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Here are a few ways to add style in
your condo without taking up a lot
of space.
Though renovating either a house or condo
unit can produce similar looking results, the
process for making changes can be extremely
different. It’s imperative to research your
options before undertaking a condo project
of this scope.
CONDO RULES First things first, look into
the existing policies of your condo board.
Not all boards legislate cosmetic decisions
or material selections. In reality, what usually
concerns them most are your neighbors.
There will likely be policies that determine
the days and times that renovations can take
place. They will want to weigh-in on the
materials that are brought into the building
and through which elevators. It is also likely
that they’ll want to ensure that you are
working with certified tradespeople for the
safety of everyone involved.
WHOSE HOUSE IT IS ANYWAYS? Once
you have determined the rules enforced
by the condo board, it’s time to turn your
attention to the end result. Who are you
designing the space for? It is important to
consider whether you are making changes
to add to the resale or rental value, or
if personal enjoyment of your home is
paramount. Typically, a renovation will lean
towards one more than the other. As there
will be a different approach depending on
your answer, it’s vital to be honest about
which motivation is your priority.
THREESOME If you happen to own
a home with a strict condo association,
then hiring a professional designer or
tradesperson is a must. In order to obtain
the right city building permits to satisfy your
condo/strata board, detailed drawings are
usually required. Going beyond the essential
contractor duties, a professional will also
help coordinate the countless deliveries that
are all part of a major reno. By streamlining
the arrival of furniture and materials, fewer
individual trips are necessary which leads to
less disturbance overall.
COMMON DENOMINATOR Despite
all of your careful planning and research,
you may still find yourself coming to terms
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with obstacles that result from restrictions
imposed by the board. Some changes may
be more difficult or even impossible to
accomplish if they include areas that are
considered to be owned by the condo
rather than the tenant. Therefore, alterations
proposed to supporting walls, hallways,
or balconies are usually not within the
jurisdiction of the homeowner. As a rule,
condo boards don’t want anything to inhibit
their ability to sell the property in the
future, or to limit the potential buyers of
surrounding units. Make sure to discuss the
details with your property manager ahead of
time so that common areas are avoided.
FLEXIBLE LIKE A YOGI A home
renovation is always a challenging experience
but in order to maintain your own peace
of mind, it’s key to remember that things
will change and if you don’t bend with the
changes, you will break. Try to stay open to
elements that will be adjusted throughout
the process even if you think you’ve already
made final decisions about every single
aspect of the renovation. Be open to the
ways in which things may be incorporated
differently than you expected. Sometimes
staying flexible about what you’re willing to
accept, trade off, or let go of, means that you
end up with a better idea than when you
started.
STAY THE NIGHT If at all possible,
complete a condo renovation while you
don’t live in the space. It is next to impossible
to remain on the premises when work
is being done. Ideally, you are able to
renovate your condo after purchasing it
but before you have moved in. Staying in a
temporary residence, Airbnb, or even hotel
can help take the pressure off your living
situation during the most intense part of the
construction. It can also lengthen the hours
available to have work completed in your
place if you don’t need to use the bathroom
or kitchen at all. Check in with your condo
association as there may be a guest suite
that you can stay in for the duration of the
renovation. - Kim Bartley, www.kimbartleydesign.com
HomeSense, www.homesense.ca
We’ve seen this tassel craze in fashion and
you can now find them on accent pillows.
HomeSense, www.homesense.ca
Granny-chic is all the rage! Adding texture
to a room has never been easier than with
beautifully knitted throws.
Marshalls, www.marshalls.ca
When it comes to kitchenware, opt for pieces
with interesting details such as this lovely
cast iron teapot. With counter space at a
premium in smaller kitchens, a double duty
teapot that can be used to infuse color on a
stovetop is a must!