Window coverings can make or break the aesthetic in any space. Curtains are a great way to change the appearance of a room, making it feel brighter and even bigger. However, choosing the wrong curtains may have the opposite effect.

Here is a guide to picking the right curtains for your space:

To Add Width

If your window is narrow or you want to widen the look of your space, extend your curtain rod on either side of the window to cover an area of 10 to 12 inches outside the frame. Avoid slat blinds or Roman blinds if you’re trying to make your windows look wider. These options will sit inside the frame, making the window look even more narrow.

To Add Height

Place your curtain rod flush to the ceiling or below to add a lengthening effect to the room. Make sure your drapes are long enough to be flush with the floor to make the most of this effect, ensure that you avoid contact with heating elements or floor vents. Avoid fixing your curtain rods just above your window if you’re trying to create the illusion of higher ceilings.

To Add Privacy Without Sacrificing Light

Opt for fabrics such as thick linen or double-lined cotton to prevent your neighbours from seeing your living room dance parties. Black-out curtains are a great option to preserve energy and enhance privacy. You may also opt to install roller shades in your bedrooms for additional privacy.

 Contrary to what some might think, fall doesn’t have to be a season of shutdown in the garden. It can be an opportunity to turn your outdoor living space into a stunning autumn oasis that not only boosts your home’s curb appeal,  but also enhances your quality of life. While it may sound like a large undertaking, with the right tips, you’ll be well on your way toward creating a beautiful garden that thrives year-round.

Preparing Your Soil
Healthy soil is the foundation of any garden. Begin by clearing out any summer plants and debris from your garden beds. From there, you can enrich the soil with compost to boost its nutrient content, giving your fall plants the best environment to grow strong.

Choosing Your Plants
Spring isn’t the only time of year you can have beautiful flowers in the garden! The key is to choose plants that thrive in cooler weather. 

Perennials like asters, chrysanthemums, and ornamental grasses bring rich colours and textures to your space, while late-blooming flowers such as sedum and goldenrod will keep your garden looking beautiful as the season unfolds.

Planning for Continual Bloom
Creating a garden that blooms all year long is all about thoughtful planning  and choosing plants with staggered flowering times so that as one bloom fades, another takes its place. 

This way, your garden will stay vibrant and beautiful throughout the season. 

Are you ready to improve your home’s curb appeal?

Following the incredible deluge of rain that fell in the City of Toronto last week, many people were impacted with flooded basements and water damage. However, rain isn’t the only way that our homes can be damaged by water, burst pipes and water leaks can also result in flooding.

Here are a couple of articles about protecting your home.
- “Helping clients prevent costly surprises: How to avoid water damage and maintain insurance coverage”. RealEstateMagazine.ca

- City of Toronto: Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program - “During heavy rain, the sewers can become overloaded. It is essential that homeowners take appropriate action to reduce the risk of basement flooding.
Owners of a single-family, duplex, triplex or fourplex residential home can apply online for a subsidy of up to $3,400 per property to install flood protection devices. Eligible work includes: installation of a backwater valve; installation of a sump pump; severance and capping of a home’s storm sewer or external weeping tile connection. Disconnecting the downspouts from your property’s eavestrough system is not eligible for a subsidy.”
Check your eligibility for the program at: Toronto.ca - Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program

Spring isn’t only a time of renewal for us. As the days get longer, your houseplants are beginning to wake up from their winter dormancy. Now is the perfect time to give them the tender love and care they need to thrive all year long.

Follow these tips for happier houseplants:

1. Repot
This is the ideal time to give plants a bit of extra space to grow by repotting, allowing their roots to stretch out and absorb more fertilizer. If your plants still have room for growth, add some fresh soil to the top.

2. Prune
Most indoor plants take well to pruning. In fact, pruning often encourages new growth. To start, cut off any leaves that are yellow, bruised, or shrivelled. Next, cut off any stems that have grown long and leggy or have put out only small new growth. New stems should form in their place.

3. Fertilize
There’s nothing like a good dose of nutrients to get your plants going after their winter rest! Now is the time to restart your fertilizing routine to give your plants the nutrients they need to thrive.

4. Dust and Wash
Did you know dust accumulation on leaves prevents light absorption in plants? Give your plants a little spring bath by supporting the underside of the leaf with your palm, and wiping the surface with a damp paper towel or soft cloth. You can also put your plants in the bath and give them a shower with tepid water – just be sure not to overwater!