Graphic Urbane Style

 Unexpected colour combinations and doses of pattern create a happy quality to this historical home. From its chocolate walls and graphic fabrics to its Murano glass chandelier and classic furniture shapes, this house exudes fresh sophistication. Built in 1908, original architectural features abound, providing dynamic tension for the fashion-forward décor. The

Gliding Shelf Solutions: Upgrading Your Home is Within Reach

 By Karen Temple To reach your Crock-Pot, do you have to get on your knees and haul out the Mixmaster, deep fryer and the blender? If so, then it’s time for gliding shelves. Gliding shelves are the perfect way to use every inch of your kitchen cabinets. All of your

Ask An Engineer: Tips for Home Renovation

 Phil Trott knows his way around a renovation site. Before landing his current job as a civil engineer and home inspector for structural upgrades, he worked in construction for several years. He has seen every mistake and has guided all kinds of homeowners, from first timers to house-flipping pros. Before

Four Contractors, Loads of Good Advice

 By Heather Seftel-Kirk A renovation can make a homeowner’s dream come true, or it could turn into a person’s worst nightmare. An industry in itself, home renovations are the inspiration behind television shows, the reason for do-it-yourself courses and instructional programs, and support a huge big-box store economy supplying contractor

A Makeover That Works

 A makeover that works is always one that is budget-friendly and achievable with off-the-shelf furniture and accessory items. Other than one on-line order, the transformation of this one-bedroom rental apartment was accomplished with items from many big box retail and home décor stores here in Ottawa. The fixed elements such

Artistically Transforming A Brighton Beach Neighbourhood

 Surface Developments is an Ottawa-based real estate development company specializing in design-focused residential projects ranging from infill single-family homes to condominiums. At the heart of Surface Developments’ philosophy is a belief in the transformational potential of creative design and its capacity to create not only beautiful homes but also vibrant

What Will Really Make You Happy? Research Reveals 4 Common Misconceptions

 The idea of a happy and meaningful life has become unnecessarily complicated in some circles, says author and certified positive psychology coach Lynda Wallace, who left a high-powered executive career with Johnson & Johnson to pursue her real passion – helping individuals and groups achieve greater happiness and success. “Happiness

Fabritec-tastic: A Kitchen Cabinet Renovation

 By David Ginny Ever hear the story about the couple who went out for a new faucet and came home with a new kitchen? That’s what happened to us recently and are we ever glad we went with our instincts. Completely renovating a kitchen can be a major undertaking. For us,

A Wickedly Good Rhone Wine

 One of my favorite parts of my job is teaching. I like giving seminars and talking to/with people about wine, answering their questions and giving them the straight goods about wine. I don’t believe in couching wine in terms people don’t understand or giving descriptors that only a handful of

The Far Away Flavors of Pâtisserie Les Galets: Sinfully Delicious

 Pâtisserie Les Galets of Montreal brings you fresh and delectable oriental pastries from Tunisia! “Our pastries are handmade, use only first-choice natural ingredients, and do not contain any preservatives,” says Les Galets co-owner Rached Maalej. “They are 100% handmade, 100% natural, 100% fresh and 100% delicious!” The recipes for these

Dan Aykroyd – An Actor’s Life: The Sequel

 Disc I: Film City or Mr. Saracino Works in Ottawa The destiny of the world is determined less by the battles that are lost and won than by the stories it loves and believes in. – Harold Goddard A word does not frighten the man who, in acting, feels no

The Boston Bombings

 Today, as runners and Members of Parliament gather at the Centennial Flame to march in solidarity to the American Embassy, it is hard to believe that only a week has passed since the Boston Marathon.  This time last week I was running the marathon, overwhelmed by the excitement of being

Healthwise: Spring into Digestive Health

 As the season begins to warm our winter-worn faces, many of us are thinking about overall lightening – from weather, to wardrobe, to diet – and now is as good a time as any to start thinking about digestive health.  As we welcome spring, a natural dietary shift occurs from

Putting the “Science” in “Science Fiction” – The Holodeck

 I discussed the potential future uses of holograms in my last blog. Although holograms have many uses in prototyping, communications and medical treatment, it is likely that mass-produced holographic technology would be mainly used for entertainment. The ultimate expression of this idea is the holodeck from the Star Trek series.

The New Design of the NAV CENTRE

 A sleek, modern look with an inviting atmosphere is just part of what to expect at the newly renovated NAV CENTRE, situated along the majestic St. Lawrence River in Cornwall. The NAV CENTRE is getting rave reviews for its new look which features a NORR-designed and engineered SPA and several

Spring Chicken In Wine Sauce in Gluten-Free Lemon-Brown Basmati Rice

 Are you enjoying this spring weather, with its vibrant colors and longer days? Why not get a taste of spring too!! Here is a delicious lemon spring chicken recipe with fresh garlic and herbs in a mouth-watering, tangy lemon and wine sauce. I prepared this dish for my family the

Bette’s Etiquette Beat: OCivility and Bus Etiquette

 Letitia Baldridge, aka The Doyenne of Decorum, was an American etiquette expert and public relations executive. However, she is probably best known for serving as Jackie's personal social secretary during the Kennedy administration. Affectionately called “Tish” by her nearest and dearest, Ms. Baldridge passed away last October and, in my

Climbing the Ladder of Torres

                           Torres is a name you should recognize – a very prominent wine producer out of Spain with many parcels of land growing different and sometimes unique varieties – especially for Spain (Pinot Noir anyone?). My parents don't

A Place to Move

 By Katana Kaji Deadlines! Waistlines! Where can one go for some respite? Old Hull seems to be the place. Yes, you read correctly. In this little corner of the National Capital Region that you wrote off in the 1990s now stands a yoga centre called Studio Mouvement. The name points

RURAL RANT: OLG Greed is Responsible for Slaughter of Ontario’s Race Horses

  I’ve been thinking about this blog ever since the Super Bowl, which is when I saw the best commercial I’ve ever seen—the Budweiser Clydesdale 2013 ad. I’ve worked in advertising and marketing many times and I’m also a fiction writer, so I recognize a good story. This story, told completely

Putting the “Science” in “Science Fiction” – Mastermind

 Mastermind is a super-villain and enemy of Marvel's X-Men who has the ability to create illusions, tricking people into seeing and experiencing things that are not actually there. He accomplishes this by projecting the images he wishes to create into the person's mind, tricking their brain so that the target

Unpublished Ottawa goes live!

 The thinking person’s social media site launches in Ottawa There’s a new social media site in town, where big ideas don’t have to squeeze into 140 characters or an Internet meme. UnpublishedOttawa.com invites local residents to have their say on any topic relevant to Ottawa by writing a letter, publishing

Discover Belgium

 By Emma Truswell Belgium is all about indulgence, whether it is in food, history, beer or architecture, France’s northern neighbour is worthy of exploring. Ypres, now know as Ieper, in Flanders Fields Country, or Westhoek, is the perfect destination for history buffs, due to the town’s powerful associations with World

Kevin Page: A Hero for Our Time

 By Gary Corbett When Kevin Page, Canada’s first Parliamentary Budget Officer, steps down next month after five years on the job, he’ll do so with a respect and admiration accorded few professional public servants – not because he went above and beyond the call of duty (many do) or because

Travel: Discover Slovenia

 Nestled between Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Croatia to the south and southeast and Hungary to the northeast is one of the most beautiful and yet relatively unknown European gems, Slovenia. Whether it’s food, geography, landscape, architecture, activities or even climate, diversity permeates everything. It may sound