After weeks of waiting for three dry days in a row so we could grout, Mother Nature finally cooperated. John is finishing up the tile in the sunroom as I type this (and yes, he’s cheerfully chanting “grout, grout, let it all out”). He’ll share the full tiling report tomorrow. For now, I’m more excited than Jessie Spano about this post (and she really is ecstatic).
As we mentioned on Facebook this weekend, thanks to the suggestions you shared during our Blogiversary, we thought it would be fun to offer some design ideas for readers who are feeling stuck. We also knew you’d have plenty of suggestions to add to the mix, so we hope these posts become helpful group brainstorming sessions for homeowners wrestling with tricky spaces. Let’s get to Shannon’s dilemma:
Hey Sherry and John! We just moved into our house in July, and I am LOST. This photo is taken from our living room, which is very open. The area on the left is our front room, the brightly colored door goes to our garage, then there’s the funky bookshelf area (ARGH), our boring but wide stairway, and our downstairs half-bath.
I LOVE color, NEED color, but I also need the whole space to feel cohesive since everything opens to the same area. The idea of painting everything one color makes me want to cry! I painted the garage door just to add a bit of color, even if it’s temporary. I’m willing to buy paint tomorrow and show you the after photos! I just don’t know what colors to choose. Also, that awkward spot where the bookshelf and TV sit is too small for a couch and nothing seems to make sense there. The TV can move anywhere in the room, so it doesn’t have to stay in that nook. As long as I can keep Eugene, my coral-painted horse head, I’ll be happy!
We have three kids, so storage and function are priorities, but I also love pretty, decorative pieces. My husband and father-in-law are excellent carpenters, so I can always get custom built-ins if needed. And don’t mind the blanket on the carpet—my three littles were watching the Lorax. Love you guys! (In a totally non-creepy, never-met kind of way!) – Shannon
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I studied Shannon’s photo for a while before an idea clicked: that narrow space between the stairs and the front door would be perfect for a large built-in unit to provide both storage and display. A built-in with drawers at the bottom would hide toys and kid gear, while open shelves or cubbies above would give her space to show decorative items like Eugene. Extending a built-in to the edge of that alcove would visually bring the wall forward and eliminate the repetitive “nook-next-to-nook” look, creating a single meaningful focal point.
For the actual build, Shannon could either have her husband and father-in-law craft the unit custom, or she could start with ready-made cabinets—then frame and trim them to read as a built-in. Pieces like simple bookcases can be trimmed in with molding to look custom without starting from scratch.
Color is clearly important to Shannon, so I suggested two cohesive direction options that help the whole open area feel intentional. In the first option, a soft neutral base on the walls—think a light warm gray—keeps everything calm while allowing bolder accents to shine. The back of the built-ins could be painted a soft blue to subtly frame displayed items. The bright garage door could be dialed toward a slightly muddier emerald or teal so it complements instead of competing. The half-bath wall could pick up that same tone, adjusted with a little gray added at the paint counter to soften the intensity.
For finishes and accessories, swap the entry light fixture for a modest pendant or sconce that adds personality without overpowering the space. Layer in a colorful area rug in the living zone to tie together hues from the built-ins and the front-door accent, and add art on the stair wall to pull color up into that vertical plane.
For a second option, embrace a livelier mix of coral, periwinkle, and navy. In this palette, the door and half-bath could move to a deep navy that feels rich and grounding, while coral and periwinkle accents are introduced through textiles, art, and shelf styling. Paint the ceiling a whisper of soft blue for unexpected depth, and consider a sea-glass green or pale aqua on the back of the built-ins to echo the coastal tones. This approach gives a playful, layered feel without overwhelming the sightlines in the open plan.
So: two clear directions—Option 1 leans toward emerald and softened blues with warm gray walls and coppery or neutral accents; Option 2 goes bolder with coral, periwinkle, navy, and sea-glass green accents layered over a light neutral base. Which do you prefer? Or do you have a fresh idea we haven’t thought of yet?
We’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions for Shannon’s space, and a big thank-you to her for sharing the challenge. Fingers crossed we’ll get to see after photos soon!
Psst – Have a tricky nook or design dilemma in your home? Send a photo and a few sentences describing the problem to [email protected] for a possible feature.