Nisha Muire

Home theatres have gained in popularity and are now an integral part of many Toronto homes. These super-cool spaces provide the perfect entertainment experience by recreating an authentic theatre setting but in the comfort of your home. Some home theatres go so far as to have the soundproofed walls and tiered seating found at your local multiplex. Some really ambitious designs even include concession stands and old-fashioned popcorn makers.
 
If you want to create your very own Toronto home theatre, then you need the basics – a good projection system, the right speaker set-up, and good A/V components. Let’s take a look at what’s involved.
 
To Project or Stream?
Naturally, the first thing you might think of when it comes to a home theatre is a good projector to project the image as is done in a real theatre. Although this is a superb option, it is not the only one. A good projector will need a good screen and work best in a dedicated room where you can control the external lighting. If you are in an open space, then a projector might not be the best options – although there are projectors now available that have a higher brightness level. If you don’t have a separate room for your home theatre then you might consider a big screen television – many of which are now rivalling and surpassing what can be delivered through projection.
 
Speakers
Once you have locked-down whether you want to project or invest in a big-screen television, next up on the list is your speaker setup. The usual configuration for theatre-like sound is 5.1 – this refers to having five speakers installed at strategic spots to deliver surround-sound with the one referring to a subwoofer to fill in the lower-end of the sound spectrum.
 
A/V Receiver
Now, whether you are planning on solely watching movies or if you are also planning on watching cable or other streaming services, will determine the kind of A/V receiver you will want. If you have a projector, then you will need to hook-up to either a DVD player, Roku, Apple TV or cable box in order to get a signal to project. However, if you have a smart TV, then your input is basically assuring that your TV as a connection to the internet so that it can catch whatever streaming service you subscribe to. However, if you are old school and still own DVDs, then hooking up your DVD or BluRay player is still a great option.
 
The Room
Once you have the audio/visual elements in place, it’s time to think about the rest of your room. It helps to have some sort of acoustic taming so that external noise is muffled. It is also good to have control over lighting so that you get optimum viewing. When it comes to seating – you might be limited if you are working with an existing room, however, if you are lucky enough to be building a room from scratch, then the possibilities are endless. Seating choices come in a great number of styles and choices so you should take your time when choosing.
 
Finally, the overall look and feel of your home theatre will largely depend on your own sensibilities. You can have an ultra modern design, a traditional look and something in-between. Whatever you decide, you can rest assured that it will get plenty of use.

Man-caves are a popular feature in many Toronto homes. A place that the man in a family can call his own. A place he can escape to and listen to music, watch sports or even play games. Creating a man-cave in your home doesn’t have to be expensive and elaborate – with just a little imagination and some elbow grease you can create a truly memorable experience that is tailored for the man (or men) in your home.
 
Theme
The first thing to do when creating a man-cave is to choose a favorite theme – whether it is music, a particular sport, movies or some other interest, having a theme will help you to narrow down your decorating style and ideas.
 
Colours/Textures
Next decide on favorite colours – does the man who will be using the man-cave like muted, sombre colours or does he prefer brighter hues? Getting his favorite colours right will go a long way towards helping pull the whole look together. If you can create a swatch board with the different wall colours, fabric textures and other elements that you plan to incorporate into the design, it will make it easier for you to visualize how all of the elements you want will look together.
 
Personalization
The best man-caves in Toronto feature some kind of personalization. If you can add something coveted – for instance frame a signed concert poster of a favorite artist or the pictures taken on a particularly memorable holiday. Include memorabilia from cherished hobbies or pastimes, etc… The personal touch will really add to the cachet of any such room.
 
Gadgets
Most men are into gadgets and/or electronics. Including all of those items that will make his man-cave a real escape will definitely please the intended owner of the room.
 
In the end, get your man involved so that he is aware of what’s going into the design and can tell you just what he would like to have in his personal space – after all, he’s the one who will be using it!

If you have a new build Toronto home, then chances are your basement hasn’t yet been finished. Although the cost of buying a new home might push the thought of finishing your basement down the road for a few years, there are some very good reasons for investing in your basement. Not only will a finished lower level add to the overall value of your home, but it will also provide you with additionally living space to enjoy. There are also financial considerations to potential finishing your basement. Let’s take a look at some of the pros below.
 
Extra living space
Chances are if you have purchased a new Toronto home, then you have a young family or you are thinking of starting one. Families typically need space – especially in our day and age. Having a finished basement where your children can play is a big advantage. It will save your principal level from constantly being messy and will give your kids a space of their own where they can run around and play to their hearts’ content. As they age a recreation room in your basement will provide teenagers with their own space to disappear into with their friends so that they can slowly start to establish their own independence.
 
Overall home value
Another very big consideration when it comes to finishing your Toronto basement is the overall value that it will add to your home. Depending on the size of your basement and the location of your home, it can add anywhere between $17-$40 per square foot – which comes out to a nice tidy sum.
 
Financial gains
Lastly, you can finish your basement to include an extra living space that you can rent out to help pay down your mortgage even faster – not something to pass up with today’s pricey housing market. Done right, your lower level can bring in enough to cover most of your mortgage, if not all of it.
 
Regardless of your motivation to invest in your lower level, the benefits are clear and it is definitely something that is recommended if you want to make the most of your home.

Last week we covered minimalist living, this week we want to talk about Asian-inspired living spaces for your Toronto home. Whether you are looking to create a Zen retreat from top-to-bottom or just one room to soothe your yearning for a more balanced state-of-mind, here are some good tips for setting up the perfect Asian-influenced interior.
 
Balance
The first thing to know is that “Asian” is a catch-all phrase for Eastern infused decorating styles and includes everything from Chinese to Indian elements. However, all of these styles have one thing in common: balance. The concept of balance is one that permeates all design, but especially so in Asian design where more formal constructs underpin interior décor. Balance can be created by the proper use of colour, form and texture. If you don’t get the balance of your space correct, your Asian setting will not succeed.
 
Backdrop
Choosing the right backdrop for your room is another very important element of your Asian design. As much of Asian design is based on nature, backdrops often take on the colours and textures of the outdoors or incorporate natural elements including tree and flower patterns, colours and impressions. Japanese paper screens, Indian lattice work or Korean colour-emphasis, choosing one predominant element around which to build the rest of your design is your best bet.
 
Lighting
Sculptural lighting is another mainstay of Asian design. Using lighting is one of the easiest ways to create a to create a soft, calming ambiance in your home. Regardless of whether you have an installation of paper lanterns, a row of candles or more structured, formal light fixtures, this can be a very simple way of getting that Eastern-living look.
 
Minimalism
Minimalism is another staple of oriental décor. Sleek lines, muted but rich colours and an overall theme that pulls the space together are imperative to any successful Asian-themed interior.
 
Greenery
Lastly, don’t forget to include plants and greenery in your design! Having a lovely little Bonsai, some decorative bamboo or some other structured plant in your room will enhance the decor immensely.

Living simply might be a concept hard to grasp in our modern age. With houses increasing in size even as our families shrink in number, consumer goods proliferating our media and calls to buy, buy, buy hitting our senses at every turn, we can certainly be forgiven for thinking that the only way to live is by consuming – this is just not true. There is a great Swedish proverb that states, “He who buys what he doesn’t need, steals from himself.” What in fact you “steal” from yourself is peace-of-mind, financial security and your sense of well-being.
 
Living simply takes practice and self-discipline. Although seemingly easy to do, it actually requires mindfulness and a commitment to only buying what you truly need and to letting go of attachments to objects. Basing your happiness on your own accomplishments and inner peace instead of relying on things to make you smile.
 
The first thing to decluttering and simplifying your life is to sort through your belongings and to get rid of what you haven’t used in over a year. If you haven’t worn it, used it or even remembered that you have it, then you really don’t need – no matter what you believe. Keep only those items that are useful to own and for which you do have a practical use. Discard any old objects. If you have items of sentimental value, it is okay to hang on to them – as long as they are not taking up too much space and cluttering up your life.
 
Here are some other ways to simplify your life:
 
Pay off your debt
Sell off what you don’t really need
Give-away old clothing that you don’t wear anymore
Organize what you have
 
Benefits of simplifying your life:
 
More free time
Less feelings of stress due to attachment to objects
More space
More money
Less cleaning to do
Decrease your eco-footprint
 
Although a simplified lifestyle isn’t for everyone, regardless of who you are, even the smallest change to your lifestyle will produce great results.

Decorating your Toronto home is a highly subjective affair. However, if you are like a lot of homeowners out there, then you will want to know what the upcoming trends are in order to spruce up your place for the summer season. While a number of the trends are whimsical and won’t last longer than one season, others require a larger buy-in as they will affect your living space for some time to come. Let’s take a look at five of the top trends for 2017.
 
1. Navy and Green
That’s right – all of the greys and whites of the past few years are being replaced by navy and dark, rich blues as well as with shades of green. Using Navy as an accent wall, in furniture or just as a theme running throughout your home is the most forward trend right now in home design. Green is another great accent colour that can pop-up throughout your décor for a more pulled-together look.
 
2. Marble/faux finishes
Faux finishes are hot and marble is the hottest finish of them all right now. Not just in flooring, but in wallpaper and faux finishes. Marble is the new chic, go-to for those wanting to glamour-up their surroundings without shelling out the big bucks for some heavy stone.
 
3. Copper/warm hues
Copper and brass are making a big comeback in home décor. The warm tones throw richness and sophistication into any space you envision while also creating an inviting ambiance.
 
4. Matt finishes
When it comes to appliances, shiny is in the past. Trending now are matt finishes that take the emphasis away from the appliances and put the focus more squarely on the lines and design of the space that they occupy. It is a cleaner, sleeker look and makes a bold statement.
 
5. Texture and Geometry
Another hot trend right now is filling your home with interesting textures and equally striking geometric shapes. Naturally, you won’t want to go all out when it comes to either theme, but choosing a few key pieces to incorporate into your decor will go a long way towards updating your current look.
 
Keep in mind that just because something is trending doesn’t mean you have to jump onto the bandwagon. If a trend doesn’t really fit with your sensibilities or style, then it isn’t work incorporating. After all, you’ll have to live with it!

Making a statement in your Toronto home takes little more than imagination and an inspired design. As easy as that sounds, for some, conjuring up a powerful interior design can be difficult. However, by breaking down beautiful rooms, you will see that they all follow some very basic principals – and if you follow those same rules, you can achieve interior design brilliance in your own home as well.
 
Balance
Balance is one of the most important aspects of any interior design. There are three kinds of balance to know about – symmetrical, which is used to create formal settings; asymmetrical, which is used to create informal settings; radial, which is where you have one focal point from which the rest of the design radiates outward. Deciding on the kind of room you want, will help you decide on the kind of balance you want to achieve.
 
Rhythm
In interior design, rhythm is created when a same element is repeated or picked-up throughout the home. Using such repeated design elements – whether it is a colour, an image or a theme, creates a cohesive flow throughout the home that will better reflect the overall design and will help move your eye around a room easily.
 
Focal Point
A good room design will have a focal point or place of particular interest – otherwise the design might seem scattered and disjointed. It doesn’t need to be big statement piece, such as a fireplace, but can simply be something as seemingly innocuous as a collection of pictures on a wall or a bold window treatment – essentially something that stands out and that will draw your eye.
 
Proportion and Scale
Proportion and scale refer to the size of the smallest object in relation to the largest object. Some proportions are more pleasing than others and your eye will instantly tell you if something is off. In this case, we all have an innate sense of what is proportional to a space.
 
Harmony
Creating harmony is one of the key goals of any good interior design. Having something that unifies the overall theme is important to keep in mind as it will affect your choice of furniture down to the accessories you select.
 
Colour
Colour is the feel-good element of your design. Whether you want it to be upbeat and breezy, stately and elegant or vivid and inviting, colour will make all of the difference in the world. When selecting your palate be sure to select a main colour around which you can then pull different themes.
Incorporating all of the above basics into your interior design will yield beautiful results – regardless of whether you’ve ever designed an interior space or not.

Mosaics can enhance the beauty of your Toronto home in a unique and utterly enchanting way. The ancient art of creating mosaics goes back through the centuries to antiquity and was one of the preeminent forms of adorning homes in the ancient world. In fact, some of those ancient works were so beautifully inlaid and expertly done that they have survived through time to bring ancient life back to us in a way we would never have glimpsed otherwise. If you are looking to add character and a special flare to your home, then consider the addition of mosaics to either or both of your interior and exterior spaces.
 
There are many ways of incorporating mosaics into your home. We will take a look at a few of the many ways that you can use this wonderful technique for spectacular results.
 
Flooring
Mosaic tiled floors are a terrific way to include a one-of-a-kind flare to any space. Whether inserting a medallion, creating a mosaic border or investing the time to create a more elaborate pattern or picture, mosaics are a great way of adding including your personality into a setting.
 
Walls
Mosaics on walls are also quite traditional and were far more common in years past than today. However, you can bring the art back to your home to create memorable spaces. The most common areas for mosaic walls today is in ensuites and kitchens, although that doesn’t mean you can’t create something special above your fireplace or even along a staircase.
 
Objects
Objects used in your home can also be covered in mosaics to create unique pieces that aren’t available elsewhere. Covering a chair or table in fun tiles can breathe life into old furniture or transform existing pieces into works of art. For some fun DIY mosaic projects go here //bit.ly/1TjfQUd.
 
Garden
The garden is a great place for letting your imagination go and creating terrific, mosaic objects to decorate your outdoor living space. For some whimsical ideas for your home go here //bit.ly/1prGxUo.
 
There are also plenty of ideas on Pinterest and other craft sites that can give you plenty of ideas for beautifying your home by using mosaics.

You can be forgiven for thinking that the only use of concrete for your Toronto home would be exterior and functional – nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, concrete is a very versatile and easy to use material that can be manipulated to fit whatever need you have with little fuss. The durable and solid material can be tinted, stamped, patterned and shaped to beautify your home and to provide you with custom creations that will lend your home a unique touch.
 
1. Conventional Uses
The most conventional uses for concrete include exterior applications. Concrete is great for driveways, walkways, patios and balconies. However, did you know that it can also be used for decorative outdoor touches? For instance, you can use concrete to create a “flagstone” walkway by simply buying the proper moulds. You can use it to create stepping stones for your garden. Concrete makes beautiful birdbaths and even whimsical sculptures – as long as you have the proper mould and the patience to cure it properly over a few days.
 
If used in driveways, pathways, etc… you can gussy up your concrete pad by stamping a pattern onto it. You can tint it to take on a more aesthetically pleasing hue and you can also paint it if you really want it fully covered.
 
2. Non-traditional uses
Concrete can also be used inside your home. Many lofts feature tinted concrete flooring, while concrete can also be used to create solid kitchen counters, attractive fireplace surrounds, and durable garage flooring.
 
Although heavy, it is a superb material that you can customize to suit your needs and your personality perfectly. It can impart any space with an authentic look unparalleled and not found elsewhere.
 
While concrete has been a material of choice in many European and Asian countries, it is only catching on as a viable decorative finish in North America. So, the next time you have a home renovation project – include concrete in your choices and you just might be pleasantly surprised by what you can get and what you can do with it.