If every room tells a story, especially in a Victorian home, then the stories this foyer could tell would be quite interesting. Keeping her secrets to herself, this space isn’t just any entryway; it’s the heart of the home. Grand in scale and rich with detail, it witnesses the comings and goings of everyone who passes through.
A Space That Sets the Tone
Offering a sense of elegance from the moment guests arrive, this foyer needed to set the tone for what was to come. Step inside, and you’re immediately drawn to the Petrof piano resting beneath a Schonbek chandelier dripping with rock crystal. To the right, your eye catches the carved white marble French-style mantel beneath an oversized pier mirror finished in silver leaf. Royal blue velvet draperies, tailored and dramatic, command attention from each corner. Against the “Windy Blue” walls, inspired by M.S. Rau in New Orleans, the entire room comes to life.
And just like that, you realize you’ve now arrived.
The Velvet Saga
From the first time I visited the home, I understood how important this room was. The chandelier alone created a “wow” moment, but what made the space truly special was the intention behind every decision. The owners knew exactly how they wanted it to feel: refined but welcoming, traditional but with a twist, rich in personality and still steeped in history.
Every design element had been thoughtfully selected, but one key detail remained unfinished: the drapery. And this is where our journey began.
By the time they found me, the clients had already invested in a bolt of royal blue velvet they hoped would complete the room. Unfortunately, that fabric had sat untouched for over a year. When we unrolled it, we discovered that the pile had been crushed in storage, leaving behind a visible striping pattern that wasn’t part of the original design idea. It was distracting and inconsistent, definitely not something we could overlook in a room this prominent.
Thinking it was a one-time issue, they repurchased the same velvet from the same source. When it arrived with the same flaws, we realized the issue wasn’t storage in the home, it was the supplier. We returned the fabric and began the hunt for a new velvet, this time determined to get it right.
What followed was a months-long velvet treasure hunt. I pulled sample after sample of jewel-toned blues for my clients to evaluate. The clients taped them to the walls and lived with them, comparing each one against the silver-gilded hardware samples, the Windy Blue wall paint, and even the way the morning light moved across the room. Sometimes we’d find a promising contender, only to learn it was out of stock or discontinued. Other times, the color was just slightly off, too purple, too navy, or just not rich enough.Finally, we found it. A luxurious blue velvet from JAB ANSTOETZ Group fabrics. It was bold, jewel-toned, and vibrant enough to hold its own against the chandelier, piano and other details in this room. It was perfect. We ordered it immediately.
Trusting the Pleat
As with all bespoke drapery, the fabrication was about far more than just sewing panels. The clients had a very specific pleat style in mind: inverted box pleats with visible spacing between them. But to me, in this space, it felt like those pleats needed to kiss, not float apart. I envisioned a continuous, tailored line where the pleats just touched, providing a crisp, uninterrupted rhythm that framed the windows without distraction.
To do this, I wanted the pleats to be small and the spacing to be large. I proposed the change. This would allow the box pleats to just touch when the drapery were in the open position, but would also allow them to traverse completely closed when desired. This look creates a seamless, tailored line that feels more intentional and elevated for the space, whether open or closed.
Rather than try to explain it over the phone, I mocked up a sample and texted a quick photo to the client. That was the moment it clicked. They loved it. The design fell into place and we were all aligned. I got to work.
Though the drapery was designed to appear stationary, it remained fully functional. Ensuring the velvet would not flare after opening and closing, I secured a stitch along the bottom back side of each pleat that allowed them to flow easily when traversing and stay tailored in their place when open.
Long silver wands were added for easy operation, and we installed them using silver-finished hardware from Lundy’s, chosen to echo the silver accents throughout the space. With acorn-shaped finials, matching those in the adjacent royal parlour, the panels drape from the crown molding to the floor.
Staying true to the client’s vision, the drapery softens the space and frames the architecture to complete the room. The drapery doesn’t shout for attention; it harmonizes, much like the music that often fills this space during parties and holidays.
The walls continue to hold their secrets, but now the piano plays, the chandelier glimmers, and the drapery quietly sings backup. That’s when I know a room is truly finished, when every detail speaks in unison, and my clients feel more at home than ever before.
Enjoyed this transformation?
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