Seriously, you want to go to the mall?

Got a weekend afternoon free and a yen to shop? For God’s sake, then, don’t go to the mall. Or, worse yet, one of those suburban nightmares called Power Centres, where you need a PhD in conceptual geometry to figure out how to get in and out. Instead, put on your walking shoes, hop on the subway (yes, Toronto still does have a public transit  system – sort of) and head over to Queen Street West. Your only instructions are to keep strolling and stop wherever takes your fancy. Here, though, are a few of my favourite places to pop into:

Style Garage  938 Queen West -  Modern made-to-order upholstery, storage, dining, and accents.

Preloved   881 Queen West - My new fave store. Preloved has one of a kind clothing from reclaimed wools and fabrics. Who knew you could get an exquisite fit in a sweater coat made from remants?  Naturally, I had to buy one for my daughter. #YouCan'tGetThatAtAritizia. They also recently launched a small home décor line.

Chatelet  717 Queen West - Sweet, cute, shabby chic. Very, very pretty but best used  in small doses, in my experience.

The Paper Place   887 Queen West - One of my fave stores on the planet.  Sheets of gorgeous handmade papers in every colour and pattern under the rainbow, as well as journals, stationery, cards, wrapping paper and gifts. I never leave there without buying something. And the staff are lovely.

Morba  665–667 Queen West
 - Fun mix of new and vintage. Last year, I nearly bought up every globe they had in the place, because the selection was so varied, and so good. But I didn’t, because I’m sensible. Also, I have car payments.

Quasi Modo Modern 789 Queen West - Where the cool kids shop for home design. But the staff is always welcoming and happy to answer any and all of my (probably dumb) questions. So don't be shy.

Mokuba  575 Queen West - So many magnificent ribbons, you’ll want to pull a Daisy Buchanan and bury your face into them, weeping “I’ve never seen such beautiful ribbons.”  But don’t, because these ribbons come with fancy-pants prices and I expect that if you wreck it, you buy it. Rumour has it that the staff are just a tad chilly. An occupational hazard, perhaps, when you work on this hip strip?

Nikolaou Restaurant Equipment 629 Queen West - Jam-packed (although my mom might call it a bit dusty and jumbled) restaurant supply store with everything you need. Except, as I recently found out, vegetable brushes.

Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art 952 Queen West - Tucked back a bit from the street. C’mon, would a little culture kill’ya?

All that walking making you peckish?

Stop by Dufflet 787 Queen Street West -  To-die for pastry, killer espresso and a nice selection of teas (Irish Breakfast anyone?). The staff there is always happy. Who wouldn’t be, surrounded by cake?

Epicure Cafe and Grill  502 Queen West - Good food, a good selection of wines and beers and a cheerful atmosphere. It used to be a big hangout for arty types from Theatre Passe Muraille  (see culture, above)

Terroni 720 Queen West -  Judging from the crowds, this is a popular place, and has a rep for great Italian food. Maybe it was just an off night when I went – my pizza crust was soggy and the temperature upstairs was about 40ºC. Plus, when I asked for the Puttanesca sauce with spaghetti instead of penne, I was refused.  It was suggested that doing so would offend the chef. Or his grandma. Or both. Sounds just a teensy-weensy, iddy-biddy pretentious to us.

For more suggestions, go to BlogTo, which has an extensive, well-researched list of great spots on Queen West and beyond.

Colour - work it!

This week’s Hot Home Products column is all about painting with colour, an especially tempting idea in the deeply dreary days of mid-winter. BTW, if you’re leery of painting at this time of year, keep in mind that low and no VOC paints are much easier and safer to work with than older formulations. As long as you can crack a window open for a bit, you should be okay.

Of course, using milk paint is an increasingly popular option, partly because of the subtle colours and slightly chalky finish, but also because you don’t have to worry about fumes. We like local company Homestead House Paints, which now also offer courses on using milk paint. Homestead also makes a zero VOC line.

Some tips for working with colour from Alison Goldman, communications manager for CIL.

Sample first. The colour you love on the chip may not look the same when it’s on your wall, because of lighting and other materials used in the room. Take the time to slap some of the colour on the wall and live with it for a few days. Many companies now offer very affordable sample pots. An oversized chip is next best, but because they’re usually printed — not painted — it’s not the same.

Strong colours show up imperfections, so prep walls carefully. Again, this small investment in time will pay off. And while more and more companies are offering paint and primer in one, I tend not to use them — unless the colour being applied is very close to the one already on the wall.  To get a true colour, you need a blank canvas.

Sharp cut lines count when you are using strong colours. Use a good tape. I like ScotchBlue Edge Lock, which contains a chemical that forms a leak-proof bond, but which comes off easily. Love it! 

Pics above come (in order) from Farrow and Ball, CIL, and Pittsburgh Paint.

Fast, festive and, yes okay, full of fat

Love holiday treats but hate holiday baking? Or maybe you just ran out of time? Here are two quick ideas that you can make with ingredients available at just about any corner store.

Treat number one: Slice chilled store-bought cookie dough and place in mini muffin tins. If you don’t have tins, roll the slices into small balls and place them on a cookie sheet. Make an indent in each with your thumb. Bake as directed. Remove from oven. Take mini peanut butter cups and cut them in half before smooshing the pieces into the middle of the muffin or into the indent in the cookie. Let cool. Serve with vintage Port. Or cold milk. Whichever you have handy.

Treat number two: Take a roll of store-bought chilled croissant dough. Unroll triangles. Place a dollop of Nutella in the middle before rolling up. Bake as directed. Instant pain au chocolat. Serve with champagne.

Thanks for the advice

An acquaintance of mine was recently kind enough to inform me that he thought it was time for me to hit the Botox. He may be right – I’ve also been told that, at 53, I’m too old for television. But finally, while I thanked him for caring — and sharing — I had to disagree. (And you, television, well, you’ll just have to get along without me).  

I’d just come from lunch with my best girlfriends, and they told me that I looked fabulous. Since we’re all of certain age, we’ve accepted that with the years have come a line or two and that the neckline may be a bit, er, softer, than it used to be. So it’s no Botox or surgery for us, although Dorothy had an intriguing story about a friend who had fat taken from her buttocks and injected into her face. Which is, when you think about it, pretty weird. Not for me.  

What I will commit to, however, is decent skin care. So I was happy to try out product from Weleda, which was sent to me by their most excellent, most generous PR peeps several months ago. I scored Weleda’s Wild Rose body oil, lotion, facial cream and deodorant. First of all, I love that it’s natural, made from plant ingredients from biodynamic farms, and that fair-trade is important to the company. If you’re not yet convinced that you should be concerned about what  is in  your skin care and make-up products, check out the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

In the dog days of summer, you may have to reapply the deodorant, which comes in a glass spray bottle. But spritzing under your arms after work with a cool, rosey-scented liquid is no great inconvenience. And if you’ve been pounding the pavement all day, and your feet feel like ground beef, it’s likewise pretty pleasant to spray those tired puppies. If you apply the body oil after a shower, the scent seems to be especially well absorbed, and   lingers. The oil is also great as an under make-up serum for, ahem, mature skin.

I think I liked the facial cream, but I’m not sure — as my 19 year old daughter, who’s got very sensitive skin, took off with it and refused to give it back. Maybe that was for the best – my friend’s comments indicate it’s probably time for me to move onto the Pomegranate line, specially made for aging skins like mine.

So I’m off in pursuit - for both me and as Christmas prezzies for my gorgeous bestie friends. The stuff is not all that easy to find — Weleda is also sold at some Rexall locations, The Big Carrot and independent health food stores. It's good stuff. Also -  so much cheaper - and better smelling, I'll wager  — than Botox. I'm ready for my close-up.

A cuppa Christmas cheer

Another festive holiday decor idea from designers Jim Connelly and Peter De Sousa that doesn't cost a bomb or add to the waste stream. With it, each guest will find their dinner place easily, and be treated to a lovely  hostess gift.

Festive Tea Cup Name Holder

Supplies

• Old cup and saucer (mis-matched will do)
• Spray paint
• Glue gun
• Miniature Christmas tree
• Tartan fabric
• Faux red berries
• Faux Raspberries/Blackcurrants
• Paper
• Pen

Instructions

• Wash cup and saucer with warm, soapy water to remove grease, dirt or fingerprints
• Let dry completely
• Cover tabletop with newspaper to create a clean work surface
• Spray the cup and saucer with a very light spray of paint**
• Let dry completely
• Repeat two to three coats, letting each coat dry completely until surface has an even finish
• Use glue gun glue to join cup and saucer
• Let dry completely
• Cut a square of Tartan fabric and wrap around the Christmas tree
• Glue the Christmas tree into the cup let dry completely
• Apply some red berries into the tree branches to fill in the open areas
• Add some Raspberries/Blackberries into the tree branches and onto the saucer
• Cut out a piece of paper to make a name tag and write your dinner guest’s name on the saucer

**Do this in a well ventilated area and wear a face mask

Funk it, don't junk - such a jolly idea

 

This week’s Hot Home column includes ideas from designers Jim Connelly and Peter De Sousa for creating holiday décor from recycled elements - like the festive chair (shown above). So clever, so pretty, and so affordable.Instructions are listed below. These boy geniuses have a ton of other  easy and fun projects, which I’ll post over the next few weeks. So keep watching this spot.

Festive Silver Chair 

 Supplies

• Old chair from thrift shop, basement or curb-side
• White bonder primer sealer paint
• Size/glue (for applying silver leaf)
  
• Silver-leaf squares/foil
• Water-based silver paint
• Silver glitter
• High-gloss exterior varnish

 

Directions

•  Wash the chair with warm, soapy water to remove any grease, dirt or fingerprints
• Let dry completely
• Cover tabletop with newspaper to create clean work surface
• Remove the seat from the chair frame
• Paint the chair frame with white bonder primer sealer
• Let dry completely
• Paint the chair with a water-based size/glue
• Let dry completely (the size when dry will remain sticky to the touch)
• Apply the silver-leaf squares or transfer foil to entire chair
• Seal chair with exterior high-gloss varnish
• Let dry completely
• Using a small paint roller and tray, paint the old fabric seat with water-based silver paint (apply heavily if necessary to cover any pattern on the old fabric)
• Sprinkle silver glitter over the chair seat
• Let dry completely

 

I really must get out more - just not to the mall

Got a pedometer this week, and was told that I should be walking about 10,000 steps a day. To my utter shame, I am averaging closer to 1,500. But it’s not my fault, I swear. It just seems to get easier and easier to conduct life from a chair in front of a computer. For instance, one hardly needs to go out to shop anymore. There is an upside, of course; I can say with confidence that if I never visited another “power centre” again, it would be too soon. So maybe it’s a good thing that the world of online shopping is exploding. This seems to be especially true of sites devoted to design and décor.  News of two more crossed my desk over the past week. Both are well worth a look.

Dering Hall  is an online design marketplace where interior designers, architects, artisans, and design dealers can show their wares in almost 100 permanent virtual storefronts. The lucky ducks have an “a strategic partnership” with Hearst Magazines, which includes financial support, and print and online media collaboration with Hearst titles ELLE DECOR, House Beautiful, and Veranda. Designer products from the magazines and the accompanying websites will be available during “featured sales”.

There are a few cool features: Dering Hall users can:

follow favorite designers (all look to be U.S.-based at this point, but I did see the magnificent Martha Sturdy on there) through storefronts and automatic weekly email updates. Shoppers must check with individual vendors for information on shipping to Canada.

engage directly with individual designers to ask questions, and order product

find talent in a Designer Directory

browse editorial pages with shopping links

post and share news of Dering Hall merchandise and designers on Facebook

I could easily window shop here for a few hours — if I didn’t have to get up and walk around the block ten times! Of course, unless your daddy’s rich, you may want to be sitting down when you look at the prices, which include $425 for a pillow and $12,000 for a lighting fixture. Granted, both are exquisite — but they may be outside the reach of les pauvre schmoes comme moi. (that's French for "poor schmoes like me".)

 A new flash sales website called The Foundary brings to market a curated selection home and lifestyle products — both from brand names and emerging designers — at up to 70 per cent off retail. It’s the latest venture from the folks at Hayneedle, an online retailer that opened in 2002 as NetShops, offering consumers product from niche webstores. It quickly became one of the biggest online retailers of home and lifestyle products. In August 2009, NetShops became Hayneedle Inc., an umbrella for over 250 stores. At this point it seems more focused on selling — there are no inspirational blogs or lists of tips and tricks. But there is an extensive product selection — encompassing everything from tabletop to furniture to toys.

Alas, the Foundary only ships a few items to Canada. For an extensive online selection that ships to both Canada and the U.S., check out HomeSav, which offers great deals on a wide range of home decor items.  And, ahem, you might want to make a special note to visit their virtual store on Nov. 8, which is when a sale of tabletop and entertaining items picked by me, moi and myself will go on sale. It will be a great opportunity to stock up on lovely additions to your dining/entertaining arsenal, without busting your budget before the gift-buying even begins! 

 

 

 

My best al fresco dinner yet

One of the things I love about the Stok barbeque I’ve been testing is that the interchangeable grills means you can pretty much cook the whole dinner outdoors, without running in and out of the kitchen. And I’m all for dialing down the stress meter during entertaining which is, after all, supposed to be fun for everybody, right?

I recently wowed a gang (if I do say myself) by starting off an al fresco dinner with Persian flatbread brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with salt and Herbes de Provence that I cooked on the pizza stone that comes with the grill. It went beautifully with a melted Brie that I had plopped in a small cast iron pan and topped with Garlic and Hot Pepper jelly from Jelly Boys, a fantastic line of all-natural, home-made jellies that I just discovered at my local farmer’s market.

If you're lucky enough to live near a Longo's, you could also use their house Brie, topped with one of their compotes, which are stellar (see pic below). As a matter of fact, you could do a terrific outdoor party with cheese from Longo's  (they have an excellent offering), olives and artisnal breads.

While we chatted and enjoyed the starter, I shoved a second, larger cast iron pan on the grill, closed the lid and let it heat up for about five minutes. Then I stuck a whole chicken in the heated pan, scattered some garlic around it and shoved a lemon cut in half in the cavity, closed the lid and left it alone for just short of an hour. More chatting and laughter and wine (see below). Just before serving, I squeezed the lemon juice and some salt over the bird, (Thank you Mark Bittman  for the easiest and BEST roast chicken recipe ever.)

While this was cooking, I gathered cherry tomatoes and fresh basil from the garden, and mixed them with pearl Bocconcini cheese before drizzling the whole thing with extra virgin olive oil and salt.

For dessert, we grilled fresh Ontario (natch) peaches  (just skin ‘em, cut in half and brush lightly with melted butter — and grill for a couple of minutes.) Serve with fresh whipped cream or vanilla-flavoured Greek yogurt from President’s Choice. Next time, I’ll make fresh raspberry ice-cream with my Hamilton Beach ice-cream maker. 

My new fave tipple for summer meals is Farnese Monepulciano d”Abruzzo Cerasuolo 2010, a lovely rosé at just $8.95 a bottle.  (Thank you, Beppi Crosariol, for the tip. This die-hard rosé lover is so grateful!)

A well-designed laundry room (and some good tunes) makes the job just a little easier

The efficient laundry room requires more than just good appliances. Perhaps that’s why Whirlpool enlisted the help of Clare Kumar, professional organizer, to design what it calls an "intuitive” laundry room (see example above).

Here are a few tips from Kumar:

Create an efficient layout with enough counter space to have a prep station for laundry products, and to serve as a folding surface when needed.

Use under-counter space to store hampers, and add shelves or baskets for supplies

Paint the walls a fun colour, and keep a radio or I-Pod nearby to listen to music while  working. My current fave song for folding laundry is by Fitz and the Tantrums 

Whirlpool Duet laundry pair (see pic below) also has some features that will save you time and trouble, including a “sixth sense” technology that measures the size of each load to determine how much water and detergent is needed, a built-in fan that  tumbles wet clothing for up to 16 hours, and an anti-vibration/noise feature. The set comes in white, red and silver. Prices start at about $2,500.

 

 

Good news if you love westelm and Pottery Barn

Heard this week that you can now shop online in Canada at potterybarn.com, potterybarnkids.com and westelm.com and have it delivered.  Prices reflect duty, and shipping rates are comparable to the U.S. Here’s what I’d buy online right this minute. Shane Powers' hanging glass vases (see above - also love his ceramics, also shown above) or terracotta “Hive” vases that have – you guessed it – a pentagonal pattern. This because I’m running out of vessels for the peonies from my garden, with which the house is now dripping. Naturally, I need more vases - because after the peonies come the poppies.