*The information below is not medical advice. Always use your best judgement when accommodating someone with food allergies, as there may be additional steps or considerations required outside of what has been provided in this list. Have you ever invited friends over for dinner, only to realize that someone has a food allergy (or more than one) and you’re worried about cooking for them? The feeling is not uncommon. With over 2.5 million Canadians living...
Photo credit @joelixjoelix . Not just for Spice Girls fans. Pink and yellow especially are having a big moment, with orange making welcomed guest appearances. They’re bright and optimistic colours that spark joy, and feelings of positivity and empowerment. They are reminiscent of lighter times and convey a sense of nostalgia. It’s no wonder so many body positivity, female empowerment and other inclusive, progressive groups and companies have adopted these colours for their branding and...
Are you dreaming of buying a vacation rental property, have just bought one, or are strongly considering it? If so, your mind is probably abuzz with design ideas and thoughtful touches you could add to the home. In order to make a rental property into a viable business, you need to set a reasonable budget and stick to it. And everything in the home should be geared towards rental guests. Some elements may not align...
There’s nothing like opening the front door or waking up in the morning to be greeted by a wonderful wafting scent. Scents can invigorate, relax, jog your memories, and tap into nostalgia. You can rotate them according to the mood you’re in, the mood you want to be in, the season, time of day, or even the atmosphere or tone you wish to create. With the growing popularity of diffusers and essential oils, there are...
Since the rise of Airbnb and other home sharing apps, it has undoubtedly become much simpler to run a vacation rental, especially remotely. The booking, money exchange and communication processes are far easier and more accessible than they once were. No longer do you have to make emails and phone calls, trust guests with cash or e-transfers, and cross your fingers that they won’t cancel a week before arrival. This has drawn up the misconception...
Your desk may not seem like an area to design or spend any money on, but why not? You sit there for hours and hours every day; it’s practically a second home. It should, of course, be ergonomic for comfort and good posture, so why shouldn’t it make you feel good, feel at home, and inspired to work, too? Whether you work in an office or you have a home office, your desk is a...
There’s nothing like scrolling through the Discover page on Instagram and stumbling upon a photo of a space that captivates your imagination and makes you think, I want to live there one day! With so many incredible interior designers, both amateur and professional, it’s easy to get lost in the labyrinth of images. I’ve rounded up ten of my favorite design Instagram accounts to get your creative juices flowing. Maybe you’ll be inspired to switch...
Of all the fixtures, furniture, accents, window treatments, and other odds and ends you will bring into your vacation rental property, there are nine that stand out to me as most important. This of course excludes safety items like fire extinguishers, C02 and smoke detectors, sturdy railings, etc. From a purely experience-driven standpoint, these nine items either leave the biggest impression on my guests or are most asked about prior to check-in. 1. Solid bed...
Whether you only rent your home out from time to time, or have purchased it with the intent of creating a full time short-term rental business, creating a house manual simplifies the lines of communication for both the owner and renter. If you’ve ever stayed at an Airbnb or other short term rental house or apartment, you know how many questions you have upon arrival. How do I connect to the WiFi? Does someone live...
Light and white kitchens are a trend that has been going strong for many years now, and for good reason. There’s nothing like waking up and walking into a bright and airy space to make your morning coffee. Light kitchens make the room feel wide and open, and nice and clean. But sometimes they can feel a bit cold or lifeless, especially if the room doesn’t receive an abundance of natural light. Fortunately there are...
