The homeowners wanted to reface the cabinets so the budget would allow for some built-in specialty cabinetry, design upgrades and granite countertops. They needed to accommodate a big room with lots of natural light—going darker would enhance the room visually and warm it up.

Maria Theresa chandeliers, named after an Austrian empress of the 18th century are everything a chandelier should aspire to be: spectacular, stylish and magnificent. Representing the splendor of a bygone era, these chandeliers sparkle in traditional settings but also go very well with a contemporary theme.

A lamp should make a statement about you and the room you’re decorating. But with so many types and styles, how do you find the perfect one?

Knowing how your home heating systems converge to enhance efficiency can go a long way towards improving the overall efficiency of your home and reducing your energy bills in the process, which is of primary importance for the majority of Calgary homeowners. Most heating systems have three primary components: the thermostat, the furnace, and the duct work. Each component can be optimized to produce savings.

Is efficiency the major determining factor for you when looking for home heating solutions? Is flexibility a concern? Or, maybe you’re looking for a good source of emergency heat when the power goes out. No matter what you’re looking for, we have a heating solution for every need.

Many boomers are choosing to remain in their current homes as they age. Aging in Place means the ability to live in your own home comfortably and safely for as long as possible. As people remodel their homes, they’re including Universal Design products—a design concept that meets the needs of people with varied abilities. It considers people with age-related problems, people who are tall or short, as well as those with various physical or mental impairments. It also acknowledges that abilities change over time.

It’s spring fix-up time! The weather is getting warmer and motivated homeowners start tackling their spring to-do lists. Projects range from painting the house exterior to smaller, less daunting tasks such as cleaning, simple repairs or updates. If you’re leaning toward the simpler, less expensive route, why not update your lighting? Replacing dated lighting adds pizazz to a space without breaking the bank!

Full interactive security systems have arrived You arrive at the airport for your weeklong vacation and your heart drops as you realize in a panic that you forgot to activate your alarm system. Wouldn’t it be ideal if you could arm it from a distance somehow? Maybe someday in the future you sigh.

Many people use microwave ovens only for preheating or thawing, but you can use today?s multi-featured units to cook entire meals. And these units do it quickly and efficiently. Since microwave ovens cook food from the inside to the outside, your food almost always comes out fast, hot, and, perhaps most important, not burned!

Tankless water heaters provide an endless source of hot water and can cut energy costs up to 30 percent per year if usage remains consistent. Traditional tanks can develop rust and scale build-ups. A tankless unit does not store water so you’ll have fresher, cleaner water. They’re wall mounted and require less space too.

Kitchens are the heart of the home and used for so much more than preparing food. They’re a gathering place and often an extension of the family living area. People today are staying in their homes longer and are remodeling to suit their taste and lifestyle and not just for resell value. Statistics show a kitchen remodel has the largest pay-back of any home remodel.

Having a hard time deciding between a hammer drill and a rotary hammer? After all what exactly is the difference between the two tools? Keep reading and we’ll take the mystery out of your decision.

With the holiday season fast approaching, we are happy to offer 20% off on Anderson Teak and Anderson Chapman collections. Teak patio furniture is beautiful and long lasting. It is the choice wood for the finest yachts because of its natural warmth, fine grain, and durability against the harshest conditions.

ACRYLIC or LEXAN or GLASS The answer is, they are all good stuff depending on what look you want to achieve, how much you want to spend and if you have any local codes which may mandate what you use.

Counter tops are the focal point of any kitchen. Everyone notices a nice or horrible counter top. A beautiful counter top can make cheap cabinets look better and expensive cabinets look sensational. Granite and marble have been constants in counter top options. Natural stone brings uniqueness because no two pieces are alike. While this may be something that draws consumers in, they are also looking for new low maintenance options. There are man-made slab options in the marketplace, but some come require some maintenance to keep them looking in pristine condition.

With a touch of crystal and a shimmer of light, crystal chandeliers have been around for a long time as symbols of opulence and luxury. Chandeliers have a lot of history behind them that can be all the way traced back to 16th century.

Using 2013 colour palettes for inspiration, here are some fun tabletop ideas that are accessible to all.

What will spring 2013 look like in terms of colour? While the colours are fresh and bright, they are not quite as bold as what we saw last year. The neutral tones are more subtle and almost fade into the background and there is a strong green influence for 2013. Greens are predicted to span all spectrums as we see undertones of blue, grey, and yellow in the top shades.

The composer collection allows you the freedom to design your bathroom in a whole new way, both aesthetically and functionally. Yes, in a sense, all bathrooms are composedwhen you select your basin and faucet options, and possibly a vanity.

Welcome to fall, which officially begins today! The colours are not yet as vibrant as those shown at Fallingwater, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935 and built between 1936-38, but colours are definitely starting to shift.

What about height adjustable faucets? Do they exist? Are they of any particular value?

It’s that time of year…the Niagara Wine Festival is on. Running through September 30, the region is focusing on the wineries and vineyards, tastings and events, all with a local flair. The odds are good that you will come home with a bottle or several based on new discoveries. For those who are passionate about their wine, stowing it on a shelf somewhere is not appropriate. And kitchen trends over the past couple years have seen a sharp decline in wine fridges. So where should your new vintages be stored prior to consumption? The wine cellar, naturally.

Considering how versatile electric fireplaces are, it is pretty surprising that every home, office and business does not have one. If you are like many others, maybe you are under the impression that they are simply for show, or perhaps you assume that they will run up your energy bill. Well, you may be interested to learn that they do a lot more than simply create a dynamic focal point, as if that’s not enough, and they are far more energy efficient than you probably think.