Spring reading

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When you say the word "spring," what's the next word that comes to mind? It's likely "cleaning," and if it is, congratulations on being a sensible and disciplined human being. I'll leave the guidance on that topic to better informed sources, and offer you spring reading instead. Here are five articles that will get you seeing your home in a new way.

When you stop to admire a residential building, pay attention to what it's telling you. There are always clues about what you could achieve in your own dwelling, with some creativity and hard work. Back in the nineties, I lived in a rental apartment on St George and passed a 12-story mid-century condo at 190 daily, never tiring of its glamorous street presence and the life I imagined it would make possible. This article in Spacing magazine does a great job of capturing what makes the building special, including the story of the architect who designed it:

Joe Medwecki and the triumph of the wraparound balcony - Spacing Toronto

Location, location, location is the old saying about what matters in real estate. But what if you combined location, with architecture, and terrific views, as Joseph (Joe) Medwecki did at 190 St. George St.? The building, at the corner with Lowther Ave. in Midtown Toronto (yes, it’s the one with the pointy balconies), has beenContinue reading “Joe Medwecki and the triumph of the wraparound balcony”

Spacing TorontoAlfred Holden

Articles about small-space living are another route to rethinking your environment, since they're always packed with inventive solutions that could work anywhere. Last month, the Toronto Star ran a detail-packed profile of a couple making every corner count in a 430-square foot apartment. There are plenty of do-it-yourself touches, like furniture built from hardware-store pipes, and a sense of placement that pulls everything together:

Another home tour for curious and idea-hungry readers appeared in The New York Times last week:

There's an unfiltered rawness to every room, showing what's possible when you live in the same place for decades and let meanings accumulate through significant objects. It's also a great example of how to live with books being central to your life. Check out the Comments section as well for all the praise from readers for featuring a home that's approachable and full of character.

Getting intentional with colour choices is another good way to refresh your dwelling. As a lover of primary colours, I was captivated by a Toronto Life condo tour from late last year that featured thoughtfully crafted spaces like this:

Read Inside the Bauhaus-inspired home of an “anti-beige activist” to get the full story.

Finally, looking to the past is a tried-and-true method of sparking design directions for your interior. The mid-century period is inexhaustible, but what about later decades? Do the nineties say anything to you? For me, they don't – which is why I was struck by IKEA's witty time travel back to 1996. It's full of images like this that may unearth long-buried memories:

Hmmm... I think decorative paint effects are due for a major comeback. Bring on the rag rolling and faux finishes!

Got a surefire way to update your space for spring? Share your tips in the Comments section below.

Thank you for reading.