Tag: hallway

Categories
Decorating 101 DIY Reno Products Styling

Hallway styling ideas to make the best first impression

Kids, pets, shopping bags bumping against the wall – a busy hallway can take a battering. “Whilst it might not be a functional room, your hallway is a hardworking space that deserves decorative attention,” says Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux colour and communications manager. “It’s the first thing guests see and it sets the tone for the rest of your home.” Is your hallway looking a little worse for wear? A fresh coat of paint and a few decorative tweaks can make all the difference.

Artwork by Rachel Castle and Things, Royere vase by Sarah Ellison via Life Interiors, porcelain fruit bowl by Karen Morton via Greenhouse Interiors, Bold console via Domo Australia.

Stylist Julia Green gave a classic hallway three inviting looks using different palettes from the Dulux Colour Forecast 2021 to show you just how easy a refresh is to achieve. “This hallway had great bones – a high ceiling, decorative mouldings and trims, with a generous width – but it lacked energy. Being a relatively small space, it didn’t take much time, effort or outlay to jazz it up, and livening up the colour was the perfect place to start,” she said.

“Colour is such an emotional thing. It’s really about identifying those hues you instinctively respond to and having the confidence to use them in your home. And remember – it’s not a lifelong commitment. If you change your mind, you can simply paint over it.”

Look 1

For the first look, she chose colours from the Reset palette to create a cosy and contemporary feel. She ran deep, dusty pink (Dulux Wash&Wear in Terra Rose) up to the picture rails, and warm white (Dulux Wash&Wear in Snowy Mountains Half) on the upper section of walls and the ceiling. She used the same white to highlight the beautiful original mouldings and trims.

Artworks by Doulene Walker via Greenhouse Interiors. Halston Console by Sarah Ellison via Life Interiors, Tall Poppy vase by Formantics via Greenhouse Interiors, Sierra Pastel Geometric Hallway Runner Rug from Miss Amara, Salvador Table Lamp in Terracotta via Few and Far, Muuto Under The Bell Pendant White Melange via Surrounding

“Choosing a darker colour for the lower part of your walls can be a great way to disguise scuffs and marks, while a lighter colour above keeps your hallway feeling open and airy,” Julia said. “A few smart styling touches completed this look. You don’t want clutter in a busy hallway, so I kept my focal points to the walls, floor and console table. A joyful artwork at the end of the hall adds interest, whilst a geometric-patterned rug creates softness and hides a multitude of sins in a high traffic spot. All these elements are in tones of pink and coral, creating a lush, layered effect against the dusty pink walls.

“To create a cohesive feel, look for opportunities where you can replicate shapes and themes. Here, I chose a curvy console table that echoes the arched doorway. The ribbed base adds texture, whilst a pretty vignette consisting of a lamp, vessels and a trailing plant makes for an easy-to-achieve and eye-catching feature on the tabletop.”

Look 2

“I wanted to give the second look a more luxurious feel whilst drawing attention to the home’s original features, so I selected timeless colours from the Retreat palette. Rich bottle green (Dulux Wash&Wear in Mangrove) on the walls picks up on the tones in the stained-glass window, and warm white (Dulux Wash&Wear in Whisper White) above the picture rail keeps the entrance light and inviting.

Artworks by Castle and Things, Bizerte Floral Multicolour Runner from Miss Amara, Asola Table Lamp via Domo Australia, Long Low Shelving by Sarah Ellison via Life Interiors, Bloom Shallow Bowl Speckle by Alice Bell Ceramics via Greenhouse Interiors, Buee Vases via Domo Australia, tray and cup by R. L. Foote Design, digitally generated porcelain cup bubble plate, Goblet Planter Orchid via Lightly.

“Mixing old and new elements is a great way to add character. An ornate chandelier contrasts beautifully with a sleek modern table lamp, while graphic, contemporary artwork adds a touch of the unexpected. The old-meets-new runner has a traditional look, but in bright, modern colours.

“If space or budget is tight, invest in one or two pieces that really make an impact. Here, I splashed out on a marble and brass console – it feels luxurious and contrasts beautifully with the green walls,” says Julia.

Look 3

“To provide a calm and comforting welcome, I chose soft, nature-inspired colours from the Nourish palette for the third look. These tones are incredibly easy to work with as they sit comfortably alongside the whites many of us already have in our homes. Plus, they bring a sense of the outside in – which you can emphasise by styling with natural textures and greenery.

Artwork by Castle and Things, Bold Console via Domo Australia, hooks on the left wall – Oak The Dots via Huset, Porcelain Fruit Bowl by Karen Morton via Greenhouse Interiors, Royere Vase by Sarah Ellison via Life Interiors, Dibaya Abstract Runner via Miss Amara, Muuto Under The Bell Pendant White Melange via Surrounding

“I used soft pistachio on the walls (Dulux Wash&Wear in Sedia), pale pink (Dulux Aquanamel in Skip To) on the front door, and cool white with a neutral undertone (Dulux Wash&Wear in White Exchange Half) on the trims and ceiling.

“To boost functionality without sacrificing precious floor space, I added timber storage hooks to the walls for coats and bags.

“A bright and cheery painting picks up on the pink of the front door and draws guests into the home. I chose a console with curved legs to add volume without crowding the space, in a grey-white that matches the trims. A fern-print rug ties in with the natural theme, and its busy pattern means it won’t show every bit of dirt and dust.

“Each of these looks took less than a day to create – and turned a drab hallway fab.”

Which is your favourite?

Julia’s top hallway styling tips

  • Create a focal point:
    Draw guests into your home with a striking artwork, a gallery wall or a mirror at the end of the hallway.
  • Choose a durable paint finish:
    Busy hallways require a tough, washable paint finish – Dulux Wash&Wear Low Sheen has a velvety finish and it’s hardwearing and easy to clean.
  • Test it out:
    Purchase a sample pot or colour sticker online and live with the colours for a few days.
  • Choose the right rug:
    A robust, flatweave rug in a forgiving colourway is the best choice for a high-traffic area.
  • Light it right:
    Add warmth with a layered lighting scheme consisting of overhead lighting and lamps at different heights.
  • Mirror magic:
    Make a narrow hallway feel bigger and brighter with a strategically placed mirror.
  • White and bright:
    One of the best ways to visually lift a low ceiling, bounce light into a space or for colour contrast is to have a white ceiling – from the picture rails to beyond.

Learn more about Dulux’s 2021 Colour Forecast

Styling: Julia Green of Greenhouse Interiors | Photography: Armelle Habib

Categories
Design Furniture

Mudroom ideas: Willow & Wood introduce mix ‘n match

What’s a mudroom, I hear you ask? (I really have heard a lot of you ask this!). I think we’ve seen a few on shows like The Block, only they’re not always an actual room, are they?! So I’m here to demystify a little and tell you why you need one!

They can be a whole room of course, if you have that luxury of space. But the great thing is, you don’t need a whole room with a door on it to get the same effect. The way I look at it, it’s a place between outside and inside. So when you come home, you can sit and take off your dirty outdoor shoes, hang up your bag and coat perhaps, pop your keys and mail down, and in doing so, avoid a whole lot of mess and clutter. It’s my idea of storage heaven, which is why I have one in our entryway, which opens onto our living room!

Mudrooms, or mudroom areas, can be built into the smallest of underused spaces in a hallway or entryway, under the stairs even. And thanks to Australian brand Willow and Wood, you don’t need to go custom to get a great looking and functional solution that suits your home’s size and style, and the number of people in it! They’ve recently introduced a mix and match solution, with a variety of hooks and benches, with or without a wall panel between the two, and whether you want to hide those shoes right away or have them in open baskets. You can even choose a classic all-white solution or something a little more traditional or rustic with some unpainted timber. Or a combination of the two! For the Scandi fans, there’s even a look for you. The options are endless!

We are big fans of this Australian brand started by a father and daughter. 25 years ago, Russell Tyndall helped his 18-year-old daughter Rebecca build a wall-mounted bookshelf that, to this day, still sits in her home holding many treasured possessions. It’s been through 13 moves, five coats of paint and wax and is still as strong as ever!  “That’s because it was built with love and made to last, says Rebecca, who went on to start the family business with him. “We take great care to produce quality, functional and beautiful products, all of which are made for longevity and timeless style. Our products are designed by us, right here in our Melbourne workshop, where we hand make all of our prototypes to make sure they are just right. Both our local craftsmen and craftsmen in Vietnam then produce our products to exact specifications to ensure the quality people have come to expect from Willow & Wood.”

Rebecca Tyndall

Rebecca adds: “The Mudroom has slowly been making its way into Australian homes. As a mother, I understand the struggle families face each day to get out the door on time simply because they can’t find shoes, hats or school bags! Now that can all be solved simply and beautifully with a Willow and Wood Mudroom that can be customised through a range of mix and match pieces. Every home needs a well organised space where the family can hang their bags, backpacks, coats and hats in a central location. Our new mix and match range helps ordinary families design a custom look storage station to suit individual needs and styles.”

My own Mudroom from Willow and Wood was one of the first things we installed in our house two years ago and it is a lifesaver! (Photo by Jacqui Turk)

Willow and Wood don’t just sell Mudrooms, they have all manner of storage solutions you didn’t know you needed, trust me, with great stuff for kids’ rooms like their bestselling Bookworm Bookrack!

Shop online now (there’s currently 20% off preordered new Mudroom pieces and 10% off when you buy any three Mudroom pieces)

Categories
The Block

The Block reveals 2018: hallway, laundry & powder room

I’ll level with you, I didn’t watch last night’s Block room reveals so I’m not privy to what went down last week. But I wanted to get you the pictures, scores and products as soon as possible, so here they are! I’ll be playing catchup by watching today!

1st: KERRIE AND SPENCE
29/30

Kerrie and Spence are on a roll! Fresh off the back of their perfect score for last week’s kitchen, they produced a sensational hallway and powder room to take out the win. As soon as the judges entered their grand entrance space, they were blown away, especially with the way the couple had managed to display their artwork.

Our picks: Camilla Cicoria Imagine print or canvas | Limited edition framed Amanda Parsons protea print

2nd: BIANCA AND CARLA
27.5/30

Bianca and Carla not only wowed with their gorgeous hallway space, but they also impressed all three judges with their  laundry space, complete with timber benchtops, sky-high cabinetry, mirrors and those enormously high ceilings. They also thought the girls produced a “perfect” powder room, with statement sink, and simple, stylish styling.

Our picks: Mae framed bathers print | Recycled messmate hall table

3rd: NORM AND JESS
25/30

Right from stepping inside Norm and Jess’s grand entrance area, all three judges were in love with the space. Darren, in particular, loved the use of marble, which also flowed through into their beautiful laundry and powder room spaces.

Our picks:  Round brass mirror | Strap pendant lights

4th: HANS AND COURTNEY
24/30

Hans and Courtney went all out with their artwork and accessories in their hallway this week – and they certainly impressed the judges, who all agreed they had nailed the “quirky museum” feel to produce a space with plenty of “glamorous eccentricity”.

Our picks: Orion pendants from Beacon Lighting | Peacock buffet sideboard

5th: HAYDEN AND SARA
18/30

Hayden and Sara had a tough week and were not able to properly finish their rooms. But regardless, they still managed to produce three glamorous spaces. For their hallway, the dramatic, warm lighting paired with those two statement backlit pieces of art, impressed the judges, and their laundry and powder room showed great promise.

Our picks: Parlour disc pendants | Deco collection interior doors

 

All our Block coverage

Categories
Bathrooms RENO ADDICT The Block

The Block series 13 hallway and laundry week room reveals!

Hallway and laundry week: the one week contestants underestimate every season. As a result three couples didn’t finish, but there were still some pretty spectacular reveals. Without further ado… the good, the bad and the ugly!

Jason and Sarah (third place with 26.5 out of 30)

With an unexpected 10 grand in their pocket, plus a challenge win, the couple decided to reach for the sky, literally, with a cathedral skylight feature in the hallway. When the judges first saw it jaws hit the floor! “Is this the hallway or the ballroom?” said Neale.

The rest of the hallway got a big tick, bar the pendants which Shaynna thought detracted from the skylights. All the judges agreed the couple had underestimated the scale of the project, with the execution letting them down. Paintwork was unfinished and even some plastering needed to be completed.

Into the laundry — with toilet, and Neale was big fan: “I don’t think I’ve ever used the word sexy to describe a laundry but I’m going to use it now!” The judges were fans of the smoked mirror, Caesarstone, dark timber, brass tapware and tiles, plus they agreed functionality was spot on. Despite not finishing, Jason and Sarah were named the most improved.

Our picks to buy: Freedom Milena basket, Beacon Lighting Saville 4 Light Pendant and Life Interiors Flynn Round Mirror

Hannah and Clint (fifth place with 22 out of 30)

I would’t want to follow Jason and Sarah’s grand hallway, but unfortunately for Hannah and Clint, someone had to do it! Neale praised the room as elegant and restrained, however the compliments stopped there. Shaynna said it felt ordinary and criticised the couple for not panelling the hallway, like they had their living room (they will, they just ran out of time). Execution was also an issue for the couple, with dirty floors and unfinished painting.

The laundry was received much more positively, Darren calling it: “Surprisingly fantastic.” The storage got big ticks, as did the benchtop, Caesarstone, tiles and colour palette. The judges liked that they had added a toilet, but criticised the lack of window treatment. Neale ended the judging by saying while the laundry had some nice touches, combined with the hallway they had a long way to go.

Our picks to buy: Ziporah Lifestyle Aura Bath Towel Bathroom Makeover Set and Freedom Modernist Console

Ronnie and Georgia (fourth place with 24.5 out of 30)

The judges immediately spotted it was unfinished. “If Ronnie and Georgia can’t finish, you know it’s bad,” said Shaynna. The hallway got praise for having drama, but Shaynna criticised the space for having Art Deco and Victorian period features: “Purists will have an issue with this.” The art got big applause, as did the linen cupboard and the separate powder room. “This is good, smart planning,” said Neale.

Finally the laundry, and the judges loved the skylight, benchtop and its spacious feel. But then some rookie errors were realised; the laundry lacked storage and the drying racks extended into the door. “I get the impression they were really rushing,” said Neale.

Our picks to buy: Anya Brock The Secrets Print, Globewest Elle Criss Cross Marble Console and Rug Addiction Bordeaux Eco Friendly Runner Rug

Sticks and Wombat (first place with 28.5 out of 30)

After some harsh criticism from the buyers’ advocates, this week Sticks and Wombat stepped it up in the styling stakes. And boy oh boy, they did well! The hallway was praised for being feminine and soft (something their rooms have lacked in the past). The judges loved the timber panelling on the walls and ceiling: “A masterstroke!” said Shaynna. The colour palette and separate toilet got big ticks, as did the execution, with their rooms being the first to be finished.

Into the laundry and the judges immediately spotted a remote control which revealed an attic ladder. “I love a gadget when it really works,” said Neale. The judges loved the storage, tiles and colour palette, with the only criticism being that the washing machine could be seen from the hallway (as the laundry had no door).

Our picks to buy: Sherren Comensoli Down Under Paper Print and Globewest Ascot Cross Console

Josh and Elyse (second place with 27 out of 30)

The couple decided to create some major drama with nine-foot ceilings and it definitely paid off. “Get out of here,” said Neale. “This is a knockout,” agreed Shaynna. The judges loved the steel door at the end of the hallway which separated the original home from the extension. Styling got commended, as did the chandelier. “Throughout the history of The Block I can’t think of a hallway that’s ever had as big an impact on me as this one,” said Neale.

Next the laundry, which was praised for its panelling, tiles and drying room. However, the judges thought it needed more storage and criticised the fact they were the only home without an extra toilet. “Is this a triumph of style over substance?” asked Neale.

Our picks to buy: Klaylife The ‘Elongated’ Clay Pendant and Steel Window Design Hallway Steel Door

Categories
Bedrooms Furniture Homewares Interviews Kids Rooms

The wall-hung shelving you never knew you needed. Until now!

After growing up with a dad who made her furniture and later living in New York, where the shopping is (let’s be honest) a lot better than in Australia, Rebecca Tyndall finally came to start her own wall-hung furniture business after having her first child.

IMG_0171

“The first item I designed was the Baby Bunting, which is still one of Willow and Wood’s most popular pieces. It’s a really beautiful piece of furniture for a nursery and there just wasn’t anything available to buy here in Australia that was similar. I spent nearly three years living in New York when I was younger and of course they have everything you could possibly want over there. I had serious shopping envy so I thought I would just make it myself.”

IMG_0273

That’s when she called on her dad, Russell, a builder, and now co-director of the business. He makes all the prototypes by hand in Sydney and most pieces are then manufactured overseas. “After I had designed a few pieces, everyone seemed to love them so much that in a moment of extreme confidence (because who would just start an online furniture company with no experience?) my Dad and I started Willow and Wood. Not that it happened overnight; in fact, it took about nine months to tweak the designs and get the company and website up and running. We launched with just six products.”

IMG_0310

The Bookworm Bookrack is the most popular product by far. “I designed it because we live in a small house but with heaps of wall space because the ceilings are so high. My boys just devour books and even with bookshelves everywhere we needed something more practical that would show off the artwork on the book covers. The artwork on kid’s books is so amazing and why wouldn’t you want to display them all the time? It attracts little ones to the books and because they are easy to access, more books are read. And you can never have too much storage.” Amen to that!

IMG_0180

IMG_0172

Rebecca says she is her own customer which is great because she knows her well! “Pretty much everything that we design has been in my house at one time or another. It’s because I design what I need and that’s what we sell. Women are the biggest deciders on decor in the home but they don’t just want things to look good. We want things that are also practical and that make our lives easier. And in my world, storage is king.”

IMG_0176

Rebecca and Russell recently decided to open a bricks and mortar store in Sydney’s Willoughby, so customers could see the products for themselves. And Rebecca believes what they offer is really unique.

“Most furniture stores have some items of shelving but we are unique in that most of what we sell is wall mounted. We do this to create more floor space in a home. We also like to decorate walls with our products. The Cloud Shelf and the Alps Shelf are cute pieces to decorate kid’s rooms with. You’re killing two birds with one shelf, so to speak.”

IMG_0188

They have just branched out into hallway storage with their Cloak Room Series, which is a take on the traditional American mud room and they’ll soon be adding the increasingly popular barn doors to their product line.

“Willow and Wood wouldn’t exist without my dad, Russell. Most weeks, he gets handed a design that has been scribbled on a scrap of paper by me and magically, it appears in the shop a few days later.”

Rebecca with dad (and business partner) Russell and mum Veronica in her shop
Rebecca with dad (and business partner) Russell and mum Veronica in her shop

Visit Willow and Wood online or at 553 Willoughby Road, Willoughby, NSW 2068.

Categories
Expert Tips RENO ADDICT Styling

Hallway decorating ideas with Alisa and Lysandra

Reader Natasha says: “I’d like Alisa and Lysandra to help me with a design question. We have a narrow hallway that is accessed as soon as you walk into the house. It’s only just a little wider than a standard single front door entrance and goes for about six metres. We painted it Dulux White on White and we have regular hardwood floorboards. What can we do to decorate the space so it doesn’t just look like a long white hallway?”

hallway alisa lsysandra

Lysandra says: “This hallway is screaming for some pieces of artwork. This is a great way to inject some colour into this rather lifeless space. If you can find a console (around 300mm wide) then that is going to help break up the length of your hallway. Above the console (which you’d obviously place on the lefthand side) you could place a mirror. This will make the space feel wider and will also reflect any natural light, giving the feeling of space.”

Got a question for one of our Resident Experts? Submit it for consideration here.

Categories
Expert Tips Furniture Homewares

5 tricks to create an entrance in even the tiniest of spaces

By Natalie Shell

With so many of us living in open plan spaces, or apartments with shared hallways, the entrance seems to have disappeared and as such, our stuff lands everywhere: our keys, your wallet, bags, shoes, coats, bills etc … usually on and under the nearest flat surface. Usually places we don’t want things to land. When things aren’t where they should be, they just feel like mess, like clutter.

1
Photo: Therese Sennerholt

So here are five easy tips that experts use to create an entrance in even the smallest of places. You can use one, two or all five …and never lose your keys again.

  1. Add floating shelves near the door

You can start small. Even the smallest space can handle a little shelf or drawer with a bowl for bills and keys. If you have a larger space, floating shelves can also create the feeling of space, allowing you to be creative and create a boundary for shoes to hide underneath.

2
Photo: Apartment Diet

  1. Add a bench or chair

A simple bench or chair offers something pretty to look at, but is also a practical and convenient place to sit near the door (to put on or take off your shoes, for example). It also serves to create a place for shoes to congregate underneath.

Photo: Kara Rosenlund
Photo: Kara Rosenlund

  1. Add hooks

Like above, a few hooks are an easy trick to keep things off the ground or from piling on the nearest sofa. You may have noticed the Eames Hang It All and Muuto Dots appearing everywhere in interiors land. Not only are they pretty but they look good when nothing is hanging on them as well. You don’t need to bust the budget; simple, inexpensive and cute hooks are available from places like Target too.

Photo: Muuto
Photo: Muuto

  1. Add closed storage

Hate seeing everything out? Have you been cringing at the“stuff out everywhere” pictures above? You’re probably what we call a‘concealer’ (as opposed to a revealer). Adding storage that closes, at least at the sides, is an easy way to create an entrance way that works for concealers.

Photo: New Zealand Design Blog
Photo: FANCY! Design Blog

  1. Add some accessories: Add some things that make you smile

Mirrors, art, paint, wallpaper, rugs, flowers and plants are a key part of our Happy House Rules and are all tricks of the design trade that make spaces, and entrances or hallways, feel better. You could just dip your toe into accessorising by using washi tape to stick some postcards up on the wall, placing a small vase with a flower on your table, or go all out by hanging an oversized statement piece of art, laying a ‘wow’ (runner) rug or painting your walls in deep jewel tones. Don’t get overwhelmed. Start by adding one thing that when you see it, makes you smile. And go from there.

All of these ideas will have the transformative power of creating an entrance where there wasn’t one and setting a positive mood for you and anyone else that walks through the door.

–Natalie Shell is one half of HappyHouseRules.com, a lifestyle coaching practice that uses design thinking to help clients make space to focus on what really matters. She teaches clients how to create the homes, work and lifestyles they love and that support their true desires.