Starting Our Hallway Makeover

[@sharongott8048]

I absolutely love your natural wood door! As someone who has painted doors inside I wish I had doors like yours.

[@marilynbates5939]

I recommend a light color with white trim. Each room then has its own identity. Consider how dark the entryway is in winter as well.

[@zellalaing5439]

Yeh, I think if it was a warmer colour, the depth would be ok, but using blue, british winters I can imagine it wouldn't be super inviting.

[@misst.e.a.187]

@@zellalaing5439 Depends on which side of the blue spectrum you go for. A duck egg blue, for example, is warm and inviting. Whereas, anything with violet undertones could be too cold.

[@Merciaks]

What about using a frosted glass door on the utility room? Just an idea of things that might help brighten up that end of your hallway, and if it's quite opaquely frosted it would still hide the 'messy' things :)

[@yorkshirelass.6465]

if you are going to put lots of photos ams paintings etc a light colour would make the photos etc pop if you think of art galleries they are mostly light coloured walls

[@hollieunderwood4497]

Paint your samples out onto white paper. Then you can move them around the room to get an idea of how the colour changes with the light. You can also label and keep them for next time your considering that colour.

[@margaretorden7568]

Someone has suggested Borrowed Light. I’ve done a bedroom in this and a friend did their hall and it looks lovely. I always paint two coats on a sheet of A4 right to the edge when testing samples so they can be easily moved around and pinned up and you don’t have to paint over them on the wall.

[@danshibuya6593]

Hey Maddie, I'd go for a warm colour akin to plaster or blush pink maybe? It would give warmth to the hallway and solve your problem of the darker areas and light areas, and contrast with blue pictures, which a lot of your pictures are, of the sea. It'd be a very welcoming colour too, and warming for those colder darker months of the year, for the cold floor material, and for the central space of your home . I'm sure your choice will be great and you'll choose a colour that gives you a boost.

[@gailadams8553]

I had a light hall hated the scuff marks and then painted a dark navy it does make an elegant impacted

[@MsYingyang2]

That sounds so beautiful.

[@b.alexandria4874]

Go for it…do the blue. It’s beautiful. You will always wonder if you go for something safer. I had the same feeling in my hallway and what i did was use a natural warm white on top and then did the deeper blue on the bottom quarter with moldings. It works lovely.

[@Italiana911]

That’s a great idea to do half and half, and probably what it was like originally.

[@lomset9494]

Just came to say make sure you keep those hydrangeas well watered, while establishing they can dry out easily, they like moist soil. Ive learnt thr hard way! Also, if they flowers are spent cut them off so the plant can focus on establishing:)

[@juliefitzgerald2948]

My local Farmshop Gardener told me NOT to prune the dead flowers & to leave them & allow them to go crisp & brown. The nutrients return back to the roots. Each yr we prune thm back & they dnt regrow, so I'm going to try his method. He also advised me to buy lime-free soil. So far it's looking bloomin' lovely👌🌸

[@lomset9494]

@@juliefitzgerald2948 thats what I mean by spent, wait until they're crispy and brown 👍🏻 hope the new methods works for you 🤞🏻

[@lizcolton9832]

I just thought I’d make a suggestion regarding your hall, you could paint the walls a light colour such as F&B Dimpse or Ammonite and then paint all woodwork in a lovely blue such as Parma grey(actually a beautiful blue) or Light Blue, that way you could have a nice bright hall with a beautiful blue to bring colour and personality to the space. Would look lovely with your lights and pictures.

[@torthelaw]

​@@lizcolton9832I think this is a lovely idea. I also think painting the woodwork the same colour as the walls works well in a hallway as there tends to be lots of doors and trim, so it keeps it looking cohesive and is less for the eye to take in.

[@tiffanyarmstrong6065]

What a fun project✨ Have you considered F&B borrowed light? It’s a pale blue that will work beautifully with your kitchen and living room greens. Love your natural wood door, perhaps you’d consider stripping other doors and leaving them natural☺️ Wishing you the hallway of your dreams💫

[@donnaadkins2429]

I would suggest shade plants for the wooden beds where your seating is as the herbs you suggested are Mediterranean origin like thyme and rosemary. They need full sun and dry conditions. The steps of your house are perfect! Heuchera, ferns and Astilbe would be amazing in those shaded beds and provide lots of texture and colour.

[@donnaadkins2429]

Also the plant you forgot the name is Euonymus.

[@dottiebaker6623]

It's so exciting that you finally get to paint your hallway! But remember that paint color can be very influenced but the color underneath it, and also next to it. In my living room the previous owner of the house had deep burgundy below the chair rail and grey green above it. I painted the whole room a honey mustard color, and after three coats of paint, if I look closely, I can still see the difference between above the chair rail and below it. What I do now to choose wall colors is put the samples on a white piece of cardboard, each color on a different board, each board at least a foot square. Then I take the boards to each wall at different times of day, them until I can make the choice. This has the advantage of not having to irrevocably see your sample color 1) next to all the other samples and 2) always against the same previous color (which will definitely influence it) and 3) being able to see the sample in many different places (which would be a big help in your hallway, with its different amounts of light). Good luck!

[@cruelaz]

my previoous tennant had a bege pink greyish accent wall. I cant describe the color but it didnt look good to me. I wanted to paint the bottom of the wall a medium blue and I knew I had to paint it white as possible before doing that. so many people told me to just paint over the pink but I knew the red undertones would be the end of my cold blue vision 😂

[@GeeThePea]

I painted our hallway a bright yellow and LOVE it! I had several meltdowns in the process but it was worth it! You don't spend much time standing/sitting in the hallway, but it cheers me up so much seeing snapshots of the yellow when we're sitting in the other rooms. Go for the blue!!

[@francineh.7825]

You have great decorating style so I'm sure whatever colour you end up choosing will be beautiful!

[@hannahl610]

I tend to leave swatches up at least a few days before deciding, I’m sure the paint finish takes a while to settle. And it lets you see it in different lighting /weathers

[@annehinchliffe7794]

Have you ever thought about the Farrow & Ball colour ‘French Grey’? I have used it in a couple of areas of our Victorian house. It is a really nice neutral with a green undertone that is not in your face. We have hung a lot of old paintings on it and it looks great.

[@clove4240]

I say, go for it, like you said, you’ll always wonder. And like everyone else said if you really do hate it, you can paint over it. It’s not too too much work. Looks great! Can’t wait to see.

[@lauriebailie7379]

Hello from Chicago! As a former designer with Pottery Barn, choosing paint needs a lot of consideration. I would look at how the paint would complement your flooring in the hallway. Also, if you are wanting to keep it light, why not consider painting the same color as the walls in your front room (with the television) and then choose a beautiful darker color to paint both doors and trim? That way you still have some striking color without darkening an area that needs to keep the light as much as possible. Sitting here watching where you will go with this hallway!! Cheers.

[@szonja859]

Love this idea! Meeting in the middle! 🎉 i would love this

[@christinezarvis4761]

One of your Pinterest photos had this recommended combination. Love it!!!!

[@carolynhoover9444]

I love Pottery barn designs.

[@heidigresh2743]

I thought the same thing. Love the stone color in the TV snug room. I thought a colorful door would add interest.

[@rebeccaorin328]

If you put your wet paint brushes in a plastic bag when you are done and stick them on the Frig they won’t harden. ❤️👍🏻

[@allisone7909]

I always paint on a good size piece of lining paper and then use masking tape to stick it to different areas of the space to be painted, that way you're not getting confused by painting different colours close to each other and you get to see the colour in different areas of the room at different times of the day in different lighting conditions.

[@JohannaAfSwe]

Looking forward to see the finished hallway. Just a thought on your flowerbeds, in Sweden it has become customary too have a row of pebbles or gravel between the house wall and the actual flowerbed, to avoid getting the foundation of the house damp (by avoiding having wet soil against the house) Dunno if it’s a thing in the UK, but maybe something to consider.

[@zellalaing5439]

I'll be honest - I'm loving the colour of the plaster, plus pinky colours are complimemtary to green so I think that would look super cute to get as close to that colour (without doing any kind of paint affect).

[@giuliantoneIIi]

The darkest blue!! It goes a lot nicer with the green of the kitchen peaking through the door

[@TheMonkiBrothers]

Wouldn’t even worry about “ trends “ go for what you like or you be forever changing x

[@maree8470]

You always get the color right in the end! Also if you love a color but think it's too dark you can always try three quarter or half strength :)

[@RillaofPlumHill]

I would do the walls white an doors/trim in the middle bluey green gray colour. That way you get the colour, but also the brightness. One of your inspo pinterest pics did that and it looked awesome! :)

[@esa413]

I like the idea of two shades of the same color. Put the darker color in the brighter side of the hallway, and the lighter color in the darker end of the hallway. No matter what you choose though, I can't wait to see it!

[@glx3846]

Hello, great to see you back! Looking forward to your Hallway makeover. Me and my best friend are enjoying your vlogs

[@MadeleineOlivia]

Thank you so much!

[@glx3846]

@@MadeleineOlivia We are binge watching your vlogs and enjoying them :)

[@carolineholland4178]

How about trying Lulworth blue? It kind of changes from blue to green, depending on the light. This would look amazing with Kittiwake on the coat rack. I can imagine your beautiful paintings of the Cornish seascape marrying with this colour. Try the colour upstairs on the landing as well, these two areas are connected.

[@souffle53]

I have lots of green and rose in my house but I think an off white with a hint of blue would be nice, or hint of yellow.

[@ErikaLucas-wv1ub]

I have grown hydrangeas for many years and you must not prune the flowers until spring, i.e., March. . If you prune them before that then you will not get flowers next year. You just leave the flowers to go brown. Furthermore, when you put in new plants you must keep then watered for a few weeks especially as yours are by the wall of the house as they roses and the wisteria will take much of the moisture in the soil.

[@lizcolton9832]

Yes, I agree with your advice, I would have said the same as a long time gardener (purely amateur) .

[@sandrab5477]

I really like the 2 blue you picked and I think it makes a great link with the patio tiles you put outside. As you said, furniture, light fixtures and artwork do a lot for the whole mood and even if the winter can be quite dark, you can always find ways to cosy up the hallway with warm toned curtains, dried flowers or paintings. Why not using connected lights? I have a few of them in my living room and I love it, we created a cosy setup (with a warm orange soft light) but if I really need a strong white light because I can't see, I can just change the color and intensity. Philips Hue are the most famous but you can find many other connected lamp bulbs.

[@flibbertygibbette]

I love the darkest blue. I'm a fan of leaning into dark colors in small, dark spaces, because they can help the walls recede and the space feel bigger. They also add a bit of mystery and lushness to a transitional space. And with the antique brass fixtures, it'd be wonderful. I'd go for the darkest blue and just dive in, really commit. Paint the ceilings and everything blue. Immersive color experiences can be really fun and chic. Plus, you can always live with it for a few months or a year and then change it if you hate it. More content! 😂

[@etudda7547]

Mizzle. All the way it’s color without the darkness. I love your videos with the chatter 😊. Your down to earth

[@trudiegordon6327]

Middle colour perfect like my bedroom and lovely - I had pale grey before and although I loved it it was not definitive enough and the room needed more coats but decided on a completely different colour.

[@trudiegordon6327]

The blue you chose looks the same as one I decided on and got painted by my lovely painter Steve and got it from Neptune for my bedroom and I love it and it is very grand. We tried different paints in the house and as Wilko was one of the best. With the curtain idea you showed on screen and pics up and bench painted it will look very fresh and countrified and give a lot of character to your lovely home.

[@itsmewende]

Just wanted to ask if those pipes coming down into the garden are down spouts. If so, you guys should have a stone path to guide the rain, so not to wash out all your mulch. Paint the hall your favorite blue, yes it's just paint, you can change it whenever you want. I still like butter yellow, probably because it's in my leak of sunlight living room 😊

[@kathleenclark5877]

Keep in mind that when you decide the basic colour way, you can have the paint lightened by 1/4, 1/2 and so on so that the colour will become a lightened version of itself. That mid blue is lovely but too dark I think but lightened, it could be perfect. That gorgeous pine door … ! Otherwise leave the doors and trim white.

[@BabsonPlumCreek]

I have a dark hallway/mudroom and I painted my cabinets and desk Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore. I'm sure Farrow and Ball has a similar color. It goes so well with my dark slate floors. Then you could paint the walls Skimming Stone to keep the continuity. You could do your doors and trim in the Revere Pewter color too. Good luck. So many choices and I know you will find one that you love.

[@shellfraya]

I think a mellow peach or a wispy light blue would look lovely in the hall and yes I just totally made up those tones lol but I know what I mean! lol xxx

[@janicebone6191]

try a Zoffany colour... you can get them in B&Q... we got ours in Poole, Cambourne... they do amazing creamy colours....also paint the door... pine doors were made to be painted in your age house, but just see how you feel when you are ready

[@mansoor3159]

My comfort youtuber Madeleine💓😀

[@ceahorse56]

Maddie, deadhead the hydrangea so they can spend their energy growing. You can put the blooms in a vase and enjoy in the house.

[@christinesmith7391]

You could always put up a dado rail and paint the bottom half with the blue and the top off white.

[@ClareParr]

Go for Denimes , it's not too dark it will look so sophisticated with the antique frames and lights .

[@antirrhinum130]

Looks like a lovely property. A lot of work inside and out though. Fortunately you both seem to have the energy for the challenge.

[@kathleenclark5877]

Wrap your paint brushes in cling film and stick them in the freezer. Works every time!

[@Jer.616]

I would do your hallway a white because it will be FULL of color and texture from it being a gallery of art and portraits too. 🙂 Or a lighter version of one of those blues would also be a lovely backdrop. I love your home.

[@jan-ss1br]

I have lots of green in my home but that’s ok because it’s what I love… I wouldn’t worry about it being a trend if that’s what you think… mine will stay green when/ if trend changes. Just go with what you love. Denimes is lovely I have that in my elder sons room…. Go with your gut feeling ❤️

[@momentmemos]

I love the idea of a blue hallway but I also wonder if it‘s gonna be depressing during winter. But as you said you will alwayyys wonder about it if you dont do it so maybe it‘s better to try? Excited to see how it turns out either way!

[@sofiapedras5764]

The white steps and door go nice with light to medium blue...the white stands out, its nice.

[@werk8202]

Just a thought on the herbs by the seating area - pollinators love them, so you might get lots of bees where people want to sit!

[@wellhello1603]

I say go for the blue (I personally liked the middle one, more cool toned and grayish, as it’s more “it’s own of a color” than the rest of the house), but leave the ceiling, door and trims white. I agree that if you really like the idea, it’s worth trying it. You now know what white would of looked like and can compare. But ceiling and doors is quite a hassle to repaint, so I would of checked how it looked in contrast, i as well feel a bit of white will help for the space to feel brighter. Or the other option is to photoshop the walls using those little swatches, so you get the feeling looking at 2 possible colors. That’s what I like to do when I create my projects, I paint them color I imagine would look good and see how I feel looking at the photo. And don’t forget to look at these swatches in the evening with lights on! Winter is coming, I wonder what the color will look like with indoor lighting on

[@TheTdavey]

FB is a shapeshifter :D I find the key to using FB paint is doing exactly what you do with the swatches. But live with them for a few weeks. I always find what colour I think I’m going to use never ends ups that one. Another thing is they give great “family” colours on their website, some of those are really great options that you may not have thought of. Especially if you already have some of the family in your house.

[@rudie280]

Why do we worry trend ? Really , it should be how a color makes us feel! I think , like ice cream, we all flavor differently! I know whatever you choose will be right for you! I also might add, your hair looks quite lovely today!😉

[@Woeschhuesli]

Box is fine if you spray regularly, heartbreaking if you don‘t… I have a lot of box and hydrangeas, I love trimming the box 😊

[@emmaduddridge7020]

Perhaps try Lulworth Blue from Farrow and Ball. It will be more light reflective as well as having depth in the dark corners.

[@cindymarie2475]

You may have planted the plants to close together? Remember to take into consideration how big they will get. The hydrangeas get very big.

[@sofiapedras5764]

I actually love the light brown with white as well, the way it is

[@hs2874]

Oh my god the doggo, I love her, more videos asap

[@micheleboschert175]

Try placing a sheet of the paint color next to the flooring, picture frame and lighting and see if you like the paint color.

[@natlawrence5787]

Its all looking good. I cant tell on the video but just makes sure your compost level doesnt go too high up the wall as you will have damp issues. Love what you are doing

[@MadeleineOlivia]

It’s ok as that was where the soil was before! We have lowered the patio area quite a bit

[@annjones345]

I would use a light color, even a white

[@terrydouka6023]

You want a slope for drainage away from the house. Look at the tag of your plants to see width and height. Center your plant in the middle of those dimension width to get proper spacing. The boxwood looks too close. Love what you're doing in your cottage.

[@janlisseman6302]

Hi Maddie, you are doing really well in your hallway, we have green downstairs in our house and our kitchen cupboards are green and then the walls are in Apple White but we like pale colours, you go for the blue that you like as you say if you do not like it you can paint it again, good luck xx

[@jillbork2683]

Maddie, try the Sherman and Williams historical color collection, all the colors go with more traditional homes like yours.

[@AnniSpanni]

Avid gardener here. Box caterpillars are a real pain and are absolutely rife but they ARE manageable if you catch them early. Check regularly from spring to see if you have any. The moment you see one you need to spray (buy special spray online in advance). They can decimate your box in a matter of days, so best to be prepared. We have box here and it is quite high maintenance for this reason, but it is perfectly possible to keep box healthy if you are vigilant.

[@traceypowell4862]

can u name the best one to buy as the ones iv tried are not working they have eaten mine to death 😢

[@addamhewitt]

Our Hall way is the same, dark and light. Hard to find a colour that works great at both ends. In the end we decided on a pale pink, looks great.

[@neysarodriguez9622]

I would go for the blue, but I really like white.

[@kellymccarthy3466]

Hi x I think your maybe looking for what I call an eau do nil colour .. have a look and try some testers of that 😍

[@kellymccarthy3466]

Also try some duck egg colours .. I have a lot of grey morn ( valspar) mainly because I’m not sure until this very long renovation is finished, whether I want to stay here 🤦🏻‍♀️So I thought I would go with a neutral colour palate , because it would be easier to sell . In actual fact I love a bold colour and had some great ones in my previous home , which we lived in for almost 20 years ! Ive come to realise, if that’s what you like and your staying for a while , then that’s what you should have ! It’s your home at the end of the day and you should go with what what pleases you and not what’s trending xx

[@jane9064]

I think you do the middle one in the hall and then the darker one on your wooden stair

[@amybarker-bx6lh]

Awww your dog is very cute🥰

[@richardfinney5081]

Lynn here on Hubby's phone mines playing up 😏, I would go a dark blue on the walls , I know that sounds too dark , however if you paint your bench hanging unit a light color that will lift it and in the winter migority of the time you'd have the light on when coming in and that woul make it cosy , that's my view anyway 😊 Take Care x

[@katepaterson4052]

You need to be adding a 50/50 topsoil/compost mix to your borders to give it some body. Compost will dry up and blow away. The topsoil you buy needs to be clean and screened for weed seed. You can also add pelleted chicken manure, there is some debate about its vegan credentials to grow veg in but for ornamentals it might be different. I'm a horticultural lecturer so I speak with experience. I would always go lighter paint wise. ✨🌳

[@patriziadelorenzis378]

White looks great.

[@kateraman477]

What if you did a dark, colorful, busy Persian style runner to cover the slate and keep the walls neutral OR a lighter sisal type runner and go for the medium blue?

[@victoriamartinotti7364]

It might help your hydrangeas to deadhead all the flowers off so they can focus on their roots?

[@dorisw5558]

Hydrangeas need „sour“ soil. Test the ph if they aren’t doing well. Roses and lavender need different environments.

[@w.falconer7260]

I prefer the lightest of the colours -- the green -- but would paint out the doors and all trim in the same, essentially wrapping the room in a swathe of colour. I find that white trim and ceilings breaks it all up too much. Also, to address your concern about green being too trendy or just too much throughout the house, I find certain greens (like the one you've sampled) are quite neutral, and simply one of the easiest colours to live with -- especially in the countryside where it helps to tie the interior of the house to the gardens, trees, and the wider world out of doors. Frankly, every colour seems to have ""a moment", so I just ignore trends and do what I like. I have quite a few green rooms in my own home, and have enjoyed them for years; they are restful and you can accent with so many other colours, including the blues to which you're so partial! Lastly, regarding your boxwood: yes, blight is certainly a concern in many places, as is the dreaded worm... I've a number of mature boxwood topiaries and hedges that haven't been blighted with either, but I have seen some mysterious weather-induced dieback, which is leaving some unsightly splotchy gaps here and there. Cutting back deeply into the plant's damaged bits occasionally helps to encourage new growth. That said, I've also used specimens of Lonicera Nitida (a non-flowering form of small leafed shrubby honeysuckle) for topiary specimens with great success. There are solid green and variegated varieties available; they are robust, and respond well to clipping into balls or other simple shapes. It's a lovely plant and worth investigating for your garden!

[@peanut383shoe]

Farrow and Ball Selvedge is worth considering

[@ashleighgibson3239]

When Roxy made that noise at around 27 minutes 20, I had to pause the video because I thought my children were crying 😂

[@sofiapedras5764]

Its difficult to decide on a colour....i like the blue room and those cream white steps...the colour is lovely

[@kathleenoreilly9470]

🥰🙏🇮🇪 Your little round box plant when you are Cutting it. Make sure it's not gonna rain the next day. Cause the rain make it, Brown😢

[@Mes287]

De nimes is gorgeous but in my sisters dark hall it looks navy

[@ashleighgibson3239]

You will always wonder what if if you don’t paint it blue but personally I think of a blue room to be so gloomy and depressing… and that’s your entrance hall, it wants to be bright, airy, fun and your style! 😊 you don’t have to paint all the walls a colour, you could add lots of colour with paintings 😊

[@Britbabe53]

A nice cream on the walls with a deep colour for the woodwork? If you put your brushes in a plastic bag wrapped tight they will stay wet and last thru the entire job.

[@tracybownes7612]

The lighter colour i think is best but a natural off white/light stone colour would look nice

[@katyss9128]

That rainwater pipe emptying straight into your border might mean you have a lot of water going down into your foundations, which isn’t great long term. Maybe you’re going to have a water butt to collect it?

[@charlieehstephenson4893]

What about painting the areas that are dark slightly lighter and just have two slightly different tones of a similar colour that will solve the issue

[@elizabethrobson1110]

Hi Maddie , are you able to get the same colours that you have but in lighter tints ? I.e half tint or quarter tints of each so you get the colour you like but lighter versions so you have the feel you wanted .

[@cathylynnpietranton]

Maddy we think you should put a light color on the walls. You're going to decorate the walls with different pictures that will give it color. Just thought.❤

[@sharischroeder8297]

Paint the walls white and paint the doors the blue/green colors

[@kimvoogel9152]

I personally love the white hallway and than bring colour in with my picture n accents . What about white washing the bench. To see how it clears the dark area.

[@heidigresh2743]

Can you cut the blue in half? I do like the blue.

[@usa-girl911]

I love the blue for the hallway…but….if your goal is to put lots of paintings and do a gallery, which I think is a great idea. You may want something like your living room area. Lighter and less “color,” so the art work pops and they basically become the color. If you go with a darker or very colorful walls, you may have a hard time getting your artwork to look right. Kind of like you were in the other video when you were trying to place some of the paintings in the other rooms. And you were finding they have to be kind of specific colors against colored walls, or it doesn’t look right. Even the frames can be difficult to match against a very dominating color. If the walls are a lighter neutral tone, you can basically put whatever art work you want on them and it won’t compete or get lost in the wall. The artwork will be the focus. If you weren’t putting any artwork up, I’d say paint the blue or similar saturated color. If you really want the blue, then you may have to limit what color artwork you put on the walls. That’s why art galleries usually have light neutral walls. So all the art, no matter the type or colors, work well and stand out. This probably makes your decision harder. LoL. Good thing is. You can always change it with a little time and different paint color if you hate it. I know you will make it look amazing no matter what you decide. Oh, one more thing. Remember, in the winter it’s going to be even darker in the hallway. So that’s something to also think about. 😊

[@koconnor3814]

White walls and blue doors/ skirting?

[@kathybehan8567]

Why not white and the wood the dark blue you've picked 🤔 ❤

[@titusandjackie4167]

Since you liked the bright Ness of the white why not repeat the kitchen cabinet color in the hall and paint your hall tree/bench a compliment dark color

[@JBotch]

I understand I am way too late to the conversation here, but I can see a nice light yellow in that hallway. Anyways I'm sure whatever you chose looks great! Hope all is well.

[@carollee2078]

I think you might want to give your boxwoods more room - also the one next to your office might be washed out from all the rain water coming down the down spout from the roof.