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Page 12. Whitby Free Press, Wednesday, May 12, 1993 A HOME DESIGN AND IMPROVEMENT FEAlT lnstalling a solariumn WHITBY- DECORATORS Dartene Hadden and Eleanor Minaker <Curtain Cati Interiors) ran a seminar. in Oshawa recently on how to decorate la child's bedroom, complete with -a suggested window treatment for a gir's bedrooni (above). Photo by Mark ReesoS, Whltby Free Press The 'Country' Iook By Yvonne McRae Interior decorator, Finely Fimished English Country grows in poularity. Rocoma with floral chintzea, stripea end plaids, antique furnishirigs and landscape paintinga are everywhere. Today, you can select furniture and accessorios that feature faded and tea-stained fabrics that are se much a part of the English Country look Toiles, those glorieus cotton prints that often depict rural life scenea, join paisleys, provincial prints and bordera in the revival of Country French design. Colours associated with the French Impressionist artists abound --* sunflower, poppy, lavender, sky blues, field greens and sunset corals. Rustic fumnishinga from Louis XV and Regence periods appear in dark wood, light pine and painted finishes. English and French are very pepular styles, but the docade will' horrow ideas fron ail over Europe te crate cosmnopolitan European Country style. The maixing and blending, of designs crates a truly eclectic feeling. Do you have a natural love of plants and the great outdoors, and would you like te enjoy both aIl year round -- regardless of the weather? If se, youd probably enjoy a solarium. These unique glass roonts are added right onte your home, extending youar living space. They can ho enjoyed right through any season -- rain or. shine - and tend te be far more fleible than the conservatdries and aunrooma of Victorian and Edwardian tintes. Deaigned for comfort --for people as well as plants --a solarium can ho as flamboyant or as simple as you want te make it. Solariums can double as sitting or reading roonts, or previde a unique setting for gracieus entertaining. They aise provide excellent recreation areas for plant enthusiasta. Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can still flîl your solarium wth lots of greenery simply by buying life-like artificial planta. Unlike their livo counterparts, these <plants' require minimal care -- merely occasional cleaning. Etension ef the home In most solariums, one entire wall and part or ail of the ceiling, are generally constructed of thick, thermal glass. Framnes ý can lie made of wood or aluminurn. They are usually contructed at the rear of a home, but can alse ho added te tho front or aide. If you decide te, have one installed, ho sure te check your municipal bylawa te see what permits your require. Designod to, blond in Modern solariums are designed te blond in with the style and mood of a home -- whether it's contemperary or old-fashioned,, wood frame or brick. A solarium should ho aestheticafly pleasing front hoth the outoide as well as the inside of the home. And ince this type of room. usually ends up es a major focal feature of a home, it should ho strategically. located near the dining, living or famnily room -- perhaps even the kçitchen. The key ta designing and installing a successful solarium lies in the planning stages. Keep1 in mind that a solarium must be1 large enough to allow air te circulate. It should aise be situated se that it receives several hours of sunlight each day. A study flow of light will help your plants flourisèh. In the winter, sunlight is an excellent source of additional heat. Basic features . A solarium should have the following basic features: a a floor that can withstand water; e a ceiling that will admit enough natural light; *adequate ventilation; *outiets for electricity and possibly one for water, " enough space for furniture; and " drainage facilities for water runoif. Prices will vary* according te the type of ceiling and floor you choose. Floors can ho made front concrete, tile, brick, paving blocks or marble. Pick one that will best suit your intended use. To help croate . seme warmth in winter and protect sensitive feet f-rm constant exposure te cold surfaces, consider purchasing sente small scatter mats. Decerating When decorating, try te choose colours that are bright and warmn te the eye. Aise keep in mind that if you intend te put a lot of plants and flowers in your solarium, it will probably become huxnid. Se ho sure te pick furniture that can withstand this type of atmosphere. Somne experts recommend using wicker furniture, since it performs well in tropical dlimates. If you're planning a solarium that's large and dramatic, it'saa good idea te choose giant plants, trees and shrubs te fil it. Consult your local greenhouse or an indoor gardening expert t ese. which varieties wold ho best. Plants like the umbrella tree or weeping ' fig can grow te substantial heights and fil spece very efl'ectively and elegantly. A large cactus can aIse ho attractive and doesn't require as much If thein~j solarium you are planning is small, warmi and cSy, choose amaller varieties of heuseplants, tree or shrubs. Spider plants and philodendrons, for instance, fit well into simal spaces and help te naturally reduce air pellutants. Peace lies also fit well into most corners and open spaces, without being to overpowering -- and this variety helps te dlean the air as well. This article is prouided by local reali ors and thte Ontao Real Estate 'Association (OREA> for thw benefit of consumers in thte real estate market. By Lucie Itochette "Ail kinds of home furnishings" are offered at Quality Discount Furniture, a new store in east Whitby. Located between Cherney's Furniture store and Majestic Electronic Superstore, at 1624 Dundas St. E., Quality Discount Furniture has been ouen for about 10 weeks, and Ingo Schmnachtel, the store's general manager,.sgys that 'business is excellent. The store* is located where Whitby Lighting used to be. The location had been vacant for two and a half years. Schmachtel has 315 years of experience in the furnituro busi- ness, and is a cabinet-maker by trade. Customers can o ofin, ipick a particular type off ei that catches their oye, and Schmach- tel says that they will make the furniture with the requested fabric. About 80 per cent of the furni- ture in the store is made in Canada, which generates jobs for local people, says Schmachtel. The Red of Roses is a very popular item at Qualty Discount Furnitre, although chmachtel says that al the items in the store are popular. The bed, which is a box spring and a mattress, is made by Res- tenic, a local manufacturer. The Bed of Roses has won a Trillium Award which recognizes excel- lence in furniture design.