If you are in a slump at this time of year with the shorter days and incoming colder weather, a few inexpensive design updates in your home might cheer you up. Here are a few of my favourite decorating ideas for a fall refresh. Create Visual Interest with Texture Using texture in your home décor … Read more
I didn’t think I would ever see the day when Nova Scotians would live in tents on sports fields and public parks because they can’t afford housing. I know the situation is complicated, but if we don’t speak up, the situation will only become worse. The housing shortage is serious, that’s for sure. Mini Houses … Read more
If you’re like me, you keep a lot of stuff in your bathroom. Finding space for everything and keeping it tidy can be a challenge. How to store your items depends on the available space and your budget, but there are many ways to create functional storage in your bathroom. Towels If you don’t have … Read more
I have had the privilege of organizing and designing several small spaces over the years. The most recent one was a two-bedroom, 750-square-foot condo. The client’s partner had moved in a few months earlier, and they were struggling to make the space work for them. Of course, merging two households into one is challenging, so … Read more
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
Struggling with clutter, disorganization, and chaos in your home can be overwhelming – especially when you have no idea where and how to start organizing. Sometimes, being overwhelmed leads to inertia, procrastination, or complete avoidance of the problem. Besides, you can always find something more interesting to do than decluttering your house. Right? However, eventually, … 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
I know the last thing you want to do with your children in the summer is think about how to get organized for going back to school. However, I assure you that a bit of preparation over the next few weeks will pay off big time once the first day of school hits. Summer can … Read more
Do you have that little voice in your head that tells you there is no time to take a summer vacation? You are just way too busy! In the past, when I worked for someone else, it was a much easier decision because I had no choice. They made me book summer vacation several months … 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
Choosing cabinet hardware is like accessorizing your outfit with the right jewellery. Whether repainting a chest of drawers or building a new kitchen, the hardware can make or break a piece or the entire space, so choose thoughtfully and carefully. Repurposing Furniture I love nothing better than reusing a piece of furniture for a different … Read more
Wow, talk about a reality check when planning a home renovation in a post-pandemic world. In Nova Scotia, we have been hearing for the last year or so about supply chain issues and the increased costs of home construction. I’m not seeing a whole lot of supply problems, but prices are certainly up there. More … Read more
As more and more of us declutter and downsize, we find ourselves having practical and philosophical discussions about the purpose and meaning of life. Life and stuff are so intertwined that at some point, we may very well think about what makes a life well lived as we deal with our stuff. Recently, I attended … Read more
There’s a big difference between a house and a home. A house (or, for many of us, it’s a condo or apartment) is simply a roof over your head, a place to sleep, somewhere to cook, and a location to store your stuff. On the other hand, a home embraces you, helps you relax and … Read more
A recent vacation at the Iberostar Grand Bavaro Hotel in Punta Cana, featuring photo-worthy Greco-Roman design, inspired me to write about repeating elements in design. I also became slightly obsessed with the gorgeous limestone walkways and iridescent tile surrounding us in this beautiful resort. That was most likely because those are elements that we cannot … Read more
Do you find yourself checking email, surfing the internet, and scanning social media to avoid working on other, probably more important, things? Technology is a wonderful procrastination tool, and that phone you can’t stop looking at all day is undoubtedly the culprit. It’s time to reduce overwhelm from technology! Do You Have Smartphone-itis? It’s everywhere, … Read more
Many experts tout the need for symmetry in design, whether it’s used in graphic design or home design. However, many spaces do not naturally lend themselves to symmetry, so in these cases, using asymmetry in home design makes more sense. Why Use Symmetry? You can’t go wrong if you use symmetry to design your spaces. … Read more
We have just wrapped up a household move project with one of my long-time clients. As with most projects, the less time it takes, the less stressful it will be. And one of the best ways to free yourself from moving stress is by asking for help. It takes a village of people to execute … Read more
Did you know nearly 75% of people can’t put a car in their garage? I know, it’s shocking, isn’t it? I’m guessing that you had to have a garage to put the car in when you were house shopping. This is especially true of Canadians because clearing snow and ice off your car on cold, … Read more
If you want to accomplish your tasks and goals, organize your time using a calendar system. It can be an electronic calendar on your phone, tablet, or laptop. A shareable calendar (e.g., Google Calendar) can be beneficial if you are trying to coordinate your schedule with family members. You can also choose old-fashioned paper, such … Read more