Tomorrow’s the big day!

The February issue of Home Décor and Renovations will hit the stands tomorrow morning.

The kitchen issue is full of great tips and inspiration!

Trend Alert

Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Hello Doily!

We can’t get enough of the delicate floral and lace patterns that were seen on the fashion runways for spring and summer. And we’ve spotted the trend in home décor too – it’s an ultra feminine nod to the traditional doily. -Sara Duck

Here are a couple of picks for the home:

Battenberg Iris Bracket. $22. Visit anthropologie.com

Doily Plate. $9 each. Visit pier1.ca

Guess who’s coming!

by Elisa Krovblit

I’ve been known to cross-border shop, but the days of those runs to Buffalo may be numbered. Why bother, Target is coming to Toronto. There’s going to be one close to my office, another close to my home, and yet another and another, giving me some great Canadian alternatives to paying duty.

There will be on near you too. Here’s the list:

Moving to the city

Jonathan and Drew Scott of the hit show Property Brothers offer tips and tricks when making the move from the ‘burbs to the big city.

Tim and Michelle had grown up in the ‘burbs. They were used to large lots with big homes and had no idea what was waiting for them in the big city. Tim had no interest in getting a small house in the city and Michelle was set on having all the high-end finishes she has seen in design magazines. This was definitely a tough project for Property Brothers. But, in the end, we were able to find them a house with great potential, and turned it into a home they would be happy to call their own.

Here are our 10 tips when moving into the city.

1 Let’s get physical and emotional
Buying a home is both a physical and emotional task, especially if you’re making the big move into the city where houses typically cost more per square foot. You shouldn’t feel you’re getting less bang for your buck, though, and we always encourage buyers to think of the positives on Property Brothers. The commuting time you save by living downtown can be spent with family, getting ahead at the office or simply enjoying life.

2 Know the neighbours
If you like quiet living out in the suburbs, you don’t have to lose this when moving to an urban area. Every city has a variety of communities, so whether it’s a quiet, established area or a bustling business district, you’ll be sure to find something you like. Spend time driving through the different neighbourhoods, talk with locals and familiarize yourself with the surroundings.

3 Expect the unexpected
Downtown houses tend to be older than those found in the suburbs, so do your research and read up on what to look for. Prime examples would be knob and tube wiring, foundation issues or asbestos. This is why it’s important to work with professionals who know the local market. Whether it’s a realtor, contractor or inspector, they’ll make your life easier by ensuring you don’t buy a money pit.

4 You may be out of your parents’ place but house rules still apply
Many properties in a city are governed by a home owner’s association (condos and single-family communities can have this). If you are new to this style of living, it’s important to realize that it comes with many regulations and restrictions. For example, you may need permission from the board to renovate your space, or to use certain types of materials on your exterior. Some condo complexes have pet restrictions, and may even limit what furnishing you can place on your balcony. As well, there are additional fees that usually cover maintenance, amenities and sometimes utilities. Don’t be discouraged, though. These regulations are in place to ensure quality of living and to help maintain the appeal of the complex. Just be sure to educate yourself fully on the community before buying.

5 Pets in the city
Aside from condo restrictions, you also need to consider other pet-friendly aspects of the neighbourhood. If you have a large dog that needs lots of room to run, be sure you have a dog-friendly park close by. Also, keep in mind that the city has more traffic than the suburbs and therefore can be very dangerous if your pet wanders off. Ensure it has its ID tags on at all times.

6 So close, yet only a little further away
Just because you are moving to the city doesn’t mean you have to live right in the downtown core. By simply looking for a house a few blocks away, you may be able to save thousands, get more square footage and still have all the conveniences of downtown amenities.

7 Traffic vs transit
Prepare yourself for more traffic in the city. This is why we always recommend buying a home close to public transit, as it gives you one extra tool against traffic delays. This will also give the home resale value since the majority of people in a city like the convenience of not having the expenses of owning a vehicle. If you think about it, a 30-minute drive in rush hour could be reduced to a 10-minute commute via transit.

8 To park or not to park, that is the question
You may be used to free street parking, long driveways and three-car garages, but it’s a different story in the city. Parking comes at a premium. Be sure to weigh the pros and cons of paying to own your parking versus relying on rental or street usage. If you find that public transit is your primary mode of travel, then you may be able to save even more by getting rid of your car. There are also ‘per use’ vehicle services in most major cities, with auto share vehicles that can be handy if you require only occasional wheels.

9 The sounds of downtown
The city comes with added noise. Is your house under a flight path? Are you backed onto the rail line or near a nightclub? These are major concerns for many when buying in the city. Drive through your potential community at different times of day to see if there are any surprises. Also keep in mind that the city has tighter noise restrictions for you, too. So, the late night karaoke parties you do every Friday may need to wrap up early.

10 Take your pick
It can cost more if a contractor needs to travel to the ‘burbs for a job. In the city, you have more contractors and therefore more competitive pricing (still, check them out thoroughly). This is the same for vendor pricing. With big box stores, specialty shops – and everything in between – you will have a greater selection of products at very competitive prices.

Watch the Property Brothers Thursdays at 9p.m. on the W Network.

Drew and Jonathan Scott Property brothers
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

Tangerine dream

Inspired by this year’s bright, bold Pantone colour of the year, Tangerine Tango – managing editor Sara Duck has a definite orange crush and shares her product picks for your home.

Velvet and Burlap Studded Bergère Chair. $500. Visit homesense.ca

Mia Table Lamp in Paprika. $139. Visit westelm.com

Aurora Rug. $1,698. Visit anthropologie.com

Perfectly Paisley

Embroidered Paisley Pillow in Blue. $45. Visit pier1.ca

By Sara Duck

Although the paisley motif is a notable trend in the décor world at the moment, this pretty pattern has been around for centuries and can be traced back to Indian and Iranian origins. Turning up on everything from furniture to pottery, this exotic design can make a bold statement in the home, and can add just the right amount of vibrancy to a room. For example, if your living room is lacking lustre, why not try a set of coloured, paisley printed pillows on the sofa or an upholstered accent chair? Kick your boudoir up a notch by placing a large, beautiful paisley rug underneath your bed. Paisley in key areas of the home that need a little TLC can add an instant update.

When Green goes mainstream

By Paul Golini Jr.

I have to remind myself that going green isn’t mainstream yet, but sometimes that’s hard to do. Lately, I’ve been feeling like Green technology, Green products and Green ideas are everywhere. This could be the result of my participation in the largest Green building conference to hit our city – Greenbuild. The US Green Building Council’s annual conference brought 25,000 people from the global Green industry to Toronto back in early October.

Or, it could be the result of our continued efforts to Green BILD. The Association headquarters has been retrofitted with energy-efficient windows, and we did a complete lighting overhaul with the installation of motion sensors, timers and setbacks throughout the building.

Earlier this year, we installed 80 solar PV panels on our rooftop, and since then, 8,000 kilowatt hours of electricity have been generated and fed back into Ontario’s power grid. And just last month, we had all of the carpet replaced with a new one manufactured with 20 per cent recycled content. The new carpet also received a Green Label Plus designation, which is a program that tests for, and certifies, low emissions from carpet and adhesive.

BILD has a proven track record of leading by example, and for that, the Association was recently recognized as the EnerQuality Leader of the Year. The Association has undertaken a number of pro-active Green initiatives, including Green education and training partnerships, as well as demonstration projects such as the Archetype Sustainable House.

Our members have also been increasingly keen to get involved with green initiatives. We have a Green Leadership Committee, which has established a Green Renovation Task Force and our Renovators’ Council has a Green sub-committee. Through those forums, there is a sharing of information and access to support Green projects.

One recent example was when our Green Leadership Committee members received first access to a call for submissions by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). The Authority was looking for a general contractor and project manager for its Green Home Makeover as part of its Sustainable Neighbourhoods Retrofit Action Plan in a Brampton community. One of our RenoMark contractors and BILD member companies, Keystone Interiors, was selected and the project is now in its final stages.

At the last Renovators’ Council meeting, Shannon Logan from TRCA and Emilio Cosentino from Keystone, explained all of the new technologies and products installed in the 1980s single-detached home such as new insulation, low-flow fixtures, an efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, water-smart landscaping and much more. Key to their presentation was that any of the retrofits could easily be done to upgrade an existing home. For the next two years,
TRCA will be monitoring the energy and water consumption in the home so that they can share real results with the homeowners, neighbours and anyone who will listen.

I know our members are listening, and it sure seems like consumers are listening. Now all we have to do is continue to spread the word, and before we know it, going Green will be mainstream.

Paul Golini Jr.
Paul Golini Jr. is chair of the Building
Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) and can be found online on
Twitter (twitter.com/bildgta), Facebook (facebook.com/bildgta), Youtube
(youtube.com/bildgta) and BILD’s official blog (bildblogs.ca).

forecasting trends

Picture courtesy of BoConcepts

By Glen Peloso

WITH THE BEGINNING OF A NEW YEAR, trendspotting is top of mind for the fashionistas –and these style mavens influence the world of home décor as well. It used to take weeks or months for fashion trends to show up in home décor, but in the digital age, social media and other tools are bringing these worlds together almost simultaneously.

Here are my top picks for 2012 home trends:

Materials
We are seeing “reclaimed” materials becoming increasingly popular. Reclaimed woods and refurbished industrial items and materials afford a weathered look that can add texture and interest to your home.

Eras
Silhouettes from the mid-century period remain popular, with industrial designers such as Eames and Mies a source of inspiration. The design trend is to be eclectic in style, where modern elements of clean-lined sofas are mixed with an old soda crate from the 1930s and 1940s or a sideboard from the ’60s.

Fabric & Patterns
When it comes to fabric patterns, we draw from a completely international influence. Think pop art and Bauhaus motifs influenced with a hand-painted look, to washed-out Shanghai flowers with a smoky feel. Internationally, we see many fabrics that have a tribal or ethnic print in a handcrafted detail, as well as bohemian folk art with paisleys. A natural hand-aesthetic feeling, contributed by individual artists as opposed to mass production, is prevalent. Abstract patterns seem to be coming from natural elements such as microscopic close-up cells or organic matter with a tie-died feel.

Colour Palette
The colour palette continues to use a warm grey as a neutral. This is a grey that is sometimes called “taupe,” containing a brown undertone. Accent colours, on the other hand, will include earth tones often seen in of the garden.

Soft yellows, greens, reds and blues are part of the 2012 palette. In the red spectrum, look for fun colour that includes oranges and pink tones. Think pumpkins and the soft red blush of flower petals.

In the yellow family, the golden and sunny hues seen in natural blonde hair and the colour of a marigold will be prevalent.

In the green colour range, we are looking at a hue with a teal tinge, as well as more intense greens found in camouflage or soft leaf greens.

In blues, deep, dark tones head toward charcoal, evoking the mystery of night. These are all colours that can easily be found in nature.

Fashionistas used to tell the world of home décor to catch up, and now that it has, you can anticipate the colour palette and pattern influences simply by strolling down Bloor St. to get your inspiration from a little window-shopping. Enjoy a croissant and café while you’re at it, to make your trendspotting outing much more pleasant!

Glen Peloso
Glen Peloso, design editor at Home Décor and Renovations and principal designer of Glen Peloso Interiors, has been designing spaces for commercial, corporate and residential clients for more than 15 years. You’ll recognize Glen as the host of such television design shows as Restaurant Makeover, Take This House & Sell It and Renovate My Wardrobe, to name a few, as well as from speaking engagements at home shows across Canada. glenpelosointeriors.com

The eco reno

Lydia McNutt chats with Peter Khatami, co-owner of Nostco Construction, to get the lowdown on eco-friendly renovations, how they’re done and when you need to surrender your tools to the pros.

Q What are the top three ways to incorporate energy efficiency into your home renovation?
A Use energy-efficient appliances and products. Energy Star is a government-backed program for energy efficiency that was established to make it easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy-efficient products that offer savings on energy bills. Everything from plumbing, roofing, lighting, heating and cooling, insulating, appliances and even electronics could bear the symbol. Look for the logo on your next purchase.

Insulate. Most homes are under-insulated, and
all too often homeowners overlook the importance
of this vital component in the energy efficiency of
their home.

Seal all the gaps that are causing air leaks from your home. This could be as simple as applying caulking around windows and doors.

Q Water- and energy-saving appliances and features for the home are more expensive, but do they pay off in the long run?
A Removing the “eco-friendly” side of the argument from the equation, consider that almost every product in your house has two prices. The first being the purchase price and the second being the maintenance and operating cost. Energy-efficient products can dramatically reduce your utility costs and last longer than “conventional” alternatives. Energy Star products have been evaluated to ensure that their initial additional purchase price is offset by the energy savings of using that product over a relatively short amount of time.

Q Do you have a lot of clients asking for eco-friendly features?
A As much as I would love to say “yes,” the unfortunate truth is that the clients who do are few and far between. I suspect that a lack of consumer awareness about the different products available to us is the main cause.

Q Are there environmentally friendly ways to take care of reno waste?
A Absolutely, and since diverting products away from the landfill is the name of the game, consider donating to charity, selling or giving away as many of your appliances and furnishings as you can for starters. Next, separate your cardboard. You might be surprised but cardboard probably represents about 10 per cent of all the waste from a conventional reno. You can also recycle your plastics and even sell some of your metal scraps. These are all relatively simple and easy measures that we can all take to do our part.

Peter Khatami
Peter is co-owner of Nostco Construction, a design/build, project management and contracting firm serving residential and commercial clients throughout the GTA. With more than 10 years of industry experience, Peter prides himself in working tirelessly on behalf of his clients to transform vision to successful reality on every project. nostco.com