Irwin & Nicola ask the question, how to make a good first impression in your entryhall or foyer. They'll go into the history of entryways and help guide you in your decorating decisions.

Video Transcription

[Music Playing] Nicola: Welcome to Design 2 Share Q&A. I am Nicola. Irwin: And I am Irwin. Nicola: And today we are asking the question “How do I make a good first impression? Irwin: With a fabulous foyer of course. So, a house should really have a great foyer. I think that it makes a good first impression. It is extra tone and it a place all for entry. It is a welcome and it can be quite dramatic as we are setting in this foyer here in fact. Nicola: And also I think it should relate to the rest of the home. I mean that it is lovely that you walk in here and traditionally, you know, they did have stone floors which we have here. And also, you know, you can look out with to the other rooms if it is set up that way. Irwin: And in fact, the stone floors and the hard furniture and upholstered furniture that is, once say that historically when the help came to speak to the master of the house, they did not bring their lights with them. So, that tradition was actually held on today. Likewise, that the hall way or the foyers, I should say, had--it was drafted, because it was opened to the outside and you had a lantern in the foyer out and a chandelier, but of course chandelier is worth well too. Nicola: Yes. And I think that is a good point also; the lighting, it should be welcoming obviously. So, you know, do not forget to put a light on, you know, also for yourself not just for your guest. But it really you know-- Irwin: It should make you feel special. I mean it is not just for your guest. I mean, I think that coming home after late night through a holiday which you walk in to a beautiful foyer just like the lobby of a hotel in fact it is really quite--it is quite wonderful. Nicola: And that is so nice lobby to entertain if you are just having a small dinner party or you know just having a party it is really-- Irwin: Or after dinner or welcoming if it is a big party let us say it is a thanksgiving you could always have something-- Nicola: Right. It would be great to that door if you know--glass of champagne. Irwin: Right. Nicola: And so, when you are coming into somebody’s foyer like Irwin has said it just set the tone and obviously you want to be inviting to your guest and very welcoming. And I think like to say with the lamp very often people forget to leave a lamp on and it just adds a-- Irwin: Even for oneself when you come home at night after night out and you can see this little lamp on in the foyer, it is really great. That is how we look at it. Nicola: And you should also think about color. You know, how that relates, the color of the foyer, you know, relates to the rest of the house. And there is a little bit of a color hierarchy would not you say that-- Irwin: There is and it is kind of usually in the room that you spend the less amount of time and is the more--is the darkroom more dramatic. Because spending time in a dark or very strongly color or multi color can be a little bit over bearing. So— Nicola: Alright, so the room that you are going to pass through like the foyer you can go a little bit bolder and more dramatic with color. Irwin: Right. And you can change it so you can have the foyer being the darker room and you can have the living room being lighter and you can have the dining room being lighter. In this particular instance, we are seeing a room where the dining room is darker but the foyer is a little bit lighter. And, all works very well. Nicola: Yes. And also, it can be multifunctional--well, not quite multifunctional, but functional in a way that maybe you will have and area that you can set down your key or sit down and put your boots on. So, you should also pay attention to those little details. Irwin: Well, display when if it is a holiday. I mean here we just have flowers that we just got but we have gorgeous flowers here that is perfect for spring or for all-year round, that having and set up for fall or a display we showed which is for Easter. Nicola: Alright, and it is temporary you know. You can update the look depending on the time of the year, the holiday or whatever. Irwin: The other thing is if you have the living room that is--you know when you go from the foyer into living room, you do not really want to have a sofa with its back to the front door. The idea being that when you open the door, somebody sort of sitting they sort of turn their heads and say whose there, who just arrive? Right, right, absolutely. And the other thing, of course, do not go to foyer. Well, that line is the correct pronunciation. It is a French origin. It is for the safe foyer. I think that is little less pretentious. And you know of course, how it got its name? Nicola: Please tell. Irwin: It is French and it was from the theater. It was a theatrical term and foyer is connection would be by theatrical. So, that was where the act has met the public with the patrons and that was the foyer and then in England that was the green room. And actually you will here that talk of the green room actually when they do the Oscars. You often hear them talk about the green room-- Nicola: Yes, backstage in the green room Irwin: Exactly, and that is the foyer. So, perhaps that is kind of keeping a green from a different perspective, but that is generally how it all relates. Nicola: So, I think at summary what we can say is keep it inviting, welcoming, have a little fun with it. It can be a little dramatic, but bear in mind the rest of the house and how it will relate and also multifunctional you know. You do need that place to set your keys. Irwin: I am Irwin. Nicola: And I am Nicola. Thank you for watching Decide 2 Share Q&A. [Music Playing] You are having a party. To give your guest a great first impression, here is a great wine to share. We recommend house wine by the Magnificent Wine Company. It is a palatal red wine mix of 70% Cab 25% Merlot and a pixy splash of 5% Syrah. The winery’s name is K Vintners and they are located at the base of the Blue Mountains in Walla Walla, Washington on an 1853 homestead with an adjacent farmhouse built in 1872. Old pioneer planted the trees in meandering Titus Creek flow through this winery and making a lovely setting. Take it from us. Try our Wine 2 Share House Wine and you will feel foyer with drama and good times. [Music Playing]