The Grand Entrance
13:12 |
YOUR
HOME’S GRAND ENTRANCE
If
you’re thinking of selling your home, nothing says SOLD like curb appeal.
Before tackling any back yard deck projects, consider updating, refurbishing or
landscaping your front entrance.
FRONT
ENTRANCE FEATURES
Whether
you want to reflect a charming country style, a sleek contemporary look or
sophisticated upscale grandeur, your doorway is your grand entrance to the
neighbourhood revealing your personal style.
The
Walkway
First,
ensure that you have easy access from the driveway to the walkway along a
primary path. You may want to add a secondary path which extends to a flower or
vegetable garden, water feature or secluded seating area.
A
curved or diagonal path attracts your gaze from side to side, creating a
curiosity for what lies beyond. A meandering path can conceal and reveal garden
sculptures, special plants and architectural features. A stepping-stone path
not only protects your lawn from wear and tear, but adds interest along the
walkway leading to your front door.
Your
Front Door
No
matter what porch style you choose, your front door sets the tone of your home,
inside and out. You may want to add colourful paint, mouldings and trim or feature
planters and topiaries to add a warm invitation.
But
before changing doorknobs, knockers, and other fittings or getting out the
paint and primer, it’s best to consult a renovation specialist or installer.
Those simple stylish touches can create major havoc if you don’t have the right
hardware or need to negotiate lopsided levels or off-set doorframes.
Spring is the perfect time to tackle a home renovation. If you’re thinking of putting in an in-law suite to care for an aging parent, here’s a helpful reminder on how they can benefit from the $1,000 Seniors' Home Renovation Tax Credit.
The
B.C. Seniors’ Home Renovation Tax Credit will be a new refundable personal
income tax credit to assist with the cost of permanent home renovations that
provide individuals age 65 and over with increased independence, allowing
them the flexibility to remain in their own homes longer.
The
maximum credit will be $1,000 annually, calculated as 10 per cent of
eligible expenditures. The credit will be available to individuals who incur
eligible expenditures on or after April 1, 2012. The credit can be
claimed by seniors, whether they own their home or rent, and by
individuals who share a home with a senior relative.
Beyond Deck Design:
Landscaping
April showers may bring May flowers, but how do you arrange your garden
areas to create a landscape design that complements your home’s features?
You may have built or designed your dream deck, but now the challenge is
to create a landscape design that looks professional and is easy to maintain.
Landscaping is a creative task which needs to be consistent around your
entire home, not only your outdoor living space.
The first step is to come up with a plan which suits your budget and lifestyles,
factoring in how much time you have to maintain your trees, shrubs and garden
areas.
Here are some main landscaping principles to consider:
- landscaping
around a focal point
- landscaping
texture
- landscaping color
- landscaping scale and proportion
- landscaping
grouping
- landscaping
repetition, rhythm and sequence
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