Porch Envy – A Glen Peloso Project

The front porch is making a come back! – It seems a bit odd to say because who would ever have thought the front porch went out of fashion but more new homes are designed with large porches and they are important to buyers

The front area of the house is really the transition area of the house as it is a hybrid of the outdoors and the indoors and while it seems strange to say, it is important to create a space in the greenery that is also green. It isn’t difficult to do, simply look for furniture that is made with recycled materials like recycled plastics from the many bottles of water that get consumed in North America. Not only is the furniture very durable but it is also great looking and will last for years. Simply change up the cushions and you have an entirely new looking set for the porch –

Container gardening is also fantastic as it can provide some great focus to the front of the house while defining the entrance way to the space. I think it is great to use indigenous plants as they require less watering and we are sure that they can survive in your small eco system in the country

Accessorize, with the things that you love when you go to the store, and realize that they can be changed next summer. Better yet to use things that are repurposed to create beauty – an older watering can filled with flowers can look fantastic. Iron or recycled plastic urns make a beautiful delineation of the front entrance and can also add grandeur to the front of your home.

While you are out on the new front porch enjoying nature be sure that you also plan to be kind to nature at the same time! It’s not only nice for your neighbours it’s also kind to mother nature! – enjoy the sun–

Text By Glen Peloso

Glen Peloso Interview & Gallery

Canadian Home Trends’ Style & Design Editor, Marc Atiyolil
Glen, I understand you are the proud co-host of Restaurant Makeover and Take This House & Sell It. What types of design challenges do you run into when designing these spaces on national TV?

Glen Peloso
The biggest problem I face when designing a space for national television is dealing with time and budget constraints and having to make decisions quickly. You have to keep so many elements current in your minds eye including plumbing, electrical, structural, colour, dimension and scale, because there is so little time to go back to the drafting table or even to produce new elements in such a short turn around time. It’s a bit like writing a final exam which counts for 100 percent of your mark, you prepare like crazy, but ultimately what you present on reveal day is what counts. Also having tight budgets and a whole raft of personalities on the job means that you have to be a parent, a leader, an accountant and stick to your vision with some flexibility, all at the same time – it’s a whole lot of hats for one head!

Marc Atiyolil
Often our CHT readers are overwhelmed by the Design process. What types of designer tips and tricks could you tell our readers who are planning on designing a space in the coming months?

Glen Peloso
Start with the function of the rooms you are working on and then move to the form. A kitchen is really a food workshop first then beautiful cabinets and surfaces. Beauty without function will become ugly to you quickly and create frustration for you. Next be conscious of the scale of the pieces you want to work with. Measure them before you buy and then tape it out in the space. Don’t be too anxious to get started with the physical work, planning is more important than constructing in this process. Plan revise, plan revise until you are 100 percent satisfied with the look and the budget. Bring all of the elements of colour together as samples and be sure you like how they all look together. If you feel really unsure, hire someone to help, the cost of a design professional is often much less than making mistakes and having to do things twice.

To read the complete article, pick up a copy of Canadian Home Trends Magazine at participating newsstands or click on the following link to order back issues http://canadianhometrends.ca/index.php/subscribe-today/back-issues/.

Interview with Steven & Chris

Marc Atiyolil:
For our Canadian Home Trends readers that are looking to update their look for spring, what colours would you suggest as this seasons’ “hot colours”?

Steven & Chris:
There are so many trends out there and who can decide on just one? Based on what is happening with the economy we say go bold and bright. Choose a colour pallet that will put a fire in your soul and inspire you to conquer the world…or just put a smile on your face.

Marc Atiyolil:
What are your thoughts on the growing “Green” trend in today’s market?

Steven:
We have covered many segments on Steven and Chris on `green design` and I am amazed on how far it has come. `Green ` design has touched so many aspects of design that it is now a necessary part of life and a way of thinking…not a trend.

Marc Atiyolil:
What is your favorite aspect of a Canadian home décor magazine?

Steven & Chris:
The beauty of Canadian based magazines is that the consumer can be supplied with products relevant to what is available here. We strive for that on Steven and Chris so the viewer can actually get the products and information we supply on the show. We feel that our country has fantastic resources and products and it is not necessary to look anywhere else for good design.

Photography by DustinRabin.com

To read the complete article, pick up a copy of Canadian Home Trends Magazine at participating newsstands or click on the following link to order back issues http://canadianhometrends.ca/index.php/subscribe-today/back-issues/.

Bridget M. Savereux of “The Stagers”

Although interior design is the bulk of her business, Bridget M. Savereux is well-known for her work as a home stager.

Perhaps that’s because she’s one of the experts featured on the popular HGTV show, “The Stagers” and she has a thriving Vancouver design business, Balance 3 Living Design – Mind Body Design, with her Mom, Maureen Powers. In her experience, Bridget has worked on everything from small apartments and condos to an 8-million dollar penthouse, so if you’re thinking of selling your home, she can help you make it look its very best!

Home staging is preparing and transforming your home for a maximum amount and for speed of sale.
Bridget says, “We take your home – a product – and prepare that product for the market.”

When selling your home, you want to do everything you can to make it look its best. Bridget says, “At the end of the night, when people come home after seeing 10 places, you want yours to stand out in their minds. You want them to say, ‘Great layout,’ or ‘See how much furniture they got in there?’

With a home stager like Bridget, you can take it from ordinary to dynamic!

There are many different levels of preparation Bridget can offer, from helping you declutter if you don’t have a big budget for new furniture, to neutralizing and cleaning the space.

“We give them an effective way to place furniture and tell them to get rid of certain pieces,” Bridget says. “If they have any wild patterns or wrong colours going on that might not appeal to a larger market, they go too.”

Basically, “you want to give them (new home buyers) as little ammunition as possible. No odd smells, heavy, bulky furniture, dirt or crazy colors.”

She also says, “Please, please, please clean. We like to call it hotel clean.” That means no clutter, no dirt and definitely no rumpled anything!

Bridget says, “We try not to recommend buying furniture. That is why we offer the whole service of staging. Part of our service is that we bring in furniture to scale for the space.”

She works with Dekora, Canada’s leading staging company, where she can walk through the large warehouse and bring in the appropriate pieces.

One thing you should know is that you are not involved in this part.

“When you turn it over to us,” Bridget says, “You have to disconnect and think of your house as a product. Trust that the stagers will come in and do what they are professionally trained to do. We don’t need emotional interference.”

But you will learn all of this in the consultation, of which there are many levels.

“We give you ideas to use with your existing furniture and we can do an ‘enhancement,’ where we use some of your furniture and bring in some,” Bridget says.

And then there’s the level where “You pretty much move everything out and we come in and completely recreate the space.” This may mean ripping out carpet or flooring, repainting, etc.

It’s all based on your budget and whatever you come up with in the consultation.

Bridget has noticed some trends that you should keep in mind:

1. Buying large furniture without measuring or working with a designer. Often you bring the piece of furniture home and it doesn’t fit or work in the space. Don’t feel bad – you’re not an expert. But at least hire one!

2. Large televisions. Do not make these the focal point of your home unless they are part of a media room. Store it away when not in use.

3. Platform beds. They may look cool sure, but you lose the under the bed storage and often they take up the whole room!

4. Reassess all the electronics in your home. Get rid of what you don’t use and tidy up what you have.

5. Stainless steel appliances are here to stay. Just be sure to keep them clean. Wipe them down when you do the counters.

6. Open concept living is huge. Flow of your kitchen to your dining room to the living room creates an integrated feeling to the home. Embrace this. It looks better this way.

Bridget M. Savereux can take your home from Hmm to WOW! in just a few easy steps. And you’ll have a home that sells quickly and have a better, cleaner way of living in your new home.

Win-win.

Text by Stephanie Dickison
Photos Compliments of HGTV

Sarah Richardson Q & A with our Style Editor, Marc Atiyolil

Canadian Home Trends’s Style Editor, Marc Atiyolil:
Congratulations on the new series, Sarah’s Cottage. What can viewers expect to see this premier season?

Sarah Richardson:
They’ll see what it really takes to build an off-the-grid solar-powered oasis in the middle of nowhere. We are 17 miles from town by boat, so just getting to the island is a challenge all in itself. The project was a large scale renovation: an addition to a small, existing, 10 year old cottage. We were under very tight time line pressure to complete both the project and the TV series as we were shooting another series (Sarah’s House, airs Tuesdays on HGTV), and I was about to have a baby.

Marc Atiyolil:

With Sarah’s House going on another season, Sarah’s Cottage being launched and the new baby, how are you finding time for everything?

Sarah Richardson:
Right now I’m trying to focus on taking a few months off and dedicating most of my time to my daughters and enjoying watching them grow. When I’m in production on my shows I juggle, delegate and prioritize. If I can’t get it all done during business hours I go back to work after the kids go to bed if needed. I never work on weekends and thrive on the family time we spend together.

To read the complete article, pick up a copy of Canadian Home Trends at participating newsstands or click on the following link to order back issues http://canadianhometrends.ca/index.php/subscribe-today/back-issues/.

Photo compliments of HGTV – Canada