SFGate

michigammemom I would remove the slate topped console table from your narrow hallway. It impedes traffic into the kitchen. Stick with art hung at eye level.

Christa Somerville_Chase I agree it takes up too much space. Need some ideas for artwork, light fixture and wondering if I should place a carpet runner?

vineyardflute If you want to add color, then a runner is fine, however it may be too narrow because of your register vent. Be sure to measure before buying. The shelves in the kitchen either need to be lowered, or another shelf added just below for balance. I would also move the table out for easier traffic pattern and add pictures instead of the mirror in the hallway. It may look nice in the entry way with baskets underneath? I think a cylinder light would look great in the entry also. Pick a bright color and incorporate it with a pilow on the bench or colored frames on the wall.

Christa Somerville_Chase Would you put pictures on both sides of the hallway wall?

rivers300 I agree with michigammemom too narrow for table and also Christa treating both sides of wall with artwork will give you a finished look.

vineyardflute Christa-no, I would only put pics on one side. I find it visually narrows the space when on both sides.

decoenthusiaste A dramatic runner that begins past the vent and a knockout pair of chandys for both ends of the hall should take the focus past some of the issues. I'd see about replacing the dark vent with a lighter beige one. Leave the demi-lune table for a pretty key container at the door and put a landing spot rug in the same family as the runner. See homedecorators.com for rugs.Simplicity and editing are prime. Try the bench and round mirrors in the family room at the end of the hallway.

victorianbungalowranch I would put up one more shelf-ledge on the kitchen wall, perhaps with a keyrack built in, and rearrange the bottles with some low objects, and find another place for the sculpture on the counter.

anniebmw7 Yes, I agree with most of the comments here for removing the console, it takes up much of the hallway space and looks very crowding. The lower part of your hallway wall was designed the way it is so furniture wont be blocking it, go with a nice long mirror to the shape of the upper part of the wall (not exact fit but a nice long moderly framed rectangular size mirror) more stretched in size then just regular rectangle. You won't be needing a rug, would make the place look too old fashion. Where the small hanging mirror you got now...change that to small nice black and white pictures (modern simple frames). Hope this helps....
Annie

decoenthusiaste Have some fun with it!

Christa Somerville_Chase If each side of the wall in the hall is 9' long how big or how many pieces of art work should I use? Is there a formula or rule of thumb?

Christa Somerville_Chase Is a grouping of black and white family pics a good idea? Or should family pics be in a less public area of the home( family rooms, living rooms)

tennisanyone I would take down those small shelves in the kitchen, they add nothing to the room. Put up curtains that extend a little past the door and you won't need the shelves. Or you can add a big and long chalkboard to display your menu for the kids everyday or a saying. Can't see the front door entrance where the chair is. Is that wall long enough fort the console table? Remove the console table from the hall and put up pictures on one side.

Christa Somerville_Chase It's not long enough for the console:(

decoenthusiaste I prefer family pics in the family room, bedroom or distant part of the hall. We haven't seen how the family room looks. Maybe we could help relocate the console there if we knew what was going on.

Christa Somerville_Chase I also think the post on the stairs needs some beefing up..... Is there a rule to determine how large the post should be?

anniebmw7 I don't know...but in my parents's house they have beautifully framed black and white pictures in the hall and it made so much fun just walking through it and talking about each of the moments. It's really up to you were you like pictures at, but that just makes every moment we got together even more fun and just was always something to talk about. Yeah...and have fun doing it. Hope everyone agrees....?

pegasussas It's a beautiful hallway. It doesn't need much in my opinion. Yes, I love the idea of framed pictures. You could also think about a poem or other text. You can order almost anything you want.Also, I would do something with the backdoor glass. To me it feels a bit like coming in but being on your way out at the same time. Just an in-between curtain could do the trick for me.

Barn Light Electric Company We love your traditional style! Is there any way to space out the shelves a little more? If the bottom shelf could be lowered, I'd recommend adding more vintage goods that coordinate with the bottle collection--like a clock!

For traditional lighting, have you thought about using Schoolhouse style lighting? Our Mayfield Semi-Flush Ceiling Light has the classic schoolhouse glass, but is compact enough for smaller spaces. Here's the listing:
http://www.barnlightelectric.com/pendant-lighting/wall-and-flush-mount-lights/mayfield-semi-flush-ceiling-light-hudson-valley-vintage-classic-colonial-victorian-lighting.html

Another sleek fixture is the Benjamin Bomber Stem Mount. You can opt for a shorter stem length to have a flush fixture. Plus, the porcelain enamel finish will look so clean and shiny--lots of reflection in the small space. Here's the listing: http://www.barnlightelectric.com/porcelain-lights-goosenecks-pendants/benjamin-stem-mount-lighting/benjamin-17-bomber-porcelain-stem-mount-light.html

Pegasussas had a great suggestion with image of clustered frames. They would look very nice on both walls. We'd recommend mix and matching frame styles, but unifying them with a solid coat of paint.

ejly I like the colors and use the same in my hall. I agree, get rid of the table it doesn't help the space. I'd recommend deep framed art on a single side of the wall with lighting above it - the lighting makes a big difference. Consider putting a wreath on the door to draw the eye down the hall and up.

Christa Somerville_Chase I like the ideas:) I've thought about adding a vintage style clock to the back wall with the shelves or adding another shelf.
The space is 40" wide from the upper cabinets to the door casing. The shelves are each 12" long

Ann Marin Gallery walls, get rid of the console, and add 2 rugs in a bold pattern-- like a chevron, geometric or stripe, a runner for the hall and a square or round for the front by the door. Punch it up!