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Wednesdsay February 2, 2000 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER C3 Homes & Gardens Hottest window decor need not be very costly First-time buyers and those who are trading up for a bigger home both face two big projects: unpacking boxes and choosing window coverings. Many times, figuring out where you're going to put things is easier than deciding what type of materials to use when covering your windows. The good news is, if you can locate your steel tape measure, you can pur chase and install attractive window cov erings. "The rule of thumb from interior designers is to live with your house for a while before making major decorative investments, since over time, you'll see the spaces and windows differently," says Nancy Douglas of The Home Depot. "But that doesn't mean living in a fish bowl for the first few months. Manufacturers today offer a variety of off-the-shelf window covering products that are functional and fashionable." Shade and blind spots Shades are the most cost-effective and functional solutions for window coverings. If darkening the room is important, Douglas advises selecting a fiberglass shade which blocks the most light. There's no need to be concerned about unusual sized windows since stores like The Home Depot carry sever al in-stock sizes and, more importantly, can cut most shades to fit any size. Plastic shades, which are less expensive, can be easily cleaned with any multi purpose spray cleaner and a sponge. For a more completed look, select decorative shades in a variety of colours and patterns with unique trim. Most dec orative shades today are white on the "street side" because of regulations in many condominium and planned com munities. Cloth shades present a more natural look but Douglas warns that over time, they show fingerprints, so it's important to buy plastic pulls. "If you plan to add curtains or valances later, it makes sense to leave the shades installed for privacy and darkness, so you may want to spend a little more for a decorative look," Douglas says. To maximize light control options and present a clean and contemporary look, many people prefer blinds. Vinyl blinds with one-inch slats are the least expensive option. Aluminum blinds, which are more expensive, will help to darken a room better than their plastic counterparts. Be careful not to kink the slats during cleaning. Blinds, like shades, come in a variety of stock sizes and most can be shortened at home. Manufacturers have added colours like black, hunter green, and burgundy to their lines for people inter ested in creating a dramatic focal point in a room. "Blinds are a great alternative for a bathroom, since you can control the pri vacy and still have some outside light," says Douglas. Other popular off-the-shelf alterna tives are pleated and cellular shades, which also are available in stock sizes. Pleated shades provide privacy while still filtering light -- making them a great alternative for a window facing the street or a neighbour, since the treatment will be left down often. Cellular shades are approximately twice as expensive as pleated and feature the added benefit of providing some insulation because of the way they are made. The most important rule for "quick fix" treatments is to measure windows carefully using a steel measuring tape. "Measuring with a cloth tape mea sure, string or phone cable is too inex act," warns Douglas. Custom looks at reasonable prices It's also possible to create some of the hottest window decor effects with out hiring custom contractors. For example, the sophisticated look of a fabric-covered cornice board can be made with a lightweight Styrofoam kit. In addition to being inexpensive, the kit includes double-sided tape for hanging and the fabric can be applied with hair pins. Open any home decorating maga zine and you'll see rooms with planta tion shutters -- a trendy yet classic look that also can be extremely costly if custom-made. For less than half the price, a seasoned do-it-yourselfer can purchase the popular large louver panels or com plete sets, which come both unfinished and finished, and add a striking touch to any room in the home. Huge LEVELOR promotion on ALL Riviera® Venetians, ALL Cellular products and 2 " wood Venetians W I N D O W S B Y W ER · F r e e In -h o m e C o n s u lta tio n · F r e e In s ta lla tio n Entertainment NEWS & SPORTS Three Tunes a VVtvA ( 905) 827-1876 Selected Floor Models International Home & Garden Show March 16-19 The International Home and Garden Show takes place from March 16-19th at the International Centre. This year, the show includes The Success With Gardening Show and features more than six acres of prod ucts and services. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and youths over 9 years-of-age with children under 9, admitted free. Show hours are March 16 & 17: 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., March 18: 19a.m.-9:30 p.m. and March 19th: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Parking is free and there is free child care. 2111 Dunwin Dr. (M ississauga) 1 1 /2 blocks west of Erin Mills Parkway facing Dundas Fine C h ild re n 's Furniture Linen and D ecor 828-2525 RBG offers workshops The Royal Botanical Gardens is gearing up its public pro grams for the coming year. On Sat. Feb. 5th, the RBG presents `Native plants for the natural landscape'. The session runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the RBG Centre, 680 Plains Rd., Burlington. Cost is $65 for RBG members or $75 for non-members. Join Ken Parker for a look at naturalizing your yard, or using native plants in your garden, from a Native perspective. This workshop includes a multimedia presentation, infor mation on seeding, propagating and transplanting native plants followed by a garden design project. Note: this workshop focuses on sun-loving and prairie plants. Instructor Ken Parker owns and operates Sweet Grass Gardens in Hagersville. It is North America's first Nativeowned and operated plant nursery. Enrolment is limited to 25 people. Register by Feb. 2nd by calling 825-5040. The RBG presents `Deer, coyotes (and Wolves!)' on Sun. Feb. 6th from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. This workshop examines the changing ecology of white tailed deer in southern Ontario. Indoors, participants will look at deer and their adaptations, then head into the field to search for deer and signs of their activity. Dress for the weather. Workshop leader Gord Lewer is a wildlife biologist, former provincial park naturalist and local outdoor educator, who is also the resident naturalist for CBC Radio's This Morning. Enrolment is limited to 25 people. Register by Feb. 3rd by calling 825-5040 ext. 270. Location is the Nature Interpretive Centre in the Arboretum, Old Guelph Road, Dundas. Cost is $5 for members or $6 for the public. The RBG presents `May we recommend...?' on Wed. Feb. 9th from 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. at the RBG Centre, 680 Plains Rd. W., Burlington. Every year, new plants appear on the market. Some are award winners, such as All-America Selections. Others enter the market more quietly. In addition, RBG staff select good performers and make them available through the ROYALSELECT program. Colour slides will augment and evening discussing excep tional plants from the RBG collection. Presentation leader Chris Graham is RBG's director of hor ticultural services. Enrolment is limited to 40 people. Register by Feb. 4th by calling 825-5040 ext. 270. Cost is $19.50 for members and $23.50 for non-members. The RBG presents `A Victorian Valentine' on Feb. 8th from 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. or Feb. 10th from 10 a.m.-12.30 p.m. Make a variety of gifts for your special Valentines in this workshop. From fragrant and relaxing bath salts to lacy laven der sachets, tussie mussies (which express the language of love through herbs and flowers), pressed flower cards, miniature rose topiaries and herb and spice mixes. Please bring a glue gun and glue sticks, wire cutters and scissors. Instructor Joan Sinding has taught natural craft and herb courses for the RBG and a variety of other educational institu tions for more than 20 years. Enrolment is limited to 20 people. Register by Feb. 4th by calling 825-5040 ext. 270. Cost is $40 for members and $45 for non-members. The fee includes a kit valued at $25. ENNISCLARE INTERIORS A T r a d i t i o n of E l e g a n c e S TO R E W ID E S T A R T S TO M O R R O W ! From s o fa s to s u it e s .. . you g e t u n s u r p a s s e d s e l e c t i o n , s e r v i c e a n d q u a lity . ^ .H o in e O ffice \ S o lu tio n s a t 3 0 % off | Larger scale com puter cabinet Reg. price, $3799. Sale West Indies King size Plantation bed. ^ Reg. price, $7069. ' Sale *2599 5 $5299 Queen size also available. S a le*4799 I Traditional Lawson sofa Reg. price, $1769. i Sale * 1 2 9 9 Elegantly styled Sheraton sofa Reg. price, from $4479. Sale, from *2689 ^ I C ontem porary style, top grain all leather sofa. Reg. price, I $2229. S a le*1599 T h e p e rfe c t g ift th a t's a lw a y s w e lc o m e E N N IS C L A R E IN T E R IO R S 1075 NORTH SERVICE R D 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 AD 0205