Posts Tagged ‘#AltadoreAlberta’
Tuesday, February 26th, 2019
This mirrored console table was beautiful as a dining room accent, but it’s absolutely stunning when recycled for the bath. The top was sealed with polyurethane — an important step when repurposing furniture to accommodate plumbing — and the square vessel sinks were sealed with caulk around their edges. Hardware was added in varying shades of brown and a mix of finishes to preserve the vintage vibe.
This onyx vessel sink has found a home atop a salvaged piece of log. There’s even a bit of embedded barbed wire remaining around the hollowed-out stump.
Why stick to the norm when you can put your bathroom sink on just about anything? Above were two of my favorites. Here are more inspiring alternatives for a traditional vanity.
Tags: #AirdrieAlbertaHomesForSale, #AirdrieAlbertaLiving, #AirdrieAlbertaRealEstate, #AlbertaCanada, #AlbertaCanadaHomesForSale, #AlbertaCanadaLiving, #AlbertaCanadaRealEstate, #AltadoreAlberta, #AltadoreAlbertaHomesForSale, #AltadoreAlbertaLiving, #AltadoreAlbertaRealEstate, #CalgaryAlberta, #CalgaryAlbertaHomesForSale, #CalgaryAlbertaLiving, #CalgaryAlbertaRealEstate, #CalgaryRealEstate, #ChestemereAlberta, #ChestemereAlbertaHomesForSale, #ChestemereAlbertaLiving, #ChestemereAlbertaRealEstate, #HowardListedIt, #HowardListedItYYC, #HowardSoldIt, #HowardSoldItYYC, #HowardTeamYYC, #JustListedYYC, #JustSoldYYC, #ReMaxHouseofRealEstate, #TheHowardTeamCalgaryAlberta, #YYCHomes, #YYCLife, #YYCLifestyle, #YYCLiving, #YYCMarketWatch, #YYCRE, #YYCRealEstate, TheHowardTeam
Posted in Latest News | Comments Off on 20 Inspiring Upcycled One of a Kind Bathroom Vanities
Thursday, February 21st, 2019
Did you know your home’s design can affect your bank account and love life? Try these
feng shui tips based on the ancient art of balancing energy.
“Your kitchen is directly related to your ability to attract money,” says feng shui consultant Suzanne Metzger. Keep your pantry and refrigerator organized and full of fresh food you actually use. To attract more money, keep the stove clean — every burner must work and be used equally. Lastly, remove all clutter from the kitchen table.
“If you want to start a relationship, don’t surround yourself with single imagery”, says Laura Benko, feng shui and holistic design expert. “Avoid a single chair in the corner, solitary images in artwork and solo photographs. It’s important to create the energy of partnership around you, otherwise you are continually enforcing singularity.” Add a second chair to a sitting area, double up on nightstands and surround yourself with pairs of everything.
“Color has a powerful impact on mood, and red is considered auspicious and powerful. Think of walking the red carpet or wearing a red power tie,” explains Laura. Purple and green are also key colors for attracting prosperity but there’s a hitch. “If you really can’t stand the color green, it won’t work for you. But if you do love purple, paint a wall lavender or add a violet throw to your couch. Then tune in to how your space feels. It’s not just filling your home with stuff — it’s about decorating with mindfulness and enhancing the vibration and power of your own home.”
To improve your marriage, display smiling photos of yourself as a couple and your family in the hallways, kitchen or other high-traffic areas, suggests feng shui consultant Ken Lauher. Avoid putting family photos in the master bedroom, which should only include photos of the couple. Design by Cortney and Robert Novogratz.
If it’s hard to find your front door or it’s confusing as to how to get in, it’ll be hard for opportunity to make its way into your life as well, explains Karen. Put in an archway or gate to denote the front door if you need to, and make sure the doorbell works. The welcome mat should be bright and fresh. Sweep the steps and sidewalk in front, and add a potted plant to the entryway. Karen’s rule of thumb: “If a trick-or-treater can’t tell where to go, your front door isn’t clear enough.”
When it comes to creating more love, the dining room is the second most important space in a home, the master bedroom being the most important. Arrange the dining table so everyone can see each other, and set out enough chairs for everyone even if the family doesn’t eat together every night, says Karen. Symbolically, it’s important to include the whole group.
“To bring in more prosperity, it’s important to create a vibrant, healthy, inspiring and clutter-free home,” explains Laura. “Clutter jams up good energy and leads to procrastination. Bring in vibrant life forces such as plants and flowers, and don’t forget to have fresh air circulating. Fountains are important wealth adjustments in feng shui because they stimulate prosperity and energy, and symbolize money.”
Oversized master bedrooms need to be cozier in order to have good relationship feng shui. Start by closing off any adjoining rooms, including a bathroom, office, patio or gym, suggests Karen. If there’s no door, install curtains. If you have a sitting area, arrange the chairs toward each other, and downsize with a smaller bed — go from king to queen or queen to double. “When the space gets bigger and bigger, people tend to live further and further apart emotionally.”
“Feng shui applies to all the occupants in the house,” explains Laura. “Children can be even more susceptible to their surrounding energies, so it’s very important to make sure their beds are placed in the commanding position. They will feel easily startled and vulnerable if their backs are to the door.” Laura also says electronics should never be stored or charged near a child’s bed.
“Single people build rooms for single people,” says Karen. “They have one chair, one nightstand and so on. Add another nightstand for your future someone.” That goes for the closet too. “Don’t fill it up with your stuff — honor the space and carve out a dresser drawer or a shelf that’s not yours. You don’t need to literally have enough room for two people to live there, just leave room for opportunity.”
Sometimes it doesn’t take money to make money — just a yard sale. “This is a zero-cost fix,” explains Karen. “Take out clutter to increase prosperity; what you don’t use, don’t love, don’t need. Space equals opportunity.”
If your bedroom is too neat or stuck with a sterile feel, “add something whimsical that makes you smile,” suggests Suzanne. It could also be artwork or a photo of a couple laughing together. This can bring positive energy into the room, and in turn, improve the relationship.
“Drippy faucets are a sign of money going to waste,” Karen says. “Whatever the state of your water, your finances mirror those.” To increase your bank account, repair broken fountains and remove all stagnant water from your property. “Ever heard the expression, ‘I just can’t get my head above water’?” Karen asks. It’s best not to display water-based artwork or mirrors higher than your nose, which carries the same significance in feng shui. For most of us, that means no mirrors or water scenes above the bed.
“To decrease stress and arguing in your home, check your surroundings,” Laura suggests. “One couple that fought constantly had crisscross swords over their bed, and another couple had guns on their living room wall. Keep photos and artwork pleasing, inspiring and uplifting.”
“Many people who work from home have a lack of dedicated space for doing business,” says Karen. Take yourself and your business seriously if you want to attract new clients and bigger opportunities. Picture a CEO’s office, with a large desk facing the door and windows. “You’ve got to have space for people to come in, sit down and hand you a check. Putting a desk against a wall is a cubicle type position. It’s subservient, which is not assuming respect.” The amount of space in front of you relates to the amount of opportunities available, so arrange your chair so you have a view.
When it comes to the master bedroom, it’s not about the view or TV, explains Karen. “The bedroom is about passion and rejuvenation.” To increase intimacy in your home, install heavy, cozy drapes over large windows, remove the TV and never sleep with a laptop, iPhone or other electronics buzzing near your bed. The bedroom should be low-tech and romantic. Avoid pictures and decor featuring anyone other than the people sleeping there — wedding pictures work, but family photos don’t. Design by Cortney and Robert Novogratz
Because it’s the color of relationships in feng shui, pink is one of the best colors to decorate a bedroom with, says Ken. Pink represents love, joy, happiness and romance. It doesn’t need to be a whole room, even a splash will do. Alternatively, light blue is a positive relationship color.
Make sure your home speaks to you, or the feng shui updates won’t work. “The biggest feng shui money mistakes people make are choosing adjustments they don’t like,” explains Laura. “For example, red is considered a lucky color and you might hear that painting your door red will attract wealth. The bottom line is, if you don’t like red you will hate coming and going through it every day.”
Tags: #AirdrieAlbertaHomesForSale, #AirdrieAlbertaLiving, #AirdrieAlbertaRealEstate, #AlbertaCanada, #AlbertaCanadaHomesForSale, #AlbertaCanadaLiving, #AlbertaCanadaRealEstate, #AltadoreAlberta, #AltadoreAlbertaHomesForSale, #AltadoreAlbertaLiving, #AltadoreAlbertaRealEstate, #CalgaryAlberta, #CalgaryAlbertaHomesForSale, #CalgaryAlbertaLiving, #CalgaryAlbertaRealEstate, #CalgaryRealEstate, #ChestemereAlberta, #ChestemereAlbertaHomesForSale, #ChestemereAlbertaLiving, #ChestemereAlbertaRealEstate, #HowardListedIt, #HowardListedItYYC, #HowardSoldIt, #HowardSoldItYYC, #HowardTeamYYC, #JustListedYYC, #JustSoldYYC, #ReMaxHouseofRealEstate, #TheHowardTeamCalgaryAlberta, #YYCHomes, #YYCLife, #YYCLifestyle, #YYCLiving, #YYCMarketWatch, #YYCRE, #YYCRealEstate, TheHowardTeam
Posted in Latest News | Comments Off on 19 Beneficial Feng Shui Secrets
Tuesday, February 19th, 2019
Tags: #AirdrieAlbertaHomesForSale, #AirdrieAlbertaLiving, #AirdrieAlbertaRealEstate, #AlbertaCanada, #AlbertaCanadaHomesForSale, #AlbertaCanadaLiving, #AlbertaCanadaRealEstate, #AltadoreAlberta, #AltadoreAlbertaHomesForSale, #AltadoreAlbertaLiving, #AltadoreAlbertaRealEstate, #CalgaryAlberta, #CalgaryAlbertaHomesForSale, #CalgaryAlbertaLiving, #CalgaryAlbertaRealEstate, #CalgaryRealEstate, #ChestemereAlberta, #ChestemereAlbertaHomesForSale, #ChestemereAlbertaLiving, #ChestemereAlbertaRealEstate, #HowardListedIt, #HowardListedItYYC, #HowardSoldIt, #HowardSoldItYYC, #HowardTeamYYC, #JustListedYYC, #JustSoldYYC, #ReMaxHouseofRealEstate, #TheHowardTeamCalgaryAlberta, #YYCHomes, #YYCLife, #YYCLifestyle, #YYCLiving, #YYCMarketWatch, #YYCRE, #YYCRealEstate, TheHowardTeam, yyc
Posted in Latest News | Comments Off on Refresh Your Dining Room on a Budget
Thursday, February 14th, 2019
Color preferences vary as much as personalities, with some folks loving the bright and the bold, while others feeling most secure surrounded by neutrals. The good news is that when it comes to color, there really is no “correct” palette. That said, we’ve all been inside homes where an explosion of color created a choppy feel between rooms — and sometimes, the urge to run. We asked five color, paint and design experts to share their best tips for creating a cohesive flow of color throughout your home. The strategies vary, but any of them can help you come up with a holistic decor scheme for your entire residence. So choose the ones that work best for you.
Tags: #AirdrieAlbertaHomesForSale, #AirdrieAlbertaLiving, #AirdrieAlbertaRealEstate, #AlbertaCanada, #AlbertaCanadaHomesForSale, #AlbertaCanadaLiving, #AlbertaCanadaRealEstate, #AltadoreAlberta, #AltadoreAlbertaHomesForSale, #AltadoreAlbertaLiving, #AltadoreAlbertaRealEstate, #CalgaryAlberta, #CalgaryAlbertaHomesForSale, #CalgaryAlbertaLiving, #CalgaryAlbertaRealEstate, #CalgaryRealEstate, #ChestemereAlberta, #ChestemereAlbertaHomesForSale, #ChestemereAlbertaLiving, #ChestemereAlbertaRealEstate, #HowardListedIt, #HowardListedItYYC, #HowardSoldIt, #HowardSoldItYYC, #HowardTeamYYC, #JustListedYYC, #JustSoldYYC, #ReMaxHouseofRealEstate, #TheHowardTeamCalgaryAlberta, #YYCHomes, #YYCLife, #YYCLifestyle, #YYCLiving, #YYCMarketWatch, #YYCRE, #YYCRealEstate, TheHowardTeam, yyc
Posted in Latest News | Comments Off on Create A Cohesive Color Flow Throughout Your Home
Tuesday, February 12th, 2019
Beautiful Bungalow
It takes a certain eye to see a smart little cottage where others see a stucco teardown. But Steve and Shauna Mullins had exactly that vision when they first saw this 875-square-foot bungalow in Hermosa Beach, California.
“It was in a great location, less than a mile from the beach, and the basic layout was good—it hadn’t been screwed up,” Steve says. Still, the exterior of the 1941 house was showing its age, and its small rooms needed an update. Collaborating with architectural designer Rosa Velazquez on the front of the house, doing much of the work themselves, and enlisting a general contractor for the bigger projects, the couple lavished the tiny two-bedroom with a proud new facade and freshened the interior throughout.
For nearly all their redo needs, they jumped in the car and hit nearby home centers, scouring the aisles for well-priced shutters, fencing, cabinets, crown molding, paint, and more.
Removing the front wall’s stucco and putting up white fiber-cement lap siding refreshed the front face of the house. The other walls got a coat of white paint. Exposing the rafter tails, as well as topping the roof with new asphalt shingles, added welcome detail to the roofline. Relocating windows created symmetry and allowed room for shutters.
Building a deeper portico with chunky columns and crisp railing made the entry more welcoming. A bright red door with brass hardware, lantern-style sconces, salvaged brickwork, and a rose-entwined picket fence helped give the cottage a classic look.
Exterior Before
Beige stucco and a nondescript entry gave the existing bungalow an institutional look, before.
2 Open and Update the Kitchen
Swapping in a new window, clean white Thermofoil cabinets, brushed-nickel pulls, and pale granite counters with an ogee edge made the kitchen brighter and more inviting. Ebony-stained crown molding and toekicks added sophisticated contrast. Stacked-to-the-ceiling pantry cabinets boost storage in the small kitchen.
Kitchen Before
The existing sad-sack galley dead-ended in a side-entry laundry area.
2 Open and Update the Kitchen, Continued
Creating a half wall to one side of the doorway, opened the space to the dining room. Building a post, made from a trimmed-out 4×4, gave it polish. New oak flooring added a warm note to the stainless-steel appliances and tied into the other rooms in the open plan.
3 Upgrade with Molding, Paint, Refinished Floors
Adding crisp white crown and base molding gave the living areas a tailored, pulled-together look. For contrast, walls got a suede-finish neutral beige. Replacing windows with ones that have simulated divided lights added detail.
Living Room, Before
The original living areas were drab and disjointed, before.
3 Upgrade with Molding, Paint, Refinished Floors, Continued
Refinishing existing oak floors with a medium-brown stain unified the spaces. Paint gave new life to the fireplace, white on the wood and fire-resistant black on the brick surround.
4 Extend the Living Space Outdoors
Adding a deck with a pergola off the master bedroom extended the living space without altering the house’s footprint. The deck steps down to the drive, a grilling area, and a lawn set off by a picket fence echoing the front of the house.
Backyard, Before
The back of the house, where the bedrooms are located, had almost no connection to the outside, before.
Replacing a small window with French doors brought in air and light, making the 12-by-12-foot bedroom feel larger.
5 Add Charm With Color and Wainscot
The second bedroom was strictly Motel 6. Adding beadboard wainscot gave the room (which became a nursery) its own identity while reinforcing the home’s cottage style. Painting the wainscot, trim, and furniture white helped keep the lilac scheme from seeming too sweet. Floor-length curtains, hung above the windows, help elongate them and make the ceilings feel loftier.
6 Upgrade the Garage
Swapping in a sectional door with raised panels and divided-light windows brought the garage up to par with the house. A blooming vine over the door softens the all-white facade. The flowering potato vine along the eves is trained on wires attached with eyescrews.
Garage, Before
The freestanding garage had the blank, boxy look of a storage unit, before. Its tilt-and-raise door was sorely out of date.
Floor Plan
The kitchen annexed a laundry area off the side door; the washer and dryer now fit behind cabinet doors. A wider opening and a half wall now connect the cook space to the dining area. French doors lead from the master bedroom to a new deck.
Tags: #AirdrieAlbertaHomesForSale, #AirdrieAlbertaLiving, #AirdrieAlbertaRealEstate, #AlbertaCanada, #AlbertaCanadaHomesForSale, #AlbertaCanadaLiving, #AlbertaCanadaRealEstate, #AltadoreAlberta, #AltadoreAlbertaHomesForSale, #AltadoreAlbertaLiving, #AltadoreAlbertaRealEstate, #CalgaryAlberta, #CalgaryAlbertaHomesForSale, #CalgaryAlbertaLiving, #CalgaryAlbertaRealEstate, #CalgaryRealEstate, #ChestemereAlberta, #ChestemereAlbertaHomesForSale, #ChestemereAlbertaLiving, #ChestemereAlbertaRealEstate, #HowardListedIt, #HowardListedItYYC, #HowardSoldIt, #HowardSoldItYYC, #HowardTeamYYC, #JustListedYYC, #JustSoldYYC, #ReMaxHouseofRealEstate, #TheHowardTeamCalgaryAlberta, #YYCHomes, #YYCLife, #YYCLifestyle, #YYCLiving, #YYCMarketWatch, #YYCRE, #YYCRealEstate, TheHowardTeam
Posted in Latest News | Comments Off on Home Upgrades That Pay
Thursday, February 7th, 2019
The laundry room has finally come into its own as a bright and organized cleanup command center, whether in a tidy corner of the basement or a nook next to the kitchen. For help updating yours, check out this expert advice on everything from energy-wise machines and thrifty flooring options to the best labor-saving layout and how to safeguard your home.
Tags: #AirdrieAlbertaHomesForSale, #AirdrieAlbertaLiving, #AirdrieAlbertaRealEstate, #AlbertaCanada, #AlbertaCanadaHomesForSale, #AlbertaCanadaLiving, #AlbertaCanadaRealEstate, #AltadoreAlberta, #AltadoreAlbertaHomesForSale, #AltadoreAlbertaLiving, #AltadoreAlbertaRealEstate, #CalgaryAlberta, #CalgaryAlbertaHomesForSale, #CalgaryAlbertaLiving, #CalgaryAlbertaRealEstate, #CalgaryRealEstate, #ChestemereAlberta, #ChestemereAlbertaHomesForSale, #ChestemereAlbertaLiving, #ChestemereAlbertaRealEstate, #HowardListedIt, #HowardListedItYYC, #HowardSoldIt, #HowardSoldItYYC, #HowardTeamYYC, #JustListedYYC, #JustSoldYYC, #ReMaxHouseofRealEstate, #TheHowardTeamCalgaryAlberta, #YYCHomes, #YYCLife, #YYCLifestyle, #YYCLiving, #YYCMarketWatch, #YYCRE, #YYCRealEstate, TheHowardTeam
Posted in Latest News | Comments Off on Design The Perfect Laundry Room
Tuesday, February 5th, 2019
February is a time of year to indulge in home comforts like cooking big-batch meals, reading in the afternoon and watching movies with the family.
Here are a dozen ideas to add to your to-do list this month, from the necessary (clearing sidewalks of snow and ice, say) to the just-for-fun (treating yourself to weekly flowers).
1. Rotate your mattress. Before you put on a fresh set of sheets, take an extra minute to rotate the mattress if you haven’t done so recently. Rotating your mattress every few months will help it wear more evenly and extend its life (and comfort).2. Pack up a bag of old sheets and towels to donate. If you bought new sheets or towels during January white sales, make some room by letting go of an old set or two. Homeless shelters and some churches will accept donations of bedding and towels in good condition, and animal shelters are often in need of towels. Really worn linens can be cut up and used as rags or dropped in a textile recycling bin.
3. Clean entryway floors. If winters are cold where you are,road salt and melting snow can mean entryway floors take a beating. Pick up clutter and give the floors a good mopping.To keep floors looking their best between cleanings, stash a few old towels in a basket near the door to wipe up messes.
4. Keep sidewalks and entryways free of ice and snow (even while you’re away). Ice and snow can make walkways dangerous for visitors. Aim to shovel snow promptly, and sprinkle gravel, straw or wood chips to provide traction. Frequent, light shoveling is better than letting the snow build up. And if you plan to be out of town during an expected winter storm, hire someone to clear the sidewalk and front steps of your home while you’re away. Your neighbors and mail carrier will thank you.
5. Cook to stock up your freezer. A few hours of cooking on a weekend can produce major dividends if you focus your efforts on big-batch suppers that can be frozen and reheated later.Knowing that you have homemade soup, stew, chili or casseroles in the freezer makes facing weeknight dinners much less stressful. Just add crusty bread and a simple salad and dinner will be ready in no time.
6. Organize bookshelves. Pull out volumes that you didn’t enjoy or are finished with and sell or donate them, leaving a bit of extra room on each shelf for new titles. And if you get distracted by beloved old books you had forgotten about, just roll with it. After all, there are few better places to spend a winter afternoon than in a comfortable chair with a good book.
7. Refresh your movie-watching zone. Winter is a good time to catch up on movies you missed in the theater or to binge-watch your favorite shows. So why not make your movie-watching zone as comfy and cozy as possible? Start by vacuuming the floors and upholstery (using a vacuum attachment) and by clearing away clutter. Next, assess your collection of movies and games, donating extras to charity. Finally, make sure there are plenty of comfortable pillows and throws and lighting that can be dimmed.
8. Boost warmth. Stay toasty and save on energy bills by blocking drafty doors with door sweeps or door snakes and warming up with rugs, throws and duvets. For even more energy savings, shut doors to unused rooms, move furniture away from heating vents and close the chimney flue when it’s not in use.
9. Check bathrooms for moisture, mildew and mold. It can be hard to give bathrooms enough ventilation when the house is closed up tight for winter.Unfortunately, that buildup of moisture can lead to mildew or even harmful mold. Give the bathroom a thorough cleaning, paying special attention to grout, the ceiling and any other areas showing signs of excess moisture.
10. Clean the dryer vent (and check for blockages outside). Having the buildup of lint cleaned from your dryer vent at least once a year is essential to keeping your dryer working efficiently and preventing a potential dryer fire. In winter, snow can block the exterior vent, so take a walk outside your home to inspect the vent and remove snow or debris if needed.
11. Start planning for a spring or summer home sale. If you’re considering putting your home on the market this year, it’s a good idea to start the process now. Set a timetable, interview potential real estate agents and make a list of projects that need to get done to help your home show well.
12. Indulge in weekly fresh flowers. With Valentine’s Day happening this month, the markets will be filled with fresh flowers at good prices.Treat your home to a bouquet of fresh-cut blooms once a week to add a little cheer — spring may still be a ways off, but that doesn’t mean your dining table can’t look like a garden in bloom! Keep your home fresh and organized this month while you plan for warmer days ahead.
Tags: #AirdrieAlbertaHomesForSale, #AirdrieAlbertaLiving, #AirdrieAlbertaRealEstate, #AlbertaCanada, #AlbertaCanadaHomesForSale, #AlbertaCanadaLiving, #AlbertaCanadaRealEstate, #AltadoreAlberta, #AltadoreAlbertaHomesForSale, #AltadoreAlbertaLiving, #AltadoreAlbertaRealEstate, #CalgaryAlberta, #CalgaryAlbertaHomesForSale, #CalgaryAlbertaLiving, #CalgaryAlbertaRealEstate, #CalgaryRealEstate, #ChestemereAlberta, #ChestemereAlbertaHomesForSale, #ChestemereAlbertaLiving, #ChestemereAlbertaRealEstate, #HowardListedIt, #HowardListedItYYC, #HowardSoldIt, #HowardSoldItYYC, #HowardTeamYYC, #JustListedYYC, #JustSoldYYC, #ReMaxHouseofRealEstate, #TheHowardTeamCalgaryAlberta, #YYCHomes, #YYCLife, #YYCLifestyle, #YYCLiving, #YYCMarketWatch, #YYCRE, #YYCRealEstate, TheHowardTeam
Posted in Latest News | Comments Off on Your February Home Checklist
Wednesday, January 30th, 2019
Ever feel as though something’s not quite right about your entryway? Maybe it’s hard to see your front door, or your foyer feels bland and uninviting. Whether you’ve recently moved in or have been settled for many years, here are seven ways to make the entrance to your home more enjoyable for you and your guests.
1. Demand more from your door. Make sure your door is visible and welcoming. Just as the eyes are the windows to the soul, your front door is the face of your home and where first impressions happen. Make sure the entrance to your home is visible and well-lit.
While it may sound silly, some houses have a side entrance or two doors on the front facade, and folks get confused about where to go. A clearly delineated pathway will direct guests to the right place. Seasonal accessories like a wreath, rocking chair or pumpkins will make your home’s hospitality shine even more.
Nothing will make your home feel more energetic and comfortable on a beautiful day than a natural breeze. Screen doors are good, but a Dutch door like the one shown here is a great way to invite fresh air into the home while keeping pets or even small kids at bay.
Festively colored doors have long been an exterior staple, but they usually pale on the interior to match neutral woodwork in the rest of the home. Painting the door’s interior side a splashy color brings pizazz and is an easy way to add hue in double-height foyers, whose walls are challenging to paint without the aid of a cherry picker.
Or try introducing something unexpected and carefree on your front door. This humorous knocker hangs on a door playfully patterned with a stencil.
Another option is to integrate a decorative cutout in a wooden screen door, such as this lobster.
2. Let there be light. Don’t skimp on your foyer lighting. One of those flush-mounted types that look like a dinner plate isn’t going to win over anyone. Select a fixture that makes a statement and defines the area, as does this handsome lantern.
A semiflush fixture, like the drum-shaped one shown here, is a good alternative if you don’t have enough ceiling clearance for a more substantial pendant.
If you’re in the market for a new front door, consider integrating glazing as an opportunity to filter natural daylight into your home. If you want the light but more privacy, choose a textured glass to distort the view.
If you have an old home, you might find sidelights and a transom window around your door hidden behind wall sheathing. The hunt will likely entail some professional carpentry work, but they’re considered a treasure when uncovered. Stained glass is a popular Victorian window detail that offers joyous colored rays of patterned light while providing privacy.
Incorporating a mirror in a small space is an old trick to make the room feel larger, but it also brings in more light. This entryway would look dark and cramped without the mirror.
3. Opt for curvy pieces. Rounded shapes are psychologically more relaxing and comforting than rectilinear ones. In feng shui philosophy, for example, curves are preferred because they facilitate the movement of energy throughout a space. Rounded pieces are also a little safer, so little ones and we clumsy folks aren’t as likely to bang into sharp corners.
4. Add texture for natural warmth. Furniture or accessory pieces with texture lend visual interest and make your space feel more hospitable. Natural materials like wood, baskets and fabric are good choices. The bamboo settee and woven pieces here give a homey vibe.
This industrial table base and wood plank top look warm and mellow bathed in natural light.
If your home is more contemporary, and rustic materials like aged wood won’t work with your sleek finishes, you can still add texture through other means, such as lighting. The Moooi light fixtures here are made of a resin-coated fiberglass that creates a lacy filigree pattern when lit.
5. Show off your personality.
Your foyer is the perfect place to showcase your interests. A favorite collection, like this homeowner’s assemblage of hand planes, is more memorable for guests than a conventional table and lamp. Above all, your foyer should be welcoming and personable.
If space (or your collection) is limited, sprinkle in a few pieces where you can. The antique globes make this foyer seating area more intriguing.
6. Keep it neat. If your foyer lacks a closet — or if closet space is limited — bags, umbrellas and the like will likely pile up and make a muck of your foyer. A free-standing storage bench, like the one shown here, will do double duty by not only organizing your small stuff, but also providing a seat to pull on boots. While this one has pullout drawers for items like gloves and hats, many others have storage under a hinged seat.
Install some beefy wall hooks for hanging scarves, hats, umbrellas and bags.
7. Appeal to your senses. Interior design can sometimes rely too heavily on visuals and not fully consider our other senses.
Scent is a powerful memory maker, so a simple bouquet of flowers, a plant or even pretty leaves in a vase of water is always fresh and inviting.
Even if you have a tight entry space, don’t think that you have to give up the greenery. This simple arrangement sits atop a heat register cover.
Don’t forget sound! Chimes tinkling in the wind on a front porch or the gong of a grandfather clock in a foyer adds depth and a sense of wholeness to your home.
Make sure you try out the piece first to ensure that you find the sound pleasing. For example, some wind chimes sound earthy and comforting, while others can be loud, metallic and irritating.
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Posted in Latest News | Comments Off on 7 Ways To Make The Most of Your Home Entrance
Sunday, January 27th, 2019
There’s no need to buy a new house or take on an extensive remodel to get the curb appeal you want. There are many ways to approach your exterior to give it a serious update without a serious overhaul. These are my
10 favorite tips for you to boost your house’s first impression.
1. Stairs. If you update the stairs leading up to your front door, it’s amazing how much of a statement you can make. To beef up the entrance without building a whole new porch, consider a tiered stair design like this one in Boston to give your entrance more presence.
2. Railings. A new railing at the front of your house can really transform its look. Choose a style that reflects your taste. It doesn’t necessarily have to match the style of your house, as eclectic-style homes are the norm these days. Besides, none of us is truly 100 percent one type of style.
3. Overhangs. By adding a stylish overhang above your front door, not only are you adding something functional to shield you from the sun and rain, you are adding character to the front of your house. Get creative with your overhang and incorporate some architectural screens like this home in Denver.
4. Materials. Covering your house in a new veneer and siding can breathe fresh life into your exterior. You can layer on brick or stone veneer to bring substance to the front of your home. Also, consider the underside of your overhang — adding tongue and groove cedar can raise your front porch to a new level.
5. Pathways. You don’t need to spend a fortune on all new landscaping. Start with an interesting walkway to your house and slowly work on the surrounding landscape to get it to where you want it to be.
6. Soft and hard landscaping. If you want to take on a bigger project, adding soft and hard landscaping is one of the most effective ways to transform the front of your home. It’s best if you work with a landscape designer to come up with a cohesive plan for your walkway, stairs, plants and flowers. This takes some planning and it can be costly, but it’s satisfying to witness the transformation.
7. Paint. A simple paint job for the front of your home can work wonders. There are a lot of computer programs that let you see the exterior of your house in various color combinations. Find the combo you love most and go for it. If you grow tired of it, you can always change it.
8. House numbers. Adding new house numbers is a simple way to make an instant impact on the exterior of your home. Besides just picking out new numbers, consider where they will work and look the best. It might be a different location than your current house numbers.
9. Front doors. If your budget lets you update just one thing at a time, you may want to start with your front door. Consider choosing something that lets light into the interior of your house. That serves dual purposes, by changing the feel of the outside of your home and altering the inside too.
10. Lighting. It’s amazing how much lighting can transform a space, even on the outside. Consider wall sconces, overhead lighting and path lights for maximum impact.
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Posted in Latest News | Comments Off on 10 Surefire Ways To Boost Your Curb Appeal
Thursday, January 17th, 2019
No matter how many times you comb through your bedroom closet, carefully pulling dresses to donate and tossing mismatched socks, there never seems to be enough room. Our dreams of neatly arranged tops and orderly rows of shoes can quickly end up in a messy pile when our wardrobes exceed our storage space. However, your closet may be bigger than you think. If you’re folding pants, storing scarves inside drawers, and keeping out-of-season clothing on display, you could be wasting space.
1. Divide and Conquer Drawers
If drawers aren’t equipped with dividers, they easily become a mishmash of belts, socks, and undergarments to hunt through every morning. “When everything has its place, you’ll spend less time pawing through your clothes and accessories looking for what you want. An organized closet makes getting dressed and packing for trips a breeze!” says designer Annie Selke. Invest the time now to get your closet clutter under control, and you’ll save minutes every single morning. The first step: take inventory of what you own. “Be honest about the number of items you want to store,” she recommends, and then plan your storage system accordingly. Once these organizers are in place, you can kiss the formerly messy sock drawer adieu.
Slotted Interlocking Drawer Organizers
Annie Selke swears by this customizable interlocking system. “Each square gets a single item, so everything is separated—perfect for socks and undergarments,” she explains. To buy: $6; containerstore.com.
To maximize every square inch, we’ve rounded up some brilliant organizing techniques and the containers that make it easy to maintain them. With these strategies up your sleeve, your bedroom closet will feel surprisingly spacious.
Tags: #AirdrieAlbertaHomesForSale, #AirdrieAlbertaLiving, #AirdrieAlbertaRealEstate, #AlbertaCanada, #AlbertaCanadaHomesForSale, #AlbertaCanadaLiving, #AlbertaCanadaRealEstate, #AltadoreAlberta, #AltadoreAlbertaHomesForSale, #AltadoreAlbertaLiving, #AltadoreAlbertaRealEstate, #CalgaryAlberta, #CalgaryAlbertaHomesForSale, #CalgaryAlbertaLiving, #CalgaryAlbertaRealEstate, #CalgaryRealEstate, #ChestemereAlberta, #ChestemereAlbertaHomesForSale, #ChestemereAlbertaLiving, #ChestemereAlbertaRealEstate, #HowardListedIt, #HowardListedItYYC, #HowardSoldIt, #HowardSoldItYYC, #HowardTeamYYC, #JustListedYYC, #JustSoldYYC, #ReMaxHouseofRealEstate, #TheHowardTeamCalgaryAlberta, #YYCHomes, #YYCLife, #YYCLifestyle, #YYCLiving, #YYCMarketWatch, #YYCRE, #YYCRealEstate, TheHowardTeam
Posted in Latest News | Comments Off on 10 Genius Ways To Double Your Closet Space
