The foyer suddenly became the most dramatic spot in the house.
We picked up this geometric pendant at a local lighting outlet in Richmond called The Decorating Outlet for $135 (it was a returned piece and marked down from $455). I had pictured something architectural and a bit bold for the entry — probably an oil-rubbed bronze finish to complement the ORB doorknobs we have in the foyer — and John was on board with the geometric vibe, since he appreciates shapes and clean lines.
Once it was hung, the foyer became my favorite room. I find myself lingering there more than seems reasonable: I sit and read, I glance back at it while passing through, and I honestly miss it when I’m in other parts of the house.
To be totally honest, installing the fixture took far longer than we expected. It turned into a bit of an ordeal — the kind of project that makes you wonder if a simple job can somehow become a full afternoon marathon. We had two ladders set up side by side, trading off holding the fixture’s weight while one of us worked on wiring and the other steadied the piece. The trickiest part was getting the hanging height exactly right: tall enough so John could walk underneath without bumping his head, but short enough so the canopy would have something to catch on. If it was too short, there wasn’t enough of the chain for the canopy to thread properly; too long, and John would graze it. After lots of adjusting and a few tired high-fives, it finally felt perfect.
Along with the new light, I rehung a mirror and several pieces of art. The mirror is heavy, so I used 2-inch anchors and screws to make sure it was secure, while the art just needed a few nails apiece. That mirror had previously hung in our guest room at our last house, and it’s nice to have a familiar piece bring warmth and continuity to this new space.
A small detail shot even reminded me it was time to dust the mirror.
I added an Ikea Ribba frame with a linen-like fabric backing and a favorite Instagram photo, positioned next to the coat closet. It’s a simple, inexpensive frame, but it adds texture and visual interest right where guests enter.
We also selected a single framed print from a group that used to hang above our sofa in the previous house. John picked his favorite — a lighthearted photo of me in a bathing suit — and now it sits happily in the foyer. Nearby, I rehung a beloved swimmer print that used to be in our old kitchen; it fits the space perfectly and keeps a bit of our past home close by.
On the wall beside the bathroom door we hung two original paintings by our friend Lesli: one portrait of Burger and one that depicts John’s Granny’s house. These small, personal pieces bring character and story into the entryway, and they make the space feel curated rather than staged.
With the lighting, mirror, and art in place, the foyer now sets a high bar for the rest of the house — in a good way. It’s amazing how one well-considered space can elevate everything around it. The new pendant literally makes me see stars; it’s the finishing touch that turned this transitional area into an intentional, welcoming room.
I also want to note that we’ve since switched our home to LED bulbs. They use far less energy, last a very long time, and give a warm, natural glow that suits this pendant and the rest of our interiors. For anyone updating fixtures, switching to quality LEDs is a small change that makes a big difference in energy use and long-term maintenance.
Love the way the foyer turned out — it feels finished, personal, and just right for our home.