I love the front of your house. where do you live?

I love the sunny cream - like Vermont Cream of Behr. Will march seamlessly with the carpet, the table in the corridor will glow, the white doors will stand out and it just opens up the space and feels... well... creme-de-la-creme :) Add the sparkle from the vitrages and you will have some intrigue without the wallpaper "noise". BTW, congratulations on keeping the details of this remarkable place! Any chance you know what is under the carpet? Like fantastic old wood?

Here in the States, I've seen more houses with red brick change from a white trim color to a taupe. Would you consider accentuating the details in your trim with two colors?

Is Sherwin Williams available in your local? This home used Notice the pale light blue in the ceiling of the walkway. I can see your home with a taupe trim and a pale light blue on the flat areas of the gable peak and the corbles.

Here is another example using a white with a pale grey: Notice how the trim details are more prominent because there were two colors used. This what I think you should do. You could even paint your window dividers and casings brown for more interest, since you don't have shutters.

As for the hallway, using a vertical stripe in a long tall space makes if feel even more so. I would paint the ceiling flat blue (as in sky), paint the crown molding a dark color and lower the chandelier a bit so it is more noticeable. I would paint the walls a matte color picked from the stained glass windows. Maybe would work with all the white woodwork. would be inviting and look rich with the white woodwork. I would replace the carpeting with a stripe runner, like this one: or a classic pattern rug like this: I would get a much larger mirror and lamp.

The parlor is so spacious. You could move the furniture away from the walls. I would make a conversation area with the sofa, flanked by the one matching chair and the other smaller one around the coffee table. The other chair with a table could be off by the piano area. I think the walls could use some color. Look at colors like or

Good luck.

The best thing you could do for your facade would be to rethink the landscaping and remove the over grown clumpy hedges so your lovely home will be revealed. Since you're in a heritage area, there may be restrictions and a specific chart of "allowed" colors. I'd check with authorities for the neighborhood before dreaming too far afield.

I love the idea of this neutral chevron wall covering. Traditional pattern, but also modern. It wouldn't fight the stained glass or woodwork details. Plus movement in a wall covering leads you through the hallway.
What's the flooring? Changing it too?

Get the shrubs removed to help guests see the entrance first. The entrance hall is so large the color must be chosen carefully based on the light---avoid fussy.

Hey - thanks for your thoughts. The house is currently furnished by the original owners, so all of that will go - as will the drapes and carpets....to reveal the divine hardwood floors underneath. Agree re landscape - its a pretty house and is hiding!

Hi---LOVE your home!!!!!!!
So lucky to have the charm and character of an older home and be able to mix contemporary/modern pieces. Attaching pics of a nice neutral color palette---click on the link to view this awesome home-it's all FAB! Hope this inspires you. Good Luck and keep us posted! :) LINK: http://www.houzz.com/projects/14576/Clinton-Hill-Brownstone-Restoration---Addition



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If thatis a Victorian house u can go shabby white and make those accent pieces pop and put more in the foyer that speaks to the space like a hall tree. I built this one. The wall color cream delight by valspar or sea lily by valspar, light cottage color

The Hall Tree can be found on www.etsy.com/shop/unicoleimpressions

Do you need both interior and exterior paint color schemes? The exterior is likely to be restricted to some palette which the heritage association should give you. As for the interior, the original owners' palette is quite sophisticated. I agree that picking up colors from the stained glass is an excellent way to start.

If it is dark inside the house, the easiest thing to do is see if you can replace the light bulbs with a higher wattage in the current fixtures. You'll need at least as many floor and table lamps as the previous owners.

The window treatments are custom. While you are making plans to replace them, keep the ones you have for privacy. After getting (shockingly expensive) estimates for replacements, you may want to reuse them in other rooms or work them into your new scheme, but don't let old curtains drive your color scheme or decorating choices. Likewise, if the previous owners are downsizing, you may want to make offers for certain pieces of furniture if you love them.

This is a period house with high quality construction and details. Shabby chic is not the way to go. Contemporary, simple furnishings will work out fine if period furnishing is not to your taste.

I agree with Alexandrina above that the overgrown bushes may be providing much needed privacy. So live there for a while first before removing them, even though it's tempting to get out the saw.

By the way, this is one of the most interesting historical houses I have seen on Houzz. I hope you post more photos.

Hi emolony, your house is stunning, such character and personality really makes a house become a home! I liked Otrada's suggestion about wall covering. I know you have dated wall paper on there right now, but maybe consider a great textured wall covering to create movement, and to speak for the character of the house! Here are a few suggestions, that would be paired great with some of Benjamin Moores creamy beiges and whites.

http://www.primewalls.com/products_residential/viewsku/305
http://www.primewalls.com/products_residential/viewsku/643
http://www.primewalls.com/products_residential/viewsku/643

Goodluck with the house!
Prime walls.