Ask a Designer Series- Brick Fireplace, Coffee Tables, Making a Home Cozy and More!

“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-

What a nice big space! I love what you have so far. I would turn that small bookcase you have on an angle flat on the wall by the gray sofa. Then do a large piece of art above your sofa to make a statement or piece of art, side by side. You want it to fill up most of the space above your sofa or a forth of the way in on both sides. Here are a couple of ideas for cocktail tables. It is helpful to see all the options right by the photo of your room, don’t you think?

#1- Coffee Table HERE ///#2- Tufted Ottoman HERE ///#3- Crank Table HERE /// #4- Metal Table HERE

#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!