Dressing up a Foyer or Entryway
Floor Medallions, Tile Rugs and Accents
The foyer or entryway is one of the first places seen when entering the home. Giving the space character and life will help reflect the rest of the home’s style and design. Whether creating a formal entryway, or simply giving some color and life to the space, waterjet and mosaic accents, medallions and rugs offer style, pattern and color to suit any space.
Types of Medallions and Accents Available
Floor medallions can be grouped into two categories, waterjet and mosaic. The first uses waterjet cutting technology, where a computer program is used to precisely target areas of stone or porcelain to be cut, resulting in large puzzle like pieces that fit together tightly with little to no grout between them. Waterjet designs can be large or small, and can create smoother, more modern patterns and styles. Often these designs will come pre-assembled and fixed to a backing and can be installed as one piece.
Mosaic medallions and accents are made up of many small mosaic pieces, many cut by hand to fit the design. The medallions and accents are typically more detailed than waterjet designs, and depending on whether the pieces are tumbled or polished stone, or even glass, can give many different looks. Mosaic accents and medallions may be available in pre-assembled pieces, but depending on the size, may be more likely to be made up of several sections that must be pieced together again at installation.
Waterjet patterns and mosaics are also available in borders, as well as simple and complex repeating patterns, which can be used to create a tile rug in the floor.
Choosing the Style of Accent
If choosing to accent the space with a stone or glass medallion or mosaic, be sure to take design decisions already made, as well as the shape of the space into account. Medallions work particularly well in large areas with a natural focal point, such as at the base of a wide staircase, or below a light or chandelier. For rooms with lots of angles and corners, fill in the outside edges with large tiles, then square off the center with a border and fill in the middle with a “rug” of a repeating waterjet or mosaic pattern.
If there is hardwood in the foyer, leading into other areas of the house, consider inlaying waterjet accents at intervals that will take the eye further into the home. Be sure to pick up colors from outlying areas, such as kitchens, family rooms and bathrooms. If the kitchen counter can be seen from the foyer, pick up accent colors from it that will tie the two spaces together. Compliment the entire space with a wall color that will set off the accents.
For old world styles, considering using tumbled mosaics in the accents or medallion for a soft, worn look. More modern spaces will work well with polished waterjet designs, or if there is a lot of light in the area, consider using polished mosaics, as the light will hit each piece individually, making the design sparkle.
Be sure that the space is well lit, to make the most of the design chosen, and center the design in the room so that it doesn’t become lost in corners. Pick up on design elements elsewhere in the home, or use family interests when choosing the pattern. Stars, floral patterns, compasses and even animals are just a few of the options available for use. Be true to the rest of the style of the home, and let the entryway bring the design in.
A Modern Mosaic Rug
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