New Designbi Blog

All the lights here are LEDs and as you can see they come in many different shapes and sizes. Each have their own output and shape of light beam. Over the last year I have done extensive research to find the best LED light sources for clients homes.We are loving some of the options and I would be...

The hand drawn sketch draws directly from the imagination of the designer. The flows, textures and colours applied with pencils and markers gives me a chance to imagine and think through the design.The colours, type of fabric on the shade and height of the sconces in this scene were worked out at...

This kitchen definitely took a lot of collaboration. The clients had a very specific vision. With the collaboration and thoughtfulness of design professionals, cabinet makers, countertop fabricators and tile setters, this kitchen came together with impact. Risks were mitigated with design...

This master bath took many hours to design. It was new construction and had to fit a lengthy wishlist.I’m most proud of how the style looks like it has been there for many eras and it will still be there 100 years from now, yet it still looks fresh!The fixed elements are classic and the ones that...

There were 10 distinct problems to overcome in this space. Can you spot what they were?Ok here are the answers:1) A wedged shape floorplan.2) Huge support columns.3) Too large of kitchen area.4) Laminated cherry floor transition location.5) The work triangle (fridge, range and sink) was set in...

It’s not fun to live through the dust of a reno, but with a good plan you can enjoy the process and be happy with the results.To make more space, consider taking out a wall, making a niche behind the range, or taking out an unused bump-out.Repurpose the space in your interiors to enjoy a feeling...

I find that if you cannot determine what is good about a place and be able to look closely at its attributes, and its occupants, and how they use the space, you’ll miss the opportunity to help intensify and bring out the individuality of the place, to their delight. Start by just...

How many areas do you have stopped looking at because they are just too much work?Over the years it seems that the beauty in a room or a small part of a room comes from having to figure out the most difficult problems.A sunny nook, a dramatic kitchen transformation or just a simple backsplash each...

Families are the strongest groups we have in society. I think any activity that helps to strengthen families should be helped. My own family meet-ups involve frequent gatherings around a large granite island at my sister’s country home. That’s why when my daughter Hillary’s new in-laws asked me to...

Do you ever have a moment – you are trying to make something, cook a great meal, pick an out fit and you start to hear your mother telling you what to do? You feel trapped by the “now I’m supposed tos”.Break out of that! Learn how to work freely between the two guide posts: 1) the desired message...

Simple materials.Rich material.Is it the finest of materials that make it art?Or is it the application of the language?It’s both, as when the language is artfully applied it creates a clear...

I learned early from excellent Mennonite carpenters that even with simple materials, such as wood, with a bit more care and attention, that the motifs could be repeated to create harmony throughout the home.You can create an interior with more impact by closely observing the details and bringing...

Have you ever noticed in a movie how the production usually has a colour scheme that is gently woven all the way thru the movie? The same can be done in a home. You can start with a neutral pallet and add a strong color in strategic placements, all the thru the home. Be brave but don’t over use...

The Architect gave us a cue to how to design this room with his signature oval-shaped window. If you don’t have any inspiring shapes given to start with, here is what you can do.First work out the message. For example do you want a masculine or feminine message in the room? Each mood has their own...

In other words don’t worry about the style until you work out the message.After you work out the message the style comes...

Though it sounds elementary – so many spaces are not designed for a good flow. Even a small space can be well planned to have good flow. The best way to work out a flow is to draw out a plan then trace the basic flow of the users through the space doing different activities. The final space is...

Well designed spaces are only complete once the users are there in the space living and working. In other words it is the life in the space that completes the beauty.Add life to your space with well planned areas for people, pets and...

If you pay attention to the colours in nature, you’ll see unlimited ways that colour is combined harmoniously. It’s a the perfect inspiration, wide open and free for...

The first thing you have to do to find colour harmony is to find the KEY colour, that is the largest colour in the room that you can’t change. For instance you have a blue bathtub and you just can’t change it but you want a more modern look. Blue is the KEY colour. From there you can work out the...

When someone wants me to design something “simple”, I’m never wanting that to mean easy. Simple is brought about after you work out the design correctly-only then can you make it seem simple or easy.“Easy” is usually the worst thing to go for because it creates shoddy products and poor quality...

You can drive yourself silly trying to have the perfect room or the perfect home or perfect hair! In this interior we worked with the existing side board and the client added a new in expensive dining set and carpet. Because all the planning with the right colour scheme was figured out ahead of...

My head was all cluttered as I fled the studio. Proposal after proposal was getting rejected. I was flustered and felt betrayed by my “education” especially in historical design. Or more likely I didn’t pay enough attention to historic design. But later I went back to college and studied Art...

The client presented me with a three sided fireplace she planned to put in the room to divide the living and dining areas. Although it was a great idea, the fireplace as a focal point, is too small to actually be THE focal point. A more dominant focal point was needed to ground the space and give...

When I presented this headboard to the client, it had all the elements she wanted, a focal point for the room and place to provide comfort for her and her hubby. But what I did wrong was the introduction of a diagonal diamond shape in the button tufting. Although it matched the traditional...

Ultimately the designer’s job is to provide a design that the receiver likes and can make his own. This is a skill. It’s taking on the viewpoint of the person you are designing for. You have to look from his point of view when you are selecting and putting together all the parts. I try to show the...

Sketching is the best way to work out a design. My sketches are loose and messy but they are usually for my own use – to make sure all the parts and pieces I’m choosing are working together. I can throw-out what is not working at this...

An interior design should communicate a feeling or some kind of message. With line you have so many ways to say something. Any lines you use should match the mood you are trying for. Take a look at how many things have lines – the carpet pattern? your Venetian blinds? Do they match the mood you...

To integrate does not mean everything has to match. By definition (transitive verb) 1: to form, coordinate, or blend into a functioning or unified whole: unite, to bring together into a unified whole. It does not mean everything all the same colour or that you can’t contrast things. It’s easy to...

When a designer can easily see a better space, a better arrangement, or a better flow, it’s based on his professional design ability. It’s based on talent, but more importantly a gathering of knowledge of what is good design. It’s my secret...

A professional can execute and complete a project. A design enthusiast can appreciate good design but has very few techniques evolved on how to execute.It’s no secret that a professional interior designer makes a career commitment, has many hours of applied know-how, and has a wide breadth of...