We all know the quote, “you only get one chance to make a first impression.” Well, what impression does your house give to the visitor, is it well composed and organized, or clumsy and poorly designed? Whether you like it or not, the entry to your home gives the visitor an impression of you. The entry to a home not only provides a representation of the owner, or at least the outward appearance that the homeowner wishes to express, but it welcomes the visitor and prepares for what will come. If we accept that great residential architecture not only has the power to inform and influence it’s inhabitants lives, but also reflects the aesthetic, social and programmatic requirements of it’s owners, then we must concede that the careful composition and arrangement of the entry requires special attention.

By way of an analogy. . . I can relate this to the first time I bought an iPhone. For those of us that have bought Apple products, I am sure that many of us still have a few Apple iPhone packages sitting empty in a drawer or closet with the ill-fitting white plastic earbuds still untouched, wrapped up inside the original container. Personally, I have thrown out countless technology accessory boxes, but for some reason I’ve held onto the Apple boxes. The interaction with the heavy, rigid box construction with beautifully minimalist printing and embossing techniques that is coated to prevent denting and scratching builds anticipation of the quality of the device inside.

Entry Foyer of the Midcountry Greenwich Colonial

The well-designed entry speaks to what is inside it’s facade, yet it builds anticipation of the story about to unfold within. This is evident down to the smallest detail. Think of your front door hardware - that first point of contact. Is it cheap and flimsy, or is it a substantial piece of hardware, that not only feels great in the hand, looks great with a beautiful finish, but also sounds great when securely fastening a heavy front door.

So, what does your entry say about you?