Wednesday, April 22, 2009

"Come in, come in . . . "

Good morning,

You've just walked up to a friend's home for the first time.  You might be there for a dinner party.  Or maybe just for a quick coffee.  You knock, and wait patiently, you can hear footsteps . . . and then the door opens . . . 

"First impressions,"  "best foot forward," and all those other chestnuts.  I love seeing how people design their entryways.  It's the best place to set the tone for the entire home, and not just its style, but also, and more importantly, the sense of hospitality.  

I especially love the simplicity and balance of Adele McGann's entry . . . and I LOVE the bright English wallpaper.
Sometimes, you might be overwhelmed by the size . . . but, you still can feel the warmth and hospitality.
I love the intimate architecture of this home . . . and the welcoming 'open' vista that greets you just inside the front door.

Or maybe we could go a bit grander, like this beautiful entryway from Ralph Lauren's home in Bedford.
and I still love this picture (from one of my own projects in East Hampton).  I wanted to keep everything elegant, but also simple and relaxing as a summer home should be.