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 Fu, Thoughts from Alice, Our Southern Home, Rustic & Refined, Dwellings, Karen's up on the Hill, Between Naps on the Porch, Cozy Little House,
Coastal Charm, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, Bella Rosa Antiques, Elizabeth and Co., Savvy Southern Style, Knick of Time, Maison de Pax, From my Front Porch to Yours, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, A Delightsome Life, The Vintage Nest, Rooted in Thyme, Adirondack Girl at Heart, Hawthorne and Main, Charm of Home, French Country Cottage, Shabby Art Boutique, The Cottage Market, D.D.'s Cottage and Design, Peonies and Orange Blossoms, Poofing the Pillows

French Cowboy Style

Although my first love is French Country, I'm still drawn to the southwest.

My sunroom is a mix of Vintage, Native American and Cowboy styles.
Maybe I'll call this style French Cowboy!

Yep, they do have cowboys in the Camarque region of the South of France.
They ride beautiful white horses and herd distinctive black bulls.
Giddyup!!

I didn't have an opportunity to take any pictures of these French cowboys
when I was in France but
I loved this white horse galloping on a carousel in Paris.

But I digress.
Back to the sunroom.

There's something about a black raven decoy wearing silver jewelry

against a rustic turquoise cabinet that makes my heart sing.

Or the worn leather and metal on old spurs.

We love our rustic sunroom in the Fall with its little gas stove
making it cozy and warm on cool mornings.
It's the perfect place to display my southwestern/vintage collection.

This room has an interesting history. 

One wall is the original 1907 exterior of the house that included a tiny back porch.

The other wall was created in the 70's when a former owner expanded the porch
to create a small room.

We replaced the leaky windows with energy-efficient ones

when carpenter ants completely destroyed that wall.

I kid you not. Stay tuned for that horror story in a future post.

This vintage Beacon blanket, with its Native America designs and Fall colors, 

adds warmth and nubby texture to the room.

The sweet Begay Indian prints on the wall are collectible.

Antlers and art -- a striking mix of nature and man.

I've been collecting little cowboy boots for years. I have about fifty pair!

(Stored in vintage suitcases).

I usually find them at a thrift store for a couple of dollars but 

if they're in a Santa Fe shop, forget it. They can go for a LOT more.

Love the stitching and scuffed toes!

An earthy blend of textures fills an old leather desk organizer.

This little basket was always on our dinner table when I was growing up. 

We never had a meal without sliced white bread in the basket. It must be about 75 years old.
The basket, not the bread! 

I think my mother bought the basket at a roadside stand in Arizona in the 40's.

The hand-made candle holder is from the Taos Pueblo. 

There is something sparkly in the clay and the candle makes it come alive.

We found this old adobe brick mold in a dump in Taos, New Mexico.

It makes a perfect shelf for some of my collectibles.

Zuni buffalo and coyote fetishes seem to pay homage to the female form.
I love the way the sun is shining on her.

I'm not sure how to blend this style with French Country so I corral it all into one room.
A pretty grapevine basket with dried hydrangeas and other Fall touches
looks pretty in any room and with any style.

I don't think you have to limit yourself to just one style
as long as you love it and it works well with your other styles.
If something speaks to you, listen.

Sharing with: Dwellings, Rustic & Refined, Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm,
Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, Kathe with an E, Bella Rosa Antiques,
Savvy Southern Style, Knick of Time, Ivy & Elephants, Northern Nesting, Charm of Home,
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, Maison de Pax, Rooted in Thyme, Shabby Art Boutique,
French Country Cottage, Thoughts from Alice, Creative Country Mom