Toronto Renovation Stories & Expert Advice

We're moving....

If you want to keep up with the homestars.com blog, we've moved to a new platform.
click on the link below or (eventually) you'll find us on the front page of www.homestars.com. Look for the "blog" link.

For now go to:
http://blog.homestars.com/

Labels: blog relocation

Posted by Cathy
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Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall!

I have mixed feelings about the onset of Fall. On the one hand, our family gets back to routine and schedules and seeing friends who’ve been away for the summer. On the other hand, the warmer weather will be nearing its end, and cooler temperatures are right around the corner. Last week brought the most spectacular blue skies and warm temperatures – two things Torontonians didn’t get a lot of this summer – so I am enjoyed them as briefly as they lasted.

For your home as well, Fall is a good time to take advantage of the milder temperatures. If there is any painting you need to do, get it done while the weather is right. When the outside temperature is too hot, the paint won’t cure properly, when it’s too cold, the fumes will be enough to make living with them uncomfortable (plus it will set off your CO detector – I know this from personal experience).

Fall is a great time for more “spring cleaning” (you know what I mean). If you don’t have time to do it yourself, call in a junk hauler or an organizer, your stuff will be gone before you know it. If you’re willing to do it yourself, you can give your gently used items to thrift stores such as the Salvation Army and Goodwill, or keep an eye out for advertisements for church rummage sales in your neighbourhood. Many will take books, clothes, home accessories and small working appliances.

Finally, Fall offers a great opportunity to explore antique and home accessory shops both in your own neighbourhood and in the countryside – where it’s a popular time of year for antique fairs and flea markets. You can pick up some great finds for good deals (particularly if you’re a good barterer). You never know, you might pick up that great Elvis cookie jar you’ve been searching for for years!

Labels: Fall antique shows, flea markets, organizing

Posted by Cathy
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Favourite house blogs for inspiration

Well, I took the summer "off." It's all relative of course; "off" in this case means that I spent most of my time playing "Julie McCoy" for my kids (you know, the cruise director from The Love Boat?) Getting five minutes to myself to write an article wasn't even on the horizon.

I did, however, manage to track down some excellent bloggers who didn't seem to have the same difficulty finding time that I did (they're probably way more organized than I am).

My favourite blog has to be Hooked on Houses. It's written by Julia, who does it because she loves houses and interiors. I love her comments and how she manages to locate some of these gems is beyond me! The link I've pasted is not of Julia's home page but rather, of the funniest thing I think I've ever seen -- decorated toilet seats. Read the comments below the post, they're equally funny. Her website is full of lots of inspiration, so it's a good read for all kinds of decorating ideas.

Another great blog is The Inspired Room. Right now the theme is "Fall Nesting" so it's full of great seasonal ideas for getting ready for fall...if that's what you want to do. I personally would rather hold on to our meagre summer for as long as possible.

In my dreams I'd like to own a Cape Cod style cottage one day, somewhere on the eastern seaboard. Since I really doubt this will ever happen, I have been following Shorehouse Chic for a little while. It's got great pictures and the couple is restoring the cottage with a limited budget (my kind of place!).

If you're into "green" homes, there's a great blog called Jetson Green. It's full of information on new building materials, buildings and homes that are using new lower impact materials than the current standards.

Do you have any great home blogs you'd like to share?

Labels: house blogs

Posted by Cathy
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