Home Connection May 2026

How a home is experienced visually and physically has a significant impact on how spacious it feels. Sightlines, furniture placement, lighting, and flow all contribute to whether a space feels expansive or constrained. Even subtle choices, like how far your eye can travel from one end of a room to another can change the entire sense of scale. Light plays one of the most important roles. Spaces that allow natural light to move freely tend to feel more open, even when dimensions are modest. Conversely, darker or unevenly lit areas can feel compressed, regardless of actual size. Movement is equally important. When you can move through a home without interruption - without having to adjust your path or navigate around obstacles - the space feels more generous. When circulation is disrupted, rooms begin to feel smaller, even if they are well-proportioned on paper. Furniture placement also has a direct impact. Pieces that are scaled appropriately and positioned to support natural pathways help define space without breaking it up unnecessarily. Overfurnishing or pushing everything against the walls can sometimes have the opposite effect, making a room feel less intentional and more confined.

Practical ways to improve spatial feel immediately:

• Clear direct sightlines between the main entry point and the furthest visible point in a room
• Reduce visual clutter on primary walking paths to allow uninterrupted movement
• Reposition one larger furniture piece so it supports flow rather than dividing the room
• Increase lighting layers in darker corners to eliminate “visually closed” areas

None of these adjustments requires renovation, yet each one can meaningfully shift how a space is perceived. Ultimately, homes that feel larger are not always the ones with more square footage - they are the ones where light, layout, and movement work together without resistance. When those elements align, a home feels easier, lighter, and more expansive, regardless of its actual size.

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ELEVATING WALLS WITH ART: THE ESSENTIALS

Start by hanging artwork at the right height. The centre should sit at 57 to 60 inches from the floor, or slightly lower in seated spaces. When placing art above furniture, keep the bottom of the frame six to eight inches above it to maintain visual connection. Scale is equally important - art should fill about two-thirds of the wall or furniture it sits above. For gallery walls, treat the arrangement as one piece, keeping consistent spacing of three to six inches. Before hanging, consider your wall type for proper hardware, and avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading. Finally, balance visual weight - heavier frames need more space than lighter ones. With these principles, you can display art confidently and beautifully in any space.

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HOME SALES REMAIN STEADY IN APRIL

In April, 638 homes changed hands via the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR). Although down 6.6% compared to April 2025, that was an increase of 52 more units sold over the previous month.
“Inventory remains at a historically high level, with five months of inventory recorded in April” said Robin Tiller, LSTAR’s 2026 Chair. “There are plenty of options for prospective buyers, and this is reflected in the sales-to-new listings ratio, which was 36%. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), a sales-to-new listings ratio below 45% indicates signs of a buyers’ market.” 

Average sales price was $618,665 in April, down from the previous month, which was $627,112. Noticeable month over month gains in average sales price happened in St. Thomas, with average price at $584,110, up from $562,191 the previous month, as well as Strathroy-Caradoc, coming in at $656,869, up from $590,848 in March.“The Bank of Canada held its key interest rate for the fourth consecutive time since December 2025,” Tiller said. “Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or looking to downsize, your local REALTOR® can help you navigate through the evolving marketplace.”Source: https://members.lstar.ca/members/resources/communications/market-fluctuations-continue - April 4th, 2026 - London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS®

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MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS COULD IMPACT MORTGAGE RATES IN CANADA

Rising energy costs, driven by the escalating conflict in Iran, have introduced renewed uncertainty into the interest rate outlook, which may lead to a shift in market activity. With inflation currently sitting within the Bank of Canada’s target range, and unemployment ticking up in recent months (6.7% in February and March), the overnight lending rate has remained on hold at 2.25% since last October. However, the risk of inflation reaccelerating has brought the possibility of future rate hikes back into focus.“With inflation pressures resurfacing, the Bank of Canada has no room to lower interest rates further – and the next move could be upward,” said Soper. “For buyers planning to enter the market this year, securing a mortgage pre-approval sooner rather than later is a prudent step, particularly as rate holds have a limited shelf life. As that reality sets in, we expect more buyers to come off the sidelines through the spring and summer months.”-Source: blog.royallepage.ca

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CRESCENT ROLL BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

YIELDS: 4 - 6 SERVINGS
PREP TIME: 15 MINS
TOTAL TIME: 1 HR 5 MINS
CAL/SERV: 602

INGREDIENTS

• Unsalted butter, for baking dish
• 4 oz. cold cream cheese, cut into 8 pieces
• 1/3 cup sliced scallions (from about 3 scallions), plus more for serving
• 1 (8-oz.) can crescent rolls
• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 oz. Gouda, shredded (about 1/2 c.)
• 2 tsp. everything bagel seasoning

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 13" x 9" baking dish with butter. In a small bowl, using a fork, mix cream cheese, scallions, and 1/2 tsp. salt.
2. On a work surface, spread out rolls. Divide cream cheese mixture among rolls, arranging on top of widest part. Roll up dough into a crescent roll, enclosing cream cheese mixture. Arrange on a diagonal in prepared pan.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cream, and Gouda; season with salt.
4. Pour mixture around rolls, making sure not to pour directly on top. Sprinkle tops of rolls with bagel seasoning.
5. Bake casserole until eggs are puffy and set and rolls are golden brown 30 to 35 minutes.
6. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

Source - delish: https://tinyurl.com/ysuukxjd