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E D M O N TO N J O U R N A L . C O M
loads of
reno ideas
editor’s note
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Editor
HELEN METELLA
Welcome to the Fall 2013 edition of
hmetella@edmontonjournal.com Managing Editor
SASHA ROEDER-MAH sroedermah@edmontonjournal.com
Homes & Design
Contributing Writers
CALEB CASWELL PAMELA IRVING YAMINA ORTYNSKI DAVID RYNING ANN SUTHERLAND Photography
JASON FRANSON Design
Reno with gusto
CHRISTINE PEARCE Advertising Lead
SCOTT NORTHFIELD snorthfield@edmontonjournal.com
For advertising opportunities in the next issue of HOMES & DESIGN online magazine please call 780-429-5158
PUBLISHED BY THE EDMONTON JOURNAL, A DIVISION OF POSTMEDIA NETWORK INC., AT THE JOURNAL BUILDING, P.O. BOX 2421, EDMONTON, ALBERTA T5J 2S6
E D M O N TO N J O U R N A L . C O M
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T MY HOUSE, we’re currently in Major
Renovations: Round Three. So I know the commandments of refit and renewal: walls are rarely square, old carpet never hides good stuff, and when the kitchen is gutted, so is sanity. But I also know the elation of turning a scary basement into a cool retreat, a tragic ’70s-era bathroom into a heritage jewel, and an abandoned sleeping porch into a treetop-high aerie. No matter how lengthy or aggravating, thoughtfully executed renos are worth it. With that in mind, flip through this issue of Homes & Design and marshal your thoughts around do-overs big or small. We’ve gathered useful tips for refreshing your kitchen and for choosing between fireplaces powered by gas or electricity. We’ve identified smart pieces for study spaces, demystified sinks and tracked down local purveyors of sharp new address numbers for your home’s exterior. If you’re in the mood for radical change, don’t miss our deconstruction of this year’s hot design trend: art deco. All the stuff we highlight is available in Edmonton. So go ahead ... tackle a reno.
Helen Metella
e in this issue FA L L 2 0 1 3
features 4
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COOK UP A NEW KITCHEN Chop chaos from a reno
10 PAINTING FOR RESALE? Colours aren’t taboo
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THIS VS. THAT A gas or electric fireplace?
23 GOT YOUR NUMBER? Tweak your house ID
27 JAZZ IT UP! Decorate in art deco
32 SMART STUDY SPACES MAKE THE GRADE Desks for kids and teens plus great new lamps
37 IN SYNC WITH SINKS Styles, materials and installations
42 KNOW THE RULE ... THEN BREAK IT How to play with proportion
4
on the cover
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Electric fireplaces, like this one by Napoleon Fireplaces, offer more realistic-looking flames than ever and fit into both contemporary and traditional decors. For more on how to choose a fireplace, see Page 16.
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Cook up a new
kitchen A recipe for chopping chaos from a reno DAVID RYNING | Edmonton Journal
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aking over the kitchen breathes new life into any home. But a kitchen that’s closed for renovations can suck the life out of you. Vital appliances are out of commission. Noise and dust are inevitable. People and pets need managing. And everyone still has to eat! Here’s how to cope...
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Small short-lived projects: “If it’s not changing the footprint of the kitchen at all, we’ll just keep the stove (functioning),” says designer Keira Burgess of Keira Burgess Studios. She advises homeowners to make good use of the bathroom counter and sink. “But I don’t think that’s very much fun for more than two weeks.”
Two weeks-plus projects: Depending on the homeowners’ tolerance, the bathroom can pinch-hit, as can the laundry room. “Our last client ... they had their laundry room on the main floor, so they had their microwave, coffee maker, counter and sink (there)… and they ate out a lot more,” says Keira. But it’s vital to be prepared for the inconvenience, whatever its length. “(As long as we) let them know what they’re getting into and let them decide how to handle it, it works out,” adds Keira’s brother Niall Burgess, a contractor, with whom she collaborates on renos.
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It’s vital to be prepared for the inconvenience, whatever its length. Four weeks-plus projects: More than four weeks without a kitchen calls for a more drastic solution: moving out until the project is complete. “If it’s a large renovation, and they have the means, some people will like to do a renovation while they’re away for the winter in Palm Springs, for example,” says Keira.
PHOTOS: KEIRA BURGESS
ABOVE: The new design created a convenient desk/planning area. LEFT: Eliminating the formal dining room made room for a multiple-use island. FAR LEFT: The original kitchen was cramped and dark.
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Plan, plan, plan! “The plan was the best (money) we ever spent,” says Lorraine Morton, a client of the Burgess siblings. “It
clarified everything.”
At the beginning of the design phase, people often believe they have a good idea of what they want. But a
professional designer can bring a vision that turns a
good kitchen into a great one. Morton found Keira’s perspective invaluable. “She
came up with ideas for our kitchen that I would have never even thought of,” says Morton. “We felt
like we’d have to leave it somewhat like it was, with that (existing) skeleton. And what she came up with was not completely different, but it fit the space a whole lot better. She drew it all out so there could be no mistake. We
could see every single thing; we could see every drawer, every cupboard. You couldn’t possibly fail to understand what she was
thinking.” Morton’s experience is relatively common, according to Niall. “It’s funny. People will have an idea in their heads and ask Keira to do up a design,” he says. “And she’ll say, ‘OK, I’ll do the design you have, but I’m going to do another one on spec.’ And they almost always pick that one.” “Sometimes they can’t see it unless I show it to them,” Keira says. Extensive planning should go beyond just the design of the space. A comprehensive contract to cover the schedule for the work to be done and exactly when each phase of the payment is required offers certainty to the homeowners and to the renovator. “I don’t think I’d want to do it without,” says Morton. “The contract was very specific. When I look back on that now, that made all the
difference.”
The plan was the best (money) we ever spent. lorr aine morton | homeowner
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JASON FRANSON / EDMONTON JOURNAL
Niall Burgess, owner of Birdseye Fabrication Inc., his father Ken, a part-owner in the company, and his sister Keira of Keira Burgess Studios, work as a team on renovations.
ease
Relative
K
eira and Niall Burgess share a passion for creating, so it’s no surprise that the siblings’ career paths synchronize well. Although they are each proprietors of separate companies, they have been working together for a couple of years in the renovation field. Keira, 27, runs Keira Burgess Studios, and says that her time working for a cabinet company helped her develop a keen interest in kitchen renovations. One of her recent designs was chosen for an HGTV online feature about partyready kitchens. (hgtv.com/kitchens/20-partyready-kitchens/pictures/index.html) Niall, 25, runs Birdseye Fabrication Inc. (birdseyefabricationinc.com), which he owns with his father, Ken. Niall supplemented his time at NAIT’s millwright and carpentry program with jobs in building and cabinet making. The siblings say rivalry doesn’t get in the way of a working relationship. “It’s interesting,” Niall says with a smile. “But we know how to get through it.” “We never have a huge fight,” Keira says. “Sometimes it’s like, ‘Why aren’t we working the same way?’ But that’s why we work together, because Niall does certain things and I do certain things, and we help each other.” “If one person has an idea, then the other person can say, ‘Well, maybe not,’ ” adds Niall. “At first you might be offended, but after you bounce it back and forth a few times, it ends up better than it was as long as you’re not taking it personally.”
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110, 8005 Emerald Drive Sherwood Park (780)464-2366
www.artistryblinds.com
Painting
for resale?
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Colours aren’t taboo if you’re thoughtful PAMELA IRVING | Edmonton Journal
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olour sells. You heard
that right. Although homeowners have long been advised to stick to neutrals when prepping their home for sale, not all home design experts agree.
SUPPLIED
Choose paint colours that complement floors and fixtures, rather than the furnishings.
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“Colours with personality can be effective at closing a deal,” says Alison Goldman, brand manager for AkzoNobel, makers of CIL paints. “Too much beige leaves viewers with less than compelling memories.” But it’s still important to select colours that appeal to a broad a range of potential buyers. Colours found in nature — such as muted shades of green, brown, yellow, blue, red, grey and tan — create a warm and inviting environment. Fall colour trends that fit the “nature” criteria include coral, gold and deep burgundies. See page 13 for tips on selling specific rooms with colour.
SUPPLIED
Rich yellow complements brass fixtures in bathrooms.
SUPPLIED
Use toneon-tone for a calming effect in bedrooms.
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SUPPLIED
Soft, neutral colours in children’s bedrooms sell a home best.
Master bedroom Seduce buyers with a soothing retreat. Tone-on-tone colour schemes are restful, and accent walls attract notice. Choose the wall that immediately draws your eye when you walk into the room to accentuate with colour.
Living room The sofa is going with you when you move, so choose colours that complement fixed fixtures, such as the floors or fireplace. Place paint swatches right against those items to ensure the tones work well together.
Kids’ rooms Limit the palette to gender- and age-neutral colours. Soft greens or yellows mixed with taupes and greys appeal to all family members.
Bathrooms Pale, bluish greens are still popular. Richer yellows and jewel tones complement trending gold-toned and brass fixtures. Contrast wall colour with fixtures: warm against cool.
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DIY,
but do it right To paint properly, here’s what Neal McPhedran, the owner of Kans of Any Colour in Edmonton advises:
What you need • Trisodium phosphate (TSP) to clean and dull the finish • Tape for baseboards and window frames • A quality, angled sash brush 2½ inches wide for painting around baseboards and window frames • A nine-and-a-half-inch microfibre roller with minimum pile thickness of three-eighths of an inch • Trays and liners • Drop cloths made of fabric on top and plastic on bottom • A two-step stool or small stepladder
Preparing the room • Clean walls with TSP and rinse clean. • If making a major colour change or switching to brighter reds, yellows or deep tones, prime surfaces with tinted primer. • Spot-prime areas where wall surfaces are in bad condition.
Painting • Paint one wall at a time. • Maintain a wet edge along ceilings and baseboards as you cut in with your brush. • Don’t allow brushed paint to dry before you roll. • Work as a team, with one person brushing ahead and one person rolling behind. • Roll two roller widths from floor to ceiling and then dip into your tray for more paint. • Do a second coat three to five hours after first coat.
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Prep work is the lion’s share of the job when it comes to painting your own interiors.
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SUPPLIED / NAPOLEON FIREPLACES
vs.
Should your new fireplace be gas or electric? DAVID RYNING | Edmonton Journal
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othing says cosy quite like a fireplace during an Alberta winter. Traditional wood-burning fireplaces are always a hot design option, but not always a practical one. Gas and electric are two popular alternatives. Stumped by which one to warm up to? Check out the pros and cons.
Gas
SUPPLIED / TOWN & COUNTRY LUXURY FIREPLACES
PROS • Gas fireplaces don’t produce the messy byproducts of burning wood — smoke and and ash. They can also replace a SUPPLIED / TOWN & COUNTRY LUXURY FIREPLACES traditional wood-burning fireplace without comprehensive structural changes to a home. • In terms of heat produced, gas far exceeds what you’ll receive from electric. This is an important consideration if the fireplace’s role is partly to provide warmth and not simply be esthetically pleasing. • Gas fireplaces have a backup for producing heat in the event of power loss. “If the power goes out, your electric does nothing,” says Sam Birmingham of Northern Fireplaces. “The gas ones have either pilot lights or a battery backup to provide heat in a power outage.”
CONS • A gas fireplace must be installed by someone qualified to connect gas lines and ensure proper venting, so that means extra expense and time. It should also be serviced once a year.
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SUPPLIED / NAPOLEON FIREPLACES
Electric PROS • Electric fireplaces cost less than gas. Prices range from $400 to $2,500. Gas fireplaces start around $1,500. • Installation is easy. With electric fireplaces, “essentially it’s four screws, and it’s installed,” Birmingham says. They are also simple to use: most operate by remote control. • Electric fireplaces are far handsomer than they used to be. Traditionally styled electric fireplaces are more realistic-looking, says Birmingham, and the contemporary ones, “now have quite the fire, with a crystal or a diamond look.” • Servicing electric fireplaces is user-friendly — usually no less complicated than changing lightbulbs. • Electrics can also give you the fireplace esthetic without the heat, says Birmingham. “It’s a separate control to turn the heater on and off.”
CONS • Electric fireplaces don’t put out as much heat as their gas-fired brethren. “It’s not really costeffective to heat a larger room with an electric, because it will be running all the time,” says Gemco’s Loewen. “It’s a space heater for a smaller area. If you’re buying an electric,
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don’t buy it for the heat, and you won’t be disappointed.” Adds Birmingham: “The electrics are becoming more popular in the bedroom. They’re more for the esthetics.” Electrics are also popular in condos and apartment buildings, where venting isn’t an option and access to gas lines may be a problem.
SUPPLIED / NAPOLEON FIREPLACES
Local Resources gemco fireplaces 9281 50th Street gemcofireplaces.com
northern fireplace 4926 99th Street northernfireplace.com
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Live life
MODERN. you. ost to m r e t t ma d be t u re s at fe a day an h o t w e r ve om disco howh anvi s lp you K e h a e it is W set? V mind. ast clo tics in v e h a t , s ae om .com n and b e d ro omes r io ih t e v t c s n n a a fu m @k odern taking ranville with m b re a t h 86 | g 3 a d 4 , e e n 4 ig uit 22 g ens re d e s | 780 t o f. xcitin nville h mes a e a g o r n u h G a o r , th hen All ou even om le kitc never mes.c u a r ka b o kanvihomes.com y m e s nviho r e a r k A u @ t a e lesid b y fe b d m e a z 2| ama 2 901 80 86 7 | e sid Amble
Gotyournumber? Break out of the block with novel house IDs CALEB CASWELL | Edmonton Journal
F
or a simple, swift way to make your house stand out, tweak the look of your house numbers.
As with any accessory, these exterior accents can add a punch of personality and attract admiration with flair — and far less expensively than the cost of new siding or paint.
SUPPLIED / BEHRENDS BRONZE INC.
Metal house numbers by Behrends Bronze make this home really stand out.
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Address numbers offered by hardware stores are typically available in a small variety of styles, and most are less than five inches high. Custom house numbers will cost more, but choices of font, colour, size and design are almost limitless. Here are the specs on some materials and styles available in Edmonton:
Expanded PVC (plastic) • Lightweight • Inexpensive • Can be installed with screws, glue, or adhesive backing • Best-suited to covered areas that are protected from extreme weather • Edmonton-based Everything Exterior offers
three stock-design fonts eight inches high, but they’ll cut almost any custom font for an additional fee • PRICE: $20 per number for in-stock options. Customized numbers can reach $150-200 per number
everythingexteriorstore.com
SUPPLIED / BEHRENDS BRONZE INC.
Metal • Sturdy • Typical materials include brass, bronze, aluminum or stainless steel • Must be screwed on • Can be affixed to landscaping stones • Often installed directly into the frame of the house • Numbers appear to float off the wall, instead of lying flush to it • Behrends Bronze Inc. in Edmonton has been a supplier of custom house numbers in Edmonton since 1952. It produces both stand-alone numbers and house-address plaques • Kyle Walton of Hammer and Forge creates one-of-a-kind house IDs in addition to railings, gates and other original metal works. • PRICES: depend on the material and design. Expect to start at $250-$400 for seven letters in aluminum.
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SUPPLIED / HAMMER AND FORGE
behrendsgroup.com • hammerandforge.net
PHOTOS: JASON FRANSON
Steve Chwedoruk of The Tile and Iron Studio assembles custom plaques in his St. Albert shop.
Glass and stone • Unique and long-lasting • Available in plaque format only • Mix and match colours and tones to your home • Grout, stone, and glass can each be coloured differently • Seven to nine inches in height • The Tile and Iron studio in St. Albert offers custom stone/glass plaques • The firm started 15 years ago, at the Strathcona Farmers Market, now sells into the U.S. • Tile and Iron uses porcelain as a base because it doesn’t absorb water, making it last longer than terra cotta • PRICE: $150-350 per plaque
thetileandironstudio.com
Backlit numbers • Made by the U.S.-based company Mint, carried in Edmonton only by Lightform • Usually stainless steel construction, but can be created with any metal • Very easy to install; just hook up to a standard junction box • Numbers are laser-cut, and any font is possible • Lightform carries some stock options, but primarily takes custom orders • Allow two weeks for an order • PRICE: $700-$1,000 for five numbers
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A metal railing by Edmonton’s Hammer and Forge captures art deco’s progressive mood.
Add glitz with art deco style YAMINA ORTYNSKI | Edmonton Journal PHOTOS BY JASON FRANSON
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he Roaring Twenties are dancing all over design and decor these days. Gorgeous art direction seen in the movie The Great Gatsby and TV shows Empire State and Magic City has prompted many of us to add glamour to our homes in the exuberant style of art deco.
What is art deco? Borrowed from the name of the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Moderne, held in Paris in 1925, the art deco movement was a reaction to the austerity of the First World War. It embraced all that was modern and new, and was a symbol of progress. It provided a sense of escapism and luxury in a decor that appealed to both genders.
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This dining room embodies art deco with its sleek, masculine tones and materials and black-and-white art.
Which materials does art deco use?
The dining room chairs feature soft, velvety upholstery in a smoky grey.
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• Dark woods and mirrors create moods that are slightly decadent and luxurious. • Sculptures with Egyptian, Greek or Roman motifs lend a sense of mythology and discovery. Dramatic color combinations such as black and white combined with chrome, gold and brass metals provide contrast, glitter and reflection. • Wallpapers and textures in turquoise and white add a more airy, modern touch.
Art deco blends the masculine and the feminine, as shown here in the delicate spray of the mirror contrasted with the oversize, geometric candle holders.
Building the look:
BELOW: Look for period pieces like these table settings to complete the 1920s look.
• Contrast the elements. Use soft velvet cushions in masculine tones; dark woods against shiny metallic and sleek mirrors. The contrast is what makes both genders love the style. You’ll also achieve balance in your space, which bodes well for design success. • Use mirrors in geometric shapes, wallpaper with silver and gold patterns, and lamps and fixtures that feature a lot of metal but are simple in form. • Try to keep the lines as defined as possible. Start by acquiring just a couple of pieces of furniture at a time, perhaps streamlined chairs done in soft velvet that you can place around a table you already own. • Try an area rug with a geometric pattern, and choose bold contrasting colors. • Remember to go for drama. Yet don’t overcrowd any of the surfaces — let the purity of the simple lines breathe.
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Keep light fixtures simple, but look for an abundance of metal and contrast.
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Finding key pieces: Art deco was a major influence on our modern era of design. It simplified the ornate objects that had come before. What’s more, because it embraced technology, many mass-produced and useful everyday items were created during its time. If you search carefully you, or your parents, might already own some of these: • Bakelite cookware. • Clocks and radios in chromes and plastics. • Decorative items made with stained glass, lacquers and inlays. • Mementoes celebrating the emergence of new technology in motion pictures, automobiles, aviation and communication. Think telephones, phonographs, movie stars and Jazz Age icons. Like the period, the style signified change and hope. Perhaps a touch of art deco will change and revitalize a room that you once thought was lost.
Accent pieces like this stylized airplane celebrate the emerging technology of the 1920s.
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Sculptures with Greek or Roman motifs help achieve an art deco look.
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SMART
STUDY SPACES make the grade ANN SUTHERLAND | Edmonton Journal
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rganization is essential when creating an effective study space. With everything in its place, your budding scholar will be less distracted searching for a pencil or notebook. Add to that a good desk, chair, and lighting and your student will be set for the year. Look for desks that have enough working surface for students to spread out. A swivel chair that adjusts for height is a worthwhile investment, but a good old-fashioned straight-backed chair will work just as well. A good desk lamp is essential, and don’t forget storage compartments for all the supplies.
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Desk with hutch by College Woodwork. Desk - $1,009. Hutch - $679. Chair $400. A desk to last from grade school through to college. Solid Canadian birch. Comes with a desk drawer which doubles as a keyboard drawer, plus three side drawers. Available in 14 different ecofriendly stains and paints. Available at Kids Furniture.
MICKE desk with integrated storage, $89, and JULES junior style adjustable chair with swivel legs, $35. Available at Ikea.
For the youngsters Up to about Grade 2, the best place for a child to be productive might just be the kitchen island or dining area, where Mom and Dad can help out while preparing supper. Dedicate a small space in these areas for homework and keep supplies nearby. By Grade 3 or 4, carving out a space in the bedroom gives your child a sense of pride and ownership. You can think long term and buy a well-built, onesize-fits-all desk rather than a cute, kid-sized model. Or try an adjustable, junior-style chair and mix-andmatch tabletop with adjustable legs, pieces that will grow with your child. Whatever you choose, look for a desk to which you can easily add a hutch, shelving or other storage units as your child gets older. Add a notice board for memos and schedules; file folders or trays; storage compartment; and wall hooks for backpacks.
SNILLE junior style adjustable chair with swivel legs, $26. Available at Ikea.
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The college crowd A high school or college student’s space should be more sophisticated. Consider an ergonomic chair with a headrest or armrests to make it more comfortable for long study sessions. When teens want to chill after sitting all day at school, a laptop desk frees them from the desk to hang out on the bed to read and study. They’ll also need a bigger desk surface to spread out. One with add-on units is a great investment, as it accommodates a desktop computer or laptop, cellphone, iPod, charger, and printer. Look for products that manage the cable clutter. For expanding storage needs, add a bookcase or shelving that can be integrated with the desk. Funky wall pockets, colourful storage boxes and memo boards add a pop of personality while keeping your teen organized.
Neo-Computer deluxe notebook lap desk by Lapgear. $24. Microbead lap pads, built-in wrist rest, zippered side storage pouches. Available at Staples. SIGNUM cable management to fit under desk, $10. Available at Ikea.
Martha Stewart Stack+Fit Shagreen desk accessories. Desktop organizer, $15; drawer with inbox, $17. Available at Staples.
Martha Stewart wall manager system. Components range from $3 to $15. The modular boards can be positioned anywhere on the wall. Using a click and lock system, various components can be added from bins to hooks and memo board. Available at Staples.
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LIGHT UP your literature A good reading lamp reduces eye strain
A
ANN SUTHERLAND | Edmonton Journal
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hatever style of reading lamp you choose, make sure the lamp focuses the light directly on your reading material, either with an adjustable arm or by ensuring the bottom of the shade is just below eye level. The quality of light also makes a difference. Fluorescent or LED bulbs give off a cooler white light, which provides better contrast between the black text and the white page.
A. Torchière/reading lamp.
C. Adjustable floor lamp.
A dual lamp that produces ambient and task lighting. The torchiere’s soft incandescent light is diffused upward. The halogen reading light is on a swivel arm so you can adjust the angle. $398 at Robinson Lighting & Bath Centre.
Go retro with this floor lamp that resembles a giant table lamp. Adjust angle and height for proper reading light. $1,360 at Park Lighting.
B. Desk lamp. This LED lamp provides specific task lighting for your desk. The arm tucks away when not in use. $281 at Robinson Lighting & Bath Centre.
C
D
D. JANSJO clamp spotlight. The LED light provides optimum reading light and the clamp allows you to move the lamp to where you need it. $20 at Ikea.
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In sync with
Find the perfect place for pots CALEB CASWELL | Edmonton Journal
W
hether your kitchen’s decor is cosy or formal, modern or traditional, there’s a sink that will fall into place flawlessly. Expect to pay $300 to $2,000 for a stock sink, depending on size, material and installation process. Some other basics to know before sink shopping...
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Cast-iron farm-style, apron-front sink. by Kohler Whitehaven in Annapolis Navy. $2,069 at Emco. DROP-IN: This is the most basic installation, in which the lip of the sink sits on top of the counter and is dropped into the hole. Grime can accumulate under the sink’s lip, however, and it will also cover some of that marble countertop that cost you so much money. Drop-ins are typically the easiest to install, depending on your sink and cupboard space, so they are relatively inexpensive.
U N D E R - M O U N T: In this style, the sink is mounted to the bottom of the countertop. The countertop drops off directly into the basin, making it easy to sweep food and water into your sink. These sinks can be made of heavier materials, because they aren’t pulling on your countertop. If silverware clanking against the sink annoys you, John Holzapfel, president of PF Customer Countertops suggests an under-mount stainless steel sink. Made of a higher grade material, they are less tinny-sounding.
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Kohler castiron farmhouse sink in white: This under-mount sink
features a “short” apron that won’t interfere with lower cupboard doors. $1,034 Kohler castat Robinson Lighting iron, Langlade & Bath Centre. model top-mount sink in
grey: This roomy double-bowl sink features a Kohler-only feature called Smart Divide, in which the bowls are separated by a low wall, so that large pots and pans can be easily washed. $849 at Robinson Lighting & Bath Centre.
This granite-quartz composite sink is the Novannie Alive with 1他 bowl size. $895 at Emco. ONE BOWL/TWO BOWL: These are the most common arrangements. Single-bowl sinks have become more popular lately, as dishwashers eliminate the need for separate dish-clean and dish-rinse areas. Still, two bowls do allow for soaking vegetables in one while scrubbing pots in another.
FA R M -S T Y L E : This style has a distinctive apron that covers the cupboards in front of your sink. Farm-style sinks typically come in stainless steel or cast iron and fit either an industrial or farmhouse look. But aprons do tend to become scratched by belt buckles.
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Blanco Diamond U-1ž: This space-saving under-mount sink features one full-size bowl and a second that’s threequarter-sized, and is finished in Silgranit, a granite and manmade composite. $750 at Robinson Lighting & Bath Centre.
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S TA I N L E S S S T E E L :
G R AN ITE /Q UART Z CO M P OS ITE:
Sleek, modern and easily the most common sink construction, stainless steel matches most appliances and can be made with the sharpest angles. Depending on your decor, choose metallic or brushed steel finishes. Steel tends to scratch, so non-abrasive cleaners are a must. Steel offers inexpensive selections, though there are certainly expensive steel sinks.
These sinks have grown in popularity over the last few years. They are made of stone that’s been ground to sand and epoxied back together. This allows abrasives to be used in cleaning. These sinks also come in anti-bacterial and anti-stain coating, and are offered in several colours. But according to Rob McGregor, the showroom sales manager of Best Plumbing and Lighting, the blacks and browns are the most popular as they blend best among chrome appliances. Sinks made from quartz are much smoother to the touch than granite.
E N A M E L- C O A T E D CAST IRON: This material is typically undermounted because of its weight. Providing a softer look than steel, it is one of the few types of sink that comes in white. Ceramic sinks are available in white, but Angela Hassall, showroom supervisor of Emco Ensuite, advises that ceramics are bettersuited to the bathroom. Cast-iron sinks are more expensive than their steel counterparts.
Local Resources Best plumBing edmonton 11703 154th Street bestplumbing.ca emco ensuite showroom 10930 184th Street emcoab.ca pf custom countertops 10417 174th Street pfcustomcountertops.com roBinson lighting & Bath centre 18511 104th Avenue robinsonlighting.com
Kindred farmhouse sink: A single bowl, topmount apron-front sink in stainless steel. $1,539 at Robinson Lighting & Bath Centre. FA L L 2 0 1 3
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Know the rule... then
break it
Designer Yamina Ortynski plays with proportion
“L
ocation, location, location.”
The rule Choose objects and furniture that are scaled in size in relation to the overall space.
That’s the first thing you should hear in your head when buying or selling a home. Just remember, you should hear almost the same thing when designing a room: “Proportion, proportion, proportion.” To get proportion and scale right you need to In design we’re taught to assess the size of the room and how furniture will sit follow the rules. But once you and be arranged within that space. If it’s a small room, too know how they work, I say: many big pieces may crowd it; a big room needs at least a few break them! big pieces to anchor it. Here’s how.
To follow the rule
YAMINA ORTYNSKI Edmonton Journal
Also look at the relationship of doors and windows to maximize flow and create different areas within the room. Proportionately sized window treatment and lights will also help make the room feel right. If proportion is not considered, a small space can feel crowded and a large room can feel empty. You want the objects in the room to feel harmonious, like a well-written tune. (Think of an orchestra with a strong bass section providing just the right amount of structure.)
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EDMONTON JOURNAL / LARRY WONG
To break the rule Following the proportion rule to the letter may give you an ideally designed space, but that space might lack personality or an element of wow. So, be bold and teeter off the scale once, with intent. Try a larger-than-life chandelier over a dining table, or better yet, pair a simple writing desk with a bold and dramatically coloured winged chair; it will work because the grouping is unexpected and the bold colour makes it pop. Luckily, there is a large selection of oversized chairs available, so choose something you love, not just something that’s trying to break the rule. Another simple idea is to use an oversized mirror. You can often find these at very reasonable prices at such stores as HomeSense or Ikea. A big mirror is like introducing something from a Salvador Dali painting or stepping into a scene from Alice in Wonderland. A little surrealism shows you have character and are able to risk a bit, albeit in the comfort of your home.
Bonus tips • Breaking a rule means understanding the rule and then knowing why you’re breaking it. Architects and painters have been doing this throughout time. Tired of classical balance, Mannerists broke the proportions and favoured compositional tension and instability. They knew what they wanted to avoid, and that helped them know what to do instead. • Don’t overdo it; just play with one item. Break one rule. • Your source of inspiration might be paintings rather than design magazines. Take a look at what good artists, past or present, do. • Remember that your personality must come through. Break rules you want to break, not ones you think you ought to break.
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