At Home

SEPTEMBER 2010

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September 19, 2010 NORTH SHORE NEWS

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NORTH SHORE NEWS September 19, 2010

Fall back

…to your gardening chores

Now is the time to harvest those veggies, but there is also no time like the present to prepare your garden for the winter.

“You start doing some cutting back of perennials and all the pruning of your trees . . . It’s a good time to start cutting that stuff back. I like to prune earlier in the fall before the leaves fall off so you can still see what the tree looks like,” says Gord Driver of North Vancouver landscaping company Nature By Design.

Driver also advises homeowners to start pressure-washing needles and other lawn droppings before they stain patios. It’s a good time to start since most people won’t be motivated to do it once the weather turns bad.

Fall lawn aerations, with top dresses or overseeds are a good idea at the end of September, since the weather

is still warm enough to germinate the seeds, according to this expert.

Now is also a good time to start pulling out summer annuals and replace them with perennials like primroses, which are fragrant. Driver specifically recommends a low evergreen perennial called heuchera, which has many varietals.

“If you’ve got a stagnant-looking, kind of green garden, the burgundy colour really stands out or the lime green.”

To maintain height through the seasons, Driver suggests keeping grasses — even when they turn brown.

“When the wind blows, it makes a little bit of rustling noise, and it still gives you some structure in your garden.”

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“A lot of people are putting in globes; glass or stainless. A really good thing to do too, and it’s not a hugely expensive proposition, is to put in lowvoltage lighting because in the winter it really makes a difference, it starts getting dark around five o’clock. With just a little bit of accent lighting in a few spots in your yard, it’ll just create shadows on walls and trees,” Driver explains, and jokes, “It will allow you to actually enjoy your garden in a different light.” Lights come in either halogen or LED. Whether you’re landscaping to grow, glow, or just eat, now is the time to get going.

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September 19, 2010 NORTH SHORE NEWS

Have your garden and eat it too It’s time to harvest that edible garden North Vancouverite Christina Yau has proven that an entire neighbourhood can benefit from the harvest of a single edible garden. Though Yau has become a neighbourhood provider, she describes herself as a virgin grower.

After a failed attempt at landscaping her cedarfilled backyard, Yau asked her husband, a contractor, to help her build a garden in the front yard. He responded by saying that if it would be on display in the front yard, it had to “look decent.”

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an edible patch was what she wanted.

“I figured if I’m going to the effort of landscaping something it would be more of a reward for me if I could eat it.”

The neighbours were excited by the idea, and pitched in with plenty of advice. They watched the garden with interest, and often walked by to take a look.

carrots, beets, sugar snap peas . . . the vegetables have grown like crazy, and harvests have been so plentiful at times that produce is being given to the whole neighbourhood.

Yau’s method for knowing when to harvest?

“You can tell. I would just pick it and eat it, and if it tasted good I’d start harvesting.”

It’s been low-maintenance; no pesticides are used. Weeding hasn’t been necessary, and neither has pruning: “Apparently you do (need to trim), but because I’ve never grown anything before, I haven’t been and it just keeps growing, it just keeps producing stuff…All I did was just plant the seeds, and make sure it got water.”

And it has already yielded some tasty results. Yau loves to make fresh salads with lettuce, spinach, beet leaves, and shelled peas: “I just love eating raw so I can feel and taste the freshness. It was awesome just to be able to have a fresh, mixed salad every single night. It’s sweeter, crispy, it was really good.”

Peas, lettuce, zucchini, arugula, tomatoes,

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“It worked really well for us, because it was such a cold spring that the heat from the metal kept the soil warm and everything just grew super well.”

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They achieved that with five-foot by five-foot hot rolled steel boxes, which will corrode and achieve the desired industrialmeets-earthy effect.

Christina Yau waters her vegetable garden which is contained by three hot rolled steel box constructions.

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NORTH SHORE NEWS September 19, 2010

RENOVATEMySpace A D V E R T I S E M E N T

I N V E S T I G AT E B E F O R E YO U R E N OVAT E Home renovation can be a complicated and time consuming.

It’s a big investment financially and the disruptions it often brings to your home can be a real challenge. Dealing with certified professionals is the best way to make sure that when the last daub of paint dries and the final nail is hammered in, the job is done and you can fully enjoy your improved living space.

John Friswell, of North Vancouver’s CCI Renovations, has some great suggestions.

“Look for a company that is a legitimate business in your area,” says Friswell, “that has the appropriate licences and insurances and has a track record-that is they are an experienced renovator, they have done your type of work and have been in business for a while. The recent launching of the RenoMark program nationally also provides a register of contractors in your area that have subscribed to a higher set of standards of business.”

As present chairman of the Canadian Renovators’ Council, he works tirelessly to improve his profession as well as renovating local homes.

“

have an HST number.. Just not having WCB can be a huge problem for a homeowner if someone is injured- or worse yet, killed- on their renovation. WCB and the courts will be looking to the homeowner to cover the costs associated with that accident – this is akin to having a car accident without any insurance.” “Paying by cash is also fraught with danger. Imagine paying out $30,000 to a contractor (all cash no receipts) and then the contractor turns around and sues you for not paying! This has actually happened and the homeowner LOST!”

Paying by cash is also fraught with danger.

Imagine paying out $30,000 to a contractor (all cash no receipts) and then the contractor turns around and sues you for not paying! This has actually happened and the homeowner LOST!

Because renovations can be costly, many people are tempted to use ‘for cash’ trades people and unlicensed, uninsured contractors. This can lead to serious problems during and after construction.

“The problems are numerous and none of them are worth the savings you may gain. The first problem is that anyone working for cash will not be paying their taxes, will not have Workmen’s Compensation and probably wouldn’t have insurance or even a business licence and for sure will not

”

By going with a fully licensed professional renovator, you save in the long run and get workmanship that lasts with no nagging problems when the job is done.

“Membership in a trade organization is an indication of the contractors commitment to the industry,” says Friswell.

“Also look at how the contractor is involved within those associations as this shows a further commitment through various volunteer activities.”

Licensed contractors are also able to give you a track record which allows you to examine their work and see if their standards match yours.

“Another great thing to look for in any association is whether or not the contractor has won any awards – either for the renovations they have done or the work they have done in the association. Awards can be at the local, provincial or even the national level. If you’re serious about working with a specific contractor, it’s also okay to ask for references. Any good contractor will be more than happy to provide you with their most recent or relevant references.”

In the end it pays to do some research before you begin your renovation project.

Here are some web sites to check as recommended by John Friswell: www. renomark.ca, www.hiringacontractor.ca, www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/renoho/index. cfm, and www.safetyauthority.ca.

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September 19, 2010 NORTH SHORE NEWS

Kitchen sync: reno it right I’ve been fascinated with kitchens for most of my life, ever since my dad would come home from work with the scent of sawdust on his clothes (he worked for various kitchen cabinet makers for years). Then there was the indoctrination I received in my teens as the family dinner-maker. (Mom worked the afternoon shift, so I was thrown “into the fire” at our gas stove.)

As an accomplished cook, when I see a large, gorgeous kitchen set-up with

all the latest amenities and gadgets, and working counter space that goes on for miles, I’ll admit to becoming green with envy, having reached full cupboard capacity long ago in my little condo galley, along with a stove that really could be considered child-sized.

Who are these lucky people who can chop, fry, bake, serve, and clean up effortlessly in their beautiful “entertainment centres?”

I asked Paul Coker, co-owner of

Innova Kitchens, to share his take on getting started on a kitchen makeover, what’s popular with Lower Mainland homeowners, and the reasons why these newer options are probably here to stay.

“Regardless of whether you are renovating an old space, which is actually 70 per cent of our business, or building a brand new home, a kitchen plan needs to incorporate three main goals,” says Coker. “It’s got to provide

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functionality for you and your family; it’s got to be as environmentally ‘green’ as possible; and it’s got to have the aesthetics and colour schemes that please you.”

Whether your budget includes DIY, a trip to IKEA or using a recommended renovator / kitchen expert, upgrading your kitchen still needs to fulfil those criteria.

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athome /

NORTH SHORE NEWS September 19, 2010

Paul Coker’s Kitchen Sync Hotlist: ■ Function New drawer solutions – base

cabinets over doors; in-cabinet chrome pullouts for pantries; chrome racking; “magic corner” systems (not your Mom’s lazy-Susan); Lemans pull-outs.

Wall cabinets with lift-and-hold style systems, rather than traditional pull-open’s; frosted glass hides objects but gives a sense of what’s inside; dark espresso is “moving out” – lighter finishes, including sophisticated greys, take over.

Appliances run better on less electricity; fridges provide function and less backache; flat-surface induction “quick cooking” takes over – in gas or electric, it is safer and conserves energy.

Recycled glass countertops mean everything old is new again.

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■ Eco-friendliness Bamboo cabinetry

is big, it has a great appearance, too; welcome eco-wood — an exotic real wood made from engineered veneer called “strias;” top-finishes aren’t of harsh old-time varnish, but waterbased.

Countertops take advantage of reused, recycled materials like glass and ceramic – composites from materials that would go to the dump; stone-resin tops are losing popularity, but granite is still in demand.

Eco lighting for under-cabinet use; halogen gets really overheated, now it’s LED’s – a cooler effect using less energy, plus lasts longer.

An Innova kitchen project, completed. Not every renovation is million-dollar high-end —you can upgrade for a reasonable sum by setting priorities.

Flooring solutions feature reclaimed wood; tile made from porcelain that is reused is gaining favour; more resilient, too.

■ Aesthetics Cabinets are paler in tone,

floors more natural, everything radiates light and simplicity behind its complexity. The functionality creates the look; the eco the feelgood side to a great kitchen reno.

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September 19, 2010 NORTH SHORE NEWS

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NORTH SHORE NEWS September 19, 2010

Basement redo

Many basements could be neater, with clever storage, lots of comfy living.

In principle, basements are wonderful - an area where sports gear, housing supplies, games and toys, and unused furniture can be stored, far from the more carefully appointed living areas of your house.

other categories fit the case at hand. If there is anything you really don’t need, now is the time to discard it. Be tough with your Inner Packrat, because the less stuff you have, the easier it is to keep it organized.

material such as flammable sprays, solvents, some cleaning fluids and paints should probably be stored in a cabinet that can be locked, especially if there are children in the house.

■ Step four requires some imagination,

But if you’re like most people, your basement doesn’t fulfil its potential. Over time, it has probably become disorganized and as good a place to lose things as to keep them nicely stored.

a stage that Neary calls “zoning” the basement. What will go where? The most important consideration is how often you use each item. A bicycle used almost daily should be near the entrance of the basement, for example. Christmas ornaments and other seasonal items can be further back.

Home Depot and other stores have many products that are perfect storage. His favourite brand is Rubbermaid, which he says offers fairly inexpensive products that are well made and easily assembled, including some that are lockable and perfect for storing hazardous stuff.

“So often, I see basements that have got out of control,” says professional organizer Andrew Neary. “Things are scattered randomly, items are buried in piles, and half of the stuff has just disappeared under clutter.”

Neary has a series of steps that can be used to infallibly impose order on even the most messy basement.

■ Step one is to remove everything from the space. This might be done in stages - but ideally, as much of the basement should be done at once as possible.

■ Step two is to clean the vacated area.

If repainting is needed or there are insect or pest infestations, now is the time to deal with them.

■ Step three requires sorting everything that was removed in step one into categories - sports equipment, cleaning supplies, toys and games, and whatever

■ Step five, you’re

going to have to buy organizers so that everything has its own place. Shelving is perfect for a lot of canned goods and cleaning and other house supplies.

Hockey equipment and garden rakes and the like can be hung on hooks on the wall. Work tools need a storage cabinet. Transparent boxes can hold smaller items while ensuring they’re easy to locate. Hazardous

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Once the organizers are bought and in place, the items you removed from the basement and plan to keep can be put in their appointed spots.

If you’re going to have a handyman’s corner for woodworking, painting of furniture and doing repairs, Neary has some

special counsel.

“Anyone who’s working on projects should have an area that’s well ventilated and well lit,” he says. “You need very strong overhead light - ideally, coming from the ceiling. Accent lights are for the living room — never the basement.”

Neary says dedicated places for each tool is crucial. “Every hammer, sander and plane has to have its own location or you’re going to be losing track of what you have.

“I’ve had clients who’ve had half a dozen drills because they’ve repeated lost drill bits and attachments. My mantra is, ‘Buy once, store properly, and have things forever.’”

There are many tool cabinets available to ensure good storage, but simply using hooks on the wall can serve equally well, Neary says. “The point is not so much esthetics as functionality. If you group your tools by function and keep them in their place, you’re organized.”

“Your basement is like any other part of your home. If you want to enjoy it, it has to look good and it has to serve your purposes . . . it has to be neat and organized, and all the things you’ve chosen to keep have to be accessible.

“Simple stuff, but people easily forget it.”

By Charles Enman Postmedia News

10 / athome

September 19, 2010 NORTH SHORE NEWS

On sale until September 30th 2010.

Blue is bang on trend Ikea is tres chic this season. Its big, blue box stores match up with one of the top colours in home-decorating circles for 2011: blue. Talk about being ahead of the curve. Exterior store colours were chosen decades ago to correspond to the Swedish flag.

Blue is one of four hot trends the homefurnishings retailer is predicting will make inroads into houses across Canada. Picture its iconic Billy bookcase in blue, which, by the way, is available, should you decide to go that route.

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All shades of blue are riding the colour wave, from turquoise, indigo and cobalt to the deepest navy. Expect to see more clean lines and simplicity, as architectural style also takes its place as one of the new decorating looks of the new year. It’s a design must for any home, according to Ikea, whether it’s incorporated through furniture pieces or accessories.

Also likely to be popular is industrial styling, or the New Utility, as Ikea calls it. Otherwise known as utility chic, think exposed parts, open lofts with ductwork or vintage signs, with furniture made from wood or steel predominant.

Heading in a completely different direction,

Ikea is saying that embroidery and handsewn details with birds, flowers or fruit should be on your decorating radar systems. This exuberant embellishment is the new haute folk style, called Folkloric.

It’s all about interpreting ethnic and global influences, and bringing them into your immediate surroundings.

But with four distinct trends, which should you opt for, especially if more than one captures your attention?

The simple answer, says Adisen Bell, a visual merchandising manager for Ikea, is to go with what works for you.

“If you love it, if it makes you comfortable, buy it,” says Bell.

“If you’re buying what you love, it will end up going together in some way, shape or form. In essence, that is your style. It is you.”

If you’re still unsure, Bell suggests visualizing the furnishings or accessory pieces at an Ikea store.

“That’s where our room sets (displays) come in handy. They show people how they can mix and match it,” adds Bell.

“For example, the trend may seem to be contemporary, but you want more of a country look. They can be mixed.”

by Laura Severs Postmedia News

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NORTH SHORE NEWS September 19, 2010

Choose your viewfinder There are several things that should be taken into consideration when looking at making a change to what adorns your windows.

Trends for 2010 are reflective of the economic climate with design elements leaning more towards simplistic and somber tones.

Flashy improvisations and expensive hardware are being replaced with unconventional alternatives.

The choices are almost endless with hard elements such as shutters, shades and blinds made from metal, wood or vinyl; and the softer side of things with sheers, roman shades and drapes.

To keep costs down, look for recreational designs instead of choosing professional offthe-shelf designs. Making creative additions

to a basic framework give new drapery an exclusive look.

Also keep ventilation and location in mind. Drapes and blinds can help keep energy costs down while adding another decor element to a room. Insulated drapes can help keep out drafts during colder months, while experts recommend going with lighter or sheer drapes in a room that does not get a lot of sunlight.

A lighter window treatment will add a sunnier touch to a room lacking in natural light. On the other hand, the right window treatment can help reduce UV damage to furnishings, as well as reducing glare on electronics, in a room that gets a lot of direct sunlight.

Layered window treatments allow homeowners to control the amount of light coming into a room as well as how much of a room is visible from the outside.

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September 19, 2010 NORTH SHORE NEWS

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

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SEPTEMBER RAINS SIGNAL THE START OF FALL GARDEN CARE. Well it’s finally raining again in Vancouver. We had a record length of time without rain, while the rain signals the end of summer, it also means your lawn will green-up and there will be more to do in your garden. Here are some of the tasks for the Fall:

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• Shrubs that flowered in summer can now be pruned back without affecting next year’s blooms.

Any plant with dead, diseased or dying branches can have those branches removed at any time of the year, which will help re-direct the plants growth energy to healthy branches.

• It is a good time to plant, especially if you don’t have an irrigation system. Planting can occur right up until there is snow on the ground. Buying plants that are out of blooming season can sometimes be more cost-effective.

• In October and November, there is leaf cleanup from all your deciduous trees. Shred leaves with a lawn mower before adding them to your compost as this will speed up the decomposition process.

• In November and December overgrown perennials can be divided and replanted. They will sit dormant in the ground until Spring. Be sure to mark them first so you know what is what!

• Fall Annuals add colour and common varieties include Pansies, Violas, Marigolds, Asters, and Chrysanthemums. Summer Annuals Geraniums, Zinnia, Petunias, Snapdragons, Lobelia and Dusty Miller all survive into the Fall, so don’t clear them out right away.

• If you would like a bulb display next Spring, plant them in November and December – any time before it snows. The bulbs will be insulated underground and will not freeze. Squirrels can be a problem so expect that you may lose a few and plant extra. Tulips and Daffodils can be layered in the same bed.

Other varieties such Hyacinth, Crocus and Muscari, are lower growing and look good as borders.

• If you are a fan of gardening but not constantly weeding (like most) you may want to consider adding mulch to your garden beds. There are a few choices I would recommend: you can use soil amender, which is compost, composted bark mulch (also black in color), or just new garden soil (a sand, bark mulch and compost mix). All three choices will add nutrients to the existing soil and, if used in significant enough quantities, will slow weed growth as well as make weeding easier with a scuffle-hoe type hand tool.

Provided by Scott Haile / Katsura Landscaping Katsura Landscaping is a landscape services company providing high end landscape design, installation, planting and maintenance for West Vancouver and North Vancouver. Scott Haile, CLP. is a Certified Landscape Horticulturist. www.katsuralandscaping.ca

• Lawn care includes one more high Nitrogen fertilizer in September/ October and then a complete fertilizer with Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium in November / December to promote good rood structure and add nutrients for the Spring. If your lawn is compacted aeration in November with a deep tine core aerator will help with drainage. If your lawn is thin September is a good time to over seed with perennial rye grass, a fast growing grass seed which will fill in bare patches. Remember that you will have to water any days it does not rain to keep the top 1” of soil moist at all times.

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