Country look suits ‘8Qs life DO YOU long for great open spaces and the simple country life? With a little imagination, you can bring that fresh-air rural feel- ing into your city home. The country look is a major trend these days. Anything bui Tustic, it owes more to downtown than backwoods. Perfectly suited to the carefree, casual style of the eighties, country presents a picture of rich infor- mality, good humor and lack of pretension. Important components are earth tones, natural materials and uncluttered spaces. At its best, country is a pleasing arrangement of informal furniture combined with amusing accessories and is weli suited to modern housing with fight-filled rooms. The country influence is seen in three major schools — French, English and California, each in- spiring a particular mood or way of thinking. California country brings out- door living into the home. With its pale, sunwashed colors and rough textures, it is easy to live with and easier to care for. The effect is big bold, enhanced by clean lines, plain upholstery and uncluttered finishing touches. One of its halimarks is light wood, even bleached or pickled, fashioned into unstructured and simple pieces, and white-on-white upholstery. Bent oak also works well in this - scheme. Accessories should be kept to a minimum, reflecting nature in both shape and color. The English country look recreates the charm of a rose- covered cottage — an air of timeless comfort ideal for clder homes. It starts with pastel walls and white baseboards, window sashes, fireplaces, door frames and bannisters, Against this, the appealing charm of chintz-covered sofas and draperies is seen to maximum ad- vantage. Classic furniture styles in con- temporary workmanship ano qual- ity are ideal for English country. Lovely Queen Anne wingback chairs by Canadian furniture manufacturers are the essence of the look, and Canadian pine reproduction china cabinets, din- ing tables, wardrobes and side- boards adapt beautifully to the set- ting. So does white wicker with cheer- ful pillows and throw rugs. French country is inspired by the warm, intense colors of provincial France, a look that complements beamed ceilings, hardwood trim and tiled floors. A distinguishing feature is a profusion of bright cotton prints, mixed and matched to create the cheerful, simple distinction that is French country’s hallmark. . In a dining room or kitchen, French country is simplicity itself — a plain oak table combined with Windsor chairs and bright seat cushions, for instance. In the bedroom it produces a romantic mood — delicate curtains of handworked face, bright cotton print bedspreads and beautifully simple wooden pieces — armoires, chests and occasional chairs. Whichever you choose, the country look wil. give you the best of both’ worlds. —- downhome comfort and contemporary high style. Help for allergy sufferers ELECTROSTATIC. AIR cleaners temove much of the airborne dust, pollen and tobacco and cooking smoke from household air which passes through them, and can be a particular help to allergy sufferers. So says Bruce. Taylor, vice- chairman of the Canadian Stan- dards Association committee that wrote the Standard on Elec- trostatic Air Cleaners. ‘ Air cleaners which are perma- nently installed in. the return-air duct of a home’s central forced air heating system are generally the most: efficient, says Taylor, how- ever,’ portable types may also be used in homes or offices which do not’ have a central forced-air system. : Because the units operate on high voltages, they are subjected to tests for fire and shock hazard as set out in the Standard, says Taylor. ‘ This is important because if a unit’s electrical insulation breaks down or is damaged and the system is not properly grounded, it could energize the air duct system and pose a shock hazard to anyone who touches any part of the system. Or, if a malfunction were to cause a fire, smoke could be distributed throughout the house. Proper maintenance of air cleaners is important as well, says Taylor. “Filters should be cleaned fre- quently because the air cleaner’s efficiency will drop off as the filter becomes loaded with dirt. To check how frequently you should clean your filters, read the manu- facturer’s instruction manual. “Be especially careful to heed any caution markings which may appear on the unit.” The manual will also include in- stallation directions and general cautions every consumer should heed when handling air cleaners. A6OWS GATE BRIG! ew A Serving You Since 1970 NOW OPEN FOR BUSI on Halo Power-Trac Contemporary Lampholders Contemporary designed Halo Power-Trac lampholders bring elegance and versatile lighting to modern interiors. Gives a high tech look to any home, office or store. See our big selection, on sale now. BURNABY . 4700 E. 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