Have you ever wished there was an HGTV series introducing you to homeowners who have done things the wrong way and live to regret their decisions? I’ve often wondered why that doesn’t exist because that’s where the real design education begins.

We’re constantly inundated with shows about renovations that seem to finish on time, under budget with no obstacles along the way. I can tell you from a decade of real life experience that this virtually never happens. There are always obstacles, homeowners always struggle to maintain budgets and changes occur regularly throughout the design process.

Since HGTV won’t do it, I’m sharing a list of the top regrets that clients experience. Hopefully this will prevent any similar mistakes on your part.

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It can take years to prepare yourself to spend the time, money and energy making changes to your home. You’ve likely been through the options available to you including selling your home, doing some diy projects to help you limp along or a full custom design created just for you.

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What do you see when you look at a new space? Do you see the completed space or a series of layers that have come together in unison? For most people it’s a collection of things that look inspiring and cohesive. For interior designers we see each and every layer of the home, from the structure to the lighting to the decor. We appreciate the harmony of a well planned and perfectly executed home. 

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Most of us are aware of how important traffic flow is in your home. Blocked walkways lead to congestion and improperly designed spaces can feel difficult to manoeuvre in. There’s another issue that affects us deeply that is so often overlooked. It’s the flow of your home in regards to your daily routines. Your home should feel functional and allow you to quickly move through your routines without impeding you along the way. If you’re not sure how to accomplish this then you’ll want to read on. 

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If you’re getting ready to begin a renovation you’re likely experiencing a whirlwind of emotions. It starts as excitement which leads to endless hours of daydreaming, research and planning. As the start date approaches the options have become more confusing than when you began to experience sleepless nights as you mull over the myriad of options available. By the time the date arrives you’re feeling overwhelmed, irritated and confused.

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Roller shades are a simple window covering that is composed of a single piece of fabric or vinyl that rolls up  and down. The fabric is attached to a hollow tube with brackets on the side to hold the roll in place. The shade can be attached either inside or outside of the window frame.

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Spring is here and so many of us are just waiting by the door for the day when we can ditch our indoor living in favour of the outdoors. Maybe this is even the year you’ll finally get that deck you’ve always wanted (mine is just completed and I’ll be revealing that next month). 

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With summer just around the corner we’re all starting to plan for outdoor spaces. It's also an important time of year to maintain your focus on the interior of your home. Most of us tend to entertain more often throughout the summer but sometimes the party has to move indoors. It’s then that we can be caught without enough seating.

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There’s nothing more difficult when it comes to paint than selecting the perfect white. Seems like it should be simple but if you’ve ever stared at a wall of white paint chips before you know exactly what I mean. Individually they all look the same but lay a few of them side by side and you’ll suddenly see different colours shine through. 

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In my business I see homeowners stuck in neutral for far too long because they go around in circles trying to decide on the wood finishes for their home. The fear of making the wrong decision can be paralyzing but it doesn’t have to be like that. Instead, understanding the difference between trends and timeless materials will help you get unstuck and feel positive about forging ahead. 

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If a renovation is out of the question you might be wondering how much you can change your space through paint. The answer is a lot. There’s nothing quite as transformative as a new paint colour.  A colour consultation will give you the confidence to move ahead.

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We all know that trends are cyclical but it’s hard to be left behind when our homes are still embracing yesterday’s hot design trend. For anyone who’s currently living in a home filled with gray you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. 

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I’ve been seeing a lot of really interesting things happening in the world of fireplaces but always remember that a fireplace should be a timeless statement in your home. Try to avoid anything overly trendy that will date your home quickly.

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If you’re feeling overwhelmed with your home you may immediately turn your mind to thoughts of undergoing a renovation. That can be a great option but it does require a large budget and a window of time where your house will be given over to trades. 

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It’s most common that I would help source new furniture but that’s not the only option. If you have pieces that are high quality and well constructed it’s possible to repurpose or refinish them. These options are not inexpensive so this isn’t necessarily going to save money but it will allow you keep the pieces that you love right where they are and just give them a facelift. 

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