 Wondering how to divvy up your total interior design budget? What percentage to spend on furniture? What % to pay on window treatments? Here's a quick summary. Let's say you have $30,000 budgeted for your living room décor. Here's a wise way to break it down.
I usually tell my clients to add an extra 10% contingency fund, just in case something comes up that we don't anticipate. Don't forget taxes & design fees are on top of this. Our fee for full service, virtual interior design is $875 per room.  Interior Design by Jil Sonia Interiors. Rendering by Vasyl Mihay I provide my clients with low, medium and high budget ranges, so they know in general what you need to budget for each room. Contact me if you'd like a copy of this!  Budget by Jil Sonia Interior Designs I hope this gives you a little guidance to know where your money will go, on average, for a residential living room! Contact me if you need help! 
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I'm so very grateful to my amazing clients and interior design suppliers! Thank you for all the wonderful reviews!   Hi, we would be pleased to help you with online interior design Project. To start we just need a few 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, horizontal 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, it's the secret of our success!  Stand at the center of each main wall and take one photo pointing the camera straight ahead to the opposite wall. Email them to use using the medium sized photos and you are all set! Determine your perfect design package by clicking on any of the items below...  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:
Happy Decorating! If you need help completing your living room, I'd love to chat!   Doorbell securityFor 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 camerasHome 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.  Alarm systemsHomeowners 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.  Sustainability is a growing trend – and it's here to stay. There are many ways you can embrace sustainability. You can buy less, recycle more – and make a commitment to use renewable energy sources wherever possible. But why should you? If you're not convinced about the importance of living a more sustainable life, here are six reasons why you should be: 1. To reduce the impact of climate change. You can't deny the impact our lifestyles are having on our environment. Despite an overwhelming body of science that confirms the damage we're causing, the situation continues to get worse. In fact, leading scientists claim that – if we do nothing to prevent it the world could experience irreparable damage by 2050. Do you want to be part of the climate change problem – or do you want to be part of the solution?  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.  4. To protect the world's resources. The world's resources are not infinite. The majority of households still use non-renewable sources of energy to fuel their homes and cars. This will not – and can not – last forever. Sooner or later, these valuable resources will be gone forever, and we will be forced to move onto renewable sources of energy. Why not make the change now, and protect the world's resources instead of depleting them? 5. To save money. When you live a more sustainable lifestyle, you are likely to save money in the long-run. Sustainability involves switching to reusable products wherever possible - which means you no longer need to purchase their disposable alternatives. For example, if you have a baby, using reusable diapers can save over $2,500 between birth and potty training. 6. To reduce the need for landfill sites. Despite government efforts to reduce the amount of waste going into landfill, we are still relying on them to take the majority of our waste each year. And, in 2016, Canadians had a total of 24,940,747 tonnes to dispose of.  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! 
 Interior design by Jil Sonia McDonald of Jil Sonia Interiors The National Building Code (of Canada) requires non-combustible material 18” x 18” to the left and right of the stove and 30” high above the stove / range. This includes the wall behind a range, a blower unit in a wood framed hood, but does not include a (metal) vent-hood. The manufacturer will dictate the non-combustible zone for gas ranges and that 18” x 18” zone to the left and right may increase to (18” Left + Range Width + 18” Right) x 30” high.  Another hint - Look in the installation manual of the stove you are specifying. It will show/tell you what the manufacturer’s requirements are. Quite often they are the same as the National Canadian code.  Well, can you imagine my surprise and utter joy to receive an email from HGTV yesterday? I'm honoured and absolutely thrilled to be featured as one of their Interior Design Professionals.   Interior design by Jil Sonia McDonald, Jil Sonia Interior designs, Langley, BC.  Jil Sonia Interiors, Langley, BC  Client loved the custom built in bench, topped with a bright orange cushion pad - Jil Sonia Interior Designs. 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   We're glad you are with us. We're looking at 15 essential tips to designing your dream home, we're on Part 4/5. Let’s review, we’ve looked at steps 1-3 designing your dream home., Part 1/5 1. Selecting your perfect structure. 2. Floor plans and elevations. 3. Function  Jil Sonia Interior Designs - Townhome design, Surrey, BC  Jil Sonia Interior Designs, Abbotsford Online client And steps 7-9 of designing your dream home: Part 3/5 7. Bathroom and Kitchen design 8. Furniture Plan 9. Lighting plan Now... we move on to steps 10, 11 and 12! 10. Window coverings: When designing your dream home, be aware of oddly shaped windows. For some reason architects love to add them in! Notice the angle at the top of the window below.  Jil Sonia Interior Designs - 1908 Queen Anne home addition, Mission, BC These windows are very difficult to cover. If you like horizontal blinds these can usually be used for some of the more difficult, or odd shaped windows, however not everyone likes horizontal blinds. Many clients prefer window coverings that can be slid to the sides so that all the glass is showing. Transom windows (especially if they are arched), although beautiful, are especially difficult to cover. Determine what kind of light coverage do you need. Do you sleep in - then curse the sunlight in the morning; or do you embrace it? You may need room darkening, or light filtering blinds. Do you have a window needing privacy? A window with lots of glare? Many solutions are available.  Inside view of the office, 1908 Heritage home. Architect added these windows. Discuss your drapery needs with an interior designer or window coverings specialist. Note blinds, drapery and window coverings can be a little pricey, 30% of your room's budget usually goes towards window coverings. 11. Fabric: OK, so we are really getting to the styling part here. We know the mood we want to achieve. But where do we go from here? One idea is to start with a ‘signature fabric’, this is a fabric that sets a style or creates your desired mood. Determine the placement of your signature fabric. This can be an expensive fabric - perhaps use it just for the front of a small pillow or the back of a beautiful chair. Confirm your signature fabric suits the ambiance you desire. Use this fabric to set the colour tone of your room.  Maxwell Fabrics Now select complementary fabrics. In general, allow no more than three different patterns in one room! Determine placement of all fabrics i.e.: - patterned drapery fabrics for the windows - like the example above - perhaps a cream and raspberry stripe for an ottoman, - black and cream polka dots for the chair backs. Finally select trim to customize draperies or throw cushions. This trim can be a fringe on pillows, or a band of colour/fabric/ribbon along the side of a drapery panel. Then use your signature fabric to pick colours for the rest of the room. 12. Wall colour: Now you can finally pick a wall colour! Can you believe we had to wait until step 12 for this? Wall color is not usually picked until near the end of the design, as there are so many distinct colours of paint to choose from. Kimberley Seldon says " picking a wall colour first is like buying a lipstick, then look all over trying to find a dress to match."  Stella McCartney lipstick top. Remember to keep the room’s atmosphere in mind. What is your light level? Resist the urge to paint a dark room in a light colour. Donald Kaufman says "Light wall colours never come to life in a dark room..." If the room is sunny, play that up - don't use a dark colour for the walls. Look at your signature fabric for wall color ideas. I can go on and on about colour but really colour expert Maria Killam says it best when she says "Painting a dark room in pale colours simply accentuates the shadows in a space." Other questions to ask when selecting a colour 'theme': Are you drawn to warm, neutral or cool colours? Do you prefer many colors or a monochromatic look? Personally, I throw out the colour theory I was taught in design school. I don't understand how someone can look at a room and say "Do I want a complementary colour scheme? What about the split - complementary colour scheme or maybe an analogous colour scheme?" Only interior design students talk in those terms. I used to be one of them!  Red/orange wallpaper, Langley, BC Interior Design client, by Jil Sonia Interiors Maybe, just maybe, those theories come into play when looking at how to spice up a room with accessories or accents, but in general the main points to remember are:
Finding all this confusing? Contact me to find out how you can have the home of your dreams! Stay tuned for our last 3 steps!    Jil Sonia Interior designs – Ina van Tonder Photography Hi, my name is Jil Sonia McDonald of Jil Sonia Interiors I am thrilled to have been asked to guest post for Maria Killam while she is away vacationing in the land of the Tuscan sun. I've copied the post here. I have been a professional Interior Designer for the past 12 years, located in beautiful Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. I am absolutely passionate about Interior Design and it gives me great joy to create dream homes for my clients. I love what I do! Maria had a few questions for me.  Jil Sonia Interior designs – Ina van Tonder Photography 1. What’s your favourite colour? Why? I have to say my favourite color is "Simply white" OC-117 by Benjamin Moore. It is the perfect white for walls. It is not too creamy, not too gray, not too "pinky". Being an Interior Designer, has me working with paint, furniture, fabrics, carpets and tiles, everyday. Simply White is the color that allows me to change up my accessories with clients, and even at home - whenever the mood hits me. And as other designers will tell you; we love updating our own home and work spaces. I have found that when using white walls, it is important to add texture to the room, such as this lovely coffee table in a distressed wood from Restoration Hardware shown below, or this rattan end table. I have seen that when we use all flat, smooth, finishes white paint can look like primer – definitely not what we want.  Jil Sonia Interior designs – Ina van Tonder Photography 2. What was your biggest colour/design mistake? I work with a 15 step design system, which doesn’t leave room for mistakes, but sometimes it’s the little things that really ‘make’ a room. I once decorated a client’s home and it turned out beautifully, client was thrilled, but it didn’t have anything with ‘meaning’. Now, I always try to add something that is personal to a client, such this client’s great, great, grandmother’s silver cutlery. Our client had these beautiful pieces mounted in a shadow box, and now they are a wonderful conversation point – brilliant idea!  Jil Sonia Interior designs – Ina van Tonder Photography 3. What is the most important colour lesson you’ve learned? When I started out as a designer I had no idea about undertones in colour selection. I thought a beige, was a beige. I discovered with the training and mentorship program from Maria Killam's course “Specifying Undertones”, that there are many undertones of beige – pink, yellow and green, to name just a few! She taught me to compare colours, so that we, as designers, can know exactly how to give our clients, or ourselves, the PERFECT colour. I cannot recommend this course highly enough. Such a great professional development experience that one can add to their role as an Interior Designer.  Jil Sonia Interior designs – Ina van Tonder Photography 4. When it comes to colour, what’s hot? Grey is still hot – but I see white over taking more and more! Clients are all asking me for light and bright. White walls with pops of coloured pillows, throws, and accent trays, as pictured below. I just love it!  Jil Sonia Interior designs – Ina van Tonder Photography 5. Which colour do you think is timeless? I think a grayed blue is timeless. I strongly recommend you use a very grayed blue — so grey looking that on the paint sample chip itself, it looks gray, not blue! Colour appears twice as bright on your walls as on the chip, so we always need to select muted gray blues unless we want in-your-face baby boy blue. One of my favourite grays with a slight blue undertone is Stonington Gray HC-170.  Warline Painting 6. Which colour trend would you love to see disappear? If I had a magic wand I’d banish the world of pinky beige carpet. I’ve discussed this with carpet manufacturers – they were blissfully unaware! Pink beige can clash with so many other colours – especially yellow! It’s one of those non-descript, all pervasive, colours that look too much like skin tones and doesn’t give clients the fresh, bright colours that we’re all yearning for today. Often builders who don’t hire professional designers, think it’s a neutral colour, but it’s far from that! Here, client’s dog Bella, shows off her timeless medium brown flooring – isn’t that much lovelier than pinky beige carpet?  Jil Sonia Interior designs – Ina van Tonder Photography  Jil Sonia Interior designs – Ina van Tonder Photography 7. What do you think is one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make with colour? The biggest mistake homeowners make on their own is trying to select a paint colour first. Really, we should be first selecting our hard finishes, and in the following order: countertops and tiles, flooring, furniture, draperies, pillows. Paint comes last. We have thousands of paint colours to select from. It is absolutely vital that homeowners choose wisely, with the help of a great interior designer. Paint colours should be a beautiful backdrop for the other items we have selected, unless the paint finish is a beautiful metallic or lacquered finish. Here, we’ve added a darker, grayed blue table, which just pops against the Simply White walls.  Jil Sonia Interior designs – Ina van Tonder Photography 8. Which part of participating in Specify Colour with Confidence™ created the biggest breakthrough/aha moment/insight for your business, and how did it help you move forward? I realized just how important it is to compare colours. It is almost impossible to determine the undertones unless you compare samples side by side, with a pure white background behind them. A simple piece of white poster board is such a great tool to have on hand when choosing colour. Now, I meet all my clients with absolute confidence. I know that I will help them choose the most amazing paint colours, fabrics, tiling, and more, making their home perfect!  Jil Sonia Interior designs – Ina van Tonder Photography For more great tips, interior design insight, or to see more photos of my work, please check out this blog. I’d love to see you there! Maria, thank you for this exciting and amazing opportunity to guest blog. I’m eternally grateful for all the colour instruction that I’ve received from you. I’ve just not found this instruction anywhere else! Now, I'd love to know... Which white is your favourite right now?  It's always nice to be featured in different publications and magazines!  Beckenstein Fabrics was kind enough to ask me to present my recent projects. I was happy to be featured with 2 other amazing interior designers. Feel free to read more here https://www.beckensteinfabrics.com/3-talented-interior-designers-share-the-projects-they-completed-this-past-summer/ Thank you so much Beckenstein for your kind words and for featuring our designs!  Would you like a few quick tips on how to calculate the correct size chandelier or pendant light for over your dining room table? Here we go!  Interior design by Jil Sonia Interiors In general: Add the width and length of your dining room ie. 10' + 14' = 24. We need a light approximately 24" wide! Or here are a few general dining room table sizes, and the width of lights that would complement the table nicely. Oval table 42" long - light should be 18-20" wide. Oval table 48" long - light should be 24" wide. Square tables? Just take the table size and subtract 12" off each side. ie. 42" sq. table. -12" and -12" = 18" wide light. Easy peasy lemon squeezy! Of course there are variables, but this will get you in the right ballpark!  Here's a few quick tips on lighting placement for your dining room chandelier or pendant. Specifically, how high do we hang the bottom of our pendant or chandeliers, above our dining room tables?  Moroccan pendant light, interior design by Jil Sonia Interiors Well, this depends upon the height of the room. Here's a few quick examples: 8' high ceiling - hang the bottom of the light, 32 - 36" off of the table. 9' high ceiling - hang the bottom of the light, 36 - 40" off of the table. 10' high ceiling - hang the bottom of the light, 40 - 44" off of the table. Hope this quick tip helps!  I've been in interior designer for 12 years now and when talking about kitchen renovation, the question I get most often is "What colour do I paint my kitchen cabinets?". Painting kitchen cabinets is expensive and hard work, we don't want to have to do this every 5 years!  Here our client chose to go with the classic white kitchen cabinets, which is something I recommend often. White is classic and never goes out of style. To amp things up a little, the island was painted in a soft gray colour, which works so well with the marble countertop.  Another great point about white cabinets, is that you can accessorize with whatever colour you are using in the adjoining rooms. Above it's blue! Below it's yellow!  What is your favourite colour to use when accessorizing your kitchen? I'd love to know!  In the work of any Interior Designer you have clients all along the spectrum of available budgets. You have the young couples who may be newly married involved in a first purchase of a home with a limited budget, getting their proverbial feet wet in the real estate market and trying to better themselves. You may also have others who are at mid points in their real estate journey whom are looking to upgrade with family in mind, spaces to plan and a budget designed with a growing family. You may have empty nesters who are in a flux looking to downsize after previously owning a larger home who need a new workable space and are involved in budgeting based on a possible retirement funds. All these and more showcase the strong necessity to work within a defined client's budget.  One might argue that the Interior Designer might also be strongly involved in assisting the client on setting a reasonable budget that does not strain a client's potential funds and allows for the design project to be be completed and successful. As a preface I would like to mention that in my life i have had the good fortune of a lovely father who raised me with the sincerest of business ideal, particularly that of being customer service oriented.  As a former dental corps officer in the WWII he was responsible supplying many necessary things while stationed in England. Upon returning home to the west coast of Vancouver area he was immediately involved in sales, firstly in furniture retail then moved to real estate. This was where his strong integrity in working within the means of his clients. Later his work would bring him to starting his own Commercial Real Estate company. This is where I gleaned a strong customer service ethic and as well as taste for modernism, mid-century aesthetic and interior design while personally spending some 20 years in the Vancouver residential and commercial real estate field. It is very client budget based. Throughout the years and with that ethic I have found that client's budgets are a very personal thing. They are tied to various emotions depending upon their financial means. It is always a sensitive topic and needs to be dealt with in a very careful manner.  For that reason, my business model does not use pressure to have clients overextend themselves in their design. If client - designer relationship is key to a good Interior Design business, then exerting financial pressures to achieve a particular design project is not what I would consider good "customer service". In fact some may argue that it would be rude. That in mind it would be safe to say that in the long run clients, who may not be able to afford a more pricey design, and whom have had a good experience with you as a designer, more trusting of your capability and relationship style. After all being personable and reasonable within client budgets goes a long way into creating possible repeat clients and also great referrals and even repeat business. Here's to creating great happy design relationships one budget at a time!  Who has heard of the rule of thirds?  This important rule says that most designs can be made more interesting by visually dividing a wall or a photo into thirds vertically and/or horizontally; and placing our most important elements within those thirds. If you have a fireplace on a 12' wide wall, and perhaps the fireplace is 4' wide, well, you'd place the fireplace in the centre, leaving a 4' patch of wall on each side. Thereby dividing that wall in thirds.  Another important design concept is Visual Center and Balance. Placing important elements or the focal point of the design within the visual center of a piece is another design trick. We all know the actual centre of a photo is right in the middle of the shot. But, did you know the visual center is slightly to the right of and above the actual center of the photo? This is the area that our eyes are drawn to immediately.  This "rule" originally was developed by photographers to ensure every shot looks great. Don't we as designers, or homeowners want that as well? Basically when you are composing a photograph, or a wall, imagine two vertical lines and two horizontal lines dissecting your image into nine squares as shown below.  Placing your most important elements at one or more of the four intersections of those lines, helps create interesting photos or design. Most balanced designs (and even unbalanced ones) rely on a grid. This invisible structure helps ensure that all the elements are placed in the right location, thereby achieving balance as well as helping with continuity and consistency of design. These are design principles that help the professional designer achieve visual balance. If you'd like more info, please visit this great site at Photographytalk.com If you'd love to have a visually balanced room, one that is truly pleasing to the eye, please email me at info@jilsoniainteriors.com  Mother's day is fast approaching. Wondering what to get her for a gift? She's got perfume and scarves galore. Judging from what my interior design clients say - most women want their home to look like THEY live there, not someone else! We can provide the perfect paint colour, select the furniture that is just right - or simply answer all her interior design questions! We're here to help! Click here to book now, and I can email you a beautiful gift certificate that you can slip into her Mother's Day card.   Dear Interior Design friends and enthusiasts - Easter is upon us and we are celebrating by offering Interior Design Consultation vouchers for your loved ones. Show someone you care by purchasing a design consultation. We look forward to hearing from you. HAVE A HAPPY EASTER!
Contact us at info@jilsoniainteriors.com
Let me introduce you to my new e-Design platform! We provide interior decor services for all rooms of your home, including paint, furniture, tiles, flooring and more.
We'd love to help you, please click below! Moving in together as a couple means making some drastic changes and sacrifices. You both have to adjust to each other’s lifestyle and anticipate a few hurdles when it comes to agreeing on certain issues; like how your new home will be decorated. Experts agree that many couples are at odds when it comes to interior design, and managing the different home décor styles can end up being one of the biggest move-in challenges for new couples.  How can you blend your different home décor styles without bickering? Here are some experts tips on how you can do it without arguing over the most trivial of things. Determine what are Your Needs and Wants are Before you even start wondering what to include or leave out in your home from what you already have, sit down with your partner and have an honest and straightforward conversation about each other’s needs and wants, and ultimately how you can meet those needs as a couple. While not every need and want will be met, having a discussion forms the basis of agreeing on what should be prioritized. Consider Creating a Wedding Registry: Sometimes, mixing two different styles could end up being the best for couples who are moving together after a wedding. When it comes to styling your first home, consider creating a wedding registry first. According to interior décor experts, your wedding registry is perhaps the best reference point when starting a new life together, and using a service like Amazon Wedding Registry to refine your registry choices is a great decision.  Find New Accessories and Furnishings Together: Instead of holding on to those bachelor rugs or dull throw pillows, it’s time to hit those furniture stores to find new home accessories and furnishings together as a couple. Even if it means selling off those items you don’t necessarily need in your new home to get extra cash to buy those pieces that speak to both of you, do it so long as it blends in with both your styles. Only keep those items that you absolutely love. Blend Décor Pieces from Different Periods: A Vogue article on how to blend decor styles notes that blending pieces from different periods makes a home more stylish. You can easily achieve the right mix if you can blend existing furniture in neutral textures and colors, rather than working with lots of patterns. You can also select interesting artwork together to balance your opposing design choices. As long as you have a style, color and pattern in common, it’s easy to make two pieces work together. Find Inspiration in What You Both Love: We all have something that sparks our interest when it comes to influencing our décor choices and colors such as a vintage rug or a piece of art. If you both have something that can inspire your home styling choices, go ahead and work around that to build a space that you’ll both love. Further engage in home design photos online to get more inspiration and encouraging interior décor insights that make it easier for you to embrace both your authentic styles. Don’t Be in a Rush to Decorate the Whole Place: Don’t be in a rush to decorate the entire home. Just take your time to adjust to the new place. You’ll realize that sometimes, the changes you so much wished for, fade away after some time. After a while, you’ll know what style best suits your home as a couple. Of course, if you’re living in apartment rentals, you’ll want to be a bit cautious about the interior decorating you do. The key is keeping your space simple and well-organized for harmonious living. Consider Working with an Interior Designer:  Interior Design Dining room mood board by Jil Sonia Interiors Compromise is key when it comes to blending styles without bickering. However, finding common ground can sometimes be a challenge, and working with an interior designer is perhaps your best bet. Professional interior designers have experience working with different interior design tastes and will be in the best position to offer unique suggestions. Find the best interior designer near you and consult him or her as a couple' to create the perfect home. Finding the Right Blend Shouldn’t Be Hard While it can be hard to match your decorating style with that of your partner, especially when moving in together, it shouldn't be hard with these expert tips. It’s normal for couples to struggle to agree on the perfect interior style. Simply take your time to discuss your needs and wants and then find a style that blends in well with what you both love.  Can you predict the future? We think we can! We’ve looked at recent trends, at popular searches and more to come up with these bedroom design trends for 2018. Looking to update your bedroom this year? Try implementing some of these ideas for a comfy, trendy bedroom you will love. Buying Online For years, consumers have looked online for inspiration when it comes to their bedroom decor. As more and more furniture and mattress companies become online-only, we predict that consumers will begin to search there for actual pieces, rather than just for ideas. When people find something that’s perfect, they tend to buy it, no matter the method of purchase. If they see the same mattress or piece of furniture recommended over and over again, they’ll be ready to buy when they find it online. This is especially true now that many sites are policing their reviews to make sure they’re coming from actual customers. When buyers know they can trust what they’re hearing, they’ll buy online more and more often.  Master bedroom Cooler Color Palettes Many of the bedrooms featured in popular magazines, on TV, and in the movies demonstrate the extensive use of whites, grays, and light blues. All of these combine to form a cooler color palette for the bedroom than we’ve seen. These colors go well with the minimalist look. If that appeals to you, this may be a trend you want to follow. Painting your walls is one easy way to change the tone of your room, but you can make your existing palette cooler by adding drapes, blankets, a bedspread, and more in your chosen cool colors. A Relaxing Backdrop We predict that empty minimalist walls are slowly going the way of the dinosaur. Not completely, of course! However, more and more featured bedrooms have one or two walls given over to some sort of nature scene. These can be painted on, printed on fabric and then hung, or brought in in the form of vinyl wall decals. No matter the method, bringing the outdoors into the bedroom is becoming more and more popular.  Interior Design by Jil Sonia McDonald of Jil Sonia Interiors Four Poster Beds
These have been in the magazines and on popular blogs for a while now, but many people have been unable or unwilling to implement them because they take up a lot of space. They also make a room look smaller. With so many people buying brand new homes, though, we predict that they will make sure their bedroom has plenty of space for the beds they’ve loved for so long. Four poster bed frames are also changing. They used to be heavy and awkward, but now are becoming lighter and minimalist. In their new form, they don’t seem to take up as much space as they used to, making them more practical for the folks who have always loved them. If any of these trends appeal to you, implement them soon to beat the rush. Be the trendsetter among your group of friends, not the follower! Myra Campbell is a researcher for the sleep science and health organization Tuck.com. Her passion for art and design brought her into the field. She began by researching how to create a relaxing bedroom and learned that great design can help improve our health and well-being. Myra lives in southern California and shares her queen-sized bed with two rescue dogs.  New kitchen cabinets are a wonderful thing. But do you know just how strong they need to be?  Kitchen Design, Jil Sonia Interiors When ensuring your cabinets are sturdy and top notch, here are some tests that show how cabinets are tested. I researched and found such useful information on the ANSI/KCMA website. (Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer Association) These tests are meant to verify the structural integrity and strength of cabinets.
We design gorgeous kitchens! Feel free to contact us below:  How many CFM do I need for my bathroom fan?  Interior design Jil Sonia Interiors, Abbotsford, BC Photo by Ina van Tonder, Surrey, BC. Wondering how to calculate which size of fan you need for your bathroom? For a bathroom with a tub or shower, here's the magic ratio!
Calculate the volume of your bathroom: Height of the room x length of room x width of the room = total volume. ie. 8' high x 10' long x 6' wide room = 480 cubic feet. Now divide the cubic feet by 7.5 480 divided by 7.5 = 64 cfm fan size. Or select the closest available fan size, when in between sizes, always select the higher CFM fan. Meaning, if there is a 50 CFM fan and a 75 CFM fan, select the 75 CFM fan. There you go! I received a great email from Mehran from ATEC Building Envelope Consulting Inc. and I just had to share the great information.
From time to time builders or homeowners ask me what type of Caulking and sealant materials they should use. The following list provides some guidelines. A wide variety of caulking material is available, each suited to certain applications. They tend to be high VOC emitters; therefore, builders need to be aware of possible indoor air quality problems that can result from the use of a particular sealant , especially in housing for chemically sensitive people:
Please do not hesitate to contact Mehran Saraie, EIT, AScT if you need further information or if you have any questions. mehran@atecenvelope.com |
Jil Sonia McDonald -
Jil Sonia Interior Designs
Author:Jil Sonia McDonald - Interior Designer of Jil Sonia Interior Designs. 
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