When most people design of their project, one of the most fundamental steps is often overlooked: the Needs Analysis. This is one of the most important steps in planning, and yet most people haven’t even heard of it. A needs analysis is a process of discovery through questions and answers that seeks to fully ascertain the purpose of the room, and the different kind of people the room needs to work for. In “Bathrooms – Just Add Water”, Terence Conran [...]
There are lots of great reasons to renovate, but your ultimate success will be defined by how well you really understand what you are truly trying to achieve. You may start out thinking you want to change something for one reason, but later learn that the real problem is something else. Creating a statement of purpose is the first step in ensuring you have the correct definition of the problem(s). For example, you may say in your Statement of Purpose: [...]
Before any renovation can move into the construction phase, there has to be a plan in place – even if it’s all in your head. A plan needs two basic parts: a design for what you’re going to do, and a schedule of events that links the order of tasks in a way that makes sense. The schedule is dependent on the design. Planning a renovation or construction project, therefore, combines the skill sets of interior designers and project managers. [...]
Many Ottawa gardeners know the clematis as a fragile, fussy beauty who rewards only the most dedicated of caretakers with its lovely blooms. There is, however, a variety that may not have flowers of such showy extravagance, but is much tougher. “Tangutica”, like all clematis varieties, is a perennial woody vine of the buttercup family, but, unlike its more fastidious in-laws, is one which can survive Ottawa’s winters without protection. This is a plant that comes in to its own [...]
If you’re thinking about building a deck next summer, fall is a good time to start planning. Chris Clarke spent the summer building his new deck, and now that the project has come to a successful conclusion, he has kindly agreed to share his expertise. As a professional contractor, Chris has a lot of experience not only with building his deck but others as well. Chris’ deck was 15 feet wide and extended 17 feet out into the yard. The [...]
From September 30th to October 2nd, Ottawa’s Landsdowne Park hosted the Ottawa Home and Design Show. I’ve lived in Ottawa for a long time, and had often seen Bank Street turned into a virtual parking lot by the traffic headed for one of these large trade shows. But I hadn’t really made the effort to attend. After all, these things were for people with serious amounts of cash and square footage numbers that resemble the GDP of small countries, not [...]
Making the Decision A kitchen renovation is one of the most difficult projects a DIYer can attempt. With structural, plumbing, wiring and carpentry components, kitchen renos are definitely a complex undertaking. The inconvenience during the project is at a maximum as well: a whole new strategy for food preparation and clean-up has to be devised (dishes in the bathtub, anyone?). Sometimes, just getting to the point where you can start a project that you really want to do can be [...]
Many of us would love to work with an interior designer or decorator when improving our homes, but just can’t afford it. Others are concerned that they’ll be getting someone else’s look, not their own. There area variety of reasons to study and practice interior design and interior decorating. These factors play only a small part in why I’ve begun studying these areas. For me, it’s about a love of creating functional beauty, a love of learning, and excitement about [...]
This book is very different from most of the gardening design books you’ve already read: for one thing, the prose is very dense and academic. It also does not take the hundreds of glossy photographs approach. Nonetheless, I carried this book around with me for weeks, reading a page or two, and then having to stop and think about it for a few hours before I could continue: it’s that kind of book. Every paragraph is rich with ideas, and [...]
There are many lovely plants that make wonderful ground covers – periwinkle is one of my favourites. Overview Pros: Very low maintenance plant once established – will require some water during dry spells, and occasional weeding. Shade tolerant, but enjoys sun as long as it gets enough water (don’t let it fry, though). Spreads along the ground quickly – expands about 500% per year. Hardy: withstands winters to Canadian Zone 3 (USDA Zone 4). Evergreen – it’s the first sign [...]