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● CLOTHES FOR YOUR WALLS ● 10 WAYS TO MAKE A SMALL ROOM LOOK LARGER ● Decoretto – a new word IN decoration ● Steampunk in Interior Design ● sUSPENSE OR NO SUSPENSE? ● Air Conditioner and Your Health FREE MONTHLY MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTED DIRECTLY TO HOUSEHOLDERS
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Condo,Bathurst/Steeles Ask $329,900
Bright beautiful CORNER unit with amazing unobstructed view of park. Completely renovated 3+1 brms, 2-full whrs, 1600 sq. ft. Exellent layout. Custom made European style new kitchen w/window. All closets w/organizers. Gleaming parquet throughout. Mouldings. Potlights. Parking. Maitenance fee even includes cableTV.Gym, sauna, whirpool, outdoor swimming pool. Great area!!!
Bathurst/Elgin Mills Ask $699,000
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Beautiful home, spacious and bright. 8-yr old, 2600 sq.ft., 4 large bdrs, 3 wshrs. Excellent layout with 9’ ceilings, hardwood floors, mouldings, potlights, Ń alifornia shutters. Ensuite w/Jacuzzi and shower stall. Large ugraded kitchen w/garden door. Great area in demand! Exellent schools.
Bathurst/Steeles Ask $299,000
Dufferin/Rutherford Ask $519,900
Spacious and bright Southern exposure condo apt in Primerose complex. Excellent layout, 950 sq.ft., 2 bdrs, 2 wshrs. Large Eat-in kitchen. Parquet floor throughout. Updated ensuite. Large & open balcony. Parking. All inclusive living (even cable TV). Gated security.Gym, sauna, outdoor swimming pool. Steps to TTC, shops. High demand Dufferin Hills! Gorgeous, bright and spacious freehold townhouse, 3 bdrs, 3 wshrs. Gleaming hardwood floors throughout. Family room w/gas fireplace. Large upgraded kitchen with W/O to patio. Nicely finished basement with laminate floors.
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Bathurst/Teston Ask $625,900
Yonge/Brookside Ask $947,200
Magnificent Home in prestigious Upper Thornhill Estate! Modern open concept layout. Outside faced with stucco and stone. 4-yr old, 3 bdrs, 3 wshrs. Large family room w/gas fireplace. Upgraded kitchen w/tall cabinets and granite counter, S/S appliances. Dark hardwood floor throughout. Close to all amenities. Gorgeous elegant Home, faced with stone. Build by Trinity Homes! 4 bdrs+den, 4 wshrs, 3700 sq.ft. Modern open concept layout. High ceilings, hardwood floors, potlights, Corinthian columns, crown mouldings, design chandeliers. Large custom made kitchen w/granite counter and S/S appliances. All 4 large wshrs with granite or marble counters, upgraded vanities. Over 200K in upgrades, including heat/sound isolation, interlock and etc.
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JK Joseph
Kitchens
Joseph Kitchens Art of Cabinetry
www.josephkitchens.com 60 Doncaster Ave. (Unit 2) Thornhill ON. L3T 1L5 Phone: 416.727.0504 Email: info@josephkitchens.com
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CLOTHES FOR YOUR WALLS
The ancient Chinese invented wallpaper long before our times and this kind of wall covering has kept its number one place in popularity for over two thousand years. Nevertheless, new technologies have enabled the creation of products that constitute serious competition to these tried and true favourites.
New wall covering materials possess many advantages and it is quite possible that in a couple of decades these handsome and practical “clothes� may replace the paper-based wallpaper completely. The question is how to choose among the wide variety of wall coverings something that suits your particular case. A lot depends on the style of decor you prefer.
Classic Style The admirers of the high and mighty will probably prefer venetian plaster. This amazing material is applied in several layers with the top one glazed. The result is not unlike grainy or veined natural stone. This beautiful and dignified effect is great for a classic interior. Venetian plaster may look like malachite or jade, or another type of stone. The biggest advantages of this kind of decorative plaster are durability, safety, and moisture resistance. The disadvantage is its relatively high cost. Another type of wall covering suitable for classic decor is seamless liquid wallpaper. In this case, though, try to avoid bright colour spots and oversized patterns that may suit the hi-tech decor but not the classic one. The invention of liquid wallpaper has really benefited humankind. Its uses and variations are limitless; you can take the paste off the wall and reapply just adding a small amount of water. When applying liquid wallpaper, there is no wrong way, therefore there is no waste. For this reason, labour cost when it is used is relatively low.
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Country and Ethno Styles Considering the widespread enthusiasm for natural decorative materials choosing decor for your home or at least one room in the country style is quite understandable. You can use such natural coverings as wood, stone, or brick, even though stone and brick interiors only work in spacious rooms. Artificial materials like film and wallpaper imitating wood or stone are quite acceptable in this kind of decor. Avoid low-cost ones though they may ruin the desirable effect. Various woods used as wall covering are trendy, for example pine, beech, or oak, but the real hit of the season is bamboo. Wood coverings need to be varnished to prevent rot. Bamboo and cork are excellent choices for trendy Ethno decor style.
Hi-tech Tiles have traveled from the kitchen and bathroom into living and dining rooms. And why not? Severe geometric design, no fanciful floral patterns – just utter practicality. With this style, remember the importance of choosing the right colour – the hues should be either extremely contrasting or solid one tone. The trend of today is a large checked patterned tile in pastel colours. The most advanced lovers of hi-tech have already started using tiles as wall covering in theirs and their children’s bedrooms. Glass wallpaper is yet another choice for an interior in the hi-tech style. This material is used to create an embossed pattern and possesses reinforcing qualities and for this reason it is sometimes used as reinforcement for plaster. Glass wallpaper is made of mineral liquid silicone glass which makes it fire resistant and safe for human health. It stops mold and microorganisms from spreading. Despite stereotypes, glass wallpaper may be used beyond office spaces; they can create an interesting minimalistic look in residential places. On the other hand, hi-tech style is too cold for a residential space on its own, it looks much better in conjunction with another, warmer style, especially considering the trendiness of eclectic decor.
Non-Conformist Solutions For those who are looking for something unique and expressive but do not like any of the above mentioned styles, there is a wide variety of designer solutions. For example, consider Oriental-looking walls calling for fabric wall coverings and rugs. The lovers of the medieval castle style may use frescos – the most expensive kind of all the decoration mentioned here. For an easily-achieved new look consider wall-covering prints. Applications in vivid colours will make any kid’s heart happy. Psychologists say that it is not the style of your decor that is important but its ability to make you relax. If to achieve this you need to decorate your walls in, say, bright red glass wallpaper, go ahead and do it without worrying what your visitors will think – it is your house after all!
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10 WAYS TO MAKE A SMALL ROOM LOOK LARGER 1
To make a small room look more spacious, use light colours on walls and decorative elements. Forget vivid and contrasting hues – use pastel hues instead. Also, remember that cool tones visually enhance space better than warm ones.
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The room will look larger if all its walls, ceiling, and the floor are of the same light hue. To visually raise the ceiling, try to paint its edges the same colour as the walls.
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Both furniture and accessories should be of the same tone as the wall colours. Furniture in contrasting hues will attract attention and “devour” the space. Large objects in vivid colours visually divide the room, which, in the case of small space, undesirable. Prefer window treatments like one-layer sheers that let the light in.
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Discrete artificial lighting added to natural daylight serves to enhance your space.
Wall-mounted mirrors help make the room look more spacious. For example, a tall and narrow mirror will visually raise the ceiling and widen the wall.
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Light and non-cumbersome furniture like a glass-top coffee table, cabinets with open shelves, and chairs made of transparent plastic create a feeling of open space.
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The best way to place the furniture in a small room is around the perimeter to avoid unnecessary division of space or in the corners of the room.
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Place a noticeable object like a tall plant in the furthest corner of the room. This will draw attention across the room and create a feeling of spaciousness.
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Free the room of all the unnecessary objects that limit its space. The fewer pieces there are in the room, the larger it will look. For the same reason, use smaller objects and furniture: it is better to replace a sofa with two chairs or swap a cabinet with a narrow bookstand. Small vertical cabinets are ideal for smaller spaces.
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Sometimes, the best solution is to eliminate a door between two adjoining rooms altogether or replace it with a folding screen to join them into one large room.
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www.fayrealestate.ca email: fayservices@yahoo.com BUNGALOW! BRADFORD (NORTH OF NEWMARKET)
Practically new! Gorgeous, very bright, warm & inviting BUNGALOW, 2-bdrms, 3-wshrs, with open concept library. 1923 Sq.Ft. Excellent layout. High ceilings, gleaming hardwood floors. Potlights. Bedrooms have ensuites. Updated large kitchen with high cabinets, stainless steel appliances, pantry. Large family room with gas fireplace & high vaulted ceilings. 2-car garage. Fenced backyard. Excellent location, close to all amenities.
RICHMOND HILL NO HOUSES BEHIND! The biggest townhouse in the complex! 1800 Sq.Ft, linked by garage only. 3-bdrm, 3-wshr. Great layout. Hardwood floors. Family room with gas fireplace. Upgraded kitchen with S/S appliances. W/O to nice deck. All bedrooms are large. Beautiful master ensuite with large tub & separate shower. Basement with large windows. Great area! Close to everything! Asking $489,900
DIRECT:
416-889-9955 Each office is independently owned and operated
CONDO BATHURST/STEELES/FINCH
Very enjoyable & cozy, filled with natural sunlight, completely renovated & beautifully maintained 3+1-bdrm, 2-full wshrms, 1600 SqFt CORNER unit with amazing unobstructed view of park. Excellent layout. Gleaming parquet floors throughout, moldings, potlights. Nicely painted. Living room with antique sconces. Beautiful custom-made European style kitchen w/KitchenAid cooktop, oven, new water filtration system. Nice breakfast area overlooks park. Large master with W/I closet & 4pc ensuite. Renovated wshrms with nice ceramic & vanities. All closets w/organizers. Large ensuite locker & laundry. Solarium can be used as 4th bdrm or office. Parking included. Maintenance fee includes all utilities & cable TV. Well maintained building w/excellent facilities: gym, sauna, whirlpool, outdoor swimming pool, security guard & system. Great area in demand!
Asking $329,900
RICHMOND HILL (BATHURST/YONG/ELGIN MILLS)
HOMELIFE VICTORY REALTY INC. Brokerage 10720 Yonge St, #226, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3C9 BUS: 905-737-0033 FAX: 905-737-3132
RICHMOND HILL (YONGE & BROOKSIDE) Amazing home! Shows like a MODEL! Over $200K in upgrades! Very bright & comfortable, 4-bdrm + den, 4-wshr, 3700 SqFt, in excellent condition. Intensive use of finest materials. Modern open concept layout. Open foyer w/ granite floors. High ceilings, hardwood floors, potlights, custom made Corinthian columns, crown moldings. Beautiful living & dining room with dropped ceilings. Den on main floor with double French door & large window can be used as a 5-th bdrm. Large CUSTOM made kitchen with tall cabinets, granite, backsplash & S/S appliances. Family room with granite mantle gas fireplace. All bedrooms have ensuites and W/I closets. Master bdrm has two W/I closets & Jacuzzi. Triple-safe energy windows. Additional insulation. Custom made window curtains & designer crystal light fixtures. Stone exterior. Front & back interlock. Sprinkler system... Too many to list.... You’ll be impressed!
PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP! Stunning, spotless, 8-yrs old, 4-bdrm, 3-wshr, about 2600 sq.ft., you’ll love it from the entrance with open to above foyer & circular staircase w/art ledge, excellent layout with 9’ ceilings, gleaming hardwood floors, moldings, potlights, nicely decorated, family room with gas fireplace & decorative insert window, large upgraded kitchen, high cabinets with moldings, pantry & custom stone b/splash, garden door to large b/yard, all bdrms are very large, huge master with large W/I closet & ensuite w/Jacuzzi & separate shower, grand office on 2nd floor w/cathedral ceilings can be converted back to huge brm with door & closet, california shatters throughout, additional entrance to 2-car garage from porch, lots of potential, westbrook community, great area in demand!
Asking $699,000
BATHURST & CENTRE Luxurious Thornhill City Centre across 5 Acres Park! About 700 Sq.Ft, 1-bdr + den, 1-wshr, very bright & spacious unit with balcony with breathtaking south view on Toronto, laminated floors throughout, freshly painted, open concept kitchen with granite countertop & S/S appliances, excellent facilities: indoor pool, gym, sauna, locker & parking included, steps to Promenade Mall, public transit, HWY 407 & 7, parks, schools. Asking $312,900
BATHURST & RUTHERFORD Beautiful Fernbrook Home in Thornhill Valley area! About 2000 sq.ft., 4-bdr, 3-wshr, detached! Excellent layout. 9’ ceilings. Double door entry, hardwood floors. ample natural sunlight. 18 ft. Family room with gas fireplace. Very nice kitchen with S/S appliances. 2nd floor laundry room. Close to shopping centre & transportation. Asking $669,000
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STEELES & NEW WESTMINSTER Beautiful & quiet area. Very nice house with 2-car garage, 3-bdrm, 4-wshr, about 2300 Sq. Ft. Excellent layout. Lots of renovations! Hardwood floors throughout. New windows, new roof, fresh painting. Nice kitchen with S/S appliances. Family room with fireplace. FINISHED BASEMENT. Close to park, good schools, shopping plazas, public transit. Asking $680,000
YONGE & ELGIN MILLS Beautiful fully renovated 4+3-bdrm, 4-wshr home, over $200K spent on upgrades, grand foyer, hardwood floors & crown moldings throughout, roman columns, renovated kitchen w/maple cabinets, granite counters & S/S appliances. Newer doors, windows, roof & interlock driveway, den on main level, large family room w/stone fireplace, renovated wshrms with granite tops, wrought iron front door, professionally finished bsmnt with large recr. room & lots of potlights. Do not miss! Asking $749,900
August 2012
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Decoretto that’s becoming all the rage in Europe has received its name in France and is based on the familiar decoupage – a Chinese decorative technique known in the Old World since the 12th century. Basically Decoretto consists of contour-cut stickers made of environmentally safe self-adhesive film with waterproof surface.
Decoretto – a new word on decoration Decoretto comes in a variety of themes including the images based on various themes including fairytales, flowers, fruits and animals, and entire compositions like landscapes and cityscapes. Its decorating use is unlimited – from walls to furniture, china, fabrics, and any other object you would fancy. Use it in any room of the house, including children’s rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens; to adorn holiday events and gift packaging; wall and floor tiles; and for kids’ creative projects. It is easy to work with Decoretto and no special skills are required. Just like in the case of any sticker, remove the protective paper layer and stick the picture to the selected
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location. It can be applied to any smooth surface including wallpaper, painted walls, wood, tile, metal, glass, or plastic. Removing it is as easy as applying – just peel off and replace with a different design or leave the surface unadorned – Decoretto leaves no traces when peeled off any surface. Use a piece of Decoretto separately or combine with other pieces or other decorations. Among the numerous advantages of Decoretto is that a special protective layer makes it resistant to both light damage and moisture. All Decoretto products come with an environmental safety certificate and thus can
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HOME STAGING CUSTOM DRAPERY ALL TYPES OF BLINDS INTERIOR DECORATING 3D DESIGN
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be used in nurseries and children’s institutions. Decoretto products come with a minimum 3-year warranty. They are easy to care for – just wipe with a damp cloth. Decoretto stickers are inexpensive and fun to deal with; besides its use gives a unique look to any space or element. Nevertheless let’s not forget that interior design needs a serious approach. Before buying Decoretto stickers, carefully take in your room’s and the whole home’s colour scheme. Make sure the tones of the sticker you like match
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those of your floor, walls, window treatments, and furniture. Another point to consider is the subject of the Decoretto piece: will it fit in with the general air and style of your dwelling? Once all these preliminary considerations have been dealt with, go ahead and have fun. You can also use Decoretto stickers to adorn picture frames, photo albums, and boxes, change the look of your nursery furniture, or define that special corner of the room. You can create a whole composition
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for walls, furniture, or china adding an air of uniqueness and style. Pay attention to the size of the Decoratto stickers you intend to use. Large compositions will look good in spacious rooms, especially on the wall seen directly from the entrance to the room. In a smaller room, though, such a piece may have an effect completely opposite to the one you intended because it will dominate the area instead of being a distinctive and attractive element of decor.
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Kazio Marble & Granite Limited time offer $40 per sq. ft. from selected materials! FREE undermount sink! No substitute on a quality! FREE estimate! No hidden costs!
Cell: 416-568-5397
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Tried, Tested, and Approved for Use:
Steampunk
in Interior Design
Today’s home design can be characterized as the time of satiety. There is not much left to surprise, let alone – shock. Luxury or austerity, ultramodern or radical retro – all this is, nowadays, cliché seen, in various versions, in offices, homes, or buildings. There are though a few unusual styles still rare, and one of them is steampunk.
The Concept Imagine our world without plastics, computers, and mobile phones but with different devices and machinery powered by, let’s say, steam engines. Probably in such a world every new technical gadget would have to be licensed. Who knows in what direction the legislative basis would go in a world with alternative history? Who knows you ask? Science fiction authors know – for sure. In their works of fiction, they have described interiors and mechanisms that became the basis of steampunk. Admirers of unusual design solutions do not even need to peruse the works by Jules Verne or Herbert Wells because the objects of their fictional reality have long been embodied by moviemakers. Steampunk is a genre that originated during the 1980s and early 1990s. Steampunk refers to literature, cinema, and presentations but also to art, fashion, and design that are informed by the aesthetics of Steampunk literature. Interior design has not escaped the general trend.
Materials Steampunk style is utterly incompatible with synthetics and uses only natural materials like wood, stone, glass, and metal (preferably bronze). Of course, you are not required to mount in your home some cumbersome steam machinery that would need special licensing to be used. Today’s market offers a wide variety of materials imitating the texture and look of various woods or metals. Acrylic, laminates, special coverings and veneers are all excellent ways to decorate floors, walls, and ceilings.
Space Organization Steampunk interiors hate both empty spaces and overcrowding. Passages between pieces of furniture have to be unencumbered to let people move around with ease.
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Lighting The moderately bright but diffused soft light of glow lamps is excellent for emphasizing the steampunk character of the decor. Of course, lighting needs to be stylized, and you should be aware that appropriate ceiling fixtures are not readily available in stores. They can be successfully replaced with Victorian wall scones considering that the steampunk concept is utterly compatible with that epoch.
Interesting Decor Elements Steampunk starts with your entrance door where you can replace the customary doorbell with something fitted with pipes and levers. The sound of the ring is also important – unlike the electric rattling or electronic signals, this bell needs to emit natural melodic sounds imitating something like the sound of the clavichord or clarion. An old barometer, a mercury thermometer with a wooden base, a floor or wall mechanical clock – all these are acceptable details in a steampunk decor. Typewriters or telephones with a crank arm are great additions to this style. Many items will arouse your guests’ curiosity. Their questions will give you a pleasant feeling of satisfaction. “What is it?” will your amazed visitors ask. “This is steampunk,” you will reply suitably proud because your decor is stylish and unusual, beautiful and fascinating!
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RENOVATE, RE-BUILD OR ADD?
Many homeowners who are contemplating a large scale renovation to their home are confronted with the choice to either renovate, tear down and re-build or add to the existing structure. How do you know which choice is best for you? Typically, if you are already at a point where you are considering a large scale renovation, the options to build an addition concurrent with the project (to increase square footage) or tear down and rebuild have already crossed your mind. The truth of the matter is that adding new space to an existing home (assuming the same level of finishes) will always cost more per square foot than building new. Furthermore, you lose the economy of scale on a smaller project and are forced to work with the existing structure, which creates challenges (i.e., tying the old and new roof together). The labour cost for demolition is also much higher when you are not tearing the entire structure down. Therefore, you should begin by answering a few basic questions: 1. Does the unknown worry you? Renovations carry with them a higher percentage of unforeseen conditions which translate to higher levels of financial risk. 2. What aspects of the project are cosmetic and what aspects require major structural alteration (such as removing load-bearing walls and floors)? 3. What existing problems need repair (leaking foundation, dated mechanicals, drafts, etc.)? 4. What is the state of the main structure? Cost per square foot cannot be determined accurately with the absence of a plan, detailed scope of work and scope of finishes. At Nostco Construction, our new projects typically fall between $250 and $350 per square foot. If you are looking for 3,000 square feet, you should assume
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at least $750,000. Factors such as site conditions, access and other challenges could adjust these figures. The cost of adding new space to an existing home is generally 20-40 percent higher per square foot than new construction. It can easily be 50 percent higher if the addition is small (such as a mudroom). If you are considering tearing down and removing the existing structure, add roughly $20k - $30k for the cost of demolition and removal. The cusp of the decision-making process lies primarily at the point where you plan to gut and remodel the interior, add significantly to the existing footprint, and begin to either waterproof from the exterior or affect ceiling heights of the existing home (underpinning a basement or raising a roof structure for example). A good approach is to develop a list of everything you want changed, fixed or worked on, then work backwards to create a list of what is left of the original home. The value of the remaining structure will assist in determining the financial difference of the options. Let us not forget that there are zoning approvals, taxes and permits. Renovations are inherently different in that regard. It is prudent to research the impact of tearing down the existing home with your local municipality as you may not want to lose some of the privileges that the existing home may have “grandfathered” to it. Building a new home may mean a new set of rules, fees and regulations. There are other factors that should be weighed before arriving at a decision, such as the archi-
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tectural style or significance of the home (historic preservation), environmental impact, sentimental value, and more. Decisions based strictly on financials don’t always yield the best result. Go through the questions above and you will come closer to your decision. You will be living in the home and you need to make the right choice for you and your family. I hope that this has helped you to get a bit closer to the right decision for you. Whichever route you choose, be sure to start with a professional designer or architect and speak with professional builders. Either a renovation or new build can be an awful experience if you don’t pick the right crew to implement your dream. Start with your local building association first, or visit renomark.ca, to access professional designers, renovators and builders in your area. They abide by a strict code of conduct that should be important to everyone looking to undertake a project like yours.
Peter Khatami - Peter is Senior Project Manager and Co-Owner of Nostco Construction, a Design/Build company serving residential and commercial clients throughout the GTA. Peter prides himself in working tirelessly on his clients’ behalf to bring vision to construction reality.
www.NOSTCO.com www.aahtoronto.com
ORIT’S DRAPERIES & MORE Exclusive curtains and draperies Decorative covers and pillows Bed sheets and much more Old drapery renewal Large selection of draperies, fabrics and accessories from Europe Interior and fashion designer with 20 years of experience in Israel, Canada and America
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European styles slowly but surely make their way into all aspects of life in North America. One example of such inroads is a wall-hung toilet. But no matter whether you prefer a traditional floor-mounted or a new wall-mounted fixture, there are many factors that come into play when choosing a new toilet. There is more than the aesthetic aspect one needs to think about when selecting a toilet for a bathroom remodeling. The size and height of your new toilet and how well it functions should govern your decision.
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all plumbing pipes are hidden behind the wall, and only the bowl portion of the toilet is visible. Installation of the stylish wall-mounted fixture is different and more complicated than of its floor-mounted counterpart. Floor-mounted toilets are bolted to the floor and require that the floor be reinforced to support their weight. A gasket or sealing system sits between the toilet and the floor to prevent leaks, and the tank of the toilet may be braced against the wall for added support. Wall-hung toilets, on the other hand, feature tanks that sit within a carrier support system inside the wall cavity. The wall must be framed with at least 2 x 6 studs to bear the carrier support and to allow enough room for the tank. The bowl is then fastened to the carrier system through the wall using bolts.
First of all, not just any of the thousands of toilets on the market will fit your bathroom because the distance from the finished wall to the center of the sewer drain for the toilet will narrow the field. The widest selection of toilets is available in the standard rough-in size of 12 inches. For a different rough-in size – say, 10 or 14 inches - choices are rather limited. The shape of your new bowl may depend on the dimensions of the bathroom. While elongated toilet bowls seem to be more comfortable, a round bowl can save space because an elongated toilet bowl measures up to 31” from the wall, while a round one, only up to 28”. Besides, round bowls cost less. The heights also influence your decision. Many manufacturers now offer toilets a few inches taller than standard 14”. Taller toilets are better not only for taller people but also improve bathroom accessibility for all users regardless of mobility, because they make sitting down and standing up easier. As far as toilet styles go, there are a few types to choose from. A two-piece toilet, with the
tank on top of the bowl, is a little more affordable. A one-piece toilet, with an integral tank and bowl, can cost more. Wall-mounted toilets immediately give a bathroom an upscale air, and cleaning under them is a breeze. However, this higher-end fixture can be more expensive to install because it requires a thicker wall, and any trouble in the future could require reopening the wall. Further on, toilets on the market vary according to the flushing type. In an effort to reduce the amount of water manufacturers introduced within the last couple of decades low-flow toilets that use either a gravity or power-assisted flush. For homeowners interested in conserving even more water and reducing water bills, many manufacturers offer toilets with dual-flush technology where pushing one button releases .08 gallons of water while pushing both doubles the flow to 1.6 gallons. Bidets are typical to European bathrooms, but are not as common in North America. They also come in a floor- and wall-mounted varieties. In suspended fixtures, be it a bidet or a toilet, the tank is hidden within the wall,
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There are benefits and drawbacks to each of the above styles. More popular floor-mounted toilets offer a larger selection of designs, are more affordable, and easier to install. The main drawback to floor-mounted units is that they take up a fairly large amount of space; they are also considered less attractive than wall-hung toilets. Because all components of a floor-mounted toilet are visible, they are easy to access when repair or maintenance is required. In terms of day-to-day cleaning however, they are more difficult to clean around than wall-hung toilets since it is sometimes difficult to access floor areas around the base of a floor-mounted toilet. Wall-hung units are known for their more attractive appearance and offer substantial space savings. They can be also set at any height, while floor-mounted units can only be used at a single height or seat level. A drawback to wall-mounted toilets is that they require thicker walls with which many homes may not be equipped, so substantial remodeling is often required. They also cost more and offer fewer choices in terms of color and design. Wall-hung units are known for their easy cleaning. Because the space below the toilet is clear, it is much easier to mop or sweep all floor areas. However, with the toilet tank concealed in the wall, it may be difficult to perform repairs when needed. Better models though come with built-in access panels so users can reach hidden components for maintenance.
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Air Conditioner and Your Health
An air conditioner serves to cool the air in the place, create favourable microclimate, and make us comfortable. Nevertheless, some people are wary about this device fearing its negative impact on their health. The problems cited most often are: - Too dry air; - Colds; - Allergies and viral infections spread by an air conditioner; - Harmful Freon vapours. There is some basis to these fears because when misused, an air conditioner may cause some problems and even harm human health but so may any other appliance, from an iron to a meat grinder. An air conditioner used according to the user’s manual though will be safe and will give you nothing but pleasure.
Another factor that may lead to catching a cold is a too-low temperature in the room. It is especially dangerous for people who leave the air-conditioned room to go into a hot street and then return into an overcooled place.
Air Too Dry
1. Install your air-conditioning unit at such a place that the cold air stream does not hit your workplace in the office, your bed in the bedroom, or a play area in the nursery.
Because the process used in air conditioning is water evaporation condensation, the device does make the air around it dryer but the humidity level stays within the allowable span of 30 to 40%.
Colds Yes, an air conditioner may be conductive
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of catching a cold but only if you are sitting in the direct way of the air stream. Cooled air comes out of the inner unit under high pressure, and its temperature is considerably lower than the temperature in the room.
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To avoid such unpleasant consequences, follow these rules:
2. Try to avoid wide temperature swings. In the summer, try to keep the inside temperature no more than 3 to 5 degrees lower than the temperature outside and, in any case, no lower than 22°С.
e-mail: aahtoronto@gmail.com
Allergies and Viral Infections An air conditioner may cause allergies or a sickness only if its filters are clogged. When used correctly, the device, quite the opposite, thwarts growing bacteria and spread of viruses. Air conditioning units have filters for both rough and fine purification that need to be timely cleaned and replaced. Otherwise the device will, at some point in time, start exuding its own collected dust with all the bacteria and allergens present in such.
“Harmful” Freon You may have heard statements that the Freon gas used in air conditioners is very dangerous. Yes, Freon vapours are dangerous for the Earth’s ozone layer and even for a human being if deeply inhaled. But such a situation is possible only in the extreme condition of a damaged Freon tube. Therefore, when planning to dismantle or drill a wall, make sure you will avoid touching the Freon tube. The air conditioning device has been designed to improve human health while some adverse effects of its use are just the result of not following simple safety rules. Use this convenient device and stay healthy!
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Basement Before Basement AFTER
The Myth about dark gloomy basements is over ... like Magic! Treat your basement as you would any other room in your house... with style, class, elegance yet still functional, cozy and comfortable!!!
www.royalinteriordesign.ca * 416-573-5378 * chorber@gmail.com
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ROYAL I N TERIORS Elegant & Affordable designs that suit your lifestyle August 2012
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Sunday, August 26 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.| Richmond Green Park | 1300 Elgin Mills Road East
Admission is Free!
This year’s event is an outdoor multicultural festival at Richmond Green Park. And, in addition to celebrating the diverse cultures of Richmond Hill, the event proceeds will support local charities. Taste of the Hill interactive areas include: FOOD VILLAGE Experience culinary delights from a variety of cultural food vendors, including flavours from the Caribbean, Americas, Asia, Middle East and Europe. INTERCULTURAL VILLAGE Explore various cultures from around the world in this exciting exhibit! It will showcase the dress, arts, crafts and other information about the many cultures found in our community. ACTIVITY VILLAGE Engage in a variety of activity stations, such as games, inflatables, children’s music, mechanical rides and more in this amusing area for the young and young at heart. ENTERTAINMENT VILLAGE Enjoy by listening and watching live music and dance from around the globe, including calypso, opera, rock, Indian, Scottish and much more! *This year’s event offers free parking (limited), police security, and First Aid and lost children facilities.
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e-mail: aahtoronto@gmail.com
www.aahtoronto.com
Here Comes the Crown Moulding Crown moulding is a decorative trim used at the places of transition where walls meat the ceiling, adding a soft elegance to the room. One can compare choosing a crown moulding to selecting a frame for a pricy piece of art. Its size and appearance may define the whole look of the room. The trim is so important, that some people often choose to go with custom crown mouldings, in order to settle in on the specific look to frame their home decor and to match their individual style.
can often be very helpful in matching a crown moulding with your home design. It’s not always necessary to buy a new home to have a new home. By simply adding decorative moulding you can transform your house into a real showpiece that is reminiscent of the detail, character, and craftsmanship of the Victorian or any other great style.
Types of Crown Mouldings The ogee, a simple “s”-shaped reverse-curve profile, and the cove molding, a simple concave trim, are among the most understated. On the other end of the spectrum are trims like the egg and dart (a line of small bulbs cast along the center), the rose vine crown (roses and vines consume the trim), and the dentil crown (the bottom edge distinguished by equidistant squares.) Each of these decorative trims can be the perfect fit for your ideal home design. But if you don’t find what you need, have a piece of furniture with a specific trim or an idea of your own, there are craftsmen who can help you design your own custom crown moulding.
Wood or Composite Moulding? Crown moulding can be made of soft woods, hardwoods, or of composite materials. Of these choices, hardwoods like oak are the most expensive, but certainly the most attractive when stained. Soft woods like spruce or pine are less expensive and certainly beautiful when painted or stained. Composites, such as the fiberboard or polyurethane, are the least expensive choice and often used because they are also the easiest to paint. In choosing this type, budget considerations play the most important role. While composite crown mouldings are becoming a regular feature in most homes because of their cost and durability, it is recognizably not wood. On the other hand, an oak moulding can look out of place if the furniture and other elements of décor in a home do not match the elegance that this type of moulding can give to a room. For these reasons, interior designers with a keen eye
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e-mail: aahtoronto@gmail.com
www.aahtoronto.com
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August 2012
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Adi Zur Mixed Media (905) 886-6984 adizur@rogers.com www.adizurart.com
Honours degree. Since then I have been a fulltime artist, and spend most of my days in my studio while showcasing my works at various galleries.
ing Energy”. Won Honourable Mention Award.
Publications
2010 Saatchi Gallery London, England, Winner On-line Showdown Competition, painting hanging in Saatchi Gallery, London
ARTIST STATEMENT
- “Featured Artists Volume II” 2011
My paintings reflect my interest in ancient knowledge. I am moved by the notion of a “connector” — an umbilical cord — which joins us to knowledge harnessed in the past and propels us into the future. It is the cord, the connecting lines, that provides impetus for the artwork I develop.
- “International Contemporary Artists” April, 2011
Biography I was born in Tel-Aviv, Israel. I studied philosophy at the University of Tel-Aviv and studied art after my graduation before becoming an art teacher for 12 years. In 1991 I moved to Toronto with my family. Here I studied at OCAD in the faculty of Drawing and Painting and graduated with an
- “International Dictionary of Artists” Vol. I, 2011 - “International Contemporary Artists” Vol. IV, 2012 Exhibitions
2011 Thornhill Visual Artists Tour, Toronto 2011 The Artist Project, Juried Exhibition, Toronto
2010 OSA – Juried Exhibition, Toronto 2010 Thornhill Visual Artists Tour, Toronto 2010 The Artist Project, Juried Exhibition, Toronto
2012 Rainbow 2012 - An International Miniature Art Project - July 28 - Aug. 31, 2012, INDEXG Toronto
2009 Florence Biennale, Juried Exhibition Italy
2012 The Artist Project, Toronto
2009 Arta Gallery (Distillery District) Toronto
2011-2012 Gallery 1313 – First Annual Emerging Artists, Toronto
2009 Vaughan Juried Exhibition –an art integration project Toronto
2011 Chabot Fine Art Gallery, Rhode Island, USA, International Juried Painting Competition, “Creat-
2008 Gallery 133, Toronto
2009 Nuit Blanche –Vis-à-vis Juried Exhibition, Arta Gallery Toronto
and many more
Biography
Upcoming Solo Art Exhibition
Joan Andal Romano is a member of the Fine Arts Society of Milton, Artists Toronto, Artists’ Network of Riverdale, and Gallery 1313. She is a mixed media artist by passion. Her artwork was showcased in May 2011 with great success. She first exhibited at the A.M. Gallery and then took part in several juried Toronto exhibitions such as: SpeakEasy’s 16th Annual Fine Art Show at The Gladstone and The 9th Annual Queen West Art Fair. Growing up in Toronto, she admired the diversity and positive energy the city is well known for, as such, her artwork exhibits the same kind of energy through her use of vibrant colours and creative chaos in pattern and texture. Look out for her ‘Flow’ series. It’s been described as “ethereal” by critics. Joan currently has her work in several online galleries including Xanadu Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona, Artists Toronto and Artists’ Network of Riverdale. Her artwork can be found at Elephant Shoes, an Artisan Collective located at 1342 Bloor Street West in Toronto.
Hang Man Gallery is proud to announce 50/50, a first time solo art exhibition for Joan Andal Romano, an emerging mixed media artist. 50/50 is an inner picture of Joan’s mind and spirit. What did Joan pick up first as a child, an abacus or a paint brush? She is an engineer and an artist. She took a test to see which side of her brain was the strongest: left versus right. The result was 50/50. This balance is evident through her use of vibrant colours and geometric shapes. Joan feels like those “round pegs in the square holes” but she grew up in Toronto. Her muse is the fabric of Toronto life; a multi-cultural mix with the feeling of community. She is different but feels accepted and what better place to begin her journey as an artist. Come stand in her balance and witness the art.
Joan Andal Romano
The Hang Man Gallery is located at 756 Queen Street East in Toronto. The art exhibition will run from August 28 - September 16, 2012. Opening reception will take place on Thursday, August 30, 2012 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm.
http://joanromano.weebly.com · e-mail: joanAR@artiststoronto.net · phone: (416) 994-1265
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Brian Barrer 71 RED OAK CR SHANTY BAY ORO-MEDONTE L0L2L0 705-722-4474 www.brian-barrerphotography.com brianbarrer@gmail.com Breaking down the meaning of images and assembling new contexts is the basis for my work. Since the early 1990s I have used mixed media and photographic assemblage to express an ever evolving imagination. These often take the form of vibrant aesthetic experiences that fuse playful abstractions with the intensified realism of captured images. Artwork begins as a singular process with the object of connecting with others. The removal of collective barriers and the dismantling of our perceptions allow expressions from within to find this commonality. While the end result of my work offers discourse and a large degree of interpretive latitude, my hope is to share with the viewer a sense of creative connection and imaginative exploration. The creative process for my work often begins with visions of space, balance, and colour. Readily identifiable ideas provide the opportunity for story to be expressed often culminating in reinvented and dramatic resolution. The use of objects in a new conceptual context then offers the viewer a chance to explore their
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own imagination and creativity. The compositions of my pieces are usually finalized when the manipulated scene provides enough insight to evoke feelings of dislocated familiarity. I endeavour to achieve some level of fragmented fluency in most of my work. What forms our perception confirms our realities and from within the imagination our realities become limitless. A consistent theme expressed throughout this series is the limitless nature of our imagination and the sometimes difficult task it has of making sense of the new we wish it to reliably seek out. The vivacity and starkness of the balloon realizes a long held truism of the human psyche; that all aesthetic beauty is free, yet shrouded in meaning that may never fully realize itself. In this series the freedom of our imagination is only restricted by our world, but the further it moves beyond the familiar the more difficult it is to find meaning. It is my hope that this series offers consolidation to this demanding problem while at the same time serving to perpetuate it. Just as we find answers to questions, so to should we continue to ask more.
e-mail: aahtoronto@gmail.com
www.aahtoronto.com
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Jacob Grinberg , www.jgphotographs.com
Helena Pravda, www.helenapravda.com, tel. 1-519-650-0117, Adress: 994 Riverbank Drive, Cambridge, ON, N3H 4R6
Thelia Sanders Shelton, www.theliashelton.com, 416 766 8195
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(647) 403-7766 (416) 661-7766 Alex
e-mail: aahtoronto@gmail.com
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FREE Special Report From Alexey Alekseev Reveals
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how vital a role the information and preparation he provides his clients really is. Information is the seller’s best friend and most important ally. That’s why Alexey decided to put together a special report to help prospective home sellers. This special report, entitled “29 Essential Tips That Get Homes Sold Fast—And For Top Dollar,” is provided free, as a community service.
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Homelife\Cimerman Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage* 28 Drewry ave• Toronto, ON M2M 1C8 *independently owned & operated