Joy with Honey — Artful Living

Artful LivingHalifax, NSSince 2021

Your Space,Inspired.

Interior design, IKEA kitchens and renovations by visual artist Ryan MacGrath. Serving Halifax, NS and surrounding area.

Living room with a black-and-white striped rug, leather sofa with mustard and orange cushions, and bay windows with roman shades

Decorating

Living room

Creative Interior Solutions.

We believe that your home should be functional, beautiful, comfortable and safe. It's not about keeping up with the latest trends, rather finding your own voice within your personal space. Whether you need a new kitchen, a bathroom refresh, a new deck to relax on, or a calming design scheme for your dream bedroom, we're here to help. Maybe you just need someone to brainstorm with about your new project?

View Past Projects
IKEA kitchen with a white island, open shelving and a woven pendant light

100+

IKEA kitchens designed and installed in Nova Scotia by our team

IKEA Kitchen Design and Installation

Our team has collectively designed and installed over 100 IKEA kitchens in Nova Scotia. We'll take detailed measurements of your space and discuss what you'd like to achieve in terms of layout, functionality and style.

View Past Projects
Renovated bathroom with a glass walk-in shower, floating wood vanity and grey plank floor

Home Renovations

You want to remove that wall between your kitchen and dining room; you've been dreaming of a new deck to entertain on; you're tired of that cramped, outdated bathroom. Our team of fully-insured contractors and sub-contractors will gladly help you bring your vision to life. But first, let's discuss some design options.

Decorating

01/05

Undated or outdated, we'll help you find the colours, furnishings, lighting, artwork and details that best reflect your personality, (life)style and budget. If you just need a mood board, that's okay. If you want some help shopping, that's okay too. If you'd like a new painting for your wall, we do that!

Living room with a grey sectional, orange cushions and a tall fig tree

The IKEA kitchen, start to finish

From measuring tape to first dinner.

Our team has collectively designed and installed over 100 IKEA kitchens in Nova Scotia.

  • Project coordination by Ryan
  • Fully-insured contractors & sub-contractors
Finished IKEA kitchen with an island, open shelving and a woven pendant light
01 Measure

We take detailed measurements of your space.

More kitchens 08

Featured projects

Drag the honey handle to compare each space before and after.

Stairwell before: plain white walls and a wooden handrail
Stairwell after: star-dotted ceiling and striped mountain ridges down both walls
BeforeAfter
01 / 03
  • Residential
  • 2023
  • Mural

Starry Stairway Mural

Year
2023
Type
Residential

A plain white stairwell, painted top to bottom as a night sky: hand-dotted stars over striped mountain ridges, lit by a single amber pendant.

Back yard before: lawn and a concrete pad behind a dark blue house
Back yard after: two-level wood deck with privacy screens and a pergola
BeforeAfter
02 / 03
  • Residential
  • 2023
  • Dartmouth

Dartmouth Dream Deck

Year
2023
Type
Residential

A bare back lawn turned into a two-level wood deck: slatted privacy screens, a pergola, outdoor seating and a hot tub set into the boards.

Kitchen before: blue upper cabinets and a cluttered counter
Kitchen after: white IKEA cabinets, farmhouse sink and patterned tile
BeforeAfter
03 / 03
  • Residential
  • 2021
  • IKEA Kitchen

Brookside Kitchen

Year
2021
Type
Residential

Blue upper cabinets and a cramped counter replaced with white IKEA cabinetry, a farmhouse sink under the window, patterned tile and open shelving.

Portrait of Ryan MacGrath in a denim shirt

About Joy with Honey

Ryan MacGrath

CEO / Project Coordinator / DesignerBFA, NSCAD University

Joy with Honey began in 2021 when artist Ryan MacGrath (BFA, NS College of Art and Design University) turned his life-long passion for decorating and creating interior spaces into a business.

“As a visual artist who has always loved playing with colour, light, texture and spacial arrangement, I want to help people to reimagine their spaces in a thoughtful, personal, and, when possible, artful way.”

Ryan's stylistic approach includes mixing vintage/antique and contemporary furnishings with a modern take on colour and placement.

View Past Projects
See Ryan’s paintings

What our clients say

03 clients, in their own words

No. 01Kitchen

“It has been such a pleasure working with Joy with Honey! My new kitchen has certainly surpassed my expectations - it is flawless! I could not be more pleased with the results and how smooth the process was! I would highly recommend.”

Crystal McManus
No. 02Main floor, kitchen & addition

“Ryan (and his team) helped me to reno my main floor and kitchen. I loved it so much I've hired them to do an addition to my house. Ryan is a dream to work with, professional and approachable with a great eye for style. 100% recommend.”

Stacey O'Toole
No. 03Deck & interior

“I am pleased to recommend Ryan as a designer and project manager. We are so very happy with our new deck. It is a gorgeous and relaxing space to spend time sitting or enjoying our new hot tub. Work begins shortly on the interior portion of our project and we're excited to see the finished product!”

Alice Giddy