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Heavenly-Smelling Houseplants

Do you experience the so-called February blahs? This is a common phenomenon, perhaps due in part to the excitement of the holiday season being over and the shorter, darker days. One simple and natural way to lift your spirits is to infuse your home with the natural aromatherapy some houseplants can provide, such as:

  • Meyer lemon or calamondin orange trees for fresh, citrusy scents
  • Eucalyptus, which offers a therapeutic aroma and beautiful silvery-blue foliage
  • Hoya, which can smell like chocolate, citrus, or vanilla depending on the variety, and features small, star-shaped flowers with trailing, glossy dark green leaves
  • Madagascar jasmine, which produces small, sweet-smelling, star-shaped flowers with notes of vanilla
  • Mint, which delivers an invigorating aroma
  • Rosemary, featuring hints of pine and mint, sometimes likened to the scent of eucalyptus
  • Plumeria, a tropical tree that offers spicy, fruity, and vanilla notes, with different coloured flowers depending on the variety
  • Cattleya orchids, which emit a sweet scent with a hint of citrus, depending on the variety
  • Lavender, known for its calming, powdery fragrance
  • Gardenia, which boasts large white, rose-like flowers, deep green leaves, and a strong floral scent sometimes accented with coconut and peach notes
  • Sweet alyssum, which produces clusters of small white flowers with a honey-like scent

So whatever scents you fancy, there’s a houseplant to suit your home. Incorporating fragrant plants not only enhances your home’s ambiance but also transforms your living space into a sanctuary of calm and relaxation.



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How NOT to Make Your Home Look Tacky

No homeowner intends for their space to appear tacky. However, not everyone has a natural eye for design, and it only takes one misstep to diminish an otherwise well-curated décor. To avoid that, here are some common décor faux pas to skip:

  • Faux greenery or artificial houseplants – They do the opposite of providing the “fresh” feel greenery is supposed to offer and undermine refinement.
  • Improperly sized or low-quality rugs – These disrupt the flow of a room rather than unify it.
  • Matching furniture sets – Lack contrast and careful curation over time. A mix of carefully chosen pieces collected over time adds depth and character.
  • Oversized furniture – Bulky sectionals or recliners may overwhelm a space and restrict movement. Incorporating negative space creates balance and visual appeal.
  • Insufficient or harsh lighting – Layer soft lighting like floor lamps, table lamps, and sconces for warmth and to highlight focal points.
  • Too much clutter – Excess throw pillows or knick-knacks can make a space feel crowded or inexpensive. Pare down with carefully selected, high-quality pieces.
  • Curtains that don’t reach the floor or are hung too low – Properly hung curtains create a polished look.
  • Generic, mass-produced art – Lacks individuality. Invest in limited-edition or original artwork for a more sophisticated look.
  • Builder-grade finishes – Usually lack unique design features and the refined look of designer-grade finishes.
  • Plastic picture frames – Elevate presentation with metal or wood frames.
  • Visible cords – Hide them behind furniture or with cord covers.

An elevated décor look doesn’t always mean spending more; sometimes it’s simply a matter of making smart, intentional design choices.


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SASKATCHEWAN OPENS 2026 WITH STABILITY AND AFFORDABILITY AS MARKET REMAINS TIGHT
Saskatchewan’s housing market entered 2026 from a position of strength, stability and affordability, standing in contrast to slowing conditions reported in several major Canadian centres. While January actively reflects typical seasonal patterns, sales remained above long-term averages, and supply continued to sit well below historic norms, reinforcing the province’s tight market conditions.
 
Saskatchewan reported 712 home sales in January, extending the province’s streak of above-average sales to 31 consecutive months. Inventory remains nearly 50 per cent below the 10-year average, underscoring that demand continues to outpace supply across much of the province. Nearly 700 of the 3,508 active units at month’s end were conditionally sold, leaving 2,855 available properties across the province heading into February.
 
“When you look across the country, many of the headlines are focused on corrections and slowdowns in major markets like Toronto and Vancouver,” said Association CEO Chris Guérette. “Saskatchewan’s story is different. Our markets remain tight, but affordability continues to be our strongest advantage as we head into 2026.”
 
New listings declined by four percent year-over-year, while remaining 27 percent below historical averages for the month. Seasonal sales trends provided some month-over-month inventory relief, but supply levels remain relatively unchanged from January 2025, sitting nearly 50 percent below the 10-year average. Nearly 700 of the 3,508 active units at month’s end were conditionally sold and expected to leave the market, leaving 2,855 available properties across the province heading into February.
 
The province’s residential benchmark price stood at $359,500 in January, up from $359,000 in December and nearly six percent higher than the $340,400 reported in January 2025. Price growth across every Saskatchewan community highlights the continued balance between affordability and demand, which is a contrast to more volatile pricing patterns seen in several larger Canadian cities.
 
“Saskatchewan continues to offer something that is increasingly rare in Canada,” Guérette added. “While it’s still early in the year and market conditions will continue to evolve, the combination of steady demand, tight supply and relative affordability across the provinces points to a positive outlook for 2026.”
 
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Regional Highlights 
All six of the province’s economic regions reported year-over-year sales declines in January. Despite the yearly decline, the Regina-Moose Mountain, Saskatoon-Biggar, and Swift Current-Moose Jaw regions reported sales above the 10-year historical average. 
 
While the Regina-Moose Mountain and Saskatoon-Biggar regions continue to report the province's tightest market conditions, supply levels are down considerably across the province. Notably, the Prince Albert, Regina Moose-Mountain, Saskatoon-Bigger, Swift Current-Moose Jaw, and Yorkton-Melville regions all reported inventory levels near 50 percent below the 10-year average.
 
Price Trends
2026 picked up where 2025 left off, with above-average sales and ongoing supply constraints driving price growth across the province. All Saskatchewan communities reported year-over-year price gains in January, with four posting double-digit gains.
 
The City of Melville again reported the strongest monthly benchmark price growth, with prices up 15 percent year-over-year. Other notable gains included Yorkton (13 percent), Humboldt (11 percent), and Swift Current (11 percent).
 
City of Regina
Regina reported 172 sales in January, up one percent year-over-year and nearly 15 percent above the 10-year historical average.
 
Despite modest year-over-year new listing growth in the Queen City, above-average sales prevented meaningful inventory relief – as supply levels continue to sit 50 percent below long-term averages. Of the 496 available units at month’s end, 134 were conditionally sold and expected to leave the market, leaving just 362 active units heading into February.  
 
Regina's residential benchmark price was $330,600 in January, down slightly from $330,900 in December but six percent higher than January 2025.
 
City of Saskatoon
Saskatoon reported 237 sales in January, a six percent year-over-year decline. However, January sales figures were seven percent above the 10-year average.
 
Declining new listings were again met with above-average sales, as Saskatchewan’s largest market continues to report the tightest conditions in the province. Of the 635 available units at the end of the month, 187 were conditionally sold and expected to exit the market, resulting in 448 active units heading into February.
 
Saskatoon reported a benchmark price of $417,800 in January, up from $417,700 in December and four percent higher than January 2025.
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