SEPTEMBER 2012
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THE BASKET AS A DECOR ELEMENT AQUASCAPING - A NEW WAVE IN INTERIOR DESIGN RENOVATIONS - HIS VIEW AND HER VIEW ARTIFICIAL SUNSHINE SHOW YOUR TRUE COLORS Wrought iron – Strength and Beauty FREE MONTHLY MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTED DIRECTLY TO HOUSEHOLDERS
The Basket as a Decor Element
A basket can be much more than just the means of carrying stuff. It may be an excellent decor element while still retaining its functionality. The basket introduces warmth and softness to your decor while hiding what there is to hide. You can use it as storage for items of any size and texture. Baskets come in the widest variety, from the smallest boxes to huge woven containers, of all shapes, materials, colours, and types of weaving. When using more than one basket in the same room, try to stick to the same material and colour, even though their sizes can vary. Baskets are the best for keeping small items or magazines. In a smaller size bathroom baskets may serve to visually enhance the space. You can use nicely decorated baskets to keep
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documents and other tools of trade in your home office. Children tend to be more motivated to clean up their rooms when baskets are used as storage as well as accessories. Baskets for children’s rooms are usually decorated in a way to appeal to the young inhabitants of your house. Young girls of various ages like baskets on their dressing tables because they help to free the surface of rarely used creams and make-up items. Many of them like to have a basket underneath the bed to keep their personal items, especially diaries. A large woven basket used as a hamper can be left visible and serve as an additional decor element, besides its practical use. For clothes or bed linens, jewelleries or underwear – baskets are great to store anything! They can be used as pure accessories in home decor – just fill them with dry flowers or picturesque artificial fruits and leave at a prominent place. There is no limit to using the basket in decorating your home – it’s only up to your taste and imagination.
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September 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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Condo, Bathurst/Steeles Ask $329,900
Great area in demand!! Large CORNER unit, very bright, completely renovated with amazing unobstructed view of park. Excellent layout, 1500 sq. ft., 3 + 1 bdrs. Renovated washrooms w/nice ceramic and vanities. Eat-in kitchen with 2 windows, w/Kitchen Aid cooktop, oven. Parquet floors, mouldings, potlights.All closets w/ organizers. Parking. Indoor gym, sauna, outdoor pool, security gard and system. Maintenance fee includes all utilities and cableTV.
Bayview/HWY 407 Ask $606,900
ASPEN Ridge Home 9 feet ceilings! Semi-detached. Modern Open Concept. 3 bdrs, 3 wshrs. Large Family Room with fireplace. Upgraded kitchen w/granite countertop and center island. S/S appliances. Main floor hardwood + oak staircase. Potlights. Professionally finished basement. Interlock. Steps to Go Train, shopping, park, school, 2 min to Hwy 407 & 7.
Bathurst/Teston Ask $625,900
Bathurst/ Teston Ask $599,800
Only 4 yrs old magnificent 3 bedroom home in prestigious Upper Thornhill Estates! House faced w/stone and stucco. Modern Open Concept with huge family room. 3wshrs. Upgraded tall kitchen cabinets w/granite counter. S/S appliances. Dark hardwood floors throughout. 2d floor laundry.Double door entrance. Direct access from garage. Close to all amenities. 3 yrs old only stunning detached home w/about 2,000 sqft, 3 + 2 bdrs, 4 whrs in Upper Thornhill Estate loaded w/quality upgrades from top to bottom. Large upgraded kitchen w/splash wall. Marble floors in kitchen, foyer, laundry. Ceilings 9’, hardwood floors throughout, potlights. Professionally finished basement apartment w/separate entrance: rec. room, 2 bdrs, 1 x 3 whr, modern kitchen.
Condo, Bathurst/Steeles Ask $318,900
CORNER unit very spacious, filled with natural light, approx 1100sq.ft., 2 bdrs, 2 full wshrs. Gleaming maple hardwood floors, porcelain tiles in hallway and kitchen. Upgraded kitchen cabinets w/large pantry, granite countertop. 2 entrances to W/O balcony. Parking. Indoor gym, sauna, outdoor pool. Security guard and system. Maintenance fee includes all utilities and cableTV.
Bathurst/ Major Mackenzie End-Unit, like a Semi, in Valleys of Thornhill!! $$$ upgrades. Stunning 2 yrs old townhouse 4+1bdrs & loft, 4whrs. Large upgraded kitchen w/center island, granite countertop, stainless steel appliances. Smooth ceilings 9’, stained hardwood floors throughout, including basement, potlights, mouldings. Professionally finished basement W/5th bdr+ensuite & rec.room.
Ask $679,900
ORIT’S DRAPERIES & MORE Exclusive curtains and draperies Decorative covers and pillows Bed sheets and much more Old drapery renewal Large selection of draperies, fabrics and accessories from Europe Interior and fashion designer with 20 years of experience in Israel, Canada and America
416-400-2403 Svetlana
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AQUASCAPING
A New Wave in Interior Design The world we live in is becoming ever more technologically sophisticated, and the things around us are getting more and more intelligent. One of the areas of extremely fast growth is construction – especially that of new skyscrapers of concrete and glass. Unfortunately, the pace of urbanization has a negative effect upon our fragile emotional equilibrium. To balance it out, we subconsciously strive to natural harmony, trying to spend as much time as possible in the fresh air of places of nature. Nevertheless, the biggest chunk of our lives still passes in the city; thus, our desire
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to have, in our immediate proximity, even a small spot of nature is quite reasonable because this is a place where we can escape the hustle and bustle of the city life. One such spots may be an aquarium that has become a popular element of today’s interior design.
Sea Tanks Fish Tank. This kind is intended to contain fishes only. In most cases, it is a very vivid composition comprising all the colours of the rainbow. Reef Tank. This complicated kind is intended to hold difficult-to-care-for hard corals and a minor number of small fishes that live in the area of coral reefs. Its distinguishing features are the unusual shapes and colours of corals. Mixed Tank. As the name suggests, it is intended to hold easier-to-care-for soft
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corals and a moderate quantity of fishes compatible with them. This kind of tank is characterized by a combination of whimsical shapes of corals and vividly coloured luminous fish. A sea tank will let you enjoy the variety of colours characteristic of the inhabitants of the Red Sea or unbelievable shapes of corals from the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. But aquaria of this kind are rather expensive and require meticulous and knowledgeable care.
Fresh Water Tanks Fake Sea. This tank uses natural but dead corals, rocks, shells, and coral chips, as well as fresh water fishes of vivid colouring. This combination produces a virtually perfect sea imitation. Such a tank is much less expensive to maintain than the real sea tank. Biotope. A biotope aquaria is an aquarium that is set-up to simulate a natural habitat. The fish, plants, water chemistry, and furnishings are similar to those that can be found in a specific natural setting. Always check compatibility! Some species from a particular habitat are not suitable tankmates. For example, the peacock bass will eat small tetras since they are their natural food in the wild. Nature Aquarium. This kind of tank is the brainchild of the Japanese photographer, designer, and aquarist Takashi Amano. He is one of the most influential people in the freshwater aquascaping community. He can largely be credited with introducing Japanese gardening concepts such as Wabi-sabi and Zen rock arrangement to the aquascaping hobby. His tank compositions involve intricate and typically asymmetrical (though balanced) arrangements of aquatic plants, often augmented by river rocks and driftwood. His aquascapes are notable in that they often mimic nature in their appearance, and can be regarded as a form of art.
Dry Arrangements For those of you who wish for a bright nature-inspired spot in your decor but have no time or desire to care for a real aquarium there is such an option as a dry arrangement. You will have your tank containing the whimsical shapes of a coral reef because it is based on natural corals and shells, albeit dead but still possessed of their charm. Special lighting creates the illusion of water while a microcontroller adds dynamics to the still life in the tank changing it according to the specified parameters. Such are the main characteristics of the basic styles and schools of aquascaping of today. Remember that, no matter which style you choose, the most important thing is to keep it natural looking. Avoid any signs of artificiality. One wrong move may ruin the harmony that is the main purpose of creating this beautiful nature-inspired spot.
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What attraction may lie in routine household chores, you may ask? Yet, every third woman insists that housework helps her relax. Looks like household chores for these ladies replace full-scale therapy. At least such are the results of a survey conducted among four thousand women by a British manufacturer of cleaning products Zoflora.
HOUSECLEANING – BURDEN OR JOY? Four out of ten women who love maintaining their homes in good order admitted that housecleaning is their secret passion that is not necessarily known to their partners. Housecleaning takes up to four hours of their average week. These homemakers start straightening things out as soon as something upsets even slightly the order they strive to maintain or immediately after moving into a new place. Psychologist Jane McCarty explains this phenomenon by the positive effect upon their mental state of the very existence of a prolonged routine action. “Housework gives these women a feeling of full control
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over the situation because they can see positive results of their effort right away,” she explains. “Well founded pride they experience because their dwelling is in ideal shape, considerably raises their selfesteem. There is no surprise that some of them are prepared to even clean other people’s places.” As the survey shows, the respondents’ favourite chores are dusting and vacuuming. But they also enumerate their least favourite activities - those are bathroom and stove cleaning and ironing. Almost forty percent of the women who responded do their housework all by themselves. The rest
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leave the most time and labour consuming chores to their partners. Aroma prevailing in their dwellings plays an important role for these women. Almost seventy five percent of the respondents indicated that they would not be friends with people whose house doesn’t smell right. Psychologists think that such an avert reaction to smells in women is linked to their evolutionary mechanism because in the old times bad smell had been associated with health hazards. www.wecare4u.ca e-mail: info@wecare4u.ca 647-207-3438, 905-417-4242
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Excellent Work Experience, Professionalism
Have You Decided To Buy A Property?
and Creativity To Achieve Your Goals And Dreams
• I’ll find you a home where you will feel warm and cozy; • Bonuses for Buyers; Flexible commissions for Sellers; • I’ll do everything possible for fast and successful closing; • I’ll offer you the best mortgage rates; • I’ll find a solution for any complication; • Free consultations and fast confirmation of mortgage approvals.
Fay Tsatskina REAL ESTATE BROKER
GOLD, DIAMOND & PLATINUM AWARD WINNER
MORTGAGE AGENT (LICENCE # M10001640)
MEMBER OF THE TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD MEMBER OF ONTARIO REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION MEMBER OF CANADIAN REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION
www.fayrealestate.ca email: fayservices@yahoo.com CONDO. 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 custom-made 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!
Asking $329,900
RICHMOND HILL (YONGE & BROOKSIDE)
Amazing home! 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. Triple-safe 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!
DIRECT:
416-889-9955 Each office is independently owned and operated
BUNGALOW! BRADFORD (NORTH OF NEWMARKET)
Practically new! Gorgeous, very bright, warm & inviting BUNGALOW, 2-bdrms, 3-wshrs, with open concept library. 1923 Sq.Ft. Excellent layout. High ceilings, gleaming hardwood floors. Potlights. Bedrooms have ensuites. Updated large kitchen with high cabinets, stainless steel appliances, pantry. Large family room with gas fireplace & high vaulted ceilings. 2-car garage. Fenced backyard. Excellent location, close to all amenities.
Asking $459,000
BATHURST & CENTRE
STOUFFVILLE
Asking $585,000
BATHURST & RUTHERFORD UPGRADED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM!
Stunning detached home in Upper Thornhill location! 3+2-bdr, 4-wshr, about 2000 Sq.Ft + FINISHED BASEMENT WITH SEPARATE ENTRANCE, kitchen & 3pc bath! Excellent layout. 9’ ceilings. Double door entry, hardwood floors. Upgraded kitchen with marble floors & b/ splash, potlights. Marble floors in foyer & laundry room. Family room with gas fireplace. Close to shopping center & transportation.
Asking $599,800
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BATHURST & STEELES
Exceptionally decorated, very clean & bright, over 1100 Sq.Ft, 2-bdr, 2 full wshr, LARGE CORNER UNIT in desirable building & high demand area. Large kitchen with walkout to balcony. Another walkout to balcony from the large living/dining room. Beautiful laminated floors throughout. Maintenance fee includes everything! Very well maintained building with excellent facilities: gym, sauna, outdoor pool, recreation room, 24 hrs security gate.
Asking $299,000
RICHMOND HILL
Luxurious Thornhill City Centre across 5 Acres Park! About 700 Sq.Ft, 1-bdr + den, 1-wshr, very bright & spacious unit with balcony with breathtaking south view on Toronto. Laminated floors throughout. Freshly painted. Open concept kitchen with granite countertop & S/S appliances. Excellent facilities: indoor pool, gym, sauna. Locker & parking included. Steps to Promenade Mall, public transit, Hwy 407 & 7, parks, schools.
NO HOUSES BEHIND! The biggest townhouse in the complex! 1800 Sq.Ft, linked by garage only. 3-bdrm, 3-wshr. Great layout. Hardwood floors. Family room with gas fireplace. Upgraded kitchen with S/S appliances. W/O to nice deck. All bedrooms are large. Beautiful master ensuite with large tub & separate shower. Basement with large windows. Great area! Close to everything!
BATHURST & ELGIN MILLS Beautiful home in desirable neighborhood! 4-bdrm, 4-wshr. About 2400 Sq.Ft. Great floor plan. Gleaming hardwood floors. Huge family room with fireplace. Nice modern kitchen. FINISHED BASEMENT with sauna. Large backyard with wooden deck and inground outdoor POOL. Close to Yonge St. Asking $639,900
RICHMOND HILL Large 4-bdrm, 4-wshr home in high demand area! Large living/dining room with bay window. Large eat-in kitchen with new heated floors (2009)! Kitchen overlooks family room with W/O to deck. Convenient & functional layout. New roof & windows (2009). FINISHED W/O BASEMENT with gas fireplace, kitchen & bath (potential apartment). High efficiency furnace, central vac. Steps to excellent schools, parks, community centre, trails, transportation.
Asking $312,900
¬Desirable location! Beautiful, bright, spacious, & spotless 4-bdr, 3-wshr detached house. About 2300 Sq.Ft. Open concept. Lots of upgrades! 9’ ceilings, hardwood floors on both levels. Large family size kitchen with ceramic b/splash with W/O to custom deck. Huge master bdrm with Her/His W/I closets. Enclosed porch. Main floor laundry with entry to 2-car garage. WALKOUT BASEMENT! Pool size backyard. Do not miss!
HOMELIFE VICTORY REALTY INC. Brokerage 10720 Yonge St, #226, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3C9 BUS: 905-737-0033 FAX: 905-737-3132
Asking $468,900
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Integrity Contracting Aim for perfection..! Proven experience that works for you!
Integrity Contracting is a quality minded, Full Service Construction Company, which delivers projects on time, on budget and at fair and reasonable market price. Our in-house services are Mayor Home Renovations, including: • Municipal Permits • Demolition • New Homes Framing • Framing Additions • Drywall and Paint • Fully Finished Basements • New Kitchens & Reno • New Bathrooms & Reno • Trim & Millwork • Decks, Fences, Pergolas, Verandas and Porches • And all fine finishing details
Our Vision: To be the best and most reliable construction company. Our Mission: To service as a committed team of solution providers to the needs of our customers, colleagues and stakeholders. And to exceed their expectations. The Principles that Guide us: • Integrity • Transparency, • Knowledge, • Collaboration, • Safety Our Foundation: • God • Family • Community Our Philosophy: We believe that at every stage of every project, is an opportunity to be a better contractor and a better person; when projects are approached with ethical principles, and our customers, and our communities are benefited by an honest job well done.
Our Project Management service, for turnkey projects, involves the cooperation with our most valued asset, our sub trades. Working in tandem with them for many years, we are able to provide our valued customers with: • Drawings • Surveying and Excavating • Mechanical & Utilities • Insulation • Exterior Finishes • Roof Shingles • And Patios We are encouraged to provide our community with better living standards by been true to our Philosophy:
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To request a professional quote please call directly to Daniel at: 1(647)231-0923 Or send a message on line through this Site http://www.iciconstructor.com/ e-mail: vaqueiro1@hotmail.com
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HOME STAGING CUSTOM DRAPERY ALL TYPES OF BLINDS INTERIOR DECORATING 3D DESIGN
Showroom: 4267 Steeles Ave. West, Toronto, ON, M3N 1V7
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ARTIFICIAL SUNSHINE
Light is one of the most important components of interior design. It can create the right atmosphere, hide the drawbacks of the layout while emphasizing its advantages, and visually enlarge the room. People cannot exist in the dark, so after the daylight has gone away we turn on artificial lighting. From torches in old times, through candles, to lamps, artificial light sources have served to not only light the place but decorate it as well. Decorative lighting has always been more appreciated than regular lamps. Some types of lighting would come into fashion, replacing previous trends, but the best of them have always possessed esthetics, practicality, and economy. Lighting stores offer a wide choice of ceiling chandeliers, wall brackets, pot lights, built-in light sources, and many others. You can find unusual decorative lamps that will
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inspire you to create a new and, sometimes, revolutionary decor around them. Lamps, wall brackets, and floor lamps with floral themes have always been popular for the widest variety of interior styles. Of these, the most luxurious are classic handmade lamps in Venetian style. Spanish manufacturers offer expensive high-quality metal lamps. Within the high-end lamps offered at upscale salons you can find items made of the best natural and artificial materials. Lighting designers use glass, wood, fabric, and plastics for their creations. Glass is the best for conducting the artist’s imagination – clear, opaque or of regular transparency, it is capable of refracting the stream of light.
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Classic lamps are the best because they fit any style of interior decor. They are usually made of high quality materials, like crystal, china, Murano glass, or silk, and are often handmade. For example, Murano glass items are manufactured individually by Venetian glass artisans. The choice is unlimited. You just need to choose the right lighting that is capable of transforming any space and create wonderful atmosphere, be it in a house, an apartment, or at a workplace. www.eurointeriors.ca 1300 Alness St., unit 1 (at Steeles Ave. W) Tel: 905-669-8626
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Tile Adhesive: the Right Way Selecting the correct ceramic tile adhesive for a tiling job is just as important as having the correct tile tools to do the job. There are many different types of ceramic tile adhesive that you can use. Even though your ceramic tile supplier is perfectly capable of advising you on the best one for the job, it is best to know the basics so you can make sure you are buying the correct tile adhesive. There are a few types of tile adhesive out there with each of them suitable for different jobs. Cement Based Tile Adhesive This type is used for general tiling on solid concrete or masonry walls and floors. It is usually cheaper than other types as it is a simple cement based non-flexible adhesive. Do not use it on cracked cement floors or where some movement is expected. It comes in the shape of dry powder and is mixed with water before being applied. Modified Cement Based Tile Adhesive This type is modified to withstand slight movement. The glue has rubber and polymers in it so that if the substraight cracks or moves slightly the tile will not crack. Modified cement adhesive can be used both inside and outside and is an excellent for floors. It comes in the shape of dry powder and is mixed with water before being applied.
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Timber Floor Tile Adhesive This adhesive is a two-part glue with strong adhesion and flexibility and is capable of handling the small flex of a timber floor. However, on a floor with bounce or considerable flex the tiles may crack. Flexible Internal Tile Adhesive This ceramic tile glue is an excellent choice for bathroom and kitchen walls and it allows for slight house movement. It comes in the shape of dry powder and is mixed with water before being applied. Fast Setting Tile Adhesive This type is used in cases when the tiles need to be in service before the regular 12-hour period of settling is over. It can be used on walls and floors.
• Premixed adhesive will go off or get lumps in it if not used quickly. • Mix a small amount of adhesive at a time following the manufacturers’ instructions located on the packaging • Once mixed, the mortar will have a pot life (the time within which you have to use it) and an open time (the length of time you have to bed the tiles into the spread adhesive). These are also indicated in the manufacturers’ instructions located on the packaging • Scoop the adhesive on to the short square end of the trowel • Drop the adhesive onto the substrate
Other Types of Ceramic Tile Adhesive
• Use the long flat edge of the trowel and, holding it at a 45° angle, smooth the adhesive over the surface (comb the bed to the required thickness ensuring all the ribs run in the same direction)
Ceramic tile glue for under floor heating. This glue is able to cope with the heating and cooling without damage. Ceramic tile glue for swimming pools. Used for ceramic tiles that will be completely underwater.
• Only work in small areas at a time – you need to fix the tiles quickly and efficiently before a skin forms on the adhesive (if a skin has already formed, remove the adhesive and apply a fresh layer)
Ceramic Tile Adhesive Tips
• Press each tile into the adhesive firmly while twisting the tile to ensure it receives optimum adhesion
• It is best not to use premixed tile adhesive because this type takes longer to set and is generally weaker than dry glue
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• Clean off surplus adhesive from the tile face and between the tile joints
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SHOW YOUR TRUE COLOURS Choosing the colour scheme before starting renovations is not an easy task. Science has proven that each person has usually one or, in some cases, two to three favourite colours. Does it mean painting the whole place the same or is it better to select a colour for each room in accordance with its function? Below are a few general suggestions that work virtually for everyone, regardless of their gender, age, and other general characteristics. The colour blue is conductive of enhanced absorbance of information and of creating a friendly atmosphere – therefore it is an excellent choice for a home office. Its neighbour - the indigo – has a fully opposite effect; it lowers productivity and diminishes attention. Keep it in mind when selecting a colour that will surround you during your working hours. Everyone is aware of the calming effect of the green colour. It is known to relieve headaches, manage stress, and decrease fatigue; it may even lower your blood
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pressure. Conclusion? – it is best used for a nursery or your favourite room for relaxation. The red, on the contrary, elevates blood pressure, incites appetite, and increases productivity in people with a sluggish personality. On the other hand it may provoke aggression. Excessive amounts of red or green may adversely affect a person’s nervous system – but so do excessive amounts of anything else. Balance is the secret to perfection. The colour purple improves the functioning of the human heart and lungs and promotes physical strength. Excessive amounts of purple in the place will serve to heighten fatigue. The combination of blue and green that has been, just a few short years ago, the most popular trend in interior design, is the best for its calming effect. Yellow and yellowish green in combination with orange relax your mind while the yellow
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by itself revives it and as such is great for painting an office or learning space. The general rule for selecting colours for your rooms is using subtle tones and beautiful combinations of hues. It is better to revive the look of the room with vivid details than to have vast stretches of a bright colour. Another question people often ask is which should match which: select window dressing to match the wallpaper or buy furniture that would match the rug? There are no set rules in this area except that there should be no more than three major colours in the same room. There are a few rules for choosing colours for surfaces though. For example, not many people will feel comfortable with a pink floor. A darker lower part with the floor and the bottom of the walls and a lighter upper part, including the ceiling and the top of the walls, visually enhance stability while the opposite combination may lead to mental discomfort. A lighter ceiling combined with dark walls visually reduces the size of the room. Light-coloured walls visually enhance the space and may hide or correct the drawbacks in the layout. We all change our attitude towards colours over the time and in connection with our individual characteristics. Therefore, while taking into consideration the general rules of colour decorating, we should listen to our inner feelings about a certain colour scheme and act accordingly.
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Wrought iron – Strength and Beauty People have always been attracted to wrought metal items because of their durability, strength, and beauty. Creating beauty of various forms out of a chunk of metal requires a lot of artistic ability. Fireplace sets, flowerpot stands, and other utilitarian items are often real works of art. Masters of artistic forging create their works to order or in small series, coming up with their own designs. It is almost unbelievable that metal can be so supple.
Wrought Metal Works in Architecture and Landscaping Wrought metal art pieces have been used in architecture and landscaping for many decades and even centuries. The most common, fences and window bars, have a practical, and not just decorative, application as they protect the dwelling from intruders. These items can be made to order with consideration for your preferences. Usually the two are made in the same style to look like a set. Wrought iron and other metals are popular in landscaping design as well. Decorative
foot bridges and railings, small enclosures and gazebos create an exquisite look and return us to the romantic and leisurely times before the crazy pace of the modern day. An elegant wrought-iron gazebo, a lovely arch at the entrance to your garden entwined with live ivies or grape vines, or lanterns with wrought-iron lamps will enhance the beauty of your garden and create a relaxed feeling in it.
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Interior Decor The interior of the house gains from the use of wrought-metal art as well. For the lovers of houseplants there are wroughtiron stands, elegant and stable. They can be painted bronze, black, or silver. Wroughtiron headboard and posts for your bed add dignity and beauty to your bedroom. Add to it a couple of floor or wall lamps with a wrought-iron base – and your bedroom will acquire a dignified look of a castle.
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Renovations
His View and Her View The idea that ‘men are from Mars, women are from Venus’ applies to all aspects of life, and home renovations are no exception. Men and women treat the same subject in different, and – often - fully opposite, ways. Research shows that renovations often become the bone of contention for many otherwise peaceful married couples. To avoid this kind of conflict, keep in mind that men and women look differently at such vital things as purchases, decor details, colour, and style. Generally, for a man the process of home renovations means improvement and fortification of his abode while a woman takes them as chaos and extra cleaning work and can be upset just thinking about it. When buying household objects, men use the criteria of quality and reliability, while, for women, the price and look of the goods becomes the most important consideration, no matter whether the object is a technologically advanced appliance or bathroom tiles. Ideally, the couple needs to
shop together and base their decision on the rule of the price-to-quality ratio. Men are more conservative when buying furniture. They prefer straight lines and right angles while women like rounded shapes and smooth transitions. A woman may decide that the family furniture needs replacing only on the basis of been outdated; a man, only when his favourite armchair has sprung out its innards. The best way out of this situation would be to buy furniture similar to the existing one, recover the old set, or cover his favourite armchair with a throw.
Women prefer soft in decorating materials and pastel tones while the ‘strong sex’ favours vivid rich colours. Find a compromise in painting the master bedroom in quiet hues while using outrageous tiles in the bathroom or kitchen. Most men don’t care whether a cabinet and a chair match in their style as long as they are comfortable. This is the exact reason for women to take care of the decor in the family dwelling. Their creative selves are able to foresee the result before the job has been completed. Curtains, cushions, bows, statues, and other decorative knickknacks are not a chore for women - they are their favourite hobby. Female homeowners have no limit in their desire to beautify their surroundings. They do not tire of buying small objects to serve that desire on a regular basis, and the male’s task is to know when to put a stop to it and to do it in a soft and nonquarrelsome way. Compromise is the only thing to secure peace in the family during renovations.
Most people will know something about Frank Lloyd Wright or Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe, or one of their many critically acclaimed masterpieces, but most will miss the day-to-day impact that architects have in controlling our daily mood and our lives. Making a building look beautiful yet fully functional is a lot harder than it sounds. Almost anyone can screw, nail, glue, and slap building materials together and call it a building, but a good architect is the master who uses the canvass of the structure to create art and a lasting present structure that harnesses the power to inspire and change lives. It may sound dreamy, but it’s true. From the great Colosseum in Rome, St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice, the Alhambra in Granada, the Tower of London upon the Thames, Notre-Dame de Paris, the Vatican, the Taj Mahal, and the many historic and awe inspiring remnants of our past, to the Empire State Building and modern marvels such as the Saint-Pierre Church in Firminy, France, or the CCTV headquarters in Beijing, architecture is the timeless embodiment of humanity’s visions, dreams, and character. In my profession, I come across many buildings and homes. An unfortunate and recurring theme however is how few, though they construct, do so without the input, design and direction of a qualified architect. Many believe that architects work only on institutional, industrial, or commercial buildings; that only the homes in affluent neighbourhoods such as the Bridle Path, Forest Hill, or Rosedale are or ought to be designed by architects. This unfortunate and widespread misconception neglects to acknowledge the importance of design and creative input to nearly any construction project. Many are eager to spend $250,000 on a home addition, yet are reluctant to invest the time in designing the space, which
ARCHITECTURE
In a recent conversation with a client, the topic of architecture came up. My client asked, “What is the importance of architecture to the typical construction project?” It got me thinking how many people are unaware of the important role architects play in our day-to-day lives. In this piece, I will attempt to pay humble tribute to the contributions made to society by our brothers and sisters of “the artful science”. is in my opinion the most important and typically the most time-consuming stage of construction. I will leave you with some thoughts from one of my favourite social thinkers, John Ruskin, in the hope that you will find inspiration in his words for your own future construction project:
When we build let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work that our descendants will thank us for, and let us think, as we lay stone upon stone, that a time is to come when these stones will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labour and wrought substance of them, “See! This our parents did for us”.
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John Ruskin (1819 – 1900), The Seven Lamps of Architecture.
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.
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Recipes From Cooking Experts We are very proud and happy to introduce you the well-known journalist and cookbook author Leah Koenig. Leah Koenig is a journalist who specializes in food/cooking, travel, and Jewish culture and history, and also a cookbook author. Her writing and recipe-developing work has been published in the New York Times Magazine, Everyday with Rachael Ray, Ladies Home Journal, Hemispheres (United Airlines’ magazine) Saveur, CHOW, Food Arts, Tablet magazine, and others. She also contributes monthly food-related columns to The Forward, Saveur, and Capital New York.
Recipes from «All About Food» magazine www.aaftoronto.com
In 2011 Leah’s first cookbook, The Hadassah Everyday Cookbook: Daily Meals for the Contemporary Jewish Kitchen, was published by Rizzoli/Universe. She’s travelled throughout America in support of the book, leading cooking demonstrations and talks, and has appeared as a Jewish food expert on WNBC’s Weekend Today in New York and Martha Stewart Radio, and most recently
at the 92nd Street Y in New York City. Prior to becoming a full time writer in 2009, Leah worked for the Jewish environmental organization, Hazon, in New York City. There she ran a series of educational and agricultural programs, and edited Hazon’s award-winning food blog, The Jew & The Carrot. She graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Middlebury College in Vermont.
website: http://www.leahkoenig.com/ http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=o0q5iV7VKYg We have asked Leah to share a few recipes for a quick and satisfying meal with our readers. The following recipes were originally published in The Hadassah Everyday Cookbook: Daily Meals for the Contemporary Jewish Kitchen (Rizzoli, 2011). They are being reprinted with permission.
Couscous with Dried Cherries and Mint Serves 6
The beans, fruit and grains in this side dish offer the nutritional profile of a complete meal. Switch things up by substituting less common grains like wheat berries, spelt or farro in place of the couscous. 1 1/2 cups Israeli couscous 1 can rosa (pink) beans or white beans, rinsed and drained 1/2 cup red onion, halved and thinly sliced 1/2 cup dried cherries (or dried cranberries), chopped 5 tablespoons light olive oil 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice 3 tablespoons honey Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup chopped mint 1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional) 1. Cook couscous according to package directions; remove from heat and set aside. 2. In a medium bowl, combine beans, onion and cherries. In a small bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice, honey, salt and pepper to taste, mint and feta, if using. 3. Add couscous to the bean mixture and toss gently with about two thirds of the dressing until combined. Add additional dressing to taste. Tightly seal and refrigerate any leftover dressing. You can find more recipes by Leah Koenig in All About Food magazine.
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Buying a pool table is a big decision. Below are some important details that you should keep in mind when trying to pick out a pool table.
BUYING A POOL TABLE – POINTS TO CONSIDER Size The very first thing you will need to do before you decide on a pool table is measure the room in which you want the pool table. The majority of first time buyers do not realize how much room you really need to accommodate a pool table. Pool tables come in 3 main sizes: 7 foot, 8 foot, and 9 foot. Keep in mind the length of the pool cue, which is important in cases when someone is trying to hit a shot at the cue ball being right on the cushion of the pool table. Since most sticks are 57” or so, you should make sure you have that much clearance around all sides of the pool table.
Style The style of the billiard table is obviously important since it needs to fit the style of the room it is in. Forget the eclectic for the billiard room – if it is done in a hi-tech style
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a Victorian-style pool table will look out of place. You should know if you are looking for something with styled wood and pockets with tassels or more of a contemporary look.
Cloth / Felt What color cloth are you looking for and does the billiard table have that option? Some companies can make a table with custom felt. The colour of the cloth makes a huge difference in the look of the room and for the table; therefore you should choose your colours wisely. Green is obviously the normal choice for most consumers, but other colours such as camel, red, and khaki are becoming increasingly more popular.
Playbed Billiard tables come in either slate or a form of compact, modified wood that is treated to not warp or bend called slatron. This makes
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a big difference in the cost and installation of your billiard table. Slate pool tables are the best for maintaining a true level table because, being stonr, they are not subject to warping. Wood tops are cheaper and may be subject to warping or bending, but are generally seen as an adequate alternative to slate. Besides, slate tables require professional installation unless you have the appropriate tools and are very handy. Slatron is easy to instal but the table won’t be as level. Slate comes either as one-piece or three pieces. Three-piece slate is the most common. It is the best because it allows for more precise leveling of your table. Slate comes in a couple different thicknesses: 3/4”, 7/8”, and 1”. 3/4” slate is usually used on inexpensive tables. One inch slate is the standard and is what you want and this is what is officially approved for tournament play. The slate is very heavy each piece of 1” slate is about 150-160 pounds. Slate can
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either come with a wood backing or without a wood backing. Slate should be attached directly to the frame of the table with screws.
Pockets Pockets can be leather, plastic or rubber. Plastic pockets are usually used in lower end tables while rubber pockets are usually used in commercial tables. Leather pockets are what the typical home owner will want. Leather pockets can have either a leather shield or a decorative fringe. A shield pocket typically costs more, but there is no benefit in having a shield or fringe pocket. It is your personal preference.
Legs The legs of a table should be solid wood. It is really up to you on the carving of the leg; just make sure it is solid wood.
Frame This is the part that the legs will attach to and the slate lay on top of. The two big styles are solid wood and MDF board. The choice is yours, since, according to the installers, a pool table with an MDF cabinet holds up just as well as a table with a solid wood cabinet. These days the construction of this material has come a long way since it was first introduced. A long time ago solid wood was really the only way to go, but now you can go either way and your table will last a long time as long as it is cared for properly. The next thing to look at with the frame is the beams. One center beam and two cross beams are all you need. The most important beams are the two cross beams because the weight of the slate and table are distributed from side to side, not front to back.
Rails The rails of a pool table should be solid wood. Solid wood plays a part in the way the ball bounces of the rail. So make sure it is solid wood and nothing else. The rail should also be attached to the table by bolts that go up through the frame, then the slate, then to the rail. This allows the rail to be as tight as possible for the best response of the cushions. The rail should also have a tack strip. That is where the staples will go when felting the rail. If it does not have a tack strip then the rail can sit uneven on the slate and make the cushions not have as much bounce or rebound.
Caring for Your Table Before you get too carried away with your new showpiece. It’s simple - just study this short list of potentially destructive implements, interlopers, and elements and keep them away from the table: Chalk. Cue tips. Balls. Dogs. Cats. Jewelry. Coins. Heat. Moisture. Your bottom. Frisky neighbors and family members. The sun. That’s right. Sometimes, a pool table’s greatest enemies are the game itself and its owners, especially if they forget to treat the table like the piece of fine furniture it is. Beware chalk —the lingering dust is playing a deadly game with your table felt. The chalk is abrasive; it gets into the cloth and destroys it. Brushing the table frequently is a good start, but realize that 50 percent of the chalk dust actually gets brushed into the cloth. It is better to use a small vacuum cleaner. Just make sure it is not too powerful to lift and stretch your fabric. Pieces of jewelry can get snagged on fabric and develop into tears; and digging your cue tip into the cloth on massé and jump shots is utterly devastating. Do not set your billiard table next to a window, by a fireplace, or — even worse — in a sun room. Obviously, sunlight will fade the cloth. It can also bleach the table’s finish. The best prevention is to buy (and use!) a table cover, no matter what the surroundings. Yet another culprit of felt destruction is game balls. Keep them clean. On the felt, your game balls — and especially the cue ball — pick up dust and chalk and then reapply them to the table and rails. It would be wise to clean your game balls after each session and the cue ball after each game. Do not sit on your pool table, do not grind against its frame< and do not drop things on its surface – all this may cause minor but permanent bruises that may eventually lead to destruction. After your first year of ownership, you should consider having a billiard mechanic come and give your table the once-over. Many table dealers and installers offer this service or can direct you to a suitable mechanic. Despite all the potential hazards to your pool table’s health, make sure you play on it – not let it just sit there like a beautiful piece of furniture even if it is one.
Kazio Marble & Granite Limited time offer $40 per sq. ft. from selected materials! FREE undermount sink! No substitute on a quality! FREE estimate! No hidden costs!
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Transitional ChicDining Room
Dining room Before
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This beautiful dining room was completely transformed by adding a feature wall paper accent, soft soothing greys and soft blue hues mixed with shiny glittering modern crystal chandelier and accents make this space ready to entertain in !!
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Michael Ivanin Photographer/Photojournalist. www.mikeivaninphotography.blogspot.com
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Jacob Grinberg This photography art will adorn your home or office www.jgphotographs.com
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PROFESSIONAL SERVICE BOOKKEEPING & ACCOUNTING CANADA INCOME TAX, PAYROLL, HST, WSIB TAX CREDITS, BUSINESS PLAN WE RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS MORE SUCCESSFULLY (416) 602-7691 INESSA SEMERENKO
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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
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For Top Dollar,” provides 29 important things you should understand before
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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