Weekend roundup

Turns out I'm not the only one who daydreams about re-inventing my style with a blank slate: 69 per cent of Yourhomers agree that if they were re-decorating their home from scratch they would change their style.

According to last week's poll a quarter, 25 per cent, of readers wouldn't deviate from their current decor choices, while the remaining six per cent said they didn't know what they would do if given the opportunity for a fresh start.

This week, I've got entertaining on my mind (and some beverages chilling in the fridge for this evening's festivities). I love hosting friends for casual al fresco meals - and we've got a great roundup of everything you need to entertain in style. I want to know if readers share my love of hosting friends on patios, backyards and balconies, so please let me know in the front page poll.

And, of course, I've got a few more weekend reading highlights to share with you - and, if you're off to Ikea this weekend, don't miss this healthy reminder about those cheap, cheerful and calorie-laden cinnamon buns:

- Colin and Justin tackle a very sweet nursery

- Eco-friendly options for beautifying the backyard

- Growing your own incredible edibles

- Tour shines spotlight on Beach's bountiful gardens

- Toronto islanders open their homes for foundation fundraiser

- Follow along as Robin Siegerman helps a couple who have decided to renovate instead of relocate

DIY drum shade

How fabulous is this DIY drum shade from the two lovebirds over at Young House Love? And, not only is it simple and stylish, but it cost only $32!

 

Sherry and John started with a new oversized lamp shade. Instead of buying a lighting kit (available at hardware stores), they were able to just slip the shade onto the base of the old light fixture.

To create a diffuser - which is key to block out all that retina-burning awkwardness of the bare bulbs - they used some basic cream coloured fabric, cut to size and glued into place.

All in all a roughly 15 minute job that can totally transform the look of your room - and a great weekend DIY project!

Get the step by step guide over on Young House Love.

Now that's what I call an alarm clock

Every morning, I blearily stumble through my routine - turn off alarm, make bed, hop in shower, apply makeup, style hair, assemble outfit (then change mind and put on something else) - until that blissful moment when I take my first sip of tea.

But if I had this alarm clock I might actually be alert, if not chipper, for those morning must-dos.

The Teasmade alarm clock, made by Swan,has a built-in rapid water boiling function that allows you to wake to a fresh pot of tea.

You do still need to remember to put a tea bag into the pot the night before, fill the kettle with water and, of course, set the alarm. 

It's not a new concept - tea and coffee boiling alarms have been around for decades - but I've never seen one that looks sleek enough to earn a spot on my nightstand.

The Teasmade retails for about $88 U.S.

(Unplugged, via @cherylkrawchuk)

Are you sure you want to make that bed?

Making the bed is normally a quick, and simple, part of my morning routine. I love how that two-minute effort suddenly makes the bedroom look so much tidier. Plus, I find it a small luxury to slip into a nicely made bed at the end of a long day.

But I recently stumbled across a story extolling the virtues of that slept in look.

  (Shutterstock photo illustration)

But it's not an aesthetic thing: a U.K.-based study found that not making the bed may actually help with your health.

According to a story on BBC News, which I missed on its first run through the blogosphere, those crumpled sheets are actually unappealing to dust mites, which are believed to contribute to asthma and other allergies.

The study, from Kingston University, found the bugs couldn't survive the warm, dry conditions of an unmade bed.

So, not only could it shave a minute or two off your morning routine, but leaving the bed unmade removes the moisture that dust mites crave, leaving the mites to dehydrate and eventually die. 

There is still some question as to how much of a difference this really would make - after all, many homes have moist air and loads of other places for mites to hang out, but, if nothing else, at least you have a good excuse next time you skip the chore.

Read the full story.

Shop like a pro: Get outside and party

Shop like a Pro's Angela Koszuta (shoplikeapro@hotmail.com) has picked out everything you need to take advantage of the summery temps in the great outdoors.

Folding Muskoka chair in blue from PC Home, $99. At Loblaws Superstores. Also available in red, green or white.

Laminated turntable placemats, set of six, $19.95. At Rolo, www.rolostore.com.

Explorer battery-powered drink maker, $439.95. At Williams-Sonoma.

PC Home Eco Starch reusable cornstarch dishes, $5.99-7.99. Dishwasher safe, the dishes will break down after one year. www.presidentschoice.ca.

Legnoart Spicy Steak Knife set of six knives. At Rolo, www.rolostore.com.

Ice cream maker ball, $35.99, at Indigo and Chapters.

Everyday Essentials Kettle Grill from PC Home, $29.99. Also available in red, yellow or taupe. At Loblaws Superstores.

Weekend roundup

Yourhomers have been busy digging in their backyards and planters lately, with 62 per cent saying that their outdoor spaces are ready for summer. About one-third, 31 per cent, said they weren't quite ready for the warm weather when answering last week's poll, and eight per cent said they don't have a garden. Personally, I'm less than garden-ready this year, but can still enjoy the yard! Be sure to check out our outdoor living page for great gardening and decorating advice!

This week, we're looking at your personal style. With all the pretty things out there, it's easy to daydream about revamping your entire space. If you were starting over from scratch, would you totally change your style? Read the story, and let me know in the front page poll.

For more weekend reading, check out:

- Colin and Justin channel Nantucket cool

- This week's what they got

- A new mattress that can keep your partner hot (or cool)

- Tips on getting the most out of your backyard

- Home tour with Colin Mochrie

Top 5 small appliance trends

Last week, I wrote about pulling out my blender again (now that I know cleaning it won't be a hassle!), and this week I'm thinking about the other handy appliances that help me out in the kitchen. After all, how would I make salsa without my food processor? And, of course, my day wouldn't even be able to start without my kettle!

As for what I should be adding to my counter's roster, Hamilton Beach has released their top five small appliance trends for 2010:

1. Individual portion sizes - meaning you can tailor the ingredients and flavour for each guest.Their example is a single-serve ice cream maker - how yummy would it be to finish off your picnic with custom cones?

2. Dual purpose appliances - think of all the counter space you could save if your blender also doubled as a food chopper, like Hamilton Beach's Smooth Wave Blender with Food Chopper (shown)?

3. On-the-go convenience - coffee makers that can brew two flavours at once, straight into your travel mug? Sounds like a few minutes shaved off your morning routine!

4. Pro looks - home cooks are becoming increasingly keen on tools that look like they belong to our favourite celebrity chefs - and have the power to whip up their recipes (read the full story).

5. Homemade and healthy meals - appliances that allow the health-conscious among us to control the portions and ingredients that go into our food.

Decorating from scratch - would you change your style?

Every day, I look at hundreds, if not thousands, of photos of beautiful furniture, accessories and spaces. Contemporary, modern, traditional, country - whatever the style, there's always something to swoon over.

And, while I certainly love the decor at Casa Speedy, it's hard not to daydream about what my pad would look like if I was starting all over from scratch. And, when those dreams come, I'm often furnishing it in a totally different style than what I've currently got!

My current obsession? White walls, black trim and soft grey furniture and textiles, with a few jewel-toned purple (or, depending on my mood yellow!) accessories to punch it all up.

(Photo from Apartment Therapy)

I just love the way those black window and door frames look!

As for my current yearning for yellow, I blame this bathroom, which gets bonus points for the typographical and nerdy pixel hits:

And, as for the white and grey, Scandinavian urge? We can blame Colin and Justin:

(Photo by Brandon Barre - read the full story)

I just love how calming that space feels - and those floors are gorgeous!

All these inspiration shots are a far cry from my current green living space:

And, of course, tomorrow I could very well change my mind, and inspiration, all over again!

If you were going to start re-decorating from scratch -- all new furniture, accessories, paint, etc. -- would you try a dramatically different style? Or just tweak your current one?

Could that soggy tea bag become part of your decor?

When I'm steeping tea, the used tea bag tends to go straight from the mug to the bin. After all, who wants to contend with that soggy, dripping puddle later?

So, I certainly never considered the idea that you could make your morning cuppa part of your brunch decor.

But, the Teabag Coaster is actually kind of neat. It gives guests a proper place to deposit their tea bags once their tea has reached the desired strength - saving them from drinking bag-in or awkwardly balancing it on a plate - and it absorbs the extra liquid, creating a pretty pattern.

Designed "to make a tasty cup of tea, and color your moment in everyday life beautifully," it's certainly an interesting idea, though I still can't say for sure whether it's a useful one! (Read more here.) What do you think - fun novelty item or overkill?

(Thanks @lisa_canning for bringing this to my attention!)