Home Staging!

I have been helping a friend look for a 'new' gently pre-owned home to buy lately and frankly are surprised what a mess is out there!
Folks, clean up your houses before you have pictures taken! You would not believe how many people have un-made beds in their 'For Sale' pictures, kitchens a mess, clutter everywhere! Then you wonder why your house is not getting viewed in person?
This is a neat little trick you can use for decorating and well as trying to decide what to edit from your home.... take pictures of your spaces in black and white- then edit until the black and white images look good !
It highlights scale, balance and proportion--- it does not mask an unmade bed though!
Spending the $50.00 dollars an hour to hire a stager truly would make a huge difference in a lot of these homes I have seen lately!

Repurposing, Ikea and thrift shopping

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/your-thoughts-on-the-ethics-of-shopping-cheap-089653#commentshttp://

This article could not of come at a better time. While I love browsing the web and the magazines I am addicted to, I have always had a belief that we should buy and re-purpose our things.

I was raised to believe you buy 'slightly' better quality items that have long term use that you can afford- but the catch is these items are be used for the rest of your life. These items are the items your children inherit.

Well made furniture, china ( if you are not lucky enough to inherit some) silverware, crystal never seems to last long in our family so perhaps a cheap on this.

My home is a collection of hand-me-downs, second hand and a few investment pieces I have purchased.

Often, a client will want a new look- and I worked this way before it became 'chic'. I always went through what they had, what they liked and what we could move from one room to another, what we could refinish and recover. In the past my style ethics were considered odd by some.
People had a misconception that 'decorators' just wanted to spend all their money and put a 'stamp' of professionally decorated house on theirs.

I do not believe in this 'overly stylized' concept. A home should reflect the people that live in it- not the decorator. The home should have elements that have been gathered over the years, objects of 'heart' rather than just art objects.

Decor is like style- just because you have masses of money does not mean you have style.
Style is making a look your own not following the masses.

Interested in your opinions

Ryans Room before

Okay, maybe I should have had the pictures taken before I started to empty the room. You would of had a 'fuller' look into the clutter of a young man that spent his childhood and teenage years in the same room! Strangely enough- the colour of this room is the same colour it was when we moved into the house. My son liked the colour of his 'new room (when he was 8) so much I simply repainted it the same colour-- years ago!

Finally 12 years later he was at the stage where the little built-in desk did not suit his late teen years and home work.... more space was needed. Also, his room well frankly was a lot of re-used and repurposed furniture.

A few things needed to be kept- his very expensive bed- which was a gift from my best friend after she passed away, his hand-made denim duvet cover-- and well that was about it- oh his wood blinds!

I wanted him to have more storage space in his closet, nicer desk and a more grown-up space to call his own. Peaceful and functional for him to study his heart out and relax in!

Damon J shoes- and Donald Pliner!

My favorite- okay one of my favorite shoe stores closed this winter, and it was the only store in Edmonton that sold Donald Pliner shoes. They are divine, not made in China- northern Italy actually and you can tell when you wear them- the comfort even in 3 or 4 inch heels is fab!

I found a new supplier of Donald Pliner Shoes!

Damon j-- 7929-104 Street Edmonton

780-437-1319--- in the little mall on the east side of the street.

They have a terrific collection of summer Pliners, cute bags-- some as low as $70.00 cool shoes for men's and a white bag that almost made me forget about the LV my heart is coveting (my bank account not so much)

Also, I am on the hunt for the best gelato in Edmonton- please feel free to submit your suggestions and then I will have to go and sample and report for you!

HEY HEY Sale at overstock

http://www.overstock.com/

Check out the link above-- and the coupon!
And the price on the bamboo towels and we all know how much I love bamboo towels!
Enjoy- these are the best-est towels EVER-- and the sheets are so nice for the summer-- and - if and when you go through the horrid menopause stuff-- these bamboo sheets will be your best friends! Luxurious and cool!

my Miele Vacuum!

Mine, does not look so nice and clean anymore!
Mine has white paint, scratch marks, new power head!
I love my miele vacuum
It has taken care of my floors with a german shepard, teenage child (who has tortured the vacuum and it still works- socks-drapes and all sucked up it!)
It has survived my mother dropping the nozzle into a bucket of water while she washed something else- power on of course!
One thing I know- a Miele can suck up an entire gallon of soapy water---- and be taken still dripping to the service department- dried out and runs again.
Yahooo-- and now the vacuum works for little chiWOWahs and corgie-pom crosses complete with a long haired black cat!
Did I say I covet Miele?

My covet!

Images from Miele.com http://www.miele.com/

My newest 'love-love'..... I have an old (un-named) stainless dishwasher from about 10 years ago- it is loud, always was.....now does not clean very well either!

Imagine a stylish, easy to clean, stainless steel inside and out- did I say quiet?---- ahhhhhh....

I almost want to pet this--- my new 'love-love'............my newest covet.

I have to have one of these!

skypad!

http://www.shopskypad.com/main.htm

Trust me I tried to get you some of these images directly- but would not work!
Worth taking about 5 minutes of your time and linking to the site though!

Glass HousesMarch 11, 2009 By Tara MastrelliPhotography by Aaron Leitz

With an all-glass facade, courtesy of local architecture firm MulvannyG2 and renowned New York City architect Richard Gluckman, and Seattle's largest living rooftop, the Olive 8 building is hard to miss. But the tallest residential/hotel building in the city is not only making a statement in the skyline, it's on track to be home to Seattle's first LEED certified hotel—Hyatt at Olive 8.

The 346-room hotel is located on the first 17 floors of the Olive 8 building, beneath 230 condominium homes housed above. "I wanted to create interiors that were sympathetic to the skin of the building, but at the same time had a more intimate, warmer feel," says interior designer Betty Blout, founder of Seattle-based Zena Design Group, who handled the interiors. Once through the front door, guests are wrapped in natural materials: eucalyptus wood paneling, done in varying depths, covers the ceiling and front and back walls, while warm limestone running down the sidewalls seamlessly merges with the floor.

Dangling from the center of the high ceiling is a sleek custom-designed chandelier by local lighting group, Resolute, mirroring the contemporary glass of the facade into the space. "Compared to the typical guestroom, it feels quite spacious," says Blout, giving credit to built-in furniture. "It's a very clean room; clean but still very inviting." A subtle palette of blue and green sets the tone, and to conserve energy, rooms are equipped with Watt Stopper technology that triggers the lights as guests enter and exit the room, dual flush toilets, and low-flow showerheads. And what does this green milestone mean for Hyatt's corporate strategy? It's just the beginning. According to Brigitta Witt, vice president of environmental affairs, the company has just completed its new Global Sustainable Design Guidelines, completed a global assessment of its global carbon footprint, and is looking to the future. "I look forward to the time when all hotels will be 'green' hotels and 'going green' is synonymous with doing business.”

http://www.gluckmanmayner.com/; www.mulvannyg2.com/en-us; http://www.zenadesigngroup.com/; http://www.olive8.hyatt.com/

Hyatt at Olive 8, Seattle Owner: R.C. HedreenArchitecture Firms: MulvannyG2, Seattle, and Richard Gluckman, New York CityInterior Design Firm: Zena Design Group, SeattleInterior Design Project Team: Betty Blout* Designers did not provide sourcing for furnishings shown.

Mice in the house!

Mice- I have mice! Or more correctly I had mice! That was my holiday season!

Opening the linen drawer in my kitchen one morning I discovered- shaved pepper? No! All over my tea-towels- ughhhhh!

Glancing down at my 8-year-old pure black (ex) tomcat I was a tad dismayed to find out for certain he was not earning his high-end no ‘no-name brand’ cat food! This is the cat- my now ex-husband advised me to get years ago when I had a mouse problem as he- my ex- worked out of town and was in no way one to be counted on to empty mouse-traps.
“ Get a cat. Not a kitten. Go to the SPCA and get a old tom-cat” He was not one to say ‘an old tom-cat’. “Not some stupid kitten that ‘ill take months to work – a old tom-cat- used to eating from garbage cans.”
So- I did. A scraggly medium hair- matted black eight-month-old tomcat. A stray and not from the high-end part of town from the looks of it! Well as the song goes ‘Uptown came downtown for me’ or something of the sort.
The scraggly ‘ex’ tom-cat—now has the most luxurious long mane of pure black hair- will not eat anything that does not carry a brand name and comes out of a vacuum packed pouch! The last I checked live mice do not come in vacuum packed pouches and I have seen my cat ‘play’ with mice in the backyard in the summer- so that says it all!
I have mice- mouse- or mouses! Not sure about the plural part- but one for sure!

Since the cat does not work- and my dogs are both scared of mice- think-think- think. What to do?
Poison? Not a good idea. I have two small dogs plus the cat if they eat a poisoned mouse I will have a vet bill- if I am lucky-and I don’t need that on top of everything else. Plus- what if the mouse ‘passes away’ somewhere like behind my fridge? Ughhhh- nope!
Okay- traps. Great idea. Who is going to empty them? ME? Not very likely and my wonderful 80 something year old neighbor I could not think of asking him again. (He did offer the first time around when I got the cat)
So- more solutions……? I know ask the ‘Elf’. I am lucky I have an elf that is great for most everything- my mother.
Around wine one night my mother, a couple of her neighbours, and I thought about the mice problem.
“There are these great traps- the mouse goes in- stays in- like a little box then you can just throw out the whole thing,” Offered one friend.
I was ‘in’ for the super- duper make a better mousetrap!
So- ‘Elf’ goes shopping (I actually hate shopping) and can’t find the ‘super-duper make a better mouse trap’.
Elf: “ I have these things – they give of a high sound thing and scare the mice away. Want to try one?”
Me: “Sure”
That night I find time to drop by my mother’s after work (they do have secrets to get us to go see them) and pick up magic electronic mouse device.
Reading the directions we discover this magic device works best when used ‘with’ mousetraps’. Yikes!
I bring the ‘magic device' home, plug it into the outlet closest to the linen drawer and ‘Elf’ goes out the next day to buy traps.
Now, I have traps in all the secret places – like my linen drawer--- have caught no mice and it appears I have no mice!
Seems like the magic electronic ‘mice keeper- awayer’ device works!
Now on to better things- like renovating that bathroom! Or maybe I need new kitchen cupboards--- and linen drawers first?

Edmonton's Top Ten Interior Design Trends- 2009

Edmonton’s Top ten interior design trends for condos 2009
Following the long history of shabby chic then the blank canvas of the minimalist movement- there is finally a backlash against living in austere environments.

1) Glamour--The basic trend which is the backdrop for all the others is ‘glamour. Refined old Hollywood glamour reminiscent of the 1920’s with a lovely nod to the New York influenced 50’s. Shine, shimmer, gently sweeping yet strong lines, finishes with polish complete the look. This basic influence inspires all the rest that create our new polished, sophisticated and grown-up living spaces.

2) High-end Finishes- First time buyers and those ‘downsizing’ are not willing to compromise style in their small spaces. The choices are hardwood over laminates, solid surface counter surfaces, upgraded bathroom faucets and shower accessories. Heated floors made from natural and man made tiles in the bathrooms coupled with wall mounted towel heaters are some of the many upgrades condo owners are installing in their private spaces.

3) White – All shades and tones of white are the new neutrals. Combinations of whites form the new backdrop for interiors- white marbles, leathers, high gloss finishes. Layer your whites, keeping them all either warm or cool toned in your surfaces, drapery, upholstery, lamps, wallpaper, even high gloss elaborate picture frames and mirrors will incorporate the white trend into your interiors.

4) Colour-Clear crisp hues from cotton candy inspired shades to vibrant blends of Asian influenced reds with touches of golds will infuse our homes. Look towards robins’ egg blues blended with dark chocolate, warm based lavenders balanced with shades of yellow or a bright blast of tangerine. Bold, exciting and not boring are the new colour combinations for 2008.
5) Contrast- This element is the one that unites all the trends and defines our new interiors. Contrast- High contrast colour combinations such as lavenders paired with oranges, crisp white with midnight black are perfect examples of the new high drama look for interiors. Contrast is not reserved only for colour, try rough-hewn old wood table atop highly reflective silver toned based for a luxurious and original coffee table. Mix your textures, nubbly and soft chenille pillows atop soft aged ‘white’ leather sofas. Scale is also a wonderful way to create contrast. Try one truly large over-scaled element such as a piece of furniture, art or a mirror along side more diminutive objects. Instant drama. Think outside the ‘beige safe box’ this is all about drama over-sized lamps, large patterned wallpaper (yes- even wallpaper is making a comeback) patterned pillows, large florals. It is all drama and infused with youthful energy.

6) Bling! Load up the chandeliers with crystals – laden the tables with glass and crystal vases. White or cool based metals are the new metals for your home jewellery. Silver, nickel, brushed or polished aluminium, steel, platinum form the basics in hardware, accessories, faucets, chandeliers and lamps. Glitter and bling adore the trend-setting spaces in quantities that have not been seen for years.

7) Eco-friendly is back with a new twist; ‘style with a conscience’ is the new buzz phrase. Refinish family heirlooms, shop in second hand stores, and revitalize upholstered pieces from the 60’s to create a one of a kind eco-friendly space. Focus on organic, eco-friendly products such as cork or bamboo for flooring over old forest or exotic hardwoods. Style with a conscience has brought elegance and beauty together with earth friendly interiors.

8) Multi-Purpose Furniture- Furniture in small spaces needs to earn its’ space. One of the most popular is the ‘Murphybed’, custom cabinets hide the bed by day and superior mechanisms allow both the young and old to easily pull the bed down for use and hide it away. Perfect for a studio apartment or a one bedroom where the living space may need to double as a spare room. There is even a model that can be incorporated into your kitchen island area to accommodate a small visiting child.

9) ‘Simplize’ the kitchen. Heavy ornate kitchens that work with the larger homes do not work within the smaller scale of most condos. We are seeing simple high gloss laminates used for European inspired simplicity in cabinets, high gloss stains and paints are the new preferred cabinetry. Counters are still high-end solid surfaces, granite is still a basic but growing in popularity with the set that does not cook that often but wanting a high end ‘glam’ is marble. The concept is to create; easy to use, simple lined spaces without clutter. Hiding the clutter of many appliances is being accomplished by the use of refrigeration and freezer drawers, which can be ‘hidden’ by facing them with the same finish used on the cabinetry. In addition the dishwasher drawers are favoured for their smaller size while also allowing smaller ‘condo sized’ loads of dishes to be washed in addition to saving on both electricity and water.

10) Zen this 5000-year-old philosophy is not going anywhere soon. Homeowners are seeking calm, refined, peaceful and relaxing retreats in their living environments.

Interview Mary Gerrad- Interscape

http://http://www.interscape.ca/people_gerrard.htm


Renewal and revitalization of Edmonton


Cranes and construction abound the last couple of years in our downtown core freeing many parking lots and unused buildings allowing for the exciting revitalization and growth of Edmonton’s downtown area. This transformation is largely due to some important visionaries that live and work in the very area they are responsible for renewing.

Mary Gerrard, the principle of Interscape Interior Design is one of those futuristic dreamers. Having been involved in numerous commercial, healthcare and institutional projects in the city for many years Mary brings her personal style and verve to this business. Her passion for the revitalization of Edmonton’s downtown core combined with her personal passion, experience and very impressive credentials: B.I.D, M.A.P.A.P., L.I.D., Leed Accredited, N.C.I.D.Q. (National Council of Interior Design Qualifications) certificate number 018128.

Living and working in the downtown core has long been a dream for Mary and her General Contractor husband. A few years ago when they were looking for a private home for themselves and their children they could not find the perfect blend of community, green space and lifestyle they wanted in order to raise their young family. So, instead they bought a stand-alone house on the rims of the urban centre.

This became one of the catalysis that drove Mary into becoming involved in the downtown advisory committee established in 1994 by the city of Edmonton to create a vision for the revitalization of the downtown core. Policies and procedures were put into place with the help of other forward thinking urbanites such as Michael Phar and following Gene Dub and his 0e80r 80. Creating incentives such as tax breaks for developers, relaxing some codes allowing vacant warehouse spaces to be renovated for loft style living and creating a better environment to draw shopkeepers and restaurants back to the downtown core where some of the items the committee pressed forward with to city council.

Explaining the difficult task it was introducing the urban living concept to city council many years ago Mary shares with us some of the committee struggles. “A couple of years ago people were buying due to price and the younger professional people buying in the downtown core had a different vision for how they wanted to live. They desired living close to downtown, to the nightlife, restaurants, and shopping areas.”

“We had a mayor a few years ago and it seemed like city council was not working toward or interested in the revitalization of the area. That is why we finally did get the committee backed by the City of Edmonton to work on this long-term goal to include measures and incentives to propel this project forward. It was a stiff- uphill battle with the city council a few years ago to see the benefit of revitalization the downtown core. It took 10-12 years to get the council to see the benefit. They started with only one million dollars for us to work with on this proposal. The city council, at that time did not see the future tax benefits of increasing residential properties by the way of increased population in the core. This increase in population is now paying residential property taxes- to new businesses and increased public transportation use by these people. Michael Phar was a great visionary for the urban core and very active in the revitalization of downtown Edmonton.”

One of the biggest obstacles developers are still facing with city council is the easing of parking requirements. “They (city council) don’t understand urbanization. Many people walk, take public transportation or use cabs. Relaxing the parking requirements for downtown, as many people don’t have cars- they don’t need one- is still one of the hurdles being faced. Easing parking stall requirements has been a tough hurdle explaining to council while we try to them why we don’t need that many cars.

“Another example is low-cost housing, can’t meet the parking requirements in the inner city, and the council does not seem to understand that many people can’t afford to have both a house and a car. Naturally the desire to live downtown close to public transportation is preferred for many in this group- and they don’t need a car- but the council does not seem to understand the dichotomy of this concept. Public transportation is not that available out in the suburbs.”


“Requirements of suburbia are not required in the core- we don’t want all the concepts of suburbia or we would live there. People who live in the core like the noise, the traffic, the excitement and ease of commute.” Mary passionately explains.

Interesting to note is the demographics driving the increase in urban revitalization in Edmonton:

1) Young professionals-‘20 somethings’- the new graduates single or co-habiting wanting the excitement and proximity to events, nightlife and their work while reducing the necessity of having a car.

2) Downsizers- the ‘50 somethings’ who have traded in the large suburban home and want to be close to the downtown core for theatre, the Winspear and prefer the large lofty spaces. Often this group has a recreational property as well.


The newest group taking advantage of the urban lifestyle is
3) Young families- ‘30 somethings’ that have lived in suburbia and tired of the commute.

This last demographic is truly changing the landscape of Edmonton’s urban centre.
“When you go to the downtown market and look up you see kids waving to you from their windows. You see more kids living in urban areas, we now have great schools downtown or easily accessible to the area.”



Many professionals’ with families are looking at downtown living again. “We don’t like the commute. We tired driving to suburbia and then having to drive 10 minutes for a jug of milk. Many families are moving back (to the urban centre) and looking at the larger spaces as well a greenspace- so rooftop gardens are important to them. In conjunction with their properties- pocket parks and that sort of amenities- this is the group that is buying the larger more expensive properties.”

For this group they like the urban centre- they like to be close to all the arts, shopping and restaurants if you live downtown you can walk. Once public transport gets better more and more people will want to use it.

Historically Edmonton has not offered great greenspaces in the city core, or balconies and decks, so now many developers are incorporating these requirements into their properties.

Environmental issues seems not to be the largest concern of this group however it is easy for a family to give up one car if they live in the city centre area. “We had a terrific concept that perhaps there could be an agreement with a rental car agency that they keep 3 or 4 cars available on preferential arrangement for residents of various urban properties. The idea being that when a resident needed a car for the weekend or other short period of time there would be one available. It was an idea suggested to the city in order to help in understanding the need to reduce the amount of parking spaces required, but the council is not ‘urbanized’ enough yet to understand.


Basically creating a more friendly business and residential environment in the city core is creating the increasing interest for returning to the city’s core. Embracing the urban neighbourhood is the gate that creates better connections and sense of community.