Design Dwellings • Volume II
Welcome to Design Dwellings! A monthly gazette where I’m answering your design questions.
Each month I’ll hand-pick three of your submitted questions and provide a detailed response—from paint colors, to specific products, doodles and more—so you can start creating and living in a space that you love.
Here’s this month’s TOP THREE Qs:
1. Hi Jessica! Mom of two very active kids and two big dogs too!!! I want to buy a large kid-friendly sectional for our living space ideally under $2K. Any sofas, fabrics or best practices?!!
One word: leather!! It’s durable, attractive and a high-quality leather sofa will withstand the test of time especially with energetic kids and furry family running amok in the house.
I recommend a buttery leather sofa that you can easily burnish scratch marks with your hand or a quality balm. Make sure you’re reading the specifications for fabric in the $2K range. Often vegan leather is available at this price point, which generally will not perform as well over time.
Here’s a few unique style options to consider and get you started on the quest:
Modern Tufted Two-Piece Leather Sectional – $2,160
Midcentury-Inspired Camel Leather Sectional – $1,900
Chocolate Brown Moduler Sectional – $1,499
And don’t forget to check your local listings for a solid thrift. 🛋
2. Color! I’m terrified of adding it into our home. I’m all white/neutral.
The good news is you’ve got a blank canvas, so all we need to do is make like Pollock and start throwing color at it!
For those overwhelmed at where to start, my foolproof plan is to start with a color palette. Pick three colors you’d like to see in the room. Let’s go with purple, yellow and green.
Now, let’s add color one of two ways: on the walls or solely in the furnishings. If you’re going to take a chance on paint, start with this color decision first. The best part about paint is it’s not permanent and doesn’t break the bank if you want to change it.
Next, make a list of furnishings. Depending on how adventurous you want to get, I’d start with a bold-colored area rug and then search for furnishings and decor featuring the primary color palette—purple, yellow, green—while incorporating variations of each color. For example, mauve, ochre or teal.
With this plan, you’ll be rocking a color laden layout in no time!
For more inspiration, check out the following articles below:
- 10 Foolproof Ways to Pump Up the Design in Your Rental Without Paint
- Vibrant Mid-Century Glam Living Room Refresh
- Big, Bold, Beautiful Boss Babe’s Home Office
3. I know this is controversial—as a designer are there any AI interior design apps you like?
I’m going to take this opportunity to declare once, and once only, that AI is just not for me! I have never engaged with AI in my design business or social media and, personally, I have zero desire to do so. Truth be told, I’ve never so much as used ChatGPT once to ask a silly question about anything.
I have many friends I’ve debated with on this topic and to whom make a great case for AI in their everyday lives and career. I hear you, but to be frank, I believe AI has the capacity to limit and homogenize our natural born human spirit and artistic capacities.
It’s for that reason I endeavor to steer clear of AI for as long as humanly possible, which I hope and intend to be for-ev-er. This completes my one and only AI diatribe. 😂 Thanks for listening.
Have a design question?!
Send it to me at hello [at] jessicabrigham.com or reply directly to the Design Dwellings newsletter. Click the link below to sign up for the next one. Let’s make it happen, girl!!!
