The Shopping Guide 2012 – get it while it’s hot!!!

Leave a Comment January 30, 2012

IDS12

by Elisa Krovblit
The Interior Design Show 2012 – IDS12 – was A-Mazing!

I’m glad it was moved down to the Metro Convention Centre, it’s such a perfect venue for the show. It’s not the first year it’s been there, but each time I go I realize that it just fits. And there was something about this year’s show. It looked good. The roster of speakers was cohesive and interesting. The layout flowed. The exhibitors exhibited. The designers represented.

Everyone took it to the next level – effortlessly. It was just about good design. It was a gallery of décor.

More of an extravaganza than a buying event.

A quick walk through made this year’s favoured trends immediately apparent.

Natural materials were heavily represented. Woods and wood grains were a star feature. Embellishment and sparkle made the scene. I’m so relieved that we’re finally heading into an era of glam! Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for minimalist – sleek lines, refined design and a visual that’s clutter free, but sophisticated glamour can really bring a space alive with fun and personality. Mixed with the organic element, it shows that designers and manufacturers are thinking about an ordinary and common feature in a whole new way. Wood has character, stone doesn’t have to be so stoic.

Comfort was another ‘can’t miss’ feature of the design. Soft materials, plushness, user-friendliness and inviting and playful or relaxing features really added comfort – physically and as a tone to a space.

I didn’t want to leave. It’s over and I still want to go back. But the beautiful pictures and the dreams of how to bring those features into my own home will keep me going until IDS13!

The Shopping Guide was there, I hope everyone was able to get their copy, you don’t want to miss out on some great finds and designer advice.

Leave a Comment January 30, 2012

Tomorrow’s the big day!

The February issue of Home Décor and Renovations will hit the stands tomorrow morning.

The kitchen issue is full of great tips and inspiration!

Leave a Comment January 27, 2012

Guess who’s coming!

by Elisa Krovblit

I’ve been known to cross-border shop, but the days of those runs to Buffalo may be numbered. Why bother, Target is coming to Toronto. There’s going to be one close to my office, another close to my home, and yet another and another, giving me some great Canadian alternatives to paying duty.

There will be on near you too. Here’s the list:

Leave a Comment January 6, 2012

The eco reno

Lydia McNutt chats with Peter Khatami, co-owner of Nostco Construction, to get the lowdown on eco-friendly renovations, how they’re done and when you need to surrender your tools to the pros.

Q What are the top three ways to incorporate energy efficiency into your home renovation?
A Use energy-efficient appliances and products. Energy Star is a government-backed program for energy efficiency that was established to make it easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy-efficient products that offer savings on energy bills. Everything from plumbing, roofing, lighting, heating and cooling, insulating, appliances and even electronics could bear the symbol. Look for the logo on your next purchase.

Insulate. Most homes are under-insulated, and
all too often homeowners overlook the importance
of this vital component in the energy efficiency of
their home.

Seal all the gaps that are causing air leaks from your home. This could be as simple as applying caulking around windows and doors.

Q Water- and energy-saving appliances and features for the home are more expensive, but do they pay off in the long run?
A Removing the “eco-friendly” side of the argument from the equation, consider that almost every product in your house has two prices. The first being the purchase price and the second being the maintenance and operating cost. Energy-efficient products can dramatically reduce your utility costs and last longer than “conventional” alternatives. Energy Star products have been evaluated to ensure that their initial additional purchase price is offset by the energy savings of using that product over a relatively short amount of time.

Q Do you have a lot of clients asking for eco-friendly features?
A As much as I would love to say “yes,” the unfortunate truth is that the clients who do are few and far between. I suspect that a lack of consumer awareness about the different products available to us is the main cause.

Q Are there environmentally friendly ways to take care of reno waste?
A Absolutely, and since diverting products away from the landfill is the name of the game, consider donating to charity, selling or giving away as many of your appliances and furnishings as you can for starters. Next, separate your cardboard. You might be surprised but cardboard probably represents about 10 per cent of all the waste from a conventional reno. You can also recycle your plastics and even sell some of your metal scraps.  These are all relatively simple and easy measures that we can all take to do our part.

Peter Khatami
Peter is co-owner of Nostco Construction, a design/build, project management and contracting firm serving residential and commercial clients throughout the GTA. With more than 10 years of industry experience, Peter prides himself in working tirelessly on behalf of his clients to transform vision to successful reality on every project. nostco.com

Leave a Comment December 23, 2011

January issue of HD&R

You don’t want to miss our first issue of the new year, out this Saturday, Dec. 17th! The January issue takes a look at the upcoming trends for 2012 with expert advice and inspiration from top designers. Also, don’t forget to read the Property Brothers tips and tricks on moving from the suburbs to the big city.

Leave a Comment December 14, 2011

Baked ham with a brown sugar, rum and cayenne glaze

Ingredients
›› 1 partially cooked bone-in ham, about 12 lb.
›› Whole cloves for studding
›› 2 cups unfiltered apple juice

For the glaze
›› 1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
›› 1/2 cup dark rum
›› Pinch of kosher salt
››  1/8 to 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
›› Orange or tangerine wedges
or fresh or candied kumquats
for garnish
›› Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish

Directions Serves 8 to 10
1 Preheat an oven to 350F
2 Using a large, sharp knife, cut off the skin and all but 1/4 inch of the fat from the ham, leaving the surface as smooth as possible. Score the top and sides of the ham diagonally in two opposite directions about 1 1/2 inches apart, creating a diamond pattern. Stick a clove into the corners of each diamond. Place the ham on a rack in a roasting pan. Add the apple juice and 2 cups water to the pan. Bake the ham for two hours. After one hour, add more water to the pan if needed.
3 Meanwhile, make the glaze: In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, rum, kosher salt and cayenne pepper and stir until smooth. Let stand for about 10 minutes for the sugar to dissolve partially.
4 Remove the ham from the oven and brush some of the glaze evenly over the ham. Return the ham to the oven and bake for about one hour more, brushing it with more glaze every
15 minutes, for a total baking time of about three hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the centre of the meat, away from the bone, should register 130F and the glaze should be golden brown. Transfer the ham to a carving board, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for 15 to 30 minutes.
5 Meanwhile, pour the liquid from the roasting pan into a large fat separator or glass measuring pitcher. Let the fat rise to the surface, then pour or spoon off as much fat as possible. Float a piece of paper towel on the surface to absorb the remaining fat. Pour the degreased liquid into a small saucepan and add any remaining glaze to make a sauce. Set aside.
6 Carve the ham. Rewarm the sauce and pour it into a sauceboat. Garnish the platter with the orange wedges and thyme and serve the ham warm with the sauce.

Tip: In this recipe, a spicy-sweet, flavourful glaze is brushed on the ham during baking to give it a burnished, golden brown appearance and to complement the assertive taste of the meat. It also enriches the pan drippings, which are then used to make a sauce. Brush the glaze on the ham partway through baking, not at the beginning, to prevent the sugar-based mixture from scorching.

For more recipes visit williams-sonoma.com

Leave a Comment December 9, 2011

space planning for festive entertaining

By Usheda Akbar-Shanks

The holidays are just around the corner, and for many this is the time for celebrating and entertaining. Whether your entertaining is formal, casual or just hanging out together, preparation is essential.

What’s wrong with my living room?
The first step is to stand back and assess your entertaining space, which is usually the main floor of your house. The kitchen/cooking area, dining and sitting areas need to be coordinated and functional. Are you going to cook while the guests are there and have them help out? Or are you having a formal dinner, perhaps catered? No matter what your personal style and budget, good interior space planning goes beyond materialism. It is preliminary to professional interior design. Why is it that some homes have such an inviting and special feel, while others leave you exasperated? When I walk into a house, I usually scan the ‘horizon’ and assess from a designer’s perspective right away. Though I reserve my judgement, the impression is already made. Keep first impressions in mind when planning for festive entertaining! I have an old friend whose home is always inviting and beautifully put together. Even when she rented a house, her place exuded good taste and felt positively welcoming. When I think about this more, I realize that careful seating and socializing areas were paramount to the feel of her place. A strategically placed antique Chinese table, gilded wall sconces and a centrally located skylight above the couches all added to the charm.

Pinpoint decorating flaws
Irrespective of the material cost of your interior decor, the ambiance it creates is most important. Choose your accessories very carefully. Does your living room exude friendliness and comfort? A great idea is to get a few friends to evaluate each other’s spaces. Exchanging this dialogue will open your eyes to what others are thinking when they come over! If you know there is room for improvement, then preparation is important. If your personal space does not feel like a sanctuary from the world outside, then read on. Could it be that your furniture needs to be re-arranged for entertaining? It’s always a good idea to have proper space planning as a lifestyle option, rather than scrambling to make things work at the last minute. A trained eye is all you need to pinpoint the decorating ‘flaws.’ A good working drawing of your room is essential to proper space planning. Anybody can paint a bright feature wall or toss a few flashy cushions, but the essence of a room stems from its layout. A perfect layout (for your particular room), coupled with proportionate furniture pieces, plus uplifting aesthetic features can tie a room together well.

Ask yourself the following questions:
›› Are you happy with your space’s aesthetic features?
›› Is your furniture size/arrangement adequate for your space and family needs?
›› Do you have enough clearance allowances?
›› Is there room to simplify your space?
›› Can you easily change things around later?
›› How easy is it to maintain?

Space planning as art and science
Interior design and space planning is an art form as well as a science. The exact measurements can simplify your choices, as well as curb any ‘dysfunctional’ decorating tendencies. Some of us will stay with the tried and true. We take comfort in old ways, but this stagnation can breed negative energy. The Chinese call this energy Chi. Changing the orientation of furniture can change the energy flow of your house. Just as a Kung Fu master controls his/her energy and movements to effect an exacting blow to his/her opponent, an interior designer can similarly shift and change the feel of a room by furniture placement. Aesthetics and outward appearance is one thing, but the connectedness and flow of a house is very important. Notice how some rooms just feel right and people gravitate to this room instinctively. Is it the combination of furniture placement, the shape of the room, the orientation of a focal window or a fireplace? It is actually a combination of many elements of design, a merging of the material as well as the mystical elements. The mystical elements are very important during religious celebrations whether it be Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid or Diwali. Higher spirituality essentially merges with aesthetics to create harmony and balance.

Shape shifting
Is your entertaining room L-shaped, rectangular, square, triangular or something in between? Have seating across from each other to facilitate easy conversation. Assign a focal point to the space. Is it your fireplace, a window or the coffee table? Make sure that you leave enough space and physical distance between furniture. Always arrange things from the perspective of the doors and entryways. Is there a clean flow between the front door and the back entrance? How far do the guests have to manoeuvre to get from the couch to the entertaining island? Clear away small obstructions when entertaining. Too much ‘stuff’ can hamper the enjoyment by guests bumping into things and, heaven forbid, knocking things over. It is best to accessorize above the floor, for example ambient lighting above the floor level. Another trick is to have ornaments and artwork placed at higher levels, on the wall or on the fireplace mantel. Presenting your space for holiday entertaining will result in less stress for the hosts and more enjoyment for the guests.

Usheda Akbar-Shanks
Usheda Akbar-Shanks is a freelance writer and designer in Alberta.  She writes regularly for Home Décor and Renovations magazine in Edmonton. Usheda has a B.A. in social sciences from the University of Calgary.
E-mail ushanks@shaw.ca

Leave a Comment December 7, 2011

the great hook-up

by Elisa Krovblit

Old houses always pose interesting problems. After spending enough time problem-solving, I usually reach the conclusion that we need to move. I go to my husband and let him know I’ve figured out the answer.

My explanation is always met with a smile and a head shake. He never seems to think I’m serious.

My latest problem is the lack of a coat closet. It didn’t bother me until this year. We used a hook in the kitchen and hooks on the back of the baby’s bedroom door.

That was before.

Now, with a family of four to manage, it’s mayhem. I’m up to my eyeballs in outerwear. My husband has two parka-type coats. One for cold, which is quite large, and the one for really cold – which defies all reason (I’m just not sure how the man makes it through the doorways with that much puffy going on). I, myself, have a winter jacket, a wool coat, a light coat, a car coat and a sweater coat. Most remain in my closet and I end up not bringing them into the rotation because they’re not accessible on my way out the door. The kids have snow pants and jackets. And then there are hats, mitts, scarves, umbrellas and more.

I’m beginning to believe the Victorians were just an uncivilized bunch. What on earth did they do with all their outerwear?

I’ve also come to realize that the threshold for living without a coat closet is two adults and one infant. That second child of mine put us over the limit.

While wandering around the aisles of my favourite big box store, admiring how the Swedes have brought their design ethic to the masses in pops of bright colours and hard-to-pronounce names, my son became enthralled with little plastic dog behinds.

And there I found my answer. Not that I haven’t seen it done before, but I hadn’t really given it much thought. I’d been resisting the answer. But, without the ability to build myself a coat closet, and without the option of moving, I was going to have to design the wall of hooks. I bought four dog behinds to pacify my boy. They will more than do the trick for the boys and their hoods. But now the hunt really begins, to find hooks worthy of my walls, to find metals and materials, colours and contours that will work together without creating a horror-movies-style death trap should anyone ever fall against said wall.

I’ve been toying with an idea from one of Sara Duck’s TRENDSPOTTING features back from April of this year and I’m debating between a few styles.

I could buy a whole slew of different hooks. I could even spray paint them for monochromatic splendour and match the doggy behinds. Or I could buy a bagful of small chrome circles and drawing a long line with them down the hall, above eye level so as to avoid becoming the urban legend that actually happened.

Not sure if this idea will have me hooked up or if this house is making me come unhooked. Either way, the winter outerwear will be outa my way very soon.

Leave a Comment December 5, 2011

Hot topics for the cold months ahead

Lydia McNutt chats with Peter Khatami, co-owner of Nostco Construction, on ways to heat things up in the home during the cold winter months!

Q The fireplace is a tried-and-true favourite
in any season – but especially during the
cold months. What are some ways to give a contemporary new look to this traditional architectural element?
A The simplest and most popular fireplace renovation is the resurfacing of the tile/stone. Be sure to use non-combustible materials with an appropriate fire rating, as the surface temperature of the surrounding cladding can get hotter than you might think. Nowadays, interior designers are opting to clad the fireplace with smooth materials such as travertine, marble, and granite versus the traditional look of brick or tumbled rustic stone. The cladding comes in various sizes of tile, or you can opt for the more expensive option of a full slab. This is a relatively simple renovation that could yield a big aesthetic impact, as the fireplace
is most often a key focal point in the room.

Q With snow on the horizon, thoughts of shoveling the white stuff are on the brain –or rather, how to get around it. A heated driveway can also boost the value of your home, prolonging the life of your driveway and eliminating the use of harmful salts and chemicals. How do these systems work, and is it worth the cost and effort involved?
A Heated driveways are definitely becoming more and more popular for residents of “The True North.” The systems typically come in the form of hydronic radiant, electric or geothermal cables and pipes that run beneath the surface of the driveway, maintaining a surface temperature slightly above 0 Celsius. Most homeowners opt to have such systems installed either in new homes or at a time when their old driveway requires a complete replacement (typically every 10 to 30 years). The systems themselves are relatively inexpensive and, if installed concurrent with a driveway replacement, then the installation of this bonus feature makes a lot of sense to most homeowners who are looking to get away from that old (cold!) Canadian tradition of shoveling snow. Contact a radiant flooring specialist in your area for an evaluation as they can advise which system is the best fit for your driveway, and maybe your driveway will become the envy of your neighbours.

Peter Khatami
Peter is co-owner of Nostco Construction, a design/build, project management and contracting firm serving residential and commercial clients throughout the GTA. With more than 10 years of industry experience, Peter prides himself in working tirelessly on behalf of his clients to transform vision to successful reality on every project. nostco.com

Leave a Comment December 5, 2011