*Tweet*

Yes, I have joined the masses in the Twitterverse.

I started off slowly, not wanting to publicize it if I was going to abandon the effort, but I am now a fully hooked "twerd", to quote a colleague.

So, follow me for updates on what's up with the site, along with what I'm reading, doing, thinking, and, occasionally, even eating. You can also check out my Twitter stream without signing up.

And, for more about the micro-blogging phenom, check out Antonia Zerbisias's Twitpics, retworts, hash tags and twicks column.

Wishing for a green thumb

With the National Home Show coming up this weekend and Flower my latest PlayStation 3 obsession, I find myself wishing for a green thumb.

I don't need to be super garden savvy. Living in Toronto means I have a deck in lieu of a backyard, and odds are I'm never going to be the type to successfully grow my own food. However, it would be awfully nice to be able to keep my African Violet, which I have been slowly killing over the past two years only to nurse it back to health and start the process all over again, blooming.

I should have known not to take on this plant. When my husband brought it home, complete with velvety leaves and deep purple flowers, I already had an unfortunate track record.

During university, a friend was leaving the province and was kind enough to leave me three of his well-tended houseplants. By the end of week one, the first plant (which I suspect must have been on the way out before it landed on my doorstep) was withered and unrecognizable. I still claim this was in no way my fault, though, on some level, I will admit that a lack of sunlight and water probably didn't help.

The other two began their demise more slowly. Some days, all three roommates would lavish them with attention, turning them to the sun and filling their pots with water. Other times, days (or weeks) would pass until someone (often a guest) would take pity on the poor plants. Once all the leaves had fallen off and there was only the slightest glimmer of hope for survival, I passed the care of the two hard-done-by plants to my grandmother, who nurtured them back to health. I'm happy to report that they're thriving, far, far, away from me.

And, as for my African Violet, I'll keep trying. It actually bloomed last summer, which almost fooled me into thinking I had cared for it properly. Then, slowly, the flowers and the leaves began wilting and dying. Now, I've got a few healthy leaves left, so I'm hoping not all is lost.

Maybe some day, I'll pick up the Botanicalls kit ($100 on ThinkGeek) that connects your beloved houseplants to the internet, allowing it to alert the whole Twitterverse when you leave it gasping for breath or drown it.

In the meantime, I'll keep my houseplant count at one (or half, if only having a few leaves doesn't really count as a full plant).

Get some real gardening advice on Yourhome, including columns on proper plant care by Sonia Day and three easy steps to planting a flower garden.

POLL: Make your condo a double?

Last week's poll, inspired by clever condo buyer Mehmet Bagriacik, who expanded his condo at The Met vertically, asked readers if the ability to combine units vertically would make them more likely to purchase in a condo building.

Almost 60 per cent of respondents said this customization feature would make the building more attractive, while roughly 40 per cent said no. About 2 per cent voted in the "I don't know" category.

The new poll takes a cue from the story about the Brownstone Group of Companies' money-back guarantee, which offers prospective buyers their money back, plus interest, if they lose their jobs during the build. In the current economic climate, would this offer be enough to assuage your fears and persuade you to buy? I'll give you the results next week.

In the meantime, I recommend checking out Colin and Justin's brilliant basement renovation, which comes complete with a simple art project for the Family Day weekend. And, you still have time to create that romantic Valentine's Day setting — visit our story by interior designer Tara Dalla-Nora for all the deets.

About that resolution ...

Yeah, I failed on my first New Year's resolution. I know, I promised to update you on my progress last week, but I got totally distracted by the Interior Design Show. Can you blame me?

The room is definitely more livable now, and, with the addition of a larger bookshelf, my box room could become a perfectly serviceable office.

But, my downstairs neighbours recently purchased a rather large, rather thumping stereo system. While they've obliged to turn down the actual volume, the thumping from the bass means that our downstairs (which includes said box room) is nearly uninhabitable in the evenings.

The pounding, shaking club atmosphere is hardly conducive to working from home, and, as a result, I've spent most of my time on the second floor and the box room project has dropped down on my list of priorities.

Resolution number three, having more fun with my home, has also slipped slightly for the same reasons. Let's hope that the issue soon gets resolved or that someone suddenly invents the perfect soundproofing system for older homes.

I have, however, succeeded on other fronts. I still need a side table for the living room, but have secured my other key purchases, including a dresser and a stellar knife block. And the shopping for said items has been positively rewarding and inspiring.

But, on a happier note, I'm being whisked away for the weekend to a place far away from our neighbours' subwoofer. Here's hoping to return refreshed, relaxed and ready to do some painting and other home projects!

And, for those looking for a little romantic inspiration this weekend, check out Tara Dalla-Nora's guide to Valentine's Day decor.

Interior Design Show wrap up

It's hard to believe a week has passed since the Interior Design Show's opening gala.

It's even harder to believe that it's only another week and a day to the National Home and Garden Show (but more on that later).

I still have a few loose ends to tie up from IDS, so, in no particular order, here are some of the stragglers that I still very much want to share with you.

For starters, here's the amazing light fixture featured in Toronto-based 64th and Queen’s “Rec-room Redux” in the 5x5 exhibit.

So funky, so pretty, and totally perfect for the fun glossy black and white room, which also featured a full screen projection wall, a foosball table and a DJ.

When my husband finally succeeds in securing a room solely for video gaming and entertaining, this stylish light fixture will be at the top of my list for decor!

Next up is StyleGarage/Gus*, who proved that the faux deer head is indeed back, as shown by the graceful, hand-carved fellow featured here. He retails for $750.

Their booth also showcased the amazing "GT Rocker", a modernized version of the rocking chair with a black steel frame. It retails for $1,800. 

I also loved their "timber table", an acrylic side or accent table with a wood grain pattern, which retails for $225. 

Finally, I would be remiss not to mention the work of Michelle Prosek, who creates stunning, colourful and textured glass tiles for wall art and lighting as well as jewellery and custom work. Check out her Etsy store.

And, for those of you who like to plan really, really far ahead, IDS 10 will take place Jan. 21-24, 2010 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Hall.

And, just in case you haven't already gotten your IDS fix, you can catch up by checking out:

More IDS eye candy
IDS a feast for the eyes
IDS highlight: AM Studio
Me and Karim Rashid
IDS offers inspiration
Swarovski adds sparkle
IDS excitement
Great design, eh?

Is now the time to buy?

Looking at the recent headlines in real estate, it's easy to get confused whether now is the time to make a purchase in the Toronto market.

With prices slipping, the housing market in a "correction", the new renovation tax credit and low interest rates, proponents are saying now's the perfect time for new buyers to enter the market, or for existing homeowners to upgrade — so long as you plan to hold on to the property for a little while.

Others say prospective buyers should hold off, as the market has further to fall, with many predictions forecasting the beginning of a rebound in 2010.

And, the other side argues that with all the current economic uncertainty, it is a shaky time to enter the market and people should hold off for more stability.

Meanwhile, housing starts fell in January and the city has plans to bump taxes for homeowners by four per cent.

What do you think? Should renters like myself be pumping up that down payment fund? What advice would you offer to new buyers?

Read more on this topic:
Canadian new home prices slip again
The take on the tax hike
Homeowners face 4% tax hike
Loss of confidence swamps housing market
Housing starts down 11 per cent in January
New tax credit for home improvements

More IDS eye candy

There was so much to see and do at the Interior Design Show that I'm still sifting through photos and remembering cute, sparkly and stylish details!

For starters, I loved the display of colourful chairs by Casalife.

While the photo doesn't really do it justice, the pops of pink and orange really stood out among the mostly clad in black visitors, including yours truly.

Casalife also showcased an amazing glossy black dining table, which extended using a cloverleaf mechanism rather than that awful process of pulling the table apart and trying to wedge the new bit in.

Another amazing piece is this stunning "dripping wax"  chandelier,  which I believe is available at Industrial Storm.

Available in black and white, it would add a great pop of drama to any room.

I imagine it in a very luxe dressing room, surrounded by clean lines, glossy monochromatic colours and a stunning shoe collection.

It would also be great hanging over a large dining room table.

And Ma Zone was added to my must-go shopping list with their stunning display of goods in black and purple.

Of course, thanks to this colour combo, their booth had my attention instantly, and the superb glass pieces held it. 

I particularly loved the purple martini glasses, and may soon be stocking my cupboards with a set.

Almost makes me want glass front kitchen cabinets!

I've still got a few more tidbits to share from the show, including highlights from StyleGarage/Gus*, some amazing glass wall art by an artist whose name I must find and a few more snaps here and there. Stay tuned!

And, just in case you haven't already gotten your IDS fix, you can catch up by checking out:

IDS a feast for the eyes
IDS highlight: AM Studio
Me and Karim Rashid
IDS offers inspiration
Swarovski adds sparkle
IDS excitement
Great design, eh?

Interior Design Show highlight: AM Studio

I'm still sifting through my photos from the Interior Design Show and will be sharing my favourites (and the ones that are the least crooked/fuzzy) all week. First up is Toronto-based AM Studio's gorgeous light fixtures.

The studio offers hand-made and customizable light fixtures and glass products.

I was drawn to their booth initially by the pendant fixture pictured at right.

I'd love to see this piece hanging over my kitchen table or in another spot where Mr. Speedy would be unlikely to bash his head on it.

It's simple enough to fit into most decor styles, and has enough of a twist from the traditional to suit my style.  

The booth showcased a lot of stunning pieces, including the sparkly showstopper in the second photo.

This chandelier makes me daydream about glamorous cocktail parties, little black dresses and martinis with a twist.

The second piece, with the coloured glass (my apologies that it's a little fuzzy, I'm an amateur photog working in limited lighting) would be a total stunner over a family dining table or in a kitchen or entryway with a high ceiling.

I'll add more photos throughout the week, so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out what I had to say about opening night at IDS here.

Design: do-it-yourself or done-for-you?

Last week's poll asked readers whether they're more do-it-yourself (DIY) or done-for-you (DFY) when it comes to their home decor projects.

A quarter of readers, at an even 25 per cent, said they would hire a designer to help out while nearly half, at 43 per cent, said no.

An additional 31 per cent said they might enlist professional help in their home decor.

Personally, I'm a DFY kind of girl. I like to have input and seek out products that I love, but I'd love to draw on the connections and knowledge base of a designer to help me achieve "my" look. They have the know-how to let clients know if a dream product actually exists, and if it doesn't, they know who can make it happen. Discounts on higher end products and access to trade-only goodies doesn't hurt either!

This week, our poll asks whether the ability to turn a condo into a walk-up would make a building more appealing. One condo owner profiled this week did just that, creating a homier-sized unit by working with the builders. Read more here and here.

For more fab weekend reading, check out what I had to say about the Interior Design Show and take a peek at Colin and Justin's gorgeous kitchen reno (I wish I could just transplant it into my own home! Those mirrored cabinets are divine.).

Me and Karim Rashid!

So, IDS last night was full of gorgeous displays and wonderful products (get a much more eloquent description here), along with a healthy dose of Veuve Clicquot and Belvedere Vodka, but getting my photo taken with designer Karim Rashid was a real highlight!

Rashid is the industrial designer behind many familiar household products, including the iconic Umbra garbage can.

I'm on the left, and to the right is my style-savvy colleague Brandie Weikle, editor of parentcentral.ca and healthzone.ca.

Read more about the Interior Design Show here.