wood panelled Hall

5 years ago

Hi - the panelling in the hallway of our 1875 Victorian gothic home is very dark and topped off with red paint. To say the hall is an intense experience is an understatement. The wood is quite intricately carved and has had lots of layers of what looks like varnish. We have investigated under the carpet and we have a parquet floor that we want to restore. Anyone got any ideas?

Featured Answer

Danielle H

5 years ago

I wonder if rather than strip you could take it darker, more like a black or smoked oak with a varnish or stain. It would look amazing with a pale/medium parquet flooring.
Maybe it’s just the red paint and carpet accentuating the redness of the panels. Perhaps taking up the carpet and painting the walls could help you decide what to do with the panels.

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Comments (14)

Danielle H
5 years ago
Are you wanting to keep that look or go completely different? Could you try stripping the varnish off the panelling on a section that’s not that visible? Lightening up the panelling, painting the walls and revealing the parquet would totally change the space. If you want to keep the dark colour to the varnish you could lighten the paint above and stain the parquet you’ve found a similar colour to the panelling. Final option you could paint the panelling white and either go dark light on the parquet and a dramatic deep paint colour above. I know some people are against painting original panelling though!
Sandra McS
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks - you can see my dilemma. I’m not sure stripping the panelling will be a straightforward job with all that carving but that I guess would be the best solution. Don’t think I am brave enough to paint the panelling though...
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I love the panelling, picture rails and dado! They look like original features which are really sought after now. I wouldn’t remove them, it will be like ripping out the soul of your home. You can update them by using trendy colours such as grey, taupe and white. I think the taupe shades by F&B lend themselves beautifully to such features. Shades like Elephants Breath, Purbeck Stone or Skimming Stone. However your idea of grey would be lovely too. How about a mid grey on the panelling (not too dark), then a soft pale grey above. Or go all out white with the staircase in deepest charcoal grey? Here’s some ideas
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Thanks so much to you all for taking the time to make comments. It seems unanimous that we should keep the panelling! I’m leaning toward painting it (partly because I think it’ll be less work than stripping it!) and I really like some of the colour suggestions, I’ll order some paint samples! My picture shows the brightest part of the hallway and makes the panelling look paler than it is near the stairs, the panelling is actually all dark like at the back of the photo. Away from the door the hallway is quite dark so I’m not sure whether dark colours will be too much, I’ll see what I think when the samples arrive.
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mii2
5 years ago
As the room seems to be a reception area for a hotel, you will need to consider the issue of it being a high traffic area. The dark wood is coping well with knocks from suitcases on the stairs and children’s fingerprints etc, and paint may not!
Replacing the flooring to be a lighter shade and using lighter paint colour will allow more light to reflect in the space. Also updating the decor on the shelves would help. The dark padded reception area also requires replacement to make it more of a feature and far more welcoming. As this is the reception for your business, first impressions are really going to matter and the standard of finish needs to be high. It also needs to reflect the building and the decor of the rooms. A very trendy reception will jar with more traditional surroundings.
Sandra McS
Original Author
5 years ago
The brass has all gone, as has the old reception desk and that alone has opened up the space hugely. We have also removed a section of the shelving at the top of the panelling which I think is going to look better as it is decreasing the shadowing. The place hasn’t been touched for at least 20 years. I agree with lightening the floor and perhaps adding some protection I high traffic areas with some rugs. On the wall I am thinking a soft mushroom colour or even a green. I would like to go bold but as we are in the highlands I am torn with the tradition of muted colours. I am investigating lighting to replace the dated spots and was thinking of playing with strip leds hidden along the top of the panel
PRO
Carrie Cotton Design
5 years ago
It's a beautiful space! I am not sure I would recommend painting as the process to get it looking smooth would not be an easy one...and the ongoing maintenance. I love the dark panelling but would pair it with lighter flooring (the parquet in a natural finish would be lovely) and would consider a light/white paint colour on the walls as well to really contrast with the dark varnish. Then you could add the highland-type colours with art, high wearing area rugs, and stair runners. Good luck! What a fun space to revamp!
PRO
User
5 years ago
Love Danielle's idea of going darker with light walls and a pale parquet floor, stunning.
nmlondon
5 years ago
I don’t know if you ever visited Achnagairn Castle just outside Inverness but the owner did a beautiful job, it is still very traditional, with lots of panelling and gorgeous staircases yet it is not overwhelming thanks to the lighter timber floors and complementing muted wall colours. There are many photos on tripadviser (we stayed there and since it was hired by the family we got to see every room and I loved the decor and the secret room off the nursery!)
Sonia
5 years ago
I love panelling and I think you could paint out the red in a pale shade (Farrow & Ball do lovely period colours) and leave the panelling as it is (as per first pic below) or you could paint all of the panelling too as per the other pics. I don’t think you need to remove all the varnish off the panelling, a light sand and a couple of coats of primer followed by 2 top coats should do it. How amazing will that look?
Sandra McS
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks everyone - I am thinking of Farrow and Ball “pigeon” - it’s a grey/green shade and not too intense. I have taken on board all the comments about the floor. I think once the carpet goes we will see the real space. I’ll check out the other hotel - we were in The Fife Arms in Braemar (spying ) and they have done a fabulous renovation but I don’t think my budget would stretch to a Picasso and a Feud in the reception rooms. But it’s worth checking out their website. It’s a bit too highland kitsch for me as we want a cooler vibe.
Thanks everyone for your comments
Sonia
5 years ago
Pigeon is a beautiful colour. Good luck.
sksj1
5 years ago
I would definitely paint it, and would suggest a good rub down (don’t scrimp on this) plus a good quality undercoat and then paint would look fantastic. The usual greige Farrow & Ball would look great. Search Houzz for panelled hall pictures for inspiration.
Doe Stewart
5 years ago
Hi - I live in a 1930's semi which has oak panelling in the hall floor to picture rail height. We have painted ours Farrow and Ball Manor House grey, looks fab. We lived with it as just the dark oak for many years but decided after much soul searching that something needed to be done to brighten it up. Our floor is also stripped oak but lighter, more golden colour. The floor now stands out against the painted panelling - so glad we took the plunge.
Jane Wright
5 years ago
Your dilemma remind me of the panelling at Blackwell arts and crafts house near Windermere. It has the most gorgeous wooden panelled halls and dining room which feel cosy but not dark. They have a wooden floor and panelling with a cream wall colour and then add colour with the soft furnishings in colours. The place gets a lot of visitors so should suit your needs. Maybe worth a look.

wood panelled Hall

Danielle H

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