The whole house is varying shades of a warm grey with natural elements mixed in...wood, stone etc. I agree that the wood doesn't work, just was hoping to work around it for right now. The stairs go up to bedrooms and down to the living room. We are planning on adding on the the living room and making an entry to the left of this wall in a few years. That's why I was hoping to have a pleasant looking quick fix for now.

Very cool spaces - all have a calming sensibility but you are asking for unique, weird and wonderful in the hallway area - which may break the continuity in design you have achieved thus far.

Given what else is going on, I would suggest you paint the wall going up to the bedrooms an accent color. For drama you could go with a fairly dark tone like Benjamin Moore's Montpelier in the Affinity collection. It is a deep slate blue gray color. This would work with the existing Zen natural elements.

Another option is to check out wall murals or natural wall papers for this wall.

Also - paint the ceiling in this hallway a color that is unexpected if you want a break from your monochromatic design. A funky teal or purple would work.

Best.

Thanks for the teal suggestion! I was wondering about teal myself. I know my kitchen needs some colour but I don't like to get anything unless I really love it. I've been looking into DIY things too.

I'm not too sure about putting anything on the wall going up the stairs as there is a gallery wall at the top and I don't want it too busy.

I really like the clean lines of our house but love to have unique decor or items on display that mean something. I think these cubbies would be a good place to display something.....but what? I guess I don't really mean something weird, more unique and wonderful :) I was hoping someone could give me some inspiration

Those are interesting cubbies, neat but tough. How about painting the interiors an accent color (teal?!?) and adding framed canvas' in black and white abstracts.

Ahhhhh! Now we're getting somewhere!

I'm not a fan of abstract though....tell me more ideas! :)

Black n white photos, you can do those yourself!!!

That stair railing is awesome!!! Well done. As to the cubbies, what about something really simple. Paint the insides a teal with metallic in the paint. Then put remote control candles in each cubby in the same arrangement. Maybe 3 different heights in each cubby. Turned on at night would create some interesting shadows and mood lighting. Another idea would be to put decorate metal screen same finish as your railing and close them up.

Weird? Manikins on a shelf below the cubbies with their accessories. What are your hobbies? Painting the cubbies an accent color then using your hobbies as art would interesting. Like a black cubby and a basket ball. Or, a bowling pin as art. Or four baskets if you're into Indian art. See what I mean? Make it meaningful.

@Darzy - ya know, I really don't like those cubbies. My instant reaction to them was that they reminded me of the tiny little places in the Catacombs under Paris where bodies were buried. I hate to even mention it, but I would close those things up ASAP. Might put a wood panel and paint the trim and then place an interesting positive charm of some kind on them. Just very creepy! I was trying to be helpful, but your comment brought this to the forefront! Close them up!

Flo, that was my first thought too. Close them up with beautiful artisan doors or just cover the entire area with the same beautiful wood as the opposite wall. The cubbies really do not add interest.

You guys make me laugh!! You really honestly think that if there's teal and silver up there they will look like somewhere you would put dead bodies!!!!?? That's a bit of a weird way to think! Creepy!

Anyway,I have no intention of covering them up, I want to make this something unique with some kind of art. I just didn't know exactly what type of art/decor.

Thank you for the compliment about the railings. They were the original ones that we just painted. We have tried to keep as much as the original look as possible which is another reason why I'm keeping the cubbies. I like the idea of teal and photos or thinking maybe light grey printed wall paper with teal articles in front.....or teal frames on black and white photos....having a hard time deciding

I like the more "rustic" teal you've put up there

I've found all sorts of different wall niche ideas on houzz. Apparently I'm not the only one who likes them

Hanging baskets on the white primed wall...

Succulent wall hanging on wood planked wall...

Some sort of battery operated...comes on with a timer candle/lighting for cubbies...

how about finding some cool casts of animal skulls to put on cubbies - highlighted with dramtic paint and focuse light from center top of cubby? http://www.boneroom.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html

je and I are on the same path, I think... I would go with random pieces of found rusted metal or arcane pieces of tools in the cubbies. Something that makes you go "huh?" as you walk by. see for inspiration steampunk art with rusted metal Either that or cover the space with wood... but-no teal please.

Awesome ideas all of you!!!! Thanks so much!!! Now to decide which to use...... I love the creativity. So much more my style than a plain wall

I have an idea...How about garage sale bowling balls in four different colors? Then, place on the shelf, thumb side down so it doesn't roll and you won't see the holes. It will be interesting art spheres. Many bowling balls have beautiful colors with swirls as well.

If you don't want to remove the wood there, I'd level it with spackle as much as possible, or drywall over it.

Also, you have to think about your focus here -- that reclaimed wood is so beautiful it seems like it should be the star! But now you want to work up a fancy display in a few feet of throwaway joist space -- i wouldn't do it! I'd either close them up or come up with some low-key decor that reinforces the more important things -- the wood, the metal railing, etc. Maybe like this, one item per niche:

But honestly, are you going to add lighting to make the investment worthwhile (as the niches are currently shadowed)? I think closing them up, with or without art like Beverly showed above, is going to serve you best.

Here's some suggestion for your wall you might like......to know more about my Art work and collections please visit my shop -

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In the cubbies, how about a vertical garden? Or maybe recreate ecosystems: desert with cacti and stones, another maybe a bonsai, another a rain forest.

I think some unique hand-thrown pottery made by local artists would look awesome in the cubbies. Try to pick pieces that are a similar glaze, but with different shapes and heights, keeping within the size of the cubby. Paint the inside of the cubbies to a deep gray or black and add lighting to the inside to highlight the pieces.

My 2 cents: please do not fill your cubbies with stuff from Hobby Lobby or its ilk. Art, artifacts, antiques, yes. Love the steampunk idea.

No, I will not fill the cubbies with Hobby Lobby stuff( don't have it in Canada anyway). I wanted something with meaning and character. I also do not plan to shove various mismatched pieces until it's overflowing. I was always only planning on one or two items of interest, much like the photos I posted. My husband and I have designed most of the house and although it may not be everyone's taste, you can see its not just a cluttered hodge podge mess.

As to the cubbies taking away from the wood wall, they are opposite each other. The only time you will see both is when you are heading up the stairs. When in the living room, you'll see the wood wall, when in the kitchen you'll see the cubbies. I hardly think a few showcased decor items will detract from the wood especially as the wood, while attractive, is quite plain. I agree about removing the slanted wood, I'll see what I can do there. And yes, I will get some lighting.

I really do like the broad range of ideas from everyone! It's given me a lot to work with! I'm really intrigued with the living garden idea. if I don't do it there, I'd like to find another place for it in the house. Thanks for that!

Thank you to all of you who did use their imagination and come up with some unique ideas! I'm happy to hear of anymore that might be out there!e

Forgot to mention that I love the steam punk art! What a cool idea! Thanks!

as a curator, i'd always advocate for original artwork, ceramic sculpture, etc - but bcs it's farther away one can't get up close to see details - frustrating with art. so something unique with visual impact from a bit of distance that conveys your personality wins. also finds from travels or flea markets - like the bowling ball idea - are great. heck you could even curate your own display and rotate as often as you desire. #jealous

Hello. For a more dramatic and custom look, I would do a mural on that stair wall.

I another great idea about rotating! Thanks, these responses are awesome!

About the mural, I have a gallery wall at the top of the stairs so that won't work, thanks though

Why not try some great artistic pieces? We've used many in our designs over the years.

I definitely came here to say skulls, I see others have the same macabre taste! Love the steampunk idea, too.

More palatable for all tastes would be driftwood, it would echo the wood wall across from it and really sing with a robins egg blue on the backs and sidewalls of the niches. Some could contain succulents.

A model ship for each one? Or a ship in a bottle?

Those wooden artist dummies with the hinged joints, posed in various improbable positions.

Jars of marbles, buttons, etc.

Thrifted tarnished silver doo-dads.

Salt lamps that are battery operated https://www.amazon.com/Himalayan-Salt-Lamp-Halite-Base/dp/B005NW5LHC

Indigenous art from your region: carved wood or stone, textiles, baskets, pottery as aforementioned, etc. Please support local artisans.

Found rocks or geodes. Set them on a pedestal for visibility.

I can't stop thinking of things to put there lol.

That's along the lines I was thinking of.

Mexican alebrije folk art:

I'm now leaning towards one natural element in each space. Should I paint or wallpaper the backs to accentuate the items?

What about several large pieces of driftwood in each box. This will echo the opposite wall and bring sculptural interest to the space.

Another good idea! I'm thinking I can incorporate many of these great ideas by changing them every so often. Still trying to decide what I should do on the backs of the cubbies

nothing on the backs. white is a perfect backdrop for single objects. paint or wallpaper will distract or compete.

I was thinking of a subtle print that would accent, not compete with the items showcased. Kind of like the photos I posted a bit above.

I don't have a lot of colour in the main areas of the house yet as I don't like to do anything until I know I really like it. I'm hoping what I display in the cubbies will bring in a bit of colour and interest to my otherwise quite monochromatic living room.

I like the "organic" idea to relate to the wood wall. Carefully selected tree branches that can be laid horizontal may work beautifully.

This artist makes the most gorgeous "punctured" bowls and lanterns. https://www.etsy.com/shop/quigleyceramics

Thank you for the ideas! Love both. What beautiful bowls etc on that website! Thanks for sharing.