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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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May 22, 2013

Hardwood Floor Hallway Makeover

wood_floor_landing_and_hallway_makeover www.atthepicketfence.com

The first time I walked through the doors of our home I saw it. It was kinda hard to miss.

Green carpet. Oh, sure, it wasn’t everywhere. There were hardwood floors in the kitchen and breakfast nook, slate in the entry and mudroom, neutral carpet in the family room and bedrooms.

But everywhere else there was green carpet. Up the staircase which greets you from the front door and running down the upstairs hallway. In the office to the right of the entry and in the living room and dining room to the left.

Green carpet. It wasn’t the most offensive shade of green but it certainly wasn’t doing the house any favors!

I didn’t hesitate for a second about buying this house because it ticked so many of the boxes and besides…I would be replacing that green carpet lickety split, right?

Fast forward almost 5 years and we finally replaced the carpet in the living room, dining room and office. But, frankly I was stumped about the upstairs hallway. You see, the bedroom carpets were in really good shape and they were a nice neutral shade. We didn’t want to have to replace them but we also had to take into consideration the flooring in the other parts of the house. Slate in the entry (right below this hallway), hardwood floors in the kitchen and carpet in other rooms). That’s a lot of different things going on!

So, after hemming and hawing and pondering and questioning I FINALLY made a decision!

hallway before1 atthepicketfence.com

And the upstairs hallway got new hardwood floors!

wood floors on landing atthepicketfence.com

 Green carpet? What green carpet? It’s always looked like this, right?

wood_floor_hallway atthepicketfence.com

Now, I have to admit something. While I was writing this post I was thinking about how many people are going to tell me they don’t like my yellow walls. That yellow is “out”. So I hesitated.

I almost didn’t share this makeover.

hallway before3

But, you know what? 5 years later I still love my yellow walls. I mean, come on people! I live in Oregon. I gotta get my ‘sunshine’ one way or another, right?

hall_table_with_lamp atthepicketfence.com

And, are you ready for another confession? That lamp isn’t plugged in.

Because there is no outlet on that wall. But there SHOULD be one!

So, I put a lamp there anyway. Just for looks.

lamp on console table in hallway www.atthepicketfence.com

And it is a looker of a lamp, isn’t it?

books in tray on table atthepicketfence.com

And, since I’m already confessing things I might as well fess up about my addiction to trays. I gravitate to them in a store like my son gravitates to pie crust.

basket_under_table www.atthepicketfence.com

Oh and baskets…I’m kind of addicted to them too. This one perfectly softens up the hardwood and is filled with old quilts.

wood_floor_landing_and_hallway_makeover www.atthepicketfence.com

And yes…that is another basket in our master bedroom. It’s a problem. I know.

Thanks so much for meeting me at the Fence today!

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46 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas Tagged With: hallway, hallway makeover, landing, wood floor landing, wood floors

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Comments

  1. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    May 22, 2013 at 6:35 AM

    It looks beautiful, Vanessa! I couldn’t believe what a difference our hardwood floors made when we took up carpet last Summer and put them in. I like your yellow walls and, after all, it is your house and you do what you love in it. In our old house I had four rooms with yellow walls.

    Reply
  2. Marina says

    May 22, 2013 at 6:53 AM

    I SO totally get the lamp for visual appeal thing…I do that in a hallway too. Yes, there should be an outlet and there will be one day…just not today! I think we are too critical of ourselves at times. Post away, enjoy your baskets, the perkiness your yellow brings into your home and keep on sharing. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Mimi Matthews says

    May 22, 2013 at 7:00 AM

    LOVE your yellow walls! Living in the “most cloudy days per year” capital of America (mid Michigan), I get that you need some sunshine! Besides, they are gorgeous with your floors and furnishings.

    Reply
  4. Kim says

    May 22, 2013 at 7:05 AM

    The floors are gorgeous and oh how I would love to have our stairs and upstairs done. I think your yellow walls look fine. I have a slight tray and basket problem, too and totally get it.

    Reply
  5. Dorothy says

    May 22, 2013 at 7:07 AM

    Love everything about this.

    Reply
  6. Sharon O says

    May 22, 2013 at 7:18 AM

    Yep living in Oregon is a challenge at times and I do like the yellow walls. In fact I am considering going back to a yellow kitchen with a bit of blue. It brings a smile and in this rain (today) a smile is good :o)

    Reply
  7. Gerry says

    May 22, 2013 at 7:20 AM

    Funny you mentioned the yellow color. It was the first thing I noticed because I LOVE it!

    Reply
  8. Tami White says

    May 22, 2013 at 7:31 AM

    I luuuv your yellow walls–in fact just last week I painted my foyer a yellow color and it just makes me smile! What color and wood is that beautiful hardwood? we are trying to make a decision about that very thing right now!

    Reply
  9. Carol says

    May 22, 2013 at 7:32 AM

    I love your yellow walls and of course your new hardwood floors. Beautiful!

    Reply
  10. Shannon @Fox Hollow Cottage says

    May 22, 2013 at 7:34 AM

    Baskets, trays… great addictions girl 😉 The floors look great and seeing yours will help me not mind the mess and work we are going to have installing ours. They are gorgeous!! And my mom totally had a “fake lamp” in her entryway, for many years, until my dad put in an outlet last time she was visiting me as a surprise. It’s a looker of a lamp for sure!! Cheers to your yellow from another Oregon girl!!

    Reply
  11. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    May 22, 2013 at 8:00 AM

    The floors look great! And Edie over at LifeInGraceblog wrote a post a couple of days ago about yellow walls. I think you should keep them. 🙂
    xo, Claire

    Reply
  12. Michele/ Finch Rest says

    May 22, 2013 at 8:11 AM

    Vanessa,

    Your floors look absolutely positively divine – and yes, like they were *always* there, indeed.

    As for your yellow walls they look GREAT – never ever be a slave to trends, make no apologies, love what you love. To thine own self be true! And your walls look so awesome brightening up the space and look how well it looks with the flooring now too. Well done.

    As for your “fessin’ up and keeping it rea” well kinda glad you did. Makes the rest of us feel better about out little secrets, too. But it isn’t that difficult to get electric brought down from the attic, I’ve done it more than a few times over the years.

    Reply
  13. Liana says

    May 22, 2013 at 8:39 AM

    Agree with all the kudos…it all looks absolutely splendid…but what’d you do with the stairs?

    Reply
  14. Rani @ La Maison Jolie says

    May 22, 2013 at 8:51 AM

    Looks divine, much better than carpets. I have the same problem with a grayish brown carpet in our home. And I’m still figuring out how to break it to my husband that ‘we’ need hardwood floors. Love the lamp too! Xx

    Reply
  15. LUCY says

    May 22, 2013 at 8:57 AM

    Yay for hardwood….now the fun begins….keeping it clean…;)
    Looks wonderful xox

    Reply
  16. Laura Steckly says

    May 22, 2013 at 9:28 AM

    These look so great! And I love the yellow walls! Our last house had yellow walls throughout and I won’t be surprised if we do it again in the next one 🙂 The great thing about yellow walls is that they are actually pretty neutral so you can mix up the accent colors all though the house with no problem! And I love the indoor sunshine.

    Reply
  17. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    May 22, 2013 at 9:48 AM

    Oh I love your hardwood floors, I would have them everywhere in a heartbeat if I had a ton of money. They look amazing. I love the yellow wall, I think they are fabulous. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  18. june says

    May 22, 2013 at 10:03 AM

    Vanessa,

    Love it all! Love love the yellow. I have yellow walls in my master bedroom and a yellow print wallpaper in the master bath. I plan to paint my kitchen yellow later this year. LOVE the calmness of yellow:)

    Did you leave carpet on the stairs? We are in the process of considering pulling carpet and replacing with hardwood throughout the main floor and upstairs hallway – like you leaving the bedrooms carpeted. I worry about the stairs being slippery. We have a multi-level home so we are only have eight stairs from the bedroom level to the living room level.

    Any thoughts?

    june
    PS I’ll take the dreariness of Oregon over the snow in Minnesota – last snowfall was two weeks ago…my poor gardens.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      May 22, 2013 at 1:46 PM

      Hi June! I’m going to be revealing my stairs soon so you will have to stay tuned! We were running into the same problem of worrying about the stairs being slippery (it’s a big staircase!) and with little ones running up and down all day it was definitely a concern. I’m hoping to share our solution soon! 🙂

      Reply
  19. Suzi says

    May 22, 2013 at 10:59 AM

    Why is yellow out? I love my lemon yellow! Beautifully done with all your accessories too. Love the flower arrangement.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      May 22, 2013 at 1:45 PM

      Thanks so much Suzi! It’s just so funny how you hear things about colors being “in” and then being “out” but it really does boil down to what you love, right? 🙂

      Reply
  20. Marty Walden says

    May 22, 2013 at 11:03 AM

    We painted our kitchen yellow a few months ago and I have absolutely adored it. It’s different than anything we’ve done and I love it whether it’s in fashion or not! Love the hardwoods. We have hardwoods everywhere (well, some are peel and stick hardwood but we’re getting there!) Some are pergo flooring which I love for the price. You can’t tell the difference. You did a great job and should be so pleased!

    Reply
  21. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    May 22, 2013 at 11:36 AM

    Wood floors make such a difference! I’m so happy for you!!! And I adore yellow walls. They are bright and happy and beautiful. You hall is wonderful!!!!

    Reply
  22. Elizabeth@ Blue Clear Sky says

    May 22, 2013 at 1:20 PM

    Your hall looks fantastic. I so want to do that in the next couple of years in the upstairs hall, but this year garage doors and next year roof lol. They are your walls and you like the yellow so that is all that matters. There are a gazillion colours out there and we don’t all have to have the same.

    Reply
  23. Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says

    May 22, 2013 at 1:51 PM

    Those floors are gorgeous! And I love the yellow! I have a similar shade in our guest bedroom, it’s so cheerful!

    Also can I just say that I love that you have carpet in the bedrooms and other rooms. Most people rip up every inch of carpet in a space and I always struggle with feeling that my rooms are fabulous because they have carpet, but your house reassures me that carpet can still look good! 🙂

    Reply
  24. Amy Brown says

    May 22, 2013 at 3:15 PM

    Love the floors and that you went diagonal with it. I also happen to love your yellow walls, your trays and your baskets and MOST OF ALL that amazing unplugged lamp. HERE IS MY QUESTION: Im curious what you did with the stairs?

    Reply
  25. Sally says

    May 22, 2013 at 5:14 PM

    Are you kidding me? Yellow walls? LOVE them! 🙂 What a cheerful space. Love the way you have that hallway decorated too! Trays and baskets? Yes, please!

    Reply
  26. Vicki Shead says

    May 22, 2013 at 5:35 PM

    I have yellow walls in the hallway too! I mean, c’mon, hallways just CALL for sunshine since mine don’t have any direct sunlight, I created my own with the soft yellow walls. So, hooray for you! I LOVE THE hardwoods. But, I think I got you beat… my house has blood red wall to wall carpeting throughout the house, up the stairs, etc. AND the back of the house gets loads of sun so in each room at the back of the house, the carpet was PINK in spots! OH MY! We lived like that for 5 years too. That must be the “breaking” point. HA!

    Reply
  27. lori says

    May 22, 2013 at 5:43 PM

    I love yellow walls!

    Reply
  28. Judy says

    May 23, 2013 at 5:06 AM

    Your new hardwood floors look awesome. I am a big fan of the yellow – I didn’t know it was “out”. Your home is gorgeous and the new floors are a great addition.

    Reply
  29. Cynthia says

    May 23, 2013 at 7:15 AM

    Hardwood was the way to go… It looks fantastic!
    As for the basket addiction, I love them too… perhaps there is a twelve step program? I am in as long as it means I can have a basket for each step! 😉

    Reply
  30. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    May 23, 2013 at 7:31 AM

    I’m with you on the basket hoarding thing. Seriously. I have a problem. I keep buying more and storing the old ones in the basement — just in case …

    And I love the yellow walls. Sunny and fresh! But I know what you mean about not showing a room because the color is so “out” …

    Oh, and the floors look fabulous!!!

    🙂 Linda

    Reply
  31. bonnie@uncommon designs says

    May 23, 2013 at 8:19 AM

    Oh looks amazing Vanessa! Opens everything up and looks so crisp and clean! Well worht the wait! 😉

    Reply
  32. Wendy says

    May 23, 2013 at 9:48 AM

    I love the yellow (& the floors too)! I am an Interior Designer & am a little bored with all of the grey. While it can look stunning in photos, if using a cool grey, it can be a hard color to live with if you live in the Northwest. 😉

    Reply
  33. Sarah Svoboda says

    May 24, 2013 at 6:17 AM

    I LOVE your new hardwoods. We’re hoping to put hardwoods through most of our house soon (as soon as the budget allows). And who cares if yellow is “out” – I love yours. It’s perfect. Very sunny and warm. Beautiful!!!

    Reply
  34. Jennifer @ Celebrating Everyday Life says

    May 24, 2013 at 7:07 AM

    What a great makeover and I love that you put a lamp there regardless of the outlet! I would do the same thing – but of course I too have a tray and lamp addiction so don’t go by me 🙂 ~Hugs, Jennifer

    Reply
  35. Lauren @momhomeguide says

    May 24, 2013 at 7:09 AM

    Your hardwood floors look beautiful! I would love hardwood floors someday … my home has carpeting everywhere! Would you mind sharing what brand and type hardwood floors you got?

    Reply
  36. Kelly @ thelilypadcottage says

    May 24, 2013 at 12:18 PM

    Wow! What a difference, love the new wood floors, so pretty!

    Reply
  37. Kimberly Sneed says

    May 25, 2013 at 11:18 AM

    Gorgeous Vanessa! One of these days I would love hardwood or tile floors! We have carpet everywhere! 😉

    Reply
  38. Randi - Dukes and Duchesses says

    May 25, 2013 at 12:25 PM

    That looks fantastic … and I love your yellow walls! 🙂

    Reply
  39. Therese @ Fresh Idea Studio says

    May 25, 2013 at 1:45 PM

    Vanessa, your floors look awesome! Such a great look and I love how they’re on the diagonal coming out of your master into the hall. Very nice choice.

    And I have to admit…I have a “tray / backet problem” myself. ;)I mean they just so useful I can’t seem to get enough.

    I vote for your yellow…it’s a keeper.:)

    Oh and one more thing without telling you my whole life story…I revealed my new wood floors this morning. It made me extra excited to see yours. It’s like the green carpet was never even there.

    Reply
  40. Meghan says

    May 26, 2013 at 5:32 PM

    Yellow is not “out”. It’s classic! I love it!

    Reply
  41. Sharon says

    July 12, 2013 at 3:15 AM

    A girl can’t have too many baskets. You know, I have always wanted a lamp in my foyer, but the electrical outlet is in the wrong place….I think I’ll follow your lead and put a lamp there anyway! Thanks for sharing that little secret. 🙂

    I love the wood floors…a very warm color. Reminds me of the floors in my dining room. And your yellow walls are so pretty. It’s a very soft, comforting, fresh yellow.

    Your home is so beautiful!

    Reply
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    June 5, 2014 at 9:08 PM

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  43. Charlene G. Bryant says

    November 2, 2015 at 9:23 AM

    I love your yellow walls! Looks like I’m not the only one either!!! I see these posts are from quite some time ago however….

    Geez, I’m hoping it’s still okay to use yellow. I was thinking of asking you what paint manufacturer and name you used or doing you know. Possibly those were painted that way already? Anyway, if you know the name of paint color and manufacturer, please do share.

    The stairs look awesome too!!! Funny, we have the same green carpet on our stairs leading to the second floor and down the hallway as well lol.

    Best to you and yours,

    Charlene

    Reply

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“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka. Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
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For he grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; he has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to him.

He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, he was despised, and we did not esteem him. Surely our griefs he himself bore, and our sorrows he carried; yet we ourselves esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 

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“The next day the large crowd that had come to t “The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ – John 12:9-19
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