Amazingly, hints of spring have been around these past too weeks (although as the temp just recently cooled down, I might have spoken too soon). Aside from longer days and a slight compulsion to wear shorts, it’s really the plethora of spring flowers on the street everywhere I turn that sing spring. The myriad of colours; tulips, daffodils, lilacs, cyclamens and many more I don’t know the sames of, simply brighten up one’s day.

Photo courtesy of Cool, Green, and Shady

Here, at HRG we’ve been working with a local florist Cool, Green, and Shady (2012 Queen St. East located in the Beaches area) for home shows across Ontario. Seeing how the lovely brilliant flowers really lit up the recent National home show (amongst many staged interiors), encouraged me to get some for my own home. Not to mention, there’s a reason why home stagers love adding plants in the home; they really do add some warmth and freshness to any room.

A super cute gift idea for your home or a loved one is a “bulb” plant, which will slowly blossom in the home and after which, can be planted outside.

Here are some helpful hints from their website:

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR BULB POT (”Bulb pots” are pots and baskets that include a mixture of spring bulbs.)
•	Bulb pots require a moderately bright location.
•	Keep soil moist, but avoid over watering.
•	Room temperature is preferred; avoid excess heat or cold.
•	Once your bulb pot has finished blooming, you may prune the greens and plant the bulbs in your garden where they will bloom again each spring.

Although there are some arguments about how green the cultivated plant industry is, I can’t help but feel that flowers are a simple luxury, and you can take the extra step in asking where your local florist sources the flowers and plants they sell.

Consider buying plants that you can nurture that will clean the air in your home, rather than cut flowers that will not last as long. Mini rosebushes - need I say more?

Recently, a reader wrote in to the Home Interior Guide about the possibility that her father had been fleeced when he hired an interior decorator. Her question was, “What should you look for?” It got me thinking … aside from trying to find someone to realize your visions, or perhaps create something you never realized you would love, what are some important factors should you consider?

If you just want to re-style your house, for example paint your walls, change your window coverings, or choose new furnishing, go with a decorator. Keep in mind however that anyone can call themselves a decorator as there is no standard of accreditation. Decorators charge less, but buyer beware - sometimes you get what you pay for. Since there are no standards, the best thing to do (for anything) is to look at his/her portfolio, ask for references and check those references. Someone who is extremely happy with the job the decorator did on their home would recommend them, and flaunt their beautiful home, right?

If you’re thinking of changing the structure of your home in some respect, such as knocking down a few walls, you’re better off with a registered interior designer. An interior designer has graduated from an accredited design program, has completed four years of work experience in the design field, and must pass the international NCIDQ exam, according to Interior Designers of Canada.

Be clear about how much you want to spend and outline a schedule of deposits and payments. It’s always better for both parties to have everything in writing – don’t feel badly about doing that despite how friendly the relationship seems.

If it ends up that you are not satisfied with the professional you’ve gone with, have a frank talk about dissolving the contract.  You are still hiring professional services and if it doesn’t work out, you are entitled to find the right fit and be completely satisfied with the results. It is your home after all - and no pun intended - you do have to live with it.

Useful source links:

Interior Designers of Canada: http://www.interiordesigncanada.org

American Society of Interior Designers: http://www.asid.org

National Council for Interior Design Qualification: http://www.ncidq.org

Home Staging Article: http://www.canadianbusiness.com/my_money/spending/home/article.jsp?content=20050504_105659_6480&page=3

Interior Designer or Decorator article: http://www.canadianbusiness.com/my_money/spending/home/article.jsp?content=20060103_111157_5252

About.com article: http://interiordec.about.com/cs/hiringadesigner/a/hiredesigner.htm

Got a couple of minutes right now?

Why not make someone a winner? No it’s not a television singing or dancing competition you’ll be texting some inane code to.

The Arbor Day Foundation in conjunction with Rohm and Haas held the “Spruce Up Your Home” contest this winter and are down to the 20 finalists:

One Grand Prize winner will receive a package valued at more than $20,000, including an exterior home paint job and $8,000 home improvement gift card. Eight first place winners will receive a new paint exterior for their home. Each winning family will receive a young spruce tree on behalf of the Arbor Day Foundation. The Arbor Day Foundation will also provide 10,000 trees to the winner’s community through the foundation’s Trees for America program.

Voting ends on March 6, 2009, and winners will be announced on National Arbor Day, April 24, 2009.

Visit the page to check the finalists and click on the submit button to vote for your favorite house. Remember, March 6th is the last day to vote.

Good luck to all the finalists!