.

mschatelaine--

Didn't mean to imply it was the only way. Just said I would never do it. But of course, always exceptions... even to personal rules.

Personally, I think the ceiling height here is way too low for a big statement piece. And the samples you provide aren't exactly the same context as here.

Larry--
Give us some more style cues on how modern (or not) you want to go.

If you want to stay more traditional overall, and this question is part of a larger project, I'd rethink the fixed glass panel into the kitchen. Sticks out (to me) as a "added later" feature. I'd go French doors.

Personally, as far as "installed lighting," (as opposed to freestanding lamps) I like fixtures that look like they are somewhat true to the vintage and vibe of the original construction, and the "envelope" of the space, even if the bones of the space are traditional and your desired vibe is much more modern.

That's not to say it has to be period reproduction, per se... it can be a fresh take on traditional a la Thomas O'Brien... or most anything from Circa Lighting.

That's of course unless you are looking for a very striking juxtaposition of a traditional space and a much more modern (Mooi or sputnik ) statement piece... which the French and the Brits are very good at, so check out their take on it, like mschatelaine suggests via LivingEtc... etc.

Your space is really traditional, and maintaining that traditional aesthetic with your fixtures is going to make it feel really claustrophobic and staid. There's no easier way to update things than with lighting, so I'd suggest something more structured and modern, like Leucos's Nubia
http://www.foreverup.com/cgi-bin/moxiebin/bm-editor.cgi/preview/40/page/2638
or Neidhardt's Studio chandeliers
http://www.designerlightingfixtures.com/lighting/chandeliers/studio-chandelier.shtml

you need something with character:
www.jeffletain.com/

From Larry. Thanks for all the generous comments to my dilemma. The guts of the building is very traditional. It was a mansion built in the early 1900s and turned into apts. The rest of my apt is a careful mix of traditional and modern. I collect modern art (paintings, sculptures, ceramics, etc) so the space had to have some modern decor twist. The reason I selected the apt besides being over 1800 sq. ft was the open plan allowed room to create a gallery feel.

When I saw this foyer, I immediately thought of woven bamboo and sisal, both for the light and for the rug. I agree with what others have said about the rug -- it's nice, but too small and dark for that room IMO. The contrast between the rug and the floor draws my eye and I don't look at those nice chairs you have as much as I want to. And, the natural fibers would soften up the feel of the room. But maybe I'm crazy.

A Woven Ikea Ceiling Pendant

Pottery Barn Natural Fiber Rugs

Smaller accents like lamps and plants would be nice too. That's be a good place to play. Orchids are all well and good, but what about some succulents? They are so low-maintenance and some of them are really sculptural.

Apartment Therapy looks at succulents

If you want a gallery feel, monorails are a great way to provide general light and task lighting to highlight your artwork. modernlighting.com has a customizable monorail system that also has LEDs ... which don't damage your artwork! Check it out here: http://www.modernlighting.com/index.php?module=monorail_wiz