Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Decorating: 3 Biggest Mistakes We Make in the…

  • January 30, 2020February 13, 2020
Interior design by Karen Mills featured in two international books
  1. Unwelcoming  –  If you want your guests to feel welcome then its important to create an inviting interior design like this entry where you are greeted by natural light, soothing colors, interesting patterns and textured materials like the pillows, throw, and branches.
Interior Design by Karen Mills

2. Zero Personality – As an interior designer I can’t repeat enough the importance of showcasing your personal style in the foyer. The entry has become the most important area in your home because it gives people an idea of your personality and taste. In this foyer we showcased the clients’ love of animal prints on this traditional custom designed stool while also pairing it with abstract art to reveal their unique style and great taste.

Karen Mills' blog
Interior design by Karen Mills featured in Architecture Today Interior Design book

3. Lack of Intrigue   I always tell our interior design clients to think of their foyer as the advertisement for their home because your entry should give visitors a glimpse into what’s coming next from colors and style to personal mementos like this entry where we began with a family heirloom piece and dressed it up with a beautiful landscape painting, vase, and lamp that gives you a preview of the color scheme and what’s next.

For more inspiration, ideas, and photos, sign up for our weekly interior design blog here.

Plus become a fan of Kansas City’s interior designer, former host of the Living Large interior design show, and coach Karen Mills, on 
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And for more foyer inspiration, click here to read my Houzz interior design article on Color Palettes for Pleasing Entryway

or my budget tips titled Refresh Foyer for Less

Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 7 Tips for Styling a Beautiful Foyer

  • August 9, 2019August 9, 2019
Karen Mills' blog
Photo courtesy of John Richard furniture

Front entries are the first impression you make on guests so why not create an inviting space.  As an interior designer I tell my clients to think of their entry as an advertisement for their home and what’s to come.  The entry should hold some of their favorite things and introduce the color scheme for their home’s interior design, revealing a little about their personal style.  Read on for 7 simple ways to create a beautiful foyer.

Karen Mills' blog
Interior design by Karen Mills
  1. Introduce a Sofa Table or Case piece –  Start with a piece of furniture that fits easily in your entry and ideally can also hold decor.  Examples of case pieces could include a chest like this photo, a curio, sofa table, desk, etc.  In this entry the art brings together the warm neutral lamp, antique chest, and blue vase.
  2.   Freshen Up with Live Flowers or a Plant – The texture of the live plant will balance out the cold surfaces of the floor and walls, bringing the outdoors in.
Karen Mills' blog
Interior design by Karen Mills

3. Layer in Artwork or a Mirror – Introducing artwork can add texture and reveal a bit of your personality. A mirror is not only functional but also makes a style statement and can bounce light around from a lamp placed in front as shown here.

4. Ground Your Entry with a Rug – Layering a rug underneath adds warmth, color, and style to your foyer.

Interior decorating by Karern Mills

5.  Light it up With a Lamp –  Lamps not only provide function and ambiance, but they can introduce more style to a space like this round metal lamp that mimics the circle design in the cabinet along with the colors in the granite top, bowl, vase, and art for a more cohesive look.

John-Richard Collection Sutton Place Sideboard

Photo courtesy of John Richard furniture

6. Replace Your Overhead Lighting Here in this entry shown the colors and style of the chandelier add drama and interest to the overall look of the room while also repeating the color scheme and overall feel.

Karen Mills' blog
Photo courtesy of John Richard furniture

7. Tell a Color Story – You don’t have to add bright colors to be bold like this entry shown.  The earthy brown of the chest is picked up again on in the painting and bowl while the blue lamp base color reinforces the artwork.

To learn about color options for your foyer, read my Houzz article titled 7 Color Palettes for a Pleasing Entryway  – 

plus become a fan of Kansas City’s interior designer and former Living Large design show host Karen Mills, on Facebook or instagram

and sign up for our weekly interior design blog here

7. Tell a Color Story – You don’t have to be as bold and bright as this entry photo, but every space does have a color scheme even it’s neutral.  The earthy brown of the chest is picked up again on in the painting and bowl while the blue lamp base color reinforces the artwork.

To learn about color options for your foyer, read my Houzz article titled 7 Color Palettes for a Pleasing Entryway  – 

become a fan of Kansas City’s interior designer and former Living Large design show host Karen Mills, on Facebook here

plus sign up for our weekly interior design blog here