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@Home Magazine Sunday Guardian www.guardian.co.tt April/May, 2013
HADCO Group is dedicated to the importation and distribution of first-rate food, beverage, wines, spirits, electrical and lighting items in Trinidad & Tobago. OUR MISSION Our mission is to enrich our stakeholders’ quality of life, through the setting of trends and providing superior brands and services. Our Corporate Head Office is located at Bhagoutie Trace, San Juan with branch offices and subsidiary companies spread across Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados. UNFALTERING COMMITMENT AND PASSION FOR SUCCESS Over the past 21 years, our unfaltering commitment and passion for success has led us to achieve immense recognition in the corporate sphere. We have maintained an untarnished reputation through the provision of quality products and excellence in service in the electrical and lighting wholesale, retail, commercial and industrial sectors. DIVERSITY, INNOVATION AND DYNAMISM Our diversity, innovation and dynamism are reflected in every aspect of our business. The combination of these qualities has given HADCO Group a competitive advantage in the business environment.
For the past twenty-one years, HADCO has been offering our customers a vast array of high-end products from every corner of the globe. We import goods from the US, UK, Costa Rica, Europe, Far East and the Caribbean. We have everything to suit your needs, from cables to transformers to lighting, and much more! Our Company caters to both local and regional markets, and our services apply not only to the commercial sector, but the industrial sector as well. We supply hardware and contractors. We also cater to retail customers through our Nova Lighting and Lighthouse stores in Trinidad and our Kelec store in Tobago. HADCO LIMITED HEAD OFFICE JRJ Warehousing Compound, Bhagoutie Trace, San Juan, Trinidad, W.I. Tel.: (868) 675-7628 Fax: (868) 675-2641 E-mail: info@HadcoLtd.com Helpdesk: feedback@HadcoLtd.com or (868) 675-7628 Ext. 1317 BRANCH OFFICE #6 Greenland Drive, Point Lisas Industrial Estate, Couva. Trinidad, W.I. Tel: (868) 636-4369, (868) 636-4373; Fax: (868) 636-7672; E-mail: adellep@HadcoLtd.com
BTicino
April/May, 2013 www.guardian.co.tt Sunday Guardian @Home Magazine
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BTicino is an international leader in electrical device design. A division of the Legrand Group, BTicino manufactures low voltage electrical equipment for living, working and production spaces; integrating solutions for energy distribution, communication, control of lighting, sound distribution, climate, and safety.
BTicino offers new product lines each year, thereby implementing the strategy to strengthen and update its solutions, staying at the forefront and innovation with the latest technology to control lighting, video control, comfort and security and serve new markets with high growth potential in the residential, commercial and industrial.
Choosing a Switch Plate Long gone are the days when you would leave this choice to your electrician. With so many colour and texture options available from BTicino you can match almost any paint colour or surface with a coordinating switch plate. The real question here is what’s your style? Think about how the room is decorated; the important thing is that you choose a switch plate, electrical outputs and connectivity devices that complement the design of the room and that it is tailored to your personal taste.
Switch your thinking! BTicino offers a wide and modern range of wall plates to choose from; all of which will definitely add that extra style and
flair to your home. These wall plates are also called cover plates, switch plate covers, electric wall plates, or wall switch covers. The finishing touches to any room are like the icing on top of a cake – small in size but dramatic in effect and impact! It’s the switch plates, electrical outlets and connectivity devices that tend to receive the most personal contact while you enjoy a space. Whether you notice them or not, every time you walk in or out of a room or need to plug something in; your hands and eyes are drawn closer to these wall plates compared to other features in the room. So why not choose something to cover your outlets that are worth looking at! From the ‘Matix’ line which offers bold and exciting colours to ‘Living Light’ that exudes style and contemporary finishes to the highest end of ‘Axolute’ that screams sophistication and opulence; choose for yourself! So you decided that you want to be a risk taker and paint your dining room walls in bright red! Now you are stuck
with white or maybe beige plates that cover your switches. The typical step would be to paint them red to match the walls which would be a disaster. BTicino has the solution for you; its ‘Matix’ line has twenty-four colours in five colour families of whites, galvanic, metallized colours and texture to match any décor. BTicino anticipates change in lifestyle; hence we design and develop our products to allow maximum freedom to express your ideas and personality. Whether you prefer the round elliptical shape or the square contours, you have a vast array of designs to choose from. Did you just renovate your kitchen and upgraded your appliances to the sleek look of stainless steel? Now you have to match your wall plates with your new décor. BTicino offers its ‘Living Light’ line of chrome or nickel finish wall plates to match your appliances. The ‘Living Light’ line encapsulates the tasteful richness of design and continued innovation that has made the BTicino brand a global leader in electrical wiring devices. Have a Swarovski work of art or Italian marble on your wall. BTicino’s
‘Axolute’ line is all about luxury, panache and having a non-conformist lifestyle. The brightness of Swarovski Elements crystals and the elegance of Axolute, together in a cover plate are destined to leave a mark. Thanks to the collaboration with Graniti Fiandre, BTicino is capable of supplying cover plates made using some of the most prestigious ceramic slabs, achieving perfect coordination with interior coverings. Bid farewell to the timeworn conception that electrical wiring is monotonous and get with the trend of defining your space with colour and texture. From the budget friendly ‘Matix’ line to the richness of ‘Axolute,’ BTicino caters to every individual’s sense of uniqueness. Feel free to contact any of our well-trained and knowledgeable Customer Service Representatives or the BTicino Brand Ambassador for further information and advice. HADCO Limited – 868 675 7628 www.hadcoltd.com Check us out on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HADCOGroup
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What’s Inside
@Home Magazine Sunday Guardian www.guardian.co.tt April/May, 2013
BEFORE YOU BEGIN 6 7
Renovation Deliberations Renovation checklist
ENTERTAINING 8
Coastal Living
IN THE KITCHEN 10
7 Easy Kitchen Cabinet Repairs
DESIGN & DECOR 11
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SURFACES Ro ya No Sho l R w wr oa O oo d, pe m Sa n a n t Fe rn an
Bring Your Windows To Life... We Offer:r 4IPQ BU )PNF 4FSWJDF r 1SPNQU 4FSWJDF %FMJWFSZ r "MM 1SPEVDUT 8BSSBOUFE r 'SFF .FBTVSFNFOU *OTUBMMBUJPO r 3FTJEFOUJBM $PNNFSDJBM
Gift idea - Beautiful Crockery
14 & 15
Colour Vocab
PLUMBING 16
do
How to Test for Water Leaks
FABRIC & FURNISHINGS 22
WOW: Window Wisdom
TRADE SECRETS 17 18 23
30 Minute Makeovers How to replace a Deadbolt Lock How to replace a Slab Door
BACKYARD BASICS r 3PMMFS 4IBEFT r 8PPE #MJOET r #BNCPP 4IBEFT r 4IFFS )PSJ[POUBM 4IBEFT r 7FSUJDBM #MJOET r )PSJ[POUBM #MJOET r )POFZDPNC 4IBEFT r 1MBOUBUJPO 4IVśFST
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Discovering Orchids Porch TLC
Special Publications Unit [SPU] PRODUCER TRACEY ALONZO tracey.alonzo@guardian.co.tt
HEAD OF DESIGN DENISE BAPTISTE
ASSOCIATE EDITORS SPU LISA JESSAMY, HALCIAN PIERRE
FEATURE CONTRIBUTORS
“Visit Our Showrooms for the Widest & Finest Selection of Custom-Made Designer Window Fashions�
RANDALL WADDELL, ANN MOORE-SPENCER, DIANNE HUNT, BAVINA SOOKDEO, DARREL DOOKOO, CHRIS CHANDLER
DESIGN & LAYOUT SEAN SIMON RAQUEL VASQUEZ LA ROCHE
SALES SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS ENQUIRIES SPU1@GUARDIAN.CO.TT
0000
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (SPU)
r 8PPECSPPL r &M 4PDPSSP r 4BO 'FSOBOEP
SONJA ROMANY SONJA.ROMANY@GUARDIAN.CO.TT 623-8870 EXT: 2928, 742-9920
www.cwinteriors.com
April/May, 2013 www.guardian.co.tt Sunday Guardian @Home Magazine
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Before You Begin
@Home Magazine Sunday Guardian www.guardian.co.tt April/May, 2013
Randall Waddell CID, ASID Principal Interior Designer HomeWork Design Studio 868-680-6732 Email: randall@homeworktt.com Web: www.homeworktt.com FaceBook: www.facebook.com/homeworkdesignstudio
Every home needs repainting, updating or repair work to keep it looking fresh, stylish and in good condition. Whether you have a new house in need of additional features and fittings, an old property requiring a major overhaul, or simply want to refresh an outmoded decorating scheme, you can always turn to an Interior Designer for the guidance, expertise and inspiration needed for complete success and perfect results every time. Using a professional is a good way to outline how best to assess the existing décor and condition of the home, and how to plan the work and choose new design or decorating materials. The planning stages include invaluable advice on using colour, texture and pattern to best effect, reorganising available space effectively and choosing lighting to enhance every room in the house. It is critical to spend time in planning as everything you do and spend on will follow from that plan. Painting, tiling, architectural features and fittings, soft furnishings and storage are a few of the details that you will need to think through. Painting walls, woodwork and other surfaces in the home is by far the most popular, easiest and cost effective way of making big visual changes to the home than any other method. Paint technology has moved paint from solvent based to water based products which do not give off harmful vapours as they dry, and though they may not be as durable as the solvent based ones, the advantages of faster drying times, no smell and easier clean up make it an easy go-to for a DIY project. But painting can also be daunting – when faced with a huge palette of colours it’s easy to become confused - so a professional can guide you in understanding the complimentary and contrasting shades and even how the natural and artificial light in a room can affect the colour hue when applied.
Tiling remains one of the staples of interior and exterior décor. There are prolific designs, sizes, styles and materials in tiles. Ceramic and porcelain are common, but vinyl, lino and cork are also great choices. The best and worst feature of tile is its longevity; best because you can count on it to stand up to wear better than almost any other material and worst because it lasts so long that it can easily become dated and
it’s not the easiest finishing to change – it entails a whole lot of mess and is usually only considered when a renovation includes all the other finishes as well. So this remains one of the most important of your decisions in planning, making the right decision on tile almost requires a little bit of fortune telling so that you can envision your choice lasting longer than the current trends. A bare room, with its areas of flat and featureless plasterwork, is a blank canvas which can be outfitted in many different ways. Paint and wall coverings are usually where you start, but there is also a wide range of other architectural features and fittings which can be added to the room to give it its own personality. Adding decorative details like cornices (crown moldings) which run around the angle between wall and ceiling or skirtings (baseboards) fitted around the walls at floor level; architraves (trims) around flush doors and window openings can make a dramatic impact on the space and can set the tone for the colour scheme as well as give the room its individual look. Fabric choice plays a major part in setting the style of a room, creating accents of colour to enliven a neutral décor or providing a means of coordinating different elements effectively in a room. Colour is an important consideration when furnishing a room – light shades tend to open it out, while dark and vivid shades close it in. Many people tend to play it safe by choosing neutral shades, which is easy to live with but can be boring and impersonal. To jazz it up, allow yourself to be daring, even if it’s just with one piece of furniture in the room as soft furnishings in a stunning fabric design can transform an entire room. Finding suitable storage space around the house for all the personal and household items we all accumulate can be quite a challenge. In a typical home, possessions are stored in one of three main ways: on shelves, in cupboards/closets or in drawers. Usually the best pieces are bespoke (custom) – this allows the space to be used in full and the unit can be designed and built specifically to either display items or contain them to their own specifications. Many people do not consider the enormous quantity of decisions and detail that go into a renovation of a residential or commercial space. These can lead to a tremendous amount of stress and worry when the planning is not done correctly; but then again – thank God for Interior Designers!
April/May, 2013 www.guardian.co.tt Sunday Guardian @Home Magazine
Before you Begin
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We go through a renovation exercise to make the space better. We spend time on layout, finishes and colour trying to get everything just right. After the renovation and we are living in the space, we see that there are a number of little things that we wished we had thought about. They would not have cost an arm and a leg and they would make a big difference to how your renovations function. In no particular order of importance: Storage and Organisation
Electrical
• Full size closet for vacuum cleaner, brooms and all cleaning items • Linen closet • Built in bookshelves • Counter top cabinet storage for electric toothbrushes etc • Kitchen pantry • Appliance garage with electrical outlets in kitchen for toasters, sandwich makers, etc • Enough storage for Christmas decorations.
• Prewire for security system & • Make copies of manuals prior to installation and cameras give the builder the copies so you can keep the • Prewire and prepare roof for future originals. solar system • A full, secure laundry room. • Prewire for music and speakers, • Make choices that are handicapped accessible. inside and outside • Consider iPad controllers to control whole-house music systems • Pre-wire for generator to essential areas • Take photos of all the wiring in case you needed to add or change anything. • Include a 220V to garage or any workshop area • Run an electrical line with a few floor outlets, especially since we have very open floor plans • Install motion sensor on pantry and closet lights • Electrical outlets in dresser drawers and vanity cabinets and drawers for hair dryer, curling pin etc. and in pantry for and appliance garages • Pantry, closet and bathroom lights on motion sensors • 4-plug outlets near the bed in the master • An inside button to open and close your garage door for when guests arrive and it’s raining. • Electrical outlets with switches for Christmas lights: over cabinets, in stairway, in porch ceiling, under eaves
Outdoors • Run conduit under the driveway for future wiring or plumbing needs • Prewire for speakers both indoor and outdoor • Ensure you have hose outlets for hot/cold outdoor and electrical outlets on all sides of the house and on patios, verandas and terraces. • Gas line to grill location
Kitchen • Customize storage organization in kitchen drawers and cabinets for your specific items such as trays, platters, bowls, knives • Set up for both gas and electric appliances • Pull-out garbage and laundry for dirty dish towels, napkins, aprons • Drawers or pull-out shelves for lower cabinets • Build storage on both sides of wide islands • Under-cabinet lighting.
Plumbing • Run plumbing for all current and possible landscape needs • Do plumbing and electricals for drinking fountain outside • Proper plumbing for icemaker on refrigerator. Plastic tubing will fail with time.
Lighting • In-cabinet lighting • Outside lights on timers; some with motion sensors • 3-way switches for rooms with multiple entries • Master switch from the master bedroom that controls all exterior lights • A master switch at each exit (Front, back or garage), that turns off all lights in the house • A light switch at the head of your bed so you can turn out the light once you are in bed.
Other
You never know when life will change for a family member for a recovery or a lifetime. Even a young person can wind up incapacitated by injury or disease. Having an entry, doorways, bedroom and bathroom accessible or easily converted may make your home more suitable.
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Entertaining
Entertaining
with Dianne Hunt of DH Gift
One of the obvious advantages of island living is the increased option for costal homes. From pebbled beaches to white sand coasts the seaside home is beaming with inspiration especially for entertaining.
@Home Magazine Sunday Guardian www.guardian.co.tt April/May, 2013
Inspired by the Elements There is no limit to the inspiration that can be derived from the costal elements. Birds and fishes are great costal motifs to translate into decorative elements once tastefully done. Fish shaped bowls and serving trays and coral printed cake stands give quite a shabby chic look.
Costal Colour While Caribbean costal homes traditionally lean towards bright coloured decor and entertaining elements, the new shabby chic costal trend favors off whites, aged coral, sea foam and dusty blues. These colours are quite calming and complement the costal home beautifully. Use these mildly coloured serving trays for brightly coloured tropical fruit and salads to create contrast.
Fabric We suggest breathable cottons and linens. These fabrics are durable and available in a myriad of colours. Linens are perfect for aprons, table runners, napkins, place mats and throw pillows. Cottons are supper comfortable and durable and make lovely napkins, aprons and table cloths.
Decor items available @ DH Gift
Menu
When entertaining in your coastal home, the menu is high on the list of priorities. Here are a few recipes that are sure to complement your coastal soirée:
Tuna with Lemon and Caper Sauce INGREDIENTS: • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil • 4 (6-ounce) lemon sole fillets • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 1 teaspoon butter • 1 garlic clove, minced • 3/4 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth • 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed, drained, and minced • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice • 1 tablespoon minced fresh flat-leaf parsley PREPARATION • Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper. Place fish in pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness. Remove fish from pan. • Melt butter in pan. Add garlic; cook 1 minute or until lightly browned. Add broth, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Bring to a boil; cook until reduced to 1/4 cup (about 6 minutes). Stir in minced capers and juice; cook 3 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened. Remove from heat; stir in parsley. Serve immediately.
Company Couscous PREPARATIONS: • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). • Stir couscous into boiling water and return water to a boil. Cover and remove pot from heat. Let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. INGREDIENTS: • While the couscous is cooking, heat 1 cup couscous oil in a large skillet over medium 1 cup boiling water heat. Stir in garlic, green onions and 3 tablespoons olive oil peppers; saute briefly. Stir in toma1 clove garlic, minced toes, basil, cooked couscous, salt 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper and pepper. Mix together and trans4 green onions, sliced fer to a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish. 1 cup cherry tomatoes Splash some balsamic vinegar on 1 cup fresh basil leaves top. 1 pinch salt • Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F 1 pinch ground black pepper (175 degrees C) oven for 20 min1 dash balsamic vinegar utes. Sprinkle with Parmesan 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese cheese while still warm. Courtesy allrecipes.com
April/May, 2013 www.guardian.co.tt Sunday Guardian @Home Magazine
OUTDOORS Outdoor Rugs add character to your
BEDROOMS Comfy Bedspreads and Luxurious rugs.
DINING ROOM Every good eating table deserve great dining ware.
KITCHENS Make drab counters look less outdated and more like a slab of new Granite! Try Granite Paint.
LIVING ROOM Spruce up windows with some fancy curtains.
All Products are Available at D Rite Stuff
Bright Ideas
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In the Kitchen
@Home Magazine Sunday Guardian www.guardian.co.tt April/May, 2013
GENERAL APPLIANCE PARTS & SERVICE WALL MOUNTED MINI-SPLITS Comfort Star and Serenity Air Conditioning Units
24000 BTU 36000 BTU 5 Tons BTU
INCLUDES: Installation kit L C D wireless Remote Control Ultra Quiet Full Supply of Warranty parts
Place bumpers at top and lower corners Tired of listening to those cabinet doors bang shut? Peel-and-stick door and drawer bumpers are the solution. Get a pack of 20 at a home center for $2. Make sure the back of the door is clean so the bumpers will stick, then place one at the top corner and another at the bottom.
WIDE RANGE OF PARTS FOR APPLIANCE, REFRIDGERATORS, COMMERCIAL AIR CONDITIONING, AUTO AIR CONDITIONING AND WATER PUMPS PARTS ETC. 127C Corner Drayton & Coffee Streets, San Fernando. Phone 653 7877 phone/fax 652 8218 / E-Mail gapsparts@hotmail.com MOVING SOON TO PRIVE COMPOUND SOUTH TRUNK ROAD, LA ROMAIN
Adjust depth and side screws Euro hinges are designed for easy adjustment. If the door isn’t flush with the doors next to it, adjust the depth screw. This screw moves the door in or out. Some depth screws move the door as you turn them. But with most, you have to loosen the screw, nudge the door in or out and then tighten the screw. If your hinges don’t have depth screws, start with the side screws. These move the door from side to side. In some cases, you have to loosen the depth screw slightly to adjust the side screw. Replace and adjust the catch Most newer cabinets have selfclosing hinges that hold the doors shut. Others have magnetic or roller catches. A catch that no longer keeps a door closed is either broken or out of adjustment. Catches are fastened with two screws, so replacing a damaged catch is simple. Adjustment is just as simple, but you might have to readjust the catch a couple of times before you get it right. Loosen the screws, move the catch in or out, and tighten the screws. If the door doesn’t close tightly, try again.
12000 BTU 18000 BTU
• • • • •
Are you bugged by kitchen cabinets that don’t work quite right? Broken latches, loose door hinges, sticking drawers—are they driving you bonkers? Read on for easy fixes to these and other common cabinet problems.
0428014
Replace with identical slides If you find that slides are bent, rollers are broken or rollers won’t turn even after lubricating, replacement is the best solution. To keep the project simple, buy new slides that are identical (or almost identical) to the old ones. That way, replacement is an easy matter of unscrewing the old and screwing on the new. Remove a drawer track
and a cabinet track and take them shopping with you. Spray lubricant on tracks and rollers A few minutes of cleaning and lubricating can make drawer slides glide almost like new. Start by removing the drawers so you can inspect the slides. You can remove most drawers by pulling them all the way out, then either lifting or lowering the front of the drawer until the wheels come out of the track. Wipe the tracks clean and coat them with a light spray lubricant. Also lubricate the rollers and make sure they spin easily. Remove fasteners and old glue Don’t put up with a broken corner joint on a drawer. Fix it before the whole drawer comes apart. Remove the drawer and then remove the drawer front from the drawer box if possible. Most fronts are fastened by a couple of screws inside the box. Remove nails, staples or screws from the loose joint and scrape away old glue with a utility knife. Glue knobs in place Any handle or knob that comes loose once is likely to come loose again. Put a permanent stop to this problem with a tiny drop of thread adhesive. Don’t worry; if you want to replace your hardware sometime in the future, the knobs will still come off with a screwdriver. Use a stain-filled touch-up marker If you have shallow scratches or nicks, hide them with a stain-filled touch-up marker. Dab on the stain and wipe off the excess with a rag. But beware: Scratches can absorb lots of stain and turn darker than the surrounding finish. So start with a marker that’s lighter than your cabinet finish and then switch to a darker shade if needed. For deeper scratches, use a filler pencil, which fills and colors the scratch. Courtesy www.handyman.com
April/May, 2013 www.guardian.co.tt Sunday Guardian @Home Magazine
EXCLUSIVELY at Level 1 The Falls at West Mall 632-6527
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Ground Floor Long Circular Mall 622-0500
Design & Decor
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LightHouse
@Home Magazine Sunday Guardian www.guardian.co.tt April/May, 2013
Lighthouse Limited, formed in 1972, is a retail establishment that focuses on the sale of decorative lighting fixtures and fittings. To date we have two Lighting Showrooms and one Retail Electrical Store. As one of the premier and more established lighting companies, Lighthouse has grown from a small family run organisation to a limited liability company that has earned itself national recognition.
Lighthouse imports products from world-renowned manufacturers with popular US brand names such as Kichler, General Electric Lighting, Quorum and Fanimation to name a few. We also import from different parts of the world such as Panama, China, Costa Rica and Europe. Over our 30 years of existence we have forged new alliances, established life bonding relationships and have earned the respect of our competitors within the market place. We have always focused on quality products at an affordable price and this is what sets us apart from our competitors. We fully back our warranties on products and offer minor servicing of items. We have become specialised in making the purchasing of our fixtures and fittings a simple task by offering to you our years of experience, highly trained staff and wide variety of products. 32/34 Dundonald Street, Port Of Spain, Trinidad, W.I. Tel: (868) 62- Light (625-4448) Fax: (868) 625-4665 25 Royal Road, San Fernando, Trinidad, W.I. Tel: (868) 653 - 3177 Fax: (868) 653 - 2961 Electrical Store Fax: (868) 652– 6565 www.lighthousett.com
Visit our Electrical Store at our Royal Road, San Fernando branch for all your domestic, commercial and industrial electrical items You can find generators, panels, breakers, light switches, electrical wire, water heaters, pliers, screwdrivers, exhaust fans and so much more for all your electrical and lighting needs.
April/May, 2013 www.guardian.co.tt Sunday Guardian @Home Magazine
Nova Lighting
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HOW IMPORTANT IS LIGHTING? We believe that lighting should exceed functionality and transform your spaces into stunning, inspiring settings. Lighting that energises as well as enhances your life.
Nova Lighting opened its doors to the public on July 1, 1997. Our showroom, located at 18 Rust Street St Clair, tastefully displays and stocks a wide variety of chandeliers, decorative indoor and outdoor lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, recessed downlighters, led lighting, solar lighting, bulbs and more. We aim to facilitate all the lighting needs of our target market by supplying a wide variety of superior products and consulting in all areas of lighting – residential, commercial and industrial. Our staff is trained on an ongoing basis to facilitate advice and product knowledge to our customers. Management is committed to the provision of an environment of safety and security for all our employees and customers in our drive to provide total customer satisfaction. We are confident that we can fulfill all your lighting needs.
TYPES OF LIGHTING In order to achieve well-coordinated lighting we must follow these guidelines: • Ambient Lighting • Task Lighting • Accent Lighting • Decorative Lighting When the lighting of each room is carefully planned the result is maximum flexibility and impact.
Look out for more Innovative Lighting and Energy Solutions coming soon in the next issue
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Surfaces
@Home Magazine Sunday Guardian www.guardian.co.tt April/May, 2013
Most individuals have a favourite colour. When you speak of your favourite colour you have the image clear in your mind, but it could prove problematic when you try to explain it to someone. For instance, merely saying that you love blue is not enough. Is your favourite colour baby blue, wedgewood, slate blue, turquoise, or royal blue? So when clients tell me they have a blue room and want me to select drapery and upholstery fabric without seeing the space, that’s … tricky. Colour has so many different characteristics and versions; plenty of room for misunderstandings. Let’s explore.
Shade. In colour theory, a shade is a darker version of a hue. Maroon is a shade of red. Add black to a hue and the result is a shade of that colour. This is another colour term that we use incorrectly. In practice we may ask what shade of green do you like? Meaning what version or variation of a colour you prefer. Very often you would be trying to determine a preference for a version of green, for instance, blended with one or more colours.
Hue. The hue is how we identify one colour from the next. When we perceive a colour as being purple red, blue, for instance, we are relating to its hue.
Tint. Basically, a tint is a hue that is mixed with white. So a tint is a paler, less intense version of a hue. Pastel colours are tints. Pink is a tint of red. We often speak of a colour having a tint of another colour. We say that teal is green with a blue tint, for instance. Technically, in theory this usage of the word tint is incorrect.
Tone. On the other hand, if grey is added to a colour, you have a tone of the colour. Very often people erroneously refer to tints or shades of a colour as a tone of the colour. So any grey-green is a tone of green. A tone is less intense and softer than the original colour.
Value.
Colour also has value. The value of a colour refers to its relative lightness or darkness. All colours have a spectrum of values. Red, for example, can have values from pink to maroon. Blue can range from ice blue to navy. Get my drift? Tints have the highest value and shades the lowest.
April/May, 2013 www.guardian.co.tt Sunday Guardian @Home Magazine
Surfaces
Continued from Page 14
Next month we will look further at colour and discuss the basics of determining colour combinations and colour schemes.
Saturation. The saturation of a colour refers to its purity, vividness or intensity. A very saturated colour is forceful, strong and very clear. A desaturated colour is softer, duller and less intense. The quality of light in a room can impact on how saturated a colour is perceived. During the day the paint on your walls or drapery, for instance, may seem more vivid (saturated) than in the night.
Colour Wheel. If you did some art in school, you would have been introduced to the colour wheel. In decorating the colour wheel is an invaluable tool in deciding colour schemes and combining colour. Just to remind you of some colour basics. There are 3 primary colours: red, blue and yellow. They are the base of all other colours and no other colour can be mixed to get them. In their pure form they may be too powerful. They are usually used as accents in children’s rooms. Less saturated versions of the colours are easier to live with. When you mix 2 primary colours you get a secondary colour. Green, orange and purple are secondary colours. In turn these can be mixed and so on. Most of the decorator colours don’t resemble any of the colours on an artist’s colour wheel. Most decorator colours are less intense and are a subtle mix of many different colours. To use colour effectively you must have an instinctive or learned appreciation of the composition and undertones of colour. In doing so you would be able to determine where these more sophisticated and complex colours fall on the colour wheel.
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Plumbing
@Home Magazine Sunday Guardian www.guardian.co.tt April/May, 2013
Do you know if your plumbing system is leaking water? If you have water pooling, hear a drip or hear your toilet running, then you know water is being wasted. But what about the plumbing lines underground or in other places where you might not notice? Testing your water supply system is easy to do and can save you money by fixing leaks. The first step is to turn off all water using appliances. Make sure your dishwasher and washing machine are off. Turn off all faucets, the sprinkler system, and don't flush any toilets. Don't forget to turn off your automatic ice maker. Next, locate the water meter for your home. In most cases it will be an in-ground box, near the street. If you can't find it, call your water department and ask them where to look. Once you find the meter, open the cover and look for the meter with numbers on it. It may be under a little metal or plastic lid (like a pocket watch). Write down the numbers. Also, look for a little triangle (often red) or small dial. This indicator moves whenever water is flowing and will move even when a small amount of water is flowing.
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PIONARE ENTERPRISE LTD #7 Harmony Hall, Gasparillo Tele/Fax: 650-3394, Mobile: 310-1720, 310-1723 Email: pionare@tstt.net.tt
0424033
“If the caulk around your tub or shower has come loose or is discoloured or mildewed, it should be replaced. While you could patch just the affected areas, caulk does not stick to dried caulk very well. The repair will tend to leak and to come loose after a relatively short time.� Wait at least 30 minutes, even better a couple hours and remember - don't use any water including flushing a toilet, then check the numbers on the meter. If the numbers have changed, water is flowing somewhere and probably being wasted. Isolating the leak can be done with some detective work. The first step is to turn off the water supply to the home. Nearly all homes have a shut off at the meter, but shutting off at the meter won't help. Most homes have a second shut-off, typically located just outside the home near a hose bib or possibly inside in a utility area. Turn off the water and note the meter reading. Check again in couple of hours. If the numbers have changed, the leak is almost certainly in the underground water line between the meters the house. Once you have ruled out the main supply line, turn on the water supply again. Go around the house and turn off the water supply valves to toilets, sinks and appliances then check the meter again. If the meter didn't change, then one of those services is leaking water and you can turn each one on one-at-a-time until you find the culprit. If the meter did change, it could be your yard irrigation system, a leaking pipe somewhere around your home or something such as an automatic pool refilling system, fountain or another similar water using device.
How to Caulk a Bathtub or Shower The caulk around the seams of your bath tub or shower serves a very important purpose. While it provides a decorative transition between surfaces, more importantly, it keeps the bathing area water tight. Water that gets past seams and into walls leads to loose tiles, wood rot and mold. Each of which can be very costly to repair. If the caulk around your tub or shower has come loose or is discoloured or mildewed, it should be replaced. While you could patch just the affected areas, caulk does not stick to dried caulk very well. The repair will tend to leak and to come loose after a relatively short time. The best practice to completely remove all the old caulk, clean the surfaces and put down fresh caulk.
How to Remove Old Caulking There are two common types of bathroom caulk, silicone and acrylic. There are also hybrid siliconised-acrylic and latex caulks. Silicone caulk tends to be rubbery, acrylic and latex are more rigid. When removing silicone caulk, it is imperative that you get all of the old caulk out and all remnants cleaned from all surfaces. Silicone caulk will not stick to old silicone caulk and thus any new caulk will ultimately leak and fail more quickly. Start by using a singleedged razor blade in a blade holder or a utility knife to slice through the old silicone caulk to separate it from all adhered surfaces. Pull out as much of the caulk in pieces as possible. Next, use the razor at a low angle to shave off remaining caulk. Be careful not to scratch the tub. If the razor leaves black marks on the surface, alcohol or mild cleansers should remove them. Removing acrylic and latex caulks is similar to removing silicone although it is less likely to come out in strips. Scrape out as much caulk as possible. If the caulk is particularly difficult, try warming the caulk with a hair dryer or heat gun. Warm it enough to make it more flexible then scrape it with a razor or utility knife. Finally, clean the area thoroughly with a wipe down using rubbing alcohol. The alcohol tends to break down any small remnants as well as effectively dissolving soap scum and other materials adhering to the surfaces of the tub, tile and enclosure. It is also necessary to make a second pass with a chlorine bleach solution to kill all bacteria, mold and mildew. Alcohol alone will not kill all forms of bacteria and mold. Before applying new caulk, all surfaces must be completely dry. If pieces of the old caulk were coming out, it is likely water got behind the caulk and into the interior surfaces. If you recaulk over this moisture, you risk continued damage as well as a shorter life span for new caulk. Wait overnight, or even run a fan over the area to accelerate evaporation.
Trade Secrets
April/May, 2013 www.guardian.co.tt Sunday Guardian @Home Magazine
Change out plumbing fixtures. Just changing a showerhead or sink faucet can work wonders. This might seem like a job for the experts, but as long as you remember to turn off the water supply you should be fine. In fact, most faucets can be installed with a wrench and screwdriver and the faucets supplied by Whan Tong Agencies all come with detailed instructions for easy installations. Delta Faucets have also taken the installation process a step further by supplying PEX –C tubing that can attach straight to the angle/shut off valve. Installation time for this process – 15 – 20 minutes. Be sure to know what kind of faucet you have before you go to pick out a new one. There is single hole
About Whan Tong Agencies
Three hole installations with 4” spread
Three hole installations with 8” spread
Whan Tong Agencies is a distributor of premium bathroom and kitchen fixtures. It is a highly respected plumbing supply company, catering to the special needs of designers, builders, contractors and home-owners. Whan Tong Agencies prides itself in having a friendly, knowledgeable staff to help you with all your needs, from residential to commercial renovations or new buildings. The company also extends their services to hotels, multistory living complexes and new projects. With over 40 years of service, the company has grown into one of the Eastern Caribbean’s premier distributors for quality bathroom and kitchen products. In Trindad and Tobago they are the exclusive dealers for: Delta Faucets Brizo Faucets Hansgrohe Showers Franke Kitchen Systems Franke-Kindred Kitchen Sinks and Ronbow Bathroom Furniture And their product line also includes Jacuzzi whirlpool tubs or airbaths, Gerber U.S.A and Vitra Sanitaryware.
Vero
Changing the face of the shower Changing the face of the shower can also be a way to remodel. Delta, Brizo and Hansgrohe showers all come with Universal RoughIns. Meaning once the Rough-In is behind the wall the faces and designs of the shower can be replaced without having to go in the wall or break any tiles. And the great thing is that the installation time for this process – 30 mins. maximum.
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bathrobes, but for the few of us who do, robe hooks will come in handy and for those who are not familiar with this, you can utilize the robe hook for other clothing wear such as pajamas, jeans etc or towels. Installation time for this process – 30 mins. maximum (depending on how many accessories you want).
Delta Vero Hansgrohe Ibox
Delta Universal Valve
And one more way you can spruce up the bathroom Replace decorative fixtures. Towel racks, towel rings and tissue paper holders are easily replaced and can change your bathroom entirely. Simple stainless steel fixtures are very inexpensive and trendy. Another towel-hanging idea includes using robe hooks. In Trinidad and Tobago it is not the custom to dress in
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Trade Secrets
There are two types of deadbolt locks—externally mounted and internally mounted. The external deadbolt is much easier to install than the internal; however, it offers less security. An internal deadbolt, because of the tougher hardware and the long bolt also provides much more security than a typical lockset that is standard for exterior doors. When replacing a deadbolt, you may be able to purchase a keyed lock (also called a doublecylinder lock), which offers extra security. With a keyed deadbolt, a key is required on both sides of the door. If your door has a window and a home intruder breaks it, the keyed lock will prevent them from reaching through and unlocking the door. However, during an emergency this type of lock can be dangerous. If the key cannot be found and people can’t get out, the hazard is obvious. Some communities have restrictions against the use of such locks, check with your local building department. If you install a keyed lock, always keep the key in the same place and make sure that everyone in the family can easily access it. Most deadbolts are roughly standardised in size. However, always measure your door and verify that any lock you pur-
@Home Magazine Sunday Guardian www.guardian.co.tt April/May, 2013
chase will fit your door. One measurement that you may need is the backset, the distance from the edge of the door to the centre of the hole the lock occupies. Another measurement is the door's thickness. Remove the old lock by removing the screws from the indoor side of the lock. Pull the inside and outside pieces away from the door. Now remove the screws securing the bolt in the edge of the door. Slide the bolt mechanism out. The new dead bolt lock should install in a similar manner. Install the bolt, cylinder and thumb plate, by first installing the bolt then the exterior section in place. When doing this, make sure the writing is upright. Then put the interior half in place, joining the two and aligning the screw holes. Anchor the deadbolt with the provided screws. You may choose to use the old strike plate or replace it with the new one provided with the new lock. In either case, the strike plate should be secured with 2" to 3" screws. Typically the deadbolt will come with 1" screws that do not provide enough security. Were someone to kick the door, these short screws will simply splinter the wood. Longer screws will lodge in the studs framing the door and provide greater security.
HALL OF ELEGANCE LTD. The place for Granite & Marble • GRANITE & MARBLE FURNITURE • KITCHEN COUNTER TOPS • VANITY & BATHROOM COUNTER TOPS • MARBLE & GRANITE TILES & SLABS WOODEN & ELEGANT FURNITURE EXQUISITE ANTIQUE FURNITURE Visit our showroom at
#8 Macoya Industrial Estate C/R Highway Macoya 645-4438 - 645-8697 / Website: hallofelegance.com 0428008
New Arrivals in various colours
Backyard Basics
April/May, 2013 www.guardian.co.tt Sunday Guardian @Home Magazine
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Kitchens rightly have been called "the heart of the home." No longer just a place to put a meal together, today’s kitchens serve a variety of roles. In many homes they are the spots where families are most likely to enjoy a few minutes of conversation or gather for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. In the evening the kids might settle in for homework or swing by for a quick snack. On weekends kitchens become casual entertaining centres. warms the air and inner surfaces An outdoor kitchen plays many Types of Cooking of the grill, which in turn cooks the of these same roles, but in a more Here’s a look at the types of food. Indirect grilling, which is acrelaxed, and perhaps more spacooking you can do in a backyard tually closer to roasting, provides cious, setting. Warm sunshine, setting: gentler heat, making it ideal for cool breezes, and the sounds of larger cuts of meat that require songbirds paint a relaxing backGrilling. Although often called longer cooking times. Many expert drop. Far from the TV and tele“barbecuing," the vast majority of grillers use indirect grilling excluphone, the well-planned backyard outdoor cooking is grilling. Food sively. kitchen is a refreshing change of held above a heat source is being scene from the indoor world. grilled. A grate keeps fat from ac-
The Basic Outdoor Kitchen would be designed to incorporate a Grill - normally Gas or Charcoal, possibly including a Rotisserie and a Side Burner, a Counter Area for food preparation and a Dining Area. Add-ons would include a Faucet & Sink, Storage Doors and Drawers, a Refrigerator and an Ice Maker.
cumulating under the food so that it is grilled rather than fried. Grilling comes in two versions: direct and indirect. In direct grilling food is placed right above the heat source. This provides intense heat and fast cooking but can dry out larger cuts of meat that require longer cooking. With indirect grilling food is placed to the side of the heat source. The heat source
Barbecue and Smoking.
True barbecue involves a long cooking period at a low temperature. Most barbecue is augmented with wood chips, which are soaked in water or other liquid, then heated until they smoke. This adds a distinctive flavour to the food. Different species of wood provide different flavour profiles. Smoking is similar, but with more smoke (and more smoke flavour). The long, low-temperature cooking process of barbecue and smoking breaks down connective tissue in the toughest cuts of meat, leaving them extremely tender and moist. Because temperature control is critical and the cooking time is lengthy, barbecue and smoking require patience and regular attention. Some recipes call for dry rub, which means applying spices to the meat beforehand; others suggest regular applications of barbecue sauce. Although ordinary grills can be pressed into service to barbecue, specialised equipment such as smokers or barbecue cookers, which provide separate chambers for food and fuel, produce the best results.
Side burner. A side burner is similar to a burner you'd find on a traditional gas stove, though many produce much more heat than a traditional indoor burner. Side burners allow using stovetop utensils such as saucepans, stockpots, fryers, and woks. The high temperature is especially useful for bringing a large kettle of water to boil for corn or seafood.
Rotisserie. In this cooking Wood-fired ovens
method, the food (usually meat or poultry) rotates as it is cooked at a low temperature. Many grills and barbecue cookers include fit-
Rotisserie
Barbecue and Smoking tings for installing an electrical rotisserie unit. The long, slow cooking tenderises the food, while the rotation allows the natural juices to coat the food rather than immediately drip away. Rotisserie cooking is ideal for large cuts of meat and whole poultry because it ensures even cooking on all sides. Both direct and indirect heat can be used in rotisserie cooking, and many newer grills now include special burners designed for this type of cooking.
Wood-fired ovens. If authentic pizza is your passion, you'll find nothing produces pizzeriaquality results like a wood-fired oven. These large masonry structures are designed to reach and hold very high temperatures. A steel or stone cooking surface guarantees rapid transfer of heat
to the crust. In addition to turning out great pizzas, wood-fired ovens can be used for baking breads and roasting meats.
Open-fire cooking. Campers are familiar with roasting hot dogs over a campfire or cooking with a Dutch Oven over a bed of hot coals. Though not especially difficult to master, open-fire cooking takes a bit of learning and patience to do well and is not within the repertoire of most outdoor kitchens. Fireplaces can be used for this type of cooking, as can fire pits. Both types of wood-burning amenities also offer the benefits of heat and light. Please contact us at the Gourmet BBQ Grill Store for a Free Consultation and Estimate
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Backyard Basics
Bavina Sookdeo
Orchid collection has become a hobby for many garden enthusiasts. Annually, the Orchid Society of Trinidad and Tobago hosts workshops and events to showcase this exquisite and expensive hobby. An orchid is a member of the Orchid Family (Orchidaceae) and there are over 30, 000 orchid species from all over the world on every conti-
@Home Magazine Sunday Guardian www.guardian.co.tt April/May, 2013
nent except Antarctica. Orchids come from a wide range of habitats and each type requires different care. Here are a few tips from experts on orchid care.
WATERING “The majority of orchids are epiphytes or tree dwelling (others are terrestrial) and more than likely you are not creating their natural habitat at your home,” said one orchid enthusiast. “You
should try as much as possible to create an environment as close as possible to their natural habitat. Therefore, you should not water your orchids too often.” “Watering your orchids too often and letting it just sit still in water should never happen. You should try to allow it to dry between watering.” Watering at night is another ‘no no’ when it comes to orchids. At nights, water will sit still in growing tips of phalaenopsis or the
flower sheaths of cattleyas and this will cause bacterial and fungal diseases. When you do water you should do so thoroughly. Ensure the velamen (tissue-paper thin membrane surrounding orchid roots) is completely soaked. You also need to consider things like the type of pots you place your orchids in and how much water they retain, the temperature (the higher the temperature, the higher the need for water), the species of orchids (which you should do some research on), the humidity (the greater the humidity the lower the need for water) and the air flow (greater the air flow means more watering is needed).
REPOTTING As mentioned before, each type of orchid has different requirements so know your orchid and what it needs. It is important to know what type of material is needed for the growth of your orchid. Some common materials include moss, coconut husk, charcoals and pebbles. Repotting provides the plant with a fresh media. You should choose pots according to the root mass; it is not necessary to repot
by placing the orchid in a larger pot, in fact, if orchids are transferred to extremely large pots they may concentrate all their energy on root growth. So what type of pots should you choose? Orchids can be transferred in clay or plastic pots with drainage holes. Bear in mind though, orchids in clay pots may need to be watered more often. Orchids should not be repotted without good reason as they do not like to be disturbed and when transferred, will need to recuperate. You should repot if the orchid is outgrowing its pot, if you wish to divide the orchid, if the potting material deteriorates and gets black and mushy, if there is a pest infestation and if you suspect the roots are rotting. Some general repotting guidelines to follow are: For Dendrobium, Miltonia, Paphiopedilum and Phalaenopsis and their hybrids – repot annually. Cattleya, Dendrobium, Oncidium, Odontoglossum and their hybrids should be repotted every other year and Vanda and Cymbidium should be repotted every three years. Look out next month as we explore common Orchid pests.
April/May, 2013 www.guardian.co.tt Sunday Guardian @Home Magazine
Backyard Basics
INEX CONSULTANTS
......The Design Specialist
Your back porch always seems to be the last place on your mind to upgrade. Out of sight, out of mind most people say, but actually this should be a priority. Good mental health is linked to you spending quiet time daily and what better place to do it than your back deck or porch.
Add Colour
Making the space bigger
Adding a new colour can totally renew your space. We live in the tropics; using bright bold colours can bring warmth and vitality to any space once chosen carefully.
Removing the rails can really open up that cramped back porch. Tiling or using pavers next to your porch can give you that extra space you need to entertain.
New furniture New comfortable seating will encourage you to use the space often. Make sure when you are choosing furniture you take into consideration you are basically outdoors and whatever you buy must be able to withstand the elements.
Plants Adding plants will bring that homely feeling. It will also provide shade and keep the temperature down.
Keep it Functional Adding a grill or outdoor kitchenette or even an outdoor dining table can make this space an important area of your home...being able to cook, entertain or just eat breakfast can draw your attention to using the space more.
Landscape Landscaping around your porch can add beauty and privacy you might need to enjoy the space. a birdbath,pond / water feature can bring the peace you so badly need. Renewing your back porch can impact your life in a positive way. Incorporating the outdoors into your lifestyle is a must. Make this space into something you love.
Specializing in: • Pool Design & Installation • Indoor & Outdoor Waters Features • Rock Gardens • Plant Rentals • Oriental Gardens and much more Contact: Darrel 291-2326 or email: christian_darrel@yahoo.com
0428009
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Fabric & Furnishings
@Home Magazine Sunday Guardian www.guardian.co.tt April/May, 2013
The window seems crowded and your treatment is not given the space to make a statement or just to balance with the rest of the other elements in the room. This only looks good until you see the impact of better rod placement.
Ann Moore Spencer A major portion of the Trinbago homemakers’ holiday budget is reserved for the ‘curtains’. If the treatments aren’t new, we would bring out the set that we keep for special holidays. Our home is not well dressed without the mandatory new drapes. I see, however, that year in, year out, many spend a fortune and make the same mistakes. They compromise the decorative impact of their window treatments by sabotaging them with simple design mistakes and poor proportions. Let me share some wisdom for Wow! Windows. Quality measurement is the foundation of great design. When measuring your windows, don’t use your dressmaker’s measuring tape, ruler or yardstick. Use a steel tape. Measure everything! Do not make any assumptions. Two windows that look the same (and actually should have the same dimensions) more than likely may have different measurements. At the very minimum you should measure the following:
For better decorative impact, the top of your drapery should be at least 4 to 6 inches above the window. If using pleated drapery, your rod should be at least 1/3 wider than the window opening. For a 48 inch wide window your rod should be about 62 – 65 inches wide. For rod pocket curtains your rod should be no less than 8 – 10 inches wider than the window. That is 4 – 5 inches wider on each side. Personally, I use the 1/3 wider default for all styles of drapery.
EXAMINE YOUR PROPORTIONS If using a top treatment such as a valance or swags, you must be mindful of your proportions. The biggest mistake we make with our top treatment is to make it too long. If you combine that with the error of installing it too low, you have a window that looks like the Hunchback of Notre Dame: short and top heavy!
A - The outside width of the window including the frames or mouldings (if your window has frames). B - The width of the window itself (excluding the frame or mouldings). This necessary for inside mounted horizontal blinds, roller blinds, roman shades, café curtains, etc. C - On both sides of the window, measure the distance between the window and the closest obstacle. If there is no obstacle, measure to the adjacent wall. This determines the maximum space available for extending your window treatment on to the wall. D - Top-of-frame to bottom-of-frame length of the window. If doing inside mount treatments, measure the actual window length also. E - Top-of-frame (or top of window, if no moulding) to the floor. F - Top-of-frame (or top of window, if no moulding) to the crown moulding (or ceiling, if no moulding).
If you have a rod installed, measure the height and the bracket-tobracket measurement of the rod. Rod placement is critical. Do not install your rod just above the window. This, very often, does not result in pleasing proportions. You should not see the back of your drapery heading in the window.
Ann Moore-Spencer Beyond Drapery Limited Phone: 868-678-3414 Email: beyonddrapery@tstt.net.tt Website: www.beyonddrapery.com Blog: www.beyonddrapery.com/blog/
Sometimes we err towards the other extreme and have short valances that are mounted too high. This leaves the window frame or top of the window exposed. A general rule-of-thumb to remember is that your valance or swags should be one-fifth to onesixth the height of the total window treatment. If from the top of your valance to the floor is 90 inches, your valance should be 18 inches long. Again, try to mount your treatment as high on the wall as you can. Those were 3 simple rules to guarantee better presentation at your windows. Of course, you do have creative license to break these rules. But, know your measurements so that you can increase the decorative equity of the space your window treatment occupies. By just changing the width and height of your treatment you can change an ugly duckling to a beauty. I invite you to join me next week when I share more Wisdom for Wow! Windows.
April/May, 2013 www.guardian.co.tt Sunday Guardian @Home Magazine
Trade Secrets
Update the look of your home by replacing old plain interior doors. There is a wide selection of decorative doors to improve the look of your home. Make your office feel more open with a glass door. Replace a plain pocket door with a raised panel door from yesteryear. Replacing an old door with a new door slab is fairly easy to do. A door slab is just the door, not the jamb. It can be fairly easy, but it will require some skill and the use of a wood chisel or a router. Alternatively, you can replace a door with a prehung door. A prehung door takes the precision work out of installing a door but requires more demolition and construction than just replacing a door slab.
Pre-hung doors come from the factory ready to install in a rough opening. That means you don't have to worry about precision work to install hinges or the other challenges of "hanging a door". Pre-hung doors are hinged in a preassembled doorjamb that’s braced to keep the jambs and sill square while traveling. When purchasing a pre-hung door, you’ll need to measure the wall’s thickness so the new jamb will be flush with the existing wall surfaces. When ordering the door, you’ll be able to choose on which side it will be hinged, which way it swings, whether or not it will have factory-drilled holes for the lockset and, of course, height and width. You can choose a door that is smaller than your existing door, although you will have to verify with your local building department that a smaller door will conform with building code. You can also put in a larger door, but that becomes much more complicated because the opening will probably have to be reframed. To begin installation, remove the old door and doorjamb. With an assistant to support the door, remove the bottom hinge pin, then the middle and finally the top pin. Pull the door away from the jamb and set it safely out of the way. Next remove the trim that covers the union of the wall and the door jamb. Next, remove the jamb. You can either pry it away from the studs, starting at the bottom, or if you have reciprocating saw fitted with a demolition blade, slip the blade between the jamb and the studs and cut all the nails securing the jamb. The rough opening should now be exposed. Before putting the new door in place, verify that the new doorjamb is square, the hinges are flush, the lockset hole is properly drilled and all other features are correct. This is the time to adjust anything that’s not right. Make sure you have the hinges on the correct side and that the door will swing in the correct direction. Next, rough fit the pre-hung door, with the squaring supports still intact, into the rough opening. Tilt it into the opening, with the bottom going in first and the top fitting in last. Once it is temporarily in the opening, remove the support straps. Center the door, making sure it can open and close freely.
To square the door, you’ll need to move from one side of the opening to the other. Squaring can be done by using tapered wood shims and pushing them into the space between the opening’s studs and the pre-hung jambs. Start installing the door on the hinged side of the jamb, working first on the bottom section. As you mount the door, you’ll have to check the doorjamb, making sure it’s square. If needed, carefully tap shims in the bottom, hinged area. Using 10d-finishing nails, secure the lower part of the jamb by nailing through the jambs and shims and into the studs. Let the nails protrude an inch or two; do not finish them until you’ve nailed each side of the door in place. Once this step is finished check to see if the door is square. Then work on the top hinged section, repeating the same process as above and next nail the area between the middle hinge and the top of the door. Finally, shim, measure and nail the place between the bottom of the door and the middle hinge. Then shim and adjust the other side of the doorjamb, nailing each section as you did the other side, except where you will have to cut for the door latch. Do not put nails in that area. Take away any remaining support material that was shipped with the door and visually check to see if there’s about 1/16 th to 1/8 th of an inch between the jambs and the edges of the door. If the door looks uneven, remove the nails from the problem area and adjust with shims. Nail the area again and conduct another visual check. Once it’s correct, install the lockset. Once the lockset is installed, finish anchoring the nails with a nail set. Then test to make sure the door opens and closes properly. With a handsaw, cut off any shims that are protruding. Finally, nail the trim into place with 6d-finishing nails. This basic process may have to be adjusted, depending on circumstances. Throughout the installation, be sure to continually assess the status of the pre-hung door and adjust accordingly. Courtesy: http://www.acmehowto.com/dnw/replacedoor.php
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Tiles with matching inserts and borders
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@Home Magazine Sunday Guardian www.guardian.co.tt April/May, 2013
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