Summer is just around the corner, and it’s time to get your home ready for the warm weather.
Whether you’re planning on hosting summer barbecues, relaxing in the sun, or just want to
freshen up your living space, we’ve got you covered with these three tips for decorating your
home for the summer.

1. Bring in nature. One of the easiest ways to bring summer into your home is by adding
   natural elements. You can do this by incorporating greenery, flowers, or even seashells
   into your decor. Plants and flowers not only look beautiful, but they also purify the air and
   provide a calming ambiance. Seashells are a great way to bring a beachy feel to your
   home, and you can use them as accents on shelves or in vases.
2. Lighten up. Summer is all about light and airy vibes, and you can achieve this by
   switching out heavy fabrics and dark colours for lighter ones. Swap out your dark curtains
   for sheer ones to allow more natural light to come in. Replace your heavy duvet with a
   lighter quilt or a cotton blanket. You can also add pops of bright colours to your decor to
   create a cheerful and lively atmosphere.
3. Take advantage of the outdoors. Summer is the perfect time to take advantage of your
   outdoor space. You can create an outdoor oasis by adding comfortable seating, a dining
   area, and even a fire pit. Incorporating outdoor lighting, such as string lights or lanterns,
   will create a cozy ambiance for those warm summer evenings. You can also add potted
   plants or an herb garden to create a lush and inviting atmosphere.
   

Let us know if you have any decorations for this summer that you hold dearly. We’d love to hear
about it!

This year had quite a winter, and with it finally coming to an end this is a fantastic opportunity to
start decorating for the warm weather. Here are three tips for you to consider when starting your
design journey:

1. Add some colour with flowers. For a spring table setting, fresh-cut flowers are a
   perfect addition. It welcomes in seasonal blooms, making them center stage at your next
   gathering. Use different styles of containers, each unique and in varying heights. Keep
   the floral selection to one type of bloom so there is an element of consistency. Pair your
   vignette with details like woven chargers and natural linens to create texture and interest.
   Allow the gifts of spring to fill your home with lightness and joy.
2. Accessorize with bright-coloured rugs and mirrors. Pops of colour and
   light-reflecting decor can really bring in the beauty of springtime to your living room. Get
   this fresh and natural feel by incorporating bright blues, greens and whites. Grounding
   the space with a vibrant rug creates a base on which to layer the colours of the season.
   Position a mirror to reflect the light and colours of the garden.
3. Greenery is key. A beautiful touch for any interior is adding an array of greenery; it
   literally brings life into a space. The fiddle leaf fig you see in this room may not be the
   right plant for your room, given lighting and temperature conditions. When it comes to
   choosing greenery, consult the experts. Placing them correctly paired with the layout of
   each room can turn your home into an oasis for the springtime.

Let us know what you’re planning to do this season. We always enjoy hearing about the creative and
fun ways people are making the most of their homes!

As real estate agents, we often hear from clients who are struggling to choose the right paint
colour for their homes. It’s an important decision because the colour of the walls can affect the
entire atmosphere of a room and even the overall feel of the home. When it comes to choosing
the right paint colour, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Pair it well with the style of your home. Firstly, consider the style of your home. If you
   have a traditional home, you might want to stick with classic colours like beige, cream, or
   pale yellow. If you have a modern home, you can opt for bolder colours like navy blue or
   emerald green. Additionally, the colour of your furniture and accessories should also be
   considered. You don’t want your paint colour to clash with your decor but rather
   complement it.
2. Set the right tone. Secondly, think about the mood you want to create in each room. For
   example, if you want a peaceful and calming bedroom, you might want to consider a soft
   blue or green. On the other hand, if you are going to create a bold and energetic space, a
   vibrant red or orange might be the right choice. Keep in mind that paint colour can also
   affect the perceived size of a room. Lighter colours can make a room feel larger, while
   darker colours can make it feel smaller.
3. Emphasize your creativity. Lastly, don’t be afraid to get creative with accent walls or
   bold colour choices in smaller spaces like bathrooms or entryways. Adding a pop of colour
   can make a big impact and add personality to your home. However, be cautious of going
   too bold with your paint choices, as it may turn off potential buyers if you decide to sell
   your home in the future.

Overall, choosing the right paint colour is an important decision that can have a big impact on the
overall feel of your home. If you’d like to talk more about it, reach out and let us know, we’d love
to chat!

A home’s colour scheme determines the look and feel of every space while being a reflection of your personal style. It isn’t always easy to make the decision on which colours to choose, so here are three tips to make your planning a little easier:

1. Amplify the colour you love. If you have a colour you like, you can find a matching shade by choosing one with a similar undertone. This will create a seamless and intentional look. As an example, if you have a blue accent wall with a red undertone and you are looking for a neutral colour to complement it, you can pick any neutral colour with a red undertone and they will look great together.

2. Don’t get stuck with just one colour. Bringing in a new colour can add depth and dimension to your home. Experimenting with different hues and going beyond the usual can be an enjoyable part of the design process. A standout bold colour in a room or two can make for a pleasant surprise. 

3. Be wary of your home’s trim. Factory-white windows can clash with warmer off-white window trims, so it’s important to be mindful of this when choosing colours. Using the same colour for both the trim and the mullions can create a more cohesive feeling. This can also help with colour transitions, especially if you use high-quality paint. Similarly, matching the trim to the wall colour can also unify the home’s overall aesthetic.

We’d love to know if you’ve done any repainting in your home recently—send us pictures! Looking forward to hearing from you!

The past few years have seen many of us start working from home, either full-time or just part-time. As much as we all love to have the laptop in bed and attend meetings in our pajamas, it may be time to level up your at home workspace. Here are some tips to perfect any at home office:

1. Invest in a great chair. Spending hours doing anything requires some level of comfort, and none more important than the office chair. Any good chair will have a few distinct qualities. Beauty, because who wants an eye sore anywhere in their home? Beyond aesthetics, it has to be ergonomic, correct, and comfortable. We are past the days of no lumbar support and back pain. Trust us, your body will thank you.
   
2. Organize your workspace. It’s the 21st century, which means we are in the age of the futuristic office space. You can streamline your work process almost entirely with the right technology. That being said, make sure you position your desk closest to an outlet. No office space needs extension cords. While we’re on the topic of cords, find ways to manage them so you aren’t constantly tripping and unplugging everything. There are plenty of cost-effective options for cord management, so have fun with it.

3. Plenty of light. Eye strain is a real issue. Natural light and well positioned lamps can greatly reduce that. Not to mention it’s great to take a break and have a peek out of the window once in a while—nature is relaxing! What we don’t want, however, is that pesky glare reflecting off your monitor. Make sure you position it correctly and that won’t be an issue. Finally, every desk needs a small lamp for that perfect task lighting, so find something that fits your personal style.

What have you done to improve your at home office? We’d love to hear about it and any updates you’re planning on making. Best of luck!

The first day of summer is officially behind us! While we haven’t had the warmest season so far, we hope that those of you lucky enough to own a cottage have been able to spend some quality time there. If you’re looking to spruce up your vacation home, here are three tips you can try this summer:

1. Try an antique look. Using antique touches to style your cottage is a tried and true method for adding character to your vacation home. If you’re looking to give a room some more charm, try incorporating items you find in an antique store. This will add fun and warmth to any space, and will likely cost less than newer items you source. Just don’t overdo it—antique decor can be bulky, and too many large pieces can make your space feel cluttered.
   
2. Stay bug-free with a screened in porch. It’s easy for time outdoors to be spoiled when there are too many bugs buzzing around. If your cottage has a porch, try screening it in to create usable space no matter how buggy it may be. It’s a perfect way to bring the outdoors in—you can sit and watch the sunset and enjoy family time while not worrying about those pesky mosquitoes.

3. Make your bedrooms feel larger. Less is often more, especially when it comes to vacation properties! Because cottages are part-time homes, it’s unnecessary to add storage space in the form of big dressers or armoires. Try to find furniture with multiple uses, like a daybed that can be folded up or used for additional storage when you’re not sleeping on it.

Do you have any design tricks you’ve used to revamp your cottage this year? We’d love to hear about your plans and any updates you’re undertaking. Happy summer!

Flooring is an important part of any home renovation project. Whether you’re replacing your old hardwood or picking flooring for your custom home build, choosing the right materials and planning effectively is hugely important in keeping stress low and satisfaction high. Here are three flooring renovation mistakes to avoid during your next project:

1. Don’t buy cheap flooring materials. Renovating your home can be expensive, and while you can usually find places to cut costs, one place you shouldn’t is your flooring. Choosing the wrong materials can lead to having to replace it again far before the expected lifetime, so be sure to buy quality and durable flooring. You might have to spend more money upfront, but it’ll save you money in the long run.

2. Don’t set unrealistic timelines. The golden rule of renovation is that your preferred timeline most likely won’t be met. Unexpected issues can arise, causing the completion date to be moved back. In the case of flooring, you may have to wait several days after installation to move furniture back on your new floors. Give yourself and your installers extra time and both parties will be less stressed throughout the project.

3. Don’t under budget your flooring project. No home renovation project is going to be inexpensive, so it’s crucial to save for your home improvement projects and to prepare for both expected and unexpected costs that you might run into. You may think that you only need to budget for materials and labour, but you’ll also want to consider any costs and unexpected changes that might occur during the process. And in case anything goes wrong during your project, always purchase more flooring than you need.

Are you thinking of updating your flooring? We hope these tips will help you avoid some common mistakes. If you’re making updates to your home, be sure to send us over some photos—we’d love to see them!

Summer is upon us, and with the change in season comes another opportunity to update your home decor. Summer is one of our favourite times of year to decorate, as the warm weather encourages bold, bright, and colourful designs. If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are three home decorating ideas for summer:

1. Pare down your furniture. It’s easy to fall into a creative rut when it comes to furniture. However, sometimes a “less is more” mindset can pay dividends. Try updating your furniture with a summer rental in mind; get rid of dark, heavy pieces and pick light and flowy accents to make your home feel like a summer getaway.

2. Don’t forget about the outdoors. Summer entertaining inevitably leads to garden parties and dinners under the stars. If you’re someone who loves to host, consider your outdoor decor. Low tables, floor pillows, and strands of clear outdoor lights will set the mood, and make sure you’re incorporating a bright, summery colour scheme.

3. Fill your table with colour. While you’ll be spending lots of time outdoors this summer, don’t forget about the dinner table! Colourful dishes and accents can make your dining room feel bright and fresh. Mix floral, tropical, or nautical-themed dishes with your everyday plates and bowls, and incorporate accents—like napkins or flowers—that will add a further pop of colour.

What do you think of these tips? We would be happy to hear what your summer decorating plans are—we’d love to see photos of any of your recent updates! Enjoy the warm weather. 

Staging a home refers to preparing the property for sale. There are many elements to staging; however, it is meant to showcase a home’s best assets, impress potential buyers, and sell it quickly for the best price. To help you in your staging process we have put together a few staging tips.

1. Refine the furniture. The furniture plays an important role in staging a home to sell. Getting the right size furniture can make all the difference, potentially determining the overall perception of the room. If the furniture is too big, the room will look smaller than it is and if it’s too small, the room can feel cold. If you aren’t using your own furniture, you can always rent it for the purpose of staging. When choosing pieces remember to select warm, homey, and quality furniture. The way each piece works together can help determine the flow and feel of the room.

2. Depersonalize. Potential buyers will try to envision themselves living in your home. Things like family photos, keepsakes, or anything of personal value may hinder their ability to feel at home. Therefore, while staging it is important to depersonalize and declutter. Store any kids toys and clear the kitchen and bathroom counters. This helps the buyer put themselves in the home and imagine the life they would like to create, potentially helping them in their decision.

3. Define each room. When reworking the design of each space and removing or replacing furniture, be sure to define a specific purpose for each room. This helps potential buyers see how they can maximize the home’s square footage. Turn the empty finished basement into an entertainment room and the finished storage room into a guest bedroom. It’s likely the buyer will not use the room for the same purpose; however, it is important for them to be able to see each room be a functional and usable space.

Overall, it’s important to present the home in the best light possible to really emphasize its features. However, you need to also remember that it is not necessary to spend a lot of money, as in this case less is more. Staging your home should aim to appeal to the most potential buyers as possible. If you have any staging tips or would like to know more about staging your home to sell, feel free to reach out anytime.