Decorative painting enlivens floors in any interior

Not all paints are suitable for every surface. And not all painters can perform every task.

Those statements may seem self-evident, but it's still important to note the qualities that set decorative painters apart from other practitioners. An experienced decorative painter knows what materials work best in creating images on a particular surface. And he or she also understands how to address homeowners' concerns regarding maintenance of decorative paintings on floors or walls.

I'm pointing all this out because fantasy views and figures, treated with the proper finishes, can add whimsy and visual interest to any interior, whether it's a Versailles-like "great room" or the bathroom of a simple cottage by the sea.

Q: My traditionally designed home has a wide entrance hall that's not very deep. Carpeting with a large-scale medallion pattern initially seemed a good choice for covering the wood-plank floor, but I can't find anything that works with the color, configurations and overall look of the entrance hall. Can you advise me on how to proceed?

A: You could consult an interior designer on the specifics of your situation, which I'm not able to visualize. You might also get in touch with a custom-carpeting company such as Stark or Rosecore, or a company where their products can be purchased, for help devising a solution tailored to your entrance hall.

Another option is to drop the carpeting idea and go instead with a painted surface. A skilled decorative painter can suggest -- and execute -- a pattern that suits your taste and complements the look of the hall.

You should know in advance that a heavily trafficked space should be professionally sanded prior to painting. Note, too, that high-gloss paint is not recommended for these parts of a home. And at least four coats of polyurethane should be applied after the decorative painting is completed.

Assuming you do find the right painter, I can almost guarantee that you and your guests will be pleased with what's likely to be an elegant and unusual surface treatment that's also quite easy to maintain.

The accompanying photo shows a hallway floor painted with a design that's meant to replicate a traditional pattern in its standard colors. Other colors could also be used, however, to produce a faux decorative carpet.

Either way, I hope you get a sense of how beautifully such a project can turn out.

This design was created by Robert Brown and Todd Davis. The painting itself was done by Billet-Collins Studio.

Rita St. Clair is a syndicated columnist with Tribune Media Services Inc. E-mail general interior design questions to her at rsca@ritastclair.com.