Emergency Essentials

Warning: This post has no pretty pictures but it could save your life.

This is the new book by Colin Cowie, legendary lifestyle expert. It is an immensely practical handbook and offers step-by-step instructions on everything from how to make a gracious home to fearless entertaining. But the most important thing I gained from Colin's book was his list of Emergency Essentials on Page 66. It is a list of essentials to have on hand in the event of a disaster. If you are like me, who always thinks that it is a good idea to be prepared and then put it on the back burner to do "later".....well there is no time like the present to be prepared. This list is now my top priority, not because I think that we have a disaster looming in the near future, but as a practical and necessary preparatory pre-caution we can take for ourselves, our family and loved ones.

Step 1 - Click on image to enlarge to a readable size.

Step 2 - Print this out and do everything on the list!!!

My Style Resolutions for 2008

I have been quoted in January's issue of Canadian House and Home on my Style Resolutions for 2008
Click on image for a larger view

Postscript Jan 8 2008

Thanks for all your supportive comments!! I plan to do more posts this year on how I use green and environmentally friendly products in my Interior Design for clients. It is such a timely concern and if we can each start in a small way in our own environments it can go a long way to doing something positive for our world that we all live in.

Lucite Lamp - My Kitchen

This Lucite lamp is one of those "Perfect" Christmas Gifts. It was given to me by my girlfriend Linda. She always knows exactly what I want, sometimes better than I know. I have to clarify that we have know each other for many years and met at Design School. Yes she is an Interior Designer also. Who else would give me something so perfect for my new kitchen. She has been my guiding light on the renovation of my home. When I was unsure if I was making the right decisions, I always consulted with her for her expert opinion. When I was on the search for the perfect hardware for my kitchen cabinets, I stumbled upon Lucite handles. Although I loved them I needed her opinion. Luckily she loved them and they are now a fait accompli (see the bottom 2 pictures). This is the lamp she bought me to sit on my antique 19th Century mahogany breakfast table to go with the Lucite theme. I don't know who was more excited as I unwrapped my Christmas gift - her or me!! Thanks Linda

Lucite lamp on top of my 19th Century English mahogany breakfast table with brass inlay.

My table is surrounded by my favourite chairs. The Louis XV Bergere Chair I have had for 25 years. It has a down seat cushion with a 1/4" flange edge, and is covered (in it's 3rd reincarnation) in a Scalmandre' damask fabric. The shield back chair is Georgian.

These are the Lucite handles gracing my pantry cabinets. My floors are 24" porcelain tile. I love it because it looks and feels like limestone without the hassles of limestone. Nicole, my little Yorkshire Terrier, and my grandsons like it because it is heated.

Postscript Jan 8 2008
Thanks for all your comments. I will post more pictures of my Kitchen as when it is finished.