Martin Cooper

You should ask several questions before working with an interior designer for the first time. Image: Toronto Interior Design Group | Yanic Simard Working with an interior designer is a positive — and dare we say game-changing — experience for many. However, if you haven’t done it before, the idea of hiring someone to undertake this task can feel intimidating. That is, if you don’t know what to expect from the process. With that in mind, we’ve created a first-timer’s guide to hiring an interior designer . If you think you’re ready to take the plunge, please continue. We’ve outlined what you need to know to determine if going the professionally designed route is right for you. Set your expectations realistically. Image: Toronto Interior Design Group | Yanic Simard Have realistic expectations Most designers will tell you that, as much as we all love to watch home design shows, their prevalence has done them a bit of a disservice. Thanks to TV magic, the designers on those shows p

Let us help you make your small kitchen work for you. Image: L-ONE DESIGN LLC Odds are, you’ve wished you had more kitchen space at some point. Those of us who have truly tiny kitchens know how difficult it can be to get these spaces to meet our needs. While it might be a little more difficult to design a small kitchen that’s equally functional and aesthetically pleasing, we’re here to tell you it’s far from impossible. Continue below for tips from our ultimate small kitchen guide. Take these suggestions and adapt them to fit within your interiors. With a little planning and forethought, you can create the space that best suits your needs. Keep only the essential items in your kitchen. Image: Myrica Bergqvist Interior Stylist/Decorator Embrace (realistic) minimalism Embracing minimalism is probably the most unpopular tip we have to offer, but it’s also incredibly important to mention. The reality is if you have a small kitchen, you won’t be able to store as much as someone who

Sicart & Smith Architects is an international boutique design firm in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Led by Franck Sicart and Julien Smith, two French architects, the company develops modern and tropical designs. The concept of 180 Samui started with the careful analysis of the site: a breathtaking view of Chaweng Bay in Koh Samui, Thailand, and a massive rock that needed to be integrated in the project. The result is a horizontal design, low roof-lines and a simple material palette. The villa is organized around an impressive pool overlooking the view, set perpendicular to the main rock and offering a dramatic feel. A three-sided infinity edge merges the pool, the sea, the sky and its reflection; it seems like the swimming pool is floating in thin air. The villa accommodates five bedrooms with further facilities such as a spa room, a gym area and a rooftop chill-out terrace. The swimming pool is surrounded by an open kitchen and pool lounge with library and pool table. Terrazz

We hope you like the products we recommend. Just so you are aware, Freshome may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. Ready for some adulting? Nothing says sophisticated more than a chic bar cart stocked with all the right libations. Even if you don’t drink, the best bar carts are versatile enough to work as a side table, serving tray or upscale snack cart. You may want to keep one nicely stocked and ready to offer your guests a little something. A clear lucite bar cart doesn’t compete with all the colors and patterns in this mod living room. Image: Elle Decor How to set up a home bar Depending on your drinks of choice, the key to how to set up a home bar is organization. What supplies do you need to keep on your bar cart so you or your guests can make a cocktail or drink? Don’t forget to include: Once you have your favorite spirits and accessories ready to go, display them in a way that’s artful and appealing. Add splashes of color to your bar cart with flo