Laura Yeager Smith of Laura Yeager Smith Home & Design in Hudson calls the entry hall “an introduction to the home.” Make a good first impression by updating the space with a mix of functional furnishings and accessories. “It’s a trend that’s been growing the past few years,” Smith says. “Clients prefer taking a customized approach to their interiors that’s more reflective of themselves.” The tips illustrated by the foyer in this Bath lake house reflect five other interior-design trends.
Add a rustic touch // The move to rougher-hewn interiors are a result of more casual lifestyles. “People aren’t necessarily always as formal as they used to be,” Smith says. The mirror framed by rivet-studded acacia and antique-finish console table complement a pair of traditional wing chairs while providing a place to check hair and makeup, and drop keys, handbags and packages.
Mix materials // Wing chairs upholstered in a cream-and-burlap herringbone were outfitted with chestnut velvet cushions and accent pillows made from hand-knotted rugs. It creates a tactile treat for anyone sitting down to change shoes. The contemporary lamps, which provide ambient lighting, pair cast-concrete bases and polished-brass trim. “You wouldn’t necessarily expect them to be paired together,” Smith says. “But when you do that, you get that level of depth.”
Go retro-green // Smith placed a terrarium on the console instead of the usual floral arrangement or potted plant. She made her own by layering potting soil over pea gravel in an apothecary, then planting five to seven succulents and adding a couple of small rocks for interest. “It’s very low maintenance,” she assures. “You can go out of town for a week and not worry about it.”
Group artworks // Simply hanging a mirror isn’t enough — assemble collections of wall art and objects. Smith flanked the looking glass with hand-sketched landscapes the homeowners selected, a move that injected a dose of their personalities into the space. “The key is to hang the pieces close enough to each other that it really reads initially as one focal point,” she says.
Combine metals // Forget sticking with all brass, nickel or bronze hardware. Smith employed four metallic finishes in this foyer: polished-brass trim on the lamps, antique-brass nail heads on the chairs, pewter rivets on the mirror frame, bronze knobs on the doors. “Years ago, people wouldn’t think of doing [it],” she says. “But now they’re just not afraid to mix.”
Introduce Your Home with an Updated Entryway
From a move to casual and functional to mixing materials, interior designer Lauren Yeager Smith has trendy foyer fixes.
