Welcome & Winter
The Entrance Hall is entered from the front door. While coming up the stairs leading to the front door you can peak through the large windows and get a sneak preview of what is inside. Through the overdoor window you can see the lovely Entrance Hall light.
I have had the glass shades of the lights(there are two in the Entrance Hall) blown by glassblower Leo Reijnders at the miniatures fair in Arnhem spring 2006. I gave Leo a sketch and some measurements and he was able to make it exactly as I wanted it! At home I set to work at making the lights and I must say I am very pleased with the way they turned out.
Behind the front door is the first section of the Entrance Hall. The idea for the elegantly curved marbled arches with decorative plasterwork on the walls came from a picture of an 18th century entry hall in an Amsterdam canal house, which I found in the Amsterdam Theatre Museum leaflet. This museum unfortunately closed in 2012.
I made the panelling and floors from matt board, which I then marbled. My version is a bit more austere, but I like it. On the ceiling I have used beautiful ceiling roses by Sue Cook.
To make the Entrance Hall more interesting I divided it into two sections using a small wall. The section directly behind the front door is slightly raised, so that there is now a step down into the second section. After 16 years, the step still has to be finished… Although I have used exactly the same colours marbling the floors and the walls, to give it a bit more life, the floor has a more beige overall colour.
A winter theme has developed in the entry. In this world you can have whatever you like of course. Therefore it is not at all strange to see a flowering clematis through the window (and a couple of sparrows), while inside it is suggested that ice skating had just been going on outside. Late frost or an ice skating rink maybe?
I added a pair of leather cowboy boots (Precious Little Things), Frisian skates (I bought the skates, but made the leather straps and laces myself) and a nice warm knitted jumper (Le petit tricot). My latest purchase (December 2018) is a wonderful pair of white leather ice skates by Marie Creutz (minis2you from Sweden). It looks like someone has just stepped off the frozen canals.
The hall table was a gift from Erna Hoeing, a lady who entrusted her entire collection of miniatures to me when she decided to concentrate on another hobby. The table fits perfectly in the Entrance Hall.
The lilies were made by Gill Rawling (Petite Fleur), the plate Cocky Wildschut and the drinking horn with silver mounts and stand by Jens Torp.
The winter theme continues in the painting by Elly Ypma. The scene of a city with people skating is a free interpretation of the 19th century painting ‘Winter in Amersfoort’ by Oene Romkes de Jongh.
The painting still needs a frame before it will be hung on the wall permanently. I would like to find two companion paintings to hangs on the dividing wall. As the wall is very narrow, the paintings will have to be really small.
The double doors on the right lead into the Hall with the staircase. Visually the winter theme reaches into the Hall where you can see my water colour ‘Winter landscape with pollarded willows’.
The Entrance Hall on the cover of The World of Interiors! Years ago I was asked where this magazine could be bought as they wanted this copy in their collection of miniature publications. Well, I am sorry I have to tell you that I had just been having fun with photoshop and the cover of one of my favourite magazines. My canal house never actually appeared in this magazine. It does look good though doesn’t it?
Please come through
to the Hall!
