Entertainment looks much different than it did a year ago. But with streaming services offering the latest movie premieres, coupled with the approach of some of the year’s biggest televised events, let’s turn some of those lemons into lemonade and look at key tips for building the perfect home theatre. 

That’s Dedication

While incorporating a home theatre environment into your family room is fantastic, if your goal is to create a space solely for theatrical enjoyment, a dedicated space is best. Whether you just finished your basement or plan to, this is the perfect opportunity for this project.

The primary reasons for a dedicated room are layout and treatment. You’ll get more out of the space by optimizing the placement of furniture, speakers, lighting, and sound baffles.

Furniture

The goal for seating is comfort and screen visibility. Place plush armchairs or couches a suitable distance from the screen, but not too far away. Installing castors on couches, armchairs or love seats are a convenient way to shift or add seating on demand. For a genuine theatre feel, consider tiered seating if your space allows. While you can buy chairs with built-in cup and snack holders, side tables or a coffee table are handy options as well.

The Big Screen

When planning for your screen, you’ll need to decide whether to go with a smart TV or a mounted screen and projector. Projectors used to be prohibitively expensive, but modern advancements have brought their costs way down. 

Whatever you choose, it’s important to mount the screen high enough so that everyone can see clearly—especially with row seating—and low enough so viewers aren’t straining their necks.

The Gear

Unless you use a smart TV, you’ll need a streaming device, a Blu-Ray or DVD player, plus a receiver and surround sound system. If you wish to avoid surround sound components, a decent sound bar will do nicely and negate the need for a receiver. 

Keep your main components together on a TV stand or rack close to an outlet and wired internet access. If you’re planning to use a surround sound system, then it’s strongly recommended to research thoroughly to decide what’s best for your budget and space.

Note: While Wi-Fi has come a long way in strength and speed, if you’re streaming in HD (1080p) or Ultra HD (4k), nothing will beat a wired network connection.

Sound Treatment

Reduce outside noise pollution by installing an additional layer of drywall or sound-reducing wallboard, plus replacing the hollow door with a solid one. 

Sound (or room) treatment is more commonly associated with recording studios, but applies in this case because it’s best to reduce reverberation (reverb) as much as possible for a crisp, clean sound. Acoustic foam and baffles can be bought for a reasonable price and applied to walls, the ceiling and corners to cut the reverb. 

The other key element of sound treatment is speaker placement, especially in relation to your seating so do some research.

Set The Tone

To create that perfect theatre atmosphere, start with as little natural light possible. Basements and inner rooms are prime spaces to work with. If your room has windows, the aim is to block our natural light completely and with as little effort as possible.

As far as artificial lighting goes, pot (recessed) lights or wall sconces, coupled with a good dimmer switch give precise control over light levels while reducing the risk of eye strain. An economical substitution is to run LED string lights along the sides of your room. 

Snacks

Many people have a bar in their dens, so why not take your home theatre environment to the next level with a snack bar? This could include a mini fridge for your favourite beverages, storage for chips, nuts and candy, or even a popcorn maker to give your theatre that authentic buttered popcorn smell.

Things To Avoid

Like most projects there are common traps to be mindful of, such as:

• Overspending: Technology changes quickly, so don’t budget for the most expensive setup available when you may have to update in a few years. 

• Overly Bright Décor: Bright flooring, furniture and décor can have a negative impact on your room’s ambiance. Darker tones work best.

• Hard Flooring: Smooth flooring contributes to sound reverb so it’s best to use carpeting if possible (the thicker the better!)

• Lighting Behind Seating: This is a surefire way to add unwanted glare to your viewing experience, keep lighting to the sides as much as possible.

Now that you have a better understanding of the key elements for building your home theatre, you’re ready to hit the ground running. As long as you have a well-researched plan for your space, you’re sure to create your perfect home theatre.  

If you have kids, one thing’s for certain—you have a lot of art on your hands you don’t want to throw away! The fridge can start to get a little busy when you hang up every single drawing, but luckily there are a number of chic ways to decorate with your child’s artwork. Here is a list of ideas for you to find inspiration.

Create Your Own Clothesline Display

If you spent a lot of time drawing together, you probably have one or two (or 10) artistic masterpieces ready for display. Find pieces that match or complement each other either by colour palette or content, and pin them using clothing pins along one to two strands of rope. You can find everything you need at the dollar store, or at local craft suppliers. It all depends on how fancy you want to get. 

Use nails or thumbtacks with colourful ends to attach the string or rope to your wall. If you want to keep it completely hassle-free, adhesive hooks will do. 

Space your nails or hooks out equally and levelled. Grab a single piece of string and tie a knot around each spaced wall mounts. Use the clothing pins to attach the artwork and you’re all set! You can change out the artwork as it gets made!

Put LEGO® on Display

If your children love LEGO®, you probably have several sculptures, buildings, and imaginative creations lying around your house. While LEGO® usually gets disassembled to create the next masterpiece, there are a couple of interesting ways you can display your kids’ creations.

The first way is a wall-mounted LEGO® creation. You’ll need a piece of wood, LEGO base sheets, some paint, glue, and a bit of imagination. Attach the base sheets to the painted piece of wood, then affix your child’s LEGO® creations to those base sheets. Add any adornments you see fit, like stickers, drawings, or glitter! Tip: you might need a little glue to help you out here.

LEGO® Shadow Box

Another great way to display LEGO® art is by creating a shadow box. A shadow box is an enclosed display case with a glass front that lets you show off any number of objects, which makes it perfect for showcasing LEGO® creations. Fill it with whatever creations you see fit.

Wall Calendar

Sometimes your fridge gets a bit full, but there’s a way you can display it year round! Have your kids’ artwork professionally scanned, or if you’re a bit more tech savvy, you can download an app to scan and enhance the art for you! From there, you’ll have a wealth of options at your fingertips. Creating a wall calendar is a unique way to display multiple pieces of artwork from your kids. Try using a custom calendar maker which offer easy drag-and-drop functionality. 

Alternatively, these make great custom gifts for family members and close friends.

Tapestry

Once you’ve had the art scanned the world becomes your oyster! One of our favourite ways to display a child’s original art is a custom tapestry. Pick the most delightful piece of the bunch and send it off to a printer who specializes in custom tapestry.

Playdough Mobile

If your kid is more the arts and crafts type, wall hangings and mobiles are a great option. If they’re a fan of playdough, you can easily craft a wall hanging by attaching a few pieces together using string and connecting them to a rod. It’s worth getting some oven-bake clay if you’re looking to make a mobile, as it’ll probably last a bit longer on the wall.

If your kids are fans of glueing and crafting with mixed mediums, you can create a hanging mobile which allows more depth as it hangs from the ceiling.

While the build-up of art in the house may feel overwhelming, you’ll feel better about displaying it intentionally and incorporating it into your home décor. Your children will feel good knowing you’re proud of their work, and you’ll feel good showing it off. If your kids are old enough, you can even get them involved in building the displays! Work together to make their art even more special. 

There are endless ways to display your kids art, it’s just about finding the best option for you.

Since the beginning of COVID-19, more home buyers have been purchasing properties in cabin country. Spending more time at home, and longing for additional space both indoors and out, has sent many buyers into rural markets like the Sunshine Coast, causing sales to skyrocket.

With employer mindsets shifting towards more flexible work-from-home policies, providing home buyers with greater freedom as to where they can live. 

People are looking to get out into the outdoors not just for the summer season, but all year long. A lot of people looking at year-round places where they can live, versus just being able to go away for a few days at a time.

If you’re looking to make your first home purchase in “cabin” country, here are some things you’ll need to know before you buy. 

Consider Property Access and Distance to Amenities

Whether you’re eying a property by the lake or one that’s nestled in the forest, there are many unique settings to consider when buying a rural property. Your location can greatly impact your lifestyle, especially if you decide to live there year-round.

One of the first things you’ll likely need to determine when buying is how easy is it to access the home. If you plan to live at there year-round, you’ll want to ensure the roads to get to and from your residence are well maintained and accessible, especially during the winter. 

How remote your property is will also play a role in your purchase. The recent surge of all-season cottage buyers don’t want to feel too isolated, and want to be fairly close to neighbours in case there’s an emergency.

You’ll also want to consider proximity to basic amenities, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and hospitals. Most cottage buyers prefer to be within 30 minutes of a small town where these services are available, and up to three hours from a major urban centre. 

Learn About Rural Infrastructure and Home Winterization

Unlike a city or suburban home, rural properties don’t always share municipal services. Instead, you will have to get familiar with the rural infrastructure needed to independently manage your home’s water, heating and sanitation utilities. 

Buyers need to be aware of the types of systems their home uses. Some properties feature dug or drilled wells, and source water from nearby rivers and lakes. Make note of how the home processes sewage, like through a septic tank, which is stored on-site and underground. 

If your plan is to live at the cabin all-year round, it’s vital your home is properly winterized and can withstand the cold. Make sure the home is well insulated in the walls, pipes and roof, and make sure the heating source is efficient for the size of the property. Be sure the cabin can also supply water in the freezing months with the help of a defrost line into the well or a heat trace that will keep the pipes from freezing.

It’s not uncommon to get zero service bars in rural areas either—be sure to confirm you can receive reliable mobile phone and internet service at the cabin, especially if you’re working remotely.    

Cell and internet service are obviously very important, especially for people that are doing a lot of work from home. Find out what areas may not have good service.

Calculate Cottage Insurance and Upkeep Costs

Just like any home, cabins come with a range of maintenance costs, though some of these expenses are unique to rural areas. 

You’ll want to factor in long-term upkeep expenses, like keeping the driveway in good condition so it’s easily accessible. Your property may be on a septic system, which will require pumping every three to five years depending on its size and usage, which also contributes to maintenance costs. When looking at a cabin property, examining the health of any trees and their orientation towards the house—cutting down sickly shrubs can get expensive. 

When it comes to financing your property, there are a number of factors that will contribute to your insurance rates, such as your distance from local fire stations, if your home is elevated from nearby water, and even how often the home is occupied. 

The mortgage lending process will also look a bit different from what’s involved for your typical city or suburban home. If your home meets the standards to be a primary residence, you may be able to put down a 5% mortgage deposit, though some lenders could request 25% in some cases. Hence, it’s crucial to understand the different implications for each rural mortgage provider. 

There’s a lot of things to think about, therefore, by enlisting my help as a local realtor I can ensure you have the most up-to-date advice.  

Lunar New Year or as many of us know it Chinese New Years falls on Friday February 12th, this year. 

Lunar New Years is celebrated throughout the world and can last for weeks. 2021 is the Year of the Ox. The Ox is a symbol of hardwork, persistence and honesty. 

There are 12 Zodiac signs each year has its own animal sign: Rooster, Dog, Pig, Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, and Monkey.

Red is the main colour of this holiday, as it is believed to be a lucky (auspicious) colour. Red lanterns, decorations of Oxen and red envelops filled with money are commonly seen.

On New Year’s Eve, families traditionally gather to celebrate the new year. First, homes are thoroughly cleaned to sweep away bad luck and to welcome good luck. At midnight  fireworks are usually lit at midnight. Festivals that include parades with dragon and lion dances are seen in neighbourhoods and families pay homage to the gods and their ancestors. Children receive money in red envelopes and gifts are exchanged between family members.

However, this year will be different due to the pandemic. Families are being asked not to travel to see extended family. There will be no parades or lion dances or the Lantern Festival.

Hopefully the year of the Ox will bring an end to the pandemic with vaccines being administered.

So althought you cannot meet your family and have the usual Lunar New Year Celebrations.

Xin Nian Kuai Le!

(New Year Happiness!) 

or 

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

(Happiness and Prosperity!)

As 2020 comes to a close we can all breathe a sigh of relief that it is finally over.

With COVID-19 shutting down everything. With new protocols and ways to work and learn, we have all learned a lot this year about how isolation can take a toll.

Yet through all the hardship there has been great kindness. Here on the Sushine Coast the community raised over $30,000 for the Elves Club, which gives out donations to different organization on the Coast in need of help.

The Elphinstone High School Leadership class did a food drive that brought in over 4,500 items and $1,390 in cash. This is double the food that is normally donated and 9 times the amount of money usually donated. With it, over 178 individuals and families in Gibsons were serviced and some also went to the Sechelt and Pender Harbour Food Banks.

The Sunshine Coast Secret Santa helped 46 families in need. This year has been tough, but it shows that when we all pull together we can do great things.

With vaccines on the horizon, hopefully 2021 will be a year of renewal. Renewal of friendships and communities. 

Have a Wonderful Christmas and Holiday Season!

Happy New Year! 

And May 2021 Bring You All Health and Happiness!