Help! What exactly isn't working with this decor? (Pics attached)

[Acey68]

I'm in the middle of decorating my new flat and I've just had my hallway done and I used a pic I saw online for inspo (attached along with mine) but I don't love it and I can't quite work out why or what I need to change.
My thoughts are...
Is the dark grey dado just too dark in a real life setting? Should I paint it back to white?
The blue carpet will be changed to a neutral hard floor- could this be why I'm being thrown off?
Are the walls too cream? I used Dulux timeless which lots of people rave about on here and describe as a not creamy white but to me it looks very cream! Should I paint the top PBW to match the woodwork?

Any feedback appreciated :)

The floor going will be a significant improvement but regardless the dark dado is a very bold aesthetic. Which means you need to carry the theme through the plan with accessories.

What sort of light are you going for? I think a large ratten style might work - mirroring some of the dark elements.

I also think you’re going to have to get rid of that bright red in what I assume is the kitchen?

Thanks all for the replies! @WeegieWan thanks for the photoshop- the pinker shade definitely looks better, although now I'm dreading having to potentially repaint. The decorator is back tomorrow to do the 2nd coat and I have no time to find a new paint colour so I think I'm just going to have to live with it for now and repaint later unless anyone has any suggestions for a crisper white with no cream tones (I thought Timeless was one but clearly not!) I don't really want a pale pink wall but a white with the right undertones to go with the below colour. Is there such a thing as a white with pink undertones that isn't obviously a pale pink? I don't really want it all pink!

I'm wondering if changing the lightbulbs to daylight ones will help minimise the creaminess in it for now?

Yes the kitchen will definitely be going- previous owner painted it bright red!

Plan was to add darker accessories too and a new light. I just didn't want to purchase anything until I knew the aesthetic was correct. Hopefully the floor will improve things!
I am also considering taking the pink up on to the dado rail now too. Ugh so many decisions!

Pegasus love that light- how funny I'm pretty sure it was one I had seen before (from lights and lamps?) and had admired!

Get a lovely mirror. Ideally bevelled Edge / deco mirror. A plant. Don't do any repainting until the floor is done. Paint the radiator same colour as wall. It'll look good, you just need to let it evolve. And pictures - with slightly brighter colours. The old railway advertisement type ones would looks good if you know the ones!

Timeless goes with both warm and cool tones. The carpet is the problem here because it is reflecting a blue cast onto the paint colours, making the whole hallway look cold. Once you have got a new floor covering it will look so much better. Go for something neutral . I would paint the dado rail the same colour as the pink underneath as the grey looks wrong and the line is broken up by the doorways. As PPS have said a mirror and plants would look nice. IKEA do a large round one. Also don't paint the radiator as it affects the thermal efficiency but get a nice cover made and paint that the same colour as the lower half of the wall. The red in the kitchen is dominating and does not go with the gentle colours of the hallway.

Problem is 80% the carpet. Timeless is a magic colour but not quite right here - it wants a pink hue. If you get everything else right then I think you can live with the Timeless.

Any chance of changing the radiator? That would really help. If you can match the size then they’re not that hard to change.

In the dulux range you could try Blossom White, or if you can spring for a mix their Blush Rambler 6 might also work?

Their wall's top colour is a lot warmer than yours.

As their room has more natural light I would warm your colours up.

@Acey68

Thanks all for the replies! *@WeegieWan* thanks for the photoshop- the pinker shade definitely looks better, although now I'm dreading having to potentially repaint. The decorator is back tomorrow to do the 2nd coat and I have no time to find a new paint colour so I think I'm just going to have to live with it for now and repaint later unless anyone has any suggestions for a crisper white with no cream tones (I thought Timeless was one but clearly not!) I don't really want a pale pink wall but a white with the right undertones to go with the below colour. Is there such a thing as a white with pink undertones that isn't obviously a pale pink? I don't really want it all pink!

I'm wondering if changing the lightbulbs to daylight ones will help minimise the creaminess in it for now?

Yes the kitchen will definitely be going- previous owner painted it bright red!

Dulux heritage linen white is (to my eyes) a white with pink undertones.

I agree the carpet. Also your walls are too bare; the mirror and plant really pull it all together in the first pic. Take those away and the rooms don't looks so different.

Definitely the carpet which makes the room look like a converted office.

I agree you're missing the texture the first picture has plus its focused on a small area with lots to look at. What else are you adding to the top of your wall?

I tried the dark woodwork thing - looked terrible irl! It works in period properties and in the Farrow and Ball catalogue, but is tricky to get right anywhere else imo.

Hm, yours does look very institutional.

You have my sympathies, I once got our hallway completely wrong and had to get it redone. You’re not in that territory.

The panelling in the online photo is really key and you don’t have that.

Definitely change the radiator. You can get really nice ones these days.

I’d be tempted to take both the dado and the bottom section of paint down a couple of shades. I don’t really think you have the light in your hall to carry those off.

Sorry, by down I mean lighten!

You need pictures on those bare walls!

Did this on paint lol, but yeah i think it's the carpet and bare wall

Radiator covers can make radiators look very big. Rather than blending in mine stand out even more.

@Henio thank you for that. Yes does look a lot better without the carpet and 'dressed' but the radiator sticks out like a sore thumb. Will definitely look into getting a nicer one in funds allow. I'm not a huge fan on radiator covers!
There will definitely be pictures and accessories guys, I just was trying to envisage if that would improve things or if I just need to reconsider colours. The easiest fix I guess if need be would just be to repaint the bottom section in a different colour. Don't think I can face getting up a ladder and re doing the whole lot!

Has anyone got an idea of costs for replacing a radiator that size? I would need to get someone in

I'd paint the top section Calamine from Farrow and Ball, replace the radiator for a column radiator, and put in a high quality lantern light fitting. The carpet you have covered but I'd put down proper wood (not laminate). Also maybe some good quality switches and door furniture.

carpet. the first pic colours are great

Light fixture also not really in keeping with the rest of the style

Try taking a photo and using the anticipation website to see what a different floor would look like. It’s a virtual try out thing.

@Yellow85

Try taking a photo and using the anticipation website to see what a different floor would look like. It’s a virtual try out thing.

Sorry *amtico website!