Welcome to Simply Beach...at home | Linda Borland-Fitzgerald

Simply Beach style is my specialty. I love some things about most decor styles but the eclectic, relaxed, painted, shabby style of ‘Beach~Cottage” is my heart.

Beach style is not only relaxed and cozy but also calming. My own home is a work in progress and reflects a coastal palette of watery blues and greens, set against white walls and painted furniture. Those who enter feel immediately at home and often ask how they can create it for themselves without replacing everything they have. I have a talent and an eye for transforming pieces with paint and/or fabric, re-purposing and breathing new life into them. And, a final edit of a room requires adding complimentary accessories and subtracting what doesn’t work.. thereby creating pleasing to the eye balance, which brings the look together cohesively.

I can help you, accomplish the look of Simply Beach in your home. Whether you want to transform a room or simply ‘tweak’ it or your whole house, the look is achievable.

ABOUT ME

While I am not a trained, professional designer, I have an innate talent for creating an attractive home environment that others sigh over. Decor is my passion. Beach~Cottage style is my forte and my favourite look to create.

For several years I have worked as a free-lance writer and home-decor scout for several Canadian publications (Canadian House and Home, Canadian Home and Country and a few local publications that include Good Life in the City/Barrie). My projects have appeared on covers and are often feature articles. My home was recently shot for a 2009 issue of Canadian Home and Country and also filmed for an upcoming City Line segment, due to air later this September, 2008.

One of my recent scouting projects for Canadian Home and Country will showcase Anna Olson’s (she’s the host of Sugar and Fresh on HGTV) incredible, Victorian-Italianate home in Welland, Ontario. I am always looking for magazine worthy homes, so please contact me if you know of one that would be suitable.

WHAT I PROVIDE AS A SERVICE...

Television decor shows typically feature a segment where designers try to resolve specific decorating problems for audience members, in a few minutes time. They do their best and do it well, but I began to identify a need. I concluded that there must be an affordable resolution for home owners who only need an idea, inspiration or a jumping off point but not a whole design team.

With the intention of addressing this issue, I created my company, Simply Beach. I offer a unique service to my clients who may be intimidated by the thought of hiring a professional designer or simply can’t afford one. I address decor issues only. I do not provide structural services. I offer decor resolutions, ideas & recommendations based on the preliminary conversation with my client. Clients are solely responsible for the execution and supervision of any project undertaken as a result of the completed, portfolio package.

We begin with an in-home conversation during which the client advises what they want the room(s) to look like. We discuss likes and dislikes, colour palettes, furniture & decor styles, floor and counter surfaces, fixtures, textures and lighting. I also take (amateur) photos of the project area so that I have a point of reference on hand while working out the proposal details in my studio. Ongoing conversations may be necessary for clarification, as I work to complete the project.

Depending upon the scope of the job and clients needs, the time line for completion is to be determined on an individual basis.

Upon completion, I present the client with a professionally printed portfolio created from my perspective of what the finished project could look like if executed as laid out... again, this is based on my conversations with the client during the consultation phase. I do not supervise the project or execute the details.

The completed package includes a detailed, descriptive story concept of the project - room by room, inspirational photos that reflect the room descriptions, suggested colour palettes, tips like how high to hang a fixture above a table or how to create a photo gallery, resources for shopping, a ‘Green’ page for eco-friendly paint, etc., fabric samples and paint chip samples (when applicable).

Using this completed package concept as designed, the client can achieve the look they seek or can use it to serve as a jumping off point or inspiration.