Hi all I'm Carolyn from Brampton, Ontario. It's nice to read the bios and meet everyone who is so committed to décor and design. I studied Interior Decorating at Sheridan College about 30 years ago - yikes, I think I was 10 - a real prodigy :-) Kidding aside, it's a wonderful time to be in this field with all of the new technology, resources and product available to us. Like Keitha I started when my children were small. I remember having to design and water colour render a 2500 square foot house for our final project and now it's almost all done on the computer. A "Diva" I'm not. For me my job is about helping my clients create spaces that reflect them, who they are, where they have been and how they live. Helping them to define what they want and show them how to achieve it. The process is a collaboration and usually involves a team of contractors, trades and suppliers who all value the same commitment to providing exceptional, professional and timely service, whether it be a small or large budget. I guess it stands to reason that since my second passion is cooking my favourite spaces to design are kitchens. Creating a kitchen that not only looks good, but works and is a pleasure to be in is a great sense of accomplishment. I don't profess to know everything there is about design but I do know where to find the answers and am definitely a pit bull when it comes to a challenge. Not sure if it’s a blessing or a curse, but my mind doesn't stop exploring the possibilities until we find the best possible solution. It's definitely a profession where you are always learning, revaluating, exploring new possibilities and ideas and growing. I feel privileged to have worked with so many wonderful people over the years, as clients and associates and have made many lifelong friends through the process. My clients range from Baby Boomers who are downsizing and starting on a new path in their lives to young urban professionals who are just starting their lives and families. I look forward to learning and seeing all of the new projects here on Houzz and wish you all well. I'd also like to thank OnePlan for starting the post. It's a pleasure to meet so many like minded people.

Hello again all and sorry for the delay! i have now got a throw and started to extend my gallery over the corner. I grabbed an old chair and rug that were kicking about in my parents' garage and put them in the corner to give me some idea of what i want. actually, i kinda like the beat-up chair but i don't think the rug looks right. is it too small? Now i have the reddish throw (LOVE it... from the Avoca shop in Belfast - amazing place, if you are ever in Belfast do go!!) I am actually considering replacing my blind because i prefer red tones to the turquoise. Just not sure what I would get instead? Still need a fab lamp and more cushions but wisdom says wait for the January sales! I still think I need something more eyecatching on my vanity too... Considering a map above my bed but I don't know if it would compete with the gallery wall too much? have to say i do love the "hello" sign!

hi, I agree that turning the kitchen into ensuite bedroom is a smart move, as the current layout means that you have to walk from the kitchen (with the meals) through the bathroom? Or maybe there's another access, but still open plan kitchen / sitting / dining room would work better. They often say, when buying furniture for a small space, choose the ones with built in storage (bed base with sliding drawers, puffs that open up, built in wardrobes if possible, etc.). Also when choosing tables, don't go for chunky pieces, but buy the glass ones, with thin legs, so they create the effect of bigger space. fix few mirros on the walls? Maybe large wall to floor mirror in one place (if you can stand them!). Plenty of shelving, tall, but slim units would work best. Also have you got a loft in the house? you can keep some of the stuff there. Last port of call is always just to rent a storage unit (you can find surprisingly cheap ones these days), and store the stuff you don't use every day. Lovely house and location btw!

I think the pale grey tile is too cold. For some reason I just don't like it and think it tips the room into something not as funky looking. I'd go for a small muted (very pale greys) tile laid in a herringbone/chevron pattern, or plain white metro tiles with grey grout. I'm not a fan of grey grout and white metro tiles generally, but I think they would look absolutely great in this room!