Perhaps you’ve chosen to delay a cottage purchase or postpone your vacation plans this summer. Not to worry. You can still enjoy the pleasures and surroundings of cottage or country living. No matter where you live or what kind of home you own, all it takes is a few simple decorating ideas to help create a country cottage look that is fresh and airy with a lived-in feel. Here are some design tips to help get you started.
Furniture
Sofas should be plump, casual and comfortable to set a relaxed tone for the rest of your home. Chipped wooden arms and legs on some of your favourite furniture? Not a problem, because with a country look, “aged is in”. Even old wrought iron or wicker chairs, settees, rockers or tables can be used inside your home to help bring out that natural rural charm. Don’t forget about things like footstools and ottomans for putting your feet up.
Fabrics
Think cotton, linen, and wool, as these are natural fabrics that feel good to the touch, require less maintenance, and won’t look out of place in a cottage-like setting. Choose white and neutral-toned colours for larger fabric surfaces such as tablecloths and bedspreads. Keep the patterns and floral designs for smaller accessories: curtains, pillows, dishtowels, or napkins.
Floors and Ceilings
Hardwood, faux-finished, or even painted wood floors are a great way to achieve a natural, country look. Accent floors with durable area rugs in high traffic areas; consider a sisal or sea grass rug in lower traffic areas for that lighter, summer look. Using beadboard on the ceiling of a kitchen or sunroom is an easy way to achieve that quaint, cozy feel.
Walls
White or light coloured walls mixed with a little floral wallpaper will bring balance to any country-style room. You can tone down wallpaper that’s too bright, and give it an “antique” feel, with a diluted smoke-tone glaze. If you prefer leaving walls painted, consider hanging floral prints, old quilts, or collectible plates to complement the space.
Accessories
Display fresh or dried flowers in pitchers or enamel jugs along with an assortment of glazed pottery, copper, and painted tins known as toleware. Set out traditional lamps with a wicker, terra-cotta or vintage-looking ceramic base.
So whether you want to transform your entire home into a pastoral paradise, or just add some small, simple touches to a modern room, the key to a country cottage feel is to keep things simple and comfortable.
"Not Your Average JO"
Friday, June 25, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Decks & Patios
Summertime is here and now is the time you may be wishing you had a patio or deck to enjoy the summer weather on! Below is some information that you could use if you decide to take on the job this summer!
Home improvements increase your home enjoyment, but they also affect your home’s value – adding or upgrading a deck or patio can yield a 50 to 75% return on investment at resale*. These tips will help you plan for your deck and patio improvement needs with a focus on resale value:
Assess – Decide what the main purpose of your deck or patio will be: for entertaining, relaxing, or simply to improve the look and landscape of your yard. This will help determine the size, layout, and need for things like eating areas and built-in seating.
Research – Understand whether you require a building permit to meet fire and structural safety standards, even if you’re just upgrading an existing deck or patio. Contact the zoning department to help locate any underground utilities if you plan on doing any digging.
Materials – Determine the right kind of deck or patio to fit your needs. Wood is ideal for design flexibility, vinyl is durable and low maintenance, and composites look great and are eco-friendly. For patios, brick, flags, cobbles, and concrete all offer durable and cost-effective solutions.
Shape – Create a deck or patio that looks like an extension of your home. Right angles convey a strong, sturdy look while soft or round angles help create a casual, relaxed atmosphere. For patios, allocate space in your design for gardens or flowerbeds.
Location – Situate your deck or patio adjacent to an entry door of your home as this will make traffic flow easier when serving a meal or entertaining outdoors. Decrease the elevation of the deck or patio from the door threshold approximately 10cm to allow for snowfall.
Enclosure – Consider building an enclosure for your deck or patio. Enclosures made of mesh, glass, or aluminum can help provide shade, protect against insects, and allow you to enjoy your space in the rain and in colder temperatures.
Accessorize – Complement your deck or patio with stylish accessories like wicker chairs, cedar benches, hammocks, wind chimes, and lounge chairs. Install outdoor electrical outlets so you can enhance the mood with lighting and music, or utilize other electrical devices as desired.
Maintain – Replace rotting boards and rusty nails, and treat wood decks with a water seal each year. Use a polyurethane compound to minimize the appearance of cracks in your patio and apply a concrete sealant to protect against moisture and UV rays.
A deck or patio is like adding another room to your home. They’re a great way to expand your living space, get a little closer to nature, and entertain outdoors. Depending on the quality of installation, materials and maintenance, your new deck or patio carries a minimum life expectancy of 15 years.
*Appraisal Institute of Canada
"Not Your Average JO"
Home improvements increase your home enjoyment, but they also affect your home’s value – adding or upgrading a deck or patio can yield a 50 to 75% return on investment at resale*. These tips will help you plan for your deck and patio improvement needs with a focus on resale value:
Assess – Decide what the main purpose of your deck or patio will be: for entertaining, relaxing, or simply to improve the look and landscape of your yard. This will help determine the size, layout, and need for things like eating areas and built-in seating.
Research – Understand whether you require a building permit to meet fire and structural safety standards, even if you’re just upgrading an existing deck or patio. Contact the zoning department to help locate any underground utilities if you plan on doing any digging.
Materials – Determine the right kind of deck or patio to fit your needs. Wood is ideal for design flexibility, vinyl is durable and low maintenance, and composites look great and are eco-friendly. For patios, brick, flags, cobbles, and concrete all offer durable and cost-effective solutions.
Shape – Create a deck or patio that looks like an extension of your home. Right angles convey a strong, sturdy look while soft or round angles help create a casual, relaxed atmosphere. For patios, allocate space in your design for gardens or flowerbeds.
Location – Situate your deck or patio adjacent to an entry door of your home as this will make traffic flow easier when serving a meal or entertaining outdoors. Decrease the elevation of the deck or patio from the door threshold approximately 10cm to allow for snowfall.
Enclosure – Consider building an enclosure for your deck or patio. Enclosures made of mesh, glass, or aluminum can help provide shade, protect against insects, and allow you to enjoy your space in the rain and in colder temperatures.
Accessorize – Complement your deck or patio with stylish accessories like wicker chairs, cedar benches, hammocks, wind chimes, and lounge chairs. Install outdoor electrical outlets so you can enhance the mood with lighting and music, or utilize other electrical devices as desired.
Maintain – Replace rotting boards and rusty nails, and treat wood decks with a water seal each year. Use a polyurethane compound to minimize the appearance of cracks in your patio and apply a concrete sealant to protect against moisture and UV rays.
A deck or patio is like adding another room to your home. They’re a great way to expand your living space, get a little closer to nature, and entertain outdoors. Depending on the quality of installation, materials and maintenance, your new deck or patio carries a minimum life expectancy of 15 years.
*Appraisal Institute of Canada
"Not Your Average JO"
Monday, June 7, 2010
Inside-Out: Creating a Great Outdoor Room with an Interior Sensibility
I’s that time of year when Canadians retreat to the great outdoors to enjoy everyday activities like cooking, eating, and entertaining. Nowadays many homeowners are demanding more comfort and convenience when connecting with nature, and that’s why “outdoor rooms” are growing in popularity. An outdoor room makes use of an exterior space such as a yard, deck, patio or balcony to extend the living area outside the home. Its purpose is to mix the luxury of indoor living with the fresh air, ambiance, and natural setting of the outdoors.
Whether you’re creating a new outdoor room or simply updating an existing space, you may want to try and mirror your home’s interior design, extending its comfort and aesthetic appeal to the outside. Think of the project as being two sides of the same door. A consistent design theme allows for a harmonious transition between the interior and exterior of your home and can even make your living space appear bigger. Achieve this flow by using similar colour schemes, flooring types, area rugs, and mats.
Heat, cooking facilities, seating, and lighting are just some of the indoor comforts you might consider bringing to your outdoor room. Start with a hearth product such as a fireplace, firepit or chimney as your focal point, and position your seating and cooking areas accordingly. For those who love to cook there are a variety of options available ranging from all season stainless steel BBQs to complete outdoor kitchens with dual burner cook top grills, refrigerator, and expansive counter space for food preparation. Check with your local municipality to determine what products are safe and allowable for your specific set-up.
When it comes to furniture and accessories, think outside the box. Instead of the standard table, umbrella, and patio chairs, consider things like coffee tables, settees, and sofas with stylish, stain and mildew-resistant fabrics. Many manufacturers build furniture and recreational products specifically designed to be used both inside and out, such as outdoor speakers, game tables, and cocktail bars. For added privacy and sound absorption use large potted plants, such as pyramidal cedars, to act as natural walls.
At the end of the day, your outdoor room will be more than a deck or patio; it will be a cozy, comfortable place to retreat, relax, and have fun. You’ll never want to go inside again!
"Not Your Average JO"
Whether you’re creating a new outdoor room or simply updating an existing space, you may want to try and mirror your home’s interior design, extending its comfort and aesthetic appeal to the outside. Think of the project as being two sides of the same door. A consistent design theme allows for a harmonious transition between the interior and exterior of your home and can even make your living space appear bigger. Achieve this flow by using similar colour schemes, flooring types, area rugs, and mats.
Heat, cooking facilities, seating, and lighting are just some of the indoor comforts you might consider bringing to your outdoor room. Start with a hearth product such as a fireplace, firepit or chimney as your focal point, and position your seating and cooking areas accordingly. For those who love to cook there are a variety of options available ranging from all season stainless steel BBQs to complete outdoor kitchens with dual burner cook top grills, refrigerator, and expansive counter space for food preparation. Check with your local municipality to determine what products are safe and allowable for your specific set-up.
When it comes to furniture and accessories, think outside the box. Instead of the standard table, umbrella, and patio chairs, consider things like coffee tables, settees, and sofas with stylish, stain and mildew-resistant fabrics. Many manufacturers build furniture and recreational products specifically designed to be used both inside and out, such as outdoor speakers, game tables, and cocktail bars. For added privacy and sound absorption use large potted plants, such as pyramidal cedars, to act as natural walls.
At the end of the day, your outdoor room will be more than a deck or patio; it will be a cozy, comfortable place to retreat, relax, and have fun. You’ll never want to go inside again!
"Not Your Average JO"
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
First of June, BBQ season is officially here!
The weather is certainly begging us to have a backyard BBQ, spend some time by the pool and just pretty much soak up the summer beginnings. Here are some tips on entertaining on a budget so we can do it even more often!
Backyard Entertaining on a Budget
Nothing says “bring on summer” quite like a backyard BBQ. It’s the perfect mix of friends, the fresh outdoors, and fantastic food! But just because you want to throw a social, doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. Here are a few ideas of how to entertain outdoors on a budget:
Food
Send an electronic invitation to your friends to let them know you’re throwing a pot-luck BBQ. Create a food list and give guests an idea of what to bring, usually a side dish or dessert. Remember to prepare as much as possible in advance so that you can spend most of your time outside with your guests and not in the kitchen.
Seating & Décor
Arrange several seating areas if space allows. If you’re short of chairs, ask friends and family to bring their fold-ups that transport easily. Swing by local garage sales or thrift stores if you need extra tables. Pick up colourful vinyl tablecloths, napkins and decorations at your local dollar store.
Kids & Fun Stuff
Kids love the beach, so buy an inexpensive wading pool and fill it with clean sand. Add plastic buckets, spades, blow-up beach balls, and a croquet set from the local dollar store and they’ll be all set. Lay bright beach towels on the grass, or under a tree and the little ones will have their own picnic area too.
Lights & Pesky Bugs
String some white or blue lights around the backyard for nighttime. Place a few tea lights in glass containers and display them around the garden on things like bird baths and paving stones for a magical effect. To stop bugs from crashing your party, stake some tiki torches in the ground or put citronella candles on tables to keep them away.
Favour Ideas
Want to send your friends off with a little gift at the end of the party? If your homemade BBQ sauce is a party favourite, make a big batch, put in sterilized bottles and give to guests. If there is plenty of leftover food, be generous and let everyone take something home for dinner the next day. Don’t forget to save some for yourself!
"Not Your Average JO"
Backyard Entertaining on a Budget
Nothing says “bring on summer” quite like a backyard BBQ. It’s the perfect mix of friends, the fresh outdoors, and fantastic food! But just because you want to throw a social, doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. Here are a few ideas of how to entertain outdoors on a budget:
Food
Send an electronic invitation to your friends to let them know you’re throwing a pot-luck BBQ. Create a food list and give guests an idea of what to bring, usually a side dish or dessert. Remember to prepare as much as possible in advance so that you can spend most of your time outside with your guests and not in the kitchen.
Seating & Décor
Arrange several seating areas if space allows. If you’re short of chairs, ask friends and family to bring their fold-ups that transport easily. Swing by local garage sales or thrift stores if you need extra tables. Pick up colourful vinyl tablecloths, napkins and decorations at your local dollar store.
Kids & Fun Stuff
Kids love the beach, so buy an inexpensive wading pool and fill it with clean sand. Add plastic buckets, spades, blow-up beach balls, and a croquet set from the local dollar store and they’ll be all set. Lay bright beach towels on the grass, or under a tree and the little ones will have their own picnic area too.
Lights & Pesky Bugs
String some white or blue lights around the backyard for nighttime. Place a few tea lights in glass containers and display them around the garden on things like bird baths and paving stones for a magical effect. To stop bugs from crashing your party, stake some tiki torches in the ground or put citronella candles on tables to keep them away.
Favour Ideas
Want to send your friends off with a little gift at the end of the party? If your homemade BBQ sauce is a party favourite, make a big batch, put in sterilized bottles and give to guests. If there is plenty of leftover food, be generous and let everyone take something home for dinner the next day. Don’t forget to save some for yourself!
"Not Your Average JO"
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