Home Decor & Renovations

Benjamin Moore’s 2015 Colour of the year is….

By Sara Duck

Guilford Green! “We chose Guilford Green as our 2015 Colour of the Year because it can be the hero or the highlight in any room, enhancing the architectural identity of a space,” said Ellen O’Neill, Creative Director at Benjamin Moore. “Guilford Green is the perfect thread to connect nature, spaces and interiors with colour schemes that signify fresh energy and growth.” We think the light and airy hue will work well in traditional and modern spaces and will pair with a host of complementary shades such as white, grey, navy and light purple. Visit benjaminmoore.com

Mad for plaid

By Sara Duck

Plaid is a huge trend this season, for your wardrobe and home! Here are our top picks for incorporating this pattern into your space.

The Outdoor Room

By Carson Arthur

The backyard is the perfect spot for outdoor entertaining, and has replaced the ‘party room’ in the basement as the location to hold dinner parties, brunches or just drinks with friends. For the last 10 years, the term ‘outdoor room’ has been used by realtors and homeowners to refer to any type of seating outside. You can’t assume that if you have a deck or a patio, you have an outdoor room. Another consideration is the ability to use an outdoor room for more than just spring and summer.Here are key items that you need to create the perfect outdoor room.

Samsung Motion Sync Vacuum

By Sara Duck

The Samsung Motion Sync Vacuum will quickly become your go-to cleaning tool. The motion sync design offers smooth mobility, along with long-lasting suction power, a detachable handheld vacuum (it’s a two-in-one) perfect for hard-to-reach places and has an easy washable filter. Dust literally has nowhere to hide! $549. Visit samsung.ca

Save Your Sanity – Hire An Energy Advisor

by Kari Kylo

Kitchen backsplash tiles – check. Stone countertops – check. Fresh paint colours for the kids’ bedrooms – check. I was thrilled with the progress I had made on my home renovation list. The enjoyable part of picking out colours and finalizing designs had ignited my creative spirit, and at last I was going to have the visually spectacular home that I had always dreamed of.

Jo Alcorn at The Home Depot Mississauga West store

Need help choosing a paint colour for your walls? Confused about the best colour for your home? If you live in the GTA, we have just the solution to your painting problems! On Thursday, October 9, celebrity designer Jo Alcorn will be at The Home Depot Mississauga West store to answer all your questions! For more information visit http://www.cil.ca/Decor-Expert-on-the-Road and don't forget to bring photos, ideas and questions. Jo can't wait to help you with your next room makeover!

Hot ticket: The Delicious Food Show

By Sara Duck

Calling all foodies from across Canada! The Delicious Food Show is on from Oct. 17 to 19 at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto. If you are in the city over the weekend, don’t miss your opportunity to sample yummy foods and get up close and personal with a slew of famous chefs, including Mario Batali, Chuck Huges, Roger Mooking, Mark McEwan and more! For more information visit deliciousfoodshow.com

Q&A with LA designer Betsy Burnham

By Sara Duck / Photos by Patrick Cline

Betsy Burnham is the principal designer of Burnham Design, a boutique interior design company in Los Angeles. She’s known for her mix of bold decor choices, fashiony interiors and flawlessly balanced palettes. We take a look inside one of her most colourful projects!

Inspiration: Throw a harvest themed party

By Sara Duck

On the last weekend in September, I hosted a 40th anniversary party for my parents in their backyard (I kicked them out of their own house for the day!). After the bipolar weather we've had, I really hesitated to plan a soirée outside but I had a vision for the party and it involved a backyard setting. Fortunately, the weather cooperated and the party went off without a hitch! Here are a few simple ideas I used to plan the fall fête.

Designated study area for kids!

By Stephanie MacDonald

Anyone who has school-aged kids knows how haphazard homework time can be. Kids trying to study (or attempting to look like they are studying while they are actually texting) on the sofa, in the kitchen, or on their beds. Experts say it's a great idea to have a designated study area for each kid, but really, who has room for that? Well, just about any space can fit these little vintage school desks. Anyone over the age of 25 probably remembers learning their times tables and conjugating French verbs while sitting in one of these, and they can easily fit in your child's bedroom.

They are not comfy enough to fall asleep in, they have built in storage, they are retro-charming – what's not to love? Those who appreciate a patina can pick these up straight off of Ebay or Craigslist and leave them as is, but the internet abounds with quick and easy solutions to update these classic pieces of classroom furniture to match your decor.

Let your (or your children's) imagination go, all while giving them a personal space to get down to learning. For some cool school desk update ideas visit Pinterest or doityourself.com.

It’s always summer indoors when you have an indoor water feature

by Stephanie MacDonald

Water features aren't just for your dentist's office or your yoga studio anymore. With winter coming along soon, and a few (maybe many, depending where you live) months will be spent inside enjoying the warmth of central heating, but missing out on the sounds and smells of nature. But you don't have to. There are many ways to get the benefits of moving water inside your home. the benefits include stress relief, as decor, to create a soothing environment, or even for natural humidification. Indoor waterfalls are a simple and stunning way to enhance the beauty of your home and welcome guests with elegance.

Think pink in October!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Apollo Precision Tools has teamed up with Rethink Breast Cancer to bring you a practical yet stylish 39-piece tool set. The nifty kit is perfect for home improvements and DIY projects, so pick up yours today and help fund breast cancer education, support and research programs. Precision Tools Pink Tool Kit by Apollo. $30. Visit canadiantire.ca

Designer Lauren Flax’s Top five fall decor must-have’s

Flax-Design is a boutique interior design firm based in Toronto with residential projects that are both timeless and cutting edge. Below are owner, Lauren Flax's Top five fall decor must-have's.

Current crush: black cutlery

Add a dash of drama to your table with the Madrid Five-Piece Cutlery Set in Matte Black. $75.
Visit chapters.indigo.ca

New product line: refined rustic furniture from Paul Kristjian

Looking to add a touch on natural elegance to your home? Paul Kristjan is a bespoke furniture line, featuring rustic sophistication with industrial, and modern influences. With an appreciation for style and function and a love for sustainability, each unique piece tells a story with a mix of materials from local reclaimed wood to salvaged metals. Created in British Columbia by artisans and skilled tradesmen, these one-of-a-kind pieces are of the finest quality and handcrafted with great care.

Five tips for working with colour

By Lisa Canning/ Photo by Larry Arnal

I would argue that colour, among all the components that go into a room’s design, is the most influential factor in the overall success of a room. Your choice of colour can make a space feel soft and serene, bold and invigorating, or playful and whimsical – so it’s essential to ensure the correct colours are utilized to achieve the mood, or overall feel you want to accomplish. Here are my top five tips for adding colour to a room to achieve a look you’ll love.

Tips to create a relaxing bedroom

By Jo Alcorn/ photo by Jason Hartog

You spend a third of your day in your bedroom, so it should be a relaxing place to unwind and get that important beauty sleep your body needs. Recently, I gave my bedroom a major makeover. Here are my top tips to create a beautiful and comfortable bedroom retreat on any budget.

5 Quick Tips To Go From Small Space To Spacious

Canadian Tire and Jane Lockhart offer tips and tricks for home organization.

Freshen up your home for the fall season

By Megan Baker

Here are some simple suggestions to help you welcome the wonderful ambiance of autumn into your home!

Elte’s new line of rugs have an innovative twist

By Sara Duck

We love the new line of custom rugs from Elte, made from an innovative new fibre using the stalk of the banana plant. The result is a natural elegant sheen in each rug that plays off the many beautiful patterns available. Visit elte.com

Household must-have: Dyson Cinetic DC78 Turbinehead

By Sara Duck

After six years of intensive research by a team of 29 Dyson engineers, the new Dyson Cinetic is born. This machine boasts unparalleled suction capabilities, no bags, a filter that does not need to be washed or replaced and a trigger-bin emptying system. We think it’s pure genius! Dyson Cinetic DC78 Turbinehead. $700. Visit dysoncanada.ca

10 questions with designer Alison Victoria

By Sara Duck

With that beautiful signature mane, keen design eye and mad DIY skills, talented designer and Kitchen Crashers star Alison Victoria isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty.

Signal Floor Lamp. $350. Visit CB2.ca

By Elisa Krovblit

It's a floor lamp, but not "just" a floor lamp. With a chic tripod base, studio lamps are style makers. They're a little bit industrial, a little bit mid-century modern and a little bit loft. They're work-horse machinery with a fine finish – and they make a statement.

Tip: The quality of light you want will determine which style works for you. An articulated body aims light with precision, a shaded lamp diffuses it and direct beam puts you in the spotlight.

The importance of curb appeal

By Carson Arthur

In a market where sellers are in competition to make the most out of their largest investment. Improving your home’s first impression is one of the best ways to set it apart from the rest of the pack and according to Century21 Canada (2013), can swing a home’s value by up to seven per cent.

Lisa Canning’s favourite retailers for the modern family

Living with kids does not mean you have to sacrifice style. Here are my favourite products to achieve a fun, fresh (and durable) space for the modern family.

What does “Green” Really Mean?

by Bob de Wit

Going green can be a baffling experience with all the new terminology that gets tossed around. But what does it really mean?

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Make your Fantasy Kitchen a Reality

by Jamie Banfield

Let’s face it, renovations don’t always come easy. It’s a daunting task for even the coolest of cucumbers — between sourcing the qualified pro’s to get the job done to keeping to a budget and timeline, it is not always seamless, but it should be. On that note, if there is one room in your house that can give you the most return for your investment, it’s the kitchen. It is for this reason that renovations to the epicenter of your home should be well planned and executed to avoid a “Kitchen Nightmare”.

Renovation Key Driver in Economy

By Bryan Tuckey

Canadians love their home-improvement projects. Canada has experienced an amazing 15 consecutive years of annual spending increases on home improvements, according to a recent housing report by Altus Group, a Toronto-based global real estate consultant.

Advice from homeowners

Thinking about renovating your home? Wondering what it takes to get the results you want, without stress and worry? Who better to ask than people who have already done it? Canadian Home Builders’ Association gathered advice from homeowners who have completed major renovation projects, including bathroom and kitchen upgrades, additions and whole-house renovations.

Get gardening in the fall!

Think your gardening days are over? Think again! Fall is the perfect time to plant bulbs that yield spring flowering plants such as daffodils, tulips, hyacinth, crocus and snowdrops. “Fall is one of a gardener’s favourite seasons because it is when you get to plan and create what your garden will look like for the next year,” said Denis Flanagan, Public Relations manager for Landscape Ontario. Here are some top tips for preparing a garden bed with fall bulbs.

Big impact in small spaces

by Jennifer Rudolph

Bathrooms are the most expensive room per square foot to build or renovate in your home. It’s home to a variety of requirements including plumbing, electrical, venting and heating, not to mention a myriad of finishes all living in harmony in one small space. Although most of these elements meet practical functional needs, don't overlook the opportunity to showcase materials that offer a little bit of indulgence and invoke a feeling of luxury. After all it is the place where we rejuvenate and reset daily, so why not.

Q&A with Home + Design Show Organizer Jill Kivett

by Stephanie MacDonald

Out west here, we're excited for the 31st annual Home + Design Shows happening at On September 18 in Calgary at the BMO Centre and at BC Place starting October 16th in Vancouver. Show organizer Jill Kivett is always illuminating on the subject of what we can look forward to, so we asked her a few questions about this year's shows.

Yanic Simard’s five tips for South Beach style

I recently had the pleasure of designing my own relaxing Miami retreat! You too can reap the rewards of this South Beach styling with my tips to get that perfect tone-on-tone interior, including ideas you can steal for a total overhaul or a quick refreshing update.

Easy tips to create a dream closet

By Jo Alcorn/ Photos by Jason Hartog

Do you dream of having a closet from the magazines, but confused how to balance style and organization? My latest makeover project was to create the perfect walk-in closet. I brought in organizing guru Clare Kumar (clarekumar.com) to help with this makeover. Together we created a space that was both stylish and functional.

Make the most of your small outdoor space with these easy tips

Summer is meant to be spent outside; enjoying the sunshine, green landscapes, and firing up the grill. Luckily, you don’t need to have a huge backyard or be an expert gardener to reap the benefits of your outdoor space this summer. According to Mark Cullen, Home Hardware’s Gardening Expert, even those with limited space can enjoy the outdoors by following a few simple tips.

Jillian Harris chats about the spectacular 2014 PNE Prize Home

By Janine Mackie

“When you design a restaurant, you design with hunger in mind and create a darker space with accents of red and orange which elevate a room’s energy level. Never blue — that supresses hunger,” says Jillian Harris, designer of the PNE's 2014 Prize Home. “In residential homes, I gravitate towards the exact opposite – white, creams and neutral. I look for wow and vintage pieces that stimulate conversation.”

August 21, 2014
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Decor, DIY, Shopping, STYLE FILE, Trendspotting

Transition your living space from summer to fall with a few easy pieces

by Annabelle Immega

Suddenly re-thinking those colourful home accents now that fall is on its way? MOE'S Home Collection stylists have assembled their top transitional tips to ease your home from summer cool to cozied up.

Hammered Copper Pot with Lid from Turkey
$129.99. Visit homesense.ca

By Sara Duck

From pots and mugs to sequined pillow covers, copper coloured home accessories is a huge trend for fall. Of course the use of copper, particularly in the kitchen, has been adored for centuries for its super conducting properties. Today, copper isn't just for the kitchen (though we love an open shelf filled with copper pots), think about using copper coloured accents through out your home, for a pop of shine and hit of elegance.

Decorate your all-season cottage

By Jo Alcorn

Summer may be fleeting, but people are enjoying the lake year round thanks to all-season cottages. Designing for a year-round cottage can be a challenge, balancing the warm and cozy feeling of winter with the light, breezy feeling of summer.

Embrace what’s left of summer by turning your yard into an outdoor haven

With summer in full swing, there is nothing that Canadians want more than to take advantage of the lazy hazy days outside before entering into the hectic back to work and school routine. By turning your yard into an outdoor oasis, you can still enjoy what’s left of the season. Mark Cullen, Home Hardware’s Gardening Expert, offers his tips to create your own outside oasis.

The Scent of Deluxe Comfort.. Jo Malone for the Home

by Stephanie MacDonald

There are some things that are worth the money, and in my books a good smelling home is one thing that enhances the life of all its occupants. Ever since Holt Renfrew began carrying the Jo Malone line of scents for the home, I've been hooked. The Lime, Basil and Mandarin Room Spray is one scent I could never get sick of!

Other fantastic fragrances include the home diffusers that give off a light, enduring scent over a period of months and she also has a famous line of scented candles guaranteed to set the mood - whether that mood is romantic, cheerful or celebratory! Check out the whole collection at Holt Renfrew.

10 Steps to Growing Citrus Indoors

by Stephanie MacDonald

I'm a true fan of all things lime-y and citrus-y, and so when I was on a walk in Victoria one day with my sister and saw an atrium bursting with lemons on the tree, I was immediately intrigued. It turns out, growing citrus indoors and out in Canada isn't that hard. I found a place that sells them, and I bought a kaffir lime, a regular lime and a calamansi orange tree. I happily planted them in ordinary pots, chatted with them, appreciated the perfume and beauty of their blossoms at which point they all got some sort of horrid infestation and died.

Luxe Weekend Getaway Contest!

By Sara Duck

The Home + Style Tour and FOCALPOINT e-NEWS! is hosting an amazing free contest for a chance to WIN a luxury weekend getaway at The Fairmont Royal York valued at $1,100! No purchase necessary.

You and a friend could win an exceptional dining experience and weekend stay at Toronto’s landmark hotel for two luxurious nights. You’ll also enjoy the excitement of teppan cooking right at your table at the fabulous Benihana Japanese steakhouse. To enter, visit studiotouronline.com/entryform_1.php

Don't forget to join the Home + Style community and help support Canadian HIV/AIDS causes! You’ll receive free monthly podcasts from your favourite in-the-know celebrity experts in FOCALPOINT e-NEWS! plus advance notice of special events and free contests.

Visit us online for details studiotouronline.com

The new Ikea catalogue is here!

By Sara Duck

Filled with inspiration and great products at great prices, the new 2015 Ikea catalogue is not to be missed! One of my favourite new pieces of furniture is the Stockholm sofa on page 112, love the cognac colour and simple design lines. Check out the catalogue online here:

http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_CA/catalogue-2015/index.html

It’s not too late to grow the greenest lawn on the street

Many think if they seed their lawn in the spring, it will take care of itself over the hot summer months. Unfortunately, to have a healthy, green lawn all summer long, there is a certain amount of continuous maintenance that is required. Make your lawn the envy of everyone on the block by following these mid-summer fix-up tips from Home Hardware’s Gardening Expert, Mark Cullen.

Look to nature for decor inspiration

By Vicky Sanderson

We know instinctively that looking up into vast blue sky brightens our mood, and that walking through a green and leafy forest can be deeply calming. Increasingly, though, there’s scientific evidence that being connected to the natural world is good for both our mental and physical health.

Catching up with Jillian and Todd of Love it or List it Vancouver

By Stephanie McDonald

We get the two preternaturally perky adversaries talking!

Renovation nation?

A new CIBC poll conducted by Nielsen finds that four in 10 Canadian homeowners are planning some type of renovation this year, with an average expected cost of almost $20,000 - up almost 30 per cent from a year ago.

Punchy and Fun Colours for Summer

by Annabelle Immega

Feeling left out of the latest home fashions? Fret not, there's still time to punch up your pad with pops of summery colour! MOE'S Home Collection offers its top picks for bold hues to give your interior that extra boost you so desire, from furniture to accessories and everything in between.

Kitchen Prep

By Mark Cooper

The fact is, you want to know what to expect from your renovation, and when. Since the kitchen is considered the heart of the home it’s important to get everything done efficiently and on budget so you can get back to everyday life, so here are some of the main things you should take into consideration when contemplating a kitchen overhaul.

10 design rules for children’s bedrooms

by Lynn Fenwick B.I.D.

With all the years we have been doing show homes, and all the various renovations we have shown on our website, we seem to get a lot of excitement from children’s bedrooms. Is it because parents tend to neglect decorating children’s rooms after the nursery stage and then get the nudge from their children when they are old enough to make a suggestion? Or, it could just be that children’s rooms tend to be fun! At Fenwick and Company, we have developed a 10 point guideline for kid’s bedrooms that we want to share with you.

Kitchen renovation tips

Photo by David Bagosy

Award winning designer Laura Stein offers tips and tricks to make a kitchen renovation fabulous and functional.

Spring inspiration on a dull day

By Sara Duck

Yes, I 'm fully aware that April showers, bring May flowers – but on yet another gloomy day, I thought I would chase the rain clouds away by choosing my favourite cheery, spring-inspired interiors. There is something about a new season that always inspires me to incorporate little updates in my home, I like to fully embrace the seasons, and that includes the space I live in. What spring updates will you be doing in your home? Do tell!

Why hire a professional renovator?

By Bryan Tuckey

Taking on a home renovation project can be an enjoyable and financially rewarding experience – if it’s done properly, that is. But a renovation gone wrong can be stressful, both emotionally and financially. And while some home renovations are easier than others, more often than not, it’s best left to the professionals like a RenoMark renovator.

Make a good first impression at home

When it comes to selling your home, International landscape designer Carson Arthur and celebrity designer Jo Alcorn want to get you top dollar for your listing, find out how.

Tips for entertaining al fresco

By Sara Duck

Celebrate the long, warm, summer nights by entertaining outside. Interior stylist and TV personality Janette Ewen gives you advice on throwing the perfect outdoor party.

Get more organized in five minutes or less

HD&R's organizing guru Hellen Buttigieg, shares simple tips to becoming more organized.

House of Bryan’s

By Diane Duflot

I recently sat down with Bryan and Sarah Baeumler, of HGTV’s House of Bryan, to discuss their third season of the show — and their experience during a third renovation as a family, this time in the country. They had some great advice on how to weather the storms of a major renovation.