Wednesday, April 21, 1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER A9 Add tile to your kitchen countertops Ceramic tiles add beauty, style and durability to kitchen countertops C eramic tile shows up in so many bathrooms because it withstands moisture and abuse better than other wall and floor materials. So it should come as no sur prise that designers today are specifying ceramic tile for the kitchen, too. Sink backsplashes and countertops are log ical spots for ceramic tile, thin stone, marble and other tiles. But to ensure a tile job that lasts, designers recommend functionality and durability over trendy tiles that may quickly go out of style. There aren't many styles of tile you can't use in kitchens. However, it's important that the consumer understands that what is trendy today may not be tomorrow. It is usually a wiser investment to go for a look that will last, as opposed to the latest trend. And tile countertops are catching on. Tile countertops and backsplashes are typically offered as an upgrade from laminates in new- home construction, and that seems to be popu lar. While tile is very durable, tile jobs won't last unless a water-resistant underlayment such as cement board is used. Moisture can seep through grout or joints, so sealing with a tile and grout sealer can help prevent moisture damage and alleviate any concern about hard- to-clean grout lines. And with the advent of water-resistant cement backer boards, home- owners are seeing less water damage and longer-lasting tile jobs. If you're looking to add some style to your kitchen, visit a local home improvement retail er. See below for some more home improve ment ideas. S pecial P re-S eason Even t !! Save s300 Installed AIR CONDITIONER Easy Monthly Payments Available Reg. Price $1570 A PPLEWOODIR CONDITIONING • 5-year Free Parts & Labour • 10-year compressor warranty • 1 1/2-ton condenser & coll only. * Installation extra (905)275-4500 r DEJONG HOMES New to Oakville! A Business that was built on referrals means we m ust be doing it right. Our reputation is important to us so we use only top quality materials & provide only exceptional service. • Design & Build with on-site personal attention. • Custom Built Homes, Timberframing, Additions, Kitchen & Bath Renovations, Wall Units & More. 689-2554 Easy to Start. Easy to Use. Easy to Maintain m LAWN-tor2-OOI OH Buying a Lawn-Boy* is just as easy as using one With staggered wheels for closer trimming and an easy-starting 4.5 horsepower engine, Lawn-Boy* is tough on grass, not on wallets. Save on yours today. Squeeze lemonade, dot piggy banks. Don't Pay Until October 31/'99 OA.C. SILKS SUKS* Easy MuldiVvsh Hewer ■ Easy-sian 4.5 hp 4-cycle engine • Closer trimming with exclusive staggered wheel deck • Lightweight siccl deck makes maneuvering effortless ■ Mulching to side discharge io optional bagging without tools • 2-year FULL warranty' LAWN-BOY M aking m im ing easier" Qmk out ter wtfc ifct i t www.Um4 ef.cMi i (L a i? vousRr E ENTi 488 Morden Rd. #2, Oakville, O n t, L6K 3W4 I 905 844-4304 fax 905-844-4306 1-800-482-76691 y Wayne Gretzky A Boy and H is Dream Sold out limited edition of 9999. Secondary market print value $500.00 Framed $580.00 Only a few available Surroundings Gallery Trafalgar Village, The Super Centre, 125 Cross Ave., 2025 Guelph Line Oakville Burlington 842-0610 336-1135 TORO EXCLUSIVE GUARANTEEDio sum;swim mss Only Toro mowers are guaranteed to so rt on the first or ((PTCIl *xon d PuH' 'fKMS ,fte r vort. w *e 'U fix it fnx. A tribute to iL l l j j A y ] Toro's legendary quality and durability. Isn't it time you ^ owned peace of mind? See your Toro dealer today $38995 Don't Pay 't i l Oct. '99 OJCC | Toro* Rttydor i Push Mower * 6.0 hp toro GTS* engine * Patented Recycler* cutting system mulches for a healthy and beautiful lawn. * Side discharge also included * Lightweight steel deck * Two-year full warranty' When you want it dom right. I ! Serving O akville Since 1974 C U R R E N T POW ER M A C H IN E R Y IN C . 1661 Lakeshore Rd. W. Mississauqa 8 2 2 -4 2 1 1 Passions Decorium By Nienke T. Jonkman Advertising Feature Renovating or redecorating a room doesn't stop once you have painted, wallpapered and moved the furniture in. A room isn't complete until the final finishing touches and accessories fill the space to create the ambiance originally intended. Sometimes, this is all that is needed to freshen up a room. With a flare for colour and spatial balance, Passions Decorium is just the place to visit when the first steps of your home improve ment projects are complete. The store, which opened its doors last February, is a tribute to the talents of owners Carol Scalisi and Diane Sinclair, who both have several year of experience in the industry. An abundance of vibrant, fresh colours and scents awaken the senses upon entering the shop located at 407 Speers Road (just west of Dorval). Inside you'll find imported candles in all kinds of geometric shapes, sizes and colours, floral designs, wrought iron fur niture, glass tables, tapes tries, pillows, mirrors, decorative plaster plaques and columns, wire and plaster bowls, and other finishing accessories. If you're not sure how to finish that wall or room, Scalisi and Sinclair also offer consulting services. "We do a lot of work through our catalogues," said Scalisi. "We get to know many of our clients on a personal level, and keep them in consideration when we're buying for the store." It isn't uncommon for a customer to walk into the store and request a complete display, and the owners are always ready to oblige. They can find the right finishing accessory for any room or wall. And if it isn't available, they will custom-make the items for you. Floral arrangements (dry, freeze-dried, silk or fresh) can be cus tomized, as well as the tapestries and pillows. The pair are also known for using items out of context, such as making a table from a bench. For more information drop by the store or call 845-9218. A Better Way To ,nsurei % #Jom e any purchase over $50.00 with this coupon I------------------------------------------ 1 407 Speers Rd., Oak. Only a few days left for our spectacular 20% off a ll concrete. Offers expire May 1 /99 (905) 845-9218 m on-uuec) 1 0 -5 ; th u rs 1 0 -6 ; fr i 1 0 -8 ; s a t 1 0 -5 ■ III1! > 9 S Orators A ffc IM r m o l f o r 700"* Serving Southwest Oakville (or ovet 40 yeors HoDedale M a ll. Rebecca St. • 4 6 9 -9 1 0 0 Look to these businesses fop your home improvement and decorating needs. http://www.Um4ef.cMi