Spring Gardening

April 30, 2012 — Pauline

With the weather warming up, many people are ready to start some gardening. Seeing the flowers bloom and the many vibrant colours around my neighbourhood always puts a smile on my face. My favourite are the colourful tulips.

I think a well-kept garden and lawn is important to the overall appearance of your home – it’s one of the first things people notice, after all. It’s no wonder so many people spend so much time working on their gardens.

Do you have a green thumb? What are some of your favourite plants for your garden?

Posted in VictorEric. No Comments »

Spring 2012 Trends

April 26, 2012 — Pauline

Spring 2012 is all about bold colours and floral patterns. This year’s “it” colour is bright orange – sure to liven up

Add some punch to your living room with some vibrant cushions or brighten up your room with some beautiful floral bedsheets.

Spring is all about having fun and being playful so don’t be afraid to experiment with colours and textures.

 Photo from Canadian Living.

Check out these photo galleries from Canadian Living and Vancouver Sun for more great ideas:

http://www.canadianliving.com/crafts/home_and_garden/photo_gallery__12_exciting_spring_decor_items_we_love_for_2012.php

http://www.househunting.ca/vancouversun/decorating/Gallery+Spring+inspired+decor/6133827/story.html

Posted in VictorEric. No Comments »

DTES Project – Good or Bad?

April 25, 2012 — Pauline

The Sequel 138 project has received support from Vancouver city council and the development permit board. This is a controversial mixed-income project geared at balancing the Downtown Eastside with low and middle-income earners. Opponents are accusing them of gentrifying the area and would like to keep it strictly low-income.

I’m not sure what to think of this project. On one hand, it would be nice to see the DTES cleaned up, but on the other hand, I can understand the worries of the opposers.

I used to go to Chinatown every weekend with my mom when I was young. I remember it being very busy and vibrant. Now, it is a shadow of its former self. I think it would be nice to see that area bustling and full of life again.

Read more at: http://www.vancouversun.com/Downtown+Eastside+project+wins+development+permit+board+support/6511885/story.html

Posted in Architecture, Residential, VictorEric. No Comments »

Strong Interest in Home Buying

April 25, 2012 — Pauline

Over the past couple of years, we’ve all noticed the rising real estate prices. In fact, most of us have complained about it at one point or another (or many times).

Despite this, a recent survey shows that the interest in home buying is still very strong. I think it shows with all the new condos being built in and around Vancouver and how fast they sell out. There seems to be no signs of it slowing down. In fact, 2 of my friends just bought condos last week (one in Richmond and the other in Coquitlam).

Are you planning to be a first-time home owner within the next year?  Or have you recently just purchased a home?

Survey results published in The Vancouver Sun: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Interest+home+buying+remains+strong+Vancouver/6497426/story.html

Posted in Residential, VictorEric. No Comments »

Wooden Skyscrapers?

April 23, 2012 — Pauline

With the world moving towards greener options for almost everything, we  could be looking at more and more buildings of wood instead of cement and steel.

In a CNN article (http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/15/tech/eco-wood-skyscrapers/index.html), Architect Michael Green says that modern wood materials have been around for 20 years, but until recently it was used primarily in niche markets or low-rise buildings. Today, more architects and builders are looking to wood materials because they’re more eco-conscious.

If the wood is sourced in sustainably managed forests, they are more eco-friendly than using manufacturing concrete and steel.

I love this current trend and hope that we will continue on this path.

 

 

Posted in Architecture, Eco-Design, VictorEric. No Comments »
«
»