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HOME PROFESSIONALS GUIDE Wednesday September u Ml Page Solariums provide unique view on life This article is provided by local realtors and the Ontario Real Estate Association ORE A for the benefit of consumers in the real estate market Do you have a natural love of plants and the great outdoors and would like to enjoy both all year round regardless of the weather If so youd probably enjoy a solarium These unique glass rooms are added right onto your home extending your living space They can be enjoyed right through any season rain or shine and- tend to be far more flexible than the conservatories and sunrooms of Victorian and Ed wardian times Designed for comfort for peo ple as well as plants a solarium can be as flamboyant- or as sim ple as you want to make it Solariums can double as sitting or reading rooms or provide a unique setting for gracious enter taining They also provide ex cellent recreation areas for plant Even if you dont have a green thumb you can still fill your solarium with lots of greenery simply by buying ar tificial plants Unlike their live counterparts these plants re quire minimal care merely oc casional cleaning EXTENSION OF THE HOME In most solariums one entire wall and part or all of the ceiling are generally constructed of thick thermal glass Frames can be made of wood or aluminum are usually constructed at the rear of a home but can also be added to the front or side If you decide to have one installed be sure to check your municipal bylaws to see what permits you require DESIGNED TO BLEND IN Modern solariums are designed to blend in with the style and mood of a home whether its contemporary or oldfashioned wood frame or brick A solarium should be aesthetically pleasing from both the outside as well as the inside of the home And since this type of room usually ends up as a major focal feature of a home it should be strategically located near the dining living or family room perhaps even the kitchen PLANNING The key to designing and in stalling a successful solarium lies in the planning stages Keep in mind that a solarium must be targe enough to allow air to cir culate It should also be situated so that it receives several hours of sunlight each day A flow of light will help your plants flourish In the winter sunlight is an excellent source of additional heat BASIC FEATURES A solarium should have the following a floor that can withstand water a ceiling that will admit enough natural light adequate ventilation outlets for electricity and possibly one for water enough space for furniture and drainage facilities for water runoff Prices will vary according to the type of ceiling and floor you choose Floors can be made from concrete tile brick paving blocks or marble Pick one that will best suit your intended use To help create some warmth in winter and protect sensitive feet from constant exposure to cold surfaces consider purchasing some small scatter mats DECORATING When decorating try to choose colors that are bright and warm to the eye Also keep in mind that if you intend to put a lot of plants and flowers in your solarium it will probably become humid So be sure to pick furniture that can withstand this type of at mosphere Some experts recom mend using wicker furniture since it performs well in tropical climates If youre planning a solarium thats large and dramatic its a good idea to choose giant plants trees and shrubs to fill it Consult your local greenhouse or an in door gardening expert to see which varieties would be best Plants like the umbrella tree or weeping fig can grow to substan tial heights and fill space very ef fectively and elegantly A large cactus can also be attractive and doesnt require as much water ing If the solarium you are plann ing is small warm and cozy choose smaller varieties of trees or shrubs Spider plants and for instance fit well into small spaces and help to naturally reduce air pollutants Peace lilies also fit well into most corners and open spaces without being too overpowering and this variety helps to clean the air as well Also be sure to pick furniture that fits well in a small room Bold overpowering patterns can make a small room seen even smaller The overall effect should be bright airy and clutterfree INSTALLATION Designing and building a solarium can be a doityourself project or one thats done profes sionally Many people opt to hire contractors However if you decide to build one yourself its a good idea to consult experts for advice andproduct information If you decide to get profes sionals to install it make sure you specify exactly what you want done and be sure to get at least two to three quotes on the job before choosing a contractor A wellconstructed solarium will give you years of pleasure and will enhance the overall beauty of your home Decorative Mirror with purchase over Aesthetic CreatioTisCuitom Designs Replacement Vanity MirrorsMirror Furniture Replacement WindowsMirror Closet Doors Sliding Bifold Pedestal Decora 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