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PeIU&IÏ6ge25 Page 24, Whitby Free Press, Wednesday, September 8,1993 A HOME DESIGN AND IMPROVEMENkT FEATURE Updating your kitche 1n Down through the ages, kitchens have served as a traditionail gathering place for familles. A long-standing symbol et warmth and comfert, the kitchen continues te serve as a very importent part of today's home, combining more traditional functions with newer ones. If your kitchen is beginning te look seedy or dated, you may want te apruce it up a bit with some simple, but relatively inexpensive redecorating. You may even want te launch a fulI-scele renovation preject if your kritchen has failed te keep up with your growing faxily's needs. Betore deciding on which approach you want te teke, it's a good idea te study some reeoaing and remodelling publications. Most convenience, goery and book stores carry home improvement magazines. It's alse a good idea te visit kcitchen showrooms te sme what's T~~~IME ELC (we've got... W e offer a unique & practical alternative to the high cost of bathroom remodelling *Acrylie, non-slip, made- to-measure Bathtub Liners fit snugly over existing tubs e Installed in 2 hours or less without disturbing existing tub, walls, files,. plumbing or floors a better idea) Customed formned one piece tub-to-ceiling Bath Walls & Shower Stails " Virtually maintenance free " Tested & proven in thousands of commercii & residential insta1lations " Written guarantee Cali now for FREE in-home estimate al available. Home shows are aise, an excellent source of ideas. You should also think realistically about your needs. Will a new coat et paint and some minor, inexpensive -changes do the trick? Or de you desperately require more cupboards and extra storage space? What about an expanded eating area? Do you want te incorperate extra living space? Do you want te include a family room or a desk/study mnto the itchen? Doei't Forget Your Budget Cost is a key issue, o elways keep a rea]istic budget in mind before you go too far in the planning stages. Rememiber that initial renovation estimates can be somewhat lower then the final cost et the project. You can save money by doing some of the work yourself - but leave the complicated tasks te the If you're on a shoestring budget you cen stili create a new look without breeking your bank eccount. In many cases, a coat of paint and some new wallpaper cen breathe new life into a itchen that's become dreb and dated. If you have adequate sterege space, but desire an updated look, yeu cen have your existing cuphoard doors refeced or replaced. This costs less then replacing them entirely with brend new units. New fiooring cen also give an eIder itchen new life. Today's flooring cornes in a variety of materials and textures, with something te suit every teste and budget. Easy-care wooden floors are also, becomidng a popular option in itchen renovations. Before making a final choice, think carefully about how the types et flooring you like would fit in with your itchen. Also consider the volume of traffic the area will receive; kitchens demend flooring that is prectical, durable and easy te dlean. New countertops are another option for brightening up your Ictchen. iàke flooring, they coe in a variety et materials, textures and colours. Back splashes can also take on new life with decerative tiles. Consult the experts at your local home building centre te decide what bost suite your needs. Workable Spae In many older homes, counter spece is often sperse, se make sure you allow for . enough werkable space when planninýg any renovations. Aise, keep in mind that there are many innovative ways te make the moSt of cupboard spece. Cerner cabinets with revolving inner shelves make excellent use of space that is usually difficult te accese. Many experts aIse advise that the fridge, steve and sink be Situated in a V-shaped position, within a reasonable distance cf eech ether, because these are the meet cemmonly used items in a itchen. Placing them in this pattern allows for easy, umimpeded ecceas. Whatever reute yeu chocs. when updating your Ititchen, mak.e sure you plan careflily and reaUcally. Get input from eveiyone in your family, and remember that an updated kçitchen net enly enhences your home - it improves its marketability. This article is prouided by local reait ors and the Ontario Real Est ate, Association (OREA). oc SALES - SERVICI 24 HOR Id.INSTALLATION EMERGENCY COMMERCIAL - INDUSTRIAL SERVIC AUTOMOTIVE LOCKSMITHINC . . ....Y~ .S/J 4. . . ......E $. IN O B ARFXEiS .Al AS BI 8L. ~OK <Y 1l L ....... ...... y............. -A t.......m h w W ibyf al~S p 69 ~&i WHITBY EMERGENCY LOCKED CAR SERVICE OSHAWA 104 Mary St. E. 467 Bond St. E. (Between (East of Brook> ±I).L. 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