Musings
Thoughts and photos on design and the art of creating homes you will love to live in.
4 Items To Check Before Working With Your Interior Designer
If you’ve never worked with an interior designer before, you may not understand exactly what to expect. Let me share with you how the interior design process works. In short, you are investing in professional (sometimes intangible) services – people hire...
Sweet Little Wine Cellar Design
The client had a small unused hallway in the basement that was dead space. With collaborative planning between Sapphire Consulting the cabinetmaker and our electrician we created a perfect wine "cellar". Using a combination of ready-made and custom...
Got Gross Grout?
If you have old, unsightly ... OK, let's be honest Gross Grout, you'll want to contact Scott Carden, owner of MarbleLife 503.758.8901. As you can see from the photos attached they can rejuvenate old, stained, dirty grout, tile and stone and restore its...
City Condo Living
This client acquired a small secondary home in the developing heart of downtown Vancouver. Since this is an "occasional use" home, we used a combination of custom and ready-made furniture pieces. They wanted the ability to have entertaining space,...
The Secret Of Balance
Balance In Design. You know it when you walk into a room ... the space feels inviting and comfortable. If balance is absent, you might feel fidgety ... uneasy and not quite right. Appropriately balanced color together with balance in furnishings, textures...
Secret To A Quick Home Sale – Staging
How Valuable is Staging Recently, the National Association of Realtors reported that 94% of homes staged by a professional staging company sell in 29 days or less for a full price offer. The average un-staged home? 145 days for 5-6% less than the asking...
Atmosphere Of Color
Color Affects More Than Mood and Atmosphere Color has the power to change the perceived shape and size of the room itself. The ceiling represents one-sixth of the space in a room [the fifth wall] and paint transforms it more quickly than anything else. A...
Secret Language Of Color Consulting
What Do We Mean by "Colors Evoke Feelings" Play this game see if you can name 5 more feelings that come to mind Red - Love, Stimulated, Physical, Strength, Danger - try Pink or Brick Orange - Warm, Active, Dynamic, Welcoming, Boldness - try Pale or Light...
What You Need To Know About Interior Design
Who doesn’t enjoy the comfort and joy of living in a beautiful home that supports and nurtures you and your family? Or the energy of a home designed for entertaining large or intimate groups? Or the sanctuary of a restful home? Sapphire Consulting will...
Design/Build Service
I am regularly asked "what does Design/Build mean". Here's a comprehensive list of the services I handle. Specification of finish materials used in a home i.e., flooring (wood, tile, vinyl, carpet, etc.), tile, countertops, light fixtures, plumbing...
It’s A New Beginning For Emmashea Interiors/Sapphire Desing Build, LLC
After having spent many years in the corporate world, in September 1999 with a three year old daughter at home, I launched EmmaShea Interiors which morphed into Sapphire Consulting in 2018 with the specific mission of helping all of my clients have a home...
Bungalow Fireplace Facelift
The client recently acquired a charming 1936 bungalow which was in dire need of a facelift. The focal point of the sitting room was an oversized, out-of-proportion fireplace. We talked with the client about his needs for the room, which included television...
Sometimes The Most Difficult Part Of Designing A Room’s Furnishings Is Knowing Where To Start
Where to Start: We begin by listening to your needs. We evaluate your lifestyle preferences, inventory existing furnishings and accessories and then determine your decorating priorities. We’ll work with you to define a realistic budget – with realistic...