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When Garance Doré decided to put down permanent roots in Mar Vista, California, she did so with the intention of fostering a space that was warm and welcoming upon arrival. With interior designer Sarah Sherman Samuel at her side, the Corsican native and former New Yorker took a layered approach to her newly renovated home with thick pink sofas, creamy white Moroccan rugs, and basket pendant lights. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
Doré’s SoCal story begins where all good first impressions do—in the entryway. Grounded in good vibes, her sunny entry doesn’t attempt to deviate from its coastal roots: A pair of bespoke surfboards hangs beneath the staircase; the console is peppered with hand-thrown ceramics; low-maintenance greenery lurks in the corner.
“I think the surfboards are special because they grab your attention right away, and they also give the whole vibe of the house, that laid back Californian spirit,” says Doré. “But the console is also very special because it’s light enough that the sunlight doesn’t get blocked. So there is a lot of flow and a natural welcoming tone!”
Finding balance was key for Samuel and San Francisco–based stylist Rosy Strazzeri Fridman, who saw the graphic nature of the lacquered surfboards opposite the console table as an opportunity for tone-on-tone styling. “We all tend to want to display art in hallways; however, if it’s narrow it can feel busy. That’s why we decided to put texture on the wall,” explains Fridman. Ben and Aja Blanc’s half-moon fiber mirror delivered immediate warmth. “The shape of the mirror allowed us to accommodate Garance’s existing lamp without too much overlap,” she adds.
While perfectly curated spaces like this can often feel unattainable, Doré applied the same approach to the entry as she did the rest of her home: It doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. Shop the style icon’s dreamy entryway, below.
Lay the Foundation
The power of opposing materials is not lost on husband-wife design duo Ben and Aja Blanc. Now a staple in stylish entryways the world over, the pair’s beloved fiber and glass mirror is basically ASMR for the home. The piece’s sheer size and tactile nature make it an obvious focal point for a wall.
Make Room for Function
The beauty of an entryway is that it can be as functional or minimal as you like. That said, more storage is never a bad thing, and console tables get the job done (and look good doing it). Featuring both drawers and shelves, this beautiful maple option offers enough room to display treasured objects and hide unwanted clutter. Its simple silhouette and light wash sets the tone for the neutral accessories that adorn its surface.
“The reason we went with tone-on-tone styling is that the left side [of the hallway] is so busy. A calmer moment on the opposite wall allows a graphic moment on the left,” says Fridman.
Light the Way
Inspired by Japanese stone lanterns and fence posts, Doré’s existing CB2 table lamp facilitated the zen moment Samuel and Fridman were hoping to achieve. Not wanting to detract from the statement mirror, its slender linen shade was also a big plus.
Anchor Empty Shelving
Los Angeles–based ceramist Heather Rosenmann’s vessels veer toward the prehistoric. The hieroglyphic-like etchings lend a sense of depth to a stone-cold object that might otherwise read as flat. The heavy vessel looks best when displayed alongside low-sitting objects, like large books or a tray of trinkets.
Pepper in Storied Elements
Whether sourced from your personal travels or purchased from your favorite boutique, handmade accessories bring a sense of soul to the table that mass-market products just can’t. Psst: It doesn’t even have to qualify as a home good to serve a purpose in your entryway. Crafted from indigo-dyed linen cloth and woven together with shells and coiled brass, this belt made by the Akusan women of the Philippines livens up a simple ceramic tray.
Layer Like Objects
Your eye naturally works its way across a vignette in pieces. While it’s soothing to see juxtaposition when you’re standing far away, your focus gravitates toward sameness when viewing a tableau up close. Placing like-minded objects next to one another is an easy way to convey cohesion. In Doré’s case, the CB2 lamp, a creamy white vase by BZippy & Co., and this chain-link sculpture make the perfect team.
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