View
215
Download
1
Category
Tags:
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
At Home - February 2010
Citation preview
athome{ T H E U LT I M AT E G U I D E T O D O M E S T I C B L I S S O N T H E N O R T H S H O R E }
FEBRUARY 2010
bustersclutter
Professional organizers find a Place for everything
Ph
oto
dR
EAm
stim
E.c
om
2 RENOVATE MY SPACE PAGE
02280803 2x3 P
02280120 2x3 P
Advertisement
Renovate MY SPACEIf you’re thinking of giving your home a fresh look, there’s an alternative to gutting the interior and re-building. Pick a specifi c area and do a makeover.Two of the areas that can have an immediate impact to the look and feel of your home and add real value to your investment are the kitchen and the bathroom. North Vancouver’s Bathrooms Plus, at #103-828 Harbourside Drive, has been solving people’s kitchen, plumbing and bathroom design and installation problems since 1992. With the North Shore’s largest kitchen and bath showroom and design centre, Bathrooms Plus has gained a reputation for selection, expertise and above all, service.With a full range of selections
from manufacturers like Kohler, Maax, Duravit and many others, Bathrooms Plus is also able to offer factory direct pricing on lines like Kitchencraft, Aquabrass and Rubinet.
Beyond the selection, however, it’s the time their product and design specialists spend with you exploring options, setting realistic budgets and working with your contractors that’s the Bathrooms Plus difference.The process begins with
making a wish list and putting your needs and wants, clearly identifi ed, down on paper.“Spending time with a design professional could cost you from $50 to $100 an hour,”says Bathrooms Plus’ Mary Vasilopoulos. “We offer you a complimentary in-home consultation, detailed quote and a kitchen or bath design absolutely free. Even our competition agrees that service is what we are all about, as they often send us customers with problems seeking a solution.”It’s that level of personalized service that makes Bathrooms Plus a valuable partner in reinvigorating your home’s look and feel.“We’re here to help you make
wise choices,” says Mary Vasilopoulos. “We spend whatever time is necessary helping you choose colors, styles, and all the necessary materials to turn your dreams into reality. We also help you set realistic budgets to achieve your desired end result. Our solutions can easily save you thousands of dollars on everything from planning and designing to supply and installation. We’re truly a one-stop shop.”Whether you just need a faucet or a complete renovation, if you’re thinking of updating your kitchen or bathroom to add value to your home, a call to Bathrooms Plus can get you the result you want and save you time and money.
We off er you a complimentary
in-homeconsultation
B A T H R O O M S P L U S - A F R E S H L O O K F O R Y O U R H O M E
Website: www.burrardinc.com
Thinking aboutRe-Roofi ng?
Call the Experts. 604.986.1812
CELEBRATING 31 YEARS • ESTABLISHED 1979
604.924.5296
• Lawn & Garden Maintenance
• New Lawns & Repair
• Landscape Lighting• Fences & Decks• Garden Renovations• Design & Build
Providing Quality Landscape Services on the North Shore Since 2000!
Services:
www.greatcanadianlandscaping.com
1420 Marine Drive, North Vancouver 604-980-6772
Carpet • Vinyl • Hardwood • Laminate • Tile • Area Rug • Custom Made Kitchen Cabinets & CountertopsInstallation • Full Interior Renovation • Painting
Store hours - 9:00am - 6:00pm • Sun 11:00am - 5:00pm
BCFCA
You’ve Renovated...now protect your
investment
ASHADE
BETTERWindow Fashions
110-949 West 3rd StreetNorth Vancouver
604-984-4101 or emailinfo@ashadebetter.ca
• Automation• Drapes• Parts• Servicing• Cleaning
BOLD KNOWSNO LIMITS
KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN CENTRE SINCE ‘92
YOUR NEW HOME FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION
#303 - 828 Harbourside Dr, North Vancouver
South of the N.S. Auto Mall604.983.8766
“There’s never been a better time to buy...”
Bathrooms PLUSWhere PLUS equals service
UP TO 20% OFF CABINETS UNTIL MARCH 31, 2010
The Northshore’s ONLY Window & Door Specialists. It’s all we do!604.839.0636 northshorewindows.com
Mary & Christina Vasilopoulos from Bathrooms Plus
February 28, 2010 NoRtH sHoRE NEWs� / at home
3 AT HOME
1104 E. 3RD STREET, NORTH VANCOUVER • WWW.RHINOHOMEPRO.COM
TAKE BACK THE TOUGHEST ROOM IN YOUR HOME...
604.986.8262
• One day install, next day return to service*• Superior resistance to chemicals, oils, and UV exposure• Eliminate hot tire peel • Easy clean up• Maximum gloss retention• Seamless beauty • Multiple colour selections* Weather conditions may extend installation and cure times.
Evolutionary FastFloor from Rhino Home Pro™,
the one-of-a-kind fl ooring solution for
your garage. It will leave you breathless every time you
walk into your garage.
PUT A IN YOUR GARAGE!
All Rhino lining applications are 100% solids and environmentally friendly.
Containing no VOCs or CFCs.
Beautiful and durable floors
in one day!
Visit us online for more information
Scott Haile 604.518.5661
www.katsuralandscaping.ca
• High-end landscape design• Maintenance, planting• Certifi ed Horticulturalists
RESIDENTIAL GARDEN DESIGN
Defining communitymEtRo VANcoUVER’s gRoWtH stRAtEgY iNclUdEs iNcREAsiNg dENsitY iN URBAN AREAs.
Do you like your neighbours?
More than what colour the master bedroom is and whether or not it has granite countertops, how close you can live to your neighbours will be a key question for Lower Mainland residents when they are choosing a home.
that’s because, like it or not, the new buzzword for housing is “densification” – fitting more people onto less land – and that will affect all Lower Mainlanders.
the region is expected to have another one million new residents in the coming few years, another million people on a limited land base.
the 2006 Census showed 2.1 million people live within Metro Vancouver boundaries.
Even those who can afford a single-family detached home may find they end up living next door to four houses on what was once a lot with one home.
Much of how the region develops is being decided now, as Metro Vancouver, the regional district that is a federation of 22 municipalities, one electoral area and one First Nation, plans for the area’s growth over the coming decades.
the current discussion builds on the regional district’s 1996 Livable Region Strategic Plan.
the latest plan, called the Regional Growth Strategy, looks ahead to 2040 and has five main goals:
• create a compact urban area;
• support a sustainable economy;
• protect the region’s environment and respond to climate change;
• develop complete communities; and
• support sustainable transportation choices.
to do this, Metro Vancouver wants to set out which areas will develop for residential uses and which will be industrial, commercial, or green space.
how about waste? Where’s it going to go in the future, and how will clean drinking water get to people’s homes?
“this plan builds on what we have achieved over the last 20 years and confirms that, in broad outline, we have been heading in the right direction,” said Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, chair of Metro Vancouver’s Land Use Planning Committee, “but it also attempts to address issues which have either arisen since the last plan was drafted, such as climate change, or are issues which we now recognize needed more attention than we gave them, such as the regional economy and the dispersal of employment to areas that are not well served by transit.”
It’s all part of the planning, and the Metro Vancouver board expects to approve the regional strategy this summer after a 120-day consultation period with affected municipalities.
Langley City, for instance, is questioning Metro Vancouver’s plans for industrial lands near the City’s downtown core. the City has an ambitious development plan for its core that involves industrial lands adjacent to downtown becoming
more like working artist space.
Some of the public reaction to the strategy is on the Metro Vancouver website.
Like others, Vancouver resident Janine Bond questions the planning.
“Why do we have to keep on growing, expanding, bursting at the seams?” she wrote.
to find out more about the Regional Growth Strategy, go to www.metrovancouver.org.
By hEathER CoLPIttS hCoLPIttS@LaNGLEyaDVaNCE.CoM
NEwS PHOTO Paul McGrath
at home / �NoRtH sHoRE NEWs February 28, 2010
4 AT HOME
VISIT OUR SHOWROOMMonday-Friday 10 to 5
1367 Crown St. North Vancouver
www.ajia.ca • 604-990-1133
Design, Build, Deliver, Setup
10%OFF
until March 31ST
AJIA CANADIANBUILDING SYSTEMS INC.
Locally Owned and OperatedProud To Be
Using Canadian Products!
L - R: Judy, Sheryl, Joanne
NORTH VANCOUVER1405 Pemberton Avenue
604.988.8271Monday to Saturday 9:30am-5:30pm
Sunday 12-5pm
LANGLEY • COQUITLAM • NANAIMO • VICTORIA
11 YEARS ON THE NORTH SHORE!
• SOFAS
• SECTIONALS
• SOFA BEDS
• CHAIRS
• OTTOMANS
THE STORE FRIENDS TELL FRIENDS ABOUTPeople on the North Shore have come to count on the service, selection and value found at North Vancouver’s Couch Potato. Located at 1405 Pemberton Avenue, Couch Potato has been a mainstay of local interior design and furnishing for over a decade.
Today, under the guidance of new owner Joanne Morrison, a home furnishings expert, Couch Potato has more to offer than ever. With experienced staff members—Judy has been at Couch Potato for 8 years—who know what North Shore residents prefer, a trip to Couch Potato can solve a lot of your problems with one visit.
While style and fabric selections are constantly updated to offer the latest looks, the one thing that never changes is the high level of service Couch Potato provides to all of their clients. It’s a tradition that began under Couch Potato’s founders, Sheryl and Eggert Rasmussen.
“We intend to conduct business as Sheryl and Eggert Rasmussen did successfully over the past 11 years,” says Joanne. “They have been very supportive of our ownership transition. They provided us with the same great service in taking over their business as they did for their customers. We would like to thank all Couch Potato clients for their business over the years and invite them to come down and meet us.”
If you need to freshen up the look of your home’s interior, a trip to Couch Potato is always a great place to start.
1 Set daily priorities. Make sure
the most important tasks are at the top
of the list. If you don’t determine what is
most important, you may spend the day
being reactive instead of proactive.
2 Know how you like to work.
Take advantage of your “power hours;”
schedule the most important tasks for
your most productive time of day. If you
work best with a clean desk, spend a few
minutes getting your desk cleared before
you start.
3 Put it in your schedule.
Determine which rooms or areas you
want to organize and schedule one per
week until the list is complete.
4 Prepare for tax time. Early
in the year is an excellent time to go
through your file cabinet and prepare
for your taxes. Review your files, tossing
anything that is outdated or obsolete
like instruction manuals for items you
no longer own. While you’re doing this,
consolidate your tax records and receipts
so you’re not in a panic on April 30.
5 Consolidate tasks for efficiency.
Return calls or respond to e-mails at one
time, pay all your bills, even group your
errands together by geographic location.
6 Everyone should pitch in.
Make sure all members of the
household know where items are kept,
whether it is sporting equipment,
photographs, or even incoming mail and
newspapers.
Make sure storage areas are kid-friendly
so even the younger members of the
household will be able to help return
items to their proper home.
7 Edit your wardrobe. Does
everything fit, look good and make
you feel good when you wear it? If not,
should it really be taking up valuable
space? Remember, we wear 20 per cent of
our clothes 80 per cent of the time.
Source: Professional Organizers in Canada
tips & tRicks from the professionals
you’re not alone — many Canadians are feeling disorganized these days; but there’s no better time to start cleaning up your life.
Last year, Leger Marketing conducted an online survey for the Professional organizers in Canada (PoC). of the more than 1,200 respondents, 80 per cent were classified as disorganized.
Kristie Demke, PoC president and a professional organizer, said respondents were classified as disorganized if they considered themselves to be at least “somewhat disorganized” in at least one of the three areas of their life: home, work or time management.
“the same survey that found eight in 10 Canadians are disorganized also found that seven in 10 disorganized Canadians who work say their workplace is disorganized,” Demke said.
“the PoC survey found, and I have certainly found this true with my clients, that those who are disorganized feel stressed, frustrated and like a failure as a result of being disorganized,” she said. “this might be reflected in spending additional time looking for items, struggling to complete projects, not being able to effectively manage a household, not keeping to any kind of schedule — in other words, just being overwhelmed by disorganization.”
“If being disorganized has turned your home into a hostile environment where you can’t relax,
Get rid of your clutter and get
enjoy activities with your family, and do the basics like put together a quick meal or get on top of laundry, getting organized can remove these roadblocks by setting up systems that will streamline the space and the process,” she said.
For example, if the amount of stuff in a particular space is what is getting in the way, getting organized would include sorting through the clutter, grouping similar items together, determining where they belong and how best to house them.
Demke said the process would also include assessing how that particular space is being used and how you want it to be used, according to your family’s priorities.
once complete, a room, or entire house, will become more orderly, more peaceful and more efficient.
Demke said the first step for anyone feeling disorganized and overwhelmed is to determine what’s not working. “Identify the areas of greatest frustration and what is getting in the way of
your goals,” she said, adding if there are multiple areas causing a feeling of being overwhelmed, set some
priorities.
Step two is to figure out what the space or process should look like if you could wave a magic wand to help visualize the game plan.
“once you have a plan, it’s about getting started, keeping focused and scheduling
time to do the work,” said Demke, a self-described “born organizer” who’s been doing it
professionally for over a decade.
as with many aspects in life, sometimes calling in a professional is the best route. Demke recommends consulting a professional organizer if: you don’t have the time, inclination or skill set to tackle the job yourself; you have tried in the past to improve the situation and found yourself unsuccessful; you don’t know where to start but you know you don’t want the situation to continue.
Organized
Demke said getting organized,
whether it is at home or work, can
make life seem smoother.
Ph
oto
dR
EAm
stim
E.c
om
before
February 28, 2010 NoRtH sHoRE NEWs� / at home
5 AT HOME
Offi ce & Showroom1450 Charlotte RoadNorth VancouverPhone: 604-985-0213
www.nsstoneworks.com
CoolCountertopsFind out about the advantages of stone.
O N E S T O P PA T I O S H O P S I N C E 1 9 8 6
Quality Brand Names at Competitive Prices
104 Philip Avenue, North Vancouver • Tel: 604.985.0057Serving the North Shore Since 1986
www.crystalview.caMonday-Friday 8:30-5:00 | Saturday 9:30-4:30
HOT TUBS, PATIO FURNITURE, BBQS, PATIO HEATERS, FIREPITS
AWARD WINNING DESIGNS
1 Set daily priorities. Make sure
the most important tasks are at the top
of the list. If you don’t determine what is
most important, you may spend the day
being reactive instead of proactive.
2 Know how you like to work.
Take advantage of your “power hours;”
schedule the most important tasks for
your most productive time of day. If you
work best with a clean desk, spend a few
minutes getting your desk cleared before
you start.
3 Put it in your schedule.
Determine which rooms or areas you
want to organize and schedule one per
week until the list is complete.
4 Prepare for tax time. Early
in the year is an excellent time to go
through your file cabinet and prepare
for your taxes. Review your files, tossing
anything that is outdated or obsolete
like instruction manuals for items you
no longer own. While you’re doing this,
consolidate your tax records and receipts
so you’re not in a panic on April 30.
5 Consolidate tasks for efficiency.
Return calls or respond to e-mails at one
time, pay all your bills, even group your
errands together by geographic location.
6 Everyone should pitch in.
Make sure all members of the
household know where items are kept,
whether it is sporting equipment,
photographs, or even incoming mail and
newspapers.
Make sure storage areas are kid-friendly
so even the younger members of the
household will be able to help return
items to their proper home.
7 Edit your wardrobe. Does
everything fit, look good and make
you feel good when you wear it? If not,
should it really be taking up valuable
space? Remember, we wear 20 per cent of
our clothes 80 per cent of the time.
Source: Professional Organizers in Canada
tips & tRicks from the professionals
phone: 604-925 1341email: progasltd@shaw.caWeb site: www.progas.ca
Serving North and West Vancouver since 1994
Patio heaters create comfortable, warm areas for outdoor entertaining.hot tub. or area for your party guests.
Choose a natural gas barbecue, and you'll never run out of fuel again.If a hookup is not already in place,Pro Gas Ltd can extend gas piping from your existing house piping to your backyard or patio.
We can assist you with design, selection and installation of patio heater, BBQ, Tiki torch or custom gas re-pit and renovation projects.
Pro Gas Ltd Licensed technicians are specialized at service and repair of Patio heaters / Gas BBQ/ Pool heaters Gas Fireplaces and Central Heating Systems.
Pro Gas Ltd.Heating . Air Condit ioning . Gas Fitt ing Serv ices
“at PoC, we have found that many of our clients find themselves in a disorganized state because of a major life change — positive or negative — such as re-location, adding new members to the family, an illness or crisis, or loss of a loved one,” Demke said. “Major events like that will often derail what
is a functioning space or household and make it difficult to put all the pieces back together again without assistance.”
By JESSICa KERR
at home / �NoRtH sHoRE NEWs February 28, 2010
6 AT HOME
1400 Marine Drive, North Vancouver, across from Tim Horton’s
604-988-2789gingerjarinteriors.com
life madecomfortable
Indoor & OutdoorPatio Furniture
New ShipmentsArrived
The You need to know!
experts
309 Kennard Ave., North Vancouver604.985.1341
Monday-Friday 7:30-5:30pmSaturday 8:30-5pm • Sunday Closed
PRICES MAY VARY AFTER MARCH 15, 2010
www.windsorsplywood.com
12MM • Narrow PlankLAMINATE FLOORINGFrom Quality European Manufacturer!• 12mm (1/2”) • 4-9/16” wide• V-grooved on all 4 sides• Textured wood grain fi nish• 25 year manufacturer’s warranty• Great selection of patterns• Rating: AC3, certifi ed E1
WinnipegBeech
WindsorPecan
Teca Plank
SaskatoonMaple
BarnstonCherry
Kelly Oak
FrenchWalnut
Almendro
199SQ FT
A Woody Good Product!The core board is made up of 90% recycled wood fi bres
GoGreen!
Certifi ed 92% recycled content
• Qualifi es for LEED credits: MR 4.1 & 4.2• Smooths out subfl oor imperfections• Pre-attached vapour barrier• helps prevent water damage• Insulates cold fl oors• No detectable formaldehyde emissions
4999PER ROLL
LAMINATE FLOORUNDERLAYMENT
100 SQ.FT PER ROLL
BEST BUYSWindsor Plywood’s
2 Panel PlankCheyenneSmooth
2 PanelSmooth
2 Panel Arch Top Smooth& Textured
2 PanelRomanSmooth
3 Panel Textured
4 PanelSmooth
& Textured
4 PanelArch Top Textured
6 PanelSmooth
& Textured
8995EACH
MATCHING BI-FOLD
AVAILABLE
4995EACH
20/26x68 DOOR ONLY
4/16 PREHUNG
11500DOORONLY
24/26x68
2 PanelShaker
Ask Kelly
- the moulding expert!
LO
CALLY OW
NE
D
&
OPERATED
CORK • HARDWOOD • VINYL • LAMINATE • CARPET • TILE • BLINDS1585 MacGowan Avenue,North Vancouver (right behind Pier 1)
604-990-8222fl oorworksinteriors.com“Floors for home and offi ce”
Tell us in 100 words or less what home renovation you would like to do this year.EMAIL YOUR ENTRY TO contest@nsnews.com BY SUNDAY, MARCH 14 TO WIN!
Enter to Win $500 Innovative Closet
Gift Certifi cate
InnovativeCloset
solutions
InnovativeCloset
solutions
• closet & garageorganizers
• expertdesign&craftsmanship
• FREE in-homedesignconsultation
Call 604-990-5555489 Mountain Hwy, North Vancouver
w w w . i n n o v a t i v e c l o s e t s o l u t i o n s . c o m
Whew. that was a tough year and a half. Now, with the economy improving and spring on the way, it’s time to shake off the gloom and shadow of 2009 and make a fresh start.
For your décor, there’s no better way to do it than with colour. Whether you spike a bland room with the pop of bright pillows and a new rug, or you repaint every room in your house, Pantone – the global authority on colour – offers plenty of options for ushering in a sunny new era.
Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, says colour trends are not simply decided upon, but that forecasters observe the world as well as the needs, moods, fantasies and aspirations of consumers. In 2010, the company offers eight palettes (complementing colours) for spring that bring splashes of sunshine and tropical gardens, spring flowers and grassy fields to the moody shades of grey and purple that dominated recent seasons.
But you needn’t toss out yesterday’s colours completely. this year’s range of palettes work with last year’s, so rather than re-invent your home’s look, you can update with new shades.
among the palettes is “Greenmarket,”
Complement last year’s look with
a range of colours inspired by the trend toward healthier and more artisanal foods and the increased popularity of farmers’ markets. Colours like tomato Puree and Beaujolais are lifted by Super Lemon, apple Green, or the more exotic colours of Dijon, Paprika and Chutney.
“Gatherings” is a palette of warm, earthy browns and golds inspired by the continent of africa.
those who prefer some moodiness in their colour scheme will love “Galaxy,” a palette that illustrates the harmony of hue found in the nocturnal sky. More information about the other palettes is available at www.pantone.com.
By Deana Lancaster
bright new colours
February 28, 2010 NoRtH sHoRE NEWs� / at home
7 AT HOME
#3a-987 Marine Dr. (CORNER OF MACKAY) North Vancouver 604.982.8863www.oneworldbuilding.ca
The Art of Fine CabinetryHOME • K ITCHEN • OFF ICE
• Framed, frameless and inset construction
• Nearly 100 door styles• 13 wood species plus thermofoils,
metals and laminates• Over 30 standard fi nish colours• Numerous fi nish enhancements• Special Product Request (SPR) • Limited lifetime warranty
distributed by:
Now Carrying Cyclone Range Hoods!NEW!
Dream kitchens made possible… in one month!
Proudly Canadian!
Cyclone provides modern and stylish range hood products incorporating state-of-the-art technology
English Lawns specializes in multiple aspects of new lawn installation and landscaping.With over twenty years experience, from residences to golf courses, we ensure quality and effi ciency for any installation projects. Call us for: • Excavation and re-Grading • Topsoil Installation • Lawn Drainage • New Lawn Installation • Turf or Seed • Landscaping
www.englishlawns.com604 929-7732
BCLNA Award Winner!
655 East 15th Avenue, Vancouver • 604.876.4604
s i n c e 1 9 7 9
The Rain Water LEADERS• Sales • Installations • Repairs • Maintenance
We offer high fl ow, unfi ltered gutter outlets with fi lters at the bottom of the downpipe for easy access. Downpipes
in eighteen colours to match trim. Heavy gauge colonial gutter in four colours. Five year installlation warranty. Fully insured
and registered with Work Safe BC.
Specializing in Heavy Gauge 5” x .032”Continuous Colonial Aluminum
Fully Insured &GuaranteedFree Estimates
TRUST THE ROOF OVER YOUR HEADTO THE EXPERTS
Serving The Lower Mainland For Over 35 Years• Reroofing • New Roofing• Cedar Shakes & Shingles
• Fibreglass • Duroid • Torchon
Bros.R o o f i n g L t d .
(604)946.4333
www.sambrabrosroof ing.com
• Pumped • Removed • Sand fi lled in place • Metal Detection/Locating • Compliance Certifi cate
• Contaminated Site Clean Up • Commercial & Residential
TANKTECHENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
CERTIFIED OIL TANKREMOVAL SPECIALISTS
604-328-1234
EXCEPTIONAL DESIGN & CONSTRUCTIONThe Upward team brings experience and expertise to all aspects of residential construction and renovation. Whether remodelling an individual room, renovating a whole house or building a premier custom home, Upward Construction strives to give you real value for money and unmatched levels of service and satisfaction.
All our work is guaranteed
604 790-0472www.upwardconstruction.ca
Nominated for the
2009 Sams Award
Can’t afford to gut your ensuite and install a luxurious spa retreat? Breathing new life into a tired bathroom doesn’t have to cost thousands and take weeks of messy renovation. here are 10 easy and affordable ways to improve your bathroom’s look and efficiency without breaking the bank:
1 lighting: Bye-bye ugly light bar above the mirror and hello sleek, streamlined wall sconces. “Updating the lighting is a quick and easy way to rejuvenate a bathroom,” says designer Dean Large. Besides adding a stylish look to the room, two fixtures on either side of the mirror provide more even light. cost: from $200.
2 New faucet: often referred to as the jewels of the bathroom, replacing old taps with gleaming new faucets gives a custom, personalized look to the bathroom. the hot new trend is square, angular, single-lever faucets in white or black matte finish. cost: $100 to $1,100.
Bathroom basics3 adjustable shower: a drizzling rain shower head is not a practical choice for daily showering. Large recommends pairing a fixed shower head on an adjustable bar with a hand-held shower to make it easy to wash down the tub or rinse off your legs while shaving. cost: from $200.
4 Bathtub liner: If your bathroom is from the 1960s, the tub is likely dusty rose, mint green or mocha beige. Rather than rip it out, Bath Fitter (bathfitter.com) sells a moulded, acrylic tub and wall liner that fits right over the existing eyesore. It can be installed in just one day. cost: $2,200 to $3,200, depending on style, colour and ceiling height.
5 anti-slip protection: Rubber bath mats are designed to prevent nasty spills, but they’re also a breeding ground for bacteria. the Porcelain tub treatment from home hardware is a liquid you apply to the bottom of the tub or shower to make it slip-resistant. cost: $19.97 for one-application kit.
6 Quality flush: Save money on your water bill, by installing a low-flush or dual-flush toilet. cost: from $350 for low-flush; $450 for dual-flush.
7 Fresh paint: Make a big impact for little money. cost: $30 to $100.
8 hardware replacement: transform the look of the cabinet doors and drawers with new pulls. cost: 99 cents to $20. some stores offer discounts when you buy larger quantities.
9 curved over straight: Gain extra elbow room in the shower by replacing the straight curtain rod with a curved one. cost: under $50.
10 Decorative tile: Dress up the shower wall with tumbled marble or replace the ugly backsplash behind the sink with tiny glass mosaics for instant colour and texture. cost: from as little as $1 a tile.
By KaREN tURNER
CaNWESt NEWS SERVICE
10 qUick FixEs to Boost tHE look ANd FUNctioN oF tHE HomE’s BUsiEst Room
pH
oto
Joh
N M
cKay/ Victo
ria
tiMes co
loN
ist
at home / �NoRtH sHoRE NEWs February 28, 2010
8 AT HOME
$750$750$750*$750*
Purchase selectElectrolux appliancesand receive up to
Purchase selectElectrolux appliancesand receive up to
in rebates.in rebates.
electroluxappliances.caelectroluxappliances.ca
Rebate valid January 16th – March 31st, 2010.Products must be purchased before March 31st, 2010.
Rebate form available online.
* Must purchase 4 qualifying Electrolux kitchen appliances.
Rebate valid January 16th – March 31st, 2010.Products must be purchased before March 31st, 2010.
Rebate form available online.
* Must purchase 4 qualifying Electrolux kitchen appliances.
1075 Roosevelt Crescent, North Vancouver604-985-8738 (2 blocks behind Indigo Books - south of Marine Drive)
Mon-Thurs: 9am-5:30pm Friday: 9am-9pm • Saturday: 9am-5:30pmSunday: noon-4pm
CAPVOLKS
WAGONCAP
MALL
MARINE DRIVE
CHURCHILL
ROOSEVELT
COLONY
LLOY
D
MAC
KAY
N
COLONYMajor Appliance & Mattress
WAREHOUSEwww.colonywarehouse.com
your homeloverebate
COLONY–A FAMILY BUSINESS BASED ON SERVICE & VALUE
New year, new decorating trends. Flip through the pages of design magazines and you’ll see traditional has had a relaxed makeover.
Last year, we embraced safari style in our living rooms, hollywood regency mirrors in every bathroom of the house and groovy fabrics on granny furniture. this year, it’s all about downplayed luxury: velvet-clad pillows and couches; wallpaper in unexpected places; upholstered walls with funky fabric and making sure that one room has a spotlight piece — like a self-standing tub in the bathroom.
When it comes to design styles, understanding how to create “the mix” — blending old with new — is still all the rage. traditional interiors don’t work unless they are relaxed with leather and chintz sitting side by side; girlie glam has found its way into warehouse spaces where chandeliers and concrete are becoming friends, and farmhouses have turned industrial with marble counters and exposed bulb lighting. It’s confusing, but it works.
“trends are about modernizing older styles. a year ago, industrial chic was all the rage,” says Margot austin, the senior design editor at Style at home magazine. “you know, lofts with exposed beams and lots of stainless steel. this year it has given way to a touch of country with soft shapes, white painted walls, apron sinks.”
Part of a team that determines the top 10 list for Style at home, austin weeds through many hot looks for interiors and pares them down to a simple list that readers can translate into
Relax UNdERstAtEd lUxURY is oN tHE list FoR stYlEs WE’ll sEE iN 2010
tRaDItIoNaL SEttINGS aRE GEttING a FRESh
MaKEoVER IN 2010. a MILK CaN hoLDING UMBRELLaS
aND a NatURE-INSPIRED LaMP aDD PUNCh IN
thIS ENtRyWay.
their homes. She doesn’t expect a whole room makeover, rather, she suggests figuring out which looks are for you and which ones you should ignore. “Lighting is still factory-like and industrial,” she says, as an example. “But that doesn’t mean you need to have exposed light bulbs dangling from every ceiling. one fixture in a statement room like a dining room or a kitchen would look great.”
In addition, she says neutral colours are still here but they are richer and warmer. Furniture remains traditional with a twist, with camelback shapes, button tufting, nail head details and modern fabrics. No need to dive into a total ovrhaul though.
“at first, just take it all in,” austin says. “you know what you love and what your style is. think about what trend might be right for you. and it’s important to figure out [how far you want to take it]. If you are decorating a whole house, being too trendy might not be right. Instead, just indulge in a few [key items].” all experts agree that the best way to be trend-savvy is to not take any of them too seriously and to walk on the wild side with accessories.
and if that advice still scares you and your wallet - a velvet pillow, modern mobile or an embroidered throw blanket will definitely make your decor happen for 2010.
By taNya LINtoN
CaNWESt NEWS SERVICE
it’s only decor
HAN
DO
UT
PH
OTO
to
ro
Nto
iNte
rio
r D
esiG
N G
ro
uP
February 28, 2010 NoRtH sHoRE NEWs� / at home
Recommended