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Help! Food has Taken Over My Freezer! Freezer De-Cluttering Tips

Thanks to that cute little ground hog named Phil, we’re supposed to be getting an early spring this year. So, I’ve decided to take this opportunity to start my spring cleaning early and the first items on my list?  The dreaded freezers!!!

I absolutely love having a deep freeze and a top freezer in my fridge as it allows me to stock up on many food items which saves us lots of money throughout the year. The problem is that I have absolutely no idea what is actually in my deep freeze right now as it is literally overflowing with food stacked from floor to lid! It’s like playing Jenga every time I need to pull something out…”you take a frozen chicken from the bottom and you put it on top, you take a roast from the middle and you put it on top.” Not to mention, the three dozen frozen bananas I have stored in there for when I decide to bake those 100 banana muffins I’ve been saying I’d make for the last year.

I’ve also been wanting to make weekly meal plans but it’s hard to do when you have no idea what is actually available to you in the freezer. ”Hmmmm, so we’ll have steak on Monday if there is steak in the freezer, and ham on Tuesday if I manage to find the time to spend 30 minutes digging to the bottom of the freezer to find it.” Doesn’t work. Clearly something had to be done.

So, this weekend I learned about what kind of “freezer person” I am by facing and defeating my mortal enemies (the freezers) with a few simple ideas to help maximize and organize them both.

1. Make an itemized list of everything in your deep freeze.  When I open up my deep freeze, I can see that I have some ribs, a few pizza crusts, and a bag of beans but what the heck is three feet below these things?

View when I open up my deep freeze. Where's the rest of it?

I don’t have the time to lug out 100 pounds of frozen food every time I need to see what I need to add to my grocery list. And I can’t tell you how many times I have gone out to buy a ham or chicken at full price only to discover the following week that I had two of them buried at the bottom of my freezer!  So I pulled out everything made a list of what was in my freezer. That way, if I am making my weekly meal plan or grocery list, I simply look at the list taped to the deep freeze and I know exactly what I have . If I use something in the freezer, I simply white it out and if I buy something, I just add it to the list. I’m still waiting for someone to invent a see-through deep freeze… Hmm, maybe I should just go on Dragon’s Den with this great concept minus a prototype, blue print or sales… Think they’ll invest?  Tee-hee.

2. Turn those bread end pieces into breadcrumbs. Okay, so I know that most people never eat the end pieces of bread and my mother taught me years ago that the best way to use these end pieces is to throw them in the freezer and then use them to make bread crumbs later.  The problem with this is that over time, those end pieces are forgotten and accumulate, ending up taking up precious room in your freezer. So I came up with a solution:  Make the bread crumbs with the end pieces BEFORE you throw them in the freezer.  That way they are ready to use when you need them and they take up a fraction of the space.  As I had found about 12 bags of end pieces this weekend, I pulled out the food processor and made one big bag of bread crumbs that I then put back in the freezer, saving me tons of room and hassle.

Don't let your freezer look like one at the actual grocery store!

3. Don’t overstock your freezer. Only store food items in your top freezer that you plan on using in the next three months.  Turns out those fridge freezers do not keep food frozen as long as deep freezers do. In fact, they only keep food for about three months compared to a deep freeze that can keep food for close to a year. So make sure to store the freezer food you use on a regular basis in the top fridge freezer and keep the larger and less used items in the deep freeze.  For instance, I kept the frozen turkey and big box of chicken in the deep freeze and moved my steaks, sausage and salmon portions as well as frozen vegetables into the top fridge freezer because we create meals out of these on a regular basis. Note:  if you really want to maximize your deep freeze capacity, DO NOT buy two large turkeys just because they are on sale!  I did this last Thanksgiving thinking I would make them in the next couple of months and guess what…they are still in my freezer!  I’ve since realized that there are several opportunities to get cheap turkeys through the year…Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter…so there is no need to stock up on them unless you really plan on using them soon!

Sadly this is what I had to throw away this weekend! Poor freezer burnt leftovers.

4. Don’t freeze food items unless you’re really going to use them!  I don’t know how many times I’ve made dinner and had plenty of leftovers and so, instead of just planning to eat them over the next couple of days, I have packaged them up and thrown them in the freezer thinking to myself, “Great.  I will simply pull these out later and use them for another dinner. How smart am I?” Answer: Not very smart!

There are some smart people out there who have the memory and diligence to make food, freeze it and then pull it out later for dinner … I am not one of these people!  I thought I was until I went through my freezers, only to discover Tupperware containers filled with lasagne, chilli and spaghetti that I think I made about 2 years ago!  So,be honest with yourself and, if you are like me, don’t freeze your leftovers as they will only end up wastefully thrown in the garbage. (Sorry Mr. Landfill…I promise to eat my leftovers from now on!)

Deep freezers and fridge freezer are wonderful creations but only if you know how to use them properly based on what kind of person you are. For those of you like me who really haven’t been using them properly, I hope some of these tips will help you de-clutter and make better use of your freezers.  If you have any other freezer tips, I would love to hear them.

Coupon Tip of the Week:  Following the theme of freezers, it can be very economical to stock up on meat items when they’re on sale but make sure to only buy what you will use in the next 2-3 months. Otherwise, you run the risk of buying too much and having that meat get freezer burned and going bad before you get a chance to use it.  Remember, there are always sales going on each month so you don’t have to worry that you didn’t buy enough chicken breasts just when they were on for such a good price because they will be on sale again next month!

A bit about needs and wants. And a DIY container for your cotton swabs.

Every year for the past five or six years our family has participated in an annual Shopping Embargo. The goal of the Embargo to be more mindful of our purchases and drastically reduce impulse buys. And it works.

Our rule is this: From Boxing Day until the end of February, we restrict our purchases to the bare necessities; groceries/consumables, gas, basic hygiene (shampoo, soap, but not cosmetics), medicine and essential clothing.

That means… no spontaneous purchases of lip gloss (my personal weakness), video games (my husband’s) and a wealth of other non-essential items that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

You can read more about our Shopping Embargo here.

The hardest part about it is probably determining the difference between needs and wants. Everyone has different priorities, and frankly, it’s easy to persuade yourself that a want is really a need. It became an annual debate with my blog readers. One year I felt that I needed a housecoat. I didn’t actually own a housecoat. So was this a want or a need? You can argue the finer points until the cows come home.

One of the items we tussled about was decorative containers for the bathroom, you know, the things that hold cotton balls and cotton swabs. Are these a want or a need? I’d argue that it’s a “want” because you can technically keep the extra Q-tips its original box under the sink. The whole issue of having decorative bathroom containers seems like such a first world problem, doesn’t it? Well, you can avoid all that by making your own.

Easy peasy.

• Take two matching jars (these are relish jars), soak off the labels and wash them out thoroughly.
•  Find some pretty paper and trace the lids. Cut the paper out and glue onto the lids.

That’s it! You have your own customized containers for bathroom supplies! And you didn’t need to break the bank (or your Shopping Embargo).

Brass is Back

How many 1980's trends can you find in this recently designed room by Sarah Richardson?

Everything old is new again.  And that’s good for thrifty design junkies.

In interior design the 1980′s are back.  Eep.  It sounds bad.  And sometimes it is.  But it doesn’t mean your home needs to look like an episode of Miami Vice or Dallas. Or 90% of doctor’s offices.  At least I hope it doesn’t!

However, think of the return of these 80′s trends in the past few years: grey is the go-to neutral.  But not the cool dull greys of the 80′s, rather a warmer more dynamic grey.  Wallpaper’s been back for a while now, but in modern graphic patterns – no fruit bowls, ivy borders, or horses, please.  Patterns in textiles are recalling the trends of wide stripes, big florals, paisleys, navajo-inspired patterns… all popular in the 1980′s.  And peach and mint green are back – they’re just calling themselves “coral” and “turquoise” these days.

The key to using these 80′s revivals is to not use them the same way you did in 1984 (well, I didn’t use any design rules back then.  I was busy being born and stuff.)  Instead of everything being match-matchy use elements of these trends in a more modern and eclectic way.

Design by Lauren Gold, from Lonny Magazine ...Notice the southwest patterned pillow? Brass coffee table? Cheetah-print bench? Eeeightieees...

One trend I’m liking is the return of warm metal tones after years of brushed nickel.  Gold, copper, bronze, and brass are all big.

Design by Emily Henderson

In the 80′s you may have installed gold bathroom faucets.  Don’t do that.  But do bring in these warm metal tones in changeable accessories like lamps, picture frames, candlesticks… or side tables!

Design by Angie Hranowsky in Lonny Magazine

I’m on a mission to do just this.  I want to find old brass side tables on UsedRegina to add to our living room.  They still need be solid and well designed.  And whether they stay brass or not will depend on the finish (I want brass that has a depth of colour and patina – not too shiny or yellowy).

So in my search for 80′s brass side tables I collected a round up of some of the great brass finds on UsedRegina:

My first find is perfect for a game I call “Awesome or Awful”.  Quick.  Grab a friend, spouse, or roommate.  Now show them this picture.  What do you think these tables are, Awful or Awesome?  Does your partner agree?

Marble and brass side tables for $80 on UsedRegina.

Well, I vote awesome.  Unfortunately my husband votes awful.  The intricate brass bases and marble tops may be a bit over-the-top for some, but I think they’re great!  (AND they’d fit in our living room.  Boo.  Shouldn’t have let him vote…)

A classic, the brass bed never goes out of style.  I can usually find a variety on UsedRegina. This one is particularly great with its clean lines and cannonball finials.

A classic brass bed for $250 on UsedRegina

And brass candlesticks are a great way to bring warm metal tones into your decorating without any long term commitment.  Not to mention they’re perfect for Christmas!

An assortment of brass candleholders for only $5!

I’m trying to think where I might need a floor lamp in my house, because updating the lampshade on this great swivel-arm lamp would look fabulous!

All this $10 brass floor lamp needs is a new shade.

(That’s another returning 80′s trend, actually: tapered lamp shades.  But not pleated teal lampshades.  Sorry 80′s, you can keep this one.)

Here’s another round of “Awesome or Awful”:

A circular brass coffee table for $75 on UsedRegina... Awesome or awful?

That’s right.  I vote “awesome”.  My husband doesn’t get a vote this time.  However to keep this table current it’ll need to be surrounded by more contemporary design.  Say good by to the pink carpet, brass, you’re not allowed to be together anymore.

What trends are you seeing for the second (or third) time around?  Which ones are you happy to see return, and which ones should go back in the time capsule?  Anyone out there have some awesome brass side tables hiding in your basement for me?

5 Items to Avoid Buying Used?

With so many different products available on our network of Used.com sites, I thought it might be interesting to discuss a few items you might want to avoid or at least exercise caution when you’re shopping.

Helmets

With any personal safety item, you have to consider its history. If the foam inside of a helmet is damaged, it needs to be replaced (and that won’t be visible to the new owner). The helmet doesn’t even have had to be an accident to be unsafe. If it’s been dropped or thrown, it can be damaged. So, while it’s a perfectly good idea to buy a used bike/motorcycle or skateboard, buying a new helmet would be a safer bet!

Make-Up

Even make-up that has only been used a few times can be a breeding ground for bacteria. In general, it’s not a good idea to share make-up (even with your closest friends) because you could expose yourself to pink eye or cold sores. If cost is an issue, there are a lot of websites that will teach you how to make your own beauty products. So unless the ad specifies that the products are new or unopened, used make-up is just not worth the risk.

Laptops

Buying electronics second-hand is a great idea, but you want to exercise caution. You have to be especially careful with laptops given their purpose (they are built to be transported). As a consumer, you have no idea how that used laptop has been treated in the past (was it bumped around or did the previous owner allow it to overheat?) Computers can also contain of a lot of sensitive information, so as a seller, you’d want to be 100% certain that your information had been completely wiped. If you’re really lucky, some used laptops are still under warranty. If not, take some time to get to know the seller. Ask lots of questions, and if you feel uncertain, walk away.

Lingerie

Given lingerie is such a personal/intimate purchase I would steer clear of buying used. While lingerie can be washed, many pieces are made of delicate materials and heavy duty washing (hot, soapy) is not recommended. Size is also a potential issue (we all know that there is no such thing as a standard size). And then there is the hygiene concern. You do not know the past of the used item and whether it has been cared for to your standards.

 Car Seats

There have been new regulations published by Transport Canada updating the safety standards for car seats and booster seats bought and sold in Canada. Check out our blog post with more information or you can review the regulations on the Transport Canada website and by calling Health Canada 1-866-662-0666.

Do you feel there are other products you should avoid buying used?

Five Surefire Winter Blues Beaters

Yes, it’s that time of year again.

The New Year isn’t so new and fresh, anymore. The Valentine’s chocolate is (mostly) eaten. But no matter what the groundhog proclaimed about spring a few weeks back, where I live we’re just settling into the real endurance run: another month, if not two, of cold, slushy, unpredictable weather.

I call it the long tail of winter.

Now, if you happen to live in Victoria, or even Vancouver, you may be wondering what on earth I’m talking about. The cherry blossoms are out on YOUR trees. Gloat your heart out: you deserve to. Our trees, out here in the Atlantic, won’t see buds ’til May. Our shoveling season is just getting started.

Sigh.

I love where I live: it is my home, and my roots go deep here. I lived elsewhere – on both the west and Arctic coasts of Canada, in Asia and Europe and in other parts of the Maritimes – for fifteen years. By the time I moved back to PEI seven years ago, I was more than ready to appreciate all the familiar quirks the Island had to offer. But every February for the past seven years, as the winter drags on longer than is civilized, I’ve had a fleeting moment of wondering what the heck I was ON when I packed my bags and hightailed it home.

It’s lovely in Thailand this time of year. Just sayin’.

If, however, you – like me – do not have the travel budget for a respite from winter, I offer some relatively green and inexpensive suggestions to warm you, heart and soul, while the snow still howls.

1. If you can’t beat it, join it. Go sledding.

Photo credit: www.flickr.com/photos/caseycanada/4314851216/

Yes, I realize the snow is chilly. And wet. And dries out the skin. And that none of these things is particularly pleasant, in and of itself. Strangely, though, getting outside on a sparkling winter day can actually be quite exhilarating. Add to that the high speed, I-could-expire-at-any-moment thrill of careening down a hill on a tube/crazy carpet/meal hall tray (ahem) and the rosy cheeks from chugging back UP said hill in the cold, and you have good clean classic Canadian winter fun.

2. Have a hibernation party.

Photo credit: www.flickr.com/photos/jenkim/4230741504/

If the days are gray and slushy, sledding may not sound like such an entertaining prospect. Those of us more inclined towards indoor pursuits in the first place have an advantage, in winter: our hibernatory tendencies become more socially acceptable. But you don’t have to hole up alone: invite friends over for a cozy afternoon or evening of totally, shamelessly sedentary amusements. Play poker. Break out the old crokinole board. Walk on the wild side and convince people to try a round of charades: in short, do things that people did for generations before TV and social media and hyperscheduling made our winters not entirely socially distinguishable from summer.

3. Purge the winter flab of your living space.
I know, this one may not exactly sound like the equivalent of a beach vacation. And no, housecleaning isn’t entirely my idea of a great time. But as somebody wise once said about writing, I don’t like the writing, I like having written. Me, I like having housecleaned, especially on a scale grand enough to clear out a previously unusable corner of my home. A new perspective – even on the mundanity of, say, your sock drawer, really perks things up, and when better to achieve that than when the long tail of winter has you stuck inside anyhow? Plus you can list the things you’ve outgrown on, say, your local usedeverywhere site! And save the profits towards a winter vacation NEXT year!

You can thank me with a postcard.

4. Cozy up with a hot drink.

Photo credit (replete with recipe): The Kitchn’s hot apple ginger toddy: perfection.

There’s nothing lovelier than a nice hot mug cupped between chapped and chilly fingers, and a wintertime drink warming your belly. Summertime can keep its gimlets and its iced tea: I’ll take something toasty anyday. Especially if there’s a fire to curl up in front of, while sipping.

There are creative and delicious hot drinks for almost any palate: I happen to love Celestial Seasonings’ Bengal Spice tea, Korean yu ja cha, and this recipe for bittersweet hot chocolate. Don’t be stingy with the citrus. Or the whipping cream. Whatever fits.

5. Get some light.
Many of us struggle during these long winters because our bodies simply don’t get enough Vitamin D. Supplements don’t necessarily cut it: it’s light that seems to have a positive impact on the aptly named Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. My practice: when there’s light, I get in it. I take a short walk, or I sit near the window, sunning myself like a cat.

Then I eat the dregs of the Valentine’s chocolate. That helps too.

Still, winter gets loooooong. Sometimes none of these efforts quite succeeds in beating back the winter blues and blahs.

If all of the above should fail, I have one final weapon in my arsenal.

It’s for special circumstances only. It’s not for the faint of heart. But it works.

When it all gets too cold for comfort, I remind myself of the inevitability of spring by singing. Specifically, by singing the last verse of my very favourite never-fail campy classic, the under-rated Bette Midler inspirational hymn, The Rose.

Very loudly. Also, off-key.

When the night has been too lonely, and the road has been too long
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong
Just remember, in the winter, far beneath the winter snows
Lies the seed, that with the sun’s love, in the spring becomes the Rose.
(Songwriting credit: Amanda McBroom)

Try it. Guaranteed you’ll either believe it by the end, or you’ll be laughing so hard you’ll feel better ’til March.

Get the Look – Sarah Richardson's Farmhouse Bedroom

Do you ever watch HGTV, or thumb through design magazines and grow depressed at what designers call “great deals”?  Even in many “Get the look for less” articles the low end items can be out of my budget.  But I don’t despair, because I know that with some creativity, a bit of elbow grease, and some patient thriftiness you can often get those looks for even less than “less”.  Let’s take this lovely bedroom, designed by the talented and much-loved Sarah Richardson along with her good friend Thomas Smythe.  It was featured on her show, the eponymous “Sarah’s House” season 3 on HGTV Canada:

Master bedroom from "Sarah's House 3"

I love this room – it’s vibrant, pattern-filled, cozy, and quirky.  But Sarah’s budget and my budget are not really on the same planet, and chances are you may feel the same way.

So let’s surf UsedEverywhere to find some of these elements to create our own cheerful farmhouse bedroom, shall we?

Let’s start from the ground up and search for a Persian rug. How about this one on UsedRegina for $50?  Yes please.

Persian rug on Used Regina for $50

This bed isn’t exactly the same, but it’s gorgeous, has a similar four-poster feel and it’s a lot less than the 3 grand Sarah dropped on her antique bed:

A queen size brass four poster bed on UsedRegina for $650

And this chandelier may be a bit smaller in scale, but that’s probably a good thing if you don’t have the same soaring ceilings.  (If you do, hang the chandelier a bit closer and lower over the bed, or hang it over a different area, like over the pair of chairs.)

A great chandelier selling for $25 on UsedRegina

Design by Sarah Richardson

And if you have the room, you could easily install an electric fireplace for a quick dose of character.  Electric fireplaces have come a long way since the tissue paper and fan fireplace we had when I was a kid.  For starters, how about this mantel for $30?  You could buy a firebox, or just fill it full of candles or firewood.

$30 Fireplace Mantel on UsedRegina

And some brass candlesticks for the mantel, just like in the inspiration picture:

Brass candle holders on UsedRegina for $5

Did you notice that interesting woodbox for holding firewood?  You could replicate the look by painting this plant stand in orange or another kicky colour, and storing logs in it.

An antique plant stand on UsedRegina for $50

Design by Sarah Richardson

In my humble opinion I find the side tables a little too midcentury modern for the room, but you could acheive a similar open look with a couple of side tables like these:

Antique demi-lune table for $50 on UsedRegina

A curvy old oak side table on UsedRegina for $90

And this phone is black, but just as charming as the one atop the side table… and it works!

$80 Antique phone on UsedRegina

And for bedside light you can look for some shapely lamps that can be spray painted in any colour you like, similar to the orange ones seen in the inspiration picture.  (Or, if you find a pair of vases you like, you could follow my lamp DIY and convert a vase into a table lamp!)

Bedside lamps for $10 each on UsedRegina

Design by Sarah Richardson

This wooden dresser is perfect, and just needs some new hardware.  (You could add white knobs like the dresser in the inspiration picture)

Antique dresser on UsedRegina for $125

And a simple mirror, a pretty little tea set, and a crystal lamp should be easy enough to find on UsedEverywhere or a thrift store.

Design by Sarah Richardson

This pair of wingback chairs on UsedRegina may not fit with the room yet – but they’re FREE, so why not buy some of this colourful floral fabric

"Wonderland" fabric from Designer Fabrics Online

and have them reupholstered or slipcovered?

Can't argue with free chairs on UsedRegina

And how about this great vintage lamp for $25

1950's brass lamp for $25 on UsedRegina

perched atop one of these tables

Two round side tables for $10 on UsedRegina

between the chairs to recreate the look of the seating area in Sarah’s room?

And a key part of the charming farmhouse aesthetic are the framed vintage botanical prints.  These ones are available on UsedRegina for as low as $10.

One of a selection of beautiful old botanical prints on UsedRegina

They’re the perfect finishing touch to your sunny farmhouse bedroom.

And there you have it!  If you have a room you’d like to challenge me with, leave a link to it in the comments section!

UsedBlog Watches: "American Look" (Mid-Century Modern Inspiration)

Interested in Mid-Century modern decor?  American Look, the 1958 film made by Chevrolet, will educate and inspire you . Ready to start decorating? Check out our Mid-Century Mod Pinterest page for all sorts of period furnishings and decor pinned from our Used sites across Canada.

The Golden Rule of Going Used

There are times in everyone’s life where points of fate intersect at a perfect angle. Those times that actually make you believe things are meant to happen. I felt it the first time I heard a drumbeat that stopped me cold and my eyes fell upon the woman I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I felt it when I held each of my sons for the first time.

And I feel it every time I write a tweet for UsedRegina.

This job was made for me. You see,“used” and I go way back. I have always had an affection for the old and interesting, not to mention a serious crush on getting a deal. I’d be combing through the UsedRegina site a few times a day even if I wasn’t writing for them.

And I don’t just look. I buy and sell. In the last two weeks alone I’ve purchased a trombone, a bookshelf, some Neil Diamond tickets and six garden gnomes. And I’ve sold everything from insulation to Il Divo tickets (I won them in a contest. I want it made perfectly clear I did not purchase Il Divo tickets. Nor would I ever). And I have learned a lot of things about what makes a good Used experience. And it can be boiled down to one golden rule that should be followed by buyers and sellers alike.

First let me say this rule is more of a Ms. Manners-like absolute for good buyer and seller decorum. I won’t talk about the important safety tips you should also consider when making a deal. Fellow blogger Katie Bresner already did that wonderfully with her post Safety First. Read it.

My rule is a simple eight words that should be followed in our day-to-day too:

Do what you say you’re going to do.

That’s it. Sounds pretty easy huh? If you’re a buyer and you say you’re going to go check out an item and you can’t make it or change your mind, email the seller. They could be holding that item for you and turning down serious offers waiting for you. And if you’re a seller and you say you will hold an item until a certain time, hold it until then. Or if you say you are going to be home at certain time so a buyer can come by, be there. Or let them know if you can’t. A twenty-second email can save a lot of time and trouble.

And when you commit to a price, either as a buyer or a seller, honour it. Don’t try a lower offer or hold out for more once a deal is made.

See? Doesn’t sound that difficult, but you’d be surprised how often we fail at this. I’ve done it myself. But if we all just remember what we’ve basically been told our whole lives – honour your commitments and tell the truth – we’ll all save ourselves a lot of grief.

I’m not a fan of grief myself, so I think I’ll give it a go.

Follow Brodie on Twitter: @usedregina

Rustic Appeal

It’s deep winter and I’m craving all things cozy: warm drinks spiced with cinnamon or nutmeg, fuzzy mittens and knit scarves, and glowing candles in the cool dark evenings. And my design aesthetic shifts too. Summer’s bright whites and breezy linens won’t be a reality for a long time, and instead I want to surround myself in rich velvet or heavy wool. It’s like I want to retreat to a rustic cabin in the woods. Can you picture it?  Rough hewn beams, worn hardwood floors, knicked up old wooden furniture …

Weathered wood is definitely in style right now. I think there may be two reasons for this. One, we don’t want our homes to look so straight-out-of-the-box brand new; we want them to have character, patina, and a collected look. And second, more and more people are considering the environment in their design and re-using wood fits right in with the “Three R’s” mindset.

Here are some examples of reused wood in some beautiful interiors:

Design by Claire Archambault, Photograph by Monic Richard for Maison & Demeure

Wooden ceiling by Restoration Timber featured on Remodelista

Another ceiling clad with old barn wood. Design by Sarah Richardson and Thomas Smythe. Photograph by Stacey Brandford.

Design by Kevin and Layla Palmer from The Lettered Cottage

Reader room featured on Design*Sponge

Stairs designed from old wood by Jan Korbes, featured on Apartment Therapy

Painted barn boards. Photograph from Better Homes & Gardens

Design by Kriste Michelini Interiors, photograph by Lisa Duncan for Elle Decor

Design by Christie Hansen, architecture by Pearson Design, photograph by Virginia MacDonald for Canadian House & Home

As you can see, the material is really versatile – used on ceilings, floors, or walls; used for tabletops, staircases, headboards, or doors.  It’s used by high-end designers and every day handy DIY’ers. It fits in a pretty cottage, a funky vintage bungalow, a grand country house, or a clean modern condo.

So why not search your back yard, or UsedEverywhere, for wooden boards from old barns, sheds, floors, doors, palettes, boxes, fences… and add some old charm to your home?  I found this listing on UsedRegina offering old barn wood!

Old barn wood and windows for sale on UsedRegina

And if you do a project like this (or have already done one) please share it with us here at UsedEverywhere!

The Best Backstage Pass in Canada: Victoria House Concert B

That's me and Jay Semko singing together!!! Tick this one off my bucket list!- picture courtesy of Rob Porter, Snap Victoria

I got to be 14 years old again on Sunday night!  And no, I have not discovered a magical time machine to transport me back to the days where dirty diapers, laundry or really any responsibility what so ever was a very foreign concept.  I went to my friend Andy’s house to see Jay Semko, the lead singer of the Northern Pikes, play a concert for a crowd of 50 people in his living room!  As soon as I heard “Kiss Me You Fool” and “Teen land” I instantly became that giddy, carefree teenage girl who would ride around in her friend Trisha’s “boat” (a huge, gas guzzling 1972 Malibu) blasting the Northern Pikes.  In fact, the first CD I ever purchased was the Northern Pikes’ Snow in June.

Here's Andy standing behind a frame filled with song playlists from previous concerts at his home

My friend Andy Briggs has been running small house concerts out of his living room in Fernwood, Victoria since 2007. He came by the idea rather organically when he went to watch a hockey game at a local pub where it turned out Tom Hooper from the Grapes of Wrath was playing. Andy’s a big fan so after coming back week after week to see Tom perform, he finally asked him if he’d be interested in playing a concert in his living room. Tom agreed and from this grew a local musical phenomenon called “Victoria House Concert B.” (BTW, the “B” stands for Briggs which Andy added just in case the name “Victoria House Concert” was already taken…what a smart cookie!)

I was lucky enough to meet Andy about four years ago through my friend Delani who had casually mentioned one day that she’d seen one of my favourite artists play at Andy’s house the previous year.  I think I scared her as I screamed, “You what???? How? Why? Where?  When can I do this???” Being a huge music lover and concert goer, I got very excited over the idea that I could possibly see one of my favourite Canadian artists play to a small group of people at a house party! She introduced me to Andy and over a couple of beers we discovered that we both shared a love for Canadian music. He promised me he’d let me know when the next concert at his house was.

A couple months later, thanks to Andy, my dreams came true. I got to sit a few feet away from my Canadian musical hero as he belted out song after song on his acoustic guitar, transporting me back in time to where I would lock myself in my room, blare his CDs and dance for hours (or rather flail about like a lunatic as young adults do…I’ve since tried this as a 32-year-old woman and I think I managed to get through one song before I had to sit down and grab my inhaler. Note to self:  get going on that New Year’s resolution to work out more. Geez!)

At Sunday’s Northern Pikes concert, Andy graciously offered to answer a few questions for me (Yippee…my very first interview!) about this amazing music venue he’s created and why he continues to open up his home to musicians and fans alike. So here we go:

What is your favourite/most memorable moment from a house concert?

“Perhaps my most memorable moment was the first time I realized that it was not a dream to watch my idol musicians play close and acoustic —  just a touch away, let alone in my own house; to greet, watch, occasionally jam or chat into the early hours, have them stay the night, chat over breakfast, or more importantly facilitate others’ listening enjoyment.

This realization occurred almost immediately with the arrival of my first artist (Tom Hooper, The Grapes of Wrath). I was setting up and returned to it after a short greeting as he showed a desire to settle in to his room and practice/do a set list.  I must have seemed like a giddy, elated boy as he walked out of the living room.  I later found that it was his first house concert and that in actual fact he felt like a nervous child as well.

Not much later the house filled with a voice and song I could not help but recall, but it emanated far crisper than the radio. He was singing one of my favourite songs; ok, all of his were.  Memories of places, best friends, and circumstances were triggered.  I couldn’t help but gravitate respectfully to the adjacent hall to admire and adsorb such clarity.  I was surprised to find the hall empty as well as the staircase to the upstairs.  I quietly and slowly peered up the stairs and followed the music.   Much to my amazement, he was not at the top of the stairs and in fact was down the hall behind closed doors.  I was blown away!   It was just a sign of the sounds that would soon be a part of my new world.

I thought that this was surely a magical time. What started as an inebriated suggestion with a little believing by Tom Hooper, self craziness, and a bit of luck had dropped greatness into my lap.  I would have been elated and awed forever with this chance alone; a privilege I felt that could never be surpassed as he is one of the top dozen Canadian icons. Little did I know the extent of me and my groups’ fortune.”

What artist has played at your house that you thought you would never get?

Without question, each and every artist that has come to play for Victoria House Concert B seemed unlikely in the beginning. I have been both lucky and aggressive in getting some of the best musicians that I possibly could; my thoughts were “why not try?”

With being the sole facilitator I could not help but be initially biased in my choice of musicians. I am very fortunate to have drawn many of the well known Canadian personalities, all of which have surprised me with their professionalism, moralistic kindness, and energy. Canadian musicians are awesome! (I concur with this statement 100%!  Canadian musicians are the best!)

I have never had a bad concert; I look out into the crowd each night to see the elation of smiles and nary hear a pin drop of sound, except when they are encouraged. Who would be dismayed or distraught at such a low cost to see someone like Barney Bentall, Shaun Verreault (Wide Mouth Mason), or Jay Semko (Northern Pikes) close and personal and at length? Perhaps what makes it all my hours of work worthwhile are these times, the music, and the reactions expressed by the viewers.”

The crowd at the Jay Semko concert elated and in awe!

What is the strangest thing that has happened during a house concert?

“I suppose I am fortunate to have return and/or very respectful patrons who come specifically to listen to great music, so not much out of the ordinary occurs. On the positive side, since the industry is so close-knit, quite often other musicians show up (like Tal Bachman or Steph Macpherson or most of a band like Acres of Lions who jammed out a few piano tunes) and play and contributes or an artist like Aidan Knight brings a repertoire of sounds and voices.

I guess my worst nightmare occurred but once during a Vince Vaccaro concert when one of the attendees showed up already on his way to being very inebriated. Since my friend Todd at Hooge Studios graciously records most of the concerts as a gift for the musicians and if they also choose, for us as well to remember, it is usually very quiet and calm; for everyone is essentially there for the music and courteous or just awed into silence very quickly.

Vince Vaccaro jamming in Andy's living room

Anyhow, even just continual talking affects everyone including the artist.  Well, after only a few songs it was suggested that we take a break.   I was fortunate to have the group support and two larger members’ desire to back my decision to refund this man’s ticket if he would exit.”

Who are you currently working on to play in your house in the future? Also, what is your approach to asking artists to play at your house?

“I suppose now that reputation may make it possible to get other musicians it might seem that the sky is the limit.  At the moment I do have a favourites list.  At times they seem impossible to attain and then I recall whom I have already had. Venue size and fame cut into some of those names but others seem plausible. Now that I just had Jay Semko, I’ll press Andrew Cash (Skydiggers) and Neil Osbourne (54-40); both of whom I worship and have negotiated with.

There are many artists both local and abroad so I always keep my ears open.   I occasionally venture out to listen and learn and recruit; one such great artist that returns frequently to Victoria is Jeremy Fisher; he seems like an easy candidate but he is an example of how it is never easy both getting in touch, making them believe, nor making them want to try (the venue can be intimidating to their personal space).  Carly speaking here:  Jeremy Fisher is my favourite artist. Jeremy, if you are reading this…please do a show at Andy’s house!!!  I promise you won’t regret it!)

I am always looking and finding singers.  I suppose the best way to know would be to join the Facebook Group as there is a listing that continually gets updated.  Planned so far is Aussie, David Ross Macdonald (a personal favourite so I can!), locals Mike Edel, Acres of Lions & Steph Macpherson, a Nashville return from Stacey Earle (Sister of Steve) & Mark Stuart, and Lilith Fairs’ top rated 2010 singer Dayna Manning with Ryan McMahon.”

End of Interview

Thanks so much Andy for taking the time to talk about this amazing and intimate music venue you’ve created for everyone to enjoy.  I have so much fun everytime I attend one of your concerts as it’s not only a way to see amazing musicians but I always end up meeting such wonderful and interesting people of all ages and walks of life:

This was Rob and Andrea's first house concert...I'm sure we'll see them at the next one!

And the best thing about these concerts is really anything can happen!

For instance, on Sunday night I got to sing WITH Jay Semko, one of my musical heroes.  It was a wonderful and completely unexpected surprise…someone asked him to play a song off his first solo album but as he began to sing the song he realized he couldn’t remember the next two lines. I quickly mentioned that I had his CD in my purse with the lyrics and so he asked if I would go get it for him. I brought it up to him at the front of the room and rather than just reading over the lyrics quickly and giving them back to me, he asked if I wouldn’t mind staying up there to help him out with the song as well.  It was one of those moments I will never forget and would never had the opportunity to experience if it wasn’t for Victoria House Concert B.

Thank you again Andy for sharing your beautiful home with such talented musicians and all of us crazy Canadian music fans!