Friday, February 19, 2016

The Foyer -- First Impression of Your Home

Whether you call it a vestibule, an entryway, the front hallway or the foyer,
this little space inside your front door sets the tone for you entire home.
Since this is a blog about French Country, let's call it the foyer.
I even love the French pronunciation "foy-yay."
Seems the French can make anything sound romantic!


It's interesting to note the word "foyer" originally meant "the place where the fire is kept."
The term described an area in French theaters, comparable to the green room
in English theaters, where actors relaxed off stage.
Because they were often visited by friends during and after performances,
such areas evolved into large and beautifully decorated spaces.

The foyer provides the first impression of your home.You can create a welcoming impression
by presenting a warm feeling that reflects the style of your house.
Here is the foyer of my 1907 home.
Warm wood tones, touches of metal, and pops of red and yellow are echoed throughout my house.


I update my foyer seasonally and keep it pretty simple.
For winter, I added some vintage snowshoes, colorful scarves and a basket of lavender.
When spring arrives, I will probably switch out the lavender for some white blossom branches
and exchange the scarves for some straw hats on the antique hall tree.


A mirror positioned across from a window reflects more light into the space.


Add a bit of French Country with a French market basket,


some rusty metalwork,


or an interesting piece of art that will draw visitors inside.


A pretty light, whether a table lamp or a fancy chandy, provides a warm glow to this space.
My light is a vintage glass and copper fixture that I love but I think it is too high to appreciate.
Since it can't be extended in length, I'll probably replace it with a small chandelier
and move this light to the guest room.


If you have room, it's nice to add a chair, stool or bench to your foyer
where people can sit down to put on their shoes. I don't have enough space so we sit on the stairs.
By the way, we removed several layers of paint and carpeting from these stairs
to reveal the warm wood underneath.


At the landing is an original stained-glass window casts an old-world glow to the foyer.


It may seem insignificant but a thoughtful foyer is essential
to creating a warm and welcoming home. 
Remember what your high school counselor said:
"You only get one chance to make a first impression!" She was right.

P.S.  Only 29 days til Spring!!


Sharing with:  Shabby Fu FuThoughts from AliceOur Southern HomeRustic & RefinedDwellingsKaren's up on the HillBetween Naps on the PorchCozy Little House,
Coastal CharmCedar Hill FarmhouseA Stroll Thru LifeBella Rosa AntiquesElizabeth and Co.Savvy Southern StyleKnick of TimeMaison de PaxFrom my Front Porch to YoursHave a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonA Delightsome LifeThe Vintage NestRooted in ThymeAdirondack Girl at HeartHawthorne and MainCharm of HomeFrench Country CottageShabby Art BoutiqueThe Cottage MarketD.D.'s Cottage and DesignPeonies and Orange BlossomsPoofing the Pillows






31 comments:

  1. I like your foyer. Our 1927 cottage has a good-sized foyer - big enough for a nice sideboard and a chair. I am on the lookout for a hall tree similar to yours to take the place of the chair. There is no front closet in the house, so guests' coats end up in the guest room.

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    1. Thanks for visiting my foyer and good luck finding your hall tree.

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  2. I love your hall tree. The stairs and of course the foyer is gorgeous

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  3. Love your staircase and gorgeous stained glass window. Beautiful hall tree, too!

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    1. Thanks Marigene. I think the front window was stained glass at one time but it's long gone.

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  4. Your foyer is gorgeous. I try to change things seasonally too. I'm stuck on what to do in the foyer for spring. I don't have a lot of spring things. I have a winter snow with birds and chair canvas hanging now and it needs to go. Not sure what to replace with. I love your picture. A bit of unexpected! I think I'll look for something unexpected. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks Grantham. How about some straw hats or baskets for spring. Good luck!

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  5. I love your foyer! So many thoughtful, one-of-a-kind details. How do you keep the lavender from shedding?
    I live in France, but don't have a foyer. We did enclose our front porch with glass. Ironically, it was impossible to see the pool from inside the house unless the front doors were open. But in summer, we never opened the doors because we don't have screens (we did put in screens for our windows, something very un-French). Now we have a screen in one of the panes on the porch, to let in air, and we can open the double front doors wide for a view of the pool, which is in the front of our house. Our friends call it "un sas." It turns out to have other benefits: it insulates the living room in winter, and gives us a place to take off wet shoes, etc. And when it's nice but still too chilly or windy to be outside, we have two chairs in the sas for lounging.
    francetaste.wordpress.com

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    1. Thanks for visiting from France. Seems like there are always compromises in decorating. Your house sounds lovely and ready for all seasons.

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    2. P.S. to Francetaste...I forgot to explain how I keep my lavender from shedding. It's really easy...it's fake! Looks real though.

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  6. Great advice! Our foyer is weird...it's small right by the door and then opens into a large area. I have the hardest time making it brighter. Mirrors are definitely a big help. I always love a little splash of red too.

    I'd love for you to join us for Thoughts of Home on Thursday. :)

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    1. Thanks Stacey. I'll definitely join your new link party on Thursday. Good luck!

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  7. Wonderful home and an impressive fouer! Thanks so much for linking with "Let's Talk Vintage!"

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    1. Thanks Jillian. I never thought of my foyer as impressive so nice to hear.

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  8. Oh yay! I was so glad to see your pretty foyer at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. Thank you!

    Pinned. :)

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  9. It's a very warm and welcoming foyer...here from Poofing Pillows

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  10. Your foyer is really nice! I like how you change seasonally! Thanks for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop!

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    1. Thanks Angelina. I also joined your "Community," French Decor. Hope you visit again soon.

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  11. What a sweet foyer, and that stained glass window is gorgeous. I love older homes that have retained some if not all their original features.
    https://thehousecrusher.wordpress.com/

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    1. I love old houses too. In fact, sometimes I'll go to an estate sale just to check out the inside of an old house! Thanks so much for stopping by.

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  12. The house we live in now is the first one to actually have a foyer - all the other houses opened right into the living room. And, I love changing up the look of our foyer.

    Your foyer is welcoming and lovely - especially the stained glass window.

    Thanks for sharing at SYC.

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  13. I don't have a foyer in my 1930 cottage, but I do have a hall tree to the right of the front door. The only problem is, all my friends always come through the side door lol

    Anyway, that staircase and window are beautiful and you've decorated it very lovely :)

    rue

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  14. Your Arts & Crafts cottage is simply stunning, Pat--that stained glass! Love the lavender with the snowshoes tucked in that little corner. Thanks for sharing with us at Vintage Charm :)

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    1. Thanks so much Diana. It won't be long til the snowshoes get put away and the straw hats come out to play!

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