OCTOBER 2012
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PARQUET FLOOR REPAIRS Sand your floor, fill in deeper scratches that have not disappeared after the sanding, and then apply lacquer or wax. The secret of success with this operation is to match the colour of the patty to the colour of the floor.
Bulging The main reason for bulging is water spills that make wood swell and change its structure and, as a result, its look. Repairs will not fix the problem; you will have to recover the whole floor.
Stages of Repairs
Everyone knows the advantages of this superior floor covering. Parquet is a natural material that is not only highly esthetic and easy to care for but manages to create especially comfortable feeling in your home. A well maintained parquet floor may last many years and serve a few generations of inhabitants but, like any other natural material, it needs maintenance and repairs or, sometimes, replacing. Among the few problems you may encounter with your parquet floor are the following.
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Sanding is the first stage in the process of parquet floor repairs. This is a prolonged, noisy, and dusty procedure but it helps completely eliminate old polish and even the floor out, getting rid of dents and scratches.
Squeaking Squeaking is the most common problem with parquet floors. While scratches and stains can be hidden under carpets and rugs, squeaking can seriously affect your quality of life. Squeaking is usually a direct result of bad installation. Measures to eliminate this nuisance may range from the most drastic ones (reinstalling the whole floor) to fixing certain elements, to inserting new screws. The last word in the matter of diagnosing the problem and finding the ways of its elimination rests with a floor covering specialist..
Scratches To get rid of scratches you don’t need a specialist’s advice, you can easily do it yourself.
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Sanding is followed by buffing. This is usually done by means of various machinery, which allows access to the most hard-toreach places. Now we get down to the process of restoration that may include replacing damaged planks and eliminating squeaking. Afterwards we use patty to hide spaces between planks, remaining stains, and deeper dents and scratches. Let dry. To take off excess patty use a buffing tool. Finally, we can get to staining. Apply a layer of stain, let it dry, and then buff with fine sandpaper. Clean and apply the second layer. Each layer needs to be completely dry before you apply the next one. Sometimes up to five layers of lacquer or stain may be required but two layers is a definite minimum.
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We′ve Got The Right Mortgage For You! Within a wide variety of mortgages in TD Canada Trust Bank, there is certainly one that is the best for you. I am a specialist providing you with the consultation in your home, helping you make the optimal choice. If you want to: ● refinance ● switch your mortgage ● buy a house ● obtain a credit line Call me and receive a personal consultation!
October 2012 To advertise in All About Home magazine please contact us
Lina Itelman
Manager, Mobile Mortgage Specialist
Tel: 416-567-6791 Fax: 1888-516-8495
2727 Steeles Ave. West, Unit 307, Toronto, ON, Canada, M3J 3G9 Tel: 416-477-6107, 416-877-0449, E-mail: aahtoronto@gmail.com
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October 2012
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So-called soft, meaning upholstered, furniture often reflects its owner’s social status – like items made of Pelle Frau leather, the very leather used to upholster the seats of coveted BMW, Ferrari, Maserati or Mercedes cars.
SOFT BUT TOUGH But no matter how upscale or how ordinary your seating pieces are, they will make you happier if when selecting them you use certain criteria. Of course quality is the first consideration, followed by design, functionality, price, dimensions, etc. Balancing comfort and design, price and quality – this is the subject we will discuss today.
and quality is furniture made of softwood. As far as such balance goes, softwood made of conifers is more durable and less expensive than hardwood made of dicotyledons (usually broad-leaved trees) but it is less strong than “noble” woods, so the elements that are to be subjected to wear should be made of the latter. The frames in cheapest models are often made of chipboard.
CONFIGURATION OF COMFORT
Manufacturers offer a wide variety of options in the area of furniture arrangements. Modern sofas can seat two, four, five and more. They may have either standard or corner configuration, with the latter gaining popularity lately. Nevertheless, cornerbased furniture visually shrinks the space therefore being suitable for larger rooms. Corner sofas are convenient because the corner section may easily contain a hidden linen box, a mini-bar, or a small fridge. SOFT NEED NOT MEAN FRAGILE
When selecting seating pieces think of
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THE “INNER WORLD” OF UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE
safety first in both regular technical characteristics and materials they are made of. Any furniture designed to carry a considerable load has to be durable. Strength depends of the way the frame is designed and manufactured. The strongest frames are made of steel. Furniture made from “noble” types of wood, like oak, cherry, etc., is sufficiently strong but quite expensive. The most popular due to the balance of price
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The most popular filler for the seating furniture of today is the polyurethane foam that is stronger and more durable than foam rubber. In other types, spring blocks are used covered with a layer of matting for both comfort and safety. Spring-filled sofas, chairs and seats are more expensive than foam-filled ones. Some manufacturers use small springs designed in such a way as to keep the body in its natural position. This resilient filler is usually covered by an either natural (dawn and feather) or synthetic layer.
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Joseph Kitchens
JK Joseph
Kitchens
A free double Bosco sink with purchase
www.josephkitchens.com 60 Doncaster Ave. (Unit 2) Thornhill ON. L3T 1L5 Phone: 905-707 7756 Email: info@josephkitchens.com
26 Pairash Ave., Richmond Hill, Yonge/Oxford
WELCOME TO OPEN HOUSE! Sat. Oct. 13@ 1-5 PM & Sun.Oct. 14 @ 1-5 PM
30% off all kitchen types
Fairly new Luxury Freehold Townhome surrounded by Million Dollar Houses. Gem of the property w/extra deep 121’ lot in high demand Mill Pond area! 3+1 bdrms, 4wshrs. Bright and spacious, meticulouslykept, freshly painted. Large master bedroom w/ensuite and 2 closets. Open concept layout, 9ftceilings. Crown mouldings, hardwood on main floor, laminate on the 2d floor & in basement. Modernkitchen w/breakfast area and W/O to a very private gorgeous garden w/patio. Professionally finishedbasement w/4pc bath, bedroom, office, loads of storage. Direct access to garage, extended drivewayfor two cars. No sidewalk. Interlock walkway. Extensive pro landscaping. Steps to Yonge st. shopping,restaurants, public transit. Minutes to schools, Mill Pond park, Hospital, Central library, Theatre ofPerforming Art. Great home in Great Location! Must see!
Ask $499,900
Condo, Bathurst/Steeles Ask $329,900
Great area in demand!! Large CORNER unit, very bright, completely renovated with amazing unobstructedview of park. Excellent layout, 1500 sqft, 3+1 bdrms. Renovated washrooms w/nice ceramic and vanities. Eat-in kitchen with 2 windows, w/ KitchenAid cooktop, oven. Parquet floors, mouldings, pot lights. All closets w/organizers. Parking. Indoor gym, sauna, outdoor pool, security guard and system. Maintenance fee includes allutilities and cable TV.
Condo Yonge/Clark
FOR ADVERTISEMENTS CALL (416) 477-6107
Ask 339,900
Luxury Central Park! Bright and spacious, quiet and clean. 1300 sqft., 2 bdrs, 2wshrs. Practical split bedroomlayout. Open concept. Custom kitchen w/granite countertop, china cabinets. Hardwood floors throughout. W/Q to balcony. Parking. Locker. Beautiful Courtyard view. Steps to shops, restaurants, park, excellentschools, Go bus to subway.
Dufferin/Major Mackenzie Ask $645,800
October 2012
Heavily upgraded quality built Fernbrook Home in The Thornberry Woods Community! Open conceptdesigner decorated home. 4 bdrms, 3wshrs. Upgraded kitchen w/tall cabinetry, exotic granite and marble.S/S appliances. Hardwood floors and closet organisers throughout. Family room w/gas fireplace. Interlockwalkways, Driveway extensions. Garage door access and enormous mezzanine.
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KITCHEN SHELVES: DECOR OR PRACTICALITY?
Not everyone likes the idea of open shelves in the kitchen, and it is understandable: the kitchen is a room with elevated humidity; besides, drops of cooked food may hit the objects located on these shelves adding to the hostess’s cleaning load. And if the shelves are for holding jars, pots, and grocery packages, it is better off hidden from the view. Nevertheless, this piece of furniture may also play a decorative role and add individuality to your kitchen.
For Practically Minded If practicality is your principle, use kitchen stuff and accessories as the main decorative element that will serve as decorations when not used for their main purpose. There are two approaches to this kind of design, the first being an integrated style solution. In this case, create an integrated
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composition on your open kitchen shelf – for example, display the remnants of your granny’s dinner set. The second approach would be completely eclectic. Cups and mugs are the best way to express this idea.
For Collectors Having an open shelf in your kitchen is a good way to display your favourite collection. Of course, the best collection would be that of items that are capable of withstanding the temperature and humidity conditions in the kitchen: for example, brass
accessories made a couple of centuries ago or modern china items from various corners of the planet.
For Gardeners Houseplant lovers never have a problem with filling up a horizontal surface. If you place your houseplants into colourful flower pots or interesting makeshift pots, they will become a great decorative element. Decorations picked up during your walk in the woods create the warm summer feeling in your kitchen.
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For Esthetically Minded The room design can be changed not only with the help of new colours but with shifting light sources as well. Illuminating a shelf helps expose its especially attractive elements or its interesting texture. Try to place a light source behind the shelf containing preserve jars – and be amazed by the effect of a stained glass window with a kitchen and food theme. Show your creativity and enjoy the feeling of uniqueness in your kitchen.
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RETURN OF THE WALLPAPER If your walls are in dire need of renovations but your budget is limited – look into wallpapering them. People who think that wallpaper is the thing of the past are sadly mistaken. Actually, wallpaper is at the peak of its popularity once again. Modern technologies have shifted this kind of decorative material to the top of the list. Today’s kind of wallpaper has unlimited uses in any kind of decor. They can convert any unsophisticated space into a fashionable and stylish room. Wallpaper is a great means of emphasizing your chosen style. Deep, rich colour wallpaper imitating velvet and gold leaf is perfect for the ever popular luxurious palace style. Avant-garde bright and geometrically patterned wallpaper with stripes or polka dots boasting textured surfaces and bold colour combinations suit the New Retro style that recalls modern and disco styles of the 1970s and 1980s. For the popular natural style of decorating, choose wallpaper made of natural materials: paper based and decorated with tree bark, stems and leaves, reeds, jute, dried flowers, palm threads, rattan, etc. Interior designers actively use in their work ultramodern upscale vinyl wallpaper with embossing, pearly surfaces, matte, holographic effects – the sky is the limit. Even though the described types of wallpaper do not come cheap - knock-offs are always available and, as long as you are aware of trendy styles, you can always find something that, in right combination of textures, colours, and patterns, can make your decor very stylish and imaginative. A couple of rolls of expensive wallpaper combined with less costly but in matching style and colour can produce a striking result – at considerable savings! Other examples of successful combinations are patchwork and poster wallpapers. Experiment – and you will be rewarded!
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CONDO E FOR SAL
BATHURST / STEELES / FINCH
Very enjoyable & cozy, filled with natural sunlight, completely renovated & beautifully maintained 3+1-bdrm, 2-full wshrms, 1600 SqFt CORNER unit with amazing unobstructed view of park. Excellent layout. Gleaming parquet floors throughout, mouldings, potlights. Nicely painted. Living room with antique scones. Beautiful custommade European style kitchen w/KitchenAid cooktop, oven, new water filtration system. Nice breakfast area overlooks park. Large master with W/I closet & 4pc ensuite. Renovated wshrms with nice ceramic & vanities. All closets w/organizers. Large ensuite locker & laundry. Solarium can be used as 4th bdrm or office. Parking included. Maintenance fee includes all utilities & cable TV. Well maintained building w/excellent facilities: gym, sauna, whirlpool, outdoor swimming pool, security guard & system. Great area in demand!
YONGE & OXFORD
Gem of property with extra deep lot in high demand Mill Pond Area! Luxury freehold 3-bdrm, 3-wshr townhouse, about 1600 Sq.ft on quiet street. Modern open concept layout with 9’ ceilings. Excellent condition. Freshly painted. Wood floors. Crown mouldings. Modern kitchen w/ breakfast area & W/O to very private gorgeous garden with patio. Prof. finished bsmt w/4pc bath. Direct access to garage. Interlocked walkway. No sidewalk. Extended driveway for 2 cars. Extensive landscaping.
DIRECT:
416-889-9955 Each office is independently owned and operated
RICHMOND HILL (YONGE & BROOKSIDE)
BOLTON
STUNNING! The house you will fall in love with at first sight! NO HOUSES BEHIND! Totally upgraded & renovated from top to bottom detached, 3-bdr, 3-wshr + FINISHED basement, 2-car garage, in excellent neighborhood. Hardwood floors on both levels, upgraded travertine floors in foyer & kitchen. Gorgeous custom made gourmet kitchen w/granite counter, custom stone b/splash. Painted in neutral colors. Upgraded baths. Cedar deck & concrete patio in very private b/yard. Sprinkler system, central vacuum & much, much more... Too many to list. A MUST SEE!
Asking $329,900
HOMELIFE VICTORY REALTY INC. Brokerage 10720 Yonge St, #226, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3C9 BUS: 905-737-0033 FAX: 905-737-3132
Shows like a MODEL! Over $200K in upgrades! Very bright & comfortable, 4-bdrm + den, 4-wshr, 3700 Sq.Ft, in excellent condition. Intensive use of finest materials. Modern open concept layout. Open foyer w/ granite floors. High ceilings, hardwood floors, potlights, custom made Corinthian columns, crown moldings. Beautiful living & dining room with dropped ceilings. Den on main floor with double French door & large window can be used as a 5-th bdrm. Large CUSTOM made kitchen with tall cabinets, granite, backsplash & S/S appliances. Family room with granite mantle gas fireplace. All bedrooms have ensuites and W/I closets. Master bdrm has two W/I closets & Jacuzzi. Triplesafe energy windows. Additional insulation. Custom made window curtains & designer crystal light fixtures. Stone exterior. Front & back interlock. Sprinkler system... Too many to list.... You’ll be impressed!.
RICHMOND HILL
Bright & spacious, 3-bdr, 3-wshr townhouse in great area! Attached only by garage. The biggest unit in the complex. About 1900 Sq.Ft. Great layout. Open concept. High ceilings. Family room with gas fireplace. Upgraded kitchen with pantry. Direct access to garage. Beautiful master ensuite with large tub & separate shower. Large windows in bsmnt, the option to make W/O basement. Close to everything!
Asking $454,900
YONGE & HWY 7
Great location in South Richmond Hill! Lovely, updated suite, 2 split bedrooms, 2-whsr. About 950 Sq.Ft. Huge master bdrm & good size the 2nd one. Laminated floors. Balcony. Locker. 2 parkings. Steps to VIVA transit, schools, restaurants, shops. Quick access to Hwy 407 & 7. Great facilities with gym, sauna, games room, security.
Asking $286,000
CONDO E BATHURST & CLARK Large & bright FOR SAL CORNER unit,
about 1350 SqFt, 2+1-bdrm, 2 full wshrms, in prime Thornhill location! Very clean, in excellent condition. Beautiful laminated floors throughout. Large kitchen with window & pantry. Large bedrooms. Solarium can be used as a 3rd bdrm or office. Maintenance fee includes everything! Very well maintained building with excellent facilities: gym, sauna, outdoor p o o l , recreation room, tennis court, 24 hrs security gate.
FOR ADVERTISEMENTS CALL (416) 477-6107
RICHMOND HILL
High demand Oak Ridges location! 4-bdr, 3-wshr detached house on huge corner lot. 4 parking spaces! Very nice modern layout. 9’ ceilings, potlights. Family room with gas fireplace. Modern family size kitchen with S/S appliances. 2nd floor balcony with unobstructed view of park. Great family neighborhood. Good schools, recreation center!
Asking $555,000
UPPER THORNHILL
Magnificient 3-bdrm, 3-wshr detached home in Upper Thornhill location! Practically new. Very nice, modern open concept layout, 9’ ceilings. Family room with gas fireplace. Upgraded kitchen with tall cabinets, granite countertop & S/S appliances. Double door entry, hardwood floors on both levels. Access to garage. Close to shopping centre & transportation.
October 2012
Asking $610,000
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A functional kitchen does not need to be a blah kitchen. There are many ways to enliven this important room of your house while bringing it in line with the latest design trends. You can even do it on a budget if the expense of new cabinets and counters is too much for your purse. Besides, ceramic tiles for your backsplash don’t come cheap while paint of wallpaper you have had between your kitchen cabinets and the counter before is not very practical.
A FLASHY BACKSPLASH There is a great alternative to both. Glass panel backsplash has lately become trendy in both North America and Europe. Such a panel will cover the papered or painted wall protecting it from dust and dirt. You can even add an interesting touch to your kitchen decor by choosing between the transparent and matte glass and add etching for interest.
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The most interesting solution though, called skinali, is to install glass over photo panels. This gives your imagination an unlimited run: you can experiment with designs, colours, and scales to create any desirable mood. For example, add colour and drive to your kitchen with pictures of bright-yellow lemons; bring comfort and calm with the depiction of modest daisies;
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or create a modern touch using bold geometric shapes or copies of avant-garde art. You can even turn your backsplash into a light-studded night cityscape. These are just a few out of hundreds of uses for skinali – and it is so easy to become an interior decorator for a day and come up with your own idea. Isn’t it great?
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DRAPERY Phone: 416-822-3023 www.7elementdesign.ca
CUSTOM DRAPERY ALL TYPES OF BLINDS INTERIOR DESIGN HOME STAGING WALLPAPER All catalogues on our website!
Free estimate
Showroom: 4267, Steeles Ave. West, Toronto, ON, M3N 1V7
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What kind of light switch suits you best? A light switch may not seem to be an extremely important detail but for those who believe that God is in details there is no such thing as an unimportant element. To achieve complete harmony in your interior design pay attention to all and any little thing – including a light switch. Modern switches have more functions to them than just turning your lights on and off. There are switches that do not look different from the ones everyone is familiar with, but have a different function – for example, they allow you turn the lights on
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on one floor and turn them off on another one.
controlling a certain amount of power and a certain type of light bulbs.
Simple and convenient are switchers with spot lighting and controls. The built-in indicator light in the first category comes on in the dark so that it is easy to find it and turn the lights on. In the second category, the indicator light comes on simultaneously with the on switch – this kind is indispensible for garage or basement lighting because it reminds you to turn the lights off when leaving the premises.
Useful automatic switches protect the circuit from overloading and prevent electrical equipment failure. Such switches are intended for turning the electric current on and off when circuit is in its normal conditions as well as for turning the current off in case of a specified abnormal condition.
Dimmers and light control devices allow you to change the intensity of the light according to the situation and your mood. Just remember that these are designed for
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In public places, you can often find antivandalism switches that are hard to damage. Usually they are made of metal in the case of simpler models or from glass, wood, natural stone, or leather, in the case of fancy ones to be used in a home or in public places decorated in special styles.
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It’s about time
means a calm background colour brightened up with accessories in vivid tones. A clock may well become one of such bright spots and reflect the child’s interests to boot. It can be something based on their favourite cartoons or fairytales, clocks adorned with pictures of animals, cars, symbols, or an unusual in shape and decoration hitech clock.
ABOUT SHAPES The circle symbolizes creativity and mental balance, the square, honesty and intelligence, and the triangle, determination. Psychologists think that round objects are beneficial for human psyche; maybe this is one of the reasons for clocks with a round face to be ever popular. Nevertheless, “smart” square and “purposeful” triangular ones are quite trendy, too. Time is a serious matter that needs to be grasped early in one’s childhood. Therefore, a nursery clock is a significant object that needs to be selected responsibly. Ideally, let the little inhabitant have an input into the process. His or her opinion should prevail over yours, even if there is a difference of tastes.
ACTIVE SPOTS It is a well-known fact that, psychologically, colours can be either “active” (stimulating) or “passive” (calming). Red, orange, yellow, hot pink, and other colours in the same key are considered active colours, while blue, purple, and green, passive ones. Both groups play an important role for both children and adults, as long as they are presented in moderation. Nevertheless, children need more active colours in their surrounding than adults
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do. Active colours stimulate their development while passive ones calm and help them relax. The best scenario is a good balance of both groups – for example, if the room is divided into zones. In this case the activity zone needs to be painted in “active” colours, and the relaxation zone, in “passive” ones. But this is not always possible. The best way to avoid overloading the nursery with vivid colours that may have an adverse psychological effect on its little host is introducing so-called bright spots. This
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ABOUT BENEFITS If the child is of a kindergarten or elementary school age, the clock should be practical, with large arms and digits, to help its owner to read the time. An electronic clock with a thermometer is optimal for a baby’s and infant’s room.
PLAIN FUN A cuckoo clock has a fairytale element to it and kids love them. If you decide on this kind, make sure it has a “sleeping” function for the cuckoo, so that it does not interfere with the child’s night sleep. Some other clocks may carry a learning function – for example, a clock that shows times around the world.
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CEILING AND DECORATIVE WALL FINISHING
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October 2012
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SPOTLESS REPUTATION Clean clothing on you and your family is a guarantee of your reputation as a good housekeeper. What makes clothes clean is not just regular laundering but the absence of stains on it, too. There are a few simple ways to get rid of some common stains fast and at no excessive expense.
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Any stain that needs treated should first be soaked in cold water. Leave the garment in cold water for a few hours, and then wash in warm water with soap. Hot Iron Stains: Apply some onion juice or paste of grated onions to the stain and leave for a couple of hours. Launder. Another way to get rid of a hot iron stain is to use hydrogen peroxide. Ketchup: Add a few drops of lemon juice to a tub of warm water. Soak the garment in this solution. Launder. Deodorant: Before washing, rub the stain with a cotton ball soaked in table vinegar.
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Lipstick: Blot the stain with alcohol, and then wash the garment. Chewing Gum: Put the garment into a plastic bag and place in the freezer for a couple of hours. The gum will become hard enough to be taken off with a light touch of a brush. The stain it leaves behind will be easy to eliminate with soap and water. Candle Wax: Carefully take it off the surfaces of the fabric using a knife. Cover the stain with wet cloth and pile a few layers of a paper towel on top of it. Press with a hot iron. Take off the paper and replace with fresh one. Iron again. Repeat until the stain is gone.
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HOME THEATRE
or How to Achieve Maximum Comfort in Your Home Theatre The Room Buying high-quality equipment for your home theatre in order to obtain great sound and picture when watching movies at home, is not enough. The room needs to be soundproof. Therefore, you need to treat the matter of choosing the room and
equipping it very seriously. The correct rectangular shape and an additional layer of soundproofing are essential for achieving theatre quality of viewing. Today’s market offers materials that increase sound absorption by walls and ceilings by 95%. Go for the highest quality!
Lighting For comfortable viewing, your home theatre room needs correct lighting that can be achieved by installing several light sources in different places. If you house is equipped with the SmartHome control system, you can control these light sources with one remote, without moving around the room. Equipment Quality viewing requires a plasma or liquid crystal screen. Use an HD or DVD player, a multimedia server, or a projector as the source of the picture. For good sound, you will need a receiver or an acoustic system consisting of speakers and a subwoofer. Controls Of course, the most enjoyable experience watching a movie in your home theatre comes from the SmartHome control system that allows controlling the whole process with the help of a single remote. In a regular home you close all your shutters by hand and turn off all the lights except for a single lamp so as to avoid moving around in complete darkness. Afterwards you turn on the equipment and start adjusting the picture and sound quality. You settle down before the screen when the movie is already in progress. The SmartHome system rids you of this significant inconvenience because you control everything with a single remote device or a sensor panel. If your system has been programmed beforehand, all you need to do is to press one button that will activate the desired mode. Then the system will take care of closing the shutters, adjusting the lights, and turning on the movie, not mentioning arranging for optimal room temperature and good ventilation.
SMART HOME 416.272.5178 18
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October 2012
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Winterizing your home Check the heating unit. Give it a test run and replace the filtre (typically every 3 months). Be sure to inspect the heating unit at the source and the distribution networks to ensure that the entire system is operating as it should. Cover the AC condenser unit outside with a breathable waterproof cover. Remember to clean the unit with water and a hose set to “jet” in order to remove any dirt and debris. Inspect the roof. If it your roof looks it may not survive the winter, this is the time to address the issue. While you’re up there, clean out those gutters!
It’s already happening. You have pulled your sweaters out of moth balls and found your mittens in the coat closet. It’s winter, its coming… are you and your home prepared? Before Jack Frost comes nipping at your nose and snow covers your roof, here is my list of common steps to take Check the chimney and make sure no in order to prepare your home for another Great Canadian Winter:
birds, squirrels or other animals have made a home of it. Check the flue damper operation and, if it has been awhile, this is also ideal time to have the chimney cleaned. Although not thought of much while the weather is warm, the wood burning fireplace and chimney can be a major source of cold air leaks and other issues in winter. Therefore, the chimney and the fireplace need a little going over before winter sets in. Inspect the firebrick in the fireplace. If you notice any open mortar joints, have them repaired immediately! A fire can spread into the stud wall behind the masonry firebrick through open mortar joints.
Shut down exterior plumbing (hose bibs) and insulate pipes in “cold zones” if necessary. Plumbing pipes exposed to cold weather can burst and cause a lot of damage (and headaches). Check your windows and replace caulking as necessary. Infiltration of cold air
from air leaks around doors and windows is as significant a contributor to your heating bill as is poor insulation in the walls and ceiling. An easy way to reduce you heating bill is to reduce these drafts with simple weather-stripping. Trim trees if branches hang too close to the house or electrical wires. Seal driveways, brick patios and wood decks. Fill up on fuel. If you have an oil furnace, this would also be a great time to refill and order an inspection of the tank (if necessary). With these straightforward maintenance procedures out of the way, you can relax knowing that your home is ready for yet another Canadian winter, once it arrives.
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Peter Khatami - Peter is Senior Project Manager and Co-Owner of Nostco Construction, a Design/Build company serving residential and commercial clients throughout the GTA. Peter prides himself in working tirelessly on his clients’ behalf to bring vision to construction reality.
www.NOSTCO.com October 2012
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? e l y t S y M s I t a h o... W
S
d. The trendiest restaurant downtown?
Whether you are designing a new space or renovating an existing one, it will clearly reflect who you are and what makes it a comfortable and inviting place for you to live in. There is an overwhelming selection of finishes, colours, textures, lighting, and architectural features. Décor magazines catering to every taste and specific niche on the market, “make love” to us from newsstands everywhere we go. The incredible amount of home renovation and DIY TV shows vie for our attention and make us believe that to renovate a home for a family of four (including the pet) is totally possible in half an hour; they even show us the pictures of “before and after”... a few times. But, all kidding aside, it is great that these shows do exist!
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a. Touring great gardens in England? b. New York City? c. Malaysia? d. Staying at the George V in Paris? e. Hiking, fishing or boating in Cape Cod?
5. Would you feel comfortable in the room with the walls are covered with: a. Wood panels? b. Mirrors?
2. Which of the following artists’ work would you buy:
c. Varnished or lacquered?
a. Auguste Renoir?
e. Floral print?
b. Roy Lichtenstein? c. Paul Gauguin? d. Richard Avedon? e. Or do you prefer Folk Art? 3. What movie set you would like to live on: a. Downton Abbey? b. Mad Men? c. The Last Emperor?
So...What is My Style? Is it to be Traditional or Contemporary? Cottage and Country? Chic? Ethnic?
d. Sex and the City, the Movie?
Let’s go through some questions to identify your preferences and to help you make your real place look just like your dream home.
4. If you were to host a dinner, what would it be:
1. Where would be your ideal vacation destination:
c. Summer breeze drinks with banana leaf platters?
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e. A backyard barbeque?
e. Something’s Gotta Give?
a. A black-tie affair? b. Take-out from a local restaurant?
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d. Painted white or shades of grey?
6. If you were to renovate or buy a new kitchen and appliances what would they be: a. Custom furniture cabinets complete with a butler’s pantry? b. Designed by using the principles of Feng Shui? c. Folding doors with lettuce or bamboo wood design patterns? d. Stainless steel-finish appliances and polished marble countertop that is a part of your living/dining room? e. Painted cabinets with dark metal finish hardware, tiled countertop, maybe even complete with an antique looking stove or fridge? 7. Visiting casually a flea market or an antiques store, what would catch your eye:
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! e l y t S r u o y s i t a h W . . . So a. 18th or19th century paintings with heavy elaborate frames?
a. TRADITIONAL: Your style is classic!
b. Furniture or items from the 1950s -1970s?
You are definitely inspired by historic homes in England or Niagara-on the-Lake.
c. Oriental design screens or knick-knacks?
Rich woods like mahogany and cherry are dominant in traditional style interiors.
d. Anything in the French Provincial or Italian design style?
Chairs, ottomans, upholstered benches have mix of straight and curved lines with a tailored look of upholstery. Neutral colours such as beige, gray and warm shades of white mix very well with deep reds, blues and greens. Fabrics with floral and toile patterns or tone-on-tone prints are very popular in this style. Window treatments and decorative pieces are made usually out of luxurious fabrics with floral, stripes or plaid patterns. Hardwood floors are covered with large Persian or Oriental carpets. Adding crown moulding on your ceiling would definitely emphasize the style. To complete the look, you can visit flea markets or antiques stores to pick up a few gilded picture frames, porcelain pieces or silk lampshades with a few magic dangling crystals.
e. Flowers or botanical prints in a scuffed wooden frame? 8. What would you like to put on display to be admired by you or your guests: a. Martha Stewart style porcelain? b. Contemporary sculpture or painting? c. Flowers and candles floating in a glass bowl? d. Family photos mixed in with glass, crystal or silver decorative pieces? e. Seashells or rock collection? 9. What textures or patterns would you be drawn to: a. Toile? b. Leather? c. Silk? d. Damask and chenille? e. Denim? 10. If you have to re-upholster your favourite armchair or couch, what fabric would you choose: a. Linens, hand-made fabrics and silks? b. Solid colours?
b. CONTEMPORARY: You are all about 20th century minimalism! Clean, straight lines, open and uncluttered spaces, sleek and polished look of the surfaces - these are just a few characteristics of contemporary elegance. Furnishings and designs by Charles Eames and Mies van der Rohe are classical examples of the contemporary style. Lofts, former factories and commercial buildings with vast views and open spaces embrace this style of glass, metal and stainless steel finishes in
c. Floral prints? d. Vibrant patterns of the ‘70s? e. Plaids and stripes? 11. What colours make you feel comfortable: a. Subdued, muted colours, such as found in historical homes? b. Bold colours and modern art? c. Traditional colours from Asia and India? d. Slick Hollywood movie look from the 1950s? e. Nature
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combination with natural wood and manmade materials. Colours such as whites, blacks and neutrals are usually the background for the furnishings, decorative pieces and artwork. Natural fabrics such as cotton, wool, silk, and linen are commonly used for upholstery or window treatments. A low-pile carpet would go very well with the hardwood or other sleek-surface flooring. In order to achieve this style, try to experiment by mixing natural textures with clean lines of furniture and vibrant-color accessories. c. ETHNIC: You love to travel the world! Asian (Japanese and Chinese) or African style furnishings are made of a variety of woods: teak, cedar, rosewood, bamboo, rattan, wicker, and dark-stained hardwoods. Lacquer or varnish finished woods with intricate inlays are very common with Chinese style furnishings. Yellows, reds, oranges and other earthy hues, as well as neutrals are common colours in ethnic style. Geometric shapes, animal prints and florals are very popular motifs on cotton, wool, hemp, silk or any other natural fabric.
e. COUNTRY AND and country charm!
COTTAGE: You love comfort, nature
We think of a cottage as a romantic and cozy place, with nostalgic antiques, floral fabrics and warmth of the fireplace. It’s all about comfort and relaxed environment. Wicker, rustic oak, pine and painted furnishings are typical of the cottage and country style. You can try mixing these furnishings with similarly designed furnishings from the traditional style. Colours based on nature’s palette, pastels, reds, whites and blues are very popular for cottage and country interiors. Fabrics and natural materials such as cotton, linen and handmade fabrics fit the overall decorating scheme. Vintage fabrics and lace are charming for window treatments, but you can also use shutters and curtains to create a more sophisticated look. Florals, gingham and plaids are very common patterns for this style. Hardwood floors, woven and area rugs, real or faux fur will bring warmth and color to the floors. Stained glass lamp shades, hanging light fixtures usually made of wrought iron or antiqued metals beautifully compliment the space. Distressed wood, chunky or elegant pewter finish hardware, crackle or colour washing paint finishes, fresh flowers and baskets, pottery and birdhouses, vintage quilts and botanical prints are decorative accessories that enhance these styles and make your space an oasis from your daily hectic life, less stressful and very welcoming.
Bamboo window treatments or silk panels make ethnic interiors more authentic looking. Japanese Shoji screens made out of rice paper are very beautiful and functional. They could be used for sliding doors or room dividers. Natural-fiber rugs such as sea grass sisal and bamboo would look very nice on stone or terracotta tile flooring. Painted pottery, animal sculptures, masks, handmade textiles, rice paper lanterns and leather accessories would make your space even more unique and relaxed.
Marina Orlova
d. CHIC: Putting on the Ritz! You are all about fashion and glamour! You would love to decorate your place with luxurious fabrics and fur throws. Select furnishings with mirrors, glass and metal; refined and softly sculpted lines. If you blend neutral colours – white, cream and brown - with such strong, bold colors as yellow, red and purple, it would make your home look incredibly chic and glamorous. Fabrics like chenille, silk, velvet and satin would help you enjoy your own Hollywood “splendour.” Light colour carpeting and simple window panels that puddle on the floor are a great look for your chic style. Should you opt for a crystal chandelier? Absolutely! Table lamps with a glass or metal base, silk lampshades, bright bold colour accessories, silver rim and crystal decorative pieces, pottery, glassware, faux fur and mirrors, peonies and roses. Be daring and, most importantly, have fun!
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Kitchens come in all shapes and sizes. The same cabinets, appliances, and surfacing materials can look entirely different in someone else’s home than in yours. Stock cabinets can acquire a unique look with specialty finishes and a change of hardware. Countertop materials already come in a great array of choices, but they can be customized even further, as well as flooring, walls, and in-kitchen dining furniture.
TIPS
Use pullout drawers instead of conventional reach-in cabinets. If you are fitting existing cabinets, have pullout trays installed. These are just a few of the variety of tips to follow to help you create the kitchen that is both safe and convenient.
FOR KITCHEN REMODELING You can transform your kitchen into a unique space. You can have all the amenities you want and need, even in a tiny kitchen. Spacesaving products are readily available. There are a few basic rules to follow.
Try to keep the straight-line distance between the sink, fridge, and cooktop between 4 and 7 metres. Position the sink between the refrigerator and the stove, since it’s used most often. Allow a minimum of 60 cm of counter space to the right and 45 cm to the left of the range and sink, or more if possible. Try not to place a tall fridge and built-in wall oven next to each other, since each needs its own landing space on both sides of the appliance for safety. Try to include a minimum of 3 linear metres of both base cabinets and upper cabinets. Use lazy susan carousels to make potentially wasted corners fully functional.
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A HABITABLE MUSHROOM Among the most unusual dwellings on the list published by Forbes there is a “mushroom house” in Pittsburg, for sale at $1.1 mln. The building consists of five mushroom-shaped sections connected by their “caps”. Each cap is a living zone. The house has a living and family rooms, a den, a guest room, and a patio.
purchase an old church converted into a dwelling in 1986, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Generally, the trend of converting non-livable properties into habitable ones has been gaining momentum in both North America and Europe. The list of such objects published by DOKI Realty last April includes, among others, non-active lighthouses, mills, churches, railway stations, water towers, ship docks, and bunkers.
Another unique house on the Forbes list is a Moroccan style cottage in Texas. The two-story 18 000 sq. ft. house has eight bedrooms, nine bathrooms, three kitchens, a couple of living and dining rooms, an office, a den, and four fireplaces. The lot contains a swimming pool, several fountains, a 6-car garage, a petting zoo, and two 2-story guesthouses – and all this for just measly $8.9 mln. The most expensive on the list is the Schnabel House in L.A. The $13-mln house was built in 1989 and renovated in 2010 with the use of stucco, glass, brass, steel, and lead. The least expensive property presented by Forbes costs $225,000 and represents a dome made of concrete and Foamex and located in New Mexico. A property in Bronx offered at $3 mln looks like a Croatian fort of the sixteenth century while, in Pennsylvania, for $1.5 mln you can
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Toronto, Kensington Market
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Michael Ivanin 647 403 8941
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FREE Special Report From Alexey Alekseev Reveals
29 Essential Tips That Get Homes Sold Fast (And For Top Dollar) The homeseller realized he was trapped. There was absolutely nothing he could do. Without the benefit of adequate preparation and thorough homework, the price he had negotiated for his home sale was lower than he should have received—thousands of dollars lower. In all the years REALTOR® Alexey Alekseev has been helping area residents with their home sales,
how vital a role the information and preparation he provides his clients really is. Information is the seller’s best friend and most important ally. That’s why Alexey decided to put together a special report to help prospective home sellers. This special report, entitled “29 Essential Tips That Get Homes Sold Fast—And For Top Dollar,” is provided free, as a community service.
What You Will Learn
he’s run into a surprising number of sellers in similar predicaments. But to Alexey’s concern, when it comes to unfortunate sellers like the one above,
Alexey’s special report, “29 Essential Tips That Get Homes Sold Fast—And
he can’t help after the fact—then it’s too late.
you put your home on the market. It’ll give you information that will help ensure you are the most prepared
Alexey’s Free Special Report Alexey understands all too well
For Top Dollar,” provides 29 important things you should understand before
seller you can be—both mentally and emotionally.
Call 24 hours a day and order your FREE special report!
647/693-7733 Simply dial ext. 100 for recorded message and info on how to order. It’s that easy.
What To Do—And Not To Do In this special report Alexey shares many of the tips that professionals utilize to help maximize a home’s potential and actual worth—and most importantly help you drive up the selling price of your home. You’ll learn many important things you need to do, but more critical may be the things it tells you not to do—things that could cost you dearly at the negotiating table. You’ll find out how your emotional state has everything to do with how well your home sale turns out. This report is essential reading for any serious home seller.
Get Your Special Report Before you sell your home, call Alexey Alekseev for your free special report and read it carefully. You’ll be glad you did.
Homelife\Cimerman Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage* 28 Drewry ave• Toronto, ON M2M 1C8 *independently owned & operated