What to do with my hall
My fiance and i have recently moved into an Edwardian property in London and we want some advice on what to do with it.
It isn't the biggest hall in the world, but it feels quite bare at the moment, and is wider than the photos make it look. Pictures below are from the estate agent and we no longer have the pictures, the mirror or the stool.
This is our first project and we would like to make the hall feel more welcoming and homely while retaining the modern aspect that the previous owners had.
Any pointers would help.
Comments (6)
E D
5 years agoRelated Discussions
what to do with this hallway
Comments (23)With such a generous space you have the real opportunity to achieve a very elegant space. Of course, what can be achieved depends on budget, But this is what we would suggest: - re-condition the stairs, with better, lighter balusters, newel posts, a proper curled bottom step - Install a large lantern in place of the chandelier - replace the fireplace surrounds with something less crude and render; render or line its inner walls; recess the hearthstone; add a large mirror above the mantel, which will reflect the light of the lantern. - Paint all timber: the balusters, the double doors - if you paint the flat panel radiator the same colour of the wall and the double doors a contrasting colour, the radiator will become less noticeable. Radiator covers often draw more attention to it and dramatically cut down the radiator's efficiency, defeating the point twice. - White is not the only way: consider a warm gray or even a colour for the walls. Use contrast to your advantage. It will help to draw people's attention to what you want them to see (lantern, fireplace, stairs, double doors) and away from what you don't want them to notice (radiator) Here are some examples we have recently completed:...See MoreWhat do you have in your hallway?
Comments (22)Oh - those hallways are better finished and decorated than some of the rooms we live in Here goes - floor is flag-stone tiles, set in a diagonal pattern. Lovely to look at - nightmare to clean. Half-painted, half timber panelled walls. A small pillar on which hangs all our holy objects - from holy water font ( Vatican), hand-made St Brigid's cross (school), stained class crucifix (Lourdes), Holy Family brass ornament (Knock), Hannukkah menorah (from north London). A beautiful hand-crafted coat rack, designed and made by my 16yr old for Woodwork exam. Here hangs that one-size-fits-all anorak that ended up in the back of the car some years ago and has never been reclaimed. Everyone can use it so no excuse about getting wet or cold when asked to go out to car or out to bin or bring in/put out cat dishes. A myriad of sets of keys that only each owner knows what they are for. Various school-bags, lunch boxes, kit-bags, boots, helmets, hurley sticks, badminton rackets, wellies, hob-nail boots take up temporary residence in the hall until the house-fairy offers to put them away for their owners ie throw them outside the front door where she can't trip over them (amazing how quickly the owners find a proper home for their goods under the threat of a night outside!) A second-hand side board that currently houses family photographs and trophies etc on top and a motley mix of household bills, badminton subscriptions and accounts, Greeting cards and writing paper and other stationery (no biros tho!) a drawer full of hats, caps, scarves, gloves, hi-vis jackets and dog leads. A lovely print of my home county which has 1920 b+w postcards of my town mounted around it. Then there is the oil PAINTING. It is a version of 3 Spirited Horses in a Storm. It is 6ft wide, 3ft high. Has a distinctive lack of colour - brown, cream + khaki - dust colours. OH dug it out of a skip in London in 1988 + delightedly rushed home to hang it in our abode. Except we lived in a 1-bed flat and didn't have any straight wall long enough to hang it on! Undeterred he hung it on the stair-wall. So no option but to look at it. It has followed us ever since and I am heartedly sick of the sight of it. Cannot get him to part with it. How I wish it could get damaged somehow .... Any suggestions ....?...See Morewhat to do with my hallway
Comments (14)Hi, I think if the theme upstairs is grey and mustard, how about swapping the radiator out for a modern anthracite one. You could even opt for a vertical one to free up a little space and place a smaller console table to the side of it. There are more traditional styles and other contemporary radiators that would both suit the space. Either style would make a striking feature. We also agree that a big warming rug would spruce it up too. Good luck!...See MoreWhat do you do to make your hallway welcoming?
Comments (1)I have a purple front door, there are bells that jingle to say people are here, it is tidy and light and I always have incense burning there so it smells lovely....See More
PROUser
5 years agominnie101
5 years agoIt looks lovely, would love to see the rest of the house! I agree with Jonathan if you're having any other work done then I wouldn't decorate yet although not sure if you're decorating or not? In terms of furniture I would add a console table, something with clean lines so as not to compete with the architectural details. Add a round mirror over the top, then flowers or large stems, real or good quality faux, a lamp (if there's a socket) and an accessory or 2. Then I'd add a stool/s underneath for putting shoes on (ignore the style of last photo). You could also consider painting the front door to highlight the stained glass and add some art
Anthony (Beano)
5 years agoGeoff
5 years ago
Jonathan