First Impressions

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First Impressions

We've all heard the saying, "you never get a second chance to make a first impression". While the same may not be exactly true for our homes (as guests will frequently be back for other visits), the first impression they receive is important and can set the tone for the decor in the rest of your home. To often not enough attention or importance is placed on that first impression.

Pretend you are a guest arriving at your home for the first time - make the trek up the front walk, what do you notice first, what do you see? As you enter your front doorway what do you see, what do you smell? Take notes and make improvements accordingly. While some of are blessed with actual foyers of varying shape and size, a lot of us are not. We walk in our front doors and face closets and stairways. Those of us blessed with children may encounter a pile of running shoes spilling from a coat closet left ajar.

My husband in all his wisdom is a backdoor man. Every home we've lived in he has preferred to enter and exit through the back or side entrance. Although to this day I have no idea why he prefers the backdoor, and though I have occasionally been a little irritated by his insistence that we do so, I have to admit the rule itself has afforded me the luxury of creating a wonderful front entryway. I am unencumbered by piles of dirty runners and helmets and have no worries that a little table strategically placed just so may be knocked over in the midst of a frenzied "short person" exit.

Am I suggesting that we all use a daily entrance other than the one our guests will utilize? If having children prevents you from creating something wonderful then yes I am. How to go about this? If you have a front attached garage, purchase a keyless entry for the overhead garage door, not only will you no longer have to deal with keys but the kids will enjoy having a code and be even more encouraged to use the alternate entryway. The big bonus here is that bikes etc. are parked in the garage and reminders to put them away might just be eliminated. This is an important point to memorize should you run into some resistance from your "better" half, they are not always our allies when it comes to changes for the reasons of aesthetics.

Once you have cleared the area from daily wear and tear, what are the changes you would like to see? If space is an issue, consider using a plant stand instead of a larger hall table. It's always nice to have somewhere to place keys or even another surface on which to create yet another vignette. If you would like to brighten and open the space with a mirror (a good idea), be conscious of what the mirror reflects, from all angles. Better to see reflected in the mirror a beautiful vignette from elsewhere in the house than the door or a blank wall.

If the first thing you see upon entry is the closet, don't mirror it! Anybody can do that, use your imagination - Purchase a book on stenciling or faux finishing and do something fabulous. Stenciling and faux finishing not only create mood and ambiance, but can also create an effect worthy of extracting compliments from even the most conservative company, even men!

Use this list of components to add to your front entryway to recreate something wonderful:

Surfaces to place things on like mail or keys on or upon which to create vignettes: Wall mounted 1/2 round tables or shelves, plant stands, cigar stands, go bigger if space is not an issue.

Plants, real or silk can create a light an airy illusion. If using a real plant, remember the deadly winter draft from the opening door.

Scented candles, if space is an issue, wall sconces are best. It's too easy to knock over a candle when putting on a coat or when a group of people make their entrance.

High impact wall art

Mirrors, again, be conscious of what they reflect.

While keeping the area spacious and open is important, if at all possible a chair to sit at while donning footwear is a great feature to add.

Last but not least, always remember to leave plenty of empty hangers for guests in the front hall closet. If you have no front hall closet, be prepared and ever ready to take coats away (remember getting coats from your parents bed?) and to bring them back!


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