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A Guide to Selecting Landscape Stone
There are many beautiful stone products available to the homeowner today. How the stone looks, the design aesthetic, is arguably the most important factor in choosing which of these you will use. However, a number of other factors should also be considered. Among these are how the area being resurfaced will be used, the colour, age and architecture of your home, your project budget, and the level of maintenance that is acceptable to you. Local limestone (in Ontario, …
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The grandeur of Maria Theresa chandeliers
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.
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When you need to drive in a nail, nothing beats a hammer. There’s even a convenient claw on the other end to correct any mishaps. But when you need to drive a lot of nails in a short amount of time, nothing beats a power nailer. A quality power nailer can sink thousands of nails a day consistently and accurately with a minimum amount of maintenance.
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Power to the Baby Boomers!
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.
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Is Your Home Over 25 years Old?
If so, you are not alone. A 2006 survey conducted by Owens Corning showed that nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) of Canadians are living in homes more than twenty years old. If this applies to you, you may be interested to know that Natural Resources Canada suggests homes more than 25 years old have the potential to save an average of 35 per cent of their energy use through energy efficient measures. The following tips can help you reduce energy consumption and help …
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Brighten up for Spring with Lighting
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!
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Taking control of your home security
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.
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An entire industry exists to make homes safer for children. Shelves of books have been written on the topic, and professional baby-proofers make in-home consultations every day. The sheer number and variety of products available can make it a daunting task to prepare your home for a resident (or visiting) baby or toddler.
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Budget Friendly Cabinets
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.
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The Pantone Colours of Spring 2013
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.
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Celebrating the Grape
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.

