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Your Home Connection
printable version
Summer 2005
A R C H I V E S
In this issue
Selling that summer feeling - and bringing it home
What's cooking in kitchen renovations
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Renewing your mortgage? Don't hesitate to call me. I can help you find the right mortgage or, if you are thinking of that kitchen renovation, I can help with an equity mortgage.
My family has lots of fun adventures planned for the summer, including a trip to Osoyoos. Send me a postcard telling me about your family's summer fun and I will enter it in a draw.
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Selling that summer feeling - and bringing it home
How to add a summer atmosphere to your home.
When it's summer outside, there is no denying the excitement, no hiding the change in emotions, no disguising the happiness in an afternoon barbeque or a morning garneding session.
Without a doubt, the summertime atmosphere can add a wonderful jolt of energy.
Why not transfer that outdoor atmosphere into your home?
Here are some great ideas that can put your house in touch with the season and make the indoors replicate the outdoors:
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Produce Pizzazz
Use seasonal fruits and vegetables as your kitchen or dining room table's centerpiece.
Apples or lemons in a clear bowl or vase are a popular look.
Implement summer colours such as yellow and blue for a great effect.
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Get Rugged with no Rug
Rather than walking over a thin rug all summer, remove it for the season and keep the floors bare.
Hardwood floors provide a cooling feeling on feet in the summertime.
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Cool Colours
There are a never-ending assortment of cool colours in which a room can be painted.
Choose a room, perhaps the guestroom, as a "summer room" and paint the walls a seasonal hue.
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Something Dish-fferent
For a different look, replace your usual dish set with a summer one.
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T O P O F P A G E
What's cooking in kitchen renovations
Think of your kitchen as the social hub of your home.
Undoubtedly, it's the most trafficked area in your house and is probably where your family fathers the most.
It's also the room where you prepare your meals and most likely, where you do most of your entertaining.
With so much functionality, it should coms as no surprise to discover that the kitchen is considered to be the most important room in the house.
In fact, 58 percent of Canadians polled in the 2003 Royal LePage National Home Attitude Study cited the kitchen as having the most impact on potential buyers.
When considering a home renovation, remodelling the kitchen is a top priority for many.
Whether considering a complete redesign or a few minor touchups to add some pizzazz, the following options will help make a significant difference.
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Countertops
A countertop serves as the main focal point of a kitchen and a new one can dramatically impact the look and feel of the busiest room in your house.
If an upscale look is what you're after, granite is the most popular choice.
This natural stone is waterproof and heatproof when sealed and is also durable and stain-resistant.
Manmade solid-surfaces are available in a variety of colours and patterns and boast a rich luxurious look.
These surfaces are easily maintained with everyday cleansers and most signs of wear and tear can easily be buffed out.
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Cabinets
Top quality cabinets can last a lifetime. Equipped with great hardware and built with elaborate finishing systems, new cabinets can spark up an outdated kitchen
When choosing cabinet height, consider the height of your ceilings.
For eight-foot ceilings, cabinets should reach the ceiling. for ceilings that are higher than eight feet, 15 to 18 inches should be left above the cabinets.
If you are looking to make a dramatic transformation but don't want to break the bank, paint can be used for an instant cabinet makeover.
Visit your local paint store for the latest tips and techniques.
The choice of hardware can be used to significantly enhance the look and feel of cabinetry.
Simply adding chrome knobs and handles can update a traditional kitchen with a contemporary edge.
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Floors
Hardwood floors have become a popular choice for kitchen flooring.
Although often discouraged because of traffic considerationsand proximity to water, many are choosing hardwood for its chic look, electing style over practicality.
Laminate flooring offers an attractive and affordable alternative.
Available in a variety of patterns, durable laminate flooring is resistant to scratching, fading and denting.
Laminate flooring requires minimal maintenance - mopping and vacuuming are all that is necessary.
Ceramic tiles are renowned for being resilient and easy to care for - especially important in high traffic zones such as the kitchen.
With a wide variety of styles and colour selections, ceramic tiles offer an affordable choice for those looking for durability and style.
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T O P O F P A G E
Not intended to solicit properties currently listed for sale.
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