Photos of family, friends and favorite places add a touch of personality, style, flair, and jazz to any room. Sometimes however it’s difficult to think of inventive and creative ways to display your treasured pictures.

First you need to take a good look at the photos you want to display. One of your favorite photos might be a large group picture, but it may not actually display well when hanging on a wall. Save that one for the scrapbook and look for pictures that have vibrant images that convey a message or a thought.

Older photographs can be brought to life with the advances in photographic reproduction technology. If you have a favorite old photo that’s fading, or has been damaged or crinkled through the years, take it to a photo shop to have it restored and reprinted. You might even be able to do this yourself at home with photo imaging software. You might want to consider added a special effect, enlarging or cropping the photo differently to add a new perspective to a familiar photo.

Mixing frames of different styles and sizes can be fun, but takes some planning and forethought. Lay the framed photos on a tabletop or the floor and rearrange until you find a workable arrangement, then employ a friend or family member’s help when measuring and preparing to mount on the wall. Have your level ready to be sure that a picture that looks straight actually is straight.

Photos don’t have to be limited to the walls. Tabletops, desktops, bookshelves, and your family entertainment wall unit are all great places to add a picture frame. Even a dressing screen can make a clever and unique backdrop.

You can even decoupage photos onto a table lamp base or mirror frame for an added jazzy effect. And by using fabric transfer sheets, you can even transfer a favorite photo onto a pillowcase, wood or wall hanging. Old window or door panes are a unique and cute idea to display pictures; gives it a bit of a rustic feel. This is also a great way to hang a collage on the wall or cork board above your desk or in your office. Individual laminated photos can be affixed to magnets to put on the refrigerator and other metal surfaces in your home.

**Sunlight Heritage Homes is a home builder in Ontario with current communities in London, Kitchener and Woodstock. If you are interested in more information on them, please visit our website at http://www.sunlighthomes.ca/ or view our mls listings in Ontario for current homes for sale. Upcoming projects include new homes in Drayton and more houses for sale in London in the Cedar Hollow community.**

It is easy to build a house using concrete and steel, but it is quite a challenge to do so using wood. You might wonder why this is so, when wood is, perhaps, one of the most common building materials there is around.

This is because, unlike concrete, wood is an exhaustible resource. Meaning, if nobody plants trees, then it’s not likely that we will get any hardwood. And since most of our forest are starting to get depleted, then it is likely that the availability and cost of hardwood would continue to rise over time. Thus, our hardwood floors deserve the best treatment, if we are to expect longevity and stability from them.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/158329743126413281/

So how do we clean our hardwood floors to ensure that they last long enough for the next generations to enjoy and benefit from? Here are some tips you might want to consider.

First, when cleaning your hardwood floor, make sure that you use a broom that explodes at the ends. A broom with too fine bristles won’t trap the dirt and will only have it accumulate within the little cracks and creases.
Over time, this will damage your flooring and eventually cause wear. You won’t be able to notice the changes until the damage becomes apparent. Surely this is something you want to avoid.

Second, do not use oil based soaps to clean your flooring. There are cleaning liquids made especially for hardwood floors that won’t cause damage to their finish. Remember that a finish is what shields your hardwood floor from wear and spills, so must always check if the coat is still thick enough to serve its purpose.

Third, do not leave standing water or wet rags on your hardwood floor. If this is too late, you can choose to either sand the affected area or replace the plank where the damage has been done. But if the water has just been these for a short while and your finish is newly done, then you have nothing worry about. Just wipe the wet area with a soft dry rag and you’re good to go.

Cleaning your hardwood floor requires diligence on your part, because, well, hardwood floors deserve to be maintained properly. They bring stability and sturdiness to your living space. The least you can do is to make sure it is cared for properly.

**Sunlight Heritage Homes is a home builder in Ontario with current communities in London, Kitchener and Woodstock. If you are interested in more information on them, please visit our website at http://www.sunlighthomes.ca/ or view our mls listings in Ontario for current homes for sale. Upcoming projects include new homes in Drayton and more houses for sale in London in the Cedar Hollow community.**

Hi Everyone!

Christmas is only a few days away! Yay! It’s sad to say but it most likely will not be a white Christmas as some or most of us are hoping it will be. With with only a few days left here are our top 10 trees we have found to be most inspirational for this festive time of year. Everyone should be able to find a tree in this list that is a favourite whether you love modern, themes, rustic, traditional or super creative

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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/185492078380231513/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/414542340676072322/

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Just had to include this fun Harry Potter themed tree for all those fanatics out there!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/545850417310949531/

http://thecontractorchronicles.com/2013/11/25/25-fabulous-christmas-trees/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/421438477609733275/

http://thecontractorchronicles.com/2013/11/25/25-fabulous-christmas-trees/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/149744756336337654/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/207306389075040290/

Hope you enjoyed. Share with us which one was your favourite or send us a photo of your tree!

!!!Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Christmas is the one time of year that most people pull out all the stops when it comes to decorating.  Hopefully, the ideas below will help you enjoy decorating your home for Christmas.

The most important thing is that you choose Christmas decorations that have meaning to you rather than the decorations you feel your friends and family will like. Christmas is very personal and different to every person that celebrates the holiday. Not everyone that celebrates this particular holiday will celebrate in precisely the same way.

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If the nativity scene is central to your Christmas celebration then by all means be sure to include it. You should not, however, feel compelled to include it if you have a more secular than religious view of the holiday. Angels are the same way though there are many who have little religious use for angels that still hold them in high regards as decorations around Christmas each year. Go with your preferences and convictions.

I am a fan of Christmas decorations, I love the blinking lights and the beauty of the greenery mixed with bright shades of red and gold. I love the fact that 200 houses can be decorated for Christmas inside and out and it is very unlikely that any two will look the same.  

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If you are lost when it comes to decorating ideas of your own, my biggest suggestion is to pick what you like most about Christmas and choose your home decorating style around that one thing. As the years go by, inspiration strikes, and you find more things to like or dislike about your Christmas decorations which can change accordingly. Perhaps the greatest thing about decorating your home for Christmas is that nothing is set in stone. If it worked last year, that doesn’t mean it will work for this Christmas and there is no reason you should feel compelled to do it.

Some great ideas or themes for Christmas home decorating include the following: snow globes, cherubs, angels, Santa Clauses, snowmen, birds, candles, wreathes, and stockings. While this is by no means an exhaustive list of Christmas decorations it is a good place to start when ideas are needed.  

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/56787645275327294/

If you want to create a truly special style of home decorating for Christmas try a homemade Christmas. This means that all the ornaments, centerpieces, wreaths, garlands, and decorations are made by hand rather than purchased whole. It will certainly make an impression on visitors, you and your family.

http://mountainmodernlife.com/diy-wood-slice-christmas-ornaments/

There are so many wonderful ideas, tips, and tricks when it comes to decorating your home for Christmas that it is incredibly difficult to point to one specific idea and say ‘this is it’. However, finding a theme that speaks to your heart is what Christmas is all about. Well that and spending time with those who mean the most to you in the world.

If you are still unsure of what theme to go with go out stores or look on my favourite website/app Pinterest for inspiration. Sometimes you just see something you never thought you would of liked and end up loving it !

Hello Everyone,

Our blog has moved! Follow the link below to view it’s new home.

Welcome to Our New Blog Site!

Thank you for following us and we hope that you continue to keep following us!

Hello Everyone,

Sunlight Heritage Homes blog has been moved to this new one located on our website. We have been doing some renovating on our website to provide current & previous homeowners with more information about current and upcoming sites as well as information you may want to know about us.

We now have a an e-book that you can sign up for on each of our site pages called “Everything you need to know before buying a new home”. This is a great read for homeowners looking to view the pros & cons of purchasing a new build house vs. an existing home. The e-book also contains what is included in a Sunlight Heritage Home home.

On our new blog we will continue to keep you up to date on new trends, site information as it becomes available, tips & tricks and anything new and exciting!

So stay tuned for some new and exciting blogs!

You know your house needs improvements. You know you need to redecorate but you can’t seem to come up with ideas for decorating your home. You need inspiration. Where do you go for help? One great source of home decorating ideas and inspiration is home decorating magazines. These publications provide a look into the world of home decorating and offer suggestions and tips to help you decorate your home. Home decorating magazines provide pictures of homes and rooms that were remodelled which may inspire you to recreate that space in your very own home.

There are many home decorating magazines available. Most of these magazines not only provide pictures and ideas but also offers the customer an opportunity to buy directly from them items you like in their magazine. Many magazines are advertised on the Internet. With websites displaying their ideas and pictures, you can browse these sites in your search for a decorating style. These online magazines will likely offer you a chance to buy directly from them via the Internet.

Home decorating magazines are constantly in circulation. Some of the popular home decorating magazines are listed here.

* Traditional Home – This magazine has its main focus on traditional décor and historical homes. Articles are written that allow you to visit historic places, gathering ideas and tips for decorating a traditional home. This home decorating magazine offers information on furniture, window treatments and color schemes.

http://www.traditionalhome.com/trad-home-mag

* Country Living – This is a magazine which is published monthly and offers ideas about country décor, crafts, and antiques. It also provides tips for traditional cooking. This home decorating magazine provides details regarding furniture, window treatments, fireplaces and historic colors.

https://subscribe.hearstmags.com/subscribe/splits/countryliving/clg_sub_nav_link

* Elle Décor – This home decorating magazine is published semi-monthly. It is a magazine dedicated to focusing on modern design with a French influence. Focusing on luxury living, furniture style and planning your room, this magazine intends to offer the average homeowner ideas and tips to achieve this terrific style for their homes.

https://subscribe.hearstmags.com/subscribe/splits/elledecor/edc_sub_nav_link

* Better Homes & Gardens – This popular magazine provides the reader with information about various subjects relating to the homeowner and their family. This information includes ideas for home décor as well as garden decorating. Better Homes & Gardens also publishes a seasonal magazine which focuses on décor with a lot of information regarding specific projects.

http://www.bhg.com/decorating/lessons/resources/september-2015/

These home decorating magazines are great sources or inspiration if you are having difficulty coming up with ideas and techniques for your home. Providing detailed information and vivid photos, these home decorating magazines offer you instructions and often step-by-step directions to achieve the desired look.

Hope you Enjoyed!

Home Decorating with Baskets

There are very few things you can add to your home décor that will have quite the versatility of baskets. Baskets are not only decorative touches, they also blend well with almost any décor and in most cases are quite willing to suit dual purposes as both decoration and much needed storage.

Below you will find some clever ways to use baskets. Enjoy!

1) Mail sorter. Try hanging a row of baskets near your entryway. As you are walking into your home while sorting the mail slip the appropriate piece of mail into the corresponding basket. Have one basket for each family member and drop the junk mail into the wastebasket you’ve placed just below the row of baskets on your wall. This way everyone has easy access to his or her mail and junk mail is handled as well.

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2) Kitchen organizer. There are many jobs in the kitchen that baskets pull off beautifully. One such job is that of napkin holder. There are actually baskets by a famous brand that are the absolute perfect size for holding napkins for the dinner table. Additionally taller baskets make excellent holders for kitchen utensils that need to be within easy reach of the stove. There are even small baskets that make excellent holders for small jars of frequently used seasonings such as salt and pepper. Keep your eyes open the next time you’re in the kitchen and consider all the great ways baskets could help out.

3) Knitting supplies. Larger baskets are excellent tools for taming the beast that can easily become your supply of knitting tools and notions. Limit your collection to one large basket and eliminate the things that will not fit. This keeps you on top of your knitting supplies while keeping them out of site and protected from dirty baby paws.
4) Umbrella holder. This is an excellent use for a basket if you have one of the proper size. Place it on the floor next to your coat rack or closet or in your entryway and you will always have ready access to your umbrellas when bad weather comes your way.

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5) Magazine holder. This is one very common use for baskets but one that should very well be mentioned.
6) Toy box. This is perhaps a favorite among parents who are fortunate enough to have an extra empty basket at any given time. Anytime unexpected company shows up this is an excellent tool for quickly gathering all stray toys and getting them out of sight.
7) Office supplies. There are many baskets that make excellent organizers and holders for office supplies. From pen and pencil holders to those that are ideal for paper clips, sticky notes, and liquid paper there are many baskets that are almost ideal for a home office.
8) Laundry hamper. This is yet another great use for a basket. They are able to breathe by the very nature of their design so that if for some reason a wet wash clothe or damp towel gets thrown in it doesn’t necessarily spell ruin for the whole batch of laundry.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of the virtues of baskets but a good place to start the next time you are having an internal debate about whether or not to invest the money in a good quality basket for your home decorating needs.

Hope you Enjoyed!

Lighting In The Bedroom

Lighting in the bedroom is extremely important when you are decorating.  Many people often forget about the lighting and it really makes a big difference when you are decorating your bedroom.  The first thing you must think about when you are designing the lighting in your bedroom is layering.  You must layer the lighting.

When you layer the lighting in the bedroom it gives you the opportunity to create the different moods you are hoping for. You should always have lamps on bedside tables and another light across the room diagonal from the bed.

This allows the lighting to be balanced in the room.  You also might consider light sources on a dimmer switch that allow you to select the balance of light that is emitted into the room.

One thing you do not want to do in your bedroom is have a ceiling fan with a light on it. If you must have a ceiling fan in the room then it is fine.  You should not have a light drooping from a ceiling fan because it looks tacky. Your bedroom needs to have the sexy look and a light from a ceiling fan will ruin the look.

I also love the look of a good wall mounted light fixture.  This can come in handy for night time reading and allows you extra space on your night stand.  It is also a good idea to use different bulbs for the lighting in the room to give a different look. Using recessed bulbs with floor and table lamps can give the look of washing the room with a soft light.  However, you also are layering the room with different lighting and it gives the look of pure elegance that you need to accomplish a nicely decorated bedroom.

Seven Easy Ways to Landscape the Patio

Patios serve as extensions of the living rooms inside the house. They serve as mirrors and reflect the inside of the house. It is important that the patio be decorated and presentable to those that who see it. Landscaping the patio is one way to make it attractive in the eyes of those who look at it.

Here are some tips on how to landscape the patio the easy way:

1. An outdoor chime may be placed to add a light mood in the patio. Wind chimes and musical chimes are perfect for outdoor use. Hearing pleasing sounds in the patio can add drama to the landscape.

2. Patio heaters may be used to provide warmth in colder weather. This will allow more time to spend in the patio rather than staying inside the house in cooler weather.

3. Benches that are intended for outdoor use may also be placed on the patio. The benches will serve as decorations and they can be used to entertain visitors. Guests will have a place where to sit and enjoy the view of the patio.

4. Hammocks can also be used to decorate the patio. Hammocks provide a relaxed atmosphere and they serve as additional design to the landscape garden. There are portable hammocks that are sold on the market. They are easy to assemble even without the use of tools.

5. Planters should never be missed in landscaping the patio. Patios always come with planters. They can be used to plant flowers and add beauty to the landscaped area.

6. Hanging flower pots may also add drama to the patio. There are hanging flowerpots that are made of plastic or mosses that are placed in a frame made of steel wires. The choice will depend on the taste of the person decorating the patio. There is also a wide variety of hanging flower plants to choose from. They are of various colors and sizes that will satisfy the different tastes of gardeners.

7. Decorative outdoor lights are also used to landscape a patio. They add a lively effect and can set the right mood especially at night. Lights will allow the people living in the home to enjoy the patio during the evening.

Start enjoying your patio while we have this warm weather with this tips!