Choosing the right paint colour is thrilling, but can also feel daunting at times. It sets the tone for an entire living space, influencing both mood and ambiance. One brand that has been a trusted companion during this decision-making process is Dulux, with select colours available at Empire’s Design Centre. Read on to explore the art of selecting the perfect paint colour and discover some popular Dulux shades that elevate all interior spaces.

Next, discover the best design apps to help you furnish your home and 6 reasons why laminate flooring is making a comeback.

Known as refreshing go-tos at any brunch, the paloma and mimosa are guaranteed crowd pleasers — but they don’t have to be basic. Mixologist Taylor Redd knows a thing or two about making a killer drink, and her twist on these two classic cocktails are a testament to that. Read on to learn how to make two of the best beginner cocktails for any occasion that’ll have your guests thinking you’re a certified mixologist.

Need more inspo for your next get together? Stock up on these bar cart essentials, and check out our tips for hosting an intimate event.

On dessert-duty at your next Sunday brunch? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Try this scrumptious blueberry peach crisp recipe courtesy of Chef Yvette Kerns — Owner of Petite Cook Charlotte — that’ll have the entire party calling you a seasoned baker.

What to Do:

1. Prepare the fruit: Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Lightly grease a 9×9 inch pan with cooking spray. Open and drain peaches. Wash the blueberries and place them in a medium bowl with peaches. Stir in the maple syrup or honey, flour, lemon zest, vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice.

2. Prepare the topping: In a separate medium saucepan, heat the butter and coconut oil over medium heat until melted. Whisk in the brown sugar until blended. Continue by sprinkling in the oats, white wholewheat flour, cinnamon and salt. With a silicone spatula, fold to combine ingredients, stirring until moistened. Add the chopped pecans or walnuts. The mixture will be crumbly.

3. Assemble and bake: Stir the blueberry and peach mixture before transferring it to a baking dish, ensuring all juices from the bowl are included. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the blueberries and peaches.

4. Place the crisp in the oven to bake and cover with foil for the first 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 – 20 minutes until the topping is bubbly and light golden brown. Top with whipped cream and a mint leaf for garnish.

Need more brunch inspiration? Check out this delicious salty paloma recipe for any occasion and this stellar one-pan breakfast recipe.

Images courtesy of: Tasty Treats and Eats (Peach Pie Filling); Cooking Classy (Peach Crisp).

Hosting a Sunday brunch but not sure what to serve? We’ve got you covered. Try this delicious one pan BLT frittata recipe courtesy of Chef Yvette Kerns — Owner of Petite Cook Charlotte — that will have your guests reaching for seconds… and thirds.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Makes: 8 servings

What to Do:

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF. Add oil to a 12-inch cast iron or non-stick oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon pieces, shallots, and garlic to the pan. Saute for 3 – 4 minutes. Add arugula and stir in grape tomatoes.

2. In a separate dish, whisk the eggs together adding the half-and-half. Add in salt and pepper.

3. Pour the eggs over the arugula and tomato mixture. Distribute 4 ounces of goat cheese on top. Allow the eggs to set. Use a spatula to slightly raise the eggs off the bottom of the skillet.

4. Once the frittata has had time to set, transfer it to the oven and bake for 10 – 12 minutes until the top is deep golden brown.

5. Remove the frittata from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes.

6. Top with arugula, a tomato slice, bacon crumble and goat cheese before serving.

Need more entertaining inspiration? Check out this delicious salty paloma recipe for any occasion and five essential entertaining tips for an intimate gathering. Happy brunching!

Having an actual connection with your neighbours is one of the most fulfilling parts of living in a community. At Empire, we know where you live isn’t just the backdrop for life’s moments to unfold — it’s where a mix of like-minded people and a well-situated neighbourhood make your house feel like home. Whether you’ve just moved in or are looking to expand your local social circle, here are some great ways to get the friendship ball rolling. 

1. Be Nice to Everyone You Meet

While it’s easy to get wrapped up in our own worlds as we go about our day-to-day, try to slow down and find opportunities for connections. Say hello or try to spark a quick conversation with someone you see when you’re walking the dog, dropping the kids off at the bus stop or out in your front yard. Relationships are a two-way street — when you’re kind to others, odds are they’ll reciprocate that same kindness back.

2. Say Yes to (Almost) Everything

When you move to a new home, you may not be too familiar with your surroundings or those who live next door — all the more reason to say yes to heading to the park with your kids and the neighbours or popping in for a backyard cocktail hour. It’s the easiest way to strike up a new friendship and get to know one another.

What’s next? Read more about the 5 essential entertaining tips for hosting an intimate get together; get some tablescape inspiration for your next dinner party; and discover four unbeatable recipes to cook for a neighbour.

Our homes mean more to us than ever before. It’s not just where we eat, sleep and live, it’s become a workplace, playground, classroom and gym. With this in mind, Jane Lockhart, Principal Designer of Toronto design firm Jane Lockhart Design, shares how homeowners can make total use of their space by designing rooms to suit their needs.

What’s next? Learn more about the 10 decorating tips every design enthusiast should know; discover the best design apps to help you furnish your home; and jot down these 20 designer-approved ideas to refresh your home’s decor.

*Model home designed by Nancy Rae Interiors. Image courtesy of: Better Homes & Gardens (Shed Home Office).

A limited release of townhomes is now available at Empire Maven located on Avenue Road, and Toronto-based design firm Truong Ly Design just staged the first of three. Naturally, we asked their design team seven questions about this exclusive home, and we couldn’t resist sharing their answers with you. In this exclusive one-on-one interview, they discuss their inspiration for The Leland and what the design process entailed, highlighting everything from conception to decorating IRL.

The Leland
2 Beds | 2.5 Baths | 2,388 sq.ft.

4. Talk us through the design process from concepts to staging and completion.

“At the start of the design process, we took time to understand our demographic and the overall end-user experience. We wanted to use a design style that was universally accepted, and of course one that was beautiful and elevated. Once we established the target audience in addition to their wants and needs, we ultimately chose a contemporary design style and a neutral palette. The staging process is what really brought the design intent together. After the main furniture pieces were installed, the finishing touches were implemented by accessorizing. Every detail we incorporated has form and function which makes the space feel lifestyle-oriented and welcoming like a home should.”

5. In your opinion, what stands out to you about this floor plan? What makes it different than the other townhomes you’ve seen?

“Over the past few years, open-concept design has been every designer’s layout preference. Now, we find that homeowners appreciate having separate spaces for separate uses. This is a major lifestyle change that’s the result of people spending more time at home, especially during the pandemic.”

“When you enter The Leland, you’re greeted by a spacious foyer that leads you to the living and dining space that’s perfect for entertaining guests or spending time with loved ones. As you walk down the hallway, you land upon the kitchen which features a round breakfast table and servery — detached from the formal dining and living area. With this layout, homeowners gain a more intimate and everyday-use kitchen space. Up the stairway, the master suite has a queen bed and a beautiful balcony with a view of the street. The room also boasts a luxurious ensuite with a double vanity, and two walk-in-closets. The secondary bedroom is the perfect addition for guests or family members who’re planning an extended stay, with a private bathroom and balcony at their disposal. Overall, it’s a very functional space.”

6. What materials, textures and colours did you use? How did they align with the overall look and feel of the suite?

“The townhome has white walls, light hardwood flooring, grey millwork, and stone finishes in the kitchen and bath. When it came to furnishing the home, we loved having a blank canvas to work with. Our goal was to create an inviting feeling through the material and texture of furniture and accessories. A mix of light neutrals — beige, cream and white — was used in various textures to brighten the space, and impart a feeling of openness while bringing in warmth. To ground the interior and add contrast, we incorporated pops of black through smaller furniture pieces. Colour was implemented through the art and decor selected to add more visual interest to the space.”

7. How can homeowners recreate this look in their home? List a few staple pieces they’d need.

“To recreate the look of this home’s main living spaces, incorporate a range of furniture and accessories in a neutral colour scheme, and add bold, black accents for contrast and balance. Select abstract artwork and lighting to help to achieve the home’s mid-century modern vibe. Plants such as trees, branches and florals will add life to the space, while mirrors can help create the illusion of a larger interior. When it comes to the upstairs bedrooms, the colour palette is more playful, meaning that it’s the perfect place to infuse your personality into the design. Choose an accent colour, and create harmony by opting for neutrals throughout the rest of the space.”

Interested in Maven’s limited release of townhomes? Learn more about these exclusive housing opportunities now, starting from the high $2 millions. Don’t forget to tour the townhomes at our open house each weekend at 412, 414 and 416 Brookdale Avenue. Please note: Limited parking is available at the back of the Maven presentation centre, located at 1666 Avenue Road, Toronto, ON. Additional parking is available along Avenue Road.

Hosting a garage sale can be a fun way to declutter your home, make a little extra cash on the side, and meet members of your community. As a garage sale attendee, there’s nothing quite like the thrill or excitement of discovering something novel and new. As a host, it’s comforting to know that the pieces you once loved will finally get a new lease on life. Thinking about hosting a garage sale? Take some time to plan ahead to ensure things go smoothly.

There’s no denying that Sunday scaries can creep up on you after a fun-filled weekend, leaving you feeling unprepared for the week ahead. While Sunday is typically known as a day of rest, it can also be used as a day to plan, prep and get organized for the week ahead. Setting aside some time to get your affairs in order will make you feel more at ease by the time Monday rolls around. To help you get started, we’ve created a ‘Sunday Reset’ guide to keep you on track and get your week started right.

Looking for more ways to stay organized throughout the week? Check out the best cleaning style for your personality type and the ultimate key to a tidy home.

This month, we collaborated with four designers in North Carolina to create two front porch displays that you can replicate during the spring season. With a few staple pieces, some greenery, and a pop of color or two, your front porch will become instantly refreshed and transform into an outdoor sanctuary that everyone can use. So without further ado, discover some of our favorite decorating ideas to help you showcase your design skills this season. Maestro, cue instant curb appeal.

Meet the Designers

Designers Sarah Howerton and Tiffany Page (pictured, above right) decorated the front porch of our Hadley model home at Empire Oldenburg, while April Gilmore and Amber Quarles (pictured, above left) were the forces behind the front porch design of the community’s Amherst model. We challenged these four designers to create two spring porch designs that homeowners can recreate themselves, and with a little imagination, they showed us how achievable these looks can be. Read on to hear what they had to say about their designs and what sparked their inspiration.

Pictured: The Amherst model home at Empire Oldenburg.

How can people use your ideas as inspiration and create something that reflects their personal style?

“Your design should reflect what you like. Find a palette that complements your overall design style and be confident in your decision making. Don’t be afraid to use bold colors, stripes, or patterns, and play with height too — each of these things can create a totally unique look.”

What are some simple, budget-friendly ways that homeowners can take their design from good to great?

“Identify what you want your front porch to look like and the colors that you want to use. You can always look to websites like Pinterest or take to Google to look up inspiration too. After you know what look you’re trying to achieve, you can source cost-effective furniture pieces from local or online stores. To add some extra pizazz, you can play with flowers, burlap, and ribbon which are budget-friendly additions.”

What’s your favorite spring accessory to use on the front porch of a home?

“We love using black and white stripes, just like we did when designing the front porch of the Amherst model home. We also gravitate to bold colours like pinks, purples, greens, and blues. By using black and white, you can incorporate new colors into your design every season. I have a small black and white rug on the front porch of my own home, and when it came time for the holidays, I mixed in some hints of red.”

Pictured: The Hadley model home at Empire Oldenburg.

How can people use your ideas as inspiration and create something that reflects their personal style?

“First, nail down a general color scheme and then mix in different materials or things that speak to your unique design style. For example, decor pieces like vessels and vases can add texture and volume to a space, while giving off some personal flavor.”

Share some DIY decorating tips that make it easy for someone to stay within their budget?

“Take a simple, decor piece and make it your own. When designing the Hadley model home, we wanted to achieve more of a custom look for one of the terracotta pots we used. Since we had a lot of different textures and materials incorporated into our design, we wanted to create something with more of a geometric look so we bought painters tape and some craft paint — which was less than $2 — and created a handmade design.”

How did you achieve the look that you wanted while staying within budget? Talk through your decorating process.

“We came up with our inspiration, and then we gathered even more ideas while we started pricing decor pieces out. We tried to purchase items that were at lower price points, but with today’s supply chain issues, it created more of a challenge. By purchasing from stores like Target, At Home, and Lowe’s Home Improvement, we were able to stick to the initial design themes we had in mind and stay within our budget.”

Next, learn how Empire’s designers decorated some of our front porches for fall or discover designer-worthy entryway inspiration for your home.