What do you get when you take the energy and charm of radio personality Billie (The Breakfast Show, weekdays 5:30-9:00 on Virgin Radio) and mix it with the talent of interior designer extraordinaire Glenn Dixon (of W Network's Take This House and Sell It!)?
The result is the magical transformation of an empty room into a stylish nursery for Billie's daughter, who is expected to make her worldwide debut in July.
Billie, a native of Ottawa, first hit Toronto airwaves at 92.5 KISS FM. A star-filled report from the 2000 Grammy Awards and a tiff with Donny Osmond made management take notice of her spunk; she was given the job of co-host of the morning show. Her chemistry with "Mad Dog" was an electric combination and the start of a beautiful partnership -- they are still co-hosts today.
In August 2006, the dynamic duo of Mad Dog and Billie moved their show to MIX 99.9 FM (now Virgin Radio).
In 2007, Billie was inducted into the Humber College Broadcast Hall of Fame. She's thrilled and anxious to become a member of another institution: the Mommy Club.
Star Spaces spoke to Billie and Glenn Dixon.
Q: How would you describe your home in one or two words?
Billie: Grown-up.
Glenn: The house is beautiful! It is a perfect place to raise a family and entertain.
Q: Tell us about your home.
A: It's our first actual home. It is a 4,500-square feet, grey stucco, two-storey house with a huge backyard. I have a lawn now! There are lots of things for our (two) dogs to pee on.
We moved in on June 5. Coming from a one- bedroom condo, it seems like a castle to us.
Q: What is your favourite room and why?
Billie: The nursery, because that's where the love-of-my-life my little girl will dream!
Glenn: The nursery is in fuchsias, pinks and blacks. The baby furniture is black and glossy. The room includes a pink crystal chandelier, a pink shag rug and modern appliques such as flowers on the walls. The nursery contains the must-haves: a crib, storage for clothes, a change table and a place for the mother to feed the baby.
I have designed the room so that it is functional for the newborn as well as while she is growing up. The crib turns into a bed. This bedroom will be as beautiful 10 years from now. Of course, as she gets older, she will add her own touches.
Billie: I wanted my daughter to know that she is unique and special, so I had photos taken of celebrities such as Chris Noth and Gordon Ramsay, touching my belly. There is a wall in the nursery devoted to the pictures.
Q: What is critical to keep in mind when designing the baby's room?
Glenn: Everything must be functional, dry-cleanable or washable, easy-to-care for and very durable. It is the place where the mother and baby will bond. All the drapery, bedding and furniture must pass government safety standards.
Q: How would you describe your decorating style?
Billie: Minimalist and contemporary. There will no longer be posters on the wall for artwork. I am mixing thrift store pieces with new pieces we have purchased. My favourite items are a chalkboard from a Just Desserts Cafe my husband worked at and organ pipes bought at a church bazaar.
Q: If your walls could talk, what would they say?
A: Who the blank are you crazy people? Why is the spare bedroom now a closet? Who do you think you are, Carrie Bradshaw?
