Walkthrough - the hallway

Walkthrough: The Hallway

My answer for awkward spaces is to try and see what you can first do architecturally to try and improve it. I largely focussed on cosmetic architecture rather than real architecture.

The Hallway as Its Own Room

The hallway connects three completely different rooms with three completely different atmospheres. I needed the hallway to be as rich as the other rooms in an understated way.

Jib Doors

I created a panelled room with different sizes of braids to confuse the eye. I utilised jib doors. They remedy the architecture so that you don't have too many doors in a space.

Atmosphere and Scale

The more interesting aspect is that it creates mystery. It is a door that no one knows is a door. I placed a tall cabinet in the space with a vase on top. This helped to deceive the eye and make the brain feel like it is a really high room.

I treated the space as a living space by using antique gold braid-work and faux red suede panels to create a panelled treatment. As a whole, the hallway appears to be a series of fascinating interconnected rooms, thanks to the numerous print and painting compositions combined with the furniture and other decorative elements.

Despite the fact that it is a very small passageway, the contrast between the striped flat-weave carpet and the busy red walls is very interesting.

The Front Door

I turned the front door into another jib door. You get completely confused when you come into the space.

The Panelling

Using braids I created a panelled room. One large white braid and a thinner one forming the panels.

Design Notes

• In the hallway, walls in pink suede with gold braidwork create a bold backdrop for Alidad's collections of prints, artwork and antiques, acquired over the years, including an English neo-gothic chair upholstered in green chenille.
• The striped wool carpet is by Roger Oates Design.