Dark - blue walls and second - hand furniture create a cosy feel in this quirky living room.To make a dark colour like this work, paint architectural elements such
as dado rails, skirtings and picture rails in contrasting white.
Period features, such
as the dado rail and beautiful arch, are the key features in this airy hallway.
To add interest, try combining shades in a colour - blocking formation to create definition and the illusion of architectural features, such
as a dado rail.
Not exact matches
The deep heritage blue tone, under the
dado rail, balances the improvised gallery and allows the white of the table top —
as well
as the art — to pop.
Paint the wall below the
dado rail in a strong shade such
as a warm brown to make a statement.
Use the
dado rail as a feature and wallpaper just the area below the
rail.
Keep the patteren to a small area, such
as above a
dado rail or wooden paneling.
Used above the
dado rail it adds a feeling of intimacy to even grand spaces, and also works
as a wonderful counterpoint to period features picked out in crisp white or soft cream.
To give the designs a modern edge, break up the patterns in unusual ways, such
as this bathroom scheme that plays with convention by papering below the
dado rail on one side of the room.
Take wall colour upstairs and create a unified scheme by painting the skirting boards,
railings and
dado in the same shade
as the hallway and landing.
Alternatively, paint the
dado rail the same colour
as the wall below, by using a darker colour below the
dado rail and onto the
rail itself, the space above instantly feels larger while the
dado rail is absorbed into the decorating scheme.
Team the flooring with clean - lined period - style details such
as louvred shutters, a
dado rail, simple wooden furniture or a fireplace surround painted in the same accent shade to ensure there is maximum impact.
Here, the tight turn at the foot of the stairs has been fitted with a peg shelf at door height for storing coats and bags, while a peg
rail below has the visual function of a
dado rail but also doubles
as a further storage option.