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Colour lesson

Why a Colourful Sofa is as Timeless as Subway Tile

04/02/2016
53 Comments

Colour is always more timeless than the current trendy neutral. So, when shopping for a new sofa, choose a colour instead of the neutral of the day (whether it’s grey, charcoal, black or white). A colourful sofa is as timeless as subway tile. Here’s why. A colourful sofa is timeless. How often does your sofa…

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Ask Maria: Is My Living Room Too Beachy?

01/23/2016
33 Comments

Jeffrey Bilhuber  When I saw this Ask Maria question, I immediately thought of Jeffrey Bilhuber’s recent spread in House Beautiful Magazine. The answer to your question today lovely reader, is inspired by my favourite decorator. Here’s the question: I recently moved with my husband into our first house!  I have been so excited to make…

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The Conversation You NEED to Have with Your Client

11/23/2015
10 Comments

Trying to get your spouse or client on board with your design project? Set yourself up for success by knowing when you need to have THIS conversation.  Vanessa Francis Stuck in the Middle This is something I see all of the time. Your husband, your wife, or your client are reacting in a negative way…

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Best Countertop for Stained Wood Cabinets

11/05/2015
35 Comments

Updating a kitchen or bathroom with stained wood cabinets? Here’s the best countertop colour to work with your stained wood cabinets for a fresh look. When I received this Ask Maria question asked slightly different two times recently, I thought it deserved a stand-alone post even though my regular readers will have already ready my…

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Bad Design Advice: Fall in Love with All Your Finishes

10/01/2015
14 Comments

  Statement tile, Herringbone Carrara {House Beautiful} Pattern quota done. Keep your countertop solid or almost solid. {Source} I had an interesting conversation with one of my readers while I was consulting on her kitchen renovation. She had already installed tile floors in her kitchen and couldn’t decide on a countertop. She had some options selected, but she…

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Mixing Metals: How to Update a Brown Kitchen by adding Brass

09/17/2015
37 Comments

Barbara built this house with her husband 5 years ago ago. He wanted a wood stained kitchen and although she’d love to have a white kitchen now, she wasn’t prepared to paint it in this phase of the decorating project.

Her biggest complaint was with the pendant lights, they created a lot of visual glare and she wanted them replaced.

Also, she needed drapery to block out the sun in the wintertime when it slanted through the windows.

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7 Ways to Make the Most of What You Already Have | Before & After

07/26/2015
125 Comments

Crystal called me to help her pull together her new house. This was her request:

“I used to have a colourful condo. Oranges and yellows have always been a favourite of mine, and in the last 5 years, I’ve loved pinks. I hired a designer about 6 years ago, and I guess she was successful at convincing me that colour was kids’ stuff and neutrals were sophisticated.

So out with all my stuff and in with the new. Cream, chocolate browns, and greens. I found it bland and lifeless, although yes, very nice and sophisticated. So I started adding pink with Designers Guild bedding, decorative pillows, etc. I also bought some whimsical paintings with colour punches (I’ve attached photos of them).”

I was very impressed by your colourful portfolio and would love your help.”

See the before and afters here. . .

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