Getting ready to tackle a new build home? You may be asking yourself: which undertone should I choose first if I’m starting from scratch? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. The beginning of beautiful I love the sense of elated anticipation at the beginning of creating a new home. Whether it’s… Continue Reading →
Your open concept floor plan can present some real decorating challenges — such as how to create flow from room to room with your paint colours. Here are my best decorating tips on how to transition paint colours in an open concept home. The open concept home popular in the… Continue Reading →
Now that the black trend is here, we will be seeing a lot more black sofas! Here’s an Ask Maria post about decorating around one. What colours go best with black furniture? Really the question should be “What colours DON’T go with black leather furniture?” If you have black furniture,… Continue Reading →
Trying the chase down the perfect white paint colour online? You’re sure to find a few that are mentioned over and over again. And that may have you wondering about other not-so-popular white paint colours. How to choose the right white depends on which category of white works with your… Continue Reading →
Years ago I walked into an Ethan Allen Showroom where the sales clerk said to me “THEY ( clients) say couch, but WE (designers) say sofa” haha. I don’t remember what I called it back then, (I must have said couch because she gently corrected me), but it always stuck… Continue Reading →
I recently received this question and photos from a reader: I have loved following your blog, especially during our recent new build. We didn’t have all the money in the world to put into our house, but we were very good at getting what we want and keeping under budget…. Continue Reading →
First, before we go any further, in my last post when I talked about white and cream wall colours being such a huge incoming trend, one of my fabulous readers posted this comment: “Hey, you didn’t tell us whether you were FOR or AGAINST this trend?” So first, I’m not FOR… Continue Reading →
This is a situation I see all the time. A perfectly timeless and versatile white kitchen with a bossy, earthy backsplash. I’m convinced it’s because most people, when designing a kitchen, make the easy mistake of thinking of the finishes as the final product. And if your kitchen finishes are… Continue Reading →
Okay, so for the last six months or so, I’ve been writing posts that specifically address questions about lighting. Because everyone loves to blame the light whenever their paint colour turns out wrong. And I’m here to tell you that light is not actually that bossy. What’s usually bossier is… Continue Reading →
Because creating a classic and timeless house, using classic and timeless colours (especially in your hard finishes), is such a huge conversation on this blog, I constantly receive questions similar to this one: Interior design by | (I know you’re surprised) Joanna Gaines Maria, what do you think about… Continue Reading →
This is a great question that will help anyone who has had a similar issue with this popular green grey: We’ve just had our kitchen cabinets professionally painted Revere Pewter. They colour matched it but I think it is not 100% identical, looks more pink than the BM paint swatch. … Continue Reading →
This question has not been covered on the blog so when Sherry sent it in, I decided it would be a good post! Here’s her question: I love your blog! We are in the process of updating our kitchen. The cabinets will be white and a new countertop/island will be… Continue Reading →
Since I finally had the brilliant idea to ask for clean vs. dirty dilemmas or issues where ya’ll think the lighting might be the problem, here’s a great question I received along with this lovely room from a reader: Thank you for your post. I finally understand why my family… Continue Reading →
I’m learning something new about colour from all the photos you’ve been sending me. Well, maybe it’s not new, but I’m feeling validated on a statement I constantly make in my workshops. There are a multitude of decorating faux pas including ‘clean vs. dirty’, or ‘my-paint-colour-changes-with-the-light’ mistakes that you can… Continue Reading →
Image source This summer we have been talking about clean vs. dirty colours. Now I want to talk about lighting. And, I need images. If you have a space in your home where the wall colour bothers you or it’s not the colour it was supposed to be, and you’re… Continue Reading →
Tired of wondering why your home is not selling? Here are 5 reasons your paint colour could be turning buyers away. Choosing wall colours to stage your home to sell means understanding which colours and neutrals are current and also make each room look its best! Keep reading to find… Continue Reading →
