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

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

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.

Some people know what general paint color they want but struggle with envisioning the exact shade. Others are just scared to commit to color because they’re not sure what works best with their furniture. One of the points about paint I like to make with clients is that the colors you may like may be very different from colors you want to live with.

Some shades translate perfectly to walls. Some, although beautiful, are better saved for fabrics or rugs. Here are some shades of popular, tried and true paint colors along with their exact name and brand, that I think translate very well to walls.

for the complete article click on the following link:

 12 Tried and True Paint Colors for Your Walls

I’d be willing to bet that when you think about your dream kitchen, it doesn’t include the word “tiny.” Yet that’s the reality that many of us live with: skimpy counter space, a cramped work triangle and precious little space for appliances. If you’re not ready — or willing — to knock out a kitchen wall, you can at least do the next best thing: Create the impression of a bigger space with a few strategic decorating tricks.

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1. Replace solid cabinet doors with glass ones. Glass fronts lighten the look of cabinetry and allow the eye to travel through to the back, which helps the kitchen seem more expansive. Just don’t clutter the interiors with bric-a-brac — you’ll defeat the purpose.

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by Jeanne Finnerty

2. Paint cabinets the same color as the walls. Limiting the cabinetry and the wall color to a single hue erases visual boundaries that might stop the eye. The conventional school of thought is that pale colors will reflect light and make the space feel bigger, and that’s certainly a safe approach. But don’t be afraid to go dark, either. Deep tones such as black, navy, charcoal and chocolate recede visually and create the impression that the walls are farther back than they really are.

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Add to ideabook by Andre Rothblatt Architecture

3. Choose furnishings with a small footprint. Select petite islands, slim chairs, streamlined stools and narrow tables that don’t eat up valuable floor space. Avoid chunky furniture legs or thick bases, which add visual bulk. Private Comment

Add to ideabook by Aidan Design

4. Recess storage. Tuck a pantry, shelving or cabinets flush with the wall to keep from obstructing the kitchen’s flow. It’s fairly easy to retrofit a recessed niche, especially if you orient it between wall studs. Private Comment

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by Boor Bridges Architecture

5. Design with clean lines. Big corbels, ornate cabinetry and fussy details can make a kitchen feel chopped up. Instead, keep the elements tailored and sleek to smooth out the look and create a roomier feel.

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by Lisa Borgnes Giramonti

6. Merge into a larger space. This breakfast room, separated from the kitchen by a low half wall, feels like a natural extension of the cooking area.

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by Justrich Design

7. Incorporate open shelving. Open shelves reduce visual weight and lend the illusion of a more expansive space. For an even sleeker look, choose floating shelves over models with brackets.
See more of this 90-square-foot kitchen

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8. Winnow down. Don’t crowd counters, shelves and cabinets with clutter, which makes the space look as though it’s bursting at the seams. Instead, focus on a few standout items and necessities and hide the rest away.

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by Whitten Architects

9. Direct the eye upward. Choose patterns and visual elements that help to guide the gaze toward the ceiling. The vertical lines of the wall and ceiling boards in this kitchen lend the impression of greater height.

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Add to ideabook by Aidan Design

10. Flood the space with light. Whether your kitchen is done in pale colors or dark ones, light beaming in will help it feel as large as possible. Keep window treatments very simple, or eliminate them entirely, so as not to block the sun. Source: www.Houzz.com

A good investment in a renovation should increase the value of your home by at least the amount of money you spent, or close to it. A bad one doesn’t get you much of your money back. Here are some investments that have proven to return their value, or close to it:

· Low-cost improvements that make your home look better: Painting, new wallpaper, and items like new rugs and curtains help to brighten and improve the look of a home, and add value to your house if they are done close to the time of sale.

· New or improved kitchens and bathrooms: Improvements to your kitchen and bathroom seem most likely to increase the value of your home. Keep in mind that these improvements lose value over time.

· Improvements to the living room and the master bedroom: These are also good investments and will usually return most of the money you spent, if not more.

· Investments in more efficient use of energy: Oil, gas, and hydro costs continue to go up. That’s becoming more of a concern when people are looking to buy a home. You can make your home more energy efficient as an investment in its value. Some government programs help reduce the costs of these projects. Also, consider buying appliances that waste less energy.

· Keeping up with repairs. If you do a little at a time, you can avoid doing a lot of expensive repairs at the same time. A reasonable amount to spend yearly is 1% to 2% of the value of your home.

What are some renovations that don’t add much value to my home?

· Swimming pool: Make sure you want a pool before you invest in a pool. The cost of putting in one won’t show up in the price that you get when you sell a home.

· Costly appliances: Most people won’t want to pay an extra $4,000 for your home to pay for a $7,000 refrigerator instead of a $1,200 refrigerator. If you pay thousands of dollars for top-of-the-line appliances, enjoy them. You probably won’t get your money back if you sell them with your home.

· Costly landscaping: The way your home looks from the street can really help interest buyers. It’s called ‘curb appeal.’ But if you spend $30,000 in landscaping, don’t expect to get it all back. Most buyers probably won’t see or appreciate the value.

· Renovating in an area where homes are being torn down: Tear-down activity involves homes being sold, torn down, and replaced by bigger, more expensive homes. If someone is going to buy your home and tear it down, a renovation won’t return any of your money. The buyer will have no interest in the building, just in the land.

Remember: Don’t assume you will get all your money back from a renovation

The key to renovating is to keep the house in good repair and do the renovations you want to enjoy. If you think you might be selling in the near future, focus on renovations that are more likely to get your money back.

Learn more:

: information on a wide range of topics ranging from finding a contractor, to home maintenance checklists

– Resource Centre Worksheets: worksheets and checklists you can use when planning a renovation who belongs to the Canadian Home Builders’ Association

Source:

Early spring is the best time to ensure your central air conditioner is working. Don’t scramble for a service call during the first heat wave. To get started, replace or clean your indoor air filters. Next, follow your manual’s instructions on how to turn off your thermostat and all AC power connections. ( Do not touch or disturb any electrical connections, as some parts may hold a charge.) Next, remove the unit’s outside screen and determine if any motor points require lubrication. Then examine the condenser coils and exterior fan to ensure they are clean and unobstructed.  Remove any debris or was off with the garden hose.  Finally carefully replace all covers  turn on the power, and set your thermostat low enough to start it up. ( only do this step when it is at least 16 degrees Celsius outside ) If it looks, acts or sounds unusual, or if you feel uncertain about its operation, arrange for a pre-season service call.

The look of the kitchen is changing — already granite countertops and dark wood cabinets are starting to look a little late 90s. If you’re thinking of renovating or building a house (or just like looking!), here are five of the top trends for modern kitchens. And the best part? Some of these are things you can do right now, without spending much money at all.

For the complete article click on the following link http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-new-kitchen-5-top-trends-184706

What is interior design? As the name implies, it’s all about designing a living
area – such as a bathroom or basement – while taking into account your
needs, tastes, and budget, as well as the characteristics of the space itself.
If you’ve ever sketched out an idea for a renovation – to add a wall, install
hardwood floors, or paint – then you’ve done interior design, as least at an
amateur level. Home improvement contractors, when they make
suggestions about how to renovate a room, are also acting as interior
designers.
According to the Association of Registered Interior Designers, “Interior
Designers will analyze your needs and budget, prepare and present
conceptual solutions and then manage the implementation of the project.”
Although hiring an interior designer may seem like a luxury for many
homeowners, it can actually be quite affordable. Plus, consider that your
interior designer can manage your project from concept and design all the
way through to a finished renovation – including managing the renovation
work itself.
How do you find a good interior designer?
In Canada, check out Interior Designers of Canada at www.IDCanada.org.
In the U.S., visit the American Society of Interior Designers at www.asid.org.
Both websites have search tools to find qualified registered interior
designers in your area.
A REALTOR® who is an expert in the local market can also give you a
recommendation.
When reviewing possible interior designers, take a close look at their
portfolios, which are usually in the form of pictures of completed projects.
Consider the style of work they’ve done for other clients, as it is likely that’s
what you can expect for yours.
According to an article in The Epoch Times by Lloyd Princeton, it’s also
important that you get along with the interior designer. You’ll be working
closely with that person. If you have a gut feeling that you’re not going to
like him or her, then you won’t be satisfied with the result – even if the
design is actually good.