Outdoor Living in the Garden

There’s an undeniable thrill in watching a landscaping project evolve from concept to tangible design. It’s an exciting achievement that every do – it – yourselfer needs to experience, at least once. When deciding to renew a home’s outdoor area, think about how you can reuse items that may not need replacing but just require some TLC. Not only will you remain in budget, but you will add your own personal touch and make the space that more meaningful. 

Taken from Breakfast Television's 48 hour Backyard Makeover

 

A backyard remains an ever changing area – a blank canvas – that rewards those who patiently tend to their garden. Naturally, after working hard to maintain a well-kept landscape, who wouldn’t want to sit back and enjoy its beauty? A well covered deck that incorporates both seating and dining creates a place to unwind and relish in the outdoors.

Bring the garden onto a porch with hanging plants or strategically placed planters. This added touch not only softens but allows a gentle flow when the eye moves from the deck to the garden. Take it a step further and add some furnishings, such as a throw mat or rug, to complete the look by bringing the indoors out.  

May Long Weekend: De-clutter the Kitchen Pantry

We often keep the kitchen spotless by tending to the visually pertinent ‘to-dos’ in the home by washing the dishes and tidying up the counter ; however the true mess lies dormant behind closed doors and cupboards. Take time this weekend to organize your pantry with these four easy tips to consider that will make the most impact in your kitchen.

Have a safe and happy long weekend. Until next week.

Multy Home Team.

Mother’s Day Décor Gifts

Some moms are décor addicts, the kind who secretly sneak off to the “grocery store” to come home with bags from Bombay, Ikea or Bouclair. Despite their secret love for stylish home accents, these ladies are decorista’s through and through, and we love them for it!

When it comes down to it, a home never stops evolving so a decor piece for a decor addict may be the perfect gift. Fabulous Finds: an oriental accent piece that neatly adorns a living space or a thickly woven rug that combines functionality with unprecedented beauty.  Whatever it may be, choose a gift that celebrates mom, because she deserves the praise!

To help in your quest, here are some pretty little things that tickled our decor fancy.

Oriental Floral 

Effortless Style Blog

Inspired by Mother Nature

Hunted Interior

 

Global Fusion

Vintage Chic

Flower Power

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~ Happy Mother's Day

Pattern Praise

Certain times, I will read a great little feature about a design style that truly strikes a chord with me. This month, it was Canadian House and Home’s Pattern Play article on Vancouver designer Lael O’Brien.  Flipping through the pages, I was ecstatic to see such vibrant colours cladding the glossy white pages.  If you haven’t purchased the new House and Home issue, I highly recommend heading to the store to pick it up. Lael’s fresh style creates an infectious desire to renew the look of any space using patterned wallpaper, large floral prints and colourful pops that energize a room. Also the herringbone backdrop in the fireplace was a geometric look that made me light up with happiness – it’s the subtle touches that make the biggest impact! The shag rug brings texture to their living space and I couldn’t help but swoon over the kid’s rooms.  

Here's a Peak:

 All above images are taken from Canadian House and Home

Our Pattern Play look

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Mulch Busters

We dive deep to uncover the truth about recycled rubber mulch and why this eco-friendly product continues to get a bad rap. The question remains: is recycled rubber mulch a better alternative to other flooring options? Here are some myths, busted. 

 

Myth:

Rubber mulch is bad for the environment and ruins horticulture

Fact:

We face several different environmental issues, daily. Waste management remains the biggest problem. One solution to this is by opting to invest in products that focus on waste diversion and upcycling. In fact, organic wood mulch causes more environmental harm than good because it uses new wood as oppose to recovered bark decreasing forestry and endangering wildlife.

 

Myth:

Sand and rubber are equal in its safety ratings because they are both soft surfaces.

Fact:

Rubber is shock absorbent, meaning it provides more cushioning to falls than its opponent, sand, making it an excellent alternative to playgrounds and schoolyards.

Myth

Rubber mulch costs the same or more in comparison to wood.

Fact:

Because rubber weighs more than wood, it does not easily blow away. What does this mean long-term? Savings, because you have to ‘top up’ your mulch less often.

Myth:

Wood looks better.

Fact:

Rubber mulch comes in a variety of different colours which means there are no limitations to what’s available.

Take a Note From Mother Nature

On Earth Day we are given so many reasons on why we should go green, but the real question remains: why are we saving these all so important tasks to just one day a year? With the spike in gas prices and the extension in oil pipelines, you would think that we would speak out against the cries clearly coming from Mother Nature. The warm weather is not a reward but an acknowledgement that we may soon face a global crisis. Going green is not a downgrade where you must wear ponchos, bathe less and live in absolute minimalism. Reality check: it’s a routine change that makes a huge impact. You can still have a luxurious lifestyle by tweaking your daily tasks to include green products and tasks. 

Here are ten simple ways to implement green living into your regular routine:

1. Bring in leftovers [in a reusable tote] for lunch. You won’t consume gas by using your car to grab a bite to eat, and you’ll reduce waste consumption by bringing in reusable containers. 

Source: Environmental Health Association of Quebec

2. Bring your own reusable mug/water bottle to work to reduce paper consumption when you grab that early morning pick me up. 

Source: Starbucks & Photos of the Bald Eagle

 

3. Carpool. Ride a bike or take public transit. 

Source: Carpooling Etiquette

 

4. Think before you print. Create innovative ways to hold meetings and exchange ideas without the overuse of paper. 

Source: Reduce Carbon Footprint at Work

 

5. Turn off the computer when not in use.

Source: Natural Buy

 

6. Bring reusable bags with you when you're shopping at the stores.

Source: Fashion Meets Function

 

7. Conserve water by turning off the tap when you brush your teeth.

Source: Save Water. Save Life.

 

8. Turn off the lights in a room that no one is in.

Source: Recycle Reminders

 

9. Upcycle. Instead of discarding, recover items and give them a new purpose.

Source: Ecouterre

Source: Multy Home's envirotile™

 

10. Think before you purchase. Some companies use so much packaging to wrap their products in; think about the waste! Opt for products that are eco-friendly and have minimal packaging.

Source: The Green Market and Puma Shoes

 

You will be surprised at how much money you can save, but also, think about the positive contribution you are making to the Earth.

Happy #EarthYear (in lieu of #EarthDay) For more 'green' ideas follow us on Twitter!

Upcycling: From Car Tires to Recycled Rubber Pavers

There’s nothing more troublesome than hiking in the woods and finding a discarded car tire; knowing that it will take years to decompose, it makes you wonder how to combat this issue? Luckily, there are companies that recycle used car tires, diverting them from landfills and upcycling into stylish outdoor recycled rubber pavers. envirotile™ truly shows how you can expand your outdoor living space to incorporate recovered products that are affordable and easy to install. 

FROM THIS:

TO THIS:

 Need we say more?

Easter Revive: One Rug, Four Rooms

Off-the-cuff, a sisal rug casually dresses up a room with its intricate boucle weave and natural tweed yarn that appeal to rustic design lovers.  Ever since they became a household item in the 1940s, sisal has been known as a tough, durable rug that often is used in an entryway. Change it up: this piece can easily transition to a living (or dining) room where you may receive less foot traffic but want an element of texture and depth.  

With powerful colour pops and a neutral sisal shade, it’s easy to create natural glam, with a hint of sophistication. Here are three looks (one rug) that provides stylish functionality while your kids eagerly pound the ground, this weekend, in search of Easter eggs. 

Sensational Outdoor Gardens

Ready to take it outside? With the gorgeous weather as of late, who wouldn’t want to lounge in the backyard? To help get your outdoor living space up to speed, we’re offering up some simple solutions to assist in your style revamp. Whether you love traditional, modern, vintage, or romantic, these outdoor rooms will surely strike a harmonious chord, no matter your chosen flair. 

Green Marvel

When it comes to shrubs and trees: the grandeur, the better! Organically add seclusion to a backyard bungalow with large foliage; you’ll feel as though you have an extension to your home where you can lay back and relax in casual comfort. 

Vintage Chic

Get your vintage on by bringing back the fabulous flair from the antique era. Fuse this look with modern accent piece and make a room flourish with vintage-style.  

 

Traditional Tread

Cover an area with pavers or stones that march to its own beat. For an easy solution: opt for a paver that is lightweight, requires no special machinery and are made from a recycled product. Envirotile™ is a recycled rubber paver that can spruce up a pathway or revamp an old deck with ease! Want an in-ground project, try Stomp Stone: these are also made from recycled material and are super light and easy to install. Eco-friendly and chic, it creates a traditional design without the legwork.  

Geometric Gardens

Bold patterns are impressive in its looks and hold drama and scale to the chosen area. Use geometric prints throughout a backyard garden, it will not only define your space but add a poetic effect through whimsical designs and forms.