Home for the Holidays: A Realtor's Guide to Captivating Christmas Decor

'Tis the season to transform homes into winter wonderlands, and as a realtor, what better way to capture the festive spirit than by showcasing properties adorned with enchanting Christmas decorations? Creating a warm and inviting atmosphere can significantly enhance the appeal of a home, making potential buyers feel a connection that goes beyond brick and mortar. In this guide, we'll explore innovative and tasteful ways to decorate homes during the holiday season, turning them into irresistible destinations for prospective buyers. Even if you are not selling, here are some great ways to reflect the holiday season within your home.

Curb Appeal that Sparkles

The first impression is crucial, and during the holidays, curb appeal takes on a whole new meaning. Start by adorning the entrance with a festive wreath that complements the home's color scheme. Consider adding subtle outdoor lighting, such as string lights along the pathway or a beautifully illuminated tree near the entrance. This touch not only enhances the home's exterior but also creates a warm and inviting ambiance.

A Cozy Fireplace Setting

Highlight the heart of the home – the fireplace. Arrange plush holiday-themed throws and cushions on the furniture surrounding the fireplace, creating a cozy and inviting space. A well-decorated mantel adorned with stockings, candles, and garlands adds a touch of festive elegance, making potential buyers envision themselves celebrating the holidays in their new home.

Deck the Halls – Stylishly

Opt for a cohesive color scheme that complements the home's interior. Consider classic combinations like gold and red, or go for a more modern touch with silver and blue. Ensure that decorations complement the existing decor rather than overpowering it. Simple touches, such as a beautifully adorned staircase railing or strategically placed ornaments, can bring the holiday spirit without overwhelming the space.

Showcase outdoor entertaining spaces

If the property has outdoor entertaining spaces, don't forget to extend the festive decor outside. String lights, outdoor wreaths, and a well-lit patio can showcase the home's potential for hosting memorable holiday gatherings.

Bedrooms that Gleam with Holiday Magic

Create a serene and festive atmosphere in the bedrooms by incorporating holiday-themed bedding, pillows, and throws. A beautifully adorned Christmas tree in the master bedroom can add a touch of magic. Keep it tasteful and cohesive, ensuring that the decor enhances the room's ambiance without overwhelming the potential buyer's imagination.

Bathrooms with Seasonal Splendor

Even the bathrooms can benefit from a festive touch. Consider adding holiday-themed towels, candles, or a simple bowl of decorative ornaments. It's all about creating a cohesive and inviting atmosphere throughout the entire home.

Kitchen Elegance

The kitchen is often the heart of the home, and during the holidays, it becomes a hub for festive gatherings. Consider adding subtle touches like holiday-themed dishware, a decorative centerpiece, or even a bowl of festive potpourri. If the home has an open layout, make sure the holiday decor seamlessly flows from the kitchen into the adjoining living spaces.

Create a Holiday Scent Experience

Engage the senses by incorporating subtle holiday scents throughout the home. Consider placing scented candles, potpourri, or even baking a batch of festive cookies before showings. The inviting aroma can evoke feelings of comfort and home.

In the competitive world of real estate, making a memorable impression is key, and during the holiday season, decorating with care and thoughtfulness can set your property apart. By creating a warm and festive atmosphere, you not only capture the spirit of the season but also help potential buyers envision themselves celebrating future holidays in their new home. So, deck the halls, light the candles, and let the magic of Christmas make your home irresistible for the holidays.

Home design trends for 2021

grandmillenial style by hadley court

Without a doubt, the pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives; from working from home, navigating online school, eating at home more due to restaurant closures and lockdowns restricting our movements; the pandemic has certainly changed how we live and interact within our homes. Combine that with the fact that we have been staring at the same four walls for over a year, and a lot of us are feeling the desire to either redecorate, reconfigure our current space or move to a different space altogether. If you are considering a renovation or a move, here are a few design trends that we are seeing, many as a result of living life during a pandemic.

the home office

Working from home full-time means it is no longer feasible to just set up your laptop at the kitchen island or dining room table. Online meetings require privacy, tech capabilities and a way to separate work from home. A comfortable desk chair, ample storage, a proper tech set-up, good lighting and a pleasing zoom background are all factors to consider when designing a dedicated home office. In smaller spaces such as condos, where square footage is a premium and a separate room is out of the question, designating and designing a space within a space strictly for work is equally as important.

A screen is a great way to create a decorative partition in a smaller space. Designed by Charu Ghandi of Elicyon. Credit: Courtesy of Elicyon

multi-functionality

Spending so much time at home has also made us realize that we need to maximize all the space in our house and some spaces, such as formal living and dining rooms, get very little use and are taking up prime real estate in our homes. As a result, we are seeing a trend towards multi-functional space and furniture, so that we can get the most out of the space that we have. It has also forced us to re-examine our need for walls and privacy as we trend away from the open concept floor plan that has been so popular, and towards separated multi-use space.

outdoor living

Since our movements have been so restricted, we are all craving the ability to get outdoors, so there is a big trend towards blending the outdoors with the indoors and creating luxurious spaces to enjoy all-season. Creating outdoor living & dining areas allows for pandemic socializing or even just a change of scenery. Fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, swimming pools and hot tubs are popular ways to add luxury to these outdoor spaces.

Credit: Neue Focus Photography

go natural

We all also want to be cozy and comfortable these days so there is a trend away from the sleek, sterile modern look towards a more warm and welcoming esthetic. This can be achieved through the use of natural fabrics, wood accents, earth tones & (real) greenery. Natural materials such as rattan and cane are also seeing a resurgence, and we are seeing a move away from the design equivalent of fast fashion, with homeowners choosing to invest in more sustainable furnishings.

colour

We are seeing a real trend towards pops of dark colour, whether it be in a statement couch, accent wall or kitchen cabinetry. Dark green is particularly in vogue at the moment.

italianbank.com

grandmillenial style

Goodbye midcentury modern and hello grandmillenial grandeur! This style, also referred to as ‘granny chic’, incorporates pattern and texture in order to infuse individuality and personality into a space. It is old school design trends (think toile, chintz, floral wallpaper, heavy woods, vintage prints) with a modern twist.

kitchens

Kitchens are seeing a boost of colour these days with kitchen style trending towards darker and two-tone cabinetry, wood grain accents and statement range hoods.

elledecor.com

mix it up

The old rules no longer apply, you now have permission to mix it up, whether it be metals, patterns, styles or vintages, anything goes. This does take some skill, but when done right, the effect can be stunning.

If you are considering a move or a renovation and don’t know where to begin, feel free to reach out to us, we are always available for your questions!

Home trends & a pandemic to thank for them

The past six months have had us discussing everything from the best sour dough bread starter in lockdown, to whether or not to wear a mask in the spring, to now, whether or not to send our kids back to school or keep them there!

One thing we can all agree on, is that after spending so much time at home over the past several months, the place where we live has never felt more important. People are making big lifestyle decisions and we are seeing new patterns with clients with regards to their home searching criteria. I personally have spent too many hours scrolling ‘the gram’ looking at desert homes, beach homes, country homes…in almost every country in the world!

Many of our lives have changed in ways that a year ago, we could not have imagined. Every pandemic in history has brought about changes to how we use our homes and what design trends will be moving forward. We have noticed that during private showings over the past few months, clients are prioritizing home office set ups and outdoor living spaces and not worrying about a great kitchen for entertaining.

Apartment Therapy released an article about how Coronavirus will change the way homes are built and designed moving forward. Some key points and predictions from the article are:

the end of open concept

More defined spaces and privacy for family members will become increasingly popular over the open concept, one-room-for-all of the past. Big YES to this.

antimicrobial surfaces

Using materials like copper and krion to build, making homes naturally antimicrobial from the start. As we start to renovate our own home, it will be interesting to see what decisions become directed from a ‘clean’ point of view.

outdoor living space for the win

YES! Even though we have a shorter outdoor season in Ontario, I’m 100% here for this. I would love to expand our porch into a 3 season room, or even cover it for rainy evening meals outdoors. Can you find me a patio heater please!!! Carving out space for a small patio or balcony in urban settings will become a priority for architects.

larger master bedrooms

Huh? This one I don’t get. The rationale is that if you had to self-isolate, a larger sanctuary would be beneficial. Personally, I’m not going to give up valuable square footage in my house for this one.

Low rise living

Ok, I see both sides of this, but in a city like Toronto it’s not really an option with affordable housing already being in crisis mode. Architects will have to get creative on how to make elevators “cleaner” and providing green space to residents, but in densely populated cities this one will pose a challenge.

back to basics kitchens

With at home dining being the norm, people are going to improve their cooking spaces for quality cooking (high end appliances etc), not for showy entertaining. Makes sense to me but I don’t love cooking so I’ll stick to pretty.

healthy homes

Smart technology, with the ability to monitor air, water and light quality, will be used in new construction and with the ability to adjust filtration based on reading. One company, HED south, is already doing this and more will follow. Love the idea, but think I’ll hate the price tag.

touch-less technology will become the norm

Motion sensors were once a luxury but will become the norm as builders lean towards touchless light switches, faucets and everything else. Like it!

the front vestibule or mudroom

Having a designated spot as a transition space from the “outside world” to your inside space, both psychologically and physically. Love it, just wish it could work in my 100+ year old home.

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Historically many design trends and building finishes have been directly influenced by plagues and viruses. Have a look!

Our takeaway from all of this is that after spending so much time at home over the past six months we are really thinking about how we use our home and how we can improve it to work best for us. Not all from a “virus” point of view, but how it can be more comfortable, more efficient and more organized moving forward.

Making the Most of your Outdoor Space!

gabenjenny.com

One of my favorite things about summer is dining outdoors, especially this summer! The glorious weather we have enjoyed this summer has allowed us to get out of our houses (finally!) and feel a sense of normalcy after all those months stuck inside.

Even though Labour Day is fast approaching, there is still time to take advantage of the warm weather and the chance to dine ‘al fresco’, so we pulled together some outdoor dining furniture that works well with the outdoor living themes from last month. Bring in similar pops of colour, be consistent with style, and you will have expanded your functional living space all season long.

Outdoor areas are also a great place to have some fun and experiment with your style. Boho not your thing but you've always wanted to give it a try? Decorating outside is an easy way to get out of your comfort zone! Here are some great outdoor looks inspired by some of our favorite west end Toronto neighborhoods. We hope they will inspire you to make the most of your outdoor space.

Dishes | LED Candles | Table | Chairs | Bar Cart

Dishes | LED Lanterns | Table | Chairs | Storage Cabinet

Dishes | Solar Lantern | Table | Chairs | Serving Table

Dishes | Solar Lantern | Table | Chairs | Bar Cart

We plan on taking advantage of outdoor dining as long as we can, and don’t forget you can always invest in a propane heater and extend your outdoor dining season well into the fall! Have fun with it and enjoy!

Outdoor Living Inspiration

royaldesignstudio.com

If you are lucky enough to have a backyard to enjoy during covid, you are probably spending a lot more time out there this year, so we wanted to provide you with a few of our favourite looks, inspired by some of our favourite west end neighbourhoods.

Every year the outdoor living design/decor market expands and gets better. You can match up to the inside of your home or experiment with a totally different style. We are bringing you some inspiration this week for outdoor living and taking advantage of whatever outdoor space you have. Use an outdoor rug to anchor the space and bring in pattern and colour. Pillows, throws and candles will add texture and more pops of colour.

daybed & accent chair | coffee table | rug

sofa | coffee table | accent chair | rug

sofa | coffee table | accent chair | rug

sofa | coffee table | accent chair | rug

Get creative and use lots of colour. Potted plants are an instant way to change the look and feel of your outdoor space. (And you don't have to be patient waiting for everything to turn green!). Have fun out there!

Taking the Overwhelm out of Downsizing Your Home

Some of our favourite recent clients have been those who have been downsizing from their current home to a smaller, more manageable home or condo, a family suite in a family member’s home or to a retirement residence. We love taking the time to guide these clients through this big life transition and help them to start this new chapter in their lives.

Many of these clients have been in their homes for decades and some as long as half a century. These clients endear themselves to us with their stories about how the neighbourhoods have changed, the neighbours who have come and gone, the home renovations they have undertaken and the families they have raised within the walls of these homes. We are honoured and grateful to take this journey with them and consider it a privilege to play a part in this transition.

Some of these clients are in their 70’s, their children have long left home and they are finding that they either don’t want to or can’t manage the responsibilities of maintaining a house any longer. These clients require special attention because most have not moved for many years, they often have accumulated decades worth of belongings that need to be sorted and organized, and it is common for them to feel overwhelmed by the process and all the decisions that need to be made.

However, not everyone considers downsizing later in life, some other motivating factors can be a need to reduce household expenses or pursue a simpler lifestyle, a divorce, an empty nest or the desire to reduce responsibilities in order to enjoy more financial freedom and travel. Regardless of the reason or motivation, the process is similar for everyone and requires compassion, sensitivity and proactive planning.

We take a very thoughtful approach to the downsizing process and are sensitive to the many emotional components that this transition can trigger. Dealing with items belonging to family members who have passed away, engaging grown children in the downsizing process, getting rid of sentimental items that no longer fit or serve and dealing with estates or the division of assets are just a few of the unique obstacles that we need to consider and navigate. With these things in mind, we often suggest beginning this process far in advance of the proposed move in order to avoid undue stress and overwhelm. We sit down with our clients and map out a detailed plan of how to get them from where they are to where they want to go, and implement a timeline and provide resources to help get them there.

You can find more details about how we approach the downsizing process on our downsizing services page. If downsizing is something you are considering but don’t know where to start, we would be happy to sit down with you and chat through your options. With a good plan and an experienced team behind you, downsizing doesn’t have to be overwhelming and can open you up to a world of possibilities!

How to Get Your House Ready to Sell While You Stay at Home

I feel like the first week of this state of emergency went by in a blur, I was totally engrossed in the theories being batted about on social media and addictively watching the news. I quickly learned that we were in this for the long haul and that I needed to put a plan in place to adapt to this new normal. Everyone deals with crisis differently, but I figured out that if I wanted to be at all productive during this time, I had to limit my time on social media and wean myself off the news, limiting my exposure to only credible news organizations who deliver the facts without the fear mongering. I certainly haven’t been perfect and still catch myself scrolling through Facebook at times, but I am trying to focus on getting some of our behind-the-scenes work done that we never seem to have time to do, get some exercise in everyday and keep my kids educated and entertained. No small task, there is A LOT of baking going on at our house!

We are doing everything in our power to do our part to flatten the curve, as I’m sure you are as well. Real estate is a bit of a grey area at the moment, it has been deemed an essential service, but the governing bodies have been clear that this is not business as usual. They have said that only necessary transactions should take place and face-to-face meetings and open houses should be discontinued. If a showing is necessary, strict physical distancing and sanitary measures should be enforced. Many brokerages are requiring disclosures be signed before a showing and all offers should include clauses to protect both buyers and sellers from situations or delays that could arise as a result of the pandemic.

However, if you are considering selling once this is over, there are a lot of things you can do now to get your house ready for the time when we can get back to normal life.

Paint

It’s cheap and can make a huge difference in your space. If your kids are a bit older, you can even recruit them to help out, it will keep them engaged and added bonus, it’s a great life skill. Ideally you have some paint and supplies around to avoid going out to the hardware stores, but if not, some of the small local hardware stores are quiet and could use your business. Also try and tackle any small repairs that you come across in the process. When we do a pre-listing home consultation, 9 times out of 10 we will suggest at least some painting, so this is a great task to check off your to-do list if you have some time on your hands. We would suggest sticking with neutral colours and carrying the same colour palette throughout the open spaces. If you would like to set up a video chat to get our input, we would be happy to connect with you!

patio furniture

It’s April, the sun is shining and the weather forecast is looking favourable. A little vitamin D is always a good idea, so take advantage of this weather by unwrapping the patio furniture and giving it a good scrub down. Clean the furniture with soap and water and wipe down the glass surfaces - this also a great job for kids and even the little ones can join in. Take advantage of the low daytime hydro rates by taking the cushion covers off and putting them through the wash. Shop online for some new throw pillows to give your patio a pop of colour. Another added bonus is that when you are done, you and your family can put it to good use for barbecues, reading or take your WFH outside!

gardens & Outdoor space

You may not be able to plant, but you can certainly rake and clean out the garden beds, mow the lawn and get your yard ready for planting. You can also do any outdoor touch-ups that may be necessary. My goal for next week is to clean and paint my front porch which took a beating over the winter. It’s also a great time to power wash the deck and clean out the shed or garage.

declutter

Even more than painting, decluttering is probably the number one suggestion that we have for homeowners. Take this time to organize and declutter your space, go room by room and you can use our previous blog on downsizing as a guide to get you started. Throw out what is garbage and put any donations in bags and put them in the trunk of your car to be dropped off once the donation centres reopen. We are also in the midst of putting together a room-by-room guide to decluttering so stay tuned!

shop online

If you can afford to, support retailers (particularly local businesses) by shopping on-line for items that will give your house that WOW factor when it goes on the market. Bedding, throw pillows, decor items, vases and wall hangings are all great inexpensive items that can pack a lot of punch.

clean

This is a bit of an ongoing task, but is another great one to get the kids involved in. Clean everything. Be methodical and go room by room. Again take advantage of the lower hydro rates and clean all the bedding, the curtains, rugs & couch cushions. Do a deep clean of the bathrooms and kitchen, and don’t forget the oven, fridge and pantry. Not only will your house sparkle but it is also a great preventative measure for combating the coronavirus.

grout & caulking

I could have put this under cleaning but I think it deserves its own category. This is a crappy job that goes to the bottom of everyone’s list, but it does make a big difference. Here is a link to a effective way to clean the grout lines between tiles. This also a good time to remove old caulking from the bathroom and replace it with a nice clean, white line.

take up a hobby

This isn’t necessarily related to getting your house ready to go on the market, but it can be. If possible, and if you have the time, take up a new hobby or dust off an old one. If you’ve always wanted to learn to sew, try and make some new cushions for your couch, or it can be something completely unrelated, try your hand at a new language or pick up a musical instrument. This is an unprecedented and stressful time and I think that by finding even the smallest amount of joy during this time, it will help to carry us through, and maybe make us better into the future.

Stay safe everyone and please know that we are here for you. If you need assistance or if you would like to ask a question or talk through your options, please reach out, we are always available to chat!

How to organize your home in 10 easy steps!

Whether you are an empty nester looking to downsize into a smaller home or condo, a divorcee looking for an emotional (and physical) fresh start or just any one of us who are looking to embrace the life-changing magic of tidying up, here are some tips on how to de-clutter your space (and your mind!) and get yourself organized with a view to downsizing into a new space or just creating more calm within the space that you are in.First things first:

1.  You need a plan

Before getting started, it is paramount that you have a plan in place, complete with timelines and deadlines.  Just like goal-setting, you will need to write it down, keep it someplace where you can see it, and keep checking those tasks off your list (it will give you a feeling of accomplishment, I promise).

2. Be prepared

Make a list of everything you are going to need to accomplish this momentous task and go out and get them.  The easiest way to get sent off course is to get into a rhythm and then find that you don't have the tools available to complete the task at hand.  Go get garbage bags, boxes, packing tape, sharpies, a label maker and storage containers of various shapes and sizes.  Then crank some music or put on your favourite podcast and get to work!

3.  Enlist help

We know that the thought of downsizing and de-cluttering can be completely overwhelming, but there are people out there who can help.  As realtors, we have a system to help downsizers tackle the clutter and get their house ready for sale, so if you are looking to sell, make sure you engage a realtor who is experienced with the process of downsizing.  There are also professional organizers who, for a fee, can walk you through this transition and, depending on the level of engagement, can even do it all for you.  Additionally, enlist your children and family members to help out, and in some (most) cases, come pick up their stuff!

4.  Eat the frog

You know that task that you absolutely positively DO NOT want to do?  Yeah, do that one first.  I know it sucks and I know you really really really don't want to clean out that storage closet under the stairs, the one that has been collecting all the discarded Christmas gifts and kids art projects for lord knows how many years, but just think how amazing and empowered you will feel when you do finally eat that frog!

5.  Go room by room

Don't multi-task, this process needs to be methodical, so attack each room individually; then close the door and move on.  Go through and pull every item out of every drawer and closet, clean off every surface and then move on to #6.

6.  Separate & Discard

Keep it, give it away or throw it out.  Separate everything into three piles, but be very discriminate, this is not a time for sentimentality.  If you haven't looked at it or used it for years, then it needs to be given away or thrown out.  We know it is difficult to part with items related to your children or family members who have passed away, but try to whittle it down to a much more manageable size.  Maybe take photos of your children's art projects, put them in an album and then keep only your favourite three pieces?  Try shifting your mindset by giving away clothes that belonged to a loved one to charity, they are not only freeing up space in your life but also getting a new one.  Have a yard sale and make a little bit of money while you're at it.  If there are items that you don't use, but are having trouble parting with because they are valuable, have them appraised and see if you can sell them. There are lots of goods options available nowadays and there is someone out there willing to buy everything!

7.  Organize

Do not put anything back that does not have a purpose or a place!  This is key.  Before you put anything back in a drawer or cupboard ask yourself whether it has a purpose and if so, make sure to make a place for it.  This is when storage containers come in very handy and there is so much variety nowadays, there are lots of options that are both practical and decorative.  Have some fun with it and be creative.

8.  Make a list of updates & repairs that need doing

As you are going through this process, make sure to make a list of any repairs or updates that are required, and if you are selling, make a plan to complete them prior to putting the house on the market.  Once the de-cluttering is done, it will then be easy to make the necessary repairs or hire contractors to do them.

9.  Don't forget the outdoor spaces!

Yup, you have to tackle the garage and garden shed as well.  Go through the same process with the outdoor spaces, getting rid of everything that no longer serves your purpose.  Just think, if your plan is to move into a condo, you can say good-bye to that lawnmower forever!

10.  Celebrate!

We know this process can be totally daunting, but we promise it is worth it.   At the end of it, you will feel lighter and more empowered, so once it is done, pour yourself a glass of wine and give yourself a big high-five!  We think you deserve a gift as well ;). If you are looking to downsize and would like us to come by and walk you through our step-by-step guide to downsizing, please feel free to get in touch, we are always available for your questions!