5 places to clean before holiday guests arrive

Last weekend, I hosted my first holiday guests: my family, from Nova Scotia, who were seeing my house for the first time. I spent the week, dusting, scrubbing, tidying and re-arranging furniture until I was so wiped that the final tasks on my lists - scrubbing a few more baseboards, finishing my partially-painted bathroom and a few Christmas-type errands - had to be dropped, and I'm still catching up on sleep from my mad domestic diva dash.

And, you know what, my parents didn't care about what hadn't been done. I probably could have taken it way easier, perhaps skipping some painting or the organizing of my spare utensil drawer, leaving me way more relaxed for their arrival. Next time, I'm giving myself permission to have things less than perfect!

That said, however, if you're going the relaxed hostess route, there are still a few spots often overlooked in the holiday cleaning spree that shouldn't be forgotten:

1. Light switches. They're conveniently placed at eye level, so a grimy one will be staring your guests right in the face. Plus, they're generally a light colour, so all those fingerprints really show. And they're touched so frequently that just thinking about the potential germs living in there has me reaching for a cleaning cloth ...

2. Doorknobs and frames. Like light switches, they're used frequently and don't always get the cleaning TLC they deserve. At our house, a lot of conversations happen in the doorways, particularly the ones to our kitchen and mud room, so the oversight is obvious when you're standing there chatting with someone.

3. Windowsills. You know all those Christmas tchotkes or decorative items carefully placed in the window? You're drawing attention to the sill - which, if you're like me, doesn't always get a wipe down when the rest of my shelving is getting a clean sweep. And, like the light switches and doorframes, they're often light colours, which means even the tiniest speck of dust really shows. (It's certainly an argument for jumping on the black trim trend bandwagon, isn't it?)

4. Mud room/entryway. It's easy for these spaces to get overwhelmed with coats, boots and other winter garb, so plan ahead and make space well before guests arrive to prevent muddy boots and snowy coats from landing on your living room chair. Plus, with all that traffic, make sure to give the floor frequent sweepings to keep the dirt from getting tracked through the house.

5. Bathroom mirror. You've probably wiped down the sink and the toilet, maybe even laundered your shower curtains and bath mats, and put out fresh towels. But even if you've only wiped it down yesterday, the mirror could probably use a second look before guests arrive - they seem to be a magnet for toothpaste spatters and other grime, which can make the whole space feel less than gleaming.

What would you add to the list?

Sweet Scandinavian gifts

Just in time for Christmas, KITKA design toronto bloggers Juli and John have opened their new shop mjolk in the Junction.

I popped in last week for a sneak peek before Tuesday's opening, and boy, did they ever add to my holiday wishlist!

Handcrafted teak animals (there's a duck just waiting for me), cute umbrellas with feet (no stand required!), cozy blankets and PJs and the Pia Wallén stockings, shown, all caught my eye - and that's just a few of the goodies they had around before opening!

Many of the goods are handcrafted and made to order by Scandinavian and Japanese artists, and everything in the shop was hand-picked by John and Juli, so they're able to share the stories behind the products - which makes a great little something extra when you're gifting to a design lover. 

Mjolk will be selling a lot of items you can't get anywhere else in Canada (or even North America), so you may be able to find something for even the most discerning decor lover on your list -- and the variety of price points means you don't have to break the bank.

The shop is also a real design treat - all clean lines and teak, with an amazing front facade made out of charred cedar. (Read more about it in their blog.) Check out their website and full gift guide for more info.

And, get even more holiday gift inspiration in our festive guide!

Poll results: Rent a tree?

While live tree rentals are a booming, and trendy, business, it seems Yourhomers aren't so keen on the idea of renting their holiday decor (read the full story).

Only 22 per cent said they'd consider hiring the service, while the majority - at 78 per cent - said the idea wasn't really up their alley.

Whether your tree's real, fake, tropical, purchased or rented, be sure to check out our tree trimming tips!

Visit our Festive Guide for loads of inspiration for your holiday decorating, entertaining and gift-giving!

This week, we're taking a (brief!) breather from the holidays to look at some new condo legislation that would require developers to provide purchasers with TTC Metropasses "at no cost." Read the full story, then share your thoughts in the front page poll.

And, for some lighter fare, check out my weekend must-reads:

- Colin and Justin give a boring bedroom a touch of mustard

- White's on of this year's biggest decorating trends

- Gift advice from Tommy Smythe, Sarah Richardson's partner-in-design

- Budget-friendly home decor picks

- Recent real estate transactions in the GTA

It's beginning to look a bit like Christmas

While my Christmas decorating may have gotten off to a slow start, it's finally starting to come together - just in time for my parents' first visit to my new home!

Wednesday night was spent baking, decorating and eating (far too many) cookies with a good friend. Our tasty treats will be displayed on white platters when guests arrive (currently they're safely stowed away in containers, with the hopes that out of sight really is out of mind!).

I also dressed up my dining room console/rad cover/wine rack with this cheery, and shiny, little guy, who I saw in a shop window one afternoon and just couldn't pass up. I do keep trying to resist the urge to hang things from his antlers!

And my favourite, and far most labour-intensive, project was the first phase of my mantel makeover. Our mantel was designed (by the previous owners) to hold a TV, and we have yet to hang one there. So, up until this week, it looked like this:

 

Not exactly a stunner, is it? All those holes up top are designed to accommodate the TV and peripherals, while the one below leads to another outlet. Totally convenient, but less than pretty. And certainly not the polished look I'm going for! Someday, it will host our TV and Wii, but in the meantime, we needed a cover-up!

So, with a picture frame left over from a previous project and a few bits of glassware, we get this:

 
We framed some pretty snowy wrapping paper for a seasonal touch (and it perfectly disguises the TV mount), then added some candles and a vase filled with mini ornaments. Finding pieces that fit on the mantel was actually pretty tricky because it's very narrow!

Despite hours of searching, I couldn't find any stocking hooks that I actually liked, so we ended up hanging our stockings on peel and stick hooks, which thankfully blend in fairly well with the white backdrop.

Presents will fill the "fireplace" area, which I think is a great festive touch (and honestly, where else would we put them?), plus it hides the hole.

Like all things in our house, it is still a work in progress. I need to pick up some greenery to help fill out the space, after I wrap the ledge in clingwrap to keep it from getting all sappy and sticky (thanks to Better Homes and Garden's Twitter feed for the tip!).

But, despite my still-growing holiday to do-list, every ornament I put up helps get me a little bit more in the spirit! Plus, isn't half the fun in decorating slowly, until everything's just right?

Sparkling ceilings

Lighting is such an important part of setting the mood and decor for your space. And chandeliers, while an investment piece, can up the glam factor like nothing else! (Plus, they qualify for the Home Renovation Tax Credit.)

For a little ceiling makeover inspiration, check out these Mad Men era inspired stunners from Toronto's Amarynth Gallery. I had a lovely tour of their selection of Murano glass, and I love that they'll custom order to help you match your decor and room size! So many possibilities, if only the budget would allow!

I can imagine this 1950s-style piece, from Venini Design, setting the perfect tone for a glam dining room or grand entryway. It retails for $11,995.

Don't you just love the droplet effect? This one's from Toso Design and retails for $15,200.

And this 1950s style one, from Vistosi Design, $5,500, just might be my favourite! While this green version (it is available in other colours, too) obviously won't work with everyone's decor, I just love the way the colour pops. Plus, I've been seeing an awful lot of kelly green in shelter mags and home decor stores lately, so it's also definitely on trend!

Are you inspired to update your lighting this winter? It is, sadly, pretty low on our to-do list, but I can't help but be tempted by the major "wow" factor of a unique light fixture.

Make a DIY ornament wreath!

I've been on the hunt for the perfect wreath for my front door, along with a beauty to hang on the wall in my living room or dining room.

And, if I were craftier or had more time (perhaps I could coerce a friend to help me?), I'd so try this project featured over on CB2 (which, rumour has it, may be coming to Toronto soon!)

They say the project is pretty simple (find full directions here) - simply string ornaments, in your desired colour palette and design, on strong stiff wire that can be bent into a ring (a wire hanger could also do the trick), then tape or twist the ends together and hang it!

Their wreath was about 28" in diameter, using about 55" of wire and 81 ornaments.

I'd love to see a monochrome version hung on a window or mirror! 

Get more holiday inspiration in our festive guide.

Poll results: Holiday colours

Traditional red and green is still the hottest holiday palette, according to last week's poll. Nearly half - 43 per cent - of Yourhomers said they were decorating with the classic combo, while metallics were the runners up with 21 per cent.

Blue and white were tied with 14 per cent while the remaining seven per cent said they were decorating with "other" colours.

I'm still undecided about my holiday hues. Currently, we've got a collection of ornaments in white, silver and clear glass, but I'm thinking that I still might need a bit of a pop to polish it all off. We'll see how it shapes up as the holiday approaches - ever so quickly!

And, you can find loads of holiday decorating inspiration and gift suggestions in our newly launched Festive Guide, including trendy tips, how to create a warm holiday home, Sarah Richardson's entertaining musts, popular and unique gift ideas, along with suggestions for the handy people and gardeners on your list, what to do with your holiday wrapping paper and guidelines for gifting art.

This week, I'm still on a holiday kick (can you really blame me?), and asking whether you'd consider the trendy new service of renting a live tree for the holidays? Share your thoughts in the front page poll. (Scroll down, on the left hand side.

And, for some more weekend reading, check out:

- Colin and Justin's latest living room makeover

- A look at Toolgirl Mag Ruffman's humourous approach to DIY

- How to make an apartment feel more like home

- What they got Dec. 5

A Christmas palm tree?

Yesterday, I was hemming and hawing about whether or not to bring home a real tree this season.

I'm starting to lean toward doing a real tree, as are many other Canadians this year, but I also can't stop myself from peeking at other festive alternatives.

While I've previously considered vases, twigs and collections of ornaments, all of those options tend to be rather expected - unlike this Christmas palm tree (available at Lowe's, $248.00).

I think this is such a fun twist on traditional decor!

I love that you've got the evergreen boughs in lieu of palm fronds - a real tropical meets Christmas vibe.

After all, if you're going faux instead of fir, why not have a little fun with it? 

If the palm tree is a little bit too out there for you (I think I'm too much of a traditionalist to pull this off in my own holiday decor), Lowe's also offers this white stunner, below, for $118.

I love the snowy vibe, and just imagine how nicely the colours of your ornaments would pop!

It would look amazing in a monochromatic scheme - I'm envisioning purple or teal, but traditional red would certainly rock it as well!

Get more holiday decorating inspiration from stylist Arren Williams, learn how to create a warm holiday look and check out Sarah Richardson's holiday party tips.

To tree, or not to tree?

My holiday preparation is certainly moving slowly this year. We're starting pretty much from scratch decorating-wise, as there wasn't a whole lot of space for festive touches in last year's two bedroom rental and we were spending much of the holiday out of the city with family.

That means that, in addition to buying presents and sending cards, I've also got to choose, buy and put up decorations! And, my current decorating dilemma is whether or not to put up a tree.

Growing up, I always had a real tree (which is right on trend this year). We'd spend an evening drinking eggnog, listening to carols and trimming the tree as a family. It was a wonderful tradition, and this is the first year that I won't be going home to Nova Scotia to take part in it. That feeling of missing out - and the perfect Christmas smell - makes me inclined to start our own tree trimming tradition here in Ontario.

But, on the other side of the wishy-washy coin that has become my holiday planning, real trees are messy. You end up with pine needles scattered throughout the house for months. They take up space, and I'm not sure where we'd put it. They also take time, which seems to be at a premium these days.

And, there are loads of alternatives.

Fake trees, especially the pre-lit variety, are easier to put up and decorate, and you can find increasingly authentic looking ones. But, they still take time and floor space, and I worry that it just wouldn't be an appropriate substitute for the real thing.

Spray-painted branches (I'm thinking white or silver) in a pretty vase, dressed with a few miniature ornaments, would be a space-saving and stylish option. 

Paperwhites or a potted sapling would help bring the outdoors in and add a "live" touch to my decor, along with looking gorgeous on a table or mantel. Plus, they're cheap, and decorating them is easy - just plunk them down into a pretty pot!

Or I could let my mantel - decoration currently "under construction" - stand in for my tree, and fill my faux fireplace with presents.

I could even just put out a bowl of ornaments, in a nice variety of sizes, shapes and textures, and call it a day.

Decisions, decisions. How's a girl to choose just one (or find time to do them all)?

Is a tree part of your holiday decor? If so, do you go faux or real?

Poll results: Holiday lights

If last week's poll is any indication, there will soon be a lot of twinkling holiday lights lining your street!

The majority of Yourhomers who voted, at 41 per cent, said they turn their lights on in early December, while 15 per cent get the holiday cheer going mid-month.

An eager 18 per cent light up in November, while only three per cent confess to doing it last minute. The remaining 23 per cent don't do holiday lights. At this point, if Mr. Speedy and I get our act together and buy and put up lights, we'll likely be turning them on right away, so I'll optimistically count myself with the early December crew.

This week, we're keeping on the holiday bent, cause I want to know about your chosen holiday hues. Are you a traditionalist who decks the halls in red and green or are you opting for an of-the-moment shade like copper or purple? Read up on our holiday tips and trends, then cast your vote in the front page poll (scroll down, on the left.)

So far, my holiday arsenal is full of silver goodies. I will want to punch it up with an accent hue, but likely won't choose that shade until I fall in love with a perfect piece while doing my holiday shopping this afternoon. We'll see what I come up with!

And, if you're one of the smart souls who's shopping from home instead of hitting the malls today, make sure to check out some of our great weekend stories:

- Colin and Justin create a very purple kitchen

- Sarah Richardson shares her holiday party tips

- Vicky Sanderson offers up her gift selections

- Kim Izzo wonders whether moving to the 905 was such a good idea after all

- And get the skinny on some of the recent transactions in the GTA