Our home becomes a reflection of our personality. Paintings, rugs, even kitchen hardware or throw pillows can reflect our sense of style in a unique way. Our windows are no different. Window treatments are an extension of your home décor – they can also be fairly pricey. So, if you’re ready to jump the gun and make this worthwhile investment, you should start with identifying your personal style and take it from there.

Over the last couple of years, Tori Brock, the owner of Fairhome Interiors in Burlington, has been noticing a resurgence in the popularity of well-made, custom drapery. She says, “We see trends towards pairing traditional styles with modern trends in everything from affordable mechanized hardware to highly advanced fabrics for the environmentally efficient home that no longer looks utilitarian.”

She also says sheers are making a big comeback – and they aren’t your traditional voile or lace. 

Fabrics for this year consist of soft pallets with large scale botanicals or watercolour looks. “We are seeing everything from organic looking linens to nice embroideries and even simple embellishments to give a formal look,” Tori says. Fairhome’s favourite style is to layer an organic sheer with a beautiful print to really take your drapery to the next level.

As for colour, Melanie from Salnek’s Custom Window Treatments, also in Burlington, says pink is the latest and coolest trend. As for styles, she says “It’s about simplification. Automated window coverings are really popular right now. These are “smart” window treatments and can be operated directly through your phone. People are all about overall efficiency” – and access through an app is the way to go.

When it comes to finding the right treatment for your needs and style preferences, the options are really endless. However, it’s key to remember that while all window treatments serve the purpose – to block out sunlight and provide privacy – their installation can vary. It’s important to know what will work for your space while you shop. You will find plenty of local experts who  are there to help.

As for window treatment trends that are in the here and now, there’s a handful. Floor-to-ceiling drapery will make smaller spaces look larger and ceilings look taller, while sheers are perfect for letting in natural light while still providing privacy. Layering is also big right now. Not only can you layer with colour, but designers are also suggesting layering with materials as well – such as a bamboo blind over a sheer curtain. It’s eye-catching and totally on-trend. For those who have an eye for pattern, fear not – patterns are still in. Unlike the curtains from our childhood, patterns these days are bold and sophisticated, adding a special touch to any minimalistic room. Lastly, Tori says trim is making a huge comeback, whether it’s on curtains, shades, or valences. It’s a great way to take plain fabric and add texture – or even a pop of colour. 

Truthfully, with all these options the process of choosing the right treatment can feel a little bit overwhelming. But we’re certain our local experts can help you find a look, colour, feel, and texture that meshes well with the overall design of your home. From farmhouse to glam and drapes to valences, window treatments have been around for centuries. With multiple styles and colours to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your home, your windows, and your personality. 

by  Allison Dempsey

Local Links

Fairhome Interiors, Burlington
Fairhomeinteriors.myshopify.com

Salnek’s Custom Window Treatments, Burlington
Salnek.ca

Fasada, Oakville
Fasada.ca

Shades of Home, Oakville
Shadesofhome.ca

Space – it’s something we all need. Whether it’s additional space in our homes, our schedules, or even our minds, we could always use a little more of it. Humans are naturally inclined to seek items that bring comfort, so ridding ourselves of our stuff to make room for essentials and well, space, is not only hard to do but also difficult to maintain. When our cluttered homes start to clutter our minds, it’s time to call in the experts for a little assistance.

Fortunately, the art of organization is at the forefront right now. There are plenty of avenues available to help declutter, whether it’s books or television shows, or even phone apps. But if we want to really keep on pace, we need to follow a guide and adhere to the script. Whether it’s clothes or knickknacks or our children’s artwork, our stuff can overwhelm us. 

Most of us struggle when it comes to purging our belongings. Making that final decision to toss or donate can be difficult and painful. This is where the professionals come in handy, offering a detached and clinical eye: should it stay or should it go?

“It can definitely be an overwhelming and challenging task,” says Anna Scarangella of Organize 4 You. “I suggest starting with one room and sticking with it if you can. Organize within one room, making piles of what you want to keep and get rid of, and moving pile to pile.”

Anna has been helping people declutter and purge for 18 years, and understands how truly difficult it can be, especially when it comes to letting complete strangers invade their personal space.

“No one wants to be judged for their mess,” she says. “There’s a lot of anxiety involved in bringing a stranger into your home. It can be hard and uncomfortable, and very tricky to navigate. It takes people a long time to admit they need help. I know it’s easy to get discouraged, so I try to teach them skills.”

Anna says her clients are primarily working women with children. “Most responsibility for organizing and purging falls on women,” she says, and she often has repeated clients who like her service so much that they ask her to return and do another purge up to a year later. “You have to respect the client,” says Anna, “and the client has to be ready to organize and purge and get rid of stuff. They have to be in the right mindset.”

Rose Ritchi from Organize Me Please also has a few helpful tips when it comes to getting your space in order. She suggests starting with the basement, storage area, or a cluttered room that you just can’t stand anymore. These areas tend to be out of sight/out of mind locations, so you’ll have better success in letting go of items there.   

“It’s a family affair,” she says about purging. “You didn’t create this clutter on your own so pick a date with the family and get their commitment. Keep in mind, food and cash always perk up teenager’s ears. Plan on a morning or afternoon, not a full day, because kids with electronics or cell phones tend to go missing in action.”

Her tried-and-true decluttering supplies include drinks and snacks, a timer set for an hour at a time, followed by a five-minute break, and bags/boxes/labels/markers. These are vital for marking items destined for charity, to toss, to recycle, to give to family members and as cherished memories.

“There are usually lots of items that have memories attached to them that bring up emotions, so be kind to yourselves,” says Rose. “Take these items and put them in a box to go through when you have the time to truly enjoy them, then you can make clear decisions to let them go or not.”

 Regardless of your ultimate goal, organizers stress that focus is key. Stay in one spot at a time, and don’t wander. Rose also suggests assessing your current storage availability: are there shelving units? Plastic containers?

 And all the experts always stress this above all: maintenance. Once you’ve purged, you need to keep it clean and organized. “Right now, you have a clean organized spot, everything in it place,” says Rose. “Let’s keep it that way. Advise all family members that at the end of the day take five minutes to survey their areas and any item that is not in the correct place, pick it up and put it where it should go.”

 With just five minutes a day, you can keep your home neat and tidy leaving you with plenty of time to get on with the important things in life, such as family time and dare we say, a little R&R.

“There’s no one way to do it,” stresses Anna. “Everyone is different. Be conscious of your choices. Everything changes over time, and once it’s in your house it’s hard to get it out!”

by Allison Dempsey

Local Links

Organize Me Please
Organizemepleasecanada.com

Organize 4 You
Organize4you.ca

The kitchen is the heart of the home: where the party always ends up, where friends and family often gather to share good food and good stories. Creating a beautiful, timeless, and classic surrounding is essential – and easy to accomplish if you consult the experts. Your kitchen can set the tone for the rest of your home, so choosing the right style, colour, and material all go a long way to creating a beautiful, warm, and inviting space for everyone to enjoy.

“I always say countertops ground any space, and are the foundation of the kitchen, and any room, in fact,” says Danielle Blais of Chervin Kitchen and Bath in Oakville. She says quartz definitely “leads the pack” in terms of preferred material, leaving the old favourite granite in its wake. “While granite used to be hugely popular, it is too high maintenance with staining and watermark issues.” 

Quartz can be designed to resemble slabs of natural stone, such as granite and marble, which create veins in interesting patterns unique to every piece, allowing homeowners to let their personality and creativity shine. If you’re worried about pricing, Danielle says that there are realistic price points for all buyers and budgets.

When it comes to colours, Danielle sees a trend in black and white with gold accents, but it’s something that may not appeal to everyone.

“Black is very dramatic and I won’t push it on clients if they don’t want it,” she says.

As for finishes, there are a few to consider: a honed or matte finish has little to no shine and works well with marble, while a leather surface can be applied to granite, marble or quartz. The leather finish has become more popular recently and offers a softer sheen, while retaining a stone’s natural colour, and boosting sophistication. It can also help hide water spots and fingerprints if that’s a concern.

“We like to ask customers what their style is and what they’re looking for when they come in to see us,” says Susan Song of Royal Stone Gallery in Burlington. “We also get a feel for the colour scheme in the rest of the home, and flooring and kitchen cabinets, too.”

Susan says greys, whites, and neutrals are always a popular and timely choice for countertops, and natural patterning is widely sought after as well, especially in single-slab quartz.

“Quartz is strong and durable, and is very popular with customers.” And with good reason. 

Introduced as a high-end alternative to granite, quartz is non-porous and doesn’t require regular re-sealing treatments like granite, which is a natural rock. While granite once dominated the countertop market, it’s porous and can be easily stained and marked by water, wine, and oil, and can even breed dangerous bacteria if not cleaned and cared for properly and regularly.

Quartz, on the other hand, is highly resistant to staining and is one of the most hygienic countertop options for homeowners. It’s very strong, durable and low maintenance, making it the perfect choice for homeowners who want to focus on cooking and relaxing instead.

Soft neutral tones are definitely a theme in home décor trends overall, so finding them in the kitchen as well is a natural extension. But for the more adventurous, homeowners can experiment with other tones as well, creating a pop of colour against the neutral beiges, greys, light blues and off-whites that might run throughout the rest of the home.

“Waterfall edges for countertops are also a classic and timeless look,” says Danielle, referring to a style that extends past the countertop and down the side to reach the floor. Though they add to the overall cost, they also add overall beauty. She also says full-height backsplashes are very elegant, creating a smooth and seamless look from the counter up to
the cupboards. 

Larger slabs of wood, marble, copper, quartz, stainless steel or glass are other viable options and they can help elevate your kitchen from bland to beautiful. Upper cabinets seem to be losing their popularity as well, giving homeowners a lot more wall space to play with.

“A good, attractive and long-lasting kitchen is a big investment,” says Danielle, so making decisions about how best to enhance its beauty shouldn’t be taken lightly. There are plenty of options to choose from, so take your time, consult the experts and make sure your “heart of the home” reflects your heart’s desires as well.

by Allison Dempsey

Local Links

Chervin Kitchen and Bath
Chervin.ca

Royal Stone Gallery
Royalstonegallery.com

Do you remember when shag carpet was all the rage? Flooring trends have certainly changed since then. It’s hard to believe there was a time when wall-to-wall flooring meant anything but wood. While carpet still creates a cozy feel in many homes, these days it’s all about a natural feel. Whether dark or light, highly polished or roughly hewn, wood flooring has never been more on trend. It’s classic, hypoallergenic, and easy to clean – but more than that, there are so many options which make wood a go-to for many homeowners.

Whether you’re pulling up old carpet to discover what lies beneath, or having new floors installed, choosing the right wood for your home is a lot more complicated than simply picking one you like and slapping it down. Most homeowners only want to redo their floors once, so choosing a material that’s both beautiful and enduring is important.

“When customers come to us, about 80 to 90 percent of the time we’re refinishing their wood floors,” says Anna from Antique Hardwood Flooring in Oakville. 

“We go into clients’ homes and are refinishing, sanding and matching colours. And browns and greys are popular colours right now for sure.”

Anna says that while kitchens are popular areas for wood flooring, she often sees it installed throughout the entire house as well.

“We’re also ripping out a lot of tile floors these days and replacing them with wood,” she says. “Tile is definitely no longer a popular choice for flooring anywhere in the house.”

Engineered hardwood flooring, as well, is gaining popularity in kitchens, entryways, dining rooms, and bathrooms, and in more traditional areas such as living rooms and studies. Engineered wood uses a thick strip of solid wood that is bonded to a structured substrate to create a floorboard that is hardwearing and can be resurfaced like solid wood.

Frank Sharpe, designer at Inspired Flooring in Burlington, says Canadians are conservative when it comes to patterns and colour choices. The flooring industry is like the fashion industry – trends are changing regularly. But with this in mind, homeowners should choose flooring that resonates with them on a personal level and invokes emotion – and it’s never a bad thing to stick with those timeless pieces. Designers like Frank can help customers choose which elements work with their homes and with their style.

Grey will always have a long and successful life span as a go-to neutral, easily blending with other colours and serving in a wide range of design styles, from mid-century modern to rustic farmhouse. Sea salt off-whites, similar to mist, provide hints of colour from surf and sand.

Engineered wood flooring has a lot to offer, including stability, overall quality, longevity and range. Exotic species such as Brazilian Cherry, Teak, Iroko, and Wenge are also something to consider.

For trends, the return of the rustic farmhouse look means longer and wider planks with an emphasis on natural aging and the use of reclaimed materials. Grey wood with a distinctive pattern is always popular, particularly for kitchens and bathrooms, pairing well with brushed stainless steel and tinted glass. Also, re-purposed waste and recycled materials are something to consider in an age when recycling is at the forefront of many design ideas.

“Of course, it all comes down to personal choice,” says Sam Nesci of Inspired Flooring. “We do see a lot of marble and tile in certain areas of the house, such as the foyer, kitchen and bathrooms, but there is definitely a lot of wood being installed.”

Sam says stone plastic composite (SPC) is also very popular these days. It’s a high-quality engineered wood that is strong and low maintenance, used in restaurants for years and now being seen in homes.

“We don’t do a lot of refinishing ourselves, as most homeowners want to install new, thicker wood that will last a lot longer than the thinner versions maybe found under carpeting,” he says. Brown has always been the most popular colour, though grey and lighter hues are also seen often, with carpeting sitting at about one to two percent.

And Sam is right, of course: it does all come down to personal preference. Whether you prefer the softer warmth of carpeting or the durable low maintenance of wood, the choice lies beneath your feet.

by Allison Dempsey

Local Links

Inspired Flooring, Burlington
Inspiredflooringinc.com

Antique Hardwood Flooring, Oakville
Antiquehardwoodflooring.ca

Speers Flooring Ltd., Oakville
Speersflooring.com

Speers Road Broadloom Ltd., Oakville
Speersroadbroadloom.com

Nothing smells more like the holiday season than the fresh, invigorating aromas of pine, evergreen, cranberry, and apple cinnamon. Smell is something that ties us strongly to happy memories, so it makes “scents” to bring our favourite natural greens into our home and make those memories come alive. There are plenty of ways to “spruce” up our interiors while also adding a festive spirit.

Whether it’s indoors or out, there are beautiful possibilities to make your home look and smell ready for the holidays. You can create a table runner for your dinner table from live fir or pine garland, or use a garland that is made from several small branches woven together. Just remember to mist it with water every two days to keep it fresh for as long as possible. To make it even more festive, wrap the garland with battery-operated LED lights and ornaments.

Look for greenery stems at a nursery or a tree lot, where they might give away tree cuttings if you ask. Your own backyard is a great — free — option as well, especially since winter is a good time to prune evergreens. Clip the ends of the stems as you would fresh flowers and place them in water overnight before adding them to a vase. Instant décor!

“Living and natural decorations are always a popular option during the holiday season,” says Jennifer Klassen of Centro Garden in Burlington. She says if you’re going to decorate outside, you can start mid-November. Interior decorations will need to wait until about a week before Christmas if you want them looking their best.

If you want to add a little light, you can try candles and twinkle lights with the greenery, or place small bunches of holly or sprigs of pine with baby pine cones in glass vases for the centre of a beautiful dining table. However, keep a close eye on any open flames: greens tend to dry out and can pose a real fire hazard.

“Natural Christmas décor is very popular,” says Jennifer. “I suggest putting garlands on stairs and the mantel, perhaps on doorframes and pillars, and even on your fence. Pots filled with greens are also great but don’t forget to water them once or twice a week.” Jennifer also suggests incorporating colourful berries for an added festive splash.

“Red berries are all about Christmas, such as holly or Ilex, but you can also use white berries, or birch poles, and pine cones are also great,” she says. “We used to sell a lot of pomegranates as décor, but they all got eaten by squirrels!”

The foundation for your Christmas décor should start with decorating the entire dinner table using rich Christmas colours of red, green, silver and gold to create a festive base with tablecloths, place mats,  and matching linen napkins. Replace napkin rings with ribbons or small sprigs of greenery, and add miniature ornaments to tie it all together. Sashes tied around dinner chairs with sprigs tucked in to match the ones tied around your napkins will keep the décor co-ordinated. Gold, silver or glass bowls filled with ornaments and greenery to match the rest of the table decorations will pull the entire setting together.

One caution to remember: some live greenery can cause serious problems for small children and pets in the home. Berries on holly, yew, ivy, bittersweet and, particularly, mistletoe can be highly poisonous. Also, if anyone in the family has allergies, cedar cones can release pollen at room temperature. Remove the cones or spray them with clear lacquer before using them in your arrangement.

If you don’t feel up to handling the decorating duties yourself, or you just don’t have the time or the creative inclination, there are plenty of professionals who can handle it for you and turn your home into a winter wonderland.

Living and natural décor can be used as decorations all year long, but there’s something special about the look and smell of greens during the holidays. Stretch your creative wings and make your home fresh and festive this season!

by Allison Dempsey

Local Links

Centro Garden
centrogarden.com

Fiori Oakville
fiorioakville.com

Glen Abbey Flowers
glenabbeyflowers.ca

Holland Park
hollandpark.com

Jade Gardens and Greenhouses
jadegardens.com

Cudmore’s Garden Centre Inc.
cudmores.ca

The Garden Girls
thegardengirls.ca

It’s inevitable but always a bit of a shock when it happens: the slow shift from hot summer days to cool fall nights. From long, lazy days to early sunsets, crisp mornings, frost, frozen ground and, of course, snow. Ensuring lawns and gardens stay in tip-top shape through the long, hard, cold months may be a bit of a challenge. But never fear, there are lots of tips and tricks from the experts who know the best ways to keep your yard safe and fabulous for next year’s thaw.

There’s no shortage of fall chores to keep you busy, including protecting roses from frost, giving perennials some TLC for winter, and preparing trees and shrubs for the harsh weather. By spending a little time sprucing up the lawn or weeding the perennial garden, you can ensure a healthier start to next year’s garden season.

According to Catherine Bulow of Bulow’s Garden Centre in Oakville, one of the most important things to do — and something many people forget — is to protect the fragile bark of your ornamental trees. “Rabbits and mice can pretty much kill a tree over the winter,” she says. “They like to eat the bark and do a lot of damage.” She suggests a protective spiral wrap that will keep everything safe and sound until spring arrives. “Also, burlap wrapping tender perennials offers great protection, and put lots of extra mulch and leaves around,” she says.

Bulow also strongly advises against turning off sprinklers and underground watering systems too early in the season. “You want to keep the soil and the plants as moist as possible over the long winter months. Most people turn their water off too early, but you want to keep everything well hydrated. The ground is frozen for a long time.” She also suggests watering your plants and garden earlier in the spring, starting in April, instead of May when things start to heat up a little, especially if the winter is particularly dry.

Lastly, if you’re planting new evergreens before the snow flies, be sure to wrap them securely so they can survive the harsh upcoming weather. “Young, new trees need extra protection for their first winter,” she says. “You want to keep them safe from sun, wind, and snow!”

When it comes to getting your vegetable garden winter-ready, remove all plant debris after the veggies are gathered. While many pests dig into the soil for the long winter haul, others will shelter under leaf litter. Pull spent vegetable plants and weeds to eliminate places where pests and diseases can hide, and dispose of plant debris with yard waste to be composted at the local landfill.

“Be sure to rake up excess leaves and cut back perennials,” say the experts at Cudmores Garden Centre in Oakville. “Cut grass shorter for the season, compost, and spread manure around flower and garden beds.” Also, “Perennials come back, but you need to pull annuals and turn them into compost. Tropicals come inside for the winter and cold months before they go back outside in the warm weather, but you don’t have to bring them inside until Thanksgiving.”

If you don’t want to bag the leaves you rake, consider shredding them with a mower to create a one to two-inch-thick layer of chopped leaves  on top of the grass. The earthworms in the lawn will love it, and the leaves will eventually break down, adding nutrients to the soil. For any leaves you do collect, compost them with other organic matter, such as fresh grass clippings, old vegetable and flower plants, and kitchen scraps.

As for basic lawn care, continue to mow the lawn high (two to three inches for most grasses) to encourage good root growth, fertilize and then reseed thin spots in the lawn, and aerate compacted areas with aeration sandals or a rented aerator machine. Make sure to keep the lawn well-watered throughout the fall season if the weather
is dry.

Many of us may not like winter all that much, especially when it bleeds into the spring season. With these helpful tips to keep our gardens beautiful, healthy, and strong, our lawns, shrubs, and flowers, will be ready to thrive when the warm weather finally comes our way.

by Allison Dempsey

Local Links

Cudmore’s Garden Centre, Oakville
cudmores.ca

Bulow Gardens Centre, Oakville
@Bulow-Gardens-Oakville

If you’re going to invest money, time and considerable effort into upgrading and renovating your home, the experts agree that kitchens and bathrooms are where that effort matters most. Our bathrooms are our sanctuaries, our quiet places, a space to invite reflection and relaxation, and, for some of us, the only room in the house with a locking door that clearly means Stay Out and Leave Me Alone.

Bathrooms are also high-traffic areas in any dwelling, whether you live quietly alone, with a partner, or with an exuberant family of five or more. Bathrooms are well-used by you and your guests and can make a big impression, even if only for a brief visit. They can be warm and welcoming or more cool and clinical, but when it comes to design, fixtures and colours, the possibilities are endless. And the current trends are lots of fun to explore.

Matte black finishes on faucets are definitely popular right now, according to Robin Cestra of Oakville Kitchen & Bath Centre, along with black accents on frameless glass shower enclosures. “Black is a trendy colour,” she says, “along with burnished brass. It’s lower maintenance than highly polished hardware and easier to keep looking clean.” 

Cestra also says graphic tiles are a great investment, whether on floors or walls. “Tile is coming on strong, even used floor to ceiling,” she says. “We’re also seeing lots of different sizes and shapes mixed together as well.”

His and Hers Showers are also popular, featuring large walk-in spaces with individual screens and controls, for couples who truly can’t stand to spend a moment apart. Or, who can’t stop fighting over who gets to shower first in the morning.

Cestra says while most homeowners come in with ideas of what they want, they’re happy to take advice as well, which is where the designers and store owners come in handy with a wealth of knowledge and years of experience.

“We see a high volume of clients who come in looking for clean and contemporary lines for the design of their bathroom,” says Angela Hansen, designer at Opal Baths & Design in Burlington. “To soften the look we build on a neutral base and add accent colours and textures for character.”

The bathroom plays a vital role in daily comfort and function, so if that room is outdated or feeling cramped, redesigning and revamping may be the best way to a bigger and brighter future. Whether you’re looking for increased function or just a more aesthetically pleasing look, Hansen has some great suggestions for taking it all to the next level.

“Textured tiles that mimic wood or organic shapes and cultured marbles are still very popular and create an impact in any space,” she says. “And matte black and gold fixtures are also very trendy and are a great way to make a statement no matter what the size of your bathroom.”

Gold is definitely making a bold appearance right now, but picking the right shade is important, and you should use it sparingly throughout.  A gentler, softer shade is always better, and spreading it around the room as a highlight will go a long way to catching the eye and making a splash.

While there are quite a few exciting design trends for luxury bathrooms in 2018, Annie Callan of Burlington’s Bathrooms2Go lists large format tile, especially for shower stalls, near the top of the list. “Large format tiles create a ‘Grand Space’ even in the smallest bathrooms,” she says. “They can emphasize high ceilings and even create the illusion of them. Regardless of the pattern, colour, or finish they take the space to the next level.”

She also says bold patterns such as Marrakech or multi-colour hexagons make a great statement on a feature wall or floor. “These add a beautiful artistic aspect to the design.”

But of course, while embracing trends is fun and exciting, making sure that the style fits you personally and what you want and need should always come first and foremost when designing — or redesigning — any room in your house. With the help of local experts, you can be confident you will end up with something just right for you.

by Allison Dempsey

Local Links

Oakville Kitchen & Bath Centre, Oakville
oakvillekitchencentre.com

Opal Baths & Design, Burlington
opalbaths.com

Bathrooms2Go, Burlington
bathrooms2go.ca

It’s finally summer! Here in the northern hemisphere it seems to take forever to feel the warm sunshine, but now is the perfect time to shed the long sleeves and celebrate all things outdoors, starting in your own backyard.

Smaller, more intimate gatherings are what our backyards are made for. When a summer day or night calls for entertaining, start planning for the best backyard get together possible with some ingenuity, a little creativity, and some great tips from the local experts.

Aside from simply enjoying yourself and having a fun, relaxing time with friends and family, making your backyard look as inviting and friendly as possible is priority number one. Whether it’s a casual gathering or a more formal affair, there are a few guidelines to embrace when it comes to making your outdoor living space look habitable, welcoming and even a little trendy. “Great napkins are a must, whether they’re paper or linen, or even rough cottons,” says Tori Brock, owner of Fairhome Interiors in Burlington. “Creating a harvest table feel is really fun, and that could mean hand-done flower pieces, wildflower arrangements, and maybe some lilacs in Mason jars.”

She also suggests some fresh, eye-catching details such as French linen runners placed width-wise instead of length-wise, to double as beautiful placemats. “Bringing colour outdoors is a must in the summer months, whether through pillows, rugs or custom serving dishes such as bright Melamine,” says Brock. And when it comes to mood lighting, there are lots of stylish options, including pixie lights, stunning lanterns, battery-operated candles and even using wine or antique bottles with candles to light up the night.

If you have those items under control, you might want to think about tackling your landscaping, says Jennifer Klassen, manager at Centro Gardens in Burlington. “Top up the landscaping in your backyard with fresh flowers, plants and succulents in bowls,” she suggests, which will help create a stunning and serene backyard vista. Klassen is also a fan of big, fun containers for ice and drinks, such as large galvanized buckets or tubs that are both festive and practical for warm summer evenings. “Ceramic bowls always add atmosphere as well,” she says, “and any kind of table centrepiece that adds some pops of colour, such as orange and red.”

A few other extras she relishes include mesh food covers to keep the bugs at bay, and a large wooden or steel tray handy for carrying glasses and dishes from indoors to out, and back again.

Finally, when it comes to furniture and larger accessories, it’s all about wicker and fire pits, says Jeremy Kalapacz of Oakville Home Leisure. “Fire pits are still hot!” he says with a laugh. Whether you call them fire pits, fire tables, or just a good gathering place, these very popular gas or wood appliances add immeasurable quality to your outdoor entertainment venue. You can simply kick up your feet and relax with friends late into the night, or actually use them for cooking, from full meals to after-dinner marshmallows. The wood-burning variety requires some work with a supply of wood and a little fire-building know-how, but they’re beautiful and smell great. The gas variety won’t get quite as hot, but are easier to maintain, says Kalapacz, and you won’t have to worry about flying sparks and embers.

When it comes to wicker furniture, Kalapacz suggests the dark variety, that will last longer and look fresher, with bright cushion fabrics and accessories, or light colours for a beautiful contrast in your outdoor living space. “Many cushions and pillows claim to be weatherproof, but we still recommend bringing them inside the house or covering them up when they’re not in use.” he says. And always bring them indoors during the long winter months.

No matter which trends you choose to embrace this season, there are lots of new and exciting items to try. With good friends, family and food, however, you’re already more than halfway to your amazing backyard barbecue goals, and enjoy the heat while it lasts!

by Allison Dempsey

Local Links

Centro Garden, Burlington
centrogarden.com

Fairhome Interiors, Burlington
fairhome.ca

Lakeside Livin’, Oakville
lakesidelivin.ca

Oakville Home Leisure, Oakville
oakvillehomeleisure.ca

Station Home, Burlington
stationhome.ca

Terra Greenhouses, Burlington
terragreenhouses.com

Eating outdoors is the quintessential warm weather activity, right along with gardening, trips to the beach and long evening strolls. Whether it’s lunching on your favourite patio or eating an ice cream by the lake, enjoying meals outside is one of the best parts of the summer season. Take it one step further and create an entire kitchen setting outdoors. It’s a growing trend that allows you, your family and friends to share all your meals in the comfort and privacy of your own backyard.

“They’re definitely growing in popularity,” says Tiffany Gillespie, marketing manager for Barbecues Galore. “People may decide to build them instead of taking holiday trips or maybe having a cottage, choosing to invest their money into making their backyard outdoor living space more beautiful instead.”

An outdoor kitchen is a designated space outside of the house designed for cooking and preparing meals, complete with a heating element like a stove, cooktop, grill, or maybe even a pizza oven. And there are plenty of stylistic choices to consider, including a covered or uncovered area, seating options, natural stone or granite countertops, or maybe even a bar. But outdoor kitchens can also mean stunning patio furniture, patio heaters, smokers and fire pits — whatever fits your personal preferences. 

There are tons of practical benefits to an outdoor kitchen as well, including eliminating indoor cooking odors and saving on cranking up costly AC. Grilling your food on a regular basis is also a healthier option, it’s tastier, less greasy and gives you the option of including plenty of fresh veggies. And outdoor kitchens are a great economic venture, offering a high rate of return on investment compared with other outdoor home improvement projects.

Along with raising the value of your home, outdoor kitchens provide a place to relax and entertain, with a variety of styles available, from DIY to professionally designed and executed. They’re also perfectly located: pick veggies from the garden and bring them right over to the cooking area to grill. Smokers and built-in fire pits are popular, natural gathering places in the backyard.

If your outdoor kitchen is composed of quality materials, it will provide a lifetime of enjoyment. Most barbecue grills and outdoor appliances are made with stainless steel and designed to withstand tough Canadian weather environments.

Phil Zylstra at Growing Gardens in Waterdown says although stonework can be expensive, he does have clients looking for outdoor kitchen design on a fairly regular basis. “Clients look for countertops, and a straightforward, functional space.” He also agrees that smokers are prevalent and gaining in popularity. 

There are a few important considerations when designing your own outdoor kitchen. Do you want high-end accessories that will last, or maybe something a little more affordable? Another aspect to consider is making sure to put things in relation to one another and deciding on how functional you want the kitchen, and where everything should be placed. Hanging storage is very popular, but might only work if you plan to bring the pots and pans inside when you are finished so they’re not exposed to the elements. If they’re staying outside, stainless steel is a great, tough option.

In the end, though, the only thing that matters is that you enjoy your outdoor living space during the very fleeting summer months that are ours to enjoy. Design it to your specifications and desires and you’ll spend every minute you can with friends and family, making the most of summer

by Allison Dempsey

Local Links

Barbecues Galore, Burlington
barbecuesgalore.ca

Cedar Springs Landscaping, Oakville
cedarsprings.net

Earthworks Landscaping, Burlington
earthworks-landscaping.ca

Growing Gardens, Waterdown
growinggardens.ca

Proscape Land Design, Oakville
proscape.net