This reader needs help choosing a sconce light for above the window in a new kitchen. Find out what Maria would do as well as her advice on how to choose the best lights for your kitchen. “I’m writing with the hope you can take one look at this photo… Continue Reading →
Sure, this is the time of year when we are full of cheese and cookies and not really sure what day it is, but it’s also a good time to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished (aka survived) these past 12 months. Here’s the best of Colour Me Happy blog… Continue Reading →
My lovely reader needs advice on her new build project. She’s wondering if the design plan for her built-in makeup vanity is dated. This situation is really more of a good design vs. bad design. Here’s how to get it right if you are planning a new build. New build… Continue Reading →
One of my readers asked me to help update her 60s exterior. And, you may be surprised to learn that the biggest change I recommend isn’t about colour. Keep reading to find out the best way to update this dated home exterior. If you didn’t see my last email, and… Continue Reading →
The images are flying in with questions and I’m so excited about this Saturday’s FREE Webinar happening at 4:00 PM PDT. Please continue sending in your questions because even if they don’t make the webinar, I’ll have lots of photos I can use for ongoing Ask Maria blog posts! UPDATE:… Continue Reading →
Update to this post: Hey ya’ll, the reason why Courtney’s walls are blue is because she chose a blue. That’s the reason why choosing paint colours is not as easy as you think. I’m getting emails and comments saying ‘Hey, I had this problem too, my walls turned blue as… Continue Reading →
The grey trend has fully saturated home design. Shopping for a new home, this reader noticed an abundance of all-grey renovations. Here’s how to decorate with grey floors or other grey hard finishes you’re stuck with to help bring your home back to life, without replacing everything. What if I… Continue Reading →
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 work 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 →
If you are shopping for a couch, stop trying to choose your wall colour first! Instead, I’m suggesting you paint your walls to match your couch! Here’s a little decorating lesson on how this can pull a room together, as well as some questions to ask yourself before you settle… 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. One of my readers noticed her travertine backsplash looks wrong with her white kitchen. Keep reading for my take on why it looks wrong and three ways to fix… 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 →
