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PUTTING SOLD SIGNS ON PROPERTIES FOR OVER 30 YEARS! HERE ARE SOME OF OUR RECENT SOLDS... LD

SOLD OVER ASKING - CALEDON

SOLD OVER ASKING - ALTON

SOLD FOR ASKING - CALEDON

SOLD OVER ASKING - CALEDON

SOLD OVER ASKING - MONO

SOLD OVER ASKING - ERIN

SOLD FOR ASKING - CALEDON

SOLD - MONO

SOLD OVER ASKING - CALEDON

FEEL THE CALM WASH OVER YOUR SOUL Raised 2+1 bedroom bungalow with fully finished basement with above grade windows which make the space bright. Hardwood and ceramic floors on main level principal rooms. Functional eat-in kitchen. Covered front deck for the morning sun, then great patio and small deck out back for the afternoon siesta! What a great spot to enjoy the wonders of nature just outside of the city! Mono. $999,000

SOLD OVER ASKING - CALEDON VILLAGE

SOLD OVER ASKING - CALEDON

SOLD OVER ASKING - ERIN

SOLD OVER ASKING - MONO

CUSTOM MOVE RIGHT IN HOME Brand new finishings, flooring, appliances, state of the art spa baths in an established subdivision. Legal 1 bedroom apartment in walkout basement. Over 3,500 sq ft of living space in Purple Hill close to hospital, schools, parks and backing onto green space. Seller is actively renovating home inside and out . Enjoy the spoils of high quality full renovation without living through all the dust. Orangeville. $1,299,000

SOLD OVER ASKING - ORANGEVILLE

SOLD OVER ASKING - ADJALA

SOLD OVER ASKING - BRAMPTON

SOLD - MONO

QUIET RESIDENTAL NEIGHBOURHOOD Pleasant View, it's close to everything. DVP, 401 and Don Mills subway is minutes away. Walk to Fairview Mall for all your shopping needs. Great schools in the area including Catholic and French Immersion. Community centre, library and Seneca College nearby. This home comes with a newer furnace, hot water heater, fully painted on the main and upper floor, it also comes with beautiful refinished oak flooring. Amazing home in a great neighbourhood. Toronto. $799,999

REFERRED BY REPUTATION FOR OVER 30 YEARS... JUST ASK YOUR NEIGHBOURS!

OFFICE (905) 335-3042

www.michaelbrejnik.ca

TOLL-FREE 1-800-290-0163

michael@michaelbrejnik.ca

2018

Every Price Range, All Of Your Needs, We Are Your Team!

2 BEDROOM BROWNSTONE $689,900 Fantastic 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath Brownstone backing onto the ravine. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and the living/dining room has laminate flooring, a gas fireplace with stone wall and wood mantle. There is a recreation room/study/office and a powder room on the main level. This great complex is steps to all amenities with easy access to the 403, 407 and QEW and a quick stroll to Spencer Smith Park, the lake, and downtown Burlington and all it has to offer.

HEADON FOREST TOWNHOUSE $649,900 Beautiful 2 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom townhome in desirable Headon Forest. Features include, quartz counter tops, stainless steel appliances, 2 storey opening in the living area, a gas fireplace, and a walkout to the private balcony with lovely views. The primary bedroom is spacious with loads of closet space and a stone accent wall. 2 parking spaces and a locker are included.

ROSELAND BUILDING LOT

ALMOST 1/2 ACRE

LARGE LOT ON TREE-LINED STREET

$1,199,000 You will be in good company when you build your new dream home on this beautiful treelined street amongst high end homes. Located in the desirable Tuck school district of Roseland, close to the lakefront parks and trails and minutes to downtown Burlington’s shops, restaurants and all it has to offer. Don’t miss out.

$1,599,900 Incredible .499 of an acre property in south Burlington. This is a rare opportunity to own, renovate, or build your dream home in this stunning and desirable area. Surrounded by beautiful mature trees, on a quiet street, and just steps to the Lake, chances like this won’t come up too often.

$869,900 Lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with a large fenced yard. Stainless steel appliances, granite counters, pot lights and hardwood flooring in the living room and 2nd level. The lower level is finished with a 3 piece bath and the upper-level bedrooms have walk-in closets. Close to schools, parks, shopping, restaurants, and amenities.

ISSUE 08 • 2021

9 SMART WAYS TO MAKE YOUR

BEDROOM LOOK BIGGER

PRESIDENT James BAKER james@thnmedia.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jason STACEY jason@thnmedia.com ADVERTISING SALES Marianne KENNEDY marianne@thnmedia.com David JOUBARNE david@thnmedia.com CREATIVE PRODUCTION Tim FRANKIW tim@thnmedia.com Dereck ADDIE dereck@thnmedia.com WEB DESIGN Vaughn JOSEPH vaughn@thnmedia.com ADMINISTRATION Diana LYNAS diana@thnmedia.com PRINTING Dollco

Curb Appeal Magazine is published monthly and delivered to selected homes in Halton & Peel by Canada Post, agreement #41362062. THN Media 2187 Dunwin Drive Mississauga, ON, Canada L5L 1X2 Office 905 278 1111 curbappealmagazine.ca facebook.com/curbappealmagazine instagram.com/curbappealmagazine

THE SPA 12 BRINGING ENVIRONMENT HOME

8 SMOKED TROUT, ORZO

& ASPARAGUS SALAD

DISCLAIMER: Every effort has been made to publish this magazine as accurately as possible; however errors and omissions can occur. THN Media, their employees, agents, representatives and vendors are not liable for any damages relating to errors or omissions in the editorials or advertising which may appear herein except where a specific charge has been made. In such cases THN Media shall have limited liability only to the charge for such advertising or editorials.

certified international property specialist

RLP AWARD WINNING PERFORMANCE SINCE 2004

Direct 416.919.9802 denise@link2realestate.ca

Your Realtor for Life ®

BALLINAFAD BEAUTY DOWNTOWN INVESTMENT

GEORGETOWN This stately 2.5 storey building offers 12 commercial units and 3 residential studio apartments on a prominent corner of Main Street South and Church Street in downtown Georgetown. The GO bus transit services the area with stops off Main Street South and Mill Street. Taxes reflect BIA membership. All commercial tenants $2,100,000 are NET plus TMI leases. Separate hydro and gas meters, and HVAC. Call today for more information.

BALLINAFAD Stately 4 plus 1 bedrooms and 4 baths family home in an exclusive estate setting on a private 1+ acre lot. A large eat-in kitchen offers backyard views with more room to entertain in the spacious main floor. The principal bedroom offers a retreat with a dressing room, walk-in closet and 4 piece ensuite. The separate entry to the finished basement makes a great teen or in-law suite. 2 car garage and lots of parking. Close to town, shops and GO train. $1,500,000

RETAIL, OFFICE AND RESIDENTIAL RENTALS

GEORGETOWN Various opportunities to conduct business and live with various sized units available for office, commercial and residential uses. Sizes range from 385 to 1,600 square feet "move-in" ready, to suit many needs and budgets. Many ground-level retail locations with high visibility and professional office space with inclusive leases in a growing community. NET plus TMI leases. Plus downtown core studio and 2 bedroom apartments from $1,200 to $1,700 per month.

MOTHER NATURE’S CALLING

AMARNTH Just a short drive north of Orangeville is where you will find this peaceful 11.8 acre parcel of land. The abundance of wildlife and flora offers you a little piece of heaven. A driveway culvert provides access to the paved road. Zoned EP-1 and under NVCA. The buyer will be responsible for site plan applications. Hydro available. $599,000

47 ACRE HOBBY FARM

ROCKWOOD A mature forest and farm fields offer the backdrop for this upgraded 3 plus 1 bedroom, 2 bathroom 1,700 square foot home. Your family will enjoy all the benefits of the spacious kitchen, dining, and family rooms. Let the pool, hiking and riding trails and barn entertain your family on this private and peaceful $1,650,000 property. 2 car garage with lots of paved parking.

FOR ROOMS WITH A VIEW

MEAFORD Get ready to build your masterpiece on a stunning 2.8 acre lot overlooking Georgian Bay. This hilltop oasis features a meandering river and towering trees. Only minutes from the public dock slip and beaches. Close to $399,000 Owen Sound in a neighbourhood of estate homes. Paved road.

YOUR DREAM HOME AWAITS

ROCKWOOD Live your dream in this 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath home in a tranquil setting that offers a double garage, sunny rooms with lots of windows, and many extras. This home is close to walking trails, Rockwood Conservation and public schools. This grand home with 3,600 suare feet of living space on a quiet street can not be duplicated for $1,249,000

QUAINT VILLAGE INVESTMENT

ROCKWOOD This retail storefront offers an attached 1,750 square foot 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in the heart of Rockwood. High traffic exposure gives you a live and work option or to provide a solid income investment in a growing market within minutes of Milton, Highway 401 and Guelph. C1 zoning permits many retail uses. $649,900

LIVE WORK INVESTMENT

ERIN This multi-use commercial and residential is the ideal personal investment opportunity in the heart of a quaint village setting. There is a Main St in every Town but few can compare to the income potential like this storefront or operate your own business while living in a $800,000 great 3 bedroom apartment with a balcony overlooking the Credit River.

G IN M N CO OO S

TIMELESS TREASURE

GUELPH This semi-detached, 3 bedriim, 2 bath, century style home offers many updates for the ideal family investment in the downtown core. Original rich wood trim, wide baseboards and high ceilings accent the magnificent wood floors. The double long lot extends to the next street to offer parking and $649,000 extension potential.

Dedicated to Serving Town & Country Properties www.link2realestate.ca

VERY PRIVATE ESTATE ON 12.7 PARK- LIKE ACRES Down a stately winding drive, pass the beautiful natural pond, find this handsome stone home, 9,000+ square feet on multiple levels. 6-bedroom, 7-bathroom with indoor pool. Multi-level decks and flagstone patios for enjoying the mature perennial landscaping and plenty of space for the family. Separate 12+ vehicle carport garage/workshop. Many more features to see! An amazing central Puslinch location: 30 minutes to Milton, Guelph, Kitchener, Hamilton or Cambridge and quick access to the 401 to Toronto.

Sue COLLIS

519.837.7764

sue@chestnutpark.com *Sales Representative

Country 519.833.0888 City 416.925.9191

Sarah MacLEAN

chestnutparkcountry.com

sarahmaclean@chestnutpark.com

905.872.5829

CHESTNUT PARK Real Estate Limited, Brokerage - 15425 Creditview Road, Caledon, ON L7C 3G8

1 / CLEAN BEHIND AND UNDER FURNITURE

HOME

The area behind the couch can be the place of no return for items like hair ties, pet toys and anything else small enough to make its way back there. Along with this, it is a hub for dust bunnies, so get them out before any guests arrive. Move furniture away from the walls to get to the baseboards and give the space around them a quick clean.

2 / OPEN CURTAINS AND BLINDS TO MAKE ROOMS LOOK CHEERFUL AND FRESH

3 TIPS TO Quickly DEEP CLEAN YOUR LIVING SPACE

By newscanada.com

WE’VE ALL EXPERIENCED THE PANIC THAT ENSUES WHEN A GUEST LETS YOU KNOW THAT THEY ARE STOPPING BY AND OUR HOME MAY NOT BE AS SPOTLESS AS WE WOULD HOPE. HERE ARE SOME GREAT TIPS TO GIVE YOUR LIVING SPACE A DEEP CLEAN IN NO TIME. 6

But with all the sun shining through your home, any dust or debris on your windowsills will be extra noticeable. Be sure to give the areas a quick dust to make sure any large particles are removed. Don't forget to clean the inside of the windows to get rid of any fingerprints or leftover dust.

3 / GIVE FLOORS A DEEP CLEAN WITH AN EFFECTIVE WET/DRY VACUUM The Tineco iFloor 3, which is available at Best Buy, is great for cleaning any hard-sealed floor with no more effort exerted than giving the floors a once-over with a regular cordless vacuum. Turn on maximum cleaning mode to help you get those sticky, stubborn messes. Once done, check out the dirty water tank to see the messes you were completely unaware of. ◆

AURORA CONDO BUNGALOFT BACKING TO RAVINE

Elegant executive bungaloft condo townhome in gated community of Stonebridge. West facing, end unit backing to ravine. Hardwood, crown mouldings, remote blinds, skylights, quartz counters, pot lighting, 2 gas fireplaces, custom greenhouse window seat off kitchen, great room with custom built-in cabinetry, vaulted ceiling, main floor master with walk-in closet and 5 piece ensuite. Basement rec room with kitchenette for easy entertaining or in-law potential w/reclaimed brick wall, pot lighting and maple cabinetry. Gorgeous private backyard w/custom screened-in gazebo and stone patio. Nearby walking and cycling trails, shopping, Highway 404 and 40 minutes to Toronto. $1,398,900

TWO HOCKLEY VALLEY LOTS WITH RIVER FRONTAGE

These two independently owned vacant parcels of land, situated side-by-side, each with 200 foot frontage and the Nottawasaga River flowing through both properties, must be sold together (approximately 6.67 acres with 400 foot frontage combined). West lot is approx 3.13 acres and east lot is approx 3.54 acres. Properties continue far back over the river and are regulated by the NEC and NVCA. Owners have utilized for recreational activity only. On paved road nearby to skiing, golfing, hiking and more! For more information and pictures, visit maryklein.com $424,000 EACH

CALEDON FARM - 52 ACRES AND ROLLING VIEWS

Fabulous location with tremendous potential, this gently rolling parcel with approx 1,000 foot frontage has lovely countryside views, a tree-lined private drive, some bush, a small stream at rear, an older bank barn, 1.5 storey home and two paddocks. Currently a horse and hobby farm with approximately 34 acres being tenant farmed, which qualifies the property for lower taxes. Situated on a paved road, close to all shopping amenities in Orangeville, and easy commuting via Highway 10. For more information and pictures, visit maryklein.com $2,800,000

RECIPE

SMOKED TROUT, ORZO + ASPARAGUS 8

Salad

JANETTE MITCHELL After years of owning and operating a decorating and home staging business, Janette pivoted her career and sights on becoming a food stylist. She enrolled in culinary school and began assisting some of the best food stylists in Toronto. Janette now prepares food for print, packaging, editorials, social media and motion. janettecooks.com · @janettecooks

INGREDIENTS • 1 1/2 cups dried orzo • 1 can (110g) smoked trout, drained and cut into bite size pieces • 1 bunch of fresh asparagus, thinly sliced • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters • 150g feta cheese, crumbled • 4 tbsp drained and rinsed capers • 1/2 lemon, juiced • 1/3 cup olive oil • 1/8 cup chopped fresh dill • 1/4 tsp salt • fresh ground pepper Prep Time: 20 minutes | Serves: 4

DIRECTIONS STEP ONE Cook orzo according to package directions. Rinse with cold water until the pasta has cooled down completely. Rinse well and add to medium sized salad bowl. STEP TWO While the orzo is cooking, drain the trout, and the capers and add to salad bowl. STEP THREE Add tomatoes and feta to salad bowl. STEP FOUR FOR THE ASPARAGUS: no need to cook this. Remove about 1”- 2” from bottom of asparagus. Cut the stalks into bite-sized pieces and thinly slice them. Add to salad bowl. STEP FIVE In a small bowl mix the salad dressing (oil, lemon, dill, salt and pepper). STEP SIX Add dressing to salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate. Keeps for 2 days.

COOK'S If you can’t find smoked trout, you can swap smoked salmon. The smokiness of the fish is what brings this dish to life. ◆

5 LINCOLN WOODS COURT $6,995,000 Sensational best describes this property! 7,720 square feet of total living space, custom built on over 1/3 acre pie-shaped lot, secluded court locale. One of the most spectacular settings you will find in Toronto’s west end! This elegant custom build was designed with comfort, style, family living and entertaining in mind. It is glorious. The pool, the gardens, the privacy, the tranquility, the views! Everywhere there are beautiful views! Spectacular ground floor primary suite with dressing room and glamorous bath, dramatic great room with soaring 2 storey ceiling, grand kitchen, masterful millwork, glamorous baths, 3-floor elevator, theatre room, heated drive, walkways and landings, 3-car garage with heated floor. Near St. Georges Golf & Country Club, one of Canada’s finest courses. 20 minutes to Financial district, 10 minutes to airport. Built of the highest quality, unrivaled craftsmanship! See more at 5LincolnWoods.com

Linda Tickins | Broker of Record

LindaTickins.com

416.234.2424

LIFESTYLE

When Staci Edwards of Staci Edwards Interior Design was brought in to create a master bathroom in this newly renovated home in ‘The Beach’, a laid-back, charming neighbourhood in Toronto, she saw an opportunity to create a spalike environment while maintaining the character of the home.

LIFE IS BUSY, AND WE MAY NOT ALWAYS HAVE THE TIME, OR OPPORTUNITY, TO VISIT THE SPA, EXPLAINED STACI. WHY NOT BRING THE SPA ENVIRONMENT HOME, SO YOU CAN ENJOY FEELING SPECIAL EVERY DAY?

BRINGING ENVIRONMENT HOME Article by Staci Edwards Design | Photography by Stephani Buchman Photography

The home was originally a four-bedroom, one-bathroom home, and to better suit the client’s needs was converted to a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. The homeowners approached Staci after receiving plans from their architect and asked if she could take those plans to finish off the design. Working with the clients, Staci and her team made some slight changes to the original plan as well as selecting all of the interior finishes and items. The focus was on making it a beautiful space for the lady of the house to enjoy. After spending a few years sharing a bathroom with her husband and two sons, the client was very excited to finally have a calm, beautiful, spa-like space to enjoy – and that’s exactly what she got. Inspired by a kitchen Staci had previously designed, a custom vanity was built and sprayed in a rich blue hue to add a pop of colour. By keeping the main finishes in the space light and airy, the bathroom feels very calm and spa-like. The marble tile, gold fixtures, and beautiful decorative lighting really helped to elevate the space to feel luxurious. Staci and her team were thrilled with how the space turned out and were happy their clients loved it as much as they did.

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL We worked with Staci and her team for our second-floor renovation. They provided us with the interior design of two bathrooms, selecting all the finishes and making a few small changes to what our Architect originally provided us with: window treatments and area rugs. WE LOVE THE END RESULT AND COULDN’T BE HAPPIER! We live in an older home in The Beach area of Toronto, and Staci was sure to keep certain elements to maintain the character of the home, while also incorporating modern elements throughout the space to give it a fresh update. Staci and her team were great to work with. They were always available to answer our calls and emails as the renovation process was underway, which helped us feel more at ease throughout the stressful time of a major renovation. Overall, we couldn’t be more pleased with the interior design work that Staci and her team provided for us, and we know that we are going to enjoy what they have done for years to come!

TECHNOLOGY

ew NMONITOR

SAMSUNG LAUNCHES

HIGH-RESOLUTION 2021

LINEUP

FIRST ‘TUV INTELLIGENT EYE CARE’ CERTIFIED DISPLAYS OFFER LIFELIKE PICTURE IN CONVENIENT ERGONOMIC PACKAGE FOR PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE.

Samsung Electronics Canada recently announced its new lineup of 2021 High-Resolution monitors. This year’s portfolio delivers life-like picture quality and enhanced convenience with advanced ergonomic design, making it the ideal complement to any workspace or at-home setup. Designed to meet the needs of today’s businesses and consumers who require excellent picture quality and comfortable, ergonomic design, Samsung Canada offers six different High-Resolution monitors across two series – the S8 and S6. All models deliver more than 1 billion colours for a vivid and vibrant image, enhanced by HDR 10 technology. The displays feature colour vividness and clarity with a 178-degree wide viewing angle designed for professional work environments, delivering an uncompromising viewing experience from any angle.

AS WE CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE DEMAND FOR HIGHER RESOLUTION MONITORS, WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO DELIVERING NEW INNOVATIONS DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF TODAY’S CONSUMERS,” SAID MARY PETERSON, VICE PRESIDENT, IT & ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS, SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CANADA. “OUR LINEUP OF 2021 HIGHRESOLUTION MONITORS BOASTS INCREDIBLE PICTURE QUALITY AND ENHANCED PERFORMANCE, IN ADDITION TO ENSURING USER COMFORT WITH A STREAMLINED, ECO-CONSCIOUS DESIGN. In addition, all monitors are Intelligent Eye Care certified from TÜV Rheinland.1 Adaptive Picture eye care technology optimizes picture quality for any viewing environment by automatically adjusting brightness and colour temperature in response to room conditions. This ensures the most comfortable viewing experience in any environment, reducing eye strain even after extended use. The monitors also include a special eye-saver mode to reduce blue light emissions which can cause eye strain, and Flicker Free feature, shielding the user’s eyes from any flickering on the screen.

S8 / SUPERIOR VISUALS AND ERGONOMIC DESIGN The S8 is packed with key features for both businesses and creative professionals. This model provides Ultra-High Definition (UHD) resolution and is available in 27- and 32-inch options. In addition to supporting UHD and over 1 billion colours, the S8 delivers a 99% sRGB colour gamut for users to enjoy more vivid content. 2 The S8U is capable of blazing fast 10Gbps data transmission through its USB-C type port, and offers up to 90W charging. The S8 also provides a variety of connectivity features including USB 3.0 and a USB hub to provide enhanced usability and versatility. The flat borderless design maximizes comfort and minimizes distractions while enabling near-seamless dual-monitor setups. Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) mount compatibility and Height Adjustable Stand (HAS) offer a variety of tilt, swivel and pivot control points, allowing users to mount their monitor in any environment. The slim metal stand and narrow depth also take up less desk space for a cleaner, seamless work setup.

S6 / SIMPLE AND SEAMLESS FOR ANY SETUP The S6 series is available in 34-, 32-, 27- and 24-inch sizes, supporting not only QHD (2,560×1,440) resolution, but also PBP (Picture By Picture) and PIP (Picture In Picture) features, enabling users to multitask effortlessly and efficiently. The S60UA monitors support Daisy Chain technology, allowing extended multiple screen and screen reproduction, and also LAN cable (RJ45 compatibility), transforming the monitor into a Docking Station Hub. The S65UA 34-inch monitor in Ultra-Wide Quad High-Definition (UWQHD) offers a 1000R curvature, further enhancing productivity with a 21:9 aspect ratio for optimal multi-tasking. The S6 series is also supported by customizable swivel, tilt and rotation functionality, allowing users to find their perfect viewing angle as they can swivel the screen. The Samsung High-Resolution monitor lineup is available in a variety of models, sizes and specifications. Please see the specification table for further information about each model. For more information please visit: www.samsung.com/ca ◆

HOME DÉCOR

smart ways to MAKE YOUR BEDROOM LOOK

r e g g i B

DESIGNERS KNOW ALL KINDS OF TECHNIQUES AND TRICKS WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING BEDROOMS LOOK BIGGER. THESE BEDROOM DESIGN SECRETS FOOL THE EYE INTO MAKING A ROOM APPEAR MORE SPACIOUS THAN IT ACTUALLY IS AND ALL IT REQUIRES IS MAKING SMART, CREATIVE CHOICES INVOLVING FURNITURE PLACEMENT, LIGHTING, AND A FEW OTHER IMPORTANT DESIGN DECISIONS. The bedroom, in particular, can really benefit from employing these simple bedroom design ideas to make it feel more expansive. By making a few adjustments to establish a greater sense of openness in your bedroom, you’ll create a space that has a more comfortable, restful vibe.

1 / LOSE THE CLUTTER Your master bedroom should feel like a cozy retreat, a place you want to go to at the end of the day. If it’s too cluttered with several small pieces of furniture (besides your bed), it could be the reason your room feels small. Basically, if it doesn’t belong in the bedroom, take it out. Floor clutter and surface clutter on nightstands and dressers also contribute to your space feeling disorderly and cramped. Make an effort to keep small, loose items in your bedroom organized and hidden from view as much as possible.

2 / KEEP YOUR CORNERS OPEN It’s hard to discern the size of a room when you can’t see its corners. Your bedroom’s corners are not there to be filled. Resist the urge to stack books, plants, or items up against the walls in the corners. Remember, your room will look larger when its floor and wall space is more visible and there’s some empty space within it. Since your bed is your focal point (it’s a BEDroom, after all), keep all necessary items close to it. If you have room for a chair, don’t line it up against a wall. Bring it in, angle it to the bed, and make it part of a grouping.

3 / ADD AN OVERSIZED AREA RUG If you have hardwood or hard surface floors already, add an oversized area rug. This helps to make the room feel bigger. Don’t just make the rug slightly larger than the bed, however. Make it occupy space at least 16″ to 18″ beyond the bed edge, all the way around. It’s amazing how adding some cozy texture to the floor can make the bedroom feel larger. ▹

HOME DÉCOR

4 / USE STR ATEGIC PLACEMENT OF ART

6 / ADD MIRRORS

We’ve established that the bed should be the centre of attention in your room. If you’re someone who must have a TV in the bedroom, however, that can draw attention away from the bed. Add some strategically placed framed art around the TV to minimize any focus clashing. The framed art will help the TV to blend in with the wall, as opposed to dominating it.

Another of the bedroom design secrets for making spaces look bigger is to use reflective surfaces. Mirrors can expand the room’s appearance and add some sparkle at the same time. A full-length mirror or smaller-sized mirror reflects both light and the view, which creates the appearance that a bedroom is more spacious than it actually is. Mirrored bedside tables may not be for everyone, but they can also help add to the illusion of your bedroom having more space. Custom-made “floating” side tables also make a room feel bigger, simply by allowing the eye to see under the table.

5 / INSTALL HARDWOOD FLOOR DIAGONALLY One of the bedroom design secrets that also applies to other spaces is to rethink how your flooring is installed. Whether it’s hardwood flooring, tile, laminate, or stone, laying your flooring on a diagonal can make a room appear larger. Hardwood flooring installed diagonally in your bedroom fools the eye into thinking you’re in a bigger space. This happens because the pattern is not squared off with the room’s walls.

7 / FIND THE RIGHT LIGHTING Consider hanging lamps over the bedside tables. This keeps the table surface free but still brings the light down to eye level. Add dimmers so they can be adjusted according to the needs of the room. We’re also seeing more modern, extendable wall lamps and sconces used by the bedside. They’re great for task lighting and reading.

YOUR MASTER BEDROOM SHOULD FEEL LIKE A COZY RETREAT, A PLACE YOU WANT TO GO TO AT THE END OF THE DAY.

8 / USE THE RIGHT BEDDING & PILLOWS Nothing makes a bedroom look smaller than skimpy bedding and pillows on a bed. For king-sized beds, two super-king Euro pillows will fit better than three regular euro pillows. Two super-kings will fit properly, will offer great support for reading or lounging, and will stay in place.

9 / DR APERY CAN MAKE IT OR BREAK IT The last of our bedroom design secrets involves choosing the right drapery. Drapery should be hung from the ceiling to the floor. Short curtains tend to disrupt the flow of a whole space when your eyes move around the room. To make your drapery look fuller, add heavy blackout lining, rather than cotton. Whether you’re making changes big or small, using some of these bedroom design secrets can benefit even a small room so that it looks more expansive (and expensive).

JANE LOCKHART is an interior design professional, speaker, author, and television host of Colour Confidential. janelockhart.com

10 YEARS #1

WE ARE THE #1 REAL ESTATE TEAM IN THE GTA 10TH YEAR IN A ROW*

$2,248,888

$3,288,000

Absolutely gorgeous, 4 bedroom, 4 bath custom built home (2013). Beautifully appointed and impeccably maintained. Approximately 3,000 sq ft with 9’ and 11’ ceilings. Open concept, spectacular sun-filled great room with cathedral ceiling, gas fireplace. A gourmet kitchen with built-in stainless steel appliances. Oasis backyard with salt water inground pool on an oversized lot.

$3,699,000

Gorgeous home on a 87.60 X 142.67 ft lot backing onto the Rattray Marsh. This home boasts over 3,700 sq ft of total living space, a magnificent garden with unobstructed views of the marsh. Open concept formal living and dining room with cathedral ceilings. Stunning eat-in kitchen with built-in stainless steel appliances, granite countertops overlooking the lush backyard with a 42’ heated inground pool with waterfall, pond and breathtaking landscaping.

$4,598,000

Beautiful custom home with over 6,000 sq ft of living space on one of Lorne Park’s premier streets. This David Small Design is on a large treed lot with fantastic landscaping, in-ground pool and hot tub. Large spacious rooms, windows all along the back of the house to enjoy the natural sunlight and private yard. Chef’s kitchen with high end appliances and walkout to yard. Finished basement with open concept, large windows, heated floors and wet bar.

Over 7,400 sq ft of total living space on a private ravine lot overlooking Mississauga Golf and Country Club’s course with finest finishings throughout. Grand foyer, formal living and dining room, 2 storey family room with walkout to balcony overlooking backyard, a chef inspired kitchen with professional grade appliances. Upstairs master retreat features a 6-piece ensuite, walk-in closet and a sitting area overlooking the backyard. All generous sized bedrooms with ensuites. Lower level with a large recreation room, bedroom, gym and walkout to balcony with hot tub.

*For dollar volume sold on the Toronto Real Estate Board for 2011-2020 as per ReDatum stats.