Design Directions

March 2010
In This Issue
Lighten Up For Spring
The New HST

Welcome to the fifth exciting issue of Design Directions keeping you in touch with the latest news with both Avalon Interiors and the design industry.

If there are any topics or trends you would like to read more about, or have heard of a new and interesting product you'd like to share with all my readers, please feel free to contact me at [email protected] and I'll respond in a future issue.

Looking forward to hearing from you and keeping you up to date on the latest happenings in the design world,

Kind regards,

Tracy Kundell,

President,
Avalon Interiors

 

Bright Room Lighten Up For Spring

Not everyone has the luxury of having big windows that let in lots of sunlight.  Many apartments and houses have at least one room that is continually dark.  A dark room can cause accidents, eye-strain, and even a sour disposition.  If you'd like to add more light to your room - without taking a sledgehammer to your walls, try a few of these room-brightening tricks.  A brighter room will lead to a brighter mood!
 

  • Paint your walls a light color, and use eggshell or semi-gloss paint.  Dark, matte finishes actually soak up the light, making the room seem darker - even when you put the lights on, but lighter, glossier paints will reflect the light back into the room.

  • Keep your ceiling white.  It's amazing the difference that a white ceiling makes on a room.  Just like dark walls, a darkly-painted ceiling will absorb a lot of the available light.

  • Add more lamps.  Yes, this seems obvious.  But many homeowners rely solely on overhead lights to illuminate the room.  Light needs to come from various levels - low, middle, and high.  Combining uplights on the floor and lamps on tables around the room with overhead lighting will create a brighter, more comfortable room.

  • Hang large mirrors.  Large mirrors can act like windows, reflecting the light back into the room. 

  • Choose reflective surfaces.  Just like walls, other large surfaces can absorb or reflect your light.  Opt for glossy countertops, add glass panes to your hanging artwork, and place mirrored trays on top of dark tables.
 
Light is important for your physical and mental health.  So make sure your home is getting all the light that it can get!


HST Tax

The New HST


Assuming homeowners will rush to get projects in under the deadline and avoid the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), the government has also added a May 1 deadline clause. Essentially, any project that involves permanently installed goods ordered by May 1, but not completed by July 1, is subject to the whole 13% tax.
 
If your projects are completed before July 1 it will be taxed at the existing 5% GST.

The government research has shown that with this new implementation it will increase jobs and prosperity in Ontario. I am not an economist, my husband would be the first to agree, but I personally feel it encourages an already struggling economy into under the counter cash transactions. Even with the tax cuts they are offering for the 2010 taxation year it will not be enough to offset the increase in the long run.

The new HST tax will add 8% to a design services/renovation invoice. Currently, homeowners pay only 5% GST for services, which includes labour. But with the HST, labour will be subject to the new tax, bumping the overall invoice tax to 13%.
 
Consider the following:
You get a quote to paint your home for $8,000 currently it will cost $8400.00 incl. 5%GST. If you wait however until after July 1st to complete your project your total is now $9040.00 with 13% HST!
That new painting project will cost 8% more.
If you are planning on projects you want done, you should be planning to have it done before the new tax takes effect.

Contact Avalon Interiors to see how we can assist you with your upcoming projects.

For more information on the new HST, visit Ontario Ministry of Revenue.









Upcoming Toronto Events

The Artist Project March 4-7 2010 Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place. Thinking of adding a new piece of art to you home? This is a great way to meet local artists and see there work first hand in a very unique one of a kind art show!

International Home & Garden Show March 18-21 2010 International Centre






Consider going 'green' today! Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to read our newsletter.

 

 

Tracy Kundell,

Avalon Interiors

"Building Your Vision Better Than Imagined"

Contact Info
Designer Tracy Kundell
tel.905-889-0763 cell. 416-451-4905 e-mail [email protected]