THE SMITHS are having their new home built out on the
end of Snoot Poim Road. The general contractor who is
overseeing the building for them is taking stress manage-
ment workshops and thinking about getting a job as a civil

servant.

Every day, Buffie and Chuck
Smith arrive at the job-site and
agonize over such things as brass
versus anodized gold light switch
plates. Or perhaps it’s onyx floor-
ing over tongue and. groove oak
under the wall to wall rug in the
living room.

-- over the
garden gate

Geoff Tobiasson

» At last. the job is over. Buffie
and: Chuck are still speaking to
_each other but not to thei banker.
George the contractor ‘is resting
comfortably: at Lions Gate. And
now that the budget is blown, the
landscape work is just about to
Start.

When the Smiths hear some of
the landscaper’s suggestions, they
are ecstatic — until they hear the
price. They know the banker is go-
ing to be unsympathetic, so now it
is a matter of trying to cut back on
the landscaping costs.

They will now call in Guido's
Rock-A-Rama Mason and Land-
scape Service and spend half the
money that was suggested on work
that will cost twice as much to
repair. I relate this process to the
placing of a flawless, one carat
diamond in a five and dime plastic
setting.

Just as the landscape is of
supreme importance when you are
establishing the setting for your
home, the walks and patios will
determine the setting of your
garden. I would consider it unwise
to plan the garden without taking
these elements into consideration.

Find the best place in the future
garden to enjoy your surrounding
environment; this will be the best
site for a patio.

You might have chosen on the
basis of view, seclusion, afternoon
sun, or for whatever other reason
May scem personally suitable.

Next, imagine the most sensible,
yet attractive route to and from
this site. This, in combination with
street access, will become the ma-
jor walk in your garden. In most
cases, you should avoid the most
direct routes from the beginning to
the destination. Take the eye on a

tour of the garden by changing the
direction of the walk and thereby
change the focal points.

Be careful not to be too ‘cute’
with this meandering approach or
you will find new paths forming
through sections of the garden.
Use a commonsense approach.

Now try to relate the ‘feel’ or

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requires less maintenance, but can
be cold and uninviting in some
garden environments. Another
concern is cracking due to future
ground settling. This can be avoid-
ed with thicker pours and reinforc-
ing, but the cost rises dramatically.

Concrete patio slabs have
regained popularity due to better

‘*..try to relate the ‘feel’ or character you are trying to
create in the garden with the style of its patios and
walks. The free form of the traditional Japanese garden
does not suit the austere look of a brushed concrete

sidewalk, ”’

character you are trying to create
in the garden with the style of its
patios and walks, The free form of
the traditional Japanese garden
does not suit the austere look of a
brushed concrete sidewalk.

Think about the surfacing mate-
rials available. Choosing the right
material relative to the garden
style, the durability, and the
budget, can be difficult.

Simple, inexpensive materiais
such as limestone or gravel can be
attractive in the right setting.

I find that limestone or gravel is
too readily tracked into the house
when too close to the residence.
Weeds can also become a problem
requiring light, regular
Maintenance as well as a major
restoration every five years or so.

Do not consider cedar rounds
because our damp climate can
make them dangerously slippery.
If you must use these or other

wood products, remember to spray.

them regularly with a cryptocidal

soap. This will control the growth

of algae and reduce the hazards.
Poured concrete is cleaner and

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: aw
manufacturing techniques. The
addition of exposed aggregate,
Natural texturing and colored
finishes has made these products
much more attractive. Improve-
ments in the strength of the better
slabs have reduced cracking
beyond the point of concern.

Interlocking pavers have become
the ultimate in landscape surfacing
materials. They are extremely at-
tractive, virtually indestructible,
easy to maintain and clean.

The added bonus of easily fixing
depressions caused’ by future

News

—

ground settling make these pro-
ducts some of the most cost effec-
tive when considered over a period
of time,

Interlocking pavers and patio
slabs have been considered poor
choices because of some perceived
problems with weed control. With
the advent of high-quality sealers,
weeds have little to get rooted to
especially when they are combined
with a reasonably frequent hosing
down of the driveway.

One more thing, do not mix
your surfacing materials in one
field of vision. You stand the risk
of making the project look too
busy. Keep it simple. The careful
use of varying colors and textures
can help to add definition or
heighten interest, but too much
will spoil your work,

The library is a good informa-
tion source as well as inspiration if
you would like some ideas.

The Lynn Valley library, at 1280
E. 27th Street, North Van., is
holding a free seminar by Roy
Jonsson on February 23 at 7:30
p.m. Seating is limited so come
early.

” FABRICS

For Draperies
* Special Treatments, |

& Sheers