Kasia Waloszczyk – Urban Suburban Mommy

Quick & Cheerful Holiday Centerpieces

Posted on December 15, 2016 by kasiawdesigns Posted in DIY .

I can’t wait to share my simple yet elegant holiday centerpieces that will add color to your table in less than 5 minutes! Here goes:

The holidays can be such a busy time for everyone, especially if you’re hosting – I love how simple this centerpiece DIY is, and how instantly it will add a pop of color and freshness to your table.

Items You Need:

Small vases (I picked up mine from the Dollar store)
Bags of frozen cranberries (you can use non-frozen ones as well, I just find the frozen ones last longer)
Cedar/boxwood boughs
Burlap Ribbon
Jute Rope
Scissors
Decorative stems (optional, I used cream holly’s for some of the centerpieces)

Steps:

Fill up your vase with your frozen cranberries and add cold water
Cut your boughs down to size
Fill the vase with the boughs and enjoy!
You can also wrap the vase with burlap ribbon and tie it into place using a decorative ribbon or jute string
Add any leftover boughs to your presents (weaving it in-between your ribbon) or your table setting (placing some in a grouping with your flatware)
Its all about the little touches that make everything a bit more special 😉

UrbanSuburban Mommy – Xmas DIY Vase

Design & Decor Expert, Kasia Waloszczyk

Kasia Waloszczyk, an accredited Interior Stylist/Decorator, also runs her own design company, Kasia Waloszczyk DESIGNS, a savvy and trendy décor service that caters to clients in the Greater Toronto Area. As a colour expert, Waloszczyk has held independent seminars on colour and pattern trends. She has also worked with design firms overseas, developing textile colours, designs, and patterns applicable for the North American market.

Gifted with a keen eye for colours and shades, Kasia Waloszczyk has been applying her colour and design techniques for more than 15 years in the industry. A design expert on CTV’s The Marilyn Denis Show, Waloszczyk’s work has always kept her ahead of design trends and has also given her an in-depth expertise on fabrics for creative custom window treatments and unique upholstery, for both residential and commercial spaces.

KasiaWDesigns.com

@kasiaw_designs

Organize your front entry DIY project

Posted on April 4, 2016 by kasiawdesigns Posted in DIY .

This simple DIY can be used in a front entry, mudroom or even laundry room. It helps to keep the family organized and ready for school in the morning. It not only adds decor to your space but offers a convenient way to hang your kids backpacks, scarves or even yet your own purse.

STEPS + TOOLS

1. Decide on the species of wood you want to use, knotty or not. You can get your pieces cut down at your local Hardware Store (Home Depot, Lowes) – I used 1×8 Knotty Pine planks that I had cut down into 24″ lengths.

2. Once you bring it home, give the edges some sanding to smooth them out and get rid of any jagged pieces of wood.

3. You can either paint your wood planks a solid color or stain them. I used a wiping stain by Old Masters – I prefer using a wiping stain because it brings out the grain and knots of the wood much better – the stain I used was custom mixed to match my hardwood floors – which in the end ties in really well with the rest of my space.

4.Once you have applied your stain to the edges and both front and back surface your can either finish it off with a clear top coat or leave it as is.

5.Once dry, stick on your frame with a photo of the family member inside (you can also include family pets and hang their leash from the hook), I used the No More Nails tape (extra strength) to stick on both frame and wooden letter.

6. Position your hook on the wooden plank – I drilled two pilot holes for each of my hooks to avoid the wood from splitting. Once the pilot holes are drilled then use screws to secure the hooks. I really like the Ikea Bjarnum hooks because they fold in, which makes it very convenient when they are not in use, everything is flush with no protruding items.

7. Lastly hang them on your wall and enjoy!

Kasia Waloszczyk

Kasia Waloszczyk, Urban Suburban Mommy’s Design and Decor expert is an accredited Interior Stylist/Decorator. She also runs her own design company, Kasia Waloszczyk DESIGNS, a savvy and trendy décor service that caters to clients in the Greater Toronto Area. As a colour expert, Waloszczyk has held independent seminars on colour and pattern trends. She has also worked with design firms overseas, developing textile colours, designs, and patterns applicable for the North American market.

KasiaWDesigns.com

@kasiaw_designs

Easy DIY gallery wall for a kid’s bedroom

Posted on March 11, 2016 by kasiawdesigns Posted in DIY .

My daughter Izzie turned three in September and it was time to say goodbye to the crib and give her a big girl room. A fun DIY that I did in her space was create a gallery wall.

The first thing I did was gather up some frames. Some I purchased, others I already had around the house that I wasn’t using. The frames I had at home weren’t exactly the right colour, but that was not a problem. I painted them out using the teal and coral tones to match the ones I introduced in her room decor, and instantly the frames got new life.

I chose images that my 3 year old relates to and loves: ice cream, cupcakes, ferris wheel, balloons, ballet; and I printed them on heavier stock. All the images contain some of the colours that are in her space to help create harmony and a cohesive look. I grounded the centre of the wall by using the IKEA Ung Drill frame, which I painted grey to pick up on her drapes and rug.

I wanted to create some dimension on the wall so I mounted a faux doe head with silver antlers and added a whimsy touch by placing a coral petunia behind the antler. This breaks up the square art and really creates a centre focal point for the wall. I finished off the gallery wall by placing random silver and gold decal dots which add a playful touch.

Paint used for the frames: Latex Pearl, rolled on with a foam roller (3 coats)

Paint for the Ung Drill Frame: Rustoleum spray paint (use outdoors in a well ventilated area)

Gold/Silver Decals: Muse Signs

Kasia Waloszczyk ,an accredited Interior Stylist/Decorator, also runs her own design company, Kasia Waloszczyk DESIGNS, a savvy and trendy décor service that caters to clients in the Greater Toronto Area. As a colour expert, Waloszczyk has held independent seminars on colour and pattern trends. She has also worked with design firms overseas, developing textile colours, designs, and patterns applicable for the North American market.

KasiaWDesigns.com

@kasiaw_designs

Transform a playroom with chalkboard paint

Posted on March 2, 2016 by kasiawdesigns Posted in DIY .

Interior Stylist/Decorator Kasia Waloszczyk and Urban Suburban Mommy contributor shares her easy yet impactful D.I.Y. playroom makoever project:

I ended up painting out one of the walls black with chalkboard paint in my daughter’s playroom. The black wall adds drama to the space and gives her a vertical surface to be creative on.

While I was painting out the wall I decided to paint out her tabletop as well – it completely transformed it.

The once boring IKEA Chidlren’s Table (Sundvik) became the showpiece of the room. I sanded the top completely, and gave it a quick coat of latex primer. Once that dried I painted it out using the Rustoleum black chalkboard paint – it has held up wonderfully and is easy to keep clean.

I decided to add a trendy element to the table and also painted out the bottom portion of the legs using silver metallic paint. The dipped legs add a designer feel and completely transform the table. The IKEA Kritter chairs got a quick makeover as well – I added a blocked monogram decal in black. My daugher’s name, of course: Izabella May Waloszczyk – IMW.

The entire set looks fabulous, but more importantly, customized to her room. And this was just a quick, budget friendly makeover on items I already had.

Kasia Waloszczyk

Urban Suburban Mommy contributor, Kasia Waloszczyk, an accredited Interior Stylist/Decorator, also runs her own design company, Kasia Waloszczyk DESIGNS, a savvy and trendy décor service that caters to clients in the Greater Toronto Area. As a colour expert, Waloszczyk has held independent seminars on colour and pattern trends. She has also worked with design firms overseas, developing textile colours, designs, and patterns applicable for the North American market.

KasiaWDesigns.com

@kasiaw_designs

For more information on Kasia Waloszczyk, visit www.KasiaWDesigns.com. Follow Kasia on Twitter and stay up-to-date with her work on Instagram, @kasiaw_designs

Kid vs. Adult Space with Designer Kasia Waloszczyk

Posted on February 18, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in DIY .

I thought by finishing our basement that I would have solved the problem of our living room being overrun by toys. It was a brief solution, until kid #2 came along. We spoke to designer, TV personality and fellow mom Kasia Waloszczyk who shared her insight and inspiration to find a happy medium between toys and grown up things.

The Dual Purpose Living Room – Playroom & Adult Space

1.If you don’t have the luxury of a bonus room or basement in your home – how can your living room serve a dual purpose as playroom and adult space.

Buy furniture pieces that not only suit your lifestyle but also serve a dual/triple purpose. There are lots of growing families who are choosing to live in smaller spaces. Luckily, retailers have picked up on this trend and offer tons of multi-purpose furniture piece options.

Dual purpose furniture/products can be easily found and for affordable prices. Ikea has a great sofa that not only serves as a couch + pullout sleeper but also has a built in storage unit that can house ample toys, blankets, pillows etc (FRIHETEN) — Its all about staying organized and having a designated space for everything.

2. How do you avoid your living room from being overrun by toys?

The first thing you have to do is ask yourself if your child needs all the toys that are in your living room, does he or she play with every single one? If at the end of the day you are over flowing with toys, perhaps you have too many? Scale back, pack some away and re-introduce them in a month or so, but only after taking away a toy in its place. Rotating your toys will give your child something new to play with, plus it will leave your space clutter free. This method will help with staying organized.

3. Do you have any storage or organizational solutions for toys or adult things?

When it comes to storage, think outside the box. My “go-to” storage is a budget-friendly garbage can from Ikea (KNODD) – it resembles Oscar the Grouch’s garbage can which makes it fun for kids. Get two or three of the same can, and fill it with toys, best of all it has a lid. So, at the end of the day when it’s time for the adults to unwind, the toys are completely out of site. I also love storage cubes, placing two of them across from your couch offers additional seating, you can optimize the storage inside the cube, plus some of them cube lids even turn into serving trays. Urban Barn has a really nice one that I often use for clients (Fay Ottoman – Charcoal). Lastly, opt for a proper TV/media unit – you can customize one at Ikea for a great price. Looks for something that offers you plenty of drawers as well as shelving units with doors (doors are fantastic as they hide the clutter). Remember to utilize your vertical and horizontal space when creating your storage.

4. How do you make a living room safe for kids?

Mount and secure everything to the wall. TVs should always be out of reach for children. Have a bookcase or TV bench – mount them too! Also, avoid furniture that is delicate or has sharp corners such as glass coffee tables. Although stylish, kids leave lots of fingerprints on glass coffee tables. Instead, choose a coffee table with multiple storage, for toys and blankets. Some coffee tables can even open up to provide a laptop/dinner tray. West Elm has a great one. Their Industrial Storage Coffee Table is on the pricier side but is multi-purpose, so it is money well spent. Make sure your living room incorporates a soft play surface – you don’t have to use the foam kids mats. I suggest going for a nice plush rug instead, which will provide a comfy surface for your child but also work to complete and ground your adult space too.

5. What design features or accessories do you recommend that would work for both an adult and kids space?

I love art! It works beautifully for both. You can create a photo gallery wall that will be appreciated by both kids and adults. Work with different sized frames or buy multiples of the same piece of art. To create a cohesive look, choose a photo filter such as black and white – and apply it to all the pictures that you will be displaying. By doing this, you can create a more formal and harmonized feel.

6. What colours work best for a multifunctional living room?

Colours are very personal and unique to each space. Having worked for Benjamin Moore for over 12 years, I know first hand that a color can look amazing in one space, and completely the opposite in another. I would suggest sticking with more neutral tones; warm greys, soothing blues, different shades of off whites – this will help to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere. If you want to inject pattern to the space, add some wallpaper with a tone-on-tone look for that elevated sophistication. Bring in your bold color through accessories, decorative pillows, vases, throws or decorative objects.

Kasia Waloszczyk

KasiaWDesigns.com

@kasiaw_designs