Trends

Serenity abounds with turquoise

by Renee Sylvestre-Williams

How do you feel about turquoise? Not the jewelry, the colour. If you like it then you're in luck. Pantone recently released their top colour picks for Spring 2010 and turquoise tops the list. Pantone says turquoise "[combines] the serene qualities of blue and invigorating aspects of green. Turquoise inspires thoughts of soothing tropical water and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of well-being.

So how do you incorporate turquoise into your decor? Apart from painting your walls, which can be a lot so make sure you love the colour, you can use hints of the colour throughout your decor; try curtains, rugs or even lampshades. You can also pair turquoise with greys, purples and creams. Feel free to pair it with white but you migh end up living in a Tiffany box unless that's your goal.

If you're not into turquoise there are other colours, even neutrals. The other colours for Spring 2010 include:

Hot tubs create an affordable stay-cation

With today's spiraling cost of gasoline and stricter security procedures when traveling, relaxing in a backyard spa or hot tub is looking better than ever.

Owning a spa is no longer considered a luxury in today's frustrating, fast-paced world – it has almost become a necessity as an estimated 455,000 spa owners in Canada can attest.

Maintaining a spa is not expensive either – with spa owners often saying that they pay less for chemicals, water and electricity than they anticipated. By using a well-fitted, insulated rigid safety cover, you can substantially reduce evaporation from a spa, which means reduced heating costs and less chemical usage, helping to keep costs down.

If you have already purchased a spa and are looking for the best place to install it, look for an area in the backyard with a scenic view. A location with an unobstructed view of a flower garden, water feature or nearby wooded area will provide a focal point for bathers in the spa and for those gazing at the hot tub from inside the house.

Make sure the location is easy to get to – the general rule of thumb is the closer to the house the better. Ask yourself the following questions - is the location private? Will you have to screen out the view of surrounding homes or nearby traffic? Where will bathers change?

For added privacy, convenience and aesthetic appeal, wooden/fabric gazebos and cabanas can be used as changerooms. Some permanent enclosed structures are even large enough to enclose an entire spa, with room to spare for dining and food preparation areas and equipment storage rooms.

Distinctive lighting is another way to create a special mood outdoors in and around a hot tub. LED lights, both underwater and around the hot tub cabinet, can produce an array of colours in a gentle colour transition or in a dynamic pulsating colour display for entertaining.

Many spas also come equipped with illuminated waterfalls or 'geyser'-type fountains – giving you your own sound and light show. With a spa or hot tub, the possibilities are endless.

More information is available online at www.poolcouncil.ca or toll-free at 1-800-879-7066.

www.newscanada.com

Trend Watch: Eco-Luxury is looking good, doing good

Across Europe and North America, interior designers are predicting that the number one trend for 2010 will be luxury for the home that is not only affordable, but sustainable. Welcome to the coming age of eco-luxury.

With increasing interest, savvy and responsible homeowners are enhancing their residences by going green with beautiful products and textiles made from recycled or harvested materials, a trend that is destined to help the world for future generations.

The movement once led by strictly green-conscious consumers is now widening to include the mainstream, and can be seen in the rise of eco resorts, eco clothing, eco couture, and even eco bedding. The trend is most apparent in the rise of new eco-friendly homes, growing in popularity to the extent that they now embrace entire eco-luxury communities. Where homeowners used to desire high square footage as a symbol of status, they now turn to the virtues of sustainability and resource efficiency instead.

Eco-luxury is for people who want to walk the talk. The environment is important to them, their children and grandchildren are important to them, and leaving a small carbon footprint is important to them. They're insisting on high-quality, high-end materials that are produced, used and installed strictly in socially responsible ways.

When these trendsetters put their feet down and demand the best in eco-luxury, their feet are landing on bamboo, wood, cork and now leather floors made of recycled leather, often by a global leader in eco-friendly flooring such as Torlys of Canada (torlys.com). Known particularly for its exquisite designs, this is a company that provides a dazzling array of styles, colours and finishes while offering warmth and noise reduction. Better yet, these floors come from renewable sources, recycled or harvested using sustainable practices.

Homeowners should also look for floors that protect indoor air quality - avoiding those that are installed with chemicals and glues - for optimal health and safety around the home.

When you're ready to walk the talk, try walking on bamboo, wood, cork or recycled leather floors. Eco-luxury isn't a trend; it's a movement that's here to stay - for all of the right reasons.

www.newscanada.com