Sleek, Modern + Compact Treadmill | SpaceWalker Review

When Hubby and I moved from our suburban townhouse to our rural lakehouse we happily traded interior space for lake frontage, but losing a full height basement and third bedroom has proven to be a little more challenging than we thought.  We miss some things about our old house - including a spot to stash a treadmill, which we actually used quite often.  I had a friend who was a real fitness enthusiast and when we were too busy to connect in person we'd schedule "treadmill dates".



We would each put on our bluetooth earpieces and chat while we walked, neither of us minding that conversation was made more difficult by the whir and buzz of our treadmills.  Before Hubby and I moved to the lakehouse we sold the treadmill because we had no place to put it and we assumed we'd just naturally get fit by spending our time in the great outdoors.  We were right - in the warmer months.  We swim, stand up paddle board, bike, walk, canoe and sail (it's a surprising core workout).  In the winter though, we hunker down and eat indoor s'mores in front of the fireplace.  A wonderful way to embrace hygge, but terrible for our health!

Determined to get active during our hibernating months, Hubby and I started to shop for a small treadmill that we could fit into our office closet - formerly a nook with a filing cabinet and antique trunk:
  

We spent months emptying its contents until we had a beautiful blank slate that we plan to morph into a mini home gym with some additional DIY-ing (like adding some ventilation, an outlet, maybe a shelf for some weights and a small TV?).  But the first step was finding a durable treadmill that is compact enough to fit in there.  Many treadmills on the market need a massive walk-in closet to hide them or,  like our old one, they are too heavy and bulky for me to move on my own.

Eventually I found THE most perfect compact treadmill that's small, sturdy and capable, but it looks so stylish that it doesn't even need to be tucked away.  It's the Spacewalker by BodyCraft.  As my lovely Mom is demonstrating, it is so compact that not only can we store it in the closet, we can use it in there too!

I reached out to BodyCraft and they generously provided one for review (I was not otherwise compensated) - but I would purchase this treadmill in a heartbeat.  Most of the treadmill is a gorgeous creamy white but it does have a glossy colorful side, which comes in black or red.   Let's petition them to manufacture one in turquoise!

It is shipped fully assembled and although it weighs 90lbs, once it's out of the box it is surprisingly easy to move around.  Both my Mom and I can do it alone, thanks to a sleek design that's easy to hold on to - and a pair of sturdy wheels.

Once it's folded up, it's unbelievably compact - there are so many places I could tuck this in my home: beside the tallboy dresser in the bedroom, into our coat closet, or even behind the TV!

You can also flip it onto its side and tuck it behind a sofa or place it at the end of a bed as a bench.

Did I mention that this compact treadmill doubles as a small treadmill desk?  It's the perfect size to rest a laptop.  I have to admit that I will need some more practice to be able to walk and reply to an email, but it's perfect for watching YouTube tutorials or easier work tasks that don't require quite as much brainpower or coordination.

In terms of using it, I love how simple it is to operate.  This treadmill has everything I need: cupcake cup holder, built-in pulse sensors, quick access start/pause button, LED display, and a safety key that immediately turns off the machine.  Even though it's small, it's very sturdy, with a steel reinforced laminated melamine under the deck that can support someone up to 300lbs.  Although the deck is compact in size, even when I am walking at a good clip (you can do up to 4mph), it feels perfectly stable and I never feel like I'm going to run out of room.  I actually like how low it is to the ground because I used to feel a little dizzy on our old treadmill, which felt so high that I was convinced I'd get decapitated if I was running while the ceiling fan was on.  

You can read about all of the treadmill features on the BodyCraft website. 

 

BodyCraft is offering readers $200 off (using the code DANSLELAKEHOUSE) which brings the total to $799, plus free shipping in the US.

Hubby and I are thrilled with this treadmill because it can be a bit of a struggle to find that perfect balance between form and function in a small home.  I'd love a six bedroom home or epic finished basement where I could have a photography studio, a sewing room, a home gym, a proper guestroom, a room for the pups, a chest freezer...  But I don't.  I have a perfectly lovely two bedroom house with a weird little fish room, a bunkie I only use in the summer, and a basement that's five feet tall with no visible stairs leading to it (what a mystery).

Products like this help me feel so much more content with the space I have.  Who needs a massive home gym when I have a compact treadmill that looks sharp, functions beautifully, and helps me make the most of the space I have?   



Stay tuned for the rest of this closet turned home gym transformation...

A huge thanks to BodyCraft for sending me the compact SpaceWalker treadmill.

P.S. Thanks also to my beautiful Mom, for being my model.  Her striking leggings and teal (!) top are designed by a local designer who has her own factory in Katmandu, Nepal, with two retail locations (Elfarrow Apparel): one in my hometown and another on Salt Spring Island, BC.   

My Top Tips for Staying Cozy this Winter

This post is sponsored by Save on Energy, Ontario's go-to source for energy efficiency information and rebates for your home.  All thoughts and opinions presented below are my own.  

The staggering popularity of "Hygge" (pronounced "hoo-gah") speaks volumes about our collective desire to feel cozy and content.  But the Danish aren't the only people who crave cozy - many languages have similar concepts and words that try to capture that elusive feeling.

Swedes offer up "Mys," which touches on coziness and comfort with an emphasis on slowing down and relaxing, while in Norway people strive for a "Koselig" days, which has a complex meaning, but conjures feelings of warmth, comfort, and relaxation.  Those in Holland long for "Gezelig" - the mood of feeling cocooned, like being in a warm coffee shop on a cold winter day.  Having married a fella with Scottish ancestry, I personally enjoy the Gaelic "Còsagach" (which means snug), simply because it sounds the heartiest. 

 

However you choose to describe it, it's unsurprising that so many of us crave coziness and contentment - especially in the winter.  I've spent my entire life living in Ontario, Canada.  That is the equivalent of 33 winters spent trying to stay warm.  In the very first apartment I shared with Hubby, I was warm - for the first winter in my entire life.  We didn't have to pay for heat, so I kept the thermostat at an irresponsibility tropical temperature.  Our hibiscus thrived - a clear sign that it was way too hot in there.  Since then, adulthood, utility bills and environmental consciousness have superseded tropical indoor temperatures, so I have had to get creative.  What hygge, koselig, and còsagach have all taught me is that staying cozy is a crafty combination of practical changes and mental shifts to fully capture that feeling of coziness and warmth. 

Here are my favorite lakehouse-tested tips for staying cozy - even when the weather network issues an Extreme Cold Weather warning and there's a blizzard roaring outside.

Let the Window Coverings do the Work

As soon as the sun rises, I open the curtains and blinds to capitalize on the heat from the sun, but once the sun sets, I close the curtains again to keep in as much heat.  Insulated curtains would be amazing, but the substantial tweed drapes in the bedroom and office do the trick.

Check Weather Stripping and Window Seals

Having a woolly dog is a great way to see where you're losing heat - just check out their favorite spots!  Can you guess where the cold spots are in the lakehouse?

 
By ensuring that weather stripping and window seals are in great shape, you can prevent as much heat from leaking out as possible.  No pup to help?  Hold a candle, as still as possible, near any doorways or windows - if it flickers, you might have some drafty spots to seal up.

Indulge in Hot Apple Cider - No Holiday Required

This fall was the first time I had ever made hot apple cider - seriously!  We had friends over for one last bonfire and because it was already getting pretty chilly, I just couldn't envision wanting a cold beer so I made hot apple cider in the slow cooker.  I made it without alcohol (because alcohol actually drops core body temperature), but kept some handy so guests could spike their own.  It was a magical night - we even saw the northern lights! - and it made me realize that I don't need a special occasion to make cider, which always felt so much like a "holiday" drink to me.  You can make hot apple cider from scratch, but you can also buy apple cider in jugs and then spice to taste.

Easy Slow Cooker Hot Apple Cider

• 1 gallon apple cider or fresh pressed apple juice
• 6 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon whole allspice
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves
• 2 sliced oranges (wash first)
• A few 1" pieces of ginger, peeled and quartered

Add ingredients to a slow cooker and simmer on low for four hours.  You can also bundle the spices in cheesecloth or a tea bag designed for loose leaf tea, but I find the flavor is richer when the spices are loose - just strain as you serve and add rum to taste, if desired.

Invest in a Humidifier

Humidifiers are a fabulous addition to a home, for so many reasons: they can help plants thrive, ease sinus congestion, and re-hydrate the air - which means you can say goodbye to static and cracked skin.  But adding humidity to the air can also help a home feel warmer.  Not convinced?  After your next bath let the water sit, with the bathroom door open, and see if that little amount of moisture helps you feel warmer... 

Throw a Party

You can turn down the heat when you have friends and family over because body heat does wonders to increase the overall temperature in a room.  So, if you have the winter blues and just can't warm up, throw a potluck party or have friends over for some board games - bonus points for something that gets everyone excited and moving, like charades or twister!

Turn on That Ceiling Fan

It still feels counter-intuitive to me to turn on a ceiling fan in the winter, but heat rises so a ceiling fan - especially with our tall living room ceiling - helps push that warm air back down, where we can enjoy it.  The important thing to remember is that when ceiling fans spin counter-clockwise, the angled blades push cool air down, so in the winter set your ceiling fan to spin clockwise instead, which will draw the cool air up to the ceiling and force the warm air back down.  Some ceiling fans even have a "winter" setting.

Layer up Your Decor

I've never been a huge fan of seasonal decor because I'd rather spend money on permanent pieces, but I have to admit that this time of year I can totally understand layering in cozier textiles, like faux fur blankets, or maybe rolling out a cozy wool rug underfoot.  If a few decor touches help a home feel cozier, it's worth it!  Just make sure that no new additions (especially rugs) cover up any vents.

Hopefully these tricks help you feel cozier this winter - without reaching for that thermostat!  Nothing makes winter drearier than getting slammed with a massive heating bill.

If you're looking for more ideas to help make your home feel cozier, while also saving money on your monthly bills and supporting your community, visit www.saveonenergy.ca.  You'll discover new technologies, incentives, and tips for increasing your home's energy efficiency, as well as learning about how these changes can make a positive impact on your home's comfort and resale value.  I am always grateful for any information that helps save me money and feel more at home in my house, so I hope you'll find some great ideas!

Save on Energy is social!  Find them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.

Read more »

This Waterfront View Could be Yours! Enter for Your Chance to Win the HGTV® Dream Home 2018

This post is sponsored by HGTV® Dream Home 2018, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.  

If you follow me on Pinterest you might have noticed me filling up my boards with photos from the HGTV® Dream Home 2018.  This year's HGTV Dream Home Giveaway® 2018 is unbelievable: you can enter for a chance to win a beautifully furnished home located in Gig Harbor, Washington (overlooking the Puget Sound), plus an all new Honda Accord and $250,000 from national mortgage lender Quicken Loans®. 

I hope you all enter for a chance to win but even though only one person can win this stunning waterfront home, we can all pick up a few design ideas.  I'm aching with envy but I'm also so inspired by the modern architecture and the subtly coastal vibe.  The airy design boasts a lot of white, but it's kept interesting with layered textures, pretty pastels, and a collection of quirky accessories and art.  I'm sharing a few of my favorite photos (taken by Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography) below, but you can catch the whole tour here.

The kitchen might be my favorite room because it has really classic and timeless, all white cabinetry that's accessorized with pretty turquoise pieces.  I continually waffle between walnut cabinets and classic white cabinets in my own kitchen renovation planning, and this kitchen has me seriously leaning toward an all white design again.

Although the white on white design combined with stainless steel appliances and turquoises accessories (yes!) is a very cool palette, the touches of wood add a lot of warmth.  People sometimes encourage me to break up my turquoise, blue, and white decor with contrasting colors like orange or red, but I am just too committed to blues and greens.  I have a little orange and pink, here and there, but I consider warm wood tones to be enough of a contrast with cool colors.

These photos are my proof; I rest my case.

Just look at that stunning view!  

In the living room, the decor is very soft, which lets the incredible view steal the show.  I am so envious of that stunning wall of windows!  The placement of the fireplace is really unusual but it solves the classic waterfront dilemma when a fireplace is placed anywhere else: do I face the windows and enjoy the view, or face the fire and enjoy the warmth?  The fire or the view?  The view or the fire?  Problem solved!

I like how the decor incorporates subtle coastal touches.  There's nary a red + navy, nautical print to be found in the open concept kitchen/living/dining but many of the textures lend a beachy vibe to the space, like the beautiful rug in the living room and the baskets hung on the wall for clever storage.  The driftwood end table and soft blue hues play up the coastal location a little more, but the overall look is still soft and modern.

In the dining room, those pink chairs complement the blues and white so nicely.  I love the massive scale of the artwork and the unique way it incorporates a classic nautical motif: fish!

You can get a better sense of the open floor plan from these photos.

I'm 100% behind the trend forecast of modern pastels!  I am (already) done with winter, done with seeing moody hues, done with anything that feels dark and heavy.  I am so ready for uplifting, spring-inspired colors and lighter decor that feels more minimal and spacious.  Seeing these photos makes me realize that it might be time for me to de-clutter my lakehouse a little and infuse some more pastels and whites so my own decor feels airier and beachier...

I won't lie: this decor makes me want to tear down and start from scratch and this is just a small sampling of photos, there are so many other gorgeous spaces to tour - be sure to take a look.  I just want to share one more area:  the exterior, along with the stunning view (that could be yours!):

What's your favorite space or design idea from the HGTV® Dream Home 2018?

Good luck everyone!  If one of you wins, I'm going to have to insist that you let me visit.  I promise I won't steal that turquoise stand mixer from you...

No purchase necessary.  Open to legal residents of the U.S., age 21 or older.  Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes starts at 9 a.m. ET on 12/27/17 and ends at 5 p.m. ET on 2/16/18.  Odds of winning depend on number of entries received.  For full official rules, visit HGTV.com/HGTVDreamHome or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: “HGTV Dream Home Giveaway” RR, P.O. Box 53013, Knoxville, TN 37950.  Main Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC d/b/a Home & Garden Television.

HGTV, HGTV Dream Home, HGTV Dream Home Giveaway and their associated logos are trademarks of Scripps Networks, LLC. Used with permission; all rights reserved.

Read more »

Shine in the New Year with Multiluminaire

Today I'm collaborating with Multiluminaire, a brand many of my Canadian readers will recognize as a leader in affordable and stylish lighting.  Fun fact: do you remember the modern ceiling fans we bought for the townhouse?  They were purchased at Multiluminaire in Ottawa and I remember being so thoroughly impressed!  The ceiling fans were already a great price but because we bought three and asked nicely, we were even given an additional discount and someone helped carry them to our car.  The showroom was so inspiring, with so many modern light fixtures.

Replacing light fixtures is my go-to move for updating a space.  With both the townhouse and lakehouse, after we took possession I marched in with a 5-gallon pail of white paint and new light fixtures - which was a great way to kick start both makeovers!  I just love lighting, it's like jewelry for the home, but it also creates the perfect ambiance.  I don't feel comfortable in a house with a clear glass boob light and fluorescent bulbs.  I love a statement-making chandelier on a dimmer for intimate dining and strategic table lamps to enhance to coziness.  I appreciate when designers take the atmosphere a light fixture creates into consideration, like a pendant light that casts a beautiful shadow or a bathroom sconce that flatters with soft lighting. 

Here are some of my current favorites from Multiluminaire.

I love a statement-making light against a white wall (like these geometric pendants):

The pendants linked above are definitely a splurge, but check out these modern black pendants - they're currently $99!

Even more affordable are these simple pendants for only $44!

I've been reading 2018 trend predictions with some amusement - it seems like everyone predicts something different!  One common theme is that brass is (I'm sorry friends) on its way out.  You know I'm a firm believer in loving what you love - it's why I hugged on tightly to silver throughout the entire brass trend - so who cares if it's not going to be as trendy.  But it is interesting to see that black/dark finishes are predicted.  I loved black faucets and light fixtures in the townhouse, so I'm happy to see it catch on - like this sleek and modern chandelier.

According to some predictions, chrome will also be big in 2018.  Chrome is a classic, though - demonstrated by this timeless chandelier:

And this chrome floor lamp:

Multiluminaire still boasts an incredible selection of modern ceiling fans that fit any budget - like this beauty:

When we moved to the townhouse, it took us awhile to get our bearings so we didn't find out about Multiluminaire until we had already purchased some of our light fixtures and I wish we had discovered the local store location sooner because I struggled with our main bath light and Multiluminaire has a great selection of bathroom lighting, like these modern sconces (mounted on a mirror - which you know I favor):

Another gorgeous choice for a bathroom is this modern light that doesn't even look like a light (and is that teal tile???):

 
This textured flush mount works in any room, but I really love how it sparkles on this bathroom.

Speaking of texture, how mesmerizing is this light fixture's organic vibe?

These are just some of my favorites - there are hundreds of gorgeous light fixtures for every budget and style. 

This post was sponsored by Multiluminaire, but all thoughts, opinions and editorial selections are my own. 

Read more »