It's Official!

WELCOME TO SUMMER!  Yes, it's finally here, the day we've all been anxiously awaiting for~you know you have!~and even though it may not feel like it just yet, depending on where you are, you couldn't wait to embrace it!  It's just that "official" feeling you could say...so let's start day number two with a bright sunny yellow outlook and how you can incorporate this vibrant shade into your life...happy summer solstice!

TANTALIZING TUESDAY

5 Days Of Summer

With the start of summer this week, I thought it appropriate to give you a splash of what summer is all about in the design world...COLOUR!  Everyone should express themselves in their own unique way this summer with colour in all shades from the hottest to the coolest, indoors or out.  So for the next five days I will be giving you a dose of what you could do to bring colour into your life this season in YOUR own way and hope you continue to add it throughout the year.  It's not just for summer anymore!

MONDAY BLUES

We are all CANUCKS!

Today I decided to do a little something special in honour of my hometown NHL hockey team, The Vancouver Canucks who at this very moment are in Boston, counting down the hours with rigorous practicing and preparing for the game of their life against The Boston Bruins for THE STANLEY CUP!  Not only is the entire city and most of Canada sporting the jerseys, t-shirts and gear, but the famous blue and green colours seem to flood the city everywhere you look!  Being the design lover I am, I have put together a collection of interior photos in every shade you can imagine, that SPORT some green or blue.  This is my little way of sharing my support with you~ GO CANUCKS GO!!!

Here Are A Few Of My Favorite Things~

Ever wonder what inspires a designer?  What makes us tick?  I thought so...here are a few of my personal favorites and what gets the creative juices flowing within...ENJOY!

Top Things Home Buyers Look For When Purchasing A Home

Location:  Is this home going to meet the needs of the family?  What type of neighbourhood is it in?  Are there a lot of rental properties in the area?  What will the commute to work be like and how long will it take?  What type of schools are there in the area?  Where are the shops located?  How much can I afford?

Resale:  How long will the home buyer/s live there?  Always look at buying a home as an investment.  Never assume you will live there forever.  How easy will this house be to resell?

Structural issues:  Does the roof need replacing?  Is it dipping?  Is there any water or any other structural damage visible or possibly not visible to eye?  Will they be able to afford to fix these things?

Outdoor space:  A large number of home buyers want a garden and/or yard space.

Kitchens & Bathrooms:  How modernized and up to date is the kitchen and bathrooms?

Garage:  Is there a garage and extra parking either on the street or driveway?

POP Goes The Curb Appeal - PART 2

FRONT ENTRANCE CURB APPEAL

With Spring here, and the nicer weather upon us, more and more buyers are searching for their next home.  So today I'd like to discuss the front entrance, that first impression of a home.  Obviously this is the first thing a potential buyer sees and experiences when seeing a home for the first time, which by the way is usually based on emotions, so it's important to make the curb appeal of your home POP and give it some dimension.  You always want to make sure the front door is visible from the street and easily accessible, so start by taking away any obstruction/s or anything that might make the home outdated.  Think about your budget and what would be necessary and what you can do without.  The only thing you are trying to create here is emotion and drawing potential buyers to your home.  Economical choices make sense.  Changing out door hardware, outdoor lighting, house numbers, mailboxes and paint are all great choices and will make a huge impact alone.  Trimming down overgrown landscaping, adding some stones, fixing up any damaged driveways and walkways are all easy fixes that will draw in your buyers.  

(Photos courtesy of J&J Landscaping LLC)

Features That SIZZLE or Sell A Home - PART 1

KITCHENS 

It's no secret that a kitchen is one of two rooms that sell a home.  In order for you to get top dollar and to sell quickly you're going to have to include features that sizzle or will help to sell the home.  For instance, solid surface countertops and recessed lighting are almost a standard now in today's market, and depending on the comparables in the neighbourhood, you might want to add such features as a pot filler, wine fridge, or a wall mounted flatscreen TV.  There are two features I want to talk about that if you do anything, these two things will definitely add more SIZZLE.  Those of course would be undercabinet lighting and a custom tile backsplash.  Lighting is already an important feature in the home, so adding undercabinet lighting is not only a great investment, but it's actually very cost efficient and economical to do.  Creating a custom tile backsplash sets your kitchen apart and makes it appear more high end and will get you a higher return.  Skip the 4 or 6 inch lip from the counter up the back wall, and go with the tile.  

(Photo courtesy of Valerie Pasquiou Interiors & Design Inc.)