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Incorporate Items of Special Interest and Nostalgia
Being able to design a space that is uniquely you includes incorporating items and keepsakes that evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort. For instance, that “well-loved” – but equally tattered blanked your grandmother knitted for you, those cheesy souvenirs you purchased on a recent trip to Peru or the comic book collection you have poured countless hours curating over many years. While these types of items may not fit within the parameters of traditional décor, they may be the difference between the feeling of home versus staying the night in a trendy hotel. There are several innovative ways to showcase your memories within your space.
Create Warmth With Removable Wallcovering And Carpeting
There may be certain restrictions that come with your new place. For instance, the walls and floors may be what they are – but you don’t have to be limited by them. If your lease agreement does not allow for painting, you can consider peel and stick wallpaper. Most are both removable and repositionable, come in a variety of colours and prints and guaranteed to spice up any living space! Choosing to add a great area rug can add a splash of colour and warmth. The addition of an area rug can both make a space more inviting and warmer on your feet!
Go Vertical
Empty spaces can feel cold and uninviting – the same holds true for empty walls, especially plain light-coloured walls. The selection of wall décor is seemingly limitless and can include anything from creative art pieces – purchased or home made, personalized photo galleries and space-enhancing decorative mirrors. Going vertical and adorn your walls with art, photos and mirrors.
Brighten Your Day
Lighting can drastically alter the vibe of any space. Not many people enjoy the feel of a cold, sterile florescent lighting. There are countless ways to incorporate lighting to create an inviting place to call home. If a major overhaul of fixtures just isn’t in the budget – simply choose bulbs that emit a softer more yellow less white light. Adding a few lamps with dimmers allows you to both inject personality into your apartment while maintaining control over the lighting as you please.
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]]>The post How to Weather the Winter Blues appeared first on Realstar Blog.
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Shine Through
One of the primary sources behind the winter blues is light deprivation. Natural light helps create and increase serotonin levels in your body, which in turn helps calms the brain’s response to stress and boosts feelings of happiness. Yes, the days are shorter and the skies less clear. You can help your body (and brain) get a top-up of sunshine through taking advantage of those scattered sunny days and keeping your window treatments open throughout the day. This can be easier said than done, Thankfully there is an increasing number of companies providing light therapy lamps as an effective alternative towards combating the winter blues.
Work it Out
Similar to the advantages of a little added sunshine, a few extra workout sessions can help elevate your body’s serotonin levels – aka, your “happy hormones”. No matter the intensity or length of the work-out, getting moving will help make you less stressed, more focused and energized. If your apartment has a fitness facility, winter is a great time to take advantage of this added benefit!
Rise and Shine
Winter is cold, wet and windy – definitely a tempting time to pull the covers back over your head and hibernate through the day. While catching the occassional extra zzz’s can be beneficial – oversleeping too much, too often can be detrimental and lead to cognitive impairment, depression and increased pain among other things. Experts recommend keeping a scheduled routine to help keep your body fuctioning at it’s best. Aim to wake up around the same time – yes, even on the weekends! Eat breakfast – this improves cognitive abilities and your metabolism and helps set the pace for the rest of your day. Similarly, try to get to sleep around the same time each night.
Snack on This
It’s easy to turn to tasty, but often calorie packed comfort foods to get through the winter – not to mention the seemingly endless trail of festivities offering up all manner of indulgences. Heavy or sugary foods can make you more tired, sluggish and drained of energy. It’s important to incorporate healthy choices throughout these cold and dreary months. Eating healthy includes choosing nutrient-rich foods to help fuel your body and mind. This in return will help improve not only your physical well-being through boosting your immune system and increasing your energy, but your mind as well.
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]]>Community Experience
Driving can cause you to miss out on experiencing all your community has to offer. Strolling through the streets of your neighbourhood offers a more complete perspective as you discover shops and people you might not have had the opportunity to encounter from behind the wheel.
The Walk to Wellness
According to Time Magazine article “10 Things Your Commute Does to Your Body”, a daily drive commute to and from work “impacts your mental and physical health” and is associated with increased cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure which over time can increase your risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Not to mention the toll it takes on your mental health, according to report from the U.K.’s Office of National statistics fighting traffic on a regular basis increases anxiety, puts you a risk for depression and actually declines “happiness and life satisfaction”. In case you needed any more incentive to re-think a car commute, according to a 2014 study from McGill University, commuters who walk to work tend to be happier overall compared with those who have a lengthy commute.
Cost vs. Car Share
A major bonus in forgoing a vehicle is saving on all the costs associated with regular maintenance, fuel, insurance, license, registration and parking. According to the CAA car ownership is the second largest expense after housing for Canadians. On average, including depreciation, owning a vehicle in Canada costs approximately $9,500 annually. Many would argue that the convenience of having a car is well worth the price tag, yet car sharing services like Modo are a more cost-effective option for those times when you just really need a vehicle. Unlike traditional car rental companies, Modo bills by the hour or with a full day rate of $50 which is inclusive of gas, insurance and maintenance. With the flexibility to book on the fly, residents in our Novare, Glenmore Central and Lynncreek Apartments have added incentive with Modo car share services located right on site.
Central living maybe more costly rent wise but in a vibrant community close to major amenities, you have the luxury of living “car free” without the added stress and expense of owning a vehicle. “Car free” may become the new “carefree”, healthier approach to urban life.
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]]>The post Spring Hope Food Drive – Working to Ease Summer Hunger for Ontario Families appeared first on Realstar Blog.
]]>According to Feed Ontario, donations typically decline once the weather gets warmer because it isn’t “top of mind for most people”. Although food banks work to meet the demands of “summer hunger”, “its existence highlights significant cracks in how our system address[es] child food insecurity.”
In addition to asking farmers and food companies to step up their contributions, food banks heavily rely on organized fundraisers like Spring Hope Food Drive during leaner months. Celebrating it’s 20th anniversary, Spring Hope targets residential rental properties by canvassing door to door one evening in April for donations that supply food banks within the local community.
In association with the Federation of Rental-Housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO) and the Greater Toronto Apartment Association (GTAA), Realstar has been actively supporting this vital community initiative since the beginning. This year 80 of our properties across Ontario, as well as our Head Office, participated in collecting much needed items like baby food and formula to give back to the local communities in which we live and work. Of course, none of which would be possible without the generosity of our residents, on-site management and staff.
While summer isn’t the season most associate with giving, for food banks it is high on the list. As you’re easing in to carefree days of summer sun, supporting those in need couldn’t be easier by making a online cash contribution at Spring Hope’s donation page for local food banks.
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]]>The post Four Easy Ways to Infuse Early Spring into Your Apartment appeared first on Realstar Blog.
]]>1. Beauty by Bloom
Nothing captures the essence of spring quite like a vase of tulips or hydrangeas to instantly rejuvenate any space. Perfect as a centre piece to grace any table, mantle, counter or shelf. You can go subtle with a delicate sprig of your favourite fresh cut flower or elaborate with a multi-bloom bouquet – the results are equally simple and stunning. In fact, any seasonal greenery will do wonders in up-lifting your décor and mood.
2. Colour Therapy
Another easy way to chase away the winter blahs is to incorporate some colour into your décor. Toss out the basic beige throw pillows and replace them with seasonally inspired hues like lilac, primrose pink, celery green, peachy orange, and citrine yellow. These soft dreamy shades blend beautifully against any standard neutral backdrop. In fact the interior design blog, Italian Bark, proclaims that “pastels are the new neutrals of 2019”. So dare to be inspired and boldly bring a splash of spring to your accent pieces like throws, pillows, vases and candles. The beauty is these items are interchangeable and can be easily stored away when you find yourself back in the spiced pumpkin frenzy of fall. For inspiration see Pier One’s Chenille pillows in an array of shades like Lilac and Blush.
3. The Glass Menagerie
Since the season is all about ushering in the long awaited light, the reflective property of glass accent pieces can’t be underestimated. Candle holders, vases, jars, bowls and picture frames will capture the luminous glow of early sunshine and brighten up any room. Anthropologie’s Gilded Lantern candle holders or Bauble Vases are both inexpensive and interchangeable ways to achieve this look.
4. Woven & White
Natural fibres like wicker and woven textiles speak to spring with a textured, light earthy feel. Wicker baskets, place mats and small throw rugs are both functional and neutral, making them easy to incorporate into any apartment. White accent pieces like Wayfair’s Burrville Hand Woven White Area Rug re-create that ethereal, woodsy feeling of early spring and blend well with most décor.
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]]>The post A Sense of Community Promotes Overall Health & Can Be Financially Rewarding appeared first on Realstar Blog.
]]>It's no secret that good neighbours build great communities. Realstar’s “Choose Your Neighbour” referral program is one way we work to foster this dynamic. Residents are rewarded with friends and family nearby, in addition to receiving a bonus of between $200 – $1,000 for each successful referral. When people love where they live, it’s natural for them to want to share that sense of joy with others.
Regardless of whether you rent or own, having a place to call “home” in a supportive community, with friends and family nearby is a big contributor to overall health. When our resident's love where they live, their lives and our communities are greatly enhanced on every level. Creating healthy, vibrant communities is a scenario where everybody wins.
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]]>The post Axial Towers – The Ultimate in Style and Convenience in the Heart of Laval appeared first on Realstar Blog.
]]>To balance out any indulgence, you don’t need to venture far. This developing area boasts several parks and opportunities for recreational activities. You can take nature walk at nearby Parc Joachim-Du Bellay or a play a round of golf at Club de Golfe Le Cardinal. Whatever your preference, Axial Towers is tailored to the contemporary active adult lifestyle with a wealth of nearby amenities, outdoor offerings and restaurants for the socially minded.
However, with a stunning rooftop terrace you don’t necessarily need to leave the comforts of home to host a sunset soiree, complete with gorgeous views of city. Whether you’re currently looking for a new apartment to lease or planning a move to Laval in the near future, Axial Towers is a must see. This Chomedey property offers all the comfort and convenience of urban living, in a stylish condo rental community designed for the active adult lifestyle.
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]]>The post New Year, New Place – Fresh Start appeared first on Realstar Blog.
]]>Despite the January blahs, the New Year is a time when we have a renewed sense of optimism, letting go of the old and making space for the new and improved version of us. Moving is also a great opportunity to start an exciting, new phase of your life. It’s the perfect time to implement new ways to help keep your fresh start from going stale. So here are a few strategies to keep the momentum flowing while developing some healthy habits designed to keep your home the sanctuary of rest and relaxation it should be.
1. Commit to De-Clutter
Studies have shown there’s a very real connection between a person’s overall lack of wellbeing and clutter. A 2016 study conducted by the University of New Mexico found that “because so many people identify so closely with their home environments, the extent to which it’s cluttered can interfere with the pleasure they experience when being in that environment”. In fact, clutter has been said to be a reflection of the inner state of the mind and stepping into an environment that is disorganized and over-run with stuff can actually cause a person to feel irritated, exhausted and mentally foggy, which in turn negatively impacts crucial functions like eating, thinking and sleeping. A separate 2017 study at Cornell University found that people tend to eat more sugary, high fat foods when placed in the chaos of clutter as compared to times when they are in a clean, organized environment. The study concluded that when a person was subjected to a place where they felt “out of control”, stress levels started to climb causing them to reach for sweets as a source of comfort. So, in case you thought clutter was just a harmless by product of contemporary life – it may be negatively impacting your overall sense of wellbeing, not to mention your waistline! A great way to keep clutter to a minimum in your new home is to designate a place for everything. Having a junk drawer for miscellaneous items is ok and can be a real sanity saver some days but keep it contained to one drawer. Attempt to apply some order by sorting the junk in some way – drawer dividers or containers are a great way to organize the chaos and commit to clearing out the drawer out every couple of months to prevent a “spill out” to other places.
2. Start a Schedule
Nothing can put a damper on your weekend like coming home Friday to a sink full of dirty dishes or mountains of laundry spilling down the hall – it doesn’t exactly scream “rest and relaxation” does it? A great way to avoid this high stress scene is by prioritizing routine chores and designate time to tackle them. The main thing to remember is be realistic about your time and make a plan that you can easily stick to. It can be a simple as setting aside 20 minutes a night to run the vacuum, put the laundry away or do a quick clear and toss of the fridge to prevent post week pile-up.
3. Avoid Procrastination in 24 Hrs or Less
We all have certain things around the house that we dislike doing more than others, things we tend to avoid and put off as long as possible until the smell from the fridge, the piles of clothes in the corner or the dust bunnies down the hall can no longer be ignored. The trick here is two-fold, give yourself a 24 hr time limit, so you don’t have to do it right away but there’s a limit to how long you can procrastinate and then find a way to take the torture out of these tasks by incorporating an element of enjoyment into them. A sure fail, simple way to accomplish this is, music, just put on your favourite play list and power through. Dance party with the dishes may sound corny but it actually works.
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]]>The post Four Fail Safe Tips for Holiday Entertaining – Apartment Style appeared first on Realstar Blog.
]]>1. Create Some Space
Here’s where you want to get creative and maximize your space to ensure your guests have room to mix and mingle in comfort:
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- Open up the main entertaining space by clearing out any bulky furniture and moving all seating out of the center of the room
- Make the most of every surface for serving, for example drape a festive table cloth over a TV stand or sofa table to create a serving station
- Utilize your front foyer to welcome guests by setting up a side table for hors d’oeuvres or laying out decorative party favors
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2. Pre-Prep
To avoid losing precious counter space in the kitchen, do as much pre-prep as possible so you don’t have the clutter of pots and pans taking away from serving space or preventing guests from fanning out into the kitchen. Doing as much pre-cooking as possible before guests arrive will also help keep your apartment cooler, so guests won’t feel like they’re celebrating in a sauna.
3. Serve a Signature
An easy way to add an element of luxury to your party is by serving a signature cocktail with a festive theme like Mix that Drink’s featured Candy Cane Martini. Don’t worry if simplicity is more your style, a classic cran vodka is sure to please, just add a splash of festive garnish like fresh cranberries and a wedge of lime to capture that Christmas colour scheme. A signature drink also saves you from needing a fully stocked bar, but don’t forget to make a virgin version for guests who don’t drink or are driving.
4. Decorate to Scale
Your main priority for hosting in smaller, apartment space is your guests comfort but that doesn’t mean you have to skimp on décor, just scale it down to size. If a full sized Christmas tree will eat up too much floor space, why not opt for a mini table top version that doubles as a center piece or use evergreen wreaths to create that same woodsy, holiday vibe. Again, if simplicity is your style some strategically placed candles and fresh florals will infuse any space with ample warmth and festive charm.
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]]>The post Realstar’s Roadmap to Navigating Noisy Neighbours appeared first on Realstar Blog.
]]>One of the most common issues that can arise between neighbours is noise, so we thought it would be helpful to share a few tips that can help you navigate through times you find yourself faced with loud music or a little late night revelry by taking a diplomatic rather than defensive stance.
But First Just Knock
The first thing to do when you are jolted awake by a neighbour at 3 am is ask yourself is this a “one off” or a frequent occurrence? If it’s a “one off” and it’s a weekend or it’s a once a year thing, then it’s reasonable to give your neighbour a “pass” for the offense. You can live through it for one night. However, it doesn’t mean you have to suffer in silence, a tried an true method of dealing with late night noise is the universal “courtesy knock”. It sends an effective signal to your neighbours that it’s time to “turn it down”. Beyond that, if the noise is becoming a regular Tuesday night and it’s interfering with your sleep then it’s time for a talk.
When it Doubt Give the Benefit
Now this is where things can go sideways if you aren’t conscious of how you communicate. Before you go barging over in a sleep deprived state it’s wise to take a breath and ask yourself a few key questions?
- Is my neighbour aware that this noise is causing a disturbance? Could it be that they just don’t realize that the noise is carrying?
- Is this noise being caused by a normal, time appropriate activity like young children playing in the afternoon or is it excessive in nature, like moving furniture at 1 a.m.?
- If I was my neighbour how would I like to be approached about this issue?
When first approaching your neighbour to have a discussion, don’t be aggressive. Give your neighbour the benefit of the doubt and assume that whatever they are doing is unintentional and they simply don’t realize there is an issue. Don’t assume they are terrible, inconsiderate people – assume they just don’t realize. Once you make them aware of the issue, it should be easy to resolve.
Face to Face is Best
The best approach to take with your neighbour is always to have a “face to face” conversation. Leaving a note can potentially cause more harm than good in that it’s almost impossible to predict how your neighbour will perceive it. A note is open for interpretation and you run the risk of coming off as “snarky” in tone which will immediately get their back up. Face to face communication is a much more effective, human way of relating where you have the opportunity to come up with a reasonable plan for resolution.
An example of this in the case of loud music would be to say “I don’t mind the music, but after 11 it makes it difficult for me to sleep and I have to be up early for work during the week. Would you be able to turn it down after 11?”
Don’t Get Your Back Up
In the event your neighbour responds to your issue with the classic “let’s turn the tables” tactic and takes the opportunity to point out how you’re not exactly the perfect neighbour either, it’s best not to get defensive. Is it a childish move? Kind of. Is it irrelevant? Maybe. Is it Valid? Possibly. Take a quick inventory and try to see things through their eyes. Admitting to something, even the most minor of offenses, goes a long way in evening out the playing field by effectively saying “hey, ok, I’m not perfect either”. The best response is to be genuine and say something along the lines of “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize. I mad a mistake.” Then quickly move on to resolve any issues in a respectful manor.
Be Proactive, Be Kind
Of course the best way to avoid any potential conflict with your neighbours is to do you best to be proactive in the consideration department. For instance, let your neighbours know in advance if you are having a party. Give them your phone number and tell them not to hesitate to reach out should the noise level become too much. And if you’re really feeling neighbourly why not invite them to drop by for a drink?
The bottom line is a little thoughtful consideration goes a long way in creating a harmonious community – if you know your neighbours have a toddler maybe make an effort to turn down the volume after 8pm, maybe don’t run the vacuum at 11pm? Kindness is infectious and can spread faster than the gossip about the waring neighbours on the 11th floor.
Of course if all attempts at a diplomacy with your neighbours fail, then contact the on-site Resident Manager to lodge a complaint and they will work with you to resolve the situation. You should never feel like you have to live with inconsiderate neighbours. Here at Realstar we believe your home should be a safe space to enjoy within a comfortable community setting.
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