I ordered my custom-width oak bifold unit from Home Depot (a 30" was cut down to fit my 28" doorway, it was only 1/2" from each side of each panel so it wasn't even noticeable, so they could cut down a 36" to fit a 34" width), but they may not be able to do one that short and the paneled or louvered style isn't really conducive to cutting it down in height, just the slab if you chose one of the solid core styles. Slabs can be decorated with moldings to make them less blah. There are several manufacturers of custom bifolds on the web - Google "custom bifold doors". Sturdy wooden shutters could be used the same way if hinged together, and come in many different styles. I have never ordered anything from there but I think the offerings from Kestrel are particularly attractive. I also found a fairly inexpensive source of custom-sized wood shutters, Architectural Depot. I would not use a fully louvered door, I would use one of the dressier paneled style or at most the part-paneled-part-louvered style. Kestrel also has a tongue-and-groove option that would echo your beadboard quite charmingly. You can also have a local carpenter make you up a set exactly to your specifications. While French doors could be cute, I wouldn't envy trying to find a set to fit that doorway, and that extent of customization would be pretty pricey. The best way I can really think of to do it is to try to go through a cabinet door company. French-style large cabinet doors via architectural salvage might be available but they tend to be viciously expensive!

Took my pics yesterday and then forgot to post them. Will do it today! Kirk--yes, it's the Algot system (and yes, love Ikea sales!). The plywood is at least 1/2", maybe 3/4". I'm not exactly sure how the plywood itself is attached. There are studs in the corners I think it's nailed in. If the push against the wall at the center is definitely has a bit of "give" (vs a "normal" wall that wouldn't move), but it still seems sturdy, if that makes sense. I'm tempted to just give it a go and see what happens (famous last words...). Livewire--that was my initial thought, but for a total newbie, the concept of "building a stud wall" is a bit overwhelming! I need to find someone more experienced to show me the ropes. Thanks so much to both of you for your suggestions and insight. I really do appreciate it! Jessica

First of all, I was going to suggest something very similar to sweeby's. Hallways lend themselves to the idea of a destination. A way to combine function and decor is to follow what sweeby said. But I here you on the "we have so much to do" rant. The problem with hallways, and yours is like mine, they are sometimes narrow and cramped. Cool colors recede, warm colors advance. I would try to find a door color warmer than the wall color in order to "shorten" the hallway. Even a nice very golden-toned wood would be nice. Maybe something with interesting carving to emphasize the "destination" aspect. Or, what about using the normal door the closet comes with and upholstering it in a beautiful accent fabric, and then adding maybe a nice soft swag valance and "tails" hanging above on the header. Could be something soft like a tone-on-tone toile, or it could be something more bolder with a "statement" toward the style of decorating you're choosing. Maybe a soft sage-green bamboo motif. The fabric on the door can sort of "suggest" the function of what's behind it and no one will confuse it with getting lost on the way to the bathroom! I think fabric would soften the space. The stone floor speaks "hard," and then you have a lot of right-angles with the door frames. Looks great, but my eye wants to look for softness. I vote "no" on the mirror. Not in that narrow, bulls-eye of a hallway. And, like I said, I have one. Also, for the pictures on the two walls, I would try to keep their frames in a tone very near the color of the walls. The perspective in that hallway doesn't need bold lines to move you down it; in fact, if you want people to linger I would suggest as little contrast between the frames and the wall color as possible. And, yes, that length of hall lends itself very well to track lighting. I can see that curvy bendable kind meandering down the hall, with spots turned this way and that for illuminating your photos. Good luck!

We have a closet with those type of doors and I just used it as an excuse to use some funky glass bureau-type knobs. Actually we have it in two places, now that I think of it. In the kitchen I used knobs that were white enamel in the center and trimmed with brushed chrome to match the other doorknobs (which are plain brushed chrome). For our mudroom closet, I used funky oversized amber glass drawer pulls from Anthropologie. Depending on your decor/style, you could go crazy or just match your regular doorknobs. Also, depending on the size of your doors, regular-size knobs to match the others might look too large.