Staircase Inspiration

After painting the upstairs hall, getting started on our tin ceiling, and adding a new light to the staircase, the shabby beige walls of the staircase are looking pretty sad. Not to mention they are the LAST beige walls inside the house. (I have been mounting a war on beige as the entire house was beige when we moved in, no really outside and in, whole house was beige.)

The problem with doing anything to the staircase walls, is that they’re HUGE and TALL. Remember El Granto precariously hanging on the top of a ladder to hang the new light? Yeah…not fun.

I would really like to do something with high impact in the space. I am thinking a bold paint colour, wallpaper or a stencil. The entire main floor is a light grey, and the upstairs hall is white. I think this is the perfect place to inject something a little crazy.

Here are some ideas that I am loving right now, I just cant decide on one direction!

Source: designsponge.com via Kristen on Pinterest

I am loving the panelling with the pop of the runner!

Source: customizedwalls.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Houndstooth is a big fave in the Storefront house right now. Even the dog sports a houndstooth coat. Would it be too much on the staircase walls?

Source: matchbookmag.tumblr.com via Kristen on Pinterest

I love a wallpaper with some humour, and this dog print makes my heart smile.

Source: maxrollitt.com via Kristen on Pinterest

I LOVE the drama in this space!

Source: auctiva.com via Kristen on Pinterest

I am loving the blue in this wallpaper, but is it too close to the damask in our master bedroom?

Source: thezhush.blogspot.com via Kristen on Pinterest

This is a more classic style with the wainscoting + wallpaper. Is it fun enough?

Source: dorothydraper.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Now this is colour!!!

So what do you think I should do to the staircase? Bold colour? Crazy wallpaper? Or keep it more traditional and do paneling or a mix of paneling & wallpaper?