By Adriana Velez

clutter-when-you-move

I moved in with my boyfriend this past summer. Before you imagine some cute recent college grad in her first adult relationship, no. I'm a divorced mom who had lived in the same Brooklyn apartment for nearly 20 years. And you can imagine what that means: I had some baggage. Literally!

I'm talking tons of stuff I had accumulated over the years, somehow crammed into my tiny space. And since my beau and I were merging assets into one apartment with minimal storage, that meant I'd have to let go of a lot of my possessions if I had any hope of making this cohabitation situation work.

All told, by the time I moved, I got rid of 50 garbage bags' worth of stuff (some of it given away, much of it trashed). And then, once…

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By Jennifer Geddes

reading-nooks

These reading nook ideas will make curling up with a good book all the more enjoyable. A designated chill zone filled with soft pillows and ample lighting is a wonderful addition to any playroom, hallway, or stairway landing. This small but significant amenity is also sure to appeal to buyers if and when you decide to sell your home.

"Any time a house is accessorized to make it family-friendly and more efficient, the home's value is increased in the eyes of buyers," says Denny Stotlemeyer, senior designer at Closet Factory.

It's time to use that neglected corner of the house and transform it into your new favorite place to unwind. Before you begin, keep these three design ideas in mind.

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By Holly Amaya

dead-house-plants

You just can't overestimate the effect your home can have on your mood. After all, it's where you try to relax after work, and to get jazzed up for a new day. But some surprising things in it might actually be bringing you down, without your realizing it.

Fortunately, a few quick fixes can reset your design—and your mood. You just have to know how to ID the problem spots. Ditch these home decor downers and turn your home into an invigorating space where you can really recharge.

1. A drab color palette

Neutrals can be sleek. But unless you've outfitted your apartment with all the trappings of a Kardashian (and let's be honest—you probably wouldn't be reading this if you had), it's time for a change.

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The average selling price for single family homes in Red Deer is $341,098, an improvement on the average three months ago in June, which was $336,170. While the median asking price for Alberta is $375,000, which means that Red Deer’s pricing is considerably better than the rest of the province if you're looking to buy. If you’re looking at investment properties in Red Deer, then you’re likely to find mostly higher priced homes on sale. If you’re looking for a large choice of properties on sale when you’re adding to your real estate investment portfolio, then Red Deer has a wide array compared to the rest of the province.

It’s always hard to tell what property prices will do over the coming months, but over the last three months, new properties…

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By Daniel Bortz

Sometimes, the very best home improvement ideas come down to timing. And what better time for a refresh than the arrival of fall (Sept. 21, for those keeping track)? In addition to being a great season to go apple picking and admire the foliage, it's also the perfect time of year for making a number of home improvements. Here are some timely projects to tackle this fall.

1. Build a fire pit

Like the idea of being able to hang out and roast marshmallows in your backyard this winter? According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, fire pits are among the most popular outdoor design elements.You can even build one yourself.

You'll want to choose a flat, level spot in your yard that you can comfortably circle…

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