WHMTY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY,-FEBRUARY 19,1992, PAGE 15 A HOME DES'IGN AND IMPROVEMENT FEATURE Tday'sbedroom's:Moreta js lace to sleep This ýarticle is pmuvided by locl reait ors and the Ontario Real Estate Assoiion ý (ORE4) for the benefit of consumnera. in t/herai estate Market. No longer just a ýplace te lay one shead,tody'bedroSosare retreats of, selace -and luxury. In fact, it's not, uncommon te see master bedrooms complete with a private, adoiing bath, sitting room, dressngroom and wlk-out dock With home renovation being se popular these days, there seems te be an endless variety of products and ideas,,available te consumers. - With -,a little creativity or omre helpful input from'an interior designer and, an architect, the 'possibilities are about *as endless as your budget. If youlre' thinkting' about revamping your bedroom or building a- new one, keep verstility and you lifestyle in mind when panning. Getig tarted If your plans are still in the formative stages and you!re unsure of where te, start, it's a good idea te scout around for ideas by consulting seme design or remodelling publications. Dependingonyorspae and bugt limtations, youIll be able te sert out your preferences and you should be able te get gmre indication of the costs assocatedý with such a project. Other than a sleeping space, -ask yourself what purposes you'd like the room te, serve. Do you want it to do double duty as a combined bedroom and sitting room? Do you want te- have a portion. of the roomù deEfignated as orig space for those work-at-home nights? 1Perbaps you want to have special space for a televison, stereo or simply curling up with a good book. You. might also like your own private adjoinng bathroom or perhaps an a4joining dressing area that leads to the bath area. You should, also determine whether privacy and quiet are ultimate priorities. If- so, you'll want to incorporate some sound muffling devices -- especially if your bedroom is located close to the major activity hub of your home - the itchen or family room. Thick carpeting We an effective tool ini muffling sound. .And windows ýon busy streets or Close' to adjoining properties an be covered with fabrics that will help deaden sound and act as effective insuflation barriers as well. Funtre If new furniture is aise included in your plans, ies a good idea to visit several showrooms long before you get too far in the planning process. This -will give ïua reahstc idea of the size and eof te types, of pieces youWd like to incororte. A four-poster or leih bdfor instance, mit look a littie larger in real ife than wha you had initially envisiond It pays to be realistic. Pick pieces that. are comfortable, reflect your tastes and lifestyle -- and stay within your budget limitations. Using existing spaoe If you want te work within the eisting space of your. present bedroom, you'll -obviously be mor limited in the scope of your pro.ect. However, keep in mind that windows "and doors edn be replaced or- installed ' i new locations. Walls can aise be removed, or new ones can b. installedL You can aise incorporate a number of techniques te make the room look larger than it is -- by going with a monochromatic colour scheme, or installing a few large, irror. The installation of new, 1arge windows can aise open -up a room a great deal. Since. a bedrooms primary function is for-sleeping, experts sug¶e st that the bed act as the foca point of your bedroom. They aie stress the importance of a good-quality mattress. Idealy, there should be enough room in your bedroom for a couple of bedsida tables. But if space is at a premium, there are several, innovative ideas - like headboards with built-in, fod-away storage compartments »» that you can incorporate to make the most effective use of exsigspace. For ideas, ta]k te a decorting -consultant or check out smre remodelling Design experts aise suggest that you ailow between two, and three feet of clear space on either side of the bed se Wes easier te access and make up. -Adequate accesa room sehould aise be left for items like wardrobes, dressers adn dressing tables. iAghting is alse an important consideraion that is sometimes overlooked in the redecorating process. Most likely you'll want te have adequate lighting. for reading in bed. ýYou may aise require task lighting if you plani te incorporate a work area inte your bedroom. With a little foresight and, ingenuity,, you can transform, your bedroom, into- a cosy. seluded refugefrom the'husiei and bustie of everyday life. Apen Springs:t You'Il-love the nigh'Ê bourhood. Aspen Springs provides an attractive, well-planned community for famlliles look- ing for an affordabla home -without relin- quisbing any of the extras.' -Centred around a large park with a recreation centre, ice rink and basebal diamonds, as wel as schools and shop- ping centres within walking distance, AspenS prings ia an exceptionally wel-plannad cornrunity. SWhile only 30 minutes from Scar- borough, Aspen Springs bma al the ad-' vantages that only Bowrnsnville can offer. Erjythe charm of historie downtewn Bowmanville, visnt the Bowmanville Zoo or join the yacht club, just minutes away. Ail this, and within a two-minute proimity te the 401. ýAspen Springs offers a wide range of homes including freehold tewn homes and detached homes on 30,40, and 50-ft. lots. I order te make homebuying even more affordable, the KaitlinGru is dou- bling the downpayment. This bider~s financing package allows you te, match their five per cent downpayment with five per cent of your own, te maka a total 10 par cent downpayment. Kaitlin is stil continuing this program aven for firat-time buyera usmg the new five par cent downpayment announced.b~y Ottawa. Othar, options include a."choie, f mortgage rates of seven per cent for one year, eight par cent for two years or nina par cent for three years Witli tbis special finsncing,, you can buy the- 926 sq. ft. Maple, a freehold tewnhouse for $117,990 with jua $5,900 down and payments of ony$743.78 par month. For its 40 and 50.ft.'lots,. Aspen Springs is offring a special 1992 bonus: inviting foyer. The 10-ft. by 16-ft. living room with bay window lewis inte the 10-&t by 11-ft. dining roorn. From the other aide cf the foyer you gain entry te the sunken laundry room and the main floor powder room with its pedestal sink. Straight ahead is the large 11-ft. by 19-ft. 6-i. faniily room with its corner fireplace- and entrance te itchen break- fast area. This area measures -12-ft. by 1O-ft and features, a light-filled eating area and sliding door walkout te the back- yard. The working area of the itchen bas dropped ceilings over the cabinet area and measures 10-ft. by 10-ft., giving ample room and counter space. <Up the natural wood staircase te the second floor, we find four large bedrooms and twobathrom including the ensuite in the master bedroom where a separate shower and step-up tub are aise availa'iIe. The master bedroom is- 21-e. by 16-ft. with a window-enclosed sitting area. A walk-in closet and double entry doors axeý aise featured, making this a perfect, parents," retreat. To reah Aspen Springs, take the 401 neatps Oshawa to ekvry Rd. and go' not eMartin Rd. Follow Martin Rd. left te the sales centre at the tep of the bill. The Aspen Springs sales centre'is open weekdays 1 te 8 p.m. (closed Fiday) and, Il a.m. <te 6 p.m.1 Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Cali 623-7027 for more in- formation. (1)inve free a iancs - fridge, stove, _ _ dishwà sber, =a nd "~'dryer (value -A SPE N SI $3,ooo including GST>. ()Fe adSepackageand GREEN frpace -onl1,784 sq. ft. tog446 sq. ft., GE 40f.lot models. One of the homes situated on a 40-ft. hr- rLOf lot is the 2,446 sq. ft. Aspen Green at only RÉEU ià $199,990. This spacious home features an -