URBAN ENVIRONMENT

North Shore speciaiist works with ‘outer space’

WHEN MOST of us think of outer space we immediately envision astronauts tumbling around in an orbiter circling

the Earth.

When most of us consider inner space we usually think of the 1960s and flower children.

But not Ray Metcalfe, a North Shore ‘‘space specialist’? who designs and executes plans for the use of outer space in the entrances, gardens and courtyards of homes, apartments, restaurants . and

highrise office complexes.

Metcalfe tackles inner space when he looks inside such places and starts, what he calls, “eliminating the negative’ and “accentuating the positive.’’ Met- calfe aims to make small cramped surroundings seem more spacious and to help large, cold and cav- eraous areas take on a warm, cozy and friendly atmosphere designed to fit the lifestyle and personalities of those who live and work there.

Faced with making changes in their komes or offices, ‘‘most people’s first impulse, in despera- tion, is to just throw money at the problems,’”’ Metcalfe says, ‘‘and you’d be surprised how many dog’s breakfasts get served up that way.’’

“I’m not an interior decorator,”’ Metcalfe says when pressed to define his talents. ‘‘I really never aim at imposing my ideas or style on the project. When finished, it should always reflect the personai- ity of the client and that personali- ty should start showing at the front curb and not stop until you reach the alley out back.”*

Metcalfe, who was raised in a frantic, competitive crowd of eight

; ‘ ‘space,”?

By W. LITTLE Contributing Writer

brothers and sisters on the prairies of Alberta, migrated to Vancouver in 1962.

Before he started specializing in he worked in the oil fields, taught sailing, crewed on sailing ships around the world, and first apprenticed in design studios as a step to directing the in-store and window display activities of major department stures.

Metcalfe feels strongly that most people need someone to help them break up the log jam of indecision so they can relax and enjoy the process of making their living space more pleasant to live in.

Metcalfe explains, ‘‘You know, I don’t sell furniture, wallpaper, paint and light fixtures or plants. Though I will go with people to help them pick out such shings from their dealers. I’m really not interested in ‘re-doing’ someone’s home, imposing my design ideas in place of theirs.

“My role in creating space (which is just another way of say- ing ‘using existing space more effi- ciently’) is to survey the existing area, find out what the people re- ally want their surroundings to look and feel like, and then suggest as many practical, alternate ways as I can visualize to make that goa! possible.

“Sometimes it is nothing more than designing an easy-flow traffic pattern, moving a couch or a

chair, raising a light fixture, lower- ing paintings, gathering scattered bits and pieces of accessories and blocking them together to create more useable space somewhere else in a room,”’ he says.

“Rach client’s needs are com- pletely different. You'll never know what is really important to them if you don’t thoroughly survey their space and current ar- rangement of possessions before you sit down with them to explore ways of shifting and re-arranging objects to achieve the desired ef-

Metcalfe thinks most Canadians are compulsive pack rats. ‘“What you don’t find tucked away in basements, garages and storage closets that can be used to spice up people’s homes!”’ says Metcalfe. “There are real treasures, gather- ing dust, waiting to be seen and used.””

Clients need to know what a space specialist is thinking. “‘It takes a lot of fast, on-the-spot drawings, to help them clearly vi- sualize what you are suggesting and a lot of subtle digging to find out which pieces of furniture and other possessions are treasures to them and should be featured be- fore you try to firm up any plans,’’ he says.

In the way of mules for people about to embark on any such pro- jects themselves, Metcalfe simply advises: ‘‘Visualize your room as a combination of cubes of objects, paths of space and walls or streams of constantly changing light ... and try to remember that when it comes to space, simplicity is usua- ly easier to live with than ornate.’’

CORMORAN®

It is a beauty of a chair in molded synthetic resin — with absolutely no metal parts.

This sturdy lounge chair adjusts easily from upright to fully reclining position.

Convenient BAR TABLE — also molded resin.

~~

ALL SEASONS POOL & PATIO

(experts in pool and spa water chemistry)

270-7803

#1-2900 Smith St. (at Bridgeport) Richmond

19 - Friday, May 12, 1989 ~

“EMDERSON =!CONCRETE ING.

LONSDALE

AND BLINDS

Closed Mondays

North Shore News

Wesfcon Pass

Pe) DIOR HOMLANE

&®

Make your home a more beautiful place io live § with the texture, pattern and color of interlock- ing Westcon pavers,

Delivered to your place $1.50 par sq.ft. + PST On orders over 1200 sqft. (Unipave & Holland)

Come in and see our display patio and bring your plans. We will show you how te install.

‘We can also give you an estimate for installation.

While you are here see our exposed aggregate concrete planters etc.

Pr SALE PRICE: | —- 40 kg bag, type 10 coment 49/ea.

_Hours: 720m. ~ 4:30pm

- It's a special manufacturer's inventory clearance! A huge selection of top quality venetian blinds from HunterDouglas, the world’s leading manufacturer of window fashions. Great values

© Pleated Shades

© Balloon Shades ESTABLISHED FOR 16 YEARS 922-1709

#235 Village Square, 1425 Marine Dr., West Vancouver

” DECKOTE SUNDECK COATING

fe lated pen A ne

Becks, Balconies: ele

hip or . , . a.

{00% Aes binder

Al colors available. g IMPORT

| MELAMINE

FIREPLACE MANTELS

"$2980

custom cesigns a also 208 ible

COLORKOTE SHELVING a, White or Aimond 12x48 3.88 each 16x48 4.88 ea.

foe Blister Resistant ‘ast Dryi

Cecio histetoog, bee athed