June 2010 - Posts


Glen Peloso to the Rescue: A Blackout Blinds Injustice!  Flip ON: Home to Flip Marathon, Thursday at 1:00pm ET! DIY: Strip a Chair of Despair  Question of the Week: Where Do You Buy Your Furniture? Lookie Here: Elana's Home Featured on Design Blog Flipping Out On Jeff Lewis: Fans and Foes Speak How to Garden: Rose Fright Real People Living in Condos: Yes You CAN Have a Custom Closet Top 5 Friday: Ways To Use Colour Makeover: Modern Al Fresco Getaway Modern Country: Iron Bench meet Wicker Table Outdoor Dilemma: Carson Arthur on "Trenching" to Help Trees Recover from Construction  Real Estate: What Does $500K Get You in Toronto, Calgary and Montreal?  Splurge vs Steal: The Seagrass Chair of the Season HGTV.ca Original Home Tour: Courtney, Toronto Question of the Week: Isn't the Point of 'Outdoor Spaces' To Be... Outdoors?  A Marathon for Dad and All Mike Holmes Fans this Sunday! Top 5 Friday: Man Rooms How to Garden: Tool Talk Daughters, Dads and Decor: Share Your Memories Video Exclusive: Jim Caruk On The Spot! (Did He Actually Blush?) Who Is The Selby? World Sensation Interiors Photographer Comes to TO  Makeover (Sort Of): House Of Bryan Ultimate Man Cave Design Dilemma: Glen Peloso Kick-Starts a Showpiece Kitchen Giveaway: Keep Dad Safe Dad It Up this Weekend at Jim Caruk's BIY Centers  Question of the Week: Are "Dad Chairs" Extinct? Or Are Dads Still Sitting in Them? A Garden Beautification from One of Our Readers!  Splurge Vs. Steal Saturday: Toy Soldiers for Dad What's Your Favourite HGTV Show of All Time? Top 5 Friday: Backsplashes, Part II How to Garden: Tomato Dilemmas  DIY Built-In Bookshelves  Modern Country: The Story of a Pair of Country Chairs Listen: Jeff Lewis of Flipping Out Speaks -- Nicely!  Book and Giveaway: Alabama Studio Style -- Includes Pull-Out Stencil and Sewing Patterns!  Lunchtime Fix: Top 10 Rooms For Baby Gallery Question of the Week: What Would You Choose for a Backsplash? Tri-Coloured Glass Mosaic?  Did You Know? You Can Watch Classic HGTV Shows Online! Video: We Met Kathy Ireland! Her Words on Kathy Ireland Home Products  Summer Feature Kick-Off: How To Garden -- Cruising the Garden Centres Top 5 Friday: Swinging Summer Seats Makeover: Peter Fallico's Home To Flip Finale Video: Glen Peloso Talks Practical Design, Colour Trends and Common Mistakes! Learn More About HGTV.ca Bloggers -- See What We Said About Our Moms! Summer Decorating: Create a Seaside Getaway at Home 
 
Jun
30

Glen Peloso to the Rescue: A Blackout Blinds Injustice!

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/30/2010 2:46:00 PM
Oh lordy. I hate to hear people get the short end of the stick when it comes to new-builds... Why are so many service providers in the home industry so troublesome? It's a good thing we've got Glen Peloso on Design Dilemma detail because he's nothing
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Jun
30

Flip ON: Home to Flip Marathon, Thursday at 1:00pm ET!

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/30/2010 11:21:00 AM
It's International Joke Day, again , but at least we get Thursday off! No, seriously, it is International Joke Day so I thought I'd make a funny... because, more importantly...drum roll...it's CANADA DAY everybody!!! Since Canada Day = Decorating , it's
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Jun
29

DIY: Strip a Chair of Despair

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/29/2010 9:28:00 PM
Speaking of shopping, (see Question of the Week ), there's a little place in east Toronto I like to visit called Frontier Sales . It's a hit-or-miss second hand furniture store that does have some of the best prices around. I pulled my solid oak writing
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Jun
28

Question of the Week: Where Do You Buy Your Furniture?

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/28/2010 3:18:00 PM
Maybe I think this because I work in the field, but it seems that more and more people -- non-industry folk, that is -- are redecorating their places. Maybe people have been a bit crazed about getting into the real estate market, and as such are either
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Jun
28

Lookie Here: Elana's Home Featured on Design Blog

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/28/2010 1:28:00 PM
Photo by Kristin Sjaarda Last month we featured the lovely west Toronto home of Emma and Myles , and dear Emma, who also runs a great blog called The Marion House Book , has returned the favour! Maybe she felt she had to, but I'll take it! (Because I'm
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Jun
26

Flipping Out On Jeff Lewis: Fans and Foes Speak

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Posted by Alicia Cox 6/26/2010 9:42:00 AM
Psst! What do you think abou t Flipping Out 's Jeff Lewis (excuse me while I run and duck). Season 3 started June 2 and it's been a love-hate roller coaster on our Twitter @hgtvcanada and Facebook fan page ever since. He's abusive, talented, driven, misunderstood,
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Jun
25

How to Garden: Rose Fright

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Posted by Guest Blogger 6/25/2010 10:12:00 PM
By: Veronica Sliva I admit it. I've always avoided growing roses , feeling that they were too much trouble for my style of gardening (lazy.) On the odd occasion when I caved into temptation and planted a rose, I usually got so fed up with the blackspot
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Jun
25

Real People Living in Condos: Yes You CAN Have a Custom Closet

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Posted by Guest Blogger 6/25/2010 4:30:00 PM
The "Before" The first time I laid eyes on the two little closets that were to hold all of our things, I began daydreaming of elaborate closet configurations and cubbies. A self-proclaimed clutter-phobe, I need everything to be tucked away neatly into
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Jun
25

Top 5 Friday: Ways To Use Colour

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Posted by Alicia Cox 6/25/2010 10:42:00 AM
How do you use colour in your home? Are you a fan of big and bold, or are you on Team Subtle? After recently painting my apartment white (and still deciding on the rest of the palette), I've been looking at different combos and treatments for inspiration.
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Jun
24

Makeover: Modern Al Fresco Getaway

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Posted by Vanessa 6/24/2010 3:06:00 PM
This makeover comes courtesy of Dirty Business . The homeowners in this episode totally overhauled the inside of their house while ignoring their outdoor space. After the renos, the Dirty Business boys swooped in to create a little modern outdoor magic.
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Jun
24

Modern Country: Iron Bench meet Wicker Table

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Posted by Guest Blogger 6/24/2010 9:34:00 AM
Once upon a time there was a cute iron bench . Cute iron bench had a woven seat, but it wore through. Cute iron bench was forgotten about. It even caught on fire during a small but overzealous marshmallow roast. Cute bench meet old wicker table . This
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Jun
23

Outdoor Dilemma: Carson Arthur on "Trenching" to Help Trees Recover from Construction

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Posted by Guest Blogger 6/23/2010 8:37:00 PM
I love a summer cameo from my favourite landscaping guru, Carson Arthur of Green Force . Though Glen Peloso is still our guy for Design Dilemmas , Carson has graciously answered an Outdoor Dilemma for one Theresa M., who sent in a question about her new,
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Jun
23

Real Estate: What Does $500K Get You in Toronto, Calgary and Montreal?

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Posted by Guest Blogger 6/23/2010 3:34:00 PM
Buying a charming home in a vibrant, urban neighborhood is a challenge on a limited budget. If location is your number one priority, what does $500,000 buy in the hottest neighborhoods in Montreal, Toronto and Calgary? Montreal is famous for bagels, Mordecai
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Jun
22

Splurge vs Steal: The Seagrass Chair of the Season

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Posted by Guest Blogger 6/22/2010 5:58:00 PM
There are countless ways in which we can all contribute to helping our environment . When it comes to design, this translates into a common desire to bring the outdoors in and indoors out, and embrace the natural elements in our surroundings. To that
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Jun
22

HGTV.ca Original Home Tour: Courtney, Toronto

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Posted by Vanessa 6/22/2010 9:30:00 AM
Who : Courtney Wotherspoon, a successful illustrator and aspiring interior designer with an eye for quirky collectibles. What : A semi-detached Victorian house circa 1875 which Courtney has renovated and divided into basement, first-floor and second-floor
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Jun
21

Question of the Week: Isn't the Point of 'Outdoor Spaces' To Be... Outdoors?

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/21/2010 1:32:00 PM
Take It Outside, Season 3 My colleague Jessica (of Bargain Saturday fame) and I often remark on how elaborate outdoor design has gotten. Don't get us wrong, we love watching the spectacular transformations on shows like Take It Outside and The Style Dept.
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Jun
19

A Marathon for Dad and All Mike Holmes Fans this Sunday!

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/19/2010 9:15:00 AM
Mike Holmes is here for you this Father's Day. If dad is getting grumpy and bored having to sit nice in his Sunday clothes instead of out doing whatever he'd rather be doing, turn on the Holmes Inspection marathon! It'll be running all day -- 10am to
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Jun
18

Top 5 Friday: Man Rooms

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Posted by Mia Rodak 6/18/2010 3:11:00 PM
In honour of Father's Day I'm going to swallow my pride and write about man rooms . But I simply cannot do it without a minor preamble first, so indulge me briefly and then we'll move on. I'm not comfortable with the idea of a "man room." It hits a nerve
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Jun
18

How to Garden: Tool Talk

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/18/2010 12:48:00 PM
By: Veronica Sliva I’m a garden tool junkie. I probably have one of everything that was ever manufactured. But the truth is, I keep going back to the same ones over and over again. I like tools that are comfortable and easy to use…and difficult for me
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Jun
18

Daughters, Dads and Decor: Share Your Memories

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Posted by Alicia Cox 6/18/2010 9:45:00 AM
The photo above is circa 1980. And no, my dad and I are not in a nightclub. We're in the basement of our modest, suburban bungalow -- the basement my dad dreamed, designed and built on his own. I only have vague memories of this house (we moved in 1981)
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Jun
17

Video Exclusive: Jim Caruk On The Spot! (Did He Actually Blush?)

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/17/2010 11:34:00 PM
Oh brawny contractors... So fun to put in uncomfortable situations! A sport, really. Admittedly, I've been leading up to this interview with Jim Caruk of Real Reno's , at the opening of his BIY Centers in Toronto , for some time now, but really, I hope
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Jun
17

Who Is The Selby? World Sensation Interiors Photographer Comes to TO

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/17/2010 1:19:00 PM
Todd Selby at Holt Renfrew , photographed by Jennifer Myers . This past Wednesday, Canada’s most lavish retailer, Holt Renfrew, opened the concourse of its Bloor Street store to the wildly popular photographer/blogger , Todd Selby . Hard to believe the
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Jun
17

Makeover (Sort Of): House Of Bryan Ultimate Man Cave

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Posted by Alicia Cox 6/17/2010 11:00:00 AM
I say this is a sort of makeover because this man cave , brought to you by the brawn that is Bryan Baeumler (or B Baum as we affectionately refer to him), was built from scratch on House of Bryan . The before? Just foundation, poured concrete and a rather
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Jun
16

Design Dilemma: Glen Peloso Kick-Starts a Showpiece Kitchen

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/16/2010 5:02:00 PM
Glen Peloso is our Design Dilemma man! As you may have gathered from our interview at his pristinely put-together home, he is a fountain of design knowledge. Really. His down-to-earth, practical approach to aesthetics means take-home, tailored advice
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Jun
16

Giveaway: Keep Dad Safe

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Posted by Vanessa 6/16/2010 11:00:00 AM
Father's Day will either bring ties and T-shirts or hammers and drills into your home or garage. If dad/hubby/partner is handy, he's probably getting some sort of tool he'll soon put to work. And while I'm sure he's not too klutzy, you can never be too
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Jun
15

Dad It Up this Weekend at Jim Caruk's BIY Centers

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/15/2010 3:31:00 PM
Looking to make memories? Or shame your dad by showing him up at a Build-It-Yourself workshop? Thankfully, dads these days seem too busy sharing the household chores to really spend quality time in the workshop, and if your dad is one to really miss it,
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Jun
15

Question of the Week: Are "Dad Chairs" Extinct? Or Are Dads Still Sitting in Them?

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/15/2010 12:44:00 PM
La-Z-boy through the ages (clockwise from the top); 1950s prototype, TheBSReport blog; 1970s prototype, Morgan.co.nz ; a contemporary suped-up prototype, JerkMag blog; 'Jason' rocker/recliner, one of the most popular models, WestDawson.com . I'm a day
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Jun
13

A Garden Beautification from One of Our Readers!

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/13/2010 9:00:00 AM
Lookie here! Look at what I found in my inbox: DIY garden photos from one of you, our dear, cherished readers! There is nothing -- I really mean nothing -- we here at HGTV.ca like better than receiving photos boasting of your latest craft, decor project
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Jun
12

Splurge Vs. Steal Saturday: Toy Soldiers for Dad

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Posted by Vanessa 6/12/2010 10:00:00 AM
Instead of a Bargain Saturday , this week I'm bringing you both a bargain and a huge splurge perfect for Father's Day (you only have a week to find that special something for dad). Chandelier Creative for Partners & Spade 24 karat gold limited edition
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Jun
12

What's Your Favourite HGTV Show of All Time?

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Posted by Alicia Cox 6/12/2010 9:15:00 AM
This week, I asked our Facebook fans, Twitter followers and office folks: What's your favourite HGTV show of all time? Some of the answers didn't surprise me (anything Sarah Richardson , all the way!) and a few answers did. Here's what some of our Facebook-ers
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Jun
11

Top 5 Friday: Backsplashes, Part II

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/11/2010 9:49:00 PM
This week's Question of the Week struck a nerve. I asked what you would do for a backsplash if you had your way, and in the same breath slighted a long-time favourite: tri-coloured glass mosaic tile. In a word: I'm over it, no longer a fan. Many of you
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Jun
11

How to Garden: Tomato Dilemmas

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Posted by Guest Blogger 6/11/2010 4:14:00 PM
By: Veronica Sliva Last week, against my better judgment I planted my tomatoes . Tomatoes don’t like cold soil no matter how warm the air is. My rule is if you can’t plunk your derriere down on the soil and sit awhile without too much of a chill, then
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Jun
10

DIY Built-In Bookshelves

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Posted by Catherine Jheon 6/10/2010 4:07:00 PM
My husband is a British, jazz-playing academic (translation: not handy, not even a little bit). So imagine my surprise – shock really-- when he announced he was going to build shelves for our living room. I quickly ran through a gamut of emotions. At
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Jun
10

Modern Country: The Story of a Pair of Country Chairs

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Posted by Guest Blogger 6/10/2010 10:30:00 AM
Meet my chairs. They're simple chairs; second hand, painted white and full of creaks and they suit my country lifestyle perfectly. They sit at the heads of the dining room table. Good idea : buying four plexiglass chairs to sit around the rest of the
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Jun
09

Listen: Jeff Lewis of Flipping Out Speaks -- Nicely!

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/9/2010 3:41:00 PM
Did you watch the premiere of season 3 of Flipping Out last week? No matter what you may feel toward our anti-hero, Jeff Lewis , the show's third season has been highly anticipated and is undeniably a hit. Really what Flipping Out is, is a reality-based
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Jun
08

Book and Giveaway: Alabama Studio Style -- Includes Pull-Out Stencil and Sewing Patterns!

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/8/2010 9:54:00 PM
Alicia and I came across this home tour on the New York Times website, featuring a wondrous cabin/ deep-woods lair, in Seale, Alabama. The cabin was hand-built by a man named Butch Anthony, a man who takes sustainable living to a whole new level, living
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Jun
08

Lunchtime Fix: Top 10 Rooms For Baby Gallery

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Posted by Alicia Cox 6/8/2010 12:00:00 PM
We recently added an oldie but a goodie to our Video Centre -- the Design Inc. one-hour Sarah's nursery special which ran on Mother's Day, but is actually from a few years back when Sarah Richardson was expecting her first child. This inspired me to search
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Jun
07

Question of the Week: What Would You Choose for a Backsplash? Tri-Coloured Glass Mosaic?

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/7/2010 2:15:00 PM
"Erez" tile by Walker Zanger My neighbours -- the same, badgered neighbours who've been dragged all over this blog -- are nearing completion of their enviable first-floor reno. The other day I was over there snooping, and saw a pile of backsplash tile
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Jun
06

Did You Know? You Can Watch Classic HGTV Shows Online!

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Posted by Alicia Cox 6/6/2010 4:40:00 PM
Clockwise, from l-r: Steven Sabados and Chris Hyndman, Design Rivals ; John Sillaots, In the Workshop ; Peter Fallico, Home To Go Have you visited our Video Centre lately? That's where you'll find all the HGTV shows available to watch online . Every week,
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Jun
04

Video: We Met Kathy Ireland! Her Words on Kathy Ireland Home Products

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/4/2010 3:09:00 PM
Our trip to Vegas this past winter just keeps on giving! We spent five days at World Market Center Las Vegas , one of North America's largest trade show facilities for home furnishings , and I'm not gonna lie: we felt a bit like Alice in Wonderland. From
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Jun
04

Summer Feature Kick-Off: How To Garden -- Cruising the Garden Centres

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/4/2010 12:44:00 PM
We don't get enough good weather in Canada to take it for granted. When the summer season hits, one of the most engaging and rewarding ways to get the most out of the warm weather is gardening . Though everyone enjoys a nice garden from afar, not everyone
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Jun
04

Top 5 Friday: Swinging Summer Seats

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Posted by Vanessa 6/4/2010 11:00:00 AM
Some of my favourite summer memories involve me relaxing in the hammock in my parents' backyard. The hammock was hung between two trees in a quiet and shady nook at the back of the yard and allowed for daydreaming or napping in relative silence (for a
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Jun
03

Makeover: Peter Fallico's Home To Flip Finale

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Posted by Alicia Cox 6/3/2010 12:06:00 PM
Before, clockwise l-r: living room, kitchen, basement, attic space home of the future master suite The finale episode of Home To Flip aired this past Monday, and if you didn't see it, you don't know whether or not seasoned flipper Peter Fallico turned
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Jun
02

Video: Glen Peloso Talks Practical Design, Colour Trends and Common Mistakes!

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/2/2010 7:10:00 PM
We're adding formidable designer Glen Peloso to our Design Dilemma epic! We'll see if we could keep Scott McGillivray for as long as possible, but why not keep the advice flowing with a little wisdom from the Restaurant Makeover alumnus? To get a feel
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Jun
01

Learn More About HGTV.ca Bloggers -- See What We Said About Our Moms!

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Posted by Elana Safronsky 6/1/2010 6:07:00 PM
From the left: baba (mom's mom), Elana, sis, Elana's mom. Mom Month 's out the door! It was both fun and a little indulgent to take the time and space to talk about our moms, in honour of Mother's Day, but you know what? If we inspired just one of you
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Jun
01

Summer Decorating: Create a Seaside Getaway at Home

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Posted by Vanessa 6/1/2010 1:05:00 PM
Pottery Barn summer place setting I recently had the pleasure of a private tour of Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma 's summer collections guided by Michaela Wilkinson and Suki Mulberg from the companies' head offices in San Francisco. And as far as tabletop
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