Saturday 28 March 2015

Ta da !!


Here it is, my hall, stairs and landing all finished.

 
I painted all the wood work white, including the floor. Then there's the blackboard wall on the left that I showed you after Christmas. The rest of the walls are painted in a grey I mixed myself (from some white and about ten old tins in the shed) and once again based on Farrow and Ball's Lamp Room Grey (I did a lighter version in my bathroom). On the right is the radiator cover that got a new grille and beyond the mirror, the wall display that I showed you in the last post.


Then there are the stairs, whoever thought of dressing up stair risers first, thank you, thank you, thank you.

I nearly went with the words from a poem or song, and have you seen the ones painted to look like books, there are so many fun ways to decorate stair risers; but after finding the Chinese dogs (on the radiator cover) in TKMaxx, I knew I wanted some bright turquoise blue's, so I chose maps showing a lot of sea.


I've had the maps for years and years, in fact I wrote about them here. I'm so happy that I'm a hoarder and that after over 30 years of holding onto them, I was able to put them to good use.

I decided the chalkboard wall needed a map too and did one of the world and wrote a couple of paragraphs from Moby Dick around it, which was once again inspired by something I'd pinned.


Apologies if you live on an island or a peninsula somewhere, I couldn't get in every detail of every continent !


The mirror got a makeover too, some turquoise paint, then black paint washed back a little to allow the original gold to show through.

Between the Chinese dogs, there are two pots filled with driftwood and moss, then a basket with book boxes, to hold the items one needs to take a dog for a walk (sorry if I've just lowered the tone of this post haha).


Rufie's leads are back on the end of the newly made over rad cover (he's hanging around because it's his dinner time).


I like the fact they're hardly visible from the other end of the room and no-one notices them when they come in the door.

 
I kept the doormat that's fitted to the front of the hall, but I'm looking for an old Persian runner rug in deep reds to pick out the red in the stained glass, because although my brother and I can take our shoes off, my little dog.........er.........can't, and that white floor won't be white for much longer.

The landing looks refreshed with the new grey walls and white woodwork but I've got a few projects to do up here, to make it more interesting.



The large mirror is going to get a makeover and then I have a few ideas for the wall between the guest room and my room. Also as you can see, there is one step up to the landing that runs to my bedroom so I'm still contemplating adding a map to it as well.


This area looks very dark but normally I don't shut my bedroom door, it's just that it's not photo worthy. The white thing sticking out on the left is the loft hatch which is permanently down because my brother has the whole of the loft as his bedroom.


Ok, I guess you can have a proper look, it's all quite plain for me isn't it.


And now, I guess I really should go and give Rufie his dinner, he's been patient enough, but I'll leave you with some before and after shots.

 



 
Yes, my hall is definitely darker, but personally I love the drama, it's just so much more interesting than before.
 
 

linking up with
Inspire Me Monday @ Sand and Sisal
Show and Share @ Coastal Charm
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Before and After Wednesday @ The Dedicated House
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

23 comments:

  1. What fantastic stairs.love it.
    Rosezeeta.

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  2. You have pulled that hall together so beautifully! There's so much interest that it would take me forever to get past it to see the rest of the house. I'm pinning.

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  3. Fiona, it's all FABULOUS!! LOVE those maps on the stairwell, and although books would make those steps looks smart, your clusters of land and sea make me want to scream, ''Ahoy! This hallway is happening!''. The magic mix of grey you blended is the perfect complement to the bright white and all the patterns in the map. Everything looks great and it would probably take me a while to climb that staircase, making pit stops at all the places I would see on my way up to an equally pretty landing and rooms beyond.

    Happy Sunday!

    xo
    Poppy

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  4. Your hallway looks almost storybook like. It inspires the imagination and lets those know who enter your home that a creative soul resides there. Love the stairs and the chalkboard.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  5. Your entry hall/stairwell makeover is fabulous, Fiona! Your chalk artwork blows me away! And the use of your hoarded maps on the stair risers adds so much color and interest to your stairway. Your front door with the gorgeous original stained glass panels is such a treasure, and now the look continues up the stairs. We've got the same pull-down attic stairs, but the bottom section of stairs is missing.....do you suppose the previous owner is using it to display linens in her current house? hmmmmm. Anyway, you've inspired me with your epic painting job to get my own kitchen finished. Well done!!

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  6. The stairs are amazing and I love the chalkboard too! You have been so busy and very creative!

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  7. Looks fabulous love the splash of turquoise - one of my favorite colours.

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  8. You should be glowing with pride. What a fabulous introduction to your style and your artistic tendencies all upon one's initial entering of your home. Bravissimo!!!

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  9. You've done an amazing job! I'd never have thought to use maps on the stair risers. It's absolutely perfect for a coastal home. It gives the touch of colour needed. I could even see Brittany on your chalk map!

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  10. Great makeover! I am loving the maps on the staircase! So creative and the color is gorgeous!

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  11. the maps on the stairs is such a fabulous idea, fiona! mixed with the big chalkboard, it brings so much character to your entry! happy easter!!

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  12. Fiona,
    This was such a terrific transformation! I really like the maps on the risers and what a cool way to bring in color! And the chalkboard wall is amazing! Love that the it ties into the maps! The driftwood picture hanger is pretty cool too!

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  13. oh my gosh, i can not handle those maps, that is amaaaaazzzzzing! and love the chalkboard wall, too.
    enjoy!
    b

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  14. Your home is beautiful Fiona and I love your blog - looking forward to reading your older posts. Really great to meet you in the shop, do come in again for a chat. If you are off on a Wednesday you may be interested in our Meet and Make group... See you soon.

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  15. Hello again Fiona! I've just finished going through your archives and just wanted to say how talented you are! Your house looks very similar to mine in layout, and I think you may live in the next road to me (I live in Kingsland Rd).
    Suzanne X

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  16. Oh my, your staircase is totally amazing. I can't wait to feature you next week. Love it. Thanks tons for lining to Inspire Me.

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  17. It is stunning! The map and poem on the wall are great and I love how the stairs tie in. Your work is always lovely.

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  18. Your home is gorgeous! What a fantastic job you did on the staircase! Great project!
    Hugs,
    Jody

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  19. You did a fabulous job, Fiona! So much character and I love all the color. I don't really feel the hallway is all that dark. I think it's because you have so much white with all that wonderful wainscot, and the blue in the maps is so vibrant. Yes, it's dramatic. And sophisticated, but not formal or stuffy. I absolutely love it! The Persian rug will be perfect with this. Can't wait to see what you do upstairs. Your home will always be one of my favorites. Hugs.

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  20. Wow! The staircase is lovely, and that chalkboard wall is a work of art! Hope no one erases it!

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  21. I absolutely love the stairs. Fabulous.

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  22. You know THIS TURNED OUT FANTASTIC!!!! I pinned two photos, the stairs are amazing, and the wall map, well to say I love them both doesn't really tell you how MUCH I love them.

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