The importance of an entryway is often overlooked, but this room sets the tone for the spaces ahead. Similar to the opening chapter in a novel, the foyer establishes the story that has yet to unfold by introducing the aesthetic qualities we can anticipate as we move through a space. Our design expectations are firmly planted through these initial experiences.
Of course, the entryway has functional requirements. It serves as the threshold between the harsh outside environment and the calm, comfortable inside. It is a transitional spacewhere we can shed the tools we require for outdoor activities - shoes, jackets, keys and bags - and enter unencumbered into a place for relaxation. Conversely, it is a place to prepare for our journey out into the world, where we can check ourselves in a mirror, sit to tie our shoes and collect our requisite items.
The entryway can provide a striking beginning to an interior. Exaggerated details, forms and finishes can be implemented here, or subtle hints of what will follow can be introduced. The drama of the entry can lead into subdued public and private areas where interpretations of these elements are carried through.
Before starting to decorate this area I suggest deciding on a strategy for how the space should be perceived. If a home's design language has already been established, then a few significant elements can be drawn out and interpreted for the entry. A detail in a public area of the house might be used in grand gesture here - an accent colour on furniture might be used as the wall colour or a primary colour in a wallpaper pattern. (The wallcovering can have a bold or dramatic pattern because it is used in a defined, limited space.)
If the entryway is small, mirrors can be used to enlarge the space. Functional lighting can be combined with decorative fixtures that serve as a focal point and element of interest. A single chair or stool and a chest, table or console can serve specific functions and stand alone as one-of-a-kind sculptural objects.
Larger entry rooms can serve multiple functions. Aside from the foyer to a home, a large entry can be a space to display art, rugs, wall hangings and sculpture.
Floral arrangements add colour and texture as well as a pleasant scent that enhances the overall of entering a home.
Fortunately, the entryway is a room where risks can be taken and inexpensive changes can be made as needs or wants change. On a limited budget, this room can be the first one to be intentionally designed and have a remarkable effect.
Robert Reid is a professor of architecture, art and design at the American University of Sharjah.
The British in India: Three Centuries of Ambition and Experience
by David Gilmour
Allen Lane
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Virtuzone GCC Sixes
Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
Time Matches start at 9am
Groups
A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs
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Set-jetting on the Emerald Isle
Other shows filmed in Ireland include: Vikings (County Wicklow), The Fall (Belfast), Line of Duty (Belfast), Penny Dreadful (Dublin), Ripper Street (Dublin), Krypton (Belfast)
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Vaccine Progress in the Middle East
RESULT
Aston Villa 1
Samatta (41')
Manchester City 2
Aguero (20')
Rodri (30')
Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Fixtures
Wednesday January 8 –Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 – Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 – UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia