Home Makeover April 2011

APRIL 

Respect: Redesigning an Arthur Erickson kitchen Gold-metal winner: A glittering office makeover Design first: What to expect from a design professional

HOME MAKEOVER

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$10 INSIDE: PRIZE WINNER Ă KITCHEN FAUCETS Ă HOME STAGING

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CONTENTS

FEATURES

8 A little respect The right way to update an Arthur Erickson-designed kitchen

14 On the cover: Twin peaks Delivering a tall order of luxury to two penthouse baths

18 Amazing space A downtown office redesign gets the gold stamp of approval

22 Go with the flow Faucets that will change the look, feel and functionality of your kitchen

25 Searching for treasure

18

Reality star Jillian Harris brings new life to old furnishings

8 DEPARTMENTS

6 Editor’s note 7 Prize winner

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27 Professional insights 28 Finishing touches

Cover: A bathroom with a view. Ema Peter Photography.

See story page 14.

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3/28/11 9:33:24 AM

Thinking about renovations involving electrical or gas work?

Think permit.

Renovations done without permits can seriously hurt the resale value of your home‌ or worse, your family’s safety.

The best way to protect your family and your home is to hire a BCSA licensed contractor and ensure they obtain the appropriate permits.

For more information, call us or visit our website at:

thinkpermit.ca 1.866.566.7233 (SAFE)

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EDITOR’S NOTE

HOME MAKEOVER MARCH 

APRIL 

DISTINCTIVE DESIGN, LOCALLY SOURCED WWW.HOMEMAKEOVERMAGAZINE.CA

Respect: Redesigning an Arthur Erickson kitchen Gold-metal winner: A glittering office makeover Design first: What to expect from a design professional First love: Jillian Harris’ home-decor hobby

(/-% -!+%/6%2 DISTINCTIVE DESIGN, LOCALLY SOURCED

BATHING BEAUTY  A BATHROOM WITH A VIEW

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Go with a pro

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hange can simultaneously be exciting and overwhelming – even a bit frightening. I should know. Two months ago, when I agreed to take over as editor of Home Makeover, I was thrilled.

Then, when I realized I had to put together an entire magazine in a short amount of time, I panicked. That’s when it hit me: when it doubt, turn to the experts for help.

In fact, I received so much support from the pros – former editor Baila Lazarus, publisher Doug Holt, designer Randy Pearsall and our team of talented contributing writers – in creating this issue of HM that I decided to make this the overarching theme of the magazine.

Take our beautiful bathroom makeover (makeovers, I should say) this month. Only a professional like Geralynne Mitschke could transform two penthouse ensuites into luxurious, spa-like spaces, each with a distinct look and feel. In Mitschke’s words, “They asked for a ‘wow factor,’ and they got it.”

And in the kitchen, Céline Pitre learned that her design background could be both a help and hindrance when it came time to update her own home. This stems, Pitre says, from the high standards she sets when she works on her clients’ projects: “I have great difficulty … settling for less.”

We also spoke with former Bachelorette Jillian Harris, whose first love happens to be home design. Now busy shooting ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition, Harris gives great tips on how you, too, can find treasures for your home in the least likely spots. “It’s like finding a good man,” she says. “It’ll just feel right.”

Finally, our staging experts – Heather Kleim and Heather Stewart (but you can call them “the Heathers”) – offer practical advice on how to prep your home for sale without disrupting your daily routine. And designers Tom Bakker and Bob Ledingham give their joint take on why the best bet for your next home-improvement project is to go with a pro.

In design, as in publishing, working with experts is the best way to ensure great results. As such, we’ve teamed with the Interior Design Institute of B.C. to only bring you makeovers completed by professionals – people you can trust to fulfil your own design dreams.

$10 INSIDE: PRIZE WINNER Ă KITCHEN FAUCETS Ă HOME STAGING

Next Makeover In June: fresh kitchen, bathroom and amazing space makeovers, more tips from the pros and the

HOMEMAKEOVERMAGAZINE.CA

Publisher: Doug Holt Editor in chief: Noa Glouberman Design director: Randy Pearsall Contributers: Tom Bakker, Ingrid de Jong, Heather Kleim, Baila Lazarus, Bob Ledingham, Vicky Noble, Heather Stewart, Joanna Tymkiw Production manager: Don Schuetze Advertising sales: Art Pouchet, Brett Stenner Office manager: Katherine Butler Marketing & events co-ordinators: Paige Millar, Aly-Khan Virani System administrator: Les Valan Subscription manager: Veera Irani Controller: Marlita Hodgens President, BIV Media Group: Paul Harris Home Makeover is published six times each year (February, April, June, August, October, December) by BIV Magazines, a division of BIV Media LP, 102 Fourth Avenue East, Vancouver, B.C. V5T 1G2, 604-688-2398, Fax 604-688-1963, www.businessinvancouver.com.

Copyright 2011 Home Makeover. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or incorporated into any information retrieval system without permission of BIV Magazines. The list of services provided in this publication is not necessarily a complete list of all such services available in Vancouver, B.C. The publishers are not responsible in whole or in part for any errors or omissions in this publication.

ISSN 1719-8712 PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO: 40069240.

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Circulation Department: 102 Fourth Avenue East, Vancouver, B.C. V5T 1G2. E-mail: subscribe@biv.com.

first of our In the Works series, each of which follows one design project from beginning to end.

6

Noa Glouberman, editor, homemakeover@biv.com

FSC logo here

HOME MAKEOVER APRIL 2011

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3/23/11 11:14:53 AM

PRIZE WINNER

Congratulations to our latest winner

I

“ was somewhat surprised, but very pleased to receive the call saying I was chosen as the prizewinner for the April issue of Home Makeover magazine. I finally won something: a gorgeous Alessi silver bowl and a beautiful set of Peugeot salt-and-pepper grinders, which I will most certainly use now that my home renovations are finally completed … for now.

I only wish I had subscribed to the magazine a year ago, before I started my renovations, because it is a wealth of information. It has become my ‘go-to’ source for everything from architecture and renos to decor tips, bedding, appliances and everything in-between.

I will keep every issue and always use it as a reference, not only in my personal life but also in my professional life as a real estate agent and investor, as it will be an invaluable tool. And I look forward to giving each of my clients a subscription to the magazine.”

– Beth Connelly, Home Makeover subscriber

This month, our draw prize is the glass candle holders shown on the cover. Visit www.homemakeovermagazine.ca for entry details.

Next issue, we’ll feature the winner of our February give away: the contemporary glass coffee table shown on our previous cover.

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KITCHEN MAKEOVER

BY VICKY NOBLE

8 HOME MAKEOVER APRIL 2011

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3/23/11 11:15:04 AM

A little

respect The right way to update an Arthur Erickson-designed kitchen

W

(Above) Cooking tools dangle from the upper cabinets like jewels, within easy reach.

(Left) Stainless steel plays a prominent role in the new kitchen, from the Sub-Zero fridge to the Duhber door pulls.

Photos: Marcos Armstrong

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hat happens when a designer decides to update the kitchen in the Arthur Ericksondesigned home she shares with her architect husband? Céline Interiors owner Céline Pitre and Vancouver architect Alan Endall found that their industry expertise could be both a help and a hindrance in the renovation process.

On the one hand, Pitre says that her knowledge was beneficial (she knows, for example, what the best products are and where to find them). However, “it also hurts like hell in the pocketbook because, frankly, we don’t have the pocketbooks that our clients have,” she laughs, adding that once she knows what a high-end faucet feels like, it’s hard to accept an inferior item. “I have great difficulty, and so does my husband, settling for less.”

The result of this couple’s demand for quality: a functional, beautiful kitchen that – in keeping with Erickson’s original esthetic – combines sleek, contemporary design with warm, cherry-wood cabinets that echo the home’s forested setting.

The house is one of a handful of properties in West Vancouver’s Monteverdi Estates, a distinct subdivision designed by the esteemed West Coast architect between 1979 and 1981. Perched atop a cliff, Pitre’s home features multiple decks, soaring windows and a private, natural locale.

“Part of living there is not forgetting that it’s Arthur’s design that we need to respect,” she stresses, mentioning that her husband was also fortunate to work with Erickson in the past. “I’ve often said, ‘We’re living with Arthur.’”

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KITCHEN MAKEOVER

Though the kitchen is not large by today’s standards, its U-shaped layout is “ fabulous” for two people to work in.

A sliding chopping board fits perfectly over the kitchen counter.

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While the blueprint for the new kitchen did not change the basic layout of the room, Pitre says, “Where we strayed away from Arthur’s design preferences is that we did away with a lot of the white in order to bring in the wood and the warm colours.”

The kitchen, she explains, could afford to swap its formerly pale palette for a darker one because it is “seethrough,” with windows on either side filling the space with natural light.

Stainless steel plays a prominent role in the madeover room, from the Thermador triple oven to the SubZero fridge to the Duhber door pulls. Pitre also chose the material for the sink, backsplash and counters, soldering all three together to achieve a seamlessness that facilitates quick and easy cleanup. Because stainless steel marks and scratches easily, however, it is best to wipe in the direction of the grain.

“We’re careful to wipe it properly now, but, over the years, we’re not going to be doing that anymore,” she anticipates, adding that any future marks on the counter will add to the patina that shows the kitchen is well lived in.

Many details were customized to fulfil both husband’s and wife’s artistic ideas: sliding chopping boards that fit perfectly over the counter, a wine ladder that fills the space between the back of the fridge and the adjacent door frame and cooking tools that dangle from the upper cabinets like jewels, within easy reach.

Though the kitchen is not large by today’s standards,

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3/23/11 11:15:34 AM

KITCHEN MAKEOVER

Warm, cherrywood cabinets echo the home’s forested setting.

Pitre says its U-shaped layout is “fabulous” for two people to work in. As a result, the pair is eating at home more often and entertaining regularly in the renovated space.

Contractor Upward Construction is credited with keeping the project organized, on time and roughly on budget. And, with the rest of the house, including the living room, bathrooms, exterior and roof, also renovated, Pitre says that she and Endall are committed to staying put.

“It was the kind of thing where we asked ourselves, do we want to be disrupted for years on end or do we want to do the whole thing at once and just suck it up?”

Clearly, the latter option proved to be well worth it. ∞

Resources

Céline Interiors, www.celineinteriors.com, 604-687-0780 Upward Construction, www.upwardconstruction.ca, 604-790-0472 Thermador, www.thermador.com, 800-735-4328 Dacor, www.dacor.com, 800-793-0093 Sub-Zero, www.subzero.com, 800-222-7820 Franke Kindred Canada, www.frankecanada.com, 866-687-7465 BC Hardwood Floor Co., www.bchardwood.com, 604-637-1082 Brookside Veneers, www.veneers.com E. Roko Distributors, www.eroko.com, 604-420-9599 Cantu Bathroom Hardware, www.cantubathrooms.com, 604-688-1252 Forever Windows, www.foreverwindows.ca, 604-231-0993

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BATHROOM MAKEOVER

BY INGRID DE JONG

Twin

peaks Delivering a tall order of

luxury to two penthouse baths

T

he story began when Geralynne Mitschke was given the brief: design two different luxury ensuites for two penthouse condos in the same building, the Atelier, in Vancouver.

“The developer [Magellen 20/20] wanted a classic, timeless and luxurious feel for each bathroom,” says Mitschke, interior design principal at Geralynne Mitschke Design. “They asked for a ‘wow factor,’ and they got it.

Whenever people walk into each bathroom, they gasp because each room is so stunning.”

Mitschke had already provided the interior design for the rest of the condo tower, a new-build project at 833 Homer Street by ITC Construction Group. Each penthouse was finished in the same urban-chic style with contemporary lines that served as a starting point for Mitschke’s vision.

The challenge: create two very different looks that complemented the existing contemporary style of each penthouse. Although they share the same floor, the two rooms are very different. One has windows; the other is an interior layout. They are like fraternal twins that share the same genes but have different personalities.

“I designed both rooms to incorporate a sense of luxury, while keeping the colour palette neutral so that they each stand on their own, or can be accented with colour later on,” Mitschke explains.

Both master bathrooms share certain elements, like the sleek, white-lacquer vanities (both from Benson) with silver pull handles and white-marble countertops.

Beyond that, they are as different as two siblings could be; one is an extrovert, the other an introvert.

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Photos: (above) Ema Peter Photography

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The extrovert Welcome to the spa above the city. This ensuite offers shameless sky-high views of the city, perfect for a midday mirage. Soak in the sights as you float in clouds of bath bubbles from the comfort of a deep, rectangular Zuma tub.

Wall-to-wall white marble covers the bathroom’s floors and walls, reflecting the natural light that streams in from the panels of windows next to the soaker tub.

The effect is clean and serene.

Nearby, the vanity features double sinks with separate

mirrors. Rather than painting the walls, Mitschke hiked up the wow factor with back-painted glass sheets that reflect the light and create an ethereal sense of transparency. Wall sconces light a subtle counterpoint to the sheen of glass.

The column is clad in glass-tile strips that are repeated in the shower. The curved sink cutouts, the gentle arc of the Dornbracht faucets and the circular columns soften the hard lines of the room for a perfect balance of contemporary comfort.

HOME MAKEOVER APRIL 2011

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3/23/11 11:16:27 AM

BATHROOM MAKEOVER

The introvert This room is like a cozy city hideaway, rich with texture and warm tones – from the refined grasscloth wall covering, which Mitschke obtained from Metro Wallcoverings, to the modern black-and-white art prints – both from the Vancouver Art Gallery Store – that grace the wall.

Step into this ensuite and your eyes are drawn to the main feature: an oval Kohler soaker tub that invites you in for a soothing soak. Then you notice the ultra-modern, chrome Grohe fixtures. “They are extremely well made,” says Mitschke. “The European faucets and fixtures are simple and stylish and always perfect in their proportion and scale.”

The shower stall is clad in white marble and an accent strip of tiles runs the vertical length of the wall to mirror the tone of the walls. Beauty is in the details; the vertical strip is made from a mixture of glass tile, white marble and charcoal limestone.

The room’s contemporary design is reflected in its linear details, from the large rectangular mirror and glass shelf to the square sink cutouts and cut-glass tray of perfume bottles. Recessed pot lights from MP Lighting add depth and create a spacious appeal while remaining unobtrusive.

The story of these two bathrooms is only beginning. Whoever buys these penthouse suites can either walk right in and enjoy the sense of timeless beauty that 16

Mitschke has created or personalize the spaces to suit their own tastes with splashes of colour and accessories.

“Either room is a beautiful place to be,” says Mitschke.

“The styles are separate but both have a timeless elegance to appeal to upscale urban tastes. All the buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.” ∞

Resources

Benson Industries, www.bensoncabinets.com, 604-266-4700 Dornbracht, www.dornbracht.com Geralynne Mitschke Design, 604-710-9237 Good and Quick Glass, www.goodandquickglass.com, 604-273-1735 Grohe, www.grohe.ca, 905-271-2929 Ican Tile Distributors, www.icanceramic.com, 604-299-0146 Kohler, www.kohler.ca, 800-456-4537 Margranite Industry, www. margranite.ceramstone.com, 604-435-4431 Metro Wallcoverings, www.metrowallcoverings.com, 604-736-9756 MP Lighting, www.mplighting.com, 604-708-1184 Vancouver Art Gallery Store, www.vanartgallery.bc.ca, 604-662-4706 Vitraform, www.vitraform.com, 888-338-5725 Zuma Collection, www.zumacollection.com

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3/23/11 11:16:41 AM

AMAZING SPACE

BY NOA GLOUBERMAN

SOLID

gold Artist Markian Olynyk was asked to depict the raw gold veins and nuggets embedded miles below the Earth’s surface in his hand-sculpted glass panels.

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3/23/11 11:16:57 AM

Bringing beauty and brand to office-space design

W

hen Eldorado Gold first moved into Burrard Street’s elegant Bentall 5 office building, the company required only a portion of the floor that it occupied. But, following a period of growth, it was time for the international gold producer to expand, spatially, and redo its interior to better reflect its business and brand.

The right designers for the job, Eldorado determined, were Céline Pitre, Diane Riffell and Sharon Lum of Céline Interiors in Vancouver. A 15-year relationship between the

After photos: Brad Laughton Photographics

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two firms further solidified the decision.

“They realized that they could describe their business to us very well, and that we were experts at translating their goals, how they want to be perceived as a company, into an architectural expression,” says Pitre. “Getting gold out of the ground is a dirty business with glittering results. Our design of this corporate office had to illustrate that story in the time it takes to flip a gold coin.”

To do so, the designers – working with general

The staff lounge, in tones of gold, lies just beyond the lobby’s doublesided glass wall.

HOME MAKEOVER APRIL 2011

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3/23/11 11:17:12 AM

AMAZING SPACE

(After, above) The lobby gives the

contractor CDC Construction and consulting lighting designer Margot Richards – decided to give the lobby the impression not just of a gold mine, but the entire life of a gold mine, from the rough, prefabrication stage through to the refined end result.

The first step was to bring construction materials that truly reflected Eldorado’s business – textured-stone wall tiles, sleek travertine floors and veneer millwork with stainless-steel insets – from the firm’s own mines in Turkey, China and Brazil to its world headquarters in the heart of Vancouver.

impression of not just a gold mine, but the entire life of a gold mine, from the rough, prefabrication starting stage straight through to the refined end result.

(Before, right) The goal: to transform a corporate-looking lobby into a space that truly represents one of Vancouver’s foremost gold producers.

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Natural Stone A world selection of

The designers opted to leave the lobby’s arched ceiling in place to give a “cave-like� feeling without choking the space. Where the arch is higher, Pitre

At your ďŹ ngertips

et al. created a wall with a “completely ďŹ nished, simple, clean paneled lookâ€?; the wall beneath the lower portion of the ceiling is treated with Turkish stone to exude the desired “unreďŹ nedâ€? look.

The designers opted to leave the lobby’s arched ceiling in place to give a “cave-likeâ€? feeling without choking the space. Where the arch is higher, Pitre et al. created a wall with a “completely ďŹ nished, simple, clean panelled look.â€?

The wall below the lower portion of the ceiling, however, is treated with Turkish stone that exudes the desired “unreďŹ nedâ€? look. The eect is not only breathtaking in its raw state, but perfectly juxtaposes the primal beauty of gold mining with an elegant head-oďŹƒce design.

Another showstopper: a molten vein of mosaic tile that ows the length of the lobby and beyond a glass partition, oering guests an iridescent visual pathway from elevators to reception desk. “Beyond being an eective way-ďŹ nder, this undulating ribbon of gold very much represents the lifeblood of Eldorado’s business,â€? Pitre explains. “People know immediately it’s a gold company; they also know intuitively which way to go.â€?

The gilded river originates from a double-sided glass wall at the far end of the lobby that serves as a stunning centrepiece for the space. Markian Olynyk, the artist who created the series of panels by hand, was asked to depict the raw gold veins and nuggets embedded deep below the Earth’s surface in his piece. “Combined with the light in the lobby, the glass wall glitters and achieves an expansion of depth in the space,� says Pitre of Olynyk’s work. “It’s beautiful in photos, but in person it’s drop-dead gorgeous – a golden tribute to Eldorado and the beauty and abundance right beneath our feet.� ∞

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TRENDS

BY JOANNA TYMKIW

Go with the

flow

Faucets that will change the look, feel and functionality of your kitchen

JOINT EFFORT The Kohler Karbon’s Swiss Army-like looks say it all: this faucet’s no lightweight. Made of carbon fibre and brass, its sturdy frame features multiple flex points that can hold any pose, letting you tailor the stream to suit your needs. Unlike other pull-down faucet heads, the Karbon won’t hang limp (unsightly) or snap back (just plain rude), and comes in several finishes – from black accents to brushed gold – to fit any kitchen. 1,300-1,900 from Ensuite Bath and Kitchen Showroom.

FINISHING TOUCH Equal parts substance and style make Pilar Delta’s most practical faucet to date. Thanks to Touch 2O technology, bumping any part of this faucet or its volumecontrol handle turns it on or off, reducing water waste and decreasing the risk of dangerous cross-contamination (salmonella, anyone?). It can even decipher between a grasp (when you’re shifting it) and a definitive tap.

In stainless steel or chrome, the Pilar is striking enough to stand out, yet promises to fuse flawlessly with your existing decor. 475-560 from Home Depot.

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HOME MAKEOVER APRIL 2011

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Photos: (top) Kohler; (bottom) Delta Faucets

3/23/11 11:17:50 AM

BONUS POINTS Craving a kitchen faucet with all the modern-day bells and whistles, but cringing at the latest designs? Moen had you in mind when designing its Boutique line, focusing on the soft angles and classic accents that figure in traditional kitchen schemes. Best of all, this faucet comes with bonuses aplenty, including a pause button and extra-long (68 inches, to be precise) pull-down hose for filling vessels beyond the confines of your sink.

Choose from various flow settings, including an aerated option for potential water savings of up to 30 per cent. 245-290 from Home Hardware.

CLEANUP ACT Knowing that big messes mean big cleanups, Moen streamlined its Solidad series to include as few “nooks and crannies” as possible. With over five feet of length in its pull-down hose and a pause button for water flow, this faucet lets you clean not only your sink but other parts of the kitchen, too. Choose a strong flow option to blast away debris or switch to an eco setting for a lighter rinse. Solidad even comes in a spot-resistant stainless-steel finish that minimizes messy smudges and fingerprints (chrome finish also available). 240-270 from Home Depot.

Easy

The original plumbing solution since 1958

above floor installation

1-800-363-5874 | www.saniflo.ca

Install a bathroom anywhere you need!

Self-contained toilet with macerating pump

ONE GALLON PER FLUSH!

Pumps up to 9’ vertically and 100’ horizontally Allows the connection of a sink

Garages

Photos: Moen

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Basements

Under the stairs

Cabanas

Uses approximately 38% less water than a standard 1.6 gpf toilet

HOME MAKEOVER APRIL 2011

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3/23/11 11:18:25 AM

TRENDS

GOOD FOR THE GOOSE PRO FORMA Grohe’s Ladylux deck-mount pot filler puts professional prestige in your corner, letting you fill pots right on the stove so you don’t have to leave your cooking unattended – just like a restaurant chef. Its jointed swing spout reaches the furthest corners of your cook top, eliminating dangerous reaching over hot surfaces and providing an added safety feature in your kitchen. Plus, its classically accented design and RealSteel finish allow it to blend into professional and private domains alike. 885 from Kitchen and Bath Classics.

Restaurant-quality kitchen items are gaining popularity in domestic settings, not just for their capabilities but also for their good looks. To this end, Vancouver’s Blu Bathworks has produced a sleek, industrial gooseneck swiveling spout faucet in an exclusive polished-chrome finish that works as well as it shows. Its vertical design saves much-needed counter space and its high arch – not to mention powerful pressure options – make it perfect for tackling large pots and pans. 750 from Blu Bathworks. ∞

Resources

Blu Bathworks, www.blubathworks.com, 604-299-0122 Ensuite Bath and Kitchen Showroom, www.emcobc.ca, 604-872-3371 Home Depot, www.homedepot.ca Home Hardware, www.homehardware.ca Kitchen and Bath Classics, www.wolseleyinc.ca, 604-873-0004

www. IDIBC.org

Registered Interior Designers are trained to listen to and understand your aspirations and help you design effective solutions to achieve your goals.

Selecting a qualified Interior Designer is one of the most significant decisions you can make.

HOW TO HIRE A PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGNER Take time to interview interior designers and check their references. Each designer should explain their design process, how they work, and what they charge for their services.

They should also ask you about your needs, timeline, and expectations. It’s important that both parties feel comfortable with the relationship before a contract is signed and work begins.

For the list of local registered profession designers (RID’s), please go to our member directory at http://www.idibc.org/find/ , or on our web site you can find our member directory by clicking on “FIND A DESIGNER” at the top of the page in the navigation bar.

REGISTERED INTERIOR DESIGN (RID) PRACTITIONERS SHARE THE BELIEF THAT DESIGN ENHANCES OUR ENVIRONMENTS AND MAKES A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO OUR LIVES.

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3/23/11 11:18:31 AM

HOME DECOR

BY BAILA LAZARUS

Searching for

treasure

Reality star Jillian Harris brings new life to old furnishings

V

ancouver designer Jillian Harris sure is busy these days. She’s jetting around, shooting ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition and redesigning the same Rocky Mountaineer glass-domed railway coach she boarded with eight handsome suitors back in 2009. But, when time allows, the one-time Bachelorette’s way of relaxing is still connected to home design.

She’ll “grab a coffee and drive out to the ’burbs” to find a unique piece of furniture to transform with her own creative style.

“I can’t afford the 10,000 couch downtown,” says Harris. “Finding my own piece gives me a chance to breathe again. It’s also a trend. People are looking for something unique that represents them. People are looking to scrounge.”

Living in Chicago with then-boyfriend Ed Swiderski, Harris would take opportunities to go scrounging herself.

“Ed would groan when I said we were going antiquing,” she laughs. “But he liked it as much as I did. In fact, I think he even liked it more. He found the table and chair.”

She’s referring to a brown seven-drawer desk and wooden chair with a burgundy velvet seat, which she painted white and adorned with porcelain knobs, transforming them into a lovely, romantic set.

“How I refurbish them depends on each item,” Harris explains. “Each item speaks to you. It depends on my mood. When I did the desk and chair, I was in this romantic mood.”

Another find was a Louis XV cane-backed chair, which she bought for 75 in New Westminster. For the seat material, Harris wanted to complement the chair’s lightcoloured legs, arms and backing; she sourced some goldand-white Schumacher fabric from Anne Starr Agencies in Vancouver and had the chair reupholstered on Oak Street for 200. The end result makes a stunning addition to her Kitsilano apartment.

Photos: (right, top & bottom) Jillian Harris; (bottom left): Ed Swiderski

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Former

Harris found this

Bachelorette

desk and chair in

Jillian Harris’

Rockford, Illinois,

idea of a good

when she lived

time is still

in Chicago with

connected to

then-boyfriend

home design.

Ed Swiderski. The desk was $75, the chair $25.

HOME MAKEOVER APRIL 2011

25

3/23/11 11:18:36 AM

HOME DECOR

Before Harris found this Louis XIV cane-back chair at Scholar’s Quay Antique Mall in New Westminster and paid $75 for it. “Now that chair will

After

last 100 years. It’s not going anywhere.�

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“It has new foam, new backing. Now that chair will last 100 years. It’s not going anywhere.�

When asked if she sets out to ďŹ nd certain pieces, Harris admits she leaves it more or less up to fate. “First, start o by not putting pressure on yourself to ďŹ nd something,â€? she says. “Go for a run and try to ďŹ nd stores.â€?

She adds that she likes the therapeutic value of shopping locally and supporting the environment by refurbishing. She also recommends that, if you plan to do the reupholstering yourself, don’t rush it, take your time and “sand properly.�

These days, however, Harris can barely follow her own advice. “Lately I have no time to do a whole lot of things. But if I’m in a new city, I’ll go antiquing. If I see something I like, I’ll buy it and send it back. I get a chance to go once a month.�

And what style turns her head these days? “It’s like ďŹ nding a good man, it’ll just feel right. Don’t try to think about it,â€? she advises, adding that there is no right or wrong when it comes to designing your own space. “The way we dress, the way we decorate, people don’t want a cookie-cutter space anymore. If you love a retro tulip table and you want to pair it with a cane-back Louis chair, go ahead. The theme to your house should be whoever you are inside.â€? ∞

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26 HOME MAKEOVER APRIL 2011

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Photos: (right) Gregory Goode; (left) Jillian Harris

3/25/11 10:00:31 AM

PROFESSIONAL INSIGHTS

BY BOB LEDINGHAM & TOM BAKKER

Design first

A

ll too often, we hear stories about design projects starting “on the fly,” and of homeowners left feeling frustrated, stuck or like giving up as a result – sad.

As professional designers, it’s our duty to coach and instruct you, the client, before any work begins on your home. Not only does a “design first” approach guarantee a better outcome, it also addresses all aspects of a new build or renovation and reduces cost. It’s cheaper to do some preliminary work on paper than it is to experiment with a builder.

From the very first meeting, it’s up to us to discover who you are, what’s important to you and why you need us. We need to listen, take inventory and translate your dream into something tangible. In fact, it may be more accurate to say that design comes second. Listening and building a relationship based on mutual trust is, in fact, first.

As the first hour passes, the excitement mounts. If we’ve done our job and painted a picture for you of the possibilities, you should start to see what could be; if you’re not moved by the discussion, we haven’t been successful as designers.

In order to determine what you need and want, we must try and learn everything we can about you in that first meeting: what’s your home like? What kind of car do you drive? What are you wearing? Do you have children?

Do you like to entertain? We’ll likely fire a lot of questions at you – some quite personal (where do you prefer to install the toilet-paper holder?).

Keep in mind: it is personal. It is emotional. It is important that we “read” and understand you well. It’s easy to build a nice home, yacht, hotel or office, but to design something that’s completely tailored to suit your needs, taste and lifestyle requires skill, not to mention attention to the most minute detail, from appliances to paint colours to lighting to countertops.

A designer once noted: “Your environment must nourish you. If things are not working right or are in the wrong place, you will be robbed of energy. Over time, it will rob you of a lot of energy.” To this end, pre-planning is the critical first step to a great, harmonious project.

This idea of “design first” needs to be better advocated in our industry. If you, the client, entrust us with your hard-earned money, we designers have an obligation to listen to you, to take you seriously and to be the best possible stewards of your assets.

Photo: Brian Hawkes

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As the client, you deserve to know what you can expect working with a professional designer. It’s our obligation to properly prepare and design your project first.

It’s the only way we can fulfil – better yet, exceed – your expectations. Every time.

Design first checklist Before beginning a project on your behalf, a professional designer will first determine the following: ĂWhat are your requirements? ĂWhat are your daily life patterns? How are you going to use your new space? ĂHow will you interact in the space? ĂHow much space do you need? ĂWhat furniture do you own and wish to take with you? ĂDo you have children? Pets? ĂDo you entertain and enjoy cooking, or do you need a good phone station to make dinner reservations? ∞ HOME MAKEOVER APRIL 2011

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3/23/11 11:19:00 AM

FINISHING TOUCHES

BY THE HEATHERS

Heather Stewart and Heather Kleim

Putting your best home forward

P

(Above) Two existing sofas were shifted to the main floor to create a more polished seating area.

(Right) Clutter in the living room took away from the home’s incredible beachfront view.

28

Before

HOME MAKEOVER APRIL 2011

0.00_HM10_APRIL.indd 28

repping a house for sale can seem like a big job, especially when it’s a 3,700-square-foot space inhabited by a family of four. When we were contacted by the owner of this Lions Bay home, he told us his goal was to sell his property by showing it in its very best light – without adding any unnecessary disruption to his busy family’s life.

We met the homeowner a few days after Christmas, just as he was about to leave town on a month-long business trip. His family members, however, were staying behind, and would continue to occupy the house during its listing. This automatically meant we had to create Photos: (top) Brian Hawkes; (after photos) www.lionellorence.com

3/23/11 11:19:12 AM

solutions that worked with their daily routines and do our absolute best not turn their lives upside down.

The kitchen, living room and craft area saw the highest levels of traffic in the house. They were also the most visible upon entering the home. As such, de-cluttering was a big part of this project; we wanted to prevent potential buyers from being distracted by the “stuff” and help them focus on the incredible beachfront view.

We shuffled the furniture around the house, shifting two armchairs to the gym/den area and putting the two existing sofas on the main floor to create a more polished seating area. The effect wasn’t just pleasing to the eye, it also worked to draw your attention to the ocean that was visible from virtually every angle.

Before staging, the busy family kitchen was a wellused hub of the home. Only after tidying the counters did we notice the spectacular natural-stone backsplash that was sure to be a selling point for buyers. Without decluttering this small detail would have been missed.

For practical purposes the dining area had been moved aside for play space, but once we relocated the sofa this room felt far too empty. We repositioned the dining table to a more central location that provided plenty of space around to ensure smooth traffic flow.

We then set the table to suggest family meals and

(Above) Tidying the kitchen counters revealed a spectacular naturalstone backsplash that was sure to be a selling point for buyers.

(Left) Before staging, the busy family kitchen was

Before

a well-used hub of the home.

HOME MAKEOVER APRIL 2011

0.00_HM10_APRIL.indd 29

29

3/23/11 11:19:39 AM

PROFESSIONAL INSIGHTS

Trick of the trade: set the dining room table to suggest family meals and entertaining. This helps potential homebuyers imagine themselves living in the space.

entertaining – a “trick of the trade” that lets potential buyers imagine themselves living in the space with ease.

The craft area was a popular place for the kids, who spent time creating their very own masterpieces there; unfortunately, the space didn’t look like much of a masterpiece. That’s where we came in. Because the children still needed access to the room, we had to tap our own creativity to make it show just as well as the rest of the house. We packed all the items normally stored on top of the workstations in decorative boxes and tucked them out of sight (yet within easy reach of little hands) and added drapery panels across the shelving unit.

In staging terminology, this project was considered a “redesign.” We used what was already in the home and strategically added a few key rental items to pull the rooms together. By redistributing existing furniture and carefully considering the daily lives of the homeowners, we transformed this house into a property that not only takes your breath away, but also maintains its value as a fully functional home. ∞ Heather Kleim and Heather Stewart are The Heathers, collaborating on home-staging projects throughout the Lower Mainland. www.theheathers.ca

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30

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HOME MAKEOVER APRIL 2011

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3/23/11 11:19:52 AM

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3/23/11 11:19:52 AM

At Home Hardware Building Centre and Home Hardware stores we listen to make sure whatever we do reflects your preferances, your style, your sense of personal comfort.

From the planning stage to the last finishing touches, everything will be just as you imagined.

Come in and let us help you turn any plain area in your bathroom into a unique showpiece.

A simple phone call or visit to your local Home Hardware Building Centre or Home Hardware store can start things rolling. www.homehardware.ca

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3/23/11 11:20:05 AM