Transforming a Mid-Century Bungalow Basement with Sustainable, Period-Inspired Design Every home has a story, and this mid-century bungalow has been telling its own for more than half a century. When our clients approached us to redesign their basement, they expressed a clear desire: to honour the original character of the home while using a sustainable approach in creating a refreshed, comfortable, and highly functional lower level for modern living. This became the founda

The word LINOLEUM  often conjures images of grandma’s 1950s kitchen floors - a relic of the past. It’s a word that has been largely misunderstood, most often being confused with vinyl. But unlike vinyl - which is made of petroleum-based plastics and toxic ingredients - natural linoleum  is made from simple, plant- and mineral-based ingredients: linseed oil, limestone, wood flour, jute, and natural pigments. This blend makes it not only eco-friendly, but also healthier, dura

In the picturesque town of Ridgeway, Ontario, just moments from the serene shores of Lake Erie, stands a transformed two-storey residence that seamlessly blends old and new, traditional and modern, indoor and outdoor.  This thoughtfully designed addition and interior renovation is our project "Dusted Olive", a successful collaboration between INVISION Design Solutions, Jordan Station Design Co., and Steve Built Inc. Join the design team for a tour of the completed project, a

Natural building has been a growing interest and passion of mine over the years.  Most recently, I have been captivated by the beauty and simplicity of rammed earth construction – a method of compressing earth into durable concrete-like walls that create the structural shell of a building.  This construction method is so different than our conventional Niagara region homes, I was excited to learn more.  My intrigue led me on a journey to scenic Prince Edward County to visit a

Health and wellness are a top concern for all of us these days. And with the amount of time that we spend indoors, it should be no surprise that our houses have a significant impact on our health and well-being. We all want the place that we retreat to at the end of each day to be a place of rest and healing, both physically and mentally. So how do we do that? What makes a healthy home? These 8 key elements are important guidelines in designing a healthy home, whether it’

A hidden danger in a popular counter material When it comes to kitchen counters, there are a lot of factors to consider. This is one of the most well-used and abused surfaces in your home, having to withstand heat, water, blades, bacteria and kids banging dishes. It can also be one of the larger investments in your home, so you want to make sure you get it right. While looking for the perfect countertop material, the research process often follows the same order: 1. First y

5 simple but profound lifestyle changes you can make to help our planet Did you know that today, April 22, 2020, marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day? How have you commemorated Earth day over the years? My memories of Earth Day as a kid include spending the afternoon at school doing a school-wide yard clean up, picking up litter that had collected over the winter. One year, I recall the school creating a natural garden that opened on Earth Day. This year, I got an emai

Looking at the indoor air quality in your home and how it affects your health and wellness We’re all aware of the outdoor air pollution problems we experience in large cities and due to our highways full of gas-fueled cars. But have you thought about the quality of the air in your own home? On average, North Americans spend 90% of their day indoors, and many of us have no idea what the air quality is in our homes In fact, indoor air is actually more polluted than the outdoor

In a culture of faster, cheaper and more, we've become addicted to plastic shopping bags, disposable dishes, and cheap furniture. Thankfully, there are some people out there who are looking for change and taking a different approach.

You spend a lot of time indoors.  Whether in your home or at the office, out for dinner or at the grocery store, up to 90% of your day is...

6 simple ways to reduce what goes in the dumpster on your construction site and save on your landfill fees 40% of all waste in North...

Um... yes, I'm a designer I've always been drawn to design. As a kid, I loved to try different furniture arrangements in my room to see...

This is a trickier question than you may think! The term designer is often used in different contexts with different meanings without...