A Journey of Discovery
As part of a comprehensive whole-home transformation, the entry hall was conceived as the first glimpse of the homeowners' story—a carefully intentional arrival that immediately establishes the home's spirit of artistry, heritage, and discovery. Rather than serving as a simple circulation space, the foyer was designed to immerse visitors in a deeply personal world inspired by the homeowners' Indian heritage, their lifelong passion for global travel, and their desire to create a forever home rich with meaning, authenticity, and enduring beauty.
From our earliest conversations, the homeowners shared vivid memories of the craftsmanship, architectural details, and atmosphere that shaped the home where they grew up in India. Rather than recreate those memories literally, our goal was to capture their emotional resonance through original design—creating spaces that feel familiar in spirit yet entirely new in expression. The home's dramatic eighteen-foot entry presented both an opportunity and a challenge. While architecturally impressive, the volume lacked warmth, intimacy, and a sense of identity. The design sought to humanize the scale while creating a memorable first impression rooted in artistry.
Visitors are first greeted by an extraordinary eleven-foot by eight-foot sculptural textile wallcovering depicting a mythical Babylonian landscape abundant with lush foliage and animals, including elephants. Rendered with remarkable three-dimensional texture that recalls hand-carved stone, the artwork immediately establishes a sense of history and craftsmanship. The elephant—deeply revered in Indian culture as a symbol of wisdom, prosperity, protection, and good fortune—became a meaningful expression of the family's heritage while introducing a timeless narrative rather than a decorative motif.
Beyond, traditional portière curtains in a cream damask fabric, gathered with lagoon-blue tiebacks, frame the opening to the dining room. This design gesture creates a moment of anticipation, allowing the home's layered interiors to reveal themselves gradually rather than all at once.
Suspended within the soaring space, an antique 1960s Moroccan brass lantern draws the eye upward while reinforcing the feeling of a home thoughtfully collected over time. Above, an awkward expanse surrounding a large second-story window originally felt disconnected and unresolved. Rather than allowing it to remain an overlooked architectural condition, the space was transformed into a focal point through a custom wall-to-wall upholstered cornice featuring an exquisite embroidered border dating to the 1720s. Originally sourced from a French château, the antique Italian silk brocade appliqué was paired with antique gold cord and tape trim that echoed the metallic threads within the historic textile. Drapery panels frame the window while large-scaled glazed ceramic planters anchor each side, transforming an otherwise forgotten space into an architectural composition that celebrates natural light.
Runners play an equally important role in softening the home's scale. A custom wool runner guides guests naturally from the entry toward the heart of the home, while coordinating Wilton wool carpeting on the staircase and second-floor hall introduces warmth, quiets acoustics, and establishes visual continuity.
One of the most personal moments within the foyer was also its earliest inspiration. Long before the space itself was being designed, a pair of early twentieth-century Syrian folding chairs featuring intricate mother-of-pearl inlay was discovered while we were sourcing at Les Puces de Saint-Ouen in Paris. Recognizing their special craftsmanship and unique forms, I immediately shared them with the homeowners, suggesting they become the foundation upon which the entire entry experience could be built. They enthusiastically embraced the idea. Today, the chairs create an intimate seating vignette that feels reminiscent of a treasured discovery in an open-air market, accompanied by Erik Gonzalez's mixed-media work Aqua Flora I, adding a contemporary artistic touch to the historic pieces.
The experience continues beyond the foyer, where the second-floor gallery remains visible from below. Three custom gilded textile art panels, individually handcrafted using hand-leafed pigments and subtle antiquing techniques before being mounted on oyster linen, were selected in hues of cerulean, blue, and champagne taupe. Arranged together, they evoke the feeling of an ornamental window grille overlooking a distant landscape. Hand-forged steel sconces with opal interiors and clear exterior glass introduce layers of evening light, creating a quiet transition to the private spaces of the home.
Benjamin Moore's Gray Cashmere envelops the architecture in a restrained, nuanced backdrop that quietly connects the palette to adjacent living spaces without competing for attention.
The resulting entry hall is not defined by trends or luxury for luxury's sake, but by thoughtful storytelling, collected craftsmanship, and deeply personal design. Every element was carefully considered to create an arrival that is welcoming, memorable, and unmistakably reflective of the family who calls this home—a timeless first impression that sets the tone for the entire experience beyond.
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