First Impressions Count – make a statement with these Entryway pieces from AJAR

Thresholds have always played a huge role in architecture, both spatially as well as symbolically. They indicate where something ends and something different begins. Crossing a threshold almost always implies an imperceptible change in the ‘thickness’ of space. It distinguishes between the exterior and the interior, the natural and the architectural, the public and the private, or even the sacred and the profane. The comparative historian of religions Mircea Eliade describes the ritual function of thresholds in religious buildings in the following way: “The threshold is the limit, the boundary, the frontier that distinguishes and opposes two worlds—and at the same time the paradoxical place where those worlds communicate, where passage from the profane to the sacred world becomes possible.” However, he also argues that this non-homogeneity of space is still very much present in the non-religious context of the secular household: passing the domestic threshold often involves small rituals such as a bow, a greeting, a friendly handshake, or something as simple as taking off one’s coat and shoes. The main entrance is a preamble of what will happen next. In other words, it inaugurates the household.

During the 20th century, several architects sensitive to these kinds of spatial nuances were critical towards the neglect of thresholds by century modern functionalist architecture. Mexican architect Luis Barragan, to mention just one example, was famous for his uncanny sensibility when crafting intimate spaces, and he understood the importance of the entryway as the porous limit and transition between the public exterior and the domestic interior. The iconic entryway to his house in the Tacubaya neighbourhood in Mexico City is a case in point.

However, highlighting the importance of the entryway is something that can only be achieved by architectural means. Interior design plays a huge part in this as well. Whether your entryway is an external porch, an interior foyer, or an apartment hallway, there are several ways in which you can emphasise the significance of this threshold by using the best furniture, home lighting, and decor.

Choose your home lighting carefully

As one can appreciate by taking a look at the entryway to the Barragan house, home lighting is an important factor to consider when thinking about the kind of atmosphere that the entryway should transmit. Whether you want to foster a gradual transition into an intimate space or a more outgoing and extroverted greeting space, the quality, colour, and directionality of light will be essential. Santa & Cole’s catalogue has several tasteful designer lamps which will surely contribute to this purpose.

Designed by the Santa & Cole team themselves, the Tripode table designer lamp is a subtle yet bold table piece of home lighting that would be perfect for a foyer, either set on top of a short side table or shelf. Its simple design made from three crossed thin metal tubes contrasts with its generous ribbon shade, the latter which comes in several different colours (natural, red, black, terracotta, mustard, and green). This is a piece held in high esteem by the Santa & Cole team, occupying a special place in its catalogue of table lamps for more than 25 years now.

The Cesta floor lamp is another contemporary classic from their home lighting catalogue. Designed by veteran designer Miguel Milà, some of the members of the Cesta family have been mentioned and recommended in a couple of our previous blog posts. This one is the Cesta that started it all back in 1962. Its flawless design has withstood the test of time: a harmonious combination between the delicate steam-bended cherry wood structure and the glowing white opal glass lampshade, resulting in a perfectly balanced object with a sculptural quality. Its self-contained and compact appearance makes it perfect to be placed as a floor lamp in a strategically chosen spot in your entrance or foyer—perhaps it can sit in a corner or inside a niche, ready to welcome your nighttime guests with its gentle light.

Designed by the renowned designer Antoni Arola, the Moare pendant is a one-of-a-kind piece of overhead home lighting. This designer lamp takes its name from the wavy finish that some fabrics have, which in this case is achieved by placing two cylindrical polyester shades, one inside the other. The effect is subtle but stunning, its gentle light creating a ripple effect as you move around it. If you are feeling bold, the red lampshade option could add a lot of character to a foyer or entry hallway.

Step outside the ordinary

Consoles and sideboards are often inconspicuous—or even overlooked—pieces of furniture when it comes to entryways. They are not protagonist centrepieces like sofas, dinner tables, beds, or coffee tables. Rather, they quietly sit against a wall, housing small objects such as keys, correspondence, a small vase or designer lamp, and sometimes shoes beneath them. However, it is precisely this background role that makes them so essential. A well-chosen console or sideboard can transform the atmosphere and feel of a foyer or entry hallway.

The Aura Sideboard is part of a collection of commercial furniture that presents a timeless design inspired by the design culture of the Nordic countries. Designed by Angel Martí and Enrique Delamo for the Basque company Treku, we believe that this particular Aura model would be perfect for an entryway—with a Tripode designer lamp on top, perhaps? There are several options to configure the Aura with open or close units, and with doors or drawers.

The Valencian brand Kendo has a couple of consoles that would also be perfect for a foyer or entryway. The Naruk console is one of those Spanish furniture pieces that look deceptively simple at first glance, but which then reveal their complexity and craft upon closer inspection. Behind its simple silhouette lie several inclined planes, with the option of adding two swivelling trays below. The Naruk would be the perfect base for that cherished vase or sculpture that everyone that enters your home should look at. The Exo console is another tasteful piece from Kendo. Designed by Francesc Rifé, the Exo opts for sheer minimalist elegance, with several lacquer/veneer options and colours to match any interior design.

Expand the space with mirrors

Mirrors can also be a great addition to an entryway. Besides permitting that last glimpse at your hairstyle before going out, mirrors can also help to expand a space, refract light, and create unexpected vistas of your domestic space. However, there are many options that might be more interesting than just hanging a regular mirror. Rifé has designed another exciting piece of Spanish furniture for Kendo which is a console and a mirror all in one. The Grey console is built from lacquered MDF with a smoked grey mirror surface, and composed of a large back panel (which is mounted on the wall) with a small drawer unit. The result is a unique piece with highly sculptural qualities that will leave your guests wondering if it is an artwork or a piece of furniture (why not both though?).

However, not all entryways have to be minimalistically elegant or serious. When it comes to adding a touch of playfulness, few designers can match Jaime Hayon. These two mirrors designed for BD Barcelona are trademark Hayon: irreverent yet tastefully crafted, treading the line between industrial design and applied arts. The Showtime multiple mirror is a jigsaw of irregularly shaped mirrors which, instead of fitting together like a jigsaw, rather give the appearance of a three-dimensional overlapping of shapes. The King & Kong are the two designs that Hayon proposed to BD Barcelona for a new mirror. They liked them so much that they decided to produce both of them. The shape is vaguely reminiscent of a monkey head, with a set of abstract patterns applied in gold and black on the mirror. This is another piece of Spanish furniture that, paired with the right console and table lamp could make for a striking foyer ensemble.

Add hints of colour

Besides table lamps, carefully placing a coloured vase or planter on top of a console or sideboard can make your entryway setup pop. Turns out that, in addition to commercial furniture, Hayon also designs decorative vases—evidence of his inventiveness and multifaceted personality. The iconic Showtime collection of glazed ceramic vases has been produced for over a decade now. Like the mirrors that bear the same name, these bases are irregularly shaped, hinting towards creature-like forms: Showtime vases N.2 to N.5 could be aliens. All of them have small openings where you can place a colourful flower or two, adding to the playfulness. The handmade Gardenias terracotta vases, on the other hand, have a more traditional look. Hayon deploys this millennia-old technique to make vases that look eerily futuristic. Take a look at Showtime 10  vases N.1, N.3, and N.4, and judge for yourself.

Lastly, the Green Cloud is a family of planters designed by Mermelada Studio for the Valencian brand Systemtronic, and which resemble a floor lamp with foliage sprouting from the top. Available in three sizes (S, M, and L) and several coloured finishes (black, blue, red, garnet, green, and white), there are plenty of options to pick the right one for your entryway or foyer. Perhaps a small colourful one could be placed on top of an Aura sideboard, or a large white one placed on its own in a corner or next to a window.

These are just a handful of examples that we have picked from our curated catalogue of commercial furniture. As mentioned above, we firmly believe that the entry to your home should be understood as an important threshold and that this can be emphasised by using well-selected pieces of furniture and carefully placed home lighting.