Sorry about that - I mean the chair rail would be only around the front door area, which ties in to chair rail in adjoining living and dining rooms. The opposite side of foyer and then into the hall, would have just boxes, no chair rail.

Hi Brenda, I do mean picture frame moldings, and yes...painted white to give the look of paneling. The hall is the first photo with door on left.

The picture framing is usually set in equal distances from the baseboard, corners, each other and the chair rail or cap. Without the cap or chair rail it may feel undefined. It all really depends on your exact painting plans for the wall and moldings.

May I ask why you are considering to go without the chair rail?

I have seen some pictures of paneled walls next to stairs, and in the halls around stairs. I agree that the paint treatment is an important consideration. I like the more contemporary feel of leaving out the chair rail in the hall section.