Nesting With Grace

by Brooke Christen

Ask a Designer Series-Staircases, Small Entry, Cocktail Tables and More

 Ask a Designer Series- What would you do with this staircase, small entry and more!

I am back to answer your burning Design Questions! I love to offer this service to my Email Subscribers as a THANK YOU! It is so fun seeing into your homes and what you are wanting advice and help on! So let’s get started, I am answering 7 Design Questions (8 including the one I answered in my email to my subscribers). At the end of this post you can see how you can submit one FREE design question.

#1-Design Question-

“We’ve lived in this home for 4 years and I am still struggling with what to put on the wall on the landing. Two staircases (a front and back) meet at this landing. The second floor is open to below and the landing is visible to the first floor entrance–so my naked wall is visible from many angles! Any ideas what to fill this space? Something large or a gallery?”  Thanks, Noelle

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

Nesting with Grace Design Suggestion-

I see this question a lot and have been asked it often. My suggestion in a staircase is to GO BIG! So that would mean no to the gallery wall and no to the small pieces of art. A yes to keeping it simple with wood paneling. That can be more of a commitment to price and time. If you don’t have that option I would do a large unique piece. Like the Coastal Home Tour I shared she used a big surf board! You could do a large piece of art or a large clock like THIS one I have. You are spot on with doing something large!

#2- Design Question-

“I have a very tiny entry way and the blank wall(that has a mirror too small for the space right now) drives me crazy. Do I leave this area empty or can you give me some advice on what to do with it.” Thank you, Stephanie

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

Nesting with Grace Design Suggestion-

This area can be tricky- how to style a small entry without a piece of furniture! I love the idea of a mirror like you have but something larger. I love THIS mirror or THIS mirror and it would really look great and brighten up your space. You could do a small shelf like the Inspiration Pic has too! Oh and a plant on the floor behind the door would look really great too. You could even put a plant on a little stool like THIS one to add some height. Hope that helps!

#3- Design Question-

“I hope you can provide guidance with my living room dilemma- you surely have the gift of knowing what to do with small spaces! My sofa is in need of a cocktail table and/or end tables- as you see, a cocktail table is in the traffic area bw the front door and hallway.. what do suggest? Also.. are my pix too low? what do you suggest for art placement?” Thank you, Beth

Cocktail Table Ideas for Small SpacesNesting with Grace Design Suggestion-

Hi Beth! Yes I am familiar with small space and looking for cocktail tables to work in a small living room. I personally think two ottomans are great and easy to move and get around. Or oval cocktail tables work great in small spaces, one fabric bench or small scale tables. (BTW I think your art is at the right height and a great space!)

#4- Design Question-

“Hi! I love following you on instagram and was so excited when I subscribed to your blog and found out that you would answer a design question. Our basement has been finished for a couple years now but it lacks all sense of style, and quiet frankly I am horrible at decorating. This room is so big that I struggle with what to do. I don’t love what I have on the shelves but at the same time have no idea what to put on them either. The thing that I struggle with the most in this room though is the wall above the couch. It’s so big so I don’t know what to put over it that won’t look tiny or out of balance. I’d love any and all feedback!”  Thanks, Sara
Ask a Designer Series- What would you do wtih this space? 1

Nesting with Grace Design Suggestion-

You have a good problem! A big nice room! I would suggest doing a rug in this space to pull your room together and add some color. I would also suggest doing a wall treatment on your large wall, I love the inspiration pic and what they did with the woodwork, that way you don’t have to fill it up with art. As far as your shelves go in the corner I would think of doing art and less pieces- doing bigger objets and less of them. And one more tip- next to your TV stand you have space for a chair on the right, that will give the illusion of TV stand being larger and filling up that wall! I hope that give you a good place to start. PS- THIS rug would look great in your space!

#5- Design Question-

“This room was a former dining room now turned office/sitting room. It has a big wall that not only do I need to fill, but need to find a way to incorporate storage of some sort (hopefully) for my kid’s games, crafts, puzzles, etc. I’m literally at a loss. It’s a smaller room, it’s one of my favorite places to sit and read. I’d be appreciative of any suggestions you have!”Thanks, Jen
Ask a Designer Series- What would you do with this space?

Nesting with Grace Design Suggestion-

I would suggest a bookcase  in the middle of the two chairs. A bookcase with storage on the bottom would solve the need for storage and it would add some height to the room. Something like THIS one or THIS more modern one. I would search for something like it in your budget!

#6- Design Question-

“I LOVE this ask a designer series! I’ve always felt a special kinship to you! I recently moved from Utah to Connecticut as well! The first and most important is, what the heck do I do with this wall above the couch?!  That big window makes it feel so unbalanced. I feel like anything too big looks weird because its not centered in the room and anything too small looks weird because it feels unbalanced with the window and the emptiness to it’s left. My second question is that I need a new tv console. This one is from our old place and is the only black thing in the room.” Thank you, Kendall Hutchison
Ask a Designer Series- What would you do by the sofa?

Nesting with Grace Design Suggestion-

Oh my goodness, small world! I LOVE your home. I can totally tell you live in an older home in Connecticut, very charming. It took me a minute to think of what to do with that sofa wall. I suggest doing a dresser like THIS in that space by the sofa and then putting one piece of larger art above it. Treating it like a separate grouping, I would then do a gallery wall above your sofa. For the TV console I could see THIS one in your space, lighter for sure!

#7- Design Question-

“I am so excited that I found out I can subscribe with you. You are seriously my favorite person to follow on social media! We are moving and we have light brown floors with some white wash in it. I’m looking for a new rug and comfortable couch for our living  room/ family room. What color of rug and couch would you suggest with this color floor? We are a young family with little kids and a dog.” Thanks, Rachel

Nesting with Grace Design Suggestion-

I think you have a blank slate to do whatever you want! How exciting! Honestly your floors can work with anything. Here are my tips when starting a with a blank slate-
#1- Gather Inspiration via Pinterest, Instagram or Magazines and gather any room image you like. Then evaluate them and look for a running theme!
#2- Visualize how you and those who will live or be in your home using it! Do you need a lot of seating? Do you need storage for toys?

#3- Draw it out or measure. Sketch the space or tape it off in the room. What can you fit in the space? Follow THESE guidelines for rugs. I just shared some of my favorite places to shop online for furniture HERE. Hope those tips help!

If you would like to submit a Design Question you can subscribe to my blog HERE and you will get a follow up email on how to ask your FREE Design Question!

 
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Comments

  1. Stephanie says

    Thank you! I love the ideas. Of course, the minute I saw it I thought “duh…of course that is what I should have done all along!” Thank you!

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