Flooring Update

Today or should I say tonight as I write this post on a Friday night, I have a treat, I'll be doing 2 blog posts, yay, I know you're super excited right now.  I spent the day running around taking care of some last minute details for my home renovation as well as buying tiles for my front foyer so there was no time for blogging. Also this evening I met up with my favourite first time buyers to help them celebrate their closing today with a little bubbly, more details on Monday. So in conclusion, instead of just doing 1 post in the limited time I had today, I decided to do 2!

Anyway, back to the front foyer, my entire first and second floor  have brand new hardwood installed, but I thought tiles might be appropriate for the front foyer as it's the only spot on the main floor that's enclosed and I personally don't want people to step on my beautiful hardwood with wet or snowy shoes. So my mission today was to find some tiles for this area. My challenge was trying to figure out whether I should buy tiles that match as close as possible to the hardwood floor colour, as they will sit side by side or go with something a little lighter and in a similar colour to the floor. After calling around for some much needed advice and spending way too much time at the Home Hardware with my giant sample of hardwood, I made a decision.

Here it is....let me know what you think!

I think it's a perfect combination as the hardwood is a mix of a grey/brown colour and the tiles are a medium grey with flecks of brown, couldn't have been more perfect. Oh and by the way $2.25/sq ft and I only needed 20 sq ft, you do the math.

Now on to post number 2!

Cool Homes: Industrial Loft

I came across this very unique loft and I just had to feature it. I totally prefer living in a house rather then a building, but if I had to settle, it would definitely have to be a loft and preferably this one! It boosts 4090 sq ft of open space from lounging and kitchen areas to even the mater bedroom washroom, but don't worry, the toilet is tucked away. This industrial loft is located in Kiev, Ukraine and is designed by 2B Group. The designers were constantly challenged with this project to prove that, "concrete could be warm, wood could be smooth and metal could be soft." I think they succeeded because all I see when I look at this beauty is bold style statements. Do you feel the same way?








Yes, that's a bathroom in there, how cool?


Open concept washroom in the master bedroom















Kid's Zone








Vertical plant wall which runs from living-dining space down to the lower floor containing the lounge-home office space


Secondary living area which leads to the master bedroom


Huge rooftop terrace, yes please!


Is that a hot tub I see in the corner?


If you have a cool space or uniquely decorated place that you would like me to feature, make sure to contact me!
***Images via Home-Designing***

REBARCampTO-morning session

Today is a fun filled day of learning and sharing at REBARCampTO. Here are some of my highlights from the morning sessions I attended. Please excuse the accuracy of the information as I was jotting down notes super fast while tons of information was thrown at me.

IPad Apps:

-PDF expert, allows you to take existing PDF files and highlight text, add comments, underline, strike, and has fillable fields, you can have your clients sign listing agreements, buyer rep agreements, etc only form not allowed is the agreement of purchase and sale, this contract must have an actual pen signature, no digital

-Prezi, presentation software which you create on your computer first and then forward to your IPad

-Mighty Meeting allows you to upload power presentations to your IPad

-Tour Narrator, great to use during a home tour and allows you to take audio notes during the tour, it then converts your audio in to a PDF file which you can email to your clients

-IDream Agent, allows you to take notes and pictures, organize them and share on Facebook and Twitter

-Great CRM softwares, Ixact and Zoho

-Jugnoo, social software like Hootsuite

-Tout, allows you to take 15 second video clips, also available on the IPhone and again great for home tours

-IJot, allows you to send video emails

-Quicklytics, fast way to check your Google Analytics

-Need to keep young kids entertained during a showing? Use Greeneggsandham

-Cam Scanner or Genius Scanner, scans 8 1/2x11, converts into PDF and allows you to scan multiple pages, it's also available on Blackberrys and Andriods as well as IPhones

Tips:

-do a "just moved" video for your clients, visit your client on their closing day and offer to take a video of their house so that they can share it with their friends and family, at the end of the video get a testimonial, remember they will email this to all their friends and family and post it on Facebook, great exposure for you!

-When meeting with clients for the first time, ask them what their expectations are of you as a Realtor, at the end of their transaction ask your clients if you met all the expectations you discussed at the beginning, great way to keep track how you're doing and servicing your clients

Remember it's about passion, personality and provision (quote from someone at the seminar)

Hope this helps! Stay tuned for notes from the afternoon session!

Aleksandra!

Project Update In Photos

I realized that I haven't done a recent project update on my home renovation. There were definitely some obstacles since my last update, but they have now been resolved and things are moving along. I'm anticipating that the renovations will be complete in a couple of weeks and I can begin the fun task of decorating. So here are some pictures, I'm sure you've probably seen a lot of these if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, but here's a round up of them all, located in one place.

Front Entryway/Stairs...Before

Front Entryway/Stairs...Now

Long gone are all the walls, making the main floor open concept and hello exposed brick wall! I decided to go with tiles in the entryway, hence why the hardwood floors didn't get extended into this area

I also ripped out the old stairs and decided to order these custom made steel stringers....the only thing missing....wood steps that will be stained the same colour as the hardwood floor. The look....floating, open concept stairs = love!

These new cedar posts complete the look of my stairs by acting as the new banister as well as supporting the 2nd floor considering the entire main floor is now open concept. I'm yet to install the cedar hand rail and the air craft cable wire that will act as my pickets in between the posts

Living Room...Before

Living Room...Now

Exposed brick fireplace hidden behind all that lathe and plaster, why would anyone want to cover this beauty up?


Kitchen...Before





Kitchen...Now

Ikea kitchen with a farmers sink and granite counter tops!


This stainless steel slide in gas range and a hood fan will be inserted here.....



This stainless steel french door fridge will be placed here........


Master Bedroom...Before


Master Bedroom...Now

I decided to vault my master bedroom ceiling, so my ceiling went from 8 feet to 16 feet, can't wait till it's all done!

Can you tell I love exposed brick? This chimney stack was uncovered and will be left uncovered, the remaining brick will be covered by drywall

Well, that's all I got for now, what do you think? Do you have a before and after you would like to share with me?

PS. I know I need to learn how to use Photoshop, it's one of my goals this year!

Cool Homes: In 650 Sq Ft + Contest

This place not only wins the title of Cool Homes this week because it's a unique small space, it is also located in Toronto, near Bathurst and Queen! Owners and designers, Claudia Bader, Timothy Mitanidis and Martin Tavares bought this run down boarding house with huge potential in their eyes. They renovated the home into 3 apartments and Claudia and her husband Timothy live in the ground floor unit. It's 650 square feet of eye candy and they did it on a shoe string budget, sigh! What do you think?

modern exterior design by toronto photographer Andrew Snow Photography

Great idea to extend the 2nd step into an outdoor bench!

modern entry design by toronto photographer Andrew Snow Photography

Those blue chairs were a Craigslist find

modern living room design by toronto photographer Andrew Snow Photography

modern living room design by toronto photographer Andrew Snow Photography

modern living room design by toronto photographer Andrew Snow Photography

modern living room design by toronto photographer Andrew Snow Photography

The original floors were salvaged and re-stained

modern living room design by toronto photographer Andrew Snow

modern dining room design by toronto photographer Andrew Snow Photography

The dining room table and coffee table were designed by Timothy using the salvaged barn boards from the house

modern dining room design by toronto photographer Andrew Snow Photography

modern kitchen design by toronto photographer Andrew Snow Photography

The kitchen cabinets were constructed out of concrete formwork and counter tops are poured concrete

modern kitchen design by toronto photographer Andrew Snow Photography

Sink made out of a salad bowl,with a plywood ledge, how cool? -Powder room

modern powder room design by toronto photographer Andrew Snow Photography

Master bathroom

modern bathroom design by toronto photographer Andrew Snow Photography

modern bedroom design by toronto photographer Andrew Snow Photography

modern bedroom design by toronto photographer Andrew Snow Photography

modern exterior design by toronto photographer Andrew Snow Photography

modern exterior design by toronto photographer Andrew Snow Photography

modern exterior design by toronto photographer Andrew Snow Photography

For more information on Timothy and Claudia and what they can do for YOUR space, check out their website, just click here. Also make sure to follow them on Facebook.

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

Before I sign off, here's one more treat for you today, Davies Smith is having a great contest....


All you have to do is like their Facebook page and tell them you're perfect day in Toronto, it's that easy! My perfect day would be a helicopter tour of the city, followed by a private trip to the Toronto Island, where me and my significant other would have a catered picnic and a bike ride around the island afterwards, what about you?

***Images via Houzz and Davies Smith***