94 - North Shore News — Friday, November 26, 1999 ndertul wa Jill Jenkins Contributing Writer ANY good play starts with the stage set — and a well-designed room is no different. One of the easiest ways to accomplish that is with a roll of wallpaper. Best of all, today’s options are much more far-reaching than prints and stripes. You can wrap a room with the took of leather, surround it in a scarlet moire, even cre- ate a trompe l'oril or mural effect. In fact, the most difficult ‘aspect of wallpapering today is narrowing down the choices! Before you select your wall coverings though, it’s impor- “tant to determine what role they will play. Do you want a wallpaper that will stand quictly in the background, allowing the ‘other furnishings to take cen- tre stage? Or do you want one . that will piay the leading role, providing the inspiration for the entire colour scheme? Colour and character arc, after all, the forte of wall cov- erings. ‘In an instant you can cre- ate a library look with paper that - depicts: book-lined shelves. Likewise, by papering just one wail with a mural, you can escape -~ every day, — to exotic locales such as the south of France. | By the same token, howev- er, wall coverings need not be that elaborate to create excite- ment. There’s a wealth of pat- terns out there, ready to set any mood you desire. Use an all-over print, with a large-scale rose motif, to give your dining room a botanical theme. Or mix and match patterns to create architectural inter- est; run one pattern from the baseboard to chair rail height, anchor another from chair rail height to the ceiling mouid- ing and a complementary bor- der to serve as the “chair rail” itself. In fact, today’s borders have broken free of their orig- inal boundaries. No longer confined to the ceiling level, borders are apt to be used in any number of ways. For instance, they are now often used in tandem — a small rope border might snuggle up next to a floral border at chair rail or ceiling level. Borders also can be perfect companions for architectural- ly interesting doors and win- dows — they can frame the elements like treasured works of art. Plus borders keep getting bigger, and better. Some mea- sure close to 30 inches tall. Imagine a border depict- ing a picket fence, placed atop a baseboard in a child’s play- room. And the options don’t stop there. Do you favour designer fashions? If so, you can spread them across your walls as increasing numbers. of well- known couturiers are intro- ducing “their wall covering collections. On the other hand, if you Jove the look of faux finishes, bur don't have the time to tackle them yourself — con- sider wallpapers that look just like these decorative paint treatments. For all their decorative advantages, though, wall cav- erings play a functional role as well. If, for instance, you have damaged walls use a textured cloth or string cloth to disguise the defects. Wall coverings can even seemingly change the dimcn- sions of 2 room — vertical stripes visually raise a ceiling while horizontal designs help widen a narrow room. — jill Jenkins operates a Decorating Den Interiors franchise. To reach her, call 929-5468. then it’s in the News. 986-9321 IMMACULATE HOME OPEN SUN 2-4 Architect designed West Coast contemporary home. Offering 3 bedrooms, 2 bath- rooms, wrap around decks, vaulted ceilings and much more. Located on a quiet street close to Lynn Valley Centre. 862 EAST 21ST STREET la for appt. Opportunity knock: " —_— ” SHERYL | AWSON tg ie ON N. VAN'S BEST KEPT TOWNHOME SECRET! 5} Over 7200 sq.ft., 2 bdrm (possible 3) in stable B 5 unit complex! “Quiet” with park adjacent to i property. Features inci. wood burning F/P, Mm decks over looking lovely treed grounds, 2 baths, family room etc. Walk to Lonsdale Quay. Gpen Sun 2-4 pm 329 & 3rd St. or call $215,000 to view. Asking 267-3800 LUXURY AND STYLE... #903-1288 W. Georgia located in | winning downtown Vancouver. complex: complete with gym, 4 security/concierge. Hollywood screening room, pitch and: out? etc. 4 bérm + den - gorgoous with “private outlook. All the bells & whistles! Asking on! -939 CLEMENTS AVE $379,000 a ‘Choica Canyon Heights location. Quiet &. mature’ cherry treed boulevard. Nice 2 levels, 4 bedrooms, “Spacious floor plan 1 with a bright & sini westerly exposure to greenbelt and stream. 156 E CARISBROOKE $579,000 a Peek-a-boo view home, across trom Carisbrooke Park, Beautiful 6 yrs old horne features 5 zone hot wwater radiant heat, indoor hot tub, tile roof, 3 sky- Biights. Total 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3300 sq.ft. BDUNDARAVE Great value! Ocean view, privacy 50’x120' garden fot, carport off tang. Almost 2200 sq.ft, 4 bdrms, 2 bthrms, huge rec rm.-In-law potential. Some. improvements. Best buy in area. 2385 OTTAWA Handsworth, park & transportation. 3649 SYKES AD. $349,000 © 3 level split * 3 bdrms., + den, 3 baths * Hot tub cabana & cedar deck in back yard 1067 BELVEDERE, $399,000 + 4-5 bdrm., 21/2 baths, 55x120' lot ¢ well kept, updated roof, baths & fumace.