Spelling Bee fun

I was so pleased to see my buddy Vanessa Ray (the bubbly blonde on HGTV's Marriage Under Construction) while she was in town recently. She got an amazing job playing the role of Olive in DanCap's production of the 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee.

She was AMAZING! And like a real life groupie, I waited by the stage door for her (sans flowers, Nessa, I still owe you those!). She introduced me to her fellow cast members, Dana Steingold and Andrew Keenan-Bolger. You can read more about what hapens while on a national tour of The Bee on Andrew's blog (far more technological than mine and warning, his videos are slightly addictive) http://keenanblogger.blogspot.com/

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Nathalie's Hallway

I just completed a web consultation with my first customer in Montreal! I sent her a big package with sketches and suggestions. It was fun as it allowed me to practice my graphic design abilities that I worked so hard on through four years of school.



One challenge she faced was her hallway and how to hang picture frames. She already owns a great collection of art pieces, and working within a budget, did not want to go out and buy all new pieces. But she was bored with her current configuration.

I suggested to hang the art in a random cluster, not being afraid to mix rectangles, squares, even ovals and circles in a pleasing combination. Aim for the centre of the composition to sit at around eye level (I always just use my eye as a guide, no need to bring out the measuring tape) and play with your existing frames until you are happy. Using masking tape on the wall in the shape of your frames as a test before you go poking holes (especially in wallpaper!) may be helpful.

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Jeff & Mira's bedroom

I've just finished consulting with one of my first clients Jeff & Mira (check out the digital sketch I gave them as suggestions for starting off). Jeff & Mira just purchased their first home near Liberty Village. They have a lot of hopes and dreams for their first home together, but needed some help for their small (but beautiful!) master bedroom.

Here are some tips when working with a small bedroom:

• Be smart with storage. Mira and Jeff purchased a bed from SPACE, that has storage up the wazoo! Utilizing drawers under the bed allows you to keep the bedroom peaceful and clutter free- because we all know that at the end of a long day the last thing we want to look at is yesterday's laundry on the floor! If you have a spot for everything, clutter won't accumulate.


• Use colour carefully. Jeff and Mira love intense colour (their living room is a lovely bright red!) but intense may not exactly be the mood for snuggling and sleep. Instead, take the colour you love and go a few shades lighter on the same paint chip so the colour is less saturated. Also, I am a big believer in testing a colour on the wall to see if you love it as much in the day as you do at bedtime.


• Think about scale. Sometimes less really is more (although I usually end up with the mentality of more is more, especially when it comes to shoes and purses) but edit well in a small space so pieces become focal points.

What do you think? Love to know your small spaces solutions!

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I couldn't resist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsB0CSZhae4&feature=related

I'm a Canning now- which means I'm Irish. Which also means that we had an Irish Caller at our wedding. Click above for a sample. I'm the girl dressed in white.

My friends were kind to post other videos from the ceremony:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if21egGs4ts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnMRj-ecpSc

Have a great day, Lisa

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Lisa Canning Creative Consulting

Since HGTV's show Marriage Under Construction began airing on Monday nights, I've been very flattered and slightly overwhelmed by the e-mails and phone calls from viewers interested in my ideas for adding personality and fresh design to their home.

So in the coming weeks I'll be meeting with new clients, blogging about the process, launching my new website and discovering what it's like to be miss entrepreneur (or mrs. entrepreneur!). In the meantime, feel free to check out http://www.lisasantos.ca/

Thank you so much for your e-mails and compliments. And for watching the marathon that aired while I was on honeymoon! It's kinda weird that I've now officially been part of a marathon- and to those who continue to watch, thank you!

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Lisa and Josh Tied the Knot!

Happy New Year! I begin 2008 with many new additions: a new apartment and a new last name!

I am happy to announce that on December 8th, 2007 Josh and I were married at the Newman Centre Catholic Chapel. We dined in style at The Capitol Event Theatre and danced to the sounds of the Dick Felix jazz trio and live band Soular. We began our adventure as a married couple in sunny Costa Rica among monkeys, toucans and cups of the best coffee I have ever tasted.

So I begin 2008 as Lisa Canning.

My first mission: decorating 850 square feet of our 1930's midtown apartment. Sharing photos with you will be a veritable joy- can't wait until you see them!

Second mission: learn how to cook edible food...

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His and hers decorating styles

"Marriage Under Construction..." The irony in the show name is that in a mere two weeks, I'm getting married! My fiance Josh Canning and I have found an amazing little apartment, complete with a 1930's porcelain sink and original hardwood floors. But decorating a space with someone you love can be a challenging feat. Here are some tips to avoid domestic decorating disputes!

TIP 1: The woman is always right. JUST KIDDING! But agreeing on a design style does require a lot of communication. I recommend sitting down and looking through design magazines together and tagging items that you like and you absolutely don't like. Compare and contrast and see if you can find a few words that define your style: contemporary, colourful, minimal, vintage, traditional, modern. If these words don't seem to vibe with you, look to retailers for inspiration- are you a Pottery Barn fanatic or is Urban Outfitters more up your alley? If you totally cannot agree, see if there are any elements of each style that you can get on board with.

TIP 2: Make a design board. Take these images and glue them on a board, or store them in a folder where you can go back to for reference. As you are around town, keep these references in mind. You have a collective of both of your tastes.

TIP 3: Start with paint. If you love bold and he loves boring (just kidding, again!) compromise and go with a neutral colour on the wall and use the bold colours in pieces of art, throw pillows and accessories. This way you can always change it up as your tastes (and family!) grow.

TIP 4: Similar to paint, pick out pieces you both love in the staples of your room ie. you bed, sofa, dining table. With these to anchor the room, you can add drama and flair in other areas.

TIP 5: Shop smart and often! Be very aware of sales and new stores that turn up. My favourite shopping spots include: boutiques on Queen West, boutiques on King East, big mega stores including The Brick Factory Outlet in North York, idomo, and of course, IKEA. However- be wary of purchasing everything from the same store so your space is also a reflection of you and not necessarily a show room copy cat.

TIP 6: Compromise accessorize. Here is where a lot of compromise can happen. He loves his sports memorabilia? You love your teddy bear collection? By pairing down to one or few of each (think EDIT) you can still have your favourites without making the whole place over-girly or testosterone filled. The idea is to make it look intentional, and not haphazard.

TIP 7: Hire a designer. When in doubt, involve a moderator! They will help you find common ground. They also often have inside scoops and deals with vendors. Plus, their experience will ensure your design ends with a happily ever after. And we all want that!

Love to hear your stories,

Lisa (soon to be) Canning

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Episode 9- Master bedroom

This is my favourite room in Derek and Vanessa's house. I think it's my favourite because it really feels like an oasis. I love it so much that I decided to go with a similar colour scheme for my own master bedroom!

Some fun things to mention:

We shopped till we dropped at Union Lighting in Toronto. Union Lighting holds a cornucopia of lighting, bedding, chairs, accessories and more. There really is something for everyone there- and Derek and Nessa fell in love with a beige ultra suede chair- it cost 2/3 of their $1500 budget but was worth the price. A tip- always ask if you can buy the floor model.

We saved a lot of money by making things ourselves- the headboard, a side table and recovering cushions for the window seat.

We further saved money by shopping at another one of my favourite retailers- Dollarama. Gotta love volume prices. They have picture frames, candles, trays, plates that with the right pairings, can look priceless. We also shopped at stores that you wouldn't think have a large variety of home goods. Zellers is my new secret treasure to share with you. The Alfred Sung line is fabulous- the bedding and side tables are Alfred Sung Home.

Read below on other ways you can add value, personality and character to your home. Love to hear about your own projects!

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Episode 9- Custom Side Table

After some budgeting, Vanessa was able to purchase a beautiful mirrored side table from Union Lighting. However, this left little money for Derek's side table. So I came up with a creative use for an old kitchen cabinet.

Step 1: Find your table top. A friend was redoing her kitchen and gave me her old cabinet door (still looks great!). I also find a lot of my treasures at the handy person's corner at the AS IS department of IKEA.

Step 2: Find your legs. My silver legs, used to complement the reflective surfaces in Vanessa's side table, were taken again from AS IS at IKEA. You can also purchase legs in many forms at a hardware store.

Step 3: Attach the legs. To do this, we purchased small kits ($1.99 each!) that include the plate and screws. For this to work, your legs must have a metal part that will fit into the plate. Ask your friendly associates at your local hardware store for help in this area.

Step 4: Attach the plates to your tale top and screw your legs in. Ta da! Simple bedside table solution.

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Episode 9- DIY Headboard

A wallpaper headboard? Think I'm nuts? So did my clients- but Derek and Vanessa's headboard turned out gorgeous, is completely custom and extremely cost effective. There is a lot of flexibility in this project for some very creative approaches!

Step 1: Measure the space for your headboard. I used a large piece of craft paper to help me to visualize it around the bed. Scale is important here- you want to ensure that it is a few inches wider than your mattress. In terms of height, customarily your side tables are the height of your mattress and the headboard the height of your lamps. But I went big for more drama- that is the beauty of using the craft paper, you can guess and test until you are happy. You may also consider experimenting with an arc or wavy lines.

Step 2: Choose your wallpaper. I picked a beige wallpaper that has a tone on tone design. What I like most about the colour is that is a similar value to the blue- so the two are quite harmonious. Wallpaper, which is a huge trend in home design right now, comes in a rainbow of colours, textures and prints. Since you are only using a small amount, you may consider purchasing one panel of a more expensive paper for drama.

Step 3: Using your craft paper and a level, give yourself small guidelines with pencil on your wall. This will help you line up the wallpaper and ensure it is perfectly in place!

Step 4: Wallpaper. I have NEVER wallpapered and was completely scared of the experience. So I purchased a beginners set from The Home Depot, which came complete with a tray and all tools.

Wallpaper these days comes with the adhesive already applied- so no goopy scary stuff! So I followed the instructions on the package which included cutting the paper to size, giving it a little bath in the tray for 5 minutes, and applying it to the wall.

If you are using a pattern, take care to ensure the pattern lines up!

Step 5: Squeeze! Using sponges and tools provided, remove all excess water and air bubbles, leaving a perfectly smooth finish.

Step 6: Apply decorative trim if desired. We used a decorative wood trim, cut on 45 degree angles around the paper. I think it gives it a very professional finish!

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Happy reading

http://www.thestar.com/living/article/272437

An article on the show in the Toronto Star.

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A first time for everything...

Hey everyone! A small recap in case you are stumbling upon my page (welcome, by the way!). I recently made the move into interiors from the world of fashion and designed my first house this summer for a young couple, Derek and Vanessa. God has a funny sense of humour as He thought it might be fun to feature my first time designing a house every Monday night at 9:30 on HGTV's Marriage Under Construction (aah!). Needless to say, it was an amazing experience and one I am happy to share.

My clients had a very limited budget that had to accommodate a renovation as well, so I had to be VERY creative to stretch their minuscule budget. So I learned how to upholster chairs myself, sew my own pillows, create new furniture out of items they already had and shop very smart. I had an amazing time working on the house and on the show. Derek and Vanessa were a joy to work with. We laughed a lot, we all learned a lot and they were very willing to jump in, get their hands dirty and learn by trial and error.

Having a sense of humour about things was important in such an (at times) arduous process of renovating. Vincenzo Sica, our contractor extraordinaire, had a great sense of humour and was very patient with my ignorance to the world of construction (he has a vault of classic things I did / asked before I got schooled on power tools). His team was equally fabulous and bailed me out of many situations (Sean, Nathan and Jesse). Thanks boys! I now feel like I fit in at Home Depot.

On top of designing for my very first clients, the whole process was captured on camera. This involved (attempting) to look like a pulled together grown-up every day, being articulate and again having a sense of humour about things. I must say, I loved the crew, and we became our own little (at times dysfunctional!) family. When you spend as much time together with people as you do when you create a television show, you get a little attached. I admittedly am in withdrawal and miss the MUC crew (Directors: Richard, Vinny; Production Coordinators/assistants: Dan, Triton, Alex, Ashlee; Camera operators: Matt, Matt, Jeffers, Andrew; Sound: Mikey, Bart(s), Kuba)

I had so much fun working with Derek and Vanessa I have decided to launch my own business- I'm currently working with a creative design firm to launch my website and my logo. I can't wait for you all to see it!

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Do-it-yourself upholstery

On the small budget that Derek and Vanessa had, it was imperative to think outside the box- and one way was attempting to re-upholster furniture myself. Caution- this is not a project for the faint of heart, I practiced several times before I was happy with the result, but it did save me several hundreds of dollars!

Another note of caution: while I love to reclaim, I think it is important to invest in show stopper pieces. Going to a professional upholsterer may be an investment, but you will be extremely happy with the results. A transformed piece of furniture is a great way to secure originality in your home and create a cohesive colour scheme!

But for a temporary or price conscious alternative for the brave, read on!

Step 1- Find your furniture. I purchased tub chairs from Goodwill for $5 each! They were a maroon colour and very badly stained.

Step 2- Purchase desired fabric. At Designer Fabrics (perhaps one of the greatest fabric stores in Toronto) the knowledgeable and courteous staff help you determine how much fabric to buy as long as you have rough measurements of your piece. Keep in mind that it has to be a durable fabric if it is for something with high traffic like a sofa or chair. Save the silks for decorative pillows.

Step 3: Use the original fabric on the chair as your pattern. Carefully remove the pieces from your furniture. They are most likely stapled and glued securely. My chair came apart in 6 clearly defined pieces, plus the seat cushion.

Lay the original fabric pieces on your new fabric and trace a generous seam allowance of 2-3". Cut our your pieces and sew together, following the pattern of your original pieces.

Step 4: Staple and sew. You should now have large pieces that resemble the old fabric that you removed. If you're lucky, you may be able to just fit the fabric over like a traditional slipcover (kind of like a tight fitting pillow case). In my case, I had to push the fabric into crevices in the chair and using a heavy duty staple gun, secure them in place.

This is the trial and error portion. I had to fidget with the seam allowance and with stapling until I was happy with the outcome- but it was very manageable, it just required a little patience.

Step 5: Piping and decorative details. My chair originally came with piping, which covered the staple marks. Covering the piping in my new fabric, using an industrial glue gun I glued the piping in place.

Upholstery gives any piece of furniture a face lift! If you are interested in learning how to re-upholster yourself, there are classes you can take where they provide you with all the tools- you just bring your furniture and creative spirit along with you.

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Episode 8- You might even call me a bargainista

I love the word bargain. For Derek and Nessa's living room and dining room I was able to score several. Here are a couple of way to save money/add originality in your living / dining room:

COUCH- We were able to get an "AS-IS" couch from IKEA for several hundred dollars. I have seen some as low as $500, originally marked at $1200. If you don't mind a few minor scuffs (that can be covered with new slipcovers), be dilligent in shopping their AS IS department.

CHAIRS- I bought their chairs for $5 each at Goodwill (yes! $5!!!!!). With new fabric and a little ingeniuity (and trial and error) I recovered them myself. For a quick how-to, read my post on do-it-yourself upholstering. A much less expensive alternative, even if you do get them covered professionaly.

CHANDELIER- At first, we were going to make a custom lampshade. But while shopping at Romancing the Home on the Danforth, I found an AMAZING crystal chandelier. What I love about the chandelier is that is has both masculine and feminine appeal. And as a plus, you can alter how many crystals hang from it. While I love reclaiming things, I think it is important to invest money and treat yourself to showstopper pieces.

TYPEWRITER- old typewriter + cute lovenotes= unique message centre. I found the typewriter for $10 at Double Take on Gerrard. (I have another in my garage that I found at Goodwill for $5). I was lucky- it was still operational, an Derek and Nessa use it to leave each other a string of messages. Plus, it's vintage appeal acts as a conversation starter.

Love to hear about your own unique finds- please feel free to post your own tips.

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Episode 8- Living Room Window Treatment

Nessa and Derek have a wonderful large window in their living room- as a unique treatment for privacy and decor, here is how to create your own decorative window screen:

1) Find a frame- I again used a window that came from the extension on the back of the house. A wood frame such as one used for an artist canvas or a picture frame could also work!

2) Play designer! Play around with shapes, patterns, words- using adhesive paper (purchased from DeSerres art supply store for $24.99 for a large roll) cut out your desired shapes.

3) Place the adhesive shapes on a piece of vellum paper. Vellum is a specialty paper that is transulscent (ie. allows light to shine through) and the opaque pieces of sticker will block the light allowing for interesting patterns to shine through.

4) Staple the paper (carefully!) to the backside of your frame. Tip: try your best to keep the staples neat as you'll be able to see them on the other side of the window! (Alternatively, you could trip out the edges in a ribbon or paper trim).

5) Hang the frame. We used chain and eye hooks to allow the treatment to hang in the middle of the window!

Enjoy!

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