Express Yourself

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This article was published 18/09/2002 (8618 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

‘It takes courage to express your unique personality in your living space. But when you walk in the door each night, you should feel you are truly at home.’

So you’ve decided on a fresh look for your home. It could be a new custom-built creation or a cozy bungalow condominium by one of Manitoba’s award-winning professional builders, or simply a desire to redesign your existing living space.

Whatever the case, a little close collaboration with the experts can make your job fun, your results professional, and your home a place that expresses your personality.

And personalization is key, say interior designers like Kim Schroeder, founder of Winnipeg’s Charisma, the Design Experience.

“It takes courage to express your unique personality in your living space,” Ms. Schroeder says. “But when you walk in the door each night, you should feel that you are truly at home.”

Red walls might not be everyone’s desire, but that shouldn’t stop someone from having red walls if that is their preference, she says, albeit with a chuckle.

Don’t design your home for resale if you plan on living in it for some time, Ms. Schroeder advises. Just contemplate ideas that suit your own tastes and don’t consult with your mom, best friend or neighbour.

“Your home is about you and your family and what you need. Their options are usually biased. A designer, on the other hand, puts their own taste aside and will guide you to create a unique living space that reflects your personality.”

Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or plan to hire an interior designer, Ms. Schroeder encourages people to save ideas and develop a portfolio. The portfolio could contain anything from photographs of rooms and architectural details to fabric swatches, and can be useful to both home owners and an interior designer who might work with the family.

“In a short period of time, the designer should have a grasp of what style you prefer and what the overall look will be,” Ms. Schroeder says, adding that finding an inspiration piece for every major room of your home is also a good idea.

“This could be a piece of art, a swatch of fabric, a vase or simply a photo of something,” she says, even though the inspirational piece may or may not find its way into your home.

Ms. Schroeder recalls that she used a photo of a pond at dawn as the inspiration for her own bedroom because she loved the colours and the feeling of peaceful tranquility that the photo evoked.

She wanted to recreate the ambiance in her own home. In this case, the photo did not end up in the bedroom, although it did act as her design inspiration.

Ms. Schroeder says many people know what they like and feel they don’t need a designer. However, a professional has an eye for balance, proportion and scale and can help pull all the ideas together.

In some situations, a designer can also be an especially valuable ally.

“A designer can work with couples who appear to have opposing styles and bring a look they both are happy with,” she says.

Home owners typically choose their colours and furniture well before having to select window coverings. But when they do get to the stage where they must make decisions about how to dress up their windows, they will find literally thousands of choices in drapes, rods and accessories, blinds and curtains.

Window coverings are one of the last steps, says Tara McTavish of Interior Details by Tara and Associates, but like icing on a cake, they are important last steps in helping to define a room.

Once again, it is important that people choose styles that suit their lifestyles, tastes and general decor and to use a window coverings company that will listen and help.

Ms. McTavish says her customers get access to thousands of options through the company’s extensive resource library and can arrange to have a representative come to their homes so they can shop in their own surroundings.

As well, she says she can recommend suitable choices and coordinate everything from drapery fabric and bedding to cushions and sofa and chair coverings.

People who are having a difficult time finding a sofa that is just right for a room needn’t worry, she adds, pointing out she can also have furniture custom-made for clients. For example, it is possible to coordinate draperies with sofa and chairs.

Like Ms. Schroeder, Ms. McTavish says proportion is important, and she can recommend the right size sofa and chairs for any room.

As for trends, Ms. McTavish says people who love the elegance of full length drapes will be happy to know they are making a resurgence.

“For a while, valances and blinds were popular, but right now we’re going floor to ceiling, wall to wall, with drapes. Full operational draperies are definitely back.”

However, in addition to pinch pleat drapes, today’s shoppers will find many alternate styles to choose from, among them drapes with tab tops, grommet draperies with metal rings placed in holes in the fabric for hanging, flat panel drapes, box pleat drapes and others.

Shears, meanwhile, run the gamut from open weave and shimmery glass to crushed fabric and acid wash, which are subjected to a process that develops a pattern on the drapery fabric.

Interestingly, traditionally elegant fabrics such as velvet and chenilles are also back, Ms. McTavish says.

“These are very very hot,” she says, noting that some home owners love their rich, warm appearance.

Wallpaper is also making a resurgence and, ironically, some of it has been modelled after faux finishes, wall painting techniques that are extremely popular.

“Everything is cyclical,” Ms. McTavish says.

Another window coverings firm, Interior Illusions, has been fortunate to work on some of the nicest windows in the city, says Magda Zelickson, who owns the business with her husband Ken.

“We did the windows for the Hotel Fort Garry when it was under renovation and we do some work on new homes put up by a Manitoba builder,” Ms. Zelickson says, adding that the company works by appointment only.

“We did the windows for the Hotel Fort Garry when it was under renovation and we do some work on new homes put up by a Manitoba builder,” Ms. Zelickson says, adding that the company works by appointment only.

Ms. Zelickson says much of the company’s work also comes from individual home owners and she attributes its success to the care and creativity it brings to each project.

“We like to think of ourselves as innovative, creative, distinctive and competitive. There’s always passion in what we do, it’s evident in our work.”

The company carries a full line of window coverings, from drapes to shutters, and all the fabric lines. In addition, “all our patterns are made on site.”

In drapery styles, Interior Illusions offers numerous alternatives to classic pinch pleated drapes, including inverted pleats with buttons on top, which Ms. Zelickson says are a little more decorative than some other styles, pinch pleat drapes with the pleat at top allowing the drapes to billow at the bottom end, and large grommet styles with rings large enough to go over decorative poles.

Whether you’ve got a new home to complete, a home under renovation, or just want a new look for your current abode, consider the power of new furniture to beautify your surroundings and make living much easier and comfortable.

Dufresne Furniture and Appliances features some of the top brands from manufacturers such as Winnipeg-based Palliser Furniture, La-Z-Boy and Sklar Peppler and it operates with a strong customer service philosophy, founder Doug Dufresne says.

“There is a full line for every possible customer from contemporary to the more traditional,” notes Mr. Dufresne, who says the company also sells appliances, mattresses and accessories.

Mr. Dufresne says Dufresne Furniture works hard to give customers “an unparalleled shopping experience, from the greeting to the product choice and selection.

“We have a lot of good high end product, from solid woods to veneer finishes,” he says.

Jeff Tate, Manager of Dufresne’s Ellice Avenue outlet, says the stores are also a good source of design ideas because the company sets up complete room ‘vignettes’ from contemporary to traditional styles.

In addition, “our sales people all go through excellent training before they hit the floor, and can help with all components, including design.”

Mr. Tate agrees that service is paramount.

“Not only will the company sell the furniture, we will set it all up and unwrap it. There is full assembly,” he says, adding Dufresne delivers days and evenings, seven days a week.

Mr. Tate says customers report they also enjoy working with the company’s staff who are helpful but not aggressive or pushy.

Dillon Interiors, meanwhile, also invites those with home decor in mind to check out their showroom full of solid wood furniture, lamps, pictures and accessories.

“Our company specializes in solid wood furniture,” says owner Agatha Yong. “We have a lot of solid oak, solid birch, teak and cherrywood furniture and have Winnipeg’s largest selection of solid wood dining room furniture.”

While the solid wood models are considered to be higher end furniture, Ms. Yong says the pieces are still very affordable and styles are mainly contemporary.

Dillon Interiors will also have furniture made for customers who want to choose their own fabric, order drapery and other window coverings for clients, and send a representative to a client’s home to help them with design considerations.

There is an entire line of accessories, including popular Austin sculptures in metal or bronze, and people can purchase pictures and lamps to suit their contemporary furniture.

If you stop by La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries these days, you’ll find an intriguing new line of recliners, a computer system that helps you see what frames and fabrics will look like when matched with a sofa, the largest selection of La-Z-Boy products in Manitoba and Kincaid solid wood bedroom and dining room furniture.

“We have a Screen Test Video Catalogue where we can view a huge selection of frames and fabrics so that you can custom order,” says Suzanne Richardson, Manager of the company’s Ellice Avenue store.

“We have over 300 fabrics to choose from. We also offer free in-home design consultations, where our design consultants will visit your home.”

The La-Z-Boy name is renowned for its recliners, and shoppers will find many styles in the stores. However, this summer also brings a brand new line of recliners to the stores – Faith Popcorn’s Cocooning Chair.

It’s a line developed by the noted futurist, Faith Popcorn, who years ago identified an increasing desire by people to surround themselves with the warmth and tranquility of their homes.

Ms. Popcorn reportedly researched the needs of women in particular to design a recliner specially for a woman. The result is a very comfortable and stylish piece of furniture.

A chair in the line has also been created specially for children. Faith Popcorn’s Cocooning Chair for Kids is a miniature version of mom’s favourite chair.

With respect to trends, Ms. Richardson says that in colours, “the major focus is on reds in plaids, solids and florals. The classic bold colour of red can enhance any room; this hot colour is prevalent in country patterns that can flow from the living room to the kitchen.

“It is predominant on contemporary solids, bold accents or on traditional furniture as well,” she says. “We are also seeing the resurgence of country.”

Even the most beautiful rooms can be made better with suitable attractive floors. And the choice is phenomenal these days at places like Sears Floor Covering Centre, whether the floor cover of choice is carpeting, laminate flooring, hardwood floors, area rugs or vinyl or ceramic flooring, says Kim Dudar, business manager of the centre.

Pre-finished hardwood floors include oak, hickory, cherrywood, maple, ash, birch and paraju, an exotic Brazilian wood.

“We have a range of suppliers for both the pre-finished solid hardwood and pre-finished engineered hardwood,” Ms. Dudar says.

Carpet styles include: berber, saxony, velvets, and cut loop, in Sears’ own Integrity label or other manufacturers. Shoppers will also find floors with a veneer surface and laminates. Laminates are typically hard and durable and feature a photo image on top of a high-density board.

Customers can get answers and help with their choices from an interior designer or decorator specialist at the store.

At Bill Knight Flooring & Carpets, staff are proud of the immense selection of flooring that customers will find at its Century Street showroom.

“We have everything in flooring that you will ever need,” says owner Bill Knight, referring to products ranging from carpeting and ceramic tiles to laminate flooring.

“We have the largest showroom in Western Canada and the largest selection,” he adds, noting there are hundreds of hardwood floors alone in a variety of patterns, colours and finishes.

Along with the wide choice, there are a variety of prices. Customers can choose anything from high end ceramic flooring to less costly laminates, which are strong and durable but reasonably priced.

Shoppers may enjoy one unique service that the company provides – custom made rugs. Mr. Knight says customers can come in with a pattern or colour scheme that they want duplicated and the company will create just the rug they are looking for. Customers can inquire at the store for more information.

Setting up a nest involves more than choosing good wall colours, of course. Structural amenities are also important, and a little advance planning can save home owners a lot of inconvenience and cost later on.

Such is the case with pre-wiring your home.

Bob Spilchuk, of Advance Electronics, says people who take the time to pre-wire their home to suit their needs will find it pays dividends in the quality of work they receive.

“You won’t find wires showing later on,” he says, referring to wires for everything from television and Internet services provided by Shaw Cable to a variety of Internet and technological services provided by Manitoba Telecom Services.

Advance typically works with home builders to pre-wire new houses for electronic services, but residents can call the company directly to access the same service for a home under renovation.

Advance will also come out to wire existing homes for services that don’t already exist.

Lest home owners be concerned about the costs, Mr. Spilchuk says once the wires have been set behind the walls, services can be added at a later date. And the number of services are limited only by a home owner’s imagination.

In addition to basic phone, Internet and television services, home owners can opt for a sophisticated system that helps parents watch babies in their nursery through a camera and television set or a monitor; monitor their homes and rooms in their home through a videocam and the Internet when they are away, and even prepare a home or cottage for habitation from a distance via a touchtone or cellular telephone.

“Say you’ve got a cottage and you are on the way there,” Mr. Spilchuk says. “You can do things like turn on the front and back lights and even turn on the hot tub before you get there using the telephone.”

Basic home theatres are not uncommon now, and this is one area where pre-wiring can save space and make the room aesthetically pleasing when the speakers are wired into the walls. Using the same system, home owners can opt for audio in each room – all controlled from a central source.

Mr. Spilchuk invites renovators and home owners to call Advance for a company walk-through of their homes if they are interested in information and advice relating to wiring and electronic systems, whether the home is under renovation or not. He says there is no charge for this service and the company will be able to tell potential customers whether they can benefit from a technological upgrade that Advance can provide.

“We’ll tell them if we can or can’t make any improvements,” Mr. Spilchuk says.