Eventful PR Clip Book March 2011 by Justin Hammons

E V E N T F U L

GET AHEAD + NOTICED

Clip Book

A sample of some of the press weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve gotten for our clients.

home & garden photo: Stacey Brandford

Is the lack of room cramping your style?

3 how to 3

conquer small q

spaces by Yanic Simard

we often complain that we never have enough space. every inch of space counts when the floor space is limited. with a little ingenuity, some practical solutions and yes, maybe selling or trading in a few items, your small dwelling can become your home. enough of feeling cramped and cluttered! now is the time of year to finally get organized and make the most of every inch of space with these helpful room-by-room ideas. But before you start organizing, you have to start editing.

52 whatever magazine | spring 2011

home & garden photo: Brandon Barre

• Get a coffee table that has a bottom shelf and store items like magazines, books and children’s toys in baskets. • Buy furniture with built-in, hidden storage compartments, such as lift-up seat tops on ottomans. • Hang lightweight brackets and use shelves on the wall to store DVDs, CDs, books, picture frames and even small stereo systems. • Mount your flat panel television above a fireplace or on the largest wall. • Purchase furniture that offers hidden built-in storage compartments. • Buy small furniture or trade in overstuffed chairs and couches for sleek, minimalist designs. • A rolling cart with various sized baskets is a great solution for items that may move from room to room. For example, keep art supplies, sewing materials, laptop, organized paperwork and daily mail on this rack. It easily rolls from the living room to the kitchen table and hides away in a bedroom when company visits.

Kitchen The kitchen is the heart of the home, where all those wonderful goodies are baked and served. It takes a little more creativity but a small kitchen is not a lost cause.

With a good closet organizing system, you will be amazed at how much you can store

Utilize all the space you can find for storage and preparation areas. • Hang your pots and pans on the wall or from the ceiling. • Purchase cabinet organizers that allow for double stacking of dishes and canned goods in the cabinets.

Editing

• Get rid of appliances that are rarely used or are not multi-purpose.

Clean out your belongings before you think about organizing (organizational tools, furniture, etc.). Don’t do it the other way around. You can only accurately know what space you have when you’ve cleaned up. If you don’t really take a hard look at what you’re stuffing in your spaces, you’ll waste time and money organizing stuff you don’t need anyway. • Organized spaces are easy to use. They have enough room for the items there. It makes sense. Every item in your home has a location. Organized spaces also feel open and welcoming.

Living Room The living room is generally a communal gathering place for family and friend and the hub of the home’s activities. Get organized by doing the following:

54 whatever magazine | spring 2011

• Get a dining table that has collapsible leaves, allowing it to shrink when not in use. • Use a small kitchen island on wheels for more storage and food preparation area. • If you renovate your kitchen, use the vertical space and install extra tall cabinets. • Yanic Simard, principal, Toronto Interior Design Group (tidg.ca), leads a talented team of professionals who create new and innovative spaces for a wide range of clients. Their design spectrum ranges from minimalist to modern and elaborate to traditional. Yanic has been featured in many Canadian and international publications and is a recurring design expert on the acclaimed Citytv show CityLine.

• Keep your kitchen clean and accessorize perhaps with a mirror and a small lamp on the top of your countertop for visual impact.

Bathroom • Make the most of a small shower in the bathroom by using a basket that hangs over the showerhead for storing shampoo, body wash and washcloths. • Increase the sink space by getting a small

home & garden

shelf that sits on the back of the counter, going over the faucet and make sure your vanity has underneath closed up storage. • Make the most of a small shower in the bathroom by using a basket that hangs over the showerhead for storing shampoo, body wash and washcloths. • Use a small stainless steel cart to display fragrance bottles and extra bath towels. • If you renovate, create wall niches in the shower/tub area.

Bedrooms • Consider bunk beds for children or even loft beds that allow room for a desk underneath. • Purchase a bed frame that has drawer storage built in. • Headboards can be purchased with shelves and lights built in. • Use risers to lift the bed off the floor high enough to store plastic bins underneath.

• Vacuum seal bags for off season clothes. • Hanging cubbies for socks and small items.

If I may add… • Don’t expect to get organized overnight unless you’re really fast at it, or it’s a small area. • Strive for quiet time… give yourself the time and space to be able to organize your thoughts and your environment. • Discipline is crucial. Getting organized might feel like a struggle, or it might just require getting into a new habit of keeping things in their place. Living in a small space doesn’t mean giving up everything. It is a simple matter of downsizing and using creative ideas to make things fit into new spaces. Less clutter also means less dusting so there is an additional bonus. Be sure to de-clutter regularly.

Managing limited space in closets can be difficult for anyone but with a good closet organizing system you will be amazed at how much you can store. Here are some ideas you can use:

Good questions to ask yourself in deciding on a particular item: Do I need this? Will I need this in a year? Have I used this in the last year? Do I really love it? Is there someone else who could use this more? Do I have more than I could reasonably use in foreseeable future? Will I miss this if I don’t have it?

• Hanging shoe racks.

Enjoy your space! W

Closets

56 whatever magazine | spring 2011

Cover Story

Glen Pelosoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

top shops 2011 Cover and story photography by Michal Tomaszewski

he brilliant thing about the proliferation of the Internet is that anyone can shop almost anywhere across the country. Here are some of my favourite places to shop for those unusual and fabulous items that make a house more of a home. Antica Tile & Stone – It offers a selection of tiles from stones and porcelains to mosaics. It actually makes the mosaics on site, so that can customize a business name or a street number or even an image of the family into the floor of the front entrance, the shower or the interior of the pool. And it distributes to anyone in the country! antica.ca Carpet One Floor & Home – This is a brand spanning the entire country where the selection allows anyone to complete any flooring project. The great customer service and satisfaction guarantee make it an excellent resource for. The complete service from selection to installation means that a flooring product finally looks great in your home because it has been executed with a keen eye to professionalism. carpetone.com Sun-Brite Drapery – This is a wonderful resource for all things sewn. Not only does it provide a huge selection of fabrics, it also has blinds and shades as well as a sew room that can sew anything you can think of for the home. It has worked on numerous model homes, are great with suggestions and ideas, and to top it all off, it is well priced in the marketplace. sunbritedrapery.com

something specific, it will eventually find it for you. smashto.blogspot.com Umbrella Cabinetry – It creates cabinetry for any area of your home from the kitchen or bath to a library, family room or bedroom. It can translate your ideas into a finished project and it prides itself on being eco friendly and using suppliers who have the same commitment to the planet. Beauty and eco-friendly quality is the name of the game here! umbrellacabinetry.com Around the Block – This is a nifty consignment store where you can find that perfect occasional chair or antique lighting piece to create the perfect eclectic space. It offers great prices and the collection of pieces changes regularly. Unlike the industrial nature of Smash these are finished pieces that can be put directly into a space or be recovered to suit your needs. aroundtheblock.com H.C. Sanders Bedding – It is new to the Toronto market after 125 years of production in Germany. It makes high-quality duvets, pillows, sheets and mattresses that are designed in conjunction with medical professionals specializing in sleep. It don’t guarantee you sleep longer, just that you will sleep better, and you do! hcsanders.ca Jane Hall Designs – This is a fun resource for fabrics from around the world with incredible colours and patterns to give almost any project a fantastic pop

Living Lighting – There are several locations across the country and each one has a slightly different product. In Toronto, the King St. W. store has a fantastic selection and great customer service and knowledge. At any one of the stores, if you don’t find what you are looking for, be sure to ask. The catalogues are expansive, you can always find what you need. livinglighting.com Casa Life Furniture – This Toronto-based store has a vast website and a great selection for the condo dweller and homeowner alike. The style is more modern and the prices are fab, so anyone from a first-time owner to a downsizing couple will find items that will work well in limited spaces. The owners Robert and Jason not only source product from around the globe but they also design and create furniture to answer some of the difficulties of smaller spaces. casalife.com Smash – This is a fantastic place for “finds.” If you are looking for an old sign from a department store of the ’30s or you are looking to create a table made from the base of an old table saw and a top made of Douglas fir beams from an old factory, you will likely find what you are looking for here. The product changes rapidly but the website is immense and if you are looking for January 2011 | Home Décor and Renovations Shopping Guide

of colour and style. From furniture and pillows to accessories or a DIY project, the products are amazing and the information resource found in the shop’s owner are well worth the trip to Queen East. janehalldesign.com Aveda – Not only does it provide a large selection of personal products but it also has a great selection of natural candles that have a smell that just can’t be beat. They are a subtle fragrance and add a fantastic emotional content to any room. My bathroom is never without the Caribbean-scented candle which can move a simple bath to a relaxing sensual experience. aveda.com Northwest Kitchen and Gifts – No morning is complete without a great cup of coffee and the machines it produces are fully automated from grinding the beans to a perfect cup of espresso. At first blush is can seem like a bigger investment, but I recommend it for any client that likes coffee. It pays for itself because since I have had one, my local Starbucks almost never sees me – unless to meet up with a friend. northwestkitchenware.com Tips for shopping effectively 1. Plan extensively before you set foot into a store. The shopping experience can be overwhelming if you are not looking for something specific. The process of buying, trying and returning is time consuming, exhausting and demoralizing. Know what you are looking for and then select the stores that will have what you want. 2. Decide how the room is to be used and what items you need to make it function in the way that you want it to function. Generally multi-function rooms require multi-function furnishings. 3. Decide on paint colours last. It is far easier to find a colour that works with your furnishings than it is to find furnishings to work with paint. 4. When you are looking for accessories, area rugs and accent cushions, travel with a swatch of the items currently in the space. Guessing the colour of a sofa when you are looking for a throw is almost impossible. 5. Draw your room on graph paper where one square is six in. or one ft. (depending on size). This will help you know the largest dimensions of the furniture for which you are looking. 6. When you select a piece of furniture for a room, get the dimensions of the piece and tape it out on the floor. This will give you a sense of how easy it is to move around the room with that furniture piece. The room can look great, but remember the design is to suit the people using it, not the other way around. 22

Home Décor and Renovations Shopping Guide | January 2011

7. Avoid just shopping. If you bought something and find yourself walking around the house looking for a place to put it – then it should be returned! 8. Give the retailer as much information as you can along with a sketch of your room and swatch samples. It is also smart to carry a couple of photos of your room. The people who work in the shops are generally well trained and can help you make good decisions when they understand the scope of the room clearly. 9. Carry a tape measure, a note pad and a camera with you while you shop. When you have seen a lot of product it is easy to forget what you have seen, dimensions and how they all work together. It also helps a great deal with making sure that your budget will work with the pieces you have selected. 10. Set your budget based on some research on the web. Once the budget is set, stick to it. Over the course of a whole design, the addition of small amounts of money over many products can add up to a significant amount. Cover photo shot on location at Primavera Interior Furnishings Ltd., one of Glen’s top shops located in Designers Walk and accessible by trade only. Visit primavera.ca Glen Peloso, principal designer of Glen Peloso Interiors, Inc., has been designing spaces for commercial, corporate and residential clients for 15 years. You’ll recognize Glen as the host of television design shows such as Restaurant Makeover, Take This House & Sell It and Renovate My Wardrobe, and from his live speaking engagements at home shows across Canada. glenpelosointeriors.com

Matt Dusk

sings a

Balanced Tune by bonnie siegler

balanced living

hether he’s running on a desert road outside of Las Vegas or in the suburbs of Toronto, people notice Matt Dusk. The 5’10” Canadian jazz musician and vocalist is a familiar face in both locales, having lived in Vegas for five years performing and most recently recording Matt Dusk: Live From Las Vegas, slotted to air on PBS during its March 2011 Pledge Drive. Dusk has also been busy in his native Toronto recording Call Me Fitz, the soundtrack for the new miniseries of the same name. But today, this entertainer is fixing things around the house that he shares with live-in love, Julita. “I’m pretty good with a hammer,” admits Dusk, 32. “I’m usually fixing things for people, renovating or doing some sort of construction thing when I’m not working. It’s like cooking for some people – it’s therapeutic. I’m a homeowner so there’s always stuff to do around the house. Whenever I am home, I try to find some creative way to improve the place because I’m not home often and when I am, I want it to be very comfortable.” Dusk has been a very busy man lately. So it would be natural to assume that in his downtime, there is some relaxing and rejuvenating going on. “But I thoroughly enjoy entertaining,” he says. “So in my business, there is a lot of networking to be done but I get to meet so many people that I don’t consider that downtime. My life is kind of a party so everybody around me usually helps me enjoy that.” While most days you’ll find Dusk renovating something, he does get a massage at least once a month and likes to garden. “Gardening is great for exercise and downtime,” he says. At his ideal weight of 155 pounds, Dusk says that weight management proves to be a challenge at times because, “I love life, I love food, I love wine and there’s so much good stuff to be had that if I didn’t run my five miles a day, I’d be 3,000 pounds,” he laughs. “I’m a fat man trapped in a skinny body.” That said, a typical day of eating would be six to 10 little meals a day or, as Dusk says, “constant snacking.” Seeds, nuts, eggs, vegetables and lean protein make up the bulk of his daily consumption. “I don’t eat full meals so it’s like I’m always

} VIVA

eating. But what I mean is that I might munch on celery sticks or have a plate of steamed broccoli or even make myself an omelet or beef tenderloin. I realize I have to be careful because my work requires a lot of logistical and creative time and when you’re creative, you’re not running around … it’s more in front of a piano or playing guitar, or routing trucks and buses, putting the schedule together. So if I sit there and munch away, that can be absolutely detrimental to my overall balance and success.” He laughs. “Really I exercise not only for good health but to fit into my suits.” Dusk doesn’t prefer one food over another, yet when he sees a few extra pounds on his lean frame, especially during the winter months, he drops his carbohydrate intake drastically. “Because I’m not active – it’s hard to run and take walks in Toronto during the winter – my body doesn’t require fast energy. And I find the treadmill can get boring. So I cut the carbs down to maybe 20 per cent of my total intake and increase my protein and non-saturated fats.” He doesn’t believe in vitamin or mineral supplements, opting to eat healthy and balanced meals. “But you can’t be healthy all the time,” he cautions. “I do make time for fitness and somewhat healthy cooking but keeping my stamina up and energy reserves intact, there’s a healthy balance that can create a very good stamina level. I also think keeping both your mind and body active keeps you energized.” His appealing endurance comes from a balanced living philosophy, not just a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. “In the music business, you’re always working, you’re always hustling for opportunities so you have to understand that you can’t be a workaholic all the time. You have to spend time with friends, family and your respective partner and make sure you make time for everything else in life. But fast lives usually have fast exits so you have to have respect for your own health.” The self-described “fun, energetic and dorky” crooner sums up his balanced lifestyle, referring to his debut hit Two Shots of Happy, One Shot of Sad. “Good friends, good company and family – that’s what brings me happiness. Surrounding myself with people who don’t really care who I am or what I do … that’s happiness and being happy completes the balance.”

New Possibilities 2011 vivamagonline.com

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Designing a Wonderland Decorating your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s room is an opportunity for you both to work together to create something special

by yanic simard

Colour SCheme

A warmer colour palette that includes hot pink, chocolate brown, red or even citrus orange will create a more energetic feeling in a kid's room. Keep the palette simple. Three to four main colours in the bedding, wall paint, floor coverings and accessories will unify the room design. If you use the colour your child wants, he or she will definitely want to spend more time inside his or her own room.

eco reno

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layout and funCtion

Try to give the kids some space to explore and grow. Select furniture that fits your child and pieces that aren’t so large that little ones cannot move them out of the way for more active games. Take advantage of floor space by using padding or stain-resistant carpeting. Place tall furniture away from windows so the natural light isn’t blocked. Try a low bookcase, chair or bench near the window; this adds both seating and storage below the windowsill.

Storage

Take advantage of wall space and create cabinets, bookshelves, desks and other storage solutions that cover an entire wall. Let storage bins serve double duty. Use empty cubes for storage and fit them with padded lids for seating. A large empty bin, or several pushed together, can form a workstation and when covered with chalkboard paint it becomes even more fun and functional. Look for “combo” furniture pieces such as an armoire with drawers and space for hanging clothes to free up closet space. You might want to consider removing the closet doors to help open up your child’s smaller bedroom. This option gives you greater flexibility in terms of furniture layout. the mood

Add a bedside table lamp and desk lamp to provide plenty of ambient and task lighting in your child’s bedroom. Use a layered window treatment, using a blind or shade to provide adequate privacy when needed and sheer curtains for a decorative touch that still lets in plenty of natural light when the shade or blind is raised. When it comes to wall art, try to focus on one wall in your kids’ bedroom; this will create a visual focal point without clutter and visual distraction. Try incorporating personal touches such as school craft projects. layout and funCtion

Playrooms don’t have to be huge; in fact, kids often like secret cubbyholes or little out-of-the-way places. Do you have room under the stairs? A large closet? Attic space? Any of these areas can creatively be turned into very special hideaways for your child. Create an illusion of more space by painting stripes on the walls; vertical stripes give the room a sense of greater height while horizontal stripes will make the room seem wider. new possibilities 2011 vivamagonline.com

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new possibilities 2011

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contributors rebecca rosenblat

Rebecca Rosenblat, host of the call-in TV show Sex @ 11 with Rebecca, is a certified psychotheraphist, relationship therapist and life coach. She is critically acclaimed as a public speaker and life-changing force, influencing a captive audience of millions. Check out her article on page 46 for tips on keeping a great sex life alive while pregnant. Robert W. Horovitz

Robert W. Horovitz is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and practices in Markham, Ontario (www. LifelongWellnessCentre.com). His services include customized weight loss, detoxification and hormone balancing using herbs, nutrition and acupuncture. He offers hair mineral analysis and salivary hormone testing. His story on Mood Foods on page 52 will change the way you think about what you eat.

Got a story you want to share? Send it to: letters@vivamagonline.com Read more articles on VIVA’s website: www.vivamagonline.com

Yanic Simard

Designer Yanic Simard has applied his considerable experience and creative talents to the founding of the Toronto Interior Design Group (TIDG), one of Canada’s leading design firms. Yanic is featured in many Canadian and international publications and is a recurring design expert on the acclaimed City TV show Cityline. He shares his great ideas for decorating kids’ rooms on page 102.

Massimo Capra

Massimo Capra is the chef co-owner of Mistura Restaurant and Sopra Upper Lounge in Toronto. Author of One Pot Italian and the newly released Three Chefs and The Kitchen Men, Chef Capra regularly writes for The Globe and Mail. Massimo’s television work is lengthy, making appearances on City TV’s Cityline and as a chef host on Restaurant Makeover on The Food Network. Drool over his delicious recipes on page 84.

Behind the scenes It was a perfect Southern California day when Lisa Edelstein and her glam team descended on the Hollywood Hills home Viva booked for the photo shoot. At first a bit quiet or, as she said, “riddled with anxiety,” the actress quickly warmed up and began to energize the afternoon with personal dance moves to Michael Jackson’s Beat It and shook her toned booty to Beyonce’s Single Ladies. In between set-ups, the proud “mother” of two dogs showed off candid canine photos on her iPhone to ooohs and aaahs.

12 } vivamagonline.com New Possibilities 2011

H10

TORONTO STAR

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2010

ON ON2

HOMES & CONDOS

‘Condomonium’ strikes the GTA

STEPHEN DUPUIS

MARK CULLEN PHOTO

Walking will help add years to your life and you’re never too young to start. The GTA abounds with wonderful places to take a stroll.

Youthful man walking R

ecently, a group of 10 middle aged men from the GTA got together to discuss the subject of “aging gracefully.” This is a group that has been meeting informally for 25 years with a general interest of mutual problem solving and having a good laugh. I am part of the group. On this occasion we thought that it would be helpful if we went right to the source. Each of us would interview at least one individual over 80 years of age who is in reasonable health and whom we look up to for their strength of character. We would get their story and dig for their secrets to the “fountain of youth.” A total of no less than 60 hours was committed to the interview process. We put aside a full day to report our findings and concluded with a summary of common themes. We discovered that one of the secrets to aging well is walking. Just plain old walking. At least five or six times a week makes a difference in the long haul, according to the people that ought to know: the majority of the 25 seniors interviewed take the time to walk regularly. This brings me nicely the best walking spaces in the GTA. After hurricane Hazel ripped through Toronto in 1953, it became apparent that preserving substantial green space in and around the city was a good idea. The management of storm water was a primary issue. Public safety was clearly at risk without substantial

MARK CULLEN changes to municipal building bylaws and the wildlife in our urban spaces was at risk without some protection. The result was the forming of the Toronto Region Conservation Authority. It became the responsibility of this organization to protect the wetlands and water courses. With more than 40,000 acres (17,000 hectares) of land under their control, the TRCA provides some of the best walking opportunities in the 416 and 905 areas. Here are some of my favourites for walking, hiking, biking and birding: KORTRIGHT CENTRE This Woodbridge destination is more than walking trails. It is home to a wonderful educational facility called the Campus of the Living City, where young and old alike can visit any day of the week and tour the environmentally responsible buildings that tell stories about the natural world around us. City kids receive an education in “urban tolerant” wildlife like raccoons, skunks, squirrels and song birds. They understand the habitat of more rare species of animals

that are at risk if we do not protect the green space around and in our cities. Beyond that Kortright offers extensive walking paths that feature signs that explain many of the features and benefits of the naturally wooded area. Find out more at 416-661-6600 or go to www.kortright.org. BLACK CREEK PIONEER VILLAGE If you have been to Pioneer Village it might surprise you that it is a TRCA property. A collection of historic homes, farm buildings, a wonderful old mill, churches and pioneer businesses make up the village. Beyond that, however, is another extensive trail system that takes you back in time through the miracle of nature. You will visit wetlands, the Black Creek and enjoy walking trails that will actually fool you into thinking that you are not in the city. Cool. Go to www.blackcreek.ca for details. BRUCE’S MILL CONSERVATION AREA This is the perfect place for a winter walk, run, hike and picnic. Or if you wait just a while, a sleigh ride. It is also the home to the York Region Safety Village, a city in miniature that helps kids understand the rules of the road and how to live in an urban or suburban setting safely. Bruce’s Mill, which is located in beautiful Stouffville, is famous for it’s sugaring off celebration in early spring. Details at www.trca.on.ca. All of this is to say that we enjoy some of the best walking trails in the country. In Toronto, there are

‘At the very least, I promise you a fun read’ PELOSO from H1

I have been working in the realm of interior design for the last 15 years and, while I am very influenced by architecture and art, I am most influenced by the clients that I get to work with. I have always believed that the design is based on the needs of the people who are going to use the space. It has never seemed logical to me that people should alter their lives to suit their space, when in fact, the space should be altered to suit the people that live there. As an example, my parents are now, happily, empty nesters. So, not only have I designed their house so that it is one-floor living, but I also know that my mother firmly believe that cleanliness is next to godliness. Based on that thought, she could be an archangel as her home always looks as though the cleaning lady left about 10 minutes ago. The bathroom gets cleaned immediately after it’s used in the morning, as does the kitchen after every meal. As a result, I have no issue selecting black granite for her as I know it will be maintained and always look beautiful. My brother and sister-in-law are super active people with three kids

AARON HARRIS FOR THE TORONTO STAR

Interpreting a client’s style is what Glen Peloso does best, but here he has designed his own kitchen in chic black and grey.

who couldn’t be more involved in sports, clubs and school activities. They would rather spend time with the kids than they would cleaning up almost ever! The nature of their lives means that they need surfaces that are of complex details and are designed to take a beating. Neither mode of being is better or worse. The design simply has to suit the way that people live and use the house they occupy. When you are looking at your own space, you have to ask yourself if you are happy. If you find that when you get home after a busy day at work, you walk in the house and think “there is so much to do, my house is so unorganized.” If that is the case, than I would ven-

ture to say that the house is not designed appropriately to you or how you use it. I strongly believe in the notion “form follows function.” To continue on with my extended family, the kids used to walk in the house and drop school books and coats, shoes, hats, scarves and mittens right at the front door. When I started to give them a hand with the house, I would occasionally have to really push the door open to get in. It wasn’t so much that these kids were any sloppier than other kids, the problem was that the house didn’t provide them with an appropriate place to put that stuff away. When we renovated the house, we added a front hall closet and a

over 400 kilometres of walking/ hiking trails alone. The parks, ravines and conservation lands equal 11per cent of total land area in the city. I urge you get out and do some walking and discovering of your own. If you find the time to walk on a regular basis you just might earn more time to enjoy other things that give you joy, through better health. QUESTION OF THE WEEK Q: I planted four fruit trees this year. I made sure they were hardy to my growing zone. Do they require winter protection? A: Fruit trees are very susceptible to rodent damage over winter. The best deterrent is to wrap a spiral plastic trunk protector from the bottom up. When you buy these, get the biggest ones as the snow can mound deep and rabbits can stand on their hind legs if they really want to make a meal of your tree bark. Fruit trees only need rodent protection for the first five to seven years or until the circumference of the trunk is about 8- to 10-centimetres thick. Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author and broadcaster. You can sign up for his free monthly newsletter at www.markcullen.com, and watch him on CTV Canada AM every Wednesday at 8:45 a.m. You can reach Mark through the “contact” button on his website. Mark’s latest book, The Canadian Garden Primer, is available at Home Hardware and all major bookstores.

storage bench with overhead storage compartments above, one for each one of the children. Once it was in place, getting them to used it was another task, but as I was just the uncle/designer, I didn’t have to get involved in that part. Style is a completely other debate. Prospective clients often ask me what my style is and my response is that my job is to interpret your style. Some designers have a very strong sense of what style “should be,” suggesting that one style is “terrible” while another is “faaaabulous.” I don’t agree. I know that over time, your sense of taste changes and what you’re attracted to changes. We only really need to look at the divorce rate to understand that! It is my job to ensure that colours, shapes and proportions work well together and that your style stays consistent throughout the space I am working with. Even eclectic tastes have some rules to follow when you are putting it all together to maintain balance and harmony. I’ll explore these ideas more fully, as well as the dos and don’ts of renovations, contractors, colours, materials, some good shopping tips, seasonal ideas . . . you get the picture. Keep an eye out for this column, and if you have questions, fire away! Glen Peloso, an interior designer who hosts HGTV’s Restaurant Makeover, Take This House and Sell It and is the design editor of Home & Décor magazine, appears every two weeks in New in Homes. Look for Glen’s Picks at Carpet One Floor & Home. You can contact him through his website www.glen pelosointeriors.com and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/peloso1.

he musical references in my column last week seemed to strike a chord with readers as I continued to get comments about it throughout this week. On that note, I’d like to put the song “Rise Up, Rise Up” by the Parachute Club in the back of your mind as you read on about the state of the highrise condo market in the GTA. George Carras, president of RealNet Canada Inc., was bang-on a month ago when he said that the sales statistics for the GTA highrise housing market showed the month of September ending on a decidedly upbeat note, pointing to a very healthy final quarter of 2010. Carras’ prescience was confirmed this week with the news that developers sold 3,159 new condo suites in the GTA in October. That’s the best October ever for total sales and the second-best month all-time for highrise, with the record being set back in June 2007, when whole projects were selling out in a day. And based on the street-talk in the industry, November is shapingup to be a lot like October. With an astonishing seven out of every 10 new homes sold in October being a highrise condominium suite, condo sales were up 27 per cent over October 2009, and are running 52.6 per cent ahead of the January-October 2009 period. On a year-to-date basis, homebuyers have been eager to sign on the dotted line for more than 17,000 condo suites, representing more than half (56 per cent) of the 30,914 new homes sold so far this year. Although the City of Toronto continues to account for the bulk of all condo sales (76 per cent in October), the biggest spikes in activity were found in the regions of Peel (Mississauga) and York (Markham and Vaughan), which were up 164 and 138 per cent respectively. To borrow a great expression used in a Star headline earlier this year, “condomonium” is spreading to the suburbs, and with the Greater Golden Horseshoe Growth Plan starting to take full effect, particularly the 40 per cent intensification rule, this trend will continue to grow. The strength of the highrise condominium market is largely attributable to the $75,000 differential between the RealNet highrise price index, which sits at $424,327, and the lowrise price index, which hit $500,532 in October. But I’d also have to say it has a lot to do with the healthy supply of well located, well designed buildings, combined with marketing which is second to none, as evidenced by the preponderance of local nominees for the U.S. home builder awards that are slated for January. The high cost of lowrise living in the 905 areas of the GTA is a reflection of very low levels of inventory available, with the scarcity driving up prices above the half-million dollar threshold for the first-time. As a result, lowrise new home sales were down 32 per cent compared with last October and are off 11.6 per cent on a year to date basis. Looking at the new home market as a whole, with the highrise market rising up and the low-rise market riding low (think “Low Rider” by War), total new home sales are actually running 15.5 per cent of 2009 through the end of October, which still translates into a whole lot of pending building activity, economic investment, and most importantly, jobs. Hey that reminds me of the Australian band Men at Work! Stephen Dupuis is president and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association. The views expressed are those of the president. Email: president@bildgta.ca.

SECTION H SATURDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2010 thestar.com

New in Homes & Condos LIFE UNDER THE PALMS Canadian developer has a great Florida deal, H2

AND BABY MAKES THREE Converting a precious office into a precious nursery, H4

Top 10 Home Buying Tips

ON ON2

Tarion.com

LA DOLCE VITA

Living in Middle Italy Lanterra’s plans for Treviso Condominium will transform Dufferin and Lawrence YVONNE MARTON SPECIAL TO THE STAR

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AARON HARRIS FOR THE TORONTO STAR

Glen Peloso relaxes in the living room of his renovated Riverdale home. You can read Peloso’s new column every two weeks in New in Homes.

‘I’m excited’ Designer promises he will inform, enlighten and entertain

can’t tell you how excited I am to be doing a column for this section of the Toronto Star, which is perhaps an odd turn of GLEN PELOSO phrase as I just told you I was excited! Over the next many weeks and months to come, I will be writing about the various elements of both residential and commercial design and how it relates to you. I will share images of projects that I have worked on and perhaps some that I have great admiration for. At the very least, I promise you a fun read. I’ll start by tell you a bit about me. Some of you may already know me from television shows like Restaurant Makeover, Take This House and Sell It and Renovate My Wardrobe, or various magazines, both national and local.

PELOSO continued on H10

Developers Barry Fenton and Mark Mandelbaum are not just business partners — they’re also friends. They tease one-another convivially and when one interjects, it’s prefaced by “with respect.” They finish each other’s sentences and echo one another’s sentiment. They’re on the same page. Working together for well over a decade — in an often roiling economy — their company, Lanterra Developments, has created some of Toronto’s most recognizable condominium projects. Covering a range of sizes, themes and styles, they’ve built WaterPark City, the Residences of Maple Leaf Square, Murano and the Toy Factory Lofts. They also have a number of projects under construction including ICE and ICE2, Burano, Neptune and Neptune 2 at WaterPark City. With a total of 19 buildings built or in development, Lanterra is responsible for over 6,000 condominium units, most in the city’s core. Sitting in the newly completed sales office of their latest venture, Treviso Condominiums, located at Lawrence Ave. W. and Dufferin St., Fenton and Mandelbaum are relaxed and excited at the same time (yes, it’s possible). Two days earlier, they hosted a neighbourhood “quiet opening” and were overwhelmed by the line-up of people that went around the corner. Fenton notes, despite their confidence in the project, that “nothing is a slam-dunk.” “Mark and I were standing outside and I think we gave each other a little bit of a hug and said ‘this is incredible.’ ” “And for the first time we actually ordered more food,” Mandelbaum adds. “We do it because we enjoy doing what we do,” Fenton says. “We love accomplishments, so when you have those results, it’s really, really rewarding. It’s important.” Treviso, designed by Page + Steele/IBI Group Architects, is a project that had something of an inauspicious beginning. Fenton drove by the corner regularly and says the land was a forgettable lot with some stores.

Glen Peloso designed this lovely bedroom in his Riverdale home for his daughter, Elix. TREVISO continued on H12

We Believe That Living By A River Can Be Both Beautiful And Affordable. www.mattamyhomes.com ON ON2

see centre spread for details

He’s got tHat swing…Choir boy-turnedcrooner Matt Dusk’s style harks back to a bygone era.

whatever magazine | winter 2010

130 WHAT Winter 2010.indd 15

10-11-16 1:19 PM

DeSigner Profile

with the Voice of Style:

Jane Hall

Jane Hall The Voice Of Style is a unique home décor store in Toronto filled with vibrant colours, fabrics, designs and one-of-a-kind pieces. It provides interior design services, ready-made and custom home furnishings and more all at fabulous prices that won’t break the bank. HD&R caught up with Jane to find out more about this talented designer.

Can you tell us about Jane Hall Design, The Voice of Style?

At The Voice of Style, we celebrate colour, pattern and texture every day and in every season. Nothing we have is mass-manufactured or mass-marketed. Every chair, cushion, and lamp shade is composed of a minimum of three different fabrics and chairs require six; every piece is designed by me as a kind of functional art. Our painted chairs are unlike anything found elsewhere. Trends just don’t come into it, unless you consider totally unique design and home décor the latest trend. In that case, I’ve been totally ahead of the curve for the last two decades, at least!

What makes you standout in the décor world?

My extensive experience in textile design, fine art, interior design, colour and fashion is reflected in our singular esthetic approach. As our reputation for beautiful, exuberant design continues to grow, it reflects an everincreasing consumer disenchantment with mass-produced, cookie-cutter goods for the home, and an escalating appetite for enduring and eclectic pieces.

What is your best decorating advice?

While trend-watching may be useful for manufacturers and retailers, following them exactly really won’t help you achieve a beautiful home that reflects what you love best. Your home is a nest, a sanctuary – a place to put your personal stamp. Those who embrace it are finding a way to create a signature style that’s truly their own.

Which companies have you collaborated with?

In this business I’ve found that my passion to combine interesting colour and texture in creative ways has lead to many fantastic opportunities with well-known companies such as Kravet, Mikasa, Second Cup and Michel’s Baguette, as well as hundreds of private homes. For the past 35 years, Hall has been championing the use of colour, pattern and texture, which she skillfully plays with to create one-of-a-kind pieces out of reclaimed, refurbished and recycled furniture. She’s also known for her stunning ready-made and custom draperies, bedding, cushions, signature lamps and shades, painted furniture, as well as one-of-a-kind accessories and art janehalldesign.com January 2011 | Home Décor and Renovations

GTA Edition

January 8 - 29, 2011 Volume 15 Issue 01

Your Best Source for New Condos

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

MORTGAGE MATTERS 101

CG_Cvr_Jan8.indd 1

TRENDWATCH: WHAT’S HOT IN 2011

YANIC SIMARD’S BIG STYLE FOR SMALL SPACES

12/13/10 4:56:40 PM

Condo sense

Decorating small spaces by yanic simard | photos by Brandon BarrĂŠ, stacey Brandford & ted yarWood

When space is at a premium, your design choices can help

maximize the space and the value of your property. Decorating small spaces has its challenges but they are not insurmountable. It is particularly satisfying, when we achieve more than we thought possible, in design and indeed in life. When designing a small space, there are three key considerations:

Use the vertical space (wall space)

You might have a small square footage but look up. Your walls offer a lot of space that you can use with some planning and imagination. Get your calculators out. A 12-by-12-ft. room gives you 144 sq. ft. of floor space. If you have an eight-ft. ceiling and four walls, you end up with approximately 384 sq. ft. of vertical space. If you used 10 ft. of vertical space on two walls, you would lose 20 sq. ft. of floor but gain 192 sq. ft. of storage.

068 new Condo Guide | january 8 - 29, 2011

Use of coloUr

Use monochromatic, light-coloured paint and furniture. My favorite and signature paint colour is Benjamin Moore OC 23 Classic Grey. The use of light colours for wall and floor coverings as well as furniture will create the illusion of a larger space. Another tip: You know the rule on how not to wear clothing with horizontal stripes that draw the eye onward? Well, the same principle can be applied to decorating your condo. Lighter and brighter colours are good to reflect and diffuse the light in a space. Use darker colours for the background and to maximize the whites/neutrals. Always paint the ceiling white or lighter than the walls. The light colours are usually most pleasing for a ceiling. Using white paint will create a high degree of light reflection, thereby giving your entire room a lighter and brighter feel.

january 8 - 29, 2011 | new Condo Guide 069

Introduce reflective elements and see-through furniture

Position a mirror directly on the wall opposite to the source of natural light. This will bounce the light back and forth while increasing the visual depth of your room at the same time. The use of chrome finishes will add some sparkle to your space. In furniture, always consider using glass or the like – its transparent nature will allow light to travel though it, making it almost invisible to those viewing the room. Polycarbonate, glass and plastic are the materials to consider looking at for your small space.

070 new Condo Guide | january 8 - 29, 2011

Yanic Simard is the principal designer of the Toronto Interior Design Group. Specializing in residential and commercial projects, Simard often applies his signature high/low and old/new combination design techniques in developing unique designs. Simard has created designs for clients in Toronto, Montreal and Miami, and has appeared as a regular guest expert on Citytv’s CityLine. For more information visit tidg.ca.

SECTION H SATURDAY APRIL 10, 2010 thestar.com

TW TE CE

New in Homes & Condos CROOKED HOUSE

GREEN ZONE

Children (and dogs) will love to spend time in their Funky Bunky, H2

You can grow a green lawn withoaut chemicals, Mark Cullen says, H4

Free online New Home Buyer Seminars 24/7 Tarion.com

AFTERGLOW

DESIGN

When it comes to service, Tridel sets the bar high How company handles after-sales service is winning them awards THERESA BOYLE TORONTO STAR

work on Lake Ontario.” The native Torontonian travels constantly. Phrases like “When I was in Poland last weekend. . . ” keep cropping up in conversation but not in a pretentious “I-am-a-worldtraveller-and-you’re-not” way. Dusk and his girlfriend Julita (a non-performer) have been in the house for a year and a half. He spotted it while on tour in the southern U.S. “My job is touring,” he allows. “I saw 30

When Jessica Lui took possession of her new condo last December, she noticed a few problems with the one-bedroom unit. The bathtub tap was loose, the washer-dryer unit was placed so close to the faucet that she couldn’t turn the tap on or off, and there was some water damage on the bedroom ceiling. Despite these flaws, Lui describes herself as a happy customer. She reported the problems to the customer service office at Tridel’s Grand Triomphe 2 on Yonge near Finch and in no time — with no fuss — everything was fixed. This is the third newly built condo that the 58-year-old retired Canada Post supervisor has purchased and she knows that expecting perfection is unrealistic. Defects are par for the course when there are hundreds of workers in numerous different trades and thousands of materials going into the building of a condo tower. But what sets one builder apart from another, observes Lui, is the reaction to a purchaser’s concerns. Where some builders might quibble over their obligations or be tardy in fixing a problem, Tridel was attentive and responsive, Lui says. “The thing I like about Tridel is that they take that extra step. They give you more information and are always open to hearing about our concerns,” she says. “They are very approachable, they keep in touch with you along the way, and they seem to go out of their way,” she adds. Lui’s experiences might help explain why Tridel has been ranked the top condo builder in customer satisfaction in the Greater Toronto Area by J. D. Power and Associates for four years running. Tridel has topped the list ever since the U.S. market research firm started ranking new condo builders here in 2006. Tridel is also the Ontario Home Builders’ Association’s reigning builder of the year. Showcases in the foyer of Tridel’s Dufferin St. head office are laden with awards. They include Tarion’s highrise builder of the year for both 2007 and 2008, and BILD’s highrise green builder of the year for 2007,

DUSK continued on H16

TRIDEL continued on H7

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARLOS OSORIO/TORONTO STAR

Matt Dusk enjoys one of the singlemalts from his large Scotch collection while relaxing on the orange sectional in his basement hide-away.

From Dusk till dawn Matt Dusk is turning the music world upside down with his modern take on vintage classics; the same thing might be said of his house, which is dedicated to all things Rat Pack RITA ZEKAS SPECIAL TO THE STAR

CE TE TW

Walking into Matt Dusk’s living room is like a citrus flashback. The room is so dominated by a shocking orange shag rug, one expects Bob Newhart and Suzanne Pleshette to pop in at any moment. It also takes the eye away from the grand piano, the tool of his trade. “I love orange; it is warm and very ’70s,” says the jazz singer/songwriter, who is appearing on April 16 and 17 at Harbourfront at the Enwave Theatre. “It is Frank Sinatra’s favou-

Go the www.thestar.com or www.yourhome.ca to see two videos of Matt Dusk at home with the Toronto Star.

Matt Dusk’s bedroom makeover has turned the space into a cozy oasis.

rite colour. Orange is very sexy and warm.” The 31-year-old crooner’s devotion to all things Rat Packish is evident in his ’60s ranch-style home in Etobicoke. The basement lounge is like Vegas North. He loves palm trees, reflected in his artwork and Moroccan tapestries, as well as in the awesome iridescent palm wallpaper in the master bedroom. “There are two themes in this house: Palms or boats,” he explains. “I have a sailboat. I love the simple life — when things get tough, I go fishing or sailing to escape. Cell phones don’t

This Weekend We’ll Show You The Best Connections In Brampton. mattamyhomes.com (see centre spread for details)

A Community Connected To Transit.

H16

TORONTO STAR

SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 2010

ON ON2

HOMES & CONDOS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARLOS OSORIO / TORONTO STAR

Matt Dusk, right, shares a giggle with designer Glen Peloso of “Restaurant Maker,” who helped Dusk turn his bedroom and ensuite bathroom into a beautiful retreat.

Good news: Matt Dusk is back in town DUSK from H1

houses on MLS and I fell in love with this one. It was built in ’63 and has ’60s flair. I loved the open-concept with kitchen and family room separated — important for traffic flow.” The kitchen was the deal maker. “I loved the Mediterranean feel, the terra cotta floors. I had three days off from the tour and flew back and made the offer.” A lot of the pottery in the kitchen comes from his travels or from HomeSense. The kitchen had been renovated in ’92 with a fireplace added — one of three wood-burning fireplaces, the other two are in the basement and living room — and a sunken family room/sun room complete with flat-screen TV, rattan chaises and patio doors leading out to the backyard, which has a pool and a honking big barbecue. There are four bedrooms and four bathrooms. One basement bedroom has been converted into a small studio where Dusk recorded the vocals for the music for Jason Priestley’s new dark comedy series Call Me Fritz. There were three months of renos. He did the master bedroom, adjacent bathroom and the basement. Dusk assisted in the demolition of the bathroom. He is mighty handy with a sledge hammer. “We are happiest when we are the most creative or most destructive,” cracks interior designer Glen Peloso, who executed the master bedroom revamp on the second floor. “If I pay someone $3,000 to do it, how much whiskey can I buy with that money?” demands Dusk, whose basement bar is well stocked with singlemalt Scotch. “I got into Jack Daniels because of Sinatra,” he confesses. “Jack was Frank’s drink.” Peloso and Dusk met and bonded over a mutual love of tailoring. Dusk is very dapper in sports jacket, striped bespoke shirt and strategically ripped jeans. Sinatra would approve. Okay,

Dusk’s collection of Scotch whiskey is displayed in his custom bar in the newly renovated basement of his home, which is a shrine to all things Rat Pack.

RESOURCES FOR BEDROOM MAKEOVER l Custom drapery & all bedding materials: Sun-Brite Drapery & Bedding, 416-741-9430, www.sunbritedrapery.com l Wallpaper: Crown Wallpaper & Fabrics, 416-246-2315, www.crownwallpaper.com l Bedside wall lamps & console lamp: Living Lighting, 905-790-9023 or 1-866-463-4124, www.livinglighting.com l Area carpet: Carpet One Floor & Home, 1-800.CARPET-1, www.carpetone.ca l Pocket door and closet mirror: Loews Home Improvement, www.loewshomeimprovement.net l Door hardware: Taymor Inc., www.taymor.com l Round mirror: Casalife, 416.922.2785, www.casalife.com l Picture frames above bed: Michael’s, www.michaels.com l Florals: Fresh Floral Creations, 416 968-1270, www.freshflorals.com l Paint: Benjamin Moore Aura, Gray Mist, www.benjaminmoore.ca

The shockingly orange shag carpet in the living room plays against the stark white of the sofa and chairs. Orange candles, gold drapes and glass tables give the room the 1960s feeling that Dusk loves.

maybe not the jeans. “I met Glen at a party in Canada for Pal Zileri, an Italian line that sponsors me,” Dusk recalls. “He said ‘Hey, what about if you do something with your house?’ ” The master bathroom was gutted and the flooring replaced with basket-weave black-and-white tiles. The basket-weave is echoed in vinyl wallpaper in the centre of the bedroom’s closet doors. The built-in valance on the draperies is very ’50s and the retro metal phone from Pottery Barn on the night table nails the period. Peloso describes the style of the bedroom as “deco and transitional; Matt is a soul caught in the ’50s. It is all about that era in music and time and evokes a great Old Hollywood hotel. It is totally Rat Pack.” “Glen made it as inspiring as the living room where I write music,” Dusk says. “I wanted the bedroom

to be very Miami and Vegas and Rat Packish to embrace the character of the house.” A Frank Sinatra coffee table book has pride of place in Dusk’s adjacent office, painted in shades of green from lime to chartreuse — it is his Green Room. There is the obligatory homage to palm trees in a wall hanging and the picture hung in the stairwell looks like a Hawaiian shirt print — without the cheese factor. Paintings of landscapes and/or water scenes line the hallway on the second floor. “There is no greater crime than bare walls,” Dusk laughs. “It is the reflection of my style without taking out a mortgage.” Downstairs in the basement is Dusk’s entertainment centre. He loves to entertain; he swears he is a homebody. It’s not your father’s rec room. There is a built-in bar, flat-screen

TV, fireplace, poker table – “this is how I make my money and how I lose my money”—and DIY chairs, reupholstered by Dusk in a green polka-dot print. “I went to Fabricland,” he says. “I got second-hand chairs and refurbished them. I spent $250 for eight chairs, all in. They were used for staging and I got them on Craigslist.” He learned how to do the reupholstering from YouTube. The basement is fully carpeted with an orange sectional sofa. “It’s my bat cave and my space to entertain and play cards. It fits 20 people. I don’t like having people sit on the floor. “I designed a bar with a bronze mirror because it is a ’60s thing. I get ideas from travelling through Europe.” Framed posters conjuring up Old Hollywood are everywhere: Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca; Sinatra in “Come Fly with Me” mode. “In that era, life was simple; people had direction,” Dusk says. “The men were gentlemen and the ladies were beautiful. Casablanca is a romantic image of mystique and wonder. When I got into music, people paid attention to how cool a boy of 17 was wearing a tux. It was the era of dressing to the nines. “Even recording at Capitol Studios, in the same room Frank recorded (Dusk recorded “Back in Town” in 2006 in Capitol Records’ fabled Studio A with a 58-piece orchestra), every day I wore a suit and tie out of respect for the musicians and the music. I saw the photos of Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole and it was ‘why am I here?’ ”

Indeed, Dusk says he was more into house and electro music than jazz. “A buddy handed me a CD and it was the first time I heard Big Band music,” Dusk recalls. “It was a recording of ‘Witch Craft.’ I didn’t care about Frank Sinatra before he died. I was with St. Michael’s Choir School and I had a vocal range similar to Sinatra’s. I used to get karaoke tapes because it was a great way to get dates.” He hadn’t intended on singing professionally. He was going into his dad’s packaging business and in 1998 went to York to study economics. That lasted one year, when he switched to the music program and graduated with an honours degree in jazz and popular music. This is his first house. Family is important to him; his parents live a block away. “That is why I moved here.” His punishing touring schedule notwithstanding, it’s a good time for his genre. “Harry Connick Jr. and Michael Bublé made it a very ‘male’ sound,” Dusk says. “It’s about timing: Look at Frank Sinatra and Andy Williams. Andy Williams is a terrific singer.” Dusk has been at it 12 years professionally but says he isn’t making Bublé’s $50 million paycheque. What would he do with $50 million? “My house would be looking differently,” Dusk says. Except perhaps for the orange rug. l For more information on Matt Dusk , including ticket sales and a video of his new single, “Good News,” go to www.mattdusk.com. To see more of Glen Peloso’s work, go to www.glenpelosointeriors.com

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[see source guide]

Very Chic

Bamboo is also a great choice as hard surface flooring. Although most people think of bamboo flooring as being blonde with a tight stripe, it has moved from there since its introduction to the market place. You can find stain colours that are in medium browns to grey black. The variety of ways that the flooring is created with a cross cut grain gives bamboo a look similar to maple in terms of an un-complex grain detail. The other big advantage with bamboo floors is the fact that some are up to one hundred and twenty five times harder than oak. Pets and stilettos pose much less of a threat to the surface of the floor. Stone floors not only look spectacular, they have a natural beauty only found in the perfection of nature but they only have to be quarried as opposed to being manufactured. The life span is hard to compare as witnessed by the great churches of Europe which have endured centuries of traffic. They are kind of a gift from Mother Nature and the form is not altered from the original. They are equally fantastic in a wet application as a dry one. The eco component combined with endurance and natural beauty make them a great choice for most homes.

Eco Floors

In every room we start with a floor. Making the decision about what to use as the flooring material will impact the feeling of the room for a long time, whereas wall colour and wall coverings and furnishings can change several times before we will change the floor. Making an eco friendly choice is not only nice for the environment but is also a really great thing to do for the aesthetics of the space you are working on. The industry at large has worked diligently to be able to present more and more selections in this area. It is important to speak with your sales professional before getting too excited over a particular floor. I often recommend Carpet One stores because I am sure that product, installation and follow through will be well handled. Not all flooring will work well in every situation. For example, beautiful hardwood floors and large dogs don’t mix well!

Linoleum is also a great product depending on application. It is created essentially from linseed oil and is very durable depending on the grade of linoleum that you buy. The ability to create pattern and the myriad of colours that are available make it a great product for laundry rooms, cottages, commercial applications etc. Over time, vinyl flooring and linoleum seem to be confused in the minds of consumers, however they are quite separate. They work very well where harder products like stone or porcelain might crack because of questionable substrate (subfloor); linoleum will last and look good for that application. As the floor is going to be part of the room for a long time, it is well worth exploring some of the eco choices mentioned and explore other options while you are in the store looking for flooring. You will not only do something to enhance your home but you will also make an effort to enhance the world’s ecosystem. - Text by Glen Peloso, celebrity designer of Glen Peloso Interiors

If you are going with carpet there is nothing more luxurious than to use a wool carpet. In fact, wool carpet has been around for a very long time and would most certainly be considered a forefather of the eco friendly choices. A simple sheep shearing (although if you have ever tried to shear a sheep, it’s really not that easy or simple) and the sheep goes back to grazing in the fields. Very few products wear as well as wool and nothing compares to the look and feel of wool underfoot. Cork is a great choice on many levels as it is very warm and soft underfoot. It is often a great choice for people who have a hard time with standing on hard surfaces like stone or porcelain. The ability to stain and shape cork products has advanced dramatically. We are no longer forced into having to make a choice that looks as though it should come with push pins. The selection is vast both in terms of colour and style. There are planks; tiles and even strips of cork that are designed to look like hardwood. The latter is my favourite, and makes a fantastic eco choice for a young and active family.

[see source guide]

Very Chic

Eco Floors

The Loden in Vancouver, built in 2008 and made up of seventyseven rooms, is not only an establishment of great service but also of exceptionally creative space planning. While I toured the eighteen hundred square foot penthouse suite, more than suitable for a lavish party or a family traveling with kids and a nanny, I stayed in a fantastic room that looked out over the city and the harbour. The surround sound system that allows you to enjoy music (your own on ipod or provided) in the bath or separate showers or water closet is just one of the features of this warm and woody room. The bathroom area was lush to say the least with fine stone tiles, a huge tub and equally large walk-in shower, plush towels and products by Molton Brown to spoil yourself. While the bedroom with its large wall-mounted television, seating area and built-in desk had a brilliant view out of the floor-to-ceiling operable windows, the bathroom was not to be outdone for lack of view. To take advantage of the view, the walls of the bathroom are on sliders so that they can be removed not only to enhance the natural sunlight in the space

but also to expose the view of the city and harbour beyond the floated mirrors and drop fixtures of the wash basin. The closets and dressers are built-in to create a seamless wrap of warm mid-toned wood. The very comfortable Sealy mattresses provides a great sleep so that you feel refreshed to get up to the 24-hour yoga channel (the room comes with a mat) or run down to the beautifully appointed on-site gym. The attention to detail from the turn down service with a special gift each night (massage oils, loose teas), fresh flowers, fruit bowl and personalized hand written notes does everything to leave you feeling pampered and cared for. You should plan to spend somewhere between two hundred and four thousand a night (penthouse) depending on the time of year. From a design perspective, I gave it very high marks for exceptional space planning and appointments and wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hesitate to make a return trip. - Text by Glen Peloso, celebrity designer of Glen Peloso Interiors

The Loden

hotel Art s

This was a great experience not only for the level of service that is shown to the guests but also because the concept of the hotel embraces the visual artists in that community. In fact the community in general is as pleased with the space and amenities as I was.

It is a nice feeling to be a traveler and know that it is as likely you will bump into a local as another tourist and we all know that the experience of a city is often improved from the knowledge of people who live there. The concept of the space was first the dream of the founder John Tribauld who began the investment group who has gone on to also acquire The Kensington in Calgary. (with a great restaurant called “Chefs Table” and headed up by the executive Chef of both properties, Duncan Ly.) I was initially attracted to the hotel largely because it is a celebration of Canadian visual artists from the fantastic metal bull that is in the front lobby, to the brilliant hand blown glass chandelier that is in the entrance way. These pieces look out on to a courtyard and pool that would leave you thinking that you were happily sun bathing in Miami – (lucky for me the weather was great! –but the Hotel can’t promise the sunshine and warmth).

Every floor is lined with the work of artists as are the individual rooms. The hand blown light fixtures that adorn each level of this 100 room hotel are as unique as the large fixture in the lobby. To walk through the public spaces of the hotel is a bit like walking through a gallery where each of the pieces bring a certain joy to the area you are in. The oversized Prada bag that flanks the elevator certainly attracts a great deal of attention. The interiors of the rooms are lined with sumptuous blue velvet draperies covering the windows and the head board wall. Most importantly the bed is like sleeping on a cloud across from the flat screen television mounted to be successfully viewed from the sofa and chairs. The bar area is appointed to feel as though you are Frank Sinatra in a Vegas hotel. This room felt elegant and comfortable in every regard. Again the attention to detail in service was fantastic and the fact that the art work throughout always allowed for a conversation with either a hotel patron or a local who had come to enjoy the pool restaurant or bar. It was like visiting a friend who owned a gallery and had a stunning guest room! - Text by Glen Peloso, celebrity designer of Glen Peloso Interiors

hotel Art s

[see source guide]

pace

transitional

Text by Glen Peloso, celebrity designer of Glen Peloso Interiors - Photography by Michal Tomaszewski / Pinpoint National

Glen Peloso of Restaurant Makeover and Take This House & Sell It

[see source guide]

pace

transitional

Text by Glen Peloso, celebrity designer of Glen Peloso Interiors - Photography by Michal Tomaszewski / Pinpoint National

Glen Peloso of Restaurant Makeover and Take This House & Sell It

[see source guide]

Very Chic

This space has the details of a traditional bathroom with a twist making it a transitional space. The combination of black and white and the very strong vein cut marble tiles provide a striking statement on first approach to this room. The room is divided up into a water closet, shower combination and a bathtub and vanity area. The details of the vanity are traditional with legs and a combination of doors and drawers in a warm wood stain of medium brown. Above that is a large mirror with internal LED lighting giving the space that twist toward something more modern. The mirror reflects the curved wall, with mirrored ends in black and white tiles installed to give us the feeling of running water and hugging the tub and floor mounted faucet. The chandelier above the tub is a twist on the modern version in laser cut chrome and crystals to provide a contrast to the strong statement of the curved wall. Beside that is a bright window covered in long flowing simple draperies from floor to ceiling. Where the water closet might be completely closed I have installed a partially frosted glass panel and barn door slider. The view through to the shower where the vein cut marble is maintained on the back wall keeps the space looking cohesive and dramatic. All of the elements of this room have a traditional feel but each element has a slight twist making it a lovely transitional space.

[see source guide]

Very Chic

pace

modern

Text by Glen Peloso, celebrity designer of Glen Peloso Interiors - Photography by Michal Tomaszewski / Pinpoint National

[see source guide]

Metal coloured floor tiles combined with solid surface walls, a rain shower head combined with a light, a doorless shower and floated tub give this space a more modern feeling. The dark blue grey walls make the space romantic and warm while maintaining a slight feeling of mystery. Because the space was tight, I played with a single palette of colour in greys, blues and white. The porcelain tiles give us the feeling of a plate metal floor and the reflective nature works well for light play. The shower head by Jaclo offers a great sense of magic as we rarely expect that the light source and the water source will be one. The glass walls of the shower and the maintenance of a single surface into the shower assist in making the space feel undefined into areas. The modern vanity in bamboo by Umbrella cabinetry with under mount sink and stone top maintains the warmth of the space with long flat handles and complete drawers without doors is a twist on the image we are used to.

HOT Product

pace

modern

Text by Glen Peloso, celebrity designer of Glen Peloso Interiors - Photography by Michal Tomaszewski / Pinpoint National

[see source guide]

HOT Product

pace

traditional

Text by Glen Peloso, celebrity designer of Glen Peloso Interiors - Photography by Michal Tomaszewski / Pinpoint National

[see source guide]

This ensuite bathroom has all the bells and whistles that a bathroom could ever want while maintaining a simple spa-like feel. The wallpaper and art works maintain a traditional feel for this spa bathroom; however the art works hide an in-wall television for those long soaks in the stainless steel Japanese soaker tub. In order to maximize the space and provide both a tub and shower the exterior walls of the soaker tub make the interior walls of the glass enclosed shower. The stone tiles, in a golden travertine, used throughout the space also give us the feeling of a traditional bathroom in a fine hotel. The rich dark brown wood vanity, with surface mounted sink and faucets and long towel bar pulls, provides a warm contrast to the stainless steel mirror and overhead light. The addition of florals in deep purples adds a rich pop of colour. The toilet bidet combination by Toto provides all of the luxury of a beautifully appointed spa, with heated seat, auto open and close and built-in bidet with a dryer unit, although it remains a simple structure in the space. Finally the wall colour of warm sand provides this room with the look of a traditional bathroom but with all of the comforts of a much more state-of-the-art ensuite. It is the perfect compliment to the traditional bedroom with fireplace.

pace

traditional

Text by Glen Peloso, celebrity designer of Glen Peloso Interiors - Photography by Michal Tomaszewski / Pinpoint National

[see source guide]

Sometimes you want to feel as though you are in a fine boutique hotel but you don’t really want to leave home. That was the case with this client who wanted to have a little sanctuary to pull up the blanket, light the fire, and enjoy a nice glass of wine and a good film or book.

Bout ique

BEDROOM Text by Glen Peloso, celebrity designer of Glen Peloso Interiors - Photography by Michal Tomaszewski / Pinpoint National

The light metallic leaf motif wallpaper that is featured on the headboard wall is contrasted with the warm wood tone of the bed frame and the neutral fabric of the head board. The two night side tables with larger square lamps provide great storage for reading materials, good lighting, as well as a functional surface! The bedding and duvet in high quality cotton with tone-on-tone coverlet and shams provide the room with a sense of luxury. The breakfast cushions repeat the metallic motif of the wallpaper. The picture rails allow for a great display area for photos of the children that have since moved on to their own families. The writing desk, surrounded by an articulated mirror make for a perfect place to do makeup or pen a simple note. The blackout lined silk draperies flank the new fireplace which houses a vent-free ethanol firebox in stainless steel. The sheer stone face provides strong visual focus to the room and the television provides entertainment. The comfortable chair and ottoman end the line of closets in back-lit French doors. The small but luxurious bathroom with stainless steel Japanese soaker tub, separate shower, automated bidet toilet seat, vanity, mirror storage and hidden television provide a full spa experience for this client. If this room came with room service – aside from Mother’s Day – why would she ever have to leave!

[see source guide]

Bout ique

BEDROOM Text by Glen Peloso, celebrity designer of Glen Peloso Interiors - Photography by Michal Tomaszewski / Pinpoint National

COVER FEATURE

Cosy quarters

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046-049-Cover Feature_Yanic Simard_M.indd 46

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Yanic Simard lives large

Designer reveals how he in a small space

By Sara Duck | Photos by Brandon Barre

The old adage is true, good things do come in small packages! Case in point, designer Yanic Simard’s impeccably decorated 640-sq.-ft. two-bedroom Victorian home in Toronto. While many people think bigger is better when it comes to owning real estate, Yanic saw the immediate potential in this cosy gem and set out to prove that he can live large in a small space. “Choosing a house with a good frame is key when wanting to design a space that feels bigger than it actually is,” says Simard. The quaint house he chose boasts large appeal with 10- and 11-ft. vaulted ceilings, eight-ft. doors and oversized baseboards, elements that helped kick-start his overall design inspiration. When it came to establishing the ﬂow of the house, Yanic’s eclectic style shines throughout the space with mid-century design elements mixed with antique, Art Deco and ’70s inﬂuences. A sophisticated colour palette of black, white and grey accented with hues of mossy green, brown and baby blue and unexpected hits of gold and chrome mixed in creates a truly interesting dynamic.

046-049-Cover Feature_Yanic Simard_M.indd 47

9/23/10 1:03:33 PM

DRAPES by Drapica. Visit drapica.com; SOFA BED by Re-Wrap Custom Upholstery. Visit rewrap.ca; CUSTOM LAMINATE FOLDING SCREEN by Abet Laminati. Visit abetlaminati.com

Of course, one of the biggest challenges when decorating and living in a smaller space is storage. Simard insists that storage throughout every room is essential to keeping a chic abode. So he came up with creative solutions to maximize space in his small quarters. Solutions such as a polished chrome armoire in the den/guest room, that works as a stylish piece and can also accommodate a guest’s personal belongings. Hidden storage under the sofa in the living room, closet organizers in the bedroom, and a stainless steel cart in the bathroom all provide extra storage and diminish the look of clutter. Finally, to make his small space feel comfortable, luxurious and complete, Simard opted for a variety of interesting fabrics from linen and silk to velvet and chenille. These fabrics appear in diﬀerent aspects around the home from curtains and pillows to furniture and rugs. 48

While decorating a small space may seem like a daunting task, Simard claims, “A good and wellplanned furniture layout is key to a sophisticated environment.” So if you have a petite pad, get planning and you too can live large in a small space!

@ Recently Simard designed a swag lounge for the Toronto International Film Festival! Log on to homeanddecor.ca to see his exclusive collaboration. Yanic Simard is the principal designer of the Toronto Interior Design Group. Specializing in residential and commercial projects, Simard often applies his signature high/low and old/new combination techniques in developing unique designs. Simard has created designs for clients in North America and is a regular design expert on Citytv’s CityLine. tidg.ca

Home Décor and Renovations | October 2010

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TEXTILES throughout the home by Robert Allen. Visit robertallendesign.com

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Edit or’s Notes

through the use of style and design. Thus the importance in having a space you can call your own, your personal haven. While traveling the world, we see how many different cultures interpret their version of their home. What I love about Canada is that we are one of the few countries where you will find a mixture of different cultures all within one design. We love to mix and match and bring our worldly experiences back home. I like to think Canadians are rich in culture.

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Have you ever wondered if one person can make a difference in the world? The world is vast and filled with plenty of people from different walks of life which have shaped their characters into the individuals they are today. I see design as an expression of one’s style and personality. I love to see how one’s experiences have changed and altered their lives thus altering their personal design style.

I am a big believer in design being a personal experience. I have an art piece that hangs proudly over my Barcelona sofa in my front room which I love. I am not sure what exactly about the painting draws me in but I can stare at it for hours at a time. Possibly the abstract trees remind me of my childhood adventures at the cottage where the weekdays and weekends blended together or perhaps it is my astonishment for the artist’s freedom of expression. To me, that’s what ties the design of my space together but not because the painting fits into my colour scheme and design concept but rather as it tugs at the strings of my soul. When I look at the painting, I think “That’s me in a nutshell – Unique, warm, sophisticated, cultured, with a dab of humour, and a passion for life.” I encourage you, the reader to find your “piece of art” - What makes your heart tick. Once you find that piece, integrate it into your design concept. That’s what life is all about - Passion.

Canadian Home Trends Magazine is not only helping you design your home; it is helping you express your walk of life

Photography by Fred Elcheschen

Nadia Ali Photo by Michal Tomaszewski / Pinpoint National

Marc Atiyolil with Massimo Capra from Restaurant Makeover and CityLine

Glen Peloso from Restaurant Makeover, Matt Dusk, and Marc Atiyolil

Matt Dusk bedroom

[see source guide]

Matt Dusk gives the world music by being a great singer. Stylistically, Matt has developed a sound that is the combination of original songs with the qualities of the swing/jazz era of the forties to the sixties. It is no wonder that he was attracted to a home that has the architecture of that same time period. My job was to find a way of honouring the shape of the space and give it a contemporary twist. What would the great crooners of the past, (Tony Bennett, Mr. Sinatra etc.) select if they were in the height of their careers today? Iridescent wallpaper combined with hardwood floors, leather insets and silk draperies, a super comfortable bed and wall mount light fixtures with an upscale hotel look but shaped in a contemporary way and result the desired Modern retro, which makes this room completely in line with who Matt is, an original contemporary artist heavily influenced by tradition. - Text by Glen Peloso

Photography by Michal Tomaszewski / Pinpoint National

Matt Dusk bedroom

[see source guide]

Photography by Michal Tomaszewski / Pinpoint National

[see source guide]

The Loft

[see source guide]

In working with an open concept space the first order of business is to decide how you want the room to function. Be sure that your expectations are reasonable and executable. With these particular clients, they wanted to have generally an entertainment space. The seating area to entertain and enjoy guests and television/ movies with a great sound system, would take up the majority of the floor space. They also wanted to have an area to be able to read quietly but for the man of the family, a place to have â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;poker nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; attached to the requisite bar that seems to go with poker night. In approaching a large open concept room, you need to imagine the space as if it were separated into rooms. Imagine there are walls with hallways as you are going to need a space to walk around the room. In this space we used the back of the sofa and chairs in conjunction with sofa back tables. The seating area is grounded with a luxurious carpet to focus and ground it. The reading area seemed to fit nicely into the eaves, backed with a library of shelves and books. Because of the peak of the eaves and the windows, we created window benches which also function as storage areas. The long wall between the small library and the bar acts as both a hallway to the bar and a display area/ curio for their collection of exotic grappa bottles. We had the curio custom built, along with the entertainment area and the bar to be able to maximize the space and ensure that it would be highly functional.

Photography by Michal Tomaszewski / Pinpoint National

The Loft

[see source guide]

Photography by Michal Tomaszewski / Pinpoint National

[see source guide]

We also had the poker table custom made to act as both a table and chairs set, however by removing the wood cover of the table we discover a poker table designed to make any hard-core poker player happy, even though this table doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see much more action than a dollar anti to join the game. The wooden faced bar with stone top and drop lighting, which helps to separate the section by implying a wall made of the front of the bar and the lights, is complete with sink, dishwasher drawer, storage and a commercial styled fridge. The hydraulic bar stools with chrome bases keep the space looking clean and simple. Even Humphrey Bogart would be happy to tell the bartender his tail of woe. The colour palette is simple greys and soft blues which allow the space to feel open and clean. The drama of the space comes in the accessories. This is where any open concept space starts to sing. The accessories provide the pops of colour; the cushions with both colour and texture, the wall art in reds, oranges, blues and greens, the arrangement of the grappa bottles, the flowers and the chrome and steel accessories take the space and move it from a room â&#x20AC;&#x201C; into a home. The room functions exactly as this client hoped it would, and feels exactly the way they wanted their home to feel. - Text by Glen Peloso

[see source guide]

Readership of over 200,000 in Vaughan & beyond

•

Volume 6 Issue 3

whatevermagazine.ca

makeover magician Designer glen Peloso on how to make your space stylish… and functional

Plus: vaughan votes 2010 • hair trenDs for fall • fighting aDDiction

“

cover story

Decorate your home to fit your lifestyle, not to impress your friends, says celebrity designer and TV regular Glen Peloso who offers valuable tips on making your space work for you.

MY space By filomena rosati

hen a house no longer feels like home – a home that should be a safe haven, an abode to live in, a place to relax and be inspired – it’s time for a change, perhaps a renovation!

Over the years, many people fill their homes with objects they think they’re supposed to have and not with the things that work for the way they live life, turning their home into a house that rather than being a place of rest, often becomes a source of frustration. So says Glen Peloso, principal designer of Glen Peloso Interiors and a regular on home improvement shows on television. It is, he says, a matter of appearance versus functionality. “Why would someone be willing to spend thousands of dollars on renovating a kitchen with a large, high-end fridge if eating out is really what they do?” wonders Peloso. “I would convince them otherwise.” He finds he has to remind people that it is important to utilize their home space to suit

whatever magazine | fall 2010

Glen Peloso: “A home that allows you to shut the door at the end of the day and say ‘Ah, I’m home’ is far more important than a home that merely looks good. It has to be a space that makes you happy, a space that is comfortable.”

whatever magazine | FaLL 2010

cover story their lifestyle. “Ultimately, it’s not worth it,” says Peloso to those who fill their homes with expensive objects they will rarely use. “High-end items are fine if they fit your lifestyle, but buying them just for the sake of it doesn’t make sense.” A common mistake people make is to create and design a home to impress friends and family, says Peloso. “One sure way to tell is to ask yourself : ‘Am

‘‘

tic, says Peloso. “If your life’s priority is kids and family, you definitely don’t want to have things own you, as my grandfather used to say.”

my job is not to overlay my preference but to interpret the owner’s desires in a way that works for the owner.”

A home that allows you to shut the door at the end of the day and say “Ah, I’m home” is far more important than a home that merely looks good, advises Peloso. “It has to be a space that makes you happy, a space that is comfortable.”

In the final analysis, says Peloso, it’s the people and architecture that provide the most inspiration. “Who they are, why they chose the house, how they live their life… that gives me the inspiration of where to look from the perspective of time periods, materials etc.”

He often asks his clients to think about

Peloso is not just a successful interior

Ask yourself: ‘Am I happy in the house I live in?’

’’

If you’re not, chances are you’ve designed it wrong. I happy in the house I live in?’ If you are not happy, chances are, you’ve designed it wrong.”

what makes more sense, alter who they are to suit their home or alter their space to suit who they are?

Peloso, who has operated his design studio in Vaughan for the past five years, has been working in the field for more than 12 years, crafting beautiful yet functional spaces for residential, hospitality industry and commercial clients in the GTA and beyond.

He explains that very often people are interested in form rather than function. That is to say that the tendency is to care more about how our home looks than how we intend to use principal rooms in our home. If our homes are an extension of ourselves, then the way our home is designed and used should work with and fit our lifestyle.

If you are a busy family person with children in activities all week and you barely have time to sit and eat a meal together, your needs differ from an empty nester whose life is not as hec-

whatever magazine | FALL 2010

Personally, Peloso is most attracted to clean, simple lines – contemporary and uncluttered. “However, with any client,

designer, he is also a familiar face on home improvement shows on television. He has hosted Restaurant Makeover, Take This House and Sell It and Renovate My Wardrobe, besides appearing on other shows. He got his big television break some eight years ago when a sound guy working with him on Decorating Challenge recommended him to the producers of Restaurant Makeover. Peloso came on board for the third episode and has been on the show as one of the designers for the past eight seasons.

Although Peloso enjoys both residen-

cover story tial work and commercial design, he does admit that he “adored” working on Restaurant Makeover. “It is different from residential in that your ‘end user’ is the patron of the restaurant. You have the freedom to create things in restaurants that would not normally be used in residential applications. Creating décor that is bespoke is a very exciting process and creatively very enjoyable.” It is also very challenging, because of the budgets limitations involved. “Realistically there is not much that can be done to a restaurant for $30,000,” says Peloso. “You have to have great relationships with suppliers and be very clever selecting what you will attack to make improvements.” Peloso says that as a designer his role is to achieve a functional space for the client. “My job is to ensure the marriage of form and function. Once I understand what a client loves about a certain style, I jump in and make sure they execute that style using the right dimensions and proportions and balance. I don’t think it is right for a designer to give you ‘their style” in your space; they need to help you reveal your own style and then execute that in the space that they are working with.” Peloso says a common mistake people make when doing a renovation themselves is trying to achieve a look of something they like that doesn’t belong in the space they have. “As a simple analogy… statues are brilliant on the grounds of Versailles and look beautiful, but they don’t work on the front lawn of a house in Vaughan unless the property is large enough to feature it. Part of my job is to understand the ethos of what someone is attracted to and give them that.” It’s natural to be attracted by pictures in a magazine, says Peloso, “but what looks brilliant in a magazine doesn’t always work in reality.” “It’s my job to give clients the ‘feel’ of that magazine picture appropriate to what they have, or explain why they can’t achieve that look in their current space. It’s important for me to mitigate expectations in most cases as people see something and think it will fit perfectly in their house.” In recent years, the rooms people have sought to renovate most often

whatever magazine | FALL 2010

‘‘

It’s natural to be attracted by pictures in a magazine. But what looks brilliant in a magazine doesn’t always work in reality.

’’

are kitchens and bathrooms, but these are also the most typically misunderstood, says Peloso. “These are two rooms that are filled with function and that function is super important,” he says. “Often people want to address the form of those spaces first because they have to love the look. And most people use those spaces several times a day (unlike the den or living room, for example),” he adds. “When rooms look great but don’t work for you, they end up being more frustrating than before the reno. The big rule of design is that form follows function!” The DIY (Do It Yourself) market has been steadily growing over the years. Has this impacted the designer business, we asked Peloso. “I think you can pull off a DIY project as long as you have the skills and the

COvEr STOry tools required,” he said. “You also have to choose the right materials for the project you want to tackle.”

keeping their home environmentally sound, I still recommend to begin with structure – windows, insulation, dimmers, heating and AC controls, grey water collection – these are things we consume daily (or waste daily). Only then should you move to materials and products in your home,” he said.

He however cautions that DIY renovations aren’t necessarily cheaper than using the services of a designer. “The DIY market is focused on selling a product. When you install it poorly, you don’t blame the product, you blame your inexperience. The cost of buying something, installing it, hating it, ripping it out, hiring a design professional, selecting again and installing again is way more expensive than starting with some help. Unfortunately that lesson is only learned in retrospect.”

“Once that is taken care of, bathroom and kitchen renovations are big. stylistically ttylistically we see a trend to high gloss materials or medium brown (teak like) finishes. In the city, spaces are getting smaller so multifunctional furnishings are popular. We are still a country that buys more outdoor furniture than almost any country in the world. Our yards are becoming our cottages!”

Let’s say a couple has just bought a fixer-upper home, and has set aside $50,000 for upgrades. What would you recommend, we asked Peloso.

For those people who are thinking about selling, Peloso says the most important thing they should do, especially before listing their home, is to work on curb appeal.”It’s what gets people in the door. Then make sure that everything is in good repair and super clean,” he said.

“I would tell them to start by solving any structural issues, then tackle the kitchen. You will use this room a lot – other rooms can be solved with paint until you can save to do more. Address the things that are not functioning first. If people are concerned about

“People respond to colour, so look

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through magazines and see what colours are popular. Plan to spend about 1% of asking price for repairs and upgrades. Replace or repair anything that is worn out. Well-kept, clean, open, uncluttered spaces work the best!” Peloso says he cannot stress enough how important it is, before any project begins, “to plan, plan and plan!” It is what helps you stay on budget. “Most people go off the rails because there is no real solid plan and budget. Just going shopping for a renovation will kill you in increments of $100 or $1,000. With a plan, (materials, labour, product, finishes), you select according to your budget. You plan a bit for the unexpected and then move forward. “Don’t sway from the plan and make impulse buys – things go off the rails because people select along the path as opposed to having everything pre selected and deciding what all the finishes are before even lifting a hammer!” he added. This process also helps with contractors and labour, says Peloso. “say we are installing tiles, and the contractor assumes porcelain and gives you a price. Instead you select stone and the price doubles per square foot – and thus starts the process of the ‘over budget reno’.” One of the other challenges clients seem to face, says Peloso, is their inability to see a plan or space in 3D. When they shop in a large department store, proportion and scale are often miscalculated. What looked good in a 30,000 sq. ft. store will not look the same in a 1,500 sq. ft. home. The sofas they love are too big for the space, hinder the flow of the space and instead of walking through the entrance easily, they have to go around the sofa and the coffee table to get to the kitchen. Given the sheer volume and the types of projects Peloso is involved with, how did he manage to keep the creative juices flowing, we wondered. “My grandfather used to say: ‘The larger the island of knowledge, the larger the shore of wonder’,” replied Peloso. “It reminds me that you have to keep learning and researching to be new and innovative, to bring your clients fresh ideas specific to the project. All of these matter most to me.” W • For more info, visit www.glenpelosointeriors.com.

whatever magazine | FaLL 2010

The TorontoSun Sun ■JANUARY JANUARY 22&&24, 24, 2010 The The Toronto Toronto Sun ■ ■ JANUARY 22 22 & 24, 2010 2010

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DesignerGlen Glen Designer Designer Glengrey has Pelososays says Peloso grey has Peloso says grey as hasa replaced beiges replaced beiges as aa replaced beiges as neutral colour. neutral colour. neutral colour.

LINDA LEATHERDALE LINDA LINDA LEATHERDALE LEATHERDALE

DESIGNSENSE SENSE DESIGN DESIGN SENSE

What’s new in new year? II

t’saabrand brandnew newyear. year.AAbrand brand t’s t’s a brand new year. A brand new decade. new decade. new decade. Andwith withthe thedawning dawningofof2010, 2010,the the And And with the dawning of 2010, the recessionary subprime slump recessionary subprime slump recessionary subprime slump seemsaafaint faintmemory, memory, asreal realesesseems as seems a faint memory, as real tateisisagain againrockin’ rockin’and androllin’ rollin’esits tate its tate again rockin’ rollin’ itsis wayis newrecords. records.and key sign way totonew AAkey sign is way to new records. A key sign is thebidding bidding waron onmy my street indedethe war street in the bidding war on my street in de-a sirable Bronte Harbour, where sirable Bronte Harbour, where a sirable Bronte Harbour, wherefor a renovated home justlisted listed renovated home just for renovated home just listed for $699,000 was sold within days for $699,000 was sold within days for $699,000 was sold within days for $720,000after aftermultiple multiple offers. $720,000 offers. $720,000 after we multiple offers. “Linda, just don’t have “Linda, we just don’t have “Linda, we just don’t have enough listings,” saidRob RobPearson, Pearson, enough listings,” said enough listings,” RobGroup Pearson, rep with with the thesaid Pace at aa rep Pace Group at aRe/Max rep with the PaceRealty Group at Aboutowne Corp. Re/Max Aboutowne Realty Corp. Re/Max Aboutowne Realty Corp. “Also,the the kitchenwas was real sell“Also, kitchen aareal sell“Also, the kitchen was a real selling feature.” ing feature.” ingDesign feature.” professionals,including including Design professionals, Designwith professionals, experts theRe/Max Re/Maxincluding FittotoSell Sell experts with the Fit experts with theprograms, Re/Max Fit tohamSell andFit Fitto toBuy Buy will and programs, will hamand to Buy programs, will hammerFit home that smartredesign redesign promer home that smart promer home that smart redesign pro-

jectscan canadd addequity equityand andtransform transform jects jects can add equity and transform property into that“I’ve “I’ve gottotohave have aaproperty into that got ait” property into that “I’ve got to have showpiece. it” showpiece. it” showpiece. Designersofofnew newhome homemodel model Designers Designers of new home model suites haveused used staging and smart suites have staging and smart suites used staging and smart designhave ideas foryears years attract buydesign ideas for totoattract buydesign ideas for ersand and nailthe theyears sale.to attract buyers nail sale. ers So, andwith nail2010 the sale. nowhere, here,what whatnew new So, with 2010 now So, with 2010 are nowemerging? here, whatWe new design trends all design trends are emerging? We all design trends are emerging? We all knowfads fadscome come andgo go––like like the know and the know fadsofcome go –and likegreen the splashes brightand orange splashes of bright orange and green splashes of bright orange and green flower power during the psychedelflower power during the psychedelflower power during the psychedeldays the 1960s,which which madeaa icicdays ofofthe 1960s, made icshort-lived days of theresurgence 1960s, which made a few years short-lived resurgence aafew years short-lived resurgence a few years ago. ago. ago.Then there's the stark ‘50s look, Then there's the stark ‘50s look, Then the stark ‘50s look, with itsthere's simplistic linesand andretroretrowith its simplistic lines with its simplistic and retrostyled furniture,lines complimented styled furniture, complimented styled furniture, complimented bythe theodd oddshag shagcarpet, carpet, concreteby concreteby the odd shag carpet, concretegrey hues, a splash ofbright bright grey hues, a splash of grey hues, splashofofnouveau bright colour, plusapieces pieces colour, plus of nouveau colour, plus pieces of especially nouveau art. Totally Totally popular, art. popular, especially art. Totally popular, especially inthe thechic chichigh-rise high-risecondo condospansspansin in the chic high-rise condo spans-

es,has hasbeen beendark darkbrown brownleather. leather. es, es, So, has been leather. theredark suchabrown athing thingas asaatimetimeSo, isisthere such So,redesign? is there such a thing as a timeless less redesign? lessTop redesign? Torontodesigner designerKimberley Kimberley Top Toronto Top Toronto designer Kimberley Seldon Kimberley Seldon Design Seldon ofofKimberley Seldon Design Seldon Kimberley Seldon Design Groupof says it’sbeen been long time Group says it’s aalong time Group says it’s been a long time coming, but“excitement “excitement brewing coming, but isisbrewing coming, but “excitement is brewing onceagain again fortraditional traditional design.” once for design.” once again for traditional design.” Seldon (www.kimberleyselSeldon (www.kimberleyselSeldon says (www.kimberleyseldon.com) sheisisseeing seeingmore more don.com) says she don.com) sayspattern she isand seeing moreto colour, more return colour, more pattern and aareturn to colour, more pattern and a return to someornamentation ornamentation which more some which isismore some ornamentation which is more prevalentin intraditional traditionalfurnishings furnishings prevalent prevalent in traditional furnishings anddécor. décor. and and“Timelessness décor. qualitythat that “Timelessness isisaaquality “Timelessness is a quality that can onlybe beanticipated, anticipated, neververiverican only never can be anticipated, never verifiedonly inthe the moment,”she she explains. fied in moment,” explains. fied in certainly, the moment,” sheare explains. “But there iconic “But certainly, there are iconic “But certainly, there arepatterns iconic pieces furniture, classic pieces ofoffurniture, classic patterns pieces of furniture, classic patterns and inherently smart design prinand inherently smart design prinand inherently smart design principles thatnever never failtoto please.” ciples that fail please.” ciples never fail to please.” Shethat alsosays saystraditional traditional doesnot not She also does She also says traditional not meanavoiding avoidingcolour. colour. does “Ifyou you mean “If mean avoiding colour. “If you

thrivein inwild wildcolour, colour,then thenuse useititin in thrive thrive in wildIn colour, then use it ina yourhome. home. mostcases, cases, using your In most using a your home. In most cases,provides using a boldcolour colouras asan anaccent accent bold provides bold colour as an accenttaste provides clients with a sufficient forthe the clients with a sufficient taste for clients with a sufficient taste for the exciting element.” exciting element.” exciting element.” Asfor for fads,Seldon Seldonpoints pointsout out As fads, As for fads, nature, Seldon they're points tranout that,by bytheir their that, nature, they're tranthat, by“They their nature, they'reand transient. injectenergy energy visient. “They inject and visient. “They inject but energy and vitality into spaces, they cannot tality into spaces, but they cannot tality intoupon spaces,provide but they cannot berelied relied lasting inbe upon totoprovide lasting inbe relied upon to of provide lasting interests. I think fads or trends as terests. I think of fads or trends as terests. I think of fads or trends as thetip tipofof thefood food pyramid. While the the pyramid. While the tip ofmostly the food Whileat werely rely onpyramid. healthyfoods foods we mostly on healthy at we rely mostly on healthy foods at the bottom of the pyramid, wedo do the bottom of the pyramid, we the bottom of the pyramid, we do inmoderation moderationtotoour our add‘fun ‘funfoods’ foods’in add in moderation to our add ‘fun foods’ diets and those representjust just the diets and those represent the diets and those represent just the tip of the pyramid.” tip of the pyramid.” tip of the pyramid.” Seldon recommendsthat thathomehomeSeldon recommends Seldonnever recommends that homeowners allotmore more than owners never allot than 55toto owners never allot more than 5 toto 10%ofoftheir theirrenovation renovation budget 10% budget to 10% fads.of their renovation budget to fads. fads. GlenPeloso, Peloso,principal principaldesigner designer Glen Glen Peloso, principalInc., designer GlenPeloso PelosoInteriors, Interiors, who’s ofofGlen Inc., who’s of Glen Peloso Interiors, Inc., who’s

lookat emerging AAAlook look atatemerging emerging designtrends trends design design trends beendesigning designingspaces spacesfor forcomcombeen been designing spaces for commercial, corporate andresidential residential mercial, corporate and mercial, corporate and15residential clientsfor for morethan than years,says says clients more 15 years, clients forushered more than 15 renewed years, says 2010 has in in2010 has ushered in aarenewed in2010 has ushered in a renewed interest inmid-century mid-century design.That That terest in design. terest in mid-century design. That means the‘50s ‘50sand and ‘60sare are in means the ‘60s in means the ‘50s and ‘60s are in vogueagain, again,but butwith withsome sometweaktweakvogue vogue ing. again, but with some tweaking. ing.“The elements of the ‘50s and ‘60s “The elements of the ‘50s and ‘60s “The elements the ‘50sand andfeel,” ‘60s are back interms termsof shape are back in ofofshape and feel,” are back in terms of shape and feel,” but “some of the elements of colour but “some of the elements of colour but of thebeen elements of colour and“some stylehave have updated.” and style been updated.” andPeloso style have updated.” saysbeen gone arethe thedark dark Peloso says gone are Pelosowhich says gone are dark woods, havebeen beenthe replaced woods, which have replaced woods, which have been replaced bymedium-toned medium-toned brown woods. by brown woods. by medium-toned brown woods. High-gloss finishes continue be High-gloss finishes continue totobe High-gloss finishes continue to be the"in" "in"thing. thing. the theWhen "in" thing. comestotocolour, colour,grey greyhas has When ititcomes When it comes to colour, grey has replaced thebeiges beiges asthe the neutral replaced the as neutral replaced the as the colour,and andbeiges purples andneutral greens colour, purples and greens colour, andthe purples greens dominate paletteand with blues, dominate the palette with blues, dominate the palette withinto blues, redsand andoranges oranges thrown the reds thrown into the reds and oranges thrown mix,according according Peloso. into the mix, totoPeloso. mix, according to Peloso.

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TheToronto TorontoSun Sun■ ■JANUARY JANUARY22 22&&24, 24,2010 2010 The

Textureis isalso alsoaanew newtrend, trend,with with Texture three-dimensional three-dimensionalfabrics fabricsand andwall wall coverings making making aa comeback. comeback. coverings “Making “Makinguse useof ofmore moreof ofour oursensual sensual palette palette (sight (sight and and touch), touch), you you will will findfabrics fabricswith withnubs nubsas asused usedto tobe be find apparent apparenton onthe the‘60s ‘60sdavenport davenportyour your parentsused usedto tohave,” have,”he hepoints pointsout. out. parents Other design design trends trends include include the the Other use use of of crystals crystals in in lighting lighting and and furfurnishing. “Buttons “Buttons on on soft soft seating seating nishing. done done with with aa crystal crystal or or glass” glass” are are popular, popular,says saysPeloso. Peloso. “Also “Alsothe theuse use of the the venetian venetian mirror mirror finishes finishes in in of side sidetables, tables,dressers, dressers,etc., etc.,are areoften often pairedwith withchrome chromefinishes.” finishes.” paired Somethingnew, new,yet yetstill stillin inits itsininSomething fancy, fancy,is isaatrend trendfor for“personalized” “personalized” details. “These “These are are found found in in wall wall details. decals decals and and tattoos tattoos for for furnishings furnishings that you you select select and and apply apply on on your your that own,” Peloso Peloso says, says, noting noting the the adadown,” vent ventof ofthe thepersonalized personalizedphone phonering ring hasspilled spilledover overinto intothe thehome homefurfurhas nishingmarket. market. nishing As Asfor forfurnishings, furnishings,he hesees seesmodmodernfurniture furniturewith withvery verysleek sleeklines, lines, ern simple simple shapes shapes and and high-gloss high-gloss finfinishes as as being being the the trendsetters trendsetters for for ishes 2010. 2010. Peloso Peloso recommends recommends choosing choosing good-qualitypieces piecesthat thatwill willlast lastaa good-quality longtime timeand andcan canbe bereupholstered reupholstered long to to suit suit changing changing tastes. tastes. However, However, hecautions cautionsthat thatyou youshould shouldbe becarecarehe ful ful in in choosing choosing what what will will last. last. “Verylow-slung low-slungsofas, sofas,for forinstance, instance, “Very will eventually eventually be be an an issue issue when when will they they are are simply simply too too low low for for you you to to getout outof ofwhen whenyou yougrow growolder.” older.” get So, does does Peloso Peloso believe believe in in timetimeSo, less lessredesign? redesign? “Absolutely.Classic Classicpieces piecesfrom from “Absolutely. the the turn turn of of the the century century will will never never goout outas asthey theyare areappreciated appreciatedas asanango tiques.” tiques.” Peloso Peloso points points to to great great furniture furniture design houses, houses, like like Corbusier Corbusier and and design Eames,which whichhave haveproduced producedpieces pieces Eames, that that seem seem to to fit fit any any décor. décor. “The “The only rule rule in in eclectic eclectic furnished furnished only spaces spacesis isto toensure ensurethat thatpieces piecesare areat at least two two time time periods periods apart apart so so itit least doesn’t feel feel as as though though one one piece piece is is doesn’t perfect perfect and and the the other other we we could could afaffordto toreplace." replace." ford Asfor forfads, fads,Peloso Pelososays saysthere thereare are As no no rules: rules: “You “You can can go go wild wild ifif you you like.” like.” But But he he cautions cautions about about the the ecoecological price. price. “When “When the the fad fad is is logical over you you will will want want to to send send it it all all over to to the the landfill landfill and and re-buy re-buy followfollowingthe thecurrent currentfad.” fad.” His Hisadvice adviceis is ing toselect selectpieces piecesthat thatwill willwork workfor for to the thelonger longerterm, term,with withaccents accentsthat that offer the the excitement excitement of of being being offer without either either the the exextrendy, trendy, without pense penseor orenvironmental environmentalimpact. impact.

Likedesigner designerSeldon, Seldon,Peloso Pelososays says Like gocolour colourwild. wild. “After “Afterall, all,it’s it’syour your go to make make itit what what you you want.” want.” space to space But he he advises advises you you to to use use “wild” “wild” But colours colours sparingly sparingly and and only only as as acaccents. cents. “Colour has has “Colour an emotional emotional an impact on on peopeoimpact ple and and the the ple ideal situation situation ideal isto touse useititas asan an is accent accentto tocreate create drama and and inindrama terest so so that that terest you are are able able to to you livewith withititfor foraa live longerperiod periodof of longer time.” time.” And here’s here’s And an interesting interesting an pointregarding regarding point colour: Light. Light. colour: Pelosopoints points Peloso out Toronto Toronto out Kimberley Seldon says does not not have have Kimberley Seldon says does traditionaldesign designisis traditional thesame samequaliqualithe making a comeback. ty or or intensity intensity making a comeback. ty of light, light, as as let’s let’s of say Miami, Miami, and and therefore therefore very very say brightcolours coloursdo donot notwork workas aswell. well. bright “Asaageneral generalrule, rule,the theintensity intensityof of “As sunlight should should be be the the equivalent equivalent sunlight tothe theintensity intensityof ofcolour colourchoice.” choice.” to Overall, he he advises advises those those who who Overall, plan aa redesign redesign to to use use neutral neutral plan coloursfor forhard hardsurfaces, surfaces,like likefloorfloorcolours ing, countertops countertops and and cabinets, cabinets, ing, whichare areexpensive expensiveto toreplace, replace,and and which to use use trends trends for for accents, accents, like like pilpilto lows,accent accentlighting, lighting,bed bedlinens linensand and lows, towels,which whichare areinexpensive inexpensiveto toreretowels, place. place. And on on aa final final note: note: Ottawa’s Ottawa’s And Home Renovation Renovation Tax Tax Credit, Credit, Home whichcan canoffer offertax taxsavings savingsof ofup upto to which $1,350for forrenovation renovationprojects projectsworth worth $1,350 upto to$10,000, $10,000,is isset setto toexpire expireat atthe the up endof ofthis thismonth. month. In Inorder orderto toqualqualend ify,all allmaterials materialsmust mustbe bepurchased purchased ify, bythe thedeadline deadlinedate, date,and andall alllabour labour by mustbe becompleted. completed. must ■■ ■■ ■ ■ Thisweekend weekendthe theInterior InteriorDesign Design This Show is is being being held held at at the the Metro Metro Show Toronto Convention Convention Centre. Centre. If If Toronto you’re in in the the market market for for aa renovarenovayou’re tion or or redesign, redesign, don’t don’t miss miss out. out. tion (Formore moreinfo, info,see seePages Pages22 22and and23.) 23.) (For Cambria, which which manufactures manufactures Cambria, superior natural natural quartz quartz surfaces, surfaces, superior includingcountertops countertopsand andflooring, flooring, including with 64 64 innovative innovative colours colours to to with choosefrom, from,is isat atBooth Booth734. 734. TimeTimechoose less beauty beauty Cheryl Cheryl Tiegs, Tiegs, North North less American’s original original supermodel supermodel American’s andCambria Cambriaspokesperson, spokesperson,attendattendand

edthe theopening openingfestivities; festivities;and androck rock ed legend Ronnie Ronnie Hawkins Hawkins (who (who has has legend Cambria in in his his Stony Stony Lake Lake home) home) Cambria willbe beat atthe theCambria Cambriabooth boothon onSatSatwill urday. urday. I’ll I’ll be be there there Sunday. Sunday. See See you you at at theshow. show. the

––Linda LindaLeatherdale, Leatherdale,former formerMoney Money Editorof ofthe theToronto TorontoSun Sunand andaa Editor sought-afterfinancial financialexpert, expert,isisaa sought-after regular regularcontributor contributorto toHomes HomesExtra. Extra. Sheisisalso alsovice-president, vice-president,marketing marketing She and andbusiness businessdevelopment developmentfor forCambria Cambria (www.cambriacanada.com). (www.cambriacanada.com).

New Year Preview

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LINDA LEATHERDALE LINDA LINDA LEATHERDALE LEATHERDALE

DESIGNSENSE SENSE DESIGN DESIGN SENSE

What’s new in new year? II

New Year Year Preview Preview New

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TheToronto TorontoSun Sun■ ■JANUARY JANUARY22 22&&24, 24,2010 2010 The

New Year Preview

home≠kitchen special Believe It or Not – this kitchen update cost less than

$1,500.

Before

10 easy ways to update your

Clean Sweep By Karen KirK

kitchen and add value to your home (that won’t break your budget)

photography by brandon barré

ou know it’s time for an update when you can’t stand the thought of cooking one more meal in your kitchen, with its dark cupboards, outdated backsplash and dingy wallpaper. Don’t worry – you can get a fresh new look without

breaking your budget. Glen Peloso, host of W Network’s “Take This House and Sell It,” shows you how to refresh your kitchen into a bright, family-friendly space with 10 simple do-it-yourself ideas that won’t cost a lot of money – but will add value > to your home.

www.canadianliving.com ≠ october 2009

223

Save Energy and Money Keep your kitchen bright without turning on the lights. Use simple window dressings that let in natural light and cut down on energy use.

1 | A set of underutilized upper and

5 | Wallpaper in a kitchen can get

lower cabinets, a mirrored backsplash and a small breakfast counter attached to the peninsula were removed, leaving plenty of room for a comfortable breakfast nook. A pretty glass-topped table is just the right size for the space.

dingy with cooking oil and fumes. Remove wallpaper and borders – and get painting! A fresh coat of paint gives you big bang for your buck. Cool blue walls in Pittsburgh Paint’s Chambray 552-4 brighten and open up the space.

2 | No budget for new cabinets? Paint

over windows and replace them with faux roman blinds for a softer look. Use faux blinds when privacy isn’t an issue. You’ll save money on fabric costs and still get a pretty window treatment.

them in a durable eggshell or semigloss finish and save thousands of dollars. The cabinets were painted for a fresher, brighter look in Pittsburgh Paint’s Crumb Cookie 217-1.

3 | Drop a decorative pendant light over the table and put it on a separate dimmer switch to save energy.

4 | California or bust! Lose the ’80sstyle California drop ceiling to gain extra height in a small kitchen. Replace it with an inexpensive “big-box store” track lighting system for a modern look and better-quality task and ambient lighting.

224 o c t o b e r 2 0 0 9

Before

6 | Remove built-in wooden valances

7 | Keep it simple with inexpensive art – framed black-and-white photos of kitchen items, such as cutlery, add interest. (For more ideas, see “Junk to Jewels: Vintage Shadow Boxes,” page 219.)

8 | Add a contemporary twist to traditional-style cabinetry with simple and inexpensive brushed metal hardware. It takes only a few minutes to change the hardware on cabinets.

≠ www.canadianliving.com

9 | Get rid of the clutter on your countertops, leaving only the things you use every day. Choose glass, stainless steel and chrome finishes to make your kitchen sparkle and complement any colour scheme.

10 | Durable, easy-to-clean materials, such as glass, ceramic tile on floors and backsplashes, and paint designed specifically for kitchens, will cut down on cleanup. FoR ShoPPING INFoRmATIoN, See PAGe 252

Mistura

This restaurant is an incredibly well established brand in the restaurant scene of Toronto. The adage goes “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Mistura was far from broken but the design of the space hadn’t changed in nearly 14 years which is incredibly long for a restaurant space. It is a popular spot for both business people and couples and has fantastic food, but it had two problems: Noise and the fact that it was a bit too stark for my taste. I decided that I needed to step up the space so that it would be closer to the current trends. With the addition of warm grey tones throughout and the addition of warm grey fabric-covered walls, the space feels more elegant and romantic than it previously had. The fabric walls would assist with the noise reduction while offering an elegant backdrop

Massimo Capra Celebrity Chef, as seen on Restaurant Makeover and CityLine

to enhance the food presentation. We added a more elegant lighting arrangement in crystal fixtures along the entrance walls and painted the private dining room with a much darker shade of grey that covers part of the ceiling to add to the intimate quality of this dining lounge. The back dining room was enhanced with a large multi media art piece that is reflected in the mirrors that surround the entire restaurant. The deeper colour throughout helps to bring out the rich woods of the bar and dining table booths and the addition of a rich wood reception desk offer the space extra class. We’ve gone from stark coolness to a warm and elegant space. - Text by Glen Peloso

Mistura

Massimo Capra Celebrity Chef, as seen on Restaurant Makeover and CityLine

Green Salad With Fennel & Peas

• ½ head of Boston lettuce • ½ head of green leaf lettuce • 1 head of Frisée • 1 small bulb onion julienne • ½ bulb of Fennel julienne • 1 cup green peas blanched Place all the washed lettuces in a bowl and add the peas, fennel and onions, dress with the vinaigrette and serve immediately.

Place all the ingredients except for the oil in a blender and pulse until liquefied, remove and taste for correct seasoning, strain trough a fine mesh strainer and whisk the oil into it, set aside until needed. Serves: 4 People

For the vinaigrette • 1tbsp red wine vinegar • 1tbsp lemon juice • 2 tbsp roasted white onions • 2 tbsp green peas blanched • 1 tsp honey • 5 tbsp extra virgin Olive oil • Salt & pepper to taste

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Green Salad With Fennel & Peas

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105

• 12 veal scaloppine cut 3oz each and flattened evenly • 1cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese grated • 2 tbsp Panko bread crumb • 2 tbsp butter • 1 tbsp vegetable oil • Salt & pepper to taste Mix the cheese with the bread crumb and coat one side of the scaloppine, preheat a frying pan (non stick preferred) add some oil and butter and place the scaloppine cheese side down first, shake the pan gently to prevent sticking. Once the cheese is golden turn and finish cooking on the other side. Place in the middle of a plate and top with the salad.

• 4 1/8” slices of pancetta chopped • 2 tbsp sweet white onions chopped • 1 sprig of thyme • ½ oz red wine vinegar • 1 oz extra virgin olive oil Preheat a frying pan and in it add some of the oil and the onions, apricot and pancetta, cook until the pancetta has rendered all the fat then remove the fat. Sprinkle with the vinegar and season to taste, cool the vinaigrette by adding some olive oil. Mix the lettuce with the carrots and the green onions and dress immediately. Place the salad on top of the scaloppine and serve. Serves: 4 people

For the salad & vinaigrette • 2 medium heads of Frisée washed and dried • 1 carrot finely julienne • 2 green onions julienne • 4 dry apricots chopped

Parmigiano Crusted Veal Scaloppine with Frisée In a Pancetta & Apricot Vinaigrette

Octopus Salad with Black Ink Potatoes • 1lb Octopus precooked and chopped • 4 potatoes diced ½ inch thick • 1 cup red onions • 1 pack of squid ink • 2 lemons • 1 bunch of parsley leaves only • 3 tbsp celery cut thinly • A pinch celery leaves from the heart • 2 tbsp Moroccan black olives pitted • 1 garlic clove finely chopped • Extra virgin olive oil • Salt & pepper to taste Season the red onions with salt, sugar, pepper and red wine vinegar then sauté quickly in oil for half a minute in a hot pan, set aside to cool. Prepare the squid ink vinaigrette by carefully mixing the black ink with the lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil. Boil the potatoes in plenty of salted water, once they are cooked strain and immediately toss into the vinaigrette, this will flavour the potatoes and will also give them the colour.

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Preheat the octopus and season it with some salt, pepper, lemon juice, olive oil and toss in it the parsley, celery, olives and celery leaves. Place the potatoes on a plate and top with the octopus and the red onions, drizzle some more olive oil and lemon and serve. This is a dish best served and enjoyed at room temperature or slightly warm. Serves: 4 people

For the salad & vinaigrette • 2 medium heads of Frisée washed and dried • 1 carrot finely julienne • 2 green onions julienne • 4 dry apricots chopped

Parmigiano Crusted Veal Scaloppine with Frisée In a Pancetta & Apricot Vinaigrette

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a HomeGuides publication | www.homeguides.ca

free

february 2010

volume 6, issue 2 www.homeanddecor.ca

cover story

I was recently with a friend who was looking at new homes. She was very excited to have found something she really liked that “only” needed to have some kitchen improvements. Her budget was limited (like the majority of people out there) and she wondered what it would cost. That question is like asking how much it costs to buy a car! As it turned out, she didn’t need a new kitchen. She simply needed to change some elements to make it the space she wanted.

cool

The nature of the kitchen has changed over the years. It used to simply be a space to prepare food and store the equipment needed to make and serve a meal. Then the meal was delivered to the dining room to be consumed. Friends didn’t go into the kitchen, unless they offered to assist and were invited. Now, the whole party ends up in the kitchen and as a result, the requirements for that room have changed dramatically.

kitchens

People have asked what I might do in a kitchen with an unlimited budget. Unlimited budgets rarely happen in the world of design, however I would start with the functions of the space, ensuring that the appliances were perfectly suited to the skill sets of the chef. Perhaps an AGA system for cooking and a walk-in fridge with a freezer so nothing was ever too big to store and so parties from 10 to 100 could be accommodated. A separate dry or integrated pull-out pantry hidden in the cabinets is also a must. I would plan on two islands – one to house small appliances and the second

By Glen Peloso

for mixing bowls and pans. The storage of these items would be in full-extension sliding drawers with an overlay drawer to hold spices. There would be a “cool drawer” (Fisher & Paykel makes a great one) so that fresh food would be readily available to the chef. Pots and pans would be organized on the wall directly beside the stove and a pot-filler faucet would be mounted beside the cooktop. The cabinets would all have slide-out shelves so the back of each cabinet would be easily accessible and the doors would be painted or stained in a sustainable material like bamboo. The countertops would be granite. The appliance island would have a vegetable sink and the main sink would have a spray faucet, a regular faucet and an exceptionally deep sink for cleaning. There would be seating for guests at the appliance island as well, so friends could visit while food was being prepared. This kitchen would need to have three dishwashers and from the sound of the way this is developing, I’m guessing there would be a decent number of staff!

February 2010 | Home and Décor

Having a big budget doesn’t make a kitchen easier to design, however it does let us make it more luxurious. Essentially, a kitchen needs a work surface, a heat source and running water. Even without a fridge it would still work, but the frequency in which we grocery shop would probably change. Create a triangle of the stove, sink and fridge and you have the basic premise of a kitchen. After you have planned for the essentials, the rest is detail. This is where the design makes all the difference. With a tight budget, you use economical finishes like laminate countertops and foil-wrapped doors. As the budget increases, so does quality to include stone and plate-glass countertops, full-extension slide shelves, builtin cutlery drawers, pull-out pantries – the wish list is endless. If you have a big budget, invest in the cabinetry, countertops and backsplash. These are the most permanent elements and create the biggest visual impact. In the food preparation triangle, invest in function. Make sure the elements you need to cook, such as pots and pans, utensils and spices, are easily accessible. From an aesthetic point of view, the cabinet finish

affects the mood of the space, whether it is traditional or modern. Countertops are also a major element in that they are not only seen but felt and continually experienced. The backsplash is generally not that large of an area, so choosing a more expensive tile won’t break the bank. It is an element that is almost at eye level and therefore one of the first things you see when you enter the space. Last but not least is lighting. You need both general and task lighting in this space and dimmers are essential. Soft lighting can create romance, however, in this space you will be using sharp knives and high heat, so proper light is essential. All too often, lighting is an afterthought and a beautiful space in the dark is not so interesting! In this kitchen (pictured below), the worst part was the pink floor and the pot rack – yuck and eww! Working with pink as a base colour is a big commitment and limits your choices for other finishes. Secondly, this pot rack is a bit like having a lovely walk-in closet with a dirty laundry bucket in the centre – who wants to see that? The size and finish of the island crowned with the chandelier make for a great focal point. Filled with function and form, it indicates to the user an elegant yet casual space to both live and work in.

high-end $65,000 photo credit: Aaron Vincent Elkaim

Home and Décor | February 2010

photo credit: Brandon Barré

economical $700 When making economical kitchen improvements, which is a good strategy if you are preparing for a sale, consider painting cabinets, changing hardware, adjusting lighting, changing countertops and addressing the backsplash. Reusing the existing cabinets while adding a coat of paint can give them a new look and life. Cabinets have not changed much over the years, so it is really the element parts that suggest there age. Changing the hardware completely rejuvenates the look of the cabinets. With budget squarely in mind, changing the countertops to more modern laminates will really transform the look and function of the space. Older, solid-coloured laminates show the age of the space and often the colour selections place it squarely in a time period. The cost of new laminate will be only several hundred dollars, as opposed to using stone or a man-made stone product, which can be several thousand. Be aware that you will need some skills with plumbing, as you will need to remove the sink and faucets and re-install them into the new counter, but the effort is well worth it. Once you change the countertop, the next important element will be the backsplash. Using a simple subway tile and installing it in a brick pattern has a classic look and feel to it that is being easy to maintain. If you want to spend a bit more money here per square foot, that’s a suitable idea as you generally don’t have much area to cover. Remember you will also need to buy some “J” moulding to finish the tiles at the end of the counter

space, but speak to your tile store about what is needed before you begin. Add some track lighting to the space, which is the easiest way to create general lighting without the intrusive process of adding potlights to the space. The look isn’t as slick or clean as potlighting, but it can be done for a fraction of the cost. This makeover (pictured above) was executed for an episode of Take This House and Sell It. I wanted to create an island to separate and make better use of the available space. By going to a big box store and buying two base cabinets and combining them with a wooden countertop, I was able to create the island for a few hundred dollars in material costs. In fact, all of the elements used to update this kitchen had a material cost of less than $700, as opposed to the other kitchen, which had material costs of closer to $65,000. The difference between the two is apparent and both are effective for different reasons. Whether you need to spruce up the space or you want to completely rethink its look and feel, kitchens are expensive rooms to tackle because there are so many elements. Trades such as carpenters, plumbers, electricians, tile setters and painters are likely required to visit at some point. Planning will greatly assist in creating a space that you will be happy to live with for now – or forever! February 2010 | Home and Décor

high-end kitchen supplier list Cabinets by Design To Fit Interiors Inc., designtofitinteriors.com Flooring, backsplash and fireplace by Weston Tile, westontile.com Appliances by Blanco Canada, blancocanada.com; Bosch Appliances, boschappliances.com; Fisher & Paykel Appliances, fisherpaykel.com Granite countertops by Mondial, mondialgranite.com; Marble & Marble Fabrication, marbleandmarble.com Chandelier by Union Lighting, unionlightingandfurnishings.com Eco LED and under-cabinet lighting by TPL Lighting, tpllighting.com Coffee machine by Supramatic, Inc., supramatic.com Custom table and bar chairs by Suite 22, suite22.ca Drapes by Patricia Martinez of Perfect Touch Interiors, 647-400-5612 Television from Samsung Canada, samsung.ca Floral arrangements from Creations By Gitta, creationsbygitta.ca Ceiling and wall paint CC-130 and HC-94 Salem Grey from Benjamin Moore Aura Paints collection, benjaminmoore.com Floor installation by NV Tile, nvtile@gmail.com Electrical work by Naswire, naswire@sympatico.ca; Painting from paynting.com Mantel accessories from HomeSense, homesense.ca Side chair, table, bowl on island and platter from Bowring, bowring.com Side chair fabric from Joanne Fabrics, joannefabrics.com Kitchen chair fabric by Robert Allan Fabrics, robertallendesign.com; counter stool by sitconf - Vittoria; fabric by j.ennis/rainforest collection/ Estella-seamist Story photography by Aaron Vincent Elkaim, avephoto.ca

economical kitchen supplier list Kitchen cupboards finished in Delicate White 578-1 89-6, walls painted in Dusty Trail 414-2 89-6, by Pittsburgh Paints, pittsburghpaints.com; painting done by Jenny Greco Window covering fabric from Designer Fabric Outlet, designerfabrics.ca Backsplash tiles from Weston Tile, westontile.com; butcher block countertop by IKEA, ikea.com Butcher block cabinets from Rona, rona.ca Lighting from Canadian Tire, canadiantire.ca Accessories from HomeSense, homesense.ca and Dollarama, dollarama.com Dried food décor from No Frills, shopnofrills.ca Floral arrangement by The Jolly Farmer, jollyfarmer.com Window covering fabrication by Patricia Martinez of Perfect Touch Interiors, 647-400-5612 Glen Peloso is Home and Décor’s design editor and principal designer of Glen Peloso Interiors, Inc. Glen has been designing spaces for commercial, corporate and residential clients for 15 years. You’ll recognize him as the host of such television design shows as Restaurant Makeover, Take This House & Sell It, and Renovate My Wardrobe, to name a few, as well as from his live speaking engagements at home shows across Canada. glenpelosointeriors.com 54

Home and Décor | February 2010

Sweet Suites for honeymoons GLEN PELOSO

Celebrity Designer & Host of Restaurant Makeover and Take This House and Sell It

The Loden in Vancouver is made up of seventy-seven rooms. The eighteen hundred square foot penthouse suite is more than suitable for a lavish party or a family traveling with kids and a nanny. Most rooms look out over the city and the harbour. The surround sound system that allows you to enjoy music (your own on ipod or provided) in the bath or separate showers or water closet is just one of the features of this warm and woody room. The bathroom area is lush to say the least with fine stone tiles, a huge tub and equally large walk-in shower, plush towels and products by Molton Brown to spoil yourself. While the bedroom with its large wall mounted television, seating area and built-in desk has a brilliant view out of the floor-to-ceiling operable windows, the bathroom is not to be out done for lack of view. To take advantage of the view the walls of the bathroom are

on sliders so that they can be removed not only to enhance the natural sunlight in the space but also to expose the view of the city and harbour beyond the floated mirrors and drop fixtures of the wash basin. The very comfortable Sealy mattresses provide a great sleep so that you feel refreshed to get up to the 24 hour yoga channel (the room comes with a mat) or run down to the beautifully appointed on-site gym. The attention to detail from the turndown service with a special gift each night (massage oils, loose teas), fresh flowers, fruit bowl and personalized hand written notes does everything to leave you feeling pampered and cared for. The honey moon is really what you make of it, but with lots of help from some exceptional properties, it can be an extraordinary thing without having to carry a book of translated phrases like â&#x20AC;&#x153;can I get another blanketâ&#x20AC;? - Enjoy your day and your honey moon! - Text by Glen Peloso

Sweet Suites for honeymoons GLEN PELOSO

Celebrity Designer & Host of Restaurant Makeover and Take This House and Sell It

The Kensington in Calgary is a lovely boutique hotel with just 20 rooms and a brilliant little restaurant find called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chef Tableâ&#x20AC;? It has the charm of an old estate home mixed with some brilliant art pieces throughout the lobby and lounge. The rooms are classically well appointed with excellent beds, large windows looking to the court yard. It is quiet and unassuming which makes it a perfect place to relax yet still be connected to the sites, sounds and culture of the city. With few rooms each guest feels so well cared for, it was more like visiting a friend with a lovely English country estate and the best chef in the country! - Text by Glen Peloso

home≠decor

&Simple Style

Clean

(on a budget)

If you’re looking to freshen up your tired home decor, check out this living and dining room update. By karen kirk Photography by brandon barré

“In this home, I simplified the floor plan, picked a neutral colour scheme and lost the knotty pine furniture from the ’70s,” he says. The result? Instant low-cost, functional style that’s easy to maintain. “Keeping it simple saves money and allows limitless possibilities. You don’t have to spend a lot – you can get a fresh look just by changing cushions and adding a few accessories.”

www.canadianliving.com ≠ september 2009

OW THAT WE’RE HEADING INTO A new season, is your decor looking weary? If you say yes but your budget says no, don’t worry: you can perk things up without dishing out big bucks. One of Canada’s favourite TV designers, Glen Peloso of W Network’s “Take This House and Sell It!” shares some of his great budget decorating tips and ideas.

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Window Blinds faux roman blinds (they use less fabric than traditional roman blinds and don’t block the light or hide the front landscaping) soften the look of the large picture window, lending a tailored style to the room. As in the dining room, side panels in brown and grey linen were rehung beneath the valence and extended to cover the walls on either side of the window for a fuller look.

Throw Cushions

LIVING ROOM Layout and Furniture

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Before

A new floor plan was created to open up the space and allow features such as the glowing hardwood floors and brick fireplace to take centre stage in the room. The overstuffed furniture was replaced with “almost new” pieces in a durable blue-grey Ultrasuede fabric (picked up for a steal on Craigslist, $750 for both), which are better suited to the scale and style of the room. The boxy three-seater sofa was positioned in front of the window and the matching love seat faces the fireplace, opening up living and dining areas.

Standard pillows covered in the same linen fabrics used for the draperies make low-cost, comfy throw cushions for the solidcoloured sofa.

≠ www.canadianliving.com

Fireplace The dated but functional floorto-ceiling brick fireplace was transformed into a strong focal point in the room by removing the clutter from the mantel and accessorizing it with a row of blue pillar candles and a simple matted print in a black frame.

Coffee Table and Carpet Inexpensive matching coffee and end tables replace the pine trunk and TV stand, offering a cleaner, more sophisticated, yet casual look. Table lamps with crisp white shades and a row of flower vases that can double as votive holders add sparkle and light for an updated look. An area rug picks up the new colour scheme and helps define the living area.

for ShoppIng InformATIon, See pAge 164

Before

Ceiling Fan and Light Fixture A large, looming ceiling fan offered little charm and insufficient light. now, a chrome-and-frosted-glass three-light pendant fixture illuminates the length of the table and complements the simplicity of the room’s new style.

Draperies The old draperies hung too low on a thin rod. for a cleaner look, they were rehung under the existing valence, hiding the rod. Blue-grey linen panels were added to extend the length and width of the existing brown panels, for a classic custom look.

Dining Table and Chairs With a lick of paint (Dark granite 520-7 by pittsburgh paints), the dated rustic pine table and chairs traded in the chunky look for sophisticated style in the dining area. echoing the shape of the light fixture, cylindrical glass vases were filled with fresh blooms to enhance the new colour scheme and create a pretty focal point. A table runner crafted in the same fabric as the window coverings unifies the room.

> DINING ROOM Dining Room Wall Unit To expand the space, the walls were brightened up with a fresh new colour (Crumb Cookie 217-1 by pittsburgh paints) and the oversized wall unit was replaced with a long, narrow shelf that’s both decorative and functional. Inexpensive art pieces were made by simply stretching lovely fabric over blank canvases; candles and white vases add warmth and elegance to the room.

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≠ www.canadianliving.com

Ugh – your home office isn’t exactly inspiring lately. We can fix that! Watch our

online slide show and discover some adorable, affordable ways to give this overworked room a face-lift.

ww w. ca na dia nli vin g.c

om /se pt em be r

get the look

Steel-tube construction with scratch-resistant glass top cocktail table, $199; side table, $149. Both eQ3.

Three-seat Tavern sofa, eQ3, $1,099. Dainolite tri-light pendant in chrome with frosted glass cylinder shades, Sescolite, $155.

Give Your Sofa a Quality Check

Blue pillar candle, $13; striped cushion, $13. Both BouClair.

Adjustable metal table lamp, West elm, $99.

napoli hand-sheared area rug, four by six feet, Carpet one floor and home, $265.

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≠ www.canadianliving.com

Looking to buy a sofa? the one you purchase should be well designed – and built to last. here are a few tips. • Construction: Lift up a sofa corner; if the frame is solid hardwood, it will be very heavy. all key joints should be double-dowelled, and glued and screwed. Look for corner blocks to disperse weight along the base and sides; the seat bed should have eight-way, hand-tied steel springs and high-density foam padding. • Fabric: Choose an easy-to-clean durable fabric in a solid colour or a neutral pattern so you can pair it with accessories, paint or wallpaper as your decor evolves. • Tailoring: Patterns and weaves should be matched, sewing along seams and edges should be neat, cushions should be zippered for easy maintenance and cleaning, and skirts should be lined and weighted. • Fit and feel: sit on the sofa as you would at home. your body should feel supported. Pay attention to seat depth, height and backrest style. When you squeeze the back and arms, you shouldn’t be able to feel the frame. If the cushions feel lightweight, the foam is low density and the fibre is poor quality. a firm but lightweight cushion can collapse quickly. Check that the back cushion > filling is channelled, so it won’t flatten over time.

home≠sofa special A GUIDe To

BUYIng A QUALITY SofA

Ektorp by Ikea ($699), www.ikea.ca Features: Classic styling with removable covers available in a range of coordinated colours and patterns Fabric: Cotton in Leaby red (fabric care: machine-wash or dry-clean) Frame: forestry Stewardship Council (fSC)–certified solid wood, fibreboard, plywood and polyurethane foam Construction: Steel zigzag springs. Seat cushion in resilient polyurethane foam and 100 per cent waterfowl feathers in downproof cotton case. reversible back cushion in polyester fibres Warranty: Ten years on defects in material and workmanship on frame and cushions with original receipt

Oriana Sofa by Brentwood Classics ($1,500, at The Bay), www.brentwoodclassics.com Features: Traditional styling with semiattached back cushions, box-pleat skirt and rolled arms; four accent pillows Fabric: Woven sateen cotton/polyester blend in oriana ocean Frame: fSC-certified wood frames with double-dowelled stress points Construction: Synthetic web foundation with steel coils. Seat cushions composed of multiple layers of soy-based foam, wrapped with a blend of down, feathers and Dacron Warranty: Lifetime limited warranty

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Defining style, influencing the colour scheme and offering comfortable seating, the sofa is an essential piece of furniture. When buying a sofa, you’ll want to invest in one that will stand up

to everyday use and evolve with changing decor trends. Here are half a dozen classic Canadian-made sofas with key features to suit your needs – and your budget.

Campio Eco Leather Sofa

Brent Mini Sofa by Barrymore

by Home Furniture Stores (from $1,950), www.homefurniture.ca and www.campiofurniture.com Features: Tufted detailing, wooden

Furniture Galleries ($2,880), www.barrymorefurniture.com Features: rolled arms, rounded tight

legs and base in espresso finish lend a contemporary look Fabric: environmentally friendly top-grain eco leather in pearl white. Water-based finishing, no solvents or chemicals used Frame: Corner-blocked, dowelled, screwed and stapled hardwood frame Construction: no-sag steel spring system on seat and back. natural soy-based foam cushions wrapped in Dacron Warranty: one year on leather and foam; five years on frame and construction

back and spike legs in ebony finish, perfect for small spaces Fabric: Soil- and stain-resistant 100 per cent acrylic Sunbrella meridian in Charcoal. Throw pillows in Sunbrella Bangladesh in ebony Frame: fSC–certified Canadian hardwood frame Construction: hand-tied steel springs. Cushions of multilayered high-density natural soy-based foam wrapped in Dacron and cotton casing Warranty: Lifetime on frame and springs

Natascha Collection by

Sydney Collection by Leon’s

Gresham House Furniture ($3,250, available through designers), www.greshamhousefurniture.com Features: Suits both contemporary and

Furniture ($899), www.leons.ca Features: Classic leather-look three-

traditional styling with tuxedo arms and a unique curved single-bench seat Fabric: Joanne fabrics’s polyester/cotton blend Champion in Cream Frame: fSC-certified hardwood, corner blocked, dowelled, screwed and glued Construction: hand-tied web and steel coil springs. high-density soy-based foam seat cushion, in Dacron and cotton case Warranty: Twenty-year warranty on frame and springs

≠ www.canadianliving.com

seater sofa with curved track arms, block feet, designer accent stitching and tufted details Fabric: one hundred per cent bicast leather (leather/vinyl) in Chocolate Frame: Sturdy hardwood and fibreboard frame construction Construction: no-sag steel springs on seat and back. Tight seat cushions in polyurethane foam with dense, polyester-filled back cushions Warranty: one-year warranty on product defects and workmanship

•

a HomeGuides publication | www.homeguides.ca

FREE

OCTOBER 2009

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 10 www.homeanddecor.ca

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DESIGNER COVER STORY HOMES

GLEN PELOSO’S

HOME How often do you get to tour your favourite designers’ s’ homes? You see his work on television and in the pages of Home and Décor each issue, now here’s your ur chance to see how Glen Peloso puts his principles into practice. Glen takes Home and Décor on the grand tour of his anything-but-humble abode and lets us pick his brain on how he does what he does so well.

Interview Lydia Dumyn Inte In erv rvie ew b byy L Ly y ydi diia Du d dia umy myn n Photos Vincent Elkaim Ph P hoto oto ot oss by by Aaron Aa A aro ron V Vi inc ce en nt El lk ka aim m

Home and Décor | June 2009

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DESIGNER HOMES

Home and Décor: How does decorating your own home compare to doing it professionally? Glen Peloso: It is more difficult to create a space for myself than it is for other people, in much the same way that it is easier to give our friends and family relationship advice but it is more difficult to give it to yourself. Trying to assess my own needs and wants just somehow seems more complex, as they become confused in emotional content and material needs. Over the years I have lived in many styles of houses, from traditional Victorian to complete minimalist, and I have loved them all! Choosing a direction for this house that would suit me now was somehow difficult. H&D: What is the biggest advantage of designing your own home and what is the biggest disadvantage? GP: I don’t have difficulty understanding how my life works. My mandate is to “design for how people live.” Sometimes, with clients, it is difficult to get to know what the daily schedule is and what makes sense for their life. I know what the struggles are and what works well in my life from a design perspective. The difficulty lies in knowing how many design directions are possible and appreciating many of them, but realizing that selecting one means eliminating the others. It’s a

great opportunity to play with ideas that you want to take a chance on. Once you commit, you don’t look back. But as new and interesting products come across my desk, I always want to incorporate them, however it’s sometimes too late in the process, which can be disappointing. H&D: How would you describe the style of your home? GP: Stylistically, my house has very little colour, which would imply a modern approach; however the idea for me is simplicity. I spend so much of my day looking at colour and pattern and shape and style, that I don’t want to have too much around me at the end of the day. I chose a neutral grey palette from Benjamin Moore’s Eco line. It warms the space and gives it a modern feel while providing a great backdrop for art and accessories. I’m also a bit of a clean freak. I blame my mother, who was an emergency- and operating-room nurse. My familial home was clean enough for any surgical procedure! So while some people think of lots of accessories as “detail,” in my space, I see them as things that have to be dusted! But there are pieces that I love, so I have incorporated elements from my travels that have signiﬁcance for me and give me joy. If I had to give it a title I would call it “eclectic lite.” I designed my home for comfort and to work with how I live my life. October 2009 | Home and Décor

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COVER STORY

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INTERESTING DESIGN IS THE PERFECT COMBINATION OF SHADOW AND LIGHT. IT AFFECTS MOOD, FUNCTION AND OUR EMOTIONAL LIFE.

H&D: Would you consider your “eclectic lite” style a reflection of your personality? GP: That’s a fair statement. My musical tastes are vast and range from traditional Gregorian chant and classical music to hip hop and rap. My interests are equally vast; however they generally centre on the humanities. I am interested in how things work – how people work, how machines work, how products work, how things go together, even how the body works (the majority of my family works in medicine). As a result, I have many interests and that includes furnishings and accessories. H&D: You’ve put a lot of thought into lighting. Why is it such an important part of your overall design? GP: Interesting design is the perfect combination of shadow and light. It affects mood, function and our emotional life. Can you imagine a romantic dinner in a fluorescent-lit cafeteria? Or would you want your dentist to work on your teeth by candle light? (Hopefully you answered “no” to both – if you answered “yes,” then reconsider your dating ideas and change your dentist!) At home, you want to have flexibility because sometimes, you want to relax with a romantic dinner and other times, you need to be able to read the fine print on a contract before you sign! You need to have great general lighting like pot lights or overhead lights, some great task lighting like a reading lamp or under-cabinet lights and some decorative fixtures like chandeliers. Light also affects your mood. We feel differently in February than we do in August, largely because the light quality and quantity is different. The same holds true of light quality and quantity in a home. The combination

keeps the rooms multifunctional. The way I have lit my space allows for everything from a party to the minor surgical procedure of removing a sliver. The combinations keep me feeling happy and functional. H&D: What are your must-haves in the kitchen? GP: My Saeco coﬀee maker is my essential kitchen musthave. I love coﬀee and need it to start my day. Next is a suitable amount of storage. Without it you have clutter and we have already discussed my “clean” issue. An island for working and entertaining is essential. The dishwasher drawers are on my list for sure – they are perfect for me as they allow me to do half loads. Last on my list is music, but as my space is open concept I use the stereo in the living room for the kitchen. October 2009 | Home and Décor

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COVER STORY

H&D: What’s your favourite room and why? GP: That for sure is the bedroom. I like the simplicity of it. I have hidden all of the function behind doors and drawers, so only the things I want to see are on the shelves. The one place that no one should try to save money is on the beds and sheets. I chose a great bed that is like sleeping on a cloud (it’s a Sterns and Foster from Sealy). I never understand why people rave about great beds only when they are in hotels but not when they are at home! You spend half your life in bed (well, maybe one-third) so it’s important to me. Top that with really great cotton sheets of a reasonable thread count and a great duvet. (The Feather Factory makes custom sheets and fantastic ones at that!) I love to have beautiful-feeling sheets as it makes a difference to the quality of my sleep. It’s funny because when I was a kid, I thought sleep was such a waste of time – you just lay there and do nothing. Now I really look forward to that “do nothing” time! H&D: What are your top three bedroom essentials? GP: My bedroom must-haves include a great mattress, great sheets and good reading lights on dimmers, for when the bedroom needs some romance. Oh, and number four is a great alarm clock – I could sleep through an earthquake (another genetically inherited trait). H&D: As a designer, are you: easy going, difficult, or too style savvy for your own good? GP: I am somewhere between easy going and difficult. On the easy-going side, each project has only so much 36

time and a specific budget, so you learn to roll with it and relax with the changes. On the difficult side, I am firm when it comes to mediocrity – I want things done properly. Design is a marriage of style and budget. Overshooting design that doesn’t match budget produces substandard results. You can make changes that match the time line and the budget, with good results and in the end the only person who really knows you made the change is you. H&D: What are your favourite shopping spots in the GTA? GP: Carpet One Floor & Home for floor coverings • Royal Lighting • Prima Lighting • The Faucet Works • Weston Tiles • Suite 22 Interiors • Designer Fabric Outlet • private galleries for art (check out Queen West!) • Casalife • The Feather Factory for bedding • HomeSense for inexpensive accessories • Elte for area rugs and furniture • Aveda for candles • and Mondial for stone.

Glen Peloso, Principal Designer of Glen Peloso Interiors, Inc., has been designing spaces for commercial, corporate and residential clients for almost 15 years. You’ll recognize Glen as the host of such television design shows as Restaurant Makeover, Take This House & Sell It and Renovate My Wardrobe, to name a few. For more information, visit Glen online at www.glenpelosointeriors.com Photos by Aaron Vincent Elkaim 647.828.0125; www.avephoto.ca

Home and Décor | October 2009

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IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS VIE MAGAZINE • 32

Words Glen Peloso While attending a charity fundraising event recently, I was seated next to a couple who were one of the evening’s biggest benefactors, and I caught myself staring at the wife. She was not only a very beautiful woman, but she was also impeccably dressed. And although her simple black dress was not unlike many in the room, her jewellery, shoes, purse and belt were unusual, perfectly coordinated and suited her exceptionally well. As my mind wandered during the many items being auctioned, I lost myself in thoughts of her home. Eventually, as we began to chat about some of the latest developments in residential decor, I confirmed to myself that, in the same way this woman presented herself, spaces in the world of interior design also move from ordinary to extraordinary as a result of the details and use of unique innovations. I was introduced to a unique artist last year whose medium is light. Steven Knapp has developed a way to refract light into its various colours by using pieces of glass strategically placed near a light source. While other artists might use paint to put colours on a canvas, he uses the colours of light that come from the white light that we perceive. His backdrops include actual canvases, large interior walls and the sides of buildings. Not only is the final product incredible to look at because of its purity of colour, extraordinary movement

and the emotional content that it evokes, but it grows and changes by virtue of the time of day and ambient light in the space in which it is installed. I also love the innovation and creation of something ‘more’ from an element as ubiquitous and as simple as light. All of his pieces are vibrant and so full of life that one would never grow tired of looking at them. The plumbing world has brought consumers various kinds of metals and some innovations with respect to shape, but being able to look at a bathroom faucet and discover something that’s truly different is a rarity. I was delighted to find a faucet from Aqua Brass that has both beauty and function. What opulent powder room or restaurant restroom doesn’t have both a tap and fresh flowers to make the space sumptuous? It’s sometimes the simplest thoughts that seem to spawn some of the most interesting elements and innovations and this faucet adds a great touch of class to either a residential space or commercial space in its ability to combine nature, water and function in an elegant and graceful way. The marriage of beauty and eco-materials is not always easily found. A wonderful product that has finally hit the market is Eco-Glass by Mondial Granite & Marble Inc. Although there have been glass products on the market used as countertops and other hard surfaces, the colour selection has never been available aside from the bluegreen that comes from thicker pieces of glass or the clear look of Starphire glass. Neither type can be manufactured in the same way as natural stone slabs; however, Eco-Glass can, with the added advantage that you can use backlighting to create a more delicate allure similar to onyx but with a more consistent look. The colour variations are relatively vast and the fact that it can be backlit provides an opportunity for underlit countertops, backlit bar fronts, feature walls (both backlit or not), tabletops, tubs, pools, restaurant furniture, water features and reception desks. The appeal of the product is only enhanced by the good feelings that are associated with its eco-story being that it’s constructed of recycled glass products; and as a design professional, I am excited to have this option available. It’s always delightful when products offer an element of surprise. We are endlessly attracted to innovations that seem to combine two elements that we don’t expect to see together, function as one cohesive unit. This is the case with the Lumiere Circolare Floral fixture by Jaclo because it combines the element of light and water into one — a merger that we believe, historically, must never go together. In fact, there are entire sections of the building code that work to ensure that these two elements remain apart from one other. We are more than accustomed to having showers that house lighting, as well as to showers with rain shower heads, but we do not expect that our rain shower heads will also be our light source! Until now, of course. This “rain canopy” fixture has taken the elegance of the rain shower head (which, by the way, I find to be an unbelievably sensual and effective way to have a shower), and combines it with a drum shade that comes with great pattern selections, to create a shower light. When taking a shower, our focus generally goes to the plumbing fixtures; lighting is usually hidden in the ceiling, but this shower head offers an extraordinary focal point to the shower by providing a drop-lit chandelier. I installed this fixture in my own bathroom and I am continually pleased with the quality of light that it provides; I love its innovation and its classic, simple allure. It also provides an element of surprise when the water is running because the actual water jets are relatively hidden in the base of the light fixture; it not only moves the experience of showering from ordinary to extraordinary, but the expressions of delight from my guests make it a joy to own. No home is complete without the element of entertainment and the Kaleidescape System is sure to impress even the biggest gadget geek. It is an entertainment hub that simplifies the way you collect, manage and enjoy movies and music. By storing your personal entertainment collection into the system, you instantly de-clutter your house of DVDs and CDs, and due to its high-speed network capabilities, you can, for example, simultaneously play recorded music on one floor, a movie in the home theatre on another floor, and yet another on an additional floor, all from one hub. It is often installed in professional screening rooms and the playback quality is superior to any other system on the market, but this is where the fun just begins. VIE MAGAZINE • 33

You can ask for one of hundreds of stored films to be played and the screen will present the art for that film along with an entire selection of films of that genre, starring the same actor, or directed by the same director. The Kaleidescape will even give you a flexography for the various moviemakers involved and the history of that specific film. You can create play lists of your favourite lines from various films for a ‘compilation film’ of your own choosing, and even pause a variety of entertainment sources, which will remain on hold until you want to continue (up to two years). I’m impressed with the interactive aspect and the personalized experience that it offers. It’s a little like having a professional movie-reviewer to direct me to the films and music that I really like with as much information as I want to know about each one of those films. Of course, my inner geek is quite happy as well. The world of good quality wall covering has been strong for hundreds of years. Over time, wall coverings have gone from fabric to paper to vinyl. In exceptional circumstances, gold and silver leaf applications have been in vogue, but they are incredibly time-consuming as each piece needs to be hand-applied. Not everyone is interested in having trades people in their homes or offices for a year. That problem is now solved with the introduction of wall coverings that are made with gold and silver leaves. The effect is perfect for that luxurious look that used to take months to achieve. There are also a vast array of three dimensional coverings with Swarovski crystals embedded into the paper, micro-glass, which creates fantastic drama when the light hits it, as well as ‘wall tattoos,’ a new introduction to the world of wall coverings. Creating a feature wall with everything from gold leaves to wall tattoos in an iridescent material adds a drama previously not seen without hiring an artist. And the result is one of truly great detailing with dramatic effects Regardless of whether your home or office is 2,500 square feet or 25,000 square feet, the distinguishing factor between an ordinary space and one that inspires awe and conversation and takes your breath away is one that incorporates fine details and extraordinary elements. I am as delighted as a child who has just discovered a monarch butterfly every time I come across a new element in the world of decor that combines simplicity with grace, resulting in elegance and peaceful beauty. In my mind, those are the elements that really create luxury and timelessness.

VIE MAGAZINE • 34

COTTAGE STYLE

THE LADY OF THE LAKE RESTORING A GRAND DAMME TO HER ORIGINAL GLORY BY GLEN PELOSO

hen I was first asked to consider working on the Windermere House, I was aware of the property from many years ago from previous work done in the Muskoka area during the summers. I instantly recalled a majestic property in an incredible lake-side location. Indeed the property has been here since the mid-1800s, when it was the family home of Thomas Aitkens, and was used to house sportsmen who came to the area to fish and hunt. By 1890 the property had expanded to be able to accommodate more than 200 guests and, at that time, it was still considered a “nice place to stay” at a cost of $10.50 per week or $1.50 per day. The property remained in the family until 1981, when it was

sold to a group of investors. During the filming of the “The Long Kiss Goodnight,” the property burned to the ground. In 1997, the rebuild brought the site back to its original glory, and the doors were reopened. Ten years later in 2007, it was sold again to Paul Jefferys, who has a cottage on the lake and was inspired to return the resort to its former celebrity status as the “Lady of the Lake.” Jefferys was no stranger to Windermere House or the world of food and hospitality, having previously been the founder and past chairman of Kelsey’s International Inc. which owned and operated the Kelsey’s chain, Montana’s Cook house and the Outback restaurants before he sold the company to Cara Foods.

“WE HAD INDEED RESTORED THE BUILDING AND BUSINESS TO HER PREVIOUS POSITION AS ‘LADY OF THE LAKE.’ SHE NO LONGER WEARS CRINOLINES AND A CORSET, BUT IS CLAD IN ELEGANT COCKTAIL DRESSES BY DIOR AND CHANEL ON THE MAIN LEVEL, AND ROOTS AND LULULEMON IN THE PUB”

Our first meeting at the property gave me both a sense of dread and excitement as I considered how best to bring the property into this century and meet the needs of a new clientele more accustomed to the finer things in life, while at the same time honoring this resort’s place in history. The first order of business was to recognize that, unlike in its heyday, people no longer accessed the resort by the water, but by car. The location of the lobby and administration were changed to maximize the view of the water for the hotel patrons. The reception, check-in desks and administration offices were moved to the back of the building, leaving the waterfront wide open for more fitting purposes. We redesigned the

lobby into a casual yet elegant space that was close to all of the amenities of the hotel. The ideas came from our own travels, and what makes logical sense in terms of accessing the bars, lounges, dining spaces and guest rooms. The real appeal of the space is its proximity to Lake Rousseau and the natural surroundings. The building was already equipped with a stunning view of the lake and a large porch that wraps around the building on the main level. With the original reception now moved to the back of the building, we decided to make use of the space to create a lobby bar that also spills out on the veranda, allowing patrons to enjoy cocktails and food while sitting on the elegant veranda, just as they might have at

COTTAGE STYLE

the turn of the century. Here, patrons can sip a Martini or Cosmo while letting a live pianist treat them to classic jazz selections. It was the new owner’s desire to provide high-quality food to cater to the patrons of the hotel who are also cottagers on the lake. The original dinning room was cut off from the front of the building as the veranda continued around the building, separating the dining room from the front wall of the building by a wall. We removed the wall and brought the dinning room straight to the front of the building. Now you can sit in the dinning room, enjoying a fine steak with a dinner companion while overlooking the Lake. The room is elegantly appointed with lighting and classic comfortable seating, a large stone fireplace at the centre of the room, subtle black and white images on the walls, customized napkin holders atop elegant solid-wood table tops. The elements work together to create a relaxed but exceptional dining experience. For visitors seeking to wet their whistles after a day out on the water, there is the Windermere Pub and Grill on the lower level. Here, we wanted to offer guests a relaxed and friendly feel, just like being at the cottage. The space was interesting to work with, as the building is located on and supported by the Canadian Shield. At the time, the builders realized that it was less difficult to build around the rocks than it was to blast them out, so the back section of the restaurant has a large rock protruding into the room, which we took as a cue for the design. The floor is stone, and the face of the bar is also clad in stone with a granite top, offering a menu of several varieties of beer. The stone floor and simple but comfortable seating spill right out onto the patio, which we surrounded with glass to allow for the view but provide shelter from the strong winds that come off the lake. With the completion of the Grill, the building had a space suited to everyone who may find themselves on the Lake looking for a lovely place to spend some time. The first year was a huge success, and received awards from the community who frequent the hotel on a regular basis. The second season is poised to be as successful as the first. We had indeed restored the building and business to her previous position as “Lady of the Lake.” She no longer wears crinolines and a corset, but is clad in elegant cocktail dresses by Dior and Chanel on the main level, and Roots and Lululemon in the pub. It was a pleasure to work on, and I trust it will continue to meet with great success! Windermere House is located at 2508 Windermere Rd., in Windermere, Ontario. To make a reservation call 705.769.3611 or 888.946.3376, or visit the website at www.windermerehouse.com.

Glen Peloso has been an endless student of the creative process. With more than 10 years in the design business, Glen’s name is known internationally, appearing on over 300 contracts in both commercial and residential design. His success lead to the start of his own firm, Glen Peloso Interiors. www.glenpelosointeriors.com

ENTERTAINING

Some thoughts on pairing

Food&Wine BY NICK KEUKENMEESTER, LIFFORD WINES

FOOD AND WINE PAIRING IS OFTEN THE TOPIC OF EXTREME OBSERVATIONS. I’VE HEARD THINGS LIKE “JUST EAT WHAT YOU ENJOY AND DRINK WHAT YOU ENJOY AND DON’T WORRY ABOUT PAIRING.” THAT ISN’T VERY FAIR IF YOU LIKE SHIRAZ WITH YOUR CALAMARI AND YOUR FIVE DINNER GUESTS ARE FACED WITH THE SAME PROSPECT.

AT THE OTHER END OF THE ARGUMENT are the rules. “You must have Port with Stilton!” or, “You must have foie gras with sweet wine.” It leaves little room for imagination or trying new things. In this argument it takes guts to hold the middle ground. Let’s take a stand. The most important point: you can only have one diva in a room at a time. What the heck does that mean? Think about it. There is only one star of a show. Any more and they are singing against each other and you end up with a cacophony, not a melody. Someone has to sing harmony. The same is true with food and wine. If you have spent all day in the kitchen making a multi-layered ﬂavour extravaganza then you need the wine to take a supporting role. You don’t want to open

your Phelps Insignia. You are looking for a simple wine that will cleanse the palate and allow you to concentrate on the food. (Reading between the lines: Don’t spend too much!) One of my favourite reds at the moment is the Laughing Stock Portfolio 2006 from the Naramata Bench in B.C. – evidence that Canada can make wine of Olympic standard. It is a Bordeaux blend based on Merlot (Roughly $67.95 in Ontario and $40 in B.C.) Packed with cherry, black berries and dark chocolate, it has a long and smooth ﬁnish. For this, make sure you have simple food. A roast or grilled meats are perfect. The same is true for the best white wines. Roast chicken or grilled ﬁsh are perfect. CONTINUED ON PAGE 106…

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ENTERTAINING

CONTINUED...

Pleasing everyone

If you don’t have time to think about it, get two wines. Start with an unoaked white like a Santi Pinot Grigio from Italy or a dry Ontario Riesling. Oaked whites can clash with spice or mask delicate ﬂavours and some folks just plain hate them. Unoaked whites are safe and generally pleasing to most palates. Then you want a fruity red. Look to a Californian like Ironstone Cabernet Sauvignon or a Mitolo Jester Shiraz from McLaren Vale. These won’t be too tannic to have on their own or with most dishes. These days people like and expect a big burst of fruit. Don’t disappoint your guests just to suit a recipe. Sweet wine and dessert

The wine must always be sweeter than the dessert or it will taste acidic. That’s why fruit pies work well, because they have a little tartness. It is also why Canadian Icewine is such a great dessert wine. It is one of the sweetest wines in the world. Wine and cheese

This is the ultimate cliché, but is rarely done well. Cheese is nearly as complicated as wine can be. The secret is that on the whole, white wine works better with cheese. This is particularly true with soft cheeses like brie, goat’s cheese or epoisses. Big reds will either taste awful or smother the cheese’s delicate ﬂavours. If you do have a red, look to pecorino, hard gouda or a nice old cheddar. Something like a Shaw and Smith Sauvignon Blanc from the Adelaide Hills will work with everything.

NICK KEUKENMEESTER IS THE DIRECTOR OF PRIVATE CONSUMER SALES AT LIFFORD WINE AGENCY. HE HOLDS A DIPLOMA IN WINES AND SPIRITS FROM THE UK’S WINE AND SPIRITS EDUCATION TRUST AND A BACHELOR’S DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON LIFFORD WINE AGENCY, CALL 416.440.4101 OR VISIT ONLINE AT WWW.LIFFORDWINE.COM.

106 CONDO GUIDE | JAN 4 - FEB 1, 2010

HOME & GARDEN

Your garden doesn’t have to lack colour just because it doesn’t receive enough sun.

Made in the Shade By JEN CUDDIE

T’S a beautiful weekend and off to the garden centre you go. Entering, your senses are overwhelmed with the beautiful blooms and fragrances that whisper ‘spring’. You see something new and pretty and inspect the tag, Full Sun. Yet another bloom that won’t survive in your shady retreat. Don’t despair, there are many benefits and solutions for shady spaces. The first step for addressing a shady yard is to consider the source. What’s causing the shade? Once you know the source you can determine the other factors you need to consider before choosing plant material for that area of the yard. For example, a large tree with a dense canopy or a building can both shelter the areas below from rain. Trees like maples with shallow surface roots draw moisture and nutrients from the soil, making it tough to grow anything at their base. Before you go and cut down that maple, consider the benefits the shade is providing for your yard and the people in it. As the SPF creeps higher on sunscreen, a shady place to sit out of the high summer sun is ideal. A shady retreat can mean more time enjoying your yard. That tree is also providing oxygen and improving the air quality in your yard. Trees reduce the “urban heat island effect”. This occurs when exposed hard surfaces like buildings, pavement, decks and patios absorb heat and then heat the

Part shade is great for perennials like Helleborus, above, while flowering shrubs like Bleeding Hearts, top, flourish in full or dappled shade. surrounding air, both day and night. Different sources provide different types of shade. In most cases, buildings create a part shade condition in the morning or afternoon. Trees provide dappled or full shade,

WHATEVER MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2010

depending on the density of their canopy. Part shade can be a great condition to work with, if the planting area is on the east side of the building. It will get sun during the cool humid

HOME & GARDEN morning hours and be protected from the burning afternoon sun. These are great conditions for perennials like Astilbe and Helleborus, or a flowering shrub like Cornus kousa chinensis if you are looking for some height.

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Full and dappled shade gives you an opportunity to grow some plants that would be damaged by harsh full sun conditions. A flowering shrub like Dicentra (Bleeding heart) can be beautiful, and groundcovers like Epimedium or Tiarella can add some interest to your space. Most ferns do well in full or dappled shade. Some examples for interesting texture and colour are Asplenium (Hartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tongue) or Athyrium (Japanese painted fern). Most of the Carex grasses will also do well in partial to full shade. If you are having trouble getting something to grow in full shade, consider altering the conditions from above; thinning out a tree canopy that is creating dense shade in your garden can change the conditions into dappled shade. Routine pruning of trees promotes better tree heath also, by allowing more air circulation. Back to the maple, dry conditions under a tree with surface roots can be addressed with a creeping groundcover. Euonymus fortunei (big leaf winter creeper) could spread and create good coverage, however it would require some maintenance as it can be a bit invasive. Consider also removing some of the surface roots and planting in containers in the ground to create some separation, and give things a head start. If you plant in the early spring, more light will get through while the plants are establishing themselves before the tree fills in. Just remember, if you try container planting, prune your tree crown to balance the roots removed below. Once you have established shade and soil conditions in your yard, speak to a professional at your local nursery, they may have some great suggestions of plant material that grows well in your area. W â&#x20AC;˘ Jen Cuddie has been designing for 10 years. Originally a graphic designer, and always a plant lover, she heard the call of the outdoors and worked as a construction foreman managing garden installation for a residential design/build firm while she applied her design knowledge to landscape planning. Now as a landscape designer and project manager, Jen works for Oriole Landscaping Ltd. For more information, visit www.oriolelandscaping.com.

WHATEVER MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2010

StarS in carS What’s with drivers who speed up in front of you, then slow down? That’s what Domenic Chiaromonte would like to know. The 37-year-old chef/ co-owner of north Toronto restaurant Match and special events caterer, who spends a fair amount of time on the road in his Nissan Xterra, also wonders why Toronto drivers are always in such a hurry. Here, the award-winning chef, talks about his fascination with Range Rovers, cruising in style around Denver, CO, and why he’d like to go road tripping with Chef Gordon Ramsay.

domenic chiaromonte Q: A:

I’d lIke to go for a car rIde wIth gordon ramsay, just to see what he’s really lIke

Q: A:

Q: A: Q: A: Q: Q: A:

StarS in carS

travelling chef

domenic chiaromonte By Sharon Aschaiek

Q: What do you currently drive? A: These days I drive a black 2006 Nissan Xterra. It’s good for what I do – carrying stuff to the restaurant and delivering catered food. It’s one of those cars that are square at the back. I didn’t want to get a big boxy van, so this works great. It’s really good on gas, and it was pretty reasonably priced. I enjoy driving it. Q: Among the cars you’ve owned, which has been your favourite? A: A brand new 2000 Mercury Cougar. The shape of it was pretty modern, it handled well and had great pick up. Every option you could imagine came with it. It was really low to the ground, and the engine sounded amazing. It was just a cool-looking car. Q: What’s your biggest driving pet peeve? A: Someone who speeds up to get in front of you, and then slows down. That’s probably number one. You know you’ve got to get up beside them just to see what they look like. Q: What’s your worst driving habit? A: Because of the business I’m in, it’s thinking about other stuff while I’m driving, like new menu ideas or parties I have coming up. Suddenly it’s like “Oh!” and you slam on the brakes, because you’re not really paying attention. It’s kind of a bad habit.

Q: Do you listen to music or talk radio while driving? A: Usually I’m listening to 680News, because they clump all their information into 15 minutes. Because I’m working so hard, I don’t really have a chance to catch up on what’s going on in the world, so that’s a good time – bang, bang, bang, I just catch it all in a short time.

Q: What’s the most fun you’ve had in a car? A: I was on a trip with my girlfriend in Denver. We needed a cab, but couldn’t find one, so we went to a hotel and asked if they could call us one. The guy must have thought we were some other people, because he called for their house car, which was a brand new 500 SL [Mercedes-Benz AMG]

I’d lIke to go for a car rIde wIth gordon ramsay, just to see what he’s really lIke Q: What’s your dream car? A: I really love Range Rovers. I love the way they look, the way you sit in them. So if I had a little extra money, I’d probably get a Range Rover. Q: How would you describe Toronto drivers? A: They’re always in a rush, but they probably don’t have to be. I do the exact same thing – I rush around, even when I don’t have to. In the summer I went to Moncton, N.B., for a seminar, and everyone on the road was taking their time, and I’m thinking, ‘what the heck are we doing in Toronto?’

“Hammer.” The driver drove us all around Denver and back to the hotel, and he didn’t want any money. It was a sweet ride in this cool-looking car. We thought it was going to cost us like $150, but he didn’t want any money from me. I still think to this day he thought we were somebody else. Q: If you could go for a car ride with someone exceptional, dead or alive, who would it be? A: I’d like to go for a car ride with Gordon Ramsay, just to see what he’s really like. I could learn about his great vision. From everything I’ve read about him, he seems like a lot of fun, so I think that would be a cool ride for me.

food

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LocaL Love At Veritas, Chef Brad Long’s mission is to create savoury dishes using the best in local sustainable ingredients from trusted sources thanks to his association with LFP — Local Food Plus. Add in a great ambiance (and a tasteful makeover by Viva fav Glen Peloso!) and you’ve got the perfect venue for a family feast or an intimate dinner for two. text by glen peloso • recipe text by dani ng-see-quan food creation & styling by chef brad long food photography by paula wilson • interior photography by rick o’brien

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LocaL Love

The idea behind Veritas, located on King Street East in Toronto, was to create a multi-functional space to enjoy a drink with friends or a selection of fine food prepared by Chef Brad Long. Before being renovated, the restaurant looked as though it was a sports bar with a concrete bar top, collection of bar-height tables and chairs and several televisions — no unity. This kind of bar always feels more like a beer pub, but Brad wanted to partner with local vineyards and pair appetizers with wine offerings. We set out to create a casual lounge and wine bar, adding banquettes and cocktail tables for an elegant home comfort and focused the back bar with strong colour to enhance the wine selections. This colour was contrasted with a deep grey to create warmth that hadn’t previously been there. In the upper dining room, we continued the strong orange colour from the lower level on the architectural detail above the banquettes and enhanced it with back lighting. The deep gray colour was also continued into the upper level which maintained a slightly industrial feel to the space with its wooden tables and concrete ceilings. In keeping with the theme of “local sustainable food,” we used low voc paints for maximum impact.

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The name of the restaurant also changed to reflect its new Executive Chef and the philosophies that are behind the cuisine Brad offers diners. “Veritas,” the Latin word for Truth, speaks of the true and whole foods prepared and the true relationships that we have with each other and the world we inhabit. What makes Chef Long’s take on fine food unique is that he belongs to the Local Food Plus movement, which is Canada’s certification for local sustainable food. This non-profit nurtures regional food economies and connects food buyers (like Brad) with certified farmers and processors. These certified farmers and processors not only reduce or eliminate pesticide use, but they also treat their animals well and provide safe and fair working conditions among other things. You can really taste the difference in his dishes, and when trying the recipes at home, we suggest using local produce and ingredients.

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food Goat Cheese and Cookstown Beet Terrine

Canadian Snow Crab Cake with Fiery Tarragon Aioli Ingredients: 4oz of cleaned Snow crab meat (drained of liquid) 1tsp shallots finely diced 1tsp of chive fine dice 1tsp of red pepper finely diced 1tbsp of aioli or mayonnaise Salt and pepper to taste Aioli 1 large egg yolk 1tsp of Dijon mustard 1tbsp white wine vinegar 1 cup vegetable oil Pinch of tarragon 1. For aioli, combine egg yolk and Dijon in a bowl. Mix slowly adding the oil once the mixture is thick. Add vinegar and salt and pepper to taste . 2. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix well but gently as not to break the crabmeat. Form into a ball or patty and toss in cornmeal to coat. 3. Heat a small frying pan with 1 tablespoon of oil and fry crab for 2 minutes on each side or until crispy. 4. To finish serve crab with small green salad and 1 tablespoon of aioli flavoured with tarragon. Serves 1 | Prep Time: 40 minutes

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food Goat Cheese and Cookstown Beet Terrine 2 large red beets cooked and cleaned 2 large yellow beets 6oz of goat cheese Salt and pepper to taste 1. Line a terrine mold with plastic wrap. 2. Slice one of the beets very thin and layer on bottom of plastic-lined mold. 3. Cover with crumbled goat cheese, pressing down to cover all the beets. 4. Using the other colour of beet, again, slice the beet very thin and layer on top of the goat cheese. 5. Add another layer of goat cheese, and repeat until the terrine is filled to the top. 6. Cover the top of the terrine mold with plastic wrap and press down. This can be made ahead and stored in the fridge.

Canadian Snow Crab Cake with Fiery Tarragon Aioli

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Serves 1 | Prep Time: 1 hour

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Slow-Braised Venison Osso Buco with Roasted Butternut Squash Mash and Sauteed Beet Greens

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Slow-Braised Venison Osso Buco with Roasted Butternut Squash Mash and Sauteed Beet Greens Roasted Squash mash 1 large butternut squash 4tbsp of butter Oil Salt and pepper to taste 1. Cut squash in half and remove seeds. Toss squash in oil, salt and pepper and place on baking sheet. 2. Bake at 350oF for 45-60 minutes, or until squash is tender. Remove from oven and peel off outer skin. 3. In a large bowl, mix cleaned squash with butter, salt and pepper. Cover and keep hot. Osso Buco 1 2-inch cut venison Osso Buco 1 large carrot, chopped 1 celery, chopped 1 large onion, chopped 1 bay leaf 1 cup red wine 4 cups veal stock (veal jus) Flour for dusting Salt and pepper to taste 1. Combine flour with salt and pepper and toss venison to coat. 2. Heat saucepot with oil to high, add venison and cook each side until brown. 3. Once browned, remove from pot and add chopped vegetables. 4. Cook, stirring for 4 minutes or until browned. Deglaze with red wine (cook until wine is almost gone). 5. Return venison to pot, add bay leaf and veal jus. Cook over low heat for 2 to 3 hours or until tender. Chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tip: The venison needs to be braised long and slow, and must not boil or it will become dry. Serves 1 | Prep Time: Braising Venison: 5 hours; Roasting Squash: 1 hour

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Buttermilk Soaked and Honey Drizzled Fried Chicken on Garlicspun Yukon Gold Potatoes Chicken 1 large chicken breast, skin removed 1 cup buttermilk Breading 1 cup cornstarch 1 cup panko bread crumbs 1tbsp onion powder 1tbsp Garlic powder 1tbsp cayenne pepper 2tbsp salt 1tbsp chopped parsley 1tbsp chopped thyme 1tbsp chopped rosemary 1tbsp chopped tarragon (Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and reserve) 1. Toss chicken breast in buttermilk and let soak in fridge for 1 hour or up to 24 hours max. 2. Remove chicken from buttermilk and toss in breading mixture. Once coated, return to buttermilk and toss. Once coated, toss in breading mixture once more. 3. Remove chicken from breading and fry until outside is golden and crispy. 4. Transfer to an oven-proof container and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a thermometer reaches an internal temperature of 160o C. 5. Once cooked remove from oven and drizzle with honey. Serve with mashed potatoes and vegetables. Serves 1 | Prep Time: 2 hours

Seared Rainbow Trout on a Bed of Roasted Root Vegetables and SautĂŠed Spinach

food Buttermilk Soaked and Honey Drizzled Fried Chicken on Garlicspun Yukon Gold Potatoes

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Seared Rainbow Trout on a Bed of Roasted Root Vegetables and SautĂŠed Spinach 1 side rainbow trout (6oz) 1 carrot 1 turnip 1 parsnip 2 fingerling potatoes 1 beet 1 cup spinach 1 shallot, diced 2tbsp vegetable oil Salt and pepper to taste 1. Season trout with salt and pepper. Cut all vegetables except spinach to desired shape and toss in oil, salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes or until tender. 2. Heat a large frying pan with 1 tablespoon of oil. Once hot, cook the trout skin side up for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn over and continue to cook for another 5 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. In a second pan, heat another tablespoon of oil, and add spinach and shallots once hot. Season with salt and pepper and cook until spinach is wilted (about 5 to 7 minutes). Butter Sauce 25ml of white wine 25ml of white wine vinegar 1 shallot sliced 1tbsp of 35% cream 1/2 cup butter (cold) 1. Add wine, vinegar and shallots to sauce pot and reduce until almost gone. 2. Add cream and bring to boil. 3. Reduce heat and slowly add the butter whisking constantly. Once all incorporated, strain and reserve. Chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tip: Place roasted root vegetables on the plate, and place spinach beside them. Place fish on top of vegetables and spinach and finish by drizzling butter sauce over top, or on the side of plate, as to your liking. Serves 1 | Prep Time: 40 minutes

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Maple Creme Brulee 1L 35% heavy cream 8 egg yolks ( extra large size eggs ) 3/4 cup Maple Syrup 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a heavy, medium sized saucepan, warm cream over moderate heat until the surface begins to shimmer, about 5 minutes (160°F). 2. In a large bowl, stir egg yolks and syrup with a wooden spoon until blended. Pour in hot cream slowly and stir gently to avoid forming air bubbles until the sugar dissolves. Strain the custard into a large measuring cup and skim off surface bubbles. 3. Place eight 3/4 cup ramekins (small baking dishes) in a roasting pan. Pour the custard into the ramekins, filling them to the rim. Place the roasting pan in the oven and pour in enough warm water to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 40 minutes, or until the custard is firm around the edges. Note: it may still be wobbly at the centre; it will firm up as it chills. 4. Remove the ramekins from water bath and cool. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours. 5. Preheat broiler. Set the ramekins on a baking sheet. Strain 1 tablespoon of sugar over each in a thin layer, spreading evenly. Broil the custards as close to the heat as possible until the sugar is caramelized (30 seconds to 2 minutes), watch carefully. Let cool and serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Chef’s Tip: For those of you more adept, a blow torch with a medium flame will better facilitate the caramelizing of the sugar, but mind your fingers! Serves 6 | Prep Time: 10 minutes

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memo to the chef

Photo courtesy Paula Wilson

‘My Place’ is your Place

estled in the vibrant neighbourhood of Bloor West Village, known for its wide mix of local retail shops, smorgasbord of bakeries, variety of restaurants and specialty cafés, is My Place: A Canadian Pub. The latest venture of renowned chef and co-owner of Toronto’s Veritas, Brad Long — recognized by many for his appearances on the Food Network’s Restaurant Makeover but known in the hospitality industry as an advocate of wholesome, local and organic ingredients — My Place may occupy the premise where Billy Bob’s Bistro & Saloon and The Fan Sports Café once stood but is far from a run-ofthe-mill pub like its predecessor. Rather, the fourfloor establishment provides a uniquely Canadian experience, serving up comfort with a side of fresh homegrown fare. Here, Long talks with FoodService News about his most recent endeavour, with partners Dave Billington and Randy Metcalfe, and what’s in store for this celebrated chef.

Q: Upon signing the lease construction on My Place began right away. With a move in date slated for September, how daunting was the task before you? A: (The space) had been up for lease for awhile, so when we walked in the first thing I thought was, “Oh my God, what a pit.” It looked like Billy Bob’s had just turned the key and walked away from the building. There was still food in the fridges and cutlery, china and glassware on the tables.

Q: What prompted you to open a second restaurant? A: In this business you’re always looking for the next location because that’s what it’s all about — location, location, location. Someone from the neighbourhood who I’d known for years — Randy Metcalfe — called and told me about the place. My partner at Veritas, Dave Billington, and I walked through it in the beginning of June and we knew right away it would work. It had this beautiful old main floor that’s right on Bloor (Street) and that alone probably would have been good enough. But there was also a big space on the roof, which is another win because on a nice day it’ll be full. And at the back is a huge parking lot. All the pieces of the puzzle were there, so it was hard to say “no.” We signed the lease July 1.

Q: What’s unique about the menu at My Place? A: It’s the biggest menu I’ve ever written. It’s also been written in a different way — it was approached by food instead of by price point and how to flip tables quickly.

Q: How is My Place different than Veritas? A: Veritas is all about providence. The menu lists where everything comes from and what everything is in each of those dishes. But I discovered, unfortunately, that overwhelms people. In fact, to some extent it makes people afraid; there’s not a fear of food but a fear of information. With My Place, instead of providence on the menu and providing a deep awareness of food, there’s more of a “yeah, it’s food” approach. You can sit in ignorant bliss and just eat.

Q: Who came up with the name, My Place? A: That’s Randy. He wanted to call it My Place in the Village and I said how about My Place: A Canadian Pub because I’d already written a whole concept for it in my head and that way people would know to some extent what to expect. The irony is it’s not a name a seasoned restaurateur would ever pick but now I love it. I wouldn’t have picked it but now I wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s a pretty hospitable name. Q: What can we expect from Brad Long in the future? A: I’m working on a pretty exciting project at the moment with Dave again and when I say exciting I mean, “Oh my God.” But I won’t say anymore about that. What’s pending is I’ve worked for the last two years on a documentary, which is meant to be a guide about what local, sustainable and organic means. Those three words are pretty confusing to people. We shot for 18 months and it’s in post-production now. For the complete one-on-one interview with chef Brad Long, go to www.foodservicenews.ca.

On the Web

WEB-EXCLUSIVE COLUMNS: DIANE CHIASSON'S FIRST IMPRESSIONS MARK CUFF'S THE WINE SELLER DAVID SWANSTON'S STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

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CRFA Partners with MediaEdge to Launch New Industry Magazine The Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA) has partnered with MediaEdge Communications Inc. to produce a new magazine for CRFA members and the Canadian food service industry at large. Premiering in March 2010, Canadian Restaurant and Foodservice News represents the union between the CRFA and MediaEdge’s existing publication, FoodService News. With timely and in-depth feature articles, industry data, statistical information and regional news as well as CRFA updates on legislative issues, member services and industry events, the bi-monthly magazine will reach more than 60,000 food service professionals across Canada. “Canadian Restaurant and Foodservice News will help us to improve communication with our members as well as highlight the people, places and products that make up our incredible industry,” says CRFA president, Garth Whyte (right). “Food service operators are an important part of every Canadian community and we look forward to celebrating that fact through this exciting new venture.” MediaEdge vice-president Chuck Nervick (left) is also looking forward to collaborating with the CRFA, which is one of Canada’s largest business associations. “MediaEdge is pleased to be partnering with an organization that has the reach and credibility of the CRFA,” says Nervick. “We’re excited to take FoodService News in a new direction, opening it up to more content and more possibilities as Canadian Restaurant and Foodservice News — the official publication of the CRFA.” With 33,000 members representing restaurants, bars, caterers, institutions and other food service providers, the CRFA works to create an environment that allows food service operators in communities across Canada to grow and prosper. For more than 20 years, MediaEdge has launched, managed and produced well-recognized publishing, digital, conference and trade show products within a variety of industry-specific sectors, positioning the company among the most respected organizations in this field.

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