by Macrealty Marketing Team | Oct 19, 2016 | Other
Vancouver’s demand for fresh and fashionable home decor has never been stronger. Local brand Article is making an impact and winning fans across North America through a completely new furniture shopping experience. Operated from their Railtown head office, the online retailer offers quality furniture at a fraction of the cost of its brick and mortar counterparts, all delivered straight to customer’s doors (or living rooms). Right on trend, Article’s collection of mid-century modern and contemporary furniture will inspire you to rejuvenate your indoor spaces with new colours and styles.
MID-CENTURY MODERN

Sven leather sofa, $1,999
This style era’s combination of form and function continues to show up in modern living spaces. The Sven sofa captures the clean lines of the mid-century, but crafted with today’s modern comforts. Its 88” benchseat provides ample space for cozy family gatherings or enough room for one to stretch out for a nap. Like a favourite leather jacket, the sofa’s full-aniline leather comes with a vintage patina that just gets better with age and use. Style this piece for cooler months with a thickly knitted throw or a sheepskin rug. Sven leather sofa, $1999.
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by Macrealty Marketing Team | Sep 27, 2016 | Other
We are delighted to announce the begin
ning of a new charitable partnership between Macdonald Real Estate Group and InspireHealth, a local not-for-profit supportive cancer care organization with centres in Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna. They provide important programs and services to enhance quality of life, health and well-being of people living with cancer and their families.
Macdonald Real Estate Group has signed on to be the presenting sponsor of InspireHealth’s new cookbook ‘Inspired Cooking‘ featuring 50 exclusive recipes from 20 of Canada’s top chefs including BC’s Vikram Vij (Vij’s Restaurant Group), Ned Bell (Yew at Four Seasons Hotel), Warren Barr (The Pointe Restaurant at Wickaninnish Inn), James Walt (Araxi) and many more.
Last year, InspireHealth welcomed more than 2,400 new members, provided 2,000+ classes and more than 25,000 patient visits – all completely free of charge. This InspiredHealth cookbook is an important fundraising venture and we are so proud to be a leading sponsor of this project. Watch for the cookbook is stores this holiday season and if you wish to make a donation to the project you can visit their Kickstarter page here.
by Macrealty Marketing Team | Apr 26, 2016 | Company, Other
Ever wonder about the origin story behind Luxury Portfolio International®?
Luxury Portfolio International’s President, Paul Boomsma and Executive Vice President, Stephanie Pfeffer Anton are on the cover of RIS Media’s Real Estate Magazine April 2016 Edition.
Click the magazine cover and find out how market-leading independent firms joined forces to create luxury real estate’s most powerful network.

by Macrealty Marketing Team | Sep 10, 2015 | Other
Half a million residents were without power after the latest wind storm hit the lower mainland in late August. 300,000 hectares of BC forest have burned this summer. And, of course, we have the ever present threat of “the big one” earthquake.
Now is the time to review and prepare your emergency kit. Recheck batteries, food and water supply expiry dates and fill in any pieces you are missing. Experts agree you need to be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours following a disaster.
10 Essentials for your Emergency Kit
- Water — At least two litres of water per person per day; include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of an evacuation order
- Food that won’t spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods (replace food and water once a year)
- Manual can opener
- Crank or battery-powered flashlight (and extra batteries)
- Crank or battery-powered radio (and extra batteries)
- First aid kit
- Extra keys to your car and house
- Some cash in smaller bills, such as $10 bills and change for payphones (if you can find one)
- A copy of your emergency plan and contact information
- If applicable, other items such as prescription medication, infant formula, equipment for people with disabilities, or food, water and medication for your pets or service animal (personalize according to your needs)
Click here to order Emergency Preparedness Kits for the Home or Car from the BC Government (1-6 person kits available)
This article was originally posted on CBC News, October 17th, 2013.
by Macrealty Marketing Team | Jun 1, 2015 | Other
No matter how beautiful or spacious your house, the most important thing is that you feel safe and secure in your own home. It is scary to think that break-ins happen, but don’t worry, there are things you can do to prevent them. Check out these 5 tips to stay safe at home!
- Set up an alarm system. Alarms are one of the most effective ways to ensure safety in your own house. By setting up an alarm system, the police would be alerted in case of a break in. Moreover, it would automatically make your home a less favorable target since the burglars would not want to risk setting off the alarm.
- Don’t hide your keys in obvious places. Hiding your keys under the doormat or a rock may be okay a few decades ago, but now you may want to change up your hiding spot. The best place to put a spare key is with a trustworthy neighbor or family member.
- Install yard lights and security cameras. The brighter the area outside your house is the less likely it is for burglars or intruders to find hiding spots. A security camera could also help with identifying the intruders or alerting homeowners of an intrusion.
- Lock your windows and doors. The easiest way to prevent a break-in is at the point of entry. Locks are crucial, so don’t be afraid of spending a little bit more on them to ensure the safety of your house. Burglar-proof windows are not necessary but could be a possible upgrade in particularly at risk areas or dark alleyways.
- Keeps your plans private. You may be super excited for your next vacation, but wait until you’re back from the trip to share your plans publicly. It’s okay to tell your close friends and families but there is no need to tell the supermarket clerk or the hairdresser because burglars rely on these tips on people who will be out of town.

by Macrealty Marketing Team | May 4, 2015 | Other
Are you getting ready to sell your house? Perhaps that includes some renovations. Check out our top 5 Tips for Staying on Budget during Renovations!

- Stick with standard sizes and models. Custom kitchen cabinets, for example, are very expensive. Save money by choosing stock ones, then attaching molding, corbels, or wood carvings for flair.
- Don’t work without a design. Some projects require an architect, some an interior designer, and sometimes a talented builder will get your aesthetic and help you come up with a good plan. Don’t start a remodel without a detailed floor plan. A lot of elements interact in a space — put them all on paper and you’ll catch problems before they are built.
- Rent or borrow what you don’t have. Check with neighbors and friends for miter saws and power drills. Home centers rent heavy-duty tools, such as tile cutters and power washers, for a weekend fee
- Keep the same footprint. Consider what projects you can complete without moving walls or other systems behind the walls. Building an addition, moving walls, or relocating sinks and stoves involves major construction as well as new electrical, plumbing and flooring work.
- Budget for the Unknown. While it’s great to keep a positive attitude and think that everything will go as planned, life usually doesn’t work out that way. When coming up with your kitchen reno budget, add on at least 15% for contingencies.