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Design Dilemma
kelly_nicole

Hallway Horror!

13 years ago
Ok, please be gentle (and ignore the mess on the kitchen table)! I need to redo my hallway and my creativity is blocked. Paint the console and/or mirror white? Take away the symmetrically placed wall art.... I NEED help!!!!
Featured Answer
  • 13 years ago
    First things first! Your mirror is too wide for your console. Your mirror looks more like a floor mirror. Do you have a good spot where you could prop it vertically? It needs to reflect something beautiful or interesting, not the calendar we see now. Why don't you re-mat and frame the two bird pictures (I assume they're a pair?) Make them larger and give them frames the width of the console legs. Then stack them vertically to one side of the console. I'd put the bottom of the lowest one about 4" above the table top. Leave the width of one frame between them and stack the second one above it. Then place a tropical plant (maybe a Bird of Paradise) on the other side. Keep your eye open for a long interesting bowl or something else to place on the bottom shelf. Add an area rug with a tropical feeling and you're done!

    Comments (130)

    • 13 years ago
      I love what you did, including the collage wall art on the wall!! great job!
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Hi Kelly, keep the black mirror. It creates a nice sharp contrast. I like the flowers too but miss the elephant, lol. Had a thought, you may be able to but a "frog" inside the elephant and stand the flower stems inside and have both the flowers and the elephant!

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    • 13 years ago
      Much much better! Add a runner on top of your carpet!
    • 13 years ago
      I miss the elephant too!!! I'll see what I can do... Never heard of a "frog".

      Recommendations of where I can find an affordable stylish and modern runner? I know you're all gonna say west elm or pottery barn but even those are beyond my budget. COLLEGE STUDENT with no job and expensive taste :)
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      A plant frog pierces flowers, and forms the "base" of a flower arrangement. They come in many shapes and sizes and you can find them in any garden store or nursery.
      As for where to find a runner at a good price try Overstock.com or World Market sometimes have really good sales.
    • 13 years ago
      how about these?
    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      or this? I can provide you with the Latin names
    • 13 years ago
      Try walmart, target, winners in Canada or TJ Max in USA for inexpensive runners. Buy two if they are too short and place them end to end
    • 13 years ago
      Thanks Judit, and Dessert.. You guys rock! :)
    • 13 years ago
      I like what you did in the hallway. I would try to add more white and more plants to the livingroom like you did in the hallway. It would feel more alive and bright.
    • 13 years ago
      What colors/patterns should I go with for a runner? Here are a few I like:
      http://www.overstock.com/cart?TID=CartLayer:Cart

      Which one do you like?
    • 13 years ago
      Link showing an empty cart
    • 13 years ago
      Both are under 50$
    • 13 years ago
      This is the most awesome thread ever! I have so enjoyed watching the transformation. What a great difference all these suggestions have made! What a lovely hallway, too. Congrats on making such fantastic beautiful progress! I have no advice to give, but felt the need to chime in, so moved by the positivity here and transformation. Keep posting pics! How exciting!
    • 13 years ago
      Ditto, jemoiselle.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Agree!!
    • 13 years ago
      Great job Kelly, you have great instincts. The white frames look fine on the opposite wall it makes the grouping cohesive. If all the photos were B&W you could intersperse a pop of color by spaying a larger frame bright yellow to match your chair. ( You could photocopy your photos on photo paper to make them all B&W). You could do a zebra print runner in black and white to funk it up a bit. I like the elephant but it needs an orchid or maybe another white container w ith a plant and some other organic object , an orb ?
    • 13 years ago
      My boyfriend just hung these shelves without my permission!!!! Kind of annoyed. But after decorating them starting to feel better. What do you all think? I changed the plant in the elephant. Better?
    • 13 years ago
      Better pic
    • 13 years ago
      I got a tray for the elephant....also, check out our dining table! We raised it higher (you can see it in the background of the very first post)......better huh?!?
    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      Looking great. The nook behind your table looks like it was made for a built in bench.
    • 13 years ago
      Yeh I think your mirror is too big for the console. With your artwork they might look better grouped underneath each other. A orchid or floral arrangement would look nice on the console. Perhaps a smaller circle mirror to break up the square dimensions.
    • 13 years ago
      I think the alcove would be great wallpapered : some cool large graphic pattern in a tone on tone. Some larger center piece for the table: a large glass piece with some yellow in it. That, and drapery panels for that window, and I think that portion will be done.
    • 13 years ago
      Do you both really think the mirror is too big? My hallway is rather huge. :) I will consider the wallpaper idea. That would really liven up my kitchen! Thanks!
    • 13 years ago
      The mirror is fine!
    • 13 years ago
      I really like what you have done! I want to lift the elephant out of the tray & place it with the trunk facing on an angle toward the lamp just to the right of the centre of the mirror. Leave the tray with the interesting bits on it. Perhaps the small horse in the bookshelves added to the tray.
      I like the additions your boyfriend made unusual but interesting.
      You are doing a great job. Your picture wall is great!
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      awesome dialogue....enjoyed reading the recommendations and seeing the back and forth.
    • 13 years ago
      Like this?! It's starting to feel a bit cluttered.
    • 13 years ago
      What do you think of this wallpaper for the kitchen nook? Too intense? http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=25532466&navAction=jump&isProduct=true&parentid=MORE%20IDEAS&isProduct=true&cross-sell=true&guide-bn=true
    • 13 years ago
      Stop already! It looks better with less items. Move onto to the next section. I think you should focus on bright yellow accents in the rest of the place but leave this section alone. Too many opinions!!!
    • 13 years ago
      Haha! Thank you Jkingston. I think I am "fixing it to death"! I will start to focus on the kitchen. And yes, yellow is a great accent color. Did you see the wallpaper I posted above?
    • 13 years ago
      Oh dear yes it does look too cluttered but I
      like the location of the elephant. I would move the tray to the left near the end & remove a couple of items from it.
      Also take everything else but the lamp off the furniture.
    • 13 years ago
      OMG - I love it! Can you use it somewhere in the living room too?
    • 13 years ago
      Can you stand one more suggestion? Take the tray and use it as a centerpiece on your dining table (place the small piece that is on the dining table now inside of it with a couple more things). Then just scoot elephant down to the corner of the mirror.

      OK, no more advice for this area. Pat yourself on the back for a big transformation.

      And, I like the wallpaper, just worried it might be too much action in the zig zag pattern going on to set thru a dinner and stare at. But something close.
    • 13 years ago
      Love the wallpaper! Great focal wall
    • 13 years ago
      By the way the nook in the dining area might be the perfect spot for a banquette .
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      I think the nooks in both rooms(Living Rm./Dining Rm.) could be used as a banquette for dining and a cozy reading nook in the living room. It would also open up the room a lot. You may even be able to do with out the sofa and have a much roomier space.

      They could be as custom as you like with storage underneath or as simple as you like. You could even intstall lighting sconces at both ends.

      Take a look at the photos below:
    • 13 years ago
      Just saw a great idea for a banquette on the Better homes and Garden site. They bought an unfinished wood book case , painted it, turned it on its side and used bakets for storage in the open cubbies with a bench cushion on top. Assuming you could find a bookshelf that's height matched the width of the opening this might work well with a few throw pillows along the back.
    • 13 years ago
      Awesome idea! I just searched BHG website and couldn't find that article. If you can find me the link that would be helpful. Thanks aniluap.

      As for the other nook in the living room. We have a floor to ceiling projector screen that drops down from the nook (my boyfriend's pride and joy), this makes furniture arrangement more difficult because we can't fit much else in the nook without intruding on the projector screen. I will eventually start a new discussion thread on the living room, since it is a project all on it's own. For now I will conquer the kitchen/entry area! I should probably start a new thread for that too since this one is so long...I just don't want to lose my dedicated decorators!
    • 13 years ago
      Kelly, I have been using my iPad once it is just do easy and do not know ho to upload pictures on it...guess I will have to go to the apple store for a lesson . Anyway I get a weekly online free magazine from BHG. If you try Decorating-BHG.com and look towards the bottom of the page it has a picture titled DIY furniture and there is one for a window seat which can also be used as a banquette in your case.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Mirror Windows might work well. Almost like adding an architectural element. It may lighten the area up a little, as well.
    • 13 years ago
      Hi all. I haven't done much since the last post. But here's a current pic of the hall. And while we are at it, here is my bathroom... A bit crammed and could use your expertise. The bamboo dresser is in the way but we need it for storage. Any ideas?
    • 13 years ago
      Looking good! Loving the "white" look of the hallway. Your bathroom needs to keep that going. Get some white bath mats and change the curtain to white (maybe bringing the blue from under the tub). One placed at sink and other in fronot of shower. That will give it more of a "spa" look. (P.S. I'm not one for plants in a space but can't really see the wall to give other options - but if you like them stick with them).
    • 13 years ago
      I can't tell... what color is the tub? its looking hunter green to me....
    • 13 years ago
      Tub is blue. I actually just changed the shower curtain because I was sick of the old one (but it was just as you described!).... http://www.worldmarket.com/product/bluegreen-print-shower-curtain.do?&from=fn
    • 13 years ago
      Thats a cute shower curtain... I love the plants... so I would play up the garden feel...one larger scale rug actually a runner..a painted piece of furniture with a plant on top maybe a piece of colorful art above, a more stream line window covering ... kinda more of a modern/ zen feeling in there. Oh and paint the bottom of the tub white, just a thought.
    • 13 years ago
      I love what you have done with your hall! I have the same shower curtain in my bathroom. It works with the 70's blue tile that came with the house when we bought it last year and it's similar to your tub color. I really like the color on your tub. I think it adds character to your bathroom and since you are working on a budget I recommend keeping it that color and use colors from the shower curtain to pull the room together.
    • 13 years ago
      You have done a great job, but I notice that it is still shadowed quite a bit. I also had a long dark hallway, and it was totally transformed when we had SolaTubes (small skylights) installed. We replaced our hall ceiling lights with skylight/light combos. I was so happy that I had two larger ones (skylights only) put into our dark north facing living room. They are affordable also.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      You could purchase art and place it on the wall and/or get an eye-catching chandelier to dress up the hallway. We make Contemporary Stained Glass Lighting and Art and we have fire stones that can be customized and light up a room, as well as chandeliers that would look great in the hallway. We customize size and color; visit our website at http://www.lightinart.com/ to see some options.
    • PRO
      12 years ago
      A lot can be achieved with some nice lighting arrangements. The Brokis stuff we just got in is worth a look too.. Check the range here: http://www.relaxhouse.com.au/lighting/brokis
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