Wednesday January 12, 2000 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER A11 H om es&G ardens An Oakville Beaver Feature To reach this section call 845-3824 Fax:337-5567 Velux, the firm that wrote the book on skylights and roof windows, has moved its Canadian unit to town By Nancy Alexander SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER "Leading The Way" Affordable Eleganc#1 WINDOWS & DOORS RIDLEY SHOWROOM 35 Crawford Cn, Campbellville · SALES · SERVICE F or All Your Window, Door, C olum n & M oulding Needs 905-854-2228 Lighting up your home naturally A s m arketing coordinator for Velux Canada, one of the world's largest pro ducers of skylights and roof windows, Terry Blondin is used to hearing a familiar response when people learn of his occupation-- "skylights leak". Unused fireplace can make its own statement This week's store feature is a store located in downtown Oakville on Lakeshore Road called Harvest at Home and what a great store it is. It is full of home accessories and great gifts for everyone including family pets. Harvest at Home opened its Ask a Designer doors in March of 1998 and is one of three stores owned by Conrad Genee and Paul Keogh. The owners strategically open stores in neighbourhoods with lots of people traffic. Downtown Oakville, of course, is a great neighbourhood and has been a successful location for Harvest. This store has it all from out door gardening accessories to in-house accessories, all that are very functional to suit any one's lifestyle. Grab yourself a coffee _______________ and take a walk through down town Oakville and drop into Harvest at Home to familiarize yourself with this fantastic store. Q: Do you have any suggestions on dressing up a woodbuming fireplace that is non-functional. I have tried an arrangement of dried flowers inside the fireplace but I still find it drab. J.D. A: Go and get yourself a bunch of pillar candles, different shapes and sizes and arrange them on the inside of your fireplace and light them. The look is very soft and romantic. I usually do this in my fire place in the summer months. Keep your questions coming. I love receiving your mail. Write to Ask a Designer, c/o The Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville,L6K 3S4. Colour and Design Consultant Janet Saundercook is available for in-hom e consultations. Call 849-6565. Blondin says he takes the comments in stride, and considers it part of his job to educate people to the fact that not all skylights are created equal. Velux Canada recently opened its spacious new showroom and corporate headquarters in Oakville after relocating from Montreal last year. The Danish company was founded in the early 1940s and is now located in 40 countries around the world, including 13 manufacturing facilities. Blondin says the popular impression that sky lights leak has been caused over the years by infe rior products which have been improperly installed. "We have been around a long time, and we stand behind our products," says Blondin. "That's why a lot of builders will tell you to install a Velux or don't bother." With almost 200 skylights installed in its bright new head office, Velux puts its reputation to the test every day. Blondin admits that in addition to quality manu facturing using tempered, insulated glass, installa tion is key. That is why all Velux products come equipped with detailed installation lots and instruc tions. Specially designed flashings and curbs are meant to ensure safe drainage of rainwater coming from around and above the roof window or sky light. Blondin says there are basically three types of skylight from which to choose: a fixed skylight (which cannot be opened), a fixed skylight with a vent flap which allows for some air exchange, and a ventillating skylight which can be fully opened for maximum ventillation. The difference between a roof window and a skylight is that roof windows are within reach while skylights have to be accessed with a rod or a remote control. Blondin says roof windows are most often found in Europe because of different building designs and greater use of attics. He notes that the most popular locations for sky lights in today's homes-- whether new or retrofit ted-- are in the kitchen and bath where homeown ers like lots of natural light. When used in combination with a variety of accessories such as blinds, shades and electronic or manual control systems, it allows the homeowner to control light levels, temperature and privacy. As with any type of window, prices range wide ly depending on the type and size of the skylight, as well as the accessories used. Blondin says a simple skylight could start at less than $200 (before flash ing and accessories) and the prices climb from there up to over $3,500 for a specialty "balcony roof win dow" which is the Cadillac of skylights, so to speak. P h o to by P e te r C. M cC usker Velux President Nels Moxness and M ayor Ann M ulvale at the window com pany's new Sherwood Heights Drive Canadian headquarters gallery. Better Living Home Show in Hamilton begins tomorrow The annual Better Living Home Show is being held from Jan. 13th-16th at the Hamilton Convention Centre in city's downtown. Sponsored by The Hamilton-Halton Home Builders' Association, the event will feature dis plays and demonstrations on every component of home'care. Some of the features include faux finishing, gardening workshops, interior design-including a Feng Shui session, saving energy, wood floors, ceramic tile and kitchen fun with demonstrations and recipes. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. On Jan. 13th and Jan. 14th, seniors will be admitted for only $2.50. Children under 12 will pay no admission. s t u d i o Square End Table Glass Top Metal Base Reg. 589.00 42" Glass Top Dining Table with Four Chairs, Ivory Crackle Finish Reg. 2949.00 Aro cjre^LAre^ ScidpJrural ftmcAricA/A ?icc£JS> feplcns. p o H r /Y j Sale 199.00 Sofa Table Glass Top Metal Base Reg. 689.00 Sale 1599.00 Round Cherry Dining Table with Four Upholstered Side Chairs Reg. 3864.00 p r t jp w + it s a r J possfcM-its o £ d a q / Kids, teens and adult classes are taught by skilled potters and ceram ic artists in a bright, clean and fully equipped studio. 8 w eek sessions begin January 17, 2000. Sale 299.00 Sguare Glass Top Cocktail Table Ball & Claw Legs Reg. 929.00 Sale 1899.00 Round Dining Table with Four Side Chairs Reg. 2894.00 `Open' day studio for advanced level adult students Programs available for schools, community groups and PA. days. .. Birthday Parties are one 3 1^ _____________W l H c n e & f g f t t o t Q T f c o f o u r 8^ Sale 369.00 Large Rectangular Cocktail Table Stone Top Reg. 1289.00 Sale 1699.00 Oval Dining Table with Six SideChairs Light Pickled Oak Reg. 7983.00 Call for details and registration: 33S-136S Z*?S "RobmSon S-h OcwK-fcwK Oakv/te, tone block SoiAV, o £ LakesWore., cas-t o-C Tra-CUtep') Sale 499.00 Sofa Wheat Striped Damask Reg. 1899.00 Sale 2899.00 48" Glass Top Dining Table with Four Side Chairs Platinum Finish Pedestal Reg. 8237.00 TH E Wood Room U N F IN IS H E DF U R N IT U R E ·DESKS 4 HUTCHES · DRESSERS 4AR M 0IRES ·TV/VCR UNITS · BAR STOOLS ·MICROWAVE STANDS ·TOY CHESTS I · HIGH CHAIRS · MINWAX PRODUCTS · FINISHING SUPPLIES * HOMESTEAD HOUSE PAINT Specializing in Solid Oak, Pine, Maple, Birch · TABLES & CHAIRS · JE L L Y CUPBOARDS · M IR RO R S & PANTRIES 484 · CHINA CABINETS 'PLAINS RD. · ROCKING CHAIRS · SHELVES · W A LL U N ITS J BURLINGTON · COFFEE & END TABLES HOURS: TU E., WED.. FRI. 18-5:30 THUR. 10-8 SAT. 9-4 CLOSED SUN-MON. Sale 799.00 Sofa Hunter and Burgundy Tapestry Reg. 2019.00 Sale 4499.00 Round Dining Table with Six Side Chairs Warm Brown Cherry Finish Reg. 7193.00 681-6075j (next to Bingo Connection) Sale 799.00 Sofa Primrose Cotton Floral Print Reg. 2149.00 Sale 3599.00 Seven-Piece Casual Dining Suite Cognac Oak Finish Reg. 11612.00 Sale 799.00 Sofa Teracotta Tapestry Reg. 4129.00 Sale 5199.00 11-Piece Dining Suite Solid Cherry Ginger Finish Reg. 10549.00 Sale 1399.00 Sofa Beige Brushed Cotton Reg. 2269.00 Sale 5999.00 Nine-Piece Formal Dining Suite Elegant Empire Styled Reg. 12307.00 * KITCHENS» BEDROOMS« BATHROOMS * WALL UNITS Custom Designs, Custom Finishes, Top Quality Cabinetry, Competitively Priced, Free In-Home Service, Lifetime Warranty Sale 1199.00 Sofa Parchment Chenille Reg. 2649.00 Sale 6699.00 ENNISCLARE INTERIORS 1075 NORTH SERVICE RD. WEST, OAKVILLE. Tel: (905) 825-2450 Store Hours: Mon., Tues., Wed. & Sat. 10:00 am to 5:30 pm Thurs. & Fri. 10:00 am to 9:00 pm Sun. Noon to 5:00 pm Seven-Piece Dining Set Table with Six Chairs Fully Upholstered in Silk Reg. 36051.00 4 1 5 0 South Service Rd. Burlington 632-0029 Sale 1199.00 Sale 17999.00in AO 0101