Author Archives: Jim

All Decked Out and Ready For Summer

Recently I took some time away from my design business to help a relative build a deck. The project was a bit of a challenge and the results are fantastic, so I thought I would share the pocess with you. … Continue reading →

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Everything old is new again

If you give anything enough time, it will come back in style. This has always been and always will be the case. Maybe it’s just nostalgia that causes it. As people get older, they long for the things of their … Continue reading →

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Mirrors can be your best friend

One of the best things you can do to open up and brighten your space and give the illusion that it is larger than it actually is, is through the use of mirrors. There are a lot of tricks and … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and Mirrors | 2 Comments

A new design resource

Anyone who knows me knows that my two favourite stores on the planet are Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn. I love everything about them, their product lines, their books, the layout and design of their stores and especially their websites. If … Continue reading →

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Creating Personalized Art (Part 2)

We all either have children or used to be children, so we are all familiar with the inherent desire children seem to have to want to write and draw on walls. It’s a babysitter’s worst nightmare…the children in your care … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and Mirrors | 5 Comments

Creating Personalized Art (Part 1)

I am a HUGE believer in, whenever possible, creating your own artwork rather than buying art off the rack. I find it has more meaning to you and is a way of commemorating special moments in your life. It also … Continue reading →

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Making use of a useless space

It amazes me sometimes what architects add when designing a space. The bedroom in a recent project I completed at SOHO Metropolitan had a small nook on one wall about 5 inches deep. It was basically unuseable space with no … Continue reading →

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Adding an island adds definition

I do a lot of condos, almost exclusively, and what I’m finding more and more (more so with the newly built ones) is that the kitchen, living and dining areas are simply housed in one large square room with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Kitchen Makeovers | Leave a comment

Colour contrast can add visual interest

Normally I’m not a fan of colour contrast. I find that contrasting colours is a significant contributing factor to a space feeling small. A room with a red sofa against a red wall will not feel as small as a … Continue reading →

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Another Fireplace Makeover

Nothing creates a warm, cozy and inviting room like a fantastic fireplace but it needs to be the right scale for the room. I recently made over another fireplace for a few reasons. It was way too small for the … Continue reading →

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