Welcome to The Purple Door Cottage

Some people name their car, their bike, or their boat. This inspired me to name my cottage – welcome to my Purple Door Cottage. The reason for the name is simple. With taupe siding and white trim, the cottage was in desperate need of a pop of color. My daughter and I searched coloured doors on Pinterest and fell in love with this beautiful deep purple. The color is perfect for our space...
Stampede decorating

If your town puts on a rodeo or if you’re hosting a western-themed party, you’ll probably dress the part. Why not add some western decorating touches to the house too? In our home city, the Calgary Stampede is a big event, and everyone gets into the spirit. Restaurants, shops and even offices decorate with hay bales, barn wood and painted windows. This display in the lobby of Calgary’s Devon Tower was...
Waiting for Hardware? Try Painter’s Tape

Sometimes when you’re renovating, you run into situations like having no hardware on cabinets because it’s on back order or otherwise delayed. That’s exactly what happened to me, and it was driving me crazy every time I tried to open the cabinets. Until my contractor suggested a simple trick. Just fold pieces of painter’s tape in half, leaving a bit of the sticky part hang out. Stick the tape on the inside...
I’m in the Oprah magazine!

Woohoo! I can’t believe I’m in Oprah’s magazine. Yes this one, the July issue. I’ve been an Oprah fan for as long as I can remember, so to be featured in her magazine is super exciting. I’m in the “We Hear You” section featuring a replica of the April issue of the Oprah magazine cover we designed. We loved the pink, mauve and yellow cover so much that it inspired us to repaint...
Cheap Chic: DIY Wall Display

Art doesn’t have to be expensive. You can make your own one-of-a-kind pieces just like I did in this easy DIY wall display. The best part is that you can customize your art to fit your style, décor and most importantly your budget. I recently painted my wall with this beautiful Antiguan Sky green by Benjamin Moore and decided on all white gallery to create a nice crisp summer look....
Trend Alert: Whimsical Bookends

On a recent visit to a decorating store, I spotted some quirky bookends that would add a great touch of whimsy to any bookshelf or décor. Incorporate fun bookends anywhere around the house where they’ll catch the eye and become real conversation pieces. On my visit to Steeling Home, a vintage store where they sell one-of-a-kind accessories, I found these bookends that would fit any style or budget. They would...
Father’s Day Puzzle Art

Doesn’t this picture just melt your heart? This Father’s Day puzzle art takes only a few minutes to make and is guaranteed to bring a tear to any father’s eye. This is the kind of priceless homemade gift that will live on your bookshelf or night table forever. It’s adorable and creative, plus kids will love to help out. I was inspired by some puzzle art I saw on Pinterest and decided...
How to make a chalkboard

The chalkboard trend has been going strong for many years and judging by all the chalkboards that keep popping up in design magazines and TV shows, it’s here to stay a while longer. So, when I rediscovered an old picture frame I had bought at a garage sale years ago, guess what I did with it? Oui, I made a chalkboard! You’ll love this chalkboard DIY because it’s quick and easy...
Crazy about flamingos – a new décor trend

Flamingos are trendy? Really? Who knew? If you’ve flipped through any décor magazines lately you’ve most likely spotted pictures of the long legged bird on furniture, cushions and other accessories for the home. And, if you didn’t know about this new trend, going forward you’ll certainly notice it. After noticing images of flamingos on Pinterest, Instagram and on various blogs, it inspired me to make my very own art to embrace...
Pretty pastel workspace

After a long cold winter, I was ready to freshen up my workspace with pretty pastel colors. I’m not usually a fan of soft candy colors, but I was inspired by the April issue of the Oprah magazine and decided it was time to inject some pastels into my life. A change of seasons is a great excuse to shake things up and to transform your décor quickly and inexpensively. We...
How to decorate with mirrors

Fun and affordable, mirrors are a great alternative to hanging art on your walls they come in a wide array of shapes and sizes so you will be sure to find one to suit your space, style and budget. Here are a few tips and ideas on how to decorate your home with mirrors. Reflect daylight A mirror placed in a front entrance will reflect light, so if you have a small entrance...
Videos Galore: 60 Second Tips & More

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a good video must be worth 100,000. It’s just so much easier to envision an idea or master a concept when it’s conveyed with both images and sound. That’s why we’ve decided to focus on creating more video content for you. We’ll be developing new clips every week and sharing them on our YouTube channel. We’ll cover everything from quick how-to’s and decorating tips to reviews of home décor products and behind-the-scenes...