Kick Back and Relax In a Small, Fredericksburg Cottage

As far as I am concerned there is nothing more delightful than a country cottage, the perfect retreat from the worries of city life. Standing as if it has been there forever, you could be mistaken for thinking this cottage is located in the countryside of Australia or the South Island of of New Zealand, it would certainly look at home in either of those locations, just as it does in Fredericksburg USA, where it was built.

Transforming a Small Space - My Hallway Makeover

When I have an idea in my head I usually have to act on it as soon as possible and that is exactly what happened when I decided to spruce up my hallway. 

Small Space Living - A Designers 69 square metre apartment

Above: using a large sconce as a console is a great space saving idea

In Australasia and the USA large homes are prevalent, although I have scaled down to a small cottage of around 120 square metres, with some extras such as an en-suite and walk in robe, combined with the location to the beach and city it is hard to beat. However, the one thing I miss is a separate dining room. So, when I came across an interior designer who has chosen to downscale to 69 square metres, I wanted to see how she has utilised the space.

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:

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