Great Find: Bathroom Vanity

As you all know, I'm currently working on my 4th house project and it's slowly coming to that time where I have to start choosing and buying finishes for the home. I already chose the paint colours which I'm really excited about and will be sharing with you this week in my first ever video blog, but in the meantime I wanted to share my great find today!

I was at Rona, just looking around and found a nice looking bathroom vanity. For the upstairs bathroom I already have a big plan for the vanity, where I will be using an antique dresser, refinished, with his and her bowl sinks, as I talked about last week, but I still have to take care of the 2nd bathroom. It's located in the basement, so that means I don't want to spend too much money, but it's a total gut job (see picture below).


Therefore when I saw this vanity and then saw the price, I snatched it up immediately!


This beauty, which also comes in all white, can be found at Rona for $129.00 + tax, amazing!!!! Also, remember that you can collect Air Miles at Rona too so it's a win win situation. Once I buy a nice, sleek faucet and redo the rest of the bathroom, it will go from drab to fab. I'm thinking grey porcelain floors (same ones that I used in my last project), grey walls, white sink and tub and white subway tiles in the shower area with grey grout and of course this vanity. I don't have a lot of room to work with as the bathroom is small, so I think a combination of all these colours with this vanity, will create a nice open, airy feeling and make it feel bigger then it actually is and modern.

What do you think?

We're Number 3!!!!

I have a treat for you today, Ryan, a consultant for HomeCity, has written a guest post for my blog regarding the Canadian housing market. I couldn't be more thrilled as there are a lot of interesting facts in his article that I hope you will enjoy and learn from.

Here is some background information before Ryan takes over; HomeCity provides their customers with informative data about the local market to help their customers buy or sell their homes. As mentioned above, Ryan is a traveling, mountain biking consultant for HomeCity where he works in a marketing capacity.

Here is Ryan....

The 8^th Annual Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey was released on Monday and it appears Canada has one of the more affordable housing markets in the world.

The survey measured affordability in 325 markets around the world by finding each region's median multiple. The median multiple is found by dividing the average median price of a home by the average annual gross median income for that region.

Vancouver was found to be the second most expensive market in the world, after only Hong Kong. Vancouver received a median multiple of 10.6, meaning that it would take 10.6 years of income to afford a median-priced home. Calgary was the most affordable of all the Canadian housing markets and was found to have a median multiple of 3.9.

On the other side of the spectrum, Windsor was the most affordable Canadian city with a median multiple of 2.2. Average annual gross median income is $149,900 and the median house price is $67,900.

Canada's overall affordability ranked 3^rd on the list after the United States and Ireland.

The survey ranks the affordability of homes so that a median multiple of 3.0 and under are considered affordable. Median multiples of 3.1-4.0 are considered moderately unaffordable, 4.1-5.0 are very unaffordable and 5.1 and over are considered severely unaffordable.

For markets with 1 million or more people, Canada had three that were considered moderately affordable (Calgary, Sherbrooke & Saskatoon) and three that were considered severely unaffordable (Vancouver, Toronto & Montreal).

Last year's survey found Canada to have a 3.4 median multiple. This slight slip to 3.5 means housing markets have been slightly under performing from the same time last year.

Hong Kong was found to be the most expensive area in the world. The United States had the majority of affordable housing markets.  Markets in the United states accounted for 117 of the 128 total affordable markets in the world.

The other countries surveyed include Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Every one of the least affordable markets surveyed had highly restrictive land use laws in place. These laws tend to raise prices of real estate and depress market growth.

I'm a guest writer who likes writing about property management, real estate Austin Texas and Central Austin homes for sale.

I hope you enjoyed my second ever guest post and if you're interested in writing a guest post, please make sure to contact me.

Have a great weekend!!!
***Image via Ticklebear***

Cool Homes: Thinking Outside The Box

Today's "cool homes" feature will not be featuring just one home, but several different rooms in different homes. As you will see, it's all about thinking outside the box, nothing is conventional and that's not necessarily a bad thing. I believe we should all practice thinking outside the box on a daily basis, whether it be with our home, personal life or business, it's what gets you noticed and ahead.

So without further ado, check out how some of these home owners thought outside the box:

How cozy and cool does this look?



Amazing and creative!


This looks like so much fun....I want!!!! I would feel like a kid everyday


For coffee/tea lovers!!!

Pac man much???


I LOVE reading...this has me written all over it!!!



I saved the best for last.......

Imagine waking up to this everyday? So cool!!!

A huge shout out to Linda Fleming (my second mom) for sending me this email with all these cool photos. Unfortunately in the email it doesn't say the original source of these photos, but that doesn't mean we can't admire them!

If you have a cool space or uniquely decorated place that you would like me to feature, make sure to contact me.

Creative Decor: Vintage Dressers

I'm a huge sucker for anything vintage so this post should come as no surprise! Today's post I'm focusing on dressers, as there are so many cool and unique ones floating around out there, you just have to find the right one that suits your needs. Now, don't get me wrong, you don't need to use your vintage dresser as a dresser only, there are many different uses, you can get pretty creative here. I put together a list to get you started, but the uses are unlimited. Which one would you do?

Ideas (for more info on each dresser just click on the picture):

Use It As A Normal Dresser (this one's pretty obvious)

eclectic bedroom design by media and blogs Dreamy Whites

Love the yellow colour!


This dresser is my own, I found it at the antique market for $50, what a steal!!!!! Although, it was in a lot worst shape then this and a b***h to bring home, I had Renee Elliott from Re: Creative re-finish it into this master piece. You can check out the before pictures on her blog, Eat.Live.Shop. Renee's amazing transformation was even featured on Design Sponge, congrats Renee!!!

Use It As A Change Table (seems to be very popular)

modern kids design by dc metro interior designer Nicole Lanteri

traditional kids design by dallas interior designer Amy Lambert Lee

Use It As A Kitchen Island (what a cool idea, love these!!!)






Use It As A Bar Or Buffet (brilliant!!!)

eclectic dining room design by media and blogs French Larkspur

eclectic hall design by new york interior designer Nirmada Interior Architectural Design

Last, but not least.......

Use It As A Sink Vanity (my favourite idea!!!) 

traditional powder room design by portland interior designer Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc.

I will be actually doing this idea in my bathroom on the current home I'm working on. If you find any old vintage dressers, make sure to send them my way, as I'm on the hunt.

Let me know what you think of these ideas or if you have any other uses for vintage dressers, I would love to see them!
***Images via Houzz, Eat.Live.Shop, Pinterest, You're So Martha, Reniak,  Decor Pad, Apartment Therapy, Junk Market Style, HGTV, & Black, White, Yellow***

Top 10 Neighbourhoods To Buy In TO

Towards the end of last year, I did a blog post about the top 10 neighbourhoods to buy in Toronto, as reported by Toronto Life. At the time, the full report wasn't out, I was just giving you a sneak preview. Well, it finally is, so let's go into more detail about where to buy now in Toronto according to Toronto Life.


1. Mimico, "because it's one lakefront revitalization that's on schedule":
-Waterfront views not blocked by the Gardiner
-Lakeshore Blvd. is showing signs of revitalization
-Big lot sizes
-Boundaries:

• From Islington Ave to the Humber River
• From the Gardiner Expressway to the lake

-Average prices:

• 2010 $390,677
• 2011 $441,642

2. East End Danforth, "because million-dollar homes, modest semis and co-ops commingle close to the beach":
-Great urban mix
-Anything goes here from brand new townhomes, to detached Edwardians to co-op housing mixed with parks and the boardwalk
-Boundaries:

• Woodbine Ave to Victoria Park Ave
• Doncaster Ave to Kingston Rd

-Average prices:

• 2010 $470,180
• 2011 $499,022

3. Christie Pits, "because good parks make good neighbours":
-Big community vibe with the garden and summer movie nights
-More toddlers and strollers vs. crime and drug dealers
-Homes with history
-How can you say no to the new Starbucks?
-Boundaries:

• From Ossington Ave to Christie St
• From the railroad tracks north of Dupont St to Bloor St W

-Average prices:

• 2010 $533,213
• 2011 $623,609

4. St. Lawrence, "because everything an urbanite needs is within a five minute walk":
-Spacious condo units
-Has the St. Lawrence market!
-New condo buildings being developed
-Very walker friendly, but anti-car
-Boundaries:

• From Yonge St to Parliament St
• From Front St E to the Gardiner Expressway

-Average prices:

• 2010 $385,609
• 2011 $401,811

5. L'Amoreaux, "because the suburban ideal is alive in Scarborough":
-Big lot sizes
-Majority of homes are 4 bedroom minimum
-Public schools have specialty programs
-Lot's of greenery
-Boundaries:

• From Victoria Park Ave to Kennedy Rd
• From McNicoll Ave to Huntingwood Dr

Average prices:

• 2010 $314,152
• 2011 $322,496

6. Blake-Jones, "because of the friendly cul-de-sacs in the pocket":
-15 minute comunte to downtown
-Neighbours actually know each other
-Residents are committed to greening the area
-Boundaries:

• From Pape Ave to Greenwood Ave
• From Danforth Ave to the railroad tracks north of Gerrard

-Average prices:

• 2010 $485,535
• 2011 $584,455

7. Davisville Village, "because it's the last place under $1 million off Yonge":
-Great schools
-Family friendly
-Beautiful homes between $600,000-$800,000 while having the conveniences of Yonge St
- Yummy cafes and restaurants
-Boundaries:

• From Yonge St to Bayview Ave
• From Eglinton to Mount Pleasant Cemetery

-Average prices:

• 2010 $592,110
• 2011 $604,556

8. Corktown, "because the historic neighbourhood has lofty ambitions":
- Turned into a booming neighbourhood with plenty of lofts
-River City development
-Regent Park revitalization
-Boundaries:

• From Berkeley St to River St
• From Shuter St to Front St

-Average prices:

• 2010 $428,017
• 2011 $501,055

9. Wallace-Emerson, "because urban tastemakers and young families are changing the neighbourhood":
-Hipsters are snatching up properties in this area
-Lot's of new bars, cafes and restaurants
-Still affordable and close to downtown
-And it's close to my hood!
-Boundaries:

• From the railroad tracks west of Perth Ave to Dufferin St
• From the railroad tracks above Dupont St to Bloor St

Average prices:

• 2010 $418,698
• 2011 $434, 112

10. Brockton Village, "because Lansdowne's shedding  its grundgy skin-without becoming generic":
-Affordable yet urban
-Several hip shops, cafes, brunch spots and restaurants
-Old Victorian homes are a favourite
-Boundaries:

• Railroad tracks off Dundas St W
• Meeting at Dufferin and Queen West and Bloor St

-Average Prices:

• 2010 $418,698
• 2011 $434,112

Those are your top 10 neighbourhoods to buy in now! Let me know if your hood made the list or if you agree or disagree with the choices.

Have a great weekend!
***Maps via Wikipedia***
***Information via Toronto Life***

Cool Homes:Beach House

This week`s feature is a beach house located on Long Beach Island in New Jersey. Don`t be fooled though, as this is no ordinary beach house, it is an eclectic home featuring old and new things mixed with industrial style, giving the home more of a loft feel and not a traditionally beach house. I love how the owners incorporated local reclaimed wood into the design. The kitchen and bathroom were placed in such a way that you can see the Harvest Cove from all the windows. This home is 1,800 square feet and features 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. If you`re drooling over it as I am, you can always take a trip to Jersey and rent it....asking price.....it doesn`t say on the website.

Here are the pictures, let me know what you think!

contemporary exterior design by new york architect Richard Bubnowski Design LLC

contemporary exterior design by new york architect Richard Bubnowski Design LLC

contemporary living room design by new york architect Richard Bubnowski Design LLC

contemporary dining room design by new york architect Richard Bubnowski Design LLC

contemporary kitchen design by new york architect Richard Bubnowski Design LLC

contemporary kitchen design by new york architect Richard Bubnowski Design LLC

contemporary kitchen design by new york architect Richard Bubnowski Design LLC

contemporary staircase design by new york architect Richard Bubnowski Design LLC

contemporary dining room design by new york architect Richard Bubnowski Design LLC

contemporary bedroom design by new york architect Richard Bubnowski Design LLC

eclectic bathroom design by new york architect Richard Bubnowski Design LLC

If you have a cool space or uniquely decorated place you would like me to feature, make sure to contact me.
***Images via Houzz***