Attention to detail is our focus
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In 2024, we completed Project Shepherd, a condo kitchen makeover with a fresh, modern design. We installed melamine PVC cabinets with a semi-gloss finish, paired with an engineered quartz countertop and backsplash. To complete the look, we added durable vinyl flooring, creating a stylish and functional space.

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Random length border tile; subtle blend of colors
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Randy James
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Recently, Mandy Renfrew collaborated with Gemstone Developments to stage their beautiful newly built modern custom home. Gemstone built this home with an incredible attention to detail. From floor plan to finishes, they demanded perfection each step along the way. Polanco Home Decor’s staging experts continued this high level of thought and consideration into the furniture and decor selection to prepare this house for sale. “894 Colonel By Dr. was designed to complement urban, sophisticated living in one of the city’s most sought-after locations. This brand new, custom home includes endless high end features such as a flawlessly crafted master suite, gourmet Irpinia kitchen facing a spacious raised patio, and expansive entertaining spaces all made accessible with a private elevator. ” Josh Zaret, Gemstone Developments http://gemstonecorp.com/portfolio/894-colonel-by-drive/ “While the building is a masterpiece on its own, it also boasts breath-taking views of the scenic Rideau Canal and manicured green space. By spring, enjoy the sights of the Canadian Tulip Festival and in winter participate in the capital’s renowned Winterlude celebrations by taking steps to the world’s largest skating rink, the Rideau canal.” Josh Zaret, Gemstone Developments http://gemstonecorp.com/portfolio/894-colonel-by-drive/ Furniture Store Ottawa - Ottawa StagingThis modern open concept home, designed by Barry Hobin, included 10 foot ceilings with gorgeous floor to ceiling windows. It was important to create an inviting atmosphere with the furnishings we chose, creating a space that anyone who enters could envision themselves living in. We wanted to create a distinction between the living and dining room, as the home featured a very open concept space. Polanco’s designers wanted to create the look of a home meant for entertaining, in which you could enjoy a dining experience as well as socialize in the living room area. The breathtaking view of the Rideau Canal seen from all seating areas in the living space accentuated the spacious feeling of the home. A custom sized Martha sectional from Marcantonio Designs was the perfect choice for this grand open living room. Upholstered in a soft off-white leather, this style with metal legs complements the contemporary style of this home. We paired the sectional with a square fully tufted ottoman in a similar creamy-white leather to complete the seating area. The solid maple Verona sideboard from Handstone Furniture in a vintage silver stain gives buyers a sense of where to position their media centre. Above this piece, in lieu of a TV, we opted to bring some colour into the space with a piece from Celadon Art. To tie the artwork to the rest of the area, beautiful toss cushions in varying tones of blue were placed on the furniture pieces. Two matching Cassandra chairs upholstered in a simple grey linen fabric were selected to complement the neutral tones of the other furniture pieces. White accessories from Torre & Tagus placed on the ottoman are the final element of decor to this gorgeous open concept living space. We wanted to continue with a light and airy look, and chose to place a custom Albany console from Artage on the wall opposite to the Verona sideboard. We decorated the console with white accessories from Torre & Tagus and a Bangkok mirror from Renwil. This mirror is a Polanco favourite due to its size and versatility – it matches both classic and modern designs. The round shape of the mirror adds softness and complements the wall sconces. Furniture Store Ottawa - Ottawa Home StagingMoving into the dining room, we selected the Cordova dining table from Handstone Furniture. The functionality of a pedestal table allowed for more seating so buyers could envision how many guests they could seat in this large open space dining room. We chose the same vintage silver stain on the dining room table as well as on the living room sideboard to create consistency from room to room. To contrast with the darker stain of the table, we paired it with white leather Linda chairs from Elite Living. At the head of the table, the Albany bar cart from Artage in a bright chrome finish completes the room with a unique entertaining piece. Furniture Store Ottawa - Ottawa Home StagingMatching Linda white leather counter stools were used in the kitchen to create continuity from one room to another. In the family area off of the kitchen, we placed the Melynda swivel chair from Marcantonio Designs in a complementary white leather. The swivel feature on the chair allows buyers to envision how the space would function – if you were sitting in this area you could easily swivel your chair to talk to people in the kitchen as well as enjoying the contemporary fireplace. Opposite this chair is the Melrose love seat upholstered in a light grey linen fabric. It was chosen for its low profile look, as it does not obstruct the view of the beautiful terrace at the back of the house. In the centre of both pieces is the Orion coffee table also in a bright chrome finish. The Orion coffee table, light in design, was a strategic choice, making the room appear larger. Patterned toss cushions complement the geometric texture of the tiled fireplace while bringing the design elements of the space and furniture together. Furniture Store Ottawa - Ottawa Home StagingIn the master bedroom, we selected the stunning Layla king size bed upholstered in a light grey linen fabric. The soft curve of its headboard complements the curved Capricorn chairs placed in the seating area near the window of this room. Crisp, white linens from Cuddle Down Products were chosen to dress the bed, accentuated by Polanco’s own decorative toss cushions in fabrics from Robert Allen Design. On each side of the bed we chose custom wide Brooklyn nightstands painted in Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace and accentuated with decorative glass knobs. Silver accents are continued throughout the room, as shown with the nailheads on the upholstered bed and occasional chairs, cabinet knobs, lamps, and accessories. The spare bedroom was designed specifically to allow future home buyers to envision their own furniture in the space. We chose the Linea queen bed in a neutral grey fabric for its simple and elegant design and paired it with crisp white linens from Cuddle Down Products. A silver end table from Torre & Tagus and a silver table lamp from Arteriors Home finish the space. The entranceway was decorated with a large simple 48” round mirror with a decorative upholstered Thomas bench in a contemporary grey velvet fabric. We accented the design of the entrance bench with toss cushions to create an inviting feel upon entering this exquisite home. Furniture Store Ottawa - Ottawa Home StagingOpen to the entranceway, the large den has magnificent floor to ceiling windows showcasing the view of the gardens along the Rideau Canal. We chose to show this space as a home office, featuring a live edge solid cherry desk from Harden Furniture. We positioned a Wilson chair in blue fabric at the desk, facing towards the breathtaking views of the canal. To complete this office look, a Timeout chair and ottoman were placed in the corner of the room paired with the Funco side table. Artwork was chosen to create interest and add colour, complementing the contemporary wing back desk chair. It was a pleasure working with Gemstone Developments on this stunning modern home designed by Barry Hobin Architecture. Our goal was to furnish and decorate the home in such a way that potential buyers could envision themselves living in the space, while also accentuating the existing interior design. We are pleased to announce 894 Colonel By Drive was sold just three months after the staging project was completed.

A friend noticed a damp, musty smell coming from her living room fireplace the week after a February thaw. When she called a masonry technician from Superior Chimney, to take a look, and found that water had been working its way behind the bricks for years. What started as a small crack now meant her chimney needed structural repairs before she could safely use it again. Chimney repairs are any work done to restore the structural and weatherproof condition of a chimney. This can include mortar joint repair, brick replacement, crown repair, flue repair, and cap or flashing replacement. Most Chicagoland homeowners discover the need for chimney repairs often times after winter, when the freeze and thaw cycles have already done its damage. Uncovering the symptoms early is the best way to keep chimney repairs down. Let’s discuss how that can be done. Why Chicagoland Weather Is Especially Hard on Chimneys Chicagoland has some of the most polarized weather. One day it’s a blizzard and the next week hot, humid and 100 degrees. That swing in weather conditions and temperatures are the real reasons why chimney repairs are needed. When moisture from humid and rainy days’ soak into brick and mortar and then freezes, it expands. As it begins to thaw, the materials contract. Repeat that cycle dozens of times in a single Illinois winter and even solid masonry in the chimney starts to crack, spall, and separate from the joints holding it together. This is called the freeze thaw cycle. We’ve talked about it many times over the years, and it continues to be the single biggest reason homes need chimney repairs more often than homes in milder climates. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), the leading nonprofit certifying body for chimney professionals in the United States, notes that water intrusion is one of the most damaging and most preventable problems. If the problem is left to mature, it affects more than the appearance. It compromises the structure itself. What Do Chimney Repairs Involve? Not every chimney problem requires the same fix. Chimney repairs generally fall into a few categories. Understanding the difference, helps homeowners have a more informed conversation with the expert technician. Mortar joint repair or tuckpointing. This involves removing deteriorated mortar between bricks and replacing it with fresh mortar, matched to the original color and texture as closely as possible. Brick replacement. When individual bricks have spalled, meaning the face has cracked or popped off from trapped moisture, those bricks are removed and replaced. Crown and cap repair. The crown is the concrete slab at the very top of the chimney. Cracks both big and small let water directly into the chimney flue. Chimney crown repair is often one of the most urgent forms of chimney repairs. Flashing repair. Flashing is the barrier where the chimney meets the roofline. Loose, damaged or poorly installed flashing is a common source for water leaks. The roof gets the blame as it is the largest piece that covers the house. However, it certainly can be the overlooked chimney. Flue and liner repair. Cracked flue tiles or damaged liners affect how safely a chimney vents smoke and combustion gases. When to Know a Chimney Needs Repair Most chimney damage shows up as small, easy to dismiss way. Let’s take a look at the following list. Be sure to print this out and keep it handy so if/when something happens, you know what to look for. • Water stains near the fireplace or on the ceiling • A brownish stain on the wall around your fireplace, or a stain on the ceiling near an exterior chimney. This means water is getting in somewhere it should not. • Crumbling or missing mortar • If you can see gaps between bricks, or mortar that flakes off when you touch it • A leaning or visibly shifting chimney • A chimney that appears to pull away from the house, even slightly, could indicate a structural issue • White staining on the brick (efflorescence) • Chalky white residue left behind as water evaporates out of the masonry. It is a visible sign that moisture is moving through brick • Rusted damper or firebox components • Metal parts inside a fireplace that are rusting are a strong indicator that moisture is present • Debris in the fireplace • Small chunks of brick, mortar, or tile landing in the firebox What are the Various Types of Chimney Repair? This is a compiled list of chimney repairs so you can be aware of what to look for. If you have any questions, contact us directly at 877-244-6349. Homeowners who schedule chimney repairs at the first sign of trouble typically spend far less than those who wait until water damage reaches the interior of the home. This is a great reason to contact Superior Chimney at 877-244-6349. Why an Annual Inspection Matters More Than People Think The CSIA and the National Fire Protection Association both recommend that chimneys, fireplaces, and vents be inspected at least once a year, whether or not the fireplace gets used. This recommendation exists because damage does not take a break just because a chimney sits without any use. According to data stated by the CSIA, chimney related fires still contribute to tens of thousands of residential fires across the United States each year, and a large share of those incidents can be traced back to deferred maintenance. An annual chimney inspection is what catches the small mortar crack or the hairline crown crack before it turns into a repair bill. Hiring the Right Company for Chimney Repairs Not every company who offers chimney repair work has the certified training to diagnose a problem correctly. CSIA certification is the most widely recognized credential in the industry, and it requires technicians to study chimney physics, venting systems, and fire codes. After the studies, the new technician needs to pass an exam and agree to a professional code of ethics. When you call, be sure to ask: Are your technicians CSIA certified, and can I verify that certification? Will you show me photos or video of the damage before starting work? Does the estimate distinguish between cosmetic repair and structural repair? At Superior Chimney, we welcome these and other of your questions. How Chimney Repairs Affect Insurance and Resale A chimney in poor condition can complicate a home sale or an insurance claim. Home inspectors routinely report on visible mortar loss, leaning chimneys, or missing chimney caps. Some insurers will request proof of repair before renewing a policy on an older home. Addressing chimney repairs proactively protects more than curb appeal. It protects the sale timeline and the claims history associated to the property. Frequently Asked Questions How often should a Chicago area chimney be inspected? At least once a year, per CSIA and NFPA guidance, regardless of how often the fireplace is used. Can chimney repairs be done in winter? Some interior repairs can happen in cold weather, but most masonry repair requires temperatures consistently above freezing. Spring and fall are the most common repair times in the Chicago area. Is tuckpointing the same thing as chimney repair? Tuckpointing is one type of chimney repair, focused on replacing deteriorated mortar joints. Does homeowners insurance cover chimney repairs? It depends. Sudden damage from a storm may be covered, while gradual deterioration from lack of maintenance typically is not. So Finally… Taking care of your home includes a chimney. Just because you don’t see it every day, doesn’t mean things aren’t happening. Be sure to get a chimney inspection done once per year by a certified and credible company such as Superior Chimney to take care of the issues. Contact us today by calling 877-244-6349.