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Home Project Binder(free printables)
Are you planning any home improvements this year? I like to organize my plans in my home project binder. You can download some free printables I have created for your own binder. Whether you are planning one project or several it can make it easier if you have all the details organized in one place. Reviewing Past Plans…declutter and archive……
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Guest Suite #2 Makeover Part Two – Bedroom Refresh
My guest suite #2 also had a little update in the bedroom this year. It’s amazing what a little paint and a few “new” accessories can do. Some “Before” bedroom makeover pictures… Before makeover Before with antique dresser Corner bedroom – before I had originally painted the pale lilac colour for my mother, but didn’t have time to repaint when…
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Guest Suite #2 Makeover – Part One Bathroom Refresh
This year I began to get my guest suite #2 bathroom refreshed, starting with some subtle repairs and maintenance. Bathroom Refresh Part One… You can’t see it, but the original fan was so noisy it sounded like an airplane upstairs when it was on. I looked into getting a new one but all the new ones required different venting. The…
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IKEA Kitchen Stage Four – Finally Completed!
I didn’t think the day would ever come when I could say the kitchen was finally done, but it is here! If you have followed my blog you will know that I have been renovating it in stages. The big thing I was waiting to do was the floor and then I could finish off the kickboards and trim and…
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Flooring Update! What Not to Do!
When I bought my house seven years ago, it had had a lot of renovations – some good, some not so good. The previous owners had done all of the flooring and they did a very good job with the installation. However some of the selected materials were not so good. Individually they were fine – the ceramic tiles, the…
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Bookshelf Styling Tips 101
My built-in bookshelves in my living-room had gradually turned into a cluttered, over-stuffed mess. Bookshelf styling, to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, is something I have always struggled with. If you too have struggled with organizing Your bookshelves, read on to see how I did mine and find tips to transform your shelves. Bookshelves – Before Bookshelf Styling Tip…
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Laundry Room Makeover Phase One
For over six years I have been biding my time, waiting to redo my laundry room. Other priorities always took precedence. This year I decided it would finally be the year I would tackle it. I actually did this at the start of the year so I apologize for waiting so long to share it with you. For the past…
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Master Closet Makeover on a Budget
A few months ago when I made over my master bedroom I also did a makeover in the master closet. To keep with my low budget theme I repurposed things I already had and did a little DIY. The popcorn ceiling was removed and the closet was painted a fresh white. My one splurge, if you want to call it…
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Guest Room Makeover on a Budget
Does your guest room need a makeover and do you have a very small budget to do it? After living in my home for six years I finally got around to re-decorating. There are a few of my son’s personal things kept here as he sometimes comes on weekends. Read on for some tips to redo your guest room on…
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Top Ten Master Bedroom Decorating Tips
Are you thinking of redecorating your master bedroom? How do you want it to feel? Do you like light and bright or more cozy and dark? Most bedrooms require a calming, peaceful, vibe to aid in a good night’s sleep. If you work shift work, having a darker room with good black out blinds or drapes might be needed. In…
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Master Bedroom Mini-Reno Tips
My master bedroom finally got a mini- reno this past winter. The drywall valance was finally removed and the “popcorn” ceiling is now history. I also painted over the original tan colour on the walls in a dark grey and white. Read more for a few tips if you are considering doing a mini-reno yourself. Drywall valance before Let the…
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Making Your Home a Haven (Reflections on 2020)
Well 2020 didn’t turn out the way I planned it, and probably not for anyone else too. Looking back, the most prominent theme has been to make your home your safe place, your haven. Many people are working from home and children have been home schooled. Vacations away have been cancelled and if you did get time off, it was…
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Living room Refresh & Tips to Refresh Any Space
My living-room was in a state of upheaval (aka. a mess) while I was busy working on my other property that I recently sold. Some parts were okay but others were desperately needing attention. I was behind on my “spring” cleaning and I was ready for a refresh. The walls didn’t need to be painted, fortunately, as they had been…
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Transformation of a Century Home 2020
The transformation is complete! Last year when my long-time tenants moved out of my former home, I began the transformation 0f the century. What started out as a simple project ($25,000 to $30,000 and six to eight weeks) grew to be substantially more. I had lived in this house for over twenty years. Over that time, I had fixed, renovated…
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Fireplace Wall Transformation
In 2014 when I moved into my home, I had a vision for the fireplace wall. Last winter the fan in my older style gas fireplace went kaput. Yes, I could have paid $500 to have it fixed, but I had been planning to buy a new fireplace insert this year anyway. And $500 is a big chunk of money…
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Welcome to Church Hill Haven Guest Suite #2
I finally got Church Hill Haven Guest Suite #2 ready in August. I had already painted the main areas last year in neutral greys. The main kitchen, living, and dining room had red and green accent colours. Guest Suite #2 Entrance and Mudroom… Guest Suite #2 Furniture Transformation… I commandeered a couple of pieces I had in my shed, left…
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Church Hill Haven Guest Suite #1 (Before and After)
Recently, I decided to turn my basement apartments into guest suites. (I’ve always loved an excuse to decorate.) During my travels I stayed at some accommodations on Airbnb and I was impressed at how easy it was to use the site. They handle all the payments in a safe, secure manner, submit the taxes where applicable, and then pay the…
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Before and After Whole House Makeover
It’s finally done! As some of you know, I have been renovating one of my rental properties for several months to get it ready for sale – giving it a complete makeover. Ninety percent of it took four months with the help of a few different contractors. Unfortunately, due to the untimely death of my mother and some other unfortunate…
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What To Expect When You Are Renovating
Congratulations! You have decided to renovate, but what should you expect? This is an exciting time for you. When your project is complete it will bring you much joy and help you live the life you envision for yourself. Whether it is a small renovation, or a large one, there are things you need to know to get through it.…
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How to Make a Shadow Box Display
Honor your sentimental mementos in a shadow box… If anyone has little mementos or sentimental items in storage, it’s time to bring them out. It is time to honor those precious items and display them where you can see them and enjoy them every day. A shadow box is a display box with a glass-fronted picture frame that is deep…
