Things just got real in the foyer.
We picked up this striking pendant at our local lighting outlet in Richmond, The Decorating Outlet, for $135 — a returned item that originally retailed for much more. I had imagined something bold and architectural in the foyer, probably in an oil-rubbed bronze finish to coordinate with the ORB doorknobs. John was on board too; he’s into geometry and interesting shapes, so this piece was a perfect match.
The result: the foyer instantly became my favorite room. I love it so much I jokingly want to sleep and eat in there, braid its hair, and tell it my secrets. It completely changed the mood of the space.
Full disclosure: installing the fixture took far longer than expected. What should have been a quick job turned into one of the longest light-hanging sessions we’ve ever tackled. We spent a lot of time on height and clearance — making sure the canopy could thread properly while leaving enough headroom for my very tall husband. If it was mounted too high the canopy wouldn’t catch; too low and John would bump his head. After a good amount of effort and a few tired high-fives, it was up and perfect.
While I was at it I hung art and a mirror. The mirror is heavy, so it’s secured with 2″ anchors and screws; the artwork went up on a few nails. That mirror previously hung in our guest room at the last house.
Close-up moments like this remind me to dust the mirror, but they also show how much those small finishing touches add to the space.
Next to the coat closet I hung an Ikea Ribba frame filled with a linen-like fabric and a favorite Instagram photo.
We also chose one print from a set we used in our last house to bring into the foyer. John picked his favorite — apparently it was a photo of me in a bathing suit, which made us laugh.
Another favorite print of ours, a swimmer girl we’d displayed in the previous home’s kitchen, found a new spot by the door and feels right at home here.
We also hung two cherished paintings by our friend Lesli next to the bathroom door — one of Burger and one of John’s Granny’s house — which add personality and a personal connection to the space.
With all the lighting and artwork in place, the foyer sets a high bar for the rest of the rooms in the house. It’s one of those spaces that makes nearby rooms look a little less finished by comparison, but we can’t stay annoyed — the foyer really is the star. It transformed from a blank entry into a warm, layered welcome.
I love this space. It makes me smile every time I walk through the door.
UPDATE: We’ve switched our whole house to LED bulbs — they save energy and money, and you rarely need to change them. We prefer warm, natural-looking LEDs that avoid a blue cast and use significantly less energy.
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