The snow is melting, the Canadian Geese are returning and the days are getting longer. You know what that means…Wedding season is just around the corner! Because the last couple of years have been uncertain due to the global pandemic, we suspect that the 2022 and 2023 wedding season will be busier than usual. So, if you plan on getting married over the next couple of years, it may be time to start planning!

Lucky for you, Edmonton is home to so many incredible event spaces for your special day. There are countless options for you and your spouse-to-be to get married, but we thought we would list a few of our favourites. Here are 15 unique wedding venues in Edmonton that you are sure to love. 

Winspear Centre

You may be familiar with the Winspear Centre’s shows and concerts, however the space also makes for an incredible wedding venue! Though it may seem like an unusual venue to host your big day, it is actually a first choice for many Edmontonians. The Winspear Centre has many different areas to book, such as the bright and spacious lobby, the entire concert hall, or the numerous other areas of the space. Your options are endless! The pricing for Winspear Centre bookings is transparent and you can find it out directly from their website. Take a look!

Royal Glenora Club

Though the Royal Glenora Club may seem like a no brainer when it comes to a central Edmonton wedding, the venue has recently stepped it up a notch (or ten). Over the past couple of years, the Royal Glenora Club has been expanding to bring Edmontonians an entirely updated facility, including three new ballrooms! With floor to ceiling windows, beautiful lighting fixtures and wrap-around balconies, the new Braemer Ballroom, Strathcona Ballroom and Glenrose ballroom will make for a remarkable wedding day.

Brew & Bloom Cafe

The Brew & Bloom Cafe is a new cafe in North Downtown that showcases a beautiful display of flowers and plants. It is a breathtaking place to grab a bite to eat, but imagine what it would look like as a wedding venue? Two areas of the restaurant are able to be rented for your special day—the main cafe that can seat up to 35 people, or their Secret Garden with a private patio that can seat up to 70 people. Believe us when we say that this location will absolutely stun your guests—and it will make for some beautiful photos!

Parlour Italian Kitchen & Bar

If you’ve ever been to the Parlour for dinner, you’ll understand why it is also a sought out venue to get hitched. Not only can you book the entire restaurant (or just the upstairs loft) for your special day, you will also have access to their beautiful courtyard style patio. And let’s not forget—the Parlour would do the catering, which means your wedding would have delicious Italian food! 

Fort Edmonton Park

Fort Edmonton Park is a dream venue for those looking to wow and entertain their guests. With 10+ venues in the park for weddings of all sizes, hotels on site, indoor and outdoor venue options and free park tours for all guests, Fort Edmonton Park is truly a one stop shop. What’s more—the happy couple gets a lifetime admission to Fort Edmonton Park!

La Cité Francophone

It’s not every day that you find a wedding venue that is both easily accessible and has parking spaces! La Cité Francophone is the perfect wedding venue for the French Canadian (or a French food fanatic). The banquet and conference halls open up to floor-to-ceiling windows and have a circular terrace for an indoor/outdoor venue. It has 160 parking stalls available, is fully wheelchair accessible, and has ample washroom facilities!

Pioneers Cabin

The Pioneers Cabin, located directly between Rossdale and Mill Creek, is a beautiful, rustic venue that is perfect for city dwellers looking for a homey rustic place to tie the knot. The venue itself features a huge stone fireplace, planed poplar floor, window frames made of spruce, and cedar shingles on the gable roof. It also has a beautiful view of the Edmonton River Valley and the Muttart Conservatory, can host up to 250 people and is accessible for those with mobility issues!

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Always Occasions

Tucked away in the new Manchester Square right off 124th Street, Always Occasions offers a 3,000 square foot venue (on two floors) that features stunning furniture and decor. Beyond the venue itself, Always Occasions offers full event coordination—they set it up, take it down and are there for its clients every step of the way. It is an intimate venue that fits up to 100 seated guests!

Edmonton Country Club

The Edmonton Country Club is a classic Edmonton venue that is sure to impress your guests. It reclines verdantly on 233 acres located within a 90 degree bend of the North Saskatchewan River about eight miles upstream from the city’s center. With two beautiful room rental options (one that fits up to 150 seated and the other fitting 55 seated), a spacious patio area, and a beautiful well-kept green view of the Rivery Valley, the Edmonton Country Club is a one of a kind wedding venue.

Polar Park Brewing Company

Are you a big fan of beer? The Polar Park Brewing Company should probably be your number one wedding venue choice. Provided to you as a blank slate, the world (or venue) is your oyster if you are looking to get crafty and creative for your wedding. The venue itself has exposed beams, a massive patio and a rustic vibe. The space is just over 5,000 square feet (with 1,000 of that being the patio space), can accommodate up to 200 guests and has a private bar featuring Polar Park beers. As a central location in Edmonton, your out of town guests will have plenty of options for accommodation. Don’t sleep on this incredible wedding venue!

Butternut Tree

Looking for an intimate wedding venue? Well look no further, the Butternut Tree might be your perfect spot. This beautiful venue seats up to 90 people and offers a choice of hors d’oeuvres, a tasting menu, or a pre-set menu. Located right beside Constable Ezio Faraone Park, the Butternut Tree features a beautiful view of the Edmonton River Valley and features locally sourced wine and cocktail ingredients. This unique venue makes for beautiful photos and a memorable experience!

University of Alberta Botanical Gardens

If you love nature or have a green thumb, the University of Alberta’s Botanical Gardens might be right up your alley. With four venues available throughout the gardens, there is at least one that will fit (or exceed) all of your expectations. Not only do all of your guests get full access to explore the entire grounds, but golf carts, signage, space for the wedding party to get ready, rehearsal and complementary engagement photo sessions are all included in the venue price. This event space is such a natural beauty that you won’t even need to decorate it!

Studio96

An incredibly unique location, Studio96 was once a church on the verge of demolition that was saved by an event planner and an architect. Studio96 is a warm, intimate, and unique space to host the wedding of your dreams that can accommodate 150 guests. All you need to do is tell the Studio96 team your vision and they will work with their preferred Edmonton vendors to make your dream a reality!

Foundry Room

For the modern couple, the Foundry Room may be the perfect spot for you, your partner and all of your guests. Located in the new Oliver Exchange building, the Foundry Room offers a unique intimate wedding venue that features exposed brick, cement flooring, exposed beams and bright windows. The venue fits up to 150 seated guests and is also located above local businesses (Plum, Culina To Go, Brio Bakery, Iconoclast Coffee and Odd Company Brewing) where your guests can explore during the break between the ceremony and reception.

Enjoy Centre

Though this may not be a venue that is located directly in Edmonton, the Enjoy Centre is located only a few kilometres away in our sister city, St. Albert.  If you are looking for a venue that will WOW your guests (and yourself!), there is no better option than the Enjoy Centre. Its Moonflower Room is truly breathtaking—it features windows from floor to roof, greenery all around, string lights hung from the ceiling, white and gold furnishings…you name it. It holds 100-650 people, so any sized wedding is welcome! There are other areas in the Enjoy Centre that can cater to weddings of all kinds, however the Moonflower Room is our personal favourite. 

We’re diving into yet another busy wedding season—but we at TruHome can’t wait! No matter what venue you end up booking, we hope you have the most beautiful, unforgettable wedding day.

Over the years, we have helped many clients through real estate transactions that brought them to moving day, so we know there are parts of moving to a new home can be overwhelming and stressful. Here are a few of our tips to make your moving day as low stress as possible!

Set aside personal essentials for 2-3 days.

We’re talking toothbrushes, clothes, medications, personal care products, pet food etc. Anything you need easy access to! Having these everyday items handy will prevent you from searching through taped up boxes before you unpack. We recommend a small suitcase or weekender bag for personal items and an additional bag for any furry family member that would need pet food, medications, or toys. 

Use a robust labeling system.

Labeling your boxes with their contents helps make unloading and unpacking easier when you get to your new place. You can find some cute pre-made labels if having everything look uniform is important to you, or you can get out a trusty Sharpie and start scribbling. You can label boxes with their contents (towels, face cloths, shampoo, etc.) or you can label by room (bathroom, linen closet, etc.) if you’re not reorganizing on the other end. 

Use a moving service.

Hiring a local moving company can take away the stress of heavy lifting on moving day. You can then focus on unpacking and enjoying your space. Many moving companies will charge you a flat rate whereas others will invoice for an hourly rate. Some even offer a packing service to put all of your things in boxes and wrap any fragile items like televisions or glass tables. Whatever the case, there are professionals who will take care of the heavy lifting so you don’t have to. Ask us for our recommendations for local YEG movers!

Call some friends.

If they’re willing and able, having friends or family join you for moving or unpacking can make the day go by faster and make the whole experience more joyful. You may have to bribe them with pizza and their favourite drink, but a few friendly faces can make the whole process more enjoyable. 

Arrange child care.

If you have children that are too young to help with the move, set them up with family, friends, or a sitter to make sure tiny fingers don’t cause more chaos. You won’t have to worry about curious toddlers getting into mischief or having to entertain your pre-teens when there’s no wifi or furniture. When the day is over they’ll be so excited to see all their stuff in their new rooms!

Enjoy!

Moving day always comes with a few hiccups and the days following can be overwhelming, but remind yourself to enjoy the process as much as you can because this is the start of a new journey! How exciting!!! 

With all this sun and the start of some Spring-like weather, it’s only right to be thinking about all the patios you’ll be visiting this Spring. Here are our recommendations for some local restaurants in Edmonton that have great patio vibes:

Craft Beer Market

Might we say this place is a must see? This fresh space on Rice Howard Way has a rooftop patio fixed with all the things you need to have a good time. Their light, airy space is a major hit with ping pong tables, murals, and the Cocktail Camper. While they’re known for their beer, they have a great selection of wine, cocktails, spirits, and more! 

Odd Company

Nestled in the Oliver Exchange building, Odd Company knows how to put together a good evening. Their cozy street patio (which has been open through the winter, believe it or not!) is decorated with ambient string lighting, picnic tables, and music. They live up to their promise of “good cheer, better beer” with small batch brews to offer something new every time you visit. 

Fairmont Hotel MacDonald

The Confederation Patio at the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald is a perfectly chic place to enjoy an afternoon tea, cocktails, or food from their exclusive outdoor menu. With large umbrellas to protect you from the sun on their open patio, you can enjoy a front-row seat facing the river valley and the views that go with it. 

Dogpatch

Tucked away in Riverdale, Dogpatch is the new neighbourhood watering hole with picnic table style patio seating. Their made from scratch bistro eats, hand-crafted drinks, and easy-going atmosphere is everything you need to enjoy a dining experience with friends near Edmonton’s river valley. While you’re there, we recommend checking out Bread and Butter bakery in the same building for some scrumptious pastries!

MKT

As a fan favourite on Whyte Ave, MKT is situated right in the middle of the neighbourhood’s entertainment hub. Their food is locally sourced, they have over 100 different types of beer available, and they’ve got a fantastic fenced patio with heaters, TVs and an outdoor bar. This is a great place to catch an Oiler’s game or share a plate of their giant nachos!

Biera

Located in Ritchie Market’s Bottle Room, Biera is an award winning restaurant known for their creative small plates and delicious culinary experiences. Join them on their covered patio this season and then swing by the market for speciality foods, beer, and gifts! 

Let us know if you try out any of these fabulous patio spots in Edmonton! Maybe we’ll even see you out there!!

So you have made the decision to put your Edmonton home on the market—congratulations! The right real estate agent should be able to advise on which home improvements will benefit the sale of your home the most, but to start, here are our 10 suggestions for how to increase the value of your home!

Paint your walls & ceilings

The average price for a can of paint is $50, making this the cheapest way to transform your home with a quick turn-around time. Consider investing in a popular neutral colour to give your home a fresh, updated look. While you have the brushes out, consider adding a complimentary accent colour to make a large space feel more inviting. Sticking with neutral, inoffensive colours (we suggest avoiding neon green) will appeal to more buyers once your home hits the market. 

Upgrade your appliances

Depending what your home improvement budget looks like, you may want to consider upgrading your appliances. Many buyers appreciate the value of clean, functioning appliances, but this doesn’t mean you have to blow your budget to upgrade. 

Appliance upgrades are a considerable investment so we always recommend consulting your trusted real estate agent before you commit to upgrading your appliances. It is also important to consider what type of buyer you are planning to target when you list your home – new appliances for first-time home buyers may seal the deal, but buyers who are looking to renovate for their dream kitchen may overlook existing appliances.

Remove clutter

If you have lived in your home for quite a few years, or you caught the online shopping bug during the pandemic, chances are you have collected a few extra things. Even though it is easy to fill up every nook and cranny of your home with decor or furniture, it can be unappealing to prospective buyers who aren’t as familiar with your belongings as you are. If you don’t want to part with what you have, consider renting a storage unit or ask your loved ones if they can hold on to some stuff for you until your home sells!

Stage your home

Similar to the above, home buyers want to view homes that they can picture themselves living in. Neutralizing colour schemes, decluttering, removing seasonal decoration, and displaying inconspicuous decor is a great way to stage your home with what you have. Watch some YouTube videos for cost-efficient inspiration, or consider bringing in a professional home stager to help you out (we know a few fabulous home staging companies in Edmonton if you need a reference!).

Modify your curb appeal

When you list your home, you’ll want prospective buyers to drive up to your home and immediately be impressed—even before they step through the front door. Enhancing curb appeal can be tough in Edmonton winters, we know! Do your best to keep your sidewalks and driveways shovelled, turn on exterior lights, and ensure there is parking available in front of your home if possible. 

During snow-free seasons, keep your lawn maintained, remove dead shrubbery, and make sure any underground sprinklers are turned off during showing times.

Upgrade your lighting

Over the years we have found that people are always surprised at how much of a difference new light fixtures can make.  Lighting goes a long way — a modern chandelier, a discreet wall sconce, or an elegant floor lamp can give your space a real ‘glow up’ (haha, get it?). If you’re looking for something budget-friendly, check out Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore or Facebook Marketplace!

Replace door knobs, cabinet hardware and switch plates 

While this may seem superfluous, high-touch areas often draw a buyer’s gaze so updating these everyday items is a great way to add a bit of pizazz. Research trending styles, like brass or matte black, and find something that fits the style of your home. To take it one step further, consider matching your cabinet hardware to the style you chose for doorknobs. It can be very appealing to prospective buyers to see consistency while walking through your home. As for switch plates, replace any cracked or stained plates with new ones—these are super cheap! 

Remove your popcorn ceiling

Textured stipple ceilings, commonly known as popcorn ceilings, were a popular trend in the 1940s-1980s. Not only does a textured ceiling hold on to dust, mold, and unpleasant odours, it also makes a space look outdated. If you have the time and tools, removing a popcorn ceiling can be accomplished with a ceiling scraper, a spray bottle, protective sheets, and a ladder – but there’s no harm in hiring a professional to remove the texture and finish the ceiling with a skim coat and a fresh coat of paint! 

If you choose to remove your textured ceiling, make sure you test for asbestos or have proof that your home is asbestos free! Disrupting the ceiling like that can disturb any latent asbestos.

Do a deep clean

This one may seem obvious, but deep cleaning your home is the #1 way to get to prospective buyers’ hearts. When you have people viewing your home, there is nothing more appealing than walking into a dust-free, clutter-free, nice smelling home. Take a duster to your baseboards and door trim, steam clean your carpets, wash your walls, and clean out any cabinets with stains or clutter. You will be impressed with how much it makes a difference. 

If cleaning isn‘t something that you are good at (or want to do) there are plenty of low-cost cleaning services in Edmonton. 

We at TruHome are enthusiastic to help you get the best price for your home, always. If you are looking into putting your house on the market and finding your next place to call home, we would love to meet with you! Connect with us to get started—we can’t wait to meet you.

Love day is on its way! We love celebrating love – whether it be with our partners, our kids, our families, or our clients! 

Here’s what we recommend to do for Valentine’s day in Edmonton!

For you and your partner

Order the Valentines Charcuterie, Flowers, and Sparkling Wine Bundle from Meuwly’s

If you decide to order from Meuwly’s this Valentine’s Day, it’s a one stop shop. You’ll get a beautiful flower arrangement by Cory Christopher, a Meuwly’s D.I.Y charcuterie kit and a bottle of sparkling rose! To make your order, click here. Take your bundle home and enjoy!

Sit back and relax while getting a couples massage

A couples massage therapy session is a great treat for a couple on any occasion, but especially Valentine’s Day! This treatment takes place in a room lit with candles and very soothing music while two therapists work in a coordinated way so that you and your partner are able to stay in tune with each other. Integrated Therapies is a great spot to book a couples massage—book here!

Learn how to make bagels with Get Cooking

There is nothing more romantic than cooking or baking with your partner. So why not learn how to make bagels together? This Valentine’s day weekend you can indulge your love for bagels by learning to make your own, together with Get Cooking’s bread baking expert Larry Harris. Get your $50 tickets to this virtual class here.

For you and your friends

Make some Galentine’s Day cocktails with Chef’s Table Living

At home cocktail making is a win-win—you learn a new skill, and you get to try tasty new drinks! Chef’s Table Living offers at home beverage kits that would be a perfect activity with friends at home. Choose from a wine tasting kit, Spanish old fashioned cocktail kit, Blue Plate Diner caesar cocktail kit or a Uyu Yong cocktail kit! Click here to order.

Grab the girls and get afternoon tea with Brew+Bloom!

Enjoy three tiers of savory and sweet treats on 3-tiered cake stands and indulge in a selection of the finest loose-leaf teas served with their famous mini tartines and hand-decorated Valentine’s Day sugar cookies. Brew+Bloom’s tables will be set with fresh floral centerpieces, pink teacups, and pink sequin tablecloth—a perfect way to celebrate with friends! Get your tickets.

Take some unique photos at Sid’s Selfie World

Did you know Edmonton had a selfie museum? We recently learned about it, too! Located in the Heart of Edmonton’s Vibrant Old Strathcona area, you and your friends will have fun in this 2000 square foot facility dedicated to the Selfie. Click here to learn more about Sid’s Selfie World!

Have a fun night under the stars at the University of Alberta’s Botanical Garden

Put on your warm woolies and head to the Garden for some laid-back Valentine’s Day! Take part in classic Canadian outdoor activities or try your hand at something new—the Botanical Garden has a lot to offer. During Valentine’s Day this year, you can even book ice carving lessons! Learn more and get your tickets here.

For you and the kids

Visit the Silver Skate Festival

This winter, the Silver Skate Festival is offering an abundance of DIY winter-friendly experiences and challenges that are as diverse as the people who call our Northern community home. Explore the river valley, go for a skate, make a snow angel or visit a winter patio. Winter is magical, and it is even better on Valentine’s Day. It’s free—so just head on over to Hawrelak Park to celebrate!

Buy some non-alcoholic drinks from Above Average Drinks

Treat yourself to some of Above Average Drinks’ alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks while your kids can also sip on something tasty! A first of its kind, Above Average Drinks is now offering a non-alcoholic version of their well sought after cocktails. You can pick up those cocktails directly from Biera itself! Order them here.

Grab an at-home Fondue Kit from Biera

If you are already picking up your Above Average Drinks from Biera, why not also pick up an at-home Fondue Kit, too? Each year, Biera comes up with a unique way to celebrate Valentine’s Day from home—and this year’s fondue kit looks incredible. Take a look for yourself!

Go tubing at the Sunridge

If you look back on your childhood, it is likely that you have fond memories going tubing. Make this Valentine’s Day extra special for you and the kiddos when you take them to Sunridge for tubing! With a dedicated tubing lift (so you don’t have to walk up the hill), three groomed chutes down one of our main hills, and special tubes provided by us, you won’t find a better activity for your family. Learn more and book.

For YOU!

Who says you can’t spend the day celebrating yourself? Treat yo’ self to some of the following things!

Embrace your natural beauty and head to Thrive Beauty Co.

At Thrive Beauty Co., you will be pampered just like you deserve. At this modern studio, you can get eyelash lift and tints, eyebrow tinting or microblading, and a large variety of medical grade skincare regimens. Take a look at Thrive Beauty Co.’s site to see if anything is up your alley.

Treat yourself to some Destination Doughnuts

There is nothing like picking up a treat from your favourite bakery and taking it home to enjoy it alone, on the couch, while watching your favourite TV show. Located on 124th Street, Destination Doughnuts is home to some of the most unique donut flavours you can imagine. What’s more—they are even offering Hearts & Hugs donuts for Valentine’s Day.

Get some cat cuddles at the Wee Book Inn

There is something soothing about walking around a bookstore for hours and reading the backs of books until you find something you want to read. And what makes it even better (and a bit more distracting) is when there is a cat asking for scratches! At the Wee Book Inn, you will have exactly that experience. Sounds like a perfect Valentine’s Day to us!

Whatever you get up to this Valentine’s Day, we hope you have a fulfilling day, celebrating in ways that make you feel loved. From the TruHome family to yours, we wish you a very happy Valentine’s Day!

Condo living has many perks —  added security, built-in maintenance, a sense of community. However, if you live in a condo, chances are your bathroom doesn’t have any windows. 

We have seen this time and time again and have even experienced it ourselves—how can we make our windowless bathrooms brighter, livelier and more inviting? Our TruHome team has tried many things to spruce up windowless bathrooms, so here are our tips! 

Bring in vibrant colours

Even though white paint is the obvious choice, using it as your bathroom wall colour may not necessarily brighten up your space. In fact, it may end up making your bathroom feel a bit like a hospital. Instead, opt for a rich colour— green, terracotta, blue… anything in your favourite shade. Don’t be scared of painting your room too dark—someone on the TruHome team recently painted their windowless bathroom walls a dark green…and it looks fantastic!

If you are not up to painting your bathroom, consider bringing in a colourful shower curtain, bath mat, wall shelf accessories or framed wall photos.

Add some plants

Plants bring warmth, life, and positivity to any room, especially ones without windows. If you have a green thumb and like to have plants that thrive in humid rooms, opt for real plants! Otherwise, we have found that fake plants do just as well, if not better, in a windowless bathroom. Find high quality fake plants are easy to clean, easy to move around, and easy to find in Edmonton! To add some extra oomph, try hanging your fake plant in a macrame hanger from your ceiling!

If you are not a fan of fake plants, there are other options! Dried eucalyptus looks great in a vase, or hanging from your shower head (it also turns your shower into a refreshing, spa-like experience!!). Additionally, snake plants are a lovely low-light plant, however you will want to bring them out of your bathroom and place them in the sun once in a while to ensure they stay happy! Small potted cacti are another great option. 

Replace your lighting fixtures

While it may be hard to visualize, replacing your light fixtures can have the quickest, most impactful change to your windowless bathroom. With many Edmonton condo buildings being built in the 1980s-2000s, oftentimes we notice that the bathroom lighting has never been updated. 

Replace your fixtures with something more modern that filters through most of the light from the bulb. A fixture with three or more bulbs is a bonus! Changing your lighting also gives you the opportunity to adjust the vibes you’re going for. A warm, yellow bulb will be more cozy, but white bulbs give off better lighting.  At the end of the day, it is your bathroom and you choose the light bulb tint that fits your vibe most!

Hang more mirrors

While your bathroom may already have a large vanity mirror, there is always room for more! Thinking about choosing small wall-hanging mirrors with unique frames, or mirror-finished objects for an extra pop of shine. Extra mirrors in a small, windowless space reflect more light and give the appearance of a brighter, more spacious room.

Add an essential oil air freshener/diffuser

There is so much more to a room than the way it looks—the way it smells can also completely transform it. There are many ways to bring in a fresh, inviting scent to your windowless bathroom, but our favourite is to place an essential oil air freshener. It is easy to find, low maintenance and it is also nice decor to look at! Go find your favourite scent and see how it transforms your bathroom.

Double down on decor

Windows take up significant space in most rooms, so since you have more wall space in your windowless bathroom, fill it with decor! Think about adding floating shelves, gallery walls (with mirrors and pictures), macrame, and anything else you can think of to bring more dimension into your room. Reminder: make sure that everything you bring in can withstand a high-humidity environment.

Keep it clutter-free

This may seem like an obvious one, but keeping any room, especially a windowless bathroom, clutter-free will transform your space the fastest. A clutter-free bathroom makes the room feel bigger and more inviting. With no natural light available to brighten up the bathroom, the darkness can make the room feel too full if there is too much clutter!

We hope this helped you on your windowless bathroom journey! If you have any other ideas on how to brighten and liven up your windowless bathroom, we would love to hear it!! Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook @yourtruhome

Asbestos. It’s a daunting word—especially when you learn that you may have it in your home. We all know that asbestos isn’t “good”, but what exactly does it mean for you if your home has it? As part of our Home Inspection Series, we’re diving into what exactly asbestos is, how you can test for it, and what it means for your home if the test comes back positive.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous silicate material that has six types—all of which can be released into the atmosphere by abrasion or disruption. Asbestos is a highly-effective and inexpensive fireproof material that was used in home construction from the early 1940s through the late 1980s.

Is asbestos harmful?

The short answer is yes and no. Asbestos does have the potential to be harmful and cause a variety of long-term respiratory conditions if inhaled, but that doesn’t mean you should be worried if it is present in your home. The only time when asbestos can be harmful is if it is disturbed, becomes airborne, and is inhaled.

Note that asbestos isn’t easily disturbed and there is no reason to be worried if you learn that your home does indeed have asbestos in the drywall, floors or ceiling!

When should I test for asbestos?

Though it is not a part of the typical home inspection, it is still part of your due diligence. If your home was built before 1990, there is a high chance that asbestos may be present in your Edmonton home. But don’t fret yet! Just because your home may have asbestos doesn’t even mean you need to test for it—like mentioned above, it is only ever harmful when it gets disturbed and becomes airborne (like during a renovation or demolition).

You can test for asbestos at any time. This can happen years after owning your home or even before purchasing! If you are looking to test before purchasing, your realtor will negotiate with the seller to get special permission before closing. Because asbestos can be expensive to get removed, some buyers may walk away from purchasing a home if they were looking to do major renovations.

Who do I call to get asbestos testing?

Many of our clients have been through asbestos testing and used Edmonton-based companies to get it tested safely and quickly. Here are list of reliable asbestos testing companies our clients have used:

• Asbestos and Mold Removal Edmonton
• RH Services Inc.
• Environmental Monitoring Solutions
• Edmonton Asbestos Removal Pros
• Safety Coordination Services

The process of testing for asbestos

Though there are DIY testing kits that can be purchased online and sent to the lab for testing, we suggest that asbestos testing be done by a professional, always. Not only is it safer (which should be reason in itself), but it is often a faster turnaround for results.

On-site sampling prices vary from around $250 to $750, depending on the size of the home and the amount of areas sampled. And if you want to take it a step further and monitor the air in your home, that can cost you an additional $1000, approximately.

If asbestos is found in your home, there may be an additional cost to get it removed. In the spirit of transparency, it doesn’t tend to be cheap. Found on the Canadian Hazmat Environmental website, a 2,200 square foot home starts at about $9,000 for asbestos removal. It goes without saying that it can be a large expense and should be taken seriously! 

Because of the large cost of asbestos removal, it can be important to do testing before you purchase a home, especially if you plan to give your new home a facelift. It can save you money in the long run, and will give you peace of mind with your big purchase.

If you are in the market to purchase a fix’r up’r but want to learn more about asbestos, feel free to send us a message to get started. We are more than happy to set up a call, discuss your home buying plans and start your search with you.

The home-buying process is a great adventure, but furnishing your space is a whole other opportunity for fun. Though it can be an opportunity to be creative, it can also be time consuming and frustrating when trying to find furniture that meets your aesthetic and your budget.

What’s more, mid-century modern furniture and decor is back. And unless your grandparents have an attic full of beautiful, untouched, legitimate 1930s-1960s furniture, there is only one way to get your hands on mid century pieces… by thrifting it. Take a peak below for our suggestions of where to thrift vintage furniture in Edmonton! 

Roam Vintage Home

Price range: $$

Roam Vintage Home is an Edmonton-based vintage curator offering affordable, quality, vintage housewares and furniture. With a focus on large furniture like bedroom sets, seating and wall decor, you are sure to find unique pieces for your home. Roam Vintage Home’s business runs completely through Instagram, so it is a good idea to set notifications for posts and stories so that you don’t miss out on your perfect teak piece.

Roam Vintage Home is more than just a vintage reseller—the owner often shares their home renovations on their Instagram stories so feel free to ask questions if you see something you love or want to know more about.

Alexander & Rose

Price range: $

One of our favourite vintage sellers, Alexander & Rose sells mid-Century, antique pieces that oftentimes have some quirkiness to them. Unique to the rest of the businesses we will feature in this article, Alexander & Rose gets most of its stock through estate management!

The owner & curator, Zach, left the hospitality industry to work at his mom’s Estate Management company and became exposed to all the amazing collections through their clients. Now, he spends his days treasure seeking, buying and curating classic elements to sell directly through Alexander & Rose’s Instagram and at markets!

Thrift Sister

Price range: $

Just like the name sounds, Thrift Sister is run by two thrifty sisters who have an eye for thrifted items. Though a lot of their stock is vintage clothing (which you should totally check out), they often carry dinnerware, artwork and teak decor and accessories that will amp your bookcase up a notch.

Thrift Sister doesn’t have a storefront or a website (yet), however they often do pop-ups around the city. Give them a follow on Instagram to see their upcoming schedule!

Dom Deco

Price range: $$$

Dom Deco is a mid-Century modern dream. Located at 8213 56 Street and open by appointment only (for the time being), you will find high-end refinished furniture, cameras, books, barware, glassware and home decor.

What makes Dom Deco different are two things. First, if you have something on your wishlist, you can contact them with photos and dimensions and they will be on the lookout for your perfect match. Secondly, Dom Deco refinishes and repairs antique furniture, too! Their pricing is transparent and listed on their website.

Find Edmonton

Price range: $

Find is a social enterprise with two goals: providing essential furnishings free of charge to individuals and families who are moving out of homelessness, and supplying low-cost, quality furniture and housewares for sale to the public. Isn’t that cool?

You can shop Find through its online website or by going in person to its storefront. We definitely recommend giving Find a follow on Instagram because they have daily posts to their stories to introduce some of their newest stock!

Mission Thrift Store

Price range: $

Hope Mission is a volunteer-driven, non-denominational Christian organization that currently operates more than 50 thrift stores across Canada.

Though you are not likely to find a lot of big furniture items at the Mission Thrift Store, you will definitely be able to buy a lot of home decor and kitchen items there.

Consign Design Furniture & Decor

Price range: $$$

Long time local couple behind Consign Design, Lynne and John, are extremely passionate about design, fashion, furniture, and local business. Thus the birth of Consign Design, an Edmonton-based furniture and decor hub. Consign Design provides previously loved furniture and decor for Edmontonians who are conscious buyers who want one-of-a-kid pieces that are sustainable and cool!

What’s more—you can consign items of your own through them, to. All you need to do is send them a message to get started! If your item is a good fit for their inventory, Consign Design will sell on your behalf.

Lightly Loved

Price range: $$

Though Lightly Loved is based out of Stony Plain, the ~45 minute commute to pick up your items is always worth the drive. With a focus on bigger antique furniture items like bookshelves, lighting, dressers, tables and chairs, you will likely be able to furnish your entire home in a jiffy. 

You can shop Lightly Loved directly through their Instagram posts, or you can use the hashtag #shoplightlyloved to see which items are still available, since items tend to sell quickly! 

Bex Vintage

Price range: $$$

Bex Vintage sources unique vintage and mid Century home furnishings within Calgary and throughout Alberta. The company refinishes vintage furniture & decor to give them a second life another 50 years. 

Unlike any of the other companies featured in this article, Bex Vintage sells rugs in addition to other larger furniture items! Vintage rugs are often so hard to find, so be sure to keep an eye out for Bex Vintage’s beautiful retro, persian and imperial-style rugs.

More Than A Fad

Price range: $

We like More Than A Fad so much that we are featuring them for a second time! More Than A Fad is a thrift store in Edmonton raising funds for women in addiction recovery at Adeara Recovery Centre. As a women-owned business ourselves, we love More Than A Fad’s mission and enjoy supporting them.

You can thrift a variety of items from this store, but the Southside location is its biggest store that carries a lot of larger furniture items such as dressers, couches, mirrors, wall decor and filing cabinets. The items are not always Mid Century, but a fixer-upper piece can be fun to transform yourself!

Aside from furniture, More Than A Fad sells a lot of clothing—sometimes they even have a “fill your bag for $25” deal!

Brassy Beehive

Price range: $$$

Brassy Beehive sells Mid Century Modern & Vintage items in Edmonton. You can find high quality furniture, lighting, houseware, art, decor, toys, jewelry and more directly through their website or Instagram!

You can truly find anything you are looking for through Brassy Beehive. Though at the top of our pricing scale, the pieces this company sells are one-of-a-kind and will last a lifetime.

Facebook Marketplace

Price range: Open

The holy grail of secondhand shopping—Facebook Marketplace. We don’t even have to link it because we already know you all have a Facebook account!

The beauty of Facebook Marketplace is the algorithm. If you search “antique dresser” once, you will continue to see new posts of items with similar descriptions each day. Additionally, the algorithm easily learns what kind of products you would be likely to be interested in, and it even shows “Today’s Picks”—a curated selection of new items each day that you can shop through.

Reflecting back on the year gives a deeper perspective as to where you have been and where you want to go. It is an opportunity to look back and celebrate the wins and reflect on ways to improve and grow. At TruHome, we had so much good to celebrate but also experienced new challenges when it came to growth.

Some highlights of our wins:

• We helped over 300 families define what home is. This was both reflective in clients taking a step into homeownership and into our latest rental project 121 west
• We partnered with Regency Developments to lease up their project at 121 west in the heart of the Brewery District
• Our team exceeded our sales goals from RE/MAX Titan Club in 2020 to RE/MAX Diamond Club (second highest club reachable) for 2021.
• Elisse received recognition as a RE/MAX Top 40 under 40 for Canada – an amazing accomplishment to receive and celebrate
• We reached new heights when it came to our average sale prices, navigating this crazy market – both with multiple offer scenarios and some more challenging type of properties to sell.
• We continued to finesse our processes and systems to better support our clients
• We expanded our team further in an effort to be more available to our customers
• We made amazing connections and friendships along the way.
• We coached and educated new agents for their own future growth
• We reached a new milestone with Stollery and you will find our name on the donor wall ($10,000 – $24,000) and we gave back to other charities too.
• We moved too – some of our team members also took time to jump into the market and make their own moves too.

This year gave us time to pause and really consider the value of our team and what we currently provide to both agents coming in and for our clients. How we can continue to shift and grow as leaders to continue to showcase our values and worth and what it means to better come together.

2022 will be all about growth and authenticity – how can we continue to grow while staying true to our value system and what is important to us? How can we show up for our clients better and provide them with the level of service we too would want to experience? How to maintain authentic and trusting relationships within our company? How to show up and give back to this beautiful city we call home and support those most vulnerable?

Each of our Edmonton REALTORS® will have their own unique, authentic goals that will blend alongside our overall team goals.

Most importantly to us though is how can we serve you better? If you have been considering a move, or thinking about how real estate can impact your long term wealth strategy – lets chat. We would be truly honoured to be a part of helping you in 2022. Contact us today to start planning for your future.

– Photography by Tracey Jazmin

Many neighborhoods in Edmonton can be described as having “everything you could ever want”, but there’s truly no neighborhood that embodies this better than Strathcona (or, Old Strathcona). It’s established, authentic, inclusive, and chic.

Homes

Strathcona is a historic community with a large real estate footprint. There is an abundance of single-family homes, infill lots, duplexes, and walk-up apartments to satisfy all tastes, budgets, and lifestyles. With its proximity to the University of Alberta campus and hospital, there are also plenty of opportunities for income properties.

The premiere community of Strathcona fully embraces culture, art, and festivities while offering a unique twist on urban living. It is a popular spot for young adults and university-goers who enjoy the short commute, however there are many long-term residents and families who embrace the pedestrian-friendly and breezy lifestyle.

Places to Visit

With over 600 businesses serving the surrounding areas, there is enough boutique shopping, dining, and entertainment venues to fill the soul. Some of our favorite spots include The Plaid Giraffe, Rocket Fizz, Blues on Whyte, The Junque Cellar, Spotlight Cabaret and the Princess Theatre.

There’s a reason Old Strathcona was recently dubbed Edmonton’s “dessert district”. Whether you’re strolling along Whyte Ave or exploring the hidden gems amongst the alleys and murals, there’s something on every corner to satisfy your sweet tooth! Some of our favorites are Made by Marcus (unique ice cream flavours and frozen treats), Yelo’d (Filipino inspired soft serve ice cream treats), La Boule (French inspired pastries and bread), Cacao 70 (chocolate a million different ways) and Sugared and Spiced (all the baked goods). Just to name a few!

If the options for a night on the town don’t appeal (Hudson’s, O’Byrne’s, Beercade, etc.), there’s a good chance the foodie scene will satisfy some tastebuds.

Under the High Wheel and Pip offer delectable brunches with flare, while Meat and The Next Act are the places to be for friendly gatherings, family-style meals, and high vibe dining. MKT and Malt & Mortar also have great pub fare if you’re looking for something more on the casual side.

Commuting/Schools

Downtown Edmonton is easily accessible via the two major throughfares, Walterdale Hill Road and Groat Road Bridge, while 104^th Street/Calgary Trail make it a quick journey to south Edmonton and beyond.

In addition to the University of Alberta, there are a handful of schools in the neighborhood and surrounding areas which makes Old Strathcona a great neighborhood for families.

Old Scona Academic High School is right in the heart of the community and is recognized as one of the top academic secondary schools in the country. You also have King Edward School (K-6), Strathcona School (Grades 10-12), and McKernan School (Grades 7-9). Additionally, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Louis St. Laurentare two of the designated Catholic schools in the area.

Recreation

Even though it’s a wanderer’s delight, there is no shortage of outdoor space and greenery. The End of Steel, Dr. Wilbert MacIntyre, and Light Horse parks are in the neighborhood for evening games of Spike Ball or as a place to take your furry friend on a walk.

Just a few blocks north you’ll find Saskatchewan drive, which boasts panoramic views of Downtown Edmonton with a newly refurbished pedestrian walkway, bike path, landscaping and seating. If you go on the right day, you might find a local artist set up with an easel and a coffee, capturing Edmonton’s finest lookout point. And if you adventure just a bit further east, you’ll find yourself in Mill Creek Ravine that connects you to Edmonton’s network of river valley trails. 

One of the major perks of choosing Strathcona as your new neighborhood is that you’ll never have to fight for parking to enjoy the festivals in the area. No matter the season, there is always something going on. Most notably is the internationally known Edmonton Fringe Festival during August, the Ice on Whyte ice sculpture festival in January, and the Whyte Ave Art Walk in June.

We would be doing a disservice to the neighbourhood if we didn’t mention the Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market: In operation since 1983, this indoor market is home to an assortment of vendors offering locally grown and produced goods, delicious treats, and sustainable living options. The best part is, they’re open year-round!

Whatever your reason is for moving to Strathcona, there will be no shortage of reasons for why you’ll fall in love with the community right away. TruHome would love to connect you with your next home in this beautiful community, so drop us a line and one of our agents will be in touch!