Bring on spring

How I love Torontonians. I admire our collective ability to pretend each spring that winter doesn't exist. How else to explain the madness of spending countless hours (and dollars) grooming a garden that will last only slightly longer than Bennifer did?

Weeks before we can confidently begin work in the garden, we can turn our attention indoors. Using a triumvirate of materials - glass, mirror, chrome - we can revitalize and energize sun starved rooms and bask in the delusion that it's springtime year round.

Glass

1. A glass coffee table or console not only allows the eye to travel uninterrupted through a room, it also permits sunlight to reach further into rooms spreading warmth and illumination. An additional advantage, a glass coffee table allows you to enjoy a beautiful carpet beneath.
2. Gather and display a collection of glass objects to add sparkle and interest to any room. Disciplined types prefer a uniform collection, say a series of 5 vases evenly spaced along a sofa table or a matching pair of crystal candelabra flanking a mantel. More adventurous souls can assemble miss-matched accessories with assurance since the common material effectively links the group.
3. A glass lantern or crystal chandelier shimmers in sunlight and glitters in evening light. A Venetian chandelier, with its luminescent candy colours commands attention.
4. Glass shelves placed in front of a kitchen window accommodate a collection of fresh herbs. In a bathroom, glass shelves serve to hold crisp white towels or a collection of luxurious toiletries.
5. Cut or blown glass decanters are ideal for storing liqueurs, but work equally well in the bathroom holding mouthwash or bath salts. I use a blown glass punch bowl to hold sea salt near my bathtub.

Mirror

1. Mirrored furniture such as chests and side tables is a dramatic focal point in formal rooms.
2. A decorative mirror wedged between two windows creates the impression of continuous windows, while magnifying available light. A large mirror hung horizontally, compliments a substantial buffet or sideboard. Similarly, in powder rooms where sink and toilet are on one wall, a mirror spanning the full width visually expands the room's proportions.
3. A collection of mirrors fills a wall with interest, especially in rooms with adequate sunlight. Select a variety of shapes and sizes but keep to a single frame style, such as carved and gilded or silver leaf, to unify the assemblage.
4. Frame a mirror in a mere whisper of frame (1/2" chrome for example) to create the illusion the mirror "disappears" into a wall. Its presence will serve to amplifying available light and the visual scale of a room. Tilt an 8' tall mirror against a wall for informal chic, but make sure the ceiling looks great because it will be reflected. For more formality hang the mirror. Tip: beveled edges are an elegant, finishing touch.
5. Mirrored tile, in a 6" size, works to add interest to a kitchen backsplash, provided you can abide with frequent spotting due to splashing. Larger mirrored tiles (12" or 18") look smart in living and dining rooms, providing an arresting backdrop to dramatic furniture groupings.

Chrome

1. Chrome accented furnishings work beautifully in contemporary rooms, offering a reflective surface and a note of strength.
2. A collection of chrome (or silver) adds sparkle and interest in virtually any room. Assemble miss-matched candlesticks or pitchers to adorn a mantel or side table.
3. Table lamps, floor lamps, lanterns, sconces, and chandeliers often feature a chrome, nickel, or silver finish, which works to amplify light emanating from the fixture.
4. Replace plastic white hardware (a builder's staple) in kitchens and baths with chrome or nickel for instant impact.
5. Silver tea leaf wallpaper can amplify sunlight, candlelight, or artificial light. I love the drama that's created by papering a dining room ceiling or an elegant powder room.