All about Home ( July)

JULY 2013

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July 2013 To advertise in All About Home magazine please contact us

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July 2013

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The sense of smell is one of the most mysterious of our five senses because it is so fuzzy in the matters of perception. This sense closely connected to our memory and emotions sends us to our other senses, visual images, emotional associations, and reminiscence.

GET SOME SCENTS INTO YOUR HOME Even the most hardcore skeptics can’t help but agree that smells influence our condition – even scientific studies show that a pleasant scent improves our mood and helps us relax. Besides, 79% of women abd 86% of men consider nice smells conductive of romantic atmosphere and intimacy.

A human being learns most aromas during their childhood together with the perception of their surroundings. This may be the reason for a familiar smell to evoke our childhood memories depicting vivid associative images in our mind. Smells that have left an imprint in our memory become our olfactory heritage that shapes our value and preference system.

Even each season is automatically connected with certain scents that we miss in other seasons. For example, most consumers choose fresh and clean scents for warm

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months of the year and sweet oriental aromas during cold seasons.

Imitating the rites of pagan priests, people have used aromatic oils for centuries to enhance their health, mood, and attractiveness. Today, attention to details forming our public image spreads on our surroundings, including our homes, offices, and civic places. People strive to demonstrate aromas that reflect their individuality and preferences stating their attention even to intangible decor elements.

Decor comprises every aspect, including lighting, colour, furniture style, and accessories. All this is important for creating a framework but unless this framework is filled with atmosphere, it is devoid of life.

One of the simplest and most effective ways to create a cosy feeling in the space is olfactory because of the smell’s influence upon our emotions.

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Pleasant aromas give the space warmth and coziness creating a feeling of harmony and joy. Even though most people realize it, not many use special aromatizers in their homes. The reason for such omission is an established stereotype that air aromatizers should only be used as air fresheners to eliminate unpleasant odours in washrooms stems from many people’s ignorance regarding the effect smells have upon human moods.

Another stereotype is that air fresheners only cover unpleasant odours without eliminating them thus aggravating the distasteful mix. Nevertheless, many manufacturers have lately offered products that can effectively neutralize insulting smells by absorbing smelly fumes and replacing them with something nice or neutral, filling the air with lightness and pleasant aromas.

www.aahtoronto.com

Excellent layout. Huge kitchen w/ BATHURST/SHEPPARD marble counter and splash wall, Incredible Bathurst Manor backsplit on a 52x169ft lot!! 3+1 built-in VIKING s/s appliances bdrms, 3 wshrms , about 2500 sq.ft. Completely remodeled (fridge 36�wide), 2 large breakfast and renovated. Energy Star certified. Modern design. bars. Large dining with w/out to deck. Large family with w/out to limestone patio. Huge back yard with interlocked pagoda. Porch, bay window, garage door metal frame w/glass inserts. Wood/porcelain floors, potlights, flat ceilings.

Designers painting. Custom French doors throughout...too many to list... Just see it!!!

Yonge/Gamble (Richmond Hill)

NO HOUSES BEHIND!! Backing into RAVINE. Beautiful townhome in desirable neighbourhood, 2200sq.ft. 3 bdrms, 4 wshrms. Open concept layout. 9-ft flat ceilings, hardwood floors on main.

Upgraded kitchen w/granite countertop, custom backsplash, S/S appliances. Family room with gas fireplace. Professionally finished basement with bedroom and 4-pc wshr. Direct access to garage. Close to Yonge, schools, parks, transit .

Yonge/16th Ave. (Richmond Hill)

Asking $519,900

CONDO Bathurst/Steeles

Asking $638,000 new

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Bright and spacious freehold end unit townhome - like a semi in great residential neighbourhood.

3 bdrms, 3 wshrms. Hardwood floors throughout, new oak stairs. Large eat-in kitchen w/ breakfast area. Large master bdrm with W/I closet & 4-pc ensiute. Professionally finished ground level family room with W/O to a very private backyard, direct access to garage. Close to Hillcrest Mall, schools, transportation.

Primrose luxury condo!!! Bright and spacious with large balcony, over 1100 sq.ft., 2 bdrms, 2 wshrms. Large eat-in kitchen.

Laminate floors in all rooms, marble floor in kitchen and foyer. Parking. Low maintenance includes everything. Very well maintained building with excellent facilities: gym, sauna, outdoor pool. 24/7 security gate.

Bathurst/Kingshill (Richmond Hill)

Semi-detached linked only at garage 3-bdrm, 4-wshr . Bright & spacious. Open concept layout.

Large upgraded kitchen with granite counter, undermount sink, S/S appliances. Breakfast area with W/O to 2-tier deck. Large living room with fireplace. Professionaly finished basement freshly painted. Direct garage entry. Close to park and all amenities.

Asking $499,900 new Bathurst/Rutherford

Asking $315,000

Beautiful detached home in high demand area. 4+1 bdrms, 4 wshrms, about 2500 sq.ft. Completely renovated. New roof, HiEff windows, oak stairs. Hardwood floors.

Crown mouldings, potlights. Family room with gas fireplace. Large eat-in kitchen with W/O to deck. 2-car garage with direct access to the house. Sep. entrance quality 1-bdrm basement apartment w/ full kitchen & bathroom.

Asking 749,900

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ONTARIO FEED-IN TARIFF PROGRAM UPDATE A strong and reliable energy system is the backbone of a strong economy and our quality of life. Over much of the last decade, the government of Ontario has been rebuilding and modernizing our energy infrastructure and increasing our supply of clean, reliable energy. It is estimated that Ontario’s Green Energy Act has created 31,000 jobs while helping attract billions of dollars in private investments into the province during a global recession.

BEFORE

MICROFIT

Ontario government is committed to ensuring the development of a clean, reliable and sustainable supply of electricity.

The following changes will be made to the Feed-In Tariff (FIT)

The OPA shall continue procuring renewable energy capacity under the microFIT program (10 kW and under). In each of the next four years, starting 2014, the OPA will award up to 50 MW under the program.

Upon publishing the updated price schedule for 2013, the OPA shall award up to 30 MW under the microFIT program. This will allow microFIT procurement to continue in 2013 before the 2014 target is in effect. If the full annual microFIT MW procurement target is not allocated in a given year, the remaining capacity will be added to the microFIT MW procurement target to be procured in the following year.

PRICE REVIEW:

SMALL FIT

In October of each year, in consultation with the Ministry of Energy, the OPA shall consult about the price schedules. Following consultation, the OPA shall update the price schedules and shall publish the updated schedules in November of each year to be effective as of January 1st of the following year.

The OPA shall continue to procure renewable energy capacity in the form of Small FIT Projects under the FIT Program. The OPA shall launch another application window in the Fall of 2013 for up to 70 MW of Small FIT Projects. If there is unused

AFTER

capacity from the 200 MW procurement target in the Small FIT window that closed on January 18, 2013, this unused capacity shall be added to the 70 MW target for Fall 2013. The OPA shall simultaneously launch the pilot program for rooftop solar projects on un-constructed buildings with the Fall 2013 Small FIT window. Furthermore, in each of the next four years, starting 2014, the OPA will award up to 150 MW of contracts for Small FIT Projects.

If the full annual Small FIT MW procurement target is not allocated in a given year, the remaining capacity will be added to the Small FIT MW procurement target in the following year.

The future of solar industry in Ontario looks clear for the next four years to come! Call us today to find out more about solar energy and how you can start saving with Ontario solar programs like Feed-In Tariff.

Logitest Solar Phone: 1-888-382-4779, Fax: (905)761-9778 Email: info@logitestsolar.ca Address: 42-400 Creditstone Rd. Concord, ON, L4K 3Z2, Canada

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e-mail: aahtoronto@gmail.com

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July 2013

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YOUR MAGNETIC FRIDGE Fridge magnets found their way into popular culture in the mid-20th century and became a favourite due to their simplicity, originality, and uniqueness. The world of fridge magnets is as diverse as people’s interests, hobbies, and activities are.

ESTHETICS A magnet may become a real decorative gem in the kitchen or any other room of the house. Those of us who are good with their hands can draw, paint, embroider, sculpt, or make of cardboard, beads, or seeds a small picture or another object that would be affixed to a magnetic base to become your fridge magnet. Magnets can be used as holders to attach pictures, school projects, or kids’ drawings.

MAGNETIC ALPHABET There are plenty of developmental games using fridge magnets on the market, and they are extremely popular with children, their parents, and teachers. They come in the form of puzzles, construction sets, alphabets in various languages, geometric shapes for the youngest children, magnetic digits and symbols, puppets and other attractive objects that are depictive and easy to use.

COLLECTIBLES

AN EXCELLENT SOUVENIR Magnets make attractive souvenirs. They may be made as a greeting card, a photo frame, or a page with a text, the text being a greeting message, an aphorism, a citation, inspirational message, as well as a charm or a special symbol that will always stay before your eyes.

THE CONTROL CENTRE Many families use fridge magnets for communicating with one another. For

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the families that get together only late at night the kitchen is the hub where they can exchange messages or leave instructions, with the refrigerator being the favourite place in the kitchen. It may be a shopping list, a phone number, or a short and affectionate love message as well as a record of tasks and errands for the day and other elements of time management.

A magnet-calendar is a useful tool in the family kitchen.

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A fridge magnet may also be a subject for collectors: travelers collect magnets depicting countries and places they visited.

Others collect magnets on a certain theme, like food items, animal shapes, or even magnets-books. Some people scour flea markets in search of handmade magnets, others make them with their own hands, and others yet buy them at exhibitions and stores. Fridge magnets can be a subject of collecting, may become a great gift or an object of trading. Trying to make a magnet all by yourself you can master some interesting craft.

The fridge magnet hobby is very good for kids because it helps develop esthetic taste and memory and is educational.

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Large & bright CORNER UNIT, 1350 Sq.Ft, 2 bdrms, 2 wshrms, plus solarium that can be used as 3-rd bdrm. Large windows with nice unobstructed view. Very practical floor plan. Wood floors throughout. Painted in neutral colours. Spacious hall with oversized double mirror closet. All rooms are large. Separate eat-in kitchen with breakfast area, large pantry & window. Large bdrms. Master bdrm has ensuite with separate shower. Large laundry with side-by-side washer & dryer. Parking.

Very well maintained building with gym, sauna, outdoor pool, tennis court. Parking. Excellent area.

Steps to Promenade Mall, library, excellent schools.

Maintenance fee includes all utilities even cable TV.

СONDO. BATHURST & STEELES

Luxurious Primrose Complex!!! Spacious & fully renovated unit with beautiful view & huge open balcony. Very bright & clean. About 1100 Sq.Ft., 2 bdrms, 2 wshrms. Marble & laminated floors throughout. Good size eat-in kitchen, large master bdrm. Parking, locker. 24/7 gated security. Excellent amenities. Gym, sauna, outdoor pool, tennis court.

Low maintenance fee ($577) includes all utilities.

Steps to shopping mall, bus stop, good schools.

Asking $315,000

DIRECT:

416-889-9955 Each office is independently owned and operated

BATHURST & ANTIBES

Stunning, completely renovated CORNER unit, about 1500 Sq.Ft., 3 bdrms + solarium, 2 full baths. The best exposure in the building. Wood floors throughout. Designer painting. New eat-in kitchen has greenhouse window. S/S Appliances.

Potlights. All doors are new. New baths. Very large master bedroom with W/I closet & 4pc bath. Lots of mirrored closets. Parking. Low maintenance fee includes all utilities, even cable TV. Gym, sauna.

Direct bus to Finch station. Steps to park, bus stop, good schools, shops.

HOMELIFE VICTORY REALTY INC. Brokerage 10720 Yonge St, #226, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3C9 BUS: 905-737-0033 FAX: 905-737-3132 BATHURST & CENTRE

Luxury unit, largest in building 1-bdrm + den, 2-wshr, over 700 Sq.Ft with BALCONY. High ceilings. Very bright & clean. The best south exposure with unobstructed view of downtown. Excellent condition. Laminated floors. Modern kitchen with granite countertop, backsplash & S/S appliances.

Freshly painted. Low maintenance. Parking. Locker.

Excellent facilities: indoor pool, gym, sauna. Steps to plazas, transit & all other amenities.

Asking $324,900

Asking $329,000

Asking $337,800

BATHURST & CENTRE

ROYAL PROMENADE! Spacious, about 1400 Sq.Ft, sun filled 2+1-bdrm, 2-wshrm unit at ‘Royal Promenade’ by Menkes. Boasts a ton of upgrades,including engineered floors, large kitchen with window, breakfast area, S/S appliances. Large master with tub in ensuite. Mirrored sliding doors.

Wide parking. Lots of closet space. Ensuite laundry.

Steps to Promenade Mall, excellent schools, parks, library & public transportation. Low maintenance fee includes everything.

Asking $409,000

BATHURST & CLARK

Fully renovated 4+1-bdr, 4-wshr detached house, about 2500 Sq.Ft, with professionally finished basement & 2-car garage. Very practical floor plan. $$ spent on renos. New hardwood floors on both levels, new baths, new deck, new windows, high efficiency furnace, new shingles. Very large master with W/I closet & 4-pc ensuite. Family room with fireplace. Great location with best schools. Walk to school, park, bus.

Asking $685,000

RICHMOND HILL BUNGALOW WITH LOFT.

Stunning, rare, suitable for any type of family!

3+1 bdrms, 4 wshrms, excellent layout, located in desirable area (great schools, parks, lake, ice arena, new gorgeous community center). This house has master bdrm with ensuite on first floor and two bedrooms with bathroom on 2-nd floor. Finished basement with kitchen, bdrm, fam. room & bath. Lots of renovations have been done! Custom beautiful kitchen w/central island & limestone floors, granite counter, newer S/S appliances with Bosch cooktop.

New custom curtains & much more...

Asking $699,000

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THORNHILL WOODS

Spacious 3-bdrm, 4-wshrm townhouse, bright & sunny, with a huge deck onto backyard. Excellent floor plan. High ceilings. Open concept. Wood floors throughout. Three-sided gas fireplace. Large kitchen with breakfast area & W/O to deck. Professionally finished basement with wood floors, recreation room, 3-pc bath & kitchenette. Large porch in front of house. Great area with steps to excellent schools, community center, transit.

Asking $499,900

RICHMOND HILL

Stunning & bright, about 1900 Sq.Ft, 3-bdrm, 4-wshrm SEMI-DETACHED on premium crescent lot. $$ spent on upgrades. Stylish open concept floor plan. Spacious living room area with gas fireplace & TV niche! Large kitchen with extended cabinets, granite countertop, backsplash, undermount sink & S/S applainces. W/O to 2-tier custom deck.

Hardwood floors. Professionally painted throughout.

Direct access to garage. Professionally finished basement. Close to all amenities.

Asking $499,900

SHEPPARD & WILMINGTON

Excellent updated home on huge lot 124х97!!!

You can move-in and live now, renovate or build!!!

Seller provides architectural plans & Committee of Adjustment approval to build a 3,000 Sq.Ft above ground + basement 4-bdrm with 2-car garage.

Presently tenanted (2+1-bdrm house, 2-wshr, newer high efficiency furnace, new windows, S/S appliances. Finished basement with 1 bdrm, bath, kitchen & separate entrance). DO NOT MISS THIS EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY!

Asking $700,000

July 2013

WESTBROOK. RICHMOND HILL

Fabulous Westbrook home, 5-bdrm, 3-wshr, over 3300 Sq.Ft. Professionally landscaped on a premium lot (44.29 x 141.19 feet). Completely upgraded.

Excellent floor plan. Open concept with 9’ ceilings.

Library with French door on main level. Circular oak stairs, potlights, crown mouldings. Family room.

Two fireplaces. New roof. All bedrooms are very large. Too many good features to list... Excellent location with great schools, including French School.

Must see!

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July 2013

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UNDER THE CANOPY

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The history of a piece of fabric hung on a wooden frame that is mounted on poles goes back to the Ancient Orient. Floorlength curtains were used to protect the slumber of the royalty and their courtiers from cold and draughts in non-heated rooms. During the Late Baroque era, in the 18th century France, this sensible item acquired added importance as a decor element. A canopy decorated with exquisite ornaments, gilt and carving on the posts, and shimmery silk or sparkling brocade added to the luxurious look of the room.

CANOPY IN THE NURSERY Psychologists agree that children feel calm and protected from the scary outside objects when there is a canopy over their bed. It helps avoid nightmares. The feeling of being protected and safe is extremely important for a child. Besides, having their offspring’s bed surrounded by fabric, parents need not worry about draughts even if the nursery window is open. The canopy also helps protect the little ones from airborne infections. Of course the canopy does not offer complete protection but it

may prevent some microorganisms and viruses from getting into the child’s system.

The best fabric for a child’s canopy should be in soft solid colours or lightly patterned, lightweight and preferably breathable, like calico, organza, or netting.

CANOPY IN THE BEDROOM Some people like a canopy over their bed for a feeling of grandeur and affluence, others, for psychological comfort of their sleep, the third yet, wish to single out “a place just for the two of us.” Choosing the right fabric should be based on the canopy’s prescribed function. Those who have problems falling asleep because of the outside noise or light should invest in a thick fabric in darker shades, for example, tapestry, drape, or velvet types. On the other hand, for people prone to emotional imbalance, depression, tearing, or irritability these fabrics are a no-no, and they will do much better with lightweight silks, muslins, or organza in pastel shades. To create an intimate air for the bed, use light, preferably semi-transparent fabrics: organza, tulle, voile, muslin, or silk.

Some Practical Advice: • Avoid a canopy in rooms with low ceilings – it will look incongruous and, besides, will make the space visually smaller.

• Choosing the fabric for your canopy, prefer natural fibres and look for ones that are dust-proof, antistatic, and pleasant for the eye and touch.

• Don’t forget to vacuum and launder your canopy regularly.

• Your canopy should match other decor elements of the room in both colour and style.

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July 2013

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THE GREAT DEBATE

THE HEAVYWEIGHTS OF SOLID SURFACES DUKE IT OUT!

Throughout our human history, mankind has pondered, debated and even fought to try and answer some of the most fundamental questions relevant to our existence. Liberty vs. Tyranny, Democracy vs. Communism, Good vs. Evil, to be or not to be, Granite vs. Marble, Atheism vs. Agnosticism, etc.

In this short piece, I will attempt to settle once and for all what most would deem perhaps the least important of all of the great debates that have for centuries baffled some of the greatest minds that our species could muster. Einstein wouldn’t touch it, Nietzsche probably didn’t even know what it was, Aristotle had better things to think about, but I don’t. Of course I’m talking about the great debate of Granite vs.

Marble vs. Quartz vs. Corian. Or what some may call, “the greatest debate about solid surfaces” that ever was/is or will ever be.

For centuries, granite and marble have adorned the surfaces of some of the most magnificent architectural structures that mankind has put together. These rocks, which took Mother Nature millions of years to produce are some of the most stunning, durable and timeless building materials that we have ever known. From the Taj-Mahal to churches and castles strewn throughout Europe, marble and granite endure.

But leave it up to humans to come along and try to make things better for their own purposes. Not satisfied with the virtues of these natural products, some clever people got together to try and figure out how they can manufacture a superior solid surface so that we can have a more durable and maintenance free countertop. Quartz is actually a common mineral (the second most abundant mineral on Earth) that is present in good amounts within granite. Manufacturers, such as Caeserstone, took quartz (about 90% of it) and blended it with poly-

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mer resins and colours to produce what we now refer to as quartz countertops. The advantage is that quartz countertops are virtually stain resistant, heat resistant, and scratch resistant - the virtues that naturally occurring granite and marble cannot boast.

Corian is an engineered product by DuPont (an American chemical company) that holds its place alongside granite, marble and quartz as one of the most solid of all solid surfaces that are commercially readily available. I would place stainless steel on this list but it is a surface that is typically used in restaurants, commercial kitchens, and architecturally appropriate applications within a home.

You will notice that I have made no mention of butcher block, limestone, laminate, slate, concrete, etc., for as they all have their rightful place and applications, none offer the durability of natural and engineered stone. So let’s break it down.

The cost is more or less within the same range for all 3 tiers (the upper and rare/difficult to manufacture product, the middle grade, and the lower grade). However, I advise that you consider the application. If you choose to go with natural stone, which does not offer the same level of durability as an engineered product, you should make sure that you do not chip the corners, which often happens when a wayward pot mistakenly nicks the top corners, or as a result of a similar incident. Take it from me, it’s all fun and games until it happens. The bottom line is the hard and brittle is still brittle.

The engineered doesn’t do it nearly as easily. You would pretty much have to take a hammer and chisel to the corners in order to cause some sort of real damage.

I have a beautiful Murphy marble countertop coffee table that bears a stain left by orange juice from an incident 11 years ago.

The engineered though doesn’t stain.

Your final decision will probably be based on the look so I will not say too much about it, other than to say. “go see them for yourself”.

Touch it, notice the differences, and figure

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out which one you want to live with and appreciate the most from an aesthetic perspective: the timeless and elegant simplicity of a geological process that took Mother Nature millions of years to create or mankind’s response of creating a product that uses the very same thing for a stepping stone to reach further and offer the added benefits of greater durability and lower maintenance while presenting a different look altogether.

And since I vowed to settle the debate once and for all, I’m casting my vote to humans who engineered quartz and Corian and offered us a more varied, durable, and hassle free solid surface. Oh yeah, did I mention it’s a heck of a lot more “green” and better for the environment? I like to think Einstein would be proud of me.

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 www.aahtoronto.com

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For Ladies Only Women of old used to have a special place to attend to their looks, and that place was called a dressing room. This separate room has become very much the thing of the past and today it is usually integrated into another room, be it a bathroom or a bedroom. Nevertheless, one of its essential features has remained intact. Of course, we are talking about the vanity that keeps serving as a sentinel of the female beauty.

An old adage has it that the eyes are the reflection of the soul. In the same way, the vanity is the reflection of its owner because it allows a glimpse into her tastes, preferences, lifestyle, and even the area of her professional endeavours. Like a beauty counter in a department store, it holds dozens of various bottles, jars, tubes, and vials of creams, lotions, and tinctures, powder boxes, framed pictures, hairpins, accessories, jewellery boxes, flowers, and even favourite books.

There can be no two identically looking vanities because it is not just a piece of furniture or a decor element but rather a work surface arranged according to its owner’s ideas of having a loyal ally in the art of beauty.

Interior design in every time period has been governed by fashion, and vanities has always had their fare share of trends to follow. At the beginning of the 20th Century, a vanity called psyche was the trendiest. It was actually a cheval glass – a tall framed truck-mounted mirror. Its ability to be slanted at various angles allowed people to have a good look at themselves from different points of view.

Today’s vanities are not a throwback to a more opulent era. Manufacturers often include a vanity into a bedroom furniture set or make it a part of a set with a stool or a chair. Vanities are beautiful as well as prac-

tical and can be a real jewel of the room with their exquisite shapes and details. Each vanity has its own appeal, its individuality and uniqueness. The only common trait to all of them is the presence of a large mirror, a working tabletop, and an abundance of shelves and drawers for holding jars and tubes, notes and pictures, jewelleries and knick-knacks. The more cubbyholes the vanity boasts, the better women like it.

BEAUTY IS WORK Any work surface needs to be first of all convenient. Cosmetics and accessories may be hidden in the drawers and shelves except for the most indispensible that will always stay on the tabletop. Accessories arranged with ergonomics in mind assist women in the fastest and easiest way to enhance their

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looks. So group all the objects on the work surface in accordance to their purpose: skin products in one group, makeup, in another, jewellery boxes, in the third, etc., while still keeping them handy. Try not to cover all the surface of the vanity – leave some space free for makeup application. Beauty products arranged in a convenient and easy way inspire creativity.

You may say that you are perfectly all right keeping your jars and tubes in the bathroom medicine cabinet or in the drawer of your bedside table. This is true of course but such a simplistic approach may impoverish the act of making yourself beautiful into just another chore. To turn it into a veritable rite, any woman needs a real vanity to make it into the ritual.

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“Mariinsky II”

by Diamond Schmitt Architects According to a recent story in the Canadian Interiors magazine, Diamond Schmitt Architects is one of the world’s top ten architectural firms for the cultural building sector in 2013.

“Theatres, opera houses, libraries, and galleries are an important part of our portfolio, so it is gratifying to achieve this recognition,” said Don Schmitt, principal at Diamond Schmitt Architects.

Most recent completed projects include La Maison Symphonique, the 1900-seat home of the Montréal Symphony Orchestra, the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Brentwood Library, Regent Park Arts & Cultural Centre, Ryerson Image Centre in Toronto, and the new Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia.

On May 2, 2013, after eight years of construction at a cost of $700 million to the federal treasury, the new expansion for the most prestigious opera and ballet houses in St. Petersburg opened its doors to the public. At nearly 852,000 square feet, the vast auditorium will seat up to 2,000 people at full capacity. Mariinsky II is three times the size of Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre.

After Valery Gergiev, the worldwide celebrated artistic director, experienced the acoustics at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, he was adamant that Diamond Schmitt Architects enter the competition for a new historic St. Petersburg Mariinsky Theatre - “Mariinsky II”. Diamond Schmitt did win the competition and inherited the project after the previous architect, the Frenchman Dominique Perrault, had a dispute with the management of the theater and the city authorities.

He offered to build a “golden veil” - a huge transparent dome-shaped complex for the realization of which allegedly several surrounding historic buildings would have to be demolished.

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The Mariinsky Theater, where such renowned composers as Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Glinka and Rimsky-Korsakov had their performances, opened in 1860.The theatre was named after Empress Maria Alexandrovna, wife of Tsar Alexander II (1818–81). The name of the theatre changed over time, due to the October revolution in 1917. During the Soviet era it was known as the Kirov Theater.

“The second stage is, on the one hand, the continuation of the traditional buildings of the city, on the other it is a modern building with its uniqueness. This is a city within a city. It is the crown jewel of my career. I am very encouraged by the results. The inspiration for the creation of this project was the stage of the old theater. Glinka and RimskyKorsakov were sitting on my shoulders,” he is quoted by the local media.

“As for the equipment – it’s some of the best.

I think we took a step forward for 100 years,”

said renowned Russian artist Vasily Gerello as quoted by Channel 1.

“Of course, Mariinsky II is the best stage, apart from the Bolshoi Theater, however, I also cannot say that the Bolshoi Theater is better or worse,” chief lighting designer at the Moscow Bolshoi, Damir Ismagilov, told Channel 1.

When developing the concept of the stage space, the most exemplary contemporary analogies were used – London’s Royal Opera House, Copenhagen’s Royal Opera, Paris’ Théâtre du Châtelet and many others.

No expense was spared on the materials used for the luxurious exterior and interior of the new Mariinsky II. The exterior of the building is made of beige Jura limestone, interspersed with floor-to-ceiling windows of various sizes topped by a metal roof. The main foyer features back -lit onyx stone walls and Emperor marble floors. The sur-

Diamond Schmitt Architects’ new Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia.

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“When St Isaac’s Cathedral was opened, people thought it was terrible and too small, when Tchaikovsky performed his First Piano concerto - it was trashed, so I’m in a good company,” Jack Diamond told RT.

rounding glass façade lets natural light illuminate the foyer space during the day and custom-designed Swarovski chandeliers take over in the evening. The main foyer provides unique views of the Mariinsky Theater across the canal.

One of the massive features of the interior of the building at Mariinsky II is the massive onyx wall in the main lobby. “It was a way”, says Jack Diamond, “of recalling a Russian classical sumptuousness without relying on the go-to red and gilt of centuries past.”

“In contrast with historical theaters with several balconies, the Mariinsky doesn’t have plush,” said Jürgen Reinhold, an engineer from Munich-based Müller-BBM, which participated in the construction. “Ideal volume was created, so that the sound can be freely dispersed in the auditorium,” he is quoted by local media.

The architectural appearance of the new contemporary building has caused controversial opinions among the public: nicknames such as ‘Mariinsky shopping mall’ or the ‘St. Petersburg Quasimodo.’ Several designers even offered to mask the façade with a big blind, as was once done with the Berlin Reichstag.

The helical stair in the main lobby at Mariinsky II, image by Diamond Schmitt Architects

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The onyx wall in the main lobby at Mariinsky II, image by Diamond Schmitt Architects

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LANDSCAPE DESIGN Virtually every house has some sort of landscaping around it.

Modern landscaping reflects changes in the environment and society and presents landscaping professionals with a creative outlet.

Landscaping is the art of adapting or modifying local features for practical and esthetic purposes. A professional landscaper or landscape designer is an expert capable of converting a boring garden patch into a harmonious composition.

The oldest and most pronounced example of good landscaping is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Hang-

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ing Gardens of Babylon. The art of landscaping design goes back to the Ancient Near East. It was born and developed with a practical purpose of growing edibles in mind. Later, gardeners discovered that plants can be also used for decorative purposes, and the art of gardening transformed itself into the art of creating beauty using plants and flowers, that is to say, landscape design.

as comfort, ease, and beauty. Landscaping consists of compositions, ponds, live fencing, and architectural objects. The latter often serve as the basis for the whole landscaping. For this reason, the lot where construction or reconstruction should take place often undergoes extensive clearing and repairs. It is extremely important to plan the exact location of architectural elements.

The concept itself was laid down in the 20th Century in Western Europe. First cities adorned with compositions based on landscape design principles were London, Zurich, Paris, Stockholm, Berlin, and Copenhagen.

Leisure spots are often complemented by gazebos, bridges, benches, etc., as well as footsteps, sculptures, lanterns, and other details that may become an integral part of the garden.

Landscape designers use a few basic rules in their work, including such requirements

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Landscape design is a modern and trendy art that, used properly, may create a unique and exquisite garden.

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Steamy Clean This device was invented to disinfect hospital floors but due to the simplicity and convenience of its use steam cleaners quickly became a consumer item.

Such pollution free cleaning with the help of hot steam (+120°С in the tank и 80°С on the outcome) kills up to 70% of bacteria, which is especially important for homes with growing children.

To fight dirt on various surfaces, steam cleaners come with a set of attachments, including brushes for floors, furniture tops, and windows, nozzles for hard-to-reach places and corners, and terry cloths.

A steam cleaner can be used to clean floors, sinks, a bathtub and a shower stall, plumbing, mirrors, windows, and even houseplants.

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FLOORS Parquet floors are susceptible to moisture, so try not to use your steam cleaner on this kind of flooring, in order to avoid its cracking. Laminate floors are less sensitive but even with them, to avoid damage, fold the cloth for the floor attachment in half and do not turn on an uninterrupted steam supply. A linoleum floor is cleaned with a cloth lightly moistened with steam. It is not unlike mopping floors by hand except that a regular mop is dipped in water, which leaves traces on the laminate causing it to dull with time. This is not going to happen when you clean your laminate floors with a steam-moistened cloth.

BATHROOM The worst problems with the bathroom are lime deposits, mold and dirt on the grout, and stained plumbing. These problems can be overcome with the use of a brush and chemicals and a lot of elbow grease. An-

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other – and easier - way to do it is using a steam cleaner that will easily rid your bathroom of all the unsightly spots and stains.

KITCHEN Steam-cleaning of the kitchen sink and plumbing is not different from that of the bathroom. It can be also used on kitchen furniture and hard surfaces including enamel, ceramics, glass, metal, etc.

HOUSEPLANT LEAVES To avoid damaging the plant, keep the steam cleaner attachment 30 to 40 cm away from it. Cover the leaves with steam and then use a cloth to dust.

SUEDE Suede is a beautiful and convenient material but many people try to avoid it because keeping it in good shape seems hard. Not so if you own a steam cleaner – it easily cleans suede footwear and clothing. Steam lifts the pile and removes dirt.

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PILLOW TALK

In order to sleep well we humans need a pillow – this is the way our body is built. An uncomfortable pillow may become the reason for health problems. The size and material should become the main considerations when choosing the right pillow.

Pillows come in two shapes: square ones measuring approximately 50 by 50 cm and rectangular ones that are mostly 70 by 50 cm in size. These dimensions are optimal for practically any human being.

The height of the pillow can vary from 10 to 16 cm. The wider your shoulders are, the higher should your pillow be. As a rule, men prefer higher pillows than women do.

If the pillow is too large or too small, it impedes neck muscles relaxation, which, in turn, may lead to sleep apnea, headaches, and osteochondrosis.

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The filler inside the pillow is also extremely important. It can be either natural or synthetic. The advantages of the natural filling are numerous: they absorb and evaporate moisture better than synthetic ones, retain warmth, and are better for your general health.

People suffering from rheumatism may prefer sheep wool filling that stays warm. Nevertheless, wool quickly tangles, creates matted lumps, and loses its volume; therefore these pillows do not serve long. Silk or bamboo fibre inside a pillow is good for discharging magnetic and static fields, but these pillows cannot be laundered.

Down and feather-filled pillows retain warmth and volume and serve on the average for ten years, but once a year that have to be aired outside on a sunny day. Besides, people with allergies usually cannot use these pillows.

The advantages of synthetic filling are their hypoallergenic qualities, low cost, and easy care. They are machine washable and fast drying. They also retain their shape very well. They usually serve for up to four years. The drawback is that pillows filled with synthetic material retain static electricity.

So-called orthopedic pillows are prescribed for treating and preventing spine disorders. They are latex-filled, resilient, and durable.

These pillows provide great support for your head and neck and come in various shapes and sizes. They are not for everyone though – some people swear by them while the others are extremely uncomfortable sleeping on such a pillow.

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f f u t S f o y r o t is

The H

E P A T H C OT

SC

The sticky scotch tape seems to always have been the fact of life with us. We use it for packing, as a temporary solution to hold together broken glass, and numerous other things. Nevertheless as far back as a hundred years ago, there was no such simple and convenient fix for holding things together. Scotch tape is a relatively new invention and as such its history is well known.

The idea of a sticky tape was stumbled upon by accident. In the mid-1920s twocoloured automobiles became all the rage in the US. Body shops had a hard time managing hundreds of repainting orders. One of the drivers to place such an order was a

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technician in a St. Paul, MN, 3M Company Richard Drew. Waiting in line for his car to be painted, Richard heard the garage painters cursing the problem of keeping the line between the two colours straight. That was when Richard came up with an idea to use a transparent cellophane tape sticky on one side. This tape would be applied along the dividing line on the car body to make the job easy.

Yet, it is not that easy to implement an idea.

It took tons of discarded cellophane and prime and many litres of glycerin, glues, and other chemicals to attain the goal but eventually Richard did it – the tape stopped curling and yellowing, it stayed beautiful and transparent. The problem was that by that time the two-coloured auto trend had passed. Having invested so much time and energy into his invention, Drew decided to find other uses for his tape and persuade his

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superiors of the usefulness of his product.

He succeeded. And in 1930, 3M Corporation acquired a patent on the invention and started manufacturing sticky tape in rolls.

There are several versions of the origin of the name the tape carries now, the most popular and plausible being that, trying to save on production costs, 3M started applying the glue only at the edges of the tape which made consumers unhappy, and they nicknamed it “Scotch tape” referring to the skimpiness Scottish people were famous for. Another version attributes the name to the fact that, at the beginning of the 20th century, 3M belonged to immigrants from Scotland – first William Monahan and, later, William McKnight.

The sticky tape had been sold under various brand names up to 1956 when it acquired the official name of scotch tape.

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PAINTING BASEBOARDS Even the smallest renovation drastically changes the look of the room. Take, for example, baseboards – just painting them a different colour will make the room look fresh and revived.

To make the task of paining the baseboards easy and quick, follow some simple rules.

First of all prepare in advance all the tools needed for the job: brushes, a spatula, and a rag. The spatula will prevent the paint from dripping on the floor while the rag should be used to wipe the spatula so that the paint does not get smudged. Oh, yeah, and of course the paint itself.

Now let’s get down to business. If you wish to make absolutely sure that paint does not get on the floor, line the floor along the baseboard with special tape, even though in most cases a wide spatula is sufficient to do the trick. Try to be extremely careful and do not rush the job. The best brushes to use are small and thin ones – they are the most convenient to work with.

When applying paint, do it parallel to the floor with one hand while holding the spatula underneath the lower edge of your baseboard with the other. Wipe the blade of the spatula often to avoid smudges. Pay close attention to the ornaments if there are any. To paint those, use a hard brush specifically designed for stencils.

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To make your new paint last longer, start with applying a very thin layer, let it dry, and then make the second and final application.

Follow these rules and you will be very happy with your results.

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