Condo Update in Kitchener
Sunday, April 18th, 2010 | Decorating Ideas, How To Tips, Inspiration, New Homes, Re-sale Homes, Resources, Upgrades | No Comments
Updating for a more modern look and feel…
This condo in Kitchener was in need of a face-lift in terms of pulling together the space for more impact.
To accomplish a more dramatic look we went from lighter colours to dark for a more cozy and cohesive look, as shown here in the next photo.
Once sgain, this was a home that was nicely decorated with cove moldings and some great elements. Good bones as we say in the design business…
The cozy living room!
By adding cabinets to either side of the cabinet we took advantage of the high ceilings to create more impact.
Refacing the fireplace and placing the big-screen T.V. above the fireplace also added to this overall effect of cohesiveness and grandeur.
A great place to relax and veg after a hard day at work.
Updating the kitchen…
The kitchen was light and bright with a good layout. The chocolate coloured wood floors were continued through to the kitchen, handles and backsplash updated and a new granite counter installed. Retro meets 2010!
Before and After in Ayr… Wow!
Thursday, March 18th, 2010 | Decorating Ideas, How To Tips, Inspiration, New Homes, Re-sale Homes, Resources | No Comments
Here are some recent examples of my work… the photo on the left is the before photo while on the right you can see the transformation!
This is a home in Ayr.
The kitchen was a well-cared-for space that is functional but a little dated. The homeowners had recently updated their staircase in deep rich cherry and the kitchen followed suit.
We totally re-configured the kitchen and built a banquette niche. (See Wallhuggers in Cambridge for the wall panels here.) The niche has a swing-arm T.V. on one wall for easy viewing everywhere. Another wall of shallow cabinets now feature a built-in fireplace. 
The Five + One Senses in Autumn
Monday, October 12th, 2009 | Inspiration, Staging | No Comments
When I approach any design project I try to incorporate the five senses plus one.
Let’s have a look at our homes with fresh fall eyes by bringing the warmth of this season’s colours and textures not our lives in readiness to cocoon.
We examine the ways we nurture ourselves and our families deeply; providing the physical settings around us which create love, warmth, safety, body, mind and spirit development for everyone who lives within those walls.
SIGHT: The colours of fall are warm and rich: golden yellows, reds, pumpkin, rich greens, deep aubergine purples, plums and chocolate. Bring them into your spaces when you replace your light turquoise and blue/white pillows and throws with these warm tones. › Continue reading
Your Home Reflects Your Inner You
Monday, July 13th, 2009 | Decorating Ideas, Inspiration | No Comments
Every house has a story to tell!
Each home has a distinct feeling and personality when you enter. The energy of the house can be playful or whimsical, happy and busy, calm and serene, chaotic and anxious or dreary and empty.
I’ve discovered that there is a direct correlation to the owners’ own emotional life situations and their home; how functional it is, how beautiful it becomes, how life enhancing or not.
Is there too much stuff, clutter, disorganization? Are you feeling squeezed out with no space to call your own? Do you need to edit your stuff? Are your rooms dark and lacking vitality, lifeless? Is the furniture blocking your way so you bang your shins going from one area to another? Does your home feel cold? Does your home feel neglected, lacking in nurturing? › Continue reading
A Home Decor Expert Consultation~ An Affordable Luxury!
Thursday, March 19th, 2009 | How To Tips, Inspiration | No Comments
In the 1990’s futurist Faith Popcorn coined the phrase cocooning as a trend where we appreciate our homes as a place of comfort, rest and refuge.
Since then, the trend of cocooning has only grown. Now e-cocooning, with the advent of technology at our fingertips bringing the world to our doorstep, is the new catch word.
With the current rise of economic restraint, re-evaluating our priorities, especially in the area of where we spend our dollars, cocooning or nesting, is even more important.
We’re starting to re-value simplicity and the treasures to be found in home and family. › Continue reading
Simple Motivation magazine
Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 | Inspiration, Resources | No Comments
Sweet Dreams, Sweet Success
The story of a brilliant new greeting card concept by the Looneyspoon sisters!
I recently had the honour of being asked by the publisher of Simple Motivation magazine, Shevaun Voisin, to write an article on the inspirational greeting card story of entrepreneur sisters, Greta & Janet Podleski, of Looneyspoons cookbook, television and frozen foods fame.
The article, “Sweet Dreams, Sweet Success”, profiling their new GrEATing Cards business through Hallmark stores can be found in the Simple Motivation magazine which is on sale now (March 2009) at Chapters and Indigo stores across Canada. › Continue reading
Milla Model Home Virtual Tour
Tuesday, January 13th, 2009 | Decorating Ideas, Inspiration, New Homes | No Comments
For those of you who have wanted to see the last model home on Cardianl Crescent I put together for Milla Homes in Waterloo they have posted a virtual tour on their website: www.millahomes.com.
You can also see the wonderful art of the Fleur de Soleil Gallery artists from St. Jacob’s whose work is installed in the model presently.
Quick and easy Christmas Decor
Monday, December 15th, 2008 | Decorating Ideas, How To Tips, Inspiration, Resources, Staging, Upgrades | No Comments
If you’re stuck for time this Christmas and the family dinner is fast approaching, try these quick and easy tips:
1. Cranberries are my tried and true decoration every year for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Use the packaged cranberries, fresh or frozen from the freezer. Place a couple of inches of cranberries in rose bowls with candles or at the bottom of a large glass candle holder.
2. See the party store for silver or gold confetti which is sprinkled around the table at random for some sparkle and fun. I love the gold stars for my red and gold table at Christmas and I use the silver stars for a white, silver, glass colour scheme any time of year. › Continue reading
Resources for Decor & Accessories in the Guelph, KW Area
Monday, December 15th, 2008 | Decorating Ideas, Inspiration, New Homes, Resources, Upgrades | No Comments
Check back here often as I’ll keep adding sources to this post as I come across finds, but here are a few that come to mind:
Framing Prints and Art work: Jan Fretz, artist at Fleurs de Soleil gallery in St. Jacob’s has had great success with framing her paintings at the Pfeifer Gallery of custom framing in Wellesley: 3706 Nafziger Rd., Wellesley, On 519-656-1074.
Her art work is always beautifully framed by Pfeifer Gallery according to colour and content. › Continue reading
What’s The New Look in Front Doors?
Monday, December 15th, 2008 | Decorating Ideas, New Homes, Re-sale Homes, Staging, Upgrades | No Comments
Luxury plus… before we even get into the house!
We’ve been seeing the rich, lux look of solid wood doors stained deep and dark colours on many of the large homes in this area which mimic the grand designs of yesteryear!
If a $5000 double front door made from Brazilian Cherry isn’t in the budget then a stainable fibreglass door is a great alternative.
Fibreglass doors are stainable in temperatures of 50 to 90 degree F. There is a variety of stain colours and a clear coat finish that protects the finish for exterior wear and tear.
Fibreglass doors can be painted or stained and have the texture and look of real wood doors without the upkeep.