All About Home October

OCTOBER 2014

OPEN A NEW STYLE IN CANADA Page 15

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Boho vs. Glamour Among the most popular styles in interior design are Glamour and Bohemian. A lot of people appreciate their merits and aesthetic appeal. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that these styles are completely different. Let’s take a more detailed look at each of them - what they are and what are their features, advantages and disadvantages.

affluent people. It is filled with the highest quality furniture; everything looks new and trendy. Mirrors in a glamour style house are always enclosed in opulent frames. It may be made of glass, metal or plastic but it has to fulfil its purpose to draw attention to a certain section of the room and add solemnity and pomp to it. Glamour no matter what materials it is embodied in is always sleek and saturated with reflexting surfaces and chrome or gilded items.

Bohemian style a.k.a. Boho is the style of independence that does not obey rules, standards or systematic order.

This style often attracts people of creative professions like artists, designers, poets or musicians. The inherent nonlinearity of the bohemian style, its randomness and freedom of imagination especially appeals to extraordinary personalities. Boho implies the presence of a large number of unmatched furniture pieces that are extremely flamboyant.

Decorate your sofa with a throw and cushions in vivid colour combinations. Hang pictures in non-matching frames, posters, and other wall ornaments. The more pic-

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tures there are and the sharper contrast with one another they present the better.

This style calls for all kinds of figurines, vases, souvenirs, floral arrangements and other knickknacks. You don’t get many chances for a peaceful coexistence of a Ming dynasty porcelain vase and objects purchased at a flea market, so if you want it – go for Boho! This is the style where expensive and cheap items can be combined – an inexpensive mass-market frame next to an onyx sculpture on a coffee table or a seashell next to a mother-of-pearl button on a decorative plate.

Glamour is the style whose main objective is to prove that the house is inhabited by

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Another distinctive feature of the style is lighting fixtures, especially ceiling chandeliers that are usually massive, large and dark.

Fabric lampshades can also be part of the décor.

Bathrooms in places decorated in glamour style can be based on one of the two concepts – either it is a laconic, almost minimalistic interior with an abundance of reflecting surfaces, chrome, glass and gloss or a mixture of neo-classical and minimalistic. In either case the emphasis is not so much on the trim as on the expensive high-quality furniture that pleasantly surprises by unusual design and great workmanship.

Choose the atmosphere that is more comforting and evokes positive emotions. The most important aspect of interior design is your own feelings; guided by them, you can never go wrong.

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THE BAMBOO PARADISE Bamboo is beautiful all by itself but looks even greater in combinations with other natural materials - stone, leather or wood. Bamboo complements virtually any décor.

Large stems are used for decorating purposes most often. Long, strong, fire resistant and heat retaining they are superior to many of their competitors among the traditional finishing materials. Walls, partitions, counters and even entire columns of bamboo create a unique image of the room.

An interior staircase made of bamboo becomes the focal point of the house.

Bamboo blinds are attractive; they effectively protect the premises from the sun and help adjust lighting in the room. Each plank of such shutters is covered with special varnish that protects the product from the damaging effects of the sun. It is an always up-to-date, bright and catchy element in both home and office décor.

Decorative beams and floors made of bamboo look great in the house; they are also used in landscape design.

PANELS Decorative multilayer panels are manufactured by hot-pressing of natural bamboo

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WALLPAPER Bamboo wallpaper is made of split stems rolled up into fabricbased rolls. The resulting raised coating is soft to the touch and unusual.

A room with such walls resembles a cozy tropical house. mats woven by hand and saturated with acrylic adhesive. The finished decorative material is resistant to mechanical impact, moisture and sunlight, is not afraid of temperature extremes and does not fade in the sun. It is ideal for open spaces, rooms with high humidity, bathrooms and saunas. The combination of panels in different weaving patterns creates a guaranteed win-win situation for a unique décor.

Ceiling bamboo panels are a great alternative to boring and not environmentally friendly squares in a standard suspended ceiling. Besides the undeniable aesthetic component they have a number of other no less important benefits: strength, durability, water resistance and low flammability – in short, all the characteristics of a perfect ceiling! It is easy to tint wall and ceiling panels by applying coloured varnish.

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BLINDS Curtains made of bamboo fabric feature a variety of weaving and durability. These blinds are easy to use, sturdy and lightweight.

FURNITURE AND OTHER INTERIOR OBJECTS Bamboo furniture is always trendy. It is not even about exotic because this material is used in manufacturing of modern tables, cabinets, beds and sets. This furniture is different from the usual wooden one in its soft and sunny warmth and special positive energy.

The individual image of the room and the house can be completed by various design finds including lamps, doors, screens, picture frames and mirrors based on bamboo.

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Winterizing your home Check the heating unit. Give it a test run and replace the filtre (typically every 3 months). Be sure to inspect the heating unit at the source and the distribution networks to ensure that the entire system is operating as it should.

Cover the AC condenser unit outside with a breathable waterproof cover. Remember to clean the unit with water and a hose set to “jet” in order to remove any dirt and debris.

Inspect the roof. If it your roof looks it may not survive the winter, this is the time to address the issue. While you’re up there, clean out those gutters!

It’s already happening. You have pulled your sweaters out of moth balls and found your mittens in the coat closet. It’s winter, its coming… are you and your home prepared? Before Jack Frost comes nipping at your nose and snow covers your roof, here is my list of common steps to take Check the chimney and make sure no in order to prepare your home for another Great Canadian Winter:

birds, squirrels or other animals have made a home of it. Check the flue damper operation and, if it has been awhile, this is also ideal time to have the chimney cleaned.

Although not thought of much while the weather is warm, the wood burning fireplace and chimney can be a major source of cold air leaks and other issues in winter.

Therefore, the chimney and the fireplace need a little going over before winter sets in.

Inspect the firebrick in the fireplace. If you notice any open mortar joints, have them repaired immediately! A fire can spread into the stud wall behind the masonry firebrick through open mortar joints.

Shut down exterior plumbing (hose bibs) and insulate pipes in “cold zones” if necessary. Plumbing pipes exposed to cold weather can burst and cause a lot of damage (and headaches).

Check your windows and replace caulking as necessary. Infiltration of cold air

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from air leaks around doors and windows is as significant a contributor to your heating bill as is poor insulation in the walls and ceiling. An easy way to reduce you heating bill is to reduce these drafts with simple weather-stripping.

Trim trees if branches hang too close to the house or electrical wires.

Seal driveways, brick patios and wood decks.

Fill up on fuel. If you have an oil furnace, this would also be a great time to refill and order an inspection of the tank (if necessary).

With these straightforward maintenance procedures out of the way, you can relax knowing that your home is ready for yet another Canadian winter, once it arrives.

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Peter Khatami - Peter is Senior Project Manager and Co-Owner of Nostco Construction, a Design/Build company serving residential and commercial clients throughout the GTA. Peter prides himself in working tirelessly on his clients’ behalf to bring vision to construction reality.

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An Indoor Fountain They also come in larger shapes - as floor and wall fountains. In this case size does matter. Abundant water flow has a life of its own and looks really luxurious. Installation of this kind of fountain requires preliminary reinforcement of the walls and floor due to their considerable weight.

WHERE TO PLACE THE FOUNTAIN

There are as we all know three things people can watch indefinitely – they are water flowing, fire burning and people working. You can watch these calming processes both outside and inside, at home where the fireplace provides the fire and a room fountain or waterfall, the water.

TYPES OF FOUNTAINS Decorative fountains are remarkable in that they fill the house with the music of murmuring water. Such a fountain emanates peace and tranquility and at the same time serves as a natural air cleaner and humidifier. Most decorative water devices are called indoor fountains be it a waterfall with a stream of water flowing down from a high ledge or a fountain per se with spurting

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water and decorations. According to their look indoor fountains can be divided into two large groups: figurative and abstract.

Figurative fountains mimic landscapes, objects and artistic compositions. Usually they are made of natural or acrylic stone and decorated with live or artificial plants.

In abstract fountains glass and metal often replace stone. They are characterized by charming minimalism, an original concept and the possibility of improvement. Here you can change the shape and color of the design and materials - such as replacing frosted glass with clear, mirror or etched one. You can also illuminate the water flow from underneath, change its direction and pressure, etc.

Indoor decorative water devices vary in size and place. The smallest tabletop fountains are suitable for even the tiniest apartment.

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The emotional impact of medium and large fountains depends on the character of the flow. Quiet and measured flow has a calming effect. Unbridled geyser sparkling in the sun invigorates and energizes. A quiet fountain with a deep bowl with mysterious undercurrents and special fog generating diffusers mesmerizes and evokes daydreaming.

Places that are close to paintings, electrical appliances, furniture, curtains and other moisture susceptible items are definitely no good for fountains. Large stuffed toys are also unlikely to be happy with such a neighbour. In extremely lighted places and near heat sources water quickly becomes muddy and bloomy and emits an unpleasant odour.

Therefore avoid placing fountains near windows, lamps, fireplaces and radiators.

Figurative and expressive architectural compositions perfectly fit empty narrow spaces and niches. Such placement will not only successfully complement the dĂŠcor but will also neatly hide possible shortcomings of the surrounding space by becoming a focus of attention.

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Beautiful semi-detached, 4-bdr, 4-wshr, 2,232 SqFt. Excellent layout. Hardwood floors. Upgraded kitchen with maple cabinets, granite counter, b/splash & S/S appliances. Large master bdrm with spacious W/I closet & 4-pc ensuite. 4th bdrm has vaulted ceilings.

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Gorgeous, bright & spacious 4+1-bdr, 4-wshr detached house on large lot. Great open concept layout. 9’ smooth ceilings. Lots of windows & skylight. Hardwood floors.

Family room w/gas fireplace. Upgraded kitchen, S/S appliances. Beautiful master with his/her closets & 5-pc ensuite. Finished basement with bdrm, recreation room w/fireplace & bath. Walking distance to all amenities.

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Gracious residence situated on a private 2 ACRES lush setting in the coveted King City. 4+1 bdr, 6 wshr, library on main level. Family room w/ gas fireplace. Numerous upgrades impossible to list... Extensively landscaped with 3-car garage.

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PRICE FOR ANCESTRAL HOMES ESTATE How much does an Ancestral Estate cost?

This question is very common for those establishing an own Ancestral Manor Home Estate. The cost depends on two factors the first of which is the organization and collaboration of people who want to arrange the settlement of ancestral homes and the second, its location.

Within the distance of 60 to 70 km north of Richmond Hill the price of one acre is about $ 10,000 when the amount purchased is from 100 to 300 acres. Hence, 2.5 acres will cost around $ 25,000. Compare this to $ 850,000.

The first factor is not monetary. It depends on our interest and internal reserves. Filling in a form on colwis.ca/harmony you are already helping those currently working on the implementation of the project choose the land and prepare the construction schedule.

ä 300 acres (100 estates of 2.5 acres each plus 50 acres for roads, conservation and social needs) – about $ 3 million.

The second factor is the actual cost of land.

The cheapest remote 50x113 feet plot near Newmarket, ON costs around $150,000.

The land needed for the family estate represents a 1/20 of the total. The required 2.5 acres would cost at least $850,000. At this price the organization of a settlement is impractical. Besides, a desired plot (at least 100 acres) is hard to come by. Ideally the land should be located next to existing settlements and included into the development plan because the time and possibility of rezoning depends on it.

ä Combined heating – electricity and natural gas fireplaces.

Let’s see what is included in the Ancestor Manor project, and what it will cost.

ä House – 2000 sq.ft plus a basement around 1200 sq.ft. and a 2-car garage. ä Electricity – hydro and solar panels.

ä A 300 sq.ft. greenhouse and a 200 sq.m pond. ä Design of each estate is adapted to the needs of each owner. ä Design and construction work is done with the involvement of the residents thus eliminating a middleman who receives the profit. Other organizations could also participate on a competitive basis.

ä Type of housing – energy efficient homes designed and built by Colwis. ä Possibility to use other homes with the same efficiency and cost. ä The timeframe for the construction completion is about 8 to12 month upon receiving building permits. The estimated timeframe for the whole project is around 3 years upon receiving the city’s approval. ä Total project cost – $340.000 to $350.000 ä Price for adding extra square footage of the living area is $100.000 per 100 sq.ft. ä Deposit on the land is $35.000. ä Construction will start after the last installment of a downpayment representing 35 to 40% of the total cost of the project has been made.

We invite everyone who is interested in this project to fill out an application on our web page colwis.ca/harmony and start acting.

Anything is possible; how and when it happens is totally up to you.

Our thanks to all of you, The Colwis Team.

МыWe с радостью ждем Вас! will be happy

to hear fromгруппа, you! Инициативная созданная компании Theсотрудниками action group "C0LWIS" created by Colwis workers "Коллективная Мудрость", is calling предлагает объеденить наш творческий потенциал. for merging our creative potentials!

Tel: (905)881-6046, Телефоны: (905)881-6046, 647-999-9606

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E-mail: harmony@colwis.ca Маш e-mail: harmony@colwis.ca Adress: 9225 Leslie St. Unit # 2, Наш адрес: 9225Hill, Leslie St.L4B Unit3H6 #2 Richmond ON,

Richmond Hill, ON, L4B 3H6

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11

DETAILS FOR THE BRAVE There are myriads of ways of expression through every decorative detail. Sockets and switches – energy saving or changing the intensity of light, extremely functional or purely decorative – are the last decorative elements we think of when planning our interior design options. Yet, there is something to think about.

initely find their rightful place in the homes of people with a non-standard frame of mind.

ELEGANT VINTAGE Fontini collection is devoted to the 1950s.

Several decades on the market, a pinch of love and a genuine passion for decorative functional devices is what distinguishes their products in the company’s opinion.

These qualities have made the company name a symbol of quality and style.

BRIGHT PLASTIC

sumed in standby mode represents 11% of our electricity bill. The beauty of many energy-saving smart outlets is in the fact that they do not need to be unplugged.

You know all those nasty things: wear and tear, forgetfulness and tangled cables on the floor. Yet, this socket can be simply tuned on or off, and it does have a clear indication of the position it is in at the moment.

Funny Sockets collection is witty, cheeky and exaggerated. The author uses a variety of characters, from the sun to a skull obviously tying the images to the idea of both energy consumption and its consequences; they ideally fit the concept of connection.

Ironic and colourful sockets can decorate offices, shops and restaurants but may def-

WHERE IS THE BUTTON?!

These old-fashioned switches are suitable for people who are thrifty, detail oriented and wary of the bustle of the world around them.

Any design solution looks consistent and logical – like the use of buttons from toys, remote controls, and so on. Made with varying degrees of realism, they evoke nostalgic feelings and soothe our inner child.

SAVED BY A DESIGNER Yong-jin Kim, the author of the concept of the Power Socket SWITCH, based his idea on a simple fact that the energy con-

Anything can be used – from a pinball machine flipper to a Nintendo joystick. In any case, these buttons beckon and recall decision-making. What a clever move!

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A functional kitchen does not need to be a blah kitchen. There are many ways to enliven this important room of your house while bringing it in line with the latest design trends.

You can even do it on a budget if the expense of new cabinets and counters is too much for your purse. Besides, ceramic tiles for your backsplash don’t come cheap while paint of wallpaper you have had between your kitchen cabinets and the counter before is not very practical.

A FLASHY BACKSPLASH

There is a great alternative to both. Glass panel backsplash has lately become trendy in both North America and Europe. Such a panel will cover the papered or painted wall protecting it from dust and dirt. You can even add an interesting touch to your kitchen decor by choosing between the transparent and matte glass and add etching for interest.

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The most interesting solution though, called skinali, is to install glass over photo panels. This gives your imagination an unlimited run: you can experiment with designs, colours, and scales to create any desirable mood. For example, add colour and drive to your kitchen with pictures of bright-yellow lemons; bring comfort and calm with the depiction of modest daisies;

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or create a modern touch using bold geometric shapes or copies of avant-garde art.

You can even turn your backsplash into a light-studded night cityscape.

These are just a few out of hundreds of uses for skinali – and it is so easy to become an interior decorator for a day and come up with your own idea. Isn’t it great?

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SCALE Even if you love a particular set of furniture you will be better off taking into consideration the size of the dining space.

Comfort prevails over beauty when a dining room is concerned. Of course this does not mean that you have to sacrifice beauty! A round table can accommodate more people than a square or a rectangular one, and a sideboard and a hutch are not essential, no matter how splendid and functional they are. A side table is yet another great idea for a small dining room.

BRIGHTEN THE SPACE You have probably noticed that even the most sophisticated dining rooms are usually decorated in light neutral colours. This brings out the colours of china, live flowers, and serving items. Dark shades tend to visually narrow the space and “lock” guests at the table which is not very conductive of a agreeable meal atmosphere.

MORE LIGHT — — and preferably natural. Therefore, when distributing zones in an apartment or a house, try to place the dining table closer to the window. Choose a good fixture emitting even lighting for the nighttime; the first one that comes to mind is a ceiling chandelier.

USE MIRRORS

The Secret of a Pleasant Dinner In order to establish a healthy relationship with food you need a separate dining area. If dedicating a full room to this purpose is out of the question use at least part of the living room or kitchen – a small but well-organized dining space brings people together, alerts them to the proper process of food intake and teaches us to avoid combining eating with other activities thus cultivating good habits.

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Unfortunately we often use a classic formal dining room exclusively for special occasions. This is a pity because it would do wonders to a nightly family meal.

ACOUSTICS This is simple: just use more fabric to soften your dining nook. Thick tablecloth, fabric wallpaper or another less expensive and long-lasting material - wood panels - absorb sound. This will make the table talk really warm and intimate, free of a hollow reverberating sound.

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Mirrors are capable of creating interesting visual effects. They can be used for reflecting shiny objects such as candlesticks and silver or, in a particularly elegant case, a champagne bucket, for example. It is a good idea to have the mirror duplicate the amount of food on the table; it is an old design trick.

MAINTAIN CONVERSATION It is no secret that a lively conversation around the table competes for the title of the main feature of the evening with even the most delicious food! This means that you should avoid blocking the view of the people sitting across from one another. Vases with flowers and fruit are very handsome but they do not participate in a friendly chat. No decorative detail on the table should interfere with people communicating.

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It’s about time Time is a serious matter that needs to be grasped early in one’s childhood. Therefore, a nursery clock is a significant object that needs to be selected responsibly.

Ideally, let the little inhabitant have an input into the process. His or her opinion should prevail over yours, even if there is a difference of tastes.

ACTIVE SPOTS It is a well-known fact that, psychologically, colours can be either “active” (stimulating) or “passive” (calming). Red, orange, yellow, hot pink, and other colours in the same key are considered active colours, while blue, purple, and green, passive ones. Both groups play an important role for both children and adults, as long as they are presented in moderation.

Nevertheless, children need more active colours in their surrounding than adults do.

Active colours stimulate their

development while passive ones calm and help them relax.

The best scenario is a good balance of both groups – for example, if the room is divided into zones. In this case the activity zone needs to be painted in “active” colours, and the relaxation zone, in “passive” ones. But this is not always possible.

The best way to avoid overloading the nursery with vivid colours that may have an adverse psychological effect on its little host is introducing so-called bright spots. This means a calm background colour brightened up with accessories in vivid tones. A clock may well become one of such bright spots and reflect the child’s interests to boot.

It can be something based on their favourite cartoons or fairytales, clocks adorned with pictures of animals, cars, symbols, or an unusual in shape and decoration hitech clock.

ABOUT SHAPES The circle symbolizes creativity and mental balance, the square, honesty and intelligence, and the triangle, determination.

Psychologists think that round objects are beneficial for human psyche; maybe this is one of the reasons for clocks with a round face to be ever popular. Nevertheless, “smart” square and “purposeful” triangular ones are quite trendy, too.

ABOUT BENEFITS If the child is of a kindergarten or elementary school age, the clock should be practical, with large arms and digits, to help its owner to read the time.

An electronic clock with a thermometer is optimal for a baby’s and infant’s room.

PLAIN FUN A cuckoo clock has a fairytale element to it and kids love them. If you decide on this kind, make sure it has a “sleeping” function for the cuckoo, so that it does not interfere with the child’s night sleep. Some other clocks may carry a learning function – for example, a clock that shows times around the world.

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Bathroom Paint The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house.

This room sets the mood for your whole day, so it is important to select an attractive dĂŠcor that will delight you in the morning and energize.

Painting the bathroom is a cost-effective solution that allows you to implement many design ideas since the color palette is endless. Note that the paint should be spe-

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cifically designed for the indoor use. Such paints are developed to be safe, dry quickly and not have a strong odour. Remember that the bathroom has high humidity, which necessitates the use of moisture resistant paints to protect the walls against mold and fungi.

TYPES OF WATER-RESISTANT PAINTS FOR BATHROOMS Today’s market offers a huge amount of water-resistant coatings. They are also wear-resistant, durable and easy to use. It is

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best to use a water-resistant latex or acrylic paint containing special solutions against mold and mildew.

Acrylic paints fit many surfaces with the sole exception of metal. They are successfully used for painting high humidity rooms.

Acrylic paints have a wide palette of colors and create an effect of elegant matte or cheery gloss.

Latex paints are ideal for old, damaged surfaces. These paints easily correct irregularities and worn spots. Latex painted surfaces can be safely exposed to water and steam.

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THE KITCHEN

Both the kitchen table and a bar are favourite places for gettogethers and intimate conversations. Each of them has its obvious advantages, which designers have tried to combine for a long time, and not without success. One of the embodiments of such combination is the breakfast bar in a residential kitchen.

A classic option is a combination of wooden base and metal elements. This counter matches any decor, is inexpensive and easy to clean. High-quality veneer, laminate or strong polymer coating gives the counter a fresh look and adds durability.

WHAT ARE THEY MADE OF?

At first glance, a kitchen bar may seem like an overkill occupying a lot of space. However, a closer look reveals that it can be a very useful multifunctional item in the kitchen. In a small kitchen a bar will serve as a dining table or a butcher’s block. In an apartment where the kitchen is connected to the living room, the bar will act as a bridge that simultaneously connects and divides the two zones elegantly.

Breakfast bars in kitchens can be made of any material – usually of different types of wood, chipboard, natural and artificial stone, metal and glass in various combinations. You can see the bar counters containing aquariums or the ones made of used tires, automobile bodies, fancy plastic structures and even compacted solid waste. The main thing for the breakfast bar is to look good, be washable and last long.

Natural stone can easily fill these requirements. Polished granite, marble or limestone will please the eye for many a dozen years. Artificial quartz is twice as strong as granite and is more resistant to mechanical impact and food and chemical stains. In addition, quartz comes in a variety of colours. Stone is the most expensive material for bar counters.

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BAR

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Metal or brick looks great in combination with glass. Transparent or opaque, with a pattern or design, glass always looks respectable and attractive. ‘

WHERE TO INSTALL AND HOW TO FURNISH

The kitchen bar equipment has to comply with its name. Rods, rails, hooks and stands for dishes, glasses and bottles are apt furnishings here as long as you don’t overdo it. Decorate it with mugs, wine glasses, napkins, fruit, straw and other artifacts of bar life. And of course high stools are the main «ingredient», with folding ones for a small kitchen. Proper lighting will emphasize accents, and the kitchen bar will become a décor element in its own right.

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KITCHEN SHELVES: DECOR OR PRACTICALITY?

Not everyone likes the idea of open shelves in the kitchen, and it is understandable: the kitchen is a room with elevated humidity; besides, drops of cooked food may hit the objects located on these shelves adding to the hostess’s cleaning load. And if the shelves are for holding jars, pots, and grocery packages, it is better off hidden from the view. Nevertheless, this piece of furniture may also play a decorative role and add individuality to your kitchen.

FOR PRACTICALLY MINDED If practicality is your principle, use kitchen stuff and accessories as the main decorative element that will serve as decorations when not used for their main purpose.

There are two approaches to this kind of design, the first being an integrated style solution. In this case, create an integrated

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composition on your open kitchen shelf – for example, display the remnants of your granny’s dinner set. The second approach would be completely eclectic. Cups and mugs are the best way to express this idea.

accessories made a couple of centuries ago or modern china items from various corners of the planet.

FOR COLLECTORS

Houseplant lovers never have a problem with filling up a horizontal surface. If you place your houseplants into colourful flower pots or interesting makeshift pots, they will become a great decorative element. Decorations picked up during your walk in the woods create the warm summer feeling in your kitchen.

Having an open shelf in your kitchen is a good way to display your favourite collection. Of course, the best collection would be that of items that are capable of withstanding the temperature and humidity conditions in the kitchen: for example, brass

FOR GARDENERS

FOR ESTHETICALLY MINDED The room design can be changed not only with the help of new colours but with shifting light sources as well. Illuminating a shelf helps expose its especially attractive elements or its interesting texture. Try to place a light source behind the shelf containing preserve jars – and be amazed by the effect of a stained glass window with a kitchen and food theme.

Show your creativity and enjoy the feeling of uniqueness in your kitchen.

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Whether you are simply re facing your kitchen to update the look of your current cabinetry or Planning to renovate your entire kitchen and bath. We can also design the bar of your dreams or design an entertainment centre that will surely fit the look fit for you!

Bath City has wide variety of Canadian manufactured cabinets and accessories that will assure your project is a complete success.

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SLIDING HOUSE: a Reconfigurable Building

This unique building in Suffolk, England, may at first glance seem nothing more than a barn, but its design is so innovative that there is no appropriate term for it yet.

Ross Russell, the owner, posted the most laconic task before the architectural firm dRMM Architecture: to build a house for leisurely pastime of an older person. He also indicated his readiness for the most radical solutions. dRMM approached the task with enthusiasm and designed a house named a Sliding House.

What looks like the roof and the walls of the building is in fact a second, transportable facade hidden under two separate structures, one of which is composed entirely of glass. Moving the top layer on railing with four small motors, the Sliding House inhabitants may alter both the exterior and interior of the building within 6 minutes, choosing a new incarnation based on the season, weather conditions or just their mood. They can decide on a totally glass dwelling with a magnificent view of the sky of South Anglia or a cozy traditional house with solid wooden walls.

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THE WORLD HIGHEST RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS The first place goes to Burj Khalifa (Khalifa Tower) built in 2010 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The height of this skyscraper is 828 metres. The 163 floors of the highrise contain offices and a hotel on the floors up to the fortieth and residential apartments higher up. There is also a restaurant located on the top floor.

residential apartments. The offices occupy the lower forty five stories (with a swimming pool on floor 44) and the floors above represent residential units. The top floors are taken by a television station, a restaurant, and an observation deck.

And at last the fifth place - the tallest building in Europe which is Moscow Mercury City. Residential units in this highrise sell at the rate of $11 400 per square metre.

The height of Mercury City is 339 meters or 75 floors.

The second place belongs to Shanghai Tower now in the final stages of construction. The height of this skyscraper is 632 meters and 101 floors. Shanghai Tower also has residential floors.

Abraj al-Bayt built in 2011 in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, possesses the third place. It is not just a lone skyscraper but a residential complex where the tallest building is a hotel 601 meters and 95 floors high. The other, smaller towers are residential buildings with the height of 240-260 meters (42-48 floors).

In the fourth place is John Hancock Center, built in 1969 (!) in Chicago, IL. On the 100 floors of this highrise one can find offices, a television station, a restaurant and

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Choosing the Right Painting Roller

There is a wide and diverse range of tools to paint on walls, ceilings, or other elements of the house, but the painting roller is ever popular. You can find a great selection of rollers that differ in both their appearance and technical features. Which one to choose?

First of all, you need to pay attention to the roller’s weight. There are tools that are hard to hold over your head for more than a couple of minutes. These can only be handled by professionals. Also remember that if the roller is too heavy in its unused state, after it has been saturated with paint it will become even heavier.

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The colour of the pile has to be light because a dark one may leave streaks. If the “coat” is made of poor quality materials, the pile may shed onto painted surfaces, which will cause a lot of inconvenience.

It is best to rest your choice on seamless paint rollers that will not leave traces needing additional layers to be applied to correct the situation.

While selecting the roller also check how comfortable the handle is. When holding the roller you should have a feeling that all your fingers are in the right place.

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Before starting the process of turning your apartment or house into a palace give due time and attention to the selection of the roller, as any work should be fun, especially when it comes to renovating you own home.

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YOUR FURNITURE OR A SCRATCHING POST? A cat in the family is a source of perpetual joy. These creatures always behave like they own the place and its inhabitants, and we tend to forgive them for any transgressions. But scratched furniture is something that would really upset even the most devoted cat owner.

When you have caught your cat with its claws already tormenting the upholstery don’t even try to stop it; should you raise your voice it will just look puzzled. Or it will go to another room to continue the same harmful pastime. Some owners just give up while others go for declawing their pets.

But you can avoid such drastic measures by patiently working towards the goal of saving your furniture.

The best tool for it is of course a scratching post. You can buy it or make it yourself. The

post should be at least 75 cm high, with the base heavy enough so it doesn’t fall under the cat’s weight and scares the animal, and covered in strong and rough fabric. Even the strongest fabric though will in time be cut to shreds with sharp kitty claws so you will have to either buy a new one or re-cover the existing one. The best material to cover the scratching post is a remnant of old carpeting.

The most difficult task is to train your cat to use the post. The best technique for it is the stick-and-carrot method. First of all, wean the pet off of the spot where it used to sharpen its claws on your furniture. This can be achieved with a ruse: build a stack of tins at the exact spot. The cat will not fail to disturb the stack, and the loud noise of falling tins will scare it away. Keep rebuilding your tin tower until the cat stops returning to the spot.

You can also cover the very spot the cat likes to use as a makeshift scratching post with aluminum foil or double sided scotch tape

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- they make the surface unpleasant for the cat’s touch. Or spray the spot with the special deodorant against pet odours – cats hate the smell.

To train your pet to use his new scratching device, grab its front paws and rub them against the post. You will have to repeat these steps for a few days. The traces and smell remaining on the scratching post will draw the cat back to it without prompting. After a short time, your cat will see the scratching post as gym equipment of sorts and your furniture will be safe.

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Free estimates Shingles Flat roofs Skylights Aluminum & Siding Soffit Eavestroughs Cedar Wood Copper

Cell: (647) 892 7400, (416) 247 5695 www.vladroofing.com

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