76 — Friday, October 16, 1998 — North Shore News The coordinated look is underfot FLOORING is the ele- ment that ties a home together, and brings it to life. Carpet, wood and ule are the main building blocky and ean be used in endless combi Nations, Designers caution to stay away front trends ~-- unless it is one that yeu love. “TE can’t impress on people cnough that if vou are going to live with this flooring tor 305 days a vear -— pick something vou like,” says Sylvia Crocker of Parma Tile. Carpeting adds luxury, soft- ness and soundproofing to a home and just tecls good on bare feet. Berber is very popu- far carpet, and is available in all Kinds of colours and textures, Yraditionally used in’ family rooms because of its durability, Berber comes in tiny loops, large loops and different sculp- tured looks. “Berber was an informal application, and now the mills are turning it around a litle, I just picked one tor a client and it’s gorgeous, but it's com- pletely different from the nor- mal Berber that we think of,” says interior designer Bea O'Driscoll. Sometimes though, Berber is not the most durable choice. “If vou have pets Berber is not a good idea because the pets claws get caught in the loops.” Af a more formal or luxuri- ous impression is desired, look for a cut loop carpeting that imparts the richness more suit- ed to a living room or master bedroom. Adding warmth and no- fuss mobiness fog hoate sy easy wah wood Hoong “Wood doors, hardwood and sotimeast, are back big mime,” SAYS TACCTIOr desizner Bea O'Driscoll, Hardwoods like oak, maple and cherry are very durable, and tend to open up 2 heme and make it look spacious, With very tough fe tory coatings that are new applied, hardwoods wear well and require very littl: mainte: nanee ~- a quick mop and the toor glows. Hardwood can be custan: cut with contrasting wood inlays to add interest and elezance. Sottwoods, like fir or pine, might be chosen for a country style house and used in a wider plank. “Soltwood is less durable, and it will get character marks _ indentagons and what have you,” says OF Briscall, “so vou have to be able to five with thar.” Available to anyone, now more chan ever before, as flooring prices range trom rela- tively inexpensive to, well, can you say mahogany with teak inlay? Tile has become common in homes; not surprisingly con- sidering the choices range from traditional smooth tiles to carthy terra cattas and tex- tured stone looks. “Slate or granite are good kitchen, entry or bath area choices because the texture makes them less slippery,” says Crocket. Rather than just one solid colour, tiles now offer different shadings and colour variations, providing versatility in decorat- ing options over the years. Vhough tic looss beaantul and is can to mamian, one of the dow ntalls of nie has ahwavs been ts dagk oof warmilt. Getting up te use the bath roam dunng the night can be somewhat torturous and cer tainly more eve opening than one might desire at three a.m. However, radiant in tloor heating has changed all chat, Stepping on a radiant: hear ed floor is like pulling on a fleece body stocking — instant pampering and cosines. Instead of heating up the air like other systems, it heats the objects in the room particular: ly humans. Using a yas-powered or electric boiler, a water/glycol mixture is pumped through a series, of coils, controlled) by thermostats. The svstem requires one foot of pipe tor cach square tout of area and is first stapled to the subtloor, then covered with cement. Radiant heat works best under tile or stone bur can alse be used under carpet, accord: ing to Whistler Mechanical owner Kel Fenwick. Though it costs consider- ably more to install, and is not casily retrofitted, the opera- tional costs are comparable to other heating systems. So radiant heat is really only practical when building a new home, so it’s a wonderful fea- ture to look for when shop- ping for a new house. Flooring, whether it is car- per, tile, or hardwood, is an investment in your home. Shopping around for good service and knowledgeable staf¥ will guarantee the invest- ment you make is a good one. AMBLESIDE Great location in Ambleside. Walk to the beach, the seawall, coffee houses, restaurants and shopping from this one. 2 bedrooms, top floor, south east corner with some view, vauited ceiling in living raom and cozy gas fireplace. Drop by he open Sun 2-4. Call David or Lisa Thon at 922-6995 to view. #402-1340 DUCHESS, W.VAN oe Z CANYON HEIGHTS Great opportunity to create equity here! Bring your decorating ideas and your offer to this fantastic family home in Canyon Heights (Montroyal & Handsworth catchment). 2800 $q.ft. with 3 bedrooms up & 1 down. Large kitchen with eating area, formal living and dining room, family roorn, rec. room, master bedroom with full ensuite and walk in closet. Walk out basement! Call David or Lisa Thon at 922-6995 to view. 979 PROSPECT AVE. HAMILTON 3 bedroom townhome in Foxwood Hilis. Features include fully fenced south facing patio and garden, polished granite and mirrored wood burning fireplace, eating area in the kitchen, 7 appliances plus security system and more. Lots of storage space aiso. Call David or Lisa Thon at 922-6995 to view. #9-900 WEST 177TH ST. LONSDALE QUAY Perfect for the decorator. Almost 1500 sq.ft. on two levels with a very versatile floorplan. Original design was 2 beds plus den. Choose either as your master - they both have full ensuite bathrooms. This suite faces east with well designed windows for maximum light. Full size insuite laundry, gas fireplace, built-in vacuum and more. Call David or Lisa Thon at 922-6995 to view. #3101-33 CHESTERFIELD PL. FLOORING is one of the most important elements in your home. Combining hard- wood flooring and a throw carpet in the same room creates a warm took that entices people to enter. CENTRAL LONSDALE Almost detached townhome sharing very little common wail. This home is super clean, super bright and offers tons of storage space. This very private townhome features an open floor pian with a fenced west facing patio and large sundeck. Still under new home warranty! Drop by the open Sat 2-4. Call David or Lisa Thon - at 922-6995 to view. #1-1818 CHESTERFIELD AVE. EDGEMONT VILLAGE Waik to Edgemont Village from this 1850 sq.ft. Panabode home. Huge Iot (approx. 90'x300') with lots of useable yard. Vaulted ceilings throughout with entertainment sized rooms. Large rock fireptace, skylights, family room and covered verandas are just some of the features of this special home. Open weekend by appt. Call David or Lisa Thon at 922-6995 to book your time. 2430 EDGEMONT BLYD. ° —3 bedroom, 3 baths @ — Bright end unit with lots of storage THOMAS LEONG VIVIAN CHENG . a) SCH y AMEX BROADWAY WEST REALTY 649-4582 "CANYON HEIGHTS: ~ Totally updated 3 level split home ~ 3 bedrooms up, master ensuite with jetted tub 8 — Designers kitchen — 2 storey tall sofanum off famity room ~ Lower level has 1 bedroom, 1 rec room and a 3rd bath — Lot 65'x116" a — Close to Handsworth School CENTRAL LONSDALE 3 BDRM "AP arco oon ~ Over 1600 sat : ‘ a , a — Central Lonsdale, 3 levels, family home ~ Gorgeous 50x157 tot Et — Main floor master with ensuite m — Two bedroom + den upstairs Bl ~ S bedrooms, 3 baths — Family room aff kitchen with sliders to deck in backyard [iB i ~ 2 bedroom in-taw accommodation in basement BELOW ASSESSMENT VALUE § ~ Canyon Heights, Handsworth Secondary & Montroyat Elamentary catchment @ — 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 F/P’s, 2 car garage mw — 4 years new roof & hardwood floor on main ~ Huge sundeck with hot tub at the back off kitchen § a — Large, level tot 66°x141° —- Unbelievable price at $369,000. 7 — Mave in condition, immed. occupancy 1001 PROSPECT AVE.