The striped floor and green-tiled fireplace presented an interesting design challenge because of their strong appearances. For instance, a French rug we brought in was overwhelmed by the surrounding architecture. We later decided on a trio of antique-style Persian rugs that fit in more comfortably.

The subtle colors selected for the wainscot and wallpaper also worked to support and provide balance to the floor, fireplace, high wainscot and elegant staircase — and to establish the overall sense of neutrality that we wanted in the hall.
The high wainscot also generated its share of design challenges. Our initial idea was to place artwork above the wainscot, but we soon realized that would make the hall too cluttered. This led us to the idea of installing classical busts, which created a rhythm to the length of the hall and a stronger design statement.

We had a trio of busts — Hermes, St. George and Apollo Belvedere — made by a local gallery specializing in sculpture and casting. The idea was inspired by the notion that the homeowner was an avid traveler who brought back artifacts from around the world. A company in Chicago contributed the ornate custom wall brackets.

The busts, brackets and furniture fulfilled another key purpose, beyond their aesthetics: They acted as a series of visual signposts that drew your attention down the length of the hall and toward the window at the end.

The finished grand entry hall served as the gateway to the grandeur of the revitalized Beachhurst home. It invited the homeowner or visitor to linger, savor the wonderful proportions and details, and take in the warmth of the room. Most of all, it set the stage for a most memorable experience.