With today’s misleading labels and suggestions on furniture, no wonder the general public is confused on what to believe when purchasing new. An example of this is when a company claims that a piece is made out of solid cherry wood when it’s really particleboard with a cherry wood veneer. In 2002, the Federal Trade Commission came to the conclusion that accurate labelling and claiming guides were unnecessary. With companies allowed to swindle consumers with the lack of true information on a product, consumers are left frustrated and confused on what to believe and whom to believe. With the new trend being the “Green” word, people are quickly being fooled by a label. Consumers need to be truly aware of what they are buying and bringing back to their homes or offices!
Saving the planet is no longer just a politically correct cause. Environmental awareness is an urgent necessity that consumers, communities, cities and countries must all support. The state in which the planet is left to future generations is a human responsibility, a responsibility which extends beyond clever marketing. The effects of careless waste and depleted resources should not be put on the children of tomorrow to suffer with. Environmental awareness must become a natural part of everyday living and a great place to start is with the products we purchase.
Most consumers turn to a salesperson for information. At times, however, salespeople are just as uninformed about the products they are selling and are unable to give proper information leaving consumers just as clueless. A consumer should take things into their own hands to read between the lines or research the company and the quality before purchasing. $55 billion was spent on furniture in 2005 according to the federal Consumer Expenditure Survey, which means furniture was quite a large purchase for the average U.S. consumer. It is estimated that the 2007 survey will top $80 billion. But are consumers spending their money on the right products? Is the product they buy contributing to destroying forests around the world or threatening the homes of critically endangered species? Is the product a result of the destruction of indigenous people and the denial of their human rights or perhaps involved in localised violence due to illegal logging? If consumers were fully aware of where a piece of furniture really came from would it then be a product that consumers would want and be proud of?
Where should consumers start to gather truthful information or simply just more information before buying? First, start on the internet. A huge percentage of home furnishing shops have virtual stores which can have a huge advantage when shopping for furniture. It is quicker and easier to buy online and due to regulations, online stores are required to provide accurate descriptions and dimensions meaning consumers have sufficient information to make an informed decision before purchasing an item. Consumers can easily shop around for different prices and qualities on the web from the comfort of their own home. This simplifies the process and also helps save on gas. Some companies even carry more merchandise online because this cuts back on oversized stores and storefronts. Also, online stores allow the consumer to read up on the company’s history or quality whereas some in-store salespeople have no idea. The internet also gives consumers the opportunity to find out if a company is keeping up with the green movement or if a percentage of proceeds are being donated to a green charity.
It is also important to find out if the product is made from Forest Stewardship Council woods or another regulated council that certifies improved practice of forestry which helps cut back on illegal logging. Also, check to see if the product is Formaldehyde Free. Inhalation exposure to formaldehyde can result in respiratory symptoms, as well as eye, nose, and throat irritation. Short studies have reported that there is an association with formaldehyde exposure and lung and nasopharyngeal cancer. Animal studies have also shown an increased incidence of nasal squamous cell cancer. There are no long term health risk tests out there as of yet but we are unaware of what else formaldehyde could cause, let alone what is it doing to our atmosphere. It is evident that consumers need to be aware of the materials used to make a product before it enters their home or office. Notice how new cars, new construction, and new furniture all have a distinctive odour? That odour indicates harmful contaminants are evaporating into the air which is called off-gassing. Many government workplaces are subject to stringent regulations pertaining to the emission of these volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. So why shouldn’t the general public be as well? To help protect yourselves and your loved ones, choose low-emitting furniture. Look for key terms such as formaldehyde free, water base stains or adhesives, FSC approved woods, BiOH polyol, recycled materials and also natural materials like jute, hemp and 100% cotton. The word “Green” alone should not suffice when making a purchase. Consumers deserve and need to find out the truth beforehand!
Kermit the Frog was right when he said “it isn’t easy being green”, but it only makes sense for us and our spaces to be!
Stay green and until next time,
w&c designer girl!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Slowly killing ourselves?
Do you know what chemicals your house is making you breathe in?
When you take a look inside your own home, you will have a rude awakening when you realize the health problems that you yourself have brought into the very place you are trying to keep safe. Everyday materials that we put ourselves in contact with are the very things that are making our homes dangerous! Off-gassing! If you don’t know the term yet, YOU SHOULD! The chemicals that you are breathing in while you sleep or while you cuddle your baby is something most of us don’t think about, in any means we must start!!
So what is off gassing? “The evaporation of volatile chemicals in non-metallic materials at normal atmospheric pressure”. This means the building materials within your home or office are releasing chemicals into the air through evaporation, which can continue for years after the initial install. This silent stalker is creating these chemicals which enter your lungs on a daily basis, whether you know it or not. It comes from your paints, stains, varnishes, carpet, insulation, flooring, kitchen cabinet and countertops, plywood, particleboard, and paint strippers, producing substantial off gassing in any space. “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns about the health effects of poor Indoor Air Quality from the off gassing of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).”
Indoor air pollutants such as off gassing is the leading cause for people who suffer with Allergies, Chronic sinusitis, Asthma or respiratory problems in general. Off gassing can cause symptoms ranging from puffy, red and watery eyes to a runny nose, congestion, coughing, and asthma-like symptoms. Off gassing can also be the cause for skin irritations such as rashes, itchiness and hives. The two most identified type of off gassing that you can smell is a “new car” or “new carpet”. Now these smells are obvious but there are numerous products/materials which the off gassing is odourless.
Stockholm University in Sweden conducted a study where they found that certain computer monitors emit a chemical “triphenyl phosphate” which can be the leading cause of allergic reactions. Triphenyl phosphate is a flame retardant that is used in many plastics. When turned on, the monitors' heat causes the compound, which is not bonded to the plastic, to start evaporating. So the question here must be asked, when exposed to such a compound that is typically found in new materials/products can it pose a potential long-term health risk? Apparently they don’t know yet!
Low levels of formaldehyde, a colorless and sharp-smelling gas, can also accumulate indoors from construction materials and household products such as: new furniture, cabinetry, and floor coverings. This is very common. Studies even show that people who are exposed to formaldehyde for a long period of time are more acceptable to experiencing asthma-related respiratory symptoms, coughing and wheezing. Formaldehyde can be found in your paints, varnishes, and floor finishes. You will also find this chemical coming from fireplaces and wood-burning stoves, which commonly cause people to have burning and watering eyes, skin irritation, and even a rash. Other common household items that create off gassing with little to no odour include your bedding, furniture, and cabinetry. We need to be aware of these products and make sure that we are purchasing products that are not harming ourselves or our loved one.
With today’s green movement there are more products out there then ever and is in continual growth, of products/materials that have a low VOC (volitile organic compound) or an off gassing chemical to them. Carpet companies have changed their way of doing things to make sure that they can produce low-emission carpeting and adhesives; such as including natural fibers and latex adhesive to bind the fibers to the back. In the past, the latex binding contained a by-product called 4-phenylcyclohexane (4-PC) that gave carpeting a distinctive rubbery odour. 4-PC was allegedly a cause of adverse health effects. To my knowledge carpeting materials no longer emit 4-PC. You will also be able to find products which are formaldehyde free. As well as products that offer water base stain, furniture that uses all natural substances within them or have less chemical use on their materials which lowers the off gassing emission. For those pieces that you cannot replace there are ways to help protect yourself from the immense off gassing that products can release. Make sure you have regular air movement throughout. For the many offending chemicals, such as formaldehyde, off gassing is at a higher rate when humidity and temperatures are high. Make sure your humidity is below 45 percent to decrease the amount of formaldehyde and other chemicals that will off-gas. Keep your computers in well-ventilated areas and take hourly breaks from the computer to cut down on your exposure.
We must protect ourselves and our loved ones, the way we are all going to achieve this is through education, being aware of what our products are made of before bringing them into our homes/offices. All consumers should have the right to ask what materials have been used to create the product and every company should be able to answer them. You pay for what you get and for the last decade the movement was we want it NOW, which meant materials that were used, were cheap and chemically processed to be able to create a product quick and dirty. Well, there is a new movement and it is quality, and when it comes to quality you pay for it and in some cases you wait for it. Make sure you are a smart consumer when it comes to protecting your air space within your homes or office.
Only Kermit the frog can use the excuse “it isn’t being green” to everyone else it only make sense to be.
Stay green and until next time,
w&c designer girl!
When you take a look inside your own home, you will have a rude awakening when you realize the health problems that you yourself have brought into the very place you are trying to keep safe. Everyday materials that we put ourselves in contact with are the very things that are making our homes dangerous! Off-gassing! If you don’t know the term yet, YOU SHOULD! The chemicals that you are breathing in while you sleep or while you cuddle your baby is something most of us don’t think about, in any means we must start!!
So what is off gassing? “The evaporation of volatile chemicals in non-metallic materials at normal atmospheric pressure”. This means the building materials within your home or office are releasing chemicals into the air through evaporation, which can continue for years after the initial install. This silent stalker is creating these chemicals which enter your lungs on a daily basis, whether you know it or not. It comes from your paints, stains, varnishes, carpet, insulation, flooring, kitchen cabinet and countertops, plywood, particleboard, and paint strippers, producing substantial off gassing in any space. “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns about the health effects of poor Indoor Air Quality from the off gassing of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).”
Indoor air pollutants such as off gassing is the leading cause for people who suffer with Allergies, Chronic sinusitis, Asthma or respiratory problems in general. Off gassing can cause symptoms ranging from puffy, red and watery eyes to a runny nose, congestion, coughing, and asthma-like symptoms. Off gassing can also be the cause for skin irritations such as rashes, itchiness and hives. The two most identified type of off gassing that you can smell is a “new car” or “new carpet”. Now these smells are obvious but there are numerous products/materials which the off gassing is odourless.
Stockholm University in Sweden conducted a study where they found that certain computer monitors emit a chemical “triphenyl phosphate” which can be the leading cause of allergic reactions. Triphenyl phosphate is a flame retardant that is used in many plastics. When turned on, the monitors' heat causes the compound, which is not bonded to the plastic, to start evaporating. So the question here must be asked, when exposed to such a compound that is typically found in new materials/products can it pose a potential long-term health risk? Apparently they don’t know yet!
Low levels of formaldehyde, a colorless and sharp-smelling gas, can also accumulate indoors from construction materials and household products such as: new furniture, cabinetry, and floor coverings. This is very common. Studies even show that people who are exposed to formaldehyde for a long period of time are more acceptable to experiencing asthma-related respiratory symptoms, coughing and wheezing. Formaldehyde can be found in your paints, varnishes, and floor finishes. You will also find this chemical coming from fireplaces and wood-burning stoves, which commonly cause people to have burning and watering eyes, skin irritation, and even a rash. Other common household items that create off gassing with little to no odour include your bedding, furniture, and cabinetry. We need to be aware of these products and make sure that we are purchasing products that are not harming ourselves or our loved one.
With today’s green movement there are more products out there then ever and is in continual growth, of products/materials that have a low VOC (volitile organic compound) or an off gassing chemical to them. Carpet companies have changed their way of doing things to make sure that they can produce low-emission carpeting and adhesives; such as including natural fibers and latex adhesive to bind the fibers to the back. In the past, the latex binding contained a by-product called 4-phenylcyclohexane (4-PC) that gave carpeting a distinctive rubbery odour. 4-PC was allegedly a cause of adverse health effects. To my knowledge carpeting materials no longer emit 4-PC. You will also be able to find products which are formaldehyde free. As well as products that offer water base stain, furniture that uses all natural substances within them or have less chemical use on their materials which lowers the off gassing emission. For those pieces that you cannot replace there are ways to help protect yourself from the immense off gassing that products can release. Make sure you have regular air movement throughout. For the many offending chemicals, such as formaldehyde, off gassing is at a higher rate when humidity and temperatures are high. Make sure your humidity is below 45 percent to decrease the amount of formaldehyde and other chemicals that will off-gas. Keep your computers in well-ventilated areas and take hourly breaks from the computer to cut down on your exposure.
We must protect ourselves and our loved ones, the way we are all going to achieve this is through education, being aware of what our products are made of before bringing them into our homes/offices. All consumers should have the right to ask what materials have been used to create the product and every company should be able to answer them. You pay for what you get and for the last decade the movement was we want it NOW, which meant materials that were used, were cheap and chemically processed to be able to create a product quick and dirty. Well, there is a new movement and it is quality, and when it comes to quality you pay for it and in some cases you wait for it. Make sure you are a smart consumer when it comes to protecting your air space within your homes or office.
Only Kermit the frog can use the excuse “it isn’t being green” to everyone else it only make sense to be.
Stay green and until next time,
w&c designer girl!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Tie-Dye is back???
Apparently Tie-Dye is making a come back and I have to admit I am kinda excited for it! Just don't think your old t-shirts are trendy again you are going to find this fashionable pattern in home decor. One the home front, you'll notice shibori-style tie-dye patterns and hues on well-chosen pieces like hand-knotted silk and wool rug in the deepest blues. Tie-dye patterned, bedding, placemats, bowls, lamp shades, art work and more. House & Home refers to this pattern as "Shibori-style - Japanese shibori, centuries-old techniques for resist-dyeing cloth by folding, binding, pleating, or stitching. " Shibori is a more controlled pattern with a sophisticated palette of moody tones. So don't start wearing those multi coloured T's this trend only calls for colours of the same tone, but do they look good! 
So get your dye and bowls out because this trend is back and with a twist. Kids all over are probably inching to make tie-dye shirts and I am guessing so are a few of us!
Until next time,
w&c designer girl!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Inspiration for your Outdoor Living Space this Summer!
Inspiring you to create a beautiful outdoor living space this summer. A little imagination or a great Designer and you too can have a great entertaining place that draws your guests to your outdoor space. Don't forget there are green outdoor furniture and accessories to stay true to your movement of saving our health and environment. Remember you pay for what you get and quality and green furniture is sometimes an investment but an investment with a great return. Happy Summer Entertaining Everyone!
Picture courteous of House & Home http://www.canadianhouseandhome.com/design/outdoor-living-10-looks?photo=9
Until next time,
w&c designer girl!
Picture courteous of House & Home http://www.canadianhouseandhome.com/design/outdoor-living-10-looks?photo=9Until next time,
w&c designer girl!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Designed to sell with budget-friendly decorating details!
Style at Home magazine did a beautiful write-up about budget friendly decorating to help sell your home. "When her builder husband Rob completed a new subdivision in South Surrey, B.C., Kimberley Wiens of Laurel Ridge Homes set about decorating the 3,300 sq. ft. show home. Her goal: to appeal to as many buyers as possible as cost-effectively as possible." She created a neutral but inviting palette enhanced by decorating details that make a big impact on a budget.
S@H Is that also why you went with neutrals?"Jeannine Foley We had to think about all the people who might be walking through the show house, so we kept the colour palette light throughout and added lots of texture. We used a lot of soft greys and blues -- beach tones -- which is very South Surrey. The beach is only a five-minute walk away." 
S@H Any other lessons learned?"KW We take great pride in attention to little details and workmanship -- nothing builder's basic! But that doesn't mean you have to blow your budget either. Do little things, like updating cabinetry hardware, when renovating or reselling. If you can’t afford to do so everywhere, invest in a key area.S@H Can you give us an example?KW We didn't have the budget for wainscotting throughout, so we focused on the front entrance. It's impossible for anyone entering the house to miss the coffered ceiling and panelled archway. Those little details make a lasting impression."
Style at Home How did the design process start?"Kimberley Wiens We get a lot of rain on the West Coast, plus the house wasn’t going to be huge, so we decided to design it with a lot of windows and French doors across the back to make it airy, open and bright, and thereby seem bigger. When decorating, we went with simple furnishings and reflective surfaces for
that same reason."
S@H Is that also why you went with neutrals?"Jeannine Foley We had to think about all the people who might be walking through the show house, so we kept the colour palette light throughout and added lots of texture. We used a lot of soft greys and blues -- beach tones -- which is very South Surrey. The beach is only a five-minute walk away." S@H Any other lessons learned?"KW We take great pride in attention to little details and workmanship -- nothing builder's basic! But that doesn't mean you have to blow your budget either. Do little things, like updating cabinetry hardware, when renovating or reselling. If you can’t afford to do so everywhere, invest in a key area.S@H Can you give us an example?KW We didn't have the budget for wainscotting throughout, so we focused on the front entrance. It's impossible for anyone entering the house to miss the coffered ceiling and panelled archway. Those little details make a lasting impression." http://www.styleathome.com/
I wanted to share this article with you to show what you can do on a small budget, just a bit of imagination is needed to give the illusion that you spent more then you did. Also clean simple lines always showcases a house better, so if you are selling your house, take pictures of your space this will give you an idea of how people receive your home. Pictures don't lie and it will help point out the cluttered areas in each room. This Blog might not be angled at a Green venture however being cost effective with your money is. So challenge yourself and see what you can do with your own space on a beer budget but champagne taste!
Stay green my friends!
until next time,
w&c designer girl!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Go ECO-CHIC with your Summer Garden Parties!
For those who love the convenience of paper plates but not the waste, there's an environmentally friendly alternative that's better looking to boot. New York-based Bambu's disposable Veneerware plates and cutlery don't use bleaches or dyes and are made from organic bamboo, a fast growing renewable resource. Intended for single use, each piece is lightweight yet durable an enough to handle messy BBQ dinners. Best of all, they biodegrade within six months if tossed into a compost pile or bin. An added bonus; the eco-minded company donates a percentage of sales to environmentally causes. Guilt-Free Dining! http://www.bambuhome.com/
For those Garden lovers - Nature Mix, 100% chemical-free and rich in organic material like peat Mose, humus, perlite and compost. Premium Nature Mix soil makes any garden bloom and NATURALLY beautiful!
Recycled Patio Furniture. These quality pieces of handcrafted 
furniture are made of polyethylene. The high density polyethylene raw material utilized in poly lumber is derived from post-consumer plastic bottle waste such as milk containers. This material is cleaned in a decontamination's process to a purity level of over 99% HDPE. It is then compounded into rigid board stock material; the resulting finished product containing over 90% recycled post consumer waste by weight. Any shavings and/or cut offs created during the making of a piece of furniture, are sent back to the factory to be re-used, so nothing is wasted. Poly furniture is a maintenance free furniture that can be left outside all year round.
furniture are made of polyethylene. The high density polyethylene raw material utilized in poly lumber is derived from post-consumer plastic bottle waste such as milk containers. This material is cleaned in a decontamination's process to a purity level of over 99% HDPE. It is then compounded into rigid board stock material; the resulting finished product containing over 90% recycled post consumer waste by weight. Any shavings and/or cut offs created during the making of a piece of furniture, are sent back to the factory to be re-used, so nothing is wasted. Poly furniture is a maintenance free furniture that can be left outside all year round. 
Beautiful jute runners/carpets for that indoor outdoor feel. All natural and easy to clean you can't go wrong with any colour choice that is offered. You can find the product in store across Canada and the US. Make sure you buy a colour you like because this hardy product will endure the rigours of a cottage life and will hold up over time.
Happy summer garden parting to all, who said you can't be GREEN even outdoors!
Until next time,
w&c designer girl!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Green is the new Black!
If you haven't heard Green is the new black! From your clothes to your home decor you just can't go wrong with the colour Green. Yes, this is a 2009 trend colour but a colour that you want to show off. With the Green movement becoming popular then ever, people are showing off how Green they are, plastering hybrid on their cars, showing off their Green appliances, drinking out of steel or hard plastic water bottles, and now even eating Green. I love that people are becoming passionate about this movement and trend, but as we all know t
rends fade. Is being Green a trend that will go out of style?
This Green movement has cost millions, with companies changing how their clothes are made, changing the materials that are used in furniture and even the packaging on products has been reevaluated. Now you are thinking oh big deal companies changed some of their ingredients which goes into their products, but what you don't understand is the time and energy spent on testing these products to prove that they are Green or more eco-friendly. The man power and studies it took to be able to label a product or process as Green certified, is over whelming to me. Discovering that wood manufactures have to store FSC approved woods (an eco-friendly process) in a different location then the rest of the woods due to off-gassing lurking in the air and contaminating the FSC approved woods. This is just one example on how companies have had to adjust and accommodate this so called trend, however to the companies that have spent money on this would not call it a 2009 trend but believe that this is the way of the world now. Which I am very happy to hear. This is one trend that we don't want to go out of style. As the days go by I find there is even more Green products arriving and with that said I think we are going to have this Green trend around for a while! Maybe Kermit the Frog isn't the only one that can say it isn't easy being green!
Until next time,
w&c designer girl!
rends fade. Is being Green a trend that will go out of style?This Green movement has cost millions, with companies changing how their clothes are made, changing the materials that are used in furniture and even the packaging on products has been reevaluated. Now you are thinking oh big deal companies changed some of their ingredients which goes into their products, but what you don't understand is the time and energy spent on testing these products to prove that they are Green or more eco-friendly. The man power and studies it took to be able to label a product or process as Green certified, is over whelming to me. Discovering that wood manufactures have to store FSC approved woods (an eco-friendly process) in a different location then the rest of the woods due to off-gassing lurking in the air and contaminating the FSC approved woods. This is just one example on how companies have had to adjust and accommodate this so called trend, however to the companies that have spent money on this would not call it a 2009 trend but believe that this is the way of the world now. Which I am very happy to hear. This is one trend that we don't want to go out of style. As the days go by I find there is even more Green products arriving and with that said I think we are going to have this Green trend around for a while! Maybe Kermit the Frog isn't the only one that can say it isn't easy being green!
Until next time,
w&c designer girl!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Have you heard about this 100mile Diet?!
In 2005, Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon performed a one-year experiment of only eating locally grown produce. This 100-Mile diet experiment became bigger then they ever could have predicted, inspiring thousands! From individuals to entire communities. This 100 mile diet made people aware of what they were buying and where it was from, getting to know the seasons and understanding the risk to our health and to the environment. "Locally raised and produced food has been called “the new organic" — better tasting, better for the environment, better for local economies, and better for your health. From reviving the family farm to reconnecting." The 100 mile diet creates a whole new meaning to buying locally, because you only eat food which has be produced or grown in a 100-mile radius. 
Now that must of be hard to find what to eat?
"We walked into the diet cold turkey for a full year, and it was hard. For example, we live on the West Coast, so it took us seven months to find a rogue local farmer who actually grows wheat. Meanwhile, we ate an unbelievable number of potatoes. Doing the diet the hard way taught us a lot about the current food system, but it is not for everybody. A more realistic approach is to plan a single, totally 100-mile meal with friends or family, and see where you want to go from there."
"We walked into the diet cold turkey for a full year, and it was hard. For example, we live on the West Coast, so it took us seven months to find a rogue local farmer who actually grows wheat. Meanwhile, we ate an unbelievable number of potatoes. Doing the diet the hard way taught us a lot about the current food system, but it is not for everybody. A more realistic approach is to plan a single, totally 100-mile meal with friends or family, and see where you want to go from there."
What do you eat then because I am sure it would become boring? "At first, yes. As we found more and more local food sources, though, our meals became more interesting than ever before. Farmers and farmers’ markets introduced us to foods and flavors we’d never tried before. We discovered the seasons, and the micro-seasons, and the micro-micro-seasons. What’s available is always changing."
What did you miss the most? "Every region has foods that are hard - or impossible - to find. We went without wheat for seven months. We missed pasta. We missed bread. We missed pancakes. Then we found our wheat farmer, and we pigged out."
The 100 mile diet is about eating locally for Global change. This lowers the carbon footprint, supports our local economics and frankly makes you a healthier/smarter person due to no pesticides in your foods and the knowledge you have to obtain to stick to this diet. I don't think this would be an easy process but even if all of us try to have one meal a day using the 100 mile radius rule, just think how quick a wave would begin and a powerful movement will be born and awakened! Let me know if anyone has done this and how they did, spread the word this is a fabulous concept!
Until next time,
w&c designer girl!
Friday, April 10, 2009
H&H favourite Canadian Design Blogs!
Check it out! House & Home magazine shared with us their favourite Canadian Design Blogs!
Kim Johnson, Ottawa. "Total looks from the world's top designers."
Kim Johnson, Ottawa. "Total looks from the world's top designers."http://www.lakejane.blogspot.com/
Marie-Eve Best, Montreal. "Tips and trends for dressing, dining and decorating."
http://www.arrenwilliams.com/
Arren Williams, Toronto. " An insider's look at the Canadian design scene."
Jan Halvarson, B.C. " A mostly Canadian marketplace of fine design."
Marie-Eve Best, Montreal. "Tips and trends for dressing, dining and decorating."http://www.arrenwilliams.com/
Arren Williams, Toronto. " An insider's look at the Canadian design scene.".
.
Jan Halvarson, B.C. " A mostly Canadian marketplace of fine design."..
Blogs are becoming a huge part of peoples lives and daily routine. Such a huge part that newspapers and other print material companies are suffering. Due to readers now turning to the web as a quick resource for great information on any specific topic of interest. The web allows them to collect information whenever they want and on whatever they want. There is so much information out there and it seems that print material just isn't cutting it anymore for our busy lives. Blogs are becoming more popular then ever due to this trend. There are new Blogs popping up every where, and I would love to know the Blogs that you are checking out??
You can never have to much information :)
.
Until next time,
w&c designer girl!
Friday, April 3, 2009
2009 Home Improvement Tax Break- How does it Work?
Canadian Budget offers a tax break for Home Improvements in the year of 2009. So get your cheque book out, the tax man is helping with the bill!! If you have been thinking about refurbishing your kitchen or putting in an extra bathroom, etc and etc, this may be the year to achieve those home improvement projects that you have always wanted to tackle, because the tax man is helping out. Now how does this credit work? how to I apply? what items fall under this home improvement credit? So many questions regarding this program and so many of us can't
seem to get answers. Well I found the information you need to get started and to educate yourself on this program. This is a program that you don't want to miss out on, lets be real its not very often that the Government actually gives back to us, so lets take advantage of it if we can!
The Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) is a non-refundable tax credit for work performed or goods acquired in respect of an eligible dwelling.
What does that mean, eligible dwelling?
"An eligible dwelling is a housing unit that is eligible to be an individuals principal residence or that of one or more of their family members, at any time between January 27, 2009 and February 1, 2010. In general, a housing unit is considered eligible to be an individuals principal residence where it is owned by the individual and ordinarily inhabited by the individual, the individuals spouse or common-law partner, or their children. This means that any dwelling that you own and use personally could qualify, including your home or your cottage. "
What is the eligibility period?
"The credit will be based on eligible expenditures for work performed or goods acquired after January 27, 2009, and before February 1, 2010. Expenditures incurred pursuant to an agreement that was entered into before January 28, 2009, will not be eligible for the credit."
Who will be eligible for the credit?
"Eligibility for the HRTC will be family based. A family will generally be considered to consist of an individual or an individual and his or her spouse or common-law partner, including children who will be under 18 years of age, at the end of 2009. A family will be allowed a single credit that may be shared within the family.
If two or more families share the ownership of an eligible dwelling, each family will be eligible for their own separate credit (i.e. each up to $1,350) that will be calculated on their respective eligible expenditures. "
How will the credit be calculated?
"The credit will only be available for the 2009 tax year and applies to eligible expenditures of more than $1,000, but not more than $10,000, resulting in a maximum credit of $1,350 ($9,000 x 15%)."
What are eligible expenditures?
"To be eligible, expenditures incurred in relation to a renovation or alteration to an eligible dwelling (or the land that forms part of the eligible dwelling) must be of an enduring nature and integral to the dwelling, and includes the cost of labour and professional services, building materials, fixtures, rentals, and permits. Eligible expenditures must be supported by acceptable documentation."
Renovating a kitchen, bathroom or basement
New carpet or hardwood floors
Building an addition, garage, deck, garden/storage shed, fence
Re-shingling a roof
A new furnace, woodstove, boiler, fireplace, water softener or water heater
A new driveway or resurfacing a driveway
Painting of interior or exterior of a house
Window coverings directly attached to the window frame and whose removal would alter the nature of the dwelling
Laying new sod
Swimming Pools (Permanent - in ground and above ground)
Fixtures – lights, fans, etc.
Associated costs such as permits, professional services, equipment rentals and incidental expenses.
How will I claim the HRTC?
"A new line will be incorporated in the 2009 personal income tax return to allow you to claim the credit."
For more information on this Tax Credit please visit : http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/gncy/bdgt/2009/fqhmrnvtn-eng.html#q1
Until next time,
w&c designer girl!
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