Design Details
Thoughts on curating beautiful spaces and living well.
What Is My Design Style?
… Whether it’s a renovation or redesign of your interior space, a label can provide clarity, right? My answer may not be quite what you expect. When thinking about your space and your needs, start with its function…
Great Accessories Finish A Space
… It seems like a small thing, and maybe even an afterthought, but the finishing accessories you add into your space will make it feel complete…
Where to spend when furnishing your home
…where is it best to spend? And where is more restraint appropriate? ... 4 factors to consider when deciding where to dream big vs. spending more modestly.
How to Make a Room Feel Warmer
If you updated your interior in the last few years with a monochromatic neutral interior, you may find yourself craving a little more warmth or colour at this bleak time of year.
More Space Doesn’t Equal Great Design
The difference between a builder home and a home designed by a design professional is that the latter makes use of every inch to serve a specific homeowner…
Budgeting for your interior design project
In my experience, there are four key variables that have the biggest impact on the budget for your interior design or decorating project…
How much does an interior designer cost in Canada?
… In a typical full service design project, 15-30% of the total budget is allocated to the design and procurement portions to ensure that the remaining 70-85% is spent wisely in achieving a great and lasting result…
Great Design Increases the Value of Your Home
Some people consider hiring a designer a luxury. My clients view it as an investment, not only in their well-being, but also in one of their most substantial assets - their home.
Benefits of Custom Drapery
Generally people are surprised by the cost of custom drapery. When you think about all of the components that go into making them, you realize why they are costly. Some of these variables include the amount of yardage, type of fabric, design, hardware, labour to sew and install. You can expect to spend…
What to do with extra rooms, now that the kids have moved out
If your kids have moved out, you might find yourself with some extra rooms or space. Some people at this stage wonder if they should consider moving and downsizing. But consider the expense of moving (not to mention the hassle). If you already like your house, there is a better approach: redesign your space to better function for your current needs.
How Colour Can Be Timeless
Are you afraid to inject colour into your space for fear it may date quickly? I would actually argue the opposite may be true.
If your home is designed well in its entirety, with harmony between all the spaces, you can most certainly inject some colour, any colour, for a long time.
Warm Weather Refresh
Summer is almost here!
This is a great time not only for a good spring/summer clean but also a few fun updates to welcome the warmer weather.
Better Sleep Month
More and more we know that sleep is critical to good health and longevity. Not only are you a better version of yourself when rested, but you are also preserving your brain health and physical health.
Now why is it we underestimate the value of a beautifully finished and well functioning bedroom to sleep in?
Elevate Your Laundry Room
National laundry day is April 15 so I thought it fitting to talk about ways to elevate your laundry room.
Virtual Design
There is an impression out there that e-design or virtual design is an inexpensive offering or a way to minimize design investment. In reality, it is just a different way of working. As with in-person full service projects, the same research and design process is undertaken to deliver a comprehensive design presentation, including 3D renderings of the proposed space.
Mixing Metals
One way to inject timelessness in a space is to mix the metals. I am often asked by clients if a particular metal finish is ‘in fashion’. A good example of this is warm burnished brass which is popular now. Though it happens to be popular today, it is a metal finish that has been around forever, centuries in fact!
Seven shades of white
… There are hundreds of white colours that have varying undertones that can make or break a space design. Picking the right one can be very challenging. Here are seven Yassein Interior projects that each feature a different white paint from Benjamin Moore …
Purge Before Starting to Design
Let’s face it… we all enjoy instant gratification. Designing our spaces is no different… it is incredibly difficult to resist the temptation to jump in and start looking at all the new elements you can bring into your space. But I believe this is exactly the right moment to pause…
The Power of Decor
The power of decor is often underestimated. Whether it is a small update or a complete renovation, unless you plan out and execute the decor portion of the project, your room or home will not give you the feeling you desire. Of course, if what you desire is an empty space then that’s a different blog topic!
Selecting a paint colour for your room
One of the most common mistakes people make is selecting a paint colour first and then trying to decorate around it. The paint colour is the last thing you should select! Think about putting together a woman’s clothing outfit. Would you select lipstick first and then go shopping to find the outfit, shoes and accessories? Of course, not. The same is true when decorating your home.