Stylish Solutions - Ideas for your Home

Ready For Another Giveaway??

2011-08-31T10:55:00.000-04:00

Yay - it's time for another Virtual Room Review giveaway!! Time to win FREE decorating advice for the room that bugs you the most!

Meagan over at Sunshine & Sippy Cups is giving away one of my Virtual Room Reviews here:

Click here to enter the awesome giveaway!

Good Luck!!

(and remember, if you don't want to wait to win, you can buy one in my Etsy shop for $10!)

L is for Lighting

2011-08-25T15:48:00.000-04:00

How much light do you need?

Here's a simple formula for figuring out whether or not you have enough lighting in a room:

First, measure your room's length and width, then multiply to get the square footage.

Next, multiply that number by 1.5 to get the amount of wattage needed to properly light the room.

For example, a 10' by 12' room is 120 square feet...multiplied by 1.5 gives you 180. So in that room, you would want at least 180 watts.

In an area that's meant for specific tasks like a kitchen island or an area for homework, multiply by 2.5 instead of 1.5.

Easy as pie!

K is for Keeping Kitchens Organized

2011-08-22T14:01:00.000-04:00

The kitchen is generally the busiest room in the house -- used for cooking, eating, storage, homework, socializing and more. Here are some quick and easy tips to help you keep it organized and looking great:

Create zones -- one area for food preparation, one for storage, one for eating, etc.

Store items near where you use them. Don't worry about whether it makes sense for someone else -- I keep plastic kid cups in the fridge beside the juice.

Free up drawer space by using a decorative canister to hold often-used utensils, such as spatulas and spoons.

Storing small appliances in cupboards will free up counter space and keep the room looking less cluttered. The ones you rarely use can be stored up high or in the back of the cabinet, and the ones you use often in easy-to-reach areas.

Inexpensive baskets or plastic containers are great for storing bottles of vinegar, oil and other sauces. It's easier to pull a basket out of the cupboard than it is to root around for the right bottle.

In a small kitchen, putting the sink in the corner creates more usable, uninterrupted counter space.

If you have space in your kitchen, an armoire is a terrific organizer. It can hold your microwave, freeing up counter space. You can use the shelves and drawers for anything from cookbooks and tablecloths to mixing bowls and baking needs. Paint the inside of one of the doors with chalkboard paint and you have space for quick notes and lists as well.

Baskets placed in the area between cabinets and the ceiling are great for storing seldom-used items.

If you're really short on space, add a shelf above the window or door.

Hang tablecloths on a towel rack attached to the inside of a cabinet or closet door.

How do you keep your kitchen organized??

ShopHappens

2011-08-19T15:48:00.000-04:00

I was so excited the other day to get an email from Erin at ShopHappens asking if I'd like to be featured in their Etsy spotlight!

You can check it out below:

Stylish Solutions at ShopHappens

Let me know what you think!!

Guest Post - More Free Decorating Changes from Susi at Design Shuffle

2011-08-18T15:08:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone, I'm Susi and I write as a guest blogger for Design Shuffle, a fabulous social media site that promotes interior designers and their work from around the world. My writing focuses on things I'm passionate about: interior design, decorating ideas, home furnishings, gardening, travel and art. I get to look at gorgeous things all day and write about them. I'm a very lucky girl!

I am so happy to be guest blogging here at Stylish Solutions today. Heather was kind enough to allow me to try my hand at a "5 Free Decorating Changes You Can Make Right Now" post. She had such great ideas (like shopping your own home) in previous posts, I hope these are equally as helpful. Enjoy!

Better Homes and Gardens via

First decorating change might be the most difficult. †Get Organized! Organizing your space, especially a home office or kid's room will make a huge impact. Look for baskets and boxes around the house that you can use to collect items and papers.

HGTV via

Look at old things in new ways as the homeowner did in this bedroom design. Previously talked about was shopping your house...I say shop the garage and maybe even your neighbors' garages. Or go on Craigslist and Freecycle to find free things that can be salvaged and given new life in your home.

Centsational Girl via

Decorate the inside of cabinets, hutches, bookcases to give them a new look. You can use wallpaper, wrapping paper, fabric remnants, and even small amounts of left over paint; things you probably already have in the house.

Pinterest via

Use color to create interest. Gather similar colored accessories, anything from books to pillow to china, and display them in groups to make a bold statement. Shuffle colorful accessories, including artwork, around the home and create big spots of color on bookshelves, beds and sofas.

Apartment Therapy via

And the final of my 5 tips: streamline your space. This goes back to number 1, get organized. Clear the clutter from not just the horizontal surfaces but also the vertical surfaces. Try to create calm, soothing spaces where everything visible is pleasing to the eye.

So there are my 5 free decorating changes you can make right now. Hope you found them helpful and inspiring - perhaps you'll add some of them to your interior design ideas file. ~ Susi

This content comes courtesy of†Design Shuffle, where you can find and share talented interior designs from from New York interior designers, Los Angeles interior designers, and more, check out the latest at Design Shuffle.

Personalized Photo Coasters

2011-08-17T14:49:00.000-04:00

While my main business is offline colour consultations, I've been slowly working at filling up my Etsy shop with some handmade home decor stuff as well as virtual consultations. I've become slightly addicted to making tile coasters - my newest ones are done with photos:

A set of 4 is only $15 - and they make a great gift idea (Christmas is only 4 months away!). Visit my Etsy shop here for more details:

Personalized Photo Coasters

Did You Win?? (Little Giveaway Reminder)

2011-08-16T19:27:00.000-04:00

Just a little reminder to anyone who has entered one of the giveaways to win a Virtual Room Review - some bloggers email the winner, some post it on their blogs instead and give you a certain number of days before they choose a new winner...so don't forget to check back there and see if you've won!

Another Virtual Room Review Giveaway!

2011-08-15T10:14:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to everyone that has won so far!

This week Heather at Thrifty Mom Spot is giving away my Virtual Room Review!

Head on over and enter for your chance to win an interior decorator's FREE advice and get some quick & easy help with that problem room:

Win a FREE Room Review at Thrifty Mom Spot!

If you haven't heard of a Room Review, you can you can see what I mean in my Etsy shop here.

(And if you don't want to wait to win, you can always buy a Room Review in my shop for only $10.)

Good luck!!

J is for Junk

2011-08-13T11:18:00.000-04:00

No matter how nicely decorated your room is, if it's full of junk (more politely known as "clutter"), all you see is the mess. The first step in fixing up any room is to get rid of the extra stuff hanging around. I admit, this is one of my biggest issues...I have a habit of leaving piles of paperwork all over the house. If it's got a flat surface, you're pretty much guaranteed to find my stuff lying on it.

On the other side of this, one person's junk is another's treasure. Some of the nicest home accents turn out to be yard sale or Value Village finds, painted or re-covered to turn them into something great. A can of spray paint and a bit of imagination can turn almost any "junk" into something you can use in your decorating!

Have you turned any "junk" into something decorative?

More Giveaways For You!

2011-08-06T14:16:00.000-04:00

More chances to win today!

Two new giveaways start today - Angie at Country Chic Cottage and Kari at Alas 3 Lads are each giving away one of my Virtual Room Reviews.

Who couldn't use a FREE interior decorator?

It's a great way to get advice on what to do with those problem areas in your home - that one room that just doesn't look quite the way you want it to...

Win a Free Room Review at Alas 3 Lads

Win a Free Room Review at Country Chic Cottage

And the other 2 giveaways are still open until Tuesday:

One Mama's Daily Drama

Frantically Simple

Go check them out - enter one, enter 2, enter them all...improve the look of your home and discover some great blogs at the same time!

I is for Inexpensive

2011-08-06T13:51:00.000-04:00

One thing I love to do is see how much I can do decor-wise for as little money as possible. Here are 3 easy updates that cost next to nothing:

An affordable way to get the look of custom-made draperies: simply add fabric borders to the bottom of your existing drapery panels.
You can also enhance your throw pillows by adding some fringe, buttons or beadwork.
Plain bed linens can be given a new look by sewing a band or 2 of satin ribbon or braiding a little way in from the hems of the pillowcases and sheets.

Each of these is an fairly quick & inexpensive way to make things look a little nicer!

Giveaway Time Again!!

2011-08-02T12:45:00.001-04:00

As I mentioned down below, a few different bloggers will be giving away my Virtual Room Reviews over the summer (you can see what I'm talking about at my Etsy shop here). If you don't want to wait, you can buy a Room Review in my shop for $10 - that gets you a list of tips and suggestions you can implement right away to improve the look of your rooms!

Congratulations to the winner of Giveaway #1 - Gale over at Such Fun to Give!

The next 2 giveaways start today (and run until August 9th). Check them out at Frantically Simple (there's a hooker-boot wall involved!) and One Mama's Daily Drama - and enter for your chance to win :)

My plan was to have a giveaway each week over the summer, but apparently scheduling isn't one of my talents...I somehow scheduled 2 for most weeks. It works out well for you guys, though - more chances to win and more great blogs to discover!

Super Awesome Giveaway You Should Enter at Frantically Simple

Another Super Awesome Giveaway You Should Enter at One Mama's Daily Drama

Good luck!!

Home Grown - Issue 2

2011-08-01T19:57:00.000-04:00

I just received the link to the 2nd issue of Home Grown - Parenting in the North...this month my article is about all 3 of the rooms in our Dream Room project for sick children.

Home Grown - Issue #2

Take a look and let me know what you think!

Alexander's Room is on CTV News!

2011-07-31T22:12:00.000-04:00

CTV News did a story about our room makeover project for Alexander today. You should be able to click on the link below to check it out:

http://northernontario.ctv.ca/timmins/index.html?video=509801

Before & After

2011-07-29T20:32:00.000-04:00

Before

The problem: This client had purchased a brand new dining room set and was having trouble figuring out how to accessorize the hutch - what to buy, how big it should be, where to get it, how to arrange it. It didn't need to be used for storage, only display. The dining area is open to the living room, so they wanted to make sure both ends of the room worked together.

The solution: We looked to the colour of the dining chair seats for the colour scheme - green, rusty red, and a hint of gold. Step one was shopping in the client's home - they had a set of old dishes packed away that fit perfectly with the colour scheme. Green and golden yellow ceramic plates and bowls that were just sitting unused in a cabinet.

After

Step two was heading out shopping for the rest of the pieces needed to fill in the gaps. I found some large square plates in the colours of the dishes we had taken from the homeowner's cupboards, and used them behind the stacks of dishes to give the displays some height and tie things together. Without the plates behind them, the stacks looked incomplete. I also found a great trio of candle holders (top right corner) that were exactly the right colour - putting them on the top shelf spreads the colour evenly so no particular spot is off-balance.

We added a few family photos in matching black frames, and word art that the homeowner spray painted black to match. Now it co-ordinates with the rest of the room and makes a great focal point.

Giveaway Time!!

2011-07-25T11:11:00.000-04:00

Over the next 6 weeks or so, a few wonderful bloggers will be giving away my Virtual Room Reviews (check them out at my Etsy shop here if you just can't wait to win - $10 gets you a list of tips and suggestions you can implement right away to improve the look of your rooms!)

The first giveaway starts today (and runs until August 1st) over at MamaZen Blog - go check it out and enter for your chance to win :)

Super Awesome Virtual Room Review Giveaway!!

Good luck!

H is for Hardware

2011-07-25T00:37:00.000-04:00

Hardware is a small thing that can make a big difference. Don't want to spend a lot to re-do a kitchen or bathroom? Replace the cabinet hardware for major impact. I've had a lot of clients that were looking for a new look in the kitchen but couldn't replace the cabinets or countertops...we replaced the hardware and painted the walls, and the room took on a whole new feel.

You might remember my post about my own budget kitchen makeover - the cabinet hardware made a huge improvement:

Before: Ugly handles that don't fit

Before & After side by side

After: Way better!

Even furniture can benefit from new hardware...so many times you find the perfect dresser, armoire, sideboard, etc...but the handles are horrendous or don't go with the piece (or the room). New handles.....and voila! The piece works! Before we installed built-in cabinets in my office, I had an old desk and my dresser from when I was a baby...I painted them black (Ralph Lauren turret stair) and replaced the chunky wooden handles with new ones that really changed the whole look of the room and updated the furniture.

Take a look around your home - are there any pieces that could benefit from new hardware?

G is for Grocery Store

2011-07-20T08:00:00.001-04:00

Yes, I said grocery store. Most people don't think of grocery stores as having much to do with interior decorating, but you can find a lot of stuff there that can be used to decorate your home:

pumpkins
gourds
lemons
limes
oranges
walnuts
dried fruit (cranberries are a great colour)
dried beans/legumes (black beans are great for filling the bottoms of vases)
coffee beans
cinnamon sticks
pomegranates

Pretty much any of these can be put in an apothecary jar or clear vase (ok - maybe not pumpkins - use those more for centerpieces!).

F is for Fabric

2011-07-13T09:25:00.000-04:00

One really easy way to update almost anything is with fabric. (This is one reason I always travel with the paint swatches from each of the rooms in the house...it makes it much easier to match fabrics than doing it from memory).

I'm in the middle of updating our dining room chairs right now. The original seat covers are an off-white cotton - nice because they're washable, but they do nothing for the room.

Before

So I popped over to Fabricland the other day and found some fabric that picks up the wall colour (BM rustic brick - which looks really orange in the pictures for some reason...). Total cost for the project was $40 - would have been less but I forgot we only have 4 chairs (no, I don't know how you forget how many chairs you have, but I did) so I bought too much - it will become living room throw cushions when I have time. The actual re-upholstery part was simple - unscrew the seat, pull the fabric tight, screw the seat back on. Now as long as the cat doesn't claw them, we're good to go!

F is also for facebook - where you can head on over and "like" my page to get even more tips :)

E is for Entrance

2011-07-12T09:11:00.000-04:00

Another easy tip for today (I guess E could also be for Easy!): If you don't have room for a table in your home's entry, install a crown-molding ledge/shelf with a mirror above it to create a spot to drop your mail and keys.

A mirror is a necessity before heading out the door, and can also help the space seem bigger, so you get a 2-for-1 there. You can try a shallow shadow box for keys instead if you don't want a shelf to collect clutter.

If you don't have a front closet, try adding some hooks to the wall for jackets. If you can squeeze out the space, add a high shelf above them that can hold baskets.

(E is also for Etsy - head on over to my shop and take a peek!)

D is for Doors

2011-07-10T09:49:00.000-04:00

Quick and easy tip today - to add a bit of character, paint or stain your doors a dark colour.

Shutters, Blinds & Shades

2011-07-09T13:03:00.000-04:00

I'm happy to announce that as of this week Stylish Solutions will be carrying Maxxmar Window Fashions.

This means I'll be able to offer my clients better pricing than before for quality custom window treatments.

If you're in Timmins & area, contact me for your FREE quote on shutters, blinds, cellular, roller & roman shades.

C is for Context (and colour!)

2011-07-07T12:19:00.000-04:00

One thing that's important to remember when choosing a colour - from the time the selection is made until the room is complete - is that the colour means nothing without context.

Many colours look great alone, but look awful when paired with other items. Some colours look fabulous in one setting and ugly in another (one common reason people call me to choose a colour is that the colour they chose because they liked it at a friend or neighbour's looked completely different on their walls with their furniture!)

It's important to consider the whole picture when putting together a room - quite often a colour can give you that "what were you thinking?" moment while you're painting...because you're seeing it on the wall alone, not surrounded by the items it relates to. I often remind clients to wait until the room is put back together before they make a final judgement on whether they like the colour.

I've specified a couple of bolder colours this month (these 2 above...going in 2 different homes) - and when I look at the paint chips they can seem pretty "out there", especially for living room walls...but once they're put beside the furniture and accessories that have bits of the wall colour in them, they end up looking exactly as they should.

Context counts!

B is for Baseboards

2011-07-05T09:55:00.000-04:00

An easy way to heighten your baseboards and make them seem more substantial: add half-round trim a couple of inches above your existing baseboards, then paint the trim, baseboard and wall in-between the same trim colour. This makes it look like your baseboards are bigger than they really are.

Media Coverage for Alexander's Room

2011-07-05T09:07:00.000-04:00

We're starting to get our much-needed media coverage for our Alexander's Room Project. People seeing the story in the news is what helps us get our donations so we can actually do the room, so we're very happy to see the stories starting!

Moose FM website

TimminsToday.com

We're also talking to our CTV contact about a story, so stay tuned!

Giveaway Extended

2011-07-04T12:51:00.000-04:00

The giveaway over at Wildesigns has been extended - head on over for your chance to win a free virtual room makeover!

http://wildedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/06/manic-monday-heather-of-stylish.html

A is for Accessorizing

2011-07-03T13:23:00.000-04:00

Based on what I've been hearing from clients, one thing that causes a major decorating headache is accessorizing. What to buy, how many, where to put it. Accessories may be on the smaller side, but they have a big influence on how the room looks.

image from Pottery Barn

Here are a few general guidelines and tips to make accessorizing a little easier:

Group your accessories in odd numbers (three or five work nicely!).

Group together items of various sizes - avoid putting all one size together. Mix it up by putting tall with short, wide with narrow, etc.

Try grouping items of the same colour together.

Displaying collections against a contrasting background makes them stand out.

Try grouping like items together as well. A seashell on the table, one on the mantel and one on the floor are "3 seashells in a room". Put them together and they're a "collection".

If you have a huge collection of something particular, display some and put the rest away - then rotate the pieces every few months to change things up a bit.

On a bookshelf, add some accessories so it's not just books - mixing together books and accessories adds a bit of interest and variety.

If you have mismatched or ugly accessories that you can't bear to part with, try painting them. A can of flat white spray paint can fix a lot! A group of mismatched accessories become a collection when they're unified by white spray paint - try vases, ceramic birds, pumpkins, etc. Anything you find can be painted to tie together.

Try one or all of these tips and see how your accessorizing improves. Let me know how it goes!

Home Grown

2011-07-02T18:25:00.000-04:00

I was recently invited to contribute decorating articles to a brand new online magazine and I'm thrilled to announce that it has officially launched today:

Home Grown - Parenting in the North

Click on the link to check it out (and let me know what you think of my summer decorating tips)!

Decorating From A to Z

2011-07-01T19:37:00.000-04:00

I've read a few articles lately that follow an A to Z format, and decided to give it a try here on my blog.

Stay tuned for the first of 26, coming up soon!

Dream Room Project is Back Again!!!

2011-06-28T12:42:00.000-04:00

I'm happy to announce that for the 3rd year in a row, Designers Unlimited's dream room makeover project is ready to go!

Last year's room for Sarah Valade turned out so well, her mom is joining us to work on this year's room, which is awesome!

This year's room is being designed for Alexander Chevrier, a 5 year old boy with Muscular Dystrophy. Planning is underway and over the next few months we'll be gathering materials and donations to put together a fresh new space for him. So far our paint has been donated by Timmins Decorating Centre - we're off to a great start!

Here are a few before shots:

I can't wait to get started - this is my absolute favourite project of the year!!

Manic Monday at Wilde Designs

2011-06-27T09:17:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday!!

I'm super excited to be featured over on the Wilde Designs blog today...go check it out (and enter the giveaway while you're there!!).

Manic Monday at Wilde Designs

Check out the rest of Beth's blog while you're there - lots of great stuff!

Over the Top Kid Bedrooms

2011-06-25T14:40:00.000-04:00

I just came across an article online about parents who go overboard decorating their children's bedrooms - some spending a year's worth of college tuition (one room was $75000 - crazy!).

Seriously, what child needs a $7000 light fixture?

After watching the video, I think the parents have a few issues...

You can check the article out here : Over the top kid rooms

Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments!

Outdoor Decorating Mistakes - Part 3 & 4

2011-06-09T14:29:00.000-04:00

Third on the "outdoor decor mistakes" list is ignoring the landscaping. A little bit of landscaping can go a long way toward giving your home curb appeal. You don't necessarily need a huge garden full of a variety of flowers - if you don't have a green thumb, an urn on either side of the door adds colour without taking a lot of work. Hanging baskets of flowers can be another low-hassle option. Stones and shrubbery can look great as well. A small fence can also add curb appeal - as long as you choose a paint or stain colour that works with the rest of the house.

And the last mistake, on the opposite side of the spectrum - excessive lawn ornaments! While one or 2 decorative items can add a bit of pizazz to your yard, an entire family of gnomes paired with a well (or 2!), a collection of pots, wooden cutouts, and multiple sets of windchimes detract from your home's look. A smaller number of well-chosen items will have more impact.

Outdoor Decorating Mistakes - Part 2

2011-06-06T13:59:00.000-04:00

Another outdoor-decor problem? Not considering the more permanent fixtures when choosing a decor scheme.

I've been watching a home reno near my mother's house with interest - the owner chose a stucco colour that they thought would be a neutral: grey. Undertones are a tricky thing, though - the grey chosen has very strong purple undertones, which are brought out even more by the sun (the way your house faces has a big effect!)...so the house actually looks purple. Not necessarily a problem, and it can actually look great depending on what you put with it...but this particular house has a warm brown roof, and this particular roof does not work with the shade of purple on the house. The already-there colour of something permanent like a roof (which is generally not changed for years) needs to be taken into consideration when choosing everything else.

Aside from the roof, pay attention to brick, stone and siding colours.

Biggest Decorating Mistakes - Outdoor Edition!

2011-06-04T11:15:00.000-04:00

A while back I talked about the most common decorating mistakes people make (if you missed it you can read the article online here). Now that the warmer weather is here (I think!), it's time to focus on the outside of the home too.

Many people focus on their home's interior and ignore the outside - but it's the first thing people see. And unlike the interior, everyone can see it, not just the people who come inside.

The most common outdoor decorating mistake starts at one of the most important areas in terms of making your home look attractive - the front door.

Many people either ignore it or paint it a colour that does nothing for their curb appeal (or worse, works against it!). The front door is a big part of how your house looks. For such a small surface area, it has a huge effect! The wrong colour on the main door makes the colour of the house look "off". The right front door colour can pull everything together and make your home look inviting.

You want to choose a colour that stands out but that works with the rest of the home - brick, stone, trim, accents, etc. (And this colour is very rarely, if ever, white - don't be afraid of colour here!) Take into account the different colours found in the brick, whether the colours are warm/cool, dull/fresh, etc.

A small can of paint and a few hours will make a huge difference in the look of your home!

Product Review: DIF Wallpaper Removal Gel

2011-06-01T12:46:00.000-04:00

Sad confession: I'm starting to get used to the smell of wet wallpaper. Special thanks go to the previous owners who wallpapered my dining room ceiling over the years...I guess I should be glad they stopped at 6 layers, right? DIF gel wallpaper remover to the rescue!

Over the past few years, we've used a number of wallpaper-removal methods...different chemicals, fabric softener, steam, and a variety of tools. This one is by far the best we've found. Just spray it on, scrape it off. It's a no-drip gel, so even on the ceiling it doesn't make a mess.

Wallpaper removal still won't be a fun job, but it will definitely be less hassle!

SOS - Looking For a Dress (not decor related!)

2011-05-17T11:22:00.000-04:00

I'm trying to find this dress, any size, new or used...as soon as possible. If anyone has any idea where I could even begin to look, please let me know in the comments!

It's purple, by Oasis, from Sears. Manufacturer and Sears are both a dead end.

"Happiest Weekend of the Year" Update

2011-05-11T09:23:00.002-04:00

The 2011 Home Show (or as I call it "the Happiest Weekend of the Year") is officially over. Actually, it's been over for a couple of days now, but it's taken me a bit of time to get my stuff unloaded and sorted (my living room is still full of display boards, ballot boxes, backdrops and tablecloths!).

My area of the booth...unfortunately I forgot to take pictures until we were already taking the booth down.

We had a great time this year - it was one of my favourite Home Shows yet, since I started doing them in 2006. We had a great combination of ladies in the booth (we do it as a group - 4 different businesses)...everyone got along fabulously. We had something for everyone - interior decorating, photography (Kayleigh of All Things That Grow Photography and her awesome Saturday stand-in Yewa), yoga (Natalie of Northern Lotus Yoga) and income tax (Sue of SL Income Tax Services). We also had Avon, thanks to Kim (the mom of our last kid's room makeover recipient...proceeds from her Avon sales go towards medical travel, etc. so we were pleased to see that every single one of her brochures was taken!).

The crowds weren't huge, but it was a steady flow of people coming through, and I spoke with a lot of nice people who will hopefully become clients.

One thing we did find kind of odd is the number of people that would walk quickly down the aisle, trying desperately not to look at anyone and ignoring every booth - most of the time with an angry "don't talk to me or look at me" expression. It takes some effort to go to the show - you have to decide to go, get ready, drive to the arena, find a parking spot, stand in line, and pay to get in...it seems funny that people would do all that (the "paying to get in to something you don't want to see" part is what I really don't get!) and then try so hard not to look at any of it.

Other than that, it was great - I can't wait until next year! We've already started talking about the 2012 booth, and have some great ideas :)

A Budget Kitchen Makeover

2011-05-01T19:22:00.000-04:00

A while back I did a blog post about our ugly kitchen (you can check it out here) - the previous homeowners had re-done the kitchen with things they liked, not worrying about whether or not they went together (they didn't). We did a quick makeover to keep me from crying every time I walked into the room - a temporary fix until we were ready for a bit more work.

Here are the original before shots - busy backsplash with dark grout lines, orange wood, ugly brass handles...

And the in-between fix - painted the busy backsplash to get rid of the headaches, added a valance (made with $4 placemats!).

I still didn't want to spend a lot of money, and the cabinets and counters were in good shape. We painted out the wood trim, changed the cabinet hardware (29 handles...), painted the walls and backsplash, and added some new accessories. The entire thing was done for less than $200.

Final Results:

Now I actually don't mind spending time in the kitchen - it feels much cleaner and more open!

Bedroom Before & After

2011-04-19T18:54:00.000-04:00

This bedroom was a blank slate - the homeowners wanted to buy new furniture, bedding and accessories after moving into the empty room.

They found a bedding set they liked, then called me to choose accessories and accents and a paint colour to tie it all together....

The result is a restful room where the homeowners can relax after a busy day.

A soothing palette of greens and blues makes the room a peaceful place to curl up with a book or get a good night's sleep.

The homeowner also decided to replace their smaller window with a set of doors opening onto their back deck, which makes the room seem more spacious and allows them a great view of the backyard.

Blog Changes....

2011-04-19T13:46:00.001-04:00

I've been playing around with the layout of my blog - I think I like it better this way, but time will tell!

In other news, I now have an Etsy store - a place for my online consultations and handmade home decor items - and miscellaneous crafts made from leftover decorating materials.

www.etsy.com/shop/StylishSolutions

Take a look and let me know what you think :)

I'm a Guest Blogger :)

2011-04-08T14:34:00.003-04:00

About a month ago, Jodi at Living Life Photographically asked me to do a guest post - being the procrastinator I am, I'm pleased to say that I finished it yesterday!

Head over to her blog and check it out (check out her Etsy shop while you're there, too - I especially love her glass pendants!):

Hanging Artwork & Photos

Product Review: FROGTAPE

2011-03-09T14:15:00.006-05:00

I finally had enough of my kitchen last week and decided to paint the wood trim above the cabinets white (which of course led to painting the backsplash and walls!).

It's no secret how much I dislike painting (and how awful I am at it). Clients often ask me if I paint as well, and I always tell them I would have to pay them to let me paint, that's how bad I am...

I especially hate taping - it never seems to help me anyway, and I end up with rough edges and with paint everywhere. This time we used Frogtape ("the only tape treated with Paintblock", according to the package)...and I have to say, I love it (well, as much as someone can love painter's tape...). Peels off easily and leaves a nice, straight edge - it's like someone else painted :)

5 Free Decorating Changes You Can Make Right Now - Part 5

2011-03-01T11:58:00.001-05:00

For the last of my 5 free decorating tips, you can also try shopping at my favourite decorating store –- the great outdoors. The home accessories you can find outside are pretty much endless: branches, shells, sand, wood, rocks, pinecones, nuts, acorns, leaves, and more. Grab a vase or bowl and you have a simple but attractive free display.

Any of these ideas can quickly and easily update the look of your space – at no cost!

Canadian Link Exchange

2011-02-23T09:40:00.001-05:00

It's Wednesday, which means it's time for another Great Canadian Link Exchange - links to blogs, facebook pages and twitter for some interesting Canadian folks.

Great Canadian Link Exchange - Feb 23

5 Free Decorating Changes You Can Make Right Now - Part 4

2011-02-23T09:35:00.000-05:00

If you just can't find anything you like in your home, or you've grown tired of your accessories, try a trade with friends (either permanent or temporary). Gather up all the decor items you'd like to replace, while your friends do the same. Then get together and make a trade. Items that seem tired to you are fresh and new to them, and the things they're ready to part with look completely different in your home with your other belongings.

5 Free Decorating Changes You Can Make Right Now - Part 3

2011-02-19T16:04:00.000-05:00

The next step is to go shopping –- in your own home. Go on a tour of your house, from room to room, and see what furniture and accessories can be used in other spaces. Maybe the lamp from your living room would look better in the bedroom. The picture hanging in your bathroom might work in the hall. The vase on the piano may look great on the fireplace mantel. Dig around and see what you can find to use in a different room. This one is especially easy when your home has decor that flows –- when all your rooms work together, more often than not you can use your furniture and accessories in any of the rooms.

Canadian Link Exchange

2011-02-16T10:11:00.002-05:00

Happy Wednesday!! I'm taking part in an awesome link exchange today for Canadians - facebook, twitter, blogs, whatever...check it out to see some great Canadian content:

Follow Me, I'm Canadian - Great Link Exchange

5 Free Decorating Changes You Can Make Right Now - Part 2

2011-02-16T10:10:00.000-05:00

Next comes rearranging the furniture. Pull your sofa out from the wall. Try using a pair of end tables together as a coffee table. Experiment with putting furniture on an angle. Try your bed against a different wall. If you have a living/dining room combo, what about switching ends so the living area becomes the dining room and vice versa?

5 Free Decorating Changes You Can Make Right Now - Part One

2011-02-14T13:39:00.004-05:00

What do you do when the urge to decorate and change your space hits, but you just don't want to spend any more money? Luckily there are a lot of simple decorating changes you can make for free. Over the next few posts I'll talk about my 5 favourites.

Today's tip is the simplest EVER:

The very first step is to open up the blinds. Letting in natural light is one of the fastest ways to improve the look of a room!

Accent Walls

2011-02-10T14:17:00.005-05:00

What's one of the most common things clients ask me about? Accent walls!

The main thing when deciding to do an accent wall is to use it as an actual "accent" and not "just because". Many people go to accent walls when they can't decide between 2 colours. You want your accent wall to be an area that should be highlighted, so the choice of wall is as important as the colour.

To make your accent wall work, follow these tips:

The accent wall needs to relate to something in the room. Carry the colour and tone of the accent wall into other elements. If there is nothing else in the room that coordinates with the accent wall, it will look out of place. Bring the accent colour through with throw pillows, area rugs, upholstery, drapery, floral arrangements, etc.

Avoid leaving the other 3 walls white. The most effective way to do an accent wall is to paint the accent wall in a darker colour and paint the remaining walls a light or medium neutral tone that either relates or contrasts. Leaving the other walls stark white makes the accent wall less effective.

Accent walls can also be used to change a room's shape. An accent wall can visually shorten a long room or widen a long one. One place accent walls tend to be used incorrectly is in a long hallway - painting the end wall of a hallway a darker colour doesn't have the same effect as it does in a long room - because you only see the one wall, the dark colour recedes and can make the hall seem even longer. A better option is to paint one long wall one colour, and the other long wall a slightly darker version of that colour.

Accent walls can be great when used correctly. Because it's only one wall, you can change the colour easily when you tire of it, and it's easy to be more adventurous with colour when it's only one wall and not the bigger commitment of all 4 walls!

Sarah's Room

2010-10-26T13:37:00.007-04:00

After more than 100 hours of planning and 4 days of labour, we finished Sarah's Room this month! We had a great time, and most importantly, Sarah loves her new room!

Here's the room before:

And here's the final result:

You can see all the project pictures on my website - www.stylishsolutions.biz - or on facebook - www.facebook.com/StylishSolutions

Special thanks go to everyone who contributed to the project - Walmart, Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Timmins Decorating Centre, Future Shop, as well as several members of the community - and to Steinberg & Mahn, M&M Meat Shops, Zenone's, and Christopher's Coffee House for putting out donation cans for us. Thanks go out as well to Topper's Pizza for providing lunch for us while we worked!

The project was a huge success and we're already looking forward to next year!!

Using Colour to Fix Problems

2010-10-06T13:26:00.004-04:00

It's probably not a big surprise that I love colour - it's the easiest way to update worn out rooms and furniture, and really helps when creating a mood for a room. It's also a great way to fix little design problems!

This homeowner had a bit of repair work to do after a picture frame fell off the wall. Once the holes were fixed, another problem popped up - the walls had been painted by a previous homeowner, so they didn't know the colour or brand to get more. The home is a somewhat open concept, so the wall continued down the hallway, into the living and dining areas as well as the entrance - and there were no suitable corners to make a colour change - which meant the homeowner would have had to paint all the walls toavoid a choppy look. They really didn't want to paint more than necessary, so we needed to come up with something that would cover the repair job and only involve minimal painting.

The solution? Colour to the rescue! I had previously specified a dark brown accent wall in the adjoining living room to fix a sofa/undertone issue (I wrote about it in a post last year)...so we took the rest of that paint and used it to createa colour block in the hallway. This allowed the homeowner to cover the repair, accent their photos, and only paint a few square feet.

We're in the Paper - Part 2!

2010-09-24T22:24:00.001-04:00

Today's interview with the Daily Press is online already!

http://www.timminspress.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2772777

We're in the Paper!

2010-09-24T14:59:00.002-04:00

The Timmins Times just published a story on Sarah's Room:

http://www.timminstimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2772512

Easy Bathroom Update

2010-09-13T14:35:00.004-04:00

In my last post I mentioned using a large glass jar to store and display facecloths in the bathroom...since I was in the middle of my own bathroom makeover I decided to take my own advice and tried it out (why is is so hard for someone who gives decorating advice all day to take it??).

The lighting's not the greatest since I was in a hurry, but the idea worked well...looks much better than before, and is way more convenient that my previous facecloth storage (down the hall!). The added colour also draws the eye away from the ugly tiles I'm trying to downplay (more on those in a future post...).

Quick & Easy Bathroom Updates

2010-09-06T14:51:00.006-04:00

It's fairly easy to make a substantial change in a bathroom by changing a couple of small things:

- a new shower curtain gives the biggest update for the least amount of work

- try painting the ceiling the same colour as the walls - besides making it easier to paint the room (no taping!) it can make the space seem bigger since you aren't creating a white square at the top of your walls

- getting rid of clutter makes a huge difference - the more hidden storage you can find, the better

- avoid those fuzzy seat covers that match the bathmat - they can make a bathroom look dated

- use a large glass apothecary jar to store and display your facecloths for easy access

Sneak Peek of Sarah's Room

2010-08-20T20:56:00.004-04:00

We still have quite a bit of planning left for our room makeover project, but thanks to another donation from a local resident I was able to pick up the bedding today. Here's a sneak peek:

I can't wait to see how our room comes together!!

Overcome Your Fear of Colour

2010-08-08T15:01:00.006-04:00

When people talk about what scares them, many are quick to mention the usual fears: spiders, snakes, flying, heights, clowns, windchimes (ok, maybe the last one is just me...). One you don't hear mentioned is thefear of colour.

While “chromatophobia” is an actual fear of colours, the fear I'm talking about is really not so much a fear of colour as it is the fear of making a mistake. Many people stick with a very neutral colour scheme not so much because they like it, but because they're scared to add colour, or more accurately, the wrong colour.

Here are a few tips to help overcome that fear of adding colour to your home:

- Use Colour in Small Doses

If you don't think you can handle boldly coloured walls and furniture, you can add smaller hits of colour with your accessories and accent pieces. If you think you want to try red, for example, but aren't ready for red walls, go neutral on the walls and furniture, and add your red with throw cushions, vases, and artwork.

A positive side to this is that you're generally less likely to tire of a coloured pillow than a brightly coloured sofa, and a cushion is much easier to replace or re-cover.

- Balance It With a Lot of White

If you don't want to be overwhelmed by a colour, you can tone down a vibrant shade by making sure the rest of the space has a lot of white or neutral colours. Try a collection of large white vases, a mainly neutral area rug with small splashes of colour, or slipcovered white sofas.

- Test Paint Colour First

If you're hesitant about using a bolder paint colour, the best solution is to test it first. A $5 sample pot can save you a lot of trouble and gives you a chance to see how a colour performs before you commit. Rather than painting the sample directly on the wall, paint a large piece of bristol board or foam-core. This way you can move the colour around to different walls and see how it reacts in different light, at different times of day, and with different pieces of furniture.

Once you've seen that you like the colour on the large sample in the different scenarios, and see how it works with the rest of the things in the room, you'll be less afraid to try it on the whole wall.

Studies show that a colourless space can have a negative effect on our mood, so adding colour can do more than just make a room look good – it can help you feel good, too! Try one of these tips and see what colour can do for you.

Fun With Fabric

2010-07-05T15:43:00.001-04:00

Here are a couple of easy home decorating projects you can complete with a small amount of fabric:

1. Turn store-bought curtain panels into custom window treatments by adding coordinating fabric. Try a 12-15" band of fabric along the top or bottom, or a narrow band around the entire edge. You can also experiment with a band further up from the bottom of the panel. This also works for fabric shower curtains.

2. Create easy artwork by framing coordinating fabric samples. Or instead of framing, cover and hang canvasses for a similar effect.

3. Add colour to shelves and storage cubes - cut a piece of foamboard to fit the back of the shelf/cube, wrap the front in fabric, and wedge it in place.

4. Update a plain wicker basket by making a fabric liner.

5. A hemmed fabric rectangle makes a great table runner - great for the dining room or even on a dresser in a bedroom.

6. Update a plain duvet by adding a panel of coordinating fabric to the centre - take a large hemmed square of your patterned fabric and sew it to the middle of your plain duvet. Use coordinating ribbon or trim to hide the sewn edges. The more advanced your sewing skills, the more creative you can get with this.

7. Create hidden storage space under a pedestal sink by making a fabric skirt. Attach it to the sink with velcro for easy washing.

8. Hinge together 3 pieces of fabric-covered plywood for a simple fireplace screen.

9. Update glass cabinet doors by attaching fabric to the inside of the door with a small rod at the top and bottom of the glass.

10. Create a covered headboard with a large piece of plywood, foam batting, and a couple of metres of fabric. You can embellish it with fabric covered buttons to create a tufted look or leave it plain.

11. Make new covers for old throw pillows - finish them with matching trims and accessories to give them a more professional look.

12. Re-cover the seat of an old dining room chair for an instant update.

13. Give a new look to an old lampshade by covering it with new fabric that matches your decor.

14. Build a bulletin board by covering a padded piece of heavy corrugated cardboard or very thin plywood with fabric (watch the weight so it can be hung on the wall). Criss-cross wide ribbon across the board to hold your notes and messages.

Dream Room Project is Back!!

2010-06-09T18:59:00.004-04:00

Some of you may remember Designers Unlimited's dream room makeover project - last year we redesigned a room for Kendall, a young girl with Craniopharyngioma, an invasive benign brain tumour.

We're ready to do it again - this year's room is being done for Sarah Valade, an 11 year old girl with Central Nervous System Vasculitis (CNSV), an inflammation of the the blood vessels in the brain and spine.

We've started our planning and so far we have donations lined up from Home Depot and Timmins Decorating Centre, as well as a couple of local residents.

I absolutely love doing our dream room projects - if we can help make a sick child feel even the tiniest bit better, the work is worth it.

Here are a couple of before shots of her room and closet:

We're looking forward to putting together a wonderful new bedroom for Sarah!

Window Treatment Solutions for Hard to Reach Windows

2010-05-12T12:08:00.005-04:00

I have my very first guest blogger today! Special thanks to Richard Moyle at Horizon Window Treatments!

Do you have windows that are simply too hard to get to? If you have windows that are behind a couch or even windows that are too high, opening and closing the shades is nearly impossible. Another problem is having too many windows. Opening and closing numerous windows takes too much time.

The good news is that there is a solution for this type of window dilemma. Try window treatments that are motorized, for example so that you can make changes with the push of a button. You may think they are too expensive, but in fact, motorized window shades are easier to operate and quite affordable. Most people will benefit from this easy to install solution that is likely within their budget and easy to use.

What are your hard to reach windows? They may be a skylight or a window that is up high. It may be a window located behind furniture that is too heavy or large to move on a regular basis. You could have too many windows in one space that need to be opened and closed throughout the day. You may have two windows, one located on top of the other. In these situations, conventional drapes are a hassle and they may even look bad in the space. However, motorizing your window treatments can make using your windows easier and more effective in virtually any situation.

While it may sound like an expensive or hard to install option it really is not. With one click of a button, you can easily adjust any of the drapes or shades you need to, depending on what you want from them. Not only is this process is affordable but, it helps you to take advantage of even those hard to reach windows. Motorized shades are available in all colors and styles.

Increase Your Curb Appeal For Summer

2010-04-16T13:31:00.002-04:00

When decorating for summer, the exterior of your home can be just as important as the inside -- after all, it's the first thing people see. Walk out to the sidewalk and take a look at your house from the street -- is it fresh and welcoming or dull and tired? The fastest way to brighten up the outside of your home is to paint the front door in a crisp new colour. If you want to take on a bigger project, now is a great time to paint siding and trim too.

Landscaping plays a huge part in getting your home summer-ready. Clean up the debris left over from winter; plant a garden full of brightly coloured flowers; place a planter full of greenery or flowers on each side of the front door. Add window boxes for splashes of colour that draw the eye up as well.

A brightly coloured welcome mat is a great summer accent that has an added bonus -- besides the visual appeal, it keeps the dirt tracked inside to a minimum (less time spent cleaning and more time for outside!). Add a wreath (grapevine or twig work best) to the front door - it can be decorated with summery accents and easily changed to reflect each season. If space permits, a comfortable bench by the front door is a perfect finishing touch.

Take it a step further and create an outdoor living space. Start with some comfortable patio furniture -- a couple of lounge chairs, a wicker loveseat, a swing or hammock, and small side tables if you have room. Add a few lanterns, some greenery and a summery rug, and you have a relaxing summer retreat that will really boost your home's summer curb appeal!

Where Do I Stop Paint Colour?

2010-04-03T00:23:00.002-04:00

One question I get asked a lot is where to stop paint colour. Here are a few guidelines for a couple of different scenarios:

If the ceiling in your room goes up on an angle from a low wall, continue the wall colour upwards – otherwise it brings the ceiling too far down and makes the room look oddly proportioned.

When it comes to rounded corners, stopping the colour would create an odd line, so colour should be continued. Only stop at straight corners/edges.

A common scenario is the living/dining room combo. When both rooms share one long wall, that wall should be one colour - stopping anywhere along that wall will look choppy. If you choose, you can paint the entire wall a different colour from the other walls in the room to define space – but that wall needs to be all one colour along its whole length.

A Year's Worth of Quick & Easy Updates for Your Home

2010-01-11T13:45:00.004-05:00

January – Remove your holiday decorations by the middle of the month. Organize them when putting away so you're ready for December.

February – Apply a fresh coat of paint to any rooms that need it. This is one of the least expensive ways to add a change to the inside of your home.

March – Move some accessories or a piece of furniture to a different room to give you a fresh perspective.

April – Update the pictures on your walls. Double check that they're not hung too high.

May – Get a fun new welcome mat to usher in spring.

June – Paint your front door. It's the quickest, easiest way to increase curb appeal.

July – Have a piece of furniture you can't stand? Paint it!

August – Organize your bookcases to create an arrangement that's pleasing to the eye.

September – Rearrange your living room furniture. Pull the sofa away from the wall.

October – Get ready for winter by tossing warm throws over your sofa or chair. Add a couple of new throw cushions in warm colours and soft textures.

November – Get rid of one box of clutter this month.

December – Treat yourself to new bathroom towels (maybe even a shower curtain & bath mat!).

Woohoo!! We have a winner!!

2009-12-12T14:09:00.003-05:00

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway!

Congratulations to the winner - Vanessa at momsgotmanyhats! Let me know whether you'd prefer the candle holder or the wine rack and I'll get it set up :)

My Very First Giveaway!!!!!

2009-12-01T14:11:00.008-05:00

I'm super-excited to announce my very first giveaway!!

I was thrilled when the folks at diningroomsdirect.com offered to let me use one of their products as a giveaway...I easily spent an afternoon browsing through everything on their site (besides dining room furniture they have a ton of awesome accessories - it took me forever to choose!).

Being as indecisive as I am, I couldn't narrow it down to just one item, so they took pity on me and are letting me give you a choice between my 2 favourites:

a) Teak Tea Light Candle Holder or b) 7-Bottle Wine Rack

How to Enter:

You can get one entry for each of the following...

visit www.diningroomsdirect.com then come back and tell me your favourite product
become a follower of my blog and leave a comment on this post
visit my facebook page and become a fan
mention the giveaway on your own blog with a link back here (let me know in your comment!)
mention the giveaway on Twitter (leave a comment here letting me know)

That's up to 5 chances to win one of these awesome prizes - what a great way to end the year!

Giveaway ends Friday, December 11, 2009.

Before & After - House of Bras

2009-11-30T11:21:00.009-05:00

Just got back from taking after pictures at House of Bras (on Wilson Avenue in Timmins) - I loooove how it turned out! I wanted to stay and look at it all day.

A bit of paint (deep purple and lime green) and some faux brick made such a huge difference! The store is much more warm and welcoming, and the new look really shows off their gorgeous merchandise.

Before:

After:

Finding Hidden Space in Your Home

2009-11-02T14:46:00.003-05:00

To really maximize your space, look in places you normally may not think of.

Take advantage of space between wall studs to carve out a shallow display shelf. I did this in an upstairs hallway between two bedrooms. A narrow expanse of wall created an awkward space; centering a built-in shelf on the wall fixed the proportion problem and gave the wall a new purpose.

Try adding a shelf above a doorway (great for bathrooms – put some pretty baskets on the shelf to hold various toiletries while keeping them out of sight).

To make use of empty space under a window, try a low bookcase. Or build a window seat with a hinged lid for even more storage and seating options.

Many people have wasted space under their stairs that can be put to good use as well. This is a great place for built-in cabinets or shelving.

What hidden space can you find in your home?

Blog Party Time Again!!

2009-10-28T11:59:00.002-04:00

It's Wednesday - which means it's time once again for the HOMEdigz blog party!

Check it out at www.homedigz.com

Quick & Easy Living Room Makeover

2009-10-27T11:06:00.005-04:00

This client called me immediately after moving into their new home - the current wall colour did nothing for their sofa and they wanted to change it right away. The first thing I noticed when I walked into the room was the yellow-beige of the sofa vs. the pink-beige of the wall. An easy fix!

The solution? A rich brown to offer contrast. Now the couch stands out instead of blending-in-but-not-quite! The client's bolder artwork finishes off the wall. A simple change and a gallon of paint resulted in a much happier homeowner!

It's a Blog Party!

2009-10-07T11:10:00.003-04:00

Check out the Blog Party today at HOMEdigz!

Lots of great design blogs to keep you busy!

Real Estate Photo Tips - Part 2

2009-10-05T13:41:00.003-04:00

3. Turn off the TV: Buyers want to see the room, not what TV shows your family watches! When the TV is on in the photo, their attention is drawn to it first, not the room. In the living room, potential buyers want to see the size and shape of the room and whether it would work for their furniture –- having the TV on distracts them from this.

4. Check the reflection in any mirrors: You want to show the room, not a photographer holding up a camera. The bright flash in the mirror distracts viewers and takes away from the room. Even the most beautiful bathroom looks awful with a bright flash of light in the middle of it.

5. Don't just take random shots: The goal of real estate photos is to show off your home's best features. A random section of wall for no apparent reason doesn't help someone visualize themselves living in the home. Buyers want to see the home's significant areas. Show as much of the room as you can. In the bedroom, for example, don't show a close up of the bed and nightstand with a tiny piece of wall –- people aren't buying your bedspread, they're buying your bedroom. Get as far into a corner or doorway as you can and get as much of the room in the photo as possible.

When selling your home, it's important to plan your photos carefully. You want potential buyers to be able to see themselves living in your home and to want to tour it in person. Keep this list handy and use it to help you take pictures that show off your home's best features. Look at each photo and ask yourself: Will this picture SELL my home? If not, don't let it get online. A few extra minutes of planning can go a long way!

Click here for yesterday's tips!

Selling Your Home - Taking Better Real Estate Photos

2009-10-04T13:38:00.005-04:00

Thanks to online real estate listings, today's homebuyers are forming their thoughts about your home well before they even see it in person. With a few clicks of a mouse, potential buyers can see which homes they want to explore further, and which ones they want to avoid.

Since the shopping starts before the buyers even set foot on your property, it's more important than ever to make sure your real estate photos show your home at its best.

Here are a few simple (yet very effective) things you can do to improve the quality of your real estate pictures:

1. Clean & de-clutter: Hide the remote control and take the cell phone and keys off the countertop before you take your shots. Tables and countertops should be bare other than decor items. Take magnets, pictures and school calendars off the fridge. Remove any visible garbage cans and tissue boxes. In the washroom, hide room sprays and toiletries, and remove shampoo bottles from the shower. And don't forget to put the toilet seat down -- a simple but often overlooked step!

2. No people or pets: Your photos should have nothing but the room and its furnishings -- no people or pets allowed! While browsing a local website I was shocked to see the photo the homeowner had chosen to best show off their front hall. Your attention wasn't caught by the entryway, its flooring, wall colour or closet...but by the person peering in through the front door! Unfortunately this is a common occurrence -- I've seen many photos of kitchens with someone washing dishes and living rooms with someone watching TV or bending over to pet a dog. Good real estate photos have no living creatures!

Click here for tomorrow's tips!

Kendall's Room - the Transformation is Complete!

2009-09-13T22:36:00.006-04:00

We found out Wednesday that we would be able to have the house for the weekend to get Kendall's room done. After a lot of running around gathering supplies and finalizing donations, we managed to pull it off! Over Friday and Saturday, the project took 23 hours, 4 group members, and a few family members helping with various assigned tasks - we're very pleased with the finished project and hope Kendall will enjoy it :)

Before:

After:

More pictures from the project are posted on my website: http://www.stylishsolutions.biz/Charitable_Makeovers.html

Kendall's Room - The Countdown is On!!!

2009-09-10T13:50:00.006-04:00

Found out yesterday that we'll be doing Kendall's room this weekend! Lots of last minute stuff to be done as we run around like mad gathering supplies and materials. We're super excited though - can't wait to get in there and start tearing apart the old room to make way for the new one :) Tomorrow is our "sanding, sewing, ripping out and repairing" day...Saturday is "paint and install" day!

Stay tuned for pictures Sunday or Monday!!

We're on TV again!!

2009-08-20T20:21:00.004-04:00

Kendall's Room is the feature story on Channel 3's website - http://www.channel3news.ca/

It should be up for a day or so.

Kendall's Room: Quick Project Update

2009-08-17T22:58:00.004-04:00

The project is moving along really well - in addition to our previous donations, Walmart has provided us with a gift card so we can get new bedding, pictures, etc. We've managed to get a few cash donations as well which will be realllly helpful in putting the finishing touches on the room!

We're being interviewed by Eastlink News tomorrow afternoon (time to clean the house again!) so hopefully that will help publicize the project even more and get the last needed donations.

We've come up with some great ideas so I'm really looking forward to pulling everything together next month!

More Uses For A Picture Frame

2009-08-09T12:17:00.006-04:00

Here are a few more things you can do with the picture frames you find around the house:

1. A small frame makes an easy key holder for the entryway. Remove the glass, frame a small piece of fabric, add a couple of cup hooks, and you have a cute place to hang your keys:

2. Similar to the key holder but with larger hooks (I used a cabinet knob for this example), a frame can become a place to hang jewelry. This one is missing the other knob (it was getting late and I was tired of frames at this point!) but gives you the idea:

You can also turn a larger frame into a simple tray by adding cabinet handles to the 2 short ends.

See yesterday's post here for 2 more ideas!

2 Uses For A Picture Frame

2009-08-07T11:59:00.006-04:00

For some reason I always seem to have a lot of picture frames floating around, and I've noticed most of my clients do, too. Here are 2 super simple ideas for projects you can do with a picture frame and some fabric:

1. Frame a pretty piece of fabric (take out the glass first), and you have a quick bulletin board:

2. Frame a piece of fabric, this time leaving the glass in. Grab a dry-erase marker and you have a great whiteboard for messages (I tried a few different fabrics and found that this ultrasuede worked best - too much pattern interfered with the message):

Check in later for 2 more frame ideas!

Laundry Room Project - In Progress

2009-08-05T20:22:00.005-04:00

One of my current projects is a laundry room. The client was tired of the old black & white wallpaper and didn't like the almond washer & dryer (but replacing them wasn't in the budget) - the white in the room really made the non-white appliances stand out,

and not in a good way :)

She wanted something "more fun" (and also wanted a way to use up the rest of a gallon of BM's kittery point green).

There are still a few more things to finish up, but I think it's coming along nicely!

12 Ways to Use an Armoire

2009-07-31T14:52:00.003-04:00

1. Laundry Station: A space for folding laundry as well as storage for detergent, fabric softener, and laundry supplies. You can even attach hooks on the outside and hang your folded up ironing board.

2. Gift Wrapping Centre: A flat surface for wrapping gifts and plenty of storage space for supplies - gift bags, kraft paper, tape, scissors, and greeting cards. Install long dowels on the back wall to hold your rolls of wrapping paper and ribbon. A birthday calendar on the inside of the door helps make sure you don't forget any special events.

3. Entertainment Centre: An excellent way to hide the TV, DVD player, video games, stereo, and their less-than-pretty wires.

4. Microwave Cart: In the kitchen, an armoire can hold your microwave, freeing up counter space. You can use the shelves and drawers for anything from cookbooks and tablecloths to mixing bowls and baking needs. Paint the inside of one of the doors with chalkboard paint and you have space for a quick grocery list as well.

5. Home Office: If you're short on space, an armoire can make an excellent home office – you get a work surface as well as storage for office files, supplies and paperwork.

6. Bathroom Vanity: If you have the space in your bathroom, an armoire with a mirror installed on the inside makes a great vanity – and the drawers are perfect for stashing towels, toiletries and cosmetics.

7. Bar: Perfect for mixing drinks and storing bar supplies – bottles, cocktail napkins, and garnishes. Screw a slotted rack into the top shelf for hanging stemware.

8. Baby Changing Station: Makes a great hide-away change table with plenty of storage space for diapers and accessories.

9. Linen Closet: If you don't have a linen closet, an armoire is a great place to store bedding and towels.

10. Jewelry Box: Have a lot of jewelry and accessories? Mount small hooks in rows along the inside walls for a great way to store necklaces and earrings. Scarves, rings, and hair accessories can all be kept in small baskets on the shelves or in the drawers.

11. Gardening station: Store your gardening pots, seeds and soil, and use the flat surface for potting and tending to plants.

12. Craft Station: A great place to store craft supplies with a flat surface for working on projects – scrapbooking, stamping, beading, cardmaking and more. Everything is within reach when you need it, yet easily hidden away when you're done.

Can you think of any other uses?

Awesome Project Update!!

2009-07-27T17:00:00.004-04:00

We're going to be on TV tonight!!

CTV news is covering the room makeover project - we were interviewed this afternoon and it should air tonight at 6 (cross your fingers that no bigger stories come up to bump us!!).

Donation-wise, the project is coming along well - Timmins Decorating Centre is contributing the paint, and Home Depot is providing us with a closet organizing system, the wood to build my top-secret craft station, and new carpet. Some of the nurses at the local hospital have donated money to purchase craft supplies as well.

I can't wait until September when we put the room together!

Quick & Easy Bathroom Makeover

2009-07-23T10:20:00.008-04:00

The main issue with this small bathroom: the client hated their bland colour scheme. Throw in a floor with pink undertones and a way-too-orange vanity, and the result is less than pretty. As the home's only bathroom it's always used by visitors, which made the homeowner cringe...she wanted a prettier room that wouldn't have her afraid to offer drinks to houseguests!

The solution? We started with a gorgeous shower curtain (Martha Stewart), then drew our other colours from that. Walls were painted a much more interesting red (Benjamin Moore's hot apple spice) and the vanity was painted out in davenport tan (now it's no longer the first thing your eye goes to when you walk into the room). The plain mirror was updated with wood trim - also painted davenport tan.

The result is a room the homeowner loves - done quickly and easily on a budget!

We made the newspaper!

2009-07-21T11:01:00.003-04:00

The local newspaper ran an article about our project today!

A new bedroom for Kendall

When Designers Unlimited first formed, it was simply a place where women who own their own businesses could network and learn from each other.

Today, the group of seven local business women is putting its efforts into a very worthy cause.

A couple of years ago, the group redesigned a waiting room in the critical care unit at Timmins and District Hospital. Wanting to recreate that effort, the group poured its expertise in home design and art into the room of one special little girl.

Last year, seven-year-old Kendall Fountain's life changed forever when she was diagnosed with craniopharyngioma, a slow-growing benign tumour in the central part of her brain.

After contacting the Canadian Cancer Society, Designers Unlimited was informed of the little Timmins girl who was spending a lot of her time in a hospital being tested and treated for her illness.

Knowing that Kendall will be going through difficult times as she battles her illness, the group decided to try and brighten up a small portion of her life -- her bedroom.

After meeting with Kendall and learning her likes and dislikes, group member Heather Cote of Stylish Solutions put her skills to task and already has a design in mind.

"I know her favourite colour is pink and that she wants an area to do crafts and puzzles without the cat walking all over it," Cote said. "We want this to be a special place for her in which to recuperate and relax."

Kendall's mother, Carmen Fountain, said her daughter will soon be going into treatment. Carmen is looking forward to her daughter being able to enjoy her new room.

"It'll be nice for her to come home to the new room," Fountain said.

But Kendall will be just the first to receive a room makeover.

Cote said the group hopes to renovate a room every year for a child in Timmins with a serious illness.

At no cost to the parents, the group will come up with a design and do the work, while depending on local businesses to donate the needed items, such as paint, fabrics and bed clothing.

"We can't fix what's wrong, but we can do something to make them feel better while they are going through their ordeal," Cote said. "These kids are sick and we want to treat them to a nice place to play that's their own outside the hospital."

The children will be able to talk to the designers to ensure that the room truly becomes the dream room they've always wanted.

Cote started Designers Unlimited when she first moved back to Timmins and was working to start up her own business. Since then, graphic designer Denise DeForge, portrait artist Elaine McCurdie, photographer Julie Regimbal, window treatment and bedding creator Renee Bellavance, professional home cleaner Tina Green and Lisa Bryce, who specializes in event stationary and giftware and digital scrapbooking and genealogy, have joined.

"It started out with those in home decor, but we've expanded to include any woman in business," Cote said. "Still, everything pretty much compliments each other."

While work on Kendall's room is currently underway, the actual makeover is set to take place in September.

Quick Painting Tips

2009-07-18T14:19:00.005-04:00

As much as I love choosing colours, I really dislike painting. I end up with paint in my hair, on my clothes, in the middle of the ceiling...

Here are a few painting tips to help the job go more smoothly:

When you remove your outlet covers and light switch covers for painting, tape the screws to the backs of the covers so you don’t have to look for them when you’re ready to put them back on.

Alternatively, you can use Ziploc storage bags - just put each switch plate and its screws into a small Ziploc bag, marking its location on the bag. (This also works well for curtain hardware.)

When painting a room, if you don't finish all in one day, just cover your roller with a tightly wrapped plastic bag or saran wrap, and put it in the fridge. When you take it out the next day it will still be wet and ready to go.

Our project is underway!!!

2009-07-16T11:53:00.007-04:00

Last night I got to meet the little girl who will be receiving our dream room makeover. I can't wait to get started - I was awake half the night thinking of ideas to create the perfect room for her! It's going to be a wonderful project for our group.

News releases are going out today, and we've started our search for materials and supplies (cross your fingers for us!). Throughout the project I'll be updating here as well as on my facebook page and website.

Here's a before picture to kick things off...

Don't Forget the Ceiling!

2009-07-15T00:17:00.004-04:00

I love the look of tin ceilings, especially in older homes like ours...but the cost can be prohibitive. Luckily you can recreate the look with embossed wallpaper in a tin-panel pattern. Once it’s up and painted, it will look just like a real tin ceiling, but at a small fraction of the cost. (Side note: when hanging wallpaper on the ceiling, a third person comes in really handy. So does a heating pad – working overhead can really do a number on your neck!). A but more expensive but MUCH less work – 12” x 12” tin-style ceiling tiles. The result is the same, but it becomes a one-person job.

Home Sweet Home

2009-07-12T19:40:00.005-04:00

Back home after a week away visiting friends and family down in Southern Ontario. We had a great time visiting, sightseeing, Great Wolf Lodge, etc....and also got to see some great decorating ideas (yes, I'm a little obsessed)! I think the kids thought I was a bit nuts getting so excited over the decor in each of our hotel rooms (first time I've ever been in a hotel that had the walls painted something other than beige...our Barrie hotel actually had a mustard yellow accent wall!).

Also got to introduce the kids to one of my favourite stores from when we lived down south - Ikea. I behaved myself and only bought vases though!

I love happy clients!!

2009-07-05T09:48:00.000-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I was waiting to pick my kids up at school when a young girl walked up and introduced herself. Turns out the bedroom I had recently designed was hers, and she wanted to tell me how much she loved it!

"Thanks for picking out the stuff for my room - it's awesome! I love it! Thank you!"

It's so great to hear from happy clients! And my kids were quite impressed that Mommy is now what they consider "famous"...

Quick & Easy Kitchen Makeover - On a Budget

2009-07-02T00:01:00.001-04:00

This kitchen had several things that bothered the homeowner (aka me!)...the previous owners had chosen everything they liked without considering whether or not they went together (they mostly didn't!). The biggest problem was the backsplash - the contrasting grout

and the pattern on the tiles made the room look way too busy. Since a full kitchen makeover was being planned for a couple of years from now, all that was needed for now was a quick fix to make the room bearable for the homeowners who frowned every time we entered the kitchen.

Our quick and easy solution? A quart of paint (Davenport Tan HC-76) covered the backsplash and got rid of the busy lines, instantly making the room seem less cluttered. And a few $4 placemats were used to create a custom valance for the window.

Extreme Home Makeover - Designers Unlimited Style!

2009-06-30T13:24:00.000-04:00

I'm thrilled to announce that my networking group, Designers Unlimited, has launched an exciting new project.

Some of you may remember our hospital makeover (if not you can check it out on our website: www.designersunlimited.ca). We had so much fun we've decided to make our charitable makeovers a signature event – each year we'll be doing a room to benefit a child with a serious illness. Our goal is to give them their dream room – a happy place to recuperate and relax.

Our first room project is getting started this month for a 7 year old girl with Craniopharyngioma. Over the next couple of months we'll be planning her dream room and hope to put the whole thing together in September. Stay tuned for details!

No, it doesn't HAVE to cost a fortune!

2009-06-29T15:16:00.000-04:00

One of the biggest misconceptions about hiring a decorator is that it costs a fortune and you'll need to spend a huge amount of money - doesn't help when people have been told that their window treatment couldn't be touched for less than $700 (luckily they called me next and were quite relieved to have beautiful windows done for well under that price tag!).

One of my favourite things when it comes to decorating is seeing just how much I can do for the least amount of money. I love finding something that costs a completely unreasonable amount and recreating it for way less!

I while back I saw the most gorgeous artwork in a magazine...for $4000. Not even close to being in our budget. So I went to Walmart, grabbed some $3 canvasses, stopped off at the Benjamin Moore store to get a few testers...and threw this together:

I even had a mom come to the door to ask about it one Halloween because she could see it through the window when she was taking her kids out trick-or-treating. Not bad for $50 and a couple of hours worth of work!

Welcome to my new blog!

2009-06-29T15:13:00.001-04:00

After a lot of back and forth, I’ve decided to finally jump on the blog bandwagon! Once I get it figured out you can look forward to a ton of great decorating tips as well as a glimpse of what it’s like to run an interior decorating business in Northern Ontario.