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Ask Maria: Choosing Timeless Bathroom Tile

06/12/2025
11 Comments

Today I’m answering a reader’s request to give her a “grade” on her plans to update her bathroom to a Maria approved timeless look. She got it all right but this one critical thing! ⭐️ Hi Maria, I need your design superpowers! A few years ago, my designer installed 12×24 grey tile throughout our primary…

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Help! My Walls are Beige and my Sofa is Taupe

05/29/2025
9 Comments

In today’s post I’m sharing a question a reader sent in. Using my Neutral Colour Wheel, she distinguished that the reason why her paint colour didn’t match the sofa is because her walls were pink beige and the rest of her furnishings her designer chose was taupe. Now she’s looking at repainting her open layout…

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4 Steps to Getting your Countertops Right

01/23/2025
8 Comments

This weeks tutorial on youtube is all about a reader’s kitchen update. She sent in some photos along with a photo of a griege countertop she wants. She’s stuck on how to choose the right subway tile backsplash. She is not interested in painting her cabinets. I’m so glad she asked me because she was…

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Help! My New Sofa is Wrong

12/16/2024
24 Comments

We’ve all done it, purchased a piece of furniture and panicked when we got home and it looked wrong. Read on, because chances are high that making it work and look right as rain is easier than you think! A dear reader sent me an image of her brand new sofa with a note.  Dear…

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Where Do You Find Your People?

09/17/2024
No Comments

The best way to learn anything is with a mentor. Whether you’re starting out or trying to push through to the next level, there’s nothing like having the benefit of your mentor’s expertise. If you’re following me, it’s probably because my advice resonates with you. You might find yourself nodding your head in solidarity. And…

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Are you ‘Neutral’ About Neutrals?

01/30/2023
53 Comments

Colour and design trends create real emotional connections. They influence our purchases and colour choices before we even realize it. So, if you’re feeling a bit “neutral” about neutrals, maybe it’s time for some colour. When I started my colour career in 2002, the world was beige. And the default neutral back in the day…

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Designing a Kitchen? Lighting & Hardware is EVERYTHING

01/18/2023
46 Comments

Kitchen designs are expensive, but when you try to go it alone – without designer guidance – it’s easy to make even MORE EXPENSIVE mistakes that you’ll regret. Working with a designer not only saves you from these extra expenses, but also may save your sanity. And when it comes to choosing the right lighting…

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The Posts YOU Loved Most from 2022

12/30/2022
6 Comments

Today I’m sharing the posts you loved most in 2022.  Around this time of year, I love to see all the top lists from the year. For example, Netflix just released their list of most streamed movies and shows. And it’s fun to check the list to see if the shows we watched made the…

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Do Shutters Belong on YOUR House?

05/13/2022
6 Comments

I help clients all over the world, and especially North America, choose the right colours for their home. This means, I’m always looking at houses with or without shutters and giving advice on whether we should keep, add or eliminate them. The general rule of thumb with shutters is that they primarily belong on windows…

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How to Decorate (If You Already Painted)

05/06/2022
34 Comments

I can’t believe I have never written a post on what to do AFTER you’ve chosen a paint colour and now you need furniture. You might have heard me say this before, but you shouldn’t choose your paint colour first. However, maybe you just found my blog or you are feeling stuck now that your…

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