Spruce magazine

VICTORIA’S HOME & D E S I G N MAGAZINE

FALL/WINTER 2018

A natural stone fireplace complements the West Coast esthetic of this North Saanich home.

INSPIRING HOMES & INTERIORS sprucemagazine.ca PM41295544

design | build | enjoy 778 351 4088

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250 474-5899 | NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION THIS ADVERTISEMENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT AN OFFERING FOR SALE. E&OE.

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IN THIS ISSUE

FALL/WINTER 2018

FEATURED HOMES

36

46

54

■ CUSTOM BUILD

■ LUXURY MAKEOVER

■ DUPLEX RENOVATION

HEIGHT OF LUXURY

BRIGHT IDEAS

DOUBLE TAKE

ON THE COVER As we head into the fall, nothing compares to a fireplace for creating mood and ambience in a home.

Building a custom home on Triangle Mountain presented unique challenges — and plenty of rewards.

Two empty-nesters update their aging split-level, embracing everything airy and light.

A major remodel transforms both sides of a 1950s duplex into a personal expression of each family’s style.

B Y DANIELLE POPE

B Y DAVID LENNAM

B Y ATHENA McKENZIE

28

TUSCAN TAKEOVER

A cookie-cutter townhouse kitchen gets an Italian-inspired upgrade.

B Y NESSA PULLMAN

62

FRESH IDEAS FOR THE LAUNDRY ROOM

The latest laundry room trends promise your dream setup.

B Y DANIELLE POPE

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FALL/WINTER 2018

Page 68

68

PLAYING WITH FIRE

All the options to simplify the design process and help you choose the best fireplace for your home.

B Y JENNIFER RUDOLPH

WE’RE COMING OUT OF THE CLOSET

Stepping into...

WWW.INCREDIBLEHOME.CA

IN THIS ISSUE

24

DEPARTMENTS

10

EDITOR’S LETTER

B Y ATHENA McKENZIE

14

S PRUCE IT UP

Details and trends to elevate your space.

HAVE A SEAT

One of the largest selections of bar and counter stools on Vancouver Island — starting at $119.

20

DESIGN INSPIRATION

The insider’s guide to window treatments.

B Y BEN BRANNEN

24

DETAILS

Spruce shines a light on chandelier styles.

B Y ATHENA McKENZIE

74

ASK THE EXPERT

Rick Anthony of SecurHome Consulting breaks down the ways to protect your space.

B Y ALEX VAN TOL

78

REAL ESTATE

How essential is a home inspection?

B Y SHANNON MONEO

81

RESOURCES

A categorized list of the suppliers and trades showcased in these pages.

82

FINISHING TOUCH

Available in bar and counter heights and featuring spectator height (seat height 34") — Proudly Canadian made — Completely customizable colours and fabrics and many more styles available in store Max Furniture is locally owned and operated in Victoria since 2008

1-2745 Bridge Street, Victoria maxfurniture.ca 8

FALL/WINTER 2018

A forested property on Lands End Road takes its landscaping cues from the natural surroundings.

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V I C TO R I A’ S H O M E & D E S I G N M AG A Z I N E

PUBLISHERS Lise Gyorkos, Georgina Camilleri EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kerry Slavens EDITOR Athena McKenzie

PRODUCTION MANAGER Jennifer Kühtz

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Jeffrey Bosdet

LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER Janice Hildybrant PROOFREADER Renée Layberry ASSOCIATE GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jo-Ann Loro CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ben Brannen, David Lennam,

Danielle Pope, Shannon Moneo, Nessa Pullman, Jennifer Rudolph, Alex Van Tol

MORE SPACE. MORE POSSIBILITIES. BIGGER ADVENTURES.

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jeffrey Bosdet, Geoff Hobson,

Vince Klassen, Joshua Lawrence, Leanna Rathkelly

CONTRIBUTING AGENCIES ThinkStock p. 74 ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Deana Brown, Sharon Davies,

Cynthia Hanischuk

GENERAL INQUIRIES info@sprucemagazine.ca

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COVER: A K2 Stone fireplace surround brings in an element

of the natural environment in this home designed by Keith Baker of KB Design and built by Triple Bar Construction.

Photo by Vince Klassen

Spruce magazine is published by Page One Publishing 580 Ardersier Road, Victoria, BC V8Z 1C7 T 250-595-7243 info@pageonepublishing.ca pageonepublishing.ca ADVERTISE IN SPRUCE MAGAZINE

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Ideas and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Page One Publishing Inc. or its affiliates; no official endorsement should be inferred. The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents of any advertisement and any and all representations or warranties made in such advertising are those of the advertiser and not the publisher. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, in all or part, in any form — printed or electronic — without the express permission of the publisher. The publisher cannot be held responsible for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs.

Introducing the all-new 3-row, family-sized SUV as envisioned by Subaru — the 2019 Subaru Ascent. Built on the new Subaru Global Platform (SGP), the Ascent offers seating for 7 or 8 passengers, a supremely comfortable ride and generous interior space.

2019 SUBARU ASCENT WELL-EQUIPPED FROM

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JPSubaruVictoria.com | 1784 Island Highway, Victoria, BC | 250-474-2211 *Pricing applies to a new 2019 Subaru Ascent Convenience (KT2C8) with MSRP of $37,795 including freight & PDI ($1,800). Documentation fee ($395), A/C levy ($100), tire levy ($25), taxes, license, insurance, and registration are extra. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice. Vehicle shown solely for purposes of illustration, and may not be equipped exactly as shown. See Jim Pattison Subaru Victoria for complete details. Dealer #40319.

FALL/WINTER 2018

9

EDITOR’S LETTER

OFFERING FULL SERVICE INTERIOR DESIGN

Making a house a home

Athena McKenzie, Editor

D

BEAUTIFUL HOME DÉCOR & GIFTWARE

uring a recent family reunion in Newfoundland, my precocious six-year-old niece pointed out all the differences in the houses from the ones she knew back in Ontario: many St. John’s homes have a traditional boxy shape with painted wood siding, and “they don’t have any bricks,” she said.

I could relate. When I moved to Vancouver Island from Toronto six years ago, I was struck by the regional variations in our country’s architecture. One significant difference on the West Coast is the popularity of flat or minimally canted roofs, which are rare in more snowy climes. The area’s mild climate means architects get to embrace nature rather than trying to shield against it like they do back East.

The hallmarks of modern Pacific Northwest architecture that I love include its grand post-and-beam construction with exposed timbers, the integration of exterior with interior spaces, the extensive use of native wood, the embrace of skylights, and the use of large glass windows to let in the sun — and the views. While some West Coast building sites might be rocky or irregular — as experienced by the team building the stunning custom home on Triangle Mountain featured on page 36 — they can also offer breathtaking outlooks on the ocean or natural forests.

Despite regional differences in design, one thing that unites us across the country is a desire to create a place where we feel comfortable and secure: that drive to make a house a home. As the new editor of Spruce magazine, I am excited to work with local experts to continue learning about the unique elements that go into building or renovating in Victoria, and to help you create the home of your dreams.

EDITOR’S PICKS When I head to the Interior Design Show (IDS 2018) in Vancouver this fall, I’m hoping to check out these inspiring West Coast pieces. Their creators exemplify the nature-forward design approach of the region.

EXCLUSIVE LINES 778-265-8002 www.calla.design

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FALL/WINTER 2018

Take a Seat

Happy Lamp

The exposed joinery of Atelier Dimopoulus’s D3 Lounge Chair, which is made from solid elm, shows the skilled workmanship of Victoria’s Stéfane Dimopoulus in its ergonomic construction.

Working off the concept that a therapy light does not need to look clinical, the Perk Lamp from Vancouver’s Willow and Stamp was designed to be a home décor object and a solution to the rainy season blues.

Wild Walls

The Laguna wallpaper from Vancouver’s akHome captures the movement of the Pacific Northwest’s oceans, rivers and lakes through original watercolour and calligraphy linework.

SPRUCE IT UP

PROJECT WISHLIST

KOHLER.CA

DESIGN DETAILS AND TRENDS TO ELEVATE YOUR SPACE

14

FALL/WINTER 2018

3

Galactica from Stanton’s Lumina Collection in platinum and denim.

4 2

Top row > Selections from the Cravings palette include, from left: Cappuccino, Chili Pepper, Cayenne, Flamingo, Butterum Bottom row > Selections from the Classico palette include, from left: Swan White, Doe, Apricot Brandy, Leather Brown, Tibeten Red, Caviar, Mallard Blue

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1

SCULPTURAL SINKS

Make a design statement in your bath or powder room with a sink that doubles as an art piece.

Kohler’s Artist Editions combine artistry and craftsmanship, elevating this everyday object.

Inspired by studio pottery, the Derring collection celebrates handcrafted ceramics. Each sink is a one-of-a-kind creation, finished with unique artisanal glazes and a hand-carved texture to accentuate the glazes’ subtle tonal variations.

Available through The Ensuite Bath & Kitchen Showroom

2

COLOUR CRAVINGS

PANTONEVIEW home + interiors 2019 includes two color palettes specifically chosen for housewares and interior design, and they’re a return to the classics.

“Cravings” will tempt the eye with spicy red, tropical orange and rich purple, along with neutrals like creamy beige and coffee brown.

As the name implies, the hues of “Classico” are fundamental, while at the same time elegant and forever fashionable. In this palette, you’ll find a swan white and camel-colored tan, as well as deep blue, burgundy red and black.

3

SHINE ON

If you need the warmth and comfort of carpet to make your space feel like home, new styles let you add a bit of sparkle and shine to your plush floor covering. Kane Carpet offers several collections with glimmering threads woven into their hand-tufted wool carpets, and Stanton Carpet’s new Lumani Collection features shimmering iridescent silvers. These styles complement most spaces, from living rooms to bedrooms, and can be ordered as a wall-to-wall installation or even a customsized rug.

Both Kane Carpet and Stanton available at Jordans Floor Covering

4

INCOGNITO APPLIANCES

Gone are the days of bulky refrigerators dominating your kitchen. When choosing your design, consider the integrated look of panel-ready appliances, such as the Fisher & Paykel refrigeration system.

A panel-ready appliance means a custom cover can be installed on the front of the appliance to match your cabinets and allows for seamless integration with minimal gaps and a flush fit. Fisher & Paykel’s column system offers different fridge and freezer sizes, which can be installed separately or together, giving you design freedom.

Available through Coast Appliances and Lansdowne Appliance Gallery

FALL/WINTER 2018

15

SPRUCE IT UP

FORM IS FUNCTION

Are speakers and wires interfering with the esthetic of your living or media room? The innovative Elements collection from BDi features remotefriendly, nature-inspired, laser-cut door designs that provide a storage solution with natural airflow. Openings in the touch-latch doors permit air and sound to flow easily through the cabinet, while their perforated metal backing keeps contents out of sight. A unique computer-guided laser-cutting process creates detailed patterns in the wood door panels. The unit is configurable with several options, including size, door pattern, finish and base.

Available through Sagerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home Living

Designed for use with media components, the Elements collection features removable back panels with cut-outs for cable management and ventilation.

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FALL/WINTER 2018

OB Come visit us Come visit us in our new real estate sales office.

Come visit us in our new real estate sales office.

Come visit us

Pemberton Holmes is thrilled andsales proud office. to be back in our new real estate and part of Oak Bay’s futureand as well as to itsbe past.

Pemberton Holmes is thrilled proud back Pemberton Holmes is thrilled and proud to be back and part of Oak Bay’s future as well as its past. and part of Oak Bay’s future as well as its past.

in our new real estate sales office.

Pemberton Holmes is thrilled to be back and part of Oak Bay’s future as well as its past.

Bobby Brent Jerry Kash Laurie Laine Paul Ray Rob Tracey Tricia Vanessa Ross Beagle Du Burley Appleton Buckingham Cooper Murray Davies Menzies Keller Roman 250.661.0751 Bobby 250.888.8134 Brent 250.813.2166 Jerry 250.213.6873 Kash 250.857.1774 Laurie 778.533.4988 Laine 250.686.4234 Paul 250.686.3789 Ray 778.350.5525 Rob 250.419.2075 Tracey 250.886.0620 Tricia 250.589.7325 Vanessa Bobby Ross Beagle Brent Jerry Du Burley Kash Appleton Laurie Buckingham Laine Cooper Paul Murray Ray Davies Rob Menzies Tracey Keller Tricia Vanessa Roman Ross Beagle Du Burley Appleton Buckingham 250.686.4234 Cooper Murray Davies Menzies Keller Roman 250.661.0751 250.888.8134 250.813.2166 250.213.6873 250.857.1774 778.533.4988 250.686.3789 778.350.5525 250.419.2075 250.886.0620 250.589.7325 250.661.0751 250.888.8134 250.813.2166 250.213.6873 250.857.1774 778.533.4988 250.686.4234 250.686.3789 778.350.5525 250.419.2075 250.886.0620 250.589.7325

2000 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria 250.590.8124 www.pembertonholmes.com 2000 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria 250.590.8124 2000 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria www.pembertonholmes.com Providing over 130 years of experience for your 250.590.8124 peace of mind. www.pembertonholmes.com Providing over 130 years of experience for your peace of mind.

Expect more Over 20 years of finely crafted, handmade cabinetry, furniture and millwork

BATHROOM BLISS

Give your bathroom a refresh with a wash of Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan. Available in 36 mixable shades, Chalk Paint can be applied directly to fibreglass, porcelain or cast iron tubs without priming or sanding. The inviting sanctuary below features a bath painted in Provence, then finished with Chalk Paint Wax, with feet done in Old White; and ombre walls in a cascading ocean palette of Aubusson Blue and Provence, also finished with Chalk Paint Wax. Paint available through A French Touch

259 Esquimalt Road 250.360.2123 douglasgrantcabinetmakers.com

Authentic Idar HOME CONFIDENTIAL

The Celtic Revival Collection INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNING JEWELLERY DESIGNERS • SINCE 1972 946 Fort St, Victoria, BC • 250-383-3414 • www.idar.com Jewellery Designs © 2018 IDAR

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FALL/WINTER 2018

A practical organizer and guided journal in one, Diary of Your Home gives you an appealing book to record essential information, from your contractor’s phone number to all of your paint colours and chips. With topics as diverse as furnishings, repairs and landscaping, this book also includes space for décor wish lists and mood boards, project pages with to-dos, schedules, and budgets.

Available through Bolen Books

ELEVATED STYLE

Autonomous Furniture’s Ban table is about contrasting tones, materials and proportions, while providing exceptional stability.

Its whitewashed Western maple surface, inspired by Scandinavian design, is set on 3/8" curved hot-rolled steel legs. Designed by Kirk Van Ludwig, it was originally commissioned for New York Times bestselling author and artist Nick Bantock and his wife, Joyce.

“It’s elegant and sophisticated, but what really makes this Autonomous table special is its luminosity and the way it makes you feel like it is levitating above the floor,” Bantock says.

The Ban table can be ordered in custom-size variations.

Available through Autonomous Furniture

VANCOUVER ISLAND MARBLE

Looking for a local luxury touch for your home build or reno? Marble is one of the most ancient and coveted building materials in the world, and the quarries of Vancouver Island Marble Quarries are a significant source of fine white, grey and black varieties; the white is believed to be the only white marble quarried in Canada. It’s an elegant choice for your kitchen or bathroom — or any other space in your home.

Available through Matrix Marble & Stone

Morning Sunshine Morning Sunshine

Afternoon Cool Down Afternoon Cool Down Morning Sunshine

Afternoon Cool Down

Saffron Window Fashions Ltd. 107-2220 Sooke Rd Saffron Window Fashions Ltd. Saffron Window Fashions Ltd. 107-2220 Sooke Victoria, BC (in Colwood) 107-2220 Sooke Rd Road (In Colwood) 250-744-2523 Saffron Window Fashions Ltd. Victoria,Victoria BC (in Colwood) saffronwindows.com 107-2220 Sooke Rd 250-744-2523 Victoria’s only Victoria, BC (in Colwood) saffronwindows.com Douglas Victoria’sHunter only Hunter Douglas 250-744-2523 PowerView Motorization Gallery Store Gallery Store Victoria’s only Hunter Douglas saffronwindows.com PowerView Motorization Ask us about our Right Choice Gallery Store It moves your shades, so you don’t have to.

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PowerView Motorization is compatible with these and more: *The PowerView App and additional equipment required for programmed operation. *The PowerView App and additional equipment required for programmed operation.

*The PowerView App and additional equipment required for programmed operation.

FALL/WINTER 2018

19

DESIGN INSPIRATION

BY BEN BRANNEN

THE INSIDER’S GUIDE TO WINDOW TREATMENTS

Below: Roller shades from Habitat, available through Island Window Coverings, have an easy-to-use operating system to adjust shade as needed.

DRAPERY, BLINDS AND SHUTTERS CAN REALLY PULL A HOME TOGETHER. DISCOVER ALL THE STYLISH AND FUNCTIONAL OPTIONS.

W

hile many people don’t pay attention to how they cover their windows, designers know ignoring this element is a missed opportunity to add shade, privacy and a dash of style. For every window there is a myriad of possibilities. Here is my guide to some of the most functional and stylish options available for your home.

BLINDS VERSUS SHADES Let’s begin with window blinds and shades.

While blinds are usually slatted and shades are solid swaths of fabric, there is overlap with the terminology, and many people use the names interchangeably. Both look best when custom fit to the inside of the window trim — but can also be mounted over the trim when needed. The world of blinds and shades can seem limitless.

There are many brands to choose from; within each of those brands there are many types, and then many fabrics and finishes.

Top styles include: Roller blinds are a good option for limiting light in bedrooms when made with blackout fabrics. The big change in roller blinds is the advent of sheer and decorative fabrics that allow you to see out during the day while blocking out harmful UV rays that may damage your flooring and textiles.

High-lite shades operate much like roller blinds but with alternating horizontal strips of solid and sheer fabrics. This gives you the option of a view through the sheer stripe, a closed privacy position and also the ability to roll the blind completely away and off the window.

Horizontal sheer shades are a slightly more traditional-looking option with a layer or two of sheer and a horizontal louver of fabric that can be tilted or closed. They do a good job of filtering light and creating a soft look in a room.

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FALL/WINTER 2018

There are also some acoustical benefits to this style, as they absorb some sound.

Cellular shades are one of the most flexible solutions for windows. The fabric is pleated in such a way that a hollow channel is left in the centre of the blind. This channel adds a significant insulating factor to the window.

Cellular shades also have one of the best lifting systems, which allows the blind to rise from the bottom or lower from the top. This means you can have privacy and light control from the bottom of the window and still see the view through the top of the window.

Roman blinds are one of my favourite options for blinds. They can be made out of any fabric and can have any type of lining attached to the back. They use a diverse array of operating systems as well as sewing styles to suit a variety of esthetics.

Also known as honeycomb shades, Footprints Cellular Shades from Habitat (available through Island Window Coverings) have a unique hexagonal construction that provides insulation.

Pescara Sinks and faucets with smart multi-purpose features and fittings, for the ultimate livable kitchen.

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WHEN ONLY WOOD WILL DO Wood horizontal blinds are a more architectural version of the sheer horizontal blinds. They allow you to adjust the direction of the slats, but raising and lowering them can have its drawbacks. They are heavy when in large sizes (there are lifting systems to help with that) and they take up some space when stacked, thus costing a bit of the view through the windows.

Classical window treatments include shutters, with both painted and stained wood options. They are elegant, timeless, and offer great flexibility in colour and design. The drawbacks or limitations for shutters include the amount of light they limit through a window and the need for space for them to rest off the windows (much like the clearance needed for a door to open).

ADVANTAGES OF DRAPERY

A PERSONAL NARRATIVE IN FABRICS

IVANMEADE.COM

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FALL/WINTER 2018

Drapes are possibly my favourite window treatment option. It never ceases to amaze me the way they can add style and finish to a room. They can also be made to suit every design style. There are a variety of ways they can be custom tailored to suit your room.

Heading or pleating style is one of the choices with custom drapes. For a very contemporary pleat, one may choose the ripple-fold or inverted box pleat heading, while a more traditional room is more in keeping with French pleats or Duchess pleats.

The fullness of a drape treatment relates to the ratio of the width of the fabric used to the width of the actual window. Thinner fabrics, such as sheers and silks, require a bit more fullness, while heavier-weight fabrics require less fullness. For example, heavy ripple-fold drapes can be done starting at a 1.6X fullness and a sheer French pleat drape can be 3X fullness.

Pleat styles: a two-fold French pleat (top) is a classic top treatment with pinched pleats for a formal, tailored look; the ripple-fold (middle) gives an undulating wave pattern that works in traditional to modern spaces; the inverted box pleat (bottom) has a flat face, which suits contemporary interiors.

Left: Hunter Douglas Vignette Duolite roman shades (available through Saffron Window Fashions) combine a sheer front shade with a built-in room-darkening back panel, both housed on a single roller. There are no exposed rear cords, meaning improved esthetics — and enhanced child safety.

WINDOW FILMS

In new construction and renovations, windows are getting larger, and that can pose privacy and security issues. 3M Window Films, available through Titan Window Films, protect the interior of your home, add privacy and improve comfort and safety.

Stop the fade: These films block up to 99.9 percent of the ultraviolet rays that can fade drapes, furniture, artwork and even flooring. Think of it as sunscreen for your furnishings.

Indoor comfort: Heat, cold and glare can all be mitigated with the proper window film.

The 3M Prestige films block up to 97 per cent of the sun’s heat that otherwise passes right through your windows. And by reducing the heat energy inside your home, you can also reduce your air-conditioning costs.

Up the security: 3M Safety and Security Window Films strengthen the weakest link in your home during severe weather, vandalism or attempted break-ins. These films help retain window glass in the frame after an impact, delaying a burglar or protecting you from weather-related breaks.

TIP: WITH DRAPES, BOLD PATTERNS WILL CREATE A FEATURE IN A ROOM WHEREAS A TEXTURED FABRIC WILL JUST ADD A SUBTLE LAYER OF CHARACTER TO THE ROOM.

To protect the fabric from the fading effects of the sun, we use a lining behind the fabric. The lining also makes the outside of the windows appear neutral from the street. Linings come in a variety of colours, thicknesses and opacity. For bedrooms, consider using a soft blackout lining, whereas a living room or dining room will only require a lightweight lining — or a thermal lining if the windows are a bit drafty. There is a small selection of drapes on the market now with a lining applied directly to the face fabric.

One of the great advantages to draperies is the insulating factor. Drapes can reduce heat loss in the winter and, likewise, keep the heat out in the summer.

There are millions of fabrics to choose from, and today anything goes, from large-scale colourful florals to striped geometric patterns.

Consider if the drapes need to make a statement or add some interest to the room.

FINISHING TOUCHES The hardware used to hang the drapes can be just as important as the drapes themselves.

Drapery tracks have come a long way and can blend into the ceiling — or if you are renovating, consider installing the tracks flush into a new drywalled ceiling.

Decorative rods and rings in metal finishes (consider matching the color of your door handles and hinges) are still very stylish, while wood rods and rings are suitable for more traditional interiors.

Advancements in hardware include the use of extruded aluminum decorative channel rods that allow you to support the rods from above with brackets, therefore allowing more support for heavier draperies.

GO AUTOMATED When choosing blinds and drapes for the various rooms in your home, consider motorizing them. The pricing on motorization has become much more approachable as the technology has improved. Motorization and programming can operate all your window coverings at once, individually or even on a timed sequence. If you are renovating or building, some systems can be hardwired in directly. Recent technology includes Hunter Douglas’s PowerView, which connects to your home’s Wi-Fi network and allows control through a remote or through your mobile device with the associated app.

Whatever choice you make with your window treatments, do remember that this is a finishing touch in your space and the options are limitless.

RESPECTED. PROVEN. CONNECTED. Preparation is the key to ensuring your home sale or purchase is the best experience it can be. From keeping up-todate with the latest trends and technological advancements to tracking all the little details of your transaction, we provide the personalized, individual attention you deserve.

Combined with our strong negotiation skills, multi-tasking abilities, and never-ending energy, you can’t lose!

Roxanne Brass, Remax Camosun office: 250.744.3301 remaxroxanne@shaw.ca roxannebrass.com

CAMOSUN

Ron Brass, Remax Camosun ronbrass@shaw.ca

|

Suzanne Siller, Remax Camosun s.siller@sasktel.net

FALL/WINTER 2018

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DETAILS

BY ATHENA McKENZIE

EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED SPRUCE SHINES A LIGHT ON CHANDELIER STYLES, SO YOU CAN FIND THE PERFECT STATEMENT PIECE FOR YOUR HOUSE OR CONDO.

C

onsider the chandelier jewelry for your home — that finishing touch that lets you express your signature style. Whether you are looking for a fixture to create a sense of entry in your foyer, set the tone in your dining room, or make a statement in a your master bedroom, a chandelier is the classic choice for making a big impression. And today’s modern, contemporary, and transitional styles offer a diverse array to choose from.

As decorative fixtures, chandeliers are meant to impart style and ambience, not act as the room’s primary light source. Chandeliers work best as a supplementary light, incorporated into a layered lighting scheme. Combining with recessed cans, cove lighting or wall sconces is a great way to accent your space and highlight elements in the room.

Remember, the best light fixtures look as good switched off as they do when they are on — a constant source of visual splendour.

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Woven Wonder The textured design of the Tress Grande suspension lamp (above left) — designed by Marc Sadler for Foscarini — is created by a craft-based process, winding resin-coated ribbons in a web to fashion a form reminiscent of a basket. The mesh work of light and material makes for diverse lighting effects.

Create a Cluster As thin as a pin, the modularity of the A-Tube Nano range from Studio Italia allows you to create beautiful clusters. Group varying lengths and numbers to best suit your space — tubes are available in black, chrome, gold, rose gold and white finishes. Transparent glass detailing adds extra sparkle when this fixture is illuminated.

Available through Gabriel Ross

Available through Light Form

Sculptural Glass To create the striking folds of Bocci’s 87 Series, soda water is used to trap air in a super-heated glass matrix, which is vertically stretched and folded back onto itself between pegs numerous times. As the glass cools, the folding motion along the grain of the loop turns the entrapped air into microfilaments that give the piece a pearlescent optical quality.

Available through Chester Fields

Go for Drama Embellished with crystals and delicate details, the Zénith Black chandelier from Baccarat is a bountiful showcase of black crystal, and is emblematic of designer Philippe Starck’s sense of play. With its wealth of ornamentation, this 24-light fixture makes a striking statement piece in a dramatic dining room or showy bedroom.

Available through Light Form

your space is your sanctuary...

Smoke and Mirrors An elegant cluster of eight smoked glass spheres, the Caviar Adjustable Large Cluster chandelier from Arteriors’ Laura Kirar Collection is a perfect dining room fixture but also makes a striking element in a foyer or living room — or even the bedroom. Each sphere is finished in brown nickel.

Available through Luxe Home Interiors

Mid-Century Modern For lovers of mid-centurymodern style, a sputnik chandelier is a great choice.

Its many-armed design is meant to look like the first rocket launched into space, and Kichler’s version, a 10-light chandelier from its Armstrong collection, features adjustable arms, allowing you to customize the light for just the right look.

Available through Illuminations

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BESPOKE

Formal Setting The shimmery crystals of ET2’s 12-light Brilliant chandelier complement a formal dining room but would also add an elegant touch if mixed into a more industrial décor. It is available in smaller sizes to fit the proportions of your space.

D E S I G N

Fine Made in Canada Custom Upholstered Furniture

Available through Pine Lighting

Hickory Chair & Century Fine Custom Home Furnishings Farrow & Ball Paint & Wallpaper Lighting, Bedding & Accessories Design & Decorating Services

Abstract Art If you want your chandelier to be a literal work of art, the Sandport from Renwil features a handpainted canvas by artist Jonathan Wilner. Its long, horizontal design makes it the perfect choice over a dining room table — it’s sure to be a conversation starter.

Available through The Design District

FACTORS WHEN CHOOSING YOUR LIGHT

In addition to style and materials, there are other factors to consider when selecting your ideal fixture, including size, light output, light source and dimming options.

Tips for Hanging In your dining room, the goal is to suspend a chandelier low enough so that you don’t catch glare from the light source but high enough so that it does not obstruct your vision. A general rule is to hang the chandelier so the bottom of the fixture is 30 to 36 inches from the top of the table.

B 1844 Oak Bay Avenue Victoria, B.C. 250.298.1105 www.bespokedesign.ca 26

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Set the Mood Not all dimmers work with all fixtures, so be sure to confirm before you buy. Check the specifications of each individual fixture, and then refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations for compatible dimmers.

Getting Technical LED technology has improved, and with many styles you cannot tell the difference between a LED fixture and a traditional incandescent one. A major benefit of LED lighting is the increased efficiency and reliability. LEDs run five times cooler than halogen bulbs while expending 1/5 the energy. LEDs also outlast other light sources, with a projected lifespan of about 50,000 hours. The LED Chaos chandelier by Modern Forms embodies modern elegance. Available through Mclaren Lighting

Size Matters Chandeliers are sized by diameter and height. Most lighting experts recommend a chandelier’s diameter to be 1/2 to 2/3 the width of your dining table or island.

The following rule of thumb is a useful tool to size your chandelier if it’s going to be the focal point of a room and is not going above a table or island: Measure the length and width of the room in feet and add those two numbers together.

The sum of those two numbers should be the diameter of your chandelier in inches.

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TUSCAN TAKEOVER A COOKIE-CUTTER TOWNHOUSE KITCHEN GETS AN ITALIANINSPIRED UPGRADE.

BY NESSA PULLMAN PHOTOS BY LEANNA RATHKELLY

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“

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hy don’t you shut your eyes and tell me what your dream kitchen looks like.”

That’s what homeowner Judy Copithorne recalls of her initial meeting with Jack Bell, owner and designer at Thetis Cove Joinery, as they planned her big kitchen renovation.

With carpenter’s pencil and scrap paper in hand, Bell sketched as Copithorne gave voice to her vision for a Tuscan kitchen.

“I wanted my kitchen to feel warm and inviting — a cozy place to visit with my grandkids,” Copithorne says. “The type of space that gains more character with wear.”

She had been convinced a Tuscan-styled kitchen would not work with the rest of her cookie-cutter townhome — until her renovation team from Falcon Heights Contracting arrived at the scene.

“Judy wanted a Tuscan kitchen, so to create continuity with the rest of the home, we incorporated small Tuscan details throughout and tied the space together,” says Josh McCulloch, site foreman with Falcon Heights.

This goal was achieved with a focus on details, luxurious elements and an earthy colour palette that suited a Tuscan esthetic.

Ornate patterns were used in the millwork and polished Sea Pearl quartzite forms the smooth countertop surfaces.

Sea Pearl Quartzite countertop from Matrix Marble & Stone

Brizo wall-mounted pot filler and Brizo Talo faucet from Kitchen & Bath Classics

Noce Travertine 2"x4" backsplash tile

BRIGGS & STRATTON & ASSOCIATES The renovation did not enlarge the space but did widen access points and move the island to a more central position. The Sea Pearl Quartzite countertop, from Matrix Marble & Stone, on the island is heated to provide a comfortable area for morning coffee. The nature-inspired silhouette of the Brizo Talo faucet complements the character of the room, with the added functionality of its pull-down design. The original desk area was replaced with practical cabinetry featuring multiple drawers and a built-in wine rack. Chandeliers from Hampton Bay Lighting and hand-carved corbel details add some flair.

PERFECTING THE DETAILS With its elevated esthetic, it was a trickier project than one with a typical contemporary framework. In order to avoid any large-scale issues down the road — such as architectural details not fitting seamlessly with the millwork — McCulloch and his team had to get creative. This included building life-sized mock-ups of the crown moulding and other intricate components, so they could see if these elements would actually work in the space.

“Mistakes are amplified when you have numerous detailed components all coming together,” McCulloch says.

Along with the intricate build elements, another big challenge was that this extensive renovation was being done in an older townhome.

To work within the existing structures, the project team had to get innovative when planning which areas of the wall to open up. They also had to carefully consider the materials used, so the new work would harmonize with the areas that were not being updated.

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Tierra Sol 4"x8" fireplace surround tile

Ceiling paint: Benjamin Moore Simply White

Trim and millwork paint: Benjamin Moore Stoneware

Wall paint: Benjamin Moore Skipping Stone

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Left: The open-concept kitchendining area features a built-in seating area with storage and space to accommodate a table. The space is separated from the living room by a double-sided fireplace from Heat Savers Fireplace & Patio Co. with a Tierra Sol tile surround. Benjamin Moore paint from Sharratt Painting & Decorating is used throughout the main level, with Stoneware on the trim and millwork, Skipping Stone on the walls, and Simply White on the ceilings. The kitchen features engineered hickory flooring, while the living room has Kraus carpet, both from Hourigan’s Flooring.

evoke drama

ALL IN THE PRE-PLANNING When preparing for a renovation of this size, McCulloch says the most important thing you can do is pre-plan as much as possible — from budget and timeline to layout and materials.

“The more information you can have going into the project, the easier it will be when you run into the surprises that inevitably come with a renovation as extensive as this,” he says.

The second vital thing, according to McCulloch, is to plan on moving out of the house during construction. The noise, clutter and overall chaos of being onsite during a major renovation can be stressful for a homeowner.

McCulloch believes if all essential planning is done ahead of time, there really is no need for the homeowner to be at hand during the project build — more planning also leaves less room for adversity to arise.

From a homeowner’s perspective, there are a couple different areas to be cognizant of when preparing for your build. Copithorne says the top priority is to find a really good builder.

“Find a contractor you can really respect and trust,” she says. “Trust them enough that anyone they bring into the project will have similar values.”

LIFESTYLE FIRST Another big takeaway for Copithorne was: “If you can afford it, hiring a talented millworker to custom design your kitchen is well worth it.”

This can be very beneficial to the outcome of your kitchen and goes well beyond the look.

“Jack [Bell] and I stood in my kitchen and he said, ‘Go about your business, go make yourself a cup of coffee,’” Copithorne says. “And then he watched me enter the kitchen, saw where I put my purse down, and observed how I moved around.”

By watching how the homeowner naturally worked in her existing space, the designer was given all the information he needed to create a space the homeowner would love.

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“WHEN IT COMES TO DESIGN, FIND YOUR STYLE AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR IT.”

Above: The renovation removed all the dated framing features. The cabinets, by Thetis Cove Joinery, are maple with panels painted in Benjamin Moore Stoneware. For a seamless look, the refrigerator is concealed in the cabinetry. Light is layered with pendant chandeliers and recessed pot lights.

The flooring in the kitchen is engineered hickory from Hourigan’s Flooring.

“My kitchen is so intuitive,” Copithorne says. “When I reach for things, they’re exactly where they need to be.”

For a renovation to be successful, two main factors prevail: Does it look the way the homeowner envisioned it? And, is it functional to their lifestyle? For Judy Copithorne, the answer is a resounding “yes.”

“When it comes to design, find your style and don’t be afraid to ask for it,” she says. “If you have the right contractor they’ll make it work, no matter what.”

In the end, Judy Copithorne was grateful to finally have the Tuscan kitchen she always wanted as the heart of her home.

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an Thisoffering is not an for offering sale. Such for an sale. offering Such an must offering be accompanied must be accompanied by a disclosure by a Statement. disclosure Statement.

The The developer reserves developer thereserves right tothe make rightchanges to make andchanges modifications and modifications to the information to the information contained herein contained herein without priorwithout notice.prior Specifications, notice. Specifications, sizes, layouts, sizes, availability layouts,and availability pricing are andsubject pricing to arechange. subjectRenderings, to change. Renderings, maps and photographs maps and photographs are representational are representational only and may only notand be may accurate. not be E. accurate. & O.E. Tenfold E. & O.E. Projects Tenfold Inc.Projects Inc.

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HEIGHT OF LUXURY

BUILDING A CUSTOM HOME ON TRIANGLE MOUNTAIN PRESENTED UNIQUE CHALLENGES — AND PLENTY OF REWARDS.

BY DANIELLE POPE

W

PHOTOS BY JOSHUA LAWRENCE

hen Lori and Andy Kimpton found the property of their dreams near the top of Triangle Mountain, it wasn’t the spot they’d originally meant to build their home.

The couple had gone up to close on a property they loved but, at the last minute, the deal fell apart. Driving away, Lori was especially crushed, and when they passed a for-sale sign they hadn’t seen before, she urged

Andy to stop the car. This was it.

With expansive views amidst a nest of trees, the spot was even more striking than the one they’d planned to buy. Full vistas of Mount Baker, Mill Hill, Victoria and Port Angeles were tucked into a secluded rocky quarry. The couple called the real estate agent and closed the deal on the spot.

Barely a year later, they would move into their customized dream home, masterfully built into the natural bedrock of their diamondshaped lot. The home boasts views of all the

natural vantage points, framed by a cluster of trees. Though it may look to passers-by like a level modern build, this three-storey home had its structure dictated by the bowl-shaped rock that lines the property.

“This was a challenging site to work with from the design side, because it was really a big hole surrounded by trees,” says principal designer Duane Ensing, with Villamar Construction.

“Because it’s on the side of a mountain, we needed to work backwards and make sure everything was built from back to front.”

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THE LONG VIEW The couple gave Villamar free rein with the design, but their biggest wish was to keep the prominent view.

“We wanted to create a house where, as soon as you come through the front door, the view catches you,” Ensing says.

“It creates a strong and commanding entrance when you can see right through the house to Mount Baker and Victoria. No matter what’s happened in your day, you can come home, take a breath and enjoy the sight.”

To make sure his vision was a success, Ensing used an open-concept plan with spacious floor-to-ceiling windows, and enough height on every level that even the “basement” suite offers a spectacular outlook. The 3,500-square-foot house holds three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a downstairs suite. All of this may sound unremarkable, until remembering Ensing’s team had to sink the structure deep into the ground, allowing the shape of the mountainside to influence the fitted design.

“We added a lot of animation to this layout because the house is sitting in rock,” says Ensing. “So, there’s a kink in the building, where part of it sits off by 15 degrees, which gave us a wider panorama and helped us work with the geography.”

Part of the magic of this home comes from the views that greet onlookers at every level. The open-concept living and dining room is one of the most stunning areas of the house, with a floating staircase acting as the architectural centrepiece. White oak floors in Lynn Canyon from Goodfellow’s San Marino collection brighten the house while keeping things modern with a matte finish.

MATERIAL MATTERS Three types of siding help blend the house into its location: standing seam metal, Pacific Ashlar ledge stone from K2 Stone and rock posts. Ensing wanted the look to stay modern, but seem like it belonged.

Though the view was paramount, the homeowners also wanted a home that offered a big, beautiful kitchen, expansive bedrooms, bathrooms and closets, with a signature style. Ensing’s team pulled it off, with an elegant floating staircase that becomes a focal point inside the home.

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Natural finishes, especially in stone, were used throughout the house, as seen with the glossy white marble tile surrounding the fireplace in the great room.

The built-in fireplace feature, from South Island Fireplace, has a steel frame and acts as a focal point for the room, sitting parallel to the entertainment features.

As with other areas of the house, warm whites and soft greys contrast modern charcoal and rock tones. In the distance, views of Mount Baker, Mill Hill, Victoria and Port Angeles offer visual diversions.

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While Andy was focused on the use of highquality materials, Lori concentrated on the interior usability of the house.

“I love the way the kitchen is laid out, with the two islands, because I spend so much time there and it allows me to work while still getting to enjoy the view and watch the ships come in,” she says.

“The kitchen is the gathering place in our home, and people pull up chairs to the islands and just visit.”

One of the kitchen’s unique elements is its butler’s pantry. This functional space doubles as storage for goods and appliances, and becomes an extension of the room.

MODERN WARMTH Lisa Dunsmuir, interior design consultant and co-owner of Step One Design, had a special task: she’d need to mix the cool, hard modern look of a rock house with the warm and decorous preferences of the homeowner.

“Lori is an elegant woman, and she wanted something that combined clean lines with bling,” says Dunsmuir. “We needed to create a high contrast, modern appeal, but also make it warm.”

Dunsmuir started with the floor, using a matte white oak, which gives a brightness to the home without making it beachy. Luxury finishes were incorporated throughout the house, with the kitchen boasting natural quartz countertops, contrasted with a marble backsplash. To create visual interest,

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The kitchen is homeowner Lori Kimpton’s favourite place in the house, due to the twin islands, which enable effortless cooking and a gathering place with a view. “Bling” was a feature of the kitchen, seen through the elegant pendant lighting features by Kuzco Lighting. With charcoal engineered wood cabinetry contrasted by quartz countertops and a Eurotile Pietre Antiche marble backsplash in Wood White, this room embodies modern beauty.

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Dunsmuir played with different reflective surfaces throughout the interior, such as the charcoal engineered wood cabinetry, or the glossy white tile surrounding the fireplace in the great room.

Dunsmuir added “bling” through a variety of classic pendant lamps from Kuzco Lighting, which created a modern but feminine approach in many parts of the house.

THE GREAT WIDE OPEN Natural marble makes an appearance again in the powder room, with intricate tile work alternating two tones of white and soft grey near a floating vanity. Dunsmuir used dynamic elements in the master bath as well, mixing stone detail in the flooring with quartz countertops and a double floating vanity.

“We wanted the house to be airy and open, and to keep establishing the viewpoint, but we also wanted to create a home that clearly showed the homeowners’ character,” says Dunsmuir. “As soon as you walk in you want to be able to say, ‘Yes, Andy and Lori live here.’”

Lori says her favourite part of the house will always be the vista.

“Everyone who comes here comments on the view, and all three levels offer a slightly different perspective,” she says. “We’re thrilled with how the whole situation turned out. When you see your home finally come together, it’s awe-striking.”

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The master bath was designed to be “big and beautiful,” at the request of the homeowner, with an emphasis on femininity in this space.

The quartz countertops are complemented by a Lumina white tile backsplash from Centura, with accents in Centura’s Poco Brick Glass Mosaic.

The freestanding tub

by Maax Orchestra and the inset wall shelf give a modern flair to the room, while the decorative hardware from KSC Sales and wallpaper from JF Fabrics brings texture and class to the space.

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DRAFTSMAN: Mike Dunsmuir, Step One Design PLUMBING: Tyler Mechanical ELECTRICIAN: Citadel Electrical Systems

While the property’s views are spectacular, building around the varying grades of a “deep hole” and protected trees became significant challenges.

From the start, designer Duane Ensing envisioned that people would see through the house as soon as they arrived at the front door. Ensing’s favourite feature, however, is the “animation” in the house — the way a slight kink keeps it on an angle — and the fact that three different kinds of exterior siding work together to blend the house into its location.

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SIDNEY YOUR INTIMATE, URBAN SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

What’s your style? Fun, chic, homey — or something else? Whatever it is, start your shopping in Sidney where locally owned shops satisfy the home design and décor needs of even the most discerning shoppers. From functional pots, pans and stemware to charming, one-of-a-kind objects de arte to luxury bath towels, bedding, gorgeous tableware, and a whole lot more, Sidney’s got it all. Whether you browse or buy, you can always count on great, personalized service.

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â&#x2013; LUXURY MAKEOVER

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BRIGHT IDEAS TWO EMPTY-NESTERS UPDATE THEIR AGING SPLIT-LEVEL, EMBRACING EVERYTHING AIRY AND LIGHT.

BY DAVID LENNAM PHOTOS BY GEOFF HOBSON

T The bright and airy dining area, which leads through a new set of larger glass doors into an outdoor dining area, features twin Italian wine fridges and a distinctive Cityscape LED Large Pendant Hubbardton Forge chandelier mimicking the NYC skyline. The updated fireplace surround is natural stone framed in quartz.

here’s an unremarkable-looking split-level on a sunny cul-de-sac in Cordova Bay, a throwback to earlier times in the ’burbs.

Once you step inside though, it’s farewell to yesterday.

Jane and Frank Bourree needed to open up an aging space, a large, five-bedroom house that had served their family well.

The house was solid and, at 3,400 sq. ft., quite spacious, but suffered from a constricted layout that cramped their style and flair for entertaining.

“It was that classic late ’80s/early ’90s design where you had separated rooms and everything was closed off,” says Jane, who actually built the house in 1996 with her former husband.

“There was a formal living room that we never sat in except at Christmas, so really that kind of cliché,” she says.

Even with 10-and-a-half-foot ceilings and banks of large windows it still lacked breathing room.

“There were walls everywhere, so it felt like a cavern,” adds Frank. “The rooms were just too small.”

The home was designed to contain kids and was compartmentalized — a door would close and the adults could have their privacy.

But with the kids grown and a lifestyle that favoured dinner parties for a dozen, walls had to come down and the main floor needed to be transfigured into an open plan.

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“IT’S A PHILOSOPHY OF LIFESTYLE NOW.” — DESIGNER TRACEY LAMOUREUX

OPEN CONCEPT SPACE Before: Dark, dated and enclosed was the pre-reno feel. With the removal of several interior walls, the shape of the room has changed dramatically from cramped to wide open.

Kitchen and dining are now one room, a spacious, freeflowing entertainment space.

The spaceship-style range hood is called “Trapeze” and hovers above a six-burner DCS stove and double oven.

Right: Can you tell there’s a Sub-Zero refrigerator hidden behind lacquered millwork

by Ceanesse Kitchens? The kitchen also features an ergonomic DCS dishwasher with two independent washing drawers.

It was redesigned to be what Jane refers to as “warm and elegant and simple at the same time. I wanted people to just be able to come in and feel comfortable. I didn’t want it to feel too formal. I had all these ideas, but no idea how to make it into a cohesive space.

I just wouldn’t have had the confidence to put some things together. Tracey really helped me pull that together.”

That’s Tracey Lamoureux of Creative Spaciz Design Studio, who recognized the client’s desire for a brighter, more open floor plan with better traffic flow and lots of storage options.

“It’s a philosophy of lifestyle now,” she explains. “The private spaces are your bedroom and a media room or maybe a games room. Everything else is public — open interactive social togetherness.”

The result was easier to achieve thanks to some future proofing within the original design by Jane’s brother-in-law, an architect.

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Left: Designer Tracey Lamoureux removed a number of walls and combined several small rooms into one great room. The Bourrees refinished the original maple floors throughout.

The ceiling is peppered with tiny, dimmable LED pot lights designed

by Glenn Boccini of Toronto’s Dark Tools and installed

by BellTech. The large glass teardrop pendants over the island are glass Briolette Grande Pendants by LBL Lighting based out of Illinois.

Right: The new staircase is an open stringer system with maple treads and lands in a spacious entranceway, immediately defying the traditional look of a split-level design.

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“RIGHT AWAY I KNEW WALLS WOULD COME OUT AND WE WOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LIGHT.”

ahhh, the

Romance of a fire...

Is there anything more symbolic of home, of warm hearts, and the gathering of loved ones?

— TRACEY LAMOUREUX

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The hidden genius was a truss system bearing on the exterior walls with no point load inside, so none of the interior walls were structural and could all be removed.

That allowed Lamoureux to create a great room that really is a great room.

“Right away I knew walls would come out and we would take advantage of the light,” she recalls. Additional glazing was installed in the new dining space, and larger sliding doors, a soft transition to the outdoor living area. The kitchen was moved toward the windows.

BETTER LIVING THROUGH DESIGN The couple agrees that a more functional kitchen makes for better dinner parties.

“We can cook up a storm in there and there’s so much working space,” says Frank, whose favourite new element might be the Sonos sound system, with hidden subwoofers and speakers. It was a compromise so that Jane didn’t have to look at her husband’s 1980s stereo with the giant speakers.

“That took a bit of convincing for Frank,” says Jane. “He was married to that and I really pushed for the speakers in the ceiling.”

He may also have been married to the couple’s existing furniture.

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wilkstove.com

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Before: A curved staircase, an outdated chandelier and a dark cove used to greet visitors. Pony walls removed, the entrance foyer is now light and bright, featuring Bolio Pendants from Viso Lighting (with layout designed by Creative Spaciz) and an original acrylic painting by Toronto artist Brock Irwin. Coats and shoes are out of sight behind a sliding barn door at the foot of the staircase featuring Richelieu hardware.

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“THE ENTRANCES ON SPLIT LEVELS ARE USUALLY THE MOST LACKING PART OF THE HOME.”

LO C A L LY H A N D C R A F T E D D E S I G N E R K I TC H E N S

B U I LT F O R L I F E

— TRACEY LAMOUREUX

“Tracey just said, ‘If he really is stuck on it, put the old furniture in and he’ll decide that doesn’t look very good,’” Jane says.

Before they got to that point, new furniture was ordered.

The most challenging aspect of the redesign was breathing light and air into a cramped and dark entrance foyer featuring a curved staircase, pony walls, rose carpeting, and different coloured walls.

“The entrances on split levels are usually the most lacking part of the home, which is something they addressed with me right away,” says Lamoureux. “There was no room. The stairs were right next to the swing of the door.”

UPGRADING A CLASSIC The designer went back and forth with a lot of ideas to have the staircase coming straight down and landing in the same place it had originally, but scrapped them all.

“On one of the last days before construction started I said, ‘What if we removed this pony wall and had the stairs coming straight down into a different space?’” says Lamoureux. “It was the ideal solution. One more wall needed to be removed.”

The new staircase features an open stringer system, solid maple treads, with clear glass and stainless steel railings.

For Frank, the renovation has dramatically changed the atmosphere of their home.

“In the morning the light fills the whole room and at sunset it fills the whole room from the other side,” he says. “We never had that before because the rooms were all broken up.

This is a classic B.C. box floor plan and for people who have a B.C. box floor plan, well, this is what you can do.”

DREAM KITCHENS REALLY DO COME TRUE

Custom Jason Good kitchens and bathrooms are built for RESOURCES DESIGNER: Creative Spaciz CONTRACTOR: Outlook Project Management

inspired living. From initial sketch to final installation, we transform design dreams into functional masterpieces.

MILLWORK: Ceanesse Kitchens COUNTERS: Colonial Countertops TILE: Island Floors APPLIANCES: Lansdowne Appliance Gallery in Victoria and EuroCave Appliances in Vancouver WINDOW COVERINGS: Ruffell & Brown FIREPLACE: Capital Iron

250.384.4663 | Victoria, BC | jasongoodcabinets.com JOB # JGOF-15756 CLIENT: JASON GOOD CUSTOM CABINETS PUBLICATION: YAM MAGAZINE INSERTION DATE: MAY/JUNE 2014 ISSUE FALL/WINTER 2018 SIZE: 7.5" X 4.7" (HALF PAGE) PREPARED BY: ECLIPSE CREATIVE INC. @ 250-382-1103

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■ DUPLEX RENOVATION

DOUBLE TAKE A MAJOR REMODEL TRANSFORMS BOTH SIDES OF A 1950S DUPLEX INTO A PERSONAL EXPRESSION OF EACH FAMILY’S STYLE.

BY ATHENA McKENZIE PHOTOS BY JOSHUA LAWRENCE

MODERN FARMHOUSE

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RUSTIC RURAL

W

“

e’re complete opposites,” Tasha* says. Her sister-in-law, Melissa, has just explained how she wanted her side of their family duplex to feel rustic and established — like the family had been there forever.

“We didn’t want it to look like we had just done a reno,” Melissa says. “We wanted people to come in and feel like we had been here for a while, not have it all shiny and modern.”

In contrast to Melissa’s more eclectic and rural ambience, Tasha describes her space’s esthetic as very modern farmhouse, with lots and lots of white.

“Everything is white,” Tasha says. “We spent 20 minutes choosing paint colours, while they spent three weeks.”

“More like six months,” Melissa counters. “We were on a first-name basis with the Benjamin Moore people. We had a stack of sample boards.

We’d hang them along the wall and see how it looked at different times of day.”

Together with their partners, the two recently

completed a joint renovation on their 1950s duplex, where Tasha and her husband, Conrad, live on one side, and Melissa, her husband, Cain, and their two children live on the other.

The two couples bought the duplex in 2012, after Tasha and Conrad moved to Victoria from Vancouver. Conrad had grown up in Victoria and his sister, Melissa, was also looking for a home. Given the prices on single-family homes, they jumped at a chance to jointly purchase the duplex when a friend decided to put it on the market.

Before the renovation, each side was a mirrorimage.

“It was a 1950s layout and was so compact and compartmentalized,” Tasha says. “The layout was not functional. There was an odd little room, a small kitchen, a big living room and two small bedrooms.”

Each couple upped the livable space by finishing the basement but the upstairs space still didn’t work, especially given Melissa and Cain’s growing family with the births of their two children.

Left: In Tasha’s kitchen, white subway tile from Decora complements the cabinets painted in Simply White from Benjamin Moore and the Frosty Carrina quartz countertop from Colonial Countertops, which has a subtle veining. Modern farmhouse elements include the stools from Max Furniture.

Above: A rustic element is added with the Floform wood countertop on the island in Melissa’s kitchen. The copper apron sink, found on VarageSale, highlights the subtle copper vein in the Silestone Calacatta Gold quartz countertop from Colonial Countertops.

The cabinets were painted with Benjamin Moore Escarpment to suit the rural esthetic.

*Last names withheld for privacy.

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The fireplace on Tasha’s side features a classic surround in herringbone marble tile from Decora and a modern wood frame from Peerless Forest Products. Melissa’s fireplace has a live edge maple mantel, also from Peerless, and the television is camouflaged by an overmantel in black barnboard.

Tasha chose 7" white oak planks for her flooring, while Melissa chose Kentwood’s 5" brushed Oak Carlsborg from Island Floor Centre.

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Before

QUALITY CUSTOM HOMES & RENOVATIONS IN VICTORIA, BC

“WE TRIED TO KEEP THE CHARACTER AND THE LANDSCAPE BUT GIVE EVERYONE THE MODERN TOUCHES THEY WANTED ON THE INSIDE.”

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A walk-through closet gives access to Tasha’s ensuite. For Tasha, the jetted BainUltra Evanescence soaker tub is a highlight of the renovation. It sits in a striking shower room with natural grey tile from Decora that wraps up the wall from the floor, to make the space feel larger. Faux-marble tile, also from Decora, adds another luxury touch to the ensuite.

A custom vanity, built to fit the odd space perfectly, is colour matched to the Benjamin Moore paint, Asphalt, used in the powder room, as this side of the duplex uses only two paint colours — the other being Simply White.

“A super comfortable & luxurious sofa allows for a fabulous oasis in the home.’’

Anita Tiernan, Buyer & Design Expert

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“We had been looking at moving on,” Tasha says. “But if we sell, we have to sell together.

Plus, we needed to decide if we would each buy something different — and the market was going up. Ultimately, we decided to renovate and create the layout we wanted, so we can be here for another ten years, plus.”

Before

MAKING SPACE As a non-conforming duplex, there were various challenges that faced the project. The building was purpose-built as a duplex in the 1950s, but in the 1970s the municipality of Oak Bay reconfigured the zoning areas, so the duplex now sits on a single-family home lot.

“We had to jump through hoops to get this renovation approved, because of the nonconforming status,” says Cody Arsens of Carsa Construction, the contractor who spearheaded the project.

With the renovations, nothing could be changed on the outside, including any additions, so each side had to stick within its existing 1,000-square-foot space. Even with only internal changes, it took 14 weeks to get the building permit approved.

The space was then gutted back to the studs. Arsens added a 25-foot-by-16inch support beam to each side, so inside supporting walls could be removed.

“The beam came through a window,” Arsens says. “It required several workmen to put it up and then we had to restructure the whole roof.”

One of Melissa’s favourite elements on her side is the shiplap from Peerless Forest Products, which can be found on the bathroom walls.

“Seeing it up now I would have done our whole house in shiplap,” she says.

Hexagonal tile from Decora, a round mirror from Ikea and a vanity and lights from Wayfair complete the cozy space.

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“IT’S A VERY UNIQUE PROJECT TO DO A DUPLEX THIS WAY, WITH ALL THE DIFFERENCES IN THE STYLES OF EACH SIDE ...”

Shiplap can also be found on the ceiling in Melissa and Cain’s master bedroom, which has that cozy, cottage-like feel.

Whereas on Tasha’s side, the master bedroom was made a little smaller to allow for the walk-through closet and larger ensuite, this side maintained its size and has a standard closet with bypass doors.

— CODY ARSENS, CARSA CONSTRUCTION

The team also furrowed all the exterior walls, to make them thicker and to bring them up to current code. A forced air system was added and Arsens created a conditioned space in the attic so the heating equipment is out of sight.

Being a duplex, the workman would finish a step on one side and then have to repeat the entire process on the other side.

“There were a lot of hours in this project — it was a big one,” Arsens says. “But everything came together quite nicely. It’s a very unique project to do a duplex this way, with all the differences in the styles of each side, and the outside is the same.”

On Melissa’s side, unique touches that exemplify its Arts-and-Crafts feel include shiplap

LIVE INSPIRED kgray@sothebysrealty.ca

|

250 516 4563

HOMESWEETGRAY.COM 60

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from Peerless Forest Products, which is found on the walls in the bathroom and on the ceiling in the bedroom. A rustic fireplace and a deep blue finish on the kitchen’s Shaker-style cabinets make the open living space feel cozy and inviting.

“It feels like we live in a cottage,” Melissa says. “If we lived somewhere a bit more rural, I would have gone all out.”

“We tried to balance our personal rustic style with the neighbourhood we are in and the 1950s home exterior that we were working with,” explains her husband, Cain.

The modern interior of Tasha’s side extends into the white and grey master ensuite, which includes a stunning free-standing air-jetted tub. Described as a “labour of love,” installing the tub required running the plumbing through the master-bedroom’s closet, along with all the electrical wiring.

“It was a challenge, but it’s my favourite ensuite I’ve ever done,” Arsens says.

ALL ABOUT FAMILY With its blend of communal living and private space, the newly renovated duplex is an ideal setup for these two families. Both Tasha and Melissa and their husbands are pushing Oak Bay to legalize the 70 existing duplexes in the municipality, as it would mean more family housing — especially when opposed to converting the spaces to singlefamily homes, which is what the current zoning would favour.

“The next battle will be our veggie stand,” says Melissa, with a laugh.

RESOURCES BUILDER: Carsa Construction INTERIOR DESIGN: Owners and Ivyhouse Design (on Tasha’s side) MILLWORK: Victoria Custom Cabinetry WINDOWS: Westeck Windows and Doors FLOORING: Island Floor Centre TILING: Decora and Hourigan’s FRAMING AND CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS:

Home Lumber & Building Supplies COUNTERTOPS: Colonial Countertops FINISHING CARPENTRY: Amberwood Floors

& Fine Finishing

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR: CBS Electrical

Contractors

PLUMBING: Youell Plumbing BATHROOM FIXTURES: Kitchen and Bath Classics; Splashes Bath & Kitchen KITCHEN APPLIANCES: Coast Appliances WOOD ACCENTS: (fireplace, both sides/ ceilings/walls): Peerless Forest Products FIREPLACE: Heat Savers Fireplace & Patio Co.

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FRESH IDEAS FOR THE LAUNDRY ROOM FROM STATE-OF-THE-ART APPLIANCES TO LUXURY FINISHES TO INTEGRATED STORAGE, THE LATEST LAUNDRY ROOM TRENDS PROMISE YOUR DREAM SETUP.

BY DANIELLE POPE

W

elcome to the new age of laundry: where washing machines are, literally, placed on pedestals, ironing boards are statement items, luxury wallpaper adorns the space, stone counters and marble backsplashes decorate working surfaces, and chandeliers illuminate the task at hand.

Karen Staats, operations manager for Victoria’s WestCoast Appliance Gallery, remembers how, not so long ago, the laundry room was something to keep hidden behind closed doors. It was a place, deep in the basement, where a rogue washer and dryer would thump erratically against the curling linoleum floor. An old stained sink with rusty taps would echo a permanent drip, and pieces of clothing sprouted, like weeds, from every cranny.

This is no longer a room to keep hidden away.

Today’s stations are spacious and economical, functional and fun, luxurious and practical. It’s a

place to play with kids and fold clothes, to wash the dog or wrap presents, and it can also be a place to hang fine art and show off your colourful side.

“People used to use this room as a dumping ground for everything that should be dealt with later,” Staats says. “Now, people use their laundry rooms for every purpose because the atmosphere is nice.”

FUNCTIONAL BEAUTY As the command centre of the house, today’s laundry room requires designers and homeowners to rethink the stylistic approach taken in this heavily used area.

Colour has made a big comeback — both on the walls and through the appliances. Staats says brands like Whirlpool and Samsung have developed chic new shades to make their washers and dryers centrepieces of the room. Colours range from shimmering white and black, to “chrome shadow,” “diamond steel” and “cranberry red.”

Neutrals, greys and whites are still the most popular room colours, according to Jenn Lepinski, colour consultant with Pacific Paint, yet navy and other blue tones are big this year for laundry areas. Lepinski’s own room is outfitted in a soft, spa blue, accented with white trim.

“It’s easier to spend time in a room when you love the colour and, let’s be honest, who really wants to do the laundry?” Lepinski says with a laugh. “Make the room as fresh as possible, and it can be a lovely retreat space.”

Azucena Saavedra, interior designer with MAC Renovations, says bringing in accent colours — through ironing boards, trim and tile — is another great opportunity. She sees the laundry room as the signature spot in the home to have a little fun.

“This is a place where you’re going to spend a lot of time,” Saavedra says. “It’s a space that lets you get things done and it’s important to surround yourself with what speaks to you.”

Left: This charming laundry room, in a local renovation by NZ Builders, suits the cottage-like sensibility of the house. It features a wood countertop, reclaimed from the house demolition, a marble countertop, a Franke sink and a Miele washer and dryer.

JOSHUA LAWRENCE

Right: The high ceiling in this laundry room allowed the designer at Jason Good Custom Cabinets to maximize storage.

Along with the Samsung AquaJet top-load washer and dryer, Harlequin Amazilia wallpaper acts as a focal point in this stylish space.

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JOSHUA LAWRENCE

FALL/WINTER 2018

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Wallpaper is gaining ground again, bringing playful patterns and a dash of personality to the laundry area.

Saavedra turned one dark laundry renovation into a glamour suite with the help of a little play.

Her team removed a wall, turning the space into a transition zone to the outdoors, then accented an off-white colour scheme with fish wallpaper, and added pops of orange through matching stools and an accent door.

Saavedra advises that, though the laundry room can stand on its own, it should tie into the rest of the house in some way.

“This is a room to play with all the material you love but couldn’t make work in your bathroom or kitchen,” she says. “Pick hardware that feels good to touch and will connect to the rest of your home.”

If a little glam is on your wish list, Saavedra suggests outfitting this room with pendant lamps, chandeliers or a fine-art feature wall.

Quartz and natural stone countertops increase the feeling of luxury, but Saavedra warns against softer stones, like marble and soapstone, which don’t handle detergent well. Tile backsplashes offer another chance to add colour and texture.

And don’t forget comfort items, like heated stone flooring, to make folding even easier.

MORE THAN A PLACE TO FOLD Even the most stylish solutions need functional storage.

“Laundry rooms are a lot fussier than they used to be,” says Jason Good, principal of Jason Good Custom Cabinets. “We see a lot of complex cabinetry in this space — drying drawers are popular, as are pull-out hampers, retractable ironing boards and cabinets made to fit specific appliances.”

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LIVE SIMPLE

523 Fisgard Street 250-590-6637

@moehomevic www.moeshome.ca

In this space, designed by Azucena Saavedra of MAC Renovations, Cole & Sons Acquario Fornasetti wallpaper adds a playful note. The Blanco Cerana Fireclay apron-front sink, with its Grohe K7 semi-pro medium faucet, is big enough that the homeowner can use it to wash her two small dogs. The homeowner built the folding station from Ikea items, and it can it be wheeled out as a workspace for crafting.

Specializing in customized renovations, additions and complete home transformations.

250.885.5488 Victoria, BC Good says today’s laundry room factors in generous space and design-driven storage. In fact, this room is now given as much weight as the kitchen or bathroom.

“You’re going to do more than just fold clothes here,” says Good. “You need to be able to move around, to set the kids up with crafts, to get messy, and work and create.”

Good tells clients to consider what they want the room to accomplish, then allow the storage to fit that. Considerations should be made around whether a front-loading, stacked or all-in-one washing unit is best, whether the room will lead outdoors, or whether a dog shower is needed.

While new builds can accommodate larger spaces, renovations call for creativity.

Saavedra worked on one heritage restoration that transformed the cliché basement laundry nook into an open, spacious suite. The washing units were brought under a stairwell landing, with cabinetry and a floating shelf added for

Before

After

Follow us on Instagram! @SilverCedarConstruction

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convenience. A white colour scheme with pot lighting brightened the space, and quartz countertops and marble flooring warmed the room.

THE ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT A few choice items will make your laundry room indispensable.

Pedestals are popular for modern washing units, and raise these machines over a foot off the ground — providing extra storage and bending support.

Luxury appliances, like the LG Styler, turn your home into an instant dry cleaner, without the chemicals. This care system can be built into a tall cabinet to save your treasured items.

According to Staats, steam assist laundry machines are worth the bump in price, as are units that offer special features (read more on the next page). Yet, Staats’ ultimate essential item is a classic: the iron.

“There’s nothing worse than showing up to work, or on a date, wrinkled,” Staats says. “An iron is crucial, but you can also steam your clothes for a few minutes and show up looking sharp.”

While Staats confesses laundry isn’t her favourite chore (her socks never match), today’s conveniences have turned the experience into one she enjoys.

“The laundry room is a space to find a little organization and a little zen,” she says. “It’s worth investing in, even just to put a smile on your face when you’re folding socks.”

Air drying laundry uses less energy and saves wear and tear on your delicate clothing, making a drying rack a desirable element.

Luckily there are lots of options, as shown here in these spaces

by Jason Good Custom Cabinets.

Add pull-out mesh drying shelves in a walk-in closet for your sweaters. In the laundry room, pull-out undercounter drying racks roll out when needed and tuck neatly away when not in use, to save space. Installing a clothing rod directly over your washer makes easy work of any hang-to-dry items.

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Buying a home is probably one of the biggest financial transactions you’ll make in your life. Get expert help from your Victoria Realtor, then enjoy your space.

Get started at vreb.org

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FIND YOUR DREAM MACHINE Washers and dryers have come a long way since their introduction in 1937, but picking the perfect set can be a battle of options.

Luckily, Spruce has turned to the experts to separate the load. WestCoast Appliance Gallery’s Karen Staats suggests focusing on your most crucial need, then prioritizing accordingly.

SOAPSTONE Like blue jeans for your countertops

I need it to look incredible: Whirlpool and Samsung both score high in esthetics, and their washers and dryers are as attractive as they are hard working.

With a panel of sophisticated colours and styles to choose from, these units are made to be the centrepiece of your laundry room.

Samsung front-load washer and dryer in red and onyx I need it to save from WestCoast Appliance space: The all-in-one is a saviour to those budgeting room. At only 24 inches and 2.6 cubic feet, LG’s All-in-One Front Load Washer / Dryer takes up as little space as possible for the work it delivers. Its sister unit, with added steamer and pedestal storage, is only slightly larger. These units retail around $3,000, but they’ll pay you back in square footage.

I need it as durable as they come: Maytag has earned its reputation as the hero for rough-and-tumble families, with washers that ace the durability exam. For extralarge loads, LG’s Mega Capacity line is a good bet, and Samsung offers even larger units, with 7.5 cubic feet of washing power in some high-end models.

IslandSoapstone.com 250-650-1213 info@islandsoapstone.com

Island Soapstone is located about 5 minutes from Crofton.

I need the best in the business: Staats says quality models start around $1,500 and will work hard for the money spent. People looking for higher-end machines can plan to spend over $5,000 per piece. Most premium lines offer luxury models, like Samsung’s FlexWash unit.

Samsung’s FlexWash and FlexDry

I need special features: If you can spring for the extra whistles, Staats says it’s worth it. Many units offer a steam option, which refreshes clothes without breaking down the fibres. A step further is the Samsung FlexWash/FlexDry, with micro washer and dryer on top of the set, designed to care for special items — from workout wear to teddy bears. The unit also lets you monitor the laundry from your smartphone, so you don’t have to be home to get the chores done.

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Playing with Fire NOTHING COMPARES TO A FIREPLACE FOR CREATING MOOD AND AMBIENCE. WHETHER YOU ARE ADDING ONE TO A NEW BUILD OR REMODELING AN EXISTING ONE AS PART OF A RENOVATION, HERE ARE OPTIONS TO SIMPLIFY THE DESIGN PROCESS AND HELP YOU CHOOSE THE BEST FIREPLACE FOR YOUR HOME.

BY JENNIFER RUDOLPH

A

s fall arrives and winter approaches, we are drawn to places of warmth and comfort. A fireplace invites us to the heart of the home and offers a sense of spirited atmosphere and contentment.

“When you’re thinking of buying a fireplace, you’re really buying the romance of the flame and the experience of enjoying the good things in life with good people,” says Cassie Leonard of Wilk Stove.

From design to materials, your fireplace needs to integrate and flow with the rest of your home. Technology advancements are also a factor to consider. Luckily, there are offerings covering a wide ranges of styles and prices.

KNOW THE TERMS There are a few key pieces of information required when getting into the nuts and bolts of which fireplace is a good fit for your home.

“Most people walk in with a significantly underestimated expectation of the costs and what it is that they actually need,” says Spencer Barkley of 4 Seasons Fireplaces • Furnaces • Heat Pumps. “We always do a site visit to see how to move forward.”

One area where there is misconception is around fireplace inserts versus zero-clearance fireplaces. The main difference is with the installation. A fireplace insert can be placed directly inside an existing masonry or metal firebox, whereas a zero-clearance fireplace is a premanufactured unit or firebox that can be placed almost directly against combustible materials, such as wood, walls or paneling.

If you have an existing fireplace you are looking to improve, consider an insert. Fuel options for fireplace inserts include natural gas, propane, pellet, coal and wood. Many modern inserts come with insulated glass doors that radiate heat into the room and increase heat efficiency.

If your home doesn’t have a fireplace, a zero-clearance fireplace is likely your best option. They are available in modern to traditional styles, and can be gas-, wood-, or pellet-burning, or electric. Some models are up to 70 percent efficient, which means less heat and energy is wasted up and out the chimney.

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Right: In this project by Keith Baker of KB Design, a K2 Stone surround on a gas fireplace from Town & Country Luxury Fireplaces acts as the focal point in the room — though its simple design doesn’t try to compete with the dramatic view. “The natural stone makes it feel like it came out of the ground where the house sits,” Baker says.

VINCE KLASSEN

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Another option, if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have an existing fireplace with a firebox, is an electric fireplace.

These are becoming more and more realistic, and some manufacturers have introduced water vapour electric fireplaces. These mist fireplaces produce the best flame effect from an electric fire without any of the danger or mess that an actual fire creates. And with no need for a chimney, they can be installed anywhere, from a condo to a yacht.

THE FUN IS IN THE FINISHES When choosing a material to accentuate your fireplace, from the hearth to the surround to the mantel, it should not only reflect your personal style but also anchor the room and be in harmony with the other design elements throughout your home.

For lovers of natural stone and a modern esthetic, stone slab can be subtle and organically soft, bringing balance to a very modern interior with organic veining and marbling. A popular option, book-matching is done by splitting a slab down the centre to create a butterfly effect when each piece is installed side by side.

New laser technology has revolutionized the options for using real stone. Using new patented equipment, Designer Stone Panels, available locally through Park Avenue Stone Panels, are

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Above: A Teakwood Grey Designer Stone Panel, from Park Avenue Stone Panels, perfectly complements this modern transitional space.

These lightweight stone panels are a great alternative to traditional stone slabs.

Right: Nero Marquina marble from Prima Stone in Vancouver is a rich black with bold white veins, which emphasize the bookmatched cut on this fireplace wall.

Below: Vita suspended fireplaces from CF+D Custom Fireplace Design (shown here in a Bella model with a base) use a vapourfire burner technology. The vapour fire’s realistic flame gives the illusion of fire without heat or the need to exhaust.

NO RENO REQUIRED Adding a fireplace doesn’t require major construction.

These contemporary options open up the possibilities.

Gas Free Standing With a look identical to traditional wood burning stoves, gas free-standing stoves are extremely flexible when it comes to venting options, allowing you to vent through an existing chimney, through a wall or through your roof.

Norwegian company Jøtul has a new line of modern free-standing gas stoves that impart a touch of innovative European design to your space.

Jøtul GF 370 DV, available through Wilk Stove

Wall-Mounted Electric Fireplaces Easy to install, wall-mounted fireplaces come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so even if you live in a small condo, it’s easy to find a model that fits comfortably on the available wall space. Most come with simple mounting brackets and plug into available electrical outlets. The Napoleon Allure Phantom 50 (above) will warm spaces of 400 sq. ft. with 5,000 BTUs, and flame colour and height can be adjusted with included remote.

Available through 4 Seasons Fireplaces • Furnaces • Heat Pumps

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Right: Concrete can also be a modern and sophisticated option for your fireplace surround. The clean geometry of the Taper surround from Solus Decor (shown here in Linen) suits many decor styles. This modular surround can also be used with panels, tile and hearths.

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FUEL OPTIONS

The experts at Wilk Stove say each fuel source has its advantages and disadvantages.

Gas is best if you want heat at the touch of a button, you want a real flame with minimal effort, or you want heat and a real flame from a clean- burning fuel.

Wood is best if you want a heat source independent of local utilities, you prefer the sights, sounds and smells of a real fire, or you prefer using a local and / or renewable fuel resource for heat.

Electric is best if you want plug-and-play ambience. Heat is optional, and electric can be easy-to-implement, as well as a reasonably priced option.

When should you contact our team before listing your home?

Tasha Medve* RealToR®

Saira Waters* RealToR®

made up of a front layer of thinly cut real stone (granite, travertine, onyx and marble) adhered to a unique backing, creating an extremely strong and lightweight stone-faced panel.

Cast concrete gives a very architectural finish that can be modern, traditional or transitional. For a very traditional look, you can find some beautiful cast surrounds that evoke a bygone era. Installation requires a mason experienced with framing as well as installation. Planning ahead for reinforcement of these heavy pieces is required.

With an endless array of luxurious designs, shapes and glazes, tile is a classic go-to option for fireplace surrounds. Handmade ceramic gives an artistic feel with its variation in glaze and texture. A popular choice from Pratt & Larson is the Watercolors line, which uses a unique firing technique to create visual depth.

For the traditionalist, Sonoma Tile carries a classic line of decorative tile for clients wanting to preserve the heritage of an existing fireplace.

REDOING A BRICK FIREPLACE Brick fireplaces are a contemporary classic and often an integral part of mid-century modern homes. If you’re looking to honour the era but still want an update without too much hassle, consider a paint job. Colours that work well are white, light neutrals in grey or beige, or charcoal grey and navy, which all modernize dark foreboding brick from an earlier era.

Check for any moisture issues prior to painting so you are not trapping moisture.

If you are hoping for a more extensive redo of your brick fireplace, do know that safety codes require you keep the existing integrity of the fireplace — but that doesn’t mean living with the original design— you can reclad the surface with most of the materials listed earlier.

With fall and the rainy season approaching, the appeal of a fireplace is undeniable.

Whether you’re looking for the ambience and heat of a wood fireplace, the convenience and energy savings of a gas fireplace, or the functionality of an electric fireplace, there is a choice that will infuse your home with warmth and beauty.

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ASK THE EXPERT

BY ALEX VAN TOL

HOME SECURITY

Breaking down the things that could make your home an easy target.

Don’t leave clues when you’re going away — ask a neighbour you trust to collect mail and newspapers.

Install locks on any gates.

Expensive toys and gear should not be left lying around in the backyard.

Be sure all windows and doors have working locks.

And don’t forget to lock the windows on the second floor.

Tinted garage widows prevent car shopping by potential burglars. Don’t keep your car keys on a hook next to the front door.

Deter potential thieves with a window decal from your security company. Homes without a system are three times more likely to be burglarized.

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Rick Anthony of SecurHome Consulting

JEFFREY BOSDET/SPRUCE MAGAZINE

A BREAK-IN IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS YOU THINK WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO YOU — UNTIL IT DOES. SPRUCE TALKS WITH SECURITY EXPERT RICK ANTHONY OF SECURHOME CONSULTING ABOUT THE LATEST TECH DEVELOPMENTS, CONSIDERATIONS WHEN BUYING OR RENOVATING, AND THE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PROTECT YOUR SPACE.

W

hen it comes to home invasions, retired police officer Rick Anthony has seen it all: would-be burglars wiggling through windows too small for a dog, guys popping doorknobs off with vice grips, brazen thieves walking through the front door and filching MacBooks while the homeowners are out back gardening — even robbers crawling down the chimney.

“Some of this stuff you just can’t make up,” Anthony says, shaking his head.

Late in 2017, Anthony launched his business, SecurHome Consulting, where he parlays the expertise gained from years of busting bad guys into helping people make their homes safer.

“Having your home broken into and ransacked, and having your belongings stolen, is a terribly invasive and unsettling experience,” he says. “Many people are affected by the experience for years.”

Hedges or shrubbery should be kept tidy to limit concealed access points and to maximize visibility.

Keep your exterior well lit, using lights on timers so it looks like someone is always home. Add motion sensors to lights near doors.

What security concerns are the most common for homeowners?

I’d say it’s usually windows and doors, but most people aren’t well versed or experienced in [security]. Most also feel that their home is secure, when in fact there will always be vulnerabilities and weaknesses.

What are some of the most overlooked areas that make a home vulnerable?

Windows, doors, door locks, and too much concealment [from the street] — that tenfoot cedar hedge that goes all around your house, or the holly bush that obscures your basement window. Windows are the number one access point, with doors being the next most popular way to enter.

[A burglar’s] first option is to pry open a window. Breaking the glass is really the last resort. I’ve seen them actually take the whole window frame out — again, that’s a lot of work, but you know, the homeowner had left a bunch of tools in the backyard.

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How can new technologies and developments enhance home security?

I’m quite impressed by the Ring and Nest doorbell cameras and alarm systems. However, nothing replaces the tried and true methods: target-hardening your home without relying on technology that is susceptible to failing or hacking. Actual security hardware, high-quality windows, lighting, locks and a systematic security approach to the vulnerable areas of a home that technology can’t always address should always be the first consideration.

Where do the most common breaches occur?

The most common are at the rear of the house, usually at the ground level or basement.

Sometimes through the garage, if it’s attached, as most people never lock the adjoining access door to the main part of the house.

Daytime versus nighttime? It’s a bit of tossup here. Bad guys like the cover of darkness, especially if it looks like no one is home, but daytime break-and-enters are also popular because most people are away at work, school or shopping, et cetera.

What should homeowners be thinking about when they’re buying a home?

Sadly, security issues are usually the last thing a potential home buyer thinks of. If they were looking at a new home, they should be looking at all of the above-mentioned issues: doors, windows, locks, lighting, perimeter and landscape visibility, and an alarm system.

HOME SECURITY ADD-ONS From digital locks to smart lights, here are some of the latest security gadgets and devices for your home.

Nest’s Outdoor Camera

August Smart Lock

The weatherproof Nest Cam Outdoor features live video and sends an alert to your phone when it detects activity — it can even send you a photo of who’s there. With a built-in microphone and speaker, you can talk and listen, speak up to get someone’s attention or tell the mailman to leave the package at the door. With eight infrared LEDs, its night vision evenly illuminates its field of vision.

The August keyless door lock easily attaches to your existing deadbolt, meaning you can still use your regular keys but lock and unlock your door with your phone when needed — perfect for those trips when you’re worried you didn’t lock the door. You can also receive alerts when your door is unlocked or slightly ajar.

Arlo Security Light A wire-free, weather-resistant, super-bright LED light, the Arlo Security Light sends instant alerts to your smartphone or email when it detects motion. You can control and automate your light from anywhere using the free Arlo app. The app also allows you to remotely adjust the brightness, beam width, colours and flashing patterns, and to create a light schedule for when you are at home, work or on vacation. It can be integrated with an Arlo security camera system, and also works with other smart home systems, including Alexa.

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If these don’t appear adequate, they should be considering how much they’ll need to spend to upgrade the home to have these basic security concerns addressed.

The thing I find ironic is that a bank would never grant a mortgage and an insurance company would never issue a policy for a home without a home inspection for potential problems like cracked foundations, drain tile issues, old roofs that need replacing and electrical safety, yet the security of the home never comes into consideration and no security audit or review is ever requested. You’re more likely to have your home broken into — your valuables stolen and potentially damaged — than have a drain tile issue or a roof failure.

I recommend an alarm. And buy local. When you have an alarm system that’s monitored by somebody in Georgia, they have no local knowledge of where the house is or what street it’s on. Price’s is a great company and they’ve been around since the 1920s or 1930s.

Are there any special considerations for when people are building or renovating?

The same principles apply. If you’re starting from the ground up or renovating an older home, that’s the perfect time to do security upgrades or buy materials that are already assembled with added security in mind. Windows are better constructed and have better locks and security measures than they did 20-plus years ago, and there’s more information about home security and better security methods than ever before.

If a homeowner had $250 earmarked, what would you recommend as a first investment toward increasing home security? What about $500?

This is a tough one because that won’t buy you much these days, but I would say with $250, getting a security audit done would be the best start because then you’ll know what you need to do and what you don’t need to do. There’s no sense spending money until you know where your home’s weaknesses are. If you don’t want a security audit, I would assess and replace your locks if they’re old and dated, buy some solarpowered motion-activated lights and cut back the foliage if it obstructs the view of your house.

With $500, I would recommend the same, but I would add in the Ring Video Doorbell, which runs around $250. Any potential point of entry is what you want to target-harden. If we make it simple, or give thieves the least opportunity, they’re going to take it.

How do you minimize these opportunities?

The bottom line is, if the bad guy wants to get into your house, he’s going to get into your house — the thing is to make it harder for him. Make him think harder about, “Is this easy for me, or can I go find someplace easier?” … If you look at a war-time house in Oak Bay, it has single-pane windows, old doors, old locks and no [motionactivated] lighting … probably for under three grand you could totally update that house to make it like your own little Fort Knox without making it look like Fort Knox. You don’t have to have bars on the windows.

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REAL ESTATE

BY SHANNON MONEO

HOW ESSENTIAL IS A HOME INSPECTION?

JEFFREY BOSDET/SPRUCE MAGAZINE

IN THE FLURRY OF A RED-HOT REAL ESTATE MARKET, MANY BUYERS SKIP THE STEP OF A HOME INSPECTION — BUT WHEN MAKING ONE OF THE LARGEST PURCHASES OF YOUR LIFE, THIS CAN BE A COSTLY DECISION.

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Below: Marty Erletz, an accredited home inspector and owner of Victoria’s Pillar to Post, says inspectors are trained to see problems homeowners may not.

T

hat Greater Victoria continues to have a hot real estate market is not news. What is somewhat notable is that even when people are willing to lay down $1-million plus for a house or $500,000 for a condo, the majority of buyers bypass home inspections. Often caught in fast-paced bidding wars, they’re worried an inspection will take too long and lead to a lost purchase.

Roxanne Brass offers an unvarnished message: “They’ve completely forgotten about common sense,” says the RE/MAX Camosun realtor. “They’re caught in a frenzy and that frenzy causes them to make silly decisions.

Every home should be inspected.”

That includes the luxury, custom-built mansion in Uplands, the just-renovated condo and even brand-new properties, advises Brass, who has 17 years of realty experience. An example: if wet lumber was used or the rooftop vents weren’t opened, a new attic could be a mold factory. And while the appeal of the stunning new kitchen or bathroom renovation can’t be denied, the granite and glam may be distractions from dangerous electrical work or failing perimeter drains.

In today’s fast-paced market, where multiple offers on one property are the norm and unconditional offers (an offer with no conditions pending, such as “subject to” a home inspection or “subject to” financing) are commonplace, trouble lurks on the dotted line, notes Sophia Briggs, a realtor with Sotheby’s International Realty.

“It’s a very dangerous market,” she says.

“When there are ten bids on a house, it’s tough to slow it down. Buyers, after losing three or four times, will overbid and go unconditional.”

If problems surface, perhaps a month or a year after purchase, the home’s value can plummet — and lawsuits may follow.

CLOSING THE DEAL With 12 years of realtor experience, Briggs recalls a first-time buyer who bought a condo without doing a home inspection. Not long after moving in, he was faced with a $47,000 bill for

window replacements.

“He didn’t think of the big picture,” she notes. Brass also deals with tunnel-vision clients. “When you go into a condo, it’s not just the unit,” she says. “It’s the whole building … the roof, the building envelope.”

While pressure is on to close the deal, Brass and Briggs can usually get an inspection done the same day or within 24 hours of an offer being made. Russell Cass is one such inspector.

Owner of HomeCheck, he’s been doing home inspections in Victoria for 19 years. A certified property inspector, carpenter, technician and appraiser, Cass likens himself to a building scientist who can enter a structure and diagnose problems, be they on paper, the roof or crawl space.

“People generally put their head in the sand,” he says. “They believe problems are easily fixed or instead of replacing a feature like a worn roof, they think they’ll sell the house in a few years and leave it to the unsuspecting new owner.”

When it comes to condos, a few documents are vital: the depreciation report, the strata’s financial report and annual general meeting minutes, Cass says. Using the three records, Cass can uncover future problems and provide a blueprint for necessary spending. For example, a condo with a $25-per-month strata fee, or faulty elevators, indicate red flags. After combing through several hundred pages of paperwork, an onerous task most buyers ignore, Cass inspects the condo and whole building.

INSIDER INFORMATION His method, be it a condo or house, follows a well-honed system.

“I walk in the front door, turn right, and go through the house. I go on the roof. I walk the exterior. I go through everything.” Cass will check decks’ structural posts for rot, use an instrument to test electrical receptacles or discover if the basement had flooded.

Brass and Cass have worked together for several years and Brass makes a point to attend the walk-through, often with the client. “A lot of

“WHEN THERE ARE TEN BIDS ON A HOUSE, IT’S TOUGH TO SLOW IT DOWN. BUYERS, AFTER LOSING THREE OR FOUR TIMES, WILL OVERBID AND GO UNCONDITIONAL.” — REALTOR SOPHIA BRIGGS

agents don’t go, but you need the knowledge,” she says. The insider information allows her to advise that knob and tube wiring aren’t insurable or the extra electrical panel could indicate a grow-op existed.

For detached homes, depreciation reports don’t exist, but that doesn’t mean a home inspector is appreciated.

“We’re trained to see things that people aren’t trained to see,” says Marty Erletz, an accredited home inspector. “It’s shocking how many people don’t think about home inspections.”

THE DIY CONUNDRUM In fact, the home inspection business hasn’t paralleled home sales. The Victoria franchise owner of Pillar To Post home inspectors, Erletz says his 2017 business was down “significantly” from 2016. And while 2018 is picking up, buyers continue to make ill-advised choices in the precipitous market.

Since his start in 2005, Erletz has completed 6,000 home inspections. Like Cass, he uses a system when inspecting. First are three trips for the outside, focussed on the landscaping, windows/trim and roof. Inside, the home’s major components are examined: attic, electrical, plumbing, heating, doors and windows. While some think the bedrooms and kitchens are important, to Erletz the essentials

TOP INSPECTION POINTS Here are a few key things your home inspector should be checking and why: The grounds: When inspecting the property around the house, elements of interest are the lot grading, the drain tile system and the foundation. Any buildup of water, especially in this wet B.C. climate, can escalate quickly. An inspector may uncover evidence of previous water damage in the basement. Inspecting the walls, ceiling and any exposed parts of the foundation for cracks is an important part of a proper home inspection. The condition of the driveway, sidewalk, fences, trim, lights and exterior receptacles should be checked in case anything needs to be resealed or repaired.

The exterior: All exterior openings, including the windows, door and vents of the home should be inspected to make sure they are properly sealed and in good condition.

Porches, decks and exterior stairs and walls, along with any handrails, should be checked for wear and tear.

The roof: The roof can be a particular area of concern, given the wet West Coast weather. Areas that should be inspected include flashings, gutters, shingles and downspouts. Chimneys and skylights should be checked to

make sure no moisture is seeping into the home.

The attic: Along with the roof framing, an inspector should check the attic, ventilation, insulation and roof sheathing. A properly ventilated and insulated attic will help keep energy costs down.

The electrical system: Electrical issues can be dangerous to occupants, so the electrical components and systems need to be inspected for safety, as well as working condition. Some major

electrical components are also a source of heat and should be properly vented with exhaust fans.

Heating and cooling: The components to be inspected depend on the type of system, which could be a furnace, boiler, air handler or electric baseboard in the case of heating.

Other components and systems that should be inspected include cooling systems, hot water tanks, tankless water heaters and sprinklers.

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ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES FOR HOME PROBLEMS ARE BAD RENOVATIONS, EITHER DONE BY THE HOMEOWNER OR POORLY SKILLED TRADESPEOPLE.

are the attic, crawl space and perimeter drains.

One of the leading causes for home problems are bad renovations, either done by the homeowner or poorly-skilled tradespeople. The troublesome trend of people watching do-it-yourself TV shows has fuelled the debacle, Erletz says.

His 1,600-point inspection report takes Erletz about three hours to prepare for a 2,500-square-foot home. Carrying a laptop, he compiles the document as he walks through the property. His analysis, which uses photos, identifies problems, states what will happen if they aren’t fixed and recommends how problems should be dealt with. “But I can’t say, ‘Don’t buy this house.’

We have to remain impartial,” Erletz says.

THE BOTTOM LINE Report costs vary. A basic home inspection is around $500 but can be less for a condo and more for a huge house.

Yet some homebuyers are willing to spend 1,000 times that and be saddled with a huge mortgage, but don’t do a home inspection.

Briggs has seen buyers walk away from a sale after the inspection found mould in the attic. The $600 cost saved them thousands, she says.

Erletz breaks buyers into two types.

One group walks away from a home if they discover small problems like moisture by the toilet while others buy with their hearts, not their minds, falling in love with a home’s cosmetic features and ignoring or downplaying potential repairs.

“When the market wasn’t hot, home inspections were done 95 per cent of the time,” Briggs recalls. “We never recommend not to do it. Some buyers pay for three or four. Others don’t want to bear the cost.

They think they can fix problems.”

Imagine purchasing an expensive sports car without having a mechanic look under the hood — that’s kind of what it’s like to buy a condo or house and forgo a home inspection. A house can look good, with fresh paint and staging, but you don’t know what’s going on behind the walls. Getting that home inspection can save you a major headache — and major money — down the road.

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RESOURCES

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APPLIANCES

Lansdowne Appliance Gallery Back cover lansdowneappliance.com

Live Edge Design Page 64 liveedgedesign.com

Meade Design Group ■

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ART

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria Page 72 https://aggv.bc.ca ■

BUILD/DESIGN

Abstract Developments Page 43 abstractdevelopments.com — Burkhart Construction Management Inc. Page 73 burkhartconstruction.ca — Carsa Construction Page 38 carsaconstruction.com

— Coast Prestige Homes Ltd. Page 57 coastprestigehomes.com — Mdrnbuilt Page 83 mdrnbuilt.com — Philco Construction Page 76 philcoconstruction.ca — Silver Cedar Construction Page 65 silvercedar.ca — Villamar Construction Page 2 villamar.ca — Zebra Group Page 67 zebragroup.com

BUSINESS/ ORGANIZATIONS

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Sidney BIA Page 45 distinctlysidney.ca

CABINETS & MILLWORK

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Douglas Grant Cabinetmakers Inc. Page 18 douglasgrantcabinetmakers.com — Jason Good Custom Cabinets Page 53 jasongoodcabinets.com — Urbana Page 12 urbanakitchens.ca

FINE WOODWORKING/ CUSTOM FURNITURE

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Autonomous Furniture Collective Page 33 autonomousfurniture.com

INTERIOR DESIGN/ HOME STAGING

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FIREPLACES & STOVES

Wilk Stove Page 51 wilkstove.com ■ FLOORING

Hourigan’s Flooring Page 34 hourigans.com — Island Floor Centre Ltd. Page 32 islandfloors.com

Page 22 meadedesigngroup.com ■

KITCHEN & BATH

Andrew Sheret/Splashes Page 21 sheret.com

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Bartle & Gibson

Page 27 bartlegibson.com — Flush Bathroom Essentials Page 45 flushbath.ca

— ■ FURNITURE/

HOME DÉCOR Bespoke Design Ltd. Page 26 bespokedesign.ca — Calla Design Page 10 calla.design — Luxe Home Interiors Page 11 luxevictoria.ca — Max Furniture Page 8 maxfurniture.ca — Moe’s Home Victoria Page 65 moeshome.ca — Muffet & Louisa Page 45 muffetandlouisa.com — Muse & Merchant Page 58 museandmerchant.com — One Stop Furniture Shop Inc. Page 45 onestopfurniture.ca — Scan Designs Page 59 scandesigns.com — Zebra Design and Interiors Page 67 zebragroup.ca ■

GRANITE/STONE/TILE

Matrix Marble & Stone

Page 50 matrixmarble.com

HOME IMPROVEMENTS/ RENOVATIONS

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Mac Renovations Page 61 macreno.com ■

HOME ORGANIZATION

Incredible Closets

Page 7 incredibleclosets.ca

Island Soapstone Page 67 islandsoapstone.com

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Harbour City Kitchens

Page 71 harbourcitykitchens.com —

The Ensuite Bath & Kitchen Showroom

Page 33 theensuitevictoria.com ■

LIFESTYLE

Church and State Wines Page 80 churchandstatewines.com

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Dance Victoria

Page 5 dancevictoria.com —

Home Care Assistance Page 80 homecareassistancevictoria.ca

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Idar Jewellers

Page 18 idar.com — Jim Pattison Subaru Page 9 saunders.subarudealer.ca — Pharmasave Broadmead #232

Sotheby’s International Realty/ Katherine Gray

Page 60 homesweetgray.com — Victoria Real Estate Board

Page 66 vreb.org

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

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Tenfold Projects

Page 35 tenfoldprojects.com — Townline Developments Page 41 townline.ca — Westhills Land Corporation

Page 4 westhillsbc.com

Page 25 pharmasavebroadmead.com —

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Page 77 relaxtheback.com

Page 64 oakridgewindows.ca

Relax the Back

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REAL ESTATE

Modern Real Estate Team

Page 73 modernrev.com — Pemberton Holmes Oak Bay Page 17 pembertonholmes.com —

Remax Camosun/Roxanne Brass

Page 23 roxannebrass.com —

Sotheby’s International Realty/ Sophia Briggs

Page 31 strattonandbriggs.com

WINDOWS & DOORS

Oakridge Windows & Doors

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WINDOW FASHIONS

Island Window Coverings

Page 44 islandwindowcoverings.com — Saffron Window Fashion Drapery & Blinds

Page 19 saffronwindows.com

WINDOW PROTECTION/ SUN CONTROL

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Titan Window Films Ltd.

Page 49 titanwindowfilms.com

FALL/WINTER 2018

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FINISHING TOUCH

From the Ground Up FOR THIS FORESTED PROPERTY ON LANDS END ROAD, LANDSCAPE DESIGNER JONATHAN CRAGGS TAKES HIS PLANTING INSPIRATION FROM THE NATURAL SURROUNDINGS.

Prime Plantings

Function and Beauty

The six-foot retaining wall that extends from the garage at the back of the house starts to come down in height as it follows the path and becomes a free-standing wall.

“It turns something utilitarian into something sculptural and visually interesting,” Craggs says.

A Path Forward

To create a pathway that “didn’t look too arid,” Craggs used concrete slabs surrounded by planting strips in Baby’s Tears, a lush ground cover with small round leaves.

The concrete for the path matches the colour of the treads in the floating staircase.

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Craggs carries out his work with sensitivity to the surrounding environment, with the aim to make each garden layout seem inevitable and congruent within its setting. “It’s in a heavily forested area and the house faces north, so I took my cues from that,” Craggs says.

“The essential goal of the project was to create a natural forest opening.”

Deer Proofing

Along with reflecting the forested setting, the abundance of deer in the area also influenced the planting selection.

“Rhododendron, bamboo and ornamental grasses were used because the deer don’t eat them,” Craggs says.

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