Guest designer Betty Jo Purvis has the solution
DILEMMA
A long hall–40 feet long and 5 feet wide, connecting the front entrance of a condominium to the back exit, off of which are a bathroom, linen closet and two bedrooms–is so long a person can’t get far enough away from the walls to really “see” what is on them: five small botanicals. Any ideas that we could afford?
-Christy Riley, Chicago
SOLUTION
“To attempt to shorten your very long hallway and add interest without major expense, use a deeper or stronger color at the end of the hall. Better yet, use a trompe l’oeil effect. This could simply be an architectural line drawing created over the entire back wall as well as the door. This will have an effect of pulling you into the space.
“Use your botanicals, four hung close together, to create a larger scale piece. Save the fifth for the top of the grouping, or use in the adjoining bathroom.”
MORE ABOUT BETTY JO PURVIS . . .
Credentials: Owner of 27-year-old PPM Design Associates, Calumet City; 708-891-2299.
Area she covers: Chicago to western suburbs, North Shore and northwest Indiana.
Design philosophy: To create design excellence and timeless interiors to suit clients’ style.
Style: Likes to work with “very classic interiors with traditional or contemporary overtones,” and likes to use large scale to create drama.
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Neutral stance: Loves using neutral backgrounds against which she creates excitement with fabrics, texture, lighting, art.
Pet peeve: No one wants to give you a budget.
Winning ways: In August, elected a fellow of the American Society of Interior Designers for her volunteer design work with hospitals and a private residence for an adult quadriplegic and his family.