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 Created to help you transform tired and outdated wet rooms on a tight budget.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...