Lakeshore Advance, 2013-05-15, Page 1818 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Make your condo balcony an urban haven
NewsCanada
(NC)—Most condo and apartment
balconies are barren spaces surrounded by
dull, grey concrete, steel and glass. 'They're
not very inviting. And that's probably why
most of us don't use them very often.
But why not use every inch of your little
piece of urban real estate to its fullest? if your
building's rules allow you to, the experts at
Lowe's !lame Improvement Warehouse offer
a range of suggestions to maximize your living
space by creating a cony outdoor haven.
A concrete floor isn't very welcoming.
Addinga small outdoor area rug will make it
comfortable for your bare feet.
Look for small-scale furniture that is both
comfortable and functional. A cushioned
corner chair or lounge at one end of a balcony
gives you a place to read a book or take a
breezy nap.
A small bistro table and two chairs tucked
into another corner create a relaxing nook for
your morning tea or evening glass of wine.
If you have the space and a suitable corner,
two short storage benches or deck boxes and
a square table form a dining booth for
entertaining.
Whatever furnishings you choose, nuke
sure your seating is comfortable. If your
current chairs dont have padding, invest in a
few washable outdoor cushions. 'Then add
some outdoor pillows and throw blankets.
Don't be afraid to choose bright colours
and fun designs. A balcony is for relaxing and
entertaining, so it should he friendly and
inviting!
If you'll be using your patio at night,the
rightlantern or outdoor candle can create a
warm, relaxing ambiance.
A tiny garden can also add some life to your
balcony. Many potted flowers and plants -
including tomatoes, peppers and herbs
thrive in small spaces.
"For a little variety, combo planters are
great for creating balcony gardens, and they
come in a range of colours and styles," says
Sarah Skeates, a Merchandising Specialist
with Lowe's. "If you don't have space for a
garden, a hanging wall bag adds a splash of
colossi' to any outside wall space:'
Now that Spring is here, it's time to get
started with turning that dreary condo patio
into an urban haven!
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DIY spring
Nawsi anadaw •
(NC)—Last winter's freezes and thaws
have heaved driveways more than usual.
Repairing potholes is an inexpensive one day
DIY protect that can extend the life of your
driveway by sealing out rainwater to prevent
the asphalt from disintegrating further. Can-
ada's lbol Girl Mag iluffnan provides 6 easy
Steps for how to repair potholes using mate-
rials from Lowe's Home Improvement.
All you need is a bag of asphalt patching
compound (also known as bitumen), which
is the same stuff that road repair crews use,
except It's not heated. Choose a warm day
and leave the bag in the sun to warm up so
the bitumen is more malleable.
Start by prepping the pothole, using a
shovel or trowel to remove loose gravel and
debris. You may have to keep removing loose
material until you get down to the layer of
compacted limestone gravel that forms the
foundation of the driveway. Break off and
remove any loose chunks around the rim of
the pothole too.
Next, use a broom or whisk to thoroughly
rid the cavity of dust particles. then, using a
hose with the nozzle set on 'mist; dampen
the Interior surface of the pothole to wet
down any remaining dust. This will ensure
better adhesion when you add the patching
compound.
Now dum enough bitumen into the pot-
hole to slightly over811 the cavity. If the patch-
ing compound is stiff and chunky, you can
soften it with a hair dryer or heat gun.
Use a length of 4" x 4" lumber to tamp the
loose asphalt into the pothole, paying special
attention to the edges of the patch; the more
tightly compacted they are, the less likely
they are to break down under the usual
driveway wear and tear.
You may need to add more bitumen as you
tamp to make sure the patch is level with the
surrounding driveway surface.
After the patch is done, sweep some dust
over the top of it to prevent it from sticking to
tires or shoes while it cures. You can also
drive over it a couple of times to make sure
it's well -compressed.
Por tips on how to complete other home
DIY protects, visit and shop online at www.
lowes.ca.
www ncwscanada. com
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