Interiors By Katherine Sorrell
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Making an Entrance Your hallway needs to be a good-looking, welcoming space for visitors and a practical area for storage. Get the basics right, says Katherine Sorrell, and the rest will follow.
Colour and pattern for the walls Choose a paint colour or wallpaper that you love, and that coordinates with the colours that can be seen in adjoining rooms. While pale colours reflect light and emphasise a sense of space, dark schemes can be both cosy and interesting. In busy households with young children and pets, it’s a good idea to protect at least the lower halves of the walls from wear and tear. Extra-tough paint is a good choice, or consider adding a dado rail and cladding the walls below it with tongueand-groove panelling, tiles or hard-wearing vinyl wallpaper. Period-style patterned tiles or embossed wallpapers are particularly appropriate for older properties with period features; you might want to choose patterns that echo other elements of the house, such as cornices or fireplace surrounds.
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Choosing the right flooring It makes sense for the flooring to be durable, nonslip, dirt-resistant and easy to keep clean – pale carpet is probably not a good idea. So, what to choose? Tiles are very easy to care for, and there are various options, including stone, ceramic or quarry, or colourful Victorian encaustic (perfect for period properties). Floorboards or parquet will need regular polishing or waxing, but be careful with wood laminates – they are cheaper, but may not last long. Good quality vinyl flooring, in sheet or tile form is sturdy, cleanable and comfortable underfoot. If you prefer a more luxurious feel, a dark wool carpet in an 80:20 mix of wool and nylon with a twist pile should withstand heavy usage or, for a more rustic look, how about tough natural matting such as coir, sisal or rush?
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