Adding flame to the game

On the “must have” list when we were house-hunting in 2019 was a fireplace, the ultimate cozy comfort on a dark and cold winter’s night. The place we bought didn’t have one.

The renovation R2: Reuse

When deciding what to reuse during a major renovation, three qualities are determining what’s sticking with us on Renovation Road: beauty; sentimentality; and indestructibility.

The cult of Farrow & Ball

Designers talking about Farrow & Ball sound like my late, fervently Catholic maiden aunt talking about the Pope.

Reclaiming the wood

I wanted a light, pale flooring to set off our teak furniture: many woods and finishes turn an amber-gold colour and that’s too close to the warm wood of teak.

“And while we’re at it…”

Renovation Road was supposed to stay confined to our house’s first floor. But there’s that second-floor shower too short for tall people …