Colour in action - the hallway

Colours in Action - the Hallway

The entrance hall is part of the original house, but the room has taken on various forms over the years.

• The starting point of this scheme were the original features; double panelled oak doors, sash windows and the staircase.
• It's a room that is integral to both the communication between other spaces in the house, and the flow between them.
• As it's an area you move through rather than dwell in, it has been decorated for looking as opposed to sitting. I decided to include a range of pictures and artwork to add interest as you journey through the space.
• My task was to find a colour that worked with the original oak features, as well as being a supportive background to the range of wall art I knew I wanted to display.
• I chose 'Lilac Pink', as it remains neutral enough for a space of passage while also giving a slightly more furnished feel. The pink is extremely subtle, with only a hint of red and yellow ochre pigment.
• The light level impacts the appearance of the colour - in low light, it's grey tones feel more prevalent whereas in strong sunlight the pink undertones shine through.
• As the original ceiling had fallen down, we had to insert a new one. While it's not from exactly the same era, we made sensitive decisions to ensure it worked in the room and didn't jar with the original features.
• Fireplaces are often the focal point within a room, and can be very ornamental and decorative. As such, they are always an important element to take into consideration when decorating.
• Ultimately, you should think of a hallway scheme as a palette cleanser between other rooms. I believe the paint colours should be neutral, and based on earth pigments.

PAINT DETAILS Walls in 'Lilac Pink' trim in 'Milk White'