Real Estate Blog - Decorating & Design

Bee-Friendly Gardening in Calgary

Creating a bee-friendly garden in Calgary is a rewarding way to support local pollinators while enhancing your outdoor space. Plus, did you know we're considered the official Bee City?

The City of Calgary writes, "Calgary is an official Bee City and designated as a Bird Friendly City. The City of Calgary is committed to providing habitat and resources for wildlife by incorporating native plants into our parks and greenspaces. Calgary is a mecca for native bees and 199 different types of bees have been documented in our city. Calgary may contain more kinds of bumble bees than any other city in North America, three of which are endangered species. Climate change, disease, pesticide use and habitat loss have all contributed to the decline of…

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The Best House Plants

Did you know that greenery is good for your mental health?

Jamie Keaton Jones, LICSW, PhD, says, "plants and exposure to greenery have been found to have multiple mental health benefits, such as lowering stress, decreasing feelings of depression, increasing sociability, restoring focus, improving cognitive performance, improving mood, and increasing self-esteem" (The Healthy). 

While it is too early to start digging in the garden, house plants provide an excellent alternative for people looking to enjoy greenery in the colder months. Here are some of the top houseplants that are easy to maintain and will benefit your mental health:

Philodendron Plant: "Philodendron plants, known for being low-maintenance, can thrive indoors if given the…

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Guest Room Hospitality

Hospitality is such a gift. Those who do it well have the ability to make people feel safe, loved, and relaxed. If you have a guest room that often hosts people, this is a great opportunity to practice hospitality. Little details can go a long way and are sure to make your home the standard to which all others are compared. Here are some tips to make your guest room shine:

1. Invest in Décor: Do not simply shove a spare mattress in the room and call it a day. Take the time to thoughtfully curate a warm and welcoming environment. Paint it a nice neutral color, invest in a simple bedframe and mattress, get linens that are just for that bed, and make sure there is warm lighting available besides the overhead light. You do not need to do anything…

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Romantic Home Features You’ll Love

It is the season love, and we love living in Calgary! Even though February can be the coldest month of the year, Calgary homeowners still find ways to keep the romance alive. After all, when you make your home a sanctuary of peace and love, the most romantic night out can be one at home. In the spirit of the month of love, here are some romantic home features that you’ll adore:

1. Fireplaces: Fireplaces are a home run when it comes to adding atmosphere. The crackling wood, glimmering light, and warmth all make a space feel incredibly cozy and safe. Whether you have a real fireplace or a faux one, make the most of it on a relaxing night in.
2. Textiles: Even the coldest, bleakest places can have warmth and love added to them with a simple throw…

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How to Create a Warm and Inviting Home Office for Fall

As the crisp autumn air settles in and the days get shorter, creating a warm and inviting home office can make all the difference in how productive and comfortable you feel. Whether you’re working from home full-time or need a cozy spot to tackle tasks, transforming your office for fall can boost your mood and efficiency. Here are some tips to help you design a space that’s both functional and seasonally inspired.

1. Indulge in Cozy Textures: The change in season calls for layers and warmth. Bring this feeling into your office with cozy textures like chunky knit throws, velvet cushions, and soft rugs. Adding a plush area rug under your desk can help keep your feet warm on colder mornings, while cushions on your chair add comfort during long work…

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Tips for Staging Your Home This Fall

As the days get shorter and the air becomes crisp, fall brings a unique opportunity to stage your home with a cozy, welcoming ambiance. Whether you’re selling your property or just want to refresh your space, here’s how to stage your home for fall and highlight the season’s best features:

1. Embrace Warm & Inviting Colors: Fall is synonymous with warm, earthy tones that reflect the changing leaves. Incorporate rich hues like deep oranges, browns, golden yellows, and muted reds into your home’s color scheme. You can do this through throw pillows, blankets, and accent pieces like candles or artwork.
2. Make Every Space Cozy: Staging for fall means enhancing the coziness factor. Arrange seating areas to invite relaxation and warmth. Swap out…

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The Best Outdoor Lighting for Your Property

Outdoor lighting is so important for your home! Not only does it enhance safety, it can add to the ambiance and overall aesthetic of your home. 

Not sure where to start? Here are some tips for the different areas of your property:

• Deck and Patio: If you have a deck or patio, proper lighting can turn it into a cozy outdoor living space. String lights, lanterns, and recessed deck lights add charm and functionality. Consider installing dimmable fixtures to control the ambiance according to different occasions.
• Pathways: Pathway lights are essential for both safety and aesthetics. They guide visitors to your front door and highlight the beauty of your landscaping. Solar-powered stake lights are a popular, eco-friendly option that’s easy to…

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Spring Home Decorating Recommendations

Here in Calgary, Alberta, Spring is the beautiful redemption on the horizon that follows a harsh winter. We eagerly anticipate the moment we can unplug our block heaters, store away mittens, and crack open the windows for the first time since the frost. 

Spring is the perfect time to give your home a little refresh! Declutter and recycle/donate/throw away items you no longer need. Wipe down all the nooks and crannies, and take out the outside furniture again.

The most fun part of the post-spring clean is decorating for the new season. Whether you choose to lean into the upcoming Easter holidays or not, spring decor is a great way to add some life back into your home following a cold snap. Here are some tips from the experts:

• Lighter…

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Pantone Colour of The Year for 2024

The new year ushers in many things: new goals, new adventures, new opportunities, and a new color of the year from Pantone! The 'it' color for 2024?

Peach Fuzz!

Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute™, announces, "In seeking a hue that echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection, we chose a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance. A shade that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace, and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless."

What do you think?

The official color-code is PANTONE 13-1023. Pantone writes, "Peach Fuzz captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others. It's a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul." Read all…

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Western Inspired Home Décor Ideas

Creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in our homes is essential for our well-being, and one design style that continues to captivate hearts is Western-inspired home decor. Combining rustic elegance with a touch of nostalgia, this style evokes images of sprawling ranches, cowboy hats, and the enchanting beauty of the Albertan Wild West. Here are some ideas to help you create a Western-inspired haven that embraces the spirit of the west: 

1. Earthy Color Palette: To capture the essence of the Western landscape, start with a warm and earthy color palette. Shades of warm brown, terracotta, deep red, and burnt sienna will mimic the hues of sunsets over the prairie. Introduce these colors through your walls, furniture, and textiles to create a cozy…

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