Wood floors, timber beams, and barn board facades are not new to housing but lately there is an increased interest in bringing a natural look and warmth back to our homes.  Perhaps, it is the fundamental comfort that wood adds to any space, inside and out, that makes a house feel like a home! … Or quite possibly it is the desire of many to incorporate more green products into their living space.   Reclaiming old barn board and beams is genuinely a great way enhance a home but equally to recycle. 

Without a doubt, every aspect and element of a home is encompassed in the overall investment, and the exterior surroundings are no exception. ‘Curb appeal’ starts at the road and continues up the driveway, walkways, and patios. These hardscaped elements should enhance the overall style of the home and are also an opportunity to display a little glimpse of one’s personal flair through outdoor flooring.

Summer… thankfully it is back but so are the chores that go with it! Home maintenance is not optional, especially if you want to protect your biggest investment, it is a must! So, while the sun is out after the long cold winter, try to incorporate your sun tanning efforts with a few of your essential home maintenance tasks. No one said that getting some sun had to be done from a beach chair, although realistically it would be my first choice too!

Life in the Niagara Region means dealing with four seasons and the challenges that go with each one. While most of us are happy to see winter end, and look forward to the blooms of spring, we are a little disheartened each year by the pests that come with them. 

Well, it was a long winter in Niagara and it is finally a time to crack open our windows and let the fresh air in. So, while you are going around your home and opening up your windows, it is an opportunity to take a little more time and exam the units themselves. Just as you should in your quarterly maintenance home checks, it is good to ensure that the seals, frames and glass, etc. are properly intact and functioning.  If there is an issue that has arisen since your winter inspection, now might be a great time to look at window repair or replacement. Don’t let it go too long. Leaky and inefficient windows, skylights, and doors can lead to damage to your home, but they also can cause household energy bills to increase. 

So often, the space beneath a staircase is under-utilized or inefficiently used.

Most people dream of living in an expansive mansion or sprawling villa with a kitchen suitable for a top chef to create his/her masterpieces in. However, reality often means that our culinary creations will need to be made in the smallest of spaces. But don’t let your tiny kitchen limit your dream creations. While not ideal, a small kitchen simply means that its design must utilize every inch of space in the most effective manner. Smart solutions to create an open, spacious, and functional space are a must when dealing with a small kitchen. It is after all the heart of the home.

What can be said about a bathroom – Well, every home needs to have one… but it doesn’t have to just be practical! 

Designing a custom home/renovation starts long before you meet with the architect. It starts with your own collaboration of wish lists, current lifestyle needs, expectations for the future, and function ability.