Real Talk!

I’ve decided to take a rest from ranting about shadow governance and global distress… I’ve been thinking about how uncertainty of the future is what leads many of us to a new direction of personal discovery and alternative thinking.

Sometimes, we decide to buy or sell property, because we need a change in our lives. Our homes, are our oasis of comfort and also an imprint, our signature, if you will.

These days, there are some subtle differences in the sort of change that is being sought. Words like sustainable, green, organic, efficient, environmental, conservation, renewable… etc. have permeated our language.

What once was considered a trendy ideological concept of “eco-friendly” has become a core belief and responsibility.

As David Suzuki tells us, “Individual actions may seem small, but together they can change the world.”

Often, we reach for simplicity as a refuge from a rough and stormy economy… and going “green” is often the most simplistic. Homeowners are looking to improve their home’s efficiency AND make a contribution by reducing their carbon footprint.

It’s estimated that 40% of a typical family’s budget is spent on keeping their home at a comfortable temperature.

During the heating season, the first line of defense is to inspect the house thoroughly. Check it, from the attic to the basement… weatherproofing (reducing leakage & increasing insulation) will help reduce fuel consumption (and bills).

When it comes to cooling a house, the combination of ceiling fans, floor fans and a dehumidifier can save you from energy hogging air conditioners. Remember, though, fans cool people and not the spaces- they should be turned off, when nobody’s in the room.

On extra hot days, close the windows, blinds and drapes during the day and open everything up at night (when the air is cooler). & try to get some cross-ventilation by strategically opening windows and doors that are opposite each other.

Insulation is a friend, too. If you didn’t do an inspection of your home last winter, check it now- from the attic to the basement.

90% of the electricity used by traditional incandescent light bulbs is lost in heat. This doesn’t do us any good in the summer, when we’re trying to stay cool. Compact fluorescent light bulbs produce 75% less heat and use about 75% less energy than the standard incandescent ones.

Create shade. Use umbrellas, awnings or plant a deciduous tree. Yup, planted around the house a deciduous tree is a visual treat, it absorbs carbon dioxide AND its shade will cool you in the summer. & the leaves come off, giving the sunlight more access to warm you- in the winter.

Think about your guests, too. A lot of people have sensitivity to chemicals. Use natural cleaning products, such as: 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water for glass cleaning- it’s also pretty good for deodorizing. Lemon juice is excellent, too.

Mix either lemon juice or vinegar with good old baking soda to make your own scrub cleanser. A mixture of 1 cup of olive oil and ½ cup lemon juice creates a fabulous wood polish.

The social climate is affecting our design trends, too. While it is too late, for most, to start at square one- we can incorporate natural elements into our living spaces.

These days, people are looking for more water and fire in their garden and yard spaces. Waterfalls, fireplaces, fire pits and rocks are increasingly popular. People strive, also, to incorporate some unexpected design surprises. Indoor waterfalls, for instance, have a feel-good quality and are a visual treat.

Colour trends are another telling barometer of our current social climate. Forecasters predict blasts of colour, taken from an earthen palate of organics like fruit, plants, vegetables and, even, soil.

Reclaimed bricks, recycled glass beads and candlelight wall finishes are more and more readily available. Wall sculpture finishes from recycled magazines, newspapers and natural clay give us texture and depth. Faux suede and metallic finishes are being mixed into our homescape, too- the colours just seem to make a home feel healthier.

Keep these principles in mind and make some positive changes... they will appeal to prospective Buyers, too!