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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2006-10-19, Page 24Drop in and see our great fall lineup of books! tit IVA1 NT EN/UV CE A R1),LN THE LOW MAINTENANCE GARDEN Want to have a beautiful yard without constant work? This 144- page book contains designs, plant suggestions and techniques for easy-care gardens. $19.95 0401 2.. Iet•Iro - ••••- • .44 Ar*r^t."0,‘, THE NEW STENCIL BOOK Includes over 40 stencil motifs to use and information how to cut stencils and how to apply them. Learn more about how to use this decorating technique. $19.95 How-to techniques and recipes for making 100 different sausages at home, from fresh to cured, pork, beef, chicken, even game. More than 280 pages of recipes and tips. $27.95 Learn how to use natural materials to make baskets, furniture and decorations. $24.95 M1INTING DECORATIVE, t URN ITU R E Best Trees #-Your Garden THE REAL WOOD BIBLE For the woodworker who loves wood, this is a complete and illustrated guide to choosing and using 100 decorative woods, from common native woods to exotic imported woods. Gives key characteristics, advice on working with the wood. $29.95 BEST TREES FOR YOUR GARDEN There's a wide variety of trees that could add interest to your yard and this book gives you information on them and colour photos to let you see what they look like. $24.95 PAINTING AND DECORATING FURNITURE A more elaborate version of Antique and Country Paint Projects with 300 pages of projects, patterns and tips, including stencil patterns. $29.95 OLD ONTARIO HOUSES Photographer John de Visser and writer Tom Cruickshank offer glimpses of more than 150 Ontario homes from the late 18th to early centuries. $49.95 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 The Citizen PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2006. Tips or upgrading your bathroom Style and privacy The obscure acrylic blocks in this window provide and natural light for the bathroom setting. privacy bathroom products such as towel warmers, anti-fog mirrors and spa sensory systems. Researching your upgrade options is like being a kid in a candy store — there's always something new and exciting coming out from manufacturers." According to Zernn, there are several ideal ways to upgrade a bathroom that will be seen as long- term investments in your home. The key is to select products that resist the high humidity levels found in bathrooms, withstand mold and moisture problems, and hold up well over time. Upgrade projects Zeman recommends that meet these criteria include: - Project #1 — Replace hard-to- reach large windows over a bathtub with a fixed, non-operable window. Choose from clear glass, obscure glasses in decorative patterns or privacy-assured acrylic blocks windows. All can be ordered with energy-efficiency glass packages to help keep energy bills low. Project #2 — Add a wall niche to the bathroom or shower wall. Decorative and functional, the niche can hold bath "accessories or accent pieces. Project #3 — Splurge on a new showerhead. Select from energy- saving low-flow, multi-functional and simulated rain showerhead, or even an all-steam shower. When it comes to showers, you can customize your own home spa treatment right in your shower. Project #4 — Warm your toes during cold winter mornings by installing radiant heating below bathrbom tiles or flooring. With the flick of a switch, your floor warms up so that facing the day gets easier. Project #5 Add non-operable transom windows high on the exterior walls of the bathroom to allow more light in the room. A design of several transom windows can be placed horizontally across the exterior wall to protect privacy while offering views of the sky during the day and the stars at night. Select vinyl-framed windows, so you don't have to deal with warping or rotting wood frames from the high humidity levels in the bathroom. Project #6 — Install a set of urethane pilasters on both sides of your shower stall and a door crosshead overhead to upgrade the look of your bathroom. If you have a garden tub or a whirlpool in your bathroom, add window panels made of urethane to surround the base. No problem if any of the decorative materials get wet because urethane products resist moisture. Project #7 — Create an easy- access shower that eliminates doors, shower curtains and thresholds that can be potential trip hazards. Project #8 — Solve your storage problem by adding decorative urethane window crossheads to the walls to serve as easy-access shelving. Create an extra towel rack by drilling holes in the centre of two brackets. Insert a dowel rod and you have an instant way to hang hand towels. Project #9 — Shine more light in the bathroom by surrounding mirrors with acrylic block panels that have miniature lights sealed in the units. These energy-efficient lights are ideal for daily grooming activities and applying make-up. Project #10 — For pure fun, add amenities to your bathroom that pamper you. These days you can have a coffeemaker, refrigerator or even a mini-wine cooler in your bathroom. Marry them with a sound system or in-shower television and you could live in your bathroom! For more tips and ideas on upgrading your bathroom, along with information on products discussed here, visit www.homefront.com. (MS) — Oftentimes one of the smallest rooms in the house, the bathroom can easily be overlooked when designing for maximum light flow and style in the home. "Bathrooms are a private place, but that doesn't mean they can't be bright and welcoming," says home improvement expert Don Zeman. "Many homeowners view the bathroom as their private retreat, so it's important to pay attention to (MS) — It used to be that decking projects , were reserved only for professional contractors. This meant that homeowners were at the mercy of a contractor's schedule and pricing. But, new solutions make it possible for homeowners — even those without advanced home-improvement skills — to create attractive decks and patios. If you can put together a jigsaw puzzle, you have just about all of the skills necessary to use some of the modular decking products available at home-improvement retailers. These kits make it easy for homeowners to transform outdoor spaces with the look of a solid-wood deck. Here's how they work: kits contain square "puzzle" pieces that snap together effortlessly. Most are (MS) — Rust stains are a menace to homeowners. They can occur in driveways and sidewalks and be an eyesore against pristine landscaping. One of the best ways to get rid of rust stains is to use oxalic acid. This is a common ingredient in many wood bleach- and marble- these rooms with upgrades like enhanced lighting, ultra-quiet ventilation systems and designer sinks." Zeman, who was a contractor for 25 years before starting his nationally syndicated radio show Homefront with Don Zeman, believes there are numerous ways for people_ to upgrade their bathrooms. "There are hundreds of companies catering to homeowners with unique available in a few different patterns, allowing you to employ creativity in the design of your deck. The pieces can be cut with a jigsaw to make holes for pipes or any other obstructions that may be in the way of your deck. The modular deck can be installed over most flat surfaces, including a cement patio, gravel, and even on bare ground (if the ground is properly treated according to the' manufacturer's instructions). It can also be removed in a similar fashion and stored if you prefer, or moved to another location. These products easily can be used indoors as well, adding a decorative floor to a sunroom, basement or covered portico. Visit a local home centre or hardware store to find out about modular deck options. cleaning products. It is very effective in clearing up rust stains. Use caution, however, because oxalic acid is corrosive to tissue, meaning it could burn the skin, and it is an eye-irritant. Remember to wear gloves and eye protection when cleaning with the substance. Modular products cure DIY deck woes Remove rust stains with oxalic acid