The floor in our lower-level bathroom was due for a scrubbing. We believe the grout was white when the tile was installed, but over the years it took on an uncertain shade of gray/tan. Because it’s a small room, I decided to take it on myself. Good times! …
After looking at the Facebook page of a mutual friend, my friend asked: What did she do to get such a great life? I replied, She knows how to edit. …
We had one expectation for this long weekend: free time. It included some friend time, some “we” time, and some time to do a few little things around the house. I had hoped to put wood protector on the deck but it was too hot out. (Yay!) Derek finished a project that – let’s face it – was more important to me than it was to him. …
Saturday was hotter in London, Ontario than it was in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Dubai, that over-populated, but-it’s-a-dry-heat, desert playground, where 40C+ is the norm. Where millions of people hustle through the world’s tenth-busiest airport on their way to spend their wealth at luxury stores while the sun beats down with a relentless burn. No wonder we didn’t want to go outside. …
Forget the KonMari method – deciding to keep only the items that bring you joy. Don’t buy a bunch of baskets and sort your stuff. That only helps the basket-makers and doesn’t do enough to reduce the amount of stuff you keep. No, I’ve developed a new way of looking at your stuff that will make you want to get rid of anything you don’t really need. …
Hands up, anyone who loves scraping layers of paint off a metal door? Anybody? Bueller? I didn’t think so. …
It’s difficult to find an audience for your online wares. When people found Lisa’s Pieces, they liked our tables, lamps and found treasures, but translating that into sales wasn’t easy. We ended up with a lot of unsold stuff simply because we couldn’t find enough of the right people. …
The question I asked myself was, where can I buy a can of turkey gravy and a container of PolyFilla? I’m very tired and must get home to nap so this magical place must not be out of my way. Only one store came to mind: Walmart. …
It’s been too cold to drag a saw out of the shop and cut wood. Too cold to sand or stain or paint for that matter, even in shop #2 in our basement. But it’s not too cold for stencils. …
Lisa’s Pieces pieces have been on the move. Here’s an update on where to find us when you’re in London. …
Some people call them “boob lights”. They’re those ceiling fixtures that sort of resemble breasts. You see them everywhere and the most basic design can be had for less than $20. It’s what was on our kitchen ceiling and once I set my sights on it, its days were numbered. …
Forgotten CDs Play on As Drink Coasters Dec 19/16
CDs, once the brave, new technology for recorded music, were left in the dust by digital technology. And in the dust is where they sit, in piles or on racks. Even though we might not listen to them much anymore, they’re difficult to part with. But a quick walk through any second-hand store will show you how little value they have today. Now that almost everything is downloadable, merchants can’t seem to get rid of CDs at any price. …
Sometimes I think the rest of my life is going to mainly consist of asking, “that was how long ago?” The passage of time is on fast-forward. It’s already been five years since our friends Laurie and Jeff moved a house to cottage country. …
My blowdryer and hair-straightener bug me. When not in use, they just lay there on my bathroom counter, cords tangling and getting caught in a drawer and a cupboard door. They easily slide off the countertop onto the floor, or worse, one of my tender toes. …
Everyone in our neighbourhood has been watching a major renovation to a home on our street. It looked like it was going to be beautiful. We may have been more interested than most onlookers because part of the project involved dismantling an ugly, dated sunroom – much like ours. A new porch went up in its place. …
A DIY Gift for Book Lovers Dec 19/16
We are a nation of book-lovers. For many people, a couple of shelves full of beloved books provide comfort and make us feel at home. Even though we’ve embraced E-readers, there’s still nothing like cracking the spine of a brand new book. …
The January edition of the Byron Villager features an article on my hubby’s workshop pursuits. It’s drawn a lot of reaction, from people taking down old homes offering him a walk-through to salvage what he wants, to those ordering custom furnishings and lamps. …
