Hello Alison, your Hallway really looks like 50 shades of grey, no surprise it looks very formal. If you want to make it warmer, don't hesitate to go for dark floor, it doesn't have to be black. You can choose smocked oak with grains, it will look cozier. Another thing, furniture and accessories together are too matching. Everything is too well blended with each other. For example, mirror and then console table. To create featuring look, get a play with texture and colour. For example, Mirror as it is and better add a black console table and then accessories from glass and silver on top of console will unite table and mirror into one beautiful look. In addition, may be to exchange small console table you have on small bench to complement area. Fabric on a bench will add more texture and colour to make it cozier.

Before to talk about your dining area and kitchen, I'm not sure how to determine your style. I see you like monochrome interior, definitely modern and then your hallways reminds me of art-deco and kitchen more of Scandinavian. Not sure in which direction to lead...? I have another question, do you consider only wooden flooring or tiles as well?

I love your house! would you consider to warm it up with colored objects and a bright splash back for the kitchen?

Beautiful house

We are going to get Karndean in our hall eventually. We have it in smoked oak in a couple of rooms upstairs and it's lovely xx
Attached a photo I found online of a hallway, but it would mean changing the colour of your walls, to a magnolia or white maybe x

Hi Alison. You do have a beautiful home and it's always sad to hear someone isn't happy with elements of their designs.
I can not quite see the colour of the wallpaper but would suggest a darker wooden or quality laminate to balance the scheme.
Alternatively you may benefit from the services of an interior designers service to ensure the colours and materials all work well together and flow between the different spaces.
Good luck and it would be great to hear what you end up with.

I know you're asking for help but I have to ask.... Where did you get that wallpaper in your hallway from? It's great! I'm looking to match darker flooring with a grey like that, I've found this flooring which changes colour slightly depending on the light (found it at a W hotel in the states).... It's a company called Tomkt (olio 2338 and olio 2339).... the choice is whether to go cool (black with silvery grain) or warm (dark brown with slightly gold grain). If you want decent luxury vinyl tiles.... Then check out this company.... So much better than what we have here in the uk, Karndean is so thin in comparison.

Sorry forgot to mention that they aren't based in the uk but will happily send you samples from the US and ship to you directly from Korea where they manufacture.

May I suggest bringing in some purple tones. Aubergine, plum etc.

I'd keep the floor and just add colour through paint and accessories. Much cheaper and would have a bigger impact, I think. Lovely, big hallway though!

Hi Alison,

Do not despair, this is a common issue for customers, looking to bring warmth in to their homes and you are spot on, adding a warmer less harsh oak floor will really work and achieve this for you.

To give the rooms more classic look the Pyrenees Herringbone is a great choice!!

Due to the grey wallpaper you might want to look at slightly darker oaks so again its not so much of a contrast, the Smoked Pyrenees Oak which you can just see in this image has been paired with a dark grey wallpaper and lighter grey couch.

Another option we would recommend and have seen a lot of customers using to add warmth to room is Walnut. This is slightly darker to Oak however is really rich down and would work from a more modern take on the floors. Walnut flooring

If we can help with sending you any samples please feel free to get in contact info@floormonster.co.uk or 0141 887 5698

Rather than make drastic changes with flooring etc I think it all just lacks texture. Having bare floors regardless of what colour will still make it quite "rigid". Add rugs, a chair in the hall with a throw on one arm, a larger table lamp and a more ornate framed mirror. Adding pictures on the walls gives the impression someone lives there ;)

As for the kitchen, change the tiles, add a rug under the dining set... You can add any colour with accessories to an otherwise plain scheme.

The hallway looks austere because of the lack of pattern or texture coupled with chrome and glass. The wallpaper is nice but it would be cheaper the change it rather than the flooring? I would ditch the mirror, tables and consoles and contrast it with warmer toned wood. The kitchen is jarring because as another comment has said, it's mixing Art Deco-ish wallpaper with Scandi style. Again it would be cheaper to ditch the wallpaper, keep the flooring and perhaps choose a tile that combines grey and brown for the walls which would pull it together. Change your chrome accessories too?

Hi Alison,

I personally love the 4th image from the tile company, the wood effect porcelain tiles.

To cozy it up I would add a few reclaimed pieces for the console table or an oversized reclaimed mirror to add warmth and a story.

Kempton have a great antiques fair every other Tuesday where you can find these pieces.

At the moment the shiny mirror, shiny console, staged accessories and pale floor look like a show home. Nice but not home.

A hallway can still look wow , it just needs a story.

I've attached a pic of my hallway console, it's original parquet flooring but the wood effect grained porcelain tiles you can get now are beautiful.

Ps I would go wood or porcelain, stay away from Karndean as it looks too pretend and a bit naff. ( personal opinion as a designer, not meant to cause any offence X)