When I am Invited to a Clients Home

When I am invited
to a client’s home,
it is exciting for me because even the process of getting there can be inspirational. The trip I make to get there is one they take every day, I see the same sights, the natural beauty and possibly even the man-made eyesores they see along the route. Then, as I get closer, I enter the neighbourhood, and see the house’s surroundings and the way the yard is landscaped. The homeowners have chosen this location. It may be a mystery to me until I have an opportunity to meet the people with whom I will be working.
Once I am in the house, I let the structure of the building, the line of the architecture and the internal finishing details tell me how it would like to be finished, to create a symbiosis between walls, doors, windows, crown mouldings and floor coverings with the finishes we will offer to the space. The final, but probably the most important element is the people who will occupy the house. They are the element that will transform the space into a home. As Dorothy, in “The Wizard of Oz” says at the end of the film, “There’s no place like home.” The definition of that word is as individual as a fingerprint.
My desire to understand what makes “your life work” is basic to what the room will become. It starts with my client. Some people want their home to be a sanctuary of calm and gentle flow, while others want a space that is stimulating, filled with active energy. Both are equally valid, as they ultimately provide the homeowners with a sense of being settled and of enjoying their own space.
I believe the notion that form follows function. As the homeowners speak about the way the room is to be used, I start to imagine the elements of the space that are non-negotiable. Will the focus of the room be the television, or will it be used for conversation with guests? Will this be a child’s play area or will it be used to display some inherited treasures? Answering those questions gives us the ideas we need to plan for traffic flow and helps us know which elements will fit into the dimensions of the room we are working on.
The room is finished according to the clients’ idea of home, using accessories that fit their style. Does that mean using very modern elements, or will the space be filled in completely traditional style? There can even be a fusion of the two, where the furniture is traditional but the accessories are very modern. Generally, the room takes shape and develops “feeling” through colour and accessories. Think how you might feel in a striped red room, decorated with images of clowns and rubber balls, as opposed to one painted in soft grey, accessorized with chrome orbs and black and white photography of architectural details. To be sure, different styles evoke different feelings. What a designer strives to do is to determine what best suits the clients so that they will love their space every time they use it.

Outdoor Luminary

Text by Alison Macpherson

An ordinary coffee can makes the perfect candle holder to add a decorative touch to your deck or patio. Make one for a tabletop or a whole bunch to light up your yard at night. Keep mosquitoes away by using citronella candles.

Materials: coffee cans, adhesive remover, felt pen, drill or a hammer and nail, metal file, exterior paint, brushes, decorative appliqués, sealer, sand, candles

Steps:

1. Remove labels and any remaining glue from the can. Wash and dry it well.

2. Mark the spots on the can where you want to put holes and decorations

3. Drill holes large enough to let light through and file down sharp edges around the holes

4. Paint the outside of the can and allow it to dry well

5. Decorate with stickers, strips of wallpaper, metal shapes or various paints

6. Coat the exterior with sealer to protect decorative appliqués

7. Put a layer of sand in the bottom to add weight and to catch wax drippings

Coffee cans work best because their lids help keep moisture out when not in use. Choose colours and decorations to match your home and outdoor furniture. The holes can be placed randomly, or make an outline of a star, moon or other shape. Place the luminaries on a table, in your garden among the flowers or around a pond for beautiful flickering light.

The Sky is the Limit When it Comes to Bridal Bouquets

Text by Reena Nerbas

Based on an interview with Dianne Johnson of Lindsay’s Flowers & More

What would a wedding be like without flowers? This traditional part of every wedding brings beauty, fragrance and colour to the event and adds that finishing touch to the ceremony and reception. Before making the choice of which kind of flowers to invest in, consider the overall style and colour scheme of your wedding.

A creative florist who specializes in weddings can be a tremendous help. It is important that they are experienced and most of all reliable.

The bride should begin by selecting an overall colour scheme for the wedding. The colour should accent the bride and make her look
good. Nowadays anything goes however, lime green, orange, hot pink, canary yellow are hot this year. Brides are asking for vibrant jewel tones.

Your florist will help you decide on colour combinations that work well with the theme of the wedding. Five years from now nobody’s going
to remember what you ate, it is the photographs that will stay in people’s minds. For this reason choose wisely, the flowers may look great on their own but when held up against tuxedos or bridesmaid dresses some have a tendency to recede in photographs. One example of this are beautiful red roses. No one can dispute their beauty but, the trick to red roses is to put lots of baby’s breath around them so that they don’t get lost in the photographs.

Another factor to consider when choosing flowers is the cost. The
bride should come to us two months before the wedding when she’s thinking budget. Once we have discussed what she wants we can work on creating designs that suit her budget. A big factor is choosing flowers that are in season. Flowers that will be in season at the time of the wedding will be easier to order and less costly.

When choosing the style, bridal flowers may vary from a large bouquet to a single flower, but keeping with tradition, the bride and her attendants should carry something. It adds to the overall beauty and gives everyone a place to put their hands. Today’s bride wants fresh flowers. Gerber daisies are extremely popular. There is no one basic style, from arm bouquets to cascades and nosegays. The bigger the girl the bigger the size of the bouquet she can carry. All bouquets don’t need to be the same, you can tailor them to the size of each attendant. Other ideas include: an heirloom fan or a family Bible decorated with a flower or two and satin ribbons or flower filled baskets.

There are no set rules as to who else must have flowers. Generally flowers are given to: the bridesmaids, groomsmen, groom, flower girl, ring bearer, parents and grandparents, candle lighters, guest book table person, soloist, Godparents, pastor and his wife and/or person doing the reading. You can be as elaborate as you want. The idea is to designate special people attending the wedding. It is very thoughtful when the groom and bride order an arrangement to be delivered to each set of parents while the wedding couple is on their honeymoon. It’s just a very thoughtful way to say thanks.

The sky is the limit when it comes to choosing bridal flowers. Texture and colour are key factors to consider and a great florist will help you choose both.

Side Bar:
The list below includes some favourite wedding flowers and their special
meaning.
Apple Blossoms- good fortune
Bluebells- constancy
Blue Violets- faithfulness
Carnations- distinction
Roses- love
Orchids- beauty
White daisies- innocence
Lily of the Valley- happiness

On The Road Again!

 Text by Lesley A. Baker

Linda McDermott met her husband while trucking, “eighteen wheels and a dozen roses”. For fourteen years Linda and her husband, Bob, drove truck all across North America and for the most part, it was a good life.

Linda admits that for years, trucking has been a male dominated industry. However, over the years the trucking industry has welcomed many husband and wife teams, and even all women teams. Linda knows that it can be hard for women to fit into an all male industry, but the adventure of hauling truck can get into your blood. If you have a travelling and adventurous spirit, long haul trucking may be the perfect career for you.

What are some of the advantages to long distance truck driving? Long distance truckers are able to see the country while making an income. There may be many miles traveled, but the sunrises, sunsets, landscaping and beauty often makes it worth the while. Good salaries can also be made as a truck driver if you are willing to put in the miles. As a husband and wife team you are able to spend a great quantity of time together, as well as a great deal of quality time. The largest down side to trucking is the limited time which you spend at your own home. It is difficult to commit to organizations, sports teams or even friendships when you’re away 5 or 6 days a week.

Linda and Bob enjoyed their trucking time together and over the years they have seen many changes, the addition of women being just one of them. Linda told me that Bob finally died the way he had always hoped he would, in his truck on a long haul. But for many years the road provided them with an income, an adventure and fond memories.

Is a Tropical Vacation What You Need This Winter

Text by Lesley Baker

That first snowfall certainly brings about the excitement of Christmas. However, by the time the winds and cold temperatures of January and February blow in, we find our minds drifting to hot tropical beaches and long Caribbean Cruises. Perhaps this is the year you should make that dream become a reality.

So what’s hot this year in tropical vacations? This year there is a new direct destination, Huatulco, South Mexico close to the equator. “Real Hot!” We also should mention Mayan Riviera, Mexico which is still fully functioning despite the recent hurricane. But if you are looking for a destination where you can experience rich culture and dynamic people you should visit Porta Vayarta or Cuba. You can spend endless hours shopping and trying new and exciting foods.

If you are in need of real relaxation, why not book yourself and that special someone on a Caribbean Cruise. Hurricane season ends the end of November so anytime after that you can make your dream vacation happen. The cruises offer lists of activities, fine foods, entertainment and port stops for those shopping excursions. So how much will these vacations cost? Presently, the average trip is costing approximately $1500.00 per person taxes included, not an unreasonable amount for beautiful memories and a little pampering.

So when should you start booking your vacation. Travel planners suggest the sooner the better. Actually three to six months earlier. There are no longer such things as last minute cheap seats or last minute bookings. Since 9-11, rules and bookings have been much stricter. If you book in advance and fares or fuel prices increase, you are still able to maintain your original booking price. It also makes it easier to ensure all your plans far in advance, omitting that last minute rush. For $250.00 you can pre-book your vacation and the remainder is to be paid forty-five days before the booking. That’s a real deal! Once you have planned your vacation and your bookings are confirmed then it’s time for packing. Here are a few key packing tips thanks to Harvest Travel.

1) Pack light. Carrying too much luggage makes you slow and conspicuous.
2) Do not wear fine jewellery or expensive goods that may attract unwanted attention.
3) Carry cash in small denominations for tips and incidentals.
4) Charge major purchases such as airline, hotel and car rentals; if you are unsatisfied, it is easier to file a complaint or get a refund.

Whether it’s a cruise, a hot tropical vacation, or visiting another culture you’re after it is not far from your reach. Visit your local travel agent today and book your memory maker. You won’t regret it.