As a mom, a lot of people depend on us. And this couldn't be more true for Alison, a firefighter and mom of 5-year old Gwen, who I recently had the pleasure of working with to totally overhaul her laundry room. At work, people depend on Alison to help save lives, and at home, her family depends on her for countless things – so creating systems and spaces that allow her to reliably get the job done was the name of the game in this space.

That's why I was proud to partner with Maytag on this space and install Maytag’s new Front Load Extra Power Washer and Dryer pair. If you're looking to create a laundry room you can depend on, here are my key elements:

1. EXTRA POWER

What I love about these units is the Extra Power feature. 

For the washer: 

• The Extra Power button fights stains that dissolve best in hot water and in cold – all in one load.
• The washer offers the Most Powerful Cleaning in the industry driven by the Heavy Duty cycle.
• The 16-Hr Fresh Hold® option keeps your clean clothes smelling fresh in the washer for up to 16 hours after the wash cycle ends thanks to its internal fan and intermittent tumbling that circulate air through the clothes.

For the dryer:

• The Extra Power button helps get thick fabrics drier the first time by adding extra time to the cycle.

• There are options for steam-enhanced cycles to help prevent wrinkles, refresh clothes and reduce static.

• The Advanced Moisture Sensing feature monitors inside moisture and air temperatures to help evenly and fully dry heavy loads.
• You can dry a small load fast with the Quick Dry cycle, which pairs nicely with the Quick Wash cycle on select Maytag® washers to get clothes ready in no time.

That's the kind of cleaning we all need at home.

2. TONS OF STORAGE

Alison's home is teeny-tiny, so every single square inch of this space needed to count. I went with taller than normal uppers in a high gloss navy blue for a look that is both modern and functional, allowing Alison to store detergent, cleaning supplies, towels and other necessities in arms reach.

We also incorporated storage on the other side of the room with multiple drawers, and decorative shelving. This space doubles as a desk for Alison's young daughter when not needed for folding!

3. TONS OF FOLDING SPACE

Whether you are a Netflix-and-fold kind of person or not, I think a dependable laundry space needs to have ample counter space. In this space, I used butcher block counters to provide a warm textural contrast against the blue cabinetry and marble wallpapered walls. Installing a counter over a front-load washer and dryer is always a design-must for me as it provides a durable surface and creates a more built-in look to your appliances.

​​4. SPACE FOR HANGING

I think one of the most overlooked functions of a laundry room is space for hanging clothing that needs to air dry. Whether you use a folding wire contraption that allows clothing to lay flat, a rope that allows you to hang clothing, or hooks like I did right here, you definitely need to plan for this element so the behaviour of air drying clothing actually happens! 

5. MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL

I am a big believer that when a space is beautiful, we are so happy to be there, and this makes us super productive. So we utilized all KINDS of strategies to make this space just gorgeous. We wrapped a marble wallpaper along all the walls, we added gorgeous crown moulding, we added all kinds of teal accents and just had so much fun with art, beautiful towels, and greenery.

Thanks to Maytag for partnering with me on this project! For more info on how to use their appliances to create a dependable laundry room, click here.

Cheers to creating spaces that help us moms to thrive at home : )

This post is a sponsored post by Maytag. I work hard to research and stand behind the brands I partner with as I want to provide content that will help make your life easier, and more beautiful as a hardworking mom.

My friends, I did it! It’s done! This is the third home tour in a series I did of my #canningcabin, a new home for my family that I have spent the last 4 months renovating and decorating (all while pregnant with our 7th child LOL). You can check out my main floor tour and our master bedroom and closet tour (and yes, I put up shiplap in a rental!) 

If you’d prefer to watch the transformation (and see a real life work-at-home mom moment with my kids), click below. Otherwise, read on for how to create a modern playroom, and learn about the home office I created for my husband, and a “secret room” that was so much fun to transform.

1. KEEP THE PALETTE BLACK AND WHITE

I love colour, but I wanted to try something different and edgy in my basement. For a long time, I’ve been inspired by Scandinavian design for its austere, simple forms- but for a long time I had a limiting belief that it was just not possible to have minimal decor when you have a bunch of kids. But what creating this space has shown me is the power of a minimal palette of black and white. 

The way to keep things interesting is to vary your patterns but all within this black and white palette. Think stripes, geometric prints, painterly lines, and high contrast cabinetry. Speaking of cabinetry…

2. UTILIZE FLOOR TO CEILING CABINETRY

This is my secret weapon in playrooms. Honestly, THIS IS A GAME CHANGER. I know I call a lot of things game changers, but this is REALLY an important strategy for parents who want serenity, function, and a modern aesthetic in a playroom.  

Putting in floor to ceiling cabinetry allows you to HIDE ALL THE VISUAL CLUTTER AND CHAOS that comes with toys, books, Pokemon cards, florescent blinking plastic, and all that fun stuff behind beautiful, closed storage. You literally get to close the door on visual clutter and it is a big reason why I love spending time in this room.

I worked with Tailored Living on this space, and the big reason why I love working with them (check out this ultimate craft room I did earlier this year) is they make it so convenient for you to achieve organization and order by bringing you all the samples during an in-home consultation, taking all the measurements, working with you on a 3-D design that will be ideal for your family, installing the cabinets quickly and simply, and really just getting you where you need to go in regards to your organizational goals. With franchises across the US and Canada, there’s a solution waiting for you.

I wanted high contrast in the cabinetry so I went with white modern shaker cabinets on the perimeter of the room, and dark drawer fronts on this generous island that allows my kids ample room to spread out and get messy. The combination of drawers and tall cabinets is an important strategy- the tall upper cabinets are great for books and board games, the deeper lower cabinets are fabulous for large bins for toys and oversize, bulky toys, and shallow drawers are great for art supplies, paper, Shopkins and lego. We used laminate for its durability as well as its accessible price point.

And to add a bit of sparkle to the space, I added these new pulls by Shayne Fox Hardware. I love the handmade, rustic element these bring to this cabinetry. 

But the biggest thing I argue cabinetry brings in a playroom is PEACE. Even if the contents of the drawers and toy bins are a jumbled mess, behind closed doors and drawer fronts, no one is the wiser. Like I said, GAME CHANGER.

3. KEEP THE BLACK MATTE

I chose to put a sink in this space as it’s so practical with my 6 little kids. In keeping with my monochromatic palette, I chose to use a matte black faucet and turned to one of my favourite partners Delta Faucets (I still mourn the loss of all the faucets in my old house!) with their new Esque faucet.

The name Esque is inspired by the suffix meaning “in the style of” and a clipped ballet pose that speaks to elegance, grace and movement, clearly visible with its sleek pull-down design and modern innovations (watch my video above to see the ShieldSpray technology in action, watch how the water is dispersed in a truly unique pattern to clean up dirty dishes while containing mess and splatter- seriously, go press play on the video above!)

And I kept the matte black going with the wall paint colour which makes me so happy. I don’t think I would have been as bold to do this if I did not have so much natural light in this space- but I’m so happy with how this Wrought Iron colour by Benjamin Moore turned out. And whenever I use dark shades I like using it in a matte finish, as opposed to eggshell or satin. It’s rich, and lush and I love its modern look.

4. USE LARGE SCALE ART FOR A GRAPHIC ELEMENT

I think this is my favourite element in my playroom. We went to Staples, paid $15 a print, and had large individual portraits of my children blown up to fit this inexpensive Ikea SILVERHÖJDEN frame. We hung them around our TV about 3″ apart and it creates a graphic element that makes me smile every time I enter the room. Keeping things black and white helps the TV to not feel like a major focal point of the room, and instead sort of blend in to the composition.

5. CREATE A SPACE FOR THE GROWN UPS

Sometimes mom and dad need a moment to steal away, but still keep an eye on the little ones. One of the things this house did not have that my old house did (and we needed) was a home office space. So we actually put this wall up ourselves, including these beautiful doors I painted blue from Metrie. I love how the clear glass gives us the option to still peek in and see what is going on with our children.

We put in this electric fireplace media unit by Dimplex in this space and I just love how it creates instant cozy with the press of a button. You can put an electric fireplace virtually anywhere you can run the correct power, and the results are fast, stylish, cozy and so comfortable. 

There is something about a fireplace that promotes instant comfort and relaxation at home, don’t you think?

And if you watch my video above, you’ll learn about this crazy “secret room” we discovered while walking around our property- this room was literally full of garbage, and had been enclosed with drywall (complete with drapery still up!) inside the office. We tore down the drywall, cleaned up the room, and now enjoy a sweet little space that I am hoping forces me to slow down every day to literally smell the roses, LOL.

What do you think? Could you create a modern playroom somewhere in your house? Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks to Tailored Living, Delta Faucet Canada and Dimplex for partnering with me on this post. I work very hard to research the brands I partner with to ensure they provide you my reader ways to make your life more beautiful, functional and effortless. Opinions are very much my own. Photos by Larry Arnal

FULL PRODUCT LIST

PLAYROOM

Tailored Living Customized CABINETS: http://bit.ly/2Hpill3

Cabinet HARDWARE: http://bit.ly/2tqLZAj

Wall PAINT colour: http://bit.ly/2K1DOp2

Delta Esque FAUCET: http://bit.ly/2KfGQpe

Gold picture FRAMES: http://bit.ly/2ttko1o  

Sectional SOFA: http://bit.ly/2Md4n7i

Bar​stools: Old ones from my last house we spray painted Champagne Mist 

Photo ledges: http://bit.ly/2tm0yFX

Teepee: https://amzn.to/2IigYnl

Accessories: http://bit.ly/2HrbuY7

​Media unit: http://bit.ly/2lpG3ng

Black Acapulco chairs, pillows, accessories, graphic play mat under teepee:​ http://bit.ly/2HrbuY7

JOSH’S OFFICE
Metrie DOORS: http://bit.ly/2MfyQBT​

Dimplex FIREPLACE MEDIA UNIT: http://bit.ly/2tiKcxX

Ikea DESK: http://bit.ly/2lphfff

​Red SOFA: http://bit.ly/2M9JcTy

“SECRET ROOM”
Green chair, outdoor rug, gold garden hose, garden tools: http://bit.ly/2HrbuY7

​Plants and planters are all from local garden centres

I don't know about you, but in all the houses I have lived in, I have always left decorating my bedroom for last. I'm not alone, right? I find its pretty common that people spend lots of energy, effort and funds decorating more public spaces, or their kids' rooms, but then leave their own bedrooms to be a collection of hand me down furniture and sheet sets from college.

In this house, I was determined to give my husband and I a luxurious master retreat- but do it in a way that did not break the bank. To watch the tour of my master bedroom and closet on my YouTube channel, click below. Or if you prefer to read the tips on how you can create a luxe bedroom and closet without breaking the bank, scroll on down below. And don't forget to see the full list of all the products I used in this room at the bottom of this post!  

1. GO LUXE ON THE BED

I have always wanted a canopy bed since I was a little girl- and I just felt like the style of this piece fit in with my whole cabin in the woods vibe we have going on in this house (check out my living room tour here). I think the bed is a great place to begin the design of a bedroom as it really is the focal point of the room.

I basically had this bed in my shopping cart for 3 months, because I was a little shy to pull the trigger as I have never personally spent this much on a bed before for myself (for the record, it is incredibly well priced under $2000, I just never have spent this much personally on a bed for myself)- but I am so happy I did.

I love the drama the canopy creates, I love the natural wood texture, I love the upholstered high headboard that offers even more drama, I love that I purchased this online and that there were no surprises when the bed was assembled.  

So whether $2000 is cheap, affordable, or luxe to you, invest in your bed, you won't be sorry. 

2. CREATE INSTANT COZY WITH A FIREPLACE

There is something so luxurious about a fireplace in a bedroom. I love the instant warmth it creates, the ambient glow, and how relaxing it is to watch flames dance in a pitch black room. 

I installed this Dimplex electric fireplace and mantel  and just love the impact it has on the space. 

The beauty of utilizing an electric fireplace is that it really is plug in and go (although of course ensure you have the correct amperage for your electrical outlet so that your breaker does not trip every time you use it). I went with a unit that has a built-in mantel, as it was a simple way to add another design element, and gave opportunity to create a focal point at the foot of our bed with art and accessories.  

A fireplace-mantel combination is a great way to add a little luxury without breaking the bank, as the cost really is a fraction of what it would cost to run a gas line and install a unit. Plus, if you're in a rental like I am, it's the kind of piece you can take with you.

3. SAVE $$$ WITH SMART HACKS

Due to some of the permanent structural changes we made in this rental (and the $$$ that came with those choices), I had to stretch my budget creatively and let me tell you, I think this is my FAVOURITE HACK I HAVE EVER DONE.

This is a $99 dresser. I added these Shayne Fox Hardware pulls that are worth more than the dresser itself! The combination makes me so happy. The night stands are a good scale compared to the large bed, and the handcrafted geometric pulls are works of art. 

4. KEEP TEXTILES NEUTRAL

A really easy way to make a space feel luxurious is to keep the colour palette of your textiles neutral, or analogous shades on the colour wheel. I stayed with neutral tones with grey-blue undertones on everything. I love colour and drama (have you seen my blue sofas?) but if you want a fool proof way to make a space feel luxe, keep things all within a similar palette.

And speaking of luxe, this rug is worth every single penny I paid for it. It is so soft underfoot, so inviting, and just worth it!

5. CREATE A CLOSET THAT MAKES GETTING DRESSED EFFORTLESS

One of the ways that a space qualifies as luxurious to me, is if it makes my life more effortless. And this closet transformation has been a GAME CHANGER. Getting dressed in this closet before was no fun at all. We were living out of boxes for far too long, and could never find anything without having to rifle through piles and piles of stuff. 

Our closet (and master bedroom in general) also became a pitiful storage room for items that we were too lazy to walk to the basement or the garage. 

So to create order in a space we start our day in is a luxurious element to me. I partnered with Neatfreak! on all the organizational elements in this closet, and oh boy do they help me feel less chaos and increase my ability to get dressed quickly!

Being 8 months pregnant means my wardrobe is a little segmented- I have a bunch of clothing that is non-maternity and does not fit. I have a whole other set of clothing that is too uncomfortable / too small to wear at this stage of my pregnancy, and then my current rotation of clothing I gravitate towards everyday. I love how these bin drawers allow me to flip the drawers around for closed storage, and flip them the other way for easy view storage. 

And to further add harmony to my life, and create another area to help me be efficient in the mornings, I reused the table from the basement in my old house (reduced down to console size), and a shelf we had in our old office, as a spot to house a necklace tree, trays for jewelry, and bowls for accessories. 

What do you think? Would this bedroom make you feel restored and increase your peace both at night and when getting dressed in the morning? Let me know in the comments below. 

And stay tuned for next week's post on my full basement tour- so excited to share this with you!!!!!

Special thanks to Neatfreak! and Dimplex for partnering with me on this project. Opinions are all based on my authentic experience. 

FULL PRODUCT LIST:

CANOPY BED Wayfair Rachel Ray Highline: http://bit.ly/2JTEzzy

BEDDING, PILLOWS, Kate Spade LAMPS, ART above fireplace and nightstands, SHEETS, DRAPES: http://bit.ly/2HrbuY7 

$99 ASKVOLL NIGHTSTAND: http://bit.ly/2JRkOsn

PYRA SHAYNE FOX HARDWARE: http://bit.ly/2LOxXQt

Dimplex ELECTRIC FIREPLACE: http://bit.ly/2l5j94y

RUG: http://bit.ly/2JJKowp

CLOSET ORGANIZER SYSTEM: http://bit.ly/2JRD70I​

BASSINET (similar): http://bit.ly/2LQwTvh 

​

You're here! We made it! We have at long last put the finishing touches on our #canningcabin, our brand new (to us) property that we moved into 4 months ago.

As many of you know, we sold our house earlier this year for a few different reasons, and we've spent the last four months unpacking boxes, decorating, and doing some small renovations in this rental property- and I am so excited to share our main floor with you today! If you prefer to watch the home tour, click below, otherwise, read on! And make sure you scroll down to the end for the full list of items in the room. 

Decorating a rental was a challenging task for me. There were so many things I wanted to do, and I constantly had to weigh my decisions against my not unlimited budget. In the end, I am so pleased with the balance we struck in terms of making this space truly our own, making it functional for the unique needs of my large family, and making it a space that is beautiful and inspiring! I love it so much and I hope these tips on how to decorate a rental like it's your own help you in your decorating pursuits, whether you own, or you rent.

1. UPDATE YOUR TRIM

This property is old and when we moved in, it was literally like stepping back in time to the 1970's. One of the biggest things that gives away the age of a property is trim (baseboards especially)- and so one of the best updates you can do to make an old rental look new, is replace your trim. 

Now this is an option that will cost some $$$ and might not be in everyone's budget. But because of the impact trim (especially baseboards!) make, I argue it should always be a consideration when moving into a new space.

I took this one step further of course and added shiplap everywhere that made sense in my main open concept space. And as I share in my video tour, I struggled with this decision BIG TIME. The installation for the shiplap, and the material fee, was not a small one. But as I really wanted to embrace the cabin in the woods feeling this property has, and the fact that I am slightly obsessed with the textural quality that trim provides, we simply decided to make installing shiplap, new baseboards, crown moulding, and casing, a priority in the budget. 

Believe me when I tell you I considered other options- I looked at temporary wallpaper for renters like this and this, and I really wanted to like it, but in the end I wanted the look of the real thing, and boy am I happy with the results.

I partnered with Metrie, the largest North American supplier and manufacturer of solid wood and composite moulding. I used their pre-painted shiplap, which snaps together so easily. I love how innovative the design of this product is, and I finished the shiplap off with baseboards, casing and crown from their Very Square collection.   

We also updated the doors. The doors were originally all louvered- as in, you could hear everything through them! And with soon to be 7 children in this house, let me tell you replacing the doors to solid core doors was a NEED not a want! It also gave us an opportunity to do something fun with paint, and I embraced pink in my entrance way with this soft pink called Pleasant Pink by Benjamin Moore on this solid door from Metrie's Very Square collection. 

So while it did take up a significant portion of our budget, it was a priority for me in this space, and one I definitely do not regret investing in for the beauty and the function it has created! 

2. BE BOLD IN YOUR FURNISHINGS

Another easy way for a rental to really feel like you is to be bold in your furnishings. I had been eyeing these Sven sofas from Article for a while, but was extremely hesitant to buy something like a sofa online. Honestly, the designer in me that needs to sit test things was really, REALLY reluctant to do this. But after reading several reviews online, and reviewing Article's return policy, I decided to go for it and happy to report they are really lovely.

I have always loved velvet and navy blue, and have made similar furniture pieces like this for clients for $$$$. So when I discovered I could get two sofas for just over $3000 it was not a difficult decision to make.  

They are beautiful, but they do require maintenance. I find everything- dust, stains from leaky baby bottles, sticky fingers, etc. shows up on the navy fabric. The great news is, every single stain has come off with soap and water. The bad news is, it's another chore to add to the list of cleaning chores- so while I would 100% recommend them for their comfort, style and quality, you need to be prepared to wash stains regularly if you want them to look clean! But honestly, if these sofas can stand up to my 6 children ages 9 and under, I am pretty sure they can survive anything.

3. BE BOLD IN YOUR COLOUR CHOICES

I know I already talked about pink, but we must talk about it again- because I just love how this pink door looks in my dining room! In an old space, I think a small hit of a trendy colour is just fun and unexpected. This was one of the easier decisions for me in this space- for some reason, knowing the space is temporary as it is a rental made me more bold in my paint selections. And the fabulous thing about paint, is that it is changeable- if I change my mind on this colour, in an hour and a half I can have it changed to something else. 

I love this hit of pink in this velvet pillow! 

And how sweet is this colourful tray (and pom pom paperclips!) from HomeSense?! 

4. LET FUNCTION BE YOUR GUIDE

One of the things we always have to have top of mind in design is function. A space needs to make a family's life EASIER, not harder. So consider areas you need to increase function, and don't skimp on those areas! 

For me, I had to increase function in how I store paper and keep my business life organized. While I am a big fan of the concept of deep work, and locking myself away in a quiet space to get focused stuff done, there are lots of times when I am paying bills while my children are around, sorting receipts and paper work, and filing things that they come home with and I come home with. In the past, I have had a dedicated office space in an area away from the main commotion of the house. But what I found was that filing of everyday paper just wasn't happening as it was too far away and I never really developed the behaviour to keep paper organized.

In this house, I was determined to figure out a system that would work and YOU GUYS I THINK I FINALLY FOUND ONE. Having this office space attached to my main living room makes it really easy to find a home for school permission forms, library book reminder slips, crafts that come home from school and all my business correspondence as soon as it comes into my house. 

And watch my YouTube tour for a clip board system that has SERIOUSLY CHANGED MY LIFE! Organization makes me SO HAPPY! 

5. STRETCH YOUR DOLLAR BY INVESTING IN SECOND HAND

As I mentioned at the top of this post, discerning where to spend money was really challenging for me. I basically had to get really comfortable with the fact that I was spending money on things like trim, shiplap and mouldings that I would definitely not be taking with me. 

To make this decision more palatable, I chose to be really savvy with items I purchased, and this included shopping on the online platform Kijiji. I am a big supporter of the 2nd hand economy. In my line of work, I acquire LOTS OF STUFF, and I enjoy selling items I no longer need. To me, I just don't see the need to hang on to things I might need in the future when it could be bringing someone else enjoyment today (and money in my pocket today)! And for this project, I was able to pick up an amazing light fixture from a seller on Kijiji for $50 (check it out in my YouTube home tour) and a few other items for my home which really helped to stretch my budget. 

The other thing I find helpful about supporting the 2nd hand economy is that it offers less pressure to keep items you do purchase. While I am a big believer in investing in quality and things you might own for a lifetime, I am also super comfortable with the notion of changing your mind, or simply wanting new items in a new space. For example, I really love my velvet couches, and if it turns out that I own them for 15 or 20 years I will be very happy to have them! But I am also super comfortable with selling them, or giving them away in a year, or two years time, if that simply made sense for me. 

Finding creative ways like shopping second hand can really help get you closer to making your rental, your own. 

I hope this tour and my tips made you feel a little inspired today- and come back next Friday for the reveal of my master bedroom and master closet! Scroll to the bottom for a complete list of everything in this space, and thanks so much for spending a little time with me in my living room, office, dining room and entryway.

Special thanks to Metrie and Kijiji for partnering with me on this project, opinions are 100% my lived experience! 

Photos by Larry Arnal.

Here are some helpful links to the products I used in this space! I hope they are helpful in your decorating adventures:

LIVING ROOM:

Article Sven SOFA: http://bit.ly/2LAApde

$219 ARMCHAIR: http://bit.ly/2LywBZW

Colourful PILLOWS: http://bit.ly/2JABvJl

Green OTTOMANS: http://bit.ly/2sWHihg

SHIPLAP: http://bit.ly/2l4ndoW

Rug: http://bit.ly/2sSHvlJ

Ottomans (I used 2 together): http://bit.ly/2HBzUx7

Tray on ottomans: http://bit.ly/2l1ewIX

Side tables, sideboard, patterned blue Shibori chair: http://bit.ly/2HrbuY7

OFFICE:

SHELVING unit: http://bit.ly/2kYWlDF

PRINTER: http://bit.ly/2JlSkaM

CLIP BOARDS: https://amzn.to/2HA26QT

FILE FOLDERS: http://bit.ly/2JJiYKo

STORAGE BOXES: http://bit.ly/2Md1Vi6

$45 Sconces: http://bit.ly/2kY4B6N

TRAY, RUG, ACCESSORIES: http://bit.ly/2HrbuY7

DINING ROOM:

TABLE: (my table is discontinued, here is a similar one) http://bit.ly/2sIHul3

CHAIRS: http://bit.ly/2kYX87B

PINK DOOR: http://bit.ly/2ss28pn

Pink PAINT: http://bit.ly/2LAeqDn

ENTRYWAY:

CONSOLE, ottoman, baskets: http://bit.ly/2B9NVm6

LAMP: http://bit.ly/2JCC7NN

DIFFUSER: (mine was a limited edition one from here) http://bit.ly/2JqCWWG

SECOND HAND LIGHT FIXTURE: http://bit.ly/2sTeg23

MIRROR (similar): http://bit.ly/2JFnyJf

When you are an entrepreneur, work happens everywhere- in the car, at the kitchen table, even in your bed! But there eventually comes a point when it is time to create a dedicated office space for everyone's sanity and productivity- and that is exactly what I did for entrepreneurial mom of 2, Jennifer Pike.

To know Jenn Pike personally is to constantly be inspired to be more healthy (she is an incredible women's health and wellness expert). So of course in her master bedroom, we invested in amazing materials to increase healthy sleep habits, proper spine alignment, and more- and I am so excited to share it all with you! If you prefer to watch, click on my YouTube video below, otherwise read on!  

1. START WITH A BEAUTIFUL BED

I'm a big believer that all hard working mamas DESERVE a beautiful bed. After a hard day of raising kids, working outside the home, working inside the home, whatever it is you do- MOMS (AND DADS) ARE TIRED. So let's invest in a BEAUTIFUL bed.

And this Wayfair bed does not disappoint. Both Jenn and I are pretty time strapped between our entrepreneurial and family activities. So the ability to shop online, and have delivered quickly a major design element of the room, is so strategic for us! This bed is soft, plush and elegant- I love the tufted headboard and the drama the wingbacked headboard possesses. And as I have shared in my past projects I have done with Jenn (check out her laundry room and her kitchen), this house has such limited storage (no garage, no basement). So any opportunity I could find to give her additional storage I did- including in the bed!

And finally, of all the pieces in the room, this one for sure is my favourite in the category of value obtained for dollars spent. I have spent upwards of $4000 on custom upholstered beds like this with storage- and so get something like this for less than $2000 all in is just fabulous.

And of course a beautiful bed needs a quality matress. For the mattress and sheet set, we used The Casper Mattress. Again, ergonomic health is a major priority to Jennifer- so selecting the right mattress for her and her husband was really important. This mattress offers ZonedSupport, an innovative foam framework that contours specifically to each area of the body for incredible comfort, ideal anatomical support, and focused spinal alignment. This award winning mattress boasts four supportive layers of high-density memory foam to provide balanced support. 

And for the pillow, sheet set, and duvet cover, we used Casper as well. Casper’s pillow-in-a-pillow was designed for all-night comfort, for every sleep position. With just the right balance of squish and support, the inner pillow is supportive, while the outer pillow adds a soft comfort. And when it comes to sheets, I am really picky. I like a cool, crisp feeling to my sheets, and these totally fit the bill. Casper’s cotton percale sheets are smooth, airy, and get softer with every wash. The breathable percale weave sleeps cool all night long, and we went with white to keep everything serene and peaceful.

And again, convenience. The mattress and sheet set showed up within days of ordering, to Jenn's front door. So convenient. 

2. Designate a spot for the office

Once your bed is taken care of, designate a spot for the office. This could look like a stand alone desk, or like we did in Jenn's bedroom, custom millwork. I chose to go custom because I wanted to give Jenn every square inch of storage I could, and so fitting her desk in this nook by the window, and taking shelving to the ceiling, was the best plan for this space. The other amazing thing about going custom, is that we were then able to paint the desk this gorgeous turquoise colour, Benjamin Moore Waterfall 2050-50.

When planning your storage options, definitely consider a combination of closed and open storage. Closed storage is essential for hiding visual clutter, and in a bedroom this is so important. You need to be able to end the workday, without a chaotic mess next to your bed, and closed storage makes this possible! It's also important to have open storage, as this allows you to display the motivational elements and decorative items that remind you of your purpose, and keep a positive energy around you! 

And can we talk for a second about these brass, hand cast cabinet pulls? They are designed by a local Toronto entrepreneur Shayne Fox, and they like jewelry on this desk. I love them so much.

And for the chair, let me tell you did I get educated on ergonomic health. Being almost 8 months pregnant, I basically suffer from low back pain all the time. And even more so when I am at my desk for long periods of time. THIS CHAIR IS A GAME CHANGER YOU GUYS. It literally felt like a hug for my low back and pelvis. The CoreChair is an ergonomic active sitting chair that provides optimal support while introducing movement into your workday- i.e. you kind of wiggle when you sit in it, which keeps the muscles active which is how we avoid all the low back pain. The low back support combined with an aggressively sculpted seat embraces your pelvis, positioning you to sit tall with optimal posture. With four levels of resistance, the tilting mechanism allows you to move up to 14 degrees in all directions, loosening up your joints, promoting blood flow and relaxing your tight lower back muscles in order to reduce pain. 

Seriously, this chair needs to be in homes and offices everywhere! And for someone like Jenn who promotes mobility and healthy living as much as she does, this chair was such a good fit.

3. Add your personality

This is an important aspect of design to me, regardless of the kind of space you are creating. The space has to reflect you and your unique personality. Jennifer's personality is so vibrant- so I just had to add elements like this Metrie door painted Benjamin Moore Yellow Highlighter 2021-40. To ensure that this really was like the exclamation point at the end of a sentence, we kept the adjacent Metrie sliding closet doors in white to ensure some balance.

And again to ensure the space didn't feel too overwhelming with all the vibrant pops, I wrapped the room in Metrie's tongue and groove paneling and painted it out Benjamin Moore Decorator White CC-20. It's no secret how much I love interior mouldings. They provide such a beautiful textural element to a space. Metrie has been my go-to partner for architectural elements for years-their passion for design and innovation has allowed them to become the largest supplier and manufacturer of solid wood and composite moulding in North America.

And of course a bedroom needs to feel cozy and comfortable, which is why I added ample blankets and pillows in a variety of textures – all within our colour palette to stay harmonious – and displayed them on this ladder from Bouclair. Lighting also makes a big impact in the room, with a stunning modern chandelier from Bouclair adding an architectural element.

And of course you can add your personality in all the fun accessories. I picked up this tray and yellow pen holder at Bouclair, where it's not hard to come home with a carful of fun, well-priced accessories for your home. I love the painterly element of this tray and on trend rope detail. 

Special thanks to all the brands mentioned who partnered with me on this project by providing products. I love working with brands who care about families thrive at home, and I do ample research to ensure and products I use will provide value to you!

Photos by Dann Tardiff.

I love Christmas, especially the decorating part! But involving a bunch of little people, of all different ages and abilities, without too many tantrums or feelings of being left out can be somewhat of an interesting challenge. Today I am teaming up with Bugaboo to share how I get my little squad involved in our holiday decorating.

This year, I did not think we’d be able to decorate for the holidays as we listed our house for sale and figured we would have to keep our house nice and neutral- but since the house sold, we’ve been having fun with all the Christmas things, including getting our outdoors prepared for the holidays.

My kids are 8, 7, 5, 4, 2 and almost 12 months. My older kids are very vocal about how our home is decorated, and my little kids love trying to keep up with the big guys. At first, I thought I could get away with the little guys staying inside and watching us work through the window, but a few protests proved this strategy to not be a winner! So I bundled up the little guys in our new Bugaboo Donkey2 to join us in all the outdoor decorating action.

The brand new Bugaboo Donkey 2 is a really versatile stroller that can grow with your family (there has literally never been a time we have not needed a stroller in my house!) From birth up to three years, the stroller expands from a single stroller with side luggage basket, to a side-by-side double with full storage underneath in just a few simple clicks. And when you have as many kids as I do, storage in a stroller is super essential- I can store so many things in the storage compartment, including Christmas wreaths and ribbons!

My favourite thing about our double stroller is how it provides our family the opportunity to maneuver through our activities (like decorating for Christmas!) as a crew. The new foam tires mean no filling the tires with air, and the stroller can navigate crowded malls or outdoor trails. The little kids don’t have to feel left out, and they do their best to “help” where they can.

And in true Bugaboo fashion, the stroller comes in a multitude of fabrics to reflect your personal style. Choose from three base fabric color options and 11 different color options for the sun canopy and side luggage basket cover.

The holidays are really about creating family memories and spending aimless time together. How does your family get ready for the holidays all together as a crew? Leave me a comment and let me know : )

Special thanks to Bugaboo for partnering with me on this post. To learn more about the new Bugaboo Donkey2 click here.

Interior design to me is so much more than beautiful things. If you’ve been following my adventures on YouTube, you know how passionately I feel about families thriving at home, and how your home sets the stage for lasting memories.

But how do you actually do that? How do you create a home that is not only beautiful, but reflects your family’s unique personality and style?

As I share in my most recent video, I just wrapped a project I am calling A Tale of Two Houses, where I worked with two unique families, who are neighbours, who allowed me to work with them to make their homes their own. You can tour the more modern kitchen here, and the more transitional kitchen here.

If you want to find your unique style but don’t know where to start, here are a few steps to help start the process.

1. COLLECT IMAGES

Go on to a website like Pinterest or Houzz (or just grab plain ‘ol fashion magazines) and collect images without any judgement or filter. Just collect anything that sparks joy, anything that makes you feel good, anything that gives you a glimpse of what you want your future to look like. Collect atleast 50 images, and pay attention to any images that might come back on repeat a few times.

2. FIND SIMILARITIES

Now that you have collected a large grouping of images, look for similarities in the images. Perhaps you have collected lots of white kitchens, kitchens with generous islands, living rooms with applied mouldings, etc. Identify some common themes and place them in like groups/

3. GIVE THESE GROUPS NAMES

Find some words to describe these groups. Think of words like: farmhouse, modern, traditional, Scandinavian, retro, bohemian, transitional, etc. If you’re lost for the words, look at the article the image may have come from or the advertisement it appeared in for key words.

4. GO SHOPPING WITH THESE WORDS

Now that we have done a bit of research, and have a few words to guide us, test out these words on the market. When you walk into a store, what lights you up? When you’re in a kitchen showroom, what are the details that make you really excited? Do these items match up with the words you wrote down? If you’re stuck, work with a designer  to help you articulate your style in a really clear way.

Now your job is to use these words as your funnel, or filter, for all your decorating decisions. For some fun practical examples of what I mean, hit play on the video below!

It's reveal time!!!! I am so excited to share with you this labour of love. 

For the last six weeks, I've been participating in the One Room Challenge hosted by Linda at Calling It Home. It's a friendly competition of sorts [we're all winners for finishing!] where you are challenged to complete a room in six short weeks.

I have joined in the madness before with my home gym and laundry room.  And this time, I tackled not one, but TWO kitchens. As I have shared in weeks past,  I got to work with two very special families, who live next door to each other, who decided to tear down, rebuild, at the same time, with the same builder, and the same designer [ME!] How much fun is that?!?! On top of everything, I just love these two families- so creating spaces where they can thrive at home has just made me so happy. 

It was a serious race to the finish- and while I had wanted to pull off two full kitchen reveals, integrity had to prevail. Kitchen Two, which was my more traditional kitchen, unfortunately had a few scheduling set backs including a countertop that had an imperfection that the fabricator insisted on redoing. While it impacted the schedule, and made it unable to reveal in six weeks, it is far better to have something redone and installed correctly- so come back in a few weeks to see Kitchen Two unveiled here.

But today… feast your eyes on Kitchen One in my Tale of Two Houses- this is a modern kitchen for a fun modern family and I hope you like it as much as I do!

I wanted this space to feel modern and family friendly, yet very current with a bit of edge. The navy blue island, gorgeous tufted and chrome counter stools, and modern prints on the textiles I think do the trick. The marble herringbone backsplash is another classic, yet modern element in this space, and I love the contrast in scale against the large veins of this Cambria countertop. 

Wanting to keep things really modern I opted to use Delta's Trinsic faucet with Touch technology. One tap anywhere on the faucet and clean up is a breeze. And I just love how the pull down spout is integrated so elegantly into the design of this faucet. We used the matching pot filler in chrome. 

A full suite of Thermador appliances makes this a serious chef's kitchen. We designed a lovely little prep area [with a matching Delta Trinsic bar faucet]  to keep coffee, and bar prep mess contained.

It's no secret that navy blue is a really popular colour as an accent in kitchens right now. And I love how this shade [Newburryport Blue by Benjamin Moore] turned out. We wrapped the kitchen island, and the pantry shelving in this shade- and I love how it can read really modern, or really classic, depending on how it is styled. 

As a mom of six young kids, I know how much happens in a family kitchen- so many memories are made in the kitchen! And I feel so blessed to be able to help create a space for this family to make memories. I just love when families thrive at home. 

Thanks for joining me in this fun journey- and don't forget to come back in a few weeks to see a Kitchen Two reveal! Many thanks to Linda from Calling It Home and media sponsor House Beautiful for sponsoring this event. For a crazy amount of inspiration, check out the other challenge linking participants here.  

Photography by Larry Arnal.

Welcome back to another round of the ORC- the One Room Challenge, where designers / bloggers / design enthusiasts are challenged by Linda at Calling It Home to complete a space in six short weeks! You can see past rooms I have completed as part of this challenge here and here. 

Last week I shared a bit of the plans for TWO kitchens I have underway. That's right, TWO!!!  And today I want to share the story of how I came to design two kitchens for two lovely women.

I've been running Lisa Canning Interiors for ten years now- and I have been blessed with some incredible clients along the way. But this project is a first for me as I get to design for neighbours! These two clients are using the same builder, in mirror image houses, building at the exact same time. Which means when I do a site visit, it's two clients, back to back! 

What even more fun, is that they have basically opposite styles- and I get to tell the story of their personal style through the products I select. 

Here are a few of the pieces we know we are using to give you a sense of how an item that has the same function can have a radically different look.

HOUSE ONE FAUCET- DELTA TRINSIC

For house one, we are keeping things modern- lots of grey and navy blue, and really simple sleek lines. This faucet, the Trinsic faucet by Delta is one of my favourites as I just love its really simple shape and form. 

HOUSE TWO FAUCET- DELTA CASSIDY

For house two, we are keeping things a bit more traditional- hence the selection of the Cassidy faucet by Delta. Note the similarity in form to the Trinsic above- but then when you add the slight curves and ridges it gives it a bit more of a traditional nod.

HOUSE ONE CABINET HARDWARE- SLIM AND SLEEK

House one is getting these really lovely long and lean cabinet pulls.

HOUSE TWO CABINET HARDWARE- ELEGANT AND REFINED

House two will get some lovely, refined pulls. Again, note the added texture and curved form in contrast to the minimal, sleek one above. 

And for those of you who love a good under construction photo you can see above it is quite fun- under total construction at the moment. But as you can see, the houses are basically mirror opposites in a lot of ways, although of course lots of differences. Tun in next week for millwork updates and more fun. And go and look at what everyone else is doing for the ORC here. What fun : ) 

Hello hello and welcome. If you are new here, very happy to have you on my corner of the internet. My name is Lisa Canning, I'm a mom of six and I have worked for the last ten years both in front of the camera and behind the scenes on design television shows like Marriage Under Construction and Buying and Selling with the Property Brothers and I run my design company where I specialize in two-hour design consultations in Toronto, Canada. I am excited to be linking up to this year's spring One Room Challenge!  The One Room Challenge is this great blogging event hosted by Linda at Calling It Home, where designers, bloggers, DIYers, home enthusiasts are challenged to renovate, design, and style up a space in six short weeks. You read that right, six short weeks! You can see past rooms that I have completed as part of this challenge here and here, and see all the fun people who are linking up for this event here.  

For this season of the ORC I have a really fun project- I'm currently providing design consulting services for two lovely families, who live next door to each other, who have mirror image custom homes, in totally opposite styles!!!! As you can see from my images below, the first house has a more modern vibe, and the second house will have more traditional design elements. 

Join me over the next six weeks where I'll be sharing progress from both houses. Designing homes that help families to thrive at home makes me so happy- excited to have you along for the ride.  Come back every Thursday for new updates : )

If you've been following my blog and my social channels lately, you'll know that self care has been on my mind! So when the photos of this bathroom project I recently completed came into my inbox, the timing was kinda perfect. Who doesn't love a long soak in a hot bath- especially when the bathtub is as gorgeous as this one! So if you're looking to make your bathroom a retreat-like experience, here are my tips:

1. Start with white

Nothing says spa to me like fresh white walls. This room gets so much beautiful natural light that these walls were practically screaming for it. We used Benjamin Moore Decorator White on the walls (my personal favourite white of all time). To ensure it didn't start to feel bland and boring we incorporated a lot of texture- mainly in the tiles. We used Daltile's Octagon & Dot mosaic on the floor, and their Florentine tile on the shower walls (ps, this tile is a glazed porcelain tile that has a marble design printed on it, so it is a great budget saving option). Having a mix of patterns and textures ensures a monochromatic colour scheme like this does not feel boring! We picked up the grey on the floor with the neutral grey in the Auguste vanity by Foremost.

2. Add architectural detail

Trim is one of my design secret weapons. The level of luxury you can acheive, for a very reasonable price point in material, is just incredible to me. Again, to ensure this white room did not feel too plain and basic, we added crown, applied moulding and baseboard in Metrie's Pretty Simple collection. Trim used to really overwhelm me- there are just so many options, sizes, profiles available on the market! But if you want to add a level of luxury through trim, but don't know where to start, Metrie has simplified the process with its curated Then & Now Finishing Collections. They take all the guesswork out by presenting coordinated lines. Each moulding element within each Collection has been meticulously designed, so every joint and reveal is seamless. I just love how it turned out in this bathroom project! 

3. Add natural, rustic elements

We needed some contrast against all the white so we incorporated some pieces from one of my favourite retailers Artemano. Artemano's buying team travels the world in search of modern solid wood furniture pieces, and other home decor accessories that add artisinal flair. This tree stump makes for a perfect perch for a wine glass or book while relaxing in the soaker tub. We added a small hit of a rustic wood shelf for candles adjacent to the tub. These little hits of contrast give the bathroom a grounded earthy element. And then let's talk candles- because no spa-like bathroom would be complete without them. Handcrafted candle holders in natural textures like concrete are definite essentials. 

4. Think of your plumbing fixtures like jewelry in the room

Bring on the bling with your plumbing fixtures. I like to think of plumbing fixtures like jewelry on an otherwise plain outfit- the jewelry makes it fancy. We used the Ara collection by Delta to bring a bit of a modern edge to this space with its geometric angles and edges. I love the contrast of the modern fixture next to the traditional soaker tub- it makes for such a bold statement! 

5. Add luxury wherever you can (without breaking the bank)

I wanted this bathroom to be as luxurious as possible, without breaking the bank entirely. We did this in a few ways. The first way was to build a custom shower with a bench. I love how grand it feels, and we kept costs reasonable by using pre-fabricated glass shower enclosures (as opposed to all custom glass) by The Shower House. In this same shower, we added body jets on the wall for a really invigorating shower experience. I added a decorative hamper, modern stool and this leaning towel ladder from Bouclair, which adds a gorgeous visual element and can show off plush, luxurious towels, and we heated the floors with a Nuheat flooring system for a little luxury on your feet post bathing.

Finally, my favourite luxury element in a bathroom are quality towels. I am a little obsessed with these striped Turkish cotton towels.   

And let's talk about this tub! This soaker tub has been with the homeowners for years, literally sitting in the garage just waiting for the perfect bathroom renovation. With a brand new coat of Newburry Port Blue I think she's the star of the show.

If you're embarking on a spa-like renovation and need some help I am here– I hope these tips get you closer to your own little spa-like oasis.

Special thanks to the brands mentioned above for partnering with me on this project. Photos by the talented Dann Tardiff.

Renovating is hard. Part of the reason renovating is so hard is the sheer number of decisions that need to be made – many of them costly ones. So to help you navigate one part of the decision making process and hopefully make renovating a little easier on you, I have partnered with Maytag to give a little insight into how to pick the best appliances for your family.

With almost 6 children (baby #6 is due in January!) my appliances need to be dependable. So when Maytag approached me to help another large family depend on Maytag, the Di Fonzo family, – a family with 6 grown sons living at home – I was thrilled. Fun fact: I grew up with the Di Fonzos! So it was even more meaningful for me to work on this project.

Rachel and Joe Di Fonzo and their 6 sons! 

So whether your family is large or small, if you're in the market for new appliances here are a few things for you to consider to make sure you make the right choice for your family:

1. Appliance size

Size is the first thing I would consider when selecting your appliances. Before getting her new extra-large capacity top load washer and extra-large capacity dryer, Rachel was doing laundry every single day. With the increase in size of the appliances (Rachel and Joe owned front load machines before), Rachel has cut her laundry time to every other day due to the increased load size. The extra-large capacity dryer has the space to dry 26 towels at once (!!!) to save precious energy and time. In some cases, where space might be an issue, stackable front loader units might be the best choice for a family. But hands down, the efficiency and time saved an extra-large capacity set will bring a family is pretty incredible. 

2. Look for features that will make your family's life easier

There are a ton of fun features available today with increased technology in appliances- but navigating them can be overwhelming. Look for features that will save you time and make your family's life easier. For example, my favourite feature in Rachel's new dryer is the Steam Refresh, which reduces wrinkles by using a fine mist in the heated dryer drum to refresh clothes with steam as they tumble. This saves time going to the dry cleaner, or standing there with a hand steamer and steaming clothing manually. Another example is Rachel's new fridge from the new fingerprint-resistant stainless steel kitchen line that resists streaks, smears or fingerprints. I have tested this myself personally- and it is pretty impressive how resilient the exterior of the appliances are, saving time cleaning up pesky fingerprints typically associated with stainless steel appliances. Look for the features that will make your life easier, based on your unique needs. 

3. Price

Price is a major factor to consider when selecting your kitchen or laundry room appliances. I don't have a formula or percentage of your overall budget that your appliances should take up- but my best advice is to spend as much as your budget will allow on appliances. Appliances are items that will work hard for your family, and do a lot of work for you. And when things do go wrong, look for a company that is willing to stand behind their product with a warranty and efficient service care.   

I recently hosted an event for Maytag where we introduced key media and influencers to the new lines of products. I wanted the space to feel as if you were sitting at Rachel's dining table- complete with lasagna and delicious Italian inspired treats:

And to learn more about Maytag's brand new product lines and my approach to helping family's thrive at home, check out some recent television interviews I've completed- click on the image to watch the clip. 

Special thanks to Maytag for partnering with me on this post.

The transition from Summer to Fall is probably my favourite- I just love how crisp the air gets and the changing colours of the leaves. It also presents my favourite time to swap out decor- when the furs, knits and cozy textiles come out. If you're craving a bit more cozy in your life, here are my favourite ways to create the coziest bedroom ever.

1. Start with a dark paint

It is no secret how much I love a dark hue in the bedroom. I think it's just so inviting and dramatic and can assist with creating an atmosphere for great sleep. So in this space (belonging to the son of Toronto Star writer Vicky Sanderson), we went with Black Sable by Delux. For added drama, go matte with the paint finish for a really chalky, rich, deep hue. When you go dark on the walls don't forget about the ceiling. Think about a textured or patterned wallpaper, or a ceiling paint tinted with at least 20% of the wall colour so the contrast isn't too harsh. 

2. Add textured wood

We worked with Artemano as a partner on this makeover and selected this incredible bed and pair of nightstands. The natural textures in the wood just scream cozy to me- and the handmade, artisanal quality of their products are just lovely and authentic. I am typically not a fan of buying a matching bed and nightstands, but in this case I wanted the species of wood to match. The natural colouring and texture of the wood provides ample variety in the pieces and since it's a fairly small room, the visual continuity of the wood bodes well in creating continuous sight lines. 

3. Create intimate display nooks

We carried the natural wood texture in this little study nook for Vicky's son. Made with inexpensive stained lumber, her son is able to display his favourite artifacts, memorabilia and photos on floating shelves over this sleek lacquered desk. For me, the accessories in a room tell a story and reveal so much about who lives there- so I always try to incorporate little vignettes in spaces I design. These little vignettes bring life and character to a room- and that to me screams cozy.

4. Add a mix of textiles

Coziness to me is all about textiles- and it is amazing how much impact changing out your textiles can make, in relatively little time. Add woolen blankets, a faux fur throw, heavy felt fabric pillows and knits for a really cozy mix on the bed. On the floor, a sheepskin rug or gorgeous wool patterned rug make all the difference- and again are relatively easy to swap out as the seasons change.  

How are you changing out your decor this season? Love to know in the comments below. 

Let me tell you how I live- I live in 1290 square feet on my main floor with 5 kids, one husband, and a baby coming in January! It is small- so if you live small too I FEEL YOU. And fear not, your living room can feel super large with a few strategies. Here are a few ways to do this:

1. Start with a great sofa

Note- it does not have to be small! I repeat- it does not have to be small. In my own living room, I have got a fairly grandiose sofa- meaning, it's got large rolled arms, lots of tufting, and I did not purchase it in the "condo / apartment size" section of a furniture store. It is big and bold and I love it. Make sure you leave enough room on either side of course for side tables- for example I wouldn't want the sofa to take up more than 3/4 of the wall, or determined space in an open concept living room. And why this works in a small space is reason #2…

2. Pair your great sofa with streamlined chairs

A large sofa can absolutely be successful in a small space as long as you pair it with smaller scale chairs. PLEASE DO NOT BUY THE SAME LARGE CHAIR THAT MATCHES YOUR LARGE SOFA. In a small space, this just isn't going to fly. Instea, choose pieces that have slender arms, have legs that elevate it off the floor so they appear not so bulky, or one of my favourite approaches in small spaces- use clear pieces like the ghost chair, or anything with metal mesh or negative space cutaways where you can actually see through the chair so the visual weight is reduced. I like putting a chair on either side of the sofa as per my image above- but of course if your small space allows consider adding small ottomans on the other side of the coffee table, o4 2 chairs on ether side of the sofa. 

3. Ground it all with a large rug

OK- you might think I'm nuts here- you want me to put a LARGE area rug in my SMALL living room? Go with me for a moment. A small rug that does not sit under all the furniture pieces breaks up the visual line. It creates choppy breaks, where your eye jumps from the foot of a chair, to the edge of the carpet, to the edge of the carpet again, to the edge of the sofa- and this is what we want to avoid. In a small space we want to create as harmonious of a visual sweep as possible. Think of how a camera pans across a room in a television show "reveal shot". Instead of interrupting the sweep with a bunch of broken lines that create visual chaos, your small space will feel so much more open and large without as many visual breaks- so go big on the rug and ensure it sits under all the pieces of furniture. 

4. Use pattern

Again I promise I am not nuts. Pattern in a small space? Isn't that going to be super overwhelming? I argue no- the key is to ensure you vary scale and keep things in a harmonious colour palette. As you can see in my own small living room, I went with a bold wallpaper- and kept other elements of the design like the carpet, and upholstery fabrics more neutral for balance. 

5. Use colour 

A harmonious colour palette, I argue, is a great way to ensure a space feels larger than it actually is. And yes- a lighter palette will help a space feel brighter and larger as well- but I wouldn't hesitate from using a dark colour in a small space as long as 1) it is your style and 2) your space is appropriately lit (large windows or sufficient layered lighting). Make sure you repeat a colour (like one of the ones you used in a patterned pillow or wallpaper) at least three times in a space to create visual harmony. 

We all strive to be healthy… right? If you're anything like me, you put working out and eating well on the goals list, eat healthy for a period and then it's right back to old habits again (poutine is my kryptonite). 

After working with the lovely Jenn Pike of The Simplicity Project on a collaboration on her kitchen, let me tell you am I motivated to get back to better habits again. I seriously want to be this woman when I grow up. Her simple approach to good nutrition, balance and harmony in the body is so inspiring- and we extended that same ethos to a kitchen and dining room transformation that I am pretty wild about. 

If you're embarking on a renovation, here are 5 easy ways to update your kitchen:

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1. Add a rustic touch

This is a trend that is sticking around- and it a great way to update your kitchen without necessarily having to make a big mess. Some reclaimed wood floating shelves, some gorgeous wooden trays or even just a big beautiful wooden cutting board are easy, simple ways to incorporate this trend. 

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We used this trend in Jenn's kitchen with this beautiful table and chair set, and hammered metal pendant lights from Artemano. Made from scratch from artisans sourced from all over the world, it's the handmade touch that makes this trend so popular. Look for items that have a handscraped element like this table and hand carved features like this gorgeous wooden tray set.

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If you're tackling the kind of reno where mess is necessary, consider using a hardwood floor with this same rustic element. Again a trend that is super popular but I argue will be around for a while is a floor with a handscraped element like this engineered hardwood from Torly's.

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2. Update an appliance or fixture

This is a really easy way to update the look of your kitchen without going through a huge reno. Usually it is fairly simple to replace an appliance of the same size, or a fixture like your kitchen faucet. In Jenn's kitchen (where she teaches cooking lessons and creates healthy recipes that are honestly to die for) we replaced her kitchen faucet with my favourite Delta Trinsic faucet and matching soap dispenser which boasts touch activated technology- so no fumbling with the faucet when your hands are covered in kitchen mess. You simply tap anywhere and water or a controlled amount of soap (magically) appear. The integrated pull down spout is my favourite aspect of the design of this faucet! 

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And then when you've enjoyed your healthy meal make clean up a breeze with an efficient dishwasher. I honestly don't know what I did without a dishwasher before- they simply make life easier so you can get back to enjoying time with your family. And this Whirlpool dishwasher has an intuitive sensor that measures how many dishes it needs to clean, and how dirty they are, so it can intuitively adjust itself to the right wash and dry settings. Doesn't get more simple than that! 

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3. Change your backsplash

The backsplash is one of the ways you can make a major visual win in the kitchen- on my design consultations it is usually one of the first things I recommend to swap out when you need a kitchen update. This Silver Fox backsplash by ErthCoverings provides another rustic element and just looks like a piece of art in Jenn's space.  Made of 100% high quality natural stone, and since the multi-height backsplash comes in large modular pieces (as opposed to individual small strips) installation is quick and clean.

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4. Update your cabinet hardware

Updating your exterior cabinet pulls is one way to create an update in your kitchen. But why not think about updating your interior hardware as well? In Jenn's kitchen we used GRASS soft-close cabinet and drawer hardware. Again, you might be thinking- what's the big deal with interior hardware? No one will see it? Well friends, as much as I want to create exterior beauty, I also want to create AMAZING function in my projects. And quality drawers and hinges that won't bang, slam, or pinch little fingers when in use is great function for me.  

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5. Add some colour

This is a fun, and really easy way to update a space and in Jenn's kitchen we had fun with the accessories. I think a space should really reflect the personality of its user- and Jenn is vivacious as they come! So we added pops of orange and teal in accessories from HomeSense. HomeSense is my go-to destination for home accessories at exceptional prices (also- fun fact- do you know they sell kitchen gadgets too? How cute it this orange toaster?!? If you're seeking smart design and great prices on coveted high-end small appliances, the exclusive HomeSense Privé Event launches September 15th at select locations with brand name appliances at prices 20-60% less than in specialty or department stores.).

Style a surface well by using a mixture of textures- I always try to incorporate natural woods and linens, shiny ceramics, sparkly glass, and matte concrete in a space for a modern, on trend look. And don't be afraid of colour- especially in a neutral space (the paint colour is a neutral Cabot Trail by Benjamin Moore), the pops of orange and teal are fun and lively. 

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Kitchens really are the heart of the home- and it's a joy for me to help families thrive. If you're looking to thrive in your health goals, definitely check out Jenn Pike and The Simplicity Project.  And if this has gotten you inspired to do you own kitchen re-fresh, I'd love to know what tip you might employ in the comments below!

Special thanks to photographer Dann Tardiff, and to the brands mentioned above who partnered with me by supplying product for this kitchen makeover. 

If you’d rather watch me talk about how you can make easy updates to your kitchen check out my YouTube video below:

If you liked these tips, and want more interior design strategy straight in your inbox, enter your email for my top 10 interior design faux pas and how to avoid them:

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My backyard! It is done! And I cannot wait to share the full reveal with you right here. 

I approached my backyard in a similar way to how I design my interiors- with strategic and practical solutions customized to my family's unique values and lifestyle. 

And I am so so thrilled with the results. And today I am letting you in on my design process so you too can tackle your renovation like a pro. Here are some really important questions to consider when planning an outdoor renovation. 

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1. Determine your entertaining zones

Very similar to how I would plan any interior space, think about the "zones" or activities you want in your backyard. For example, do you want a place for lounging, eating, kids to do crafts, kids to play sports, space to prep meals, a pool, etc? Figure out your priorities and then divide your space accordingly. My backyard is really small (30' x 50') so I don't have a ton of room to utilize so we kept the layout fairly simple-  a 20' x 25' area for lounging, a 10' x 10' area for eating, and the remaining space for kids to play. 

We used black pavers to delineate the areas in a border with light grey pavers for contrast. If you have seen some of my other projects, you will observe I love a patterned floor- and the border gives just enough detail for me keeping in mind the minimal aesthetic I was going for. 

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2. Determine your budget

When I meet with people for 2-hour interior design consultations and I ask what their budget is, I often get blank stares. But when I press them and ask if they have $50,000 for example to spend, it often reveals a concrete budget number.

Set an actual budget- because unlike interior design, I would say there is less variety in cost of materials in outdoor goods. Meaning, with a chair for example, you can search long and hard and find something you like that also might fit your desired budget. For outdoor materials, I would say you are simply more limited. So one must be even more strategic in spending their budget wisely. 

For my 30' x 50' backyard I was quoted as high as $100,000 dollars for my entire backyard and fence (eep!) and then as low as $15,000 for a very basic clean up. We landed around $30,000 in the end for complete excavation, new pressure treated lumber fence (cost saving option), black mulch, modern pavers (moderate option) and then all the fun decorative stuff (a mix of high and low- see full source guide at the end of this post).

Bottom line, whether your budget is $10k or $100k, actually set a budget because it will really determine the kinds of materials you can use and the professional services you can work with.  

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3. Determine how high maintenance you want the space to be

I kill a lot of plants involuntarily- and my children are serious rough and tumble small people- so I knew that I wanted a basically maintenance free backyard. 

So we put in artificial grass, selected plants that will be really hearty and require little sun / water to survive, and really focused on using contrast of materials to define areas and create visual interest. 

So whether you love to garden or don't know your weeds from your flowers, pick materials that will serve your family best. If you want to mow your lawn in a really low maintenance way, check out this Automower by Husqvarna!

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4. Create a colour scheme

The same way I always allow a pillow, drapery fabric, or piece of art work inform my colour palette in my interior work- do the same for the exterior. In my case, I wanted the space to read very minimal- so we kept all the materials very neutral and cooler in tone. And then with my accessories (all extremely affordable pieces from Walmart) we stayed with a palette of navy, teal and lime green, in keeping with some of the textiles and fun dish ware. The pop of colour against an otherwise neutral background is pop and youthful. Ensure you repeat a colour multiple times for the most cohesive look.

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5. Consider integrating technology 

The final thing to consider to really look like a pro is technology. There are so many options for integrating sound into your backyard- but don't let sound be the only thing you consider. Consider bringing in wifi to make the space your outdoor office, a projector to turn any evening into a movie night, and where space allows a television integrated into a built in covered unit for real wow-factor. And regardless, make sure you run power back there so you can plug in an outdoor air cooler- cause how awesome is that for your guests!

I am so thrilled with the outcome of my backyard and so happy to share it with you! A massive word of thanks to the team at Heartscapes Landscaping who worked very hard (and were very accommodating to my picky interior design-y detail oriented requests) and to the brands who partnered with me by providing products that my family are thoroughly enjoying.

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Source guide: 

Loveseat, arm chairs, coffee table, lanterns, decorative pillows, bar cart, blankets, towels, green planters, umbrella, carpet for picnic, outdoor cups, plates, platters- Walmart

Genesis gas grill- Weber

Outdoor air cooler- Honeywell

Custom outdoor table- One One Eleven Designs

Artificial grass- The Home Depot 

Black pergola- Lowe's

Photos by Larry Arnal.

If you liked these design tips and need some more, I invite you to download my Top 10 Interior Design Faux Pas- and how to avoid them. 

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Special thanks to Metrie for partnering with me on this post. 

When I was just starting out as a young designer, I did not understand interior mouldings. Crown mouldings, baseboards, trim, chair rail- it was all very confusing to me. The vast number of options available when I would visit a lumber retailer would make me go cross eyed. I just found it really overwhelming.  

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1. A TRULY CUSTOM LOOK

Lisa Canning bedroom

2. HIGH ELEGANCE FOR LOW INVESTMENT

3. ADD POLISH TO UNEXPECTED SPACES

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4. ADD DETAIL TO THE 5TH WALL

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5. THEY FINISH A SPACE

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I love a good gallery wall. They can tell a really compelling story, and for this reason I love putting them in the homes of families I work with. But creating a gallery wall can be difficult- what goes in one? What colours do you use? Or do you do them all black and white? Do the frames all have to match?

So today I thought I would tackle some really basic principles on how to create a gallery wall- with a small twist. As a busy mom who runs a business and a household with a ton of kids, I am prone to feelings of overwhelm on the regular. So for a gallery wall in my own home, I wanted the wall to act as a motivational center of sorts- an area where I can quietly recollect, re-connect with my why, and feel empowered and focused when the demands of life are hard. So if you're looking to create a gallery wall as unique as you, here are my top strategies:

1. Create a motivational statement that connects you with your why

This wall is in my home gym- where let me tell you is a room that hears me complain A LOT. Whether it be in exercise, or in life, we all get discouraged and need to pick ourselves back up from time to time. This statement, on how I define success, really helps keep me going when I am feeling unsure: success is life designed around what matter most.  Your statement might come from a phrase you say a lot, a religious scripture, a famous quote, or a favourite poem. Dig deep within yourself and think about something that will help you gain clarity and focus when you need it. 

Now to display your quote so you can be reminded of it when you really need it. Once I figured out my text I used CanvasPop's Word Art Maker and with the help of a template I plugged in my phrase, changed some fonts and colours, selected the frame colour and material and voila- I've got my personal motto framed and on the wall to enjoy. It gives me so much clarity when I stand in front of it and read it!

2. Select images that remind you of your why

As per my motivational statement above, I design my life around what matters most. And right up there on the most list is my family. So I selected a few images of my crazy cookie family of 5 kids ages 7 and under to display in this gallery wall. When our fifth child was born, we did a really special family photoshoot with Toronto based photographer Katherine Holland. The family shot in particular really captures the unique personalities of my children. These photos basically just hung out on my computer enjoyed by no one (although a few made their way onto my instagram feed), so the ability to have these in the flesh, printed on canvas to enjoy was so special to me. I may have shed a tear when I opened the box. 

For the family shot I used the CanvasPop photo editor, to upload the image from my computer, and then opted for the canvas wrap option along the edges, and for the lower image of my 2 boys, I selected a white frame to surround the edges of the canvas for some variety and to make the wall feel polished. 

Depending on the space, I am a believer in mixing it up- while there is something wonderfully classic and demure about matching finishes on frames, I can also equally get behind the mix of all kinds of finishes. In this space it was important to me to let the photographs do the talking so I kept the frame finishes to black and white.  

3. Use a unified colour palette

I did not want the gallery wall to be too overwhelming colour wise since my home gym isn't that big, and it has a seriously graphic carpet. So I used photos from the same photoshoot as I knew the colours would all coordinate, and kept the rest of the wall text based for a graphic element. 

Whether you play it safe and go all black and white (which is classic and more traditional), or you mix your colours (a playful and modern approach), keep to a unified colour palette to keep the look cohesive. 

I hope this post has inspired you to create a little motivational area in your own home! Special thanks to CanvasPop who partnered with me on this post and provided these beautiful canvases. I must say, for someone like me who does not have a lot of time to "tinker" with things, the design process and image upload procedure was nice and swift- and I had my prints delivered to my door in a matter of days. 

Gallery walls can really tell the story of you and your family- and I would love to know yours! Please tag me in any of your social media posts sharing your unique gallery wall so I can cheer you on : ) 

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I love designing kitchens- they are like a fun puzzle, especially when you get to start from scratch like I did in this recent kitchen above (photographed by the lovely Valerie Wilcox for Style At Home).

But it's not always necessary to start from scratch. Sometimes- like in this kitchen I am tackling for the One Room Challenge- all you need are small tweaks to take the most dated of kitchens and make it shine.

Oh boy- having done the One Room Challenge twice before (my laundry room and my home gym), week 4 is reliably a challenging week! It's usually the week I need to call in some crazy special favours- and while this time around I'm not working on my own house, the homeowners have been doing an incredible job of rolling up their sleeves! But there's still so much to coordinate and plan for in the next 2 weeks ahead. 

This dated kitchen at a cottage property that is very special to me (I recently began my month sabbatical relaxing in this space!) was really dated. But with strategic design and small changes this kitchen is going to be a gem.

Fast update: CertainTeed insulation is in- yay to a warm kitchen:

So much of the space has been painted white. Doors have been taken down, holes drilled, and prepped for their Grass quiet close hardware. And of course winter returned to the lake:

Will spring ever actually get here and stay? Fingers crossed by the time this year's challenge is over this lake is glistening in the sun. 

To see some of the incredible things that the featured 20 designers have cooking up check them out here, and the fun party that is the guest participants here. 

Every time I have renovated some kind of drama has ensued. Sometimes, it's happy drama, like how emotional I got when my new window was installed in my living room. (I cried, you can watch the waterworks here). Other times, it is dramatic drama, like how I was convinced the stress of renovating my laundry room in 6 weeks was going to send me into full on labour with my fifth child. And many times, you just have to laugh. I recall a time working on a Property Brothers Show where a light fell from the ceiling moments before revealing it to the homeowners and it literally took a camera man, a sound guy, and me some serious ingenuity to get the light to stay in place for the shot. Insert laughter here! 

For this cottage project I am tackling for the One Room Challenge (you can get caught up on this fun design adventure here and here), I had a fun chuckle. Check it out:

As you can see there was a tin backsplash, and it came down super quick (which is usually a bad sign). The backsplash was held up with adhesive and it revealed little to no insulation behind it on what used to be an exterior wall (an addition was added to the cottage at some point as you can see through the window it has been turned into a bedroom). Moisture and the impact of Canadian cold winters and hot summers and the mix of heating a space on the inside when it is cold out and cooling with when it is hot out had done its damage and so unexpectedly, the wall had to be completely re-insulated. 

This is why I always recommend you have a reserve fund of at least 15-20% for the unexpected things that occur during a renovation.

Thankfully my clients had some CertainTeed sustainable insulation left over from a previous project. It’s called ‘sustainable’ because it is made with recycled and renewable content including a plant-based binder that is formaldehyde-free and contains no harsh acrylics, dyes or unnecessary chemicals. We used the highest R-value we could get our hands on (the rule-of-thumb on R-value selection is the colder the climate, the higher the R-value required- and it gets mighty cold on a Canadian lake in the winter!) and I'm thankful that we were able to tackle this now and set this family up for success as once the right insulation is in the walls it will last for the life of the home with no additional maintenance required. It conserves energy and saves you money- and that is always a good thing. If this was still an exterior wall I would have added MemBrane Vapour Barrier  and called it a day! 

Well- we didn't exactly call it a day there. 

We tried out these cute knobs we sprayed in Krylon's Satin Oxford Blue- cute, right?

And we're testing out these floating shelves that I think will look darling in place of the closed cabinet that was there originally. 

In my 8 years of renovating for TV shows and my clients in Toronto and beyond, I have learned that renovations are hardly ever easy- but they are mad fun and so rewarding to watch come together. 

Want to see more? Check out what the featured 20 designers are up to here and what the linking participants are up to here. Stay tuned next week for more progress : )

Physical fitness has recently become a big time priority to me, as I revealed in a blog post last week. So much so, that for the last One Room Challenge, I decided to makeover my home gym. If you're going to exercise, which let's face it, is hard work- and if you're anything like me, getting to the gym can be quite the endeavor (if my trainer did not show up at my house I would still be in the 3-poutine a week shape I once was in). So I chose to create a space that would make working out fun and inspiring. Here are 5 essentials to a modern home gym that you'll actually work out in:

1. A FUN PATTERNED FLOOR

I think a gym is a really fun place to try out a bold patterned floor. A pattern this intense might be a bit too much for a bedroom for example, but in a space where energy is literally required for exercise, I think it's a fun design decision. There are tons of ways to achieve a patterned floor- I used FLOR carpet tiles that come in pre-designed configurations (or of course you can customize your own!). 

2. ARCHITECTURAL MOULDINGS

When I think of typical gym designs, I think of clip on wall to wall mirrors, and not a ton of style. Consider adding details that would be applied in a residential setting- like crown and applied mouldings. The level of elegance and modern edge when painted out a uniform colour is so fun and unexpected in a gym I argue- and bonus, if you ever want to convert the space back to a bedroom, it will be one elegant space. I used Metrie's Very Square collection for baseboards, crown and applied moulding. 

3. A LEANING MIRROR 

Again, instead of a wall-to-wall mirror, I opted to go with a casual leaning mirror (picked up for a steal at HomeSense!). You can check out your form and bounce off some light- but again it feels more residential and decor based than it does a commercial gym. I flanked mine with some really adorable (and also crazy inexpensive) sconces from Canadian Tire's Canvas colelction. 

4. BAR FRIDGE

I was a bit skeptical at how much we would actually use this fridge (our house is not so big that you can't walk next door to grab a drink). But when you've got a hundred kids like I do, and your "you time" is precious and few, it is pretty amazing to lock the door, crank the music, and enjoy a beverage uninterrupted. Keep the fridge stocked with bottles of water, apples, and if budget allows fantastic pressed juices- I love Juice Matters.

5. INTEGRATED SOUND SYSTEM

This is an amazing element to factor in to your budget- the sound on our integrated Sonos system is so great- and so practical to exercise to as no cables or cords get in the way. Sonos players are controlled by your phone and we stream music off our iTunes account, Spotify or local radio. The sound is so robust and a fun addition to our mdoern home gym.

What are your essentials when working out at home? Love to know in the comments below. 

The Toronto Gift Fair, a sprawling trade-only show where store buyers purchase all the goods that show up on our retail shelves is on right now and I'm giving you the inside scoop on what will be hitting the floors the nation over this 2016. Show ambassadors Glen Peloso and Jamie Alexander took me on a tour of the top spots- so grab a latte and stay while- here are the trends that are here to stay.  

1. Metals are meant to be mixed

As I shared in my live Periscope with Glen and Jamie (you can catch the replay here), metals are meant to be mixed. Rose gold is still a thing, gold is more brushed and antiqued than it is shiny,  and chrome can be thrown into the mix too as exemplified by booths like Bovi Home and Torre and Tagus.

2. Grey is still a big thing

Grey was everywhere at the show- which means that it is still here to stay. It's not waning- but what I observed is that is it is warm- by using warmer tones of grey / layering it with a ton of textures, natural fibers, mix of mattes and high shine. Indaba's booth was a master at this mix.

3. Text on anything is still in

While I am not a fan of using text in obvious cheesy ways, the trend of text in interior decor isn't going anywhere. Handwritten saying on pillows were all over the floor, as were the popular handwritten sayings on mugs, journals and other paper products. 

4. Natural woods among modern forms

The contrast of a live edge wood against a glass top or a metal leg was pretty huge. Jamie and Glen shared their favourite ways to incorporate wood into any decor style in this Periscope replay with me.

5. Retro throwbacks

Particularly at Canadian designed brand Danica, whimsical, fresh interpretations of very retro themes were all the rage. Think corningware like your mom had but in fresh bright colours and graphic patterns. 

My thanks to Jamie and Glen for the personal tour of the show, which is open to the trade until this Thursday. See all these trends hit the shelves of your fav retailers throughout the year. And of course, if you need help integrating these trends into your home, you know who to call. 

I really can’t believe this year is coming to a close! I’m currently working through Michael Hyatt’s 5 Days to Your Best Year Ever and it’s always a great exercise to celebrate past wins and evaluate how I can improve. This past year saw the arrival of baby #5, I finished my laundry room, and my gym, and made my body go through its own before and after with hiring a trainer and finally exercising again. 

As I was looking back I thought I would end this year off with my round up of 10 amazing before and after transformations that I’ve encountered this past year. It is amazing what a well designed space can do to elevate your mood, improve functionality and set the stage for amazing relationships, memories and fun.

1.   Hi Sugarplum: bold and bright living room

This room is just delicious. I want to eat it. I find the magenta and marine blue such a polished combination and look at Cassie in this shot for the One Room Challenge reveal- she is just adorable. And also, she was on the cover of Redbook this year. Amazing. See the entire transformation of this room fabulous here (photos via Hi Sugarplum). 

2. The Curated House: luxe laundry

Sarah is a dear friend of mine and I love this transformation as much as I love her. Gorgeous tile, calligraphy labels, those amazing pulls! So much to love. See the full One Room Challenge transformation here (photos via The Curated House).

3. Erica Cook: surprise son’s bedroom

I have admired the beautiful Erica Cook from afar for years- a fellow mom of 5 kids, I just love how she makes motherhood look so attractive (and glam!). I’d really like to live in her closet. Her son, who she created this room for as a surprise as part of the #CILPremiumBeauty contest we both participated in (see my bathroom here), must love this fresh space! I love Erica’s timeless, yet always super glam, approach to decor (photos via Moth Design).

4. IKEA: IDS15 Style At Home booth

I could not find a before picture of the trade show booth- but anyone else remember this amazing booth Style At Home magazine did for the Interior Design Show 2015? Using Ikea’s new line of Sektion cabinetry, they created a beautiful, Parisian inspired kitchen FULL OF BREAD. Fantastic drama with the repetition of black cabinets (photos via Ikea’s Pinterest page).

5. House of Jade: Jane’s room

Look at this girl! And that giant chicken! I am obsessed with the bright colours, layers of pattern and overall whimsy. For me the Minted oversize art piece was such a bold selection- that I might have second guessed and not had the guts to do if it were me. But look how successful it is in application! It’s amazing. See the full tour of this One Room Challenge space here (photos via House of Jade).

6. Jill Sorensen: kitchen contrast

It’s pretty bold to go with a blue island and this hue of yellow for upholstered chairs- which is why I love this space. The contrast is fun and unexpected. Also loving the Lewis Dolan brass pulls, pendants, and the fact that since this was part of the One Room Challenge blog event and things sometimes don’t work out in time, Jill is still smiling and pulled some serious missions to make it look amazing. See the full tour here (photos via Jill Sorensen). 
 

7. Donna Bishop: kitchen design by Lisa Canning Interiors

Donna Bishop, eco beauty / lifestyle expert and founder of Green Beauty, approached me to design her kitchen with entertaining as the main factor. So we designed a HUGE communal island where all her guests could congregate. I’m obviously biased because I designed it, but I love the mix of barn board, matte floors and veneer walnut uppers. You can see the rest of this kitchen in the feature Style At Home did on it here (photos by the fab Valerie Wilcox for Style At Home). 

8. Deb McCain: sunny kitchen design by Sarah Richardson

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Deb McCain on a few press projects and this kitchen is just as sunny as her personality. Designed by Sarah Richardson, I enjoy the mix of patterns from the striped floors to the organic painterly window covering print. See the full tour here (before image via Deb McCain’s instagram, after images via Chatelaine).

9. Swoon Worthy: pink patterned office

Can you tell I am obsessed with colour and pattern? Don’t get me wrong, I love a demure quiet room too- I just appreciate so much when people are gutsy and go for it. Colour and pattern can intimidate people that’s for sure- but when they are embraced and are executed well the results can be pretty inspiring. Such as this transformation done for the One Room Challenge by Swoon Worthy. I love the pink and black combo and mix of scale of the wallpaper and rug. See the full reveal here (photos via Swoon Worthy).

10. Honey We’re Home: lavender nursery

Many things to love about this space- the soft palette, the striped ceiling, gorgeous rug. I love when nurseries feel elegant as opposed to overly themed- this room will transition so well with this little girl. Another One Room Challenge space to use Minted art so well! Meet Megan and her beautiful blog here. Photos via Honey We’re Home. 

11. Kimberly Schlegel Whitman: English living room

There is so much decorative goodness in this room, you really need to make a cup of Earl Grey and enjoy this space done by Kimberly Schlegel Whitman. It is full of visual stories, visual texture, and just tons of great design principles- and a fireplace fender with seating that is incredible. Go make your cuppa and read the details on this One Room Challenge space here. Photos via Kimberly Schlegel Whitman. 

12. TIFF lounges presented by Scott Brothers Entertainment

For the past couple of years I have worked as Lead Designer for the Property Brothers on their show Buying and Selling with the Property Brothers. This August, the brothers were asked to produce some fun spaces at the CBC for the Toronto International Film Festival’s annual conference- and in 48-hours we overhauled the building and transformed 2 green rooms and the lobby in the brothers’ signature modern style. We hand assembled a MASSIVE FLOR custom carpet that celebs and delegates walked on in the lobby and incorporated some gorgeous hand painted pillows by Hollie Cooper Interiors. Could not have pulled off the 48-hour overhaul without an incredible team including Vanessa Suppa pictured above with Drew and Jonathan Scott! Photos by Larry Arnal and Mike Dizon. 

13. The English Room: ping pong / dining room mash-up

This space completed for the One Room Challenge is gutsy, ballsy (pardon the ping pong pun!) and fun. And even better- versatile. The ping pong table cleverly converts to a dining table- what a fun fiesta. See the conversion here  photos via The English Room.

14. The Zhush: builder basic bathroom 

This beautiful bathroom room is a great example of how small tweaks can make a big impact. The builder basic bathroom room was really very basic- but look what happens when you add pattern on the walls and texture on the ceiling. Super smart that the palette was kept very neutral- with gorgeous bling in the faucet and hardware. Simple, but so impactful. See more goodness here photos via The Zhush.

15. Vanessa Francis: Parisian bedroom

Vanessa is so good at creating soft, soothing, inspiring, elegant spaces. I love the use of trim in this space she completed for the One Room Challenge and the incorporation of painterly florals.
See the rest of the room here, photos via Vanessa Francis. 

If you liked these transformations and are dying to create your own in your home, I’ve got you covered- download my “10 key strategies to a magazine worthy space” by leaving your email below. It’s full of strategies employed in the rooms above with practical quick wins to make your home amazing. 

It's week 5 of the One Room Challenge, an online challenge to get a room designed and finished in 6 weeks hosted by Linda at Calling It Home. My favourite part about it is the camaraderie that exists between all the participants as we race towards the end. It's week 5, which is so close to the end, where in my case so much still needs to happen.

I was remarking to my girlfriend and fellow ORC participant Sarah that the ORC is like childbirth. When you're doing it, you're like WHY ON EARTH AM I DOING THIS AGAIN, THIS IS SO HARD!!!! But when it's done, you are so blissfully in love, satisfied and unbelievably grateful.

It's a short and sweet update from me this week as there is just so much still to happen in 7 days- but to my fellow ORC participants, WE CAN DO THIS! Check out the featured 20 designers here and the rest of the guest participants here. See you next week for the reveal! 

I am always astounded by how difficult decisions for my own house are. For clients, I can make decisions at lightening speed. For television sets, we simply don't have time to ponder things for too long. Yet in my own house, I can think and think and think and think and basically be paralyzed over the vast number of decisions that a decorating project can hold.

This was me earlier this week. While I was working on my CIL Beauty on a Small Budget paint project, I basically stood in my bathroom in utter paint paralysis. I held up the paint chips. I did the CIL online visualizer. I even took it to social media to get help, feeling utterly silly that something as simple as paint was causing me so much stress.

And then I remembered it's just paint. And paint is simple.  

So I took the first step, purchased some paint testers and here's where I have landed: 

As you can see (actually it's kind of hard to see as this room is such a mess of peachy pink paint which is reflecting on EVERYTHING and drywall still needing to be patched) I am trying to decide between a white and a black. Sounds simple doesn't it? Not in my indecisive head. So here's my dilemma- do I do:

A) Dark Secret on the walls? Result will be really moody and dramatic.

OR 

B) Go White Wisteria on the walls? Result will be polished and bright. 

Can you help me pick?!?!?!? 

I have partnered with CIL Paints on the Beauty on a Small Budget contest. The Beauty on a Small Budget contest challenges Canadians to make a room beautiful on a small budget using CIL Premium paint. So pick your space- paint out the fireplace, change up your favourite accent chair, or tackle the walls- and simply post a photo of your completed space on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram with the paint can in the photo and the hashtag #CILPremiumBeauty. 

The grand prize will consist of a two-hour home design consultation with either myself, style-maven Erica Cook, or editor-extraordinaires Earl Einarson and Jan Halvarson from Poppytalk (pending location of winner) and $5,000 CDN in The Home Depot gift cards.

For today, I am making it even easier for you to enter by giving away TWO $250 gift cards to The Home Depot! Here's what you have to do to enter:

◦ Hop on over to Instagram and share a photo on Instagram of YOUR #CILPremiumBeauty paint project documenting your progress 

◦ Include #CILPremiumBeauty hashtag and tag me [@lisacanning] in caption

◦ Tell me in your caption what colour I should paint my walls: Dark Secret or White Wisteria

Entry open from October 21, 2015 to 11:59 p.m. on November 2, 2015. Winners (2) will be selected at random and will be announced on my blog on November 2 and on Instagram. Open to Canadian residents only.

Can't wait to see what you're up to and thanks for helping me pick. Don't forget paint is simple- and the results can be beautiful : )

So excited to share that a project I am so proud to have completed is in this month's Style At Home. I completed this project which we tagged as #riverdalereno across my social media platforms so feel free to take a peek at all the behind the scenes process shots. 

I met homeowner Donna Bishop in 2011 in the greenroom of the Marilyn Denis Show. We were both presenting segments about our niches, me design and Donna beauty with an eco lens, and while waiting for our live segments she shared with me the incredible story of how her life changed forever when her son developed cancer at the age of 2. After his successful battle, she went on a mission to eradicate potentially cancer causing agents from her family's life- starting with her make-up kit. This has led to her becoming a sought after expert in the area of eco-beauty, and the creation of her salon Green Beauty, specializing in products and services that are clean, healthy and safe for all. I became a regular Green Beauty client, and over the years we became friends- so when she asked if I would help her family undergo the renovation of their Toronto home I was so excited for the challenge.

Given Donna's platform around eco consciousness, we made lots of intentional decisions to be responsible with materials used. We reused several pieces of furniture in the new space. We donated everything we could to families who could benefit. We reclaimed materials like the barn board that came from a barn in Acton, Ontario, and made pillows out of drapery that hung in the original house. 

There was a ton of strategic design that went on to maximize this small space for the clients. We planned the use of every single drawer before we built the kitchen. We intentionally created a separate pantry area with dedicated space for a beverage sink, juicer and coffee maker. 

Here's a peek at the other side of the kitchen that the magazine didn't include- we created a custom desk and eating area area and re-used a chair and piano bench that we had recovered from the original house. 

I'm incredibly grateful to my clients Donna Bishop and Stephen Keith for trusting me with their house and their family and giving me freedom to do what I do best- with a ton of strategy and intention, create a home that will allow a family to thrive. Thanks to Ann Marie Favot and Christine Hanlon from Style At Home, and thanks to Valerie Wilcox for capturing the images on the pages of the magazine.  

Photos in blog post provided by the super contracting team on this project Black General Contracting.

Where possible in my home and in my business I try to operate as eco-friendly as possible. This includes composting, recycling, reducing paper use, and using energy-efficient light bulbs. But let's keep it real- the spiral shaped bulbs are not the most attractive. And with exposed bulbs being so popular in design right now they aren't the most esthetically pleasing choice. 

Say hello to the Nanoleaf Gem, as shown on the ends of my Atelier Nomade rope light installation in my daughter's room. 

When a bulb is exposed like this it really is crucial that the actual bulb looks fabulous too. The Nanoleaf Gem satisfies that and then some with its faceted design and opaque white colour. It casts a soft warm white colour which is so lovely (compared to the more harsh white of typical energy-efficient bulbs) and it's shatter resistant which is great for a home with small kids like mine. Unlike other LEDs, which are too bright and harsh for atmosphere lighting, the Nanoleaf Gem is the first LED that has the same inviting light as an incandescent while using just a fraction of the energy. 

They are launching this new product today on Earth Day. Here's to great design that also helps conserve on energy. Where do you try to conserve energy in your home? Love to know in the comments below. 

Today begins the crazy interior design adventure that is the One Room Challenge. If you aren't familiar, it's a blog series / audacious challenge organized by the wonderful Linda at Calling It Home. Read all about the challenge on her blog here. 

I'm participating as a linking participant, which means that in addition to the 20 bloggers Linda will be featuring, I will be doing my project in REAL TIME as well. One room in 6 weeks= mad adventure. So come by every Thursday for the crazy week-by-week play by play.

I am tackling my laundry room. Hold your breath, here it is:

I'm going to be asking A LOT of my laundry room. It needs to be a little mud room of sorts for my soon to be 5 kids, a folding space / storage space for all of our laundry (it's a lot) and storage for stuff I access on the regular like props for styling gigs. I will be doing this project very much in real time- so today I'll be sitting down and finalizing all the design plans and confirming what materials to order so I can order them STAT. I hope you'll join along!

Some inspiration for my floors (image via):

And my cabinets:

And of course I need a small industrial influence of some kind (image via):

Here are the featured 20 in One Room Challenge: Jana Bek – Autumn Clemons – Coco+Kelley – The English Room – Vanessa Francis – Greige Design – Hi Sugarplum – I Heart Organizing – Jenna Sue Design – Stephanie Kraus – The Pursuit of Style – Julia Ryan – Savvy Home – Simple Details – Simply Grove – 6th Street Design – Jill Sorensen – Swoon Worthy – Waiting on Martha – Kimberly Schlegel Whitman And to see the awesome people (150 plus!!!) who are linking along click here.

 Finally, follow along with the hashtag #oneroomchallenge for all the crazy mad design fun. 

For the last 5 years I have been fortunate to work on some great HGTV shows including with the Property Brothers and For Rent. While some timelines on design shows are slightly altered for story telling purposes, one thing that is 100% factual is I usually style the space 48-hours before they are revealed on camera due to back to back renovations and crazy timelines. 

What does "style the space" mean? It means that I begin with an empty room, and then in 48-hours it is brought to camera ready perfection including furniture, accessories, drapery and artwork. It's normally a team of at least 3-4 people including an art installer and handy person for furniture assembly and other odds and ends.  

This experience has been really helpful to me as last week we finally, actually, completed our #canningreno. Pictures are hung, pillows are placed, all the little details that go in to making a space have personalized character are finally here. We did it all for a fun media project I am working on (more on that in a future post!) but because of that I was on a crazy deadline and the bulk of it happened in a 48-hour frenzy. 

So for today's post, I thought I would share some tips that might help you finish off a project in your house that you haven't been able to commit to finishing. You don't need a media deadline to make a deadline happen (although it is helpful let me tell you!) but to give you a push here are some strategies to help you style and finish a room in 48-hours.

1. IMPOSE A DEADLINE

For me it was media deadlines that got me mega motivated to finish- but it can be something as simple as a birthday party, long weekend, or maternity leave that can be a hard deadline and motivate you to finish. Experience has shown me with clients, that once you move in to a space and you get used to seeing it a certain way (i.e. ugly: no drapery, original light fixtures, original paint, no art, etc) you get so used to it and it becomes normal. If you're a new homeowner and you have just moved in, resist the temptation to wait. Because you won't do it. Set a deadline and stick to it- you will be so happy you did! 

Then if you are going to do the whole 48-hour thing, book some friends, book time off work, for the 48-hours before this deadline and get her done! 

2. MAKE LISTS

For the purposes of this post I am going to assume major items have been completed in your space: all renovation type stuff like painting, millwork, any construction. This needs it's own timeline beyond the scope of this post, Move in your major furniture pieces and then take stock of what is missing. In our experience working on TV shows and going through what I did last week, here are the major items that contribute to styling: 

major furniture (sofas, tables, principle chairs, etc)
rugs
drapery
pillows
throws
side tables
lamps
sconces
art on walls
frames on surfaces
table top accessories (trays, books, candles, sculptures, clocks, cloches, vases, etc)
baskets
flowers
accent furniture (ottomans, poofs, accent chairs, small side tables, etc.)

Make your list of missing items and then divide them by retailer. For example, this past week to get my house done for my shoot I made trips to the following retailers for all the small items (basically everything but furniture): Elte, Elte Mkt, Bouclair, Indigo, HomeSense, Michael's, Home Outfitters, and then HomeSense 5 more times (just kidding, but not really). 

When you are working with a 48-hour period, you have got to grab stuff that is off the rack and ready to go. These retailers above all fall into that category. Also, they all have good return policies so buy more than you need and return stuff after.

You always need more than you think. 
 

3. DIVIDE AND CONQUER

In point 1 I mentioned book friends to come over for the 48-hour period. Make sure one of them is handy, or hire a handy person to bring tools over and do some of the installation related things if you are not handy yourself. This is the order I typically do things, and I usually divide my team accordingly:

Phase 1: Put in all major furniture. Assemble as needed.

Phase 2: Lay out rugs, select from options. If you are 100% certain about the rugs do them first- you may have to pull out all the furniture in order to lay the rugs properly. Use an underpad. 

Phase 3: Hang drapery and install art and any hanging shelves or mirrors. I do this before accessories as I want to pull accent colours out of the artwork and use in pillows, throws, accessories, etc. 

Phase 4: plop in what I call "grounding" accessories like pillows, throws, trays on tables, books on side tables, lamps.

Phase 5: layer in small layering accessories like vases, small sculptures, picture frames, other shiny things. 

4. SCHEDULE

On Property Brothers especially, this is how we scheduled our 48-hours. It totally works as a schedule for a 48-hour marathon decorating bonanza.

DAY 1

9am- arrive to site, unload cars, note any random deficiencies or paint touch ups you will have to take care of later. 

10am- if furniture is not in the space already, load in all major pieces. I love working with Home Installers, Avery Moving, and Metric Movers for pick up, drop off and installation of large pieces. 

11am- take stock. Look around and make a list of all the stuff you still need to grab from the accessories list. Arrange by retailers and get in to cars and go!

12pm- eat on the run! I love grabbing a quick lunch at Elte when I can swing it! 

5pm- return home with all your goodies. Unload. I like to organize everything into like items: pillows, small accessories, shiny things etc. I also like to put them in an area out of the way so you aren't moving things 10 times- like a hallway or foyer. Eat a power dinner!

Start to style- Move things around, keep trying things until you are happy with groupings. I try to work as long as I can into the evening so you can be far ahead for the next day.

DAY 2

9am- With fresh eyes, look at the space and see if there are any holes you need to fill- what else do you need to find or buy to make the space feel complete? 

10am- Shop again to fill in any gaps you might be missing. Return anything that didn't make the cut. 

1pm- Come home and style again. Just keep working until you are happy with compositions, try things in different areas, styling really is part instinct, part experience, part trial and error. 

Work until you are happy! Not that I suggest this, but there were definitely some VERY late nights working until we were satisfied. It really is a bit of a process to get a home totally styled- and you will continue to add an edit post your 48-hour deadline for sure- but working with a deadline gives you a solid foundation to tweak your home. 

5. FINISHING TOUCHES

Here are some "secrets" that our team cannot leave a space without doing:

Steam everything: drapes, sofa, pillows, throws- you won't believe the difference it will make! I almost always have a travel steamer in my car for styling "emergencies"!
Lint brush everything: I use painters tape if I don't have a lint brush.
Goo Gone everything: I love the Goo Gone in spray format- super convenient for getting off price tags, etc.
Flowers everywhere: flowers add such a nice final layer, a little element of life and colour in a space- flowers go in every room we do.

Whether or not your home is appearing on a TV show or you just want a TV worthy space, it won't feel this way without the finishing touches listed above. You won't believe the difference these finishing touches make- they are worth all the time and energy to create a space that is inspiring, comfortable and yours. 

Styling a room in 48-hours is a service we provide as an option for clients. If you'd like to know more about our 48-hour styling service please contact us– we would love to help you finish off your home!

I have always said that faucets are like jewelry for kitchens and bathrooms. It's the bling and detail that I argue can make or break a space in terms of how custom or high end it feels. As I talked about in my guide to buying appliances, decide where faucets lie in your priorities list. In almost all cases in a kitchen / bathroom renovation I think faucets should be top tier. 

Faucets have come an incredibly long way in terms of design. Pull outs, like this Delta model going in my basement, are practically seamless. You can hardly tell they are even there. 

Again, like many aspects of the interior design process, there are so many options for faucets. I would say typically faucets can be broken down into modern, transitional and traditional. If you need help determining your style try this quiz out here. In terms of finish, black is super strong in mainly modern contexts (but can totally work in a traditional space too), and brass or champagne has had a huge resurgence in the last few years.

A feature that I thought may have been someone superfluous- and now I am totally converted on- is touchless technology. I've had this Brizo model in my kitchen and it is pretty darn convenient. When you have raw chicken grossness on your hands or you've just cleaned up peanut butter your kids spilled all over the floor (happened to me today!) it's pretty convenient to turn on the faucet with a single tap. And it is just pretty fun to do. My kids call it the magic faucet : )

Bottom line, faucets make such a decorative statement- the same way a great bracelet can make an otherwise simple outfit really shine- pick something you love.

Thanks to Delta & Brizo for partnering with me on my house. For more from this series on shopping for items for my #canningreno check out my recent shopping trips here, here and here.