Renovating your entire home versus just moving; what should you pick?

 When you’re bored of the current look of your home you typically have two choices; do you renovate your entire home or do you just move? Which should you pick, and what are the advantages of each of them? This can be a difficult question to answer, so we’re going

The dangers of renovating historic buildings

 Historic buildings have a unique appeal that evokes nostalgia and reminiscence. They can create a feeling of connection to the past while enjoying the present and modern times. If you are planning to buy an old building and considering renovating it, you should prepare yourself for a challenge. Here are

Top 10 ways to revive your dated house

 Our homes are where memories are made, our retreat from the world. However, daily living, growing families, and time can leave your home looking less than its best. Fortunately, there's plenty you can do to breathe new life into a well-loved space. These top DIY projects will ensure your home

THE NAC: Canada’s Stage, Transformed

 Feature photo by David Kawai It’s not often that the head of a major cultural organization has been able to thank both the Harper and Trudeau governments for major investments in their organizations. But on July 1, 2017, at the lavish opening of the revitalized and expanded National Arts Centre,

Renovate with fire safety in mind

 By Scott McGillivray The best time to improve the fire safety of your home is during its construction or when renovating. I'm a big believer in building fire protection directly into the structure of a home. After all, active fire measures, such as smoke detectors, combined with built-in or passive

The ins and outs of renovation warranties

 When you hire a contractor to renovate or improve your home, there are many details that need to be spelled out in your work order or contract. These include a thorough description of the work to be done, the work schedule to be followed, and what amounts you will pay

JOHN’S RENO TIPS: Flooring 101

 One of the easiest and most efficient ways to spruce up your home without a complete overhaul would have to be - hands down - flooring. Let's talk about the popular picks for flooring that you can have installed in your home, and where they are best suited. The list

Strengthening the Foundation of Ottawa with Action Restoration

 Feature photo by Andre Gagne Patrick Despatie likes to get down to the foundation of things. In fact, you can say he’s made a career out of it and is probably somewhere underneath the city as you read this.   If you have cracked or bowed walls, sloping floors, a

JOHN’S RENO TIPS: The Perfect Paint

 Whether you intend to complete the renovation yourself or decide upon hiring a contractor to do the job, you want to make sure everything is perfect - especially the finer details. While renovations can often come with a hefty price tag, painting is a cost-efficient and easy way to bring

John’s Reno Tips: Home Reno Dos and Don’ts

 Are you looking to renovate your home this year? Often, when you don't have much in the way of experience, renovations can be more of a nuisance than anything. Some of the biggest problems typically arise from the smallest of details. The demolition and remodelling of an area in your

John’s Reno Tips: Giving Your Bathroom A Makeover

 Photo above: © Sylvain Lalande Remodelling the bathroom is no small task and if not properly planned, mistakes can be catastrophic. Before getting started, here are a few reno tips from John Gordon, owner of Your Reno Guys. Q How do heating systems for tile floors work and will they

Let It All Hang Out

 Exposed wooden beams are growing in popularity with the massive prevalence of using reclaimed wood in modern décor. Within this dated mid-century space, the design stage boasts minimalism and functionality, yet the homeowner desired elements of traditional adornment, so our beams are the perfect complement to the dramatic fireplace. Our

Bidding the Bathroom Blahs Bye-Bye

 As with every large purchase decision in life, there are many factors that should be considered. Take for instance the purchase of a new home build, with so many available options and upgrades, the decisions can be overwhelming. We all want the model home look without the model home price.