Prepare home for winter AS THE number of daylight hours decreases, we pack away light summer clothes, reorganize closets and rake up newly-fallen leaves rather than mowing the grass. Indoors and out, the effect of the changing seasons is evident as Canadians across the country undertake home improvement pro- jects that will ensure that their homes are inviting and energy- efficient during the coming mon- ths. Now is the time to take inven- tory of your needs and make the appropriate preparations. Perhaps increasing the amount of insulation in the attic would help decrease fuel bills, or maybe the fireplace and chimney need to be cleaned before being used. Taking care of jobs such as these early cn will not only afford a sat- isfying sense of accomplishment, but will also ensure that your home (and its inhabitants) will be prepared for the first cold snap, no matter how sudden. - Setting your priorities and then organizing the appropriate steps is the key to successfully executing your home improvement projects, whether large or small. Often it is possible to combine several steps of reorganizing and cleanup. Before dismantling and storing the fans away, for instance, a thorough cleanup of the closet may be in order, or perhaps the garage should be hosed down be- fore the barbeque equipment is stowed away. Cleaning the gutters will require a ladder, so why not wash the out- side windows at the same time that you are checking for leaves that are pcetentially a source of clogging and water damage. Investing the time and moncy in home improvement projects can Tailor kitchen to your needs HAVE YOU ever muttered in disgust while emptying a cabinet only to find the desired item buried in the back? : ‘Have you ever snarled at your oven? Have you ever dreamed about a new kitches; You’re not alone. people share your frustrations, and at least thousands of them plan to do something about it by remodell- ing. The chalienge is not to replace, but ‘to create a kitchen superior to its predecessor ... a kitchen. that works ... a kitchen to be proud of. According to kitchen design ex- perts, successful kitchen design begins by identifying who uses the kitchen, and for what purposes. Is it a common family gathering point, or the domain of a gourmet chef? When you entertain, do guests gravitate toward the kitchen or are caterers in full command? Are food preparation activities shared by a spouse or children? Whether you cook every day, several times a week or rarely will affect the size, layout and type of equipment in your new kitchen. For example, couples who share meal preparation activities may wish to include such features as two sinks (one for cleanup and one for washing produce), double ovens and built-in counter savers ™™ scattered throughout the kitchen. If your entertaining style is ca- sual, you might consider an enter- tainment bar built right into an "island counter. On the other hand, catered af- fairs may necessitate the installa- tion of warming drawers, multiple ovens and wide. shelved refrigerators that can accommo- date party trays. Millions of - also help increase the value of your home. New storm windows or an energy-efficient furnace may bring immediate savings for your winter fuel bill as well as being a wise long-term investment. Not every project will involve a time-consuming process or a lot of money. And don’t overlook the small Oak |Entertainment Cenire! 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