Tim Cutts and Margaret Sommerville know how to light up a room — using everything from tarnished kettles and hand mixers to old musical instruments, rotary phones and Singer sewing machines.

Owners of Rekindled Lighting, the Ottawa couple make funky lamps and oil lanterns out of unique items they find at flea markets, antique shops and thrift stores.

Tim Cutts and Margaret Sommerville make funky lamps out of old objects.

Frankenlamp II, $245

“Pretty much anything is fair game — vintage cameras, clocks, small kitchen appliances, old lanterns, and tools are a few examples of the items that have been upcycled,” says Cutts, a retired mechanical engineer who credits his wife for coming up with the home-based business two years ago.

“I was looking for a unique gift for my son,” recalls Sommerville, a mother of two who runs her own landscape design business called Garden Renaissance.

Art Deco Copper Kettle Lamp, $140

She’d seen a lamp made out of a coffee percolator and wanted to make one for her artsy son. Unable to find the right coffee pot, she opted instead for an old two-slice chrome toaster. “Adam really liked it and so did his friends.”

That was the spark that ignited Rekindled Lighting.

Steampunk Clock Case Lamp, $295

In their small home workshop, they tinker for hours, cobbling together brass door knobs, industrial gears and retro kitchen appliances into decorative lights or quirky clocks. What looks like a rusty blow torch, old-school film projector or leaky coffee Thermos to you becomes the base for one of their clever creations. Their offbeat lamp shades range from metal cheese graters to aluminum jelly moulds.

Singer Sewing Machine Lamp, $330

“Nothing is designed until we sit down and start putting it together,” says Cutts, who has buckets of bits and pieces he digs through for inspiration. He uses a lathe to make a wooden base to stabilize the lamp or clock and hide electrical wires.

Whenever possible, minimal alterations are made to the original piece and old-style Edison light bulbs are used to complement the aged look of the lamps.

Frankenlamp III, $285

Though they admit they won’t get rich from their crafty business, it’s a hobby they enjoy doing together.

“We both love wandering around vintage stores. We both have a thing for old technologies and how to integrate them into lights and clocks,” says Cutts, who even visits junkyards to scout out interesting metal scraps and small car parts to add to their functional artworks. “It’s just a fun thing to do.”

When asked to describe the style of their one-of-a-kind lamps and clocks, Sommerville says they range from “elegant to steampunk industrial.” Sold online or at the annual spring and Christmas Homemade Harvest craft shows, they’re priced between $120 and $350. Custom orders are also welcome.

Kodak Vigilant Six-20 Camera Lamp, $195

“The price reflects the time we put into them,” says Sommerville, who estimates it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to several hours to assemble one of their lamps. “The cost of most of these things is the labour.”

For more information, visit rekindledlighting.com.

Too often, bananas turn black on our kitchen counter before we eat them and either get dumped in the green bin or tossed in the freezer — where they’re usually lost and forgotten — for making banana bread. But did you know a bag of rice and a blow dryer can make the overripe fruit edible again?

Shucking corn isn’t rocket science, but removing all those silky threads can be a sticky, tricky job and for many of us, peeling a boiled egg or garlic bulb is just downright frustrating.

But thanks to the wonderful world of online life hacks, reducing food waste and time preparing meals is well, a piece of cake.

Banana magic

A friend recently sent me a link to a video showing how to “rejuvenate overripe bananas.” I have to say, it’s nothing short of magical.

Here’s what you do: Place the blackened banana into an airtight plastic bag with a couple handfuls of rice and leave for an hour. For anyone who has tried to salvage a wet cellphone by burying it in rice, this works the same way, with the rice absorbing the moisture from the banana. But here’s the really cool part: Take the banana out of the bag and give it a few blasts of air with a blow dryer set on low and the peel magically turns yellow again.

Husking corn is easy if you microwave it first.

Silk-free touch

Corn on the cob smothered in butter is a summer favourite, but strands of silky husk always get stuck in your teeth. Not anymore.

Here’s what you do: Leaving the ear of corn in the husk, microwave on high for four minutes. Remove with oven mitts and cut off the bottom of the cob. Holding the cob by the silky top, lightly shake and presto: the cooked, silk-free cob slides right out.

How cool is that? Don’t believe me. Watch the video.

Boiled eggs are often difficult to peel.

Get cracking

At my house, peeling hard boiled eggs usually falls on me, simply to avoid listening to my grumbling family at the breakfast table. But even after many years of practice, I often rip out chunks of egg trying to remove the shell or leave behind a few tiny shards that someone’s teeth always seem to find. So I can’t wait to put this trick to the test.

Here’s what you do: Standing over the sink, submerge the boiled egg in a glass of water. Place your hand over the top of the glass and give it a couple vigorous shakes. Like magic, the entire shell slides off the egg.

Other cool food tricks:

Easy-peel garlic bulb: food-hacks..com/how-to/peel-entire-bulb-garlic-without-actually-peeling-0154867

Coring a strawberry with a straw: 

Carlos Card never shies away from a new adventure.

“I have no fear of risk,” says the retired conservation biologist, whose 25-year career took him to some of the poorest regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America, where he worked primarily with reptiles and snakes. Malaria and typhoid were common hazards of the job.

His wife, Lisa, has done her fair share of exotic travel, but admits she’s nowhere near as brave, especially when it comes to money matters.

“I have a deep-seated fear of financial risk,” confesses the Toronto zookeeper, who has globe-trotted extensively as a biologist  to visit the natural habitats of gorillas, lions and other wild animals in Africa and South America. “I have always been very insecure about my financial future.”

Carlos and Lisa Card traded life in urban Toronto for the charming village of Merrickville where they work and live in a historic property along the main street.

But in May, after months of research and number crunching, the couple took a giant leap of faith, moving from The Beaches in Toronto to the small village of Merrickville, 45 minutes southwest of Ottawa, to open Chaiya Decor, a store specializing in imported art, textiles and furniture.

“Lisa came up with the idea and I dragged her kicking and screaming,” quips Card, 50, who had been working in a high-paying corporate position in Toronto when his wife started scouring MLS listings last fall for a property to fulfil her dream of owning a small art gallery/import business. “I hated my corporate job. I wasn’t proud of what I was doing,” he says.

Chaiya, a Cambodian word meaning luminous beauty, combines the couple’s two big loves: travelling “off-the-beaten path” to experience diverse cultures and handcrafted, one-of-a-kind art.

A live edge wood table made of reclaimed acacia hardwood sells for $2,999 at Chaiya Decor.

“We buy from the people who make the stuff,” says Card, who refuses to support factory-made furniture or child labour. “At Chaiya, we provide a conduit for handmade works of art produced by well-established fair trade organizations that we personally visit, or individual artists living in rural villages that we meet while we are travelling.”

The fine handwoven silk scarves by the store’s front door are just one example. While touring a poor village in Laos in Southeast Asia last year, the couple met a woman weaving on a loom outside her house. She sells the richly coloured scarves to raise money to send her 13-year-old daughter to school since education is not government funded. The Cards bought up everything she had and are planning a return trip in January to buy more.

Every piece — from the smooth jade Zimbabwe sculptures and carved sandstone Buddhas of India to handwoven baskets from Cambodia and high-end organza wall hangings from Thailand — has a story to tell, says Card, who takes great pride in knowing many of the artists by name and paying them directly for their work.

Every unique piece — from this African sculpture to the silk handwoven scarves from Southeast Asia — has a story to tell.

Chaiya is also the exclusive Canadian retailer for Bua Bhat, an organization in Thailand that hires local women to weave rugs, pillow covers and throws out of leftover fabric from garment factories. Many of the weavers work from home, which allows them to care for their children while earning money for the family.

“As conservation biologists, the lesson we learned was if you really want to have an impact on all of the issues that people are concerned about today … global warming, deforestation … then you need to impact the economies of some of these poorer nations where these issues are prominent,” Card says.

Carlos and Lisa Card spent 25 years working as biologists in Asia, Africa and Latin America, collecting textiles, furniture and art during their travels. They’ve now opened a new shop in Merrickville, Chaiya Decor, to sell some of their favourite finds.

All of Chaiya’s handcrafted furniture, including the live edge dining tables and benches, are built from reclaimed tropical hardwoods, including acacia from Indonesia and India’s sheesham and rosewood. “We don’t want to be cutting down forests,” says Card, a strong proponent of sustainability and protecting the environment.

“We are aware that our efforts will not change the world, but it is a small contribution” that makes us feel good, he says.

While continuing to work part time at the Toronto Zoo, Lisa, 52, does all the buying for the store and looks for “things that have an ethnic flavour, but are not what you’re going to see in other import shops.”

These pillows from Thailand are made by women in their homes, allowing them to care for their children while making money for their families.

Located in a village known for its large artistic community, the Cards are also promoting local talent, by featuring watercolours and wood sculptures by Merrickville artist Jim Jordan in the store.

“What’s good for your business is good for the village and what’s good for the village is good for my business,” beams Lisa, reciting the Merrickville ethos.

If you go

What: Chaiya Decor

Where: 323 St. Lawrence St., Merrickville

Cool finds: Life-size horse made of driftwood, $2,999; long, skinny console table made of sono wood, $1,495; and a butter jade tortoise from Zimbabwe, $319

Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Info: 613-269-4242 or on Facebook

Why should Canada Day celebrations last just one day? There’s no reason we can’t show our national pride all year long with one of these great finds.

Put your feet up

Bear Chair Company Adirondack lounger at lowes.ca.

This solid pine chaise lounger from The Bear Chair Company is a classic Adirondack chair — and then some. Perfect for summer afternoon naps in the shade, it’s available online only for $209.99 at lowes.ca. Some assembly is required.

Blast from the past

Smeg ’50s-style fridge at Drake General Store, located in Hudson’s Bay Rideau Centre.

Up the cool factor in the kitchen with the Smeg ’50s-style fridge. Available in 10 vibrant colours, including patriotic red, the Italian-designed appliance is not only flashy, but energy efficient, too. Can be custom ordered at Drake General Store, located in Hudson’s Bay Rideau Centre, for $2,999.

Sweet dreams

Pencil post bed from The Emporium.

A modern take on the classic pencil post bed, this solid pine design features hand-turned finials painted coal black. We found the antique reproduction for $1,899 at The Emporium, 47 Main St.

Tea with Tom

Tom Thomson Tea for One at Dream Weaver.

One of Canada’s Group of Seven artists, Tom Thomson captured the natural beauty of Algonquin Park in his famous The Jack Pine painting in 1917. Transferred onto fine bone china, the artsy tea set for one sells for $35 at Dream Weaver in Westboro.

Comfort to go

Multi-stripe Butterfly Chair at Hudson’s Bay.

Whether you’re sitting on the sidelines at your child’s soccer game or relaxing at the beach with a good book, the Multi-stripe Butterfly Chair offers portable comfort. Available in two striped fabrics, you’ll find it for $85 (market umbrella, $110) at Hudson’s Bay.

Sweet glow

Maple Syrup Candle at Dream Weaver.

Nothing smells more delicious than maple syrup poured over a stack of hot pancakes. Treat your senses to the sweet scent with the Retro-tin Maple Syrup Candle. Made of organic soy, it makes an ideal cottage hostess gift. We found it for $16 at Dream Weaver, 320 Richmond Rd.

Snug as a bug

Roots Tweed Cabin pillows and blankets at roots.com.

The grey, white and red socks worn by many to keep feet warm on winter days makes its way into the bedroom with the Tweed Cabin pillows and throws from Roots. Made of an acrylic blend, the collection includes a neck roll ($95), throw blanket ($125) and floor pillow ($115). Visit Roots.com for details.

Pillow talk

Charles Pachter Bay Watch pillow at Hudson’s Bay.

Inspired by the Charles Pachter painting Bay Watch, this cushion from the Hudson’s Bay Company Collection combines two strong symbols of Canada’s landscape — a moose and a lake — with the iconic Hudson’s Bay stripes. Pick it up for $95.

Stylish storage

Champlain Collection raised panel armoire from The Emporium.

Part of the Champlain Collection, this raised panel armoire in century red can be used as a bedroom dresser, kitchen pantry cupboard or TV entertainment centre. Made of solid pine with adjustable shelves, the multi-tasker can be yours for $2,375 at The Emporium, 47 Main St.

Mug up

Cosy Camp Mug from the Drake General Store.

Remember those enamelled tin cups you drank from around the campfire as youngsters? The vintage mugs were the inspiration for the Cozy Ceramic Camp Mug from Drake General Store in the Rideau Centre. Made of durable stoneware, it retails for $10.

From squirming maggots to rotting fruit and vegetables, summer green bins are a breeding ground for all things nasty.

But Andy and Michelle Harmon can make all the creepy crawlies, horrible smells and caked-on guck go away — and they’ll even come to your house to do it.

The Kanata couple are the owners and operators of The Bin Spa, a mobile pressure-washing company that uses extremely hot water and biodegradable cleaning products to wash, sanitize and deodorize dirty green bins, recycling boxes, garbage cans and composters, as well as commercial Dumpsters.

“Even if you use liners or garbage bags, bins still get dirty and smelly as liners are prone to rips and holes,” says Michelle, who served in the British army for 25 years before moving with her husband to Canada with “no job, no house, two children and lots of hope” in 2008.

“How we got into this is really bizarre. Andy has always wanted his own business,” recalls Michelle, who says they looked into owning a franchise, “but I thought, ‘I don’t want to sell coffee and chocolate bars.'”

Michelle and Andy Harmon have started an environmentally-friendly bin washing company called The Bin Spa. The mobile company will come to your home to clean and sanitize your nasty green bins, recycling containers and garbage cans.

Both 50, the Harmons say pressure-washing services are common in the UK, but what makes their company different is they don’t use harsh chemicals or dump waste water into the storm sewers.

“What people do not realize is that the compliance requirements in Ontario are significant. Believe it or not, washing a bin out comes under Regulation 347, waste management under the Environmental Protection Act,” says Michelle, who spent months researching the laws and requirements of becoming a certified green business.

“We have the permits, we are registered with the Ministry of the Environment, and have had to take out separate pollution insurance,” she says.

And the tricked out trailer they use to wash the bins is the ultimate “boy’s toy,” says Andy with a big grin.

Made of lightweight aluminum, the 17-foot trailer has dual, remote-controlled hydraulic arms that lift two bins at a time, turning them upside down over a large receptacle, where a spinning sprinkler blasts hot water and degreaser into them to clean away all the dirt and grime.

Andy then uses a retractable hose to power-wash the outside of the containers and lids before setting them back down on the ground where he wipes them dry with a clean cloth and sprays them with deodorizer.

To avoid cross contamination of bacteria, only fresh water is used for each cleaning and all of the waste water and food particles is collected in the receptacle and trucked to Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre in Gloucester for disposal. “We take everything away with us,” says Andy.

Available from April to October, biweekly residential cleanings range from $60 for six to $130 for 26.

Jim Rennicks of Barrhaven wasn’t initially sold on the idea of hiring The Bin Spa to do his dirty work.

“At first I thought, I didn’t want to spend money for someone else to clean my bins,” says Rennicks, who admits where to dump the mouldy food chunks and dirty water after hosing out bins was always a challenge. “But I got tired of maggots crawling around in my garage.”

Now, every two weeks, Andy pulls up with his trailer to wash Rennicks’ green bin, garbage cans and recycling bins.”My garage has never smelled so good,” says the happy homeowner.

“After working all day, you don’t want to come home and clean your green bin,” says Andy, who admits it can be a disgusting job, especially when you get splashed with the pungent water or have to hose down slithering invaders.

“I love maggots,” quips the stocky Brit, who can clean up to 200 bins a day with his custom trailer. “Somebody’s got to do the stinky business.”

Info: 613-986-2467 or thebinspa.com

Whether you favour gas over charcoal barbecues — or the other way around — you need tools to cook your favourite meats, fish and veggies on the grill. Here are six cool tools worth a try.

Three-in-one flipper

Montana Retractable Spatula

A spatula is a barbecuing essential. What makes this Montana tool cool is it adjusts to three retractable lengths and features an extra-wide head, hardwood handle and a serrated edge for cutting meats. $39.99 at Capital Appliance and BBQ, 12 Grenfell Cres.

Light my fire

Looflighter

It looks like an oversized curling iron and sounds like a blow dryer when plugged it, but the Looftlighter is actually a fire starter that uses hot air — not nasty lighter fluid — to ignite charcoal and wood. $119 at The Fireplace Center and Patio Shop, 1722 Carling Ave. and 1452 Cyrville Rd.

Brush it on

Schmidt Bros. BBQ Basting Brush

No risk of burning your fingers while applying sauce or marinade over an open flame with the Schmidt Bros. BBQ Basting Brush. Made of strong stainless steel with a smooth wooden handle, it features an angled heat-resistant silicone brush that pulls off for easy cleaning. $17.99 at HomeSense.

Kabobs a-plenty

Fire Wire skewer

Ideal for grilling cubes of meat, fish and veggies for a large group, the Fire Wire Flexible Grilling Skewer is a flexible stainless cable that is twice as long as a traditional metal skewer. $11.99 at Capital Appliance and BBQ, 12 Grenfell Cres.

Keep it cool

High Temperature Grill Glove

Removing baked potatoes, rotisserie chicken and corn on the cob from a hot grill is easy on the hand with the Professional High Temperature Grill Glove from Outset. Heat resistant to 246 C, the thick glove features silicone grips on both sides, so it can be worn on either hand. $19.99 at Home Outfitters.

Smokin’ hot

Smokerin Smoker Set

Love the smoky flavour served at steakhouses? Well, you can easily add your own with the Montana Smokerin Smoker Set. Simply fill the stainless tube with wet wood chips and place on the grill. When it starts to smoke, it’s time to barbecue. $39.95 at The Fireplace Center and Patio Shop, 1722 Carling Ave. and 1452 Cyrville Rd.

An increasing number of people are turning to the ancient power of essential oils as a way to lead a more “natural life” and relieve pain, reduce stress and jolt lagging libidos.

“Some have been used for thousands of years,” says Heather Garrod, a certified aromatherapist and owner of Planet Botanix, a shop specializing in natural health care products and wellness services on Bank Street. “They’re tried and true.”

Extracted from plants, flowers and herbs, Garrod says the potent essences were used by ancient civilizations to improve health — physical, mental and emotional — and overall quality of life.

Ottawa aromatherapist Heather Garrod says ‘less is more’ when it comes to using essential oils./

The highly fragrant scents of these concentrated oils are inhaled through diffusers, sprays and steamy baths or diluted and rubbed on the skin. Their uses are many: from treating sunburns, relieving anxiety and improving circulation to sanitizing dirty toilets, fighting colds and boosting your sex drive.

According to the Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists, they “contain the life force of the plant and have the ability to strengthen our immune system and to stimulate our body’s natural healing abilities.”

The Canadian Cancer Society even supports aromatherapy as a way to help manage the ill effects of treating the disease.

“Aromatherapy is often used as a complementary therapy with conventional cancer treatment to improve a person’s quality of life,” according to the society’s website. “There is some evidence that aromatherapy helps reduce anxiety, tension and pain in people with cancer. For example, lavender oil is promoted to relieve anxiety, muscular tension and trouble sleeping (insomnia). Some reports also suggest that inhaled peppermint, ginger and cardamom oil may relieve nausea caused by chemotherapy and radiation treatments.”

Lavender can help relieve stress and help you sleep.

Elana Millman, author of Aromatherapy for Sensual Living: Essential Oils for the Ecstatic Soul (see review), has used essential oils “every day for every aspect of life” for more than 20 years, firmly believing “they are indispensable, simple tools that amplify health and vitality.”

A Toronto-based holistic healer and aromatherapist, Millman says aromatherapy is “so much more than a candy-coated cure-all achieved by simply placing a few drops on a tissue or in an oil burner to get the promised relaxing or stimulating effect.”

She says it’s a way to connect with the natural world and tap into its therapeutic powers.

“I use essential oils every day and in every way, from stimulating my love life to healing a broken heart to brushing my teeth to treating a wound and even flavouring my food,” she says.

It can take large volumes of plant material to get small amounts of essential oil.

When it comes to using essential oils, Garrod says: “Less is more.” She also recommends reading labels carefully to ensure the oils you’re buying are pure and not petroleum based and trying different combinations since aromatherapy is “not an exact science.”

But unlike Millman, Garrod doesn’t recommend adding them to food and drinks. “They’re too strong for cooking,” says the mother of two, adding it can take large volumes of plant material to get a small amount of essential oil. Instead, she suggests using the actual plant to spice up recipes.

Ideal for students, rosemary improves focus and concentration.

Garrod’s five essential essential oils

1. Lavender: “first-aid in a bottle,” it helps you sleep, relieves pain and stress, speeds healing

2. Thyme: anti-bacterial that prevents infections, improves circulation, relieves cramps

3. Bergamot: extracted from the citrus rind, it’s an antidepressant, relaxant and cure for urinary tract infections.

4. Rosemary: improves focus and concentration, sooths dry, flaky scalps, tones skin

5. Frankincense: reduces stress, relieves indigestion, tightens skin (anti-aging), heals minor cuts and bug bites

A faithful user of essential oils, Elana Millman says the natural nectars not only smell good, but they also relieve upset stomachs, enhance the flavour of food and “rev your erotic engine.”

In her new book, Aromatherapy for Sensual Living, Essential Oils for the Ecstatic Soul, the Toronto-based holistic healer and aromatherapist describes the pure, fragrant essences extracted from plants and flowers as “indispensable, simple tools that amplify health and vitality.”

A few drops of essential oils can boost your spirits, relieve an upset stomach and deepen a person’s sensuality.

In the hardcover guide, Millman gives tips for blending oils to make everything from deodorizing room sprays and body scrubs to tasty fruit drinks and sensual massage oils and offers a brief history of perfume — “Societies have been distilling plants for beauty, perfume and medicine for more than 5,000 years.”

There is also a chapter on “bewitching beauty rituals,” ranging from body oiling and facial steams to mud masks and hair treatments and pointers for using aromatherapy to heal a broken heart, meditate and deepen sensuality.

Extracted from plants and flowers, essential oils are pure and potent.

“My goal is to demystify the mysterious and somewhat shadowy world of aromatherapy and make it easy, fun and accessible so you will confidently use these precious libations as part of your regular practice,” Millman explains, who encourages readers to experiment with oils in the kitchen, bedroom and home spa.

For more than 20 years, author Elana Millman has been using essential oils “every day in every aspect of life,” including meditation.

To better understand the “personality” of essential oils, Millman outlines the profile of more than 40, including cinnamon (“hot-blooded babe from head to toe”), rosemary (“spotlessly fresh”) and tarragon (“familiar yet curiously exotic”) and the best oils to pair with them.

“Essential oils are outstanding implements that impart enormous mental, physical and spiritual benefits with surprising simplicity and potent results,” she says.

Aromatherapy for Sensual Living: Essential Oils for the Ecstatic Soul

By Elana Millman, Skyhorse Publishing, hardcover, $35.99

Summer is here and it’s time to throw the ultimate pool party. Here are eight fun finds to make a big splash.

Slice of life

Lounging in the pool turns wacky with the Swimline Pool Pizza Slice Float. Made of durable vinyl with easy-to-inflate valves, the all-dressed pie features a pizza crust headrest, two cup holders and bungee straps to connect up to eight slices. We found them for $129.99 each at poolsuppliescanada.ca.

Sun block

Hauser retractable freestanding awning.

Shield guests from blistering summer rays with this free-standing, retractable awning. Measuring eight by 10 feet, the stylish sunshade retails for $5,409 at Hauser, 1723 Carling Ave.

Light the way

Tonga LED light ice bucket at Club Piscine Super Fitness.

You’ll never lose sight of your chilled Chardonnay with the Tonga LED ice bucket. Waterproof with a remote control and rechargeable base, the bucket changes to 24 different colours. It can be yours for $119 at Club Piscine Super Fitness, 285 West Hunt Club Rd.

Safety first

Beachcomber melamine dinnerware collection at Bed Bath & Beyond.

Glass dishes on a patio or deck can spell disaster. Play it safe with the shatterproof Beachcomber melamine dinnerware collection. Pieces are sold separately from $4.69 to $19.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond.

Dual reserves

Del Sol double beverage jugs at Bed Bath & Beyond.

Sangrias or mojitos? No need to make the tough choice with the Del Sol double beverage jugs. Made of textured glass with an iron stand, each drink dispenser holds close to four litres. We found the set for $39.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond.

Chat central

Lugano sectional at Club Piscine Super Fitness.

Relax in comfort with friends and family with the Lugano sectional made of weather-resistant faux wicker. The set includes one lounger, two corners, one centre and an ottoman and is available for $999.99 at clubpiscine.ca or visit Club Piscine Super Fitness, 285 West Hunt Club Rd., to check availability.

It’s a wrap

Gemmy string lights from Lowe’s.

Light up the night with Gemmy indoor/outdoor plug-in copper wire string lights from Lowe’s. Priced at $19.99, each 10.5-foot-string features 60 tiny energy-efficient LED bulbs.

With a twist

HEMSMAK bottle from IKEA.

Stock up the fridge with flavoured waters and tropical fruit punch in the new HEMSMAK glass bottles from IKEA. Available in assorted colours with tight-fitting stopper lids, each bottle holds half a litre and is priced at $3.99.

Every Thursday is pizza night at Jean Philippe and Judy Murillo’s home near Aylmer.

But family and friends don’t gather in the kitchen. Instead, they congregate in the couple’s Pontiac backyard overlooking the Ottawa River, where Jean Philippe serves up fresh-baked pizza from his wood-burning oven.

“We love it. It’s a good thing to bond with the neighbours,” the 77-year-old father of three says of his compact pizza oven, which he ordered online seven years ago from California, and assembled next to his in-ground swimming pool, making the backyard the perfect place to entertain on summer nights.

It takes about two and a half hours for the dome-shaped stone oven to reach optimum temperature, but once it does, Murillo says he can cook two pizzas at a time in under three minutes.

“I burned a lot of pizzas in the beginning,” he admits, thanks to the oven’s scorching temperatures, which are difficult to control. The trick, he says, is to keep a close eye on the pizzas and turn them as they cook. “Now they are perfect.”

Once a week, his wife makes up a big batch of dough and guests are invited over to make their own pizzas, choosing from a wide selection of fresh ingredients.

“We love to have our neighbours here,” says the proud pizza maker, whose favourite toppings include basil pesto, ham and chorizo, caramelized onions and olives. “We know everybody on the street.”

It used to be that the expansive space above our heads was a no man’s land in the world of interior decorating. About the only exciting thing you did to your ceilings was give them a fresh coat of flat, white paint.

Not anymore.

From bold paint finishes and dramatic wallpapers to wooden beams, embossed tin tiles and decorative grid patterns, a room’s “fifth wall” is now as much a part of the overall design as the lighting, flooring and window treatments.

Distressed tin panels on the ceiling bring Old World charm to a home.

“Tell me, why do the walls get to have all the fun when the ceiling is a blank canvas just waiting for you to explore? White is not the only ceiling colour,” says interior designer Kimberley Seldon during a virtual tour of her Toronto-area home for Benjamin Moore paints.

Rich black paint is carried from the ceiling onto the walls  to create continuous flow.

The editor-in-chief for Dabble magazine, Seldon practises what she preaches. In her small powder room, the ceiling is a shimmery silver to give the small space a hit of drama, while the foyer is enveloped in rich black on both the walls and ceiling to create a chic and moody effect.

“Don’t let that fifth wall intimate you. Throw some colour onto that ceiling and have some fun,” she says.

Sarah Richardson is known for whitewashing rooms and adding pops of colour with lively fabrics, rugs and draperies, but the HGTV host says ceilings should not be overlooked.

Painting  a bold colour on the ceiling delivers a big impact.

“Why not think of your ceiling as the fifth wall, and make it a feature instead of a non-starter?” says the Toronto-based interior designer. In a boy’s nursery, she applied grey paisley wallpaper to the ceiling and along the top of the walls, then framed it with a white moulding. To keep the baby’s room from looking too formal and grown up, wide blue stripes were painted on one wall, accented with hits of eye-popping orange and a mix of polka-dot and graphic fabrics.

“If you’re pondering pattern on the ceiling, be sure to create a visual connection that helps focus your sightline at eye level,” says Richardson, who also recommends light blue or soft grey on a ceiling to create a subtle contrast. “By dressing the window in a strong blue and white geometric pattern, we were able to seamlessly connect the window to the ceiling and create interest at eye level.”

A glitzy chandelier was paired with rustic timber beams to add visual interest to the master bedroom in last year’s CHEO lottery home.

Closer to home, Ottawa interior designer Donna Correy paid special attention to the ceilings in the grand-prize Minto home in last year’s Dream of a Lifetime lottery for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

Located at Mahogany in Manotick, the four-bedroom stunner was dressed to impress with coffered ceilings and rough hewn timber beams in the master bedroom offset by an ultra-glitzy, mammoth-sized chandelier over the bed. The look was definitely rustic glam.

A similar ceiling treatment was used in the 18-foot-high great room, but this time an industrial-style iron chandelier and floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace were added to the mix to create a more ski chalet feel.

Beams on the coffered ceiling in the great room of last year’s Dream of a Lifetime lottery home gave the space a ski chalet feel.

Depending on the colour you choose, paint on a ceiling can also help visually expand a small space or, in a larger, loftier room, create a more intimate feel.

Here are a few tips from the pros at HGTV:

• Make ceilings look taller by painting them one or two shades lighter than the walls. In rooms with high ceilings, darker ceilings with lighter walls will create a cosy feel.

• Painting the ceiling and walls the same colour creates continuous flow by allowing your eye to travel upwards without interruption.

• A stormy grey/blue adds a moody effect; taupe can be calming; yellow is cheery. You could go with all-white walls accented by a swath of apple green on the ceiling for a modern, dramatic effect that really plays up the concept of ceiling-as-canvas.

Not that long ago, the only way to buy a home was to spend every weekend traipsing through house after house after house until you found the right one.

But the latest 3D technology now makes it quick and easy to narrow down the myriad choices without the overwhelming marathon of open houses, achy feet and armload of feature sheets.

Even if you’re on vacation in Europe, between meetings at work or lounging in front of the TV after supper, you can wander room-by-room through a prospective home to get a clear sense of the space, zoom in for a close-up look at the tile backsplash in the kitchen or crown mouldings in the dining room, even measure the walls in the living room to make sure your couch will fit.

Welcome to the virtual age of real estate.

“Panoramas have been around for 10 years. This is something at a totally higher level,” says Brian Frank, president of Waterbridge Media. The Ottawa company, which specializes in web design, has just started using the Matterport, an innovative 3D laser camera and software package that maps out home interiors with incredible detail. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Described by Frank as “six cameras within a camera,” the Matterport takes sweeping 360-degree photos of every room in the house, which are then digitally “stitched” together to create a seamless 3D virtual tour and dollhouse model of the house.

Jeff Hopper of Keller Williams Realty says the Matterport camera is a game changer when it comes to selling homes.

“The final product gives the user the unique ability to virtually walk through the home, as though they were actually there. It’s Google (street view) maps for real estate,” says Frank, whose company has photographed about 20 houses so far with the Matterport. “As a buyer, it’s incredible. Even if you don’t live in the geographic area of the home, you get a full tour experience.”

Saving time and reducing stress during the home-buying process are two key benefits of the new 3D technology, says Amy Stimpson of Keller Williams Ottawa Realty.

“The idea is to eliminate walking through a bunch of houses you’re not interested in whatsoever,” she says, adding she’s confident the technology will reduce the number of days a home is on the market since only “more serious buyers will step forward.”

Photographer Michael Lem is the exclusive iGuide provider in Ottawa.

Ottawa photographer Michael Lem recently partnered with Planitar in Kitchener, Ont., to introduce the company’s iGuide to the Ottawa real estate market.

Like the Matterport, the iGuide uses a high-quality laser camera not much bigger than a standard digital camera to create a 3D virtual tour of a home’s interior, says Lem. By clicking on the circles on the screen, you can “teleport” from room to room, where interactive floor plans allow you to measure the space. The online tool also provides a detailed feature sheet, built-in Google maps of the neighbourhood and a photo gallery of the property.

The iGuide provides a virtual home tour and interactive floor plans that allow you to measure the size of each room.

“It (iGuide) takes all of the desirable real estate tools and puts them into one interface that’s simple to use, works with any browser and is mobile friendly,” says Lem, who charges between $199 and $249 to create iGuide-ready homes that are under 3,000 square feet.

He’s also used the laser technology to help market condos and new builds, as well as student housing, which is especially useful for international students looking to rent an apartment before they arrive in Ottawa, he says.

The new online tools are a win-win situation for everyone involved in the buying/selling process. For buyers, they can preview as many listings as they want without leaving home. This, in turn, cuts down on showings for agents, allowing them to focus their time and energy on customer service, says Lem.

“This raises the bar and is a game changer for real estate and photography on the Internet,” says Jeff Hooper, broker and operating principal of Keller Williams Ottawa Realty. “The feedback from our agents and their clients has been outstanding.”

Despite the many benefits of using laser technology to sell a property, Frank says quality still photos remain an essential marketing tool.

“Photos are still the professional base for selling a home. They still need to be taken for MLS (Multiple Listing Service),” he says, pointing out that the laser camera can only be used inside. “But this is an additional service. It’s an extra wow factor.”

kturner@ottawacitizen.com

Seems prices are on the rise for everything these days. But smart shopping can net affordable finds without compromising on style and personality. Here are nine deals for $50 or less.

Light up the night

IKEA’s OMLOPP LED light strip for drawers.

Sneaking down to the kitchen for a midnight snack just got easier with the OMLOPP LED integrated lighting strips for drawers, $32.99 from IKEA. Starting Sept. 1, the Swedish retailer will be selling only energy-efficient LED lights.

What a big mouth!

Gluggle Jugs from C.A. Paradis.

Dating to the 1870s, Gluggle Jugs are wide-mouth pitchers shaped like fish that make a glugging sound as you pour. Available in several vibrant colours for $49.95 at C.A. Paradis, 1314 Bank St.

Under my thumb

Thumb pepper mill from Trudeau

Season any dish with a push of a button with the new Thumb from Trudeau. Made of stainless steel, the 15-centimetre tall grinder fits comfortably in one hand and releases sea salt or pepper with a push of a button. We found it for $24.99 at Glebe Emporium, 724 Bank St.

Rise and shine

Clocky alarm clock at Dream Weaver.

Clocky is every teen’s nightmare. When the alarm sounds, the quirky clock on wheels will actually jump off the nightstand and roll away beeping until you get up and turn it off. The battery-operated mini robot works on wood or carpet and sells for $50 at Dream Weaver, 320 Richmond Rd.

Spot on

Chiwawa Bleu pillow from Zone.

This pooch has a face only a mother could love. Add a touch of humour to your decor or child’s dorm with the Funny Chiwawa Bleu toss cushion, $42.50, from Zone, 471 Sussex Dr. Made of 100-per-cent cotton, it measures 43-cm square.

Curtain call

Shower curtain from Bouclair Home.

Bring a ray of sunshine into the bathroom even on the darkest morning with this yellow diamond-print shower curtain from Bouclair Home. Made of a polyester blend, it can be yours for $24.99.

Dino-mite

Klizia Stapler from Nordstrom.

Who knew stapling together essays and term papers could be so fun? Made in Italy by Ellepi, the Klizia 97 Bright stapler looks like a pterodactyl and has jaws of steel, stapling up to 16 pages at a time. We found the quirky gadget for $36.06 at Nordstrom in the Rideau Centre (ca.nordstrom.com).

Tech hygiene

WHOOSH! Screen Shine spray.

Studies have found that a cellphone is 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat. The non-toxic spray WHOOSH! Screen Shine cleans, polishes and protects all tech screens, including cellphones, tablets and laptops. Sold in three sizes: The Pocket (8 mL) for $6; On-the-Go (30 mL) for $10; and Duo (100 mL and 8 mL) for $20 at various retailers, including Canadian Tire, Walmart and Staples.

Game of chance

Wheel of Shots game at Nordstrom.

For those who like to entertain at home, Wheel of Shots is a roulette-wheel drinking game for adults that comes with a shot glass and funny instructions. WARNING: Don’t let guests drink and drive! We found it for $20.65 on the Nordstrom Canada website (ca.nordstrom.com).

With most — if not all — schools now promoting litterless lunches, here are five handy helpers your child can use again and again.

In the bag

Fluf lunch bags are ideal for all ages.

Made of certified organic cotton with a food-safe lining and cutout handles, the Fluf lunch bags are durable, spacious and eco-friendly. Available in a variety of playful prints, they are designed for all ages. $20 each at Terra20, 1304 Wellington St. West and 2685 Iris St.

Funky fabrics

Pack playfulness in your child’s lunch with a Funkins cloth napkin.

Eating lunch away from home can be daunting for some youngsters. Put a lively spin on the experience with Funkins cloth napkins/placements. Made of soft, double-sided cotton, the 38- by 33-centimetre linens come in a host of bold patterns and cartoon characters. $10 (USD) each at Myfunkins.com

Snack attack

Itzy Ritzy Snack Happens are zippered for easy access.

The Itzy Ritzy Snack Happens bags are the ideal size for a handful of animal crackers, celery sticks or fresh fruit. Made of cotton on the outside with a waterproof BPA-free lining, the bags are zippered for easy access. $9.99 at Baby EnRoute, 416 Richmond Rd.

Fill it up

S’well Satin Water Bottles are sleek and durable.

Keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours or warm for 12 with the S’well Zink Satin Water Bottle. Lightweight with a mouth large enough to add ice cubes, the double-walled, stainless bottle holds 500 mL and is practically unbreakable. $36 at Terra20

Variety pack

Yumbox Panino lunch boxes include a divided tray insert.

There’s a space for every food group in the Yumbox Panino lunch box with a divided tray insert. There are even illustrations on the bottom of the tray as a reminder to make healthy choices. $44.95 at Readi Set Go, 793 Bank St.

All through high school and college, I often pulled out my box of Crayolas and a kiddy colouring book to help manage stress. In the midst of looming deadlines and late-night cramming for exams, there was something innately comforting in spending an hour doing one of my favourite childhood activities.

Fast-forward to 2015 and book stores, big-box department chains, even airport gift shops are selling colouring books specifically for adults as a way to de-stress, relax and calm your mind and body. Gone are the goofy cartoon characters replaced with busy, intricate designs and inspiring titles such as Color Me Happy, Color Me Calm and Color Me Stress Free.

Colouring is not only fun, but it allows you to zone out and forget about your worries for a while.

If the popularity of Scottish illustrator Johanna Basford’s first book, Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Colouring Book, published in March 2013 is any indication, art therapy books for grown-ups are quickly catching on. With sales of more than 1.4 million copies worldwide, Basford’s fanciful book of black-and-white designs is one of Amazon’s bestsellers.

“Colouring books (for adults) are absolutely flying off the shelves … (they’re) one of the most in-demand items at our store,” says Bahram Olfati,  senior vice-president for Indigo Books & Music. “Whether our customers are looking to be inspired by European cityscapes or enchanted forests, our stores are stocked with colouring books to suit every personality. Many of our customers appreciate colouring books as a new creative outlet, while others set aside time for colouring as a way to de-stress after a long day.”

According to the Mandala Coloring Meditation website, the healing powers of colouring are many, ranging from enhancing meditation to encouraging self-expression. The website offers free downloads of colouring pages featuring different mandala designs. A mandala is geometric matrix with a “sacred” centre from which there are “infinite possibilities and unlimited potential.”

A mandala is a geometric shape with a “sacred” centre.

Belgium artist Steven Vrancken explains: “Within its circular shape, the mandala has the power to promote relaxation, balance the body’s energies, enhance your creativity, and support healing. The great news is you can achieve all of these benefits while having fun. And, it’s an activity you can fully participate in whether you’re four or 94,” he says.

Ottawa therapist Gill Reilly, who teaches mindfulness relaxation techniques and guided imagery to help relieve stress and anxiety, says anything that can get you to sit quietly, forget about your worries for a while and focus on the moment is an effective tool. Though she only recently heard about the adult colouring craze, she says, “It’s the right idea for calming yourself.”

Priced from about $10 to $25, adults colouring books make great gifts for students, teachers and parents alike.

kturner@ottawacitizen.com

Kory Keogan could have sat in the dark watching TV to avoid the glare of a recessed light above his head, but instead, the fast-thinking troubleshooter did his best MacGyver impersonation and rigged up a diffuser using fishing wire, two magnets and a convex mirror.

Fast-forward eight years and his makeshift solution has morphed into EzClipse, an innovative line of magnetic trims and stylish shades for pot lights and older style can lights.

EzClipse offers three product lines, including stylish fabric shades for a pop of colour.

“They literally install in seconds and are easy to remove,” says Keogan, 39, demonstrating how the round or square silicone covers and lightweight shades click onto the metal frame of a recessed ceiling light to soften the glow or dress up the bland fixture. “There’s no rewiring required, no changing parts and no mess. And when you leave, you can take it with you.”

Magnetic shades can transform any room in the house from drab to fab.

Though simple to use and affordable — low-profile covers are priced from $21; drum shades from $45 — bringing his novel decor idea to market has not been easy for the Ottawa inventor. Despite the fact there’s nothing like the EzClipse available — Keogan did a patent search to rule out any conflicts — convincing investors of the saleability of his products was challenging.

A common reaction: “We think it’s cool, but we need someone to think it’s cool before we like it,” he says.

Refusing to give up, Keogan tried to get on the popular TV show Dragons’ Den in hopes of convincing one of the wealthy venture capitalists on the panel to invest in his company. “I was trying to go down every avenue possible,” he says. When that failed, he submitted his idea to Quirky, a New York-based company that helps inventors develop their ideas by asking the general public for feedback. This time, the response was positive.

Three heavy-duty magnets ensure the EzClipse shades and silicone covers stay firmly in place.

“It was the justification I needed,” says Keogan, who started his first business at the age of 27 selling boats imported from the United States. That was followed by Tin Can Painting, a company he still owns offering interior and exterior painting services for residential and commercial properties.

Two years ago, Keogan decided to take the EzClipse “to the next level” by partnering with Ottawa businessman Mike Fleming. The company now has three product lines and an e-commerce website through Shopify. At the Ottawa Home & Garden Show in March, Keogan says the response was overwhelming.

“We literally had a traffic jam in front of our booth,” he beams, adding they are now in talks with a Canadian big-box chain to carry their products and have reached out to interior designers, home builders and lighting associations to expand their market.

Inventor Kory Keogan, right, and his business partner Mike Fleming have partnered with a Canadian big-box store to sell their EzClipse products — magnetic covers for recessed lights.

“It’s taken so long, but what really pushed me was the force to succeed,” Keogan says from his Frank Street office. “I’ve always wanted to be my own boss.”

For more information, visit www.ezclipse.com or call 613-408-5346.

Antique dealers, artisans, designers and specialty food vendors will converge on the newly redeveloped Lansdowne Park this fall for a “curated” flea market inspired by one of New York City’s top attractions.

Called 613flea, Ottawa’s not-for-profit marketplace will feature up to 50 entrepreneurs and artists selling everything from upcycled clothing, barn wood decor and vintage jewelry to retro kitchenware, organic soaps and home-baked goods, says market manager Catherine Knoll.

“613flea is where Ottawa’s creative community comes together … to create a fun — and free — marketplace at the new Lansdowne Park,” Knoll says.

Held over four Saturdays — Sept. 12 and 19 outside the Aberdeen Pavilion and Oct. 10 and 17 inside the historic building — the Bank Street event was modelled after the hugely successful Brooklyn Flea, which holds flea markets every weekend throughout the year. The New York Times has dubbed it “one of the great urban experiences in New York.”

For Ottawa shoppers, 613flea is also a great way to kickstart their holiday spending.

XO Throw Pillow from The Sweetest Digs Co. of Ottawa

If you go

Where: Outside the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park, Sept. 12 and 19; inside, Oct.10 and 17

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission: Free

Info: 613flea.ca

After selling custom furniture in Stittsville for more than 20 years — inside a 10,000-square-foot red barn since 2002 — Marc and Line Gendron are putting themselves out to pasture at the end of November.

“We’re happy to retire, but we have mixed feelings,” Marc, co-owner of Gendron Antiques and Reproductions at the corner of Carp and Hazeldean roads, said earlier this week. “We are very appreciative to the public, but we feel like we’re kind of letting them down by closing.”

Marc and Line Gendron are closing Gendron Antiques in Stittsville Nov. 30 after more than two decades in business.

Marc Gendron, 58, has a long history in the furniture business. Growing up in Victoriaville, Que., his parents were antique dealers, who peddled unique finds from across Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes in a showroom set up in a barn next to their house. It was here as a young man that he honed his skills as a furniture maker and learned how to mix custom stains, paints and waxes.

But it wasn’t until the 1990s that Marc decided to return to the furniture business. He and Line started selling quality antiques and custom reproductions to Sunday shoppers at the now-defunct Stittsville Flea Market. One booth eventually grew to four before the couple bought their existing property in 1999.

“It was just go, go, go,” recalls Marc of the early days in business, juggling full-time jobs — he as a licensed helicopter pilot training air ambulance pilots and Line as a nurse — and raising two young children. “We worked seven days a week.”

As the business continued to grow, the couple gave up their day jobs and devoted all their time to building reproductions made from new and reclaimed pine, oak or maple with extra-wide crown mouldings, iron hardware and distressed finishes.

Gendron’s 10,000-square-foot barn is a Stittsville landmark.

For about three years, the outbuildings surrounding their home and a double-car garage served as their showroom with a separate workshop on site for assembling and finishing everything from TV armoires and harvest tables to press-back dining chairs and kitchen islands. But as sales soared, expansion was again needed and in 2002, the massive, two-storey barn was built.

Located next to the Stittsville water tower, the “big red barn” with the green metal roof and multiple dormers is hard to miss.

“We’re a landmark in Stittsville,” says Marc, who admits he and Line, also 58, are looking forward to spending more time at their cottage on the Mississippi River and travelling after the store closes Nov. 30. Discounts of up to 70 per cent off will be available on remaining stock of furniture, mirrors, dishes and other collectibles.

Retirement is bittersweet for Marc and Line Gendron. ‘We’re very appreciative to the public, but we feel like we’re kind of letting them down by closing.’

“We have great customers,” says Line who is also looking forward to spending more time with her children and two grandkids. “That was the hardest part telling our customers we were closing. I’m going to miss them.”

Though the Gendrons have sold the Stittsville property — details about the new owners remain confidential, Marc says — their 33-year-old son Nicolas Gendron will continue refinishing furniture, doing repairs and building custom fireplace mantels. He can be reached through the old store phone number.

If you go

Where: 1145 Carp Rd., Stittsville
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday
Info: 613-831-2186 or gendronantiques.com

kturner@ottawacitizen.com

It’s not every day you open your front door to find a big hole where the foyer used to be and a backhoe parked in your basement.

That was the scene two years ago when Howard Silver and his wife, Lisa Johnson, embarked on a massive renovation of their Clemow Avenue home. Built in 1905, the historic red brick three-storey was in dire need of structural repairs and the couple wanted to expand the interior to accommodate their blended family of six.

“The house was very tired,” recalls Silver, founder of The Silver Group, a company specializing in residential rentals and commercial property management. Everything from underpinning the foundation and replacing all the floor joists to rebuilding the front porch and moving the inside staircase had to be done.

Shimmery metallic walls and a glitzy chandelier in the master bedroom are reminiscent of a luxurious boutique hotel.

A 1,900-square-foot addition designed by Dean Caillier of Tree House Design was also added to the back of the house to make room for a spectacular all-white kitchen with imported marble counters and a sunken family room with doors leading out to the backyard putting green. “The house is now as custom as you’ll find,” Silver says.

This home on Clemow Avenue was extensively renovated to accommodate a blended family of six.

The finished 6,500-square-foot stunner with a shimmery chic master bedroom and third-storey retreat for Silver’s 22-year-old daughter is one of five homes on this year’s Glebe House Tour. Now in its 15th year, the event will be held Sept. 20 to raise money for community programs organized by the volunteer-based Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group (GNAG).

A double-sided fireplace faced in concrete-coloured tile divides the dining and family rooms in Jami-Lynne Sytema’s Second Avenue home.

On nearby Second Avenue, architect Grant Matthew took a more streamlined approach to Jami-Lynne Sytema’s concrete and glass home, which features a soothing monochromatic colour scheme throughout the main level.

Architect Grant Matthew designed a modern home for a growing family on Second Avenue.

Built on a corner lot, the new three-storey build includes four bedrooms, a second-storey library where vibrant artwork by Sytema’s two young daughters is displayed on a magnetic wall and a double-sided fireplace between the dining and family rooms on the main floor.

A magnetic wall is the perfect place to display artwork by Sytema’s two young daughters.

Whether you favour modern design or more traditional architecture, the annual tour has no shortage of eye candy — inside and out. Here are highlights from the remaining featured homes:

Traditional on the outside, modern on the inside gives this Glebe home on Fourth Avenue the best of both worlds.

• A recently renovated stucco and stone home on Fourth Avenue that seamlessly blends old — original leaded glass windows and antique door knobs — with new — a modern white kitchen with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the backyard and luxe master bedroom retreat.

This Fourth Avenue kitchen is all about modern conveniences and functionality.

• A grand three-storey home on Linden Terrace featuring a new party-size kitchen with a commercial stainless gas stove and an elegant living room with an eclectic mix of furnishings and art.

A comfy cream sofa combined with a cowhide rug and contemporary art give this Linden Terrace living room an eclectic style.

• All-brick home on Renfrew Avenue with careful attention to details. Though its original layout has been preserved, the homeowners have given it a modern touch by adding a high-end kitchen, light-coloured walls and contemporary art.

Traditional on the outside, modern on the inside, this Renfrew Avenue home offers the best of both worlds.

A high-end kitchen gives a Renfrew Avenue home a modern touch.

If you go

What: 15th annual Glebe House Tour

When: Sept. 20 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Tickets: $30 in advance or $35 on the day of the event. Tickets are available at Bloomfields Flowers, 783 Bank St., and the Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Ave., online at gnag.ca or by calling 613-564-1058 or 613-233-8713.

Extras: Free shuttle service to each of the five homes on the tour and refreshments at the Glebe Community Centre afterward.

When temperatures start to dip and leaves on the trees turn colour, most of us start planning indoor renovations. But Carson Arthur insists fall is the perfect time to tackle outdoor projects.

Carson Arthur urges homeowners to get outside this fall and build decks, plant perennials.

From building decks and gazebos to installing a hot tub or preparing flower beds for spring, fall offers ideal weather conditions and price points for doing outdoor home improvements, says the landscape expert and host of several DIY home-improvement shows, including HGTV’s Green Force and Critical Listing.

Buying outdoor furniture at end-0f-summer sales can net big savings.

“It seems weird, building something you can’t use for six months. But fall is a beautiful time to build. It’s cooler and there are no bugs.”

Hot tubs are often on sale in the fall, making it the perfect time to install one.

A firm believer that “every reno you do outside will increase the value of your house,” Arthur says how much you invest will depend on how long you plan to stay in the home.

A wood deck, for instance, makes good economic sense for homeowners with a five- to 10-year plan. Arthur recommends MicroPro Sienna, a pressure-treated wood that looks like cedar, but without the hefty price tag. “It goes up done,” he says.

Landscaping with stone walkways and planters is a smart investment if you plan to stay in your house for 10 to 20 years, Arthur Carson says.

For those who have no intention of moving for 10 to 20 years, stone is a smarter choice. “Stone is a bigger investment, but it’s less maintenance and will last longer.”

As far as trends go, Arthur says, the choice of outdoor improvements vary by age group:

Millennials (born early 1980s to early 2000s): Plants, vegetables and flowers

Generation X (1960s to 80s): Outdoor kitchens, swimming pools, hot tubs

Baby boomers (1946 to 1964): Fully furnished outdoor rooms to extend living spaces

Adding soft lighting to the outside of your home will boost its curb appeal.

But he points out that improving a home’s curb appeal never goes out of style and can greatly increase the resale value of a home. A boldly painted front door, lush gardens and soft lighting are key elements to making a strong first impression. Author of Garden Design for Outdoor Living (HarperCollins, 2006), he also recommends adding a bench or seating to make the front yard more inviting.

If budget is an issue,  Arthur says there is no better time than fall to shop for outdoor furniture, perennials, patio sets and hot tubs when everything goes on sale. “If you’re smart, take advantage of the clearance sales.”