Architectural Interest: Chair Rail vs. Wainscoting

Let's talk architectural trim.  We have no architectural interest other than our ceiling molding in our modest entry.  To make our entry 'shine', I wanted to do a recessed or flat panel wainscoting design.  See inspiration below.

But, after taking measurements, I decided against it mainly because our entry has a very narrow front hallway that leads to the kitchen (which gets a lot of traffic) and if we were to install the flat panel wainscoting, it would chew into the space making the hallway even more narrow.

I am now considering doing a chair rail which won't chew into valuable space.

Finding the exact chair rail to match our dining room (still in progress) turned out to be a bit of a challenge, but after some online searching I found a very similar match.  See here.

The plan is to paint the chair rail and wall space below the chair rail in BM White Dove and then do a textured wallpaper above the chair rail as a nod to classic design.  I have my eyes fixated on Ralph Lauren's herringbone textured wallpaper.

I plan on continuing the chair rail into our living room which flanks our entry.  I think the challenge is going to ensure that the chair rail fits seamlessly into the design and doesn't feel forced.

In regards to the color palette in our entry, I want to play off the drapery fabric that'll be in our dining room - John Robshaw's Prasana American Beauty that you see immediately to your left when you walk into our entry.

Some of these items might be a pipe dream, but I say start big and I'll see where it goes….;)