Finding the right art for your space is hard, but hanging art correctly can be even more difficult. In fact, hanging artwork incorrectly at the wrong height is the #1 most common interior design mistake! Read on to find out 3 foolproof tips for hanging art!

Hang single artwork pieces at eye level

I find it’s best to hang single artwork at eye level, and 60 inches from center to the floor is the magic number.

If you’re hanging your art above furniture, it can be 4-6 inches above the piece, and if the art is going above a sofa or console, the piece should be approximately 2/3 width of the furniture. As a general rule of thumb, always consider the scale of your space when hanging art.

I usually prefer to use larger artwork and frames rather than smaller in projects. It’s much more simple to fill in spaces when you have less space to fill!

Treat two pieces as one

When hanging two art pieces, treat them as one and still hang them 60 inches from the floor to the center of the grouping.

This rule also applies to groups of three and four. Make sure they are spaced only a few inches apart, so they look together and not disconnected.

Hang Gallery Walls with cohesive spacing

When designing a grid gallery wall, I use prints and photos with a similar theme and consistent frames. They could be black and white photos, botanicals, sketches, etc.

I go with completely different pieces in mixed frames for an eclectic look. I usually hang large and medium pieces 2-3 inches apart, and smaller pieces 1.5-2.5 inches apart.

Make things easier on your end by tracing the frames on a piece of paper and using painters tape to create a layout on the wall before you have to put holes in the wall.

We hope that everyone is staying safe in this Vancouver heatwave! The worst is behind us, but we thought we’d advise on some tips for you and your homes to stay cool. There are also 10 cooling centres around the city you can duck into for a respite. Want to know more? Scroll down!

Symptoms of heat-related illness and heat exhaustion

Watch for the following symptoms as signs of heat-related illness and heat exhaustion:

• Extreme thirst

• Dizziness

• Confusion

• Weakness

• Fainting

• Rapid breathing and heartbeat

• Nausea and vomiting

If you see someone suffering from too much heat, call 9-1-1 and help them cool off by applying water to their face and neck until emergency services arrive. You can also call 8-1-1 to speak to a nurse. Interpretation services are available on these phone numbers.

Tips to keep cool

• Stay out of the sun as much as possible

• Plan ahead for where you can spend time in a cool or air-conditioned place, and seek shade when outside

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat, lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, and sunscreen

• Avoid strenuous activity and exercise

• Drink plenty of cool fluids such as water before you feel thirsty

• Fill up your water bottle at one of our drinking fountains, including temporary fountains that are set up during the summer months

Cool down your pulse points

Pulse points are areas of your body where you can feel your pulse through your skin because blood vessels are positioned close to the surface. Applying ice or a cold cloth to these points can help cool you down from the inside out. Pulse points include the following areas:

• Neck

• Wrists

• Insides of elbows and knees

• Tops of your feet

• Insides of your ankles

• Inner thighs

• Just in front of your ears

If you’re looking for a way to enlarge your home without shelling out for a full-scale addition, converting your garage into a living space or home office typically adds about 600 square feet (assuming it’s a two-car garage) of extra room! Read on below for all the details about this cool renovation!

Cost

Because a garage already has a foundation, walls, and a roof, using the existing structure typically costs around half of what you’d spend for an all-new addition. Different needs and features will affect the cost, so take that into account. Quality conversions may cost more, but consider that it’ll add a comfortable 600 more square feet of room!

Tasks Involved

A garage conversion is not necessarily a job to tackle on the cheap, yet it entirely depends on your needs! For example, a quality conversion may take 4-6 weeks and include:

• Raising the floor height to allow for insulation over the concrete slab,

• Fully insulating walls and ceiling,

• Providing heating and cooling for the space, either by tying into the house’s main system or adding an independent one, such as a ductless mini-split system,

• An electrical service upgrade to accommodate the larger load,

• Opening up the partition wall between your house and the garage to create an open floor plan,

• Replacing garage doors with fully insulated stud walls, and

• Adding windows and doors.

But at the end of it, you’ll receive a whole new part of the house that is built with quality in mind!

What’s the Downside?

Converting your garage to living space means giving up your indoor, weather-protected parking spaces. Sounds obvious enough, but parking outside can raise bigger problems than just needing more frequent car washes.

Exposure to the elements can lead to premature aging of your vehicles, and when it snows in the winter parking outside may complicate having your driveway plowed after snowstorms.

In addition, you may be losing storage space for landscape tools, lawn mowers, and snow blowers.

Is it worth it for you? Comment down below for your tips on converting a garage!

It’s Wednesday! Summer time means spending more time outside, and where better to do it from the comfort of your own home? Take the time outside during these sunny days to relax and have fun in the sun! Read on below for the top 3 must have patio items and furniture!

Seating

If we had to limit ourselves to just 3 items to have at a patio, the number one most essential feature of a friendly porch or patio is SEATING. If you don’t have a place to sit and rest, the chances you will want to stay for any prolonged period of time is zero. Using multiple sofas in a block creates the feel of an entire outdoor room and would be a great place to entertain.  Even if space is limited, smaller conversation areas with single chairs is still an option!

Shade

In the summer months, even in cooler climates like here in Vancouver, the direct sun of midday can be overwhelming and unpleasant! Therefore, the patio or porch should have some source of shade. Creating a shady spot on your patio can be as easy as installing sun umbrellas or even sun shades. Of course if you want a more permanent solution, a pergola, awning for roof structure is another idea!

Sound

If your home is located in an urban or even suburban area, you may hear a lot of background noise when using your patio. A great way to cancel out the sounds of neighbors and traffic is with a sound feature. Installing outdoor speakers allows you to pipe any sounds or music you want into your backyard. Speakers can be installed into the ground or mounted on your home, fence, or pergola, or they can be even completely disguised!

It’s the middle of the week! I hope that your start to June has been awesome so far, check out my new block post for the latest events happening this week! Which ones do you want to go to? If you want to hear more about these, read on!

Vancouver Children’s Festival

Reimagine fun at the 2021 Vancouver International Children’s Festival with an extraordinary online line-up of world-class theatre, music, dance and storytelling created specifically for children. The reimagined 2021 Festival will offer a mix of Live Online and Pre-recorded Online performances with an extra 7 days of extended show viewing. Watch a show online from the comfort of home from May 31 to June 13 with Pay-What-You-Can pricing.

Imagine Van Gogh

The immersive exhibition Imagine Van Gogh is a unique tour through the captivating works of Vincent Van Gogh. There are over 200 versions of his art pieces featured at the event, all of which are displayed on massive screens of varying shapes and sizes to create an experience unlike any other. The event is on now through August 29th at the Vancouver Convention Centre!

Darts Hill Garden Park

Darts Hill Garden Park is a 22.5 acre property located at 1633-170th Street in South Surrey just a 10-minute drive from White Rock. It’s a beautiful spot with paths winding through densely vegetated forested-style gardens. Darts Hill is open to the public only at designated times and dates. This includes open houses and special plant sale days. Have a stroll through the park at your leisure!

It’s the middle of the week! I hope that your start to June has been awesome so far, check out my new block post for the latest events happening this week! Which ones do you want to go to? If you want to hear more about these, read on!

Vancouver Children’s Festival

Reimagine fun at the 2021 Vancouver International Children’s Festival with an extraordinary online line-up of world-class theatre, music, dance and storytelling created specifically for children. The reimagined 2021 Festival will offer a mix of Live Online and Pre-recorded Online performances with an extra 7 days of extended show viewing. Watch a show online from the comfort of home from May 31 to June 13 with Pay-What-You-Can pricing.

Imagine Van Gogh

The immersive exhibition Imagine Van Gogh is a unique tour through the captivating works of Vincent Van Gogh. There are over 200 versions of his art pieces featured at the event, all of which are displayed on massive screens of varying shapes and sizes to create an experience unlike any other. The event is on now through August 29th at the Vancouver Convention Centre!

Darts Hill Garden Park

Darts Hill Garden Park is a 22.5 acre property located at 1633-170th Street in South Surrey just a 10-minute drive from White Rock. It’s a beautiful spot with paths winding through densely vegetated forested-style gardens. Darts Hill is open to the public only at designated times and dates. This includes open houses and special plant sale days. Have a stroll through the park at your leisure!

Pandemic restrictions are now loosened and indoor dining is back! I wanted to write about some restaurants that really wowed me, and I can’t wait to go back to these places next. What are your favourite restaurants here in Vancouver? If you want to hear more about this one, read on!

Le Crocodile Restaurant

This local restaurant is definitely not cheap but is a must go if you enjoy steak and high end food. Their service is impeccable and the staff are all professional and friendly without being in your face. Their food is also phenomenal, and the last time I’ve been they exceeded my expectations, so give them a try!

Blue Water cafe

This striking cafe contains a dining room that provides active views of the “East meets West” kitchen and Raw Bar. The sweeping main bar leads out to the heated patio and the private dining rooms, which hold their deep and diverse wine collection. If you want fresh seafood and a japanese fusion menu, definitely make an effort to try them out.

Lupo

Last but not least, Lupo is a restaurant situated between Yaletown and the heart of Vancouver’s entertainment district, and if you love homemade italian then this is a must stop. They offer modern Italian cooking in a relaxed atmosphere, and the place does not skimp on quality ingredients. Service is stellar and the ambience is so uniquely cute, like a little house.

Happy Wednesday everyone! I was at Queen Elizabeth Park recently and thought it would be nice to share my experience. What are your favourite parks in Vancouver? Maybe I’ll pay a visit and write about it next! If you want to hear more about this one, read on!

Quarry Gardens

This beautiful garden is just west of the Bloedel Conservatory, and it is gorgeous when you see it from the railing! It’s home to specimen trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs, and so much more. There’s even a stream and cascading waterfall in the gardens to add to its beauty. I would highly recommend taking a look over the railing and then strolling through, you won’t regret it!

Arboretum

Did you know that Queen Elizabeth Park was Canada’s first civic arboretum? I didn’t know either until I read up on it! The first plantings were done all the way back in 1949 on the north slopes. First, larger trees such as ponderosa pines, subalpine spruce, and douglas firs were planted, and the most special of all is the coast redwood, which could grow to be one of the tallest trees in the world. It’s along the north and northwest end of the park, so take a visit next time!

Bloedel Conservatory

Last but not least, I headed into the conservatory to take a look at the tropical trees, flowers, and birds. Due to COVID, you do have to purchase tickets online and wait for your time slot, which is a full 45 minutes inside the dome. The staff usher you in and then you are free to explore during your visit. It is totally worth it and the views were a sight to see!

A leading Vancouver-based chiropractic clinic, Neuro Lounge, in Yaletown has announced a new partnership with BrainTap, the health tech company. Through the new partnership, more Vancouver residents will have access to high-quality stress-reduction solutions. BrainTap is a cutting-edge tech solution that allows immediate access to specialist audio programs or light sessions to help with stress reduction and anxiety management.

Programs available include Sleep RX, which is designed to retrain the brain to restore natural sleep. This forms a fundamental building block in the quest to overcome stress-related issues.

Clients can also try the Optimal Health plan, which helps them break unhealthy habits and develop better practices for a more balanced lifestyle.

Alongside this, the most popular program is a “Freedom from Addictions” program which takes a whole health approach to addictions. This program addresses the imbalances in the mind, body and behaviours that contribute to addictions.

All of these programs have been devised with the goal of improving mind body balance, retraining behavioural patterns, and living with more daily energy.

The Neuro Lounge is offering clients an introductory trial as part of this new partnership announcement. This includes two BrainTap sessions, two Neuro Stress heart rate variability tests, and a post-trial assessment. The clinic explains that their core goal is to help patients reverse the negative effects that stress can have on their health. They offer a holistic treatment program comprising Chiropractic Bodywork, PEMF, Red Light Therapy, and now the new BrainTap solution.

A spokesperson for the clinic states: “Dr Pajak has a unique approach using modern treatment options such as BrainTap, red light therapy, and network chiropractic. He aims to help people optimize performance of their body and mind through natural, gentle, and relaxing therapies that restore the body’s natural ability to function and heal.”

Summer is approaching quickly! ! You might have a lot more time on your hands, and you’re likely spending that time at home. If you are considering the benefits of fixing up your home to make it more appealing to potential buyers, or just to have a nicer place to live in the era of social distancing, you should know that not all DIY home improvement projects will offer homeowners a solid return on their investment. Here are 3 things that you need to know before breaking out the toolkit, read on!

Painting… Your Front Door?

Believe it or not, a super simple project such as just painting your front door can have big returns. Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert, says “A glossy coat of exterior paint can really amp up your curb appeal.” When it comes to the type of paint though, the devil is in the details. Painting your front door black, in particular, could add as much as $6,000 to your home’s sale price, according to Zillow’s research.

Change Your Lighting Fixtures

Another relatively simple change a homeowner can make is to replace light fixtures with smart lights. “Not only are you going to save money on your power bill, but you’re going to sell your home seven days faster,” Pendleton said, citing additional research from Zillow. Change the light bulbs, as well as the lamp shape and size to maximize your returns as well.

Replace Indoor Flooring

There are also cheaper, easier alternatives to major home improvement projects such as replacing the flooring in your home. A Zillow survey found that 87% of real-estate agents suggest cleaning the carpets before listing a home. Many homeowners will switch out the carpet anyway, so rather than investing in installing new, a homeowner can rent a carpet cleaner from their local home improvement store and refresh their carpets in a cost effective manner.

Have these tips helped you pick your next summer DIY project? Let us know below with a comment and tell us what we should blog about next!