Think you need a big budget to love your home again? Think again.
My Colour Rescue One-Day Makeover is a complete transformation valued at $4,000 — and if your project is selected for my YouTube channel, Colour Rescue. that fee is waived. You only pay for the decor, art, lamps, and styling pieces that bring your room to life. Most transformations range from $1,500–$5,000, depending on how much your space needs.
Prefer a private makeover?
If you’d prefer a private makeover (off-camera), the flat rate is $4,000 for my time and expertise.
Live in the Fraser Valley, Lower Mainland, or Vancouver area? Apply now for your Colour Rescue makeover and get ready to fall in love with your home again.
Why I’m Doing This
After 25 years of transforming spaces, I know how to spot exactly what’s missing in a room. These makeovers aren’t about tearing anything apart — they’re about finishing what furniture can’t.
I call it a Colour Rescue Styling Makeover.
We shop together — usually at HomeSense (HomeGoods in the US) — because it’s a one-stop wonder. I can walk through those aisles and instantly spot the perfect accessories, art, and lamps to pull everything together.
We will also need you to bring a friend or family member to stand guard—once your selections come together, other shoppers will be tempted by your curated finds!
See that dining chair, the green lamps and the runner (above)? Well here it is in the dining room the same afternoon! And remember anything can easily be returned if you get caught up in the moment!
Canada (and especially BC) doesn’t have the same access to endless vintage or designer décor as the US — but that’s okay, because I’ve mastered creating magic from what is available.
These makeovers are proof that you don’t need a massive budget to make your space feel stylish, cohesive, and elevated. Because I’ve been doing this for 25 years, I’m an expert at curating accessories and furniture from any store but the best one that works for these makeovers is HomeSense/HomeGoods because it’s a one stop shop.
When I used to style my clients homes I would shop the city and it was a lot of work! Now that I can spot the right accessory the second that I see it, well that’s why we only need one store.
Lets take a look at some Colour Rescue Styling Makeovers that I’ve done so that you can see the range of what’s possible:
1. Barbara’s Budget Friendly Dining Room Styling Makeover
At 2:00 pm, her dining room felt more like a breakfast nook. By 5:00 pm, we’d rearranged a few existing pieces, added teal accents from chairs she already had (below), layered in a gallery wall, and — voilà — instant personality.
The total? About $500.
Even her chandelier looked better because it was finally surrounded by context and balance. (And yes — always at least three lamps. Always.) See this makeover here.
2. Gail’s Budget Friendly Kitchen Styling Makeover
White-on-white kitchens are like blank canvases. This is exactly what makes them timeless. Gail already had beautiful bones — she just needed warmth and depth.
For under $100, we added art, a marble tray, and a few key accessories that made it look like a designer had styled her shelves. Sometimes it’s not about more; it’s about right.
3. Meghan’s Budget Friendly Dining Room Styling Makeover
This was the project that started it all. I was visiting with my sister Anita and styled Meghan’s entire house in a week (you can watch it here)
Meghan had a mirror in her entry that wasn’t living it’s best life there so we moved it into the dining room to reflect the water view outside.
Then we purchased a runner, a vase, some summer florals, a bowl with fruit, and two hurricane candle holders. For less than $300, we now have something pretty to look at standing at the kitchen sink (in this house, the dining room was a big part of the view).
Before you scroll down what else do you notice about the before and after photos?
Hurricane Candle Holders | Ralph Lauren dup here
That’s right, we removed two chairs. They are usully only needed in most dining rooms during a dinner party whereby you can put them back. And you’ll notice you often have space on either side of your sideboard to place them.
Also, give your chairs some room to breathe. Pull them out a few inches from the table to make the space feel more inviting. Jamming them up directly against the table makes them look like they are under arrest.
We didn’t purchase a different area rug back then but adding a new one would certainly take this room up another level:
Rug from Wayfair (Rug added with AI)
4. Meghan’s Budget Friendly Primary Bathroom Styling Makeover
The transformation of Meghan’s primary bath might be one of my favourites. It’s just mind blowing to me what simply adding colour and accessories does to any room:
Large bathrooms don’t need those tiny rugs in front of the sink. Instead, we added an ottoman, a rug, bold art, and a dramatic vase of florals — all for about $600.
It’s amazing what happens when you stop decorating in fragments and start thinking of the room as a whole picture.
5. Angela’s Budget Friendly Office/Guest Room Styling Makeover
When I was in Toronto this spring, Angela sent me her windowless office and asked for help.
I gave her the perfect sage green (and since this was a windowless room, I loved that we found art with leafy plants that felt like a glimpse of outside and then created a 3-D version with the same plant we found along with sunbust mirrors to further bring in a sense of the sun!
And here’s the other side where her desk was located! The transformation — under $1600 — turned a dark spare room into a joyful space that now feels connected to nature. See the video here.
Why This Matters
Do you know how many rooms could be saved from unnecessary renovations with just the right styling and colour?
That’s what I’m out to show the world — and why I’m looking for more local Colour Rescue Makeovers to feature on my YouTube channel.
Today I’m showing you smaller makeovers that I’ve done in a day, here are some more dramatic before and after in some living rooms here.
Want me to rescue your room with colour and styling?
If you you have a room that feels almost right but not quite, this is your chance to have me work my one-day decorating magic — for free.
My time is free.
You just cover the accessories (we’ll shop smart — think HomeSense, not high-end).
You’ll end up with a room that feels finished, cohesive, and full of personality. You know, the kind that makes you want to entertain again.
👉 Apply to be my next Colour Rescue here.
(Limited to Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, and Fraser Valley)
Final Thought
Styling is like Tetris for me — finding the perfect place for every piece until it clicks.
Your home might be just a few lamps, a rug, and a dash of art away from feeling completely right.
Let’s finish what your furniture started.
Related posts:
–
–
You are brilliant Maria!
Hi Maria, what a wonderful post! I especially love the basement bringing in the green and the plants both 2-D and 3-D! You never cease to amaze me!!! And always good to know that you don’t have to spend a lot to have a room looked pulled together. Thank you.
why are you doing it for free
That’s a great question, I’m on a mission to show the world that styling is so often better than renovatons! It’s content for my Youtube channel! The homeowner does not need to be in the video. Maria
Love your new channel and the approach! Now if you would only visit Boston !!