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What’s Trending in 2013

02/22/2013
17 Comments

In case you were wondering (I’m sure you weren’t), I changed about 5 times before we got this photo for this article in BC Home & Garden about trends. And because you can’t see it, here’s what I said: “Colour is going back to the 50s and the 60s,” says colour expert, author and stylist…

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Ask Maria: How to Coordinate Finishes with Oak Cabinets

02/18/2013
71 Comments

Dear Maria, We have those dreaded honey oak cabinets in our kitchen.  We are not interested at this point in changing or painting them.  I just want to choose a laminate countertop and a backsplash and a wall colour that will look reasonably good together.  I prefer lighter colours for the counter and backsplash.  Could…

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An Open Letter to all Paint Companies

02/15/2013
47 Comments

Alright my lovelies, it’s time to literally shake things up in the paint world! Wake Up! It’s 2013! Most of you are so behind with your colours it’s totally painful. I conduct on-line colour consultations all over the world and I use your fan decks. Before I can even look up a colour on some…

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PEI Cottage Gets a Dose of Colour Me Happy

02/12/2013
41 Comments

I was so thrilled when one of my clients recently shared these images with me of our on-line consultation in July. Here is her note as well as the images of the total renovation of their cottage. The exterior before shot is at the end of the post. Hi Maria, Had a session with you…

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Sneak Peek of my Custom Kitchen Banquette

02/10/2013
24 Comments

My custom banquette arrived last week and it’s a thing of joy and beauty to behold! I’m not showing you the Moroccan shaped top because the sconces on either side are currently sporting naked bulbs. The ones I bought arrived with cheap, parchment creamy yellow paper shades which looked totally wrong with all the white…

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True Colour Expert Training

02/05/2013
9 Comments

My February True Colour Expert workshop starts Wednesday in Vancouver, I’m excited to meet a whole new group of very-soon-to-be True Colour Experts! Source My latest article for Williams-Sonoma Designer Marketplace is Top 5 Colour Mistakes Most Designers Make, check it out here. Related posts: Have you Made these Decorating Mistakes? This Colour Mistake will…

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What it Takes to Have a Classic House

01/29/2013
27 Comments

Whether you are shopping for a new house or planning to build your dream home, here are some great examples of what not to do. Sure, you want this next house to create the look and feel you love and but some just don’t have what it takes to be classic house. Keep reading to…

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How to Specify Colour for a Bedroom (and Closet)

01/27/2013
21 Comments

Tracey from Fort Langley was the winner of a brand new custom closet from Designer Closet Guys I Hate My Closet Contest! Her prize included a colour consultation from me so we all arrived together a couple weeks ago to measure up her closet and choose colours. Chris Isfeld, Owner of Designer Closet Guys In…

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Are Natural Fiber Rugs Neutral?

01/19/2013
9 Comments

I am so thrilled to be guest posting at Cote de Texas where she also reviewed my ebook today! Joni’s living room I received this question a while ago and since one of Joni’s signature looks includes seagrass rugs, I thought it would be a perfect guest post for blog. Check it out here. One…

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Sweet Cottage Blue Exterior

01/18/2013
12 Comments

I was so moved by your comments on my last post! Thank you so much, for being so generous and kind. I posted the email I received from the homeowner, it’s close to the end of the comments. I love my readers!! Okay, so you have to see this blue house next, it’s so fun!…

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