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Do you Act When You’re Moved?

05/05/2013
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This past Friday the Canadian Decorators Association – BC Chapter held our annual general meeting in North Vancouver on a fabulous, hot and sunny day! I have been a member for months but this is the first time I have been to an event–silly me–now that I live in the country it seems the monthly…

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Gifts my Mom would Love

05/03/2013
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  When I thought about writing a post on gift ideas for Mother’s Day, I thought it would be easier to write about everything my mom would love to receive.   My mom has a huge garden so this kind of gift (above) in any shape or size would be a big hit! My mom…

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Ask Maria: Which Whites go Together?

05/01/2013
28 Comments

First of all I’d like to thank you  and congratulate you on writing such an interesting ebook with lots of information and  advise about undertones. I have a question about whites, does off white belong to the white family of colors? What color is cream? And which color family is it from? I’m guessing yellow? Via Pinterest So…

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The Two Kings of Muck Mountain on Elizabeth Avenue

04/29/2013
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When I told William & Markus (my nephews) that all the ugly concrete was coming out of our yard William (above) said: Even the driveway? Yes And the sidewalk? Yes Why? ‘Because we can’t take all the concrete out and leave the driveway and sidewalk, it’s old and cracked.’ I said. ‘Well then ours is…

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Cocktails with Janice Lindsay in Toronto

04/25/2013
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We’re right in the middle of my Specify Colour with Confidence™ Training and tonight Janice Lindsay hosted us in her fabulous home just blocks away from the University of Toronto where the course is being held. You know when you see the list of credits in the beginning of a TV show and there’s the…

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Architectural Mailbox Giveaway

04/23/2013
199 Comments

Since exterior season is upon us, I thought it would be the perfect time to do a mailbox giveaway. Architectural Mailboxes is giving away two Bellevue mailboxes including the post (Value, approximately $130 each). If you win, you can chose the colour you want, you can see them all here. Is it time to upgrade your…

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White Limewashed Brick Homes

04/21/2013
50 Comments

I recently consulted with a client who is limewashing her house. They are doing an extensive redesign to their exterior and she was excited about taking her home from orange brick to white-washed loveliness. She said they will test a large area on the side of her house to make sure she’s happy with the…

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Ask Maria: Lip or No Lip?

04/19/2013
20 Comments

I am a long time reader and have thoroughly enjoyed your blog ! I’m currently in the midst of a master bath update.  I am replacing my laminate countertop with Cesarstone Organic White Quartz.  This will be placed on a white cabinet in a primarily white bathroom.  There is a full plate glass mirror unframed…

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Mistakes Teach You so Much Faster than Success

04/16/2013
10 Comments

When I spoke at Kimberley Seldon’s Business of Design Conference this winter in January I made a huge mistake in my presentation. . . I gave everyone samples of the undertones of fabric – courtesy of Robert Allen Fabrics (they are so awesome). My thought was, “Let’s make this really special. . . I’m speaking to a bunch of designers, it’ll give them a taste of my workshop, this will be so fabulous. . .!”

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When to Choose Low over High while Decorating

04/14/2013
31 Comments

  We are going with Turquoise + Red My sister Elizabeth is turning 40 in July and for her birthday she wants the family room painted and re-decorated. Her kids are almost four and six, they have not bought any new furniture since they got married and had kids. The living room furniture currently has…

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The Most Classic & Timeless Granite Colours

04/12/2013
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It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of granite. But if you insist on using it in your kitchen, here are a few classic and timeless granite options for you to consider.  Granite has a bad rap on this blog, so I thought I would write a post on which granite colours I think…

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How to Create a Useable Kid-Friendly Dining Room

04/11/2013
12 Comments

My good friend Barbara Miller has created this awesome video where she shows us step-by-step, how to create a dining room that is beautiful for the 15 days a year when you might use it, and totally functional and attractive as a playroom for children the remaining 350 days of the year! Barbara grew up…

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The Right Colour to Paint your Deck

04/07/2013
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The ONLY surface that I did not paint in the house we bought and renovated last Spring was the deck. Now that we’ve worn a couple spots running back and forth between the house and the office (below) I can see that it was formerly forest green. Had it still been that colour, it would…

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Trend Alert: Grey is getting Cooler, Yay or Nay?

04/04/2013
100 Comments

Colour trend fascinate me. But not in a “I’m in love with you” kind of way. By the way, it’s totally okay if you love charcoal and just want it everywhere. It’s only because I’m in the design industry that I don’t feel the same way about the current trendy neutral. Interior design by Maria Killam…

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How to Find More Money for Home Decor

04/02/2013
113 Comments

I follow this great blog called Social Triggers. Recently, Derek was interviewing an author named Dan Heath who wrote a book called Decisions: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work. It’s a very interesting podcast that I think EVERYONE could learn from. Check it out here. Unless you’re someone that never makes a bad…

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