I am answering my Email Subscribers FREE Design Questions today for my “Ask a Designer Series”! I offer this service to my email subscribers so they can 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 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-
Nesting with Grace Suggestion-
What a gorgeous home you have! I can see what you are saying. I just think you need more of a distinct walk-up. I know the inspiration pic is very different than your home. But notice how the drive-way is rocks like the walk-up but they added stones to create a focal point where you walk-up. I know that taking out cement can be a big expense. But you could do pavers and layer little pebble rocks over your cement just up the walk-up. We did that on the exterior of our home. You can read more about it HERE. Also black shutters would look really nice on your windows to make them pop!
#2 Design Question-
Nesting with Grace Suggestion-
I think you have done a great job! I don’t think you need a rug under the other rug. Could pull the rug out a little? I can’t see how far it goes back under the sectional. You basically just want the front feet of the sofa to be under the rug. For the windows by the bookcase I could see just simple roman shades- in a light color, they would really complete the built-in bookcase. Also what about changing out the stone on the fireplace? I thinking painting it white would really complete the look! Just like the inspiration pic (you can see how she painted her rock HERE). You also asked about the space on the other side of your sectional. What about doing a desk or console behind the sectional or under the window? I think it is best to look at large rooms as two smaller rooms- think of creating separate cozy spots to sit or create!
#3 Design Question-
“My question to you is “How can we gain more seating for our family gatherings?” which is usually every Sunday evening. If Mimi cooks, they will come! We currently have a large family room with a pool table, that we very seldom use. I am not opposed to getting all new furnishings for this room as I am sure that one person in our family can put what we no longer want to good use. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.” Thank you, Bobbye
Nesting with Grace Suggestion-
I would 100% suggest getting a sectional. I would not do a chaise- just a regular L shaped sectional. You basically want to maximize the space with seating and you would accomplish that. I would run the sectional where the two chairs are now and the sofa. I also love this inspiration pic showing that you could add built-in bench seating on either side of your fireplace. That would give you so much extra seating, especially for parties when everyone is gathered in one space. If you don’t use the pool table you could do four chairs around an ottoman in that space for another spot to gather. OR not knowing your measurements you could do a larger sectional and move it back- opening up the room even more. I hope that helps! BTW I just ordered two sectionals for clients from Pottery Barn and they love them! We did THIS one, comfy and looked great.
#4 Design Question-
Nesting with Grace Suggestion-
I love your description of yourself at the end:) made my day! You have a great room, love the dark walls. I wouldn’t do a tv, especially if you don’t watch it….avoid that bad habit (like I have)! Keep the bedroom a restful place. I think you have something at the end of your bed (from another pic). You could take it out and do a bench on that empty wall. I would suggest doing a bench like the inspiration pic and I love the gallery wall above it. It would break up all the larger pieces. Although I wouldn’t do a wood bench, I would do fabric to break up all the wood pieces. And you know I love a plant in a room too!
#5 Design Question-
Nesting with Grace Suggestion-
Those are all good questions! And totally legit to ask! I agree open shelves would look great. I love what Ella Claire did on the inspiration pic above. She made her shelves! I would do white on yours too. I know your space is smaller so I would do the width of your space- to almost the floor like she did. Do you have another spot you can put your garbage can? That way you could go lower? I also love all the jars because it feels less busy! Hope that helps with your open kitchen shelf needs!
#6 Design Question-
Nesting with Grace Suggestion-
First of all- nailed it on the tv console, drapes and woven wood blinds! Love it so far. I think you are feeling that it is cluttered because you have a lot of little things. You said you are looking for sofa or sectional. I love the inspiration pic for you. Sofa under the window with two oversized chairs flanking it. Also the ottomans are a fun touch too since your fireplace is right on that side. What do you think? I love THIS sofa and THIS rug, more simple and something that you will not get sick of. I hope that gives you a starting off point!
#7 Design Question-
You have great pieces in your kitchen! You are right a rug would add so much! I picked out five different rug styles that would work great in your space. White against your wood table and wood floor is actually a good “pop of color”. Although depending on if you have kids and their age- you might not want #4 or #5 🙂 Curtains can be tricky on sliding glass doors. I would do what you have- but even white to balance the white kitchen cabinets and also fuller- you could do four curtain panels to make it look fuller.
I hope that answered or gave you a good start with your Design Questions! If you would like to submit a design question you can subscribe to my blog HEREand you will be sent an email with how to submit your question.
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!
Hi Brooke,
What is the correct way for me to send pics to your designer series? Yes, I am a subscriber. I did try to send you a request for an in home consultation, however I don’t think you got it? It must have gone to cyber space because it was a few weeks back…
Thanks so much!
Love what you do!!
Jill
I might have tried to reply to you- I need to take that off my site because when I reply to people it bounces back sometimes!
Anyways send it just to my email [email protected]
Thank You for this opportunity! I really have been struggling with what types of curtains I can useIn my dining room…How would I ask my one design question?
info is at the end of the post! After you subscribe you will get an email on how to ask a question
I always feel so inspired by your blog! I made a huge mistake years ago with buying a orange rug for my lounge, thinking I needed a pop of colour. Now it’s annoying me so much but I can’t seem to find the right rug to replace it with! I think I know what I’m looking for now! Just one question, I have brown leather couches will a rug like number 2 and 4 work with it or should I just go with a jude rug?
Hi, Brooke! I love this series! So much inspiration. I recently subscribed to your blog, but I never received an email with the info on how to submit my question. Can you let me know what I should do? Thanks so much!
just shoot me an email [email protected]
Thank you!
and thank you so much!!