Everything Home - Real Estate & Home Services Guide December 2024
How to get the cottagecore look at home
If you love wildflowers, crafting, embroidery, plants and a fairy tale-like esthetic, the cottagecore look may be right for you. This trendy style evokes the at mosphere, lifestyle and roman ticism of English country hou ses. Fortunately, you don’t have to live in a literal cottage to get the look. Here’s how to bring this design style into your home.
THE WALLS
To create a dreamy and poetic atmosphere, paint the walls in pastel tones. Alternatively, apply a flowery wallpaper. Just make sure the print isn’t too busy, as this can overwhelm the space.
THE FLOOR
EVERYTHING HOME
Whether it’s wood or ceramic, light flooring is a good fit for the cottagecore look. If you add a rug, consider choosing a white or beige macramé model.
THE FURNITURE
Wood, wicker, rattan and other natural materials con tr beds and other furniture made of these materials. Vin tage and antique pieces are also on theme.
vaulted ceilings. Enjoy cozy winter nights by one of the fireplaces. The Wood Mode kitchen is a chef’s dream, with a gas Viking stove, an island with a prep sink, and a breakfast bar that opens to a spacious family room. Retreat to the southwest wing, to a luxurious primary suite complete with a spa-like bath, large office, and patio access. The basement houses a remarkable 1,300-bottle wine cellar. Step outside to a beautifully landscaped outdoor space, and enjoy the convenience of a heated driveway. Don’t miss this one of a kind home!
help you determine how much of your bud get to put toward each item. For instance, if you have trouble sleeping, you may decide to splurge on your mattress rather than on a dres ser or vanity. Or, if you work from home, you may want to spend a little
2. LOOK FOR DEALS
Once you’ve planned your purchases, it’s time
to buy locally. You don’t have to go far to find talented furniture makers and well-curated furniture stores.
Soundproofing helps us live together... peacefully!
Many homes include rooms specifically designed for reading. If this room is conducive to relaxation and intellectual activities, what about music lovers or f ilm fans who would also love to have a special area set aside for their interests? Here are a few tips for soundproofing a room, helping to avoid conflicts with other occupants of the house.
First of all, it is important to distinguish between insulation and the product specifically designed for soundproofing. The former includes such things as decorative tiles for the ceiling which would only soften any resonance in the room. They do not prevent sound from spreading.
Of all the different soundproofing components in a room, acoustic insulation inside
the walls is the most important and the most effective. It could consist of fibreglass, mineral or cellulose wool. Resilient bars, which are strips of galvanized steel, are then installed. Their function is to stop noise transmission through the plumbing or the framework of the home. They are fixed on the wall beams or the floor joists. After this, drywall can serve to finish the walls as well as to reinforce the soundproofing effect.
As a last step, draught proofing tape, specifically designed for acoustics, should be used. Sound can be transmitted through even the smallest of cracks, between the frame of a door and the framework of the wall as well as between the dry wall and the floor. It is important therefore to seal the room’s perimeter.
Installing vinyl siding: 101
First of all it should be stated that vinyl siding is easy to install. However, the manufacturer’s instructions must be followed to the letter in order to avoid buckling. As well, it should never be forgotten that vinyl expands and contracts with temperature changes so you don’t want to restrict that movement by driving the nails in too tightly.
Start by nailing the starter strip on a horizontal furring strip, first ensuring that this is level. Install the corner mouldings, square and vertical and then the J-trim into which the panels are tucked. Cut the panels to size and insert the starter panel in the J-trim, leaving around 0.6 cm of expansion room and driving the nails in
horizontally. To make the joints less visible overlap the panels by 1.3 cm and install the panel most in view over the one further away.
To f inish, nail the roof trim in place then follow the same process under any windows. Calculate the distance from the top of the trim to the preceding panel’s nailing hem and subtract 0.6 cm. After having put the panel in position, draw a line at the junction of the two pieces. Punch dimples along this line at 15 cm intervals with a snap-lock punch, making sure the lugs are on the outside of the panel so they will grip in the trim underneath the window once the panel is fixed into place.
A stair lift for more freedom
If your mobility has been reduced to the point of not being able to get up and down stairs without pain, difficulty or risk of injury, the solution is to have a stair lift installed.
To ensure your comfort, choose a good quality stair lift, which starts, moves and stops smoothly. The absence of vibration, of abrupt movements or sudden stops will add to the feeling of safety and reliability. A good stair lift stops automatically at the top of the stairs. The seat pivots at both the top and the bottom of the stairs making it easier and safer to get on and off the seat. A safety belt and a safety brake will reassure you during transportation. This device can be personalized by a control which adjusts the height of the seat as well as the footrest.
A stair lift can be installed inside or outside a house and is powered either by electricity from the home’s power supply or by batteries equipped with an automatic recharging system. A manual control, or one fixed to the wall at the top as well as at the bottom of the stairs, allows the lift to be moved to where it is needed.
To ensure the safety of other people who use the staircase, the chair, the padded armrests and the footrests should be designed to fold to the maximum, keeping the steps as clear as possible. Another important feature of any stair lift is a removable key to prevent children from playing with it.
What type of patio door to choose?
Patio door systems consist almost entirely of glass, giving access to the backyard and allowing natural light to flood our homes. As they normally constitute the largest area of glass in a home, it is important to choose them with care.
First of all we must decide which type of opening suits us best, either hinged or sliding. Often called a garden door or a French door, the hinged or tilt-and-turn door opens like a regular door. Commonly known as a patio door, the sliding door consists of two or four panels which slide on tracks. Ensure that the model chosen has the right sliding configuration for you depending on the layout of your home. Also make sure that the sliding system is durable, gentle, quiet and does not require any effort when opening or closing the door.
Whether you choose wood, aluminum, PVC or a hybrid, always ensure that the material is long-lasting and of good quality. A patio door should not only be a sturdy, solid construction but should also be able to withstand bad weather, knocks, flaking, mould, warping as well as corrosion.
Instead of relying on the type of window (insulated, sealed, thermal, energy-efficient) or on the number of panes (single, double, triple, quadruple), you should check the door’s rating according to required standards: air infiltration, water penetration, ease of operation and structural loading requirements. The door should also offer excellent energy efficiency and good soundproofing.
The locking system should have a high performance rating for resistance to forced entry.
An attractive sliding patio door.
Page 56, January-February 2010, TOOLBOX
A stair lift which moves sideways up and down the stairs.
instructions must be followed exactly when installing vinyl siding.
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and putting away of dishes from the dishwasher as well as providing easy access to all accessories.
The eating zone consists of the table and chairs or the island if it is used for meals.
Well-distributed kitchen zones.
Is your roof in good condition?
As well as adding beauty to your home, the roof also protects it. It is therefore very important to take good care of this key element of any house. After a certain number of years, the roof of a house can show signs of aging and be susceptible to problems, depending on the quality of the covering and the area where you live. High winds, water, snow, ice and sun are often responsible for serious damage.
Depending on how severe the damage is, the asphalt shingles will have to be repaired or replaced. By looking at your roof you will be able to see if the principal signs of an aging roof are showing and be able to make an informed decision. The main signs are broken, raised, wavy or curled shingles.
Shingles with broken corners no longer afford good protection against water infiltration and shingles with edges that are lifting are vulnerable to high winds. Wavy shingles are often caused by poor ventilation in the attic, which leads to a deformation in the roof covering. Curled shingles are caused by the normal aging of the roof and are extremely vulnerable to winds, hail and ice.
Replacing a roof is a project which requires a good deal of planning. First of all, you must request the necessary permits from your municipality. Now comes the task of removing the old shingles and disposing of them in an appropriate manner. Don’t forget that safety is a key element of any work being done on a roof. Ask for help if you are planning on doing the work yourself although it may be preferable to call in roofing professionals.
A well-maintained roof protects your house while adding to its beauty.
fireplaces do not pollute the air, either outside or inside the home. This is due to the fact that no smoke is produced, contrary to traditional fireplaces.
The installation of a garage door requires dexterity!
Of all the moving components of a house, the garage door is without a doubt the heaviest! If you are thinking about replacing yours, you should know that it is an operation which requires a few precautions, a lot of muscle and a certain amount of dexterity!
The spring is the key component of any garage door worthy of the name... and because this is such an important detail, be sure to find out everything you can on the subject. To start with, there are two types
of springs on the market. The first is the torsion spring which is situated above the garage door opening. The only disadvantage to this type is the fact that there has to be at least 30 cm of free space between the top of the door and the ceiling of the garage. This detail can be a problem if space is restricted.
This type of spring is, however, much more common than the second type, the extension spring, which is attached to the ceiling just above the door tracks. It is noisier and much more dangerous to install as it does not have safety cables to regulate the tension. However, with either type of spring, it is strongly recommended to call in a professional to slacken and remove the spring of your old door before starting any installation work.
Some garage doors are made of wood or f ibreglass. There are also steel doors which have the advantage of being lighter and of needing less maintenance. Look for a one piece, tilt-up model in order to avoid any fingers being pinched. This is a must, especially if there are any young children in the picture!
The quality of all the different pieces of hardware contained in the drive train is as important as the garage door itself.
All of the images in this issue are available in colour and in black and white.
Plan on six zones for your new kitchen
Traditionally kitchens have been planned with a triangle of activity centres in mind; cleaning, provisions and cooking zones. But now three more areas should be included: preparation, storage and eating.
The cleaning zone includes the dishwasher, sink, garbage and recycling which should be grouped together in order to avoid carrying dirty dishes too far. Cleaning products can also be stored in the cabinet under the sink.
The provisions zone which serves to store and preserve food items, includes the refrigerator, the freezer and the pantry and is positioned near the entrance to the
kitchen to facilitate storage after grocery shopping.
The cooking zone comprises the cooktop, oven, microwave oven, hood and other household appliances such as grills and fryers. It should also include a storage zone to keep pans, casseroles and cooking utensils close to hand.
The preparation zone contains the main working surfaces of the kitchen, as well as the island if this is used for preparing meals. This zone is usually situated between the cleaning and cooking zones.
The storage zone comprises the cabinets, shelves and drawers. It is spread over a large area and is distributed in such a way as to facilitate the emptying and putting away of dishes from the dishwasher as well as providing easy access to all accessories.
The eating zone consists of the table and chairs or the island if it is used for meals.
Well-distributed kitchen zones.
The beauty of a fireplace, without a chimney
Would you like the beauty and warmth of a fire with realistic flames but without all the work of cleaning the chimney, carrying wood, cleaning the ashes, not to mention the danger of setting fire to the house? If so, an electric fireplace is the ideal solution for you!
Who doesn’t dream of being able to read a good book, listen to music, or spend a romantic evening with a loved one next to a warm fire? Yet many people just aren’t interested in maintaining a traditional f ireplace. An electric fireplace, however, will meet everyone’s needs.
The electric fireplace:all the advantages, none of the work.
The electric fireplace, by producing enough warmth to heat a room and doing this more quickly and efficiently than an electric baseboard heater, can help towards reducing energy bills. Moreover, it will never over heat a room as these fireplaces are equipped with thermostats.
But the fire does not necessarily have to produce heat. In fact, most electric fireplaces can be used with or without heat which allows us to enjoy a good fire, winter or summer.
The electric fireplace is also very easy to move which makes it very popular with young couples who change homes on a regular basis. What’s more, its installation in a condominium, where co-ownership rules sometimes forbid traditional fireplaces, is facilitated by the absence of a chimney.
Finally, electric fireplaces do not pollute the air, either outside or inside the home. This is due to the fact that no smoke is produced, contrary to traditional fireplaces.
Is your roof in good condition?
As well as adding beauty to your home, the roof also protects it. It is therefore very important to take good care of this key element of any house. After a certain number of years, the roof of a house can show signs of aging and be susceptible to problems, depending on the quality of the covering and the area where you live. High winds, water, snow, ice and sun are often responsible for serious damage.
Depending on how severe the damage is, the asphalt shingles will have to be repaired or replaced. By looking at your roof you will be able to see if the principal signs of an aging roof are showing and be able to make an informed decision. The main signs are broken, raised, wavy or curled shingles.
THINKIN GOFD OW NSIZIN GA NDNEEDANENE RG Y EFF IC IEN TH OM E?WE HAVETHE HO MEFO RYOU!
The installation of a garage door requires dexterity!
Of all the moving components of a house, the garage door is without a doubt the heaviest! If you are thinking about replacing yours, you should know that it is an operation which requires a few precautions, a lot of muscle and a certain amount of dexterity!
of springs on the market. The first is the torsion spring which is situated above the garage door opening. The only disadvantage to this type is the fact that there has to be at least 30 cm of free space between the top of the door and the ceiling of the garage. This detail can be a problem if space is restricted.
Shingles with broken corners no longer afford good protection against water infiltration and shingles with edges that are lifting are vulnerable to high winds. Wavy shingles are often caused by poor ventilation in the attic, which leads to a deformation in the roof covering. Curled shingles are caused by the normal aging of the roof and are extremely vulnerable to winds, hail and ice.
The spring is the key component of any garage door worthy of the name... and because this is such an important detail, be sure to find out everything you can on the subject. To start with, there are two types
Replacing a roof is a project which requires a good deal of planning. First of all, you must request the necessary permits from your municipality. Now comes the task of removing the old shingles and disposing of them in an appropriate manner. Don’t forget that safety is a key element of any work being done on a roof. Ask for help if you are planning on doing the work yourself although it may be preferable to call in roofing professionals.
This type of spring is, however, much more common than the second type, the extension spring, which is attached to the ceiling just above the door tracks. It is noisier and much more dangerous to install as it does not have safety cables to regulate the tension. However, with either type of spring, it is strongly recommended to call in a professional to slacken and remove the spring of your old door before starting any installation work.
Some garage doors are made of wood or f ibreglass. There are also steel doors which have the advantage of being lighter and of needing less maintenance. Look for a one piece, tilt-up model in order to avoid any fingers being pinched. This is a must, especially if there are any young children in the picture!
