It's so great to see downtown Hamilton neighbourhoods being discovered by people who love old houses, walkability, and the proximity to music, art, good food and trails. Dylan Hudecki, Skye Collins and their young family love the pulse of their Strathcona Neighbourhood. Like many young couples, their house is a centre for creativity rather than consumption. Surrounded by art, photos, handcrafted furniture, their house holds the personality of those who live in it. In the basement, Hudecki's music studio captures the organic vibe of a 60's coffee house. Young families committed to living downtown, and involved in civic issues add a lasting vitality to the core. My story and Scot Gardner's photos are on the Hamilton Spectator website. bit.ly/1jP4HFa

The piano was a freebee from a neighbour.

The famous photo wall, friends, family, they all are captured by the camera and continue to have a presence at meal times.

A corner of the kitchen just for the kids.

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The basement music studio, for composing and jamming.

Story and photos at the Hamilton Spectator. bit.ly/1jP4HFa

Still time to see Canada Blooms at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto

It's all edible at this charming garden at Canada Blooms. 

Recycling boxes to grow veg. Why not?

I like the look of these easy to assemble raised beds.
My story in the Hamilton Spectator today:http://bit.ly/1eoR4wm 

A closer look at the worker's cottage home of Phyllis Tresidder

Design consultant Phyllis Tresidder of Hamilton revived an 1870's worker's cottage with flair and respect for the simple design of the house.

Tresidder worked with Patrick Lees owner of PLG Construction of Hamilton (plgconstruction.com) on the five month renovation which touched every room in the house.

The bathroom is sensational with dramatic Waverly wallpaper.

Ikea shelving is used for all that is useful and pretty.

Phyllis Tressider uses the spare bedroom as a den and office. She consults in both interior design and garden design.

The living room and dining room are generous in size. 12 people can sit for dinner.

The renovation took five months and the one floor cottage is a perfect size for an empty nester.

Rooms in the worker's cottage are a lovely proportion.

The surprising worker's cottage

Hamilton has a large inventory of worker's cottages. They may be brick or wood, but the simple, balanced style is the signature of the style.

This board and batten worker's cottage in Niagara-on-the-Lake shows off the restrained charm of the design. Two windows-a door and presto you have a beautiful house. Inside they often have much larger rooms than you would expect.

Simple on the outside, sensational on the inside. A worker's cottage in Hamilton finds new life in the loving hands of its talented owner. MY story tomorrow in the GO section of the Hamilton Spectator

Wallpaper in the bathroom? Why not. My story on the rescue of a 1870's cottage in Hamilton and the elegant home it became. Tomorrow in the Hamilton Spectator.

Working on a feature for the Hamilton Spectator on Chef Rich Francis of Six Nations, the first indigenous chef to compete in Top Chef Canada.

Chef Rich Francis gets help from his kids Danelle and Braedyn at a Six Nations pancake contest this week. Chef Francis makes his first appearance on Top Chef Canada on the Food Network March 10.

Read the latest about people buying and moving to downtown Hamilton in today's Go section of Hamilton Spectator

Julie Gordon works in her bookstore on the ground floor of this King Street building, and lives above with her husband. Real live, work lifestyle.  My Hamilton Spectator article: bit.ly/1cUdYuB 

Flowers give us a hint of spring

What a difference these flowers make. Photos from a home I'll be writing about in the Hamilton Spectator.

My stories coming up in the Hamilton Spectator. Carpets, Condos, Cocooning on King Street

They still do things by hand at Alexanian carpets. Watch for my story on Ali, the man who rescues ailing carpets.

Ali creates fringe for an antique Persian carpet in Alexainian's repair shop.

Wool thread, cotton thread, threads in many colours, all needed to repair carpets at Alexanian's.
Sneak Peak at PARADIGM CONDOS Burlington. Steps away from Go Station on Fairview Street.  My story coming soon in the Hamilton Spectator on this chic new condo project.

When PARADIGM is completed, there will be five condo towers. Amenities include, gym, circuit training, pool, spa, half court for basketball, lounges and garden terrace. 

The artistic life in Hamilton, Ontario

Barry Coombs and Aleda O'Connor found a sun filled turn of the century home in Hamilton that is perfect for displaying art, and providing studio space for their painting. 

Barry paints in the attic. Call him Matisse or Picasso.

Aleda has a new studio in the back of the house. It was created by converting a summer kitchen and a mudroom to the new space. 

This new staircase leads to the basement. It's an artistic statement on its own.

Aleda works in oil pastel.

This piece by Barry is vivid, modern and collage like.

My story on The Painted Bench on Ottawa Street, Hamilton, is in the Hamilton Spectator today

The link to the Spectator story is here....

http://www.thespec.com/living-story/4041515-renwald-chalk-talk-on-ottawa/#.UhYmSsRKzK0.gmail

A tiny yard with big impact. How creativity and do it yourself skill changes a mud hole into a piece of magic in Hamilton's North End.

French Country comes to Jerseyville

A French country inspired house in Jerseyville will be my next Home story for the Hamilton Spectator. It's a good yarn, which involves trading a batch of lasagna for an antique beam.