September 2009 - Posts

Sep
30

Moving Mayhem: Paint Colour Overload

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Posted by Scotch Mommy 9/30/2009 8:44:00 PM
I am busily trying to select a colour for our walls in our new home that will go with all the wood trim and I am slowly going bug-eyed. I might be getting close because I recently narrowed it down to three colours, and when I gathered all the chits together
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Sep
30

Design Dilemma with Cheryl Torrenueva: Decor Ideas for a Generic Fireplace

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/30/2009 5:38:00 PM
I’d like to welcome Cheryl Torrenueva , of Home Heist and Restaurant Makeover fame, as our next Design Dilemma Guru-in-residence. She’ll be lending us her makeover savvy through to the end of the year, but if we don’t get to your dilemma, not to worry,
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Sep
29

Home Tour: A Real New York Fashionista's Apartment - Glamorous?

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/29/2009 6:10:00 PM
After being fed a steady diet of Sex and the City , and subsequent reality-based fashion shows such as The Hills and now The City , I want to dispel something that many women and girls may hold dear: the fashionista apartment. Kind of like the airplane-hanger-sized
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Sep
29

Gardening Advice: Starting an Indoor Herb Garden

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Posted by Guest Blogger 9/29/2009 9:31:00 AM
Question: "I live in a high-rise apartment and am thinking about starting an indoor herb garden (basil, Italian parsley) in the fall. Is there anything I should know about timing of planting, if it's going to be exclusively indoors?" Answer: You can grow
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Sep
28

Video Question of the Week: How Many IKEA Items do You Own?

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/28/2009 7:48:00 PM
Whatever your personal feelings on IKEA may be, the fact is that it’s always there for you. There are several times in your life when a lump purchase of furniture and accessories is required; college, cottage, moving, new baby, an ageing parent moving
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Sep
28

Toronto and Vancouver Home Show Tickets: Giveaway

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/28/2009 5:13:00 PM
We’re giving away two pairs (4 in total) of tickets for both the Fall Home Show in Toronto and the Home + Interior Design Show in Vancouver . Browse your heart out for current design, décor and renovation trends, and make sure to catch a glimpse of some
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Sep
27

Shop Review: Love, Me Boutique in Halifax

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Posted by Guest Blogger 9/27/2009 10:32:00 AM
Shoppers on the hunt for handmade goods will adore Love, Me Boutique . Located just off Spring Garden Road, Halifax ’s busiest shopping street, this small housewares and clothing shop is definitely a reflection of owner Chara Kingston, who’s created a
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Sep
26

New Fall Premieres and Returning Favourites!

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Posted by Alicia Cox 9/26/2009 11:05:00 AM
It's that time of year -- the leaves are starting to turn, crock pots are being dusted off, sweaters are emerging from storage -- and TV is back! We're pretty excited about the new HGTV fall schedule kicking off on Monday, so without further ado, here
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Sep
25

Top 5 Friday: The Ironing Board Gets a "Makeover"?

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/25/2009 2:43:00 PM
Does anyone even iron anymore? I ask because recently I was speaking with Scotch Mommy -- she's the queen of domestic musings -- and we were reflecting on how ironing is perhaps a lost homemaker art. Both of us being laden with children, husbands and
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Sep
24

NYC's High Line: A Condemned Railway Turned Civic Showpiece Park

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/24/2009 7:49:00 PM
Oh, New York. You make it so hard to condemn you for your garish capitalism when you do such visionary things! Well, to be fair, The High Line Park on Manhattan's West Side is not a city initiative, but one spearheaded by two West Side residents, Joshua
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Sep
24

Show Makeover: A Fresh Kitchen from Pure Design

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Posted by Vanessa 9/24/2009 2:49:00 PM
Season two of Pure Design — one of my favourite HGTV shows — premieres on Tuesday September 29 at 9:00pm. So in anticipation I thought I'd remind everyone of one of my favourite makeovers from season one. Juliette and John renovated their small kitchen
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Sep
23

Design Dilemma with Carson Arthur: Solutions for Shallow Soil

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/23/2009 1:21:00 PM
Sadly, as summer leaves us, we'll be drawing our landscaping Design Dilemmas to a close. Our gracious landscape expert and host of HGTV's Green Force , Carson Arthur , deserves some time off. On behalf of the blog and HGTV.ca I would like to extend a
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Sep
23

Moving Mayhem: Shopping at the Other IKEA Store

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Posted by Scotch Mommy 9/23/2009 10:28:00 AM
Shortly before we moved, the 2010 IKEA catalog landed in our mailbox and it wasn't long before I found it filled with pink sticky notes from my pre-teen daughter with all the items she was dying to have in her new room. Well, we've moved, and we've already
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Sep
22

Home Tours: Toronto's Victorian Cabbagetown Opens Its Doors

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/22/2009 5:49:00 PM
It happens once a year, and it happens to be a personal obsession: gawking at how other people live. As I mentioned in a previous post , one of Toronto's oldest and best preserved Victorian neighbourhoods, Cabbagetown , held its annual Tour of Homes this
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Sep
22

Splurge vs. Steal: Heavy-Duty Doormats

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Posted by Guest Blogger 9/22/2009 8:41:00 AM
Admittedly not the prettiest — what these doormats are lacking in looks, they make up for it with super utility. With built-in bristles, muddy sneakers, sandals, boots and gardening clogs are easily wiped clean and no dirt is tracked in the house. They’re
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Sep
21

Video Question of the Week: Are Toilet Cozies a Crime?

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/21/2009 5:19:00 PM
When it came up in conversation during one of our team outings, I wasn't sure we were talking this century. As far as I'm concerned, they're dead as a dodo. But then, from the other end of the table came a humble, "what are toilet cozies?" Photo via AskAlexia.com
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Sep
19

Video Bargain Saturday: Something to do with All Those Thirft Store Dishes!

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/19/2009 2:17:00 PM
It's a catch 22: They're cheap, pretty and abundant, but rarely is there enough of any of them to make a set. I'm talking thrift store dishes of course, and being a full bag lady who frequents a Value Village at least once a week (my thrift store of choice),
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Sep
18

Top 5 Friday: Décor Items I’d Like to Give a Rest

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/18/2009 6:54:00 PM
WARNING : The following commentary represents solely the opinion of the post author and is not intended to be taken personally, or out of context. (I'm a little bit scared you're all gonna let loose on me...) Vintage Ad Poster (at least the really over-used
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Sep
18

Something Fun To Do if You’re in Toronto: Tour Cabbagetown Homes

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/18/2009 1:32:00 PM
One of my favourite pastimes: going for a walk after dinner as the neighbourhood’s houses light up with the advent of dusk, and sneaking a peek at other people’s interiors. My husband and I did this religiously in the last few months of my pregnancy,
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Sep
17

Video Shoestring Makeover: Vintage Milk Jug as Chic Side Table

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/17/2009 3:39:00 PM
So the HGTV.ca Team and I had us a little craft day, at my house. Crafting is fun. You should do more of it. One of our endeavors included this little Shoestring Makeover . You can’t have enough discreet side tables , especially for when you have company
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Sep
16

Glen Peloso Video: Create Flow in a Small Backyard

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Posted by Alicia Cox 9/16/2009 11:06:00 PM
Last week , we showed you the interior of this charming, albeit smallish, home designed by Glen Peloso Interiors . Glen himself gave the tour and explained how he created a functional flow in the small space. This week, we take it outside to the backyard
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Sep
16

Hotel Room Tour: A Reeeeealy Nice Hotel Bathroom – Do You Agree?

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/16/2009 5:30:00 PM
I did a little travelling recently, to New York City , and had the pleasure of staying in a nice New York Hotel . I think this is blog worthy because most people I know don’t exactly have the means to stay in a nice hotel in New York City. And by nice
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Sep
16

Moving Mayhem: Make Your New House Feel Like Home

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Posted by Scotch Mommy 9/16/2009 12:32:00 PM
I thought I was so prepared for our move but now that it's come and gone I can see where things fell apart. What worked: the house was packed in the truck and clean before the new movers arrived. That was my goal so I'm proud of that. But I'm still looking for essential items, such as the phone, so clearly my packing left much to be desired.
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Sep
16

Design Dilemma with Carson Arthur: An Ugly House with No Front Door!

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/16/2009 9:44:00 AM
Poor Carson – what a house! I don’t know what I would say here… In any case, our Outdoor Design Dilemma oracle and host of HGTV’s Green Force , aka Carson Arthur , takes this dilemma in stride, and diplomatically suggests that a front door would be a
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Sep
15

Gardening Advice: Taking Herbs Indoors?

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Posted by Guest Blogger 9/15/2009 8:19:00 AM
Question: "I have taken herbs into the house in the fall many times but they do not seem to do well. Can you tell me what would assist me to keep them for use in my kitchen all winter? I'm particularly interested in different types of basil, rosemary,
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Sep
14

Video: Tour Our Stylish Offices!

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Posted by Alicia Cox 9/14/2009 4:00:00 PM
If you work in an office environment , chances are you, like me, spend 40 hours a week enveloped in cubicle walls -- or, if you're lucky, three office walls and a window. (Can I get an Amen for the Holy Grail of cubicle-dwellers - the window seat? Amen!)
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Sep
14

Video Question of the Week: Where do You Store Your Laundry?

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/14/2009 12:30:00 PM
I ask because the answer, as many may have thought, is not actually as simple as: in the hamper . I for one have a system akin to a second world railroad, with remiss stations throughout the four floors of my house; there’s the pile of weekly wears on
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Sep
13

Shop Review: SOHO Art & Custom Framing, Toronto - For Those In-The-Know

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/13/2009 11:10:00 AM
I can’t say I’ve discovered them, or that they’re a hidden gem, as SOHO Art & Custom Framing has been lauded by such sources as FLARE , Globe and Mail and Debbie Travis, but I can make sure that you all know of this incredible resource. Located in
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Sep
11

Top 5 Friday: My Favourite Paint Colours

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/11/2009 5:16:00 PM
Yes, mine. They're somewhat inline with what's prescribed in trend reports for fall, but are by no means endorsed by established gurus in the colour world. I'm going to keep it short and sweet, because I can't really give a coherent design reason for
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Sep
10

Real People Reno: Condo Patch of Dirt Turned Flagstone Oasis

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/10/2009 5:26:00 PM
This should inspire you. Not only to think outside of your tiny BOXed-in condo patio (rowhouse), but to actually do whatever you were going to do, yourself. This adorable couple here are family on my husband’s side. I specify because anybody on my side
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Sep
10

Makeover: Outdoor Kitchen from Take It Outside

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Posted by Alicia Cox 9/10/2009 4:22:00 PM
On this episode of Take It Outside , homeowners John and Marissa love to cook and have invested in creating their dream kitchen insdoors. Right off their inside space is the enormous empty deck seen above. John and Marissa wanted to extend their parties
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Sep
09

Unbelievable Luxury at an "Away" University

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/9/2009 8:16:00 PM
'Tis the season of packing your kids off to school , and for many post-highscoolers it means off to the dorms with them. Well, I've one in the family -- my sister -- and thanks to her, I can tell you with absolute certainty, that these days -- see photo
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Sep
09

Design Dilemma with Carson Arthur: Traditional Home, Modern Façade?

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/9/2009 6:14:00 PM
This Indian Summer in Ontario is keeping me swathed in the outdoors. And Carson Arthur has no problem with it! Today on Outdoor Design Dilemma , Green Force host and landscape expert Carson Arthur helps a Toronto home owner make a decision upon the facade
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Sep
09

Moving Mayhem: Moving Day at Last!

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Posted by Scotch Mommy 9/9/2009 3:40:00 PM
Tomorrow is moving day ! We spent this morning at the lawyer's office signing away what seemed like a good portion of our lives. All I want to say is, having a good team around you (lawyer, mortgage broker, and real estate agents) is worth every penny
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Sep
08

Question of the Week: Are "Granny Flats" Unsightly or Ideal for Aging Loved Ones?

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/8/2009 3:26:00 PM
Being a city dweller, I must admit I learned of the “granny flat” – prefab home/portable/trailer placed on your property, purposed for an aging relative – fairly recently. A friend of a friend is from rural Ontario and her family has a granny flat in
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Sep
08

Glen Peloso Video: Create Flow in Small Spaces, Part 1

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Posted by Alicia Cox 9/8/2009 9:28:00 AM
Maintaining flow and function is key when it comes to designing small spaces . You may recognize designer Glen Peloso from Restaurant Makeover as well as from our video coverage of the Interior Design show earlier this year. He gave us a tour of a home
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Sep
08

Splurge vs. Steal: Designer Trays

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Posted by Guest Blogger 9/8/2009 9:27:00 AM
Celebrity designers, Kateleen Kutsu for Marimekko ( splurge , left) and Jonathan Adler ( steal , right) used bold and funky patterns to jazz up serving trays . The bight blue graphics on white backgrounds are fresh and fun! Plus, they’re made from unbreakable
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Sep
05

Bargain Saturday: Dorm Room Decor

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Posted by Alicia Cox 9/5/2009 9:30:00 AM
Milk crates in various colours, $9.99 USD, The Container Store Ah, the dorm days of university -- wait, let me correct that -- the concrete box basement-dwelling days. I never lived in residence because the first school I attended had dorms far from downtown,
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Sep
04

Top 5 Friday: Get Organized for Back-To-School

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Posted by Vanessa 9/4/2009 12:22:00 PM
Today was baby day in our office, meaning that almost everyone who has a little one brought them in for a big group play date. And while most of the kids were too young for school, it reminded me of all those parents who are anxiously awaiting the first
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Sep
03

Magazine Review: September’s Style at Home

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/3/2009 12:46:00 PM
The Stats Title: Style at Home, September Issue Cover Price: $5.50 CDN + tax Availability: Bookstore chains and magazine shops Frequency: 12 times a year The Review I know we all know of Style at Home , but I think most of us kinda love it too… While
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Sep
03

Video Tour: Ikea Fall 2009

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Posted by Alicia Cox 9/3/2009 12:31:00 PM
Last week, after a journey across town and a subway snafu, FoodNetwork.ca producer Nadine and I finally found ourselves at the Etobicoke Ikea in West Toronto -- thanks to a ride from Ikea's Public Relations Specialist, Tamara Robbins Griffith. We were
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Sep
02

Design Dilemma with Carson Arthur: Optimum Backyard Flow

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 9/2/2009 9:27:00 AM
Summer is (done) drawing to a close, and just before we put away our patio furniture (I know some of my friends keep it out ‘till first frost, but they happen to be smokers) I’d like to get in a few more of Carson Arthur ’s advice-packed Outdoor Design
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Sep
02

Moving Mayhem: We Don't Have Nearly Enough Boxes

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Posted by Scotch Mommy 9/2/2009 8:04:00 AM
I love making lists . I love making them but not so much following them. One of the first things I do when preparing any project (now it's moving but in the past it's been meal planning and chore charting) is go online to see if I can get a really great
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Sep
01

Gardening Advice: Re-Using Soil?

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Posted by Guest Blogger 9/1/2009 8:28:00 AM
Question: "At the end of the growing season, what do you do with the soil in your balcony containers? Can it be re-used?" Answer: I’m all for recycling and I have been reusing my container “soil” for years. The only time I don’t reuse it is if the soil
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