Are you looking to upgrade your man cave? Or wondering what to do with that spare bedroom? Look no further! Keep reading to check out my man cave must-haves. With everyone spending more time at home than usual, creating a place where you are able to relax and unwind is more needed now than ever before.

Whether your a sports guru, gamer, movie junkie, or just love to relax with a cold drink at the end of a long day, your man cave is the perfect place to unwind. The men over at Man Cave Day recommend starting the planning of your mancave around a theme. Some popular man cave themes are Retro, Modern, Gameroom, Sports, Bar, and Music. Once you choose a central theme it will make designing easier.

The most popular, and in my opinion important part of any man cave is the TV - and I think we can all agree the bigger the TV the better! The men over at Improvnet agree it’s the perfect place to watch Sunday football with your buddies (or immediate household considering our current condition).

Photo: HGTV

Comfortable seating is the next must-have in my books. Leather sofas are a great touch as they add a comfortable touch with the added bonus of being easy to clean. Family Handyman recommends when possible, putting seating against walls or using the space behind your gaming chairs for storage or display tables, and keeping the center space as open as possible.

Photo: Jet Setter

Next up - let's discuss a bar area. A bar is a great addition to any man cave, if your room isn’t big enough for a full bar, try adding a bar cart. Here's a sample of an industrial style bar cart I think would go nicely in any space:

Photo: Audaciously

For more inspiration on decorating your mancave check out these 35 stylish mancaves.

I hope these tips were helpful - if you're thinking of upsizing and are hoping to score a home that has enough space to create your perfect man cave, contact me!

I just sold this Condo at 902 120 W 16th Street, Central Lonsdale, North Vancouver, BC Central Lonsdale.

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I just sold this Apartment/Condo at 106 134 W 20TH STREET, Central Lonsdale, North Vancouver, BC Central Lonsdale.

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I just sold this House/Single Family at 1335 FERNWOOD CRESCENT North Vancouver, Norgate, North Vancouver, BC Norgate.

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Thinking of adding a simple update to your home? Whether you’re looking to retile your backsplash, or wanting to add a tiled element to your staircase, tile is a great way to incorporate design and colour into your home.

The type of tile you use for a project can be dependent on many factors, two of the most important things to consider before picking your tile are your budget as tile costs can range from $2 per square foot to $40+ per square foot and the location (ie. will it be getting wet? is it in a high traffic area? is it going on the floor (slip-resistant) or wall?).

Let's dive into the different type of tile:

Wendy Rose Gould From Real Simple rates ceramic and porcelain as the two most popular tiles because of their durability and styles, as such they are the most ideal tile for high traffic areas. 

Ceramic tile is extremely durable making it great for high traffic areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, it is also very easy to install making it a favourite for DIYers.  

Porcelain tile on the other hand is a little trickier to install but does offer a much more natural look. Gould interviewed Tony Castellano, a senior merchant for home depot, who said "the appeal of porcelain comes from its ability to emulate natural stone, brick, or wood—and without any of the maintenance,”

Mosaic tiles are tiles that measure under 2 inches in both length and width according to home stratosphere, and are popular for backsplash, and small rooms. Due to their small size, they are often used to create patterns and can be great as a feature.  

Granite Tiles are another great high traffic tile as its made from dense and hard igneous rock and come in a wide range of colours and styles. As they are a natural product, the veining and speckles can vary. Granite tiles are a great alternative to marble as it comes at a much lower price point!

For low-traffic areas, you can opt to use other materials such as marble, cement and natural stones - but keep in mind, these materials do require more upkeep. 

Marble is one of the most elegant materials and comes with a much higher price tag. Since the material is more porous than others, marble requires more upkeep and is more susceptible to screeching and staining.  

Natural stones such as limestone and travertine are great for lower traffic areas as they are more susceptible to cracking. These types of stone work well for feature walls and fireplaces but should be kept away from water as they are porous and can stain, as explained by Real Simple.

If you're planning on installing your own tile, check out this video on how to install tile and make sure you do your research beforehand as different tile require different adhesives and applications.  

Now that we’ve discussed how to choose your next tile, check out some of these awesome ways to add tile into your home.  

Fireplace

A fireplace is the centrepiece of the room, and what better way to make it stand out than with tile. Whether you’re looking for a sleek modern look or a rustic natural look, tiling your fireplace is a great way to make it stand out.  

Photo: Chase Daniel

Kitchen Backsplash

Kitchen backsplash is a great way to add finishing touches to your kitchen. Mosaics are a great option here as they add lots of character!

Photo: Wallpops

Shower

Showers require tiling, but why not use this as an opportunity to add a wow factor to your bathroom by using a herringbone pattern to make it shine. 

Photo: Mckimm

Staircase

Adding tile to your staircase is a great way to instantly add character to each step. I love the antique tiling on this staircase.  

Photo: Hello Lovely Studio

To check out more ways to incorporate tile into your home, click here or contact me!

Thinking of doing some home upgrades this year? Why not start by updating your bathroom? There are so many reasons to renovate a bathroom, whether your bathroom simply needs a new look, you’re seeking more storage space, or you're looking to add value to your home. 

Updating your bathroom doesn’t necessarily mean starting from scratch. Changing out your vanity or shower, or even adding a fresh coat of paint are great ways to upgrade your space without spending a fortune.

If your interested in learning about current bathroom trends, keep reading to see which bathroom styles are expected to be popular this year.

Minimal Design

Your bathroom is meant to feel like a place of solace and calm, and the new minimal design trend is all about making you feel as though your spending a relaxing day at the spa. To achieve this look, aim to reduce clutter or bulky and intrinsic bathroom fixtures.

Designer Jackie Di Cara tells House & Home to achieve this look by skipping handles on vanity millwork to add a sleeker look to your bathroom. 

Image courtesy of House & Home

Floating Vanities

Floating Vanities have been trending for a few years, and don’t appear to be going anywhere soon. A floating vanity is a great idea for a bathroom that is on the smaller side as it makes the room feel bigger - a big perk for us Vancouverites who are sometimes strapped for space in our homes.  

Image courtesy of Adore Magazine

Gold Fixtures

Adding gold fixtures to your bathroom is a great way to add warmth and elegance. Bathrooms have a tendency to come across as sterile, so adding a touch of gold is a great way to warm it up. You can add gold through fixtures like vanity lighting, towel hooks, faucets and showerheads.  

Image Courtesy of Loughlin furniture

Vessel Sinks

A vessel sink is a sink that sits on top of the bathroom counter, as opposed to sunken in. One of the best things about Vessel Sinks is that they don’t take away from the storage underneath and allow for more streamlined plumbing.  Pairing a Vessel Sink with a wall-mounted faucet is a great way to add a statement to your bathroom. 

Image courtesy of Mandarin Stone

Natural Elements

Designers are predicting a turn towards organic, natural bathroom designs. Massimo Ballucchi, executive director of marketing for Cosentino Americas explains in  Better Homes and Gardens “As we move into organic trends, we will soon see more mixing of elements, such as Silestone that imitates the look of marble or cement paired with natural wood,” says Ballucchi.

The idea behind including natural elements in bathrooms draws on the minimalistic design, creating a soothing space that brings nature inside. In addition to using natural stone, cement and wood elements, adding greenery is another great way to achieve this look. 

Image Courtesy of Studio Ezra

Backlit Mirrors

Changing a mirror is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways of enhancing a bathroom. Linda Lang, senior staff designer at Robern states in Better Homes and Gardens that opting for “Backlit mirrors and medicine cabinets are an exceptional choice for modern bathroom design,”. A backlit mirror is a great design choice as it is both functional and beautiful. A backlit mirror makes ideal lighting for applying makeup. 

Image courtesy of Contemporist

I hope these updates on bathroom design trends are helpful if you're thinking of making a few changes in your home. Should you be looking to purchase a new home with updated bathroom spaces, don't hestiate to contact me!

While we all spend more time in our households, redecorating may just be the perfect 2021 goal to get the new year started. Here are my top tips when it comes to home decor goals for 2021.

Up your home office game

Photo: West Elm

While many people transition to working full time from home, upping your home office game will provide a more comfortable, clean, and organized feel to your space. Easy tweaks such as adding paintings, shelving, or storage space for filing/paperwork can make a huge difference to your home office.

Add in more greenery

Incorporating household plants into your decor can help refresh your air and brighten your day. As HGTV explains, a few easy-to-care-for indoor plants in a beautiful textured stoneware pot will do the trick. For example, this Bloomingville Stoneware pot with raised polka dots can be purchase from Amazon, and can really bring in some style to your green spaces.

Photo: Amazon Canada

Out with the all-white

As Insider predicts, the age of minimalistic, all-white interiors may be coming to an end in the new year. If you're thinking of repainting your bedroom or any space in your home, keep this in mind!

Photo: Getty Images

"For a few years now, we've been making everything from walls to countertops bright white," she told Insider. "Next year, I predict people will return to creating visual interest through colour.” Those looking to give their all-white interiors more pizzazz without adding bright colours can try combining different light-coloured patterns and textures.

The “grandmillenial” look may be in!

Goerzen has described the rising "grandmillennial" trend as a modern revival of homey design elements that you might find in your grandparents' home. This means we can expect to see more vintage touches throughout home design in 2021 in order to bring more comfort and tradition into households. After all, a cozy home sounds ideal as we are all spending so much more at home. This is something we may see a lot of very soon.

Do you already have an idea of what designs you'll be incorporating into your home in the new year? Have any tips? Let us know what they are on our latest Instagram post!

We are all playing our part in staying indoors to help keep our friends, family, and community safe. And as the weather is getting colder, and Christmas nearer, what better time to stay inside and get crafty!

If you’re looking for some easy, low-cost DIY activities to keep you and your family entertained this festive season, read below! 

Homemade Christmas Decor

Holiday decor can often be costly, and for something that’s only on show for a month or so a year, you may prefer to opt for the less expensive DIY route. It’s a great way to spend time with family, plus - homemade decorations always end up being the ones that mean the most. 

Like these adorable Wooden Bead Snowman Christmas tree ornaments. 

I love the Scandinavian feel of these Glass Floating Signs, you can pretty much do this with things you have laying around the house already. If you don’t happen to have extra photo frames laying around, head to your local thrift store. This project would look great with some antique-style frames! 

And Christmas decorating is never complete without a wreath! This Modern Hoop Wreath will be sure to make your front door stand out! And bonus, it only takes 10 minutes to make! 

Homemade Christmas Gifts and Stocking Stuffers

As we unfortunately are not be able to spend this Christmas with our usual friend and family groups, making homemade Christmas presents is a great way to show just how much you love and appreciate everyone. Here are a few ideas that will definitely leave your friends and family impressed. 

These homemade monogram mugs are a great stocking stuffer. And who doesn’t love an excuse to drink coffee!? 

Can anyone ever have too many tea towels? I don’t think so. These easy and affordable DIY tea towels are great for grandparents and other family members. Kids will love getting creative for this activity too.

Christmas Baking

Christmas is the best excuse in the book to indulge yourself in homemade baked goods and delicious warm drinks, and these recipes are no exception.

Is it really Christmas without some Homemade Ginger Bread Men? These gingerbread men are so tasty, and it makes a great activity for the whole household.  Whether you eat them all yourself or gift them to your loved ones. This recipe is a must-try! 

Hot Chocolate Bombs seem to be the new trend, and for good reason! Who doesn’t want more chocolate in their hot chocolate? These Snowman Hot Chocolate Bombs look fun to make and the end result is fantastic!

If I had to choose one sweet that perfectly captures the Christmas spirit, it would be a fruit cake.  

This Apricot Walnut Fruit Cake Recipe is perfect for the Christmas season. 

Christmas Photos

This year is a great time to do an at-home Christmas photoshoot. As many of us are trying to stay indoors, and won’t be heading to the mall for our annual Christmas photos, it’s a great time to up your photography game! These photos would be great for Christmas cards, or as gifts for grandparents and family. Check out this tutorial on how to take awesome Christmas photos at home like a pro! 

I just sold this Condo at 210 150 5TH STREET, Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver, BC Lower Lonsdale.

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Thinking about purchasing a new place to call home but not sure what you're looking for? Buying a condo may be the right decision for you. 



Read below to find out why!

Maintenance

Buying a house is an expensive feat in itself, not to mention the maintenance and upkeep that you are solely responsible for, and not only are we talking about the financial maintenance, mowing lawns, trimming the garden and maintaining the leaves can all take up lots of time. When you buy into a condo, these tedious tasks are often outsourced and handled by a strata board. The monthly strata fees build a reserve which is great for when unexpected fees arise such as needing a new roof.

Cost

When looking at the price of a condo vs a townhouse or detached house, the price per square foot is often much less, making buying a condo a great idea for those who are still seeking space but don’t want the inflated price tag. Buying a condo is also a great idea for those who are wishing to downsize from their detached homes, leaving you with lots of extra cash for your retirement fund. 

Community

Moving into a new neighbourhood can be an overwhelming experience, and many new homeowners have a hard time getting to know their neighbours and community. This is not an issue in apartment complexes. Being close to neighbours offers an instant sense of community and safety. 

Investment

If you are thinking of ways to invest, the North Vancouver real estate market is a great space to get into. The population of Vancouver continues to soar, and as such rental suites are a safe investment. 

If buying a condo feels like it may be the right decision for you, get in contact with me! Currently, there is a large variety of condos on the market in the Greater Vancouver area. Whatever you are looking for, right now is your best chance to find it. 

Information for this blog was sourced from For Sale Guides.

I just sold this Condo at 310 1633 Tatlow Avenue, Pemberton, North Vancouver, BC Pemberton.

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BRAND NEW + NO GST! This brand new, never lived in stunning condo is located in the best the beautiful North Shore as to offer. So close to the planned Lower Capilano Marine Village Centre. This boutique building of 33 brand new homes, offers you the convenience of this ideal Marine Drive location plus brand new quality construction. 2 beds + 2 full baths, high ceilings, wood laminate floor, fireplace, high end s/s appliances and luxury finishes throughout. Bright natural light plus generous views of Downtown Vancouver. Just minutes to Park Royal Shopping Centre, Ambleside Beach, Lion's Gate Bridge & Downtown Vancouver. Once the new village centre is complete your value here will skyrocket! Call today, so easy to show. You don't want to miss this one. GST PAID ON THIS BRAND NEW SUITE.

Check out all of the details of this Apartment/Condo for sale, 311 1633 TATLOW AVENUE, Pemberton NV, North Vancouver, BC