Sam Pynn is a nice person. She knows that we read a lot of magazines and blogs that teach us how to apply ‘quick fixes’ in our own homes, and she is sensitive when the results of our efforts don’t quite turn out as planned, as in the case of this Toronto woman’s bathroom… From Veena:? “Dear Samantha, I need a new shower curtain and wonder if you have any suggestions

It’s true — we say this about IDS every year: it just keeps getting better!? This past weekend I grabbed my camera (and my photographer friend, Kelly Lawson ), put on some comfortable shoes lost myself in the latest and hottest trends, products, and creative minds in contemporary design. ? Here’s what made my ‘greatest hits’ list from IDS 2012…

With opening night for IDS 2012 less than a day away, I wanted to check in with Karim Rashid , the featured attraction at the Opening party on Thursday night .? Karim with Xperia Arc 2 Phone cover for Sony Ericsson, Sweden, 2011 Having met him once before, I’m pleased to report that he’s as forthright and provocative as ever.? Taking time from a busy schedule, he tells me what music you won’t find in his ipod, which designer he feels is woefully under appreciated, and reflects on his Canadian roots. Meet Karim while getting your groove on at this Thursday night’s OPENING PARTY IDS 2012! Judith: What, if anything, has design taught you about music (or vice versa)?

Let’s face it, it’s the middle of January and it’s cold.

Now that the holiday season feels as if it was so long ago, we have two things on our minds here at Marla Brown Headquarters. What to do with all those fun little gifts sitting on the re-gifting shelf

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess there are very few among us with empty closets or shelves that we’re actually looking to fill up with more stuff. Most of us are constantly on the lookout for storage solutions

As part of a lead-up to IDS 2012, my first posting featured the ‘must see’ exhibitors of Studio North . Now, for part two of this four-part series, let’s tour the ‘rest’ of the Nation’s finest Contemporary Fair ‘must visit’ booths!? Shauna Levy and her team of producers have once again pulled together a lively design show that surpasses the year before. No easy feat

In 2008 my husband and I walked into a design studio in Toronto.

Sam Pynn to the rescue!? The design expert and host of the web series The Mix and The Switch is back to help another lucky reader with her design dilemma . Get Sam’s tips below on how to inject some stylish interest into a front hallway lacking pizazz. Hi Samantha, I’m looking for some help with our front hallway.? We live in a 100-year old semi in Toronto and are trying to inject some pizazz into the front hallway, which is quite open to the rest of the house.? Attached are some photos of the hall and the site lines into the dining room, kitchen and living room

When my husband and I were picking colours for our pre-construction condo nearly two years ago, the flooring was one of the biggest point of contention.