In order to get the best results & maximize the potential for serious growth of clientele in your business with this style of marketing, watch my video here or click on the image below. I help you to thoughtfully consider your strategy!
Have you worked with a Realtor or dropped postcards in your local community?
Comment below to share how these initiatives worked for you or if you plan on trying these marketing strategies.
You’ve landed clients, now what?
See below for more of my helpful resources for running a successful interior design business. Plus, don’t forget to follow me here on Instagram where I post daily stories to inspire you in both your business and in the world of design!
It’s so exciting to unbox something when you have no idea what it is, especially when you know that it’s related to paint colour.
I was thrilled to receive a package at my Burlington Interior Design Studio from the lovely Jamie Martin, National Sales Manager at Farrow & Ball. See what was inside in my latest video below.
But first, based on the goodies in this box, I created a new download just for you!
Okay, now onto the unboxing. Join me and let’s make our lives and our homes more colourful.
Love colour and want to book a consultation with me? Click here and let’s do this!
I service local areas in Ontario of Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Milton, Hamilton, Carlise, Grimsby and the surrounding GTA area. Contact me here.
Convenience at your fingertips
Remember, it only takes one mistake to take your home decorating project from divine to disaster. Don’t let the paint be what stresses you out!
Choosing Paint Colours
If you struggle with choosing paint colours, be sure to check out my Perfect Colour Palettes.
I now have 40 individual guides to help inspire you.
Collections
I am also offering collections with 10 amazing colours altogether in one place.
When it comes to blogging or creating video content, do you get stumped on what to post about?
I often have designers tell me that figuring out what content to create can be very frustrating, as well as knowing where to start.
To make the most of your content, I always suggest referring to your most Frequently Asked Questions and address those first.
That is one key point that I like to drill down into when I do speaking engagements on managing client’s expectations, because you can get a ton of mileage out of those posts and/or videos, referring people to them over and over again.
But what about quick and easy videos? Are they possible to do and why are they necessary?
The good news is, YES, IT IS POSSIBLE. The other bonus is that in our industry, the possibilities are endless!
If you are still stumped and want to see the kind of videos you can easily share, watch the video below.
Did you know that I also have my VIDEO FOR PROFITS course where I take you through the ‘who, what, where, why, when and how’ of leveraging video for your Interior Design Business?
Master video and go further. Link here to learn more.
Working with family can be challenging, but this was fun!
When is a good time to re-decorate a child’s bedroom?
Kids grow up fast and their needs for their personal space quickly change over time, but that doesn’t mean you want to be redecorating every 6 months.
Good design is smart design and knowing when is the right time to execute is important…and so is including the child in the decision making process. After all, it’s their personal space!
When my kids each turned 10 years old, we decided that was a good age to update their bedrooms. We wanted to redesign their rooms to take them from toddler to teen in both decor and function.
Mexico 2017. Adley was 13 and Elise was 10. This was the year we redecorated her bedroom.
I was especially thoughtful to create designs that would grow with them over the next 8-10 years, so as not to have to re-do these spaces before they (hopefully) move out. #kiddingnotkidding
In the video below, you’ll see how we found inspiration for my daughter’s dated ‘little girly room’ to transform it into a ‘Teens’ Dream Crib’ – that’s the lingo that all the cool kids are using these days, isn’t it? 😉
Sometimes working with family can be challenging, but collaborating with my kids on each of their bedroom makeovers was fun!
In her own words, Elise’s Room Tour
My daughter is not camera shy at all. If you follow me here on Instagram you may have seen my IGTV video of her singing ‘Shallow’ by Lady Gaga from ‘A Star is Born’. No surprise that with her talent, this is my most viewed video on my channel to date!
Elise is very creative in music and arts. She sings, plays the piano and does musical theatre. She is always singing around the house and has a wonderful sense of humour. Boy does this girl make me smile!
Watch the Facebook Video here of Elise taking you on a tour of her bedroom. She also tells you what she loves most about her new bedroom. Comment below or here on my YouTube channel to let me know what’s your favourite decorative element in Elise’s bedroom.
Updated girls bedroom design with pretty colours, subtle textures & some bling!
Functional & Fabulous!
This bed not only looks fabulous, but it also has hidden storage which was essential in my daughter’s small bedroom. The mechanism is sturdy, yet easy enough for even Elise to open and close.
Fabulous looking AND functional!
Custom closet doors with mirrors play double duty for function and to enlarge/brighten the space
A painted ceiling in dark blue adds depth and drama to the space, as well as being the perfect backdrop for creating contrast with this white light fixture.
Elise wanted some bling and fell in love with this drum shade light fixture with crystals.
Custom bed with upholstered camelback style headboard and chrome nail heads
I am in love with these porcelain pink poodles!
We updated these pine drawers with paint and new sparkly pulls
Custom window treatment is a Flat Roman Blind
High and Low
White IKEA desk, floating shelves and bedside table are where we decided to go ‘low’ in terms of costs for the bedroom design. Since Elise started to take an interest in creating make-up videos on her Instagram account, this area has never looked so tidy as it does in this photo!
Custom window treatments are a splurge that is well worth the investment. No client of mine has ever stood back, looked at the new install of drapery or a blind and said, “Meh, it’s okay”. The response is always one of awe and excitement, usually some happy squeals too!
Paint Palette / Colour Combination in Benjamin Moore Paint Colours
Okay, your turn. Tell me what is your favourite part of my daughters bedroom makeover? She loves the bed, I love the mirrored closets and you love…
If you want to work with an interior design professional who is also a colour expert twice over to update any area of your home, contact me here and let’s create something beautiful together!
Find out about our services here and how we can help you to love where you live!
Convenience at your fingertips
Remember, it only takes one mistake to take your home decorating project from divine to disaster. Don’t let the paint be what stresses you out!
Choosing Paint Colours
If you struggle with choosing paint colours, be sure to check out my Perfect Colour Palettes.
I now have 40 individual guides to help inspire you.
Collections
I also offer collections that showcase a group of 10 colours from Benjamin Moore,
What happens when you are working with a client on an Interior Decorating or Design project and they suddenly refuse to pay you?
Today I’m sharing a real client experience of that exact scenario which happened to me a few years ago.
As I always like to be real and provide as much value as I can when sharing these types of stories, you’ll also learn:
How long I was in business when this happened
How the client found me
The scope and cost of the project
Events leading up to our final visit
What I did when the client refused to pay me
Yup, you do not wanna miss this!
Key takeaways and learning points:
Always have a signed contract that you review with your clients project to commencing design services.
Never be out of pocket for services or when selling products.
Don’t beat yourself up. Learn from the experience and move on.
Not signed up yet for all the FREE stuff I have to offer? Go here to get instant access to over half a dozen tips sheets to help with your Interior Design business!
Why Start From Scratch When I’ve Already Done It For You?
If you want to be more organized and be better at managing your client’s expectations, listen up!
My 3-in-1 bundle includes everything you need to be super confident in your processes. From the very first phone call, right the way through to the end of the client initial consultation meeting, get organized now.
Did you know I also have a YouTube channel for Colour & Design?
More of my TNT -THE NAKED TRUTH – mind set where you can see videos like the ones listed below.
I disclose full costs for custom decorating projects, including my fee for services here on the blog post.
See the blog post here where I tell all in my video.
Subscribe here to get notified of new videos for colour & design inspiration, plus you’ll also get 2 FREE downloads on Choosing the Right Paint Colour the FIRST time AND my favourite 15 Shades of Gray paint colours with undertones revealed!
Fresh off the heels of another KBIS (Kitchen and Bath Industry Show) event from Las Vegas and I can’t wait to show you the latest colours in Interior Design!
Sadly, the weather in Las Vegas was such that it was the first time in nearly 10 years that they had snow – yes snow! But I wasn’t going to let anything dampen my spirits, this event was going to be way too exciting.
My favourite thing to do in Las Vegas is to watch the Bellagio Fountains display.
Sidenote – Did you know that I got married in Las Vegas? And before you ask, no, it wasn’t officiated by Elvis, nor in a drive-thru and yes, I’m still married!
May 21, 2005. Chris and I married at The Grove in Las Vegas.
In addition to the excitement of being at the show to see the latest in Kitchen and Bath Design, I was also speaking on two panels and meeting up with plenty of my interior designer friends with who I’ve been connected on social media for years. You can see me speaking on one panel here in the #dmmtalks lounge about running a successful interior design business.
Please note, the footage appears to be sideways and the panel is 2 hours long, but there is a ton of incredibly helpful information if you are a business owner in the interior design industry.
Colour talk, let’s get to it!
Have you ever noticed how the most talked about and exciting displays at these events are always the most vibrant and colourful ones? Yet in our own homes, most of us prefer to play it safe with whites and neutrals.
Of course, resale value comes into play, as well as whether or not you will tire of something so bold and ‘in your face’ over time. However, I think that design needs to tell a story and include layers of patterns, texture and colour – unless the look you are going for is super contemporary and has a monochromatic feel.
Maybe today’s video and colour combinations will make you think twice when considering what finishes to use in your next home renovation project. I know it’s already got me thinking about my upcoming bath renovation this spring!
Click the play button to see what colour inspiration I found at KBIS and to get a closer look at the colour palettes shown in the video, see more of the blog post below or check out my Pinterest Bold Colour Board here.
Perfect for Pinning!
Starting off with a couple of the sponsors from the #designhounds Modenus Tour, the first being this exceptional cabinetry design. For those of us with pets, isn’t this what we all dream of? A well-organized space for the laundry, including a dedicated area for pet grooming. How wonderful.
NOTE: Some colours in the palettes I created may appear slightly different to the actual design photos, depending on your monitor. But I can assure you that the colour combinations all work beautifully together. Also, with the exception of this palette below, all others are Benjamin Moore colours.
Farrow and Ball colour combination of cabinetry and wall colour.
Two years ago I also visited the Wellborn Cabinetry booth, here is a video if you want to see more of their custom cabinetry designs.
The New American Home with Caesarstone
I was super excited to receive an exclusive invitation to The New American Home with Caesarstone. Despite the nearly freezing temperatures that are almost unheard of in the Las Vegas desert, this spectacular view from the New American Home soon warmed me up!
The New American Home with Caesarstone.
Caesarstone introduced 5 new colours, which I’ll be sharing soon over on my IGTV channel. Follow me here over on IG to make sure you don’t miss it! Here I managed to get a photo with just a few of the models who were each painted in the new colours – how cool, eh?
3 of the new 5 Caesarstone colours unveiled, in Las Vegas style.
Bedroom with a textured periwinkle wallpaper as a backdrop to this beautiful bed.
Ensuite with white and gray tiles, but impactful and colourful accent wall.
Although it’s not spot on, the closest colour I could relate this to was Twilight Blue by Benjamin Moore.
This blue is similar in tone (just slightly lighter) to a backsplash we installed in this client’s White kitchen design.
Custom bench seat opposite the bed with abstract artwork in similar tones.
Here is another bathroom in The New American Home, but with a much different vibe than the first. Hexagon wall tile in different tones, including a marble!
Not sure that I would love this long term, but it’s definitely a show stopper.
The colour palette though, yes, that I could live with!
Gray, pink and white. Beautiful colour combo.
Cafe Distinct by Design
Cafe appliances booth – Distinct by Design. This green is their brand colour too.
True Green 2042-10 by Benjamin Moore is what I colour matched it to by looking at the photos…I left my fan deck in my suitcase at the hotel, doh! It appears to be very similar to what one considers to be a shade of ‘Kelly Green’.
2042 – 10 True Green be Benjamin Moore
Did I tell you that we are starting work on a kitchen refresh for a Burlington client next month and that we are using Hale Navy for the cabinetry colour? I couldn’t be more thrilled.
As you probably already know from watching my videos, this dark, dramatic blue is one of my favourite colours of all time.
Look at the dark blue cabinets here, paired with that exquisite golden backsplash. The counters and floors are in black and white design patterns. I think I’m in love.
Colour Combination here is Hale Navy and Marblehead Gold by BM.
Coloured Appliances
Blue Star Appliances in a fun orangey- coral and with brassy hardware.
French door style – side by side with bottom freezer. Shown as a perfect match for an avid baker.
Benjamin Moore fun and lively colour combination
Funky Tile Styles!
These glass wall tiles were super vibrant. They would definitely be a commitment, but how fun would these be in a kitchen as a backsplash or in the bathroom on the shower wall?
Funky blue and yellow tile
Reminiscent of a Mediterranean feel with the deep blues and soft yellow tones.
Not my usual design style at all, but definitely fabulous in the right setting.
If this colour palette doesn’t wake you up, I don’t know what will?!
Finishing up on a more subtle, yet striking colour combination and delicate tile design that certainly has a style all of its own.
Soft pink and purple with white and a sporadic, ‘cutesy’ pattern in gray.
Or try this pink, it’s less pale than Odessa Pink shown above…
Petunia pink appears to be a better fit with the tile. But either of these pinks will work for this gorgeous colour combination.
Now, tell me the truth. Would you be daring enough to use either big-ticket items and/or fixed elements in bright or dramatic colours to make a statement in your home? Comment below to share your thoughts. Until next time, dream in colour!
Convenience at your fingertips
Remember, it only takes one mistake to take your home decorating project from divine to disaster. Don’t let the paint be what stresses you out!
Choosing Paint Colours
If you struggle with choosing paint colours, be sure to check out my Perfect Colour Palettes.
I now have 40 individual guides to help inspire you.
Collections
I also offer collections that showcase a group of 10 colours from Benjamin Moore,
It’s easy to overcomplicate choosing paint colours for your interior decorating project, especially when selecting which white trim to coordinate for trim and ceilings.
But I’m here to help and make things easier for you!
Subscribe to my Colour & Design YouTube channel here
In this week’s video, I’m answering a question from a reader who wanted to know which white to use for her trim and ceiling that would work with her existing paint colours. It’s part of my ‘Instant Colour Claire-ity’ series because I believe it shouldn’t be stressful to choose the right paint colours the first time for your home.
What’s the Best White Trim Paint For My Project?
Love The Colour Green?
Here’s a kitchen design we did for clients using Copley Gray by BM on the island. See all of our client’s interior design project here.
Custom Kitchen island Copley Gray HC104 & White perimeter Ivory White by Benjamin Moore, by Claire Jefford.
Dishwasher custom cover is also Copley Gray.
This is the same client’s kids bathroom with greige painted walls.
Walls painted Sea Salt by Benjamin Moore.
Custom living room design of our Burlington clients where we painted the walls Pashmina which has a green undertone.
Walls painted Pashmina by BM with Ivory White custom built-ins. Photo by Stephani Buchman.
Abingdon Putty has a green undertone as well and it’s the colour we selected for another Burlington client’s living room, except this style is more traditional and with purple accents. Photos below by KWest Images.
This week I’m heading to Las Vegas for the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show! It’s my third year attending the show and it’s always exciting to see the latest trends, which inevitably always involves colour too!
Follow along with me here on Instagram where I promise to share fun videos and pictures on both my feed and my IG stories.
While I can’t promise that every question I receive will be responded to via a vlog post, I will reply either in the comments here on the blog or on my YouTube channel. So go ahead, ask me anything!
Want to love where you live? Contact me here and let’s create something beautiful together today.
Instead of simply replying on those platforms alone, I wanted to respond in a more personal way that allows me to provide more of an explanation than I’m able to do in a written message.
So guess what I did? A Q&A video! HAHA! Suprise, suprise.
Running an Interior Design Business isn’t easy, but I’m here to help and together we are stronger!
If you want to do a deep dive into your own specific business goals in order to improve your processes, better manage client’s expectations, gain more confidence in handling awkward situations or to ramp up your marketing and social media presence, I can help you. Book your one on one video coaching session here.
Get the BEST value and everything you need to get super organized and be well on your way to ROCK your Initial Consultation! Save over $80 when you bundle all these incredibly useful goodies into one.
Click here to see all that is included & watch a video for more information.
I can’t tell you how much video has propelled my career, even in ways that I never imagined.
Clients feel like they already know me when I walk through their door for the first time which makes building trust in the working relationship, a whole lot easier.
When I first began my business, I wasn’t offering 3D design services. In fact, I had no idea how to use any of the rendering programs available!
But over time, I self taught myself how to use Cheif Architect and quickly realized what an incredibly valuable tool this was for showing home owners design concepts we created for their home. It took me a few years to perfect my process for creating our PowerPoint presentations, but now it’s nailed down and I share it all here in this package.
If you don’t want to learn how to do these rendering yourself, you can always outsource this task and still implement my process for creating the package.
See this blog post here that I wrote with a little help from my design friends who offer this service to other designers.
Neutrals are great and they definitely have a place in interior design and decor, but bold colours are so much more exciting, aren’t they?
I’m doing another unboxing video, it’s becoming one of my favourite things to do! This time I’m opening up a brand spanking new set of Maria Killam’s painted boards of her VIP Collection.
This is another fabulous set of 50 large colour boards, but this collection is a selection of Maria’s favourite neutrals, colours and darks from Benjamin Moore.
Love my large painted colour boards and want your own set?
In this collection, there are colours such as Hale Navy (a personal fav of mine!), Classic Gray and Flint. Below are interior decorating projects where I’ve used all of these colours.
HALE NAVY
I did a colour review of Hale Navy that you can check out here.
To gain even more colour confidence, Maria also teaches her systems on understanding undertones all across North America. I attended her Colour workshop in 2012 for the first time and then again in 2018.
Not only is investing in this hands-on workshop fabulous for gaining confidence in specifying colours, but the course is also a wonderful opportunity for networking and meeting other colour enthusiasts from all around the world.
I recently interviewed Maria about her colour course. If you are thinking about attending her class, watch the video here to learn more about what’s involved.
Psst! Love Colour? Take my new colour quiz to determine which colour palette suits you best!
// DISCLOSURE: Thank you for trusting me with my truthful and reliable opinion on any future purchase you may make. I always disclose affiliate or sponsored information when it is the case. If you purchase Maria’s boards, I will earn a small commission from the sale. This doesn’t affect you in any way, the price remains the same regardless. Thank you for supporting me and entrusting me to be your go-to for all things Colour and Interior Design!
Claire's Guide to Services & Pricing
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Interior Design Services and Rates Guide
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