we're moving!

The d@d blog is moving to a new home!

As our retail launch approaches it's time to move the blog across to d@d hints, tips & more... our new customer platform. A reserved space that brings news, views, advantages & updates to our customers and our Brand partners customers.

Keep watching our site, designatdistance.com and our partners sites (list coming soon) to find out how you can keep in touch... and more!

Julie and the d@d team

Discover our latest collections!

Here at design at distance we listen to our customers, and our customers are telling us that they love our 'Classic Collection' of interior design services.

And that's great, but our experience shows that our customers have other needs in their homes. So we've been working with our designers, and talking to our commercial partners, to create even more design and home-related experiences for you and your home! 

Welcome to 'The Home-lovers Collection': a range of experiences that help you fit into your home, and your home fit your style. Choose from a color & style experience, or home-staging skills to help you to sell, or to stay in your home, or even a unique watercolor of your home or cottage. Our home-lovers experiences start at $200 

Take a look at some of our experiences:
The guide to low-cost make-overs for Kitchen or Bathroom, $399. Created to help you transform tired and outdated wet rooms on a tight budget. Great when you're preparing to sell your property, when moving into a new place, or simply when your renovation needs outstrip the budget!  
And if your existing mix of furniture and accessories just aren't up to scratch, then customize them with The transformation guide for existing furnishings and accessories $200. A service that makes both financial and ecological sense.

Discover the full rage of design and home experiences at www.lifeexperiences.ca click on the 'lifestyle' category. Enjoy!

Be prepared : Part 2

In our last 'be prepared' post we tackled draughts in the home. 
Today I'd like to invite you to wrap up, get out, and check out the outside of your home.

Here're some simple tips to get you started.  Stand back to get an overview of each side of your home. I call it 'squint and scan! Start from the top and work your way across and down the building, just as a scanner scans a piece of paper. Take your time, you're looking for anything out of the ordinary, from top to bottom

The roof: Difficult to get a full view without ladders (make sure both you and your equipment are in sound condition and safely attached before you leave the ground!), but look for any slipped or missing coverings, foreign objects, or patches that seem overly 'weathered' (old, dry, cracked ...).

Gutters and trims: Water always finds away to penetrate, and it's not always your roof at fault when the worst happens and you spring a leak. Trims and gutters often age and wear first, leaving your home open to damage.
Make sure gutters are cleaned. Fall brings huge quantities of falling leaves and once wet they become heavy and force your guttering to expand, stressing joints and opening up cracks in the process. Once cleaned out, take a look at some of the latest repair, sealing, and waterproofing products on the shelves of your local harware store. Most will do the job and save you money in the process, but do call in the experts if you have any doubt of the size of the problem. Money invested early is always worth stretching the budget.

Walls and sidings: Look for bulges, breaks, cracks and water stains.
The latter may be the result of those over-stuffed gutters you've already identified, but stains further down the wall could be the sign of a defective overflow pipe. Check out the cause asap and fix it quickly.

Painting outdoors can be a big expense, but your home needs an overcoat that works! Don't skimp, making it stretch another year could be costly. If the weather or the budget just won't work with you this year, then plan it in now for the Spring.
Bulges and cracks need attention. Homes do settle over time, and cracking may occur, but this is not an area to mess with. Call in a recognized contractor to give it a once-over (don't hesitate to ask around for a recommendation from friends or family if you don't have a good address yourself). Bad news? Get another estimate before you sign on the dotted line.

Windows and doors: Hopefully you've tackled any gaps on the inside of your home, but draughts do come in from outdoors, so check seals where walls and windows join, and get them renewed if needed. A small job with big benefits!

Ground level: Were walls meet the ground there is usually a 'rain band' that helps protect the material of the wall itself. Often concrete, this band can become cracked and pull away over time, leaving your walls 'bare' and prone to rising damp. Get it on 'the fix list', and get it sorted.

Balcony and terraces: High use areas for part of the year, balconies and terraces often get a bum deal in the winter months. Frozen and forgotten about, wooden additions suffer when the mercury falls, so check them out carefully. Some love and care here will ensure years of extended pleasure in warmer days.

Drives and paths: Age is a terrible thing! Over time, the actual ground under our feet sinks and moves, and whatever is built above it will either be up to the movement, or not.
Cracks can appear, and paths and drives become an eyesore that can seriously effect the value of your home, making future buyers run scared in the face of the thought of having to redo such large surfaces. If your hard surfaces are suffering, take a look at a product that hit the market this year. Made by RustOleum, this driveway transformation product takes the headache, and the financial bite out of this once frightening job.

Pools and outdoor furniture: Pools need to be 'wintered' correctly to protect them against colder weather, so check with an expert and follow their advice. Keep a close eye on your monthly heating bills too if your pool's system is linked to your home's, as mistakes or breakdowns here can end up costing big bucks!
Winter furniture indoors, or if you're short of space, then wrap them up well. I like to clean off and treat furniture before I 'hibernate' them, but if you don't get round to it all, at least free them of dirt and dust before packing them away for the winter, so that it doesn't 'eat' into the surface.

Plants: Time to pull them out or wrap, or cover them up! Clear surfaces of fallen leaves that rot and damage the ground underneath them, staining concrete and killing of grass.
Save the roots of potted plants by topping off with bark shavings, and use hessian to wrap up delicate bushes, or move them indoors or find a more protected area.

Whatever the size of your eventual job list, the more detailed you are in the inspection at the start, the more economies you'll make in the future, so bite the bullet, grab your coat and get checking!

The 'C' word...

Sorry to be the carrier of potentially unnerving news, but Christmas is just around the corner. Now. it's not that I don't love Christmas. I do, it's just that the couple of years that I have mis-timed getting myself prepared for it it was a little... stressful!

So, this year I thought I'd share the announcement: It's time to plan people; to get ahead of the game, and to prepare for.... more people!

Let's start in the Kitchen: This is where it all happens, 'the heart of the home' and where traditions unite, with food as the center-piece. So, with food in mind, try to pin down the quantity of visitors that will be gathering around your table.

How many mouths are you sure to be catering for? and how many may get added to the guest list?  And how many days will you be cooking for: A. just the family? B. family and friends? and C. family, friends, plus 'gatecrashers'? Once you have an approximate idea of the numbers, planning becomes childs play.

Clear the decks. I know Spring is the time to clear out the cupboards, but I think Granny missed a trick when she didn't mention Christmas-time (or maybe they didn't have so many people over in those days). Believe me this is THE time to slim down the contents of your cabinetry. Arm yourself with a large garbage bag and systematically throw all the leaking, past the date, or 'will never get used' food stuff.

Here's a tip: If you're a herbs and spices lover like me, a great way to save on waste if is to combine all the 'end of packets' into a seal top container and use it as a spice rub for meats. Add a handful of brown sugar and you're good to go.
And if you're drowning in open packets of cookies and biscuits, which are still good to eat, then whiz them up in a food processors, add some melted butter and Voila: a base for a cheesecake or lemon tart. Or you can give them to the dog/the birds/or the bin!

Once you've back to the basics, then make sure everything is in the right place: coffee and tea- making bits stored together in reach of the kettle/coffee machine. Make space for some specialty chocs and biscuits to serve quickly alongside a coffee, and you can enjoy those drop in guests from the moment they arrive.

Check your pots and pans: honestly, if they're finished, they're finished! Dump them, a pan that sticks and burns will not help the stress level when you're in a rush to get plates filled. Most supermarkets carry an affordable range of sauce and fry pans. Invest. make it a present to yourself if needed, but trust me, you'll be happy you did.

Count your plates and flatware. Running short on Christmas day should not be an option. Make provision for breakages, and those stuck in a running dishwasher. Same as for pots and pans, hit the supermarket, Ikea or even the Dollar shop if the budget's tight. Stick to white and they'll never come in wrong.
My favorite place to find flatware is at charity stores and garage sales. I love to mix old pieces together. Who said everything has to match? Add in some old glassware, and you'll end up with a wonderfully festive table that's cost a little but looks fantastically eclectic. Keep the theme going by using an assortment of colorful, fabric napkins It adds to the look, and you'll save yourself stressing-out if you don't have a matching set.

So happy hunting and check back in soon for some tips on how best to prepare for those 'sleep-over' guests. Julie

Be prepared!

As temperatures drop, we automatically adjust our wardrobes, pulling out winter woollies and overcoats, but how long do we spend making sure our homes will make it through the winter season? Sound familiar? Then read on:

Homes need to breath, whatever the weather, but there's a big difference between aeration and down-right draughty! If your home leans towards the latter, now's the time to get to grips with the cause, and solve the problem. And the sooner the better.
You'll see the result in your heating bill, and you'll feel the physical benefits immediately. And don't be tempted to stop the gap with a rolled up comforter (yes, we've all been there), all it does is trap in the moisture (where air passes, moisture is never far behind) and adds to the problem.

Let's take for granted here that your windows and doors are in OK condition. If so, then the cause of your draughts will probably be caused by the joint between the window and the wall. Take a look. If you see cracked/mouldy joints then look no further.

• Scrape out old joints and deal with any peeling paint
• Wash the area thoroughly with a specialist mold deterant, that will knock spores on the head and reduce the chance of it returning
• Leave to dry
• Then re-seal with silicon (I usually use paint with a mold retarding ingredient around windowsills, to help protect the area from future attack). Job done!

If you're windows and doors need replacing, but your budget just won't stretch this year, then let's look at some low-cost 'bridging' solutions...

• Deal with the joints (see above) this is usually where most air enters
• Wooden windows and doors can be brought back from the brink by using the wood hardening product on the market. Check out your local hardware store. These products can literally 'stop the rot', but be sure to follow the directions to the letter!
• Single pane windows can be turned (temporarily) into double glazing with plastic sheets that stretch to fit with the application of heat. (Think cling-wrap). So dig out the hair dryer and get blowing
• Use fabric! Our ancestors created curtains, not for the decorative effect, but out of necessity. Yes, you guessed it: to keep out draughts! So be bold, frame windows and doors with lots of lovely fabric that can be pulled across to keep winter at bay, and add a super cosy feel to your home. And it needn't be expensive! I love using those natural cotton decorators sheets: large widths and cheap as chips, but they really do the job and fit into both modern and more traditional settings, adding an eclectic touch at a great price. Or use simple cottons and line, or better still, interline (basically that's making a sandwich of cotton, filler, cotton) and get sewing. No sewing machine (or no desire to DIY-it?) than check out your local Ikea.

I once fell upon a whole collection of 'grandmas' blankets (gosh, was THAT a find), that created an instant cottage feel when hung. The fact that some were too small (how did they sleep in such narrow beds?) to fit the windows wasn't a problem. I just edged them in a contrasting fabric and 'voila' a unique way to add personality and warmth without breaking the bank.

My tips:

1. If you have a whole house to do, and you can cut and sew in a straight line (seriously, it is that simple) than invest in a sewing machine: it pays for itself in no time.
2. If money is tight, broom handles, plant poles and canes, and even metal rods make great alternatives to expensive curtain poles. Mount them with individual hooks or rings, paint them them to fit your existing scheme or leave them 'raw' to add to that eclectic or country look. 

Whichever way you decide to tackle a draught problem, you can be sure that your home and the environment will thank you for it. And if you do take the DIY route, you'll be amazed at the satisfaction you'll feel, having not only solved a problem on a budget, but by creating a unique look for your interior. Good luck!

Need more space? Look in another place!

Is your home stretching it's seams to breaking point? Then why not think about giving your garage a makeover. 

While a garage figures high on the wish list of many home-owners, it's often the area we invest in least, but kitting out the garage with practical storage solutions takes the stress of stretched interiors, making your home seems larger and easier to live in! A wise investment in time and money that has a direct impact on home comfort.

But first things first: it's very important to check the “bones” of the building for damaging damp.
If you find water penetration, call in an expert to find out where it's coming from, but once you've identified the problem, check out the DIY solutions on the hardware shelves. They allow you to patch your own leaky roof and waterproof walls and floors at a fraction of the price a bringing in a professional. Look out the RustOleum brand, they have a complete range of waterproofing products that are custom made to be used by home-owners and give top grade, and long lasting results. I'm a big fan.

Then heat it up! Think about adding electric space heaters to create a warmer environment. It may tempt you to get started on those long planned DIY projects, as well as keeping future dampness at bay. And remembering that heat rises, you'll get double the benefit if you have rooms above your garage, and it doesn't have to break the bank.

Fixed or mobile heaters start at under $60, but choosing one with timer and temperature settings, and the capacity for quick heat will take you up to $100 or more: Worth the stretch. Comfort is key to how often you use the space for anything other than parking!

Next on the list? Floors: The latest epoxy flooring kits make transforming stained and dirty concrete floors kids play. Allow around $ and a long weekend to create a non slip, easy clean finish fit for the family saloon. And walls: Who said colour was just for interiors? Create a cool environment and paint with attitude! No need to be neutral here. Go bold and think outside you usual decorative comfort zone by creating a look that might not work inside your home.

Storage, storage & more storage! 
Free floor space with wall hanging solutions for larger tools and bikes. Your local hardware store should stock a varied choice from under  $10 a piece. And make walls work harder with shelving. Starting at under $30 a section, free standing plastic shelving can be a lower cost alternative to metal shelving or built in solutions, but shop around and carry wall and ceiling measurements with you. And remember, whatever shelving you buy, take the time to fix it to the wall to prevent future accidents!

Most major hardware stores, and superstores offer a wide range of solutions to stock your shelves: boxes, baskets, crates and drawer units in a choice of materials. Pick what's most suited to your needs, then take the plunge and invest! Luckily, plastic and cardboard storage is relatively inexpensive, so you can splurge without guilt and get your garage in shape in no time for small bucks.

If space is still a problem, with Snow-Do's, ski's and winter tires taking up valuable space, then maybe a small storage unit is the answer? National storage companies are geared up for smaller needs and don't charge for visiting your unit. Prices are surprisingly affordable from $30 a month and will free space for things you use on a more regular basis. Check out our site partner Public Storage for great deals and a professional approach to keeping your belongings safe and sound.

Making the space work for you: Do your DIY projects warrant a tool box or a tool cabinet? A wood-working wall? or a smaller bench? Add a work surface and all of a sudden your garage can double as a project room.

The moral of the story here is that space is always a luxury, and the more you can organize the space you have the better. If you think carefully about all the areas in your home, you can often create additional useable space that eases off other rooms. And you never know, you may be tempted to take up a new hobby!

Happy DIY-ing, and happy "hobby-ing"! Julie

Christmas is coming

And it's coming soon!
We all know how quickly days run away with us on the lead up to Christmas day, and I'm always promising myself I'll get prepared earlier, that this will be the year I'll not have that last minute stress-fuelled shopping dash as the 25th looms!

So, I was very proud to get this years resolution off to a great start when I fell across a wonderfull winterland of greetings cards and small gift solutions, not to mention some scrumptious handbags! when walking through Montreal's "vieux port" district last week.

Here's the address if you get the chance to drop by: 445 Rue Saint-Sulpice, Montréal QC, H2Y 2V7
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Busy Days!

The design at distance blog has been in "snooze mode" these past few weeks as the company progresses towards its retail launch. There's more designers to bring on board, and start training, and plenty of design products to prepare for market.

And on the home front? Well some things just have to take a back seat as business blooms! Our planned home renovations are inching along at a snails pace as the process of choosing layout and finishes drop down my list of priorities. But it just goes to prove, that like most of our customers, we all could do with the helping hand of a third party to make sure "things get done" now and again.
I suspect the day I hand over "home" to one of our designers things will get back on track pretty quickly: all in all it's a great endorsement for our own services!

But our own renovation plans raises a question that many of you have probably already encountered.
In a newly bought "older" home that needs work, and a "post purchase buying" budget that's tight (or being allocated elsewhere) what level of reno' do you undertake? A complete re-model that will meet your long-term needs, and the style, and quality level that lasts? or a considerably cheaper, and less permanent quick fix?
That's the question!

So what's the right answer? Well, there truly isn't a right, or a wrong answer the one that best suits your situation. Obviously the "ideal" scenario is that you get to do what you want, when you want, but the reality of life is that the "right" answer depends on you, your mid term plans...and your budget!

So we're busy creating new services that will help those homeowners whose budget are stretched (and over-stretched) at the seams...because homeowners that are "ready to re-style", or renovate to meet their needs and dreams are already covered by our core collection of design services. We'll be teaming up with innovative, easy-to-use paint products that really work, to re-fresh and update surfaces around your home. Add our design flair and lots of clever tips and you won't recognize that old and tired space!

So keep "posted" and we'll be updating you on where, and when, you'll be able to check out our newest addition to our services.

Want to be a fly on our wall?

The past week has been pretty memorable for us as a family.From arriving in Montreal with a part-time husband (happily, only due to work commitments) and 3 boys (on an off-on basis) in August 2009, we found ourselves signing on the dotted line for a 2 story condo (a first for us) in the bustling heart of Montreal's canal area. Not the right moment (financially speaking) but a great buy in a spot we'd ear-marked as a "great to live in" area.

Holiday time : time to get inspired!

We've been taking a small break from blogging, as our creative demands heat up alongside the weather.  And while our break has been work-led, I know many of you will have been taking your holidays over this period, and whether your holidays are taken abroad, in some exotic spot, or at home, it's often the time to let your own "creative juices" come to the fore!
Holiday moments let you enjoy the small luxuries of life, maybe a waterfront terrace with an iced coffee, or a rustic picnic with crusty breads and pungent cheeses, a real treat on a lazy, sunny, afternoon!

And what better moment to let your senses take over, and really absorb the atmoshere around you? Not only great on the day, but it may become the "grain of an idea" that can grow into the base of a full decorative scheme tomorrow.

Another good thing about most holiday situations is that you usually have access to a camera, so make the most of it and get clicking: Colours, faces, buildings, gardens...capture anything that moves you, and fills you with joy, peace, or energy. Our surroundings move and effect us more than we know!


We all love our holidays, so give us a call or take a look online at http://www.designatdistance.com/, buy a design box, and let our designers make the feeling last: by integrating the best of your time off... into your next interior. Happy holidays everyone!

Outdoor living

Now's the time, if ever, to enjoy your outdoor space.

Who said decorating was an indoor job?
This is a great example of how natures
color palette can be used to create
an artistic result in any outdoor space!

Just the chance to relax outdoors is a luxury, and even the smallest of spots becomes a haven of peace in which to take time out from our busy lifestyles.  Add an outdoor grill or BBQ to the mix, and it's a winning recipe for some enjoyable personal time.

So what can you do to improve that "extra room"?

Many of you will have invested in quality furniture, be it rustic wood, or the more modern metals and plastics. Even furniture that's lived a little can be licked into shape with the many great, easy to use products on the market today.

Done deed? Then let's move onto the surroundings...

Protect your past! A sobering tale...

This is a post that has little to with design, and lots to do with taking care of what's dear to your heart.
On a recent business trip to Paris, the window of our hired car was smashed, and a bag containing most of our "virtual history", not to mention the many and varied valuables that we tote from place to place when travelling: wallets, cash, cheque books, passports, access codes, account documents, company details...was stolen.  The list of losses is long, and particularly worrying, when you consider the damage that can be done if this kind of information gets into the hands of computer savvy criminals.  The theft of documents causes anger and frustration, plans to be changed, and time, money and effect wasted to replace them...but it's so much more than that...

Does your home fit your lifestyle?

You're home should fit your lifestyle like a well fitting glove. 
If not you'll waste time doing daily jobs, get frustrated by poor storage, and feel like your house is not the home you really need.

So, ask yourself the following:  Do you have sufficient storage...and is it in the right place?  Are your rooms under, or over-used?  Maybe the space would work better for you with a new layout?

If you feel like you've outgrown your home but don't want to move out, think about working with what you've got...

Will 2011 be the year you down-size?

Unless you've been secretly (or openly) dreaming of changing the family home for a simpler way of life for years, downsizing can be a challenging process. Hard enough if the decision is yours to make, but sometimes life takes us by the hand and leads us down a path we hadn't planned on walking...forcing us to change the family home for something smaller. 

So whether you're changing by choice, or changing due to circumstance, I want you to know that downsizing can be a great way to open a new chapter in your life...

Get your home ready for winter: part 1

As temperatures drop, were quick to make the necessary changes to our wardrobes.
Out come the winter woollies, the heavy coats, scarves and gloves. But how much time do we spend making sure our homes are equally prepared to cope with winter?

Whether you live in a house or an apartment, here are a few simple checks that should become part of your yearly agenda:

Feeling a draught? Windows (unless they are in poor shape) all have one point of weakness: where they join the wall. If you have a passage of air around the frame then you must address the problem. Infiltration of air will

Storage: the "hidden" service

http://www.designatdistance.com/
coming soon to
http://publicstoragecanada.com/

Our recent site affiliation with Public storage brings the most important provider of national storage facilities to design at distance customers.
But my meeting with Public Storage also made me think about those "hidden" providers of service that we call upon during those "exceptional" moments that can happen in the course of a lifetime...

In the series “How to...”

Post No. 3 How to make furniture do double-duty!

Whether I'm furnishing a compact space or a more traditional space, I love to use pieces that “multi-function. It just seems so obvious that if something can do it's job well, AND another job alongside, it's a good deal.



Usually these “double-duty pieces” do cost more to purchase, but quickly pay for themselves over time. They save floor space and/or allow your space to be ultra adaptable, so if one evening your roll call of guests is a cosy two-some, your space stays light and airy, but when the guest list expands, your space is more likely to cope.

Designer Benoit Lienart is the master-mind

behind the "Sweetch18" this clever

indoor/outdoor chair/table design that

doubles as a space saver, as well

as a talking point with your guests!

What style? Most functional, modern or contemporary furniture tends to “hide their light under the proverbial bushel”, so you have to look carefully to see their additional uses: the coffee table that rises up (think ironing board system) into a full size dining table; the built-in door front or picture that drops down on strong hinges to create a work top (don't be shy to invest in these pieces, as quality is directly linked to the longevity of the product); dining chairs, benches, coffee/side tables or stools with concealed storage; beds that store away, or descend from hidden ceiling boxes...all of them “workhorses” that resemble racehorses, with   slick designs, showcasing modern finishes...

Post 2 in our “How to...” series

This dream home has no problem bringing
in the light, but evenings bring a different
challenge, as the night skies turn glass
walls black!

Let there be light!

The compact (read tiny) studio flat that I was updating for a client on my quick hop to France last week was lucky enough to have wonderful floor to ceiling windows, that helped so much to make this restricted space feel liveable.  But not all rooms have this rare advantage. So what happens if you're feeling you're lacking light in your space?
 
Well there are lots of design solutions that can help, some more costly than others. Let's start with the more basic (and less expensive) ones...

Welcome to our, "How to..." week of blog posts!

How to...create space

The “pied de terre” I was working on during my quick trip back to Europe was typically Parisian! A studio apartment of...(not may M2) with a tiny shower/toilet room (cabin), a built in “coin cuisine” (kitchen corner) and one room that multi-tasked for the living, dining and sleeping space. 

But it was light, airy and well situated for quick trips into Paris, as well as having close proximitie to the river banks of the Seine (believe me, a walk along the river bank and you're instantly de-stressed!).

The downside? it was cramped and impersonal, definately not the functional, elegant space this busy business man deserved...

Weekend reading, "North America through the eyes of a European"

A week in Paris!
Finances and television programmes aside, life kept moving along, and the long awaited date of our selection interview with Immigration Quebec arrived, meaning that a return trip to Paris was on the cards.
Tickets were taken and I found myself Paris bound, on a tight schedule.

For those of you who are familiar with central Paris, you'll understand my concern when business appointments at the Canadian end meant that I arrived in Orly airport the morning of the meeting with only 2 hours to spare between touch down and our interview.
In a word: traffic! if you think rush hourToronto is bad (and I agree, it is!) then imagine Paris, who's traffic "norm" means you can spend over 4 hours making a 20 minute trip. But, they've found a solution that business men have taken to heart as sometimes the only way to make that meeting in time: Motorbike taxis!! So I donned a jacket (that's probably the only downside Ladies: this is definately NOT a fashion statement you want to be seen in) and helmet (forget the hair, it's the getting there that counts), and hung on for dear life...

Weekend reading, "North America through the eyes of a European"

Episode 20: What next?

For those of you who have been following our story to date, you'll know that we were facing a classical problem in our business: financing.  It's a pretty "normal" problem in the life of a business, and I have to admit it's one we'd met before,, and conquered with little problem. This time however, the circumstances were...a little different to say the least!

Our last business venture had been funded in Europe, before the famous "credit crunch" that touched the lives of so many people, across so many countries. Our personal, and business standing allowed the banks to give us the go-ahead for a project worth in excess of 1.3 million Euros.
No partners were needed, and non were sought. We'd always "done it alone" simply because we'd always been able to. But today's situation was different...

Now's the time...

No matter where "home" is for you, I'm hoping you've seen at least a little sun over these past few days?  Well, here in Montreal we've been blessed with sunny, sunny days (weekdays...) although it took almost the full week to get the temperatures to coax us to leave our "just in case" cover-ups behind.  But, whatever the weather, last week showed me that it was well past the time to start packing up the winter woolies and overcoats, and pull out the summer light-weights and sandals.

Pick a day when you can concentrate on organizing without too many distractions. I always like to freshen up the whites and dedicates after they've been stored for a season, so make room for a "to wash" pile. Make sure you've go some of your favourite fabric softener at hand, and use a bleach that's "kind" to your clothes when perking up those whites...

Creating a great working kitchen

Many of you are thinking about remodelling your kitchen at this time of the year.  You've decided that you cannot stand another year of cramped spaces, tired worktops, and aged cabinetry. So, with the decision made, what next?
Well, you can call us! or you can call in a kitchen designer, or decide to go it alone. Going it alone will give you lots of choice. The market is swimming with kitchen companies, and most of them have staff who can help you look at the layout in a logical manner....

What price, the right advice?

How much would you be prepared to pay, to be sure the money you're about to invest in your home, is going to bring you the results you'd hoped for?

How much will that couch really cost you, when you get it home and it just doesn't "fit", and it's less about the size, and lots about the style...of the rest of the room!...

What's really coming between you and an interior designer?

Is it the cost?
Is it the fact that, honestly, you know what you like, and are sure that you'll get there alone?
Or maybe it's because you don't fancy paying for their "designer solutions"? Or just don't feel comfortable inviting a designer into your home? or telling them your budget...
Maybe you feel that using an interior designer just isn't for you?  But that doesn't change the fact that you could do with their help!...
So maybe you'll just keep watching HGTV (great tips and LOADS of ideas!) and there's always Ikea!...

Spring sales

If you're thinking about selling your home, Spring-time is traditionally the time to get it onto the market. So what should you be doing, before opening your home up to potential buyers?

Ist on your list should be going to www.designatdistance.com and checking out our design to sell service, because for the first time, the expertise of a real estate developer is being made available to the general public. Professional expertize at your fingertips! And for a set price of $445, your property will be analyzed, it's surroundings classified, and it's potential market identified!


All resulting in a detailed list for you to follow. Action everything on the list, and you can be sure your home will sell for it's best price. So go on, order a design to sell service today, and give your home (and your pocket) the chance it deserves, to give you a great return on your investment!  But if you're wanting to get started on your own first, here are a few ways to get your home ready for sale!  Presentation is everything when selling your home, so key words are: decluttering, fixing, and cleaning....

Flower power!

Help your home to spring forward into the balmier days to come, by using cut flowers and potted flowering plants to accessorize your rooms. And there's no need to break the bank, because it's more about “How you display” than “How many you display”.

If you've a stock of mis-matched pretty china cups, and bowls hidden at the back of the dresser, bring them out to air! They make great original flower holders. But what if your de-cluttering has emptied your cupboards? Don't despair!



It's a good reason to take a trip to your local charity shop to pillage their stocks of “grandmothers” china, and if its chipped? no big deal, because you can hide the odd imperfection with trailing greenery, and nodding flower heads....

Kitchens, kitchens, glorious kitchens!

Make your space the best it can be!
plans, samples and more, to create
your dream kitchen

It's definitely kitchen renovation season! and our designers are busy transforming previously small spaces into stylish cooking, living, eating and entertaining spaces, that match the way we want to live today.

Multi-function is the name of the game, when so many expectations are combined into one room, and our designs (and your taste preferences) will never be more on show than in these often, open space, “entertainment areas”. So, it makes even more sense to take the professional route, and welcome a designer into your private life!...

Blasts from the past!

This Scottish utility workroom has
an informal 18th century country
house charm

We often talk about inspiration and where it comes from, simply because it's a never-ending, open-ended, in-exhaustive source of wonder to me! It truly is everywhere we turn.

We've been working on a kitchen design recently, that was inspired by some existing period furniture, found in adjacent rooms, and the home-owners desire to add elegance, and long term value to his home.

So, we threw out the “rule-book” and decided to open up the whole space, and treat it as an architecturally interesting living space: that just happened to be a working kitchen!...

Post no.4 in our Spring cleaning "Tip sharing week"

Outdoor furniture With warmer days just around the corner, we'll soon be seeing the stores fill up with this year's choice of outdoor furniture.  But before heading to the check out, take the time to dig out your existing furniture and see if it can't be given a new lease of life! (However, if you really do need to buy from scratch, try to do it sooner, rather than later, so you get the most from those early rays)...

Post No.3 in our Spring cleaning, "Tip sharing week"

Accessories! I'm a great believer in integrating the outdoors into my rooms wherever possible. Now that doesn't necessarily mean filling the place with plants: not that I've got anything against plants, but they do have to worked into a decorative scheme in the same manner as all accessories: with control!

So, what do I mean by “integrating the outdoors”? Well, I love to echo the spirit of the current season in our rooms. Not long ago we posted an article about warming up your rooms by adding splashes of colour, because we all need to feel “enrobed” with texture, and rich, comfortable additions to our living space, when external temperatures are anything but comfortable and warm.

Of course, as we move into Spring days and nature starts it's yearly push, our warmly-wrapped living areas start to feel a little...stifling and over-dressed. So, when you feel that change in the air, take it indoors with you! Look around your home to see where you can lighten things up and make your surroundings match the new season...

Post no.2 in our Spring cleaning, "Tip sharing week"

Grandmother's favourite ingredient No.2: baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) Baking soda is a cheap and effective general cleaner that can spruce up your surfaces and fabrics all around the home. It's a light abrasive and a natural disinfectant and sanitizer, so it's tough on stains and germs, but won't “etch” porous surfaces, such as marble. It's cheap, readily available and better still, it's kind to the environment. Here are some reasons why a box of baking soda more than earns it's place in your cleaning basket...

Welcome to our Spring cleaning "Tip sharing week"

Day1: Grandmother's special ingredient: distilled white vinegar

As green issues become more pressing, each of us are staring to become more aware of the potentially harmful effects of our everyday actions, so today's post will hopefully encourage us to think about more environmentally friendly ways to clean areas of our home. And there's an added advantage: these solutions save us money!

Today's we're looking at how distilled white vinegar can help out around the home. Why vinegar? Simple: distilled white vinegar contains the highest acid content of all vinegars, so its cuts through grease and grime naturally, leaving any “good” bacteria intact to help comabt germs and infection.

Here are some tricks that our grandmothers used to make thir homes sparkle and shine, long before chemical cleaning products arrived on the scene...Solutions for occasional jobs:

Spring forward!

Officially here in a couple of days, we Montrealais had a taste of Spring earlier this week, and it was glorious! What a difference a few rays can make. My step felt lighter and suddenly the day felt full of promise.

Although I had to admit that the feeling faded slightly (only slightly though, I love springtime) when I came home and encountered the spring sunlight trying to battle it's way through winter-wrapped window panes. Yes, you all know what I'm talking about (well some of you will I'm sure...It can't ONLY be me can it?) Grimy windows!

 But, there has to be reason why our grandmothers termed the phrase “Spring cleaning”. So to be able to fully appreciate the lovely balmy days ahead, let's get prepared now!..

In the series, "We love..."

The re-invented Fiat 500

I love Fiat. As a European, I've driven them, and owned them (I had a super 7 seater, that was fun, fun, fun, just before we moved to Canada) and they're great!

Of course, they're Italian. With design running through the blood, and home to the worlds most revered sports cars, it's normal that they've delved into their vast history, to re-invent what will become a design icon in the world of cars: the Fiat 500...

How to create a focal point

see similar artwork at
abstractartpainting.wordpress.com

One of the rooms we're working on this week is making us get clever with focal points.  So what is focal point you ask? (although I'm sure you already know, or at least have a good idea)

But, for those of you not yet “in the know”, just think back of your grandparents days.  Every living room had a fireplace, situated on the main wall of the room. With an overmantle mirror, painting, or family photos hung above it, the fireplace “filled” the wall and drew your attention. This was the "focal point" of the room... 

What's the thought process behind “The d @ d Design Store”?

The d @ d Designstore
where great products and prices
meet with super services

The creation of The d @ d Design Store is for me, a natural, and logical progression: after years of searching for clever, functional, beautiful, and cost effective solutions, it makes sense to share my “finds” with our designers...and our customers!  

Our goal is to offer products (and services) that fit every "budgetery occasion", as well as products that meet the toughest design criteria.



We want to bring together a “nucleus” of great designs, at prices that “make sense”.   This doesn't mean that all the products you find in the d @ d Design Store offer the "cheapest" solution.  But when it's not, you can be sure that the price reflects their quality and use, and that they offer that famous, but so important, "good value for money".   Because "spending for spendings sake" has never interested me...

In the series, "We love..."

Splashes of colour!

And when better to use them than in the winter (I've been told we're not “out of the woods”, or our winter woolies just yet...)  So inject a bit of warmth to your interior, by adding colour flashes all around your home.  Take inspiration from how you'd pep up a plain jacket, with a wonderful woollen scarf. 

Strong, bold colours lift your spirits, and add spice to your daily life.  My favourites are raspberry hues, and bursts of orange (although not necessarily in the same room!)...

What turns "interior design", into a truly great interior?

Research, planning, and flair, mixed together with a good dose of care! You have to be effective at researching: finding out what makes your client tick, and what the space needs to deliver, all within the budget you've been given to work with. You have to understand what good space management is, and how to achieve it.  

These are the main ingredients in the "dish called design". But, if you can't inject a certain “flair” into your work, it will never be classed as “great design”...

Welcome!

This very visual, and accessible exhibition
 in downtown Montreal was aptly
named, "lavage"

Welcome to our latest design at distance partner, French born, Montreal-based artist and creator, Emmanuel Brasseur.
We fell in love with Emmanuel's approach to art, even before we saw his work. And needless to say, once we'd discovered his collections, we weren't disappointed!

With values similar to our own, Emmanuel feels that art should be accessible to a wider market, not only to people who have the habit of visiting specialized galleries...

Did you know?

Did you know that the month of March has been designated "national bed month" by the sleep council? 

So let's get thinking how to make our bedrooms less bedraggled, and more...blissfull!




Much easier, of course, for existing d @ d gift box owners. If you already have a Privilege Card, you get the opportunity to buy a Bedroom design, online at http://www.designatdistance.com/ for a special customer rate of $250 (so long as your bedroom is in the same home as the room you bought your original design for).

And for those of you who haven't yet bought a design at distance service, here are a few hints and tips to chase away those bedroom blues...

Are you designing to sell, designing to stay...or simply undecided?

Occasionally we'll come across a customer with a real dilemma: While they know they need to upgrade their home, they haven't yet decided whether they are making the changes with a view to staying, or with the aim of selling, and finding a new home.

This poses a certain challenge for our designers, because the two goals demand two pretty different plans of attack... 

What style, your dream home?

This stunning modern home was created
 by Henning Stummel Architects

It's an interesting question isn't it? If you were given the chance to build the home of your dreams, what would it look like?

Some of you will even be going through that process as we speak: deciding the style of your future home.

But what makes you choose that certain “look”? Pick one architectural style over another?

We've talked lots about where interior design inspiration comes from, but there is just as much out there when it comes to getting inspired about the exterior of your home. Unless you've dreamt of a specific style for years, the first thing to decide is whether it's the past, or the future, you want to stamp it's mark on your building...

The 2nd important question...

With our interior design services packaged into gift boxes, it's normal that our second, most asked question is:  What's in the box?

And the answer? Simply great design! personally created for you, and your project, by a qualified designer, dedicated to making your home the best it can be. Plus an exclusive, numbered gift card that gives you access to your designer, and money-saving offers on products and services, long after your initial project is delivered. Everything you need to realize your project: inside a gift box!...

The 1st of two important questions...

There are two questions which keep recuring, the first of which is, "What made you create design at distance?"

Well, the main reason is my belief that  just about everyone needs interior design at some point in their lives, and it's always frustrated me that everyone who needs, can't have access to it, either because it's not in their habits to call a designer, or because of the cost of their services. 

So I decided to make good design accessible, and affordable to everyone that needs it...

Should you invest in the home you're about to sell?

You may love it as it is, but your home
should meet the needs...and taste of
 the people most likely to buy it.

That all depends on the realistic price your home can reach, given it's geographical location, it's style, it's size, it's condition, and it's internal layout. Many real estate agents will say “No”, but our experience as real estate developers tells us, that when your home is correctly presented and meets the needs of the people most likely to buy it, it will sell faster, for it's optimum price: making you more money on signing day.

However, to do this properly, it's important you fully understand the “market” your home will appeal to...




Your home's "market" is the “group of people” from which the buyer of your property will most probably come from,  and to fully optimize the sale price of your home, you need to find out what their needs and desires are, when it comes to layout, and look.   These findings should guide any changes your thinking of making, both inside, and outside your home...

How we offer great design at great prices

One of the reasons we're able to offer professional design services at great prices is because we ask you to help us gather information about your project, cutting out the need for expensive home visits.

But don't worry, we're here to help, and our “easy-to-follow” guides, are just that: easy!

You don't have to be good at drawing: a hand drawn outline, showing the shape of your room, and the main measurements is sufficient. From the moment you register your project online, using your exclusive customer number (find it on the back of your d @ d Privilege Card, enclosed in each Gift Box), you'll have access to one of our dedicated designers, who's ready and waiting to help...

Ever wondered what we look for in a designer?

With so many qualified designers out there, who makes an “ideal” design at distance designer?

Many designers don't want to design under any brand name but their own, and many designers already have a reseaux of regular clients: they're doing great. But for those who don't fit into either of these categories, design at distance is an ideal fit.

We are in an enviable position of having our own structure, which supports and stretches qualified designers to get the best from their past training and experience. Add further training, coaching and development, and with access to regular customers, our designers grow, and gain in experience.
A invaluable ingredient for successful designers, and successful designs!...

Words for the week...

With a busy week ahead I thought I'd start it if by sharing a few chosen words.
I couldn't resist the matching cushions to this BoConcept wall hanging, and one takes pride of place in each of our bedrooms. They've among my favourites buys: I hope you like them!

"The meaning of life is not a question to be answered, but an event to be experienced", and  "Oportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them."  How true!...

Where we stand on...

Today's post is going to touch on a delicate area: Home Inspectors

Anyone who has watched an episode of Holmes on Holmes (HGTV) knows the current problem within the Home Inspection Industry: many Home Inspections fail to notice, and bring to the home-owners attention, major, potentially dangerous, and expensive faults.

This is a blossoming and booming industry which the public has a real need for, but it's also an industry that is not regulated, or controlled by one, professional governing body, and the "good guys", the Home Inspectors that know their stuff,  risk being tarred with the same brush as the "bad guys"...the ones that don't! It's a major problem, with expensive side-effects...