WIIJTBY MRE PR~ESS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15), 1992. PAGE 13 A HOME DESIGN AND IMPROVE-MENT. FEATURE She-dding some ight nandl around your hom e T/his article is provided by local reait ors and the Ontario Real Est ate Association (OREA) fer t/w benefit of consumera in t/he real estate marhet. When you think about the e isti lil ting iyour home, do y ou foelike youre 'in the dark?Î Dio-you find yourself constantly aquinting when trying to read *or carry out certain tasks? Or are you tired cf the harsh glare from overhead lighta? Today there are many types cf lighting available ta suit virtually every need, taste and budget. Whether you want ta create a certain mcxxi by soft background lighting, giive more focus ta your workbench or* study area, or highlight certain areas cf your home, the choices abound. And today you can build energy efficiency into your Uighting choices. There are a numbeof special bulbe on the market that provide peak efficiency and save you energy and money at the saine time -a]l at the flip cf a switch. (SOP) If you've been ia wallpaper shop recently, you prbaly were amazed at the variety cf colour, pattern, texture and style availabile. And a lot cf it ian't even paper; it's now called walcoveing, and while nicest examples are paper coated with vinyl, there are ise heavy, canvas-type vinyls, foil and Mylar and pre-pasted types. .There are 'cover-up' coveringe designed ta cover and ta, disguise rgh surfaces; no need for spackling holes, cracks.and other defecta ithe wall. With bordera and a nice variety of patterns, you can turn an ordinary roon inta an opulent one. Since wall coverings can be «epnsive, consider papering a single wail instead cf« ail four wallis, or two opposite walls. With the addition cf moulding two ta three feet up the wail ta, make a fake wainscottin, you can paper the toptwo-thirscof a wafl, saving at least 33 par cent if you do a whole rooni. There are lots of ways ta, save, including use of bordera. You can use theni in the standard wayby lining the top cf the wall with Consider your needs If you're thinking about revamping some cf the lighting in your hoMe, consider how the rooma' are used and what you want the lighting to achieve. Basically, there are three different types: general ambient lighting, task lighting and accent lighting. In most cases, general or ambientlighting is provided by wall and ceiling fitres, in conjunction with table lampa. Task lightinig refera to light used for special functions -- like sewing, reading or carpentry -- and is usually provided by table or study lamps. Accent lighting is given off by smail fixturea (often bujît-in) ta add new dimensions ta a rooni- and highlight certain oJect or areas -- like apiece of artwork. Choose oerefully Before buying any new fixtures, think carefuly about your needs. ls the area you want ta light ging ta be used for specific or multi-purpose theni, or you can be daring and put them in corner, on the tapa cf wainscotting and in other areas that just follow your whim. One thing about bordera, especially if they are applied over the wallcoeig if the ppri vinyl or vinyl.coated, odnr paste will not work you will have ta use a special 'vinyl-on-vinyl Wallcoverings can go nicely over any smooth surface: regular plaster, skim-coat plaster and dry wail (plasterborad), old wailpaper (not ideal, but workable), painted surfaces and the new Gypsonite wailboard, made cf gypsum and ground-up newspapera Ail you have ta do is apply a glue sfize before papeing, and for pitd surfaces and old waIpper, sanding is recommended toa show the glue size and the paste ta get a good grip on the wail. There's at least one nice thing about hanging wallpaper: Once it's done, it is final; there are no more stepa ta go through, no need ta give one, two or three coats of paint or stain and varnish; no need ta wax or polish. Just nothing ta do but it back and enjoy. functions? If youlre striving tu create a certain mcxxi, you'l need to determine what types of lighting you'll need to. achieve the look you want. Keepin mind that lighting requirements change throughout the day and evening ini relation to changes in natural light. 1For instance, if you have a combined family room and study, you may want to work for a portion of the eveming and watch television or listen to soothing music for the rernainder. By having a fleible ighting system, you can- achieve =ot goals, allowing you to set a mood for each function. Effldiency When choosing new Iights, consider purchasing new, energy-efficient buibs. Even if youlre not replacing light fixtures, you should atill consider the advantages that some of the newer bulbe offer. The newer, more energy- efficient incandescent bulbe corne in lower wattages (34, 52 and 90 watts), but provide about, the sanie amount of light as 40-, 60- and 100-watt conventional bulbs. (The difference is barely perceptible.) Compact fluorescent bulbe are aiso great energy savers. You can use a 15-watt bulb to replace a regular, 60-watt incandescent one. These new compact fluorescents come in a variety of shapes and fit into standard light fixtures. 7fley last for quite a long time <anywhere from five ta nine years) and use a great deal lesa energy--up to 75 per cent less -- than their incandescent counterparts. They aise. provide the sanie natural white light. However, compact fluorescent bulbe do ceet more initially. Experts advise that compact fluorescents provide the most savings when used in fixtures tha r on for three hours or more at a time. Halogen bulbe al Halogen bulbs are aso, an alternatiave ta regular, incandescent bulbe. They last longer and are a popular choice with maniy cf today's consumers because cf the brighter, more intense light that they produce. .You may also want ta choose regular fluorescent Eigta over incandescent bulbe -- tey use a great deal lesa energy and last much longer. Consult the. experts at a lighting centre ta see what options would be best for you. HJGH EFFICIENCY WOODSTOVES AND FIREP.LACE INSERTS e Oïel]P Plu A dri p Per second froni a leaking fauÎcet"adds up to, 60 gallons of water. down the drain a week. AILBFE Chances are a new washer Bld y AIE LacUFEGl will do the trick. If thatBidEeMpl.LqurGas to, replace the whole tap Fine Cabinetmakers fixture by shopping and Est. 1967 inatalling one yourelf, or arranging to have it done. j i j I ) j t 1~. 'I NO 0-GST, NOPST on everyth.ing in the store - - 12mie eofOsaw- j Il.43 u8 4 With wail coverings, turn the ordinary into opulent