Hello headers13, Looking nice! Not much of a mess at all! Normally I'd suggest the idea of dark chimney breast and lighter walls.. Since you have dark cabinets going in then perhaps consider the other way around.. Usually alcoves are better lighter as they then look further away.. Chimney breast to the fore.. Standing out with a beautiful mirror.... I normally don't recommend shelving in alcoves either.. Just a personal taste.. However.... What about approaching it with the idea of scale colouring.. with dark at bottom and working it's way lighter up the shelves.... So you could have dark chimney breast and dark bottom shelves and gradually take the shades up till you get to a creamy white at the top... Ceilings are really gr8 in Whitening by Little Greene.. It would give it a different feel and this style of painting is really in.... You can do it with walls too, see image... Also to lighten the look of the shelving... consider darker and fuller shelves at the bottom and lighten towards the top... This creates the idea of openness with the shelving, thus giving the fireplace the focal point it deserves... : ))

Hi, I'm currently going through the same issue, Trying to find the right combo of paints to paint the hallway. I am looking to panel the part beneath the dado to prevent the ever so frustrating scuffing which occurs at sharp corners and am unsure on the colour combo. I was considering grey and white too but I'm scared that it may make the space feel too cold and dull especially as the only light will be through the door which won't be much. What colour combo's would you recommend to make the space feel luxurious and modern, yet not too clinical and cold?? I'd like the paint to be dulux preferably. what is the quality of Valspar paint like, I've seen it at DIY stores but don't know if it reaches standard of dulux? any reviews?? thanks

Thanks Colour Happy. Plasterer has been in already but only plastered where needed so I'm assuming that means we don't need to plaster behind wall paper (some of which had to be removed for the rewiring) and Painter seems happy enough to do remainder of filling/smoothing walls but thanks for the tip, I'll definitely check again with them. Re sisal, no dogs but small kids at home so need to stick to softer/more standard carpet!

Ha, funnily enough I tried some colours out on your walls in photoshop yesterday, which doesn't mean a thing, since it always looks different on screen, and I too thought that Ammonite worked well. Still, do try it out. Painted the skirting All White. Threw in some pattern with cushions, a framed poster will reflect light and is more interesting than a mirror (which loads of people use) and I thought that you could perhaps place a different cabinet for the TV along the wall next to the fireplace.