Ontario Garden Show - 03/31/07 01:31 PM
The 11th Annual Ontario Garden Show takes place April 12-15 at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington. It's always a colorful show held at a beautiful venue. For information on the show, tickets etc. click on this link - http://www.ontariogardenshow.com/sitepages/ For more information on the Royal Botanical Gardens click here - http://www.rbg.ca/ All
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Benjamin Moore Contest - 03/30/07 01:03 PM
Benjamin Moore and William Ashley are holding a CONTEST for $5000 worth of tableware. Beautiful stuff ... if you like washing fine china ! Click on this link to enter the contest. The contest closes on May 15, 2007. http://www.benjaminmoore.ca/colours/stylish_contest.aspx I believe it is for Canadian residents only, so be sure to check the rules. Sorry
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Another Resource Site - 03/30/07 12:50 PM
Here's another link to one of my favorite resource websites - http://www.homebasics.ca/viewarticlesection.asp?subgroup=HD It is a Canadian site. They have many useful and interesting articles on home and garden topics and you can also sign up for their email newsletter. This article in particular was a good read - "Surviving the Home Renovation" http://www.homebasics.ca/viewarticle.asp?articleid=3339 Enjoy !
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Antique Shops & Flea Markets - 03/29/07 07:26 AM
I always love to browse and enjoy the thrill of finding old treasures. If you are in the Ontario Region, you'll like these links with a handy list of antique shops and flea markets. http://www.antiqueshopsa2z.com/ontario.htm - If you navigate back to the home page on this one, it looks like a complete North American directory
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The Writing on the Wall ... - 03/28/07 11:12 AM
Wonderful Graffiti - vinyl wall art This is a great way to add personality and individual character to any room. They do provide design professionals with a sample kit if you are interested. There is a wide variety of words and phrases to choose from in different colours and styles. You can
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The Hurried Woman (or Man) and Stress - 03/28/07 08:50 AM
It's that time of year where we start to notice things again ... new growth, chirping birds, the neighbours. We also start to pay attention to what might have been neglected over the winter ... our gardens, garages and even our own health. Here is some good advice for all of
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Some of my favorite things ... - 03/27/07 11:18 AM
There is so much information to be found on the Internet with respect to our industry (and for our personal knowledge as well). We could search and read endlessly. But I have found several sites that I keep going back to because they are lively, fun and easy-to-read. Just thought I
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Product Recalls & Warnings - 03/27/07 08:22 AM
The following website link (from the Ontario Fire Marshall's Office) contains frequently updated information on various product recalls and warnings for consumer safety purposes. http://www.ofm.gov.on.ca/english/Fir...ls/default.asp If you are not in Ontario, I'm sure your local jurisdication would have a similar resource available. Again, this is something worth sharing with your clients /
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Color Resources - 03/25/07 03:39 PM
For those of you interested in color as it relates to redesign or staging (and who isn't ??), the Sherwin-Williams paint company has a great website with a lot of information. http://www.swstir.com/use.do?method=topics Also, I would be interested to know who has heard of the Dewey Color System - http://www.deweycolorsystem.com/default.htm and what are your thoughts
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Home Improvement Projects - 03/25/07 03:30 PM
For those that missed it on the HGTV.ca website, here is a great article on the "Ten Home Improvement Projects that Add Value" - http://www.hgtv.ca/articles/articledetails.aspx?ContentId=2113&cat=4&by=2 Why not start on some of these projects while you are still living in the home and can enjoy the effort of all your hard work ? And
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ReDesign Industry - 03/25/07 10:28 AM
http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/businessideas/article160010.html This article on how to get started in the redesign industry appeared on the http://www.entrepreneur.com/ website in June 2006. It was a great boost for us redesigners - more and more people are taking notice and getting interested. ReDesign is definitely NOT just a trend, it is a very specialized niche
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Spring Cleaning - 03/25/07 10:11 AM
Can you feel the energy of a new season emerging all around you? The days are longer, the birds are singing every morning. It certainly is my favourite time of year. I feel inspired to do something around the house, but you can bet cleaning isn't exactly my first choice. Painting perhaps -
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How NOT to Show a Listing - 03/24/07 02:44 PM
If ever a home needed staging ...http://www.preacanada.com/saintjohn/mitchell/multiphoto.php?property=12926 See dining room photos in particular, but the bears are EVERYWHERE including the master bathroom and even the billiards room. It's a good idea to check your local realtors' listing photos on-line or in the local paper "home of the week" section and when you see
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ReDesign Staging - 03/21/07 08:30 AM
Take any room from cold to cosy, again using exclusively what the homeowner has. None of these pieces work particularly well together - the size and scale is off - but my recent group of students managed to pull of this look. Needless to say the homeowner was thrilled with the
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More Staging Photos - 03/19/07 09:42 AM
Thank you fellow members for the positive feedback on my other blog entries. These photos demonstrate how another very sparse room can be made to look warm & inviting. Again we used only what the homeowner had available. Our only recommendation was the addition of an area rug to anchor the
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Accessorize with Style - 03/14/07 04:15 PM
Quick Tips for Accessorizing with Style A collection is 3 or more - but always use an odd number. This will reinforce the rule that triangular shapes are visually pleasing.Look at colour, theme, texture and shape when forming a collection - 3 Native carvings; 5 square objects; 7 blue items.Make sure items
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Staging Photos - 03/14/07 04:07 PM
A good example of how to stage an empty room or one that is under utilized. The space was likely intended for a home office or small library, situated on the main floor of $600,000+ home in Oakville. This job was done together with my colleague Tamara Welbourn. All of the items used were already
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Spring is Here - 03/13/07 04:09 PM
Spring is just around the corner. Here are some quick tips to help lift your spirits and get you ready to enjoy those beautiful longer days. Roll up the rugs and take down the heavy draperies. Let the sunlight in - your rooms will thank you. Take time to enjoy the
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The Art of Hanging Art - 03/13/07 04:02 PM
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But it takes more than a hammer and nail to make a statement. Whether you have an original Monet or a print from Ikea, here's how to make the most of it. The most common mistake is hanging artwork too high. Forget about
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Depth Perception in Aging Eyes - 03/09/07 02:22 PM
Have you ever heard of the "ginger-ale effect"? Perhaps some of you have already experienced it. This condition occurs because of a gradual yellowing of the lens of the eye. It starts, on average, around the age of 65 but not everyone is affected in the same way. Do not confuse the
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Garage Sale Season - 03/09/07 02:20 PM
It's a great Canadian tradition and a fabulous way to recycle. When you are downsizing or simply moving to a different home, it can be overwhelming. Here are some tips & tricks for a successful sale. sort your items by category, such as books, kitchen ware, toys etc.pick a date and an
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Small Spaces - 03/09/07 07:33 AM
Make the most of your small space or re-invent the spare room. Here are a few ideas: look for multi-purpose furniture such as taller tables that can do double duty as added counter space, chairs and ottomans with storage and sofas that turn into beds.organize your things with vertical storage options that free up
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Decorating for Teens - 03/08/07 12:14 PM
For anyone who has ever lived with a teenager or pre-teen, you know there are two things they can never have enough of - STORAGE SPACE and MONEY. Let them sweat about the money - maybe they'll learn the value of hard work and effort. But give them storage, lots and
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Bedroom Retreats - 03/08/07 12:12 PM
Our rest and relaxation is so important to good health and happiness. Why then do we often neglect our bedroom décor? Why do we retreat and awake in rooms filled with clutter, laundry, ironing boards and old magazines? Do yourself a favour and reclaim your sanctuary. Declutter - Remove the kids' toys, clothes
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Color Therapy - 03/08/07 07:22 AM
Call it colour therapy if you will. Probably the most important element in any room, the right colour will immediately invoke the right feeling. The challenge lies in choosing that exact shade to match your mood. Here are some basic guidelines: Red - immediately creates drama, passion and excitement. Yellow - will brighten
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ReDesign Your Rooms for that Special Occasion - 03/07/07 09:28 PM
A lot of people avoid entertaining at home simply because they feel their space is lacking in some way. They fuss and fret that the living room décor seems dated or the room feels too small. But a lot can be done to correct these problems in just one hour, one
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National Ovarian Cancer Association - 03/07/07 09:07 PM
The Canadian ReDesigners Association (CRDA) has partnered with the National Ovarian Cancer Association (NOCA) to ensure that women currently in treatment for ovarian cancer have a comfortable and harmonious room in their home in which to focus on rest and wellness. ReDesigners across Canada are volunteering their time and talent to create "Havens for Healing".
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What is ReDesign? - 03/07/07 03:50 PM
The term is now quite popular, and the concept is simple. Yet many people are unclear of how a redesign can benefit their space. Think of it as a make-over, facelift or rejuvenation of the beautiful things you already own. Imagine your rooms as those shown in a model home. You
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Home Staging Tips - 03/07/07 02:57 PM
• De-clutter each room• De-personalize and keep those personal items out of site• Focus on the positive selling features of each room• Create a focal point in the living, dining and family rooms• Create a serene atmosphere in bedrooms and bathrooms• Neutralize the décor to appeal to more buyers• Edit and remove unnecessary furniture and accessories• Remove fridge
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Get Your Asking Price ... or More - 03/07/07 02:55 PM
If you are thinking about putting your house on the market now and hope to sell, move and get settled as quickly as possible - home owners take note. The average buyer has little imagination when it comes to projecting themselves into a resale home. Even though you spent countless hours
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