Decorating Dilemmas is a weekly column in which our stylists answer your design questions, so you can tackle your home decorating project with complete confidence.
Dear How to Decorate,
I have an odd entry way — the front door is right next to the garage door! This space also opens into the kitchen. I’d like the long wall to feel like a foyer type space, but on the small wall near the garage door I need storage space keys and mail.
In the kitchen, I’d love a fabric banquet with a new table and chairs. I’m not good at picking out home decor, so I need finishing touches and rugs too!
Help!
Kristin
Dear Kristin,
You have lovely spaces and we are happy to help you make them beautiful and functional.
A banquette is a great idea for maximum seating and comfort for your eat-in area in the kitchen. Our Bristol Banquette, in Chamois Microfiber, is spot cleanable and would pop against your blue wall. It works perfectly with our Sidney Table in Hickory Brown. Add a couple of Mia Side Chairs with Brass Nailheads in a bold Microfiber Teal to bring in more great color. The charming Carriage House Chandelier creates a warm, glowing atmosphere in this space and then ground the space with a Diamond Sisal Rug in Natural. Add just a few pillows, like our Courtney Spa Pillow, a 12” x 20” Ballard Essential Pillow in Trilby Basketweave Bark and a Meyers Pillow in Kiwi for pattern and texture. Lastly, we love the lighthearted Tweeting Stretched Canvas to pull all of the colors together and add some fun to the area.
Your foyer is a spacious area. Let’s pull in blue, from the kitchen, onto the long wall by painting a wide strip of a blue whisper. This will define the wall space and create a focal point.
Now that we have added a slight touch of color, let’s create some function by adding the beautiful Dehavilland 3-Drawer Console in Mahogany. A Livy Tray or Jillian Footed Bowl on top is the perfect landing spot for mail and keys as you enter the front door. Add a trio of Harlequin Mirrors above for sparkle and then flank the group with a pair of Leona Table Lamps. This provides wonderful lighting and adds a splash of a jewel tone color. The Elkins 20” X Bench, upholstered in Ellie Snow and flanking the Dehavilland, adds a great spot to put on shoes or boots. Bring in a little art with our exquisitely detailed Jellyfish Bloom Framed Prints above each bench for balance. Finally, we can unite our colors with the Devlin Tufted Rug.
We know these suggestions will help you create the beautiful spaces you want in your home.
Happy Decorating!
The Design Team
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Deb
I cringed when I saw the before pics with those doors side by side. I just had to read on to see how you takled this. Wow, what a brilliant idea to go along the long wall… totally draws the attention away from that garage door. I like all the details that you spell out and how/why your recommending the items that you do. Love the end result details of what you’ve recommended to her. Wonder if she did this – I’ll bet it silved her dilema.