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4 Manawatu Standard Tuesday, February 9, 2010 www.manawatustandard.co.nz TRENDS Colourful new decade What trends can we expect in the home this year? David Killick looks ahead. The global financial crisis hit hard last year. Although New Zealand escaped the mass layoffs and mortgage foreclosures that bedevilled other countries, notably the United States, our property market remained in the doldrums, and those in the building and design industry reported decidedly mixed results. Some did okay; others struggled. But if you visited some homeware and entertainment product stores last year, especially during a sale, you would have been hard pressed to see any downturn. Crisis, what crisis? Our homes remain a constant. We are always seeking ways to improve them (which isn’t the same thing, of course, as being able to actually afford them). Many commentators predict greater optimism in 2010. However, I believe it’s unlikely the markets will surge back suddenly. It’s more likely we will see a gentle upswing. Bolder colours Dulux predicts that 2010 will be ‘‘the dawn of a colourful new decade’’. ‘‘The strongest emerging colour trends reflect the recent more positive consumer outlook,’’ says Andrea Lucena- Orr, Dulux’s leading colour forecaster. Resene is forecasting a move away from ‘‘basic earthiness’’ towards ‘‘warmth and comfort’’ and colours that ‘‘pack some punch’’. Although the environment is still a focal point, we will see ‘‘contrast and contradiction’’, and a blending of layers, Resene says. My view: Many new colours have a dusty, muted denim look. They may be strong, but they are not harsh and bright. You should also look out for aquas, blues, and more intense greens. We haven’t seen them for a while, and they could be due for a comeback. Contrast Reacting to the financial crisis, homeowners sought refuge in the past. For this reason, retro chic set the tone last year. Many new releases from top fabric houses – Christian Fischbacher, Gaston y Daniela, Harlequin – are recreations of classic designs. The same is true of furniture. Wooden arms and legs are back in vogue. Expect the focus on classics to Big-screen televisions: Prices have never been so good. You don’t have to pay top dollar for a quality product. Keeping fit: We’d all like to be healthier and fitter, and making time for at-home exercise makes sense. continue, but with a new twist and a mixing of old and new – as, for example, in the covering of an old chair with a bold, modern fabric. Recycling More people are hanging on to stuff, especially if it is well made. More people are also seeking out designer classics online or in stores. If it still works well, why chuck it out it? Furniture – especially quality wooden furniture from the 50s and 60s – is popular. Renovating Last year, people were reluctant to buy a new place, and often preferred to stay at home and improve their existing property. Even if the housing market improves this year, doing up a home yourself will Dig this: Growing your own veges has been a huge trend in response to soaring grocery prices. remain a Kiwi tradition – despite tougher DIY regulations. Downsizing Architects around the world, including those in the United States, have begun to ask just how much house a person needs. Houses have become bigger over the decades, and may now be too big in some cases. What’s the point of two people rattling around in a mansion? In Europe, where land is in short supply, architects are looking at more innovative, mixed-use dwellings and communities. This has not caught on in New Zealand so far. Big-screen TVs If there is one consumer item in hot demand, it’s the big-screen television. Prices have never been so good. We have spotted 32in LCD televisions for under $800, and a 42-inch one for $1000. Television promises relaxation and new horizons. But escaping from technology altogether can be refreshing, especially in summer. Eco-friendliness If you recycle, you can give yourself a pat on the back for caring about the environment. But as more products use environmental slogans as marketing tools, beware of ‘‘greenwashing’’. We’ve still behind the EU, for example, where the material that goes into products, the energy used to produce them, and the working conditions of those who manufacture them are all coming under increasing scrutiny. There are some real advances being made – in LED lighting, for example. Choosing the most energy-efficient appliances, such as washing machines and fridges, will save you money. Such appliances are now being promoted on the basis of their energyefficiency. And for the first time, homes are being marketed with their energy rating prominently mentioned. Eating in and growing your own Entertaining at home has become more popular, to the detriment of restaurants and cinemas, as people have tried to save money. There is increased interest in making meals memorable, not just casual gobble-and-go affairs. Growing vegetables has become popular, as grocery prices have soared and as the health benefits of chemicalfree produce have been recognised. Health and fitness Home gyms, exercise machines, or simply a quiet place for relaxation are antidotes to stress and the rigours of the working world. Coming soon, too, are a host of machines that look like kitchen scales, but which also measure your blood pressure, hydration, body mass ratio, and overall fitness level. Fairfax Home Fitness Made Easy Fitness4Life Treadmill Model 2620 WAS MRRP$1995 NOW ONLY $ 1495 Hire from only $26.25 per week Available Now! Action Line Cross trainer MRRP $649 NOW ONLY $ 449 Action Line Exercycle MRRP $595 NOW ONLY $ 395 DISTINCTLY URBAN introducing a truly versatile wardrobe system, that’s easy to install Fitness4Life 3601-09 Crosstrainer Fitness4Life 0600-09 Rowing Machine Exclusive to 2463774AA Mrrp $995.00 SPECIAL $895 Hire from $17.50 per week Hire Treadmills from only $21.90 a week Hire Rowers from only $13.15 a week Mrrp $1595.00 SPECIAL $1395 Hire from $21.90 Hire Cross trainers from only $13.15 a week Hire Exercycles from only $13.15 a week FREE Delivery & FREE Pick up in Palmerston North Rutherford Fitness Hire & Sales Showroom located at 1005 Tremaine Ave, cnr Railway Rd & Tremaine Ave, Palmerston North | Website: rutherfordfitness.co.nz Ph 06 357 6995 or 0508 348 454 per week 1949323AA free design & quote Let us help you create a unique wardrobe system that meets all your needs. Simply measure the space available and we’ll design the best combination of hang tracks, rails, shelves and baskets that best suit your clothing requirements. urban ¯ is easy to install and can also be used in the laundry, kitchen, pantry, workspace or garage. This modular storage system is easy to add to as your requirements grow. Available now in white or platinum finish. for storage PALMERSTON NORTH 168 Rangitikei Street • Ph: 06 356 4794 OPEN 7 DAYS
www.manawatustandard.co.nz Manawatu Standard Tuesday, February 9, 2010 5 OUTDOOR LIVING Lighting can make a magical garden Palmerston North lighting designer Rob Le Heron has some tips to enhance outdoor living areas with the use of lights. Typically, an outdoor living arrangement comprises a deck, for socialising and dining, and adjacent gardens. If the deck flows from your indoor entertaining area, you need to be able to move easily from one space to the other. And to do that in the evening, you need good outdoor lighting. Two important objectives for outdoor living lighting are: ■ To make sure the deck has sufficient and comfortable lighting; and ■ To reveal the surrounding gardens as daylight fades and night begins. So what is the difference between night-time indoor lighting and nighttime outdoor lighting? The most significant difference arises from the fact that outdoor objects – everything from the leaves of trees to the various structures in the garden – don’t reflect light well after dusk, and therefore aren’t so easily seen. This always has to be kept in mind when outdoor lighting is being designed. To make the outdoor area more interesting and attractive, you could also consider including some coloured Modern: A modern, square wall-hung outdoor light. lighting. The colours can even be made to change, as the lighting in The Square’s clock tower does. When any lighting system is being installed, you should also remember to: ■ Avoid glare from light fittings that people may look directly at. ■ Position lighting in a way that encourages people to look in the direction in which the light is shining. ■ Provide sufficient light to identify horizontal surfaces in dining areas, so you can see what you are eating. ■ Avoid ‘‘spill’’ illumination spreading into your neighbour’s property – especially into their bedroom areas. Practical things to remember: Spot-on: A wall-mounted spotlight provides plenty of light outdoors. ■ All light fittings are under additional stress in outdoor settings. This stress comes from such things as rainwater, water-blasting, sunlight, frost, chemical attack (from garden fertilisers), and potential physical ‘‘attack’’ (by lawn mowers and other equipment). ■ Use your deck lighting, coupled with the ‘‘revealing’’ lighting of your adjacent garden space, to enhance the spacious and magical feeling of your outdoor living area. ■ Rob Le Heron can be contacted for a consultation at Wix Lighting Design Studio in russell Street, Palmerston North. Enhanced: Clever positioning of lights will bring life to the garden after dark. Photos: FAIRFAX Safety tips for cooking with gas A new device should help to cut the number of deaths and injuries caused by gas-cylinder accidents. very year, dozens of Kiwis are killed or njured in gas-cylinder accidents. But thanks to a gas safety gauge, developed and manufactured in New Zealand by Black and Stone, there is now a means to lower this toll. The gauge connects the gas cylinder and appliance hose and regulator, and automatically shuts off the gas when it detects a sudden change in pressure. During the past 16 years, 29 people have been killed and 411 injured in New Zealand as a result of LPG cylinder accidents, and the annual toll is rising, says Black and Stone managing director Graham Brake. Of particular concern to Mr Brake is the rapid rise in injury-causing accidents, particularly during the past five years. The New Zealand Fire Service’s principal adviser on fire risk management, Alan Merry, says Kiwis need to adopt a number of simple safety precautions around barbecues: ■ Check the gas cylinder. A cylinder should not be refilled if it hasn’t been tested for more than 10 years, or if it has been damaged. ■ Inspect the hose, to ensure it hasn’t perished. ■ Check the gas connections, which should be tight, before using the barbecue, especially if it has been idle for some time. An easy way to check for leaks is to cover the top end of the hose – where it connects to the gas cylinder – with dishwashing liquid. If this starts foaming, you have a leak and should have it checked by a professional. First line of defence: The gas safety gauge automatically shuts off the gas when it detects a sudden change in pressure. Mr Merry says many gas-cylinder injuries are preventable with proper maintenance of cylinders. When using a barbecue, the fire service recommends you: ■ Keep your eyes on what you are doing. ■ Don’t have a drink until you have sat down to eat. ■ Don’t add any flammable liquid to a fire. ■ Never barbecue in an enclosed area, where excessive amounts of carbon monoxide could build up. ■ Dispose of hot coals properly. Douse them with plenty of water and stir them to ensure the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers. Remember: ■ Outdoor gas appliances should never be used indoors. Such appliances include patio heaters, barbecues and camping cookers. ■ Always check the manufacturer’s instructions before using any gas appliance. ■ Install a gas safety gauge, which will automatically cut off any major gas leaks. CONCRETE RESURFACING SPECIALISTS • Decorative Concrete Resurfacing Interior/Exterior • Terraflake Coatings • Floor Grinding • Stamped Concrete Rejuvenation • Polished Concrete • Waterproofing • Tile Anti-slip Treatment • Epoxy Paint Coatings CONCRETE RESURFACING SPECIALISTS Geoff Henson 027 516 1113 • 06 329 3772 geoffhenson@infogen.net.nz www.surfacesolutions.co.nz 2471728AA
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