It's very easy to get stuck in our comfort zones and not want to venture out when it comes to decorating our home. But we all can use a bit of colour in our lives! Colour sets the mood in your home and will alter the energy depending on the shade and hues you choose. Whether you just want a pop of colour here or there or really want to make a statement we have the tips on how to add more colour to your home and life! 

CONSIDER THE SPACE

When adding colour to your home, first think about how you want to use the space. For example, if you are looking to repaint your home office you may want to use pale colours and nothing that is too bright that could potentially be distracting. Also, if you’re someone that gets bored easy you won’t want to paint your space a loud and unconventional colour. Also consider the light levels when adding colour to your space. In a home office you want light to pour into the room therefore you won’t want to choose a dark colour that will soak up the natural light. 

LAYER MUTED COLOURS

If you are scared to make the leap into adding bright and bold colours to your home then opt for muted colours. Whites, greys and beiges can be boring when they take up an entire space, but when layered, muted colours create a comforting and interesting environment. Don’t feel as if you need to slap on vibrant paint to your walls in order to introduce colour to your home. Try mixing different coloured and textured fabrics when decorating to quickly and easily add life. Rusty reds and dark blue tones can be added to any neutral space to liven it up! 

START OFF SMALL

If you are ready to make the leap into bright and vibrant paint colours but don’t know where to start its always best to start off small. Paint a common area like the hallway or bathroom then go from there. Another easy way to add colour to your home in a conservative way is to paint a feature wall. Make a statement in the dining room or living room and paint one of the focus walls a vivacious colour. Even opt for colourful wallpaper to transform your room easily and quickly. We suggest to add a statement colour that matches your existing furniture and accessories! 

Spend the entire spring and summer months outdoors by adding kitchen functions to your garden space. Outdoor kitchens have become ultra-desirable back yard features. With everyone spending more time at home we need to get creative with the space we have! If you are looking to construct an outdoor kitchen and take your cooking and dinning outdside keep on reading for our design tips! 

FEATURES

An outdoor kitchen can replicate the indoor cooking space you currently have.  The number of features you will want to add to this space will really depend on the budget. A basic design will include a BBQ, a dining table and maybe some counterspace with extra storage. If you are looking to elevate this design try adding a pizza over, a sink, a side burner and even a fridge for the ultimate outdoor kitchen space! 

LAYOUT

Get inspired by the layout of your indoor kitchen or switch up the floor plan of your outdoor kitchen depending on your space. Do you prefer a linear shape? Or an “L” shape? You can even add an island if you’d like! Think about the sizing of your outdoor kitchen in terms of seating and counter space. Your outdoor kitchen will most likely be smaller than it’s indoor equivalent so make sure you are maximizing this space! 

STRUCTURE AND DESIGN

For an outdoor kitchen to be successful you must include waterproof features. You want to design your kitchen countertops and cabinetry with the weather in mind. You also want to make sure you are constructing your outdoor kitchen on a sturdy surface that is non porous and avoids staining. Decided whether or not you want walls in your kitchen design or a roof to protect the cooking area. Lastly, add plants and herbs to complete your outdoor kitchen design! 

As we start to get a glimpse of spring, I am sure we are all eager to get outdoors and get a taste of the sunshine! Try gardening to get your daily dose of vitamin C and to spruce up the outside of your home! We have all the latest gardening trends that 2021 has to offer. If you’re looking forward to the possibility of having a backyard gathering in the near future then keep on reading for our gardening tips! 

DREAMING OF THE COUNTRYSIDE?

Maybe due to the pandemic but there has been a trend to move out of the city and into the country currently. If this move isn’t for you but you want to bring the countryside to your urban city home then this tip will help you do that! Fill your garden and balconies with rustic potted plants and antique accessories as a reminder of that country lifestyle. Create a Zen garden that makes you feel you have escaped from the city and into the countryside! 

THE GARDEN AS AN EXTRA ROOM

Extend your living quarters into the outdoors! When opening your doors and blending the space between your outdoor and indoor living areas the garden becomes an extra room with many purposes. It can be an extension of your living room as an extra seating area. Or an additional play room for the kids. The garden is also often an extension of the kitchen with a BBQ and an outdoor table. However you choose to extend onto your garden terrace take advantage of this extra square footage! 

LIVE OFF THE LAND

A very popular trend that will continue into 2021 is to grow your own produce and herbs! As more people are looking to introduce more vegetables into their diet or committing to veganism fully, growing your own garden has never been more popular! Start off small with easy to grow vegetables, salads and herbs that are suitable for growing in the space you have to offer. The popularity of wall planters and patio containers has risen to cultivate fresh home grown produce! 

Although the spring and summer months are just around the corner, we still want to be able to enjoy a meal or a drink in the great outdoors! Patio season may not be upon us quite yet but we can still enjoy heated seating areas! We have gathered the top places with heated patios so if you are looking for the best outdoor seating in the neighbourhood then keep on reading! 

BRIX & MORTAR
Address: 1138 Homer Street, Vancouver 
Phone: 604-915-9463 

Brix & Mortar offers two heated outdoor seating areas! There is a cozy courtyard space and a trendy outdoor patio illuminated by seven-tier glass chandeliers. 

PROVENANCE MARINASIDE
Address: 1177 Marinaside Crescent, Vancouver 
Phone: 604-681-4144 

Provenance is located in the heart of Yaletown right on Marinaside directly across from the Yaletown Marina. Enjoy a glass of wine all year around in their enclosed and heated patio.  

PER SE SOCIAL CORNER

Address: 891 Homer Street, Vancouver 
Phone: 604-428-6111 

Choose from their wine list, coffee, or their meals all in the comfort of an enclosed heated patio. This classy corner bar has tons of seating both inside and out! 

THE KEG STEAKHOUSE + BAR
Address: 1011 Mainland Street, Vancouver 
Phone: 604-633-2534 

In a prime Yaletown location, the Keg has one of the most iconic open space eating areas in the city. Enjoy their coveted menu on their cozy heated rooftop patio!  

It is almost that time again! Time to start spring cleaning! What better place to start then in the heart of the home, the kitchen. Whether it be the pantry, the fridge or a cluttered countertop we have the tips on how to spruce up your space for the upcoming spring months! If a kitchen clean up sounds daunting and overwhelming keep on reading to make your cleanup simple and productive! 

PANTRY

To tidy up that crowded pantry start by categorizing your items. Some things may be flying off our shelves quicker than others and by keeping everything in its rightful category you can easily decide what to donate/throw away. For the items that are there to stay keep them in clear containers so you can see the contents inside and organize these items accordingly. Once everything is in a container, use labels to keep everything in its assigned spot! 

FRIDGE & FREEZER

When it comes to the fridge or freezer you want to organize your food by zones, and keep these zones labelled! For example, keep all your condiments on one side of the fridge door and all your salad dressings on another. Everyone is working with limited space in these areas and by assigning a certain amount of room for a category of food you will only keep the necessities! For the freezer, make sure that the items you tend to grab the most are right in the front.  

COUNTERTOPS

All flat surfaces become a magnet for clutter! When it comes to your kitchen countertops you want to be very picky about what you leave there. A great suggestion is to organize your counter space by stations. For example, have a station for coffee where you keep your coffee machine and pods or have a station for baking where you leave your mixer. To avoid clutter and chaos, the appliances you are not consistently using on a daily or weekly basis do not need to be left on the countertops.  

First impressions are everything! The front door is the first thing to be seen when entering your home and it is the focal point of the house’s exterior. The front door can say many things about the contents of your home and your style, but it also plays a practical role as the main access point into your property. There are many components to consider when choosing a luxury door for your home and we have summarized them below! 

MATERIAL

When shopping for a new front door a good place to start is to choose the type of material you want it to be composed of. There are several different types of materials that entrance doors could be made of.  Timber doors are a great option as they can be laminated, hardwood or softwood, varnished and much more. Composite doors are also very popular for their timber-like style and they are low maintenance. The door material you choose will affect the insulation, the style, and the security of your home, so choose wisely! 

WINDOW

Once the material has been chosen you want to decide whether or not you would like to include a window in your door. This is an aesthetic that is very popular in entry way doors. Including a window allows natural light to pour into your foyer making your front entrance appear brighter and bigger. Despite the benefits to having a window in your front door the major down sides are the security risk and the loss of heat. To retain insulation and low heating costs choose a double-glazed window if this is the style you want! 

HANDLES

You want the style of your front door to reflect the aesthetic of your home. For example, if the door is for a cottage type home you will want to go with a more traditional timber door. If you are working with a newly constructed home you will want to choose a more modern door. To complete your luxury door design, choose a matching handle. For a traditional timber door, you may have double doors with knobs in the center. Or for a more contemporary look, use a long metal handle. Be inspired by your interior design and the architecture of your home when choosing a luxury front door! 

If being confined to our home with roommates or family members has taught us anything over the last year it is the importance of personal space! Are you looking to create some privacy between yourself and the members of your household? If so, we have just what you need! Keep on reading for tips and ideas on how to create more privacy in your home!  

FLOATING WALL 

Can’t construct a full wall in your open concept space? A floating temporary wall just may be the next best thing! A DIY floating wall using thin wood paneling, plexiglass, or even a piece of art will work perfectly as a space divider! Once you have chosen the materials for your divider the next steps are to install anchors into your ceiling. Then screw hooks into the divider and connect the two pieces. Be sure to use adjustable connectors to customize the amount of coverage you prefer, and voila you have a floating wall! Try this technique between the living room/dining room or between the kitchen/dining room for extra separation. 

CURTAINS/FOLDING SCREEN

Need more coverage than the floating wall? Try hanging ceiling mounted curtains! Curtains are the perfect way to divide your space up and create plenty of privacy. The benefits of utilizing curtains to separate an open concept layout is that they are fairly inexpensive! If you are looking for something less permanent and don’t want to create any holes in your walls or ceiling try a foldable screen! A vintage screen is a chic way to divvy up your space while adding to the style of your home. Create an office nook in your bedroom or living room using curtains or a folding screen for added privacy! 

BOOKSHELF

Need a private space without completely separating rooms? Use a bookshelf to compartmentalize your home! Place a bookshelf in any part of your home to create an office nook or between two rooms to add privacy. A bookshelf adds visual interest to the space while still breaking up the floorplan. Not to mention all the extra storage you gain by adding a bookcase to your home! Add a bookshelf to the end of your bed to separate your sleeping space and working space, or in the living room to create a home office, the possibilities are endless really!  

Let's face it, the pantry is an easy space to forget about and clutter can build up over time. But there is nothing like a lockdown to get you really questioning the organization of your nonperishable goods. We have gathered three key steps to aid in overcoming that pantry clutter. If you are looking on tips to revamp and reorganize that daunting pantry, then keep on reading!  

STEP ONE: CLEAN-OUT UNNECESSARY ITEMS

If you have been avoiding cleaning out your pantry for some time now then chances are there are many items you no longer need or have even expired. Think of what you use most in the kitchen and separate your pantry items according to staples you often cook with and things you no longer reach for. Anything that is unopened can be donated. Anything that has an overdue expiry date or any dinged up/rusted cans can be recycled. Once you have downsized your pantry items the fun part begins! 

STEP TWO: CATEGORIZE AND LABEL CONTAINERS

The key to an organized “picture worthy” pantry is decanting boxes and bags of food into clear containers. Not only does this give your pantry a seamless look it is also more practical to see the contents in the container than the ingredients on the side of a box. Use matching glass or plastic containers to really have a uniform pantry. If there are cooking instructions or ingredients you must keep, cut them out and tape them to the bottom of the containers. Once your goods are in containers invest in a label marker or hand write labels from your local dollar store to distinguish containers.  

STEP THREE: UTILIZE YOUR SPACE WELL

Now that your goods are sorted, categorized, and labelled you can begin filling up your pantry! You want to utilize the space you have to the best of your ability. Add Lazy Susans for smaller items that you have multiples of, such as spices. Add drawers or trays to your shelfing to store canned goods, and to make items in the very back of the shelving more accessible. Use baskets that match your containers to store items such as fruit or individually wrapped granola bars. When all is organized make sure to leave space for items to be added into your pantry and remember to declutter frequently! 

Tired of being stuck indoors but need to give your outdoor living space an update? A covered deck is the perfect way to extend your living space and to enjoy the outdoors rain or shine! Covering your outdoor area allows you to enjoy an indoor-outdoor living area while entertaining (when that is permitted, of course). If you are looking to create a covered outdoor space for all year around, despite the weather, then keep on ready! 

CANVAS GAZEBO

A simple metal gazebo with a sturdy canvas cover is an easy and affordable way to turn a wide-open outdoor area into a cozy living space. With the addition of twinkling lights around the inside of the canopy you have the perfect spot to cozy up rain or shine! Add comfy chairs, lanterns and an outdoor rug to complete this living space whether it be on a deck, patio or garden terrace you are set for outdoor entertaining! 

BAMBOO SHADES

Do you already have a covered deck space or a metal gazebo in place? Add privacy to your outdoor living area with the addition of bamboo blinds. Bamboo blinds will allow just enough light to shine into your outdoor space while blocking the view of close by neighbours. The earthy texture of the blinds will give your space a tropical boho vibe. Add paper lanterns and tiki torches to really turn your outdoor seating area into a vacation! 

CHIC PARASOLS

Looking to add a chic cover to your backyard without constructing a permanent structure? Add a classy all black or white parasol to your outdoor living area to provide shade in the sun or to cover your seating area in the rain. A chic parasol is the perfect alternative to a gazebo when you are not looking to take up too much floor space and is an affordable way to add some class to your outdoor space. Add multiple parasols and decorate with matching black and white outdoor furniture and décor for the most glamorous outdoor living area!

Move over shaker style cabinets because the next big cabinet trend is in, reeded cabinetry! Shaker kitchen cabinets are the most popular style of cabinet doors characterized by their straightforward profile with a recessed center panel. Most shaker cabinets have a very simple and clean look while others may feature detailing around the edges. If you are tired of seeing this very popular design trend in kitchens and bathrooms everywhere then keep reading to learn more about the new trend, reeded cabinetry! 

CHARACTERISTICS

Reeded cabinetry is characterized by the textural front profiles. Unlike Shaker style cabinets the front profile is not smooth and bare but instead is filled with ribbed pieces of wood. The cabinets appear as if dowels (cylinder pieces of wood) have been glued vertically beside each other creating the reeded design. This design trend is one that is very unique and is unlike anything seen in cabinetry! This style of cabinets gives the home a modern and custom feel while remaining functional and chic.  

HYBRID

Reeded style cabinets appear to have a similar shape and appearance as the shaker style cabinets, but with a closer look you will see the textured rippled effect of the front profile. Reeded cabinetry also plays well with shaker cabinetry in sort of a hybrid design. With the classic trim and profile of the shaker cabinets but instead of the centre panel being smooth in a typical shaker style it has the reeded design. In the hybrid style you get the classic look of the shaker cabinets mixed with the unique design of the reeded style, it’s a win-win! 

VERSATILITY

Like shaker style cabinets, reeded cabinetry can be substituted in any part of the home! They work really well in a kitchen layout and can be painted to suit the colour palette of the space. Want to spruce up your bathroom? Try a light wood shade of reeded cabinets to offset an all-white bathroom. Even in the mud-room, storage built-ins can have the reeded makeover! If you love the design and style of reeded cabinets but aren’t up for a major renovation you can even introduce it into the home in the form of décor or accessories. For example, a reeded lamp post or stool. This new design trend is very versatile and this can account for its sudden popularity!