Month: May 2026

Recent Blog Posts
May 19, 2026 No Comments

VIDEO: Kitchen Renovations | Trends, Budgeting & Design Mistakes​

 

For years, I’ve had the privilege of helping homeowners navigate one of the biggest and most emotional renovations in their home: the kitchen. And if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that beautiful kitchens are about so much more than choosing finishes and following trends.

I recently joined Tracy Mullin on @HomewithTracyMullin to talk about what really goes into designing a kitchen that not only looks good, but works well for the people living in it every single day.

We covered everything from budgeting, layouts, lighting, appliances, storage, and renovation mistakes, to the growing role of AI and Pinterest in the design world. We also got into the conversations homeowners are constantly having right now around quartz vs. granite, hidden pantries, steam ovens, beverage stations, and whether IKEA kitchens are actually worth considering.

Whether you’re planning a full renovation, updating your current space, or simply love thoughtful design, this conversation will give you practical insight, honest perspective, and real-world advice to help you make smarter renovation decisions with more confidence.

Watch the full episode here: YouTubeKitchen Renovations: Trends, Budgeting & Design Mistakes with Jackie Schagen

 

May 8, 2026 No Comments

Declaring May… Mocktail Month 

I’m calling it. May is officially Mocktail Month. 

The weather is trying to turn, and it feels like the right time for something lighter, a little fresher, and just more interesting than the usual. 

The nice thing with mocktails, you don’t need much. A few good combinations, a bit of balance and you’re there. 

If you’re looking for something to try: 

  • Lime + mint + a touch of honey + sparkling water 
    If you’re a mojito lover, this one’s for you. Fresh, clean and easy to make.  
  • White grape juice + sparkling water + mint 
    Light and crisp, with that slightly elevated feel. 
  • Lemon + orange + pineapple juice + a splash of grenadine + ginger ale 
    A bit more flavour, slightly sweeter, but still refreshing. 

They’re simple, but they don’t feel like an afterthought. 

And that’s really the point. You can play around with what you have, adjust to your taste and find combinations you actually enjoy. 

If you want to take it one step further, this is where it gets fun. A slice of citrus, a few berries, a sprig of mint. Even just pouring it into a nicer glass makes a difference. It shifts it from something you threw together to something you actually want to sit with for a bit. 

Which, this time of year, feels about right. All of the enjoyment and none of the hangover. 

 

May 6, 2026 No Comments

The One Thing I Wish More People Would Stop Doing 

There’s a moment in almost every kitchen project where I see it happening. 

Someone is trying to make everything a feature. 

The island needs to stand out. 
The backsplash needs to be a moment. 
The hood, the lighting, the hardware… all competing for attention. 

And on their own, they’re all beautiful choices. Together, it’s too much. 

A kitchen doesn’t need five focal points. It needs one, maybe two, and the rest should support it. This is where a lot of designs start to feel busy, even when everything in them is “nice.” 

There’s no hierarchy. No place for your eye to land. 

Good design isn’t about how many interesting things you can include. It’s about knowing what matters most and letting everything else step back. 

That’s what creates a kitchen that feels calm, considered, and complete. And it’s also what people tend to miss when they’re making decisions one piece at a time. 

Because every choice can be good on its own. But not every choice belongs together.

 

May 4, 2026 No Comments

40 Five-Star Reviews (and what they really mean)

There are numbers you expect to track in business… revenue, timelines, project milestones. And then there are the ones that catch you a little off guard.

I recently hit 40 five-star Google reviews.

Not something I set out chasing. Not something I had a strategy deck for. But something that, when I stopped for a second, felt worth paying attention to.

Because behind every one of those reviews is a real project. A real conversation. A real moment where someone trusted me with their home, their investment, and how they want to live in it.

And if you’ve ever gone through a kitchen renovation (or even thought about it), you know that trust isn’t small. It’s decisions, trade-offs, budgets, timelines… and a lot of “are we doing the right thing?” along the way.

So while “40” is a nice, round number, what matters more is what it represents.

Consistency. Care. And showing up the same way, project after project.

Designing kitchens isn’t just about making something look good in the end. It’s about how people feel through the process, too.

If you’ve been part of that journey with me, thank you. Truly.

And if you’re here reading, wondering if this could work for you… this is exactly where those conversations start.