Living
JMS
Welcome to JMS LIVING, our journal dedicated to thoughtful living through design, renovation, and everyday inspiration. From Vancouver homes to travel, style, and spaces we love, we share ideas to help you create a space that feels like you.
Start With One Room: The Smart Way to Renovate Right Now
Not every project needs to be a full overhaul. Some of the most meaningful transformations we’ve done have started with a single room—one space that wasn’t functioning, didn’t feel right, or was just being overlooked.
Lately, I’ve been hearing the same thing from so many people.
You walk through your home and think…
Something isn’t working.
But a full renovation feels like too much. Too soon. Too overwhelming.
So you wait.
And nothing changes.
But here’s what I always come back to:
You don’t need to do everything to change how your home feels.
You just need to start in the right place.
Why I Always Suggest Starting With One Room
Not every project needs to be a full overhaul.
Some of the most meaningful transformations we’ve done have started with a single room—one space that wasn’t functioning, didn’t feel right, or was just being overlooked.
When we narrow the focus:
decisions feel clearer
the investment feels more manageable
and the results feel immediate
And honestly, you get to enjoy it so much sooner.
A Bathroom Reset
Bathrooms are one of our favourite places to start.
They’re used every day, and they’re often the space people put off the longest.
In this project, we weren’t just updating finishes—we were rethinking how the room worked.
Before, it felt disconnected and a bit flat.
Now, it feels calm, intentional, and easy.
What shifted:
a more thoughtful layout
simple, layered materials that work together
a mix of warm and cool finishes (white oak + marble + chrome)
lighting that actually supports the space
Same footprint. Completely different experience.
It’s More Than How it Looks
A well-designed space isn’t just about the before and after.
It’s how it functions.
How it supports your day.
How it makes your home feel without you even thinking about it.
That’s always the goal.
If You’re Not Sure Where to Start
You don’t need to figure out your entire home right now.
Start with the room that’s bothering you the most.
The one you use every day.
The one that could shift everything with a bit of intention.
Start with one room.
If you’ve been thinking about making a change but aren’t sure where to begin, We are always happy to help guide that first step.
Love,
ASHLEY XO
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Design / Lifestyle / Products / Projects / Behind the Scenes