Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
How to make your home as easy to maintain as possible
Copy of a great article by Marc Atiyolil, celebrity designer
Dear Marc:
I am a mother of three and have a full time job. When it was just my husband and me living in our house, I found it easier to maintain and clean. There was less traffic and I had more time available to dust and clean because I didn’t have my kids to take care of. I have to say with my kids being at a young age, I want to spend time with them when I get home, as opposed to having to clean for hours at a time, and then put them to bed. I don’t want to be remembered as the mom who never spent time with her kids. Can you give me tips on how I can make my home easier to maintain so that I have more time to spend with my kids?
— Beatrice
Dear Beatrice:
It is understandable that you want to spend time with your children when they are young because they won’t be young forever. Every homeowner struggles between having a designer space and being able to maintain this beautiful space they have created. Let’s face it, some of the spaces we consider “chic” would take us hours to clean and dust.
As a working mother, you must prioritize and customize your design to fit your lifestyle. Your first step to modifying your design is to figure out exactly how much time you have to maintain your home. Once you have determined the amount of time you have to clean and maintain, you will be better able to decide what stays and what has to be changed.
The first thing that most parents have in their homes that is not necessary is an excess of accessories. They clutter up our homes, take hours to dust and the kids usually end up dropping them and they break. So, why do we clutter up our homes with accessories? Homeowners think the more accessories they have, the better. Well, this is not the case. Examine the designer spaces seen in magazines. These spaces are usually simple and use distinct accessories that add to the overall design. Each accessory is carefully chosen and placed in the room. They are not there because the designer had an extra piece that didn’t fit into any other room in the home so they decided “Why not place it here?”
The trick to decluttering your home is to prioritize your accessories. Which ones actually fit into your colour scheme? If an accessory doesn’t fit into your colour scheme, then it doesn’t belong in your design. There is one exception — if the accessory is a family heirloom or a painting from the kids, you probably want to keep it. Even these elements can easily be modified to fit your design. If grandma’s antique chair doesn’t fit into the colour scheme, have it re-upholstered. If it was grandma’s chair, it’s probably due to be reupholstered to cover up the years of wear and tear and it will look great once it’s redone. In another scenario where it is a child’s painting, change the frame or the matting of the piece to suit your colour scheme. With a creative mind and an eye for colour, every design element can easily be modified to fit one’s colour scheme.
Also look at different colours and textiles when modifying your design. One colour every family should avoid is white. Let’s face it: no matter how much we try to keep it white, it’s just not going to happen. I have white leather chairs in my home and even I, with no children, have to be extra careful because I could stain them simply by sitting on them when wearing blue jeans. White leather is just too much maintenance.
Another maintenance friendly idea is to try to have patterns in your fabrics. Nothing camouflages a stain like a busy patterned fabric. Why do you think restaurants always go with patterned fabrics for their chairs and booths? If a customer spills his drink on the fabric, the restaurant does not have to re-upholster the entire chair. Let’s take this tip of the trade and use this in our homes as well.
There are a number of ways to create a low-maintenance design. The key is to keep things simple and take into account your family’s lifestyle when designing. Ask yourself this question, “who will essentially be using this space when I am done designing it?” The answer to this question will guide you in the right direction to creating your family-friendly design.
Marc Atiyolil, celebrity designer and home trend expert is the editor-in-chief of Canadian Home Trends — Canada’s Home Decor & Lifestyle Magazine, and regular contributor to numerous TV, radio and print media.
Dear Marc:
I am a mother of three and have a full time job. When it was just my husband and me living in our house, I found it easier to maintain and clean. There was less traffic and I had more time available to dust and clean because I didn’t have my kids to take care of. I have to say with my kids being at a young age, I want to spend time with them when I get home, as opposed to having to clean for hours at a time, and then put them to bed. I don’t want to be remembered as the mom who never spent time with her kids. Can you give me tips on how I can make my home easier to maintain so that I have more time to spend with my kids?
— Beatrice
Dear Beatrice:
It is understandable that you want to spend time with your children when they are young because they won’t be young forever. Every homeowner struggles between having a designer space and being able to maintain this beautiful space they have created. Let’s face it, some of the spaces we consider “chic” would take us hours to clean and dust.
As a working mother, you must prioritize and customize your design to fit your lifestyle. Your first step to modifying your design is to figure out exactly how much time you have to maintain your home. Once you have determined the amount of time you have to clean and maintain, you will be better able to decide what stays and what has to be changed.
The first thing that most parents have in their homes that is not necessary is an excess of accessories. They clutter up our homes, take hours to dust and the kids usually end up dropping them and they break. So, why do we clutter up our homes with accessories? Homeowners think the more accessories they have, the better. Well, this is not the case. Examine the designer spaces seen in magazines. These spaces are usually simple and use distinct accessories that add to the overall design. Each accessory is carefully chosen and placed in the room. They are not there because the designer had an extra piece that didn’t fit into any other room in the home so they decided “Why not place it here?”
The trick to decluttering your home is to prioritize your accessories. Which ones actually fit into your colour scheme? If an accessory doesn’t fit into your colour scheme, then it doesn’t belong in your design. There is one exception — if the accessory is a family heirloom or a painting from the kids, you probably want to keep it. Even these elements can easily be modified to fit your design. If grandma’s antique chair doesn’t fit into the colour scheme, have it re-upholstered. If it was grandma’s chair, it’s probably due to be reupholstered to cover up the years of wear and tear and it will look great once it’s redone. In another scenario where it is a child’s painting, change the frame or the matting of the piece to suit your colour scheme. With a creative mind and an eye for colour, every design element can easily be modified to fit one’s colour scheme.
Also look at different colours and textiles when modifying your design. One colour every family should avoid is white. Let’s face it: no matter how much we try to keep it white, it’s just not going to happen. I have white leather chairs in my home and even I, with no children, have to be extra careful because I could stain them simply by sitting on them when wearing blue jeans. White leather is just too much maintenance.
Another maintenance friendly idea is to try to have patterns in your fabrics. Nothing camouflages a stain like a busy patterned fabric. Why do you think restaurants always go with patterned fabrics for their chairs and booths? If a customer spills his drink on the fabric, the restaurant does not have to re-upholster the entire chair. Let’s take this tip of the trade and use this in our homes as well.
There are a number of ways to create a low-maintenance design. The key is to keep things simple and take into account your family’s lifestyle when designing. Ask yourself this question, “who will essentially be using this space when I am done designing it?” The answer to this question will guide you in the right direction to creating your family-friendly design.
Marc Atiyolil, celebrity designer and home trend expert is the editor-in-chief of Canadian Home Trends — Canada’s Home Decor & Lifestyle Magazine, and regular contributor to numerous TV, radio and print media.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Condo board lords
Canada's borders span thousands of kilo-metres from coast to coast. The country is known for its vast expanse and abundance of space. In its urban centres, however, it has experienced steady increases in population density, creating the opportunity, and necessity, for an entire industry of condominium development. I should know. In my zeal to move from the north end of the city to the downtown King West neighbourhood, I became a condo owner, finding it the most convenient (and affordable) way to live downtown. It's a decision that hasn't disappointed. My "commute" to work is a five-minute walk. Everything I need, from a dry cleaner to my favourite yoga studio, is just outside my door. And I no longer have to deal with summers of grass-cutting or winters of driveway-shovelling. But I do have to deal with the condo board.
Oh, the condo board. The focus of a love-hate relationship for many owners. Here's a little background on the way a condo runs.
Where the owner of a detached freehold house may act as the king of their kingdom, the owner of a condominium is more like a citizen in a democratic land. Owners (considered the members of the official-sounding Condominium Corporation, a.k. a the condo) elect a board of directors (also known as the condo board) whose main responsibility is to make decisions about the building, its rules and its maintenance, on behalf of the owners. The board, in turn, hires a property management company, which runs the day-to-day activities of the building, including arranging for maintenance, cleaning and superintendant services.
Members of the board are typically elected on staggered one-, two-or three-year terms, so that the composition of the board is constantly changing to reflect a broad range of expertise and experience. Boards are usually made up of three to seven members (the actual number will be listed in the condo rules and regulations) who are all owners, and new members are elected at the annual general meeting as terms expire. The main responsibilities of the board are to ensure that the building runs smoothly, that owners' best interests are represented and that the value of the condo and its units is maintained. In practical terms, that means the board makes decisions on everything from the condo bylaws, to repairs of common elements. They also set the annual budget, which may include deciding whether there should be a change in maintenance fees paid by owners. With all their power, it may sound like the condo board has the final word on all things condo-related, but board members have their own set of rules to follow; they are governed by the provincial Condominium Property Act, which outlines how they must administer condo rules, how funds are accounted for and how the corporation must save for large expenses.
With condo boards representing such a large and diverse group of owners, all with different ideas, interests and beliefs, it's not surprising that there is often dissent among some owners and the board. While one group may agree with a board decision wholeheartedly, there will no doubt be others that oppose the decision with a vehemence rivalling Lady Gaga's opposition to pants. In my condo, tensions between the board and some owners once rose to a level necessitating lawyers' letters and Internet rants, creating an uncomfortably tense atmosphere that has thankfully subsided. It's understandable how tensions can arise, however, since there seems to be a central belief that, as a homeowner, I can do whatever I want with my property. In a condo, this freedom is significantly limited. Renovations, outdoor decor, even the colour of my blinds, are all governed by the rules of my building and administered by the condo board. As we all learned in the sandboxes of our youth, when you share space with others, you have to learn to share and play nice.
One way to ensure your ideas are heard is to become a member of the board. It's not for everyone. Sitting on the board requires a significant investment of time and effort, but board members have the power to vote on decisions that directly affect their home. On the other hand, they're also on the receiving end of owners' questions, comments and complaints on what can feel like a daily basis. So before volunteering to run for any board position, weigh the pros and cons, and figure out if you're the right person for the job. Board members should have the time and energy necessary to serve their position well and become educated about the inner workings of the Condo Corp.; the condo board at my building meets monthly, but communicates informally with owners on a day-to-day basis. They need to have excellent listening skills, great teamwork skills and a sense of diplomacy that will come in handy during disagreements with owners, or even the other board members. They need to be patient, hardworking, flexible and, above all, they must keep the owners' best interests as the central focus for every decision.
Love them or hate them, condo boards are a fact of life for condo owners. The best way to handle them is to become well-versed in the condo's rules and regulations, to maintain a sense of humour and grace and, if you're up for some hard work, run for a position on the board and become a key player in running your building.
Thank you to : National Post
http://agentsbysector.com
Oh, the condo board. The focus of a love-hate relationship for many owners. Here's a little background on the way a condo runs.
Where the owner of a detached freehold house may act as the king of their kingdom, the owner of a condominium is more like a citizen in a democratic land. Owners (considered the members of the official-sounding Condominium Corporation, a.k. a the condo) elect a board of directors (also known as the condo board) whose main responsibility is to make decisions about the building, its rules and its maintenance, on behalf of the owners. The board, in turn, hires a property management company, which runs the day-to-day activities of the building, including arranging for maintenance, cleaning and superintendant services.
Members of the board are typically elected on staggered one-, two-or three-year terms, so that the composition of the board is constantly changing to reflect a broad range of expertise and experience. Boards are usually made up of three to seven members (the actual number will be listed in the condo rules and regulations) who are all owners, and new members are elected at the annual general meeting as terms expire. The main responsibilities of the board are to ensure that the building runs smoothly, that owners' best interests are represented and that the value of the condo and its units is maintained. In practical terms, that means the board makes decisions on everything from the condo bylaws, to repairs of common elements. They also set the annual budget, which may include deciding whether there should be a change in maintenance fees paid by owners. With all their power, it may sound like the condo board has the final word on all things condo-related, but board members have their own set of rules to follow; they are governed by the provincial Condominium Property Act, which outlines how they must administer condo rules, how funds are accounted for and how the corporation must save for large expenses.
With condo boards representing such a large and diverse group of owners, all with different ideas, interests and beliefs, it's not surprising that there is often dissent among some owners and the board. While one group may agree with a board decision wholeheartedly, there will no doubt be others that oppose the decision with a vehemence rivalling Lady Gaga's opposition to pants. In my condo, tensions between the board and some owners once rose to a level necessitating lawyers' letters and Internet rants, creating an uncomfortably tense atmosphere that has thankfully subsided. It's understandable how tensions can arise, however, since there seems to be a central belief that, as a homeowner, I can do whatever I want with my property. In a condo, this freedom is significantly limited. Renovations, outdoor decor, even the colour of my blinds, are all governed by the rules of my building and administered by the condo board. As we all learned in the sandboxes of our youth, when you share space with others, you have to learn to share and play nice.
One way to ensure your ideas are heard is to become a member of the board. It's not for everyone. Sitting on the board requires a significant investment of time and effort, but board members have the power to vote on decisions that directly affect their home. On the other hand, they're also on the receiving end of owners' questions, comments and complaints on what can feel like a daily basis. So before volunteering to run for any board position, weigh the pros and cons, and figure out if you're the right person for the job. Board members should have the time and energy necessary to serve their position well and become educated about the inner workings of the Condo Corp.; the condo board at my building meets monthly, but communicates informally with owners on a day-to-day basis. They need to have excellent listening skills, great teamwork skills and a sense of diplomacy that will come in handy during disagreements with owners, or even the other board members. They need to be patient, hardworking, flexible and, above all, they must keep the owners' best interests as the central focus for every decision.
Love them or hate them, condo boards are a fact of life for condo owners. The best way to handle them is to become well-versed in the condo's rules and regulations, to maintain a sense of humour and grace and, if you're up for some hard work, run for a position on the board and become a key player in running your building.
Thank you to : National Post
http://agentsbysector.com
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
House prices to fall next year
A “demand-driven downturn” will drive house prices lower by the end of 2011, the association which represents the country’s 100,000 real estate agents said Wednesday.
In an updated market forecast, the Canadian Real Estate Association said the national average resale price will reach a record $325,400 by the end of this year, a gain of 1.6 per cent from current levels.
And while most markets are expected to post “modest” price gains in 2011, lower prices Ontario and British Columbia will drag the national average down by 2.2 per cent.
Its January forecast called for a 1.5-per-cent decline.
“With interest rates soon expected to rise, Canada is widely believed to be entering a typical demand-driven downturn due to recent prices increases and rising interest rates,” said the organization’s chief economist Gregory Klump.
Tougher mortgage qualification rules and the threat of higher interest rates caused many buyers to jump into the market sooner than they may have otherwise, he said, effectively stealing sales from the second half of the year.
“CREA had previously forecasted sales would remain at elevated levels through the first half of 2010 before easing in the second half of the year and over 2011,” the association said in a statement.
“It has been pulled forward, with the fourth quarter of 2009 marking the peak of national activity. This has had the effect of lowering the forecast for national activity over the rest of the year and in 2011.”
CREA expects 490,600 units will be sold this year, a 5.5 per cent jump over 2009 and the second highest level on record. Sales will drop by 8.5 per cent in 2011, however, compared to its previous forecast of 7.1 per cent.
There is no threat of a “U.S.-style housing price correction,” CREA said, because of “Canada’s solid mortgage market trends, conservative lending practices, and prudent borrowing by home buyers.”
The report echoes a recent reports, which have also predicted prices will move lower in the next year. CIBC World Markets economist Benjamin Tal said last week that prices could fall by as much as 10 per cent in the next two years.
TD Bank suggested last month prices could fall by 2.7 per cent in 2011, while Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. called for higher prices in 2011, with an anticipated gain of 1.3 per cent.
From: Steve Ladurantaye
Globe and Mail Update
http://agentsbysector.com
In an updated market forecast, the Canadian Real Estate Association said the national average resale price will reach a record $325,400 by the end of this year, a gain of 1.6 per cent from current levels.
And while most markets are expected to post “modest” price gains in 2011, lower prices Ontario and British Columbia will drag the national average down by 2.2 per cent.
Its January forecast called for a 1.5-per-cent decline.
“With interest rates soon expected to rise, Canada is widely believed to be entering a typical demand-driven downturn due to recent prices increases and rising interest rates,” said the organization’s chief economist Gregory Klump.
Tougher mortgage qualification rules and the threat of higher interest rates caused many buyers to jump into the market sooner than they may have otherwise, he said, effectively stealing sales from the second half of the year.
“CREA had previously forecasted sales would remain at elevated levels through the first half of 2010 before easing in the second half of the year and over 2011,” the association said in a statement.
“It has been pulled forward, with the fourth quarter of 2009 marking the peak of national activity. This has had the effect of lowering the forecast for national activity over the rest of the year and in 2011.”
CREA expects 490,600 units will be sold this year, a 5.5 per cent jump over 2009 and the second highest level on record. Sales will drop by 8.5 per cent in 2011, however, compared to its previous forecast of 7.1 per cent.
There is no threat of a “U.S.-style housing price correction,” CREA said, because of “Canada’s solid mortgage market trends, conservative lending practices, and prudent borrowing by home buyers.”
The report echoes a recent reports, which have also predicted prices will move lower in the next year. CIBC World Markets economist Benjamin Tal said last week that prices could fall by as much as 10 per cent in the next two years.
TD Bank suggested last month prices could fall by 2.7 per cent in 2011, while Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. called for higher prices in 2011, with an anticipated gain of 1.3 per cent.
From: Steve Ladurantaye
Globe and Mail Update
http://agentsbysector.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)