FineHomes Saskatoon Summer 2013 by Fine Lifestyles

SUMMER 2013 | VOLUME 4 ISSUE 2

SASKATOON

TOUCHSTONE DEVELOPMENT CORP: Creating Innovative Homes

THE COTTAGE LIFESTYLE MEREDITH HERON: DESIGNING OUTDOOR LIVING ROOMS SHELL BUSEY: IT’S EASY TO CONSERVE RESOURCES KEN BEATTIE: TROPICAL REFLECTIONS

WESTERN

CARPET ONE

610 Cynthia Street • 306.665.6640 www.westerncarpetonesaskatoon.com Stores Hours: M-F 8:30am - 5:30pm • Sat - 9am-5pm Saskatoon & Region Home Builders Association, Inc.

Naturally Beautiful

Featured Product

Live Edge Design Reclaimed Maple Wood Built from salvaged trees brought down by storms or left behind by forest companies and construction companies. Our favourite is the Western Bigleaf Maple (acer macrophyllum), sought after by luthiers, wood turners and carvers for its exceptional colour and figure. The rich contours of this live edge give a sculptural quality to our furniture.

Live Edge Desig n

dining table

On its journey to become your custom made furniture, the tree is milled into massive slabs, innovatively dried, exquisitely designed, expertly crafted and finely finished. The result is spectacular West Coast Natural furniture built to last for generations. The unique pieces command attention and conversation. Your guests will love the story of the tree that became your treasure. Naturally Beautiful! Find us on Facebook!

Custom Furniture for the Entire Home

810 Broadway Avenue â&#x20AC;˘ 382-2373 â&#x20AC;˘ www.moderncountryinteriors.com

BEAUTIFY YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND ADD VALUE TO YOUR PROPERTY • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Rough grading to ensure proper surface drainage Finish grading Sub-surface drainage Paving stone Retaining wall Architectural grade landscape lighting Outdoor rooms Outdoor fireplaces Pergolas, privacy louvers, screened-in rooms Irrigation system installation Natural stone patios and pathways Mulch Shrub and flower bed design and installation Water features Crushed rock and other decorative aggregates Sod installation

306.280.6609

luke@city-gardens.ca | www.city-gardens.ca

landscape construction

We’re passionate about saving you money. Don’t buy another thing until you’ve attended a free DirectBuy Open House. There, you’ll learn just how much the things you want and need for your home really cost. Incredible savings, unmatched selection, exceptional service - you’ll find it all at DirectBuy!

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WHO’S DESIGNING YOUR NEXT HOME? WE ARE THE DESIGN SPECIALISTS FOR: Saskatoon’s Best Home Builders • Private Home Owners • Cottages

A5C–116 103rd Street 306.477.5954

Lame to Game

Winston used to spend Friday nights alone, dressed in adult-sized super hero costumes. Then Five Star Painting came by. Now he can’t keep the ladies away. For Winston, color made all the difference.

Is it time to take your space from lame to game?

Color

Makes All the Difference

888.5STAR99 FiveStarPainting.com (888-578-2799)

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4/29/2013 3:21:37 PM

FineHomes SASKATOON

WITH FINE HOMES EDITOR ERIN LEGG

ach summer my family and I spend time at the cabin. It’s a time we look forward to every year: al fresco dining, meandering through the woods, snacks on the beach after a day in the water, checking out the local town, seeing who can spot the most wildlife. Some of the best memories of the year are made at our home-away-from-home. This issue of Fine Homes Saskatoon celebrates the cottage lifestyle. What’s your favourite part about getting away from it all?

Do you want to discover a new level of living? Touchstone Development Corp is a Saskatoonbased homebuilding firm that specializes in designing and building custom homes, the kind with that little something “else” that you don’t come across every day. Our cover story this summer features this creative and prestigious company, exploring its philosophy behind creating one-of-a-kind homes for the discerning buyer. Take a walk through one of Touchstone’s custom creations on Lucyk Rise here in the city, and see for yourself a truly unique home. This issue also features our regular columnists: Meredith Heron shares ideas for creating an outdoor living space, Ken Beattie discusses adding tropical plants to the garden, and Shell Busey gives tips on conserving resources. I wish you all the best this summer! finemags

@finemags

Summer 2013 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 2 www.finelifestyles.ca Associate Editor Erin Legg

erinl@finelifestyles.ca

Graphic Design Amber Moon Danielle Austin DeAnne Bell Elisa Malfitana Lisa Redden

Staff Writers Julie Mushynsky Nykea Marie Behiel Paul Sinkewicz Tobie Hainstock Trina Annand Rebecca Schneidereit

Cover Photography Lisa Landrie

Photography Heather Fritz Lisa Landrie adjile.ca Luke Nieman Miles New Nadine Peppler Paul Sinkewicz Trent Lepp

Contributing Writers Advertising Consultants

Brook Thalgott Candace M. Fox Chris Doucher Gordon Ramsay Ken Beattie Meredith Heron Shell Busey

Distribution Cathie Watson Crystal Reich Deborah Paul 306.612.2390 306.222.7102 306.221.4945 cathie@finelifestyles.ca crystal@finelifestyles.ca debbiep@finelifestyles.ca

Jason Booker 306.290.8487 jason@finelifestyles.ca

Jillian Miller 306.850.1224 jillianm@finelifestyles.ca

wayne@finelifestyles.ca

Fine Homes Saskatoon is published four times a year by Fine Lifestyles Ltd. All contents of Fine Homes publications are copyrighted 2013 with all rights reserved, except for original articles submitted to Fine Homes, where copyright resides with the author. No other part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Fine Homes. The views and opinions expressed in the expert advice columns herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Fine Homes or the companies it represents. Although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act upon such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation. Canada Post Publication Agreement #41818060 Return undeliverables to: 3440 Balsam Grove; Regina, Saskatchewan; S4V 1H1

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What’sInside

FEaTuRE STORIES 35 COVER: Touchstone Development Corp. 40 Meredith Heron: The Outdoor Living Room

62 Ken Beattie: Tropical Reflections 68 Shell Busey: It’s Easy to Conserve Resources

52 Lofty Ideas

78 The Cottage Lifestyle

58 Eco-Friendly Bathroom

87 Gordon Ramsay’s Strawberry Tart

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Lofty

ideas 78 DEPaRTMEnTS 10

Homes and Properties

40 Inner Beauty 58 Bed and Bath 62 Outdoor Living and Landscapes 68 Improvements and Renovations

87 68

BY ERIN LEGG PHOTOS HEATHER FRITZ

oft living is simplistic. It is attractive. It off a distinctive and upscale way of life for th who enjoy space and luxury.

Once considered a largely bohemian trend, loft liv is an attractive and viable living option for toda modern professionals. The conversion of histo warehouses or manufacturing facilities into c residential spaces is a trend all across the world, a Saskatoon is no exception. The Rumley Distinct Lofts in the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s west downtown neighbourho offers sophisticated living with the historic cha of buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sTrends original fixtures. Oversized windo 78theSeasonal offer views of the city, high ceilings create the airin 86 Food and Entertainment loft owners enjoy, and the exposed brick adds rus architectural Additionally, the centrally-loca 90 Realtorappeal. Directory 2nd Avenue Lofts attracts modern profession 94 Home Services Directory to its contemporary converted space, boast stunning downtown views and a urban rooftop pati FineHomes

SASKATOON

Functional MudrooMs By Julie Mushynsky

udrooms are the entries to your home, the barriers between the indoors and outdoors and the home’s final checkpoint. Typically located at the rear or side entrances of homes, mudrooms serve two main purposes: to stop all the unwanted mess from being tracked through the house and as a place to store your outdoor and recreational clothing and items. A mudroom’s main appeal is that it decreases the clutter and increases the cleanliness in the rest of the house. Aside from the practicality of a mudroom, there are several ways to design your mudroom into one of the finest features a home can have. Mudroom ideas are endless and you can be as creative as you like, but here are some essentials to include in your design. Regardless of whether you are building a mudroom as part of your new

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home build or re-vamping your porch, ensure the mudroom addresses you and your family’s lifestyle and needs.

up jackets and backpacks. Pegs mounted just above the floor work well for drying off wet mittens, gloves and shoes.

Storage

Make use of vertical space by creating long cabinets, or locker style spaces for hanging gear. You can leave these open or incorporate doors to hide any clutter.

Taking advantage of your space with appropriate storage is key to making the mudroom functional. Storage options largely depend on who uses the room and how. Make sure to use plenty of wall hooks or wooden shaker pegs, preferably a style that coordinates with the rest of your home and can actually hold up what you are hanging. Flimsy plastic hooks would not be ideal for wet jackets or heavy sports gear, for example. When installing hooks, be sure to leave enough room between each or stagger them so that items like heavy winter coats don’t appear crammed together. Install hooks within kids’ reach so they can easily hang

Plenty of shelving, cubby holes and pullout drawers are essential both at floor height and out of children’s reach. Floorlevel shelving and cubbies are perfect for shoes and boots, but ensure you place a lightweight liner to catch dirt and water. Use baskets placed in cubby holes for each person’s smaller possessions and make adult spaces higher. If your mudroom will be housing recreational equipment, like skates and helmets, install special shelving and holders for these items. A tall umbrella stand works great for skis and hockey sticks.

Flooring and Walls Mudrooms are meant to get dirty and so the materials used to build them should be durable and easy to clean. The flooring you use should withstand wear and tear and be water, stain and slip-resistant. Carpet and hardwood are not ideal choices for the mudroomâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; carpet is difficult to clean and hardwood is not moisture resistant. Consider slip-resistant porcelain, ceramic or stone tile and the darker the colour the better. Doormats inside and outside the doorway are great for wiping off dirt, catching sand and soaking up excess water. If your space is large enough, you could install a central drain to hose down the floor in the mudroom. Alternatively, have a hose set up just outside the doorway to wash off before drying off inside. When deciding on wall coverings, vinyl wallpaper is a good choice. It cleans easily and can add colour or a pattern to a room. Others opt for a high-gloss paint with obvious regular repainting. Panelling such as wainscoting is a

great option. Not only is it durable and protective, it is also easy to clean and adds some elegance to the room. For baseboards, vinyl cove is lowmaintenance, inexpensive and an ideal choice if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re mopping often.

Making it More Convenient For You A sturdy place to sit while pulling off shoes or inline skates is handy. Benches and stools are more stable than chairs. Seating should be located off the path that leads to the rest of the house and clear of the door swing area. A builtin bench or window seat, hinged at the top or with a drawer below can add extra storage. Many people also incorporate laundry rooms within their mudroom. With a washer and dryer handy, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to just toss the dirty laundry into the wash or hamper. Mudrooms can also be constructed for use as a pet grooming centre by installing a farm sink, chain-link kennel, and using cabinets for food storage.

Consider putting in a water cooler. That way, kids do not have to come all the way into the house for a drink when playing outside. Since mudrooms are typically the last place you are in before you leave the house and the first place you enter, make it useful. Hang cork, chalk or whiteboards up for quick reminders and notes to family members. A mudroom is a logical spot for a key rack and a paper and bottle recycling centre. A wall-mounted shelf or a decorative bowl is a great a spot for dropping mail and keys. Also, remember to hang mirrors for those last minute make-up and hair checks. FHS

Closet & Mudroom Design Tips

You know how they say men are from Mars and women are from Venus? Well the same may apply when it comes to clothing storage. The needs of men and women can be very different: hanging versus folding, pants versus dresses, and shoes versus t-shirts. The ratios of each of these, as well as sizes of the spaces allocated to them, differ.

Marina Arthur

Here are some tips that will help when considering the design of a shared closet.

Senior Design Consultant Superior Cabinets 747 46th Street West Saskatoon 306.667.6600 www.superiorcabinets.ca

Jeans, sweaters, and other knit tops should be folded, so they are best placed on a shelf. Make sure that the shelf is not too deep so space is not wasted. Allocate adequate space for short hanging items such as pants and shirts, as both of you will require space for these items. It is also important to allow some space for long hanging items such as dresses and coats.

CLOSET DESIGN

hy is the closet such an important place and how can it make your morning great? I love the idea of a well-organized closet. Making it easy to find something to wear that is not wrinkled from being shoved into a disorganized space can help you start your day on a great note. It is also a place very close to my heart because it is where I store my shoes.

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Including upper storage space is a great plan for out of season storage. This means you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exaggerate your daily wardrobe options which will improve morning time efficiency. Some other must haves for the closet, especially for the feminine side, include drawers to hold your accessories and small items, a full length mirror, and some shoe storage to help you get that one-stop shopping feeling at home. Additional convenient items you can include are a portable laundry hamper and a pull-out ironing board.

You will both enjoy the rewards of a wellorganized closet.

MUDROOM DESIGN Mudroom design is much like closet design. It incorporates many of the same concepts in relation to convenience and efficiency. It is important to design these areas in a fashion that allows for functional storage solutions and ease of use for day to day life. A recent example of a mudroom design we did incorporated beautiful design and functionality for the family. Cabinetry was installed at the back entrance that lead to the garage, as the family uses this entrance the majority of the time. Tall cabinets allow for storage of coats and other hanging items, as well as shoes. Upper open shelves were added to store baskets for off-season items. A bench was incorporated where they could sit to put on shoes, and lower drawers were added for easy access to store commonly used items. Hooks in the open space allowed for the children to easily hang everyday coats and backpacks so they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t end up on the floor. The layout in the area from the garage into the home was intended to marry fashionable, smart design with day-to-day functionality. Superior Cabinets offers many solutions for closet and mudroom design, as well as kitchens, bathrooms, family rooms and entertainment spaces. Visit our showroom for design ideas and to meet with one of our design experts. FHS

L-R Bonnie, Sookie (dog), Mila, Dean, Doreen, Garry

LAKE LIVING. URBAN CONVENIENCE. Saskatoon’s newest lakeside community, is just 25 minutes away on the popular Blackstrap Lake. Sunterra Ridge is being developed by a family who has enjoyed Blackstrap Lake for four generations. Located seven minutes off the highway by Dundurn, and part of the existing Resort Village of Shields, Sunterra Ridge boasts many unique features for those looking to get away from it all . . . every day. • Fully serviced walkout lots that back green space or the golf course Saskatoon

SHIELDS

Dundurn

Blackstrap Lake

• High pressure City of Saskatoon water and sewage system (no expensive holding tanks, pressure systems, septic tanks or pumps) • Golfing, water sports, year round fishing, many other outdoor activities and fine dining at the Hole in the Wall Restaurant • Roadside garbage pick up, street snow removal • School bus pick up • Use our builder, or choose your own • Architectural controls

w w w. S u n t e r ra R i d g e . c o m 306.280.2563 | info@sunterraridge.com |

Looking for a New Home? Where to Start?

A Realtor is a professional 3rd party actingmortgage, on your behalf. haveone, access if youWe have and if there either be an acceptance, rejection or a I want to sell my home and I have had to theisMLS system and will have a payout penalty. You willover also discuss counter offer. As soon as we have an 3 different agents give me 3 different 500 agents in Saskatoon working to sell mortgage rates and the different types prices, whyaccepted is that? contract, we will go to work your home, and can show it at any time. of financing that are available to you. If to remove the conditions. The house is We pre-screen buyers to make sure they you don’t have a mortgage broker, I can Home pricing a and few you subjective are qualified and financially prepared to then has “sold” can get packing and recommend one to you. variables involved. not all about buy the home. We are trained to handle preparedIt’s for possession day. and size! Ask how they came up objections 2. Callandme!negotiations. I will meetOften, with youlocation to with the price what they going to owners see their home in a perfect light It isand essential asare a buyer that you have a discuss your wants and needs, desired do to sell your home. Again, you need to while a buyer may see things that are areas, and timing. If you need to sell real estate agent that you trust to keep work with an agent that you trust. FHS undesirable to them. Buyers do not want

Kerri KerriTucker Tucker Real Estate Agent

Your Agent. Your Advocate.

Century 21 FUSION CenTury 21 Fusion 703 Circle Drive East real estate Agent 306.222.0542 306.222.0542 Kerri.tucker@century21.ca kerri.tucker@century21.ca www.kerritucker.com

www.kerritucker.com

eciding to move is sometimes difficult, but with the right professionals in your corner it is an exciting time. Here, I have made looking for a new homes as simple as 1-2-3: 1. Talk to your mortgage broker and find out what you can comfortably afford. Also, understand your current

your current home, we will get that process started. Then I search all of the available properties that meet your criteria and send you instant notification when a new listing pops up. We will arrange a time to go “shopping” to check out the homes you want to see. I will help you to keep your wants and needs in mind as it is sometimes easy to get distracted. When we find the home you want to offer on, I will research the property and area further to make sure you are paying the right price for the home. 3. Time to put pen to paper. Actually, I am a paperless agent, so you will sign on a tablet, but you get the idea! I will discuss your options and we will write an offer subject to appropriate conditions (financing, inspections, etc.). I submit the offer to the sellers agent and then we will get a response from them. The response will

your best interest in mind during this process. Call, text, or email me anytime to discuss your real estate goals and how I can help you to achieve them. FHS

Shayna Hobman, interior designer

Great renos happen by desiGn text and photos By Paul Sinkewicz

urious neighbours can only guess at the transformation taking place inside the house with the red construction disposal bin out front. Character homes in the Varsity View area are highly regarded, and the stately, two-story white stucco gem on Elliott Street, just steps away from the University of Saskatchewan, is no exception. McMorrow Construction, specialists in custom renovations, has been tasked with updating the interior of the local treasure. Its previously utilitarian and under-used basement—home to an ancient boiler and not much more—will be reborn as a cozy refuge, with a sitting area, bathroom and spare bedroom. Later, the crews will move upstairs to the bright, but cramped, kitchen to improve the use of space and update the style, and then to the top floor where the main bathroom is begging for fixtures that don’t predate the Riders’ first Grey Cup win. Overseeing the renovation is McMorrow Project Manager Clayton Connell and company owner Steve McMorrow. Also on the project will be the newest McMorrow staff member, interior design technician Shayna Hobman. “Shayna has creativity to spare,” says

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McMorrow. “She will give our clients a fresh perspective on their projects and show them what is possible. She is also a draftsperson, so we can keep all our projects in-house and control timelines more efficiently.” Hobman describes the Elliott Street house as very traditional in its layout. She says modern homes will have very open and clear sight-lines. In older homes, the spaces are separate and segmented by intended purpose. “The strength of a house like this is the character,” says Hobman. “There are a ton of little details that you wouldn’t even notice when you first walk, in but you appreciated the longer you are in the home.” Hobman’s philosophy is to see the strengths of home, like the beautiful hardwood flooring in the current project home, and bring them out while pushing some of the less desirable quirks to the background a little bit. In the basement of the Elliott Street home sits an ancient

boiler, dusty and rusty and just in the way. Instead of increasing the expense of the project by taking the unneeded boiler out, the McMorrow team will be turning it into a positive. The antique will be polished up and become a focal point of the sitting area—a historical conversation piece. Hobman says the process of seeing the possibilities in a house starts with a conversation with the owners. But it is once she is on site that the ideas really begin to percolate. “The way that I work it is I like to start from the bones of the house. So first I assess all the things that might be issues and have to be fixed— the insulation, plumbing and electrical— and deconstruct it in my mind,” says Hobman. “From there I like to ask how the space will be used and how it might complement the home. Is it going to be a reading area? Will there be a high traffic flow? And then I start sketching out ideas from there.” Hobman says anything is possible, really. It’s just a matter of finding a solution to

the problems, and weighing the benefits versus the costs. “I like bouncing my outlandish ideas off Steve and Clayton. They give me the freedom to express my creativity, but they have so much experience they help steer me around potential problems and keep costs down. They are also both very open to ideas and feedback, and that makes us work very well together as a team.” FHS

McMorrow Construction 2207 1st Avenue North Saskatoon 306.244.9734 mcmorrow@sasktel.net www.mcmorrowconstruction.ca

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standing L–R Reagan Baliski, Clark Dziadyk sitting L–R Ron Baliski, MaryAnn Baliski, Cindy Baliski, Dan Bader

Bridge City homegrown Dynamic Real estate team By Paul Sinkewicz Photos HeatHer Fritz

ne of the most effective real estate teams in the world hammers its red, white and blue signs into Saskatoon lawns. It’s also one of the most tightly-knit groups of real estate professionals you could meet. Ron Baliski Realty Inc.— Saskatoon Associates is made up of Ron and MaryAnn Baliski; son Reagan Baliski; Clark Dziadyk, brother-in-law to Reagan; daughter-in-law Cindy Baliski; and Dan Bader, who the group laughingly calls the adopted son.

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“It really is like a family business,” says Ron. “It’s that close relationship, so the trust and comfort are already there.” The formula is working so well, Baliski Realty is the top-ranked team in Saskatoon for RE/MAX, and is number six in Western Canada. In fact, with almost 100,000 RE/MAX agents around the world, the Baliski team ranks number 59. “When you can place like that in the whole system, that speaks highly of what you’re doing as a team,” says Ron. “This

is Saskatoon and we’re a small team. A lot of teams are 10 or 15 or even 20 people, so I think that speaks very highly of the way we do our business.” MaryAnn and Cindy handle the administrative duties, website maintenance and advertising requirements, freeing up agents Ron, Reagan, Clark and Dan to concentrate on serving clients. Frequent meetings and communication keep each agent well informed. They trade ideas and work to support each other, making their busy schedules work for clients.

“What happens when you have only one agent working for a seller is there is only one point of contact,” says Ron. “With us, there are four people working all the time and so we are in touch with a lot of people in the course of our work. We carry 20 to 30 listings at any one time and we get calls for all of them, generating interest. That’s good for buyers and sellers.” Ron anchors the team with his 28 years of experience, while Reagan, Clark and Dan bring a variety of backgrounds to the mix. Reagan is educated in the field of commerce, Clark comes from an entrepreneurial family in the construction industry, and Dan has a farming background that makes him invaluable on rural property transactions. “That’s what makes us a very wellrounded team. We have experience, youth and energy. And specialization in all the different kinds of neighbourhoods,” says Clark.

All four agents have experience with home building or working with builders. “Working with all these builders, we have the relationships in place to help our clients,” says Dan. “They might need to find someone to build a deck, for example. It’s not just buy or sell a home with me and now you’re out on your own.” Reagan says the team feels it has a duty to every seller to invest in different avenues of advertising. While many agents rely on the Multiple Listing Service® system, the team maximizes exposure as well on various websites and numerous newspaper and magazine advertising. “The exposure that we offer as a team with our advertising budget is incredible,” explains Reagan. “We invest more of our budget on serving the customer better. There is a cost to that, but we end up winning in referrals and customer loyalty.”

Ron says the longer he is in the real estate business, the more he finds people rely on trust. “It’s about trust. It’s about relationships. It’s about respect. It’s about a proven track record, knowledge and integrity.” This is why people The Associates. FHS

choose

Ron Baliski Realty Inc. #250-1820 8th Street East Saskatoon 306.242.6000 www.saskatoonassociates.com Ron Baliski: 306.221.0421 Reagan Baliski: 306.290.7377 Clark Dziadyk: 306.227.2036 Dan Bader: 306.371.7760

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l–r Kelly Steckler, Nicole Cronk Ketchabaw, Graham Wisser, Amy Cockburn, Sandra Dyck, Doug Schmidt, Carrie Schmidt

Your Biggest Investment

Needs a Reliable desigNeR BY Julie Mushynsky photos lisa landrie

our perfect dream home, customized exclusively for you. Most people think it begins with the builder. Actually, it begins with the designer. Building your new home is arguably the biggest and most important investment you will make, so you will want some assistance with the design. That is where the team at CADvantage Design Limited comes in. Opened in 1998, CADvantage specializes in custom home design and drafting services for builders and private individuals. “We also do some commercial office design and some renovation work too, but we primarily focus on new homes,” explains Doug Schmidt, owner of CADvantage. Their work also includes designing cabins and acreages all over western Canada.

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One of the pioneers of the trade in Saskatoon, Doug has been in the business for over 20 years and works with many local contracts and private individuals. Some of the designers and drafting companies in Saskatoon started their careers with Doug at CADvantage. CADvantage employs six experienced architectural technologists who are welleducated in building science and design principles. This means you receive highquality drawings of your home that are done properly and up to code. Their experience and expertise can also save you money. “Not all drawings are equal,” says Doug. “Bad or incorrect drawings will cost you money in the long run. You need to take into consideration small details like trim fittment in order to prevent delays and alterations during the building phase of a home.” Because they

know their stuff, CADvantage has often been asked to redraw drawings from other companies to fix errors. CADvantage technologists are not just CAD draftspeople―they are expert consultants. “We not only draw, we are here to answer questions, guide and assist people in their decisions. We meet with clients and go through the design room-by-room addressing the clients’ needs and wants, and ensuring their ideas are feasible and comply with building codes. We consider things like resale value as well,” says Doug. Premier builders in Saskatoon choose Doug and CADvantage for their most unique and custom home designs. “We are very satisfied with CADvantage. The best part is they don’t rush my customers. They stick with it until it’s done right and the customer is happy. They put up the

design right on the screen and answer all my customers’ questions then and there. We’ve used CADvantage for $400,000 to 2 million dollar homes, and it is always stress-free and professional,” says Bruce Farbacher, owner of Norwood Developments Limited. Doug and his team also have good working relationships with many leading sub-trades, suppliers, city officials and inspectors. They speak with them on a regular basis to understand their specifications and incorporate them into the design and drawings they provide. For expert advice and to design a home the way you want, give CADvantage a call. They look forward to working with you on your next project. For more information, visit their website at cadvantagedesign.com. FHS

CADvantage Design Limited 103-3718 Kinnear Place Saskatoon 306.373.3805 www.cadvantagedesign.com |

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Lorri Walters and Trent Lepp, photo by Lisa Landrie

Personable and Professional by Tobie HainsTock and cHris doucHer

orri Walters and Trent Lepp of Walters & Lepp Realty Group are dedicated professionals that will help you buy or sell a home with integrity and professionalism. These two smart and experienced realtors joined forces in January 2013. They are well-versed in marketing homes and they offer the best in service that you’re looking for in a ReaLToR ® .

Lorri Walters Lorri, in her fifth year as a ReaLToR ® , is committed to helping her clients make their dreams come true. Whether buying or selling, she is dedicated to making your transition to a new home a wonderful and stress-free experience. Lorri has your best interests at heart and she won’t let you settle for second best. “The happiness of my clients comes first

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for me, and sometimes that means being very honest with them,” says Lorri.

Trent Lepp Trent began his career as a photographer, working with a real estate marketing company in Vancouver, where he learned what it takes to succeed in real estate. With this background, accompanied by his marketing experience, Trent is able to effectively showcase your home. Trent says working with Lorri has been an ideal fit because they both have an unwavering work ethic and love what they do. Trent’s photography says more than words when it comes to showcasing your home to potential buyers.

Expert Marketing Exceptional Service Service is a top priority for Walters & Lepp Realty Group as they understand the stress involved in moving to a new home.

“We try to make everything as simple as possible,” states Trent. “The last thing our clients need are headaches.” Let Walters & Lepp do the searching for you. Their knowledge of the active market and open communication with their clients allow them to suggest new listings that would be of interest to buyers. Lorri and Trent take care of every detail from day one, so there are no last-minute surprises when buying or selling your home. When selling your home, you want to have plenty of potential buyers viewing it. Walters & Lepp excels in their ability to market real estate by utilizing only the best in professional photography, videos and cutting-edge virtual tools. No matter what kind of home you are looking for, Walters & Lepp offer the same impeccable service to all of their clients.

90 Cathedral Bluffs This gorgeous custom build in Saskatoon’s Cathedral Bluffs has a warm chalet-like feel usually reserved for high-end ski resorts. Fantastic wood and stonework make this house something that has to be seen! FHS Walters & Lepp Realty Group www.wlrealtygroup.com Lorri Walters ReaLtoR® 306.221.3075 lorri@wlrealtygroup.com

431 Paton Place a stunning custom home in Willowgrove, this 1,916-square-foot bungalow is exquisitely finished. From the 12-foot coffered ceiling in the living room to the expansive master en suite, there’s no shortage of things to fall in love with.

trent Lepp ReaLtoR® 306.715.0443 trent@wlrealtygroup.com interior photos by Trent Lepp

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ABOVE L–R Brad and Tracy Schiele, owners

When the Owner is the Builder,

You Can ExpECt MorE BY Julie Mushynsky photos lisa landrie

The People

rad Schiele, owner of Saskatoon’s Cody Construction, has worked in the construction industry for years. In high school he spent his summers working with a contractor. In university he worked as a framer and interior finisher. After that, Brad spent nearly five years as a general foreman for a home building company. His experience and quality of workmanship led him to take on his own projects. “Most of the

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work I was doing from 1996 to 2004 was in a smaller northwest Saskatchewan city where we had to know and do all aspects of home building. We needed to know how to work with everything from concrete to making cabinets,” says Brad. Since taking on so much of his own work, it just seemed natural to open his own company. So, in 2004, with Brad as the builder and his wife Tracy on the business and designing end, the Schieles opened Cody Construction.

Cody Construction specializes in custom home building and renovations. The company builds 6 to 10 homes each year, most custom-built and approximately two built-to-sell. “We find that many of our clients want something unique, but at the same time functional. Basically, they are looking to build their dream home,” says Tracy. Most of Cody Construction’s clients come to them with a range of ideas. “Some have blueprints. Some have ideas,

but nothing on paper. My favourites are those that come to us with a stack of paper cut-outs from books and magazines requesting an exterior design, floor plan, kitchen or bathroom like those in the photographs,” says Brad.

The Business Cody Construction is a full service builder, from the design stage to completion. To assist with the home building experience, Brad and Tracy take clients to see already completed homes first. This helps to give clients a visual while also showing what is available within different budgets. “Different does not mean expensive. We show them different ways to make a unique looking house and still make it affordable,” explains Brad. What sets Cody Construction apart is that the owner is hands-on. Brad conducts about 50 per cent of the build himself, so the face you see at the initial consultation is the face you see building your house, doing your railings and putting trim on your doors. Brad explains: “Back in the day, a construction company was the building crew and you met them on day one. We try to follow that. There are lots of great building companies, but many aren’t hands-on during the construction phase of the home. We pride ourselves in being those traditional kinds of builders. You see me at the office and throughout the build doing the work. We also take word-of-mouth seriously— it’s how we’ve managed to be successful. Part of that means that if there are any questions or concerns, customers come directly to me. I take pride in what I do and there is no one to point fingers at. So if something is not quite right, I ensure it’s fixed.” Brad and Tracy enjoy taking on more challenging projects and have built numerous acreage and infill properties. These projects give them an opportunity to build unique houses of different sizes that don’t necessarily fit on modern city lots. For those clients currently living in the more mature areas of Saskatoon and want to stay there but re-build, Brad builds using the home’s original style

as a guide. “You can re-build a home, but you can’t re-build a neighbourhood. So if it was built in 1920 we build it so it still looks like it fits in the neighbourhood. Nothing is worse than a new home that doesn’t fit the architecture of the neighbourhood,” he explains. One way Cody Construction knows they are doing residential construction right is through the building requests from their own sub-trades. “Our sub-trades are excellent and have worked with many great building companies in Saskatoon. In a year, they probably work on 100 plus houses for 10 to 20 builders. They see everything from the construction practices and quality of a home, to the customer service and client relations. Like everyone else, our sub-trades are also homeowners with families. Over the years, we have built and/or renovated many of our sub-trades’ homes. Having them hire us to build or renovate their personal homes tells me we are running a good business,” says Brad. Cody Construction is a member of the Saskatoon and Region Home Builders

Association and Progressive New Home Warranty Solutions Incorporated. Membership to these two great organizations enables the Schieles to strengthen their company and keep them current on the industry.

The Family When you build with Cody Construction, you become part of the Cody family. “I know it sounds cliché,” says Brad, “but it doesn’t just mean you are part of a group of Cody Construction customers, it means you are appreciated.” People who have built with Cody Construction in the past continue to stay in contact with the Schieles. Customers and sub-trades are on their mailing and emailing lists and are invited to an annual customer appreciation event. “Even if we built for people nine years ago, they still get the invite,” says Brad. Cody Construction has a travel promotion running in 2013 called “Build/ Renovate with Us, Travel on Us.” Working with Co-op Travel, once you sign

a contract to build or renovate with Cody Construction, you receive future travel vouchers from Co-op. Voucher amounts depend on the value of the project and can be redeemed at Co-op Travel for a holiday of your choice. So while your home is being built or renovations are taking place, you can go relax while it’s all being taken care of back home. To experience the Cody difference for yourself, give Brad and Tracy a call. You can visit their website for more information. FHS

Cody Construction 1030 Paton Terrace Saskatoon 306.220.6409 info@codyconstructionltd.com www.codyconstructionltd.com

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GOING THE EXTRA MILE BY TOBIE HAINSTOCK PHOTOS HEATHER FRITZ

e appreciated Mike Gustus as a realtor. He’s very professional and adds a real personal touch to everything he does,” comments Nancy Darling of Saskatoon. “

Nancy reminisces to August 2010 when her husband’s employer transferred him to Saskatoon. “Mike Gustus was referred to us by our realtor in Ontario,” explains Nancy. “He really listened to what we wanted.” Gustus narrowed down their search very quickly and did everything that he could to speed up the process. He took Nancy’s husband house hunting and the two men found a great home in a family-friendly neighbourhood. “He did all the work which made the move a lot easier,” adds Nancy. When the Darling family moved into their new home, they received a beautiful gift basket from the Gustus Group. The gesture was greatly appreciated: “It was a thoughtful way to say ‘welcome to Saskatoon and thank you for your business.’” The accommodating service didn’t stop there. The Gustus Group helped them get settled in their new city by offering

a referral service. “If we needed a painter or a plumber or someone like that, they would help us find the right person for the job,” Nancy states. “Not being from Saskatoon, that really meant a lot to us because we had no idea of where to go.” This high standard of service is not out of the ordinary for the Gustus Group. Gustus is quite humble about the high quality service that his group offers as he states that customer satisfaction is why they do what they do. The Gustus Group understands that the expectations of consumers today are much higher than they used to be and they are constantly striving to meeting and exceed those expectations. “For us it’s about constantly and continuously improving our service and expertise,” says Gustus. According to Gustus, a realtor’s level of experience and expertise is what helps consumers to make better choices when buying or selling their home. Gustus and his group stay on top of new developments in the industry by attending seminars several times a year. Gustus also explains that he and

his team keep up to date on the latest advancements in technology and social media. Their newly launched website www.searchhomesinsaskatoon.com is a user-friendly site that provides effective marketing for sellers and detailed information for buyers. Going the extra mile and taking extra steps to provide the best service and information possible is not only top priority for the Gustus Group, it’s part of their everyday routine. They are so dedicated to their customers’ satisfaction that they offer a one-of-akind guarantee. The Gustus Group offers a guaranteed sale to clients. “We will sell your home at an acceptable price or we will buy it from you for cash,” says Gustus. They also take trades. “If someone wants to buy one of our clients’ houses, we will help them out by purchasing theirs,” Gustus adds. For the Gustus Group, it’s all about providing their clients with impeccable personal service. “We’ve been so pleased with their service that when my husband got notice of being transferred for work, we decided to sell our home through them as well,” states Nancy. FHS

BEAUTIFUL EXECUTIVE LUXURY HOME OVERLOOKING LAKE IN ARBOR CREEK This executive home displays classic luxury features throughout, from the outstanding front entry curved staircase and kitchen with its granite counters, to the amazing master bedroom en suite. This home is fully updated from top to bottom. For private viewing call Mike at 306.668.1800. $925,000 MLS®

Call Mike at 306.668.1800

THE GUSTUS GROUP 1110 - 3530 Millar Avenue, Saskatoon | 306.668.1800

ABOVE L–R Tasha Baier, Donna Senterre, Dallas Stobbe, Lyle Richards, Nathan Stobbe

does your home have personality? By Paul Sinkewicz photos HeatHer Fritz

hen the owner of Haven Builders opens his box of tools, there is no cookie cutter to be found. The idea of building two of the same house is a foreign concept to Nathan Stobbe. Haven Builders’ clients are typically people who value their individuality and want their home to express their unique interests and sense of style. That suits Stobbe, who started the company three

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years ago with the premise that a builder who paid attention to individual needs and high quality was sorely needed in Saskatoon. His team thrives on the creativity involved in each new project. “We’ve never built the same house twice, and each one has custom-tailored cabinetry and features that are unique to it,” says Stobbe. “Even if a customer starts with one of our concept plans, it will get modified extensively and we custom design it for them.”

When Stobbe formed the company, he took all the things that he didn’t like about his own experiences working with other builders and tried to address them with Haven Builders. The demand the team is experiencing is a testament to his vision. “People are pretty excited to find someone who is interested in who they are and how they’re feeling and works to incorporate their needs into the house instead of just banging out a template house,” says Stobbe. “Haven

customers are people who don’t want to live in the same house as someone else.” As an example, Stobbe points to the unique features of his latest project at 206 Werschner Crescent in Rosewood. Priced at $869,000, you won’t find another one like it in Saskatoon and it is filled with custom finishes. The clean, modern lines of the striking exterior allude to the carefully considered design elements that pervade the home. It is highly functional, but also exudes liveability. “The heart of our company, and the houses that we build, is a real focus on kitchens and master suites. Every house is different, but we try to create master suites that people really want to spend time in.” A dressing room on one side, and a gorgeous ensuite bathroom on the other bracket the open and bright master bedroom in the Werschner home. The double doors to the dressing room open to show off custom cabinets with a builtin dresser and a changing area. There is LED mood lighting above the cabinets and the opportunity to use the home’s eight-zone audio-visual system, so many pleasant hours can be passed mixing and matching outfits. The master bedroom includes two zones of AV on the home automation system. Both zones of the master bedroom can be playing different music or video streams simultaneously, which means a relaxing bubble bath in the soaker tub can be accompanied by soothing music, while a Blue Jays game is in progress in the bedroom or indie rock blares in the closet during a raid on mom’s shoe collection. The two secondary bedrooms in the home also have walk-in closets, and each has unique design elements like 9-anda-half-foot ceilings or huge windows. There is the potential for more bedrooms in the unfinished basement, and it, too, has 9-foot-tall ceilings to create an open, liveable feeling. For practicality, off the main entrance is a sunny office space that shares a twoway fireplace with the living room. At the

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garage entrance, a large mudroom offers a bench, hooks and ample closet space, eliminating the entryway mess that is the bane of so many homeowners. One of the most notable features of the home is the variety of possibilities it offers for entertaining. The living area features a handsome fireplace with a floor-toceiling custom painted designer glass surround by Castle Designer Glass. It is all part of the open main floor area and is adjacent to the dining area and kitchen. Warm cork flooring connects the three areas, with the iPad station that controls the house AV system situated at the central hub. A patio door leads out to the 650-squarefoot deck with views looking out both to the neighbourhood in the front and the park in the back. Natural gas hookups are in place for patio heating or a barbecue, and of course the ubiquitous high-end AV system is at your disposal. The kitchen is an entertaining marvel by itself. The focal point is a horseshoeshaped island with a built-in sink and induction cooktop. “Like most of this house, the kitchen is really built around entertaining guests,” says Stobbe. “The island allows you to have people sitting on two sides and it’s also ideal for prepping and cooking while entertaining guests. It’s very functional.” More LED lighting above and below the custom cabinets helps create the perfect ambience. Stobbe is especially proud of the cabinets throughout the house. He researched cabinetmakers when he began Haven Builders and found the quality and service available wanting. He couldn’t find a company able to fulfill the creativity and performance he wanted, so the solution was to set up his own shop with a dedicated team of craftsmen. They only build for Haven’s custom-built houses and renovations. The attention to detail in Haven homes sets it apart. Each house the firm builds boasts custom-designed solid core interior doors. Aside from doing all the

cabinetry in-house, Haven Builders has its own finishing staff to make sure the finishing carpentry is done correctly and looks great.

Signature Service As a master custom-home building company, Haven Builders relies on great service to earn its clients. It offers its “Signature Service” at no extra cost to ensure its clients get what they want. “Our customers are looking for something that is different from all the houses going up in the neighbourhood,” says Stobbe. “We do that for them. And we also want to make sure this experience is one they love.” Aside from cabinetmakers and finishing carpenters, Haven Builders has a gifted designer, Donna Senterre, on staff to work with clients on the design of the house to ensure it is perfect for them. There will be time spent together shopping for the right colours and materials, doing price

comparisons, and lots of collaboration on the final design. “First and foremost, we focused on creating a unique service model for our customers,” says Stobbe. “Our feeling is that most people building a home like their house at the end, but they don’t like the process. We want them to be able to love the process because we think they will be able to love their house that much more.” If you would like to learn more about this and other houses available by Haven Builders, or would like to learn more about the unique experience of building a custom home with Haven Builders, please contact Tasha Baier at 306.382.3667 or yourhome@havenbuilders.ca FHS Haven Builders 829 46th Street West 306.382.3667 yourhome@havenbuilders.ca www.havenbuilders.ca ABOVE L–R Tasha Baier, Donna Senterre

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ExPErTAdvice Determining RESIDENTIAL Your Final Design DESIGN PROCESS

Step 2. Initial design meeting

By Krista Martens Architectural Technologist A. Sc. T. LEED Green Associate Beyond Measure Design Inc. 306.974.3955 info@beyondmeasuredesign.ca www.beyondmeasuredesign.ca

The Residential Design process is straight forward once you understand the steps you need to follow that combine both the practical & creative elements of a home.

Step 1. Hire a professional home hroughout the process, you’ve designerdone your homework. Now you get to see how it will all come Look for a in person has at least a together a final who design. diploma in Architectural Technology. ThisStep background combines structural & 3: architectural education and design provides an Determining the final excellent base for residential design. Ask the Most people realize that there are person or firm how many years experience multiple solutions to any one design in the industry they have & if they can question or problem. During the last provide letters of reference. Always do your research before hiring anyone. 34

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This is the meeting where your home designer will take the time to create a design brief with you(see previous article). Thislikely usuallycame consists a meeting step you up ofwith several about an hour in length to compile different sketches of the spacesthis you information. here they willwestart need in yourFrom home. From there start compiling a preliminary to meet your narrowing down whichplan of these sketches requirements. best fits your specific needs. This is where we spend time determining room sizes.3. Start by measuring Step Preliminary plans your existing rooms or at least measure the furniture you areare wanting to reuse. Ifplans? you’re buying What preliminary Well new furniture sure youa prelimtell your preliminary plansmake are just that, what your planning todesign. place in ordesigner start, towards a overall home eachare room. They used for the purpose of decision making as well as pricing out the cost Often I’m asked what is a “average” of the home. Typically preliminary plans room size. I always caution that it varies include all specific relevant design floor plans, exteriorbigiven the (bungalow, elevations & site plan. You’ll see items level or 2-story) but these are good like sizes room sizes, bathroom fixtures, exterior to start with: finishes, rooflines and overall general items. Entry 5x8 Kitchen

14x10

Dining Room

10x12

Step 4. Review preliminary plans Living Room you as 14x14 This is where, the client, needs to Bathroom spend some time to5x9 ensure that the plans are what you had in mind. If you’ve Master Bedroom 14x12 taken the time to create a comprehensive En suite design brief outlining 8x10 your desires for 10x10 theBedrooms home chances are there will only be minor changes needed to make that In most cases, home designers may plan perfect. Once your happy with all have a few suggestions or pieces of the preliminary designs you will need to advice to help guide you. Remember, approve the plans prior to proceed to the your designer has done hundreds, if not construction drawings.

Step 5. Construction drawings completed What are construction drawings? Construction drawings are known by many names,of blueprints working thousands, homes overor the span of drawings are most common. These his or her career and have created are many the documents construct your unique designs.used If heto or she suggests that home & obtain finalfunction, quotes on materials a layout doesn’t then you need and services. These plans include more to trust that it doesn’t. If your designer detailed information than the preliminary suggests alternate ideas, keep yourself plans. They include fully dimensions open that it might create a better overall plans, building sections, construction design that you may not have thought of. details, foundation designs & electrical plans. This need is also theofpoint all You may a bit help where to visualize drawings required to be sealed by a what is being suggested. Don’t feel Professional Engineer will be sent for bad: visualizing a home in 3D is tricky. review. Consult your designer on items Not everyone can see a 3D object from that require an Engineers involvement. a 2D drawing. To help my clients, I use a 3D design software that allows Step 6. Review construction drawings them to explore their homes. Using this approach reduces communication The industry standard is that a “check errors and saves time. Everything can set” or final set of plans are issued for be discussed prior to final construction review prior to plans being printed. This documents being prepared. is always an important step as it is likely the last chance you have to make large Homes are such a personal reflections changes to your home before the project of both the owner and the professional gets under way. Again, you will need to home designer. The best results are take time to review & approve the final always in projects where each party plans before your designer will get you collaborates to create a space that printed copies to begin construction meets the needs of the owner, but are from. also open to the ideas of the designer. These steps canissue vary from to project In the next we project will explore Step depending on the scope but this list will help 4: Elements that make your home you understand what you can expect of the your own. FHS design process. FHS

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SETTING THE STANDARD FOR QUALITY HOME CONSTRUCTION BY PAUL SINKEWICZ PHOTOS LISA LANDRIE AND LUKE NIEMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

ABOVE LEFT 219 Lucyk Rise, Willowgrove. OPPOSITE PAGE The creative team of Touchstone Development Corp.

s a tour guide, Steven Selby has a pretty pleasant job. The president of Touchstone Development Corp. merely has to open the eight-foot custommade Italian door to 219 Lucyk Rise in Willowgrove to hear his first “wow.” The grand entrance, with its stunning chandelier, has done the trick.A few steps into the home, when the sweeping oak staircase comes into view, Selby hears the second “wow.” As the eye follows the curved glass rails up to the brightly lit loft, it is clear this home was crafted to make a statement. Its design highlights command appreciation, and “wow” is all you can voice as the main living area reveals itself, with its soaring 20-foot ceiling, deluxe chef’s kitchen and commanding view of the walking trail running through the neighbourhood.

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Welcome to Touchstone’s world. Touchstone Development Corp. was conceived from its inception in 2005 to be the kind of homebuilding firm that offered something special to its clients. “We were set up to design and build custom homes,” says Selby. “These are houses that are a little more special in some way. They might be a little bit bigger, or have something unique like higher ceilings. Whatever it is that we can dream up with the client to enhance their lifestyle, we can deliver.”

From there, it all starts with the bare lot. “We look at the property, the sun, the neighbourhood and then try to build something that fits the aesthetic and enhances the area while serving the clients’ needs. They work with our designers, who advise and guide them the whole way, and it’s a very dynamic process. We have people on staff who work with customers to pick finishes and design the entire package.”

The process serves clients’ needs

Selby says the amount of work involved in doing a typical custom job is the equivalent of building three or four regular production houses.

There are currently Touchstone homes going up in Willowgrove, Evergreen and Stonebridge. Selby says people often find them on a visit to a show home, where they see something they like and get excited about their own custom ideas.

Selby loves it when Touchstone’s designer Erinn Schafer first hears the customer’s choices and gets excited. “She just jumps up and they go to the design room and lay everything out and they’re in there for quite a while.”

Touchstone works with Architectural Technologist Krista Martens, from Beyond Measure Design. Her knowledge and creativity bring to life the concepts of the client. From there, the plans go to final design, and then to a professional engineer, for review and approval.

company,” says Selby. “Like me: I’m not a details guy. I won’t be helping you pick out your plumbing fixtures, but dealing with customers and helping them plan their projects are things I absolutely love doing.” Play to your strengths and good things will happen.

Touchstone actually does build some production homes, which benefit from coming from the same team that creates the firm’s custom homes.

He also knows he has to protect them from the rigours of the industry to get the best results for his clients. Selby says from Monday to Friday the team is 100 per cent there for customers, but evenings and weekends are off limits. It was his goal to put together a team of professionals who could work hard, but when it was time for family and their personal life, Steven would protect it. “That’s really important. They come back ready to give the client their best because they are refreshed and they care about what they are doing.”

Staff loves what they do Selby believes strongly in giving his staff a chance to focus on their own unique abilities. All have different areas of interest and professional strengths, and he encourages them to run with them. “You’ve got to love what you’re doing. It’s a big part of what we do in our

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When little things go wrong on a build, which is inevitable, the company takes ownership of the problem and makes sure it is corrected. Even if the problem stems from a decision the customer made, the team will work with them to amend the design until everything looks and feels right. “Everybody on the team feels the same way,” says Selby. “We all want to build a good quality house.”

The delivery is the payoff Customer excitement is the payoff for the hardworking, dedicated staff at Touchstone. “I think it’s really stressful for some people and it helps to have someone lead them through and know that they can have confidence in us,” says Selby. “It’s a big decision for them. Most people might only do this once in their lives, if ever. And that’s why it’s so

important for us to honour their trust. We feel this great sense of responsibility to take them through the process and make sure we’re delivering something great to them.” Selby says he and his staff love doing the turn-over walkthroughs after the cleaners have left and the home is ready. “It’s like you’re an artist and the customers come in and you show them the artwork you created for them. We’ve had squeals of delight.” He says the team back at the office is always anxious to hear about the reaction of the people they have come to know and care about. “When the project is done, and the customer moves into the house and it’s everything they wanted, everybody in the company feels good.”

A truly unique home The house on Lucyk Rise is a good example of the magic Touchstone can create. It was designed and built right from custom. There was nothing off-theshelf about the home. Downstairs there is a family room with a wet bar, entertaining area and even a dedicated exercise room separated with full-length glass partition. In it there is a swim spa with LED lighting, a control panel and an automatic cover. The room also offers space for a treadmill and cross trainer. Upstairs, the kitchen is outfitted with the accoutrements that would make a chef smile. There is a wine fridge, two ovens with a warming drawer, a cooktop with built-in, retractable fan

system that deploys when the elements are turned on. The entire home is wired with the iHome lighting, monitoring and entertainment system that allows easy control of its elements from any area. “We wanted something luxurious and impressive,” says Selby. “We understand that the best way to build our business is by delivering the best quality and the things people really value. That’s what sells.” The home at 219 Lucyk Rise is priced at $1,388,000 and can be viewed by appointment. Touchstone Development Corp. has other homes available for viewing, starting from $450,000. FHS Touchstone Development Corp. 3318 Millar Avenue, Saskatoon 306.974.5099 www.touchstonedevelopment.ca

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OutdOOr Living rOOms by meredIth heron

ummer is so short in this country, yet so celebrated: cottages, lakehouses and cabins, not to mention all the various shows celebrating and promoting these as industries.

Many of us are city dwellers who only occasionally get to indulge in these getaways. With the advent of buds on trees and green forcing its way through the snow drifts and winter sludge, we start to plan our own summer decorating. As winter draws to a close, I am always excited about planning my spring/summer décor, and each year I vow that I will get on it sooner rather than later. Of course, I suffer from the classic “cobbler-with-no-shoes syndrome” unless I book a photo shoot: I thrive on a deadline. This year, my almost four-year-old son insists that we host his July birthday party at our house. Like his mother, he’s a bit of a big picture planner and he wants to have piñatas after our recent trip to Mexico. I’ve suggested that we hold the party at his godfather’s cottage on Toronto Island, but he assures me that it should be at our house. Gulp. We’ve just recently attended our first “friend” birthday party, and all the parents stayed at the party. Do I really want nursery school parents at my house, in

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my backyard? How quickly can I demolish the back half of my house and fully landscape the backyard? Is it wrong to hold a child’s birthday party in the evening when it’s dark? Don’t laugh. I’m already researching my favourite string lights for outdoor use. To be honest, I love the look. I also love the idea of outdoor living rooms versus patio furniture on a deck. We are working on a patio space right now for clients in Boston. The space itself is pretty formal and overlooks a formal garden. It has the most beautiful quatrefoil fountain in the middle of it (sadly it’s under cover right now, so I don’t have any great photos of it) which divides the patio into two rooms, if you will. Outdoor furniture is expensive, but I’ve also learned that opting for the cheap furniture usually means replacing it within one to two years. So, I’m always on the hunt for good investment pieces and then decorate on a more budget-friendly basis.

The space itself is rather large, so we’ve opted for a pair of chairs and a sofa. We decided to skip the ottomans in favour of adding in some moroccan poufs to keep it from feeling like an outdoor furniture showroom.

Our inspiration for the overall look and feel is a well-travelled, but casual lounging space: a little East meets West. Hand-blocked indigo fabrics, Moroccan silver and teak influences— there will be candlelight (in this case the beautiful string lights won’t work).

Of course, we’ll ground the space with an area rug. There are so many amazing options these days for outdoor rugs. Another little tip: I often use outdoor rugs under kitchen tables or in rooms with kids. They can be hosed down! My favourite places to look for these are Rugs USA (they ship to Canada) and Overstock.com.

We’re using pieces from the Summer Classics Rustic line as our base pieces for the outdoor living room.

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The other room for our outdoor space in Boston is, of course, a dining room. We definitely do not want this set to match. Our chair choice for the dining area will most likely need to double as additional seating for larger gatherings, so we’ve opted for an arm chair. This Chippendale reproduction has a slight chinoiserie feel, which complements our East meets West vibe beautifully; it is also light-feeling, a great juxtaposition to the heavier pieces in the living room is setting. It’s always important to balance scale out with these pieces when you are trying to achieve an eclectic feel.

But, back to my place for a second... how many piñatas does one have to have to ensure that the entire backyard space gets covered in candy when they are hit? Maybe that’s the answer: that and the whole nighttime party gig. I’m brilliant! FHS

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Table-wise, we need a round table and we have a few contenders, but this is the last piece for us to nail down. I prefer a pedestal base for dining tables when possible. It allows you to squeeze in extra guests and makes it easy to cross your legs. You start thinking about these sorts of things when you have a little one literally running around underfoot. A few tables we’ve seen look like a tetanus shot waiting to happen!

Backsplash of the Month!

Contrasting textures and tones, both subtle and dramatic, can elevate a kitchen out of the ordinary. True style is defined by the personalized integration of each component and in this kitchen the custom glass backsplash was designed to tie together all the elements within the kitchen. The result is nothing short of spectacular!

Janet Parkinson, owner

Some of the countless ways that Castle Glass has been employed include glass backsplashes, glass art, glass entry and wall systems, dividers, shower and bath enclosures, counter tops, doors, window/door/cabinet inserts, tile, surfaces, stair treads, stair rails, lighting, signage, accessories, water features and sculptures. Come and visit us at our new location #139 105th Street in Sutherland or call us at 306.477.0098.

#139 105th Street, Saskatoon 306.477.0098 | www.castledesignerglass.com

Beauty For Your Home, From The Ground Up… QTY 1 - 14”H x 26”W - Vinyl Hood Decal

If you are considering new floor coverings for your home, you need to stop by Saskatoon’s newest boutique-style flooring showroom. We pride ourselves on showcasing some of the finest brands and products the industry has to offer with personalized and one-on-one consultation, knowledge of the latest trends and years of industry experience of installation. Specializing in custom flooring, showers, islands and backsplashes. Bay 5 1622 Ontario Avenue, Saskatoon | 306.651.6112 eliteflooringboutique@sasktel.net Please note once the proof has been approved the client is responsible for all costs associated with any subsequent changes. Colour may appear slightly different between monitors and will be printed as supplied.

Not just elegant or exquisite… Elite.

Special thanks to Pinnacle Builders and Maison Fine Homes.

Showroom over 36,000 sq ft • Largest in-store gallery of La-Z-boy • Leather and bedding galleries Locally owned and operated since 1990 • Non-commissioned staff, experienced, loyal employees Custom order designs, colours, size, fabric, etc to perfectly fit your custom built home 9:30-6PM MON-SAT, 9:30-9PM THURS

FURNITURE 831 -2nd Ave North

306.664.2323

WORLD l

furnitureworldsaskatoon.com

ConCrete’s turn to shine by Paul Sinkewicz photos liSa landrie

ere’s a multiple-choice question for homeowners: What’s the best way to describe your garage floor? A) Dank and dusty B) Chipped and cracked C) Grimy and grey But why can’t there be a fourth option? Like: D) Shiny, clean and colourful. Luckily Jason Bohn, owner of Floor Hero, is ready to make that fourth option a reality. The franchise he operates in Saskatoon offers several options for treating concrete that can turn a dreary, grey basement or garage floor into an eye-popping improvement of the space, be it workshop, rec room or man-cave.

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“I’ve had a lot of interest from people wanting to do their basements, including those that have in-floor heating,” says Bohn. “As an alternative to spending money on subfloor and then more money adding tile, laminate or carpeting, why not use the concrete surface itself? It’s strong and clean and the stain will seal it, so it keeps the concrete dust from forming while colouring it as well.” The process of treating a concrete floor is straightforward if there are no pits or cracks to fill. Bohn applies a cleaning solution, then scours and buffs the floor to prepare it for the treatment. If the concrete has never been sealed or painted before, it can then be stained in a variety of earth-tone shades. For previously treated concrete surfaces a solid colour, non-toxic coating, can be applied to the floor.

“You can also add paint chips if you like,” says Bohn. “It adds an extra little bit of pizzazz. For garage floors, I can add a hot tire hardener so when you park your vehicle the coating won’t peel off from the heat reacting with moisture.” There is also an anti-slip silica additive that can be combined with the clear coat so it’s less slippery when wet. The floor treatment is great for garages and basements, but it also has appeal for restaurants, retail stores and dental and medical offices. The product has low odour and cures quickly. It’s easy to keep clean and gives any room a high-end look. There is a selection of solid colour concrete coatings and stains available and the company is always adding more colour choices. Stains can also be mixed and matched to create different colour combinations.

Do you have a rough garage floor? Any big holes or cracks can be prefilled with a concrete patch. Spalled, pitted or damaged areas can often be resurfaced and provide many years of reliable service at a fraction of the cost of replacement. Bohn has many years of experience doing renovations, including flooring installations and tile, decks and fences, drywall and paint. He feels this is another good option for people looking to spruce up their living areas. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an existing garage or basement, commercial establishment, or a fresh new pour, Floor Heroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concrete coatings may be the solution for you. FHS FloorHero Jason Bohn 306.979.8057 floorherosask@shaw.ca www.floorhero.com

Pictured Jason Bohn, owner right Before, during and after treatment (top and right photos provided by Floor Hero)

Luxury Lighting trends Robinson Lighting and Bath carries a full line of lighting and plumbing products from the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading suppliers. This summer, we are proud to unveil our new LIGHTING LAB, a unique and interactive lighting display that allows you to experience various types of lighting for different applications in your own home. Visit our expanding showroom to see the latest trends in lighting and bath products and to ask our knowledgeable staff to help you match your needs to our products. We carry the best selection of Kohler, Bain Ultra, Delta, Grohe and other luxury brands.

Left to right: Roger Foui, Mila Vanovic, Don Veitch, Len Steckler, Shelley Schaffer, Maja Jovic, Jennifer Sapieha, Kendall Johnson, Tristan Bohlmann ÂŽ

829 46th Street E a s t , Sa s ka too n | 3 0 6 .6 6 4 . 2 3 89 | w w w. b aro b i n s o n .co m

YOUR HOME. YOUR STYLE. YOUR LIFE. Colour in your home should go beyond just the walls, floors and accents. Custom colour the cabinets to fit your lifestyle! Mirage Woodworks proudly introduces the latest design trend. Choose YOUR color, ANY color, and make it your own. If you can see it, we can create it for your kitchen, bath, or custom furniture design. • • • •

Kitchen Cabinets Vanities Custom Furniture Formaldehyde-Free PureBond

Mirage

• Water Based Stain • Universal Design • Paperstone

Woodworks

2236 Avenue C North, Saskatoon 306.343.9663 | FAX 306.343.3423

www.miragewoodworks.com |

EXPERTAdvice Helping You Choose Your Next Floor

Kaesir Istifito Owner GT Flooring #13 - 705 Central Avenue Saskatoon 306.665.1888 www.goldentouchcarpet.ca

T Flooring has been servicing Saskatoon and the surrounding area since 1988. The store relocated in May 2008 to a newer and larger location to serve its clients better with a bigger and more selective showroom that is over 4,000 square feet. As owner and manager, I strive for excellent customer service from start to finish, from every flooring job from the largest to the smallest. Our expert staff consists of Nancy Canada-McIntosh (assistant manager), Andrea Trudel (senior sales associate), Mahar Hanna (senior sales associate) and Monique Cordes (account manager). Together, we have a combined total of 37 years of experience to help everyone. From a small question about installation or an inquiry about a larger commercial project, we are here to help. With the

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internet being such a strong component in our society today, Nancy, Andrea, Maher and I are up to speed on the newest and latest trends out there to assist with a client’s specific needs. As usual, GT Flooring is always looking for what is new and modern in the flooring world. Beaulieu is the newest and largest addition to our showroom collection. Beaulieu has a wide range of carpets from which to choose, including commercial level loops to exotic precision cuts. Their complete flooring line consists of builder vinyl to executive vinyl, as well as luxury vinyl tile and planks. Completing the line are contemporary hardwoods, including hand-scraped and engineered, to the latest look in the laminate. Let’s not forget that Beaulieu is a Canadian-owned company with products manufactured in Canada. GT Flooring and our staff are happy to announce that we are now the latest “Your Home Style” Beaulieu dealer. The new product showcase is designed to appeal to the latest fashion and design concepts desired. All our staff are educated on the new product lines and invite everyone to come in to see and

experience what a Canadian carpet company can offer. We still carry a wide variety of carpet, vinyl, ceramic, cork and laminate from name brand suppliers such as Mannington, Armstrong, and Shaw, to name a few. The staff at GT Flooring are very knowledgable in ceramics, which is a very strong contender in the choices for flooring these days. From basic ceramic, porcelain, natural stone and marble, we at GT Flooring can guide you in the right decision for your lifestyle. Here is a special note: we like to remind customers that when shopping for tile, please remember a lot of people think that all porcelain tile do not need to be sealed. This is a myth. When you have picked a high-shine porcelain tile, the majority of the time this tile will need to be sealed. Otherwise, staining can occur. We at GT Flooring are confident we can assist you with your flooring needs. From small to large, we will be there every step of the way. With helpful tips to recommendations, we are here to suit your needs in the best possible way. GT Flooring provides you, our customers, the absolute best quality of service. FHS

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Lofty

i deas

BY ERIN LEGG PHOTOS HEATHER FRITZ

oft living is simplistic. It is attractive. It offers a distinctive and upscale way of life for those who enjoy space and luxury.

Once considered a largely bohemian trend, loft living is an attractive and viable living option for today’s modern professionals. The conversion of historic warehouses or manufacturing facilities into chic residential spaces is a trend all across the world, and Saskatoon is no exception. The Rumley Distinctive Lofts in the city’s west downtown neighbourhood offers sophisticated living with the historic charm of the building’s original fixtures. Oversized windows offer views of the city, high ceilings create the airiness loft owners enjoy, and the exposed brick adds rustic architectural appeal. Additionally, the centrally-located 2nd Avenue Lofts attracts modern professionals to its contemporary converted space, boasting stunning downtown views and a urban rooftop patio.

Saskatoon residents Deb and Howard Murdoch have enjoyed loft living for the past five years. “We love everything about it!” laughs Deb. Switching gears from home-owners to loft-owners was a natural step for Deb and Howard. “You know, the kids moved out, we didn’t need the yard, we wanted to travel more . . . and now we really take advantage of the downtown area!” One of the greatest appeals of loft living is all in the design; it is about creating a unique, creative atmosphere in which to live. By creating spaces with a space, or rooms within the room, loft owners can maintain the original flair of the space while upgrading to modern living. High ceilings. Exposed wooden beams. Industrial ductwork. Refinished flooring. Restored columns. So many elements of lofts can be translated into your own personal style without detracting from the charm of the building itself. The Murdoch’s home was born from Deb’s creativity. She notes: “I worked in advertising for years and absorbed a strong, creative perspective of things!” Explaining how she and Howard are all about open living, Deb says, “We wanted the all-in-one encompassing feeling: more about the living space rather than having more space.” The Murdochs have definitely infused their personal style into their space. The kitchen table? It’s a pool table topped with glass. Deb smiles, “We can remove the top and have a game.” An old, working safe was salvaged from Rose’s Furniture and refinished by Howard. Deb discovered an historic industrial image at the library and had it blown up into a print that hangs on their exposed brick wall. Through their travels and walking trips through the downtown, the Murdochs have amassed an extensive liquor collection. “It’s become routine!” laughs Deb. And Deb’s reading light? A $20 theatre light the Murdochs found at a local lounge. Designing a loft requires minding a few key elements. First of all, colours. Keeping the walls and ceilings neutral allows the space to be brought to life by the natural lighting inherent in these

airy spaces. Conversely, focused wall colours help emphasize different “rooms” within the loft, such as the dining or lounging areas. Observing the natural lighting that filters in throughout the day helps with deciding the colour palette for the loft. The size of the loft space is enhanced by the choice of flooring. Dramatic flooring helps accentuate the walls and original building features. A refinished original hardwood floor is a valuable element of the original design to keep in place. Another popular loft flooring choice is polished concrete. This creates a visual impact that draws together the entire area. Because one of the best qualities of lofts is the lighting, natural light is maximized when possible. Loft window are an integral feature to the space itself. So, whereas privacy and shade are required at times, interfering with the size of windows and the views offered can detract from the space. Sleek solar shades are often used to create privacy while avoiding bulky and unnecessary window treatments. Strategically installing creative pendant lighting helps illuminate different areas all while creating the illusion of “rooms” without walls. “We asked ourselves, ‘How do we use the space so nothing is segregated?’” notes Deb. The creation of “rooms” is also pulled off by furniture placement. The Murdochs had a custommade couch brought into their space to accommodate their floor plan and provide sitting comfort for their guests. Maximizing the efficiency and flow of the space is key to living in comfort. According to the shape and size of a loft, an entire “house” is made possible in this open-concept living area. Deb laughs. “We’re huge NFL fans, so we can have the game on and be in the kitchen and still watch!” Unique. Spacious. Creative. There’s no wonder why loft living remains a top urban trend for modern professionals. Thank you Deb and Howard Murdoch for inviting Fine Homes Saskatoon into your beautiful home. FHS

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The New Modern Looking Eurocube by Grohe When it comes to having a dazzling chrome finish or a smooth operation, Grohe faucets are a step ahead of the rest. Their Silkmove technology ensures that you have a lifetime of maintenance free comfort. They also make sure that their faucets will always shine as bright as the stars with their polished chrome finish.

2 2 2 5 B Ave n u e C N o r t h Saskatoon, SK 306.249.4000 w w w. p l u m b s h o p p e . c o m

Bold, functional and unique style

Create a style in your home that is bold, functional, unique and customized to fit your lifestyle. From selection to installation, let our professionals help you with a flooring and interior experience you will never forget.

7-844 51st Street East | 306.955.4441 cornerstoneflooring@sasktel.net www.cornerstoneflooring.ca

Cornerstone Flooring & inTEriorS

Saskatchewan’s only Unlimited Usage Internet Service

Blazing Speed! Up to 260 Mbps SaskTel’s new infiNET™ Fibre Optic Network, will give SaskTel customers increased bandwidth that will enable a whole range of feature-rich Television, blazing fast High Speed Internet and Voice services. It’s consistently fast, so you can upload and download in a fraction of the time it takes now. And with all that speed, we won’t limit your usage – we want you to get the most out of your leading edge technology. And infiNET is future proof because once installed, upgrades that allow future speed increases can be made without replacing the fibre.

You can’t get that from the cable company! To find out more about infiNET services, please visit sasktel.com/infinet

Ultimate Connections. Blazing Speed. Infinite Potential.

infiNET High Speed services are available in a growing number of neighbourhoods in Regina, Saskatoon, and Moose Jaw. See sasktel.com/infinet for details.

Nobody Beats Our Prices If you’ve seen a flooring product at one of our competitors’ that you’re considering purchasing, come visit our showroom. Chances are we can provide you with an identical or similar product at a lower price.

1300-3530 Millar Ave., Saskatoon 306.653.3899

The New

Power&Soul™ by Grohe Total vitalization in the morning. Maximum relaxation in the evening.

Our Showroom is Your Showroom 649 - 51 Street East • Saskatoon • 306-933-2237 Hours: Monday - Friday • 9:00am - 5:30pm • Saturday • 10:00am - 4:00pm

www.kitchenandbathclassics.com

Bathroom

Your Eco-Friendly

BY BROOK THALGOTT

athrooms are more than just a place to take a shower and brush your teeth—they can be a sanctuary from the world to get a warm, bubbly bath, a refreshing shower or just get some much-needed time alone. A relaxing and refreshing bathroom can also be kind to the environment. Water and bathrooms obviously go hand-in-hand, and there are many ways to reduce your water consumption in the bathroom. Low-flow showerheads are designed to give you a good shower experience, while using up to 50 per cent less water than a traditional showerhead. Available at any hardware or home renovation store, you can find a great selection of low-flow showerheads that flatter any bathroom and cut water use at the same time. Always make sure to fix leaky faucets. A faucet drip can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water a year; that’s a lot down the drain. A faucet aerator installed on your bathroom sink works like a lowflow showerhead, using less water while still giving you the feeling of a traditional faucet. Dual-flush toilets use less water and are available everywhere. Up to 30 per cent of a household’s water use can come from toilets, and a low-flow toilet can use less than 1.3 gallons per flush instead of the usual three or more gallons. Every little bit helps to reduce your water usage and your water bill. Bathroom fixtures, such as sinks and cabinetry, can be eco-friendly too. Try a “salvaged” sink: if it’s bowl-shaped, waterproof and you can drill a hole in it, it can be a sink. Recycled sinks are becoming a trend in bathrooms—bronze, glass, aluminum, rubber, even wood— and if it’s sealed properly, you can have the neatest sink on the block.

Your bathroom cabinets can also go green. Some composite boards and finishes used in cabinetry have volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde. Bamboo is an excellent choice, and you can always recycle with salvaged cabinets for a unique look. You can even source countertops made from recycled content such as glass, which is a new and exciting trend in home renovations. Even your flooring can go green with bamboo, sustainable hardwood or even salvaged lumber. Go green right down to your bathroom accessories. Plants are an excellent way to beautify and purify your bathroom. Spider plants can flourish in bathrooms, along with aloe, snake plant and Gerber daisies—all beautiful additions to any bathroom. Shower curtains are also going green and away from traditional vinyl shower curtains that contain chemicals from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic. Better choices for your shower include natural fibres, such as cotton, bamboo or hemp linens. You can also buy non-PVC curtains, made of a plastic called PEVA. PEVA doesn’t include the chlorine molecules that make PVC a health concern. Don’t forget about greening the things you use in the bathroom, from cleaning products to toiletries. These days, every supermarket carries recycled paper products such as toilet paper, tissues and paper towels. A multitude of excellent bathroom cleaning products are also available. Toiletries have been going green for years now, and you can find plenty of excellent shampoos, soaps, bubble baths and lotions that will make your skin and hair look great without the sulfates, parabens and other chemicals. With a few small changes, any bathroom can turn into an earth-friendly oasis of relaxation and rejuvenation. FHS

Adjustable Beds

new, larger space down the street, we’ve been able to feature adjustable beds (as well as other products, such as a variety of bedroom furniture) much more prominently on the floor.

Mark Stevens, owner Wiseguys Mattresses 6 - 805 Circle Drive, Saskatoon 306.652.1212 mstevens67@msn.com |

f you find yourself working on your laptop late into the night; if you’re a movie buff who can’t resist hitting “play” on the latest blockbuster at bedtime; if health considerations require you to raise your head or feet while sleeping – an adjustable bed could be for you. An “adjustable bed” is simply a bed base outfitted with moving parts, so that either end of the bed can be elevated or lowered. This type of bed is excellent for those with certain medical issues, but that’s not its only use. Anyone who spends time reading, writing, or otherwise working in bed will benefit from an adjustable model. Since Wiseguys Mattresses moved into its

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The onetime “hospital” look of adjustable beds is long over. Today’s designs are less obtrusive than ever, boasting a variety of frame styles and sizes; most aren’t substantially larger than traditional models, whether you’re investing in a twin or splurging on a king. Furthermore, the “wall hugger” adjustable designs you’ll find at Wiseguys allow you to situate your bed suitably in your space, and to add headboards and footboards. The encased motors of adjustable beds are also quieter now than in the past. Adjustable beds may come with any, or all, of an array of extras including remote controls, programmable positions, LED displays, or fail-safe features in case of power failure. Perhaps the most popular “extra” for adjustable beds, however, is a modifiable massage setting. Many such features can be programmed to stop automatically, so you can drift off to sleep while enjoying a gentle massage. The best adjustable beds come from Leggett and Platt; they’ve been in business for over a century, and their quality is unparalleled. Don’t pay more for a “name brand” adjustable model – there’s a good chance it’s a Leggett and Platt with another maker’s tag. On the

flip side, however, don’t “save” money on a cut-rate adjustable bed. Flimsier, lighter-weight steel construction means cheap beds won’t stand the test of time. If you’re considering purchasing an adjustable bed, there are a few things to be aware of. One is that quality adjustable beds are heavier than traditional models. Wiseguys Mattresses will take care of a bed’s initial transportation and setup, but after that, you likely won’t want to move adjustable beds around frequently. They’re also somewhat more expensive than traditional designs, although a good adjustable model may last longer as well. Shoppers should note that a quality adjustable bed will typically have a 10 to 20 year warranty – “too-good-to-betrue” lifetime guarantees are probably just that. Finally, an adjustable bed may not be the best choice if you sleep on your side, since the bed is designed to work according to the curvature of a flat spine. The most important part of your new adjustable bed isn’t an extra feature or a technological advance. It’s something simpler and more fundamental: your mattress. For both adjustable and traditional beds, the right mattress is paramount. Luckily, more recent adjustable bed models can accommodate heavier coil mattresses as well as foam – so whatever mattress you choose, you’ll be able get a good night’s sleep and be at your best the next morning. FHS

Tropical Reflections

ropical plants have always intrigued me. Often, my gardens reflect my travels as well as my love of large, bold foliaged plants and unusual, bright coloured flowers. Canada may not seem like the most reasonable geography to install a tropical garden, but that’s all the more reason to play. Sensibly, you are not likely to install permanent palm trees or huge crotons as signature framework plants, but you may consider developing a number of smaller vignettes within your garden space. I enjoy spending time in various precincts of the garden that I’ve designed to evoke particular emotions or restore memories of travels. By Ken Beattie

Containers play a huge role in “staging” gardens and can actually set a scene on their own, if cleverly placed. Even the terra cotta planters that have succumbed to the trials of a wicked winter find a place in my landscape. Typically, I nestle these shards into the soil so as to form a backdrop for a prized plant specimen or a tiny, more delicate sample in the garden. Larger planters that have seen better days offer shade and cooler temperatures for plants installed in and around them as they lie on their sides. This season, I have a number of very large terra cotta planters that have served us well and are now looking a tad bedraggled. These soldiers will form the backbone of an area in my rear garden for my “tropical ruins.” Setting the theme for a tropical oasis can be as simple as dedicating a portion of your garden or deck as “tropical.” It’s a good idea to consider using overhead space, as well as ground or deck level. Think of the space as a room inside your home; you wouldn’t consider painting or decorating the entire room and forget about the ceiling. Perhaps using some brightly coloured parachute nylon fabric woven through the beams of a pergola roof will fit the bill. Fabric is a very inexpensive way to dress up a landscape, either as an awning, shade roof or even outdoor curtains. Splashes of bright colours always bring back memories of tropical climates, so I use them wherever and whenever it is practical. Clusters of containers are a safe bet when considering any garden, but even

more so in a tropical-looking garden. Singular planters can be great as accent or punctuation points when using specimens or spectacularly bright-coloured plants such as hibiscus or bougainvillea; otherwise, clump them together. One look that I am particularly fond of is “eclectic,” where none of the containers are similar. I often select one colour, such as cobalt blue, as the thread that ties the garden together. Pots in this beautiful blue colour will be scattered here and there throughout the collection of wall planters, large containers and singular pots. Plants that work best for me are hibiscus, followed by banana and taro, often sold as elephant ears. Pothos and philodendron, as well as any of the pteris ferns, can be used in planters where you may have used bacopa or lobelia in years past. In direct sun and very hot gardens, a mixture of succulents will also give a tropical feel to the space. Many horticultural varieties are now available in colours spanning the rainbow and with very diverse leaf patterns. Your local garden centres and even the box stores’ plant departments will have the regular houseplant tropicals—they are perfect for this kind of garden. Areca palms usually are very reasonably priced; combined with the lime green sweet potato vine, they make a spectacular splash in your pseudo-tropics. Crotons, with their waxy, multi-coloured foliage, are a sure bet for the hot, sunny garden. The varieties available in Canada are usually red to yellow and can be found in the houseplant section. The trick to success seems to be variety, density and diligence. As with any container garden, you are not wise to install it and then promptly go to the lake for a few weeks—they all require maintenance. Density plays an important role; clustered plants will hold more humidity around the specimens and thus encourage lush growth and fewer insect problems. Variety speaks for itself: any tropical garden or landscape is rich and juicy with textures, shapes, scents and form. Consider also that many tropical plants live on other plants, so that apple trees or well-branched small trees are excellent homes for many orchids and ferns. The big question: what do I do with all these plants over winter? Now, that is a good one! FHS

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It’s All In the lAndscApIng By CandaCe M. Fox

nother beautiful Saskatchewan summer is set to be upon us. What better way to spend time with your friends and family than in your newly landscaped yard. An exterior oasis to relax and enjoy without the work or hassle of having to complete the details yourself. Vision Landscape & Design has been transforming Saskatoon resident’s outdoor space

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into their dream “vacation” hideaway without home owners have to step foot off their lawns. With over five years servicing Saskatoon residents’ yards and with more than 45 years of combined experience in the landscape industry, Tom Levy and his crew of green thumbs are excited to get diggin’ in the dirt this spring!

So Long, Winter… With a long winter behind us, it is time to start transforming your yard into that beloved outdoor space. With every yard being as unique as its owner, a consultation will help the Vision team understand the needs of the client as well as give them an understanding of the type of outdoor space they will be working with.

Services offered by the Vision Landscape & Design team include: consultations, suggested yard design drawings with quote, paving stone walkways/ driveways/patios/steps, irrigation, gravel grading, fences/decks, planting/ sodding, mulching, decorative walks, retaining walls and full landscape design packages. With a masonry stone worker on the crew, any brick laying for steps, patio, driveways or other backyard design is done with an expert eye, and is professionally completed.

In-House Design For those not fully utilizing their outdoor space, sometimes all it takes is a bit of revamping and an exterior designer to help showcase a yard’s full potential. Vision Landscape & Design has a professional designer on staff to assess the client’s outdoor space and works directly with home owners to develop a plan that will:

1. address the main use or purpose of your front or back yard; 2. pinpoint any limitations or obstacles; 3. incorporate design elements, plant life, flowers and furniture to create the perfect outdoor atmosphere desired; 4. create livable outdoor rooms that the whole family can enjoy to the fullest extent. For new homeowners working with a completely blank slate, it can be daunting to watch the snow melt only to observe dirt left underneath. For the Vision team, it’s a perfect untouched canvas. Tom and his team can give you that outdoor living space you’ve always dreamed of. Working in many of the new developments, Tom and his crew understand soil conditions and what it takes to ensure long lasting grounds. Never skimping on materials, products or services the team will start at 7:00 a.m. and leave only when the job is done. Home owners can rest assure regardless

of the job or magnitude of work, they are getting a dedicated crew—hard working and respectful—when they hire Vision Landscape & Design. As a part of the Saskatoon Home Builder’s Association, Tom Levy, his design partner and the rest of Vision Landscape & Design team are dedicated to offering the best in landscape construction and customer service to all of their Saskatoon and surrounding area customers. For more information on Vision Landscape & Design please check their website at www.visionlandscape.ca. FHS

Vision Landscape & Design 306.373.6716 info@visionlandscape.ca www.visionlandscape.ca

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Ryan Leslie, owner

“Your Maintenance –Free ProFessionals” By Rebecca SchneideReit photos nadine PePPleR

hat if you could have all the benefits of a wooden fence— visual interest, privacy, additional security for small children and pets—with none of the drawbacks? That’s the essence of vinyl fencing, explains Ryan Leslie. With vinyl fences, there’s no scraping, sanding or staining, no rotted or warped boards. You choose the fence you want, install it . . . and relax. Ryan, a tradesman with over a decade’s experience, is Vinyl Guys’ founder. “We are the only company in Saskatoon to specialize in both maintenance-free fences and decks,” he says. (The company also installs handrails in glass and aluminum.) “This provides us an edge, because we can mix and match different products to achieve the customers’ desires. We can give you a maintenance-free product that you’ll never have to worry about again.” Serving a

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combination of multifamily and residential clients, Vinyl Guys has built its name on transparency and integrity. “We’re a smaller company, which allows us to pay attention to our clients,” Ryan says. “Typically they’re really happy with the jobs we do.” While Vinyl Guys can prepare an estimate from a property’s paper measurements alone, Ryan prefers a face-to-face consultation if possible. “I like to come out and meet the clients,” he explains; that way, he can understand the specifics of each individual property. “Within a workweek, we can have a consultation and typically an estimate out as well.” Once a quote has been provided by Vinyl Guys, and a deposit made by the customer, an average fence (150 to 200 feet) will take the company only about a day and a half to build—each job ultimately remaining under Ryan’s supervision. “When we start the job,

I’ll be there, and when we finish the job I’ll be there . . . you’ll be dealing with me directly,” Ryan says. If “DIY” customers prefer to install the decks or fences themselves, Vinyl Guys can provide the materials. “We’ve had lots of successful jobs like that,” Ryan confirms. The business also runs regular promotions and specials for canny customers to take advantage of. Vinyl fencing is available in five colours and numerous styles. “It’s beautiful. We work with leading suppliers,” says Ryan. And in contrast to the effort required to keep a wooden fence in attractive condition, maintenance for vinyl fencing consists of an occasional pass with a pressure washer— and nothing else. “It’s cleaner . . . you wash it off, and that’s it.” Vinyl may be slightly more expensive than wood up front, but its longevity and durability make it a better long-term choice.

That’s because the additional cost and time expenditure of staining renders wooden fences more and more costly as time goes on; after five years, Ryan notes, wood and vinyl fences have a roughly equal value. And while even the best wooden fence will eventually fall prey to the elements, Vinyl Guys’ fences and aluminum railings come with a lifetime warranty: they’ll last as long as you want them to. Whatever improvement you’ve been dreaming of for your property—a spacious deck for barbecuing, a safety wall around the pool, even the legendary white picket fence—Vinyl Guys can make it happen. Their service is straightforward and personal, yet professional: their products are attractive and hassle-free. They’re beautifying Saskatoon, one property at a time. Why shouldn’t yours be next? FHS The Vinyl Guys 306.341.9292 ryanl@vinylguys.ca vinylguys.ca

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Capture rainwater for your garden. The water you use for your lawn doesn’t have to come from a tap. A cistern or a rain barrel will capture and store rainwater for irrigation. Make sure your barrel is covered with a tight-fitting lid or screen to keep disease-carrying mosquitoes from breeding there. Water your garden or lawn early in the morning, after the dew has dried, to reduce losses due to evaporation. More than half of the water applied to lawns and gardens can be lost due to evaporation or runoff because of over-watering. In the laundry room, wash and rinse in cold water, using cold water detergent. Washing in warm rather than hot water uses 50 per cent less energy. Also, avoid over-drying clothes. Clothes should dry in 40 to 60 minutes. Better yet, hang clothes outdoors to dry when the weather permits. If you are buying a new dryer, look for one with a moisture sensor; it will turn off automatically when clothes are dry.

Install outdoor automatic timers on lighting. You won’t have to remember to turn your outdoor lights on in the evening and off during the day. Installing a timer can cut your outdoor lighting energy use by up to half. You can also use motion detectors that switch on automatically when people move close to them and switch off after a few minutes.

Here are a few simple changes you can make to use our resources more efficiently:

Use more efficient light bulbs. By replacing your standard bulbs in your home with ENERGY STAR®-qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs, you can significantly reduce the energy used to light your home.

ou can reduce your impact on the environment by reducing energy usage in the home. Energy-efficient upgrades decrease greenhouse gas and other air emissions, which helps create healthier communities.

Reduce drafts and heat loss from your doors, windows, and attic hatch with weather stripping. In older homes, drafts can account for 30 to 40 per cent of total heat loss. At the same time, seal electrical outlets and switches on outside walls with foam gaskets; on inside walls, use childproof plugs or combination cover plates. Install a programmable thermostat to reduce home heating at night and when away. For every 1°C (2°F) you lower your thermostat, you save two per cent on your heating bill. A reduction of 3°C (5°F) at night, and when you are away during the day, provides optimal savings. Install a ceiling fan and change the direction of the fan to push warm air down in the winter. This especially benefits houses with electric baseboards or high cathedral ceilings. Use fans as your first line of defence against summer heat. Keep your furnace well maintained, and change or clean furnace filters every couple of months. Dirty air filters block airflow and can damage the heat exchanger. When purchasing furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, windows, doors and major appliances, look for the ENERGY STAR® symbol. Upgrade your insulation in walls, the basement and attic. Insulating your basement walls and attic can reduce your energy bill by as much as 30 per cent. Take a quick shower instead of a bath. A five-minute shower, for instance, uses up to 50 per cent less hot water than a bath. Avoid running the tap while shaving, brushing your teeth or doing dishes. Partially fill the sink with water and stop about 80 per cent of that clean water from going down the drain— along with your money.

For more home improvement information, to send Shell an email, or to watch Shell’s Ask Shell Coffee Break, go to www.AskShell.com. FHS

Clearing the Fog

This can be the result of a number of things. • •

Jason Pingert Glass Doctor 101-2834 Millar Avenue Saskatoon 306.477.4527 www.glassdoctor.com |

ave you ever seen a window that looks like it needs to be cleaned in-between the panes of glass? While you attempt to clean the exterior and interior of the window, you are left with frustration and don’t know what to do next? That fogging is normally a result of a bad or broken seal with double and triple pane windows. A leak in the seal as small as the tip of a needle can result in a foggy window. Most windows older than 10 years are at a higher risk of fogging due to their age. However there have been windows less than a year old that have had fogging.

•

Poor installation and the seals were damaged. Low quality windows (or replacement windows). Manufacturing error. Even in highend windows manufacturers still make mistakes when they make millions of windows a year.

energy efficiency. In our climate we are subject to frequent temperature changes, and your IGUs help balance the indoor climate of your home. In the winter, IGUs reduce cold transmittance at the windows and help maintain a consistent temperature in the home. In the summer, IGUs reduce heat gain from outside. As a result your home’s air conditioning and heating system runs less, saving energy and money.

Your home’s IGUs are windows made from two or more pieces of flat pane glass separated by a sealed air space. If your home already has double or triple-pane windows, but there is condensation or a “milky” appearance between the panes of glass, Glass Doctor of Saskatoon can diagnose whether to replace the foggy IGU or the entire window.

When changing out an IGU, you also have the option to upgrade your existing IGUs with new energy-efficient glass replacements by adding a lowemissivity coating or argon gas. Low-E coatings are very thin metallic coatings that resist ultraviolet light and reduce visible light transmission by about 10 per cent compared to uncoated glass. Low-E glass allows sunlight into a room without letting heat inside. This reduces heating costs because the low-E coating re-radiates the heat absorbed from sunlight back inside the room. Adding argon gas to the air space between the panes will increase the overall insulation value of the window (R-value).

If you have foggy windows, your IGU is no longer functioning at its original

Learn more at glassrepairsaskatoon.com FHS

There are companies that sell foggy window removal services, but they are not guaranteed and chances are the fog will return sooner than later. Some companies charge upwards of 85 per cent of what a replacement insulated glass unit (IGU) for the window would cost.

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L–R Levi and Megan Lust, owners

Quality shows when pride motivates work By Paul Sinkewicz Photos nadine PePPler

evi and Megan Lust opened Levi’s Plumbing & Heating in 2011, and are finding the demand for skilled tradespeople in Saskatoon is keeping them very busy. The small company is quickly growing thanks to the boom in new home construction. The firm specializes in new builds and custom renovations, while building a loyal clientele on the repair side of the business. “I think that

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although we’re a young company, we have a home-grown feel,” says Megan. “We’re not necessarily flashy, but we’re affordable and the service we provide is like you would have gotten in your grandfather’s time when people had a real sense of pride in their work.” Levi is a very hands-on business owner, and says the most enjoyable part of the job for him is the sense of satisfaction he gets from building, or repairing, the

mechanical systems in a home. That pride and work ethic has helped Levi’s Plumbing flourish as word-of-mouth spreads. Megan attributes the success of the firm to the relationships Levi has established with some of the high-end builders in the city. “One of the things we thought was important because of our focus on the craftsmanship of the trade was to find some good quality, high-end developers to work with,” says Megan. “And we’ve

been fortunate enough to get a few that we’ve worked closely with doing their plumbing and mechanical work.” Levi is a Red-Seal Certified journeyman plumber and gasfitter with 12 years of experience in an industry where your success depends on your reputation. He has three other plumbers on staff, and Megan recently left her job to concentrate on the administrative and marketing side of the business full time. Keeping their staff members happy is a big key for Levi and Megan. “They can get a job as a plumber anywhere right now,” says Megan. “We like to make this a happy place to work and try to be responsive to their needs. We care about them, and invest in new tools and technology to make their work easier.” The company recently bought a portable digging machine to make the work easier digging trenches, sump pits and drains. The mini-backhoe can be winched into basements and shortens two-day jobs into just a few hours without the backbreaking digging by hand. Levi’s Plumbing & Heating also puts a lot of care into its service work. The team is more than willing to explain plumbing and heating options to keep costs down, and is generous with maintenance advice for its customers. Levi has been using the firm’s Facebook page to give helpful hints on toilet repairs and furnace filters, and is interested in producing how-to videos for the average homeowner. Megan and Levi hope their firm will come to top of the mind when homeowners need a hand with repairs or renovations. FHS

Levi’s Plumbing & Heating 306.262.6961 info@levisplumbing.ca |

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A BreAth of fresh Air By Brook ThalgoTT

olin Enns knows all about what spring in Saskatchewan means. With the season finally here, it’s now time to think about our yards, gardens, driveways—everything landscaping. As owner of Saskatoon’s Keystone Paving, Colin has spent the last five years beautifying yards in and around the city. “I started my company in 2009, and it really fulfills two of my passions: building relationships and being artistic,” says Colin. “Our team is concerned with leaving a positive lasting impression on every person and every space we work with.

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It’s our aim to be a refreshing presence to our customers and their neighbours, our suppliers, and each other as coworkers while transforming yards.” Keystone Paving customers Arnie and Jan certainly think Colin is hitting his mark. “We happened by Keystone’s booth at the Gardenscape Outdoor Living show and liked what we saw,” says Jan. “When we met to discuss possibilities and get ideas for our yard, Colin’s design process was very helpful; after consulting with him we felt confident that we were going

to get what we wanted. When the work was done it was finished according to the plan and it totally exceeded our expectations.” After Keystone completely rebuilt their property, Arnie and Jan agree Colin and his crew were “prompt, courteous and trustworthy, and we would absolutely recommend them to anyone else considering a landscaping project.” Along with being easy to work with, Colin provides a high-quality finished product. Keystone Paving specializes in paving stone installation

and handles all kinds of landscaping projects, from patios to driveways to retaining walls to entire yard makeovers. The team at Keystone Paving know how to make your yard not only attractive, but also efficient and practical. “We are a full-service landscaping company,” says Colin. “Our company sees every project as more than just a job. It’s an opportunity for creativity that requires both technical and artistic skills. We’re all about making your outdoor space beautiful and functional and doing the job properly.”

Colin is a certified installer, earning his certification from the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI), and his team includes experienced installers and a horticultural expert. Combined, the Keystone Paving team can help you create the outdoor space that matches your lifestyle and budget. “People have different needs and wants for their yards. We recognize this, and we work hard to make sure we deliver what will work best for our customers,” says Colin. “If you are looking for something simple and lowmaintenance, we can do that. If you want something grand, we can do that too.”

Colin and the Keystone Paving team serve the city of Saskatoon and surrounding area, plus the lake country. To learn more about what Colin and Keystone Paving can do for you, call them at 306.370.9786 or visit them online at keystonepaving.ca FHS

Keystone Paving Corp. Saskatoon 306.370.9786 keystonepaving.ca

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Residential Permits By Erin LEgg

ou’re tearing down that old deck and building a new one. You’re upgrading your roof. That undeveloped basement is finally going to become a usable, livable space. It’s time for a new garage.

There are specific safety and structural requirements set by the City of Saskatoon’s building code regulations that must be followed for renovation or building projects. Residential building permits are issued for projects where the structure of the home or any of the systems within the home are being changed, including: • new residential construction • renovation, demolition or relocation of existing residential buildings • building or renovating accessory buildings (such as garages, decks or pools) • basement developments

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If you are building an addition, moving/ removing existing walls, installing new window or door openings, adding a fireplace, or altering your electrical or plumbing systems, you need a permit. If you are building a new fence, upgrading your shingles, pouring a new driveway, installing new flooring or cabinetry, or upgrading existing windows and doors, chances are you do not need a permit. Your contractor will know which project requires a permit; however, it is best to contact the City of Saskatoonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Building Standards Branch for specifics. The City of Saskatoon also requires homeowners to have a plumbing permit for any sort of construction, alteration or repair to a plumbing system. Plumbing permits are only issued to licensed plumbing contractors who are registered with the city. The homeowner must confirm that the contractor hired complies with the provinceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plumbing regulations. Plumbing inspections occur at the rough-in stage, as well as the final stage. Until the system has been inspected and approved it cannot be covered/finished. SaskPower is responsible for the issuing of both electrical permits and gas permits. An electrical permit is required for any sort of electrical work on your home and must be obtained by a licensed electrical contractor before any work is performed. A gas permit must be obtained for any sort of gas work on your home, such as new gas installations or the alteration of existing gas lines or equipment. SaskPower will only issue a permit to licensed gas contractors. A City of Saskatoon building inspector will review every project for which a permit has been issued, and SaskPower will have a licensed inspector review all electrical and gas permit projects. These are skilled and trained professionals who are knowledgeable in the regulation areas for each project and ensure all safety measures and zoning requirements have been met. Whereas some permits will only be issued to licensed professionals, each homeowner is responsible for ensuring the permits are obtained. The application process for each permit requires a fee and supporting documentation (such as a to-scale floor plan for smaller projects, or a site survey and working drawings

for larger, more complex projects). Approval of permits may be relatively quick for smaller projects (a day or two), but require a bit more time for larger ones (several weeks). Be sure to add a cushion of time into your planning process for the approval of permits. Permits are designed to protect homeowners from complications down the road by ensuring standards are met. What happens if the correct permits are not obtained? If the project fails to meet minimum building code regulations, you are financially responsible for fixing the problems. You may also be required to remove any additions or buildings that fail to meet the regulations. Since you are essentially breaking the law, you may be fined. There may also be insurance implications: if the work performed does not meet minimum standards, your

insurance may not cover incidences arising from the project. Always discuss renovation or building plans with your insurance provider to make sure you are properly covered. If you are planning on selling your property, potential buyers may ask for proof of permits for upgrades or renovations. Without this, some potential buyers may be wary of purchasing the property and inheriting any unforeseen problems. Furthermore, any future refinancing plans may be hindered. For any questions about or clarification on residential building permits, please contact the City of Saskatoonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Building Standards Branch at 306.975.2645. For any questions about or clarification on gas or electrical permits, please contact SaskPower at 1.888.757.6937. FHS

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Focus on road trips, not market dips.

Look forward to a brighter investment horizon. Ask me about Money for Life™ from Sun Life Financial.

I’m Jeff Rask*.

Jeff Rask and Associates Financial Services Inc.

Call, write or visit me any time.

Bus: 306-649-4000 ext 107 jeff.rask@sunlife.com www.sunlife.ca/jeff.rask 475 1st Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1XS *Mutual funds offered by Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc. © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2012.

Life’s brighter under the sun

S P E C I A L F E AT U R E

THE COTTAGE LIFESTYLE

Get Away From It All

The CoTTage LifesTyLe By FHS StaFF

t’s what so many people look forward to each year. You’ve opened the cottage for the year. You’ve tidied the property after its winter rest. You’ve put the linens on the beds and swept the floor. You’ve washed the windows and the deck. The dock is in place and ready for use. The boat has been tuned up. Neighbours have reunited and are looking forward to the season.

So is cottage life. The cottage lifestyle is appealing for the relaxing get-away-fromit-all moments spent with friends and family at the beach, in the boat or around the fire. It’s the time spent in silence with a cup of coffee, early in the morning, looking out onto the pristine water. It’s the meandering through the woods, catching glimpse of wildlife and nature unseen in everyday life. It’s about slowing down and preparing and enjoying meals on the deck. It’s about taking a step back and just being you.

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Saskatchewan boasts a vibrant cottage industry. With its vast and breathtaking wilderness, backcountry cabin stays are popular for those seeking refuge from the hectic life in the city. Take a load off your mind, slip into your hiking boots and head into the woods for a nature-lover’s hike. Take your camera—you never know what you might come across. Slide the canoe into the clean, crisp lake and cut across the water for a much-needed escape into the serenity of our Saskatchewan summers. At the end of the day, gaze upwards at the millions of stars with an unobstructed view.

What can be better than that? With more than 100,000 lakes all over the province, cottagers with a desire for recreation have endless choices for boating, fishing and swimming. Be it waterskiing, tubing, kayaking or just a leisurely paddle-boat ride, spending time on the water is essential to cottage life. Is this the year you’ll try something different? Get that new boat? Catch the biggest fish? Who knows!

SPECIAL FEATURE THE COTTAGE LIFESTYLE

The beach is often the hub of social gatherings: kids digging in the ground, adults chatting and laughing and catching up with each other, dogs stretching lazily under the umbrella. Wrap up the day in the sun with a walk down to the lake’s village ice cream shop and savour one of the most desired tastes of summer. Back at the cabin, it’s time to prepare your supper. So often, cottagers enjoy preparing easy yet delicious meals that cater to everyone’s taste buds: fish, local produce and herbs, easy do-it-yourself meals. Or perhaps you enjoy visiting the local diner where other cottagers stop by your table to say hello or linger with you over a piece of pie. When our summers seem so short and with the vastness of nature at our doorsteps, spending time at the cabin is a summer well spent. Whether you’re a weekender or an all-summer-long type of cottager, enjoy. FHS

SPECIAL FEATURE THE COTTAGE LIFESTYLE

S P E C I A L F E AT U R E

THE COTTAGE LIFESTYLE

Working for Your Weekend So You Don’t Waste a Minute of It BY Julie Mushynsky photos lisa landree outdoor photos courtesY of Martin Motor sports

riginally from Humbolt, Saskatchewan, Randy Malinoski has always been involved in water sports and even more so now that he has taken over Martin Motor Sports in Saskatoon. After working as a lab technician, Randy took over the shop in September 2011. Water sports are part of the Malinoski blood line. Randy and his family have always been involved in wakeboarding and waterskiing. For those familiar with wakeboarding, you may have heard the Malinoski name before. Randy’s brother, Rusty Malinoski, is a professional wakeboarder. Nicknamed the “Bone Crusher” for his powerful style of riding, Rusty is credited with being the first wakeboarder to land a 1080 in a competition. Martin Motor Sports is an upbeat, one-stop shop for all your recreational needs. They specialize in new and used

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boats, Triton snowmobile trailers, and have full service, parts, accessories and finance departments. With spring and summer on their way it is time to hit the water. Whether you’re into wakeboarding, tubing, kneeboarding, wakesurfing, skiing, fishing or just relaxing, they can ensure your day at the lake is perfect. Customers have always been impressed with the product line Martin Motor Sports carries. The shop offers a wide range of brands including high-end Manitou Pontoon Boats and Mastercraft Luxury Ski Boats. In fact, they are the largest dealer for these brands in the world. Recently, Martin Motor Sports has become the exclusive dealer for Bennington Pontoon Boats, as well as Moomba and Supra Ski Boats, giving them the ability to supply the perfect boat for anyone’s needs and price range. They also provide boat lifts and docks,

boating accessories, and wakeboards from brands like Obrien and Hyperlite. “We have an excellent product line— some of the best in the market,” says Randy. And the staff can help you find what is best for you. That’s one of the major advantages of shopping at Martin Motor Sports. Not only does Randy have handson experience with the products they sell, all the staff at Martin Motor Sports have good product knowledge. “We are all legitimate riders and avid boaters. We know about the products we sell because we’ve used them,” explains Randy. Martin Motor Sports has service shops in Edmonton, Calgary, Kelowna and in the Shuswaps area, so wherever you go in western Canada, Martin Motor Sports has you covered. They will do whatever needs to be done to get your boat up and running—even if that

SPECIAL FEATURE THE COTTAGE LIFESTYLE

means driving out to the lake to pick up the boat. You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t waste a moment of your spring and summer weekends. Martin Motor Sports is now approaching its busy season, so if you are thinking about buying a boat, now is a good time to get to the shop. For more information and questions about any of their products, give Martin Motor Sports a call. You can also browse their products and view product reviews and testimonials online at www. martinmotorsports.ca. FHS Martin Motor Sports 3635 Idylwyld Drive Saskatoon S7L 6B5 306.664.2628 www.martinmotorsports.ca below right The staff of Martin Motor Sports

S P E C I A L F E AT U R E

THE COTTAGE LIFESTYLE

ABOVE Michael Pantermarakis, owner

INTERNATIONALLY-ACCLAIMED, AWARD-WINNING GREEK RESTAURANT IN SASKATChEWAN By Nykea Marie Behiel Photos heather Fritz

hile we may not have the whitewashed walls of Mykonos or the ruins of Athens, there is an authentic piece of Greece on the Prairies. Michael and Georgia Pantermarakis own and operate the Blacktop Diner/Olive Tree Restaurant, a short drive outside of Saskatoon. It is the perfect destination for an exquisite fine dining experience.

With plenty of delicious dishes for you to enjoy at the restaurant, now, you can

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bring a little bit of The Olive Tree home. Georgia and Michael import organic extra virgin olive oil from their family’s production on the island of Crete. A taste of this will make you understand how they have won so many international awards for their amazing product. Something little makes a huge difference; the taste and quality is unparalleled. Most people don’t realize the difference olive oil makes until they taste The Olive Tree’s extra virgin olive oil. The Pantermarakis’ have also started selling herbed olive oil,

which tastes as wonderful as it looks. These beautifully shaped bottles are filled with herbs and spices, adding a new twist to an old classic. Their thyme honey, also imported from Crete, is another pure, delicious addition for your cupboards. You can’t find these ingredients anywhere but here. As the only two foods in the world that never go bad, olive oil and honey are both healthy and delicious. These top-quality ingredients are what they use in their meal preparation in the diner as well.

SPECIAL FEATURE THE COTTAGE LIFESTYLE

Georgia and Michael import award-winning organic extra virgin olive oil from their family’s production on the island of Crete.

“We want the same quality for our customers that we offer our kids, family and friends,” says Georgia. The couple sources the best, most wholesome ingredients. The trendy 50s-style diner is full of Canadian classics and spruced up with genuine Greek dishes. Having cooked in one of the leading hotels in Greece, Georgia always prepares something special. The diner also offers catering and creates special menus for inhouse parties—birthdays, anniversaries and corporate parties—any reason you can find to celebrate. At The Olive Tree, you can get anything from steak and spaghetti to moussaka and postitsio. Georgia’s love of food shows in the amazing quality of cuisine. The spices she uses are also sourced from Greece—this heart and desire to create the best possible dishes is what makes The Olive Tree the best kept secret near Saskatoon. To make the trip

SPECIAL FEATURE THE COTTAGE LIFESTYLE

even more memorable, there is now limousine service available. The Pantermarakis’ used to operate the same style restaurant in P.A., and were frequented by both the mayor and John Diefenbaker. In fact, they have the chair Diefenbaker used to sit in at The Olive Tree. The food is as authentic here as it is in Greece. Make the short, scenic drive to The Olive Tree. “People love the atmosphere.” The quaint shop and restaurant is a good excuse to get out of the city. Enjoy a genuine Greek meal or a western favourite, then take home some of the purest ingredients in the world. Blacktop Diner/The Olive Tree Highway 12, near Blaine Lake 306.945.4766 www.olivetreerestaurant.ca TOP RIGHT Georgia Pantermarakis, owner

Laurel Green

exclusive lake country living

Experience Emma Lake’s first gated residential community, nestled within its natural northern landscape. • • • • • •

fully serviced and titled lots lighted, graded streets architectural controls RV and boat storage compound central pond and common area adjacent to Emma Lake Golf Course

Phase I: Only 1 lot left at $99,000 Phase II: 10 lots available at $129,900

New Homes by JRLG Construction Ltd.

Lot price includes: • water and sewer lines to house footings (no individual septic or water tanks required) • power and gas lines to front corner of the dwelling

Sharon Wingate, RE/Max 306.361.8808 swingate67@gmail.com

Laurel Green Emma Lake, Saskatchewan www.laurelgreen.ca

The Suncoast Louvered Roof

The Suncoast 3-Season Room

Attention Homeowners: Imagine a durable, versatile and attractive patio cover. One that delivers shade on hot days, protects your family from harmful UV rays and keeps your deck, swimming pool, hot tub and outdoor furniture dry during a rainstorm. We custom build your louvered roof as an addition to your home/business or as its own free-standing patio cover. Our built-in guttering system effectively channels away rain runoff to prevent flooding and structural damage. The louvers are operated by a hand-held remote which is charged by an efficient solar panel. Open the louvers slightly to increase ventilation, or a full 180 degrees allowing maximum sunlight into your home. Suncoast Screen Enclosures offers a screened-in, outdoor area that allows you to enjoy your deck, pool, spa or patio without the sense of being enclosed in an indoor space.

These esthetically pleasing and durable sunrooms protect you from the wind, hot sun, rain and the nuisance of annoying and dangerous insects. A Suncoast screen room works in the winter by keeping your deck area free of snow for the enjoyment of your spa and barbecue. The roof can be made of screening to allow an uninhibited view of the sky with other roof options available. Let Suncoast Enclosures help your patio have a stylish look and feel with the benefits of a fully adjustable louvered system, screen enclosure or three-season room. Give us a call today for your free estimate.

www.suncoastenclosures.com | don@suncoastenclosures.com | 306.761.1801 | Toll Free 1.877.449.5106

Zesty Orange MOjitO

summer must, this refreshing beverage is perfect for those warm evenings on the cottage patio.

IngredIents half an orange, cut into wedges half a lime, cut into wedges 2 tsp sugar 8 leaves fresh mint 2 1/2 ounces white rum crushed ice • In a tall glass, crush together the orange wedges, lime wedges, sugar and mint until juicy. • Add the rum and some ice, and mix well. • Strain over ice into a smaller glass. • Garnish with a mint leaf and an orange slice.

WEEKEND Gordon Ramsay

BISTRO Classic

Gordon Ramsay’s

Gordon’s classic strawberry tart has the crumbliest pastry ever, plus a few of his own modern touches

STRAWBERRY TART PHOTOS MYLES NEW

Strawberry sablée tart SERVES 6-8 • PREP 20 mins, plus 1 hr chilling • COOK 35 mins, plus 15 mins cooling time pastry only

I like to use a straight-sided ring for the tart, but if you only have a fluted one it will be fine – you just need to roll the pastry out a bit thicker so that it will get into all the ridges. FOR THE PASTRY 200g plain flour, plus extra for rolling 1 tsp fine sea salt 11/2 tsp baking powder 125g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature, plus extra for greasing 125g caster sugar 1 large sprig thyme, leaves stripped 3 egg yolks dry, uncooked rice, for baking FOR THE FILLING 250g ripe, even-size British strawberries, 4 tbsp icing sugar, sifted 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 284ml tub double cream finely grated zest 1 lemon finely grated zest 1 lime 2 ripe (wrinkled) passion fruits, halved 2 tbsp crème fraîche 2 tbsp natural yogurt 6 large basil leaves icing sugar and a handful small basil leaves, to serve

To make the pastry, sift the flour, salt and baking powder into a large bowl. Rub in the butter until it is the texture of crumbs, then mix in the sugar and thyme leaves. Make a well in the centre. Beat the egg yolks together, then stir into the mixture with a table knife until it forms soft clumps. Using your fingers, draw the pastry together into a rough dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead into a smooth ball. Cover with cling film and chill for at least 30 mins. Rub a little softened butter around a plain 20cm x 2cm flan ring.

PER SERVING (8) 526 kcalories, protein 5g, carbohydrate 48g, fat 36g, saturated fat 21g, fibre 1g, sugar 28g, salt 0.96g

Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Cover the tart case with a large round of baking parchment, then half-fill with uncooked rice. Place in the centre of the oven and bake for 15 mins. Remove and lift out the parchment and rice. Turn oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3, wait about 5 mins, then return the case and bake for a further 10 mins until golden brown. Remove and cool for 10 mins. Using a small, sharp knife, cut away excess pastry, trimming the ring top. Loosen the sides with a knife, pull off the ring and leave to cool. The case should be biscuit crisp.

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To make the filling, place the strawberries on a plate, dredge with the icing sugar and vinegar, then set aside. Beat the cream with the grated zests until just forming soft peaks. Scoop the passion fruit pulp into a small sieve and rub through onto the cream with the back of a spoon, then stir in the crème fraîche and yogurt. Stack the large basil leaves together, shape into a roll, thinly slice into shreds, then chop. Fold these into the cream.

Cover a heavy baking sheet with nonstick baking parchment and place the ring in the centre. Dust the work surface and rolling pin with flour. Lightly re-knead the dough until smooth, then roll out to a round roughly 30cm in diameter. Lift the dough over the rolling pin and drape over the ring. Press gently into the sides and let the overhang fall on the outside. Break off a chunk of pastry and roll into a ball. Dip into a little of the icing sugar, then use it to press the dough into the ring. Do not trim at this stage. Chill the tart case for at least 30 mins, preferably in the freezer.

When the base has completely cooled (it doesn’t matter if it has broken around the sides a little), assemble the tart. Spoon the cream into a piping bag without a nozzle, then pipe in small, even dollops over the base. Drain the strawberries and press lightly onto the cream. Dust over more icing sugar, tuck in the small basil leaves among the strawberries and serve immediately.

WEEKEND Gordon Ramsay

Gordon’s guide TO A PERFECT TART ➤ The sweet pastry is quite fragile because it has a higher proportion of butter to flour than most pastry. If you find it impossible to roll out, it can be easily moulded with fingertips, like marzipan, into the tart case. ➤ I use a plain, unfluted flan ring so that the dough presses in and lifts off easily after baking. You can buy these rings at good kitchen equipment stores. ➤ Even though the dough is high in butter, I still recommend greasing the pastry ring well with softened butter and using non-stick baking parchment on the baking sheet. ➤ Instead of ceramic or metal baking beans, I use uncooked rice.

It is lighter, so holds the pastry down without squashing it. ➤ You can experiment with extra flavours for the dough. In this recipe I’ve used fresh thyme leaves, but my other favourite flavours are lavender flowers, vanilla seeds and cardamom seeds – whatever suits the season and topping. ➤ The cases can be rolled out and frozen for up to 1 month and cooked from frozen, or baked up to a day ahead and stored in an airtight container. Complete the topping and cream about 30 mins before serving. ➤ You can vary the fruits according to the season: for autumn tarts, try sliced and poached plums or apricots.

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SASKATOON AND AREA

REALTOR