Image via Zillow (Love this image, no fence, just beauty) Whenever I research a post I’m writing to see what other people are saying, I always cringe when I see declarations like this, from articles giving colour advice to the consumer: “When it comes to picking out the right paint… Continue Reading →
I found Alison McGivern through my sister Elizabeth Jacobs. Over the years, I have become accustomed to the facials I receive in her home spa. It’s at the point where I rarely book facials anywhere else because I just end up laying there getting more annoyed by the second, because… Continue Reading →
Interior Design by Maria Killam (another pic of the wall colour we specified) Today I’m sharing a simple eDesign consultation for a new wall colour so you can get a sense of what the process looks like. So first, we need photos, taken in good natural light, without flash, AND… Continue Reading →
Since I finally had the brilliant idea to ask for clean vs. dirty dilemmas or issues where ya’ll think the lighting might be the problem, here’s a great question I received along with this lovely room from a reader: Thank you for your post. I finally understand why my family… Continue Reading →
I’ve never been a fan of anything too pointy. Not in fashion or design. Years ago, someone gifted me a pendant in the shape of a triangle. I never wore it. It’s probably why my design aesthetic is more traditional vs. ultra modern. Traditional design has way more curves, while… Continue Reading →
source I’ve been specifying paint colours for 20 years. In my experience, the number one reason why a client becomes critical of a paint colour is when it doesn’t relate to anything. That’s when they start to assume that light may in fact be the culprit. Designers are notorious… Continue Reading →
Style at Home I recently received such a good list of questions followed by photos that I decided to turn this readers entire email into a blog post that I think will help everyone, especially on the heels of my last post about clean vs. dirty colours. First, here’s the… Continue Reading →
Thanks so much to everyone who emailed me with images they felt would belong in a clean/dirty discussion from my last post, as promised, I’m going to show you a few emails along with the photos I was sent. As usual, someone always makes a comment similar to this one… Continue Reading →
Source Yellow is Back! How to Avoid the Mistake Almost Everyone Makes When Choosing a Yellow So I’m declaring yellow to be finally coming back, hooray! Tricia, my Senior Colour Designer and I are at High Point Market this weekend, and we’re seeing a lot more yellow than we have… Continue Reading →
Tricia (my Senior Colour Designer) and I were reviewing eDesign projects the other day and she mentioned that clients are always quick to describe the wood stain colour of their dressers and end tables. (By the way, I oversee all of the eDesign, nothing goes out without my input and… Continue Reading →
10 Steps To Planning Your New Build In January and February we’re unusually busy in our eDesign department working on New Build packages because this is the time of year when planning begins for renovations or planning your new build. If you’re planning your new build, you should be aware that… Continue Reading →
I just arrived in Toronto yesterday from LA and I’m here with Terreeia (pronounced Maria with a T) on a sad occasion. Her only sister passed away just over a week ago. Thank you so much for all your kind words! In the meantime, Tricia Firmaniuk, my talented virtual design… Continue Reading →
Whenever I have introduced the concept of clean and dirty colours, without fail, someone raises an objection to the term “dirty”. They wonder why I don’t use a term that implies less of a value judgement like “muted” or “toned-down” or “complex”. I’ve been effectively teaching the difference in my… Continue Reading →
About two weeks ago, Kelly (my design assistant) texted me a picture of her dining room chairs. She wanted me to approve the way she had styled the chair to post it on Craigslist. “Stunning!” I texted back, “And I need you to write a post for the blog after… Continue Reading →
source My lovely client Crystal whose interior you saw here, was about to have her exterior painted. She was also choosing a new colour for a wood alternative composite decking which would make it basically maintenance free except for a power wash when necessary. I talked about the existing colour… Continue Reading →
When Jan Romanuk and her husband moved into their condo it was only a few years old. The cabinets were white and walnut which in a modern kitchen with flat (slab) style cabinets works great! The wood adds warmth (below). But the countertops were a creamy, yellow beige instead of white… Continue Reading →
