The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Flooring Probably one of the most imporâ€" tant elements of a kitchen is the flooring. The floor treatment can accent all elements and pull the entire room together. The choices are vast One unique kitchen design idea is to install a working desk that doubles as a refreshment center, complete with an ice maker. It is ideally locatâ€" ed to serve guests without getting in the cook‘s way. Most builders install a main floor laundry. Well designed laundry areas should have a work counter and storâ€" age shelves, allowing the homeowner to make quick work of the wash while doing other tasks in the kitchen. One builder installed (at an addiâ€" tional price, of course) glass front china cabinets in the kitchen. The original request came from a purâ€" chaser who had a stunning collection of "flow blue" antique china. Instead of hiding it away, show wanted it proudly displayed. Lighting is critical in a kitchen. One area builder installs a double clerestory, made of modular windows that allow natural light to spill onto the work and eating areas for a sunny, airy atmosphere. He also installed halogen mobile lights that dangle over the table and preparation island, allowing the cook to pinpoint extra lighting for specific tasks. Colour coâ€"ordination is also big in kitchens these days. Refrigerators can be covered with colored acrylic front panels to match the decor. Pantries Pantries have also made a comeâ€" back in a big way. Once thought space wasters, most new home purâ€" chasers insists they are a perfect way to store oddâ€"sized, bulky cookware or dry goods. Even the traditional "supperâ€"inâ€" theâ€"kitchen" has not been forgotten. A small table can be centred under a window with a padded bench and chairs to form an informal eating area. f Working islands are almost comâ€" pulsory in most new home kitchens. Not only do they look great, but they allow family and friends to pitch in with food preparation. Some islands have extended counter tops that accommodate a few stools for a comâ€" fortable snack area. Many incorpoâ€" rate a garbage compactor, dishwasher and food waste disposal for easy cleanup. The homeâ€"style kitchen reflects a growing consumer mood for a return to the feeling of tradition and eleâ€" gance. The new kitchens help soften the edge of hiâ€"tech, thereby creating a nostalgically comfortable place for the entire family, filled with good smells, good food and good friends. Working Islands Many people including myself, remember the old days where impromptu company quite often never left the kitchen. It was a friendâ€" ly, casual room and usually a hub of activity. any new home builders are [ successfully blending highâ€" a tech efficiency along with the warmth of tradition in what is being referred to these days as "homestyle" kitchens. New materials and good design make these kitchens functional, beautiful and easy to maintain. are focal point of new homes New “homeslyl " kitchens Janice Johnston is President of Adcom Advertising and Design which specializes in residential marketing. Adcom is located at 440 Reynovlds St. in Oakville. When you look at new homes across town, take special note of the kitchen. The layout, the amenities and the finishing are very important. After all, it is a vital living area that will, no doubt, become a favorite gathering spot in your new home. from cost effective, high wearing vinyl to the more elegant upscale look of ceramic or Mexican tile. A classic treatment is still hardwood flooring. Accented with a colorful rug, it gives a warm, richness to the room. Diane Gabriel, Associate Broker, Brian Perchaluk Sales Representatlve I 2 Bedroom bungalow townhomes with a loft I Main Floor Bedroom with ensulte m Loft Bedroom with ensuite ‘>,4z ® Adult Lifestyle h m Gas Fireplaces Nee m Cathedral Ceiling im 2 Piece Powder Room i 2 Car Parking i Full Basement m End Units available m Special Scotia Bank Financing a in M 22 Uniquely Designed Townhomes. Upscale. Downtown. And Value Priced. C L U D I N G S T 8 T A RT ING FR 0 M Thorawood On Woodward. ' Model Suite Hours: Monâ€"Fri. 11â€"7, Sat. Sun. 125 " <or by appointment: 639â€"6908 on site or 6347755 office For example, preliminary findings from a recent mechanical ventilation assessment research report sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Housing, Ontario Hydro, the Ontario Natural Gas Association and ONHWP, indiâ€" cate homeowners with exhaust only ventilation systems often do not conâ€" tinuously operate the ventilation fans to ensure safe and healthy air quality. All too often homeowners do not understand the role they play in ensurâ€" mg their home‘s air quality. Acquainting yourself with the type of ventilation installed in your new home and its regular maintenance proâ€" cedures can be as simple as asking the builder for information. The preâ€"delivâ€" ery inspection is an excellent time to ask questions. ‘nvisible yet vital, the air in a new home should be every new homeâ€" owner‘s concern. Understanding your new home‘s ventilation system and its proper operâ€" ation and maintenance is the first important step to not only controlling indoor air quality but protecting your new home warranty. Problems arising from homeowner neglect are not covâ€" ered by the Ontano New Home Warranty Program (ONHWP). Invisible yet vital ROYAL LePAGE REAL ESTATE SERVICES LTD, BROKER ROYAL LEPAGE in Consider buying a simple hfimidity meter from the nearest hardware store for a more accurate humidity indicaâ€" tor. An indicator of the humidity level in a home is on the windows. If there is a build up of moisture on the winâ€" dows, you probably need to run your fans more often. If your nose and throat are constantly dry, turn the fans down or run them for shorter periods. After the first year, the need for ventilation will depend on your famiâ€" ly‘s lifestyle How much moisture is generated in the home from smoking, cooking and washing? Many home- owners use fans extensnvcly during the heating season while others run the ventllatlon system for a set period of time each day. Since many construction materials contain water, especially poured conâ€" crete and wood, new homes need six months to a year to dry out. During this time, you will probably need to run the ventilation and circulation fans continuously whenever the windows are closed. New homes require continuous ventilation during the first year of occupancy. (See ‘Deadly,‘ page 7)