Friedrich Nietzsche and Contemporary Design So far in this series we’ve looked forward to the ever-evolving and chic freedom of transitional design, and backward to the historic and charming comfort of rustic décor –this week, however, I’ll be exploring peace in the present. Having turned to Charles Darwin for thoughts on the transitional, and Karl Marx for ponderings of the pre-industrial, this...

Mirrors for Good Feng Shui Mirrors are a very common feng shui adjustment, and are used for many purposes. On a mundane level, mirrors can make your home feel brighter and more spacious. Both of these qualities improve the overall energy of your home—close your eyes and imagine yourself in a small, dimly lit room, and then a large, bright room. Feel the difference?  The use of mirrors or other small...

New Year's Resolutions You'll Want to Keep for Your Home It's traditional around the new year to make lists of resolutions that plan a new start. Chances are, however, about a week into the new year, you may decide it's just too much trouble to keep any of those resolutions. This year is going to be different—you're going to want to keep those five resolutions for your home. All you have to do is...

Furniture Choices for Cat and Dog Owners As a loving owner of a cat or dog, you know that it is not just your prized sofa—but also most of your home decor—that bears the brunt of your beloved pet. Because even when Fluffy isn't trying to destroy your upholstery, the simple act of climbing, sitting, or walking on it can warrant a heavy cleaning bill. This is how and why selecting the best upholstery...

Deep Clean Kitchen Cabinets You probably wipe down your kitchen counters and mop your kitchen floor every day, or at least regularly. Your kitchen cabinets, on the other hand, may not get the same attention—but they should. All day they collect dirt, dust, splatters, grease, and other cooking residues; over time this mixture sticks to cabinet surfaces like a tacky glue that can be difficult to remove....

How to Update Your Home for Spring There's something utterly rejuvenating about spring. After months of cold and dreary weather, many of us feel an urge to spruce up our homes and embrace the energy that comes with the new season. But it can be difficult to know where to begin to give your space a fresh feel. If you're itching to update your home without making a drastic change, here are 15 easy ways to...

Get Your Home Ready for Spring Spring is finally in the air across most of Canada and it not only brings warmer temperatures and colourful blooms, it also brings the realization that our homes have been slowly weathered over the last six months. Thankfully, pleasant weather makes spring the easiest time of year to make improvements and repairs to revitalize our homes.Warmer weather also encourages more...

Make Your Guest Room Feel Like Home Preparing your home for house guests can be a very enjoyable experience. There's something satisfying about helping your visitors feel welcome and comfortable. When you start to plan your guest room, think about what you'd expect to find in a 5-diamond hotel and try to make your room measure up to that standard. Your budget may not be enough to create a getaway oasis,...

Prepare your Home for Spring Landscaping Once the first official frost is no longer a threat, don’t you just want to run out into your yard and start spring landscaping? All winter long the excuse of it being too cold, or everything is covered with snow is no longer an issue. Now that spring is here, gardening, landscaping and increasing your curb appeal is on most people’s minds. Depending on your...

Tips for Designing a Gallery Wall Putting together a gallery wall can seem like a daunting task. But there’s a reason why this trend is here to stay — it’s the perfect way to transform a drab blank wall into a thing of beauty. No, seriously. Rental Solution: Pining after your own gallery setup but worried about damaging your walls? Hang up a series of large white peg boards beforehand. It...

Add Impact Above Your Sofa Be it a spacious living room, a formal sitting area, or a cozy den, chances are it’s anchored with a comfy sofa along one wall, leaving a lot of blank space to fill above (and behind) the seat. That empty space is the perfect opportunity to make a bold, gorgeous visual statement. We’ve rounded up some captivating, inspiring ideas sure to add major impact....

Preparing Your Carpets For Winter Winter is coming quickly to the Pacific Northwest and you know what that means. Rain, dirt and SO MANY muddy shoes will be joining you inside. Plus, as the temperature starts to drop, windows and doors stay closed more often and the air isn’t circulated as well. It can be quite the challenge to keep your carpets clean during this time, but we have a few easy tips that...