The entry to a house makes a powerful first impression because it’s like a screen-grab of taste that telegraphs what’s to come in terms of style. Together with color, this creates a mood. Of course entries, or foyers, vary. In extremely modern, open-plan spaces such as these lofts by New York architect and designer
S. Russell Groves, they are created by placing eye-stopping furniture vignettes directly in a sight line. Above, sleek sconces flanking a leaf-theme painting set over a mirror-polish Parsons console table says young, urban and modern to me. While vases provide a spot of color and a bench below the table fills the void, this arrangement remains modern by using shape and the interplay of materials and surfaces rather than the numbers and colors of objects.
A similar arrangement in another loft delivers a different message. Carved pine benches add an earthiness below the tall table. The mirror of choice -- much copied but still very hip -- is based on a classic black leather-bound mid-century modern piece that's the signature look of French designer Jacques Adnet.
The 12-inch diameter original Jacques Adnet 1950s mirror [left] has a leather frame and strap with brass buckles. It was offered at a 2006 Treadway Gallery
auction with a $800-$1200 estimate. I took this photo of
BDDW's popular modern interpretation of Adnet's mirror at a design show. Due to the black background, it's difficult to see the strap but the BDDW was likely used by Groves -- however it may be a Pottery Barn copy, about $250, now discontinued, called the Channing mirror.
In a family loft, an anodized bronze screen acts as a room divider. The lamp style on the wood table signals function over display. What's interesting is to see it look much less severe from a different view [below], with the kitchen and dining room beyond, noting the way the color of the table connects to the kitchen cabinets in the adjacent space.
(Photos via S. Russell Groves)
Tags: Atticmag, B, foyers, furniture vignettes, Jacques Adnet, loft entries, S. Russell Groves
January 26th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
What an interesting, informative post! Thank you….
It’s really interesting how a foyer can set the stage for the rest of the house, not just as a middle ground between outdoors and in, but as a foreshadowing to the rest of the house. And “Welcome, wait till you see the rest!”…
Alot of homes don’t even have foyers, so I really shouldn’t complain about mine. It was AWFUL, and is now at least acceptable. There’s no room for a table, and the stair rail still needs replacing. But it’s so much brighter than it was, and it has interesting art, and a very informal “mudroom” area that says reflects our semi-formal style. It’s not perfect, far from it, but I think it meets some of the above criteria.
I wonder if I could find, or have hubby make a reeeeeeeally shallow table to put behind the front door?? Hmmmmmm…..that would be lovely……
January 26th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Thanks Ivette. Don’t see why you couldn’t have a super-shallow table for the entry. The one in the final photo couldn’t be more than 12-inches deep.
I’m going to follow up on this post as it’s given me some more ideas on this subject. And you’re sooo right: depending on the style of the house, foyers vary greatly. My house has one but it’s like the hub of a wheel — open to everything. Nothing to stop the eye — in fact it’s one of those where you see straight through to the back. Those are much more difficult.
January 26th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
What a great space – I especially love the entry. I have seen paintings by that artist at Mrs. Howard, a store here in Atlanta – I think she gets the through the Sears-Peyton Gallery in NYC.
January 27th, 2010 at 9:08 am
Guess I need to take a little trip downtown. They have great stuff! Thanks so much for posting that source.
January 27th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
I need something even shallower than that. I need 10″ to be exact. But you’re right! I think it would work….
Our foyer also have a view right through the house and out the window into the backyard. Which actually is quite lovely. Would be nicer if it were say the living room instead of the kitchen! LOL! But it’s a beautiful view of the farm sink, beautiful faucet and the huge windows out. I kind of like it.
When we started our foyer was The Black Hole of Calcutta. Black asbestos tile floor, no glass at the door, opening to the kitchen narrow and closed off with black doors. Black doors to the closet. We opened that all up, added beaucoup glass at the front door, replaced scary black tile with hardwood. I just can’t wait till we finally do the stair rail. That will make all the difference I think… It’ll never be a grand foyer, but it will finally be very pretty I think. And art. Art elevates it.