Home Renos and Upgrades Through Sears Custom Kitchens & Renovations, Custom Window Coverings and Global Exteriors KasselWood Steel Roofs

Take advantage of the new Canada Home Renovation Tax Credit by using the following services and companies for home renovation projects and upgrades to your suites.

Sears Custom Kitchens and Renovations

From refacing cabinets to complete kitchen and bathroom renovations, go with a name you can trust. Flexible financing options to suit every need by Sears custom kitchens and renovation project. The Sears designers and Sears contractors take care of the demolition, construction and installation of kitchen cabinetry and other customization and renovation projects around your home. Visit the Sears on Robson Street kitchen and bath showroom or call now to discuss your home project and arrange an appointment. Until August 16th, Sears will pay the GST on your kitchen or bathroom renovation! Here are the 4 rules of the custom kitchen and renovations community at Sears. Visualize – your dream kitchen or bathroom show us your picture at Sears! Prepare – review contemporary, modern or traditional styles and materials to meet your needs! Design – Sears Kitchen & Interior Designers will provide you with a complete design! Acquire – Take advantage of the Sears “No GST” offer and they will manage your entire home reno project, from Day 1 through to completion. Products and services from the company you can trust. Sears on Robson at 701 Granville Street, Vancouver BC or 604.685.7112. You can also contact the Sears Kitchen, Bathroom and Renovations Staff at 1.800.4-MY.HOME or 1.800.469.4663.

Custom Window Coverings by The Bay

The Bay Custom Interiors offers a complimentary in home serice that allows you to view the selections available in the comfort of your own home. Matching and enhancing present décor is easy when the Bay Custom Interiors store comes to you. From shades to shadings to blinds of all kinds, Hunter Douglas products are truly the place where great rooms begin. You get all the benefits of dealing with The Bay Custom Interiors Custom Window Coverings staff, a company that’s been here for you since 1670. Free installation of all Hunter Douglas blinds and shades by the Bay Custom Interiors store. Place any new order over $1000.00 for any Hunter Douglas products including: Alouette, Duette, Luminette, Pirouette and Silhoutte. Place any new order and pay no additional charge for the unit installation by the professional staff at The Bay Custom Interior Store. Trip charges apply. Offer expires November 30, 2008. No Charge on Duette Honeycomb Shades, Child Safety LiteRise and Operating System when you place any new order with The Bay Custom Window Coverings, Custom Interior Store for Duette Honeycomb Shades and receive the cordless LiteRise operating system, where available, at no additional charge. A $58 to $136 value. Offer also expires November 30, 208. Earn valuable HBC Rewards points with each purchase. The Bay Custom Interiors division accepts payment by HBC Rewards card as well as all major credit cards. Call to arrange your complimentary in home consultation by calling 604.257.0100 (Vancouver), 250.480.4972 (Victoria), 250.707.1639 (Kelowna) or toll free 1.800.818.7779.

Global Exteriors Inc introduces the KasselWood Steel Roofs

Never Re-Roof Again! This is according to the marketing ad by the KasselWood roofing that has the beauty of wood but the strength of steel. The affordable KasselWood steel roofs by Global Exteriors Inc. is for your future peace of mind and respond immediately to receive up to $1500 off. If you’re thinking of re-roofing your home in Greater VAncouver, be the first installation in your neighbourhood and receive huge show-home discount savings on Kasselwood roofing products through Global Exteriors. In addition, reduce your energy bill by as much as 20% if you use these affordable roofing products by KasselWood Roofs. No payments for 12 months o.a.c. and call today at 604.534.0120 or 1.800.961.0121, respond to this ad by quoting promo code HCN100 and receive $1500. If you reply immediately an dyou may qualify for additional savings on your new roof by Kasselwood Roofing by Global Exteriors Inc. With a fifty year transferrable warranty, traditional look and appeal, weather tight design and highest fire rating, these are only some of the many impressive features of steel roofing by KasselWood that is meant to be very durable and last a lifetime. In addition, these new KasselWood roofs can withstand hurricane force winds, impervious to hail, lower energy costs and a lighter yet stronger product than traditional roofing products. The Myths about Kasselwood Roofs include: metal roofs cost more. FACT: Using Life cycle cost, a KasselWood roof stystem costs less than a conventional roof. Our investment grade system increases your home’s value. Metal Roofs Will Rust – FACT: KasselWood roofing is made of 29 gauge galvanized steel. The galvanizing process has been a proven rust inhibitor for more than 300 years. Couple this with the latest Kynar 500 product, cool pigment coating technology, makes the new KasselWood steel roofing a rust free system. Metal Roofs are Heavy – FACT: Metal is one of the lighter products in use: KasselWood *85 lbs/square) compared to standard composition at 210 lbs/square, cedar shake at 220 lbs/square, arhictectural shingles at 340 lbs/square, slate at 600-700 lbs/square and clay or concrete tile at 600-1000 lbs/square. The Facts about new Kasselwood roofing products. Insulation: Noise – sound tests show that noise levels are indiscernible between homes with a typical asphalt shingle roof and a Kasselwood roof. Aesthetis – KasselWood offers the strength and the durability of steel with the natural beauty of wood shake. Lightning – metal roofing does not in any way increase the risk of a structure being struck by lightning. Hail, wind, rain – Kasselwood roofs achieved the highest classification in scientific tests for hail impact, wind uplift and wind driven rain resistance. Energy Efficiency: roofing by KasselWood roofs have proven to lower the ambient temperature of a dwelling which can reduce energy bills by as much as 20%, reduces heat island effect in urban areas and reduces our contribution to global warming. With 0 down, 100% financing o.a.c. and flexible payment plans by Global Exteriors Inc, please call 604.534.1201 for more details regarding the KasselWood steel roofs system.

Tips and Tricks in Selling Your Home Faster in the Vancouver Re-Sale Real Estate Market - Curb Appeal and Summer Decks

Property Curb Appeal Magic

By S. Boyce for Homebase. The three principles of Earth Inc. each serve up a trio of their top tips for enhance curb appeal. James Dale- A separate pedestrian entrance to your front door lessens the impact of a large driveway – after all, people are more important than cars. Proper lighting enhances curb appeal by creating a sense of welcome and increasing viewing hours well into the evening. Lighting also provides incredible curb appeal during winter interest that’s often overlooked. Sometimes a planting scheme for curb appeal may be completely offensive to a viewer on the opposite side of a fence or property line. A quick discussion of your intentions not only makes better nieghbours but the end result may end up complementing both your homes better in terms of property curb appeal. Kennedy Mcrae – Plant both sides of your driveway with similar plants and it will frame your house like a picture to add property curb appeal for your home. If you have a stone house, vines will instantly give it warmth and comfort. Just remember not to let the vine touch the windows. Architectural structures like benches or screens can create a beautiful courtyard and draw out the arechitecture of your house for added real estate curb appeal. Joel Loblaw – Spaces that can’t be seen from the curb but make people wonder what’s there give a garden interest, intrigue and a sense of wonder. Sculpture, urns, or water features add zing to any front yard to add curb appeal for your property – especially when you are willing to take a few risks by thinking differently. Remember plants grow. An evergreen tree is a perfect example of something that looks great initially, but can ultimately overwhel a residence decreasing the curb appeal of your home through time.

The Home Sale Starts Outside – Curb Appeal Importance

Curb appeal can be the defining factor in selling your home according to HouseLeague Ryan D. for the Metro Newspaper. Staging, renovating, and updating a home’s interior seems to be second nature for many when it comes time to list that property, but what most people tend to forget is that the first and last impression in property makes is from the outside curb appeal. Whether you live in a house, or a condo, there are some simple rules to keep in mind when getting your property ready for sale. One of the most important is going to be ensuring that the outside brick or paint work is fresh, updated and neutral. Lime greens and dusty roses do not do much to convince the average home buyer, so seek out the potential gem inside. In fact, you may find that purchasers will not even make it to the front door if you have bad curb appeal: Throwing on a coat of paint and repairing any damaged brick or siding is the first place you should start when prepping your home for the real estate market. Plants are another easy way to spruce up that dreary property and turn it into the palace you want to portray through curb appeal. Even if you do not have the greenest of thumbs, a dead garden, or one overgrown with weeds and plants can make the most diligent homeowners appear lazy. If you are useless in the garden, plant local species of shrubs and flower for better curb appeal. Just remember even the simplest of gardens need to be pruned every now and then. Finally, whether you live in a house or a condo, bed sheets and tacky drapery panels will never do as window coverings. Pay attention to the fact that these can be seen from the outside, as well as the inside of the property. Make sure that if you are putting up drapes that match an unusual colour plalate inside, you have a neutral backing facing out. You do not want your home to look like a carnival fun house.

Take It To The Deck For Summer Entertaining

Fro 24Hrs. Building a sturdy deck is one way home owners in Greater Vancouver are creating a home they can enjoy more now, while looking smartly ahead in case they want to sell later. According to Remodeling magazine’s 2007 Cost vs. Value report, adding a deck built with composite decking, a deciking material made of combined wood and plastic, can be expected to yield an approximate 77 per cent cost recovery on average at resale. Composite decks rank higher than the national average of cost recovered for a major kitchen remodel, which are two types of projects homeowners often undertake in Greater Vancouver real estate to make their homes more appealing during resale. One consideration for homeowners in Vancouver property market for homeowners planning to add a deck is to look at other decks in their area to determine the approximate size and scope of their deck project for their neighbourhood. Vancouver home owners should also consider a decking material that will last in the long term. Not only will homeowners in Greater Vancouver real estate enjoy a durable, inviting deck while they livei n the home, but the type of material they use can help determine how well it will retain its value over time. Many Vancouver homeowners are turning to wood-plastic composite decking for durable decking material that doesn’t require staining or painting. Composite decking is also resistant to moisture and decay. And, the composite decking material will not splinter or crack. For Greater Vancouver home owners searching for environmentally responsible materials, some wood-plastic composite decking is made from recycled materials, potentially keeping unused waste out of landfills. From ARA Content.

Vancouver Home Renovations 2009 - The Art of Small Condo Living plus Kitchen Islands and Appliances top list of DIY home renos

The Art of Living Small – Condo Living

A great article in the Home Section of Look Magazine by Deborah A. Only a decade ago, purchasing a single family home was still a realistic dream for first time buyers. However, rising real estate costs have since forced many to downsize their square footage dreams and settle for something smaller. But smaller doesn’t have to mean “less,” and townhouse and condominium developers are offering creative interior designs that maximize usable space and are adding external amenities that create a resort-like feel. “Living small” has become an emerging lifestyle in its own right. There are 100 little tricks to making a small space look bigger, but real estate property developers have, for the most part, concentrated on two main things, says Adera president Norm C: “Making the living area bigger by creating open, flow-through designs and making everything else that can be shrunk, smaller.” Adera helps home buyers adapt to a smaller space by offering a line of customized, built-in options to replace freestanding furniture, including wall units for condo living. Space-saving features for condos inherent in their designs include extra wall mounting for flat screen TVs, breakfast bars in some units, rooftop decks called “lanais.” “On the West Coast, people spend more time outdoors,” says Couttie. “The outdoor lanai becomes an extension of indoors-an extra room to relax in and entertain.” Resort-like external amenities in condo living – including pools, hot tubs, and on-site theatres are becoming more common in condominium developments, says Mark B of Fifth Avenue Real Estate Marketing. “Condo living is more of a lifestyle choice and a more liberating experience than it was in the ‘90s. When you come home to your condo, it is a place where you can literally decompress.” Kitchens, where guests typically gravitate toward at a party, have become the entertainment focal point and the true “living room” of the home. As space decreases, the gourmet aspect of the kitchen has increased. “Kitchens have become more designer oriented and functional. Every square inch is utilized. You feel like you’re on a ship’s galley where everything is compact and accessible,” says Beilling. He adds that designers have also focused on making kitchen esthetics more sophisticated. “Finsishing materials are broader in scope and can be co-ordinated to fit with other areas of the home.” If you’re purchasing a condo unit in an older property, some redecorating may be necessary to achieve optimum streamlined functionality. “Designing small spaces often requires choosing comfort over an established idea of what ‘home’ has to have,” says Mila D of Intermind Design. This can be as simple as replacing a traditional coffee table with a few cube-shaped ottomans that can double as seating, or can be moved into corners when space for a larger gathering is required. “Moving into a small space calls for decorating solutions that allow for multiple uses of space and furnishings,” says Djuras. And, she stresses, “You need to think outside the box.”

Making Small Condo Spaces Even Bigger

BRING THE OUTDOORS INSIDE. Let your décor mirror your outside view to make one a continuation of the other. Trees and flowers or sky, glass and concrete can be reflected in building materials, furnishings, accessories and colour palette. UNIFY FLOOR AND WALL COLOUR COMBINATIONS. Create a feeling of richness and open space using a variety of shades of the same or similar colour for both walls and flooring. Continue the same flooring and colour palette throughout the condo unit. STRIVE FOR A CLEAN, UNCLUTTERED LOOK. Choose modular and/or multi-purpose furniture. Reduce visual clutter by limiting artwork to only a few large pieces. Accessorize with complementing, rather than contrasting, colour accents. CUSTOMIZE AND COMBINE STORAGE SOLUTIONS. A floor-to-ceiling wall-to-wall built-in unit in the bedroom can serve as a wardrobe, TV stand, bookshelves and general storage area. The design can combine “behind the door” and open shelving. ADD REFLECTIVE FINISHES. Mixing reflective finishes such as metal, glass and leather with natural finishes adds to the illusion of additional space in your condo. Choose only a few finishes and apply them consistently through the condo living space. SOFTEN THE UTILITARIAN LOOK. Replacing standard doors with those that have textures and patters such as sandblasted glass or interesting wood panels will help to minimize the utilitarian look of your condo home. CREATE NEGATIVE SPACE. Use small-scale streamlined, movable furnishings that have raised or taller legs. The negative space beneath will add visual depth. LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE. Keep windows clear of obstructions and add as much artificial lighting as you can. Track lighting, wall lamps (up lighters), or cabinet lighting add light without taking up space. Generously provided by Intermind Design – Mila D.

Home Designers say Kitchen Islands and Appliances Top List

A kitchen island and updated appliances should be among the first items changed during a kitchen renovation, according to a survey of registered Canadian designers. The kitchen island is the ofcal point for kitchen design. Forty two per cent of designers predict that kitchens will be built around this central workstation, according to the survey, that was conducted by Jenn-Air. More than half of the home designers, however, also recommended going with new appliances, noting that fresh new designs are now hitting the real estate property market. Warm tones like bronze and copper will continue to be a colour trend in the kitchen through 2008, but they’re not the only colours being used. Home designers identified a wide range of colours fro the kitchen this year including greys, red, greens, blue and white. But they note, “the timeless look of stainless steel also remains popular.” Forty two per cent of registered interior home designers recommend that their clients splurge on appliances, rather than other kitchen design elements such as flooring, fixtures and countertops. “Capturing clients” vision for their dream home kitchen is about piecing together svera design elemtns to create a cohesive environment that is both funcitional and stylish,” said Alexandre Blazys, a Montrel based kitchen home designer. From the Real Estate Weekly of Vancouver Newspaper.

Inexpensive Tips For An Interior Home Makeover

As the cold winter weather becomes a faint memory, urbanites in all price ranges are catching the makeover bug. This spring, don’t let financial woes discourage you from adding flair and funciontality to your apartment or condo. Below are five ways to inexpensively upgrade your apartment’s interior, inspired by the residents of Flatbush Garden, group a New York city dwellers who are looking to save money on housing:
1. Plant Life: Adding live plants to your apartment décor is an inexpensive way to provide color and aroma. Makes ure to do your research to find a plant that fits your needs. For example, a bamboo plant does not aggravate allergies, is easily cared for, and costs very little.
2. Change fixtures: cabinet and doorknow fixture options can be found at all price ranges and are simple and fast way to spruce up an apartment.
3. Anything can be turned into art: Expensive artwork is not the only thing worthy of hanging on your walls. Why not hang a patterend blanket?
4. Utilize your wall space: Mounting shelves, baskets, and cabinets allow you to maximize floor space and will greatly open up a small apartment.
5. Pick a theme and stick with it: even if you do not purchase an entire bathroom or bedroom décor, choose two or three colors per room, and keep them in mind with every home furnishing purchase. The theme will boost your appearance of your apartment as well as reflect cohesion and organization.
Locally, Delta contractor and designer Jeffery Rebiffe says that today’s materials mean it is possible to get a great look, even a kitchen makeover, without spending a lot. He advises, thought, that even a low-cost renovation should have a flash of sophistication. In a kitchen, for example, adding a true slate backsplash or an expensive, high-quality lighting can raise the standard without breaking the bank. For more great renovation ideas, visit the 15 houses on the annual Parade or Renovated Homes, held Jun 8. For details, see www.gvbha.org.

Get The Most Out of Your Living Space
From Metro News of Greater Vancouver Newspaper: Here are some easy-to-do tips to help you put a lot of stuff into a little place. By Interior Divine Colin & Justin. Fancy, ahem, cramming in a little extra where you, ahem, need it most? Stick with us kids – we’ve got it sorted. However, crammed your house or tight your condo, here’ show to mac up and make it, at least feel, far more dommodious …

Be Flexible
Use “smart double-duty furniture such as sofas which unfold into beds, coffee tables that raise to become dining tables or upholstered ottomans with removable tops that would make the perfect seat, toy box or foot stool.

Make a wheel difference
Position wheeled storage cubes, side lamps atop, either side of your sofa for a slick modern aesthetic. Fancy a change? Remove lamps and push into the centre of your space to make the perfect coffee table. But there’s more. Lift the lids for immediate access to magazines, books and newspapers. Bingo!

Small scale thinking
To maximize space, lose that “big box” PC in favour of a small, sli laptop that can be stored away when not in use. Or swap elaborate outsize squashy chesterfields for smaller compact sofas and chairs.

Behind closed doors
We recently created a glorious white galley kitchen in a tiny London condo and, because our client works from home, assigned on side of the room to food prop and the other to his stock-market business. On first glance, the long white room looks like kitchen heaven, however, open doors on one side and computer, files, and photocopier suddenly appear. Also, a section o worktop pulls out by 18 inches to create a desk where our chap can go about his business! Close the doors back over, push back the counter … and culinary calm is restored.

Discover you’re big downstairs!
Don’t ignore one of your biggest assets! Instead, dive below into the great Canadian basement to create awesome possibilities chez vous. Rather than languish in what’s little more than a dank, messy storage room, consider the benefits of a finishe basement. We’re thinking guest suite, home office, children’s play room, spa bathroom… The choice is, and the added flexilibty will be, yours!

Here’s a hit list of double duty kit that will help you shop “smart”:
Storage Ottoman – seating, storage and table all in one
Kitchen Storage Bench – cook books, and baking trays, housed casually within kitchen table seating
Sofa Bed/Murphy Bed – a guest suite in minutes and no extra room required
Coffee Table With Stashable Stools – additional seating when you need it
Extendable Dining Tables – office/work space as required
End Tables With Drawers Or Shelves – a stylish way to introduce extra surfaces and extra storage
Armoire – use a multimedia housing, TV disguise or clothes storage. Particularly good for bedroom offices. Don’t forget to pins sleeves to the inside of the doors to stash flast files etc.
Stackable Chairs – enough said!

Colin and Justin’s Home Heist airs Tuesdays at 6pm, Saturdays at 4pm and Sundays at 11am on HGTV. www.hgtv.ca