Toronto Renovation Stories & Advice

The latest in counter tops

2008-06-20T11:15:00.001-04:00

In our first house we installed a very practical, reasonably priced laminate countertop. I was happy with it because it because I liked the cobalt blue colour and its durability. It turns out though, that it's not as scratch resistant as I would have liked...we found out the hard way when my husband decided that cutting a piece of cardboard on it with an Exacto knife would be okay. It wasn't, and there was a 10 inch legacy left reminding me everyday that even Laminates have their limits!

Our current house has luxurious and oh-so-high-maintenance marble countertops. I love the look, but since I'm not very good at remembering to seal them on a regular basis, they've taken quite a beating in the last year. An architect friend of mine suggested that to keep them looking new, I get them professionally finished and sealed annually. Fortunately, in HomeStars' countertops category we have plenty of resurfacing companies to choose from. For anyone thinking of getting marble countertops a word of advice: marble does NOT like lemon juice!

Below are three lower maintenance, and yet still elegant looking, countertop materials and the stores in Toronto that carry them.

Concrete Elegance: Concrete counter tops have long been popular in Europe, but just seem to be on the rise in Canada. They can provide an industrial, sleek modern or a classic look that blends well with traditional cabinetry. Concrete is a versatile product and can be used for countertops, sinks, fireplace mantels or floors. While concrete can chip just like a natural stone, it does have the advantage of its being sanded out and repaired.

For more information go to: http://www.concreteelegance.ca/

Lattitude carries a product called "Silestone" a quartz based product that is resistant to stains, including soy sauce and red wine. The advantage with the Silestone is that it is virtually maintenance free. It is scratch, chip and stain resistant (quartz is the fourth hardest substance on earth). Available in a variety of colours from more neutral to bright reds, greens and blues, visit the website for more information.

http://www.latitudeonline.ca/

PaperStone: A product recommended for countertops, widowsills and thresholds, and furniture (tables), PaperStone is made from post consumer waste, recycled paper -- yes, paper -- and non-petroleum based phenolic resins. It is durable and stain resistant, and available in a variety of colours. The cost of the product is similar to that of granite or other stone, however, as it says on the website:

As a result of the ease of workmanship and finish of PaperStone, the
installed prices are often lower.

Available in Toronto through Uniform Custom Countertops and, following their Grand Opening on July 13th, through Green Design Studio Inc. For a full list of dealers go to their website.

Free Home Solar Panel Tour tomorrow in Cedarvale

2008-06-13T11:12:00.005-04:00

As people become more conscious of the electricity they use and their ever rising hydro and gas bills, alternative forms of electricity and heat generation are being explored not just by treehuggers but also by regular Torontonians. Naturally, many people have concerns about the expense and effectiveness of solar panels, particularly in our dark and snowy climate.

In an effort to convince Torontonians that Solar panels -- the kind that generate electricity (photovoltaic) and hotwater (solar thermal) -- really work, The Toronto Renewable Energy Co-operative (TREC) is offering a tour tomorrow (Saturday June 14th) of four homes in Cedarvale with solar panels in action.

This year at the Strawberries and Asparagus Festival, the Toronto Renewable Energy Co-operative is launching the first ever free and guided residential solar tour. This exciting new initiative will commence at 11am on the grounds of the festival where participants will proceed by Hydrogen Bus to visit four residential
destinations. Participants will have the chance to view the featured
photovoltaic or solar thermal installations and an opportunity to speak with
homeowners about their solar experience. The bus trips in between also
offer a chance for an ongoing solar power question/answer period.
Refreshments will be provided at the Pinewood stop of the tour. (TREC)

It promises to be very informative and gives interested homeowners the opportunity to ask questions about the effectiveness, expense, practicality, etc. of solar panels already in use. If you're interested in finding out more about the tour, or the use of renewable energy in general, contact TREC.

:: The Globe and Mail

http://www.cedarvalepark.com/2008/04/11/strawberries-and-asparagus-june-14th-2008/
http://trec.on.ca/

Toronto Hydro's Peaksaver Program

2008-06-06T12:08:00.003-04:00

When the weather decides to turn hot and humid, it really decides to turn! Thursday I was wearing a jacket and jeans and thinking Environment Canada's forecasting equipment was broken when they predicted 32 Celsius plus humidity for Friday. Sure enough they were right and we sweltered our way through three days of heat and humidity.

We've turned our air conditioning on for the first time this year, still early in the year, but in comparison to the last 5 years, not too bad. We will still get a shock though, when we get our hydro bill. In order to keep costs down, do our part to contribute less smog to the GTA and generally lighten our family's carbon footprint, I signed us up for the Peaksaver program this year. The way it works is when Toronto Hydro needs your electricity during peak hours, it sends a signal to your central air conditioner, pool pump or electric water heater to cycle off for 15 of every 30 minutes. Houses and townhouses are eligible at this time, but not apartments or condos. While you may not see any direct benefit from participating, you are helping to reduce the cost of electricity and pollution over all. Toronto Hydro needs to import less, future generators can be smaller, and less smog will be produced than without the program.

For more information on the peaksaver program, reducing your electricity consumption, and rebates and refunds on energy efficient appliances, etc., click on the links below:

https://www.peaksaver.com/peaksaver_THESL.html
http://www.everykilowattcounts.com/residential/
http://www.toronto.ca/livegreen/home_energy_rebates.html

Noisy neighbours? Here's a solution...

2008-05-29T11:15:00.005-04:00

Toronto has one of the highest denisty of condo developments in North America. There are a variety of positive features to condo living from easy access to public transportation or walking distance to work, access to ammenities such as movie theatres and restaurants and simply the luxury of not sitting in your car for hours on end on the 401.

One of the drawbacks of condo or townhome living however, is the chance that you might be listening to your neighbours' lives -- and they might be listening to yours. Perhaps you can hear high heels clacking on the floors above you, or your next door neighbour's parties or that brand new sound system they've recently installed.

There is, however, a solution to the noise problem. A product called "QuietRock" is a sound-proofing drywall that can be used during construction of your new home or added as a retrofit right on top of your home's original drywall. It can also be used under a variety of floorings from marble to hardwood as well as for ceilings. One layer of QuietRock is the equivalent sound barrier as eight sheets of drywall.

Quietrock is distributed in Canada by Soundivide. Visit their website to find a dealer near you.

More great finds at IDS

2008-05-22T11:12:00.007-04:00

Way back in February, 2008, I went to the Interior Design Show. There were so many inspiring exhibits that I've been featuring a few of the exhibitors every now and then. Below are a few of the retailers and manufacturers that I particularly liked.

Snob Is a newly opened store importing furniture and accessories from South Africa. Owner Denise Zidel works with women's groups in South Africa creating new designs, often out of old material http://www.snobstuff.com/.

I also like the console table made from acacia wood harvested by a "Women's only group" from Kwazulu, Natal, pictured at the right.

Denise designs pillows made from factory scraps of copper wire and buttons or beans. They're crafted by a group of women in South Africa who live under difficult circumstances such as poverty, family violence and families with AIDS. The copper wire is crocheted and the buttons are attached. Each pillow is a unique design and size.

Propellor Design in Vancouver, Nik Rust, Pamela Goddard and Toby Barratt create custom lighting and furniture with an eco sensibility. The firm uses materials such as reclaimed fir, bamboo and ecoresin to give their lighting fixtures an original look.

Their latest design is a new fixture called Pomegranate (pictured at the right). It is a three foot in diameter sphere made from ecoresin. It is available in different colours and sizes and distributed in Toronto through Made.

Hutj: Toronto designer Stuart McQuarrie has designed the ultra cool stackable chair. So smart looking, you'll never actually think about stacking it. Made from a variety of hardwoods, it doesn't require any cross bracing because the joints are mortised in tight. The seat is made from nylon strips and can be woven in different colours presenting some really fun seating options. Distributed through Hollace Cluny in Toronto or buy direct from website. http://www.hutj.ca/

Eauterre Studios: Contemporary eco-friendly furniture from tables to bedframes to chairs, made from locally harvested FSC wood and salvaged wood. Scraps are turned into accessories like small bowls, so there is minimal waste in production.
http://www.eauterre.com/

Staining your deck on the long weekend?

2008-05-14T11:27:00.005-04:00

The long weekend is the usual "open the garden for summer" weekend. We like to think we're going to relax but let's face it, whether you're opening the cottage or staying home and using the backyard, it is, more often than not, a work weekend. We clean barbeques, windows, lawn furniture, garden beds, etc.. And some of the more industrious of us will even take on restaining the deck.

Last week I received a press release from the people over at Sico paints announcing a new product launch. This is a new wood stain that makes your outdoor wood look as clean and shiny as your indoor wood. Called Transluscent Exterior Finish, it is a high performance stain that gives the finished product a shiny look as if it's been varnished. The finish lasts longer than a regular outdoor stain and can be used on any outdoor wood piece from fences and decks to furniture.

Sico also sent a list of tips if you're planning on spending your holiday long weekend giving that deck new life:

Sico's Wood Staining Tips:

Cleaning comes first: Wood tends to turn gray with age. Use a good quality wood cleaner to remove loose gray fibres, brighten weathered surfaces and restore the wood to its original colour. Strip wood when needed: If your wood has been previously stained, painted or varnished, strip the surface with an exterior stain remover that’s specially formulated for exterior wood surfaces that are deteriorating and peeling. Rinse well and let the surface dry for a couple of days.

Sand both new and aged wood: To remove imperfections and residue, and open the pores of the wood for a better staining job, sand the surface using 80-grit sandpaper or use 120-grit sandpaper for vertical surfaces. When you’re done, sprinkle a few drops of water on the surface. If the water beads, you need to keep sanding. If it penetrates into the wood, your job is complete.

Conditioner is key: To improve penetration of the surface and ensure better adhesion of the stain, use a conditioner before staining, even if the wood is new. Consider environmentally-friendly conditioners like Sico’s biodegradable cleaner, brightener and conditioner, which contains no bleach, phosphate or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It cleans and conditions in one single step.

Weather, tools matter: Wood planks become warped with time, so a paint brush – not a roller – is the best tool to apply a stain. Use brushes that are specifically designed for wood staining. Before you begin your project, ensure the weather has been dry for two to three days and the temperature is between 15º C and 25º C.

To locate a store that sells Sico products near you, check out their store locator on their website. Then go onto HomeStars and check out paint store reviews.

freegreen.com has free home plans you can download -- really!

2008-05-13T12:42:00.007-04:00

The other day I was reading my usual rss feeds when I came across one I had to share with Homestars users. A new website called http://www.freegreen.com/ offers free downloadable house designs. Since we here at Homestars.com have a similar, "free to the consumer" business model, we think this is one great site and one great idea! At the moment there are only two designs available but the site is still very young. The picture is their 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath standard family home. Why "green" in the title? Because the house plans are energy efficient, "green" home designs. As they say on their website:

“Green” means different things to different people. What is important is that as a society we are constantly improving our building culture. The goal at FreeGreen is not to produce the “greenest” possible home but rather to provide a variety of different home plans that allow people to create homes that fit their lifestyles in a responsible and equitable manner.

As their website grows and more homes plans become available it will be a boon to those looking to build. This site is also great for builders looking to get into green home building. There is information on each product recommended for each plan. You can save product info in "My Favorites" section and refer back to it later.

::free green via ::inhabitat via ::treehugger.com

Toronto's Energy Efficiency Initiatives

2008-05-08T14:19:00.003-04:00

I had heard a rumour that Toronto increases your property taxes if you add a solar panel or other renewable energy feature to your home (such as a geothermal furnace or mini-wind turbine) because it's considered a capital improvement. So, I checked with Cindy Bromley, the Communications Manager for the Finances and Administration Department at the city. She wrote to me and said: "There are no Toronto tax incentives or penalties for home power generation."
I have to admit, I was kind of disappointed to discover this if only because I thought it would have made a great story. Cindy did, however, send me some useful links on what's happening on the city and taxpayer level regarding some energy efficiency initiatives.
Below is a list of the links she sent me. In the first link, there is a section called the "home energy clinic." I've used it and it's kind of neat. You add your utility bills and it will calculate your overall energy use and what steps your could take to decrease your greenhouse gas footprint.
http://www.toronto.ca/environment/energy.htm

http://www.toronto.ca/environment/energy.htm#solar_hotwater

http://www.ec.gc.ca/cleanair-airpur/Taking_Action/Participation_Initiatives_and_Resources/Energy_Efficiency-WS7BDAE643-1_En.htm

Paint websites

2008-05-01T10:25:00.010-04:00

When my husband and I bought our first condo, I painted our diningroom what I thought was a nice deep burgundy. At least that's the way it looked under the fluorescent light at the paint store. When we put it on the walls it turned out to be raspberry. It looked great at night when we could light candles and use the chandalier's dimmer switch, but woah! in daylight the room was aglow in neon pink.

What that mistake taught me however, was how to be prudent when choosing colours. For one thing, now I'll paint an old piece of cardboard with a tester first before slapping it up on the wall. I also live by the decorator addage of choosing a colour two shades lighter than I want and if I feel it's not coming out too light, then I'll put on a second coat in a darker colour. Finally, I rely a lot on the advice of the paint experts at local paint stores. I'll take a fabric sample into a store and tell them what I want. The sales people, particularly at smaller specialty shops, really know their stuff and the colours they recommend have been exactly what I'd imagined.

If you're thinking of painting your rooms, the latest tools to help you with colour are provided by paint manufacturers' websites. On many of the websites, not only can you see what a colour looks like in a room's setting, they'll usually pair it with one or two complementary colours to help you pull a colour scheme together. Try out a few of the websites first, then consult the HomeStars directory for reviews of paint stores near you.

Useful paint links:

Benjamin Moore: This site offers you the ability to colour your own walls by inputting your rooms via digital photography. If you don't have a digital camera, they also have their own room selections too.

Para Paints: Para has a "Trend 2008" section as well as a section which will help you put three colours together. Best of all it's fast and easy to use.

Sico: Sico offers an "interactive" method of giving you colour advice. Your mission is to help Maude and Sarah, otherwise known as the "Colour Squad," choose colours for a friend's colourless home while the friend is out. When you make certain style decisions, it is recorded and at the end of the video you go to the virtual decorator to see what you've chosen -- or you can skip the whole process and just go the the virtual decorator.

Farrow and Ball: Like the Para site, Farrow and Ball has a selection of complementary colours to go with the primary colour you've chosen. However, I find the site more difficult to use as it's necessary to go three screens deep (or click three times) to get the result. I'm not sure the effort is always worth the trouble, but if you're a big fan of F&B's colour lines it might be. I do like their wallpaper selection though.

Wallcoverings and more...

2008-04-30T14:45:00.002-04:00

Wallpaper is "in" again. Ten years from now we will likely all be cursing it as we scrape the remnants of it off our walls mumbling "what were we thinking?" but in the meantime, it does add a dimension to your walls that paint can't.

When I was at the Interior Design Show in February, I found The Wallpaper Company. They have a great website where you can look at wallpaper in a room. Of course it's not quite the same as seeing it on your own walls, but it is a handy tool if you can't imagine the impact of the paper you've chosen. I had a lot of fun playing around with wallpaper samples I would never dream of putting on my walls -- and was surprised to see how good they looked. Wallpaper from The Wallpaper Company is available through select Home Depot stores in the Toronto region. Go to the Wallpaper Company website click on "store locator" to find the one nearest you.

A cute and colourful label is the new "Schoolyard Studio" line of hand printed wallpapers. They are designed and hand screen printed in Toronto by the team of textile designers Hilary Denis and Katy Chan. The website isn't quite ready yet, but you can get an idea of the fun prints they use for the paper. Right now the wallpaper is "hand print-screened" and made in small batches with low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) print medium. Rolls are 10 meters in length, 52cm width, and range between $14.50-$18 per meter. In the fall the company will have a range of digitally printed wallpaper available.

Another interesting company I found was Wall Huggers. The product is an "upholstered wall panel" that comes in pre-measured sizes of 20"x 20", 20"x30", 20"x40" and 40"x30" -- custom orders are available upon request. The natural use for these panels is as a headboard, but there are other applications such as the seatbacking for a banquette or hall bench.

The Designer Glass Company has been making specialized glass surfaces since the 1950s. Using a special technique that bonds the colour to the glass, it can be used in a variety of ways. The most common uses for the product are shower walls in the bathroom and backsplashes in the kitchen. Not only are there different colour and finish options (smooth and glossy versus sandblasted), a picture can be painted on the glass as well. For a look at some of their work, visit the website.

Home maintenance, local workshops

2008-04-24T15:12:00.003-04:00

This is the time of year when workshops on every sort of home-maintenance related subject abound around the city. Whether you're interested in installing solar panels on your roof, or planting an edible garden, communities and stores in and around the city host several different kinds of workshops.

Here are just a few we've found while surfing the 'net.

The Toronto Botanical Garden, located beside Edwards Gardens, offers a variety of courses from creating your own edible garden to building with earth.

Gardengreen.ca offers plenty of one-day events throughout the year, catering to Ward 21 in Toronto. In May they are holding a workshop on "Low Water Gardening."

The Kortright Center offers Green Energy and Green Home workshops throughout the year. You can learn how to install your own solar panels, as well as what are the cleanest and greenest building materials on the market.

The Big Box stores also have some home maintenance workshops.
The Home Depot has a list of upcoming workshops, covering subjects from "Enhancing your backyard space" to "You can install Vinyl Replacement windows" ....no, really, you can.

Rona offers a list of Do it Yourself workshops, not surprisingly, the first few focus on outdoor projects from deck and fence building to roof vent and eavestrough installation.

The newest Big Box Store on the Block is Lowes. The company has project guides and material calculators on the website.

If you want variety in your workshops, Lee Valley Tools is the place to go. While it offers basic courses on tree pruning, because it sells woodworking tools, they also offer couses such as "Relief Carving: Carving an Arabian Horse Head in Relief." The latter is offered on May 17th at the Toronto East store, there are still spaces available.

Federal and Provincial Renewable Energy Grants and Rebates

2008-04-17T11:16:00.005-04:00

With gas at $1.20/litre, I have become very conscious of how much I drive, and in this incredibly great weather, it's been easy to leave the car at home to do some of my errands. The price of gas and diesel have increased so rapidly in the last few months that it can be difficult for us to adapt to them. Rising prices affect the cost of the food as well as heating and cooling our homes. If gas prices continue to rise -- and they're supposed to -- certain kinds of renewable energy sources will become more cost effective than they are now.

The federal and provincial government offer grants and rebates of varying degrees for your alternative energy equipment. At the municipal level, the city is supporting a Solar Thermal Project in South Riverdale scheduled for next month called the Toronto Solar Neighbourhood Initiative.

If you're looking for a supplier and installer of solar panels, wind turbines or geo-thermal equipment, the Green Living Show runs from April 25-27th at Exhibition Place.

Spring Cleaning the great outdoors in the GTA

2008-04-17T11:15:00.000-04:00

Sun glorious sun! I don't know about you, but I have no problem saying 'adios' to winter this year! We can finally get outside again and do the things we love...and the things we don't love quite so much but need to do anyway. Like cleaning up around the house and our community. The snow is almost gone from our street....I'm not kidding: we have one snow bank remaining, as black and crusty and disgusting as it looks, it's still there. I'm sure underneath we'll find many treasures like old juice boxes, tin cans and other residue from the blue box that didn't quite make it into the truck. This time of year, before the grass and after the snow, is, I have to admit, not the most attractive around Toronto.

So, having said that, it's time to get rid of that debris and make our neighbourhoods clean again. Friday April 18th and Saturday April 19th are two days in Toronto and surrounding communities you can mark on your calendar for doing some outdoor work. So far the forecast is sunny and warm for Friday and so-so for Saturday. Toronto is encouraging everyone to participate in the "20 minute make over" on Friday and "Community Clean up" on Saturday to help get our city back in shape. The city will provide anyone participating with a garbage bag and a glove for clean up, available at participating Pizza Pizza locations and community centers until supplies last. You can sign up as a group or an individual and take an outdoor break at 2pm on Friday for 20 minutes to help clean up. You could also do it without signing up, after all every little bit helps.

Useful websites for Spring Cleaning

2008-04-15T13:23:00.004-04:00

I used to be a packrat, but not for the usual reasons. I don't have a particular sentimental attachment to most items…. Okay, so I still have a few sweaters hanging around from the '80s, but hey, I knit them myself! No, the reason I still hang on to things is because I'm "landfill averse," or "LFA" as I like to say. I really hate throwing things out, especially if they still have life left in them. I used to let things pile up until we couldn’t move in the storage area or the garage because I didn't know where they should go. Things like a broken ironing board, a broken vacuum cleaner, a 12 foot long metal pole that used to be a bird feeder, an old working but too- musty-to-use freezer, etc. In effect we had our very own landfill - only cleaner.

Last week Rick Scully guest blogged on garage organization. Part of the process he discussed was getting rid of things you no longer use. It took moving houses for me to finally make the effort to find ways of getting rid of things I no longer needed, but I did it. Below I’ve listed some links to great websites that will help you avoid landfill and clean out that garage at the same time. Oh, and all those metal items I mentioned above went to a scrap metal dealer I found on Craigslist. He even took the old freezer off my hands!

http://www.toronto.ca/reuseit/nonprofit.htm

This site has a list of places that will take your furniture, books, computers, clothing, small housewares. Some organizations will even pick up.

Another great resource is freecycle.org. You have to have a Yahoo! Account, but if you want to get rid of things – no selling allowed, it’s all about reusing and recycling, post a request here – it’s great. Chances are good you’ll get a response, no matter what you’re trying to get rid of.

Finally, craigslist.org is one of my personal favourites. Here you can both give away items and sell items you no longer need. The beauty of this site is that the listing are free, you can add photos and the purchaser will usually come and pick up whatever you’re selling. There’s even a category to advertise a garage sale.

homemade all-purpose cleaners

2008-04-10T12:35:00.002-04:00

I know a couple who decided to get rid of all those harsh chemical cleansers we’ve grown up with because they were just about to have their first child. They switched to the microfiber cloths that are available for almost every surface. The cloths are safe, relatively effective, and best of all, avoid putting more harsh chemicals into our water system. Only, here’s the problem: After using the microfiber cloth system for a month or so, one of the things the couple realized that they missed, was the smell of clean. When they walked into their house, there was no difference in smell and yet they’d worked hard cleaning the place. They needed something to show for it. Most of us would agree that a fresh scent in the air in a newly cleaned house is part of the pay off for cleaning it, regardless of whether we do it ourselves or pay someone else to do it.

My friend and counterpart in Boston, Melanie Zoltan, has her own recipe for a non-chemical all-purpose cleaner because she and one of her kids have a sensitivity to chemicals. Her homemade all purpose cleaner solves two problems: the first is that it cleans without chemicals, and the second is that if you use lavender oil, it leaves a really nice fresh scent behind.

Melanie’s Homemade All Purpose Cleaner:
12 oz. COLD water (warm water will make the soap foam too much)
2-3 oz. white vinegar
10-12 drops of Tea Tree oil or Lavender oil
1 tbsp. Murphy's Oil Soap
Combine in a spray bottle, shake, and use! Lavender smells MUCH better than tea tree oil, but tea tree oil has antibacterial AND antifungal properties, so if mould-fighting is a concern, tea tree oil is better.

Looking for a cleaning service? Check out Homestars to find one. Many of them let you provide your cleaning supplies, it costs less that way too, and some even use "green" cleaning supplies.

Garage organization 101

2008-04-08T06:56:00.005-04:00

Today we have a "Guest Blogger," Rick Scully from NuvoGarage. In the spirit of spring cleaning, Rick is going to talk to us about a topic near and dear to my heart: garage organization. Take it away Rick!

"My garage is a mess. I’d like to tidy it up but I just don’t know where or how to get started"
Rick Scully, President, NuvoGarage Inc.

Ah …this is a problem that faces many home owners as they begin to think about the annual spring cleanup. It’s a perfect time then, for a brief discussion about how to take control of your garage space and make it a safe, practical, tidy and clean environment in which to store and organize the many things required to maintain your home and garden.

The most difficult task is one that actually requires no “physical” effort. It’s a “mental” exercise, because you need to decide what you longer need or use. Be ruthless here and avoid the trap that “I may use or need this someday”. Try following these rules:

If it can’t be used, or has no value, toss it.
If you no longer need it, or plan to use it, give it away or sell it.
If you need it and use it, keep it.

Try and get everything off of the floor and on to the walls or ceiling;

Organize by season, purpose and occasion;

Think about how frequently, or when, you use things.

Next year at this time, or perhaps even sooner at the next typical time to clean up (Thanksgiving), think of how much time you’ll be able to dedicate to doing something else. Your garage will have been organized and you’ll have less clutter as you’ll find that once your things have a place, you’ll return them to their space after you use them. Hmmm…more time and less clutter. And, you’ll feel better about your garage, maybe even “garage proud”.

NuvoGarage Inc. is a privately owned full service firm based in Ontario that specializes in interior garage design and organization. We take care of all of the required work from removal of junk, hazardous chemicals and reusable items, to custom design and transformation of your garage. http://www.nuvogarage.com/.

What to do with a flooded basement.

2008-04-03T12:29:00.003-04:00

If your basement floods:
Sometimes a flooded basement is unavoidable. Below are some points from the city of Toronto's document on what to do in case your basement floods.

Call the city to make sure it’s not a city tree root issue or a blocked sewer line as this will become its responsibility (416) 338-8888.
Call your insurance company immediately and find out what coverage you have.
Electricity and water don’t mix! Disconnect any appliances or other electronic devices that might come in contact with the water, you may need to disconnect the power to the basement first. Be careful you’re not standing in water or on damp ground when disconnecting.
Be careful when you clean! Where the proper clothing – rubber boots, a mask, rubber gloves, there could be waterborne bacteria and mould, especially if the sewer has backed up. Wash all affected walls and floors with a mixture of chlorine bleach and water (1 part chlorine, 10 parts water). Wash and disinfect all furniture and carpets, or have them professionally cleaned and deodorised.
Use homestars to help you find the professionals to clean your basement for you.

Basement flooding and the city's responsibility.

2008-04-01T10:11:00.004-04:00

It’s "April showers" time! Just what we need after a record breaking snow filled winter... more water! Sure we’ll get those flowers in May, but we may also be stuck with the not so pleasant flooded basement before that happens. The city provides information on how to avoid flooding in your basement to the best degree possible. The basic points are:

Grade your land so that water flows away from your house.

Disconnect your downspout from city sewers and make sure the downspout drains at least six feet from your foundation -- and preferably into lawn or soil.

Clear snow away from the edge of your house. When the ground is frozen, water will find its way into any cracks in a home's foundation.

Clear eavestroughs and downspouts of debris.

If your house has a sump pump, make sure it’s working.

Have a backwater valve installed on the main drain to prevent sewage back up into your house.

The city also suggests checking your foundation for holes and cracks and making sure your weeping tiles are still working, however, let me just say that having lived in a house with chronic flooding, these steps are next to impossible without excavating. Basically you won’t know until flooding occurs.

If your basement does flood, the city is only responsible for fixing it if the problem is a blocked sewer arising from a city tree on your property. The city will pay a "life-time maximum of $2000 per house." Call the city if you’re unsure of what to do. (416) 338-8888.
For more information on the city’s tree root program, click on the link below.

http://www.toronto.ca/faq/trees.htm#q5

Need a basement waterproofer? Check out homestars.

Flooring at IDS and beyond...

2008-03-28T13:17:00.001-04:00

Flooring options in wood alone are so vast you may be overwhelmed by choice. Some of the exhibits I saw at IDS presented a few interesting options, from locally grown to exotic in a wide array of natural and stained products -- and that's just for wood! There's also bamboo (a grass), stone and new fibre flooring. Oh, did I mention ceramic tile, concrete and linoleum?

With so much choice it can be difficult deciding what product to pick, and which store or contractor to go with. Setting a budget will help, while HomeStars can help you search for the right store and/or installer. The rest requires some web research and a little footwork.

Taproot: Taproot carries Plyboo flooring, a high quality bamboo flooring available in a wide variety of styles. In fact the company has just released two new materials, "Plyboo Squared 2" offering a different textured floor in natural and tortoise shell (also can be used for tables and walls), and "Durapalm" made from palm trees no longer producing nuts. Bamboo flooring is environmentally friendly because it is actually a grass which regrows after harvesting. No pesticides or fertilizers are necessary because it is fast growing and it can be harvested every 3 to 6 years.

http://www.taproot.ca/

Paint, Hardwood & Decor: This store provides some Forest Stewardship Council certified(FSC) flooring, and is a distributor of Torlys smart floor products, "environment conscious" flooring. Installers use glue that is 'benign' and low in volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. The most recent "environmentally friendly" development the company offers is a new flooring finish using natural Italian oil instead of varnish or eurythane. Because the Italian oil provides a flat sheen, marks and scuffs don't stand out.

http://www.painthardwooddecor.com/

Antiquity Flooring: A small company that uses boards from barns and other buildings being dismantled in Southwestern Ontario, the majority of which are between 80 and 100 years old. Boards are refinished and cut according to your floor's dimensions in mixed widths giving the floor a rustic look. Sanding, staining and finishing is done on site, and it can be used over radiant heated floors.

http://www.antiquityflooring.com/

FiberFloor: A new product combining the look of natural materials such as wood, stone or tile, with the easy care of linoleum and the comfort of carpet. Great for a kitchen, mud room or basement. Fiberfloor has a low VOC content and helps maintain cleaner indoor air quality. Easy to install and maintain.

Available through Giant Carpet and other retailers.
To find a store near you go directly to the Tarkett website and type in your postal code: http://www.tarkett.com/

Cool stuff from IDS -- Part I

2008-03-05T10:04:00.001-05:00

The Interior Design Show was fantastic this year. I don't know if it was just the general level of energy, or that even by Sunday, it was still teeming with people. I was particularly taken with the exhibits from the up and coming designers and craftspeople. The exhibitors I spoke with were energetic, enthusiastic and had some really great products to show.

The majority of the exhibitors were from Toronto and surrounding area, but there were some from both Canadian coasts and Europe. In fact I spoke with so many exhibitors I'd like to share with you (and I still didn't get through half the show), that I've grouped them into categories, which I will put up on this site over the next few weeks -- the first category is custom furniture and accessories, and were there ever some unique finds! The one thing I did notice about this year was that the new designers have a definite environmental awareness about them. Many were into using reclaimed or salvaged wood and other recycled materials when given the opportunity. Many of the pieces were made from local materials as well.

Custom furniture and accessories:

Castor: ultra cool furnishings and accessories designed, handcrafted and installed by local Toronto trio Ryan Taylor, Brian Richer and Kei Ng. Available direct or through Nienkamper.

The photos below are of a "Blind Stool" in cast aluminum and a hand-carved
limestone credenza. Part art, part furniture, all style.

http://castordesign.ca/

Marrs Furniture: Graeme Marrs makes unique furniture pieces from salvaged wood and "found" materials. There are some great wood accessories too.
http://marrs.ca/

Green Table- Materials:Found Metal, Ash, Horse chestnut, Paint. Dimensions:Height 65 Depth 60 Length 45cm.

Lego Table- Materials:Poplar, Butternut, Ink, Paint. Dimensions:Height 40 Depth 38 Length 130cm.

AxioMetal: makes primarily custom furniture. Stainless steel is the base of their designs. It is blended with wood, glass, stone, and leather to produce individual and creative kitchen and dining tables, occasional tables and chairs.
http://www.axiometal.com/

Roseland Art and Decoration: Roseland is a combination of fine art and limited edition furniture. It carries antiques, artistic furniture and lighting. The photo of the Canton D lamp, below, is hand-blown glass in one piece including the shade. It's part of a wide collection of glass lamps. The "Riggu stool" (below right) is made by hand in Senegal using recycled metal.

http://www.roselandgallery.com/

"Office in a Bag” new to Canada—an inflatable open dome which reminds me of a bouncy castle, only in reverse. If you're worried about the generator noise, according to the Canadian representative, the fans they use to keep it inflated are as quiet as regular fans and nothing like the generators used for the noisy outdoor versions we are used to. Designed in the UK, it was originally intended for commercial purposes. However, more and more consumers are using the domes to create private spaces in open areas -- it is particularly appealing to condo-loft owners. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes it had been used for offices, spare bedrooms, “teenage "hangouts” etc. Currently you can buy the "office in a bag" direct from the manufacturer. http://www.inflate.co.uk/

More companies to come in a future post.

Interior Design Show 2008

2008-02-21T13:41:00.002-05:00

The Interior Design Show is on this weekend (February 23 and 24th, 2008) at the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition place. If you’re looking for some inspiring decor ideas or just interested in the current trends in home interiors head on down and take a look.
For more information, click on the link below:

http://www.interiordesignshow.com/2008/

drywall horrors

2008-02-12T12:10:00.001-05:00

Last summer we moved into a brand spanking new house. Until now, all of the houses we've lived in have been a minimum of 50 years old. In fact I got very used to hearing "wow, I've never seen plumbing/electrical work/heating and cooling systems like this," from the tradespeople. I was looking forward to a new home with all the modern conveniences including insulation, Energy Star appliances, high efficiency furnace and water saving toilets....I dream big, don't I?

After being comfortably settled into our new home for a few months, our contractor told us that some of the drywall needed attention. Apparently that bump in our stairwell wall wasn't exactly normal; drywall homes have straight walls. I was used to plaster walls which are often curved and bumpy, so I just thought it was normal. As the dry wall contractor showed me all the deficiencies the last team (now a defunct business) had left, the pit in my stomach grew. I knew that "nail pops" were a normal part of new build or addition (part of the "settling" that occurs once you're living in a house), but I had overlooked the taping ripples in the corners, the gouges in the skim coat and the evident joins between pieces of drywall in the ceiling (one ceiling was so bad they had to redrywall over it to get it smooth).

Now, if you're like me, you might be asking yourself why does it matter if gouges or tape ripples are showing? I could barely see them until they were pointed out to me. But it turns out that once you paint and it has even a touch of gloss in it or apply any colour darker than white, the deficiencies in the drywall become a beacon of poor workmanship. So we agreed to live through the dust and the inconvenience and have the walls redone -- at the builder's expense.

It took four weeks and we ended up moving out for ten days, but when it was over the walls really did look good...nice and straight and smooth. But it was a hassle for everyone.

Our "Hindsight" lesson:

We had decided not to do a home inspection before we'd moved in given that it was a new house. That was a mistake. An inspector would have caught this problem and the builder would have been able to fix it before we moved in instead of us having to live through it and their having to work around us and our furniture. My advice to you is even if you've bought a new home and you have a preinspection set up with the builder before you move in, hire an independent inspector and get a second opinion. It could save both of you a lot of headaches in the long run.

Contractor a no-show?

2008-02-07T12:36:00.000-05:00

I received a call from Stanley Funes at the City of Toronto Licensing Department the other day. He'd come across our site and told me it was great and long overdue (hey, we think so too!). It turns out, there is a complaints department at the city for delinquent contractors in the remodelling, heating and plumbing businesses -- unfortunately the department is not as well known as it should be (I tried to look it up online without success). People only hear about the department through word of mouth.

If you're having problems getting your contractor to finish a job, there is recourse before taking him to court. The City of Toronto complaints department acts as a mediator between licensed contractors and clients, usually with a successful outcome. Stanley did tell me, however, that in cases where the gap between the contractor and client is too wide to bridge (usually over $10,000 in dispute), litigation tends to be the next step. Since the city has the ability to revoke a contractor's license if necessary, the contractor is motivated to negotiate with the client.

In the event that the contractor isn't licensed, the contractor will receive a fine from the city, and you, as the injured party will have done your job exposing them. I'm not sure how much more you will get out of them without pursuing legal action. However, writing a review on Homestars will help others avoid this contractor in the future.

The phone number for the complaints department at the City of Toronto is: 416-392-6148.
They handle complaints for licensed remodelling, heating and cooling and plumbing contractors.
In this case, "complaints" is defined as contractors not adhering to City of Toronto by-laws.

Carbon monoxide detectors also detect paint fumes -- BIG time!

2008-01-28T12:30:00.000-05:00

Last winter, in preparation for putting our house on the market, we recognized that a few things needed some updating -- the first of which was the "Wayne's World" knotty pine wood panelling in the basement. The painters suggested I use a special primer which prevents knots from showing through the paint which I thought was a good idea since we were painting the room white.

What the painters failed to mention was that the primer stinks to high heaven, and the basement wasn't exactly a well ventilated area (one small window and that was it). At the end of the first day of painting, the kids and I came home and felt like we'd just walked into some sort of chemical factory. About five minutes after the painters had left for the day (naturally) there was this long, hysterical, high-pitched, beeeeeeep coming from the basement. So I traced it -- right to the carbon monoxide detector.

That very afternoon I had also had some work done to the furnace. Had the furnace guys accidentally caused some sort of leak?

No, in fact, that wasn't the problem at all. I called the gas company who said it was probably the paint fumes. They asked me if I was experiencing any symptoms such as nausea or headaches. Well of course I was, I had a splitting headache, but I knew it had nothing to do with carbon monoxide and everything to do with those vicious paint fumes, and high-pitched beep wasn't helping matters any. However, the minute you admit to experiencing any symptoms, the fire department is obligated to come and take a look. So, less than ten minutes later a firetruck with sirens blaring and three enormous firemen show up at my house. They go to the basement, wave their special CO detector around, tell me the CO levels are non-existent but the paint fumes are something else.

So here was an important lesson for me: it turns out that all kinds of strong fumes can set off a CO detector, not just carbon monoxide. To make me feel better they told me I wasn't the first house they'd visited that day for CO detectors going off. They also told me if a detector ever goes off and you're not sure why, unplug it, stick outside for 15 minutes to clear it out. If, when you've plugged it back into the same spot it goes off again, the fumes are still there, and you should call your gas company or the fire department and tell them about it.

I was a little embarrassed at having wasted the fire department's time, but the guys told me it wasn't a waste and that I did the right thing by calling them. So if you're painting close to a carbon monoxide detector, you might want to think about putting a fan in the room and opening the windows to get some proper ventilation in there. I guess that's why most people paint in the summer (d'oh!).

2008-01-28T11:55:00.000-05:00

DIY Gone Wrong

I am a lover of Do It Yourself projects. Anything that will save me a few extra dollars has my attention. The only thing is, I keep forgetting that those people on TV have years of training under their belt and that's why they make whatever they're doing look so easy. Take home improvement for example; last year we had our bathroom painted. Now, I know what you're thinking: you're thinking that if I'm such a fan of saving a few dollars why didn't I just paint the bathroom myself? The answer is because it was the ugly old gray ceramic tile (rusted and stained in places) and I knew at least that that was one job I couldn't handle. Anyway, in order to save myself an hour on the painter's clock I removed the pedestal sink and toilet tank myself. Ha! That wasn't so hard, I thought. Bob Vila, eat your heart out!

Putting the sink and toilet back, however, was another story. When I was reattaching the water pipes to the toilet tank, I had a little trouble with the 50 year old tap that fed into the toilet. It wouldn't budge without a monkey wrench. So I used one and it moved, really, really easily, until, poof! It broke off. So I stood there with a monkey wrench clamping a tap realizing with that sinking feeling I couldn't turn the main water supply on until it was fixed. Do you think I learned? Of course not. I actually attempted to fix it myself with the sage counsel of our local hardware salesman. I won't go into the details, except to say that eventually some welding was required and I didn't think my creme brule torch would do the trick.

DIY is great, until you realize you that there's a reason for those licensed contractors. I needed a plumber - and fast! I found one on HomeStars (naturally) who was able to come that day. Needless to say, he knew what he was doing and the water was back on three hours later. Whew!

What's your "DIY Gone Wrong" story? How far did you let things get before throwing in the towel and calling a professional? We all have these stories. Write a review and title it "DIY Gone Wrong." The top 3 stories will be published in next month's newsletter, and the top 10 stories published on the Toronto and Boston Blogs. From comic to tragic, we all have our DIY Gone Wrong stories, so share yours now!

Write a review.