Five Dramatic EntrywaysLiving Etc.

Your front entryway can make a powerful statement to visitors about what to expect in the rest of your home. These five entryways make bold statements, with vivid color and dramatic effects...

• 1 We love the dramatic dressing room appeal of this mirrored coat rack. The vintage flair of the large mirror with hooks along with the display of haute couture make for a fancy and playful entrance.

• 2 Hooks are always handy in an entryway, but when done in large quantities--especially when interesting variations are mixed and matched--the utility becomes artwork. This is a great example of useful design.

• 3 This electric lime door opens to a black wall with a single piece of artwork. While there isn't a lot going on in terms of furniture or accessories, this bold use of color makes a great statement and really highlights the single piece on the wall.

• 4 We put accessories, objects, books, and other accoutrements out for people to see, but putting them in a display case really accentuates objects as being special. We love that this entryway has a case, and can't get enough of the boot/shoe rack that just screams DIY.

• 5 Perhaps the most dramatic of them all, this entryway is nothing if it's not dramatic. The mosaic style mirrored walls, large graphic Sex Pistols print and neon colored branches definitely set the tone for a visitor's experience in the rest of the home. While not for everyone, we love it.

Haha, that first one reminds me of something I used to do in college which is to spend hours creating a nice little vignette instead of writing a paper. Then somewhere down the road I figured out that good design has to be beautiful and practical for the everyday.

Maybe I'm wrong though, maybe the person who lives in the first house really does dress like that everyday AND undress as soon as she gets home AND take the time to tie her coat at the waist so she can easily untie it the next time she leaves the house.

Whoops, I guess now I've started creating nice little snide blog comments instead of working...

posted by st@cy on July 30th 2009 at 1:58pm
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The first one does seem silly and time consuming, but I am loving the last one, so very out there and cool!

posted by msjessiemeghan on July 30th 2009 at 2:04pm
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I love the 4th one. I wish i had an entreeway...my front door lands you RIGHT in the middle of the living room!...maybe my neighbors would let me decorate the hall.....lol

posted by prunebrownies on July 30th 2009 at 2:12pm
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I like no. 2. So clean, colorful, bright.

posted by paintitbright on July 30th 2009 at 2:21pm
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agree - the last one is gorgeous. And I could see those poufs being useful for throwing down my bag, mail, keys.

LOVE the lime door.

posted by st@cy on July 30th 2009 at 2:23pm
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i really like #2. i like my entryway to be cheerful, practical and welcoming. i guess i'm just not a drama-mama!

posted by doubledutch on July 30th 2009 at 2:58pm
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I like # 3 with the lime door- stunning!
The last one is also very cool.

Here are three other beautiful and dramatic entryways that I like in Chicago and NY:

http://www.houzz.com/photos/18667/CrystalTech-----Roger-Hirsch-Architect---eclectic-entry-chicago

http://www.houzz.com/photos/19571/Hamptons-Show-house-modern-entry-new-york

http://www.houzz.com/photos/19571/Hamptons-Show-house-modern-entry-new-york

posted by modrngirl on July 30th 2009 at 3:02pm
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The second one is the most practical, but I really dig that last one.

posted by bromeliad on July 30th 2009 at 3:25pm
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Good thoughts. My new apartment is going to have an interesting challenge. Stairs immediately as you open the door. I'll send you a picture of whatever happens!

Emily

posted by Emily Sneds on July 30th 2009 at 3:38pm
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#3 is the only one I could live with. But it is really really nice.

posted by JoanneM on July 30th 2009 at 3:42pm
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OH. That lime door. *swoon* That's exactly the color I want on mine. RATS to the fact that I'm a renter. *sigh*

posted by Limeliteshines on July 30th 2009 at 3:47pm
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#4 looks like a bit like a shop.

posted by TallulahBelle on July 30th 2009 at 3:50pm
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#3 & 5 really speak to me -
- but I agree that #4 is like a shop, #1 is a bit ridiculous and #2 is has gone hook crazy...

posted by bepsf on July 30th 2009 at 3:54pm
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The only one I sort of like is 3, but there's no table or hook or anything for jackets, keys, mail, etc. The first and fourth ones seem more like boutique shop displays and I've never been a fan of hanging stuff all over the wall just 'cause you can, as in 2. I find the last example to be hideously gaudy and strange.

posted by slowdown on July 30th 2009 at 4:11pm
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