As you contemplate the endless possibilities for personalizing your new home in Ottawa, we want to offer a few tidbits of advice to get you started. The key to making the most of your Minto Design Centre appointments is to be prepared.

First, we recommend that you create your dream home wish list - making note of products you've been dreaming of such as a whirlpool tub or gleaming granite countertops, or features to suit your lifestyle. Ask yourself the following questions, and then think of how each of these may impact the selections you make for your new Ottawa home:

• How do you want your new home to make you feel?
• Do you like a formal or casual look?
• Do you work from home? Will you need special accommodations for a home office?
• Do you have children?
• Do you need a low-maintenance lifestyle?
• Do you love to cook?
• Do you entertain frequently?
• Do you want to invest to improve energy efficiency of your home?
• Are you interested in "green" (environmentally-friendly) products?
• Do you have any pets?
• Is there anyone in the household with allergies or health concerns?
• Do you have anyone who is elderly living with you or visiting frequently?
• Also, the Minto Design Centre Options Guide includes features that can be considered in personalizing your new home.

Tips for Getting Started

Here are a few suggestions on things you can do to prepare for your appointments.

• Tour our showhomes - as many as you can. We have beautifully decorated showhomes across the city, each one loaded with design ideas to suit any style. Please review the model description handouts in each of the showhomes, and make notes on what design selections interest you.
• Browse the Design Centre prior to your appointments. You are welcome to drop by during our regular business hours and take a look through our samples.
• Create an inspiration file - collect magazine clippings, fabric swatches, or any pictures that you can bring to your Design Centre appointments that communicates your own personal style to your Design Consultant.
• Determine your budget for upgrades, and discuss this with your Design Consultant so they can help you work within this budget. Keep in mind that the personal selections you choose may only translate into a few extra dollars on your mortgage payments - a small price to pay to turn your house into your dream home.
• Be true to you. Your home tells the story of who you are, decorate it for you -not for others.
• Tread cautiously with trends. Trends can sometimes be great - a new revolutionary product or something you've never seen before. But ask yourself if the design you implement today is something you will want to look at years from now.
• Think of others - your family, and your guests. Often we look at magazine pictures or model homes for inspiration, but those rooms are designed for photo shoots, to highlight design and architecture, not for everyday living. Imagine your rooms with people in them, and think of what's comfortable and what's practical.
• Think in 3D! It's easy to forget about the ceiling when you are looking at a 2-dimensional plan on paper. But don't forget about lighting requirements or ceiling fans. It's so much easier to make changes now rather than after your home is built, to accommodate your lighting needs.
• Think about tomorrow. You may absolutely love that plush purple shag carpet but how attractive will that be to prospective purchasers when it's time for you to sell your home? Think about what selections will translate into a higher resale value, such as kitchen upgrades or hardwood flooring. And when in doubt, neutrals are usually the safest bet.