Elte - a Canadian design mecca

Final preparations are being made on the revamp to home decor store Elte at 80  Ronald Avenue. I was lucky enough to get a store tour this week (read about it in the Toronto Star this weekend) and to attend a celebratory dinner in the store itself. I did, ahem, walk the floor a bit in the illustrious company of owner Rene Metrick and Lynda Reeves of House and Home. Fingers crossed that I didn't say anything too stupid in front of these two design mavens. I'm not overly worried - it's a pretty safe bet to just point to anything in the place and pronounce it beautiful. While raising a toast later in the evening, Reeves called the space a design mecca in Canada. This is a lovely, lovely store filled with lovely things. Make a date to visit soon. In the meantime,  the pics below will give you a taste of the newly renovated showroom.Do not forget to look at the Silk Orchid rugs - made from vintage silk saris that ar unravelled and then reknotted in rugs that shimmer with subtle washes of colour. Simply glorious.

 

Baby green steps

This week’s Hot Home Products column, which you’ll find in the
print edition of the Toronto Star on Saturday, focuses on small steps homeowners can take to lighten their carbon load, courtesy of enviro expert Leslie Garrett and Just Green Energy, which sells carbon offset packages:

“Making just a few small changes in your daily activities and a
major shift in mindset can make a huge difference toward reducing and even eutralize your household carbon footprint,” says Garrett, who also suggests that you:

Watch what you eat

Going meatless even just one day a week can help reduce 
global warming. She also advises shopping the perimeter of the store, where you'll find more non-processed foods, which require less shipping and petroleum-fueled transportation. 

Drive less 

Use a bicycle for trips less than ten kilometers
– you’ll be healthier and so will the planet!

Whenever possible, do errands that require a car in one
day.

Cut back on your visits by car to the grocery store. Make just
one visit a week instead of three. Walk there for smaller loads.

Watch the temperature

Turn your thermostat up in summer and down in winter by
just a degree or two for major reduction in energy use.

Investing in energy efficient appliances can reduce your energy
bill by up to whopping 60 per cent. Washing in cold water whenever possible will save another 10 per cent.

Consider carbon offsets

Embrace an Earth Week mindset all year long by investing in
carbon offsets — which cost as little as $10 a month — to neutralize your carbon footprint.

 

Eat your veggies - they're delicious

 

Pic: Courtesy Trudeau Corp.

Because I'm on a quest to lose weight and lower my blood pressure, my diet is now heavily focused on vegetables. I’m collecting some good recipes and because I live to serve you, dear reader, I thought I’d share a few.

Here’s a quick and easy method for making veggie soup. Drop a
couple of chopped onions and a handful of garlic in an about a tablespoon of oil in a deep stock pot. Add whatever fresh veg you have handy — shredded carrots, sliced green beans,diced celery (you can also use frozen) — and let it cook for a few minutes. If you have leftover veg in the fridge, or cooked potatoes, add them at the end. For a heartier soup, throw in a handful of peas or lentils at this point. Drop in some seasoning — a big spoonful of Herbes de Provence works, or for fun, try curry (I love spices from Arvinda.

Add six cups of broth, either homemade or store-bought (choose reduced sodium). Add a 14-ounce can of diced tomatoes, with juices. Let simmer. If you like, skip the lentils and add a can of (well-rinsed) canned beans now. At the very last minute, toss in a few handfuls of fresh spinach.  Add salt and pepper.

 Another quick veggie dish, courtesy of my brother Michael, who is an outstanding chef. Sweat two onions, and add garlic and ginger. Add curry powder, cumin, cinnamon, thyme, ground fennel seeds*, and cook for two minutes or so. Add one 14-ounce can diced tomatoes – with juice, one 14-ounce can of chickpeas, a little water or stock, and cook for ten minutes. Add one
14-ounce bag of spinach and cook till wilted. Finish with chopped coriander, and plain yoghurt if you want. Serve with naan, as a side dish, or on quinoa or couscous as a vegetarian main. *My variation - cook thinly sliced fennel with the onion and omit fennel seeds. Divine.

 

Storage that's hard-working, attractive and practical

Two teenagers. Four sets of house keys. Three cellphones. Four kinds of glasses. Chez nous, it all makes for one big mess by the front door. Somebody must have explained this pitiable situation to the folks at Rubbermaid, who’ve come up with a new line of storage boxes called Bento containers that combine functionality with good looks.

The multi-sized boxes have flexible dividers inside them that
pop out, which means the user can customize compartments for various items rather than dumping everything inside to simply cerate another disorganized mess in a box. They also have open handles on the sides so that picking them up to move is easy. And the larger sizes have lids that cleverly transform into trays, which means they can do double duty as low-rise end tables. Bento containers have immediately gone on to my list of contenders of fave new products for 2013.

For me, four of the smallest size at the front door would mean that everyone would have a spot to park their stuff, and the number of times I’d hear somebody moaning about keys/glasses/transit passes they couldn’t find would diminish.

In the office, I’m using larger ones to store printer paper and
accessories, while other sizes house CD’s and supplies. The smallest help me keep my jump drives organized and all of them can sit nicely in a neat stack in a corner.

You could also use them on open shelving to create a co-ordinated look. Or to hide outdoor patio gear - napkins, tea-lights, etc - by the back door or balcony. In our tv room, I'm considering hiding weights and bands in one, so it will be easy to do some exercise while watching the Leafs win the Stanley Cup this year. And did I mention I love the spicy paprika colour they come in?

My 20-something daughter spied them the other day and said they’d be great for storing hair/make-up/jewellry stuff in the tiny bedroom of her university-town apartment. Sadly, when I suggested to my 17-year-old son that he might like a set to store his stuff in his dorm room next year, he said, “but that’s what the floor is for, isn’t it?” There is much work to be done between now and September, apparently.

The pretty boxes are made from MDDF board and covered in durable polyester. Prices start at about $10 at Target  

Girls, Auntie Vicky is a LITTLE surprised at you

I’ve been amazed by how many of the young’uns have balked at my spring cleaning tip for dusting ceilings, walls and light fixtures. Girls, of course you have to do that — to get rid of the dust and guck that has accumulated over this long, long, long winter that's just passed. Think of it as exfoliating the air.

I used to use a tres retro feather duster. This year, I succumbed to the lure of a Swiffer, taking it through the house from top to bottom. I loved it, and my obsessive self was thrilled with the thought of grabbing and disposing of all that dust/pet dander/detritis. I found that one fluffy duster has a pretty long life, as long as you shake them out a bit after use. Use the flat mop for walls and ceilings. Look for webs and dust. Ditto, btw, on the life-time of dust pads. Next on my to-buy list is the Swiffer extender, which adds length to the hand duster - great for people who, like me, are vertcially challenged.

When that's done, vaccuum everything - including mattresses and covered furniture. Yes, girls, that too  - did you people not take Home Ec? (C'mon - see "once and year", and "exercise" in post below.)

Stay calm - spring will arrive eventually

I know, I know, I know, the winter that would not end was a  mood killer. Hope may be in sight, but don't get over excited yet. Instead, distract yourself with happy thoughts, or visualize those sultry summer nights on the deck. Focus on cool new summer decor products, such as the KŌH Lamp, which was inspired during designer Chistophe d’Orey’s trip to an African village,
where locals would gather round an assortment of coloured canisters every evening for a chat and check-in. The KŌH Lamp, which is suitable for outdoor use, is available for US$120 at KOHConcepts.

 

Spring cleaning - the seasonal chore that is actually welcomed

Spring cleaning is a bore, but it can be less of a chore if you follow a few ground rules.

Organize as you go. Try sorting items into three bins. One is for stuff to keep, the other is for stuff to donate and the third is for stuff that needs to get tossed out. Be honest!

Now’s the time to get rid of all those scuffs and spots on cupboards, stove hoods, baseboards, cutlery trays and other spaces and items that you don’t normally focus on. Try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, which now are cleverly packaged in different sizes for various jobs. The better the sponge fits your hand, the easier and more efficiently you can work. (C'mon now, it's only once a year and won't take much time. Plus, it's good exercise.)

Hang bed linens, cushions covers and other textiles on a line in the sunshine to freshen them. Take a brisk walk while they air or dry. Before storing, spritz them with a fabric refresher, like Febreze. If the weather won’t co-operate, try adding Gain Fireworks Original Scent Booster. These are small scent beads that you add to the wash - add a dash for a hint of freshness or a handful if you love a fuller fragrance.

When the sun does begin to shine on, hang out stained or yellowed linens on the line  - the sunlight acts as a natural bleach. You can also often extend the wear time of linen clothing by hanging it over-night somewhere open, and spritzing it with water linen or refresher. Try it - unless you like washing and ironing, of course.

Next week: How vegetables have changed my life. And why it's a good idea to dust your lightbulbs this time of year.

 

Beware of mold, and tackle it whenever it turns up

Not only can mold and mildew affect the way your home and furnishings look —  it can contribute to an unhealthy air quality. Concrobium, which makes a range of mold-fighting products, has some good advice for dealing with this unwelcome visitor. Let’s call it “the five D’s”.

Deflect – To prevent mold you need to stop water from entering and accumulating in your home. So check that downspouts are doing their job — deflecting water away from the building. Make sure, too, that property is graded away from the foundation, so that water runs away from the house.

Dry - Mold can grow on water-damaged surfaces in as little as 24 hours. If flooding happens, remove excess water with a shop vacuum or water pump. When water is removed, use fans to circulate and absorb moisture in the air. Open doors and windows if possible; indoor mold spore counts are typically higher than outdoor counts. Call a pro if the job feels too big or if you suspect sewer back up.

Discard - Throw out water-logged and mold-infested materials such as carpeting or ceiling tiles. If drywall has absorbed water, it should be cut out 12 inches above the water level and replaced when the space is dry again.

Deactivate - Use bleach-free Concrobium Mold Control to fight remaining indoor mold.  It kills mold and prevents it from coming back. Treat hidden areas such as crawlspaces, closets and under furniture. Special fogger units, which mist Concrobium Mold Control into the air, can be used to treat large or inaccessible spaces such as basements and attics.

Dehumidify - Run a dehumidifier to take additional moisture out of the air. Maintain relative indoor humidity between 30 and 50 per cent. Monitor humidity levels with a hygrometer, an inexpensive device that you can pick up at your local
hardware store.

There’s also excellent information about mold and moisture issues on the Canada Mortgage and Housing website

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Linen Chest - the new kid in town

This week's Hot Home Products column in the Toronto Star features the Linen Chest, a Canadian success story that began when Sylvia Leibner opened a small store in Montreal in 1961. Today, a second generation of Leibners oversee a network of over 20 stores. The chain has expanded throughout Quebec and into New Brunswick and, last year, opened Leaside and Vaughan locations. Two new stores, one in the Stockyards and one at Richmond and John Streets, will open within the next few months. They also offer online shopping. Check out the pics below for an idea of what's on offer. I have a feeling readers will be hearing more about these folks in the future. Stay tuned.

Ways to battle winter weight gain

For many, seasonal weight can be a problem that rears its ugly head at this time of year.  It’s no use beating yourself up now for having starting a carb binge in November that just never stopped. Instead, commit to making one or two small but healthy changes to your diet before Spring has sprung. Start with breakfast. Try switching out that high-fat bagel for a cup of oatmeal sprinkled with flax (grind it first to make it digestable) and a few dried cranberries.

Pressed for time? That’s no excuse — start the day with a healthy smoothie. For that, the busy 20-somethings in my household like the Hamilton Beach Single Serve Blender. The 14-ounce plastic jar has a lid, so it can double as a convenient travel mug. Stainless steel blades and 175 watts of power do a great job on soft fruits. Nice to know too, that it has a five-year warranty, which I believe is among the best in the business.

How easy it to whip up a healthy breakfast? Pop in 1/2 cup cranberry or orange juice, ¾ cup of vanilla yogurt and 1/2 banana, give it a whirl and enjoy. For a healthy dinner, try whole wheat quesadillas, jammy-packed with roasted peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, grilled mushroom or whatever other veg takes your fancy. Add a slice of lean meat or ricotta cheese to boost protein. Just so happens, Hamilton Beach has an app for that too — its quesadilla grill makes six wedges out of a  9½ inch circle. Nonstick surfaces are easy to clean, and it’s quick to heat up. Best of all, this item comes in a  cheery red, and the blenders come in a rainbow of happy shades, giving you one more way to let spring colours bloom while we’re still in winter’s icy grip.