IDEAS FOR CREATING BETTER SPACES, INDOORS AND OUT
PRIVACY PLUS
Whether they are used to delineate areas or pathways in a larger backyard, or to create privacy on condo patios or roofs, a privacy screen planter combo can make for a pleasing visual focal point. The integral privacy screens from Pot Inc. in Vancouver require no assembly. Simply place screens inside planters — they are compatible with the company’s Geo 2, 3 and Midero planter sets as well as Bordo 30″ planters — and add filler, soil and plants. Laser cut, hand bent and made from powder-coated eight-gauge aluminum or 10-gauge Corten steel, the screens come in a range of natural colours to complement a variety of landscaping esthetics. Available through www.potinc.ca.
LIGHT IT UP
As with interiors, the right outdoor lighting adds functionality and ambience. The new Bonbori collection, created by world-renowned Japanese designer Fumie Shibata, is available in both indoor and outdoor variants. The lights were inspired by the traditional paper lamps that line the paths to shrines and temples during the annual paddy harvest festivals in Japan. The outdoor version boasts a simple stainless-steel base, finished in an environmentally friendly, weather resistant powder coating. The easily removable LED light source, which can withstand below-freezing temperatures, shines through a diffuser and laser-cut openings, casting a gentle glow. Available through www.lightformshop.com.
RISE AND SHINE
The West Coast’s wet weather can put a damper on outdoor entertaining — and can damage your outdoor furniture over time. The Mimosa Pod, built by Live Edge Design, is a “roofed table,” which comes in two sizes. The automated sunshade allows you to choose the elevation of its roof, to protect from all angles of the sun and from all kinds of weather. When the evening draws to a close, you can lower the roof to encapsulate the table, chairs and cushions — and even table settings, dramatically extending the life of your outdoor table. Available through www.liveedgedesign.com.
SHOWERS TO MAKE YOU SING
With people using their bathrooms more as places of retreat and pampering, the “wellness bathroom” is on the rise, with specialized luxury touches. Gessi Hi-Fi is a cutting-edge showering system with the streamlined design of a classic stereo. Temperature and flow rate are adjusted by dials (which click like a hi-fi when turned up or down), and water flow can be selected at the touch of a button, with rainfall, waterfall, hand shower and nebulizer options. Available through www.cantubathrooms.com.
GET CYCLING
Many homeowners love the idea of composting, but hate actually doing it — given the odours and potential for mess. The Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 is a compact food recycler that addresses these concerns. Its carbon-filter lid eliminates odours, so you can keep the removable waste bucket under your sink or on your countertop and fill it with scraps after every meal. The unit then turns these food scraps into fertilizer, reducing your family’s food waste. Available through www.vitamix.com/ca.
