Special Features - Project Home 2019

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PROJECT HOME

 RENOVATIONS  DECORATIONS  LIGHTING  KITCHEN  TIPS AND MORE

PROJECT HOME 2019

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PROJECT HOME

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HARDWARE SUPPLIES Windsor Plywood 250.287.8012 • www.windsorplywood.com

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HEATING Des the Gas Man 250.792.4411 • www.desthegasman.com

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HOME & GARDEN | LANDSCAPING Art Knapp Plantland 250.334.3024 • www.artknappcourtenay.ca

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LIGHT INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT North Island Tractor 250.334.0801/ Toll Free 1.866.501.0801 • www.islandtractors.com

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PLUMBING Carlson’s Plumbing & Home Renovations 250.830.8939 • Campbell River

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PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Men in Kilts 1.800.777.5458 • www.meninkilts.com

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WINDOWS DECKS AND RAILS Budget Blinds 250.287.8564 • www.budgetblinds.com

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North Island Glass 250.287.8396 • www.northislandglass.ca

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MOVING/ STORAGE/ DUMPSTER Contain A Way 1.888.222.7124 • www.contain-a-way.com

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CONTRACTOR/ RENOVATIONS Maple Creek Homes 250.203.7461/ 250.000.0000 • www.maplecreekhomes.ca

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POWER SPORT/ ACCESSORIES Campbell River Boatland Inc. 250.286.0752 • www.campbellriverboatland.ca

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PROJECT HOME

Fireplaces: natural gas or propane?

Are you unsure whether to get a gas or propane fireplace? In spite of their many similarities, these two options have a few differences that can help you determine which is best for you.

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If you already have a natural gas provider (because you have a gas stove, for example), you may want to opt for a gas fireplace. The coupling and maintenance will be easier due to existing infrastructure.

A propane fireplace, however, will have to be connected to an out­door tank. But if you want your fireplace to create a warm, rustic atmosphere, choose propane. It creates a flame similar to that of a wood-burning fireplace, which makes it more visually pleasing than a gas-powered model.

Nevertheless, propane fireplaces are usually more expensive than gas-powered ones.

They also tend to be more expensive to use, as propane costs more than natural gas in many locations.

PROS Whether you choose a fireplace that runs on propane or natural gas, you’ll have an effective, easy-to-use heating unit. Both can be turned on and off and controlled by a thermostat.

Many models can also be programmed so that they turn on and off at set times.

Both types require little maintenance since they don’t produce ash. You just have to clean the glass and the burners on a regular basis. Finally, neither option requires the installation of a chimney. A tube or vent is enough to let combustion gases out.

PROJECT HOME

How to prevent window condensation Are your windows often fogged up in the winter? In addition to blocking your view of the outdoors, condensation reduces the amount of sunlight that comes into your home. The result? You have to heat and light up your space more. Hello, epic energy bills!

Furthermore, condensation can damage window frames and cause numerous problems such as rust and mould.

How can this be remedied? To reduce or eliminate your con­densation problems, make sure that the ventilation in your kitchen and bathroom is as efficient as possible. You can also maximize air circulation by opening your blinds or curtains as often as possible. Try to maintain your indoor humidity levels at around 35 to 50 per cent. Don’t forget that some habits, like hanging wet clothes in the house to dry, can contribute to higher humidity levels.

Finally, if your windows are old, the best solution is to replace them with new ones.

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PROJECT HOME

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Three ways to make your home more energy efficient NORTH ISLAND TRACTOR

Whether you’re building from the ground up or renovating your existing house, there are many things you can do to reduce the amount of electricity it takes to power yourBC home. Not Courtenay only is it better for the environment but it’ll (250)in334-0801 also saveTel: you money the long run. Here are a few ways you can improve energy effiToll-Free 1-866-501-0801 ciency in your home.

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INSULATE: Install both high-quality insulation and well-insulated windows and doors to stop cold air from coming into your home. Your heating and cooling system won’t need to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature.

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SOLAR POWER: Install solar panels on your roof to produce your own clean electricity. If you generate more power than your house needs, you can make some money by selling it back to the electric company.

PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT: avoid heating your home when nobody’s there by installing a programmable thermostat that can be set to lower your home’s temperature both during the day and while you’re asleep.

Even if renovating isn’t in your current plans, there are still lots of things you can do to reduce your energy consumption. Replacing regular light bulbs with LED lights and installing thermal curtains to block cold air from getting into your house are simple measures you can take.

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2 Ready to take the plunge and finally purchase your dream house?

Here are seven key steps to become a homeowner.

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SAVE FOR THE DOWN PAYMENT

When you buy a house, you have to put down a large amount of money to secure your purchase.

The larger the down payment, the smaller your mortgage loan will be. Keep in mind that if your down payment is less than 20 per cent of the total purchase cost, you’ll also have to pay for mortgage default insurance each month.

As you’re saving, pay attention to your credit score, which is a determining factor in how good of a mortgage you’ll get.

SET A BUDGET

Start by figuring out how much you can realistically afford to pay for a new home.

Remember that mortgage payments aren’t the only expenses you’ll have to consider; you’ll also need to pay for utilities, property taxes, home insurance and repairs.

3 FIND THE MORTGAGE THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU Mortgages depend on the amount you’re able to pay upfront (the down payment) and the length of time you’ll have to pay the loan back. Before you start house hunting, you should get pre-approved for a mortgage by your bank or mortgage broker.

During the pre-approval process, the lender determines the amount you qualify for.

Sellers will be more receptive to your offer if you’re pre-approved.

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CHOOSE A REAL ESTATE AGENT Your real estate agent is your guide through the home buying process. Take the time to interview at least three different agents who have a thorough knowledge of the housing market in your area before choosing one who’s a good fit in terms of your needs and personality.

START HOUSE HUNTING As you tour different homes, make sure to keep a list of all the features you’re looking for during the visits and take notes so you can keep track of your impressions.

You should also make a list of questions to ask your agent about each property.

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FINALIZE THE DEAL

Once you’ve settled on a price, you’ll be able to start making closing arrangements, such as finalizing the payment and mortgage terms.

On closing day, the final documents will be signed and you’ll receive the deed and the keys to your new home.

MAKE AN OFFER

When you find the home of your dreams, you’ll need to prepare a written offer in consultation with your agent specifying how much you’re willing to pay.

It’s recommended that your offer include certain contingencies like the right to have the home appraised and inspected before completing the transaction.

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PROJECT HOME

Three rules for remodelling your kitchen Planning a kitchen remodel? Here are three golden rules you should follow to ensure your project’s success.

1. THE WORK TRIANGLE When planning the layout of your kitchen, you need to consider the work triangle, a zone delineated by the washing, cooking, and food storage spaces. This triangle is where you will spend most of your time.

For the kitchen to function well, the distances between the dishwasher (or sink), the fridge and the stove must be equal, or almost equal.

Don’t place these appliances too far apart.

2. CLEARANCE Do you want to build an island in your kitchen?

Make sure to leave about four feet (1.07 metres) of space between your cupboards and your island so that you can move around easily. Similarly, plan for at least three feet (0.9 metres) of clearance in front of your dishwasher for comfortable loading and unloading.

In all cases, make sure that you can move around without having to contort yourself, even when the fridge, oven or dishwasher door is open.

3. LIGHTING Generally, kitchens have four types of lighting: natural light (from a window above the sink, for example), general light (from a ceiling light or recessed lights), task lights (spotlights on your work surfaces) and accent lights (LED strips underneath the cabinets). Be sure to plan out the placement of your lights before beginning construction work.

Finally, for all your construction and renovation project needs, never hesitate to call on your local specialists.

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Call us Today!

1-888-222-7124 Spring cleaning, one room at a time

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The change of season is a great opportunity to do some spring cleaning. Don’t know where to start? Here is a list of tasks to help you out.

KITCHEN • Throw away any expired food in your refrigerator and freezer and wash the interior.

• Clean your stove from top to bottom, not forgetting the hood.

• Clean your cabinets and rearrange everything in a logical order.

• Empty your pantry in order to clean the shelves and check that all food products are still edible.

• Run your empty dishwasher through a full cycle.

LIVING ROOM • Are your upholstery or cushions stained?

Entrust them to a cleaning specialist. The same applies for rugs and carpets.

• Dust your blinds and wash your curtains.

BATHROOM • Check the expiry dates on your medications.

• Disinfect the sink, bathtub, shower and toilet bowl.

• Clean any tiling; rent a steam cleaner for best results.

• Replace the shower curtain if it’s dama­ged in any way.

Every room will benefit from a seasonal cleaning: dining room, home office, ba­ sement, attic and even the garage. If necessary, stagger the work over se­veral days. Go at your own pace, one room at a time.

BEDROOM • Clean the inside and outside of your drawers and bedside tables.

• Reorganize your closets, giving away any clothes you no longer wear.

• Vacuum your mattress thoroughly and then flip it over.

Of course, you also have the option of using a professional cleaning ser­vice; what a nice spring gift to yourself that would be!

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PROJECT HOME

Choosing the right lighting for your home Most design experts agree that the key to good lighting is having multiple layers of light that complement each other and fulfill different roles in the space. In general, homes require three basic types of lighting: 1. AMBIENT LIGHTING. A room’s main source of lighting, often provided by chandeliers, pendant lighting or ceilingmount lights. This layer sets the overall tone of the room, but it should only be the starting point of your lighting design.

2. TASK LIGHTING. A type of lighting that illuminates areas where you need extra brightness for performing specific tasks, such as reading, cooking or working at a computer.

For instance, you could install a hanging light fixture over the kitchen sink or install a lamp next to your preferred reading chair.

3. ACCENT LIGHTING. Lighting used to highlight unique architectural features or certain objects, such as paintings, sculptures, decorative accessories or antique collectibles. Accent lighting should be concealed as much as possible since its purpose is to illuminate without being too obvious.

Using different types of lighting in each room allows you to change the intensity of the light according to how you’re using the space at the time and keeps you from relying on a single overhead light that may be too bright or create a lot of shadows.

PROJECT HOME

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Carlson's

Plumbing and Home Renovations - Bathrooms Kitchens - Fireplaces

Five tips for surviving a home renovation Home renovation projects are almost always stressful, but with a little preparation, you’ll survive.

Here are five tips for getting through your home renovation with your sanity intact.

1. PLAN EVERYTHING: Make a timeline, buy all the materials you’ll need and line up all the contractors before starting.

2. FLEXIBILITY IS KEY: Projects almost always take longer and cost more than expected, and there’s always a chance that something won’t go according to plan.

3. BE READY FOR DUST: It will get everywhere. Remove everything from the room, cover furniture and electronics and clean every day.

4. SPLURGE ON A DREAM ITEM: Whether it’s a professional gas range in the kitchen or the perfect soaker tub for your bathroom, a splurge like this is great motivation for getting through the renovation.

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Anders 250-830-8939 5. MAKE A CONSTRUCTION FREE ZONE: You’ll need a place to relax that’s free of dirt and dust, especially if you live with children or pets. If you’re without a kitchen for a while, include a bar fridge and microwave.

When all else fails, try to get out of the house for a weekend to take your mind off of what’s happening at home.

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PROJECT HOME

Wabi-sabi: embracing the perfectly imperfect home Wabi-sabi is the ancient Japanese philosophy of finding beauty and serenity in the imperfect. If you want to incorporate this ancient philosophy into the style and design of your home, here are a few ways to start.

• USE HANDMADE ITEMS: wabi-sabi is about authenticity, so favour decorations and furniture that aren’t mass-produced. Hang a painting made by a family member instead of a print, and shop at local boutiques and flea markets instead of big box stores.

• GET RID OF CLUTTER: it’s hard to find the peace of mind wabi-sabi offers when you’re surrounded by clutter. Getting rid of things that you don’t use and organizing the things you need will bring tranquility into your home.

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• BRING THE OUTDOORS INSIDE: organic materials like wood and natural stone are a big part of the wabi-sabi philosophy. Using these materials and filling your home with live plants will bring positive energy into your home.

Wabi-sabi is about finding beauty in imperfection. Don’t be afraid to bring something into your home that makes you happy, even if it doesn’t match the rest of your decor.

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