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We Flip Flapjacks, Not Houses

October 27, 2010 - I'm all for renovators improving property for resale and putting a profit in their pockets, but sometimes they shoot themselves in the foot by making poor design choices that are too taste-specific or, as the case may be, devoid of taste at all. I recently showed a downtown dwelling that featured…
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Quintessential Stylegarage

June 28, 2010 - I've always been a fan of Stylegarage, the purveyor of crisp clean-lined furnishings. Over the years I've come to depend on them for stainless steel mirrors and smart ambient lighting. They even did a custom stair railing for me...all items I'll post in future blogs.But those items have to wait,…
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Reaching The Finish Line

June 09, 2010 - Back in February, I began a conquest to get my residence organized. After years of haphazard searching for a particular sweater, book or tool ("I know it's in this closet somewhere!"), I finally decided it was time to organize my life through and through. Not surprisingly it's been a long ordeal,…
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Don’t Be Too Revealing

June 02, 2010 - When it comes to real estate, first impressions count. That's why the expression "Curb Appeal" has merit. In the freehold property market, as house hunters pull up in their car they're already assessing the dwelling, the property environment, and the surrounding streetscape. In the condominium market, purchasers instantly gauge how the lobby and common…
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Lite Brite

May 17, 2010 - First, not that you asked, but one thing that drives me bonkers are alliterations that also spell the words incorrectly. I consider this awkward attempt to be 'oh so clever' infuriating. In fact, it sends me into a rage. Maybe it's because I lost the school spelling bee in grade five. Regardless, you're guaranteed to…
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Soft Feelings For Hardware

April 26, 2010 - As part of my on-going saga to reorganize my home, I decided to relocate my stereo system. Situated beside the front door of my loft squeezed into a 60s teak buffet so the cabinet doors could never be closed, its cumbersome placement greeted guests the moment they arrived. Needless to say, it didn't provide a very inviting sense…
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You Reek, Ah!

April 19, 2010 - One would think after twenty years of being involved in every facet of the real estate industry, from design and renovation, to sales and redevelopment, I would be able to manage the execution of it all. And for the most part I do. Unfortunately, over the past week as the…
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I Love Green Tea

April 12, 2010 - My furnishing style would best be called 'eclectic', as I tend to gravitate to pieces that are unique, have character and originate from anywhere across the globe. One of my favourite Toronto retailers is Green Tea Design located on Carlaw Avenue in Leslieville. They have an amazing showroom of Asian furnishings that…
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Sink or Swim

April 10, 2010 - Although I re-did my washroom four years ago, I recently dropped my morning cuppa on my oval washroom sink leaving an unsightly chip that said 'damaged goods'!Inset into a dark wood counter, finding a match wasn't easy as it needed to be both the same size and style. Moreover, in four…
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Kitchen Confidential

March 29, 2010 - Have you ever been in the midst of one project only to be distracted into starting another? In the world of housing and home it's extremely easy to fall victim to this. It just happened to me. With a new season of crocuses and daffodils peeking their way out of the soil, the urge to…
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