wednesday, september 29, 2010 The VancouVer courier EW21

{ THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DOMESTIC BLISS IN VANCOUVER }

synckitchenwhat’s trendy, and eco, this fall

Wasting Away! What to do with the tonnes of waste produced by the residents of the Lower Mainland... these are the questions we’ll answer in the semi-annual full-colour feature - Live Green.

Plus: growing herbs, and other local eating initiatives.

Publishing in the east/west editions on Wed. October 13.

To advertise in this feature, call 604-738-1412

24999

1 LITELAMI GLASSSHAKER STYLEDOORInterior french door with laminated white glass. Solid construction. 28”, 30”, 32”, 34”, 36” width. Limited stock. While supplies last.

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Baseboards are placed along the wall at the fl oor. They should be chosen to work in harmony with your casings to fi nish and tie the room together. Base-boards are usually thinner than the casing.

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Comfort Zone explores the new styles of seating - sofas, chaise longues and easy chairs - what’s new in colours, fabrics, construction and design. The IDS West show tells all!

Plus: Cool Desserts: Chefs share their after-dinner delights that are low in calories but high on taste.

EW22 The VancouVer courier wednesday, september 29, 2010

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Guide to the new kitchenby Helen Peterson

I’ve been fascinated with kitchens for most of my life, ever since Dad would come home from

work with the scent of sawdust on his clothes (he worked for various kitchen cabinet mak-ers for years). Then there was the indoctrination in my teens as the family dinner-maker (Mom worked the afternoon shift, so I was thrown ‘into the fire’ at our gas stove).

As an accomplished cook, when I see a large, gorgeous kitchen set-up with all the lat-est amenities and gadgets, and working counter-space that goes on for miles, I’ll admit to becoming green with envy, having reached full cupboard capacity long ago in my little condo galley, and with having a stove that really could be considered child-sized!

Who are these lucky people who can chop, fry, bake, serve, and clean up effortlessly in their beautiful “enter-tainment centres?” Well, some of them are clients of Innova Kitchens, a West Side Vancouver company that specializes in interior designs, kitchens and baths, custom cabinetry and home renovations.

Postmedia asked Paul Coker, co-owner of Innova, to share his take on getting started on a kitchen makeover, what’s

popular with Lower Mainland homeown-ers, and the reasons why these newer options are probably here to stay.

“Regardless of whether you are reno-vating an old space, which is actually 70 per cent of our business, or building a brand new home, a kitchen plan needs to incorporate three main goals,” says Coker. “It’s got to provide functional-ity for you and your family; it’s got to

be as environmentally ‘green’ as possible; and it’s got to have the aesthetics and colour schemes that please you.”

Whether your budget includes DIY, a trip to IKEA or using a recommended renovator / kitchen expert, upgrading your kitchen still needs to fulfill those criteria. Coker says that before you even get started ripping cabi-nets off walls, you should be making some lists, and check-ing them twice.

“You’ve got your priority kitchen installations, what I call ‘have-to-have’s,” says Coker. “Then you have your optionals, known as ‘nice-to-have’s.’ So, work from the pri-ority list and then see what’s left in the budget to imple-ment the dream items.

“Either way, you’re likely going to end up with a kitchen that is far improved, and will also up your property’s value

substantially.”And – what are the odds? The kitchen

photo provided by Innova turns out to be my schoolmate’s in-laws’ kitchen renova-tion, and features a centre island that goes on for miles…

You can reach Innova Kitchens by going to www.innovakitchens.com, or call 604-676-1603.

Function• New drawer solutions – base cabinets over doors; in-cabinet

chrome pull-outs for pantries; chrome racking; ‘magic corner’ systems (not your Mom’s lazy-Susan); Lemans pull-outs.

• Wall cabinets with lift-and-hold style systems, rather than traditional pull-open’s; frosted glass hides objects but gives a sense of what’s inside; dark espresso is ‘moving out!’ – lighter finishes, including sophisticated greys, take over.

• Appliances run better on less electricity; fridges provide func-tion and less backache; flat-surface induction ‘quick cook-ing’ takes over – in gas or electric, it is safer and conserves energy.

eco-friendliness• Bamboo cabinetry is big, it has a great appearance, too; wel-

come eco-wood – an exotic real wood made from engineered

veneer called ‘strias’; top-finishes aren’t of harsh old-time varnish, but water-based.

• Counter-tops take advantage of reused, recycled materials like glass and ceramic – composites from materials that would go to the dump; stone-resin tops losing popularity, but granite is still in demand.

• Eco lighting for under-cabinet use; halogen gets really over-heated, now it’s LED’s – a cooler effect using less energy, plus lasts longer.

• Flooring solutions feature reclaimed wood; tile made from porcelain that is reused is gaining favour; more resilient, too.

aesthetics• Cabinets are paler in tone, floors more natural, everything radiates

light and simplicity behind its complexity. The functionality cre-ates the look; the eco the feel-good side to a great kitchen reno.

Paul Coker’S kITChen SynC hoTlIST:

an Innova kItchen project, completed. note, not every reno Is mIllIon-dollar hIgh-end -you can upgrade For a reasonable sum by settIng prIorItIes. photo: Innova

wednesday, september 29, 2010 The VancouVer courier EW23

VANCOUVER5550 Fraser St. 604 - 321-7188

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*Valid on new policies only until August 30, 2010 and while quantities last. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Insurance is sold through BCAA Insurance Agency and underwritten by BCAA Insurance Corporation.

Yong Choe Kerrisdale

(604-268-5820)(fl uent in Korean)

by Karen Blunderfield, contributing writer

One of the best product innova-tions we’ve seen recently is motorization for window treat-ments. From drapes to blinds,

sheers to shades – you can add motorization to virtually any style to raise, lower, tilt or draw the window covering.

Motorization combines both line-of-sight (using infrared technology) and out-of-sight (using radio frequency technology) control of your window coverings. You can easily adjust the light and privacy for any window, including tall or hard-to-reach areas such as stairwells and great rooms.

With motorization you can raise or lower individual units or select a group (or groups) of window coverings to move together, even in multiple rooms.

motorization optionsThere are different options available, includ-ing:

• Battery-operated motorization – easy to install with no additional wiring require;

• Hard wired motorization – seamlessly integrated with any home automation sys-tem;

• Solar powered motorization – solar-pow-ered motors with no electrical wiring.

solar sensor optionThere is also a very useful option that moni-tors your home’s environment to determine if it is overheating. The sensors are set at a certain

temperature and when reached the drapes or blinds will close to block incoming light and heat.

This is a great example of where thermal window coverings can be used in the warmer summer months to keep your home cool without the cost of fans or air conditioning – even when you aren’t home! This motorization option requires a hard wire installation.

motorization in actionTo give an example of how effective motoriza-tion is, we recently installed window coverings for a home in Whistler that has 75 windows. Most people immediately think “what a large number of windows to clean,” but in this instance it was what a large number of win-dow coverings to keep opening and closing each day!

But by adding motorization the owner can manually operate them as desired using a remote control, but they were also able to pre-program a daily open and close sequence that operates whether they’re home or not, increas-ing their privacy and security.

Another good example is a customer who has a large span of windows with a south-west exposure. They wanted some light to come in for the early part of the day for their plants and pets but needed to block the more intense light that came each afternoon. Adding motorized window coverings allowed them to pre-program a schedule that opened each morning and then closed in the early afternoon. They were able to program a Monday to Friday schedule for when they were at work, and then operated their win-dow coverings manually with a remote control on the weekends when they were home.

In both instances the homeowners were able to easily control the amount of light entering their homes, protecting their furnishings from damage by harmful UV rays, maintain a com-fortable environment by keeping their homes cooler in summer, and increase privacy and security even when they were away.

Family safetyAnd as a safety feature, motorization can pro-tect your family by allowing anyone with a physical challenge to independently operate their window coverings without over-reaching. This feature will also eliminate dangling cords, keeping your children and pets safe.

Karen Blunderfield is chief decoratorat Arlene’s Interiors; www.arlenes.com.

window coverinGs Get revved up

shown: vIgnette blInds by hunter douglas

LOCAL THEATRECOMPANYPUTSTHESPOTLIGHTONENERGYSAVINGS.

When Vancouver’s Arts Club Theatre Company considered shifting toenergy-efficient lighting, it faced a common hurdle. While efficient lightingwill save money every month on your electricity bill, the bulbs do have ahigher sticker price than old-fashioned incandescents.

Kate Bethell, Rentals Manager at the Arts Club was ready for a big act,“We replaced 230 light bulbs on the Stanley’s marquee. And the sign is on24 hours a day.”

To help with the cost, the Arts Club qualified for a rebate of $4,600 throughthe Product Incentive Program. Bethell said that made the differencebetween doing the project—or not. “We might have done it eventually butit’s a big expense the first time you do it. The incentive definitely was themain reason we could do the switch.”

To find out more about this story or how your business can save money onenergy costs, visit bchydro.com/incentives or call 1 866 522 4713.

by Jennifer Luther, contributing writer

Now is the time to harvest those veggies, but there is also no time like the present to prepare your garden for the winter.

“You start doing some cutting back of perennials, and all the pruning of your trees . . . It’s a good time to start cutting that stuff back. I like to prune earlier in the fall before the leaves fall off so you can still see what the tree looks like,” says landscaping expert Gord Driver.

Driver also advises homeowners to start pressure-washing needles and other lawn droppings before they stain patios. It’s a good time to start since most people won’t be motivated to do it once the weather turns bad.

Fall lawn aerations, with top dresses or overseeds are a good idea at the end of September, since the weather is still warm enough to germinate the seeds.

Now is also a good time to start pulling out summer annu-als and replace them with perennials like primroses, which are fragrant. Driver specifically recommends a low evergreen perennial called heuchera, which has many varietals.

“If you’ve got a stagnant-looking, kind of green garden, the burgundy colour really stands out or the lime green.”

To maintain height through the seasons, Driver suggests kee-ping grasses — even when they turn brown.

“When the wind blows, it makes a little bit of rustling noise, and it still gives you some structure in your garden.”

Though it may be too late to launch a last-ditch winter-fri-endly planting effort, Driver has a few non-plant suggestions for gardens that need cold weather pizzazz.

“A lot of people are putting in globes; glass or stainless. A really good thing to do too, and it’s not a hugely expensive pro-position, is to put in low-voltage lighting because in the winter it really makes a difference, it starts getting dark around five o’clock. With just a little bit of accent lighting in a few spots in your yard, it’ll just create shadows on walls and trees,” Driver explains, and jokes, “It will allow you to actually enjoy your gar-den in a different light.”

Lights come in either halogen or LED.Whether you’re landscaping to grow, glow, or just eat, now is

the time to get going.

fall back… To your GarDenInG ChoreS

EW24 The VancouVer courier wednesday, september 29, 2010

perfect fit. perfect fabric. perfectly fabulous.

VANCOUVER 751 Terminal Ave. • (604) 608-1177 • www.arlenes.com

Duette® honeycomb blinds with the LiteRise® cordless operating system

Duette® Honeycomb ShadesThe Energy Efficiency of

with the convenience of the LiteRise® or UltraGlide® lifting system

The patented energy efficienthoneycomb design

The Duette’s patented honeycomb design with three distinct air pockets provides the industry’s highest energy efficiency rating to keep your home more comfortable all year round. Plus, with a wide array of fabrics, pleat sizes, colours and fabric opacity, they will enhance any décor.

For a limited time, purchase Duette shades and receive a free upgrade to the UltraGlide lifting system. Or, purchase Duette with the LiteRise cordless lifting system and receive 1,000 Aeroplan miles.

Visit us online , call for an in-home consultation or come into your nearest Arlene’s Interiors for a product demo.

Increased comfort — reduced heating billPurchase Arlene’s made-to-measure drapes or

roman shades and get a free thermal lining upgrade.

40%off

FREE Upgradeto UltraGlide®

Purchase Duette shades through Oct 31, 2010 and receive a FREE upgrade to the UltraGlide lifting system.

Keep a constant cord length to eliminate dangling cords for increased safety for children and pets. Applause® Honeycomb Shades

THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING GREAT IN-STORE AT ARLENE’S INTERIORS

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wednesday, september 29, 2010 The VancouVer courier W25

DIy, If you Dare!Time to repair or replace your side of the fence? Follow

this advice from the experts at Windsor Plywood, and you’ll be “staking your territory” on the way to a

beautiful completed project.Before you start your wood fencing project, here are a few

tips to help you save time and cost overruns:The hardest part of fence building is digging the holes; after

that, the structure takes shape quickly. Besides a rented post-hole digger, you’ll need only a circular saw and basic carpentry tools.

Designs vary widely, but just about all fences consist of the same basic elements: A series of posts sunk into the ground connected by top and bottom rails. Before proceeding, check community building and zoning codes. Many specify maximum fence height, distances you can build from property lines and the street, and even the materials you can and can’t use*.

Call before you dig. It’s important to know what lies under-ground before digging or using boring equipment. Check with BC Hydro to locate buried facilities. Once you’ve chosen a design and established a location, stake out and measure the site.

Plot your post spacing for the most efficient use of lumber. Six or seven foot spans usually work well; never set privacy-fence posts more than eight feet apart. If you are building your fence on a slope, plan to step the fence down the hill, setting each section lower than the one preceding it. Only if the slope is slight, and the fence design won’t suffer, should you follow the contour.

* Re: pressure treated lumber. If you are using wood that has been treated with wood preservatives, proper fasteners and hardware must be used.

Go to www.windsorplywood.com for a downloadable “Fence Planner,” or visit the store - West 7th at Fir, Vancouver.

Good fences Make Good neiGhbours