Being Matchy Matchy You would think that designers would like the word ‘match’….but it usually makes us cringe. We love things to coordinate, but having every fabric the same on every piece of furniture looks bland and boring. To create visual interest in a space you need multiple layers and textures, colour and patterns. Shop at several stores instead of buying everything all in one place. Keep your fabric swatches and paint samples with you at all times. You will easily be able to see what works when you lay it all out together. This process can seem tedious but remember, designers spend hours pulling fabrics and options for clients. If you want a room to feel put together, give it the time it deserves. Poor Lighting Bad lighting in your home can affect the mood dramatically when someone walks in – and more importantly when you walk in. Dimly lit rooms are most common in older homes, and by simply adding lamps with the correct bulb type can help a room help more inviting. In ...
Attic Venting and Ice Damming
What is the purpose of attic ventilation? Why do we insulate our attics? You may think that these were two completely different questions with two completely different answers; however, they are actually more related than you may think. During the warmer months, ventilation helps keep the attic cool; alternatively, during the colder months, it reduces the moisture within the space to keep the attic dry. This leads to protection against damage to materials and the structure itself; thus, providing comfort both in the form of physical comfort as well as peace of mind. Insulation also provides similar benefits. We insulate the attic to reduce the energy load driving into the home in the warmer months, but we also install it in our roofs and walls to ensure that we don’t lose heat during the winter months as well (note: but don’t forget to air-seal!). Energy savings is clearly a benefit and a reason why we would want to use ventilation or insulation in the attic; however, ...
Creative Ideas for Storing Children’s Artwork
If you have kids, chances are you know how REAL the struggle is when it comes to their artwork. Year after year, the volume of art they create only multiplies. For obvious reasons, we become sentimentally attached to much of it- that is up until we finally reach our breaking point and can't deal with the sheer volume of every single 'masterpiece' taking over our homes We get A TON of questions about how to best manage children's art work, and the answer is not 'one size fits all' - some people want to hold on to every scrap or scribble, while others are fine to observe each piece while on route to the recycling bin. Wherever you find yourself on the kid art spectrum, we have a few creative ideas to store, document, or preserve this season of your child's wildly creative life. THE ROTATING GALLERY Perhaps the most common strategy is a rotating gallery wall. The idea being you display some of the best pieces for a duration of time, and then rotate new pieces in as they are ...
Organizing Clothing With The Konmari Method
The KonMari organizing method has been around for a couple of years, but some of its ideas and methods can still be confusing for some people looking to live a more organized life. Here is how the KonMari method can help you get organized, starting with your clothing: WHAT IS IT? According to the KonMari method, organizing should not happen room by room, but item by item. In this way, people are able to properly organize and find a home for one specific item, which may be scattered throughout a home. Clothes are recommended as the first item to start organizing. Organizing begins by collecting all of the like items together and laying them on the ground so you can get a good look at what you have. Then, you go through each item to determine whether or not it makes you happy or “sparks joy.” Karen, at Calm Order recommends to start with areas with the least amount of attachment. Clothing may not necessarily be easy for some. Sometimes it is going through the pantry or kitchen ...
Tile Trends for 2018
Once upon a time, tiles were mostly used for their functional benefits (resistance to water, durability, low maintenance). Today however the sky is the limit for the designs that are possible and the aesthetic impact tile can create. Manufacturers have really pushed the limits on what is possible to provide really unique styles for today’s spaces. 2018 full steam ahead, we thought we would bring to attention some of the tiles that seem to be the most popular right now and for the foreseeable future. Stone/Wood Imitation Tile With the technology almost perfected to digitally copy and recreate an existing surface. Many manufacturer’s have selected wood or stone and recreated them in porcelain. In both instances you get a recreation that is almost identical to the real thing without having to put up with any of the potential drawbacks of the original material. You can have a wood look tile in your bathroom without worrying about moisture, or a white marble in your kitchen without ...
Ask an Organizer || Where do I start?
What is one area of your home that you simply can't keep organized? What clutter, no matter how hard you try, can you never seem to curb? What is that one burning question you would ask a professional organizer if you had the chance? QUESTION: I would love to get organized, but I don’t have the slightest idea where to begin. I’m paralyzed and completely overwhelmed when I look around my house, so I don't even start. Where would you say is the easiest or most motivating place to begin? ANSWER: First off- please know you are not alone! We hear this question ALL THE TIME! For some of us, when we look around a disorganized space, our brains aren't immediately able to break the mess down into individual pieces. We don’t see the parts that make up the whole, we just see EVERYTHING at ONCE. So of course that feels incapacitating. The second part to this is that the things in our homes hold memories- good or bad, it's the sentimental attachment to stuff that makes letting go so ...
How do I determine how much light I will need to properly illuminate a space?
The answer to this question depends on the type of activities for which the space will be used. If it is a space for reading or cooking, you will want more light than if the space is strictly for entertaining. However, this being said, there is a general formula that can be used to determine the proper amount light (expressed in wattage) for a room. This formula is as follows: Square footage x 1.5 = approximate wattage required For example, if you are looking to illuminate a 10’ x 10’ space, determine the square footage (10 x 10 = 100) and multiply that number by 1.5. In this case, 100 x 1.5 = 150. Thus, you will need approximately 150 watts to properly illuminate that space. -Cartwright Lighting SPECIAL OFFER: Members of the “Best My Nest” program by CIR will be provided with our discounted contractors pricing on all regular priced items. ...
Can Vinyl or Aluminum Siding Be Painted?
You can paint vinyl or aluminum siding for a much lower price than replacing it. If it is still structurally sound but the colour has faded then painting is a great option. Note: If you're siding is still under warranty, check with the manufacturer to ensure that painting it will not void your warranty. The first step will be to prep the surface. This is the most important step. On vinyl siding you want to remove any dirt and debris. This can be done with the pressure washer or by hand with warm soapy water. Never use sandpaper or a wire brush. On aluminum siding use a pressure washer or light rubbing with steel wool works great. If mildew is present use a water and bleach solution (3 to 1). Before painting make sure all dust, dirt, and bleach solution is removed. After the siding is dry you are ready for paint. Make sure to use a high-quality paint. Important note: never paint vinyl siding darker than the original color. Darker colours absorb the heat from the sun more and will ...
What Hard Water Does to Your Dishwasher
Ever notice white residue on your glasses and silverware after you’ve just had a load of dishes washed? This is often an indicator that you don’t have soft water. Before we start talking about the benefits of having a water softener, let’s talk about hard water. What makes water hard? Water comes down your tap filled with minerals (yay!); two of which are Magnesium and Calcium. These two minerals are the reason your water is hard. Although these minerals have no known health effects, they affect the efficiency of your dishwasher and other water-using appliances. When your water is hard, activated soap gets tied up with the hardness of the minerals in the water instead of doing its actual job: cleaning food off your plates. This leaves more food on the plates after they’ve supposedly been cleaned and leaves behind white buildup and soap residue. You could even start to notice that your plastic ladles, knife handles or spatulas are turning white. Not only will you have to use ...
Clearing The Clutter After The Kids Leave Home
As you navigate the mixed emotions that come with your child leaving home, it's important to focus some of your energy on this new season of your life. Whether that means decluttering, redecorating, or repurposing a bedroom, consider recreating your space to work for you. Get motivated to take that first step and involve your child in the process so they will still feel welcome and excited to be home. Focus on one space at a time. Decluttering your home can lighten your mood and simplify your life. Begin by picking one area of your home that will give you the most satisfaction to declutter. Perhaps it's the kitchen, office, or child's bedroom. Allow the emotions to come and go as you sift through years of clutter. Remember, these are just things and too many things will take away from what matters. Break down the area into manageable chunks. Decluttering the entire kitchen or a huge closet might seem overwhelming. Give yourself the freedom to focus on a few cabinets a day or ...
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