When we first moved into our office/shop space here on 90 Street, there wasn’t much we needed to do to improve the place but there was certainly an opportunity to put our stamp on it. We needed quick, economical ways to freshen the space up and make it functional and ours in a short amount of time.

First, we added a fresh coat of paint.

A new, lighter colour brightened up the main office. Not only did the light grey on the walls also help to make the space feel bigger, it gave the clean and cohesive look that we were aiming for.

Paint can change the theme but also add character so we went with our signature red for an accent wall and the doors in the main office. It is an intense colour to choose but it is also invigorating and certainly never boring!

Second, we created a pallet wall.

To add even more character to the main space, we transformed the drab corporate looking feature wall into an exciting, unique wall made from wood pallets. The imperfections of each piece provides interest, movement and certainly makes a statement.

Why use wood pallets?

Wood pallets have gained popularity in design, especially amongst DIYers. They are easy to work with, light and thin but strong (since they are actually used to easily transport goods). Usually free, repurposing wood pallets eco-friendly and a resourceful way of keeping them out of the landfill.

The unique, rustic look of used pallets comes from exposure to the elements. The natural patina that emerges gives each piece individual character that is hard to recreate by hand. The very definition of patina from the Merriam-Webster dictionary is: “a surface appearance of something grown beautiful especially with age”. This natural beauty and versatility opens up a world of design options: a feature wall, mantels, garden decor, picture frames - the list could go on. A quick Google search will produce a mountain of design ideas and inspiration using the irregularity and non-uniform nature of wood pallets.

One thing to keep in mind when gathering wood pallets for a project, particularly indoors, is to check for any markings from chemical or food spills. Recognizing certain markings will determine which pieces are safe to use. This article on pallet safety is particularly helpful.

We used wood pallet pieces that were clean but also that had a distinctive character to them, particularly with red highlights or safe markings to tie in our branding. With our vinyl sign added, the end result presents a dynamic first impression which Archive as a company, strives for.

There’s no question…we’ve been spending more time in our homes than ever because of the pandemic. Perhaps you’re motivated from watching more HGTV than usual or inspired by scrolling through Architectural Digest’s website or you just have a desire to freshen your home up after being its four walls for the last six months - whatever the impetus, now is the perfect time to start planning for those new home projects you’ve been dreaming of.

Here’s why:

It’s never too late to increase the energy efficiency in your home.
A DIY project as straightforward as installing a programmable thermostat will help regulate temperatures but could also add up to some nice savings on your monthly energy bill. Installing air quality sensors will help detect air pollutants, preventing possible home and health risks. Bigger jobs requiring professional trades such as replacing insulation in older homes or having your furnace cleaned and serviced (or replaced completely) could also save a bundle on the bills.

Our homes have shifted from a simple dwelling to a live/work/educate space in the blink of an eye.
Kitchens have turned into offices or school rooms, living rooms have morphed into home gyms and the increased demand on these spaces require more flexibility in how we approach them. While multi-purpose rooms are handy, maybe you have loftier ideas in mind: a kitchen update or a bathroom renovation.

Developing often under-utilized basements is an affordable option to add usable space in your home, while basement suites can not only add value, but generate additional income.

The City of Edmonton’s requirements for Secondary Suites can be found here.

Interior renovations are not weather dependant.
There’s no rush to get these projects underway before the snow flies. In fact, taking more time to plan these bigger projects is ideal: to refine your concept for the space, to focus on the details and to shop for finishes to get the look you’ve envisioned.

Shopping online makes things even easier as you can easily price compare, allowing you to stay within budget. 

While bigger renovation jobs can be quite overwhelming, finding the perfect Contractor to manage your project and line up trades will alleviate headaches for you. At Archive, we can bring your vision to life through renderings of design concepts right through to making your vision a reality by putting all of the necessary pieces in motion.

Whether it be small projects to a major renovation, home upgrades will breathe new life into an old space and increase the value of your home overall. All great reasons to start now, especially if you’re planning to put your home on the market in the Spring.

Can you believe it’s October already?

The Fall always seems to bring a sense of renewal and a time to reflect and amongst all of this, we are all spending more time in our houses these days thanks to COVID-19 protocols. 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. Clean up clutter with floating shelves

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 door knobs, hinges and cabinet handles

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. Revise light fixtures

Sometimes we tend to overlook lighting 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.