Showing posts with label Critical Listing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Critical Listing. Show all posts

Mar 13, 2015

Outdoor landscaping projects can seem pretty daunting; after all, your yard essentially gives visitors the first impression of what kinds of design elements to expect when they walk through your front door. Thankfully there are outdoor design and lifestyle experts like HGTV's Carson Arthur, host of Critical Listing and Green Force, who are here to help guide your next project in the right direction.


Where To Start

Like every renovation project, Carson says that sticking to a budget is the absolute key to a successful landscaping project.

"Always start with useable space," he says. "Budget for that deck or the patio because this is where you will spend the majority of your time in the backyard. Having a beautiful lawn to look at is one thing, but having somewhere for the family to sit is by far the priority...and the biggest investment."

Carson really stresses the value of useable space, explaining that it is important to plan your renovation around a timeline because it can impact your budget depending on your future plans.

"Really consider how long you want to be in the home. Items like a new deck have a shorter lifespan than a patio. Maybe opting for a more expensive patio is a wiser decision than paying to replace a worn out deck."

Tips & Tricks

Often there are yard spaces that just aren't as big as we would like them to be. To maximize a smaller space, Carson has two words: go vertical!

"Adding a great pergola over a small backyard gives instant impact. Pergolas help re-enforce the concept of outdoor room by defining the space and creating overhead privacy."

Think before you act and have a plan. Carson attributes homeowners' most common mistakes to rushing a renovation without thinking of key elements. He says that there is danger in buying a bunch of garden accessories without actually having a long-term vision.

"Before anyone starts any backyard gardening, I always advise on having a real design done so that you never have to move, dig up, or cut down any of your new investments."


To avoid these potential disasters, consider bringing in an expert. Carson says that hiring a respectable designer can actually save you a lot of money by providing guidance and project knowledge.

"Too many outdoor DIY projects go horribly wrong, costing the homeowner time and money. I'm all for saving on the budget, but when installing outdoors, there is a whole new set of variables that most home builders have never worked with before."

For more helpful outdoor design hacks, check out Carson's presentation on the Main Stage at the Edmonton Home + Garden Show, March 19-22 at the Edmonton Expo Centre. Don't have tickets yet? Get 2-for-1 on Facebook and treat a friend or family member to the show. We can't wait to see you there!


Feb 27, 2015

The wait is finally over, the Calgary Home + Garden Show is here! Swing by the BMO Centre & Corral from February 26th to March 1st to see Canada's most talented designers and gardening gurus on the Home + Garden Stage, presented by The Calgary Herald. Plus, don't miss out on over 650 exhibitors and features designed to whip any home or garden into shape!

As the show kicks into high gear, we'd like to shed light on this year's celebrity presenter, HGTV's Carson Arthur, gracing the Home + Garden Stage for the first time in show history.


As the co-star of HGTV Canada's Critical Listing and founder of Carson Arthur Design, Carson Arthur has become a voice of environmentally-friendly landscape design on a global scale. We're thrilled to host this curb appeal master on the Home + Garden Stage. He'll be offering tips on how to find value in your outdoor spaces and how to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to landscaping. Looking to redesign or renovate your outdoor space? Carson has expert advice for you! Don't miss Carson Arthur on the Home + Garden Stage on February 28th and March 1st!

Presentation Topic: "Show Me The Money" - Landscaping has joined kitchens and bathrooms at the top of ways to improve your home's value. See how to make your gardens work for you!
Where: Home + Garden Stage presented by The Calgary Herald
When: Saturday, February 28th at 3pm and Sunday, March 1st at 12pm

Presentation Topic: "The New Low" - Why low-maintenance outdoor spaces are changing the face of outdoor living.
Where: Home + Garden Stage presented by The Calgary Herald
When: Saturday, February 28th at 7pm

Interested in attending the Calgary Home + Garden Show? To avoid box office lines (and receive a hefty discount), get 2-for-1 tickets on Facebook! For a complete list of home and garden celebrities and their stage appearances and presentation topics check out our Stage Schedule.