Spring Into Indoor Plant Care
Hey, plant-loving people!
It’s springtime, and you know what that means – it’s time to dust off those green thumbs and prepare your indoor plants for the season! Here are some tips that will help your plant babies bloom and thrive:
Brighten up their day:
Just like you, plants need their daily dose of sunshine. Find a bright spot in your house where they can soak up some indirect sunlight without getting scorched. And if you’re feeling extra fancy, rotate them occasionally to keep them growing evenly.
Give them a drink:
Your plants may be thirsty, but don’t go overboard with the H2O. Remember that drowning them is just as bad as leaving them thirsty. Check the soil every few days and only water them when the top inch is dry. And don’t forget to drain any excess water from the pot to avoid root rot!
Feed them some love:
Spring is the perfect time to show your plants love with a little plant food. You can pick up some organic fertilizer or try a liquid fertilizer for a quick boost. Just be sure to read the instructions and follow the recommended dosage.
Keep them cozy:
As the temperature fluctuates, ensure your plants aren’t feeling the chill. Keep them away from drafty spots and avoid placing them too close to the heater. You don’t want your plants catching a cold, do you?
Give them a haircut:
Like your hair, your plants need a trim every now and then. Pruning helps keep them healthy and encourages new growth. Grab sharp scissors and snip away any dead or dying leaves or branches.
Give them room to grow:
If your plants are feeling a bit cramped, give them some more space by repotting them. This will help them stretch out their roots and get some fresh soil to play in. Plus, it’s always fun to pick out a new pot, right?
Pamper those leaves:
Dust can accumulate on your plant’s leaves, which can make it harder for them to breathe. Give them a spa day by wiping them down with a damp cloth or a soft brush. They’ll thank you with some extra-pretty foliage.
There you have it, folks! With these tips, your indoor plants will flourish in no time. Happy planting!
If you need a great new home to display your plants in, contact me today!
Incorporate Viva Magenta Into Your Home
Pantone releases a Colour of the Year in January, and in 2023 the colour is Viva Magenta. This bold hue represents the challenges and joy in our ever-changing world. Finding ways to incorporate this colour into your home might seem challenging, but here are a few simple ideas to try for yourself!
Accent Wall or Feature Wall
If you want to add Viva Magenta to a room without it feeling like an overpowering colour, consider painting one accent wall. Another great option to break up the colour is to select a vibrant decorative wallpaper with magenta accents. Think about what other complementary colours you will decorate the room with—lighter shades of blues, pinks and purples can subdue and highlight the colour.
Furniture and Accessories
Furniture in the colour Viva Magenta would make a lovely accent piece in a room, whether it be a chair, ottoman or sofa. Choose contemporary furniture with curves and lines that draw the eye in without making the colour feel overwhelming. If you aren’t ready to commit to such a bold colour, a slipcover over existing furniture would be an easy, cost-effective way to add it. Use smaller Magenta accessories to display, like coffee table books or a vase in soft pink or purple for extra interest.
Artwork and Decorations
If the ideas above are still too ambitious for you, there is always artwork and small decorations for a pop of colour. Look for abstract art featuring complimentary colours or vibrant Magenta. Vintage prints come in rich colour palettes, or search for vintage muted tones like soft pastels to keep in the Magenta theme. Decorations such as pink candle holders or small photo frames—little touches can bring together the whole design.
Create Contrasting Color Combinations
Viva Magenta pairs well with various colours but, when used minimally, can create a strong contrast within its own colour family. Colours like shades of yellow or even sunny yellow can create a unique stand-out effect. Opt for lavenders, pastel pinks or deep purples for a subtle yet rich combination of colours.
Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Viva Magenta, is a bold statement colour but has a lot of versatility. Try incorporating it into your home to create a modern, classy look. Whether you paint the walls or find a great accent piece, this colour will energize any room.
If you need help finding a home, contact your local realtor today!
Design Trends We Can Leave in 2022
Trends come and go throughout the years. Here are the trends that are on their way out in 2023.
Hard-Edge Furniture
Curved furniture is still dominating the interior design space. Hard-edge, clean-line furniture is making its way out. However, instead of completely removing these hard-edge space-saving furniture pieces, dress them up with curved accents, such as round cushions, round coffee tables and textured throw blankets. Pairing furniture with these accents can create balance, depth of space, and coziness.
Rounded Fuzzy Textured Statement Pieces
Fuzzy textured chairs and couches were all the rage in 2022, and the end is in sight for these pieces. While not only being hard to clean, their uniqueness feels dated and drab for the new year—skip this trend in 2023. If you have one or two of these fuzzy chairs or couches, don’t eliminate them, as there is still a trend for round pieces next year. Dress them up with flat fabric throws and cushions.
Monochromatic Minimalism
Monochromatic decor has no personality and a cold quality that needs to be left behind this year. Its over-simple and sparse furniture placement leave little to be desired. Opt for more colours, patterns and boldness in 2023 to bring out your personality in each room.
All-White Kitchens
It is sad to see them go. All-white kitchens are losing popularity this coming year. Although they remain a classic colour palette and an excellent base, to begin with. Homeowners are leaning towards a more kitschy kitchen in the new year, with bold accent colours on the walls and the cabinets. Think of fun tile backsplashes, curtains and plants!
Industrial Hardware
Matte-black plumbing and hardware that coincides with the monochromatic theme are far too casual for the new year. Now that people are dressing and going out again, so are their homes following suit. Polished metals such as chrome and brass are making a comeback and will take center stage in 2023.
Plain Door Frames and Moldings
In 2023 we are looking at vintage homes with interesting architectural elements, such as unique moulding, wider doors and archways. Modern box frame doors have been in for several years, but a shift is coming to create more dynamic living spaces starting with the door frames. Mouldings and cases also avoid contemporary hard edges and opt for scalloped or pentagon shapes.
Before you go and renovate your entire home to fit these trends, you may want to consider just dressing up the existing pieces or fixtures you have–even a fresh coat of paint can make a massive change to a room.
If you need to find a home in the new year, contact your Local REALTOR®.
9 Tips for Surviving the Holidays
Every Holiday season is stressful, with the busyness between meeting up with friends, family and even those Christmas work parties. The feeling of being stretched out thin is inevitable—with the help of these 9 tips, I hope your holiday season can be as stress-free as possible.
Online Shop
Skip all the lines and circle the parking lot, and shop online. Not only is everything you could ever want at the tip of your fingers—but it also conveniently arrives at your doorstep. Frequently online shopping allows for gift-wrapping options. Take full advantage of that service!
Celebrate Minimally
Try to alleviate stress by planning fewer get-togethers and easier ones to host—even better yet, try to avoid hosting altogether and be a guest. If you are hosting, go to the fancy dining and centrepieces, and opt for guests to bring their dish, potluck style and keep decor to a minimum.
Only Buy for the Kids
Purchasing gifts for people can be a huge challenge, from deciding what to get everyone to the financial burden. Skip the adults and only buy for the kids of the family. Children will appreciate the gifts more, and it is more fun to buy and watch them open them. Speaking of gifts, opt for gift bags and tissue paper to save time wrapping.
Minimal Christmas Decorations
A Christmas tree is all you need to set the Christmas mood. Try not to go overboard with too many decorations. If you want to change things up, make your own decorations, from popcorn garland to paper snowflakes—get the whole family involved.
Prepare in Advance
Preparation is your best defence to combat holiday stress. Up until Christmas, pre-bake and pre-cook as many things as possible for the big day. Make lists, plan all your meals, and stock up on extra snacks for drop-in guests. Consider getting some chocolate boxes and small monetary gift cards to have on hand if you’ve missed a gift here or there.
Stock Up in November
The end of November is quickly approaching, so hopefully, you already have some things stockpiled and prepared. Surviving the holiday season means gathering everything you need before the holidays are in full swing—stock up on the essentials like gifts and beverages before the store madness begins. You can easily do this before the start of December.
Call People vs Christmas Cards
Instead of taking time out of your busy schedule to write and order Christmas cards—give those essential people in your life a call before the holiday craziness begins. You may not have talked to friends and family for a while, now’s your chance, even sending off a Facebook message might spark a delightful conversation.
Make Plans in Advance and Re-confirm
Plans are the key to a successful get-together. Make plans days or weeks in advance with your expected company. Re-confirm several times if certain people require it, and re-confirm a few days in advance to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Plan Ahead for DownTime
Regarding schedules, incorporate some quiet downtime into your busy schedule—whether a walk together or alone, a fun family activity like skating or building a snowman, or a drive around the neighbourhood to look at the Christmas lights.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Nothing in life is perfect, and if you expect everything to run smoothly and go as planned, you are sadly mistaken. Don’t let the little things get in the way of your enjoyment of the holidays. Keep plugging away bit by bit until it’s over.
There you go. I hope you are ready to combat the holiday season with these 9 helpful tips. All we can try is our best and make it through to January.
If you need a home to celebrate the holidays in, contact your local REALTOR®.
Discover How Winter is the Best Time to Sell Your Home
Unlike popular belief, winter can be a perfect time to sell your house. Please keep reading to find out how it is advantageous to list your home as it gets colder.
Winter Spawns Serious Buyers
As the snow falls and temperatures start to plummet, people start to leave their homes less. In spring and summer, it’s easy to attract people to view your home, but how many of them are serious about purchasing it?—verses when you host an open house or a showing in winter when people show up, you know they are serious buyers.
Winter weeds out the tire kickers from the dedicated clients.
Less Competition
In winter, fewer homes are on the market, reducing the competition significantly. As long as the demand is there, you could sell your home faster than in warmer months because fewer options are available.
Highlight Your Homes Energy Efficiency
If you have lived in your property for a few years, you might have significantly upgraded your home. These improvements might include energy-efficient upgrades like a new furnace or windows. When selling in winter, highlight these investments in your listing that could save the new owner money in the long run.
Other key features to show off in cold weather, such as a hot tub or fireplace, are lovely ways to beat the winter chill and have buyers wanting to feel cozy.
The days are getting shorter, and the snow has started to fly, making it the perfect time to sell your home. I hope this blog has sparked your interest to list your home in winter to get in on the hot seller’s market.
BONUS TIPS :
Check out these other sure-fire ways to attract home buyers.
4 Sure Fire Ways to Attract Home Buyers
We are currently in a seller’s market, but you still probably want to sell your property quickly to make top dollar on your house if possible. The first step is to get buyers interested in the property.
Here are four simple tips to get potential buyers interested in your property.
1. Boost the Way it Looks Online
Homebuyers have become savvier and are doing research online as a first step in the home buying process—over 90% of buyers look online before committing to a REALTOR®. Listing a house online is crucial these days, and the next step is social media ads targeted to your audience. Social media makes it easy for people to share the for-sale ad, which will significantly extend the reach of your listing.
The photos are the first thing people see when looking at your listing. It’s easy to snap pictures with your smartphone quickly but consider investing in a professional home photographer. Their knowledge of angles and lighting in a home will vastly improve your photos, making them more appealing. If you can’t afford a photographer, consider staging the house to make the most of your interior. Here are a few tips for setting yourself up for successful photos:
· Use bright natural lighting
· Touch up paint and update finishes in your home
· Focus on statement pieces and standout elements of the house
· Stick to a specific style or theme overall
· Remove personal items or clutter from areas if possible
Compare other homes for sale online, see how they look and view the pictures for inspiration. Not only will this help you with your photos, but also it will let you know what to avoid.
2. Keep Things Clean
Try to keep your house clean at all times to ensure buyers will have a positive experience. Your real estate agent should inform you when people are coming by to look at your home, but if it’s a last-minute viewing, it’s ideal to have a clean house and not worry about it.
Open houses are a great way to showcase your home. Make sure to declutter and clean it well before viewers arrive.
It’s important to note that people want to envision themselves living in your home—while it’s okay to keep your belongings out, buyers don’t want to be surprised by things like:
· Dust
· Mould
· Mildew
· Presence of pets
If you have moved out or currently live in the home, make sure you stop by regularly to tidy and check over things to prevent mould and mildew and make your home as attractive as possible.
3. Make Things Cozy and Warm
Excellent pictures attract buyers, but when they visit your home, you want it to feel inviting—staging and cleanliness only go so far. The moment your house feels uninviting, homebuyers will second guess their choice.
One easy way to add warmth in summer is to open all the blinds and curtains and let the natural light fill up the space. If it is wintertime, turn up the furnace an hour or so before people come for viewings to warm things up. These simple tricks will draw buyers in and add a sense of security and comfort to your space.
Consider setting out cookies, coffee or tea for added coziness. The smell of cookies always feels homey and inviting.
4. Curb Appeal
Potential buyers first notice the outside of your home and the front yard. Curb appeal not only boosts the asking price of your listing but will provide a sense of comfort to buyers.
There are lots of inexpensive ways to boost curb appeal. Check out these ideas:
· Paint your home’s exterior or door a bold colour
· Invest in a quality maintenance-free fence
· Replace the front door
· Groom and trim the existing greenery
· Replace roof or shingles
Implementing these few tips will boost your home’s interest and hopefully make it a quick sale for top dollar. If you need more suggestions or recommendations, contact your local REALTOR® today!
5 Local Places to try in Saskatoon this Summer
Summertime is here, which means one thing…it’s time to get outside and enjoy all Saskatoon has to offer. There are many places to eat in Saskatoon, and choosing one to meet up with family and friends can be challenging. Here are five local restaurants to try in Saskatoon that will win anyone over.
Indigenous Cuisine
Bannock Express
Bannock Express is a locally owned indigenous restaurant. It started as a Farmer’s Market stall and now has a restaurant on Avenue B, shared with Botte Chai and Dulce Bakery. The menu features bannock-centric offerings, which all look delicious. If you need to cool down this summer and are downtown, the menu also features various lemonades! The Co-op also sells the restaurant’s signature bannock—so stop in there if you can’t make it downtown. Inside the business is a pinboard that encourages people to donate and provide meals to feed the less fortunate.
Burgers
Ace Burger
Ace Burger began its life as a food truck and transitioned into a restaurant that is located on Broadway. The patio is perfect for summertime meetups with family and friends to enjoy great burgers, hot dogs, poutines, chicken sandwiches and out-of-this-world fries. Modern and cozy vibes fill the space. On your way out, pick up an Ace Burger shirt and hat! They also offer take-out—a nice break from cooking on a hot Friday night.
Farm-to-Table
Odla
Odla is another restaurant gem found on Broadway. The owners of Farm One Forty started the place with their holistic approach to farming and food. The menu consists of high-end meals made with products from local farmers and producers—featuring a vast list of wines and unique cocktails. The atmosphere is casual, yet sophisticated. Check out their patio to relax and enjoy a fantastic meal. If dining in isn’t for you, they also have an extensive selection of “market items” that you can purchase to cook or reheat meals at home.
Korean & Japanese Fusion
Sticks & Stones
Sticks & Stones has a delicious menu with an array of Korean and Japanese fusion eats. It has a casual, yet modern vibe, conveniently located downtown. Stones is the perfect place to enjoy a warm bowl of Ramen and a tasty ice cold drink—exclusively open in the evenings, offering table reservations or ordering online.
Pizza
Thirteen Pies Pizza + Bar
Thirteen Pies is open only in the evenings and is located downtown. The pizza is self-described as “Brooklyn style”—definition: it has a thin crust and is foldable to go down quickly. Their white sauce pizza is terrific, the drinks are divine, and the atmosphere is an upscale pub. If you are wandering downtown on a summer night and are looking for some late-night eats, pick this place—they offer delivery too.
From sushi to pizza, there is something for every taste bud in Saskatoon. Even better is supporting local businesses, producers, farmers and families. I hope that a few of these places spark your interest and you try them out this summer!
If you need help finding real estate close to any of these hot spots, contact your local REALTOR® today!
2022 Design trends to Follow
Interior design trends in 2022 are broad and diverse. Some timeless classics hold steadfast while emerging colour palettes, textures and materials flip-flop. Given the varied array of trends, not only will you be able to make your home unique to reflect you but also in style for years to come. Spending more time inside and our needs are ever-changing, our style and purpose must also be altered at home. Here is a mish-mash list of top 2022 home decor and interior design trends I am sure you will love!
Curvy accents and furniture
The end of modernism of sharp corners, sharp edges and angular symmetry seems to be ebbing away. Be on the lookout for circular mirrors, curvy tables and soft round couches—accent furniture with gorgeous rounded cushions.
Natural Materials
Natural Materials have been a continuing trend over the last few years with a focus on natural materials, textures and shapes. Think of quartz or marble surfaces, whether countertops or accent tables, natural woods, rattan or bamboo furniture. Homeowners are finding quality materials and pieces that will last and keep on-trend for years to come.
Home Jungle
There’s something magical about being surrounded by greenery and the satisfaction of caring for something that grows. Bringing the outdoors in is a great way to boost creativity, productivity and concentration as plants boost a person’s mood, purify the air and can prove to be therapeutic. So, scatter some plants around your house and don’t forget that hanging plants can be a piece of art and that unique planters and macrame hangers add a touch of elegance to any home. For those of us that don’t have time to take care of plants, fake plants add just as much ambience to the space!
Playful Textures
There is no denying that adding texture to a home is visually pleasing–layers of textures create volume and elevate coziness levels. However, try not to limit texture to textiles such as blankets, cushions and rugs. To generate more stimulation, consider adding pieces of furniture with inlays, intricate designs or unique handles. Lastly, rich or flowy natural fibre window coverings help style any space and set the mood.
Warm Colours
Clients are continually embracing natural tones and going away from white, greys and blues. Embracing interesting colour palettes of purples, chocolates and hunter green, which add an individual flare to any home. Or, choose colours that are more subdued with creams, taupes and beige while keeping the colours warm and cozy.
Sustainable Materials
Emerging generations are becoming more conscious of the environment, and home sustainability has changed with it. There is a more significant push to focus on recycling, renewable energy and ethically sourced home decor. To curb waste, choosing natural and organic fibres, materials, paints and dyes over synthetic ones is a must.
Vintage and antique pieces are all the rage! Take joy in making something old new again, whether that be with a fresh coat of paint or stain. Or, simply embrace as is to keep the original lived-in vibe.
New builds emphasize energy efficiency, featuring solar panels, heat pumps and EV chargers. If that sounds a little extreme, adding a low-energy furnace and water heater can significantly impact the environment for the greater good. A word of advice would be to check out the Government of Canada website to see what kind of Environmental retrofit benefits your home can qualify for!
Dual Purpose Spaces
Over the past few years, our homes have had to adjust to our ever-growing needs to be at home for longer periods of time and rooms have transformed into offices, classrooms, gyms and entertainment spaces. Rooms that were once just spare rooms are now an office with a Murphy bed, creating form and function all in one. Organizational containers, shelves, and multi-purpose furniture are the best way to create a comfortable dual-purpose space.
My living room has also become a gym, meditation room, and yoga mats and dumbbells have taken over—a tall decorative basket resolved this issue!
Outside Living
Choose an excellent patio set, barbeque and a few warm throw blankets and bring the party outside. Summer is a great time to enjoy outdoor activities and food. Use the 2022 trends mentioned in this blog as a guide to style your outdoor deck or patio with natural but bold colours, organic fibres, and textures. They should all play a role in your design.
This year’s Interior Design trends are unique yet cohesive and every option on this list is a winner. Put them all together for an Instagram-worthy look! If you are ready to start your interior design dreams and want to find a great new home in Saskatoon to test them out contact me for all you local real estate needs!
Which of these trends will you incorporate into your home this year? Any you’ve already got?