(NC) – Can you imagine living without the modern comforts of your home? The amenities we've become accustomed to, like dishwashers, home heating or stain-and-fade-resistant fabrics, are standard features in today's interiors. For those who want the newest innovations in their home, two categories lead the way: light control and energy management. Sally Morse, director of creative services at window fashions company Hunter Douglas, gives us the scoop on lighting and energy use:

Managing Light: Window Treatments

The earliest windows were just holes in the wall. “The evolution of windows is remarkable,” says Morse, “From hide coverings to panes made of translucent animal horn, then thin slices of marble, oiled paper, then finally glass. And the shapes and sizes of windows changed too, requiring innovations to the original window treatments invented by the Egyptians 4,000 years ago. Ever since, people have translated the core concept of a simple covering that blocks out...

How to maximize living in a smaller space

This screen is painted in Benjamin Moore's Nightingale AF-670 which is a perfect complement to warm wooden furniture paired with modern accents.

(NC) It comes as no surprise that Canadians are living in smaller spaces. As national real estate prices continue to rise, our homes have been decreasing in square footage. However, there is no need to sacrifice style when living in tighter quarters. Sharon Grech, a colour and design expert at Benjamin Moore, offers her easy tips on making the most of your smaller space this fall:

Pick a Colour Scheme

Choosing one harmonious colour palette helps to pull a small space together because it allows the eye to travel without distraction. Grech recommends combining Pashmina AF-100, Boudoir AF-190 and Sonnet AF-55 all from the Affinity Colours Collection, a palette of harmonious hues from Benjamin Moore. “These colours capture the light and offer a beautiful depth and richness, which is...

July 2014 Edmonton Real Estate Housing Statistics

FULL REPORT CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE

Edmonton, August 5, 2014: The REALTORS® Association of Edmonton reports that the Single Family Detached (SFD) average price in July was down 2% from June at $426,716 and the All Residential average price was off 2.6% from June at $362,091 in the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). Condo prices were stable month-over-month at $254,654 and duplex/rowhouse average prices rallied with a 5% lift to $360,309.

“Like the shortening summer days and the appearance of fall fashions, real estate prices begin to soften at this time of year,” said REALTORS® Association President Greg Steele. “Despite the seasonal slide, prices in the Edmonton area are still up when compared to the same month last year. The local market continues to be very active and REALTORS® report having a busy month.”  

Year-over-year, the average SFD price was up 3.9% compared to July 2013 and the All...

Nothing feels better than getting into a neighbourhood BEFORE it becomes a trendy hotspot. But how can you identiify those up-and-coming hotspots? Here is what to look for...

1.    Trendy businesses
Look for a surge of trendy businesses moving into an area. Maybe there are more cupcake shops and microbreweries making an appearance, or perhaps the new health food store that everyone seems to be talking about announced a new store in the area. Large businesses especially do a lot more research and analysis of a neighbourhood. So, big businesses moving in often means a lot of homebuyers will follow.

2.    Convenient location
Are there any neighbourhoods that already have a subway station or major highway artery, but aren’t getting the attention that other areas are? As cities gentrify, neighbourhoods with strong transportation grids – whether public transport or by highways and bridges – will become more popular.
3.    Downsides moving...

Welcome to the The Featured Community of the Week - Lewis Estates

There is a lot happening in the sought after community of Lewis Estates.  You can view important information about Lewis Estates Community Real Estate and other very informative links by visiting www.lewisestatesrealestate.com. 

The Lewis Estates Community league was incorporated in 1990 to provide leadership in community projects and development. This elected non-profit group represents our community within the larger city. Sports, community development, and community enrichment are the main focus of our organization. Lewis Estates is a master-planned golf course community around a central 18 hole championship golf course. Lewis Estates consists of four different neighborhoods; Meadowlands, Breckenridge, Potter Greens and Webber Greens.

There are 23 Single Family Active Listings in Lewis Estates right now, there are a total of 7 New Listings this week. When it comes to Condos there...