Expert: Kimberly DesJardins - 1/1/2010

Question
QUESTION: We just bought a house and the hallway has beautifully stained boards along the lower half (even w/ doorknobs)of the walls. All of the doors and trim are also stained. My problem is that the upper walls have old, worn out wallpaper on them. I want to redo the upper half so that the hallway is inviting and welcoming. Should I paint the upper half only or should I also paint the trim around the doors and boards leaving the doors and boards stained? I am so confused. The only thing I know for certain about this whole project is that I do not want to paint the doors!!!

ANSWER: Hello Suzan,

Thank you for your question.

1st Choice:
Reading your question makes me think that you really love the lower half stained boards along your hallway. My first thought since it's probably the same stain as the doors is to leave the lower half, trim, doors as is and paint only the upper wall area in an eggshell or flat finish. This would allow you to enjoy the stained lower boards until a future change - because once they are painted you will most likely will never be able to duplicate the original character it currently has.

2nd Choice:
Paint the upper wall your selected color of choice - eggshell or flat finish. Paint the lower half boards, baseboard, door molding your trim color in a satin or semi-gloss finish- preferably the same trim color used throughout your home. Leaving the doors stained.

3rd Choice:
Paint the upper wall your selected color choice. Boards darker coordinating color - both eggshell or flat finish. Chair rail (top molding of boards, door moldings and baseboards your trim color in a satin or semi-gloss finish - preferably the same trim color used throughout your home. Leaving the doors stained.

Happy Decorating,
Kimberly

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your advise. I believe I will paint just the upper half of the walls and not touch any of the stained wood. Like I said earlier I do want my hallway to be warm and inviting. Since we have children I will definitely be using an eggshell finish and not flat. What color should I use on the upper half of the walls to lighten up the hallway, but create a warm and inviting feeling? Attached is a picture of the hall as it is now. I plan to keep the wall sconces. Our new carpet color is a soft light beige color.  

Answer
Hi Suzan,

Thank you for the follow-up question. I love your hallway it has so much architectural detail and charm. I too have an older home built in 1928. This past week we  gutted the kitchen. With all the choices offered and decisions to be made I can surly understand what you are going through.

As for color in your hallway I would suggest starting with a plan. Begin by knowing what paint colors you will be using in the other main living areas such as living room, dining room and kitchen. Also take into consideration trim and wood stain colors. I would suggest selecting a paint color for the hallway taken from another main living areas paint color either a few shades lighter or darker. This provides color cohesiveness by connecting your paint colors from one space to another space.

I personally use with success Benjamin Moore Historical Colors taken from their Class Colors collection. They have fabulous on-line design tools that lets you create color schemes with ease. The link to the site: BenjaminMoore.com on the top menu bar you will see Explore Color. Here you will find the the tool I recommend using called Personal Color Viewer®. Since you have a new home with many projects ahead your local Benjamin Moore Dealer can provide color chips, sell or lend a complementary professional paint fan deck.  

Depending on your exact carpet shade I would recommend looking at color shades called: HC-26 Monroe Bisque, HC-29 Dunmore Cream, HC-35 Powell Buff.

If you ever need expert in-house advise I would suggest calling an IRIS Certified Interior Redesign Specialist. The website to find a Professional Redesigner in your community is: www.weredesign.com/.

Thank you again,
Kimberly DesJardins
IRIS Approved Instructor