The introduction of wainscoting in a split level is so very wrong I don't know where you go from here! Why not just add a porthole? It makes the same amount of sense.

You go from creating a modern contemporary fireplace/TV wall to extremely traditional furnishings selections. Eclectic is a style. This is schizophrenic

This painted 3D accent wall would have been a better option for your home. Split levels are always squat in appearance. Cutting a wall in half with a two-tone paint job emphasizes the squat appearance..

A full wall solution would have added interest and made your space appear taller.

I see you have a wood-stained beam and cased openings you could have selected wood in a similar finish and applied it to the wall in slats or planks.

I agree that painting your baseboards green would look the best. Have you given any thought to painting the wall above the wainscoting the same green? It would give a very moody feel.

Beverly, I don’t like modern. The fireplace does have a modern look but like I mentioned, this house is a work in progress and I started with walls first. Eventually I’ll get to the fireplace.

lisedv - thank you for the visual! I have been trying to see that in my head. Do think I should also extend this to the door trim and repaint the door a different color?

Melissa, I did think about that but I am hesitating right now because I am not sure if I should do the wainscot through the living area and I don’t think I want green walls all over.

These were a source of inspiration for me. I think I got nervous because of the dark color but I am hoping to transform this space little by little.

it looks like you are also in the process of changing the floors too? its hard to see from the photos but replacing the tile with hardwood would also help move the house away from modern somewhat in a more traditional direction.

One of the things that was frequently done in the 1960s was to paint the trim different colors in different rooms and paint the walls and trim the same color.

It's not always easy to know where to start and stop when you do this, particularly when the plan is open.

But at the very least I would paint the baseboard under the wainscot to match the wainscot and probably paint the adjacent door trim the same color as the wainscot.

I see that you have a beam separating the seating area from this hallway area. I would consider painting the wall with the TV on it back to the seating area color, and painting the wall above the wainscoting in the dark green also and letting That be the accent.

I don't exactly know from looking at this one space how wrong traditional-looking wainscoting is just because your house is split level. There are two full streets of houses behind me built in the 1960s with split entries and some with half levels and pony walls and such that are also full of "colonial" details because I live in a colonial city. We looked at a house with a big sliding door and a two sided fireplace in the living room that had 6 panel doors and a colonial box lock on the front door and "carriage lantern" light fixtures, and that was exactly how it was built, and I think it was because the rest of the houses in the neighborhood were built in 1810-30. Not everything was built by a purist. All sorts of influences ended up in the same house. And part of it is that people liked Contemporary Floor Plans at that time, but did not really like Modern Architecture. So they built houses with Modern plans but full of traditional details. Some look better than others.

I live in one of four houses in a strictly modern style designed by an architect who was slated to build an entire block of modern houses in about 7 different styles. They built three of the styles around the edges and then the developer fired the architect and hired someone to design different houses that have similar plans but look traditional, probably because people weren't buying the modern ones. The modern ones are so modern, that trying to do traditional details in them looks pretty bad, but people who have remodeled them still try. The houses designed by the second architect which are technically a bit of a mish mash are actually pretty pleasant even with the mixed details.

Pimpsest- I actually really love your idea about painting the fireplace the more neutral color and leaving the back wall near the entrance all green.

Question… should I continue the wainscot inside the seating area and maybe paint it all the neutral color? Or forgo wainscot in the seating area and leave the walls just painted neutral. Thanks so much!

The picture with the upper walls in green sent by palimpset also look very good!

And I wouldn't change the colour of the door to another colour event if you don't paint the upper part green.

NOTE:

Sorry but just noticed that your front door looks blue, it should be green with green trim just like your wainscotting.

Palimpsest*** sorry my auto correct was thinking other things 🫠

Jenn- yes!!!! That is coming in the very near future! Right now, there is a grey vinyl flooring which I loath. We will probably keep the tile but the seating area will be a more wood like hardwood color vinyl.

Lisedv- the door is actually black in color. The door and the sidelights will be replaced at some point (one of the glass sidelights is cracked from bad weather). Maybe a wood color door would work with the green trim?

NOTE: i noticed two people saying my home is split level home, which it’s not. It’s a one story 1300sq fr home on a slab. 🙃

With regard to the front door.

With the added wainscot and green accent color. I would either continue the green around the entryway to the wood post to the left of the front door and paint it green, or I would paint that all the neutral wall color that you choose, including the inside of the front door. I would not have it be a separate color. What you need to start doing is reducing some other finishes. I would probably stick to a mostly neutral color that worked on wall and trim for much of the space. But I do think the green wrapped around the entire entry would work, if it is an enclosed space around that corner.

I have a couple comments about the two other wall finishes shown. I know some people will find this tedious, but here goes, anyway:

This is a very handsome detail. It is also a high-level modernist detail that is probably too much for a 1960 split level. Note that the rest of this space is very contemporary with a matching door off to the right, no baseboards at all with the drywall finished all the way to the floor and lighting recessed into a slot as some sort of feature.

This, to me, is the opposite end of the design spectrum from above. This isn't really any more appropriate, in context, to a 1960 split level than the wainscot, and perhaps even less so. This is a completely made up detail from HGTV post 2000, perpetuated by Pinterest and Instagram and other design "influencers" who have to come up with cheap and eye-catching things. This particular one at least seems to be well executed, it's trendy, it's eye catching, it replaces having to commit to artwork,--it may actually prevent most people from committing to hanging a picture. I predict this will have minimal staying power.

" i noticed two people saying my home is split level home, which it’s not. It’s a one story 1300sq fr home on a slab"

This makes it easier to work with, as long as you are consistent. A split level really sets the house in a specific time period because of it's shape. A one story house does not.

As you are updating your entrance perhaps you can also update your adjoining living room. By simply paring down on your many accessories and extra small pieces of furniture would not only update the look but make the room seem larger and more comfortable. Streamline you colour scheme starting by painting the ceiling, TV wall and back wall (kitchen behind?) in a warm white as the room may not have enough light to do the entire room in the dark green. You can also paint the blue cabinet in black and bring in some black accessories, accent pillows with lime-white-black-green. Instead of having multiple small decorative items, have less but larger items. Take a look at the visuals below for the idea, nothing is expensive...

Lisedv I absolutely agree. I am a trinket collector and can’t help myself in an antique store. I do have a china cabinet for all things that bring nostalgia. Thank you for the kind advice.

You can still go the the antique store just buy less but larger items. It's nice to mix old & new!😊