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How to: Reflect your personal values in your home
How to: Reflect your personal values in your home ofDiscovering your values Organizing your house not only makes it more functional, but also is the groundwork that must be completed if you want to turn your home into a haven -- a place where, from the moment you walk through the door, you feel at ease. So, how can you create such a place? Aside from organizing your stuff, you need to organize your thoughts and feelings about what you want you're home to be, and to do that, you need to know yourself. Here are some easy exercises that will help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and what you want your home to be. 1 DISCOVER YOUR VALUESIf you want your home to reflect and nurture you, you need to know who you are. One way is to identify your values; natural inclinations of your personality. Think of values as states of being, not activities. For instance, gardening itself isn't a value, but your garden may be a place where you live your values, such as being creative and spiritual and enjoying learning. TRY THIS: List five values that best describe you and think about ways to honour them in your home. Let that knowledge influence all your design decisions. To get started, here's a list of possible values and how you might choose to express them in your home.ContributorYou are naturally generous and love to help people. At home, you love to welcome people hospitably. The public areas of your house reflect this. The private areas may be specially designed as a place to recharge and nurture yourself, something that's crucially important for people who give so much to others.CreatingYou love to make things; art, writing, crafts or hobbies. You honour this by giving yourself space to create and by organizing the material you use in your creative play/work.Discovery/learningYou are an explorer who is absolutely content to discover new information or new ways to do something. Books, for instance, may be a big part of your decorating and you have carefully organized and displayed your collection. Taking inventory Emotions/feelingsIt is so important to you to share your feelings. Family and friends are your priority. You have created a home that nurtures those who dwell within it and those who visit. Your furnishings promote comfort and are arranged to encourage conversation. LeadershipYou love to “rally the troops.” You are probably involved in many different volunteer or professional organizations at a high level. You need space at home to organize all of these “campaigns.”MasteryYou value being very good at what you do, whether that is your work, sport or hobby. For instance, if you love cooking and you value mastery, your kitchen will be your kingdom; the dining room is where you hold court.PleasureIt's highly important to you to experience pleasure in all its forms. This may be physical, so perhaps you've upholstered your furniture in soft, sensual fabrics like velvet and silk. Or maybe your bathroom rivals the Windsor Arms and Stillwater spas!RelatednessYou are a people person; an extrovert through and through. Your home is all about welcoming people, the more the merrier! You probably have a very special guestroom that's often actually used! Playing games and having fun might also be honoured in your home with a very well organized and cosy family room.Sensitivity/nicenessYou are sensitive and it's important that people are kind to you. Your home is welcoming and highly personal to you –- it's where you can have personal “space” to feel comfortable. Your home must feel safe to you.Spirituality/GodYou are a believer in a higher power and you may express this in your home through art choices or through a special sacred space where you can quiet your thoughts and pray or meditate.TeachingYou love to pass on knowledge. If you have children, you might have a special area for homework and projects where you can work together when they need assistance. 2 TAKE INVENTORYThis exercise raises your awareness of what objects really reflect the inner you.TRY THIS: Go through each room in your home and, as methodically as possible, categorize each item – from the sofa to the smallest vase – in terms of what it means to you. (Do only one room at a time. If you have a lot of items, this could take awhile.) For each item, ask yourself the following questions: Do I like this? What do I like about it? What does this say about me? Does it reflect who I am now or who I was 10 years ago?Then eliminate the items that do not represent you or serve you in some way. Celebrate what's left and with the knowledge gained about who you are, make future decorating decisions and purchases with confidence.- Credit
- Kathleen Dore
How to: Reflect your personal values in your home
Learn how a deeper understanding of yourself will help you make your home a sanctuary. more
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Wine & spirits: Sí, sí sangria!
Wine & spirits: Sí, sí sangria! ofCool White Sangria The word sangria usually conjures up cheap red wine punch served in a sweaty jug beside Tex-Mex food. If that's your primary image, it's time to switch lenses. Sangria (its name is derived from the Spanish word for "bleeding") has gone through many incarnations since it appeared in North America at the 1964 World's Fair.Today, there are exotic versions made with everything from sake to lychee fruit, but the appeal of a classic sangria has endured. The standard drink typically features red wine, fruit juice, club soda and an optional splash of brandy or eau-de-vie; however, it can be created with white wine or a rosé. The appeal of this punch is all about the pleasure of crafting a rustic, sweet-tart drink for everyone to share. Whether your gang likes it acidic, boozy, fruity, slightly bitter or sweet, by using the freshest ingredients, the best sangria will be as pleasing to the palate as it is to the eye. Try these recipes, but also have fun creating your own versions. Do be careful with the "punch" in your punch; it's easy to overdo it. If you make a second version without booze, you'll have a perfect summer cooler for abstainers, designated drivers and kids.Cool white sangriaThe best white sangrias are made with wines that haven't been aged in oak. If the wine is somewhat sweet with residual sugar, reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe. Brandy is fine for a red sangria, but for white versions, stick to clear spirits like eau-de-vie, gin, grappa, tequila or vodka. If you find you can taste the booze, you've added too much. Boost sweetness by using ginger ale in place of club soda and increase bitterness by using tonic water. 2 bottles (each 750 mL) Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris or unoaked Chardonnay1 cup white grape juice 1/4 cup superfine sugar 1 nectarine, cut into thin wedges 1 tangerine, peeled and thinly sliced 1 cup seedless white grapes, halved1/4 cup white spirits, like vodka (optional)1 cup club sodaIce cubesIn large pitcher, combine wine, grape juice and sugar, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Add nectarine, tangerine and grapes; mix well. If you want to pump up the octane, add white spirits. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or longer. Stir in club soda and ice cubes just before serving. Hot Pink Sangria; Classic Red Sangria Hot pinkReplace the white wine with a bright pink one. Ideal are the cool-climate rosés from the rapidly expanding wine regions of British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia. Mediterranean offerings from France, Portugal and Spain abound in wine shops at this time of year. Opt for the youngest vintages available. A single drop of pure vanilla extract added to the pitcher provides a wild aromatic nuance. You can also substitute small pineapple cubes or mango slices for the nectarine. For the finishing touch, toss a few raspberries into each ice-filled glass.Classic redSince the beginning of time, man's primal attempts to turn wild grapes into Château Mouton Roths child have been softened by the discovery that you can add good things to bad wine and make it reasonably palatable. So start with a rustic red without too much provenance. Mix in orange juice and sugar to taste. Add some orange and lemon slices with the skin on for a hint of pithy bitterness. Stiffen the blend lightly with a flavoury shot of triple sec or another orange-flavoured liqueur and let it stand for several hours in the fridge. Stir in club soda and ice cubes, and serve in ice-filled stemware garnished with a citrus slice. Olé!- Credit
- Konrad Ejbich
Wine & spirits: Sí, sí sangria!
Stir up some excitement with sangria, a refreshing summer hit. We've got easy recipes for you to try at home. more
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Top 10 bathroom renovation tips Top 10 bathroom renovation tips
Top 10 bathroom renovation tips ofTips 1 to 5 An effective bathroom design should address all your needs, physical and spiritual. Here are the most important tips to consider when considering bathroom renovations.1 Choose elegant fixtures.A pedestal sink with graceful lines is more attractive than a blocky cabinet vanity. A classic claw-foot tub is like bathroom sculpture. Even enclosed in a deck, the simple lines of the lip have an inherent beauty that surpasses most acrylic versions.2 Sit in a bathtub before buying it.Bigger isn't always better. A 60-inch tub is fine for most people. It offers enough room to stretch out and provides a secure foothold, so you don't float into oblivion when the tub is full. Assess the angled back and lip for comfort and neck support –- a tub for two people slants at either end and has taps in the middle. If you only have enough space for a small tub, buy an extra-deep one.3 Select durable flooring. Ceramic, marble and stone tiles are all excellent durable and water-resistant choices for a bathroom. Subfloor heating coils will make these hard surfaces warm. Well-sealed hardwood floors offer natural warmth and act as a foil for the other hard, cold surfaces in a bathroom.4 Hang a stylish mirror.One beautifully framed mirror over a sink is more attractive than many surfaces covered with mirror. Supplement it with a wall-mounted adjustable makeup mirror, and consider installing a lighted, mirrored shaving niche in your shower stall.5 Use found space.Take advantage of space between wall studs by recessing a tall storage cabinet into the wall to maximize vertical storage while saving floor space. The cabinet should have an interior depth of at least three inches and a door flush with the wall. Tips 6 to 10 6 Build a shower area. Consider building an open-concept shower area that doesn't need a curtain or door and is less confining than a standard shower stall. In addition to well-designed drainage, a ceiling-mounted rain showerhead and/or a high wall-mounted showerhead that splashes less water will keep the area outside the shower drier.7 Share space for added function.In homes with back-to-back bathrooms, a shared shower with access doors to each of the bathrooms maximizes limited space. Or turn a closet located next to a bathroom into a small ensuite with access to the neighbouring bath.8 Design lighting that works. Good lighting is imperative. Combine halogen pot lights with wall sconces beside or over the mirror for lighting with no shadows. Always install dimmers.9 Buy a quality toilet.When buying a toilet, it's not necessary for you to spend big bucks, but you don't want to scrimp too much, either. You can get a good-quality one-piece toilet for about $400. Models with elongated bowls and seats are usually most comfortable.10 Incorporate luxury into your room. If you're fortunate enough to have lots of space to work with, indulge yourself with an expanded spalike bathroom that includes a dressing room –- a haven for privacy and relaxation. Outfit it with a television, fireplace, exercise equipment, makeup vanity and even a large comfortable occasional chair upholstered in thick white terry-cloth. -
A touch of pink A touch of pink
A touch of pink ofMaster bedroom With room for two, the resolutely feminine home that Jodi Fisher shares with her daughter, Caia, is a sweet retreat from Vancouver’s urban hustle and bustle. At just 1,600 square feet, the petite house required some smart small space planning. Here’s how interior designer Rosemary Sleigh packed in the elegance, with Jodi’s inspired eye for art and decor lending personal glamour. A king-size bed is striking within the modest dimensions of the master bedroom, especially with a tall, sparkling bespoke headboard. Amplify the dramaHave fun with scale and details. Here, hot punches of pink introduce personality to the otherwise calm, dove grey space. In this lighthearted home, furniture choices and placement are deliberately bold. “In a small space, the pieces you select should be robust and daring,” says interior designer Rosemary Sleigh, “enough to anchor the zones.”Repeat, repeat, repeat!Successful small-space decor is an exercise in design fundamentals. The easiest example to glean from the Fisher home is repetition: the grey-on-grey palette, numerous black accents, rounded shapes, layered fabrics, and luxurious textures like smooth silk and fluffy wool. Add a smattering of one-off glam accessories, and you’ve got a poised look that begs to be emulated. “Good design principles are especially critical in a small, open plan,” says Rosemary.Let it sparkle“When working with any small space, look for ways to draw the light into the farthest reaches,” says Rosemary. In the bedroom, the custom-made quilted headboard evokes a starry night, thanks to a constellation of tiny mirrors embroidered right onto the fabric. Daughter's bedroom White and pastel pink set a girlie tone in Caia’s bedroom. A wrought-iron four-poster, twinkling chandelier and faux fur throw make the room fit for a little princess.“The space doesn’t feel small at all because of the layout, high ceilings and lots of light.” -JODI FISHER, HOMEOWNERBe playfulSmall children are a unique consideration when designing compact spaces. Streamlined living zones with lots of open space between furniture keep chaos under control as little ones race around. Creating a superplush and nifty nest (like the four-poster bed in daughter Caia’s room, heaped with pillows and a faux fur throw) means kids have a special spot to play and rest – although Caia says, “I love Mom’s princess room the best.”“The decor is really feminine – girlie, actually – and that’s just the way we like it.” -JODI- Credit
- Christina Symons
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99 low-cost organizing tips 99 low-cost organizing tips
99 low-cost organizing tips ofOrganizing tips 1-25 We know, we know: getting organized can be easier vowed than done. But even if you’re short on time (and budget), there are dozens of ways you can get your house in order. Here are 99 of our favourite low-cost organizing tips; many of them are environmentally friendly, too! 1 Use old baby-food jars to hold spices. Stash them in a drawer upside down so this recycling trick looks sleek, not cheap. 2 Store all your instruction manuals in one binder in the kitchen or pantry. 3 Collect your takeout menus in a binder. Or stuff them into a Ziploc bag and stash ‘em – where else? – in the fridge or cupboard.4 Use a cardboard six-pack container to carry condiments from kitchen to deck in BBQ-casual style. 5 Keep a tray or basket on the kitchen counter where kids can drop off permission slips and adults can put mail requiring immediate action. A second tray can handle lower-priority paperwork. 6 Don’t waste time constantly topping up cereal-sized food storage containers with dog or cat kibble. Use a metal trashcan to store one bag at a time in rodent-proof style. 7 Use a recharging station to keep your cell phone, MP3 player and other portable device cords untangled and your gadgets fully charged. 8 Can’t find fresh garlic or onions? Keep them in clean knee-high nylons. Hang in a cool, dry place. 9 Post a sheet of paper on the fridge and note groceries and supplies needing replenishing. On grocery day, just grab the sheet and go. 10 Reduce spoilage of fruits and veggies by “rotating” your crops. Put new ones underneath ones that were already in your crisper. 11 Use small jam jars to hold cotton swabs, balls and other essentials inside your bathroom vanity drawers. 12 Use an old wooden stepladder to hold bath and hand towels. 13 Cut the amount of time you spend going from linen closet to bathroom by installing extra towel storage via a hotel-style double towel bar. 14 And a stash of bath towels rolled inside a basket helps, too. 15 Store kids’ bath toys in a fine-laundry bag. Hang from the faucet ‘til fully drained. 16 Use a shower organizer and just the basics: mild shampoo, conditioner and a body wash. 17 Stash extra shower products in plastic caddies – one per family member. 18 Keep cleaning products in a caddy, too. 19 Post a sheet of paper in the bathroom and note bathroom supplies that need replenishing. On grocery day, just grab the sheet and go. 20 Assign teens and tweens their “own” towel sets by colour. Sorting laundry becomes super-easy and sharing-aversive kids are content. 21 For the living room or family room, get an ottoman or bench with hidden storage under the seat. 22 Large woven or wooden baskets stash clutter effectively, so stock up. 23 Got kids? Get large tubs that can be used to deploy toys – and quickly move them out of living spaces when company’s coming. 24 Don’t hold on to magazines. Just rip out any pages you want to keep for future reference, keep in a file folder, then recycle the rest. 25 Toss dirty socks into mesh fine-laundry bags. Orphaned socks will be a thing of the past.Image courtesy of Pottery Barn Organizing tips 26-50 26 Dollar store plastic caddies are perfect for grouping cleaning products upright in cabinets – no tipping! 27 Recycle old plastic shopping bags. Store them in an empty Kleenex box ‘til you need them. 28 Store batteries in plastic berry baskets until you’re ready to drop them off at the recycling centre. 29 Ditto for compact fluorescent bulbs and orchard fruit baskets. 30 Big, busy family? Paint one entire wall in your mudroom in chalkboard paint so everyone can easily leave messages for one another. 31 Keep one basket per person in your mudroom or front entrance, so everyone knows where to drop off/find their personal on-the-go essentials like keys, bags, homework etc. 32 Designate a back-to-car zone by your entranceway, and put anything there that requires returning to the trunk – i.e. reusable grocery bags, empties – so the next person to use the car will remember to bring them. 33 Remove the front and back from a picture frame and string rows of wire across the centre. Hang it or lean it against the wall and hook earrings onto each wire. 34 Use an old dressmaker’s dolly to hang necklaces and hook earrings into. 35 Shopaholics can put those pretty boutique bags to use by hanging them on the wall or arranging them on a shelf, where they can store scarves and belts. 36 Do a card run – birthdays, holidays, new baby etc. – once a year and store cards in a file tote. 37 Use ice cube trays to hold clips, erasers and other desk-drawer essentials. 38 Use an old wooden stepladder to hold books. 39 Use white address label stickers to label what each cord in a power bar is for. 40 Paint an oversized canvas in one bold colour and hang it from the wall. Pin a rotating collection of your kids’ artwork on it. 41 Post a sheet of paper on your bulletin board and note office supplies that need replenishing. 42 Use a canvas over-the-door shoe organizer to organize small kids toys and art supplies. 43 Those ubiquitous Danish butter cookie tins can be both an art project and art storage unit for kids. First let your child decoupage it. Then use it to hold crayons and pastels. 44 Post those novelty basketball rings above anything you want your kids to slam dunk stuff into rather than the floor: garbage cans, laundry baskets, etc. 45 For preschoolers too young to use hangers with ease, install a low bar in the closet and simply drape dresses and pants across it to keep them wrinkle-free and easily accessible. 46 Have your child plan their wardrobe one school week at a time. Store outfits within five stacking cubbies or on five combination hangers (hangers with a bar and clips to hold pants as well as a top) to streamline their morning routine. 47 Keep sheet sets organized by folding and storing the fitted sheet, flat sheet and pillowcase inside the second pillowcase. 48 If you don’t want to buy stacking shoeboxes, recycle the cardboard boxes your shoes came in by cutting out a panel at one end for visibility and ventilation. 49 Install a closet organization system: it’ll pay itself off with time and aggravation saved! 50 A well-lit wardrobe is easier to keep organized. Install a Solatube, skylight or adequate artificial light for your needs.Image courtesy of Pottery Barn Organizing tips 51-75 51 Don’t limit closet storage to hangers. Hang hooks on the door for frequently used items. 52 Tackle that kitchen junk drawer problem head on. Today. Purge, edit and keep things in place with a drawer organizer. 53 Are you a piler, not filer? That’s fine, just keep piles of paperwork organized by using folders and write-on clips. 54 Recycle leftover gift-wrap ribbons by using them to tie up extra electrical and other cords in your utility closet. 55 Dedicated tie, belt and scarf holders are closet must-haves. 56 Upgrade your address book for a classic Rolodex. They’re retro-chic and easy to keep updated. 57 Buy a framed corkboard, hang it in the kitchen and pin up favourite recipes, clipped from magazines. 58 Make space by putting your CDs in organizers, by genre. Recycle the jewel cases or put them into storage in the attic. 59 Or, purge your CD clutter once and for all by having your CDs converted to digital files at riptopia.com. Sell or donate the used CDs. 60 Buy a hotel-style hairdryer that can be installed on the wall to save space, time and energy in a small bathroom. 61 A pot-lid holder puts the vertical space behind a cabinet door to good use. 62 A wrap-organizer does the same, creating the perfect spot for plastic wrap, aluminum foil and waxed paper. 63 Organize vanity essentials on a vintage tray. Très organized and très chic. 64 Use an extra wine rack to hold rolled-up magazines. 65 Use cutlery trays in your drawers, but to save even more time, stash everyday flatware in a countertop caddy. 66 Shrink-wrap out of season clothes, blankets and duvets to save space while storing. 67 You’ll never fit sheets back into those reusable vinyl zip pouches they were sold in, but you can stash cloth napkins in them. Use one pouch per set and label the quantity with a Sharpie. 68 Buy 10 pairs of the same gym socks, to minimize sorting. 69 Do the same for your hubby. 70 Do the same for his dress socks if he can get away with always wearing the same black ones during fall/winter at least. 71 Stash kids’ art supplies on a lazy Susan so everything is easily accessible. 72 Organize household bills in an accordion file with month-by-month pockets. 73 Hold onto paint chips, fabric swatches and brochures from your last redecorating session. You never know when you’ll need to reference them. Store them in an accordion file. 74 On your mudroom wall, hammer in two nails, then string wire between them. Provide clothes pegs and have your kids hang their wet mittens and gloves to dry overnight. 75 Banish tiny piles of coins and start saving in style. Get a designer piggy bank and keep it by the entranceway, laundry or kitchen—wherever you’d like to dump your change.Image courtesy of Pottery Barn Organizing tips 76-99 76 Tired of that circa-90s cast-iron pot rack? Move it from the kitchen to the garage or potting shed and use it to keep garden tools organized. 77 Get – and use – a garden hose caddy. 78 Edit your hangers. Choose: wire, plastic or wood and unify the hangers in every closet. 79 Use pillboxes to stash your earrings and rings when traveling. 80 Use a soda-can dispenser in the fridge so you can access your pop easily without tipping. 81 Use a wall-mounted broom and mop holder, or tie ribbon loops on the end of poles and hang them from hooks in your closet, garage or utility closet. 82 Make a party kit. Stash napkins, extra glassware and plates, votive candles and holders, extra vases, cocktail picks and other necessities in an old wine crate and pull it out pre-party or pre-holiday entertaining so you don’t waste valuable cupboard space. 83 Use a binder to store all medical records and information for everyone in your family, including each pet. Use dividers for each family member and include plastic pouches or expandable pockets to contain receipts and tiny record cards. 84 Stash awkward, easy-to-misplace necessities (extra hairbrushes, lint roller) in decorative reusable tote bags. Hang them off a doorknob in every room. 85 Burn digital images to CD once a month so you’ll never lose them if your computer (gasp!) crashes. Or print them ASAP! 86 Store photos in archival-quality, acid-free boxes until you have time to organize them in albums. 87 Get a heavy-duty paper shredder for peace of mind – and efficient shredding without risk of overheating. 88 Place your shredder where you intercept daily mail. If that’s the kitchen, so be it. 89 Put a small plastic caddy in your gym bag so you can manage hair care and skincare products without dropping anything. Excess water will just drain out. 90 Stop losing lock combinations and computer passwords once and for all. Jot everyone’s codes and combinations down in a notebook and store it in your family’s fireproof lockbox. 91 Store reusable shopping bags one inside the other. 92 Always keep one cute, foldable shopping tote in each of your heavy-rotation purses so you’re never caught without. 93 Avoid the last-minute drugstore run by always having a kit of your favourite travel-sized toiletries (and common OTC meds like allergy pills) packed and waiting in your suitcase. 94 Get a gift-wrap organizer and stock up on a year’s worth of wrap and ribbons, or ready-to-fill bags and tissue. 95 If perishables regularly go to waste in your fridge, start planning weekly dinner menus. Just buy ingredients for those meals, plus lunch basics. Post the menu on your fridge so you’re on track. 96 Mount a magnetized knife rack to a wall in your utility closet or basement, to keep your most commonly used screwdrivers and wrenches handy, not buried in the toolbox. 97 Donate your battery-powered emergency flashlights and stock up on windup models so you never have to worry about replacing batteries. 98 Stop stressing over the emergency preparedness kit the Canadian government recommends all families have. Just make one and get on with your life. Visit getprepared.ca http://getprepared.ca/kit/basic_e.asp to learn what to put in it. Stash it in a rolling suitcase so it’s mobile in case you have to be, too. 99 Plan a closet cleanout once per season. Less mess makes staying organized a lot easier.Image courtesy of Pottery Barn- Credit
- Claire Smith
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East meets West: Asian-inspired decor East meets West: Asian-inspired decor
East meets West: Asian-inspired decor ofCreative ideas At an East-meets-West themed party, floral designer Frank Rea of Forget Me Not in Oakville, Ont., dramatically blends Asian style with an art deco decor. His creative ideas are adaptable to any theme, and are guaranteed to wow your guests.Bamboo stalks are relatively easy to arrange. "Keep the arrangement asymmetrically balanced, which is more visually interesting than a totally symmetrical one," says Frank Rea. Here, the stalks are "bedded" in polished black river stones. Glass votives are lined up behind the thick-glass-bottom vases, giving the illusion that the lit candles are underwater. Graphic shapes and a strong but simple green-and-white colour scheme create loads of impact in this Eastern-influenced display. "Green arrangements are very hot right now," says Frank. "In Paris, they're everywhere -- in hotel lobbies, shops." Orchids, spiky lily grass and mammoth Monstera leaves are arranged in tall dark-green bamboo tubes. "We needed elevation because the ceilings were so high and the bamboo worked with the theme," says Frank. He says arrangements on buffet tables should be at or above eye level, so you don't lose them among platters and utensils.The square motif that was present in the room's furnishings is reinforced by square vases, which Frank grouped for impact. Black river rocks that line the bottom set off white orchid blooms and candles. Square votive candles were melted together so that they'd float in the centre of the vases. Bamboo stalks and votives are displayed on a shallow ledge along the perimeter of the room. On the main table, limes, grapes, bamboo stalks, banana leaves, unripened bananas and braided bamboo trees, which were added for impact and height, create a medley of greens. Frank Rea's tips On occasionHere are designer Frank Rea's foolproof tips for designing and throwing a party that's perfect. •Use containers for arrangements that build on the theme, like bamboo tubes for an East-meets-West party, or distressed terra-cotta flowerpots for a Tuscan look. •Work with existing decor. "Go with what the decor suggests, and stay with one colour scheme if there isn't a consistent look in the house," says Frank. "That way you can create flow from the street to foyer, cocktail area and reception area." •Create impact. "You have to have an edge," says Frank. It can be one exotic leaf on a table, like a huge banana leaf layered over stalks of bamboo or dramatic Monstera leaves used as placemats or placed beneath a serving platter.•Stagger arrangements on a buffet table, leaving room for food trays. If there's a light fixture hanging over the centre of the table, put two main arrangements on either end of the table rather than one in the middle for a more balanced display. •Keep arrangements in proportion to the size and scale of the room. "Ceiling height and room size affect the scale of the treatment," Frank says. "Don't overpower a room unless you're going for a tropical jungle theme or maybe a secret garden." •Prepare a menu and use accessories that support your theme. Use lighting, linens, cutlery and china to create a blank canvas for colourful food; or, for even more punch, serve food that matches your colour scheme. •Choose flowers that fit the theme. Delicate lily-of-the-valley blooms and a Zen-garden-theme dinner party don't go, just as dramatic foliage like Alocasia leaves at a Parisian salon-theme luncheon would stand out like weeds in a parterre.- Credit
- Kathleen Dore
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Simple projects: Flower power Simple projects: Flower power
Simple projects: Flower power ofBloomin' pretty Unleash your inner creativity by taking on any one of these five simple crafts. You'll love how easy they are and how great they look, too!1 Iron-on artCreate your own artwork by applying an iron-on transfer, found at craft-supply stores, to a stretched canvas. Mask off a square in the centre of the canvas with low-tack tape. Using fabric paint, paint the square a colour that contrasts with those in the transfer. Let dry for at least 24 hours. Iron the transfer onto the canvas according to the manufacturer's instructions. Finish with two coats of spray varnish.2 Picture pillowImages from IKEA's art cards are transferred onto fabric that's used to make a pillow. If you have a scanner and an ink-jet printer, you can print the images onto iron-on photo-transfer sheets (available at most office-supply stores). Alternatively, have the work done at a copy shop. Iron the images onto fabric panels according to the transfer-paper instructions. Stitch the panels together, then to a fabric border. With right sides together, stitch the pillow front to the back, leaving an opening. Turn right side out and stuff with batting. Slipstitch the opening closed. 3 Shaker vaseUse a dollar-store Parmesan cheese shaker as a vase. Fill the shaker with water and add a few drops of food colouring to tint. Cut the daisies and insert the stems into the holes in the lid. Finish with a brightly coloured ribbon.4 Neat napkinYou needn't spend hours embroidering to make this pretty napkin. Simply iron a daisy appliqué onto a brightly coloured napkin. You can find iron-on appliqués at most fabric and craft-supply stores.5 Petal placematUse glass plates so that you can enjoy these daisy placemats. Cut out a pattern from paper, making sure the flower centre is larger than the circumference of the base of your plate. Place the pattern on white vinyl, securing it in position with repositionable spray adhesive. Trace the pattern, then cut it out. For the daisy centre, measure the diameter of the base of your plate and use a compass to draw a circle equal to that size on yellow vinyl. Cut out using pinking shears. Affix the daisy centre to the placemat using spray adhesive. Photography by Yvonne Duivenvoorden- Credit
- Laura Wilson
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Buying guide: Home office chairs Buying guide: Home office chairs
Buying guide: Home office chairs ofBuying a home office chair My first chair was too big. The enormous leather monstrosity offered no back support and I had to stretch my arms flat to reach the armrests. It was too low for my desk and couldn't be adjusted properly so I sat on my feet or crossed my legs for height. Besides, it swiveled too easily, leaving me unstable. My second chair was too small. Cute and covered in a cowprint material, it was adjustable but offered no lumbar support or armrests. If I leaned back, I was in danger of falling over. But my third chair is just right. It's a $500 ergonomically designed, fully adjustable model -- the first two chairs cost less than $100 each. In my quest to find suitable seating, I learned that a great chair quickly pays for itself in increased productivity and decreased downtime. My bad chairs gave me headaches, muscle tension and wrist-strain. Now, I have a renewed love of work, improved quality of life and I save the costs of physiotherapy, Aspirin and sick days.What to look for:FeelMany people test chairs by sitting in an awkward position, with their backs ramrod straight or slouched. Test it by sitting the way you want to sit after adjusting it to your size. If your back naturally presses against the back of the chair and you feel comfortable and supported, then it is probably the chair for you.FlexibilityYou should be able to customize your chair, adjusting it so that your feet are flat on the floor and your knees make an angle of about 100 degrees. Your armrests should move independently -- position them so your forearms are supported and your shoulders are relaxed.ControlThe chair's mobility should vary in degree and optionally lock, so that it will not roll away at the slightest push. You should be able to swivel to the side gradually and stay there without making a full rotation, and lean back slightly without danger of falling over backwards.MaterialLeather may look prestigious but it can be slippery or sticky in hot weather. This material also tends to lose its shape and rips easily. Opt for a chair that has an absorbent, breathable material cover with soft -- but firm -- padding, a steel spine, beveled plastic armrests and solid footing. Top-of-the-line chairs may be expensive, generally ranging anywhere from $300 to $700. But a good chair will last longer, decrease your likelihood of acquiring stress- and strain-related ailments, and increase your productivity. It's a good investment. Creating an ergonomically-sound work environment• Your monitor should be directly in front of your face and you shouldn't have to incline your neck to get a good view.• Your work room should be well ventilated and lit, ensuring that no light source (including sunlight) causes glare. • Your keyboard should be level to - or slightly below - your armrests so your hands fall gently and your wrists are flat while typing. Clean or replace sticky keyboards. • A plastic mat provides mobility and stability on a slippery or thickly carpeted floor. • Make sure your mouse fits your hand – bigger is not always better. • If you talk on the phone while working, try using a headset.Image courtesy of Crate & Barrel- Credit
- Caryn Mladen
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