Home improvements can be trying on your and your family. Here are a few simple steps to ease some of the tension.

Getting Started
1. Gather a scrapbook - It should consist of notes, photos, and articles that you have collected that reflect your need and the style you are looking for.
2. Get together with your family and ask them for their input and wish lists.
3. Come up with a budget you can live with.
4. Draw a rough sketch of your floor plan and take measurements (or, if building, get floor plan from architect or builder).
5. If you would like, print and fill out the Kitchen Planning Guide which can be found . http://www.classickitchendesigns.com/Kitchens/planning_guide.htm

Now you will need to find a showroom where they can help bring your needs and wants to life.

The first time you visit a showroom:
1. The well trained associates will be able to answer any questions you may have.
2. Review and/or assist you in establishing a budget.
3. Discuss your scrapbook of ideas - include all the important elements within your budget
4. Discuss your floor plan and go over some design ideas.
5. Discuss your plans for utilizing the room you will be remodeling.
Once you have have decided on your contractor design company:
1. They come to your home and take measurements.
2. Review and make suggestions in your home that will best suite your space and your personal needs

The second time you visit the showroom:
1. Your design team will have created a design, and drafted perspectives, elevations, and a floor plan.
2. When you have decided that everything is perfect, you will provided you with a price. The next meeting is for you to discuss the design and any potential modifications you would like to make.

The Installation Process:
1. If necessary, your design team will make arrangements with your builder, architect, and/or designer to coordinate the installation.
2. If you prefer, they will remove your existing cabinetry and appliances.
3. To ensure a quality installation, your design team will meet the installer at your home to discuss the details of your plan and installation.

For more helpful tips, and to find a Kitchen Renovation expert, call or visit Classic Kitchen Designs at 905.279.6194 or www.classickitchendesigns.com. Classic Kitchen Designs has been providing afforable kitchens for homeowners since 1979.

Not simply a utilitarian space, your bathroom is your private place to relax and unfetter your senses. Appealing to that sensation of the spa and introducing it into our everyday lives, is becoming a reality when building our dream homes or renovating to allow the home bath experience to be one of our creature delights.

Water. The quiet simplicity of water, we love it. We go to places where the changing forms of it inspire us. From the rain shower, to the steam bath, the turbulent waters of the whirlpool and the crashing surf of the sea. Take all of these and transform them into the home spa. Luxuriate in the warmth, tantalize our senses and relieve our stresses. Capturing the feeling and the art of water in motion will achieve all of this.

The variety of inspiring luxurious products designed to compliment each other will astound. Remember the day when having a bidet was representative of a beautiful bath. And should you have a shower separate from the bathtub, well that was everything. Not so today. The options, styles and variety is, while enticing can be very confusing. We will review some of the items and upgrades to introduce into your bath with some explanation as to some of the differences. Let your senses soar. Use your imagination and create the bath of your dreams.

Let’s start with that bidet. Let us start from the early beginnings of the luxurious bath. Think of a bidet as a miniature bath, at a comfortable sitting height, that provides partial bathing and soft sprays to soothe our human conditions. The style complements the toilet that is installed next to it. Sleek, contemporary to traditional and elegant. Convenient, clean and simple using a bidet for both men and women offer hygienic fresh water sprays that provide comforts beyond tissue.

The toilet, we think of it from its functional point of view and while that is important the style also represents the continuation of the overall look that the room will have. From sleek low style, traditional raised back with decorative bases to a “hat box” fashion that will have them guessing where the toilet really is. Flushing mechanisms are refined to provide low water consumption, with effective waste elimination. You can even add power to the flush with discrete motors that eliminate the need for any visible tank.

No toilet would be complete without the seat. Not just any seat will do. Add a slow closing seat that not only doesn’t slam, it provides additional safety and hygiene not to mention those late night ventures into the dark that often end with splash down and shock. For those who want the ultimate in potty comforts the heated French Curve toilet seat by Kohler is truly a luxury you will wonder how you lived without. With even heating across the surface of the seat that is maintained at a comfortable 25 degrees above normal room temperature, your sit will be most enjoyable.

Experience the whirlpool. No longer just the water jets, but air and water combine to provide variable speed effervescence and the ultimate in relaxation. Tubs come in every configuration you can imagine and work to fit your space. Whether a retrofit into an alcove or a tub centered in the room under the stars visible from the skylight above, every element of escape can be created in the privacy of your home.

Water is a natural way to rejuvenate your body, mind and soul. Bubblemassage, Aromatherapy, Chromatherapy are all part of a multi-sensory hydrotherapy treatments that have until now been obtainable only at the most exclusive spas. You can have them all in your home. Creating a space that permits the indulgence of a spa within your walls to use at your leisure and once you have it, there is no further cost.

The whirpool experience is one that creates a sense of well being, for a private escape and a time for true relaxation. With floating remote controls there is no need to change positions to alter the function desired. It is at your finger tips. Extra deep tubs envelop your whole body, caressing you with warmth and effervescing water from back jets and neck jets. Adjusting to every contour of your body to relax and invigorate. Experience gentle massage combined with the colours of calm. Chromatherapy concepts are introduced to seduce your body and mind into relaxation as full spectrum colour gently washes over you. Coloured lights follow a sequence or you can choose a single colour that provides you with the most in leisure.

Showers are no longer just a place to clean our bodies from the daily toils. They can be body massages, rain forests and steam baths. From beautiful tiled walls with clear glass enclosures to open showers that resemble roman baths and benches to enjoy an environment that delights the senses.
Showers cascade waterfalls, gently sprinkle rains and pound with body massage jets like the surf itself. Inspirational, relaxing and truly one of the most powerful moments of pleasure. Custom showers with adjustable jets, rain shower heads, waterfalls and steam baths are all available to create that spa like experience in your own home. Home hydro-massaging systems have integrated heating systems to maintain a constant water temperature while a recirculating pump keeps the water coming until every inch of your body is relaxed.

The basin is yet another area that presents opportunity to create style and function. Vessels that sit on beautiful glass bases. Hand painted works of art set into marble atop spectacularly carved cabinetry, all to create an environment of luxury. Kohler offers “Artists’ Editions” in basins and pedestals. They are a tribute to the time honoured traditions of fine raised enamel on bone china with platinum or gold bands as that of dinnerware. Truly a beautiful choice for any bathroom.

Faucets that range from sleek single levers that rise above vessel bowls to wide spread faucets with exquisite lever handles enhance the bath experience. Polished or brushed finishes complement the look. For those with more exotic tastes, gold and platinum replace chrome and brass.

To complete the overall bath experience, we must not forget to look at the base of it all. In floor heating systems take away any hint of cold. It warms the room and enhances the touch. No cold feet here. Towel warmers provide the final element of sophistication.

To complete the look, bath accessories from waste baskets, toothbrush holders and soap dispensers are additions that coordinate and give a refined look to any bath.

For the men in our lives, the bathroom holds a place of mystique. It is a reading room, a library and sanctuary in one. While technology is prevalent in our lives, it is not exempt from the bathroom either. Telephones and radios have long been in the bathroom, so today to add the iPod toilet tissue dispenser complete with docking station is not such an unusual thing to see. Televisions perched on extendable arms allow for nothing to be missed whether news, the stock market or sports.

Create the bath of your dreams. Use your imagination and leave nothing to chance. You will be amazed at the products available to tantalize and inspire. Ahhhh to the Bath.

Catherine Pulcine is Founder & President of CPI Interiors Inc., Ottawa’s leading Residential Interior Design firm. She can be reached at 613-599-5564 x 22 or by email to catherine@cpiinteriors.ca Their web site is www.cpiinteriors.ca

Do you see your neighbours walking around in their robe too often? Do you have two-foot weeds growing in your yard? Is all of your grass dead because it gets no light from the overgrown trees hanging above it?

Well if all or any of these are true, it is time to invest in some landscaping. You will truly be amazed how a little yard maintenance will improve your enjoyment of your home.

There are a few ways to make your backyard more private :

1) plant cedar trees along the property line
2) build a fence

Both will give you provacy, however the benefit of adding a fence is the additional security it provides.

Do you realize that indoor air pollution can be worse than the pollution outdoors? Up to seventy percent worse? And with so many people allergic to items such as pollen and dust, if you can purify the air in the home, it is much better for you and your family.

A furnace air filter is one of the most common ways of cleaning the air in your home. But if you are going to buy one, stay away from the throw-away furnace types. Several (but to make it clear, not all) types of throw-away furnace air filters do not have any sealing capacities. This means that the smaller sized particles pass both through and around the air filter, causing the face of the filter to load up and not stopping the dust and pollen. Don’t buy a throw-away filter unless you are really sure it’s good.

So what other sort of furnace air filter can you buy? To start with, you really want to look for one with a high dust holding capacity, around 330 grams or more. Ring panel furnace air filters are pretty good. They have a great sealing ability and a tight fit when fitted into the air filter slot. The tight fit ensures that all the air passes through the filter, rather than around it, stopping the pollen, dust and all those other little things that can cause allergies.

A permanent washable furnace filter is another good idea. Of course, over time the more that you wash it the less effective it usually becomes, but they do last for a while. And you haven’t got any messy filter to throw away when it needs to be replaced. So the washable furnace filter is an environmentally friendly option, as well as non-allergenic.

One big downside to most furnace filters is that most of them do not remove or lessen some of the main causes of allergies in the house. I am speaking primarily to people who are allergic to dust mites or cats. If you are one of them, then maybe a furnace air filter is not the right kind of filter for you.

On the upside, these types of filters are some of the cheapest to run, so if ongoing cost is a main consideration for you, check out these filters. The furnace air filters also have a reputation for not emitting ozone. Good if you are environmentally aware.

Sooner or later we all need to call a plumber. A plumber is expensive and there’s no way around that. But there are a variety of ways to get the most value for your money. This guide will highlight the most effective ways to save money on plumbing.

Compare Hourly Rates

The first, and often only thing, that consumers zero in on when comparing plumbers is their hourly rate. People figure that they should hire the “reputable firm” with the lowest rate. Sounds simple and direct but it doesn’t always work.

The first concern is with the concept of “reputable.” For most people, if they have heard the name many times over the years, they feel that the firm must have an established reputation. Unfortunately, this is often untrue. In the plumbing field, in particular, several of the most highly promoted companies have the worst track records.

The second problem with the hourly rate is that it is difficult to compare rates because of the many ways plumbers count the hours. Travel time is a factor that should be considered. Plumbers spend a good part of their day driving from job to job. They must be compensated for this time.

The bottom line is that it is very difficult to make objective comparisons between two plumbers’ hourly rates. But there is an even bigger problem with focusing on hourly rates. The issue of quality should be considered.

The best way to select a plumber is on his overall ability to deliver customer satisfaction consistently. Costumer satisfaction takes into account all of these issues and constitutes an accurate indication of value received.

Minimize Need

An entirely different approach to saving money on plumbing is to reduce the need to call them at all. The most common plumbing calls have to do with drains. Many homes have one or two problem drains and several that never need any attention at all.

Grease tends to build up over time. You can counteract this by doing things to reduce the grease buildup. There are several products available designed to reduce grease build up. Experiment with these and you may find you can stay one step ahead of a clogged drain indefinitely. Some people have found success with just pouring boiling sudsy water down the drain periodically to reduce grease buildup.

In most cases, hair can be trapped in some sort of screen or drain cover. Talk to your plumber next time he’s there and ask about suggested ways to prevent the hair from getting in the drain. It’s much easier to gather hair off the screen periodically than it is to deal with a clogged pipe.

Another costly, but preventable, problem is frozen pipes. Make sure that all your pipes are in heated spaces. If any are not, make sure they are well insulated. Each fall, when the weather turns colder, disconnect and drain your garden hoses, turn-off the indoor cut-off valve located near the faucet, and open the outdoor faucet. If there is no cut-off valve, consider installing one. Any water left in pipes exposed to below-zero temperatures will freeze.

Buy Your Own Fixtures

A popular and effective way to save money is to buy your own fixtures. Traditionally, plumbers sell you the toilets, sinks, faucets etc. that they install. Typically they’ll get the items at a discount and charge you full price. In part, this is to make money and in part this is to cover the costs of dealing with purchases, returns, storage etc. In recent years, however, some of the home center stores now charge you prices that are even lower than the contractor prices that plumbers pay their suppliers. One result is that plumbers are shopping more and more at the same stores you are. There are many instances where you will do better buying your own fixtures, providing you have the time to invest in shopping around.

While this approach can save you big bucks, there are three caveats to keep in mind. First, many fixtures that appear to be great buys are poorly made or are missing adapters, installing kits or other components that normally come with similar products. Shop carefully.

Second, if you supply the fixture and the plumber installs it and something goes wrong, there is likely to be some confusion as to whose responsibility it is. One way to get around this is to check with the plumber up front about what brands or lines he recommends and then buy those brands.

Checking with the plumber up front also gets you around the third problem. Every product or line of products has its own installation quirks. Choosing a fixture that is familiar to your plumber assures that you will get the full advantage of his expertise and experience. If instead, you choose something he’s never worked with, expect that you’ll be paying for some on-the-job learning mistakes.

cpaulsen@homerenovationguide.com

Almost every article you read these days uses the word “chic,” referencing everything from residential interiors to hotels to personal style. But what is “chic,” and in particular, what is “chic decor?” And how can you achieve this in your home? By definition “chic decor” means elegant or stylish decoration. An elegant home is one that has been well-planned and appointed using a number of the design principles outlined here to help you achieve this goal.

Cohesion
One of the key factors in achieving a “chicly decorated” home is cohesion. Nothing is more attractive and soothing to the eye than a home where all components of an interior (furniture, flooring, colour, etc.) relate to each other. This doesn’t mean that everything is an exact replica of each other, but rather that when it comes to choosing furniture, as an example, that the pieces harmonize with each other, and that there is a sense of continuity from room to room.

Scale
This is particularly important when choosing furniture. Each piece should relate to the others in terms of scale and proportion. Scale, of course, refers to the size of one piece of furniture in relation to others that will be adjacent to it. The scale must be similar in order to achieve the most desirable effect. Having a large scale wing chair looming over a low minimalist sofa would make both pieces appear out of context. A lower back chair, in this example, would relate much better to the sofa and create a more harmonious composition.

Repetition
Continuity, or repetition, in design creates a space that is not only harmonious, but is integrated with adjacent rooms, particularly on the main floor where the likelihood of viewing more than one room at once is higher. Repeating the style of furniture, cabinetry, lighting, window treatments and colour into each of the adjoining rooms lends unity to the disparate rooms, creating flow and elegance. Distinction can then be achieved through artwork, fabric and accessories.

Eclectic interiors can also be very chic provided that no more than two different furniture styles are chosen throughout; otherwise the look will feel disjointed and busy, thereby creating a space that is unsettling to the eye. Be extra cautious when combining styles. Consider the lines, scale and proportion and overall feel of the styles to determine their compatibility. Mixing formal Louis XIV furniture with rustic Canadiana would create an incompatible marriage.

Colour
Can you really have a chic home and use colour throughout? Absolutely, the key here is to use restful versus vibrant tones throughout. Neutrals should serve as the principal colours throughout the main wall areas as well as on soft furnishings. Accessories and accents can then be added using either complementary or analogous tones, depending on the overall look desired and the need for definition. Beware of using too many hues as this will create a chaotic interior, however, using very little colour will create a dull and lifeless interior.

Line
Chic decor means employing clean lines. Choose furniture and accessories that have a minimal amount of embellishments and suit the context of the room. Similarly, adopting a less is more philosophy is wise when purchasing items for a room. Overfilling a room with furniture or accessories only creates congestion and confusion as to the room’s focal point.

Keep the lines and embellishments simple and you will have a home that will reward you by being both timeless and beautiful, as well as the envy of your friends and neighbours.

Article by: Margarida Oliveira, designer and owner of Chic Decor a full-service decorating firm. For design/decorating services, you may contact her at: 905 337 8463. Or visit her website at: www.chicdecordesign.com

Home Renovation Guide Artile Posted by Nikki Rollins nrollins@homerenovationguide.com