Friday, February 24, 2017

A Hallway Makeover Full Of Function and Style!


So. Many. People. Ask me if our house is done yet.  Well, "pretty much" I was always say... except that rotten hallway with one little light that I just don't feel like painting and finishing...  Well after getting wallpaper off, carpet, thrown out, and refinishing the hardwood floors two years ago, I didn't feel like doing any more.  I got burned out.  So a few weeks ago, I finally just DID IT.  If you've been procrastinating a project, just roll up your sleeves and DO IT.  Cuz unless you're Cinderella and you have a magic fairy, that's the only way it's going to get done.  No abbra caddabra.  Just a little time and determination and probably some chocolate.

I feel the need to warn you before you continue!
There is NO natural light in this hallway and only ONE sconce light on the wall (one of the few original's that wasn't stolen while it sat empty in it's state of foreclosure).  Do you know what that means?  REALLY DIFFICULT for an ammature photographer like me to get a decent photo!!!

Let's see what this hallway looked like when we bought this big old house on an online auction:


It has two mirrored walls, and for at least the first year, I totally creeped myself out every time I walked down that hallway at night.  Yeah, yeah, I know.  If you think I can look scary in the daylight, you should see me at night!

So those tan walls?  That's not tan paint.  It's wallpaper!


Surprise!  Under the tan wallpaper was... more wallpaper!  Just like everywhere else in this house that had wallpapered walls.  More layers....  The thing was, I actually kind of loved the old olive green damask wallpaper that was hiding underneath!  But it was torn bad or missing in a few places, so it all came off.  I still kind of regret not salvaged it on at least one part of the hallway...

The kids were a great help when the going was easy.  Then when we had to rent a steamer...  suddenly they all had to go to the bathroom.  Outside of course, because there was no running water for the first three months of ownership.  By the time we had water, I had to convince my daughter that using the indoor toilet really was the better option. True story.


How about a closer-up of this green carpet?  Hey, it was pretty once upon a time!  Just like the green toilet and green tub in Tobin's bathroom. Gag.


The hardwood floors under the carpet made me jump up and down for joy!
Until it came time to sand.... and $200 worth of sandpaper later...  I got to stain... and poly.... but oh how it was worth it!!!!!!! :)


Then we moved in, and I plopped furniture in the hallway because I didn't know where else to put it and it was great storage since there were no hall closets and then it just sat.  And We stubbed our toes on dresser corners in the dark, and piled up laundry, and it became a crowded catch all with ugly walls and dingy unpainted baseboards.....


Then a few weeks ago I said ENOUGH.  And grabbed the paint and a roller and went to town.
The walls went light gray, and all the dingy cream trim got a a new bright white.



While the paint was out, I painted the black cabinet white and did a "faux tin" look on the doors that you can see HERE.

And I moved the dresser that was holding all my sheets downstairs and turned that into craft storage and see those bags hanging from that awesome chippy board on the left?  Yeah, that's where all the extra bed sheets are now.  In a few pics you'll see that a little more close up....


The trunk holds Tori's toys, the white cabinet has extra blankets and pillows, and the bags hold extra sheets.



A sign I painted on a wood shingle seemed to be the perfect little mushy gushy message for the hallway that leads to the kid's bedrooms. :)


Here's standing at the back of the hallway looking out to the landing:


And here's where all the extra bed sheets now are!  So much more space in the hallway!
I'll do a full post on this thrifty solution in the future - stay tuned!



My collection of old grain sacks are folded up and sitting in my old wire basket.


There is one final area, the back hallway aka "Access Road" that still has old wallpaper and still needs paint!  But I'm just happy to get the main part done for now.  I used every ounce of paint (I mix my own from mistints) and didn't have any left over to do the back.  Maybe that will be a project for this spring... or maybe next winter - who knows!


The old "ACCESS RD" green metal street sign was a given to me by my friend Maran.  It is SO PERFECT over that doorway because it is the "access" to two more bedrooms.  And I love the pop of color it gives an otherwise very neutral area (along with the aqua blue suitcase!).


So although hallways aren't super thrilling, I am pretty thrilled to have it in it's present state.
Hope you enjoyed!!

Fresh and more toe-friendly. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Like what you see?  Follow Kammy's Korner on:




 You might also like:





Pin It

4 comments:

  1. I always love seeing your projects! Looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow!! Your house loves layers. :) Congrats on the floors, walls and the whole makeover. I am thrilled with and for you. I know it was a lot of work ... you made it a beauty!! Rock on!!! ~Christina in FL

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your house is so unique! I love all the twists and turns and how you have made it such a beautiful home. I enjoy following your projects and seeing the end results which are always great.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your hallway looks beautiful. Love the idea with the sheets! The furniture pieces you left in the hallway are perfect for the space. You did good!

    ReplyDelete

Comments - Next best thing to chocolate! :) Please let me know you visited!