Watch out for this plant. Medinilla, it's grown in Ontario greenhouses, and can bloom in your home for four months. I'll be writing about it in Thursday's Hamilton Spectator.

Big and little ideas from the Interior Design Show in Toronto.

I saw this in Holland three years ago. Canned goods and preserves as decor elements. IDS 2012.

Blackboards are never out of style. IDS 2012

The kitchen in a box.

Books, stripped of their covers as design details.

Looking at my pictures at the Interior Design Show in Toronto. Orange was everywhere, if it wasn't organge, than black white and sometimes shiny seemed to be the theme. Other catchy things, the $8,000 remote controlled toilet, the shower with settings that can be programmed for each user, the kitchen in a box for the cottage. It's about $13,000 by bulthaup. As a decor item, books are still big, stripped of their covers, they look completely neutral.

The Bay goes orange at IDS 2012

Fron the Interior Design Show in Toronto. It really is true, that orange is big.

I just bought a new printer. My last one was 17 years old, but it was a good one. The new one is ok, but seems rickety and gimmicky in comparison. I am blowing through a lot of ink to try and get good photo prints.

The stone house on Mary Street is near one of my favorite homes in Hamilton, a rare pre-Confederation wood frame house that is both simple and elegant.

The house at Cannon and Mary Streets in Hamilton is for sale. It is a gem, built in 1855 with an elegant spiral staircase and curved doors into the dining room, its architectural importance was recognized with a heritage designation. The seller is hoping it remains a single family home, and is loved by its new owners. $349,000.

At the auto show I tried my new camera bag the Passport Sling by Lowepro and I gave it very high marks. Great for female frame, doesn't kill your shoulders, holds a bunch of useful stuff.