First post of the New Year helping my Email Subscribers with their one FREE Design Question for my “Ask a Designer Series”! I offer this service to my email subscribers as a thank you for following my blog and supporting me. It sure is fun to see what my readers are needing advice on! I am answering 7 of your Design Questions today! Starting with a small entry solution, how to make your home cozier and so much more! 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 need help with our little entry way! Our home is 1400 sq ft and we have 3 littles like you. When you walk in it pretty much opens into our main living area…the kitchen and dining/living room. I attached a few pictures because I’m so visual so I thought it might help. Any ideas for what to do in the entry? I just have random things hanging that are leftover from the old decor. Maybe a mirror…hooks..???”
Nesting with Grace Suggestion-
Love the peep of that stencil wall (not wallpaper!) I can see! What about doing a built-in bench with baskets below and shelf above like the Entry Idea Inspiration pic ? You could plank the one wall too or add some wood work. Also LOVE the idea of painting the back of your door a gray, to pull in that fun stencil! Might be a great storage solution for a smaller scale house with a little ones. (PS- she has an Instagram account if you want more info on the stencil I am sure she would share HERE).
Below is one more small entry solution that I have NEVER seen before, but am so in love with! (Inspiration Source)
#2- Design Question-
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#3- Design Question-
Nesting with Grace Suggestion-
You have a great start! I can see where it feels too formal with all the matching traditional wood. Your rug is casual. What about adding lighter chairs to the table you have? You could also paint the credenza in the room in a white to brighten up the space. Another fun option would be to paint the mirror in chalkboard paint! A mirror is not the best in a dining space, not many people like to see themselves eat:). Also adding some real plants to the table and credenza keep is causal too.
#4- Design Question-
Nesting with Grace Suggestion-
You know what, I get that question A LOT! “How do I make my home cozy?” I found the Inspiration Picture to show a couple of things. #1- you could use a larger rug- you want the front of your sofa to be on the rug and fill up more of the space. That would make it cozier. And rugs help to break up BIG rooms and create little areas in your home. Also your rug is the same color as your floor- what about finding a rug that is lighter or has a different pop of color? #2- Your cocktail table should be centered with the fireplace, have that be the focal point. Pulling your sofa forward more and putting a narrow sofa table behind it could help. Or a bigger cocktail table. I hope that helps! The main take away could be- FILL UP THE SPACE! Think bigger! Luckily you have a good problem:)
#5- Design Question-
Nesting with Grace Suggestion-
How exciting to be making some updates! YES! You can mix metals. I love the inspiration pic because it shows brass and stainless steal mixed so well. The trick is to balance out all the materials. So if you do brass knobs and a stainless steal sink then repeat a hanging pendant light above your sink in brass! That would look so great!
#6- Design Question-
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#7- Design Question-
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If you are already subscribed to my blog and want to ask more questions or want your Design Question answered quicker and by the Nesting with Grace Community you can join our Facebook Group HERE! (we limit this group to only email subscribers).
If you would like to submit a design question you can subscribe to my blog HERE and you will be sent an email with how to submit your question. (Keep in mind I am about two weeks out).
Im so excited to see the idea for the small bathroom. My kids bathroom is a similar set up. I have been trying to think of a way to make it look nice, add a little bit of storage and make it feel comfortable for my 4 kids. I have a really large home, but the bathroom for the kids is disproportionately small, so I need a way to make it feel spacious. I love the plank wall and the floating shelves and baskets. That’s exactly what that room needs!!! I’m so excited! This is going to be my next project room. Now I’m off to learn how to build a plank wall! Thank you, Brooke.
yay! SO happy you liked it!
Of all the blogs I follow, your Ask a Designer posts are my favorite! Was so glad to see it in my inbox today!🙂
Really?! Thank you! I am so happy you enjoy this series! Appreciate your comment!
I love them too! I try to make sure I read THIS one every week. I look forward to them.
I love these posts! So great to get other ideas and collaborate with people! I have a small entry as well and used a curtain rod with “s” hooks to hang purses and jackets. It has worked great! check it out here to see what I mean: https://www.freeindeedco.org/entryway-refresh/
I did shelves above my toilet in my last house and loved it. You can never have enough storage in a bathroom. They are so easy to do and so fun to style!
YES! I am sure you built yours too! DIY queen!
I recently just joined your newsletter! Where can I submit my one free design question? Email?
Thanks!