This will cure the boring home blues

Walkout bungalow a cool, functional package

FOR centuries, human beings have relied upon their senses to size up their surroundings. Consequently, it should come as no surprise that when prospective homebuyers enter a show home, their sense of sight is tuned to an extraordinarily high pitch. Should . . .

Posted: 2011-01-29

Southdale masterpiece

A perfectionist built this house and it shows from top to bottom

Walking through the kitchen at 278 Southbridge Drive into the adjacent dining area, Tom Haines gestures toward the ceiling."This is a home that features attention to detail, bar none, " he says. "One of the best examples of that detail . . .

Posted: 2011-01-29

Fresh, cheerful colours dominate 2011 palette

It never ceases to amaze me how the colour specialists in the home décor industry come up with great new colours and colour combos every year. The vibrant yellow in our feature photograph, courtesy of CIL, is stunning. This fun . . .

Posted: 2011-01-22

Flexibility factor

Adjustable dimensions make Hilton design special

Standing in the expansive great room of The Ashwood, Hilton Homes' Spencer Curtis shook his head in quiet wonderment. "This design is about six years old and is by far our biggest-selling home, " he said of the 1, 660-square-foot bi-level/cab-over . . .

Posted: 2011-01-22

Style lines an important choice

The difference between curvy and straight

Style lines an important choice I chose two different conscious bathroom photos to illustrate how different style lines and shapes can change the look and feel of a room. Even though both of these rooms are fairly small spaces each has . . .

Posted: 2011-01-15

15 resolutions to help make your life easier

Resolution Solutions for 20111. Resolve to have better smelling feet. Sprinkle baking soda directly into your boots, sneakers or shoes. As you know, baking soda absorbs odours, so why not begin the year with fresh toes? Or soak your feet . . .

Posted: 2011-01-15

If you value a picture, you'll pay to frame it

OTTAWA -- We've all done it: gone to a frame shop to see about getting a photo, poster, painting or medals framed, and we've nearly choked at the $300 estimate. How is that possible when stores sell framed art for . . .

Posted: 2011-01-15

Chic and cheap

Flower arrangements don't have to be complicated or expensive

Carlos Mota's trademark bouquet is tight, with little space between the blooms, and low with the stems cut short.In his new book, Flowers Chic & Cheap, he uses peonies to illustrate his technique of assembling the bouquet, but it works . . .

Posted: 2011-01-15

Colouring your world

Top interior designers teach what goes, what doesn't, and where

With a seemingly infinite number of colour choices to peruse, standing in front of a wall of paint chips is one of life's deer-in-the-headlights experiences.You may have walked in dreaming of a perfect hunter green for your office, but on . . .

Posted: 2011-01-15

Splash of personality

Colours should reflect a home's occupants

Paint by these numbersTHE secret to the right colour scheme isn't always found in design magazines or trendy paint samples at the store.It's easy to follow the latest trends, but pre-fab looks don't account for the individual, according to . . .

Posted: 2011-01-15