First impressions count

First impression really do count

You hallway provides the first impression of your home

First impressions really do count so it is important to have a hallway that can combine both a sense of style and practicality. To make an impact it is really important to have the right mix as many visitors may not even make it any further into your home.

We have four sons so our hallway seems to be a dumping ground for sports kit and school bags. The boys and the passage of time has certainly taken their toll on our hallway so I have decided to revamp it.

Our home is a beautiful Queen Anne rectory, off the beaten track, surrounded by fields. It was bought six years ago and we have lovingly and sympathetically restored the entire house apart from the hallway. Last month we started in this are and we want it to not only reflect our personality but also to provide a showcase of the house. As well as being practical (we do have four young boys) it also has to be welcoming and have the wow factor.

It would be quite easy to decorate based on the existing feeling of the house, providing a stylistic flow into the other connecting rooms. Or you can make it unique and with a completely different feel. All our rooms are quite conservative so I wanted to make a bold statement in the hall, providing a clear contrast. As it is an area that people don't really spend much time in I wanted to express my design flair and be a little daring.

Patterned wallpapers can be perfect for open spaces like hallways, but you have to make sure your bold design isn't that little bit too bold for the space. A bold design of enormous purple flowers embossed with gold and an emerald green background has been chosen for the one, largest wall. So as not to be overpowering the remaining walls have been painted emerald green in contrast, to while complimenting, the bold wallpaper.

All of the woodwork has been kept in typical Georgian white, that really makes the wallpaper stand out just that little more. The Grade 2 listed staircase is made of beautiful elm. We have also renovated the cornices, corbels and the ceiling rose and they now all stand out, almost as if being noticed for the first time.

Bold and elegant the hallway is beginning to take shape. To maximize the natural light two large, ornate mirrors have been hung on two walls and on the remaining wall I have put up a collection of family portraits dating back to my grandparents. There are also plenty of pictures of my children so it doesn't seem too formal or traditional.

As the traffic hub of the house we will have to find flooring that will not only fit in with our new design but will also be hard wearing enough. Another thing to consider is that the flooring will need to be easy to clean as I can't stop every visitor on the doorstep to ask them to take off their shoes.

I keeping with the classic design of the house stones tiles would be perfect but they are often cold underfoot. At much thought we have decided to remove the weathered pine floorboards and to have them replaced with reclaimed elm. The soft, honey colours really do compliment the staircase and the effect as you walk into the property is not only striking but homely.

When it comes to a busy hallway the lighting should be welcoming, providing ease from the outside to the intimate interior. The key point to remember is that it needs to be bright enough during the day and ooze gentle ambiance by night. We decided on a mix of table lamps (on a large sideboard) and crystal chandeliers. The effect is perfect. We have enough task lighting for the day and soft ambient light during the evening. We have managed to include extra storage in our hallway by means of a beautiful armoire that I picked up in a local reclamation yard; it fits all manner of sports kit, equipment and school bags!

I am delighted with the whole effect, and now feel proud to open my front door.

< Prev		Next >