You know what they say, April Showers Bring May Flowers! And that is exactly what spring cleaning is about too. Before the shine comes the grind, and the greater the cleaning effort the more satisfying the results are.

But we know... we know... cleaning can seem oh so much like an awful chore. So we put together 10 simple suggestions for making your spring cleaning more like basking in the sun than struggling through the rain. With these helpful hints for spring cleaning fun you will come out as radiant as a bright new blossom.

Want to explore industry breakthroughs and be in the know on the latest trends for design, environment and construction? Attend an upcoming spring 2010 trade show in Vancouver and find your mind buzzing with the most exciting ideas. You will discover new, eco-friendly products and sustainable methods, be wowed by cutting edge interior design, and learn what technologies are causing breakthroughs in architecture and construction. The world flocks the Vancouver to join in these industry expos and stay ahead of the curve- so check it out, have a blast and pass it on!

Your infant's nursery and your young child's room share similar qualities and should be functional and inspiring -- a place of nurturing, rest, stimulation, and wellbeing. Safety is one of the major objectives of a child and infant friendly room. Creating a risk free nursery and child's room includes, to name a few tips: covering electrical outlets, choosing age appropriate bed and toys, and keeping a clean, organized, and barrier free space. Over and above the common safety tips, we are happy to report that more than ever, creating an eco-friendly kid's room or nursery is now at the top of the agenda for modern families.

After the jump, we lay out some strategies you can take, as well as a few links to great Vancouver stores and other tips that you can check out.

When the world comes to Vancouver in February 2010, the famous Wyland Whaling mural will be sure to capture spectator’s interest from around the world. Pure Painters is proud to have contributed to the painting restoration of this culturally significant landmark located on the North side of the Granville Bridge. The beautiful Wyland Mural spreads an important message of oceanic conservation and protecting British Columbia’s nature and wildlife.

With bright new paint colours, eco friendly paint and weather proofing this cultural landmark now has renewed life. After receiving many questions about what it was like to be a part of the Wyland Mural restoration project, Pure Painters is pleased to share our story.

And the Award for BC’s Best Buildings, Renovation & Design Goes to…

Have you heard about the Canadian Home Builders Association of BC’s prestigious Georgie Awards yet? The CHBA BC is an association committed to excellence in residential construction and residential building developments.

Georgie Awards have been given to recipients in categories such as Best Single Family Detached Home, Best Kitchen Renovation, Best Multi-Family Development and more since 1992. Greater Vancouver’s top politicians and dignitaries, designers, residential developers and home owners gather each year for a celebration of the previous year’s award winners. The 2009 Georgie Award Winners will be presented on March 13, 2010 at the Vancouver Westin Bayshore.

According to a recent blog on News 1130, Vancouver BC ranks extremely high for our excess 'Christmas' waste. Now, anybody who lives in Metro Vancouver knows that indulging in Holiday spirit helps to counter the gloominess of dark and rainy days. This got us thinking, how can we have an eco-friendly Christmas while still making sure it stays Merry & Bright? The good news is there are a ton of little and large ways that we can make a difference this year, so we put together some of our favourite eco-friendly tips and links for the holidays.

When it Rains, it Pours

Here on the Wet -- er… West Coast we all know a thing or two about keeping dry during the rainy season. Bring on the rain boots, ponchos and umbrellas right? Well, what about protecting the exterior of your homes from the rain? Did you know that the right application of exterior paint to your home or business can act just like a good rain coat? Makes sense!

Proper exterior painting can prevent the moisture that causes damage and mold from seeping through the walls of your home. Climate attuned paint can even help insulate your home -- saving you money on electrical bills and helping protect our environment (reduced energy waste/lower carbon footprint).

With Greater Vancouver BC having heavy rain warnings all month (November and December average 160mm/month yearly in rainfall in Vancouver, BC) now is the time to start considering the importance of exterior paint in weather proofing. We have put together a little info to help you get ahead in the battle against water. After all, we live in a rainforest so we can't pretend like the rain isn't going to pour!