After the success of my previous interiors post about renovating our 1930s living room, I’m excited to share another update from our home makeover journey. This time, I’ll be diving into the transformation of our hallway, which was in desperate need of a refresh.
1930s Hallway Renovation
The final room in our renovation journey, this hallway may seem like the most polished compared to our other spaces still in progress. While there’s a bit more work to be done elsewhere – including styling, cleaning and tackling miscellaneous tasks – I’m excited to share these interior areas with you soon.
As a prelude to our living room, which is easily accessible from this hallway and serves as the entrance to our art deco home, it feels like the perfect opportunity to focus on next. One area that could definitely benefit from an update in the future is our understairs cupboard and its door. However, for now, let’s just enjoy the finished look of this hallway.
The Build
The hallway transformation was a laborious process, particularly when tackling the ceiling’s wallpaper removal – not exactly the most thrilling task! However, the payoff was worth it. With an abundance of walls and ceiling to cover, we initially underestimated the scope of the project. But with determination and perseverance, we were able to transform the space into a brighter, more welcoming area.
Following the removal of old wallpaper, my dad took charge, expertly plastering all surfaces before we painted the walls in Dulux Easy Care Brilliant White. This move was crucial in maximizing natural light, as the lack of windows due to the extension makes the hallway a relatively dark space. We’ve been considering installing a light tunnel, similar to one we successfully implemented in our family bathroom, which could potentially address this issue.
Initially, my husband G had a different vision for the hallway’s color scheme, opting for a grey tone. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite meet our expectations, so we repainted the space white to enhance its brightness and make it easier to clean. This was particularly important given the high foot traffic in the area, courtesy of two energetic boys and our mischievous cat.
Despite regular cleaning, the paint has held up remarkably well against stubborn stains and scuffs. Additionally, we replaced our radiators with column radiators from Acova’s range, updated the sockets, and installed a few new spotlights near the door to enhance the ambiance. If I’m being honest, I wish we had added a few more spotlights, as their impact on the space is truly remarkable.
Herringbone Parquet Floor
To maintain consistency throughout the living space, we decided to extend the solid oak herringbone parquet floor from the hallway into the adjacent living room. To mitigate any potential risks or changes in tone, we ordered extra wood from Direct Wood Flooring at the same time, taking into account the possibility that the stock might run out or a new batch could have a slightly different hue. While I initially worried about the wear and tear the floor would experience in the high-traffic hallway, I’ve come to appreciate how it develops its own unique charm and character over time. Once our build was complete, our fitter returned to install the flooring, ensuring a seamless transition between spaces.
Peg Shelf & Bench Seat
I was thrilled with my discovery of a bench seat and peg rail shelf combination, perfectly capturing the essence of the shaker style, which is incredibly trendy right now. After an extensive online search, I finally found a local furniture maker who crafted the custom-sized bench to my specifications. My partner G then gave it a beautiful finish by painting it a rich dark grey hue that we had carefully mixed ourselves.The peg rail shelf was sourced from Etsy, and although it wasn’t painted initially, G brought it to life with the same custom colour, ensuring a seamless match with the bench. I was delighted by the cost-effectiveness of this collaboration, which resulted in an outstanding finish.This clever seating arrangement has become a practical haven, allowing me to sit comfortably while putting on shoes or stashing my boys’ school bags. To complete the look, I added a charming belly basket from eBay and created wool pom poms to adorn it. The crowning glory was a rustic barn star that tied everything together.
Nest Thermostat & Fire Alarms
When it came time to upgrade our home’s temperature control system, my partner G was particularly keen on installing a smart thermostat. Although we haven’t replaced our boiler yet, the new Nest device has been a game-changer for us. Not only does it look sleek and modern in our hallway, but it also allows for seamless remote control from our phones. This is especially convenient when I’m working from my loft office upstairs – no more need to make the trek down two flights of stairs to adjust the temperature! We’ve also installed Nest’s smart smoke alarms, which have given me a huge amount of peace of mind. You see, we had a harrowing experience with a house fire at our previous property, and those old-fashioned alarms simply didn’t do the trick – they failed to wake us up in the middle of the night. These new alarms, on the other hand, not only alert us audibly but also send notifications to our phones, ensuring that we’re always one step ahead when it comes to fire safety.
