wallpaper borders

Ashley Whittaker

 I am midway through my One Room Challenge laundry room makeover, and I should just be concentrating on it, but my mind it already wandering, thinking about what room in my house I will attack next. I have been thinking that my entryway could use some work. Why are there so many names for it - foyer, entry, entryway, entrance, entrance hall? Mine is definitely not an entrance hall - it is more like a postage stamp, with very high ceilings, but little floor space. These are some entryways with Chinoiserie that are small but loaded with style that are inspiring me. A great mirror and blue and white Chinese porcelain are musts. Stay tuned for this developing story.

Caitlin Moran

Jane Feldman

Sara Tuttle

Katie Rosenfeld

Michael Smith

New England Home

Gray Chinoiserie hand-painted wallpaper and a Greek key klismos chair add sophisticated and understated Chinoiserie flair to this traditional foyer.

Not all of us have large entryways. Indeed, most of us in apartments, condos, townhouses, row houses, split foyers, split levels, and historic city homes have small foyers to decorate, or even just part of a wall dedicated to that purpose. Jamie Meares has outfitted this little space with style and Chinoiserie touches. I also love the tennis racquet and old walking stick. Here is more inspiration on my Pinterest board entitled "The Small Chinoiserie Entry."

I came across this picture of a little entryway in a Nantucket guest house and thought it was so adorable. Here is how I created this look in my own Coastal Chinoiserie Chic.

The wallpaper is the iconic Quadrille's Trellis Background in Navy on White.
I have used this elegant trellis lantern from Shades of Light.
A dramatic dragon ginger jar from The Pink Pagoda.
The classic West Elm's Parsons Console Table in white on sale now.
This wonderful yellow pineapple lamp from Horchow on sale now.
And three yellow children's rain slickers - such a cute look even if you don't have triplets! Think of them as wall art.

Jane Feldman

If you are itching to use a high end Chinoiserie wallpaper in your home at the least expense with the biggest impact, my vote is almost always the entryway. Foyers are often small, not requiring too many rolls of paper and it is the first thing people see when they enter your home. In the entryway above, Jane Feldman uses Schumacher's Chiang Mai Dragon in Alabaster.

Keep in mind too that the wallpaper takes center stage, obviating the need for the expense of art on the walls and lots of accessorizing.

Meg Bauer

Studio Printworks Pineapple

Scalamandre Shanghai

Danika Herrick - Schumacher Chiang Mai Dragon in China Blue

Alessandra Branca

Last Saturday I posted on the wonderful red, white and blue foyer by Tobi Fairley shown below with its combination of classical and Chinoiserie elements. Today we look at another lovely example by Alessandra Branca of a classic approach with a dramatic black Greek key skirted table, marble lamps, broken pediment mirror, dentil molding, and an oversized lantern. What keeps this modern and fresh are the pair of slipper chairs with gilded legs and fun swirly fabric - an unexpected choice.

Both foyers share the use of a skirted table, Greek key, and the classic symmetry of a pair of lamps and a pair of chairs. I think both are fabulous. BTW, a skirted rectangular table can be a dramatic and budget friendly choice for your entryway. Here is another great example by Palmer Weiss below with a fretwork trimmed linen skirted table.

One day this coming week, we will look at more modern versions of the traditional skirted table - a look that some abhor, but I adore.

Tobi Fairley

Palmer Weiss

A tiny entryway can still be fun and chic and filled with Chinoiserie. These are some Instagrams I took yesterday at my daughter's darling Chinoiserie Chic apartment. You will see more of her place down the road. I love the combination of orange and turquoise. I have also started a Pinterest board on small Chinoiserie entryways for more inspiration.

here are some of the things we talked about during our consultation:
*adding a rug...something with some texture, pattern or color.
*having a simple, skirted table with trim on the bottom made to hide some storage and add softness.
*adding a lamp for some softer lighting
*putting a bench in the space
*accessorizing the table, and installing a mirror above

after:
the rug really adds a lot here! this is a great example of how some subtle colors in a bold pattern
can create interest and a little drama, but still fee sophisticated and neutral.
the pop of blue in the lamp references the rug, and adds just the right dose of color.

layla grace is having a "pin it to win it" challenge, and i thought i would give it a try!
the challenge is to create a pinterest board of your dream foyer, using items from layla grace's
store. they have a pretty amazing selection, so it was pretty easy for me to come up with
my "dream foyer". apparently, my "dreams" are very expensive (i think this foyer would cost more
than the combined value of the last four cars i have driven!)....but, this is just for fun,
so i wasn't counting pennies...
you can click here to see my pinterest board, but just for fun, i threw them on a board for y'all:
(oh, and you have to picture this space with herringbone hardwood floors, a 10' coffered ceiling, and
wainscoting. cuz if yer gonna dream, dream BIG!)




entries are due this evening.
go here to read the rules, and start pinning your own dream foyer!