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Ask Maria: How Can I Update my Green 90s Sofa?

04/21/2017
30 Comments

I recently received a collection of photos from a reader who said “I am not certain if I will retire here or move so I don’t want to do too many drastic investments, yet I would like to update my living room” First, before we proceed, notice that her room is pristine and the photo has…

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Help! My New Kitchen Makes the Rest of My House Look Old

10/21/2016
21 Comments

Source This post is written by Tricia Firmaniuk, my design assistant who handles my eDesign: So often people find Maria’s blog AFTER they have already made some costly mistakes in their renovations; when they realize it’s not coming together the way they had hoped, and they go looking for answers on Google. DIY design has…

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Should I Paint My Fireplace?

07/10/2016
63 Comments

This reader is getting ready to install a fresh white kitchen with an earthy stone fireplace in the adjacent room. Should she paint her stone fireplace? Keep reading to find out. Okay, so a while ago when I changed the “Ask Maria” questions to “Send me what’s bothering you” questions, ya’ll pretty much stopped sending…

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Ask Maria: Is My Living Room Too Beachy?

01/23/2016
33 Comments

Jeffrey Bilhuber  When I saw this Ask Maria question, I immediately thought of Jeffrey Bilhuber’s recent spread in House Beautiful Magazine. The answer to your question today lovely reader, is inspired by my favourite decorator. Here’s the question: I recently moved with my husband into our first house!  I have been so excited to make…

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Best Countertop for Stained Wood Cabinets

11/05/2015
35 Comments

Updating a kitchen or bathroom with stained wood cabinets? Here’s the best countertop colour to work with your stained wood cabinets for a fresh look. When I received this Ask Maria question asked slightly different two times recently, I thought it deserved a stand-alone post even though my regular readers will have already ready my…

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Should my Kitchen and Dining Room Match?

05/07/2015
37 Comments

Are you wondering if your kitchen and dining room should match? This is such a common decorating dilemma. See what advice I share with one of my readers.  I’m am a big fan and follower of your “Ask Maria” series. I’ve never done anything like this before so I thought I’d give it a go….

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The Best Trim For Bathrooms; Not Cloud White

06/28/2011
No Comments

I always have to include Cloud White in posts I write about trim because it’s too commonly used as a go-to, fix-all, no-questions-asked solution.  A client emailed me today with a great question: Is it okay to have a warmer, off white trim throughout the house but use a brighter white in the bathroom to…

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