Are you wondering What is the difference between an Interior Designer & Decorator?

It can get complicated, but here's a summary...

Interior design is the art & science of understanding people's behavior to create functional spaces within a building. They are often used for renovating kitchens and bathrooms. They know code and take all the details into consideration. They do not create architectural drawings for permits (they can hire out for that), but they do draw floorplans and furniture plans for discussion purposes, which is very helpful for clients & contractors.

Interior decorating is the furnishing or adorning of a space with decorative elements to achieve a certain aesthetic.

​In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design.

We'd be happy to design or decorate your home!
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​We have put together a beautiful collection of some of our favourite soft blue paints by Benjamin Moore.

To obtain a beautiful soft blue it is imperative that the tiniest Touch of Green is added into the paint, resulting in a beautiful soft Aqua shade.

• Ocean air 2123 - 50
• Iceberg 2122 - 50
• Glass slipper 1652 - a U.S. paint colour - available in Canada as well.
• Woodlawn blue HC- 147

For help selecting your perfect paint colour please feel free to contact our design office. We would be happy to help!

​Lumens measure the total light sent out by the light bulb.
Watts measure the amount of power used by the bulb. 
So watts do not tell you how bright the bulb is - but Lumens do.

However, since we are all used to discussing wattage often people use 'wattage' as their term denoting the brightness of a bulb, rather than 'lumens'.

Let me know if you have any other lighting questions, I'd be happy to help.
Here's a great post showing "How many recessed lights do I need?"
​

Well this is a great day!

I've just found out I was voted as one of the top 3 Interior Designers in Abbotsford, BC  (as well as the top 3 in Chilliwack, BC).
Happy Dance!

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Please let us know how we can help design your home, we're working virtually across Canada & we'd love to help you!

​

Hi,  are you wondering how virtual interior design works?
I'm glad you asked!

​I've created a short video below showing how our Online design services work.

We truly do not need to see your home in person.  ​
But we do need just need a few photos and a rough measurement of the room.

We direct you to a quick online questionnaire asking you more about your taste and style, the function of the space, your budget & timeline.
​
​Here's an example of a mood board we've made for a client's bedroom.
​We then take it from there! 

​Need more info?  ​Please click on the video below.
We'd love to help!

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.
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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. 

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...
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• ​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).
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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!