As the blue and white tints of winter finally clear, shades of spring can be found rousing from hibernation. Out with heavy drapes and slate greys, and in with a fresh palette of Cinque Terre pastels, statement touches, and a seamless blend of country chic meets modern world.

Your space should evolve with the season. What softens the blow of winter winds and early evenings may hamper the enjoyment of those fresh yellow and green blossoms. So get ready with these home décor trends for spring.

As winter turns to spring, the landscape — and the real-estate market — re-emerges and blooms again. Though not visible to the eye, solid root systems — just like a home’s foundation — are fundamental to growth and endurance.

At Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, we appreciate that the value of a home lies not only in the beauty of its architecture, but also in the strength of its foundation in order to withstand the test of time and become a solid investment integral to your financial future, as well as a place for you and your family to plant roots and flourish.

In the ideal co-mingling of old and new architecture, the sum is greater than its parts. Smart adaptive-reuse projects employ the best contemporary design to showcase architectural heritage. They also breathe new life into the past, providing new uses, new contexts and new ways of experiencing the urban landscape. In some cases, adaptive reuse recasts buildings in unimaginably different roles — stables transforming into homes, industrial buildings turning into community hubs.

In the best examples — say, the 1989 addition of I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid to the Louvre in Paris, a building whose history goes back to the 12th century — it is the conversation between the old and new that itself becomes iconic. These six exemplary buildings from around the world prove that the past can find new life in designs built for the future.

Vancouver’s Joseph Segal is a self-made billionaire, thanks to the various business ventures that he invested in — from selling fish from his bicycle to property development through his company, Kingswood Capital Corporation. But when it comes to one of his greatest passions — collecting art, Segal values the help he’s had along the way.

Starting April 30, 2018, landlords of most private residential rental units – from individual landlords to property management companies – must use the the standard lease template for all new leases.

Toronto is a city of unparalleled dining options, a thriving arts and entertainment scene, and a multicultural demographic with more than half of its population hailing from outside the country. It even has an airport in the downtown core. One of the biggest benefits for parents, however, is that Toronto is also home to a number of the top-ranked private schools in the country—meaning there’s no shortage of outstanding education options to choose from. In these neighbourhoods, the curriculum, facilities, and mentors are first-class. Read on to discover the Top Private Schools in Toronto by Neighbourhood.

In the latest episode, get up close with George Condo’s ‘The Life of Jean Louis’ and discover nods to Picasso, Basquiat, Rauschenberg and Rembrandt. The work is a highlight of Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Day Auction (08 March, London).

hen it comes to eco-friendly living, tomorrow’s world is already here. A wealth of effortless choices await when looking to revamp and modernize a home into a sustainable, conscious enclave. Why sacrifice style when it comes to sustainability? Here are 4 energy efficient upgrades to invest in your home’s worth and propel it to the top of the market’s must-see listings.

Toronto Real Estate Board President Tim Syrianos announced that Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 5,175 residential transactions through TREB's MLS® System in February 2018. This result was down 34.9 percent compared to the record 7,955 sales reported in February 2017.

Toronto, Canada’s largest city and one of the world’s hottest property markets, has a supply problem and the nation’s housing agency admits it is not quite sure why soaring prices have not spurred more construction.

New homes replace demolished ones at a sharply lower rate than early this decade, completion times for multi-family projects have doubled and prospective buyers have far fewer new homes to choose from than only a few years ago.

The reason, in part, may lie in an ambitious growth plan for the greater Toronto area the Ontario province forged over a decade ago.

With their endless amenities, ultramodern finishes, panoramic views, and trendy locales, today’s condos offer extensive value to the discerning buyer. Yet streamlining a space can help elevate a condo even further, and these design tips squeeze every drop out of square footage, without compromising on luxury to help you maximize your condo space.

Buzz, energy, boundless choice – that’s the lure of city living. To be in the thick of culture, art, gastronomy, and community; to be in the midst of change and witness the spark of a collective idea; where some see a metropolis as a weighty undertaking, choosing to retreat to the calm refuge of the countryside instead, others revel in the unique energy and character of a city.

If “location, location, location” is at the top of your property search priorities—after all, who doesn’t love close proximity to the best restaurants, venues, and events a city has to offer—consider the new wave of expertly designed or recently refurbished condos and townhouses cropping up across the country.

The real estate market prevalent in Toronto during the first 4 months of 2017 was always going to be a tough act to follow. Below is a deeper dive into the difference we're seeing between January 2017 and January 2018. 

Toronto Real Estate Board President Tim Syrianos announced that Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 4,019 residential transactions through TREB’s MLS® System in January 2018.  This result was down by 22 per cent compared to a record 5,155 sales reported in January 2017.

The number of new listings entered into TREB’s MLS® System amounted to 8,585 – a 17.4 per cent increase compared to 7,314 new listings entered in January 2017.  However, it is important to note that the level of new listings was the second lowest for the month of January in the past 10 years.

The warmer months of spring and summer are when the real estate market spikes and buyers are hot on the trail of a new home. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worthwhile to list your home in the new year—after all, winter offers sellers less competition with fewer properties on the market. Plus, once the cold sets in you have a chance to pull out all the stops to make your home feel comfy and cozy. Here are some tips to ensure you’re set up to wow potential buyers during the snowy season.

he new year brings resolutions, a new outlook, and a fresh start—and what better way to kickoff 2018 than with a home that inspires tranquillity and peace of mind. People in countries across the world have unique ways of living simply, happily, and in harmony with their surrounding environment. From the Scandinavian concept of hygge to the Chinese philosophy of feng shui, each culture’s practices offers valuable lessons—and the Japanese art of decluttering and organizing is no different.

Turquoise waters, breezy sea air, sun soaked beaches and lush greenery are part and parcel for the idyllic island jaunt, but there are tropical escapes, and then there are tropical escapes.

Once you decide to own a slice of paradise, the details of island living become that much more nuanced. It becomes about sun and shade cycles, open-air living, a welcome dose of privacy, and views whenever possible. Warm wood adds a beach-hut feel, sweeping white walls offset pops of topical color, and washed stones evoke nearby shorelines. Couple those trappings of good taste with resort-like amenities and you may never leave the island.

Your home serves as the outward expression of your inner-self, something of a vessel for your spirit. To capture that essence, clear structure, a thoughtful palette, and ambient lighting hold key roles; but it’s what you display in this space that makes it unique. Curating art for this blank slate is what makes a home uniquely yours.