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The Citizen, 2004-10-21, Page 1341` .1Redhlax ProfeWonal Odaidy TOols (r'ENTR RON) Power Entwornant / - TOOL SALES & SERVICE Contractor Supplies • Honda Engines • Industrial Supplies • Chain Sharpening Full Line of Laser Chain Saw Equipment & Accessories Small Equipment & Tool Rental • Tool Sales & Services and Safety Equipment 286 Huron Street, Clinton, Ontario ?Paslode lee and Service Cerate 111112-9111 FAX: 482-7463 Wei/ Ony CL a CC1.11,nent Mike's Carpentry Decks, Indoor-Outdoor Trim, Renovations, Windows, Doors, Siding, New Construction R.R. #1 Blyth, Ont. NOM 1H0 MIKE BOVEN (519) 527-1538 www.comfortcentre.com COMFORT CENTRE Ltd. r Up to a $1000 Rebate With a purchase of a qualifying Dave Lennox SignatureTu Collection home comfort system L J r Seasonal Service Schedule a Fall Furnace Check Up Today and Get a Free Indoor Air Quality Test L ..1 THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2004. PAGE 13. Fall Home Improvement 2004 Take steps to scale down kitchen clutter The kitchen is ,one of the busiest spaces in a home. Cooking, eating, entertaining and socializing all happen in the kitchen -- it's the main gathering place in the home. As a result, it is likely the most unorganized room in the house. If your kitchen cabinets and junk drawers are jammed and overflowing, you are running out of counter space, or you can never find what you need when you need it, it's time to take control of your kitchen clutter. Here are some tips to organize your kitchen and keep it clutter-free, courtesy of organized-mom.com . I. Create an organizational plan. Painting 101 (MS) -- A fresh coat of paint is one of the quickest and least expensive ways to dramatically transform the look of any room in your home. While the colour of your paint ultimately impacts a room's decor, the key to any successful paint job is in the prep! For a professional quality paint job, follow these preparation tips from the experts: * Clear the room. Remove hardware, clear the room of clutter and move furniture away from walls. Be sure to protect'your carpet and furniture from paint splatters by laying down dropcloths. * Patch holes and cracks. Use a spackling and patching compound to fill in holes and cracks to create a smooth surface that is ready for painting.. * Clean the walls. Remove dirt, grime, grease, oil, wax, mildew. wallpaper adhesive and any other contamination that may interfere with adhesion with an ammonia and water or soap and water solution. Rinse clean. * Tape off windows, trim and other areas you don't want to paint. Be sure to use a painter's tape that removes easily and won't damage the surface. * Apply a high-quality primer- sealer, formulated to provide the perfect canvas for your paint. Unlike ordinary paint, a good primer will hide previous colours, permanently block and seal stains, seal porous surfaces like new drywall or builder's flat paint and stick to all surfaces -- even glossy ones -- without sanding. Tip from the Experts: Tint the primer toward the colour of your paint and you will use less paint. Also, research shows that one coat of tinted primer and one coat of paint will give you a better paint job than two coats of paint. Establish work stations like a restaurant does and keep related items at each station: prep area, cooking, baking and cleaning. 2. Purchase storage solutions. Plastic bins, baskets, containers, racks and freestanding units are inexpensive storage ideas. You can find deals at dollar stores, or check stores that carry overstocks, closeouts and slightly dented items. You may even be able to re-use items you already own. For instance, a shoebox covered with the same contact paper as your shelves can store spice bottles. If you are short on cabinet space but have plenty of wall space, 'try using an old bureau to store canned goods, towels, extra dishes or cookware. Don't forget to nest items inside one Continued from page 12 It would just get wrecked," said Erline. The Caldwells do have plans to another to maximize space. 3. Every item needs its own home. When items have a designated place, they tend to get put away. If they don't, they tend to get lost. Utilize bins and baskets wherever possible to keep "like things" together and readily accessible. Go vertical to free up horizontal space. Utilize the empty vertical wall space in a nearby closet by installing shelves that can be used to store canned goods. Install hanging broom and mop holders. Employ hooks, pegboards and Lazy Susans. If your counter space is at a premium, mount some of your small appliances under the cabinets. 4. Toss clutter. Get rid of what is old and what you don't use. Check expiration dates of herbs, yeast. create more of nature's finest, but they have no idea when that might be. "You just never know," said Erlene. baking powder, etc. Throw out cooking gadgets that are gathering dust. Remove items on counters that don't belong in the kitchen. 5. Organize for maximum efficiency. Place items near each other if they will be used together. If your coffee maker sits on the counter, store the coffee cups, filters and sugar in the cabinet above it. 6. Clean everything. Tackle cabinets, drawers, shelves, countertops, refrigerator, oven, etc. Replace tattered dish towels and torn or worn shelf paper. 7. Keep out clutter. Since you've spent all that time organizing your kitchen, you'll want to make sure it remains clutter-free. Set aside some time once a month to check for clutter buildup, and spend a few minutes each night putting away anything that doesn't belong in the kitchen. A LENNOX •••• COMI•ST Toys for all ages This large-scale garden train lies in front of Erlene and Jack Caldwell's home, but it actually belongs to their grandson James. Jack hopes to someday set the train up so that it runs around the waterfall in their backyard. (Elyse DeBruyn photo) More natural plans in the works' It Pays to Choose LENNOX 11111.1111.111111RMIMIMAIMI Get up to a $1,000 Rebate with purchase of a qualifying Dave Lennox Signaturew'Collection home comfort system Get comfortable now. Make your home very comfortable with a Dave Lennox SignatureTM Collection home comfort system and get up to a $1,000 rebate. Wingham and Port Elgin 357-4300 832-2026 Call us today to ask about these great deals! With purchase of select Lennox products. Offer expires November 12, 2004 TSSA 0076421692