The stunning kitchen that Lisa Mende Design of Charlotte, North Carolina designed for the #JLHPShowhouse, shown below as photographed by Dustin Peck Photography, may be the heart of the home, but the hallways and stairwell of a home are considered the spine — creating a gracious and easy flow to other rooms and setting the tone for every other space in the home.
That’s the belief of Mickey Sharpe Design and Jennifer Hutton For the Home, who collaborated on the design of the hallways and stairwell of the Junior League of High Point 2015 Showhouse.
Hadley Court contributor Lynda Quintero Davids gave a beautiful overview of the home’s design earlier this week, here.
While hallways are sometimes neglected, “They should be treated as a vitally important room, because hallways set the stage for every other room in the house. Initial impressions are so important,” said Sharpe.
Below, they share more tips with you today, dear Hadley Court readers, on How To Decorate A Hallway in your own homes.
In the High Point Showhouse, the L -shaped center hallway truly is the “spine” of the home, literally providing a door to every room.
The 14-by-7 center portion, painted in a dark color, connects the grand formal spaces in the front of the home to the rear living areas of the kitchen, family room and mudroom. The family living areas are entered through a doorway at the end of the hall furnished with a small accent table and oval mirror.
The 12-by-5 side hallway provides an entrance from the sun porch through an arched entry and flanks a dramatic staircase leading to the bedrooms upstairs.
The rear entry, offset by an arched doorway, was given a punch of brightness with an “Antique Green” paint. Hutton and Sharpe used a warm, earthy “Anthracite” as the main wall color, contrasted by a crisp white on the baseboards, crown moldings, bookshelves and doors.
The graphic pattern of the stairwell carpeting intentionally directs the eye upward to what Mickey Sharpe considers the focal point of the home–a stately leaded glass window with stained glass crests of green, red, blue and yellow.
” I was so inspired by the window, that it attracted me to the hallway and stairwell as a design project for the (Showhouse),” Sharpe said. “The window also provided the color inspiration for the design.”
Sharpe and Hutton also designed the upstairs hallway. In the photo below of the functional built-in book and display shelves, you can see the stained glass window from the top floor stairwell landing.
The view in the photo below shows the vantage point of looking down the stairs to the side hallway, where you can see the console table and twin chairs upholstered in bright green designed by John Hutton, along with a framed collage by a local artist that is painted on hand drawings of furniture manufactured by Lexington Furniture in the 1970s. The drawings were found in an old Lexington factory nearby.
The side hallway of the High Point Showhouse employs several ideas that can be implemented in any hallway. Says Hutton, “The hallway should slow down the passerby to see a story.”
The “story” can infuse the home with meaning and reflect the values and experiences of the people living there. “It can be a collage of family photos, historic documents, art or uncommon objects,” she said.
In addition, using seating and a console-like table surface in a hallway serves vital functions–both practical and aesthetic.
“A hall chair or chairs or a bench in a hallway is a must. Not only does this give people a place to sit, but it brings the eye down to our level and allows for a pop of texture or color.”
A console or other table surface also helps bring the eyes down –along with providing a surface for drinks during social gatherings in larger hallways, a surface for table lamps for warm lighting, and a surface for framed photos and collectibles.
And the mirrors flanking the framed collage in the High Point Showhouse offer an idea that works in many halls. Mirrors in hallways can serve a vital function–a last minute check of your attire and hair before leaving your home, or upon arrival as a guest.
The upstairs hallway of the High Point Showhouse is another nerve center leading to all the family bedrooms.
“For a family living in this home, the upstairs hallway with its bookshelf could serve as a very functional space for storing encyclopedias, reading and research materials for children from grade school to college,” Sharpe said.
A hallway bookcase can also display treasured family photos, collectibles and decorative accessories.
In addition, such a hallway can become “a retreat for a place to read or catch up on social media on one’s phone. A space like this can become a welcoming retreat if you add a straight wing-back chair or two,” Hutton said.
Vital to such a retreat–and to any hallway– is good lighting. “Hallways need to be sufficiently lighted,” Sharpe said. “Beware of depending only on hard, overhead lighting. Make the space warm and welcoming with softer lighting from lamps or candles as well.”
Many hallways are entrance hallways. As such, “The hallway provides the first impression of both the rest of the home and the occupants as well,” Sharpe said. “Is it hospitable and welcoming, and does it reflect the personality and values of the homeowners?
Does it provide a good experience for the guest who arrives?”
“I love the saying, ‘Good experiences are intentionally designed.'”
Photos courtesy of Mickey Sharpe and Jennifer Hutton via:
Photographer Newell Clark of Lexington, N.C.
Photo 10 via 1stdibs.com
Photos 6 & 8 by Chan L. Shaver
Kim Darden Shaver
for
Leslie Hendrix Wood
Founder,
Editor In Chief
Hadley Court
Decorator
Chancellor Interiors
Midland, Texas
Gracious Living. Timeless Design. Family Traditions.
~~~
You’re also invited to please subscribe to Hadley Court’s blog, here, and to follow Hadley Court on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, here, here, here and here.
