Livingspaces Fall 2006

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Photo courtesy of Allto Construction

andscaping is a sprawling, complex art form - the process of shaping an outdoor space, merging it with a home and bringing it to life. Those homeowners blessed with large estate properties are burdened with the massive task of designing and creating a proper outdoor space. Estate landscaping is an industry of skilled craftsmen who act as architects for the outdoors to make this possible.

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Estate Landscaping

Most estate owners start with only a vague vision of their dream landscape, since it takes considerable knowledge and expertise to nail down the specifics in a practical way. Generally, your design will be based around one or two desired elements, like a tennis court, barbecue pit or swimming pool, or an artificial pond or waterfall. An estate landscaper will then consult with you to discuss your hopes and find ways to ensure that these features will integrate easily into your estate and your routine. It is best to have your spouse or even the whole family with you at this first meeting, since it is where many of the fundamental ideas will begin to take shape.

Swimming pools and artificial water features are often prominent in an estate owner’s mind.

Pools are available in all sizes, shapes and constructions, and often become the centrepiece of an outdoor living space. Though the first instinct is often to put in as large a pool as possible, it’s good to consider the real ways you will use the pool. It is the case in many families that for every few minutes they and their guests spend in the water, they spend a few hours lounging on the deck. Sacrificing some swimming space for a large and beautiful pool terrace can ultimately be much more rewarding and offers more space to work with when choosing furniture.

New styles and types of outdoor furniture are appearing all the time, and the selection goes far beyond woven nylon patio chairs. Rattan, wicker and imitation wicker - often the choice for attractive durability - are the favourites.

There are also specially upholstered pieces that dry almost instantly by allowing water to pass straight through, bringing the comfort of upholstered furniture outdoors. Chesterfields,

armchairs, chaise-longues and loveseats are widely available in all these materials.

There is also a wide variety of structures to add shape and atmosphere around a pool or simply throughout the property.

Gazebos and cabanas, wired to support lighting, create beautiful reading and lounging spots. The outdoor rooms can be heated with electric or propane radiant heaters to extend the patio season, and a large cabana can even be outfitted with a television, beds and a kitchen for a fully detached guest house.

Water Features Nothing adds to the character of an estate like a lake, stream or waterfall. Though some are lucky enough to receive these gifts from nature, an estate landscaper can find a way to add one or more of the features to nearly any property.

Water installations can range from small fish ponds and waterfalls to large artificial lakes and streams, and must be carefully designed to suit the landscape. Fish ponds and waterfalls, like pools, rely on pumps and require considerable maintenance, but can bring grandiose elegance to small and awkward spaces. Given the space, artificial lakes can be built to house natural ecosystems of fish and plant life, and in fact this is the only realistic way to populate them.

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Usually these lakes can only sustain fish like the speckled trout, which breeds in a closed environment without needing to swim upstream, but one award-winning project turned a hayfield into a habitat for a thousand pickerel. An upper and lower lake were dug out and connected by a stream, specially designed to include a prime spawning bed and a series of low cascades that allowed the fish to migrate each year in a perfect simulation of their natural environment.

Landscaping, like any other art form, has changing trends. Patterned, tightly-interlocking walkway tiles, cut stone waterfalls and other ‘contemporary’ affectations are being more frequently abandoned in favour of a more natural look. This is partially a practical consideration, since Canada’s regular frosts cause considerable ground shifting, marring the sleek

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modern look with uneven surfaces and misaligned edges, and there is little that can be done to combat this. Since cobbles and natural stone walkways and waterfalls derive their beauty from rustic imperfection, the problem goes almost completely unnoticed.

The contemporary look is still a beautiful and feasible option, and the choice will ultimately depend on your tastes, your property and its surroundings. Though individual estate landscapers often have personal styles and specialties, their true expertise is in creating the atmosphere that you want. One technique is to create a blend between the artificial and the natural, with neat gardens and a formal view at the front door that gradually detunes and becomes more rustic and natural as you move deeper into the estate. Good landscapers are forthcoming with their limitations, and an expert in modern

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design may not be the best choice when going for a natural look, while a proud natural designer might shy away from more contemporary jobs. For a complex addition like a Japanese Zen garden, the true design of which is an art unto itself, landscapers may recommend a thirdparty specialist.

Estate landscaping can be an expensive, longterm job and major commitment and it is likely you will end up consulting several different experts before making a decision and beginning work. Each meeting will improve your grasp of the work that will be required for your various dreams, and unfortunately it is usually the case that at least some of your ideas are either practically or financially impossible. Given the beauty of today’s outdoor furniture, and the possibility of creating six and seven month outdoor seasons with the help of modern heating equipment,

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Photo courtesy of Allto Construction

Photo courtesy of Allto Construction

Photo courtesy of New Stone Landscaping

many homeowners are putting as much time, money and effort into their garden rooms as those in their homes. Compiling a detailed budget with the help of your landscaper, or breaking the project down into smaller, more manageable jobs to be scheduled and completed one at a time, goes a long way to alleviating the stress of en extended outdoor renovation. You will be presented with countless options throughout the process, and a well-defined plan and budget is the only way to alleviate the pressure of these decisions.

Good landscaping merges your home and your life with your environment, cutting liveable grooves into the natural beauty of the surroundings. It is a way to bring relaxing sights and recreational activities into your routine, and an opportunity to expand your eye for design and the perfect home beyond the four walls of your house.

Photo courtesy of Allto Construction

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Photos courtesy of kitchENvision

The Heart Of The Matter “We spend a lot of time in our kitchen, we have three children that are here a lot, and we also entertain. We wanted something that flowed easily.” cott and Danielle Doney had a good house with a bad kitchen.

They didn’t like the look, the linoleum was coming up and the previous owner had taken their custom cabinets with them when they left. What’s worse is that the Doneys are a kitchen family: a room that, in their previous homes, they had used not just for cooking but for family dinners, parties and the kids’ homework, was now their least favourite room in the house.

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Then, after half a year of renting, they bought the property and made a decision: “It’s not just going to be our house; it’s going to be our home.”

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And it wouldn’t be their home without a kitchen to be proud of, so they brought in an independent kitchen designer to plan the project. After looking at a series of 3D drawings, they decided to go all the way, and before long they were knocking out walls. They decided to add a bathroom off the kitchen, and put in a large bay window. As the space started to take shape the decoration began, as it were, from the ground up.

“We found a warm, reddish-yellow-brownish tile,” says Danielle, who describes the original kitchen as ugly and gross. They installed the tiling from wall to wall, with an electric heating system underneath, and then began looking at granite surfaces for the main counter and the extra-wide 118” island they incorporated in their design.

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“We spend a lot of time in our kitchen, we have three children that are here a lot, and we also entertain. We wanted something that flowed easily,” explains Danielle. “We wanted to have a bathroom close to the kitchen for entertaining. We wanted something warm and we wanted to be comfortable.

The Doney’s began their renovations in December so that some of the work could be done while they were away for the holidays.

But after the initial tear-out, the scale of the project meant that they had to be available for the usual problem solving and spontaneous decision making. During the rebuilding process, they decided to have another bay window installed in the back hall to help gain extra light and create a more spacious feel for

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the narrow passageway. When their granite counter top arrived it was much darker than the small sample had led them to envision.

Although the rich warm tones beautifully enhanced the dark chocolate brown stain on their new custom cabinets, it did inspire a change to their selection of tile backsplash.

With some time and effort, the Doney’s got what they wanted and loved their new look.

The custom cabinets themselves have glass lattices at the tops of the doors, with lighting inside the cupboard to sparkle off the crystalware the Doneys keep on the top shelves. They also installed double pantries in the hallway to the garage, one of which houses coats and shoes.

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Scott and Danielle chose stainless steel appliances for a striking contrast with the warm tones of the kitchen, and installed a gas stove that converts into a downdraft barbecue for indoor grilling. The 118” island not only house the stove and dishwasher, but conceal the microwave and other small appliances out of view at hip-height, and also accommodate four stools. Between these, the island’s wine-bar and a matching granite-topped desk which is situated between two additional pantry units, the Doney’s kitchen is designed to offer a great deal of cooking, eating, entertainment and working space.

“When you walk into our kitchen everything kind of flows. You’re not bumping into each

other,” says Danielle, who has since had 35 guests in the kitchen at once, and couldn’t be happier with the results. “We wanted not just a show piece, but a good working kitchen.”

Despite all the planning that went into the project, last minute decisions were inevitable at every stage up to completion. Scott and Danielle planned their budget with the possibility of exceeding it by 30 or 40% - and they were glad they did. As the kitchen came together, they decided to add more lighting, better handles and hinges on the cabinets, extra electrical outlets and other additional touches.

With the perfect kitchen nearly within their grasp, they were thankful not to be forced to cut any corners.

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“We had been told by family and friends that going through a renovation is very stressful on a relationship, and in the mean time we were planning our wedding,” recalls Danielle. “We actually got along the entire time, we had the same taste in everything - but we had discussed it months before. We knew what our ultimate goal was by looking through a lot of magazines and agreeing on what we wanted.”

The core of the renovation was done in a matter of months, between December 7th and February 13th, and the final product changed their whole home. Even when they still had the old kitchen, Scott and Danielle found that most of their parties ended up in it, and most of their time was spent on its peeling linoleum.

With the remodelling finished, the centre of their home is now its most beautiful room, where the tiles are warm on winter mornings and the kids do their homework by the light of the bay windows.

“It really pulls the family together,” says Danielle, who has always relished family dinners and time spent in her favourite room.

Danielle also commented that although the investment to obtain their dream kitchen was substantial in time, effort & dollars, the experience and end result was most certainly worth it all!

Before Page 16: The large island which houses the slide-in range separates the kitchen’s work area from the casual and spacious seating for four.

The cleverly situated wine bar makes it easy to serve both the kitchen and dining areas of the home.

Page 17: Bead board accents and mission style maple cabinets, stained in a rich chocolate brown inspire a warm and welcoming vintage ambiance. The new bay window with colour matched trim was installed to receive a counter top projection, providing an ideal location for home grown herbs.

Above & Left: Custom toe kicks help create a furniture feel to the two additional pantry storage units, connected by a practical computer desk. The, island-mounted microwave located near both the range and the kitchen table allows for convenient cooking and quick warm-ups.

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Kitchen Dreams itchens are evolving. What were once simple, utilitarian afterthoughts in the design of a home are now often the first rooms that people plan, and the ones they spend the most money on.

If you have a family, entertain often or just love to cook, you probably spend more time daydreaming about that perfect kitchen than any other part of your home.

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Forty years ago, the kitchen was the smallest room. Boxy plywood cupboards were built on-site and fitted with generic hardware, then mounted above a Formica countertop and painted with the rest of the kitchen. The only two appliances were the fridge and the stove, and a kitchen table was used only for the most informal of meals.

Since then, in a trend that has cropped up in many cultures throughout history, homeowners have discovered the true joy of the room, and it grew to become the heart of the home as family and friends began spending less time around dining room tables and more time eating, drinking and mingling in the friendly atmosphere of the kitchen. Now homes are designed

Photos courtesy of Paragon Kitchens

to flow naturally through the kitchen, which is itself designed to be warm and inviting.

Whether you are building a new home or renovating your existing kitchen, before the fun begins the unfortunate first step is choosing a design firm. A designer kitchen is a major investment, so it is best to do lots of research and arrange several consultations. These meetings are a place to ask questions, but also to listen - a contractor’s response to the ideas you present will help you decide if they are truly on your wavelength and capable of bringing your vision to life.

It is also a good idea to begin drafting a budget at the initial consultations, both to comparison shop and to gain a better understanding of the reality behind the many vague ideas and inspirations that invariably accompany a large project. Budgeting is also important so you can make insurance arrangements during and after construction.

With the first batch of practicalities out of the way, you can begin the open-ended task of making all the specific design choices that will shape your new kitchen. Your design firm will

help narrow down the hundreds of choices available to you for cabinets, counters and appliances, but there will still be many magazines to read, showrooms to visit and swatches to compare.

Kitchen cabinets, which used to be made almost exclusively of oak, are now available in maple, cherry, alder, hickory, pine, white birch and more. Though simple stains are still very popular, designers will offer you a long list of finishes, such as specialty wood veneers with beautiful natural textures, lacquered and painted finishes in limitless colours, foil finishes and durable high-pressure laminates. Cabinets can be finished with a brushstroke texture or accented with glazes in white, black, mocha and other colours. The handles and hinges, as well as the rest of your kitchen hardware, come in literally hundreds of styles and materials, and the cabinets can be built with special features like latticed windows and inside lighting.

As more and more kitchens are built with wraparound counters and multiple islands, the countertop material has become one of the key elements in creating an overall ambience and dĂŠcor. They are available in a growing list of natural and man-made materials, some of the most popular being granite, solid maple, tile, stainless steel, laminate, concrete, engineered stone and Corian. The finishing options vary with the materials, some of which lend their own unique texture and colour to the kitchen.

If your kitchen is to be the heart of your home, then it will also be at the heart of all your renovations. A kitchen design firm must co-ordinate themselves with your whole project as you seek out appliances, furniture and accessories, and they will need to be knowledgeable about the plumbing and wiring of your home. A perfect kitchen is money well spent, as it makes your daily life easier and becomes a focal point for family and social life.

Kitchens are a combination living area, dining room and informal office space. The kitchen has evolved into something unlike any other room in the house, or more accurately, it has evolved into all of them.

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Made In Canada, Eh? Canadian furniture isn’t just a matter of convenience.

Canada is a country of talented craftspeople and original designers; it also happens to contain a wealth of prime material.

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Photo courtesy of Simpler Times

Photo courtesy of Butcher’s Furniture

uying furniture can be a big decision and it is always difficult to find the perfect pieces for your home. Decorators seeking choices and inspiration may not realize it, but they often need look no further than what is available in their own back yard Canadian made furniture. Local manufacturers offer a superior combination of design, construction and material.

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Photo courtesy of Butcher’s Furniture

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There are many practical advantages to buying furniture made in Canada and a major one is the cost of service and repair. Since all the materials and parts are available from local distributors there is no hefty international shipping charge, which is especially a concern when sending in a damaged piece. It also greatly reduces the chances of the piece being damaged en route. This saves you from having to consider third-party repairs and makes Canadian furniture a good long-term investment that will not leave you in the unfortunate situation of maintenance costing more than replacement.

But Canadian furniture isn’t just a matter of convenience. The fact is that there are many beautiful, high-quality creations coming from Canadian manufacturers, especially when it comes to wood and leather furniture where the industry is bolstered by the quality of material available within the country. Most high-end pieces are made of solid wood in one of the native varieties like oak, cherry, maple and birch, with a bedroom suite in maple or cherry - the two most sought after - costing between eight and ten thousand dollars. In the living room, upholstered furniture is the norm and leather is the material of choice.

Some designers and homeowners turn to imported furniture for end tables, coffee tables and similar pieces since the local selection is smaller. Bedroom suites, dining room furniture and upholstered chairs and couches are the most common products in Canada and there are several quality manufacturers of each, offering a spectrum of styles to suit any décor.

Though wood naturally lends itself to a traditional style, many manufacturers are leaning

towards more contemporary design. The result of elegant stained wood with sweeping curves and crisp edges can be stunning, and trends in interior design reflect this. The pieces are easily complemented with imported coffee and end tables, which are popular with sleek glass or tiled surfaces that match the contemporary design while bringing new textures and colours into the room.

Other furniture designers take a midway approach that creates a sort of ‘new antique’.

Somewhat contemporary pieces are carefully finished and artificially distressed to create an aged look. This is a style used for the coffee and end tables that are available in Canada, as well as bookshelves and furniture for the bedroom and dining room, with some manufacturers even creating special pieces for the kid’s playroom.

There are many popular ways of finishing Canadian wood furniture like natural finishes, stains, paints and specialty veneers. A doublelayer paint finish, where the first is painted over with a second colour that is then distressed to create a mottled, aged effect, is a very attractive and décor-flexible option. Another major advantage of buying furniture locally is that, should you choose to invest in a custom finish or even a custom design, the price will be lower and consultations will be much easier.

When putting together a room or a whole home, keep in mind that furniture isn’t the only great product to come out of Canada.

Decorations, carpets, artwork and accessories are all available in several local varieties. One interesting trend is designer food products from gourmet suppliers, which abound in

Photo courtesy of Butcher’s Furniture

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Canada.

Fewer homeowners are b u y i n g serving dishes for every condiment but instead opting for products that not only taste better, but come in colourful, interesting bottles that become practical centrepieces on the dinner table.

Canada is a country of talented craftspeople and original designers, which also happens to contain a wealth of prime material. The result is fantastic products that are also more convenient and less expensive to acquire than out-of-country pieces. Visits to a few warehouses, showrooms, decorative stores and the websites of some local manufacturers will quickly reveal the quality, selection and sheer style of Canadian made furniture.

Photo courtesy of Simpler Times

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ost people want their children to inherit the family cottage.

Since you are dealing with a property that can approach or exceed your home in value, this can be a complex legal and financial task. Although it is always advisable to talk to a professional, there are some key obstacles and possible solutions that it is important to understand.

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An asset like a vacation property incurs a capital gains tax when it is sold or left in a will.

This means that some of the increase in the property’s value will be taxed as income to you or your estate. When it comes to most cottages, one half of the growth in value since 1971 must be reported as income in the year the property changes hands.

If you have owned the cottage for decades, this could be a considerable amount - some parts of Canada have seen the price of vacation properties jump tenfold or more. As an example, a cottage purchased 30 years ago for $50,000 which is now worth $216,097 would incur a capital gains tax of $38,202.

There are a few partial exceptions to this rule.

If your cottage has increased in value more than your house, then it should be declared your principal residence, instantly exempting you from a large portion of the capital gains tax. Before 1982, spouses could each declare separate principal residence exemptions.

Although this is no longer the case, a cottage that has been in the house since that time is still eligible for a partial exemption.

The capital gains tax can be minimized with exemptions and proper estate planning, but it cannot be eliminated. If you have several children, and you are leaving the cottage to them equally, there is also the issue of arranging a structure for ownership and upkeep that won’t result in future legal and financial problems. Luckily, there are a few options when approaching these obstacles:

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Who Gets The Cottage?

Buy-Sell Agreement The simplest way to ensure fair and equal ownership is to simply leave the cottage to all your children equally in your will.

Nonetheless, this should be accompanied by a buy-sell agreement for them to sign upon taking ownership, to manage the likely event of one child buying the cottage from the others or selling his portion to them. The agreement should contain a ‘shotgun’ clause, meaning any offer a child makes to buy the cottage from one or more of the others also becomes the price at which they can buy him out, ensuring that any attempt to buy the cottage will be initiated at a fair price.

This route still leaves the capital gains tax to be settled. Arrangements should be made in your estate and with your children, probably with help from your financial adviser. A welldesigned life insurance package can also cover a lot of the tax, as well as the cost of the buysell agreement.

Corporation There are two ways that you can turn the cottage into its own legal entity. The first is by setting up a corporation and selling the cottage to it, then dividing ownership among you and your children with shares. You would retain a voting majority, which can then be further divided in your will.

This method can have a few advantages. The capital gains tax is paid when the cottage is sold to the corporation, and any further increase in value is accrued to the corporation, making both the initial tax and future financial considerations much easier to arrange. Not many people choose this route, however, because cumbersome annual tax returns and possible tax liability can turn it into a big job.

Trusts The second way to turn the cottage into its own legal entity is by placing it in a trust - though the trustee must be someone other than the transferor. Again, the capital gains tax must be paid when the property is transferred. Future gains are taxed to the trust and must be paid every 21 years under the ‘deemed disposition’ rule. Trusts provide a powerful framework for planning joint ownership and drafting rules for the use and maintenance of the cottage.

The first thing you should do is talk to your children. Sometimes one or more of them decide they don’t want the hassle of scheduling time or the bills for upkeep. It is often the case that they would prefer to give sole ownership to one sibling and inherit assets of equal value from the rest of your estate. If none of your children feel they will use the property, they may even suggest you sell it.

Before contacting an adviser or making any decisions, there is a lot to consider and discuss with your family. In fact, it might be time for a weekend at the cottage.

Photo courtesy of Dufferin Windows

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Shedding a Little Light Three Ways to Use Light in Your Home ver the past 120 years, many innovators have been involved with electric lighting technology and their collective efforts have turned the marvel of electric lighting into an accepted way of life.

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Lighting in our homes makes us more comfortable, safer, helps us perform tasks more easily and can create various atmospheres depending on the intended ambience.

Lighting fixture styles continue to evolve as lifestyles change. Today, we see greater attention to authentic details in fixture construction and finishes. Today’s homeowners are paying more attention to the lighting they choose for

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their homes. Lighting fixtures can blend with your decor or serve as a distinctive focal point in a room. Fortunately, today’s marketplace offers thousands of style choices within every budget, from the largest formal chandelier to the practical space-saving wall sconce.

General Lighting General lighting provides an area with overall illumination. Also known as ambient lighting, general lighting radiates a comfortable level of brightness, enabling you to see and walk about safely. It can be accomplished with chandeliers, ceiling or wall-mounted fixtures, recessed or track lights and with lanterns outside your home. A basic form of lighting that replaces sunlight, general lighting is fundamental to a lighting plan.

Task Lighting Task lighting helps you perform specific tasks such as reading, sewing, cooking, homework, hobbies, games or balancing your chequebook.

It can be provided by recessed and track lighting, pendant lighting and portable lamps.

Task lighting should be free of distracting glare and shadows and should be bright enough to prevent eyestrain.

Accent Lighting Accent lighting adds drama to a room by creating visual interest. As part of a decorating scheme, it is used to spotlight paintings, houseplants, sculpture and other prized possessions or to highlight the texture of a wall, drapery or outdoor landscape.

Accent lighting requires at least three times as much light on the focal point as the general lighting around it. This usually is provided by track, recessed or wall-mounted fixtures.

Kinds of Lighting Chandeliers add style to your dining room while giving you the general home lighting you need for dining and entertaining. They are also used in bedrooms, foyers, or over a living room grouping or a grand piano. Some are designed with downlights to provide task lighting for homework or table games, or to accent table settings.

Pendants provide both task and general home lighting. Equipped with shades, globes, or bowls to avoid glare, they are suspended from the ceiling over dinette tables, game tables, kitchen counters, or other work areas. When used over end or night tables, they free up the space occupied by table lamps.

Wall-mounted fixtures are used for general, task, and accent lighting. Many are designed to match and supplement dining room chandeliers, or to provide hallway, bedroom, or living room lighting. Wall brackets or wall sconces are often used for task lighting at the bathroom mirror.

Bathroom lighting fixtures supply task lighting, while supplementing the general home lighting

provided by ceiling fixtures. Today bathroom lighting is a mix of finish and function with the focus on providing the brightness necessary for the task of applying makeup, shaving, grooming etc. Additional wall sconces or a mood capturing chandelier over the tub, set the mood for a relaxing whrilpool bath. Available in styles and finishes to match the popular taps and towel bars this new generation of bath fixtures complete the room. Portable lamps deliver general, task, and accent lighting, while giving you the flexibility to move the light whenever you want.

Table lamps, desk lamps, piano lamps, floor lamps, and torchieres are available in a variety of styles to complement your decor.

Track Lighting provides general, task, or accent lighting all at once in one flexible lighting system. You can move, swivel, rotate, and aim the individual fixtures in any direction along the track, giving you the versatility to change your lighting scheme when the need arises. You can also hang chandeliers and pendants from the track. Track fixtures are available in standard line voltage or low-voltage current.

Recessed Lighting provides general, task, or accent lighting inconspicuously. Installed in the ceiling with only the trim showing, recessed Your House and Home Resource

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fixtures can be used anywhere in the home, including outdoors under eaves. They are ideal for low-ceiling areas. They are available as downlights, adjustable accent lights, and wall washers in both standard and low-voltage current and a choice of incandescent, tungstenhalogen, and energy-efficient compact fluorescents.

Under cabinet lighting, kitchen cabinet lighting and under shelf fixtures offer both task and accent lighting. Under kitchen cabinets they light a countertop. In a display cabinet they

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show off prized possessions. They’re used in a workshop or anywhere you need lighting right at hand.

Exterior home lighting and outdoor home lighting supply accent lighting, task lighting, and double as security lighting. Wall lanterns illuminate an entry to a house. Path, spread lights light up the walkway to the front door. Spotlights can be used to uplight trees.

In order to correctly light your home, create a plan that suits the needs of your family. Look at

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the activities that occur in each room. Plan the atmosphere you wish to create and the decorative elements you wish to emphasize. Keep in mind the colours of the rooms you are lighting as light can be absorbed and even wasted in dark-coloured rooms. More than one type of lighting may be needed in one room as there may be a variety of purposes in that room.

The ever-expanding choices of lighting fixtures, styles, finishes and design have created increased lighting options. Whatever your dĂŠcor, whatever your lifestyle, a lighting fixture can add comfort and distinction to any room.

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Wall Furniture ome design and decoration is an interesting creative task. It challenges you to find practical solutions to aesthetic problems, and integrate your artistic vision with your realistic lifestyle. After all the decisions about paint, flooring, furniture and accessories, it is unfortunate, but not surprising, when people treat art as just another design choice. Too many homeowners think of it as wall furniture or just another decoration, and buy off-the-rack prints from interior design stores, chosen for their matching colours and general attraction. Though the effect can be very pleasant, that blank space on the wall has the potential to become so much more.

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Choosing art for your home is a personal journey, but gallery owners and art lovers will offer helpful insight along the way. Many people say they ‘know what they like’, but good art often involves a complex discovery process that goes well beyond your first impression of a piece. The more paintings you see the more your tastes will shift and expand and the more you will want to know about the various ways you can make that favourite piece your own.

An original work of art is a wonderful thing to have. Original art has a beauty that goes beyond what you can see and because of that it is unmatched by even the finest prints. There are many Canadian artists with pieces displayed in local galleries across the country. Though every gallery has its own style, most will reveal some selection of works from landscapes and portraiture to modern art and many restaurants, shops and other businesses display and sell the work of artists local to the town.

There are no real boundaries on the price of original art. Works by un-established artists start at a few hundred dollars, while there are many pieces that are worth thousands or tens of thousands of dollars or more. The staggering amount of art available means that, regardless of your budget, you will most likely be able to find a piece that you love.

Though there are many works of original art available it is often the case that you have a particular style, or even a specific piece, in mind for your home. Since buying that Monet you’ve always loved is probably unrealistic, you will want to consider a reproduction. Commissioning an artist to create the piece gives you considerable freedom, since they can either reproduce a painting or create an original work in the style of one artist or a period of history. The choices and the expense will depend on the artist you decide to commission, but many are happy to do these jobs and this option does not have to cost much more than buying an artist’s own creation.

The technology in this field is advancing rapidly, and the old favourite ‘canvas transfer’ method is being edged out by an advanced copying technique called Giclee printing.

A Giclee printer is a large device that works similarly to an inkjet printer.

The ink is sprayed directly onto canvas - or one of many other materials and papers - and there is no screening process involved. The image is scanned in one piece on a large drum scanner and printed simultaneously.

This means a Giclee print made from an original will have all the same hues and blends of colour without layers of dots, which are visible close up on most other reproductions.

Comparatively, a canvas transfer cannot be made from an original, only from a high quality photograph or copy, since the process actually removes the ink from a poster print and deposits it on the canvas. There are several Canadian and international distributors who offer huge selections of Giclee prints, and canvas transfers are still widely available as a lower-cost option.

Photo courtesy of Old Downtown Gallery

Regardless of the art you choose, it can be easily ruined by the wrong frame.

Good framing is based on three main factors: design, material and craftsmanship.

The options are limitless but it is too easy to make a hasty choice. In many ways, the frame is the transition between a work of art and the rest of your home décor, so it is important to take both these things into consideration.

On one hand a frame must match, or at least not conflict with, the period and style of a piece. A work of modern art looks silly in an ornate, gold-gilt frame, while a print of a Victorian masterpiece loses some impact when bordered by sleek, contemporary black. The art should always be the focal point, so the frame must not overpower it with its size, colour or complexity. At the same time, the frame is what anchors a piece to the room, so it should fit reasonably well with your walls, furniture and accessories. Though this can be a difficult balance to strike, the array of framing choices always contains a perfect solution for the designer willing to hunt.

The time, effort and money spent will ultimately pay off for years to come. A work of art, truly loved, can transform a room and bring daily joy where generic pieces simply fade to the back of your mind. Moreover, the process of discovering art - of touring galleries, exploring your tastes and perusing art books over glasses of wine - is enriching and educational. Some galleries will even do home consultations with an expert who, based on your décor and the thoughts you share with them, will help you find a work of art that doesn’t only work in your home, but works with you. Whatever route you take on the journey, by the end you will never think of art as furniture for your walls again.

An exact reproduction of an unattainable favourite, whether it is a famous work or a littleknown gem, can only be achieved with a print.

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Form & Function

indows are an important part of a house, both structurally and aesthetically. This means that the designers who must build them and the homeowners who must choose them are engaged in a constant balancing act between form and function. The decision to install new windows can spring from either side—the vision of touching up your décor, or of bringing down your heating bill. Whether they are buying for a new home or replacing their old windows, most homeowners are turning to topend and custom window suppliers to get what they want.

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There are windows of all sorts available on today’s market. Simple squares with white frames have been left behind in favour of a wide variety of sizes and materials. Though rectangular windows are still common, and often necessary, many homeowners are outfitting their houses with round, arched and oval-shaped windows, or radial front windows that swell outwards from the house, since these options have become more convenient and less expensive in recent years. The main factor has been the growing availability of shaped windows that can be opened and closed.

Another modern development, in windows and in home design in general, is the increasing importance of energy-efficiency and heat insulation. This trend, driven by both environmental and financial factors, has caused more and more of the latest technological advances to be quickly adopted by all corners of the industry. It has sparked the incentive for window manufacturers to incorporate new features without sacrificing the style and appeal of their product, so most high-end designer windows are also available with the best insulating technology. Many windows bear the seal of a particular certification test, some of which are specifically designed for Canadian winters. These tests are administered by third parties to check for energy efficiency,

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durability or both, and generally each will have a website with a detailed breakdown of its standards.

Energy efficient windows fight heat-loss in a few different ways and double-panes are only the first step. Low-emittance coatings are applied to the glass to stop heat transfer and regulate light from the sun. They are available in varying “solar gain” strengths, allowing you to strike a balance between these two functions. In a climate with both heating and cooling concerns, a low solar gain coating is optimal, since it lets a reasonable amount of solar heat through while offering significant insulation to keep heat in during the winter, and out during the summer. Though a heavier coat will add to your home’s insulation, it will also block out more of the sun - a prime source of free and powerful heat.

Two-pane glass is even more efficient when it is filled with an insulating gas, typically Argon or Krypton. For best performance, windows need a minimum of ½” spacing between the panes for an Argon fill, and ¼” for Krypton. With or without a gas fill, spacers are required to keep the panes the right distance apart. Standard aluminium spacers act as conductors and cause significant heat loss, even leading to condensation in some circumstances. Most Energy Star windows counteract this with less conductive, “warm-edge” spacers made of steel, foam, fibreglass or vinyl.

Window frames have also improved in terms of the blend between form and function. Metal, which is a poor insulator and has limited finishing options, has been almost entirely replaced by vinyl as a framing material. Vinyl is a superior material in many aspects, and as designers have found new and better ways of finishing it—to the point that they can achieve nearly any look—it has found its way into almost every corner of interior and exterior design. It is extremely durable, which is especially impor-

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tant in Canadian climates where the outside of a wood or metal frame can need refinishing every few years to maintain its look. Vinyl is easy to clean, needing only wiping down to remove dust and stains, and it has a low conductivity, which is often decreased further by building air pockets into the window frame.

Furthermore, it forms a tighter seal than metal, and a vinyl frame will not bend or dent and let in unwanted drafts or cause the window to stick. Most manufacturers offer a selection of standard colours, with the option of a custom finish as a relatively low-cost add-on.

Despite vinyl’s many advantages, many homeowners still want wood frames. The décors of some homes scream for stained or natural wood, and a properly built and finished wood frame is still far superior to metal. Nonetheless, it is worth weighing the aesthetic of wood versus the practicality of vinyl which can still be made to fit beautifully in any room.

Luckily, for the indecisive designer, there is a third option. Vinyl-clad frames are built with wood and then coated, on their exterior sides only, with vinyl. Thus you can have elegant

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Photos courtesy of Dufferin Windows

wooden frames that match your furniture and accessories, while also getting the durability of vinyl where you need it most. Since wood is a natural insulator, and since this method also allows for interior air pockets, these frames are energy efficient as well. Vinyl clad windows are popular for cottages, where the charm of an old timber interior would be hurt by a vinyl frame, but where the few weekends of use in the summer don’t warrant the hassle of maintaining a wooden exterior.

Once you’ve picked a frame, you can choose how to accessorise your window from a long list of materials for the hinges and latches like red bronze, onyx and nickel.

Windows are often a starting point for decoration, so many homeowners turn to them as a way to inject new life into a room, or as the first step in a complete renovation. Since they are a practical consideration as well, windows take careful consideration and a generous budget when you are selecting them for your home.

They are sources of light, links to the garden and the focal points of rooms. When well chosen, they will always be enjoyed.

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Bringing It All Together One of the most important factors in the creation of a successful backdrop in a space is the way the windows are treated.

Window Treatment Options Valances On their own in a small window they are primarily decorative, serving to bring colours from other areas of the room, over to the windows. Valances decorate the window without blocking light as well as helping to soften hard lines. A popular style, the box pleated valance is often used, depending on choice of fabric, in a traditional or contemporary setting. Swags and Jabots are suited to a formal setting.

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Draperies Drapes add drama to the space as well as offering privacy and light control. Draperies can also extend the height and width of the window.

This can add more weight to the room and frame the window.

Blinds or Shades When constructed of light or sheer fabric, shades will allow light into the room while still providing ample privacy. It will not, however, block out the mid-day sun without blackout lining to

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block UV rays. A blind or shade may be topped with a valance selected to co-ordinate with other soft furnishings in the room. This provides a very clean look and gives maximum function to the window.

Fabric Selection Velvets, sheers and everyhin in between, in solids and prints, are readily available through decorating and design professionals. Quality fabrics are available in a variety of colours and shades within the colour choices.

Style, colour, pattern and texture are all important considerations when choosing window treatments. Making the right combination of choices in colour, shade and style doesn’t just happen without planning and that takes training and experience. A consultation with a

professional can prevent errors and assist the homeowner in achieving the look they are after.

Quality Workmanship Attention to detail can make the difference between a job well done and one that looks amateurish and doesn’t compliment the overall look. Appropriate selection of hardware is also an important consideration and should compliment the chosen style and fabric.

Whether designing or decorating a new room, home or renewing and freshening up an older home, window treatments in the appropriate style provide the finishing touch to a room.

They soften the architecture when needed and add to the feeling of comfort and warmth, making the space more welcoming to family and friends.

Photos courtesy of Pine Lane Designs

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A Garden For All Seasons ost people know how beautiful a garden can be in the winter.

They have admired the frost highlighting the grass, or snow clumping in the needles of pine trees. Some lucky homeowners find this beauty in their back yards, while others borrow the view of a nearby forest or a neighbour’s pastures. Unfortunately, many are stuck with a view of the house next door.

zone. Don’t plant trees which are unlikely to survive the winter conditions in your area unless you really want to push the envelope to achieve a specific look and are willing to take the chance of losing them to a harsh season.

Unfortunately, many beautiful flowering trees which do very well in the GTA will not survive north of the Caledon Mountain area.

Nonetheless, a trip to the nursery in your area will reveal many choices for your garden.

But no matter what their situation, most people do their gardening with only the spring in mind, leaving winter, autumn and often even late summer entirely to chance. The fact is, a garden can be planned and maintained to ensure a yearround supply of engaging natural beauty. It all comes down to foresight: early investments of perennials and trees, and the slow and careful cultivation of one’s garden view.

A common mistake is to put large-growing trees into a small yard. The majesty of a maple, oak or white pine is always tempting, and with enough space these native trees can achieve a beauty that is hard to match. On a small property, however, these trees can block views, scrape against the house, or end up needing partial or complete removal a few years down the road. If you can fit these trees into your design they make a noble contribution to the character of your home, and can create new outdoor opportunities for your garden, from a hammock or a simple bench in the shade to a tree-house and swing for the kids. In a home that stays in the family, they will grow into powerful symbols that stand for generations to come.

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The first thing to do when making a long-term plan for a year-round garden is to examine the landscape, both on and around the property, and decide how you want it to evolve. There will no doubt be some things you want to accentuate and others - a nearby road or unappealing buildings in the distance - that you hope to downplay or block from sight entirely.

Photos courtesy of Pine Lane Design

Trees are the year-round gardener’s first tool for defining a view. The right tree in the right spot can take care of an unsightly landmark and bring new shape and structure to the property but great care in making these choices is important. In the wrong place, a tree can grow to block a favourite view or encroach on your space.

Worse still, it may need to be removed, which is costly and time consuming.

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The first thing to do is decide what you want to erase from view, and what you want to protect.

Based on this you can decide where to plant trees and which trees to plant. The trees will define the structure of the space that is then accented with garden beds. It is also important to consider the view from inside the house - will a tree grow to block a window, or obstruct the view of the garden from a sunroom or enclosed patio? Trees should be placed not only to create a landscape within the garden, but also to form photogenic snapshots in the windows of your home.

Thankfully the variety, size and shape of trees are almost limitless, giving the year-round gardener a host of solutions to these challenges - but the first consideration is the hardiness Find Your Local Professional in our GoldSource section

When choosing and placing trees, it’s also important to consider the perennials and other flowers you hope to have in your garden.

Remember that the space beneath larger trees may not be suitable for full-sunlight plants like yarrow, irises or peonies. You will need to plan your garden to include beds of partial and fullshade plants that bring colour to shaded areas.

There are many plants that thrive in the shade and are available in a range of striking colours, like columbines and lupines, as well as elegant white shade plants like baby’s breath and lily of the valley.

Whether or not you have room for one or more large native trees, there are many smaller and often more colourful trees available for a truly lively year-round garden. Even small spaces can accommodate several ‘dwarf’ or ‘standard’ variety trees. They can become the centerpieces of flower beds without casting shadows that limit your choice of perennials. They are extremely effective for defining garden ‘rooms’ and creating a feel of greater space by segmenting parts of the garden into their own idyllic, private scenes.

Small trees have their own special attraction.

They mature like bonsai for the urban landscape, growing muscular and interesting over time without increasing too much in size. They

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come in a startling array of colours - apart from the many shades of green, there are trees with purple, gray, pink and even multicoloured and striped leaves. There are also trees of all shapes, each with a unique character, like weeping, globe and pyramid-shaped trees, and they are available in varying densities to create areas of full or dappled shade. There are also several varieties of dwarf and standard evergreens, which retain their needles all year and become snow-laden parts of the winter landscape.

When it comes to perennials, there are far too many options to list, but there are steps a gardener can take to build a garden that is always bright and colourful. Although many popular plants are spring-bloomers, there are many latebloomers in all colours that often get missed on a spring trip to the nursery. Browsing the flowers in August will often reveal hidden gems that, though overlooked in May, end up on your must-have list. Plan your beds to include a series of perennials, so a beautiful row of primroses or carnations yields in August to violet or pink asters, which in the fall are replaced by freshly blooming chrysanthemums in red, yellow and gold to match the turning leaves.

It is good to remove soft plant material before the snow begins to fall, but also prudent to leave some behind. Not only does this provide food and shelter for the rabbits, deer and other winter visitors whose footprints greet us at dawn, but it also adds to the winter landscape. Uncut grass creates sound in the breeze and subtle movement beneath a fresh snowfall, while plants on wooden stems like echinacea become ornate, snow-covered platforms that poke up out of the drifts.

After the thaw, when it’s time to remove winter’s casualties with a shovel, wait a week or two to see what happens. Winter takes a toll, but even the furthest-gone of last year’s plants will sometimes surprise you with greens in June and beautiful blooms in August.

Patience and forward thinking are the most important tools a gardener has. A garden that has evolved over time has a charm that cannot be matched by one that has been installed all in one go. The patient gardener injects his or her character into a garden over the years, and it’s even possible to see the imprint each new gardener leaves over the generations. Some people’s gardens are extensions of their homes, while others feel more at home amidst the flowers than they do indoors.

Even if it’s just a nice view through the living room windows, it needn’t be a spring-only affair. With perennials, a few choice trees and some planning, it can be a garden for all seasons.

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Blinds, Drapes or Shutters? ressing the windows of a home is a fun but daunting task, as is often the case when you are presented with a nearly limitless selection. Since it is so easy and inexpensive to tailor-fit most window coverings, these custom jobs are the norm among most decorators. A professional can help sift through the hundreds of colours and subtle variations available, but there are some key questions you can answer to start tackling the mountain of blinds and drapes and get a better idea of what you want.

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Window coverings are a blend of form and function, but they often need to perform specific tasks in certain windows: blocking out intense sunlight, increasing privacy, screening a poor view, adding insulation and any or all of the above. Evaluating these needs will help you choose the style and material of your coverings.

Vertical blinds have recently become available in a ‘cellular’ construction as well, with elliptical slats that form a tight seal. Unlike horizontal blinds, which require a stiff material to hold their shape, vertical blinds can be made of fabric, opening a whole new realm of material possibilities. Wood vertical blinds are another new development, although wood is still a more popular material for horizontal blinds. It is the most expensive, but often the most attractive, option in many rooms.

Both horizontal and vertical blinds are popular in vinyl, which can be finished and textured to create the appearance of fabric, wood and other materials. Vinyl has many advantages: it blocks the sun more effectively than all but the heaviest fabrics, it doesn’t pick up dog or cat hair, and it can be cleaned with a quick wipe from a wet

There are duo-fold horizontal blinds, which can be opened from the top or the bottom. This is an excellent feature where privacy is a concern, since the blinds can be dropped from the top to let in sunlight without opening a direct view into the room. There are accordion-fold blinds, made from a single piece of fabric, and the typical Venetian blinds with individual slats that can be rotated. There are also cellular blinds, with honeycomb-shaped slats that offer superior privacy and insulation by interlocking tightly. Cellular blinds are an attractive option, since all the strings are hidden inside.

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A window can be dressed with a curtain, drapes or blinds alone, or with some combination of the three. A sheer curtain coupled with heavy drapes gives you more control over sunlight and privacy from hour to hour and day to day, and drapes are also popular as an accent to both horizontal and vertical blinds. Decorative fabric and ties are also an option, when drapes are not functionally important but are necessary to complete a room’s décor. Valances can always be run along the top of curtains and blinds, either by themselves for a clean and elegant finish, or matched with drapes to create a robust frame around the window.

Shutters are another popular choice, adding as they do to the décor both inside and outside the home. They can be combined with any of the other window coverings, and are generally made of either wood or vinyl, though vinyl is quickly becoming the most popular choice since it is practically indestructible and will not warp, fade, crack or chip.

Blinds come in more functional styles, while curtains and drapes are available in a wider variety of materials. There is also the third option of shutters, and all three approaches can be combined in various ways.

When it comes to blinds, the main choice is between horizontal and vertical styles, each of which adds their own distinct flavour to the décor of a room.

Vertical blinds, which are especially impressive as a floorto-ceiling cover for a bay window or glass patio doors, are available in more materials; they are sometimes less convenient than horizontal blinds, which come with a few more functional options.

in two stages: the first forms a solid, single layer that is partially translucent, and the second stage layers the fabric to block the light and the view.

cloth. They are durable, and a popular choice among families with young children.

Curtains and drapes tend to impart a softer, more traditional feel to a room. There are literally thousands of fabrics to choose from, and this choice will depend on the room, the surrounding decoration and your personal taste.

Options range from heavy, lined velvet which shuts out the light and helps insulate your home, to sheer fabrics that offer varying degrees of visibility when shut. Most materials are then available in a variety of colours, textures and patterns from stripes to floral prints, and nearly all these fabrics can be used for curtains, drapes or vertical blinds. For sheer blinds there is the option of a ‘silhouette’ blind that can be closed

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Windows are anchors in a room, defining the space and acting as a starting point for a decorator but window coverings are the opposite. The staggering list of styles makes them the perfect finishing touch, easy to integrate into your existing décor or your vision for the future. Even practical considerations hardly impede on the aesthetic possibilities, though they do offer an excellent starting point for the bewildered homeowner.

Many people will base their ideas on things they have seen in magazines or showrooms, and indeed these are both excellent sources of inspiration, but as one expert in window coverings put it, decorating means deciding if you want a house or a home. Many of the picture-perfect curtains and drapes you see on display are secretly sustained by a network of pins and strings, and those that aren’t would be unlikely to survive a week of practical use and comfortable living.

Ultimately though, the freedom you have when dressing your windows can make it the most enjoyable stage of decorating your home.

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“In The Swim” he back yard space is the most important part of a lot of family homes. As gardens, patios and barbecues replace cottages and campsites, many homeowners are taking the final step to a back yard vacation site by installing swimming pools.

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Swimming pools come in all shapes and sizes to fit nearly any space, and there is a wide variety of constructions, materials and filtration systems available. They all share one thing in common, though: they are a commitment. Like the back yard itself, swimming pools require regular maintenance to keep them from falling apart or becoming unusable. Even ultra-low maintenance pools, such as those with saltwater filtration systems, need to have a close eye kept on their water chemistry.

The first step to installing a pool is deciding on its size and location, which also means deciding what type of pool it’s going to be. In-ground pools, often the most sought after, are also the most expensive. Homeowners with limited space or funds have the option of an above-ground or surface pool. In a yard with a lot of hills, you may need to consider an on-ground pool, which is built partially into the ground to cut through uneven terrain.

For those with limited space, or who plan to use their pool for aerobics and stationary exercise, there is the option of a resistance pool. These pools, which can be built in or above ground, use water jets to create a current, giving the impression and challenge of distance in a small pool.

Although they are nearly as expensive to install as in-ground pools, they are much more flexible and far easier to plan.

Above and on-ground pools are the most popular choice, primarily because they are the least expensive. They are typically made of steel and coated with a weather-resistant paint or barrier. Above ground pools are only commonly available in round and oval shapes and between 48 and 52 inches deep, but in a wide range of sizes. The simplest and most convenient pools are just a narrow wall with a ladder, but it is also possible to buy above and on-ground pools that are surrounded by their own free-standing deck, complete with steps and railings. With a custom design and the right landscape, the pool can be an extension of the patio.

In-ground pools are the biggest, and they are a necessity if you want to be able to dive or swim long laps. They are available in three main constructions, but all three are more expensive than above or on-ground pools and they each come with potential drawbacks. They also, on the whole, require more maintenance and a closer eye on water chemistry than other pools.

Though it is often ignored by pool owners, bad water chemistry can cause a lot of damage. It is best to follow water test instructions precisely and maintain as steady a balance as possible, with checks at least once a month, but the choice of material also brings specific vulnerabilities that it is important to keep in mind.

Concrete is often the most cost-effective material for a pool. Since they are poured as one piece, every pool is essentially a custom design, so space and terrain become less of an issue.

Concrete is very sensitive to calcium, and will crumble if the water is not carefully maintained, but otherwise are extremely durable; the finish can be in nearly any colour, and will last upwards of thirteen years.

Vinyl liner pools can be cheaper to install than concrete pools, at the sacrifice of size and shape options. Most vinyl liner pools come as pre-designed packages, and custom jobs are much more difficult. Vinyl is a popular choice for families with children, since there is no danger of them scraping themselves. The liner needs to be replaced every ten years, and it will wrinkle if the water’s alkalinity drops too low.

Fibreglass pools have become very popular in the last few years. Unlike concrete pools, which need to be surfaced, and vinyl pools, which need a concrete or metal base, fibreglass pools combine the liner and structure into one piece.

They are built

in moulds at the factory, then delivered and simply dropped into a hole. Fibreglass is almost completely invulnerable to the elements, and can last for over 20 years without any maintenance at all. Unfortunately, in Canada, there are some issues with the fibreglass loosing its flexibility in the cold and cracking or heaving when the ground shifts, though new fibreglass pools are increasingly resistant to this problem.

Saltwater filtration systems can be installed in any in-ground pool, although with some pool suppliers this means going to a third party for the saltwater equipment. It is a common misconception that a saltwater filter eliminates the need for pool maintenance. Saltwater filters do replace the oxidizing and sanitizing tablets that other pools need weekly, but longer-term maintenance of the water chemistry is the only way to avoid the need for early repairs.

A pool brings a host of new possibilities to your home - it is a gym, a kids’ playroom and a day at the beach all rolled into one. Because of the many different types of pools available, most homeowners have several options for location, size and shape and price range. Most suppliers include the solar blanket, test kit and accessories with the pool, but there are also automatic vacuums and other additions that can make maintenance a little easier.

With proper care, a pool will brighten your days and become a long-term investment in your home.

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Stop Winter At The Door othing is worse than a cold house, except maybe a high heating bill. One way or the other Canadian homeowners face a challenge every winter and as the cost of utilities goes up, so does the demand for more heat efficient homes. When it comes to insulating a house, there is only one place to start: the doors.

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It’s easy to believe drafts are a fact of life - on cold days, they seem to sneak in and around every door they can find. But new technology has turned the table, and many products on today’s market are completely impervious to air and moisture, earning them the Energy Star label.

Energy Star, originally an American organization, came to Canada five years ago and revised their certification standards to suit the climate. Energy Star labels are only given to doors and windows that can withstand the coldest winters. When installed, they can slash your heating costs by as much as 40%.

Some people think switching to products like these means sacrificing appearance and ruining their décor, but this is far from the truth. Not only do energy efficient doors come in as many styles and finishes as standard hardware, but they are also more secure and durable.

The glass inserts in Energy Star doors are generally made with high-security tempered glass. The caning around the inserts, which has traditionally been made of brass in nearly all doors, is available in materials like onyx, silver and nickel, with hinges and doorknobs to match. There is also an etched glass method that requires no caning whatsoever.

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Since durability is also a criterion of the Energy Star test, most of the doors are finished with a one-piece vinyl sheet. Paint doesn’t hold up very well under the wide range of temperatures it faces here, whereas the vinyl sheets are completely maintenance-free, and available in the same variety of colours.

A builder’s door will typically have a half-inch frame, but higher quality installations will use durable 1 to 1½” frames with insulating air pockets and sills that interlock tightly with the door.

Combined with steel security plates, which are mounted over the lock and deadbolt to protect the mechanism, these doors are not only durable and energy efficient, but safe and secure as well.

In the GTA, and especially in and north of the Caledon Mountain area, Energy Star certified doors are a good investment when building or remodelling your home. Builder’s doors and other less expensive equipment often ends up costing more within the first couple of years because of heating bills and maintenance needs - especially if you hope to maintain a fresh and vibrant finish.

The Energy Star standards were customtailored to the needs of Canadian homeowners, and on any door their label is an assurance that it can offer the protection and insulation you require, and keep offering it without the need for constant repairs.

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Healing Water of Hot Tubs Today’s Hot Tubs are More Comfortable and Efficient he interest in hot tubs is high and growing all the time, but where did the industry come from, and where is it going.

Back as far as 2000 BC, the Egyptians understood the healing effects of hot water. This practice was passed on to the Greeks and especially made popular by the Romans, who built elaborate buildings throughout Europe, dedicated to public bathing. Originally the term hot tub described hot water bathing in wooden tubs; while the term spa referred to soaking in hot mineral water, often striking the body under pressure from a natural hot spring. The industry has recently put more emphasis on the term hot tub so as not to be confused with the day spa business.

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The modern hot tub was born during the 1960’s in the wine country of California where huge wooden wine vats were cut in half, plumbed with swimming pool equipment, filled with heated water, and the fun began. Later on, as the real health benefits of soaking in hot water were better understood, more people started making hot tubs part of their daily routine.

In the early days, it soon became apparent that the shell construction had to change. There weren’t enough old wine barrels to meet demand, and the wood leached minerals into the water, making it harder to balance the chemicals. The first formed shells were made with a polyester resin and fibreglass chop base exploring a sprayed gel-coat finish. This is the same material that most pleasure boats are made of, so it was plenty strong enough, but the hot water and chemicals dulled the gel-coat making it hard to keep clean, and requiring constant polishing. Today, the majority of tubs have shells made with a similar polyester backing, usually an extra layer of vinyl ester to prevent blistering, and a top surface of vacuum formed acrylic that has the shine and colour inherent throughout the full thickness. There is also a strong composite material called thermo plastic that some manufacturers use, but it is only available in white or pastel colours and therefore not as popular.

Photo courtesy of Arctic Spas

placement of jets means that your neck, back, shoulders, legs, and feet can all be massaged at once if you wish. The advent of adjustable jets in the last 10 years means that whatever your comfort level is from “Blast me out of the chair” to “tickle me gently” you will be able to find it.

Many hot tub owners find that the heat, which causes increased blood flow to tired muscles, and floatation which relieves weight from the joints, is what they like most. They will only run their jets for a few minutes when they first get in and sit back and relax in the hot water for most of the time.

The manufacturers are also getting better at building more ergonomically correct interior designs. For years it seemed that hot tubs were designed by and for tall men. Today the better designed hot tubs can accommodate most women and teenagers without them having to sit on their knees. Lounges are now built so that your centre of gravity is lower and you’re less likely to float out of them. Cool down seats mean you can stay in the tub and enjoy the company even after you’ve had enough of the heat right up to your neck.

With today’s rising energy costs, an industry focus has been on making these products more and more efficient. At one time the average running cost of an electrically powered hot tub was as much as $3 per day. This led to many different kinds of heat sources including heat exchangers and gas heaters, and to a lot of hot tubs being installed inside the house. Today, with improved insulation and better covers that

seal with the shells, the running costs of most quality hot tubs average $1 per day or less.

With homeowners wanting to turn their backyards into an outdoor room and further extend the interiors of their homes, it became inevitable that people would want the same audio and visual entertainment outside. By the end of the 1990’s, stereos, CD, and even DVD players with cable TV’s were offered as options in hot tubs. As with all electronics they have continued to improve and get less expensive over the years.

So what’s the next big thing in hot tubs?

Well, manufacturers are continuing to challenge each other with visual and practical improvements to serve an expanding market. With more experience, and higher demands from their customers, dealers are able to provide better service and knowledge.

Recently Health Canada approved salt-water sanitation systems for hot tubs that will make the water much more enjoyable to soak in and easier to maintain. The California Energy Commission is now finalizing legislation that will require all hot tubs sold in that state to have energy consumption labels just like electrical appliances. Once enacted this will no doubt spread throughout North America almost immediately.

These improvements, and many more as yet to come, mean that owning a quality hot tub now and in the future will be one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family.

The understanding of hydrotherapy and massage as it applies to hot tubs has changed as well. The early hot tubs were plumbed similar to a whirlpool bathtub. The pump would fill a main trunk line with water and run to a jet at the farthest end of the line away from the pump.

With more water being fed into the jet than the jet opening would allow, the excess water pressure would back up the line, and continue to fill other jets. This would lead to uneven and uncomfortable water pressure at the jets. The modern hot tub combines manifold plumbing systems with adjustable jets, delivering higher volumes of water at more even and comfortable pressure. As well the different styles, sizes, and Your House and Home Resource

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Replace It? ... Restore It! Furniture can be upholstered in any fabric that can withstand the wear of daily use. Your upholsterer can offer guidance in the specifics of fabric weights

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ouches and armchairs have a way of sticking around.

Sooner or later, though, you notice how old and outdated they are, and think about replacing them.

Before shopping for new furniture, it is worth considering the option of having the pieces reupholstered. It is much less expensive than buying new and it lets you keep your comfortable and familiar furniture while breathing new life into your home.

Properly reupholstering a sofa or chair can extend the life of the piece by 20 years. A master upholsterer will strip a piece down to the bare frame and may need to re-spring it, re-web it or refurbish it with all new filling.

Often the springs last for years and do not need replacing, but the foam is rarely undamaged.

Sometimes there is a special piece of furniture that belonged to Mom or Grandma and which you just don’t want to part with. Unfortunately, the style of the piece might simply not fit with a new décor or it may have fallen into bad condition. A good upholsterer gives you the opportunity to either repair the piece to its original appearance, or modify it to suit your changing home.

Modifications range from complete overhauls that change the entire style to small alterations to the design of the arms, or changes only to the colour and material of the upholstery. For a softer look, appropriate for a family room, custom-made throw pillows can be a great add-on.

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In many cases, the savings are a major advantage of re-upholstering and modifying furniture.

Totally rebuilding a complete chesterfield suite can cost anywhere from $1,500 to about $2,000, and while this may not sound cheap, it represents a savings when compared to most highquality furniture. The cost of re-upholstery will vary according to your choice of design and fabric and how much repair work the piece requires, but you will only get what you need, instead of fixing partial problems by replacing a whole piece that you might have preferred to hang on to in the first place.

Refinishing antique furniture is generally a very subtle process. When dealing with antique wood it is vital to maintain all the natural signs of aging, since removing them will greatly reduce the value of the piece. This limits the work that can be done to a wooden frame, but still leaves options for the covering. There are many period fabrics available to mimic the original style of a piece, and well done re-upholstery won’t decrease the value.

and strengths, but a trip to the fabric warehouse and some sensible judgement will reveal hundreds of possibilities, from velvets to chintzes, all in countless colours and patterns and a wide range of price options.

There are other times when upholstery is a great but often overlooked option. As they age, many people find that their favourite couch or armchair is becoming less and less accommodating to their changing gait and posture, or that they simply can’t be comfortable without proper support. Eventually, many people invest in special orthopaedic furniture, massage chairs and other expensive replacements.

An upholsterer can make adjustments in the height and depth of your familiar furniture and can also replace the padding with various therapeutic foams that ease a medical condition or simply offer enhanced comfort.

Find Your Local Professional in our GoldSource section

Before

Whether restoring an old favourite or trying to create a unique centrepiece for a room, an upholsterer offers lots of room for choice creativity. Some upholsterers will also build custom furniture to give true form to your original vision, be it of a replicated antique or a piece that leaves guests in awe. Upholstery is a fun, cost effective way to mould your décor and update your home.

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Photos courtesy of Accents Dufferin

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Seeing Beyond the Clairvoyance of Water hat exactly is that brown stain growing below my taps? I just washed these glasses, so why then are they stained and spotted with traces of water residual clearly visible. If this sounds like your voice, you might also be a victim of the hard water blues. But is it really that big a deal?

How long has soft water been available for, and if it’s so important, how have our ancestors survived without it?

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I am a young woman currently residing in the Orangeville area. School’s finally over and I’ve only recently entered the business world, and with all the ambition of a young adult I am eagerly anticipating a career I can excel in. A prelude, I’ve always assumed, to purchasing a house to make a home and raising a family of my own.

Well, I’ve realized caution must be taken in life and if I’ve learned anything it’s that there’s a lot more to learn! So what is the difference between ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ water? With all the water issues we always hear of (and I don’t even have to list them) what effect does this have on my family and me? I wasn’t sure what I would find, (or what exactly to look for!) but I found some interesting and possibly beneficial information that I would like to share with you.

Apparently earlier generations coined the phrase ‘hard water’ because it made cleaning difficult. Hard Water is basically untreated or ‘raw’ water, which has dissolved concentrations of calcium and magnesium. Water is recognized as ‘hard water’ when approximately one grain per gallon of dissolved calcium and magnesium ions are found in the water, but the water we commonly use is usually much higher in these concentrations. I should also note that some geographic locations may also contain traces of iron, aluminum and manganese.

In short form, ‘hard water’ is basically created as water falls from the sky in its various forms, (mainly snow!) and it absorbs carbon dioxide in the air which makes the water slightly acidic before it reaches and enters the ground. This slightly acidic water will mainly absorb calcium and magnesium (among other minerals) from the layers of rock it passes, before entering larger bodies of water and eventually entering into our homes.

Well, you’ll be happy to know that ‘hard water’ as it’s called, is not necessarily the most harmful issue that you can expose your health and home to, but don’t forget, ‘hard water’ can (and does) have some fairly adverse effects.

The most important effect of ‘hard water’ definitely points towards your main possession; your home. The scale of minerals left behind as the ‘hard water’ passes though your appliances, can build up and cause significant damage to your water using appliances. The cost to replace damaged dishwashers and washing machines can be an untimely setback, not to mention your bathroom fixtures, your water heater and the many hidden pipes that lead to them. Often, the first signs of ‘hard water’ begin with a reaction between minerals in the water and the soap or detergent we commonly use, resulting in the spots we often find on our dishes and faucets.

Most home owners have simply taken to constantly buying specialty cleaning products to remove the scum and replacing washroom and laundry fixtures on a basis of five to ten years, depending on the damage.

Another serious point of interest, which really caught my attention in this northern climate, is that this build up of left-behind minerals can (and will) form on your water heaters ‘element’ resulting in a serious increase in your heating bill.

Predominantly ‘hard water’ can also cause fading in your clothes and often leaves laundry stiff and dry. Have you ever noticed that as soon as you wash a new piece of clothing that the seams and threads begin to pull and tear? This is due to the same reason as before, the minerals simply don’t rinse off completely. An excellent experiment to demonstrate the differences between washing laundry in soft water and washing laundry in hard water; is to take a sock which has been washed in a ‘hard water’ cycle and put it into a mason jar filled with soft water.

Shake the mason jar vigorously and you should see a lather begin to form. The soft water is removing the built up detergent which had built up as a result of washing in hard water. Not only will soft water save your clothing and linens by approximately 30 percent, depending

on your lifestyle you will save 50 percent of your grocery bills when you no longer have to purchase expensive cleaners. Sometimes the detergents and minerals left on the clothing can be a factor in discomforting skin conditions such as eczema and even the dry, flaky skin which plagues the winter months, which neatly leads up to my next topic of discussion; how does ‘hard water’ affect your body? We already know that hard water doesn’t rinse off completely and I’ve come to know we humans are no exception. When soap is combined with ‘hard water,’ a formation of a scum, referred to as ‘curds’, can coat your skin even after rinsing, clogging pores and hair. This can serve as a medium for bacterial growth, which can result in a rash, minor skin irritations and skin that looks dry and itches. Of similar consequence, the insoluble salts that are left behind from using regular shampoos in ‘hard water’ tend to leave hair rougher and harder to detangle. Note the silky soft texture of your hair after you’ve left the salon, likely a result of using ‘soft water.’ The expensive salon shampoos and conditioners, as well as expensive cleansers and moisturizers , are no longer needed to give you soft touchable hair and skin. Baby shampoo and the common Ivory soap bar will give you results like you have never seen before.

Well no one wants to hear a problem unless there’s a solution so I’m glad to say I’ve found that the most economical method to soften household water is with an ‘ion exchange water softener.’ A water softening unit which uses sodium chloride or potassium chloride to recharge beads, which are made up of something called ‘ion exchange resin’ will exchange the hardness mineral ions, (the minerals that make water hard) for sodium ions, resulting in soft and conditioned water. This process is the most practical method to soften your household water. Should you choose to buy a water softener, shop around, because all water softeners are not created equal. As an environmentalist, and speaking from what I have researched, I would prefer the benefits of a non-electric high efficiency model.

So I guess that’s it. Until next time, if it suits you, keep your water soft and your wallets stiff! See you later, or maybe I’ll just write.

Ha-ha!

By T. Riddle Your House and Home Resource

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Are You Covered? veryone knows home renovation is a hectic affair. There is plenty to think about, from planning the renovations and constructing a budget, to selecting paint and tiles and picking out furniture - all in a flurry of shopping trips and professional consultations. It is not surprising, after all these decisions, that there is one thing homeowners often forget about: their insurance.

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provide proof that they have a detailed insurance plan with proper liability coverage, and it raises serious concerns if they are not.

The contractor’s coverage is made doubly important by the fact that most home insurance plans contain an exclusion clause that, when major renovations are in progress, bars any claims for theft, water escape or pipe rupture, vandalism or malicious acts, and glass breakage. If you put your furniture in storage or take it with you to a temporary residence, it may or may not be covered in the case of damage and theft at its new location.

Luckily, it is sometimes possible to add a building endorsement to your policy to cover those items that are normally excluded. A building endorsement can also extend to cover the damage or theft of building materials kept on-site.

Agents will also offer coverage options for stored or relocated furniture, though all of these options will add to your insurance premium.

Renovations and furnishings add to the value of your building and personal property in the eyes of the insurance company. In a $50,000 project, this can represent a substantial increase, so it is important to speak to your agency to have your plan adjusted. Otherwise, your renovations will not be covered, even if they are destroyed in an unforeseen fire, flood or other incident.

Once the project is completed, it is time to have your agent re-evaluate your home to ensure that all changes to your insurance plan are accurate and officially documented. This is especially important for large-scale renovations such as new rooms, wings or stories.

There are many serious issues that can arise during construction, and they are much easier to deal with if plans are in place before the fact.

A vital first precaution is to speak to your insurance agent and your contractor to determine who is responsible in the case of injury or theft. All good contractors should be willing to

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Find Your Local Professional in our GoldSource section

Many homeowners view these precautions as unnecessary expenses when they are already spending so much money, but the risk is great enough that they should really be included in your initial budget. The more money being spent to create your dream home, the more you stand to lose if those dreams are unexpectedly derailed. A well-drafted insurance plan and communication with your agent can offer some peace of mind through the fast-paced, highstrung weeks and months of home renovation.

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Photos courtesy of Clearly Organized

Get Organizing! e all feel the pressure of wanting well-organized kitchens, bathrooms, basements and home offices. We all want to be able to use our garages for parking our vehicles – not as dumping grounds and storage rooms. Maintaining a picture-perfect home is not realistic, but it is possible to get organized and stay that way.

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Disorganization slows down your daily routine.

It’s stressful and frustrating and eliminating it can seem impossible - but it’s not. Approach the task methodically, one step at a time.

Step 1 Visualize the end result in your mind. What do you want your desk, room, house or garage to look like? Make sure everyone in your family is aligned to the vision. Once you have that picture you can begin to make it a reality.

Step 2 Break the project into small pieces and only work for three to five hours in a row. If you are working on a room, divide the room into individual tasks - the closet, the DVD collection, the dresser - and tackle them one at a time. If you try to complete a whole room in a day, you are certain to be overwhelmed. You’ll feel like you aren’t getting anywhere, and you may be right. Completing one section at a time delivers a continuing sense of accomplishment and the desire to continue.

Step 3 Enlist the support of your family. The majority of organizing is the de-cluttering process - some-

thing everyone wants a say in. Be too democratic though and you won’t throw anything away, which brings us to the most important step.

of office supplies and equipment, space planning, processes and paper/work flow organization, information and records management, storage areas and office moving.

Step 4 Be brutal. If you don’t use it, it’s clutter. If you don’t know what it is, it’s clutter. If it’s too nice to use, it’s clutter. Toss it, or give it to someone who will use it and appreciate it. Either way, get rid of it immediately or it will slowly but surely end up back where it started.

If the volume of paper in your home or office is overwhelming, to the point that you have trouble locating important documents or finding your phone on your desk, it might be time to consider a professional organizer. Professionals are also great for specific, overwhelming tasks, like reclaiming a basement or spare bedroom from its fate as a storage space. In general, professional organizers are there for when you really just don’t know where to start.

Step 5 Don’t buy your containers before you begin.

First eliminate the clutter, and then buy the boxes you need to store what’s left. Otherwise you’ll just end up storing your clutter in a different way.

If you’ve followed all the steps, but you’re still facing an indecipherable mess, there is a last resort: call in the professionals.

Professional organizers create custom solutions to the efficiency problems of any home, office or individual. Residential organizers offer services including closet design, space planning, de-cluttering and the organization of kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, garages, attics and basements. They may also offer storage solutions, organize collections, memorabilia and photographs and perform house fluffing services in preparation for a sale.

Office organizers offer services like needs analysis and action plans, de-cluttering, filing system organization, paper management, procurement

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Protect Your Dog Protect Your Property here is a certain dread a dog owner feels when they poke their head out the door to the backyard, bleary eyed and ready for bed, and can’t see or hear the dog. They whistle, rub their eyes, look left and right, whistle again - to no avail. Before long, there’s a full-scale search of the neighbourhood and a house full of worried children.

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Not every homeowner has or wants a huge privacy fence, but many dog-owners know anything smaller will fail to keep a dog in the yard. As such, more people are choosing the safe, unobtrusive, and adaptable option of a hidden fence system.

Pet containment systems consist of a wire that is buried several inches underground along the desired boundary for your dog. A nearby transmitter emits a radio signal, and the wire acts as an antenna and projects the signal six to eight feet outwards. A dog collar, fitted with a radio receiver, picks up the signal when the dog comes within range. Most systems give a warning beep as the dog approaches the fence, and deliver a corrective shock if they continue. As soon as they turn around and re-enter the safe area, the correction stops.

These systems are an unobtrusive alternative to fencing, and can be more effective against a persistent and athletic dog, since there is no way to dig under or jump over the radio signal. They are very flexible, and can be looped around part of your lawn to limit a dog’s access.

This means of pet containment offers an invisible way to protect flower beds, keep your dog out of the pool, and protect ponds, paddocks, sheds, patios and just about anything else. Many people have matching systems at home and at the cottage.

When normal fences simply aren’t an option, pet containment is the only way to avoid keeping a

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dog indoors, in a pen or on a tether. As any owner knows, a dog with free roam of the property will be happier and better behaved, since many behaviours like barking, chewing and digging are brought on by boredom and anxiety.

Perhaps most importantly, they are kept safe, off the road and out of the woods.

Pet containment systems are not limited to the outdoors. Smaller indoor systems are available to replace gates and barricades, making it possible to discreetly prevent dogs from entering certain rooms, going upstairs, jumping on specific pieces of furniture, disturbing the cat’s litter box or going near the kitchen counter. Indoor systems can also be used with cats.

There are a variety of pet containment systems on the market today, and features vary among them. As with radio, there are two different

Photo courtesy of Dog Watch Hidden Fence Systems

back into your house. In case the dog accidentally gets stuck in the signal field, some fences will automatically shut down after a certain amount of time has elapsed.

Each dog is an individual, with a unique personality and temperament; and requires custom correction settings. A big dog doesn’t just mean big correction. It is especially important in multi-dog households to be able to adjust the system to the needs of each dog. Some systems allow you to change the frequency or strength of the shocks, or both. Dog owners should also find out if they are able to change these settings as the dog adapts to the system, or if the dealer is the only one who can make adjustments. More intricate systems are designed to automatically increase the strength of the correction for 24 hours after the dog ventures over the boundary.

Pet containment systems must be accompanied by proper training.

Professionally installed systems include an introduction to the training procedure, and more adjustable systems offer more training flexibility, since they allow for a gradual increase in correction.

Some can be put in ‘training mode’, deactivating the shock completely but still giving an audible warning, while other systems rely on rubber contact posts to isolate the shock from the dog.

signals: AM and FM. The battery life of the receiver-collars can vary from three months to two years, drastically affecting the long-term cost of the system. Better systems will come with protection from lightning, both internally at the transmitter, and externally with ground rods preventing power surges and lightning feed-

Find Your Local Professional in our GoldSource section

With a pet containment system there is no visual barrier, and to anyone but the dog there is no barrier at all. Wildlife may still visit the yard. People need not worry about opening and closing gates and doors. In addition pet containment systems cost substantially less than traditional fencing, especially when containing a large area. They are an excellent way to give more freedom to your dog without remodeling your lawn or sacrificing your peace of mind.

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Geothermal Heating n recent years, environmental concerns and the rising costs of various fuels have sparked research into creative new ways to conserve energy. Much of this research has involved tapping into the many natural, renewable sources of energy that surround us. Geothermal heating and cooling, a prime example of this, is now also a practical and cost-effective way to control the temperature in your home. Seventy per cent of a typical home’s energy bill goes to heating, cooling and hot water, and geothermal systems increase the efficiency of all three.

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Geothermal or ‘ground source’ systems take advantage of the fact that the earth, a few feet below the surface, retains a constant, moderate temperature all year long. A series of horizontal or vertical pipes, called an ‘earth loop’, is buried in the ground. This is the heart of the ground source system. A special, heat conductive fluid is then pumped through these pipes, where it can release or absorb heat from the ground.

During the winter, the earth loop warms the fluid, which carries the heat back into the home where it can then be distributed by a conventional duct system or a fluid-based radiant heat system.

During the summer the process is reversed.

Heat is removed from the home and deposited in the ground by the loop fluid with the earth acting as a heat sink.

A ground source system can also be designed to sustain some or all of your hot water supply. In the winter this is an additional energy draw on the system, but in the summer it is especially efficient: the heat being removed from your home is transferred to the hot water tank instead of being deposited in the ground. Since in many homes the cooling system will put out nearly enough energy to heat the entire tank, a geothermal system can amount to virtually free hot water during the summer months.

Ground source systems are relatively easy to install in most homes, regardless of their age,

construction or size. They are more expensive to install than conventional heating and cooling setups, but are likely to bring considerable savings on your energy bill. Beyond that, the system just makes a lot of sense: it taps a natural, renewable and environmentally friendly source of energy and transfers excess heat to where it is needed. Compared to a conventional system, where an air conditioner pumps heat out of a window while you pay for gas or electricity to heat up your water, it seems like a natural choice.

Geothermal heating and cooling uses about one unit of energy (to pump the fluid and distribute the heat) for every four units of heating or cooling energy it produces. It is an impressively simple, common sense approach, and a great launch pad for those hoping to create energy efficient, environmentally friendly homes.

Finding the Cash for Renovations he majority of homeowners pay for renovations in cash.

Unfortunately this means many others put off their dream renovations because they don’t have the necessary savings, and think that the other financing options available are difficult or not viable. The fact is, there are many ways to fund all or part of a remodelling project; each offers its own advantages and disadvantages, but all are potential options for the hopeful homeowner.

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Credit Credit cards have high interest rates, and are best suited for partial payment or smaller projects. Though they are a quick and easy way to cover unexpected expenses, they are not a good long-term option with interest rates as high as 20%, and should be paid off quickly. For a project under $25,000, a line of credit is often more practical. Since you only pay interest on the funds you use, it is a good choice if the scale of a project has not been clearly defined. Like credit cards, lines of credit are subject to much higher interest than personal loans and mortgages. The third high interest option is a personal loan, which will be more or less advantageous depending on your credit rating.

Mortgage Options For large projects, especially those that will significantly increase the value of your home, there are various equity based options to consider.

The first is to borrow money at low-rates against the value of your home, and the availability and details of this choice will depend on the bank.

Generally, you will be able to borrow an amount equal to a percentage of your home’s value, minus the unpaid portion of your mortgage.

Since major renovations add to the value of a house, and since many mortgage values are already outdated as a result of home improvements, there is the popular option of renegotiating your original mortgage.

There are two methods of doing this, conventional and high ratio, which determine the amount of additional funds you will be able to borrow. A conventional loan is easier - it can be based on a current appraisal of the home, and will generally allow you to borrow as much as 75% of the determined value without the need for insurance. The high ratio route offers higher loan-to amounts, but

requires professional estimates from a CRA or AAIC approved appraiser on both the current and post-renovation values of the home; any loans of more than 75% of the home’s value will also require insurance. When you renegotiate a mortgage, you will usually be able to obtain a lower or blended interest rate with minimal or no penalties, so it is often the most cost-effective choice.

For renovations that will have less impact on the value of your home, or if you are lucky enough to have a good mortgage that you don’t want to alter, there is the option of taking out a second mortgage. Second mortgages can be more expensive, with interest rates between 9 and 17% and the added cost of lawyers’ fees, but they are the easiest way to fund an expensive project without affecting your existing agreement.

A mortgage broker can be an invaluable source of assistance when financing home renovations and you will need to have several meetings with your bank as well. As a general rule, firm paperwork is your friend and the more appraisals and estimates you bring to the table the better your chances of getting the deal you want. With sound financial planning it may be possible to start your next project much sooner than you thought.

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GoldSource.qxp

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GoldSource

Decorators - Doors

Decorators-Interior

Doors & Windows

Genesis Space Creations Dufferin Windows Ltd. info@genesisspacecreations.com 115 Centennial St www.genesisspacecreations.com Shelburne .................................................519-925-3111 (See our ad this page) 519-941-5577 .................................905-880-8534 (See our ad page 87)

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See Interior Decorators

Mono Plaza • Orangeville • 519-938-9964

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GoldSource Fences Haywire Fencing RR2 Orton ..............................................519-928-2877 Mobile: ........................................................519-831-8624 (See our ad this page)

Home Professionals Orangeville & Area .........................519-942-9148 (See our ad this page)

Invisible Fence www.invisiblefence.com ......................................................................1-800-616-3663 (See our ad opposite page)

Financial Planning Robin Bobechko Life & Legacy Advisory Group Ltd Orangeville ............................................519-940-0934 (See our ad this page)

Mono Plaza • Orangeville • 519-938-9964

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Interior Designers

GoldSource Kitchen Accessories Kinetico Canada Inc. info@thinkclearblue.ca www.thinkclearthinkblue.ca 16524 Hurontario St Caledon ....................................................519-927-9500 (See our ad page 90)

Kitchen Cabinets Equipment & Accessories-Household Home Professionals Orangeville & Area .........................519-942-9148 (See our ad page 92)

Karry Kitchens & Bath 170 Bovaird Dr W Brampton...............................................905-456-2943 (See our ad page 91)

Kinetico Canada Inc. info@thinkclearblue.ca www.thinkclearthinkblue.ca 16524 Hurontario St Caledon ....................................................519-927-9500 (See our ad page 90)

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Mono Plaza • Orangeville • 519-938-9964

Interior Designers Diane Granander Design granandr@idirect.com www.dianegrananderdesign.com RR1 Orangeville...............................519-942-4576 (See our ad this page)

Pine Lane Designs kmcnenly@rogers.com RR1 Orangeville................................519-941-4752 (See our ad this page)

Irrigation Systems & Equipment Green Meadows Irrigation & Lawn Maintenance greenmeadowslawn@sympatico.ca Call Martin Hogenhout ............519-928-5982 (See our ad this page)

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Kitchen Cabinets Equipment & Accessories-Household M M Woodcraft Corner of Hwy 10 N & 20th Sideroad......................................519-941-1935 (See our ad next page)

Mundell Lumber 51 Main St Erin .................................519-833-9375 (See our ad opposite page)

Neilson Cabinet Works 20 Shamrock Rd Unit 3 Erin.................................................................519-833-9694 (See our ad next page)

Paragon Kitchens www.paragonkitchens.com 675 Riddell Rd Orangeville ..............................................519-941-0814 (See our ad page 89)

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Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen Cabinets Equipment & Accessories-Household Terra Cotta Woodworks Inc info@tcww.ca ...........................................www.tcww.ca 12458 Creditview Road Caledon ..................................................905-843-2226 (See our ad page 91)

Mono Plaza • Orangeville • 519-938-9964

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Kitchen Planning & Remodeling kitchENvision ........................................519-942-9130 905-452-3033 ................................416-607-5498 (See our ad this page)

Landscape Contractors & Designers Canada Rocks Landscaping 519-941-3054.............Mobile: 519-216-0624 (See our ad this page)

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Kitchen - Landscape

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Windows

Windows Dufferin Windows Ltd 115 Centennial St Shelburne .................................................519-925-3111 (See our ad this page)

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GOLD SOURCE CATEGORY INDEX Air Conditioning Contractors Arthurs Fuel .......................................................................................56 Art Bella Photography.....................................................................57 Art Galleries-Public Old Downtown Gallery..........................................................58 Basement Repairs & Waterproofing Crack Pro Ltd, The.....................................................................59 Bathroom Remodeling Karry Kitchens & Bath.....59, Front Inside Cover Mundell Lumber .......................................60, Back Cover Home Professionals ................................................................59 Builders-Homes Sunvale Homes ...................60, Builders Showcase Berkshire Homes ...............60, Builders Showcase Charleston Homes ...........60, Builders Showcase Vandyk Group Of Co......60, Builders Showcase Janssen Design ..................60, Builders Showcase Building Contractors Upper Grand Custom & Log Homes Inc .........61 Cabling Home Professionals..................................................................61 Concrete Repairs & Restoration Quality Deck Outfitters...........................................................61 Decks & Patios Quality Deck Outfitters...........................................................61 Decorators-Interior Genesis Space Creations.................................................62 Doors & Windows Dufferin Windows & Doors................................................62 Kurtz Millworks...............................................................................63 Stonebridge Windows & Doors..................................63 Electricians Gatt Electric ......................................................................................63 Fences Invisible Fence...............................................................................64 Dog Watch Hidden Fence Systems ......................65 Haywire Fencing..........................................................................65 Bill Smith Fencing......................................................................64 Home Professionals ................................................................65 Financial Planning Robin Bobechko.......................65, 9-Publishers Info Flooring C & C Floor Coverings Inc...............................................66 Sears Floor Covering Centre..........................................67 Celtic Carpet Ltd..........................................................................68 End Of The Roll............................................................................69 Bolton Carpet & Interiors, Floors First...................69 Furniture Orangeville Furniture & Bedding Inc.....................70 King Furniture Services.........................................................71 Simpler Times.................................................................................72 Morette's Furniture Inc...........................................................73 Butcher's Furniture.....................................................................73 Grand River Furniture..............................................................74 Once-A-Tree Country Furniture & Gifts.................71 Garage Door Openers All-Mont Doors................................................................................74 Garage Doors All-Mont Doors ...............................................................................75 Hall's Overhead Doors ..........................................................74 Garden Centres Papa Ron's Landscape & Garden Supply......76 Dufferin Garden Centre........................................................76 Glass & Mirror Dufferin Glass & Mirror .........................................................77 MacEwen Glass & Mirror Inc.........................................77 Handyman Mr. Handyman Headwaters.............................................77 Home Professionals.................................................................77 Heating Contractors Mulmur Homes .............................................................................78 Arthurs Fuel .......................................................................................79 Home Cleaning Services Preferred Home Services ...................................................79 Home Décor Ann Randeraad Plantation Farm Pottery ..........80 Home Shop, The .........................................................................80

Home Improvements Fines Home Hardware..............Front of Magazine Kinetico Canada Inc................................................................81 Home Professionals ................................................................82 Clearly Organized.......................................................................81 Genesis Space Creations .................................................81 Water Softener & Purification Specialists.........81 Home Inspection Service Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection .....................................................................................82 Hot Tubs & Spas Bill & Joanne's Beachcomber Bolton .................83 Arctic Spas.........................................................................................84 Solar Swim Leisurescapes...............................................85 Insurance Agents & Brokers Co-Operators, The .....................................................................85 Interior Decorators Orangeville Furniture & Bedding Inc.....................86 Interiors by Decorating Den............................................87 Design Centre ................................................................................87 Interior Designers Pine Lane Designs....................................................................88 Diane Granander Design...................................................88 Irrigation Systems & Equipment Green Meadows Irrigation & Lawn Maintenance..............................................................................88 Kitchen Accessories Kinetico Canada Inc. ..............................................................90 Kitchen Cabinets Equipment & Accessories -Household Paragon Kitchens.......................................................................89 Karry Kitchens & Bath......91, Front Inside Cover Kinetico..................................................................................................90 Mundell Lumber .......................................90, Back Cover Terra Cotta Woodworks Inc .............................................91 Neilson Cabinet Works ........................................................92 M M Woodcraft .............................................................................92 Home Professionals ................................................................92 Kitchen Planning & Remodeling kitchENvision...................................................................................93 Landscape Contractors & Designers New Stone Landscape ........................................................94 Peel Landscaping.........................95, Opposite Page Empire Landscaping ..............................................................96 Tumber & Associates.......96, Front of Magazine Dutch Touch Landscaping...............................................97 Design Zone .......................97, 10-Table Of Contents Canada Rocks Landscaping ........................................93 Land Escapes ................................................................................98 Dig It With Dirk...............................................................................98 Country Gardens and Landscapes........................98 Landscaping Equipment & Supplies Orangeville Pre-Cast Concrete Ltd..........................99 Orangeville Building Supply ........................................100 Lawn Maintenance Green Meadows Irrigation & Lawn Maintenance...........................................................................100 Lighting Fixtures-Retail Living Lighting..............................................................................100 Once-A-Tree Country Furniture & Gifts..............101 Locks & Locksmiths Priority Lock & Safe................................................................101 Lumber-Retail Mundell Lumber .................................................Back Cover Mattresses Beds To Go ....................................................................................102 Flexopedic Mattress Inc. ..................................................101 Mortgage Brokers Centum Reliance Mortgage Inc..............................103 Donna Ramsay Mortgages ..........................................103 Moving & Storage First Line Moving & Storage.........................................103 Organizing Clearly Organized....................................................................104 Painting Contractors Future Painting NWS Coating Ltd..........................104 Hollywood Painting................................................................104 Two Women with a Paint Brush..............................104

Paint-Retail Kamelyan - Your Home Décor ..................................104 Picture Frames-Dealers Island Lake Traditions.........................................................105 Ponds, Waterfalls, Water Gardens & Fountains Allto Construction..............105, Back Inside Cover Propane Gas Arthurs Fuel ....................................................................................105 Pumps Flow Water Solutions...........................................................105 Railings Quality Deck Outfitters .......................................................106 Real Estate Brokers & Sales Representatives Tom Wilson-Royal LePage RCR Realty ...........106 Renovations & Home Improvements Borg Quality Renovations...............................................107 Premier Renovations Plus..............................................108 Optimum Home Improvements...............................106 Williamson Carpentry..........................................................108 R. Keel General Contracting Inc..............................108 Henley Renovations..............................................................109 North Gate Building Services Inc ..........................109 Orangeville Renovations & Roofing....................109 Home Professionals .............................................................107 Roofing Contractors Classic Northern Roofing and Siding................110 Home Professionals .............................................................109 Orangeville Renovations & Roofing.....................110 Full House Roofing .................................................................110 Rubbish Removal Southern Ontario Waste Inc .........................................110 Septic Systems Allto Construction................111, Back Inside Cover W.D. Tait Enterprises Ltd....................................................111 Siding Contractors Classic Northern Roofing and Siding ................112 Sprinklers-Garden & Lawn Rain Man Co. Ltd., The .......................................................112 Swimming Pool Contractors & Dealers D & D Pool Services..............................................................113 Solar Swim Leisurescapes.............................................114 Mark's Pools Plus Inc...........................................................114 No Green Pools..........................................................................112 Swimming Pool Service Doctor Vinyl Co ...........................................................................115 Television Sales & Service All About Electronics.............................................................115 Tree Service Douglas Wood Large Tree Service .......................116 Flanagan Tree Service Inc ..............................................116 Upholsterers Accents Dufferin.........................................................................117 Vacuum Cleaners-Household-Sales & Service Vacworks Brampton...............................................................117 Water Purification & Filtration Equipment Kinetico Canada Inc. ............................................................118 Watermaker.....................................................................................119 Flow Water Solutions............................................................119 Water Softener & Purification Specialists.......119 Window Coverings Kamelyan - Your Home Décor ..................................120 Pine Lane Designs..................................................................121 Sunshades ......................................................................................121 Sears Floor Covering Centre.......................................120 Windows Orangeville Window & Door........................................122 Dufferin Windows Ltd....123, Front of Magazine Energy-Wise Inc ........................................................................124 Headwaters Windows & Doors................................124 Windows & Doors Stonebridge Windows & Doors...............................125 Wiring Home Professionals..............................................................125