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T ?????? Buy new, buy now By Jill Ellis-Worthington Low mortgage rates, a glut of product on the market, lower prices ? a perfect storm for new home buyers ON THE COVER: Photo courtesy of Eclipse Shutters ? That seems to be the phrase on everyone?s lips these days, at least those who work in the home construction industry. They?ve always wanted us to buy homes and keep the industry perking along, maximizing profi ts and keeping subtrades busy, but why the extra pressure right now? Well, it seems that it might be ?a perfect storm? of events that bring maximum value to the customers. Sure, the industry wants to keep selling houses, but there may just be some truth to the phrase: buy new, buy now. This is the case for Robert Ayres and Sophia Katsios. The recently engaged couple, in their 40s, wanted to buy a home next summer closer to their wedding date, but current market conditions convinced them to take the plunge into home ownership sooner than planned. This perfect storm starts off w ...

How to plan the ultimate OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING outdoor dinner party By Rebecca Rallo he/she would mind playing for a portion Nothing announces the arrival of summer like a of the evening. good old fashioned barbeque. But this year, ?Take the weather into consideration. Anchor table elegant outdoor dinner parties are all the cloths with painted stones, seashells or pinecones to serve rage. Follow these simple steps to the as decoration and protect against wind. If your party starts ultimate summer soiree in your own in the afternoon, set up fans in case the weather is hot. For backyard. parties that continue into the evening, consider installing ? Start by choosing a theme. a fi re-pit, patio heaters or portable gas heaters to provide From Hawaiian Luau to Ara- warmth as the weather cools. bian nights, the sky?s the limit! Nothing dampens the mood of an outdoor bash like rain! ?Without a theme, the party Try pitching a tent or draping a tarp over part of the yard to just doesn?t take off ...

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OUTDOOR PARTY ~ continued from page 4 summer drinks. ?I like to serve smoothies because children can enjoy them as well,? says Mindorff. ?I set up a couple of blenders, fruit, juice and alcohol for the adults and let everyone make their own.? If you plan on partying into the night, use tiki torches or covered candles to light the way. You can also string fairy lights or Chinese lanterns from trees to create a festive glow. For table centre-pieces, use citronella candles to ward off pesky insects while lighting up the yard. Gazebos make a great place to chill out in the evenings, offering protection from bugs, wind and rain. ?If you don?t have a gazebo, you can pick up a mosquito net from stores like Canadian Tire,? says Mindorff. DEBBIE MINDORFF?S TOP 10 PARTY-PLANNING TIPS: 1) Plastic, plastic, plastic! Stay away from glass; one gust of wind and you have a disaster on your hands. If you have beer or other alcohol bottles, keep them (as well as food) in a sheltered space away from the ...

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CONTAINER gardening can be a pot of fun BathWerx When most people think bathroom renovation, they aren?t thinking relaxation in the same sentence. BathWerx aims to change that. In just a day or two, they can give your bathroom a facelift, and you?ll never have to lift a fi nger, except to pick up the phone to call. If the thought of the dust and debris from a renovation covering every surface of your home makes you shudder, fear not. ?We?re not ripping the place apart,? says franchise owner Dave Irving. BathWerx places an acrylic overlay over your existing bathtub and walls for a hassle- and debris-free complete makeover. BathWerx offers a wide variety of colours and styles to choose from to suit every taste. On their website (www.bathwerx.ca), they offer a Design Your Own Bathroom service that allows you to browse through samples of bathtub, shower, fi xtures, and color schemes to imagine how a BathWerx overlay and accessories would transform your bathroom. 8 THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2009 H ...

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CONTAINER GARDENING continued from page 8 containers; a decorative one on the outside and a plain one inside." The thickness of the container will help prevent heat damage to the plants' roots. "If they sit in the sun, they get baked," Intven- Casier says. Once you have the right pot, don't forget to place a plastic saucer underneath to catch any overfl ow. A container garden should beautify your patio, not damage it with water. The next step in container gardening is choosing quality soil. Intven-Casier recommends a soil that contains water particles to slowly release water. "This prevents drying out between waterings," she explains. Also remember to add fertilizer to the pot every week or two to keep the soil nutritious. Now comes the fun part: choosing your plants. Endless summer hydrangeas are a colourful addition to any patio and fl ower from June until frost. Or, create a tropical paradise on your balcony with mandevilla or hibiscus. For smaller spaces, Intven-Casier urges you to ...