Ellen Pompeo uses wicker furniture, cozy textures, and Spanish revival accessories to create a mini living room in her entryway
What is traditionally a transitional space is one that's designed to be lived in and enjoyed – it's made me rethink how entryway design should look
The entryway, famously the first room of the home (and therefore, arguably, the hardest to decorate), is inevitably a transient place. With this in mind, it's never conventionally a room designed to encourage lounging and socializing in the same way as a living room, for example. In Ellen Pompeo's Loz Feliz home, however, things are done a little differently.
The Grey's Anatomy actress enlisted esteemed designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard to design a Mediterranean-style villa with distinct design influences (such as arches and pillars) and a neutral color base palette that runs throughout the property. This includes her cream-hued entryway, which is staged to look unlike any other we've seen before. In the space, Bullard arranged two wicker chairs, a coffee table, a console, and a striped rug to create (what feels like) a mini living room – welcoming guests to sit as soon as they enter the home.
Naturally, Pompeo has a living room that's also fit for purpose, but this bite-size version makes her entryway feel notably less like a space that should be rushed through and more like a room that's designed to be enjoyed.
Not all entryways are sizeable enough to lend themselves to a mini living room in the way that Pompeo demonstrates. However, as designers explain, we can still take inspiration from her layout. In many cases, it's possible to introduce furnishings and accessories that might otherwise be used in more conventional living spaces, but we need to pre-plan to ensure the entryway still flows.
'When styling an entryway, we always start by measuring the space to ensure any furniture fits in without obstructing the walkway. There should be enough space to allow easy passage, ideally at least 3 feet of clearance,' comments Claire Garner, Director, Claire Garner Interiors.
'To keep the entryway looking open, it’s important to balance the size and placement of the furniture by arranging larger pieces like sofas or cabinets against the wall, but if possible, avoid putting all of the furniture on one side. This will help to balance the space and create an attractive symmetry. If the entryway is wide enough, consider floating smaller chairs or accent tables away from the walls to create the illusion of a more open, intentional design.'
As Pompeo demonstrates (and Garner emphasizes), it can also work to play with scale and proportion to create an 'interesting dynamic' that feels like a well-curated living space. 'For example, balance the large furniture pieces such as a sofa with a slim console table and smaller decorative items such as delicate wall art,' she says.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
Plus, as with a living space, using the right textures is important to the overall warmth and acoustics of our entryway. We love these Pompeo-inspired pieces, versatile enough to work in the first room of the home and beyond.
Highly durable
The McGee & Co team designed the Reva rug to bring a sense of warmth to high-traffic areas, both indoors and outdoors.
Concealed zipper
Meticulously crafted from sumptuous warm white cotton velvet, the fabric is masterfully cut, stripe stitched and woven into a dimensional piece
Teak frame
Made from woven wicker, we love this chair for its timeless, organic textures and modern design, just like the ones in Pompeo's entryway.
'To create a lived-in cozy feel, use layers of soft furnishings such as a long runner or a series of small rugs along the length of the hallway, and soft pillows and throws for seating areas,' Garner adds.
'Use a mix of fabrics – linen, velvet, or wool – for a luxurious, lived-in vibe, but don’t overdo it; keep it casual and functional.'
Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.
-
6 things roofing pros recommend checking as the rainy season gets underway to avoid leaks, mold and pests
Maintaining a roof before heavy snow and rain could save you thousands, experts say
By Chiana Dickson Published
-
7 different interior designers on ingenious ways they use paint to easily elevate a room
Paint can be the easiest way to transform a room, here 7 designers talk us through how they use it to the best effect
By Arabella Youens Published