For its (typically) small space, our entryway has a big responsibility to uphold. As the first room people see, its design choices set a precedent for the rest of our home – so making a statement is vital. Thankfully, however, Lenny Kravitz has just taken the guesswork out of how to create a memorable focal point with an eternal appeal, and it's a technique he uses in his own space.
Kravitz, whose property portfolio spans a four-story property in Paris (the former US Embassy to France, nonetheless), has designed a luxe, timeless entryway that is as almost beautiful as the building itself – but of all its design quirks, the statement chandelier takes center stage.
Every design detail, from the cream stone walls to the ornate black railing (that juxtaposes the otherwise neutral color scheme), pays homage to the room's 1920s heritage, but it is the aforementioned chandelier that's responsible for the uber-luxe aesthetic.
In the footage, we can see (what appears to be) two chandeliers, including one that separates a darker-painted room from the main entryway. The chandelier, visible from both spaces, bridges the flow between the two areas and makes them feel connected despite their varying color patterns.
Unfortunately, we can't all have a space on the scale of Kravitz's, but that doesn't mean we can't follow his entryway lighting technqiue. Even if we're working with a significantly smaller area, designers say that going big on lighting can work – becasue who says compact spaces can't make a statement?
Owen Pacey, the founder of Renaissance London, believes that the aesthetic value of choosing antique lighting is immeasurable. Choosing such a piece yourself gives a home personality and life whether it’s your main residence or a summer house,' he says.
'What better place for a grand statement than an entryway? Make the most of a tall ceiling with a large-scale piece that signals guests to expect major style ahead. And in a smaller space, a chandelier can be just the dash of drama needed to make it feel like a grand entrance.'
Instantly associable with the 1920s (and therefore the Art Deco design movement), chandeliers are a natural choice for Kravitz's historic property. However, we can still follow suit in more modern properties. On a smaller scale, our digital editor, Jennifer Ebert, recommends hanging a glass pendant chandelier above an antique table that's dressed with vintage art books (for a modern, arty nod to the time gone by). 'It will feel curated and sophisticated while your chandelier steals the show.'
Shop Lenny Kravitz's collection
Beyond the entryway, we can get the Kravitz-approved look via some of our favorite picks from his collection with CB2. We think the light would look great in a more modern-style entrance hall (and a living room, of course).
