The Psychology of Colour: How to Choose the Right Palette for Your Home
Colour plays a crucial role in all of our lives. It can influence emotions, shape our perceptions, and can even affect our decision making. From the clothes we wear to the spaces we inhabit; colour has always had a powerful impact on how we feel. When it comes to designing a home, choosing the right colour palette is about more than just aesthetics - it's about creating an environment that reflects your personality and enhances your overall well-being. Understanding the psychology of colour can help you make informed choices that turn your home into a sanctuary.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how different colours affect our emotions and offer tips on how to choose the right palette for your home.
The Art of Bathroom Design: Tips to Create a Space You’ll Love
Bathrooms are known to be one of the most personal spaces in our homes. It’s the place where we start and end our day, and when designed right, they can become a perfect balance of style, function, and comfort. Whether you're starting from scratch or updating an existing space, thoughtful planning is essential to create a bathroom that feels luxurious and serves your needs. We’ve put together our top tips on creating a bathroom that checks all your boxes functionally and aesthetically – let’s dive in!
How To Navigate An Open Concept Floor Plan
Open concept floor plans have surged in popularity over the past few decades, offering a sense of spaciousness and fluidity that traditional layouts can lack. However, the wide-open nature of these layouts can often present design challenges and without the natural division of walls, it’s easy for a space to feel too expansive or lack cohesion. But fear not! With the right approach, you can turn your open concept floor plan into a functional and inviting atmosphere.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into three key factors to consider when designing your open concept space, as well as five quick tips to ensure your layout feels intentional and well thought-out.
Our Most Frequently Asked Design Questions, Answered!
When it comes to creating the perfect ambiance in your home, there are countless decisions to make, from lighting temperature to countertop materials. How do you choose between granite and quartz for your kitchen? Is the timeless appeal of stainless-steel appliances worth the investment? And what about flooring—should I go for luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or luxury vinyl tile (LVT)? If you’re wondering whether gray is still a trendy choice for your home’s colour palette, or if it’s time to embrace a new shade, this blog post will walk you through these key considerations, helping you make informed decisions that reflect your personal style and practical needs. Now let’s get into it!
Top 10 Timeless Interior Design Trends
When it comes to interior design, there are certain trends that stand the test of time and help to create spaces that are both stylish and enduring. Whether you're revamping an existing room or starting from scratch, incorporating timeless elements can ensure your design remains fresh and elegant for years to come.
Join us for this month’s blog post as we explore the top 10 timeless interior design trends that will never go out of style.
How to Save Money on Your Next Home Renovation by Using a Dual-Designer Team
When it comes to interior design and home renovations, having a team of designers working together on a project can significantly streamline the process and allow clients to achieve more in less time and for less money. At BTD Studio, we believe in the power of collaboration to bring your design dreams to life.
In this month’s blog post, we'll explore the many benefits of our dual designer approach and how it can transform your home as we showcase what the process looks like for you as a client, providing a candid look at the role that each of your designers play and how this can elevate your overall design experience.
Design Talk: Behind-the-Scenes at Project Chicopee, an Accessible Design
Welcome to our latest project reveal! We are thrilled to present Project Chicopee, an accessible condo renovation completed in Kitchener during the winter of 2022. This project involved a complete overhaul of the space, including removing walls, replacing the flooring, fixtures, and painting throughout, creating a new kitchen layout and design, renovating the primary bathroom to be barrier-free, updating the main bathroom, and making accessibility updates to the primary bedroom. Our CEO and design lead, Shauna Lynn Simon, sat down with me to share insights into this transformative project. Join us as we explore the creative process, the unique challenges of accessible design, and the standout features that make Project Chicopee truly special.
Designing for Accessibility: Universal Design in Canadian Residences
As an interior designer with over two decades of experience caring for a parent with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), I've seen firsthand the profound impact that thoughtful, inclusive design can have on the lives of individuals with disabilities. Universal design, a concept that goes beyond mere accessibility, aims to create spaces that are usable by everyone, regardless of their physical abilities. In this blog, we'll explore what universal design means, its significance in Canada, key considerations for residential projects, and the practicalities of implementing these designs, including costs and available financial aids.
Design Talk: Behind-the-Scenes at Project Eastbridge
Today, we're diving into the creative process behind Project Eastbridge, an extensive main floor renovation completed by our team in Fall of 2023. We sat down with our designers, Christiane and Alex, to get a behind-the-scenes look at creating this transformation in Waterloo. Come along with us as we explore the creative process, important factors we considered, and the standout design moments we adored while transforming this project from concept to completion.
What it Costs to Hire an Interior Designer in 2024: A Comprehensive Guide
You’ve come to the realization that you need design help for your next project, but you’re unsure of what exactly that’s going to cost you. Embarking on a decorating or renovation project is an exciting endeavour, but it's natural to want to budget for the project with an understanding of the various associated costs. In this guide, we'll delve into the intricacies of hiring an interior designer in 2024, shedding light on the factors that influence pricing and helping you navigate the process with confidence.
Does the Kitchen Triangle Still Matter? Functional Kitchen Design in 2024
Have you ever heard of the “kitchen triangle”? It’s a concept that dominated kitchen design for decades, but times are changing. Let’s explore why the traditional triangle layout might not be cutting it anymore and what exciting alternatives are emerging to revolutionize kitchen design.
In the mid-20th century, the kitchen triangle was all the rage. It centred around positioning the stove, refrigerator, and sink in a triangular layout to optimize efficiency and workflow. But fast forward to today, and our cooking habits and lifestyles have evolved significantly.
Design Talk: Unveiling Project Laurel Creek
Today, we're thrilled to take you on a journey through one of our recent projects, Project Laurel Creek. This main floor renovation, completed by our talented design team in the Fall of 2023, showcases the epitome of modern interior design. We sat down with our designers, Christiane and Alex, to get a behind-the-scenes look at creating this transformation in North Waterloo.
When to Splurge and When to Save – the Highs and Lows of Interior Design
At Beyond The Design Studio, we’ve got the perfect blend of creativity and professionalism to deliver exceptional designs and an unparalleled client experience. One common dilemma we encounter is how to strike the right balance between splurging and saving in your design projects. In this blog, we explore the essentials of interior design spending and discover where it's wise to invest and where you can save without compromising on style.
Design Talk: Unveiling Project Heritage Park
Welcome to this month's blog, a captivating conversation unveiling the story behind Project Heritage Park. A stunning venture completed in the fall of 2023, this special project perfectly encapsulates the essence of personalized design.
Join us as we sit down with our brilliant design duo, Christiane and Alex, to discuss the intricate journey of bringing this unique project to life. We delve into the creative process, key considerations and share our favourite moments of bringing this project from concept to completion.
Timing is Everything: When to Bring in an Interior Designer for Your Project
Embarking on an interior decorating, home renovation, or new construction project is exhilarating but can also be overwhelming. A crucial decision impacting your project's success is determining when to engage an interior designer. In this month's blog post, we provide valuable insights into the timing of hiring a designer, addressing common questions and offering guidance tailored to the 3 most common project scenarios.
Should I Wallpaper My House? Modern Applications and Advancements
In this month's blog post, we're diving headfirst into the captivating world of wallpaper!
At Beyond The Design Studio, we have a SERIOUS love for wallpaper and the incredible transformations it brings to spaces.
We get it, when you hear "wallpaper," you might picture your grandma's house with its peeling, yellowing walls (sorry Grandma, we still love you). For many, the thought of the removal process alone is enough to deter them from adding it in their space (harsh chemicals – no thanks!). But here's the real scoop: wallpaper has undergone a dramatic evolution over the years and it’s definitely not your grandma's wallpaper anymore. We're here to show you how wallpaper has changed and advanced over the years so keep reading for some of our favorite, out-of-the-box ways to incorporate wallpaper to get that "wow" factor, without covering your walls.
Creating a Tranquil Oasis: A Stunning Interior Design Project
Today, we're looking at a captivating recent interior design project that exudes tranquillity and relaxation. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Christiane Roy, Senior Designer at Beyond The Stage Homes, who shared her insights on the design process, key considerations, and the final elements that make this project truly remarkable.
Join us as we explore the journey from concept to execution and discover the secrets behind creating a serene sanctuary within a home.
The design process for this project began by attentively listening to the client's desires and requirements for the space. Understanding how they wanted to live and utilize the area was paramount. After assessing the existing space, the team embarked on exploring various options for space planning and layout. Once the vision for the bathroom was conceptualized, the team created floorplans, style ideas, and curated inspirational images to help the client visualize the final design.