Fall has a way of making us notice our homes again. The lamps come on earlier, the cozy throws come out, and we start thinking about all the rooms we want to finish before the holidays.<\/p>\n
But before you buy another rug, choose another paint colour or start adding paneling, it helps to know what your room actually needs.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mariakillam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_7216web-1-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nAre you solving the wrong problem?<\/strong><\/h2>\nEvery day I pop into one of those huge Facebook decorating groups because it\u2019s a good way to monitor trends. Recently a woman posted a photo of her living room.<\/p>\n
It looked something like this:<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mariakillam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/sectional.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThis is a recreation of the room, not the original Facebook photo.<\/em><\/p>\nShe had a big sectional filling the room, a television mounted on a blank wall, no rug, no art and no pillows.<\/p>\n
And her question was:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve recently moved into this home and I\u2019m struggling to make this room look more inviting, what kind of paneling should I add to this wall?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
I\u2019m sure you know what I was thinking. Panelling!? This room needs to be decorated! I think this happens a lot because, as I\u2019ve said many times, it\u2019s easier to ask questions like, \u2018Should I change my countertops, should I replace this fireplace\u2019, over \u2018which area rug will work the best here\u2019.<\/p>\n
And this is exactly where good design advice can save you a lot of money. The thing you\u2019re planning to change may not be the thing keeping your room from working.<\/p>\n
That is what we do in an eDesign consultation.<\/p>\n
For four days only, through Friday, October 2, save 10% on eligible eDesign packages.<\/strong><\/p>\nSHOP THE 4-DAY eDESIGN SALE<\/a><\/p>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mariakillam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Fall-Sale-BLOG-1024x453.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nStop guessing before you start spending<\/h2>\n
The most expensive decorating mistakes happen when you buy things one at a time without a clear plan. You replace the countertop when painting the cabinets would have made the existing countertop disappear.<\/p>\n
You choose a new paint colour, but the room still feels unfinished because what it really needed was a rug, better lamps and throw pillows.<\/p>\n
You install a backsplash when the lighting and hardware are what\u2019s actually making the kitchen feel dated.<\/p>\n
Every dollar spent on the wrong solution is a dollar you can\u2019t spend on the change that would transform the room. After 40 years of decorating, styling and specifying colour, I can immediatley see what will, and won\u2019t, move a room forward.<\/p>\n
Inspiration images and AI can offer ideas based on the question you ask. An experienced designer may look at your room and tell you that you\u2019re asking the wrong question entirely. Kind of like this room I recently mentioned:<\/p>\n
She\u2019d finally convinced her husband to install the panelling, painted it black, and immediately felt something was off. The suggestions she received kept adding more black, making the entry feel harsher. Repainting the existing panelling a warm neutral would be the straightforward fix. If she were planning it from the start, classic moulding in warm white would make far more sense for her Colonial home. That\u2019s what eDesign helps you see before you spend more money solving the wrong problem.<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mariakillam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Blog-Post-photo-of-millwork-commentary2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThat compressed experience is what you\u2019re investing in when you purchase an eDesign package.<\/p>\n
That fresh diagnosis is often where the real value is.<\/p>\n
Expert advice is especially valuable for DIYers<\/h2>\n
If you\u2019re a DIY decorator, you may be the person who needs eDesign most.<\/p>\n
You\u2019re still going to do the shopping, painting, ordering and installation yourself. But you don\u2019t also have to waste your limited budget buying things that don\u2019t work.<\/p>\n
With a clear plan, every purchase moves your room in the same direction. That\u2019s what makes even a modestly priced room look considered and expensive.<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t necessarily need a larger budget. You need to put the budget you have into the right things.<\/p>\n
Every eDesign package also includes our Decorate or Renovate<\/strong> recommendation. We\u2019ll tell you whether we would decorate around what you have, refresh a few key elements or plan for a larger renovation.<\/p>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mariakillam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/DorRexample2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nIn other words, you don\u2019t have to diagnose the room before hiring me.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s my job.<\/p>\n
Want help finishing a room?<\/h2>\n
If you\u2019re purchasing an eligible interior paint package, you can now add our new Decor Refresh<\/strong> for $295.<\/p>\nYou\u2019ll receive suggestions for three key decorating pieces that I believe will make the greatest difference in your room\u2014perhaps a rug, lamps, a coffee table or another item the room is missing.<\/p>\n
Because paint can create the background, but it can\u2019t do all the decorating for you. Please note, this add on is only available as an add-on to the paint <\/a>packages<\/a>.<\/p>\nPlanning a kitchen, bathroom or larger renovation?<\/h2>\n
We\u2019ll help you understand what should stay, what should change and how your colours, finishes, lighting and other details should work together.<\/p>\n
And if you aren\u2019t ready to begin your project immediately, you can still purchase your consultation during the sale and submit your information when you\u2019re ready.<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t need to solve your entire home at once.<\/p>\n
Start with the room that\u2019s on your mind. Find out what it actually needs. Then make each purchase with confidence, knowing it\u2019s part of a clear plan.<\/p>\n
Because life is too short to live in a home you don\u2019t love\u2014and decorating is too expensive to keep guessing.<\/p>\n
Through Friday, October 2nd save 10% on eligible eDesign packages. Let our team help you turn your inspiration into a clear, confident plan you can easily bring to life.<\/p>\n
Our four-day eDesign sale starts now<\/h2>\n
I see you thinking, \u201cit is what it is for now, and ONE DAY, I will renovate and decorate this room\u201d. If you\u2019ve been following my Renovate or Decorate channel, you\u2019ll know what I\u2019m going to say right? <\/p>\n
You don\u2019t have to wait until you tear out the floors and renovate the fireplace. You can love your room now. I\u2019m giving you permission. Because life\u2019s too short to live in a home you don\u2019t love.<\/p>\n
And you don\u2019t have to solve your whole home at once. Sometimes, one room-and clear advice on what to change- is the best place to start.<\/p>\n
So I\u2019m throwing a fall sale on eDesign packages so you can get the advice you need to tackle that room.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s find the right starting point for you. <\/p>\n
If you have questions about which room you should start with, email some photos to my team here. <\/h4>\n
Want your room to feel pulled together?<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThis is a recreation of the room, not the original Facebook photo.<\/em><\/p>\n She had a big sectional filling the room, a television mounted on a blank wall, no rug, no art and no pillows.<\/p>\n And her question was:<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve recently moved into this home and I\u2019m struggling to make this room look more inviting, what kind of paneling should I add to this wall?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n I\u2019m sure you know what I was thinking. Panelling!? This room needs to be decorated! I think this happens a lot because, as I\u2019ve said many times, it\u2019s easier to ask questions like, \u2018Should I change my countertops, should I replace this fireplace\u2019, over \u2018which area rug will work the best here\u2019.<\/p>\n And this is exactly where good design advice can save you a lot of money. The thing you\u2019re planning to change may not be the thing keeping your room from working.<\/p>\n That is what we do in an eDesign consultation.<\/p>\n For four days only, through Friday, October 2, save 10% on eligible eDesign packages.<\/strong><\/p>\n SHOP THE 4-DAY eDESIGN SALE<\/a><\/p>\n The most expensive decorating mistakes happen when you buy things one at a time without a clear plan. You replace the countertop when painting the cabinets would have made the existing countertop disappear.<\/p>\n You choose a new paint colour, but the room still feels unfinished because what it really needed was a rug, better lamps and throw pillows.<\/p>\n You install a backsplash when the lighting and hardware are what\u2019s actually making the kitchen feel dated.<\/p>\n Every dollar spent on the wrong solution is a dollar you can\u2019t spend on the change that would transform the room. After 40 years of decorating, styling and specifying colour, I can immediatley see what will, and won\u2019t, move a room forward.<\/p>\n Inspiration images and AI can offer ideas based on the question you ask. An experienced designer may look at your room and tell you that you\u2019re asking the wrong question entirely. Kind of like this room I recently mentioned:<\/p>\n She\u2019d finally convinced her husband to install the panelling, painted it black, and immediately felt something was off. The suggestions she received kept adding more black, making the entry feel harsher. Repainting the existing panelling a warm neutral would be the straightforward fix. If she were planning it from the start, classic moulding in warm white would make far more sense for her Colonial home. That\u2019s what eDesign helps you see before you spend more money solving the wrong problem.<\/p>\n That compressed experience is what you\u2019re investing in when you purchase an eDesign package.<\/p>\n That fresh diagnosis is often where the real value is.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re a DIY decorator, you may be the person who needs eDesign most.<\/p>\n You\u2019re still going to do the shopping, painting, ordering and installation yourself. But you don\u2019t also have to waste your limited budget buying things that don\u2019t work.<\/p>\n With a clear plan, every purchase moves your room in the same direction. That\u2019s what makes even a modestly priced room look considered and expensive.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t necessarily need a larger budget. You need to put the budget you have into the right things.<\/p>\n Every eDesign package also includes our Decorate or Renovate<\/strong> recommendation. We\u2019ll tell you whether we would decorate around what you have, refresh a few key elements or plan for a larger renovation.<\/p>\n In other words, you don\u2019t have to diagnose the room before hiring me.<\/p>\n That\u2019s my job.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re purchasing an eligible interior paint package, you can now add our new Decor Refresh<\/strong> for $295.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll receive suggestions for three key decorating pieces that I believe will make the greatest difference in your room\u2014perhaps a rug, lamps, a coffee table or another item the room is missing.<\/p>\n Because paint can create the background, but it can\u2019t do all the decorating for you. Please note, this add on is only available as an add-on to the paint <\/a>packages<\/a>.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll help you understand what should stay, what should change and how your colours, finishes, lighting and other details should work together.<\/p>\n And if you aren\u2019t ready to begin your project immediately, you can still purchase your consultation during the sale and submit your information when you\u2019re ready.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t need to solve your entire home at once.<\/p>\n Start with the room that\u2019s on your mind. Find out what it actually needs. Then make each purchase with confidence, knowing it\u2019s part of a clear plan.<\/p>\n Because life is too short to live in a home you don\u2019t love\u2014and decorating is too expensive to keep guessing.<\/p>\n Through Friday, October 2nd save 10% on eligible eDesign packages. Let our team help you turn your inspiration into a clear, confident plan you can easily bring to life.<\/p>\n I see you thinking, \u201cit is what it is for now, and ONE DAY, I will renovate and decorate this room\u201d. If you\u2019ve been following my Renovate or Decorate channel, you\u2019ll know what I\u2019m going to say right? <\/p>\n You don\u2019t have to wait until you tear out the floors and renovate the fireplace. You can love your room now. I\u2019m giving you permission. Because life\u2019s too short to live in a home you don\u2019t love.<\/p>\n And you don\u2019t have to solve your whole home at once. Sometimes, one room-and clear advice on what to change- is the best place to start.<\/p>\n So I\u2019m throwing a fall sale on eDesign packages so you can get the advice you need to tackle that room.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s find the right starting point for you. <\/p>\n Want your room to feel pulled together?<\/p>\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nStop guessing before you start spending<\/h2>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nExpert advice is especially valuable for DIYers<\/h2>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nWant help finishing a room?<\/h2>\n
Planning a kitchen, bathroom or larger renovation?<\/h2>\n
Our four-day eDesign sale starts now<\/h2>\n
If you have questions about which room you should start with, email some photos to my team here. <\/h4>\n
![](\"https:\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/images\/pidgets\/pinit_fg_en_rect_red_28.png\"\/)
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"