Hi Everyone!
So let’s talk about the hallway, friends. Its been a good while (3 years to be exact) since I’ve mentioned this space. The last time I did was shortly after we moved in and I gave it a quick makeover because I couldn’t stand looking at it anymore.
When we first toured the house I thought it was an interesting situation, to say the least. There was a hand carved paneling happening in part of the hall, wood grain wainscoting on another part, the light was not a good look, and part of it was too dark…….basically it was just a lot of all the wrong things being forced together. Let’s have a look as a reminder of what the space looked like when we first moved in…
Yeah…your girl was not about to live with that for too long. A few days and a lot of paint later and it looked much better.
Now even though this was waaaay better than the before, it was never intended to be permanent. I was in a phase where I was super into dalmation print walls and I figured DIYing a stencil application was a good affordable way to get the look. I love bold patterened walls in hallways and as a long term design for the space I knew I wanted wallpaper, I just wasn’t quite sure which one specifically. After 3 years of living with the temporary fix, it was time to loop back around and give the space some real attention. Brought on by our recent hallway lighting update I was inspired to finally tackle giving it a new look.
I’m completely in love with it. I’ve had this wallpaper for so long and its perfect in here. I love that it looks like mudcloth, and how moody and luxe it feels in the space. Its such a treat as you’re passing through. So often hallways are forgotten spaces because they just carry you from one area of the house to another, but they offer such a wonderful opportunity to do something bold, unexpected, and special with the walls. I also really really love the way the new light fixtures look paired with it.
I decided to DIY some board and batten wainscoting using YoungHouseLove’s tutorial for the lower portion of the walls. It was suuuuper easy and didn’t take very long at all. I also changed out the hardware for the lower portion of the built-ins to match the clear glass handles of the top since I painted out the bottom to match the top.
I don’t DIY wallpaper or drywall so I hired a professional for the wallpaper installation and it was worth every darn penny. He also installed wallpaer in the laundry room at the same time he installed paper here in the hallway, and I cant wait to share how that space is coming along.
Im really happy to have the hallway finally start feel complete. There are just a few things left to do to call it finshed, including hanging some art to help hide the breaker box, painting the bedroom, bathroom and closet doors, and getting a couple of runners. Its well on its way to being a thoughtful space in our home.
Until next time friends…..
Sources
Wallpaper-Milton & King
Paint Color: White Dove
Chandeliers: Gifted
Built-In Hardware: D Lawless Hardware
Lisa C says
Hi Shavonda,
I just found your blog through Apartment Therapy and just had to let you know how inspired I am by your projects, I love mudcloth and other interesting textiles, never thought about finding wallpaper in that style. It’s gorgeous! Or stenciling my current boring hallway!
I’m looking to downsize soon myself and really appreciate hearing about your journey. Can you come to Portland and do my new house when I find it?
Jane says
Hi Shavonda.
I was catching up on the YHL podcast and discovered your blog. Your spaces are so inspiring- especially this hall update. It makes me want to wallpaper my very bland front hall too. Thanks for the ideas!
Caroline says
Hey Shavonda! [I paid attention during the YHL conversation : ) ]
This looks AMAZING! Now I want (NEED) to do something fun in my own hallway.
AND! The glass handles are wonderful, too!
I am adding you to my daily blog reads right now. I am so glad YHL introduced me to your beautiful blog and beautiful work.
Shavonda Gardner says
Hi Caroline! Thank you so much. I love this space so much now. Hallways are far too often ignored in my opinion. Im bringing hallway sexy back:)
Danielle says
Hi Shavonda!
LOVE this hallway. It’s so beautiful! I’m wondering what you did with your fuse box. I have one in my hallway, and they can be such an eyesore. I saw in your temporary fix you stenciled over it to make it blend it. Were you able to do something similar with the wallpaper? Does it feel like it will hold up to repeated openings and whatknot?
Shavonda Gardner says
Hi Danielle! Thank you so much. So the plan was to wall paper the box cover as well, but we ran out of paper. I will be covering it with art/a photo frame. Im going to do a series of black and white photos along the wall and it will be disguised as part of it. Those boxes are such a pain, right!
Kerry C. says
Shavonda, I love your style! Very excited to see more about your small home living. Believe it or not, ours is even smaller than yours Heard about you from YHL and have subscribed to your blog. Looking forward to reading more!
Amy says
Wow, I love it! It looks like a gorgeous fabric on the wall. Very cool. I came over from YHL, and I know I’ll be a regular now!
Deidra Riggs says
It’s so beautiful! And, you’re right: hallways so often get overlooked. I love the way you talk about it now being a treat to pass through. Design that feels like a gift is always fantastic.
Shavonda Gardner says
Yessss!!! Little moments make such a big difference right. Thank you so much! Thank you.
Emma says
OMG WOW! This looks great! I love the moody dark blue. So pretty.
Shavonda Gardner says
Thank you so much Emma! Its so amazing in person. I hate that photographs dont come with scratch and feel!!
Lisa says
I really liked the dalmation print, but I love this so much more! Beautiful!
Shavonda Gardner says
Hi Lisa! Thank you so much! So good, right. It just feels like it belongs in our home now. Im so happy with houw it came out.