Entryways & Michael Smith's New Products

I'm excited to post that Michael Smith has new products out for his Jasper Line, which includes furniture and fabric. In addition, his new book, Michael S. Smith Houses is available October 21, 2008. I have a link below where you can go check it out or pre-order if you want.

Here is Michael's Deauville Fabric. It is so understated and beautiful. It reminds me of linens that I grew up with.

This is the Lyon Biblioteque. Wouldn't this be wonderful next to your favorite reading spot?

The Treviso Armchair or the Italian Gilt Dining Arm Chair. The website lists it under both names. This is classic styling at its best. I love the pattern on the back rest of the chair, the acanthus leaf detail and the gilting. For a closer look, go to his website http://www.michaelsmithinc.com/ and look under "tearsheets".

Medici Console Table. Perfect for an formal entryway with its Louis XVI styling and gilting.

Close-up of Medici Console.

What makes a good entryway? Should it be functional or fantastic? Should it be designed just for a great first impression or should that go by the wayside in lieu of a place to set your wet boots and hang up your coat?

I believe the function of your entryway depends on the style of your home and what your family needs are. Obviously, a family with children may need something a little more functional than a young New York couple who entertains a lot.

Below are some fantastic examples of entryways that I have found.

Designer Jennifer Nilsen for Designer's Challenge. I love the colors of this space. The robins egg blue and the lime green are so fresh and inviting. The table legs are fabulous as well in different colors. This looks like an artist's home.




Designer Erinn Valencich for Light It Up. The combination of this whimsical wallpaper, with the contemporary styling of the dark wood mirror, bench and side table work well together. The pillows pull in the subtle colors from the wallpaper. Nicely done.


To accessorize with pillows, there are a few tricks of the trade that may help you in your decorating. Pillows can be a unifying element in a room. These pillows can be square, round, or rectangular and average in size between 12 and 18 inches in diameter. Be careful not to add too many decorative pillows, however. Though the look is luxurious, it may overwhelm the space. One beautiful accent pillows is enough. Smaller than the other pillows on your bed, they are often made of more expensive fabrics and are sometimes embellished with beading, sequins or other trim. Choose your favorite shapes or go with boudoir pillows or neck roll styles.







Another design by Erinn Valencich for Light It Up. Love her styling. She has a knack with accessories. Here she keeps the accessories colorless so the beautiful wall color is highlighted.






Designer Jackie Glisson for Designer's Challenge. The ironwork in this space is the main attraction. The built-in cabinetry with the faux-painted stone walls give this space a very luxurious, rich feel.





Designer Kristin Hannah for Designer's Challenge. This hallway's beautiful Spanish tile and faux painting on the adobe walls gives this space a very welcoming feel. The large wood table and spanish styled wood mirror above it add to the warmth. Photo by Dino Tonn.

Designer Lori Dennis for Designer's Challenge. Open, light and airy. The wall-mounted cabinet give this entrance hallway a more open feel and the niche above it gives the room the illusion of having more space.

Designer Simon Temprell for Designers Challenge. The iron in this entryway is the main attraction. The cream and parchment walls offers a nice backdrop for the ironwork.

Interior Designer Victoria Hagan. She incorporates into this entryway a few of my favorite things... dark floors, white walls, and over-sized lantern fixtures. Simplicity is key here, but the bones of the space are good to start with. The parquet floor, the columns, the greek key motif ceiling border and the Swedish-styled x-frame armchair give this room it's classical styling.




This photo is from a Pottery Barn ad. But, what I like about it for an entryway is that it is stylish, comfortable and functional. The kids can come in from school, sit down, take their shoes off and store them in the bench cubby, throw their jacket up on a hook and they are off running. And Mom gets to keep the area stylish with the glass vases and all the natural elements of the space; including the reed grasses, the woven baskets, a starfish from the beach and to tie it all together, the map wallpaper.



Interior Designer Thomas Pheasant. Fabulous entryway with the marble-topped console table and urn atop. These chairs are what Barbara Barry uses often with her decor, with a greek key motif added. The mirror with the meandering twigs looks wonderful against the marble wall.



Interior Designer Thomas Pheasant. I love his subtle color use in this space. The long narrow bench is the perfect compliment to the wonderful art on the wall. Although, my favorite two things about these spaces are the wonderful birdcage light fixture and chest and mirror in the back space. I want them both!



What is so striking about this entranceway is of course, the sculpture piece on the table. But, it works because the area is simplified and not overdone, as so many people try to do in their designs. This space is cold with all the marble and iron and the organic sculpture was just what this area needed.