HOW TO BE HAPPIER IN YOUR HOME

Here at Parkview Homes we strive to bring you happiness in your brand new home. However, once you move in, you are in control of creating your own “inner home happiness” for your new home.

I came across a great article with some great tips on how to do just that: http://headedsomewhere.com/2012/10/12/10-things/ (Click through for the full article).

It contains some great tips, not just for your home but also for you in order to create a better world each and every day for yourself. When I came across the article I knew it was something I wanted to pass along.

Here is the basis of each of the points they share:

1. Make your bed – a three minute task that provides positive impact by improving the look of your bedroom.
2. Bring every room back to ready – clutter causes stress, and that's a fact! Simply take three minutes to bring each room back to ready before you depart it. (Does this apply to the kitchen? I don’t think three minutes will cut it!)
3. Display sentimental items around your home – make your home a gallery of positive memories.
4. Start a gratitude journal – before bed, write down one happy memory from that day. Reflection is a part of happiness.
5. If you can’t get out of it, get into it – rather than drudging through the mundane household tasks, crank the music, sing and dance while vacuuming, doing dishes, or making the beds. In other words, create your own fun!
6. Before you get up each morning set an intent for the day – this is not adding another "to do" item on the list. Your daily intent could be "hug my loved ones" or "be productive".
7. Do small favours for your housemates or family members, expecting nothing in return – not even a thank you! This will cultivate a strong healthy relationship.
8. Call at least one friend or family member today – texts and emails don’t count!
9. Spend money on things that cultivate experiences at home – save money for a new BBQ or a DVD for family night.
10. Spend a few minutes each day connecting with something greater than yourself.

I love this list, they all make sense to me and I plan to implement some of these items into my own home and life right away! I particularly like item #6, I enjoy the idea of having an intent each day. Some days I have a lot to do in terms of tasks, but would benefit from having a larger purpose to my day. Something positive to think about accomplishing as I move through the day.

I already make my bed each day (check), and I was happy to see that number one on the list was covered off. I enjoy the satisfaction of turning down the bed each night and tossing the big pillows on the floor. “Messy bed equals messy head” sticks in the back of my mind.

I hope this inspires you like it did for me and good luck creating your personal list!

- Susan

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Susan Fenn
Design Studio Manager
Parkview Homes Design Studio
580 The Queensway, Peterborough ON
susanfenn@parkviewhomes.ca
705.741.4410

First Time Home Buyer Blog: Pre-Delivery Inspection

Welcome back! If you have been following along you will know that I am very close to getting the keys to my new home! But just before I get the keys I wanted to share with you the excitement of my Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI)

If this is the first time you are checking in with me or want to re-read some of my previous entries, here are the links to the previous blogs:

·        First Time Home Buyer Blog

·        First Time Home Buyer Blog – Personalizing My Floor Plan!

·        First Time Home Buyer Blog – Design Studio – Part 1

·        First Time Home Buyer Blog – Design Studio – Part 2

·        First Time Home Buyer Blog – Visiting the Kitchen Designer

·        First Time Home Buyer Blog – Summer Building Progress

·        First Time Home Buyer Blog – Plan Review

·        First Time Home Buyer Blog – Pre-Drywall Walk-Through

·        First Time Home Buyer Blog – Appliance Selections

Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI):

I should warn you before you read this I am writing this on the morning of the day when I get my keys! I am very excited and nervous and might not be making the most sense! ;)

So just like any other new homebuyer, a couple of days before I get my keys, I was invited to complete a Pre-Delivery Inspection with our (Parkview Homes) Warranty Service Coordinator, Nithya. During the inspection Nithya showed me everything in my home, tested all the taps, windows and lights and gave me the chance to point out any minor deficiencies, so they could be corrected prior to me getting my keys and moving in.

We started the inspection in my unfinished lower level. She showed me the electrical panel, the furnace and where the filter is located and how to change it, the HRV system, the hot water tank and the three-piece bathroom rough-in. She was very thorough in describing what everything did and how it worked. Just in case I missed something, she also showed me where all the instruction manuals were located as well.

For the next part of the inspection we moved to the main level where we looked at my beautiful kitchen! It was fantastic to finally see it in person! It just sparkled! Literally! Between the sun shining in hitting the cabinetry handles and the tiny reflective flecks in the tile floor, the whole thing seemed to sparkle! I am so excited to get my appliances in there, so I can get cooking and baking!

Just off the kitchen, Nithya showed me the controls for my HRV system and my programmable thermostat and explained how they both worked.

Continuing my inspection on the main floor I got to see how all my Design Studio Selections came together. Not only was I overjoyed with how my kitchen came together, my powder room dazzled as well! I am so happy that I decided to go with a different countertop in my bathroom. It was definitely the right decision. As well, on my main level I got to see the fabulous trim and door package I selected! It to just blew me away!

Next, we moved up the stairs to the upper level. The carpet I selected for the stairs and the upper level looks awesome! The colour works fantastically with the current wall colour and the tile that I picked throughout my new home. Again, the trim and door package looked delightful!

Upstairs I also got my first chance to see my master bedroom with its huge walk-in closet, which will soon be filled with perfectly organized wardrobe and with so much space I just might have to buy more clothes to fill it! While in my master bedroom we also checked out my master ensuite which turned out amazing! Just like everything else in my new home ;). Again, I did awesome at my Design Studio Selections!! I am super pleased with how everything came together. I can’t wait to get the keys!

Overall there were just a few touch ups here and there but my new home looked fantastic! I am very excited to move in this weekend! I am already dreaming of how I will furnish each room! First I need to buy some furniture. But hey! Having zero furniture makes moving easy right?

Once I am in I will take some beautiful pictures to share with you all!

Talk to you soon,

Alyssa :)

PS. If you want to be my neighbour check out Jackson CreekMeadows!

2015 Trends in Design

Each year the Interior Design Show (IDS) in Toronto promises to surprise and amaze the thousands of participants who attend with their flashy displays of new and exciting products. As always, as a designer, I was anxious to see what’s hot and interesting in for 2015, in hopes that I may be able to bring some of those trends back to the purchasers of Parkview Homes via the Parkview Homes Design Studio. As you may or may not know at the Design Studio we pride ourselves in always trying to offer the best selection in design to our purchasers.

This year at the show there were a few new hot items I would like to share with you!

1)     Granite and Quartz Sinks:

Traditionally we have seen these materials used repeatedly in countertops and even in kitchen backsplashes. However, traditionally these popular and stunning products have not been used for sinks. Bathroom sinks are an unusual and interesting way to use of this material. This new application for granite and quartz make stunning vessel sinks, as well as molded stand-alone bathroom sinks with fabulous colours and patterns.

2)     Modern Farmhouse Décor:

We have seen rustic flooring and tables become increasingly popular in the past few years. Modern farmhouse is combining those items with a few modern touches. For example, in the kitchen pairing a rustic wooden kitchen table with modern leather white parsons chairs, a black rod iron chandelier and an old world white brick on the wall as an accent provides an eclectic but interesting mix of elements in a room.

This same look can be pulled off successfully in any room of the house and what’s really nice is that you can keep some of your old classic furniture pieces and purchase a few new modern pieces, without making too much of a dent in your wallet and you will still be keeping up with the trend.

3)     Kitchen Design:

This is one of the most important elements when building a new home. Deciding on what to do in the kitchen can be one of the most challenging but fun parts of the design process. The kitchen, as we all know, is the heart of the home and sets the tone for the overall look and feel in the home.

This year’s trend in kitchens is minimalist. The trend in cabinetry is flat or slab cabinets, showcasing clean lines. Clean line cabinetry is a stand-alone feature in new kitchens, as no hardware is growing in popularity. Doors and drawers open based on touch or integrated handles at bottom of doors. The European trend of open shelving can also work well to contain everyday plates, cups, etc. in place of uppers. High gloss and wood combinations take top spot in kitchen design.

I look forward to helping our purchasers integrate some of these new and fresh as well as their unique ideas into their new homes!

For more information about the Parkview Homes Design Studio and the many trends offered within, please contact:

Susan Fenn

Design Studio Manager

580 The Queensway, Peterborough ON

705-741-4410