Cottage Fever Interior Design

Interior Decor Coaching Case Study | Design for the Way You Want to Live

One of the pieces of advice I most often give my clients is this: design for 95% of the way you actually want to live in your space.

In this beach house, the seating area overlooks the ocean, making it the natural place to relax, read, entertain, and take in the view. It was important that the furniture layout supported the way the homeowners wanted to use the room most of the time.

There was, however, one significant design consideration. The buffet beside the seating area had been a gift from the homeowner's father, who passed away in 2015. It held tremendous sentimental value, and although it didn't fit elsewhere in the home, she couldn't imagine parting with it. Rather than seeing it as an obstacle, we treated it as an important part of the design story.

Its presence narrowed our options for seating, but it also led us to the perfect solution: a custom-sized English rolled arm loveseat. The proportions were tailored specifically to the space, allowing us to preserve the ocean views, maintain comfortable circulation, and honour a cherished family heirloom.

Many people assume that custom furniture comes with an eye-watering price tag, but that's not always the case. In this instance, the additional investment for a custom-sized loveseat was only $140—a small premium that made a significant difference in both function and aesthetics.

The fabric was chosen with beach house living in mind. Durable enough to withstand sandy feet, wet swimsuits, and everyday wear, it also complemented the other blue tones used throughout the open-concept space, creating a cohesive and relaxed coastal feel.

✨ Design Tip: Before you let go of a meaningful piece of furniture because it "doesn't fit," consider whether the room can be designed around it instead. The most memorable interiors often include pieces that tell the story of the people who live there.

If you're struggling with furniture placement, wondering whether a beloved piece can work in your home, or curious about custom furniture options, interior decor guidance can help you create a space that supports the way you truly want to live.

Interior Decor Coaching Case Study | Home Office

Do you have one room in your home that just doesn't feel quite right? Sometimes, an Interior Decor Coaching session is all that's needed to transform a space.

For this lovely client, we focused on creating a home office that was both functional and beautiful, using the furniture she already owned. I developed a floor plan to improve the flow of the room and created a cohesive colour palette to bring everything together.

A favourite piece of artwork became our jumping-off point for the design. By pulling colours from the artwork, we selected both the wall and trim colours, ensuring the space felt personal and thoughtfully curated.

To address the afternoon glare, we chose a gorgeous chinoiserie-inspired fabric for custom Roman shades. Not only do they soften the light and improve comfort while working, but they also add pattern and elegance to the room.

Another important consideration was the room's orientation. Because the space receives cooler natural light, we introduced a warm golden wall colour to balance the effect and create a welcoming atmosphere. The direction a room faces can have a significant impact on how colours appear throughout the day, which is why it's always an important part of the design process.

✨ Design Tip: Before choosing paint colours, consider both your existing furnishings and the quality of natural light in the room. A colour that looks perfect in one space can feel entirely different in another.

Whether you need help with a single room or an entire home, professional guidance can help you make confident design decisions and create a space you'll truly enjoy spending time in.

Interior Design Case Study | Beach House Bathroom

When this lovely client first purchased her beach house, she gave the bathroom what I affectionately call a "lipstick on a pig" renovation. It looked better, but one of their biggest regrets was not installing in-floor heating. Fast forward a few years, and the bathroom is getting the upgrade it deserves.

The existing floor tile is being removed and replaced, which brings up an important design consideration: flooring should coordinate not only with the materials it directly adjoins, but also with any flooring that is visible from the space. In this case, the bathroom opens onto a grey wood-look laminate floor—a practical choice for a beach house that needs to stand up to sandy feet and wet towels.

Another challenge was the mudroom tile. The client had chosen a fun patterned tile that can be glimpsed from the bathroom, but unfortunately it's no longer available, so simply repeating it wasn't an option. Instead, we took inspiration from its blue and grey tones. A large-format mottled blue-grey floor tile will create a serene foundation, while a playful blue-and-white striped tile installed vertically in the bath/shower surround will add personality and a subtle nod to the coastal setting.

This project is also a perfect example of knowing where to splurge and where to save. Not every element needs to be high-end to create a beautiful result. An IKEA Hemnes vanity provides classic style and excellent value, allowing more of the budget to be allocated to features that elevate the everyday experience.

The polished nickel plumbing fixtures are one such investment. The vanity faucet and luxurious shower system—with both a rain shower and handheld spray—bring a sense of understated elegance. Polished nickel is one of my favourite finishes because it's timeless, versatile, and never feels trendy.

✨ Design Tip: When working with multiple flooring materials, think about all the sightlines in your home. Floors don't have to match, but they should relate to one another in colour, scale, or style to create a cohesive look.

Stay tuned to see this beach house bathroom come to life!

Interior Design Coaching Case Study | Exterior Refresh

This lovely client knew her home needed a refresh but wasn’t quite sure whether to lean more modern or stay true to its original charm. That’s a common crossroads—and one I always approach by looking at context first.

I’m a firm believer that a home’s architecture and location should guide its exterior palette. In this case, the home is a charming cottage style situated close to the sea, so it made sense to enhance rather than compete with that character.

We chose a soft, coastal-inspired blue paired with a complementary trim colour to highlight the home’s details and create a fresh but timeless look. The result feels lighter, more cohesive, and naturally at home in its surroundings.

To help the client visualize the direction, I then used an AI rendering tool designed for interior designers to create a more photorealistic preview of the finished exterior.

✨ Design Tip: When choosing exterior colours, start by asking: What does this house already want to be? The best palettes usually come from the architecture itself, not from trends.

A thoughtful refresh like this can completely transform curb appeal without changing the soul of the home.

Interior Design Case Study - Living Room Floor Plan

When these lovely clients moved to the Comox Valley, they were starting with a blank slate and weren't sure what furniture would best suit their new home and lifestyle. Together, we explored several layout options before settling on a plan that maximized both comfort and functionality.

The next step was creating a colour palette. Because they love spending time outdoors and feel connected to the ocean, we took inspiration from a favourite piece of artwork, using its colours as the foundation for the room's design. This created a cohesive, personal space that reflects who they are.

One of the advantages of working with an interior designer is access to wholesalers and manufacturers, allowing for custom furniture details and fabrics that aren't typically available in retail stores. Every selection was made with durability in mind—including a velvet upholstery that not only feels luxurious but also stands up remarkably well to life with a future feline family member.

One design challenge was the existing tile on the fireplace surround. Rather than undertaking a costly renovation, we opted to paint the tile—a simple, budget-friendly solution that completely transformed the focal point of the room.

The result is a thoughtfully curated living room that feels welcoming, comfortable, and uniquely theirs. Proof that with the right plan, even small changes can have a big impact.

✨ Design Tip: If you're struggling to choose colours for your home, look to a favourite piece of art, rug, or fabric. It can provide a ready-made palette that feels personal and timeless.