Need Help with Building Permits in Whistler?

If you want to renovate your property in Whistler, there’s a good chance you’ll need a building permit. Building permits are required for any project scope larger than simply replacing your existing faucets, vanities, or light fixtures. 

Here are 3 hot tips when applying for building permits in Whistler

1. There’s always a chance the wish list could trigger a development permit, so establish your project scope, budget, and timeline to ensure you apply for the correct permit.

2. Permit processing can take up to 6+ months so anticipate your project start date accordingly.

3. In multi-residential units consult Strata for approval, and include written permission with your application.

At Intrepid Interiors we simplify the building permit process for homeowners and contractors. If you’re planning a renovation or new build, we’re here to help. 

3 Tips for Furnishing your Whistler Home

New furniture is a great way to refresh your Whistler home or rental unit. 

When buying new furniture you’ll want to space plan to maximize all usable square footage. 

Next step is to source your items. We recommend working with CF Interiors who rep over 250+ brands. CF keeps you posted on lead times before you purchase, so you can plan accordingly for delays. 

Keep in mind due to current industry challenges, lead times have increased to 8+ months for new inventory. It might sound crazy, but you’ll want to give yourself 12 months to avoid compromise or disappointment. 

Fall is a great time to start thinking about updating your interior. Reach out to us for more expert advice on interior design and furnishing. 

Millwork Mysteries Solved

Millwork is a technical term for cabinets and vanities. This is one element of your home which you will use multiple times over the course of your day, so investing in a high quality product is worth it. 

Kitchens and bathrooms are the most common areas for custom millwork, in addition to closets, laundry rooms and mudroom/garage storage areas. 

To design your custom millwork you’ll want to consider the following; 

• Materials of cabinet boxes - typically MDF or plywood

• Cabinet doors - solid wood or wood veneers can be any species such as oak, alder or walnut to name a few, or you can go with solid colours on MDF. 

• Door Hinges - soft close for the win…

• Cabinet Pulls - Have some fun with handles and knobs

• Countertop - Thickness can vary and add character

Our go to suppliers for hardware are Richelieu, Lee Valley Hardware & Marathon Hardware. For quartz countertop options check out Caesarstone and Vicostone.

Interior designers can help you plan your custom millwork down to the details, for more information don’t hesitate to reach out to our design team. 

Simplifying Your Sample Selections

To complete your new build or renovation project, you’ll need to select finishes with an interior designer, contractor or supplier. This is where samples become an important tools to finalize your design and stay within your budget. Interior designers typically have a sample library which is a great way to get inspired and begin to narrow down your options.

FYI - Finishes are all of the materials used on interior and exterior surfaces, and include flooring, cabinets, counter tops, paint and many more. 

The first step to any design is a concept board to propose colour schemes and solidify the design direction and ensure both client and designer are on the same page. 

Next comes the material board with images of specific materials to be used.

Third is the physical sample board to see and touch finishes in real life. Most importantly check availability of the final finishes to be sure they are in stock for your project timeline.

Keep in mind that natural stone will have colour and pattern variations from the sample you’ve received. Even porcelain tile dye lots can vary from one batch to the next. The same goes for wood stains, which will look different on each species of wood so be sure to request a final sample from your millworker if you are going with custom cabinetry and vanities. 

Plan ahead and you will eliminate the added stress of making decisions at the last minute.

4 Tips to Maximize your Whistler Rental Property Income Year Round

Whistler is full of short-term rental properties, which can be hard to come by in the busy winter months. However, availability varies during the rest of the year, providing guests the choice to select a modern unit over one which has yet to be updated.

Consider these quick and easy tips to ensure your Whistler rental property is in high demand all year, and most importantly maximize your return on investment. 

1. New Sofa

Most often your property listing will feature a photo of the living room, so consider focusing your efforts in this area where most time is spent. The quickest way to update the living room is with a new sofa and a modern area rug.

Sofas

I wouldn’t recommend purchasing Ikea sofas. They’re affordable and look great in catalogs, but don’t hold up over time, especially for rentals. Try these options instead;

The Brick Shay Chenille Sofa currently on sale for $400

Sofa So Good Mateo Queen Sofa Bed starting at $1799 with custom upholstery available

Now that your sofa is up-to-date, hit up Ikea for a modern area rug and a large decorative mirror.

2. Update Light Fixtures

Make sure your property stands out by adding a feature pendant above the dining room table or kitchen island. The options below can be sourced in Vancouver from Symmetry Lighting;

Decimal .004 Lamp designed by Jorge Diego Etienne 3D printed in custom colours for $390

Select a floor lamp to accessorize your living room while creating ambiance in the space. Check out the Secto 4120 with slated wood shade (contact for pricing).

3. Create an Accent Wall

Typical townhomes and condos in Whistler have an angled wall with fireplace in the main living area. Take advantage of this vertical area by creating a feature wall with wallpaper as a backdrop for a one-of-a-kind metal artwork installation by Whistler local Joe Sauve.

4. Revamp your Existing Furnishings

A coat of paint can go a long way! Now that the living room is taken care of, it’s time to modernize the private spaces. Consider painting your traditional wood bed frames a bright solid colour, with side tables to match. Source some fabulous new linens, and replace the pulls on your dressers.

Try these simple tips to bring your Whistler rental property to the next level, and increase your revenues year round.

How to navigate your next renovation

A typical residential project has 3 main phases; demolition, construction, and finishing. 

Demolition Derby

This is the fun part. You can swing a sledge hammer and make a mess without a care in the world. Until it's time to clean up...Regardless, for the majority of projects demolition is the easy part. 

Construction after the Storm

It's easy to assume this is the longest, most tedious phase - but alas, it's not. Construction sites are more forgiving in terms of working quickly, as there are fewer finishes (think hardwood floors and marble countertops) to work around. Typically this phase would include framing, plumbing, & electrical work. 

Finishing is in the Details

The last phase of your renovation is when everything starts to come together. The kitchen looks like a kitchen again, and the finish line is in sight. The downside to the finishing phase, is progress can appear slower to the untrained eye.

With all of the fixtures, flooring, countertops, and millwork coming together, contractors and installers must work with extra care to ensure all of their hard work is preserved. This takes time, and will minimize deficiencies or the need for repairs. 

Tips to ensure a smooth process are to plan ahead and be prepared. Select and order your finishes and fixtures, and create a timeline for deliveries and installations on site. If organization isn’t one of your strong suites, hire an interior designer to plan & manage your renovation. This will simplify your selections, save you time, and help you work within your budget.

How to Improve the Lighting in your Home Office

For those of you who are including a home office in your next project, here are 3 types of light fixtures you can use to create a functional space, with a dash of personality. 

Task lighting can be integrated most easily through desk lamps, floor lamps, and wall mount fixtures. Another option is to design a custom millwork piece, with integrated LED strips within the shelving, as seen here on Houzz.

Ambient light comes from from natural light sources, wall sconces, and recessed downlight (commonly referred to as pot lights) or ceiling mount fixtures.

Accent lights are a great way to add your own twist, and highlight feature architectural elements. Consider having some fun with a neon light, adding a point of interest to your home office.

To get you started, check out the styles from Parliament, and AND Light, currently available right here in Vancouver;

The Donatella Floor Lamp with 3 adjustable light sources, providing task, and ambient lighting for your office, and the Fragon Task Lamp is a table top option for your desk, both come from Parliament, in Gastown.

The SLAB W20 wall sconce designed by Lukas Peet for Vancouver's AND Light can be mounted in any direction, and the 100% natural industrial grade Merino wool felt has acoustic properties for sound absorption.

Try These 3 Simple Design Tips to Brighten your Interior

Lighting is a key component to any renovation, and is often an afterthought when it comes to design, and budget. Maximizing natural daylight in your layout is the first step to success, followed by careful consideration of artificial light. 

Three design tips to consider when designing your next home are; appropriate bulb selection, layering colour temperatures, and utilizing all three types of lighting.

LIGHTING 101: Bulbs for Beginners

Buying a lightbulb sounds simple, but the selection can be overwhelming. LED fixtures have come a long way, and can be adapted with more flexibility into interiors. The latest LED technology comes with more options for colour temperatures, which are measured in kelvins (k), and range from 2000 on the warm end, to 6000+ on the cool end.

Here is a simple way to remember- think of the warmth of a candle, which emits 2000k, and the coolness of daylight, which emits 5000k. Neutral lands at 3500k, making anywhere from 2700k - 3000k best bulb to buy, if you want to keep it simple.

LAYERING 101: Light Up your Life

Colour temperature is your friend, and understanding how to use both within a space will create a home that is both physically, and visually comfortable, and provides extra visual interest.

It's also important to layer the 3 different types of lighting; task, ambient, and accent. Each plays a role in creating a functional, and beautiful interior.

For the latest in design trends, check out Vancouver's Symmetry Lighting to get inspired. For more information on how to brighten your interior, contact Intrepid Interiors to discuss the details of your upcoming project.

The Benefits to Hiring a BCIT Graduate for your next Interior Design Project

For anyone trying to plan their next renovation, the process can be overwhelming, and time consuming. The first step is to establish your scope of work, budget, and timeline. By hiring a CIDA accredited Interior Designer, the process is simplified. 

The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) ensures a formal education of interior design, to meet the highest professional standards within the industry. Within British Columbia, only Vancouver Island University, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and British Columbia Institute of Technology offer CIDA accredited Interior Design Degree programs. By choosing to hire a professional from one of these reputable schools, home, and small business owners can rest assured they will be working with a highly skilled, and knowledgeable designer. 

The role of an Interior Designer is to enhance the built environment for the end-user. Solutions are considered by analyzing the building site, environment, and program requirements. A holistic approach to integrating sustainable, and functional solutions, results in environments which have a positive impact on people, and places.