Blog | Michelle Binette

Our Reno: That time I (and my partner) became my client

We’re week three into our reno, and I’m proud to say that Dave and I have not broken up yet. To say he’s been the toughest client to date is the understatement of the year. Love the guy, but mother of sweet Jesus, he’s impossible to please! In our now 10 years together (whew!) we’ve only had one blowout and we rarely ever fight in any real way, but let me tell you, this renovation has made this a feisty relationship! That said we’ve worked through the struggles and we’ve come out on the other side, so far anyway. Real talk time, as I do. The thing that has been hard with this reno is that I feel an insane amount of pressure on the final outcome. Pressure I’ve put on myself of course. Like, somehow our home is the one and only time or place where I can completely showcase my true aesthetic and point of view. My true self. I won’t lie, I wish I could do that, if I was flying solo and designing this house alone, it would look different. But the truth is, I’m not alone, I’m sharing my life with my partner in crime who has been there and continues to be there for me in hard times, through a career change all while being my biggest supporter (even if his push-back and opinions on our reno make me question that from time to time!). There’s two of us here, turns out he has strong opinions (and yes, to those who know him, it’s as confusing to me as it likely is to you that he even cares), and like I do for my client’s it’s important that our home reflects who we are, not just who I am. I now realize that our new home will represent my aesthetic, but an aesthetic that also considers the ideas and preferences of the person who matters most to me in my life, because I’m not designing my home, I’m designing our home. I also put pressure on myself when friends and followers on social media comment and say things like “I can’t wait to see the end result, i’s going to be so amazing.” Insert terrified face here. My brain can’t help but feel like it’s going to disappoint or not live up to what people expect. Remember when I said “real talk time”? I…

THE REVEAL Follow #mbdcondowithaview on instagram

In my typical form, I am SUPER late in the game getting my holiday decor done, I had scheduled a professional shoot, but had to cancel because there was no way I would be ready in time. So this year, I took my own crappy iPhone photos. I sooooo wish I had been able to get all this professionally shot, because I am really happy with my table setting. Truth be told I would have added some more greenery on my table it feels like it’s missing something, but I just didn’t have the time or inclination to do more, I’m super under the weather right now so I’m just excited I got it done at all. I love how the napkin turned out, it’s was so simple but turned out beautiful! No tree photos because my iPhone just doesn’t capture it well enough. Whomp whomp.

AFTER PHOTOS BY HEIDI LAU It’s time for the final instalment of the Project Mary Street reveals. I really love how this suite turned out, it’s got a masculine, edgy vibe and it’s one of my favourites for sure. This was the first accent wall we painted and pulling the tape off was so scary. It had been a long nine days already and having to repaint these walls was not at the top of my priority list, that’s for sure. Truth be told, the top of my list at this point included things like having a bath, drinking all the time, and finally getting a good nights sleep. // BEFORE // // AFTER // // BEFORE // // AFTER // // BEFORE // // AFTER // // BEFORE // // AFTER // Click here if you missed the last reveals: Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 Wanna book a weekend away at The Mary Street Guesthouse? Click here.

AFTER PHOTOS BY HEIDI LAU It’s the second last suite reveal and this one is the biggest of all the suites. When I first stepped foot in this townhouse it felt realllllll country. My goal was to tone down the wood trim a bit but also keep some of the wood elements to keep some of that charm. // BEFORE // // AFTER // You know I love me a gallery wall! // BEFORE // // AFTER // // BEFORE // // AFTER // // BEFORE // // AFTER // // BEFORE // // AFTER // // BEFORE // // AFTER // How cute is the sushi art! Click here if you missed the last reveals: Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 7 Wanna book a weekend away at The Mary Street Guesthouse? Click here.