Our big victorian hallway

8 years ago

Hello,
We have moved into a beautiful, big Victorian house and are in the process of decorating. I really need some advice on what to do with our hall. At the moment it's looking very eighties - dark red carpet, ,metallic swirly wallpaper - all very dated and worn. I'd like to get our hall floor sanded (it's got beautiful, wide floorboards which run horizontally) and put a centre carpet runner up the stairs. Ideally I'd like the walls painted a neutral colour - something in-keeping with the age of the property that makes the most of what little natural light the space gets. Can you help suggest a suitable colour. The room adjacent has just been painted F&B plummet so ideally we need a colour that works well with this. Any ideas? (The photo doesn't quite capture how big the space is - the hall is huge)

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minnie101

8 years ago

Well maybe try the runner with a cast iron radiator and chandelier or great pendant? If you have the space, as difficult to tell from the pics a console and mirror will look great and help with the light. If you had the budget you could also try lincrusta to add interest but it is expensive or some panellng! I do think though once the wood is exposed, you just need a few "accessories" and it will look great and not bland! I must admit do find the matchstick a little cream and just too rich for me personally. I think I would go for a cool colour with warmth. The strong white is meant to be good in rooms with little light. The pic is from F&B

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Comments (15)

mrsmcee74
8 years ago
Dimpse or blackened are the recommended colours with plummet, wevet for the woodwork. If you wanted something a little warmer but with a grey tone have a look at strong white.
minnie101
8 years ago
I agree with mrsmcee I think I would try strong white as there can be a blue or blue/ violet tone to f&b's recommendations. You did mention a colour in keeping with the property but I'm not sure they would help with the light! I'm not sure if it's your thing but persian stair runners were very popular and would add some interest to the hall. Congratulations on the new house, must be exciting to be decorating!
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Elizabeth
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you. I'm worried that these colours will make the hall look blue/grey (it really doesn't get a lot of natural lights. The decorator suggested 'natural hessian' (dulux I think), but isn't it better to stick with colours from the same chart? Is using a warm/cream/ white (F&B matchstick?) beside the cool plummet wrong?
Elizabeth
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks Minnie. It is exciting. I'm a little worried that I end up making it all too bland and neutral, so Persian rug might be perfect! At the moment it's an eighties dream though - psychedelic peach!
Elizabeth
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks you. The space is big. About 8meter long and 1.5m wide. Same again at the top of the stairs (although this is a very bright space), so which ever colour we go for would have to work there as well. Our intention is to go for neutral carpet up stairs. Would a cream carpet work with white walls. I'm worried we will end up turning our Victorian character charmless.
Elizabeth
Original Author
8 years ago
Minnie, what do you think about dark pain on skirtings and doors with a strong white paint wall? Will this look too contrived?

I've attached a photo which gives a much better idea of the hall layout. Ours is identical to the one in this picture.
PRO
Feioi
8 years ago
What a fantastic entrance hall! It's lovely to have the space, particularly in a Victorian property.

I have Strong White on the walls and ceiling on the stairs and landing. It's not a bad colour if there is little natural light but I think your hall could benefit from a little more colour. I'd suggest Pavilion Gray to warm it up a bit and add good lighting from a fabulous chandelier and maybe a lamp on a console as Minnie suggested. You could also paint the woodwork in Plummet help create a good flow.

A neutral carpet with Pavilion Gray will be fine as long as it isn't a creamy yellow and tones well with the walls.

Hope that helps!
minnie101
8 years ago
I think I would maybe try a pale grey carpet upstairs as it looks great against white woodwork. Maybe then have a striped runner going up the stairs picking up the grey with the treads in white? You could always add a brighter colour stripe in if you want more interest or you may be able to find one with a bright trim. Strong white by the way is a very pale grey (sorry just in case you didn't know as it doesn't really show as such in the pic as its up against the dark grey downpipe). I think it's quite hard to make a period property bland if it's got architectural features. If a console table doesn't fit, add one in the square part of the hall and have a gallery of art or photos etc. Panelling would make it feel wider but there's the cost to consider. Maybe a long narrow bench? I have this bench from french connection which would be perfect size ( as only 20cm deep ) but maybe a little contemporary. Maybe something ornamental placed on the top of the landing to draw your eye up? You could also try hanging a few lights down the hall which will make it feel shorter. What type of front door do you have by the way? Is any of it glazed?
minnie101
8 years ago
Darker paint looks great on woodwork!
Elizabeth
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks Minnie. I think Pavillion Grey would be too blue, so strong white might work best. But will it be warm enough.

The end of the hall has a fully glazed door leading to a porch (about 1.5m square) the porch has a small window straight on the hall, then a great big wooden door to the side with a window above. This side of the house faces west, so not much light.

The other end of the hall leads to a little bathroom. It's got a little widow that lets in quite a bit of light, but I'm not that keen on having the door to this open all the time (you face straight into the loo).

I love the idea of a console table or shelf with a mirror above. I will definitely do this, probably over the radiator. I also love the thought of a beautiful light feature.
minnie101
8 years ago
I think your best bet is to get a few testers, the paint does react so differently in different light. Do try the pavillion grey too. Skylight is also meant to be paler and greyer in large areas so you could look at that. Mrsmcee also mentioned I think it was Dulux chalk blush 3 on another post yesterday which could be worth a look as its meant to be warm. I have the same issue with the loo! My hall is light but the end is dark as a window was bricked up years ago. I often leave the loo door open to let the light in (although close it when we have visitors!). Do also try a colourful runner on the hall floor for interest. If you place it several feet away from the door it should bring the end in closer
PRO
Atlantis rugs
8 years ago
a Persian rug in the hallway or even stairs would be a great idea
mrsmcee74
8 years ago
Also have a look at Dulux Chalky Downs - comes in shades from light to dark. Leopoldina Haynes has done her entire house inside and out. I think the hallway is lovely. http://www.southshoredecoratingblog.com/2014/03/what-i-love-wednesday-most-amazing-home.html
mrsmcee74
8 years ago
Dulux Dusted Moss 2 also lovely http://www.swoonworthy.co.uk/2014/02/lets-talk-paint-colours-of-swoon-worthy.html/

Our big victorian hallway

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