something like this would work I think, it is a very soft colour...think dark reds will be too dark...or maybe a soft grey tartan or check , a duck egg colour would also be lovely and really lighten up the space without taking away the cost feel...hope this link works! http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://cdn0.notonthehighstreet.com/system/product_images/images/001/189/535/original_plaid-wool-handmade-lampshade.jpg%253F1372866004&imgrefurl=http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/weftbespokedesign/product/plaid-wool-handmade-lampshade&h=900&w=900&tbnid=2t2-3YNnS_CtlM:&zoom=1&docid=Ucd_ov0Bw9kRvM&ei=Ku_UVNmFEMHmUsKyg6AF&tbm=isch&client=safari&ved=0CF4QMyhWMFY4yAE

I have original 200 year old wide bead and butt panelling boxing in a stairway. Oddly enough it is horizontal. It goes with a one of a kind door at the bottom of the stairs that has panels that are sort of triangular. Of course I shall keep both and will include some similar panelling in the house but in moderation. I had considered it for the bathroom but I fall on the side that thinks it will be a maintenance problem. It would however be great in a cloakroom, painted of course.

This looks really great, and I'm particularly interested as we have a similar hall with an artificially narrow entrance (1950s conversion of an 1880s house!) which carries round in an L shape all the way to the back of the flat. We also have the sloping understairs ceiling and the height makes it dark and cold. We've thought of dropping the ceiling and having spotlights as you've done, but it's the floor we're most uncertain about. Our tiles are older than yours and in very poor condition, plus very cold underfoot, so we're still undecided whether to cover up entirely (carpet? engineered wood?), saving the floor for future inhabitants, or actually (eek) taking it up. The majority of the tiled floor is in the communal hallway, so it's still there for people to enjoy. Anyway, sorry - just wanted to say also I love your colour scheme and the panelling isn't something I would have considered but it looks fantastic and we have very similar panelled doors, so I think we should consider it.

It’s a Christmas tree. :)