Q: I remember ages ago you posted on the shlog about a company that does custom beanbag chairs. Do you still have their contact info? Thanks so much.

A: You just go to Sandra’s Shlog and on the left side there is a box which says search. I put in beanbag and this is what I got. Thanks for reading the shlog. Hope you’ve saved lots of $$$

Beanbags Are The Way To Relax For Outdoor Living

Beanbags are a versatile decorative item which can bring some fun into a room or the outdoors. You can buy them for you, for your kids’ rooms, for the back yard, for the summer cottage or for your pet!

Beanbags Montreal is a manufacturer who is making them right here and selling directly to the public. Since this is a warehouse and not a store with high overhead, costs are less, and they pass the savings on to their customers. This allows prices to be quite reasonable, up to 60% less than in retail stores.

The bags are even available for your dogs and cats – there are 5 sizes and 20 colors available.
The beanbags come in 25 different models ready to walk out the door with you, and are very well made. The interior lining is made from cloth, not canvas, which makes it much stronger. For easy cleaning, the covers are removable and machine washable. They are filled with polypropylene pellets. You can get funky shapes like lips or one which turns into a table.

You can choose from more than 100 fabrics, or bring in your own selection for a custom-made beanbag; it can be constructed in 3 to 6 days. Telephone orders are accepted and delivery is available anywhere in Quebec.

When you buy a beanbag, you’ll discover many ways to sit or lie down on them to read, watch TV, or relax. Why not throw one into your office for some down time? Buying here at such a reduced cost allows you to buy a few.

Location: 4609 Iberville St. Suite 10
Corner: Mont-Royal
Telephone: 514-825-3587 or Toll Free:1-888-527-0777
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30-5, Sat 10:30-4
www.beanbagmontreal.com
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/14ie4cZ

Q: I have an Ikea corner couch.  The slipcovers are white and want to have them dyed.  Have tried to research where to have this done without results. Can you advise me of anywhere I can have this done?

A: If you had looking in my Smart Shopping Montreal book, you would have found an answer on page 156: Nettoyerur Vitalizing Cleaners, 921 Mont-Royal est. Here’s what I wrote:” Places to dye fabric are hard to find. This one will only work on 100% cotton garments like jeans, sweaters, shirts and coats. If there are any discolorations in the fabric, the only color that will dye evenly is black. Be aware that some threads won’t take the dye and there also might be a teeny bit of shrinkage.”

If that doesn’t work, here’s what a fan had to say about a master craftsman from my Smart Shopping Montreal book who makes new slipcovers:

“We contacted Mr. Colin Hynes of Four Season Slip Covers in St-Lambert (450-465-0650). He came and was undaunted by the behemoth. He had fabric samples, one of which suited us perfectly, he gave us two estimates according to how he would attack the project, he did not try and influence us toward the more expensive one, and, generally speaking, I was impressed with his professionalism. When he returned to put the cover on the couch it was a pleasure to watch him because he is a true craftsman, and craftsmen are hard to find nowadays. The couch again reigns supreme in our living room and is probably good for another 30 years.

The words that come to mind when I think of Mr Hynes is professional, a craftsman, integrity.

And so we are grateful to you for the information you published in your Smart Shopping book and site.”

Tel: 450-465-0650

For travelers or people going to work overseas, this company can supply and ship 220 volt products – irons, coffee makers, tools, microwaves, toasters, TV’s, sound systems, vacuums and major appliances by PowerBright and International, Frigidaire, White-Westinghouse, Maytag, Philips and Oster. Some have 110/220 switches, and for others you can buy transformers from 50-5,000 watts.

They will ship these anywhere in the world – or will ship other bulky items that you need to send somewhere.

Location: 1619 Transcanadienne, Dorval
corner: sunnybrooke
Tel:514-421-1655
Hours: Mon-Thurs 9:30-6, Fri 9:30-3
www.exportdepot.ca

A fan wrote, “I’ve listened to you on CJAD in the past so I thought of you for this”:

Q: I bought a 1950s house in Pointe Claire and it has several Schonbek chandeliers (1 large dining room, 2 medium hallway, 1 small entryway). I believe they’re crystal and I would like to use these but the large one needs repair and replacement of some of the wires (hidden and visible).

Would you know which store I can go to get supplies to do the repairs myself?  I would also like to make my own chandelier with one of them so I’d need the wiring/plugs, etc, that you’d need to fashion your own fixture. Please Help! I would like to honor the era of this house.

A: I would head to Union Lighting and Home, 8150 Decarie. They sell Schonbek so should have parts. Half of the store is for repairmen so there’s lots of electrical supplies. They have the both sides of your questions covered.

From my “Smart Shopping Montreal” book: “This family company has been in the lighting business since 1914. Changing with the times, they’ve evolved, still selling all kinds of standing, hanging (mini chandeliers and colored crystal), recessed, track, desk (baby candelabra) and outdoor lighting fixtures, but now have added self-service aisles of bulbs, switches and shades.

From there it was on to fans, address plates, ceiling medallions, door and bath hardware, furniture, mirrors and kitchen accessories. They offer a 14-day no hassle return policy, a repair department and free gift wrapping.

Crystal chandeliers have guarantees – check to see yours. With their Prix Garantis , if you find the same item elsewhere or in a flyer for a lower price within 60 days, they will refund you the difference.

In the left rear of the store, you’ll find their liquidation section.

Location: 8150 boul. Decarie, Ville Mont-Royal
corner: Royalmount
Tel: 514-340-5000
Hours: Mon-Wed 9-6, Thurs & Fri 9-9, Sat 9-5, Sun 12-5
www.unionltg.com

When you want to revitalize your decor with new accessories, look no further than Décors Véronneau. To start with, they have an immense selection of plants and artificial flowers, along with the pots and vases for both indoor and outdoor foliage arrangements.

Their extensive lines of decorative items include: hand-painted paintings, wall hangings, creative mirrors, accent pieces, lamps, rugs and colourful throws and cushions.

Search no further if you are looking for that special something to make your room come alive: wall murals, trunks, sculptures, tables, colored wicker balls, rugs, animal skins rugs, clocks, candles and holders and even home fragrances.

With their expert design team, the company can help both residential and commercial customers with any indoor or outdoor projects. Advice is available on decorating, home staging or an entire renovation project.

Take advantage of their January on line only sale of decorative cushions. You will save 20% off any of the cushions shown on the visual below when you enter the promo code “coussin” This sale will continue until Sunday, Jan 24, but shop early, as it is only while quantities last!

Locations: Laval, 2965 Boul. Le Courbusier H7L 3M3 (450-680-1989), Terrebonne, 1200 Ave Yves-Blais J6V 1P7 (450-585-555); Granby, 922 Rue Principale J2G 2Z4 (450-991-1554); Quartier DIX30, 8240 Boul.Leduc J4Y 0K7 (450-678-5060)
www.veronneau.com

Abat-Jour Illimités is  a shop with one of the largest selections of lampshades in Canada, sourced from across Europe, Asia, the US and Canada. They specialize in finding solutions within your budget. Until March 31, there is a sale of 20% discount on lampshades and 40% on lamp bases.

Bring in your base when you come here and then you can choose from amongst the 5,000 shades in this store at prices from $20 to $3,000. If you can’t find it among the parchment, silk, linen, or artistic hand-painted models, you can have one made-to-order. Look for the display of interesting finials, and on-site repair is available.

– When you bring your base in to the store, their consultants will guide you towards the ideal shape and fabric for your lamp.
– If you want to cover a lampshade, they will show you a vast choice of fabrics (or bring your own) to complement your lamp base.
– – If you have a specific project idea in mind, bring them a sketch, and  they will help you work out the practical details to make your lampshade into a reality.
– If you have a project that is institutional or commercial in scope, several or many, small or over-sized, they can custom-make them for you.

The experienced consultants will find the perfect lampshade, guided by your personal taste as well as your budget.

Location: 4875 Jean Talon St W. Montreal QC H4P 1W7 OR 2267 boul Le Corbusier, Laval H7S 1Z4 (450-682-8280)
corner: Victoria
Tel: 514-344-8555
Hours Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 9-5
www.abatjourillimites.ca
abatjour@bellnet.ca

Around since 2000, Golden Elite Deco Center is a distributor and manufacturer of wooden flooring and vanities. The showroom features flooring, doors, vanities, kitchens, tiles (mosaic tiles, marble tiles and decking tiles) and adhesives selling at warehouse prices.

The types of flooring they sell: hardwood flooring 3/4″, engineered flooring 1/2″, laminate flooring 12.3mm and 8mm, engineered floating floor and vinyl floors. The floors have 10-14 layers of varnish, 1 layer of aluminum oxide anti-scratch and are precision milled (installers love installing their wood because of the milling).

Since they are the manufacturer, you skip the expense of a middle-man so expect savings between 25%-40% which is quite good. Their sales staff is quite knowledgeable as they know the manufacturing process from A to Z, as well as details concerning maintenance, sanding, refinishing and installation.

For you folks in Laval, Golden Elite Centre Deco will be opening their 3rd location on Friday, January 22 at 515 boul Curee-Labelle, Fabreville QC H7P 2P5

Locations: 88 Brunswick Blvd, DDO; St-Hubert: 3929 boul. Taschereau
corner: (DDO location): rue Tecumseh
Tel: DDO: 514-243-8860 or 888-MGA-8844; St-Hubert: 450-486-3929 or 438-396-4143
Hours: Mon-Wed 8-6, Thurs & Fri 8-8, Sat 10-5
Dates: Till end of January
www.goldenelitedeco.com

This might be a good time of year to sell off collectibles to make a bit of cash to pay off the expenses of the holidays. Besides, dinnerware, look around the house and see what you are not using anymore.

Q: My mother has vintage Royal Albert Country Rose dinnerware and alot of other pretty things. We’d like to sell it. Do I try Sothebys?

A: It is difficult to sell old china as it is getting less interesting to the younger generation. You would be lucky if Sothebys wants to take it. We also have other auction houses in Montreal like Empire Auctions Tel: 514-737-6586 and Ieogor Auctions Tel: 514 344-4081, which sell that too.

If not, you can take a photo and try to sell to one of the antique stores on rue Notre Dame from Atwater to Guy. There is a list of the stores in my Smart Shopping Montreal book on page 186..

There is a web site which buys and sells old china in the US called: www.replacements.com and there’s always ebay.

Q: J’aurais une question a propos de nu-lustre -55 , j’ai applique ce produit sur mes comptoir de cuisine mais le produit n’a jamais seche. il reste toujours collant. ma question est avec quoi je peut enlever se produit de sur mes comptoire svp, pour recommencer je crois que je n’ pas bien mesurer les quantite et l’effet est un disastre. merci de me conseille.

A: I would call Circa 1850. You can speak to Linda qui parle francais. They have been selling refinishing products for 50 years. Here they are on my website:
http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=138

Also, if you want an expert on wood finishing, who can come to your house, read about this amazing craftsman on my site: http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=193