I am answering my Email Subscribers FREE Design questions today for my “Ask a Designer Series”! I offer this service to my email subscribers to ask me one simple design question. It’s a thank you for following my blog and supporting me. It sure is fun to get to know the readers behind my blog and of course we all love a peep into others homes! I am answering 7 of your design questions today! I also replied to about 10 others via email- some design questions are harder to find inspiration pics for or the design question doesn’t require it. Let’s get peeping into your homes! You can find how to ask a question at the end of this post.
#1 Design Question-
“I’m stuck on this large wall! My two chairs are blue but totally blend into the walls at this house. I don’t know if I should do lots of frames which I still think would look small or something big. This is our main living space so I want to the room to be cozy but look nice and put together. We plan on putting curtains up to soften the room but haven’t gotten to that yet. The walls are swamping everything! Please help!” From, Sarah
Nesting with Grace Suggestion-
This is a great question! First of all you have a lot of windows, so I would not suggest a gallery wall on your empty wall, it would feel too busy. I would suggest something like the inspiration pic a large piece of art would look nice AND moving your side table between the chairs and doing a narrow sideboard or sofa table with simple accessories behind the chairs, that would create a focal point. Also one other suggestion- I am not sure how the layout is for the rest of the space. But you could do your sofa where the two chairs are and do the two chairs under the window with a round side table between them. I would still hang one large piece of art over the sofa if you made that change.
#2 Design Question-
“We bought our 1970’s home a few years back and have done numerous updates. However, this fireplace seems to challenge me. It has unusually large bricks, and darkens the corner in our front room. I haven’t seen a fireplace set up quite like this one. Until a remodel fits in our budget, I would like to update it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.” Thanks, Claire
Nesting with Grace Suggestion-
How lucky to have a fireplace! I do like the brick you have, but I can see where you feel it is dark in this space. Would you consider painting your brick? I found the inspiration pic with the black stove and painted rock. I think it would look great! BTW I love the wood you have gathered in the basket. The only other thing I could suggest to lighten it up is to paint your room in a bright white.
#3 Design Question-
Nesting with Grace Suggestion-
Your front porch looks like mine did when we moved in! I shared ideas for painted cement on THIS post, including the inspiration pic I shared above. I think you could paint your steps in the same color as your stucco or the same color as your trim. You can do any color in cement paint. I think your door would look great painted black and it would pull in your back railing. You could spray paint your light above your door in a black a well to pull it all together.
#4 Design Question-
Nesting with Grace Suggestion-
Ohhhh I love this question! Just a few teaks and you would be all set! I would do a larger lamp and larger accessories, you don’t need a lot, just bigger pieces that make a statement. I shared the inspiration pic last week on my blog HERE. I love how it shows real ideas for you! I would do a larger lamp. OR you could do wall mounted scones on either side of the mirror and no lamp. I would do two ottomans, even like THESE that are small for your space. (Another picture below from a client of mine). The stools would also hide the plug!
#5 Design Question-
Nesting with Grace Suggestion-
#6 Design Question-
“I am pretty overwhelmed by the space. While I love having the room to spread out, I find that I struggle to set up cozy areas of home as the rooms are large and open. I am not in love with our cabinets or counters (a project that we will have to wait on for now!) We clearly need to update some upholstery but have decided to try and wait while we let our little one make messes on what is already in place. So my question is….how would you separate spaces or furniture in this room? I feel that because it’s a large room I need to split it into separate “areas” and I want it to be cozy without being overcrowded. Wondering how you make larger rooms flow together while still separating spaces?” Thanks, Devin
Nesting with Grace Suggestion-
You have the perfect home for parties and gatherings! You are right, it is important to define large spaces in order to create a cozy home. I love the inspiration pic because it shows a really neutral home, like yours but it still feels cozy. The key is to use rugs and to create areas with furniture. For instance by your piano you could do two cozy chairs facing your piano and a rug under it- like a 5×8 to set up a cozy spot to sit. In your family room area with the sofa a rug in that space would add a lot. Also texture with pillows and accessories goes a long way. I would also suggest plants, maybe in your bookcase, they add so much life to a space! Hope that helps!
#7 Design Question-
“I was wanting advice on an area in my kitchen that is a big blank wall. I have a cup rack there right now but sometimes I feel like it needs more. There is also a doorway to a spare room/play room so I can’t have anything too big there. I also wanted to ask your advice on how you keep organized with your children’s toys and things they bring home. I have a 7 year old and a 9 month old. I know my 7 year old daughter accumulates so many papers and things from school. I always feel bad throwing things away but if I didn’t we would be drowning in papers and toys and little knick knacks.” Thanks, Courtney
Nesting with Grace Suggestion-
You know I love your mug rack! I think you would like it more if you filled it up! I attached a picture of my rug rack- I added plates to mine to break up all the cups. I think you could totally do a small narrow sideboard under the mug rack. Since your door swings into the other room. You could do something like THIS one. Also a far as papers and organizing goes. I have a a rule I have given myself “touch it once”. So I decide right then when I get the papers if it is recycle, file to save or work-on. I have bins in our secretary desk in our front room. That is where I keep things I am working on! I should do a post on my system!
Hi Brooke!
I really love your Ask a Designer series! You’ve already addressed my question. Loved the advise. 🙂 I’ve noticed that every designer picture you show has white walls. It makes rooms look so crisp and clean. I have light blue walls and I’m inspired to paint them white or light grey. Do you have a preference? I know your’s are white but didn’t know if floor color makes a difference in choosing the right paint color. My wood floors have an orange tone to them (previous owners pick). Anyway, just wondering if white walls are trend now or are a forever color.
thanks!
Monica
P.S. I bought a pair of camo leggings. Love them!
Hi! Thank you so much for your kind words! I would suggest white walls- they are just timeless and you can add color and pattern with rugs and pillows.
I shared my favorite white paint colors on this post- http://nestingwithgrace.com/favorite-paint-colors/
I like Cloud White from Benjamin Moore!
YAY! Love those leggings too!
Brooke,
Thank you so much for your suggestion on my door step! I love the idea of a black door and can’t wait to get started on this project.
you are welcome! Good luck!
Yes, please show us your filing system!!! So sweet of your to offer your advice! This is such a great series. Thanks Brooke!
thanks Jamie! I will!!
I noticed that several people are painting the brick on their fireplace white. What type of paint do they use? Is it better to just use it straight or water it down? Flat paint or eggshell? Thanks for any info.
I am not sure- I would for sure talk to a paint store. Or my friend mostlovelythings.com painted hers!
Hi Brooke,
Another awesome post! Thank you for helping your readers. You select some great inspiration photos!
Thank you!!