Monday 19 December 2011

Happy Holidays and Festive Dining!


Wandering through the stores this time of year often makes us overwhelmed with all the holiday items we need to purchase. Your holiday dinner table isn’t immune from it either. There must be a million different ways to decorate centerpieces and dinner plates. There are table linens, napkin rings, holiday-themed dinnerware, table runners, candlesticks and chair covers. It’s a lot to store in the basement that’s for sure!

Take a look at some of our current listing’s gorgeous dining rooms. These areas can quickly be turned into festive dinner parties for the holidays! Here are some simple ideas to give your dining room an atmosphere where you will feel comfortable sitting around the table in good company and create lasting memories.

1. Start Neutral: Take a neutral dining room, add in a few basic furnishings (white, beige, or wooden tables and chairs), and take this room to holiday levels by layering in bright accents, textured accessories, and various textiles from around your home.

2. Embrace Vintage Pieces: If you have Grandma’s wedding china, go ahead and embrace these vintage pieces. A pop of color from a vintage plate can make a stunning and inexpensive centerpiece.

3. Add Silver and Gold: Silver and gold touches from ribbons add shimmer and sparkle to your holiday table. Metallic shades can heighten drama and turn basic whites into a glamorous statement.

4. Go Outside: Grab some greenery from the great outdoors (pine cones, evergreen branches, flowers) and turn them into holiday decorations with a little wire and ribbon. Easy to make decorations from nature can bring a fresh, organic vibe to your dinner table.

5. Use Ornaments: Colorful baubles and glass Christmas tree decorations can have a place at your table. Pick a single color, or make it vibrant and colourful for the kids.

Look past the so-called traditional holiday trappings by exploring your home for colorful everyday pieces that can be spun into a festive feel. Open your kitchen cabinets, peek into your linen closet, and rummage through the storage room! Now that you’ve got your holiday goods, it’s time to turn them into something special.


Featured Dining Rooms;
Left: Frank Lostracco, Sales Representative. 9860 #20 Highway, Grimsby. View Property.
Top Right: John Stewart Allan, Sales Representative. 420 Rossmore Boulevard, Burlington. View Property.
Bottom Left: Vincent R. Formosi, Broker. 132 O'Leary Drive, Ancaster. View Property

Re-Posted from RE/MAX Escarpment ( www.remaxescarpment.com ) with permission.

Fireplaces - Stay cozy, warm and trendy!




If someone was asked to describe the perfect winter scene, it's likely that a cozy room with a warm fireplace would be mentioned. It’s a place to gather with friends or family and enjoy the season.

In addition to providing warmth, fireplaces these days have become a fashion statement. The emphasis is not merely on functionality but more on form and expression. In this blog, we feature beautiful and trendy fireplace designs from some of our agents current listings.

Whether it’s a new build and you are starting from scratch, or an older home with a fireplace in need of some updating, a fireplace is often a strong focal point in a space! One of the first things to do, is assess the style of the rest of the room and the direction you want the it to go. There are so many options these days, that any style will work if done correctly. You have choices of what is inside your fireplaces, such as traditional logs, rocks, crystals or just simple flames. You can do tile surrounds, mantles, hearths, or a clean modern look with just a simple trim kit. Even if you don’t currently have a fireplace, there are electric fireplaces that can be hung like art.

Once you know the type of mantel that will suit your home, you can go ahead with the artwork and the color scheme. The design and artwork depend on the material used for construction.

Fireplaces are often built from iron, bricks, marble or stone. Black or iron fireplaces are an excellent way to express different patterns and colors. The black backdrop becomes an almost blank canvas to build on. A red vase will pop on top of a black mantelpiece. Brick patterns, which usually include red, grey and white tones can have a very rustic feel. If you want to liven up the colors, add reds and yellows to make the existing brick color stand out. If you are working with a marble or stone fireplace, neutral colors and warm tones can add a spa feel to your surrounding space.

The color scheme should complement the interior design of your house. You can opt for either light shades (blue, rose, off white, etc ) or bold shades that would blend well with the material of the fireplace mantel. A pure white mantel built with marble looks brilliant, or try modern hues of poppy orange, muted green and saffron. Ethnic crafts, artifacts, travel souvenirs, wall sconces, mirrors, framed family portraits and of course the flat screen tv, look wonderful on a mantel! Don’t forget to dress your mantel up for each season! It’s a fun and easy way to alter your decor!



Featured Fireplaces:

Left: Doug Folsetter, Sales Representative. 2 Cottage Avenue, Hamilton. View Property.
Top Right: Lori Bolton, Sales Representative. 27 Playfair Court, Ancaster. View Property.Middle Right: Abby Ozaltug, Sales Representative. 4205 Fuller Crescent, Burlington. View Property.
Bottom Right: Pat & Karen Lilja, Sales Representatives. 77 Creighton Road, Dundas. View Property.
Re-Posted from RE/MAX Escarpment ( http://www.remaxescarpment.com ) with permission.

Thursday 15 December 2011

Friends, Romans, Countrymen - or - Nice to meet you

I am writing to share some exciting news with you!  I have started a new career as a Real Estate Sales Representative with RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc., Brokerage serving Hamilton, Burlington, Niagara and surrounding communities.  Deciding to change careers is never an easy decision.  All the experience and skills I have accumulated throughout the years in contracts, business proposals, and creative marketing, coupled with a lifelong passion for carpentry, building, and home renovation make Real Estate a perfect fit for me.
How I Can Help You
You already have a Full Time job running your home, caring for your children, and focusing on your own career.  Being a REALTOR® is my Full Time Career so you can leave the details with me and focus on what’s important to you – your life!
Honesty and Integrity – Anyone who knows me also knows that I am a man of my word.  I commit to bringing that same honesty and openness to all our communications and transactions so that I can be a trusted and reliable source for Real Estate services and guidance for you and your family.
Experience – While new to Real Estate, I bring years of contract and proposal writing experience as well as two years of successfully ‘flipping’ a home and running a renovation and repair business with me.  I will review and explain all documents to you to insure that you are comfortable making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.
Marketing – When listing your home for sale I will present to you a full Marketing Plan that includes a detailed pricing assessment of your home and utilizes traditional, new, and emerging technologies to give your home the maximum exposure it can receive allowing it to sell for the best price in the least amount of time possible.
Communication – I am at your disposal throughout the process of buying and selling your home for any questions or concerns you may have and will keep you informed every step of the way.  From arranging to put your home on the market to referrals for all types of professional services, I’m here to help.  I am still with you throughout the closing process including finding a new home and beyond.  I will never leave you thinking ‘whatever happened to?’ or ‘what about…?
Fully Licensed and Insured – Not all agents are REALTORS®.  As a member of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) my conduct is governed not only by existing laws but also by a Code of Ethics that is strictly enforced by the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO).  The Code provides an additional layer of protection for you as my client.  I am also a member of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) and the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) which recently merged with the Niagara Association of REALTORS® (NAR).  In addition to standard Errors and Omissions insurance all REALTORS® are required to have, I also carry Business Liability Insurance and Business Class Vehicle Insurance so that when you work with me you can have peace of mind that YOU ARE PROTECTED every step of the way.
Tony’sHomes@RE/MAX®
No one can do this alone.  I have been blessed with an amazing wife, Karen, and supportive family and friends that have made this transition an exciting adventure.  The last piece of the puzzle is YOU!  Join the Tony’sHomes@RE/MAX® Team - LIKE, FOLLOW, and SHARE Tony’s Homes online and, more importantly, tell your family and friends that when they’re looking for a REALTOR® they can trust to be with them every step of the way, you just happen to know a guy . . .
Thank-you for taking the time to read this letter, I look forward to working with you and your family.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Tony Iacoviello, BSc (Hons)
Sales Representative | Residential and Commercial Real Estate
RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc., Brokerage   (905) 573-1188