Only eight more weeks till the first day of Spring (technically)

Got the January blahs? Worried that they might hang on  through February, March and April? You could tick off the weekends till Spring by spending them on the couch, with a box of chocs in one hand and the TV remote in the other (of course TCM would be in heavy rotation). Or you could give yourself a few weekend projects to brighten things up around the house. Home Depot has some suggestions:

Change up your lighting, especially in living or bedrooms. Add a dimmer for mood lighting (better than Botox, and safer, too), or treat yourself to an affordable splurge with a lamp from the Martha Stewart Living collection (see pic at left).

A cozy rug will keep you warm (inside at least). Choose a solid neutral or a bold geometrics and oversized pattern to add drama. If you’ve got the money/nerve, go for something from the wonderful Maude design in Vancouver or  Vivienne Westwood, whose is about to launch her own TV show,  in a trendy plaid. (both shown below)

 

 

 Add a sunny shine to drawers pulls in the kitchen or bathroom with Rust-Oleum universal  
 metallic spray paint, which works on most surfaces — including wood, metal, plastic, concrete and vinyl.  

Give your stairs a fresh coat of paint. Go traditional and paint them to blend with the walls or get adventurous by painting a “runner” pattern. If you need extra storage, consider building an under-the-stair feature like the one shown below. You’ll find instructions  on the Home Depot website.

 

Speaking of Home Depot, has anyone else wondered if there's any connection between the departure of long-time prez Annette Verschuren and talk of the arrival of Target in Canada (O Happy Day!). Hhhm. Far-fetched? Perhaps.

Spotlight on Canadian design (no moose were injured in the writing of this entry)

 

 
 
 
 

It’s been a busy week, what with stories on the Interior Design Show , the Canadian Home Furnishing Market (TCHFM) , the annual trade event that was recently held at the International Centre in Mississauga, and the National Home Show all coming onto the front burner.  

One of the threads that seems to connect all three is a new energy in the Canadian design industry and a wealth of talent emerging in the furniture and décor manufacturing sector. For more news on this, check out the Quality Canadian Furniture network,  an association of manufacturers that sings the praises of Canadian-made goods.

I saw loads of lovely stuff at the TCHFM, as you’ll see by the pictures above, which feature product from Amsico, Contintental, Mobican, Trica and West Brothers. I also learned of two terrific independent designers. Fat Crow Design in Edmonton makes a line called White Moose Brands.  Go to their site to see a lovely metal room divider, and leaf-shaped mats. I did get pics for both, but they would not  load - arrggh - technology!). The  beautiful table of reclaimed wood and chairs (at right) is by Grown Design in Toronto.

 
 At the upcoming  IDS, you'll have the chance  see more great Canadian pieces, including hand-made wood furniture from Shawn Place Design in Prince George  (see below).

 
 

I deny the allegations, and I deny the allegators

It has come to my  shocked attention that some faithful readers are under the misguided notion that as Christmas Day approaches, my focus on work has shifted instead  to hearth, home and whipping up vast amounts of foods made primarily with fat, sugar and alcohol. I am astounded by these vicious attacks, some of which are being leveled even by my own family members, many of whom will later become happily torpid from over-indulging in aforementioned foods. Is that not the height of hypocrisy, I ask?  So appalled am I by these outrageous assaults on my personal integrity that I plan to write to Conrad Black (P.O. Box: Babylonian Captivity), to ask his opinion on whether I have grounds to sue.  I’ll also mention that I thought his column  reminiscing about driving home from University at Christmas was actually pretty sweet. I love the image of his dear Papa handing him a “bird-bath” size glass of Whiskey upon his return home. And no, I was NOT reading it merely because I was ignoring a deadline. Reading three newspapers a day is part of my job!

However, I digress. As proof that I am not, as so many have vulgarly put it, “goofing around” I submit this breaking news….If you’ve made biscotti (such an easy holiday cookie), try serving them with a small bowl of caramel sauce. There was an excellent recipe recently for such sauce in a rival newspaper whose name shall not cross my keyboard but which rhymes with Mop and Pail. Or dip the biscotti in the caramel sauce and then roll in nuts or crushed toffee.  The same sauce is also glorious drizzled over a pineapple/cranberry upside-down cake served with ice cream.  You call that loafing!

Exquisite recipe for an exquisite chocolate

 
Speaking of yummy cookies (see last post – or pic above!), here’s a delightful double shortbread recipe from Green & Black's Organic, makers of exquisite chocolate.  

What you need:

SHORTBREAD 1

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter

 

 

SHORTBREAD 2

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup organic unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• One 3.5-ounce bar dark chocolate, minimum 60 per cent cocoa content, or milk chocolate, preferably 34 per cent cocoa content, finely chopped

(Hey, they’re being modest – but I would advise you use Green & Black's Organic - it's  glorious  choc! )

What you do:

Preheat the oven to 300°F.

Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

To make the first shortbread, sift the flour, salt, and sugar into a bowl. Rub in the butter until the mixture combines. Knead lightly, then place the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before rolling out.

Follow the same step for the second shortbread, but include the cocoa with the flour.

Roll our each dough on a lightly floured surface into equal-sized rectangles about ½-inch thick. Place the plain shortbread on a sheet of waxed paper, place the chocolate shortbread on top of the plain one and then scatter the chocolate all over.

Carefully roll out the shortbread, as tightly as possible, using the waxed paper to support it. (Don't worry if it breaks or the chocolate pokes through.) Once rolled, pinch both ends together to prevent the chocolate falling out, then using both hands, squeeze until it is about 8 inches long.

Using a very sharp knife, slice the roll into ½-inch slices. Lay the cookies on the cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake for 25 minutes, until the plain shortbread is a light golden color. Cool on a wire rack.

Makes about 14 cookies.

          

Juiced about winter? I thought not.

 
Wintery weather hasn’t hit us here in Toronto yet. (Although it sure has come to Calgary, where I spent last weekend. YIKES! Where's a Chinook when you need one?) But you know that snow, slush and sleet will eventually come to the Centre of the Universe T.dot. Along with the dreary weather comes the flu season. One way to stay fighting fit is to eat well, and consume lots of fruits and vegs. If you want to boost your intake, you could try juicing. I’ve been trying out Breville’s new Juice Fountain Plus, which has some great features and sells for about $180. It’s easy to clean, has a shute wide enough for whole apples, carrots and other fruits and veg and has sturdy rubber feet so it doesn't shuffle on the counter. Another safety feature - it turns itself off if it's over-loaded. The generous-sized pulp container is dishwasher safe. (Two free tips – save the pulp and add to soup and muffin recipes to bump up the fibre content, and line the container with a plastic bag for easier clean-up).  The serving jug has a froth separator so you can skim juices before drinking. What I didn’t realize is that the juicer can also be used to make soups and smoothies as well as fresh fruit and veg juices. So why not serve a healthy holiday drink by juicing four apricots, four small red apples, three medium operas and then adding one cup of sparkling water? You also could add sparkling wine (white or rosé) for a grown-up bevvie.

New look, new time for Real Life

I always have fun when I go to visit Sharon Caddy and Tanya Promenko, hosts of CTS’s Real Life. I was there recently talking about great style ideas that won’t break the bank, when I learned that the show has a brand spanking new set, a slew of new experts and a new time — 3:30 p.m., with a repeat the following day at 12:30 p.m. Do check it out – it’s one of my fave ways to take a half-hour break during a busy day — and I always learn something new. Check out the archived segments – I’ve actually done several this year!

Martha Stewart cabinetry; special order and pretty special

 
 
 
Move over Woodward and Bernstein. I finally got details of the new line of Martha Stewart-designed cabinetry and hardware that’s rolling into — as I write — Home Depot stores. Made by MasterBrand Cabinetry, it will be available by special order at all stores in English Canada by the end of this year, and in French Canada by the end of January, 2011.

The line launched about eight weeks ago in the U.S., where, according to my high-level source (Frank Turco, HD’s Senior Manager for Trend and Design), it’s been a big hit with both with design media and consumers. You’ll soon find stock at all stores, but the giant retailer’s “Project Stores” have vignettes set up to display the line, which includes 20 door styles in both wood and what they call PureStyle, a laminate-like finish that wraps around the entire surface. There are 32 styles of hardware in brass, nickel, bronze, iron and copper finishes, also available by special order. But Turco says HD hopes to start stocking some of the hardware in stores next year. Prices range from $124 per linear foot to $237.There are also eight complementary Corian countertops; five veined and three particulate.

I’ll have more in an upcoming Hot Home Product column. In the meantime, here are some pics to show you this lovely new line. (I love the way it looks in the laundry room, too.) These alone should enough to make you glad I tracked down the story. I sure am. In fact, I think I smell a Pulitzer!

Home show here I come (albeit slowly, and with a bit of a limp)

 

 

Well, I’m back in the saddle, so to speak, after weathering not one but TWO falls over the last few weeks. (My right leg still looks like ground beef!) Fortunately, I should be right as rain in time for my appearance at the International Home Show at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. I’ll have lots of great ideas for entertaining this holiday season – none of which will cost too much. There will be sneak peaks of new décor and tabletop products from Trudeau (like the super cute little fondue pots and individual serving plates shown above) and glittery ornaments from Debbie Travis’ Christmas collection for Canadian Tire (see pics below). I’ve also been experimenting with new goodies from Hamilton Beach and Procter-Silex, and will have tips and tricks for how to use everyday appliances such as slow cookers, electric skillets and hand-held mixers to create luscious meals that can will wow dinner party guests or make something special out of a weekday family dinner. And yes, I will have a few fun giveaways. See you there!

 

 
  

 

Friday tip for inexpensive elegance

A great centrepiece will add drama and punch to a dinner party table, but it needn’t cost the earth. Try something simple, like a great bowl filled with seasonal fruit or veg. My favourite this fall is probably a red wire bowl from Ikea ($29) that looks terrific filled with yellow or green apples (see above). You can also put a glass bowl inside it for serving a pretty dessert, such as a Trifle. (Although since I DESPISE Trifle, I'd probably go for a slow-cooked brown rice pudding with toasted hazlenuts, coconut and white choc. Or bitter choc and dried cranbrerries. But you choose your own dessert, my friend -  chacun a son gout, after all!)

I also like the crinkled steel bowls I saw at the opening of the new Urban Barn at 275 King Street East. They start at about $27. This is a wonderful store, btw, and I encourage you to check it out. And watch for their wonderful “Bollywood” pillows in an upcoming Hot Home Products column.

I’ll have more tips on beautiful style that won’t break the bank at the Fall Home Show, which runs from September 30 – October 3 at the Better Living Centre at Exhibition Place. Hope to see you there.

They grow up so quickly (sniff)

I have to admit, I got a bit of a lump in my throat when I got the press release for Rubbermaid’s Blue Ice Fun Shapes, cute little reusable icepacks that come in monkey, frog and baseball shapes. They’re designed, of course, to keep the little one’s lunch nice and cool. In a pinch, I guess, one could be used to cool a boo-boo. They costs about $3 at Loblaws, so you can probably afford to stock up and if little Jimmy or Janey does lose one, it’s not the end of the world.

So why did this funny little item make me go all misty? Aw shucks – with my middle daughter heading off to University and my "baby" halfway through high-school, I won’t need that kind of stuff anymore. Nor will I be stocking up on Expo washable dry erase markers, which the makers promise will not stain clothes, rugs or car upholstery. It’s true, BTW, I did test the markers on a small scrap of cotton. Most of the colour came out after rinsing with water and the fabric was as clean as a whistle after being laundered. If you have little ones (sniff, sniff), you might want to check either – or both – out.