When the seasons change, its not just fashion that needs updating. Home designers also focus on a rich, warmer palette. We know it’s not likely that you’re going to redecorate your whole house every season, but there are some small changes you can make to bring that warmth to your house, without the expense of a complete redecoration project.

(1) Paint
If you have a neutral space, why not add some punch with an accent wall? Paint is the least expensive way to create a dramatic impact. And while we love open, airy spaces in summer, in winter people want warmth and coziness. A single wall in a rich deep tone can help create that cozy atmosphere.

(2) Lighting
During those long summer evenings, you may not have needed much lighting in your rooms. But it will soon be dark by 6 o’clock and you’ll definitely have the lights on more times than not. Make sure you have a variety of light sources in a room (sconces, table lamps, floor lamps and overhead lighting) and in work spaces, ensure you have task lighting. If you have not done so already, change all your bulbs to CFLs for greater energy efficiency.

Tiffany Style Lamp

(3) Slipcovers, cushions & throws
Even if you’re not looking to invest in new upholstery, you can update the look of your sofa with a slipcover. They’re removable and washable, so you’ll have no worries when you spill that hot cocoa!

I love nothing better than coming home after work, running a bath and curling up on my sofa in my PJs with a throw and the new season of my favourite show. It’s easy to update your room by simply adding a throw pillow here and there and a soft, luxurious throw.

Sure Fit Embassy Chestnut Slipcover, Cable Chenille Throw, Chatelaine Home Faux Cashmere Throw, Sure Fit Vintage Brick Cushion

(4) Accessories
You don’t have to keep everything out at once. Even in my small apartment, I put away some accessories and rotate objects season-to-season. You’ll be amazed how much more you appreciate your possessions when you move them around or put them away for a short while. When they’re out, in the same spot, for too long, you simply become blind to them.

In Fall, I like to fill vases with branches and create autumnal arrangements using natural accents like pine cones, dried corn, ornamental gourds or pumpkins. Candlelight goes hand in hand with winter nights and I love a fragrant candle to conjure a warm atmosphere. Of course, never leave candles burning unattended.

Wilton Armetale Zen Tray Candle with Stones, Levy Leaf Wall Decor, Wilton Armetale Heart Candle with Lid

Happy decorating!

You may not realize this, but The Shopping Channel also offers some amazing artwork and wall accents. Accessorizing is my favourite part of decorating, it’s what makes a house a home and enables you to express your own personality.

But, it comes with its own set of challenges; how, for example, to display all my artwork. Whether you’re juggling a wall of art or simply want to display your family photographs, hanging and displaying art can be tricky.

It takes incredible skill to create an eclectic salon-style display, a skill I’m afraid I always don’t have.  But, there are some tricks to make it easier:

(1) Frame all your pictures in similar frames. Neutral frames with an off-white mount is my fail-safe choice. With many affordable frames in this style out there, it also makes budgetary sense.

(2) If you’re displaying photography, opt for either all colour or black-and-white photographs. It’s easier to deal with one or the other, rather than mix and match.

(3) Plan! Before you start pounding nails into walls, arrange your hanging on the floor as you intend to hang it. If you’re hanging a large grouping, I suggest cutting the picture shapes out in craft paper and taping the cut-outs to the wall too, so you can better visualize how the display will look on the wall.

(4) Don’t hang artwork too high or too low. The middle of the picture or display should be at eye level.

(5) If you want more flexibility to rearrange, use a picture ledge or shelf instead of hanging pictures. That way you can create different vignettes season-to-season without wrecking your walls.

(6) Give art space to breathe! Large scale or dramatic pieces are the star of any decor production. Practice restraint and let them shine!

I sometimes feel ridiculously overwhelmed by the design choices out there. I seem to like so many different styles, and I’m pretty sure the objects I’m drawn to when I shop or browse magazines don’t always go together. There’s often a huge difference between what we ADMIRE and what we WANT. And understanding that key difference is key to figuring out your personal style. Do you like a piece because you think it’s neat? Or do you you really want it in your home?

The most underrated method of understanding your taste is to look at your own stuff. When people think about redecorating, they always hit the magazine rack or start watching shows on HGTV etc. But, what you’ve got already will be a better indication of your taste. It’s very unlikely that you’re starting completely from scratch, so concentrate on those items you love the most and those that you cannot replace. Try to build your style from there.

Recently, I found this handy online quiz that tells you what your decorating style is. My style is “city chic”. The description helped me make sense of my seemingly eclectic style and to shop for new pieces with more confidence. But, if you’re undertaking a very big decorating project, don’t be afraid to seek some professional advice. This need not cost an arm and a leg… many stores offer a complementary consultation service.

Or, if you want to hire a pro, check out a local design college. Young designers who are trying to build up their portfolio will relish the challenge of a small budget. If you go this route, make sure you have good chemistry with your designer. It’s your home, so having a good relationship with the person decorating it is important. After all, when they’re long gone it will be you living there!

The Shopping Channel’s My Home Event is on now. Whether you’re looking to completely redecorate, or just shake things up with some new accessories, find your inpiration on theShoppingChannel.com

At this time of year, there’s lots of buzz about new looks for fashion and beauty. But don’t overlook your home! Whether you need to redecorate or just shake up some accessories, there are options for every style of interior. Here are some inspiration boards to spark your imagination.

Traditional elegance
Homes that are traditionally elegant are very well-suited to Fall’s sumptuous palette. Traditional furniture is usually grand, dark and often ornate. Fabrics like damasks and velvets conjure a rich sumptuous feel.

Living Room featured products: 610396 - Sure Fit Vintage Brick Cushion / 606520 - Sure Fit Matelasse Slipcover / 606482 - Rugman Najafabad Wool Rug / 607205 - Carisa Coffee Table with Glass Lift Compartment

Dining Room featured products: 347191 - Royal Vienna Oxford Candlesticks / 347884 - French Chateau 47 Piece Dinnerware Set / 604531 - Nest Of 2 Tables - Madison Collection / 609257 - Wonders of the World Nabbu Style Area Rug

Bedroom featured product: 608805 - Croscill Townhouse Duvet Cover

Casual classics
This look is a little more relaxed. Paler wood tones and rustic accessories soften the style, making it warm and inviting. This style of decorating offers the perfect balance between formal and casual, country and city style.

Living Room featured products: 604538 - Foyer Table - Country Cottage Collection / 610773 - Tiffany Style Orchid Wall Sconce / 607127 - Hereke Area Rug - Mahi Green / 610392 - Sure Fit Sanger Chocolate Cushion

Dining Room featured products: 347896 - temp-tations™ 12 Piece Oven to Table Set / 348378 - Royal Doulton Universal Crystal Stemware / 610601 - Tiffany Style Mission Window Panel

Kitchen featured products: 608913 - Hilland Rectangular Planters (2 Piece) / 610154 - Gaggia Baby Black Coffee Machine / 347487 - KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer with Added Value / 347837 - Blue Willow 55 Piece Dinnerware Set

Chic Contemporary
Clean and modern, with eastern-inspired accents, this style is warm without being overwhelming or too fussy. For those who prefer a modern aesthetic and minimal carefully-chosen accents, this style of decorating is youthful and can evolve season-to-season to suit your changing tastes.

Living Room featured products: 608910 - Sakura Round Denmark Wall Decor Unit (3 pieces) / 608457 - Manhattan Cocktail Ottoman with 2 Reversible Trays / 607102 - Bombay Carving Area Rug - Black / 611002 - Weston Crystal Table Lamp

Kitchen featured products: 607853 - Francis Francis! X6 Trio Espresso Machine / 610486 - Paderno Super-Size Kettle, 5L / 610471 - Paderno Belmont 20 Piece Flatware Set / 608468 - Set of 2 Viva Swivel Counter Stools

Bedroom featured products: 348369 - Artscape Set of 2 Window Films - Etched Small / 610982 - Gatineau Hills 7 Piece Duvet Cover & Sheet Set / 608473 - Manchester III Queen Bed Frame / 610258 - Wilton Armetale Zen Tray Candle with Stones

Sometimes, I feel like I want so much stuff it gets overwhelming. There’s wardrobe, then beauty products, then home furniture. And when it’s not a big purchase it will be some small shiny accessory that has caught my eye.

I do a pretty good job prioritizing my purchases so I get those items I really want without make an enemy of my bank manager. And if I can’t afford what I want right away, I look to more innovative alternatives. You’d be amazed how often a quick fix can tie you over until you can afford what you really want.

Recently this was the case with my sofa. It’s a nice sofa with “good bones”, but the upholstery was getting grubby - I’m sure you know the effects pets, kids, takeout meals and rowdy dinner party guests can have on upholstery! Having a sofa reupholstered is not a cheap option. Indeed, very often it costs as much as it would to replace the item. And that was well outside my budget.

A ready-made slipcover, like this one from Sure-Fit, fell in a much more agreeable price range. Because slipcovers are removable, they can be washed and the look is casual without being sloppy or ill-fitting.

A little tucking and a few concealed pins hold it all neatly in place and a few accent cushions complete the look. Visitors think I’ve splurged on a new couch and I feel like my living room is pristine and pretty, not a grubby couch in sight!

Kermit was wrong when he said “it’s not easy being green”. It’s getting easier and easier each day as more and more manufacturers opt for organic, eco, ethical and local. As a shopper, this can be overwhelming. At the best of times, it’s difficult to weigh up the pros and cons of every purchase. But these labels can add another factor to that decision-making process.

My strategy is much the same as what it is for shopping in general: I buy what I love. If what I love comes in a more environmentally friendly or ethical option, it’s a no-brainer to trade up. But I would never buy something just because it’s got one of these labels attached.

I also think more holistically about the green movement. It’s not just about how the product was made or where it came from, it’s also about how I use it. Is it something I’ll wear or use for years to come? Will its use in turn have a positive environmental impact. And, most importantly, when I’m finished with it, how will I dispose of it?

The following are my 3 most recent green investments:

(1) Organic towels: Oh so soft Turkish cotton, this purchase had as much to do with comfort as with environment

(2) Linda Lundstrom Julie’s top: A great neutral top that I can wear with jeans or a skirt. That empire shape hugs the thinnest part of my body and gentle ruching conceals any lumps and bumps (not that I have any, of course;) And did I mention, it’s made of completely natural tencel?

(3) Caitlin straw bag: I love this retro look and I’ll be lugging everything from groceries to books around in this all summer

Now, your turn, tell us what you think of going green!

Clean: The name says it all! Who of us doesn’t love that squeaky clean feeling… Clean skin, clean white sheets, bright white garments blowing in the breeze on a summery washing line. These are the kinds of images evoked by the Clean range.

Of course, there are many different kinds of “clean” – there’s the uplifting tang of citrus (Shower Fresh), or the smell of your favourite t-shirt just out of the laundry (Fresh Laundry). Fragrances like Provence evoke the subtle mood of that beautiful region of France – lavender fields, blue skies and sweet delicate floral hues.

The unifying face of these scents is a subtle and embracing fragrance. These are not scents that hit you in the face, they gently caress your senses and your home. I’m especially hooked on Fresh Laundry with litsea cubebe, orange, sweet lime, pink grapefruit, passion lily, rose geranium and white musk..

No matter what the weather is doing outside, I can create the atmosphere of a Spring day when the windows are thrown open and everything is aired and uplifting, with shower gel or eau de parfum. Now, that’s a sensation we could all do with feeling more often!

I love where I live. It’s downtown, I’m surrounded by shops and pretty urban parks. But, of course, there’s a downside too: I live in a cute apartment, but there’s no balcony. Apart from a window box and the local park, my access to outdoor living is limited. Of course, I feel this most poignantly in the summer months, especially when I discern the faint aroma of a BBQ from one of the neighbouring homes.

But there’s no longer any need to feel left out. I was over the moon when I received the Sanyo Indoor BBQ Grill to test out. It’s salvation for those of us who crave that impossible-to-replicate BBQ flavour but lack the deck, patio or garden.

And while it’s perfect for apartment-dwellers like myself, it’s use is by no means limited to us. This is Canada after all, and despite global warming it still gets too cold to cook outdoors in the winter. So, long after those neighbouring homes have packed up their tool set, I’ll still be whipping up glazed baby back ribs on this little winner!

Frankie Flowers shares his top 3 tips for successful gardening. First, knowing what kind of soil you have will dictate the species you can successfully grow. Second, the orientation and sunlight in your garden will help determine what plants will thrive. And third, knowing what gardening zone you are located in will help you understand the growing season.

Get growing with our selection of bulbs, garden accessories and tools.

Fancy yourself a greenthumb? Share your own gardening tips by clicking the Comments icon below.