Paradigm Grand Takes the Pain Out of the Great Commute

Paradigm Grand Takes the Pain Out of the Great Commute For many of us, The Great Commute could be back in full swing. And it’s not great for all of us. How can you make it easier on yourself? Thankfully, after many months of pandemic-induced isolation at home, many of us are finally (if reluctantly) ditching remote work (if only partially) and returning to the familiar routine of making the daily trip to the office or job site. Reconnecting in person with co-workers is the upside; the downside for many is the toll of the journey and hours spent in transit. Driving is more costly than ever. And enduring the traffic delays while navigating the to-and-fro in the GTA at peak hours can be a test of one’s sanity, regardless of the means of travel. While we’re all glad to back in circulation, we also have our limits. How Paradigm Grand Reduces Makes the Grueling Commute, Easier It goes something like this: spend your home and leisure hours enjoying the restorative small-city charms of Burlington while saving time, money and stress hormones via a swift and seamless GO train ride to the big city next door. What’s the clincher? Your GO ride is only a short walk away. At the Molinaro Group we can’t say we saw the pandemic coming when selecting the Paradigm site; it only looks like a stroke of genius in hindsight. Please forgive us for patting ourselves on the back but it’s also true that we envisioned Paradigm this way as part of our master plan for building a better Burlington. Breaking ground next to a GO station way back in 2007 simply made a ton of sense even if, at the time, it wasn’t common practice in North America. “Building by the GO station was unheard of many years ago,” says company president, Vince Molinaro. “Paradigm being right adjacent to a major GO station made a lot of sense to us even though the city probably didn’t have the planning in place for it. Even though purchasers were probably thinking about places. But we saw the benefits to buyers before everyone else did.” Managing Director Sam DiSanto concedes that the plan came with obstacles but the Molinaro Group surmounted any and all objections because the development made so much sense. “We had this inkling that transit very soon is going to be extremely important, so we pursued the deal. We needed the land to be re-zoned for mixed use and residential, which we knew would work here. Take a look at all the great cities in Europe and everything is built around transit stations.” “As they say, the rest is history,” he says with a smile. A New Chapter Launches Paradigm’s Grand Finale Paradigm Grand Takes the Pain Out of the Great Commute Another window of opportunity for commuters is about to open with the pending launch of Paradigm Grand’s two front towers, right on Fairview. This is the Grand Finale of the five-building, community originally envisioned by the Molinaro group. Anyone who missed out on the first phases of the development will have another chance to take advantage of this unparalleled access to fast and affordable transit. Imagine your workday starting with a short walk to the station, followed by a scenic ride along the lake. Relaxed, rested and ready to go is a much better mindset to begin your workday than arriving frustrated and even angry after gripping the steering wheel in stop-and-go traffic. The Paradigm Grand way is to live in a growing mid-sized city and work in the big city, without the mental and physical toll that makes highway commuting such a soul-sapping burden. City-dwellers in North America are gradually coming around to the benefits of the car-optional European lifestyle . This includes more intimate living spaces, proximity to neighbourhoods, transportation, parks and recreation. For the Molinaro Group it is all of a piece. “We’re not just building condos we’re building lifestyles,” Vince says. “We’re creating a better Burlington for people who live here and for people who want to live here. And Paradigm Grand is the full expression of our vision for how to do that, right here in Burlington.” Paradigm Grand Takes the Pain Out of the Great Commute
At Paradigm Grand You Can See for Miles and Miles

At Paradigm Grand You Can See for Miles and Miles Life on the Golden Horseshoe means wonderful vistas. One of our favourites is the view on a clear day of the Toronto waterfront skyline from Niagara-On-The-Lake. Anything that makes the Big Smoke look tiny, right? The view from the twin front towers of Paradigm Grand is about to rival any along the western shore of Lake Ontario, thanks to the vision of the Molinaro Group and their architect Barry Graziani. Maybe he was listening to The Who when he was doing his drawings. The legendary rock band’s hit “I Can See for Miles and Miles” is the perfect theme song for his vision of a structure with almost limitless sightlines toward the blue horizon. Barry and the Molinaro Group ensured that floor-to-ceiling windows be the standard for every unit so, you will see for miles and miles … and then some. Natural Light Matters and It’s Everywhere at Paradigm Grand An abundance of natural light ranks high on the wish list of most condo customers for good reason. The winter months in Canada can be unrelenting. A lack of adequate daylight isn’t just unhealthy for our physical well-being but it can take a severe mental toll as well. We are nothing if not sympathetic to the issue of cabin fever. That’s why every unit at Paradigm Grand features a wall of glass in the main living area. Consider it your front-row ticket to the evolving seasons. No need to turn on the TV or check your mobile device. The weather report is always right there in front of you. Vivid summer sunsets; the ever-shifting tones of blue, grey and silver during the winter, and the blazing, multi-coloured canopies of fall – you get them all right out your window. The location of Paradigm Grand’s two front towers will offer an unobstructed view of Burlington’s greatest asset – its lakefront. There are no other man-made structures to interfere – and won’t be any in the foreseeable future – because these are the tallest planned for the area at 22 stories. You can invest with confidence, knowing that a shutter won’t come down on your magnificent sightline. There’s nothing standing between your premium unit and the shoreline except parkland and low-rise residential neighbourhoods. Paradigm Grand’s amenities, including the all-season swimming pool, yoga studio and fully-equipped fitness center, also feature soaring glass windows and an ever-present flood of glorious light. It’s “a home run” says Managing Director Sam Di Santo, in the forefront of the project since the site was selected in 2007. “With Paradigm” he adds, “we were truly ahead of our time.” The Grand Finale is a Vision Fully Realized From Graziani’s standpoint, it’s a thrill is thrilled to see this final stage of his design coming to fruition. “The exciting part about the Grand Finale is that it starts to crystallize and finalize what we originally thought. The addition of the two, front towers create this courtyard; that almost becomes a little oasis, a sanctuary in this development. It starts to take on a life of its own. All of the residents will feel it’s part of their home.” Complementing the courtyard is the outdoor terrace of Paradigm Grand. A master stroke of humanistic design, this verdant expanse formally titled “Paradigm Park” soars seven stories above street level and spans the entire footprint. It’s divided into a fitness zone on one side and a separate leisure area with room to stroll, sprawl or just sit and contemplate the splendid view. As a fully-integrated feature, it’s an all-seasons escape where residents can meet and socialize in a spacious retreat or enjoy personal quiet time in the fresh air. It’s also totally in keeping with the Molinaro Group’s mission to create a lifestyle destination in the heart of a growing, mid-sized city. In the words of company President Vince Molinaro, “We’re not building condos we’re actually building lifestyles. We’re creating a better Burlington for people who live here and for people who want to live here.” The final stage of Paradigm Grand truly has it all. Light, air, sky. All you’ll need to do is just breathe. And gaze for miles and miles and miles and miles. Paradigm Grand – New
4 Activities To Do For Halloween

Spooky season has crept up on us and is finally here! With the weather getting chillier, the sun setting earlier, and Halloween at the end of the month, we can begin celebrating. It’s time to bring out all our favourite scary décor and experience our favourite fall activities! We’ve rounded up 4 ways to enjoy the Halloween season: Dress Up In Costumes One of the best things about Halloween is the costumes! It’s so exciting to plan out how you’re going to dress up, especially if you’re doing a group or couples’ costume. There are multiple options for family costumes as well, such as characters from The Adams Family, The Wizard Of Oz, or Toy Story. Get creative and try your hand at homemade costumes, use a white dress for an Angel costume or a black cape and funky scarf for a Harry Potter character! If you’d rather purchase a ready-made costume, try visiting Spirit Halloween Burlington, with hundreds of options. This way, you’ll be ready for any Halloween get together, whether you’re hosting family members or going to a small gathering with friends. Halloween Decor Next up, spooky décor! Get into the spirit by making decorating a group activity. Have each family member pick out their favourite Halloween pieces to place around the condo. Grab faux spiderweb material and drape it over the front door, kitchen cupboards, bathroom mirror and balcony railings. It can essentially be placed anywhere, and truly enhances the Halloween ambiance. Fake skulls also make great accents, add them to your bookshelves or nightstands to bring the holidays into your office or bedroom. A themed tablescape full of candles and smaller pumpkins will make every meal ‘spooky’. Fashion a wreath out of branches for your front door or hang witches’ hats from the ceiling to give the entire condo an earie vibe. For a more minimal approach, use black and dark orange accents throughout your condo. Swap out neutral couch pillows, tea towels and throw blankets to set the mood for Halloween. Pumpkin Carving Contest Who doesn’t love carving pumpkins during Halloween? Stop by Centro Garden and pick up a few pumpkins for a carving contest. Gather the whole family and turn the dining table into your workshop and start carving! Create a character from your favourite movie, a painting you love, or go scary and choose your favourite villain as inspiration! After you’ve all carved out your pumpkins, display them on the balcony or by the front door, using fake tealight candles to light them up. Visit A Farm October is one of the most exciting times to visit a farm, with the beautiful weather and all the fall activities available! You can go apple picking at Drummond Farms or pick out your pumpkins at Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm! Enjoy picking out freshly baked goods, playing with the animals and exploring the farm! There are also fun Halloween activities for kids, such as a Pumpkinfest at Downey’s Farm, wagon rides at Springridge Farm and Andrew’s Scenic Acres for adorable group photo ops. How are you celebrating Halloween this year?
5 Ways to Prep Your Condo for Back-To-School Season

The Summer flew by, and just like that, another back-to-school season is in full swing! Whether you have kids in middle school or teens in high school, this time of the year can be chaotic and unorganized. Getting everyone back into a routine and out the door in an organized fashion during the first few weeks of September can be a challenge. Luckily, we’ve got 5 ways to help you and your family prep your condo for the back-to-school season! Organized Entryway First things first, the condo entryway is the initial area you walk into, so it needs to be as tidy as possible. This space may take a little more effort to keep clean, since it can easily become a dumping ground for clutter. Create designated spaces for shoes, coats, backpacks, keys, and mail. After you’ve organized your entryway, show your kids how you’d like it to operate, and where all their belonging should be placed when they arrive home. Since everything is arranged, and has a proper space, they will never again be scrambling to find their umbrella or favorite sneakers. Keeping this area clean with an organizational system will help keep school drop-offs and pick-ups running smoothly. Create Workspaces Whether your kids are back to school in-person or doing classes virtually, they will need a workspace where they can concentrate and get their homework done. Use the den or kitchen dining table, either one can work in this case. Ensure all your children’s school supplies are easily accessible. There’s nothing worse than being excited to start a fun school project, but they can’t find the art supplies. Use bins and baskets to organize and separate everything your kids will need, from graph paper to laptops and their corresponding chargers. If you have multiple children, it would be best to separate by grade, so each person knows where their necessary supplies are located. With the dining table being a multifunctional space, it’s important all supplies are portable to easily transform the ‘homework table’ back to the dinner table. Arrange Closets + Wardrobes After you’ve done your back-to-school shopping with your kids, it’s time to clean out their closets and get them set up for success. Declutter their wardrobes and donate anything that no longer fits your children. Keep neutral, multifunctional pieces that can go with everything. Get your kids excited about planning school outfits the night before to make things easier when they are getting ready in the morning Plan Out Meals Like planning outfits and organizing school supplies, it’s important to ensure you have a meal plan for when everyone heads back to school. There seems to be less time to shop for groceries and cook, so creating a few easy go-to dinners will help everyone stay on track! Get the kids involved by letting them pick out a few fun meals they want to try out during the week. Clean out the fridge, have specific zones for breakfast foods, and keep everyone’s snacks in a designated area for easy access. This will alleviate stress in the morning when packing lunches, and when your kids are reaching for their after-school snacks. Create A Routine One of the most important things you can do to stay organized in the month of September is to get everyone on a routine. Have a specific time for the kids to wake up, eat breakfast, and when to leave for school drop-offs. The quicker everyone becomes familiar with the routine, the easier it will be to transition from the laid-back summer months. After a few weeks, this routine will become second nature for the entire family, making going back to school even easier! How are you getting your condo ready for the back-to-school season?
4 Ways To Bring The Outdoors Into Your Condo

This time of the year always tends to be faster paced, with school quickly approaching and our weekends filling up with plans to see friends and family. Scheduling outdoor picnics, going on long bike rides, and trips to the cottage are some of our favourite summer pastimes. While we have many activities to do in Burlington, there are also other ways to keep the season going by turning our living space into a summer paradise. Here are a few ways we’re bringing the outdoors into our condos this season: Greenery and Fresh Flowers One of the easiest ways to spruce up your condo is with fresh flowers! When choosing florals, stick with Dahlias, Sunflowers and Peonies, which are all reminiscent of the summer. Set up your arrangements in the high traffic areas of your condo, such as the entryway and on the kitchen island, so you always have a small reminder of this beautiful season. Treat yourself to a little luxury and change out your flowers every few weeks! In additional to florals, you can also add extra plants to your home. Greenery has a way of making us feel like we’re on a tropical vacation. Invest in a few nice pots and planters, and head over to Terra Greenhouses garden in Burlington for all your gardening needs. Fill your space with Boston ferns and Monstera plants to create an indoor oasis in your condo. Summer Décor Summer is all about lightening your space. Arrange anybohemian pieces you may have, such as a jute rug or woven baskets or bring out any cane or wicker accessories and put them up on display! Boho accessories in any room instantly remind us of summertime. Another summer staple is citrus fruit, so why not use it as part of your décor? Use a bowl or large vase, fill it with lemons, limes and oranges to create a functional, aesthetically pleasing piece in your kitchen. Spend Time on The Balcony With the balcony as an extension of your condo, it’s time to make use out of it for the summer months! Try keeping the screen door open when you’re cooking or eating dinner inside and enjoy the warm summer breeze. Another option is to do some of your regular indoor activities outside. Take your favourite book outside, do a workout, or jump on a call all from the comfort of your balcony. Finally, order in from your favourite Burlington restaurant and experience dinner al fresco. Summer Food + Drinks We all have our favourite foods we love to eat in the summer! Try adding fruit to your salads to give it a sweeter flavour. For the main course, enjoy sliders with a side of corn on the cobb, and a summer essential such as watermelon is the perfect lightweight dessert. Finally, nothing quite says ‘summertime’ like a pitcher of white sangria to enjoy with the whole meal. How are you bringing summer into your condo this season?
5 Virtual Events To Do For Spring Break

Technology has made it easier than ever to stay connected, from video chats with family members to virtual events we can attend with friends. The Burlington community in particular has multiple virtual events happening over the next few weeks. If you’re looking for a way to entertain your family over spring break, look no further! We’re got five activities for you to take your family on a virtual adventure from the comfort of your own home. Comedy Show Do you have kids interested in comedy? Then you’re in luck! Comedian Paul Bennett is hosting a family friendly virtual show, ‘Guess What’ where different comedians perform live stand up. The show is hosted with Paul’s daughter and in-between comics, kids have a chance to tell their own jokes. Performances are happening once a month, with the next one on April 17th. Workout Bored of your regular home workouts and looking to try something new? Exhale Pilates offers multiple virtual options so you can get in a fun sweat session without leaving your condo! With their ‘Exhale At Home’ memberships, you get access to their classes, workshops, recipes and more. If you prefer a less regimented schedule, there are drop-in yoga, circuit, weight, and pilates classes. Lasty, Explore Pilates offers 45-60 minute wellness workshops, an activity the whole family can do! All virtual classes and workshops are on their Exhale Pilates app which is available for download on iPhone and Android. Library Programs During spring break, the Burlington Public Library is holding virtual programs for kids of all ages. From coding to dance class to teen trivia, there’s something for everyone. Register for their virtual programs on the Burlington Public Library website, and get ready for a week of fun! Concert It’s probably been a while since your last in-person concert, however, many artists and venues are holding virtual concerts for people to enjoy from their livings rooms. Originally from Burlington, Juno Award winning indie pop band Walk Off The Earth is doing a virtual performance of their own! On April 23rd, join them for a live virtual concert broadcasting from the Danforth Music Hall. With high quality audio, multiple cameras and sharp visuals, this concert will be a treat for the whole family! Museum Experience As Burlington’s community museum, Joseph Brant highlights the culture and development of the city. There are three permanent galleries, open space for travelling exhibitions, and multiple education programs for students. Additionally, this museum offers virtual field trips and homeschool programs for children to learn about Burlington’s history. Take your kids on a virtual field trip and discover ‘Growth and Change in Plants’ or learn about the city’s heritage with ‘Early Burlington’ and enjoy as a whole family! What virtual events are you planning for this spring break?
Spring Cleaning: 5 Areas to Tackle In Your Condo

In just a few short days, spring will be here! With the warmer weather right around the corner, it’s time to do a big condo clean out. There’s nothing like decluttering your space to get ready for a new season. Here are 5 areas to tackle in your condo to begin your spring cleaning: Kitchen Since many people clean their kitchen every few days, we’re going to focus on the areas that tend to be overlooked. Start with the sink and do a deep clean using lemon rinds to eliminate any unwelcome odours. Next, remove all your dinnerware and appliances from the cupboards and drawers. Wipe down the insides to give the shelves and drawers a good clean before putting everything back. Finally, it’s time to clean out the fridge. Take out all the groceries and wipe down the entire interior of the fridge. To get rid of any bacteria or stains in your fridge, pop out the bins and shelves and wash them with soap and water. Remember to wipe down the exteriors of large appliances when you’re finished cleaning to remove any fingerprints or grease buildup. Bathroom It’s time to focus on the bathroom! Beginning with the shower, unclog the drain and wipe down the tub. Additionally, scrub the tiles and clean the shower head. Next, turn your attention to the toilet. Scrub down the entire toilet with your favorite cleaner, ensuring you get every nook and cranny. Lastly, pull out all toiletries, grooming tools and makeup, and wipe down both the bathroom cabinet and vanity. Purge and organize all items as you put them back in place and enjoy your spotless bathroom. Closets Closet cleanouts can seem daunting, however, tackling one closet at a time is the key to eliminate stress. Start with the smaller closet in your entryway and work your way up to the master bedroom closet. Pull out all your clothes, shoes and any miscellaneous items. Dust and vacuum the closet, and sort through everything. Once you’ve decided what items will be kept and what will be donated, start organizing the closet. Try cleaning out one closet per weekend to avoid being overwhelmed. Den Since we’re all spending more time at the home office, it’s important to keep your workspace clean and organized. Clear off your desk and empty the drawers, getting rid of any unnecessary documents and clutter. Clean out your technology drawer to ensure you only have items you use, and donate unneeded items, such as old phone or computer chargers. Keeping your home office tidy will help you stay focused and productive during the workday. Junk Drawer The dreaded junk drawer, we’ve all got one! While we never intend to create a junk drawer, they usually form because we’re looking for a quick way to clear off a surface or get rid of clutter. Eliminating your junk drawer starts with preventing clutter from happening in the first place. Remove everything from the drawer, creating a ‘toss’ pile and a ‘relocate’ pile. After you’ve tossed all the junk, set up an organization system for small items such as keys, mail, important documents and anything else you that you need to keep. If everything that lives in your junk drawer has a dedicated area in your condo, then you’ll avoid clutter. Monthly cleanouts can also help prevent drawers from becoming disorganized and overwhelming. What area of your condo are you cleaning out first?
5 Condo Friendly Valentine’s Day Ideas

It’s the season of love! We’re a few weeks into February, Groundhog Day has come and gone, which means Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Don’t fret if your plans are not in order just yet, we’ve got you covered with 5 condo friendly Valentine’s Day ideas. Movie Marathon Sometimes, traditional date nights are the best kind! Turn your living room into a home theatre with a few simple steps. First, collect all your favourite movies, whether they’re romantic comedies, dramas, or thrillers. Next, dim the lights and close the curtains to avoid a glare on your television. Finally, gather all the snacks you and your partner love, and get comfortable on the couch. It’s time for your Valentine’s Day movie marathon! Game Night Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a few fun games! Board games have come back in style, so dig up your collection and set up a tournament for the day. If you have younger children, enjoy some bonding time, and play group games such as Twister, Monopoly and Pictionary to get the whole family involved. If it’s just the two of you, you’ll want to increase the difficulty level and go with games like Dutch Blitz, Sushi Go and Code Names. Game night is such a fun and unique way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and there’s options for everyone! Charcuterie Board Create a fun charcuterie board using all your favourite foods! Get creative and incorporate all your preferred cheeses, nuts, fruits and meats to create a beautiful board. You and your partner can spend time making this board together in lieu of a big dinner, leave it on the kitchen island, and snack on it throughout the day. If you don’t want to make the charcuterie board, but still want to enjoy one, place an order at The Block Co. They work with your budget to create a custom charcuterie board for you to enjoy at home, and are available for curbside pickup. Pair the finished charcuterie board with a bottle of red wine and have yourself a lovely Valentine’s evening. Make Dinner Together Head over to your local grocery store and pick out all the ingredients for your favourite meal. You can even order your groceries online to save time! Check out this post on 5 Reasons to Shop For Groceries Online. If you’re cooking a special Valentine’s Day meal for you and your partner, add a few special touches to create a romantic ambiance in your condo. Dim the lights, set the table with your fancy dinnerware, and light a few candles to set the mood. Celebrating with your family? Cook a meal the entire family can enjoy and involve everyone in the process. Have one family member cook the main dish, another person can be responsible for setting the table, and someone else can make dessert. If you’ve been longing to try a new recipe, here’s your chance! Virtual Double Date Night If you’re used to gathering with other couples for Valentine’s Day, you can still plan for a virtual double date. Seeing friends and family virtually is a wonderful way spend quality time with one another. Plan a time to meet over Zoom or Facetime and enjoy catching up with other couples. Turn it into a group date by inviting other couples to join in virtually! What are your Valentine’s Day plans?
5 Tips to De-Clutter Your Closet

Happy New Year! As we begin 2021, we’re all looking forward to a fresh start. After the holidays, there’s a tendency to organize, purge, and declutter. We suggest starting with your closet! Once you tackle your wardrobe, the rest of your condo will be easy. Here are 5 tips to help you declutter your closet in a day: Empty Your Closet Take out every single piece from your closet and lay it out. This will allow you to see everything you own, and if there are too many of one particular item, for example blazers. Analyze each piece of clothing separately before placing it back in your wardrobe and ask yourself some fundamental questions: Does it still fit? How often do you find yourself reaching for this piece? When was the last time you wore this item? Can you style this clothing item multiple ways? Do you love wearing this item, or are you keeping it for sentimental reasons? If you find yourself answering ‘no’ to a lot of these questions, it may be time to part ways with this piece of clothing. You can donate it to charity, sell it at a consignment shop, or see if a friend or family member may be interested in giving it a new home. Using this system with each piece in your wardrobe will guarantee you only keep items you truly enjoy styling. If removing every item in your wardrobe seems overwhelming, start slowly. Organize by each category, such as shoes, denim, work attire, etc. and work your way through your entire closet using the same system. Create Categories When removing pieces from your closet, and going through them one by one, it’s important to create categories. Of course, start with the ‘keep’ category. These are the items you love and want to keep in your wardrobe, so hang them up right away! Next is your donation pile. These are the pieces you don’t wear anymore, or they no longer fit correctly. They will be donated to charity or passed along to family or a friend. Lastly, there should be an alterations pile. If you meant to hem a pair of pants or take in a dress ages ago, and never got around to it, here’s your chance! Oftentimes, people intend to alter a piece of clothing, but end up forgetting to do so. This leads to unworn items taking up in your closet. After decluttering your closet, make sure you visit the alterations shop! Create A Capsule Wardrobe A capsule wardrobe is a select amount of seasonal clothing that you enjoy wearing and looks flattering on you. Creating a capsule wardrobe of pieces you love to style will ensure a great outfit every day of the week! After decluttering your wardrobe, take note of the pieces you keep and the ones you wear most often, and start building your capsule wardrobe from there. A capsule wardrobe will also help keep track of all the items you own, ensuring your closet never becomes overloaded with clothes again! Maximize Storage Space Closet space is notoriously limited, so you’ll want to capitalize on every inch of space. Pull out anything that doesn’t belong in your closet and find another home for it. For example, if you’re storing your wedding dress, suitcases or golf clubs in your closet, find another area for them in your condo. Other ways to create more storage is to put in shelving, or use baskets and bins to store items that won’t fit in traditional dresser drawers. Get creative with storage and maximize your closet space! Commit to A Monthly Declutter Incorporate decluttering your closet into your routine. If you make it a habit, cleaning your wardrobe won’t be so overwhelming. Try to declutter your closet once a month. Create a small donation bin in your closet to store items you want to donate, and empty it every so often. Are you excited to declutter your closet this new year?
How To Decorate Simply For The Holidays

We’re so excited for the holidays! There are gifts to wrap, cookies to bake and a Christmas tree to put up, in addition to decorating the rest of your space. While we can’t bake your cookies or wrap your presents, we can definitely help you in the decor aspect! Since we’re spending more time at home, we’re looking forward to a slower holiday season and decorating for Christmas is the perfect relaxing activity. Simple decor can have a big impact — including relieving you of some holiday stress. Try honing in on these three areas to bring the holiday cheer into your home: Greenery Incorporating natural greenery is the easiest way to decorate for the holidays! It’s minimal enough to add to any room, while bringing warmth into your space. Add a piece of garland to the windowsill, and cozy up with a good book or arrange it on the dining table for a touch of holiday decor in your kitchen. You can also drape garland on the headboard of your bed or along the railing on your balcony. Hanging simple, natural-looking wreaths are a great addition to your front door without being too over the top. Another great way to bring nature into your home for the holidays is to get a real Christmas tree. Leave it bare with white lights for a minimal look or combine a few neutral ornaments to create a beautiful decor piece, which will also smell amazing! Think Minimal Instead of the traditional kitschy decor typically associated with this season, opt for neutrals. Combine different textures such as faux furs, knit pillows and velvet blankets to convey warmth in your home. Neutral colours such as white, gray, beige and black fabrics can be very inviting, while keeping your space cozy and classic. Hang neutral, textured stockings to keep everything cohesive. You can also place a bowl of ornaments on the kitchen island or coffee table for a minimal look or if you’ve acquired too many for the tree over the years. For a more natural look, use pinecones instead. Lighting Lighting is a fun way to get everyone in the holiday spirit. While you may not spend as much time on your balcony during the winter season, adding a few twinkly lights will help make the space extra cozy. Windows are another great area to put up lights. Turning them on while watching a holiday movie and sipping on some hot coco will create such a delightful atmosphere. If you prefer a more minimalistic tree, all you need is a few lights to make the perfect decor piece! Check out a few of our favourite local shops for decor inspiration: Classique Decor: This beautiful showroom has high quality products, with handpicked Canadian made furniture and accessories. In House Living: This stunning 3000 square foot store is constantly changing, as the owners carefully select the merchandise, which arrives every week. Liz At Home: This fabulous showroom has incredible furniture, artwork and decor items, all at an affordable price! How do you decorate for the holidays?