Repurposed Foyer Space
Psssst… this post *might* contain affiliate links: see my disclosure here.
OH my gosh… with all the excitement of the past couple of months (Houzz, Home and Family, One Room Challenge…) I realized I never shared our new FOYER!!! I mean, it’s not “new”, but I finally pulled it together! I see it everyday since it’s the kids favorite place to set up their ‘indoor swimming pool’ (translation: bringing every throw pillow from the 1st floor into one pile) but I’ve kept it secret from you by accident! Sorry!!
This was the first thing I saw 18 months ago when I first stepped foot in this home. A bright space with high ceilings and amazing historic moulding. The library straight ahead has become our playroom, but that won’t be toy-ridden forever. The formal living room is to the left. And then the office is connected to the living room via one huge cased opening.
Shop my favorites!
With every room I pull together in this house, I’m quick to say I’m skipping the big step of painting and jumping right into the fun of styling! For many of the rooms, the color’s not great, but it’s not awful. Also? I’m super intimidated by all the trim that is currently off-white oil paint…. Gulp.
We had the foyer table in the old house, but it was a distressed blue. I’ve learned that I’m not a distressed paint gal. Out with the blue, in with this rich DecoArt gray in Relic (affiliate).
The carpet used to be in our old dining room… it’s Mohawk and I love the simple but global vibe.
These chairs were the formally red and blue chevron beauties from before. Different time. Different fad! Can you believe they’re the same chairs! Power of paint, people. The power of paint!
I chose this Minted fabric because it tied in the gray of the buffet and the green of a loveseat that I somehow managed not to photograph even once. (Affiliate.)
Now for some artwork! We’ve had this large round mirror since NYC and it’s finally found the perfect spot!! It’s a bear to hang and I’m always nervous to do so. It didn’t line up with a stud, so I used these concrete screws (affiliate)… the package comes with its own special drill bit and the screw goes right into the concrete. (This wall is the other side of the living room chimney… hence the concrete back there.)
My hands down FAVORITE part of this room are the NYC photographs on either side of the mirror. I am SO grateful to Minted for sending me these and truly treasure the reminder of my city days. The photographs are framed with their matte brass frame and I opted to get photographs with the author’s signature! (I chose New York City Snow, NYC Midtown, and Grand Central Station. (Affiliates.) (Central park no longer available.) It’s like my very own mini art gallery right here in the foyer!
The pendant light was actually a basket I bought at Goodwill for $15. FIFTEEN. It is one of my top five thrifting scores.
This little vignette in the corner isn’t ideal, but I can’t stand to get rid of that little campaign side table and there weren’t any obvious spots around the house. The only purpose it serves here is a nice little table for me to put some plants on. That chair was picked from a warehouse with the intent of reupholstering it. But when I got it home, I realized it was meant to have a cane seat… it’s quirky, but I actually love the deconstructed look! Behind it is my small collection of vintage survey sticks. Aren’t they cool?
Foyers are funny spaces because they carry a bit of importance as the first impression one gets of your home and yet… it’s not really a room where you spend much time. (Unless, of course, you’re a pack of pillow toting toddlers!)
Come back later in the week for a quick and fun tutorial on how I made the napkin rings for the One Room Challenge. Necessity is the mother of invention!
Disclosure: I am SO grateful to Minted for sending me these photographs. All opinions are my own and they are more fabulous than they appear online!
I think your foyer is bigger than my living room! Looks great!
Isn’t it incredible?! These old houses are amazing that way!
I love this space! It looks amazing, and I will for sure be stealing that little campaign chest when you’re not looking.
Haha! If that means you’re up in CT, then GREAT! xx
What a huge foyer! No wonder it’s the kids’ favorite play area. The pictures really make it all come together. And wow those chairs were something else in their former lives. I guess you are going through a calmer phase right now.
THanks, Mary! Yeah… the chairs. I LOVED the big boldness of the first version, but… they suit this house and that space a MILLION percent more now. 🙂
I’d have bought the house just for the wood floors…spectacular. Love your eclectic vibe. Though I coveted the red/chevron chairs, their new look is equally fab!
THanks, Bridget! They really are incredible. In terrible shape actually… lots of places chipping off, etc. but the width is something truly special.
I wish our foyer were big enough for an indoor swimming pool! ;). It looks great….I love the vintage survey sticks (I never even knew such a thing existed until today) 🙂
HA! Right?! The house is so old that it rattles in every room when they ‘dive’… :/ Aren’t those fun? I saw one YEARS ago and thought it was sort of cool and now… voila. Found some!
I have always wanted to have a large foyer. I would put an Oriental rug with a round table right in the middle. I have owned two houses in my life and both of them capes so no foyer. If I had my way, we would have moved our of Connecticut to someplace warmer and bought an old house with a large foyer but we are tied to Yale/Smilow so we can’t move. I love your foyer, thanks for sharing.
Our neighbors in NYC had a table in their foyer and I was awe struck! I was using old furniture so never even got to consider the center table in here, but I bet one would work!
I had to chuckle at the “indoor swimming pool” line, I thought my 2 youngest girls were the only children that did that?! Only, our pillows get pulled off our bed and the couch and laid on the living room floor in different “path patterns.” Ha! Love the pictures Charlotte. I’m getting the urge to re-do our foyer, it’s smaller than yours but it is the landing zone for the house and right now, it’s not making the best first impression. It’s only 6 years old, but it needs a better layout and some seating for shoe removal, etc. Oh, and either board & batten or shiplap (love me some Joanna Gaines!), Pinterest is my BFF right now.
HAHAHA! Mine haven’t discovered the bed pillows yet… that must be lovely! Good luck with the Pinterest rabbit hole! 🙂 xx
This space is amazing! I love the foyer table mixed with the chairs and your gorgeous floors! I want to see it with the pillow pool too 🙂
Haha! Now they’ve taken to building their forts in there so … it’s rarely suitable for visitors! 🙂
what is the style or name of the Mohawk carpet u have in the room
like it but where can I purchase? looked at Houzz and JC penney noluck
tks
Hi Ann! I’m afraid this particular carpet may not be available anymore… it’s pretty old. Mohawk is available on Overstock and Amazon too if you want to check there too.
Do you know the history or origin of the foyer table? I have one that looks identical that BELONGED to my Grandma and was vintage when i was born in the early sixties..
Hi Patty! I don’t unfortunately! I bought this on Craigslist but have always loved this style!