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Welcome to JMS LIVING, our newsletter dedicated to simplifying your life through shared insights and inspiration spanning design, fashion, travel, and much more!
Making Vintage Feel Right At Home
There’s something special about a home that feels collected. Vintage pieces have a soul. When you mix them into your home, you instantly add warmth and personality that no ordinary store can replicate.
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I'm dedicating this JMS Living post to the queen of vintage herself ... my mom.
My mom taught me the art of mixing vintage and the beauty in how special each piece is. Every find should make you smile, and you should always be on the hunt because you never know what gem is waiting for you!
There’s something special about a home that feels collected. Vintage pieces have a soul. When you mix them into your home, you instantly add warmth and personality that no ordinary store can replicate.
If the idea of blending old and new feels intimidating, don’t worry. Here are my favourite tips for making vintage pieces feel thoughtful in your space.
SMALL STEPS, BIG IMPACT
If you’re new to vintage, dip your toes in with a statement piece instead of a full room makeover.
Here are some examples to inspire you:
A beautifully aged wooden bowl on your kitchen counter
A vintage lamp that adds sculptural interest
A quirky brass candlestick that catches the light just right
CURATED NOT COORDINATED
The secret to that “effortlessly collected” look is contrast. Pair sleek modern furniture with a timeworn vintage coffee table, or tuck a velvet vintage chair into a crisp white office. The mix of textures and warmth keeps your home looking pulled together, while each vintage piece gets a moment to shine.
FORM & FLOW
You can get away with almost any style combo if the shapes and sizes balance. For example, a chunky farmhouse dining table looks stunning under a clean-lined modern chandelier. It’s all about the silhouette and how the pieces talk to each other, even if they come from completely different decades.
PATINA IS THE STAR
The beauty of vintage is its imperfections: scratches, dents, and worn leather. When you lean into the charm of patina, your home instantly feels warmer and more lived-in. Pair a weathered vintage console with white walls and modern art for that perfect elevated but effortless vibe.
CREATE A “WHERE DID YOU GET THAT?!” PIECE
Every home needs a piece that makes people say, “Where did you get that?!” Maybe it’s a bold ceramic lamp from the ’60s or a chair you found and love reupholstered in funky fabric. Vintage shopping is like a treasure hunt ... when you find a piece that sparks joy, let it shine.
MAKE IT YOURS
Sometimes vintage needs a little refresh to feel personalized. A coat of matte paint, new hardware, or updated upholstery can completely transform an old piece while keeping its character intact.
My mom's motto? If it's not white yet, it will be. She's got every shade ready to transform the next piece that comes home with her.
THE GRAND FINALE
The best vintage finds usually happen when you’re not looking for them. Pop into flea markets, antique shops, or even scroll through online marketplaces for those special pieces. Building a collected home takes time, and that’s the fun part. Vintage pieces are conversation starters, memory makers, and the secret sauce to a home that feels personalized. When you mix the old with the new, you create a space that’s uniquely yours .. It’s a vibe!
I'm excited to see what finds and vintage magic make their way into your space!
ASHLEY XO
LOOK HOW WE INCORPORATED SOME VINTAGE PIECES INTO OUR CLIENT’S HOME
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Embracing Dark Colour Schemes Year-Round
With thoughtful design choices, darker palettes can retain their allure throughout the year, offering a timeless aesthetic that adapts beautifully to the changing seasons.
Dark colour schemes are gaining immense popularity, creating moody, sophisticated spaces that resonate with the season. However, the challenge arises: how can these rich hues transition seamlessly into the warmer months? With thoughtful design choices, darker palettes can retain their allure throughout the year, offering a timeless aesthetic that adapts beautifully to the changing seasons.
THE POWER OF PAINT
One of the most effective ways to establish a moody vibe is through paint. Rich, dark colours—like navy, forest green, deep burgundy, or charcoal—instantly elevate a room, imbuing it with sophistication and warmth. To choose the right shades, consider your wardrobe; the colours you love to wear are often the ones you’ll enjoy seeing in your home. For instance, if you often don a navy blazer, why not explore moody blues for your walls?
For those hesitant to commit to a fully dark room, starting with a feature wall can be a great option. A single wall painted in a deep hue can provide a stunning focal point without overwhelming the space. Another playful idea is to paint a powder room in a bold colour; this unexpected pop can delight guests and showcase your unique style. Remember, paint is not permanent; it should be a fun, experimental décor element.
TRANSFORMATIVE DÉCOR
Once you have your moody base, seasonal décor can bring brightness and warmth. Textured throw pillows and cozy blankets are perfect for adding light pops of colour that balance dark walls. In the winter, opt for chunky knits and rich, warm tones. As spring and summer approach, transition to lighter fabrics and vibrant hues that evoke joy and comfort.
Functional textiles are essential if you have kids or pets. Performance fabrics that are easy to clean ensure your space remains inviting without sacrificing practicality. Seasonal changes in your décor allow you to maintain a cozy atmosphere while keeping the space fresh and lively.
ILLUMINATING THE MOOD
Lighting is crucial in moody design. Thoughtfully planning your lighting scheme prevents dark hues from absorbing light. Consider using a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create balance. Table lamps, in particular, can add personality and warmth to any room. Portable lamps can even serve as a dynamic centrepiece for dining tables, offering a cozy ambiance that shifts with the seasons.
Keep your space feeling bright and cheerful by placing sconces in key areas. Illuminating walls can help counteract the absorption of dark colours, creating a welcoming atmosphere year-round. Whether you prefer a dim, cozy setting or a bright, cheerful vibe, adjust your lighting to set the perfect tone for any occasion.
REFLECTING YOUR PERSONAL STYLE
Ultimately, your home should be a reflection of you and how you want it to feel. A moody colour scheme can evoke a sense of sophistication and calm, perfect for unwinding after a busy day. Make design decisions based on what sparks joy and resonates with your style. Incorporating elements that reflect your personality will ensure an authentic and inviting space feels authentic and inviting, regardless of the season.
We know that dark colour schemes can be versatile and adaptable, creating timeless, inviting and stylish spaces. By using thoughtful paint choices, transformative décor, and strategic lighting, you can maintain the allure of moody design all year long. Embrace the moodiness while allowing your space to evolve with the seasons, and enjoy a home that truly feels like yours.
Are you looking to change up your interiors?
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Let’s Get Cozy: Our Tips for Making Home Your Happy Place
We love cozying up at home and embracing the season ahead. Get inspired with some of our favourite tips for making your space a cozy sanctuary.
We love cozying up at home and embracing the season ahead. Get inspired with some of our favourite tips for making your space a cozy sanctuary.
CANDLES
We light candles all year round, but they are especially a non-negotiable in the fall and winter months.
Decorating with candles adds warmth to a room and makes it feel cozy and inviting. Candles are also a versatile decorating tool that smells amazing and adds character and style to any room in your home.
We love using candles with seasonal scents like deep reds and burnt oranges. If you’re more into neutrals, try incorporating candles with texture or experiment with candle holders in unique shapes.
Lastly, create an inviting space by adding taper candles to your tablescapes for social gatherings or use them in your entryway to greet guests upon arrival.
PILLOWS & THROWS
Textured pillows and throws in seasonal colours are the best way to bring all the cozy vibes to your space. Chunky knits and warm colours spark joy and bring a sense of comfort to your space.
DESIGN TIP:
Décor should be comfortable and functional, especially if you crave a soothing space to unwind in at the end of a busy day. If you have kids, look for textiles in performance fabrics that are easy to wipe clean or wash.
AMBIENT LIGHT
We focus on lighting in the upcoming seasons from a practical standpoint -especially because days are darker in Vancouver - but also because it’s a way to dial up the coziness, too.
Portable lamps are trending right now, with lots of brands offering their own iterations from luxury to budget-friendly options.
We are currently obsessed with table lamps—they are art and create design-led moments throughout your home. Try adding a small lamp or sconce to an unexpected place, like in the bathroom or kitchen to make it feel warmer, and to avoid the use of large, fluorescent ceiling lights.
DESIGN TIP:
Sometimes we use portable lamps on our dining table instead of candles to set the mood!
FOLIAGE
Nothing represents the changing of the seasons more than the summer blooms fading into rich fall foliage.
Bringing the beauty of the outdoors indoors is a quick and easy way to change up the look of a room and help to make it feel more cozy.
DESIGN TIP:
Shop your backyard with gardening shears! You will be surprised at what you will find. Choose large branches to bring a sculptural element to your décor. This can make for an eye-catching feature in the space; uplifting the area with natural texture and colour.
RUGS
If you only add one thing to your décor shopping list, make it an area rug!
One of the easiest ways to add warmth and texture to your room is to introduce a versatile rug. More flexible than a carpet or other forms of fixed floor coverings, rugs and runners are a great way to soften a hard stone, tiled, or wood floor, and can also be layered onto soft floors to provide extra interest or to define zones. They add a layer of personality to any room, even in the kitchen or entryway!
DESIGN TIP:
If you don’t have the budget or time to shop for a new rug, give your carpet a nice deep clean, or opt for a jute rug. Jute rugs are typically budget-friendly and introduce texture to any space.
Happy Cozy Season!
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