VictorEric Design Journal Our Latest News & Thoughts On The Design Industry

We know our parents and grandparents worked hard and saved hard for their retirement.  We can see it in their comfortable retirement and multiple mortgage-free homes.  However, young parents are finding that they are no where near progressing as well as the baby boomers, and they’re wondering why.

The boomers lived in a great time, where the housing market worked in their favour by increasing in value of 76 per cent over their adult lives.  Furthermore, boomers have put more pressue on political parties, bringing forth the Canada Pension plan and the Medical Care Act, ensuring that they will be taken care of in their senior years. 

On the flipside, young parents are faced with soaring housing prices.  They live in an economy with a national debt that has nearly tripled.  Their lack of involvement with political parties have led to policies still favouring the boomers.  So all in all, young parents are running households with smaller piggy banks.

For the full article: http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Struggles+next+generation/5457701/story.html

Ross Lovegrove is UK’s top-selling designer.  He has had his work exhibited all over the world, from the Axis Centre in Japan to the Museum of Modern Art in New York.  He makes his presence in Vancouver at IDSwest (Interior Design Show West) by opening the event with a key note speech.

IDSwest ran from September 29 to October 2, opening up design discussion with hundreds of retailers, manufacturers and interior designers.  Victoreric designers attended the event, soaking up the new trends and engaging in discussion for design inspiration and design solutions.

For the full article: www.theprovince.com/travel/Designing+dilemmas+discussed+IDSWest/5455631/story.html

Designer Jeff Smith does it again, bringing into fruition an amazing home in Victoria.  It’s not just one condo, but the design of two condos beautifully fused together, to form one home with views of the ocean east, south and west.

This opportunity came up when owners of a lumber brokerage business, Ken Neva and Faith Woo, presented him with an empty shell of 4,000 square feet to play with.  Having seen his earlier work, they were happy to give him free reign to design everything from wall placement, custom millwork, to selecting all furniture and artwork.

His Smith-ism philosphy is visible throughout.  He gives his clients an extra 30% to 50% of extra space, designing ample closet space so beautiful clothes and shoes don’t get cramped.  There are ’his’ and ‘hers’ walk-in dressing alcoves.  Space is uncluttered and clean, with everything cleverly hidden behind doors, even books.  To top things off, between the two condos is an extra ‘bonus’ room, accessed by slididng doors on each side, providing a reading retreat.

The potential of custom homes is limitless.  Jeff Smith demonstrates this beautifully.

Ask about a custom home today.  VictorEric is a key player in the custom home industry, specialising in premium custom homes.  They push the potential of each building site and encourage clients to extend their wish list, for an amazing and outstanding home.

For the full article: www.vancouversun.com/business/House+Beautiful+waterfront+paradise/5438008/story.html

With a non-existent housing bubble, low interest rates and price hikes restricted only to pockets of Canada, home owners are more than happy to take on more debt.  But is it too much debt?

The Finance Minister and Bank of Canada believe it is too much.  They’ve been keeping a close eye on the housing market and believe that even though there is no housing bubble in Canada, homeowners will end up drowning in their mortgage if interest rates rise.

The government continues to tighten mortgage rules, with the last one done in January.  However, a report issued by the International Monetary Fund has recommended that more needs to be done. 

Even though home owners are getting too comfortable, the firm of Victoreric never gets too comfortable.  They are always on their toes by keeping themselves updated with the latest needs of their Clients.

For the full article: www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/05/canada-economy-housing-idUSN1E79415J20111005

When a $3 million dollar house gets sold in British Columbia, there’s a good chance that a customer from Mainland China is pumping money into the Canadian economy.  However, this also means a spike in real estate prices, with as much as a 17% increase in housing prices.

A study released by Royal LePage shows that detached bungalows increased 17 per cent (three times the national average), standard two-storey homes increased 16.9 per cent (over three times the national average), and standard condos increased 5.1 per cent (double the national average).

So according to the real estate industry, there is no such thing as cheap Chinese. 

This also rings true with Victoreric, where high quality goes all the way, starting from the initial interactive consultation to the beautiful custom home standing before you.

For the full article: www.vancouverobserver.com/blogs/realestate/2011/10/05/asian-investors-continue-drive-home-prices-higher-vancouver-real-estate