My year in review has been pretty amazing! Thank you all so much for reading my posts!

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2019

2019 has been a winner in so many personal and professional ways and I thought you might like to see some of what I've been doing.

Let's look at some projects I worked on and places I had the pleasure to visit.

WRIGLEY MANSION
The Wrigley Mansion in Phoenix, Arizona, is a landmark building constructed between 1929 and 1931 by chewing-gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. Below are a few photos taken during my visit. I stayed with good friends Diane Thomson and Ted White. This was at about the one year mark of my husband Bob's passing and was a much needed time of reflection and relaxation.

I am only including a few photos of the site, but it is truly magnificent everywhere and with such rich history.
I highly recommend going if you are in the area.

There are beautiful chandeliers everywhere! I loved the lime-green velvet covered dining chairs in this heavily panelled room.

There is so much to see here. Diane and I are over-looking the beautiful view of the valley from Geordie's wine bar. Mahogany walls, sparkling chandeliers, leathered granite and perfect music. What could be nicer?

NATIONAL AWARD WINNING OPTOMETRY OFFICE OPTOMEYES WEST VANCOUVER

It was really an honour to win the national Bronze Medal for the design of this office. It makes such a difference when clients trust their designers. This was my second renovation for them in West Vancouver, and each time they have outgrown their space.

This is their other office in Squamish which had a major renovation as well. This one is more in tune with the wonderful outdoors of Squamish. Living Walls, Barn boards, table presentations, lighting and so much more complete the look.

OLIVE THE BEST
You can see the renovation images here
When my friend Daniela and her husband Adrian decided to open a retail store featuring the freshest, highest quality Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Traditional Balsamic Vinegars, she called me for help.

I have been using her oils and vinegars ever since. They are amazing! I add the balsamics to water and they are delicious, and a great alternative to other drinks and with very few calories.

SPA RIVIER - QUESNEL

Many times I work virtually. I had been in Quesnel earlier in the year and had seen the salon, but Donna Jacobsen called to ask me for a colour consultation. This was all done over the internet. She now has this fresh new look "Pretty in Pink". With the Navy and Pink, it's very fresh and appeals equally to men or women.

CORPORATE OFFICE

This downtown office was a great project. The sofa colour was changed from a burgundy to this beautiful blue, and a collage of landmark buildings was mounted in individual custom frames and attached to the wall behind it. The colours throughout the project relate to their corporate branding message.

This very large executive office needed a variety of meeting zones. The desk is at the opposite end of what you see here. We added the 12' x 16' modern area-carpet and the custom white credenza. We are now waiting for lamps and decorative items to make this a more welcoming space and I thought this would be the perfect place for watching sports and entertaining clients. Yes, the owner is a big sports buff! The contemporary linear fireplace and big screen TV are perfect for the space.

Planning and Installation-completed photos above show the process of placing signage within this long sloping entry. The top photo was presented to client, the middle photo was done to scale by the signage company, and last one is the finished installation.

As the office is on the second floor It was important to 'lead' the client in from the street to the elevator. These were vintage maps of cities which the client owned - now repurposed. I love the message and the bright colours of them and think of them as... "Before Google Map's"

(If only I could change the carpet!)

COMMUNITY FUTURES - QUESNEL

Doing presentations for a week in Quesnel to retailers was really rewarding. Jill McKnight from South Coast Casuals and I each presented different topics. Mine, on Merchandising, Store Layout etc, and Jill on Purchasing, Budgets, and on Finding Opportunity for Growth. We spent the week working with different retailers helping them with their businesses. We were exhausted both physically and mentally by the end of the week, but felt that we had made a difference...and that's really gratifying. This is a tremendous organization. There may be one in your community. You can check it out here.

Night one...presenting to a packed room!

This evening a group joined Jill and I for a tour down main street...
checking out store windows.

The sessions were really hands on...as you can see. Here's Teresa from Circle S Western Wear, and myself starting to re-merchandise the store.

It's very gratifying to get results like this table at The Outlaw following training sessions.. The staff did a great job!

BURNABY GENERAL HOSPITAL
FAMILY WAITING ROOM FOR ICU

I had the opportunity to work with Fraser Health to renovate this small space. It's really important to give comfort to those waiting on their loved ones progress. The colours I chose are all 'warm and soft natural tones' . The budget was very small so I approached Karndean for flooring, which they generously donated. You'll see before and after photos below the 'colour board'. We needed new flooring, cabinetry, dimmable lighting, furniture and artwork. I think it's made a huge difference to families.

These beautiful woven baskets were a real hit. The furniture ended up being chosen by the manager of the ICU and she made a great colour choice. I would have really liked the log rounds as tables, and I wanted the furniture in the room to be easily moved around...but sometimes things don't always happen as I plan, and for the most part I need to just accept things I cannot change!

OSI Summit in Whistler

Presenting Training Sessions to Optometrists from across Canada on Renovations, and on Merchandising and Displays for Optometry offices was a real highlight of my year. I met so many great people and it was probably the best run event that I have ever been to....and what's not to love about staying at the Chateau Fairmont Whistler!

Fraser Health - CARE CENTRE

I have been doing work at one healthcare facility for a few years now, in phases as budgets allow. Currently I am working on Bariatric Rooms and Tub-Rooms. It is really important that we treat our aging population well and when Foundations are raising money, this may be one of the facilities that gets money. I have chosen all finishes for these rooms, and am working with a wonderful and innovative architect Patrick Yue of Bau Studio and Architecture on this phase of the renovations.

When you are working with aging buildings there can be many challenges, some of which are made more complicated by city inspectors. Additionally, we don't want to disrupt the residents any more than necessary. Imagine a renovation that goes on forever? It just isn't acceptable.
Below is one of the existing tub rooms - pre Reno. You won't recognize this room when we're finished! Infection Control, safety of the resident, pleasant surroundings, privacy and other elements all come into play when
working in healthcare.

Royal Columbian Emergency Department

I have already posted the renovation of this department, but I will include a completion photo here. See complete work here. I've received many compliments on how much nicer it is to come to work now that it's been completely redone.
Fraser Health’s level 1 trauma centre, Royal Columbian Hospital is one of the busiest trauma centres in Canada.

A 'WRAP' of 2019

It is hard to believe that 4 years ago my youngest son Anthony was critically injured in a snowmobile accident. He spent over two years in hospitals, with more than 20 surgeries, tons of rehabilitation and therapies. I am thrilled to tell you that he is now walking short distances.

I am grateful for all the support, not only to him, but also to me. There have been some very tough days for all of us, including his brother and sister....so a HUGE THANK YOU!. I know that people are sometimes afraid to ask how he is doing...and although he still has a lot of nerve pain and more surgeries ahead, he is a lot better. Below is a photo of him and his wife Mindy taken over Christmas holidays. It has been so great to have them here.

When I look at my year in design I am really grateful that I get to do what I love...and I hope that these newsletters bring you design knowledge and support for your
life and businesses.

May 2020 bring you all much
JOY HEALTH AND HAPPINESS