TIPS AND TRICKS OF THE TRADE: HALLWAYS

The secrets behind making making HALLWAYS, and / or narrow passageways, look more expansive, are several.  Usually this tunnel feeling occurs because hallways tend to be rather narrow, emphasizing the taller ceiling height.  By dropping the ceiling, even if not originally very high, it will magically make the passageway look wider.  This optical illusion occurs because as the ceiling drops, the side walls magically appear to be further apart.  To further this effect, build in or insert recessive architectural (not decorative) mirrors onto one wall or both, visually widening the hallway.  And, yet another bit of magic to enlarge one’s passageway, is to add some picture molding at around the 7’ or 8’ height.  This decorative enhancement will give the hallway a more humanistic feel, while visually increasing the breadth of the space. 

{Abby’s Footnotes}

Hallways provide a great opportunity for displaying artwork. Also architecture can be punched up here with interesting molding and floor treatments. In the pic below, an oval shape way accentuates the hallway and interesting leads to a beautiful airy space.  Hallways should never be drab and boring-it is a great opportunity to play with space, texture and shape.

TIPS AND TRICKS OF THE TRADE: PAINT

Paint can change the look of a room from formal to casual, from serious to whimsical, from mature to youthful.  It is part of the magic that an interior designer manifests in creating a room’s appearance. Paint color can define spaces, designating distinct areas without having to build walls.  It can also create interest in its placement, moving the observer’s eye from one wall to another. It can create a mood, an ambience, a style.  For instance, were all the walls in a room painted stark  (decorator’s) white, it would evoke a spare, minimalist feeling. For an overall clean and larger look to a room, paint the ceiling the same color as the walls.  For drama, and to correct the size imbalance of a room, paint the longer wall a color and, for some drama, the ceiling as well.  If the ceilings are too high, paint them the same color as the floor, if too low, paint the ceiling out by using the same color on the ceiling as used on the walls.  In terms of finish, What should be taken into account is the condition of the walls.  A flat finish will absorb the light, yet show less imperfections.  Thus, it is a perfect choice for the ceiling.  Walls usually require an eggshell finish, that is more easily cleanable.  And, woodwork most commonly requires a satin finish, easy to maintain.  Trick:  If you have lots of soffits or eaves in the ceiling and want to streamline the room, paint them out - paint them all the same color as the wall or ceiling to which they are attached.  

{Abby’s Footnotes}

Don’t be afraid, just go for it. I love neutrals with pops of color in unexpected places. Like a yellow built in fixture in  an all white kitchen, or a black wall in an all white room.  Feeling risky? Paint a fun pattern in a bathroom or a baby’s room. These polka dot walls are fun, but  grown-up because of the color choices. If you are still unsure, a quick fix to live with color is to paint huge canvases in one color, then place them sporadically throughout the room. After living with them for a month, you will be inclined to paint an entire wall. 

TIPS AND TRICKS OF THE TRADE: {FLOORS}

For a dramatic floor, one that emphasizes the furniture and grandeur of a room, stain it a very dark brown or black.  Staining it so will make the floor disappear, thus giving emphasis to the furniture, adding drama to the room’s landscape.  It also makes the furniture look as though it is floating in the room, an altogether appealing aspect.  For a particularly humanistic feel, relate the floors to the ceiling.  By recreating the same color on the ceiling and floor or by creating some kind of pattern on both, this effect can be achieved.  Wood floors can, if well designed and properly installed, make a room appear larger and enhance the overall feel of the room. 

{Abby's Footnotes}

I prefer either dark floors or all white floors. Although polar opposites, both produce similar effects.  A room with a dark floor creates a cozy atmosphere and adds shine to the entire room. A white floor is extremely glamorous and promotes clean lines. Both options are dramatic and both work with almost any type of décor and furniture options.

    

TIPS AND TRICKS OF THE TRADE: {DISPLAYING ART}

When DISPLAYING small sized ART works, it is best to gather them into a closely allied grouping.  When positioned on the wall as a unit, they resemble a strong composition.  Small works, such as prints, are most effectively hung 1/2 inch apart in all directions from each other.  In addition, when hanging art, it is important for the item to bear relevance to its surrounding architecture. So that, if one lines up the top of the painting with the top of the door, or the bottom of the work with the top of the light dimmer, for instance, a datum line will be established between them, creating continuity within the room.  Also, when possible, the frames should relate to the other materials in the room.  So, if there is polished chrome or matte black in the room, this accent can be successfully carried over to the artwork.  Artwork should be placed on walls that enhance their look as a unit, framing them with the surrounding wall space. This is true for larger works of art, as well, creating a proportional amount of wall around the work.

{Abby’s Footnotes}

 Displaying artwork can be very overwhelming. I love to decorate with black and white photography because the possibilities are endless. Play with composition by using uniformed matting and black frames. In one of the pics, a red mirror was used to add a pop of color to the wall. This works well on a black and white wall. Hanging frames of varying sizes and widths on just one wall adds focus in a room, but also causes the eye to move around the wall. Another technique is to hang an oversized print on an entire wall. This creates movement in a monotone room. Don’t you just love those horses?