All Hail the New Fireplace

On a cool Vancouver evening, a new fireplace brings warmth and comfort to a room. When it comes to design, a fireplace brings more than function. Fireplaces make a statement and set a tone for the room. Here below are a few of my favourites.

Ribs and Relaxation

This king of outdoor spaces has a two-sided fireplace that brings the ambience. One side adds cosiness to the living area and the other brings romance to the hot tub. The cultured stone finish gives a grand and warm feel while still fitting in with the rest of the home.

Kool in Kits

I like the clean and contemporary design aesthetic of this condo’s fireplace. We cast, in place, a concrete mantle and floating bench and installed lighting strategically to show the fireplace’s best features. Lastly, wrapped the structure with light coloured large format tiles completing the clean look.

PLAY ME A TUNE

Sleek and Contemporary this new fireplace speaks simple yet sophisticated. Accenting the large white wall, the textured tiles pull in you visually and the height of the install makes the ceiling seem almost taller.  It’s hard to imagine this home without this amazing fireplace.

When comes to design and faced with two choices…go with the bold one

Fall 2017 Design Trends

Fall 2017 Design Trends

With the season changing so do the interior design trends. Fall brings with it warm tones, cozy fabrics and festive decor.

It may rain a lot in fall in Vancouver, but that’s the perfect excuse to snuggle up by the fire and tweak your decor to match the new season. We talked to our designers about the trends they feel will be popular this Fall and have put together a useful infographic of Fall 2017 Design Trends.

Download Infographic

 See Summer 2017 Design Trends

Organization By Design

VANCOUVER is a real estate hot spot! The mild West coast weather is a huge draw coupled with the mix of mountains and seaside beauty. You can go to the beach and snow ski all in the same day! It’s a gem that is well-known around the world.  While this is amazing and why we live here, it’s making it more and more difficult for young people to live and families to grow here. Space is constantly shrinking while prices are going up due to high demand.

So what can you do if you don’t want to leave yet still want to live here comfortably in a small space? Organize!

The best thing I do for myself (and my sanity) every 3-6 months is purge. I usually do it at season switchovers and get rid of anything I did not wear/use unless I can seriously justify keeping it. This is so important when you live in a small space as clutter has not only physical effects (read: no room to walk or sit) but psychological as well! It takes up not only your physical space but your mental too. Once I have done a good purge on my apartment, i feel refreshed and ready to organize everything that’s left!

A lot of times, we work in kitchens or live in bedrooms that don’t have the right flow. We can’t seem to pinpoint the reason why we don’t feel like our home is a calming space. Whether you’re renovating your own home or trying to make do in a rental space, there are plenty of ideas out there. If you’re renting, the biggest thing to keep in mind is flexibility. If you have to move, you will want whatever you acquire to (hopefully) work in the next place you live. It’s important to think about whether or not you will be able to take it with you. If not, really consider if it’s worth investing in.

Ikea – Yes, really

One of my favourite and inexpensive ways to incorporate more storage is with IKEA. If you’re thinking, Ugh everyone has IKEA! You’re not alone but there are many ways to give products a more personal touch and luckily there are lots of hacks/ideas out there. Some are as simple as a quick coat of paint or new knobs while other require a little more energy and tools. However, they are all doable and take a simple product to another level. The best part? If you mess up it’s typically not a hugely expensive flop!

Storage

If you’re renovating, there are a multitude of ways to incorporate more storage and make your home flow better. When renovating, it’s important to have a reason why. Plan the space for right now but future growth as well. Whether that means just updating to sell in a few years or adding more people or pets to your family or wanting to work from home. The best way to narrow this all down and create the best space is to hire a professional to plan your home. Whether you decide to hire someone or not, prepare to get comfortable with sites like Houzz and Pinterest for ideas to get a feel for the style you want. Even if you hire a professional, having a good sense of direction (and pictures) will save you time and money in the long run.

Start with the rooms you use daily. Are they organized and easy to use or are you constantly going in the wrong drawer or digging through trying to find things? You may not realize how much little frustrations affect you throughout the day. Ridding those frustrations helps clear your mind. When your space is organized, it’s much easier for you to be. Working with a professional can make a huge difference, especially in a larger ticket room like a kitchen or bathroom. Would you trust yourself to privately sell your home or hire a realtor?

Ask yourself

Is your bathroom functional? Is your morning shower relaxing and invigorating to get you ready to seize the day? Maybe you need more space in your vanity to store the essentials so everything is within arm’s reach? Maybe you need a new handheld shower head so you have more flexibility and or better pressure? Not enough storage? Create better ways to organize the storage you do have or add shelving somewhere. My favourite way to keep a shower organized is to add niches! They look sleek and offer just the right depth for bottles so they aren’t littered around your shower.

Layout

Is your kitchen a great place to cook where everything flows or are you constantly running around trying to find everything? Do you have a functional work triangle? Does your kitchen need to accommodate one or multiple cooks? Working with a professional designer is key to make sure you explore the possibilities. They can answer the pertinent questions to design to your needs. The right accessories, such as a recycle unit, can make recycle day a breeze because the hard work is already done. Having a utensil sorter so your whisk is easily accessible and you’re not removing all the other utensils stuck in it as your sauce burns. A spice organizer so you’re not digging through a drawer trying to find that one spice you haven’t used in a year. You get the idea!

Another area that we use every single day is our closet. How many times have you torn apart yours trying to find an outfit for the day? If everything was organized into sections and laid out properly so you can see each piece it would make putting outfits together a breeze. Built-ins are the best way to achieve the closet of your dreams and end the couple battle over space. If you’re renting, you can still get removable pieces that will keep your closet manageable. From jewelry dividers in drawers to laundry hampers. There are lots of great ideas for efficiently organizing. This Buzzfeed article has a step by step on purging and organizing your closet:

17 Invaluable Tips For Anybody With Too Many Clothes

Pinterest

This all may sound daunting and exhausting however, once it’s done, it’s done. It then means it’s easy to maintain moving forward. In the long run, the time you put in at the start will pay off and then some. The age old saying, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail” is beyond true when organizing. What most people forget to do is plan to plan. You have to set aside the time and make it a priority.

What happens to a lot of people is they finish their renovation and don’t take the time to put everything in the proper place and organize it. This is a huge mistake! If this has baffled you and you don’t know where to start, call us and speak to a professional to help you get started!

Clever & Innovative Renovation Ideas

During a renovation, we’ve all done it. Scanning pinterest to find the clever, innovative renovation ideas you can incorporate into your home. We’ve done the hard work for you and put together a Pinterest board which we think will make your life easier. We love including innovate features in our renovations. Here is an overview of a few ideas to get you thinking about your next project…

Stairs Storage

Finding a place to put those pesky shoes that pile up at the bottom of the stairs can be difficult. Shoe racks don’t hide them well enough for our liking and cupboard space is precious. We love this idea of storing your shoes in the stairs.

Pull out bins

How useful would it be to be able to scrape food scraps straight to the bin! These bins are easy reach, hidden away and right where you need them most.

Bathroom Storage

So you’ve had your bathroom renovated and now you have to add all the life essentials like shampoo bottles. All of a sudden the bathroom doesn’t look as nice. This storage pull out is a great idea to hide all the daily essentials.

Laundry storage

Finding a place to put your dirty clothes before washing can take up lots of room. Separating colours is always a drag. We love this laundry storage as it makes all those problems disappear.

Small touches count

It’s easy to overlook the small touches. It’s a busy morning and your rushing around getting ready. The last thing you want to do is put a hot hair dryer on your lovely new bathroom counter. Little touches, like adding a place to hold and store these types of items make your life easier.

Extendable Balcony

Outdoor space is hard to find. The hot summers in the Lower Mainland can be difficult to handle without a little outdoor space. This is a great solution to bring fresh air into a room.

These are just some of our favourite of many ideas we found on Pinterest and have created in previous renovations. Check out the Pinterest board here to see the images up close.

Riverdale: Sweet Water Makeovers

Ads a If you live in or around Vancouver, you’ll have likely heard the buzz around Riverdale; the mysterious teen drama based on the Archie comic books which is being filmed in the lower mainland. 

The filming locations of Riverdale have a very distinct mysterious style with the sets having a vampy mix of retro pieces with a modern twist. The aesthetics scream twin peaks, haunted hollywood and are very vampire-esque. As a result, this got us wondering how could we replicate some of these elements in our home. We have picked our top 3 sets from the show and broken down how you can incorporate some of the vampy style into your interiors.

Inspiration 1: Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe

http://riverdale.wikia.com

https://www.eater.com

http://comicbook.com

Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe is the ‘Central Perk’ of Riverdale. It’s the meeting point for characters so therefore features poften in the show. We couldn’t help but get inspired by the 50’s retro/70’s mobile home vibe. The checkered floor and bright red neon signs and seating are reminiscent of the iconic Mel’s Drive In on the Sunset Blvd. We’re not saying turn your kitchen into a grungy american style diner. But you could certainly take some inspo like CW did for an event they threw.

Pinterest

pinterest

Pinterest

American Diner Style Appliances

Appliances that add a pop of colour and a nod to the 50’s can liven up a dull kitchen and add a fun element.

Kitchen Booth

Adding a coloured kitchen booth like ‘Pops Chock’lit Shoppe’ provides the family a fun place to enjoy meals together while being very easy to clean. Furthermore, the bright colour lightens up the room and ensures the booth is a focal point. We love the neon sign above the booth and the mix of classic wooden beams with modern furniture. (pictured above)

Checkered Flooring

Checkered flooring isn’t just for the kitchen and it certainly doesn’t have to be black and white. Another thing we love is this dark green and white flooring (above), mixed with the dark walls and foliage. The the deep green flooring colour provides a modern twist while the darker walls keep the room looking vampy and glam.

Inspiration 2: Veronica’s apartment building (The Permanent Building Downtown)

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca

Veronica’s apartment building is actually the Permanent building in Downtown Vancouver. This heritage building exudes glamour and class. The original Bank of Canada vault door still stands in the main hall as well as the beautiful stained glass atrium over head. This is perfect apartment inspiration for those wanting a elegant and prestigious look.

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Stained Glass Windows

If you don’t have an atrium like Veronica, why not add stained glass to the bathroom. Due to the fact stained glass instantly adds drama, history and interest. The glass windows in the bathroom (above) provide beautiful colours which will change as the sun shines through. It also gives an element of privacy without having to frost the glass.

Crown moulding and framing doors and windows.

By framing the doors and windows you instantly make the room look more expensive and dramatic. This creates interesting lines for the eyes to follow and makes your home look far more upscale and traditional.

Metal and steel

It’s ok, we can’t afford our own steel vault in our home either. However, we can afford to introduce metal features such as this sink (above). By mixing metal with traditional materials such as wood, your home can look rustic and modern. The alternative textures really complement each other.

Inspiration 3: The Blossom Mansion

http://www.priceypads.com

Twitter @madelainepetsch

http://www.priceypads.com

The brick & stone Blossom Family Manor is impressive in size and quality. While located in South Langley, British Columbia, the property is the gem in our inspo blog. Notably, the dark wood, velvet and gold finishes provide a mysterious and rich atmosphere.

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Dark wood with gold accents

Don’t be afraid of dark wood. It can be intimidating using dark wood, particularly with dark paint, however by adding gold accents the reflections lighten up the space and make the colours look far richer.

Fireplaces Gates and Tall Candles

We pay homage to the Blossom Mansion gates by including a smaller version in the fireplace (pictured above). Firstly this gate adds drama, secondly it contrasts well with the lighter fireplace. Tall candles often make appearances in the Blossom Mansion and by adding these around the fireplace it can be a great way to bring everything around the fireplace together. It’s also common that fireplaces in vancouver are decommissioned but not removed. By going this, it’s a great way to keep it a feature.

Velvet

If we are talking vampy style, velvet has to be included! In order to ensure velvet doesn’t look tacky you could add matte materials and matte paint around a feature velvet piece. Furthermore, this allows it to shimmer and stand out without clashing with any other shiny materials. Since in the Blossom Mansion (pictured above) velvet bedding and sofas are always the focal point.

Here at Revision Renovations, we have in-house designers who will be able to help you pull these looks together from flooring to fixtures and fittings.

Contact us and get started today!

Quartz vs Granite Surface – An Interview With Cambria Quartz

When it comes to picking out surfaces for your new kitchen or bathroom renovation it can be hard to know which type of surface will best suit your lifestyle and home.

You might know you want a white kitchen, a style that’s been very trendy lately. However, it’s important to know if that’s practical? If you decide to sell your home, will it still be trendy? Are the surfaces you pick going to be high maintenance? These are questions you’ll need answering before you can decide on surfaces for both your kitchen and bathrooms.

Quartz vs Granite – Let’s find out what the expert thinks.

We talked to Tiffani Epperson-Reeve from Cambria about their surfaces, the differences between Cambria quartz and granite, why they like working with us and what will be the new hot trends this year.

The below info sheet tells you everything you will need to know about Cambria to make an informed decision about your new surfaces.

Download now

Quartz vs Granite:

Strength & Durability
Cambria is much harder than granite or marble making it more durable. That means Cambria is less likely to scratch, chip, or stain for years of flawless service.

Maintenance Free
Granite and marble require regular sealing and polishing. With Cambria, all you need to do is wipe it down with a little warm water and mild soap.

A Healthy Kitchen
Cambria is nonporous and nonabsorbent so it won’t draw in moisture from raw or leftover food, which can harbor harmful bacteria.

If your still unsure what surface type you should pick, check out this fantastic video from Cambria

Check out our previous kitchen and bathroom projects here

‘Play me a tune’ – Whole home interior renovation

For our latest project our clients wanted to renovate their dated home to create a modern, functional and sleek area, which they could share with their family. With their parents often staying for long periods of time throughout the year, the renovation needed to provide the family with a more practial living space.

Because of family commitments the renovation needed to have an emphasis on being incredibly functional, but also fit with the taste of our professional home owners.

During the project, we renovated the whole interior including; bathrooms, laundry room, living room and kitchen. We worked to create a light, airy, spacious feeling home with multiple areas for the family to relax.

Some of our favourite pieces in this renovation

The Blanco Culina Faucet from Kitchen and Bath Classics

Why: the faucet is not only functional but looks contemporary and stylish with a nod to the popular industrial trend.

The flooring throughout the property from Monarch

Why: The lighter flooring creates a bright, airy feel while bringing a nice flow to both floors, making the two story home feel much larger.

The bathroom tiles – Suede Taupe Porcelain tile from Fontile 

Why: The back wall feature tiles add texture and depth while the side walls ensure the area remains light and airy.

Fireplaces from Fireplaces Unlimited

Why: The fireplace brings a warm, cosy feeling to a light and modern space. Most importantly it’s practical.

See the full gallery here

Summer 2017 Design Trends

We talked to designers and suppliers to find out what trends are hot in summer 2017.

Summer is finally starting to show it’s face around Vancouver and here at reVISION Renovations we couldn’t be more excited about it! 

With the curtains and blinds pulled and the sun streaming in our windows, it can sometimes highlight how dated and in need of a refresh our apartments and homes are looking.

We have pulled together a colourful infographic of Summer 2017 Design Trends to help you to brighten up your home and get inspired for that new renovation you have been dreaming of.

Download Infographic

How-To: Renovate a Small Space

As part of our how-to series, we’ll be walking you through how to renovate a small space, like a condo or specific area of your house. There are a couple key steps to watch out for and take into account. First thing’s first;

1. Create a wish list- what are you really looking for?

Key things to consider; what will increase efficiency, is there enough light as is, what will meet both your short and long term needs? Are you looking for something modern? Something contemporary? Do you absolutely need to have a custom wine rack and cooling system (yes, yes you do)?

2. Nail down your budget and timeline- how much can you spend?

Pro tip: Renovations are at their peak in summer/September. That means that chances are, permits take longer to be approved and the cost of labour ends up being pricier because contractors have the ability to bump their rates up. If you’re okay with waiting, January is a great time to get things accomplished quickly and on a lower budget. This is especially true for apartment renos, since most permits are quick to begin with, and renovations don’t require the cooperation of outside weather.  

3. Now that you’ve figured out what style you’re looking for and the budget you’re looking at, it’s time to get in touch with a renovation company (us)!

From here, we’ll lay out our process and ask you the key questions we need to know (i.e. what’s your budget, what are your must-haves). We’ll meet you at your place and do a tour of the space to get a feel of what we’re working with. Here’s where we take over!

4. Design, design, design.

This is one of our favourite steps of the process. Our designers and contractors work together to create a space that’s tailored to you. We’ll take into account all the technical details, guaranteeing you an end space that simply put, just makes sense and looks great to boot.

5. Secure permits and order materials.

Once designs have been approved and signed off on, we’ll go to the city on your behalf and get the permits approved. Once permits are approved, we’ll order materials.

6. Start demolition.

Here’s where it gets real, it’s construction time! Whether that’s tearing down a wall, ripping down some old bathroom pieces, or pulling up tile, it starts to get a little messy (don’t worry- we’ll handle it).

7. The big stuff- painting, flooring installation, and molding.

This is where your new home starts to come to life and you get to see the first hint of what’s to come. We’ll bring in a team of pros who are experts in their field to make sure you’re getting the quality you deserve.  

8. Install cabinetry and appliances.

Now comes the part where we install the less invasive, but equally important, finishings. These could include custom made cabinets, a European fridge built into the wall, your dream oven, whatever you want!

9. Finishing touches.

Just about at the finish line! We’ll tidy up and place all our carefully picked decor around your space. Rest assured, you’ll end up with somewhere that feels just like home, the second you walk in.

10. Enjoy!

Our favourite part of the process, this is where you get to enjoy your new space. Cheers!

Fairest for Your Feet: The Best Flooring Choices for Condos

You’ve decided to install new flooring in your condominium, or update the flooring before you move in. But what to buy?

With condos you have to take a lot more into consideration than simply how the floor will look. First and foremost, there are the neighbours, and it’s not just how much they might hear you, but how much you might hear them.

Before you start shopping for flooring, says Ashley Kitchen, interior designer at reVISION Renovations, check into your condominium bylaws.

“With older condominiums, many strata councils will absolutely say no to hardwood floors,” she says. “You really need to speak to the strata members before you do anything else.”

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