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Pag e 1, Whiiy Fr.. Pros. Wodnssday, Januuy 1à. 199 A HOME: DESIGN AND IMPROVEMENT FEATURE Create a tropical oasis in your hom Down through the years, plants have played an integral part in home decrating Victerianor instance, ware noted for decrm g hi oe with large coofl feras and palme. AnJ for centuries, pots of herbe have been a long-standing favourite in many a kitchen windowsill. If you)re trying te think of a way te apruce up tha interior of your home ti winter without gtting boggad down hy mqar redecorating mos, considor the beauty and versatility of housaplants. tc placad in yeur homSZ5¶e0.Iianpýts cari filin awkward gpo, camouflage unsightly arasa nd bring new colour and life te an antire rooin. You cari use thein te higilight noes, alcôves, stairways, etc. And, co trayt what pou might think, nt Ipants require a lot 0f light. I fact, thora are saveral varieties that prefer diffused or low light. Yf you havent had much succoas witli plants in the past don't worry, you don't have te, be a master gardener te onjdoy tiriving houseplants -- and you don't need a solarium. AUl thats required isaa little patience and persistence and, of course, adeut uret and light. Planning pour indoargardon To get maximum benefit frein docorating with houselnts, it pays te, plan your plant deoeating scheme carefully. Take a 95e look aroundyour home and decide whero plants would look boat. For instance, do yen have side tables or large windowsills that would benefit from soe extra colour? Wbat about an attractive piece of greenery perched on one of your favourite wooden antiques? Plants and- wood are an excellent combination for aciieving 'earthy,' warm tones and a relaxed feeling. A trea or grouping of tail plants can aie serve as an attractive and effective roin divider, particularly if you have oe large roin that serves as both a living and dining room. .Fireplaces can ae ba graatly enhanced by a bit of greenery - on the mantlepioca or along the hearth. You may even want te consider placing plants insida your fireplace (if you neyer use it) for an attractive, colourful affect. Thuya cm humidit Asida fin ieliving and dining roorn, considar using plants in the bathroom. Housaplants tend te tirive on the humidity and misture levais found in this rom. They aise help te giva soe visuafl warmth te a rom that can often look austera and uninviting. Bedroms are another area of your home where plants can be uaed effectively ta halp crate the aura of a tropical oasis. A colourful cactus or a tail palm or fiscus tree, for instance, cari enhance bath the decor and mood 0f any roin, dapendfing on the amount of space and light you hava. If you have any skylights, consider placing saieaa undarnaath thein. YouI'l h amazed at the affects. Ice eltTaIr e lighting in each roem iporhouse inte consfideration when decidng where te place WITBY DOMINION HARDWARE plants - as weil as S temperture.Finding the right (W Ity Iaa)loaiontfor each typa 0f plant is essential. ...... ..Obviously, if yen have a plant Wwhe~t~hus Adiri EG 4,,~,,. ~ ASEA BLANCO m m thatreqires bright sunlight and youst=kt in a dimly lit cerner, you won't end up with a healthy, thriving specimen. And if you place many types of plants next te direct sources ef heat, they are likely te suifer. Conversely, if you have a plant that prefers diffused, indirect light, don't expect it te respond well t being left i an extremely bright sunit location. Vari!eties yen may want te consider for low te medium light areas nclude Philodendrons, peace liles or Chinese evergreens, te naine a few. These plants are an attractive addition te any home and are excellent for fllng in awkward spaces. The are also said te have an aj=e benefit: th4ey help to filter out air pollution. If you're choosing something for a sunny area, like a seuth-facing window, thon you may want te pick a cactus, jade plant or croton. Water and lhumidiy Once youve placed your plantsit'es important te make sure they receive the proper amount of light and humidity. Groupe of plants together will produce more huniidity than ndividual plants pla.ced in isolatod psots around a roin. Moet types of plants require watering when the sol ne longer has any moisture tint. cari be squcezed eut of it. However, plants like cacti should only be waterod when the surface soul bocomes quite, dry. If's very important not te under-water or over-water your plants. Feeding is aise important. Check thé information card that came with your plant. It should give the naine of the plant, ideal growng tamparaturas and when tfetlze. Ask the experts at the local plant store what and when te faed it you're flot sure. Obviously, differant varieties have different requirements. You can also consuit a housaplant book but, of course, ies important te, know the naine of your plant te do tIi.. Yen sheuld also tiy te kaaep the. leaves frea of duet, because plants cannot carry eut &oto- synthasis properly when ieyre coated with dirt and grime. However, you should avoid cleaning 1un bves because thay amore ragle. By investing a little turne in some research and planning, you can make your home inte a tropical oasis with a few well-chosen houseplants. T as article is provided by local rmaliena and the Ontario Real Estate Association (OPEM[r the benefit of consumera in the real estate market. TIP ON WÂLLPAPERING Fabric-backed wallcoverings are easier te, use than regular wallpaper and they corne in a variety of patterns. Prepaatad wallcoverings save tirne and effort and are popular with do-it-youselfers. 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