Tips For Decorating and Enhancing a Small Hallway

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Often people neglect their hallways and see them as just a walkway, especially if they are small and possibly on the dark side. However, with a few tips to help this space look a little larger, you can easily add interest to a small hallway with artwork and furniture that reflect your personal taste.

A Gracious Auckland Villa In St Marys Bay - Part One

Mary Gordon is constantly seeking new challenges, admitting she rarely exceeds three years living in one one place. Relishing the challenge of renovating and decorating older homes, Mary came across her St Marys Bay villa a little over 2 years ago when returning from overseas. With views towards the Harbour Bridge and Westhaven Marina, one can clearly see her attraction to its location. However, when Mary originally spotted the villa, it was tired, dated and in desperate need of some TLC. Not afraid of a challenge and with her keen eye, Mary went ahead to buy the property.

If you are familiar with New Zealand 'Villa' architecture, you will know that their usual layout was a central hallway with small rooms leading off each side. Mary's home initially fitted into this category, however, seeing its potential, as soon as the keys were exchanged, 3 month renovation plans were launched and after council approval the work began. Initially downstairs walls were removed to create a spacious open plan area. This area would flow through the living/dining and kitchen into a wonderful all weather outdoor portico, complete with fireplace. Mary chose to keep the main living area light and bright opting for Resene 'Black/White' paintwork to offset the dark wood floors. The dark stain on the floor boards was achieved by mixing several colours together and I think the results are stunning.

The TV lounge below is an exotic mix of patterns and textures as seen in the Ralph Lauren cushions on the sofa and zebra print floor rug. A luxurious possum fur throw, spreads itself across the sofa where Mary's two West Highland Terriers can often be seen snuggling down. Mary painted the walls in this room using a special paint technique. Of course furnishing and styling a room as beautifully as this takes a creative mind and Mary's obvious talent for layering and creating beautiful vignettes has pulled the room together.

Below, a white, country style kitchen leads off the dining room. Classic styled, panelled doors and subway tiles blend with the character of the villa. A large double oven is perfect for entertaining and although the kitchen is compact, it doesn't end there, Mary designed an adjacent butlers pantry, complete with butlers sink and plenty of shelving. What better way to be able to hide the spoils of a dinner party.

Mary went on to create a stunning upstairs master suite, exquisitely decorated guest bedrooms and updated bathrooms. And, not forgetting the exterior and the creation of a delightful, European inspired courtyard complete with topiaries and buxus to welcome her visitors. 

I have far too many images to publish in this post so I will be sharing Mary's stunning upstairs master bedroom and further images in my next post. Mary's bedroom is my favourite room and you definitely won't want to miss seeing it. I will be publishing part two on the 30th September. I fly out that evening for Brisbane for two weeks and will not be publishing while I am away. Leaving you with part two of Mary's house will give you plenty to absorb until I return on the 13th October.

More images...

Don't forget to return for part two of this post, with more beautiful images and featuring Mary's stunning master bedroom. If you want to keep up to date with fresh posts, please sign up for email updates on my side bar.

Part two of this post and further images, including Mary's fabulous French style bedroom can be seen here.

If you have visited this post before and found the link above didn't work, I apologise, the link has since been fixed.

I will be sharing this post with the following blogs:

I should be Mopping the Floor

The Dedicated House

Alderberry Hill

DIY Showoff

Savvy Southern Style

Not Just A Housewife

No Minimalist Here

The Real Housewives of Riverton
My Romantic Home

Stripes Anyone - Horizontal or vertical for a small hallway?

In a recent post on Auckland interior designer Andrew Melville's home, this lovely Hamptons style residence had a smart two toned striped wallpaper in the hall (as seen in image 1) it certainly made a change from plain, painted walls. I came home thinking how my own hallway felt unfinished and definitely needed something to bring it to life. Vertical stripes will make a narrow hallway will appear taller, whereas horizontal stripes will make it appear longer. Horizontal stripes can also give a visual appearance of the room being a little wider.  I am tossing up between a Designer Guild wallpaper with vertical stripes, versus measuring, taping and painting horizontal stripes myself which would be a considerable saving if I DIY.  

Images 2 & 3 are from Molly, at "The Poor Sophisticates". Molly took the end of a  narrow hallway and added some wow factor with horizontal stripes and a little creative decor. The overall effect gives a visual impression of more space (Note the after image looks a little narrower at the end as the angle of the photograph doesn't show the door on the right). You can read the full post...at Molly's reveal and  her step by step instructions for painting the stripes...in the tutorial here.

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2 & 3

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I hope to begin work on my hallway in a couple of weeks and I must admit I do like image 6,  panelling combined with vertical stripes, also very Hamptons style.

Horizontal or vertical, any suggestions?

If you wish to see more ideas with stripes, please visit my "Pinterest "Stripes" board".

This post will be shared with the following blogs:

I should Be Mopping The Floor

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Open House Party at No Minimalist Here
Time Travel Thursday at the Brambleberry Cottage
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
 Stroll Thru Life