I recently asked for ideas for my House Proud newspaper column and reader and commenter Allan came up with a few. My Editor is a tough cookie – which is what I love and respect about her – and she is picky about offering something new and fresh in her publication. But one of Allan’s ideas made the cut! So read on for what I did with it. It was published in this weekend’s Homes Extra in Sun Media. Thanks Allan! …
Lighten Up – House Proud, Sun Media Read More »
We are having major issues with our Internet service provider. Uploading a blog normally takes about 90 seconds. Today, more than an hour! I love you dearly, faithful reader, but I’m not willing to go through this again! So if this page goes a little quiet it’s because Rogers hasn’t fixed whatever it is that’s going on. (I’m about to make a phone call!) I gave up trying to upload a photo. So…if you hear a smashing sound it’s me, on our modem, with a sledgehammer. (Anyone who has ever had Internet issues like this can surely understand the frustration!).
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The Wacky Week That Was Read More »
Every so often some designer will tell you what is in and what is out for decorating your home. If you’re like me, a trend has been incorporated into your decor only because you really love it and it fits with your lifestyle and personality. …
Trend Snob – House Proud, The Toronto Sun Read More »
Spills are going to happen. Small children drop food bits as if they’re leaving a trail for others to follow. A guest at your dinner party sloshes a beverage onto your Berber carpet. …
Taking The Pain out of Stains – House Proud, The Toronto SunRead More »
Taking The Pain out of Stains – House Proud, The Toronto Sun Read More »
The “honey do” list has been around since cave woman scratched reminders for cave man on the cave wall to “pick up buffalo hides from cleaners.” …
A Homeowner’s Work is Never Done – House Proud, Toronto SunRead More »
A Homeowner’s Work is Never Done – House Proud, Toronto Sun Read More »
I recently gave up my beloved BlackBerry and switched to an iPhone. My husband had leaped over this technological chasm, and once I could no longer send him peer-to-peer messages, I followed. …
Just Phone It In – House Proud, The Toronto Sun Read More »
Do you really want to go to war over a hanging tree branch? Or is it more worthwhile to have a friendly neighbour you can turn to for a cup of sugar? …
Neighbour Relations – House Proud, The Toronto SunRead More »
Neighbour Relations – House Proud, The Toronto Sun Read More »
It took a couple of flips through The Big-Ass Book of Home Decor before I started to see projects that I could truly envision in my own home. Author Mark Montano, host of TLC’s While You Were Out, has released this do-it-yourself designer handbook to making cool, crafty accessories as a follow-up to his previous volumes, The Big-Ass Book of Crafts and Dollar Store Decor. …
Craft Confidential – House Proud, The Toronto SunRead More »
Craft Confidential – House Proud, The Toronto Sun Read More »
Recently, on a boring drive to the middle of nowhere, I happened upon a radio show from another city. Two women were talking in giddy tones normally associated with free chocolate truffles or a George Clooney sighting. But their topic was much more mundane: house cleaning. …
Nothing Compares to Cleanliness – House Proud, Toronto SunRead More »
Nothing Compares to Cleanliness – House Proud, Toronto Sun Read More »
Once every year, sometime between the groundhog’s annual pop-up and the appearance of spring’s first robin, I wake up with an antsy feeling. Suddenly I have to redecorate something. It’s how my own personal cabin fever manifests itself. …
House Proud – Cabin Fever Makeover, The Toronto SunRead More »
House Proud – Cabin Fever Makeover, The Toronto Sun Read More »
I equate shopping for technology with trying on string bikinis under fluorescent lights, in public, on live television. I’m sure it’s not as embarrassing but I dread it just as much. Food shopping is a necessity and not my idea of fun. Given a choice, I’d prefer to spend a stolen hour devoted to browsing among unusual items. So a recent outing with a girlfriend to hit a string of home stuff stores was a welcome way to spend a sunny Saturday. …
Do You Need a Spork? House Proud – The Toronto SunRead More »
Do You Need a Spork? House Proud – The Toronto Sun Read More »
Call Valentine’s Day a Hallmark holiday and dismiss its importance if you want, but as the old song says, what the world needs now is love, sweet love. A day dedicated to the giving and receiving of affection seems pretty harmless and positive considering what goes on elsewhere on the planet. …
In The Mood – House Proud, The Toronto Sun Read More »
Even if you’re not a student of design, chances are you’re familiar with the work of Frank Lloyd Wright — the man the American Institute of Architects calls the “greatest American architect of all time.”
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Quibble With a Genius – House Proud, Toronto Sun Read More »
This column ran while I was away over the holidays. I’m publishing it here as I submitted it however my editor will likely have made some changes. I don’t know which of the many pictures I submitted ran with the article but I’ve included my favourites. Enjoy!
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House Proud – Imaginative Projects, The Toronto SunRead More »
House Proud – Imaginative Projects, The Toronto Sun Read More »
In a perfect world, I’d like to have a vase full of fresh blooms in every room of my house at all times; calla lilies in the living room, gerbera daisies in the master bath and roses everywhere else. But here in the real world, one arrangement of cut flowers at a time is enough to keep me happy. …
Faking It – House Proud, The Toronto Sun Read More »
I was recently lined up in a ladies room that had 3 stalls. Two were regular, one was wheelchair accessible. …
Flushing an Attitude Read More »
Decor mavens tout the concept every autumn: they say it’s time to bring out your heavier linens, replace your bedspread with a comforter and trade fresh flowers in vases with dried grasses and reeds. …
House Proud – A Woman For All Seasons, The Toronto SunRead More »
House Proud – A Woman For All Seasons, The Toronto Sun Read More »
