15 Jun 4 Design Tips to Live Life Beautifully

 

 

Hey Friends!!  What a crazy 6 months it’s been.  Last time I posted here was in October of last year!  Fall and winter brought in three big renovation projects as well as many consultations and smaller scale projects.  With all that rolling I have just not made the time to post here.  To compensate I jumped onto Facebook and Instagram to try to post updates and keep in the loop, (yet if I’m being completely honest), I found that even more time consuming!  Don’t get me wrong, I love FB and Instagram… BUT it became too much of a hamster wheel and so I’ve jumped off and it’s no longer in my daily routine.  I’m sure I’m not the only one that feels like this am I?!  Anyone else??  So here I am… back on the blog, and I’m Lovin’ it!! 😉

I wanted to start out by posting an article that was published last year.  I never got a chance to post it here for you all.

A quick glimpse into the heart of my company; in an interview style, I answer your questions just so you can get to know me and my business a wee bit better.  I’ve also added 4 easy design tips to use when making your house a home… and an inside scoop of what’s coming up here this summer!   Enjoy!

 

 

What inspired you to start interior design?

 

Such a great question! It’s been a bit of a journey for me.

 

I’ve always loved creating beautiful spaces. After spending over ten years as a stay at home, homeschooling mom, we decided to send our girls to school. Suddenly I had the option of pursuing a career. My husband and I began discussing options like hairdressing or opening a B&B.

 

It was funny though; no matter what profession I considered, I got lost in how to make the space beautiful.  If it were hairdressing, I spent hours planning how I could make my new salon space beautiful. When I thought about starting a B&B, I focused on how to decorate my home for maximum hospitality and comfort. I couldn’t get away from my love of design.

Finally one day I came across a cute sign;

 

“What you do in your free time, you should be doing professionally”

 

That’s when it hit me. Design is for me! THAT’s what I adore doing in my free time! I’ve pursued it since, and have loved every second of it.

 

 

What kinds of problems do you help your clients solve?

 

First, I aim to help my clients create a space that not only reflects who they are but that speaks to them as they live in their day-to-day lives.

 

Our surroundings and the way they are designed evoke emotions in us – the colors, lighting, layout, even the textures – all help create a feeling.

 

What we want to achieve in our home will be different for everyone, but the process to achieve that is the same, and that is what I use to bring my clients dreams into reality. This is why defining how you want to feel in your space is where I start. It gives us clarity on every other choice in the process.

 

The core ‘problem’ I help my clients solve though, is the “why”. Teaching clients the why in each decision helps them become more aware and at ease with committing to each choice. Ultimately, my goal is to help them clarify how they want to feel in their space and then help them make choices to achieve that. It will also give them the ability to find pieces in the future that will be in harmony with their spaces.

 

 

What’s the most rewarding part of your interior design process?

Oh this is such a hard question to answer! There are so many parts of the process that bring me satisfaction and joy! I think the most rewarding would have to be when I see my client in love with a decision we have made. Whether it be the perfect paint color, a light fixture, a floor plan, or even an inspiration board they really connect with, I adore seeing their excitement. Their satisfaction motivates me to continue creating beautiful spaces.

 

 

What are your favorite places to shop for home décor?

I like to shop in some pretty basic stores. My frequent go-to’s include Winners, Home Sense, Bouclair, and Ikea (I live in Canada but the state-side options would be Gordman’s, Hobby Lobby and Target). If I’m sourcing online I’ve really come to appreciate Wayfair (I know it’s the ‘designers’ nemesis) as well as Joss & Main.  Serena & Lily is fabulous also. I love originality and enjoy finding hard-to-find pieces or pieces people don’t recognize. That is the fun of curating, and that is what will set your space apart from the rest.

 

 

Do you have a favorite room to design and why?

My favorite space to design is one with a story or purpose; something beautiful, but for real life.

One client, for example, had a big heart for hospitality, and a small house for hosting. The couple was highly relational and wanted people to feel instantly welcome as soon as they entered their home. Together, we created something fantastic and unique. The open entrance required an add –on, transforming an awkward space into a spectacular feature, and mixing light, color, texture, and shape to create a grand-yet-cozy entrance that, in the words of the owners, makes people feel like ‘there’s room for me’ in their family.

 

 

 

The motto for your brand is “Live Life Beautifully”. What are some helpful tips that readers can take from you when it comes to designing a home they love?

Yes, Live Life Beautifully is our mantra! Beauty is about an amazing experience – about inspiration and empowerment, and bringing joy and beauty into our homes and lives. I’m passionate about living life well with those we love.

The greatest advice I can think to give about Living Life Beautifully is to draw you through the process as I do with my clients.

 

 

 

4 Design Tips to Live Life Beautifully

 

 

 

Determine What Makes a Home

First, consider how you feel about the word ‘home’. Does it whisk you back to memories of your sweet grandma’s kitchen, with yummy food and warm hug? Or remind you of a traditional two-story house with a white picket fence and children playing in the yard with the dog? Maybe your thoughts of home are a clean open space where everything has its place and it is free from clutter. We each have our own thoughts and feelings of what ‘home’ looks and feels like. The key is to know what feels like home to you.

 

 

 

 What’s Your Design Style?

Second, get to know your style. Do you prefer a rustic look or more chic or modern décor? Perhaps classic décor is what makes you feel most in harmony with your space. By scanning Pinterest boards and magazines for what you like in homes, you’ll start to get a feel for your style. My questionnaire can be an effective tool as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curate Inspiration for Your Home Design

 

Once you know your style and the feel you’re going for, it’s time to create an inspiration board. This will be the catalyst for sourcing paints, lighting, furniture, building supplies, and décor. Here’s an example of one of my clients’ inspiration boards:

 

 

 

 

 

Discover Unique Pieces That Fit Your Home and Style

 

With inspiration board in hand (or a photo of it on your phone), it’s time to shop! This is my favorite part. I love sourcing unique pieces that harmonize a client with their space. Just a warning here though – sourcing is like the internet. There are tons of rabbit trails to follow, and it’s difficult to stay focused on what you want.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even when I’m on task, shopping for a client, it’s difficult to see something that doesn’t match with the overall feel of a room and think, “oh, but it’s so beautiful…!”  But, if you know that going in, you’ll have a better chance of staying on track.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Thanks for visiting today… I have a few fabulous things to share with you over the summer so make sure to check back often!  Here’s a little riddle for ya…

 

 

What do socks and a mudroom have in common??

Check back to see how our family uses a silly design hack to make life run a tiny bit smoother,

I’m also going share what I am planning to surprise my girls with on the last day of school…  You wont want to miss it 🙂

 

Blog posts coming this summer:   a Custom Scarlett Porch Bed Swing Installation,   my dreamy garden walkthrough,   a clients transformation

from tiny entry to a fab guest entry and family mudroom.

 

I am also going to show you a crazy massaive interior house renovation… seriously you will not even recognize this place you guys!  Here is a before snap…

 

 

 

And just for kicks I’ll give you a little spoiler; here is a render I made of the space before the reno started; it gives the overall feel for what was to come…

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s it for today friends!  Hope you have a fabulous Fathers Day weekend, celebrate those amazing dads, grandpas, uncles and father figures in your lives!  We will be enjoying Summer in the City, our town’s yearly fair.  Rides, mini donuts, and lemonade… woohoo!

 

See you again soon!!

Cheers!

Cheree XOXO