I had a good chuckle the other day when an astrology account I follow posted on Instagram a “you can only choose 2” list for each astrological sign. For Taurus the options were, “be right about everything”, “unlimited supply of fine wine”, and “the power to shrink your bed and take it with you”. As a Taurus - that is a hard decision to make – I like being right, I like fine wine and I also really love my bed. But the reason I’m telling you this is because I really, really love my bed and you should too! Here’s why, and what you can do if you’re not currently as in-love with your bed as you could be.

You might already know, but just in case you don’t, that I’m a specialist for Hunter Douglas, who manufacture really awesome, high quality, innovative blinds and window coverings. I really enjoy partnering with clients to find solutions that will help them achieve the right balance of natural light for their space. I’m telling you this today because Health Canada has recently announced upcoming changes to the Consumer Product Safety Act, including regulations for corded window coverings, and that’s going to have a pretty significant impact on Hunter Douglas’s product line.

I am truly so excited to share with you this recent condo redesign in the Oliver neighbourhood. Of course, I’m always excited to share our projects with you, but this one feels special. I often talk about the great privilege we have of really being invited into a very personal experience with our clients. The space we live in says a lot about who we are and how we want to feel, and even supports us in becoming and living those out. Sometimes, though, we really are starting over completely – and while that can be so daunting, it’s also even more of a privilege. And that was the case with this redesign.

Getting ready to sell your home can be overwhelming. We partner with several amazing realtors in Edmonton to offer their clients a 1-hour consultation in which we provide you with tips and recommendations for getting your home ready to show. We’ve seen a lot of homes and given a lot of recommendations, and these are the top 5 tips we almost always include.

It’s time for another Edmonton kitchen renovation! I’m so excited to do the full reveal on this project - the transformation is pretty epic, if I do say so myself. I first met with the homeowners in the fall of 2020. They were ready to update their kitchen to be more functional and current and also wanted it to feel more spacious with better lighting. When I saw the space, I knew there were a few different directions we could go. There were simpler updates that would still look great and meet their goals but I also had another vision in my brain. To be completely honest, I was nervous to present it. It was a big change and it meant a bigger budget, but it was too good to not share. I’m so glad I did, because they loved it!

A while back on Instagram I was discussing how, as a designer, I always have a sometimes secret, sometimes not-so-secret wish list of products that I’m really wanting to use on a project. And it turns out, you all want to know what’s on my wish list! So I thought I’d start out with the product that began this conversation in the first place: TILE!

So here we go, my current tile wish list and the reasons why I love each one.

This year I had the absolute pleasure of working with Jamie, from Red Wagon Photography here in Edmonton, Alberta, to create the set design for her Holiday Mini Sessions. Her aesthetic features soft, muted tones and classic, natural decor - and of course: yummy light. She had a mantle and tree that she wanted included, and the rest was left up to me. And while I know this design is technically for a photography studio set, the elements are easily translatable into your own home for the holidays too.

I find that often, I’m brought in to do a bit of an assessment on a kitchen to determine whether it can get by with a few upgrades or if it’s time for a full gut. This project was one of those situations. It really came down to, “how much functionality can we gain for the added cost of doing a full renovation.” As you may have guessed from the title, the homeowners chose the renovation path! And, fun fact, this was actually my second condo kitchen renovation in the Edmonton neighbourhood of Ramsay Heights (the other one is here). As per usual, let’s go behind the scenes for all the details.

If you’re currently looking for a new home and like the idea of finding something you can make your own with a few renovations, the Purchase Plus Improvements (PPI) mortgage is definitely something to consider. When we bought our home we knew we wanted an older property that needed work, so it was a no-brainer for us to go with a PPI mortgage so that some of the renovation cost could be added to our mortgage. There were still a lot of ins and outs we didn’t know about at the time, and that’s why having your home-buying dream team set up before you even start the search is so important.

The other day I was chatting with a potential client who was surprised that I often work with IKEA kitchens for my projects. I think there is this stereotype that working with a designer means only utilizing high-end, custom products - and I don’t fit that stereotype. Having a well designed space doesn’t mean it has to be expensive. It can be, but it doesn’t have to be. And also, I just happen to really love some of the features that come along with IKEA kitchens that are generally upgrades from other cabinet suppliers. So I figured why not recap 10 IKEA kitchens I’ve worked on here in Edmonton. Some are straight up IKEA and others utilize the IKEA x Kitch combo.

I recently had the pleasure of creating this very fun gallery wall with one of my clients here in Edmonton. Most of our gallery wall work is done virtually through our Gallery Wall E-Design service so it was particularly satisfying to complete this one in person – including some shopping time!

I love a good saying on a welcome mat. The day I saw this one, many years ago, I knew it was exactly what I needed on our front steps. As you may already be aware, my favourite feeling is cozy and it’s also how I want everyone to feel when they enter my home. So this was just perfect. After 3+ years of being stepped on and enduring the Edmonton climate, my coir welcome mat was showing signs of wear. The actual mat itself was still in decent condition but it’s obviously no fun to have a mat with the message half worn off. So here’s how I went about restoring it!

So the other day we were talking about how you can use Essential Oils in your morning routine as a way to help create the feelings you want in your space at that time of day. But what about the end of your day? If your own daily routine allows, you may be able to incorporate some or all of my own rituals, which I’ll share with you here, into your own evening rhythm. Ending your day well can make a huge difference to the next morning, and essential oils can support you in cultivating a restful, calm atmosphere leading into sleep.

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.