The Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-04-23, Page 49PAGE 18
M�r.e and more people are upgrading existin homes
By JOHN FARINA
Copley News Service
Because of difficult economic times more
and more people are upgrading existing
homes instead of moving to more expensive
ones.
More popular, improvements include
patios, upper decks, cantilevered decks
over sloping terrain, water fountains,
garden furniture and all the other outdoor
amenities that make for gracious outdoor
living.
Decks and patios are great for outdoor
eating events, dancing and parties.
Randy Bates, owner of a landscape. firm,
says "business is the best it's ever been for
us in the older home field. People can't af-
ford the bucks fora new home."
Money is definitely tight.
Which means the home owner is more
likely to build his own patio or deck with pro-
fessional plans and a little advice.
The cost of outdoor improvements
depends on how grandiose the project,
whether' a contractor does it all or the home
owner helps or the home owner does the
complete job.
Plans for wood deck or concrete -based
patio arrangements can be purchased from
landscape designers and materials purchas-
ed from lumber -yards and retail outlets.
Arid it is not impossible for the home
owner to complete a modest outdoor living
design over a period of several weekends
with diligent, sustained effort, providing he
or she has a sensible plan.
The cosi of such an effort might be kept
under $1,000.
But an ornate development with features
including lattice roofs, redwood decking,
furniture, water fountain, shrubbery, trees,
fencing requiring substantial materials and
the talent and labor of professional land-
scape architects and craftsmen could cost in
the range of $35,000.
Concrete patios also vary in price, depen-
ding on materials used and the size of the
project.
Total cost rests on several factors. Will it
include landscaping, lights and other
special features? Price depends, too, on
materials used, redwood being more expen-
sive than some other woods.
Do-it-yourselfers can bring those costs
down considerably, as much as 40 per cent
of what a landscaping firm must charge for
labor and expertise, says Charlie Turner,
manager of a landscape firm.
Residents who are thinking about deck
projects on their own would do well to pur-
chase plans from an architect or landscap-
ing firm, says landscape firm manager Vi-
vian Akers.
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Of course, the home owner with an artistic
eye, a knowledge of plants and a knack for
building might produce an outdoor living ar-
rangement with a charming effect at a
tremendous savings.
There are two reasons home owners think
about creating outdoor living space — to
make life more comfortable and to enhance
the value of the home, "a real asset when
the time comes to sell," says Akers.
Water is an increasingly popular accom-
paniment to decks and patios, with the trend
toward Jacuzzis and self-contained water-
falls and fountains.
For those desiring elaborate decks, they
may choose to have them contoured, rather
than square, and built on several levels with
step approaches rather than rising only a
few inches off the ground. For home owners
who want to use water sparingly and grass
sparsely, rock-scaping is the answer.
Tom Cullington, a landscape architect,
says the creation of outdoor living en-
vironments is, an art, each project to be
tailored to the particular physical re-
quirements of the residence for the best
effect.
"Much depends, too," he said, "on the
home owner's personal taste, whether he
wants a closed roof, one with a skylight, a
glass -enclosed patio, lattice roof, fenced
deck and so forth.
"In any cage, the deck shoulhibe designed
to fit the back. We just don't build a square
deck unless that's what the home owner
wants."
Furniture can be looked after
inexpensively with good results
Furniture may not need refinishing when
it looks dull and dingy.
First try a thorough cleaning with a
household solvent such as mineral spirits or
naphtha. Use plenty of dry, clean cloths to
rub in the solvent and wipe off loosened soil.
When no more soil appears, the surface is
ready for an application of a good furniture
polish.
This treatment is often successful, and
saves expensive refinishing.
Barbecue
Many varied recipes can
be cooked on your gas barbecue
CORNBREAD COFFEE CAKE
Prepared on the Gas Barbecue
1 cup sifted flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
11z tsp. salt
1.eup cornmeal
1 egg
1 cup milk
3 Tbsp. cooking oil
1/2 cup strawberry jam
jam
1 Tbsp. sugar
In a mixing bowl, sift together flour, the 2 Prepared on the Gas Barbecue
Tbsp. sugar, baking powder and salt.Stir in 1-9 inch frozen unbaked pastry shell
cornmeal. Blend egg, milk and oil; add to 3 eggs
dry ingredients. Beat just until smooth (do 1/4 cup butter, soft
not overbeat). Spread batter in cast iron fry- 2 cups dark brown sugar
ing pan; spoon jam over batter. Sprinkle 1/4 cup milk -
with the remaining 1 Tbsp. sugar. Cover and 1 tsp. vanilla
cook over moderate heat for 20-25 minutes. 3/4 to 1 cup pecans
Remove cover for the last 10 minutes to dry Remove pastry shell from freezer. Break
out the surface. Spread top of cornbread eggs into a bowl, add melted butter, sugar,
with butter before serving. Serves 6 to 8. milk and vanilla. Beat with electric mixer
GARDEN VEGETABLE MEDLEY
Prepared on the Gas Barbecue
1/2 lb. fresh snow peas
1 cucumber, peeled and sliced
10 tiny, whole radishes
2 Tbsp. oil or margarine
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. cider vinegar
1/2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. lemon pepper
1 dash paprika
In a small custard cup, combine vinegar,
sugar, salt, ginger, pepper and paprika; set
aside. Clean radishes and snow peas. Snip
,.ops ,a- rerri:A a strings from pea pods.
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Remove grids from gas barbecue. Place
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or other
gas barbecue to high for 5 minutes. Stirring
constantly, saute onion 1 to 2 minutes.
Gradually add snow peas, cucumbers and
radishes; saute 2 minutes. Pour sauce over
cooked vegetables. Bring to a boil. Serve im-
mediately. Serves 6.
NOTE: This recipe may also be prepared
in foil. Secure all ingredients tightly in
heavy duty foil, dotting with margarine in-
stead of oil. Place on medium setting on the
flavoured gas barbecue for 10-15 minutes. Turn
occasionally.
WESTERN QUICK PECAN PIE
wok directly on coals. Bank coals around the
or, spoon until well combined. Add pecans.
Pour into shell. Bake on low setting of the
gas barbecue 35 to 40 minutes. Cool and
serve. Top with slightly sweetened whipping
cream. Serves 8-10.
BANANA DELIGHT
Prepared on the Gas Barbecue
1 banana
4 marshmallows
1 oz. dark chocolate, chopped
Peel banana and cut in half lengthways.
Cut marshmallows in halves with scissors.
Place banana on a piece of aluminum foil,
cover with marshmallows and chocolate.
Seal foil firmly and place on barbecue over
hot coals for 10-15 minutes, or until banana
is tender and chocolate and marshmallow
melt.
NOTE: Not suitable for infra red
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