Come on in and let’s take a walkaround the foyer. This space has quietly evolved over the last year: we lightened things up by swapping a heavy table and dark slate floor for softer pieces, and layered in tone-on-tone texture with a new light fixture, a woven mirror, and baskets. Below are the details and photos that show how those small changes make a big difference.
To compare, here’s a before shot from a similar angle so you can see the contrast.
And back to the after—much brighter and airier.
Quick paint and finish rundown: the walls are Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore, the trim is Simply White by Benjamin Moore, and the ceiling is Revere Pewter, a slightly deeper gray-taupe that gives subtle contrast. The floors are oak hardwoods with a Provincial stain by Minwax. We also stained the handrail a darker tone to pair with the black-and-white stair runner. Those choices set a calm neutral backdrop for the new accents.
We moved our previous star light to the beach house after realizing it was just a bit too large for our 8-foot foyer ceiling. It worked beautifully there, where ceilings are taller, but here it needed to be replaced with a lighter fixture. The new capiz chandelier brings a soft, beachy vibe that feels right for a small entry and complements the woven blinds on the first-floor windows.
Capiz is one of my favorite materials for lighting because it diffuses light beautifully and reads airy rather than heavy. The chandelier’s warm gold finish pairs especially well with the woven blinds and other natural textures in the foyer, creating a cohesive and inviting first impression.
The mirror is a woven-style piece I’d been eyeing for years and finally purchased when a big sale made it affordable. Mirrors like this add texture, reflect light and visually expand a small entry. Mine was a splurge but worth it for the way it ties the space together and creates visual interest above the console.
The console table we have is similar to several current designs that offer a light profile with a useful surface for keys and mail. Woven baskets beneath the table are practical and pretty; they hold everything from stuffed animals to dress-up clothes, and they keep the foyer looking tidy even on busy days.
Decor details include a large glass jar that’s handy for seasonal styling—we use it for an annual Easter tree with a cut branch and little ornaments—and a cozy sweater-wrapped vase that adds texture. I’m obsessed with a faux ginkgo branch we placed in a slim vase; its warm yellow tone is cheerful in fall and fresh in spring.
One practical feature of this foyer is that it contains two closets. We converted the one near the entry into a toy and game closet with a simple track-shelving system, which has been invaluable. Having a centrally located storage area downstairs keeps living spaces uncluttered while still allowing toys to stay accessible.
Open the closet door and you get the “big reveal”—it stores most of the playthings that would otherwise crowd our common rooms. We’ve intentionally kept fewer toys around since paring down, and this closet helps maintain that balance between play and order. Upstairs, more toys live in built-ins in the bonus room and the kids’ bedrooms.
The colorful artwork by Teil Duncan adds a lively pop next to the door, while the door itself is painted Blue Lake by Benjamin Moore. A small kids’ portrait sits nearby and is one of our favorite personal touches; it reminds visitors that this is a lived-in, loved home.
If you want to recreate the look, focus on a soft neutral wall (Edgecomb Gray), crisp trim (Simply White), an airy capiz light, a textured mirror, a bold bit of art, woven blinds, and a few natural accessories like a large glass vase and a faux ginkgo stem. Those elements create a timeless, approachable foyer that’s both stylish and family-friendly.
For full sourcing and more specifics on paint colors and furniture pieces we used throughout the house, check our house source list in the home project notes.
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