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Sandi Gerrard, CRSS

EARTH HOUR 2009

light switch

Please be sure to participate in the second annual, worldwide EARTH HOUR on March 28 @ 8:30 pm. Simply switch off all your lights, electronics and as much power as you can live without for one hour. Light a candle, snuggle up and have a sip of wine. It's so easy to do your part ... let's make it more effective than last year.

http://www.earthhour.org/

New Kid on the Block

There is a new Canadian magazine in the home decor genre, entitled CANADIAN HOME TRENDS (formerly known as Canadian Homestead Magazine). You can get your first issue FREE by signing up online. Here's the link to do so -

http://canadianhometrends.ca/subscribe-today/gift-subscriptions/subscription-promotions/

This premier issue features a kitchen design article and everyone's favorite renovator, Mike Holmes, of HGTV fame.

Why not check it out? I'm going to ...

Eliminate Odors

The Lampe Berger (http://en.lampeberger.ca/home) has become increasingly popular over the past 2 years. Many home decor stores now carry them in a wide variety of styles, and in varying price points.

lampe berger

They are extremely effective in eliminating household odors such as cooking, pet and stinky shoes !

Makes me wonder why I don't own one yet (for the stinky dog!) ...

2009 - the year of the paint project !

A recent survey by Lowe's Canada indicates that the most popular renovation project this year will be painting the interior and/or exterior of one's home (41%)

The survey also found that despite the current economic climate, Canadians are still willing to invest in their homes - with "47 per cent of Canadians planning to renovate in the next twelve months".

Also "12 per cent of Canadians are undertaking home renovations to add value to their homes for resale purposes" and "11 per cent of Canadians are undertaking home renovations this year as a way to improve energy efficiency within the home".

Other top projects will be:

Renovating the bathroom (32%)
Renovating the kitchen (28%)
Installing new carpet or hardwood floors (26%)
Installing new windows (21%)
Building an addition, deck, fence or retaining wall (20%)

To read more about the survey, click HERE

2009 Design Trends

Tinted Neutrals and Blackened Colors

It is the depth of the neutral that gives it life and longevity. Some good examples of current "beiges" from the Benjamin Moore series are:

  • Willow (CC-542)
  • Hillsborough (CC-330)
  • Stampede (CC-540)
  • Chocolate Fondue (CC-482)

And in the "grey" range we have:

  • Metropolis (CC-546)
  • Asphalt (CC-548)

This year it's all about Shine * Shimmer * Metallic finishes. The metallic finishes are warm gold tones. And wallpaper is back. If you are unsure or unconvinced, try it in a small room or under utilized area such as a powder room or dining room. Plaid is also making a comeback but the color combinations are much different.

Yellow and Purple are the #1 colors this year. For the best results when choosing purple, use:

  • Camelot (CC-4)
  • Muskoka Dusk (CC-6)

Orange is still HOT but we don't like to refer to it as such, instead using shades of Adobe Dust, Smoked Salmon and Tofino Sunset.

Matte paint finish on the the walls combined with a high gloss trim (Simply White OC 117) looks stunning.