Everything Home - Real Estate & Home Services Guide February 2025

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How to get the cottagecore look at home

If you love wildflowers, crafting, embroidery, plants and a fairy tale-like esthetic, the cottagecore look may be right for you. This trendy style evokes the at mosphere, lifestyle and roman ticism of English country hou ses. Fortunately, you don’t have to live in a literal cottage to get the look. Here’s how to bring this design style into your home.

THE WALLS

To create a dreamy and poetic atmosphere, paint the walls in pastel tones.Alternatively, apply a flowery wallpaper.Just make sure the print isn’t too busy, as this can overwhelm the space.

THE FLOOR

EVERYTHING HOME

Whether it’s wood or ceramic, light flooring is a good fit for the cottagecore look. If you add a rug, consider choosing a white or beige macramé model.

THE FURNITURE

Wood, wicker, rattan and other natural materials con tribute to a country esthetic. Look for chairs,tables, beds and other furniture made of these materials.Vin tage and antique pieces are also on theme.

SPACIOUS & WELL DESIGNED - $629,900

This home features 5 beds and 4 baths. Meticulously maintained and offers over 4,000 sq. ft. of finished space, packed with upgrades. Large

with fireplace. The kitchen includes an island, breakfast nook, &

1st floor bed & bath. Upstairs, you’ll find a roomy ensuite, 3 beds, & a

room. Finished basement offers a 3/4 bath plus a laundry room. Call Doug, Lewisburg (20-98798U)

help you determine how much of your bud get to put toward each item. For instance, if you have trouble sleeping, you may decide to splurge on your mattress rather than on a dres ser or vanity. Or, if you work from home, you may want to spend a little extra on an ergono mic office chair.

2. LOOK FOR DEALS

Once you’ve planned your purchases, it’s time Make

4000 Furnace Road, Lewisburg — $299,900

Country setting yet close to everything. Lewisburg Schools. Move Right in to this 4 bedroom home. Enjoy the views from the freshly painted deck overlooking 1 acre of land. Bathrooms have been newly renovated. Ceramic tile throughout first floor is new as well. Enjoy the propane fireplace on the cold winter evenings. 20-86383

Finally, consider making an

to buy locally. You don’t have to go far to find talented furniture makers and well-curated furniture stores.

Why a pro should always install your gas appliance

TO HAVE THE RIGHT PIECES

Gas leaks present a serious health and safety risk to you and your family and could even be fatal. A professional will ensure that your new appliance is installed properly, allowing you to avoid potentially catastrophic issues.

Installing a gas appliance requires specific fittings, pipes and connectors. A professional gas fitter will know exactly what pieces can and can’t be used in your home.

TO AVOID BEING HELD LIABLE

Trained and licensed gas fitters and master plumbers carry their own insurance. This means you won’t be financially responsible if something goes awry during the installation.

In many cities, installing your own gas appliance is also illegal. Overall, it’s always best to hire a gas fitter or master plumber to hook up appliances that run on gas.

How to

keep

your

appliances running like new

If you’ve recently purchased new appliances, you may be wondering how to make sure they continue to run. Here’s what you need to know.

REFRIGERATOR

DIY or don’t: tips for your next home renovation

While a number of home projects can be completed by the average DIYer, others should be left to the professionals. When deciding whether you should do it yourself or delegate, ask yourself these questions:

DO I HAVE THE SKILLS?

If you can’t confidently say that you know what you’re doing, hire a professional.

DO I HAVE THE TOOLS?

If the job requires special gear, think twice. Purchasing equipment is expensive and cer-

tain power tools and machines may not be easy to use for a novice.

DO I HAVE THE TIME?

You may be capable of completing the renovation, but if it takes too much of your personal time, it may not be worth it.

In general, cosmetic upgrades can be successfully completed by those without much experience. However, any renovation that involves plumbing, electrical work or the structure of your home, should be left to the professionals.

3 things to consider before building an addition

Don’t pack your fridge too full, as this can block airflow and make the components work harder than necessary. You should also vacuum the compressor and wipe the door gasket with soapy water at least twice a year.

STOVE AND OVEN

Keep the oven clear of food buildup by periodically running the self-clean feature or manually scrubbing it down. Keep electric coils or gas elements clean and avoid dragging your pots and pans over glass-ceramic cooktops. Wash the surface regularly with warm, soapy water or a special cleaner.

DISHWASHER

Always rinse your dishes before putting

them in the dishwasher. If there’s a filter, make sure to clean it regularly so it doesn’t get clogged with food particles. Once a month, run it on empty with vinegar to keep it clean.

WASHER

Do you love your home but wish you had a little more living space? If you’re thinking about building an addition, here are some things to consider before you break ground.

Never overload your washing machine and make sure to empty clothing pockets so the drum doesn’t get damaged. Run a monthly cleaning cycle with hot water and vinegar. Always keep the door open after a wash to allow the interior to completely dry.

DRYER

Clean the lint trap after every cycle and wash it monthly to make certain the filter doesn’t get clogged. At least once a year, get your dryer ducts professionally cleaned. This will ensure that your machine runs smoothly and decrease the risk for house fires.

To find out more about how to take care of your specific appliance, be sure to consult your owner’s manual. Though these tips are a great start, they shouldn’t replace the care instructions provided by the manufacturer.

1. What you’re allowed. Most municipalities require you to obtain a permit if you intend to build an addition. Also, you may need to abide by their regulations concerning how large the new part of your home can be and how far from the edge of your property it can reach.

ving altogether. When making your budget, be sure to leave a little wiggle room for extra expenses that may come up.

3. The team you’ll hire. Building an addition isn’t something most people can do themselves. You’ll need to hire an architect as well as various contractors (or a general manager who’ll be responsible for overseeing the whole project).

2. Your budget. Building an addition is pricey, but it may cost less than mo-

One final thing: building an addition is a huge project that will undoubtedly overtake your home. If possible, it may be a good idea to move out while it’s under construction.

#1316Imperial27x52 3BR,2BathDoublewidein Mifflinburg.Thehomehas anewmetal roofand anewwaterheater Metalshed,centralair,electricrange,dishwasherand aceilingfan. #1323 This 1991Astro homehasbeen remodeledandis readytoshow.ThehomefeaturesnewLRcarpet,newlaminate flooring,andfreshlypaintedwalls.Exteriorhas atwo-tierdeckand nicesizestorageshed.JustminutesfromLewisburgandtheDollar GeneralinMontandon.Lot rentis$290pluswaterandsewer

#1324 19

86Champion14x66 3BR, 2Bath, located in Pine Valley,Mifflinburg.Callfordetails.

#1325 200

7 Skyline,28x(54) 3BR, 2Bath,Lgstorage shed, located onanendlotinPine Valley.Kitchen floorwas just replacedwithlaminateplank flooring. Walk-intub,Corner Shower,Microwave,Stove,RefrigeratorandGasFurnace

Insulation101

Efficientinsulationoftheoutsidewallsofahomeincreasesthecomfortofitsoccupants andreducesenergyconsumption.Inversely,poorinsulationleadstoheatlossduringthe winter,anincreaseinheatingcosts,coldwallsandfloors,andsometimesmouldorrot.

Inefficientinsulationalsoleadstoexcessivebuildupofheatinsidethehomeduringthe summerandanincreaseinairconditioningcosts.Forallthesereasons,itisimportant toensurethattheoutsidewallsofahomearewellinsulated.

Therearemanytypesofinsulation.Themostimportantcriterionwhenchoosingamaterialishowitwillbeused.Somekindsmightbehighlysuitableforthebasementorthe atticbutnotforthesurfaceofexteriorwalls.Syntheticmaterials,suchasexpanded polystyrene,areveryefficientforinsulatingtheexteriorofahome.Mineral,plant,and animalfibres,suchaswoodwool,areworthyenvironmentallyfriendlychoicesforinsulatingfromtheoutside.Therearealsootherrenewablematerialssuchascelluloseand insulatingminerals.Insulationmustbeabletofillcavitiesefficientlyinordernotto leaveanyemptyspacesorthermalbridges,anditmustbedurable,resistanttohumidity,anditmustn’tsettle.

Anotherconsiderationisthe product’sthermalresistance (R-orRSIvalue).Thisindicatesaproduct’sinsulating capabilitiesandensuresthat itmeetsbuildingcodes. Remembertoevaluatea material’squality/priceratio, andneverforgetthatcareful installationisnecessaryto ensuremaximuminsulation properties.

Thestructureofthehouse andthetypeofsiding usedmustbetakeninto accountwhenchoosing exteriorinsulation.

Masonrydefiestime

Masonrysidingisavailableinawide rangeofcolours,textures,shapes,and sizes.Stoneandbrickaresynonymous withbeautyandelegance,withtheadded bonusofqualityanddurability.

Masonryproductsarenotablefortheir longlifespans.Theygiveafeelingof strengthandsafetytohomeowners,while ensuringexceptionalcomfort.Theseproductsalsoofferexcellentsoundproofing,remarkableresistancetoanykindof impactandcorrosion,aswellasincomparableprotectionagainstmould.Because theyarefireproof,masonryproductsgive ahighlevelofprotectionincaseoffire. Theyalsoneedverylittlemaintenance.

Unaffectedbyclimatic changes,periodsofthaw andfrost,snow,extreme winds,ortorrentialrains, masonrysidingisresistant tothemostviolentweather MotherNaturecanproduce.Ahomewithmasonrysidinghasbetterthermalinsulation,resultingin

morecomfortforoccupants.Bestofall,it keepsthehomecoolerinthesummerand warmerduringthewinter,whichmeans lowerenergybillsforbothheatingand airconditioning.Stoneandbrickareecofriendlynaturalproducts,andtheyare durableandreusableaswell.

Althoughtheinitialcostofthematerials andinstallationbyspecialistsmightseem high,masonryproductshelptoincrease theresalevalueofahome.Beforeopting forbrickorstonesiding,ensurethatthe building’sfoundationsarecapableof supportingtheirweightandthatthe investmentcanberecoupedwhenselling thehome.

Eco-friendlytoilets?

Didyouknowthatatoiletconsumesabout 30percentofallthewaterusedinahome? Mosttoiletsusebetween13and20litres ofwaterforaflush.Thankstoadvancesin designefficiency,youcannowpurchase toiletsthatonlyuse4to6litresofwater.

Gravity-fedtoiletsuseverylittlewater; theyhavearedesignedbowlthatincreases thesiphonactionwhilegravityhelpsthe waterthroughthetrap.Pressure-assist toiletsofferasimilarflush:harnessingthe energyfromthesupplyline,apressureassisttoilettrapsairinavesselasitfills withwater.Whentheflushisactivated, thecompressedairforcesthewaterinto thebowl,producingapowerful,pushingflush.

Flappers(orflushvalves)onnearlyall NorthAmericantoiletsareeither50mm or75mmindiameter.Generallyspeaking, a75mmflapperwillallowwatertodischargefromthetanktothebowlmuch faster,resultinginbetterperformance.

One-piecetoilets(wherethetankand bowlarepurchasedasasingleunit)canbe easiertocleanandhavelessopportunityto leakatthejunctionbetweenthetankand bowlthantwo-piecemodels.One-piece

Chooseatoiletthat doesn’twastewater.

toiletscanalsobemoreexpensive,aswell asheavierandhardertoinstall.

TheCanadaMortgageandHousing Corporation(CMHC)hasjoinedwith theCanadianWaterandWastewater Association(CWWA)andotherpartners inthemunicipalandresidentialdomains tocreatetheMaximumPerformance (MaP)TestingProgram.Obtainthemost recentversion,freeofcharge,byconsultingtheCWWAwebsiteatwww.cwwa.ca.

Choosinganewheatingsystem

Consumersshouldalwaysbeguidedbyafewimportantcriteriawhenchoosingahome heatingsystem.Oneofthemajorfactorstoconsideristhelevelofcomfortthisnewsystemwillprovide.Thecostsofpurchase,delivery,installation,maintenance,use,aswellas thefuelorelectricityusedshouldalsobetakenintoconsideration.

Firstofall,youwillhavetodecidewhichenergysourcewillpoweryourheatingsystem, whichwilldependontheenergyprovidersinyourareaandthecostsinvolved.Themost commonoptionsareelectricityandfueloil,althoughnaturalgasisaccessibleinsome regions.Youcouldalsooptforpropaneorwood,whicharenormallyusedassupplementaryheatingchoices,orsolarenergy.Bi-energy,whichuseselectricityasamainsource andfueloilasasecondarysourceofpower,mayalsobeofinteresttoyou.

Thenextstepistochoosethetypeofsystemyourequire.Electricbaseboardheatersarevery affordable,easytoinstall,andrequirelittlemaintenance.Theyaresilentwheninoperation,andthey allowyoutocontrolthetemperatureofindividual rooms.Thedisadvantagesarethattheydrytheair significantlyandlimitinteriordesignoptions.

Forcedairsystemshavetheadvantageofbeing abletoincorporateairpurificationdevices,and theirfloororceilingairventsarebarelynoticeable. Theydorequireregularmaintenanceandsometimesproducenoiseandodours.Theycanbepoweredbyfueloil,electricity,gas,orbi-energy.This isalsothecaseforhotwaterheatingsystems, whichofferexcellentdurabilitybutareextremely costlyandrequireregularupkeep.Thelargeradiatorsnecessaryforthistypeofheatingareanother inconvenience.

Radiantunder-floorheatingsystemsarefairlyexpensivebutprovideahighlevelofcomfort.Similarly, geothermalheatpumpsmightbeexpensivetopurchase,buttheyconsumelessenergythanothersystems.Theycanbeusedwithforcedairandofferthe possibilityofcentralairconditioning.

Ageothermalheatpumpprovides heatandairconditioning.

Alloftheimagesinthisissueareavailableincolourandinblackandwhite.

Masonryisboth beautifulandresilient.

THE ORIGINAL HOME is abeautiful exampleof PA construction from fireplaces, plusanindoorcooking hearthwith kettle, hidden staircases, beautifulwide pine plank floors,cedar lined closets, flagstonepatio andso muchmore The3basementsectionsare concrete with stonefoundation. As youcan see, this wasandis ahome that wasloved and continuedtogrow. Call Martha. Lewisburg$595,000(20-97715U)

PERCHONA HILL with aview, you’ll find this lovely home. The1st floorfeaturesalivingroomwith agas fireplace, upgraded kitchen with SS appliances& primary bed,bath, &laundry.Upstairsyou’ll find 3beds, awalk-in closet, afullbath andastorage area over the garage.Geothermalheatand abasementthatcould be finished.CallRuth.

Selinsgrove $349,000(20-99161S)

BRANDNEW MOBILE HOME offersablendof comfortand convenience.3bedsand 2baths Themaster suitecomes completewithafull bath.Open layour of thekitchenand living room is perfectfor entertaining. Affordablelot rent of $350/month.CallDoug. Watsontown $79,900(20-96749N)

ONLY 2LOTSLEFT in popularSmoketown Fieldsdevelopment!Build yourdreamhouse with an experiencedbuilder!Call Peg. Lewisburg$66,000-$73,000

STEPRIGHTINTOTHIS well establishedfamilyowned subshop! Well knowninthe community fortheir greatfood Seatingisavailable. Allequipment is included. or,need office space? Thisproperty couldalsofit theneed foroffices. Don’tmiss this opportunity!CallBarb Watsontown $234,000(20-99116N)

HIGHTRAFFICLOCATION in an Industrial Park,convenientlylocatednearRoutes11/15 andalong Route 522. Approved forCommercialWarehouse/ Showroom. Thebuildingoffersalayoutthatwould fit many business applications,and wasdesignedtobeeasily doubledinsize.Large overhead door allowsfor easy loading. Office spaceand 2bathrooms.Parking spotsfor 10+ cars.Call Martha or Brett Selinsgrove $650,000(20-98055S)

CHARMINGLINNTOWNCAPE! Thesellerdid allthemajorupgradesincludinganew metalroof, naturalgashookupandnew gas furnace,newcentral A/C, upgradedelectric, newguttersandonand on.Open living &diningrooms with cozy fireplace, replacement windows, granitecountertopsinkitchen,1st floorbed, screenedporch &yardwithpatio foroutdoor relaxation Call Ruth Lewisburg $259,000(20-99186U)

CONVENIENTLYLOCATED 2- bedroom rancherright in betweenMontgomeryand Muncytomake thosecommutesalittle shorter. Fenced in yard with adeck to enjoyyoursummerafternoons, andadetachedone car garage forstorage of all yourextra items. Call TomorBarb. Montgomery $160,000(20-98600L)

PRIME COMMERCIAL LOCATION! Successful business is relocating!Highlyvisiblelocationdirectly on Rt.15with137 ft.offrontagemakes this aperfect new home forNon-FoodRetailorService Business.Easy ingress&egress flow points. Move rightin&put your OPENsignuporraze thebuildingand startfresh.Prime spot forbank/finance;drycleaning; franchise retail;auto detailing; residentialhomeservice.CallMark. Lewisburg$450,000(20-95940U)

TWOSTORY NEW CONSTRUCTION in Smoketown Fields. Large Family Room andLarge Kitchen. 4bedroomsand studyon2nd floor. Youdon’t want to miss this!CallPeg! Lewisburg$765,000(20-98109U)

BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME on this 11.43 acre lotinMiltonSchool District.Although locatedout in the‘country,’it’sonlyminutes away from Lewisburg. Theproperty is coveredbyamix of establishedforestand succession forest Theproperty is zonedRural Residential;soyou couldsubdivide theparcel into multiplebuildinglots. It is enrolledinthe Clean & Greenprogram.CallBrett NewColumbia$249,500(20-98480U)

OPPORTUNITYFOR 10 ACRES! Thischarming property,located closetoeverything, includes asmall mostlybrickhousewithtwo first-floorbedrooms, abright kitchenwithtile floors,updated windows, astudyarea, andafullbasement. Greatplace to startand buildthe home ofyourdreams.CallDougorMartha. Lewisburg$495,000(20-98655U)

THE PERFECTTIME OF THEYEAR toto invest in alot,reviewand adjust your houseplans andbeready to beginconstruction by mid winter Convenientlylocated to Lewisburg High School, shopping, restaurantsand Evangelical Hospital complex. Call Martha Lewisburg$107,500(20-95628U)

EASY INVESTMENT to addtoyourrentalportfolio. Tenand occupied singlefamily home that couldbesplit into aduplex by updating theupstairskitchen.Large fenced yard.Call Nicole. Williamsport $137,750(20-98843L)

SPACIOUS& WELL DESIGNED, thishome features 5bedsand 4baths.Meticulously maintained andoffersover4,000sq. ft.of finished space, packed with upgrades. Large family room with fireplace. Thekitchen includes an island, breakfastnook, &diningroom.1st floorbed &bath. Upstairs,you’ll find aroomy ensuite, 3 beds, &alaundry room.Finished basementoffersa3/4 bath plus alaundry room.Call Doug. Lewisburg$629,900(20-98798U)

ORIGINALLYBUILTIN1859 andremodeledin 2024, it hasthecharacterofahistorichomewithall modern conveniences. From thenew roof to thehardwood floors, everyaspect of thehousehasbeenupdated,including cabinets, granite countersandSSappliances, bathroom fixtures,insulatedwindows,ahighefficiency gasfurnace and central a/c anda sunroom. Theoversizedlot is fully-fenced with a1-car garage&off-streetparking.CallBrett Lewisburg$399,500(20-98762U)

Wi-Fif All

Hammeringoutabudget

Awindowtreatmentforeveryroom

Inthelivingroom

Yourchoiceofwindowtreatmentshould alwaysbesuitedtothetypeofroomitis intendedfor.Inthelivingroom,privacyis usuallythemostimportantcriterion. Horizontalblinds,Venetianblinds,orshuttersprovideeffectiveprotectionfromprying eyes,especiallyatnight,andduringtheday theirslatscanbeadjusteddependingonhow muchlightisdesired.Ifthelivingroomwindowsdon’toverlookahightrafficarea,long drapeswillembellishthemwhileprotecting theinteriorfromthesun.

Inthebedroom

Essentialcriteriaforthebedroomareprivacyandthecontrolofnaturallight.An opaqueshadeiscertainlyagoodchoice,as itmeetsboththeserequirements.Shades withoriginalpatterns arealsoopaqueand areverypopularfor children’sbedrooms. Horizontalblindsare aninterestingchoice, aslightlevelscanbe adjustedandtheycan

alsobecombinedwithcurtainsforeven moreopacity.Curtainsarenotidealforcontrollinglightandprivacy,butcombined withashadeorablind,theirestheticappeal canstillbetakenadvantageof.It’salsopossibletouselinedcurtainsordrapesthatare opaqueenoughtoreducetheintensityof naturallight.

Inthekitchenandbathroom Arigid,low-maintenancehorizontalblindis practicalforthekitchen.Woodandfaux woodareverypopular.Horizontalblindsare alsoawisechoiceforthebathroom,although itisimportantthattheybemadeofwater resistantmaterialsthatwillnotlosetheir shape,especiallyiftheroomhaspoorventilationoriftheblindisneartheshower.Faux woodisagoodchoice.

Counterproposals

Attentiveserviceandlocalexpertisetohelpyouhomeinontheperfectproperty. ChantelleJack chantelle.jack@exprealty.com (570)809-3860

HowdoIcalculatehowmuchmyrenovationprojectwillcost?Nowthere’saquestionthatrequiresagreatdealofthought! Obviouslytherearemanydifferentanswers tothisquestion,dependingonwhattypeof projectyouhaveinmindandthequalityof materialsyoucanbudgetfor.Doyouwant todemolisheverythingandstartfrom scratch?Replacetheplumbingandtheelectricity?Orsimplychangethefurnitureand theappliancestofreshenupsomeroomsand givethemamoreup-to-datelook?

Yourbudgetwillalsodependonwhether youplantohireaprofessionaltodothe workorifyoudoityourself—sometimes bothoptionsarepossible.Hiringmanpower willincreasethecost,butusingaprocan preventmonthsoflosttimeandspaceat home.Ifyoudecidetohiresomeone,ask forrecommendationsfromfamily,friends, andworkcolleagues.Thatisthebestway tofindatrustworthypersonwhocando qualityworkatareasonableprice.Youcan alsoobtaininvaluableadvicefromspecialistsinhardwareorrenovationstores.

Thequalityandquantityof materialschosenwillalso haveahugeimpactonthe costoftheproject.Ifmoney isnoobject,youcouldrenovateeverythinginonego.If yourbudgetismoremodest, youcouldgomoreslowly,at yourownpace,oneroomat atime.Besuretogetallthe informationyouneedtomake anenlighteneddecision.Write everythingdownandcomparethedifferentoptionsthat havebeensuggested.

Avoidspurofthemoment decisionsthatyoucouldend upregrettinglateron,andbe especiallycarefulaboutgoing overbudget.Theimportant thingtorememberistotake thetimetomakerational choices,whilekeepingin mindyourtastesandbudget.

Alargevarietyofkitchencountertopsis availableforbothtraditionalandmodern kitchens.Hereareafewsuggestionsto guideyouinchoosing.

•Woodworktopsblendwellinatraditionalkitchen.Woodisavailableina widerangeofspeciesandcoloursand offerswarmthandaffordability.Disadvantagesincludepoorresistanceto stains,burns,andscratches.Wood countertopsalsorequireregularcare andmaintenance.

•Naturalstonegivesaluxuriousrustic lookandcomesinawidevarietyof typesandcolours.Itisrenownedforits lowmaintenancerequirementsand graniteinparticularisresistanttoheat, stains,andscratches.Somestonesurfacesareexpensiveandrequireprofessionalinstallation.

•Tilingcombinesresistance,easeofmaintenance,andlowcost.The classiclookoftileshas beenupdated,thanksto largersizesandnew coloursandpatternsthat imitatewoodandstone. Keepinmindthatgroutingrequiresmeticulous cleaninginordertoavoid dirtandmoldbecoming embedded.

Foraharmoniousdécor, choosecountertopsina materialandcolourthat blendswellwithother elementsinthekitchen.

•Metal,stainlesssteel,andglasssurfaces comeindiversefinishestocreatea contemporarylook.Stainlesssteelis hygienicandextremelyresistanttoheat andshocksbutdoesrequirealotof maintenance.Glassiseasytokeepclean andoffersthepossibilityofinfused coloursandembeddedtextures.Notsurprisingly,itislessresistanttoshocks andscratches.

•Concretecountertopsareextremely resistanttoheatandshocksandare availableinavarietyofdesignsandfinishes.Theirfabricationandinstallation mustbeentrustedtosometimes-pricey specialists.Itisalsoimportantthatthe concretebetreatedagainststains. Compositematerials,suchasquartz, continuetobeexpensivebutareesthetic,easytomaintain,andhighlyresistant toheat,shocks,andstains.

Shadesensure privacy,while curtainsare moredecorative.

anynecessarytouchupstothepaint.

Yourbuildingproducts retailerissuretobeable toansweranyquestions youmayhaveabout mouldingsandhowto installthem.

Wallpaperhere, there,andeverywhere!

Ifyou’reoneofthosepeoplewhothinksthatwallpaperisathingofthepast,maybe youshouldthinkagain.Withabitofimaginationandgoodtaste,itcanconferasurprisinglywhimsicaltouchtoyourhome.Whetherit’storevampanoldpieceof furniture,dressupafoldingprivacyscreen,orenhanceadecorativeobject,wallpapercanbeused inanumberofunexpectedways.

Usewallpaperto:

•createatrompe-l’oeilheadboardforabed

•dressupanoldsideboard

•decoratethemantelpiece

•personalizealampshade

•brightenupstairrisers

•coverachestofdrawers,sidetable,orbookshelves

•enhanceabathroomcupboard

•embellishtheinsideofwardrobesordrawers

•decorateadollhouse

Useyourcreativity toturnwallpaper intoyourfavourite decoratingmaterial.

•giveatouchofglamour todocumentstoragecontainers

•createadecorativewallpaperborderorasliding paneleffect

Ofcourse,youcouldalso usewallpaperforitsoriginalpurpose,whichis toaddcolourandvisualinteresttothewallsof aroom.Youcanpaperanentireroom,onewall, orevenaceilingthatyou’dliketoaccentuate.

Foryourdecorationprojecttobeasuccess,besuretochoosegoodqualitywallpaper.These daysitisavailableinanimpressiverangeofpatterns,colours,andtexturesandiseasyto useaswell.Nowallyouhavetodoissitbackandenjoyyourworksofart!

rowtothenext.Checkfrequentlytoensure thattherowofbricksislevel.

Useamitersawfittedwithaceramicblade forcuttingthebricksattheendoftherows. Recuperatetheremnantstostartanewrow. Brickcorners,usedtocoverthecornersof threedimensionalobjects,suchasthoseon amantelpiece,arealsoavailableonthemarket.Nowallthat’slefttodoistofillthe jointswithmortaraccordingtothemanufacturer’sinstructions.

Decorativebricksandstonesgiveawarm andauthenticlooktoahome.

Fakebeams,authenticcharacter

Ifyouhavethem,youmightnotknowwhat todowiththem,andifyoudon’thavethem, youmightwishyoudid.If they’redoneright,there’s nothingquitelikeexposed beamstoenhancethecachet ofaroom.Wouldyoulove toincorporatethisarchitecturalfeatureinyourhome butdon’thavethegrandiose budgettomatch?Here’sthesolution.

cancreateafalsebeamatafractionofthe pricebyusingMDF(fiberboard)panels.

BEAUTIFULANDPRACTICAL

Becausetheyarehollow, falsebeamsaregreatforhidingsuchthingsaspipes,cables,andelectricalwiring.

Thefirststepinmaking afalsebeamistocut threestripsofMDFof thesamewidth;typically,theyrangefrom 15to20cm.Next,glue andnailthemon5x7-cm wooduprights.Thegoalistobuildathreesidedbox,thefourthsidebeingtheceiling.

Firstofall,youcanfindfakewoodbeams onthemarket.Madeofpolyurethaneor polystyrene,theyaremuchmoreaffordable thanasolidwoodbeam.Evenbetter,you

Nowallyouhavetodoispaintorstainthe beamsaccordingtothelookyouwantto givetheroom:pale,dark,ornatural.Itispossibletogiveyourbeamsthelook ofnaturalwoodbycreatingagrain withawood-grainingtoolorrocker.MDFwithawoodgrainfinishisalsoavailableinstores.

Theadditionoffalsebeamsshould bedonesparinglyinordernotto givetheroomaheavylook.Of course,theceilingshouldalsobe highenoughtolenditselftothis imposingarchitecturalstyle.

Solidwoodbeams ormadewithMDF? Nobodywillknow exceptyou!

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