Daniela Pluviati Home Staging

July 1, 2018

Summer is officially here and this is a perfect time to add some much-needed pops of colour. I love styling for summer. Airy, sun-filled rooms make me smile. Here are a few tips to bring summer into your home.

Love your plants. There is nothing like having plants or fresh cut flowers in your home. If you have open shelving display them! I try to incorporate some greenery when staging as well.
Add some colour. Adding a few accessories for this season does not have to be expensive. Ikea has great accessories in great colours at very affordable prices.
Remove your heavy area rug. This is a great time to have your area rug cleaned and perhaps opt for a more natural rug or no rug at all.
Add seashells. They bring such a calming, spa feel to a bathroom.
Change your textiles. Summer is a great time to change up your toss pillows and pull out lighter linens for the bed.

Styling Daniela Pluviati

June 14, 2018

Less Stuff More Happiness

Happy Thursday!

Now that summer is fast approaching it is a good time to start organizing. I don’t like clutter and having an uncluttered home makes me feel happy.

Researchers agree that streamlining clutter has many advantages and does benefit your physical health.

Here are five easy ways to tackle clutter and feel better about your home.

Divide and conquer. Decluttering and organizing your entire home is daunting, so start in one area in your home but finish the task.
Recycle, donate, sell or garbage. Decide what you want to keep, give away or sell. There are many places in Ottawa that take gently used clothing, home decor or small appliances. Check out The Salvation Army, Value Village or Habitat For Humanity.
Buy storage baskets, buckets, bins and trays if needed. Baskets are great for a front closet. We use several baskets and one large tray as well for Lego to keep things organized in our family room.
Go through books and magazines. Donate used books and recycle magazines. I rip out only the pages I really like and paste them in a book.
Check expiry dates and remove what Is expired. This is true for not only food but medication as well. When organizing your bathroom it is a good idea to go through all your makeup as well.
Think before you buy. Ask yourself these questions: Will I use it? Will I have to store it? Do I want to clean and maintain it? Do I really need it?

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June 6, 2018

DIY Hardwood Flooring

Happy Wednesday!

I hate to admit it, but our bedroom looks like a dorm. To make a long story short, we have been waiting for months for stained flush vents. Scott decided it was easier to purchase them from Barwood Flooring and have them matched at Randall’s. Now that we finally have the vents I can start on our master bedroom.

It is only one room, so Scott will do the install himself. If you are ready to tackle a hardwood flooring project yourself, then there are some considerations before starting.

We have solid hardwood throughout our home, so we will stick with the same hardwood for our bedroom. We both prefer solid wood over engineered wood, but that is just our personal preference. Solid wood can always be sanded and refinished in the future if we decide to do so.

If you are thinking about a DIY installation of pre-finished hardwood floor then you will need some tools. A pneumatic flooring nailer, hammer, saw, drill, table saw, chop saw, drill bits may be used. You will need to purchase vapour paper or rosin paper depending on the project.

Plan ahead and take your time. Laying your first row is critical to the success of your project. Scott will start at the bedroom doorway but this can vary if your room is not square. He also installs the flooring boards perpendicular to the floor joists because he says it is just “better”.

Have a great day!

Daniela

May 16, 2018

DIY Sprinkler System

Happy Wednesday!

Irrigation systems can save you water and money by targeting specific areas. Scott always installs a rain sensor, so that water is distributed only when needed.

Sprinkler systems are not only for luxury. They are great for homeowners that do not have the time to water their grass, gardens or flower beds.

Scott has installed a few sprinkler systems. He just finished installing another one in our current home. They make for great curb appeal when you are trying to get top dollar for your property. We love a clean exterior for the simple reason that it may indicate to buyers that the interior is also well-kept (when selling).

If you love DIY projects then you may find the charts below useful. Scott likes the fact that you can make sure everything is indeed installed correctly with a DIY sprinkler system project. He also likes ordering better quality parts that last. He takes the savings from the labour and buys better parts.