While I was in sick bay on Monday, my business feature for the London Free press ran as the cover story on the Biz Monday section. I really enjoy writing these feature stories. In the paper it’s got all sorts of cool pictures and a funky layout. Here is my text: …
Cyber Sales Game Evolves – London Free Press Biz Monday featureRead More »
To paint or not to paint? That is the question when one is faced with unfinished wood. While one homeowner loves the look of oak or pine for its warmth and natural beauty, another can’t wait to pry off a paint can lid and start covering it up. My former colleague Michelle and her husband Carl know the dilemma all too well. A few years ago, they took part in The Decorating Challenge TV show and their one stipulation was, “Please don’t paint the gumwood banister and wainscoting up the stairway.” …
I’ve been moving into a new phase of life that biologists have previously overlooked. This evolution is taking me from a shopaholic into a recycle-and-renewer. …
The London Free Press printed a rather passionate letter to the editor this week that criticized my recent House Proud column as being “offensive” and other strongly worded language. The column concerned asking a man to help with the household chores and it was based on my experience at home, published with the express consent and laughter of Derek, the man in question! …
Today I invite you to click over to the Free Press website where my Biz Monday feature on seniors services runs today! It concerns helping seniors stay comfortably and safely in their own homes.
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Business/BusinessMonday/2009/08/17/10481451-sun.html
A neighbour recently made a comment that rattled me a little. We had been discussing the many issues I was having with my front garden. He responded, “You have to keep up appearances, you know. After all, you write House Proud!” …
Mulch Ado About Nothing – House Proud, The Toronto SunRead More »
My Business cover story on women and motorcycles appears in today’s London Free Press. …
Rev Up The Engines, Ladies – London Free Press BusinessRead More »
So your badly needed vacation has been downsized to a staycation. And now you’re faced with fooling yourself that the same four walls you see every day can become a worthy substitute for the sandy tropical beach your toes were going to explore and the breezy resort suite you had been dreaming of treating as your personal sanctuary. Creating a holiday-worthy atmosphere in your home doesn’t require a truckload of sand or a complete change of furnishings. There are several inexpensive and easy ways to lighten up the look of your home and bring the sunny outdoors inside where you can enjoy it. …
Making Your Home A Getaway – House Proud, Toronto SunRead More »
It’s taken many years for most interior designers to come to a general agreement on decorating rules. As with everything else in life, one size does not fit all. The guidelines work well in most cases but there are always exceptions. Sometimes rules are meant to be bent and broken and that’s what I’m aiming to do today. …
One Size Does Not Fit All – House Proud, The Toronto SunRead More »
Many of us would like to convert to a greener lifestyle, but, frankly, the associated costs sometimes turn us off. When you’re trying to stay within a budget, it’s difficult to justify spending twice as much for a product that’s environmentally friendly. Some people also still think that green living means giving up modern conveniences and coping with endless compromises. …
Down-to-earth Green – House Proud, The Toronto SunRead More »
Anybody can slap up a new colour to freshen up their walls, but few amateurs can do a professional-looking job. Your brain tells you that a straight line along the top of the baseboard is easy, but your hand doesn’t seem to get the message. The result is uneven lines and drips. …
Don’t Paint Yourself Into A Corner – House Proud, Toronto SunRead More »
As a confirmed deco-nut, there are some designers whose opinions I seek out, either via the magazines or TV shows they front or by visiting their websites once in a while to see what’s new. They keep me up to date on the latest trends and help me decide what’s right for me and my own home. …
If we’re going to take any lesson from the housing collapse in the U.S., it’s got to be a resolve to be better informed. The market is flooded with first-time buyers lured into taking on mortgages by low interest rates and special incentives. And whether you’re dipping a tentative toe into the land-owning ocean for the first time or diving in headfirst for the tenth, there’s always something to be gained by learning from the experiences of others. …
Hollywood screenwriters could not have come up with a script this compelling: Canada’s own contractor extraordinaire Mike Holmes teams up with A-list movie star Brad Pitt to restore the devastated Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. But it’s not a movie; it’s the real-life adventure to make practical and pretty homes for some of those who lost theirs in Hurricane Katrina. Both of the guys behind the project just happen to be household names. …
House Proud – Making It Right In New Orleans. Toronto SunRead More »
Every home has its own personality and quirks. A wooden floor squeaks. A drawer whines as it’s pulled open. And who hasn’t heard someone say, “Just jiggle the handle” with regard to a toilet flush? …
House Proud – Which Switch Is Which? The Toronto SunRead More »
You enter your house after a few hours away and it’s like a slap in the nose. You wonder how long it has smelled so bad and if anyone else has noticed. …
Home Sweet-Smelling Home – House Proud, Toronto SunRead More »
My new home has many charms. It’s not too big but not too small, just right for two busy people who do many things together and some things on their own. The backyard is massive, and we’re trying to decide how to use it. Friends have suggested we install a private airstrip or rent it out for festivals. But the kitchen was another story. …
“Kitchen Confidential” House Proud, The Toronto SunRead More »
In the first and second homes I owned, my ex-husband and I chose to express ourselves by splashing our favourite hues on the walls. In house number one, that meant a deep red in the living room contrasted by high, creamy white baseboards and trim. We covered one particularly bumpy old wall that had textured wall-paper, and it took several coats before it finally stopped soaking up the paint. …
In Praise of Beige – House Proud, The Toronto SunRead More »