• Home
  • About Us
    • About Monaco Interiors
    • Testimonials
  • Design
    • Design
    • Products
  • Construction
  • Portfolio
  • Blog
  • Contact

Sick of being home? Design tips to redecorate, while staying home.

Revi Mula
27 Apr 2020
Accessories, blog, Decorating, furniture, Interior Design, interior design blog
accessories, artwork, blog, covid19, decor, Decorating, decorating tips, design, design tips, furniture, interior, Interior Design, interior design blog, layout, tips

If you are anything like me, your are getting sick of being at home. Getting bored of staring at the same spaces, day in and day out. I am. It’s exhausting being at home. Which is funny, because when we are all out in our regular lives, all we want is a few days at home to enjoy our families and relax.  But, as in any aspect of life when one has no choice, that’s all one wants. So, how can we change our environment a bit, to make the days feel a little newer and not stale and boring? One thing I do when home staging, or even just redesigning a space, is look at what is there already. Often my clients want to toss out everything and start over. But, just as often, they have wonderful pieces that, in the right location, can really change the feeling of a space.  When I first started out…many, many years ago… I was called by a retired couple (well into retirement), that were unhappy with their condo living space. They had a limited budget, but wanted it to be less cluttered, cramped and awkward.  In one hour, we moved so much […]

A Place to Entertain!

Revi Mula
20 Jul 2018
Accessories, blog, Decorating, furniture, Home Renovation, Interior Design, interior design blog, Kitchen, renovations, Uncategorized
accessories, accessorize, barstools, blog, Decorating, design, interior decor, Interior Design, pillows, renovation, renovations

I am humbled. There comes a day, in most adults lives, if you have been working at your career long enough, when being humbled happens.  Click. Humbled. For me, this happens often. Over our years, as we grow, our lives change, we move in different directions, our friendships morph as well. People we once saw and spoke to daily become people we see at parties. Our neighbours, specific friends, people we make time for, take the front seat. As does, in my married life; swim class, ski lessons, guitar, gymnastics, school, playdates, travel, blah blah. But it is when those people, those friends, whom you facebook with but never see, never speak to, when they call you and they ask: “Can you help us. Can you do our home.” That’s the moment. Click. Humbled. They are going to trust me.  Me. The person they knew when I started my business 16 years ago. The person who they saw dance at 2am, pre-married, pre-kids, act like a buffoon, me.  Yes, I was once an unruly young adult. It’s true.  And those people, whom I still love dearly, they want to hire me. It’s happened twice this year. Once, I got to create […]

after, kitchen, interior design, renovation, french, bistro

A Second Opinion

Revi Mula
27 Feb 2018
Accessories, Decorating, Dining, Home Renovation, Interior Design, interior design blog, Kitchen, renovations, Uncategorized
bistro, blog, cabinetry, caesarstone, custom, design, french, Interior Design, kitchen, marble, quartz, renovate, renovation

Why a second opinion, and possibly a third, is sometimes necessary. When Sonia and Jay first called us in, they had spoken to other contractors first. I can’t remember if it was 1 or 2. What I do remember, is they had some grand plans for their main floor, and when they laid it all out for me, I truly felt they were planning too much for their space. Their intent was to open up their kitchen to their den/living room/family room, whatever you want to call it. For a townhouse whose main floor consisted of those two spaces plus a dining area, in my opinion, it seemed a bit much. I am fully aware that the new “in thing” is to have giant, open spaces. But those spaces should make sense to the home and the lifestyle of the people in it. Also, budget is always a factor. If you spend more money on a renovation than your home’s value can tolerate, then A) you have to live there for many years to recuperate your investment or B) you can never leave without a loss. So, a part of what any good designer or contractor does, is evaluate that […]

crypton, fabric, interior design, furniture

Revolutionary Fabrics

Revi Mula
25 Feb 2018
Accessories, Chairs, Color Trends, Decorating, Drapery, Drapes, furniture, Home Renovation, Interior Design, interior design blog, renovations, Uncategorized
fabric, furniture, Interior Design, renovation

  I have been working in the design industry for over twenty years now. Most of those years have been fabric filled.  It’s really an obsession of sorts.  My reps come to visit my office, they bring armfulls of new books. The books are filled with swatches of new and exciting fabrics, textures, colours and patterns. The smell of the fabric fills the room. The colours bounce around and the patterns dance like butterflies around my head. Okay that’s super hokey. But seriously. One the the best parts of my job is finding the perfect fabrics for a space. Drapery fabric. Makes a statement. Warms up a room. Creates mood and a luxe vibe.  As long as ice-cream kiddie fingers aren’t grabbing them, they will look good for a really long time. And furniture! Who doesn’t love a soft velvety sofa with cushions that scream pretty, or industrial or chic or fun or bright or carribean or a combo of any of those and so many more! Those toss cushions! How we designers love thee! And how many hours have I spent picking out the perfect fabrics ?!?!? It sometimes drives me mad. But it’s fun. And I love it. […]

Santa’s Bedroom Design and a Handy Husband!

Revi Mula
22 Dec 2016
A Designer's Renovation Journey, Accessories, Christmas, Decorating, Hanukkah, Holidays, Home Renovation, Interior Design, interior design blog, There's No Place Like Home, Uncategorized
accessorize, christmas, christmas decorating, Decorating, interior decor, Interior Design, renovations, there's no place like home

Well, last year Santa gave us the task of working on his living room design. I think we did a great job. You can see the feed on our instagram from December 2015… This year, we tackled his bedroom which was quite the challenge.  It was full of random Christmas items from bygone years (thing #TBT). A bit of overkill if you please. Mrs. Claus was really concerned when we started. “You know, Nicholas really likes to have Christmas all year round. He won’t be happy if you completely take it away.” Then, guiding me out of the room by the elbow, she whispered softly, “But I am a little tired of all the hooplah, if you know what I mean.” She winked. “I wouldn’t mind a little more…glam.” A giggle escaped.  She really was looking for a change. Often, as a designer, I encounter times when husband and wife have different ideas about what they are looking for in design, function and budget. It’s like being a home therapist. We have to balance their desires, without making either feel that their opinion is worth less.  It’s delicate. But can be, and is often, a part of what makes us […]

shag, rug, design, 1060s decor

How to Shag!

Revi Mula
22 Nov 2016
Accessories, Area Rug, Color Trends, Colour Trends, Decorating, Interior Design
accessories, accessorize, Colour trends, Decorating, design, interior decor, Interior Design, rug, shag, West Elm

In the 60s, shag rugs began to surface.  The TV show Mad Men has one designed space that blows my mind. The bohemian vibe, and shag rug over high pile rug make me feel a little nostalgic for the 70s, when this was all the rage, I am pretty sure one can link the rise of asthma with the popularity of these rugs. People went wall to wall. Often making catastrophic mistakes, that within a year or so, they regretted.  As shown here…sometimes you really have to stand back and think about what you are doing. What is this really going to look like? Is there any possibility it will be a little too over the top? Too committed to the trend du jour?   Shags have come a long way.  We use them now as cozy rugs. Fun and inviting floor dressings that we can snuggle on, roll around on, and sink our feet into. I love this one. It’s contemporary, yet soft, and the large scale design makes it feel more like art than just an area rug. For hits of colour. Shag rugs are available to be custom made too! They come in so many colours, and […]

Pillow Paralysis? How to choose toss cushions!

Revi Mula
15 Nov 2016
Accessories, Color Trends, Colour Trends, Decorating, Interior Design
accessories, accessorize, Colour Scheme, Decorating, design, Interior Design, pillows, tiptuesday, toss cushions

You ever flip through a magazine and see a sofa with ten toss cushions on it and think “Wow! How did they do that?”   Here’s a couple of tips for you: In spaces where you have one accent colour, and you want that colour to really play a part in your design, use multiple patterns, textures and shades of that colour in your cushions.   In spaces where you have several colours in your palette, think it as giving each colour an excuse to be in the room. Repeat your colours in your toss cushions, and bring your space together.     Never fear multiple patterns!  Just keep them in the same colour family and strength, and try to have patterns that work well together in scale. For example, small pretty traditional flowers, don’t look good with modern geometrics.  So keep the vibe the same, and you can’t go wrong! Happy #trendtuesday! Revi

Into the Shadows

Revi Mula
07 Nov 2016
Accessories, Color Trends, Colour Trends, Decorating, Interior Design, Paint, renovations, Wallpaper
accessories, accessorize, Color Scheme, Color Trends, Colour Scheme, Colour trends, Decorating, design, Interior Design, renovations, West Elm

All the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow -Leo Tolstoy “Shadow”.  It sounds so dark, exotic, sexy.  It’s Benjamin Moore’s colour of the year. And it’s a good one. Can I be tacky for a second? It’s like an aged grape. Hints of gray, notes of neutral.  A smoky, warm aroma.  Goes well paired with a “dark burgundy” dressed with a pale “porcelain”. The muted shade honestly goes well with almost anything.  I think a powder room completely enveloped in this shade would be dramatic and rich.  While I am pretty much done with painting a feature wall (wallpaper and plaster finishes are much more inviting), I could imagine a staircase cove, or library. This photo by Benjamin Moore displays it perfectly.   A slightly brighter tone of this colour, would be amazing as a velvet sofa.  How luscious would you feel lounging on this? Wallpaper, as I often suggest!  One here, uses golds to offset the darker grape hues. It’s modern AND classic in design, and injects the colour without over-committing.  The second wallpaper, a complimentary shade. Imagine using this one a wall, and shadow on the ceiling.  Talk about an intense and dynamic paring! […]

Ho Ho Oy! Holiday Design Made Easy!

Revi Mula
24 Nov 2014
Accessories, Christmas, Color Trends, Colour Trends, Decorating, Hanukkah, Holidays, Interior Design, Uncategorized
chanukah, christmas, christmas decorating, crate and barell, decor, hanukkah, holiday, holiday design, Interior Design, pier 1 imports, West Elm

Decorating for the holidays is: Fun? Daunting? Mystifying? Stressful? Got a mixed up family full of: Hanukkah? Christmas? Kwanzaa? Newtonmas? Festivus? Wanting to make it: Classy? Fun? Youthful? Colourful? Taseful? Cheery? Cozy? Oy. My head hurts too. So let’s simplify a little, shall we? I grew up in a Jewish home.  Super envious of my bestie down the street, whose dad was a minister and whose Christmas seemed glorious!  And, as the years passed, they invited me for tree trimming…I remember all too well having to figure out where the fake limbs went years after their colour coded stickers had fallen off.  There was always a little gift for me under that tree.  And I even got to go to the church a few times and listen to all the beautiful songs.  It was amazing.  And at my place?  Hanukkah was a bit more, um, chill?  Gifts: Check.  Doughnuts: Check. Menorah with candles: Check.  That’s it. BO-RING!  So now that I’m a grown up, with a hubby and some kiddies and my own home, that Hanukkah celebration has reached for the stars!!! And here’s a little of how I get my holiday decorating in order: Your Colour Choice I’ve seen […]

Gold is Up!

Revi Mula
08 Jun 2014
Accessories, Color Trends, Colour Trends, Decorating, Interior Design
accessories, furniture, Gold, Meditation Rings, MeditationRings, Royal Lighting, West Elm

  For how many years have we been swarming silver tones?  Chrome.  Nickel.  Stainless. Platinum.  It’s been a decade?  At least.  Well, it’s finally time to warm up and get some classic back.  Gold is making its comeback.  Some of it is still brassy…but most of it has that satin or brushed finish that’s, well, simply divine.   I heard a designer recently comment, “Gold has gone from shiny and brassy to satin and sassy.”  Wish I could remember his name.  What a stellar remark.  And it’s true.  We’ve grown up since our super gold glow days, into a more sophisticated bunch.  We no longer want that ‘in your face’ gold.  We covet the warmer tones of these new golds, and it’s popping up everywhere from jewellery to light fixtures and furnishings.   Let’s look at some of my current favourites.   Jewellery Since we’ve spent too many hard earned dollars on platinum and silver, one wouldn’t dare go totally gold, for risk of the dreaded ‘clash’.  So what better way to mix and match than to start with a ring that combines the two tones!   These awesome rings by MeditationRings combine golds and silver in unique ways.  Spinning […]

  • 1
  • 2
Recent Posts
  • Sick of being home? Design tips to redecorate, while staying home.
  • 23 Point Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
  • Planning ahead, even now.
  • A Desiger’s Survival Guide to Self-Isloation…with others.
  • Spring is here…well sort of
Subscribe


 

Archives
Categories
PURCHASING. Spending some time with my senior desi PURCHASING. Spending some time with my senior designer, at a manufacturer, purchasing and planning out soft seating. The time we spend together ensures that all our measurements, styles and fabrics are perfectly built according to both design aesthetic and furniture layouts.
XR
2023 is a reset. A year to focus on joy, happiness 2023 is a reset. A year to focus on joy, happiness, giving, loving. Focus energy on these things. Hold gratitude close and push negativity away. Below is a description of the Chinese meaning behind this year of the Water Rabbit. Let's use this as a mantra for 2023. Let's put out all the good stuff this year.
XR

In the Chinese horoscope, 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit or, more specifically, the Year of the Water Rabbit. The rabbit is believed to be the luckiest of the 12 animals to be born under and considered a gentle animal that thinks before acting. The Year of the Rabbit represents peaceful and patient energy. The water element suggests tapping into inner wisdom and trusting instincts. Together, the Water Rabbit indicates focusing on relationships, diplomacy, and building bridges in professional and personal relationships.
PROJECTS IN PROGRESS. This mid-town Toronto condo PROJECTS IN PROGRESS. This mid-town Toronto condo kitchen is being updated with very specific requests. Our client asked for an elevated design that had some colour without being over the top. She needed more functional storage,  and although we kept a similar footprint, the type of storage has played an integral part in providing more accessible spaces.

Drawers, pull-out systems, and a more ergonomic layout will provide her with easier access to her things while moving her fridge creates both more storage and a better work-flow.

The colour scheme is simple, yet brighter and more joyous. Blue-green and ivory checkerboard tiles are classic and elevated. Stay tuned as we install her kitchen next week.

XR
PROVOCATIVE. XR PROVOCATIVE.
XR
ETHEREAL MOMENTS. XR ETHEREAL MOMENTS.
XR
INDULGENCE. XR INDULGENCE.
XR
Load More... Follow on Instagram
905.882.8824
© 2020 Monaco Interiors. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy