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Need Help to "Finish" Our Hallway! (PIP)
Hi Ladies!
A couple of weeks ago, we started a Board and Batten project in our downstairs hallway and I love it so far, but am struggling to find the right things to truly finish it. Our original plan was to buy a couple of hooks, and add a small bench on one side to help with storage (we have a 2 year old and 1 year old so storage of tiny shoes and things is a must). I also want to add 'something' above the board and batten to bring in some color. Can you ladies help?! What do you think?! Oh, and ignore the awful flooring in the picture. That's on our wish list to fix too. 
We have put the final coats of paint on the board and batten, and also added a small ledge at the top to finish the look a bit more so the pictures you see below were more of an "in progress" shot. You can see the original stuff we had hanging on the wall that we haven't done anything with yet.
This is the "bench" we were thinking about adding to the side of the hallway under where the mirror currently is. We were going to get some padding and cover it for the top so it looks more like a bench then the TV stand that it actually is.
I'm struggling to pull it all together and find a fabric that brings in some color, that will coordinate with whatever we hang on the wall above. Also, how do you tie both sides of the hallway together? I'd love some thoughts or to hear of any ideas that you amazing ladies might have!! Thanks!!
EDIT: Whoa! Holy big pictures Batman! Hopefully they don't come out all screwy but I tried to make them a little smaller.
Jackson Douglas (AKA "The Squishy")
Re: Need Help to "Finish" Our Hallway! (PIP)
Nice job!! the trim work looks great and I love the paint color you have on your walls. really pretty!
I'm not really that creative (I lurk the internet for inspiration photos), but I would definitely add some color with the seat cushion like you mentioned. I'd find artwork (I love Etsy) that has some coordinating colors in them and frame them in dark wood frames (to match the bench. I use www.americanframe.com all the time for matting and framing. great prices!) and hang them on the wall across from the bench (to tie the two sides of the hallway together). I'd also get a fun, colorful runner for that hallway.
I love these carpet tiles from flor.com:
http://www.flor.com/making-waves-sky.html
You can buy several and make your own runner. the sky color is pretty, but the pink is FUN! and the texture is so pretty!
One thing that will be important with whatever you hang on the walls is scale. The one picture you have up (I can't tell what it is) looks too small for the space. And I think the mirror, with just a black frame and reflecting more neutral colors, isn't helping at all. Mirrors are only good when they reflect pretty things that add to the space.
I totally get the utility of a bench and storage, just make sure whatever you pick is shallow enough that it doesn't unduly narrow the hallway or look oddly proportioned. That's a pretty long, but not especially wide, space.
That's what I was going to say. Some nice big frames in a similar wood finish as the bench. Like this:
(I got these frames from Hobby Lobby -- wait until they're either 50% off or you get the coupon for 40% off any regular price item. Print two, go in 2 different times. Can't do it at the same time unless the cashier is REALLY nice.)
A pretty cushion on top of the bench in some pretty colors. I love soft blues and greens, maybe a paisley? Are you going to make it yourself or have one made/buy a premade one?
TTC Baby #2 - BFP on 12/14/11 @ 10DPO - CP confirmed 12/18/11
BFP #2 on 1/13/12
Thank you so much everyone! Sounds like I was somewhat on the right track with bringing in some color with the bench and pictures, now I just need to pick a color. The hallway is pretty long and narrow and the bence we picked out so far is 18" deep so not too bad. We were going to try to make the cushion ourselves but I was struggling to find what fabric to use.
I was just thinking about making slipcovers for the bench top (over the foam that we will buy) A) because of the two little monsters that will no doubt destroy it and
so I could switch out the colors as the seasons change. Maybe keeping the patterns on the pillows (only thinking about one or two really small ones) and keeping the bench fabric solid. Then I could try to switch out some family pictures that go with the color of the season.
Would it be too much if I turned the mirror horizontal, added two pictures on either side, then two more pictures on the other wall? Should I toss the mirror (it was super cheap and I spray painted it black to match our previous shelf we had in the hallway).
I have been eyeing up some pillows at an etsy store trying to find some inspiration. What do you guys think of these colors/patterns?
THANKS SO MUCH!!!
Jackson Douglas (AKA "The Squishy")
I know foam is zomg expensive (like that stuff must be made out of gold or something) so I think pillows and some slipcovers might be easier. I love the blue and green one, super cute! I think that fabric is from Joann's too.
You can always try with the mirror (I would only do pictures on one side though) and see how it looks. Worst case scenario is you take it all down to patch and paint holes and remove the mirror from the mix.
TTC Baby #2 - BFP on 12/14/11 @ 10DPO - CP confirmed 12/18/11
BFP #2 on 1/13/12
I like all those pillows, but you're just looking at them for the fabric, right? I don't think you could put actual pillows on top of that "bench" and have it look right.
I would find the pictures you want first -- and go really big, like 16 x 20 frames with big mats -- and then find a fabric that seems to go well with those. You could always re-spray the mirror to be a nice fun pop of additional color, or even a crisp white to bring some of the board-and-batten color up. I would hold off on switching it to horizontal, because family photos will probably be horizontal, and I think you'd want that vertical element in the center to mix it up a bit.