This Entryway Uses Farrow & Ball’s Borrowed Light to Prove Bold Color Can Feel Calm and Dramatic at Once
A one-of-a-kind entryway designed by Daniella Villamil comes to life through color and story
A taster of what's to come, an entryway sets the tone of your home. While it can be all too easy to treat pass-through spaces as purely functional rooms, this tranquil, blue-drenched entrance proves that the best entryways are those that create an instant impression that stays with you.
A refreshingly serene space, Daniella Villamil covered her client's entryway in pale blue paint, transforming the room from already architecturally beautiful to all the more soothing and special. A walk through that comes to life through color, it's a refreshing rethink of conventional entryway design (for the better).
'Ultimately, the foyer became the heart of our story,' explains Daniella, 'with its blue walls mimicking the sky, a nature-inspired mural, and layered, intentional details that make the space feel curated, immersive, and deeply personal, like a piece of art you don’t just view, but live within.'
Color-drenched in Farrow & Ball's Borrowed Light, the entryway feels calming yet eclectic, filled with objects for the eye to feast on.
'I started thinking about the space as a book: the obvious choice for the introduction was the entry foyer,' explains Daniella, 'a small yet opportunity-filled space that had a gilded dome and an ornate chandelier, something very typical for a Las Vegas condo.'
'Rather than compete with these traditional architectural elements, we leaned into contrast, introducing something more playful and artistic to completely reframe the space. I looked at it as an opportunity to weave a narrative throughout the home that could find its roots in the foyer, as the starting and ending point of our dialogue.'
'Because we had worked with the clients before and were acquainted with their art collection and interior design style, we had a good idea of the style and colors they preferred. They favor bold choices and like to be surprised with ideas that elevate their homes and make them feel special. When they gave us free rein, we were ecstatic! But at the same time, I was nervous; this was a great opportunity to showcase our creativity and surprise them.'
A bespoke ceiling mural crowns the entryway, color-matched by a deep teal front door that provides contrast and richness.
Known to be soothing yet cheery, pale blue feels like the obvious choice for an entryway with a bold ceiling mural at its center. Daniella used Farrow & Ball's Borrowed Light for the walls of the room. 'The blue color palette sets the perfect background for all the bold choices we made in the space, just as the sky sits in the background of a color-rich world, our blue walls were the perfect backdrop for colorful art and furniture. The pale blue also helps soften the architecture and visually expand the space, allowing the more saturated tones in the mural and furnishings to stand out while keeping the overall feeling light and inviting.'
Paying attention to the colors that go with pale blue for the mural and the decorative details (the red Jean Royère sconces clash beautifully with the cool-toned hue), Daniella wanted to create as much contrast as possible when designing the ceiling mural, using pinks, reds, and deep greens for the ceiling paint.
'I commissioned a mural from Abel Macias after visiting the LA Proper; I was enamored with his work and knew my clients would resonate with him too. The process was highly collaborative, translating his artistic language into a spatial experience that could live beyond the canvas. His piece set the tone for the space; we extruded colors, textures, and shapes from it and carried them throughout in obvious and not-so-obvious ways.'
Whimsical flowers and birds hand-painted by Abel Macias on a backdrop of pale pink transform the ceiling into a work of art designed to be enjoyed.
While a bold paint color is a timeless entryway trend, the mural adds a layer of story and injects the owners' artistic personality into the design. 'The foyer ceiling mural is the main piece of the space, or the “heart” of it; it sets the tone and provides the storyline for the rest of the home.' Daniella adds, 'It changed the feel of the home and created a much more curated and bespoke narrative, it elevated the space and made it feel deeply personal and entirely unique.'
To avoid a two-note feeling and create harmony between two visually different shades, Daniella used grounding hues to connect the pale blue with the pink. The dark green paint provides depth and warmth against the pastel hues. 'I painted the ceiling mural in the same green I used in the front door and kitchen, small details that create a dialogue between the spaces and keep the storyline flowing from one space to the next.'
'I love that as you enter, your eye is drawn upward first, creating a moment of pause before the space opens up, almost like a reveal. We kept the center moment sculptural and minimal with the pedestal table to allow the ceiling to remain the focal point, while still grounding the space.'
Shop the Look
Covered in a red lacquer, these one-of-a-kind wall sconces will bring instant personality to any entryway.
Perfect for even the smallest entryways, this white side table would look best paired with a statement floral arrangement at its center.
Simple yet elegant, the Coperta bowl couldn't be easier to style. Fill it with some vibrant stems or keep it bare for a graceful, pared-back look.
Add a dose of romance to your entryway with the Eloise flush mount. With a pale pink frosted shade and brass accents, it's irresistibly charming.
Small and dainty, this porcelain table vase has a real artisanal quality, perfect for pairing with richer textures or colors.
Painted in a rich teal, the Livia glass hutch combines style with function. Perfect for books or keepsakes, it'll bring warmth and sophistication into your entryway.
The Las Vegas entryway designed by Daniella Villamil is a reminder that truly good design is more than functional; it transports you to a place of inspiration and escape.
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