The Hall

So these next few weeks I’m going to show you what I have in mind so far for each room in our new house. These are of course just plans and as I still don’t have access to the house I don’t know the exact measurements so I’m guesstimating that the items will fit where I envisage them.

Starting off at the front of the house in the hall:

This is obviously where you enter the house. That butting out bit was added to the house back in the 80’s.

 

 

There’s no roof over the entrance as you can see here so you enter directly and we’re going to have to consider the flooring just inside. More on that later.

 

This is what it looks like now. Beige linoleum floors, pale yellow walls, horrible light and a very ugly front door. You can just make out the door that leads to the basement on the left and you see the WC door to the right. Yay, original handles just like the one’s I got for our current house! What I really like about the hall is that it’s on a floor of it’s own so I imagine that any dirt tracked inside pretty much stays there and won’t spread out as much as if it were level with the living room (the exception maybe being the WC which is on the same level).

To do list:

• Paint front door inside and out (or if I get rich switch doors to a nicer style more in keeping with the house).
• Paint all trim white.
• Paint WC and basement doors white in a less glossy finish.
• Paint walls white.
• Change flooring.
• Switch out light fixtures.

 

Here are some options I’m considering for the flooring. I’ve loved the rubber dot flooring ever since I saw it in a colleagues bathroom when I worked at IKEA back in 1986 and have wanted to use it in a home one day. Maybe this time? I also really like the idea of having coconut husk wall to wall carpet but I’m worried that it will get soggy by the door when it’s snowy and wet outside. And then there’s tile of course and I’m thinking this is probably the best option in the long run, easy to keep clean and always looks nice. Grey?

 

Here’s how I’m thinking furniture wise:

1. This locker for coats. It’s British racing green at the moment but I’ll probably paint it a different color.
2. This locker for shoes (Martin may want this one since he was the one who dove for it in the dumpster but if he’s ok with us having it that’s where it will probably go). This gets painted too if we get to keep it.
3. Some nice hooks and a small table or shelf for corralling all that entryway clutter.
4. A large mirror.

So, those are my ideas right now. What are your thoughts? Any ideas for hooks?

Stay tuned for the kitchen tomorrow!

Comments

[Siri]

Good morning Benita!

Will it be very expensive to change the windows to a bigger one so that you`ll get more daylight?
I don`t know anyone that has rubber flooring, but I have always wondered how it works inn a hallway with the wet snow and everything. I kind of imagine that it is easyer to wipe of tiles than rubber flooring. Also it is really nice to have tiles with floor heating in the hallway! The two lockers will look great there!!

[Siri]

Oh I forgot the hooks:

http://freshome.com/2010/05/11/25-of-the-most-creative-wall-hook-designs/

I think Luca Nichettos boxhooks are so cool!

[Carlos]

They are! I think Anna @ Door 16 has one. So practical!

[Carlos]

I think there are restrictions to the look of the butting out bit as all those who have them have similar windows. Also with a larer window there would be less room for storage/hanging space.

And yes, I'm considering underfloor heating if I tile. Mini and Bonus would love that :).

[Agnes]

This project is so excitening Benita! I follow you every day : ) I would LOVE to have the grey rubber dot floor! I have it in my laundry room and it's fabolous. I put one slice infront of the front door. It works fine with snow and rain. My cats love it! So I say Grey Rubber Dot : )

Agnes

[Primrose Beresford]

Hi

I love the fact that you are already planning your new home in detail. I'm sure that it will be fantastic.

One thing to check on the rubber dot flooring (which I love) is that I have heard that it needs professionally re-sealed evey year which could be expensive. Don't know if that is true of the brand you have chosen, but might be worth looking into.

Best Wishes
Primrose

[Nancy]

I love the grey dots too. Funky, practical and would look great with the lockers. I have never been a huge fan of tile floors. They are cold under foot and you are in that space for such a short time that heating the area seems like a waste of energy, although I'm sure the kitties would appreciate it!

Regarding the hooks, perhaps something from Umbra would look great. http://www.umbra.com/ustore/search.store?search=hooks

I wonder if a carpenter could add a window to the door. Since you are planning on painting it, you could add some trim to make it more interesting.

Can't wait to see more!

[Carlos]

I'm going to take a closer look at the door once I get access to the house. It may be one of those "security" doors with steel reinforcements so the window might not be ossible. I do like the idea of adding trim!

[Älvan]

Grey tiles!!! I would love to have grey tile flooring in our hall. Unfortunately our current one is some kind of dark terracotta (bordering on red actually) and it's very ugly, and in the house it's a mix of darker and lighter terracotta (better than here but not perfect). Tiles are easy to clean (tips: köp en skrapa som man i vanliga fall använder till keramikhällar, den är perfekt för intorkade fläckar av det mesta och funkar utmärkt på golv av den här typen).

[Monica]

Love the metal lockers!
On the flooring, we have tiles with floor heating in our entry and I can confirm that your cats will love it. Our cat, Emma, "moves" there in the winter. There is an especially warm spot right in front of the guest bathroom door and I have often gone to the bathroom upstairs to not disturb her (evil eye if someone dares to). We used a 30x60cm tile in a dark charcoal grey which I love to look at but hate to keep clean (our son is 6, 6=sand & dirt). If I could do it over I would choose a light grey (like your 4th tile). Love the rubber dot flooring too, but I wonder if it scratches easily...
Two suggestions for coat hooks: Eames Hang it All or the Delta Design Bach coat hook http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Design-Bach-Coat-3-Pack/dp/B00113GXJ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1295842368&sr=8-1

[Petra from NL]

Love those lockers! The dots are rather retro, aren't they? My worry would be that dirt gets stuck to the sides of the dots and wold be cumbersome to clean... Would love the wall to wall husk myself. There are also other carpets that are supposed to take off dirt very well... My favourite for hallways always has been Marmoleum. It comes in 2m wide rolls for which the floor has to be evened out. It also comes on wooden boards so you can lay it the same way as laminate flooring but with a natural look. This is called Marmoleum Click. It's a Dutch product so not entirely sure if this is available like this in Sweden.

Hooks, why not make a simple pegrail?

[Petra from NL]

Or.....

Www.nonplusultra.nl/product/flip-hook-kapstok/35124/

[Jenny]

Since you asked, I go for the rubber dot flooring - more interesting than tiles, a little funky!

[Peta]

I can see you're going to a very busy girl this year!!
Not going from personal experience, but I think the rubber floor seems a very practical AND lovely option!
I wouldn't like the idea of wall to wall carpet. I like to be able to give any matts or rugs a good airing and shaking outside every so often. Maybe you could tile and have a large coconut husk matt instead!
I'm sure whatever you choose will look great anyway!!
ps - Love those box hooks that Siri suggested.

[Ramona K]

What an exciting time you have in front of you Benita. I have always liked the idea of a rubber floor. However we have just renovated our hallway and the choice fell on large grey-green tiles with floor heating. I now love this area - as do the cats. It is SO easy to clean, wet puddles dry up fast. Your feet feel cosy when you take of your shoes (in Sweden anyway) Would never hesitate making the same choice again. I would recommend tiles with a "marbled" effect rather than plain coloured. I have to remind myself to clean the area since it never looks like it needs it.

[Anne]

Love the rubber dots!!
If you go with tile - make it grey. I had that when we lived in the house and it's the best entry floor I've ever had. Even when it's dirty it doesn't look that bad. I also had floor heating in with that floor and it was great! (I realize I miss that entry - It was a nice one).

[Carlos]

I think the existing floor is very similar to Marmoleum actually. Too bad it's a yucky beige and not a nice grey...

[Carlos]

It was!

[maj]

I like that you plan in details. I think these hangers can be an option http://www.ikea.com/se/sv/catalog/products/60152590

http://czerwonamaszyna.pl/wieszak-laskowscy-design-kot-nowak,9230,p.html
http://czerwonamaszyna.pl/potrojny-wieszak-kare-design-spoon-white,11135,p.html
http://czerwonamaszyna.pl/wieszak-na-ubrania-zack-canzo,267,p.html
http://czerwonamaszyna.pl/scienny-wieszak-ubraniowy-zack-canzo,3101,p.html
http://czerwonamaszyna.pl/wieszak-scienny-blomus-vasco,12149,p.html

[Harpa]

I really like the idea of the rubber flooring, I'd love it in my own home as well. My first thought when I consider the niches where you plan to put the two lockers is that they are perfect for built in storage, something similar to what you already have at your current house. Is the locker that you're planning for the coats big enough, or will big winter coats snag on the doors etc.? Seems a bit narrow to me...

[Carlos]

I'm actually going to stay away from as many built-ins this time around. There will be some but I want the option to switch things around more in this house.

The lockers are quite narrow but during the cold months Wille and I usually just wear one bulky coat/jacket each + excercise gear so there will be enough room. I'm thinking I will have hooks or similar for guests.

[Carlos]

The walnut Hang it All is definitely a contender!

[Alexia]

Dear Benita,
I daily visit your blog, so inspiring for me. I am so glad to follow you in this new adventure !
Best regards,
Alexia from Belgium

[elisa rathje]

how much fun is this going to be!! you can dress up your door with molding before you paint, very easy to cut mitered corners & nail it with a bit of glue on first. i prefer our tile to the coir rug we had at our london flat, the tile can be seriously scrubbed whereas the vacuum could never get all of the dirt out of that rug. x

[Sophia]

I love some of the options other readers suggested like the Luca Nichetto' s boxhooks which are so unique and different but in more money wise terms I'd consider those Polku rack (http://www.finnishdesignshop.com/furniture-coatracks-polku-rack-black-p-4768.html) ones in black! They are quite organic and sculptural at the same tine!

[Lisbeth]

With all that appraisal for the grey dots, I think it's time to weigh in with a different comment: to me nothing screams '1980s'like that rubber dot flooring! And even more so when paired with lockers... No offence but perhaps something to keep in mind for the overall feel of the house :)

On the other hand, I love the Nichettos boxhooks! Will now have to get some myself :)

[Isabel]

I think a grey tile would look good and be practical for the floors.
I would also add a chair/bench to sit and put on shoes at area 3. I use Ikea's Skar bench http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/10145328.

[monica]

I am so excited for you! I like all of your ideas! I think tile or the grey dots for the floor. And...how about changing the door to get one with a significant amount of glass so that you get more light in the area, and have more of a quick view to the outside world, especially since the windows are high and don't let you see out front? Another option would be to use the same door and get a window cut into it???

Ohhh- just thought to look above before I hit post - and saw that the window in the door was already suggested- but is there maybe room for a new door in the budget???

[Annika]

The rubberdots is so cool, it will be very interesting and fun to follow your blog anf see how you make this new house "yours" // Annika

[Anna]

Go for the rubber floor. It's so cool!

[Helena]

I love the rubber-floor too....and was seriously considering it (and trying hard to convince my boyfriend about it)for the entry in our new house...but it turned out to be very expensive, I only found it in bits of 50x50 (många skarvar blir det) and they say the whole place smells of rubber when you have that floor. Soooo, in the end....no rubber-floor for me!! :(
I would go gor the tiles, in grey, long-lasting and nice looking!

[Britta]

Grattis till huset, It's looks stunning so far!

Det ska bli riktigt rolig att få följa dina inredningsplaner. Angående krokar så är det svårt att hitta de ultimata krokarna som både ska vara snygga och funktionella. Jag är nöjd med en lösning vi gjorde längst en vägg i vårt sovrum. Vi skruvade upp (i bröshöjd) en lång vit tavellist liknande IKEA:s Ribba och skruvat fast Y-krokar under där vi hänger jeans och tröjor. Själva hyllplanet är perfekt för mobilen, parfymflaskor och nycklar m m.

Jag ser fram emot nästa inlägg i husföljetongen!

[Anekk]

Congratulations with the new house, am looking forward to see how you make it your own.
I would highly recommend the rubber floor, I have it in my basement stairs and kitchen and my sister has it in her hallway. It is easy to clean, water resistant and looks great (and doesn't smell). Looking at your picture of it it looks very similar, mine is a type of laminate flooring that you get in a roll that is a set width and you choose how many meters you want (Am from Norway so I'd guess you'd find a similar product in Sweden).
Good luck!

[Carlos]

I have to agree with you and it's so not the look I'm after :). I think once I get into the house (I've only been once on viewing day) I'll figure it out!

[Valeria]

Heated floor, gray tiles... timeless and super nice to walk on for you guys and kitties!

[Annika]

Hej Benita. Spännande projekt! Från vad jag har hört är gummigolven med förhöjda prickar lite svåra ur renhållningssynpunkt. Kanske inte ett jätteproblem i ett privat hem, men just i en hall kanske? Ryktet säger att smutsen fastnar kring ringarna... om jag inte kommer ihåg fel så har den här typen golv framtagits för att ge friktion och är väl ganska vanligt på dagis osv för att hindra strumpbeklädda fötter från att halka. Jag hade kollat med nån som provat att ha det i en hall först. Men jag håller med om att det kan se coolt ut!

[Ibabe]

First, congratulations, the new house looks great.
About the floor, titles are perfect for snow, and rain and coming in...easy to clean. Love the grey ones, and you could add a bit of colour with a carpet or so.
About the hooks and so...as you are thinking about metal style entrance...you could find something a bit vintage and school style hooks..
http://www.car-moebel.de/docs/shop.aspx?domid=1087&id=38013&aid=190385&cid=731 in this style, white, black, wood and metal.
This german site has beautiful ideas quite easy to make, just for a person like you. www.car-moebel.de
Thanks to you for letting us "play".

[Pierre from Amsterdam]

Hi Benita,

here some ideas :
http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/09/best-of-entryways.html

[jeannette]

dotty lino, warmer, quieter, lasts for ever and ever so chic.

[jja]

I would not take rubber dot flooring since I imagine it is not easy to clean, dirt can stick around the dot.
Lot of work aroung the house. Do you have some priority list, which things first?
Tiles are my option (without fugues), maybe even black.
I love hook boxes by designer Luca Nichetto.

[Kari]

Our back entry (where we drag in the snow on shoes etc.) has carpet on the stairs and it is horrid--gets wet and dirty very quickly. It is being torn out this summer and we will either paint the floors for a while or put in tile (depending on what we decide and what our budget is. So my advice is, whatever else you do, do NOT use carpet!

[jeannette]

you could dance on it in your new kiss-me stilettoes mch more easily than the tile.

[jeannette]

yes, built-ins commit you to one use of the space forever and real estate agents don't like them.

[Carlos]

Priority before we move in: Bathroom and kitchen.
Priority: Wille's room.
The rest I'll do little by little.

[ragna]

Do you know "Manufactum"? It's a German company, I really like to have a look at the catalogue, but don't buy too many things as I'm a student and it's often far from what I can afford. It might be interessting for you, not really fancy products but more classical basics, that will look good all the time.
The catalogue also contains products of "Magazin" which is offering design.

http://www.manufactum.co.uk/
http://www.magazin.com/home.html

[Carlos]

I haven't heard of them before. Nice!

[Nini Tjäder]

Beware of the coconut mat as you have cats. Cat-hair will stick into it and it is next to impossible to vacuum away... Some cats also tend to rub themselves (and all their hair) on those kinds of carpets. Grey tiles would look very good I think.

[Carlos]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind!

[Sabine]

Hi, have you thought about a concrete floor? We are going to have it in out hall and bathrooms. And here are some hooks I favour:
http://www.domesticity.co.uk/Products/shed-coat-hook
(we also sell them in our hop but this is only in German...)

[Kim B.]

I'm so glad you spoke out, Lisbeth. I've gotta say, we had those rubber dots in my university dormitory. . . in the 1980s! To me, it just says industrial and cheap. But then I stop and think, Benita's taste is so much better than mine - she must be able to see something I can't! Oh the fun of assessing options . . .

[SewandKnit]

Oh exiting looks great...
I like theses hooks. Very nice!! http://www.byggfabriken.com/sortiment/beslag/krokar-och-hangare/info/produkter/575-242-krok/
As for tile I think I would go for something a little more fifties. I always think that when installing any "permanent" feature such as tile cabinetry and so on, in an older home it should be appropriate to the homes age and style.
Love these but maybe a little to colorful for your style. . http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VWA5V_7YPAI/TRyjFXVkXVI/AAAAAAAAACM/WR8kWrE_Aks/s1600/Portugisisk-blomst.jpg

[m.winter]

Those knobby floors nick pretty easily with pets in the household. They are also famous for getting sticky no matter how many times you wash them.

I'd go with the tile in the second row right.

[Amy]

This is so exciting to see what you will do in a new space! I will be following your progress! :)

[Tnya]

I have friends who have actually painted the marmoleum floor tiles with a high gloss polyurethaned color - grey or whatever - and with enough coats, it really looks great. It's a simple, cheap solution and fast. Just another suggestion.

[Robyn]

Hi there!

Have you considered just plain laminate flooring? It might not be as good as real oak floorboards, but if you have them all through the entrance area until you hit the stairs, that will give it a nice open feel. I also like Sabine's idea of concrete flooring. Especially when it's been highly polished. It has many finishes and you could choose one to suit.Just Google some images to see the options.

Also, perhaps switch the lockers around? If you have the shoes locker nearer the door, you wouldn't be traipsing in any dirt through the entrance. We don't wear shoes in the house, so it's usually the last thing we put on before going out and the first thing we take off coming back in.

[Ali]

I loved this post! Thanks for a peek into your idea / planning stage! So fun to see you how you begin a project with dreams and using what you have! Very inspiring!

Your new home will be stylish and organized! I love your style!

You have a design gift that is coupled with a pragmatic "get it done" can do attitude! I love that about you!

~ Ali

[Carlos]

I hadn't actually but I like the idea!

[Carlos]

I agree with you on some point but at the same time I don't want a 50's museum. The house needs to reflect me too and since I plan to stay there for quite a while I don't want to feel restricted to using 50's style things throughout.

[Carlos]

Ooooh! That might be a great quickie solution actually! Will investigate that further, thank you!

[Carlos]

I'm afraid I don't like laminate at all. It's cold, noisy and just doesn't look right. I have experience from laying it in a previous apartment and I regretted it so much.

[Villagepig]

Hi Benita,

I am not sure whether anyone has said as much yet (I haven't had a chance to read the comments) but I would definitely avoid the coconut husk. I have something similar (seagrass) throughout the upstairs of my house where traffic is fairly low and I regret every expensive metre of it. It is unkind to bare skin and although it is tough and stands up to most kinds of abuse, it is also really difficult to keep really clean because it doesn't vacuum well. If you have cats (which you do, we have 5), it attracts their hair and they think that it is a scratching pad.

So yeah - avoide the husk and go for the grey :-)

All the best
VP

[Lisbeth]

I'm glad that you didn't get offended, Benita, since I was a little worried about that after posting. And yes, I'm sure that you'll figure it out; like Kim B. says below: your taste is so much better that most people's :D

[Zhasmene]

Just wanted to add to the hook discussion.

I really like the hook box mentioned above. The one that Anna has: http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/01/15/hook-box-girard/
They seem hard to come by though.

I also like the cubby by Materious: http://materious.com/projects/cubby.html#

This one is nice: http://www.bluebox.se/showinfo.asp?id=a03737&method=kat&kat=nyheter
but it is very similar to the Ikea hooks mentioned above: http://www.ikea.com/se/sv/catalog/products/60152590 (and the Ikea hooks are not attached to a back plate, so you have more options for how many to buy and how you want to arrange them. Also they are cheaper of course. I have them for towels in my bathroom and I like them.

[Ellen Anderman]

I urge you NOT to get the dot floor. I had a lovely one installed in an earlier kitchen and every little thing stuck to it. Plus it was very, very hard to clearn around the raised dot. Don't do it!
-EllieA