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25 · Friday, June 18, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Spring Home and Garden 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. National Award Winning Swimming Pool Builders Pool Restorations Landscaping and Design 905-827-5433 · 1-888-404-4408 info@poolside.ca | www.poolside.ca Create a patio oasis on a budget (NC)-- Lighting ­ You can transform your garden into a romantic or festive summer oasis inexpensively and easily. String up outdoor lights: use your soft white LED outdoor Christmas lights or try eco-conscious solar powered or paper lanterns. Outdoor Rug ­ An easy and inexpensive way to bring the warmth and intimacy of an interior room outdoors is with a patio rug. Choose a vibrant or earthy shade to accent the colour palette of your outdoor space. Revive Patio Furniture ­ Instead of replacing your white plastic patio chairs, make them look new again by using Vim Cream to remove dirt and tough stains. Invest in Greenery ­ To create a secluded getaway feel on your patio, add "green" walls with potted outdoor plants. Use large decorative containers or plant flowers and bushes at the edge of the concrete slab or terrace. BEAT THE HST SENSATIONAL PRICES! DOOR CRASHER SPECIAL PRICE SUPER DEAL SPECIAL BUY $ 79 2 $ 25 1 $ 99 2 $ 79 2 Hardwood · Bamboo · Laminate · Carpet · Tiles · Vinyl · Oak Staircases & More ONLY AUTHORIZED ONLY AUTHORIZED NO PAYMENT - NO INTEREST FOR ONE YEAR OAC* Prior orders exempt. Offers cannot be combined. Limited time offer. Offer applies to l Pictures do not depict the products. See store for details.