Design Wise

by Shelagh Duncan The hardworking kitchen island can be a very functional and beautiful centerpiece of a kitchen design. It is one of the most popular features in a modern kitchen. However, in some spaces a built-in island can feel more cumbersome than useful, or becomes cluttered with ‘stuff’ so

Getting your home to say “Buy Me!” to prospective buyers. by Shelagh Duncan So, you have decided that you are going to sell your home. It could be that you have seen a fabulous property elsewhere, or for any number of other reasons. The bottom line is that you want

10 Ways To Update Your Interior Without Breaking The Bank by Shelagh Duncan You might be quite happy with your current interior decor, but like any solid, long-term relationship, it can get a bit stale. With the New Year upon us why not try a few simple ideas to reinvigorate your

by Shelagh Duncan Building or purchasing a house can be one the most exciting times in your life, especially if it is located in a beautiful coastal area in Costa Rica! Once you have your design, the building begins and then you need to find furniture. Choosing new furniture can

by Shelagh Duncan If you ever wondered why the king sheets you brought down with you when you moved to Costa Rica never seemed to fit properly, then join the club! Most of us never think about things being too different in other countries. Weather, food, language for sure –

There are vacation rental properties, and there are great vacation rental properties. Make yours stand out from the crowd. By Shelagh Duncan Owning a great rental property can make you stand out from the competition and will ensure that your property is rented as often as you’d like it to be. This

A Higher Thread Count Does Not Mean You Are Getting A Better Quality Sheet! By Shelagh Duncan Can this be true? After all the hype and marketing we see about luxury bed linens, are the high-end 1000 thread count sheet sets no better than the 200TC ones we can buy at MaxiPali?

By Shelagh Duncan I know, we tell ourselves “We live in paradise—what’s there not to be happy about? The resulting guilt because we don’t feel happy can just make things worse. If you believe that our homes are an extension of who we are, we have somewhere to start. But

Decorating Tips to Maximize Small-Space Living By Shelagh Duncan Bigger is not always better. Lovely as they are, we know that large homes are more expensive to furnish and maintain, and as we spend so much of our time outdoors do we really need all that interior space? Whatever size

By Shelagh Duncan Your sofa and your bed are probably the two largest furniture investments you’ll make, so you will need to make some wise choices. In my opinion, comfort is king when it comes to seating and sleeping, so investing in a good sofa and a good mattress are

A Harmony of the Classic and the Clean By Shelagh Duncan If you appreciate the classic shapes and silhouettes of traditional interiors, but also enjoy the minimalism and open concepts of contemporary and modern interiors—then the transitional style is probably right for you! Transitional interior design is a perfect fusion

By Shelagh Duncan We were back in Canada for our Thanksgiving this year and I was making the traditional turkey dinner for the family. I realized once I got started on the meal prep that I was very appreciative of the efficient way the kitchen was set up. It was

By Shelagh Duncan It is an undeniable fact that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Many of our homes have an open-plan layout so the kitchen is a visible part of the living area. We can make the kitchen less noticeable so it blends in with the appearance

How do we share our homes with our four legged friends? By Shelagh Duncan We love our homes: we want them to be stylish and comfortable, inviting and cosy. We love our pets too, and as they are very much a part of our lives we incorporate things into our