Buying a cottage by the water is simply out of reach for many people. But what if you could find one at about half the going rate?  …
House Proud – Search For Cottage was a Moving Experience. Sun MediaRead More »
House Proud – Search For Cottage was a Moving Experience. Sun Media Read More »
A prevailing decorating philosophy has required a chic family home to appear as if a television doesn’t exist. The so-called idiot box gets hidden away in an armoire or worse, relegated to a man-land in the basement.  Guests are meant to believe the home’s occupants would never be so gauche as to glom onto the latest hit show. The TV is only brought out from its hiding place when the prying eyes of strangers aren’t about. …
Give Your TV a New Look – House Proud, Sun Media Read More »
It seems every manufacturer of stuff for the home tosses around the term “home fashions”. It’s used to describe everything from ready-made curtains to slip-covers to mass-produced accessories. …
Bold and Beautiful – House Proud, Toronto Sun Read More »
Buying a first home is a daunting task. Unless your name is Bieber or Kardashian, you’re likely going to have to make some compromises. And if you’re looking in Toronto proper, you’ve got your work cut out for you.  …
Extreme Makeover: Local Edition – House Proud, Sun MediaRead More »
Extreme Makeover: Local Edition – House Proud, Sun Media Read More »
If you love to cook, you probably already know it’s worth the investment to have the best tools at your disposal. Â …
House Proud – Serious Chef Requires Top-Notch Tools. London Free PressRead More »
House Proud – Serious Chef Requires Top-Notch Tools. London Free Press Read More »
Everybody wants a beautiful kitchen. It’s the heart of your home and a savvy property owner knows it’s also where you’ll tend to get 100% return on your renovation costs upon resale.  …
House Proud – Kitchens That Last, Sun Media Read More »
It’s not so unusual for a rock star to go solo once his band takes a hiatus. But what is rare about Sergio Galli, guitarist and songwriter for Platinum Blonde, is that his solo pursuit wasn’t in music. He’s a sought-after home designer who is the creative force behind The Serena Group, and its new luxury villas in Mississauga. …
Offering Luxury on a Small Scale – House Proud, Sun MediaRead More »
Offering Luxury on a Small Scale – House Proud, Sun Media Read More »
So many women do it. Â I did it the other day and I only caught myself after it was too late. Â We criticize our bodies relentlessly. Â It’s as if we want to put a spotlight on our flaws before anybody else dares to realize that we’re not perfect. Â Enough already! Â …
We Women Have to Cut it Out Read More »
You have a nice house. But is it a dry house? This weekend at the Toronto Fall Home Show, The Insurance Bureau of Canada is offering free plays at their interactive display, The Dry House, in hopes of helping homeowners and renters learn about ways to keep moisture outside where it belongs. …
Come Visit the Dry House – House Proud, Toronto SunRead More »
Come Visit the Dry House – House Proud, Toronto Sun Read More »
Many people look at an old, wooden door and can’t see past the chipped paint and broken window panes. But a growing number of salvagers and artisans see that same door for what it can become; a cabinet, a coffee table or a headboard. …
Salvage Operation – House Proud, Toronto Sun Read More »
When I was a kid my parents had a patio set made of redwood. It was heavy and expensive. I remember dragging the pieces inside for the winter using my entire 10-year-old muscular prowess and running out to the yard to save the cushions from the rain. Over time, the wood faded in the sunlight and what didn’t fade tended to chip, requiring several touch-ups over the years. My, it’s wonderful how outdoor furniture has evolved. …
Great Design Moves Outdoors – House Proud, Toronto SunRead More »
Great Design Moves Outdoors – House Proud, Toronto Sun Read More »
A video of Felice Cohen’s New York City apartment went viral earlier this year. In a city where the average rental unit goes for $3400 a month, Cohen found a relative bargain for $700. The catch? …
Furniture That Fits – House Proud, The Toronto SunRead More »
Furniture That Fits – House Proud, The Toronto Sun Read More »
Imagine opening your home, your sanctuary, to strangers, allowing them to stay a night or two and what’s more, you serve them breakfast in the morning. That’s the chosen lifestyle for thousands of people who run a Bed and Breakfast. It’s not for everyone but it’s a choice that many make with no regrets. …
Bitten by the B and B Bug – House Proud, Sun MediaRead More »
Bitten by the B and B Bug – House Proud, Sun Media Read More »
It appears that my column House Proud might be on life support if not already actually deceased. …
House (Not) Proud Read More »
It’s a ritual of spring: clearing out the clutter that accumulated over the long, dark months of winter. While most of us concentrate our efforts on closets, basements and places where dust bunnies gather, divorce expert Karen Stewart reminds us to also remove the items that create emotional clutter. …
House Proud – Emotional Spring Cleaning Necessary (London Free Press)Read More »
House Proud – Emotional Spring Cleaning Necessary (London Free Press) Read More »
Feeling peckish on a recent evening, I opened a kitchen cupboard door in search of a snack and bits of granola bar and foil wrapping rained down on me from a high shelf. That’s how we discovered there was a mouse in our house. …
House Proud – Deterring Pests Better Plan Than Evicting Intruders (London Free Press)Read More »
House Proud – Deterring Pests Better Plan Than Evicting Intruders (London Free Press) Read More »
It’s not easy for a business to grab attention in the crowded consumer landscape these days. Dominos Pizza in Tokyo Japan is taking an unusual approach for its 25th anniversary there. …
Pricey Pie-Guy (or Gal) Read More »