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Cottage Fever Interior Design, Courtenay, BC (2026)

07/10/2026

✨ Home Décor Coaching Case Study: A Living Room Refresh ✨

Sometimes creating a beautiful home isn't about buying all new furniture—it's about seeing your space with fresh eyes.

This homeowner reached out because her living room just wasn't working for her anymore. The room felt crowded with multiple rugs and too many furniture pieces, making the space feel smaller than it really was.

We started by identifying what had to stay. She absolutely loved the rich green wall colour, and the brick hearth surrounding the wood stove was an important feature to work with rather than against.

Together, we developed a plan that would make the room feel more open, cohesive, and welcoming. My recommendations included:
• Replacing several smaller rugs with one larger area rug to anchor the entire seating area.
• Choosing a colour palette that beautifully tied together the green walls and warm brick tones.
• Introducing coastal-inspired rattan tables to reflect the home's waterfront setting.
• Creating a more comfortable, relaxed furniture arrangement with inviting sofas.

The result? A living room that feels lighter, more balanced, and truly reflects her style.

✨ The best part? She didn't need a full interior design service—just expert guidance and a clear plan.

That's exactly why I created my Home Décor Coaching Sessions. In just two hours, I'll help you solve decorating challenges, refine your style, and give you the confidence to create a home you love—without the cost of hiring someone to do it all for you.

If you've been feeling stuck with a room in your home, send me a message. I'd love to help you see the possibilities.

07/07/2026

Interior Decor Coaching Case Study | Design for the Way You Want to Live

One of the pieces of advice I most often give my clients is this: design for 95% of the way you actually want to live in your space.

In this beach house, the seating area overlooks the ocean, making it the natural place to relax, read, entertain, and take in the view. It was important that the furniture layout supported the way the homeowners wanted to use the room most of the time.

There was, however, one significant design consideration. The buffet beside the seating area had been a gift from the homeowner's father, who passed away in 2015. It held tremendous sentimental value, and although it didn't fit elsewhere in the home, she couldn't imagine parting with it. Rather than seeing it as an obstacle, we treated it as an important part of the design story.

Its presence narrowed our options for seating, but it also led us to the perfect solution: a custom-sized English rolled arm loveseat. The proportions were tailored specifically to the space, allowing us to preserve the ocean views, maintain comfortable circulation, and honour a cherished family heirloom.

Many people assume that custom furniture comes with an eye-watering price tag, but that's not always the case. In this instance, the additional investment for a custom-sized loveseat was only $140—a small premium that made a significant difference in both function and aesthetics.

The fabric was chosen with beach house living in mind. Durable enough to withstand sandy feet, wet swimsuits, and everyday wear, it also complemented the other blue tones used throughout the open-concept space, creating a cohesive and relaxed coastal feel.

✨ Design Tip: Before you let go of a meaningful piece of furniture because it "doesn't fit," consider whether the room can be designed around it instead. The most memorable interiors often include pieces that tell the story of the people who live there.

If you're struggling with furniture placement, wondering whether a beloved piece can work in your home, or curious about custom furniture options, interior decor guidance can help you create a space that supports the way you truly want to live.

07/03/2026

Interior Design Case Study | Custom Built-In Entertainment Unit

The brief for these lovely clients was clear: create a custom entertainment unit that not only functioned beautifully for modern living, but also incorporated a treasured vintage portable liquor cabinet that had been passed down through the family.

While we had a generous amount of wall space to work with, the area adjacent to the window was much shallower than the rest. The challenge was designing a unit that felt balanced and symmetrical while accommodating the varying depths. Thoughtful planning ensured that every inch of the built-in was both purposeful and visually harmonious.

Another important consideration was the television itself. The cabinetry was designed around its exact dimensions to achieve the perfect fit. And notice the height of the TV—it's positioned for comfortable viewing rather than mounted too high. A common mistake I see is televisions installed well above eye level, which can lead to neck strain and a less enjoyable viewing experience.

The caned cabinet doors serve both form and function. They allow electronics to ventilate properly while still enabling remote-control signals to pass through. Given this home's proximity to the ocean, the natural texture of the caning also provides a subtle nod to its coastal surroundings.

What I love most about custom millwork is its ability to solve problems that off-the-shelf furniture simply can't address. It can honour family heirlooms, accommodate the unique quirks of a space, and reflect the personality of the people who live there.

✨ Design Tip: When determining the ideal height for your television, the centre of the screen should generally sit at or just above seated eye level. Your neck will thank you during movie marathons.

Beautiful design isn't just about how a space looks—it's about creating solutions that work effortlessly for the way you live.

06/30/2026

Interior Decor Coaching Case Study | Home Office

Do you have one room in your home that just doesn't feel quite right? Sometimes, an Interior Decor Coaching session is all that's needed to transform a space.

For this lovely client, we focused on creating a home office that was both functional and beautiful, using the furniture she already owned. I developed a floor plan to improve the flow of the room and created a cohesive colour palette to bring everything together.

A favourite piece of artwork became our jumping-off point for the design. By pulling colours from the artwork, we selected both the wall and trim colours, ensuring the space felt personal and thoughtfully curated.

To address the afternoon glare, we chose a gorgeous chinoiserie-inspired fabric for custom Roman shades. Not only do they soften the light and improve comfort while working, but they also add pattern and elegance to the room.

Another important consideration was the room's orientation. Because the space receives cooler natural light, we introduced a warm golden wall colour to balance the effect and create a welcoming atmosphere. The direction a room faces can have a significant impact on how colours appear throughout the day, which is why it's always an important part of the design process.

✨ Design Tip: Before choosing paint colours, consider both your existing furnishings and the quality of natural light in the room. A colour that looks perfect in one space can feel entirely different in another.

Whether you need help with a single room or an entire home, professional guidance can help you make confident design decisions and create a space you'll truly enjoy spending time in.

06/27/2026

✨ Introducing Home Decor Coaching ✨

Do you have a room that just doesn't feel right?

Maybe you're struggling to choose paint colours, find the right furniture, style your shelves, or bring everything together into a cohesive look.

Instead of hiring a full-service designer, what if you could spend two hours with a decorating professional and walk away with a clear plan and the confidence to create the space yourself?

My new Home Decor Coaching service is designed for homeowners who want expert advice and direction while remaining hands-on with their decorating projects.

During our 2-hour session, we'll tackle your biggest decorating challenges and discuss:
✔ Furniture placement and room flow
✔ Colour palettes and paint selections
✔ Decor and accessory styling
✔ Art, lighting, and finishing touches
✔ Creating a cohesive look throughout your home
✔ Making the most of what you already own

After our session, you'll receive:
✨ A detailed follow-up email with personalized recommendations
✨ Decor concept boards to help bring the vision to life
✨ Suggested colours, furnishings, and styling ideas
✨ A practical action plan you can implement at your own pace

This is perfect for homeowners who want professional decorating guidance without the cost or commitment of full-service interior design.

Sometimes all you need is an expert eye, a fresh perspective, and a plan.

Send me a message to learn more or book your session. Pricing starts at $400 + GST, and depend on overall scope.

06/26/2026

Interior Design Case Study | Beach House Bathroom

When this lovely client first purchased her beach house, she gave the bathroom what I affectionately call a "lipstick on a pig" renovation. It looked better, but one of their biggest regrets was not installing in-floor heating. Fast forward a few years, and the bathroom is getting the upgrade it deserves.

The existing floor tile is being removed and replaced, which brings up an important design consideration: flooring should coordinate not only with the materials it directly adjoins, but also with any flooring that is visible from the space. In this case, the bathroom opens onto a grey wood-look laminate floor—a practical choice for a beach house that needs to stand up to sandy feet and wet towels.

Another challenge was the mudroom tile. The client had chosen a fun patterned tile that can be glimpsed from the bathroom, but unfortunately it's no longer available, so simply repeating it wasn't an option. Instead, we took inspiration from its blue and grey tones. A large-format mottled blue-grey floor tile will create a serene foundation, while a playful blue-and-white striped tile installed vertically in the bath/shower surround will add personality and a subtle nod to the coastal setting.

This project is also a perfect example of knowing where to splurge and where to save. Not every element needs to be high-end to create a beautiful result. An IKEA Hemnes vanity provides classic style and excellent value, allowing more of the budget to be allocated to features that elevate the everyday experience.

The polished nickel plumbing fixtures are one such investment. The vanity faucet and luxurious shower system—with both a rain shower and handheld spray—bring a sense of understated elegance. Polished nickel is one of my favourite finishes because it's timeless, versatile, and never feels trendy.

✨ Design Tip: When working with multiple flooring materials, think about all the sightlines in your home. Floors don't have to match, but they should relate to one another in colour, scale, or style to create a cohesive look.

Stay tuned to see this beach house bathroom come to life!

06/23/2026

Interior Design Coaching Case Study | Exterior Refresh

This lovely client knew her home needed a refresh but wasn’t quite sure whether to lean more modern or stay true to its original charm. That’s a common crossroads—and one I always approach by looking at context first.

I’m a firm believer that a home’s architecture and location should guide its exterior palette. In this case, the home is a charming cottage style situated close to the sea, so it made sense to enhance rather than compete with that character.

We chose a soft, coastal-inspired blue paired with a complementary trim colour to highlight the home’s details and create a fresh but timeless look. The result feels lighter, more cohesive, and naturally at home in its surroundings.

To help the client visualize the direction, I then used an AI rendering tool designed for interior designers to create a more photorealistic preview of the finished exterior.

✨ Design Tip: When choosing exterior colours, start by asking: What does this house already want to be? The best palettes usually come from the architecture itself, not from trends.

A thoughtful refresh like this can completely transform curb appeal without changing the soul of the home.

06/19/2026

Interior Design Coaching - Don't be afraid to make a big statement

When these lovely clients moved to the Comox Valley from a condo into their first single-family home, they suddenly had much more space to furnish and weren't sure where to begin. They wanted guidance on furniture selection, room layout, and lighting to help their new house feel like home.

One of the key design challenges was the vaulted ceiling above the dining area. To complement the scale of the space, we selected a statement organic chandelier that draws the eye upward while adding warmth, texture, and personality to the room.

A design tip I often share: if you want family and friends to linger around the dining table, invest in comfortable dining chairs. These chairs practically hug you—they're so cozy that long dinners and lively conversations come naturally.

By carefully considering scale, comfort, and function, we created a dining space that feels both beautiful and inviting—perfect for everyday living and entertaining.

Thinking about updating your home but feeling overwhelmed by the choices? Interior design coaching can provide the guidance and confidence you need to make the right decisions for your space. I'd be happy to help.

06/16/2026

Interior Design Case Study - Living Room Floor Plan

When these lovely clients moved to the Comox Valley, they were starting with a blank slate and weren't sure what furniture would best suit their new home and lifestyle. Together, we explored several layout options before settling on a plan that maximized both comfort and functionality.

The next step was creating a colour palette. Because they love spending time outdoors and feel connected to the ocean, we took inspiration from a favourite piece of artwork, using its colours as the foundation for the room's design. This created a cohesive, personal space that reflects who they are.

One of the advantages of working with an interior designer is access to wholesalers and manufacturers, allowing for custom furniture details and fabrics that aren't typically available in retail stores. Every selection was made with durability in mind—including a velvet upholstery that not only feels luxurious but also stands up remarkably well to life with a future feline family member.

One design challenge was the existing tile on the fireplace surround. Rather than undertaking a costly renovation, we opted to paint the tile—a simple, budget-friendly solution that completely transformed the focal point of the room.

The result is a thoughtfully curated living room that feels welcoming, comfortable, and uniquely theirs. Proof that with the right plan, even small changes can have a big impact.

✨ Design Tip: If you're struggling to choose colours for your home, look to a favourite piece of art, rug, or fabric. It can provide a ready-made palette that feels personal and timeless.

06/12/2026

Interior Design Case Study | Garage Conversion, Rhode Island

First off—despite the name, Rhode Island isn’t actually an island. This waterfront home, however, absolutely delivers on the “island feel” with its coastal setting and easy connection to the water.

Working virtually with these lovely clients, we reimagined a two-car garage into a warm and functional pied-à-terre—designed as a place for them to stay while visiting their grandchildren on vacation, with a long-term plan of eventually transitioning into retirement living.

What I love most about interior design is that no two projects are ever the same. Each space comes with its own constraints, goals, and story, which means the design process is always evolving.

The design began with detailed space planning and a full layout of cabinetry, appliances, fixtures, and finishes. My rendering software then generated a 3D visualization of the space, which I enhanced using an AI tool to create a more photorealistic view for the clients.

While these tools are incredibly helpful for communication and visualization, they’re not infallible. In this case, the AI decided the kitchen would be better off without wall ovens—an interesting design “suggestion,” but not exactly a practical one. It’s a good reminder that AI is a support tool, not a decision-maker. Real-world function and technical accuracy always come first.

The result is a thoughtful, compact living space that balances comfort, efficiency, and a sense of coastal ease—perfect for short stays now and full-time living later.

✨ Design Tip: Renderings are excellent for understanding mood, scale, and flow—but always double-check them against the actual plans and specifications before making decisions.

Cottage Fever Interior Design

07/10/2026

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Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm