Toronto's 2 Hounds Design: Decorating + Staging

Well, seems Haverhill is drawing more attention to itself. The more they shout from the mountain tops about their greatness the more writers look in to the owners of the company.

Despite repeated attempts to get information about the success of the business as well as the success of the 'graduates' Haverhill refuse to divulge any statistics to aid potential 'students' determine if HaverHill does in fact provide the hundreds of jobs they claim to be hiring (from ONLY graduates of their training).

A new article has been released, enjoy the read and make your own decisions!

There's a stager born every minute: Haverhill offers big promises -- and shady associations

Author: Zac Bissonnette

BTW, notice the photo was a staging done by Craig Shiller...beautiful job!

I've been getting very excited about blue paint color for walls. Did you know blue is the number one paint colour in homes in North America?

When using blue paint be careful not to select drab or dated looking colours. Blues of today are warm (hint of red undertone) and fresh.

Here are a few photos for some inspiration for you!

image source, Real New York House Wives

This fresh blue looks stunning against the white trim and marble. Adding in the blue and white ceramics provide a lovely grounding for the walls.

Blue looks striking when combined with black and white! This blue reminds me of Bombay Saphire's blue gin bottle...makes me thirsty for a Bombay Saph &T!

image source, Apartment Therapy

image source, ladyreynolds (Flickr)

I'm so loving this door!

Due to my desire to put blue *somewhere* in my house, my daughter will be getting a room in Robin's Egg blue! Sigh, I'll have to wait till the front entry is done first before beginning yet another project!

About the author:

Dane Caldwell is the Lead Design Consultant for Toronto and GTA's 2 Hounds Design and Home Staging.

www.2-hounds.com

"I won't be the person who sells your house, but I will be the reason it sells".- Dane Caldwell, Toronto, GTA & Durham Region Interior Design/Decorating + Home Staging Specialist

With the economy as it is today many of us are not spending on the more frivolous purchases such as decor items. The desire to reuse as much as possible and wanting to make our homes uniquely reflect our personalities rather than looking like everything was purchased at one store has inspired many to come up with some wonderfully inventive decor items we can all do in our own homes.

I went hunting around and found some simple ideas I felt would inspire you. I hope you find the ideas as refreshing and exciting as I do!

This organized corner is a simple way to spruce up a laundry room/mud room inexpensively while staying stylish. Of course, I'd use some felt or other cushioning fabric to protect your boots from getting marked up from the office clamps but they make for a very inexpensive way to help keep their shape!

Image source: Sasa Antic

A simple update for an old bed. Slipcovers!

Image Source: Martha Stewart

A contemporary take on the wallpaper headboard! I love the idea of breaking up the wallpaper horizontally.

Image Source: Better Homes and Gardens

Another great storage idea using cereal boxes! Imagine the fun you could have with the kids designing their own storage boxes for their bedrooms.

Image Source: Apartment Therapy

About the author:

Dane Caldwell is the Lead Design Consultant for Toronto and GTA's 2 Hounds Design and Home Staging.

www.2-hounds.com

"I won't be the person who sells your house, but I will be the reason it sells".- Dane Caldwell, Toronto, GTA & Durham Region Interior Design/Decorating + Home Staging Specialist

I'm always looking for what is coming down the pipes which will be new and exciting in the interior design/decorating field.

What will be the next big trend colour, what colours are going to be the staple for years to come, who's the hot new designers to watch...questions I'm always asking. I had not thought about one aspect of design I realized.

So I went looking and I have to say, I think you will be very excited! Yes, you can thank me! LOL

Technology in my mind was the newist insulation, wind turbine, non-toxic glue etc. Technology was therefore mostly about the materials. I have design software...but I'm terrible slow at it and therefore always chose drafting paper and scaled drawing.

To me, design software (that's a hint) has become sononamous with 'evil' and ment to 'break me' reduce me to tears curled up in a ball in the corner of my office.

Till today!

 

I will begin posting some how to's over the next little while!

From simple DIY issues to get your house show ready and increase it's value substantially:

- like leveling your cupboard doors in the kitchen

to

- putting a permanent end to the squeaky doors

As well, I will show you the tricks I've learned along the way:

- stripping popcorn ceilings

- wallpapering

- tiling

- replacing a ceiling fixture

- replacing a light switch for a dimmer switch

And for those who like to watch the design process:

- decision making: when you really want something but it is labour intensive and therefore cuts in to budget - but it will look Freak'n Amazing!! Should you or shouldn't you?

You will watch as I begin what should be a simple update of my front entrance. Currently builder basic from over 2 decades ago.

- Ripping up the old tile

- putting in new tile

- decision time on the labour intensive but oh so marvelous reno move...what COULD this be?!

- painting: decorative finish to keep costs down. Forgoing the wallpaper I want and recreating it with paint and stencil

- swapping out the existing lighting for something with a little more presence.

My Foyer Update will be a no budget reno for the most part. I will be scrounging for what I need and show you how to get the designer style with little to no budget...for REAL!