Boring Hallway - Help!

8 years ago

Hi,

We are restoring a late 1920s house and I chose to go white on white in all public areas. The color is SW Alabaster and it looks beautiful (glows!) in rooms with lots of windows but looks not so great in the hallway where there is no natural light. The contractors are willing to repaint (extra cost of course) but I can't decide if painting the wall in flat grey with Alabaster semi-gloss trim or another color will make it pop or should I get some wall panels like in the living room/dining transition area and keep the white on white theme going? Any ideas/suggestions would be most welcome. I am attaching a few photos to give an idea.

Photo 1- looking down the hallway from living room (dining to the right)

Photo 2 - Wood paneling in living/dining transition

Photo 3 - The hallway from kitchen side

Photo 4 - Other end of the hallway near kitchen looking at dining

Featured Answer

User

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Gorgeous. That's going to be simply gorgeous. I don't see the hallway as boring, however. You have a good deal of architectural interest in adjacent spaces, and I think you should allow the hallway to be one area where the eyes sort of "take a breather." NOT that you have too much going on by any means -- just that I think a more simplified space coming off of another with gorgeous transoms and wall panels is good design. I'd keep the hallway the same color as the other spaces. Add some artwork. That's enough.

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Comments (9)

iheartsix
8 years ago
Your space is stunning. Just beautiful.
Ginie thanked iheartsix
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Debbie Downer
8 years ago
Make it into a real "place" and not just something to pass through . Paint it a color - or some shade similar but substantially darker for contrast. Make hall into gallery with framed photos or art arranged in a pleasing way. Whites/lights often dont work & look too dingy in dim places.

this is strategy Im taking in my own boring hallway.... was inspired by a farrow & ball website somewhere - they recommended dark/rich color for hallways for exactly this reason plus then the rooms you enter feel so much lighter/ bright in comparison.
Ginie thanked Debbie Downer
njmomma
8 years ago
Love your space!
Ginie thanked njmomma
Ginie
Original Author
8 years ago
Those are some great ideas! Maybe I will reassess after the floors are done. That leads me to another question: do you think semi gloss floors will be too much? Contractor is suggesting that.
Ginie
Original Author
8 years ago
Current Resident: I would love to see a picture of your hallway. Sounds lovely!
Ginie
Original Author
8 years ago
IdaClaire: I love the idea of adding art work. Maybe this is where I'll showcase my children's' "art."
Ginie
Original Author
8 years ago
I wanted to give an update on the corridor: did the panels in wood and will put art/pictures on the top section.

I love how everything comes together after the floors are done. (English Chestnut on white oak with satin finish).
suezbell
8 years ago
Wouldn't repaint; wouldn't add art -- it's a hallway.