Don't be afraid to use a little color on the wall. ;)

Hello Pinneysue. I think what makes brolimom's hallway work is the colors in the runner. I liked the runner you posted earlier in the thread but grouped with your photos I don't think it would be complementary. Have you considered a long Kilim styled runner? Would look beautiful.

Dash and Albert has some beautiful runners.
http://www.dashandalbert.com/runner-rugs

Pinneysue...I follow you now....that was pre-coffee lol! Thank you for the comment on my blog/website ;)

I would suggest something like the following from Houzz pages:

( plant in corner to side of door)

( tall cabinet with vase on top in same corner )

( to go against stairs wall facing door)



Plus a long rug down the length of hall.

Paris11,

Home decorators website. It's called " balcony rug". :)

Okay, now that I am feeling comfortable with you guys, can I just say that I gave up playing Candy Crush for Lent because I was spending so much time on it, but now I have become addicted to Houzz! Sigh! Oh well, at least I can say that this more productive!:)

I just snorted coffee out of my nose...you are cracking me up pinneysue

What length do you need? 12 foot?

Ramona, the length of the runner would have to be between 9 and 12 depending on if I also put a rug at the front door. Pretty big space at front door to leave just bare.

I think you need a rug at the front door, if only for cleanliness. You need a mat outside the front door too. Please give us the measurements of the front area and the side hall. The rugs don't have to be the same, but they have to harmonize and they should be dramatic. No matter what pictures you hang on the walls, the rugs will dominate. Don't think safe.

Ramona, the part in front of the front door is about 10' x 5'. The part where the runner goes is 9'10" x 3'2" measuring from the stairs.

So we are probably looking at a 5 x 8 (hopefully you have enough leeway for the edge of the wood floor to show) and a runner about 2 x 8. So next question is color. Is the rest of the house consistent in any way? Will going bold with a red rug look strange as you move into other areas? What are your favorite colors and are you willing to go bold? Wow comes from going over the neutral AND everyone has it line. Black chevrons are bold. Bold can be neutral, but it can't be wimpy or average.

Ramona, pure red would not go in my house. Orangey red, probably. Of course fav colors are neutrals as I assume you have already figured out! I also like oranges, greens, teals and yellows if that is any help. Love animal prints too!

A very narrow console table with good sizes mirror above. That will help to enlarge the look of the entry.

Hyde Evans design, a table really? I thought it was too small for that and based on what others have said. Do you have any examples? Thanks!

Sellable home, llc, you're hilarious!

Could I use one of these as the runner and one in front of the door? They seem to compliment each other.

Hi, I would suggest a nice vintage mirror on the side of your wall lamp. Why did I say vintage? For you to be able to add a theme to your hallway that matches your wall lamp you already have before gust enter into the main room of your house being the living room. You are initially giving them the wow and welcoming factor which everyone loves to have when gust arrive.

Love those rugs you picked! Love that they coordinate but aren't "matchy matchy!" So much more interesting!

pinneysue, you have the idea exactly, but I would like to see you go outside your comfort zone. Those two will work. They won't wow.

I haven't had time to look much, but here are a few I was considering:

[houzz=]

[houzz=]

[houzz=]

[houzz=]

I really like the combination of the flowered runner, new light fixture, and of course the pictures of Italy.

oh my gosh! The stripped rug Margo showed is fabulous would really add the WOW factor and horozontal strips would widen hall. With that much color everything else could be black and white or neutral. i would match the rug at the front door, in this case, so u dont take away from the hallway rug. Large mirror would add light and widen space. get a traditional (gold?) framed mirror in keeping with the traditional style of your home. love the idea of painting a light fixture. find second hand fixture on craigs list or goodwill or salvation army. something with narrow frame like the one the lady painted. you could then choose a color from the rug and paint the frame of the light fixture. Would add just enough color to accent the rug. I love your sepia toned artwork but black and white might go best with this rug. Maybe put pics in main entry and mirror in hallway.

Ramona, thanks! I like those rugs, especially the animal print :)! Curious why the grey though? I wouldn't have pictured that at all in my hall, but I see where it could work. Thanks for all of the work that you have done on this!

I found another light fixture for my hall. Which one do you like better?

It is more conservative but I like the left one better;)

On the same lines but maybe with a little bling;)

I love the one on the left. But, my tastes tend toward simple.

Sellable home, I know what you mean...my taste is simple too! However, I like them both and think the hallway needs pizazz! I value everyone's input.

Margo, whew! I was thinking that you would say I was still inside the safe box with that other light fixture! Maybe teetering on the edge?

In life without the teeter there is no totter;)) said by the woman with fruit on her head lol

Margo, you're awesome! Thanks!

Don't know if you're still interested in feedback, but I would definitely have a long runner rug along the hall and a huge very ornate mirror at the base of the stairs… pretty much down to the skirting. Also, I would change the wall lighting so that it's subtle up/down lighting rather than just uplighting. Example of what I mean re: lighting and mirror attached…. Then put in a couple of gorgeous large chandeliers…. glass or bronze….

Smb interiors, yes, I am still interested in feedback as I am still making my decision. Exactly where do you mean about the mirror? Not sure which wall you mean. Great suggestions, thank you!

Well, you said you like neutrals and I was looking for runners with right/left movement because I couldn't find stripes which weren't just blah or very intense. This way, the pattern gives you a horizontal stripe, but you stay in the neutral range. Remember chandies can be hung flush or short so you don't have to limit your search to products labeled flush mount.

@smb interior design

Where would the two chandies go? Two in front area on either side of door? She needs about a 12" chandy because the ceiling is not high.

Hi sorry for late response…. based in UK so I'm asleep when you guys are up!. The mirror should go on the wall directly opposite the stairs… so when coming down stairs you see yourself in the mirror. It will reflect light from the entrance window thereby making the space seem wider. Chandeliers…. one in front of the entrance door (where you currently have a light fitting) and then one or two down the length of the hall. If ceiling height too low, then I would suggest a chandelier or glass 'ball' light (see pic) in front of the entrance door and then two recessed down lights in the ceiling along the length of the hall - together with two up/down lights (spaced equally either side of the large mirror). Your photo wall would then be to the left of the mirror when looking at the mirror from the stairs. Lastly - consider also consider two large floor standing decorative vases and/or floor standing candelabra in each corner along the front door wall. Hope this helps. Pics of suggested accessories attached.

Smb, really great suggestions. I like the idea of the big mirror at the bottom of the stairs. Also, what is the source of the pretty sconce? Not sure about the mirror that you posted, tho. I don't know how I could see myself with all of those squiggley things! Lol! maybe I am just seeing it wrong! I checked out some of your work on your website and like seeing how you transform those older homes over there. Gorgeous!

Fair comment re squiggly things! Always difficult to judge tastes via pics/internet…. easier when you meet face to face. But USA long way to pop over! Thank you for feedback on my client projects…appreciate it. candelabra - www.wattsandco.com $498.90… supply to US. Other ideas for mirrors attached.

Awesome, thanks!

Smb, what do think about my chandelier ideas? If you scroll up you can see the pics.

Which one for the runner and which one in front of the door?

stripes for runner! And prefer the more bling of the chandeliers as you need something eye-catching. I think a really nice shallow silk drum shade that picks out the colour of the rug could work well also. The key will be either have something eye-catching as your feature light fitting or wide so it gives the impression of a wider hall.

these large drums will over whelm the space, and the semi flush with the bronze band around it, just doesn't have any umph...if you will.... i like your colorful floor rug not the stripped one......just a thought!

Just wanted to give an update. I purchased the striped runner and don't really like it. In addition, I was sent the wrong runner by the company so will be sending it back anyway! Just wanted you to see how it looks. Wrong color and seems a little wide to me especially at the bottom of the stairs where the space is more narrow. Now I can agree with the people who suggested something with more color! I ordered this wall sconce and waiting for it to come in. I started working on getting some of my recent Germany photos done in sepia and onto canvas to replicated the look of those that you see here. I think I will order the pretty floral rug to put in front of the door. After all of that, I will step back and see what's next. Have not done anything with replacing the chandelier. Just taking one thing at a time.

Thanks for the update. I like the stripes but with COLOR;) I also do not think it is too wide. I like the size ;)

I love your sconce, I really like the floral rug you have pictured as well. Plus, with traffic, it will be more forgiving of dirt. The prints in sepia will echo the sconce nicely. You are doing great, can't wait for pictures :-)

Thanks Teresa! I will keep you updated!