Photo by Ryan Stone on Unsplash

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Because of the holiday season? Maybe. But in the design worlds it is the announcement of the Pantone Color of the Year that brings excitement to December.

Pantone is the world’s leading expert in colour and has been presenting the Color of the Year for over 20 years, influencing design decisions in colour conscious industries such as textiles, apparel, as well as interior, architectural and industrial design.

Last year, for the first time in Pantone’s history, the Color of the Year was a new creation: PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri. This year it’s another new colour, representing empowerment, courage and experimentation: PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta.

“In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real. PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known.

Rooted in the primordial, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta reconnects us to original matter. Invoking the forces of nature, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta galvanizes our spirit, helping us to build our inner strength.”

— Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute

Viva Magenta is a crimson red tone that strikes a balance between warm and cool. Being a hybrid colour, it “comfortably straddles the physical and virtual in our multi-dimensional world.” This colour creates an electrifying statement that “revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self expression without restraint.” This red tone is bold and has the power to influence positivity in the worlds of design.

Photo by John Schaidler on Unsplash

Since Viva Magenta was only announced this month, it may be a while before you start to see the colour in consumer products but it will emerge in fashion, textiles, technology and beyond. You can welcome this fearless colour into your home by creating unusual colour combinations in textiles, adding bold paint in subtle places or by picking textures and finishes that incorporate the concept of Viva Magenta, adding an element of strength and positivity to your space.

And after the last couple of year we’ve all had, who wouldn’t want that? Viva Magenta!

Custom House Build in King Edward Park (Edmonton)

Fall is here! Although we are enjoying really nice weather for October here in Alberta, it is inevitable the cooler days are coming. Shorter days, fall colours emerging and spooky season decorations galore all mean that it’s time to prepare your home for the months ahead. Fall home maintenance, if you will.

There can be many tasks around the home when it comes to fall maintenance but for this post, we have curated a list of four tasks that we think are of high importance. Grab some sort of writing utensil and start your Fall Home Maintenance To-Do list! Let’s get to it…

1. Clean Those Eavestroughs
Otherwise known as gutters, eavestroughs are designed to collect the water that runs off your roof and direct it away from your home. Any clogging of your rainwater drainage system could potentially cause exterior damage (rot, settlement, foundation issues) and even interior flooding (rotten fascia boards, walls and ceilings, wet basement).

Cleaning eavestroughs approximately twice a year (usually in the fall and late spring) is recommended. Leaves are the main offender for clogged gutters so waiting until those pesky leaves have fallen will save you multiple trips up the ladder. Removing leaves and other debris will also deter small animals and birds from getting comfortable in the gutters and roof.

2. Inspect That Roof
Speaking of roofs, grab your binoculars and take a peek up on the rooftop! Look out for loose, cracked or missing shingles, rust spots on flashing or cosmetic issues such as algae or lichen. Inspecting your roof once a year could help you plan in advance for any necessary repairs.

Building Envelope Repair in Edmonton

3. Clean and Inspect That Furnace
If you have a service agreement with your HVAC provider, then now is the time to schedule a full tune-up. You do not want to wait until the cold air hits to ensure that your furnace is working efficiently so at the very least, clean or replace the filter. To note, It is best practice to do that on a monthly basis anyhow.

4. Check Those Doors and Windows
Windows and doors can account for up to 25% of total heat loss in a house, according to Natural Resources Canada’s “Keeping The Heat In’. Reducing air leakage not only provides comfort to those inside the home, it protects the building envelope from potential moisture damage.

Inspect doors and windows for any sign of rot, mould or staining. Inspect the weather stripping which to be effective, must not allow air to pass through. While replacing weather stripping is the most cost effective way to eliminate drafts windows and doors, you might consider upgrading to more energy efficient models. This would ensure maximum home comfort but could save on those heating bills too.

It’s also a good idea to check other entry points (electrical, cable, phone and gas) and eliminate any drafts if and when you detect them.

Although these tasks are relatively easy, hiring a professional can be worth the expense. They will certainly have in depth knowledge for specific issues and years of experience that will help correct a potential problem at the source. But whether you take these on yourself or hire a skilled trade, checking these maintenance items off early will help prevent bigger issues later in the colder season.

Happy Fall!

Can you believe it’s October already?

The Fall always seems to bring a sense of renewal and provides a great time to reflect. Although we’re not under strict COVID protocols anymore, the virus is still lingering around. If you’re planning a gathering this weekend, improve your ventilation by opening windows and doors. Maybe it’s time to change your air filter as well!

But if you’re anything like us, that just gets the wheels turning on how to spruce up the space a bit, right?

Since we’re heading into the long weekend, we thought we would share three small and easy projects that you can complete before Thanksgiving dinner. Each project is small in cost but will have a big, refreshing impact on the look and function of your space.

1. Create visual impact

Floating shelves are affordable, easy to install and incredibly versatile.

They can be arranged aligned for a fresh, clean look or staggered for bigger visual impact; utilized as storage or simply for displaying decorative items. Whatever the use, these shelves give any room in your house a light, airy feel while saving space.

Frame original artwork or stunning stock images to add aesthetically pleasing visual interest.

2. Change out hardware

Replace old or broken door knobs for an updated look in an instant. The only tools needed are: a screwdriver, measuring tape and a bit of elbow grease. While you’re at it, change out the door hinges to match. From classic vintage to slick modern styles, there are so many styles and finishes that you’ll spend more time deciding than doing!

While still an easy project to take on, replacing cabinet handles may require a few more tools such as: wood putty, sandpaper and a bit more elbow grease.

An update in hardware can bring some much needed vitality to old doors, cabinets and even breath new life into furnitures pieces, like dressers or nightstands.

3. Update light fixtures

Lighting is often overlooked but not only does it serve a practical purpose, it plays a big part in setting the mood. Changing out fixtures can be a small change but will shed a whole new light on a space.

Don’t limit yourself to just one fixture in a room - layering ambient, task and accent lighting will not only improve the style but the functionality of the room as well. Changing out lightbulbs to energy efficient models will add vibrancy and help reduce the carbon footprint of your home.

Implementing any one of these projects this weekend will give your space (and mind!) a sense of renewal before the turkey hits the table. While the tryptophan kicks in, you can sit back, admire your handiwork and start dreaming of bigger projects.

Better yet, since the weather is forecasted to be in the 20s, take advantage of the beautiful Fall weather and spend time outside!

Fall in Edmonton, Alberta