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The Citizen, 2008-05-08, Page 15THE CITIZEN. THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2008. PAGE 15.Create character with hardwood mouldings (MS) - Looking for a way to add sparkle and impact to a modest home? Some experts suggest a fresh coat of paint, while others recommend a new floor. Unfortunately, even a change of colour or flooring won’t make a yawn-inducing interior come to life. To create character and distinction in an ordinary room, consider adding some structural detail with solid hardwood mouldings and trim. Hardwood mouldings lend star quality to any room. By creating contours and contrast, bold lines and fine detailing, moulding and millwork lend substance and distinction to an otherwise ordinary room, adding the architectural punch that many modern homes are lacking. Years ago, architects and homebuilders used substantial architectural ornamentation to make a home unique and to reflect the wealth and taste of its owners. Crown mouldings, wainscoting, chair rails, and wall and window framing made from hardwoods lent substance, character and beauty to a home’s interior. By contrast, today’s cost-effective building practices have left little room for this kind of distinction in modern homes, says master carpenter Matt Garnett. A single application of crown moulding yields astonishing results. It softens the transition between ceiling and wall, and sets the tone for more of an elegant feel in the room. It works well in all kinds of homes, from a multi-million dollar home to a three-bedroom townhouse. Installing hardwood crown mouldings in an average room can cost an additional $300 to $500, depending on the wood. But when considering resale value the extra measure of character and elegance in a well-trimmed home is a real advantage in a competitive market. GO WIDE If you want impressive results with your moulding, here’s a suggestion: Go wide. Once you decide to add baseboard or crown moulding to a room, make sure it’s not so narrow that it disappears into a corner. “Three to four-inch tall baseboard might not catch anyone’s eye, but moving up to a six-or eight- inch size will bring on a WOW!” says remodeling expert and syndicated columnist Bill LaHay. It’s not just the mouldings and trim, but how you design and use it that can bring costs down to size. Layering small crown and decorative mouldings onto a flat board can be an impressive alternative to a single, wide crown moulding. “If the goal is more texture, depth and accents for your walls, using multiple smaller mouldings can be the better route - if they’re combined well,” suggests LaHay. Or think beyond crown and baseboard mouldings to door and window casings, chair rails, picture rails, and wainscoting to add instant stature and definition. Crowning glory Conventional office space is transformed into a classic meeting room with custom hardwood mouldings. (Photo courtesy of White River Hardwoods) Spring Home and Garden Water Well Drilling, Grundfos Stainless Pump Systems, Test Drilling for Municipal & Environmental, Pump Tests, Abandonments, Down Hole Videos, Geothermal Drilling Web:wdhopperwaterwells.com Email:wdhopper@tcc.on.ca Licensed by Ministry of the Environment Drop off your pots and planters for custom-planting We have lots of great gift ideas for Mom including: • large variety of shrubs • hanging baskets • annuals • perennials • and for the mom who has everything our gift certificates make a perfect gift! Located 500 yds. west of Londesborough on County Road 15 519-523-9781 We are open 7 days a week! Brussels Variety Open 7 days a week 565 Turnberry St. 519-887-6224 We now have an ATM machine Also packaged flower and vegetable seeds MOVIES Now stocking • Flowers • Hanging Baskets • Bedding Plants I C E • GROCERIES • POP • SNACKS S L U S H I E M A C H I N E ICE CREA M NOVE L T I E S (MS) - Birds are beneficial animals to have in and around your yard. They are instrumental in controlling insect populations and can be colourful and pleasant- sounding companions. Providing tasty treats year-round is essential to cultivating a lasting relationship with neighborhood birds. Also, by varying the type of foods offered, you may also attract migrating birds to your yard, making for an even better bird-watching experience. The cold-weather season is a time where feeding should be a top priority, as it becomes more difficult for birds to find food when trees, shrubs and other plants aren’t flowering. So what items will attract the widest array of feathered friends? Following are the preferred delicacies of many birds. 1. Black oil sunflower seed: This seed is the filet mignon of the bird community. It is considered the top choice to feed and attract the widest array of birds. These seeds are rich Bring birds back to the backyard Continued on page 16