personally I would leave the tiles and put a warmer colour on the walls so that the floor becomes part of the whole rather than the main feature

I agree with the above; I would pick out one of the tiles colours for the walls maybe the stone colour (Farrow & Ball London Stone). OR it would be very expensive though, you could get the floor relaid with or without the border on the left - in London The Victorian Tile Company could do this for you. Definitely keep the floor though it's a great feature.

Thank you... it's the one-sided border that's giving me a headache. Not sure we can afford the re-laying option though. I guess I'll just have to think of other ways of diverting the eye, in addition to repainting the walls... if there was just a BIT more space then I'd have a narrow bookshelf or hall table to break up the line of the border, but I think that will make the space really too cramped.

You can get some very slim console tables nowadays. You could put some narrow shelves or picture ledges on the wall to hold some framed prints/photos etc to draw the eyes up. Or just have 2/3 etc large frames of art which will also draw the eye up.

Hi, I would put dado rails on both sides, frame the radiator in a nice decorative frame and install reflective panels under the dado on the empty wall. I would also paint the walls off-white or a very light colour and suspend an interesting looking chandelier/light in front of the arch. Finish off with some nice large pictures on the walls. Good luck.

Some great ideas guys, thanks very much. I'm certainly into large pieces of artwork and I'm intrigued by the mirror/reflective suggestions. You've given me lots of think about, much appreciated.

What a shame they are beautiful tiles. I might be crazy but I really like the quirky half arch. I think its more obvious that they are lopsided because there is nothing to 'break' them up - a hall table or even a small hall rug just to break it up may make it less obvious that its off centre. I have to say that if it was mine I would leave it as it is - I like that its off centre and perfect. You have beautiful features in your home.

Put a floating shelf over the radiator and add two sconces in a style to accentuate the tiles, something bold.

The mirror idea is absolutely brilliant.

It's just beautiful as it is. Paint the walls and add art-fantastic!

I like the mirror idea. Full wall though, double the size of the hall by magic, if it feels too narrow.

However, love the honesty as it is. You can read the history instantly!

Is there an opportunity to take the right had wall you might reveal the rest of the stunning floor.

Hi Claire, sadly not, that's the wall separating our flat from the communal stairwell (I guess put in when the house was converted into flats.)

They are very beautiful so work with them - polish them so they shine: this will reflect/add light. Add a decorative radiator cover which will also provide a shelf. Then add the biggest mirror you can afford! It will look stunning and you won't notice the floor is only half of its original.

Johnathan 's mirror idea , brilliant.

Mirror from floor to ceiling. Would look amazing!

Edwardian tiles are supposed to be matt not shiny.

... In response to headers13 I agree, they are usually matt. I'm not suggesting super shiny, more of a satin finish.

I think the issue here is about increasing the light and as the house has already lost some of its Edwardian 'isms' it is now necessary to find a way to make the hallway work in 2015. :-)

I like the mirror idea to double the space and complete the pattern - even if you just had the mirror at low level to take in the floor pattern, thus leaving wall space for other things. Could also have transfer made (or replica tiles) in sam e pattern as the tile border and put them vertically where the skirting board is, to trick the eye

Yes ambirchall1985 good point about the radiator, we're not in love with it and are going to upgrade the boiler and heating anyway so that will probably go.

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions, it has been a great help, lots of things to consider now.

Beautiful tiles as is and polished would be good. Agree with the mirror idea too which is great but maybe it would become difficult to create a whole mirrored wall and as expensive as retiling? Maybe a heavy tapestry/velvet drape hanging behind the arch would create a visual distraction to draw to left or right and keep some warmth in the hall and beyond if the radiator is removed. Otherwise an Edwardian radiator and eye level mirror above for normal use and reflectiveness and lighter walls to bounce the light around. Perhaps some tiny wall lights to alternating side to side along the top third of the walls. Time wise retiling might take less effort after all. Good luck

Hello Robin,

They are indeed lovely tiles... What you could do is buy a really large oversized mirror that is roughly the length of that wall to the right. 6ft by 8ft or something with a nice border.. Ebay do some and have a shop for large mirrors.. You can buy one for about £400 and then paint it to a nice colour that will accentuate the floor.. Lean it on the right hand side and it will give the appearance that you have twice as much hallway.. Nothing else is needed.. You will also get a border on the other side! The mirror needs to be at least 6 by 8 I'd say... Lean it up at 6ft landscape..

Charcoals and lovely deep greys would be nice colours and pick out the wood work by painting those darker still... Then the mirror not only because it's so large is a focus in itself but it throws light into the hall and gives you exactly what you want to see back... If you can't afford to replace the radiator to something older... simply paint it to match the wall colouring.. On this side you could possibly hang some lovely gold or brassy smaller decorative mirror or two.. maybe create a shelf as mentioned over said rad and paint again the same colour as it and the wall... Voila! : ))

I feel your pain as that floor, lovely as it is, would drive me mad! I think the mirror covering the right hand wall idea is brilliant, if budget is a problem, what about mirror tiles? Antiqued ones could work well but they probably cost more. I definitely would get a radiator cover and some artwork, I like the very narrow 'shelves' that you can prop art on and change whenever the mood takes you. I'd hang a feature light or, if that's not possible, a lantern behind the arch to draw the eye. However, as others have said, it's a feature of the property that reflects it's history and should be celebrated as such :)

I think that the stone colour would work. A radiator cover, wooden. Then add a nice mirror feature above that would complement the lovely arch. There is no reason why you cannot use the arch to enhance the beautiful hall way.

I think the arch give the Roman feel. Work from that.

If you mirror the right hand wall in your photo, the border tiles will be reflected, as will the half-arch, making the hallway feel twice the width.

I agree floor to ceiling mirrored wall and off with the radiator!

Check if other houses on your street are under construction, you might be able to get exact the same tiles from them and rearrange the floor to your liking. That's what my friend did. Check google for used original tiles of specific details (age, style/house type)

I would also replace the radiator (if you're not covering it) with an authentic period style one which would look more in keeping. Agree with all those about a mirror too.

I know this isn't helpful, but what a terrible act of vandalism to do that to a properly proportioned house! It would bother me so much I wouldn't buy it, but I do think the mirror could make it make sense visually.

Hello Robin,

No need to remove anything just add a huge mirror on the right hand wall with some height as I suggested earlier in the thread, then you will get a border reflected and also the arch! It is quite important to work with what you have, and you can cleverly with the oversized mirror! eBay have a shop for them! Once you paint frame to match the walls you will see how useful it could be. Possibly 8ft by 8ft as high as you can go to get the arch in! It's what I would do.. :))

as others have said with the mirror(s). not sure if you're keen on mirror glass panel kind? OR i have been seeing some people painting their walls with gloss paint (several times worth), and that gives reflection. the tile floor is pretty cool looking. if it REALLY bothers you, would you just lay something over it? like a jute runner, or..?

Private Residence - Custom Details · More Info

What beautiful floor tiles, they add such character to the space - we would leave them as they are. Some great suggestions here how to work with them and make it an entrance we can all be jealous of! We keenly await to see some 'after' pictures...

What about a skinny cast iron radiator?

Radiators for hallways - restricted depth · More Info

Radiators for hallways - restricted depth · More Info

just come across this post - what did you decide in the end Robin Houghton?