Help needed with Hall flooring in converted flat

8 years ago

The flat we are buying has original tiles in the hall but because it's a conversion it's only half the original width, and the pattern of the tiles emphasises this. Although we don't want to cover up the tiles, I think the lopsided pattern is wrong and makes the hall seem extra narrow. The 'half an arch' doesn't help either!

Should we cover the tiles, and if so, what with? We don't want to rip the tiles up. All ideas gratefully received, thank you!

Featured Answer

Jennifer Vandermeer

8 years ago

Mirror one of the two walls in the hall from baseboard to ceiling - problem solved.

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Comments (46)

Jonathan
8 years ago
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
Robin Houghton thanked Jonathan
headers13
8 years ago
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.
Robin Houghton thanked headers13
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Robin Houghton
Original Author
8 years ago
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.
headers13
8 years ago
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.
Robin Houghton thanked headers13
Andrea Collins
8 years ago
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.
Robin Houghton thanked Andrea Collins
Jonathan
8 years ago
You could put in a fake door surround on the right and mirror the insert all the way down to the floor.
Robin Houghton thanked Jonathan
Robin Houghton
Original Author
8 years ago
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.
nicole3238
8 years ago
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.
Robin Houghton thanked nicole3238
Jennifer Vandermeer
8 years ago
Put a floating shelf over the radiator and add two sconces in a style to accentuate the tiles, something bold.
Robin Houghton thanked Jennifer Vandermeer
nicole3238
8 years ago
The mirror idea is absolutely brilliant.
Robin Houghton thanked nicole3238
Kathleen Brown
8 years ago
It's just beautiful as it is. Paint the walls and add art-fantastic!
Robin Houghton thanked Kathleen Brown
karenharper1982
8 years ago
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!
Robin Houghton thanked karenharper1982
Claire B
8 years ago
Is there an opportunity to take the right had wall you might reveal the rest of the stunning floor.
Robin Houghton
Original Author
8 years ago
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.)
angelboyman
8 years ago
I love the floor and love the half arch. It gives you a honesty to the building. You already know it's a large house that's been converted to flats, so space is compromised but then there's this reminder when you enter your property that you own a part of the grand house. Keep them both, I say.
Robin Houghton thanked angelboyman
Philip Fisher
8 years ago
Topps tiles does these neo-Edwardian floor tiles I would like to keep the style while making the pattern fit the dimension of the apartment conversion http://www.toppstiles.co.uk/section1527/page2/patterned-tiles/
Robin Houghton thanked Philip Fisher
wendibowz
8 years ago
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.
justinnolan
8 years ago
wendibowz has it perfectly
Robin Houghton thanked justinnolan
gilliifer
8 years ago
Johnathan 's mirror idea , brilliant.
Robin Houghton thanked gilliifer
Lynne Griffiths
8 years ago
Mirror from floor to ceiling. Would look amazing!
Robin Houghton thanked Lynne Griffiths
headers13
8 years ago
Edwardian tiles are supposed to be matt not shiny.
Robin Houghton thanked headers13
wendibowz
8 years ago
... 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. :-)
Robin Houghton thanked wendibowz
AMB
8 years ago
I love the arch and tiles and would keep them as they are. They certainly add character, even if it might seem odd to the eye, but that's a talking point. Maybe pick out the woodwork, arch and radiator in a difference colour or shade. I have a very narrow hallway too with little natural light so I painted it in pale colours and put up mirrors. put up pictures and mirrors to bounce light and add personality but keep the frame style simple. I removed the radiator too which makes the hall look bigger. If you can't, or don't want to, remove the radiator then get a cover for it to make a feature. you might have to get a bespoke one as off the peg cheap ones can be large.
Robin Houghton thanked AMB
nickisch
8 years ago
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
Robin Houghton thanked nickisch
Robin Houghton
Original Author
8 years ago
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.
decordo
8 years ago
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
wendyhouseboutique
8 years ago
You could hang a fabric panel to the high side of the half arch and sweep it back to visually mirror the shape of the arch.
I don't know what what decorative style you'll be going for, but a rich brocade with Italian stringing (ie. invisible stringing that sweeps back a curtain) would complement the detailing on the arch and the rich colours of the floor tiles.
I would love to see what you end up doing.
It would also play on the asymmetry of the flooring.
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
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! : ))
Robin Houghton thanked Amber Jeavons Ltd
Gerry Rust
8 years ago
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 :)
Robin Houghton thanked Gerry Rust
chriscaldarelli
8 years ago

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.
Robin Houghton thanked chriscaldarelli
chriscaldarelli
8 years ago
I think the arch give the Roman feel. Work from that.
Robin Houghton thanked chriscaldarelli
PRO
Pat Oliver Interior Design
8 years ago
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.
Robin Houghton thanked Pat Oliver Interior Design
Dean Durrant
8 years ago
continue the 'missing' part of the tile patern up the wall to complete it..
Robin Houghton thanked Dean Durrant
knnc
8 years ago
I agree floor to ceiling mirrored wall and off with the radiator!
Robin Houghton thanked knnc
lisjonok
8 years ago
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)
kazza_hayward
8 years ago
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.
mrsthing
8 years ago
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.
alliebourne
8 years ago
I agree with painting the walls- farrow & balls London stone is spot on. Though sad, removing the arch would relieve the eye from focusing to the left so much. Adding a balanced moulding and more visual interest on the right might help too!
alliebourne
8 years ago
adding a shelf above the rad and painting rad same colour as the wall would accent the main tile, and make it the main pathway and take away notice from the border
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
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.. :))
Charles Buckley
8 years ago
May not be the cheapest option, have you considered removing the skirting and placing floor to ceiling mirrors along the wall. Would throw more light into the corridor as well as mirroring the tiles.
bombel1972
8 years ago
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
PRO
Alternative Flooring
7 years ago
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...
PRO
Feature Radiators
7 years ago
What about a skinny cast iron radiator?

Radiators for hallways - restricted depth · More Info

Radiators for hallways - restricted depth · More Info
obo1
6 years ago
just come across this post - what did you decide in the end Robin Houghton?