Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The Press endeavor continues ..

I continue on my marketing quest to get more coverage and have contacted Bullfrog power for their newsletter, Live Green Toronto for their newsletter and Brian Baeumler for his TV show and/or website. Watch for more coverage!!

Friday, May 20, 2011

CBC picked up our story!

Sweet but short, we saw ourselves on CBC news last night for a VERY short ( 5 Second) clip on our tree planting and green home - I guess we are sort of  'famous'!!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

LEAF Event - a huge success!

We are happy to share that with the help of our close friends and neighbours, our tree planting event was a great success. Adam Smith from Yanch came down to meet media from the North York Mirror, Ming Pao Daily news, CBC Television and SNAP North York. We planted 2 Ironberry tress and 1 tulip tree, planted strategically to give maximum shade to our new home to minimize summer heat.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Media Alert on the wire ...

We are proud to be working with LEAF to create a 'tree planting' event scheduled for Thursday, May 19th @ 11:00:

Tree planting to complete new green home

EVENT: Green Home Completion and Tree Planting Ceremony
WHEN: Thursday, May 19, 2011
TIME: 11:00 a.m.
LOCATION: 149 Park Home Ave., Toronto
WHO/WHAT: Erin Stevens, LEAF arborist - Benefits to homeowners of tree planting

Michelle Oliveira, homeowner - Why we chose to build green

Toronto Councillor John Filion (invited) - Why Toronto needs more green buildings.

Adam Smith, YANCH Geothermal & YANCH Heating and Air Conditioning - The green benefits of geothermal technology.

(May 17, 2011, Toronto, ON – For Immediate Release) LEAF - Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests will be helping to celebrate the completion of a year-long green home build at 149 Park Home Ave., Toronto this Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. LEAF will be planting three trees on the property in locations designed to help keep the home cool in the summer.

Over the past year, Ms. Oliveira and her family have incorporated many green products and features while building their new home including: geothermal heating, ICF forming in the basement, bamboo floors, drain water heat recovery, a heat recovery ventilation system and interlocking/permeable paving.

Immediately following the ceremony, the homeowner’s children and some of their friends will help mulch the three new trees.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Sod and interlock are done

The house looks amazing with the sod and driveway completed. We are planning a 'tree planting' media event with LEAF for mid-May - stay tuned!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Interlocking / permeable driveway and sod laying has begun ..

We are thrilled to have Fieldstone Landscaping working with us to create an interlocking permeable driveway and front walkway, allowing the rain water to seep into the ground versus running off into the storm system.  We will be using sod as our only 'landscaping' for now but do plan to plant native plants and species encorporating the elements of xeriscaping into our new home.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

We are in!!!!

All of our valued utilities (water, sanitary and electricity) have been completed and we are thrilled to announce that we can now enjoying our 'Eco Home'. The geothermal unit is running efficiently and we are enjoying the even temperatures, knowing we are no longer burning fossil fuels to heat the house. We are also using 'extra geo heat' to pre-heat the hot water as well as utilizing a drain water heat recovery system, decreasing the demand on the hot water tank.  The insta-panels in the basement floor keep floor temperature toasty warm (we can even walk down there in socks and not be cold!!!), while the ICF walls keep the heat in and cold out and were warm to touch even on the coldest days.  Our bamboo flooring looks amazing and given the entire house is hardwood, we rest easier knowing the trees that were harvested for our house will replenish in as little as 3-5 years.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Our move in date keeps slipping...

After weeks of follow-up with the City of Toronto we finally have a sanitary & water line and tomorrow Steve's contractors will connect our house to the city for water and sanitary services. The electricien then needs to ground our electricity and put in a request to Hydro to connect so that we can move in. Looks like it will be early next week - just a day or two before we need to be out of this house - talk about living on the edge!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Our stuff is in - but we're not

Our two PODS were delivered today and with the help of friends and family we managed to get somewhat settled this weekend but without water, sanitary or electricity we are back to temporary living next to our dear friends on Willimart Court. Kirk leaves on Friday for two weeks so looks like me and kids will spend out first night @ 149 before his arrival home ..

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

March update

The city of Toronto saga has started as I try to get us water and sanitary for our move-in date of March 11th. Kirk is leaving on his Africa Trip to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in an effort to raise money for Immigrant families and we are hoping to be settled before he leaves.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Kitchen is installed and looks amazing!

Thanks to John at Merrett Home Hardware our ( my) dream kitchen is now installed and looks amazing. Steve's carpenters worked meticulously ensure a beatiful, rich looking kitchen - We await the quartz countertop to complete the room.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Merrett Home Hardware arrives!

It's a glorious day and as our new kitchen arrives from Merrett Home Hardware In Peterborough!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Painting and floors!

Well I am happy with our paint choices ( Kirk is still reserved about all the grayish tones) but we think once the kitchen and floors are in, it will all put together nicely. We went with the ash gray selection and each of the kids got to pick their rooms colours ( with some 'guidance'). The dark bamboo flooring is next.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Drywall and trim

February was filled with lots of dust as the drywallers did their thing and the finish carpenters did the trim. We also did crown moudling on the first floor to add some class and architecture.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

January update

Alot has happended since January 10th but most of it hard to show in photos. The drywall, taping and priming were all done by the 15th. Next in under 3 days, the crown moulding was done. Last week, the tiling has started which is a slow meticulous task but as you can see, the rewards are amazing. Each room is now developing personality and style - left is Kyle's bath and on the right is Ella's bath floor. As February rolls through, we expect the outside aluminum to be done, the tiling to be completed, the trim to be installed and the painting to be done. We are hoping to move in mid March ...

Monday, January 10, 2011

A busy start to the new year!

Our drywall is done and the tapers began last week - now we can really see the interior rooms of the house. Once taping is done, it's mouldings and tiling which will take us into early February.  Choosing tiles was not as difficult as I thought but I am sure Kirk doesn't want to look at another Canadian House and Home magazine!