Infused with a coastal vibe
Winter Cottage Activities In the first year of cottage ownership, one of my brothers suggested that we all head up for the week leading up to New Year’s. I thought he was crazy as, at the time, it was an unwinterized, uninsulated plywood cabin and …
When designing a coastal master bedroom, it’s important to not be too literal. You want to suggest the shore without having it in your face with overt nautical items. I’m currently redoing my own master and these are the items that I’m choosing for it. …
Given how much I love coastal decor, this Valentine’s Day Gift Guide has a few “beachy” suggestions which will look amazing in your home all year long. Just hover over each item or click on the pictures to learn more. Heart gift ideas Being the …
With 2020 solidly in the rear view mirror, I felt that it’s time to focus on 2021 and what small simple changes in the home can have a dramatic effect on improving mental wellness. So these are my Decor Resolutions – a new look for …
Biophilia – it’s better than it sounds So many people relate interior design to just making an interior look pretty. But interior design is so much more. It’s “the art and science of enhancing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier and more …
While we’re all physically distancing and socially isolating, I’m getting a little antzy. Which means either something gets painted, rearranged or organized. Here are my steps for organizing the mud room, or the “boot room” for those of you who are more posh. With the …
Who else is going stir-crazy while we all keep our distance during Covid-19? And who is also tired of their furniture and want a refresh? Raise your hands people! Well when I need a refresh it usually involves a bit of paint. And in this …
Has there been a change in your house such as a new baby? Or perhaps you have an elderly parent moving in? Or you want to reconfigure your unused dining room for a new home office? Let me help you address these challenges with space planning. …
With the Covid-19 virus, many of us are now working from home in hastily set up home offices. Often times, this is actually the dining room table. Having a great set up will lead to better productivity, even when the fridge keeps calling your name. …
So this sweet little chocolate brown labrador retriever, whom we’ve named River, has joined our family. While I love her to pieces, I don’t want all her utilitarian “stuff” taking over our home. Why does pet equipment have to look so ugly? Creating a dog …
How do I prevent bum prints on my sofa? This was the exact question that a neighbour asked me. You know what we’re talking about right? You get up and you can see exactly where you sat? And over time it just gets worse and …
In this world of HGTV and instagram, your home HAS to make a good first impression when viewed online. Or else no one will come to view it which makes it pretty darn hard to sell. Staging does what it says, it sets the stage …
Have you heard this term and aren’t quite sure what is eDesign? Simply, it’s working with an interior designer online rather than in person. Here are the typical steps of working with an e-designer step one: pick a package You’ll be asked to pick a …
As the saying goes, it is truly the small details that matter when it comes to how to outfit your property for vacation rental. Ensuring that there are two plates for every guest, hooks on the back’s of the doors to hang a robe or …
With our clean white shiplap walls, I hated the various electrical cords hanging down from our wall mounted TV at the cottage. Pottery Barn has a great burlap cord cover listed for $34 on their website but I am five hours away from the closest …
The cost of owning a vacation home, or really any home, is significant. Property taxes, utilities, insurance and maintenance all add up to a hefty price tag. I looked into renting out part of my home on Airbnb for generating some revenue for two reasons. …
It seems that every retailer and magazine is on the “coastal look” bandwagon. From Serena and Lily, to Pottery Barn, to Crate and Barrel, they are all featuring a coastal vibe. Of course, it is that time of year but it truly is a year …
Have you ever picked a paint colour to find that it didn’t turn out to be anything like you expected, once it was on your walls? It can be difficult just knowing where to start when choosing a colour palette for your home. It’s quite …
If you thought interior design was just about picking paint colours and fabrics, think again. Here I walk through what you can expect working with me, as an interior designer in the Comox Valley, on a full renovation, with examples from a mixture of real …
My first victim There’s an expression in my house: you better not sit still too long in one spot or you’ll get painted. Moving into a temporary home, we didn’t want to invest money in new furniture but our old furniture didn’t suit the beach …