I Need a New Bathroom Medicine Cabinet

It doesn't look nearly as bad or as rusted as the white metal one in the first apartment that my girlfriend and I rented after graduating from university. But I don't want to ring in the New Year with the medicine cabinet that is in my current bathroom. The outside still gets a passing grade, but inside is a different story: the shelves are starting to warp; one shelf had to be removed because a bracket went missing and the bottom left-hand corner of the cabinet sports an unidentified stain that I just cannot get out.

A new medicine cabinet is also a good way to give your bathroom a quick and inexpensive makeover. Bathroom mirror cabinets, like a medicine cabinet with a mirror specifically chosen to match or complement the bathroom vanity, add functionality and style to the most used room in your home.

I don't want just another pretty face in the bathroom! In order for a medicine cabinet to be both chic and useful, I will need to think about the features I would like it to have. I like to keep some medicinal lotions that come in tallish tubes or bottles, so a cabinet that has adjustable shelves would be important to me. And because I'd feel obligated to clean them all the time, the shelves should be made of wood rather than glass. I would also like to be able to DIY; I'll be selecting a the type of cabinet that can be easily hung on the wall instead of a recessed style of medicine cabinet. I don't have young children using the bathroom, but if you do, perhaps the medicine cabinet you choose for your bathroom should have a lock.

Now that I have a good idea of what I want in a bathroom medicine cabinet, I'm ready to go shopping for one.

- E.L.

Making your Dining Room Holiday-Ready

The dining room is one of the rooms of your home that will be seeing a lot of action during Christmas and New Year's. A little planning ahead will help make your dining room holiday-ready; a welcoming place to entertain family and friends.

Buffet or Sideboard

If you have a buffet or a sideboard, make sure it is stocked with what you need to set your table for those special meals you will be hosting. Check to see that all of the pieces of the dinner service you will be using are present and accounted for. Ditto for the cutlery drawer and stemware you will require.

Place a festive pillar candle or a hurricane lamp ringed with pine boughs or a wreath of holly on the buffet.

The same checklist will apply to the china cabinet in your dining room.

Dining Table

The spotlight will be on your dining table. After all it is the focal point and main purpose of the room so you will want it to look its best. Clean and condition, especially if it is a wood one, your dining table as per the manufacturer's instructions.

If the only place in your home for a gift wrapping station is the dining table, make sure that everything has been cleared away in time to get the dining room ready for guests.

Choose a centerpiece for the table that is in the low-to-mid height range. You don't want decorations in the center of the dining table that will block the view.


More Holiday-Ready Dining Room Tips

When you're expecting guests with young children, have a couple of extra telephone books or thick pillows or cushions on hand just in case the booser seat was forgotten at home.

Ensure any linens you will using such as a tablecloth and napkins have been freshly ironed. Keep some paper ones on hand as extras for both the adults and the kids.

Inspect your chairs to see if they are good to go. Spot clean as required. If you're going to need more chairs on the day of your festive occasion, know in advance from which rooms you will be getting them from.

- E.L.

Stuff for (Kids) Stockings

Christmas is such an exciting time for children. While everyone (kids and adults alike), of course, enjoys their main presents, sometimes those little gifts and toys that are tucked away in a child’s stocking can inspire hours of enjoyment and just as many fond memories.

Whether you’re trying to find ways to keep then entertained when traveling or out of mischief on a rainy day, how about an old favorite with a new twist? The Melissa & Doug Rainbow Stamp Pad will provide hours of creative experimentation.


Relax…they’re not going to paint the dining room wall with the Melissa & Doug Jumbo Paint Brushes Set. Intended for younger kids, the brightly colored handles are easy to grip and easy to clean. (But just in case they do get inspired to add their own mark to your walls, make sure their paints are non-toxic, washable ones).


For the infants and toddlers on your Christmas list, introduce them to the challenging fun of a puzzle with the Infantino Colors and Shapes Puzzle. Especially when they are first starting out, puzzles are a great way to develop hand-eye coordination; it also helps young ones to recognize shapes and colors in the process of deciding where each piece fits.

Kitchen sets and activity sets like the Edushape Kiddy Connects Set allow toddlers (for 2-year olds and up) to use their imaginations. The modular and colorful snap-ball blocks lets them build anything they can think of.


- E.L.

Stuff for (Adult) Stockings

Sometimes finding those perfect stocking stuffers is more difficult than shopping for the "hardest" person on your Christmas list. In case Santa needs a little nudge, here are some stocking stuffer ideas for him (and for you).

Designed as a portable toolbox that will fit in the palm of your hand, the KELVIN 23 Multi-Tool gathers the most common tools you might need for around the house together in one convenient place. It's easy for anyone to use, handy person or not so DIY oriented.

Everyone on your Christmas list can use a travel alarm clock, whether they are regularly on the road or leave town only for holidays. When the power goes out, it's good to have a backup plan like the retro sleek Howard Miller Clam Shell Alarm Clock.


The Remington Travel Shaver is one of those must have handy gadgets for those on the go, whether they're on a plane or at the gym.

Give her the option of taking her jewelry with her wherever she needs to go with a stylish travel style jewelry box.

You know someone whose home office doesn't have air conditioning? Working at the computer in the family room gets a little stuffy? How about a portable, personal fan?

For the outdoor enthusiatic, whether they just go for hikes on the weekends or camp every chance they get, I bet they'll really appreciate the Chass Outdoor Pro Multi Use Travel Tool.

- E.L.

Turn Your Basement into a Party Space or Bar

Wouldn’t it be fun to turn your basement, provided that you have one, into a entertainment space for all ages? There are many benefits to this:

• If you love entertaining this can be just another facet of your offering has a wonderful host
• Budget friendly, if you are on a limited budget instead of going to meet your friends, have them come over, instead
• You save yourself the cab fare by NOT leaving your house to enjoy beverage with friends
• It just looks good. Having a nice bar set up just adds to the comfort and welcoming atmosphere of your home

Is your interest peaked? Believe it or not, creating a bar in your home is not that complicated, and it doesn’t have to be expensive either. Here are some essentials to get you started:

• Bar counter and sink – you will have to contact a plumber build a sink with working faucets around your bar (or a bar around your sink)
• Bar stools (both counter bar stools and swivel bar stools) – enough to cover the entire row of the bar
• Bar utensils – shakers, strainers, small knives, etc.
• Glasses – glasses that cover all times of drinks will be needed: high balls, old fashions, shot glasses, steins, mugs, martini glasses, wine (red and white) glasses and champagne flutes are a good start.
• Fun décor – depending on the look your going for – I personally would collect turn-of-the-century to mid-century memorabilia (garage sales, vintage shops and second-hand stores are full of them). If you have a favourite sports team then feel free to decorate with the associated paraphernalia. Be creative.
• Wine rack
• Small appliances – such as a blender and bar fridge
• Drinks – and last but not least are drinks and spirits to stock your bar. Perhaps if you throw a housewarming (barwarming?) party guests may be generous and bring a contribution to stock your supply!
• A wall-mounted TV – especially if you plan on inviting your friends over for sports games

There you have it – having a home bar can save time, money and of course it’s an excuse to invite friends and family over for some fun, quality time. Good luck!

-M

Save Time and Money with a Bedroom Set

Whenever I used to think of bedroom furniture sets, I thought of the outdated, matchy-matchy faux-wood sets with which my great-aunt used to furnish her house. I found them all a bit ugly and uninspiring growing up. However, nowadays, it seems that bedroom sets are back in style thanks to the quality and huge range in style available. Not only that, there are sets that fit EVERY budget and every taste. Plus, it takes the guesswork out of setting a theme or style for your room for those of you who are design-challenged (I admit, I am, but I’m making a conscious effort to learn).

When I say that there’s a bedroom set out there for EVERY one, I mean it. Let’s take a look at some popular styles:



Bunk Bed Sets – the name gives it away; this is a set for children and teens. Bunk bed sets will come with the beds as well as matching furniture. Believe it or not, the styles are very kid- and teen-friendly. From modern aluminum finishes for the teenager, to whimsical white lacquer finishes for younger children. Plus, bunk bed sets sometimes comes with a matching desk – so the kids have no excuse for incomplete homework!

5 Piece Bedroom Set –the more typical bedroom set that comes with five pieces of furniture: bed panel/frame/headboard, 2 nightstands, 1 dresser, 1 mirror. Styles and finishes are practically limitless.

Platform Bedroom Set – instead of a traditional bed frame, platform bedroom sets come with platform bed frame.

Kids’ Bedroom Set – smaller furniture that comes in styles and finishes that children love.

If you do not have the resources to hire an interior decorator to design the bedrooms in your house, I highly recommend purchasing a good quality bedroom set instead!

Bunk Beds – A Great Option for Urban Families

In the past few years, there have been big discussions on gentrification, urbanization and the fact that more and more families simply do not want to leave the big city (whether it be Toronto, New York City, Chicago, Paris, etc.) for a place in the suburbs that’s large enough to accommodate their growing families. There are many reasons for this: desire for a shorter commute to work, access to more major cultural events and attractions, independent shops, restaurants and diversity among residents. One of the major pitfalls of living in the big city, unless you have a very high income is living in a smaller living space.

Many middle class families cannot afford the sky high costs of housing in the city but refuse to let that be a deterrent to their dream of staying downtown. Instead, many families decided to make the best of their situation by staying put in their 2 bedroom condos and raising their families there. Often, this means that children will have to share a room, making the twin bunk bed the ideal bed for the children’s room. While the twin over twin bunk bed is one option, the twin over full bunk bed is another for children who have a greater age difference. Bunk bed frames can come in wood finishes but for families living in downtown condos with a modern décor, there are also metal finishes available.

Bunk beds come in a variety of styles and finishes, making it the ideal, piece of furniture for families who want to maximize their living space.