Spring cleaning: Who has the time?

Officially, it's spring, though it does seem that Mother Nature begs to differ after yesterday's blustery snow squalls.

That means it's time for gleaming windows, fresh scrubbed floors and perfectly organized closets. At least in theory. (To help get you started, I recently shared some of our best cleaning tips, check them out here.)

In reality, it's hard to find the time to give your home an overhaul. It's tricky enough to just keep up on top of the things we have to do - laundry, dishes, general tidying - that working in a deep clean can feel more than a little daunting.

In fact, as I've started to tackle my own spring cleaning, I've become the queen of the unfinished project. Because, of course, one project always hinges on another. For example, I want to re-organize my closet. But that means getting the books that have been hanging out in a box in there out of the way. And to unpack those, I need to hang shelves. So, feeling all kinds of productive, I enlist a friend and start hanging shelves. But I run out of wall anchors. So, for the past three days, "Buy wall anchors" has been written in screaming letters at the top of my to-do list - and more than a week after "starting" the job, my closet is not any cleaner.

(As a bonus, I do have two shelves hung, and they're totally rocking my world.)

Experts say the way to manage these tasks is to make a list - check out Martha Stewart's here (it's a PDF) - and try to tackle just one task at a time. For example, one evening, plan to empty out your medicine cabinet rather than going over the entire bathroom with a fine tooth comb.

So, my first mistake was letting the job snowball. If I was going to tackle a task like closet cleaning, I should have focused on the closet alone, tucking that box away in a corner until the day comes when "Organize books" works its way to the top of my list - somewhere after buying, and hanging, shelves of course.

This way, you make progress in achievable chunks and, hopefully, feel inspired to actually tackle these bite-sized tasks rather than saying "I just don't have time to deep clean my kitchen tonight."

So, tonight's goal: Buy those darn wall anchors. Then revel in a job well done.

Lighting up in my apartment

I must confess, winter makes me complacent. First, there's the holiday rush, where shopping, decorating, travelling and partying pushes aside normal routines and to-do lists. Then there's the January blahs, when all you want to do at the end of the day is cuddle up with a good book and a mug of hot chocolate. It's hard enough to keep up with the day to day maintenance tasks - hello buying a new frock to make up for two weeks without laundry - not to mention tackle all those home improvement jobs that have slipped off your radar.

Come March, I'm finally ready to shake off the cobwebs, both literally and figuratively. I'm tackling those dustbunnies and getting the Jennasium ready for entertaining again after a slow winter.

Perhaps the biggest, and silliest, sign of my complacency was the lack of overhead lighting in my apartment. In the summer, when I moved in, light in the evenings and the mornings wasn't a problem. I acknowledged it would be a necessity, but I didn't take any action. As the days grew shorter, I started grousing about how dark it was in my place as I pulled out mismatched socks and sweaters that turned out to be purple instead of black.

But, instead of dealing with it, I, like so many other homeowners and renters, just worked around it. As the months passed, I started wafflilng on whether I should even bother. After all, I'm a renter and a bit of a nomad - I've had disposable contacts last longer than addresses.

Then, my brother came to visit, and, inspired by the extra set of hands (and his electrical savvyness), I finally got around to installing overhead light fixtures in my living room and bedroom.

Man, did it ever make a difference. Getting ready is the morning is simpler. I'm finding it easier to stay organized. It's brighter, more welcoming, and, I must say, really quite pretty. I should have done this months ago!

A hastily snapped shot of my feminine fixture for the bedroom, via iPhone as I hastily matched clothes (in full light!) this morning. Below, when it's turned off.

And, for the living room, I swept over to Ikea for a simple pendant, which looks, upon second glance here, ridiculously crooked in this shot.

I chose a white pendant, and shortened it dramatically, because I wanted to keep the sightlines in my teeny tiny space as open as possible.

Finally, inspired by how much more human I felt when I wasn't stumbling around in the dark, I added a pop of black to my console table.

The fact that my pack and go lunch is in this shot is a sign that I really shouldn't snap photos hastily on my way to work. Ah well. Apologies.

Either way, adding more lighting has made a huge difference at home - and inspired me to tackle those other simple tasks that could improve my life!Re-organizing cupboards, moving fridge shelves to better accommodate wine bottles and a new shoe rack to accommodate my collection have all worked their way back up my list.

What household improvements have you been putting off?

It's cold outside - cozy up indoors

While Snowmageddon may have been "snow-verrated", there's no denying that the temperatures have been less than tropical of late.

(SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO)

And, according to a recent Direct Energy survey, conducted by Polaris Marketing Research, less than one-third of Ontarians felt their households were prepared for extreme weather. (As an aside, I can state that 90 per cent of my wardrobe is not prepared for extreme weather.)

“By implementing a few easy changes, which don’t include wearing a snowsuit indoors, consumers can lower their energy usage now and throughout the year," says Dave Walton, Director of Home Ideas, Direct Energy. "An extreme drop in temperature doesn’t mean your bank balance should drop too due to higher energy bills."

And how are we doing at keeping bills down and staying warm at home? About 85 per cent of Ontarians bundle up during extreme cold, 56 per cent close shades and blinds to minimize heat loss and half close registers, doors and vents in rooms that are not being used.

Here are some ways to keep things comfy and cozy indoors, even when the weather outside is frightful:

1. Bundle up. Guard against chills with an extra sweater or blanket. Throw in a cup of hot chocolate and a favourite movie to make staying in even nicer.

2. Clear it. Max out your heating by keeping vents clear of rugs, drapes and furniture.

3. Use it or lose it. Shut the doors and vents in unused rooms to conserve energy, and dollars. If you have a chimney, conserve heat by closing the flue when the wood-burning fireplace isn't in use.

4. Program it. No one wants to heat an empty house all day, but no one wants to come home to freezing temps either. Install a programmable thermostat and set it to lower your home's temperature when you're away or sleeping - and raise it when you're on your way home.

5. Lock it down. Sealing leaks around doors, windows, letter boxes or keyholes with weather stripping and caulking could save up to $108 per year - and reduce indoor drafts.

6. Stay safe. To help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, keep all venting clear of snow, and install CO detectors in or outside of all bedrooms in your home. If you already have detectors, check their expiry dates (they generally last about five years) and replace if necessary.

(You can get more energy efficiency tips at www.directenergy.com)

Resolutions for the home

The new year offers a fresh start for so many of us - whether we're committing to live healthier, pursue a dream or simplify our lives, it's a time to make promises, and, hopefully, follow them through.

And, when you're revamping your health and beauty routines, career and lifestyle choices, why not also tackle your home?

It's not too late to resolve to do better in 2011 - so I've rounded up some of our top tips to help you make your space even more beautiful and functional this year:

Clearing clutter top of mind these days? Start by tackling these common clutter zones then learn how to organize your closet in 10 minutes. And don't miss our top 9 ways to banish common clutter problems.

Resolving that this is the year you'll finally get into a perfect cleaning routine? Revisit our spring cleaning guide for our top tips.

Sick of stacks of papers, out of place toys and swamped surfaces? You need our guide to getting organized and our dos and don'ts for reining in home chaos.

Dreaming of a space that looks magazine ready? Check out our top five swoon-worthy styling tips.

Plan to redecorate in 2011? Learn how to keep the peace while decorating with your mate.

Wishing for peace, prosperity and relaxation in the new year? Try one - or all - of these 10-minute feng shui fixes.

Personally, 2011 is going to be about editing my possessions. With "curation" a big buzzword these days, it's about cutting back on the amount of stuff in my space, and selectively choosing which pieces to showcase, stow or ship out.

By cutting back on what I own, I'll be able to max out my storage space for the things I really need and use, simplify my cleaning routines and give myself lots of space to breathe and relax at the Jen-nasium - because really, shouldn't we all be focusing on enjoying our homes in the new year?

http://www.yourhome.ca/homes/repairsandrenovations/article/817882--tackle-your-clutter-zonesher

Photos with personality

Part of my holiday house guest prep is finally putting up some personal photographs.

An interesting part of my change in lifestyle and environment is that much of the stuff that I used to have on my walls just no longer fits.

Whether it's due to the switch from a mostly green and nature-inspired colour palette to one of purple and grey, or the fact that once your marriage is over you're less inclined to leave up all those stunning, but no longer suitable wedding photos, I've had a lot of frames to fill. And those gaps, and blank walls, just seem to accentuate the things that are no longer in my life, acting as a daily reminder of the way things have changed.

Plus, art on the walls is part of being settled. It's a sign of at least semi-permanence, meaning you intend to stick around for at least long enough to risk putting a few holes in the walls. For a perpetual nomad like me - who has held down at least six addresses in three and a half years in Toronto - getting to the point of hanging art is really a sign of making a house a home.

Part of my new decorating philosophy is to buy and use only things that I love. Which means no more stopgap art, or buying something just because it matches my decor. If it doesn't speak to me, it's not worth the investment of time, money or space in my teeny tiny apartment.

But, that's also a lot of pressure. Over the last few weeks, I've been poring over my collection of photographs, both physical and digital, looking for the shots that I'd like to frame.

It's a daunting, and emotional task. Photos with people no longer in your life don't make the cut, and many posed shots just look too stiff to be worth featuring. I want photos that showcase the real personalities of the people in my life, not just shots that remind me what they look like. 

So I found myself pulling out the candids, shots that made me smile, even if they weren't perfectly framed or didn't fit any of the photography rules I learned in J-school. Like this one:

I love this shot of my dad and I. Sure, the framing is not perfect - we're seeing a lot of that rather questionable carpet style - and I'm the only one looking at the camera. But, when I look at it, I smile. It's a sign of what was to become a huge part of my childhood and teen years: playing hockey, including being coached by my dad, and a wee bit of an indication that I may be kind of a daddy's girl.

Photos like these tell and story and elicit a reaction - and really, isn't that what your decor is supposed to do?

My decorating confession

I have a confession to make. I've let all my decor plans for my new space slip.

Decorating my new pad, dubbed the Jen-nasium and the jPad by friends, started off strong. I went on an epic Ikea shopping trip, allowing me to furnish my space, fill my cupboards, and survive day-to-day.

I had multiple allen-key assembly meltdowns, but, with a little (OK, a lot of) help from my friends, I managed to turn a stack of flat-pack boxes into actual, functional furniture.

As I raced to prepare for my housewarming party, I ruthlessly downsized (a task that appears to be never-ending) and strictly adhered to my purple and grey, with pops of yellow, palette. I even was able to rework my Ikea futon to fit my new scheme by swapping out its frankly rather unattractive cover for a simple fitted sheet.

A few decorative vases here, an armful more of hangers there - suddenly, I was set up.

And that's where my decorating efforts stalled. Once I could do laundry, cook, work from home and watch TV, those final touches started to slip down on my list of priorities.

But lately, I'm feeling a little bit guilty about the unfinished state of my decor. Yes, very few decorating projects are ever actually done, but blank white walls are less than welcoming. The stack of family photographs - enlarged and printed in black and white - wait to be framed and hung as a gallery wall. The chalkboard just needs to be hung in the hallway. Other bits and bobs need to be framed, placed and hung, with hopefully a little help from someone with a more level eye than I.

And, I bought this votive holder from West Elm to mount above my bed, for a bit of a change from the traditional large headboard or statement piece of art look.

So, that's my shameful decorating confession. I got lazy, and, three months after moving in, I still have yet to hang a single piece of art. But, here's hoping that I get back on the wagon soon!

Warming the house ...

After a bit of an absence working on other projects, I'm back in the saddle here at Yourhome and I am happy to report that my housewarming party went off without a hitch!

I've also got the results of our poll on housewarming party timing - with one third of readers agreeing with my self-imposed one-month deadline from move in date.

The majority, however, at 55 per cent, say you're fine to throw a welcome bash any time within the first year - giving you a little more time to get the decor just so. Finally, 10 per cent said there is no deadline on hosting a housewarming, and the remaining six per cent said they didn't know.

And, now, as promised: the photos!

 
Custom cocktails from the Cocktail Deeva - my only request was that they be easy to mix and purple, and she delivered with this yummy blend of pineapple and blueberry juice, with vodka - and some sweet treats in the form of cookie bars and boozy cupcakes helped set the stage for a very late night filled with great friends and good wishes for my new space.

Along with some admiration for the view from my balcony.

Everything looks better in candlelight. Plus it helped hide the fact that I chose having a shower over washing the floor in my pre-party prep. (Get other lazy hostessing tips here).

Showing my Nova Scotian roots, much congregating happened in the kitchen.

And then, the inevitable morning after cleanup. A reminder of a wonderful evening - and why I'll be hosting my birthday party elsewhere!

On housewarmings ...

My new space, while still in need of a catchy nickname, is finally ready for its close up. Well, as ready as it's going to get, seeing as I'm hosting my housewarming party this evening!

While there is much to be said about the decor, and my plans for the space, today I want to focus on the housewarming itself. A theme has been set - baked goods and booze, guests have been given directions, it's (mostly) cleaned to my satisfaction, the ingredients for my specialty cocktail - the New Beginnings martini courtesy the Cocktail Deeva - are chilling in the fridge, and these perfectly on-theme cupcakes are baked, iced and seriously tempting to munch on pre-party.

(Photo courtesy Kerry Wall) 

While trying to keep the whole shindig relatively low-key - it is, after all, the middle of the summer and I do have a few other things on the go - I also felt rather pressed for time. Having now been in my new home for a month, I wondered if I was hitting the end of the allowable time frame for a housewarming party.

However, after discussing my 'now or never' feeling with friends on a few occasions, I found that there don't seem to be any hard and fast rules.

Some agreed with my belief that it should be held within the first month or so, giving you enough time to get at least partially set up but not so long that everyone will have already visited your new space. 

Others argue that within the first year is an acceptable time frame, especially considering factors like long-distance moves and renovations. It's certainly true that no one wants to host (or visit) knee-deep in drywall dust.

So what do you think? Do housewarming parties have an expiry date? Share your thoughts in the comments and the front page poll (scroll down, on the left).

The search for my new home

Every time I move, I swear I'll never do it again. Yet, despite my best efforts, it continues to be an annual tradition, as predictable as swapping out seasonal wardrobes and making apple pie at Thanksgiving.

Of course, this time around, the move felt larger. World shattering even. (Read the full story). I wasn't just packing up boxes full of stuff and changing addresses, I was also saying goodbye to a life. To being part of a couple. To everything I'd known for the past six and a half years. To the carefully planned roadmap for my future. And to my food processor.

Yes, this move was a biggie. But the first obstacle was just finding a place to live. My first few months of flying solo involved staying with friends while trying to sort out my priorities. Where did I want to live? How much space did I need? How much could I afford in rent (while still paying the mortgage on Casa Speedy)? 

So I hit the pavement, and looked at a lot of places. I trudged all over the city, scoping out basement suites, high rises and everything in between. I stalked Craigslist and Viewit postings. I waffled on signing documents.

Then I fell in love with a condo rental - tiny, adorable, and close to everything. I told the landlord I'd take it, went home to fill out all the paperwork and was already mentally decorating. Of course, in the time between me assembling all my info and sending in the email, someone else had scooped it up.

Obviously, I was disappointed. And I was running out of time. My hunt reached a frenzied pace. Now that I knew that I wanted a condo in a convenient area, it got a little easier.

With the help of a realtor, I assembled a list of available spaces from the MLS. I liked going this route, because a) someone is pre-screening the listings for you and b) in my mind, landlords who list on the MLS show a real level of investment to having tenants, rather than it just being convenient, as one sometimes finds when renting basement spaces. Plus, the help is free - the landlord pays the realtor's fee.

Within two days, I'd found a condo space that was walking distance to work, just a wee bit over my preferred price range (as always seems to be the case), and boasting great amenities.

Plus, it was in a brand new building, so, while that meant dealing with a few months of finishing touches hassles as they finished the common areas and the like, I appreciated the symbolism of a shiny new space for my shiny new life. A space full of opportunities, available to be tailored to my preferences and tastes - and mine alone!

I was also a major change. I went from living in a three-bedroom East York semi to a minimalist downtown condo, with a view of the city. But it felt exciting, and right for me. So I jumped on it.

A week later, I moved. After, of course, doing a massive shop at Ikea to get the bare essentials for my new space. You know, bed, mattress, dining table, chairs, desk, towels, plates, etc., etc.

I moved over with just my clothes and a tea kettle in tow, and waited for the delivery men. Their stack of boxes prompted two weeks of attempting to show off my mad skills with an allen key, resulting more than once in a string of profanity, tears and debates about whether I should just chuck the item in question and buy a new, assembled version. Thankfully some friends stepped up to lend the extra set of hands - and much needed patience - to finish the job. I owe them an endless supply of cookies.

Now, the pieces (and furniture) have finally mostly come together. Much like the other parts of my drastically changed life, things were starting to slip back into routines and make sense again.

Now I'm down to the finicky bits - re-arranging the shelves in my fridge, measuring for more furniture, finding the right pieces for my walls.

By tomorrow, I hope, I'll be finally ready to share photos of my mostly-assembled space - just in time for my housewarming party!

Is your view important to you?

As I not-so-slowly slip into vacation mode, I've been thinking a lot about views. You see, currently I've got a rather amazing view of Toronto from my new apartment.

And, I must confess, I love it.

Looking out from my balcony, I'm reminded both of how massive Toronto really is, and how the urban sprawl really has its own beauty to offer. It's pretty during the day, too.

But, of course, as I anxiously watch the clock in anticipation for my East Coast vacation, I'm also struck by the view from my childhood home - which, admittedly, is almost as far as you can get from admiring downtown Toronto!

Both stunning scenes, for sure. But I also remember that when living at home, I failed to appreciate that scene of the harbour and, off in the distance, the town of Lunenburg. 

This line of thought always brings to mind the experience of a family member, who would recall how their home was purchased,k in part, for the lovely view of the sunset. The first year, they watched the sunset almost every night. The second year, most nights. By the third year in their new home, that spectacular view was largely forgotten.

So, I wonder, how much does the view affect your decision when you're scouting new neighbourhoods and vacation destinations? Does a brick wall (or a neighbour's living room) deter you? And, if you love your view, how do you make sure you keep appreciating it?