During the pandemic, most of us cling to interior design to ease stress. However, the designing process can sometimes be tedious and complicated, and even after all the efforts we have put in, our interior design is still not enough. It feels like something is still odd, but the problem is we can't spot it right away. Because of this, designing only piles up with the previous burdens we hope we'll temporarily forget. We know how frustrating this was. 

Such stress is caused by design mistakes from your Coquitlam home that you are not aware of. To help you prevent such stress, we've prepared a list of those design mistakes and some tips on how to fix them. 

Often we focus on decorating the room where we spend most of our time which makes us overlook the entry point, which is the most visible part of our home to visitors. Those spaces are often dull unless it is directed to our living room.

Tips: Think about the entry point design that best fits with the room next to it. Use the perfect light fixture and accent it with colors that complement the overall design of your house. Also, placing artwork or embellishments that keep the entry inviting and superb is highly recommended. Check the photos below for more ideas. 

Accent walls are meant to provide contrast more than color. Having too many contrasting walls defeats the primary purpose of accent walls. 

Tips: If you want to feature a particular design on your custom home's wall, make sure to set them in one space at a time. Take time to evaluate the shape of the space you want to feature because the success of your accent wall depends on it since the eyes notice shapes first before the color. While accent walls are meant to provide contrast, make sure that it is an excellent addition to the room design as a whole. 

Lighting plays a vital role in making our spaces inviting or the other way around. Don't make it too bright or too dim. Check out other wrong practices below that could impact our home because of poorly thought-out lighting schemes. 

You have the best interior, but it won't be emphasized if your custom home has improper lighting--especially if there's only one source of light in your room. 

Sunlight is one of the best lighting sources not only in picture-perfect outdoor scenes but also at our home. However, due to some valid reasons, we tend to block our windows which prevents natural light from passing through our homes. This, in turn, dims our area, which could sometimes make the house look dull and unpleasant. Aside from this, it also makes us depend on using too much electricity, which can be prevented if we optimize our windows at home. 

Tips: Carefully plan how you will arrange your custom home in Coquitlam. Most of the time, windows are blocked because of privacy, or too much natural light makes us feel uncomfortable. If this is the case, think about rearranging your house and leaving the window space open. 

No matter how luxurious a piece of furniture is, if it is randomly placed somewhere in your custom home, it will only look cheap rather than elegant. The same thing goes for other furniture. Misplacing furniture doesn't only make your house dull, it could also be a source of minor accidents. For example, when you are in a hurry, you could suddenly hit an unnoticeable piece of furniture, which could hurt your feet, hands, or waist. Make sure you also avoid displaying too much furniture to the point where it overpowered your original house design. 

5. Accessories and Appliances don't fit well with the space.

Whenever we travel or go shopping, there will always be times when we suddenly fall for a house accessory or appliances which we think are too good not to be bought. This could result in buying accessories and appliances that are poorly sized, but since we want them so much, we'll insist on placing them wherever we want them to be displayed. Take note that such practice is a design mistake and may ruin the kind of custom house design you've initially done. 

Tips: Marissa Sauer, interior designer and founder of Design MACS, said that it is crucial to pick pieces to scale with the wall you're putting them on. According to her, a piece that is too small could look a bit random, and one that's too big could make the room look small and cluttered. Think about these rules when arranging your things at home. Make sure that all your accessories and appliances are spatially related to one another. Take note of how each appliance, furniture, and accessories fit well with their space. 

Make the most of your time by avoiding unnecessary errors that could ruin the design of your custom home in Coquitlam. Prevent your home from having a boring entry, too many accent walls, poorly thought out lighting scheme, furniture misplacement, and accessorizing your home with incorrectly sized appliances and embellishments. 

We hope this blog helps. Just in case you're up to planning to design your house, our blogs about interior design trends for 2021 could help. Check them out here.

There’s something odd about your home that you can’t spot..

Design mistakes that could make your Coquitlam home look dull

In the past years, grass has consistently been chosen to liven up a custom home’s backyard. This trend may slightly shift to something else, as some trusted designers forecasted that shrubs would trend this year.

Shrubs, the tiny plants known for having several strong stems, are believed to be used a lot more this year because aside from providing a much livelier aesthetics for someone else custom home, decorating outside spaces with them has more benefits. For those who are considering shrubs for their front yard or backyard, this article will definitely be helpful. Read on to see how getting shrubs for your custom home benefits you. 

Shrubs require less water than grass, making them more manageable and easy to maintain. 

Photo: High River Landscape (Port Coquitlam) / IG

Shrubs, like grass, trees, and other plants help prevent soil erosion. Their extensive root systems and protective layers help the soil stay in place and lessen its runoff.

Photo: Benjamin Landscaping (Port Coquitlam)/IG

Shrubs, depending on their placement, may create an illusion of wider, larger, longer, or better outdoor space. When they are slanted carefully, the entryway/outdoor space feels longer or broader. When placed in a way that fills out to touch each other or move potted plants, it creates mini-hedges that help outdoor spaces look better and more organized. When used to effectively hide the front yard's mismanaged areas, it can create a greater sense of space and movement. 

Photo: Coastal Design Landscaping (Coquitlam) /IG

Shrubs, since they have more variants, help custom homeowners decorate their outdoor spaces with the exact design they want. If they wish to have a bright and vibrant front yard, garden, or entryway, they can opt for shrubs with flowers or shrubs with distinct leaves. By incorporating shrubs, they have more capacity to make their outdoor spaces unique or distinctive as much as they want to. 

Photo: Garden Works Canada (Coquitlam) /IG

The benefits of getting shrubs for your custom home are not limited to what we have mentioned. Getting shrubs can be good for your health too. They don't only help you breathe in the fresh air because some shrubs, when used carefully, can serve as medicines too.

There could be more to these benefits and for sure, they'll be discovered by those homeowners who will actually get shrubs for their outdoor spaces this year.  

Shrubs, the small plants that are known for having several strong stems, are believed to be used a lot more this year because 

The advantages of placing shrubs outdoors are so good making every homeowner think twice about renovating their outdoor spaces. 

How shrubs on outdoor spaces benefit custom homeowners

Home interior of popular environmental advocates

Over the years, society has become more and more environmentally conscious.  Such events led to a rise in the consumption of eco-friendly products like organic foods, reusable food storage bags, non-disposable water bottles, compostable cutlery, and bowls, non-toxic skincare products, biodegradable dental floss, and many more. Consumers’ love for the planet didn’t stop in patronizing such products -- they even extended it in their abodes by ensuring that their house interiors represent their advocacies. With the advent of the pandemic, their love for mother nature inspired many people to emulate their works seen through their social media platforms. There are notable influencers who maximize those ideas in their living spaces, some with millions of followers. To catch a glimpse of those ideas, check out the photos below: 

Most of the photos share one common ground; they include plants. Anyone who goes green always makes sure to have plants in their home furnishing. Plants do a lot of wonders in one’s house. 

Continue reading to discover those wonderful indoor plants and the type of wonders they do in one’s home. 

In the 1989 report published by NASA in association with ALCA, high concentrations of indoor air pollutants such as cigarette smoke, organic solvents, and possibly radon can be reduced significantly through air-purifying plants. The following plants are mentioned in the study: Areca Palm, Snake plant, Gerbera Daisy, Chrysanthemum, Chinese Evergreen, Rubber plants, and Poinsettia. 

When placed strategically inside a house, these plants could bring out the perfect look for any home design. An example is the plants from the modern kitchen overlooking the patio as featured below.

With added creativity, some plants can even be used to accessorize home furniture like the perfectly-placed eucalyptus on a round mirror below. 

Eucalyptus doesn't just provide beautiful embellishment to home furniture; its leaves, once dried, are known for being a great source of antioxidants, particularly flavonoids, which can protect our body from oxidative stress and free radical damage, according to Healthline. The oil of eucalyptus can also relieve stress because it contains eucalyptol which has been found to possess anti-anxiety properties. Another plant that provides a refreshing scent that can lighten anyone's mood is Lemon Cypress, AKA Goldcrest. The branches of this plant exude a powerful lemon scent when you brush against them or crush their foliage. Lemon Cypress has subtle and lasting yellowish-green leaves that make the plant appear cute and relaxing to see. These plants are best placed in your working area or sleeping room. However, take note that the latter requires a substantial amount of sunlight. Full sun to partial shade outdoors or direct sun indoors that lasts from five to six hours are needed (The Spruce). 

Due to pandemic, most of us spent 8 - 10 hours on the computer, and you may consider adding these types of plants near your working area: 

These indoor plants absorb harmful radiation, which is beneficial to work-from-home professionals. Make sure to keep at least those plants in your area to mitigate the risk of cancer and other related diseases. 

 A small word of precaution: not all of us have a green thumb. Also, some plants may contain allergens, and soil may expose you to harmful pathogens, so make sure to conduct some research to save yourself from unnecessary effort and keep you and your family safe as much as possible. 

If you're from cities rich in natural resources like the ones from Metro Vancouver like Burnaby, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, and Coquitlam, there might be more options, so try checking them out. Your renovator may know some more indoor plants based on their experience, so try asking them as well. :)

 There's not much need to worry for those who have trouble with plants because being eco-friendly is not limited to having them at home. If you want to keep up with this trend, here are some more ways to get you started: 

"...so products don't end up in a landfill in five years" 

-- based on a statement made by Sheree Vincent, certified Green AP by the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) (Furniture Lighting & Decor)

As a certified Green AP,  Sheree Vincent highly encourages the usage of materials like wool, linen, organic cotton, formaldehyde-free glues, and finishes, and LED lighting. Aside from having plants, these products have green attributes that make one's interior eco-friendly. 

Choose low VOC products as much as possible

VOC or Volatile Organic Compounds are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids such as paints and stored fuels. VOCs include various chemicals that can cause eye, nose, throat irritation, shortness of breath, headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and skin problems. Exposure to higher concentrations of this compound may negatively impact the lungs, liver, kidney, or central nervous system. (HealthLinkBC)

This is a recommendation made by Anita Lang, principal of IMI Design, in her interview with Iconic Life. According to her, the idea of people carrying their possessions as a curated collection reflecting their life's journey is not only better for the Earth because it also makes the design better and more interesting. Lang seeks to preserve her clients' belongings by repurposing, repainting, or reupholstering them. 

Whether you are seeking to home more indoor plants or employ the tips mentioned above, make sure to seek their best possible use to optimize your home living in 2021. Integrating these tips into your interior design does not only make your house looks fresh and modern, but it also creates a better and healthier environment for you and the people around you. 

Considering the current situation of our world today, this trend is definitely worth a try! Contact your general contractor, custom home builder, or renovator to see how they can help you find ways to make your home suitable for this style as well. 

This post is the second in our four-part series about interior design trends in 2021. To discover which designs are included on our list, check out the first part here. Next week, we'll be publishing the third part,  don't miss them.

Make your home living worthwhile by going green.

Make your home living worthwhile by going green!

The work environment has played an essential role in one’s productivity. Your boss, your colleague, your work area–all these constitute the idea of a work environment. However, that’s not the case when someone works from home. The work environment is different. The boss and colleague may not be around, and the “only” work environment that could impact the person’s productivity (in terms of work environment) is the workspace. The home office. If the design of the home office is not carefully thought out, one’s ability to focus and produce efficient outputs may be affected negatively. To help prevent the negative impact from happening,  Lucullan Properties gathered 10 modern office designs that can induce a work-friendly atmosphere at home. From “The Executive’s pad” to “Bohemian-inspired balcony office,” we guarantee that all these setups will boost one’s productivity and one’s quality of life. 

Intensify your motivation to achieve your daily KPIs by reimagining your workspace with this expansive home office design from Inspiration Furniture - Coquitlam. The sophisticated desk, known as Nasdaq Keramik, is a Paolo Cattelan creation that intends to break the traditional scheme of the desk through the use of innovative materials and the intersection of tops and solid. Get it here.  

Open shelvings are always a great way to save space. The home office design above kept all the resources accessible in a fairly organized shelve that took less than two yards of the owner’s workspace. This type of setup can help clear one’s mind, focusing only on whatever goal needs to be done for a day. To get this look, you may check Accent home’s Farmhouse Bay 50” desk here. You may also visit one of their stores at Coquitlam to see more designs for yourself. 

Having someone beside you while working doesn’t always result in low-quality work performance. Being with your home buddies does not always lead to distraction. In fact, they can become your source of motivation and inspiration, especially when you’re pressured and stressed. 

If you have a spare room, try this Clark and Co. Homes set up. Using a U-shaped or an L-shaped table is an excellent way to achieve this. If you’re a homeowner from Burnaby, the closest you can visit would be Source Office Furniture at North Fraser Way.  

Having a gamer-inspired setup, especially when working in a close, or highly-related industry can help boost your creativity. The RGBIC strips and the overall vibe of a gamer's room can help bring virtual realities into life which in turn increases the capacity of the owner to create and think beyond the four corners of the room.  

5. Neoclassical-inspired workspace/bedroom

One of the “best” perks of WFH is having the opportunity to rest comfortably without worrying about someone invading your privacy during break time. And If you’re one of the few blessed people with a flexible work schedule, you can even rest your mind anytime–as needed. 

Short naps can make one more productive, The opportunities to do these things are really helpful in attaining one’s goal effectively. If you have the chance to do so, set your home office beside your bed. Make it even lovely by setting up a neo-classical inspired workspace like the set-up above. 

A simple home office setup with everything you need–your PC, desk, ergonomic chair, files, and couch. If you’re into functions rather than form, this simple, quiet, and bright workspace can help you nail your day.

Looking up to someone successful and incorporating their influences in your workplace at home may also help you stay motivated and productive. For example, interior designers who admire successful midcentury designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, Jean Prouvé, Harry Bertoia, Arne Jacobsen, and George Nelson can set up a home office that employs midcentury furniture like the one above. Doing so can help them be reminded of their goals constantly. 

Photo: Matilda Margareta/IG, Design by: Shawn Henderson/IG

Nothing beats the productivity of someone whose mind is clear and at peace. To achieve that, get yourself a place where you can be relaxed and inspired. It doesn’t have to be somewhere far. Your room can be your haven. Try to remodel it with ivory, cream, or white accent furniture and use Hours in Place’s design as your inspiration for setup. See how this type of home office can help you work better by letting you experience a warm and soothing atmosphere right in the comfort of your home. 

Biophilic designs promote mental and physical well-being. Things we ultimately need to get a task done. But how can you reconcile this fact with your love for modern aesthetics without compromising the style of your home setup? 

In 2019, some designers at the CASACOR exhibition in the Rio Grande presented a cozy home office setup that incorporated modern furniture and biophilic design. The furniture: Flow table by QuadriArq studio, Angela chair by Aristeu Pires, and the lighting pieces Penn and Memory by Jader Almeida.

Bohemian-inspired setups are warm and cozy, while the vibes that most homes’ balconies give are lovely. If you have felt the same way too, do you think combining this two will produce an incredible workplace atmosphere for you?

If you do and have the abundance of freedom to work flexibly, why don’t you remake Mishys Arrtsy Home's boho-inspired home office on your balcony? Get the look by simply installing warm lights, cozy couches, soft pillows, fabulous embellishments, and biophilic elements to make the design more lively. 

When a Bohemian-inspired design is perfectly set up on a balcony with a fresh and peaceful environment, it can constantly stimulate a person’s creativity and helps one to focus on things that matter.

The work environment has played an essential role in one’s 

Creative home office designs that boost your excitement to accomplish your to-do list.

10 home office setups that inspire productivity

When homes.com asked some realtors about the home feature or amenity seen as the most demanded when buying or selling a home, one respondent answered that it was the master bedroom. Dee Allen of Century 21 Results Realty Services said that the master bedroom on the main floor is a key feature for buyers of all age groups. 

We could not disagree further with Dee Allen. 

Master Bedroom is where we spend ⅓ of our day, and if you’re working from home, you have probably spent another ⅓ on it. Considering these preferences, Lucullan Properties would like to share with you five perfectly laid out classy master bedroom designs that you can draw inspiration from for your custom home in Burnaby. 

Have a look at the photos below and let us know which among these designs captivated you :). 

Which among those classy master bedroom designs do you like the most for your custom home in Burnaby? 

Do you need more designs? Let us know how we can help! Contact us today! 

See which among these master bedroom plans best fit your custom home!

See which among these master bedroom plans best fits your custom home!

5 Classy Master Bedroom Floor Plans for your Burnaby Home

Grand front entrances have been a thing for most homes in 2021 and this year, designers believe that this home feature will still trend. Aside from setting the tone for the rest of a home’s interior design, your front entrance can provide your visitor with an impression of your design preferences and a bit about yourself. Decide how you want to be perceived by including features in the front entrance that best describes you. Get ideas from any of the following 5 front entrance styles for your single family home in British Columbia. 

Designed by Parasol Properties, this single family home’s entryway is a must-have front entrance, especially for those who have broad, idle yards. A lush and vibrant entryway gives an impressive experience to anyone walking in between it. Passing in a single family home with this type of front entrance will always be a walk to remember!

Aside from bermudagrass, the two sides of an empty and long pathway towards your single family home’s front door can be decorated with creeping thyme seeds or other plants you prefer. 

You’re not Ali Baba, and you’re certainly not trying to open a cave, but when you got a luxury home with a grand front entrance that looks very classical, saying the magical word “open sesame!” might feel like the right words to tell so you can enter the home. Grand gatehouse or recessed entryways with classic and fortified pillars are another way to level up any single family home’s front entrance. To doll up your front entrance, get inspiration from another Parasol property creation below. 

This Spanish mission-style mansion from Florida features a smooth stucco finish, barrel roof tiles, arched entryways, windows, wrought iron works, and two sconces that are both dramatic and minimal at the same time.

Using rocks on walls–or more famously known as stone cladding installations are proven more durable and long-lasting than any walling materials. Aside from its protective effect, stone cladding makes wall surfaces distinct and aesthetically appealing. If you’re drawn to rocks, keep them rolling on your walls and see how it builds up an impressive front entrance like the one below. 

The combination of stone cladding, vintage lamp, tinted windows, and timber door with sidelites and transom seen in this home’s front entrance makes a good vintage impression. Shop the look of this single family home’s front entrance at Standard Building Supplies (with branches in Vancouver and Burnaby).  

Creating a Victorian-inspired foyer is also an excellent choice for enhancing your front entrance. Those who have single family homes in the British Columbia can do this with the help of certified luxury home builders who can remodel your home to add more Victorian-style features such as cathedral ceilings and light brown colored tiles mixed with striking patterns, colors, and shapes. Get inspired by checking the details of this single family home’s front entrance. 

A walk in this expansive Victorian space will give you an “old but gold” feeling. The combination of a chaise lounge, an old-fashioned sideboard, lamp, cathedral ceiling, dramatic flooring, and wooden door with customized sidelites and transom imbues a Victorian ambiance that’s very unique and opulent.  

Photo: Certified Luxury Builders via Decoist

When talking about “grand” front entrances, this option would probably be the most popular on our list. Where else do we often see luxurious grand entrances aside from hotels? Hotels, particularly their lobbies are one of the best sources of inspiration if you want to make your front entrance as grand as possible. Most hotel lobbies feature floor-to-ceiling windows, wrought-iron detailing, chandeliers, brass fixtures, and marble floors that make them appealing and exceptional. Witness how the mansion’s front entrance below includes some of those features that made it look like an actual hotel.  

Richness in colors, bold geometrical patterns, and decadent detail work that brings in glamour, luxury, and order with symmetrical designs in exuberant shapes are the common features that you can see in this single family home. These are features of art-deco style that were seen in most interiors shown in the movie known for exhibiting great opulence, The Great Gatsby. If you like to display grandiosity, decor your single family home’s front entrance with this style. 

Decide how you want to be perceived by including features in the front entrance that best describes

Prettify the entryway towards your front door or the area after it with any of these five front entrance ideas you’ll never forget!

5 Front Entrance Ideas for Your Single Family Home

When you take into account all of the materials, equipment, contractors, and preparation, it can be quite costly. However, spending more in the renovation stages will also save you money down the line. 

I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Renovating your home can be costly if you want it done right. Although the actual renovation cost might change due to where your house is based and just how much of a fixer-upper it needs, you're still looking to shell out tens to hundreds of thousands. 

At the same time, spending money on ensuring your home is in a habitable state before renovation will save on costs down the line. The same can be said for the renovation itself. As another way of putting it, quality doesn't come cheap. In home renovation, you pay for what you get.

As we said, how much the overall cost will be, depends on a few different factors. Size, the region you live in, and how much work needs to be done should all factor in.

According to Home Advisor, renovation for a 2,500-square-foot home costs anywhere from $15,000 to $200,000. Here's a breakdown of that range: 

Low end: $15,000-$45,000 - covers inexpensive updates like trim, paint, landscaping, flooring, and counters.

Mid-range: $46,000-$70,000 - includes everything on the low-end, plus a bath or a complete kitchen remodel and possibly higher-end flooring.

High end: $71,000-$200,000 - covers low- and mid-range projects options, plus custom or high-end cabinetry, a chef's kitchen, a private dock with boat lift, double-sink, and vaulted ceiling in your bathroom, and an extravagant entertainment area.

Start by getting free estimates from local contractors

When you're planning to remodel your home, you should always ask the experts for advice. Asking questions can only broaden your mind, and any local contractors will be able to give you their estimates, which you can then take into account. Note that different contractors have different ways of showing you their estimates. So here are some tips: 

Never go with your first option. - If you have three contractors to choose from, and your first choice is the contractor who gives you the cheapest estimate, better validate your option first. The first contractor may present you with the cheapest estimate, but the 2nd or 3rd contractor offers much better work quality that justifies their higher estimates. While our guts are often correct, it is way better to verify things--after all, your home is at stake.

Interior projects: Kitchens, baths, flooring and electrics, painting, lighting, drywall, etc.

Roofing: Installation and replacement costs for various types of roofs, prices for materials (asphalt shingles, metal, cedar, slate, etc.)

Siding: Installation and replacement costs for the most popular types of siding, such as vinyl, wood, and aluminum. Also, siding repair costs.

Additional exterior renovations: Exterior painting of doors, windows, fences, decks, etc., as well as gutter repair costs.

Mechanical: plumbing, HVAC, solar panels, etc.*

*All estimates listed below are sourced from more than 40 medium-large general contractors and extensive research. 

Additions to your home can be as low-cost as buying a build-it-yourself sunroom or as expensive as full-scale house additions that scale up your house's resale value. 

Large sunroom (24 x 15 feet):  $23,000 (installation not included)

Small sunroom (9 x 15 feet): $15,000 (installation not included)

A common misconception is that remodeling the basement will be the easiest (and cheapest) job.  On the contrary, remodeling the basement also means you need to deal with plumbing and electrics. Taking this into account, as well as the sheer amount of physical work, you might be looking at similar costs to a small room addition.

As a DIY project by scratch: $15,000 - $25,000

With a proprietary finishing system: $50,000 - $75,000

With a contractor by scratch: $55,000 - $100,000

If you take plumbing out of the picture, renovating your bathroom can be a great DIY project. However, when plumbing is involved, it's going to get complicated and costly fast.

I strongly suggest calculating a quote for your bathroom based on square footage and tile installation. If you're just looking to do cosmetic updates or small remodels such as painting or tiling, you can do it yourself for less than $2,000.

Kitchen remodeling is a complex undertaking if you're planning to do it yourself. That's generally why almost every homeowner turns to expert contractors for this project. A good kitchen renovation also requires high-cost materials and appliances, so you're looking at that plus the cost for the contractors.

Full-scale remodel with contractor: $21,000 - $126,000

Full-scale DIY remodel: $20,000 - $50,000

Basic surface-level remodel: $2,000 - $20,000

Note: If you plan to do up your kitchen in 2022, find out what kind of investment return you'll get from it. It can aid you in budgeting for the actual project, so you don't lose money if you decide to sell.

If you are thinking about selling your home in the future, kitchen remodels are responsible for one of the highest investment returns. Roughly 70% of buyers pay special attention to the functionality of the kitchen as well as the aesthetics. 

A few kitchen remodeling ideas add the most value to the room, and they're not always the most expensive either.

Good floor installation has room for both worlds: DIY and professional. If you want to do the floor yourself, floor installations such as the plank, laminate, and tile vinyl are all super easy to do. However, it's always a good idea to call professionals for wall-to-wall carpeting and hardwood.

Sanding and finishing a hardwood floor: $3-$5 per square foot

Ceramic tile installation: $15-$28 per square foot

Vinyl tile installation: $4-$6 per square foot

Wall-to-wall carpet installation: $5-$12 per square foot

Handling the electrics on your own is a good way of cutting the price. While a lot of electrical work such as replacing outlets can be done by the homeowner, wiring new electrical circuits and performing a heavy-up is more of a job for a contractor. 

Heavy-up (increases electrical service): $1,000-$1,500

Running electrical circuits in open walls: $250-$400 (electrician); $25 (DIY)

Although most homeowners hire a professional plumber to help them out, there's been a rise in people doing plumbing repairs by themselves. This is due to the advent of push-fit connectors and PEX pipes, doing projects like water heater installation quickly done by homeowners.

Septic system installation: $4,000-$6,000

Sump pump installation (sans outlet): $500-$700

Copper pipe connection (with a push-fit connector): $5

Unless you're planning to oversee the entire renovation yourself, you need to budget in a contractor. Usually, they charge between 10-15% of the project's total budget. Therefore, for a renovation that costs $50,000, you're looking to pay a contractor between $20/hr and $150/hr.

Tip: See if you can negotiate costs on finish materials. Some contractors get discounts on retail prices that can save you some money.

The real key to renovating your home is to be realistic about what work you can and can't afford. If your property hasn't yet been checked to see whether or not it's in a habitable state, this should be your priority. The home should be safe and dry with working hot water and heating before you even consider beginning a remodeling job.

Sure, renovating your home can be costly - but it's also great fun. 

Unless you're planning to oversee the entire renovation yourself, you need to budget in a contractor. Usually, they charge between 10-15%

When you feel like it’s time for a renovation, will the cost really matter?

How much does it cost to renovate [my house]?

Are you finalizing your custom home interior? Were you considering the contemporary style or the modern? 

Aren’t they similar? You may have asked yourself. 

Contemporary design became popular in the 1970s, and it came from a spirit of individualism and international influences. It continuously existed from time to time. Modern design began earlier than Contemporary. Modern design was a way to get out of the excessive ornamentation of the previous era. Its origin can be traced to the Arts and Craft movement that began in Britain to oppose the inhumane impact of late 1800s industrialization. It further developed and became the core of the Bauhaus movement in 1919, whose primary principle is “Form follows function.” Modern design existed from the 1900s to the 1980s. See the details below: 

Some known artists who are believed to create contemporary designs are Mario Botta, Frank Gehry, Jean Nouvel, and many others. While Le Corbusier, Charles and Ray Eames, and Florence Knoll are the known proponents of Modern design. 

The contemporary design borrowed elements from many styles such as minimalism, art deco, deconstructivism, and the list even includes modernism. Meanwhile, Modernism is focused more on minimal functionalism as it was known to reject the lavishness that preceded it. 

Contemporary showcases styles “of the moment” which means it adopts the elements of any trending design.. Thus, the contemporary design elements– its form, color, line, texture,-- vary from time to time. But according to Design Ideas Guide, Contemporary design includes ideas and elements that have been steady over the years: 

Simple Spaces without clutter (same with Modern design, probably the reason most people confuse modern with Contemporary),

Exposed elements, i.e., wooden sofa legs or exposed beams. 

Modern design style has a fixed definition of its elements: 

Crisp lines (found in some contemporary designs), Strong lines. 

Neutral palettes, mostly accents black and white

Functional decor pieces (since Modern design follows the Bauhaus movement’s primary principle, “form follows function.”)

Now that we have shared with you the differences between Contemporary and Modern design in terms of time, key proponents, styles, and elements, let’s have a look at some of their similarities in terms of the benefits and drawbacks.  

Contemporary design is often used by artists who are into custom home designs that aim to reduce carbon footprint. The popular contemporary design uses ordinary and straightforward materials which are raw and natural. (Less process, lower carbon consumption).  

Since Contemporary design blends different elements, the house interior which employs this style rarely looks outdated. 

The open-concept space incorporated in this style makes the custom home’s space wider and allows for fluidity in house re-arrangement. 

Since Modern design involves the usage of large windows or glass doors, sunlight can easily illuminate the room, allowing for lower energy consumption. This feature also allows your client to easily enjoy outdoor views, especially if they live in higher places that overlook the city or nature.

Modern designs are also eco-friendly, like the Contemporary styles. The two styles also have some similarities in the furniture to choose from because they are both popular. With popularity comes more comprehensive furniture and home decor options and, therefore, lower prices. 

In this section, note that the benefits of Contemporary and Modern designs mostly coincide with one another. The same is true for the drawbacks of having these styles. 

Both styles' popularity pushes the furniture industry to produce a lot of furniture and designs that might make one custom home a version of another. Thus, if you want your furniture to stand out, you may want to choose another style with more variations. 

Modern and Contemporary designs don’t easily fit with the exterior of any home. If you wish to have a quaint house exterior with a modern vibe interior, renovating it with a modern or contemporary style may not look as appropriate as it can be. If you still want to push through with your designs, you should carefully plan for it, which may be time-consuming and more costly. 

See the examples of 3d rendering interiors below to know the visual difference between contemporary and modern design:

Right after reviewing the differences between Modern and Contemporary designs, which one do you think suits best for your custom home interior in Coquitlam? 

Are you finalizing your custom home interior? 

Can you tell which among the photos below is contemporary and which is not? 

Differences between Modern and Contemporary Style 

The local government from the City of Port Coquitlam is holding a contest entitled “Brighten Up Port Coquitlam” where PoCo residents are encouraged to lighten up their homes, take a photo of it, and submit them to win a $50 gift card which they can use to the business of their choice. In addition to this,  the Port Coquitlam Business Improvement Association (BIA) plans to give away 12 more gift cards from a local downtown business.

If you’re fond of decorating your home every Christmas, why not decor it in a way that you can be proud of? 

For a list of inspiration, we encourage you to visit these places in Port Coquitlam that are wonderfully decorated with lights: 

Disclaimer: The article was requested at the date prior to the contest conclusion and was intended for audiences to apply before this time, however, unfortunately, was not published on December 8, 2021.

PoCo residents are encouraged to lighten up their homes, take a photo of it, and submit them to win a

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