A Small Entrance Can Still Look Grand

The entrance through our front doors is rather small and welcomes you rather abruptly. My home is styled from a popular model built in the early 70's, the raised ranch or bi level. As a result, when you enter you have two quick options- either up or down! There is no opportunity to stand and embrace a spacious or accommodating front hall. So my wish for a grand, and lovely sweeping staircase was dashed.
So, we make the best of what we have!
You can immediately look right up into the kitchen/great room.
It is a very small space.
The best way to expand a space is with mirrors, so I hung a French style trumeau like mirror on the wall, painted, antiqued and slightly distressed.
It has lovely detailing and carvings.
It reflects the rather grand lighting fixture overhead. I tried to keep as much of my prior furnishings and light fixtures to reuse or repurpose during the renovation. This one has hung in my home for over twenty years. I just switched up the existing shades for hanging prisms.
I have used only vintage lights throughout. This is a fine example.
There is just enough space for a place to sit and put on your boots or shoes.


I had this tufted seat repurposed from a French style coffee table, and to make it the right width I used the extra wood for a small back to the seat. The widest it could be was 14 inches, without impeding the stairs.
The perfect cream coloured damask fabric was a thrift store find.
and was the perfect colour for the stone floor and BM paint used, Cake Batter.
Looking down into the small foyer.
Looking up
These photos were taken this past Christmas. You can see the abundance of light from the two front doors. Please excuse the tight shots, the choice of a similar paint pallet also helps define and enlarge a small space.
A coat closet to the right is hidden from view. Although it is very small, it is bright and welcoming, and can still offer a grand view of the indoors. N.
Nella Miller Design
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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