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Haunted Places Series: Hatley Castle

October 25, 2021

Location: Victoria, Vancouver Island, BCArchitectural Style: Gothic RevivalBuilt: 1908 Rounding out our 2021 Haunted Places series is a major historical landmark near the coast of Vancouver Island. Opposite of another stunning (and spooky) castle, Hatley is surrounded by beautiful grounds lined with blossoming flowers. But what draws many visitors is the chance to capture something more out of the ordinary. James Dunsmuir Commissions the Castle Lieutenant-Governor James Dunsmuir, son of coal-magnate Robert Dunsmuir, ordered construction of the castle on Hatley Park. James originally planned the grounds to be used as a farm, complete with a dairy and hunting grounds for James and his friends. Enlisting the help of Victorian architect Samuel Maclure, James envisioned a commanding and lavish home. Cost was no obstacle for James, and it shows in the final details. All in all, the sprawling estate would feature 40 rooms, an 82-foot turret, surrounding stone wall, cow stables, smoke house, and other workstations. Hatley Park and the castle would remain owned by the Dunsmuir family until the latter half of the 1930s. Hatley Castle and the Military After the Dunsmuir family sold the estate, the Dominion Government purchased it and used it as a Naval Training Establishment. The

Haunted Places Series: Keg Mansion

October 11, 2021

Location: Toronto, OntarioArchitectural Style: GothicBuilt: 1868 For our next haunted location, we’re headed up north to “The Heartland Province.” Famous for its diverse population and accredited universities, Toronto is one of North America’s largest and most intriguing cities. Coincidentally, the Queen City is also known for having one of the most haunted houses in Canada. Construction of Keg Mansion In Victorian-era Toronto, Jarvis Street was the symbol of high society. Elaborate mansions lined the street with each one as unique as the last. Built in 1867 by Arthur McMaster, Keg Mansion boasted an ornate interior and exterior. The red shingles and green brass window accents pop against the neutral brick. Soft colors inside line the 26 different rooms and 17 fireplaces. The home would be bought in 1882 by the Cleveland agricultural equipment salesman Hart Massey, and his wife. The Masseys added a turret, verandah, and a greenhouse, but left much of the original decoration untouched. The Massey Family The Masseys quickly became one of the most prominent families in the city. In fact, Hart Massey helped fund buildings at the University of Toronto, such as Massey Hall. After Hart’s death, his daughter Lillian took over his estate and named

Haunted Places Series: Cincinnati Music Hall

October 4, 2021

Location: Cincinnati, OhioArchitectural Style: Venetian Gothic, Victorian Gothic Revival StyleBuilt: 1878 “It’s alive!” The leaves are changing, there’s a haunting chill in the air, and spookiest of all, our Haunted Places series has been resurrected! We’re loaded up for another road trip to some of the most paranormal places across the United States and Canada. Our first stop plays host to one of the oldest baseball teams, world-class chili, Steven Spielberg, and plenty of ghostly citizens–you guessed it, it’s “The Queen City” AKA Cincinnati! The Elaborate Cincinnati Music Hall It comes as no surprise that a city as historically rich as Cincinnati has a building to match. The Cincinnati Music Hall was built in 1878 to replace the older temporary Exposition Hall. Funding for the Music Hall was started by the affluent Reuben R. Springer, who campaigned for donations from other citizens and socialites. Designed by Samuel Hannaford, Music Hall stands as one of the last Venetian Gothic buildings that were part of the Victorian Gothic Revival Style. Music Hall has been the home of the Cincinnati Ballet, Symphony Orchestra, Opera, May Festival Chorus, and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. It also served as the main convention center for the city

Make Your Home Fire-Safe this October

October 1, 2021

October is here! While this autumnal month is most commonly associated with tricks and treats, it’s also recognized in both the United States and Canada as Fire Prevention Month. The first week of October has also been designated Fire Prevention Week in both countries. Close to 360,000 home fires occur annually, with many of them being preventable. To make your home fire-safe this year, here’s what you need to know. Have multiple fire extinguishers at the ready. A portable fire extinguisher can help stop a fire before it gets out of control. According to the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED), fire extinguishers are successful in extinguishing 95 percent of house fires. When they can’t fully put out a fire, extinguishers can effectively contain it until emergency services arrive. There are different variations of fire extinguishers, so it’s important that you have the right style for your home. Keep one on each level of your house in places where there are lots of appliances, mechanical equipment, or chemicals. Clean out your dryer’s lint trap. If it’s been a while since you last cleaned your dryer’s lint trap (or if you never have), start making it a regular habit. Lint

Best Tips to Remove Carpet Stains

September 21, 2021

The right carpet can really tie a room together by adding both comfort and style. It can also add some extra cleaning work. Pets, kids, and normal wear and tear dirty up your carpet and turn it from “chic” to “ick.” Luckily, there are some easy remedies to salvage your stylish carpet and prolong its lifespan. Stains in All Shapes and Sizes Anything from mud to Merlot can cause you to stress about having a giant spot on your carpet forever. A few of the most common stains are: General Rules to Remember When it comes to what you spill, each substance has special instructions. How you clean up muddy pet prints will differ from ground-in gum. That said, there are a few generic tips you can apply to any stain. First, you’ll want to start from the outside and work your way in. Removing the excess will make the spot easier to work with. Next, you’ll want to incorporate some sort of cleaner whether it be club soda, a vinegar solution, or store-bought chemicals. Lastly, remember to blot, not wipe. You’ll keep from driving the spill deeper and leaving an unsightly stain. Cleaning Drinks and Other Liquids As soon

Wallpaper Sticking Around Home Design in 2021

September 13, 2021

If you’re looking for a way to brighten up that bare wallspace, fresh wallpaper could be what you need! While wallpaper has seemingly faded since its heyday, new styles have breathed life back into the design trend. Homeowners are customizing wall coverings to give a throwback feel with a modern twist. The History of Wallpaper Wallpaper first became popular at the very beginning of the 20th century. Most houses had plain wooden planks for walls, and wallpaper helped cover any blemishes and add color to rooms. As time wore on, builders began utilizing drywall or other materials, and wallpaper wasn’t as necessary. In fact, you may have removed old wallpaper in your own house at some point. But now wallpaper is being revived with new patterns and an easier application process. It’s even estimated that the resurgence of wallpaper could turn it into a multi-billion dollar industry by 2026. Stick, Don’t Glue It used to be that wallpapering your home was a major decision. You’d better love the pattern you chose because it would likely be there forever–it was notoriously difficult to remove. Not to mention the old glue could rip up existing paint and create an even bigger makeover

Creating a First-Aid Kit for Your Home

September 6, 2021

September is recognized annually as National Preparedness Month. This year, the theme of the month by ready.gov is “Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.” One way you can prepare to protect those in your home is by creating a first aid kit in case of an emergency. It’s easy to do, and you should always have one ready! Always Be Prepared A first aid kit is a necessity for your home. You should have at least one inside the house in an easy-to-reach spot, plus one in each car. While you can pick one up from the store, it might be preferable to make your own. This way you’ll know you have all the supplies you need and you can add other items as well. If you travel a lot, you can customize your kit towards the type of adventure you’re going on. Hiking, boating, biking, and other outdoor activities each can have their own tailored kit for accidents that commonly occur with them. Carrying Case Just as important as the items you put in your kit is the actual case itself. You’ll want something that’s easily transportable and durable. Plastic cases are a good

Get the Most Out of Your Home Listing

August 30, 2021

Trying to get the most money for your home can feel like navigating through a maze at times. You try to figure out your local market and price your house competitively, but you’re still struggling to get good offers. As you work with your agent, they’ll likely give you advice on how to optimize your listing. Here are a few tips to draw the perfect buyer to your home. Spruce Up Your Listing To make a great first impression with buyers, start by creating a strong listing. Each part from your pictures to the description of the house should be as accurate as possible. If a buyer comes to tour and realizes things aren’t how they appear in your listing, it can turn them away from making an offer. Staging your home for photos makes all the difference in how buyers will assess it. To get your home picture ready, clean from top to bottom. All your belongings should be put away so that people can see each room in its entirety. If you have a storage area or large closet space you want to highlight, clear it out to show the full size. Lastly, use good lighting so each

Protect Your Home from a Flooding Disaster

August 23, 2021

Water damage has cost homeowners billions of dollars in repairs. Hurricanes, flash floods, and other natural disasters can leave you homeless and wondering how you’ll pay for damages. While you can’t control the weather, you can prepare yourself and your home. A little water can be a big problem. Even if you’re not expecting heavy rainfall, a small amount can create a large issue for your home. Backed-up gutters can cause water to collect around the foundation of your home and make its way inside. If the ground around your home is too saturated or even too dry to hold rain, you could experience more rushing water than usual. Any time you’re supposed to get stormy weather, it’s best to watch the forecast and have an emergency preparedness plan. Understand how your home drains. Knowing how the land surrounding your home is graded gives you an advantage before the rain comes down. Ideally, you want any water to be directed away from the base of your home and towards a storm drain or nearby runoff. If you notice that water tends to collect around your home and not go anywhere, chances are you need to fix the grading. You can

A New Leaf: Pros and Cons of Moving During Autumn

August 16, 2021

Moving can be an exciting, albeit, stressful time during any season. Fall, especially, has its own set of challenges, the main one being weather. But there are upsides to selling at the end of the year as well. So is it worth it to move during the changing season, or should you wait it out? Pro: Fall typically has nicer temperatures. Autumn temperatures tend not to drastically swing too much, which is nice when you’re trying to plan out a moving day. Unlike spring or early summer, you won’t have to worry about getting caught in a surprise rainstorm. The cooler temperatures also mean you probably won’t be sweating or risk getting overheated as you sort boxes and lug totes up the stairs. Con: Northern falls can get chilly. While it’ll feel good to have lower temps, you might have to be wary of that fluffy white stuff interfering. Northern climates in particular are prone to early snows that could impact your travel plans. Ice and snow make roads dangerous to drive on for long distances. If you’re not heading out until late October or November, you may need to keep a close eye on the forecast. Pro: You might