So after a year-and-a-half of cohabituating in our first house with peeling bamboo anaglypta wallpaper, a single bare bulb for hallway navigation and chipped cream paint splashed just about everywhere including the top 2” of said wallpaper — we finally decided to take on the upstairs hall and give it a makeover. Isn't it crazy how eventually you just stop noticing these thing after a while?! Anyway, check out the befores:
Our good luck: The floors were in pretty good shape when we removed the carpet.
I took a detail photo of the aforementioned bamboo wallpaper. I loved this ripped patch, which was scotch taped back on.The lime green paint revealed underneath was also encouraging.
The Afters:
I knew I wanted white walls — it’s a pretty narrow space — and my long-suffering- office-mate Cameron MacNeil suggested painting all the doors black. A great idea, and possibly now my favourite part of the hall.I went with a satin finish on the black since the doors were not in the best shape. But hey, at least they all matched.
Our bad luck:Behind the bamboo wallpaper, aside from the green paint, was a cracked and crazy indent in the plaster almost the size of a manhole cover. I knew that anaglypta was hiding something!But with a good deal of skim coating and the installation of“Woods” wallpaper from Cole and Son — rather than re-drywalling — the memory of that creepy indent and the bamboo grimness is long gone.
The wrought iron ceiling fixture came from a “variety box” of four rough-and-tumble chandeliers we bought at a country auction in the summer for $40.We had it re-wired (more on how to re-wire lighting yourself in this episode of our Online TV show) and spray-painted it matte black.To add some charm, I added a Home Depot ceiling rosette above the fixture.Makeover regret: to be honest, I think I could have gone with a smaller size on this moulding.
Decorating up the hall is in the works. Thus far I have butted together two sheepskins from Ikea to make a cosy runner. Turns out hardwood is chilly in the winter!
Photo credits:
Stacey Smithers
Painting and wallpaper, Thistle Paint and Paper, Derek (416) 564-3548
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