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July 25 2023

What Are the Core Elements of Interior Design?

The art and science of interior design is still evolving, and the experts do not all agree on what the core elements are or even how many core elements exist. So, this article should not be considered to be an all-inclusive treatment of a massive subject. There are, however, some major principles of interior design that most people agree on. These are the ones that we will discuss here:

Harmony

Harmony in design means that things work well together and look like they belong together. It is what gives a room or series of rooms or home a polished look. Harmony is difficult to achieve for the amateur, and one of the main reasons why one consults with a professional interior designer.

Focus or Emphasis

Focus or emphasis means what is (or are) the main parts of a room that one’s eye should be drawn to when you enter a room. For example, do you want people to notice your magnificent view of the ocean or a hand-tiled fireplace? When planning rooms, designers consider carefully the focal point of the room and use design to move your eye toward that point.

Proportion and Scale

Proportion and scale are slightly different but related concepts. Basically, how does something look in relation to something else. For example, if you have giant pillars at the entrance to your driveway, you would not put tiny lamps on top of the pillars because the scale is wrong. The lamps would need to be the right height and width to complement the pillars.

Function

Function in design refers to parts working the way they are supposed to work. For example, a kitchen may be spectacular, but if the refrigerator is too far from the sink then the function is less than ideal. Counters need to be the right height for the occupant, and there needs to be enough space to walk around a table and chairs. A design does not work if the function does not work.

There are many important parts to interior design, and we have not even mentioned color or space or balance. A good understanding, however, of these four concepts, above, will have you well on your way to beautiful interior design.

Abstract Homes and Renovations Inc., is an award-winning custom home builder based in Vancouver, British Columbia. With 30 years of experience, Abstract Homes builds and renovates homes on the Lower Mainland with efficiency, integrity, and quality in mind.

If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about building or renovating your home, please call us at (604) 220-5665.

July 25 2023

Choosing Exterior Design Elements for Your Home

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If you are building a new home or renovating an existing one, you may be wondering about how to decide what to design for the exterior. Should you do something traditional? Contemporary? In this blog article we will give you some ideas to think about that may help you to make your decisions.

Restrictions

The first thing we would recommend is to be aware of any restrictions you may have on how the exterior of your house looks. A Home Owner’s Association (HOA) could have some restrictions in place. If your house is a heritage home or in a heritage district, some jurisdictions will have some restrictions on what you can do with the exterior. Definitely be aware of these potential limitations before making any decisions.

Aesthetics

The next characteristic to consider is the “look.” What do you like? While you may be interested in what is trendy, keep in mind that what is trendy now may not be trendy in 10 or 20 years. You are much better off choosing a look that appeals to you whether it is fashionable or not, especially if you plan to stay in your home a long time.

There are no exterior design police who are going to tell you that your roof pitch is ugly or window flower boxes are passé. It’s your home, and you are free to do what you like.

The Interior

What does your interior look like? You may wish to choose an exterior that mirrors the style of the interior. It will look odd if your interior is traditional and rustic while the exterior is sleek and modern. This is one of the basic design principles called Harmony. In general, a project looks better and more cohesive if there is harmony and repetition of elements.

We hope these few suggestions will help you to choose an exterior that you will love. Remember, that after some time has passed, it’s not hard to change or update exterior lighting fixtures, but changing your home exterior from metal siding to stucco is a much more complicated and expensive change. Pick what you like, and consult a design professional if needed.

If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about building or renovating your home, please call us at (604) 220-5665.

July 25 2023

How to Get the Most Storage Capacity in Your Kitchen Renovation

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When you are doing a kitchen renovation, one of the considerations will be storage. Often homeowners will want more storage than they started with. Here are some of our best ideas for increasing the storage capacity in your kitchen.

Cabinet Height

One easy way to increase storage capacity is to have cabinets run to the ceiling. In this way, using the same footprint as before, you instantly have more cabinet to work with. You can have cabinets that are just extra high, or you can have separate cabinets that sit on top of regular-height cabinets adding an extra row of cabinets. This is a great use of otherwise wasted space.

Pantry

If you have a pantry or are building one, keep in mind that pantries do not have to include only shelves. Pantries can contain cabinets, too. A few cabinets added to a pantry can make a big difference in adding more storage.

Kitchen Island

Make good use of your island—if you have one—to maximize storage. Islands can be designed to incorporate significant storage, sometimes with cabinets opening on more than one side of the island.

Racks

Depending on the design and the footprint, sometimes you can accommodate an overhead rack for hanging pots and pans. If you have enough wall space, racks can be custom fitted on a wall.

There is always the possibility of having a separate piece of furniture like a breakfront. And you can have bookshelves for cookbooks. Try thinking outside the box for how to use every inch of space. In your kitchen renovation, if storage is one of the main concerns, be sure to communicate that to your designer and contractor. They may have some interesting and novel ideas.

If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about building or renovating your home, please call us at (604) 220-5665.

How Are Home Builders Vancouver Dealing With the Rise in Canadian Lumber Prices

July 25 2023

How Are Home Builders Dealing With the Rise in Canadian Lumber Prices

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Home builders are dealing with the rise in Canadian lumber prices as best they can. Home builders are using a combination of solutions while we all wait for the lumber and plywood prices to fall back to pre-pandemic levels.

Other Materials
Some home builders are using other materials. While new homes are traditionally framed in wood, some builders have been using steel to replace wood where possible. However, the price of steel has also been rising, so this is not a long-term solution.

Buying Bulk
Where possible, some builders have made deals with suppliers to buy in bulk at fixed prices. Those lucky enough to have anticipated rising lumber prices bought lumber and plywood in anticipation of a price problem.

Rising Prices for the Consumer
The reality is that almost all builders have to pass on the rising cost of lumber to the homeowner. This has meant higher costs for building a new home, although this is expected to be temporary. Most home building contracts will have clauses to protect the builder should certain materials become significantly more expensive than expected.

Why Are Lumber and Plywood Prices So High?
The reason for high lumber and plywood prices has nothing to do with supply. It has to do with demand and interruptions in the supply chain.

As more and more people were staying home because of the pandemic with record-low mortgage prices, many more people decided to build or buy a home or renovate the home they were in. This caused an increase in demand for lumber. Then the pandemic caused the slowing of transport, and many jobs at lumber mills and in transport were left unfilled.

Unfilled jobs created slowdowns at the lumber mills further exacerbating the problem. Once people are back at work, and shipping is at previous levels, then the prices for lumber and plywood are expected to fall over the next year.

If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about building or renovating your home, please call us at (604) 220-5665.

July 25 2023

Existing Conditions To Be Considered Before Starting Renovation Projects

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What existing conditions need to be considered or addressed before starting a large renovation project depends on the scope of the project and your jurisdiction. However, there are some general things that your builder will consider if applicable to your project.

Utilities

Where the existing water, electrical, and gas lines could play a role, especially if any digging is required. This is not hard to find out and is one of the first things a builder would look at before breaking ground.

Roof Structure

If you are making interior structural changes, then how the roof is designed may be important. The builder will want to know if walls can carry the loads for the roof, especially if you are removing or changing load-bearing walls.

Bylaws

What are the applicable bylaws in your area that cover your project, if any. For example, if you are building a new structure like a storage shed, there may be certain setbacks required from property lines.

Permitting

Your builder will make sure that he or she can get the permits needed for the project and that the proper permits are in place before work starts.

Septic

If you have a septic field, and are adding on to a structure, the builder may need to know if the current field can sustain added water use.

Grade

If you are doing outdoor projects or building from the ground up, the grade of the property is important to know and may need to be adjusted. Where does water flow when it rains? Where do you want water to flow?

As mentioned at the outset, the existing conditions to be considered before beginning a project vary considerably with the project. Listed here, however, are the major considerations that every competent builder will look at first.

If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about building or renovating your home, please call us at (604) 220-5665.

Advantages of a Laneway House in Vancouver

July 25 2023

Advantages of a Laneway Home in Vancouver

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There are many advantages to a laneway home in Vancouver or on the Lower Mainland, and more and more people are building them. Depending on your jurisdiction, there will likely be a limitation to the amount of square footage you can build. Your builder can help you figure that out.

Here are some of the biggest advantages of having your own laneway home.

Housing Density

Building a laneway home creates housing where this isn’t any. If your property cannot be subdivided, then you are able to create new housing on your property. In an area as sought after as the Lower Mainland, it’s an excellent way to create housing.

Property Value

A laneway home increases your property value because of the potential for income. Whether you want to rent out your laneway home or not, there is always the potential to rent it.

Convenience

By having a laneway home, you can provide housing for family members or a caretaker in addition to the freedom of renting it to anyone else.

Desirability

The added laneway home is a more desirable housing option than a condo because it offers more privacy to the tenant. This makes laneway homes particularly easy to rent out.

Professionals at Abstract Homes can help you if you are considering building a laneway home. We have extensive experience with this type of project in the Vancouver area, and can make the process an easy and pleasant one for you. Contact us at (604) 220-5665 if you would like to talk about laneway homes.

Abstract Homes Builder and Renovation in Vancouver | 4353 W 15th

June 26 2023

2021 Trends in Home Exteriors

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Every year there are new trends in home design. Here are some of the latest trends in home exteriors for you to mull over.

Mixed Materials

One exciting trend is that of mixed materials. Mixed materials offer lots of texture and visual interest. We are seeing more and more combinations of wood and vinyl siding or wood and metal siding. There are lots of possible combinations including wood and stone, stone and vinyl, or even stone and metal siding.

Warm Natural Colors

We seem to be moving away from white and into warmer colours that mimic the natural environment. Think of sandy and stony beiges, ashen grays, and mossy greens that are somewhat darker than what was used in previous years.

High Contrast

High contrast exteriors are still popular. These are combinations like black and white or black and tan. Sometimes one part or floor of a home is one color, and another section or floor is a high-contrast color.

Eco-Friendliness

Eco-friendliness is a perennial concern for homeowners, and housing trends continue to reflect that. Home builders want products that are safe, come from renewable resources, and are readily recycled in the future. It’s not hard to find excellent products that fit that bill.

Professionals at Abstract Homes can help you if you are considering building a new home or renovating an old one in the Vancouver area, and can make the process an easy and pleasant one for you. Contact us at (604) 220-5665 to talk about your upcoming project.

If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about building or renovating your home, please call us at (604) 220-5665.