Make anENTRANCE

Give your entryway the decorating attention and organization it deserves with these expert-approved pointers.

by M O NI QUE VA L ER IS

Layer decor to create depth.

Natural, cozy and chic is the best way to describe this Southampton, NY, family retreat by designer Marina Hanisch. While the color scheme is understated, it’s far from boring thanks to the varying heights and textures of the decorative accents. “Organic textural elements create a sense of balance and tension against the black-and-white palette, which produced a design that is captivating and filled with dimension,” she says.

Spotlight historic woodwork.

Restoring original wainscoting was the trick to giving this Venice, CA, beach bungalow vintage flair. Designer Jeff Andrews balanced it with powder blue upper walls and a large console table to prevent keys and wallets from going missing. Hooks for bags and beach gear, framed art and a vintage chair enhance the arrangement. “This is a small home, so everything has to look good and be functional,” Andrews says.

Combine old and new.

Penny tile mosaic flooring is the pièce de résistance of the entry in this 100-year-old Chicago family home. “We wanted the space to feel like it had always been there,” says designer Alexandra Kaehler. An array of family photos, along with lots of nooks and hooks for hiding things away, proves that aesthetics don’t have to take a back seat to practicality.

Hang small-scale artwork in a grid.

Not only do a vibrant upholstered bench and asymmetrical lighting bring visual appeal to this Emilie Munroe–designed entryway, but also a collection of petite botanical prints makes a design statement. “Smaller pieces allow you to showcase a more diverse collection,” Munroe says. “Remember that you want the individual pieces to read as a whole, so space them no more than four inches apart.”