Home and Garden - Fall 2011

HOME

AND

Garden

Fall 2011

mix and match Stacy McLennan shares her design ideas for fall

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• OFF THE FRIDGE AND ONTO THE WALLS: How to include your children’s art in your decor.

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francis crescia/town crier

• CONDO CONUNDRUM: Designing for small spaces can be hard but not impossible.

Designer Stacy McLennan.

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• FALL COLOURS: Designer Stacy McLennan shares her thoughts on what’s hot for the new season.

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photo courtesy Barbara Foy-Pilchner

WALL OF FAME: From left, Barbara Foy-Pilchner, daughter Madeline and son Max stand in front of Max’s framed artwork that has been used to adorn the family’s home. Foy-Pilchner says she has received many compliments on the idea.

Living room gallery

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How to fit your kids’ art into your decor

BY Karolyn Coorsh t’s the telltale sign a child lives here — refrigerator art.

Drawings of dogs and flowers, a glittered handprint affixed to the fridge with magnets.

But in Barbara Foy-Pilchner’s house, those artistic creations aren’t relegated to the kitchen. The mother of two has framed works by son Max, 10, and daughter Madeline, 7, in various parts of her two-storey detached home in the Beach.

The idea to decorate with her son’s artwork came when he was about three years old and bringing his drawings home from preschool. Faced with an ever-growing pile of his work, Foy-Pilchner decided to put it

HOME AND GARDEN Town Crier Fall 2011

to good use.

“I said, I want to keep some of this stuff but I don’t want to hang it on my walls and have it look like kids’ art — I want it to look like something that we would keep in our home for a long time,” she says.

Foy-Pilchner set to work cropping her son’s colourful creations and placing the pieces in three square frames. Affixed in a vertical pattern on a main floor wall, the abstract works fit right in.

“And I’m telling you, I get so many compliments when people come to our house because they’re right in our front entrance,” she says. “They’re like ‘Oh, we love those, where did you get them?’ I say, ‘Oh, they’re

original pieces of artwork.’ ” When daughter Madeline began coming home with her originals, Foy-Pilchner simply added to the collection.

Today, the kids’ works remain in the front entrance of the house. There’s also framed works in the basement, leading to a family playroom. There, guests can find Madeline’s cheery self-portrait, and Max’s interpretative drawings of robots and monsters.

Foy-Pilchner says for her, putting the work on the walls is a functional way of preserving memories.

“As a parent, you never want to throw anything out, you want to keep it all,” she says.

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MEMORABLE TOUCH: Some parents, like Amanda Gobatto, keep their children’s art in prominent places in their homes because of the sentimental attachment to particular pieces.

And it seems only natural that their original works would adorn the walls, Foy-Pilchner says, as the whole family is artistically inclined.

Husband Martin, an architect by trade, also has works throughout the house, as does Foy-Pilchner herself.

There’s something different and joyous about art created by a child, Foy-Pilchner says which is why she shows appreciation for it in her home.

“It’s whimsical, it’s free, there’s no inhibitions.”

Finding a way to integrate your children’s art onto your walls or tables can be a fun and satisfying endeavor for the whole family, says Toronto-based interior designer Heather Segreti, who also happens to be Foy-Pilchner’s sister.

And incorporating your child’s art need not be much different from decorating with a professional work, she says.

Segreti says if you have one favourite piece, you can design the colour scheme of a room around it. Alternately, if you’re looking to accentuate a particular style or colour already in a particular room, you can commission something specific from your child.

Indeed, Foy-Pilchner ensures the work still blends in with the modern décor of her 1920s-built home, one she and her husband gutted and redesigned themselves. Each piece is placed in a simple black or walnut-coloured frame.

Continued Page 6

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HOME AND GARDEN Town Crier Fall 2011

FINDING THE RIGHT SPOT: While children’s art adds a splash of colour and whimsy to any room, picking the right place for it is key.

Cont. from Page 5

“We don’t want to put up anything that’s going to look really out of place, but we still want to keep the spirit of recognizing that this is a family home,” she says. “I don’t want it to be sterile.”

And there are many ways to showcase the art, Segreti says.

One recommendation from the designer is the use of an easel.

A stained easel adds a distinctive look to any room, she says, and it’s a nice way to mount canvas and easily switch up works.

Apart from adding a distinctive touch, Segreti says it also shows the child a parental appreciation for their work. She herself has displayed her son Joshua’s work in her “My biggest own home.

“I was very cognizant of that with challenge my son because we’re neat and orgais finding the r nized people and I just wouldn’t be he sticking things all over the place,” she ace for all of p s said. “But I still wanted to display it and creations.” have it recognized.”

That is predominantly the reason mom Amanda Gobatto adorns walls with her children’s work — to build their self-esteem by showing them that she appreciates their efforts. The plus is, she actually likes their work.

“My biggest challenge is finding the space for all of her creations,” Gobatto says of her six-year-old daughter’s work.

The former kindergarten teacher has pieces all over home, some also from her three-year-old son. And she’s grown attached to the art.

As the end of summer approached, Gobatto stripped one kitchen wall devoted to her daughter’s work to have a fresh start for September.

photo courtesy Amanda Gobatto

KITCHEN KEEPER: A modelling clay frog made by her daughter adorns Amanda Gobatto’s counter top.

“When I came downstairs this morning I almost felt like crying,” she said.

As hard as it is to remove work, Gobatto uses it as a lesson in decluttering.

“We can’t possibly keep every single thing … that she creates,” she says, so Gobatto teaches her daughter how to choose her favourite pieces and store some in bins for looking back on.

But some works are timeless in the Gobatto household. She says one of her favourite pieces is a flower vase with paper flowers, made of paper mache with toilet paper and paper towel tubes and tissue paper.

The vase, which sits on a mantle, holds sentimental value, Gobatto says. Her daughter made it for her for Mother’s Day. “I don’t think it will ever come down,” Gobatto says with a laugh.

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Five cool ways to show off your budding artists Heather Segreti’s tips for creating and displaying children’s art in the home:

• Watercolour from Preschool:

Art cropped and mounted behind glass in a grouping for a contemporary look. Frames can be purchased from Ikea or Michaels.

Use simple black frames or match your décor for the cottage with a more rustic look.

Acrylic on a large canvas: Lay out the large canvas and secure to the floor on the corners.

Prepare paper plates of differentcoloured acrylic paint. Then have your child walk, play or just have fun with the canvas and you will

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have your own Jackson Pollack in the making.

Bulletin Board: Frame a bulletin board with a nice 8–10 cm frame to match your décor and display your child’s artwork, photos of friends, etc.

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• Shadow boxes:

Purchase shadow boxes at your local craft store and have anything your child has done in 3D displayed in the box.

Easel Display: Frame and display artwork on an artist’s easel in their room or family room.

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Photo Courtesy LUX Design

COZY CONDO: Highrise dwellers have struggled for years with the problem of how to create an appealing, yet practical, space within their small homes. However, there are things that can be done to achieve the look you want, experts say.

Designing for small A tiny condo can still be a stylish space

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BY Brian Baker ondominiums are on the rise and space is shrinking but when it comes to decorating, high-rise denizens shouldn’t avoid thinking big.

“What I tell people … is don’t be afraid to go bold because typically with people who buy condos they aren’t planning on living there for 20, 25 years,” said Isabelle Glinka, principal designer and founder of Lux, offers to clients through her Condo Quickie consults. “This is your place to have fun.

“It’s not a big space, so put money in the details (like lighting, window treatments and painting) because you will notice them.”

For starters, Glinka focuses on natural light.

HOME AND GARDEN Town Crier Fall 2011

The direction windows face determines the type of window treatment required.

If an apartment faces north, it will get the most consistent light through the day. Going overboard with curtains, sheers or panels casts a shadow over a living space.

When the view is to the south or southwest, that’s when some diffusive sheers help.

“That’s a very nice thing for condos because … condos are very boxy now, and as years go by, they’re finding ways of making them even smaller and boxier,” Glinka said. “So, you have to find ways to soften up your space.

“If you put sheers across the whole wall from ceiling to floor, from edge to edge, even if your windows are not all the way across,

then that, right away, is going to soften your space.”

Adding to the illusion that a condo is larger and softer in appearance are paint and wallpaper — but in moderation.

“Contrary to popular belief, painting all the walls white isn’t necessarily going to do it,” Glinka said. “What we often do is we suggest doing a focal wall.

“So if you actually paint out or wallpaper one wall in a deeper colour or tone — and the rest of the walls in a lighter space — it’ll actually pull you into that space more, making it look larger.”

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designers look for a source of inspiration within their accents like rugs or throw pillows.

East York interior designer Carole Milon says it all depends on whether a client has a tabula rasa or a laundry list of furniture.

“If you’re moving in to a new space and you’re buying everything new then it would be best to start from the beginning and create it all at once,” she said the founder of Design Waves. “If you’re bringing objects from another space that are special ... then you would take your inspiration from those pieces for finding your colour palette.

“In a small space, rules are meant to be broken, but generally speaking you might want to minimize how many colours there are.”

Glinka shares the same insight.

“Ideally, you do it all in one shot because you want to coordinate everything,” she said. “Pick out your main item, let’s say a sofa or let’s say you fall in love with a wallpaper — pick out those items and then coordinate the colours to match.”

And paint isn’t just meant for the walls.

“Ceilings do not always have to be white,” Milon said. “A way to keep the room and the lighting softer is to add 25 percent of the wall colour into the white (paint).

“Then you don’t get a harsh line of the white in contrast to the colour on the wall,” she added. “It breaks the room up and makes it more into a block as opposed to a more unified envelope.”

And when the sun goes down in the city, the next important part of small space design is the lighting.

Ambient, task and feature lighting are essential in both softening the condo’s appearance and ridding claustrophobic anxieties.

“Lighting always needs to come from more than one source,” Milon said.

Ambient lighting is the overall illumination of a space, but task lighting, according to Glinka, is the most important.

“That includes things like table lamps because you want to illuminate your space between the two and six foot level,” she said. “If all your light is coming from the ceiling, your creating certain shadows that you may not be aware of.

“So by distributing light in different locations, you’re giving it an overall glow.”

When it comes to feature lighting, something luxuriant will scare off the shadows and raise the roof.

“Feature lighting is super important because something like hanging a chandelier or an interesting light pendant above your table in a condo is what connects the ceiling space to the rest of the space,” Glinka said.

“It makes you feel like the ceiling is higher because there is something there.”

That’s not to forget the base of the condo, as baring more floor will get you more space.

“Furniture with legs is always better in a small space because you can get to see more floor,” Milon said. “If you have chunky furniture that goes right down to the floor then you only see a small amount of floor space.”

Above all, don’t let the walls close in on you while decorating your cosy nook.

“Don’t be afraid to have fun with it,” Glinka said. “Add some personality.”

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fall 2011 HOME AND GARDEN Town Crier

Autumn Stacy McLennan gives you her best tips

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BY Ann Ruppenstein

francis crescia/town crier

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HOME AND GARDEN Town Crier Fall 2011

hen she isn’t in the process of transforming houses, Stacy McLennan is showing off her interior design chops on TV. We caught up with the past winner of HGTV’s Superstar Challenge to find out what’s in style for the coming season and what tricks you can apply to spruce up your own home.

One of the biggest trends for fall and winter, McLennan says, is mixing vintage looking items with contemporary pieces. She says it’s common to see a kitchen with a very rustic table along with modern white cabinets.

“It’s about mixing and matching the different feeling of a rustic finish with a clean line finish and taking that philosophy into the living room, into the kitchen,” McLennan says.

As owner and principal designer of Stacy McLennan Interiors, she tells her clients to mix up their bedroom furniture instead of buying matching sets by pairing something like an upholstered headboard with a mirrored side table and a dresser in another wood finish.

“The look of raw, unfinished wood is also very popular in both furniture and wood flooring,” she says.

“This signifies a more comfortable and relaxed look and the overall feel is eclectic with a sense that each piece is meaningful and chosen for its uniqueness.”

McLennan says it’s also important to have a few items in your house with sentimental value, such as an antique that has been passed down for generations and doesn’t necessarily match the rest of your décor. These items, she says, can also be refurbished.

“I have a big ice cabinet which used to store ice and it’s very, very rustic and old and there are chunks missing from it and I have it beside a very clean lined contemporary leather sofa,” she says. “So the contrast of that is so sharp that it makes it look interesting because it’s almost like there’s a story to tell behind it and it doesn’t look like you went out and got everything at just one store.”

When it comes to colour, she recommends keeping your staple furniture, such as your couch, and the shade of your walls in neutral tones. Sticking with solid colours, she says, adds longevity to the pieces and allows you to introduce seasonal and trendy items in the form of cushions and throw blankets. This way, McLennan says, you are able to change up the look of your house without having to redo the entire space.

interiors “Introduce patterns and a lot of colours in accessories that you can easily change from season to season so you aren’t tied down to that red sofa for years and years to come,” she says. “I love soft greys and soft creamy tones so that it allows your furniture and artwork and accessories to be the thing you can make your statement with.”

McLennan says her house also features items she has personally collected in the great outdoors, which she says makes it feel cosy.

“I love bringing outdoor elements into my decorating, so I often gather large, oversized pine cones and display them in a polished silver bowl and add large birch sticks in a tall glass vase,” she says. “I love the mix of the more polished finishes with the rustic elements of the outdoors.”

She recommends picking up these items while on a hike or walking along the beach. Not only does it add visual interest but it will also remind you of where you were when you found the pieces.

When it comes to decorating for the holidays, McLennan suggests having a winter wonderland theme instead of using colours like red and green.

She says by using more natural colour tones you can leave the decorations up throughout fall and winter.

“Add a mix of metallic Christmas balls in glass vases, a few cosy throw blankets and lots of toss cushions and you have the perfect room for the holidays, and all season long,” she says.

Culturally inspired textiles and fab-

rics are also in this season. An easy way to incorporate this style is to buy accessories made from an Ikat fabric.

McLennan says the multi-coloured pattern compliments neutral colours like soft greys and light earth tones. Second Life carpets by Elte, which are 40 yearold Turkish and Persian rugs that have been re-dyed in bright and bold colours, are also big this season.

McLennan is a firm believer that decorating should be fun. She says unique items are great conversation starters and help create an environment that’s eclectic and personal.

“There was a quote … that too much good taste can be boring, so I think you can’t take it too seriously, have fun and interject things that are unexpected,” she says. fall 2011 HOME AND GARDEN Town Crier

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HOME AND GARDEN Town Crier Fall 2011

Don’t hit the roof — there are plenty of options

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BY Tristan Carter

hinking about getting a new roof is enough to give anyone the shakes.

In addition to the cost of re-roofing there is also the unsightly appearance of an old or damaged rooftop to think about, not to mention what kind of animals, insects or even mold may be living in your attic.

Even when installed correctly, typical shakes (made of wood) and shingles (usually asphalt) are susceptible to damage from weather and wildlife and on average only last about 15 years. You could be on your third roof before ever paying off your mortgage.

If you want to make sure that your roofing costs aren’t over the top perhaps you should consider some of the alternatives on the market.

Several companies have developed alternative roofing products made of more durable materials, saving you money on maintenance and replacement down the road.

Enviroshake, founded in 1998, produces a faux-cedar shake, which it claims is better than the real thing.

“It’s a composite shake meaning that it’s designed from 95 percent recycled material including recycled plastics, elastomers and natural wood fibre,” said Ashley Hewko, the company’s director of marketing.

“Enviroshake really is designed to look like a cedar shake but offer the homeowner lifetime performance.”

The composite shakes are more expensive than traditional products though, costing three times as much as asphalt shingles and nearly double the price of regular cedar shakes.

Metal roofing products are often cheaper than regular shingles or higher end slates and shakes. They also tend to last longer than most traditional shingles or shakes, according to Craig Bennett, deputy executive director of Avenue Road Roofing.

However, because they are so smooth on the surface, snow and ice can easily slide off the roof posing a risk to anything underneath.

“We’ve seen instances where the snow load has crushed decks below the roof,” Bennett said.

Condensation is also a common problem associated with metal-based

shingles? roofs in the winter months.

“If it’s not properly installed or there isn’t a proper vapour barrier employed in the application of that metal roof system it can actually condensate in the winter and it will appear as if it is raining on the inside of the house,” he said.

Some roofers prefer plastic shingles because they are lighter than traditional shingles and easier to install, as certain brands can be snapped into place rather than being nailed down. While these types of shingles may look nice and last a long time they are problematic when it comes to maintenance. Bennett called snap-on shingles “junk” saying they are almost impossible to walk on without causing damage.

Companies such as EuroShield produce rubber-roofing materials made to resemble slate.

Many of these have a lifespan of several decades and look almost exactly like the real thing, at least at first. Although he does not recall the brand, Bennett remembers replica-slate tiles being installed on the Toronto Harbour Commission building a couple of years ago.

“They’re still performing but they faded horribly,” Bennett said of the tiles. “They don’t retain their colour.”

To solve this problem Enviroshake says their product emulates the look of cedar shakes to such a degree that it even fades with time as cedar shakes do.

Bennett said the most popular products on the market right now are fiberglass, laminate shingles, which have replaced asphalt shingles as the mainstay in the roofing industry.

For a more upscale look and ultimate longevity Bennett recommends authentic slate tiles. He said that often the nails deteriorate before the actual tiles do.

“Authentic slate has a demonstrated history of lasting in cathedrals and churches in Europe for over 600 years,” he said.

Bennett said he believes most of the new alter-

native products will last as long as advertised but don’t yet have a proven track record.

“I would suggest that the authentic is the way to go as opposed to some of these not-yet-proven, don’t-know-if-they’re-going-to-be-in-business10-years-from-now kind of products,” he said.

“My hope is that they will be around, that they will have longevity because the idea behind recycling products and being innovative these are all good things.”

fall 2011 HOME AND GARDEN Town Crier

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Autumn ideas Get ‘tickled pink’ by flowering shrubs

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BY Lorraine Flanigan

ith such a cool, wet spring and a sweltering summer, it was difficult to get out and tend the garden as often as I usually do, so I feel robbed of quality gardening time. But I’m planning to make up for lost time by doing lots of planting this fall. Fortunately, autumn is an ideal season to plant flowering shrubs. As long as they go into the ground at least six weeks before winter sets in, shrubs actually get a headstart on growth when planted at this time of the year. Here are three new fall-flowering shrub varieties that are great for small city gardens.

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attended a symposium in Raleigh, North Carolina during which we were bused to several private gardens in the area. One of them belonged to Dennis Werner of the JC Raulston Arboretum. Werner’s work has focused on breeding new varieties of butterfly bush, and there, proudly growing in his garden, was his first introduction, ‘Miss Ruby’. She totally charmed me with her compact form and, yes, ruby red flowers. I’ve grown it in my garden for two summers now, and unlike many a ganglier butterfly bush, its compact, upright shape fits right into a small-space garden.

‘Summer Sorbet’ Bluebeard (Caryopteris clandonensis ‘Summer SorTickled Pink Hydrangea bet’) (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Hypmad II’) I must admit that bluebeard is one of my At that same Garden Writers Assofavourite fall-flowering shrubs. I’d grow it ciation symposium I spotted a new, comfor its clear blue flowers alone, but many pact hydrangea irresistibly called Tickof the new varieties have beautiful led Pink. Actually, it was her big foliage, too. Last year the folks at sister, Vanilla Strawberry, that Ball Horticultural sent me a new drew me to the trade booth, caryopteris to try called ‘Sumwhere they offered samnt a it s mer Sorbet’. Oh my, is it deliples of vanilla ice cream e h e b ’t Don cious. Not only does this new with strawberries (somet n la p d n variety have the glorious blue — dig in a rub times garden writers need h blooms I love, but the green more than plants to keep a flowering s leaves are edged in a golden them going). Although the . or three chartreuse colour. This comstrawberry pink blossoms pact shrub grows to about 60 to of Vanilla Strawberry are 90 cm tall and wide and performs yummy, this hydrangea needs best in a sunny location. In the spring, space to grow to its mature size cut it back to about 15 cm to promote more of about two metres. That’s just too much stems that will produce lots of flowers. real estate to devote to any shrub in my small city garden. So, my eyes wandered to the more diminutive Tickled Pink, which ‘Miss Ruby’ Butterfly bush grows only to about half that. The cone(Buddleia ‘Miss Ruby’) Garden writers’ trips are great ways shaped, lacy-petalled blossoms bloom in a to discover new plants. Two years ago I creamy white colour before fading to rosy

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HOME AND GARDEN Town Crier Fall 2011

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PHOTO COURTESY BAILEY NURSERIES

‘MISS RUBY’ butterfly bush, at top, is a must for the fall garden. Ticked Pink hydrangea, above, is compact enough to fit any small-space garden.

pink. To preserve its flower colour indoors, pick a few blooming stems and place them in a vase filled with water, first stripping off the lower leaves. Let stand, and when the water has evaporated (this takes several days to a week), the stems will be naturally dried.

Dig in this fall and plant a flowering shrub — or three.

Surrounded by fall flowering shrubs, Lorraine Flanigan writes from her garden in the South Eglinton neighbourhood of Toronto.

Bulb planting time

S

BY Omar Mosleh

ummer may be over, but it doesn’t mean that your gardening season is.

“Fall is a great time to actually do work in the garden because you get cooler conditions and the soil temperature is slightly warm,” says Paul Zammit, director of horticulture at the Toronto Botanical Garden. “It’s a great time for roots to be grown.”

He noted that it’s also a good time to plant bulbs for the following spring.

Zammit says the most common mistake he sees is that many people stop watering their yards and plants during the fall.

“We recommend continuing to water all perennials, trees and shrubs and particularly evergreens,” he says.

It’s especially important to water evergreens because they have a tendency not to receive enough moisture in the dry winter months.

He suggests doing a slower, more thorough watering once or twice a week, and also keep-

ing an eye on weather conditions so watering is taking place on dry days.

Don’t go overboard when it comes to tidying up or cleaning your garden, Zammit warns. For instance, leaving seed heads on plants like coneflowers provides nutrients to local wildlife.

“That’s a very important food source for birds during the winter months.” he explained.

But he does suggest that any plants showing signs of disease — one telltale sign is brown, yellow or black leaves — be discarded.

“Don’t even try composting them,” he said.

An effective use of healthy fallen leaves during fall is to gather, shred and spread them all over your yard. This should be done as the ground slowly begins to freeze in November through to early December.

“That provides a protective mulch, but more importantly what it does is it provides a source of organic matter for the worms, who will help to build up the soil,” Zammit said.

OMAR MOSLEH/TOWN CRIER

PAUL ZAMMIT gives tips for a healthy lawn during winter at Toronto Botanical Garden.

He said compost and fertilizer are also effective in keeping the soil healthy.

“Lawns benefit from a good, fall feed,” he said.

In preparing your lawn, avoid cutting the grass too short. Accidentally scalping your lawn with your mower can damage the grass crown, which is where the blades grow from.

Also, grass on the longer side has a greater surface area to carry out photosynthesis, which results in a healthier, more resilient lawn.

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Turkey tricky to cook: Capra Celebrity chef talks seasonal bird

C

BY Ann Ruppenstein

hef Massimo Capra has suffered through too many overcooked turkeys.

“A friend of mine used to say, ‘My mom cooks the turkey around seven hours and then she tests it and then cooks it for another hour just to make sure that it’s cooked,” he says from a booth at Mistura, the restaurant he co-owns near Avenue and Davenport roads. “Sawdust, I know, and I went through so many of those

ANN RUPPENSTEIN/TOWN CRIER

MAMMA MIA: Massimo Capra, executive chef and co-owner of Mistura Restaurant and Sopra Upper Lounge, in his work kitchen near Avenue and Davenport roads.

bad meals and I hated it.”

If turkey is your bird of choice while entertaining this fall season, Capra’s advice is to buy fresh instead of frozen because it comes ready to cook. But if you do go with the chilled variety, he says to make sure you buy one at least a week in advance.

“It has to be defrosted in the fridge, slowly, which is not what anybody does,” he says. “Priming it is really a good way of

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making sure that it stays moist even if you want to overcook the crap out of it like most people do.”

For the more adventurous types, Capra recommends straying from the flock and going with a similar type of meat, like a partridge or a pheasant.

In terms of entertaining dinner guests, Capra says the focus of get-togethers should be on the time you spend with family and friends and not stressing out over last minute baking.

“My suggestion to anybody is always to be prepared and to not overdo it in terms of don’t over cook, don’t make more food than is really necessary,” says Capra, author of One Pot Italian Cooking. “There’s no need to do 55 dishes.”

He says a lot of food such as lasagnas, pies and casseroles can be prepared ahead of time so you are left with a limited amount of cooking on the day of your gathering.

“I’ve learned the hard way because my wife tends to make

too much of everything all the time and I get overly excited and I go out and I buy half of the store,” he says.

Capra, who also hosts episodes of the Food Network’s Restaurant Makeover, says he loves cooking with seasonal ingredients like squash, root vegetables and chestnuts. He heads to the market without knowing what he will come home with and is inspired by what looks good and fresh.

“I don’t go in with a plan of saying ‘Oh, I want Chinese, I want to cook Mexican, I want cook Italian,’ ” he says. “I like to stay all-natural, local and in season.”

Although Capra always does the grocery shopping, he says his wife actually does a lot of the home cooking.

“My home is a sweet spot,” he says. “I don’t want to bring work home.

“We spend all our time in the kitchen and in the family room — those are mainly my favourite rooms. I cannot stay away from the kitchen.”

Planning holidays not hard Tips from a pro to host a flawless bash

BY Ann Ruppenstein

I

t’s almost the most wonderful time of the year.

With the holiday season fast approaching, many of us are faced with the daunting task of organizing parties and social get-togethers.

To help take some of the stress out of your next gathering, we talked to certified event planner Diana Pires, the founder of Torontobased Truly Yours Planning. Pires, who is used to throwing everything from small house parties to extravagant and luxurious weddings, let us in on some helpful tips for successful entertaining.

• The invitations Depending on the number of people you plan on hosting, Pires suggests giving at least one to two months notice before the party. She says it’s also a good idea to have guests RSVP two weeks prior so you can start planning specifics, like how much food to prepare or when to book a caterer.

“If you have to order anything like linens, chairs, napkins, you need to know how many people are going to be there so that’s very important to do first,” she says.

If possible, Pires says, it’s a nice touch to deliver the invitations to your friends, family and co-workers personally. But if you do choose to go the email route, she says be sure to let people know beforehand that you are going

ANN RUPPENSTEIN/TOWN CRIER

PARTY 101: Diana Pires, the founder of Toronto-based Truly Yours Planning, shows examples of personalized cards in her house and home office.

to send them.

game about wine and cheese.

• Party theme

• Personalized touches

Having a theme or colour scheme is a great One way to make your guests feel appreways to transform your house into a party zone, ciated is to provide customized touches. For says Pires. example, if you are hosting a Thanksgiving “Get colours that actually make people party, you can create individual cards with their say, ‘I haven’t seen this place look like this name and picture, along with a spot for them to before’,” she says. “In terms of fall colours, fill out what they are thankful for. you can use centerpieces with pumpkins and “Personalization is one of the most importhen have really beautiful flowers coming out tant things,” says Pires. of them.”

In addition to having decorations, Dress the part linens, flowers and a tablecloth that matches a specific theme On top of how you decorate your like winter wonderland, she house and the way you choose to y want e h T suggests having guests lay out and present food, Pires says wear the corresponding you must put effort into yourself. to say ‘wow, e colour tones. Having all “One of the most important c la p is th the men dress in one colour things I tell my clients is when s look and the women in another you’re hosting an event, you need also works. to look flawless,” she says. “When azing’ m a “It’s really kind of getting people come through that door they your guests into your house, want to see that you look amazing and feeling very excited about doing at the same time they want to be like ‘wow, something different,” she says. this place looks amazing.’ ” Another popular theme she says is fitting for fall, is a wine and cheese party. Pires sugLastly, Pires suggests, always be sure to gests getting 10 special bottles of wines paired have a party checklist so you don’t forget any with a selection of cheeses and playing a trivia detail as the party draws near.

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fall 2011 HOME AND GARDEN Town Crier

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Seasonal decor Spruce up your living space

PHOTOS COURTESY PC HOME

Above, a festival tabletop spread. Below, a throw blanket.

PHOTOS COURTESY POTTERY BARN

Above, blown glass mercury candle holders with antique silver finish. At left, pillow inspired by shawls once woven in Paisley, Scotland.

PHOTOS COURTESY URBAN OUTFITTERS

At left, the Mosaic wall mirror. At right, the Bohemian glass candle.

PHOTO COURTESY URBAN OUTFITTERS

At left, the tourquoise IKAT slipper chair.

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HOME AND GARDEN Town Crier Fall 2011

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