Bring Fall Into Your Home With Easy DIY Projects

 One of the most exciting things about the fall season is flipping your home decor to reflect the season. If you’re on a tight budget or looking for a fun weekend project, here are a few easy and affordable ways to spruce up your home for fall, making it look

Why DIY Has Become The Go-To For Furniture Design

 DIY is the new designer. As social sentiment shifts from having it all to making it all, weekends are now spent hunting for furniture or scraps with good bones that can be created into something beautiful. There is a number of factors that have driven this passion, which of course

Jaw Slinky: A Joel of All Trades

 All photos by Andre Gagne. “This is my Jeep,” the musician in shades said reaching for the door. There was very little time for pleasantries. Even with the sunglasses you could tell he was exhausted. I shuffled my photography bag over my shoulder and slid in expecting my shoes to

John’s Reno Tips | Adding the Finishing Touches

 By the end of any home renovation process, you may be sick of the hassles it has entailed. However, make sure you’re not walking away from an unfinished project with these practical tips from John Gordon, owner of Your Reno Guys contracting business in Ottawa. Here are a few tips to ensure any space looks polished and welcoming. Tip

The 411 on Ottawa’s Zine Scene

 Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Look back over the last 10 years, and you’ll spot a resurgence of the old Do-It-Yourself ethos. From self-published zines to craftivism, a new generation is being encouraged to challenge society through handmade items. Zines (pronounced ‘zeens’), in particular, have found new homes both online

Try Orange Grove’s 14-Day Skin Care Challenge

 Are you in need of a spa day but don’t have time to make the trip? Orange Grove is bringing the spa to you with two weeks of easy tips and tricks! You’ll learn about everything from beauty to building flexibility with this online event. Starting on June 22, Orange

Drab to Fab–Six Easy Steps

 1. Select a Monochromatic Colour Scheme  Select a light, monochromatic colour scheme of cool hues. It will make the space appear more expansive while incorporating an element of serenity. Painting everything a unifying colour will make the space visually expand. This reduces the number of transitions, creating a more expansive feel

An Impromptu Q&A with OLM’s DesignerDIY

 This past weekend I was invited to be a speaker at the Ottawa Home and Design Show at the EY Centre. Despite a few technical glitches, we managed our way through with creative enthusiasm. Since challenges are merely opportunities in disguise, I decided to scrap the presentation and join the crowd to

The DIY Backsplash

 There are several affordable ways you can incorporate some design wow into your interior space. One of those ways is with the kitchen backsplash. Not only will this protect your walls and add visual appeal, but it will also add architectural depth to the space. I still remember the completion

The New Home Build: Decisions, Decisions!

 With a very detailed DesignerDIY action plan in place and following my recent new home purchase, the hunt for the perfect post-purchase upgrades begin. Starting with the main floor, the kitchen was the first order of business. There are several cost-saving design measures you can implement into your new home

Bidding the Bathroom Blahs Bye-Bye

 As with every large purchase decision in life, there are many factors that should be considered. Take for instance the purchase of a new home build, with so many available options and upgrades, the decisions can be overwhelming. We all want the model home look without the model home price.

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

DIY: Metal Frame Collar for your Blouse

 Blouses are one of the staples in anyone’s wardrobe. They can be dressed up with pencil skirts or dressed down with a pair of boyfriend jeans. Blouses are always in style and one can see that the metal collar blouses are the latest trend. Instead of buying a new blouse,

DIY: Hemp Bracelets

 Remember the friendship bracelets back in grade school? While we may not see those colorful bands much anymore, the idea of it is still around. Hemp bracelets are the new friendship bracelet of 2012. They are easy to make and can be customized in so many ways, and who could resist

DIY: Fringe Necklace

 Living in a cold climate such as Ottawa can really put a damper on one's wardrobe. However, no matter how fridgid the temperature is, you can always use a statement necklace. Frindge necklaces are flashy and can be used to dress up or down any outfit. They look great over

DIY: Christmas in a Jar

 December is finally here and with it the Holiday festivities are about to begin! It's time to dig out your holiday decorations, festive lights and other yule-tide goodies. One of my favourite Christmas decorations are Christmas Villages. These are fun and adorable but it takes years to collect a perfect