The wood panelling and staircase in architect and interior designer Darcie Watson’s home are complemented by timeless Fior di Bosco marble flooring. A vintage hot-pink chair is the exclamation point.

Rugged flagstone and square-cut pine logs are tough enough to withstand muddy boots in this entryway by designer J Gibson. An antique drop-leaf table found at an Atlanta auction adds refinement.

A filigree Moooi pendant light is so airy it doesn’t compete with the striking cement floor tile in this Victoria entryway by Kyla Bidgood and Mary McNeill-Knowles. A vintage wardrobe acts as a closet, and its warm wood grain tempers the black and white scheme.

A modern glass waterfall console is an unexpected accent overtop of a radiator in this Toronto home designed by Stephanie Pellatt of Pivot Design and designers Leanne Tammaro and Adolphina Karachok of Designtheory. The heavy wood panelling was painted out in a warm white and paired with high-contrast floor tiles.

Designer Nam Dang-Mitchell mixed limestone and Bianco Carrara marble, cut into parellograms, to create interest in this Calgary new-build. An airy metal console and punchy artwork bring cool energy to the Georgian-style home.

When marble proved too cost-prohibitive, designer Mélanie Cherrier chose large-scale ceramic tile to replicate chatêau-worthy flooring in this home’s entrance. Mirrored doors liven up two new built-in closets.

A trio of pendants with luxe gold-leaf interiors punctuates the long entrance hallway to the kitchen, dining and great rooms in this cottage designed by Cory DeFrancisco of Muskoka Living Interiors.

Wood siding painted dark grey makes a strong first impression on this side-entry porch. The home, designed by film executive Sloane Klevin and designer Selina van der Geest, is nestled in the bucolic woods of upstate New York.

Vintage books elevate a low console to a more desirable height in designer Lindsay Konior’s small hallway. A large 4′ x 6′ piece of artwork makes a graphic, fun-loving first impression.

To give the foyer a more current look, designer Richard Ouellette chose a purple-smudged rug that acts as a playful foil to the room’s stately moldings. An elegant and shapely banister commands attention next to the space’s light white walls.

A jewel-like light fixture looks especially dramatic against the black-painted ceiling in this foyer designed by Colleen McGill. A cedar garland tied to the banister with white bows and silver baubles fills the space with the scent of evergreens.

Verre églomisé mirrors by Toronto artist Cristina Pepe and a vintage-style chandelier bring glamor to this showhome by Brian Gluckstein. A dark marble floor (a recurring motif throughout the house) grounds the space.