This year, I’m making more green choices. That includes celebrating an eco-conscious Valentine’s Day. Shopping close to my Sunnyside condo is an important part of that. And I have the perfect place to recommend, “honey”.
 

This time last year, I wrote about treating your Valentine to cupcakes, flowers or a massage from shops in Kensington, Calgary. Still a fabulous idea if I do say so myself.
 

And I’ve got another idea for you. I first wrote about this local “sweet spot” just before Christmas when I was in a baking mood and wanted to try a new sugar-free muffin recipe. Did you make some?
 

Well, instead of sugar, I used honey that I purchased from The Beehive in Kensington.
 

Of course, you could also buy some Alberta honey and bake your own goodies for your Valentine this year. But, you might consider some of the other wonderful non-honey items they offer too.
 

Here are three ideas for your own customized eco conscious Valentine gift:

• Make your own massage kit, including a beeswax candle, Ylang Ylang Vanilla Air Mist (or whatever scent will set the mood you’re going for), and an essential oil Massage Bar.

 

• For the man in your life, what about a bottle of Bay Rum foaming bath, either Beard Oil or Fine Shaving Soap, and a Lip Balm (made of beeswax, honey and essential oil) to keep his lips kissable.

 

• And here’s an idea for the stressed and busy person on-the-go to let them know you’re thinking of them when you’re apart. Relax Remedy (easy to tuck in a purse or coat pocket and apply to temples when needed), Grapefruit Hand Sanitizer (alcohol free and gentle on your skin), and a Honey Face Mist (for a quick re-fresh).

With so many goodies at The Beehive – check it out and come up with your own creative combination. There’s plenty of eco conscious Valentine love to share in Kensington.

If you are planning to sell your furnished or vacant Calgary condo, contact me (Jen at Set Your Stage) to find out the benefits of my home and condo staging services and neighbourhood-specific expertise. Schedule your free personalized Home Staging Assessment today.

Guest Blog thanks to Heather Roberts.

 
Eco – friendly décor is a subject to certain clichés and prejudices that discourage many to go for this type of interior. Maybe you had the idea of getting some “green” home updates, but you were discouraged by certain stereotypes. The truth is that you don’t necessarily need to sacrifice your style or invest a lot of money. Green design is gaining huge popularity, providing a lot of option to create stunning results at reasonable price. You will not only bring modern feel to your home, but you will also help the environment.
 

Not Everything is Pricey

Eco – friendly and contemporary design usually stand side by side. Currently interior designers put huge emphasis on the sustainable décor. You can achieve the sleek and simple design by incorporating fewer items that posses a character. A designer’s furniture will surely make a prefect addition to your living space, but not all can afford it. Recycling and reusing are basic eco – friendly principles. Take advantage of them? Visit the good will or the flea market. You will find hidden treasures that probably need only a little bit of cleaning and a fresh layer of paint. Depending on your overall design idea you can spray them with intense colour to add a focal point or make a safe bet with white.

Eco – friendly Furniture

Contrary to the widespread opinion that there is not a big variety of green home solutions, you will a plethora of different options. If you want new pieces, shop for dining furniture and coffee tables made of renewable materials and reclaimed wood and glass. Look for chairs and sofa that have soy – based foam filling. They don’t require any special cleaning and maintenance.

Flooring
 

If you are going though some major home renovations, you can invest in an eco – friendly flooring. A good material will help insulate your home and will make easier your domestic cleaning. Cork is relatively new flooring material. It can last between 10 to 30 years. It is very durable and can be used in almost any room. The best thing about it is that it reduces the allergens in your living space. Bamboo is yet another good solution. This is a type of grass shares the same properties as hardwood. The material is sustainable and is offered in different hues.

Paint and Patterns

The hazards of commercial wall paints and wallpapers are beyond any doubt. They contain volatile organic compounds that are emitted even after you apply them on the surface. The VOCs contaminate the indoors air and can eventually cause serious health issues.

Put a Green Accent
 

Fill your home with various plants. They will create soothing and calming atmosphere. Plants are also natural purifiers. The greenery will sufficiently improve the indoor air quality.
 

Shop Wisely
 
When purchasing new items for your home, you should consider the lifespan of the product. Spend a little bit more on high – quality items that will last for long. Don’t fill your home with unnecessary items. Buy only things that you need. You will save time during your house cleaning. If you are de–cluttering your home, give your old belongings to a charity. For more cleaning ideas click here.

Special thanks to our guest writer Heather Roberts.
 

You may be wondering, does size really matter in the bedroom? When it comes to staging, go big by adding a king size bed (if you have the space). More and more people want the added comfort that a larger bed provides. King size staging offers potential buyers the feel of the ideal lifestyle they desire.
 

In large bedrooms, it’s important to stage with balance in mind. You want to create a feeling of comfort while at the same time leaving plenty of open space. The size of furniture you choose should reflect the size of room. Big room, big bed. Otherwise, it feels awkward.
 

We staged these two different bedrooms with similar furniture and approaches. The same king size bed and headboard was used. Notice that it is flanked by bedside tables, artwork, and lamps to create a grounded focal point in the room.
 

To add to the sense of balance and highlight the spaciousness of the room, we placed a chair to create a reading area by the window. In the more recent property we staged in Royal Oak, instead of additional furniture, we placed a tall plant in the corner.
 

Similarly, artwork was used to draw the eye, create balance, and add to the calm feel we wanted to instill when a potential buyer walked into the spaces.
 

Blues, golds, and beige tones were used in both rooms to add to the light, airy and calm feel you would expect in a bedroom retreat. Dark tones in the furniture ground the space, adding to the balanced feeling of light and dark.
 

In staging, yes, size does matter! Want more inspiration for king size staging and more? Check out the Set Your Stage ‘Bedrooms After Home Staging’ board on Pinterest.
 

In many cases, yes, professionally staged homes sell faster. At Set Your Stage in Calgary, we’ve been busy trying to achieve just that. And we’ve got plenty of happy clients who have benefited from our expertise and quality service. Especially for vacant properties, staging can have a significant impact.
 

These two vacant Calgary properties recently sold on the first weekend after we staged them:
 

Evanston:

• I loved the 17 foot ceilings in the living room in this beautiful former Homes by Avi show home we staged in popular Evanston. This suburban dream home featured over $80,000 in upgrades, but professional staging put it over the top. See how Set Your Stage made this property sparkle, helping it to sell fast.

Elgin Village:

• My favourite room in this vacant property located in the heart of McKenzie Towne was the living room with the stunning fireplace. From the spacious and welcoming foyer, to the separate office, open concept living and dining room, beautiful kitchen and bonus room, this property had it all. But without staging furniture, it felt cold and unwelcoming and left you wondering what to do with the space. Obviously staging rental furniture placed with professional know-how did its job. Take a look for yourself.

Our staging results speak for themselves, and at Set Your Stage, we couldn’t be more pleased for our clients who got the results they hoped for. Staging made it quick and easy. We appreciate the opportunity to turn their properties into stunning listings that buyers couldn’t resist.
 

Follow Set Your Stage on Twitter to see what we’ve been up to and find out more tips that help staged homes sell faster. Just imagine what we could do with your space!