Have I mentioned lately how important it is to stage your home before it goes on the market? This condo that we recently staged in Edmonton is a perfect example of the impact staging can make on a home. And guess what? This one sold in under a month during a time when the market for condos had been slow.

There’s a part of me that doesn’t even know where to begin this post. This project started in 2018 and finished in June 2021. I had to go back in my files to even remember what this project started as and fun fact, my logo was even different back then! But seriously. I was originally brought in to help my client update her kitchen. It started with just doing the design plan. Then it expanded into me handling the sourcing and overseeing the project. Then we added on updates to the living room and dining room, which then turned into the main bathroom being renovated, and since we were there, we might as well do the 3 bedrooms and the ensuite too.

We’ve all been there. I know I have. That one room that we just put the leftover furniture in. The one that has no soul or real purpose. The one we avoid looking at or going into. You know it needs some love and attention but you just don’t know where to start. Here are the steps I take when I need to figure out how to create the room I want and a room I love.

With most homeowners opting for hard surface flooring in their home, area rugs are even more important than ever. But so many people struggle to get it right - which makes me sad. An area rug done wrong can make a room feel off and sometimes even make it feel smaller. But when it’s done right, an area rug can be the perfect piece to tie a room together, give added comfort and texture to a space and, perhaps most importantly, make your space feel larger. So let’s focus on 3 key rooms and then I’ll share a few more tips after that.

If you’re wanting to add some greenery to a space but natural light is lacking, one creative option is to create your own moss art. It’s a simple DIY that requires just a few supplies and as little as 30 min to complete.

This basement suite is in a new infill duplex and we got really lucky in terms of timing. The City of Edmonton had only approved legal secondary suites to be built in duplex residences a few weeks prior to our development permit application! The homeowners originally brought me on to consult on their build in terms of layout and finishing. Once it was built and the builder handed over the keys, we got right to work designing the basement suite.

The basis of my design process is to create spaces that make my clients feel a certain way. Sometimes that’s creating spaces that make them feel welcomed or cozy. It might be a space for them to feel invigorated or creative in. And while there are so many aspects of the design process that work to build that feeling, one of the easiest ways to start creating your own desired feelings is through essential oils. The focus of today’s post is on your morning routine, specifically ways to utilize essential oils in your washroom to feel more lively, with greater mental clarity, and also to achieve a sense of grounding.

One aspect of design that seems to always stump my clients is how to put together a gallery wall - especially one with different sized items. So here are the two approaches I take and additional tips on pulling it all together. And of course, like so many aspects of design these guidelines are just that. There are always ways to break the rules that still results in a great visual.

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this kitchen! When friends of ours purchased this home in the neighbourhood of Gariepy in Edmonton my brain was already thinking about the future of the home. Many years later, I finally got the opportunity to put those thoughts into a design plan and then into a finished, beautiful kitchen. This renovation, like always, wasn’t without a few surprises and a few hiccups. And for me, there was the added stress that the homeowners are also friends.

You know what makes me sad? Walking into a home and seeing furniture that doesn’t fit the space. Often it’s a case of the furniture being too large for the space and every so often, it’s too small. I’m even more shocked to hear how many homeowners buy their furniture without taking any measurements or having a plan. It hurts to hear them say they’ve been living in a space they don’t like because they spent all that money on the furniture and can’t part with it because it was an investment. Please don’t make this mistake.

I want to share a bit more about my Petit Design Concept offering so that it’s super clear what it involves. It is one of the easiest ways to work with me at a lower investment point. And you don’t just have to be in Edmonton to purchase this offering because the whole thing is done digitally. So let’s dive in!

I recommend this hack when you’re wanting to get a custom look for pieces of art or photographs that don’t need professional framing. So maybe you have an odd-shaped print that you want to frame but it doesn’t fit a standard off-the-shelf frame. Or it’s a collection of photographs or postcards that you want a custom look for but can’t afford to go custom.

Very excited to be sharing this guest post by Edmonton photographer, Kelly Marleau, of Fiddle Leaf Photography. Both of us believe that we need to actually print those amazing images that we have so that they can truly be enjoyed on a regular basis. One of my favourite ways to have physical copies of my photos is to create photo books. I have one for each trip we’ve taken and it’s so nice to flip through them and relive our adventures. Take a read below for her tips for printing and displaying your photos!

It’s time for another full transformation! This was one of my own projects - an investment I took on with my friend Edward last year in the Edmonton neighbourhood of West Jasper Place. This condo had great bones and a lovely layout (there really is something to be said about a boring rectangle for space planning purposes). The purchase was quite stressful (multiple offer situation and then an issue with the accuracy of the listing), but it was meant to be and we’re both so happy with what we created!

Choosing a designer is a big decision and I want to give you my recommendations and tips for making the right choice for you and your home. There are so many amazing and talented interior designers in Edmonton, you just have to know what to look for!

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Juli Wenger late last year to talk about the importance of having a home that we love on The Becoming Ourselves Podcast.

I have this thing for homes with internal courtyards. So when I got the call to come and see this new build in the Laurier / Valleyview neighbourhood of Edmonton, I was super excited!

This is a truly special home. Not only is it an amazing location in the city but the energy of this space is beautiful. So much natural light, an overall zen feel and unique features!

Staging for this home was almost more important because it is a unique home. It becomes a bit more difficult for buyers to make sense of a home that isn’t a traditional layout if they can’t see it in action.