Hello nicnoll,

I love your bold steps into the dark sphere..... Charcoals and very matt dark colours can really be fantastic and very atmospheric and sophisticated teamed with the right elements..... Even the presence of a large antique mirror could be nice here and there... Doesn't sound OTT or crazy to me but I rather prefer the unusual.... Also don't rule out bare.... With Lighting!!!

: ) )

It would be lovely to see a picture if you have one.. With the door element, you could have a strong contrast but in a more muted way.. Or paint everything in the same colour... Whitening by Little Greene would be a lovely contrast for the floor as its creamy and matt and a good colour for ceilings too..

Another idea is to put in sliding doors that you would leave open rather than closed... This would also throw more light into the hallway in an interesting way.... Even on a dark palette, it could be a nice change.. Or prop the doors open with wooden printing blocks..

Have amazing lighting, they really stand out on a dark palette.. Found a pic of something I love.. Grey walls and fabulous lighting.. you can just see a hint of a creamy white floor. It has a white ceiling but... It could be grey... .

: ))

Hey AJ Thanks for your endorsement! Your pic shows the effect I'm after with regard to flat paint - and I've been testing out (the ubiquitous) F&B Downpipe which ticks a lot of boxes.
Unfortunately, no decent photo and currently no access. Suffice to say the hall is a vision of magnolia and flat, cheap wood doors with white woodwork - all in all it looks a bit drab. I've drawn a floorplan and will upload that later.
As it's an apartment we're a bit restricted on lighting options (concrete ceilings) but was thinking about track for a variety of downlighters and spotlights along the length, with a statement piece in the lobby area. I'm aware that lighting is key, although it's not my forte.
Antique mirror would be amazing and kinda mad in a modern apartment...
Thanks a million for your suggestions.

Hey nicnoll,

Most welcome!!... Yes F&B is good too... Even with a concrete ceiling... if you have the wiring then you have the lighting.. Only thing I would say here is

I'm going to use a screen animal favourite to describe how I feel about the idea of spotlights and track lighting... Here goes...

:) )

"PRRRRRRRRRLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEAAAAASSSE consider something lovely.. like the Sigmar splendour or something else....

I hope you got that reference to a characterful wabbit! Love to have a bit of humour and don't like to just openly dismiss anyone's ideas at all.. but you'll see what you think is best to do..

I will look forward to seeing the drawing.. I don't think antique, traditional and modern are at all mad... Think buildings are far more versatile than their "Period" might suggest.. .. : ))

Hello nicnoll,

Another idea for illuminating the hallway.. Brass wall lights could be fantastic too.. Like these... Also brass accessories and lighting are really fabulous with dark grey .. : ))

You could also add a series of pendant lights ( if that's possible with the ceiling) which both look good and also widen a narrow hallway. I can't find a pic of a dark hall (which sounds fab!) so have loaded the first I came across! Rather than a lamp for the console, what about a large contemporary picture light for the art which illuminates that whole end ŵall? I'd have the pendants on a dimmer so they can be dimmed to emphasise the end ŵall when wanted

Ah, yes - dimmers are always a good idea. The photo you have picked, Minnie, represents just about the opposite of what I have, which really made me smile (I know you just 'picked one'). But I can see that a line of pendants is definitely a statement, although it'd mean channelling out the ceiling I guess (yuk).
AJ, with all the wabbits in the world my budget would never stretch to Sigmar lighting :) but I hear what you're saying, and those brass options are really cool. I mean REALLY cool - you're right about being fabulous with dark grey interiors and I'd never thought of that - so thank you. Gonna go a-hunting.
Oh, and as to my final query about the end door - any views? A simple floor plan of this immense and incredible architecturally splendid space, sigh, is below. (The front door is at the bottom, and the corridor is a wee bit wider than shown.)

What lighting is in there atm? I would speak to an electrician and weigh up the cost of ŵall lighting versus ceiling, either would look good and I agree in warm metallics. I do think such dark colours give an expensive look to a room. Do the doors have any features at all or are they just smooth wood?

Yup, that's precisely the effect I had in mind. Even the flooring is similar.

The doors are just smooth with nasty hardware, and am seriously considering wholesale changing all of them! Bad doors are pet hate.

Hello nicnoll,

Sorry I didn't see any update or notification and couldn't find this thread? Had to look at my own page! .. Glad you like the brassy suggestions.. : ) ) It is true the sigmar light which I often see as they are based on Kings Rd are about £200/300 if I remember rightly.. I do get trade but yes.. It is on my ever growing list along with a sofa and wallpaper! Yes I might be inclined to want to leave the end door the same colour as the rest.. Otherwise the eyes are just drawn right down the hall and will miss the experience..

Sounds like a plan regarding the doors.. I too hate horrible doors.. Have a look at reclaim places or ebay even.. Will have a look for some brass lighting and post a link or two.. I have to work on a budget too for my place so I know what it's like to have to work with less than we'd like, I even mix my own paint... : ))

Hello nicnoll,

Another idea could be to have a wall light that is all about the bulb! A few links to both ideas.... Copper is good too... Guessing you can have them pointing up or down for ones that don't have a moving hinge..

http://www.oldschoolelectric.com/vintage-light-bulbs/

http://www.industville.co.uk/collections/wall-sconce-bar-restaurant-lamps/products/vintage-barn-angled-brass-wall-lamp

A ceiling light..

http://www.industville.co.uk/collections/ceiling-lights-lampshades/products/brooklyn-vintage-brass-cone-lampshade

OR..

One other idea... have a rose with multi flex wires... centralised where the current one is.. Then choosing cable/flex and lengths.. run them along to where you want.. either along ceiling.. in loops with hooks to loop round and fix position, so then excess becomes a drop pendant to add something lovely.... Or you run them in loops across the ceiling to the opposite wall and have a wall light fitting but the electric cable comes from the one ceiling point. So less to do wiring wise.. Plus this makes for a very interesting bespoke installation.. with coloured flex cable running in loops along the hallway.. . : ))

http://www.urbancottageindustries.com/historic-lighting/ceiling-roses/multiple-outlet-ceiling-roses/ceiling-rose-multiple-cable-flex-outlet-vintage-brass

http://www.urbancottageindustries.com/historic-lighting/fabric-cable/twisted-lighting-flex/copper-fabric-lighting-flex-cable-twist

Hello AJ
I really appreciate these links - some great stuff here and at reasonable prices. The multiple outlet ceiling rose is one of those relatively cheap solutions that could end up being the making of the space. And funnily enough, the focal artwork, although modern, is based on a pub interior, so going down the road of brass/copper light fittings is, albeit in an abstract way, in keeping :P I'd simply never thought of it.
And you're right, why draw attention to the bathroom door?!!

Hello nicnoll,

Most welcome!! I think they are fabulously versatile, imaginative.. my favourite words! .. They are something that I feel makes for fantastic lighting options that you can really tailor to your needs with the lighting you choose or even old style large filament bulbs.. They are beautiful in themselves......

Plus you can really change it round if you wanted something different... hooks are easily removed, holes filled, painted and placed somewhere new with any new light you decide upon.... : ))