Many years ago, for one of my first issues as Editor-in-Chief, I had the honor of featuring Designer Brian Gluckstein's home. I've always been a fan of his style and his talent for creating spaces that not only look great today but also years from now. While touring his home, where everything was beautifully on point, I was surprised to discover that he had completed his renovations a decade prior! As the old saying goes, "Luxury never goes out of style." I have always believed that the key to creating a timeless space that will age well is investing in quality finishes and Brian's home was proof of this. When designing a space, we are often torn between what types of finishes to choose. No matter the size or scale of the project, we all must work within a given budget. Even a 2 million dollar renovation has a 2 million dollar budget. When debating between the multitude of finishes available, opt for classic pieces, neutrals finishes and, most importantly, pieces you love. (See Design & Décor starting on page 28) Mandy and I have recently embarked on a new journey! We are building a luxurious cottage that will be completed this coming fall. As we make our way through this process, we face the same questions that every homeowner must face when building or renovating. Where do I splurge and where do I save? How can I create a timeless design that I can enjoy for years to come? Our goal is to create a beautiful open space where we will be able to entertain family and friends. When it came to the design concept, we knew we wanted a contemporary feel with a nod to the cottage's rustic surroundings so we are working with a neutral palette including white cabinetry with touches of oak (very on trend!) and black accents. As we forge ahead through our build, I couldn't help but draw inspiration from the features in this issue. While you peruse the many pages filled with inspiration, remember that good design is a personal process. At the heart of it, your décor should be a collection of pieces that have special meaning to you. Happy decorating!
MARC ATIYOLIL Editor-in-Chief
marc@canadianhometrends.com
CONTENT
28
Design & Décor Expert advice for your dream home.
31
TOUR: Minimalistic Glamour A stunning home tour with Micieli Design.
57
TOUR: Luxurious Standards Tour a spec home with beautiful standard features.
72
In The Kitchen Must have appliances, features and recipes.
89
Weddings & Special Events Advice for your proposal, bridal shower and wedding.
106
Health and Beauty Tips for your best summer ever!
124
Outdoor Living Updates and ideas for your exterior and backyard oasis.
138
We Love… Editor's picks for what's trending this year!
144
Renovations Expert advice and inspiration for your home reno projects.
159
TOUR: Stunning Kitchen A kitchen worthy of a chef!
164
High Point Favorites Designer Glen Peloso shares his favorites from High Point Market.
ON THE COVER Minimalistic Glamour A stunning home tour with Micieli Design. 31 Space designed by Micieli Design, www.micielidesign.com Photography by Mike Chajecki, www.mikechajecki.com
Summer 2022 Special Edition
Editor-in-Chief Marc Atiyolil www.MarcAndMandy.com
Senior Associate Editor Crystal Williams National Design Editor Glen Peloso Lifestyle Editor Mandy Atiyolil Design & Event Editor Evelyn Eshun Style Editor Jo Alcorn Food Editor Chef Rob Thomas Design Editor Jillian Straky Copy Chief Lorraine Jolicoeur Art Director Micheline Gosselin
Media Sales Inquiries: Canadian Sales Office: Ph: 1-866-984-0940 sales@canadianhometrends.ca www.canadianhometrends.com Production and Design Marc Atiyolil Media Inc. Published by: Marc Atiyolil Media Inc Box 7, 20 Centre Ave, Blumenort, MB R0A 0C0 1-866-984-0940 – FAX 204-346-9099 Email info@canadianhometrends.ca www.canadianhometrends.com
To Subscribe Call: 1-866-984-0940 All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the publisher. Canadian Home Trends Magazine makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions. Publications Mail Agreement No. 41438018 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Canadian Home Trends Magazine Box 7, Blumenort, MB R0A 0C0
OUR CONTRIBUTORS
3
8
6
Editor-in-Chief Marc Atiyolil; Design Editor, Designer Jillian Straky; National Design Editor, Designer Glen Peloso; Senior Associate Editor, Crystal Williams; Designer Brenda Brix; Designer Ana Micieli; Reiki Expert Doris Artner; Designer Terra Currie; Staging Expert Jena Peters; Designer Kalli Georgiakakis; Dr. Mark Hawass; Tech Designer Mike Freedman; Pet Expert Jennifer Kaiman
Elevate
DESIGNING A BATHROOM THAT IS BOTH STYLISH AND FUNCTIONAL REQUIRES CAREFUL PLANNING. HERE ARE A FEW KEY TIPS FOR YOUR NEXT BATHROOM DESIGN PROJECT! Jena Peters, www.jenareneeliving.com
YOUR BATHROOM VANITY
See more of this stunning home in the Renovations Issue of Home Trends Magazine and online at www.canadianhometrends.com
Overheard lighting has been the go to for bathroom vanities for decades but overhead fixtures can result in uneven lighting and awkward shadows. Placing a pair of scones on either side of the mirror provides better lighting with less shadows!
Eucalyptus is a great choice for bringing a bit of green into your bathroom. It offers a pretty modern style and can be functional as well. It is said that hanging eucalyptus in the shower can help with clearing nasal congestion and relieving sinus inflammation! Much like a kitchen, storage planning is key to designing a bathroom that is both functional and stylish. Ensuring you have plenty of storage for all items you’ll keep in the bathroom will make it easier to keep your vanity clear of clutter!
#DreamNursery YOUR RENEWAL CONSIDERATIONS While most Canadians spend a lot of time and expend a lot of effort in shopping for an initial mortgage, the same is generally not the case when looking at mortgage term renewals. By omitting proper consideration at the time of renewal, this practice costs Canadian citizens thousands of extra dollars every year. Nearly 60% of borrowers simply sign and send back the renewal that is first offered to them by their lender without ever shopping around for a more favorable interest rate.
The soft rosy glow and warm wood tones of this nursery create a cheery and calming nursery oasis for both mommy and baby! First Light 2102-70 is the perfect color for walls along with Cole and Son’s Whimsical Star wallpaper with a hint a gold for a subtle shimmer. We accented the blush hues with classic white furniture, touches of gray and woven wicker. Function is essential in this space; we would recommend a generous dresser for baby changes (not pictured), a comfortable rocker for late-night feedings, a bookcase for toys and story time and a wood play gym for floor play.
Design Concept by Designer Jillian Straky, Housewears, www.housewears.ca; Pillows, Macrame Rainbow, Gray Rug, SHOPCHT, www.shopcht.com; Wallpaper, Cole and Son, www.cole-and-son.com; Wall Color, Benjamin Moore, www.benjaminmoore.com; Rocker, Monte Design, www.montedesign.ca; Crib, West Elm, www.westelm.ca; Bookcase, Pendant Light, Crate & Barrel, www.crateandbarrel.com; Art, Society 6, www.society6.com; Wooden Baby Gym, Etsy, www.etsy.ca; Drum Side Table, World Market, www.worldmarket.com; Bedding, RH Baby & Child, www.rhbabyandchild.com; Planter, Fiddle Leaf Fig, Structube, www.structube.com
Generally it is a good idea to start shopping for a new term between four and six months before your current mortgage term expires. Many lenders send out your renewal letter very close to the time that your term expires and this does not give you ample time to arrange for a mortgage term through a different lender. This means that you need to be tracking your own mortgage term timeframe and know when it is time to start shopping for a good mortgage renewal rate. Before you ever hear from your lender about renewing your mortgage term, have a licensed mortgage professional shop around for you. You will be amazed at what they can accomplish on your behalf!
Jevad Danesh & Lina Addeo www.easymortgagepro.ca
Urban
Country Chic
Digreen Homes, www.digreenhomes.com
Caledon living is all about urban-country chic style amidst some of Ontario’s prettiest scenery. Residents here are committed to maintaining their rich history and heritage villages that are scattered in the rolling hills of Caledon country. Constellations in Caledon is a limited collection of spacious single-family homes featuring deep lots and a basement side entrance. Located east of Kennedy Road just north of Hwy 410, you’ll be close to all urban amenities like schools, restaurants, shopping complexes and recreation centres. Beautiful parks and conservation areas are nearby for a true dual lifestyle – countryside living with big city conveniences. With a wide variety of models available, this multi-phase project is sure to have something to fit your family! 60 single family homes, ranging in size from 220 sq ft to 3600 sq ft, offer plenty of options for customization to suite your specific needs. One popular feature, especially with families from South and East Asian cultures who live with extended families, is the option to add an additional bedroom on the ground floor. Built with environmentally friendly options, these homes are spacious, comfortable and unique.
Kalli Georgiakakis Kalli George Interiors When asked to update this space for a client, we faced one major problem. The existing area rug was large and expensive so the homeowner wanted to keep the rug. Unfortunately, the colors (black, teal, russets, yellow/gold) did not create the feeling the client desired so it could not be used as the primary color scheme for the space. The solution was to create two color palettes in the room with cooler tones for the majority of the fabrics and the warmer area rug colors for the artwork and accessories. A hint of black throughout helps to ground the space and pull the look together. Another issue in this space was that it felt unbalanced. Because of its rectangular shape and the placement of the furniture, there would always be an area without furniture, thus the feeling of ‘no balance’ in the room. Adding a banquette will fill the space, add additional seating and balance the room. An ottoman completes this section of the living room. - www.kalligeorgeinteriors.com
www.decor-rest.com
www.ethanallen.ca www.silva4home.com www.tricafurniture.com
Fabric Roundup
www.uttermost.com Window Treatments, www.uniquefinefabrics.com; Chairs & Banquette Seats, www.thibautdesign.com; Sofa, Chairs and Banquette Backs, www.jffabrics.com; Sofa Seat, www.maxwellfabrics.com; Couch Pillows, www.fabricut.com; Pillows for Chair and Banquette, www.kravet.com; Ottoman, www.kravet.com
home safety THE ULTIMATE LUXURY: A SAFE, PROTECTED HOME We all do our best to create our ideal living space. Consider adding smoke and carbon monoxide alarm upgrades to your list of home must-haves. These necessary safety products are an easy addition, and yet many Canadians are under-protected and unprepared. According to the Canadian National Fire Information Database, 80 per cent of fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms, often due to missing batteries or expired alarms. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to help keep your family and home safe. Every level, every bedroom. Even if you have smoke alarms in your home, you and your family may not be sufficiently protected if you don’t have enough devices. For whole home protection, it is recommended that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms be inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.
Try This Go for a 10. One of the greatest advancements in alarm technology in recent years are 10-year sealed battery alarms as they offer convenient protection by eliminating low-battery chirps and battery replacements for a decade. For ultimate home safety, upgrade to the First Alert 10-Year Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm for 2-in-1 protection against both smoke and carbon monoxide. The alarm features a slim, contemporary design that mounts unobtrusively on a wall or ceiling. Proper alarms installation and maintenance can help your home and family be prepared. To learn more about smoke and CO alarms and additional home safety upgrades you can make, visit firstalert.ca.
Don’t Forget! Test and maintain alarms. Once enough alarms are installed, be sure to test your devices regularly, and change the batteries every six months. Also remember that alarms are on duty 24/7 and need to be replaced at least every 10 years. If you can’t remember when you installed your alarms, chances are, it’s time to replace them.
Elevate
CREATE A WOW STATEMENT IN YOUR DINING ROOM WITH SIMPLE YET STUNNING DESIGN CHOICES THAT TAKE THE ORDINARY AND MAKE IT AMAZING! Terra Currie, www.terracurriedesigns.com
YOUR DINING ROOM
A bold, statement making light fixture adds a touch of luxury to this dining room.
Try This
Jonathan Adler Milano Chandelier, Living Lighting, www.livinglighting.com
This built-in buffet is the perfect way to maximize the use of space! Tile detail behind the open shelving adds a pop of fun pattern!
Try This Palm Starburst Hex Tile, SomerTile, www.somertile.com
Mixing and matching a variety of chairs in the same color around the dining table adds subtle visual interest.
Try This
Faux Leather Chair, Bouclair, www.bouclair.com; Shaker Spindle Side Chair, Woodcraft, www.woodcraft.ca
See more of this stunning home in the Spring Special Edition of Home Trends Magazine and online at www.canadianhometrends.com
Creating A DREAM II
MAIN BATHROOM Basic white wall tile installed in a herringbone pattern will create a stunning backdrop for the main bathroom. Black fixtures, pendant lighting and a floating light oak vanity will complete the look.
After purchasing an empty lot in Port Colborne, Kevin Belem, president of Sherhill Construction, decided to use the property to create a dream cottage for his family. The main cottage will feature a three car garage, a stunning wrap around porch, a state of the art kitchen, a master suite and two additional bedrooms. An unfinished basement will provide plenty of opportunity for future growth as well! Together with Avenue Design Inc, the open concept space has been designed to feature bright, airy spaces with plenty of luxurious details and modern touches for a warm, welcoming space that Kevin's family will enjoy for years to come! Watch for the finished space in an upcoming issue of Home Trends Magazine!
www,sherhill.ca
GLAM PRINCIPAL BATHROOM The principal ensuite bathroom design concept is all about understated elegance! A simple, modern color scheme of whites and greys comes to life with marble tile, gold fixtures and stunning, statement lighting including a chandelier over a freestanding tub!
Dream Home Planning Christopher Audette, Award Winning REALTOR®, www.thegroup.ca Every estate home here has its own unique personality and characteristics, be it a butler’s pantry off an upscale kitchen, the grand display of a dedicated wine room or the home gym cordoned off by a formidable glass wall. Community Manager, Charles Maguet and his associate Ayla Weemaels of Brookfield Residential have helped many customers transform the Riverstone Estates show home into their own semi-customized dream homes. In a candid conversation, they share some sage advice for people who want to take the already appealing and well designed show home and manifest it into a unique abode to call their own. Building a home is an embodiment of self. Finding something already created, that immediately invokes an emotional connection and affordably tweaking it to suit your unique individuality, is like having your cake and eating it too. Making design choices to fit your unique tastes can be beneficial in the home design process, as is engaging the experience of your builder for feedback. Charles says, “We take the time to make sure that any changes our customers want to implement into their design choices are unique to them and their lifestyle while still being mindful of potential resale down the road.” The builder and their agents have the experience to guide your unique flair and tastes and they can balance that flair with a healthy dose of practical experience. “We also want our customers to feel confident knowing that the modifications they choose to make in their home today, will work for them for years to come” chimes Charles. The builder’s reps routinely get ongoing formal and informal feedback from buyers on what they like and dislike about the choices they have made. “We’re here to help you make this home your own, to fall in love with it,
and also, for that love to last” says Ayla. Ayla suggests people bring in pictures from pinterest as examples to the overall desired look and feel. This helps with understanding what they would like to accomplish. Doing this early on can also flush out conversations that reveal if modifications are in or out of the budget. Starting with an actual home you can walk through has immense benefits throughout the design and build process. “Every home ends up so unique from each other but each was founded from the model home that people were able to physically walk through.” Ayla chimes in “We recommend that, by the way. Walk it as much as you can and in a detailed manner, making sure it’s functional as well as fashionable” “Exactly,” says Charles “It means you can take what
is already professionally thought out and well designed and make the tweaks that feel like home to you.” Other tips that Charles and Ayla share are to walk all the lots you are interested in, come at different times of day to see how the area changes, and always try and keep function top of mind. Ask the builder a lot of questions and find out what others like and don’t like. Charles reminds people to have fun throughout the process. “Don’t lose your excitement and anticipation as you pour your heart and soul into your design.” “No two homes are ever the same and it is so rewarding to see people’s dreams come to life.” Ayla says with a smile.
Crystal Williams Associate Design Editor www.CanadianHomeTrends.com
SOURCES
This luxury living room design concept is inspired by gorgeous ocean views. A palette of blues and earthy neutrals will transport you to the beach while metallic touches add a feeling of glam to the room. Adding texture and patterns through-out the space help to bring contrast and dimension to the look.
Furniture & Accessories, Speers Interiors, www.speersinteriors.ca; Wall Color, Gotta Have Hue DR124-3, Beauti-tone, www.beautitone.ca; Lighting, Living Lighting, www.livinglighting.com; Throw Pillows, Bouclair, www.bouclair.com
Marc Atiyolil Editor-in-Chief www.CanadianHomeTrends.com
SOURCES
This modern, monochromatic look is all about creating drama. Mixing black and gold with rich textures creates a stunning WOW factor. Each piece could be a statement piece on its own but they are carefully selected to work together perfectly without overwhelming the room. The overall look is modern and simple yet elegant and statement making at the same time.
Furniture & Accessories, Speers Interiors, www.speersinteriors.ca; Lighting, Living Lighting, www.livinglighting.com; Throw Pillows, Bouclair, www.bouclair.com
luxurious
STANDARDS TEXT | Rayelle Unrau-Exner
This gorgeous spec home is poised on a corner lot in one of Calgary’s most popular infill communities – Glenbrook. It is close to the downtown core and has a wide assortment of amenities at the ready. The neighborhood is the perfect landing space for young professionals, first time buyers, couples, and families alike. The home features a full sized floor plan with tons of breathing space, oversized windows for natural lighting, and stunning upgraded finishes over every level. Spec homes are a fun challenge to take on because it gives you a chance to show the market what you can do at specific price points. This home needed to offer stunning style with mass appeal and also be completed on time and on budget. The team decided to have some fun with this project and go with dark and moody cabinets rather than the typical white kitchen. The cabinets are paired with beautiful white oak hardwood flooring to brighten the space up and it proved to be the perfect combination. With a goal to keep it simple but never boring, another place where the team got to have a bit of fun was in the bathroom. Playing with color and pattern in the tile work really brings the room to life. Every spec home that Professional Custom Homes builds comes with a fully finished basement. For this project, the basement features large windows and beautiful finishes that match the rest of the home to guarantee the basement never feels cold and forgotten. It should be just as much an entertainment hub as the main floor! Professional Custom Homes Ltd www.prohomesab.com
Architectural Flair IN MISSISSAUGA
PROPERTY FEATURES ARCHITECTURAL FLAIR, SOARING CEILINGS, LUXURIOUS MODERN FINISHES AND SUN-FILLED INTERIOR. Each bedroom includes a sitting and study area. Huge elevated multipurpose great room area for office, studio or family room! Stylish glass & wood staircase with open risers that overlook an open concept main living area with centre island kitchen. Kitchen has quartz and integrated stainless-steel appliances. Living room and dining all include impressive ceiling heights! Above grade windows in lower level. Recently renovated bathrooms. Enjoy multiple outdoor spaces including a rooftop terrace with lake views, beverage area, and a landscaped fenced yard with deck. Located in transitioning lakeview neighborhood with several new builds around! Expansive oasis backyard with trex composite deck with underneath storage, modern railings and oversized pergola, perfect for entertaining. Fully fenced yard offers generous greenery and lush gardens. - Michael Phinney, www.phinneyrealestate.com
Home Theatre Built by Capable Group Inc, www.capablegroupinc.com
#moviesathome
THE ULTIMATE IN LUXURY ENTERTAINMENT
It's Saturday night. You and your family are in a theatre, you can smell the hot buttered popcorn as you sink into your seat. The smell and experience envelop you: the excitement and anticipation of a movie night is unmistakable. As everyone gets comfortable you tell the people in front of you to stop talking. Then, someone says, “Hey Alexa, start the movie” and the experience begins. Movies are still one of the greatest forms of escapism our culture and society will ever know. They can literally transport you to a different time, place and even a different dimension. As great as a big TV with a soundbar can be, nothing is truly as immersive as that huge picture and sound which transports you from your home right into the middle of the action or the front row at any concert your heart desires. Having your own theatre is one of the greatest luxuries. Think about it! We control the show times, we control what features are playing and we can even press pause to tell the kids in the front to stop talking again! Those are all great things but mostly the exciting part is
that you don't have to go anywhere to experience any of them! You can turn any room in your own home into an amazing, customized theatre. It used to be that creating a theatre room required a dark room full of boxy speakers. The room was not particularly useful for much of anything else though. Properly designed theatres let you hide all the equipment away and even use a projector in a brightly lit room! You have unlimited freedom! You can turn your living room, a spare bedroom and even your back deck into a theatre! There are four keys to creating a proper theatre in your home: picture, sound, seating, and a controlled environment. A well-designed theatre combines all four seamlessly! Using a perforated screen covers up most of the speakers in the room without compromising on picture or sound quality. We simply need to add a projector and we can enjoy movies! In rooms where light is an issue, special projector materials let you use a projector in any room. This is
especially useful if you have a lot of ambient light or are turning a living or dining room into a theatre. There are also invisible speakers that go behind drywall. These marvels of technology let us hide the speakers in the ceiling so the theatre room stays clean looking and you keep visual clutter to a minimum.
A well-designed theatre brings together multiple design and performance elements: hidden speakers, a large, bright, and immersive picture, acoustic treatments, and proper theatre seating.
Certain screen materials such as Black Diamond from Screen Innovations allow you to enjoy the benefits of a big picture in any space, including a brightly lit room.
Theatres are notoriously boomy. There can be a lot of echo and reverberation. We counter this by putting sound treatments in the room. This helps hide some of the speakers but, more importantly, cuts down on the echo and noise in the room. Sound treatments keep sound from bleeding into other parts of your house during a movie. This part can be a lot of fun. The selections of fabrics and finishes is endless which allows you to be very creative in creating your space. Lastly, you're going to need someplace to sit. Some people elect for traditional couches and sofas which work and are comfy. For an authentic theatre experience, you need to look at dedicated theatre seating. We're not talking about basic seats. We're talking about custom, high-end furniture that fits in with the rest of your house. It’s easy to create your own oasis of escape with a custom theatre in just about any room of your home. The only limitation is your own creativity. Whether you envision a contemporary, modern space or something right out of Star Wars itself, your theatre should be as unique as you are! A well-designed space will give you years of entertainment and endless hours of enjoyment with family and friends.
Michael Freedman AI Technology and Design www.aitechdesign.com
The right seating can make your theatre uniquely yours.
The right acoustic treatments help control noise while bringing the room together. Gone are the days of ugly panels and egg cartons.
Here we see an example of speakers which are placed behind an acoustically transparent screen. When the lights are turned off, those speakers are completely invisible.
WHY CONSIGNMENT? Keeping your home fresh and up to date often means that furniture and decor pieces no longer fit. So what do you do with items that are still in great shape but no longer suit your needs? Well, sell them of course! Or better yet, consign! The stress of downsizing, selling your furniture, moving and/or decluttering is melted away by the warm Summer sun when you pass the work on to an experienced consignment team! They can help find the best buyers for your items which not only puts a bit of money back in your pocket, but also keeps items from needlessly ending up in a landfill somewhere! All that's left is for you to enjoy your updated home. The best part is that someone new will love and cherish your previous furniture. And who knows, maybe you'll find that perfect, one of a kind piece that's missing to complete you new look as well. The Millionaire's Daughter www.themillionairesdaughter.com
The Key to Success for Developers Property development is considered a highly lucrative area of the real estate industry. Yet developers often face a number of risks and challenges that can potentially derail projects and decimate profits. There are several factors to consider, such as the impact of variables like weather delays, cost overruns, stock market fluctuations, restrictive terms and cash flow issues. Too often, large banks let commercial developers down.
LUXURY REAL ESTATE When it’s time to move up and get into that dream luxury home you’ve always wanted, there are similar concerns every buyer has but also different and very specific needs a luxury home buyer may have. My number one goal for any buyer client is to successfully purchase their dream home while saving the most amount of money possible. Like the nearly $600,000 I negotiated UNDER the asking price for a recent luxury buyer client of mine. I’ll touch on that later. Luxury buyers can have very specific locations they are targeting. Some may absolutely need to be on a specific street, have a certain view, desire absolute privacy or to be in the catchment of the top school. I provide this information by living and working in these areas for 25 years. This provides me with intimate knowledge of these locations. Knowing my market is crucial. Another key concern luxury buyers have is price. Just because they can afford the asking price doesn’t mean
they should pay the asking price! I recently saved my luxury buyer nearly $600,000 UNDER the asking price that was almost $4,000,000! That’s clearly a huge amount of money to save! Luxury buyers want to be sure they aren’t over-spending too. I was able to negotiate hard for my buyer because I know my market inside and out. I know the location because I’ve sold in that area before and I know luxury features, construction and pricing. This brings me to my next point. Knowing costs of high-end features, building materials and labor to create the home is critical. It can be a powerful weapon when negotiating because, in the luxury market, there may not be many, or any, recent comparables. Thoroughly dissecting the home and property is the best way to come up with the correct price to negotiate for my buyer clients and ensure they are the winners without over-spending!
Paul Mann, www.mannestates.com
A brokerage that specializes in commercial and alternative financing can be the key to success. Rather than pushing transactions through as banks often would, a mortgage broker is interested in building and maintaining long-term relationships with its partners. They will strive to make the road to financing a lot easier and, simply put, seamless. They are often able to offer options with less stringent lending guidelines, higher loan amounts, high loan-to-cost ratios, fewer presales and far fewer equity requirements compared to traditional banks. This allows developers to take advantage of opportunities that come up quickly, With fast approvals and sound advice on financing projects, they will provide you with a step-bystep plan to help through the acquisition, rezoning and construction phases. Simply having the ability to pick up the phone and reach a person familiar with your name, your project’s budget, your objectives and your future goals can help save time and inspire confidence. Given the complexity inherent in property development, it pays to have a knowledgeable partner along for the entire journey, from evaluating an opportunity and the initial stage of a project through the rezoning and construction process. Pip Dhaliwal, www.freedomcapital.com
Honey Jerk Chicken
INGREDIENTS 3 pounds
chicken pieces
1.5 Tbsp
prepared jerk seasoning
2 Tbsp
Western Sage Glacier Honey
1 Tbsp
fish and meat sauce
6
Pimento seeds, crushed (Jamaican Allspice)
1/2 tsp
Browning sauce
1/2
freshly squeezed lime
1 tsp
coarse salt
DIRECTIONS Mix the chicken and all ingredients in a freezer bag. Refrigerate and marinate 4 hours or overnight. Light the barbecue. Grill the chicken over medium-high heat, turning occasionally. Cook until the internal temperature of each piece reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. www.kbhoneyfamily.com
PRO TIP: How do you prevent honey from crystallizing? The truth is that you can’t fully prevent raw honey from crystallizing, but you can take steps to slow down the process. Avoid storing in cool or cold places as honey will crystallize faster. In order to slow down this process, store honey in a warm location such as a kitchen cupboard near or above the stove. Our choice: Western Sage Glacier Honey from the KB Honey Family
As Seen on the Marc & Mandy Show Looking for fresh, easy recipes you can try at home? Check out the Recipe section at www.MarcandMandy.com for great recipes, cooking demonstrations and so much more!
Avocado Breakfast Bagel INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
2
bagels
3 Tbsp
butter
Slice bagels in half and spread the butter on the cut sides.
2
eggs
4 slices
bacon, cooked
2 slices
Swiss cheese
1 medium
avocado from Mexico sliced into wedges
1 cup
arugula salad hot sauce or mayo to taste salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Preheat a large pan (or griddle) over medium heat and, once hot, toast the bagels cut side down until golden brown. Set the top half aside and flip the bottom over and drop more butter in the pan before cracking an egg into the hole. Cook until just set and then flip for one minute or desired doneness. Season with salt and pepper. Flip back over and top each with 2 slices of bacon and the Swiss cheese. Remove from heat. Add your avocado slices, arugula, and drizzle hot sauce or mayo to taste. Top with the other half of toasted bagel and serve. www.newscanada.com
Easy BBQ Pulled Mushrooms INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
6 large
Preheat grill to 425°F (220°C). Remove the stems of the portobellas and set aside. Remove the gills from the mushroom caps and place mushroom caps, bottom side up, on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cook for 20 minutes.
portobella mushrooms
or 1 lb
king oyster mushrooms
1 tsp
vegetable oil
2 cups
sliced onions
1/4 tsp
each salt and pepper
1/2 cup
favorite BBQ sauce
Find more recipes at www.mushrooms.ca www.newscanada.com
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in onions, salt and pepper. Cook for 8 minutes stirring. Meanwhile, use your hands or two forks to “pull” the mushroom stems apart. Remove mushrooms from the oven, and once cool enough to handle shred the mushrooms using your hands or two forks. Stir shredded mushroom caps and stems into the onions and barbecue sauce. Cook, stirring over medium-low heat for five minutes. Serve as a sandwich, in lettuce wraps or use in tacos.
Weddings AND SPECIAL
EVENTS
PHOTO: West Coast River Lodge, www.westcoastriverlodge.com
GET THE LOOK Lantern, Pottery Barn, www.potterybarn.ca; Macramé Backdrop, Solid Oak, www.solidoakinc.com; Pampus Grass, Walmart, www.walmart.ca
Dream
DESTINATION
There is nothing quite as romantic as a small, intimate wedding in a beautiful island setting with all the luxurious amenities your guests could ask for! With space for up to 23 overnight guests and 120 event guests, the West Coast River Lodge in Port Alberni on Vancouver Island is the dream destination for any wedding. The lodge offers accommodations exclusively for groups which means you and your guests can enjoy the lodge and grounds in complete privacy. No need to worry about disturbing other guests! The lodge offers a restful, charming atmosphere that is sure to provide a memorable experience for you and your guests. Decorated with antique Canadian furnishings and overstuffed sofas and chairs with expansive decks and sheltered viewpoints, the Lodge offers luxurious comfort both indoors and out. A large dining room, cigar lounge, large common space, and fully stocked kitchen make entertaining easy. Additional amenities include a seasonal outdoor heated swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, billiard room and large outdoor BBQ area. The staff at West Coast River Lodge are experts in creating stunning events and can help you plan out every detail! They can offer recommendations for local vendors, local attractions and more! Their goal is to make your planning process as easy as possible so you can show up and enjoy your event. With a variety of picturesque options for your ceremony and reception, a wedding at West Coast River Lodge is sure to be a unique and memorable experience!
West Coast River Lodge, www.westcoastriverlodge.com
Proposal Planner All of the best proposal stories have one thing in common: personalization. It’s not about the location or how much you spent. It’s about the thought that went into creating a memory that shows that you really understand your partner! Here are some of our favorite proposal ideas for location, ring style and flowers based on your partner’s personality.
1 1. MODERN MEDIA Celebrity and social media culture defines the modern proposal with grand gestures, gorgeous Insta-worthy set ups and stunning displays of affection. For the modern, social media maven, an Instagram Worthy proposal with cutting edge flowers, candle light pathways and a sleek, modern diamond ring is just the thing. 2. BEACH BABE If nothing beats a day spent dipping your toes in the water, a beach proposal is the way to go. Pair stunning waterside views with an ocean-inspired gemstone ring and pretty blue florals for a memorable moment. 3. VINTAGE CHIC Take an afternoon drive in an antique car, spend a weekend at a bed & breakfast and enjoy searching for treasures at local antique shops! Pair your proposal with a vintage inspired diamond and a classic bouquet in a vintage-style vase.
3
2
Floral Arrangements, Canada Flowers, www.canadaflowers.ca Engagement Rings, Charm Diamond, www.charmdiamondcentres.com
4. CLASSIC LUXE For the couple who values traditional classics, an elegant dinner at a favorite restaurant with a classic rose bouquet and a stunning three stone diamond ring is a tried and true plan. 5. WHIMSICAL
4
From whimsical locations like a local amusement park or a trip to Disneyland to soft, pretty florals and a Disney inspired ring, this proposal is all about making her feel like a princess. 6. ONE-OF-A-KIND Prefer things a little more out-of-the-box? Select a unique, non-traditional destination. Set the scene with creative florals and a gorgeous ring featuring colored stones and non-traditional settings. 7. NATURE LOVER For the outdoor lover, select a location that embraces what you love most. Go for a hike, take a picnic to the park or camp at your favorite summer spot. A ring featuring diamond clusters, reminiscent of flowers, is the perfect choice to pair with a mixed bouquet of seasonal favorites.
5 6
7
#trending
BRIDAL SHOWER IDEAS
BALLOON GARLANDS This isn’t your grandmother’s balloon décor! Balloon garlands have hit the event décor scene in a big way. They offer an affordable way to make a big statement, perfect for accenting the bride’s chair, welcoming guests at the entrance or creating a photo spot! MINI CAKES Tiny, individual cakes are the new cookie! They create a stunning decorative statement as well. ELEGANT BUFFETS Buffets are not a new concept for bridal showers but now, it’s all about the set up! Vintage plates, themed table décor, decorative presentations and the like turn the buffet table into a stunning showpiece. INTIMATE GATHERINGS Small, intimate gatherings make for a more memorable experience than one, large gathering. For many brides, the idea of attending a few smaller showers where they can actually visit with their guests is preferable to a large single shower where you don’t have the time to really connect with your guests. INSTA-SPOT In today’s social media culture, creating an Instagram-worthy photo spot where guests can take fantastic selfies and group photos is a great idea. From gorgeous décor to creative backdrops, this encourages your guests to capture the day in social media savvy style. Lexy Balloons www.lexyballoons.com
Lexy Balloons www.lexyballoons.com
canadian
FASHION FILE
SOME OF THIS SEASON’S HOTTEST BRIDAL STYLES FROM CANADIAN DESIGNERS.
THE LABEL: &For Love FIND IT ONLINE www.andforlove.com SHOWN HERE: Oceans from the 2022 Ocean Haze Collection
THE DESIGNER: Anais Anette FIND IT ONLINE www.anaisanette.com SHOWN HERE: Mattea from the 2022 True Love Lasts Collection
THE LABEL: Laudae FIND IT ONLINE www.laudae.com SHOWN HERE: Marrakesh (Version 1) from The Helios Collection
THE DESIGNER: Truvelle FIND IT ONLINE www.truvelle.com SHOWN HERE: Lillie (Version 1) from the 2022 Collection
THE LABEL: Catherine Langlois FIND IT ONLINE www.catherinelanglois.com SHOWN HERE: Summer from the LoveBlooms Collection
THE LABEL: Reclamation FIND IT ONLINE www.wearereclamation.com SHOWN HERE: Much Love Gown
THE LABEL: Something Blue Vancouver FIND IT ONLINE: www.somethingbluevancouver.com SHOWN HERE: Simone
you’re curious about Botox, we say baby steps. We support starting small and subtle. Our Botox treatments are performed by a board-certified dermatologist, so you can rest assured, you’re in good hands. Results: 3-7 days, full results in 2 weeks, lasts 3-4 months Downtime: unlikely
LASER GENESIS They don’t call it Genesis for nothing! Transform dull, lax, uneven skin with this gentle, non-invasive, no-downtime treatment. Genesis gently stimulates collagen and elastin, and improves fine lines, skin tone and texture, pore size and redness. We recommend 3-6 treatments, 2-4 weeks apart. Results: both immediate and cumulative Downtime: none
RADIOFREQUENCY MICRONEEDLING
Pre-Wedding
PREPARATIONS Wedding season is upon us and whether you’re the bride, a bridesmaid or mother-of-the-bride, you want to grace the aisle looking impossibly stunning. What’s the best accessory to that amazing designer dress you just laid out for? Glowing skin! What steps can you take now to be photo ready for the big day? Whether it’s next week, next month
or next season, we’ve got treatments to help you look radiant and refreshed. A consultation is the best way to start.
BABY BOTOX We’ve all got them: between the brows, around the eyes, along the forehead. Lines, they’re natural! But if they’re bothersome and
Get glowing with this rejuvenating process to renew the deeper layers of your skin. Smooths fine lines, firms skin tone, and improves texture by clearing out damaged cells and stimulating new collagen and elastin. We recommend 3 treatments, 4-6 weeks apart. Results: early results within a week, full results in 3 months Downtime: 2-4 days
LATISSE Leave the drama to your lashes. Latisse is the only prescriptionstrength lash treatment approved by Health Canada, and it's physician dispensed. Clinically proven for longer, thicker, darker lashes. Results: early results in 4-6 weeks, dramatic results in 16 weeks Downtime: none DermLab, www.dermlab.ca
#trending
CUSTOM RING DESIGN
A custom wedding ring is a perfect choice for creating a one a one-of-a-kind piece that tells the story of your love! Sabrina Melendez of Janine de Dorigny works with couples to bring their designs to life in her Toronto-based studio! She suggests the following tips to get the most out of your custom design experience: Be honest about your budget! A custom engagement ring doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Being honest with your designer about your budget will allow them to suggest design changes and modifications that will achieve your dream design within your budget. Think outside the box! The key benefit of a custom designed ring is that it doesn’t look like every other ring you can buy at your neighborhood jewelry store. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your design! Make it personal! One common reason for a custom ring is that the bride or groom want to incorporate metal and/or stones from another piece with personal meaning. Perhaps you want to incorporate the diamond from your grandmother’s engagement ring or use the gold from a special piece of jewelry purchased earlier in the relationship. A custom piece allows you to incorporate those meaningful materials into a new, custom ring! Consider a variety of materials. While gold and diamonds are the classic choice for wedding jewelry, incorporating other materials and stones either mixed with gold and diamonds or on their own, can create a truly unique design!
Janine de Dorigny www.janinededorigny.com
hair care 101 Must have products for your hair! From styling products to color maintenance, these products are sure to make your hair the star of the show this summer!
Do you love all day curls? Do you sometimes just layer the hairspray on hoping to lock in the style for the day? INFASHION CURL
Save 15% at www.beautywellness.ca using coupon code CHT15!
Now we can put down the hair spray and the heat mitts. Infashion has released a new curling iron that is a game changer! This curling iron contains a new Japanese technology that combines hot and cold for styling. The curling iron is shaped like a closed flat iron, with a button you press to open the plates and insert your hair. Then, you simple twist and glide the curling iron down your hair. This shape and design makes the curling iron very user friendly. When the iron is on at full heat, any where you touch on the outside is not hot! No more burned ears or fingers! The unique part of this curling iron is the heat and cold elements. While it does have five heat setting going all the way up to 430 ° F (221 ° C), it also has fans on the outside of the curling iron blowing cool air to instantly cool the hair, locking in the curl. Your curls will last all day! Heat opens the cuticle, allowing the hair to be susceptible to styling. Normally, the cuticle will slowly close. This is what causes your curls to fall throughout the day. Using cooling technology, the cuticle is closed instantly, locking in the curl for a longer lasting, bouncy curl.
Style Must Have No more having to cut that pony tail out after a long day or loosing the hair tie 24/7. These gorgeous and durable hair claw clips are the perfect replacement in your hair kit. They lock your hair up all day and you can wear them in so many different ways. The possibilities are endless. Hair claw clips come in many different colors, designs, and sizes making them perfect for everything from a day at the office to a night out with the girls. They are stylish, stunning, and durable. www.pixiewooshop.com
Did You Know? Try These
PURPLE SHAMPOO ISN'T JUST FOR BLONDES! Purple shampoo, when lathered, releases purple pigment into with hair to help revive the ashy, cool tone in blonde, grey or platinum shades, while removing the underlying yellow/gold pigment. Did you know that it is safe to use Purple Shampoo on other shades of hair that are not blonde, grey or platinum shades? Light brown shades may also use purple shampoo to combat brassy tones in their hair. For the darker shades of brown hair, it’s recommended to use blue shampoo as it contains more pigment to combat the darker tones within the hair. You can use a purple shampoo on red, copper, or auburn hair to also neutralize unwanted brassy tones.
Save 15% at www.beautywellness.ca using coupon code CHT15!
Health & Beauty TREATMENTS THAT CAN IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH, APPEARANCE AND LIFESTYLES!
Injectables Dermal fillers are used to enhance your natural beauty and offer a fuller, more symmetrical look. Lips, cheeks, and chin are the most popular areas for dermal fillers. They are also used to improve visible signs of aging by restoring lost volume, improving natural contours, and smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. Dermal fillers have many uses beyond anti-aging when injected by experienced hands. These include hand and neck rejuvenation by smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, earlobe rejuvenation and replacement of lost volume, and as a long-term approach to skin hydration treatment. Botox® and Dysport are available to clients who are wanting to look and feel their best without having to undergo invasive procedures or surgery. www.formaesthetics.ca
PRP (P-shot, scalp) Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is an innovative product derived from your own blood cells, that has numerous applications including under-eye rejuvenation, hair restoration, and male sexual health. PRP is used to stimulate new collagen and improve the elasticity and texture of your skin. It promotes tissue regeneration, decreases oxidative stress, and revascularization. PR can be used as an innovative hair restoration treatment to reduce the appearance of thinning hair and hair loss. Additionally, the P Shot, a Health Canada-approved PRP treatment, is designed to enhance sexual function, increase sensation, and improve the appearance of the penis. All treatments using PRP are completely organic, with no additives used. www.formaesthetics.ca
Women’s Sexual Health Investing in your sexual health can dramatically improve your quality of life. Most women are unaware of the factors that affect sexual health or all the treatment options available to them. Women’s sexual health consultations and treatments can help identify your own unique concerns. In particular, pelvic floor dysfunction is more common than you think. Votiva Radiofrequency (RF) vaginal treatments can be used to treat: sexual dysfunction, stress urinary incontinence, weakness of the vaginal muscles, wrinkled appearance and decreased elasticity of the labia and vulva, pain caused from dryness and labial hypertrophy, and menopausal symptoms. At Form, a pre-treatment consultation with Dr. Paterson, Gynecologist is required to ensure you are a good candidate for this procedure. www.formaesthetics.ca
W AT C H T H I S
CLICK TO WATCH
Marc and Mandy transform an old chest into a gorgeous plant-themed display piece using Colorantic™ matte chalk based paint from Oak & Linen! www.oakandlinenhome.com
PLANT CHEST DIY PROJECT
Dalia Barsoum TRENDSETTER Dalia worked in the lending/wealth management department of one of Canada’s biggest banks for 15 years before deciding to make a career change to the mortgage industry. She started Streetwise Mortgages in 2011. She wanted to focus on income properties as she was also an investor. She saw a way to bring the strategies she learned in wealth management at the bank into mortgage financing for income properties. She loves to do work that elevates others financially. Dalia is an Amazon Best Selling Author for her book “Canadian Real Estate Investor Financing: 7 Secrets To Getting All The Money You Want”. She is also ranked as a Global 100 Mortgage Professional by Canadian Mortgage Professionals (CMP) and Broker of the Year for Ontario in 2022. Her company specializes in income property financing and loves to help Canadians grow a real estate portfolio of investment properties. From buy/hold to flips to buy/renovate/ refinance, rent to own, short term and long term rentals, apartment buildings, and developments, they have seen it all. They take a strategic approach to financing investment properties beyond just closing the transaction at hand. Canadian Home Trends: If you could have lunch with any one person in the world, who would you pick and why? Dalia Barsoum: I would love to meet Buddha and soak in all his wisdom. I am a firm believer that we can grow in every dimension of our life to the extent of our personal and inner growth. CHT: If you could go back 20 years, what advice would you give your younger self?
CHT: Name one thing on your bucket list.
DB: Trust yourself. Surround yourself with people who elevate you and learn from those who are in the place you want to be. Get out of your head. The ceilings and scary scenarios that are sometimes created in the mind are not real. Observe your thoughts and only let the good thoughts through.
CHT: What is your favorite area in your house?
DB: Going on a mindfulness and wellness retreat in Asia.
DB: My front porch. This is where I sit in the morning, watch the sun rise and listen to the birds.
www.streetwisemortgages.com
Live Your Best Life
OUR EXPERTS SHARE SOME OF THEIR BEST ADVICE FOR YOUR HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE!
THE REAL REASON THAT YOUR ARTHRITIS IS NOT GETTING BETTER!!
Little bit of anatomy. Bones are the skeleton. Joints are the connection of two bones together with a cartilage at each end. Ligaments hold the joints together. Muscles moves the skeleton at a joint. Nerves run between muscle fascial plans.
Jennifer Kaiman Pretty Puppy Smiles It can be a challenge to remember to brush your dog's teeth every day but proper oral hygiene is important to your pet's overall health and wellbeing. Here are my three keys to success: 1. Make it part of your daily routine. I always encourage my clients to keep it simple. Keep your dog’s tooth brush somewhere you can see it, such as next to their leash. This will encourage you to get in the habit of brushing your dog’s teeth before rewarding them with a walk. 2. Choose a toothbrush that works for you. I love to use children’s toothbrushes for my dog’s teeth. They have big plastic handles that are easy to grip and extra soft bristles that are ideal for your dog’s teeth and gums. 3. Choose the right type of toothpaste. Unlike humans, dogs swallow toothpaste so it’s important that you choose a product that is free of sugars and additives. If you can’t pronounce it, don’t buy it.
Dr. Mark Hawass Arthritis VIP
We'll take a knee as our example. You get a knee injury (this applies to any other joint). No broken bones on x-rays. Diagnosed with sprained ligaments. The joint feels unstable. Inflammation takes place. Muscles tighten to protect the joint (remember the function of the muscle is to move the skeleton and not function as a ligament). This causes tendonitis and bursitis. The nerve gets squished due to the muscle spasm causing pain and irritation. Overtime the bone will form spurs to protect the joint from slipping. All of the above affect the cartilage leading to joint pain and later arthritis. You can’t exercise or do physio due to the pain. Your joint will get worse. You are given anti-inflammatory and pain killers to help the pain. Maybe a steroid injection that DESTROYS your cartilage. Pills are masking the picture and NOT treating the underlying cause. You think you are ok, but the joint is getting worse. The medication rots your gut. More inflammation takes place. More pills lead to weight gain, sleepless nights, muscle weakness and maybe surgery in 20 years. This results in a poor outcome with surgery as your body is de-conditioned and not because the surgery did not work.
In order to get better you need to reduce systematic inflammation and start restoring ligament function before it is too late.
Earthsave Canada There are many well-known benefits to eating plant-based including environmental sustainability, better health, and reducing animal suffering. That being said, making the change to a plant based diet can feel overwhelming at first. If you're looking at starting your plant -based journey, here are a few tips to help you succeed: Progress, not perfection. You don’t need to change everything overnight! What’s important is that you start taking steps towards your goal. Consistent manageable changes add up quickly and give you successes to build on. One meal at a time. A great place to start is to choose to eat a vegan breakfast. Many popular breakfasts are easy to make vegan, such as oatmeal, smoothies, or bagels/ toast. Once you’re comfortable with your vegan breakfasts, you can start experimenting with vegan options for lunch and then dinner. Simple swaps. Buying the vegan version of a food you already eat can jump-start your journey. Check your grocery store for easy substitutes like non-dairy milk, veggie burgers/sausages, vegan mayo, and many others. Eat more food. Vegetables, grains, and legumes are less calorie dense than meat, cheese, and eggs. They are also high in satiating fiber. Be sure to eat enough calories, which may mean eating more food than you’re used to. Remember, change takes time. This is a life long journey and you don’t have to know it all before you take that first step!
Zain Peerani Peerani’s Flooring When selecting flooring, it’s important to look beyond appearance and price only! You need to do HealTHY research andSelf Reiki Doris Artner, take into account the unique details of your project including structure, What is Sound Therapy Healing and how can it help me? Sound therapy is a vibrational sound energy healing technique using music, to create low frequency sound that moves through the body directly through the nerves, skin and bones. The vibrations travel through the body to provide total relaxation of the muscles and mind, allowing the body to heal down at the cellular level. Sound therapy helps decrease blood pressure, reduce stress, minimize pain, promote peacefulness, and alleviate nausea, fatigue and depression. What is Reiki, what should I expect during an energy healing session, and how do I know it is for me? Reiki is a safe and non-invasive ancient Japanese energy healing technique used to clear energy blocks caused from physical, mental and emotional trauma/imbalances. This helps with the reduction of stress and promotes a feeling of relaxation. It is for anyone who has an imbalance within and needs help healing ailments such as depression, anxiety, focusing issues, digestive issues, pain, low self esteem, anger, and much more. In the healing session, I will channel Reiki healing energy by placing me hands directly on or just above the body energy centers. You may feel tingling within your body as energy moves, heat or coolness from my hands or may even see colors or other visuals with eyes closed. After a treatment, you typically feel relaxed and refreshed. What is Distant Reiki and are the benefits the same as an in-person Reiki treatment? Reiki from a distance can be performed from and to anywhere in the world. Scientifically speaking, everything has its own energy frequency, and Reiki is an energy healing modality. A treatment can be sent to and from any location. Just as sound or light energy travels, so does Reiki energy. The benefits would be the same as an in-person treatment due to quantum physics where energy is able to travel through space and time. Is there an expected course of treatment for Reiki? The recipient generally has a knowledge of when a general treatment is required. For such instances as surgery or a physical injury I would suggest before the surgery, after the surgery and after an injury for a few treatments, spread apart as needed for pain reduction to help speed the healing process. Whenever an emotional trauma occurs such as heartbreak, grief or loss you may only need one initial treatment and a follow up many months later.
Jennifer
Everingham TRENDSETTER Jennifer first fell in love with real estate after a successful 20 year career in luxury retail management. Her kids were finishing up elementary school and she was ready to look for her next journey. Her love for helping people in a way that was fun, interesting, and a rewarding challenge led her to real estate. No client is exactly like another which makes it fun and a new adventure every time. Jennifer is a Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE®), Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist with Membership in the Million Dollar Guild (CLHMS™) , and an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®). Jennifer received her Real Estate License and started her business in 2016. She was able to take time to learn the foundational aspect of the business, which allows her to offer her clients thoughtful and comprehensive advice. Her company focuses on low volume, extraordinary service, and exceptional results. She works with only a small group of clients at a time to ensure oneon-one personal service. She will always be the person you deal with from first call to the sale! She has just recently expanded her business to help clients explore vacation and retirement properties in Mexico! Jennifer recently purchased a property in Mexico which helped her develop first hand knowledge of the process and made her want to expand her business to help others do the same. Her advice to any potential client would be that buying a home is a major decision - financially and emotionally. It could be the largest purchase you will ever make. It needs to bring you happiness and joy in the present moment. That said, you can’t overthink it. It may be the best decision you ever make! Canadian Home Trends: If you could go back 20 years, what advice would you give your younger self? Jennifer Everingham: Trust your intuition, be present and cherish and be grateful for every day despite how challenging they may be! CHT: Name one thing on your bucket list JE: Travel to the Cook Islands.
CHT: What is your favorite room in your house? JE: My favorite spot in our home is our private backyard deck. It is my special place, nestled in our garden filled with beautiful flowers and lilac trees. Warm summer nights are spent around the firepit, enjoying a glass of wine, snuggling under a blanket on the sectional with my husband and kids catching up on the day or watching a movie on my laptop under the twinkle lights. www.sothebysrealty.ca
“When one thinks about investing their hard-earned money there are a plethora of options available.”
Real Estate Investing Success Perhaps you want to play the stock market, or look into investing in minerals such as gold and silver. Regardless of what you choose, most investors will tell you investing in land and properties is a safe and great way to grow your money. When it comes to real estate investments, there are many different options such as commercial real estate, a second property (such as a cottage), or even purchasing a home to rent and create an ancillary source of income for yourself. One of the most common and successful strategies when it comes to investing in land is to purchase a primary (or principle) residence. This long-standing approach to successful real estate investing gives you a place to live, and most importantly, removes the aspect of paying off a landlord, allowing you to pay off your own mortgage and accrue value on your home. Another interesting way to invest in real estate is to find a good REIT. REITs, which have been around for
over 20 years, stand for Real Estate Investment Trusts, and more often than not these investments can work out quite well for a patient investor. A REIT company will invest your money in large scale properties such as a hotel or condo development. There are many different companies offering REITs so it is important to do your research and decide which trust is right for you. A good REIT will be able to carry itself through tough economic times, something most investors look much more carefully at, especially considering what the country and greater world has gone through these past few years. Although it is relatively safe to invest in real estate, there are a few risks to be aware of. These revolve around taking on more debt and always considering future payments on your newly purchased land or property. Sitting down with a good mortgage agent or real estate professional can vastly improve your knowledge, allowing you to see the bigger picture more clearly.
Aside from repairs and maintenance on your home, taking on additional debts or mortgages can affect everything from your credit score to your loan rates. This is just another reason to make sure you create a proper payment plan that ensures you can pay off your monthly bills while still maintaining the life you choose to live. In order to do so, simply sit down with your trusted professional and go over your current payments. Then, add your new payments, thus ensuring you will not be ‘in over your head’ when it comes time to pay off your monthly debts. In conclusion, investing in real estate can pay huge dividends if you find the right property in the right area. For those who do their due diligence, real estate purchases and rentals can pay off quickly as well as in the long term, potentially creating a new source of income for the homeowner, for many years to come.
www.jmsmortgages.com
WINDOW WONDERS ELEVATE YOUR HOME’S INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR WITH DESIGN FORWARD OPTIONS THAT WILL TAKE YOUR WINDOWS FROM BASIC TO AWE INSPIRING!
TAKE A SEAT ——— Skycove is a glass structure that projects into the open air. It creates an extension of up to 20 square feet of valuable space. It provides a cozy space that’s bathed in light and surrounded on all sides by the kind of outdoor connections humans crave. Skycove creates an intimate nook to escape, relax, and rejuvenate, yet its seat is large enough for several people to gather.
MODERN Born from, and informed by the needs of architects and builders, the Modern collection is intentional in both process and product. The minimalist hardware, narrow sightlines, and meticulous attention to every detail allows you to fully appreciate the aesthetic that is unique to modern design. Collections available from Marvin Windows, www.marvincanada.com
AWAKEN
This smart skylight is the first to offer built-in, tunable lighting that mimics the ideal color temperature of natural light to provide the right light at the right time. Its unique, connected features make it easy to live better. Awaken opens on all four sides and has a perimeter screen. It’s equipped with smart sensors that automatically shut the unit if it rains. It is one of the largest operating skylights in the market.
ULTIMATE The Ultimate product line unites beautiful design with exceptional craftsmanship. Add character to almost any space with an extensive selection of shapes, styles, sizes, and options – including wood interiors protected by tough aluminum exteriors. With nearly limitless opportunities for customization, Ultimate can match your vision and give it room to grow.
EXTERIORS
#trending
CLASSIC TRADITION Siding Shown: Gentek ALIGN™ Composite Cladding in Coastal Blue
Classic blue and white combinations are always in style. This year, deeper blues are the trend with bright white trim and bold, colorful doors. Adding accents in grey tones helps to keep the look feeling modern. This is a look that will remain trendy for many years to come while still giving you that bold, colorful curb appeal!
Product Spotlight
THE HOTTEST COLORS AND PRODUCTS FOR YOUR HOME EXTERIOR THIS YEAR.
CLASSIC UPDATED Siding Shown: Gentek ALIGN™ Composite Cladding in Meadow Fern
If you love color but you want something a little more modern, nature-inspired greens and browns create a stunning twist to the classic blue and white! These gorgeous colors give you a pop of color while still blending in wonderfully with the natural surroundings! Add a few natural wood accents for an extra punch!
Gentek offers a composite cladding system that uniquely combines many of the characteristics homeowners seek in siding: performance, beauty and minimal maintenance. Plus, while other companies offer warranties covering only 15 years, Gentek provides a best-in-class lifetime limited warranty based on the performance and thoughtful engineering of ALIGN™ Composite Cladding System. Composite siding offers a superior alternative to conventional siding such as vinyl, fiber cement and engineered wood, making it an ideal solution for homeowners, builders and remodelers. For instance, ALIGN Composite Cladding is the world’s first composite siding engineered with (GP)2 Technology—a combination of glass-reinforced polymer and graphite-infused polystyrene—for exceptional durability and efficiency. It meets or exceeds industry test standards and criteria for windload, workability, flame spread/smoke development and weatherability. The composite siding even features an insulated design for improved thermal performance, boasting an R-Value of 2.0* for potential energy-saving benefits. When it comes to aesthetics, the product offers a flat-face,
Did You Know? What motivates us the most when it comes to updating our home’s exteriors? Gentek®, a leading manufacturer of exterior building products, commissioned a nationwide survey among nearly 700 Canadian homeowners, conducted online by The Harris Poll, to dive into homeowners’ decision making, specifically regarding exterior siding.
MODERN DRAMA Siding Shown: Gentek ALIGN™ Composite Cladding in Iron Ore
Looking for something that is contemporary and unexpected? Black has emerged this year as one of the hottest new trends in exterior color schemes. For maximum impact, combine black siding with doors, trim and accents in, you guessed it, BLACK! This dark, dramatic look creates instant WOW factor. Love the idea of black siding but not sure you’re ready to commit to the all-black look? The great thing about black is that it can act like a neutral which means it can work well combined with many other colors. Other neutrals like white, cream, beige or grey all work well as an accent color for black.
cedar-mill grain that replicates the real-wood look today’s homeowners demand. The fade-resistant colour palettes range from timeless to on-trend to match any homeowners’ style. The virtually maintenance-free finish requires no sealing, touch-up painting, joint flashing or caulking. After it’s installed, the siding keeps that “just-installed” look for as long as it’s up. Plus, to complete the curb appeal, homeowners, builders and remodelers can choose from a variety of compatible trim, window and accessory options for all the finishing touches. Canadian homeowners now have a siding option that doesn’t make them choose between a virtually maintenance-free finish or the look of authentic wood – they can have both. For more information on the ALIGN Composite Cladding System, visit www.aligncompositecladding.com.
AESTHETICS: 38% replaced their siding to increase their home’s curb appeal, and 26% stated they did so because “they didn’t like the way their old siding looked.” ENERGY EFFICIENCY: 33% hoped to boost their home’s energy efficiency by updating their siding. DAMAGE: 27% of those who had new siding installed cited damage as their reason for replacement. On the flip side, of those who have never installed new siding, 44% say it’s because their siding was in good condition. MAINTENANCE: 24% stated they hoped to reduce their exterior maintenance by adding new siding to their homes.
SUMMER IMPROVEMENTS
TAKE YOUR SUMMER TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH THESE MUST-HAVE IDEAS FOR YOUR BACKYARD OASIS! SWIM SPA
POOL CABANA
OUTDOOR KITCHEN
Become the best summer hangout with a stunning Swim Spa that’s big enough for the whole family! It is perfect for cooling off at those hot summer family BBQ’s or bonfires. Whether you are just relaxing and enjoying the jets, therapy seats, and LED lighting, working out, swimming, or teaching the kids how to swim, the Swim Spa can do it all.
An outdoor washroom prevents your family from bring mud and pool water back into your home when they need to use the bathroom or shower. Think you don’t have enough space or it would be too costly? All you need is a small space, like a storage shed, with three connections: an electrical outlet, a water supply and a connection to any sanitary system (such as septic, holding, city sewers).
The idea of cooking in a hot kitchen, dishes, and children with sticky BBQ fingers can be quite annoying, especially when you want to enjoy being outside with your guests. Why not bring your kitchen outdoors?
The best part is that it is low maintenance and energy efficient so you can spend more time enjoying it and less time taking care of it. This will be the best purchase you make all summer - and for many summers to come. - www.krevco.com
The space-saving Sanicompact over comes the messy construction, that’s typically needed when adding an outdoor bathroom. It is not required to do major renovations for this in 1-2-3. Thanks to its self-contained macerating system, it can be installed virtually anywhere. www.saniflo.ca
Your improvement starts with an existing concrete, brick patio, wooden or composite deck. A traditional plumbing would require a contractor to remove the patio floor or cut into decking to accommodate pipes. The Sanivite drain pump makes it possible to install a fully functional sink easily and efficiently without the need to disturb existing outdoor structure. Installing the Sanivite can help reduce costs and construction time for sink installation and allow you to enjoy more of the beautiful weather with friends and family! - www.saniflo.ca
I Spy... Over the last few years, the popularly of wild bird watching has grown rapidly. For many new “birders,” selecting the right binoculars can be overwhelming with many brands and price points to choose from. The price range for binoculars can vary greatly from about $100 into the several thousand dollar range. The $250 to $350 price point is the most popular with bird watchers. First, decide on your price range and then stay focused on models in your budget.
Backyard Renos AND YOUR INSURANCE Summer is almost here and that means school breaks and more time spent outside enjoying the longer days! You may be considering some backyard renovations to create your own private oasis. Whether it be a hot tub, a pool, a trampoline or rock wall, any type of work done to your home requires you to notify your insurance company. This should be at the top of your list. Before you get started on the work, let your insurance company know. For example you may be turning your shed into a luxury oasis, and that will cost some money. You want to make sure your current provider provides an outbuilding coverage increase, otherwise you may have to look elsewhere. Does having a pool increase home insurance rates? Pools are extremely fun, but an insurance provider looks at the risk of accidents and even deaths. To protect themselves from these risks, they will raise your home insurance rate, which in turn will raise your premiums. But, all these things are there to protect you in the long run. If none of these things are listed in your policy and anything happens,
you are out of pocket for the damage and the cost. If someone is injured, the liability alone can be staggering. There are different types of pools, and each one requires different coverage. Talk to a Surex advisor today if you have questions about how pools influence home insurance rates. Other work, such as making safety renovations to your home like replacing an old fence or fixing an old, worn-out deck may not impact your premiums.
If you are looking for a good pair in the mid-range price, the Vortex Diamondback 8x42’s might be the perfect ones for you. The 8x42 magnification is the most popular size for birdwatching. These binoculars are light, comfortable to hold, and easy to focus. They are a very popular choice for casual birders and are priced at $349. The Vortex Vipers, 10x42, priced at $699, will offer you a higher quality glass and a larger field of view. If you’re looking for top quality, have a look at the Vortex Razor UHD 8x42’s. These will provide you with unparalleled image resolution for distance and up-close viewing. These binoculars are all ergonomically designed with comfort in mind, waterproof and fog-proof, and best of all, Vortex has an unconditional lifetime warranty on all their optics.
Making upgrades to your backyard will increase the value of your home (and add some instant gratification) but you may see an increase in premiums. These slight increases are worth the added protection to you and your home renovations. It is also recommended that you adjust your liability coverage to offset an increase in associated risks. Talk to an insurance advisor today who can assist you with making the necessary adjustments to your home insurance coverage and make sure you are properly protected! www.UrbanNature Store.ca www.surex.com
Adventure SPOTLIGHT
Drift the Lower Blue Ribbon Bow River a "Fly Fisher's Paradise". Nymphing, Dry Flying and throwing Streamers to aggressive big trout will have your rod bent and reel screaming. Fly Anglers travel to Alberta, Canada because it is known to have some of the best fly fishing for trout in the world. The breathtaking scenery and the wildlife is truly amazing. The prestigious area is known for some of the best Dry Fly fishing. They meet you in Langdon, Alberta then float down the best section of the Lower Bow River, from McKinnon Flats to Carseland. The entire trip includes all gear, rods, reels, flies, a BBQ shore lunch with drinks and snacks, river shuttle and transportation. The entire trip from start to finish is 10-12 hours, and all for only $625.00 CDN!! The renowned Bow River is ranked within the top three trout rivers in the world and boasts to have 700 trout per kilometer of water. The lower Blue Ribbon Bow River is a 62 kilometer stretch of water, which holds big Rainbow’s that average 16 - 21 inches. The Brown Trout average 16 - 24 inches. The local mountain rivers and streams are crystal clear and hold cutthroat trout up to 18 inches and the bull trout can reach a size of 30 inches. To watch one of these take your Fly is mind blowing, and makes it worth the whole trip! - www.shallowwaterdrift.co
WElove LUXURY TOUCHES These stunning Yves Delorme luxury throw pillows in linen and velour are the perfect addition to any indoor or outdoor space. Using them in an outdoor setting can add elegance to your outdoor events or summer garden parties. They are gorgeous, durable, and come in many colors to fit any color scheme. For added luxe, include a throw blanket or two. Not only do they make a stunning style statement, but guests can use them as the evening cools down so they can enjoy their time outdoors even longer. They come in many different styles, and colors so you can match them to your décor easily. These luxurious linens will definitely add that extra touch of detail to any area in your home, even outdoors! - www.valeriannecalgary.com
EDITOR'S PICKS FOR WHAT'S TRENDING FOR YOUR HOME THIS YEAR!
Garage Floor Fix Floorx2 plus BondGuard is a durability, eco-friendly and UV stable flooring option for your garage floors. It is stronger and more flexible than even DIY epoxy, making it a fantastic choice for a long lasting finish. It has permanent concrete waterproofing with a non-slip surface which is perfect if you have kids or like to do projects that include liquids in the garage. Floorx2 uses a polyaspartic topcoat that has been tested and proven to be effective in hot and cold temperatures. FloorX2 plus BondGuard is extremely easy to maintain and stays looking great for years to come. There is no better option when it comes to garage flooring than this product. You definitely want to check it out if you are planning to build a new garage or just replace the cracked concrete on your current one! www.garagefloors4less.com
Light Up The Night LED pathway lighting is an essential part of any landscaping plan. Lighting offers enhanced security, keeping pathways well lit and safe at night but they also offer the decorative benefit of highlighting key features of your yard and improving your curb appeal. We love the options available from Silhouette Lights. They are made in Canada and designed to withstand Canadian winters. As a result, they will last longer than lower quality options. This means you can enjoy them for longer without the expense and time investment required to replace them! - www.silhouettelights.com
Metal Roofing Benefits Metal tile panels are a graceful and durable roofing material, suitable for pitched roof applications. They combine the traditional look with the latest technology and can be used on residential and commercial buildings, and for replacing old roofs. Metal tile panels are made from sheet metal which is zinc-plated on both sides, with several protective layers, which ensures durability. It is one of the most lightweight roofing materials, which is an advantage because it does not require a heavy roof support structure. When making decisions around your home, it’s best to think about the long term. Saving a little money right now can lead to a lot of money spent in the future. A metal roof is just that; a nominal investment now, to save money and frustration later. A steel roof offers the best protection and cost efficiency when replacing a worn-out product such as shingles. When properly installed by a metal roofing specialist, a steel roof provides Class A fire resistance, wind resistance up to 150 kph, energy savings of up to 40%, and boasts a lifetime warranty. Metal roofs are cost-effective and long-lasting, and they just plain look great. Instead of replacing your roof every 10-15 years, do it once and live with peace of mind. www.londonecometal.com
NURSERY MAGIC This super fun GOCOCONUT kid’s sofa is the perfect addition for any home! The colour can be customized to suit any colour scheme, which is perfect for even the most luxurious home look. It is a great way to keep kids entertained, while also having extra seating when you are hosting a dinner party or kids sleepover. It is durable, soft, machine washable, and easy to store away when you don’t need it. The GOCOCONUT is the perfect addition to any kids room, play room, or living room in any house. It looks stunning, and fits in perfectly with any other furniture. - www.gococonut.ca
Get The Look Love the monochromatic nursery look? Try these fantastic finds!
Play Sofa www.gococonut.ca
Vintage Car www.westcoastkids.ca
Playhouse www.potterybarnkids.ca
Alphabet Rug www.amazon.ca
Interior Railings Interior railings function as both a safety feature in a home as well as an integral part of your interior design. Steel and glass railings have become a popular choice for both exterior and interior design. They offer enhanced durability and strength while also creating a gorgeous design statement! The vast variety of styles and finishes available means there is a steel and/ or glass railing option for any style of home, from the most traditional to the most modern! - www.art-metal.ca
8 Steps for Selecting and Installing a Railing 1. Assess existing layout and take measurements (take into account building code requirements as well as the wishes of the homeowner and designer) 2. Determine the most suitable installation method (floating bottom bar above the steps, installed on side stringer, flat bar attached to each step; side or top mounted, etc.) 3. Establish what stage the project is at and when the railings need to be installed to coordinate timing and ensure temporary safety measures. 4. Finalize the design details and approve shop drawings. 5. Schedule custom framing on site to build a template of a future railing to ensure it fits perfectly. 6. Manufacture, clean, prime, and paint railings in preparation for installation. 7. Ensure tarps are laid on all surfaces to protect floors from welding sparks, keep working area clean and clear at all times 8. Make certain that the homeowner or site supervisor assesses the railing after install in case any adjustment or touch ups are required.
Clean Team When it comes to cleaner laundry, Affresh and Swash are the dynamic duo you need! Swash Laundry Detergent is designed to care for your clothes and your appliances! It offers powerful stain-fighting while being gentle on your clothes and it helps to keep your washer clean at the same time! www.swashcanada.ca
Affresh Washer Cleaner penetrates, dissolves and helps remove odor-causing residue, leaving your washer clean and fresh smelling. Simply pop a tablet in the machine, run a regular wash cycle and wipe down when the cycle finishes! www.affresh.ca
An Investment at Home
Understanding Legal Basement Apartment Requirements
WHEN PLANNING TO RENOVATE A BASEMENT SPACE, one of the most important considerations you need to think about is the intended current and future use of the space. There are two types of basements: those meant for personal use and those meant for possible income generation. In most areas, both require a building permit but the second option requires that the project meet much stricter building codes that are not required for a personal use basement. Because of these added requirements, creating a legal basement apartment will cost 30-40K more than a personal use basement on average. For that reason, it is not recommended unless you have a plan in place to make a return on your investment. That being said, future use should also be considered. Perhaps you want the space for your teenage children now but plan to convert it into a rental unit in 5-10 years to supplement your retirement income. Updating a personal use basement to a legal apartment is much more costly than it would be to renovate with those standards in mind now so it is ready for future use.
THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR There are two key considerations when choosing a contractor: knowledge/experience and honesty. A contractor that has little to no knowledge or experience in building a legal basement apartment will leave you with unfinished work that does not pass inspections and leave you on the hook for additional costs to demolish and start over. Another common issue we've seen is contractors who offer a low quote, with many additional costs hidden in the contract. This will include items such as fire rating and soundproofing as "extra costs if required by the city" when they already know these will be required. This allows them to give a deceitfully lower quote knowing that your actual cost will in fact be much, much higher. Understanding what is all required for a legal basement suite will help you avoid that pitfall. PICKING YOUR FINISHES It is important to remember that this is an investment. With a personal renovation, loving the space is important. With an investment space, universal appeal, affordability, low maintenance and durability are much more important then your own personal style. You want to select finishes that will be attract the right type of tenant and require the least amount of cost to maintain over time. When working with clients, Alex of RenoDuck will recommend the top three most popular colors or finish options so that clients can choose a look that will appeal to the biggest audience of potential tenants. Alex also works with clients to select items that will appeal to the right type of tenant. For example, he may recommend a double vanity if you hope to attract couples or an accent wall with an electrical fireplace if you want an inexpensive way to make the space feel a bit more luxury. www.RenoDuck.com
UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS REQUIRED Having a working knowledge of what is generally required for a legal basement suite will help you avoid shady contractors and costly mistakes. Here are the key considerations that are required by most cities and municipalities: Sound Proofing: The ceiling of the basement must be completely soundproofed. This generally includes SAFE'n'SOUND insulation and a Resilient Channel system that suspends the drywall from the ceiling to limit vibration from traveling through the floor above. Separate Entrance: The basement unit must have it's own entrance with a fire rated door. Any common areas, such as a lobby or mudroom, must also have fire rated doors and fire rated drywall. Egress Escape Means: You must be able to exit the unit from the same level that you live in. A door that requires stairs to access the exterior does not count. This must be a fire rated door that exits directly outside (walk-out basement) or a window that is large enough for an average person to fit through. Fire Rated Drywall: There must be complete fire rated separation between both units as well as any common use areas. This also includes shared items such as the furnace room, HVAC vents, etc. All doors into common areas must also be fire rated. Potential HVAC/Furnace Room Upgrades: Some municipalities will require a sprinkler system and/or a duct mounted smoke detector in the furnace room. Fire dampers are often required for the HVAC unit as well. Potential Extra Window Work: In addition to egress requirements, there are also natural light requirements that mean you must have a certain percentage of natural light in each room. Windows may need to be added or expanded to meet these requirements. Electrical Panel Upgrade: Unless you have a newer home or have recently upgraded your electrical systems, you likely have a 100AMP electrical box. You will need to upgrade this to a 200AMP box to meet regulations.
WATER SAVING TIPS Saving water is not only good for your pocket book, but also for the environment! Water conservation doesn’t have to be a difficult task. Here are three easy ways you can conserve water right at home!
RENO MORTGAGES If you are considering improving either a home you are purchasing, your existing residence, or investment property, there are three major mortgage categories to consider. Purchase Plus Improvements Homes that are purchased for under a million dollars can get, on average, up to 200K in renovations approved in the mortgage amount to improve the property. This is great from a planning perspective and a low mortgage rate standpoint. The point to consider here is you pay on the approved amount from day one regardless of when the funds are released to you. Funds are held in trust at the lawyers until completion of the renovations, where generally an appraisal or verification of completion will be required. All lenders have different application limits on approval amounts, policies, and check-in points, so lining up all your quotes upfront is key. With a bit of a pause, finally, in some markets, it’s an actual consideration for Canadians at this snapshot in time.
home is generally not habitable, so qualifying for where you are living in addition to the construction mortgage is required. With current supply chain issues, materials on backorder, and prices rising rapidly, this is not the most common time to see large projects such as these.
On average, toilets account for roughly a third of every household’s water consumption. You should get into the habit of only flushing your toilet when you’re actively using it. Instead of tossing tissues you use for other things into the toilet, always make an effort to throw them into the trash.
Renovation Mortgage Options
2. Fix Your Leaks
This is generally best accomplished using the equity in your home by redoing your entire mortgage to take out the funds without question of your plans or budgeting, provided you qualify. One option is setting up a readvance-able line of credit where you can draw, as you please, up to 80 percent of the home’s current value. In this example, the home is being lived in during the renovation in most cases.
Leaks are one of the most insidious plumbing problems we address. In some cases, homeowners simply become used to them and never call a professional plumber to fix the problem. However, even small leaks can waste thousands of liters of water each year. Fixing a leak should always be a top priority.
Another avenue quickly rising in popularity is called a Reverse Mortgage. This option unlocks up to 55 percent of the equity in your home with no traditional income qualifications, no payments to be made monthly, or taxable events that allow for maximum cash flow and investment portfolio preservation.
Construction Mortgages This is where the money comes in draws with check-ins with the bank at each stage. Formal plans and permits are required to be approved in the construction plan and the
1. Use Your Trash Can Instead of the Toilet
Angela Calla, www.angelacalla.ca
3. Use Your Dishwasher Numerous studies have shown that it takes less water to clean a full load of dishes when they’re in a dishwasher, but it’s important to note that your dishwasher needs to be completely full. If it’s only partially full, then you’ll actually be using more water to clean fewer dishes. Jeff Wright www.thegreatplumbingco.com
W AT C H T H I S
CLICK TO WATCH
The experts at Capable Group sit down with Marc to discuss the process of planning a basement renovation and share tips to make your space perfect for your family. www.capablegroupinc.com
BASEMENT 101 EXPERT ADVICE
Luxury Living 101
OUR EXPERTS SHARE SOME OF THEIR BEST ADVICE FOR YOUR DREAM HOME & COTTAGE!
Owning a rental property is owning someone's home and with this comes responsibilities and regulations. These tasks can take a toll on any Landlord, especially those who would rather not deal with stressful property management tasks.
Bob Newnham Sunspace Sunrooms
Kevin Breitner CRESI
Sometimes we want shelter from the bugs and weather. Other times, we just want a cool breeze and fresh air. Sometimes we wish the whole wall to be gone, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors to create a singular open area to enjoy…even for just a few hours. To do so would be a seemingly impossible task, but wait. Hearing this problem all too often, we managed to push the envelope and developed a unique solution with the WeatherMaster© Plus Bi-Folding Door System. A wall, a passage door, a screened opening, a door system that stacks out of the way when you want it gone to create a truly seamless flow between the inside and outside. The WeatherMaster© Plus Bi-folding door is 100% custom sized, has no kit configuration limit, with heights up to 118” tall. Additionally, the Vertical-4-Track windows can be opted out for single glazed tempered glass as well as full thermal glass with LowE Argon standard. Meaning that the WeatherMaster© Plus Bi-folding Door System can be used in an exterior house wall for all year comfort.
A rental property can be a great addition to your investment portfolio but this should not come at the expense of your time and energy. This is your investment property. It doesn’t have to be stressful! The Landlord Protection Program is the solution for Landlords. This program has the systems that simplify life so that Landlords can do what it is they want to do with their time.
There are a number of things that are considered when determining your eligibility for a mortgage. This may include your income, your credit and credit history, the size of your down payment, the amount of debt you currently carry and more. All of these can come into play when lenders decide if they will borrow to you as well as when determining how large of a mortgage you can qualify for.
Arash Abdollahi Bankers to Brokers
Planning to purchase a house in the near future? One of the biggest mistakes that first time homebuyers make is taking on other debt before their mortgage is finalized. Your level of debt is one of the key considerations when determining how much of a mortgage you are eligible for. For every $20,000 a person owes in credit, they lose about $100,000 of purchasing power on a mortgage. if you plan to purchase within the next two years, refrain from making any large purchases that would require a loan, credit check or anything of that sort. This helps protect your credit and your ability to obtain a mortgage when the time comes.
What is a hybrid mattress? Hybrid mattresses feature the benefits of both memory foam and pocket coil mattresses. They typically have a thick layer of memory foam on top of a pocket coil or innerspring core. Like a memory foam mattress, hybrids provide superior pressure relief and body contouring while eliminating motion transfer. The pocket coil or innerspring core provides familiar support and is more breathable than an all foam core.
Michel Cerny, Ambassador Fine There is not a particular size or dollar value that must be met to be considered a luxury home. Instead, luxury is determined by custom features and quality finishes. Here are some of the most common considerations. Custom Kitchens: The kitchen is designed to work seamlessly with the lifestyle of the person or family who will live in the home. High end appliances, perfectly planned out storage, wine storage, barista stations, open flow for entertaining and stunning, high quality cabinetry are all important parts of planning your dream kitchen! Eye-catching Features: Stunning features designed for maximum visual impact are another common feature. Grand entrance staircases, indoor water features, custom fireplace features, and large windows with stunning views for example. Spa Style Bathrooms: Not only are bathrooms large and luxurious, but they are also plentiful with an ensuite bathroom for every bedroom including guest rooms. Unique Lifestyle Additions: Car enthusiasts may want to have a two level garage with a second level that lifts out of the basement. Movie buffs may want a complete home theater. Your imagination is really the only limit to the list of unique spaces you can add! Well-Planned Lighting and Automation: In this electronic era, you’d be hard-pressed to find a new luxury home build that didn’t incorporate advanced lighting and home automation integrated right into the build.
Kelly Melchor, Winnipeg Insurance Brokers
Kamden Holder Wrench It Up
Boat insurance helps cover you and your personal watercraft against liability, theft, and accidental property damage. As long as the claim you file is for a covered incident, you’ll be paid for the losses or injuries, up to your previously agreed upon coverage limits.
Having worked on many multi-million dollar homes, the experts at Wrench It Up caution that "luxury" is a term often used to describe a look rather than quality! When it comes to luxury plumbing, this often includes things like bidets, multi-head shower units, floor faucets, WIFI enabled faucets and other items that add style and functionality to your home.
Boat insurance can cover costly items such as damage to your boat’s hull, sails, equipment, furnishings, motor, and trailer or replacement costs for newer boats. It also covers liability in the case of injury/death of another person, damage to another boat or other property caused by your boat and fuel spills. Plans may also include medical payment coverage, salvage and wreck removal costs and uninsured boater protection. Of course, every policy is different so we highly recommend you chat with an Insurance Consultant about your unique needs and get the coverage that’s right for you, so that you can set sail with zero worries.
It is important when choosing these items to keep quality in mind. Not every pretty fixture is created equally. You will want to research in advance to ensure fixtures are reliable and that parts are readily available. Once you have selected your fixtures, ensure they are properly installed and maintained to ensure they do not cause more headache than benefit down the line! Experts like Wrench It Up, who are approved by many suppliers to work with their materials, can help take the guess work out of finding the best pieces for your project!
oasis
bathroom
A typical "builders' subdivision" ensuite bathroom, this ensuite made very poor use of space with a huge corner tub, small vanity, limited storage and a cramped shower. The designer for a larger shower stall was the primary driving force that lead the homeowners to decide that it was time for an update. The RenoWOW team suggested a full rework of the space, gutting the bathroom back to stud frame and reconfiguring it to create an inviting "oasis" bathroom sanctuary. This new design allowed them to maintain a large, deep soaker tub that is great for relaxing, or simply enjoying quiet down time. The tub shape and size was modified and tied it to an oversized spa-style walk-in shower with a sit down seat including a soft spraying rain shower head, body sprays and personal multi-functional hand shower. A key design element is the wall mounted vanity which gives the room lots of open space. The toilet is also tucked away behind the door so when walking through the hallway, looking into the bathroom, you do not see the toilet. The homeowners were keen on having a WOW " feature" element. To keep it affordable, the same large format mosaic wall tile that was used on the shower floors was installed into the recessed wall soap niche. The look was tied together with wall art accent pieces. The lesson this project teaches us is that instead of thinking of the project in terms of existing fixture location/ placement, look at your space as a blank slate. Plan or sketch out how you envision using the room if there were no restrictions. This exercise forms a starting point of having a dialogue with your contractor. This way some of the obvious CANNOT do's are immediately covered. All too often, homeowners don't know what is doable and contractors typically don't offer up any new ideas or visions. RenoWOW, www.renowow.ca
BEFORE
BEFORE
Updated This stunning country home was in desperate need of an update. Scott Zanbergen, a seasoned investor, purchased the property as a flip project and brought on the team at Black Jack Contracting. Having worked with both seasoned and new investors to help them make well-informed decisions to maximize their return on investment, Black Jack Contracting was the perfect choice for this project. The exterior of the home proved to be a pleasant surprise. When the siding was removed, a stone and brick finish was revealed and it was decided that this should be repointed instead of covered back up. A new front porch added extra charm to the exterior of this country property. The interior of the home was given a complete makeover to create a bright, modern country home. A highlight in the home is the custom two-tone kitchen with white Quartz countertops, modern lighting and an open concept layout. Overall, every space is bright and open, with a timeless color scheme - from the living/dining room to the bedrooms, every detail was considered including a sliding barn door for the laundry room to make the most of the space. As investor-focused contractors, Black Jack Contracting always considers the client’s goals for their property – in this case, as a flip project, the home had to not only be up-to-date (and building code), but also appeal to potential buyers in a competitive market, without the renovations breaking the bank for the client to see return on their investment. For this home, the big-ticket items included the repointed exterior and custom kitchen. The contractors were able to stay within budget but working with the existing layout as much as possible instead of removing all interior walls. www.blackjackcontractinginc.com
COUNTRY HOME
HIGH POINT
favorites
Glen Peloso
1. Gorgeous statement light fixtures are always a hit. This year, repetitive shapes was a popular theme!
NATIONAL DESIGN EDITOR FOR CANADIAN HOME TRENDS
2. The new Thomas O'Brian Collection from Century Furniture is a must see!
Glen Peloso Design www.glenpeloso.com
3. This collection from Surya Rugs, made from recycled plastic, can be used outdoors but feel as good as an indoor rug.
www.centuryfurniture.com
www.hubbardtonforge.com www.surya.com
www.arteriorshome.com