Be it a grand ballroom, a get-away cabin in the mountains for entertaining, or one's personal residence, having an entryway atmosphere that surrounds one with both elegance and serenity makes a statement of luxury. One catches their breath from the impact of entering an evocative, masterfully designed area which wraps one in a visual presence of both peace and safety. Prior stresses melt in the warmth and beauty.
Every entryway, foyer or rotunda possesses a significant, unique individuality. The entryways with the highest intrinsic value feature floors of natural stone, like marble, onyx, or granite - and even in-laid semi-precious stones. A master designer can create a unique medallion for insertion in the entryway floor. This medallion, a large emblem or medal that might be circular, oval or even square, can reflect the homeowner's personality and could represent a family crest or a favorite architectural style. The medallion becomes the focal point of the entryway and the foundation for all interior design in the area. Matching marble or other natural stone borders can be designed to surround the outer portions of the entryway floor, or even be placed on the walls, to graciously lead one on into other areas of the home.
Because natural stone comes in thousands of color variations, the designer is never limited in expression. In the case of commercial sites such as airports, theme parks, restaurants, or in institutional settings such as universities, government buildings, or museums, the medallion might be the logo of the local sport team or represent an historical happening unique to that area. It can represent a point of pride, an attraction that customers remember and bring visitors to see. Public areas need entryways and floors that are durable and that can withstand dirt, snow and mud, along with the impact of high heels and other potentially damaging items.
Fortunately, marble and natural stones are truly capable of handling all that befalls them. Plus, they are quite stain resistant. A marble and natural stone medallion in an entryway is stunning and was once seen only in cathedrals built centuries ago. Now, due to the precision of waterjet technology, a master craftsman can design an intricate pattern consisting of thousands of pieces of fine marble, granite, onyx and semi-precious gems and have them cut to perfection. The assembling of these pieces reflects another artistic skill, as this assembling is done meticulously by hand and thus also requires a unique craftsman. Those who love luxury cherish a grand entryway that reflects true artistic expression and inspires both peace and joy.
Harri Aalto is cofounder and Creative Director of Creative Edge Master Shop, a leader in the architectural design community. He designs all of the company's products, including lobbies and entryway medallions.
