WHO TO CALL: Community Editor Andrew McCredie 9385-2134 tia7) We bab tater design of the times MORE DESIGN questions and answers. Question: We are planning to install new wall-to-wall carpet throughout the house, Which fibre is the best, and should the carpet be the same in all roams?” Answer: To your first question | am tempted to say “go for a good quality natural wool, it's the best.” Wool has qualities that are hard to beat: it takes dyes better than most synthetic fibres and comes in a beau- tiful and wide range of colors; it is naturally resistant to soil and stains; is ‘very resitient (indentations caused “ by heavy objects usually disappear) «.. and is resistant to flame and burns (many man-made fibres will melt). On the other hand, good quality wool is costly; wool of lesser quality will pil! and fibres have a tendency to become fuzzy or come apart. Of all the synthetic fibres, nylon or nylon blends are the most popular. In its range of colors nylon is similar to wool. It lasts forever — you will tire of it before you wear it out; it’s easy to maintain and non-allergenic. Acrylic feels most like wool, and is best when com- bined with wool or nylon. On its own if tends to fuzz and build-up static (which attracis dirt). Lately many manufacturers produce olefin or polypropylene carpet because it is a relative- ly inexpensive fibre. Where wool is a pleasure to look at, touch and walk on, olefin (the unblended kind) has an utterly piastic touch and a shiny look. This fibre does not take color very well. Modacrylic is usually blended with other fibres; on its own it tends to fuzz and pili. This, in a nutshell, is the story of carpet: wool is best; blends of nylon or acrylic with wool are very good, Your secand question was whether the car- pet should be the same throughout the house. Ideally it should be the same color, especially in-a bungalow or split-level house. This creates an uninterrupted flow of color and makes the choice of an overall color scheme much easier. ‘Texture or pile can vary; you could choose a more plush carpet for bedrooms and a dense Let us help you organize your closets e Custom-bullt closet organizers m * With or without drawers » Installed or Do-it-yourself columnist Edith Home and Garden Editor layne Christensen 985-21 34 a 8) and shoit pile for other areas. Q: When buying new fiunishings for a liv- ing room, how should one decide on color i in regard to carpet, couches, curtains etc? A: Choosing a color scheme is always exciting; when the whole fimily has a say it can become downright contentious. One sclution is ¢o start with the largest areas of color: floor or walls. You can then choose furnishings to match the basic color: if you like serene and soothing surroundings, you could work with one color, let’s say sage (which contains green, yellow and blue). Sage could be used in varying intensities: light on wails, medium on the floor, and dark in sofa and chairs. For interest, add some accents of yeilow and blue. This soothing and monochro- matic effect can also be achieved with other colors. Combinations of off-white ate very attractive; they go Friday, February 23, 1996 - Norilh Shore News — 11 STORIES NEWS photo iZike Wokofled INVESTING IN a ge cod quality carpet will pay off in the iong run, writes design Saatkamp. Wool is probably the best choice due to its wide range of colors and its natural resistance to soil and stains. with all earth tones or any accent color. If you like a little more excitement in your surroundings, work with contrasting colors. The starting point could be a multi-colored pattem that really appeals to you; it could also be an art object or a bouquet of flowers, I've recenily feasted my eyes on a painting by Howard Hodgkin, called “Dinner in Palazzo Albrizzi” which combines yellow, orange, vivid red, green and black with several tints of lavender. Now this could be exciting. Walls washed in layers of yellow, orange. red and then varnished; 2 strong dark green FREE SLIPCOVER SALE ENDS IN 10 pays! carpet, down-filled black leather seating with multi-colored silk pillows and a black jac- quered or ebony-stained bookcase. Window treatments should be in the same color as the wall. Lined silk or velvet would be extravagant but beautiful. Address your design questions to Edith at North Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2H4. Photos, floor plans and color swatches will help her to visualize your space; enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want to have them returned. FREE SLIPCOVERS! SALE ENDS 4TH MARCH ‘96 Imagine your home as comfortable as your favorite pair of jeans. Soft washed and totally telaxed. That's the casual, but elegant feeling of slipcovers from Norwalk. With a change of mood or a change of seasons, CANADIAN CLOSET today’s slipcover fashions let you enjoy two looks for the price of one. Now, when you purchase one of our selected sofas or chairs in any of our 2000 fabrics and leathers, you can also choose a slipcover at no extra cost. (Please come into store for complete details) * © 500 styles ® 2000 fabrics & leathers © 35 day delivery L_} THE FURNITURE IDEA You DreaM ['r. We BulLp Ir. "A family owned business since 1984" 1385 Crown St.N. Van. GBE4263 | Vancouver: 980 Cambie Street (Yaletown) 681-6363 Coquitlam: #110-1655 United Blvd., (Pacific Reach) $40-4733