October 2022 IN The Door Newsletter

The DoorIN

WHAT'S IN THIS

MAIN VIBE - IT’S FALL, LET’S KICK LEAVES Raquel Feldberg & Alan Feldberg

Welcome to our IN THE DOOR monthly newsletter In a matter of a few weeks, we are feeling a weather change it’s a bit chilly, no? There is something about the Fall that makes us feel rejuvenated and ready to kickstart new beginnings or, at least, kick some crispy leaves around in the forest. We are reaching for our cozy sweaters and pairing up all the single socks we didn’t have time to match during the summertime There should be a dating app for single socks - is this a thing yet? We have been practicing some of our own household tips lately and painted the interior of our house white, and took a risk of painting the back of our front door, black We LOVE it!! You may think choosing white paint is simple, however, have you checked the current selection of white paint offered by Benjamin Moore, lately? Chantilly Lace and Decorator White won the battle here We are finding the new, more subdued, real estate market to be a good change - the interest rates are up but prices are down, with a little common sense, buying and selling can be feasible and there are some great opportunities to look out for. Sellers, in this market, are having more comfort knowing that their purchasers are now, in fact, able to close - a huge concern and issue we saw in the summertime We are finally moving on! We are so proud of our newsletter and have fun creating it for you Let’s touch on all the good things with a little bit of real estate meandering through after all, we are Realtors but, what’s more, we are REAL PEOPLE too! Thank you for sharing your time with us R&A

THE COUNTRY LIFE

Are you a country mouse or a city mouse? The referenced childhood tale brings together cousin mice who offer each other the foods and charms of their individual dwellings – respectively vying to impress the other With much reflection, the city mouse contemplates the humble and peaceful country lifestyle of his earthy cousin With the current environment as it is, you may be looking to become a country mouse The past few summers experienced an unprecedented wave of demand for Ontario cottage country properties as vacationing close to home became the norm As that trend continues, especially for lake front properties, you may be considering downsizing your city home, or simply making a change in lifestyle – an investment in the country life

While the pandemic may have been the primary driving force behind the uptake in cottage sales, other motivating factors such as spending quality time with family, a quiet place to ‘work from home’ or simply a more leisurely existence, have all influenced the real estate market. Since cottages come in all shapes and sizes as well as price points, it has now become easier for you to make that lifestyle transition that perhaps, you’ve always dreamed about.

It used to be that cottages housed old furniture dragged up from the city, or purchased cheaply at garage sales Mismatched lamps and frumpy rugs were conventional Today, whether it be a cottage or a condo investment in Ontario’s beautiful and scenic landscape, décor and styles have added indulgence to their repertoire

“People want their creature comforts,” says award winning Interior Designer Tara Fingold. “Spa showers, heated floors, walk-in fridge/freezer and laundry rooms with multiple machines are commonplace. The cottage has become a place of gathering, a place to entertain,” she says “Many have even made it their primary residence Gone are the days where cottages are just a rustic retreat ”

PhotobyTaraFingoldInteriors

Builder John Schmalz of J S Custom Builders agrees “While the higher end cottages are including many of the bells and whistles, ALL are being built to live in These are second homes so they must be livable Home offices and gyms are typical ”

There are plenty of options when it comes to design, using natural woods, large bay windows and sleek white and black accents “The trend is to present clean lines People want fresh, bright space Design and architecture have come together,” says Tara “Alternatively, there’s the Hampton style Beach House look mostly white, combined with soft ocean colours of blue and green Big tall windows are everywhere ”

Both Tara and John have borne witness to this striking new movement toward the country life “While the areas in Muskoka and Port Carling are still quite popular, regions surrounding the smaller lakes are blowing up,” says John “People are going farther north, places like Parry Sound or Georgian Bay, in order to afford a country home In fact, the market for rural properties – some not even lakefront – have just exploded in recent years ”

While the moral of the fabled Country Mouse and the City Mouse suggests it is better to live a humble life than one of luxury, today’s cottagers are looking for both, knowing they can be attainable and affordable The cottage is just that – a home away from home

PhotobyJ.S.CustomBuilders

PhotobyTaraFingoldInteriors

Feature Image By J S Custom Builders

Healthy Recipes by Toronto Blogger

Chicken- placethechickenbreastsina potthencoverthemwith1inchofwater. Bringthewatertoaboil,thencoverthe potandreducetheheat.Letthechicken simmerfor8-16minutes,untilfully cooked.Shredthechickenusingtwoforks orahandmixer. Ifpreferred,youmaydicethechicken Mix thechickenwithtacosauce.

MIDTOWN TORONTO SpotlightOn ORETTA MIDTOWN & ORETTA MIDTOWN

*Tried and Tasted by Taste The Six

“Tiramisu, you have my heart ��” Tiramisu made with traditional mascarpone and espresso tiramisu, savoiardi cookie, cocoa powder Oretta Midtown has options for vegetarians and vegans, plus, those with gluten allergies or intolerances Oretta’s gluten free pasta is phenomenal Leave room for dessert - try the cannoli (hand-piped at table-side) or our personal favourite, tiramisu - it’s massive! ”

MIDTOWN TORONTO

You’ve arrived in the Heart of the city – a vibrant and chic metropolis of upscale restaurants, entertainment centres, clubs, shopping boutiques, health stores as well as some of Toronto’s top schools. The area contrasts the quiet, treelined side streets and well-maintained homes, with its busy cosmopolitan main streets – giving Midtown Toronto a real ‘New York’ feel! We love walking and taking in the sights on the busy main streets and then cutting to a stroll along the nature-rich Kay Gardner Beltline Trail. While our shoes are always tied, accessibility to transit courtesy of the Yonge St. subway line makes getting around Toronto a breeze! Lately, the burgeoning condo development in the area makes it the perfect time to invest in your future – whether you’re a first time buyer or looking for supplementary income -- there truly is something for every demographic and every type of lifestyle in Midtown Toronto

We love you because

BestPatioAmbiance

PianoPiano-623Mt PleasantRd,Toronto

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UniqueShopsforHouseGifts

DanaJordan-1732AvenueRoad,Toronto

Aconvenientstopformoderngiftsandnecessitiesforalloccasions BrandslikeJonathanAdleriskeptcurrent-wealwaysseemtopickgifts fromthatsection!Loveitall!

PuttiFineFurnishings -1104YongeStreet,Toronto

Wediscoveredthishiddengemandinstantlyfellinlovewiththiswell stocked,giftsforeveryoneshopfrombabyclothesandjewelledslippersto metalservingspoonswithetchedmessages,tosoapsandbedding It’sa seriesofboutiquedepartmentsinonestore *imageprovided

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Awonderfulselectionofhousehold,holidayandnoveltygifts Gorgeous candlesanddiffusersets,colourfullucitedishesandgames Giftgivingis easyhere-weloveourluciteRumicubset!

TopSpecialtyGroceryStores

SummerhillMarket-484EglintonAve W,Toronto

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TheRollingPin-1970AvenueRoad,Toronto

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SEPTEMBER 2022 MARKET WATCH

GTA GTA

HOMEENERGYSAVINGTIPSTHATWON’T LEAVEYOUSHIVERINGORSWEATING

If you want to reduce your home energy costs, the easiest way is to turn the thermostat up or down. In fact, you probably won’t notice a difference of 2 degrees either way — and the savings can be substantial.

However, if you want to lower your bill even further each month, here are some additional tips that are relatively easy to implement:

Plug or fix the drafts. Even in newer homes, air filtration can occur at windows and doors So, check around your home for drafts Windy or cold days are the best days to check. Then, get any drafts you find repaired or, at least, temporarily plugged

Check the attic Heat rises and can escape through the attic. So, once a year, check the attic insulation for thin or bare spots The insulation should be even across the space

Try some of these ideas over the next couple of months. Then, look at the impact they’ve had on your energy costs.

Get smart with your thermostat Most thermostats these days are programmable Program yours to reduce the heat at night and when you’re away in the winter. In the summer, be easy on the A/C during the day and save the cooling for nighttime

Unused rooms? Close the vents to reduce heat or A/C You might be surprised by how much that will lower your energy bill (Think about rooms, such as a rec room, that you only use on weekends.)

Harness the sun It’s free energy! Whenever possible, keep curtains open during cooler seasons to take advantage of this heat source, even on cloudy days Do the opposite during hot summer days.

Trends We Love

A sweet twist on design.

Herringbone Hardwood Penny Tile Patterned Mosaic

Often associated with parquet flooring, herringbone hardwood was always thought to be a traditional look. Choosing a light blond finish will immediately brighten and refresh any room, plus, the herringbone pattern often makes a room or hallway appear more spacious. This flooring choice has become very popular and quite a showstopper.

A style which has been around for over 100 years or more has made a come back in today’s current design trends. In fact, we chose it for our own bathroom which we recently renovated. We fell in love with a white gritty finish penny tile which we enhanced with a silver grout. When the shower is dry, the grout is light silver and when it’s wet, the tile grout pops with a dark grey hue. We love it.

Not your average Realtor.

Patterned tile has been around for centuries. An easy way to add a custom punch of design aesthetic to a hallway, bathroom or mud room is to lay an interesting mosaic tile. There are so many styles and colour-ways to choose from and an attention grabber every time! Patterned mosaic tile can be found in porcelain and, for an easy application, choose a peel and stick. Both look great!

Totally floored.

Something Personal

It’stheperfecttimetoshareapoemIwrote20years agowhentheAutumnleaveswerestartingtoturn. OurdaughterSloaneisnow20yearsold.Enjoy!Raquel

City Girl Sloane at the Market

WRITTEN BY RAQUEL FELDBERG

TheCityisalivelyplace Grandoldtreeswhistleinthewhirl Peoplemovequickly,birdschirp,squirrelschatter, andit’shometothisoneyearoldgirl

CitygirlSloanelovestheactionoutside ontheAvenueiswheresheisstrolled sheisparticularlyfondofsomemerchantsindeed Wheregreysidewalksarenowglowinggold

HalfwaybetweenCastleRoadandCrest greencanopycoversthemarketstore itisnoticeablybright,theflowersstandtotheright plantsandpumpkinstotheleftofthedoor AndthatdoorisagiantofMaplesogreat SloaneispushthroughthewaywithGreatspeed infrontofhertoesandupoverhernose sheseesorchids,mumsanddaisies

Aquickturntotheeastisatropicalfeast shecantouchbucketsofflowers–somerare Redroses,snapdragons,blueLillie’s,pinktulips, oneflowerhaspuffypurplehair

Andthenstraightaheadisasalad’sdelight Pyramidsofvegetablesarestackedtothesky curvyeggplants,bellpeppers,tomatoesonvine, andherfavourite–“brah-co-lee”,shecries.

Therearesomanytypesofpotatoestochoose redskinandwhite,bigandlittle Onionsthatlayinthebasketsbelow abutternutsquashisshapedjustlikeafiddle

Andjustdownthewayshefindsgloriousfruit ripemangoes,greengrapes,tangerines, hugemelonsthatrolebesidepricklypineapples Fuzzypeachesandsmoothnectarines

CitygirlSloaneknowsthemarketcomplete herstrollerisfilledtothetop Hermommylooksdownandwithgreatsurprise Shesays,“Ohmy,Ithinkweshouldstop”

Therewerebananasandkiwistuckedunderherknees Therewerelemonsandlimesbyherside longstocksofceleryontopofherlap applesandpearspileduphigh

Therewerebasketsofstrawberriesandblueberriestoo Stackedneatlyunderherchin Andbeautifulflowerssurroundingherface “OhSloane,whendidthisbegin?”

“ThankyouforhelpingattheMarkettoday Butwehaveenough-wehaveplenty Thestroller’stooheavytopushupthehill Wecannotgohome‘tillit’semptied ”

“Howismyfriend-youlovelylil’lady HaveyoucometoshopwithyourMom? Beforeyougohome,pleasehaveatreat… Enjoythissweetjuicyplum.”

TheCityisalivelyplace Grandoldtreeswhistleandwhirl Peoplemovequickly,birdschirp,squirrelschatter, Andit’shometothisoneyearoldgirl.

20th Anniversary of City Girl Sloane at the Market©Raquel Feldberg, 2002