Home improvement

Design Trends That Can Lead to Huge Regrets

by Bevony on 17 March 2021 Comments Off on Design Trends That Can Lead to Huge Regrets

Overdoing trends can lead to big regrets for many homeowners. Today we want to help steer you away from overdoing trends. Trends tend to be bold, daring, and thought-provoking, and it is easy to fall victim to their charm. Because they are new and noteworthy, it is easy to want to jump onto the wagon, but you will want to play it safe and avoid getting too on-trend with the fixed elements in your home. Leave the excitement to the accessories and accents. 

Designers have the expertise to make trends work in a home harmoniously and sympathetically, ensuring beautiful home decor. But when left to your own devices you may not have the touch to provide that balance between too little and too much. 

There is a lot of regret from homeowners and a survey done in the UK showed that 61% of participants had regrets of making their homes “too industrial” while another 52% which they had not gotten pulled in by the trend of open shelving. While the actual trends themselves may not be the problem, it is more likely the way they went about applying the trends in their home. 

Know What Works

You want to look at the style of your home before you decide on decor. For example, if you have a traditional style home you won’t find industrial decor suiting int well but you could add an industrial flair to your urban downtown condo. 

Remember those salad bowl vessel sinks from the late ‘90s, those may be a regrettable choice as today we have moved to straight lines and sinks carved from natural stone for a more rustic and modern mountain style. 

Then there was the trend of open shelving. This one is still working well with modern designs. You will see this concept in kitchen designs and it follows the “less is more” approach. Kitchens nowadays have less adornment and open shelves that allow space for not just your usual kitchen inhabitants but also for beautiful objects that have been carefully curated to be left on display. This way you can have a functional item also acting as a decorative item. 

How Much Regret Are We Talking About?

When it comes to blindly following a trend, you can end up with a decrease in the value of your property. Yes, you read that right, following the wrong trend or indulging too much in a trend can lead to a decrease in property value. On your regret evaluation, scale how big of a regret would a decrease in your property value be?

Play it safe, keep the fixed elements in your home boring if we may use that word and add the touches of trend in the accent and accessory items that you can easily change and move around. So what trends should you stay away from? Or what trends should you not dive into the deep end with? 

  • Leather sofas
  • Wall texture 
  • Chic shabby furniture 

What’s The Better Option?

We aren’t saying you shouldn’t use any of the above, what we are saying is that you should not go overboard. Right now, in the pandemic, we all are spending more time at home and so a relaxed piece of furniture such as your sofa is something you want to be comfortable and inviting. You can swap things around by adding a slipcover. This way when the trend changes you can change it out without completely purchasing new furniture.

We mentioned leather sofas, and the truth is that the modern leather sofa is not the same as the ones our parents had in the 70s. Ours are more streamlined and are available in more than that one shade of brown so you can find something that works with your home and with your vibe. 

Wall textures are another thing that have come back in, but you can now choose monochromatic options or tones and colors that work well with your furniture and your lifestyle without clashing with other items in the room. The bottom line is to be mindful, to be deliberate and keep the core of the space neutral. Get trendy with the accessories, with the accents and with the decor while keeping the main items safe. 

In Conclusion

Trends come, and they go, some stay longer than others, and yet others come back around soon after disappearing. Revamping major items in your home with every new trend will be exhausting mentally, physically and financially. Anything you do in your home that doesn’t make it feel more like you or yours is something you will regret. So before you go gung-ho with a new trend, get some swatches, take them home and let them live with you for a couple days or weeks. Wait and see how you feel before you make the decision to do a drastic change that you may regret later on down the line. 

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BevonyDesign Trends That Can Lead to Huge Regrets

Prioritizing Your Home Renovation

by Bevony on 19 February 2021 Comments Off on Prioritizing Your Home Renovation

If you are getting tired of seeing those same walls every day, maybe it’s time to get some work done on your house. With many of us staying inside a lot now, working from home, and homeschooling our kids, all we see is our home. For many what used to be a space, you loved coming home to is now a space you’re getting just a wee bit tired of. 

After spending a year at home for many, it’s easy to see all the things you wish about. Are you wishing your kitchen was nicer, or your bathroom was bigger? If you are that we understand, and we understand that you may be tempted to tackle the projects, especially if you can see how you can afford it. But we want to caution you about how to go about your home renovation in today’s article. 

Prioritize Your Renovations

You want to start with renovation tasks that will be the best option for your home in the long term. Before you engage a contractor you want to have an understanding of your home and the best way to keep it strong for years to come. That is the real priority at the end of the day. 

You want to start out by looking around your home, and we recommend you create two separate lists. These will be: 

  1. Need To-Do List

This list will have things that are related to your house’s health and structure. These can address an aging furnace, an old roof, creaky or drafty windows etc. 

You also want to look for anything odd like unexplained water stains or bubbling paints only in a particular area. Make note of these, even if you don’t know the exact issue, these are things you need to get looked at, and they are going to be a priority. 

  1. Want To-Do List 

This list includes those aesthetic overall goals, the dream renovation ideas you have that you saw on HGTV. These can include changing up your kitchen, adding a deck, a pool etc. Here you can also list jobs that you can do yourself or that can be complete in one day. 

If you find yourself with a very long Need To-Do list you are not alone so don’t be discouraged or intimidated by the list. 

Start With Structure

Now that you have made your lists and are ready to act on your needs, where do you start? Structure – you want to start with anything that will affect the structure of your home. So a failing roof, siding that is falling apart or cracks in your foundation are all great places to start. Pay attention to the parts of your home that keep sleet, rain and other moisture out of your home. These are very important to keep in tip-top condition. 

If there is anything you aren’t sure about, get a licensed contractor to look over your list and your home and help you decide where to start. If you found any oddities without apparent cause they may be able to help you figure out the cause so you can determine if these need to be prioritized or if they can go lower on the list or even into the want list. 

Going Through Your List

As you go through your list and get rid of things you may see that these items are affecting the items on your want to do list. So you may find yourself adding to your want list. For example, if you get a new roof, your water intrusion problems will be solved. So now you can add painting to your want list and get it done later on down the road. 

Whatever you want to add to your list, just keep adding and maintaining a priority. If you come up on a problem that has more priority than others that were previously on the list, then go ahead and replace whatever you need to when you rearrange your list. 

When you properly plan and prioritize your renovation you won’t go wrong. Always start with the structural concerns and then continue into your dream upgrades. 

If you are entirely tired of your current home and ready to move on to a new one, give us a call. We are custom home builders who can build your dream home from the ground up. Get the home that is made just for you right here at SilverBeam Homes

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BevonyPrioritizing Your Home Renovation

Good Real Estate Feng Shui for British Columbia

by Bevony on 10 February 2021 Comments Off on Good Real Estate Feng Shui for British Columbia

With its generous nature, mild climate and coastal location, British Columbia has a lot of going for it.  These are also reasons it is being touted as having the best feng shui in Canada right now. So we’re definitely seeing good feng shui this season. But what is feng shui anyway? Feng shui is about the implementation of the five natural elements; metal, water, fire, earth, and wood. 

With the lunar new year approaching, many Asian households are now looking to feng shui and good fortune. The word feng shui is derived from the Chinese term for “wind-water”. The system of feng shui is quite complex as it delves into polarity, astronomy, magnetic forces, and also architectural contribution. 

The Chinese consider feng shui to be linked to property and real estate intrinsically. They believe in a strong connection between health, wealth, energy, and estate. Some take it so seriously they only seek out buildings that have been feng shui approved because they want the best home life. 

How to Determine The Feng Shui Rating of a Property

To derive if a property is feng shui approved, a physical survey of the property is done. Also, a feng shui chart mapping is done which is a job done by only a professional feng shui consultant. These professionals are hired the world over to survey and chart different residential, industrial, and commercial properties. They work after construction as well as before and during. They believe that no matter where in the construction journey a building is or where it is located, its energy flow can be improved because that is just how easy it is to implement or improve feng shui. 

The practice of feng shui is logical as it is scientific even though it is often regarded as a psychogenic mystery. In feng shui, a building has a cycle of 20 years, so does their surroundings and so there can be a shift in energy forces even for places that had good feng shui to begin with. Feng shui consultants know the differences in shifts and know how to enhance the energy flow of property for its occupants. The aim is to improve your current living conditions. 

Why Is BC Experiencing Good Feng Shui

But back to BC’s feng shui. Is there a thing as a good real estate feng shui? Well turns out that according to feng shui consultant Yuen, British Columbia is in a good cycle. He explains the reasons he is of this assumption. 

  1. Location – the pacific coast’s beautiful environment with mild climate, fresh air and lush green spaces is key to having a good feng shui rating. 
  2. City planning 
  3. Government programs 
  4. Steady political climate
  5. Inclusive multicultural attitude
  6. The community spirit; the kind nature of the inhabitants. 

Are you considering making British Columbia your home? Do you have a home in mind? Do you have a custom home design you’ve always dreamed of building? Let us here at SilverBeam Homes help to make your dream a reality. Because we are home builders that can help you through every step of the process. Contact us today. 

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BevonyGood Real Estate Feng Shui for British Columbia

The Home Renovation Market for Greater Vancouver

by Bevony on 8 January 2021 Comments Off on The Home Renovation Market for Greater Vancouver

Not everybody is living in doom and gloom during the pandemic. Many are seeing the opportunities where they are and are moving to go and grab them. That is why people are looking to Surrey, Squamish and Coquitlam for home ownership. This is because the permitting times are shorter here. So one can purchase and renovate a home which is cheaper than buying a new one and can get the necessary work done in less time. 

How Do They Work So Fast on Renovating Shows?

How often do you watch home renovating shows? They can be really satisfying as you watch a property be transformed into a beautiful dwelling. But watching these shows and actually doing the process yourself are two different things. When it comes to the permitting process there are headaches and hiccups to be had. Even the pros on the shows have to submit like the rest of us but you just don’t see that part of the process. 

Waiting for Permits in Vancouver

Waiting for a building permit can take months. Often other things are filmed while they are waiting on the permits to be sorted. Also with multiple projects being worked on at the same time it is easier for them to provide the content without you seeing all the red tape they have to go through to get to the actual building and the actual transformation. 

Vancouver has a significant permit waiting time with some straightforward renovations waiting for up to a year. While there are people that are willing to wait for years for their homes, not everyone is like this. A Lot of this wait time is believed to be due to a backlog of applications. Over the past twenty years, the city of Vancouver has seen a number of new renovations and new builds. 

As professionals, we always warn our clients about the potential wait time when it comes to the permit process. We do all we can, so our clients are not stuck with a mortgage and house they can’t live in at the same time. But the reality is that this happens when you are not building your home from the ground up . So it would be a great idea for you to choose us to build your dream home. 

What to Do if You Want to Renovate

If you are looking to renovate we recommend you choose a home in one of these areas. They are Surrey, Squamish or Coquitlam as these areas have a shorter wait time when it comes to processing permits. These areas also offer more affordable prices as well for potential homeowners. 

We can help you make your dream of owning a home in Vancouver a reality. We are house builders for the Greater Vancouver and British Columbia areas. That home you have wanted with those specific design features does not have to elude you. Give us a call today, so we can set up consultations and show you how we can help make your dream a reality. 

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BevonyThe Home Renovation Market for Greater Vancouver

Preparing Your Home For Another Canadian Winter

by Bevony on 28 October 2020 Comments Off on Preparing Your Home For Another Canadian Winter

Regardless of the pandemic, you still have a bunch of things left on your to-do list for your home and yard. Canadians know how to withstand winter and can even flourish in those long cold months. But in order to do that we have to prepare for the season and ensure we are ready for its fierceness. While the government does their preparation for the winter, let’s help you get through your list and if you don’t have a list, use the one below. 

Seal Your Windows and Doors

If you are already feeling a draft by your windows or doors this is not a good thing. In the winter you want to keep all that cold air outside and keep your warm air inside. You should also check around your vents as well. If you find cracks in the caulking you will want to replace that. Opt for rubber caulking as this is the most weather resistant option and it is best at mimicking natural contraction and expansion that is caused by temperature changes. Check the weather, stripping around your doors and well and replace this if necessary. 

Insulate the Attic

Heat rises and so your attic will be the last line of defense against heat loss. You want to ensure that the insulation in your attic is at least 12 inches thick and properly layered. You will want to ideally have a vapor barrier as well. In the end you want your attic to be the same temperature as outside and without adequate sealing and insulation you may find the cold seeping back inside causing your heat costs to raise. 

Drain Hoses

Your watering days are going to be over for a while, so shut off your pipes and drain all your hoses. You also want to ensure that your sprinkler systems are drained and your taps are capped. Ensure you do this before the temperature falls below freezing, so you don’t end up with any frozen accumulation. You also want to drain your eaves of any water and make sure there are no leaves causing residual water backup after the fall. 

Bring In Window AC Units

Bring all your window units inside – we are pretty sure this is a no-brainer. 

Swab Your Deck

Store your patio furniture or cover them up. Bring in planters and pots that may crack in the cold or that have plants that will thrive inside. Once everything is put away or covered, you can clean the deck to ward off mildew and mold. If necessary, also reseal the deck if necessary. 

Trim the Trees – Not the Christmas Tree

Ice covered branches can look pretty, but they are not safe. So trim those trees before the snow, frost and ice starts. 

Tune Your Furnace

Clean your furnace to ensure it is working properly before the weather gets too cold. You may need to change the filter as well. Check on all ducts and vents to ensure that you will be experiencing a free flow of warm air when you need it the most. You may also want to have your chimney or fireplace inspected, especially if you haven’t done so in a while. 

Stock Up on Supplies

Do you need any supplies to manage the snow? Check on the condition of your shovels and get salt. You will want these to be available and easily accessible when the snow comes along. Now is the time to also have an emergency kit of perishables put together as well. This kit should include:

  • Non-perishable food items
  • Candles
  • Blankets
  • Drinking water (approx 2 liters per adult per day)
  • Matches
  • A battery powered radio
  • Flashlights 
  • Batteries

Are you ready for the winter season of 2020? Is your house ready for all the other seasons. Here at SilverBeam Homes we can help you with all your buying and selling needs. We can also give you great advice on maintenance and put you onto our team of preferred professionals. Contact us today!

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BevonyPreparing Your Home For Another Canadian Winter

Hello Fall – Great Time for Property Maintenance

by Bevony on 23 September 2020 Comments Off on Hello Fall – Great Time for Property Maintenance

Spring cleaning may excite some as you consider that you will have a wide array of colorful spring flowers ahead. But ahead of prepping for spring, you may want to think about some of the chores that you complete before winter. While they may not enhance the beauty of your property, these chores are important. This is because they prepare your property to deal with the snow, rain, and wind that comes along with the winter season. So what are the chores you should be doing this fall? Here are some of the tasks that should be on your fall chore checklist for 2020.

Change Your Filters

Your ventilation systems will need a look. Examine your filters to see if they are clogged. The cleaner your filters, the more effective they will be at ensuring you get the best quality air while in your house. 

Rake The Leaves

If you have trees, if your neighbor has trees, you have to rake. This is the one fall chore that most people can’t get away from. If you were in the practice of pushing your leaves over into the gutter, you should stop. When you do that, the rain comes and the wet leaves, clog the drains and then our streets get flooded. 

What you should do, is rake the leaves and then you have two options to deal with them. Either set them out with your organic household waste. Or you can use them for composting, so you can have this ready for next year’s garden and those lovely spring flowers. 

Check Gutters and Drain Pipes

Your gutters and drain pipes need attention now. You want to ensure they are not blocked up with any organic matter. This may lead to water backing up and later leaking into your home. 

Check Pipes

We don’t often have winters with a consistent cold snap of temperatures dipping below -5 degrees Celsius over five weeks or more. But if we do, would you be prepared for such weather? It happened in the winter of 2016. Many homeowners were not prepared and so pipes close to exterior walls burst. When they turned the heat down they came home to a not so nice, soggy mess. 

Fall is the best time to ensure that your pipes are in tip-top condition and also insulated. If you will be gone for an extended period you will fare better if you can turn the water off. You can also have a trustworthy friend or family member to check every other day or so. This can be handy when it comes to trying to claim insurance. The companies like when you can report and respond promptly. 

You also want to empty any water in hoses and disconnect those, Check on your outside taps and ensure you close them, cutting off the water supply entirely. 

When you follow the above tips you can winterize your home so that in the dark winter months you can be warm and cozy with no unpleasant surprises. This also ensures that your property value is maintained. And the best part is that it really only takes a little attention to detail every fall. Start this fall, by inspecting, updating and replacing the things that you need to keep your home in tip-top shape. 

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BevonyHello Fall – Great Time for Property Maintenance

Your Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

by Bevony on 22 July 2020 Comments Off on Your Summer Home Maintenance Checklist
Home Maintenance tips

Getting your home and yard into tip-top shape this summer will be easier than ever. Here’s everything you need to know and do. 

With every new season, there is a new set of maintenance tasks to take care of for your home. With summer here, you want to take the necessary steps to prepare your home and yard now before it gets too hot. Get as much done now so you don’t have to be doing outdoor maintenance tasks in the summer’s heat. 

There’s a lot to do, you need to check out that Air conditioning Unit or system and may even want to hang a clothesline. With heat and cooling costs increasing you can save by drying clothes outdoors. And if none of those apply to you, keep reading, you’re sure to find something. Let’s dig in!

Check Detectors

Your home may have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. You want to check these to see if they are working properly. Check batteries for lifespan and make changes if necessary. 

Check Cooling Systems

Your fans and air conditioners are about to be hit with their heaviest workload of the year. Ensure they are up for the task by giving them a check. If you don’t have AC units you may be able to easily install some window units or portable units yourself. If you have a central air conditioning unit you will need to have the unit professionally serviced. 

Have ceiling fans? Ensure those are clean. They can easily be cleaned with a damp rag. If your ceilings are high you can get a fan duster or other fan cleaning tool that will help you get to hard-to reach fan blades. 

Install Outdoor Clothesline

Now is a great time to give your electricity usage a bit of a break. With your use of more cooling devices or lower temperatures, you will be using more electricity. Why not take advantage of the heat outside and let your laundry dry out in the summer sun. Plus air-dried sheets smell the best!

Clean that Outdoor Grill/Cooker

Your cooker needs a deep clean before all those backyard barbecues this summer. Always check the manufacturer’s guide before you start. Here are some simple tips for cleaning your cooker. 

Gas Grills: turn your grill on, with the heat on high. With the lid closed, allow the grill to cook for around 30 minutes. Allow the grill to cool, then get your grill brush and brush away any debris. Wipe down the outside of the unit with a damp cloth or sponge along with a suitable cleanser and get rid of any dirt, gunk, or dust on drip pans appropriately. 

Charcoal Grills: Empty out your grill and wipe away any ashy residue you find. Clean the inside with hot water and some dishwashing soap and a scrub sponge or brush. Allow the grill to dry before you use it. 

Shine that Porch

Sweep and mop your porch with a surface suitable cleaner. If you have a buildup on the floors you may use a brush to scrub it away. 

Check on Your Deck

Look for signs of rotting on your deck. You also want to look for any nails that are coming loose. Check if your deck needs sealing by sprinkling some water onto the boards. If you see the water beading up then your boards are fine. If the water soaks away right away you have to reseal that deck

Clean Windows

Now is the best time to clean your windows on the outside. 

Mulch

Now is a great time to add mulch to your garden to keep weeds at bay. This will also help the ground to retain moisture through the summer heat to keep your plants vibrant and looking healthy as they continue to grow. 

Check for Leaks

Check all your hoses and faucets for leaks. A tiny drip can equal lots of water wasted. Even pinhole leaks in hoses can be a problem, but these are easy to mend. For small leaks, a wrap or two of electrical tape should do. For larger leaks, you may need to replace your hose and anything else may require you to get a plumber. 

Primp the Plants

If you have annuals or perennials you will need to deadhead them so that they can remain productive. If you have spring bulbs with visible dead foliage you will need to prune them, so they can have a well-groomed look. But only if their leaves aren’t all green. 

Plan a Timetable for Watering

This is a good time to train your garden so it can endure the harsh, dry days ahead. This also helps you to conserve water. Instead of watering your plants lightly on a daily basis give them a deep watering every couple days. This will help your plants to grow stronger and deeper roots.

Install Doormats

Keep the mud and dirt of summer on the outside by adding doormats at your entry doors. You want to have multiple mats, one coarse one on the outside to catch dirt, and a softer one on the inside. If you live close to the beach you may want to have a bucket, tub, or bottle of water that can be used to wash off sandy feet and sandals before they come into the house. 

There you have it! The 12 things you need to do to get your home summer-ready this year.  What are some of your summer maintenance tips? Share them in the comments section below, we’d love to know what we missed.

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BevonyYour Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

Accessorizing Your Home When the Reno Budget is Low – Part 2

by Bevony on 16 July 2020 Comments Off on Accessorizing Your Home When the Reno Budget is Low – Part 2

Last week we looked at a couple of tips to help you make your home feel a little new with just a few low budget changes. We pointed out a number of ways you can do this starting in your bathroom. If you haven’t seen that blog post yet, we recommend you go on over and read it here

This week we are back with more ways you can spruce up your home without spending money, time, and resources on a renovation. So let’s get right into it!

Hardware

A couple of door handle changes, towel rod changes, cabinet pulls and toilet holder changes can make a great visual impact. Consider these as the jewelry in a room, they are an easy way for you to change up the look of your space. 

Hardware is really what sets the stage for any room. For an on-trend vibe you can install hardware with a matte black finish or with a brass finish. 

Soft Decor

Spaces such as your living room and bedroom can benefit from an addition of or change of soft decor. Soft decor as the name suggests represents your soft decor items. Think pillows, throws, rugs, and cushions. These provide a great way to add a punch of color or pattern to a room. They can be used to create focal points and even as an expression of your love of artwork. 

Upgrade the Walls

If you can afford to, you can change your walls. This can be with a fresh coat of paint or two or even with some wallpaper. Now you don’t have to do an entire room. If you are opting for wallpaper most companies will calculate the amount you need for you based on the square footage of your room.  You can also use this online calculator.

You can opt to complete an accent wall to give your room and your home a totally different feel. If you are up for a bit of a challenge you can paint shapes onto a wall in different colors to create a unique accent wall with input from each family member. That would be a great way to involve the entire family in creating some character and some memories for your home and household. 

Note that there are types of wall decor that fall under the soft decor category as well. 

Change the Floorplan

Yes, you have had your furniture the exact same way they arranged it in the model house. But who says it has to stay that way? If you can move stuff around and still maintain the functionality of your room, then why not do it? Just get some helping hands for the larger pieces of furniture and make sure you don’t injure yourself. 

Do-It-Yourself is seeing a comeback in the design world now. We can thank COVID restrictions for this. If you have a small project to do around the house, chances are you now have more time than ever to complete it. Why not update your powder room or your bathroom? Or think bigger and update your living room or kitchen. Remember small changes on a limited budget can still make a world of difference 

Tell us in the comment section below, what type of DIY projects you took up around the home and how well did they come out? We’d love to hear from you!

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BevonyAccessorizing Your Home When the Reno Budget is Low – Part 2

Accessorizing Your Home When the Reno Budget is Low – Part 1

by Bevony on 8 July 2020 Comments Off on Accessorizing Your Home When the Reno Budget is Low – Part 1

There are currently quite a bit of home renovation projects on hold, and DIYers are finding themselves with more time to complete all those decorative projects they have been putting off. Due to social distancing measures, many trades are taking a long time to complete their projects. Customers are being more careful with their budgets and renovations as a whole has taken a hit for the most part. 

Regardless of all the above, you can still show your home a little love. A little change or a couple of small changes can make a big difference and provide your home with the necessary update you seek. A great room to start with when you want to make small changes in your home is with your bathroom or powder room. 

Accessorize 

By adding decorative elements such as candles and florals to your bathroom you can give it a luxe look and feel. 

The great thing with accessorizing is that you already have these items in your home and just need to display them differently or just actually display them instead of having them stored away in cupboards, drawers and linen closets.

Towels

A simple change of your dingy everyday use towels to a set of fresh white ones can make a great difference. Instead of just throwing them over that towel bar, how about you roll them up and give the space that spa-like feel. Roll your hand towels and display them on your countertop on a tray. You can even go further and add decorative elements to the tray such as stones, candles, flowers, etc.

Flowers

If you have a lush and colorful backyard you can source florals right there. This is great as they will be free but fresh and give you the opportunity to create a different ambiance ever so often and you don’t even have to leave your house. 

If you don’t have flowers in your backyard, most people can find affordable picks at their local grocery store. 

You can also opt for fake flowers which are super easy to get. You can find these at your local big retailer, home goods store and even in some clothing stores.

Works of Art

You can add various artwork to your bathroom, no matter the size of the room. Spruce up the room by adding some art to a bare wall. And we’re not simply talking a painting or hanging picture frame. There are so many options for adding art. Add textured paintings, framed sculptures on the wall, or funny signs and decals on or around your toilet. If you have enough counter space you can even display an item of artwork atop a counter. 

No art at home? No money for a trip to an art gallery? Is no art gallery close by? Don’t worry, you have a couple of options that do not include the above. There are many online options available allowing you to order a digital print online and print at home. Then you can place this into an old frame you have lying around for an inexpensive piece of art. 

There is also the option to order art online that can be shipped to you. Choose what you like and with a coupe finger strokes and clicks you can have it delivered to your door.

Want your art to have your own blood, sweat, and tears in it? Get the necessary art supplies and take to youtube. You can find how-to print instructions as well as videos to help you create a painting step by step. 

Mirrors

No artwork insight? Why not hang a mirror or a few small ones to create a mirror collage. If you have mirrors in other rooms you can change their home and use them to transform another room and change up the style in your home in two rooms at once – Multitasking for the win!

Next week, we will give you more tips on how to make a huge difference in your home by simply making a couple small changes. Bookmark our blog so you can easily find us to get the rest of this edit.

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BevonyAccessorizing Your Home When the Reno Budget is Low – Part 1

Home Renovations On Track but Crawling Slowly

by Bevony on 3 June 2020 Comments Off on Home Renovations On Track but Crawling Slowly

With the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of industries have ground to a complete stop because of the stay at home measures put into place by governments all across the globe. The local renovation market in Vancouver has been affected by this but projects are still ongoing. How is it different from before the pandemic?

In the past couple months, there has been a drastic shift. There was the initial shock to all stakeholders but all have now established a new rhythm. The discovery phase is pretty much the same. The meeting of the client, talking about floorplans, sharing images, etc. While working virtually is not new to a lot of designers, for most of them it is the first they are working virtually even with clients that are just around the corner. 

The Virtual Discovery Phase 

Renovations tips

The design industry relies heavily on the platform Zoom for its virtual meetings during discovery. Since this is a very personal industry, experts are finding themselves using up to 10 minutes to get the call to work. The process really takes more time, more preparation, and more planning. Everybody involved understands this and that is really important for a seamless process going forward. 

There are of course challenges of not doing this part of the process in person. When it comes to conveying textures and colors here is where we see challenges. Computer and phone lighting and angles can affect the perception of both parties. This challenge is met by design or renovation teams purchasing extra samples and having these delivered to their clients ahead of time. Again this causes an extension of the timeline. 

Scheduling meetings and making sure that everything is properly labeled helps to make it easier for clients to be walked through the process of the virtual meeting. 

Sometimes clients have to be taught how to accurately measure their spaces. So that the design process could begin. All in all, more preparation is needing, more planning and so the renovation time is being prolonged but work is still underway. 

Limitations Brought on By Social Distancing

Most sites only allow one trade to present at a site at any time during the COVID pandemic. For larger projects where it is possible for trades to keep their distance, multiple trades are allowed on-site at one time. The challenge in Vancouver is that most spaces are smaller. So all construction projects are looking at longer periods. 

General contractors have gotten on board with the new site rules which also include regular hand washing and disinfecting. And of course, there is the mask-wearing and keeping of distance. People in our perception have really been adjusting very well to the rules. 

What Types of Renovation Tasks Have Been Affected?

Everything from small tasks as repainting and carpeting is all taking longer than typical. People have to be schedule, keys have to be handed over with no contact. Some have to deal with the booking of elevators if they are working in a condo. All these things take up more time. So while workdays are not longer, simple tasks are taking longer and stretching out the timeline for completion of a project. 

The good part is that everyone affected understands. And while a long wait time can be frustrating for all involved, we have so far learned to be more patient and to work together towards the end goal of a completed renovation project. 

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BevonyHome Renovations On Track but Crawling Slowly