Nesting With Grace

by Brooke Christen

Ask a Designer Series- Paint, Rugs and Small Spaces

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 is 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 6 of your design questions today! I also replied to about 5 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.

Ask a Desiger Series- Paint, Rugs and Small Space Tips

PS- Shop the rug in my graphic above is from HERE or I linked it on another question below!

#1-Design Question-

“Our fireplace has bothered me since we moved in. Thinking about doing a feature wall with planks and painting the bricks white. Given my furnishings what do you think?” Thank you, Gina

Ask a Designer Series- What would you do to this fireplace?

Nesting with Grace Design Suggestion-

YES! Love the idea of painting your brick white ! In my next house I want to intentionally put in brick to paint it white, I love the look. I would just do that and you will notice a big difference. I would paint it in Cloud White from Benjamin Moore, you can see it painted in rooms HERE.  (Inspiration Pic Source)

 

#2-Design Question-

“We have an “updated” 1916 home in Seattle as old homes go, our bedroom is teeny. We have one off-centered window above the bed that I tried to offset with artwork, but other than that I don’t know what we should be doing in terms of paint and lighting and furniture. Do you go dark paint or light? We have a pretty large walk-in closet that connects so all we really need in our room is a bed and nightstands, but I’m just not sure if these pieces are working with or against the size of the room. Thanks so much for your suggestions!”Thanks, Kayla

Ask a Designer Series- What would you do with this small bedroom?

Nesting with Grace Design Suggestion-

I love what you have done do far! I like your walls painted in a light color. I do think doing a light roman shade on that window would help to “disguise” it. Or I found this Inspiration Pic where they did curtain panels all along the one bed wall. Then you could move your cute grouping of art to the wall above the rocking chair. I wouldn’t hang anything on the other walls, it would feel too busy in a small space.

#3-Design Question-

“We recently moved into a small 1000 sq foot cape and my daughter and son ( 8 and 7 ) share a bedroom. The room is too small to have bedframes, and the ceiling is too low to do bunk beds which we previously had. I can probably fit a thin headboard for each to compliment their room. I’m really struggling with figuring out a way to have them share a space (bedding) that feels more mature. Do you have recommendations for a shared boy/girl room that doesn’t look babyish? Wondering what kind of rug to do and art… I basically need everything other than the bed and I have a white dresser that is currently between the beds at the head of the bed under the window, and a land of nod shelving unit in white.”Thanks, Julie

Boy and Girl Shared Bedroom Idea

Bed /// Art  /// Storage Ottoman /// Gray Quilt /// Check Sheets and standard sham ///

Pillows custom with initial /// Nightstand with drawers  /// Wall Mount Lights /// Rug

Nesting with Grace Design Suggestion-

I did a design plan recently for a boys and girls shared bedroom that I thought might help give you some inspiration on the right path. I think keeping the bedding neutral or along the grays and white is a nice base. You could do a different pillow on each bed that is unique to them. Navy is a great accent color too. I would paint your walls white and let the other pieces pop, especially in a small space. You could do wallpaper on the bed wall, black and white would look great. Hope that helps!

 

#4-Design Question-

“The living room is very long with very tall ceilings and something about the balance just feels off. I am trying to figure out furniture placement that gives an approachable, cozy feel but still open/airy. I also need to keep the middle of the room open because I have a young daughter (and lots of kid visitors) who just run loops. I think the area by the fireplace is most challenging to me…not sure that I have the right balance. Also not sure about window treatments. Should I try curtains? Where do I hang them? Any/all help would be much appreciated!”Thanks, Kelli
Ask a Designer Series- What would you do with this fireplace and window treatments?

Nesting with Grace Design Suggestion-

I would do light curtain panels on your windows like the Inspiration Pic, it would brighten up the room. On what to put on your fireplace I personally would do nothing! It tends to look to cluttered with the TV and the things you have to the left. I would suggest doing one larger bookcase to the left of your fireplace that is taller just like the Inspiration Pic it would really finish off your room!

#5- Design Question-

“I was thinking of buying a couch, love seat (for under the windows), and a chair (where the pack n play is).  I am unsure if I should buy a matching couch and love seat or different ones that coordinate.  Matching them seems a lot easier but I think if I could figure out two pieces that work well together it might be worth the extra effort.”Thanks, Michelle
Ask a Designer Series- What would you do in this Family Room?

Nesting with Grace Design Suggestion-

100% with you on NOT doing a matching set. I think we make it harder than it is to do a “collected” look. Start with a sofa you love then do a settee in a different color. You could mix leather and fabric. Chairs are an easy thing to be creative with too. The best place to start is with a rug for your room then work off of that. Like the inspiration pic, they colors are mix so nicely and work all off of the rug.

#6-Design Question-

“I am ready to finish out this dining room almost 4 years after moving in! It is our formal dining room but as you can see it’s not fancy. My questions are-  what can I put above my china cabinet? And What size and type of rug do you suggest (table is about 6′ x 3′)?” Thanks, Kate
Ask a Designer Serires- What Rug would you do in this dining room?

In order- Rust Rug HERE // Gray Rug HERE // Vintage Rug HERE // Slate Gray Rug HERE // Colorful Rug HERE

Nesting with Grace Design Suggestion-

I am going to make this easy for you- do not put anything above your china cabinet. You have such a nice chandelier it would distract from it. Those candle holders on your wall could move down about 6″ and it would feel more like a grouping with your china cabinet. I can’t say what rug size to do without the measurements of the room. But I would guess 8×10. I suggest using painters tape on the floor to figure out the size that would work best with pulling out dining chairs. I attached some rugs that all would look great in your dining room! Starting with the top left-
Rust Rug HERE // Gray Rug HERE // Vintage Rug HERE // Slate Gray Rug HERE // Colorful Rug HERE
I hope that helps all of you and maybe answered others who might have the same dilemma! If you would like to subscribe to my blog you can do so HERE you will receive a follow up email on how to submit a question. Are already a subscriber and want the Nesting with Grace community to answer your question you can join or Facebook Group HERE. (please note I about about 2 weeks out from answering your design questions).
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Comments

  1. JessB says

    I love the inspiration pic for the collected furniture question and totally agree to not get a matching set!

  2. Emily Hagerman says

    I love that boy/girl room plan! Do you have a link to the sources? Those little prints are adorable!!

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