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25 · Friday, April 23, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Spring Home and Garden Home beauty makeover What will 2010 look like in our homes? (NC)--The wheel of fashion turns, constantly, and we should be glad it does. Would you want to wear the same clothes, see the same movies, hum along to the same tunes and look at the same walls year after year? I enjoy my work as a designer and guest expert on Citytv's CityLine, but what I like most is the excitement of discovering new styles, and helping other people enjoy them too. So ­ we've just dipped our toes into a new year. What's ahead in the home for 2010? For the last few years it has been green, green, green. That's still here, but in the background. Now, the focus is more on us, ourselves ­ our respect for the past, our need for direction in our lives, our longing for simple things, and the pleasure we take in simplicity. First up, a traditional look, made more interesting now by mixing vintage pieces with organic elements. It makes use of rough textures in wood and fabrics, but blends them with the classic lines of elegant furniture. We're calling this look Reclaimed Refinement, and in terms of window fashions I'd say translucent romans provide sensitive management of natural light while contributing to the traditional aspect of this subtly balanced look. Comfortable Contemporary will fill a need for many. Until now "Contemporary" has often meant hard, cold, and engineered. This 2010 look keeps the clean lines, but adds warmth. Man-made materials now express natural motifs and feminine curves. As for window fashions, natural fabrics and woven shades fit right in. I'm thinking of PanelTrac to define large spaces, roller shades in all their many patterns for light-control duty. One way we build our own interiors is by storytelling. The souvenirs we bring back, the family photos we treasure, the artwork on our walls are all part of a story that says who we are. Hence Collector Chic, a look that answers the question "Can vintage and modern pieces work together?" with a resounding "Yes!" Here we see a blending of masculine and feminine; new and old; glass, metals and ceramics; rich textures and bold patterns. Between you and the light outside I suggest two extremes ­ the slick modernism of cellular blinds close to the window, covered by the exuberance of full-length, even hobbled, roman blinds in any fabric that turns you on. Lastly we have a blast from the past, Mid-Century Modern. You may call it the Mad Men look, your elders may think of Sputnik and Explorer. But for us it's not a time capsule, it's teak and metal combined, leather and linens, clean lines but with a softer look than back then. In your windows we suggest wood blinds once more, teamed with flat romans using heavily textured linens. A closer look at many of these window fashions is available online at www.Levolor.ca. (NC)--With the downturn in the economy and a slowdown in home sales many homeowners are going to be living where they are for longer than they expected. Home improvements will not only make staying in the same home more palatable but will increase the home's value. Many homeowners have found it's time for a home beauty makeover. They are selecting concrete pavers to add that beauty. Whether it is a new driveway, front walk or patio homeowners are finding out that concrete pavers are the best material for the job. Concrete pavers: · Are beautiful. Rustic stone-like pavers are available and come in many shapes, colours and sizes. Light coloured pavers can offer a cooler surface around patios and pool decks. · Are strong. Their uniform size and high quality concrete allows them to fit tightly together and form a strong interlocking surface. · Don't crack like asphalt or poured-in-place concrete. Paver joints allow for a small amount of www.newscanada.com movement without cracking. · Are easy to repair. You can remove and reinstate the same pavers with no ugly patches after repairs to the base or underground utilities. · Resist oil and antifreeze that leak from cars, making the pavers particularly good for driveways. · Can accommodate lighting fixtures that fit right into the paver pattern. These low voltage systems include wiring and a transformer that plug into a standard 110-volt outdoor receptacle. The lighting defines patios, walkways and driveways at night, increasing safety and adding a bit of mystique to your home. For driveways and larger areas it is a good idea to hire a professional contractor. These contractors can complete a high-quality job quickly and safely because they have the right equipment and materials. 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