I’m pleased to present a guest post by Zana Dodig
  
Aside from being the hub of the home, your living room is where you carry out the trifecta of entertainment, relaxation, and hosting. Since it’s such a central part of everyone’s lives, it’s important that it be designed in a way that is as serene, stress-free and relaxing as possible.
 
If you’re struggling with making your living room a tranquil zone, here are 6 ideas that will help you out.
 
1.  Use bright, cool, & neutral colors

​The color scheme plays a huge role in making a space feel comfortable. It’s basic color psychology that certain colors trigger aggressive and energetic emotions while others make you feel calm and collected.
 
It is agreed that neutral colors have an inherent ability to make a person feel welcome. This palette usually consists of understated, earthy colors like taupe, chocolate brown, tan and sand. All  have the ability to imbue a living room with charming elegance along with an aura of incredible relaxation.
 
However, if you want to deviate from neutrals, try and look for different shades of blue. Navy living rooms are trendy as well as serene. You can embellish them with brass accents, stylish accessories, and statement art or two to get the best effect.
 
2.  Bring in some houseplants
​

​Studies show the houseplants can improve your mood, productivity, and concentration by 15%. If you’ve been feeling listless and unenergetic in your living room, you can improve it by bringing in some beautiful houseplants.
 
If you’re worried that you might not have the ability to take care of them, then start with something easy. The Crassula plant is a good start as it is a low-maintenance succulent. You can also opt for the Swiss Cheese Plant if you’re a sucker for aesthetics. Mexican Petunias and Nerve plants are also good options.
 
3.  Use filtered lighting
​

Prestigedecor.ca
 
Bright filtered lighting is an excellent way to make your living room feel airy, refreshing, and welcoming. You can use a number of custom window treatments to get this effect. For example, sheer curtains can amplify the beauty of diffused sunlight. They are wispy, beautiful, and always emulate a classy look in any space.
 
However, if you’re going for a more modern look, then you can also opt for honeycomb blinds. They also let in filtered light, turn opaque when the sun hits their surface, and are very sleek-looking to boot.
 
Pro tip: You can make your sheer curtains or blinds look even more stunning by pairing them with either an elegant curtain rod or a plain pelmet.
​

​4.  A clean aesthetic goes a long way​

​Clean lines and organization are a surefire way to make a space feel as stress-free as possible. When you look at a clutter-free space, your mind automatically feels at ease. There are many ways to accomplish that. For example, a bare wall can be embellished with minimalist shelving with neatly organized trinkets and baubles. A bare tiled or wooden floor can be outfitted with a plain rug.
​
5.  Textile therapy

Certain textiles evoke a sense of inherent calm. You can use them in your living rooms to get a charmingly relaxed effect. A shag rug with a fluffy surface can make your space feel absolutely inviting. Pick one in neutral colors or go for a Beni Ourain style one for the best look. Similarly, braided jute baskets with throw pillows or planters inside them can also make a big difference. Lastly, a comfortable sofa throw can be the cherry on top of the whole look!

6.  Go for aromatherapy

​​Lastly, beautiful scents can make your living areas more than a room – they’ll make it an experience. Going for an aromatherapy lamp can uplift the entire mood of the space. Fresh flowers also improve the mood of a room and potpourri in beautiful decorative bowls can add both functional and aesthetic value to the living room.
 
We hope you find these tips helpful while decorating your living room into a stress-free yet stylish haven.
 
Guest author: Zana Dodig loves interiors and everything related, from decorating to organizing and remodeling. Her favourite part of interiors for the last 20 years has been window coverings. She works as a window treatment consultant and writer at PrestigeDecor.ca.
 
Diversis Digital, VAT ID: HR46964930112, M. Krleze 1/2, Varazdin, 42000, Croatia.

Hi, we would be pleased to help you with online interior design Project. To start we need clear photos of the room. 

Here is what we need from you:
·       Clear, labelled photos of each wall of the room being designed.
·     If we're doing several rooms in your home it might be best to email them in batches keeping one rooms photograph per batch.
·       Take photos before 2pm for the best lighting. Leave the lights off (they distort the colour) and open the curtains.
·       Try not to use a flash.
·       Take photos in landscape mode
·   Place a plain white piece of paper near any ‘fixed finish’, i.e. Flooring, tile, countertops, furniture etc. that you will not be changing. This allows us to see the undertones easily. ​

·     Stand at the center of each main wall and take 1 photo pointing the camera straight ahead to the opposite wall.

Determine your perfect design package by clicking on any of the items below...
​

• ​ONE ROOM DESIGN FURNITURE PACKAGE
• PAINT PACKAGE (Interiors or Exteriors)
• KITCHEN PACKAGE​
• BATHROOM PACKAGE
• NEW HOME BUILD FIXTURES PACKAGE
• ASK A DESIGNER? PACKAGE

Any questions?  Please email us at info@jilsoniainteriors.com

​Thank you, we look forward to helping you!

Hi,

With the Covid-19 lockdown, we've been doing more and more online design.  We use a program called Design Files, which we love.

Here's how we use it with our amazing clients!
​

We'd love to help you with your Interior Design projects - Online!

Here's just a few to choose from.  Click on the highlighted text to learn more.

Determine your perfect design package by clicking on any of the items below...
​

• ​ONE ROOM DESIGN FURNITURE PACKAGE
• PAINT PACKAGE (Interiors or Exteriors)
• KITCHEN PACKAGE​
• BATHROOM PACKAGE
• NEW HOME BUILD FIXTURES PACKAGE
• ASK A DESIGNER? PACKAGE

Any questions?  Please email us at info@jilsoniainteriors.com

Wow what a crazy, uncertain time right now!  Now, more than ever, we need each other. We need each other for truth, for support and to feel less alone during a time that can honestly feel quite scary.

Our willingness, as a people, to step up in the face of what we are all experiencing with COVID-19 is awe-inspiring.   

We are being told to self isolate and engage in social distancing. That means many of us aren't leaving our homes, unless we truly need to.

We truly believe our home is a place of refuge and hope you can love your space while you turn to family and friends in an era of social distancing.  ​

​Perhaps we can think of some fun things to do, that otherwise we might have not had time to do.
 
Here's a few examples:
 
Decor ideas:

• Re-style our bookcases
• Re-style our mantle tops
• Paint an accent wall
• Spray paint old items: a fresh coat of paint really brightens things up! Perhaps an old picture frame or vase?
• Edit your home, declutter
• Rearrange your furniture
• Try swapping draperies from one room to another
• Make pillowcases for your throw pillows with, left over fabric. Or look here for some great ideas! https://www.jilsoniainteriors.com/designblog/gorgeous-custom-pillows-online

 
Cleaning ideas:

​Let’s all be there for each other OK?  I’ll be posting lots of great ideas of what to do design-wise while staying inside, on my Jil Sonia Interior Design's Facebook group.
 https://www.facebook.com/JilSoniaInteriors/  We’d love to have you join us! 
 
Keep safe and remember to have fun!

Need Countertops?  Are you building a new home? If so you might be interested in learning about the different countertop options.

There are several countertop options to choose from, here are some of the most common ones that I specify for my interior design clients.

Engineered quartz:  this is by far the most common type of countertop that people are installing in their new homes. Natural quartz, one of the hardest and most common minerals on Earth. It is the most durable, beautiful countertop on the market today. It also has anti-microbial properties, making it food safe and because of its dense structure is does not require any sealant (as does granite).  They pulverized quartz and mix it with a resin to hold it's shape.  Usually the ratio
will consist of 93% stone aggregates by weight and 7% resin. 

Important note:  there are several budget countertop suppliers that do not have the same  quartz/resin ratio as the top three engineered quartz manufacturers. These suppliers may have more resin added and less quartz. ​I strongly caution my clients to stay away from any of the lesser priced/ budget manufacturers. The quartz is often not food safe and they can stain very easily.  I have a client who selected a budget priced engineered quartz on her own and spilled turmeric on the countertop. Unfortunately, it stained the surface and it was very challenging to remove. She did get some of the stain out but you could still see it mildly embedded in the surface of the engineered quartz.
With low cost quartz you may find:

• spots and smudges
• shade differences on the same slab
• small holes in the surface
• inconsistency in thickness (due to lack of slab calibration)
• tainted surfaces and superficial resin coats (done to cover up porous surfaces)
• more resin, less quartz

The top three engineered quartz companies I use are Caesarstone, Silestone and Cambria. I find Cambria has more 'Granite looking' countertops, some clients like that but as a designer I find them quite busy looking and I prefer a more classic looking countertop.  Personally I love Caesarstone as I find that they have great patterns that are simple but classic looking and they have great colorways without splotches of resin in them (which can make them look like a brownish Gray blob).

​Wood:  We occasionally use it for kitchen island countertops, not usually for the perimeter as it's not good with water.  But it sure looks beautiful!

How exciting to receive this email today, stating the I've won the Best of Houzz award consecutively for 8 years now!

​“This year’s Best Of Houzz awards go to an incredibly talented and service-oriented group of home remodeling and design professionals, and we’re proud to highlight the winners on the Houzz website and app,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing for Houzz. “This award is particularly meaningful as it reflects the sentiment of the millions of homeowners in the Houzz community who are hiring home professionals for their projects across the U.S. and around the world.”

If you'd love to get professional, interior design advice, please email us at  info@jilsoniainteriors.com   

​Have a great day!

Hi!

I'm thrilled to be featured in Canadian Home Trends magazine for January 2020.
There is a contest with great prizes to be won!

More and more of my interior design clients are wanting Navy couches and sectionals.  It's a timeless classic colour, but still feels fresh!

I've added this rug and beautiful gold lighting and accents to make it pop!
Lots of fun pillows just add to the charm!

Wicker baskets hold cozy throw blankets and the wood toned end table and chair create a warm look!
​

So honoured to be able to compete.  The other designer created a beautiful mood board, soft pinks and whites in a beautiful bedroom.  ​See the whole article here :) 
https://canadianhometrends.com/ultimate-design-challenge-2020-color-favorites/

Sources:

• Sofa, Article
• Coffee Table, Armchair, The Goods
• Baskets, Flamingo Pillow, Style in Form
• Wood Stool, Mercana
• Upholstered Stools, Navy Pillow, Tonic Living
• Rug, Yellow Pillow, Surya
• Chandelier, Litemode
• Wall Color, Pure White 7005, Sherwin Williams
• Clock, Vertuu Design
• Potted Tree, CB2
• Cable Knit Sham, Wayfair

​Happy Decorating!  If you need help completing your living room, I'd love to chat!

When this time of year rolls around, designers anxiously await the Pantone's colour of the year.  

Most designers I know focus on classic timeless design and don't rely on the trends, but it's always great to hear what the color experts state as their color of the year.

This year it's a beautiful blue, not too purple/blue or green/blue.
 19-4052 Classic Blue

​Such a beautiful colour! It works well with white, cream, light grays, taupes, beige and more.

I used a similar colour, but more muted dark blue in this media room. 
​Gentleman's Gray by Benjamin Moore.

​The beautiful dark blue worked so well  with the pink beige sectional.

Choosing a paint colour can be challenging, just a slight difference in colour can completely change the look of the room.

We are colour specialists and can help you the nail the perfect colour that works for YOU, the first time!  Let us know how we can help.

​Happy Decorating!

I'm over the moon thrilled to find out today that I have won one of the 3 Best rated Interior Designers in our area for 2020.  

Thank you to all my amazing clients who have supported me, trusted me and work along side of me to make our company what it is today!

Wondering what we've been up to?  Check out our new short video!

Here is an outline of what a happy consultation looks like with me.
 
 1. We meet and have a 2-hour consultation, either in your home or my design studio, we discuss your likes/dislikes, needs and priorities. We take into consideration all elements: colours, fabrics, floor plans, cabinets, furniture, budget etc.

2. I take notes, then transcribe them later (if you decide to carry on with my services), onto a worklist.

3. I provide you with an estimate of my design fees to carry out the design plan. You can choose to move forward yourself, or you can carry forward with our design services, whichever you choose (you don’t need to make that decision on the consult date).
​
4. If you move forward with our services, we email you the initial general written plan, which we call the Scope of Work.  I update it with any additional items you’d like to include.

​5.  After I’ve finalized the Scope of Work, I create a mood board for most rooms, so you can see how items look like together.

6.  We meet again to present the moodboards and ideas with you, using photos, and samples. 

7.  If you are ordering certain furniture, tile, etc. I do get trade discounts and share those 50/50 with my clients.  These discounts can be substantial.

8. My fees are $395.00 for the first 2-hour consultation; then after that, my rates reduce to $175.00 per hour, and you can use me as much or as little as you like.  GST is added to my rates. 

​For the majority of modern households, investing in home security is a bigger priority than it has ever been in the past. With many of our homes now full of expensive items, from TVs to tablets, games consoles to laptops, it’s no wonder we’re more conscious of protecting the place where we live than ever before. But while security systems in the past have been unaffordable, bulky and frankly quite ugly to have around the home, new options are less obtrusive and smaller than ever before – not to mention far more affordable.
 
With so many new security and home safety systems appearing on the market every day, it’s difficult to know which option the right fit for you is. But never fear – we look at some of the top options on the market to find out which home security systems are the top of their game and would be the ideal addition to your home. Read on to find out more:

​Secure doorbells are one of the most recent additions to the roster of home security systems, but it doesn’t make then any less valid. Building from the concept of gateway entry systems often found on high-end properties, Bluetooth doorbell systems allow for that same safety from within the comfort of your home. Home security has evolved from the older wired systems, with the development of Bluetooth and wireless technology allowing for more affordable and useable options on the market. Devices like Ring enable users to access video feeds of their front door whether they’re at home or work, and are both sleek and unobtrusive, making them ideal additions to the house without the bulk of more traditional options.

​Home cameras come in many different forms these days, and they are entirely different from the bulky CCTV cameras and setups we associate with supermarkets and corner shops. Instead, these in-house camera systems are designed to be simple, barely visible and highly connected – with many options allowing for direct viewing of cameras via mobile. Google’s Nest Cam system offers all the convenience of a connected service with multiple camera options, from affordable indoor cameras to more robust outdoor options. The benefit is a system that’s wholly connected in one place, allowing for fast and easy monitoring without the use of multiple systems. If you’re looking for a home system that does it all, Nest is an excellent place to start.

​Homeowners often think of alarm systems as relatively outdated, requiring intensive wiring as well as a large, unattractive control panel in the home to function correctly. But as alarm system technology has evolved, so have the options available to homeowners. Modern alarm systems are capable of monitoring windows, doors and even identify the difference between intruders and pets with ease. Verisure’s system is one example of an excellent alarm system, with a 3G panel included instead of the more old-fashioned bulky wall-based system. Wireless has revolutionised how alarm systems work and picking one that has it all is your ideal choice.
 
Picking the right home security system for you is entirely subjective. By having a better idea of what level of security you need, and when and where you need it, it’s possible to tailor a security system into something ideally suited for your purposes. Don’t be afraid to expand your system or reduce it depending on your requirements over time; security is a personal thing and finding the one that’s right for you is vital to its long-term success.
 

​I just had to share a great experience we had with a paint company last week with regards to one of our new built homes we are designing and decorating for a client with a young family.
 
Our firm was furnishing a newly built home and enjoying preparing two rooms for our client’s young girls.  As the client was in Toronto and the new home is outside of Vancouver, we did the design choices, paint colour selection, furniture selections, etc. all online.
 
This project involved painting a feature wall that would be behind each child’s beds in their respective rooms. 
 
Each color was individually chosen to match their style. I selected every piece of furniture and accessories, art, etc. before selecting the perfect colour. This paint color would also be focal to the decor selections for that room.
​It was important to get the colour choice just perfect.  I've got to say I'm the pickiest designer I know of when it comes to colour selection! 

​One girl wanted a light soft pink that was not too strong in its intensity, while the other wanted a lovely bold blue.
 
We decided to use Sherwin Williams paint. Our painters were familiar with Sherwin Williams and this is their ‘go to’ supplier.
For the blue colour I had already selected an existing Sherwin-Williams colour called Georgian Revival Blue SW7609.
 
But the baby pink colour I had originally selected, was from Benjamin Moore called Strawberry Yogurt BM 2104-70. I had been told that colour matching (selecting one paint colour from one brand and having it made up in another brand), cannot be done, so I decided to see for myself!  

I ordered a drawdown from Sherwin-Williams which shows the paint colour match sample. A drawdown is when the paint supplier mixes up a gallon of paint, then uses a machine to equally and concisely spread out an amount of paint onto a coated piece of white paper.
If the colour match was not absolutely perfect, then they would tweak it to ensure a perfect match.   This was indeed perfect!

​This paint called Quali-Kote, by Sherwin Williams.  It spread with ease and set up very quickly; with a remarkable exact replication of the sample we had chosen for each room. What a huge relief to confirm that this colour matched paint matches the exact representation of its fan deck color. In this case it also matched perfectly the “draw down” freshly painted sample that our Sherwin Williams clerk so graciously gave us.
 
Within a day our new feature walls were aglow with color that exactly represented our young client’s choices.

If you need help with selecting the perfect paint colour, we'd love to help!
Feel free to contact us here.  
Thank you for allowing me to share a little designer insight with you.
​Happy Decorating!

The World Health Organisation (WHO) lists air pollution as one of the biggest threats to our health. This is an invisible threat – we can't see it, but we also can't escape it. It's all around us, in the air we breathe. According to the WHO, 91% of the global population lives in an area where air pollution exceeds acceptable limits, causing 4.2 million deaths each year.
When you make a commitment to living more sustainably, you reduce your impact on air pollution – playing your part in reducing the impact it has in our communities.

3. To keep wildlife safe.

A 2018 report from the WWF claims humans wiped out 60% of the world's wildlife between 1970 and 2014. The evidence is pretty clear. The way we live is not sustainable – and it's harming species that do not have a say in the matter.
​
When we live more sustainably, we're able to reduce the threat that still exists to animals across the world. For example, when we commit to buying products without palm oil, we're doing our bit to reduce the impact of deforestation. This deforestation currently affects already-endangered species across the globe, including chimpanzees, tigers and African elephants.
When we buy sustainably, we also need to make sure the products we buy are not tested on animals. Around 75,000 animals are still killed in laboratories each year. 

​Recycling is not enough. If we want to reduce the impact we're having on the environment, we also need to look at how we can reduce our overall waste - and ensure that the waste we do have, is being disposed of in a sustainable way.

With the advent of the new LED light bulbs, there is much confusion.  
It used to be just select the correct wattage for your lights and away you go, but now there are so many things to think about.

Rather than writing article outlining the 'do's and 'don't's of LED light bulbs, I thought I'd post links to great articles here.  All links are from Waveform Lighting and are excellent articles.

What is the dreaded blue light hazard?

Are LED light bulbs safe?

Should I choose a 2,700K or 3,000K LED light bulb? What's the difference?

What is the difference between CCT and CRI and do I need to know?

Why is my LED bulb flickering? How do I stop it?

What is the difference between Lux and Lumens?

What is Colour Rendering Index or CRI?

Here's an article I posted several years ago. It's been very helpful to others! 
How many recessed lights do I need?  How far apart do I place them? 

​If you need help with lighting, we'd love to assist you!

I'd love to have you check out two of the rooms I recently completed for a fabulous client of mine in Surrey, BC.
Just click either of the Room photos above, and join the fun!

Jil Sonia McDonald is an interior designer working in the Lower Mainland, and Fraser Valley, BC.
Please contact her at info@jilsoniainteriors.com  

Hi,  I'm thrilled to announce I won the best interior designer by Houzz for 2019.

Just a little note, I've won this for 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and now 2019.  Feel free to click on the link above for more info!

If you'd love to get professional, interior design advice, please email us at  info@jilsoniainteriors.com   

​Have a great day!

It is no secret that apart from all the other luxuries, the level of comfort in your home is affected by the air quality. The level of humidity and temperature are just some of the few variables that your health and comfort while indoors hinge on. For instance, when the humidity is too high, you quickly go from a perfect hair day to a ruined one, and when it is too low, you try to pet your furred best friend's head, and you end up zapping them with bouts of static electricity. Fortunately, you don't need a sixth sense to gauge the level of humidity in your home because we have shared tips on how to do so below.

How humidity levels affect your home:

The optimum humidity level as recommended by the EPA is between 40-60%. When it goes lower or higher than the optimum, the effects are often different as highlighted below
What happens when it is too low?

• Difficulty in breathing
• Respiratory problems such as nose bleeding and other sinus complications
• Chapped lips and cracked, itchy skin
• Cracking in structures such as furniture and wood floors
• Irritated throat
• Static cling
• Dust Buildup

 
When humidity is too high:
It affects your health negatively: Studies show that most bacteria, allergens, dust mites, mildew, and mold flourish in the presence of excess moisture and when your indoor atmosphere has high humidity, they thrive. When breathed in, these allergens result in health problems. For instance, molds trigger asthma attacks, constant allergies, and many other respiratory problems. Also, high humidity means that your body's cooling system must work two times harder to maintain the internal temperature. This results to dehydration, fatigue, headaches, and excessive sweating which easily triggers other skin conditions such as heat rash.

It causes structural damage to property: Apart from affecting your health, excess humidity also brings you additional repair and maintenance costs as a result of the damage it causes to your home. This occurs in different ways as shown here;

Causes the growth of mold on furniture, walls, ceilings, and even attics thereby lowering the value of the house.

• Excess moisture causes paint or wallpaper to peel
• Causes rotting in woody structures in your house, for instance, the doors and your wooden floors
• HVAC inefficiency and high energy bills

Other problems caused by humidity higher than the relative include

• Bad Odors
• Frizzy hair
• Condensation

How to maintain relative humidity
Monitor indoor humidity levels
The first step to countering humidity problems is by getting accurate measurements of its level. You cannot employ other tactics when you don't know if it's higher or lower than relative. In respect to that, strategically install a hygrometer to help you monitor the levels, so you can figure out what your next step should be.
Open windows and use fans when moisture is high
When there is excessive moisture, opening windows and using fans are the cheapest and easiest ways to dehumidify your house. This is because doing so allows cold, dry air to circulate. However, opening a window may not be as effective, as the level of humidity outdoors is often higher or like moisture indoors.

Purchase a dehumidifier and a humidifier:
It's essential to note that the aspect of high or low humidity is something that you'll always have to deal with regardless of your climatic zone. This is because, during winter, the levels of humidity tend to drop and during summer they skyrocket. In respect to that, you have to find ways to cope during these different seasons. Fortunately, humidity levels can be maintained with the help of humidifier and dehumidifier in your home. So, having these two appliances gives you the option of switching one on depending on the level of moisture. For instance, when it is too high, you switch on the dehumidifier which sucks in the moisture, causing the levels to return to optimum and when it is too low, the humidifier does the trick. This combined with the tips listed above will help you keep moisture problems at bay, enabling you to live your best life when indoors.

Get your air ducts checked
Besides a dehumidifier or a humidifier, your HVAC system also helps in regulating humidity levels. However, no matter how expensive your HVAC system is, it is of no use if your air ducts have leaks. For instance, if it generates cool, dry air when humidity is high during summer, then this air escapes through the leak spots on your ducts. The same case applies during seasons of low humidity, thus rendering it ineffective. Therefore, get your ductwork checked to ensure that all leakages are sealed.
Other tips:

• Install ceiling fans
• Utilize kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans
• Proper ventilation
• Use indoor plants as they are natural air purifiers
• Change HVAC and furnace air filters regularly
• Take shorter showers and limit dryer use


• Managing relative humidity should be on the top of your list of priorities as a homeowner as excess, or low moisture not only causes damage to your home but also puts your health and that of your loved one at risk.

Have an Interior Design Project you need help with?   Contact Us Today.
 
​Author: Eric Langstaff
References
https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-course-chapter-2  
http://blog.cubesensors.com/2013/07/reduce-high-humidity-levels-in-your-home-breathe-more-easily/
http://www.level.org.nz/passive-design/controlling-indoor-air-quality/humidity-and-condensation/
​

Quite a few of my clients haven't gotten around to putting up their Christmas tree yet.
 Here's a few quick tips to get you started.

​ 1. First select your tree.  
​ There are so many options to choose from: 

• Real living trees which come in a planter pot.  They usually can only be inside your home for 10 days maximum, to ensure that they can be  planted outside after Christmas and live!
• Real cut trees, which smell divine but need constant watering  and also they do tend to drop needles.
• Artificial trees and tree branches, anything from vintage aluminum trees, white or green faux trees, even beautiful white feathered trees!​
• Flocked trees, where artificial snow is sprayed onto the branches giving a pretty snow like appearance.

​2.  Choose a suitable Tree stand.
​Whichever stand you choose, ensure that you select the proper tree stand that will give you stability and hold a generous amount of water if necessary.

3.  Tree skirts 
They add a decorative touch and provide coverage for any planters or non-decorative tree stands. Great backdrop to those pretty parcels!

4. Tree lights   
​We now have three options to choose from:  

• LED lights 
• Incandescent lights  
• Mini or Fairy battery pack lights 

 
If you  choose LED white lights - ensure that you select the warm white which is usually 2700 to 3000 Kelvin units . This will ensure you have a warm  glow. The cool LED lights often give a very bluish and harsh looking light.
 
Incandescent lights are the most beautiful lights  but they are hard to find now and produce heat which can lead to fire hazards on dry trees.

Mini battery pack lights or Fairy lights are a beautiful option, especially on  smaller and more delicate trees, or tree branches.  If you go this route ensure that you select the mini or fairy lights that include either a remote option or a timer option, so you are not digging through the tree to find the  battery pack.

Depending upon which type of lights you use, I tend to use 100 lights for each foot of Christmas tree.

​5. Hanging your Christmas tree lights.
​Note this is the most controversial aspect of this post as there are many methods to do this, but I prefer the "branch wrap “approach.
​Make your starting point of lights at the bottom of the tree near the trunk. Pull the string of Christmas lights taut to the tip of the branch, then work back toward the trunk, wrapping the cord circularly over itself and the branch, while working your way to the top of the tree. Make sure to select the largest branches to wrap first. Ensure there are more lights at the trunk area of the tree as this provides depth to your design. You will know your tree is "all wrapped up" when you finish at the top lone branch.

6. Ornaments
Start with the largest ornaments first, placing them near the tree trunk with a few coming through to the branch tips.  Then start with the medium sized ornaments, filling in the gaps and lastly the smallest and most delicate ornaments should be placed near the branch tips.  This gives dimension to your tree and draws the eyes from the base to the branch outwards to allow others to enjoy your ornaments. Hanging your ornaments only on the outside of your tree can make it looked cluttered and less 3 dimensional.  I've got to say I see this all the time and it's difficult to resist the urge to tuck a few ornaments into the background to provide depth.

Plan on at least 10 ornaments per foot of tree. 
​ie. 6' tree needs 60 ornaments.
 
Ensure your most precious ornaments are placed where they can be viewed easily.  I have a special light bulb which we had only one of. It's now burned out so I've put it in a large plastic ball ornament, hung it on fishline and added a little 'snow' to it.  Now I can enjoy that special blue bulb to this day, nice way to protect those keepsake ornaments!

​7. Garland.   Some people like to use garland. If this is the case, use it sparingly. I find it can overwhelm the tree so I tend to stay away from it. 
 
8. Tinsel.  This is optional and time consuming. Each piece needs to be placed singularly by itself. Try avoiding throwing your tinsel on by the handfuls, as I did as a child! It is truly beautiful to look at a tinselled tree, it reflects the lights and ornaments as well!

9. Tree Topper.  Your final touch is applying the Christmas star, angel or Christmas spire to the top of the Christmas tree. Make sure the branch is strong enough to support your topper and can be seen above the rest of the tree facing the most viewed angle.

10. Almost done!  Now, look at your beautiful tree that you wonderfully decorated, and see if there are any bare patches or empty spaces in the tree.  Ask yourself if you may need to add more ornaments or perhaps move a few items. It's your preference on how full you want your tree to look. Some prefer a sparse looking tree while others prefer a full and colorful tree.

With all these considerations you can decide what kind of Christmas design theme you choose for this year. It all starts with your tree. Take your inspiration from the tree and dress up your mantel and a few table tops!
 
My preference is to put on my favorite Christmas music, have a nice glass of wine, nibble on a few (OK several) chocolates and dance around the house while decorating the tree.
 
Finished!
 
Have a wonderful Christmas. Enjoy your decorating!
 
 Merry Christmas from all of us at Jil Sonia Interior Designs.

Ready for the last post outlining the 15 Essential Steps to Design your Dream Home?  Here we go!

First, let’s review, we’ve looked at steps 1-12 so far:
15 Essential Steps to design your dream home Part 1 of 5 

1. Selecting your perfect structure
2. Floor plans and elevations
3. Function

15 Essential Steps to design your dream home Part 2 of 5

4. Budget
5. Mood and Style
6. Overall design

15 Essential Steps to design your dream home Part 3 of 5

7. Bathroom and Kitchen design
8. Furniture Plan
9. Lighting plan

15 Essential Steps to design your dream home Part 4 of 5

10. Window covering
11. Fabric
12. Wall colour
Now... we move on to the last 3 steps Part 5/5
​Steps 13, 14 and 15 !

​13. Styling:
Now that you have a complete plan, exterior colours, roofing, windows etc, you can shop! Now it's time for accessories. For rhythm, you need objects that repeat. Instead of one candlestick on your sideboard in your dining room, what about 3 of the same? This way our accessories have more of an impact. 

​Ask yourself repeatedly through this process -- are my choices consistent with my commitment to the desired ambience? If not go back through a few steps. You cannot compromise here and get the room of your dreams. 

Continuously keep the mood of your room in mind. Try to do all your accessorizing and styling within a short period of time in order to keep to one style. Note: 80 percent of the design of a room should be in one focused style and 20 percent can vary. This 20 percent will certainly stand out.
Every room needs some bling unless it's a Farm home pictured below. Fully complete one room, before moving onto the next.

​14. Edit your choices:
Keep the concepts of harmony and balance in mind when editing your ideas. I find this stage often takes the most time. Your final choices should please your eye, feel balanced, and create your desired mood. Our eyes need to rest so don't be afraid to have a little bare space, that helps make everything else pop.
​Line the items up along a wall to see what you are working with.
What works, what doesn't?

15. Finally - Relax:
Designing a home is not easy. There are important choices to be made and made quickly. Having a game plan and following it does ease the stress.
Now we're all done, kick back, relax and enjoy your beautiful new home!

​OK, are we ready? Questions? I'd love to help! 

Well, believe it or not, it's that time of year again!  Yippee!  

What colours will you be decorating with this year?  I think I'll be using aqua and white, with silver accents.

Here's a few tips for decorating for the holidays - with style!

#1.  Declutter.  Remove all of your accessories and put them into storage, in an unused room, closet, or even under the bed.  We need all the knick knacks gone.

#2.  What type of Christmas tree will you be having?  A real, green tree?  A white flocked tree? Aluminum tree?   No tree at all?  
​
More and more people are moving towards the white flocked trees - I know I am.  This allows you, to use even more colourful ornaments and tinsel.  But there is something to be said for the traditional green fir tree - beautiful.

​#3.  What are your family favorites?  You know, the ornaments, or décor that simply must go up each year?  Incorporate this into your style and design.

#4.  Colour.  If possible, take into consideration the existing colour palette in your home.  We're hoping to work with it, not against it.  Can you pull colours from your wall, carpet, artwork and use them on your Christmas tree and mantle?

#5 Variations in tones.  I love to use 3 colours or shades.  One mid-toned, or darker colour; one lighter colour; and a metallic.  Since it's Christmas - we need a little sparkle.

​Now it's over to you?  What colours are you dreaming of this Christmas?

Well, it's not often that I share another designer's blog post, but this one was so great, I thought I'd post it here.  It even has a quote from me in it!

Read on to learn "How to get anything you want from your interior designer." by the uber talented  Tawna Allred.