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My Favourite Things

Maria’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide for the Decorator

11/06/2023
10 Comments

Looking for the perfect gift for your friend, partner, mother or sister who has an eye for design and a passion for creating beautiful spaces? Today I’m sharing my Holiday Gift List for the inner decorator in your life. You know, that special person in your life who  loves to make their home beautiful every…

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Turn off Your Overhead Lights Forever

10/23/2023
34 Comments

Lighting, even over colour, is what makes or breaks a room. Avoid making this mistake in your new build or renovation. This post is written by my sister Anita Junttila who recently started working with me as my Creative Assistant. We’ve come a long way baby! I just did an Instagram live on Sunday where…

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Fall Nesting: Warm Colour and Cozy Styling

10/09/2023
8 Comments

I can’t believe it’s already fall! In exciting news, our landscaping project started Thursday, see the demo video here on Instagram. You’ll see the colour of my neighbours house which I strategically avoid every time I have shown my front yard in the past. We truly had an exceptionally hot and sunny summer here on…

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12 Classic Outdoor Wall Sconce Lights

04/05/2015
22 Comments

Classic outdoor lights are inviting, but also look like they have been there forever, without looking dated. Here are my favourite classic and timeless outdoor wall sconce lights.  Is it time to replace the lights beside your front door? Here are some of my favourites along with some inspiration photos to help you decide which…

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My Mom’s (Soooo Easy) Famous Corn Salad

08/27/2013
15 Comments

  Via Pinterest Since it’s corn season, especially out in the country where we live, it’s time that I shared this recipe with you. Chilliwack is known for their triple sweet Jubilee corn. My Mom is really good at one dish meals and since we are vegetarians, this salad is all we need for dinner….

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How I Discovered my System of Understanding Undertones™

07/28/2013
40 Comments

Have you ever wondered exactly how I discovered my system of Understanding Undertones™ that I teach to designers, decorators, architects, home stagers and colour enthusiasts from around the world? I didn’t see the subtle undertones in neutrals myself until I started using large colour boards. So really, they are a huge contribution to the existence…

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How to Get Exactly What You Want for Christmas

12/15/2012
19 Comments

source Year ago when I was in a course by Landmark Education called The Wisdom Course, this woman came up to me and said “Maria, the reason why you’re single is because you’re too powerful. Men are intimidated by you”, you should do this course called Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women. source Whether THAT statement was…

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My Top 5 Picks for Fall Fashion

11/04/2012
6 Comments

My sister Elizabeth and I were in Seattle this weekend for a little fall shopping. The rain held off for most of the weekend and we loved walking through the streets kicking leaves in between the stores.   Kate Spade We hit the outlets on the way into town and I picked up this purple…

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Rule for Chairs

10/27/2012
13 Comments

Awhile ago, I fell in love with Tara Dillard’s garden blog called Vanishing Threshold: Garden, Life Home. source Her posts are so simple, interesting, sometimes funny, and yet so profound. I subscribed to her posts because I was suddenly fascinated with landscaping since my new house needed tons of it. Maryanne White (My landscape designer) suggested…

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My 5 Favourite Things at West Elm

09/13/2012
21 Comments

Attention all Home Decor Lovers! West Elm has arrived in Vancouver to South Granville! It’s very difficult to find basic, stylish furniture, and home decor items in Vancouver. So many times, I will arrive at a consultation where my stylish client walks me through their entire house and basically everything is from a certain big…

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Do You Need this Fabulous Task Light?

07/24/2012
9 Comments

Here’s how you know you’re really busy. I was 1/2 hour early for an consultation the other day and I thought “OMG, how can I be productive and not feel like this time is wasted”. So, I drove around the corner and there was the bank and Chapters. I needed a birthday present for my…

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My #1 Must-Have Travel Accessory

01/28/2012
13 Comments

I am someone that likes to travel light even though I have no idea how to pack properly so that I end up with everything I need. But last week when I arrived at my workshop I think I finally pulled it off!  It helps that I’ve been shopping with my Stylist Angie for four seasons…

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Ten Things I Want for Christmas in 2011

12/16/2011
29 Comments

This is not a list of ideas for gifts but maybe you’ll get one or two when I post mine! Here they are just for fun! 1. A Better Camera. source Okay, so I am embarrassed to tell you that any photos you see on this blog that I have taken are with my little…

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