Eddie Azar-Broker : Blog : Latest Blog Posts

Why Do I Have Standing Water in my Yard?

Wed, 12 May 2021 18:22:16 GMT

Standing water can be caused by many things: soil that doesn't absorb water, grading issues, etc. Try these drainage solutions to keep your yard above water.

Keeping your lawn green and pristine is a matter of pride. So it can be upsetting to find a growing puddle of standing water in your yard. Not only is stagnant water unsightly, but it can also kill your grass, damage ornamental plants, compromise your home’s foundation, become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and be symptom of larger problems.

What causes water to accumulate on your lawn? What are the best methods of eliminating standing water? Here’s what homeowners need to know.

Causes of Standing Water

When stagnant water forms on your property, it can be a sign of either easily correctable habits or more fundamental design flaws.

Be careful of overwatering your lawn. If your home is equipped with an automatic sprinkler or irrigation system, you may need to make certain adjustments to address a problem with standing water. Try watering your lawn less frequently and/or for shorter periods of time.

If altering your gardening and maintenance habits doesn’t correct the issue, further investigation may be necessary. The following are common culprits in cases of standing water.

Grading. Lawns should be graded (or leveled) to ensure proper drainage. The slope should trend away from the house and direct run-off down towards the street, alleyway or storm sewer. If your landscaping doesn’t take the proper angle, water may collect on your lawn faster that it can drain. Improper drainage can also cause natural low spots in your yard to accumulate more and more water with each rainfall.

Thatch. Proper drainage also depends on your lawn’s permeability. A permeable lawn allows water to seep into the earth instead of collecting on the surface. If grass clippings or leaf litter clog on your lawn, they can prevent the soil from absorbing water as it would under normal conditions.

Soils. Hard, compact soils and heavy, sticky clay soils are also less absorbent and prevent surface water from seeping into the ground.

Hard subsoil. Hardpan is a thick layer of impervious subsoil. Hardpan can be naturally occurring, or it can be the result of construction equipment densely compacting yards and lawns which are then topped with a layer of topsoil, disguising the issue. Once water percolates down to the hardpan, it has nowhere else to go and begins pooling.

High water table. As rain seeps into the earth, it becomes groundwater. This groundwater forms a water table, a completely saturated level of subsurface soil and rock. In some instances, however, the water table can rise very close to the surface, creating waterlogged conditions.

Watering 101: How to Use Lawn Sprinklers Without Wasting Water

Ways To Get Rid of Standing Water

Fortunately, you don’t have to live with standing water. Depending on the ultimate cause of your standing water problem, you can take immediate action to boost your lawn’s ability to shed water.

Re-grade. Consult with a professional landscaper on re-grading the terrain around your home. Be sure to request that the landscaper provide a survey of your lawn’s low-lying points, natural channels and drainage outlets.

De-thatch. You can remove heavy thatch using a dethatcher, vertical mower, or even a simple lawn rake. Once you’ve removed the plant debris, pierce the turf with a garden fork or a lawn aerator. The small holes you make should be at least 4 inches deep and spaced 2 inches apart. Aerated soil is not only soil that drains properly — it’s also healthier soil.

Break it up. In order to make your lawn more amenable to water absorption, work organic matter into your soil. Garden compost, leaf mold and manure will all open the soil up and create more minute channels through which water can escape.

Dig. For hardpan problems, a shovel may be the best solution. If the hardpan is less than 2 feet thick, wait for a dry spell and then dig up as much as you can. If you can’t break up the hardpan yourself, consult with a professional contractor who specializes in drilling through densely packed subsoil.

Make accommodations. A high water table is a much more difficult issue to address. Instead, it’s a fact of life that you will likely have to work around. However, you can still improve drainage by increasing the depth of your lawn borders. You can also add layers of soil to create raised beds. Finally, you can landscape using more shallow-rooted plants capable of surviving wet conditions.

Install a French drain. A French drain (also known as a curtain drain) is actually a comprehensive drainage system made from rather simple materials. A graded trench directs the flow of water away from the home. The trench is then filled in with gravel, which lets gravity do the work of channeling the water into a perforated pipe that sits at the trench’s base.

Don’t let standing water keep you and your family from enjoying the outdoor areas around your home. By identifying the cause of your drainage problem and relying on good common sense, you can ensure that gray clouds don’t linger even after the storms have passed.

Source: https://www.ahs.com/home-matters/lawn-garden/how-to-rid-standing-water-in-yard/

The Best Asking Price for your Home

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 18:53:13 GMT

Setting a realistic price for your home that reflects current market values will help sell your home quickly and for top dollar. When you price your home properly, you increase the chances that the offer you receive will nearly match your asking price and that there will be competing offers—which may net you even more in the long run.

Your property has the best chance of selling within its first seven weeks on the market. And, studies indicate that the longer a property stays on the market, the less it will ultimately sell for. A property priced 10 % more than its market value is significantly less likely to sell within this window than a property priced close to its actual market value. About three-quarters of homes on the market, today are 5-10 % overpriced.

Sellers will usually over-price their homes by this margin if, either, they firmly believe the home is worth more than what the market indicates, or if they want to leave room for negotiation. Either way, if you choose to over-price your home by this amount, you run the risk of increasing the amount of time your home spends on the market and decreasing the amount of money you’ll ultimately receive.

At the other end of the selling spectrum are houses that are priced below a fair market value. Under-pricing often occurs when the owner is interested in a quick sell. You can bargain on these homes attracting multiple offers and ultimately selling quickly at—or above—the asking price.

The knowledge and skills of an experienced Realtor® will be invaluable when determining an appropriate asking price. It is the job of your Realtor® to know the current market and market trends inside and out, to be closely connected to the real estate market at large, and to be aware of other properties currently for sale in your particular area. Based on this range of connections and knowledge, your Realtor should counsel you on how to price your home properly in order to attract the highest price possible, in the shortest period of time.

Before approaching this process, you should first do some homework yourself. You’ll need to know the workings of the current market before you even begin to think about setting an asking price. The market will always influence a property’s value, regardless of the state of a home, or its desirability. Here are the types of market conditions and how they may affect you

What is the Current Market?

Seller’s Market

A Seller’s market is considered a “hot” market. This type of market is created when demand is greater than supply—that is, when the number of Buyers exceeds the number of homes on the market. As a result, these homes usually sell very quickly, and there are often multiple offers. Many homes will sell above the asking price.

Buyer’s Market

A Buyer’s market is a slower market. This type of market occurs when supply is greater than demand, the number of homes exceeding the number of Buyers. Properties are more likely to stay on the market for a longer period of time. Fewer offers will come in, and with less frequency. Prices may even decline during this period. Buyers will have more selection and flexibility in terms of negotiating toward a lower price. Even if your initial offered price is too low, Sellers will be more likely to come back with a counter-offer.

Balanced Market

In a balanced market, supply equals demand, the number of homes on the market roughly equal to the number of Buyers. When a market is balanced there aren’t any concrete rules guiding whether a Buyer should make an offer at the higher end of his/her range, or the lower end. Prices will be stable, and homes will sell within a reasonable period of time. Buyers will have a decent number of homes to choose from, so Sellers may encounter some competition for offers on their home, or none at all.

Other Details that Affect Market Value

Location

The proximity of your home to amenities, such as schools, parks, public transportation, and stores will affect its status on the market. Also, the quality of neighbourhood planning and future plans for development and zoning will influence a home’s current market value, as well as the ways in which this value might change.

Property

The age, size, layout, style, and quality of construction of your house will all affect the property’s market value, as well as the size, shape, seclusion, and landscaping of the yard.

Condition of the Home

This includes the general condition of your home’s main systems, such as the furnace, central air, electrical system, etc., as well as the appearance and condition of the fixtures, the floor plan of the house, and its first appearances

Comparable Properties

Ask your Realtor to prepare a general market analysis of your neighbourhood, so you can determine a range of value for your property. A market analysis will provide you with a market overview and give you a glimpse at what other similar properties have been selling for in the area.

Market Conditions/ Economy

The market value of your home is additionally affected by the number of homes currently on the market, the number of people looking to buy property, current mortgage rates, and the condition of the national and local economy.

Remember, a Realtor® is trained to provide clients with this information about the market, helping you make the most informed decision possible. The right Realtor® will guide you through the ups and downs of the market and keep you up-to-date with the types of changes you might expect.

Source: myrealpage.com

What a COVID-19 Vaccine Could Mean for Canadian Real Estate Markets

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 01:41:00 GMT

A COVID-19 vaccine was on the way. Pfizer and Moderna both say their research is promising and Canada has inked deals with both to secure millions of doses. In total, Canada has procured more than 358 million does from seven companies, according to CBC.

While some countries have announced plans to begin vaccinating their residents as early as December 2020, some Canadians will have to wait a bit longer. However, the news is still a bright light at the end of the long pandemic tunnel.

A safe, effective and accessible vaccine would mean the end of lockdown policies and other safety restrictions. We spoke to our team of economists to see how they think this news could impact the economy and housing markets across Canada.

How will the economy, in general, be impacted by a vaccine?

A vaccine will allow individuals to go out and interact with others without the fear of getting sick. CREA Economist Doug Blissett theorizes many Canadians may be eager to make up for lost travel plans or spend more time out at restaurants and bars with friends.

“But for some industries it may depend on what habits people have formed during the pandemic and what they hold on to. Having dinner parties at home might be a habit people hold onto if they can save money on the tip and avoid the markup on drinks,” says Blissett. “There are many sectors that have out-performed during the lockdown phase including household appliances, sports equipment and vehicle sales. These retailers might not see as much demand once a vaccine becomes widely available. However, clothing retailers and manufacturers are anxiously anticipating people needing to wear more than pajama pants to work.”

Meanwhile, CREA Economist Ryan Biln notes it will take time for the economy to fully recover and recoup losses seen during the pandemic.

“It’s been hardest on small businesses and on workers in the services sector—we still have close to 575,000 people out of work due to the pandemic restrictions (as of November 2020),” he said. For more employment trends, visit CREAstats.ca.

What could a vaccine mean for interest rates?

In October 2020, the Bank of Canada said it expected interest rates to remain low for at least the next three years.

A vaccine will not change this overnight, our economists say.

“[A vaccine] is positive economic news for sure, although we’re a very long way away from a return to normalcy and it’ll take some time for people to start feeling confident again. It’s more than likely households will want to hold on to more precautionary savings than they would have prior to the pandemic. This means interest rates will remain low compared with historical levels for a long time yet,” said Blissett.

It’s possible interest rates will slowly rise if inoculation is successful, said Biln.

“If the vaccine is rolled out properly and is successful throughout the next two years, the government can focus all of its efforts on policies that promote economic growth and getting Canadians back to work,” says Biln. “The Bank of Canada has indicated if economic conditions do improve, interest rates could start rising in 2023.”

How will a vaccine impact migration trends?

A successful vaccine will allow people to move around a lot easer than what is currently possible, says Biln.

“Once our borders open up again, expect to see a ramp up in international immigration as Canada is an attractive country and is dealing with the pandemic a lot better than some other nations across the globe,” he said.

Blissett echoed this sentiment while adding, “the past four years have seen record levels of immigration and Canada will continue to be a desirable place to live, if not even more so than before the pandemic.”

“The recent announcement of higher immigration targets are very likely to be filled by those looking for opportunities here,” he said.

In general, the pandemic has allowed people to rethink where they want to live, said CREA’s Senior Economist Shaun Cathcart.

“If going forward our lives are permanently changed in some of the ways that are currently being floated, and that changes the calculus of where and how we want to live, then we could easily see a period where a lot of people who thought they’d be living where they were heading into this year until they were old and grey, decide it’s time to move. Call it a big shake-up or churn that otherwise would not have happened,” he said. “That could mean a lot more activity in resale markets as people move around.”

How will a vaccine impact housing affordability?

There are two aspects of affordability in most markets: the amount of money the buyer makes and the availability of homes, Blissett explained.

“The opening up of business will certainly improve the incomes for many workers in services sector jobs which will help them afford to get into the market,” said Blissett. “While the supply side of homes is likely to increase as construction jobs are able to get back to normal. The resale market may see a boost in supply as those people who held back from listing their properties during the pandemic feel more comfortable doing so. There is certainly lots of demand to get into those homes.”

Biln notes there were already issues with housing affordability across the country before the pandemic and this is likely to continue, but perhaps in other areas.

“If work from home and other internet-connected jobs continue to thrive in the future, we may see housing affordability issues in areas throughout the country where we typically wouldn’t expect to see that happening, like in far flung suburbs or in rural towns, for example,” he said.

How much time do you think it would take to see any impact on the housing market?

Our team of economists agreed with the current tight market conditions, the impact on the housing market will be immediately apparent.

“The market is already historically tight in many markets across the country, but we could see more listings hit the market after a vaccine is successfully introduced if more home owners feel comfortable having buyers walk through and view their homes,” said Biln.

Meanwhile, Blissett said, “As with the implementation of lockdowns, I don’t expect there to be much of a lag in terms of a reaction from the housing market, whether it’s people snapping up a condo downtown while it’s available, or getting their income back and being able to qualify for the home they’ve been looking at. The housing market is very tightly integrated with the overall economy.”

Cathcart noted, while 2020 has seen record-breaking housing numbers, we can expect to see even more movement as people see more stability in their employment and the economy as a whole.

“People don’t tend to uproot their lives and families on a whim or based on circumstances they suspect are likely to be temporary, or during times of high uncertainty about the future. It will be the extent to which the new normal differs from the old normal that determines how people permanently reorganize their lives in the years ahead,” he said. “A two-hour commute is a lot if you do it every day, but not so much if you do it once a week. The issue is we’re still in the middle of this. I think the bulk of the re-organization of things will only come once we have some certainty about how things will work once this COVID-19 experience is officially in the rear-view mirror.”

Based off vaccine distribution, do you foresee markets being impacted differently? Based off proximity, population, etc.

“The ability to work more from home and reduced benefits from crowded, connected city life have made single detached homes located a bit further out of the downtown core, seem more appealing. However, what habits people hold on to will determine if they want to give up some of that space in exchange for being closer to the action and opportunities or if they are enjoying gardening and that full basement more than they expected,” said Blissett.

The condo market, in contrast, has underperformed relative to ground-level properties this year. Cathcart believes a vaccine will put an end to this trend.

“I think it’s a pretty safe bet that an effective vaccine that ends this virus we’re all so scared of, that allows for the reopening of bars and restaurants and theatres and everything else, will result in a significant reversal of this trend. The thing that may prove to be more “sticky” in the post-pandemic world will be the necessity to be as close to one’s place of work if the work from home trend hangs around,” he said, noting the if a hybrid or more flexible work arrangement is the new norm, it could have major implications for where home is.

He continued, “That said, one of the issues facing some of the more expensive cities is a lot of service-sector workers have found they cannot afford to live close to where they work. These are jobs where there is no work from home option. So maybe we could see a bit of a switch happen where people who do not need to live downtown anymore sell their condos to those that do as all the service-sector businesses fully open back up. Obviously, this is speculation.”

Cathcart says any way you look at it, a vaccine will mean more opportunities to buy and sell homes.

COVID-19 and REALTOR.ca

It’s going to take a while to get some real hard numbers on the long-term impact of the pandemic, but REALTOR.ca does provide some signals that people currently want more space.

For example, since the start of the pandemic, traffic to REALTOR.ca is up about 35%, and searches for single family homes are leading the way. But on the flip side, we’re seeing a 20% decrease in searches for condos. There has also been an 11% decrease in multi-family unit searches.

Time will tell if a vaccine will eventually bring search behaviours closer to what they were pre-COVID-19.

The same can be said for commercial real estate. This year, we’ve seen a 14% decrease in the number of visitors on REALTOR.ca who are searching for commercial real estate. Companies, big and small, are rethinking their work environments and what kind of physical footprint they will need. This is a trend that will likely have a more significant long-term impact than residential, says Patrick Pichette Vice-President, REALTOR.ca.

“As a society we have accelerated our climb up the tech ladder. We can find examples in every industry. Look at the restaurant industry for example, and the uptake in food delivery services. Or municipalities that are now using platforms like Zoom to consult with citizens,” said Pichette. “COVID-19 has shown us that we, as companies and individuals, can change our business fundamentals way faster than we previously thought. A great example is the way REALTORS® quickly embraced virtual tours, and livestreaming platforms, just days after the shutdown, in order to keep business going.”

What’s next for technology in real estate?

“When it comes to technology in real estate, the pendulum will not swing all the way back to pre-COVID-19. We need to spend more time looking forward and less time looking back. The fundamentals of client relationships have not changed, it’s still about quality service, knowledge, professionalism, being a trusted advisor…but what is quickly changing are the tools,” said Pichette. “REALTORS® need to adjust to the current reality, and that really means focusing on technology and innovation, making the right investments, and developing a strategy for this digital age that has been accelerated over the last few months.”

Source: Realtor.ca

Bank of Canada Signals Low Rates Until 2023, Unveils Changes to QE Program

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 23:44:45 GMT

Mortgage shoppers take note: Cheap money is here to stay, at least for the next two years, the Bank of Canada reaffirmed during its interest rate decision on Wednesday.

The BoC had previously provided guidance that rates would remain at their effective lower bound—currently 0.25%—“until 2 percent inflation target is sustainably achieved,” but went a step further this time by providing a specific year.

“The Governing Council will hold the policy interest rate at the effective lower bound until economic slack is absorbed…In our current projection, this does not happen until into 2023,” the Bank’s statement read.

As part of the announcement, the BoC decided to leave its current policy rate at 0.25%, where it’s been since March.

Long Recovery Ahead

While the Bank left its policy rate untouched, it did announce changes to its Quantitative Easing program, whereby the BoC has been purchasing bonds to maintain market liquidity, which has helped keep mortgage rates low.

That bond-buying will be reduced to $4 billion per week from the current $5 billion, and purchases will increasingly shift to longer-term bonds.

“Our main message today is that it will take quite some time for the economy to fully recover from the Covid-19 pandemic,” BoC Governor Tiff Macklem said during a press conference that followed the rate announcement. “The Bank of Canada will keep providing monetary stimulus to support the economy through the recovery.”

And that recovery is facing fresh headwinds as a result of a second wave of the pandemic, which is intensifying by the week.

Despite a stronger-than-expected rebound in unemployment and GDP over the summer, the Bank said “growth is expected to slow markedly.” Looking ahead to 2021 and 2022, the Bank expects the economy to grow by 4% on average each year.

“After a tumultuous spell for all forecasters, the Bank’s view on the economy has largely moved into line with consensus,” BMO Economics Chief Economist Douglas Porter wrote in a research note. “And the main message there is that growth will be put on hold in Q4 by the second wave, but it won’t go into reverse, and should resume in 2021.”

What Does this Mean for Mortgage Rates?

The Bank’s announcement affects both fixed and variable rates. Fixed rates are expected to remain low, and likely fall further, due to the Bank’s renewed commitment to purchasing longer-term bonds, which will help keep rates low for the ever-popular 5-year fixed term.

And the Bank’s guidance on maintaining its overnight rate at 0.25% until at least 2023 bodes well for existing variable-rate holders, to the extent they can rest assured their rates won’t rise.

But the Bank’s continued reluctance to entertain negative rates also means that new floating-rate mortgage holders aren’t likely to see their rates fall any further. (Although, an additional rate cut can’t be completely ruled out. Overnight Index Swaps markets are still pricing in a 15% chance of a 25-bps cut in the next 12 months.)

In this environment, many borrowers are gravitating towards fixed rates.

A recent BMO survey found that 57% of first-time buyers said they’ll choose a fixed rate when they’re ready to secure their mortgage. Another 30% who were undecided said COVID has made them more likely to choose a fixed rate.

“The best nationally available 5-year fixed and variable rates are currently just 5 bps apart. Insured 5-year fixed rates are below variable rates,” wrote RateSpy founder Rob McLister. “Most consider a 5 bps rate premium peanuts for peace of mind, as they should…Even if the BoC dropped rates 25 bps, the cost of being wrong by choosing a 5-year fixed is modest ($245 of extra interest per year per $100,000 of mortgage).”

And while the Bank said rate hikes are off the table until at least 2023, some economists believe they’ll remain where they are for longer than that.

“We see this as a reasonable timeline but wouldn’t be surprised if the overnight rate remained at 0.25% into 2024 as well,” economists at National Bank of Canada wrote. “As always, the progression of the pandemic will be in the driver’s seat here and ultimately dictate the health of the economy, and thus, monetary policy.”

Source: www.canadianmortgagetrends.com

7 Trendy Hacks to Transform Basic IKEA Buys

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 20:07:02 GMT

While you might not love building IKEA furniture, the Swedish retailer’s smart designs and affordable finds make the effort (and the tears) worth it. But if you think your basic IKEA pieces are in need of a style upgrade, you’re not alone. There’s a community of thousands of IKEA hackers dreaming up creative ways to transform their pieces on a budget. Whether you’re a first-time or devoted furniture hacker, we scoured the internet to find some of our favourite IKEA hacks for your home.

Image via A Beautiful Mess

Play kitchen 2.0

Toddler toys are often an eyesore parents would prefer to hide away. But after doing this IKEA hack you’ll want to show off your little one’s kid-sized play kitchen. For this hack, A Beautiful Mess blogger Elsie started with the $99 IKEA DUKTIG play kitchen and used leftover paint, hardware (pull handles) and wallpaper from other projects around the house. Not only will you save money on supplies, your mini kitchen will match elements from other rooms in your home, making this kid’s toy blend seamlessly with your home’s dècor.

Image via designstylelove.com

A minimal desk with maximum storage

This hack uses the classic IKEA HEMNES dresser ($219) to create a minimal desk that does double duty as extra storage space for crafts, files, or clothing. Nichole from Design Style Love started by deciding on a desk opening width (where the chair goes) and the depth of the desk surface based on her needs. Next, she built the desktop by glueing two pieces of wood together (ask your local hardware store for tips and materials) and staining the wood before attaching the desktop to the dressers. The result is a custom work-from-home solution that’s functional and stylish.

Image via @cloe.thomson

A high-end fluted dresser dupe

Cloe (@cloe.thomson) was inspired by a $2,000 dresser when she came up with this IKEA hack that’s a fraction of the price without sacrificing style. To achieve the look, Cloe replaced the hardware with cabinet edge style drawer pulls, sourced wooden dowels from Dollarama, cut the dowels to size and glued them to the $299 eight-drawer IKEA HEMNES dresser. After sanding the edges and reassembling the dresser, the result is a high-end look on an IKEA budget. Check out Cloe’s fluted dresser Instagram story highlight for tips on the process from start to finish.

Image via @prettylittleterrace

A trendy desk for less

Materials like cane, wicker, and rattan are trending in 2020. To help you embrace the look for less, check out this cane-inspired IKEA hack. For this hack, Esther from PrettyLittleTerrace used two $45 IKEA BESTA frames to build the foundation for a wall-to-wall desk. Esther elevated the cabinets with black legs sourced on eBay and a made-to-measure desk surface with help from her local hardware store. Next, she used glue to attach the cane (also sourced on eBay) to two IKEA OSTVIK glass doors ($35 each). To complete the look, she painted the middle support leg to match the wall. Watch Esther’s IKEA cane desk Instagram highlight for more tips and ideas.

Image via @the_house_acc

An easy entryway overhaul

It’s easy for an entryway to get cluttered and chaotic with everyone coming and going, especially if you have kids. IKEA’s HEMNES shoe cabinet is a $149 solution that adds lots of storage space without taking up a lot of room. For this hack, Robyn (@the_house_acc) added a second HEMNES unit, swapped out the hardware and installed a piece of stained wood (a leftover scaffolding board) to connect the units and make this entryway organizer look like a custom piece of furniture. Be sure to secure this piece to the wall as per IKEA’s instructions.

Image via bemz

A couch glow up to swoon over

If you love the idea of an IKEA hack but don’t love the idea of a DIY project, consider upgrading an IKEA couch with a stylish slipcover. This hack starts with the $740 IKEA SÖDERHAMN couch covered in a Bemz velvet sand beige slipcover (about $400), taking this couch from basic to anything but. Plus the slip cover is machine washable and available in more than 20 linen and velvet fabric options. If you already have an IKEA couch in need of a refresh, checkout Bemz’ other slipcover options for a wide range of IKEA couches (shipping is free in Canada for orders over $150 and they offer free samples, too).

Image via @copperandgoldproject

A moody closet makeover

To pull off this stunning closet makeover, Megan (@copperandgoldproject) added a $50 IKEA BILLY bookcase between two IKEA PAX wardrobes (prices range) and took a risk painting the whole thing black. The result is dark and moody and totally transforms these basic IKEA pieces. Painting IKEA furniture is doable, but you’ll need to do some prep. First, Megan wiped down the pieces, cleaned them with a degreaser (check out T.S.P.) and sanded all surfaces to be painted with 220 grit sandpaper. Next, she cleaned the pieces again and then used Fusion mineral paint in coal black to achieve a flawless, matte finish. To complete the makeover, Megan swapped out the hardware for copper cabinet pulls from Lowe’s.

To make these IKEA hacks even more affordable (and to skip out on assembly), try searching local online marketplaces like Kiiji or Facebook Marketplace for used IKEA basics. Whether you start with a new, secondhand or much-loved IKEA piece, there’s no limit to what you can create with some creativity and elbow grease.

Source: realtor.ca

The Biggest Home Design Trends for 2021 (Hello Zen Vibes and Home Offices!)

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 20:36:22 GMT

There are plenty of reasons to look forward to 2021, especially when it comes to the home. After a year that guided many of us to spend more time at home, the new year is an opportunity to bring comfort and creativity to our living spaces. From calming Zen room ideas to stylish (and smart) approaches to home office design, we’re predicting 15 of the biggest interior design trends for 2021.

Click here to view the gallery.

Source: HGTV.com

Photo Credit: West Elm

Stage Your Dining Room Like a Pro

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 00:52:00 GMT

Dining Room Staging Tips That Are Quick & Easy!

A dining room can be a tricky space for traditional or virtual staging. Some dining rooms are small, have very little light or are part of a shared space along with a living room. When staging a dining room it needs to invite a buyer in and linger at the table. A dining space should look comfortable and have good lighting. Here are 6 Dining Room Staging Tips to help buyers envision that special place for family dinners or entertaining guests!

1.) Let There Be Light.

If your dining room screams dark and gloomy, bring in the light! If there is at least one wall of windows, hang a mirror on the opposite wall to reflect natural light when staging the space. Placing a pair of tall, skinny lamps on a console table or sideboard with a mirror hung above will make your dining room glow!

2.) Create A Dining Space.

Buyers need to see a dining room, so create one! A round table pushed close to a wall or a dining table on one side of a large living area will work for small spaces. Utilize the surrounding space and hang large artwork or a grouping of pictures on nearby walls. Make a statement when staging the space and show buyers the possibilities.

3.) Update The Look.

If your light fixtures are outdated, purchase inexpensive new ones to instantly update your dining room. Gold or brass fixtures are OUT! Go for brushed silver or bronze rod iron. Remove outdated wallpaper and repaint personal paint choices with warm neutral tones which are always key in staging a home to sell.

4.) Good Traffic Flow.

When staging a home it is important to show off the spaciousness of a room. If a dining table seats 8 or more take a leaf or two out of the table and show 6 seats at the table. Place the other 2 chairs on each side of a large window or one on each side of a buffet or china cabinet. Buyers need to be able to move around the room and not feel blocked into a space.

5.) A Focal Point.

A dining room is an easier room for buyers to envision laying out furnishings but you want to still capture their attention. A large vase with fresh flowers centered on the dining table and colorful artwork on walls is key when staging this room and helps create a focal point that is easy on the eyes.

6.) Avoid Overstaging.

It is not necessary to completely set the dining table with all your china, glasses, silverware, placemats and the like. Again, you want to create a pleasing focal point in the dining room but setting the table is too much! Overstaging a room can possibly stir up negative thoughts and make buyers feel the home is too fancy to live in.

Dining Room Staging & More

Set the stage for buyers and make the dining room look like a space in which buyers will want to have their own gatherings!

Click —>Virtual Home Staging Gallery …to see additional virtual staging photos.

Image: Istock

Source: https://virtuallystagingproperties.com

At-Home Family Night Activities You Haven’t Thought of Yet

Thu, 21 May 2020 14:33:59 GMT

Well, here we are, at home with our kids. Even as everything creeps towards reopening, many of us would rather remain on the safe side by keeping calm and staying home. And even if you’re starting to venture out a bit, the reality holds that the kids are still there, out of school, at home every day. So you may be in the market for a few ways to spend those evenings cooped up together — beyond just seven-days-a-week movie marathons.

After all, it can be tough enough to get kids to want to participate in family activities — especially when they hit those very, um, special tween/teen ages. But the truth of the matter is this: When those angsty kids reach adulthood, family nights are the times they’ll look back on and remember fondly. So how do you get your kids to take part in family nights and actually look forward to them? By planning fun events that are undeniably worth doing.

While we love Netflix (doesn’t everyone?), plopping down for a binge doesn’t exactly bring on the bonding. The right activities, however, can encourage your family to interact with one another more — instead of just with that screen.

Beyond movie night

Yes, as we mentioned, it’s easy to cue up a movie and chill out. But it’s also (surprisingly) easy to amp up the family-movie fun factor without going overboard. Just create some tickets (index cards, y’all) and a concession stand (popcorn and candy or go healthy with veggies and dip) and set it all up on your kitchen counter or a table — oh, and have everyone pay with fake money. It’ll be a huge hit with the kids.

Make your own movie

Help your kids work together to plan out a home movie (most smartphones can handle recording video, and there are even apps you can use to edit and make it into a super-cool movie, complete with music).

Camp out (or in)

Camping is for the hardiest of folks, right? Not necessarily, especially if you just pitch a tent in your backyard — or your living room. That way, there’s indoor plumbing available. And while a campfire sounds like good fun, it’s not always practical (in high winds or bad weather) or safe (don’t light a campfire inside your house, OK?). So instead of roasting marshmallows over an open flame, you can make s’mores inside with one of these easy recipes. Sleeping bags, lanterns, scary stories and all that togetherness will be sure to make your “campout” supreme.

(Non-boring) board games

Board games are another obvious choice, but is there really a substitute for good-natured family competition? Whether you have old board games from your own childhood on hand or have invested in the latest celeb-backed creations, clear off that table, serve snacks and battle your kids for the ultimate championship. Just don’t get overeager and try to lure them into a four-hour chess tournament, OK?

Make your own board game

Instead of playing a game you’ve played a hundred times before, grab some poster board, markers and little objects you can use as game pieces — and create your own family board game.

Dive into a jigsaw puzzle

Puzzles can run the gamut from super-hard to super-easy. So aim somewhere in the middle (unless you’re dealing with toddlers, of course) and set up a family puzzle with a cool image you can work on together. Bonus points if you set aside a separate table or other space where you can keep it going until the final piece is put into place.

Creative crafts

Sure, crafts can get messy, but it’s worth it to get elbows-deep into some art with your kids. With just a few supplies (or even a premade craft kit), there are plenty of options for you all to get your art on.

Build blanket forts

Blanket forts are a classic; they can be super-simple (drape a blanket over two chairs and voila), or they can be stunningly complex once you start adding towers and flying blanket buttresses and the like. Turn your living room into a super-fort complex, and you won’t even need to pitch a tent for that family campout we talked about.

Plan a dinner

Move over, meatloaf; work with your kids to carefully plan out a special dinner. Pore over family recipes or look up a new one online. Then shop for ingredients and let your kids help you prepare and serve — fancy dishes optional.

Set up a taco bar

Another dinner winner is setting up a taco bar with all the fixings. This way, everyone gets in on the fun and even the littlest kids can help put their tacos together.

Bake cookies

Or if you’re more of a sweet-tooth family, plan a fun team baking night. Pie? Cake? Brownies? The possibilities are endless — and delicious. Need somewhere to start? These online baking classes are pretty perfect.

DIY your pizza

Yes, more food — but nothing tops (get it?) selecting your own toppings for a pizza you’ve made yourself. Find out what your kids’ favorites are and maybe even sneak in a few ingredients they’ve never tried.

Build with food

This is “playing with your food” with an architectural spin. Take some fruit cubes, a bag of marshmallows and some toothpicks or slender pretzel sticks and try your hand at building with your food. Kids can create a person, a house, what have you — and when they’re done admiring their work, they can eat it. Win-win.

Read a book — yes, really

Rather than reading to your kids or everyone reading on their own, turn this into a collaborative out-loud team performance in which everyone takes turns reading a page or passage of a family favorite. And don’t forget to cater to the ages you’re dealing with; you may be surprised how much a teen turns out to love reading The Catcher in the Rye out loud. (Bonus points for whomever does different voices for different characters.)

Get pen-palling

Gather construction paper, markers or crayons, puffy stickers, magazines, glue sticks — you name it — and turn a simple greeting into something crafty and cute. Mail them to far-off relatives or just your kids’ friends down the street.

Play Mad Libs

Mad Libs have been around for ages, but we’re convinced they never get old. They’re a great way to accomplish a few goals at once: Have fun as a family; teach your kids about nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.; offer the opportunity to read out loud; and laugh your butts off.

Host show-and-tell

This one’s great for the littlest kids. Ask each family member to choose an item that’s important to them and then tell all about it. Encourage your kids to make a poster or choose a song to play to further illustrate their item.

Turn cardboard boxes into… well, anything

Cardboard boxes offer endless opportunities. Smaller ones can become cash registers, car garages or dollhouses, and larger ones can become vehicles, stuffed animal enclosures or a playhouse. Instead of tearing down and recycling your boxes, stash them somewhere until you’ve got a good collection going and then bust them out for box night.

Play dress-up

Let your kids rifle through your closet (maybe hide the fancy fabrics first) and choose outfits to try on. Don’t worry; parents can get in on the fun too — although you probably can’t wear your kids’ clothes, you can pick out something you haven’t worn in five years and try it on for a final spin while you debate whether to toss it (you should probably toss it).

Make a cookbook

Have every family member choose several of their favorite recipes you often share as a family and write them out or type them up for future reference. Bonus points for pretty cover pages, string binding, etc.

Just plain color

No matter how old your kids are, chances are they would still enjoy a coloring session — especially if brand-new markers and fancy grown-up coloring books are involved. Grab coloring books (whether they’re your 5-year-old’s or your own) and go to town.

Image: Getty Images/Design:Ashley Britton/SheKnows

Source: https://www.sheknows.com/

21 Budget Home Improvement Ideas

Thu, 14 May 2020 16:03:00 GMT

21 Budget Home Improvement Ideas

We round up a selection of quick and easy budget upgrades to inspire your next home improvement project.

By the Editors

If you're an avid DIYer, you're already on your way to saving money. But with the right planning, you can transform the feel of a whole room with a single project that only costs you a few hundred bucks.

Easy Home Upgrades You Can Do on a Budget

Pick from our round-up of value-boosting upgrades that all come in under the $500 mark—some well under. Not only will they be soft on your wallet now, but some of these will even save you money in the future. Check out our easy home improvement ideas below.

1. Refresh Your Rooms With Paint

Photo by Kolin Smith

You can give your drab, washed-out walls a burst of brilliant depth (or wash away your decorating sins with virgin white) just by picking up a paint can and having at them. That's the power of a coat of paint: It rearranges your reality. Which is why painting is the most oft-tackled DIY home-improvement upgrade.

While you don't have to be a pro to learn how to paint like one, there is more to a good paint job than just slathering some color on the wall. See our how to instructions to coat your walls expertly in one weekend, from the first scratch of the pole sander to the final feather of the brush.

Cost: About $150

See How to Paint a Room for full step-by-step instructions.

2. Add Crown Molding the Easy Way

Photo by Misty Keasler

Crown molding makes it to the top of most remodeling lists because it adds charm and value to a home, not because people enjoy spending a Saturday trying to get the corners just right. Luckily, there's a simple way to beat miter-saw frustration.

Trimroc molding from Canamould Extrusions is a lightweight polystyrene foam coated in hard plaster. It cuts smoothly with a handsaw and it goes up in a flash with joint compound. No coping, no tricky angles, and ragged joints disappear with a dab of mud. So in just a weekend, you can upgrade a plain room to an elegant space—and still leave plenty of time for the rest of your list.

Cost: About $120.

See How to Install Foam Crown Molding for full step-by-step instructions.

3. Install a Low-Cost Stair Runner

Want to get a good grip on slippery stairs? Try a DIY runner. After getting a quote of $2,500 to carpet her dangerously slick oak staircase, TOH reader Jaime Shackford took the project into her own hands. Using just two off-the-shelf woven runners ($125 each) and supplies from a home center, she gave her stairs an non-slip upgrade.

Cost: About $300.

See How to Install a Low-Cost Stair Runner for full step-by-step instructions.

4. Install a Dishwasher to Conserve Water

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Photo by Kolin Smith

That old dishwasher could be wreaking havoc on your electric and water bills. Time to switch it out for a new Energy Star-qualified dishwasher, which can save you more than $30 a year on power and almost 500 gallons of water. If you don't have a dishwasher at all, you're using 40 percent more water washing by hand!

The biggest cost saver of all? You can install a dishwasher yourself in an afternoon. No plumber, no electrician—and no worries that you're squandering your retirement money on a load of clean dishes.

Cost: About $450+

See How to Add a New Dishwasher or How to Replace a Dishwasher for full step-by-step instructions.

5. Rewire a Vintage Entry Lantern

Photo by Kristine Larsen

Many hanging lanterns from the first half of the 20th century were humble by design, looking as if they'd been crafted by blacksmiths rather than machines.

Popularized by tastemakers of the time, such as Gustav Stickley and the Roycroft crafters, these rustic lanterns exemplified a back-to-basics design sensibility. If you've scored one such find at a yard sale or have one stashed in the attic, you can invite guests to "come on in" by putting back into service a vintage lantern. It's an easy, affordable job once you get the parts.

Cost: About $140.

See How to Rewire a Vintage Entry Lantern for full step-by-step instructions.

6. Renew Old Flooring With Paint

Photo by Kolin Smith

The burgundy red floor in the master bedroom of Sara and Andrew's Massachusetts farmhouse didn't fit the fresh and energetic personality of the newlyweds. But refinishing wasn't an option on a limited budget. So to update the space, they painted the floor in a light checked pattern, using beige and white to warm up their cool blue walls.

Here we show how a little measuring and a couple of coats of durable floor paint can add a lot of personality to a room for a small price.

Cost: About $75.

See How to Paint a Floor for full step-by-step instructions.

7. Make Shade and Add Privacy With Interior Shutters

Sunlight streaming through windows can be an annoying distraction. Not to mention the neighbors who have more evening hours to look into your brightly lit living room. You could install shades to foil prying eyes, but swinging wood shutters would definitely be more beautiful.

Interior shutters were the original "window treatments," commonly used in Southern and urban houses, and they're still a great way to add architectural and historical detail. They also help keep out winter's chilly winds or summer's oppressive heat. And they're easy to install on any window because they attach to a thin frame that either sits inside the window opening or around the outside of the casing.

Cost: About $150 to $400.

See How to Hang Interior Shutter s for full step-by-step instructions.

8. Give Kitchen Cabinets a Flawless, New Finish

Photo by Kolin Smith

Your cavelike kitchen feels that way because the dark cabinets have sucked all the light out of the room. But a brighter makeover doesn't necessarily mean replacing those gloomy boxes with all-new one. As long as the frames and doors are structurally sound, you can clean them up and brush on some new paint—and within a weekend take that kitchen from dreary to sunny. All you need is some strong cleaner, sandpaper, a paintbrush, and a little elbow grease. What you don't need is a whole lot of money, as the transformation will cost you a fraction of even the cheapest new cabinets.

Cost: About $200.

See How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets for full step-by-step instructions.

9. Get More Flowers Without Spending a Dime

Photo by Ryan Benyi

Dividing perennials every three to six years is a great way to thin clump-forming varieties, like the daylily (shown here), which blooms from late spring to late summer. This technique can also be used to control plant size, invigorate growth, and multiply the number of specimens in a garden. A good rule of thumb is to split apart spring- and summer-blooming perennials in late summer or before the fall frost.

Cost: $0.

See How to Divide Perennials for sull step-by-step instructions. And don't forget to check out How to Propagate Plants at no cost for even more ways to multiply the plants you've already got.

10. Install a Water Filter and Ditch Expensive Bottles

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Photo by Kolin Smith

Millions of households have switched to bottled drinking water because of concerns over the purity or taste of their tap water. Such problems exist across the country, regardless of whether the water comes from municipal pipeline or ground well. However, there's an easier, less expensive way to obtain clean drinking water: install an under-sink water-filtration system.

Cost: About $250.

See How to Install a Water Filter for full step-by-step instructions.

11. Lay an Eco-Friendly Layer of Insulation

Photo by Kolin Smith

It's bad enough to have to get up in the morning, let alone get up and experience the icy shock of a cold floor. What you need is some warmth underfoot, a little cushion as you pad across the house. Enter cork. Resilient yet durable, stylish yet earthy, a natural cork floor can turn any cool room into a cozy haven.

Cork is also a lot easier to install than traditional wood flooring. Manufacturers now offer products in engineered panels that snap together without glue or nails. These floating-floor systems sit well over plywood, concrete, or even existing flooring. In one afternoon you can turn a floor into a comfortable mat where your toes can roam free without fear of the big chill—or expensive area rugs.

Cost: Average is about $6 to $8 a square foot.

See How to Lay a Cork Floor for full step-by-step instructions.

12. Refinish Your Home's Handsome Wood Door

Photo by Kit Latham

The years and the elements hadn't been kind to the exterior of this 94-year-old, thick, cypress door. Flakes of varnish still clung to the wood in spots, while the rest of the surface was rough and dried out from the effects of water and sun. Wood entry doors everywhere suffer from the same assaults, and many end up in the trash, replaced by low-maintenance, mass-produced metal and fiberglass surrogates. But you can breathe new life into your old door with a few affordable supplies.

Cost: About $50.

See How to Refinish a Door for full step-by-step instructions.

13. Put Down a Fresh Bead of Bathroom Caulk

Photo by David Carmack

You've seen the ominous signs of aging caulk. First it was the brown tinge along the edges. Now its smooth and supple skin has turned brittle and cracked, opening the way for stubborn colonies of mildew to take hold, or for water to seep through and turn wallboard and framing mushy. Whether it's around your sink, between a tub and its tile surround, or covering the joints of your shower stall — it has got to go.

Fortunately, caulk is cheap, and applying it isn't difficult. All you need is an hour, a few common tools, and materials easily found at any hardware store. But as easy as it is, you still have to do it right, or you'll be caulking again next year, says This Old House general contractor Tom Silva.

Cost: About $10 to $50.

See How to Caulk Around a Tub for full step-by-step instructions.

14. Revive Your Old Deck

By the time contractor Stephen Bonesteel arrived on the scene, the condition of this pine deck was bleak. Twenty years of harsh upstate New York weather without a lick of care had turned its once-bright boards a weatherbeaten gray, flecked with slimy algae and black leaf stains.

Still, even wood this neglected can be brought back to respectability. Over the course of a week, he power-washed and hand-scrubbed the deck back to a semblance of newness, then brushed on a protective coat of semitransparent stain to protect it from the elements.

Cost: About $80 to $120.

See How to Restore a Weathered Deck for this pro's full step-by-step instructions. In addition, you'll want to make sure your structure is stable by doing a Deck Check.

15. Add Architectural Interest With Stair Brackets

Photo by Ryan Benyi

The newel post and balusters get all the attention, while the exposed side of most staircases is largely ignored. But with the addition of decorative stair brackets, a bland stringer can become an elegant eye-catcher. Here we used simple-to-install, affordable wood brackets that go up with adhesive and nails.

Cost: About $150 to $250.

See How to Add Shapely Stair Brackets for full step-by-step instructions.

16. Lay Low-Cost Flooring in Laundries and Mudrooms

Photo by Shaffer Smith Photography

Long before the advent of the resilient sheet flooring and plastic-laminate planks, there was vinyl tile. Originally produced as an alternative to linoleum, vinyl tile grew in popularity because it was colorful, easy to clean, and crack resistant. The 12x12-inch tiles come in dozens of colors, patterns and textures, making it easy to create checkerboard designs and floors with contrasting borders. Here we'll show you the right way to put in self-adhesive tiles for a professional-looking and durable floor.

Cost: About $2 a square foot and $80 to $100 other materials.

See How to Lay a Vinyl Tile Floor for full step-by-step instructions.

17. Protect Walls With an Easy-to-Clean Backsplash

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Photo by William P. Fuller

If installing a traditional tile backsplash feels a little out of your DIY league, putting up one made from a single sheet of solid surface material may just be your saving grace. Shaping, cutting, and gluing up this inexpensive stock material—available from companies such as Swanstone, which makes the beadboard backsplash shown here, in a variety of colors and patterns—is a weekend project most amateurs can conquer with confidence. And when you have your sleek backsplash in place, you'll think it such a stylish protector from splashes and splatters you'll wonder why you ever considered tile in the first place.

Cost: About $25 a square foot.

See How to Install a Solid-Surface Backsplash for full step-by-step instructions.

18. Prevent Mold Growth With a Bathroom Vent Fan

Photo by Keller and Keller

Installing a ventilating fan in your bath does more than just eliminate fogged-up windows, steamy mirrors and stale odors. It also helps prevent moisture-related problems, such as the growth of mold and mildew, that can be costly to remove and lead to health problems. Avoid all of that with this affordable upgrades. Here, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows the proper way to install a bath vent fan. In this particular installation, Tom ran the exhaust duct into the attic and through a sidewall to the outdoors.

Cost: About $120 to $175.

See How to Install a Bathroom Vent Fan for full step-by-step instructions.

19. Build a Custom Tool Bench

Photo by Allison Dinner

Amy Paladino is a pro at juggling the demands of her job and family. But as with many of us, when it came to organizing tools for DIY projects, she needed a little assistance.

Here is a plan for a size-it-to-your-space tool-storage bench that doubles as a work surface. Though it may look complicated, the construction couldn't be simpler. And you'll be protecting your valuable tools in a custom chest, while saving on the outrageous cost of store-bought storage.

Cost: About $150.

See How to Build a Tool Bench for full step-by-step instructions.

20. Ceiling Fans for Summer (and Winter) Savings

Photo by Shaffer Smith Photography

The popularity of ceiling fans continues to grow as more and more homeowners discover dramatic, year-round energy savings. In summer, ceiling fans create cooling breezes, which reduce the strain on air conditioners. In winter, they circulate heated air to keep the room warm.

Installing a ceiling fan is relatively simple, especially if the space above is accessible from an attic. However, even when it isn't, the job is still quite doable. Here, we'll show how to replace an old light fixture with a new ceiling fan and light, in a room with no attic above. The advantage of this approach is that you don't have to run new wiring. The fan connects to the existing cable from the old light.

Cost: About $50 to $350.

See How to Install a Ceiling Fan for full step-by-step instructions.

21. Cut Costs With a Programmable Thermostat

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Photo by Ryan Benyi

Going digital with a model that automatically changes the indoor temperature setting is fairly easy, and it can trim about $180 off your annual heating and cooling costs. Simple models that only control heat are sold at home centers for around $25. But units like the one shown here can handle many more functions, including cooling and humidifying. Typically they're purchased through and installed by HVAC contractors, but you can get a good deal on one by buying online and install it yourself in no time.

Cost: About $475.

See How to Install a Programmable Thermostat for full step-by-step instructions.

Source https://www.thisoldhouse.com/

9 TIPS FOR STAGING A BEDROOM TO SELL YOUR HOME

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 14:14:00 GMT

When a potential home buyer walks into a house that’s for sale for the first time to take a look at it, one of the first questions they’ll usually ask is, “How many bedrooms does it have?”

The total number of bedrooms in a house is very important to most people looking to buy a home. But do you know what’s even more important in many cases? The look and feel of each individual bedroom.

It’s why staging a bedroom is something that all home sellers should do if they want to get multiple offers on their house. They should make an effort to show buyers what they can do with the bedrooms if they buy their home.

Staging a bedroom can be tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing. Here are 9 tips that will help you get started.

1. BEGIN BY ADDING A FRESH COAT OF PAINT

When is the last time you painted the walls in the bedroom you’re going to be staging?

If it’s been a while, now is a great time to get in there and put a fresh coat of paint up on the walls. This is especially true if you currently have a paint color that could turn some buyers off.

Choose a nice neutral color that will make your bedroom more relaxing. A light gray or blue will add a certain calmness to a bedroom that people will really appreciate.

2. REMOVE ANY CLUTTER THAT EXISTS

Most people keep all kinds of clutter inside of their bedrooms. From clothes and shoes to books and magazines, it’s easy to assemble a large collection of clutter in a bedroom.

Get rid of it all! You should be doing this in all areas of your home when you’re trying to sell it. But your bedroom is one place that you most definitely don’t want to leave clutter.

Clutter will make a bedroom feel more busy and cramped than it should be. It’ll turn people off and make them think their bedroom will also be busy and cramped if they buy your home.

3. IMPROVE THE LIGHTING

Finding the right lighting for a bedroom can be a challenge. You don’t want something that’s too bright and overpowering, but you also don’t want something that’s too dim.

If the lighting in your bedroom isn’t ideal, consider adding a new lighting fixture that will add just the right amount of light to the room. In a perfect world, the fixture will be attached to a dimmer that will give people the chance to customize the lighting to fit their needs.

4. PUT A NEW COMFORTER ON YOUR BED AND MAKE SURE IT’S MADE

Unless you just bought your bedroom comforter this year, there’s a good chance the comforter you use every night has probably seen better days. It’s not what you want people seeing when they walk into a bedroom.

Invest in a fancy comforter that will sell your bedroom as being a place to unwind and relax. Make your bed look as inviting as possible so that people feel like they don’t want to leave the space.

Remember: People are likely going to imagine what it’ll be like for them to walk into a bedroom at the end of a long day. You want it to look as welcoming as possible when they enter.

5. UPDATE YOUR WINDOW TREATMENTS

If you’ve lived in your home for a long time, you probably don’t even notice the window treatments you have hanging up anymore. Take a look at them and see if it’s time to update them.

There are ways to make your bedroom space feel more spacious by choosing the right window treatments. Drapes, for example, can be hung to make a room feel taller.

You don’t necessarily have to run out and spend a fortune on new window treatments if you can’t afford to do it. But you can change the look and feel of a room by simply swapping out old window treatments for new ones.

6. USE MIRRORS TO MAKE THE SPACE FEEL LARGER

Home buyers don’t usually like to see small bedrooms. They have a hard time imagining what it’ll look like once they get all their furniture into it.

If you have a bedroom that’s on the smaller side, strategically place a few mirrors throughout it to make it seem larger than it is. It’s amazing what one or two mirrors can do to a room that would otherwise seem way too small.

7. ADD PLEASANT SCENTS

You’re probably desensitized to it at this point, but your home likely has a specific smell to it that others will notice.

Before you start showing your home, purchase a few high-end candles that will knock out that smell and replace it with something people will enjoy. You can make any room feel warm and welcoming when you choose the right scent for it.

8. DON’T FORGET THE EN SUITE BATHROOM, IF THERE IS ONE!

If you have a bathroom connected to a bedroom, don’t forget to stage that, too.

Clean up any clutter on the sinks and replace it with a big bar of special soap and a candle. Lay out clean, white towels as well to make it look like a spa. It’ll go a long way towards showing people what they could be waking up to every morning.

9. AIM TO MAKE A BEDROOM FEEL LIKE A SANCTUARY

At the end of the day, your No. 1 goal when staging a bedroom should be to make it feel like a sanctuary where people want to spend time.

To do this, add small accessories throughout a room that will make it look updated and modern when you’re done with it. If you need help, don’t be afraid to consider hiring a stager to get the job done right.

STAGING A BEDROOM COULD ULTIMATELY HELP YOU SELL YOUR HOUSE

Not staging a bedroom simply shouldn’t be an option for you. If you want to sell your home quickly, one of the best ways to do it is by focusing on making big improvements to bedrooms.

This way, people won’t just talk about the number of bedrooms in your home. They’ll also talk about how amazing the bedrooms themselves are.

The Case for 2 Kitchen Sinks

Sun, 29 Dec 2019 04:17:00 GMT

While the majority of American kitchens have only one sink, the trend toward two is growing quickly in new construction and major remodels. Why would you possibly need two kitchen sinks — that is, if you are in the fortunate position to be able to afford this luxury? In a nutshell, for better kitchen workflow.

There’s a lot to think about when planning a kitchen layout. This story will first make the case for having two sinks, and then address considerations for the all-important prep sink — the place where you’ll likely spend most of your kitchen time.

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Why Having Two Sinks Is So Great

Everything in its place. Having two kitchen sinks allows one to be the dedicated cleanup sink and the other to be the prep sink. With this division of sink labor, the space around each sink gains a designated purpose. Prep tools, bowls, colanders and appliances can be stored near the prep sink, while dishes, silverware, serving pieces and glasses can be stored near the cleanup sink and dishwasher. When you separate the cleanup zone from the prep zone, you improve traffic flow and organization.

Multiple cooks in harmony. Another benefit of having two sinks is that multiple cooks can work in comfort simultaneously. With only one sink, prepping and cleanup activities all take place in the same location, creating a cramped work area no matter how expansive your kitchen is in square footage. Two well-placed sinks eliminate this problem.

Efficiency for solo chefs. The two-sink setup also works better for a soloist. It prevents dirty dishes from getting in the cook’s way or from forcing the chef to stop in the middle of a task to clean out the sink so that it can be used. Instead, dirty dishes go in the designated cleanup sink instead — and the cook(s) can keep right on cooking.

Kitcheneering

Dual Sinks in Action

This picture shows me preparing a meal with clients in the two-sink kitchen I designed for them. I’m chopping vegetables at left, while another woman rinses vegetables at the island prep sink. At the cleanup sink on the back wall, a man loads prep tools and mixing bowls into the dishwasher. As you can see, with two sinks everyone has space to work without being in one another’s way. The cooking process is more enjoyable and efficient.

Now that you’ve seen two sinks in action, let’s look at some specific things you’ll want to consider when planning where to put your prep sink.

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1. Prioritize the Prep Sink

When planning your kitchen, it’s critical that you give the prep sink the best real estate in the room. That’s because you probably spend more time chopping and prepping food than you do rinsing dishes.

If you want a social kitchen, put the prep sink on the island. If you have a beautiful view, put the prep sink facing the window. When I make these suggestions, some of my clients object, because prioritizing the food prep sink may mean locating the cleanup sink so that they’ll be doing dishes in front of a wall. But remember, most dishwashing takes place after dinner when there isn’t much of a view anyway.

2. Know the Ideal Prep Sink Size

The most effective prep sinks are single-bowl, 16 to 21 inches wide, with a garbage disposal. The sink must be large enough to fit your largest colander and most frequently used pots and pans, without being so large as to waste important counter space. While the prep sink’s primary purpose is food preparation, you should also be able to comfortably wash a pot or pan within it as it comes off the stove. This allows the prep sink to function as a secondary cleanup sink after a large gathering.

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3. Consider Counter Space

You’ll want as much room for food prep as possible. Four feet wide by 2 feet deep is the minimum continuous prep area you should have next to the prep sink. Ideally, I like my clients to have 6 to 8 feet. If you don’t have room for a 6-foot island, consider a peninsula instead.

If you’re locating your prep sink on an island, don’t center it in the middle. And if you’re placing the prep sink on a perimeter counter, don’t place it in the middle there either. Instead, put the sink to one side so that there is as much continuous counter space as possible.

Think about it: Even a modest meal for six requires two or more cutting boards, raw ingredients, containers, tools and small appliances. And if you are like me, there’s also a snack and some wine to enjoy while readying the meal. Whether you are preparing food, plating up or serving a buffet, these activities are easier to do on one large surface, instead of jogging from one too-small section of counter to another.

Bernard Andre Photography

4. Stay in the Food Prep Zone

The prep sink belongs in the food preparation zone. You should be able to move from the fridge to the prep counter to the cooktop or range in a couple of steps, with no obstacles in between. So don’t put your prep sink on the opposite side of the kitchen from your cooktop or refrigerator, especially if there is an obstacle (like an island) between them.

If possible, island prep sinks should be located on the side of the island facing the refrigerator, but on the opposite end. This way, items coming out of the fridge have a clear counter on which to land, but they don’t clutter the prep zone.

As a side note, try to lay out the kitchen so that the path from the eating area — whether it’s an in-kitchen eating nook or a formal dining room — doesn’t cross the cooking zone. Having smooth, uninterrupted traffic flow is the most important element of functional kitchen design. You don’t want the person clearing dinner dishes getting in the way of your efforts to plate up dessert.

NARI Silicon Valley Chapter

5. When Putting the Prep Sink on an Island

If you’re locating your prep sink on an island, it’s important to put it on the side closest to the range. If the prep sink is around the corner from the cooktop, then you are either wasting counter space and cramping your room, or you have to take several steps around the corner to get from the prep area to a cooking surface.

Here, it takes just a pivot to get from prep counter to cooking. This makes it much easier to monitor what is on the stove while you continue prepping.

Johnston Design Group

This island offers two sinks. It’s a large open-concept kitchen, yet with all the windows, doors and walkways, there isn’t a lot of wall space for perimeter counters. Placing the sinks on opposite sides of the island provides for both prep and cleanup space. It also allows you and your sous-chef to easily converse while preparing dinner.

Shop for kitchen sinks on Houzz

Arnal Photography

6. Perimeter Spots Follow the Same Rules

You don’t need an island to enjoy the benefits of a prep sink. This galley kitchen still has room for two sinks. Notice that the cleanup sink is toward the entrance, keeping dirty dishes or well-meaning guests from getting in the cook’s way. The prep sink is comfortably close to the cooktop for easy transitions between prepping and cooking.

Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath

While this kitchen has an island, the prep sink here is also located on the perimeter, facing the window. They had a nice view and so chose to put the sink in front of it, and the cooktop on the island. Because that side of the kitchen has expansive counters, they were able to maintain symmetry with the window without sacrificing continuous prep counter space.

Kitcheneering

7. Consider Prep Tool Storage

Since prep sinks function for before-meal preparation, you want to include shallow drawers nearby for your tools: knives, peelers, whisks, spoons, measuring cups and all your favorite gadgets. Small appliances like your food processor or rice cooker, mixing bowls, colanders and salad spinners can be stored in deeper drawers or rollouts underneath. This is the oceanfront real estate in your kitchen — make sure that everything stored here gets used frequently. If the potato masher comes out only at Thanksgiving, put it somewhere else.

source: houzz.com

11 Ways to Update Your Kitchen Without a Sledgehammer

Mon, 23 Dec 2019 23:23:12 GMT

OK, so you have a perfectly good kitchen. The layout works and the cabinetry is solid, but it just needs a little uplift. There are plenty of relatively minor changes you can make that don’t involve restructuring your life or your house. Here are several you can try.

Beach Dwellings

1. Repaint Your Cabinets

A fresh coat of paint can transform a kitchen from dark and dingy to light and airy. If you are a few years away from that big kitchen renovation, this is a great time to have some fun with color.

Find a contractor on Houzz

Dijeau Poage Construction

2. Upgrade Your Countertop

Changing a dated countertop will give new life to your entire kitchen and add immediate value.

Contact a countertop installer

Judith Taylor Designs

3. Install a New Backsplash

If your cabinetry and countertop work nicely but your room lacks pizzazz, a new backsplash can add loads of personality and really boost your kitchen. A bit of texture, sparkle or gloss will give simple cabinetry plenty of presence.

Shop for tile on Houzz

Parker House Inc.

4. Make a Statement

New jewelry always picks up a mood, and it can do wonders for your kitchen, too. New hardware can dress up plain cabinets, while standout lighting fixtures can add a surprising wow factor.

Rad Design Inc

5. Change Your Faucets

A detachable spray hose comes in handy for so much more than just giving a bath to the toy poodle. Try a spout with a flexible braided water-supply hose. It looks better than a plain black rubber hose and will last longer.

Nic Darling

6. Expand Your Horizons

Need more surface area?
You may not need to start from scratch. If you have an island, you can introduce a different material, such as wood, on an added eating counter either below or above the island level.

The standard countertop/island height is 900mm. A nice option, like you see here, is to add an extension at dining table height (about 760mm is typical). The great thing about adding an extension like this is that regular kitchen and dining chairs will pull up to the counter comfortably. If you prefer a higher surface, you could opt for bar height (900-1200mm).

Whitney Lyons

7. Consider Refacing

New cabinet fronts and doors can provide a welcome facelift if the layout already works and the cabinetry boxes are solid.

How to Reface Your Old Kitchen Cabinets

MartinPatrick 3

8. Rethink the Uppers

Open shelving offers an opportunity to display collections or just keep frequently used items accessible. Wine and oil bottles are great for showing off.

Venegas and Company

9. Add Cozy Touches

A runner is a great addition to a galley kitchen floor. I don’t know why we are disciplined to treat our kitchen like it has a different set of rules when it comes to decor. For example, I’m all for adding a table lamp for an unexpected element in a kitchen.

Incorporated

10. Add a Floating Island

If a new bank of cabinetry is beyond the budget, try a ready-made freestanding piece to add extra storage and a surface for working and eating.

Why not add a new top to a freestanding piece of furniture and extend the edge for an eating counter? The minimum overhang would be 25-30cm, but there are a few considerations to note when extending the top. Take care not to shift the balance of weight so much that the piece is unstable (people love to rest their elbows, adding weight to the surface). Also you may need to add brackets to support the overhang.

SV Design

11. Add a Showstopper

A simple kitchen with simple cabinetry is downplayed by a showpiece range hood. Playing up one feature is a great way to detract from less interesting elements.

source: houzz.com

A Classic Never Goes Out of Style: Designing with Black

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 16:41:53 GMT

Perhaps it had to happen. Coming full circle, could it be that black is finally the New Black? It's always been a critical design element, one that evokes drama and depth, adding contrast and transition. Black can delineate and define the lightest of colour schemes and, on its own, has always made a strong statement.

Perhaps it's this outspoken nature that keeps some people from flirting with this design Prince of Darkness. Too much black can feel heavy and overbearing, just as an abundance of white has weaknesses of its own, creating a washed-out effect.

Incorporating black into your design scheme, though, is often essential with the need for judicious subtlety. Let's learn more about this powerful style element and how best to apply it practically to home design.

The “feel” of black

Look no further than the iconic Little Black Dress to summon the sophistication and elegance of the colour. Black is serious; a black-tie affair has gravitas. A key element of chiaroscuro, black is by definition the absence of light. It can feel grounding, a basis upon which to be built.

There are negative associations too. It's the colour of mourning, death and sinister darkness. Too much black is formidable, unapproachable and sad. Just as the black of night is cheered by the sparkle of stars and glow of the moon, so too must we recognize the need for contrasting elements. On its own, black is daunting.

Black as a design component

Because of its drama, contrast and weight, black slips easily into many classic design styles. Modern styles that work well with minimalist approaches often suit monochromatic colour schemes, of which black-and-white is the most elemental.

Despite its suitability in that context, there's nothing exclusively minimalist about black. Black and white tile floors, from grand Victorian foyers to Art Deco bathrooms, find a place in plenty of design schemes. Contemporary, Streamline Moderne, and Mid-Century Modern could all scoop these ideas up.

Very few design styles don't benefit from the contrast that black adds, even if it's merely a black frame on a mirror or piece of art. The idea of layering perhaps evokes overhanging drapery panels for many, but you don't need to go full-on Bohemian to add layers to your home. In a room full of bright colours and natural light, adding subtle touches of black adds a chromatic layer, against which the light elements shine even stronger.

When a bolder statement is needed, forget subtlety and add a black leather sofa or overstuffed armchair. In an industrial loft space, painting exposed ductwork or mechanicals flat black is a common way to de-emphasize the often busy appearance of these elements.

Don't forget your home's exterior either. Choosing a light colour for the bulk of the house is often well-accented when the trim contrasts, and black is an excellent choice. Windows, door frames, eaves and downspouts can sharply define the shape of your home while bringing the other influences that black offers.

The power and versatility of black is going to creep into your home anyway, perhaps around the edges of your flat screen or as part of an upholstery pattern. Make yourself aware of its powerful effect and you'll find ways to add richness and depth to your interior spaces.

Do:

alternate your black and light elements;
use black as an accent;
use metal accents and finishes to contrast black focal points;
contrast white walls with a black ceiling, trim, door or floor;
accent white paint with black frames and fixtures.

Don't:

use more than one shade of black;
over-repeat or stack black elements (avoid black on black);
combine black with other dark shades, like navy blue or indigo;
combine black walls with black ceilings or floors.

Whether you're using black furniture or accessories to accentuate white walls, or creating a deep layered effect with black walls punctuated by light picture frames, wall hangings and furniture, you're sure to enjoy injecting this sophisticated shade into your home décor.

source: realtor.ca

10 Stylish Ways to Maximize Bathroom Storage

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 20:40:51 GMT

When you’re tackling a bathroom remodel, whether with the help of a bathroom designer, architect or contractor, including ample, efficient storage is an important consideration. Read on for 10 inspiring examples of compact, hallway and kids’ bathrooms that get storage right and see if one (or more) of these ideas might work in your space.

Manello Construction, LLC

1. Wall-to-Wall Vanity

Off-the-shelf vanities often leave a bit of dead space on either side, which is less than ideal, especially when you’re working with a smaller space. If you have the option, it can be worth it to have a custom vanity made to reach from wall to wall, as seen in this bathroom from Manello Construction. This setup maximizes storage space and looks sleeker to boot.

DTLA DESIGN

If your bathroom layout prevents a wall-to-wall vanity, opt for a design that fills the maximum amount of wall space. In this bathroom from DTLA Design, the substantial vanity features ample drawer space, a deep apron-front sink and plenty of counter space. To get an idea of what a dramatic difference this kind of change can make, check out the before photo.

Sanders Pace Architecture

2. Ceiling-Height Storage

If your bathroom has high ceilings, make the most of them by taking storage all the way to the top. Tall shelves flank the door in this bathroom by Sanders Pace Architecture, providing lots of space to stash towels and display items.

See more of this updated historic Tennessee home

BUILT Design Collective

In this space from Built Design Collective, a ceiling-height cabinet adds a significant amount of storage — and with open shelving up top and a closed cabinet below, it has the best of both worlds.

Katie Monkhouse Interior Design

3. Gap-Filling Shelving

Transform what would otherwise be an awkward, narrow gap at the foot of the bathtub into convenient, useful shelving, as seen in this space from Katie Monkhouse Interior Design. Open shelves can make a small space feel larger, but cluttered surfaces can negate the effect. Using identical baskets to corral belongings (as seen here) is a smart solution.

Cohesively Curated

The same shelving idea can be used no matter how your bathroom is configured. In this space from Cohesively Curated, open shelves fill a gap right by the entrance.

Find a bathroom designer on Houzz

Nathalie Priem Photography

4. Sleek Storage Wall

Instead of trying to fit all your bathroom storage in the vanity, consider dedicating an entire wall to it. With sleek flat-panel doors and a single open shelf in the center, a storage wall like this can hide everything from spare towels to toiletries.

Find a cabinet professional on Houzz

schemes & spaces

5. Hidden Drawers

Make use of an awkward space (such as the nook beneath a staircase) to add recessed drawers or cabinetry. In this bathroom from Schemes & Spaces, flat-front drawers are nearly invisible, tucked into an unused corner — but they provide essential storage for toiletries.

6 Plumbing Hacks for Pocket-Size Properties

Juxtaposed Interiors

6. Hooks and Ladders

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. Case in point: This kids’ bathroom by Juxtaposed Interiors keeps towels organized with a combination of wall hooks and a rustic leaning ladder.

See more of this children’s bathroom makeover

Regan Baker Design Inc.

7. Recessed Shelves

Need just a smidgen of extra storage? Fit sleek recessed shelves into the wall adjacent to the vanity, as in this bathroom from Regan Baker Design. To keep things looking neat, store messier items (like toothpaste) behind closed doors and set your prettiest toiletries on the open shelves.

E2 Homes Ltd

8. Storage Bench

This bathroom from E2 Homes does double duty as a pool changing area with wall hooks for towels and a sleek storage bench for tucking away gear. Built-in benches like this can also be a good choice for kids’ bathrooms, providing little ones and parents a spot to sit at bath time and storage for tub toys below.

post Architecture

9. Laundry

Incorporating a compact laundry area into your bathroom design can be a smart use of space however you accomplish it. In this innovative design from Post Architecture, a laundry zone in the middle of the bathroom hides a washer, dryer and storage behind sleek doors that fold in half and then back to take up the least amount of space.

See more of this clever laundry room-bath combo

Alfio Garozzo Fotografo

10. Hotel Helper

Not just for travelers, a wall-mounted clothing rack can prove quite useful for hanging delicate items to dry or planning outfits for the week ahead. Fill the floor space below with a freestanding storage piece, or opt for a folding clothing rack if space is extra tight.

Source: houzz.com

Examining Fireplaces: Function, Feature and Performance

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 20:00:52 GMT

It's hard to dispute how relaxing it is to curl up under a cozy blanket while cradling a hot beverage in front of a crackling fire on a cold evening. Fireplaces in Canadian lifestyle have undergone a shift in purpose over the years from staple heat source to optional design feature. If you're thinking of installing one or updating or converting an older fireplace, there's a lot to consider. Let's explore the different types of fireplaces and the features, benefits and risks involved.

Wood-burning fireplaces

There's nothing like the snap and crackle of a real wood fire—its welcoming rustic scent wafting through your home. While a traditional wood-burning fireplace has numerous parts, there are essentially three main components: fire box, flue and chimney. The firebox is where you place the firewood, the flue is what controls air flow and the chimney is how the smoke exits the home.

Pros:

Visually appealing.
Can be used to cook in emergencies.
Requires no utility hook-ups.
Uses a renewable resource.
Fuel is often easy to find and can be reasonably-priced.

Cons:

Expensive to install.
Most heat escapes up the chimney.
Backdrafts can cause smoke incursion in the home.
Chimney must be cleaned and inspected by a professional annually.
Ash and wood can cause messy debris.
Extra insurance is required.
Often require additional protective doors or screens to help contain embers.

Performance: Most wood-burning fireplaces are intended for aesthetic appeal and supplementary heat rather than being a whole-home solution. Be mindful that using a fireplace in the same room as your thermostat may prevent your furnace from running, causing other rooms in the home to cool down. You may need to adjust the thermostat up a few degrees when you have a fire or use a thermostat with multiple sensors in your home to offset this.

Wood and pellet stoves

Wood and pellet stoves are a great way to help keep your home warm during the winter, while also acting as a focal point for the room. Although wood stoves are also wood-burning, they should be considered separately from fireplaces because their function is more utilitarian. Pellet stoves burn small, compressed wood pellets via a hopper. The pellets typically burn hotter and cleaner than wood and some stoves include heat distribution kits which have the potential for whole-home coverage. Keep in mind, pellet stoves require electricity so, if the power goes out, they can't be used as a source of heat like a wood stove can.

Installation for both options can carry a heavy price tag, but one can't argue against their obvious appeal, especially when living in colder climes.

Pros:

Powerful heat source through conductive and radiant heat.
Can help reduce utility costs during winter.
Once lit, less air is needed to maintain combustion.
Provides a heat source for warmth and cooking in the event of a power outage.

Cons:

Temperature regulation is difficult.
High surface temperatures can pose a burn risk, especially with children.
The chimney must be cleaned and inspected by a professional annually.
They eat up space because they must be a safe distance from adjacent walls and furniture.
Extra home insurance is required.
Expensive to purchase and install.

Performance: Because you can control the airflow to slow the burn, they can produce heat for five to six hours before they need to be stoked. Be careful not to add too much wood because it is easy to overheat your space with a wood stove.

Gas fireplaces

With the widespread use of natural gas for water and home heating, gas fireplaces have become common fixtures in many homes. There are many great-looking options that mimic the realistic look of a wood-burning fireplace. What they lack in realism, they make up for in convenience and they can be less costly to install and maintain than wood-burning alternatives.

Pros:

Easy to operate.
Adjustable flame feature.
Cleaner-burning.
Low-cost operation.
A chimney isn't needed (although proper venting is).
Electronic ignition makes them easy to light.
Can be inserted into an existing fireplace.

Cons:

Does not look fully realistic.
Most require both gas and electrical connections.
Produces carbon monoxide (always have a working CO detector in the same room).
Requires annual maintenance and inspection.

Performance: Much like the wood-burning fireplace, the gas fireplace is perfectly suitable for heating a single room and, in fact, can be more efficient at doing so than its woody counterpart. This is because many gas fireplaces have fans which push heated air into the room, which is regulated with a built-in thermostat.

Electric fireplaces

Electric fireplaces have taken a long-time fixture and turned it into an appliance. Electric fireplaces can be placed in just about any room of your home, especially if it is a standalone unit, which doesn't require installation. What they lack in uniqueness, they make up for in function. They still give that impression of a real fire, while some also perform double duty as a heater with built-in elements and fans.

Pros:

Easy to operate.
Most affordable.
Can be installed and used in any room.
Requires little maintenance.
Cleanest and safest to operate.
Can be used even during the summer because heat is optional.

Cons:

If used frequently for heat, they could increase hydro bills substantially.
Flames are not real and does not look like a real fireplace.
Shorter lifespan—need to be replaced more frequently.

Performance: Their performance is similar to that of gas fireplaces because they are only suitable to heat one room. Portable units are more convenient than wood-burning or gas fireplaces because they can be moved to and used in any room in your home.

Whether you prefer the realistic quality of a wood-burning fireplace, the heating benefits offered by a wood stove or the convenience of gas or electric fireplaces—there is something for every taste. Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves will certainly appeal for those seeking a more rustic look, while the modern feel of gas and electric is perfect for the contemporary-minded. Or, if you would just like to create that cozy ambiance without a fireplace at all, installing a mantel and hearth with a few well-placed candles is a fantastic low-cost solution. Whatever you decide for your home, it's always recommended to consult a professional to make sure you decide on the right solution for your needs and space.

Source: realtor.ca

What Grout Color Should You Choose for Your Tile?

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 18:57:20 GMT

Picking out new tile for your kitchen, bathroom or other space can be rather exciting. It’s easy to get caught up in looking at tile samples and the various colors, materials and patterns that are going to have a big impact in your home. But what often gets overlooked or downplayed is the selection of the grout color. And that shouldn’t be the case.

The color of your grout can make or break the look of your tile. The grout color can create different effects or visually blend away. To help you choose the right grout color for your tile scheme, here are some favorite looks you might want to consider, along with some general advice for virtually every tiling scenario you might encounter.

Ditto Residential

White Tile + White or Light Grout

When you look at this bathroom, your eye may first notice any number of things, but it’s likely not going to be the tile.

Moroso Construction

When white or very light tile is paired with a matching white or almost-white grout, the lines between tiles visually disappear and the entire surface blends together. The result is a look that doesn’t tend to draw attention.

For this reason, this pairing is perfect when you don’t want your tile to be a feature, especially in modern spaces that already have dramatic flair elsewhere.

Find a bathroom designer near you in the Houzz pro directory

Cutting Edge Build

This combo is also great for a small bathroom you want to make look as large as possible.

Shop for Tile

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LBD, LLC

By keeping the walls light and seamless looking, you avoid visual breaks that could shrink your perception of the space, so the room feels big and breezy.

Ardesia Design

Keep in mind that a truly white or very light grout will not be forgiving when it comes to stains or discolorations, so it may take a little extra care or upkeep to maintain that pristine look.

See how to clean grout

Anna Standish Interiors

White Tile + Gray Grout

Once you start to add a little contrast between your tile and your grout, the shape of the tile is revealed much more clearly, and the grout itself forms a pattern out of the negative space.

Hart Builders Pty Ltd

Going darker or lighter with the grout, to add more or less contrast, will make the tile pop more and more.

A soft gray just a few shades darker than the tile is a popular choice because it highlights a tile pattern without shouting for attention. This is especially true for tiles in which the shape, rather than a color or print, is the main feature, such as the charming fish scale shown here.

Stacey Brandford Photography

It’s also useful for calling attention to an interesting layout of tiles in a plain shape, such as classic subway tile laid in a herringbone. The carefully selected pattern is emphasized by the grout, so the extra effort on installation doesn’t go to waste.

BFDO Architects pllc

Even in a simple brick pattern, a soft gray grout paired with white tile makes for a solid choice for traditional or transitional spaces. It brings a level of subtle richness that suits Shaker cabinets, veined stone counters, warm wood floors and other sumptuous finishes — and it’s timeless too.

Rebecca Melo

White Tile + Black or Dark Grout

Once you start to go very dark with your grout, the grout itself and the patterns it creates start to become the visual focus over the actual tile.

Studio Z Design

Notice how much more pronounced this herringbone pattern appears than the earlier similar-patterned example. The diagonally stepping stripes formed between tiles really pop and give a lot of energy and life to the space.

Browse more bathroom inspiration

hande koksal

Naturally, this high-contrast tile scheme is well suited to spaces in which black and white is the dominant look. It also works for industrial kitchens that eschew bold hues in exchange for metallic elements and rugged textures. The grout already brings a lot of architectural interest, so sparing use of accent colors will keep the space from feeling overloaded.

S+H Construction

Black Tile

Keep in mind that when you’re dealing with black or very dark tile, the previous rules essentially are reversed.

Dark grout in a similar tone to a dark tile will create a softer look, while a light grout will bring out the tile pattern, adding even more drama. If you like black tile but want to soften the look, choose a charcoal shade for the tile and match it closely, rather than choosing a pure black and trying to soften it with white. The look will only be more vivid. (Alternatively, you can add a beautiful rug, as shown in this welcoming bathroom.)

MRTN Architects

Colorful Grout

If you like the look of grout that pops but don’t want it to be as stark as black and white, consider using a tinted grout that carries a fun hue instead of the usual gray shades. This lemon yellow grout adds a twist of color to this bathroom, but it doesn’t visually advance too much, so the room stills looks big and bright.

Egue y Seta

Colorful grout works especially well when it picks up a hue that is found elsewhere in the space, so it feels harmonious to the palette instead of coming out of nowhere. It’s definitely not for everyone, but for those who want a unique look, it can add a lot of personality. Just keep in mind that your grout is not nearly as easy to replace as a coat of paint, so you’ll want to be sure to pick a color you truly love and not a fleeting trend.

See how to regrout your tile

Beth Kooby Design

Like the idea of colorful grout but not the commitment? Try using a patterned wallpaper that echoes the shapes of a tile pattern and use a more basic scheme for the actual tiles themselves. This is a smart approach for a home you plan to leave in the short term. The next occupants can simply change the paper if they don’t share your tastes.

Shop for Wallpaper

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Nystrom Design

Colorful Tile + Gray Grout

Once you move away from stark white or black, pairing vibrant-colored tile with the right shade of grout becomes a bit trickier. It is harder to tell what grout will contrast the tile or blend in. It’s important to look at the color still as having a value — darkness or lightness — that is separate from the intensity of the hue itself.

One trick that can help you assess the color value of your tile is to take a photo of the tile and use a program or app to make the image black and white (often referred to as a “saturation” or “desaturate” option). Once you take the hue out of the equation, you can really see how light or dark the color is and choose a grout that will either contrast with or match that level of value to get the result you want.

Alison Kandler Interior Design

Choosing a gray grout that is close in value to the tile will allow the grout to fade into the background, which creates an uninterrupted color statement. Going a little lighter or darker will subtly highlight the grout a bit more to bring out the pattern, but it won’t create as much contrast as with white tile.

Get more kitchen ideas

Martins Camisuli Architects

Colorful Tile + White or Light Grout

Using a white or very light grout with a vivid tile may sound dramatic, but it actually helps to tame wild colors and give the space a cleaner, more timeless feel. There is a reason you so often see bright reds paired with crisp white. It’s because it helps make the color livable.

Oliver Burns

Colorful Tile + Colorful Grout

If you’re already adding colorful tile, why not add colorful grout to go with it? A pairing like this cool blue and vibrant yellow feels bold and exotic, bringing a bit of international hotel appeal without much added cost.

Tim Clarke Design

Other Design Considerations

Besides the tile color and shade, there are other factors that can affect how the look of your grout will turn out.

Surrounding colors and materials. Here’s an example in which a colorfully tinted grout doesn’t actually feel nearly as bold as in previous examples. The rosy undertones of this grout pick up on the tones of the surrounding wood, so they actually blend in rather than pop.

Witt Construction

Using a bit of a red or brown tint in your grout can work well to coordinate with nearby materials like brick, wood, leather or stone, so make sure to consider all the nearby finishes and not just the tile itself.

Your designer or contractor can usually give you swatches of the grout just like with paint or other materials, so you can put all of your finishes and samples together in one place and see how they look together.

Find a kitchen and bathroom designer near you

Hart Wright Architects, AIA

Wall versus floor. Where the tile is situated will affect how much the grout reads. A tile that’s dressing the floor will be literally less “in your face” than a tile that’s up at eye level on a wall, so you can bring a little more contrast to your grout. This floor tile is paired with a light grout, but the pattern still feels fairly subtle down on the floor. In general, the floor is a good place to bring some rich contrast to anchor the space.

Entrance Hall Pty Ltd

Tile edges. Ceramic tiles can be “rectified” or “non-rectified,” which essentially means “crisp edged” or “natural edged.” The non-rectified tiles in this space give the grout lines a less crisp shape, which gives this black grout the appearance of almost hand-drawn lines, as though the space were a sketch brought to life. Non-rectified tiles can’t get as close together as rectified tiles, meaning there is a limit to how thin your grout lines can be, which brings me to my next point.

Porcelain vs. Ceramic Tile: A 5-Scenario Showdown

Toronto Interior Design Group

Grout size. The thickness of the grout is almost as important to the look as the color, as it can make the grout stand out or disappear almost completely if you choose a wider or tighter tile spacing. For example, this slab tile has extremely thin grout in a color matched to the tile, so the grout lines virtually disappear and the finish appears like a continuous swath of solid luxe stone.

Rock Paper Hammer

Tile shape will also affect the grout sizing at times, especially with circular forms like this penny tile. The larger areas of grout between the adjacent curves mean the grout will appear bolder than it might with a square or rectilinear tile, so it’s best to choose a shade a bit closer to the tile than you might think.

Lucvaa Kitchens

Tile finish. Glossy tiles like a high-sheen porcelain or a bright mirror tile will catch highlights and often appear lighter on the wall than they may look in your hand when holding a sample. For these materials, go with a lighter grout than you might otherwise choose.

Notice in this case how the patterning of the tile is revealed by the cabinet lights even without a bold grout.

An exception to this tip would be tinted and antiqued mirror tiles or mirror tiles used in a room with many dark finishes. In those cases, bring a grout swatch into the room and see if it matches the general colors in the space. After all, the appearance of the mirror will depend on what it is reflecting. Ultimately, a very tight spacing between the tiles with minimal grout will be best, so the color needn’t be a perfect match to every conceivable tone.

Mata Design Studio

Multiple tiled surfaces. When working with two tile patterns in the same space, which is quite common in bathrooms with tiled floors and walls, the ideal solution is to find a grout shade that will work across the board for a harmonious look.

CM Natural Designs

This can mean bringing a dark shade from the floor up the walls, or using a light shade all over, depending on your preference. But you’ll want to look at the tiles together to make a choice that suits each. If no grout seems to work for both tiles, you may want to take that as a sign that you need to reconsider your tile pairing.

Lischkoff Design Planning

Ultimately, while it may seem almost too obvious, using a classic mid-tone gray all over is usually a safe bet to tie multiple tiles together, while having some leeway to hide imperfections as the grout ages.

Multicolored tile. Lastly, it can seem tricky to pick a single grout color when your tile is multicolored, but it can actually be even easier to find an attractive pairing. One approach is to choose a single color or shade within the tile set to match — usually the most neutral one you can find. If you copy a color already in the tiles, you know it will coordinate.

Toronto Interior Design Group

Another option is to choose a grout shade light enough or dark enough to contrast all of the tiles, which works well if all of the tones in the tile are in a middle range without extreme lights and darks.

In this example from one of my projects, the off-white grout is light enough to stand out a little bit from all of these soft greige shades and ties the traditional tile back to the contemporary white cabinets.

Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects

For patterned tile, usually the best bet is to choose a color that will blend into the tiles as much as possible so as to not interrupt the pattern. Look to the edges of the tile to see what color will be up against the tile the most. In this floor tile, the black is what stands out to the eye, but the white portions are more toward the edges of the tile, so a light grout is the more effective choice — a dark grout would chop the pattern up too much.

B Moore Design, Inc.

Finally, with a veined stone tile, you can either choose a shade that matches the base color of the stone or a shade that brings out the veins. In this bathroom, the light grout emphasizes the individual tile, highlighting the edges of each tile, which can otherwise get lost among the organic patterning.

Toronto Interior Design Group

For a more subtle effect, choose a color from the lightest veins in the stone. This will gently emphasize the subtle tones while letting the character of the stone be the focus over the grout. If you’re splurging on marble, it’s the marble you want to see.

Source: Houzz.com

Welcome to Whiskytown: Walkerville, Windsor the Origin of Canadian Club

Mon, 18 Nov 2019 01:38:00 GMT

Hiram Walker was a man with a plan. In 1856, the former Detroit grocer and cider vinegar distiller purchased approximately 468 acres of land east of Windsor with the intent to uproot and expand his small whisky operation from Detroit to Canada. In addition to his distillery, he diversified the business by growing grain, milling flour, and raising cattle and hogs. Down the line, the town also supported other major industries, most notably automotive manufacturing. Fast forward to today, and Hiram Walker's (better known today as Canadian Club) becomes the largest distillery in the new Confederation of Canada and Walkerville earns its spot on the map.

Photo via Flickr

But Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was Walkerville. Although Walkerville was forcibly amalgamated into Windsor in 1935, the growth and success of the commercial district made it a permanent living history of Walker's vision for the thriving town it remains. The family played an important role in developing the town's airport, hospitals, churches, museums and residences. Today, the Walker family name echoes in the streets of Walkerville, kept alive by the stories passed down through generations. Walkerville is currently home to more than 20,000 people—mainly families with young children and couples. Locals have described the Walkerville vibe as “hip and historic”, with many former industrial buildings transformed and repurposed into community resources.

Fun facts

During the period of Prohibition in the United States, Walkerville became a principal source of cross-border alcohol exportation.
By 1926, the remaining Walker family owning and operating Hiram Walker and Sons Ltd. sold the company for $14 million to Harry C. Hatch of Toronto, although Hiram Walker remains North America's largest beverage distillery to this day.
Described as a “smugglers’ paradise”, historians have estimated that up to 75% of all illegal liquor supplied to the United States during the prohibition passed through Walkerville waterways— it was even visited by Al Capone and his representatives.
Hiram Walker himself is declared a person of Canadian National Historic Significance, and the City of Windsor graciously declared Hiram Walker's birthday (July 4th) to be Hiram Walker Day.

Housing market

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

If you're searching for a neighbourhood with a great connection to history and heritage homes with tons of character, Olde Walkerville could be for you. Known for its mix of larger estates and modest detached homes, Walkerville is considered to be one of the most vibrants communities in Windsor.

This neighbourhood puts you at the centre of some of Windsor's most cherished events, including annual arts and cultural festivals, authentic walking tours and Art in the Park. Walkerville is widely recognized for its walkability, with plenty to see and do in a very convenient radius. Consequently, the neighbourhood is highly sought-after for its proximity to local shops, schools and entertainment.

Things to do

Photo via Walkerville Windsor Fringe Festival

See a show at the Olde Walkerville Theatre. A fixture on Wyandotte Street East between Lincoln and Gladstone, The Olde Walkerville Theatre (formerly The Tivoli Theatre) has undergone a facelift or two since its grand opening in 1918. The structure was originally designed by renowned theatre architect C. Howard Crane. In the 1930s, the theatre offered both silent movies and vaudeville acts (similar to a comedic musical act). In 2013, the building was lovingly restored into a venue for small local theatre companies, live music and special events.

Fun fact: When the theatre first opened, it was illegal to show movies on Sundays.

Photo via Doors Open Ontario

Stroll through Willistead Manor. Willistead Manor is a 36-room mansion nestled within a 15-acre park that was built in 1906 for Edward Chandler Walker, the second son of Hiram Walker. Now managed by the Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture, and Facilities, Willistead Manor offers seven uniquely designed rooms to rent for special events. Public tours are also available seasonally at select times.

Photo via Walkerville Brewery Instagram

Take a sip of an “honest beer”. Yes, Hiram Walker was a whisky man indeed, but what many didn't realize was his affinity for a nice cold brew. When the man of the hour opened the original Walkerville Brewery in 1890, he declared he would produce an “Honest Beer”—anything produced from his brewery would only be crafted of the finest ingredients – no exceptions. To this day, the Walkerville Brewery presses on with the same winning ideology, using unpasteurized single batches with no artificial preservatives, flavours or colours. Locals and visitors alike can discover the brewing process and enjoy samples of beer on a one-of-a-kind Walkerville Brewery Tour.

Walkerville isn't only known for their whiskey and beer. From wood-fired pizzas to chicken-pot pie, the curious diner can find all sorts of delicious fare at hot spots like The Twisted Apron, F&B Walkerville, the vegan friendly Carrots n' Dates and more! Walkerville's dining district is a culinary experience that combines the neighbourhood's flare for heritage with contemporary, creative cuisine.

Photo via Le Rempart

Experience the Windsor-Walkerville Fringe Fest. The Windsor-Walkerville Fringe Festival is an annual event that celebrates local artists. The festival has been running since 2016 and is associated with the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals (CAFF). Uniquely, the festival guarantees that its talented artists receive 100% of ticket revenue and it does not subject their work to jury approval or censorship in any way. The festival prides itself on its ability to provide accessible arts experiences to the community.

Walkerville has graciously mastered the balance of historic charm within a modern, evolving community. Drop by for a visit or work with a local REALTOR® and discover why this picturesque town is the place to call home.

source: realtor.ca

Passive Houses: Making Your Eco-Dreams a Reality

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 15:39:18 GMT

Passive houses are really anything but passive—the truth is, they're total powerhouses. They boast incredible energy efficiency, superb insulation and optimal temperature and comfort 12 months a year.

With that being said, passive homes aren't very common in Canada yet, as our intensely varied climate presents challenges for anyone trying to keep a home comfortable year-round.

To learn more about these unique homes and their growing place in the Canadian home landscape, we spoke to two PHIUS-certified (Passive House Institute US) builders: Chris Weissflog of EcoGen Energy in Kemptville, Ontario and William Murray of Construction Rocket in the Eastern Townships in Quebec.

What's the difference between a passive house and a passive solar house ?

As soon as you hear the words “passive house”, you're probably thinking about solar panels—but they're not always a necessary component.

Passive solar homes are designed to get the maximum benefits from sunshine with solar panels and other systems that use sunlight to heat the air and water in the house.

Weissflog explains that, despite popular belief, passive homes don't need to rely on the sun and can actually perform well in the shade too. For a passive home, the ability to maintain a consistent ambient temperature, regardless of the season and without the help of mechanical systems, is more important than the use of solar panels. This is achieved by keeping the house well insulated, and appropriately sealed and ventilated.

What are the advantages of a passive house?

Passive House via EcoGen Energy

Comfort: Both builders agree, it's impossible to find a house more comfortable than a passive house. Whether it's -30 or +30, in the middle of a room or right next to a window—passive houses maintain a consistently comfortable inside temperature. Will Murray had a client who wanted to do yoga in front of her glass patio door in the middle of winter without freezing. In a passive home with effective ventilation, this is totally feasible.

Energy efficiency: Passive houses use very little energy and cost almost nothing to heat in the winter or cool in the summer. Murray reported the annual energy costs for a 1,980-square-foot PHIUS-certified passive home his company constructed were an impressive $700 (approximately $58 per month) and included—among other things—appliances, heating and cooling.

Passive House via Construction Rocket

Air quality: Because passive homes are built to be extremely airtight, they require efficient and regular ventilation and air filtering. This makes them a great choice for people with allergies or breathing problems.

Predictable energy costs year after year: A passive home's strong seals and effective insulation help keep energy from varying dramatically so you'll likely avoid surprises like expensive heating and electricity bills through the winter months.

Passive House via Construction Rocket

Durability: Passive homes are built to last. Mostly-sealed and built with high-quality materials, passive houses are generally less likely to deteriorate over time—which means lower maintenance costs, too.

Quiet:Another benefit of all that insulation and their thicker walls, triple-glazed windows and lack of forced-air systems for heating or cooling, passive houses can be incredibly quiet.

They're ideal for apartments: For a multiplex or student residence, building a passive structure is a great option. By assuming most of the costs during construction, you'll save money on utilities long-term and the added insulation will make it harder for tenants to disrupt each other with noise.

Before you build

Cellulose insulation. Passive House via EcoGen Energy

If you want your home to be certifiably passive, make sure you involve a PHIUS or Passivhaus certified expert from the get-go—even before hiring an architect. Make sure the involved professionals communicate the nuances of the process to avoid paying for plans and drawings more than once.

Keep in mind, renovating an existing house into a passive house can be more expensive than starting from scratch.

The up-front costs of building a passive house can be significant (a construction mortgage might help) but factor in the long-term savings on energy and maintenance when creating your budget.
While the topics of sealing or energy-efficient insulation aren't exactly sexy when compared with kitchen and bathroom design, they're essential to a passive home and too ensure comfort year-round.

Passive House via Construction Rocket

Various experts will need to collaborate on your passive house through design and building to ensure your home meets the standards for certification.

Passive House via Construction Rocket

Interested? Try searching for homes for sale near you with the keyword search term, “passive”.

Source: realtor.ca

Designing for Calmness

Fri, 08 Nov 2019 03:15:00 GMT

In the day-to-day craziness of life, balancing the needs of family, work and self can often create a high-stress schedule that keeps the tempo high and relaxation a precious commodity. Consider making your home an island of calm as an important source of balance.

Keeping it simple, no matter the style

The Japanese call it kanso – simplicity – after one of seven Zen principles, and you don't need to be a minimalist to apply it to your space. In fact, these tips work even if you're a shabby chic bohemian maximalist though, of course, your methods of incorporating will vary from your modernist industrial friends or neighbours. It's all about what brings you peace, so feel free to try any or all these tactics.

Kill the clutter

One designer's bric-a-brac is another person's junk pile, so “clutter” can be a very subjective idea. Sometimes the best thing to do to kick start the decluttering process, is a deep clean. No matter how busy your decorating scheme, though, certain places must be clutter-free, such as the kitchen counters and sink. Keep traffic areas clear for easy movement and, if anything is closing in on you when you sit down, let it be the arms of a wingback chair. Any time cozy turns to cramped, there's a decluttering opportunity.

Get natural

There's no need to be knee-deep in Arts and Crafts to benefit from the peace the natural world offers. It may be as simple as putting up a window treatment around a view of your favourite flowers in the garden. Natural light is often a stress reliever in weather fair or foul.

The principle is called biophilia – the love of nature – and a touch of it in your design scheme can be both personal and calming. Your choice of houseplants, for instance, can help bring a personal focal point to a room.

See the light

Don't take your lightbulbs for granted! Using different sources, including natural light (or its absence), can evoke virtually any emotion, so choose wisely. Few people would think of a fluorescent fixture over their bed as a relaxing way to ease into sleep. Think of light as a design layer as well as functional. Add lighting styles and levels to help you relax.

Colour and calm

Most people have a sense of the colours they respond to, as well as moods the colours evoke. Yet, there are also many people trying to relax in rooms lined with generic builder's paint. Consider how colour psychology influences your sense of calm and make the switch.

Comfort quotients

Some like silk while others like linen. Design isn't strictly about appearance. An attractive bedding option moves from satisfactory to superior when it's made from a fabric you love to touch. Aromatherapy may be as simple as a light wave of vanilla or refreshing hints of lavender. Comfort can arrive through any of your senses, and any of these can bring you peace.

Most everyone has seen a sofa they love but, after trying it, wonder what sort of creature it was designed for, since it's obviously not comfortable for humans. There's a reason why the stereotype of the dad with the ratty recliner exists. Sometimes comfort is in the behind of the beholder.

Heal thyself

No one knows what speaks to you quite like you do. No matter how sparse or busy your personal design style, never forget the touches that bring you peace. Perhaps it's a photo from a recent vacation, a curio you received as a gift or maybe an old canoe paddle that reminds you of long-ago summers at camp.

Managing stress is a big part of a balanced life in today's busy world. Caring for our homes is an extension of caring for ourselves, so approaching design with calmness in mind is hardly a pretension, but instead a powerful tool for wellness.

Source: Reator.ca

New Lease on Life: Homeownership for Renters

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 01:12:00 GMT

Here you are—after years of paying rent and negotiating with landlords—you're finally ready to buy your own home. Congratulations! You're investing in yourself and your future, laying down some roots and taking the next step in your life's journey.

Whether you're starting a family or just giving yourself more space to pursue your interests, buying a house is the first step on a path of big changes. But don't fret—you've paid rent, you're responsible—you can handle this. After sorting your finances and saving for a down payment, if you check a few new things off your list, you'll totally own being a homeowner.

New expenses

Paying rent and utilities may have given you some experience with monthly household expenses but, as a homeowner, you'll need to familiarize yourself with mortgage terminology and start budgeting for new household expenses. Because you own the property, all of the costs and payments associated with it are your responsibility. Make sure you arm yourself with knowledge and stay protected.

This table breaks down some of the basic expenses:

Expense	Description	Due
Mortgage	A mortgage is a loan you get to pay the difference your down payment can't cover. Payments cover the loan plus a percentage of interest over a period of time. In the short run, your payments cover more of the interest than the loan but this changes over time as you pay down the debt and own a greater percentage of the home.	Monthly or bi-weekly or accelerated repayment plans
Mortgage insurance	If you are unable to afford a down payment of at least 20%, mortgage insurance is put in place to protect the lender in case you default on your mortgage payments. It is calculated as a percentage of your total mortgage amount (2.80%–4.00% as of March 2017) and can be paid upfront or rolled into your mortgage payments.	Included in mortgage payments or paid upfront
Homeowners insurance	Home insurance can help cover the cost of damage to your property or belongings in the case of things like fire or theft. It can also protect you if a visitor is injured in your home or if you cause accidental damage to someone else's home. Insurance premiums depend on the type of coverage you choose and how much money your property is worth if it needs to be repaired or replaced.	Annually or monthly
Condo or community fees	In a condominium or in some communities, these fees cover shared expenses among residents (for example, cleaning, landscaping, snow removal, maintenance, security and staff).	Monthly
Property taxes	Property taxes are calculated as a percentage of the market value of your home at the beginning of each year by the municipality you live in and cover basic services such as waste collection, sewer protection, road and draining maintenance, snow removal, street lighting, and emergency services like fire and police. If you buy a home and the seller has prepaid their property taxes for the whole year, you'll need to reimburse them a prorated amount.	Monthly or upfront annually
Utilities (water, electricity, natural gas, etc.)	When you own a home, you are responsible for the cost of your own utilities based on your usage.	Check with individual providers

Handling emergencies

So you're handling all your monthly payments and settling into homeownership well when, all of a sudden, your basement floods or your furnace breaks or those pesky squirrels from your garden have made a new home in your ceiling. What do you do?

Always be prepared! In addition to the expenses outlined above, it's important you have an emergency fund. Although home insurance can protect you from some things, you have to be prepared to pay for unexpected repairs—especially if you buy an older house.

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada recommends starting with a realistic amount with the goal of gradually saving the equivalent of three to six months of regular expenses.

Being a good neighbour

Having good relationships with your neighbours will make all your lives better. Hosting a BBQ or inviting them over for a drink is a good way to foster a positive neighbour culture. In addition to getting joy from being part of a friendly, tight-knit community you'll also help make it safer.

Be courteous by keeping your yard and sidewalk clean and offer to help when your neighbours go away.

Learn to be handy or be okay to pay

When something breaks or stops working, you won't be able to just call the landlord anymore. As a homeowner, you have to be prepared to make fixes yourself. You can probably afford to set up a small workshop in your home to manage these projects—and even get good at them. Maybe you're the type of person who loves a challenge and you'll be handling significant renovations yourself!

If you don't have time to manage all of that or the job is too complicated for your level of handiness, you can always find a professional to help—just be ready to cover the costs. If you live in a condo, your condo fees may cover some types of maintenance and repair. Make sure you review the terms so you know what to expect.

Even if nothing is broken, planning and budgeting for small upgrades over time like new carpeting, doors, light fixtures, or paint will help keep your home up to date. Continuing to add value to your home requires money and time beyond the initial investment, so be sure to keep that in mind.

If you keep these things in mind, make a budget and leave some room in it for the unexpected, you'll settle into homeownership comfortably and gracefully. Your REALTOR® can help you navigate these new challenges so don't be shy to ask questions—you're not alone!

If you've been asking yourself—“Am I ready?”—lately, you probably are.

Source: Realtor.ca

Should We Airbnb a Room in Our Home?

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 03:43:00 GMT

With the booming sharing economy and travellers often preferring to forgo traditional hotel stays, the notion of renting out a room in your home (or the entire house itself) could seem appealing. But before you jump into peer-to-peer short-term rentals, there are some things you should consider:

Costs of hosting: starting up, cleaning, higher utility bills and more

Becoming an Airbnb host requires some startup cash along with ongoing expenses. These include the costs to set up and furnish the space, ongoing utility and cleaning fees which is usually not more than $30 per room.

You'll want to make sure each guest space is attractive and has all the amenities that a weary traveller needs such as fresh backup sheets and plenty of towels. A savvy host can reasonably furnish an empty room for about $1,000. However, $500 can do the trick if you already have an extra bed. Big box stores can help supply furniture for a range of pricing.

The upside of being a host is that if you work hard, possess excellent customer service skills and treat the platform like your own personal business, the revenue generated from the listing can surpass the initial startup costs and provide a nice monthly return.

Have you read: Is Buying a Home and Renting It Out a Good Investment?

Permissions

If your property is controlled by a homeowners' association or co-op, check its rules to make sure you're allowed to host; some may restrict Airbnb activity, while others may have no issue. If you rent, you'll want to get your landlord's blessing.

A proportion of Airbnb hosts could very well be renters, who may or may not be telling their landlord. It is recommended to get your landlord's approval through a signed agreement. In most Canadian provinces, tenants cannot rent out their apartments without the approval of their landlords.

Airbnb Canada details here how tenants should go about this process.

Taxes and business licenses

Depending on where you live, you might require a business license and you might owe local taxes on any income you earn.

Quebec law requires short-term rentals of less than 31 days to obtain a licence from Tourism Quebec. Vancouver has proposed regulations that only allow the issuing of short-term rental licences for a primary residence — meaning the host, whether owner or tenant, must live in the dwelling. This rule targets hosts with multiple investment properties who operate as commercial hosts and eat into the housing stock.

Toronto has proposed a two-pronged approach to licensing, requiring both companies such as Airbnb and hosts to register and pay an annual fee. Hosts of short-term rentals in Toronto would be required to pay an annual fee ranging from $40 – $150.

As tax is a relatively complex topic, Airbnb has provided some information about local regulations in different Canadian markets. Above all, it's good to consult a tax professional to get more specific information.

Clean + Declutter

You'll want to tidy your space, present it in the best possible light and hide your valuables before you photograph it.

Like the listings you love to peruse here on REALTOR.ca, the photos and listing title are the first thing a potential guest will see on Airbnb. This is your opportunity to catch their attention.

You can either take your own photographs or contract out a professional photographer. Many hosts opt for professional shots, given how important eye-catching photos are for your space's profile.

Before photographing, ensure that you prep by arranging suitable lighting conditions and use a quality camera (now available on most smartphones).

Insurance and liability

Airbnb's Host Guarantee provides up to $1 million in insurance coverage for property damage in 29 countries, including Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Airbnb's insurance is not a substitute for homeowner's or renter's insurance and it doesn't protect against theft or personal liability.

Airbnb states that damage to a host's property (home, unit, rooms, possessions) in every listing is covered up to $1 million USD. However, hosts must provide documentation as part of the resolution process. Payments made through the Host Guarantee are “subject to Host Guarantee Terms and Conditions,” meaning there are exclusions, limitations and conditions. As well, it's common for Airbnb hosts to receive emails from Airbnb, at random, informing them that various terms and conditions have changed.

Call your insurance company to see what is covered, as some home insurance policies cover short-term rentals. But if there are multiple short-term visits, the insurance company might require you to buy a business policy that would cover a hotel or a bed and breakfast.

Damage

Airbnb's host guarantee doesn't protect against wear and tear to your place, but you can charge a security deposit to cover possible damage.

Installing a reasonable security deposit is a no-brainer move for new hosts. Airbnb allows hosts to set up a security deposit to cover minor damages that would not be covered under the Host Guarantee. For example, if a guest breaks a door handle while staying at your property, you'll want to replace that before the next guest comes.

However, Airbnb won't consider this damage to be major and won't cover it under the Host Guarantee. As a result, this becomes an out of pocket expense for you, unless you charge the guest a security deposit. When guests make a reservation, they are not immediately charged for the deposit – only if a host makes a claim.

Even if a host is only renting a single room, a security deposit is a safe move just in case anything gets damaged.

Getting paid

Airbnb could require you to refund a guest's payment if you cancel a reservation at the last minute, forget to leave the key, misrepresent your listing, don't clean your home or otherwise fail to meet Airbnb's hospitality standards. Airbnb suggests making sure you're available during the guests' scheduled check-in to address any concerns.

Airbnb's payment system is quick and efficient. Payments are sent through direct deposit after the guest completes their first night (regardless of the length of stay).

When a guest books a host's space, they also agree to the host's cancellation policy, which dictates the percentage of the booking costs (minus Airbnb's cut), if any, they will get back. Most moderate policies allow a guest to cancel within two days of the first night to get their money back. Less moderate policies allow the host to collect more of the booking money.

Host cancellations also happen from time to time. One study found host cancellations are the top complaint on Airbnb, representing about 20% of all complaints.

Depending on when a host cancels a stay, they'll be deducted either $50 or $100. If a host cancels three or more reservations within a year, Airbnb may deactivate the listing.

To Airbnb or not to Airbnb

If you talk to enough long-time Airbnb hosts, they'll be able to tell you an endless number of stories about inspiring and interesting guests who shared their home. Others might have bad experiences. There are clear potential advantages and disadvantages to becoming an Airbnb host.

However, if all the regulatory checks are taken care of, the space is up to par and you're taking your hosting responsibilities seriously, the platform can serve as a nice way to earn extra cash and meet interesting travellers from around the world.

The article above is for information purposes and is not financial or legal advice or a substitute for financial or legal counsel.

Source: realtor.ca

Find out if the Loft Lifestyle is Right for You: Everything You Need to Know

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 16:17:39 GMT

For some people, living in a city loft is the epitome of style; think skyline views, plank hardwood floors, exposed brick walls and heritage features offering inimitable character. With open floor plans and central locations, lofts make ideal crash pads for downtown living. However, the loft lifestyle isn't for everyone.

Here are a few things to know before deciding if a loft is the right home for you.

The high rise of loft living

Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash

Lofts today are seen as upscale urban dwellings for city slickers, but this wasn't always the case. In the 1950s and ‘60s, New York City's decommissioned factories and industrial warehouses became popular housing alternatives for artists and bohemians.

Lower costs and high ceilings made these spaces perfect canvases for galleries and workshops of large-format artists, like Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. Warhol famously converted a loft on East 47th Street in Midtown Manhattan into a studio called The Factory, which became a denizen for artists like David Bowie, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Debbie Harry and Lou Reed. Rent cost $100 a month at the time.

Andy Warhol at ‘The Factory’, 1966, via Kristine on Flickr

As uptown art buyers turned up for exhibitions and downtown happenings, the lure of the loft lifestyle prompted many to buy and retrofit lofts of their own. As the affluent moved in, market values went up and lofts became hot commodities.

“Over the next few years, magazines praised the versatility and the creativity of loft design,” writes Sharon Zukin in Loft Living: Culture and Capital in Urban Change. “In many lofts, the integration of work space, living areas, and art objects was paralleled by a fluid adaptation to structural features (primarily light, floor and volume) and “incidental” arrangements.”

Loft living was instrumental in defining the Industrial aesthetic. And perhaps more importantly, the popularity of lofts redefined a way of living in the city.

The difference between hard lofts and soft lofts

Demand for the “loft look” has inspired many developers to replicate loft aesthetics in newly-constructed developments. Known in real estate as soft lofts, these constructions mimic characteristics of typical lofts, such as open concept spaces, large windows, high ceilings and exposed features.

Photo by Yucel Moran on Unsplash

By contrast, hard lofts can be found in heritage buildings, vacant factories and other places that have been repurposed for residential living. While these industrial buildings tend to be a little rougher around the edges, they often abound with character via exposed brickwork, original wood beams and other inherited traits.

Photo by Orlova Maria on Unsplash

Two-storey lofts

Photo by Antoine Gayraud on Unsplash

Unlike single-floor lofts, two-storey lofts have the advantage of offering occupants more privacy. Two-storey lofts often preserve the open concept feel by limiting the reach of the second storey. Often, this top tier overhangs the first floor and is finished with open walls, so the bottom floor is kept in view. Bedrooms are the most common use for the second floors, as added distance allows for more privacy. Two-storey tall ceilings and walls are often utilized for an expansive gallery of windows.

Pros and cons of loft life

Photo by Nathan Van Egmond on Unsplash

Because soft lofts tend to be more modern constructions, they're often equipped with more modern furnishings, plumbing and electricity. Hard lofts, on the other hand, may require more work and repairs, depending on the condition of the property. Tall ceilings can mean tall energy bills, too.

While hard lofts were once located in rundown parts of the city, many of these areas have gentrified and transformed into vibrant urban centers thrumming with activity. For young professionals who work in city centers, lofts are often well connected and ideally located for short commutes and enjoying the cultural advantages city life has to offer.

Arguably, the primary feature of a loft is an open-concept layout. This setup is ideal for those who feel at home in tall and airy spaces but, for others, it can lack privacy and coziness. These spaces are ideal for singles or couples but can become cramped when children enter the equation. Likewise, hosting company can pose the occasional challenge, especially for a more private person.

Decorating your loft

Lofts leave space for a fair deal of decorative freedom, but also pose some unique challenges. Here are a few design tips to help you make the most of your loft lifestyle.

Define spaces

Via Jennifer D. Ames on Creative Commons

Use large pieces of furniture, such as L-shaped couches, bar counters, bookcases, or even folding screens to help divide and define spaces in your loft. In small spaces, curtains can make for good hanging room partitions. Install a curtain track so they can be easily drawn or closed.

Opt for oversized art

Stay true to the loft's legacy by investing in a large painting or sculpture. Small pieces tend to get lost on tall ceilings and in open spaces, whereas larger prints and installations have obvious impact and can help to organize space.

Add contrast with soft furnishings

Photo by Israa Hilles on Unsplash

A large area rug lends warmth to hardwood or concrete floors typically found in lofts. Try curtains instead of blinds for window coverings, as they can bring contrast to gridded industrial panes, while still exposing their character. Look to Urban Modern design for examples of how to embrace this aesthetic.

Embrace character

Photo by Matthew Henry from Burst

Think twice before covering up raw features of your loft like exposed brick walls or open ducts and beams in the ceiling. These characteristics are prized by fellow loft buyers.

Ready to embrace the loft living? Work with a REALTOR® to help you find the perfect space.

Source: realtor.ca

The Sky’s the Limit: Guide to Skylights

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 17:30:40 GMT

I often find myself dreaming up features I would want in my dream home. At the top of my list is an outdoor wood-fired oven, a spiral staircase, a “she shed” and many skylights.

Why skylights? They're dramatic, they make spaces feel larger, create a strong connection with the outdoors and the natural light they provide is beneficial to both people and house plants. Skylights can be fairly easy to install with the help of a professional but, as with all home renovations, there are a few things you need to know before you kick off the project. We have the lowdown on the big things to think about before getting started.

Types of skylights

Before cutting holes in your roof, you need to determine which type of skylight is best for your home. There are three main types:

1. Fixed

Photo via Flickr

The most common skylight option, fixed skylights (as their name suggests) are sealed to the roof and do not open for ventilation. They are a great option for vaulted and flat ceilings as they let the light pour in and help enhance the view. If you're looking to install a skylight in a hard-to-reach location, fixed skylights might be your best option.

2. Vented

Photo by Anne Dudek on UnsplashPhoto via Wikipedia.org

Vented skylights open slightly and allow natural light in along with fresh air. They are a beautiful and dramatic solution to small spaces without windows that open— like an attic— as well as spaces with excessive moisture, like kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms. Vented skylights have options to open either manually or with an electric motor, so don't worry if you envisioned one in a room with cathedral ceilings.

3. Tubular

Photo via Wikimedia Commons (image cropped)

Tubular skylights (solar tubes) are a great option if space restrictions make installing a traditional skylight difficult and are best for small, enclosed spaces like closets, hallways and pantries. Tubular skylights are complex in their function. A roof-mounted parabolic lens collects light throughout the day and dispenses it down a highly reflective tube that releases light indoors through an interior fixture. Keep in mind that while you will gain more natural light with a tubular skylight, you won't gain a view.

Things to consider before installing a skylight

Permits

There might be regulations in your region requiring a special building permit for installing new windows (or a skylight in this case). Check with your municipality first.

Glazing

Glazing can improve energy efficiency by reducing the effect of heat gain in the summer and loss in the winter. Glazing is usually either plastic or glass. Plastic is generally less expensive but has less UV protection, where glass is more durable and won't discolour (plastic might over time).

Positioning

Installing a skylight means precise measurement of your roof and ceilings. The exact placement will depend on the location of your rafters and the slope of your roof. Be sure to consult a professional before making any permanent decisions. They can also make sure installation is completed correctly in order to avoid leaks. Inside, you'll also want to consider the level of exposure you're looking to achieve and keep in mind the added sunlight will likely increase the temperature of your room.

As a general rule of thumb:

Skylights on east-facing roofs bring in early morning light.
Skylights on west-facing roofs provide afternoon light and heat.
Skylights on north-facing roofs provide consistent light.
Skylights on south-facing roofs will bring in heat during the winter but may let in too much over the summer.

Cost and installation

In Canada, the average cost of installing a skylight can range from $500 to more than $4,000, with installation being the most costly. The price of the skylight itself will vary based on its size, glazing and type but, generally speaking, tubular skylights are the most affordable, with fixed skylights being somewhere in the middle and vented skylights being the most costly.

Skylights can be a beautiful addition to any home, whether you have little natural light or loads of it and just want more. Once you've selected the skylight that's best for you, determined where to put it and sorted out your permits and installation costs, you will be able to enjoy this upgrade to your home for years to come.

source: realtor.ca

The 10 Most Popular Laundry Rooms on Houzz Right Now

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 03:37:00 GMT

These favorite spaces combine function and high style

This Trending Now story features the most-saved laundry room photos uploaded to Houzz since July 1, 2019.

If you’re looking for ways to make your laundry room look and function better, you might consider wild wallpaper, a custom drying closet or even a yellow rolling ladder to access high-up shelves. These ideas, and more, feature in the most-saved laundry room photos recently uploaded to Houzz, presented here in descending order.

KBG Design

10. Farmhouse Fresh

Shaker-style cabinets, a vintage-style sink and a soft color palette give this San Francisco laundry room classic farmhouse style. The designers at KBG Design elevated the look with a stunning textured backsplash tile that reflects the light. The clever compact layout functions well thanks to a folding counter on top of the appliances and a drying rod over the sink.

Find an interior designer on Houzz

The Cabinet Gallery

9. High Contrast, High Style

This Salt Lake City laundry room by The Cabinet Gallery has a farmhouse look that’s quite different from the previous example. While both have Shaker-style cabinetry and classic hardware, the black countertop and black-and-white plaid tile on the floor provide strong contrast to the white cabinets and subway tile. And the pendant light, picture frame, faucet, appliances and cabinet pulls add a sophisticated mix of metallic finishes.

VBM Home

8. Gorgeous and Glamorous

April Rossdeutscher of VBM Home transformed this space into one that makes doing laundry seem downright glamorous. Quartz that mimics Nero Marquina marble, a custom brass-colored library ladder and high-gloss white cabinets with black-and-brass handles make this Hollywood Hills laundry room a star.

Kresswell Interiors

7. Wallpaper and Warmth

After toiling away doing laundry in a dark, unfinished basement, this homeowner wanted a more warm and inviting space. Kristina Eustace of Kresswell Interiors elevated the laundry area with a gorgeous peacock-themed wallpaper, wood countertops, farmhouse-style sink and leather cabinet pulls.

Browse white farmhouse sinks in the Houzz Shop

Haven Design and Construction

6. Well-Planned Drying Cabinet

The pros at Haven Design and Construction made the most of every corner of this 70-square-foot room. There’s a dog-washing station, a utility sink and plenty of storage and countertop space for folding. But it was the drying cabinet, shown here, that really grabbed Houzz users.

A vent inside helps draw moisture out of wet clothing. There’s room for hanging clothes as well as sliding shelves that allow the homeowners to lay items flat. The decorative grilles on the doors let the air in with style.

Acacia Architects

5. Happy and Bright

A cheerful floral pattern on the walls and sink skirt perk up even the coldest, darkest Minneapolis days for these homeowners. The designers at Acacia Architects carried a leafy green from the pattern over to the shelves. A window bathes the room in light.

Grantham Woodworking

4. Dog-Friendly Destination

In this Arizona laundry room, the pros at Designlink Architecture and Interiors created plenty of room for laundry- and dog-related items. The rough-sawn rift-cut white oak shelf and the pull-down drying rack add warmth to the space, while Shaker-style cabinetry keeps things classic and clean.

Soda Pop Design Inc.

3. Light Blue and Beautiful

Cynthia Soda of Soda Pop Design gave her clients a hardworking mudroom-laundry room that looks elegant but can handle heavy traffic. The dark floors can take whatever gets tracked in during Ontario’s snowy winters. Meanwhile, the light blue cabinets and diamond-pattern backsplash tile make things pretty. The homeowners opted for stackable appliances to make room for extra storage and space to hang clothes for drying.

New Generation Home Improvements

2. Tiny Space, Big Impact

This small laundry closet contains some major style. The bohemian vibe in the Los Angeles casita by New Generation Home Improvements carries all the way to the back of the closet. There’s a vintage-style red sink and dramatic blue wallpaper, and even the machines are blue. Small details such as the oval mirror and woven laundry basket are the icing on the cake.

Becky Rose Design

1. Minty Fresh and Organized

The most-saved laundry room, which is by Becky Rose Grinwald, features light green cabinets, white subway tile and ample folding, storage and hanging space.

source: houzz.com

8 Eco-Friendly and Natural Tips to Make Your Home Smell Fantastic

Mon, 23 Sep 2019 02:48:00 GMT

Everyone loves walking into a home that smells amazing.

Unfortunately, many products, such as aerosol room sprays, plug-in units or wax melts, also come with questionable ingredients and unnecessary packaging.

If you crave a wonderful smelling space in a more natural and earth-friendly way, it's never been easier. We've compiled this handy list, along with a few simple DIYs that will be as delightful to your wallet as they are to your sense of smell.

1. Reed scent diffusers

Reed diffusers, a low-maintenance home scent option, use natural hollow reeds that absorb a scented oil and naturally disperse the fragrance into the air. It's easy to dial the effect up or down by adding or removing the reeds and the vessel can easily be refilled when the oil has evaporated.

Pro Tip: Keep these out of the reach of pets and young children to avoid finding a giant puddle of oil on your living room rug.

2. Eucalyptus in the shower

There's nothing like the crisp smell of eucalyptus to add a refreshing element to your bathroom routine. This plant has long been touted as an anti-inflammatory, so it's especially helpful if you're feeling a cold coming on. Roll a few sprigs of fresh eucalyptus under a rolling pin to unlock their aromatic oils, then tie the bundle with an elastic and hang it over the back of your shower head. The warmth and humidity of the shower will release the leaves' healing essence. Bonus: this trick will also make your bathroom look even more Pinterest-worthy.

Pro Tip: Some research indicates eucalyptus can be dangerous for young children and babies, so skip this option if you share your bathroom with little ones.

3. Orange clove pomander

A favourite around the holidays, orange clove pomanders bring a spicy, warm and delicious fragrance into your home. They also make for a fun family craft! All you need are some fresh oranges and whole cloves. Use a toothpick to punch holes in the orange peel, and press in the little clove “studs” in any pattern you choose. Soon you'll have a bowl filled with bedazzled, heavenly-smelling oranges.

Pro Tip: Dispose of fresh orange pomanders before they can develop mold–usually after a few days. To prolong their life, you can also hang them from a length of twine in a cool, dry place until dried. This will also enhance their irresistible scent.

4. Essential oils on your furnace filter or vacuum cleaner bag

A few drops of your favourite essential oil will easily diffuse throughout your home with a little help from the forced air of your furnace or vacuum.

Pro Tip: Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet before vacuuming to help deodorize at the same time.

5. Lavender linen spray

Refresh your linens between washes (and gain instant credit as the host with the most delightful-smelling sheets) with a DIY lavender linen spray. Believe it or not, low-priced vodka makes the best basis for this concoction: simply mix one part vodka (or witch hazel) with three parts water in a glass spray bottle, Next, add 10 drops (or more depending on your preference) of high-quality lavender essential oil. Spray whenever a sheet, curtain or closet is in need of refreshing.

Pro Tip: Lavender is known for its calming properties, so this spray can pull double-duty as a pillow spray to help you nod off to dreamland.

6. Cotton balls with essential oils

Adding a few drops of your favourite essential oil to cotton balls is one of the simplest DIY home scent hacks that can also go pretty much anywhere. Stash them in your closet or drawers, in bathroom cupboards or behind your computer at the office (if scents are permitted). Be careful not to add too much oil or the ball may leave a stain on surfaces.

Pro Tip: Scented cotton balls are an easy swap for plastic car vent air fresheners. Simply wedge a few into your dash vent or under the floor mats. When the heat is on, the hot air will swirl the fresh aroma around your vehicle.

7. Vanilla or almond extract on light bulbs

Here's a sweet way to scent your space at the flip of a switch— remove a cooled light bulb from its socket and apply a few drops of pure vanilla or almond. Allow it to dry fully and replace it back in its fixture. Anytime you turn on the lights, you'll be rewarded with a yummy glow, as the warmth of the bulb spreads the scent throughout your room.

Pro Tip: This trick also works with lemon juice if you prefer the zing of citrus.

8. Simmering potpourri

This eco-friendly method fills your home with fragrance using only water and what you can find around the kitchen. All you need is a simmering pot of water on the stove (or in a slow-cooker). Add a blend of your favourite scents: apple cores, citrus peels, extracts or whole spices such as cinnamon sticks or star anise. In no time, your space will be infused with delicious, comforting or invigorating smells.

Caution: The use of certain essential oils may be hazardous to young children or pets. Always research the safety of any essential oil before using it in your home.

Source: realtor.ca

5 Common Bathroom Design Mistakes to Avoid

Sun, 15 Sep 2019 01:51:00 GMT

Get your bath right for the long haul by dodging these blunders in toilet placement, shower type and more

Adding to or remodeling your house is one of the most exciting and creative processes you can go through. But with all that responsibility comes pressure to make informed decisions that will last. How can you make sure to get the right design for your lifestyle, stay within your budget and maximize the return on your investment? Start with a great design for every room in your house — including (or especially) the bathroom.

Bathrooms, whether big or small, should always be well thought out and carefully located, and should function with multiple users in mind. We’re long past the era where there was one bathroom for every three bedrooms in the house, and everyone had all the time needed to use it. Today’s bathrooms need to be beautiful, use space efficiently and serve the users functionally. Avoiding common design blunders, as these rooms nicely do, can help you be happier with your bathroom for the long haul.

Fireclay Tile

1. No View Out

No one likes a dark, damp bathroom with bad circulation — it’s no fun spending time in a space like that. If you’re building or relocating a bathroom, try to site it on an outside wall with windows.

Shop for bathroom vanities on Houzz

aegis interior design ltd

If windows are not an option, installing an operable skylight can allow for the fresh air and natural light needed to make the space feel comfortable.

Find a bathroom designer on Houzz

Strandemo Home

2. A Clear View In

I once worked on a large remodel for which the existing design had a bathroom in the dining room — seems kind of like a conflict of interests, right? Whenever possible, avoid locating the bathroom directly off one of the home’s public rooms — like the kitchen, living room or dining room.

This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to put in a long hallway, but create some sort of formal separation to break up the line of sight. The last thing you want is to be sitting in the living room with a glass of wine and looking straight into the bathroom at the toilet.

Dylan Chappell Architects

3. Making It All About the Toilet

That leads me to my next blunder: Avoid making the toilet the first thing you see in the bathroom, and avoid any sightlines to it from adjacent rooms. I like to put the toilet and shower in their own room while keeping the sink separate. This allows someone to take a shower while someone else gets ready at the sink. In the bathroom floor plan here, the wall between the two rooms adds only a couple of inches to the overall size of the bathroom but doubles the room’s functionality.

Studio Steinbomer

4. Curbed-Shower Enthusiasm

A curbless shower makes a bathroom feel bigger and look cleaner — plus, it’s very practical for aging-in-place homeowners, since it adheres to universal design principles.

Norman Building & Design

This look is fairly easy to achieve in a new bathroom or a remodel — just make sure you mention it to your architect or contractor prior to construction.

Adams + Beasley Associates

5. Thinking Bigger Is Better

That’s right: Bigger isn’t better; better is better. Whether you’re designing a large master bathroom in your dream home or trying to figure out how to squeeze in an extra bathroom for your growing family, the most important aspect of your new bathroom is that it has a great design that functions efficiently for your specific lifestyle.

CTA Design Builders, Inc.

The truth is, great design is less about how a bathroom looks (although it’s always nice when it looks fantastic) and more about how it works. Great design translates to a house that functions better, costs less to build, is more efficient to maintain and gets you more for less.

Source: Houzz.com

6 Unexpected Bathroom Makeover Ideas

Mon, 09 Sep 2019 16:27:40 GMT

1. Vibrant Vanity

Designers: Aly Glavin and Dara Barber of Pure Design Works
Location: Vero Beach, Florida
Size: 100 square feet (9.3 square meters)

Homeowners’ request. Open up and brighten a windowless main bathroom.

Great idea. Vibrant green vanity (Lounge Green by Sherwin-Williams). “Each room of the house has a bold cabinet color, which determined the scheme of the rest of the room and ties the whole project together,” designer Dara Barber says. “We had seen a lot of emerald green but wanted to do a brighter version to keep the coastal vibe and brightness in a space with no sunlight.”

Pure Design Works, LLC

Other special features. “We kept the rest of the palette very simple using whites and grays to offset the green,” Barber says. “We incorporated wood elements to keep it soft and remind us of the driftwood on the beach right outside the condo.”

Designer secret. “We originally designed linen cabinets for the walls opposite the vanities,” Barber says. “During framing we found they worked better in the toilet room, which freed up these walls for towel bars. This gave us the opportunity to feature a pair of custom paintings that bring the outside in and reflect perfectly in the symmetrical mirrors.”

“Uh-oh” moment. “We realized there was no wall space for hand towels at this vanity, so we decided to install the cabinet hardware horizontally on the sink doors to match the drawer hardware and also serve as a hand towel bar,” Barber says.

Vanity lights: Denton, 24 inches, LBL Lighting; faucet: Purity, Kohler; countertop: quartz; floor tile: Alamo Gris wood look, 8 by 48 inches, ITM Importers; wall paint: Horizon, Benjamin Moore; paintings: Cathryn Miles, Shain Gallery; mirrors and accessories: Pure Design Works

See more of this home | Browse bathroom vanities

Dina Bandman Interiors

2. Tile Wainscoting With Wallpaper Above

Designer: Dina Bandman
Location: San Francisco
Size: 30 square feet (2.8 square meters); 7½ by 4 feet

Homeowners’ request. Completely remodel and reconfigure a blue-tiled bathroom by adding a pocket door and swapping the location of the vanity and toilet.

Great idea. Calacatta Gold marble subway tile wainscoting with beveled edges and chair rail with whimsical wallpaper above (Flamingos by Cole & Son). “I wanted to be mindful of the fact that this was also a shower, a wet room, and I wanted to find a way to preserve the paper as best as possible,” designer Dina Bandman says. “The tile wainscot was the perfect solution.”

Dina Bandman Interiors

Other special features. Shimmery shell tile in shower. Calacatta Gold marble basket-weave floor tile.

Designer secret. “This tiny bathroom has seven different tiles,” Bandman says. “At one point the tile vendor told me he thought I needed to eliminate one or two tiles to prevent the room from feeling overdone. My instincts disagreed, and I’m so glad I stuck to my plan.”

“Uh-oh” moment. “Because of the small size of the bathroom and the new location of the toilet, there was not enough space for the new shower door to swing out,” Bandman says. “Unfortunately, California building codes do not allow shower doors to swing in, so we had a problem to solve. We ended up eliminating the shower door completely and opting for a single pane of glass instead. The result is clean, elegant and totally works in this space.”

Mirror: Mabel, Made Goods; vanity: Universal two-leg single washstand, Waterworks

See more of this project | Find a bathroom designer on Houzz

JMJ Studios

3. Behind-the-Vanity Tiled Feature Wall

Designer: Julie M Johnson of JMJ Studios
Location: San Francisco
Size: 20 square feet (1.9 square meters)

Homeowners’ request. A small powder room tucked under a staircase in a home office.

Great idea. Tiled feature wall behind the vanity. It gives this small space a big visual boost.

JMJ Studios

Other special features. Floating vanity. Rope lights. Leather-framed mirror.

“Uh-oh” moment. “We had difficulty getting door hardware that would work for our application, since the door was not a typical installation,” architect Julie Johnson says. She ended up going with a magnetic touch latch that allows the door to close so it’s flush with the surrounding casework. A handle on the inside allows users to open and close the door from within.

Tile: Doheny small in charcoal, Liaison collection by Kelly Wearstler Mosaics, Ann Sacks; vanity: Duravit; lights: Etsy; wall paint: Mountain Peak White, Benjamin Moore

See more of this home

Yellow House

4. Textured Tile Feature Wall

Designer: Jennifer Corteville of Yellow House
Location: Birmingham, Michigan
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters)

Homeowners’ request. Transform an early-1990s bathroom into a serene spa-like space with a claw-foot tub.

Great idea. Textured tile feature wall. “We chose the textured wall to bring warmth to this large bathroom and give visual interest behind the freestanding tub,” designer Jennifer Corteville says. The tile is split-face limestone from Ann Sacks.

Yellow House

Other special features. “The client really liked the look of the historical console vanity,” Corteville says. “It pairs really nicely with the claw-foot tub but provides a storage challenge. To keep the vintage look but maximize storage, we purchased RH console bases but used a custom countertop to span the console bases and a custom storage piece. The combination of these pieces marries the vintage and contemporary elements of this bathroom.”

Console vanity base and sconces: RH; vanity base: custom quartersawn white oak Wood-Mode cabinets in matte shale finish with graphite glaze, Clare Dunkel & Associates; faucets: California Faucets; medicine cabinets: Robern, Ferguson; rug: Coyuchi; countertops: Caesarstone; wall paint: Aura Bath & Spa, Benjamin Moore; project photographer: Morrison Imaging

See more of this home

Chroma Home

5. Wallpaper Accents

Designer: Maria DeGange of Chroma Home
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Size: 62½ square feet (5.8 square meters); 12½ by 5 feet

Homeowners’ request. Convert an original 1970s guest bath into a practical, easy-to-care-for bathroom, on a budget, with a soaking tub and safe access to the shower for the homeowners’ visually impaired son.

Great idea. Wallpapered partial walls (Aquarium by Osborne & Little). “It presents images of colorful fish made out of crochet-like stitches,” designer Maria DeGange says. “As the house is in Florida, and the wife loves crochet and a bit of whimsy, I knew that was the perfect choice. The paper comes in three colorways, but the black makes an amazing effect, especially contrasting white surfaces, which I had in this case.”

Other special features. DeGange placed the faucet controls on the long wall to make it easier to turn on without getting sprayed by the shower head. The controls sit amid cascade-style accent tiles that form a stripe, creating a focal point in the room. Other special features include ceramic subway tile for the main wall areas, a mercury glass pendant for the toilet area, wood-like porcelain floor tile and a mother-of-pearl vanity mirror.

Designer secret. “This wallpaper has a pretty big-scale pattern, which could be a scary choice for most people for such a small space,” DeGange says. “Sometimes big-scale items make a small space look bigger, so I took that risk.”

“Uh-oh” moment. “When we gutted the old shower, we found a huge hole on the wall that you could see outside,” DeGrange says. “Ants were coming through. We had to seal and fix the wall from the exterior and also add insulation from the interior part of the wall. That was not part of the budget.”

Wall paint: Alabaster, Sherwin-Williams

See more of this bathroom

Archetype Architecture

6. Shower Wall Feature Tile

Designer: Melinda Wolrab of Archetype
Location: Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City
Size: 80 square feet (7.4 square meters); 8 by 10 feet

Homeowners’ request. “The client loved the color blue, so we incorporated that in each of the four bathrooms we designed,” designer Melinda Wolrab says.

Great idea. Geometric-patterned tile feature in the shower. “The client saw this tile on one of our shopping trips and fell in love,” Wolrab says. “We decided the mosaic was very busy for such a small space to have everywhere, so we created the small inset in order to incorporate the feature.”

Other special features. Brass bath fittings and accessories. Imported Italian marble wall and tub-surround tile.

Designer secret. “Use a neutral palette with a pop of color to create an impact in a small space,” Wolrab says. “And have a few complementary feature moments. Here we used the vanity and the mosaic inset as our star moments.”

“Uh-oh” moment. “Waiting and waiting for the carton of Dolomite marble tile to arrive from Italy,” Wolrab says. “Luckily our client was very patient and willing to wait for this beautiful stone.”

Vanity: Amora, Ronbow; feature tile: Large Setsumi Zebra, AKDO; bath fittings: Purist collection in vibrant modern brushed gold, Kohler

Source: Houzz.com

10 Clever Hacks for Small Kitchens

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 17:38:55 GMT

If there's one part of the house where clutter can quickly build up, it's the kitchen. With so many tools, cookware and gadgets, where can you keep everything without feeling like you belong on “Hoarders”? If you've tried some of these space-saving ideas and crave further inspiration, check out these 10 ways to make the most of small kitchen spaces.

1. Ditch the fruit bowl

Many people have the token fruit bowl—or basket—that takes up prime real estate on their counter. Try placing small bins inside a deep drawer to store fruit and vegetables that don't need to be refrigerated.

Photo via Pinterest

2. Store on the door

With just a little paint and some hooks, you're all set to make your own measuring station and conversion cheat sheet on the inside of a cupboard door. Just think, no more searching on your smartphone or tablet with sticky, food-covered fingers.

3. The great shelf recession

Installing shelves between inner wall studs is an efficient way to maximize space and an eye-catching way to store pantry items.

4. Up your pegboard game

Pegboards are a fantastic way to make use of vertical space in your kitchen. Pegboard kits and components can be found at most hardware stores and adding a coat of paint will make them blend or pop with existing kitchen décor. Try using different styles of pegboard hooks (straight, curved and multi-tool) to hang your cookware and utensils in an organized and tidy fashion.

5. Spice things up

Clean up that jammed spice and baking cupboard with some magnetic spice canisters. Not only handy for spices, but also smaller baking ingredients like baking soda, baking powder, sprinkles or coloured sugar. They sit easily on the side of the fridge or metal strips on the sides of or underneath cabinets. Label them with a personal flair by using chalkboard paint or custom labels.

Photo via ohmeohmyblog.com

6. Sliding with style

An ingenious way to make use of extra space around your fridge is to build a sliding cabinet for smaller items like canned goods, spices and kitchen tools. Not only do they look good, but your guests will be all over your space-age kitchen design.

Photo via Pinterest @jenwoodhouse

7. Space with a repurpose

Small kitchens require getting spatially creative when cooking. A DIY stove cover means extra counter and prep space. Consider using a beautiful wood cutting board or something personalized.

Photo credit: Instagram @101residential

8. Tip-out below your counter

If your kitchen has false drawers in front of the sink, you can convert them into handy tip-out trays that store sponges and scrubbers- keeping them off the counter and out of the way.

Photo via Pinterest @thekitchn

8. Plain sight, on the side

A rail rack is a superb solution to avoid cluttered drawers by allowing you to conveniently hang utensils on the sides of your cabinets, within reach yet out of the way. They are usually low-cost to either purchase or make yourself.

Photo via Pinterest

9. File folders—more than just office supplies

These low-priced office supplies make great holders for things like food wraps, sandwich and freezer bags, container lids or cutting boards. Mounting them on the inside of a cupboard door keeps them within easy reach.

Photo credit: Pinterest @thekitchn

10. The window of opportunity

If your kitchen has a window, consider making use of that space by installing curtain rods across it and using hooks to hang pots and pans. You could also consider adding a floating shelf or two across your kitchen windows, too.

It's amazing how much space you can find in a small kitchen by changing the way you approach storage. Plus, having a clutter-free space makes cooking more enjoyable. You might even be ready to host the next family holiday meal—a feat long considered impossible, until now.

Source: Realtor.ca

Staging Techniques to Attract Better Buyers

Sun, 25 Aug 2019 00:49:00 GMT

Highlighting a space's best features and making it feel lived-in but also universally livable is in the details. You need potential buyers to see themselves in the space—knowing that it is staged—but still get drawn into the fantasy of making it their own. Staging is a proven tactic for increasing the value of your home and getting it sold faster.

Clever staging in high-end markets is even more crucial, with some professionals spending upwards of $400,000 to attract the right buyer—but for good reason! That spend can make a million-dollar difference in the sale. That budget might seem like an outrageous stretch for your listing, but applying similar methodology to houses in the average buying bracket can have powerful results.

These staging tactics—some fairly standard (scent, lighting, curb appeal); some with more panache—could help you attract better buyers and sell your home for more.

Universally livable

You're not just showing off the space, you're giving people a glimpse into the lifestyle they're buying. Potential buyers are more inspired to buy when they're able to see themselves in the home—so omit your family photos and personal keepsakes.

Personal items can be easily replaced with things like a cocktail making set, contemporary art or even a borrowed collection of rare vinyl. Just like in multi-million dollar listings, you want to fill your space with items that are desirable and aspirational.

Staging professionals have been known to replace personal family photos with striking landscapes and travel adventures. Some will even go as far as hiring actors and even pets to produce family photos to suggest a lifestyle to prospective buyers.

These tactics may seem a little extreme, but if you can think of simple ways to help the right buyers envision themselves in your space, you'll be off to a good start.

Rent a vintage or luxury vehicle

In one of the most expensive houses ever listed in the United States, the seller included a more than $30-million U.S. collection of classic and exotic cars, collectables and even a helicopter.

Okay, that's an extreme example, but exotic and classic cars can be rented from businesses, rental apps or even local car owners to help strike a subconscious chord that gets buyers excited and attached to the listing.

Add a bar

Multi-million dollar listings often have a wine cellar, complete with bottles on loan to impress buyers.

Displayed properly, wine and spirits can help your listing punch above its weight class. If you are left with a variety of expensive bottles after the sale, you can put them towards a celebration in honour of all those who helped make it happen.

High-end staging gets results

In hot markets, staging might just mean a thorough cleaning and decluttering, but in other markets—especially in vacant or high-end properties—these extra details can have a greater impact.

Taking these tactics and applying them yourself with the input of your REALTOR® could make a surprising difference in the sale of your home.

More on staging: 8 Tips for Staging Your Home This Winter, 9 Things to Never Leave Out During an Open House

Source: Realtor.ca

Stairs: The Functional Focal Point

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 13:50:48 GMT

Stairs are an often-overlooked but hardworking feature of your home. They take you from A to B, they're the stage of that adorable video you shot of your puppy learning to climb them and they've endured endless feet running down and then back up when something has been forgotten in a bedroom. “Upstairs” even pulls overtime shifts as an adverb, adjective and noun.

Remember, the stairs are often the first thing you notice when you walk into a house. Let's turn this often more utilitarian construction into the beautiful focal point your home deserves.

A big personality

A good staircase can do a lot to add new flow to your home and even change its personality; from traditional to contemporary, unassuming to head-turning, busy to breezy. If your home is feeling a little ho-hum, why not consider elevating your stair game?

Be sure to do your research before you start tearing things up; a staircase transformation can be costly and time-consuming, especially if you want to move your stairs from one side of your house to the other. Remember, you won't be able to easily access your second floor during these renos so plan ahead—you might need to camp out on the main floor for a night.

Stand in Scarlet O'Hara's shoes

A Scarlet O'Hara staircase, or split staircase, is the height of luxury to many. Those sweeping bannisters curling up into a second-level balcony are the scene of many prom and bridal photoshoots. If you have the room to spare in your home's foyer and love a grand entrance, a split staircase can do wonders to open up your space.

Multipurpose, but make it fashion

Utilitarian design still has its place here—just jazz it up. Rather than a classic cupboard under the stairs, transform that storage space with sleek drawers and cabinet doors to hide away winter gear in the summer, your old DVD collection, luggage or whatever else always finds its way under the steps.

If your straight staircase is closed in, that blank wall can feel detached; you can't put much against it since that area is often a thoroughfare. A photo gallery will fill it up, but why not warm up to new ideas? This custom-built fireplace is a great use of space and makes the stairs the focal point for the room.

Loft life

A spiral staircase might give off loft vibes but there's no rule book when it comes to adding stairs to your home, big or small. In some cases, a smaller space might benefit the most from a flashy spiral staircase. This highly decorative wrought iron staircase is a work of art in its own right and ties the room together by matching with the granite countertop of the kitchen.

Of course, a spiral staircase isn't for everyone, especially if you have mobility issues, small children or even pets. To help decide whether a spiral staircase is the right move for you, your family and even your home, consider asking your friends, family and REALTOR® for their opinion and insight.

Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery

Marry the wow-factor of unique show-stopping stairs with the harmony of your home's décor and colour palette by matching your treads, railing, balustrades or risers to the motif of your home. Choose the same wood for your staircase as your hardwood floors—it's a great look if you're going with floating-style stairs.

The black countertops and backsplash in the kitchen below perfectly match and compliment the black railing and balustrades of the staircase and make the oak of the flooring, cupboards and stair treads seriously pop.

Don't forget the frills

Photo by Alessia Cocconi on Unsplash

Ambient lighting can happen along the stairway, as well, especially if you backlight the railing. Not only can it help prevent any nasty spills in the night, but it's also a seriously polished look. For added effect, you could light up the risers or use LED strips as runners à la the movie theatre.

Looking for a stairway to inspiration? Take a look through our Pinterest board. We're always adding new eye-catching staircase pins.

With a bit of creativity and a construction budget to boot, put your stairs to even better use as the breakout star of your home's interior design. But before you get building, check out these reno tips for more information on building codes and materials that might work best.

Source: realtor.ca

Room Colour Psychology: Choosing the Perfect Shade

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 03:05:00 GMT

Colours influence our emotions and mood in a number of surprising ways. According to colour psychology, the right paint shademay enhance productivity, promote calm, boost creativity levels and even increase your appetite.

We dug a little deeper to unlock the meaning behind your favourite paint colours and the rooms they work best in. Keep in mind, it's not just colour that makes an impact; the intensity of the shade is also important.

Bedroom

Your bedroom is your oasis. If relaxation is your goal, you'll want to opt for soft, soothing colours—lavender, soft green or pale blue. Purple and blue are said to be stress-reducing shades. While deeper tones can often be intense on your walls, a muted amethyst or powder blue keeps things calm and cool. A neutral palette also works well in a bedroom, since you can always change out your décor accents to suit your mood. If you love bold colours like red or yellow, use a muted shade and opt for an accent wall instead of an all-red bedroom.

Kitchen

It's no surprise Martha Stewart is singing the praises of warm tones for this high-traffic area, as they're said to have a comforting effect. Red and orange are incredibly versatile and are thought to stimulate the appetite. This year, make way for terracotta and dusty rose—these kitchen-friendly colours are making a comeback.

Living room

Grey is a popular neutral for any room but looks particularly elegant in the living room. Grey is a safe bet, since it's versatile and will go with most styles of furniture, so you won't have to repaint even if you redecorate. Lighter hues will make your room seem bigger, while darker greys can add drama. Grey works fabulously as a backdrop for Scandinavian, Industrial, Urban Modern and Minimalist designs.

Office

Blue is an intellectual colour, representing trust, logic, communication and efficiency. Green works great for an office, too, promoting calmness and concentration. Use blue or green as the primary colour in your office area if you require intense focus. If you're looking to spark creativity, however, yellow is your friend. Yellow is an emotional hue, representing friendliness, optimism and inspiration. Not brave enough to highlight all four walls? Choose one as a focal point, ideally the wall your desk will face. Remember, you can play with the shades–your space doesn't need to be all-over neon.

Kids' room

Kids are extra sensitive to a colour's psychological effects and green in particular may have a calming, soothing impact. We recommend involving your children in the process and letting them choose a colour that speaks to them (within reason). They generally have great intuition about how certain colours make them feel. Avoid using wall-to-wall red in a baby's room and save it for accents only, as it can be overstimulating.

Bathroom

The best way to make any bathroom appear larger is to use light colours. Play with happy, pastel colours like yellow and pink, don't be afraid to mix in some bright wallpaper as well. In small doses, pink has a calming effect but, if overused, can lead to irritation.

Of course, paint colours are highly personal and should complement your existing furniture, lighting and taste. There are no “wrong” colours when it comes to designing your home. The best hues are the ones that speak to you.

Source: Realtor.ca

How To Get a Construction Mortgage Loan to Build Your Dream Home

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 21:28:35 GMT

For most, the fantasy of building a dream home is just that—a fantasy: the perfectly styled gourmet kitchen, the shower big enough to fit an elephant and every tiny detail carefully considered to be exactly what you want.

As a trained architect, it haunts me that at my age I still haven't designed and built my own home. With so much to consider, where do you begin? As always, a good place to start is with your budget.

The Basics: what is a construction mortgage?

If you want to build a home from scratch or if you're planning significant renovations or expansions to an existing property, a construction mortgage can help give you the financial framework to make it happen. Essentially, it begins as a loan to finance the build during the construction period. When the construction ends, the loan is due and it becomes a normal mortgage.

To qualify, you'll likely need:

good to excellent credit;
A stable income;
low debt-to-income ratio; and
a down payment of 20%

Loan funds, totalling the full amount needed to complete the construction, are given to you in stages called “draws” throughout construction. Common stages include: purchase of land, foundation, framing, lock-up (for example, doors, windows and roofing) and completion. The work is inspected by the lender at each stage to ensure it's complete before the next draw is made available. Most lenders charge a fee for this inspection that goes beyond the cost of the loan. Also, keep in mind this inspection is different from the ones you'll require as part of your permit, so be sure the work is up to code.

If you're buying a new construction home through a builder, your construction loan is secured directly with them so you won't need to get one yourself.

Starting point

First thing's first: you need to consider what type of home you plan to build and how large you want it to be. Specific rules vary by province, so make sure you're well informed before you start. You'll likely want to (and may be required to) enlist the help of a licensed architect and/or engineer to help develop your plans.

When building, you might be inclined to align your build's design with your wildest desires and whims. That might be fine for your forever home and if you have no intentions of ever leaving but, if future resale is a consideration, you might want to avoid unusual elements or unconventional floor plans. A REALTOR® is a great resource to help guide you through the most common and sought-after features of your neighbourhood.

Another consideration is the land you're going to build on. Do you want to raise animals or have a farm? Is accessibility an issue or do you think it might be? How important is privacy? If you're building a custom home to retire in, think about the future of that location and how its accessibility could factor in later in life.

Choose what you want, but choose wisely. If you are buying your own plot of land to build on (opposed to buying a new home through a builder with predetermined land) you may need a different type of loan. Vacant lots can come higher interest rates and require larger deposits. Be sure to discuss your intentions with your bank so you can look at all of your options.

Getting the mortgage

A construction loan can be obtained at any major bank or broker. The loan can be a fixed or variable rate depending on your preference and payment needs.

Pro tip: fixed rate vs. variable rate

The difference between a fixed rate and a variable rate mortgage is fixed rates set the interest rate for the term of the loan, whereas the interest rate of a variable rate mortgage may go up or down depending on market conditions.

Be sure to ask your lender the draw dates and percentage payout of their loan, as well as their inspection fee at each phase.

Post-approval

Once you're approved (congratulations!), the construction mortgage can secure the purchase of land with an initial draw or pay off any existing loan if the property has already been purchased.

You'll be able to request subsequent draws from the lender as the construction moves forward, pending inspection.

Timing

Timing is the key to ensure everything runs smoothly. Consider the schedule around the completion of your project, including payment of subcontractors and inspection fees. You'll also want to consider the sale of your current home or whether you'll need to find a place to live in the meantime.

Post-construction

Once the scheduled construction is complete and on-time, the bank or lender will convert the loan into a mortgage with regular interest and principal payments.

A construction loan/mortgage, coupled with the assistance of licensed, professional trades and contractors could be the key to your dream home! Imagine the satisfaction from moving into a house tailor-made just for you.

The article above is for information purposes and is not financial or legal advice or a substitute for financial or legal counsel.

Source: Realtor.ca

How to Create a Brew-tiful DIY Coffee Bar at Home

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 12:49:55 GMT

Even though we all have the ability to make coffee at home, there's something comforting about recharging at our favourite coffee shop. Money doesn't matter, because we're not just paying for a $5 cup of coffee—we're paying for a vibe. Good tunes, dog-eared magazines and beat-up leather chairs pull you in like quicksand. And that sensory punch of ground beans and steamed milk? It's a delicious addiction.

The coffee shop is so beloved and ubiquitous that some modern workplaces have even gone so far as to emulate that coffee shop feel at the office. But why not take it a step further and recreate your favourite café atmosphere at home?

When you break it down, the coffee bar “look” can easily be achieved with a few carefully curated items and essential equipment. Soon, you'll have friends and family dropping into your kitchen for a cup of java instead of the local!

Pick your style

Photo by Katlyn Giberson on Unsplash

First, nail down the design elements you love about your latte loafing headquarters. This is best determined by doing some research and visiting a few other shops to suss out the vibe. Do you gravitate towards the stark Scandi approach? Are you most at ease in an Industrial setting? Or do you err towards the comfortable, colourful cafés of bold Bohemia? Whatever your preferred design style, think about whether you're planning on working in your home café or simply want to use the space to hang out.

Lighten up

Photo by Sabri Tuzcu on Unsplash

Coffee shops generally rely on lots of natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows. The further recesses are easily warmed by floor lamps and swing arm reading lamps. If possible, create a café nook near a window and remember, pendant lights over countertops create ideal lighting for spreading out the weekend paper.

Shopping list: lighting

Scandinavian: Satin nickel LED floor lamps, drum-shaped wooden and metal flush mounts.

Photo by Nicola Fioravanti on Unsplash

Industrial: Foundry lamps, seven-light cluster pendants, oil-rubbed bronze caged ceiling lights, aviation-inspired double blade fans.

Photo by Tomas Jasovsky on Unsplash

Bohemian: Geometric pendants, Turkish Moroccan lanterns, aged brass pharmacy floor lamps, antique stain wicker blade fans.

Photo by Omar Tursić on Unsplash

Take a seat

Photo by The Creative Exchange on Unsplash

It all comes down to ergonomics versus slouching. If your kitchen counter is going to double as a workstation, matte iron counter stools are sleek space-savers but aren't designed for the long haul. Window seats or banquettes offer casual flopping spots in micro spaces and can be piled up with throw cushions that lend to your look.

Shopping list: seating

Scandi: Polypropylene desk chairs, beech wishbone chairs with woven seats.

Photo by Blake Parkinson on Unsplash

Industrial: Drafting table stools, adjustable height swivel stools.

Photo courtesy of Jules Torti

Bohemian: Pear-shaped twill bean bags, Bardi's bowl chairs, howdah (traditionally used to carry people on the backs of elephants and camels), chunky knit or leather poufs.

Photo by jose aljovin on Unsplash

Against the wall

Ingridi Alves Photograph on Unsplash

Don't overlook the surface that allows you a free-range canvas of possibility! While you can rely on paint to achieve coffee shop coziness, textured options like faux brick walls will flip a room instantly. Consider open shelving with apothecary jars or hang unexpected art pieces like a spray-painted beach cruiser bike or an old axe or dart target board.

Shopping list

Scandi: Create your own blackboard surface with paint or visit a printer to design a retro vertical flat menu with your favourite or peculiar coffees from around the world like Scandinavian Egg Coffee. It's a thing!

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Industrial: If you don't live in a former warehouse with exposed brick, you can still achieve the look by purchasing faux brick wall panels and applying the German Schmear technique (a carefree whitewash of mortar and paint). It's a simple DIY with gratifying results.

Bohemian: This look offers so much freedom—from elephant tapestries, Batik designs, antlers or a collection of mismatched mirrors… anything goes.

In re-creating your favourite coffee shop at home, don't forget the vitals. Canvas friends for soundtrack requests or swap magazine piles. Grab games like Mahjong or The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Game. Have an ongoing Scrabble board for drop-in players—everyone must leave a word.

Most importantly, start collecting cool mugs, buy good beans and hone those barista skills!

Source: realtor.ca

How Much Room Do You Need for a Kitchen Island?

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 21:55:29 GMT

Installing an island can enhance your kitchen in many ways, and with good planning, even smaller kitchens can benefit

A well-planned island layout can allow a smooth workflow and provide a comfortable space for preparing and cooking food. Islands also frequently provide space for dining, working and storage. But while a well-planned layout offers much enjoyment, a poorly planned island can be frustrating. This is particularly true if there is insufficient space for an island to begin with. If you’re considering a kitchen island, follow these tips to help you decide whether you have enough space to make an island work for you. And if you don’t, discover what else you can try.

Nukitchens

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

When it comes to kitchen islands, don’t assume that if your kitchen is small, an island won’t be possible, or that you can’t include the options you want. There are many possibilities for making an island work, even where space is limited. Most kitchen companies or designers offer options with a reduced depth, a customized height or extra-large cabinets tailored to suit a specific design and the space it is intended for.

Create your island with a kitchen designer on Houzz

Agnieszka Jakubowicz PHOTOGRAPHY

Determine Your Clearance Zone

When clients ask if they have room for an island, designers must consider factors such as how many people live in the house and how they use the space. But first and foremost, they need to know the size of the room.

In a rectangular room that’s 16½ feet (5 meters) wide and 19¾ feet (6 meters) long, the main run of cabinets would be positioned along one of the walls. The depth of the cabinets from the back wall to the front of the cabinets will measure about 25 inches (650 millimeters). Within the design, you should leave a gap between the countertop edge on the back run of cabinets and the island’s countertop edge. This space between the two working areas forms part of the island’s clearance zone, which is the space surrounding the island.

The ideal distance for the clearance zone is about 3 feet (1 meter). This is best for enabling free and safe movement around the island and throughout the kitchen.

Timeless Kitchen Cabinetry

Consider safety. A safe distance for your kitchen island also includes the right amount of clearance between the island and the opposing cabinets and appliances, so that all doors, drawers, ovens and dishwashers can be opened safely and without obstruction.

Potentially the most dangerous item is always the dishwasher door. These doors open downward, so if you walk past, you risk tripping, falling and hurting yourself or others — particularly dangerous if you’re carrying knives or hot food. As such, it’s best to leave more space. The minimum distance you should allow between two fully extended drawers on opposing runs is about 3 feet (900 millimeters).

COOPER Design Builders

Squeeze an Island Into a Smaller Kitchen

Islands can vary in size and shape, but the minimum recommended size of a fixed kitchen island is about 40 by 40 inches (1,000 by 1,000 millimeters). Although small, these dimensions still allow for a practical working island, including the option of integrated appliances.

An island of this size would require a minimal clearance zone of 31½ inches (800 millimeters). This is the smallest possible distance for safe and unobstructed passage. A clearance zone of this distance would be suitable for one person working in the kitchen but not, ideally, for two, as the space would feel cramped and could be hazardous.

See more compact kitchen ideas

AJB Kitchens

Plan a Multifunctional Kitchen Island

A kitchen island can be extremely efficient if it is planned from the outset as a multipurpose workstation. An example is this island with seating, cubby storage, workspace and a gas cooktop. The layout was well-considered to accommodate the owner’s needs while maximizing space.

Crisp Architects

Stay in Proportion

The average size of a kitchen island is about 3 by 6½ feet (1,000 by 2,000 millimeters). This would typically have a surrounding clearance zone of about 40 inches (1,000 millimeters). But an island’s size is usually determined by the distances around it, so it makes sense that larger rooms can allow for bigger islands. But something too large for the room could spoil your kitchen’s aesthetic. A good kitchen designer will help you determine just how large you should go.

By not keeping an island’s dimensions proportional to its surrounding space, you also risk creating a cramped environment with an impractical and inefficient workflow. Even navigating around an island can be a chore if it’s too big. Also, in a larger space, it may seem logical to allow a wider walkway between the island and the work surface opposite — there is a drawback to this, however: A clearance zone wider than about 4 feet (1,200 millimeters) means the layout will be less comfortable to use, as the gap between the island and the countertop will feel less user-friendly.

Pike Properties

Go for a Galley Island Layout

Chefs typically prefer a galley kitchen layout, which features two parallel runs of cabinet, for safety and ease of use. This is something you can adapt to use with an island too.

A galley island layout allows you to stand at the island but turn with the spin of a heel to reach the workspace behind. In a well-executed design, this allows safe and easy access to all work surfaces, cabinets and appliances during cooking. But beyond a clearance of about 4 feet (1,200 millimeters), most users would have to pivot and then step to reach the countertop opposite. This creates a disconnect between the two spaces and can make the kitchen feel laborious to use.

Turkel Design

Ensure That the Countertop Will Fit Through the Passageway to Your Kitchen

In addition to figuring out if an island will fit your kitchen space, consider the countertop size it will require as well. Some countertop materials have a maximum size limit before requiring a visible seam, which you may prefer to avoid.

Also — and this may sound obvious — be sure to check that your chosen countertop will physically fit inside your house and into the kitchen before you order it. If, for example, your kitchen can be reached only via a narrow flight of stairs or winding passageway, you may have no choice but to reduce the size of the island for the countertop to fit in one piece, and without the unwanted seam.

Mattingly Thaler Architecture

Investigate Island-Style Alternatives

If you are set on a kitchen island but your space is just too small, there are various options.

The most dramatic is to rearrange your layout and open up the room to create more space. This may mean altering some of the interior structure, such as taking a wall down to make an open-plan setting or building an addition.

That, of course, won’t be feasible for every kitchen. So smaller-scale options include the use of butcher blocks, moving islands and trolleys — all great options when there’s no space for an island. Eye-catching in their own right, these small islands can be extremely functional, offering extra storage space and work surface. They are also much less costly than a fixed kitchen island.

Shop for kitchen carts and islands on Houzz

Jack Trench Bespoke Kitchens & Furniture

Break From the Norm

When it comes to kitchen islands, there is a multitude of possible layouts, shapes and sizes to choose from. You may choose a small island with a raised breakfast bar for extra height and work surface. Or why not go for something really different — like this dramatic round island?

Jameson Interiors, Inc.

Consider a Kitchen Peninsula

Finally, there is the option of a kitchen peninsula rather than a full island. The word “peninsula” comes from the Latin for “almost an island,” and a kitchen peninsula shares most of the same appealing qualities as a kitchen island but is fixed at one end. Peninsulas are a practical and functional choice for small kitchens because, with one end fixed to a wall, they take up less floor space.

A peninsula also doesn’t require the same clearance as an island. For example, an average-size island, about 4 by 8 feet (1,200 by 2,400 millimeters), would need a clearance zone of about 3 feet (1,000 millimeters) on all side. But a peninsula in the same space would, of course, require that extra yard (meter) only on three sides — giving you back valuable space.

Source: Houzz.com

RRSP vs. TFSA: Which is the Best Investment Tool for First-Time Home Buyers?

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 21:21:39 GMT

So you've decided you're ready to buy a home. Now the real work begins—saving enough money for a down payment.

“It's absolutely critical the down payment is a good size on a first home—somewhere in the range of 10 to 20%,” says Lesley-Anne Scorgie, a personal finance author. “The rationale simply being that the habit of saving is the same habit you'll need for actually owning a home—keeping up with the payments and preparing yourself and your bank account.”

There are many online mortgage calculators available to help you determine how much home you can afford. REALTOR.ca's mortgage affordability calculator can help guide you through this entire process. It's important to save a healthy down payment to avoid, what could be, steep mortgage insurance fees.

To help, the federal government has set up a number of tools you can use to build up sizeable savings, including Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) and Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs). Each offer benefits for first-time home buyers to help them achieve their home purchasing goals.

“For most first-time home buyers who earn an income of over $60,000, the RRSP is a very good choice, as they're building up their down payment while they receive the benefits of a reduced tax bill,” said Scorgie. “That money can then be put towards further beefing up their RRSP, with the ultimate goal of taking out the money for buying a home.”

First-time home buyers can use their RRSPs towards their down payment, which again, isn't taxed. Recently, the federal government's 2019 budget increased the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) withdrawal limit from $25,000 to $35,000. The repayment period starts two years after the funds are withdrawn, and one-fifteenth of the withdrawn funds need to be repaid each calendar year (over a max of 15 years) or it will be taxed as income.

“When you pool that with a spouse or a partner, they can each take out that amount in their RRSPs. When you have 15 years, that's a nice length of time to pay it back,” Scorgie said.

There is one drawback: When money is withdrawn from an RRSP, it's not invested in any financial markets but rather in the real estate market. Home buyers are trading off one market exposure for another. In real estate, your investment is exposed to the fluctuations of the local market. Meanwhile, money invested for the long-term in stocks, bonds or mutual funds is exposed to the changes in the financial market.

“If you feel you'd be better off making more money in the stock and bond market, keep your money there. Consider instead taking the money you need for the down payment out of a TFSA,” says Scorgie, adding it can also be a better option when household income is lower.

For example, if you've been over 18 since 2009, you would have TFSA contribution limit of $63,500 in total; $5,000 for each year from 2009 to 2012; $5,500 for each of 2013 and 2014; $10,000 for 2015; $5,500 for each of 2016, 2017 and 2018; and $6,000 for 2019. (TFSAs were not available before 2009).

“If you invest your money in a TFSA, there's no penalty for using that money for a down payment. You can also re-contribute all that money back because you get your limit back. You can keep saving. There aren't many drawbacks,” Scorgie said.

In the end, it really comes down to a personal preference between an RRSP and a TFSA. According to Scorgie, you could also use both to improve your savings power.

“In expensive markets, it's very common to use both,” explains Scorgie. I would say 90% of first-time buyers in expensive markets have to use both because of the limit of the RRSP.”

Saving for a down payment is hard work, no matter how you choose to do it. Be sure to take advantage of all the savings tools at your disposal and, before long, your dream of homeownership could become a reality.

A REALTOR® can help recommend a mortgage broker, online tools, and make sure you're getting the most bang for your buck when negotiating the sale of your first home.

The article above is for information purposes and is not financial or legal advice or a substitute for financial or legal counsel.

source: realtor.ca

Your Guide to Shopping for Home Insurance

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 15:59:09 GMT

Becoming a homeowner is about more than simply finding your dream home. Before closing a deal, you'll have secure your financing, complete inspections and set up your home insurance.

Insurance companies take many factors into consideration when compiling your quote, but they don't all ask the same questions. Quotes can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. The goal when purchasing home insurance isn't just to find the lowest price. It's wise to speak to at least three different insurance companies (or a broker who will present you with quotes from multiple insurers) to compare prices and coverage, so you can find the plan that best suits your needs and budget.

While some things are out of your control, like the age of your home or the area's risk of water damage or flooding, knowing which questions to ask and which details to provide can help you get the best price for the best coverage. Before you get stuck paying more than you need to, here are a few things to bring up to each company when you're shopping around for a quote.

Your existing policies

Via Giphy

If you have an existing auto or life insurance policy, you could be eligible for a bundle discount. Speak to your existing insurance lender; this will set the bar when it comes to negotiating with other lenders, but don't automatically assume your agent will be giving you the best price.

When I moved from a condo to a detached home, even with bundled auto and home policies, a different insurance lender was able to provide me with a quote of nearly $250 less (for the same amount of coverage) than my existing insurer had quoted me. So always remember to shop around even if your existing lender offers you a discount.

Your credit score

Via Giphy

Credit scores aren't something most people think about when purchasing home insurance, but if you and your partner are buying a home together, try putting whoever has the higher score first on the application. For example, when my boyfriend and I swapped out his name for mine (my score is about 40 points higher), we managed to lower our quote by $300.

If you're buying a home solo, work on improving your score as much as possible before you begin the insurance application process. Pay off credit cards and student loans (if possible), and pay your bills on time. The higher your credit score, the more you could save.

Location and other details

Via Giphy

Many factors affect your home's insurability and insurers can't inquire over every detail. Make sure to point out any additional features making your home less of a liability. If you plan to revisit the home before closing, drive around the area and keep an eye out for a few things:

Fire hydrant: A fire hydrant on your property or across the street will lower your premium.

Via Giphy

Sump pump: A sump pump is vital if the area has a high risk of flooding. If your home has a sump pump, your insurer may lower the water damage premium.

Fire or police stations: The closer your home is to a fire and/or police station, the lower your premium will be.

Security system: If the home doesn't have a security system but you'd like the added safety, let your insurer know, and find out which systems are eligible for the best insurance discounts. Installing the cheapest system won't necessarily save you money, but the right one can lower your premium by as much as 15 to 20%.

Via Giphy

The roof: Some homeowners forget to inform their insurance company when they make an update, such as replacing the roof. If the insurer has it on file your roof was last replaced in the ‘80s, but the shingles look brand new, have your REALTOR® contact the seller to determine whether they've been replaced recently. The newer the roof, the less of a liability and the lower your insurance premium.

Amount of coverage

Via Giphy

Depending on the home's location and the company you're dealing with, you may be able to choose to increase or decrease the amount of coverage you get for certain parts of the home. For example, if you're moving to a high water-risk zone and your home has a finished basement, coverage will be costlier; but if you plan to strip the basement past the drywall and rebuild it in a year or two, you might not feel the need to have such high coverage.

Once you've found your dream home, the hardest part of your house hunt is over. But you're not done just yet! Now, you still need to inspect it, pay for it, insure it and decorate it. A REALTOR® is a great resource for helping you make informed decisions and navigate the next steps. Armed with this knowledge, you can negotiate for the best possible insurance quote for the best coverage and save yourself money and headaches in the future.

The Burden of Beauty: Instagram-Famous Houses Are a Curse for Residents

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 19:43:40 GMT

It's not hard to see why Rue Crémieux is a hit on Instagram. The stretch of pastel-hued row houses that line the cobblestoned road of Paris' 12th arrondissement is so charming, so picture-perfect, it's become overrun with influencers staging elaborate photoshoots.

Residents are fed up. Antoine, a local resident spoke with radio station France Info about how the Insta tourists have disrupted his daily life.

“We sit down to eat and just outside we have people taking photos—rappers who take two hours to film a video right beneath the window or partygoers who scream for an hour,” he said. “Frankly, it's exhausting.”

There's even an Instagram account that pokes fun at some of the ridiculous photographs taken by tourists on the street. Shots include everything from over-the-top fashion shoots, yoga poses in doorways and flash mobs, to popping champagne bottles… you get the idea.

Via Clubcremieux on Instagram
Via Clubcremieux on Instagram
Via Clubcremieux on Instagram

The candy-coloured houses on Crémieux are a relatively new phenomenon. In 1996, residents began painting their facades in bright hues in contrast to Paris' neutral palette. They could have never predicted their creative vision, emblematic of small-town European charm, would be a target for smartphone-wielding tourists. It's at the point residents are demanding the city close their street to visitors on evenings and on weekends.

Paris isn't the only city dealing with the dilemma of being too pretty for its own good. The picturesque neighbourhood of Notting Hill in London, England has its fair share of Insta-tourists flocking to their quiet neighbourhood, too.

Via marinelabezer on Instagram

Local Daphne Lamirel, who lives in the area, told The Standard she found the selfie-takers sweet at first. As their numbers grew, however, so did her annoyance. “The walls are quite thin and you can hear them laughing and directing photos from our living room,” Lamirel said, adding that on weekends, there are “at least four groups taking pictures at the same time.”

Via albabaig on Instagram

Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, the colourful Choi Hung apartment complex has gone so far as to post signs forbidding cellphone photoshoots. Vincent Yeung, who has lived at Choi Hung Estate almost his entire life, complained to the New York Times tourists are crowding the public basketball courts in front of his home. “There are too many people taking photos here,” he said. “My friends have gone elsewhere to play.”

Via jutaviajando on Instagram Via helenabordon on Instagram

Other residents aren't phased by the Insta-loving tourists. “It's nostalgic to see an old estate like this now attracting tourists,” explained K. Pang, who spent his childhood in Choi Hung. “I think it's pretty good, to make this place a tourist spot. It's better than not having people here.”

Indeed, it seems Instagram-famous homes and the locals have a dilemma. On the one hand, people love to experience beautiful homes, take photos and share them with the world. On the other hand, should residents have to deal with the added ruckus?

Thankfully, the days of perfectly posed pictures in front of pastel houses may soon be over. The Atlantic reports the carefully staged, candy-coated aesthetic on Instagram is giving way to more authentic, less manufactured images on the platform. As Lynsey Eaton, a co-founder of the influencer-marketing agency Estate Five explains, “the pink wall and avocado toast are just not what people are stopping at anymore.”

Of course, an appreciation for beautiful homes will never go out of style and you're certainly allowed to take photos when you travel. But it’s one thing to snap a picture on a pretty street; it's quite another to sit on the stoop of someone's home or use their windows as the backdrop for your music video.

If you absolutely must snap a photo, be respectful. Don't trespass; porches are private property, not your personal playground. Avoid staging lengthy, elaborate photo shoots and put your camera away if you see locals quietly enjoying their stoops in peace. A little consideration goes a long way.

Source: realtor.ca

A Guide to Smart Home Hubs and Devices

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 19:50:49 GMT

As use of smart home technology continues to grow, it's hard to keep up with what's out there, what's compatible and how it all works together. Setting up your smart home can be as simple as putting a device in your living room or as complicated as installing a system of interconnected devices that speak to each other; how intricate you want to get is completely up to you. Keep in mind, however, not every system will be compatible with every product.

Check out our guide to setting up your smart home and control your lighting, security, thermostat, music and more with these smart devices and hubs.

Entertainment and assistants

Photo by Andres Urena on Unsplash

The simplest “smart devices” are voice command speakers. Consumers can choose from an assortment of smart home systems, including Amazon's Alexa and Echo, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Samsung's Smart Things and more. These devices are typically voice command-activated and can do things like stream music,read news headlines, set reminders or tell you what the weather is going to be like tomorrow. In some instances, you can link up your smartphone and make hands-free calls, send messages and even answer calls. You can also find nearby open houses with the REALTOR.ca skill for Amazon Alexa. For those of you not using an Amazon Echo, no problem, simply download the Amazon Alexa app and enable the REALTOR.ca skill for Alexa to use on your phone!

Security systems

Security products like cameras and alarm systems tend to be most people's first foray into home automation. Smart door locks, alarm systems, cameras and movement sensors can offer peace of mind when you're away from home. August Smart Lock is an easy way to lock and unlock your doors remotely through a phone app, making it popular for offices and shared workspaces. The Skybell Doorbell lets you see who's at your door and speak to them through your phone, even if you're not home. Plus there are many alarm system starter kits out there, like Nest Secure, Go Abode, SimpliSafe and more.

Energy savers and automation

Photo by Dan LeFebvre on Unsplash

It's nice having things done for us, isn't it? One study suggests 1 in 6 Canadians have invested in some kind of home automation. Some of this automation makes our lives a bit easier—like scheduling the coffee maker to brew when your alarm goes off in the morning—but some can help save energy, too. LIFX smart light bulbs are Wi-Fi enabled and can be programmed to illuminate whenever you want, in a variety of colours. Smart thermostats like those from Nest, Honeywell and Ecobee, use sensors to help improve your home's energy efficiency by perceiving how many people are in a room and adjusting the temperature accordingly. They also allow you to make adjustments remotely from your smartphone. (In larger homes, you may need additional sensors).

The “home hub”

Photo by Status Quack on Unsplash

All of this technology can get overwhelming pretty quickly. If you want to be able to control everything from a single interface rather than delving into a dozen different apps, you're going to need a home hub. Smart speakers can only communicate directly with devices using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so if you're trying to automate your light bulbs or thermostat, you might need a software hub to unify your devices.

Most home hubs will be able to discover your other devices. Although technically not classified as hubs, Amazon Echo and Google Home have “Works With Google Assistant” and “Works with Alexa” programs so you'll know which devices will be compatible. (For example, Honeywell, Nest and Ecobee are just a few smart thermostats that work with Alexa). In addition, the Amazon Echo Plus works as a ZigBee hub. ZigBee and Z-Wave are alternatives to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and operate on a mesh network to control your devices.

It's important to note that while these devices can be helpful, you will need to do your research, as no one app controls every smart device on the market. Prioritize which features matter most and build from there. Before long, you'll have the smartest house on the block.

Source: www.realtor.ca

5 Ways With an 8-by-5-Foot Bathroom

Wed, 29 May 2019 18:52:33 GMT

Look to these bathroom makeovers to learn about budgets, special features, splurges, bargains and more

Will Solar Panels Add Resale Value to Your Home?

Mon, 27 May 2019 00:16:00 GMT

Solar technology is more reliable, more efficient and more affordable than ever. As some Canadians opt to harness the power of the sun, let's look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of going solar in 2019.

Things to consider

Unlike sunny California, Canada has long winters and fewer hours of sun during the colder months, making nuclear and hydroelectric power dominant in the Canadian power market. Although large-scale solar panels aren't always viable, there's ample opportunity to harness the power of solar at home all year, especially if you have a large roof with great sun exposure.

According to installer Adam Coughlin from Bison Solar, the broader and flatter your roof, the better. Steep or complete roofscapes aren't as conducive to solar panels.

If you have land to spare, you can install numerous or larger solar cells mounted on poles, for larger Kilowatt (kW) returns. The output power cable will have to be trenched back to the property to hook up with the main power feed.

Costs and savings

The upfront cost of installing solar panels is its biggest deterrent. While there's is no federal government rebate or tax incentive for installing solar panels, there are a handful of provincial and regional incentives to help with installation costs and offering rebates by selling your power back to the grid. Even with incentives and rebates, the initial costs can range from $15,000 – $25,000 depending on the size of the system. However, these costs have greatly improved over the years and are only poised to get better thanks to innovative technology.

“The price of solar has come way down from the olden days,” Paige Campbell, a Canadian who works for a company offering solar services around the world said. “There are amazing quality panels coming from Asia, which are in the $100s now and not $1,000s.”

The national average cost, including all components, installation and fees, adds up to approximately $3.07 per watt. For an average 7.5 kW system, you're looking at around $21,000 up front.

Solar offers savings because many provinces are beyond grid parity. You'll save on your monthly electric bill and in some cases, for systems under 500 kW, the extra power can go back into the power grid and be sold back to your power company for credit.

However, depending on solar power as your only energy source can have its drawbacks. When there's a power loss, due to a storm, for example, you'll lose power as well. Homeowners may want to consider investing in a backup generator.

Power coming from roof-mounted panels, directed into switching and the transformer then feeding into the existing home power supply feed on left.

In Ontario, the Net-Metering program allows for any electricity generated to pump back into the grid and result in a credit on your power bill. Ontario is the largest producer of solar power in systems below 500 kW due to various now-defunct programs like GreenOn and Feed-In-Tariff.

How does it affect my resale value?

With the proliferation of EV cars and the reduction in panel costs, solar energy is becoming a more desirable selling feature for a home. Solar panels can last up to 25 years and one American study found home buyers see them as an attractive upgrade, much like a renovated kitchen.

Source: realtor.ca

Fire-Wise Landscapes Can Help Keep Your Home and Property Safe

Fri, 24 May 2019 05:35:49 GMT

Choose fire-resistant plants and materials and create defensible areas using these design strategies

Firescaping incorporates the design of the landscape and property surrounding a home to lessen its susceptibility to fire. This can be achieved through a well-thought-out landscape design plan that specifies less combustible plants, incorporates fire-resistant materials and follows the advice and guidelines determined by fire-safe organizations.

In this article I’ve identified several landscape design strategies as well as some of the guidelines I’ve gathered from various professionals and fire-safe organizations in California. These methods will help keep your property and home safe without having to sacrifice having a beautiful and thriving landscape. For specific guidelines in your area, please refer to your state, county or local fire safety organizations.

The Philbin Group Landscape Architecture

Planning Your Landscape

Protect your home and property by incorporating fire safety guidelines and “buffer zones,” called defensible spaces, during the landscape design planning stages and beyond. These guidelines usually include the use and proper placement of fire-resistant plants and trees and other fire-resistant materials that you can incorporate into the landscape areas surrounding your home. Creating defensible spaces is also critical for safe access by firefighters.

Graphic from Cal Fire

Create and maintain defensible space. This infographic shows the recommended defensible space surrounding a home in California. Two zones make up the guidelines for the 100 feet of defensible space, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

Zone 1: The home defense zone is within 30 feet of the house. Within this zone you want to remove all dead or dry vegetation, as well as any dead or dying plants, and keep tree branches at least 10 feet from your chimney and other trees. Relocate wood piles into Zone 2.

Zone 2: The reduced fuel zone is 30 to 100 feet from the home, or to the property line. Within this zone make sure you cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of 4 inches. Create horizontal spacing between shrubs that are two to six times the shrub’s height, depending on the ground’s slope. Space trees 10 to 30 feet apart, depending on the ground’s slope. Remove all tree branches less than 6 feet from the ground. If shrubs are growing underneath a tree, allow clearance space of at least three times the shrub’s height to the tree’s lowest branch.

These guidelines were created for some regions in California. Check with your local fire jurisdiction to determine the guidelines and laws in your area.

Foundation Landscape Design

Incorporate nonflammable hardscape materials. This strategy will create fire-safe zones adjacent to your home and help keep your home safe should a fire approach.

Nonflammable materials include gravel, concrete, stone, steel, decomposed granite and other fire-resistant materials.

Use these materials for walkways, patios, retaining walls, planter edging, driveways or planter bed mulch.

Pat Brodie Landscape Design

Slow down or stop a fire in its path. This is an important goal in the initial landscape design phase as well as during ongoing maintenance.

Break up large planting areas with a combination of fire-resistant plants and noncombustible materials.
Reduce the quantity and the size of plants to reduce the fuel for fire.
Plant ground covers and shrubs in clumps or groups, rather than in a continuous pattern, to create breaks between them.
Avoid plant overcrowding to minimize plant competition for available water and nutrients.
Boulders, rocks, gravel or stone in pathways and as a ground cover for bare spaces help create an effective fire break.
Deciduous trees are often more fire resistant than evergreen trees because they have a higher moisture content when in leaf.
A property on a steep slope with larger vegetation requires greater spacing between trees and shrubs than a level property that has smaller and sparse plantings.

Classic Nursery & Landscape Co. / Alan Burke, asla

Other landscape design features that can slow down or stop a spreading fire:

Water features, ponds, streams or swimming pools.
Driveways, walkways, patios and parking areas composed of nonflammable materials.
A lawn positioned between your home and other plantings. Since drought-stricken areas present other concerns, there are many alternatives to the water-thirsty traditional lawn that are also very effective in slowing down a fire.

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Create a fire-safe zone around wood decking. Although decking products not treated with fire retardant are combustible, some decking is not highly combustible on its own, according to Cal Fire. Typically, other fuel sources, such as plant debris or other combustible materials stored under or on top of the deck, as well as combustible vegetation surrounding it, contribute to deck fires. Keep this in mind during fire season, and maintain your decks to keep them free of easily-ignited materials such as leaves and needles that accumulate between the deck boards, along the home’s siding and below the deck.

If you have your heart set on a new wood deck, look for wood that is treated with a fire retardant or other fire-resistant building material. Hardwoods from South America, such as ipe and cumaru, have high fire resistance (and many are sustainably farmed). A fully enclosed deck will offer added protection by eliminating a heat trap below it.

Another good tactic is to isolate the deck from fire by adding noncombustible materials, such as stone, concrete or gravel, along the front sides and below the deck to create a fire barrier.

5 Stone and Gravel Types for a Rockin’ Landscape

Greenwood Design Associates, LLC

Planting Your Landscape

Choose fire-resistant plants. There are no fireproof plants, but plants that possess a high moisture content are more fire-resistant. Many native plants are considered to be among the most fire-resistant plant for fire-prone regions.

Typically, native trees and shrubs are adapted to their native regions, deep-rooted and proficient at acquiring water from the soil and retaining it in their leaves. There are also many non-native plants that posses fire-resistant qualities. Some characteristics of fire-resistant plants:

They have moist and supple leaves.
They have little dead wood and tend not to accumulate dry wood and leaves.
Sap or resin properties are low.

Check your local resources for the recommended fire-resistant plants and trees in your region.

Find a professional landscape architect or designer near you

Gardens by Gabriel, Inc.

Add succulents. By now, most people are aware of the drought-tolerant and easy-care benefits of succulent plants. Besides these favorable attributes, succulents are also extremely fire-resistant. Succulents and cactuses store water in their leaves, stems and roots, making them some of the top fire-resistant plant choices. Many succulents require frost-free regions to live, but there are also species that survive in low temperatures. Check with your local nurseries for succulent varieties that thrive in your region.

Hortus Oasis

In a recent conversation I had with author and succulent expert Debra Lee Baldwin, she shared a story recounting how a grouping of succulents had shielded a vulnerable corner of a Southern California home during a devastating wildfire a few years ago. The homeowner says that the flames came within 6 feet of her home and then stopped.

She attributed the fire’s halt to the succulent Aloe arborescens, ironically called torch aloe, shown here. This aloe can reach 4 to 8 feet tall and wide and grows in USDA zones 9 to 11 (find your zone). Baldwin further explained that the fleshy leaves of succulents may cook in the fire, but they don’t burst into flames or spread the fire, thanks to their juicy water-holding attributes.

Zinnia Design

In addition to their drought-tolerant benefits and striking architectural beauty, succulent plants, along with noncombustible ground covers and hardscape materials, can serve as an effective and attractive “living safety shield” and offer added protection against fire to a home and its surroundings.

See more Houzz guides to growing succulents

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

You can see the eucalyptus trees shredding bark and the debris scattered beneath — deadly fuel for a fire, left. Juniper is shown, right, with unmaintained tall dry grass — two unwanted fire fuel companions.

Avoid highly flammable plants. Shrubs and trees that contain resins or oils in their stems, leaves or needles are highly flammable. Some of the offenders include juniper shrubs and eucalyptus, pine, spruce and fir trees.

Tasmanian blue gum eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) is one of the most flammable trees and is capable of releasing a flammable gas that sends out fireballs during a fire.

Juniper shrubs (Juniperus spp.) also contain flammable, volatile oils and accumulate dry leaves and needles, and they burn fast in a fire.

Check with local fire-safe resources for the fire-prone plants and trees to avoid using in your region.

The Sharper Cut, Inc. Landscapes

Maintaining Your Landscape

Prune all trees so that the lowest limbs are 6 to 10 feet off the ground.
Remove dead branches and debris in trees and shrubs and around all plantings.
Remove dead and dying plants.
Use a fire-resistant mulch material or gravel in planting beds to help retain the moisture in the soil.
Keep your irrigation system well-maintained.
Familiarize yourself with local fire-safe regulations and recommendations regarding vegetation clearances.
In low- or no-summer rain regions, be sure to keep plants irrigated. For native trees and shrubs that are not on a scheduled irrigation cycle, deep irrigate at least once per month, or as needed.

Find a tree service in your area

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Other Fire-Wise Maintenance Practices

The roof is one of the most vulnerable structures of a home during a wildfire. Fire-retardant roofing materials are of prime importance for protection and fire prevention.
Keep tree limbs at least 10 feet from rooftops, chimneys, power lines and other structures.
Keep leaves and other debris off of roofs and eaves.
Keep your home’s gutters free of leaves and needles, as they can easily ignite.

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

In the event of a fire, you can reduce how quickly the fire spreads and increase the survival of your home, your landscape and your family. There is a wealth of valuable information available through countless fire-safe organizations worldwide to further guide you.

source: houzz.com

What to Consider Before Buying a Century Home

Mon, 20 May 2019 23:35:30 GMT

There's something so appealing about a century home. From gingerbread trim to old-fashioned finishes, historic homes boast distinct “character” not easily replicated in newer builds.

If you're obsessed with classical details or an old-soul hoping to put down roots, a century home might be perfect for you. However, although full of charm and history, a 100-year-old home could come with a few problems. Here are six things you need to consider before buying a century home.

Do your research

Before you even consider putting in an offer, speak to a REALTOR® about the home's history. A REALTOR® can find out when it was built, whether the previous owners have pulled (or failed to pull) permits for additions and any recent major repairs the home has undergone. If you feel uncomfortable, don't be afraid to ask questions. Homeowners are required to answer honestly if they've had to do work on their home. For example, fixing a crack in the foundation or a leak in the plumbing. If you're hesitant about the cost to run a century home, a REALTOR® can also ask for copies of recent utility bills.

If you're satisfied with the condition of the home and decide to put in an offer, do not skip on the home inspection. A home inspector will analyze the basement or crawl space to make sure the foundation is intact, look out for signs of mould, structural issues and code violations that, if gone unnoticed, could potentially be hazardous and costly to repair. Should the inspector find any hidden problems, it can be grounds for you to ask the seller to fix the issues, negotiate a lower price, or break your sales agreement.

Plan for an added contingency fund

Via Pixabay

No matter the house, you should have a designated contingency fund for unexpected repairs. As homes age, they become prone to wear and are less likely to meet the most current building code standards. Depending on when it was last updated, you may need to fix things like wiring, plumbing and HVAC systems. Outdated electrical panels and knob and tube or aluminum wiring, for example, face a much higher risk of overheating and fire. Even if you don't intend to renovate your home, new safety-related improvements may be necessary. The more you save for these extra costs, the better prepared you'll be should they arise.

Know your potential restrictions

Photo by Jessica Furtney on Unsplash

If your dream home is deemed a heritage home, you may face added renovation restrictions. Any plans you have for the house will have to be approved by a committee in the town or city where you live. Some towns will only consider a house's exterior as a part of its history, whereas others will also place restrictions on interior features. Renovating an old home within the restrictions you're given may end up costing you thousands more if you need to restore or completely rebuild any features like dentil mouldings, gables or gingerbread trim.

Check if you're able to update

If you do plan to upgrade, you have to work with the existing structure, which means some modern updates—like an open floor plan, finished basement or forced air heating or cooling—can be more difficult to integrate.

Make energy efficiency a priority

Homes have come a long way over the past 100 years in terms of sustainability and energy efficiency. An older home will generally equal higher utility bills, so even if you aren't noticing issues with the current state of the home, it would be wise to consider updating a few things for the sake of saving money and the environment.

Most century homes aren't well insulated. Your home inspector should be able to give you an idea of the home's current R-value(thermal resistance)—or can recommend an energy auditor to evaluate the efficiency of the home and which upgrades would have the greatest impact at improving that efficiency. The lower the R-value, the less efficient the home will be at retaining heating (or cooling) and the higher your bills will likely be—especially when our summers and winters are at their most extreme.

Windows and doors in older homes are also typically single-pane and not the dual or triple pane varieties currently on the market, which offer a better thermal value. If you don't have the budget to replace them, try adding a foam or rubber seal to door and window frames or spray foam insulation behind the trim. Window coverings can also go a long way to help reduce loss and buffer drafts.

Invest in high-quality insurance

Photo by Emma Frances Logan on Unsplash

While your insurance premiums shouldn't increase as a result of buying a century home, your insurance company may not insure certain aspects of the house because of its age. Speak to an insurance broker or representative before putting in an offer to make sure everything in the home will be covered sufficiently.

Don't let the fear of the unknown keep you from buying a century home. You may not find those charming details and historic touches in a newer build. Keep these points—and a healthy contingency fund—in mind and you'll be one step closer to your dream home.

Source: realtor.ca

How to Survive a Home Renovation with Kids

Wed, 15 May 2019 01:52:00 GMT

Renovating a home can be stressful: dust, debris and disruption can be dangerous and throw your children’s routines out of whack. However, with careful planning, you can take steps to ensure your family’s remodel goes off without a hitch. Read our blueprint below for a happier, safer reno with kids in tow.

Safety first

The No. 1 priority during any home renovation is the safety of your children. Take precautions to protect your kids from dust, sharp or dangerous tools and toxic products like varnish and paint. Try hiring a family-friendly contractor who has experience working on projects with kids present and ask them to pack away dangerous tools so they're out of reach.

They can also help erect barriers around the work area, such as plastic drop cloths or zip walls, to keep dust from spreading. If possible, put up child-friendly gates around the work area or semi-permanent walls to keep the work zone separate from the living zone.

Keep in mind even the most considerate contractor isn't a babysitter and can't keep an eye on your children for you or pick up after themselves at every second. Make sure you remind your kids which areas of the house are off-limits and be extra vigilant. Lastly, introduce your kids to the renovation team so they don't feel like there are strangers in the house.

Do one room at a time

Photo by Jose Soriano on Unsplash

The bigger the renovation, the bigger the stress. Choose one room to renovate at a time and you'll save yourself a lot of grief during the process. The kitchen and bathroom are “priority” rooms, in the sense they're harder to live without and will likely make family life easier once complete.

Be flexible, especially with timelines

With any home renovation, it's important to expect the unexpected. Assume it will take a lot longer than you anticipated. Laundry still needs to be done and beds still need to be made. DIY projects will inevitably drag on, as one partner may have to do more of the work on one day while the other keeps the kids engaged. The point is to be flexible, adapt and proceed as efficiently as you can.

Find family-friendly workarounds

Since renovation timelines are unpredictable, you'll want to make your living situation as sustainable as possible. That might mean creating a temporary kitchen in the living room or basement (complete with mini fridge, hot plate, kettle, microwave and dishes/utensils) or even kitting out your backyard with an outdoor shower. Adults may be able to go without bathing for a few days or eat out at restaurants for every meal but this simply isn't realistic for children. Find comfortable, interim solutions until you can get your living situation back to normal.

Get the kids involved

Construction sites aren't playgrounds for children but getting your kids involved in the renovation process is a great opportunity for family bonding. It can be an excellent learning experience, too. Older kids can help out more than younger ones, but things like wiping surfaces or windows, using the tape measure, sweeping (with a small broom) and sanding with sandpaper are a few kid-friendly tasks you can assign. Planting a garden? Let your kids get their hands dirty. They'll get to experience the satisfaction of watching their crops grow firsthand.

Ask for their advice and let them weigh in on things like choosing between paint colours, tiles and backsplashes. Have fun with it. You can even make them a badge and dub them “design expert”!

Get out of the house

Photo by Luis Quintero on Unsplash

Construction time is the perfect time to spend a day together as a family. Cope with the destruction at home by planning outings away from the chaos. (And no, a trip to the hardware store does not count as quality time.) Pack a picnic and head off to the beach, park or playground for some well-deserved downtime. If you can get away for a weekend, even better. Your sanity will thank you.

Make time for self-care

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Downtime goes for parents, too. Taking time to decompress, eat right, exercise and see friends will contribute to a happier household—and a happier renovation project overall.

With the right planning, a home renovation with kids can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Once the chaos of the remodel is over, you'll have a wonderful space for your family to enjoy, making the weeks or months of mess and stress worth it.

Source: Realtor.ca

5 Questions to Ask Before Committing to an Open Floor Plan

Sun, 12 May 2019 03:57:00 GMT

Wide-open spaces are wonderful, but there are important functional issues to consider before taking down the walls

Open floor plans are great — they can make a home feel larger and airier, create multifunctional spaces and make it possible to live in a smaller space. But the truth is, they aren’t for everyone. Designers have been reporting that some clients have a hard time with this setup, whether it’s because of TV noise, a desire to hide kitchen messes from view or a need for a quiet place to read or work. Before committing to an open floor plan for the first time, answer the following questions to see if it’s for you.

Mod3

1. Do I Want to See All the Public Spaces in My Home All the Time?

Looking at a beautiful and tidy space like this makes it hard to imagine wanting to put up walls. If your home is one where you like to spread out papers for work or projects, where you prefer to let the kitchen cleanup wait until after you’ve enjoyed the meal, or where kids leave lots of toys strewn about, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But if looking at that stuff will make you feel compelled to constantly neaten up, an open layout may not be for you.

Find a local architect on Houzz

Let Us Inc

2. Is a ‘Not-So-Kitchen-y’ Kitchen for Me?

Within an open floor plan, the kitchen is usually in full view of the dining and living areas. One of the comments I hear most often from designers working within an open plan is that they have designed the kitchen to look “not-so-kitchen-y.” This can mean it has features like open shelving or windows instead of upper cabinets; an island with a waterfall countertop to provide visual separation; storage concentrated on one wall; or appliances camouflaged by panel fronts.

Do you like to keep your herbs, spices, cooking utensils, small appliances and other items out on the countertops? Do you prefer a traditional kitchen look over a sleek camouflaged one? Do you like to leave your kitchen cleanup until after the party is over or gather for meals at the kitchen table in a cozy space? Then consider other layout options in addition to an open floor plan, and imagine your lifestyle in each. Open plans may be popular, but a closed-off kitchen certainly is not a bad thing — you can close the door on the mess and enjoy your time with your family and guests without feeling as if you should be washing pots and pans and putting everything away.

See more photos of waterfall countertops

James Frank Construction Inc

3. Do I Need a Quiet Place to Work?

One of the biggest benefits of an open floor plan is that it incorporates multifunctional spaces more efficiently than other kinds of layouts can. But it’s important to think about how these spaces will function for different uses every day. A home office nook is a great thing, but if there is too much noise from other conversations, the TV and video games or children playing, it can be too loud to make important phone calls and concentrate on work. (This also applies to kids trying to do homework.)

Check out more home office photos

Michael McKinley and Associates, LLC

4. Will TV Noise Drive Me Crazy?

Open plans are great for those who want to keep an eye on the kids and what they are watching from the kitchen and other spaces. But I have a friend with a living room that’s open to the kitchen, and the noise from cartoons seems even louder in the kitchen than it does in front of the living room TV. If the reality is that other family members will be watching TV when you want quiet, a TV within the open space is not for you. This means you should have separate rooms or a TV den that contains the noise. Or incorporate a separate, closed-off quiet room for reading and working into the floor plan.

Frankel Building Group

5. Are My Visions of Entertaining Realistic?

“If you build it, they will come” holds true only if you’ll actually plan and host the fabulous get-togethers that you’ve conjured up in your head. Ask yourself if this really will happen on a regular basis or if the big groups you’ve imagined will be gathering around the kitchen island and flowing in and out of other spaces only once or twice a year. When factoring entertaining into your home plans, carefully weigh your day-to-day activities and lifestyle versus your realistic entertaining plans.

Browse counter stools in the Houzz Shop

Source: www.houzz.com