Homecoming Studios

Take what's there, and make it better. By better, I mean, put plans in it This little sun-soaker moment at the top of the stairs was always here. The panel wall, the brick, the ZZs were all enhancements to take what was there and make. it. better. Do you have an integrated planter in your home anywhere? It's honestly one of my absolute favourite things to see in a home. An intentional spot for some life-giving greens. Everybody now. Sigh with me. ... Ahhhhh. Happy Tuesday

I hope you got outside this weekend! Or at the very least, flung every window and door wide open to let that fresh air and sunshine pour in. Don't shoot the messenger, but I heard we are in for another little blast of winter before spring is here for good...let's hope it's short lived and we can go back to daydreaming about washing windows and planting things . Lots on deck from us this week, we have been working so hard on some fabulous projects that you'll catch some glim...pses of soon. I am SO excited for our current slate of clients and the list of names in the upcoming queue. Makes it fun to go to work ;) Have a fab week! Stay stylish, friends

We're not quite being welcomed by the open arms of spring (but it's soooooo close) so here's a cozy kitchen shot for this fine Saturday It's 9:30 and my Costco order is already on its way. Who. Am. I. Seriously, they could mark those items up 1000% and I'd probably still use the delivery service because it's just so damn easy. Here in two hours? Hell yeah. No need for a giant sage smudge after being at the store? Also hell yeah. ... Heading out to get the rest of my grocery list from some our fave local suppliers and then spending the day with the fam-jam. Enjoy your weekend, friends! Ps. Still one of my favourite projects ever Pps. Still some of my favourite clients ever Ppps. Yes, the stools are @mcgeeandco

This video feels like a lifetime ago, yet at the same time it feels like just yesterday. Yes, the video was created to show the beautiful home but what ended up happening was a literal moving memory of how I will always know this family unit - completely immersed in each other, full of love -- and, in the kitchen. Always in the kitchen. I haven't slowed down much this week, and to be honest, it's been out of fear of sitting with the fact that this amazing dad, husband, and ...friend is gone. No more waving as you came up the path on your bike with Ronan. No more on the phone tutorials on whatever project you were tackling. No more plotting and planning how to make walk-in fridges (you, know housewives style) a mainstream thing in design. Rest easy, Chad.

Happy Tuesday! Does anyone's mudroom ACTUALLY look like this? Yep. This is why I'm a fan of doors on lockers. Especially in a highly visible space. And double especially when you have kids that throw. their. sh*t. everywhere. ... I am not that mama that is highly skilled in the area of keeping my real life looking like Pinterest . If that's you, and you can rock the open locker situation like a boss, I bow down to you! Anyways. Love this combo mudroom/laundry. There's also a half bath and broom closet in this space that leads from the garage to the main hall. So functional and a great place to organize before heading out, and dump as you come back in. Like a breezeway. A super stylish breezeway. Hope your week is flowing right along!

Happy Saturday, my friends. I'm so glad you're here. Really, I am. Feeling some deep gratitude for the lovely people we've been able to connect with, the ones that cheer us on with comments, messages, fist pumps. The ones that recommend us, share our posts, and trust us with their homes. The ones that message encouragement. It seems the opinion is that most people are trying to hide the behind the scenes on a social platform and I'm trying to figure out how to do the opposi...te -- those behind the scenes messages, texts, moments on site with clients and trades, the a-ha moments as we are designing -- they are what combine to create the Before and After in this post. Do you want to see more of how we really get from Point A to Point B? Spoiler alert: it's not without a considerable amount of drywall dust Enjoy your weekend, friends. Photo by @gerhardtstudios

Oh, hay! It's 2021. For a week now. And we've been loving every minute of being back at the office. Getting to the last of our 'Meet the Team' posts, and today we're going to chat all things Payton. A LOT of you know and love her from her days at @floorsbydesignregina. That's precisely where I met her as well. Her cheerful personality and love of laughter were instantly apparent. She came to work with us at Homecoming to further her experiences in this design world and we a...re so lucky to have her. Her specialty is interiors, finishes, and she is rocking out so many Virtual Design packages these days. She is lead design on small to large scale renovation projects and takes SO much pride in her work. It says a lot (and makes me so happy as a business owner) when clients take the time out of their busy schedules to send me a note telling me just how much they enjoyed working with Payton on their project. Aside from her career in design, she also runs her own side business @paytonsplacefloral where she creates the most stunning florals. She got married this past summer and lives with her Husband Chad and their most ADORABLE bunny Theodore. Drop a and say Hi!

After a few lovely days off (if you have been watching all of my @onepeloton stories, you'll be happy to know I'm back to more design-focused posts), I am here to keep sharing the projects we completed in 2020 as well as the ones that we are working on currently. This is the space I was SO excited for when we bought this house. The kitchen was leaning to dingy. The appliances were at the end of their (30+ year life). The cabinets were plentiful, but the layout wasn't the best... for how we function in our kitchen. If you were around when this renovation started, you'll know the major portion we undertook a few months ago came a bit out of nowhere - which served me well because I didn't have a ton of time to ponder. I made the Hell-yes decisions from my gut with no option of second guessing. Luke and his crew at @contourcabinets were more than patient as I threw a few last minute twists at them but all in all, it came out even better than I could have imagined. The kitchen and family room are my favourite rooms in the house. Flooded with light. Airy but playful. Neutral but colourful. Super, super inviting. It's ok to be in here. You can touch things. It isn't a museum. It's wonderfully lived in, and it makes my heart so full. Photos by @gerhardtstudios

From our crew to yours, Merry Christmas

14 Trail's End Ranch Sprawling views. Sprawling floorplan. The joys of building in the country -- no lot setbacks This custom home is a walkout bungalow nestled in the soft rolling hills at Aylesbury. That sounded a little real-estate ad, didn't it? Lol. Yes, it's a bungalow walkout. The views out the back are amazing.... But the views inside ain't too shabby either. Traditional. Farmhouse. Cozy. Woodsy. Give me all the things. Including that brick. All. Of. It. The palette is a mix of soft neutrals with some bold anchoring points. It's super inviting and not at all cold or clinical. It's the perfect place to gather, to host family, to escape. We are so thankful that Alair Homes Regina entrusted us with their clients to turn the vision and hopes into a design reality -- and as usual, the finished result is impeccable. Pics were taken at at 90% completion mark -- so although not perfectly finished, they are too good not to share! Makewell Creative Co.

A little dreamy kitchen inspiration on this fine Monday. Black + white + brushed copper set atop a warm blonde floor = yes, please! I am fully aware that I sometimes sound like a broken record when I talk about how important it is to love your house. But it really is my mission and gift -- to help you love your surroundings -- whether it's a brand new house, or re-imagining your current home. Anyways, in case you missed it, love your damn house! And if you don't, we can't help .

It's hard to believe it's been a year since we started Steve & Haley's renovation and completely transformed a beautiful south end property into their forever home! Over the past few month's, we got a family reunion of sorts when we got to work with Steve's mom to renovate and update her home - which is the same family home that all the Ryan children grew up in. It was so much fun with Barb creating a bright and beautiful space for her to host family and friends.

Not everything needs a full gut-job. For real. I know it seems like we are forever ripping down walls and peeling things back to the studs. But, that isn't always the case. Most clients can't see past the what IS to envision what it can be. That's my superpower. Like, x-ray vision for your house. This sun room was U - to the - G L Y. But I loved the natural light. The ceiling lines, and the panelling. We added some paint, stain, and new lighting. We also added the fireplace ...for function, but it anchors the space really, really well. Oh, and plants. Always plants Hope your week is rolling right along!

Swipe to see how this space does double duty. It's truly a family hangout. If I could flip my camera around you would see the oversized tv and gaming wall. I've seen this space in action and it functions exactly how I hoped it would - from the very minute Megan said that she would love a bonus space in their home. It's cozy for movies. It can be messy with toys. It's family game nights, hangouts with friends, and homework all in one.... And it looks damn good. Dark wall colours can be intimidating. We get it. But this room doesn't feel dark at all! So much natural light flooding in, the light carpet, and the mid-tone furniture keep the space nice and bright. Do you have a favourite space like this at home that you gravitate to?

Every project has its own unique story. How did it get to where it was before we got there? Who are the people living there each day. How do they live? What are their pain points? I love recapping the stories of our projects -- thank you for coming along project after project.

for some Before photos of Mama Ryan's main floor reno. During the process we tend to forget what we started with and just how much the space has transformed. I want to talk about this fireplace and built in wall for a moment. That chevron detail up top? Original. The brick and firebox? Original. The built-ins? Original. And built for Barb by her late husband. We knew we had to keep them, and I had no doubt in my mind that they would work perfectly into the new aesthetic. W...e sprayed out the built-ins and gave that panelling detail new life with some deep navy paint. It turned out so, so well. I adored this project with @barb.ryan1 and @collabconstruction. Full project album headed onto our portfolio page soon Hope you guys have an amazing weekend. A.

It's like we're on Oprah, but instead of cars we are giving away a mudroom! And you get a mudroom! And YOUUUU get a MUDROOOOOMMMMM! The arrival of the snow means the arrival of the snow paraphernalia. Having a place to keep it all organized (while looking good) is the best. I LOVE this mudroom setup because there's convenient drawer storage under the bench as well as doors to keep everything neat and tidy looking. We don't always recommend enclosing the locker setup, but whe...n the mudroom space is open and visible I always lean that way - because I don't know about you, but my kids haven't quite figured out the peacefulness that comes with putting your things back where they came from Do you have a space for a kick-ass mudroom? I can't wait to show you mine. We stole part of another room that was unnecessarily big to make a pretty sweet place for all. the. things. I'd take this over a new car any day

I imagine this condo feels like I do after I leave the hair salon It was stuck in the darkness of the early 2000s. The paint colours sucked the light right out of the room. Walls of dark cabinetry topped with black granite. Rumour has it, that it was one of the first installs Scott from @cngstone ever did What the space did have going for it was a wonderful start to decor - I can spot a West Elm from a mile away. But the bones were not doing that decor the proper... justice. The fireplace was dated and not doing it's job to help provide heat. We won't even talk about the drywall "built-ins" around it. A collaborative project with NCC group and @houseenvyinteriors, we swooped in and waved our magic design wands. Goodbye dark uppers. Goodbye dark paint. Goodbye "dump room". Hellloooo, beautiful! Off to get my hair cut.

In today's episode of Amanda Laughing Hysterically at Drew we do... ... more laughing. Check it out as we chat about coming to the end of our renovation project.

Winter is coming. I can feel it in my bones. And I'm not that mad. It's the season of staying in. I know, we just got done what seems like an eternity of that exact same season, which makes what I'm about to say so much more relevant. Staying in is SO much easier when you adore your space. When it's a reflection of you. When it is a joy to keep clean. When it uplifts you. So many times we meet with clients who are uninspired with their space. It's tired. They're tired. Clut...ter has taken over, or -- more often -- they simply don't know where to start. The phrase "love where you live" has become more important in 2020 than any other year. When the world is seemingly in chaos, having your home provide stability and serenity is invaluable. Helping you create the vision, the plan, the feeling -- that's MY gift. And I love sharing it with you. Stay cozy.

"But, Amanda, black makes a room so heavy!" I hear this SO often, and I present to you: Exhibit A. Black does not make a room heavy, rather it completes it. A room without at least a little black is like a face without eyebrows. Missing something This kitchen is still one of my all time faves. It's light. It's warm and inviting. It's. Got. Black. Don't fear the black hardware. Or the lights. Or the faucet. I promise it'll be better to include it.

Our client would say his kitchen is "deadly", and we agree (I'm sure I just gave away who the client was. *Cough* Brandon *cough* We love the masculine elements in here mixed with just a titch of softness. Wait. What did I just say? What does that even mean? When you're scrolling insta or Pinterest, or when you walk into a room that just makes you stop and stare, it's because it's balanced as a whole. That's what your brain senses first and THEN it digests the individual pi...eces. In this kitchen, the masculine, or harder elements are the concrete pendents, the dark grey quartz tops, the metal hood fan. They are tempered with some softer elements in the wallpaper, the white cabinets and the brushed gold stool legs peeking out. It's not about every element in the space needing to be the showstopper. It's about how they all work together to create an overall feeling. Tell me, what's the first thing that stood out to you when this pic came up in your feed? For me, it is a tossup between the concrete pendants and the wallpaper. Hope you're all having a fantastic week so far!

Hands up for Mama Ryan's swanky new digs She trusted us 100% and let us do our thing. She wanted classic + timeless with a bit of bold colour. If you know her, you know that suits her to a T. Swipe for what this view looked like before @collaborativeconstuction rolled up their sleeves and got to work!

I am chatting with so many people lately that are still working from home for a bit longer - or even permanently - because they have come to enjoy it so much and they've made it work for their family. Where are you on that spectrum? Back to work, Working from home, or doing a mix? We are one of each around here. Drew's working from home still in the beautiful space we created for him at the house. I am happy to be working from our new office location. I really enjoyed workin...g from home, but our job comes with a lot of space needs and our team works together collaboratively on our projects that I was craving having our team together again. We were able to snag a fantastic office space back in March and are putting the finishing touches on it now. If you're working from home, do you have a dedicated space? The dining table? An office? How do you keep your work-life and home-life separate without it feeling like the days just blur together? I love this home-office situation going on here. It's part of the addition we put onto the #westminsterproject. It happens to be a couple doors down from my own house and it also happens to be for our good friends. It's a seriously cool bookcase door. When it's closed, it brings warmth and style to the back hall. When opened, it allows access to a quiet office space. No matter where you are working - or not working - this week, I hope you are killing it. Enjoy the week!

[BRADY'S BIG GIVEAWAY] If you needed a hype post: This. Is. It. Actually, it's the Rules Post. And kind of a hype post, I guess. You'll have to read my rambling to find out why. ... We were going to wait until the house was 100% completely finished, furnished, and styled to do this giveaway, BUT that's gonna be a while, because C*vid shipping times. So, here we are. Our almost-finished movie room. We love this room already despite its makeshift furniture and lack of decor. Popcorn, movies, snuggle time. But don't ask me to share any blanket. Or popcorn. We have felt so supported and so much love from our clients, friends, and families this past year (me especially as I work to grow my business) that we wanted to give back some of our favourite things (well, mostly mine) that we use day to day and enjoy so much. We aren't talking small prizes, either. We've got a brand new Vitamix. One of those fancy TV's that rhymes with Shmamsmung Shrame. Gift cards to our fave local places. Prizes you're going to want to get in on! The giveaway is going to run for about 7 days (maybe more if we keep thinking of sweet stuff to giveaway). The basic rules are this: 1. To win, you have to be following BOTH @homecomingstudios and @bradywealthstrategies on instagram 2. Each daily giveaway will have it's own set of specific bonus rules, but the main rule will stay consistent: Each time you comment and tag a friend you receive one entry. They follow and tag their friends, they get entries too. 3. It's that easy. Just follow along, watch for our stories and grid posts to get entered to win. 4. Each day will be standalone. We will run the big grand prize at the end for a few days as there will be submission rules for that one. Now for the HYPE part: YOU CAN WIN EXTRA ENTRIES ALL WEEK LONG! ***Comment on THIS post on Instagram, tagging your friends for extra entries on EVERY prize for the giveaway. Each comment = an extra entry*** We can't wait for this!

Isn't a kitchen with no uppers weird? Where will I put all of my things? I'll trade uppers for a hella big window ANY day of the week. We more than made up for the perceived lack of storage in the layout of the rest of the kitchen. If you know and follow @raisingtheryans you know that her house always looks so today and that's because there is a place for everything. And, she's diligent in a few more areas than I am . Think outside the box. Just because it's always been do...ne one way - or - your mom had uppers, doesn't mean that's what is best for you. Mmmmmkay? Happy Monday, friends. Stay warm!

We have some seriously awesome projects in the works right now -- including this one. This family lost their cathedral area home due to fire while they were away on vacation. Over the course of the design process they have become some of my favourite clients to see. They weren't planning on building, it was a situation they found themselves in. Being thrown into a process that involved so many decisions about things they hadn't thought about or dreamed they would have to mak...e wasn't easy but they handled it all with a side of realism and a hefty dose of humour. Designing around neighborhood guidelines, insurance budgets, and corner lot restrictions has its challenges but I love how this one turned out. I'm so excited for this family to have a home again . Our friends at @alairhomes306 are going to be breaking ground very soon!

WE ARE SO CLOSE!! Literally down to the last few things. Custom anything takes time. And while I really really really want to just unpack and relax I know that the custom shelving and island table will be worth the wait. Because, walnut. This renovation has been so great on so many levels. Our trades killed it, and were so great to be around and indulge all of my sentences that started with "what if we did this...."It's so surreal watching a vision come to life that I've he...ld in my head since we moved in. I hope your Monday is magical

I was today years old when I realized the range hood had a night light. Or maybe it's a task light? Or an onion detection light? ... Either way, I'll just be over here .

Le sigh. If this was my laundry room, the fitted sheets would be perfectly folded AND all the socks would have a match. A girl can dream... Location is important to so many people when it comes to the laundry space. I believe that location is important, but space and function come first. This room is a great example! ... We could have moved this laundry to be on the same floor as the bedrooms but it would have ended up tight, crammed, and offered almost zero space for folding, hanging, and storage. We opted to keep it on the lower level of this split. AND we kept the OG laundry chute so hauling clothes down isn't a huge chore. What say you - where's your laundry? Do you love where it is? Check out my stories today for my current laundry situation. Oh, and happy Tuesday that feels like a Monday! Have a killer week!!

This wall was an exercise in trial and error and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out! If you watched deck diaries episode 4 (or were ever at our house pre reno, you know my countertop was always overflowing with fruit and veggies. Now it's gonna be organized and pretty and off the countertopcheck my story for the finished product!

Another week, another shirt. Wait, it's the same shirt. . Nearing completion, and we are super excited (and ready to be done camping)!

This is one of those pictures where it is difficult to decipher which part of the room is best. Is it the light? The cabinets? That custom table? The black windows? It's like a perfect symphony with each piece playing it's part. I adore the lived-in, cozy vibes of this home and how it all came together.

Can't stop, won't stop. The fireplace obsession is real RN. And this one has the BEST spot for a Christmas tree!! Super clean lines, built-in storage, and just a *touch* of shiplap peeking out. With its two storey ceilings and white walls, there was a chance this room could end up feeling cavernous, but it didn't -- the fireplace wall brings the visual down and provides a nice balance.... [Great Room in our #weyburncustom with @alairhomes306]

I hate to use the F word this early -- but FALL is here and I ain't mad. A season of change and transition. I love the slower pace and cozy vibes. Crisp morning air and warm tea. The return of routine.We had a really fun summer, renovation-life and all. Now I'm excited to nest for a bit here and put the house back together, and bake all the things.... School starts up soon, and whatever that looks like for your fam this year, I'm cheering you on. Happy Monday!!

The luckiest little gal gets Ellie paper She's currently 4, and this room will grow with her for quite a few years -- which was exactly our intention.

Can I get a for when you finish cleaning a room and you just stare at it in awe, then seconds later the kid comes through? I love a good front room. Yeah, went there again. It's a front room. But there no plastic on these Chesterfields, people. This front room was designed to be sat in, lounged in, mussed up and lived in. There's lots of storage you don't see in this pic, making cleanup a breeze so you can enjoy your weekend!

Ahhh. A clean kid's room. The ultimate oxymoron. Lately, Ellis's room has been the catch-all. Her sister's stuff was piled in it for the renovation along with every other random thing that needed somewhere to go. So it wasn't just "kid messy" it was disaster town. Looking forward to purging clothes, toys, and organizing as we get all of the kids stuff unpacked this weekend -- and giving Ellis her room back!... My favourite thing about her room, is how much of HER is in it. Yes, showhome worthy bedrooms are great, but I prefer some of their personality to shine through. Their favourite photos, gifts, and memories. Art they've made....things THEY love. It's their room, after all. Hope you're all killing it this week

The bonus room at Westminster is my freaking fave, and it was a complete after thought!! We were meeting with the clients after the first round of prelims -- which included adding a bedroom upstairs and expanding the main floor. This family has three kids, and Mama bear says at the end of the meeting, "Do you think we could add a bonus room for a hangout space?" I was instantly nodding yes to this magical room with a door where the noise would miraculously stay. Sounded like ...heaven. So a bit more of an expansion - out over the garage - to make this room happen. The best part is being neighbours and seeing how much this room is enjoyed!!

Welcome to the coolest 6-year-old's science lab!! This science lab just so happens to have a trundle bunk and moonlights as a bedroom. I love having fun with kids' rooms. When the client suggested some sort of science theme for their oldest, this paper was the winner by a landslide. So good! Happy Wednesday, friends

How do you combat clutter? The easiest answer is to get rid of your stuff. But with kids, that's not always possible. So the next most effective way is to create intentional spaces. Building in storage and functional zones for specific activities. When the things have a place to go, the things don't live on the floor or the island or the stair landing....... In the bonus room at Westminster we wanted a homework spot, a tech-storage spot, and a plant spot (this house is full of em, so much good light!!)... The rest of the room is a deep navy, so we calmed this little corner down with some shiplap painted a soft blue.

Again with the clean-counter inspo to start off the week Design storage solutions for all. the. things. and having clear countertops isn't a huge challenge. One of the things I love about cabinets from @ikeacanada is their cost effective approach to unique storage solutions. We kicked the Ikea boxes up a notch in our #dalhousieproject with custom doors from @mykitchca and a custom hood by @sagedesignsyqr. Love how this one came together!

The office. Schoolwork room. Catchall room. Room with the coolest cabinetry wall . I bought these backsplash tiles a couple of years ago, when I first saw Ames come out with their Chalk Series. They were the entire inspiration for this room, including the cabinet design. Chris Murray Custom Cabinets took my idea and ran with it - all the way to awesometown!! ... Cabinet colour is @benjaminmoore Wrought Iron.

Still some finishing touches, but I present to you: The view from my tub . When we moved here, the ensuite was small and dingy, complete with curling-up linoelum.... The tub was leaky and the toilet seat was always crooked. I dreamt of this space since the day we moved in. No more peeling floor. No more crooked toilet seat. In fact, no more staring at the toilet from the tub as it's now in its own water closet! Mirrors, shower glass, and a few last touches and this room is complete.

So while this is happening at our new office space... This is where we work. The living room became the consult room and the dining room became the office. ... Good thing we were living in the trailer while the rest of the house was being renovated so we didn't need these rooms anyways