Buttercup Design

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about creativity and the fast culture we live in.
The one that says, I want it now. Add to cart. Same day delivery. Amazon now. AI everything.

It’s creating an undercurrent of anxiety. A culture of not enough. Creativity becomes rushed. Stripped of meaning. Disconnected from joy.

The truth is, process matters.
Creativity is slow. It’s quiet. It’s deep and studied.

It’s art created, paper crumpled and thrown away, and art created again.
It’s trial and error.
It’s a study of balance. Of growth. Of evolution.

We’ve been conditioned to expect output, and in that expectation, we stifle innovation. Artistry. Vision.

We need to relearn how to be human in a world that asks for perfection and immediacy.

Art lives at the edges.
True ingenuity hovers at the borders.
And it doesn’t thrive in a pressure chamber.

It requires space.
It requires room to move, and room to sit.

It isn’t create, hit send, and build.
It’s an ember.
A slow burn.
Patience.

This is an invitation to slow down.
Where creativity finds its footing.
Where art is allowed space to take shape.
Where we tend the ember.

It’s the pace good design deserves.

This is not a laundry room.

It’s a mood.

Proof that even the hardest working spaces deserve warmth, beauty, and a little softness.

Barefoot because this space is meant to be lived in.

Save this if you’re done settling for “just functional.”

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This used to be a guest closet.

Swipe to see how we turned it into a full blown café moment at Xcentric Hair Studio. Custom millwork, stone for days, warm wood, open shelving and a setup that actually makes you want to take a break.

Proof that even the smallest spaces deserve main character energy.

Are you Team Before or Team After? Be honest!

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STOP. Six years old and still holding strong.

This was one of our favourite projects from way back and honestly… she’s aging better than most of us. That deep inky cabinetry, warm wood shelves, and brass details still hit just as hard today. Proof that thoughtful design > trends every single time.

This space has seen muddy boots, overflowing backpacks, diaper bags, and real life… and somehow still looks this good. A functional glow-up before “glow-up” was even a thing. 😉

Design that holds up.
Storage that actually works.
Style that doesn’t scream “what were we thinking.”

Would you still pin this today? Be honest.

And if you’re dreaming up something timeless for your own home, you know where to find me!

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POV: It’s Friday and I’m emotionally supported only by coffee and throw pillows.

If you’re also held together by caffeine, dry shampoo, and the belief that “maybe next week will be calmer”… pull up a seat. We’re the same.

This week felt like a sprint, a marathon, and an obstacle course - and somehow I’m still here stacking neutral pillows like it’s my Olympic sport.

But honestly? Soft things help.

Pretty things help.

Creating tiny corners of comfort helps more than we give it credit for.

So tell me - what’s your emotional support item this week?

Pillows? Chocolate? A strategic “do not disturb” mode?
Drop it below… I need ideas👇

🤎

Here’s your reminder that a basement doesn’t have to feel like a basement. It can feel layered, inviting, and completely lived in when every detail has purpose.

From custom archways and layered lighting to the moody bar, warm wood tones, and that transform-in-seconds guest murphy bed, this space works hard and looks beautiful doing it. Function does not have to mean sacrificing soul. And comfort does not have to mean clutter.

Design is really about imagining the moments you want to create: movie nights, cocktails with friends, sleepovers, slow Sunday mornings, warm baths at the end of a long day. When you build a home around the life you want, you feel it in every corner.

If you are dreaming of a renovation that is thoughtful, warm, and completely tailored to how you live, send us a message. We would love to help you bring it to life 🤎

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Swipe through to see what happens when warmth, function, and timeless detailing all decide to play nicely together. ✨

A space like this doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a hundred intentional decisions layered with purpose - the right wood tone, scale, lighting, hardware, and storage that quietly handles the chaos of everyday life. The result? A kitchen that feels calm, collected, and beautifully lived-in.

Design should make your life easier and more beautiful. If you’re dreaming of a kitchen that works hard, looks stunning, and feels like home the second you walk in…

Send me a message and let’s start the journey 🤎

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We are loving a good before and after. Swipe to see what this builder kitchen looked like before we got our hands on it.

Thoughtful details, intentional materials, and a layout that finally feels good to live in. This kitchen hits that sweet spot between warm, calm, and effortlessly functional.

Heading into the weekend with a coffee in one hand and a shovel in the other today ❄️

Stay safe out there friends…and if a kitchen refresh is on your mind while you’re cozied up inside, my inbox is always open. 🤎

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Hi! 👋 It’s Andrea here!

It’s been a month since I launched our new website and brand and I have to tell you guys, I’m still as thrilled today as I was on day one. I feel like my brand truly reflects who I am - what I value as a human, as a business owner, and as a designer who believes deeply in creating spaces with purpose and heart. Spaces that hold meaning. Spaces that make you 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭.

It is hard work running a design firm, being a single mom, soccer team manager, supportive friend, kid uber driver, devoted hockey mom, and to stay committed to my health, self care and personal growth. I admire all the other women out there grinding and hustling and still managing to stay soft and gentle and grounded. I see you.

I’m feeling so energized by the projects on our desks right now and the ones coming up on the horizon. I’m grateful every day, even on the hard ones (and there are a lot of hard ones - us designers wear a LOT of hats), that I get to do this work. And truly, it’s the people that make it feel meaningful - the trades, the clients, the suppliers, the community we get to build alongside.

At the end of the day, it’s the connection, the trust, and the relationships that light me up. And getting to design spaces - at home or at work - that feel collected, built, and truly lived-in… spaces that help people feel supported, more themselves, and more at peace… that’s the real magic for me. ✨

If you’re dreaming up a space that feels aligned with how you want to live, I’d love to help bring it to life - and have some fun in the process! My DMs and inbox are always open 🤎

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