Edmonton Real Estate Blog

Every design choice in my house is dictated by budget. I’m a work-at-home freelance artist raising two children, and every room has come together using finds from thrift stores, Craigslist and even bulk trash. I frequently work on large-scale art pieces, and my office, which doubled as a guest room, was just too small. I needed more square footage.

Armed with a strict $300 makeover budget, my husband and I reconfigured some of our rooms over a weekend, turning our converted 19- by 19-foot two-car garage into an art-making haven. This called for getting creative and making do with existing furniture pieces from elsewhere in the house. The total cost of my garage makeover, including two gallons of paint and four dining chairs, was $274.23.

BEFORE: Previously we used this space, the former garage, as a TV room and catchall for toys. The whole room felt dingy and dim. My husband used to call this “the room of squalor and filth.”

The previous homeowner had converted the garage, filling in the garage door, installing carpet and lining the walls with faux wood. Since he did it himself, there’s no insulation, and the walls don’t go all the way to the floor in places, making me contend with spiders and geckos at times. The homeowner said it cost him about $600 to convert the garage a few decades ago.

AFTER: The space is now a welcoming studio where I can work on art pieces, freelance writing and photography, and host workshops and classes.

The carpet is laid directly onto a gently sloping cement foundation, which makes it interesting for lining up artwork on the walls. I painted the walls Black Suede by Behr, because I love dramatic cocoon-like spaces.

Tip: Most art studios have bright white walls, which provide extra light and help to keep the focus on the art. But black can also be a wonderful backdrop for artwork.

Source: Houzz.com

Today’s clever kitchen designers have storage solutions to fill every nook and cranny in all sorts of kitchens. These handy helpers can help you take advantage of every square inch. When you’re grappling with backsplash material decisions, consider something that can help you snag some extra storage, too. This stunning kitchen has a secret that amps up the storage possibilities without taking away from its clean look. Go beyond basic shelving for your base cabinetry. Today’s kitchen organization additions come in every kind imaginable to help you sort and store your belongings. Use a mix of slide-out shelving and drawers to access heavy items, and custom pullouts to house mixers, spices, cutting boards and baking sheets.

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Source: Houzz.com

This summer gardens and outdoor green spaces often look limp and lifeless due to lots of hot, sunny days and limited precipitation. No need to despair, just a few simple tips can help to rejuvenate any outdoor space well into fall – and be water-wise as well.

Garden

Mulch

Mulch adds a nice, finished look to beds, paths and containers alike. It also helps to keep weeds out by blocking access to sunlight, reduce competition for water and nutrients from weeds, retain moisture in the soil where the roots can access it and moderate soil temperatures. In essence, mulching around plants, trees and shrubs is fundamental to keeping water where it is needed. Mulch your landscape beds at a depth of 2 to 3 inches of straw, shredded leaves, or bark mulch. Here’s another tip: Ever see mounds of mulch piled up around a tree base, sometimes called a “mulch volcano”? Don’t do this. Piling mulch up against the trunk of trees, shrubs, and other plants damages them. Properly applied mulch should taper from thin (less than 1 inch) at the base of the tree to thicker (2 to 3 inches) as you move out. To figure out how much mulch is needed for your space, visit http://www.scotts.com and use the mulch calculator under useful tools in the lower right hand corner.

Food and water

Just like humans, plants need food and water. Regular feeding and watering can help your plants thrive in hot summer weather. Make sure to water wisely. Make sure to water in the morning between the hours of 6 and 10 a.m. to reduce wind effects on sprinkler uniformity and reduce evaporation loss. Water when needed and before leaves wilt. The best way to water roots is with a soaker hose or drip irrigation system that puts moisture at soil level where it is directly available to the plants’ roots.

Dead-head and cut back

With flowering plants, be sure to dead-head the blooms when they start to wilt. This will keep the plant producing blooms much longer. Feel free to leave a few seed heads on perennials to encourage re-seeding for next year. If you have not already done so, prune early blooming shrubs and perennials to encourage new growth. You could even get an extra bloom or two out of some perennials this way.

Fill in the blanks

Even seasoned gardeners’ beds can suffer from unsightly gaps in beds this time of year. Whether some plants have been lost or early perennials and bulbs have been cut back after blooming, sometimes garden beds need a little help by mid to late summer. This is a great time to pop in some annuals for an added splash of color. Plant fresh, new annuals in-ground or in containers, and spread a bright new wave of blooms around your outdoor space. Many nurseries have a wide selection on sale now too. Just be sure to water daily until established.

Harvest

In edible gardens, it is always important to harvest fruits, vegetables, greens and herbs in a timely fashion. If you harvest more than you can possibly eat, try canning, drying or just simply sharing. Many areas of the country have food pantries that take fresh vegetable donations in the summer.

Weeds

Weeds like to move in when plants are stressed from drought and heat. Then they steal moisture and nutrients, which stresses your plants even more. If you have an overabundance of weeds creeping into flower beds and vegetable gardens, take action now. Control them by spraying Roundup Weed & Grass Killer on the weeds in your garden. Be careful not to spray the plants you like. If you accidentally spray your flowers and vegetables, wash them off immediately with water.

Hardscapes

Color

A great way to bring back those fading colors of summer and add a fresh look to the patio, porch or balcony is with new pillows or cushions. This time of year most retailers have outdoor furniture and furnishings on sale so a new color scheme isn’t necessarily out of reach. Also, add color with some fresh new containers, a splash of paint on old furniture or a new set of serving ware and napkins for a dinner party.

Lights

Lighting is always a fun way to perk up any space, especially an outdoor space. Whether adding a strand of twinkle lights around the porch, a few solar lanterns to light a path or some new candles to illuminate a dinner on the balcony, lighting can make all the difference. Recycle mason jars and wine bottles into new lanterns by filling with candles or a string of twinkle lights.

Don’t let the heat of summer destroy the garden. All is not lost when plants start to wilt; just following these few simple steps can bring new found color and interest to any outdoor space at this time of year. You might even start wishing that summer would last a bit longer.

Courtesy of BPT

Netflix has changed the way we binge watch TV — instead of being way behind because you are only on season three of Breaking Bad, you’re behind if you haven’t watched an entire brand new series two days after it premieres. In an effort to stay up to date, I’ve been watching the new series Orange Is the New Black, and I’m constantly amazed at the ingenuity the inmates use to make useful things out of the few items they have.

So far my favorite is the way Sophia covered her prison-issue sandals in duct tape because metallic was very in that season. Inmates transform juice packets into lip stain, make earplugs out of pillow stuffing and affix pictures to their walls with gum (do not try that one at home!) It’s actually full of inspirational lessons about working with what you’ve got at your disposal. Many Houzzers have this same talent for working with what they have around the house. Here are 17 uses for everyday items that are likely stashed somewhere in your home.

On the show, the women have to get very creative about working with what they’ve got, and sometimes trading with what they’ve got. In this scene, Piper has to trade a few chunks of her blonde locks for Sophia to use as highlights in Tasha’s hairdo. In return, she gets cocoa butter, which she mixes with chewed up peppers to create a soothing lotion for Red’s aching back, which keeps her from getting “starved out.” It’s complicated, and one must be clever about working with what’s available.

Source: Houzz.com

Anyone who has built or renovated a kitchen knows what it can feel like to make so many decisions in a very short amount of time. Educating yourself about your options beforehand can help cut down on some of that stress. Here, we take a look at sinks — specifically the choices you have when it comes to materials.

Cost, functionality and aesthetics should all weigh in when you select your sink material. For instance, you can get a well-priced stainless steel sink, but be aware of how easily it can scratch and show water marks. White fireclay or cast iron sinks are beautiful, but may require some elbow grease to stay bright and white. Integral quartz sinks are becoming increasingly popular, but they can be expensive and aren’t necessarily bulletproof.

Not sure what’s right for your kitchen? Read on to learn more about these popular material options for today’s kitchen sinks.

Stainless Steel

By far the most popular material for kitchen sinks, stainless steel sinks are heat and stain resistant and are available in a variety of types, styles and sizes. I recommend going for a brushed or satin finish rather than a mirror finish — water marks and scratches will be less noticeable. Also, look for sinks that have sound-absorbing pads on the bottom. Consumer Reports recently tested stainless steel sinks and found that these pads, rather than sound-absorbing spray or a thicker gauge of steel, performed best in reducing the noise commonly associated with stainless steel sinks.

Prices for stainless steel sinks run the gamut, but you can get a decent quality stainless steel sink for not a lot of money, making it my pick for those on a tight budget.

Cost: $100 to $800 is typical, but prices can go higher depending on gauge, size and mounting type.

Composite Granite

Composite granite sinks are my go-to sink, both for my clients and my own kitchen. They are good-looking, durable and don’t show water marks or scratches the way stainless steel sinks do. They come in a variety of neutral hues, but I prefer the darker grays, browns and black because they camouflage food filth the best. This is my own sink pictured here, and I must confess, I don’t clean it nearly as often as I probably should because it never looks dirty. Although these sinks are durable, they can crack if mishandled — I’ve heard stories of sinks being damaged during shipping. Always inspect your composite sink thoroughly before installation to make sure it suffered no trauma during transit.

Cost: $300 to $600

Cast iron

Clad in a tough enamel finish, this is another highly durable sink I recommend for white sink fans. It comes in other colors, too, but I’d suggest avoiding faddish colors for items that you want to keep around for a long time, such as your kitchen sink. Keep in mind that cast iron sinks are heavy, so make sure your cabinets are structurally sound and you provide adequate support for the sink.

Cost: $300 to $900

Source: Houzz.com

What does an Iron Chef go for in kitchen layout, appliances and lighting? Find out here

Michael Symon, restaurant owner, Iron Chef winner and star of The Chew and Symon’s Suppers makes you feel like you know him the minute you see him on TV. Whether he’s bantering with his buddies or cooking with passion and confidence, he’s never stuffy or intimidating. You feel like he’d be a great teacher, because he wants you to love cooking as much as he does.

Like cars, luxury appliances are about power, performance and looks, but a good cook can cook on anything. I wanted to know what appliances a chef like Symon wants in his own kitchen — and what he doesn’t. So I asked him.

Q. What’s your ideal kitchen layout?

A. Definitely an open kitchen, including an island with plenty of seating. I like an island for a couple of reasons: Typically if we have the room, I’d love to have the stovetop in the island, so everyone can sit around while I’m cooking and I can be part of the conversation. The island is the center of our house. We have breakfast there; we lay out food for parties there. Ideally I’d love to have an island that’s big enough to hold the stovetop and seating and serving, but that’s not always an option.

Q. And your ideal cooking appliance arrangement?

A. Range top with four burners and a French top and separate double ovens. One reason for the double ovens is that I like the height. If I’m cooking something I have to keep an eye on, then I put it in the top oven, while the lower oven is good for a longer braise or roast.

Even for a professional chef, there’s still “out of sight, out of mind,” and things like pine nuts I can put in the top oven with the light on and not forget about them.

I always thought I wanted a griddle, but I ended up never using it and keeping the stainless cover plate on it, and used it more as a landing spot. I really like the variable and consistent heat on a French top.

As for indoor gas grills, they’re not really my thing. I’m one who likes to grill over open fire.

Q. What about faucets? Few people really think about how they can make life easier depending on the design, but as much as I like function, I can’t stand an unattractive faucet.

A. I prefer two-handle and side-spray options. I love commercial-style faucets — easy to use and plenty of range. I like having foot controls for the prep sink; they help keep things tidy.

Q. What’s your favorite backsplash material?

A. I’m a fan of classic subway tile — easy cleanup and timeless.

Q. Your favorite countertop material by the range? For an island? For prepping? For baking?

A. I like marble everywhere. It’s easy to clean, holds up to heat and cold — durable. I know people worry about marble, but if you go to Europe, you see marble everywhere that’s a bazillion years old, and it looks great. There’s something about the way it patinas; the more it gets beat up, the better it looks, and not every material ages that way. Same with old pewter bars. They’re gorgeous with rings and marks all over them.

A well-landscaped property can add 20% to your home’s value, and has an average return of 100-200% at the time of sale. Even if you’re not thinking of selling now, summer is a great time to spruce up your landscape and make it a place you enjoy spending time.

1. Make your square or rectangular yard look more spacious by planting flower beds in each corner. This will make the centre of your yard appear larger.
2. Revitalize sparse hedges and shrubs by covering their roots and applying fertilizer. Shrubs may become thin when the topsoil from around the roots washes away or diminishes over time.
3. Apply a thin layer of mulch a few inches from the base of the tree. Many people make the mistake of mounding mulch around the base, which may attract pests.
4. Create privacy with large shrubs or trellises covered with climbing vines.
5. Use a simple palette of no more than three colours that complement your home’s colour scheme. This ties the space together and improves curb appeal.
6. Focus on the foliage of the plant. Choose plants that have leaves in a variety of shapes, textures and patterns. If you want your landscape to bloom year round, choose plants that bloom at different times of the year.

The right cabinet color can transform your kitchen or bathroom’s look. And because replacing cabinetry can be expensive, a fresh paint color could be the best bet for your budget. But before you start in on this seemingly simple DIY, keep a key point in mind. “The main issue is that with most woodwork — but specifically kitchen cabinets — is that it’s finished with a glossy product designed to be wipeable, and that same property prevents paint from sticking to it,” says painter Alex Davidson.

Although it’s not as simple as painting your dining room, with the right prep, painting cabinets can be an affordable and lasting design solution. See what four painting professionals say about painting kitchen cabinets

Should you paint your cabinetry? Before making any decisions, figure out what the existing finish is on your cabinet. If you’re not sure, consider taking a door or drawer to your local paint supplier — he or she can help you with what you need to get your cabinet ready for painting.

Depending on the level of work, you may want to look into hiring a professional. “Think carefully before painting your cabinetry,” says Davidson. “It can be a DIY, but it requires a lot of attention and care.”

“Always consider the cost of possibly refacing your cabinets or replacing them altogether, and how that coordinates with your short- and long-term objectives,” says Wade Thompson of ThomsonHoliday Painting.

Choosing the best paint for cabinets. If you’re not working with a professional, look for paint at a local, reputable paint supply store, where the staff can help you pick the right product for your cabinets. Choose a paint that can stand up to repeated washing and is nonblocking, so it won’t stick to itself when the cabinet doors are closed.

Also, know that dark colors tend to show imperfections in the paint and cabinetry much more than light colors do — and, contrary to popular belief, they usually highlight dirt more, too.

What to watch out for. Painting cabinetry may seem like a quick and easy kitchen solution, bit it’s a big job. Make sure you have the time, skills and patience for the task. Odds are, you’ll be looking at this cabinetry every day — so make sure you have the ability to make it look good.

If you’re feeling unsure, look into hiring a professional painter. While it may be more expensive, these pros can probably get the work done in much less time and with a result of much higher quality. “Always get a few opinions,” says Thomspon. “Regardless of your decision, talking to several companies will be a learning experience.” Many professionals will use spray applications to get the smoothest finish, which can make a huge difference.

Painting cabinetry can be a lot of work — but whether you hire a pro or do the painting yourself, the results are well worth it.

“Above all, have fun with the project,” says Miano. “Remember, it’s only paint.”

Source. Houzz.com

Accessories are what give an interior soul and help distinguish a home from a furniture showroom. When accessories are done right, they tell the story of the owners’ lives — their passions, their travels … and maybe even their heartbreak. But accessorizing a house can be a scary thing. We’re often unsure what to include, what to leave out and how to arrange the things that remain. Fear not. Once you understand the principles, accessorizing can be a snap.

Look around your house, attic, basement and yard for potential accessories. Sometimes it’s not the thing itself, but how you display it, that counts. Common objects like stones, shells or pinecones make great accessories — if you gather enough of them and display them in an attractive bowl. Arrange costume jewelry on a tray or fill a bowl with decorative matchbooks. The next time you travel, skip the T-shirt shop and head for the antiques store, craft gallery or flea market. You’ll come home with something attractive and a story to go with it.

The bottom line: If you have fun with your accessories, your family and friends will get pleasure from them, too.

Source: houzz.com