Looking to buy your first home this year?


If you're a first time home buyer, you'll get a significant tax credit for signing a mortgage this year. The new stimulus bill will give you a refund for 10% (up to $8,000) of the total amount paid for your new house. Just don't sign a subprime mortgage.

What's Your Style?



I am Cottage Chic.

Shabby, yet stylish. Cozy and comfortable with muted shades taken straight from a flower garden. 
Shabby Chic and Cottage work in my home.

What's your style?  Follow the link below and click on "restart quiz".  The site may prompt you to sign up for a free account at HGTV, so go ahead, sign up. Then click the link below again and find out what your decorating style is. 

Reclaimed Timber Wall


I have been inspired in the last few weeks to take a closer look at eco friendly products and materials.  

We are re-doing our camp in the 1000 islands and found this cool wall at Livingetc.  It is made out of reclaimed timber. 

I could see doing one wall like this. What a great focal point it would make!

Staging Fixes


Problem:  large outdated furniture,  wall print too small for the space, no coversation area, awkward flow

Fix:  Rearrange furniture to create better conversation area and flow, replace small print with large print, separate furniture, add pillows and throw to distract from outdated furniture.

Problem: Bookshelves look messy, broken ottoman stored under shelf, bar and kitchen area is lost behind clutter

Fix: pack away half the toys, remove ottoman and organize bookshelves, clear bar to show the  potential of kitchen area

Problem: furniture and packed boxes stored here for moving. Area shows messy and with no purpose.


Fix: Packed boxes moved to an outside rented storage unit. Oversized and outdated kitchen set was moved downstairs to give this space purpose and free up space in the kitchen.  Stereo was removed from the over crowded living room and moved down to the family room.