John Gaio's blog

When young families choose furniture and décor for their home, there’s a lot more to consider than just the aesthetic of the pieces. When little hands and feet are a part of the equation, furniture safety and durability is a top priority for parents.

Fortunately, you don’t have to compromise style for safety – achieving both is entirely possible. By making informed choices and focusing on design durability, functionality and style, you can create a space that is both visually appealing and family-friendly.

Let’s explore four key home styling considerations for new parents:

Durability

When...

With warmer weather on the way, Canadians will soon be able to once again enjoy weekends on the water and warm summer nights relaxing by the fire pit. In the lead up to prime time in the country’s recreational housing markets, many potential buyers are expected to make a move on purchasing that lakeside cabin or family cottage this year, increasing competition for tight supply and pushing property prices up.

According to the recently-released Royal LePage^® 2024 Spring Recreational Property Report, the median price of a single-family home in Canada’s recreational regions is forecast¹ to...

As we approach the start of spring, you may be thinking about all of the projects around the house that you can finally start when warmer weather arrives – opening up the pool, adding those perennial flower beds to your lawn, or perhaps changing up your wall colours.

If you’re thinking about adding a fresh coat of paint to your interior spaces, why not take some inspiration from the most influential paint brands around?

Here are the 2024 colours of the year:

Pantone: Peach Fuzz (13-1023)

This warm and cozy shade of pink evokes “our desire to nurture ourselves and others,” according to...

More and more, people are adopting greener lifestyles, whereby daily choices are made to significantly improve not only personal well-being, but the health of the planet too.

Homeowners are embracing the eco-friendly movement by making conscious decisions about the products they bring into their homes. This includes cleaning supplies, as they are known to contain chemicals that are harmful when ingested, inhaled, or come into contact with our skin.

If you’ve been thinking about switching out commercial cleaning products for a greener cleaning solution, then keep reading. We’ve got you...

With a new year now underway, Canadians can expect to see a variety of changes coming to federal, provincial and local government housing legislation in 2024. 

From updated taxes to revised urban planning regulations, new housing laws and policies will roll out across the country in the coming months. Several of these policies promise to boost much-needed housing supply, which remains at a critical shortage in both the resale and rental segments.  

Here are the new housing policies that you should know about in 2024. 

Federal Policies

Short-term Rental Restrictions

In...

Nationally, home prices ended 2023 up 4.3% over prior year despite market slowdown

High interest rates have caused many homebuyers and sellers to push pause on their real estate plans over the last six months, significantly curtailing overall activity in housing markets across the country. However, as Canadians continue to adjust to higher borrowing costs, and the first anticipated rate cut by the Bank of Canada nears, a brisk spring market is on the horizon. 

“I believe the narrative suggesting that the housing market will rebound only when the Bank of Canada lowers rates misses the...

With a new year comes a new wave of home design trends. From furniture to colour schemes, the arrival of a new year is the perfect time to think about updating your home interiors to incorporate current styles. Refreshing your living spaces doesn’t require a major overhaul — swapping out your cabinetry hardware or revamping your linens can make a noticeable difference in any room.

Here are six interior design trends for 2024 you can try in your home:

Bold colours and patterns

If you’ve got a love for dramatic interiors, then 2024 is the year for you. This year is all about “go...

The holidays are finally upon us. As the magic of the season envelops our homes, it’s time to prepare our homes to welcome family and friends in a warm and festive atmosphere. And what better way to kick off this celebration than with a dazzling table setting? Here are three creative tips to enhance your holiday dining table and amaze your guests.

Give a new life to household items

Turn your table into a festive work of art by giving a second life to everyday objects and decorations. A simple red shawl can serve as the foundation for a magnificent centerpiece, bringing warmth and...

Condo living can have its perks – there are often on-site amenities to enjoy, building maintenance is taken care of, and you can experience the full benefits of a bustling urban lifestyle. Yet, one of the common gripes of condominium and apartment living is limited storage options, which can make it tricky to store your things. Luckily, there are a few solutions you can try to make the most out of the space in your condo suite.

Whether you’re looking to tuck away your holiday decorations, suitcases or off-season clothing, here are a few storage solutions you can try in your condo...

Following several years of unprecedented ups and downs, Canada’s housing market could return to more normal levels of activity and price trends next year. The Bank of Canada is expected to lower its overnight lending rate in the second half of 2024, which will lead to an increase in demand from sidelined buyers as they adjust to today’s lending realities. New household formation and newcomers to Canada will put additional upward pressure on prices. 

“Looking ahead, we see 2024 as an important tipping point for the national economy as the majority of Canadians acknowledge that the...