9 Money and Stress Saving Tips to Know Before a Move

We rounded up the best tips from our Real Estate clients and moving companies to put together 9 ways you can save money, time, and stress during a move. It’s no secret that a move can be stressful and costly, but these insider tips will help to make a move across Canada, a move across the province, or even just a move across Calgary a lot more cost-efficient and seamless.

So here it is, 9 money and stress-saving tips to know before a move.


Packing Tips

1. Save some money on packing supplies by “shopping” for empty boxes in local retail stores. 

In the month leading up to your move, keep an eye out for employees unpacking product boxes while stocking shelves. Retail stores receive products in various box sizes, and in our experience, they have no issue if you ask to take a few of their empty boxes from them. Our only tip here is to avoid “box shopping” in stores like Costco where they utilize these boxes to pack customers groceries; their overwhelmed employees likely won’t receive the request as kindly.


2. Pack the items you’ll need first in clearly labelled boxes that are loaded into your moving vehicle last.

Loading these item last means they’ll be the first into the home, allowing you to place them in the exact rooms they need to be in. If you want to do a quick vacuum and mop before moving into your new place, be sure to load those items last so you can easily get the job done before all your other items and furniture claim the floor real estate.


3. Remember to reverse order your vehicle loading; the things you need to place into your new home first get packed last. (Ie. A bed frame would be loaded into the vehicle after the mattress.)

Avoid a game of Tetris once inside by loading your vehicle strategically. This ensures you have the space you need to set up things like your bed frame and prevents you from having to constantly shuffle things around to get anything in its proper place. 

If you have a memory foam mattress you will thank us for this tip - those things are a BEAST to manoeuvre.


4. Leading up to your move, arrange daily menus based on items in your cupboards.

Often times a move will uncover a bunch of pantry items we forgot we even owned, and canned food is heavy! Try to arrange menus to utilize the items you’ve had tucked away. Sorting this area of the home first allows you to pre-plan meals that can reduce some bulk from your packing list and moving loads.

Day Before Moving Day

5. Check where you can park your moving vehicle at both properties.

If you’re moving within the same city and one or both properties doesn’t have a designated space for moving vans, consider reserving a good space using yours, a friend's, or a family member's vehicle the night before. Once you pull up you can quickly swap spots allowing for seamless access to your moving vehicle.

Day of the Move

6. Check your mail one last time. 

Hopefully, you’ll have already changed your mailing address with Canada post, but one last check can ensure you catch any straggler mail pieces. If you still have possession of your old property for a little while be sure to check in again before your contract ends.

Pre-Move Tips for Rentals, Apartments, or Condos:


7. If your rental contract requires a professional move-out clean - DON’T go overboard cleaning before they arrive. The cleaners will charge even if there is no work to be done.

We know you want to ensure there is minimal work to be done by the cleaners to get the best rate, but even if you clean your place spotless they still have to charge their base rate. Save some time and effort by doing only what needs to be done before their arrival. This comes from first-hand experience, and it’s painful to see $400 and multiple hours spent cleaning go out the window.

 

8. Don’t skip booking the elevator to avoid the move-out or elevator booking fee; it could land you with even larger fees. Plan ahead to make sure you get the key and booking in order before move day - in our experience, your building manager will be a lot more lenient towards things if you do. 

Going through the process to reserve and pick up an elevator key makes your moving process much quicker and can save you the risk of being charged for broken elevator doors caused by holding them open. In condo buildings, you’ll typically need to reserve the elevator at least few weeks ahead of your move and pick up the elevator keys the day of your move. Sometimes these keys require pick up at the condo corporation office, so plan accordingly. 

 

9. If your building requires a pre-move walk-through with a building manager, book one. It is worth it to save you from future headaches.

This may initially feel like a nuisance that’s more of a benefit to the condo corporation than to you, but it can prevent you from being held responsible for damage you didn’t create. We suggest taking your own photo documentation of any damage already existing in the common areas and elevators before you begin your move just in case. 

If you’re curious about the costs associated with a Real Estate sale or purchase, the value of your Calgary home, or need any other Real Estate advice feel free to get in touch. We’re always happy to provide our insight free of charge.

In the meantime, feel free to check out some more blogs:

6 DIY Tutorials That Will Increase Your Home Value

When it comes to home improvement it's nice to know that where you're putting your effort is not just going to make your house look beautiful and more enjoyable to live in but also increase its value. We put together a list of six home improvement tutorials and home decor tips that will increase the value of your home without costing you a small fortune.


1. Strategic lighting (indoor and outdoor) 

Don't underestimate the power of great layered lighting inside and outside of your home. There are three kinds of lighting that should be present in your space: ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. Ambient lighting is the overall lighting source in a space (lamps and chandeliers), task lighting is used to enhance the functionality in a specific area (under cabinet lighting, reading lamps), and accent lighting is used to highlight points of interest (in cabinet lighting or spot lights over art).

By mixing the three types of lighting in varying heights and locations throughout your home you create a more luxurious and professionally designed ambiance which elevates the experience that both you and buyers will feel inside your home. Proper lighting can make your space feel larger, more inviting, make it stand out, and cast a more flattering glow on both you and the design of your home. Quick tip: make sure that you use the same bulbs within each space of your home so that each environment holds a consistent feel.

Additionally, it's important not to forget your outdoor space because it is an extension of your home. When you're able to turn on the lights in your backyard or front yard it visually extends the sense of home subconsciously making it feel larger. In terms of resale value, backyards have been a more common must-have for buyers in recent years. Putting a little effort into your backyard space will go a long way in enhancing your own lifestyle within your home, but also in appealing to more buyers if you decide to sell.

This lighting tutorial from Nick Lewis, an interior designer, is worth a watch:


2. High curtains

How you hang your curtains makes a huge difference in the overall feeling of a space. Curtains hung at the proper height will make your windows look larger, your ceilings look taller, and will create a more luxurious and polished feeling within your home.

Typically you should hang your curtain rod halfway to 2/3rd of the way up between your window frame and ceiling, although there are a few exceptions which you’ll see in the provided tutorial. There are three kinds of curtain lengths, the kiss (skimming the floor), puddle (piling onto the floor), break puddle (between the kiss and the puddle length), and float (hanging just a hair above the floor). Each length will create a different effect in your space, and each length works better for different areas of your home. 

Adjusting your curtains to match the appropriate feeling for each room in your home will enhance your everyday experience living there and increase the value of your home in a buyer's eyes. 

Check out Posh Pennies in-depth curtain tutorial for some valuable tips and how to's before you gets started:

 

3. Create A Spa Like Shower

Buyers and homeowners love having a shower space that they can escape to that feels like a relaxing spa. After a long day there's nothing like unwinding and a luxurious bathroom but a complete renovation can be very costly. Simply updating your shower fixture can make your bathroom of pure more high-end and luxurious without having to get the entire room.

A basic showerhead is a simple small “bulb” but there are many more aesthetically appealing options depending on the type of shower that you enjoy. If you typically have quick showers in the morning and just need something that gets the job done effectively then you'll want a showerhead with more pressure. If you enjoy a relaxing experience then you can opt for a standard rainfall showerhead to increase the calming factor of your showers. Additionally, you can consider shower heads that have removable handles or adjustable settings for pets and babies.

This is a great summation of aesthetically appealing shower fixture options:

 

4. Organization systems

When a buyer walks through your house they are analyzing the lifestyle that it showcases and envisioning how they could live there. If your home appears well organized with lots of storage solutions it automatically makes them feel like that's how they'll be able to be when they live there. Organizing your home elevates your living experience and the value of your home in a buyer's eyes.

Take some time to plan out what items make the most sense in each area. For example, it may make the most sense to locate your drinking cups near the fridge, and put the cleaning supplies below the kitchen sink. You can pick up a lot of organizational systems for really affordable prices at the dollar store, Marshalls, HomeSense, and Walmart. It’s also helpful to store your Tupperware with the lids on to keep things a bit more tidy and functional as you access them on a daily basis.

 

We highly recommend taking a peek at Alexandra Beuter kitchen organization tutorial for ideas, tips and tricks. The video below will play at the final kitchen tour if you don't want to see the entire process of her cleaning.

5. Remove popcorn ceilings 

Popcorn ceilings became popular from the 1930s to the 1990s as a way to hide ceiling imperfections and reduce sound transfer. Today buyers feel they make a home appear outdated and worry about what they might be hiding.

If you'd like to have a smooth ceiling, you can consider removing your popcorn ceilings yourself just keep in mind that you need to have it checked for asbestos before you start. (The mixture used for popcorn ceilings sometimes included asbestos; when left untouched it poses no health risk on your ceiling but once scraped into the air it can become a hazard.) You can use a HomeKit to test for asbestos or you can have a professional come in and do it for you. Once you're in the all-clear you can begin the process on your own.

Here's a good tutorial on how you could remove popcorn ceilings yourself:


6. Refinish hardwood floors *be sure you know what you’re doing

Sparkling, pristine hardwood floor makes a home look well cared for which is nice for you and even more appealing for buyers. Sometimes all you need is a little clean and polish to get there and other times you might need a complete refinish. Keep in mind that you can only refinish solid hardwood, engineered hardwood needs to be refinished by professionals as it requires expert knowledge to prevent costly, complicated damage.

You can test whether your solid hardwood needs a polish verse of refinishing by dropping a little bit of water onto it. If the water beads and soaks in slowly over a few minutes then you just need to clean and polish however if the water soaks in immediately then it's time for refinish.

If you just need to clean and polish here's a tips and tricks video:

If your solid hardwood is ready for a refinish take a look at this hardwood refinishing tutorial:

 

They're always ways to increase the value of your home without costing you an arm and a leg. If you’d like some more tips and tricks we’re happy to provide free, customized recommendations based on your home, your competition, and the current market. We’re here to help plan the steps to your next real estate goal, whether that’s a few years or a few weeks away.

Call us anytime. 

For more blogs like this be sure to come back monthly!

Yellow Rediscovering Amphibians Blog Banner (1)

Do you know your neighbours? With the current economy and social setting, it can be helpful to get to know your neighbours on a more personal level.

Here are 3 (financially and socially smart) reasons you should befriend your street neighbours:


1. Family Support

Unexpected things can happen and it's nice to have support close by if you need it in a crunch. Finding a select group of great neighbours to provide a mutual support network with, whether physically or emotionally, can make a world of difference to your happiness in a neighbourhood no matter what tasks or events come your way.

2. Networking & Sharing Help

Sharing help in your expertise area brings you a boost of happiness and is always appreciated by the requesting party. If you don’t know what your neighbours do for a living, for fun, and on the side, you’ll never know what knowledge you’re missing out on.

Perhaps you live next to a mechanic that can help fix your vehicle, and in return, you can help in your expertise area when they need a hand.

If you're looking for a change in work, or if you have kids that are going to be looking for jobs, it’s helpful to have a close network to reach out to for leads and use as references. 


3.
Contractor & Service Provider Recommendations 

Sharing reputable contacts that you or your neighbours have personally used and approved can save a lot of time and money for both parties. Financial decisions are made easier when you have a trustworthy recommendation from someone you trust.

 

4. Backup Home Watch

We recommend using professional home watch services when you go away, for home insurance reasons, but if that is absolutely not viable it's nice to have a trusted neighbour you can rely on.

The one caveat is you really do have to know your neighbours personally to feel comfortable letting them in your home when you're away, which is more incentive to put genuine effort into forming real friendships.

 

5. Community Happiness 

Okay, this one is less for "financial” benefit than it is for mental health, but in today's day and age, we are far more disconnected from genuine social interaction. Many people work from home, have drastically smaller real-life social circles, and live long distances from their friends.

Having a few neighbours that you can gather with on holidays, or for summer BBQ’s is priceless in the sense of community and belonging it provides for everyone involved. Even an introvert needs a little social stimulation every once in a while!

 

katherine-hanlon Via Unsplash6. Kids Play Dates & Maternity Community

If you’re planning on having a child, there’s nothing like having a friend nearby that understands the process or that is going through it with you. Once the kids are born it’s an enormous mental refresher to be able to arrange play dates out aka get-mommy-out-of-the-house dates.

Once the kids get older, they get the added benefit of a built-in friend group at their doorstep!

 

It’s always beneficial to know who you live near, and if you’re not completely in love with your neighbourhood perhaps it’s time for a change of scenery. 

For more blogs like this be sure to come back monthly!

Do Open Houses Sell Homes

Let's get right to it: Do open houses sell homes?

 

The short answer is no, not directly. However, the long answer is they do bring a list of other benefits that can potentially contribute to a sale. To clear the water, here are the pros and cons of hosting an open house on your property:


 PROS

1. Create additional reach and exposure

Hosting an open house can act as an additional avenue for exposure. Realistically, the reach of an open house isn't monumental, it usually just includes the surrounding community and people that were already interested from the MLS listing. Open house signs may draw in a little more traffic from within the community of people that haven't been searching the MLS. This can be helpful in a slow-moving market as it draws traffic from people that already love the community.

2. Bring Out Traffic That Hasn’t Started or Doesn’t know How To Start The Home Buying Process

Your community neighbours are often the first people to come to an open house out of curiosity. This curiosity may drive them to jump into the market when they otherwise hadn't seriously had it on their mind. In this situation, your open house may attract buyers that wouldn't have seen your home online because they hadn’t been looking. However, most Realtors agree that once these buyers get qualified they often go on to view more homes.

3. Fewer Time Constraints

An open house provides a wider time frame for buyers to view your property, allowing it to fit into more people's schedules. Sometimes Realtors will book showings within the open house time frame to allow more leeway in arrival time. Additionally, the “threat” of competition as buyers see others viewing the property can sometimes increase interest.

 

CONS

1. Open Houses Don’t Directly Sell Homes

Very rarely do open houses result in a direct sale. Often when potential buyers come through an open house they are just browsing out of curiosity. If they have a realtor they almost always have a selection of homes they’re comparing against their top choices, and the open house helps solidify that pick.


2. We Can’t Qualify Buyers

Before we take any buyer through a home we prequalify them to make sure we're looking at homes that they can afford. When you host an open house anybody can come through, that includes people that can't realistically put an offer on your home.

3. Security Fears

Sometimes our home sellers directly ask not to have any open houses because they're not comfortable with the idea of strangers walking through the house. The listing realtor stays in your property throughout the duration of the open house, however, some sellers are uncomfortable with strangers seeing the belongings in their home for security reasons.

 

VERDICT

Depending on the type of market, an open house may be worth the time. In a market where homes are typically sitting for a longer duration, an open house upon listing can help bring out traffic that may otherwise not have seen your property. It may also create a bit more buzz in the community about your listing which could help foster a future sale. 

In a market where homes are selling quicker, an open house may make less sense as the traffic is not pre-qualified. You might be better off simply accepting as many showings with realtors who have serious, screened clients. 

Ultimately, the choice should be discussed with your Realtor to weigh the pros and cons specific to your property and the market conditions.

For more blogs like this be sure to come back monthly!

Tips to decorate for the fall season on a budget

Tips to decorate for the fall season on a budget

It's fun to decorate our houses for each season of the year but all the decor can add up to a lot of money and a lot of storage space. To cut down on cost and the mountain of blue bins in your basement here are a few of our tips to still get the same seasonal taste without all the extra baggage (pun intended).


1) Only style a few rooms within your home

Pick a room in your home that you frequent most often enough to decorate. The living room and the kitchen are probably the two areas most used in homes, so building up the pumpkin spice spirit in those spaces is sure to add a little zest to the entire family's fall.

 

2) Get seasonal hand towels

Fun hand towels are easy to come by and they're generally pretty affordable. Pick up a few with some cute sayings or prints to add a little personality to your kitchen or bathrooms. However, I urge you to learn from my mistakes and don't put a white towel in the main bathroom, especially if you live with men or young boys, because the next thing you know they'll be using it to clean up the spill on the floor. (RIP white reindeer towel.)

 

3) Don't forget your front porch

Decor pieces like floor lanterns and vases can double as backyard accessories in the summer. If you already have some of these in your backyard, consider pulling them to the front (if your neighbourhood is generally theft free) to dress the steps. Let the kids have their touch on the decor by inviting them to carve pumpkins. 

 

4) Blankets 

Throw blankets feel like less of a splurge since they’re as functional as they are aesthetic. Nothing feels better than curling up under a cozy blanket with a good book or a hot drink on a cool fall night. Home sense always has a large selection of seasonal throw blankets for reasonable prices.

 

5) Get pillow covers (without the interior cushioning) 

This is my favourite seasonal decor hack that I’ve been doing for years. Purchase cushion covers to go over your existing decor pillows on couches or beds (or both if you have a little extra money to play with).  Covers use up minimal space when stored in your linen closet and easy pop onto other cushions come their season to shine. Just make sure you purchase the right size cover. 

 

For more blogs like this be sure to come back monthly!

Calgary Homes

5 Luxury Listings In Calgary You Need to See

If you're looking to buy luxury real estate in Calgary then you're in luck because there are so many incredible homes on the market. We've searched through all the luxury real estate listings online and hand-selected five that you need to take a look at:


1) 4111 162 Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2Y0N7

 

VIEW THIS PROPERTY

 

$8,000,00 | 5 Bed | 6 Bath | 9,031 Sq Ft | Lot Size 18.95 acres

Sitting on 18.95 ACRES and located in the transit station planning area of Calgary's upcoming community of Providence this property is ideal as an investment or development purposes.

Notable features include:

    • A large wet bar and lounge area
    • A theatre room
    • An indoor court
    • Extensive backyard lounge
    • Full-sized enclosed hockey rink
    • Mountain and downtown views
    • An upper and lower quad attached garages 
    • Detached 5 door workshop with built-in work benches and room to store all your toys and zamboni

Listing Courtesy of: Diamond Realty & Associates Ltd.

 

2) 44 Aspen Ridge Heights SW Calgary, AB T3H0J8

 

VIEW THIS PROPERTY

 

$7,900,00 | 6 Bed | 8 Bath | 9,578 SQFT

This is THE majestic French Country Castle in Aspenwoods. If you’ve ever taken a drive through the area then you’ve seen this home, because it’s impossible to miss. It was custom built by Pacer Signature in 2010 and offers over 14,500 sq. ft of luxuriously appointed living quarters. 

Notable features:

    • 5-Car Garage
      separate Carriage House with a fully suited residence.
    • Grand Parlor
    • Gourmet Kitchen
    • Butler's Pantry
    • Games Room
    • Wine-Tasting Room
    • Yoga Studio
    • Full Spa FacilitiesListing Courtesy of: Sotheby's International Realty Canada

 

3) 1307, 738 1 Avenue SW 1307 Calgary, AB


VIEW THIS PROPERTY

 

$7,988,000 | 2 Bed  | 2 Bath | 3,544 sq ft

If you viewed The Concord showcase room during the construction of the building then you already know how incredible these units are. This unit is truly one-of-a-kind with a full multi-million dollar Reno by Empire Custom Homes.

Notable Features:

    • Porsche designed kitchen with Miele appliance package including 6 burner gas range with griddle, and built-in espresso maker
    • Custom temperature-controlled glass wine room 
    • Hand-forged iron french doors
    • secluded media room
    • titled parking 4 car garage with custom cabinetry and room for lifts
    • Endless amenities including 24hr concierge and security, summer water garden, winter skating rink, lounge, kitchen, full fitness facility and car washes. 
    • Located steps to the Peace Bridge, Prince's Island Park, River Pathway System, and downtown

Listing Courtesy of: Re/Max Real Estate (central)


4)
71 Mahogany Island SE Calgary, AB

 

VIEW THIS PROPERTY

 

$3,690,000 | 5 Bed | 4 Bath | 3744 sq ft

Located in one of the most sought-after lake communities this luxury lakefront estate has over 5500sqft of indoor living space and over 1600sqft indoor/outdoor space with an undeniable resort-like feel. Built Morrison in 2019 you know that not a single detail will be spared. 

Notable Features:

    • Over 1600sqft indoor/outdoor space off the living room deck with custom bi-fold doors & automated retractable screens
    • sound-and-touch activated light therapy in the office and basement 
    • triple car garage 
    • Deluxe wet bar,
    • Home theatre 
    • Personal dock into the lake 
    • Beachcomber 750 SLB Spa and hot/cold outdoor shower
    • Close to the Mahogany Beach Club

Listing Courtesy of: Re/Max Realty Professionals

5) 2401 Morrison Street SW Calgary, AB T2T3J4

 

VIEW THIS PROPERTY

 

$3,990,000 | 5 Bed | 6 Bath | 3,833 sq ft

This new estate home by Niro Developments is coming soon to Upper Mount Royal! Overing over 5,500 square feet of living space on an oversized 50x 138lot with a triple car garage its going to be a hard-to-match gem within the community..

Notable Features:

    • Prime location with quick access to downtown, Woods Park and the Elbow River pathway system
    • High-end kitchen with Wolf appliances: 6 burners gas range, a griddle, two ovens, two built-in/panelled sub-zero fridge/freezers, and a Wolf steam oven
    • 9ceilings
    • 9ceilings developed basement for spacious media and games rooms with in-floor heat and ceiling speakers.
    • A full wet bar with a wine fridge, an under-mount sink, quartz counters, and a dishwasher 
    • A glass enclosed home gym with rubber flooring and a fully mirrored wall
    • oversized 50x 138lot, and a TRIPLE car garage

Listing Courtesy of: Re/Max House Of Real Estate

 

For more blogs like this be sure to come back monthly!

How does selling a luxury home differ

How Does Selling A Luxury Home Differ?

The luxury home market in Calgary brings with it a few differences when it comes to marketing and listing strategy. When you're ready to jump in and start the process of selling your luxury home, here are a few things to keep in mind:


1) Wider Network reach is Necessary

The luxury home market is smaller than the regular market in Calgary. There are fewer homes and fewer buyers within the city. It’s critical to cast a wider net when listing luxury. This means advertising your listing nationwide and even worldwide for foreign buyers to view.

 

2) Enhanced Marketing Collateral 

It's critical to have high-quality marketing that highlights features that sell in the luxury market. Luxury homes are typically larger and have more features to be showcased. They require marketing that can cover all the selling points of a home while being concise yet thorough. Generic marketing pieces will not highlight the home to its full potential.

3) Personal Networking 

A luxury realtor must have a personal network to call on. They need to have contacts looking in the market and have a Rolodex of other realtors with clients that buy and sell luxury. While casting a wide net gets the message out, a realtor that personally reaches out to qualified clients and other realtors will be much more beneficial for your home sale.

 

4) Luxury Presentation

A luxury listing needs to be presented as such online. This means proper pre-listing preparation, professional staging, and high-quality photography that captures the sought-after qualities. Typically a luxury home does well with professional videography and/or a virtual walk-through to allow busy and out-of-province buyers to view it without needing to fly out.

5) Experienced Realtors 

Luxury real estate requires extensive knowledge of the industry and an in-depth understanding of the luxury market itself. The goal is always to get the most for your property but over-listing can dwindle your income potential if your home sits on the market.

An experienced luxury realtor will know how to properly evaluate this unique market, using the competition, home features, the neighbourhood, and market conditions to come up with a firm strategy to obtain the highest return.

Learn more about the advantages of using Dolce Real Estate, a qualified full-service real estate team to help you sell your luxury home.


Meet The Team

Give us a call: 587. 229. 7108

 

For more blogs like this be sure to come back monthly!

Top 3 Most Inspiring Showhomes in Calgary 

Top 3 Most Inspiring Showhomes in Calgary 

There's no better place to get interior design inspiration than a showhome. We've scoured the city to find the most inspiring show homes in Calgary, here are our top 3.


1) 151 Watermark Avenue, Calgary, AB T3L 2N6

This show home in Calgary will have you running home inspired to write it into your vision board. Every time weve walked through this beauty we are equally awestruck. Featuring soaring ceilings, a top-of-the-line luxurious kitchen with an incredibly oversized kitchen island, and a basement that will have your jaw hitting the incredible custom poured concrete flooring. We never play basketball, but thanks to this dazzling showhome we now need a basketball court in our home. 

Features: 4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, 3,771 Sqft. Basketball court, Home gym. Enormous full height windows. Gas range stove. Waterfall kitchen island. Wet bar and so much more.

Built by: Lighthouse Custom homes

Showhome Hours:

Mondays: Closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 12 pm – 6 pm
Friday – Sunday: 12 pm – 5 pm

www.lighthousecustomhomes.ca/watermark-showhome/

 

 

 

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2)
139 Watermark Avenue, Calgary, AB T3L 0C9

The Brighton in Watermark shifts what it means to live in a bungalow. This family-focused, multi-generational, 5-bedroom, walk-out bungalow, perfectly blends form and function with a focus on simplicity, natural elements, and comfort. Built with health, sustainability, accessibility, and low maintenance living in mind.

Features: 5 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms, 2,648 Sqft. Japanese Scandinavian Design. Building products that are free from VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Triple-Pane Low E-Glass Windows. Human Centric Lighting. 130” Direct View Modular LED Display giving homeowners their homes Health Report Card, anywhere in the world.

Built by: New West Luxury Homes

Showhome Hours:

Tuesdays-Thursdays 12:00pm-6:00pm

Fridays-Sundays 12:00pm-5:00pm

Mondays Closed

www.newwestluxury.com/show-homes/the-brighton-in-watermark-at-bearspaw/

 


3. 18 Cimarron Estates, Okotoks, AB T1S 0C6

This stunning open-concept home is adorned with the most whimsical yet chic finishes from fun geometric print tile to exciting paint choices and dream-worthy bedrooms. It's the perfect combination of class and fun. With 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and 3,081 sq ft it was truly designed for a growing family.

 

Features: Open to Above Great Room, Massive Windows, Side Drive Triple Car Garage, Flex Room, Mud Room w/ Walk-in Closet, Loft, Coffered Beam Ceiling in Dining Room, Large Ensuite Walk-in Closet, Walk-thru Pantry, Butlers Pantry, Vaulted Ceiling in Bonus Room, Upstairs Tech Workstation, Beverage Center in Kitchen Island, Grand Foyer Entrance

Built by: Madison Ave Group

Showhome Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 1:00pm – 7:00pm

Weekends & Holidays: 12:00pm – 5:00pm

www.madisonavegroup.com/show-homes/lancaster/

 

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8 Backyard Patio Ideas For 2022 - banner

8 Inspirational Patio Ideas For 2022

Spring is in the air and everyone in Calgary is eager to pull out their patio furniture and turn their backyards or decks into their personal oasis. We’ve taken the liberty to round up some of the most stunning backyard patio ideas for 2022 so that you can transform your situation into the outdoor space of your dreams.

Outdoor string lights, check. Luxury patios, check. Small patio ideas, check. Whatever you’re working with we’re sure you can pull some ideas from this selection:

 

1. Basic Patio Set

Your basic patio set elevated with plush pillows, string lights, a chandelier, and a swinging chair. We love the idea of hanging curtains around the perimeter.

Many homes in Calgary have lounge spaces below a 2nd-floor deck that could utilize this design. We would suggest looking into extra long linen shower curtains that are designed to take some moisture. We’ve seen some on Wayfair.

 

 

2. Beachy Patio Inspiration

A simple sectional patio sofa with rattans and neutral linens hits all the on-trend checkmarks.  If you have a tree or a beam available hang some dazzling outdoor light fixtures.

If you don’t have anything like that available perhaps the hubby could show off his craftsmanship by creating a simple structure behind the sofa to at least hang some privacy curtains and a lightweight medallion? It’s your time to shine dear husband…

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3. Backyard Garden Idea 

This is for those with green thumbs - we see you but we aren’t you. (We’ve worked our way through an obscene amount of office plants - RIP).

This backyard looks like a plant lovers fairytail. Pergolas are the way to go if string lights are on your Wishlist.

We also love the idea of simply adding a throw blanket over your old patio sofa if you’re eager to have a new look this year. It makes a typical patio sofa look so much more cozy and when paired with the right pillows, table decor, and greenery you couldn’t get much better.
 

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4.
Adjustable roofing and sidewalls

Need we say more? Nope, we really don’t. Get us the phone number for this company stat!

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5.
Small Patio Design Idea

 This is such a great before and after. Normally furniture makes a space look smaller but somehow this makes it look even more spacious. Just because you have a small patio doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be allowed to bask in the sun like a middle-aged cat. Age spots are for all of us.

So, go get yourself two single chairs, a small table and some adorable pillows from HomeSense.


6.
Simple Layout for a medium sized patio 

Once again HomeSense beckons. (It’s okay, you can hide the receipts.) This design is so easy to recreate. It simple yet still an inviting spot to invite the friends over for an evening drink. 

A love seat, table, two small ottomon/seats, greenery and a few small pieces of decor - easy peezy. 

 


7.
DIY patio cushions 

We don’t know where you would buy these cushions, so we’re assuming this would be more of a DIY project for those who sew. This is the closest we could find available.

We think you could have quite the business selling these if you can manage to make them. How cute are they? It looks like they can easily pop onto almost any basic chair.

If you give these a try or if you find them somewhere let us know!

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8. Luxury patio design  

Now this is luxury. The entire look screams expensive and we adore how low profile the seating is, especially when paired with a stone table. It’s slightly cave man, but in the best way possible. We never thought we’d be using the term caveman in a good way - but this is DEFINITELY a good way.

This designer knows what she’s doing, her entire account is worth taking a peek at. Perhaps just don’t mention the whole caveman thing to her though…

 

If you’d like more blogs like this, please let us know.

 

 

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8 Things you can add to your home to enhance your mental health

8 Things you can add to your home to enhance your mental health

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a non-profit source for mental health information, 4 in 10 adults in the U.S. have reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder, up from the 2019 statistics of 1 in 10.

Since we're spending more time at home, it’s a great time to implement the psychology of design and mental well-being into your interior. Whether you're doing a complete renovation or just looking for a few minor changes to enhance your mood, there is something that will work for everybody. 

Here are 8 things you can add to your home to enhance your mental health:

 

1. High Ceilings

Recent research suggests that ceiling height can affect the way we think and act. These studies showed that home dwellers tend to think more creatively and abstractly in a space with 10-foot ceilings. A person in a room with a lower ceiling tends to focus more on specifics and thinks less creatively. The theory is that a higher ceiling makes a person feel freer whereas a low ceiling makes them feel confined.

 

2. Cohesive decor

An interior design that flows well allows the eyes to absorb the space easier. When you enter a room your eyes naturally scan the space and your brain is in search to determine whether you’re in danger or not threats. A well-designed home will be planned out according to the psychology of design and using design principles that allow your eyes to seamlessly flow across the room. 

If you're not 100% confident in your ability to create a cohesive design consider hiring a trained interior designer.

 

3. Plants 

There are numerous benefits to including live plants in your decor. We could probably write an entire blog just about the benefit of plants, but we'll save that for another day. In addition to improving air quality, plants have been shown to reduce anxiety and depression possibly due to bacterium in their soil but also because they subconsciously remind us of our connection to nature.

4. Colour

Colours are long known to have a large impact on her mood. Every colour in big brand logos and stores has been used intentionally to evoke an emotion in you. You can use the same psychology within your home.

You'll want to stay away from colours in the red and orange family as they can increase our heart rate making us feel on edge, rushed, and uncreative. Cool colours like blue and green tend to calm the body, lower blood pressure, and make us feel at ease.

If you're intending to paint your home anytime soon it's imperative to plan your colour palette using the colour theory. Again, if this is not your forte you can hire an interior designer to help.

5. Light

It comes as no surprise that humans need natural light. Natural light provides nutrients from the sun such as vitamin D and is well known to increase her mood. Both natural and bright artificial light (that mimics natural light), particularly in the morning, has been shown to improve depression, agitation, sleep, our heart health, and seasonal depression.

If you're doing a full rental consider adding more windows or larger windows to your house, but if a renovation isn't an option there are small things you can add to help. Consider using translucent curtains to allow more sunlight in or light sources that feel more natural like “natural light” light bulbs and Himalayan salt lamps.

6. Nature Art

 Studies have proven that Art that depicts nature highly increased our feelings of well-being by improving our self-esteem and decreasing social isolation. It is likely that it also reminds us of our connection to nature the same way plants do.

Boost psychological well-being by replacing some of your art in your home with photos of nature. You don't have to change all of your artwork but select a few places in your home where you feel you can use a little more positive energy.

 

7. Declutter 

Clutter in your home is equal to clutter in your brain. A messy home or a home with too many things in it can leave you feeling overwhelmed, unhappy, and uncreative. Take a day to organize the things that are on the counter, bookshelves, and cabinets.

Take an honest evaluation of your home to determine if all of the decor elements are needed or if they just create a sense of clutter. If an item doesn't bring you happiness through it's sentimental value or it's visual appeal then you can feel safe packing it away.

8. Texture

Humans tend to feel more comfortable in nature-inspired interiors. This means using earthy tones and raw materials to create warmth. This could be as easy as implementing some potted branches into your decor, wood accessories, or tweed woven chairs and baskets. If you're ready to do a complete Reno consider creating a beachy-earthy inspired interior which naturally leads to more nature-inspired textures.

 

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