Tag Archives: inspiration

Red is dead, blue is through, 
Green’s obscene, brown’s taboo. 
And there is not the slightest excuse for plum or puce 
—or chartreuse. Think pink!
-Funny Face

If you’ve had a chance to browse the latest home decor news stands, you may have left either confused or singing “Think Pink” from Funny Face. Either way, nearly every cover has somehow incorporated a shade of pink!

When I first saw that pink was making a comeback, my mind instantly went to memories of floral pink sofas and pink lace-heart wallpaper (That was definitely in my kitchen at one-point). I was mildly horrified, but once I started checking out how designers were using pink, I warmed up to the idea! I’m not sure that I am quite ready to paint the walls in fusia, but accessorizing could definitely be fun!

These designers cleverly added a few splashes of glam to otherwise neutral palettes, which could be the best route to go. The more intense shades of pink are balanced with neutral furniture, while the muted shades are incorporated in patterned key features.

Grey has always been pink’s best friend. These soft tones pair really well with both modern and natural elements.

All of us know too much blush is rarely a good thing, but these powder rooms have just enough to look unique without looking too much like Barbie’s corvette! Plus, how “Adorable” is a painted pink door!

Can you think pink or will this trend end along with the post-Vday chocolate sales?

P.S. Happy Valentine’s Day! 

Brown, blue, or brick, it matters what your floors look like. Keeping your home looking fresh, modern, inviting, and clean can have a lot to do with what floorings you choose. No matter if your designing your new martell dream home or just spicing up your old one, choosing the right flooring is key.

Before choosing what type of flooring you should get, first you need to identify a feel or theme that you’re going for in the home as a whole and for the individual spaces (rustic, modern, country, etc). After you’ve chosen a theme or feel then it’s time to choose a type of flooring, will it be hardwood? Tile? Ceramic?

If you’re having a hard time choosing (and we know what a hard choice it can be!), we’ve pulled together a some images showing the different styles, themes, and types of flooring that you could be using in your home! We hope it gives you the inspiration your looking for and if you want more, check us out on Pinterest!

Nobody likes a blah bathroom and it seems like everyone suffers from outdated tile, boring walls, and cluttered countertops. One of the perks of working with Martell Home Builders is that you truly get the home that you want, you get a custom home experience. With a custom home experience comes the opportunity to create the dream spaces that you’ve always wanted, like your dream bathroom. And so, to help you, here are some beautiful bathrooms to inspire you as you create your custom home!

Happy Designing!

So you’ve bought your dream house and have settled in, but can’t decide what colours to paint your walls, or find a coffee table to match your sectional? Have you turned to magazines for home decorating tips only to discover that the US publications do not cater to Canadians? Fear not, there is a great selection of home decorating magazines published in Canada. We’ve included a selection of five of the best below.

If you are looking to cut down on clutter, or would rather spend money on bed sheets than subscriptions, we’ve listed the details for the online content for each publication too.

Get Started

Have no idea where to get started decorating your new house? Style at Home is the magazine for you. The magazine bills themselves as “Canada’s top resource for fabulous decorating, design and entertaining ideas.” They provide a friendly voice and helpful takeaways to help even the most stylistically-challenged homeowner. Each month they feature articles about interior design, home decorating projects, outdoor living and entertaining.

Online: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Get Ideas

Canadian House and Home is all about design and decorating. Each month the magazine takes you inside the most beautiful and unique homes across Canada, providing inspiration and advice to help you create the home of your dreams. Each issue features dramatic makeovers, the latest furniture and accessories, renovation tips, and ideas for organizing and entertaining.

Online: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Video

Get Going

Want to take a more DIY approach to your decorating? Canadian Home Workshop is the magazine for you. It has been Canada’s go to publication on home improvement and woodworking for over three decades. The magazine features articles on project ideas, design techniques, practical renovation information and home maintenance advice.

Online: Blog | Twitter | YouTube

Get the Details

Once you have ideas on your overall style and design, you may want some inspiration for you day to day life. This is where Canadian Living comes in. The magazine proves a variety of daily living tips and ideas, including recipes and articles on fashion, crafts, health and family advice.

Online: Blogs | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Get Outside

Home decorating doesn’t stop at the walls of your house. If you are looking for inspiration for the outside, look no further than Canadian Gardening. Find information on gardening techniques, recipes, projects and design ideas. The magazine also features essential regional information to make the most of your home’s curb appeal.

Online: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

From the kitchen to the garden, Martha Stewart is an icon when it comes to creative and money-saving tips. Here are some of her top home decorating tips.

Front foyer/mudroom decorating tips

Martha Stewart’s website has some fantastic ideas for decorating the front foyer which will not only help make your foyer look great but are also very practical. For example, consider making a boot/shoe tray that is filled with decorative stones. This looks pretty cool and will also prevent puddles and dirt from collecting on the floor.

Custom curtains and shades decorating tips

Finding the perfect curtains or shades which match your home decor can be expensive or extremely difficult. To help you save money or to create the perfect shades to compliment other accents in the room, Martha Stewart has several DIY projects that are super easy to follow.

Decorating tips for displaying photos

Get those family photos off your computer’s hard drive and out into the open where they can get the attention they deserve. From picture frames and photo cubes to picture pillows and baby face clocks, Martha Stewart has some terrific decorating tips when it comes to displaying photos.  

Martha Stewart decorating tips by color

If you already know the colors you want to include in your home decorating project but are struggling to find inspiration, check out Martha Stewart’s 232 Rooms by Color.

Decorating tips for the bedroom

“The key to enlivening a neutral room is to brighten it with several shades of the same color.”  This is just one of several bedroom decor tips Martha Stewart offers her readers. Another: “Nothing completes your boudoir like a headboard — it provides a focal point and makes the whole room more inviting. The store-bought kind can be expensive and bulky, so try this shortcut: Using the lines in a graphic wallpaper as your guide, cut out a silhouette that serves as a virtual headboard.”  And taking it one tip further, an idea I love (and may consider making it myself) is: “A solid old door, refinished and hung sideways, becomes a perfect — and perfectly inexpensive — headboard for a bed.” This looks awesome, as far as I’m concerned.

Are you the next Martha Stewart?

Do you have some home decorating tips and ideas that would put Martha Stewart to shame? Make sure to leave a comment below to let us know!