By Glen Peloso

It’s that time of year when everything seems to be hearts, chocolate and red. Valentine’s Day permeates just about every retail shop in the city, and strong reds seem to be so associated with this Hallmark holiday that we rarely look at the colour unless it’s in the month of February. In my opinion, cupid has run off with this colour but it is time to hang on to it as a great one to use in the home.

I have to say that red is one of my favourite colours to use in a space, largely because it is a strong colour that often overpowers the other colours that are part of the room. As a result, it offers the person entering the room for the first time – or anytime really – a place to start the experience of the room. We subconsciously look to the brightest colour in the room to start the experience of that room, and by offering a very clear focal point in a strong hue, we remove the feeling of being overwhelmed that you can get in a large space.

I have to say that there is something very enticing about the excitement the colour red invokes, and that may very likely be the reason that it has been selected as the colour that has come to represent Valentine’s Day – which is all about passion. That same kind of passion is great to inject in to the home, but the question remains how to effectively do it so that it isn’t overwhelming, but is an exciting experience.

Red is certainly a great colour for creating intimacy and romance in the home. It can often be a wonderful colour to use in a dining room, for instance, where you may cover all of the walls in a warm red shade. Generally, the dining room is used in the evening when it is illuminated with the warm flicker of candles or other sources of soft lighting. You want to create a sense of intimacy and closeness, whether you are using the space for a group of friends having stimulating conversation or just for two people celebrating a significant day, like Valentine’s Day. Creating a room that is both somewhat dark and aesthetically “close” helps to create that feeling of familiarity.

Deep reds can also be a pleasing choice for an accent wall in a master bedroom. Whether you use the colour in a detailed wall paper or as a solid block for a featured wall like the headboard wall, the depth of colour gives a feeling of sleep and passionate intimacy, which is generally what you hope for in the bedroom.

In other rooms, red is a fantastic colour as an accent. You can use it in accessories that may be placed on a bookshelf to offer pops of colour to the area. Having pieces of glass in a bright red can offer excitement to coffee tables, side tables, or elements on a mantel shelf. I have also used larger red glass bowls on a kitchen table, which serves to ground the table and the area.

Speaking of grounding an area, traditional Persian rugs filled with deep reds can be wonderful to ground the furniture in a room. I don’t suggest red as a colour to use in flooring, like the red cherry-stained floors that have been used in the past. Red works best in the home as a “spice” but not as a “flavour.”

Selecting the right red can be a bit of a trick and you certainly don’t want to work with a primary colour unless you are creating a kids play area. Opt for a
deep red when used on walls, and a slightly brighter shade when used it as an accent. Benjamin Moore’s “Rapture” is one that I really like and have used effectively in the past.

If you ask me, I think that every room should have some element in red, whether that be a throw cushion, an accessory, a carpet or an entire wall. It creates a sense of excitement, passion and good design. With
all that said – have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

Glen Peloso
Glen Peloso, design editor at Home Décor and Renovations and principal designer of Glen Peloso Interiors, has been designing spaces for commercial, corporate and residential clients for more than 15 years. You’ll recognize Glen as the host of such television design shows as Restaurant Makeover, Take This House & Sell It and Renovate My Wardrobe, to name a few, as well as from speaking engagements at home shows across Canada. glenpelosointeriors.com

Luckily we have our connections so that we can bring you the best of the best in everything for your home.

This week our most mention-worthy connection is our Editor-In-Chief’s mother-in-law. And we’re grateful that this inquisitive woman came across The Daily Buzz. thedailybuzz.com.au

This helpful gem originates in Australia and has some savvy solutions to life’s little dilemmas. The kind of dilemmas that you don’t actually lose sleep over, but once someone shows you a better way, you think to yourself, “Thank goodness someone finally figured that one out!”

Visit thedailybuzz.com.au for their 25 tried and true techniques to solve life’s little problems.

Here’s a few of our personal faves:

Baking a pie? Making jam? Forget the paring knife and grab a straw. A simple stab will have strawberries hulled in a split second. Wonder if the name was a clue that someone finally figured out.

Cut down on linen closet disarray. Fold your sheet. Fold your flat sheet. Now neatly tuck them all inside one pillow case. Voila. Sheet set in a sack.

Don’t lose it just because you lost it. From little screws to small earrings, just put a piece of pantyhose over the end of the vacuum, secure it tightly with a rubber band and turn it on. The suction will pull up those little lost treasures.

And clearing up cleaner clutter is easy now. Just attach a tension rod in your cleaner cabinet and hand your spray bottle cleaners on it.

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.

photo by Ted Yarwood

Are you in love with your home but have a hate-on for the kitchen? You’re probably thinking of renovating sometime down the line, but the thought of it may overwhelm you to the point of wanting to put up the “For Sale” sign, pack your things and move into a home with a brand new kitchen. But before you do that, take a minute to stop and think about it. If you re-design the space yourself it will be your own, created the way you want it. Just about everything is customizable and nothing’s worse then moving into a home where the layout or function of this main room just doesn’t work for you and your family. Sure, it might look pretty, but it may actually be quite unpractical.

The kitchen is a space that should be well thought out and well planned – especially since you’ll probably only do this once. Hiring a professional and experienced design firm can be very beneficial. Not only will they make the design process a whole lot easier, but they will help you avoid costly mistakes. I’m going to take you through the course of action I took when creating this beautiful space.

PERSONALITY

Constructing a space that is well-suited to the homeowners is very important to me. I really like to bring the personality and character of the family to life through the design. The kitchen is the hub of the home, which means that investing in this area is a very wise decision – not only for the time while you live in it, but also if you decide to sell in the future. This kitchen is completely customized, made exactly how the homeowners wanted it.

photo by Leni Johnston

THE OVERALL DESIGN

I always like to begin a project with some sort of inspiration. Clive Christian’s designs very much inspired the look of this kitchen, above. It’s traditional, but with a twist of contemporary. I kept a lot of important elements in mind when coming up with the design, contrast being at the top of my list. The dark, elaborate wood for the cabinetry really stands out against the colouring of the natural stone. You’ll notice that the Calacatta marble for the flooring, countertops and backsplash are all the same, creating a strong sense of unity. To add some visual interest, I laid out the backsplash in a brick pattern. You might also notice the cut out in the backsplash area – this was made specifically for the pop-out fan for the range, so when it’s being used, it is flush with the wall rather than protruding outwards. The more little details you incorporate, the bigger the impact of the space will be. I kept the look clean by paneling the fridge to match the contemporary shaker-style cabinet doors.

THE ISLAND

Keeping the work triangle in mind, I decided place the sink here, keeping it, the fridge and stove all within an acceptable distance of one another. I made the height of the island higher than the typical 36 inches. Instead, I opted for 40 inches because I find that it’s much better for cooking and baking, which is what the family was mainly going to use it for. All four sides of the island are used for storage, consisting of doors and shelves, with wicker baskets that offer easy access for the children. I even made room in there for recycling and garbage components along with a water filter. It’s all in the details.

Underneath all of this beauty went a lot of hard work. Don’t be fooled to think that because the kitchen is massive, that the efficiency is not there. This big kitchen is for a big family, and functionality played the most important role in the design, which was totally achieved. The homeowners love it, which is the best payoff for me as a designer. Now go and take down that for sale sign!

Yanic Simard
Yanic is the principal designer of the Toronto Interior Design Group. Specializing in residential and commercial projects, Simard often applies his signature high/low and old/new combination design techniques in developing unique designs. Simard has created designs for clients in Toronto, Montreal and Miami, and appears as a regular guest expert on Citytv’s CityLine.
tidg.ca • facebook.com/yanic.simard •
twitter.com/yanicsimard

The kitchen issue is full of great tips and inspiration!

Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Hello Doily!

We can’t get enough of the delicate floral and lace patterns that were seen on the fashion runways for spring and summer. And we’ve spotted the trend in home décor too – it’s an ultra feminine nod to the traditional doily.  -Sara Duck

Here are a couple of picks for the home:

Battenberg Iris Bracket. $22. Visit anthropologie.com

Doily Plate. $9 each. Visit pier1.ca

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:

Jonathan and Drew Scott of the hit show Property Brothers offer tips and tricks when making the move from the ‘burbs to the big city.

Tim and Michelle had grown up in the ‘burbs. They were used to large lots with big homes and had no idea what was waiting for them in the big city. Tim had no interest in getting a small house in the city and Michelle was set on having all the high-end finishes she has seen in design magazines. This was definitely a tough project for Property Brothers. But, in the end, we were able to find them a house with great potential, and turned it into a home they would be happy to call their own.

Here are our 10 tips when moving into the city.

1 Let’s get physical and emotional
Buying a home is both a physical and emotional task, especially if you’re making the big move into the city where houses typically cost more per square foot. You shouldn’t feel you’re getting less bang for your buck, though, and we always encourage buyers to think of the positives on Property Brothers. The commuting time you save by living downtown can be spent with family, getting ahead at the office or simply enjoying life.

2 Know the neighbours
If you like quiet living out in the suburbs, you don’t have to lose this when moving to an urban area. Every city has a variety of communities, so whether it’s a quiet, established area or a bustling business district, you’ll be sure to find something you like. Spend time driving through the different neighbourhoods, talk with locals and familiarize yourself with the surroundings.

3 Expect the unexpected
Downtown houses tend to be older than those found in the suburbs, so do your research and read up on what to look for. Prime examples would be knob and tube wiring, foundation issues or asbestos. This is why it’s important to work with professionals who know the local market. Whether it’s a realtor, contractor or inspector, they’ll make your life easier by ensuring you don’t buy a money pit.

4 You may be out of your parents’ place but house rules still apply
Many properties in a city are governed by a home owner’s association (condos and single-family communities can have this). If you are new to this style of living, it’s important to realize that it comes with many regulations and restrictions. For example, you may need permission from the board to renovate your space, or to use certain types of materials on your exterior. Some condo complexes have pet restrictions, and may even limit what furnishing you can place on your balcony. As well, there are additional fees that usually cover maintenance, amenities and sometimes utilities. Don’t be discouraged, though. These regulations are in place to ensure quality of living and to help maintain the appeal of the complex. Just be sure to educate yourself fully on the community before buying.

5 Pets in the city
Aside from condo restrictions, you also need to consider other pet-friendly aspects of the neighbourhood. If you have a large dog that needs lots of room to run, be sure you have a dog-friendly park close by. Also, keep in mind that the city has more traffic than the suburbs and therefore can be very dangerous if your pet wanders off. Ensure it has its ID tags on at all times.

6 So close, yet only a little further away
Just because you are moving to the city doesn’t mean you have to live right in the downtown core. By simply looking for a house a few blocks away, you may be able to save thousands, get more square footage and still have all the conveniences of downtown amenities.

7 Traffic vs transit
Prepare yourself for more traffic in the city. This is why we always recommend buying a home close to public transit, as it gives you one extra tool against traffic delays. This will also give the home resale value since the majority of people in a city like the convenience of not having the expenses of owning a vehicle. If you think about it, a 30-minute drive in rush hour could be reduced to a 10-minute commute via transit.

8 To park or not to park, that is the question
You may be used to free street parking, long driveways and three-car garages, but it’s a different story in the city. Parking comes at a premium. Be sure to weigh the pros and cons of paying to own your parking versus relying on rental or street usage. If you find that public transit is your primary mode of travel, then you may be able to save even more by getting rid of your car. There are also ‘per use’ vehicle services in most major cities, with auto share vehicles that can be handy if you require only occasional wheels.

9 The sounds of downtown
The city comes with added noise. Is your house under a flight path? Are you backed onto the rail line or near a nightclub? These are major concerns for many when buying in the city. Drive through your potential community at different times of day to see if there are any surprises. Also keep in mind that the city has tighter noise restrictions for you, too. So, the late night karaoke parties you do every Friday may need to wrap up early.

10 Take your pick
It can cost more if a contractor needs to travel to the ‘burbs for a job. In the city, you have more contractors and therefore more competitive pricing (still, check them out thoroughly). This is the same for vendor pricing. With big box stores, specialty shops – and everything in between – you will have a greater selection of products at very competitive prices.

Watch the Property Brothers Thursdays at 9p.m. on the W Network.

Drew and Jonathan Scott Property brothers
Real estate agent Drew Scott and his twin brother, contractor Jonathan Scott, are experts who help couples find, buy and transform extreme fixer-uppers into the ultimate dream home. wnetwork.com/propertybrothers