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In life, we perhaps don’t take enough time to stop and smell the roses. Or for that matter, stop and admire the wallpaper. Hallways are transitional spaces, ones we use primarily while passing through from inside to outside and from one room to the next. No wonder so many are overlooked and neglected, serving as dumping grounds for shoes and coats rather than display areas for the pieces we want to put pride of place. And yet, the hallway is one of the most important rooms in the home: not only does it make the first impression on guests, but it also welcomes you back every day. So, it pays to lavish your hall with the same care you would anywhere else.






When it comes to décor, there are two paths you can take. One is to set the tone for the rest of the house by using colours and details that give a glimmer of what’s to come; the other is to completely throw caution to the wind. You can get away with being a little more daring here than you might usually be – so if you’ve always had a hankering for bold wallpaper, this is the perfect place to experiment. After all, it’s not like you will be waking up to it each morning or spending all day surrounded by your decision. But if it’s something you love, whether that’s the mystical Indonesian jungle temples painted across SUMATRA or the weeping willows of BABYLON, evocative of 1950s Palm Springs, that print will have the power to brighten your mood as you’re rushing out the door… or transport you somewhere else entirely as you’re walking back through it.
TOP TIP
CURTAIN CALL
Thick velvet curtains, complete with our wool interlining, will keep the heat in as people come and go.




As not all hallways are bathed in natural light, a beautiful lamp is always a bright idea. Place yours on top of a table where you can throw your keys and correspondence, then for a more personal touch add a framed photo and a vase filled with flowers – just beware of dashing dogs and carefree kids. A mirror can help to maximise light, while giving you the chance to check your reflection one last time before you leave in the mornings. If you have enough room, a cheeky ‘Bottoman’ where you can sit down and take off your shoes at the end of the day is an inviting thought. Just don’t be surprised if, once all done, you spend more time hanging around your newly decorated hallway than ever before.


DECK THE HALL
A sweeping staircase is made all the more grand when cloaked in a dramatic print like the gothic BLACKTHORN (pictured left). Alternatively, the pared-back, monochromatic LONDON ROSE (as seen below) has a calming effect in a space that can often be chaotic. But whether you’re a minimalist or quite the opposite, “built-in storage is key,” says our Decorating Consultant, Steve Corcoran. “A clutter-free hallway is a welcoming hallway. And by cleverly wallpapering the doors (if they’re flat panel), you’ll disguise the fact that the storage is even there”.
Timelessly elegant, LONDON ROSE is perfect for those introducing print into the home. Go classic by wallpapering above a dado rail or be brave and coat the ceiling.



