Edmonton Real Estate Blog

Plain house numbers not cutting it? There’s no reason to settle when there are so many inventive options out there. From unique techniques and materials (like lit-from-within neon, laser-cut steel and customized concrete) to clever placement (on hanging pub signs, on the garage), these 10 examples from around Houzz are packed with creativity. See if one sparks a new idea for your own house.

1. Statement sign. Not for the faint of heart, to be sure, but on the right house (which would probably be a modern one), a large address sign like this one can look stunning. No one will have any trouble finding your house with this in the front yard.

2. On the garage. If your garage is the first thing visitors see, take advantage of it. Position bold house numbers or a custom address sign like this one right on your garage. The designers who crafted this address used marine-grade wood, which can withstand the elements.

3. Laser-cut door. Cool and industrial without being over-the-top, this home’s address was laser cut into a rusted steel door. Perfect for an urban residence. (Just be sure emergency personnel can see it.)

4. Neon glow. Surprisingly subtle from a distance, these house numbers reveal themselves to be crafted from neon tubes up close. With numbers lit from within, evening visitors will have no trouble finding their way to your door.

5. Hanging post. Like a modern twist on a Ye Olde Pub sign, this would make a nice complement to standard house numbers on the front of a modern home. With a bright background and positioned on the side of the house, a hanging address sign like this would be easy to spot even from down the street.

6. Set in concrete. Having some concrete work done around your home’s exterior? Consider having your house numbers set right in. The size of these house numbers is ample, but because they are set into the concrete, the look overall is subtle.

7. Supersized. If you have a single or double-digit address, smaller house numbers can get lost on the facade. Make short addresses stand out by going with extra-large (8-inch-plus) house numbers. Choose high contrast for the best visibility, such as dark numbers on a light facade.

8. Etched glass. Have a beautiful but plain glass door? Customize it with etched house numbers. Framing the numbers in a circle, as shown here, is a great way to make the numbers stand out even more.

9. Quirky and painted. If you want something totally different, hire an artist to paint your numbers directly onto a feature in front of your house or on the porch. Here the house numbers were painted onto a rainwater cistern, but you could choose to have them painted on a fence, sculpture or sign.

10. Double address for a corner lot. When visitors can approach from either side, why choose only one to place your house numbers on? Build in a landscape feature, like the one shown here, and you can display your address on both sides.

Source: Houzz.com

Oh, that dread — you wake up in the middle of the night to take a trip to the bathroom, but you know that cold tile will chill all the toastiness right out of your feet. Or you come in from a chilly football game longing to take a luxurious soak in the tub, but the thought of shedding your layers of fleece stops you in your tracks. Soon it will be that time of year when you want your bathroom to raise your body temperature. Here are 15 suggestions that range from something you can do in minutes for a few bucks to dream-space renovation ideas.

Add a cozy rug. A bath mat does not have to be a shaggy little rectangle. Add an Oriental rug to enjoy underfoot during fall and winter. The rich colors will warm up the look of the room as well.
Be sure to add a rug pad or rug tape that will grip the floor underneath any bathroom rug to prevent slips.

Blend beautiful natural materials. Soapstone sinks atop wood countertops add so much warmth to this bathroom. The look reminds me of the natural beauty of a rock outcropping in the woods.

Take a different approach to lighting. We tend to think there is a certain type of characterless light we need to choose for bathrooms, like those flush-mount “boob lights.” This is not true; open your mind and browse the type of lighting you would usually associate with a foyer or dining room.

If you are installing a hanging chandelier or pendant light in a bathroom, work with a licensed electrician who knows the codes inside and out. A chandelier cannot be within reach of someone standing in a bathtub full of water; the fixtures will also need to be properly grounded, and you’ll need a high ceiling.

Consider heated floors. One of the most luxurious things you can do to make your bathroom toasty in chilly weather is invest in radiant-heat flooring. If you are planning any renovations, learn more about what this entails and what the payoffs are.

If you don’t have room in the budget for such a large investment, talk to your electrician about installing a bathroom-safe heater you can turn on before your bath or shower. Again, I stress, working with licensed pros is a must; you don’t want to scrimp on safety with electronics in the bathroom.

Get your towels toasty. Heated towel bars add luxury to the bath, giving you a wonderful way to wrap up when you step out of a steamy shower.

Rev up the wall color. So many of today’s most beautiful bathrooms are crisp and white, but that’s certainly not a requirement. Whether working with wall coverings, paint or tile, think outside the usual bathroom color palettes if the thought of white marble leaves you cold.

Planning a party or hosting overnight guests this holiday season? The preparation can be a lot to tackle all at once. That’s why we’re covering the prep one week at a time — so by the time the big day comes, much of your work will already be done. Below you’ll find tips on getting your home ready for company, from decorations to drinks.
Invest in decor that will last. Want to avoid running out at the last minute for flowers to decorate the tables? Try using either real or fake boxwood topiaries instead. They look chic and festive, but they’re not holiday-specific, so you can leave them out for months. Other long-lasting decor ideas: bowls of nuts in the shell; plain beeswax candles on a silver tray; pots of forced bulbs (they look fresh and beautiful even before they bloom).

Make room for coat storage. If you have a coat closet, coat tree or other space for coats in your entry, clear out your own coats and gear from the area so guests have space for their stuff. A unit with shelves or cubbies, like the one shown here, is great because there is also plenty of room for guests’ hats, gloves and umbrellas. If you are looking for something to add, try a simple garment rack. Racks come at all price points, hold a ton and can be used in the laundry room postholidays.

Stock the bathroom. It’s not glamorous, but there are two things every party-ready bathroom needs: t.p. and a plunger. Once you have those basics covered, it wouldn’t hurt to check your stock of pretty hand towels and soap. Have any bath product samples lying around? Spare toothbrushes? Gather them up and put them somewhere guests won’t miss it — on the sink, or in the guest bedroom for overnight guests.

Make a stain-fighting kit. Gather your favorite go-to stain fighters in a spot you can get to easily during a party, to prevent that red wine on the sofa from becoming a total disaster. Try using a travel-size toiletry kit to store smaller amounts of favorite cleaners in, so you can grab it in an instant. Store a stain-removal cheat sheet along with your kit so you always know which cleaning agent to choose.

Take care of music and drinks. Choosing music for your party can be surprisingly time consuming — put together a few playlists now, and you won’t have to worry about it later. Or pull out the vinyl collection and let your guests take turns playing DJ. Same goes for drinks: It’s not like they will go bad, so stock up now and that’s one less thing you’ll need to shop for later. Plus, when you’re not in a rush, you can take the time to shop around for the best deal … win-win!
Prep guest rooms. Fresh sheets and extra towels, a mirror, working bedside lights, curtains on the windows, a place to put a suitcase — check the basics off your list now so you won’t have to scramble when a guest is due to arrive. If your guest room shares space with a home office, now is also a good time to clear out the clutter … guests shouldn’t feel like they’re sleeping in an office.

Find extra space for overnight guests. Don’t have a separate guest room? Or need more than one? There are tons of options for squeezing in a comfortable extra bed. Store an air mattress in the closet and pull it out as needed. Or, for a more permanent option that blends with your decor, try a daybed or a sleek, modern sofa bed, like the one shown here.

Spruce up your entry, inside and out. It’s the first things guests see, so make sure it sets the right tone. In a cold climate, safety should be priority No. 1, so check that the porch lights are working and roll out a slip-proof doormat outside. Indoors, an extra-large rug will feel more generous than the typical postage-stamp-size version, and it can handle big groups who arrive (and stamp feet) at once. A place to perch on, a few plump cushions and a mirror are gracious touches to consider adding.

Source: Houzz.com

Think of your favorite room. Imagine its textures, colors and openings. Picture all of the objects that sit in it. Now take the walls away. What’s left? Does it still feel like a room? What elements are intact to distinguish it as a space?

Walls are arguably the easiest and most recognizable architectural elements that define a room. Let’s stretch this notion and identify other ways to perceive space. Consider the following tips to create your home’s spaces without relying on the typical vertical barrier for enclosure.

1. Level Change

There is no wall between this dining area and the adjacent space; a few steps differentiate the two areas. A level change can designate zones in an open plan and help to set up a hierarchy of spaces. A level change can also define a smaller area within a larger room. A sunken living room like this creates a relaxed and cozy atmosphere. The light wood flooring of this kitchen and the dark wood floor in the adjacent room merge on the steps and help the transition flow smoothly between the two spaces. Look up and you’ll notice that the ceiling changes in plane and material at the same point that the floor does.

2. Overhead Element

In this room there is a change in material at the ceiling level, while the flooring stays consistent. This material change is a smart visual way to delineate zones in a home with an open floor plan. If you can’t make a material change in your space, try using paint for a dramatic effect. Keep the color consistent from ceiling to wall to headboard — here a crisp line defines the sleeping area from the nearby window. For a cozy seating area, bring a portion of the ceiling down, as shown here. The color can stay consistent with this technique. Adding a few light fixtures further reinforces a change in scale and adds to the overall effect of this conversation zone. Use a surprising element suspended from above to illustrate a change in space. This hovering fireplace cuts through the upper-floor void and brings the focal point back to a human scale on the lower level, which could otherwise have been lost in the double-height space.

3. Structural Elements

A home’s structural elements can be used to define space too. These beams add another layer of architecture that is exposed in the vaulted ceiling. In homes, exposed structural elements are typically reserved for the roof and floor framing. But how about using cross bracing in front of translucent walls, as shown here? Walls don’t have to be solid and opaque. Steel posts with steel channels that frame the edges make up this floating overhead canopy. The zone below doesn’t rely on any full-height walls around it, so it feels protected yet open at the same time.

4. Screens

An easy way to add a privacy barrier near an entryway is to incorporate a room divider. This particular screen allows visual access to the front door with its transparent glass. The screen is a great way to create an architectural pause between here and the rest of the home. Mixing a steel frame and wood blocks resulted in a warm and contemporary insertion between the living and dining rooms here.

5. Flooring Material

Warm wood contrasts nicely with the dark, cool flooring of the kitchen and is an instant visual cue to a room delineation. Notice how the ceiling changes in plane at the same line where the flooring changes. Take the flooring up and transition it into the countertop for a more dimensional feeling, as shown in this compact kitchen. Get creative with your flooring material change to add character and vibrancy.

Defining a space without solid walls is best exhibited in a place with no walls at all! This patio relies on pavers versus landscaped areas to give it a sense of place.

Source: Houzz.com

For this family of four in Ottawa, Ontario, the choice was change their 1960s home or move to a larger house in the suburbs. Their love of city life won out, so they put in some sweat equity, got help from handy friends and enlisted the pros at OakWood Renovation Experts to convert a bedroom into a second full bathroom and walk-in closet. “These clients like the old details mixed with the new,” says OakWood’s Tim Moore. Here’s how the home was adapted to give Mom and Dad their own relaxing bathroom that suited their minimalist tastes.
It took a village to help the family to turn a spare bedroom into their dream master bath. When the Oakwood team started its part of the work, they had a head start. “They are handy people, and to help them save money, friends and family in the trades installed all of the plumbing and electrical rough-ins,” Moore says. “We came in when the drywall was installed but not finished.”

If you’re thinking about a master bathroom renovation, there are lessons to be learned from this example, some geared toward minimalist tastes, some applicable to all styles.

Let the most beautiful materials stand out. Simple, straight lines and a pale palette on the walls and floors allow the beauty of the new Silestone countertop and custom tiger wood cabinetry to shine. Rather than breaking things up with a backsplash, the builders installed a custom-cut mirror that maintains the clean lines.

Take inspiration from the architecture. While the windows are new and more energy efficient than the old windows, their shape mimics the original. The new elements in the room take their cues from the classically modern, long horizontal lines of the windows, creating connections between old and new. Also, the wood trimwork around the windows is a great match for the new tiger wood vanity and tub surround.

Punctuate a light-colored room with a few dark accents. While the palette of the room is soft, light and relaxing, mosaic accent tiles add dashes of dark color for contrast. They also provide a visual connection between the tub area, the shower surround and the countertop. The accent tiles are a unique detail that reflect the owners’ personal style.

Float the vanity to keep things looking spacious. Those few additional inches underneath make the vanity seem lighter and extend the view of the floor. Just be sure to sweep underneath once a week.

Use clear glass to continue the unbroken, spacious look. The entire room enjoys a long view of the beautiful mosaic accent tiles in the shower surround. This reinforces the strong connection between the shower stall and the bathtub across the room. Remember, if you use clear glass, you’ll need to think carefully about how the shower surround relates to the rest of the room.

To save money, plan your layout accordingly. The placement of the shower here accommodates a standard-size, short-width swivel glass shower door, which saved big bucks over a custom-made one.
In a minimalist scheme, small details matter. While the floor tiles are laid out as a simple grid of squares, the vertical brick tile pattern on the shower surround creates a subtle contrast.

The dark center and simple modern style of the showerhead suits the room’s uncomplicated geometry. “Delta products are very affordable, and this particular collection has a very contemporary look,” Moore says.

Add personality with artwork. This piece, depicting classic midcentury modern homes, is a great match for the shape of the window and the colors in the tiger wood.

Source: Houzz.com

Your garage’s main function is usually to safeguard and store your car, truck or motorcycles. That can’t take place if your garage has turned into a glorified storage unit, stuffed to the rafters with boxes, toys, tools, bikes, strollers and everything else you either don’t have room for or just don’t want in the house.

Below are 6 easy to follow steps that will help you clean and organize your garage and seize control once again.

Step 1 – get everything out of the garage and sort it all into groups. Categorize it all and put everything into groups with like items. For example, toys with toys, carpentry tools with carpentry tools, yard tools with yard tools etc. Make a pile for trash, anything you don’t want that you can sell in a garage sale and items to give away.

Step 2 – Get the appropriate organizational tools and supplies. After you’ve grouped everything, decide on exactly what tools and resources will help you organize these items better.

For example,do you need shelves? If so what kind… a free standing shelving system or shelves mounted to the wall? Do you need storage bins, cabinet systems, tool chests, peg boards, hanging roof systems, hanging bike racks, hooks etc.

Step 3 – Clean garage. As soon as you empty your garage it’s important to take time to sweep out all the loose debris and remove cobwebs. You’ll appreciate your garage much more if it’s clean so make sure to sweep and dust routinely.

Step 4 – Decor. This does not mean you need to remodel your garage into pseudo-living room, however you could think about a fresh coat of paint on the walls. Next think about the floor?

Lots of people prefer to paint and seal the floor of their garage to protect it from stains and also makes cleaning easy. Transforming your wall and floor surfaces will have a enormous effect on the appearance of your garage.

Step 5 – Arrange Items For Storage. As soon as you are done with cleaning the garage (floor and walls) now’s the time for you to put everything back. Place those items that you use on regularly within easy reach.

Put items less frequently used further back in the garage or higher up on shelves or in cabinets. Putting labels on shelves, bins and boxes will make it a lot easier for you to find what you’re looking for.

Step 6 – Lastly, make some rules for yourself and family members and implement them. Rules along the lines of, “Always return the items you used back to where you got them,” needs to be put into practice at all times if you plan on keeping your garage clean and organized.

If you follow these 6 simple steps, in no time you will have a clean and well organized garage. Not only will you be able to park your car in your garage but you’ll also be able to find anything want when you need it. One more thing, don’t forget to have a garage sale to help get rid of all those unwanted items and put some cash in your pockets!

by: Walter Jensen

Source: Articlecity.com

Now is the best time to ensure your central air conditioning 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 live 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 wash off with garden hose. Finally, carefully replace all covers, turn on the power, and set your thermostat low enough to start it up. If it looks, acts or sounds unusual, or if you feel uncertain about its operation, arrange for a preseason service call.

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