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• Inside design: Brad Lamb Inside design: Brad Lamb

  

  Inside design: Brad Lamb of

  page 1 Toronto real estate expert Brad Lamb, of Brad J. Lamb Realty, has sold 
more than 14,500 condominiums worth $3.5 billion over the past 20 years. His show, Big City Broker (HGTV), has exposed millions to the underbelly of condo and loft sales and development in urban centres. Here, he shares 
his insights on the future of Canadian cities. Style at Home: You’ve said that if we want Canadian cities to be world class, we have to get over our disdain for density – which comes naturally to us in a country with such vast unpopulated areas.Brad Lamb: If we want Canadian cities to compete with New York, Tokyo and London, they’ll have to grow. But they have to grow up, not out. If you look at how people live in major European cities – Paris, Prague, Rome, London – you’ll see that they live in apartments, not houses. That’s where we’re heading. There’s an expectation – and it’s a governmental one – for Toronto to become a city of seven million, and that’s just one Canadian city. In order to do that, we need unabated growth. But where will all those people go? We can’t sprawl anymore.S@H: Why, theoretically, can’t we continue to sprawl, building out, away from the city core?BL: People move out of cities so they can have more space. Yet a suburban home sits on the same real estate that a high-rise condo could sit on, so the resources for 150 families are being used by one. Then, consider the water being consumed to water the lawn, the pollution being created to mow that lawn, the emissions of all those cars carrying people to jobs 

in the city. The future of mankind – and the planet – belongs in cities where we can get rid of cars, walk everywhere and live on top of each other to conserve resources.S@H: What do you think is standing in the way of that vision?BL: When I moved [to my current office on] Toronto’s King Street West five years ago, it was a ghost town. We saw the potential for a neighbourhood. In the past four years, several thousand homes have been built. You can’t build homes for thousands in an urban area unless you go up. But Toronto is still a low-rise, sprawling city, and the biggest problem is the inability of its citizenry to understand density. They’re so afraid of it. People get stuck. The bylaws may say six floors – why go to 10 floors? There’s an economic requirement to build 10 floors; we have to go up. If we’re going to succeed, we have to look beyond our fears. page 2 S@H: So describe the Canadian city of the future.BL: In five or six years – and we’ve only got five years until all the land runs out – our major cities will be like Tokyo or New York. As for the look, well, I hope it will be a mix of historic buildings and new, modern façades. People who don’t understand modernism want history; they want us to build something that looks 200 years old. Good architects want to build in the style of their time, which is modern. You can’t ask talented architects to copy. We need to let them express themselves; that’s the only way we’ll get something fresh and exciting. Condo savvyWe asked Toronto condo king Brad Lamb 
for his key dos and don’ts of new-condo purchasing.DO try to specify where you’d like electrical outlets to be, as well as junction boxes. “Lighting plans are sometimes flexible. Request where you want them to be located, but be prepared to be turned down,” Brad says. DON’T expect to change floor plans. “Builders have to create vertical stacks for gas and plumbing, so each floor has to be identical,” says Brad. “Besides,” he adds, “some of the most talented designers in the country have created those floor plans, so most of the time you can bet that they’re pretty efficient.” DO keep in mind that builders move people onto floors as they’re completed. Until the top floors are finished, you may be living for some time in a construction site.

  ©

  Credit

  Liza Finlay

  Inside design: Brad Lamb 

  Published:

  2008-08-28 00:00:00

  Author(s):

  Liza Finlay

  Updated:

  2008-08-28 00:00:00

• 25 autumn accessories 25 autumn accessories

  

  25 autumn accessories of

  page 1 As the seasons change from summer to fall, so must your home accessories! It’s time to pack away the lemonade pitchers and the cool coloured decor and create warmth in the home with rich colours and cosy accents.Here are 25 home accessories that will transform your home from summer retreat into a comfy haven for the crisp days of autumn. CandlesAn essential item for autumn, candles create a cosy atmosphere in your home through their warmth and accent lighting. These eco-friendly candles from Pier 1 are made from soybeans, a renewable resource, and come in a variety of delicious scents ranging from Chocolate Suede to Toasted Sugar.  ($23 each)   Mixing BowlsBringing out autumn coloured kitchen prep accessories is a subtle way to suit your home to the season. Tag‘s new multi-harvest prep bowls can be used to prepare your autumn pastries or to display your freshly picked apples. ($15 per set of 3 )   Cake standNo smell is more familiar and delicious in the fall than that of homemade apple pie fresh from the oven. The classically chic Emma cakestand from Pottery Barn is the perfect pedestal for your yummy baked goods, or could be used as a lovely stage for your table’s centerpiece. ($65)     PillowsAdding seasonal themed items to your living room is as easy as changing up your pillow covers. Although not autumn-coloured, these covers from Accents de Ville are modernly chic with their embroidered leaves and trees. (MSRP $43 each, includes filler)     Place cardsSetting an autumn table, whether it be for Thanksgiving or a Sunday dinner, is not complete without place cards to seat your guests. These sweet apple place cards from Pierre Belvedere add a bit of bling to your tabletop with their crystal and silver design. ($25 per set of 6)  page 2  Home Fragrance OilsAutumn weekends are the perfect time to relax indoors and curl up on the couch with a good book or movie. The Body Shop’s new line of aromatherapy essential oils are designed to create that relaxing atmosphere through their soothing scents, which range from Deep Sleep to Total Energy. ($20 each)    BeddingKeeping yourself warm and toasty in bed feels like a great luxury when escaping from autumn weather, and nothing is more luxurious than Restoration Hardware’s Italian pinstripe sateen duvet cover. As beautiful as it is comfy, this classic duvet cover comes in colours ranging from taupe (shown) to marine blue. ($299 full/queen)   StorageChanging up home accessories for each season is an easy way to update a home, but you’ll also need space to store the replaced items. These mahogany-stained palm leaf ottomans from Tag come in a set of two and are a style savvy storage solution for out-of-season throws or pillows. (MSRP $125)   Magnets Placing a lot of little autumn-themed home accessories throughout your home really does make a difference and means that you don’t have to break the bank on purchasing larger items. These cute leaf magnets from Accents de Ville bring the outdoors in without having to bear the cool weather. (MSRP $5 each)  ThrowsThe best part about the cooler fall weather is cuddling with loved ones on the couch under a soft throw. The Karma (left) and Elisa (right) throws from Accents de Ville are super stylish and their neutral palette makes it easy to transition them into any existing colour scheme. (MSRP $70 each)  page 3  Cheese spreadersMake your autumn wine and cheese party super stylish with these cheese spreaders from Indigo Books & Music. With faux wine-cork handles, these spreaders come in a set of 4 and are sure to make an impression. ($13 per set of 4) Salad ServersJust because summer is over, doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a great salad in the fall – it just means you need to update your salad servers. These twig- handled servers from Abbott present the perfect way to serve up your autumn salads to guests. ($20 a pair)   KettleDelicious hot chocolate or soothing tea is a great way to keep cosy whether in your home or outside. Cusinart’s PerfecTemp kettle has a built-in gauge to ensure the proper heat level for every type of hot beverage – take your pick of red, white, or black! ($100 US)   Sauce boatA Thanksgiving dinner just isn’t the same without gravy for the turkey, so why not house it in this white ceramic sauce boat from Williams-Sonoma? This curvy beauty is Italian-made and comes with an oval server to prevent drips on your tablecloth. ($60)    PlacematsAdd a little shimmer to your home decor with gold table linens for fall entertaining. These pretty Harman Marseilles placemats from Kitchen Stuff Plus can light up any tabletop this season. ($5 each)   page 4  Large Bowl A large wooden bowl is a fabulous home accessory for displaying your centerpiece of miniature gourds, or for filling with rich scented potpourri. Ten Thousand Villages' mango wood platform bowl is beautifully hand-carved by Indian artisans, and you can feel even better about your purchase as the company is renowned for their fair trade policies.  ($35)  Fireplace GuardThe end of summer bonfires at the cottage doesn’t need to mean the end of cosying up by the fire altogether. The Campaign Hearth flat screen from Restoration Hardware is the chicest new fire accessory there is, guarding the flames whilst still allowing the fire to warm your home. ($299 US)   VaseWhen decorating for the seasons, it’s a great idea to check out the budget-friendly stores, like IKEA. This cream-coloured Havtorn Farm vase stands tall and would look picture perfect with some faux wheat sheaves or tall berry sprigs. ($40)    Pinecone décor accessory Who says all home accessories have to be functional? This white ceramic pinecone with an antique finish from Abbott offers nothing to your home but style and a modern touch of autumn. ($15)      WreathNo longer just for the holiday season, wreaths have become a great accessory for sprucing up your home interior. This orange berry wreath from Pier 1 would add a hit of autumn colour to any home, whether it’s placed above the fireplace or hung on the wall in the foyer. ($45) page 5   Napkin RingsA little bit of kitsch in the home never hurt anyone - just don't overdo it! These cute turkey napkin rings from Accents de Ville provide just the right amount of seasonal charm for your Thanksgiving tabletop, adding a little fun to your holiday. (MSRP $4 each)    TrayIf you can’t bear to part with your cosy bed on a Sunday morning, a serving tray for your breakfast is the perfect way to enjoy the best of both worlds. The Tava tray from Pottery Barn comes in a honey or espresso stain, and is handcrafted with rattan, an entirely natural and eco-friendly material.  ($72 each)   MirrorA staple of home accessories, a great wall mirror can transform a space, whether it’s acting as a focal piece or simply opening up the area. This ornate mirror from HomeSense will spice up any wall in your home, and its deep red colour can carry it over to the holiday season as well. ($50)  Floor rug Changing up your flooring for the seasons is another way to freshen up your home, whether it be with an area rug, a runner or a bathmat. Pottery Barn’s new Harvest Leaf rug brings the beauty of the changing leaves inside your home with its woolen texture and brown tones. (5x8 $399, 8x10 $599) DoormatWhen decorating your home for the seasons, do not forget to change up your exterior décor as well. The Elizabeth doormat from Accents de Ville greets your guests with some autumn charm. (MSRP $30) 

  ©

  Credit

  Lauren McPhillips

  25 autumn accessories 

  Published:

  2008-08-26 00:00:00

  Author(s):

  Lauren McPhillips

  Updated:

  2008-08-26 00:00:00

• Top 10 bathroom renovation tips Top 10 bathroom renovation tips

  

  Top 10 bathroom renovation tips of

  Tips 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.

  ©

  Credit

  Karen Cole Banack and Melody Duron

  Top 10 bathroom renovation tips 

  Published:

  2008-08-19 09:00:00

  Author(s):

  Karen Cole Banack and Melody Duron

  Updated:

  2008-08-19 09:00:00

• A touch of pink A touch of pink

  

  A touch of pink of

  Master 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

  A touch of pink 

  Published:

  2008-08-19 00:00:00

  Author(s):

  Christina Symons

  Updated:

  2008-08-19 00:00:00

• 99 low-cost organizing tips 99 low-cost organizing tips

  

  99 low-cost organizing tips of

  Organizing 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

  99 low-cost organizing tips 

  Published:

  2008-08-19 00:00:00

  Author(s):

  Claire Smith

  Updated:

  2008-08-19 00:00:00

• East meets West: Asian-inspired decor East meets West: Asian-inspired decor

  

  East meets West: Asian-inspired decor of

  Creative 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

  East meets West: Asian-inspired decor 

  Published:

  2008-08-19 00:00:00

  Author(s):

  Kathleen Dore

  Updated:

  2008-08-19 00:00:00

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