If I had a dollar for every time a client said to me, “I don’t know where to start!” I’d be rich. Whether it’s an organizing or design project, getting started is half the battle. I’ve written about how to start decluttering your home. However, knowing where to begin when choosing finishes for your renovation … Read more
As mortgage rates increase, some of you are choosing to renovate your home and add a furnished income suite (sometimes known as an in-law suite) to offset housing costs. Builders and contractors write plenty of articles about building these independent rental units. They include lots of valuable information for you to consider. For example, Bob … Read more
Are you struggling to have a cleaner, more organized, and beautifully decorated home? Maybe you keep moving things around, trying to achieve a cohesive, uncluttered look, and it doesn’t seem to work. And you feel the harder you try, the worse it gets. For over 20 years, I’ve helped clients turn messy, chaotic spaces into … Read more
I’m not sure I’ve told you yet about my true obsession (besides organizing, of course). I am totally, completely, over-the-top obsessed with mid-century modern (MCM) design. This quote sounds like a mission statement for simple and functional living and certainly speaks to me. It could almost be a motto to live by. “If it is not … Read more
In my experience working with my interior decorating clients, most windows in your home need some type of window treatment. Blinds are an extremely popular and functional choice for most spaces in your home and are sufficient on their own. However, drapery treatments add something special to your design and are worth the investment. Why … Read more
In my last blog post about kitchen design one of the things I shared is not to be afraid of adding a little color or a lot of color. Well, I must tell you I saw some fabulous color while on vacation in Prince Edward Island last week. At the suggestion of my dad’s girlfriend … Read more
There are three decorating no-nos I suggest you avoid in your home if you want to make it feel more pleasing to the eye, more cohesive, and more comfortable. Interestingly, I have this conversation with almost every client I work with, whether it’s decorating or organizing their space. Choosing Paint Colors Paint colour, in my … Read more
I was thrilled to attend a seminar with the author, TV show host, and professional organizer Peter Walsh. One of the benefits of the pandemic lockdown is that everyone is open to teaching online – even famous people. Peter Walsh is one smart person, that’s for sure. He seems to spend hours thinking about how … Read more
Two years ago my boyfriend moved into a 500 square foot apartment after selling his four-bedroom house. It was meant to be a temporary stopping point for a year to re-think his next steps. The only thing he took from the house was a double bed and mattress and a bunch of bins and boxes … Read more
Yes, it’s true. Really. I am finishing up a project with a client who asked me if I could design their powder room around a toilet roll holder. Now that’s a first and perhaps a last. However, there is nothing I enjoy more than an unusual challenge. As you can see, said “inspiration” piece is … Read more
This blog post was inspired by a conversation I had with a client a few days ago. She and her husband have been working on a DIY reno of their house for months and months and months . . . However, they did hire a cabinet company to design and install their kitchen. Good news. … Read more
It certainly has been an interesting year so far. You may choose to call it something else a little less positive such as challenging . . . stressful . . . or just downright awful. I’m sure, like so many of us, you are inside your four walls, however large or small those may be, … Read more
I’ve always loved a car show and I had the chance to attend one during my trip to PEI this September. Mark it in your calendar for next year. Labour Day weekend 2021 you must go to the Brackley Drive-In Theatre ( https://drivein.ca/ ) for their annual car show. Unless, of course, you go there … Read more
The historic Sydney Boutique Inn & Suites in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, is probably the most elegant, thoughtfully designed hotel I have ever stayed in. From the moment you arrive to the time you leave; you feel the positive energy of the building and those who have taken care of it over the years. I … Read more
I love receiving the newsletter from Prime Walls because they feature gorgeous mural wallpapers. Some designs are so inspiring that I immediately post them on Instagram and Facebook. Naturally, I did more research to see what else was new in the wallpaper market. And now, I have wallpaper envy. Many of the large floral print … Read more
Who should you hire for your next project? Every once and a while someone will say to me, “I’m not sure exactly what you do but I think you can help us.” I always find it so hard to believe that people don’t know what I do. It’s so obvious to me and apparently only to me! I … Read more
You may have heard of Universal Design. This method employs barrier-free design principles for the intergenerational use of any space. Universal Design evolved from Accessible Design, a process that addresses the needs of people with disabilities. However, Universal Design addresses the needs of all people. There are some great ideas for employing Universal Design when organizing your home. … Read more
All the talk about the necessity for creative storage solutions in tiny houses is true. I have had to use some innovative thinking for a challenging storage project I’m working on. A friend has a small home (about 700 square feet) with tiny rooms. The only storage areas are a four-foot-wide closet in her bedroom and a … Read more
I attended an excellent presentation at the Nova Scotia Interior Decorators Association. As part of our Annual General Meeting and Professional Development Day, our guest speaker was Andrea Smith, Executive Director of Teichert Gallery in Halifax. Andrea shared her knowledge of how to introduce original art into our lives, general rules for hanging and lighting … Read more
I absolutely love furnishing tiny spaces to maximize storage and function. However, finding furniture pieces to fit is often a challenge. I’ve been hunting for a 12-inch-wide bedside table with a drawer and shelf on the bottom for several weeks. It’s amazing how much time a person can spend looking for the right piece, especially … Read more