More Canadians are looking at ageing in place
I recently read an article about a survey conducted by the National Institute on Ageing at Toronto’s Ryerson University saying that COVID-19 has more people thinking about ageing in place. The survey of 1,517 Canadians suggests more seniors want to continue living at home as they age, rather than move to a retirement home or long-term care facility.
Sixty per cent of respondents said the pandemic had changed their opinions on whether they would arrange for themselves or an older loved one to live in a retirement home. Seventy per cent of respondents aged 65 and older said they would try to live safely and independently in their own home as long as possible.
Do you feel the same about your own ageing process? The good news is, you can stay in your present home as long as you want if you design it to meet your future lifestyle needs. Here are some things to consider.
Washrooms
You can make your washrooms safer and help prevent falls by having smooth transitions between floor finishes. Installing a curbless or roll-in shower is a great idea if you want to remain independent. You might want to have a seat in the shower and install a hand-held spout lower on the wall for easier access. And, a floating vanity provides easy wheelchair access.
Access
Consider wider doorways and hallways to accommodate wheelchairs. Think about stairlifts and elevators for the future. When it comes to the kitchen, you can install upper cabinets that lower with a slight pull on a handle for easier access. Lastly, think about a dual-height kitchen island or counter to accommodate both those in a wheelchair and everyone else in the family.
Tax credits
The provincial government recently announced the Seniors’ Home Safety Tax Credit, which can help you make your home safer and more accessible. The tax credit is worth 25 per cent of up to $10,000 in eligible expenses for a senior’s principal residence in Ontario. The maximum credit is $2,500.
This is only a short list of what you need to consider. We could get into more detail, such as addressing lighting quality to help with visual impairments, or other potential situations that need special consideration, but the best thing to do is to work with a RenoMark renovator who has a certified ageing in place specialist on staff. These professionals know what to do, have the correct licences and will ensure that you do it legally and correctly the first time. Your home and safety are not places to cut corners. Find out more by visiting renomark.ca.
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Dave Wilkes is President and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD), the voice of the home building, land development and professional renovation industry in the GTA. For the latest industry news and new home data, follow BILD on Twitter, @bildgta, or visit the website. |
Soft earthy paint palette
Light wood accents
Natural elements
The hand-crafted look
Delicate floral print
Statement rugs
The view of the dancing flames is an integral part of the fireplace's charm, and the homeowners particularly prefer 
Firstly, it is essential to let the 
A thick paste formed by mixing the baking soda and warm water in equal parts works great for removing soot off the brick walls. The paste is rubbed on the brick walls with hands and must be allowed to sit in for 10 to 12 minutes. Following this, the mixture must be scrubbed off with an abrasive scrub brush and warm water sponge is best to use to clean the residue.
A solution of equal part white vinegar and warm water is another great alternative for cleaning the soot. It is much more aggressive than the baking soda paste and must not be used on bricks older than 20 years old. The solution is sprinkled on the brick walls with the help of a spray and is scrubbed off the walls after 10 to 12 minutes.
Trisodium phosphate (TSP) is the most aggressive cleaning solution of them all and this chemical must be used with safety provisions. A TSP cleaning solution is prepared by mixing eight tablespoons of TSP in one gallon of warm water and a hard-bristled brush is used to apply the mixture on the wall. Finally, a warm water sponge is used to clean the residual soot and TSP off the walls.
Cleaning the soot off the fireplace glass is relatively easier than the brick wall and commercial 
Regular cleaning and maintenance is the only way to avoid the soot buildup and to make sure the fireplace remains shiny and sparkling like new. Knowing how to clean soot from the 
Once completed, Brightwater (master plan designed by Giannone Petricone Associates and Urban Strategies) will offer 2,995 new residences through a mix of condos and townhomes, as well as 150 affordable housing units. Brightwater I and Brightwater II, both designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects (DSA), are part of the first phase of the project.
Brightwater I is a five-storey boutique building, with a modern village aesthetic that pays homage to the heritage charm of Port Credit. Standing at 14 storeys, Brightwater II will contrast its sister building with a series of balconies that create a facade that embodies the movement of water, featuring a modern white cladding. The building is tiered and continues to lower in height at its edges, with a base of two-storey townhouses that visually echo the character of the existing neighbourhood.
Both Brightwater I and II's interiors are designed by Truong Ly Design and were inspired by the interaction between light and water and Port Credit's history. Inside the lobbies, architectural wood structures mimic the movement of water, with details carved of natural stone native to the area. Amenities will include a co-working space that opens onto a landscaped terrace, a state-of-the-art fitness studio, entertaining spaces and more. Residents will also benefit from a series of smart home features including a virtual concierge, unlimited internet data, master lighting control, WiFi through amenity spaces, keyless entry, programmable thermostats, a community app and more.
At the centre of Brightwater I and Brightwater II will be a single-storey retail building designed by DSA, featuring a heavy-timber design. Together, all three buildings will be connected by an expansive outdoor Brightwater Village Square, a grand public space which will transform the pedestrian experience. Framed by beautiful trees and outdoor seating, it will provide the perfect setting for everything from farmers' markets to pop-up celebrations. The Square is just one aspect of the 18 acres of new greenspace coming to the community, including a new nine-plus acre waterfront park, walking and cycling promenades, pedestrian mews and public plazas.
A wide array of urban and community amenities is also on the way, with more than 300,000 sq. ft. of retail (including an LCBO and modern grocer as anchors, designed by Turner Fleischer architects), restaurants, office space, and a future new elementary school and proposed community centre.
Even before launching, Brightwater was nominated for a BILD Award for Best New Community Planned/Under Development, and it has already won the prestigious Award of Merit for Healthy Communities by the Canadian Institute of Planners, for a master plan that includes features such as the bioswale system it will introduce, one of the first in Canada. Designed by landscape architect Public Work, the bioswales are a resiliency feature to decrease stormwater runoff while simultaneously nourishing neighbourhood trees. Additional resiliency features will support the biodiversity in the area and contribute to a healthy shoreline, lake and river.
For more information about the new Brightwater master-planned community and to register, visit 
As the pace of life quickens and our homes shrink in size, the outdoors is literally the last frontier – and the reason why we're spending so much more on making the backyard, or deck or balcony a destination oasis.
Out with the white plastic chairs and plexiglass tables, in with the fire pits and heaters giving us a much longer outdoor season, deep-seated sectional sofas, teak dining tables and chairs, and strings of lights. Outdoor furniture manufacturers have been eager to meet our need to linger outside with a wider range of furniture, with longer lasting frames, fabrics that retain their shape and water resistance, and cushion foam that stays comfortable.
Here's what you need to know:
1) Plan out your space according to how you intend to use the deck. If you are a big reader or sun worshipper, but don't like eating al fresco, set up your space with more living room type furnishings, and tuck a small dining table off to the side and out of the way.
2) Check materials carefully. There's teak, treated pine, metal mixed with wood, solid aluminum, stainless and wrought iron. Of these, teak and aluminum last the longest, and are probably the most expensive. Teak you need to baby a bit, while aluminum just wipes clean.
3) Consider modular furniture – pieces that fit together as a sectional or stand alone as chairs – for flexibility. You can change the seating arrangement to suit the occasion or your mood.
4) Decks aren't just for daytime. Small white lights are magical when strung from house to tree. Add candles around the edges of your deck or patio – flameless ones are safer. An ethanol fire pit not only creates mood, but keeps feet warm and can easily be moved around.
5) Music really adds to the ambience – not so loud that your guests can't hear each other or the neighbours complain, but as background.
6) As for styles, the sky's the limit, and they can reflect your dream destinations, or they can reflect the decor of your home. Fancy a week in the Hamptons? Check out sectionals in whitewashed and weathered greys – made from resin wicker – with East Coast fabrics such as navy and white stripes (in water repellant fabrics). Prefer life in a Park Avenue brownstone? Then wrought iron with deep charcoal cushions set amidst a row of boxwoods might be better for you.
7) Don't forget the floor – wood flooring tiles are easy to install, and create an immediate room setting, especially with the concrete of a condo balcony. Add an outdoor rug to pull it all together.
8) There's nothing like dining al fresco, and if you're the type who likes tons of people over, an expandable table might be the best choice. Classic wrought iron tables look great and last forever but are pricey. There's always teak, but it's pricey, too, so check out budget-friendly teak alternatives that work equally well. If your deck is on the small side, go for stackable dining chairs.
9) Stow outdoor dining essentials – bright coloured table mats and napkins, covered lanterns or candle holders – near the back door or in a waterproof storage bench. Make sure to keep throws handy to ward off the evening chill.
10) An umbrella will shade the table from the sun and rain; one with a tilt arm that can be adjusted to follow the sun all day. The new pergolas do the same and more, especially when fitted with a retractable canopy system or screen to protect against bugs.
11) For privacy, especially on a condo balcony, you can create a privacy wall by positioning a row of evergreens in matching containers along the edges of your deck. Erect lattice or bamboo screening, then add wall mounted planters and a water feature for an instant retreat.
12) Depending on the space you have, hammocks are well worthwhile for the downtime they afford – snoozing or watching the stars. Add colourful pillows and a sea of planters for a cosy destination.
13) Containers are the way to go for gardening. They come in all shapes and sizes and materials (remember that resin is lighter and therefore easier to move). Depending on the direction they face, condo balconies are ideal for herbs and tomatoes, but they need a lot of water, so make sure you have proper drainage. Tropical plants love sun and add a festive air to your deck – you can also bring them in come fall. If you have less direct sunlight, fill tall tapered containers with ornamental grasses for a clean, modern and minimalist look.
14) Just like inside, the deck is made livelier with the addition of some artwork, such as wrought iron grills, architectural salvage, window frames (with or without mirrored glass).
In the end, if you choose any of these tips, who needs a cottage?
