The Molly & Claude Team

The Molly & Claude Team Realtors Ottawa, Royal LePageTeam Realty

“Cloffices” to Inspire Your Home Office Makeover

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“Cloffices”, a new to me word. I’m not sure I like it. I apologize for spreading it that much further. Over the course of time I’ve seen many a closet converted to an office. Some work better than others. My recommendation would be if you take the doors down hold onto them, I have seen many a client walk away from a house because the closets weren’t up to par. Making it reversible is best. I must say I like the one pictured above. It looks cozy and comfortable in spite of the doors having been left up. Of course, the doors left up mean after you’re done you can close them up, the potential mess disappears, and the room’s other purpose (be it what it may) resumes. Here Realtor.ca proposes 8 options.

7 Things to Pack in Your Moving Night Bag

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Throughout the moving process, most people focus on moving day, but you should also focus on moving day night and the next day to ensure your moving process is as smooth as possible. By packing for a move like you are going on a vacation, you will have all of your necessities with you and won’t have to hunt for items after an exhausting day. You should pack a suitcase or travel bag and include items for all members of your family including pets.

1. Clothing
Packing a few days’ worth of clothing is a necessity because it will allow you to focus on other areas besides unpacking your wardrobe right away. Since the first few days will likely be spent unpacking, you should pack a few casual outfits and a pair of tennis shoes for each member of your family.

2. Breakfast Bars and Snack Foods
Packing and unpacking your moving boxes is a tiring process, and you’ll need lots of nourishment to keep going. By packing a few breakfast bars and pre-packaged snack foods in your overnight bag, you’ll have quick snacks within easy reach and won’t have to stop to unpack your kitchen or leave to go get food. Having breakfast already planned will help make an excellent start to the first day in your new space.

3. Electronics Chargers
Since you will be using your electronics up until moving day, it should be easy to pack them with your moving night bag. Having easy access to your chargers is important because in the moving day rush, you might not have time to find your phone charger, but if you have it packed in your overnight bag, you’ll know right where to look.

4. Towels and Toiletries
After a long day of moving, the last thing you’ll want to do is hunt through your boxes looking for shampoo and towels to take a bath. Instead, pack a few towels, washcloths, and toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, body wash, facial soap) in your moving night bag so you won’t have to waste time looking for them.

5. Healthcare Items
Whether it’s prescription medication, daily vitamins, or contact solution, you should have several days’ worth of the healthcare items you need. It’s also smart to include a few first aid items like bandages, antiseptic ointment, and pain relief medicine in case any minor injuries, cuts, or scrapes occur. If you wear contacts, you should doublecheck that you have enough contact solution to last a few days and pack your contact case in your moving night bag.

6. Favorite Items
If you or anyone in your family requires items like a sound machine or a weighted blanket to sleep with, you should be certain these items are packed in your moving night bag, and this will also reduce the chances of them being misplaced during the move. It’s also smart to pack a few of your children’s favorite toys or games so they will have a few entertainment options while you begin the unpacking process.

7. Animal Items
Don’t forget about your furry friends! If your pets will be staying with you on moving night, you should make sure to have a few items they are familiar with to ease the transition. You should pack food for a few meals, daily items like a leash, any medication needed, several toys, and a blanket/crate/bed for sleeping.

The moving process can certainly be stressful and throw a few curveballs at you, but by planning ahead by packing a moving night bag, you will be prepared and alleviate some of the stress. Having the majority of your necessities all in the same area will save you time and energy that you can devote to other aspects of the unpacking process.

Valerie Cox is contributing writer for North American Van Lines. In her spare time, she enjoys playing with her dog, reading, and volunteering in her local community.

Design Through the Decades: Kitchen Edition

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The kitchen says a lot about a home, and the period it was last updated! Canadian families spend a lot of time in this high-traffic room, so it stands to reason we get the itch to revamp them every so often. Here’s a quick history of some standout kitchen décor trends from the last 50+ years. 


Image via Ethan on Flickr

1950s: Pastel palettes 

As soldiers returned home from war, they brought with them a new wave of prosperity, and record-breaking rates of building suburban family homes. Whereas previous decades saw small kitchens tucked away, these retro kitchens were meant to be seen. Easy-to-clean and widely available from post-war factories, candy-coloured steel cabinetry became popular. Matching was key, with dishware and appliances all echoing the bright, optimistic colour scheme. Yellows, blues, and pinks really made their mark throughout the 1950s. The pink scheme was also seen across bathrooms in the ‘50s (for better or for worse).

Image via Ethan on Flickr

1960s: Wowing with wood

In this modernity-crazed, fun-loving decade, entertaining at home was all the rage. This iteration of retro kitchen was all about over-the-top details and ambiance. While cabinetry looked to wood, countertops and flooring started to become more vibrant to make up for a loss of colour in the kitchen. With the popularization of plastic in this decade came along with it all sorts of quirky novelty finishes, from faux stained glass to colourful formica. While wood features can still be seen in kitchens today, it was the 1960s that really brought this trend to life. 

Image via ArchiTexty on Flickr

1970s: Clash culture 

Many influences went into the ‘70s décor aesthetic—and it shows. The sleek lines of the ‘50s meet the hippie hangover of the ‘60s, resulting in a symphony of colours and textures never seen before. Kitchens began to feature appliances and furnishings in saturated avocado green, brown, and orange, alongside vinyl upholstery, fringe, and more. Harvest yellow and wood features were also a huge trend in the 1970s, sticking around until the early ‘80s.

Image via ArchiTexty on Flickr

1980s: Totally tiled

Kitchens in the 1980s said goodbye to avocado green appliances and hello to a more subdued aesthetic. Black appliances with light-coloured cabinets started to become the norm, but don’t worry—they still managed to have some strange trends. Tiled countertops, anyone? Florals and lace also started to creep their way in, with tablecloths and curtains being added whenever possible.

Image via Daisy on Instagram

1990s: Rustic romantic 

This decade saw warm (see: orange) pine cabinets, evoking somewhere between a farm table and a rustic Italian villa. Hand painted faux finishes, like stencils and sponge-stipple textures, were a common DIY update. The 1990s was also when we saw the beginning of the “hanging pots and pans” trend, which was great for those with high ceilings, but a literal headache for those who kept knocking their heads on a soup pot. Warm wood finishes, bronze hardware, farm tables, fake fruit, and rustic figurines helped build this strange escapist phenomenon. 

2000s: Nutty neutrals

At the turn of the millennium, house “flipping” became a more common practice. In taking on these properties, sellers looked to modernize features with widely palatable, neutral colour schemes. This meant swapping out brass fixtures for cool satin-finish nickel for a more contemporary look, and staining warm cabinets for a rich, dark look. The 2000s also saw the birth of the hipster, making accent walls featuring images of antlers, birds and, inexplicably, moustaches commonplace.  

2010s: Mid-century modern millennial 

The decade we’ve just exited has borrowed elements from all the aforementioned time periods, combining to form an overall clean, if eclectic, aesthetic. White cabinets, quartz countertops, and open shelving have grown in popularity for their clean and bright look. Blended into the modern farmhouse vibe are mid-century modern elements, like metal accents, wicker and rattan furniture, and patterned wallpaper. 

When making aesthetic choices, consider how you want to feel in your home, and which elements will function the best for you. If the 2010s have taught us anything, it’s that what was once old will be new again. While we can’t predict what will come of kitchens in the 2020s and beyond, we know one thing for sure: in 50 years, people are going to wonder what on earth we were thinking. 

Moving Day: Are you Really Ready?

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Ah, moving day. It can either be a joyous occasion or a mind-numbingly stressful ordeal. No matter how much we prepare, there always seems to be some tiny detail unaccounted for. Let’s unpack the subtle art of preparing for and managing a—hopefully—flawless move.

Man struggling to move a couch up a flight of stairs
Image via memecandy, Giphy

Is everything worth moving?

Ever try to get a queen-size box spring up narrow stairs with 90º landings? Furniture that squeaks into one house may only jam up in another. Assess what will fit and what won’t by measuring your largest items ahead of time then test those measurements in the entries, stairs (especially around those corners and low suspended ceilings), and doorways of your new home.

On the flip side, unnecessary clutter tends to follow us from place to place, which makes moving the perfect opportunity to de-clutter, paving the way for a smoother move. 

Stack of cardboard boxes
Image via Beeki, Pixabay

Think outside the box

Traditionally, we’ve scrounged local retailers for empty boxes or bought new ones. More sustainable options have presented themselves in recent years, making it easy to obtain high quality used moving boxes, or renting reusable bins. 

The Buy Nothing Project is dedicated to keeping items out of landfills by passing them onto others for free. They have Facebook groups across Canada and can be excellent resources for moving boxes. 

If you can’t find free or reusable moving materials, that’s OK too. You can buy tape, boxes, packing paper, and other materials from your local moving companies—even if you’re doing all the moving yourself.

3 men movers
Image via 3 Men Movers, Giphy

Should I DIY or hire a moving company?

Hiring a moving company can be more costly than renting a truck and paying friends in pizza and beer. So why is it better to hire a professional? It’s simple. They’re professionals who do this every day, are insured against damage or injury, and their experience gives them the benefit of efficiency. Friends and family may be willing to help when called upon, but is it a fair test of your relationship to put them at risk of injury and expect them to assume responsibility for the safety of your most valued possessions?

Couple packing boxes
Image via Ketut Sebiyanto, Pexels

About downsizing

Whether you’re an empty-nester who no longer needs a three-bedroom home, or find yourself unexpectedly moving into a smaller place, downsizing presents a unique challenge. If life teaches us anything, it’s challenges are opportunities in disguise. In this case, it’s a chance to take inventory of the possessions that are truly important and get rid of anything that isn’t necessary or doesn’t contribute to your happiness.

Person wrapping belongings for a move
Image via Ketut Sebiyanto, Pexels

Strategy is everything

The key to a successful, stress-free move is having an effective strategy in place. Consider these points when planning your move:

  • Start early: If you need to purge for a downsize, start 90 days before your move date. Otherwise aim to start two months before; 
  • Make a checklist: List everything that needs to get done, packed, moved, switched, rented or hired, and cleaned;
  • Stock up: Make sure you have enough boxes, packing tape, packing paper, tissue paper for delicates, and a pack of Sharpies;

moving straps

  • Get moving straps, a dolly and/or hand truck: These items are lifesavers when it comes to moving heavy or bulky objects over any distance and are essential if you plan to move on your own.
  • Choose a reputable mover: The Office of Consumer Affairs advises to obtain estimates from at least three certified movers. Read their reviews, but also obtain references and be sure to read their documentation carefully.
  • Get written estimates: Ideally, movers will give an in-house assessment with a detailed written estimate, although many movers have detailed estimate forms you can complete on their websites. 
  • Add insurance: Your home insurance and that of your movers is usually enough to cover any incidentals. Items of extreme value may not be covered, so check with the mover and your broker in case additional insurance is needed on moving day.
Books packed in a box for a move
Image via kohnrebecca0, Pixabay
  • Distribute your weight: It’s easy to underestimate the combined weight of your belongings once packed. Distribute weighty items, use the smallest boxes for books and dinnerware, and largest for lighter bulky items like duvets, comforters and pillows.
  • Inventory and label: Keep an inventory as you pack and label boxes accurately. Nothing is more frustrating than rifling through 20 kitchen boxes to find a spatula when it’s time to cook.
Couple sleeping on a mattress in a new home
Image via cottonbro, Pexels
  • Remember your moving day essentials: These are the final items to pack and should include a few days’ worth of everything you will need to cook, eat, clean, bathe, dress, and sleep. It’s advisable to move these items yourself to keep them close to hand.
  • Separate important valuables: As you pack, keep your most valued possessions together so you can pack them and move them over yourself. If you have a safe or lock box, this is the best place for these items. 
  • Change your address: It’s easy to let this one slip until the last minute. Make sure to update your address with all your service providers and accounts, and request a service change for utilities, internet and telephone. If needed, set up mail forwarding through Canada Post.
packed box with a key hanging from a string
Image via congerdesign, Pixabay

What once may have been a stressful ordeal can easily turn into a smooth-running operation. Taking the time and care to follow these strategies can help remove a lot of stress from the equation when moving into a new house—especially if it’s your first home—so you can enjoy the process rather than fear it. Happy packing!

20 Modern White Kitchens

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As colour returns to the kitchen, be it gray, blue, or green. HGTV shows us that a white kitchen can have plenty of personality.

I’m still a fan of white or cream as those colours best endure the test of time and enhance the value of your home. As I’ve stated before if you intend on being in your home for the long haul then be personal, otherwise… In the picture above a pop of colour provided by a Persian rug is quite nice.

20 Simple Home Maintenance Hacks

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Here is a list of 20 simple home maintenance hacks. I’d read the toothpaste trick before, and tried it, don’t use blue! Ice cubes for carpet dents truly works. I’ve tried that and to my surprise the dents really disappeared. So I’ll vouch for that one. A potato for a broken bulk – that sounds feasible. Well check out the list – I think it’s a good one.

About Us

Molly Hoyle Sales Representative
Claude Jobin Représentant des ventes

E-Mail

claude@claudejobin.com




Phone / Address

Phone: 613.804.7979
1723 Carling Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario