Interior: Family-friendly home

I'm not afraid to admit that when my family of five found our house in east-end Toronto, it was a bit of a dump -- the price tag reflected that. In the same family for more than 40 years, the house hadn't been neglected as much as style-sabotaged: think '50s mobster meets '70s tackiness. There were many different floorings, lots of wood panelling, wrought-iron banisters, and cheap fixtures and finishes.

The good news is that we had the energy to tackle the house. My husband Justin and I took the main floor down to the studs to create an open-concept living/dining room and introduced a brand-new kitchen, fireplace, flooring, windows and handrails.

Always on the lookout for a great sale, we were regulars at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore and on Craigslist. We also knew a lick of paint could bring most things back to life for little money. We splurged, too (well, I splurged -- Justin just looked the other way). You can't beat beautiful marble countertops and tile, stylish bathroom fixtures and gutsy windows and doors.

Family room I can't be too fussy about our house. If my kids want to jump on the sofa, I say go ahead. A house should be lived in, especially by children.