Dear Joe,
I live in an older condo with a very small foyer. There is only one 4' wall space opposite the front door that is usable, and the adjoining wall has only 8' before you hit a door frame. I want to make the best use of the space. What would you do?
— Nowhere To Turn
Dear Nowhere,
The key to making the best use of this space is the same as planning any other room in your condo. Carefully think through how you would use this space on a daily basis.
My first step would be to hang a mirror on the 4' wall. Choose one that is lightly scaled and simple. Leave at least a few inches on either side of it so that it doesn't overpower the space. The mirror will give you and your guests the chance for a quick check before leaving and entering. It will also help to expand the space of the foyer.
I would also try to have a surface on this wall for depositing keys and other items when you come in the front door. This could be in the form of a narrow table, or even better, a shelf hung on the wall. It should be at least the same width as the mirror, no deeper than 8' and light in scale. I would keep the accessories to a minimum. Try using a very decorative box, and/or a tray to hold those keys.
While you are at it, check the lighting in the foyer. The right light can make the difference between a cramped, dingy space and one that is an inviting entrance to the rest of the condo. Use a small decorative fixture that blends with the rest of the decor and gives off enough light for simple tasks. If you can put it on a dimmer switch, that's even better.
Plan this space with minimal items for your maximum comfort and you can't go wrong.
Dear Joe,
Is it OK for my end table to be higher than the arm of my sofa?
— Chris
Dear Chris,
No. I know that it is seen all the time in decorating magazines, but a higher end table always looks out of scale. On a practical level, I find it annoying to be sitting on the sofa and to have to reach up to put down my drink.
Dear Joe,
I have a really long hallway in my apartment. There is about 10' of white wall on either side with no doors. Someone suggested filling this space with a couple of large prints, but I'm just not sure. Any suggestions?
— Against the Wall
Dear Against,
I would not suggest large prints. In order to really appreciate them, you should be able to step back and view them at a distance. Trying to view them in a hallway would be too frustrating.
A better solution would be a collection of smaller photos, prints, or other artwork. If they form a matched set of media and framing ( for example a collection of same-size architectural prints ) , hang them in a straight line on both sides of the hallway. If they do not match in size, hang each one at an appropriate viewing height.
Another solution is one that I used in a similar situation. I also had a long hallway and many prints that I wanted to hang. Since I was always adding and changing the collection, I didn't want to commit to any nail holes in the wall. I solved this by buying several narrow wall shelves for pictures. Since my prints were all different sizes, I hung the shelves at various heights. I overlapped them by a few inches to accommodate all of the prints and create interest. This way I could move the prints and add to them when the mood struck.
Installing track light with a dimmer switch can also help to break up that long hallway. It will add a bit of drama and help to highlight the artwork.
Joseph Rice is an interior designer who offers full design services. With 22 years of experience, he specializes in 'hard-to-treat' windows. You can reach him at Joseph Rice Interiors, Inc. ( 773 ) 271-2361, or jos.riceinteriors@att.net .
