Guest Blog thanks to Heather Roberts.

 
Green home building has had a great connection to the environment, balancing out the influence of man with the natural world around us. The building of a home like that requires smart decision-making and planning to ensure you will be independent from the local power grid as well as making sure you have a safe and cost-effective way to live in a healthier home. The following tips will give you more information on how you can make this happen:
 

Using safer materials
This is a very important first step in the process of making your own home, as biodegradable products will be safer for your environment, so you need to do your best to avoid other materials. Dyes, heavy metals, ozone-depleting chemicals and potential carcinogens can not only be dangerous to you, but also to your local biosphere and soil, so you need to keep them out of your new home. This means you will also have a much easier time dealing with house cleaning, kitchen cleaning, floor cleaning, you name it – without the use of hazardous chemicals for your cleaning efforts.
 

Using passive solar designs
When you need to build a brand new home, you can always make use of these millennia old designs that take advantage of natural sunlight to warm up your home. You can also take it a bit further by making sure you use reflective screens to deflect heat to areas that need it, as well as thermal chimneys, window placements, stone floors and skylights.
 

Attic ventilation
If you have a hot climate as the norm around your area, then you will need to deal with the accumulated heat in some form or fashion. The installation of vents on the eaves and ridges of your roof will get the job done. You can also make use of brighter colors to make use of light reflection to keep the heat off your home. Cooler climates can also benefit from such ventilation, since they will prevent the forming of mold due to condensation in unreachable locations. Keeping things well-ventilated is vital to ensuring you have a functioning home with no ill-effects in the long run.
 
Protecting your local site
When you’re done constructing your building, you will need to make sure you do so in harmony with the environment around you. Do whatever you can to protect the landscape and the trees around it, as well as any animals living on your land if you want to enjoy its natural look. You should never bury solvents and paints on your property, as they will enter the local groundwater supply and eventually end up in your own body if you don’t get rid of them the safe way.
 

Irrigation
The best way to deal with irrigation is to ensure you make use of the natural resources around your land. Your landscaping needs to be in tune with the local climate and rainfall patterns, as it will only strive to benefit from it this way. This means no lush green lawns in the middle of arid climates, as they will suck up water you could otherwise use sparingly for the more adapted local plants and still have a good-looking landscape. You need to use materials capable of allowing water to flow, rather than flood your landscape, such as crushed granite or paving blocks instead of concrete and asphalt.
 
If you are looking for building services or you are planning a home refurbishment and decorating you can visit this website.

Home staging lighting can make the difference between a property that feels dark and old or modern and bright. It’s not hard to imagine which one potential buyers prefer. Some simple changes in lighting can make a big difference in how your property is perceived and, as a result, how quickly it will get sold.
 

Pinterest provides me with all sorts of home staging inspiration. I’ve written before about the four types of lighting that should be considered when staging: ambient, task, accent, and decorative.
 

This time I want to show some creative examples of how to make an impact with lighting.
 

Have you ever walked into an average room but noticed AND remembered a beautiful or unique overhead light? That’s the point when staging. You want potential buyers to notice something special and remember it because that’s what will set your property apart from other listings.
 

• For example, in the right property, imagine the impact this vintage mason jar light would create over a kitchen island or a bar in a games room.

 

• And you might not consider it, but a pantry or closet is an excellent place to create impact with lighting. Here’s a DIY track light that is practical and attractive.

 

• What about those old bathroom vanity strip lights? Give them a quick update with a custom shade.

 

Of course, for maximum benefit, you want to ensure that the lighting you choose reflects the potential buyers’ desired lifestyle. It’s one of the many ways that you can benefit from the help of a professional home stager.
 

For more staging inspiration, check out the various boards we have at Set Your Stage on Pinterest.
 

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.
 

As one of multiple Calgary home stagers, I’m so thankful for the success Set Your Stage has enjoyed in 2014, both for our team and for the clients and realtors we have worked with.
 

Reflecting on the past year, this Ziglar quote really rings true for me. I am so grateful to do work that I love, with colleagues and clients who I enjoy, following through on my commitments with a smile on my face every day, and doing it all in the fine city of Calgary.
 

It fills my heart. It is my passion. How many people get to say that and truly mean it?
 

The Calgary real estate market has been very active this year. More people were open to hiring professional home stagers, and there were a number of us to choose from. So I truly appreciated when a potential client chose Set Your Stage.
 

I take their trust in me and my team very seriously. Understanding how significant an investment a person’s home is, I want them to get the most from it.
 

Here are some of our team’s accomplishments this year:

• We helped 172 staging clients this year; 8 of them were amazing repeat Realtors and 3 repeat builder clients
• Largest value property we staged this year (and so far) $1.75 million
• Added Whitney and Karen to the Set Your Stage team
• Grew our furniture and accessory storage from 300 sq ft to 600 sq ft (which also means lots of pretty stuff to choose from)