athome{ T H E U LT I M AT E G U I D E T O D O M E S T I C B L I S S O N T H E N O R T H S H O R E }

FEBRUARY 2010

bustersclutter

Professional organizers find a Place for everything

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2 RENOVATE MY SPACE PAGE

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Renovate MY SPACEIf you’re thinking of giving your home a fresh look, there’s an alternative to gutting the interior and re-building. Pick a specifi c area and do a makeover.Two of the areas that can have an immediate impact to the look and feel of your home and add real value to your investment are the kitchen and the bathroom. North Vancouver’s Bathrooms Plus, at #103-828 Harbourside Drive, has been solving people’s kitchen, plumbing and bathroom design and installation problems since 1992. With the North Shore’s largest kitchen and bath showroom and design centre, Bathrooms Plus has gained a reputation for selection, expertise and above all, service.With a full range of selections

from manufacturers like Kohler, Maax, Duravit and many others, Bathrooms Plus is also able to offer factory direct pricing on lines like Kitchencraft, Aquabrass and Rubinet.

Beyond the selection, however, it’s the time their product and design specialists spend with you exploring options, setting realistic budgets and working with your contractors that’s the Bathrooms Plus difference.The process begins with

making a wish list and putting your needs and wants, clearly identifi ed, down on paper.“Spending time with a design professional could cost you from $50 to $100 an hour,”says Bathrooms Plus’ Mary Vasilopoulos. “We offer you a complimentary in-home consultation, detailed quote and a kitchen or bath design absolutely free. Even our competition agrees that service is what we are all about, as they often send us customers with problems seeking a solution.”It’s that level of personalized service that makes Bathrooms Plus a valuable partner in reinvigorating your home’s look and feel.“We’re here to help you make

wise choices,” says Mary Vasilopoulos. “We spend whatever time is necessary helping you choose colors, styles, and all the necessary materials to turn your dreams into reality. We also help you set realistic budgets to achieve your desired end result. Our solutions can easily save you thousands of dollars on everything from planning and designing to supply and installation. We’re truly a one-stop shop.”Whether you just need a faucet or a complete renovation, if you’re thinking of updating your kitchen or bathroom to add value to your home, a call to Bathrooms Plus can get you the result you want and save you time and money.

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February 28, 2010 NoRtH sHoRE NEWs� / at home

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Do you like your neighbours?

More than what colour the master bedroom is and whether or not it has granite countertops, how close you can live to your neighbours will be a key question for Lower Mainland residents when they are choosing a home.

that’s because, like it or not, the new buzzword for housing is “densification” – fitting more people onto less land – and that will affect all Lower Mainlanders.

the region is expected to have another one million new residents in the coming few years, another million people on a limited land base.

the 2006 Census showed 2.1 million people live within Metro Vancouver boundaries.

Even those who can afford a single-family detached home may find they end up living next door to four houses on what was once a lot with one home.

Much of how the region develops is being decided now, as Metro Vancouver, the regional district that is a federation of 22 municipalities, one electoral area and one First Nation, plans for the area’s growth over the coming decades.

the current discussion builds on the regional district’s 1996 Livable Region Strategic Plan.

the latest plan, called the Regional Growth Strategy, looks ahead to 2040 and has five main goals:

• create a compact urban area;

• support a sustainable economy;

• protect the region’s environment and respond to climate change;

• develop complete communities; and

• support sustainable transportation choices.

to do this, Metro Vancouver wants to set out which areas will develop for residential uses and which will be industrial, commercial, or green space.

how about waste? Where’s it going to go in the future, and how will clean drinking water get to people’s homes?

“this plan builds on what we have achieved over the last 20 years and confirms that, in broad outline, we have been heading in the right direction,” said Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, chair of Metro Vancouver’s Land Use Planning Committee, “but it also attempts to address issues which have either arisen since the last plan was drafted, such as climate change, or are issues which we now recognize needed more attention than we gave them, such as the regional economy and the dispersal of employment to areas that are not well served by transit.”

It’s all part of the planning, and the Metro Vancouver board expects to approve the regional strategy this summer after a 120-day consultation period with affected municipalities.

Langley City, for instance, is questioning Metro Vancouver’s plans for industrial lands near the City’s downtown core. the City has an ambitious development plan for its core that involves industrial lands adjacent to downtown becoming

more like working artist space.

Some of the public reaction to the strategy is on the Metro Vancouver website.

Like others, Vancouver resident Janine Bond questions the planning.

“Why do we have to keep on growing, expanding, bursting at the seams?” she wrote.

to find out more about the Regional Growth Strategy, go to www.metrovancouver.org.

By hEathER CoLPIttS hCoLPIttS@LaNGLEyaDVaNCE.CoM

NEwS PHOTO Paul McGrath

at home / �NoRtH sHoRE NEWs February 28, 2010

4 AT HOME

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THE STORE FRIENDS TELL FRIENDS ABOUTPeople on the North Shore have come to count on the service, selection and value found at North Vancouver’s Couch Potato. Located at 1405 Pemberton Avenue, Couch Potato has been a mainstay of local interior design and furnishing for over a decade.

Today, under the guidance of new owner Joanne Morrison, a home furnishings expert, Couch Potato has more to offer than ever. With experienced staff members—Judy has been at Couch Potato for 8 years—who know what North Shore residents prefer, a trip to Couch Potato can solve a lot of your problems with one visit.

While style and fabric selections are constantly updated to offer the latest looks, the one thing that never changes is the high level of service Couch Potato provides to all of their clients. It’s a tradition that began under Couch Potato’s founders, Sheryl and Eggert Rasmussen.

“We intend to conduct business as Sheryl and Eggert Rasmussen did successfully over the past 11 years,” says Joanne. “They have been very supportive of our ownership transition. They provided us with the same great service in taking over their business as they did for their customers. We would like to thank all Couch Potato clients for their business over the years and invite them to come down and meet us.”

If you need to freshen up the look of your home’s interior, a trip to Couch Potato is always a great place to start.

1 Set daily priorities. Make sure

the most important tasks are at the top

of the list. If you don’t determine what is

most important, you may spend the day

being reactive instead of proactive.

2 Know how you like to work.

Take advantage of your “power hours;”

schedule the most important tasks for

your most productive time of day. If you

work best with a clean desk, spend a few

minutes getting your desk cleared before

you start.

3 Put it in your schedule.

Determine which rooms or areas you

want to organize and schedule one per

week until the list is complete.

4 Prepare for tax time. Early

in the year is an excellent time to go

through your file cabinet and prepare

for your taxes. Review your files, tossing

anything that is outdated or obsolete

like instruction manuals for items you

no longer own. While you’re doing this,

consolidate your tax records and receipts

so you’re not in a panic on April 30.

5 Consolidate tasks for efficiency.

Return calls or respond to e-mails at one

time, pay all your bills, even group your

errands together by geographic location.

6 Everyone should pitch in.

Make sure all members of the

household know where items are kept,

whether it is sporting equipment,

photographs, or even incoming mail and

newspapers.

Make sure storage areas are kid-friendly

so even the younger members of the

household will be able to help return

items to their proper home.

7 Edit your wardrobe. Does

everything fit, look good and make

you feel good when you wear it? If not,

should it really be taking up valuable

space? Remember, we wear 20 per cent of

our clothes 80 per cent of the time.

Source: Professional Organizers in Canada

tips & tRicks from the professionals

you’re not alone — many Canadians are feeling disorganized these days; but there’s no better time to start cleaning up your life.

Last year, Leger Marketing conducted an online survey for the Professional organizers in Canada (PoC). of the more than 1,200 respondents, 80 per cent were classified as disorganized.

Kristie Demke, PoC president and a professional organizer, said respondents were classified as disorganized if they considered themselves to be at least “somewhat disorganized” in at least one of the three areas of their life: home, work or time management.

“the same survey that found eight in 10 Canadians are disorganized also found that seven in 10 disorganized Canadians who work say their workplace is disorganized,” Demke said.

“the PoC survey found, and I have certainly found this true with my clients, that those who are disorganized feel stressed, frustrated and like a failure as a result of being disorganized,” she said. “this might be reflected in spending additional time looking for items, struggling to complete projects, not being able to effectively manage a household, not keeping to any kind of schedule — in other words, just being overwhelmed by disorganization.”

“If being disorganized has turned your home into a hostile environment where you can’t relax,

Get rid of your clutter and get

enjoy activities with your family, and do the basics like put together a quick meal or get on top of laundry, getting organized can remove these roadblocks by setting up systems that will streamline the space and the process,” she said.

For example, if the amount of stuff in a particular space is what is getting in the way, getting organized would include sorting through the clutter, grouping similar items together, determining where they belong and how best to house them.

Demke said the process would also include assessing how that particular space is being used and how you want it to be used, according to your family’s priorities.

once complete, a room, or entire house, will become more orderly, more peaceful and more efficient.

Demke said the first step for anyone feeling disorganized and overwhelmed is to determine what’s not working. “Identify the areas of greatest frustration and what is getting in the way of

your goals,” she said, adding if there are multiple areas causing a feeling of being overwhelmed, set some

priorities.

Step two is to figure out what the space or process should look like if you could wave a magic wand to help visualize the game plan.

“once you have a plan, it’s about getting started, keeping focused and scheduling

time to do the work,” said Demke, a self-described “born organizer” who’s been doing it

professionally for over a decade.

as with many aspects in life, sometimes calling in a professional is the best route. Demke recommends consulting a professional organizer if: you don’t have the time, inclination or skill set to tackle the job yourself; you have tried in the past to improve the situation and found yourself unsuccessful; you don’t know where to start but you know you don’t want the situation to continue.

Organized

Demke said getting organized,

whether it is at home or work, can

make life seem smoother.

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February 28, 2010 NoRtH sHoRE NEWs� / at home

5 AT HOME

Offi ce & Showroom1450 Charlotte RoadNorth VancouverPhone: 604-985-0213

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1 Set daily priorities. Make sure

the most important tasks are at the top

of the list. If you don’t determine what is

most important, you may spend the day

being reactive instead of proactive.

2 Know how you like to work.

Take advantage of your “power hours;”

schedule the most important tasks for

your most productive time of day. If you

work best with a clean desk, spend a few

minutes getting your desk cleared before

you start.

3 Put it in your schedule.

Determine which rooms or areas you

want to organize and schedule one per

week until the list is complete.

4 Prepare for tax time. Early

in the year is an excellent time to go

through your file cabinet and prepare

for your taxes. Review your files, tossing

anything that is outdated or obsolete

like instruction manuals for items you

no longer own. While you’re doing this,

consolidate your tax records and receipts

so you’re not in a panic on April 30.

5 Consolidate tasks for efficiency.

Return calls or respond to e-mails at one

time, pay all your bills, even group your

errands together by geographic location.

6 Everyone should pitch in.

Make sure all members of the

household know where items are kept,

whether it is sporting equipment,

photographs, or even incoming mail and

newspapers.

Make sure storage areas are kid-friendly

so even the younger members of the

household will be able to help return

items to their proper home.

7 Edit your wardrobe. Does

everything fit, look good and make

you feel good when you wear it? If not,

should it really be taking up valuable

space? Remember, we wear 20 per cent of

our clothes 80 per cent of the time.

Source: Professional Organizers in Canada

tips & tRicks from the professionals

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“at PoC, we have found that many of our clients find themselves in a disorganized state because of a major life change — positive or negative — such as re-location, adding new members to the family, an illness or crisis, or loss of a loved one,” Demke said. “Major events like that will often derail what

is a functioning space or household and make it difficult to put all the pieces back together again without assistance.”

By JESSICa KERR

at home / �NoRtH sHoRE NEWs February 28, 2010

6 AT HOME

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Whew. that was a tough year and a half. Now, with the economy improving and spring on the way, it’s time to shake off the gloom and shadow of 2009 and make a fresh start.

For your décor, there’s no better way to do it than with colour. Whether you spike a bland room with the pop of bright pillows and a new rug, or you repaint every room in your house, Pantone – the global authority on colour – offers plenty of options for ushering in a sunny new era.

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, says colour trends are not simply decided upon, but that forecasters observe the world as well as the needs, moods, fantasies and aspirations of consumers. In 2010, the company offers eight palettes (complementing colours) for spring that bring splashes of sunshine and tropical gardens, spring flowers and grassy fields to the moody shades of grey and purple that dominated recent seasons.

But you needn’t toss out yesterday’s colours completely. this year’s range of palettes work with last year’s, so rather than re-invent your home’s look, you can update with new shades.

among the palettes is “Greenmarket,”

Complement last year’s look with

a range of colours inspired by the trend toward healthier and more artisanal foods and the increased popularity of farmers’ markets. Colours like tomato Puree and Beaujolais are lifted by Super Lemon, apple Green, or the more exotic colours of Dijon, Paprika and Chutney.

“Gatherings” is a palette of warm, earthy browns and golds inspired by the continent of africa.

those who prefer some moodiness in their colour scheme will love “Galaxy,” a palette that illustrates the harmony of hue found in the nocturnal sky. More information about the other palettes is available at www.pantone.com.

By Deana Lancaster

bright new colours

February 28, 2010 NoRtH sHoRE NEWs� / at home

7 AT HOME

#3a-987 Marine Dr. (CORNER OF MACKAY) North Vancouver 604.982.8863www.oneworldbuilding.ca

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Can’t afford to gut your ensuite and install a luxurious spa retreat? Breathing new life into a tired bathroom doesn’t have to cost thousands and take weeks of messy renovation. here are 10 easy and affordable ways to improve your bathroom’s look and efficiency without breaking the bank:

1 lighting: Bye-bye ugly light bar above the mirror and hello sleek, streamlined wall sconces. “Updating the lighting is a quick and easy way to rejuvenate a bathroom,” says designer Dean Large. Besides adding a stylish look to the room, two fixtures on either side of the mirror provide more even light. cost: from $200.

2 New faucet: often referred to as the jewels of the bathroom, replacing old taps with gleaming new faucets gives a custom, personalized look to the bathroom. the hot new trend is square, angular, single-lever faucets in white or black matte finish. cost: $100 to $1,100.

Bathroom basics3 adjustable shower: a drizzling rain shower head is not a practical choice for daily showering. Large recommends pairing a fixed shower head on an adjustable bar with a hand-held shower to make it easy to wash down the tub or rinse off your legs while shaving. cost: from $200.

4 Bathtub liner: If your bathroom is from the 1960s, the tub is likely dusty rose, mint green or mocha beige. Rather than rip it out, Bath Fitter (bathfitter.com) sells a moulded, acrylic tub and wall liner that fits right over the existing eyesore. It can be installed in just one day. cost: $2,200 to $3,200, depending on style, colour and ceiling height.

5 anti-slip protection: Rubber bath mats are designed to prevent nasty spills, but they’re also a breeding ground for bacteria. the Porcelain tub treatment from home hardware is a liquid you apply to the bottom of the tub or shower to make it slip-resistant. cost: $19.97 for one-application kit.

6 Quality flush: Save money on your water bill, by installing a low-flush or dual-flush toilet. cost: from $350 for low-flush; $450 for dual-flush.

7 Fresh paint: Make a big impact for little money. cost: $30 to $100.

8 hardware replacement: transform the look of the cabinet doors and drawers with new pulls. cost: 99 cents to $20. some stores offer discounts when you buy larger quantities.

9 curved over straight: Gain extra elbow room in the shower by replacing the straight curtain rod with a curved one. cost: under $50.

10 Decorative tile: Dress up the shower wall with tumbled marble or replace the ugly backsplash behind the sink with tiny glass mosaics for instant colour and texture. cost: from as little as $1 a tile.

By KaREN tURNER

CaNWESt NEWS SERVICE

10 qUick FixEs to Boost tHE look ANd FUNctioN oF tHE HomE’s BUsiEst Room

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at home / �NoRtH sHoRE NEWs February 28, 2010

8 AT HOME

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New year, new decorating trends. Flip through the pages of design magazines and you’ll see traditional has had a relaxed makeover.

Last year, we embraced safari style in our living rooms, hollywood regency mirrors in every bathroom of the house and groovy fabrics on granny furniture. this year, it’s all about downplayed luxury: velvet-clad pillows and couches; wallpaper in unexpected places; upholstered walls with funky fabric and making sure that one room has a spotlight piece — like a self-standing tub in the bathroom.

When it comes to design styles, understanding how to create “the mix” — blending old with new — is still all the rage. traditional interiors don’t work unless they are relaxed with leather and chintz sitting side by side; girlie glam has found its way into warehouse spaces where chandeliers and concrete are becoming friends, and farmhouses have turned industrial with marble counters and exposed bulb lighting. It’s confusing, but it works.

“trends are about modernizing older styles. a year ago, industrial chic was all the rage,” says Margot austin, the senior design editor at Style at home magazine. “you know, lofts with exposed beams and lots of stainless steel. this year it has given way to a touch of country with soft shapes, white painted walls, apron sinks.”

Part of a team that determines the top 10 list for Style at home, austin weeds through many hot looks for interiors and pares them down to a simple list that readers can translate into

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MaKEoVER IN 2010. a MILK CaN hoLDING UMBRELLaS

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their homes. She doesn’t expect a whole room makeover, rather, she suggests figuring out which looks are for you and which ones you should ignore. “Lighting is still factory-like and industrial,” she says, as an example. “But that doesn’t mean you need to have exposed light bulbs dangling from every ceiling. one fixture in a statement room like a dining room or a kitchen would look great.”

In addition, she says neutral colours are still here but they are richer and warmer. Furniture remains traditional with a twist, with camelback shapes, button tufting, nail head details and modern fabrics. No need to dive into a total ovrhaul though.

“at first, just take it all in,” austin says. “you know what you love and what your style is. think about what trend might be right for you. and it’s important to figure out [how far you want to take it]. If you are decorating a whole house, being too trendy might not be right. Instead, just indulge in a few [key items].” all experts agree that the best way to be trend-savvy is to not take any of them too seriously and to walk on the wild side with accessories.

and if that advice still scares you and your wallet - a velvet pillow, modern mobile or an embroidered throw blanket will definitely make your decor happen for 2010.

By taNya LINtoN

CaNWESt NEWS SERVICE

it’s only decor

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February 28, 2010 NoRtH sHoRE NEWs� / at home