I am back answering with another edition of Ask A Designer Series! I loved the response about this new series. There are a lot of design questions sitting in my in-box waiting to be answered and I promise I will work through them! When I share the “Design Question” I trim down the actual email. But I have to say you all are SO kind. It can be weird running a blog. I am my own boss. Unless I am working on a sponsored post I don’t have deadlines or timeframes. There is also no one patting me on the back. I relish your kind words. For example this one from Holly has to be shared because she said exactly what I my mission and purpose is-
“I have been following you on IG for maybe 2 years. I would just like to tell you that I really enjoy your posts. I have learned not be so afraid to try decorating with things you love. I guess what I am trying to say is your IG squares have given me confidence in decor. It doesn’t have to fit a certain style or format just decorated with what you love.”
Thank you Holly and all my subscribers for sending in your questions and subscribing to my blog. Honestly it keeps me going and gives wind to my sails. Enough about me, lets get to you!
Design Question-
“My question for you is how would I brighten up this space? I think I have too much wood (my husband loves wood). I would like to paint the walls, possibly trim. My sofas and chairs are old also. I love the look of white/cream couch; however, it won’t work for me because of the 2 dogs and 3 cats, kids are older. The red cabinet with the tv needs to go. I do like mixing old with new.” From Holly
Nesting with Grace Suggestion–
The first thing I notice is…you don’t have any rugs and your gorgeous white kitchen, love it! Rugs would really break up all the wood. Even just painting your dining chairs white would really brighten it up. Below are some rugs that would look great in your space. (Click on a rug image to shop it).
Design Question-
“My husband and l retired and recently downsized. I have been having problems with the living room. It is an open floor plan, the kitchen is divided by the snack bar and on the other side is the dining area. I am hoping you may have some ideas to for my living room. It gets a lot of light. There is a picture window on the left and sliders to a deck on the right. This doesn’t give me a lot of wall space to move furniture around. I am trying for a functional and cozy space. I am so impressed with what you have done in your small space, your home is beautiful. Thank you for any ideas you might have.”From- Gail
Nesting with Grace Suggestion–
You do have great light in here and a nice light sofa! Sometimes there isn’t many options for furniture placement in rooms and it works just the one way. But I would suggest changing the art above your sofa. When I look at the space it feels very horizontal- no vertical lines. The art is the same size and shape as the sofa. I would do a gallery wall- you could use one of the art pieces you have and mix in other pieces like the photo below. Also the art is hung too high. Making a slight change of where you hang your art on your walls will make it so much more cozy. Notice in the photo below the art is closer to the sofa. If you want the space to feel bigger I would keep the walls painted in a lighter color. Then your drapes would be a nice accent. This blog post might help on my favorite paint colors- HERE 
Design Question-
Nesting with Grace Suggestion–
I don’t think this room is dreadful! But you are SPOT-ON with the idea of you need a bigger rug. You will not believe the difference that rug will make to the space. THIS rug is really inexpensive and it has a lot of great reviews (good thing to look for). I would also suggest adding a lighter larger ottoman, something like THIS. Adding a sofa table behind your sectional will divide the space and not make it feel so long, something like THIS in white to break up the dark sectional and dark floors.
Design Question-
(Source for Bedroom HERE and HERE)
Nesting with Grace Suggestion–
Your guest room is looking great so far! You are right, you just need the finishing touches. I think texture is always a great addition. I love the trend of JuJu Hats above beds or I even just hung simple hats above our bed. On the opposite wall I like the idea of three larger pieces of art. You could easily order prints and have them framed in inexpensive frames from Ikea or Target. Since it is a guest room it would be interesting to add prints of photos of your area- things that are unique to your town or State, THIS is a great place to start. Hope that helps! I wrote a blog post all about unique artwork and actually tips to avoid making your home look cheap HERE.
Design Question-
Nesting with Grace Suggestion–
Love everything about your space! Without reading your email I thought a pair of chairs would be so great there. They could even be facing each other or facing the fireplace like the inspiration photo I found. I found THESE ticking stripe chairs for under $300 each! I agree I like the idea of a subtle pattern because your dining chairs are solid and so is your rug. Another thing I would suggest for you is painting that chest by the fireplace white- it would be a nice contrast and pull in the white you have on the mantle.
Thank you everyone for your questions! If I didn’t get to your question yet, stay tuned for next week. Also if you are not yet a subscriber you can sign up HERE and get the chance to ask me a design question!
P.S.- All Target Furniture is an extra 30% off until the end of the day today (Tuesday the 22nd) you can use code AUGUST to save an EXTRA 15%! Shop my favorite new pieces below…
I love reading what you’d do in others’ spaces. So helpful! I need to get my formal living room floor refinished and then send you pics to help me! LOL
thanks! Yes do!!
Thank you, Brooke, for answering my design questions in my living room. I am anxious to put your ideas to work. First up paint and then a gallery wall. I am also considering a couple of small matching chairs on either side of the picture window. Now l just need to convince my husband his huge speakers need their own space, preferably in the basement, LOL… I really appreciate you and your wonderful blog. Gail
You are welcome! And I figured you wanted to move the speakers:) Good luck with the changes!
Brooke
Thank you for including me in your blog post. I so appreciate your feedback.
First up – rug shopping. I am thinking that I need 2 rugs, one for the dining room, and one for the living room area. After that, painting??.
Thanks for the advice.
Holly?
You are welcome! Glad that helped! Send pics after!
Hello, can you do a post on hallway lighting? Recessed, pendants or both. Also how many should one do based on the length of the hallway.?