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Southern Style by Rebecca Masters
Foyers create first impressions
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    Foyers and entry halls are areas of the home that deserve our attention. These areas should be welcoming and provide design statements that match the décor of the home. These spaces create the first impression of a home for visitors.
    Start with an area that is clean and free of clutter. Study your space size and determine if furniture is needed or will adequately fit in the space. If the space is narrow or small, furniture may not be appropriate. Consider using only a floor lamp with framed artwork that fits the scale of the space. Grouping several small pictures with identical frames together is often more interesting visually than one larger piece. Also, consider a mirror instead of artwork to make a small space appear more open and reflect light. Match the floor lamp, framed art, or mirror to the décor in the rest of your home.
    An entry rug at the door is practical to protect floor from wear as people enter. It is also a way to introduce color or your decorating theme and begin the personalization of your home. Avoid rubber backed rugs that may be more appropriate for baths or kitchens. Do purchase rug grippers which will protect floors from scratching and keep rugs from moving as people walk on them. Nicer rugs will require rug grippers to extend the life of the rug. This should be investigated when a rug is purchased.
    Larger foyers provide many opportunities for the use of furniture. Foyer tables, drop leaf tables, consoles, grandmother’s buffet, or chests are useful in a foyer. A single lamp may be placed on a small piece of furniture. Two lamps on a piece of furniture, one on each end, will provide symmetry.     Make sure the scale of the lamps works well the scale of the foyer and the furniture. Accessories should blend with your décor and remember to vary the heights of the accessories. Books can be used to elevate these chosen items. Consider placing family pictures in frames that match your décor in groups of three. Simple formality can be created by only placing a well chosen floral or greenery arrangement on the center of the furniture. Be aware of the container’s characteristics in terms of style and scale.
    Some foyers may have space for chairs to be used to flank each side of a furniture piece. Often extra dining room chairs or chairs of a similar size work well for this. Some formal foyers are large enough for round tables to be placed in the center of the space. In this case, a large floral arrangement of fresh flowers placed in the center of the table makes an elegant statement. Table size will determine if any other accessories are needed. Remember to be selective and typically group in collections of three items. Make sure they vary in height. If a more contemporary look is desired, group three to five identical items together and do not vary their height.
    Foyers are the areas that create first impressions. Always keep them in order.  Use timers on lamps in the evening to create a welcoming ambience. Remembering these decorating details will keep your home ready to welcome family and friends with southern style.  
    Rebecca Masters is a teacher and enjoys decorating, gardening, and entertaining,. She can be reached at finedesigns@frontiernet.net.
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