Stone floors in entries

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From the moment my architect first started sketching the new house, we agreed that the entry would have a stone floor. I have never really given much thought to the floor material of entries, but it seemed like the right fit for the house. Recently, I decided to do some research and find good pictures of entries with stone, and I realized that most of the pictures in my files seem to have wood floors in the entries. I am not sure why this is the case; perhaps it is because a stone entry works best when the foyer is defined as its own room (or when the floor of most of the house is in stone), and so many entries in houses these days seem to be open to the other spaces in the house.

I asked my architect about stone floors in entries, and he noted that in previous times, it was probably very practical to have stone in the entry as it offered more durability when a visitor was coming in from the rain or snow. Now, it is more of a personal preference, although he said that there are some styles of houses where a stone entry would be out of place.

This is one of my favorite pictures of a stone entry, from the house of Windsor Smith (featured in House Beautiful). Windsor calls this her ‘David Adler’ foyer, and it is crafted with statuary marble and Bateig Blue limestone.

I love the soft and aged look of the blue limestone; it is a new take on the classic black and white marble entry.

For a classic black and white marble entry, it doesn’t get much better than the Swan House, a Philip Shutze masterpiece designed in 1928; this house is a museum now (and one of the great architectural gems of Atlanta). I had the opportunity to tour three privately owned Shutze designed houses this spring, and two of the three had marble entries. (Source)

A more recent interpretation of the classic marble entry, with interiors by Suzanne Kasler.

This beautiful entry, with a large scale original painting by Todd Murphy, provides a great contrast between the classic and the contemporary.

I am not sure where I got this image, but I saw it with new eyes while working on this post – the scale of the marble tiles is quite large and dramatic. Interiors by Suellen Gregory.

Another striking interpretation of the classic black and white stone entry.

I also appreciate a stone entry that has a bit of flair to it.

This beautiful compass style floor is in a classic Atlanta estate (which is on the market) that was renovated by Neel Reid in the 1920s. Photo credit (this picture and the one previous): Blayne Beacham.

Although this space is actually in the back section of Mrs. Howard, a store in Atlanta, it is designed to feel like an entrance. The Howards always have the most beautiful floors in their spaces, and this is no exception.

In the entry of Suzanne Kasler’s previous home, this charming vignette looks wonderful on the foundation of a polished marble floor.

A stone floor in the entry doesn’t always have to make a formal statement. Take this house, with interiors by Bunny Williams (via Style Chronicle). The ancient look of the stone really relaxes the formality of the space.

Much of designer Jill Sharp’s home (as seen in House Beautiful in January) has natural oak floors, but the entry features reclaimed French limestone, which sets the tone for the rustic elegance of the house. Photo credit: Simon Upton.

I imagine this space as more of a side entry, but it could be the main entry for a relaxed and casual home. The stone in this space is more casual looking; somehow, the running bond pattern seems to reinforce the less formal feel. Architecture by Mark Finlay, photo credit Erik Kvalsvik.

Although a herringbone pattern can be quite formal, there is something about the pattern and materials in this entry that set a slightly less formal feel to this house.

Finally, I saved my favorite for last. This picture is from a real estate listing from several years ago, and I think it is a beautiful and dramatic entry. The stone part is set in an oval shape which emphasizes and reinforces the oval shape of the space.

We are still working on the specific materials and design for the entry of my new house; more than likely it will be limestone, and perhaps a tone on tone pattern with two different kinds of stone. The entry is a defined space, and the stone will help establish it as a special part of the house.

Do you see many stone entries where you live? Now that they are on my radar, I always notice them when looking through magazines and real estate listings.

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My Entryway Through the Year (and a Holiday Update)

Before I redecorated my entryway a few years ago, I had a different chest and an arrangement of silk tulips. Despite the fact that many of the magazines and HGTV shows decry the use of silk flowers, I loved my tulip arrangement and have relocated it to my bedroom. I now try to use fresh and seasonal flowers or branches in my front hall, and I have found that this changes the look of the space and satisfies that little need to change things around every so often.

Last week, I spotted a beautiful arrangement of holly in the entry of my architect’s office. He had cut some branches from his back yard, and the effect was really beautiful. I am not sure why I have never thought of doing this – after all, holly is my namesake and I tend to have a soft spot for anything holly themed during the holidays. When I was at Kroger this week, they had a small selection of holly branches, and I thought I would try it out. I purchased some glass ornaments from Target and put them in a crystal bowl to make the scene look a little more festive.

A closer view. As I have mentioned, I am the world’s worst flower arranger, and I am not much better at tablescapes, but I am pleased with the festive look that the red and green bring to the entry.

When getting this post ready, I took a little trip down memory lane; one of the nice results of having a blog is that my house has never been as well documented! Here is my entry in the spring – I had come across a large selection of flowering quince at Whole Foods, and wrote a post about it here.

I the summer, I found lilacs in Whole Foods – lilacs are SO rare in Atlanta, and their scent reminds me of my childhood (they were my mother’s favorite flower).

I took this quick iphone picture in October to document a beautiful flower arrangement sent to me as a thank you for a dinner party I hosted. The fall colors were a welcome addition to the overall neutral tones of the entryway.

Most of the time I have an orchid on the chest. I learned that if you put three cubes of ice in the orchid’s container once a week, it is the perfect way to keep an orchid watered and alive – and it seems to work! Orchids are one of the few potted plants that I can actually keep alive for more than a month. (Ben the dog matches the decor so well!)

I will probably return an orchid to the spot in the New Year, and keep on checking Whole Foods for the flowering quince (which is my favorite look). Do you have a favorite? (Email subscribers, click here to comment)

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A Beautiful Tablescape

Recently, while in the Washington DC area to visit family, I was invited over to the beautiful Northern Virginia home of nationally acclaimed designer Jim Hawes Beebe, of the firm Caldwell-Beebe. I wish I could have taken pictures, but it seemed a bit rude as Jim's house is going to be published in two major magazines over the next year. Suffice it to say that his home is absolutely exquisite. One of my favorite rooms was the guest bedroom, a lovely space filled with beautiful fabrics and antiques. I immediately noticed the side table in the guest room, and Jim noted that it is an antique that served as the model for one of my favorite pieces by Niermann Weeks, the 'Lucien' table. In fact, the name for the table was inspired by Jim's beloved departed King Charles Cavelier "Lucius'. I should stop writing about Jim's home, it is not fair to go on and on given that I do not have many photos!

I asked Jim whether I could take a photo of the tablescape in his lovely entry hall. Jim is a big believer in beautiful entries, as they welcome visitors in and set the tone for the rest of the home. Jim's entry is always changing based on his recent acquisitions, and he is constantly rotating his selection of treasures on display. The foundation for Jim's entry is the beautiful architectural space of Jim's elegant townhouse, the richly colored marble on the floor, and the Niermann Weeks Baldwin console in rift oak with a light whitewash applied to the finish. The mirror is an antique, 1820s American, with its original glass.

The 'urns' on pedestals are called 'Tazzas' or 'Tazza en suite colonne' - it's a classical form that dates back to the Etruscans. They are in three separate pieces - the base, column, and urn - and are made of carved stone. Jim found them at David Bell Antiques in Georgetown; they are circa 1800 and they came from a Bellevue Avenue 'cottage' in Newport, Rhode Island.

My favorite part of the entry was the collection of shagreen items and Meiji and Edo period Japanese sterling silver and articulated models, collected over decades of travel and focused searches. This is truly a one of a kind tablescape! The articulated items are a mix of insects (dragon fly, scarab beetle, praying mantis) and crustacea (crabs, lobsters), made of copper, bronze, or sterling silver. They range in age from 80 to 300 years old, and are predominantly Japanese (a few of the pieces are Russian). Legend has it that the Samurai armor and sword makers made them to demonstrate their meticulous metalworking craftsmanship (every part moves naturally, and the anatomical details are perfect). Jim particularly treasures his collection as they are quite rare and hard to come by as so many bronze and copper Japanese items did not survive World War II.

The boxes and obelisks are shagreen, from the 1920s and 1930s. Shagreen is the finely granulated skin of sharks and rayfish, ground flat so that the pearl like structures make a granulated pattern. It has been used since the 17th century for covering small boxes, tea caddies, and such. It is called 'galuchat' in France, and was a favorite material for mirrors and decorative furniture by the great French designer Jean-Michel Frank (who died in 1941). Jim's collection of shagreen items includes cigarette cases, card cases, compacts, obelisks, and clocks. Jim often uses the boxes as bases for displaying smaller objects, like the articulates and a starfish.

The tablescape also has a mixture of natural items such as a spiny sea urchin, a hand made (by Jim) tree lichen ball. The 'X' bronze on the stand is a piece of African currency, and the letter holder is vintage Hermes.

I asked Jim how his collections begin, and whether he has an approach to expanding the collections. For the articulates collection, Jim recalls that he kind of grew into it. He saw one 'bug' articulate at an antique show and was intrigued with it, and that was the start of the collection. Next came the fixation on shagreen; he loves the soft colors, the form and the use in display. He also loves things that are of the sea, and the fact that the collection feels so 'French'. All of the items that are seen in the tablescape came from a variety of sources: private dealers, a private collector or tow, antique stores/markets, and even ebay auctions!

Jim notes that he is a serial collector. He usually concentrates on four things at a time, and likes to acquire great pieces as he comes across them, knowing that they are one of a kind and once they are gone, he will never find them again. He always looks for things that resonate with him personally, and often they are items that are wonderfully crafted, and are usually an art that is no longer crafted in today's world. He does not go for new glitz, but for things that evoke nature, craft, and craftsmanship. To Jim, a big part of interior decoration are the accessories - it is the intensely personal part - and for him, they are the 'soul' of the home.

Although difficult to convey in this picture, the color on the wall was really beautiful. It is one of Jim's favorite colors - DK16 by Donald Kaufman paint. As is characteristic of Donald Kaufman paint, it appears to be a different color based on the light. Jim uses this paint throughout his home.

Please make sure to look at the updated website for Jim's design firm, Caldwell-Beebe. There are some new project photos, and of particular note are the new sections - 'buzz', which features Caldwell-Beebe in the news and the blogs (including a link to yours truly), and 'our favorite things', which includes Jim's favorite paint colors among other things!

You Speak, I Listen

A few weeks ago, I did a post on my entry transformation. I invited readers to give me honest feedback, and I heard from at least a dozen of my readers with constructive tips on how to improve the space. Most of the feedback from my readers was about the disconnect between the chair in the corner of the entry, and the art that is on the wall nearby. There was a sense that the two should be connected in some way.

This was how I started out. The chair is in the corner, all alone.

At first I tried this set up. The small table is an antique that belonged to my husband's great-grandmother; it was in the living room next to a large bergère chair. The small table is not in great shape, as Ben the dog has knocked it over at least four times with his tail. Perhaps this new location will protect it a bit more! I like how this looks, but wonder whether two chairs makes my entry too crowded.

This is how it looks with one chair and the side table (I polished up the silver top for this picture!). I prefer this look because it does not crowd the entry, but this might be because I am only used to seeing one chair in this space. What do you think?

Look at this...I move the table, and Ben follows!

Update: here is the chair on the other side, requested by a reader!

At this point, you are probably tired of reading about my entry (I am too!). My next home transformation post will be my bedroom; I am having some pillows made, then the bedroom will be in good enough shape to post.

Please come visit Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday!

Flowering Quince

Whole Foods is my favorite places to get fresh flowers. The location that is closest to me is one of the largest Whole Foods in the US, and they usually have some more unusual choices in the flower department.

When I went there yesterday, I was thrilled to see that they had a nice selection of flowering quince. Although not to everyone's taste (my husband can't understand why I have a bunch of branches in a vase), I love how flowering quince looks because of its sculptural qualities.

This is my all time favorite picture of flowering quince, in a room designed by Michael Smith. Michael Smith is, of course, the decorator selected by the Obamas. He must be floating on air right now, don't you think?

Another favorite picture in my files, both because of the amazing Jean Royere sconce and the flowering quince.

Do you spot the flowering quince in this picture? It is a bit tucked away. I love the look of the branches of flowering quince reflected in a mirror. Interior design by Suzanne Kasler.


A room by one of my favorite designers, James Beebe Hawes of Caldwell-Beebe. I am not sure if this is flowering quince, but it has the same look and feel. Don't the branches look like a sculpture?

When I look at this picture, I can imagine that the owner of the house went out and clipped some flowering branches (look at the basket underneath the table) and stuck a blooming branch in the water. Great stylist at work here!

I love the beautiful symmetry in this picture - the Italian consoles, the mirrors, the lamps, and the branches facing one another is perfection. I did not note who did the interiors on this room - does anyone regognize it? I just saw it recently on a blog.

A masterful David Hicks tablescape. I am not sure if this is flowering quince, but it has the same effect. The branches connect the smaller items to the height of the lamp, don't you think?

This is one of my favorite pictures of an entryway - from an Ethan Allen ad!

Here is my entryway, with the flowering quince I bought yesterday. It looks quite twiggy right now (and after looking at the pictures on this post, I should have bought two bunches), but within a week, it will be in full bloom. I removed my usual collection of items off the chest in order to make room for the quince, and rearranging things made me realize that I am lacking a good medium scale item for to put on this chest. I think a nice piece of sculpture would be great here, so I will be on the lookout for that when I go to my favorite annual art market next month.

The Settee

Last month, I spotted a beautiful settee in an antique store in Atlanta. As much as I loved it, I could not think of a place where it would work in my home. In cases such as these it is helpful to turn to my inspiration file, to see how the 'pros' place settees in the homes that they design.

The front hall is always a nice place to put a settee. I love the simple lines and nailhead trim on this example. I also love the combination of the classically styled settee and sconces with the striking piece of contemporary art. Definitely a great look. From At Home Magazine.


This is one of my favorite pictures. It is interesting to me that so many of my favorite pictures have settees in them! This is a very large entryway, part of a very large home.

I love the lines of this settee, from Beautiful Homes magazine. I think the scale of a settee works particularly well when the ceiling is standard height (not double height). If you look carefully, this settee is under the part of the ceiling that is not double height.

Often a settee is placed under the stairs, if the hallway is wide enough. This is very commonly seen in homes in Atlanta. Interior design by Joni Webb (Cote de Texas).

An unusual settee in the front hall of a London home. I do not see many homes in Atlanta with a long wall in the front hall, but townhomes often have doorless or windowless walls because they are attached to another townhome. Interior design by Francois Catroux, via Studio Annetta.

This antique Swedish settee is in a hallway outside the dining room. Interior design by Suzanne Kasler, from House Beautiful April 2008.

I am not clear whether this is an entry or an interior hall; I think it is probably a hall. The pair of settees facing one another (with matching globes) is charming. Kimberly Seldon interior design.

A charming small settee. This is from the Thibaut website (thank you, Red River Interiors, for the introduction to the lovely pictures on Thibaut's site), and is designed to feature the wallpaper, so it is not noted which room this is in. I would guess an entry, but the curtains throw me off.

I love this picture of a settee tucked into an alcove. It certainly makes a beautiful scene, but I wonder whether anyone ever sits here?

A beautiful Swedish settee, paired with rich colors. From the Thibaut website.

Here is a settee in a dining room, which seems like an unusual choice but actually looks beautiful. This dining room has a round table, but I can see how a settee would be very useful in a dining room with a rectangular table; you can put in a leaf, then pull up the settee for more seating! Interior design by Suzanne Kasler.


This is one of my all time favorite images, and it has graced my blog several times. Believe it or not, the settee is in the dining room. The entire room is not pictured, but it is noted that the settee and antique botanical prints are on the only blank wall of the dining room. Interior design by Liz Williams, picture from Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Magazine.

The scale of a settee works very well in this 'lady's salon', off to the side of the living room. From Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Magazine, interior design by Joel Kelly, photography by Erica George Dines.

Can you see the settee in this picture? It is to the right of the fireplace. I think it looks beautiful in this room, and can be pulled forward for additional seating. Interior design by Fifi Laughlin, via Bayou Contessa.

This is a photo from Thibaut. I am not sure what room it is, but it looks a bit like a bedroom to me.

This settee is placed in the sitting room of the master bedroom. It looks nicely upholstered, so it is probably comfortable as well as beautiful. Interior design by Suzanne Kasler.

Generally I do not like sofas at the end of a bed, I prefer benches. However, I think that this settee is charming at the end of this bed as the back is open and delicate. It adds more character than a bench, but I think it has to be paired with the right kind of bed. A upholstered headboards looks good with this bench. Photo by Francis Janisch.

Unfortunately, I spent so much time debating about the antique settee that it sold (I take too much time to think about my furniture purchases, which is not a good thing when it comes to antiques). However, if I see another one that I like in the future, I will be more open minded about the variety of options for a settee in a home. I love a settee in a front hall, but I also think the right settee at the end of a bed could be the perfect touch.

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