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:

We have the same type of panelling in our hall and it was oak the same as yours with an oak floor. It just started to feel quite dark and drab but we hesitated to to do anything for fear of messing it up. In the end we painted all the panelling in Farrows French grey, left the doors and floors wood and painted the sides of our staircase and the spindles in Farrows clunch but left the newel posts and the bannister rail as wood - looks like a different hallway - I have never regretted painting it

My parents had the same wall on thier stairs. We always thought it was structural as it was made from concrete blocks. One summer we decided to take out just the upstairs section and replace with a banister, but after starting the work realised it was not structural at all just really over engineered (typical 1950s!). It wasn't supporting the floor upstairs or even the stairs themselves. Anyway we took the whole thing out and replaced with handrail and square spindles. Completely changed the feel of using the stairs and the hallway downstairs. Also the same wall carried on into the kitchen to form a pantry which we also removed. That really opened up the kitchen too.

You could do either! White walls with mirrors and one nice ‘hero’ artwork would make it ‘brighter’ or nice dark shades with a collage of artwork would make it moody and impactful!! Depends how you want to be treated when you step in