IF YOU LIVE IN VANCOUVER YOU KNOW THE STRUGGLE OF BUYING A SINGLE FAMILY HOME, LET ALONE ONE WITH CHARACTER AND SOME HISTORY.  IF YOU’VE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO BUY IN THE LOWER MAINLAND CHANCES ARE YOU’VE BOUGHT A NEW BUILD, OR A HOME BUILT WITHIN THE LAST THIRTY YEARS AND THEREFORE PRETTY PLAIN AND GENERIC.

 

If you’re craving something with a bit more character, we’ve come up with a few ways to take your home from just another four white walls to something personal, inviting, and interesting.  We tried to pull together ideas that didn’t take a whole house renovation or any major demolition work.  These are all things you could do yourself, or hire a contractor to do, in just a few days or weeks.

 

Faux Beams

We love the addition of beams to a home. They add depth, character and warmth to a space and can be made to look industrial, modern, rustic, or mid century.  These beams can easily be constructed and installed without adding any strain to your home’s frames.  By allowing the beams to be hollow, you can achieve this look without the cost and reinforcement that come with solid wood or iron beams.  Just stain or paint them to get the look you wish to achieve. 

 

Hardware

Most new homes come with very generic, plain, and often inexpensive hardware already installed. We’re talking door knobs, drawer pulls, and fixtures that have come straight from a Home Depot catalog.  Although these fixtures are practical and usually appeal to most people, if you’re looking to add a personal touch this can be a fast and easy addition.  We love Emtec for their hardware and wide selection. They have a range of metals, woods, and even crystal hardware for every space in your home. 

 

Mouldings

Baseboards, crown mouldings, and window trim can all add character to your home and also add value. 

 

Feature Wall

Feature walls are a great, non committal way to make a room standout.  Some trends we’re loving right now are white shiplap, wood paneling, and wall decals. You can either remove, or paint over, these if you ever need a change.  Check out Urban Walls for unique and easy ideas.  The tiny hearts or clouds would be perfect for a nursery.