I wouldn’t exactly call myself tech-savvy, though I do appreciate the progress in wiring and electronics making the day-to-day easier, giving us new ways to spend our time and merging the gadgets and capabilities we now have at our fingertips.

We’ve come a long way in the last 70 years since first being turned on to televisions in our homes, which quickly became generation after generation’s favourite pastime. Not only can homeowners now instantly download and record shows to PVRs, mount shockingly thin TVs on walls in every room, camouflage a big-screen with a piece of art and watch flicks or surf the ’Net on a phone, they can now also control lights, heat, fireplaces, security, audio and even window blinds with the touch of a screen or remotely by computer. See the future of electronics on page 62.

Gadget guru Pepper Rodriguez sweetens the tech pot in this issue with his picks even fan boys will approve of. And when it comes to turning heads, there’s no better way than with mirrors, so this month, photographer Wil Andruschak turns his lens to Focus On the looking glass in a variety of incarnations.

As many of us are gearing up for the party season, Alykhan Velji shares some blooming great tips for floral arrangements, with his five easy-to-duplicate flower themes to help spruce up your home—not just for a fab holiday bash, but year-round.

This month’s New Home Living also serves up all of your favourite departments. In our Finishing and Furnishings we see what’s up with ceiling lights, Going Green reads like a guilt-free shopping list of where to look for sustainable products and retailers, and Interiors/Exteriors gets to the bottom of hot trends in spas now soaking up interest, like portable hot tubs sized to squeeze through doors.

And last but not least, readers who to like to see what the best-dressed show homes are wearing in must-see models by Albi, Baywest and Shane Homes.