4 Tips for Hosting an Epic End-of-Summer Party

With Labour Day approaching, so too comes the inevitable end of summer. If you are looking to throw an end of summer party, you’re your backyard is lacking a bit, the Canadian Tire CANVAS collection has you covered with affordable, durable, and inviting pieces.

Tip #1: Keep it Comfortable, and Keep it Conversational

Create a central gathering space for your guests – somewhere that they can eat, drink, and socialize comfortably. The CANVAS Dashley Patio Dining Table, with it’s sophisticated and sturdy pedestal base, makes a bold statement and provides the perfect place to congregate. Be sure to surround the table with chairs that are not only stylish, but inviting as well. The CANVAS Dashley Cast Patio Dining Chairs are a classic look with curved armrests and removable cushioning that provides an extra level of comfort.

Tip #2: Create an Ambient Atmosphere

With the days getting shorter, be sure to have some great outdoor lighting. When the sun goes down, you can keep the party going, and create an elegant atmosphere.

We love the CANVAS Brooklyn String lights, they have an industrial chic look that is on-trend, and are super durable. You can attach up to 7 strands for coverage throughout the yard. Adding lanterns throughout the yard are great for setting the mood as well. The CANVAS Chantilly Lantern is a favourite due to its weather resistance, and stylish design. It works easily with any décor and brightens the space beautifully.

Tip #3: Create a Warm Welcome

As the summer enters fall, we can expect cooler temperatures, and in Canada, we like to squeeze every last bit out of summer. Keep the party going into the night by ensuring your guests are comfy and warm with a fire table, such as the modern style CANVAS Granville Gas Fire Table. The stainless steel burner on this table protects it from Canadian weather with extra durability, and its 26,000 BTUs are sure to keep your guests toasty. For an extra layer of warmth, keep  some outdoor blankets on hand, such as the CANVAS Striped Outdoor Throw – these are great to cuddle up in and enjoy the evening.

Tip #4: Presentation is Everything

Have you ever attended that party that looked like it was taken right out of the magazine? I’m going to help you to achieve that with some finishing touches for your epic outdoor party. Whether serving your guests food or beverages, do it in style with the CANVAS Grappa Beverage Cart. This cart helps to complete the comfortable vibe you’ve created, with wheels to make it easy to move around the yard as needed. Complete with weather-resistant wicker baskets, keep everything that you need easily stored and at your fingertips. Easily chill your drinks in the CANVAS Oval Outdoor Party Tub, a unique flare to the standard drink cooler, and serve up your tasty treats from in the super durable Serving Bowl and Dip Bowl Set. No hospitality industry experience? No problem! Serve your guests like a pro with the CANVAS 3-piece Galvanized Tray Set, a great way to present your appetizers or desserts with flare. They can even be used for a decorative display such as candles, plants, and whatever else you want to use to elevate your party presentation to the next level.

What better way to say farewell to summer then to top it off in style with a fabulous backyard party with the help of the Canadian Tire CANVAS line. Host an epic end of summer party that will provide memories for your guests long after the snow begins to fly.

Click here to see Shauna Lynn talking about the CANVAS line and how to host an epic end-of-summer party on CTV Kitchener with Nancy Richards.

Selling Your Home with Kids

I get it – you all have to live in your home while it's listed for sale...

The home-selling process can be very disruptive, and often stressful, on kids. You may want to recommend that they play a part in preparing their rooms for sale themselves, to help them with the transition. If you have any knowledge of their next home, you can also help to get them excited about getting their new home ready.

-       Engage your kids in the process – get them involved with deciding what will stay, and what will be packed for the new house.

-       Kid’s toys should be limited to their bedrooms and play area (if available). Remove all additional toys from the living room, kitchen, dining room, and other adult entertaining areas.

  -       If you need to have some toys in an adult area, considering investing in a wicker or canvas basket - fill with toys, and place a blanket over the top to cover. This will cleverly disguise your toy basket as a simple “blanket basket”!

-       Kid’s play areas are a great selling feature, in the right neighbourhood, if there is space available for them. Adding baskets to these areas will help to keep the toys contained, and somewhat organized.

-       Kid’s Rooms – Kids will be kids, but when selling a house, it’s important that to check their rooms each morning to ensure that the beds are made and toys put away.

-       Limit the toys to a maximum of 2 toy bins, and unless these are considered decorative, such as a storage bench, keep these bins stored away in the closet or under the bed.

-       Take advantage of your “free” storage areas – these are areas that prospective buyers will not be looking in and includes under beds, dresser drawers, and inside any other furniture that you own. Remember, if it is sold with the house, they will look inside, so avoid over-filling any built-in cabinets or closet spaces.

-       Tone down any accessories and wall coverings – since it’s a kid’s room, some toys or other fun items should be on display, but be sure that these are kept to a minimum as well, and aim for a few select larger items rather than multiple small items.

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While parents have often joked about shipping their kids off for the time that the house is for sale, some clients have actually make arrangements for the kids to be out of town, or have an extended stay at grandparent’s house for the first week or two. This helps to minimize stress on everyone, and allow them to be more flexible with available showing times – this can result in a faster sale, and return to normal life.

Selling Your Home with Pets

When preparing your home for sale, the ultimate goal is to ensure that the home shows at it’s very best, and appeals to as many potential buyers as possible. This strengthens your chance of receiving quality offers, and selling the home quickly.

Unfortunately, not all buyers are pet lovers, and in fact, a home with pets can often be a cause of concern for many, especially for those with allergies. Evidence of pets such as toys, food dishes, and pet beds will also put potential buyers on the lookout for damage throughout the house that may have been caused by furry family members. By eliminating the presence of the pets in the home, buyers can focus on the home’s features, instead of scrutinizing and looking for flaws.

The BTSH team consists of serious animal lovers, and we are proud of our dedication to the animal community. We are all pet owners, and Shauna Lynn takes “crazy cat lady” to a whole new level. Despite this, our recommendations when selling a home with pets is always the same - consider removing all pets from the home, not only for showings, but for the duration of the sale. At the very least, aim for a temporary home for your furry family members for the first two weeks that the home is listed – this is when you receive the greatest amount of traffic and interest in the house. Approach trusted friends and relatives about opening their home to your fur babies. This will mean less stress on both you, and the pets. Animals can be incredibly sensitive to changes, and to strangers in the house (even when they are removed from the home for showings), and you won’t have the worry of trying to maintain the home with the fur, dirt, and other messes that these pets create for us.

If removing your pets is not an option, there are some steps that you can take to ensure that the evidence of them is minimized. To minimize any potential pet odours, ensure that all pets and pet areas are given a thorough cleaning. Opening the windows for a few minutes every day, regardless of the season, will help to remove any stale odours that may be lingering.

Selling Your Home With Cats
Selling your home can be especially stressful for cats, so it is strongly recommended that cat-owners find a temporary home for them while the house is on the market. Indoor cats, when left in the house for showings, often escape, whether by fright or negligence of the potential buyers.

If the cat(s) absolutely must remain in the house for showings, it is important that their presence is minimized as much as possible.

• Litter box should be cleaned twice daily
• Litter box should be completely emptied and washed at least once a week
• Remove cat and litter box for showings if possible (sometimes this can be as simple as a car ride for the duration of the showing or open house)
• Store food in an unmarked, opaque container – this will help to keep it hidden from buyers, as well as keep the food fresh
• Remove all scratch trees, beds, and all toys
• Ensure that their food area is kept clean and tidy, and remove it for showings
• Vacuum and dust daily

Selling Your Home With Dogs
Dogs are a little easier to “hide” while a house is on the market. Usually, a homeowner (or a friend or family member) can remove the dog(s) for showings, if given sufficient notice. It is still recommended that a temporary home be found for dogs whenever possible, but if they must remain living in the house for the time that it is on the market, their presence should be minimized as much as possible.

• Remove the dog for all showings
• Hide all evidence (leashes, food, toys, beds, etc.)
• Store food in an unmarked, opaque container – this will help to keep it hidden from buyers as well as keep the food fresh
• Thoroughly clean all fabric surfaces (couch, carpet, rugs, bed, etc.)
• Keep dog(s) well-groomed
• Clean the house regularly
• Keep the yard cleaned and patch any bare areas

To check out a few of the furry friends that we have had the pleasure of meeting and working with, check out our video here.

For more information on how to prepare your home for sale, contact Beyond The Stage Homes!

Phone: 1-266-240-0766
Email: info@btshomes.com
www.beyondthestagehomes.com