Watch this quick kitchen video above showing the latest and greatest in kitchen design for 2022.
Did you know countertops are moveable?  Well yes they are!

Let me know if you need help with your kitchen or new build, I'd be happy to help!

​Nothing refreshes a room quite like a fresh coat of paint. And although your walls get the most attention when painting a room, there are many overlooked areas in your home that can be brightened up with a splash of color. Whether you're looking to paint an entire wall or add subtle hints of color to perk up your living space, we've got you covered. 
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We reached out to experts from Vancouver, BC to Las Vegas, NV, who revealed unexpected places where you can get creative and add accent colors to liven up your home. Check out their ideas to get inspired!

HOME:
1) Paint a mini accent wall behind floating shelves
For a perfect DIY décor project with little work but lots of impact, add a square or rectangular block of a bold color behind the shelves. If you're terrible at painting straight lines, you can frame the block with rail molding or use bold wallpaper. Include items on the shelves that coordinate and compliment the bold accent color. This allows your shelves to look bigger and gives an intentional feeling to otherwise plain shelves. -Amble & Awe Interiors
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2) Bring character to your walls and surfaces
A splash of color on a feature wall can go a long way in giving your space a makeover. You can paint a design or lean on contrasting colors to completely change a room's look and feel. And even if you're a renter, there are plenty of products on the market specifically designed for renters with an eye for design who want to incorporate accent colors into their space. Use temporary wallpaper and stickers to change the appearance of your walls without falling foul of your contract. -Cobalt Blue 1802

3) Add colorful personality to your front entryway
You have your own personality, so why not have it also shine through your home? Your front entryway is your guest’s first impression when walking into your home, so let it stand out by adding a bold accent color. You can do this by painting a console table or even adding a bold printed wallpaper to a furniture piece or wall. -Kenna Mae Interior Design.

4) Pull color inspiration from your décor
Spruce up your boring walls by pulling a bold, bright color from an existing pillow or draperies in your space. You need to ensure that the bold color relates to something else in the room to give  that true 'designer look' and tie the space together. For example, you can pull a bright orange from a pillow and incorporate it into a bench seat while also applying it to one of the walls. -Jil Sonia Interiors
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7) Add a pop of color to your powder room
If you'd like to add bold color to your home without overcommitting, try paint or wallpaper in your powder room. It can offer a fun, unexpected element to an area where friends and family typically spend a short amount of time. And don't stop at the walls; the ceiling is a great place to add unexpected color too. -Letter Four
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8) Highlight hallways doors with accent colors
Hallway doors, while highly functional, tend to be mundane. Breathe life into your hallways by painting the doors in beautiful colors. Whether you unify them with one single hue, watercolor them with different shades of the same hue, or go all out in an homage to the rainbow doors of Ireland, this design statement will change the way you feel about hallways forever. -Gretchen Schauffler

9) Introduce accent colors to your kitchen cabinets
If you are looking to add a splash of color to your kitchen, consider painting your cabinet doors a contrasting color to the base of your cabinets. This will create another layer of color and add a new dimension to your space. Ramp it up a notch by replacing your cabinet panels with glass. -Lindsey Murillo Interiors

10) Add interest with a vibrant trim 
People tend to think of a bold color for the wall paint - but it’s much more unexpected to do a pop of color on the trim. A cherry red, navy blue, robin’s egg blue, or even mustard would look chic on the baseboards, crown, and window molding. Pair with a complementary wall color, wallpaper, or a soft white for a unique and memorable look. -Maggie Stephens Interiors
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11) Refresh your stairs with accent colors
Instead of leaving your staircase to fade away into the background, incorporate it with the rest of your home’s color scheme by painting it a vibrant color. Not ready to take the plunge? Test the waters by painting a lesser-seen set of stairs first - like your basement or attic stairs. -Arters Design
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12) Use accent colors to highlight a focal point in your home
Accent walls are a great way to add unexpected excitement to your space. Use color to emphasize a focal point in a room, such as a fireplace, built-ins, or a large window. Balance an accent wall with a neutral color on the other adjoining walls in a light to medium neutral color. -Dwell & Oak
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13) Personalize your space with colorful fabric
One of my favorite ways to add color is with fabric. If you’re a little scared to upholster your entire sofa, liven up your pillows with a fun pattern. Pillows are the perfect place to start, and you can always switch them out when the time is right. -Lauren Ashley Design
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14) Add interest to your closet with a fun color or wallpaper
Consider revamping a closet with a fun color or wallpaper to create a beautiful space for an entirely different purpose. We painted our closet a deep shade of blue and outfitted it with a changing table, wardrobe, shelving, a rug, and décor to create a makeshift nursery for our new baby boy. Repurposing a closet to utilize as an office, craft area, kids play space, or reading nook are great creative options, too. -Liz Gaffney Design

15) Use your artwork as inspiration to form a color palette 
Buy a piece of art or choose a beloved piece that you already own and pick out 3-5 of the brightest colors in the artwork to use as the accent color palette in your home. From there, you can take a leap and be bold when you are painting your home. Take color risks in smaller rooms like powder rooms and guest rooms, and paint the color you love on all the walls and ceiling (use a washable low sheen paint so the color appears more saturated). 
Bonus tip: Nix the matchy-matchy. One common mistake is trying to match everything to each other. For your home, try to pick five colors you like together as a base for your decor. Three of them should be neutrals, and two can be bright accent colors! -Color & Design Collective

16) Add accent colors to a folding screen
In 2021, the use of folding screens has become very popular as we can use them as our Zoom backgrounds while working from home. I recommend that the screens be painted quite soberly on one side, matching your neutral wall decor, while the other can incorporate a more adventurous zing of vibrant color. I love Farrow and Ball's Yellow Cake or a neon-esque hot pink opera rose red hue like Benjamin Moore's Blushing Red. -Áine Atara

17) Refresh utility rooms with accent colors
Who said utility rooms have to be boring? Be daring with your color choices. Midnight blue cabinets with hot pink interiors set against a crisp white background will undoubtedly get you in the mood for cleaning. Complete the look with hot pink and luxurious gold decorative accents to really pack a punch. -L'atelier Kauldhar

18) Give your mudroom the attention it deserves
Make your mudroom colors a bold and welcoming accent to your home by incorporating bright colors, both on walls and millwork. Don’t be afraid to try classics like Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy or North Sea. Should you feel especially inspired, try a stand-out color like BM’s Admiral Blue. Add a whimsical touch by using a chalk paint for writing family schedules, shopping lists, messages, and inspirational words. -Luxe Design
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19) Use a bold accent color to create a cozy atmosphere
Most have heard that dark ceilings make a room feel smaller, and while this is true, it doesn't make it a no-no in all instances. Sometimes when a room is too large to relax in, and you need a cozy, more human scale space, a dark ceiling can quickly reduce the large expansive feeling of a room to that of a perfect nook to lounge in. Bold saturated colors in paint or wallcoverings on the ceiling is a great way to personalize and humanize large spaces to feel more comfortable. -BMorCreative
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20) Spruce up your wall trims
After the gloomy year we've experienced, color pops and accents are the perfect additions to making your room unique and happy. Pops of color enhance the feel and interest of a room, and adding bright trim paint to your room awakens the space and makes it shine. -Jenn Cameron Interiors

21) Add a wow factor to your entryway by painting your stairs in a bold accent color
Stairs are usually a boring feature in any home. Why not transform them into a statement piece? You could paint the individual spindles on your staircase in graduating shades or paint the face of each step in different colors for a rainbow effect. -Loving Quarters

22) Incorporate accent colors in high traffic areas within your home
A mudroom is a hectic space where families drop off their gear, whether it's a book bag, handbag, or briefcase, but it doesn't have to be left out. Painting the walls an accent color can lift the room, bring it to life, and make it the perfect first impression. I recommend Benjamin Moore Night Train 1567, Benjamin Moore Metropolitan AF-690, Benjamin Moore Hail Navy HC-154, Benjamin Moore Navy Masterpiece 1652, or Benjamin Moore Nantucket Fog AC-22 as accent color options for the space. -Bina Murphy Interiors

23) Frame fabric to create a colorful art piece
Do you have extra scraps of colorful upholstery fabric from past projects that you have tucked away in your home? Use the leftover fabric and place it in a frame with matting. Framed fabric art is a simple way to add interest and texture to your home without a lot of effort. -Jewel Marie Interiors
Originally published by Redfin
 
Let me know if you need help finding the perfect accent colour for your home!
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Are you wondering What is the difference between an Interior Designer & Decorator?

It can get complicated, but here's a brief 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!

Update:  For More information check out my video interview below from Oct, 2021.
​ I speak more about it around the 19 minute mark after discussing trends for 2022. 
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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,

We've been doing more and more online design.  We use a program called Design Files, which we love. It's a quick and easy way to show our designs and to organize our interior design mood boards.

Here's how we use it with our amazing clients!
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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...
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Any questions?  We're happy to help!

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

 Then steps 4-6 of designing your dream home. Part 2/5

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

  And steps 7-9 of designing your dream home:  Part 3/5

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

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.
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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." ​

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!
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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:

• ensure the colour flows from room to room,
• keep either a clean, (or conversely), a muted or a dirty colour scheme throughout, and
• remember to consider the undertones - more about that in a later post.

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!

​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.

​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.

2. What was your biggest colour/design mistake? 
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​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!

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.

 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? 

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. 
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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.
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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.
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​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

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!