as you can see i already have some green samples i have been trying on my walls.I feel like the green looks nice against the door but im so hopeless at interior decorating and too scared to go with mu gut instinct so please help!!!

some samples are visible on pic 3

You could keep the walls white and funk it up by changing the color of the carpet on the staircase. There is a picture on houzz of a staircase with bright orange carpet and it looks fantastic

. I love this look, would you consider it?

wow, i do love this look, but i dont think i can afford a new carpet right now:(

Does it have any relationship with other colors used in your home?

Traditional Staircase by Southport Architects & Designers Austin Patterson Disston Architects

Take a look at the moulding on this stairway. If you wanted to jazz it up a bit you could use either white walls and a bright color moulding or the more traditional white moulding and paint inside the moulding. You could do multiple colors inside or just let you imagination run away with you. Start with a darker color at the bottom and gradually lighten as you go up the stairs. Many ways to spark it up without going over the top financially.
[houzz=]

sbrustein- not really, my house is currently all white as thats how we bought it. My hall goes to living room which will be painted in a very light blueish grey(very light and neutral though) so no, not any rela
tions really....;/

I like Austin's black banister and trim suggestion...keep canvas blank to layer color with art on walls...will be so much more interesting. If set on sage, recommend going lighter...you have a lot of wall in a small space and dark may feel claustrophobic.

2dogssashatess i dont know why i want to paint it really:) My whole house is white just now and i wanted to add a bit of style.warmth, extra touch and personality to my hall- also i really like those wooden doors i have and i though the color on the wall could help them to stand out more, so i guess thats why:):):)

dclostboy a lot of wall in a small space-thats exactly my problem:)

Thank you for all the suggestions so far, i guess i may be better just leaving it white and maybe change the rug in the future..i suppose- if it aint broke dont fix it?:) Thats what we say in Scotland:)

Marta you could put up some nice family photos along the hallway/staircase area or buy some lovely artwork. if you existing painted walls look fresh I think I would opt for art?photos rather than spending money on painting the walls

ps we painted our hallways cos it hadn't been painted in over 20 years and was dirty, the paint was chipped on the doors and skirting. However, your paint job looks fresh:)

Marta, if you aren't happy with it, it's broke..ain't it? Try putting some artwork on the downstairs wall and see how you like that for a while. Or you could take a cue from the Hermes staircase and run a fun color up the stairs and around for that punch you seem to be looking. Don't get discouraged. Everyone needs a little pick-me-up after the holidays so go for it!

I definitely think it would make the stair and foyer look much richer if you painted the walls. I like the green next to the first floor door. The green will make the white balusters stand out and will make wood finish stand out more, too.

I like your idea of a sage green which will make the wood stand out much more. Framed and matted black and white photos on the will will add interest. See:

suggestions for simple pic placement should you consider decorating the wall in lieu of painting

carpet removed and painted stairs

neutral paint colour w/o decoration

I still think orange carpet would look great:)

2dogssashatess- i showed the pic of orange staircase to my husband and guess what- tomorrow we are going carpet shopping to see if we can get that colour as we are both hooked now! I PROMISE to put a pic here if we do get it:):):) Thanks again:)

Congrats...looking forward to pics

May I suggest losing the carpet altogether and paint the stairs Orange and white use a faux finish (to look like carpet) w/ orange paint and cover with polyurethane to make it durable very cost effective :)

Cathy I like rhis idea too!!! But can you explain ehat do you mean by using a faux finish to look like a carpet? is there a paint that gives you that finish? and by polyurethane to use- woukd that be the same material that is usually under the carpet? Look forward to hear back from you;)

Tape off the stairs that you want orange then paint with a sea sponge Looks textured based on lighting Polyurethane is like varnish you paint over the paint it's clear coat ... see link (looks good for stairs too) http://www.bhg.com/decorating/paint/decorative-painting/sponge-painting/

I would suggest that you get some paint sample swatches for your wall, and take home some carpet samples to live with before you make any expensive decisions that you might regret. Try to figure out what colors you love and what you have loved living with in the past. What colors do you wear? Try to come up with a palette and then it will be easier to decide what you are most comfortable with.

Hi Linda, thanks for your advice, you are so right;) I do love the orange though, in my living room i have some orange accessories already and i am surprised i didn't think of it myself:)

The orange is fab; go for it and please post a photo. Tx

Dying to see the orange carpet, only wish I had a staircase in my house so I could do it.