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Before and After

Nancy’s Living Room Refresh; Before & After

11/09/2020
29 Comments

I was delighted to visit my childhood friend recently and help her with a living room refresh. To visualize a colour palette before we shopped for a new area rug, I created a few simple design boards (nothing fancy). This is an exercise I think EVERYONE should do before shopping for an area rug, so…

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5 Simple Ways to Make Your AirBNB Look Better

10/28/2020
47 Comments

I’ve stayed at a lot of AirBNBs over the years and I’ve noticed they all seem to be lacking a few style essentials. In fact, I often bring these 5 items with me to make the AirBNB look better and feel cozier while I’m visiting. Perhaps this advice will help you add more style to…

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Kelly’s Timeless Bungalow Renovation; Before & After

10/04/2020
48 Comments

Here’s another look at my design assistant’s classic and timeless home renovation. She and her husband took a chance on a dated 70s ranch and completely renovated it, both inside and out, and transformed it into a modern family bungalow. Get all the before and after details in this post! I’ve written a few posts…

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The Best Grout Colour for White Tile

09/21/2020
76 Comments

I get asked a lot about the best grout colour for white tile. Find out what paint colour I recommended matching up to get a grout colour that will look best with your white tile for years to come. How to make a conversation about grout colour interesting? Well, you add an adorable baby to…

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Kelly’s Happy Yellow Powder Room: Before & After

08/28/2020
37 Comments

Here’s another lovely renovation by my design assistant. Today I’m taking you inside her happy yellow powder room. She aptly turned the retro bathroom she inherited into a timeless classic. Take a look! So true, there is no end to what a smile can fix. And the new happy yellow powder room Kelly Parkinson (my…

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How to Make a Plain Exterior Fabulous? Design a Garden

06/28/2020
14 Comments

Give your plain home exterior fabulous curb appeal by designing a garden. A garden does to your exterior what artwork, lamps, pillows and accessories do to the interior – give your home a look and a feel. Here’s an excellent example of how this thoughtfully designed garden made a plain exterior fabulous. Tricia Firmaniuk, my…

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WWMD: Choosing a Classic and Timeless Hood Fan

06/15/2020
19 Comments

This reader asks how to choose the right hood fan for her kitchen – more specifically, a classic and timeless hood fan that relates to her kitchen design. Which range hoods are trendy and should be avoided? Here’s my advice. I am interested in knowing your position on vent hoods these days, and how one…

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Ask Maria: Help me Choose a Colour for my Retaining Wall

05/14/2020
30 Comments

This reader is stuck when trying to choose a colour for her retaining wall. Here’s my colour advice and a look inside my newest exterior masterclass module.  My 15th module for my Exterior Masterclass is live right now! And it’s another WWMD 🙂 What would Maria Do with THIS: Porch/Patio/Fence/Deck and I even mentioned outbuildings…

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Choosing the GOAT (Greatest of all Time) Shed Colour

05/06/2020
95 Comments

Wondering what colour to paint your shed? Here are three guidelines to help you decide what colour your shed or outbuilding should be.  Todays post is super fun because it’s also about my Sister/Mom’s Nigerian Dwarf Goats. First, let’s talk about outbuildings. When I did a search for the question (what colour should my outbuilding…

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Ask Maria: Does My House Need Shutters?

04/08/2020
32 Comments

Ever wonder if shutters are right for your house? I’m answering a reader question and sharing my thoughts about whether her house needs shutters and showing you photos with and without shutters, so you can be the judge too. I am looking for a new colour to update the 2nd story siding color to present…

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Now Available: Masterclass on Exterior Colour Selection

03/03/2020
26 Comments

Learn how to choose exterior house colours for your existing home or new build. I’ve packaged all my exterior design advice and answers to your questions about home exterior colour in my new Masterclass Exterior Colour Selection online training! After over 4 months of development during the Spring and Summer of 2019, plus more than…

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