How to Tell if a Renovation Contractor Is Truly Professional—Before You Hire Them
After more than three decades in the renovation industry, one small project at my own home reminded me that the way a contractor behaves before the job begins often tells you everything you need to know. Even after more than thirty years running a design-build company, I still find myself hiring tradespeople from time to […]
4 Mistakes Vancouver Condo Owners Make Before Starting a Renovation
Renovating a condominium or townhouse in Metro Vancouver isn’t quite the same as renovating a detached home. Although the design process may feel similar, there’s an entirely different layer of approvals, documentation, and coordination that many homeowners don’t anticipate until their project is already underway. After nearly thirty years of renovating homes throughout Metro Vancouver, […]
Is Your Home Really Too Small? Here’s What I Tell Homeowners Before They Build an Addition
Before you commit to a major renovation or home addition, make sure you’re solving the right problem—not just the most obvious one. One of the questions I’m asked surprisingly often is whether it’s worth adding onto a home that’s begun to feel too small. Sometimes homeowners are thinking about building a second storey. Others are […]
Your Home Is Programming You Every Day
Introducing Silent Software—the invisible system quietly shaping the way you live. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to stop seeing the things in your home that quietly bother you? It might be a kitchen that’s become too cramped for your family, a dark hallway you instinctively hurry through, a bathroom that’s long overdue […]
Why Vancouver Specials Are One of the Smartest Homes to Renovate in Vancouver
After nearly thirty years designing and renovating homes throughout Vancouver, I’ve come to believe these often-overlooked houses offer some of the city’s best opportunities for modern family living. Spend enough time talking to Vancouver homeowners and you’ll quickly discover that older Craftsman houses tend to receive most of the attention. Their character, handcrafted detailing, and […]
How to Help Your Adult Children Buy a Home in Vancouver (Without Simply Giving Them a Down Payment)
Why a thoughtfully designed multi-generational home could help your family build wealth, generate income, and create a pathway to home ownership. For more than 25 years, I’ve helped Vancouver homeowners renovate their homes to better suit the way they live. Most people come to me wanting a beautiful new kitchen, a more functional main floor, […]
Buying Older Homes in Vancouver: A Guide to Character Properties
Thinking about buying a heritage home in Vancouver? Here’s what makes Craftsman-style houses so desirable—and what prospective buyers should know before purchasing one. When my wife and I began searching for a detached home in Vancouver several years ago, I assumed we’d eventually purchase a Vancouver Special. As an interior designer and design-build contractor, I appreciated […]
Why Your Unpermitted Renovation in Vancouver Can End Up Costing More Than the Renovation Itself
Thinking about skipping permits to save money? Here’s why that decision can become surprisingly expensive.Every year I come across homeowners who ask me whether or not they need to get a permit for their home improvement project. Usually they’re planning a kitchen renovation, finishing a basement, removing a wall, or adding a deck to their home. […]
Focus on This to Ensure That Your Vancouver Home Sells for More Money After Your Renovation
If you’re planning a home renovation in Vancouver, here’s where you should put your time and energy in. Most homeowners start a renovation the same way: by choosing finishes. They visit showrooms, compare marble vs. quartz, pick out imported tiles, and invest in high-end fixtures. These choices feel important because they’re visible, tactile, and instantly impressive. But […]
Vancouver designer explains why it’s now the best time for a home makeover
Many will remember that the Canadian housing market went into a deep freeze in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. During that time, a TD bank economist suggested that homeowners may do one thing. That is, resist the pressure of “distressed selling”, if they absolutely don’t have to let go of their […]