Rediscover Your Home

We're Moving. Rediscover Your Home is getting a reDesign

2012-02-07T14:02:00.000-08:00

You're probably wondering where I've been for the last few months. No - I didn't move to Arizona - but I'd like to someday! In between Christmas decorating, Christmas un-decorating, visits from relatives, serving clients, looking after my family's needs and life in general, I've been busy getting ready to launch my new website at www.rediscoveryourhome.com and posting on Rediscover Your Home's Facebook Page. The new website will launch in the next few weeks. It was built on Wordpress so it's a BLOG and a site rolled into one. It was just too time consuming/confusing/stressful keeping track of all my stuff (I have 3 Google accounts!) so I had to do something different. I had to learn how to use Wordpress in the process of creating my new site - I'm still not perfect but I'm learning.

So drop by our Facebook Page and LIKE us or put Rediscover Your Home on your favorites bar and come by often to see if we're up and running yet. I've added lots of photos, some new posts and moved the older content from BLOGGER over to my new place. Come on over and join us - we've missed you.

Think INSIDE the box for a great gift idea.

2011-12-05T12:03:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the best gifts start with something as simple as a cardboard box. Here's an idea that I adopted when our children were little. I think it makes a really great baby gift but could be given for any occasion.

When our children were born I started something called a "special box" for each of them. I thought of it as a little time capsule of their childhood that they might share with their own children some day. The first thing we put in their special box was a newspaper from the week they were born - I suggest using the issue that announces their birth. We kept the whole newspaper, advertisements and all - I thought it might be fun to see the descriptions and price of things in their birth year.

Until they were old enough to understand the concept of favorite/special, we added things on their behalf. This included items like their first pair of shoes, a new silver dollar, their baby bracelets, a lock of hair and that sort of thing. When they were older we explained that each year (usually around the end of the school year) they could choose a few of their favorite items to add to the box. In went a favorite book, a much loved stuffed animal, art projects and that sort of thing. As you can imagine, in the early years they might have saved everything, so we decided to limit it to a couple of very special items a year. This also allowed me room to add things I thought might be interesting to them in future too. I remember adding a One Dollar bill, a T.V. Guide Magazine which included the names of their favorite cartoons, something in their own handwriting, a special report card, a home made Christmas ornament. Every few years we went through the box together and rediscovered the items they had loved enough to save.

As our children became teenagers they eventually forgot about the box and it was moved to the attic. Later - during the process of cleaning out the contents of their abandoned rooms I tossed in some other "bottom drawer" things like POGS, a Ninja Turtle action figure, and baseball cards, my daughter's favorite music cassette, a Polly Pocket. Both kids now live away from home. Their special boxes, almost full, are waiting patiently in the attic until they are discovered by our future grandchildren. Every once in a while I venture in there to borrow a book to read to my niece and nephew, while they are visiting us. They too have a special box, started by us on the day they were born, given to them on their first birthday. It's become a sort of brag box for them and they proudly share it's contents when we visit them.

If you decide to create a special box for someone consider using something with lasting quality and character that might display nicely in their room. I purchased a decorative imitation suitcase in an aviator theme for our nephew's special box and used a Winnie the Pooh cardboard trunk with gold handles for our niece. Before we delivered them I took the time to write a dated personal message inside.

Rediscover your front porch!

2011-11-18T17:39:00.000-08:00

After a busy summer of travelling to and from the cottage and maintaining two properties, repairing our heat damaged lawn and near dead shrubs I was pleased to be able to have a short rest between seasons. Credit goes to my daughter and my fantastic neighbour for managing to keep my front door urns alive while I was away from home off and on throughout the summer. Many an urn full of gorgeous mature plant materials has perished in a short two day weekend of baking hot sun without daily watering.

When we first moved into our home I had a small table and a few muskoka chairs at the front entry to both fill the space and provide a relaxing place to sip wine with my neighbourhood friends on a Friday afternoon while we watched the kids play. Over the years we learned that on a cool but sunny day in March at approximately 3:30 p.m. we could strategically park our muskoka chairs on that cement entry, just around the corner and out of the wind in such a way that it would feel like a hot July day. Okay - so you had to close your eyes and do a little visualization to ignore the melting snow and the sound of slush splashing off passing cars, but it was nice little moments like this that warmed your inner core and gave you a little boost of much needed vitamin D. Now that the kids are grown the chairs have been abandoned for beauty over function and although I look forward to the sun I really love the abundance of plantlife that fills the very colorless corner at the front door and strategically hides the hideous garden hose that needs to hang there. Have you ever noticed that hoses only come in really ugly colors!

This year I decided to forget doing a fall planting (I wasn't inspired by the plant selection this year) and just patiently wait for the cooler weather so I could once again fill my pots with an abundance of texture and color. In the meantime I brought out the chairs back out for a few weeks but didn't find time to actually sit in them and sip wine. Yesterday, as the last few leaves fell from our maple tree I was finally able to get those pots filled and looking great again. If it stays cool enough to keep them green they will last throughout the season. I miss sitting in my muskoka chair sipping wine with my neighbours but I think I miss having my pots full of color even more. Wine lasts for a few minutes but the joy of color can last all season.

Find out how to order your urn at www.rediscoveryourhome.com

When is a trash can not a trash can?

2011-09-19T19:43:00.000-07:00

When it's re-purposed of course! I'm not a big fan of an exposed trash can in the bathroom. I personally think they should be hidden under the sink. So when my son gave me this beautiful teak set for Christmas a few years back I came up with a new use for the beautiful wood can. Now it holds a botanical arrangement on the counter. I quite like the scale and the way it contrasts the wall. A big fan of texture I searched out some unusual dried botanicals that would really make a statement. Add a maintenance free (very real looking) fake plant and voila! You have a fantastic focal point for the sometimes boring counter. You'll notice in the photo that there is a nice piece of coral. This was rediscoved (pun intended) last summer when moving my parents to their new home. It used to sit on my dresser when I was a child and I was delighted to A) find it again and B) put it to good use! Funny how things look new again when you move them to a different room, arrangement or home. What everyday items are waiting to be re-purposed in your home?

Shopping for decor isn't everyone's cup of tea!

2011-09-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

When I entered this field of ReDesign I knew of course how much fun it would be. After all - who wouldn't like being asked to shop for beautiful things using other people's money! For those of us who love to decorate - a few hours spent wandering around HomeSense can be the highlight of our week and bring us back to our "happy place". As wonderful as that sounds to some of us the reality is that not everyone feels this way about decorating.

I have a friend who reminds me that many people find it scary to choose decor from an overwhelming selection of product, and even though they like the idea of creating a space to love they avoid doing so because they are overwhelmed by making decisions about what to purchase. How great would it be to have a redesigner friend that you can take shopping with you? Someone that knows how you use your space and what you want to achieve and can guide you in making sensible and well thought out choices for how you use your place? If you're struggling with deciding on a purchase and need a second opinion you could even send them a photo of the item and ask their opinion about it. Or perhaps they could source a suitable item for you and then invite you to visit the store and see it in person.

While shopping for a client last week, a woman I had never met approached me and asked my opinion about some chairs she was considering for her dining room. I was able to look at a photo of her room on the camera she brought, ask a few questions about how she will use the space and determine which chairs were best for her situation. Sometimes all we need is another opinion to proceed without fear. Often all we need is the cash register receipt and a store with a good return policy.

If you've ever visited my website www.rediscoveryourhome.com you will see a basic list of services one might expect from a decorator. What you can't see from my site is my down to earth, practical philosophy for achieving my client's decorating goals regardless of how we do it. If that means meeting you at your favorite store to help you shop, rummaging through your family photos for your picture collage, or visiting a relative's house to see their discarded dining set to determine if it will work in your space, I'm happy to do it.

I am told one of the things my clients like most about working along side me is that I freely share ideas and information that will help them feel confident in making well thought out purchases on their own in future. I encourage you to embrace your inner decorator, invest in a personal in-home consultation and start moving forward to create the place you've always wanted.

Got books ???

2011-08-12T06:34:00.000-07:00

Why not incorporate them into your decor!
Here's a great idea for displaying and accessing your book collection.

eclectic living room design by dc metro interior designer Nicole Lanteri

modern bookcases cabinets and computer armoires design by dwr.com

ReDesign (which just happens to be my specialty) is all about using your own stuff in creative ways and this shelf system does just that. I've seen smaller versions of this shelf but none quite so tall. For those of you who don't have a library or built-in shelving this may be the best esthetically appealing idea for using your book collection that I've seen in a long time. Don't stop at books, think about how you might use this as a towel shelf in the bathroom or to display a teapot collection in the kitchen.

Imagine the possibilities.....

Click here to find out more about ReDesign and how you can love your home in just a day!

What's wrong with this bedroom?

2011-07-13T23:13:00.000-07:00

I came across this photo on the internet and wanted to share my thoughts as a learning tool on do's and don'ts of a bedroom layout. At first glance this room looks bright and airy but there's something that just feels wrong. Have you figured it out yet? If you guessed that it has something to do with the lamps and the tables are you're right!

Although it's not everyone's taste to arrange the bed this way it's a nice change from the usual centre of the wall setting. One thing to remember though, is whenever possible the end tables should be aligned with the bed rather than hug the wall as these do. This may require you to shift the bed to accomodate them properly but the result will be a more pleasing balanced layout. Now take a look at the lamps for a moment. Imagine lying in bed with the light shining brightly in your eyes due to inappropriate height. These lamps are quite tall and really too large for the size of the tables. In a bedroom, shorter ambient lighting is more pleasing. Keep your ceiling light for function, but choose soft lighting for the bed side. Using curtain panels that don't match your bedspread is great but if you do this I suggest you incorporate the curtain color in a throw, or a cushion to tie them into the room. Scatter mats? Again - align them with the bed and tuck the edge under the bedside just a little. In place of the red one the blue would have been a better option considering the soft tones used elsewhere. The addition of a tall palm in the corner directly behind the headboard would round out the room nicely as art placement could create a challenge in this situation drawing your eye into the empty space there.

An itty bitty post on how Rediscover Your Home was born.

2011-06-21T05:23:00.000-07:00

How would you feel if I told you that it’s not about what you have, but how you use it that makes a great space?

My name is Carolyn and I specialize in ReDesign and Staging. In a nutshell……I effectively use what you already have to redecorate your home. I’ve always been drawn to harmonious and beautiful surroundings. For as long as I can remember I’ve enjoyed rearranging my surroundings to suit my ever changing needs and to create great looking, comfortable spaces that I enjoyed spending time in and sharing with others. As I write this I am amused to share that I can still recall the great color scheme and design of my girlfriend’s room I visited when I was 12. For my 14th birthday I was excited to pick out a new duvet for my bed, my mom never had to ask me to tidy my room because I really did love seeing it tidy.

So it’s no surprise that as an adult I find myself passionate about doing this for others. A few years ago after my employer decided to restructure and eliminate my job I found myself searching for something fun and inspiring to do. My husband suggested I create a business around my love of re-arranging and beautifying my surroundings. Truth be told, I think he was tired of seeing our own home in constant change! After researching my options, I obtained training to be able to better understand the principals and process of ReDesign and started my business in 2008. I knew the moment I completed my first room makeover that I had found my calling. Not only did I think the results were fabulous the client did too! My colleagues and I often say we love doing ReDesign so much that we would almost consider doing it for free but clients were happy to reward me with payment in exchange for one very full and productive day of making their stuff look great!!!

Four years and many rewarding redesigns later I still can't wait for the opportunity to work magic with someone's treasures - re-arranging them into functional yet cohesive groupings that bring harmony to a once chaotic environment so they can come home to, and entertain in, a place that they feel proud to call their own.

Life is good.

FREE stuff!

2011-06-20T06:31:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love special pickup days? This week I scooped up my neighbour's tired looking wicker chair that was headed for the dump and gave it a scrubbing and a fresh paint job to match my urns. It now looks fabulous at my front entry and it's so comfortable. The best part is that everytime I look at it I will be reminded of a dear neighbour/friend who passed away a few years ago as this chair sat on her front step which faced my house. Last year we spotted and scooped up a piece of old furniture on another special pickup day that had such great lines. We stripped the yellow paint to reveal some beautiful wood, refinished it, re-attached the original glass knobs and brass wheels and now it's become one of our favorite and most functional pieces. Everyone who visits our home comments on it's beauty. The green chair pictured beside the refinished piece came from a garage sale and I have plans to recover it in the future. When choosing previously loved upholstered furniture pieces I like to examine them for signs of mould or pet stains before I purchase them as these things may be a reason to leave them at the curb.

What treasures are out at the curb awaiting your creative touch?

Curb appeal doesn't have to wait till summer.

2011-04-17T18:17:00.000-07:00

When I woke up this morning I had intentions of spending the day outdoors doing some yard work that got neglected last fall due to lack of time. During a hasty look out the bathroom window I spotted 5 bright yellow finches clinging tightly to the branches of my lilac while the snow blew sideways at them. Little did I know we would be experiencing 4 seasons of weather over the course of the day!

I did manage to get in a yard and half of mulch and with some help had it down by the second snowy spell of the morning. Nothing cleans up a garden like a fresh layer of pine mulch. Before starting, I like to edge my garden while the soil is damp because I find it easier to pull out stray clumps of grass, small weeds and maple tree shoots. If you're one of those people who simply can't wait until May 24th to add some color to your garden, consider planting a few pansies which can handle the cold weather spells that April brings. In a few weeks they'll look so full and gorgeous you won't want to replace them with annuals.

By noon the sun was shining brightly and things warmed up enough that I cleaned out my front door pots and started to prepare them for some freshly purchased pansies and daffodils. Sadly I abandoned this idea a mere 15 minutes later when winter came back with a vengeance at which time I headed for the shower and called it a day. After all - brightly colored pansies and daffodils need an appreciative admirer and I didn't see one person out and about who might appreciate my efforts today. As I peered out the window later in the day even the resident bunny who lives in our neighbourhood was looking for shelter!

As I pull out of the driveway tomorrow morning and the sun is once again out I know today's effort will be worth it.

Rediscover Your Home

Downsizing - re create a feeling of home

2011-04-01T13:37:00.000-07:00

Lately there has been a lot of talk about dealing with aged parents and the task of downsizing them to smaller living quarters. Often our parents would like to take everything with them to their new place but of course this isn't an option. Deciding what to take and what to get rid of can be challenging. You're talking about sorting through the treasures of a lifetime and figuring out what goes from a house some one's been in for 50+ years to a small apartment.

You might consider replacing the furniture with new but I encourage you to try to accommodate what they've got first. You might be pleasantly surprised. And by moving the old items to a new setting they will feel different and "new" again. Fortunately, much of the furniture from our parents' era is much smaller, and often better quality than what we see today and can be nicely accommodated in a smaller space. When deciding what to keep and what to discard one must consider if the favorite pieces can also be functional in their new setting. A cherished hope chest might become a coffee table with storage, an heirloom china cabinet might be re purposed as a mini library etc. Consider keeping a favorite chair as comfort becomes increasingly important as we age. Sentimental items that can be hung on a wall rather than sit on a flat surface will be better accommodated.

Last year I had the opportunity to downsize an elderly couple from a 4 to 2 room apartment in a senior's residence. With a little creative furniture placement I was able to create a number of different areas within the living space so that they were able to accommodate all the functions of the larger apartment but in a more compact well thought out arrangement. To their delight they were able to keep a large dresser made by a family member but as a trade off they had to discard a lovely curio cabinet, cutlery and glassware. Efficiently using what they had, I was able to give them an office area, eating area, two cosy seating arrangements for conversation, and an entertainment corner. I was able to highlight the important art, gifts and photos that comforted them, in a way that allowed them to be more visible and better appreciated, taking advantage of the many focal points that were created by furniture placement. Some of their favorite items had still been in boxes from a previous move and were being rediscovered as we unpacked them, their stories revealed while doing so.

Spending time with this family I was reminded yet again that home isn't a place, but rather a feeling. If we can create a functional space that we can enjoy, one that allows us to welcome friends, feel comfortable and surrounds us with items that hold wonderful memories, then any place can become a home simply by finding out a person's story and effectively using the items at hand.

more at Rediscover Your Home

Layering photo frames can have a decluttering effect.

2011-03-27T16:54:00.000-07:00

I was asked to do an in home color consultation with a client this week and during our time together the topic of minimizing clutter came up. This client had a wall to wall shelving unit with both open shelving and closed storage in her dining area at one end of the kitchen. On display were a large number of framed photos, an extensive collection of decorative items and other little pieces. It seemed that every space was consumed with something. I shared with her a tip I often use while decorating to free up open space on flat surfaces having a clutter minimizing effect.

When you've got lots of photo frames spread out consuming every available space on a table or shelf try layering them. By this I mean stagger them in a way that they slightly overlap each other. Start at the back using the larger frames first,then work your way forward with increasingly smaller frames, staggering and layering as you go, creating a pleasing arrangement of different heights and shapes. This technique creates a grouping, keeping the footprint of your arrangement smaller and more interesting. The frames don't have to match but if you have a number of gold ones you might try them in one grouping, and create a separate grouping of all wood or all silver. Try to achieve an arrangement that doesn't cover the subject of the photos if possible.

If you find that your arrangement looks too busy or colorful try using only black and white photos in your frames. Just take your favorite color photos to a photo shop and they can be converted to black and white - usually while you wait. Change up the photos occasionally and your arrangement can be new again. Once you've successfully created your first you'll be inspired to do one in every room.

Rediscover Your Home

Gold, silver, bronze....so many choices of upgrades!

2011-03-23T05:24:00.000-07:00

Is your home a mishmash of gold and silver light fixtures, accent hardware, and door knobs? If so I encourage you to be consistent when upgrading these items. One of the things that contributes to a pulled together decorating scheme is consistency in finishes. By this I mean that if you've got a brushed nickel faucet in the bathroom and are considering a new light fixture, drawer pulls, towel bar etc. keep to brushed nickel also. This may be less important if your fixtures are hidden behind a shower curtain but those things that are on display for all to see are more harmonious if you keep to an overall theme. One of the things I've learned over the years is that if you are going to update a room it's wise to wait until you can afford to make most of the changes within a two year time span because certain colors and finishes are sometimes only available for a few years and this makes them difficult to match once they are no longer available. Now - having said this it is always possible to tie what you've already got together with newer items with the help of redesign principals and an expert in redesign!

Furniture shopping on a small budget

2011-03-14T17:44:00.000-07:00

Decorating on a budget can be just as fun as splurging at your favorite store when you have a laptop and some time on your hands. We recently needed to purchase a chair for our cottage. Knowing that we might spend more than a thousand dollars on a new recliner I decided to search kijiji to see what might be available. As luck would have it we found a great used recliner that swivelled, allowing us to direct our attention to the lake view during the day and turn towards the wood stove in the evening. At first glance the color seemed less than practical but when we discovered that the seller was asking only 150.00 for it we decided that we would take our chances on the light color getting soiled. As it turned out the fabric is very durable and once we had it cleaned it was just like new. It's now the favorite chair at the cottage and we can use the money we saved on other projects. Some of my other favorite bargain places for finding great furniture are Of Things Past and Trading Spaces . Both of these places are worth a look keeping in mind that some of the older furniture pieces can be superior quality, and can be fit with slipcovers or reupholstered to update the look. These places have more than furniture - they also sell some very unique items you won't see in any chain store. Of Things Past offers high quality items from higher income areas of Toronto. I'm always surprised by what I find there.

Outdoor Project

2011-03-05T07:29:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but often we drive through the country on our way to the cottage and see discarded satellite dishes collecting leaves and rain in a pile beside the house. Wouldn't it be great if they could actually still serve a purpose AND look great too? I recently came across a neat idea at reyouzd.com for using an old satellite dish as an outdoor focal point. This re-purpose requires a skilled welder or trades person if you're not handy but the results are worth it. I could even imagine this dressed up with a canvas cover to keep out the elements and an outdoor candle chandeleir hanging over the table at night.

Personalized Asian Art

2011-03-02T07:43:00.000-08:00

Are you into Asian influenced home decor? If you'd like something Asian inspired for your walls yet more personal than what you'd find at Homesense you might like this idea. While at the CNE a few years ago I discovered a little booth that converted my family's given names into these wonderful pieces of art. I love them.

They were created on my choice of parchment paper. I purchased the textured background paper from an art store such as DeSerres trimmed to size and framed them in matching inexpensive frames from a chainstore. They would look great in different sized frames also if you prefer to use frames you have. I can change the background paper to add a different color in future if need be. If you were to put them all in one large frame you could choose a shadow box type frame and incorporate some chopsticks for interest. Another idea might be to add some asian fabric as a background to the arrangement. The possibilities are endless.

Home staging reality check!

2011-03-01T11:25:00.000-08:00

If you've ever seen one those staging shows on HGTV you might be under the impression that unless you store all your stuff, renovate your kitchen and bath, bring in a truckload of rental furniture - all in time for the agent's open house your home can't be effectively staged. As with most reality shows not everything is as it appears. Those shows are all about ratings folks. If there wasn't a time crunch, unrealistic budget and some frustrating dilemma who'd watch? Some of us live in the world of small budgets and busy families. It's unrealistic to expect a family to present their listing in a perfect un lived-in state at all times.

The reality is that no matter what your budget or situation your home can be effectively staged in a way that highlights it's best selling features. Imagine that your oldest piece of clothing was all you had to wear to a job interview. Of course you would do your best to clean and press it, mend the hem, so it looked it's absolute possible best. You do the best you can with what you've got available.

Effectively staging on a budget might include a fresh coat of paint, borrowing furniture from friend or family member if necessary, replacing some light bulbs, packing or discarding unwanted items, effectively re-arranging furniture and decor, applying a little elbow grease, making use of a rake, and an investment of time and effort. Chances are you could enlist the help of friends or family members at no cost. So where do you start? A 1-2 hour home staging assessment is an affordable way to determine a plan of action. An assessment will identify areas where improvements could be made, offer suggestions specific to your property to increase it's appeal to a broad range of buyers. A home stager is focused on highlighting the selling features of your home. Decorating is not the main focus as one might believe. You're selling your home not the furniture and decor after all. I must stress the importance of doing what you can before you call your agent and subsequently have those listing photos taken. Your photos may be the deciding factor in having a potential buyer actually visit your listing. If they don't like what they see you won't get them in the door. If you get them in the door and they can't see the selling features they won't remember your listing. A good thing to remember is to imagine what sorts of things your eye is drawn to while you are searching for your new home and use that same critical eye to evaluate your own listing.

Whether you choose to invest money, or just invest time and effort into the pre-sale preparation of your home, the starting point is always a staging assessment by a qualified staging professional.

Bring some spring into your home.

2011-02-15T19:10:00.000-08:00

For some of us, the months between Christmas and spring seem to go on forever. One of the things I look forward to during this time is visiting my nearby Terra Nursery outlet to see what's blooming in the greenhouse. I love bulb flowers and when the forced hyacinths appear in stores you'll find them in my cart weekly. No air freshener can duplicate the scent of fresh flowers. There are many colors of hyachinths but I've discovered the most fragrant ones are the dark purple blooms. Once fully open they tend to droop and often tip over but I've discovered a simple way to keep them upright. I take a pretty ribbon and fasten it around the base with a straight pin. This holds them together until the blooms dry out. Once they are past their prime they are retired to the garage until the bulbs can be planted in the garden next fall, resting until it's time to give us a nice show next spring.

Scrapbook pages make great wall decor.

2011-02-14T06:52:00.000-08:00

If you're one of those people who tire of art pieces quickly like I am you are always searching for something that keeps you coming back for another look. Personalized scrapbook pages just might be the answer.

Last summer I craved something interesting to hang on the dark panelled wall of our in-law's cottage. I had taken a ton of "catch of the day" photos over the years that begged to be out on display. I thought it might be fun to create a tribute to all the fish who gave their lives to enrich the cottage experience of of our cottage guests. I knew I needed something large due to the number of photos so I set out shopping. I purchased a really nice and very large (about 3' square) frame from a bargain rack at a decorating shop. It was discounted due to the missing glass. No problem, I scrap booked the cardboard inside the frame with beautiful paper, created a pleasing photo arrangement, embellished it a little with some fishing themed stuff to add texture and interest. It's a great conversation piece and reminds us of all the friends who've visited and enjoyed their vacation time with us. Once I finished I brought up a photo album for others to add to so I have the next potential arrangement waiting in the wings!

Guilt free shopping

2011-01-11T13:25:00.000-08:00

As the last few Christmas bills arrive in January we sometimes feel guilty splurging on new décor for our homes. I am here to share that you can shop guilt free at this time of year if you open your mind to a new experience. Here’s how. Last year I stumbled across a great new place to shop. I often travel past a very busy little shop in Burlington called Value Village. This type of place is nothing new to me as I often donate items to places like this - but usually in my own home town. What made me take notice of this particular location though, is that it was always extremely busy and I often seemed to get delayed behind someone trying to turn into or out of this place while I traveled this road. So one day I decided to see what the fuss was all about. After waiting for a parking spot to become available (yes it’s true) I discovered my new favorite place to explore. There were racks and racks of discarded decor that could be re purposed with imagination and a bit of elbow grease. This is how I started to collect colored glass.

I have found so many beautiful, interesting, colored glass vases with different textures, colors and shapes in locations like this. A few are arranged on my window sill in the office allowing the sunlight to shine through casting shadows in the shape of the texture. Some make it to the cottage where I pop tea lights in them at night. When considering a new purchase I look for varying heights, shapes and textures, and group these together by color so they have more impact. The items pictured here ranged in price from 3 to 6 dollars which makes them a real “find” when compared to a candle holder you might purchase elsewhere. Not into colored glass? No problem – there’s something for everyone there including furniture, lamps, appliances, current bestselling novels etc. Some items need more attention than others to make them desirable but you never know what you’ll find. I often see items that are brand new, only because the donor might have received them as a gift they haven't a use for.

Go, explore different locations in your area. Have fun....
and leave your guilt at home.

Saying goodbye to the season

2011-01-05T18:21:00.000-08:00

Where does the time go? It's seems only last week that I posted here yet it appears it was way back in November! The Christmas season called me away and had me decorating, creating fresh seasonal arrangements as well as offering advice on staging homes.

I just had an e-mail today from a client who shared that her husband wants to leave up the decorations just a little longer. I think we can all relate to how bare our homes look once we pack everything away for another year. Take this opportunity to create a new look with the items you have hiding around the house that you might have forgotten about. While I was storing some of my everyday items to make room for Christmas decor I came across some things I had tired of last year and so tucked away in a drawer in the basement. At the time I tucked them away I was thinking of donating them to Value Village, decided against it and stored them instead. Now I see them again they look new to me. Sometimes we need a rest from things we treasure in order to appreciate them again in future.

If you don't remember quite how you had your everyday things arranged before you stored them for the season don't despair. Seize this opportunity to rearrange, reuse, redesign your space. Perhaps your next great accent piece is hiding in a closet or resting under the bed. Shop your home for your new look. The best part is it's free!

Fresh winter arrangements for your front entry - made by you!

2010-11-11T09:38:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wanted to splurge on one of those gorgeous full and fragrant Christmas urns that you see at the front door of the quaint little shops in your hometown? If you have ever potted a plant then you are probably able to create one of these for yourself. This is the time of year when garden centres offer free workshops and sometimes even how to videos on their websites to entice you into their stores.

Get yourself signed up for the newsletter of your local garden centre's website and look for their open house or workshop announcements. Remove the existing flowers from your pots but leave the old dirt in there and soften it up with some water or move your pots to the garage so it doesn't freeze solid. Pack a pair of gardening gloves, a plastic bag and your pruning shears in the trunk of your car. While running your usual errands in and out of town keep your eyes open for colorful dogwood branches, pine boughs, pine cones, and berries that may be growing wild in the ditches on the sides of the country roads. Gather some of these materials (without trespassing of course) for use in your urn. I love to use hydrangea heads from my garden. They can be painted with silver or gold paint if you'd like or leave them natural.

Once you've attended the workshop you can decide what materials you need to purchase and combine them with the ones you've already collected to create a made-by-you masterpiece. Add a little sparkle, a grouping of 3 inexpensive plastic ornaments wired together and tied to a branch, a big bow, or some twinkle lights for the Christmas season. Be sure not to stab them into the dirt if you wish to remove them from your arrangement once Christmas is over. They may be frozen in!

Water your arrangement often until it freezes for the winter. If it's still warm or your pot is in a sunny spot the greenery will turn brown quickly, so timing is everything. If you can't plant right away because of the warmer weather, place the ends of the greenery into a water bucket in your garage to keep them fresh until you're ready to work with them.

Get ready for the compliments that are going to be coming your way when guests arrive for your Christmas gatherings and find out you made them yourself!

Connon Nurseries

Christmas cards as art.

2010-11-09T18:55:00.000-08:00

How many times have you hesitated to throw out a truly beautifully ornate Christmas card that was almost a piece of art?

Every time I go to Chapters or a specialty stationary store I am in awe of the selection of ornate, die cut, embellished cards available today. Many of them are beautiful enough to frame. So why not do just that? Keep those beautiful Christmas cards for the following year, put them in a photo frame that usually holds a picture. You get instant seasonal decor. Once Christmas is over you can return your photo back to the frame again.

Another use for those cards is to trim off the front of the card and use it next year as a gift tag. Punch a small hole in one corner and tie a pretty ribbon on it to attach it to your gift bag.

Editing your Christmas decor.

2010-11-03T07:28:00.000-07:00

Ho Ho Ho, The season is upon us!

I just had my first call this year regarding Christmas decorating. Hard to believe when you look outside at the gorgeous sunny and snow free day we're having. The stores are full of the latest Christmas decor and have been for a number of weeks, so selection is great. If any of you are considering updating your Christmas decor this is the perfect time to start going through your items, testing your twinkle lights, discarding the ornaments and garlands that have seen better days, and making a list (pun intended) of what you'd like to replace them with. Just a word of caution when going through your ornaments - please - give it some thought before you discard any sentimental pieces that you never actually use. No matter how much you might dislike them today - you may regret not having that one reminder of Great Aunt Nelly once she has passed on.

I hope to share some Christmas decorating tips with you in the next few weeks. Stay tuned....

Give and you shall receive.

2010-10-25T08:43:00.000-07:00

For those of you know me well you know that for the last 6 months I have been involved in planning the Canadian Redesigners Association 2010 Conference, held this past weekend in Toronto.

One might think that our conference was packed full of tips and tools regarding decorating and home staging. While this is certainly the case at some of our conferences, this year's conference was all about taking your business to the next level. Many small business owners are skilled, knowledgeable and talented in their fields, but lack the skills or self confidence to promote themselves. After hearing from speakers, Marissa McTasney, and later Bryan Baeumler, our members were inspired to listen to your heart, put one foot in front of the other and see where it takes you. We learned that even though you may not have your life's plan all worked out, the universe guides you to where you need to be, providing you with the necessary tools along the way.

This is true of many aspects of our lives. When I was asked to Co-chair this year's conference I never imagined where it would lead me. While giving my heart and time to something I'm passionate about, I became the recipient of friendship, knowledge, skills, and self confidence. These tools help us build the foundation of a successful life.

Something different for your walls

2010-09-29T16:41:00.000-07:00

Looking for something different to decorate your walls with?

These wall decals turn boring walls into a fantastic focal point. I love all the colors and designs available to choose from and they easily go on like a large sticker would. My daughter and I used this type of a thing in her dorm room at University where the students are not allowed to change paint or put nails in the walls. These decals can be easily removed at the end of the year without a mark left behind.

You can apply them to practically anything that's smooth like a dresser, mirror, wall, window, ceiling. The ones pictured are from DeSerres but I've seen them at Winners too for much less. They even come in Christmas designs so you can make them your seasonal decor!

Cooler weather brings us indoors

2010-09-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

Now that fall has arrived so has the cooler weather. It's an opportunity to change up our decor once again and bring in elements of warmth and comfort. This may mean adding a throw the the sofa, some candles on the mantle, wood by the fire and a stack of books by the bed. As we start the transition to winter and the land of white, we can still enjoy color in the form of gourds, colorful leaves and acorns in vessels around our home. A large bowl of fresh apples makes a nice colorful centrepiece for a kitchen table as does a pumpkin or some small gourds arranged on a tray.

When putting your garden to bed leave some of your flowers standing for winter interest and don't forget to save some dried hydrangea flower heads from your garden for use in a Christmas arrangement. If the thought of Christmas gets you down think about spring by now adding some icicle pansies to the garden outside your window so that when the snow melts you'll have some instant color.

A redesign to purr about.

2010-09-18T21:00:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to do a redesign for clients who have 3 dogs and 4 cats who share their modest home. Having done many redesigns for cat owners I can tell you that cats are not my friends when I'm changing their familiar surroundings. However, in this case I seem to have made friends with these furry little critters by giving them a space of their own, where their canine companions cannot easily find them. It seems that when I relocated the sofa to be slightly angled in a corner I opened up a space behind it that immediately welcomed occupancy for only those who could enter through an open end table to the side. Who says pets can't enjoy the benefits of a great furniture layout!

Glow or glare?

2010-09-13T18:03:00.001-07:00

Are you one of those folks who haven't a lamp in the house? I am always surprised by how few lamps my clients have in their homes. Lamps (ambient lighting) are an important and functional part of a room's decor. Nothing warms up a room like adding color to the walls and introducing some ambient lighting. Whether you're watching television or reading a book it's nice to have soft light nearby rather than a harsh glaring glow from the middle of your ceiling. Sure - when you loose something in the couch cushions you might need the big bright light to find it, but using 3 lamps spaced in a large triangle around the room in areas close at hand will add a cozy feel and give off a warm glow that is peaceful and relaxed.

If you decide to purchase lamps I suggest you look for ones that cast light down rather than up toward the ceiling. Think about your wall color and choose something with contrast and interest. A tri light allows you to have 3 different intensities of light from one lamp depending on your needs. Remember that if the shades are dark the lighting will be dimmer than that of a light colored shade. Keep scale in mind - if you have a large overstuffed sofa a small lamp will look lost on the table beside it. Floor lamps are great in spaces where a table isn't possible.

Not sure about what to choose? Keep the receipt and leave the tags on until you decide your purchase meets your needs. Once you find the right piece you won't know how you enjoyed your room without ambient lighting!

Thank goodness for a few days of rain

2010-09-08T16:53:00.000-07:00

If we had a choice - most of us would choose sun over rain for the last long weekend of the summer. I personally enjoyed the rain last weekend and saw it as an opportunity to rediscover my creative side and finish up a project I had started at the beginning of the summer.

I thought it would be fun to create a frame for a very plain mirror that has hung in the cottage bathroom since 1985. Inspired by nature (we've spent many weekends at the cottage this year) I gathered up some cedar branches of different diameters and cut random pieces at different lengths and glued them to a very rustic wooden frame which my husband put together for me. We then inserted the mirror, used silicone to secure into the frame and waited a few hours for it to dry before we could hang it. I have to say it turned out nicely and it was an easy and fun project for a rainy day. I discovered that once hung it became THE focal point of the room and as a result we will now be replacing the dated light fixture above it with something very plain. Another project for a rainy day.

Even a dorm room can seem like home.

2010-09-02T18:13:00.000-07:00

Last week we moved my daughter into her University digs and what will be her (and 3 roommates) new home for the next 8 months. She's taken a postion as a superintendent for the building she's living in. Unfortunately, in accepting this position she is given little time off for home visits. Her request was that we create a homey feeling for her room so she's reminded of things that make her happy. All we purchased before the move was a new duvet cover in a bold black and white print. Tossing on her bright fuzzy accent pillows and allowing her existing bright green sheets to poke out from under the comforter added that splash of color.

You might think that at 20 she hadn't much to work with. Not so. She had a great collection of photos which she mounted in unusual shapes on black bristol board before the move, which made a great focal point when entering her room. As an art student she had some favorite pieces which we hung over her bed. A recent garage sale find became a wonderful lamp with a little paint and a new shade. We added a few familiar decor items I had sitting around home, a comfortable chair and ottoman came with us from her room and before long her place was cozy and welcoming. We added one of those inexpensive peel and stick graphics to the backsplash of the boring kitchen wall and another bolder one in the common room as a focal point for her roomies. A little different furniture layout and the addition of some ambient lighting in the shared living room made for a more comfortable conversation area. We left losts of empty space for the addition of her roomate's stuff.

We really enjoyed our time together shaping her new home. It must be a success. She's already getting requests to help her friends decorate their rooms!

Welcome to my passion

2010-09-01T16:54:00.000-07:00

I've always been passionate about decorating. I can't remember a time when I didn't constantly rearrange my living environment in search of a more interesting and appealing layout depending on my mood. This was something I always did for myself rather than others. With my husband's encouragement and the support of my friends I came to create a business of doing what I've always found very satisfying. This niche in the decorating industry has recently been given a name. ReDesign. It's not about creating magazine rooms - but rather about working with items that have meaning to someone, looking for their individual appeal and using them in a way that makes them functional yet cohesive with thier surroundings. This is how a house becomes a home. This is how I love to spend my day.