Woven shades help create the first impression of a well-designed entrance

Whether a door opens into a tiny vestibule or a spacious foyer, the entryway to a home is the equivalent of a person making a first impression.

"Since the entryway is what your guests will see right away, make sure the furniture, paint color, and seating that you choose send the right message," states House Beautiful magazine.

New Orleans interior designer Ned Marshall told the magazine that he designed one customer's second-floor entrance hall "neutral, but not boring" by painting the walls in silver radiator paint. But he added dimension by adding large-scale stripes in a gray-tinted glaze that gave the lines a tarnished effect.

For his own apartment entry, Marshall took a dramatic turn. The first thing a visitor sees is a bright pink sofa against chocolate brown walls. Two oriental vases on wall sconces and a mirror in a sunburst frame are some of the accessories Marshall chose for the space.

If there's a window nearby, the treatment can incorporate colors from the entry and closest room to unify the two spaces. Woven shades can be rustic or a subtle neutral, depending on the texture and color chosen, and will be a neutral backdrop for any décor.