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NEWS photo Atike Wakefield

BORGE Magelund flips through one of his many sam-
ple books. He calls his business, Chaiet Interiors, one
of the North Shore's “best-kept secrets.”

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Save money by
reupholstering

By Deana Lancaster

News Reporter
deana@nsnews.com

BORGE Magelund

calls his business “The
best-kept secret on the
North Shore.”

Perhaps it’s
Chalet Interiors Ltd. is
tucked away on tiny little
MacGowan. Avenue in North
Vancouver.

Or perhaps it is because
after 22 years in business, the
re-uphols g, drapery and
custom-built furniture shop is
mostly frequented by long-
ferm repeat customers.

“I like to keep a low-pro-
file,” says Magelund. You
won't find gimmicks or high-
pressure sales here.

“Ttell people if they’re not
sure, don’t do it. | would
rather have people nor buy
than buy the wrong thing.”

But it seems his customers
have faith in him. One North
Shore family has now had
three generations take their
business to Magelund.

Why do people choose to
recover their furniture rather
ihan buy new?

“Sometimes they can’t
find what they want. Or the
furniture they have suits the
room and suits their needs.”

He says if the furniture is

because

of good quality and. stil in
good condition, to reuphol-
ster costs about 60% of the
expense of buying new.

Magelund says they also
reupholster many heirloom
pieces or furniture.

“We try to preserve it and
make it up to standard so
they can leave it to their chil-
dren.”

Magelund began karning
his craft in Denmark when he
was 14 vears old. He worked
as an apprentice 2a week
for four and a half years.

And now, even though he
has his own business’ he says
he still has a lot to learn.

“Pn still learning, every
day. Abw: ays something new
comes up.”

Customers can visit his
showroom and choose from a
huge selection of fabric.
Magelund buys from 50 dif-
ferent wholesalers — and
although most of the fabric
comes from Canada and the
U.S., imports some from
England and Germany.

Once a client has some
ideas, they can take fabric
samples home to try it on the
furniture and see how well it
complements the room.
Then, Magelund will come to
their home and give an esti-
mate. But there is no obliga-
tion to buy, he adds.

Designer puts good eye to good use

SOME PEOPLE can walk
into a room and know
instantiy how it should be
arranged.

News Report
“Its surprising the differ-
ence a good eye can
make,” explains home
designer Camiile James.

“The ideal time to redeco-
rate is when you are seil-
ing a house or moving
into a new home” says
dames. Her combination
of real estate experience
and interior design skilis
are evident. “I've walked
into many homes that
won't sell or lack emotion-
al appeal.” she confides.
“Usually the problem
stems from proportion,
light, colour or clutter.”

It pays to consult a home
designer. Not anly will
their techniques and
industry contacts save
you money, but a talented
professional will eliminate
the frustration and save
you time by doing the leg
work for you.

James says most of her
ideas for redesign arise
out of sheer necessity. Ifa
client is on a limited bud-

tL

James redesigns
inner space, often
using the owner's
existing furniture.

get or a room poses cer-
tain iimitations, a creative
sciution is called for to lift
the home decor out of the
ordinary. “You can make a
statement that will reflect
the client's personality
and taste without spend-
ing a lot of money.” she
says.

How does James view
this challenge? “it’s very
rewarding to see the
‘pefore' and ‘after’. Plus
every time a client goes
home, they think of me.”
she laughs.

For further information, 7*"
contact Camille James

at Camille’s Décor

Solutions, 899-2500

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