High/low: Inviting entryway

Can you tell the difference?

High: $4,841

1 Grasscloth Resource sisal Shang Extra Fine Sisal wallpaper in Wedgewood Blue, Thibaut at Kravet Canada, $428 per double roll, through designers.   2 Maxim Lighting Bahama small hemp rope and acrylic Twine pendant light in Natural, 20" x 11", Universal Lamp, $460.   3 Nepalese Feather print with acrylic frame, 20" x 30", Decorium, $999.   4 Cast zinc alloy Bungalow hooks in Bronze with Highlights, Lee Valley Tools, $12 each.   5 Particleboard 3-door Pax wardrobe in White, 60" x 24" x 93", IKEA, $280; fibreboard Tyssedal doors in White with soft-closing hinges, 20" x 90", IKEA, $120 each; interior fittings, IKEA, $350.   6 Satin-nickel-finished aluminum Chicago pulls, 8", Lee Valley Tools, $15 each.   7 Josef Hoffmann beech bentwood 811 sidechair in Dark Walnut with caned seat and back, Ton, $475.   8 Antique Royal Doulton bone china transferware umbrella stand, Cynthia Findlay Antiques, $995.

Low: $1,807

1 Texture Resource 4 embossed-vinyl Coastal Sisal wallpaper in Blue, Thibaut at Kravet Canada, $323 per double roll, through designers.   2 Jute pendant light, 20" x 10", Plant World, $130.   3 Feather Study print, IKEA, $149; Decorium; glass and aluminum Strömby picture frames (customized), 24"x 36", IKEA, $30 each.   4 Nystrom large metal double hooks in Bronze, The Home Depot, $7 each.   5 Particleboard and MDF white 3-door Aulum wardrobe with drawers, 63" x 24" x 79", Jysk, $700.   6 Square brushed-stainless-steel tube pulls, 5", Lee Valley Tools, $11 each; rectangular brushed-nickel-finished-steel knobs, Lowe’s, $5 each.   7 Secondhand wooden sidechair (painted black) with caned seat and back, Goodwill, $15.   8 Secondhand porcelain umbrella stand, Kijiji, $60.

The perfect contrast

Forget a boring floor in such a stunning space. Pick a patterened tile in a neutral colour to bring some life to the space. Add a different neutral for the rug to create a mixture of textures without overloading the floor.   Cement floor tiles, Saltillo Imports, contact store.   Jute rugs, Pottery Barn, from $159.

Light the way

A pendant light woven from a natural fibre (such as rattan or bamboo) is a surefire way to bring the outdoors with you as you step through the front door. We’ve got one for every budget.   High: Maxim Lighting Bahama small hemp rope and acrylic Twine pendant light in Natural, 20" x 11", Universal Lamp, $460.   Low: Jute pendant light, 20" x 10", Plant World, $130.

Simple prints go a long way

For our low art, we mimicked the dramatic black and white high feather print and its upscale acrylic floating frame using two aluminum and glass picture frames and an inexpensive print.   High: Nepalese Feather print with acrylic frame, 20" x 30", Decorium, $999.   Low: Feather Study print, IKEA, $149; Decorium; glass and aluminum Strömby picture frames (customized), 24"x 36", IKEA, $30 each.

Please, take a seat

Sometimes, you need to pull on your rainboots, put your bag down somewhere that isn't the ground or quickly put down the groceries once you're inside. A side chair is the perfect solution for any home by the front door. You may just be surprised how often you end up using it.   High: 7 Josef Hoffmann beech bentwood 811 sidechair in Dark Walnut with caned seat and back, Ton, $475.   Low: 7 Secondhand wooden sidechair (painted black) with caned seat and back, Goodwill, $15.

It's raining trends

If you must endure a rainy day, why not enjoy the royal treatment upon coming home? Our high umbrella stand was produced at the turn of the 20th century by Royal Doulton, Queen Victoria’s ceramics company of choice. The piece’s intricate chinoiserie pattern was transfer printed – a pain-staking hand-decorating process that modern mass-produced ceramics like our low just cannot duplicate.   High: 8 Antique Royal Doulton bone china transferware umbrella stand, Cynthia Findlay Antiques, $995.   Low: 8 Secondhand porcelain umbrella stand, Kijiji, $60.

Hang up your worries (and your coat)

Don't let the ease of tossing your coat around ruin the look of your fabulous foyer. A couple simple hooks on the wall, close to the door, will stop any urge you have to leave it dangling from the chair until the next morning. Arrange them at different levels for kids and adults to make sure the whole family keeps the space clear.   High: 4 Cast zinc alloy Bungalow hooks in Bronze with Highlights, Lee Valley Tools, $12 each.   Low: 4 Nystrom large metal double hooks in Bronze, The Home Depot, $7 each.

Customizable accessories

The little things matter, so don't leave out the fine details like door handles on your stylish storage closet. Add as much flair and glamour as you want to make a plain closet a trendy centrepiece to the room. Let the handles suit your family's needs to make the closet a functional piece in the space.   High: 6 Satin-nickel-finished aluminum Chicago pulls, 8", Lee Valley Tools, $15 each.   Low: 6 Square brushed-stainless-steel tube pulls, 5", Lee Valley Tools, $11 each; rectangular brushed-nickel-finished-steel knobs, $5 each, Lowe’s.

Cut the clutter

If your entryway does not have a built-in closet, invest in a wardrobe; in a busy area like this, bigger is definitely better. Look for shelves, drawers and other organizing tools to keep all your dashing-out-the-door essentials – such as shoes and keys – right at hand.

An essential addition

Keep keys and electronics handy but out of sight stashed in small containers in a drawer.

Is it greener on the other side?

Think the choice between real and faux grasscloth wallpaper is simply a matter of budget? Think again. While the high-end delicately woven sisal version has an inimit- able texture and natural quality, the embossed vinyl has a similar look with a durable, fully washable surface.   Grasscloth Resource sisal shang extra Fine sisal in Wedgewood Blue, Thibaut at Kravet Canada, $428 per double roll, through designers.   Texture Resource 4 embossed-vinyl coastal sisal in Blue, Thibaut at Kravet Canada, $323 per double roll, through designers.