We used a faux wainscoting technique in our back hall. Our 1910 house has 12' ceilings. The chair rail is 5' from the floor. The base boards are 9" wide. The 1" x 4" vertical boards are spaced 22" apart. I bet we used a case of caulk before painting to make everything look solid and tight. Everything from the chair rail to the floor was painted with two coats of oil-based enamel paint. The walls were painted a cigar leaf brown. We hired a carpenter in install and paint the crown molding and corner blocks. It took a lot of time and effort, but the hall looks much more finished. You can do it! Here is a link that might be useful:

The wall color is SW Ramie. The chair was my grandmothers, and it is just sort of a placeholder right now. I have been searching for new chairs. I would really like to get 2 chairs, but I am unsure how to arrange everything. I would also like to get a new rug--I've been coveting a real hand-knotted forever. The current rug is very nice, 100% wool Couristan machine woven. It is in the same line as My3dog's lovely living room rug. They have been selling this line of rugs in the last year at Tuesday morning for less than half price. It doesn't come off quite as pale in person. I want to eventually move it into my bedroom, where it will be perfect. Does anyone have recommendations for a rug? What color scheme? I really like some of the orientals that are a bit more modern without a really tight or busy pattern. Something maybe like this: This rug is from Williams Sonoma home, and is way out of my price range at over $2K. Is it possible to get a hand-knotted for around $1K? I need at least an 8x10.

You are a hoot, arialvetica. I love your current kitchen, but.... Oh, kitchen layout critiques are going to be so much more fun now. I tried to give you the U-kitchen with island but didn't do a good job of it and I couldn't figure how to do it and give you the sunroom. Sorry. I flipped the front door to the other side of the porch. Maybe someone more creative than me can riff with this a bit. The aisles are wonky. ETA: I do like the spaciousness of this but I understand why you want that room for messes.

Hi Dominic Robinson , Crown & base, natural light, good colors. Great room you have! In general you have clear circulation & light sources. It's generally a shame to have your back to windows when seating though the temptation is there when you have a large wall opposite a window. A little creativity & functionality would go a long way. From the entry, a thin console table to the left w/ table lamps & key dish on top, possibly a shoe bin underneath. Couch in front facing towards the small window. Round coffee table for easy circulation, tv & media cab in the walled in corner. In the window corner you could get a decent chair & side table. If you really wanted to add more seating, you could use that wall for a long bench or storage w/ cushion on top & an overs-ized piece of art. Hope that helps! Check out my video below, maybe it's an option for you. If you want to share an ideabook, hit me up on my houzz profile. Thanks, -frank Build Beautiful Homes