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Another reason for keeping old upholstered goods is the quality of construction in the parts one cannot see, the quality of the wood, the bat- ting, and the coils and springs. But even these can be repliced if the chair has sentimental value.

1 saw one of those sentimental chairs on the workbench. It was 100 .~ years old and had been reupholstered so often that the wood frame was

" punctured like a nail bed. But with glue and clamps, know-how and patience, it will become like new and last another 100 years.

And now let’s go see Oscar.

Velle’s North Van Furniture Ltd. is hard to find because Third Avenue south of Marine Drive is where it shouldn't be: one block south of 14th and half a block east of Lloyd. But what a treasure trove when you do

.. find it. Oscar, his partners,” ‘Mohammed, Bill and Tom, together ‘with a dozen employees create trans-

formations here,

* The front area of the store has: innumerable fabric samples, ranging from the most utilitarian to. the most exotic, from creamy white silk to dark brocade. I pity those who try to

Enjo the Jewels Of

ats Season

o> Name . St Francis in the Wood .. Location . " 4767 Picadilly South, West Vancouver * Built in i927: Additions in ‘58 and ‘57

- > History This charming parish chureh i is the focal point of the Caulfeild area. It was built on land donated by Francis _ William Caulfeild. The original struc: ture features stained glass windows“ made in England by the William = Morris Company. '-

pieces renewed

muke a quick decision. ~ .

The workshop is filled with the sad old pieces that await rejuvena- tion, and with the sounds of staple guns and hammering, sewing and cutting. One after the other, the chairs and sofus take their tum on the workbench to be taken apart, meticu- lously reassembled and covered with new fabric.

The finished products disappear into the delivery trucks at the back. Only a thick volume of photos attests to all the pieces that have made their way to homes and hotels, offices, restaurants and yachts over the years.

‘A fair amount of Velle’s business

comes from developers who use the pieces in their show suites, and from the film industry; but the majority is from private owners.

Velie’s North Van Furniture Ltd. was established 22 years ago. Oscar's business philosophy stems from his

‘early years on cruise ships when he

was taught that, if a customer had to ask for anything at all, the server wasn’t doing his job. Today. he says,

" problems are avoided by giving cus-

tomers no reason to complain.

Is it expensive to reupholster?

It can be, but it is often not when you consider the replacement cost of

Hummingbirds’ brilliant colors make them the “Jewels of Spring” f and you can-make them yours all season long. Invite them to your f backyard with a simple mixture of water and sugar in one of the

many feeders you'll find at Wild Birds Nature Shop.

Ask us for the simple recipe and tips on attracting the “Jewels” all

season long.

“We Bring People & Nature Together"®

a quality chair or sofia, And it is not expensive if you value good crafts- manship and the fact that you can choose from an almost unlimited range of fabrics.

The cost might even be worth- while if you find a prohibitively expensive piece of furniture and decide to have it custom-made, or if you develop your own unique design. The cost of reupholstering an arm- chair runs from $300 to $450 plus fabric.

Is there one type of chair or sofa

definitely not worthwhile saving? For .

me it’s the one that makes you slide forward as you sit, until your knees are braced against the voffee table. 1 also detest the ones you can’t get out of; those that are so sofi and close to the ground that you need a helping hand to get up.

BY GEORGE

Now is the time to; prepare your soil for planting for flower beds

| and vegetable gardens.

Mix composted manure | jor an organic fertilizer | in planters or |

} containers. Freshen up f old soil

by adding a good potting mix.

This Week's Special

PANSIES | 4" pot Rey, $1.29 Park Royal South

(behind Zellers) 922-5990

* + Exquisite Hand Carved 4-Poster Bed from Belgium * Country Pine from England * Art Deco Style Lamps * French ‘Fruitwood Armoire * Tables & Chairs ¢

Kitchens * Bathrooms « Renovations

1075 Marine Dr. 985-8838

_ N. Vancouver (Across from Future Shop, parking at rear}

RER SPECIAL

Faster Bargains Pine Sleigh Bed | $37g°° Pine 4 Poster Bed $3 7g

$279

Pine Dresser

| Pine High Boy Chest ° 71 99°°

Entertainment Center $ E gg Solid Weod Table +4 Chairs ‘42 goo Pine Bookcases from? q 79°

Pine Night Table rom? PHO

Plus Many More In-store Specials’ Custom Orders Taken

AKAL FURNITURE| wa) PARK ROYAL SOUTH

upstairs in front of elevator 922-5810

Em |

Dealers Welcome to Buy Direct from Factory’