Celebrity Spotlight: See Tommy Smythe At The Toronto Fall Home Show

Feeling less than sweet on your home, sweet home? Make sure not to miss television design personality, Tommy Smythe, at the Toronto Fall Home Show, appearing Saturday, September 20th at 2pm. Tommy recognizes that it's overwhelming for homeowners to tackle decorating one room, let alone every room in their house or apartment! In his presentation, Smart Solutions for Every Room in the House, he'll show you fabulous options for every space and budget.

Tommy's contagious enthusiasm and fun-loving approach to decor and renovating have made him an international design world favourite. Known for his warm and personal mixture of fine art, vintage, antique, and modern furnishings pulled together with cutting edge colour sense, Tommy never lets it all feel too serious. "If it's not fun, it's not worth doing!" - and that's his final word on style!

But before you see him at the show, enjoy our interview with him below and get to know the man behind the glasses.

TOMMY SMYTHE

Toronto Show Manager, Tina Holmes (Tina): Describe your design style in five words or less.

• Tommy Smythe (Tommy): "Young Fogey."

Tina: What is your favourite room in your home and why?

• Tommy: "Whichever room houses my books is always my favourite place to be. Many years ago my mentor, JS Manuel, advised me that every time I get a paycheck I should buy a book. I now have over a thousand books at home. Strangely, I don't think I've had a thousand paychecks..."

Tina: What is one item in your home you couldn't live without?

• Tommy: "My fireplace. I love winter. Love it more with a fireplace."

Tina: What is your design/decor pet peeve?

• Tommy: "I cannot, and will not, tolerate knock-offs. Authenticity is a religion for me. And like any religion, it takes discipline, focus, and it's constantly tested."

Tina: Most memorable career moment to date?

• Tommy: "My first cover story for House and Home magazine was a very special moment. Like many designers, I consider print media coverage to be a true mark of success - print has been struggling in recent years, but I believe in it still. There is no online experience that compares to holding a magazine or a book in your hands. I'm very proud to be a columnist and frequent contributor to House and Home." 

Tina: Any embarrassing on-the-job moments you'd like to share?

• Tommy: "Oh there have been so many! I fail constantly. Taking risks and having the courage to experiment are the life-blood of good design. There's a solution to every problem. This isn't surgery...it's just decorating. A sense of humour helps to take the sting out of mishaps too."

Tina: What are your personal mantras?

• Tommy: "Leave the world a more beautiful place than it was when you found it. And f*** 'em if they can't take a joke."

Tina: What famous figures inspire your designs/career?

• Tommy: "The list is LONG...but a random sampling includes: Billy Baldwin, Albert Hadley, Geoffrey Beene, Sister Parish, Horst, Ralph Lauren, Patrick Kelly, Oscar Wilde, David Hicks, Jean Michel Basquiat, Julia Child, Fran Lebowitz, Mark Hampton, Bill Blass, Yves St Laurent, Keith Haring. And of course the people in my life, (some of whom are famous because they are so inspiring to others), I'm fortunate to have befriended and whose lives and work are of constant inspiration to me. To say nothing of the vast wealth of good advice that springs...Sarah Richardson, Christie Smythe/Andrea Lenczner, Marilyn Denis, Lynn Crawford, Rick Mercer, Thomas O'Brien, Heather Clawson, Samatha Pynn."

Tina: Where do you get your inspiration?

• Tommy: "See above. And travel - as much as I can afford. I want to die broke having seen in ALL."

Tina: What is your "small space" tip?

• Tommy: "Edit."

Tina: What is your favourite app on your smartphone or iPad?

• Tommy: "Instagram. I'm passionate about it. My IG feed is fun-filled and inspiring and occasionally funny - just like my life. See you there!" 

Catch Tommy at the Toronto Fall Home Show on Saturday, September 20th at 2pm. Make sure to bring a pen and paper - his tips are so valuable you'll want to take notes! And remember, grab your tickets to the show online now to get the best deal. We can't wait to see you there!

Special thanks to Toronto Show Manager, Tina Holmes, a.k.a. @TinaLovesPinot, for helping us get the inside scoop on Tommy.

Toronto Home Shows "We've got you covered"

Toronto Fall Home Show (Sept 18-21, 2014)
GTA Home & Reno Show (Feb 13-16, 2015)
National Home Show (March 12-22, 2015)

Read More

The ABC's of the Toronto Fall Home Show: Where It All Comes Together!

The Toronto Fall Home Show is coming to the Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto, from September 18 - 21. Get inspiration for your home and renovation projects. With over 300 exhibitors showcasing their best and newest products and services - you won't want to miss all the great opportunities our show has to offer you and your home.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Discover the season's latest with Show Manager Tina Holmes' alphabetical rundown of what to see at Toronto's largest Fall Home Show. Check out the ABC's of the Toronto Fall Home Show below.

Advice from the Pros at the Main Stage, inspired by Artemano. From decor, renovation, entertaining and DIY, local experts and celebrities will offer insight, inspiration and advice for all your home projects. 

We believe that daily life is the most beautiful journey - Beyond simple furnishings, our creations bring to light the organic beauty of wood. 

BILD presents Free Condo Buyer's Seminar. Whether you're buying, selling, or investing, this seminar offers a comprehensive analysis of the GTA's condominium market. Join real estate expert Simon Giannini, interior designer Glen Peloso, and renovation expert Brendan Charters. The seminar will be moderated by Erin McCoy, real estate expert and host of The Real Estate Talk Show. Taking place Saturday, September 20th at 11am. 

Chefs. Don't miss our stellar line-up of chefs and culinary experts whipping up specialties, serving tips, and tasty samples. Experts include Kevin Durkee, the Big Cheese, Cheesewerks, Culinary Expo Adventures, and Chef Lorenzo Boni, Executive Chef, Barilla America. 

Design Dilemma. What's Your Design Dilemma? Presented by Reno & Decor Magazine, this feature gives consumers the opportunity to ask about challenging design dilemmas. Professional interior designers and celebrity experts will be on hand to offer free one-on-one consultations.

Celebrity experts include Glen Peloso and Jamie Alexander, Peloso Alexander Interiors. 

Evelyn Eshum, Interior Design, appearing Thursday and Friday. Bathroom Bliss! Designer tips on creating the ultimate luxurious bathroom. The do's and don'ts when renovating your bathroom. 

Fall Favourite Finds... Discover the latest products with my selected Fall Favourite Finds, which highlight the many innovative new and trending products that can be found at the Toronto Fall Home Show. 

The Samsung Ultimate Immersive Experience showcases the World's First Curved UHD TV.

Garage ideas and inspiration! We have something for everyone. Transform your garage into a functional, organized and valuable room in your home. Inspiration from Garage Living.

Home + Style Studio Tour and Sale. In support of Canadian HIV/AIDS causes, it is celebrating its 15th Anniversary! Walk away with great buys on a huge selection of quality furniture and home furnishings at the Exclusive Access Sale. Plus join Benjamin Moore's Sharon Grech, regular guest expert on Cityline, for an exciting weekend stage presentation followed by one-on-one time to get answers to your design questions.

Ideas, inspiration with over 300 exhibitors.

#justright. Modern Living #justright designed by FLOROHome, featuring Casalife. Through a new and inspired inner courtyard layout, combined with today's off the floor furnishings, see how you can make your modern home #justright. The feature engages the senses with a year round green courtyard, and shows that with the help of architecture, functional interior design, and contemporary stylish furniture, how you can warm it up for our unique climate.

Gorgeous gold accessories, Casalife.

Kitchen - The heart of the home. Nevern Cambria welcomes a new design to the family: the Waterstone™ Collection. Nevern boasts a compelling palette of creamy taupes and browns, wisps of berry, and a subtle silver shimmer that flow together. 

Nevern, the Waterstone™ Collection.

Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault, presented by Rust-Oleum. Whether you're craving a weekend furniture refresh or a full kitchen revamp, Leigh-Ann will share expert DIY tips and budget conscious tricks to transform your home for fall. Appearing Saturday & Sunday. 

Miss Mustard Seed. Canadian Debut of Marian Parsons aka Mustard Seed, presented by Homestead House Paint Co. Appearing daily, plus an exclusive book signing. 

Night. The Toronto Fall Home show is open until 9pm on weeknights. Plus FREE parking after 4pm on Thursday, September 18th. 

Outdoor heated mats. Kemf introduces HotFlake Heated Rubber Mats. Melt snow on contact and keep stairs and walkways safe and secure in winter. Visit Kemf at Booth #830.

Paint. Discover the colours found in Fusion, a new line of mineral based furniture paint, perfect for your home decor. Delivering an exceptional matte finish, this 100% acrylic latex paint requires no priming, sanding, or top coat!

Fusion - inglenook.

Questions answered. Destination Renovation by BILD (Building Industry and Land Development). Expert renovators offer unbiased advice and renovating tips in a FREE one-on-one appointment for homeowners. Meet face-to-face with renovators and builders for a no-nonsense construction consultation that will save valuable time and money.

Reno experts. In the world of home renovations, knowing the little things makes a BIG difference. See Michael Upshall, Probuilt by Michael Upshall and Dan Hall, Hall Developments, and get renovation tips from the pros.

Sleep Country. Official Mattress Sponsor of the Fall Home Show. As Canada's #1 mattress retailer, Sleep Country is THE best place to get a great night's sleep. Better sleep at a better price with better service...Sleep Country Canada. Visit Sleep Country Canada at Booth #646.

Tommy Smythe, TV design personality. It's overwhelming for homeowners to tackle decorating one room, let alone every room in their home. Tommy will show you fabulous options for every space and budget!

Appearing Saturday, September 20th at 2pm.

Upcycle Challenge. Back by Popular Demand - Habitat for Humanity GTA Upclcye Challenge: Stylize, presented by Rust-Oleum. Celebrity experts and emerging style, decor and DIY bloggers will source and repurpose a household item from one of the nine Habitat for Humanity GTA ReStore locations. Categories include: Country Rustic, Industrial, Eco Chic, Vintage Glam, and a Twist of Modern. The upcycled masterpieces will be on display and auctioned at the show.

Vitamix. Satisfy your smoothie cravings with the Apple-Pie Smoothie from Vitamix. 

Apple-Pie Smoothie

Xtra savings! Buy tickets online to the Toronto Fall Home Show and save $3 courtesy of StateFarm.

Yellow. Mustard Seed Yellow is a warm, buttery yellow - bright without being too bold. Milk Paint can be used on any porous surface without a primer, and doesn't chip or peel. Distributed in Canada by Homestead House Paint Co.

Distributed by Homestead House Paint Co.

Zoocasa real estate app for smartphones & tablets. Perfect for looking at house listings while on the go. Visit Zoocasa at Booth #1163.

From A to Z there's lots to see at the Toronto Fall Home Show!
Grab your tickets online now and plan your visit - we can't wait to see you there! 

Special thanks to Toronto Show Manager, Tina Holmes a.k.a. @TinaLovesPinot, for sharing her Toronto Fall Home Show ABC's with us! 

Read More

The Calgary Home + Garden Show blew the roof off the BMO Centre & Corral

All good things must come to an end!

The 2014 Calgary Home + Garden Show took the BMO Centre & Corral by storm this past weekend, hosting thousands of visitors seeking real advice, real inspiration and real experts on all things home improvement. 

The Stage Farm® Main Stage was brimming with world-class talent dispensing the best tips in the biz. Fan favourites including HGTV stars Bryan Baeumler and Tommy  Smythe talked construction, decor and life in the home improvement limelight, while  local personalities Alykhan Velji and Heather Draper walked guests through the dos  and don’ts of design. 

The first-ever Better Gnomes & Gardens exhibit was a resounding (and adorable) success. Calgary’s most notable personalities joined forces in the name of charity, each turning a plain white garden gnome into a whimsical treasure. The bearded fellows were put up for auction at the show, raising more than $2,000 to benefit Grow Calgary, Canada’s largest urban agricultural farm dedicated to providing fresh produce to all Calgarians by way of the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank. Vincent Van Gnome, SHAW TV host Erin Strate’s colourful creation, took home the top bid of $325. 

Nu Automations stole the show with the Nu Smart Home, a next-generation dwelling complete with automatic thermostat, window coverings and entertainment system. Calgarians taking respite from the low temperatures warmed while learning how to control all parts of their home with just the tap of a touch-screen – thermostat included. 

A huge thanks to everyone who braved the cold to attend the 2014 Calgary Home +  Garden Show! 

See you in the fall for the 2014 Calgary Home + Design Show, happening September 18-21, 2014 at the BMO Centre. 

Read More

Main Stage Mania: Design Royalty to Descend on the Calgary Home + Garden Show

Calling all would-be rookie home renovators and designers! The State Farm Main Stage at the upcoming Calgary Home + Garden Show will play host to Canada’s top names in design, renovation and real estate – all armed with the wisdom and experience to find solutions to your toughest home project queries.

With big names like HGTV’s Bryan Baeumler and Tommy Smythe, plus the city’s top local experts, there will be no shortage of expert tips sure to take any home from admittedly underwhelming to delightedly outstanding. We sat down with these two fellas to discuss their current musings in home improvement and design – read below for a glimpse of what’s to come in each of their presentations!

Bryan Baeumler
As the star of HGTV’s Leave It To Bryan and House of Bryan, not to mention the new season Canada’s Handyman Challenge (airing now!), Bryan Baeumler is not one to shy away from a home improvement challenge. Join Bryan on the Main Stage on Friday, February 28 at 6PM and Saturday, March 1 at 11AM for his presentation on How To Save Your Home From Yourself, where the HGTV star will share his top tips for overcoming the most overwhelming of home improvement obstacles to arrive at the successful and rewarding achievement of your dream home.

What is your signature design style? And where do you find most of your design inspiration?

Bryan: Comfortably solid and efficient. I find my design inspiration all around me, but mostly in my head. I can’t see myself doing anything else – if I worked anywhere other than the design industry I would have to quit my job and return immediately!

What is one new home improvement tool you would like to add to your collection this year? And which local retail shop are you most likely to stop at to make the purchase?

Bryan: A welder. We break a lot of stuff around the shop! Lowe’s is great and my wife and I spend a lot of time there - it’s a great place to pick up any and all tools needed for home improvement projects.

Tommy Smythe

Tommy Smythe’s ever-reciprocated love affair with all things interior design has been made evident on several of HGTV’s most popular series, including design inc., Sarah’s House, Sarah’s Cottage and Sarah 101. Bring a pen and paper stage-side to learn the art of Mastering the Mix on the State Farm Main Stage on Friday, February 28 at 7PM and Saturday, March 1 at 1PM.

What’s your design mantra?

Tommy: Every renovation project begins with ‘The Triangle of Expectation’ – basically there’s good, there’s fast and there’s cheap.  You can have two out of the three.  It’s foolproof, universal and it always impresses. Real style is derived from confidence and the most confident among us are the risk takers. As the great American decorator Billy Baldwin once said, “A person with real flair is a gambler at heart” – I live by this credo.

Finish this sentence: If I didn’t work in the design industry, I would…

Tommy: Die. Or design menswear. Fashion has always been a major area of interest for me. My sister, Christie, actually went into that field; alongside her co-designer, Andrea Lenczner, the two head Smythe Les Vestes. Since fashion and design are so closely related, Andrea, Christie and I often exchange thoughts on colour, pattern, texture and detail. It’s really creatively stimulating to bounce ideas off of each other!

___________________________________________

Whatever your design dilemma, the helpful hints doled out at this year’s Calgary Home + Garden Show are not to be missed! To view the entire State Farm Main Stage schedule at the Calgary Home + Garden Show, please click here. See you there!

Read More