Photo courtesy LA Times syndicate PATIO FURNITURE comes in a great variety of styles, from rustic to high tech. Creating your own deck chairs can be a fun summer project for some, while others will want to check out the latest styles at their local furniture stores. 99+. ¢ September 2, \ Hurry . eine but the prices © — atures rising P cme ig the best T The temperatures falling, Now ts the be « 4 . flooring are & a a Sti dance” Mannington o ey royado’ or Sarde in to pula Mannington SHVETS oh now youll time r home. Thats because TY, af our best Hoot ak we 4 prices of the year ON IN i . tions ur Lowes ye wanvyl floor collectors: for vin pest performing VI as today! dhe most sizzling SAVING? TT" or ” int Sale end gel 0 looking Stop in f NINGTON. THE LOOK THAT LASTS. NORTH SHORE SUPERSTORE “VISIT OUR NEW EXPANDED LOCATION” EDGEMONT CARPET TOWN Largest warehouse showroom on the North Shore 1601 Welch St., N. Van. 985-001 ler 876-2251 (Between Pemberton & Capilano Rd.) Build high-style patio furniture The right design and materials help to create a professional looking job THE FIRST warm breezes of spring are a signal to home- owners thal the days of out- door entertaining and kicking back on the deck are just around the corner. And now that we have experi- enced the first heat wave of sum- mer, many of us are looking for the coolest place to entertain. The right outdoor furniture can turn your deck or patio into ai extra room in the summer months. Many homeowners now are adding the ultimate personal touch to their out- door living spaces by building and finishing their own furniture to match their patio or deck design scheme. . Actual-size project plans are the easiest to work with. Look for plans with clear instructions ta talk you through the project from beginning to end. One tip is to make templates by tracing each individual chair piece onto ¥-inch plywood stock, then cutting and smoothing these pieces. Mark the lumber by tracing around these templates, then cut the pieces using a saber or band saw. This will give you more uniform results, whether you're building a single set or enough to outfit an entire resort. Cedar is the first choice for lum- ber —- when properly finished it will hold up to years of exposure to the elements, yet iC is easy to sand and smooth for a professional-loak- ing projeet. Plan on about 30 board feet per chair, Once you've cut out and smoothed all chair pieces, the easi- est way to guarantee professional results is to stain or finish the chair before assembly. For a natural finish there are a number of woed preservative prod- ucts available — some pogular brands come in a variety of shades to keep your chairs shipshape for years of deck founging. One alternative is to build your chairs using less expensive pres- sure-ireated lumber, then add splash and dazzle with water-based spray paints. Spray paints come in a variety of colors — even metallic, chrome- and gold-plated colors are available to let you stretch your creative muse. Or, go with popular summer shades like teal, aqua or rose. For a finishing touch, spray paints make it easy to add a stenciled design or pattem. Armed with a set of plans and simple workshop tools, including a saber or band saw, drill and power sander, the average do-it-yourselfer can build a pair of chairs in a week- end — a short time, considering that reclining in a deck chair on a warm summer day is a pleasure you'll enjoy for decades. Buy major pieces and accessorize cleverly From page 49 mistake people make is buying on impulse. They don’t have an overall scheme or plan in mind. They haven't graphed out the entire room, They walk into a furniture store and say, “That sofa looks nice,” and buy it. They get home and say, “Now what do I do with it?” Experts advise first-time furni- ture seekers to buy the best they can afford in major pieces — sofas, . chairs, dining room furniture --- and to extemporize with clever, inexpensive accessories. One decorating danger novices often fall prey to is trying to do everything all at once. Do one room at a time and do it well. Coming up with a workable plan involves looking at such things as lifestyle. traffic patterns and home activities. Are there pets or young children? Roommates? Lots of guests? Do you work at home? These will help vou deter- mine vour priorities and needs. Think quality and longevity. The two go hand-in-hand. You can puta lot of money into junky furni- ture and then in five years it will be shat. It pays to buy one good piece, such as a sofa, and build around it. Distributed by the Los Angeles Times syndicate.