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In 2021, Merit Kitchens is officially half a century old, and the company is helping its customers join in the 50^th anniversary festivities.

Anyone who receives a cabinet quote before Nov. 30 will be entered into a draw for a beautiful gift basket containing gift cards, kitchen gadgets, wine and more, currently valued at over $500 and growing. There's also a draw for a Banff getaway for two in 2022. Contact the Merit Kitchens showroom for more details.

The company's theme for the year is "strength and beauty" and they are determined to let the world know just how much that truly means to them.

To celebrate this important milestone, Merit invited Lynda Reeves, founder of House & Home magazine and one of the world's top interior designers, to select an exclusive colour collection for the anniversary.

The art displayed in a home provides personality, creates a welcoming atmosphere and offers a glimpse of your unique style to guests. And while there aren't many unbreakable rules for choosing and arranging art, you still don't want to fling it all over the place with little thought to how those pieces work with each other or the space.

Here are four guiding principles that will have your home looking like an expertly curated gallery in no time.

Space for an office and private Zoom calls, a workout room, a more spacious kitchen – these are all growing renovation demands Calgary companies are fielding from customers working through the pandemic.

Shopping for furniture involves a lot of choices. For each different piece, there are endless size, fabric and colour options.

However, finding the perfect furniture for your home can be a breeze with some pre-shopping preparation and a bit of advice from the experts.

Long before Calgary culinary personality Julie Van Rosendaal fell in love with her Ramsay home, which was built in 1906, her mother declared it "Julie's House."

It's important to be honest with yourself about space needs, expectations, lifestyle and budget when looking to upgrade or renovate your small kitchen.

Both Steve Francis, owner of Aspire Renovations, and Karen Allbright, owner of organizational design company Calm Order, agree homeowners must plan well to ensure changes to the kitchen improve its function.

Whether you own a home or you're looking to buy, the kitchen is the lifeblood of the house. Not only do we cook, prepare food and eat in our kitchens, but we also spend quality time in them. Ever notice where the group congregates at a party or where people go first when they enter the house?

Your kitchen and bathroom need to stand the test of time, both in design and function. How do you create a kitchen – one that you will love – that serves both needs?

It starts with an experienced designer who understands today's products, innovations, space-saving ideas and, of course, trends that actually stand the test of time. The right designer will have the expertise to ensure your renovation runs as smoothly as possible.

Eight tips to prepare your home for listing photos

There are many dramatic changes you can make when preparing a home for photos. Renovating a bathroom or kitchen can reap big resale rewards, while a fresh coat of paint or new siding can add serious curb appeal. But for those working with a limited budget or on a shorter timeline, there are more subtle changes that can have your house looking its best prior to an open house or having photos taken.

Renovations on a $5,000 budget

At first glance, doing meaningful home renovations for $5,000 is akin to those travel guides for "Europe on $10 a day": easier said than done. Yet, like the backpacker who squeezes every penny from their budget to travel the globe, affordable renovations are not out of reach if you spend your nickels and dimes wisely.

According to Bob Weir, vice-president of operations with Calgary's Reborn Renovations, making improvements with $5,000 certainly narrows your options, but it can be done.