Hi Everyone! During this time, it’s been hard to get into some of my client’s spaces. I have been doing a lot of virtual work and although at times it can be challenging, it has also been rewarding as well.

Back in December, Bev from Niagara’s South Coast Guest House reached out to me to book a décor consultation. She owns a beautiful guest house in Port Colborne that is surrounded by greenery and natural light. In the past, Bev has hosted workshops and events in the guest house along with hosting Air B&B guests. Her property is so beautiful and she is planning on continuing to host smaller weddings, elopements and gatherings.

Before meeting, Bev’s loft was already bright and beautiful but she wanted to update the style and make it feel calm and cozy. We met for the consultation and I shared all of my advice and ideas. Bev was so lovely to work with and was very excited with all of the designs that I suggested.

In order to really show Bev my vision, after the consultation I headed to the office to create inspiration boards for each space in the loft. This really helps clients visualize the space. I also sourced some furniture and décor items that would blend well with some of her existing pieces. Instead of buying everything new, I also recommended a few new paint colours so that Bev could paint some of the existing side tables, chairs and other pieces she had.

The Foyer:

Before the foyer was painted in a teal blue colour. We wanted to make the space feel more muted and calmer. Bev painted the walls Benjamin Moore “Classic Gray” and it really gave the space a refresh. We added some beautiful water colour art and reupholstered a bench and pillows in a simple Tonic Living Stripe fabric. We added some character with straw hats and some of MJM Vintage’s décor. A wooden stool and a cast iron pitcher.

I love the way this entry way came together.

Check out the before and after:

Screen Shot 2021-04-26 at 4.02.33 PM.png

The Bedroom:

In the bedroom there were some cooler tones along with the teal colour on side tables and décor pieces. I wanted to warm things up a little bit. I recommended adding some new pillows, art work, and rugs to the space. I also recommended painting the teal side table a warmer tone. We went with the colour “Pale Oak” by Benjamin Moore. Bev also painted the headboard “White Dove” by Benjamin Moore. To finish off the look we also moved a wooden bench that Bev’s husband made from the living room to the end of the bed.

It’s amazing what some new accessories and some paint can do!

Check out the before and after:

Screen Shot 2021-04-26 at 4.03.04 PM.png

The Dining Room:

The dining table only had space for two. The chairs were a little bit bulkier and also had the teal shade on the cushions. I recommended turning the table in a different direction to accommodate more seating. Since there was a lot of white in the space I thought some simple black spindle chairs would be the perfect amount of contrast. A larger muted toned rug was laid down and a few new art pieces

I love how these simple changes totally transformed this space!

Check out the before and after:

Screen Shot 2021-04-26 at 4.02.42 PM.png

The Nook:

This nook space had a lot of different pieces in it. Right when I saw it, I knew that it could be something special. We kept the existing bed and raised it on a few planks of wood. Bev and her husband added ship lap to the back wall and painted it the same “Pale Oak” colour that’s in the bed room area. I came up with an inspiration board that included a bunch of new beautiful pillows from Tonic Living, a wooden stump as a side table and a piece of art. Bev’s husband sanded down of the stumps that they had and it made for the perfect side table. We added one of MJM’s vintage’s woven trays and a few more décor pieces.

I love how special this space is and looking at it makes me want to curl up and read a book in the nook!

Check out the before and after:

Screen Shot 2021-04-26 at 4.03.10 PM.png

The Kitchen:

The kitchen had a great layout and a nice island in the middle with a chopping block top.

I suggested painting the counter top a different colour and painting all of the hardware black. We also added and IKEA Rattan light fixture over the island and styled the shelves with some more neutral décor. Bev painted the door in the kitchen “Wickham Gray” by Benjamin Moore .

This kitchen is so calming and warm, I love this space so much

Check out the before and after:

The Living Room:

Last but not least we have the living room space. This space was very cozy before but I wanted it to blend more with everything else. I suggested getting a slip cover made for the sofa and painting some of the existing furniture. Bev ended up finding this beautiful warm toned slip cover from Walmart and I think the shade looks perfect in this space! I recommended painting the media dresser the same colour as the door in the kitchen, “Wickham Gray” by Benjamin Moore and spray painting the knobs a brass colour. Bev also painted her side table and rattan rocking chair “Pale Oak” by Benjamin Moore. This space was complete with a new tree, some new pillows and MJM vintage treasures.

Screen Shot 2021-04-26 at 4.02.54 PM.png

It was so much fun coming up with all of these ideas to give Bev’s space a facelift. I am so glad that we were able to achieve this whole look through Covid. The initial consultation and the set up / photo shoot at the end were the only times I was in this space. Bev listened to all of my suggestions and totally trusted the process. She was so excited through this transformation and continued to thank me as each new item came in. It’s so amazing what you can achieve with some inspiration / mood boards and a little guidance in the right direction. Projects like this make me so proud and so grateful that I get to do what I love.

The day of the photo shoot we had Kevin Unger of Kevin Unger Photography take all of these beautiful shots. Bev, my mom (Margo of MJM Vintage) and I got dressed up and had a little photo shoot in the space. I added all of the finishing touches, flowers, greens and décor pieces to really bring the whole space to life.