So in September I shared the entry hall in our new house. If you missed that post, you may have seen it before, but today I want to show the adjoining hallway that leads from the entry to the bedrooms, office and bathroom, and eventually to the kitchen and basement stairs. I only have before photos and a few cell phone shots of the painting progress because we were enjoying Thanksgiving and I didn’t grab my camera until later.
The hallway has beautiful gray slate floors, which are a big plus. I love that we have this long passage to decorate with hooks, art and small furniture — hallways are such a good place to add personality and charm.
The wall color when we moved in leaned toward a swine-like pink, which my daughter good-naturedly called “hog.” That tone drained the light and warmth from the space, so changing it was a priority. Although our long-term plan is to add white planking to much of the hall, the first and easiest step was a fresh coat of paint.
progress
progress while painting
Last week we finally applied the first coat of paint. I’ll admit the process has been slow, but we’re finding time now to make steady progress. We chose Swan White by Glidden, the same shade used in another entry project I love. Even a single coat transformed the space — it immediately felt brighter, cleaner and more like home. The contrast between the slate floor and the crisp white walls is exactly the fresh look I wanted.
before
after
We still need a second coat and a few touch-ups, but I took the entertaining cabinet (previously in the living room) and placed it opposite the front door to test how furniture will sit in the hall. I loved the result immediately — the warm wood ties in nicely with the slate and the adjacent dining room flooring.
This hallway includes a couple of built-ins, which offer both function and character. For now our plan is simple: fresh paint, then white planking, and after that a larger update. Longer-term ideas include removing the cabinets if the slate continues under them, upgrading them to custom built-ins or bookcases, or reworking the layout to add a small powder room and better access to the basement stairs. The photos below show a similar nook that helped shape our vision for this space.
before
before
We’re also considering painting the bedroom doors a darker tone in the hall, similar to a dramatic charcoal front door we’ve used in the past, and updating hardware to a black iron or similar finish for a sharper, intentional look.
inspiration
before
The master bedroom sits at the end of the hallway opposite the kitchen, and we’ve begun painting there as well. My husband prepped the room and planned to start painting today. We also hope to add a new door — likely a sliding option — to create a more private master suite with an adjoining bathroom sometime down the line.
No matter the final layout, the fresh paint already makes the house feel more like ours and provides a clean palette to build from. Next steps in the hallway include updating ceiling fixtures to add character and installing hooks to increase functionality. We’ve really missed having hooks by the door, so adding them back in is high on my list.
Thanks for following along — I’m excited to make more progress in the house this winter.
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PS. There’s a sale on a device my family is getting this year that helps manage internet use for connected devices through filters and time limits. It’s a helpful tool for families looking to control online time and access.
Every family needs this in their home.
Don’t believe me? Watch this video clip and you’ll be sold too.
It’s on sale for a limited time, so it’s a great opportunity to try one or give it as a gift.