First of all, let me warn you: wallpapering with your significant other can be challenging. Hah! But really- it’s kind of a big project to take on by yourself. It was awesome to have a helper, but we are just two totally different kind of wall paperers (if that’s a real word?). You definitely have to go in with a plan. We spent an entire weekend wallpapering our tiny hallway, but I think it was worth it and we survived. Take a look!
The hallway was one of the last areas in the house we finished. After the drywall was complete, we added wainscoting and trim. I think they help the original built-in look more seamless. I knew I wanted to wallpaper above the wainscoting. I looked high and low, searching for floral prints from one extreme to another- from white to black. As much as I love the dark wallpaper trend right now, our house is just too small. We needed a print that would reflect as much as light as possible.
The wallpaper I landed on was designed by Joy Cho and I’m delighted she featured our hallway renovation on her blog yesterday; you can find it here. I love the way the taupe floral print contrasts with the wainscoting and accents the light fixture. It’s just bright enough.
I already had finished the light fixture prior to selecting wallpaper; it was actually a DIY I found online. The fixture is from the Home Depot, if you can believe that. It was really an inexpensive and easy project! We’ve received tons of compliments on this light and it’s the cheapest one in our house. If you like the look, you can find the tutorial here.
The built-ins took a lot of work. We stripped and sanded them before applying fresh primer and paint. I found the gorgeous hardware at Anthropologie.
Hallways are tricky spaces, but I think we did pretty well with this one. Does anyone have other tricks to add interest to a boring hallway? I’d love to hear more ideas!
Product Sources: Wallpaper // DIY Light Fixture // Brass Hardware
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Emily Burger
March 5, 2014 at 11:28 pmI absolutely love your wallpaper and so far every picture you’ve posted of your renovation! I am so excited that you have a blog. I am really enjoying what little blogging I am able to do. I definitely see a collaboration in the future! Let me know if you’d be interested and what ideas you might have!
Sarah
March 13, 2014 at 6:29 pmThanks so much, Emily! We will definitely have to plan something!
Megan Sortman
March 6, 2014 at 2:07 amI love your style!
I want to be here… |
March 6, 2014 at 2:31 pm[…] yet elegant, warm and welcoming aura floored me when I came across it today. In the home of Sarah Gibson exists a hallway (beautifully wallpapered in Joy Cho’s line for Hygge & West) that leads […]
Libby
September 15, 2014 at 4:32 amCan you share what type of floors you have?
Sarah
September 18, 2014 at 3:50 pmHi Libby,
The floors are original to the home. They were in terrible condition, so we sanded them down and refinished. I believe the species of wood is red oak, stained with dark walnut/tobacco MinWax.
Thanks for stopping by!
-Sarah
Gregory Smith
October 14, 2014 at 6:03 amI love your blog
I have read this article and enjoyed it
Sarah
October 16, 2014 at 11:48 amThanks Gregory!
Ninalee
July 26, 2016 at 6:00 pmHi,
I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy I came across your blog! I absolutely LOVE the color of your floors! We are redoing our floors and have been looking for that perfect brown stain!!! Do you know the ratio of dark walnut to tabacco that you used? And are you sure it’s dark walnut and tabacco mix?
Sarah
July 26, 2016 at 7:57 pmThank you!! Since this post and comment… my husband has enlightened me that the stain is in fact, dark walnut (not tobacco mix). Only dark walnut. I love the color; hope this helps!
Ninalee
July 26, 2016 at 9:30 pmThis does help!! :) How many coats did you guys do?
Sarah
July 26, 2016 at 10:35 pmOne coat of stain and 2 or 3 coats of clear!
Kristine
February 18, 2015 at 1:31 amHello! Can you share the source for that gorgeous runner?
Sarah
February 18, 2015 at 2:52 pmHi Kristine, it’s vintage… but lately I’m loving this Etsy shop with similar styles: https://www.etsy.com/shop/kayakilims?ref=l2-shopheader-name
Katie Rainey
April 20, 2016 at 12:28 amHi there, I’m in LOVE with the runner you have in the hallway! The link to the Etsy shop doesn’t work? Any other ideas on where I could find a similar runner?
Thank you!!
Sarah
April 20, 2016 at 1:08 pmHi Katie, thanks so much! I actually have a new runner in my hallway now that came from ecarpetgallery. The previous runner Etsy shop must be closed now; I can’t find it anymore. Hope this helps!! xo
Olivia
September 4, 2016 at 1:46 pmI also am obsessed with this runner and it looks like the etsy link is gone.. Is there anyway you could recommend sites or places I can find similar runners/rugs.. I absolutely love the style!!(and trust your taste after seeing this design!) thanks so much, hope to hear back from you!
Sarah
September 5, 2016 at 2:29 amHi Olivia! Sorry about the missing link… the rug was vintage. My favorite vintage rug sources are Etsy, Ebay, and estate sales. You might try searching “turkish rug runner”, “oushak rug runner”, “anatolian rug runner”… those search terms usually work well! Thanks so much for the sweet compliment and for following :) I’ve also posted about runners here. Hope this helps! xo
shavonda
February 22, 2015 at 4:35 amThis turned out soooo good. Im about to start on our hallway makeover and Im not at all looking forward to it. I love the wallpaper and the built ins turned out beautiful.
Sarah
February 22, 2015 at 5:22 pmThanks! The nice thing about hallways- they’re not too big, so it takes less time. I’m sure yours will be great!
Erica
June 30, 2016 at 2:56 amI am loving that wallpaper. You wouldn’t happen to have any leftover would you? I would absolutely buy your scraps from you if you’re willing :) I have a tiny little wall in an office nook to do 63×45
Sarah
June 30, 2016 at 12:06 pmThanks, Erica! I actually don’t have any remnants left. You can find the pattern here. xo
Kellan McNamara
July 12, 2016 at 5:52 pmWhere is the runner from, I’m in love!
Sarah
July 12, 2016 at 6:30 pmThat one is vintage! I actually have a new one in the hall now, from ecarpetgallery. See this post!
Lori B
July 17, 2016 at 1:08 amIf you decide to sell the original runner I’d love to take it off your hands :)
Kayla
July 31, 2016 at 5:24 amI love the rug!
Caroline
October 3, 2016 at 7:33 pmI (along with everyone else apparently) LOVE your runner (and floors, light, and wallpaper)! I saw in your comments that you have replaced the rug. You aren’t selling the one in this post by any chance, are you?
Jodie
October 27, 2016 at 5:16 pmHi! This is my second attempt to try and convince you to sell me this hallway runner. :) I just had to try again. Thanks for considering!!!
Sarah
October 27, 2016 at 5:44 pmHi Jodie! Sorry I missed your first comment. The runner is vintage and I no longer have it. I’m sorry!! Good luck on finding a new one of a similar style. I did a vintage rug post not long ago that might be helpful. xo
Elizabeth
December 19, 2016 at 7:35 pmJust bought a sample of this wall paper as I start planning the re-design of my bedroom. Excited! Thank you so much for being a great resource.
LINNDSEY
April 22, 2019 at 8:29 pmHey!!
Would love to get the details on that hallway runner, I love it!