Filed under: FROM THE EXPERTS
Between designing rooms on HGTV and running after two toddlers, Sarah Richardson still makes having an environmentally friendly home a priority for her family.
Here are some tips from Sarah for keeping your home Green:
Go for the front: If it’s time to replace your old washer and dryer, consider investing in the front loading versions. They save energy while still getting things clean.
Tow the line: When the weather is nice, hang your clothes to dry for a fresh scent that can’t be beat.
Stay natural: When Sarah is cleaning, she looks for plant–based formulas like Green Works cleaners “that can tackle toddler–sized messes without harsh chemical fumes or residue”. With at least 95 per cent naturally–derived ingredients, they are a great choice for keeping things clean.
Check out more great tips from Sarah on how to make your home a green space at trygreenworks.ca NC
April 22, 2011
Drew and Jonathan Scott of Property Brothers help a family of six move to the city on a modest budget and give great tips and tricks along the way.
The Clients: Christine and John were an amazing couple to work with and they are all about family. Their biggest concern was finding a home closer to John’s work because as it stood, he spent more time in his car during the four-hour daily commute than he did with his wife or kids. John loves his career as a high school teacher in the city but the years of commuting have finally caught up with him. He felt he was missing out on his four beautiful kids growing up. The tricky part though, was for Drew to find them a five-bedroom home in the city on their tiny budget.
The Plan: We always start the design process with a list of the must-have items for the family. In this case, Christine had mentioned over and over that she needs an open sightline to the kids regardless of whether they are in the dining area or living room. So, Jonathan removed the load-bearing wall between the kitchen and dining room, and in its place put a large peninsula with storage and an eat-in bar. This offered the all-important sightlines and a much more functional layout. Jonathan also didn’t want to take away from the beautiful design of the main floor by cluttering the living room with a kids play area, so he converted the laundry room at the back of the house into a nice playroom.
Christine and John wanted a contemporary feel without giving up all of the original woodwork in the home. Keeping some of the old and blending it with the new was a great way to add interest and character. Jonathan had the space to work with and some beautiful thick casing and woodwork to breathe some new life into.
For Christine, the single most important room in the house was the kitchen. With four kids she spends a lot of time cooking and needs a space that had lots of storage and functionality. She was very particular as to how she wanted everything – which presented Jonathan with some very specific challenges.
Challenges: The biggest challenge was budget. The home started off $100,000 over their max budget and that’s before adding any renovation costs! It was Christine’s grandfather’s home, which he built with his own hands. It was very important for her that they not only were able to buy it, but treat it with the respect her grandfather would have wanted. Luckily for Christine, her father gifted his inheritance portion of the house to her which enabled them to buy the house. Go Dad! But even with that gift, it only left John and Christine with a $50,000 reno budget. There was a lot of work in the house for Jonathan to do on that small budget.
The second-biggest challenge was reining back Christine’s add-ons and upgrades as it was blowing the budget out of the water. What was supposed to be our emergency fund soon became her extravagance fund. Homebuyers don’t realize how fast little extras can add up. Upgrading the countertop, adding a bigger refrigerator, changing the tile – all of a sudden you have an extra $5,000 in costs you can’t afford. Be smart with your budget, plan ahead to see what you can afford and always leave a contingency for the unseen (and that doesn’t mean unseen upgrades, that would mean items such as electrical or plumbing issues you didn’t foresee). In this case, we did have some issues when the wrong sink was installed and we needed that contingency money to cover it.
Tips and Tricks: To save on labour costs John and Christine pitched in to help. Some tasks are easy for DIY but others should be left to professionals. You need to value your time. For example, if you have never done any drywall mudding, don’t try to do it yourself. Or at least not more than a small patch job. The final product will not look as good as you hope and could even reduce resale value!
We managed to save a lot of money by just refinishing the existing hardwood floors instead of replacing them. They were in great shape and didn’t really require much repair.
We also were able to revitalize and reuse some of their existing furniture to keep costs down. Some new stain or upholstering can really modernize an otherwise out-of-date item.
When designing the new look of your home, think of what others would like. Sometimes people spend a fortune on a design idea that is so obscure that they will never recoup the value upon resale. For example, if you were to remove your tub because you just want to have a huge shower, leaving your home with no bathtubs, you have essentially cut out any families that may want to purchase in the future. Even though somebody could renovate again to add it back in, most won’t. They just see that there are no bathtubs and they move on.
Try to think outside the box when purchasing a home. If you want to live in your dream home, it’s important not to limit your potential. Creative financing is something I’ve used time and time again and it keeps you from undervaluing what you can afford. You don’t over leverage yourself, however there are ways to keep your monthly costs down and still have a beautiful home.
Here are a couple of examples: Some lenders are willing to do renovation top-ups on your mortgage. Meaning, if you can prove you are spending $40,000 on the renovations (and they are renos that improve the value of the home) the bank can bundle this into your mortgage. Talk to the lender ahead of time to see if this is a possibility.
Vendor financing is sometimes a great way to get the last few dollars together in order to buy a house. This is when the seller acts as the lender for a second mortgage. An example: You’re buying a $600,000 home. The bank is financing $550,000, you have a down payment of $30,000, this leaves you $20,000 short. Wouldn’t you hate to lose the house of your dreams over such a small amount? Well, if the seller was willing to do a small loan for that amount, or if they were willing to hold off a year on receiving the last bit of money, then you may just get the home.
Final Outcome: It was a long journey and very stressful at times, however, in the end, their grandparents home had been transformed into their own. It is warm, inviting and modern yet still holds some of the beautiful features from the past. Christine and John commented that it incorporates all the comforts of modern living but still houses all the memories from her childhood. In the end, it is their dream home.
Catch up with the Property Brothers Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on W network.
Real estate agent Drew Scott and his twin brother, contractor Jonathan Scott, are experts who help couples find, buy and transform extreme fixer-uppers into the ultimate dream home. wnetwork.com/propertybrothers
April 15, 2011
By Yanic Simard
We often complain that we never have enough space. Every inch of space counts when the floor space is limited. With a little ingenuity, some practical solutions and yes, maybe selling or trading in a few items, your small dwelling can become your home. Enough of feeling cramped and cluttered! Now is the time of year to finally get organized and make the most of every inch of space with these helpful room-by-room ideas.
But before you start organizing, you have to start editing.
Editing
Clean out your belongings before you think about organizing. Don’t do it the other way around. You can only know what space you have when you’ve cleaned up. If you don’t take a hard look at what you’re stuffing in your spaces, you’ll waste time and money organizing stuff you don’t need anyway.
Organized spaces are simple to use. They have enough room for the items there and make sense. Every item in your home has a location. Organized spaces also feel calm, open, and welcoming.
Living room
The living room is generally a communal gathering place for family and friends and the hub of the home’s activities. Get organized by doing the following:
• Get a coffee table that has a bottom shelf and store items such as magazines, books and children’s toys in baskets;
• Buy furniture with built-in, hidden storage compartments, such as lift-up seat tops on ottomans;
• Hang light-weight brackets and use shelves on the wall to store DVDs, CDs, books, pictures frames and even small stereo systems;
• Mount your flat panel television above a fireplace or on the largest wall;
• Purchase furniture that offers hidden built-in storage compartments;
• Buy small furniture or trading in overstuffed chairs and couches for sleek, minimalist designs;
• A rolling cart with various sized baskets is a great solution for items that may move from room to room.
For example, keep art supplies, sewing materials, laptop and organized financial paperwork and daily mail on this rack. It easily rolls from the living room to the kitchen table and hides away in a bedroom when company visits.
Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home, where all those wonderful goodies are baked and served. It takes a little more creativity but a small kitchen is not a lost cause.
• Use all the space you can find for storage and preparation areas;
• Hanging pots and pans on the wall or from the ceiling;
• Purchase cabinet organizers that allow for double stacking of dishes and canned goods in the cabinets;
• Get rid of appliances that are rarely used or are not multi-purpose;
• Get a dining table that has collapsible leaves, allowing it to shrink when the family is not using it;
• Use a small kitchen island on wheels for more storage and food preparation area;
• If you renovate your kitchen use the vertical space and install extra tall cabinets;
• Keep your kitchen clean and accessorize with a mirror and a small lamp on the countertop for visual impact.
Bathroom
Most bathrooms are tight on space, but that doesn’t mean function (or fashion) has to suffer. If you are able to keep the room tidy, open-concept shelving and displays help get items off the counter, but still close at hand.
• Increase the sink space by getting a small shelf that sits on the back of the counter, going over the faucet and make sure your vanity has underneath closed up storage;
• Make the most of a small shower in the bathroom by using a basket that hangs over the showerhead for storing shampoo, body wash and washcloths;
• Use a small stainless steal cart to display fragrance bottles and extra bath towels;
• If you renovate create wall niches in the shower/tub area.
Bedrooms
Closet space is often a challenge but with a good closet organizing system you will be amazed at how much you can store in an organized standard double closet. Switch out seasonal clothing, storing it in vacuum-seal bags below the bed. Use ways to organize clothing that maximizes space, such as hanging shoe racks, stackable drawers and hanging cubbies for T-shirts and socks.
• Consider bunk beds for children or even loft beds that allow room for a desk underneath;
• Purchase bedroom furniture that has drawer storage built into the bed;
• Headboards can be purchased with shelves and lights built in;
• Use risers to lift the bed off the floor high enough to store plastic bins underneath.
Yanic Simard is the principal designer of the Toronto Interior Design Group.Specializing in residential and commercial projects, Simard often applies his signature high/ low and old/new combination design techniques in developing unique designs. Simard has created designs for clients in North America and is a recurring design expert on the Citytv national show CityLine. tidg.ca
April 11, 2011
8 tips from organizing guru Laura Wittmann of Clutter Rehab to get you inspired for spring cleaning and clearing.
1 | Ask clutter questions
As you face each clutter decision, ask yourself the questions below. You can do this in two ways. One is to evaluate each item by asking all the questions about it at once. If the thought of that seems too overwhelming, you can ask them in stages. For example, evaluate each item by going through and only asking the first question. Then take that same pile and go through the items again asking the second question and so on. By the time you answer all five questions, your pile should be considerably smaller (if you’ve been honest, that is!)
Questions:
• Do I love it?
• Do I use it? How long ago did I last use it? (More than a year? Toss it!)
• Do I have the room to store it without it affecting my efficiency and stress levels?
• Am I willing to give up something else in order to make room for it?
• Can I imagine myself or anyone else in my family ever loving it or using it in the foreseeable future?
2 | Use an “I’m outta here” shelf
Without this shelf I would be lost! This is a shelf near my entryway that I use for all the things that don’t belong in my house but need to go somewhere else: items that need to be returned to the store, a friend’s plate leftover from the last dinner party, magazines I want to pass along to someone else, letters to be mailed, etc. The trick is to get into two habits: to put stuff on the shelf that has to go out and to actually check the shelf before leaving the house to see if there’s an errand that can be run on your route. I’ve made it part of my before bed “10-minute” tidy to round-up these misplaced items and add them to the shelf so they’re ready and waiting for me the next day when I head out to do my errands.
3 | Establish a “command centre”
A “command centre” is a beautiful thing. It’s the ideal spot to capture bits and pieces of life that are happening right now and can’t be filed away just yet. It’s not a solution to the permanent filing. Instead, it’s a revolving display of miscellaneous documentation, a communication centre for the goings-on of life. Perfect for things such as important telephone numbers, birthday party invitations, receipts for items needing to be returned, school papers with specific information on an upcoming event, papers that need to be referenced routinely, or bills to be paid. Ideally, you want to choose a central location in your home, that you can’t help but see every day and that is accessible by all members of the family. It should include a central calendar, a message centre, and file holders or bins for each of your children’s school papers – and don’t forget the chore charts.
4 | Keep your vehicle stocked with essentials
You never know what’s going to happen when you’re out and about. Organization helps you be prepared for whatever life throws at you. While we can’t control the traffic, weather, or even sick kids, we can keep our vehicles stocked to help us in these situations should they happen. Grab yourself a container and fill it with a first aid kit, wipes, a change of clothes if you have little ones, extra diapers, Ziploc bags for travel sickness, tissues, receiving blankets (these work at any age for quick cleanups!), activity kits for traffic-stalling boredom, and of course, snacks and water. Don’t forget to keep a trash bag in your car at all times as well. You wouldn’t throw garbage on your floor at home, so don’t do it in the vehicle, either. Every time you get gas, get in the habit of dumping the garbage. Just a little advance planning can make a huge difference to how your day will end up playing out.
5 | Keep projects in progress under control
Projects in progress can hold us back. Whether we’re aware of it or not. Do you have projects that don’t interest you anymore, that have been cluttering up your space for years, yet you feel some sort of obligation to complete? It might be time to let them go and feel the weight lift from your shoulders as a result. Go ahead! What are you waiting for? Think about whether or not the space you have given your clutter permission to take over could be put to better use. Are you really willing to give up square footage of usable space in your home for stuff you “might” just use or need one day? Really stop and think about the power you’re putting in your clutter’s hands. What kind of hold does it have on you and why are you allowing it to happen?
6 | Use visual cues to eliminate clutter
Sometimes with everything else going on, we can’t remember what we’ve used and what we haven’t. It’s time for some visual cues. For instance, turn the hangers around in your closet to face the opposite direction; as you wear something, turn the hanger back around. At the end of the season, you’ll know exactly what you’ve worn and what needs to be purged. Alternatively, place small stickers on your clothing, and when you wear something remove the sticker. Anything remaining with a sticker after a year is ready to leave the nest.
7 | Install closet organizers
Closets without organizers seem naked and are crying out for organization. You can literally double the amount of closet space you have by adding an organizer to it and I’m not talking an expensive one, either. You can get perfectly wonderful inexpensive closet organizers at most department stores. I like the ones that provide the cubbies in the middle – they make my heart sing!
8 | Tackle small tasks to get big results
So often we don’t want to start an organizing project because we think it will take too long. Trying to find large chunks of time can seem overwhelming. Thankfully, many organizing tasks can be completed in short bursts of attention. Committing to these small tasks on a daily basis creates a sense of accomplishment that fuels continuation and fosters self-discipline. Once you see how easy and rewarding it is to tackle one small task or space at a time, the impact of those results will make you want to do it over and over and over again, until you become an addict like me!
Organizing tasks that can be done in
30 minutes or less:
• Organize a drawer
• Organize a bookshelf
• File papers
• Update your calendar
• Organize DVDs
• Check for expired products in your fridge
• Sort hats and mitts
• Create email folders
• Organize your wallet or purse
• Clean out backpacks
• Tidy your desk
Laura Wittmann is a professional organizer and founder of the popular blog I’m an Organizing Junkie, a website dedicated to providing encouragement and education for organized living with a good dose of fun. She is addicted to the “high” that comes from living a life of simplicity and order and is always on the lookout for her next “fix.” She lives in Alberta with her husband and three kids. orgjunkie.com
April 6, 2011
If you’re like most Canadians, your home is probably your most important investment.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) offers the following list of spring maintenance tips that can help you put a stop to the most common and costly problems before they occur, in as little as a few minutes a week.
• Have your furnace, filter, air exchanger and air conditioner checked by a qualified service technician.
• Have the temperature of your hot water tank checked and adjusted if necessary. Also have the pressure relief valve tested to ensure it isn’t stuck.
• Make sure outdoor air vents for exhaust fans, heat recovery ventilators, clothes dryers, furnaces and hot water tanks are clear of debris. Check that dampers operate freely and close properly.
• Shut down and clean the furnace humidifier, and close the furnace humidifier damper on forced air systems equipped with central air conditioning.
• Clear all drainage ditches and culverts of debris.
• Clean any debris from eaves troughs and downspouts, reattach any sections that are loose, and make sure they are securely attached to your home and that the flow of water discharges away from your foundation.
• From the ground, check the roof for damaged shingles and detached flashings, and have them repaired if necessary.
• Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms, and replace their batteries.
• Pull your refrigerator out from the wall and gently vacuum or dust the coils.
• Open the valve to the outside hose connection once any danger of frost has passed.
• Examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture, and repair them if required.
• Make sure your sump pump is operating properly before the spring thaw sets in, and ensure the discharge pipe allows water to drain away from the foundation.
• Re-level any exterior steps or decks that may have moved due to frost or settling.
For more spring maintenance tips and information or a free electronic copy of the About Your House home maintenance schedule and other fact sheets on owning, maintaining or renovating your home, visit cmhc.ca or call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642. For more than 60 years, CMHC has been Canada’s national housing agency, and a source of objective, reliable housing expertise.
March 24, 2011
By Stephen Dupuis
I’ll be honest, when the RenoMark program was started in Toronto back in 2001, I hoped but never dreamed it would expand to a national level. Ten years later, RenoMark has virtually swept that nation thanks to the support of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association and the provincial and local Associations that make up CHBA.
In mid-February, I received the exciting news that the Halifax-based Canadian Home Builders’ Association of Central Nova Scotia has voted to climb aboard the RenoMark train, bringing RenoMark program participation up to 32 local Home Builders’ Associations (HBAs) in eight provinces (PEI currently under the New Brunswick umbrella).
This particular local, lead by CEO Paul Pettipas, has a very high-profile Renovators Council already, and I’m delighted that they see RenoMark as a way to enhance their local brand!
If you’re unfamiliar with RenoMark, it is a program originally launched by the Greater Toronto Home Builders’ Association (now BILD) as a result of renovation horror stories caused by rogue contractors, which were resulting in our professional contractors being tarred by the same brush.
The program was designed to re-establish homeowners’ confidence in the renovation industry by inviting professional renovators to come together under the RenoMark brand and establish a positive reputation for the program through quality work
and customer service.
All RenoMark contractors have agreed to follow the CHBA Code of Ethics and the renovation-specific RenoMark Code of Conduct, found at the program’s online hub – RenoMark.ca The website invites homeowners to find a professional RenoMark renovator in their area by using a trade-specific search feature, as well as to download the RenoGuide – a free guide outlining the five essential steps to a professional renovation.
Each HBA also offers site visitors updates on the latest developments in the renovation industry in their region, including news, award-winning members and Home Show information. Just visit RenoMark.ca, select your location and see for yourself!
Now here’s the really exciting part – I’ve always been a firm believer in embracing all the latest technical advances to ensure that our members and homeowners get the most out of our services. This is exactly why RenoMark is now plugged into the social media world with its very own Facebook page and Twitter account!
If you’re like me, you want to stay up to date with all the latest news before your friends and colleagues read about it in the morning paper. Now you can do that with up-to-the-minute updates from our Twitter feed at twitter.com/RenoMark_ca
The RenoMark Facebook page kicks things up a notch with homeowners encouraged to talk to renovators and participate in group discussions with people who have worked with RenoMark contractors in the past. Just search for “RenoMark” on Facebook and hit the “Like” button. It’s like attending a group meeting but from the comfort of your own home and, if you choose to do so, in your pyjamas!
I think I speak for all the local HBAs when I say that we’d love to hear what you have to say about RenoMark and your experiences with our professional renovators and custom builders. Thanks to social media, it is now just a few simple clicks and keystrokes away!
Stephen Dupuis is president and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD). He can be reached at
president@bildgta.ca
March 16, 2011
By Heather Segreti
Q. People underestimate the importance of the powder room. It’s a small space that your guests will use every time they visit, so you have a limited area to make a big and lasting impression. Can you suggest some sure-fire ways to impress with a pretty powder room?
A. I absolutely love designing and decorating powder rooms. They are one area where you can really make a statement. The powder room should reflect and work alongside the other design elements of the house, but with more luxury and extravagance. Go all out!
Examine your plumbing fixtures first. If they are dated, you may want to invest in a few new pieces – after all this is the room your guest will use. Drama and extravagance or simplicity with classic touches will be the way to go. Just confirm your design direction and you will be on your way to a new powder room.
First a glamorous decorative mirror will catch your guests’ eye for certain. A new vessel sink and faucet would add that touch of luxury and extravagance to your new room as well. Replacing existing towel bars and paper holders can freshen up any powder room. Finish off with new accessories and you will love your new look and so will your guests.
Considerations for your new powder room: Where you might hold back on that expensive faucet set or sink in your secondary bathrooms, the powder room is the place to splurge and invest in that unique upscale piece that suits your fancy. Traditionally I like to add drama with a darker wall colour or wall covering. Take the wall covering up onto the ceiling for added effect. Mirrors can also expand the space and give the illusion of a larger room. A carefully selected mirror can really make a statement over your vanity. Lighting is paramount and must be positioned to light the face properly. One big mistake people make is putting only overhead or pot lighting at the vanity – overhead and pot lighting will create shadows on your face. Lighting should be placed on the wall above the mirror or on either side of the mirror. The idea is that the light will shine directly on your face and reflect back into the mirror for a glowing complexion. There are several free-standing vanity cabinets that you can purchase locally that are easy to install and come equipped with a sink and faucet ready to go. These cabinets come in both traditional and contemporary designs and are great for powder rooms. You just need to call the plumber to hook them up!
Q. I’m making over my main-floor powder room and want to get the biggest bang for my buck. Where would be the best place(s) to invest my budget?
A. If you decide that the flooring needs to be replaced then this is the first thing you should do. Just a warning – flooring may eat up a fair chunk of your budget with demolition and installation.
The biggest bang for your buck will be in your royal throne – the toilet. If it is out dated or disheveled, it will be a grand turn-off for your guests. So, first consider a new toilet and then do the same for your sink. Porcelain that is scratched, stained or rusted has a very unclean appearance. You can purchase a new toilet for a great price at your local building-supply house and find a reasonable but reputable plumber through family or friends. Your bathroom will feel brand new.
Secondly, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on a new custom vanity. There are several wonderful prefabricated cabinets on the market as I mentioned earlier. This can be very budget friendly and leave you more money to spend on other items. Another great perk with some of these vanities is that the sink and faucets are included in the price. Now that you have the staple pieces in place, you can consider a new coat of paint, wallpaper and some updated lighting.
A budget is a must before getting started. Budgets can eliminate unforeseen costs. Make a list and include every item you would like to include down to the toilet paper holder and towel bars. Then prioritize and see what fits into your budget. The fun part is finding the perfect accessories to coordinate with your new powder room. This is where you can get a big bang for your buck, Artwork, towels, soaps and glass jars are just some examples of great budget-conscious accessories.
Q. With compact homes growing in popularity, I made the purchase and now am faced with a reno dilemma – should I include a powder room AND full bathroom in my plan, or forgo the powder room and invest my efforts (and money) in the main bathroom?
A. A compact home can be a bathroom dilemma, however my answer would be to keep the powder room as well as the full-sized bathroom. Bathrooms and kitchens are great for resale and life is just that much more comfortable with an extra bathroom.
The other big consideration is when you have company, the idea is you don’t want company to use your main bathroom. The powder room is for guests. Keep the powder room as part of your plan and you will not be disappointed in your decision down the road or when you want to sell. A small powder room can be made to look fantastic, even on a modest budget. In every design situation start with the basics and build on that. You can always phase in all your design ideas down the road.
One more thing no one likes a line up at the bathroom and with one bathroom, you could be asking for trouble!
Founder and President of Toronto-based Segreti Design, Heather Segreti is a member of ARIDO and IDC, with more than 22 years of experience. Working with both commercial and residential clients, she brings innovative design ideas to each one of her projects. For more information visit Heather online at segretidesign.com
March 9, 2011
HD&R talk TV, renovations and working together with twin brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott of Property Brothers.
By Sara Duck
Property Brothers (produced by Cineflex in association with W Network) is a show that follows real estate agent Drew Scott and his twin brother, contractor Jonathan Scott, as they help couples find, buy and transform extreme fixer-uppers into the ultimate dream home. With the help of CGI technology, the brothers are able to show buyers the underlying potential in rundown properties. With a background in entertainment, these brothers bring a fine balance of fun and strong talent to the show, which make it incredibly amusing to watch. Recently we sat down with the brothers to find out more.
HD&R: You both bring an interesting dynamic to the show; did you always know you wanted to work together?
DREW: We have always worked together. It’s actually quite odd, I know when most people spend this much time together they really get on each other’s nerves. We don’t. I think it helps that we’re very outspoken – if something is bugging us we just say it and deal with it, then move on.
JONATHAN: We rarely argue on a project because as soon as the work starts, Drew disappears! Honestly, it’s nice working with somebody who understands exactly what I can do and has the same level of creativity to see the potential in a property. The brotherly competition still exists and adds a little humour to the show.
HD&R: Describe working closely with your twin brother?
D: It’s great. Jonathan is as driven and motivated as I am. We have the same lofty aspirations and goals. So being able to have someone with the same interests and that you know you can rely on is invaluable. It’s like I’ve cloned myself and now have the ability to cram twice as much work into each day.
J: We actually do know what the other is thinking a lot of the time and that makes decision making a lot quicker and easier. Granted, I was born first and everybody knows nothing is as good as the original, but Drew gets by.
HD&R: What has been the biggest challenge working on a TV series?
D: You would think it would be balancing our day-to-day operations with our real estate company. Spending so much time on the series doesn’t leave a lot for other endeavours; however, Jonathan and I are extremely organized and have great time management. This allows us to take on a lot without burning out. We also have a strong network of people behind us to ensure our clients are taken care of and our company can function at the high level of excellence that we expect.
J: On Property Brothers, I’d say the biggest challenge is convincing homeowners that we can actually make a dilapidated home look as good as we say we can. No matter how long we do this and no matter how many success stories we’ve had, homeowners are still skeptical. Some homeowners think we’re just hosts and don’t have the knowledge and real estate experience to achieve the dream makeovers. But, in the end I love it when I see those jaws drop.
HD&R: Take us through the process of how you make a client’s dream a reality?
D: It actually starts off with a little shock factor. Most of the homeowners are dreaming with what they think they can get on their budget. So I take them through a beautiful, spacious, luxury home that is move-in ready. It’s way out of their budget but has everything they want. Yet they actually think they can afford it. Once I drop the list price on them they are devastated. There is method to my madness; I believe you need to break them down before you can build them back up. They’ve lived too long in a fantasy and this is the best way to pull them back into reality. At this point we take them through extreme fixer uppers that they can afford, and then show them what we can do to turn it into their dream home.
J: This is the point where I generally take over. Ninety-nine per cent of our couples do not see any potential in these run down nightmares. The funny thing is, we’ve all heard the saying, “Location, location, location.” Get the ugliest house on the nicest street, that’s what we aim for. I’m going to build equity into these homes for the family and transform it into the nicest place on the block. The only way I seem to be able to convince buyers of my ideas, is by using the amazing 3D imaging software that we designed with Neezo Renders specifically for the show. You won’t find this software in any other residential application; however, it makes the difference in painting that picture for the clients. When clients go into our design presentation we use the 3D imaging to help them choose one of two properties to write an offer on; they generally feel both contenders are a waste of time – but when they leave after seeing our designs, they can’t decide which one they want to buy. The software is that good!
HD&R: Do you have a favourite project? Why?
D: I love the extremes. When people walk into a house they think has no potential and we say, “Well hold on, check this out!” I also love seeing the transformation of a master suite. In one of the episodes, the buyers had a cramped master bedroom with a tiny closet and no ensuite bathroom. The reason they decided to go with the space was because of our 3D visual: it showed them they could take the fourth bedroom, which was small and useless, and turn it into a beautiful walk-through closet and ensuite. In the end it was a spa-like master suite that they’d never want to leave.
J: I love custom, which is the biggest benefit of doing your own reno. We had a couple on the show and the husband was really tall. He was always hitting his head on things, found shelving shallow or short and all around just not functional for a big guy. Well, I’m over 6’ 4” so I felt his pain. I built him this unbelievable walk-in closet and ensuite with nine-ft. doors, extended shelves and a vaulted ceiling with a rain drop showerhead. He loved it and I was a little jealous!
HD&R: What misconceptions do people have about doing a reno?
D: A lot of people think that no matter how hard they try they could never make an older home look as good as a new build. This is just simply not true. It just depends on your budget and how much work you want to do yourself. To get a solid finished project though, there are several areas that you should use a professional. For example, if you have never done drywall mudding, bring in a pro. It may seem expensive at first but when you calculate the value of your time and the value of a properly finished project, the skilled trade is worth it. Also, if you are thinking of resale value, you want to ensure everything is done right and looks professionally finished.
J: A lot of people think it’s cheaper and all-around easier not to get permits. This is not the case. In fact, when you resell a home these days and do not disclose renovations without permits, it can be considered a latent defect and you can make yourself liable. The city is generally great to work with, they just want to make sure updates are done to code. As a homeowner, I’d be very concerned if your contractor suggests you don’t get a permit. This process is there for a reason.
HD&R: What advice can you offer to someone who is embarking on a reno?
D: Get organized before you start. Have your plans sketched, a checklist written and set a budget. Also think of resale value. You may love a shower instead of a bathtub but if you renovate and don’t leave at least one bathtub in the house, then you are greatly reducing the resale value in the sense that most families would want a house with a tub for kids. Look at your renovations and think of what the average person would think when walking through the house. It’s better to convert a cramped four bedroom/one bathroom home into a spacious three bedroom/two bathroom house, instead of just updating the original floor plan. More bedrooms are not always better. Be sure to figure out which of your “wishlist” items are things you must have and which are things you can live without. Usually buying a less expensive house that needs work will give you more flexibility to transform the property into the home of your dreams.
J: Value your own time. Renovations can be very stressful on a family and can drag on for years. Take on some of the projects yourself but hire a professional contractor to do any major jobs. Also, be realistic with your needs and wants. Can you afford to do everything right now? Maybe concentrate on the main floor if your budget is tight and do the basement down the road when you have a little extra cash.
HD&R: What do you think the difference is between a house and a home?
D: This is something we hear from buyers all the time. A house is simply walls, roof and some flooring. But a home is somewhere they can actually see their family living. I’ve never heard someone say, “This feels like house.”
J: Perhaps it isn’t something you can express through words. None of our families have ever walked into a house prior to our renovation and shown any kind of emotion. However, when our renovation is complete and we reveal the finished product, many couples cannot hold back the tears and the joy. That’s when I know, I’ve turned it into a home.
March 1, 2011
Leslie Styles, foodie & travel aficionado, shares some delicious dishes found on her travels around the world.
A great way to use up leftover roast chicken is to make a delicious and comforting Chicken Pot Pie. Taking advantage of store bought puff pastry makes the process even easier. The filling can be prepared in advance with any vegetables you have on hand, but I like to use diced potatoes, carrots and celery with a handful of green peas and blanched pearl onions which are sautéed in butter until tender. The final flourish is fitting a round of puff pastry dough on top of each serving dish and with the excess pastry, decorating the tops with cut out shapes, and finally brushing the tops with an egg wash. The result is fabulous!
Ingredients Serves 6-8
› 1 sheet frozen Puff Pastry, thawed
› 5 tbsp all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
› 5 tbsp unsalted butter
› 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-in. pieces
› 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-in. pieces
› 2 celery stalks, sliced into 1/2-in. pieces
› 15 pearl onions
› 12 oz cremini mushrooms, stems trimmed
› 4 garlic cloves, minced
› 1 cup Madeira or Cognac
› 2 cups chicken stock
› 1 cup whole milk or cream
› 5 cups cooked chicken, torn into bite-sized pieces
› 1 cup frozen green peas
› 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
› 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
› 2 tbsp Herbes de Provence
› 1/4 tsp cayenne
› 3 tsp coarse salt
› 1 tsp freshly ground pepper
egg wash
1 large egg, 2 tbsp milk
Directions
› Preheat oven to 400°F.
› In a large heavy-bottom pot, melt 5 tbsp butter over medium-high heat. Add potatoes and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes and carrots are fork-tender, about 10 -12 minutes.
› Meanwhile, trim the bottoms off the pearl onions and blanch in a small pot of boiling water, about 3-4 minutes. Rinse with cold water, remove outer skin, and set aside.
› Add mushrooms, celery and garlic to the potato mixture and cook until the mushrooms are heated through. Add Madeira and cook 2 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring to thicken, about 2-3 minutes. Pour in chicken stock, milk and pearl onions. Bring to a simmer; cook until thick and bubbly, stirring constantly, 2-3 minutes. Stir in chicken, peas, parsley, thyme, herbes de provence and cayenne. Season generously with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer filling to your deep-dish pie plate or individual ramekins. Transfer to a rack to cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
› On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry about 2 in. larger than the top of the baking dish. Place over the dish and trim leaving a 1/2-in. overhang, reserving excess pastry. Press overhang into and over edge. With a fork, whisk egg and milk; brush over pastry. Use excess pastry to cut out shapes and place on top. Brush egg mixture over pastry. Cut 5 or 6 steam vents into the top of the pastry using a small sharp knife.
› Transfer casserole to a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake 30-40 minutes until pastry is golden brown. Serve hot.
Leslie Styles is president of Styles Design Inc., a Toronto-based branding and communications agency, and author of Scrumpdillyicious, a food and travel blog dedicated to all things delicious. She can be reached at stylesdesign.net and scrumpdillyicious.blogspot.com
February 23, 2011
By Hellen Buttigieg
Quick tips on organizing your home
Drop the top-sheet
If beds go unmade every morning because it takes too much time, consider eliminating the top sheet and trading several blankets for a duvet instead. Take one or two seconds to straighten out the duvet every morning and you’re done. While on the topic of bedding, try washing/drying the sheets and putting them back on the bed that same day. This saves time and energy because you’ve eliminated the need to fold it and put it away.
Keep rooms tidy in two minutes or less
Items that don’t belong in a room are the main contributors to visual clutter. Get into the habit of removing “move elsewhere items” when you leave the room and placing them on their way to where they do belong. For example, if something belongs upstairs, place it at the bottom of the staircase and take it to the proper room the next time you go up. You’ll be amazed at how effective this technique can be in keeping rooms tidy with minimal effort.
Past, present or future – Where do you want to live?
Holding on to reminders from your past keeps you stuck there, preventing you from moving on with your life. Keeping things just in case you may need them sometime in the future may be preventing you from creating the inviting home you want right now. Both of these excuses for keeping clutter are fear based. Are you willing to feel the fear and let them go anyway? All we really have is the present moment.
Quick tips on organizing your office
Be on time
If you find you lose track of time in the office, choose a large clock and place it within easy view (you can see it from where you are sitting without turning your head). As simple as this may sound, it goes a long way in helping you monitor your time and avoid running late. You might also consider using a timer for tasks that seem to consume you, i.e. surfing the net, responding to emails, or writing and editing a report.
Never misplace your tickets again
Ever wonder where to file all those “pending” items so you can find them quickly and easily when you need them? Things such as plane tickets, concert tickets, invitations and directions to upcoming events, etc. Here’s a fail-safe method I swear by:
Step 1: Create a file called “pending” (or whatever title makes sense to you) and always place them in this spot.
Step 2: (very important – don’t skip this part): On your calendar, make a note of the item on the date that is attached to it. For example, if the flight is on March 1, go to that day on your calendar and write “plane tickets in pending file.”
Quick tips on organizing your life
A gift of “no thing” says “I love you”
More people are seeking a simpler lifestyle; this year, consider giving gifts that won’t clutter up your loved-one’s life or weigh them down. Get creative and think outside the chocolate box; ideas include: theatre or concert tickets, a weekend getaway, and gift certificates for spa services, dance lessons, horse-back riding lessons, or art classes. Other creative gifts that don’t collect dust or take up space are: memberships to art gallery or museum, a ride on a hot air balloon or a winery bike tour.
Take action to diminish anxiety
Inaction can breed anxiety. It often takes more energy to avoid doing what needs to be done, than actually doing it. Is there a project you’ve been putting off working on, a difficult conversation you’ve been putting off having, or a problem you need to deal with but have been avoiding? Relieve the anxiety and enjoy some peace of mind by taking one small action step in an area of your life that is screaming for your attention.
Hellen Buttigieg CPO, is a Certified Professional Organizer, life coach, TV Host and owner of We Organize U. She is the author of the bestseller, Organizing Outside The Box, now available on Amazon. For tips on organizing your home, your office and your life, visit WeOrganizeU.com and sign up for Hellen’s free newsletter. To contact Hellen or for information on hiring a We Organize U organizing specialist, call 905-829-2219 or email info@WeOrganizeU.com
February 22, 2011
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