Make an Entrance! What Can an Entrance Hall Do for You?
Entrance halls are not only for grand Hollywood mansions, they offer us a beautiful space to express and introduce the unique identity of our home, as we welcome guests.
23/09/2020
Aside from the opportunity for a functional space to store everyday items, in the wake of the COVID19 pandemic, entrance halls have gained importance as a space to safely sanitise before interacting with our families.
Local interior creator and behavioural specialist, Kim Williams, is especially interested in the interaction between our environments and our behaviour. She is a fan of entrance halls as they serve to create both interest and functionality in a somewhat underestimated space.
According to Kim, every great space begins by having a solid understanding of how people operate in that environment and how design can help them get more from their space.
After the pandemic, we saw a global shift back towards entertaining guests in our home spaces. Having a space to welcome guests creates a sense of excitement about discovering the rest of a home, and a feeling of welcoming warmth.
As the footprints of our homes became smaller, the demand for functional space has begun to come at a premium. Nowadays, the entrance space of a typical apartment is usually small and tends to serve more as a transitional space into open plan living areas.
Meaning that we need to create a functional entrance space within an open plan interior. Many entrance halls use a combination of flooring in open spaces to create a sense of definition between entrance areas and living spaces, without having to corner the space off. Interestingly, easy clean materials, such as patterned tiles are also a great way to add dimension to space.
When designing your entrance hall, Kim recommends considering the following:
Function
Functionality is not only about what you add into a space, but more about how well the space fulfils your needs. Also, the personality of your family is extremely important; remember that everyone's behaviour and needs in their space are different, therefore design must be developed around your unique requirements.
Form
The overall style of the house should guide your design choices. There may also be elements that you cannot change, such as walls, windows, and natural light, or you may want to highlight an antique front door.
Flow
As our spaces get smaller, it is more important than ever that we think about how we create flow with our design choices, how we work with natural light, or how we move the eye with the placement of elements and use of colour. Pieces of art and furniture are more than objects in a home, they add to the flow, overall look, and impression you want to experience in the home.
The integration between the old and the new is by far Kim’s forte. Using items that you already treasure creates an emotional connection with your space, gives sentimental significance, and safeguards your design from being too trend orientated
In a home in Claremont that Kim recently worked on, these elements all needed to come together to produce a balanced aesthetic within a space of only 10m2. The goal was a space that would seamlessly incorporate the modern and the classic, have a designated space for coats, and a hand me down family piano in need of refurbishing now welcomes visitors with a sense of gloss laid-back luxury.
Modern vs. Classical Elements
To combine the modern style with classical elements, Kim used a classic pattern in the tiles, modern expressionist artwork, and a mirrored wall. The artwork is a great way to depict a story visually and brings warmth and intrigue to the entry, as well as providing a focal point.
The coat hooks mimic some of the artistic elements of the house and are small disks made of oak that hang on the mirrored wall. The wall itself reflects light giving the illusion of space and brightness. Beneath the coat hooks, a velvet ottoman creates a sense of depth and adds a touch of luxury. A custom crystal chandelier lends that old-world charm and offsets the modernity of the space.
Consider Security for Entrance Halls
The homeowner also needed to consider security as she was a single mother. Kim created a beautiful gold screen, in collaboration with Trellidor, that runs along the side of the staircase. At night, the stairwell can be securely locked, keeping the family safely upstairs. By using custom design in the place of a more traditional banister, Kim created dimension, interest, and art in the space whilst still satisfying the functional need for security.
Entrance halls have made their grand return to the design scene and are a great way to sweep guests off their feet, introduce our home’s unique style, and organise our everyday essential items. They offer us a special place to warmly greet and be greeted by our guests.
In a world where we are more socially distanced every day, the significance of a space that facilitates acknowledging one another, promotes sanitisation, and communicates who we are is invaluable.
Interior creator and behavioural specialist, Kim Williams, is especially interested in the interaction of our environments. She says every great space begins by having an understanding of how people use their spaces and how design can help them get more. After the pandemic, we saw a global shift back towards entertaining guests in our home spaces.
Kim is an entrepreneur and well-respected local interior creative of the full-service Cape Town-based interior studio, Kim Williams, working across décor, design and interior architecture. Read more about Kim Williams, follow her on social media @kimwilliamsdesign or go to www.kimwilliams.co.za.
