Studio 5 : Hallway Help

We created a special out-of-studio piece for today's segment.  Thanks Sara for letting us into your home! I really enjoy getting out of the studio - any pre - produced piece is a lot more work for the production crew but adds another layer to the segment.  Click here to redirect to Studio 5's page or you can watch the segment below and read my article that goes along with it.


 

Hallways: We all have them but what do we do with them?  Whether you have an expansive entry corridor, gracious staircase wall or a narrow back hallway, today designer Lauren Oviatt gives us her insider ideas to bring out the ‘WOW’ you never knew you had. 

1. Bigger isn’t always Better

Most hallways are four feet wide… and most people walk right down the center, only two feet from the wall.  Framed art or pictures in a hallway need to be appropriately sized so they can be noticed and appreciated.  Anything too big will just feel oppressive in such a narrow space.

**Rule of thumb: stay within the range of 4"x6" and 18"x20" image size.

2. Keep Frames similar

One of my favorite looks is a gallery wall or photo grouping in which all the frames are the same color.  Choose black if you are feeling dramatic and play around with different styles of frames.  If a classic palette is what you’re going for choose all white frames, or for a little something extra, choose frames that are gilt in gold or silver. It just doesn’t get any more timeless.

3. Go linear

This tip is no fail – choose five identical frames and place them horizontally along your hallway.  It both simplifies and lengthens your hallway in one simple step.  For a true ‘art gallery’ look – center the pictures 56 inches from the floor. 

 4. Seek the ‘End of Hallway’ Opportunity

All hallways must come to an end. If you’re lucky enough to have a wall at the end of yours instead of a door it becomes another opportunity for a adding charm and personality to your home.  One of the oldest tricks is to place a good-sized mirror at the end of the hallway – it expands a usually small space and magnifies any natural or incandescent light sources nearby.  It’s no fail.  If you have a bit more space to fill, think about a low-profile bench or console table that you can accessorize.

**

5. Break Outside the Box

Hallways and other secondary spaces are a great place to have fun with things you feel might be too crazy elsewhere in the house.  Use bright colored frames, hang collections of letters or other sculptural pieces you love.  Frame your kids art pieces or other sentimental things to create a special collage.

photo credits :** lindsay bond, segment credits: eric roth/ frank roop, forum phi, caitlin wilson

From Our Hearts to Yours...

Studio 5 : Contributor Social

I had a wonderful time at the Studio 5 Contributor Social & Workshop yesterday.  Usually I don't get to meet other contributors unless we are scheduled for the same show on the same day.  What a treat to rub shoulders with dozens of them at once.  I was expecting a good time but what I walked into was an Amy Atlas worthy red-carpet event. 


Check out this treat table! When I arrived and there was a considerable line at the table, understandably so.  The treats were 'selling like hot cakes' - lemon lime soda, coconut cupcakes, macarons, key lime tartlets, jello shooters, layered cake parfaits and the best part... popcorn cake pops! They were covered with marshmallows cut to look like popcorn (genius) and 'butter-colored' glitter dust.  What a spread! I could hardly resist trying them all but I could only hold so much.  Delish!

It turned out to be a very enjoyable and informative afternoon - full of great dialogue and feedback from the producers, anchors and contributors themselves. Did you know that Studio 5 is the top-rated show nationwide in its market?  There are dozens of locally-produced lifestyle shows across the country and Studio 5 claims the top position.  I am not surprised, the staff and producers work tirelessly to make each show better than the one before - their enthusiasm and passion for great TV is so impressive to me.  I am privileged to be part of Studio 5 - to work with and learn from the best.

I may or may not have made off with an extra cake pop or two and a goodie bag full of white chocolate fudge popcorn.  Blair was very keen on the bright-colored packaging and even more, the sweet treats inside.  Look at her devouring the popcorn.  I wonder where she learned to stuff her face like that... she took pictures of me eating too... making that same exact face!