Always entryways! 'at auction'

I haven't written about entryways in a while, and they are such an important part of any home. They are the first thing you come home to, the last place you leave, and the place that greets your guests. What could be more important!

The size of your entryway might be grand, or virtually non-existent, but you can take elements from any of these examples to create a place that speaks your style.

Paloma Picasso's Moroccan home From Harper's Bazaar

A sleek console table is topped with both classic as well as fun items to create an interesting tableau. The big table is also a great place to be able to set things down as you come in, or leave things you need to take with you when you leave. 

From Nuevo Estilo via Pinterest

Here I love the juxtaposition of the classic table with the modern sculpture on top. A mirror is always good in an entryway to keep the space light, and to check out how you look coming or going. 

From Lonny Magazine

Lonny Magazine featured the New York rental of Jessika Goranson. She has one of those almost non-existent entryways that she makes grand with the use of a huge mirror behind a classic demilune table, topped with interesting objects.

 From Pinterest

You can see that this entryway is small and narrow, but packs in a lot! I simple console table with a metal base and marble top is smart looking and practical. Topped with a large rustic mirror, it looks great. I like the boots lined up underneath too! Feels like home.

 CWB Architects

This is a great example of a tiny entryway that's been given big impact with a bracket console table and a big mirror!

Let's focus on the two key elements for an entryway - the table and the mirror. This will form the base for further decoration! This early 19th century Empire style marble topped pier table is a wonderful start. It's classic, decorative, and has a mirror backing that adds to the light in the space. The marble top is very practical as well for setting things down on it. This is included in the New Orleans Auction January 19 (Lot 313). It's 43 inches wide, and has an auction estimate of $600 - $900. 

I think every home should have some Asian elements. This wonderful Chinese red painted altar table would make a wonderful entryway piece, and add some color to the room as well! It's pretty big at 6 feet, 5 inches wide, so you have to have the room. This is Lot 272A in the January 18th auction at Stair Galleries in Hudson, NY, and has an auction estimate of $1,000 to $1,500.

This modern ebonized oak console table has a wonderful sleek shape. It's very smart looking and would definitely set the style for those coming to visit. This is included in the February 5 and 6 auction at Christie's in New York. It's 47 inches wide (Lot 365), and has an auction estimate of $1,000 to $1,500. This wonderful side table is included in the lot as a bonus! I know I could find a place for it.

I love these bracket consoles for small spaces. You don't need an entryway at all to create one with something like these. These are Louis XV giltwood with marble tops. These are in the Christies February auction (Lot 376). They are only 12 1/2 inches wide, and I'm sure you could find a place for the second one. One of these would look lovely in a bedroom or even a bathroom. These have an auction estimate of $1,000 to $1,500.

A lovely, simple gilt framed mirror would go with any style console table. This one has very nice proportions at 20 x 23 inches. You can't beat auction prices for something like this. The New Orleans auction has this with an auction estimate of $30 - $50 (Lot 219).

I love the proportions and decoration of Federal mirrors. This 19th century giltwood and eglomise mirror measures 40 inches tall and 20 inches wide. This is included in the Christies auction (Lot 467) with an auction estimate of $1,000 to $1,500.

Those diminutives bracket consoles need small mirrors above them. I was taken by this air of Italian 18th/19th century silvered wood mirrors. They are 17 inches tall and 14 inches wide. I always like multiple mirrors on the wall. These are included in the Christies auction with an auction estimate of $1,000 to $1,500 (Lot 514).

I couldn't resist this for a major statement piece. This is big and bold. This is American Aesthetic movement from the 4th quarter of the 19th century. It stands 78 inches tall, and I would just stand it on the floor. This is included in the New Orleans auction (Lot 621) with an auction estimate of $900 - $1,200. Just put a table wide enough for the center section for a great entryway statement.







Two pieces will get you started creating an entryway - a console table and a mirror. Then build a tableau of objects over time to add to the style you want to create!