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WWMD: Help my Beige Glass Backsplash Turned Gray!

05/02/2021
49 Comments

I recently received this question from a reader who had JUST installed a new backsplash tile in her kitchen: We recently redid our kitchen backsplash.  I loved the small backsplash sample and felt that it pulled out the light ivory in the granite.   However, once it was up on the wall I suddenly noticed it…

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Kristy’s Vintage Kitchen Refresh: Before and After

03/14/2021
Vintage Kitchen Refresh
41 Comments

Hey it’s Kristy again, Maria’s social media director. Today, I want to share my recent kitchen update with you. We repurposed our breakfast nook, freshened up some styling, and added a muted blue hue to our beadboard for a nostalgic twist.  And because Maria’s colour system was such an essential part of this refresh, I…

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Why You Shouldn’t Cherry-Pick Design Advice

02/18/2021
22 Comments

Have you ever wondered: OK, so I’ve narrowed my focus to this one particular element of my room. I am just stuck and need to know which is the right _____________. That’s it. Hmmm, but Maria doesn’t offer an eDesign package for this one detail. Darn… it’s just a teeny-tiny decision. Right?  Wrong. Here’s why…

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Top Kitchen Colour Trends from the Last 50 Years

01/31/2021
21 Comments

Do you ever feel like there’s a rat race to install the next newest trend in kitchen design? Maybe you inherited a kitchen where the former homeowner installed the trendiest finishes from another decade? Well, you are not alone. Here’s my best advice for taking your dated kitchen from yesterday (whenever that was) to today. And, I’m…

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Three Granite Countertop Mistakes Everyone Makes

01/26/2021
68 Comments

I see this mistake a lot in new kitchen designs. The minute your granite countertops are installed, something doesn’t look right but you can’t quite put your finger on it. It’s the most common mistake when choosing granite. Find out what it is and how to avoid making this mistake in your kitchen. Here’s an…

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Is Brass Out? How to Mix Metals like a Pro

10/14/2020
38 Comments

I often get asked how to combine metal finishes in lighting and hardware. The look of matching all your finishes is long gone (even when working with brass). Here are a few guidelines to help you mix metals like a pro. Thank you to the Washington Post for including my bathroom in a recent article…

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WWMD: Choosing a Classic and Timeless Hood Fan

06/15/2020
19 Comments

This reader asks how to choose the right hood fan for her kitchen – more specifically, a classic and timeless hood fan that relates to her kitchen design. Which range hoods are trendy and should be avoided? Here’s my advice. I am interested in knowing your position on vent hoods these days, and how one…

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Third Rule of Design: Expensive Does Not Equal Timeless

04/27/2020
37 Comments

It’s really hard to pull off a trendy kitchen design that actually outlasts the trend. Your kitchen cabinets may be good quality and expensive, but that doesn’t equal timeless. Here’s my advice for a reader who wants a fresher kitchen, without a costly major renovation.  My dated cherry kitchen cabinets were expensive! Must I still…

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The No Backsplash Alternative to Subway Tile; Before & After

04/14/2020
55 Comments

Looking for an alternative backsplash to subway tile? Here are some beautiful kitchen designs with no backsplash. Find out what makes these fresh kitchen designs without a backsplash timeless and classic.  I recently received this email from Mary, a lovely member of my blog community, along with her stunning new white kitchen: Love your blog!…

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Magazine-Worthy Kitchen Designs Cannot Be Easily Copied

02/12/2020
41 Comments

Cherry picking your favorite details from professionally-designed kitchens will not make your kitchen design better and can end up falling flat. Magazine-worthy kitchen designs cannot be easily copied. Let me explain why. House Beautiful | Interior Design by Nina Farmer A beautifully designed kitchen. When I opened up my House Beautiful issue this month and…

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How to Update 90s Granite (and Make it Disappear)

02/03/2020
44 Comments

Are you tired of looking at dated kitchen finishes you didn’t choose, but not quite ready for a gut renovation? Here are some easy ways to work with what you’ve got and make your dated 90s granite disappear.  Since the grey trend has been replaced with black/dark and moody kitchens (the pendulum has to swing…

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