Medieval Villages of the French Riviera: Saint-Paul de Vence and Èze

 (visited in May 2014) There is no doubt that French Riviera (la Côte d'Azur) is a hallmark of beauty in many things: architecture, design, views, people, food, and history. During my second visit to the region, I engaged a local tourist guide Boba (www.yourguideboba.com) to personalize my visit. What a

DesignerDIY: Spotlight on Scandinavian Style

 Understanding the key elements of the style being contemplated for any space are just as important as the final selections for that space.  Over the next several weeks, we are going to feature the 9 distinct themes that Bouclair’s newest collection {Atelier Bouclair} boasts.  These styles include Scandinavian, Industrial Chic,

Hot Summer Projects: It’s a Shore Thing

 Beauti-Tone brings lakefront style without the cottage commute Ahh Summer. Sandy beaches, pristine lakes, warm winds and long days. Want to create the carefree and relaxing charm of a summer getaway year-round in your home (without the blackflies)? Beauti-Tone has created a collection of projects, many using colours from the Colour

DesignerDIY – 5 Minute Makeover Video Tutorial: Kitchen Faucet

 You will need: •     a fabulous new faucet •     an adjustable wrench •     a pair of pliers •     a pipe wrench •     a screwdriver   Step 1:  Prepare the area •     Since you will be working in a relatively small area, remove all items in the work space. •     Turn

Designer DIY – Chantsy’s Creative Conundrum

 Chantsy from Ottawa tells us about her latest reclaimed treasure and asks our opinion on her creative conundrum:   Here’s what our readers suggest: ‘I vote change the shade keep the enamel’ - Melissa ‘I say paint it white only because it's already been ruined with paint. You could sand

Classic Rocks

 EXTRAVAGANT JEWELRY DESIGNER ANDREA KOLPASKA BRINGS NATURE’S BEAUTY TO OTTAWA Raw gemstones and extravagant yet delicate designs is the down-to-earth opulence that you’ll find in her creations. The designs are made with the finest quality materials to create her diverse collection of brooches, pendants, necklaces, earrings and bracelets. Each Originals

Fabulous Miami: Eden Roc Hotel is the It Spot of Miami

 In 2012, over 3.6 million Canadians visited Florida. That means almost one in every 10 Canadians visits the Sunshine State, with the peak winter months being the most popular. Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Orlando, Disneyworld, West Palm and Daytona are all hotspots. But for many Canadians, Miami is the place to

Brandelyn Cameron of Haute Decor Interiors is thrilled about the partnership with OLM as their newest online columnist bringing you the DesignerDIY Column

 Join us online as our DesignerDIY accredited Interior Decorator, Brandelyn Cameron of Haute Decor Interiors, takes the city by storm with her do-it-yourself debacles. Brandelyn will feature several ‘how-to’ stories on DIY property styling, remodelling, home staging, furniture restoration, green design, soy candles, lip gloss and…well, you name it, we’ll

Designs Worthy of Realizing

 Furniture creation may not be what he thought he’d be doing for his day job, but Ottawa-based furniture maker Chris Solar stumbled onto it and he has never looked back. Solar went to the University of Waterloo for Computer Engineering and moved to Ottawa to pursue a career with Nortel

Your Peru: An Empire of Hidden Treasures

 Tucked away on the west coast of South America lies Peru, one of the continent’s hidden gems. As one of the most diverse nations on our planet, you can take a dip in the ocean and explore the jungles, or climb Peruvian mountains and encounter the cold, dry air of the

Accessible Elegance for Family Living

 From its dramatic moody dining room wall colour and modern abstract art to its light-filled, south-facing kitchen and traditional butler’s pantry, this stately three-storey centre hall brick home in the Glebe is a study in contrasts: elegant and refined, but livable and modern for today’s busy family. With a Georgian-inspired

London Calling: Classic British Style

 Showcased in the model suite is the London Classic, one of three European styled interior collections, a vision of Ottawa-born, lawyer-turned-developer, John Thomas. As a tribute to this building’s British roots (the international award-winning PLP Architecture company from London), the London Classic was the first interior collection to reflect a

Modern SIMPLICITY: A Makeover in Alta Vista

 Designed originally for city privacy in the 1960s, this Alta Vista bungalow is best suited for display of an extensive art collection with its expansive walls, high ceilings, and minimal trim work. Original owners were the late Samuel and Caroline Baylin, who were a family of artists, she a painter

2nd Annual Spaces Issue

   Premier Ottawa designer Tanya Collins shows us that we can have a beautiful home even it’s filled with kids and pets. It's all about making the  right style and function choices. Tanya shares her tricks and  her sources for beautiful fixtures and finds.   London Calling: Classic British Style

The Azure: Live Life Beautifully

 Azure Urban Developments Inc., Ottawa’s newest developer, has partnered with prominent London firm PLP Architecture, a world-class architecture and design company, to create The Azure (www.theazure.ca), the latest entry into Ottawa’s residential condominium market. The Azure will be a 93-unit condominium building situated at the corner of Richmond Road and

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

Tanya Collins: OLM Spaces Issue on CTV Ottawa Morning Live – "Fresh Fabrics for Spring"

Condo Cool

 With the condominium craze in the Capital, there is no better time to discuss the interior details that make one and two bedroom suites livable. When space is at a premium, it doesn’t mean that quality and style need to be compromised. International real estate development company, Azure Urban Developments

Homes: The Layered Living Room

 Looking to create a layered look in your living room? There’s no real science to it. It is really a form of art as to which combinations of colours, patterns or textures work best together for dramatic effect. However, there are some tips, as opposed to rules, that can help

IKEA’s Big New Ottawa Store Opens for Business TODAY!

 The highly anticipated launch of Canada’s largest IKEA store is set for today. Growing from the company’s smallest store to its largest, IKEA Ottawa will double its product offering to fill the newly-expanded 398,000 square-foot store. The new store will also offer customers double the number of parking spots, triple

The Power of a Pillow

 When it comes to decor, the effect of a pillow or pillows is greatly underestimated. Most often, they are an afterthought. However, if you think about it, pillows are one element that can dramatically alter the overall mood in a room, not to mention increase the quality quotient. The pillow