Q: I have broken the inside liner of my crock pot and short of buying a new one, is there somewhere that I could buy just another liner. I do not know whether it would be any cheaper to do so but I would like to try.

A: The most logical answer would be to go to the site of the manufacturer and send them the question and let them know where you live. In my Smart Shopping Montreal book, there is a section for Repairmen. One of the shops repairing Small appliances would be LaFlamme Electrique, 1596 Amherst. Tel: 514-527-9151. Check with them.

Q: J’aime beaucoup ce que vous faites, votre livre, depuis sa sortie, a toujours été un guide précieux, compte tenu de mon petit budget. Vous êtes mon dernier espoir, je crois, pour ce nouveau projet.

Je voudrais faire mon propre abat-jour mais je ne trouve pas de structure, J’ai l’impression d’avoir tout essayer ( Oiseau bleu, Bouclair, Fabricville, Homesense (les deux) les grosses quincailleries, Abats-jour illimités) sur internet les structures viennent de l’Australie mais je ne veux faire qu’un seul abat-jour car j’ai reçu un magnifique papier japonais.

A: In my book,  there are 6  lamp and lamp shade repair shops. They would have parts and pieces of lamps: You have gone to stores that sell finished products so they would not have “structure”. Here’s one from my book, Abat-jour Marie-Elizabeth Tel: 514-695-0045.

– Another idea would be to go to a flea market, like Marches aux Puces St-Michel, http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=23  buy an old lamp, take it apart and use the part that you need.

– In fact you can buy any new lamp too and take off the shade and put on your Japanese paper.

– Here’s another idea, call Au Papier Japonais Tel: 514-276-6863 and find out if they have any artisans who cover lamps with the paper

Pointe Claire Carpet Cleaning has been in business since 1990. Trained by Eaton Home Cleaning, they learned the strictest guidelines and proper cleaning techniques. They can clean:

– carpets
– area rugs (in your home or take them off premises)
– leather sofa and chairs
– dining room chairs covered in fine fabrics, such as cotton and silks
– pet odors and stains
– mattresses
– car interiors (complete cleaning, getting rid of salt, sand, smoke odors, etc)
– water/flood damage (don’t hesitate to call in the middle of the night); can arrange contractors to renovate and restore your home
– commercial and office cleaning – with employees sitting on chairs for years, they really need freshening up
– cooking odors in your home
– fabric protection

You may not realize that when you buy a mattress, within 10 years, it may weigh 30% more, due to sweat and skin cells accumulated. They have a service which kills dust mites and removes sweat stains and urine accidents. The mattress can also be disinfected and deodorized.

Area rugs can be re-fringed, repaired and they can take care of moth damage.

Many times it is the owner/operator doing the work so customers get all the attention they need. They are fully insured and can be left alone in your home. They have been trained to never look at the time – just do each job till it’s done right, the first time. 

Tel: 514-693-3232
www.pointeclairecarpetcleaning.com
info@pointeclairecarpetcleaning.com

Dubarry Furs is now having a pre-winter sale for re-modeling older fur coats. You can make a coat into a jacket, a swing coat, another cut of coat, or a cape. You can get it sheared, dyed, or placed cosily inside an all-weather cloth coat

This 33-year-old shop,  in a beautiful exposed brick and stone atelier in Old Montreal, maintains low prices by doing all the work themselves. Ready-to-wear or custom-made jackets, hats, capes with fur trim (and water resistant reversible ones), and coats, remodeling, repairs, cleaning and storage are all available here.

There is a line of cashmere and Alpaca wear (scarves too) with and without fur trim and shearling jackets.  You may want to just pick up some fur (mink, beaver or fox) earmuffs or  leather or shearling gloves.

Trade-ins are accepted toward the purchase of a new coat.

They have always been known for the quality of their products and their personalized service.

Location, 206 St-Paul Ouest, Old Montreal
corner: St-Francois-Xavier
Tel: 514-844-7483
Hours: Tues-Fri 10-6, Sat & Sun 11-5 & by appointment
www.dubarryfurs.com

At Cordonnerie Westmount, the shoemaker learned his skills from an uncle who was a master shoemaker for 28 years. He was taught how to fix vintage bags, rips from dog bites and broken heels making them all look virtually brand new.

You can have your high heels raised or lowered here, purses can be repaired, bags, jackets and shoes can be re-dyed and boots that are too wide can be put on a diet. And shoes can be polished and coated for winter weather.

Products for shoe maintenance can be found on the shelves as well as non-slip grips for traction on ice, worn on the bottom of your shoes – this is Canada after all.

Because of their customers’ needs in Westmount Square, this cordonnerie has mastered the work needed on really high end shoes – Louboutin, Jimmy Choos, Stuart Weitzman and Gucci but he can of course fix your regular brands too.

The shiny slippery leather soles on those fancy labels can be made safer and last longer when he improves them by making them non-slip.

Location: 1 Westmount Square, H3Z 2P9
corner: St-Catherine St. W
Tel: 514-939-9729
Metro Stop:  Station Atwater/Station Lionel Groulx
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 8:30-5
Other location: 367 Arthur Sauvé, Place St. Eustache QC J7P 2B1 (450-623-6201)
www.cordonneriewestmount.com

A: In my Smart Shopping Montreal book, on page 156, I write about this. The only store in town that I know of  is Nettoyeurs Vitalizing Cleaners on Mont-Royal est. However, they will only dye 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.

Q: Where do you find glass drawer knobs? Can’t find reasonably priced nice quality ones, any ideas?

A: Circa 1850 is on my web site under Household (Wood Care and Paint). 2122 St-Patrick St. Point St-Charles QC H3K 1B2 corner: Island. Tel: 514-932-0941 http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=138  There’s modern and reproduction hardware here. It is a store which sells to people who refinish furniture. They may have what you are looking for or they can tell you who may have it.

Union Lighting and Home on Decarie might have them. Richelieu in VSL has the most selection and really is for contractors. You need to have an account to buy there.

I’m assuming you’ve already looked at Home Depot, Reno Depot and Rona.

Pointe Claire Carpet Cleaning has been in business since 1990. Trained by Eaton Home Cleaning, they learned the strictest guidelines and proper cleaning techniques. They can clean:

– carpets
– area rugs (in your home or take them off premises)
– leather sofa and chairs
– dining room chairs covered in fine fabrics, such as cotton and silks
– pet odors and stains
– mattresses
– car interiors (complete cleaning, getting rid of salt, sand, smoke odors, etc)
– water/flood damage (don’t hesitate to call in the middle of the night); can arrange contractors to renovate and restore your home
– commercial and office cleaning – with employees sitting on chairs for years, they really need        freshing up
– cooking odors in your home
– fabric protection

You may not realize that when you buy a mattress, within 10 years, it may weigh 30% more, due to sweat and skin cells accumulated. They have a service which kills dust mites and removes sweat stains and urine accidents. The mattress can also be disinfected and deodorized.

Area rugs can be re-fringed, repaired and they can take care of moth damage.

Many times it is the owner/operator doing the work so customers get all the attention they need. They are fully insured and can be left alone in your home. They have been trained to never look at the time – just do each job till it’s done right, the first time. 

Phone: 514-693-3232

Q: With barbeque season here, can you tell me where I can get my knives sharpened?

A:  Here’s one that’s been around 58 years so they must know what they are doing by now:  Jean Guglia & fils, 10,344 boul St-Laurent at Fleury. Tel: 514-387-0871

Situation 1: Looking at your garage doors or your front door, you suddenly realize they really need some refinishing. You have no time or expertise  to do it yourself

Situation 2: You’ve just installed wooden windows, and you need someone to stain and varnish the interior of them to match your decor in each room.

What to do? You can call Henry and he’ll be happy to help you out.

Look around your house and you’ll probably notice quite a few scratches on your beautiful wood furniture. Yet, you don’t want to send it off somewhere where it will disappear for awhile while it is being refinished.

What to do? Just call this gentleman, who is a experienced professional craftsman and he’ll come to your location to fix it on the spot. Whether it’s scratches, worn edges, dents, watermarks, or a big gouge, he can handle it all expertly.

Antiques, bedroom & dining room sets, kitchen cabinets, and office furniture can all be touched up on site – that’s in your home or place of business. He is happy to work on commercial accounts too.

For Free estimates, just call: 514-369-0295