A high-traffic area deserves some high-impact design—or at least that’s the way Kalu Interiors co-principal Aleem Kassam operates. And when you get a peek at an entryway like this one, with its eye-catching built-in circular seat, it’s hard to fault him. “This is literally the central point in the home, so we had to achieve a lot of things with this area,” says Kassam.

A Circular hallway cutout bench
Photo: Provoke Studios

While it’s an impressive decorative feat, the white-oak-clad millwork here in the foyer is also highly functional. Cabinets conceal hanging rods and shoe shelving; more drawers live below the integrated leatherette bench and open display shelving sits above it. “We wanted to ensure it was seamless, clean and integrated in design, but we also wanted to achieve that wow factor,” he says.