Country Decor Blog

I know this is a blog about living simply and living well, but executive editor Suzanne Moutis had a huge laugh at my expense the other day when she saw this awesome photo of my new puppy, taken by photographer Virginia Macdonald. I pride myself on enjoying the “simple things.” A Catahoula Leopard dog puppy wearing a pink studded collar adorned with a faux diamond pave charm is NOT, says Suzanne, “simple.” I disagree. After all, simple to me means quality. The idea that you will spend a little more money on something that will last for longer is a simple concept, I think. Sure my dog isn’t really a girly-girl type, and yes, the bling collar charm may be a little over the top. But surely it’s a simple thing, to take care of a dog, and put an attractive collar on her. Suzanne and I may disagree on what “keeping it simple” means, but when it comes to decor and lifestyle, everyone’s idea of what constitutes will differ. I would love to know what your idea of simple means - please add a comment to let me know

Today is the 6th day of puppy ownership, and I had to share this image of my two dogs, Tallulah (a Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog) and Janou (a Weimaraner/Catahoula cross). I had to pull over in my car to snap this shot… My poor beleaguered Janou is now having to put up with the young minx Tallulah.

So why am I writing about this in a decor column? In a very odd way, my home decor is totally inspired by my surroundings and experiences…

When I moved into 19th century rowhouse five years ago, my living room decor - from paint colours to upholstery - were inspired by Janou’s mottled coat of taupe, beige and chocolate brown. Who would guess that I have now started on redecorating my living room and by some strange coincidence, the new colours are actually completely complementary to Tallulah’s coat of grey, charcoal grey, black and blue (her striking blue eye!). The makeover will be unveiled next spring in Style at Home magazine, but I just think it’s so odd that I was somehow channeling the look of this new puppy. Channeling you say? When I decided on the colour scheme for my living room, it was two months before Tallulah was even born. Does this make me a psychic dog owning decorator? Inquiring minds want to know…

On another note, thanks to everyone for their kind and thoughtful comments about Canadian Home & Country magazine. It is ever so much appreciated

This note has been a week and a half coming - apologies to those of you who have been waiting to hear from me about the closure of the print edition of Canadian Home & Country magazine.. I have been thinking about what to say in this blog about the loss of a print publication that has become so much a part of me. I have been at Canadian Home & Country since its inception in 2000, when I was hired by Avid Media to relaunch a small traditional home magazine called Century Home. Within a year, we had rebranded it as Canadian Home & Country, and we took flight as the ONE decor magazine that celebrates casual living and decorating with your own personality. Unfortunately, with the downturn in the economy, we’ve had to shutter the print version of CH&C, but I am happy to say that we will continue working on canadianhomeandcountry.com with as much joy and enthusiasm as we can! But there is some good news in the midst of all this sad news: First, I have been helming the editorship of Canadian Gardening magazine and am delighted to work on an influential, informative and FUN gardening magazine. I hope to bring the same life and creativity to it that I brought (at least I think I did!) to Canadian Home & Country. Please check us out online at canadiangardening.com As well, make sure to check out the forums on CG’s terrific site. But EVEN more importantly, I got a new puppy. I spent a few days down on Amelia Island in North East Florida (I will write more about it over the next few days) and drove across the top of Florida to Youngstown, Florida where I picked up Tallulah, my 9 week-old Catahoula leopard dog puppy from a fantastic breeder named Panhead Kennel. She flew back with me to Toronto in a little carrying case tucked under my seat. She is sitting on my lap right now as I am typing this… All I have to say is this: the best way to get over your grief (in my case, the loss of the print version of CH&C) is to buy a puppy! I promise, it works!