I decided to check out the Calgary Home & Garden Show today at the BMO Centre. Deciding to head down when the doors open on a Thursday was an excellent idea. The crowds were quite small and I was able to speak to any sales rep I wanted without waiting in line. They had the regular home show booths: landscaping companies, realtors, home builders, renovation specialists, custom closets, marble/granite companies, appliances, hot tubs, art exhibits and even the mop guys. I even ran into my friend Karen who promotes Sunset Gourmet and tried some delicious samples. The list is endless. The exhibits that caught my eye were Striking Glass and Lynne’s Window Treatments Inc.

Striking Glass creates unique and contemporary glass bowls and wall art. Their artwork is not only stunning and original but they’re also green. They look for new ways to reuse glass into their art. They’re offering 10% off on any art purchased at the Home & Garden Show. Check them out!

Lynne’s Window Treatments Inc. creates blinds, valances, drapery, bedding and cushions. I didn’t get to speak with Lynne personally but did get to speak with another friendly lady at this exhibit who explained to me that Lynne has an exclusive affiliation with a line of fabrics called Swatch Box from the United Kingdom. The samples she showed me were extremely well coordinated with colours and textures. I will definitely be contacting her in the near future.

I also got the chance to sit in on a presentation by Kath Smyth from Countryside Landscapes and Garden Centre on Green Roofs. This is a new green trend where homeowners and corporations plant gardens on their roofs. Green roofing reduces energy costs, absorbs storm water and improves air quality. Adding a roof top garden patio to a condo, apartment, restaurant, office building or downtown high rise is an excellent idea but I’m not sold on adding one to my residential roof.

I would definitely recommend visiting the Home & Garden Show this weekend for all of your home and gardening ideas and projects.

Country / cottage style rooms are a terrific way to include warmth and coziness to any room. This style differs in each region but essentially conveys sunlit landscapes and rural farmhouses.

Furniture can be found in flea markets and has an aged look with straight lines, carved details and painted finishes. Throw pillows and hand sewn quilts add to the uniqueness of each piece of furniture. Fireplaces are often made from materials such as stone, tile or brick and flooring is usually hardwood.

Typical accessories in country / cottage style rooms are old tin canisters, floral and plant arrangements (sunflowers are very common), candles, potpourri, rugs, roosters, antiques, flea market finds as well as other various knickknacks. In the kitchen specifically you will find cookbooks, wooden spoons, bowls, baskets of fruits or vegetables, copper pots and dried herbs. Floral, checkers and stripes are custom patterns found on window treatments and textiles. Earthy colours, such as warm yellows, greens, browns and blues. Soft muted colours may also be used to give a worn-out appearance.


References: Better Homes and Gardens (Feb 24, 2010), Dream Home Decorating (Feb 24, 2010), HGTV (Feb 24, 2010), Rental Decorating Digest (Feb 24, 2010)
Images: iStock Photo (Feb 25, 2010)

Casual rooms are a great style to incorporate into rooms when a warm, cozy and inviting atmosphere is desired. These visually appealing rooms are easy to maintain and preferred by many homeowners.

With comfort the main focus, furniture is often large, low to the ground, rectangular or slightly curved and horizontal, enhanced with coordinating plush pillows made from natural fibers like cottons and linen. Tables are also large, heavy and provide storage space. Matching pieces are not necessary and symmetrical layouts are avoided. The center of attention is on ease.

Common accessories in casual rooms are pillows, blankets, flowers, plants, magazines, baskets and sweet-scented candles but the selection is endless. Rustic antiques from the flea market can also be integrated. Window coverings include shutters, blinds or shades layered with textured curtains. Familiar neutrals, such as tans, grays, beiges, or off-whites are frequently used, however, any colour scheme can be incorporated.


References: About.com: Interior Decorating (Feb 23, 2010), Ezine Articles (Feb 23, 2010)
Images: iStock Photo (Feb 23, 2010)

De-cluttering a closet, this is a very deep seated fear for many of us. This is the place where we store our clothes, shoes, accessories, old Halloween costumes from 6 years ago, empty boxes (just in-case anything needs to be sent back for warranty), kitchen utensils, dust bunnies and… some horrifying creatures found on the Nature of Things (just for clarification – this last item was not in my closet). So how much of this do we really use and need in our closet? When I de-cluttered my closet I got rid of over half of it’s contents. Are you ready for some decluttering your closet tips? Lets get started:

1. Invest in a good set of sturdy hangers and a closet organization system. You don’t have to go all out and spend half your month’s paycheck here. If you go to your local home improvement store, you will find many sensible options. When choosing hangers try to avoid wire as they bend out of shape very easily. I prefer wooden hangers as they are aesthetically pleasing.

2. Gather fresh cleaning supplies including a vacuum cleaner. Completely empty your closet and clean your closet from top to bottom.

3. Sort all of the items into 5 categories: keep, donate, trash, repair and sell. Keep in mind the last time you’ve worn or used each item, anything not touched in over a year probably will not be worn or used again.

4. Group the clothing and accessories you’ve decided to keep. The grouping categories I chose for my closet space are: work, casual, formal and accessories. I put all of my accessories in baskets to reduce the appearance of clutter. After all your clothes are grouped by category, arrange them by color. Eg. Blues, Purples, Reds, Oranges, Yellows etc. Grouping your clothes by colour adds harmony to your closet.

5. Contact a local charity to donate the items you no longer wish to keep that are still in good condition and throw out anything that isn’t. Set aside items you wish to repair and sell, give yourself an attainable goal to fix or sell them. If you haven’t repaired or sold these items by your deadline re-asses if it is worth saving.

6. Prevent clutter from building up in your closet. After all, you’ve worked so hard to arrange this space. Try to spend 5-10 minutes every day at keeping things where they belong to maintain an organized space.