Dyh summer 2014 june17,2014

Free

Summer 2014

Western Manitoba

Increase the Value of Your Home

Today

Outdoor Living Here to Stay

Water Safety

Western Manitoba SPRING ISSUE 2014 FEATURED HOME

Design Your Home magazine is a Brandon, MB based company created to promote and feature all the great trades in our local area. With the limited amount of media in Brandon and area, this magazine will assist you and your company with great exposure.

Design Your Home magazine will help local companies feature their business and the special work they do.

Design Your Home magazine will focus on the home and proper ty. Each issue you may see ar ticles on Home and Building, Real Estate, Design and Decorating, Landscaping, and a special featured Home and Business.

Why feature in Design Your Home:

Find these past images and articles at designyouhome.ca.

2 | DESIGN YOUR HOME | SUMMER

• Local Home Magazine • 15,000 Magazines published each issue • Published 4x per year: Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring • Estimated 3 readers per issue, equals to 45,000 points of exposure • Timeless, often kept and referred to again and again • Located in very high traffic areas • Delivered to a target audience • We have articles that feature tips and advice from home owners and experts

Contents 19

10

Alternative Landscaping My IDIAH

30

Contractor’s Corner

In Every Issue

Design & Decorative

4 . . . . . . . . Letter from Editor Featured Businesses: 10 . . . . . . . Alternative Landscaping 19 . . . . . . . Contractor’s Corner 34 . . . . . . . Do You Know?

8 . . . . . . . . Add Colour to Your Room with Blinds 17 . . . . . . . Outdoor Living Here to Stay 30 . . . . . . . My IDIAH: A Garden with Personality

Lifestyle

6 . . . . . . . . How to Increase the Value of Your Home Today 26 . . . . . . . Securty and Your Garage Door Remote

32 . . . . . . . Wine Advice: So You’re Having a Party 28 . . . . . . . Safety: Water Safety

Home Improvements

Disclaimer Reasonable care is taken to ensure that Design Your Home Magazine ar ticles and other information on the web site are up-to-date and accurate as possible, as of the time of publication, but no responsibility can be taken by Design Your Home magazine for any errors or omissions contained herein. Fur thermore, responsibility for any losses, damages or distress resulting from adherence to any information made available through Design Your Home magazine or website is not the responsibility of Design Your Home magazine. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Design Your Home magazine.

All interior and exterior home improvements/repairs should be consulted by a professional, prior to the star t of the project.

Adver tisements and the content, including photos, of adver tisements published within Design Your Home magazine are solely by the adver tiser. Design Your Home magazine does not accept responsibility for opinions expressed in adver tisements for copyright issues with regards to photo, adver tising, copy and adver tisement, nor shall they find liable thereby.

Design and Layout by:

www.reaxiongraphics.com

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 3

Letter from the Editor

Summer Fun

W

ow, summer is finally here! Now we have to take advantage of the long, warm, sunny days.

July and August is a great time to catch up with neighbours, star t or finish landscaping projects, and visit with family/friend around a crackling fire.

I have a few tricks to keep me active during the summer months, especially when it is almost too hot to go outside.

I restrict myself to one hour of television a day (except for spor ting events). I join local spor t teams like the Ultimate Frisbee league and the Men’s Barbarians Rugby club. We enroll our daughter in spor ts teams as well. I get out to the Brandon Chamber events and mingle with other business people in my area.

When I do have free time I try to remember what I used to do as a child and instill that attitude into my daughter.

If you were like me you would bike to the park, play at the local pool, play spor ts, and hang out with friends. So I make every attempt to go outside with my daughter to kick the ball, throw the frisbee, play in the sprinkler and go for long bike rides.

One final trick I will share with you, when you are tired, hot, mosquito bitten, and don’t have any motivation to go outside just look at the picture below and remember it is only a few months away.

Stewart Dyck Publishing Editor, Design Your Home

4 | DESIGN YOUR HOME | SUMMER

Go outside and make a summer memory

e m o H r u o Y sign

De

magazine

We are on th e

lookout for:

Freelance…

• • •

Writers Photographers Videographers

Motivated •

Sales Representatives

If you are interested in any of the positions above, please email: jobs@designyourhome.ca

How to Increase the Value of Your Home Today

S

elling your home can often be a stressful occasion. Everyone wants to make sure that they

can sell their house for at least as much as they paid for it.

Sometimes, people go to great trouble to fix up their homes to make sure they sell for a good price. People replace windows, roofs, furnaces, even plumbing. These are all costly renovations, and are often unnecessary. There are many small and inexpensive changes you can make to your

6 | DESIGN YOUR HOME | SUMMER

home that will raise its resale value. Consider these ideas: Paint every space in your house that you think could use freshening up. If you want a space to look bigger, such as a living room or closet, use a light colour, or white. Although painting is time-consuming, it is quite inexpensive, and helps to make a house look new again.

Check out the exterior of your house, including the yard; are there changes you could make here to improve its curb appeal? Paint trim and any steps or railings that look worn out, replace or repaint house numbers and light fixtures, and trim any hedges or bushes in your yard. Keep your grass cut and, even if you don’t have a flower garden, consider buying a pot or hanging basket of flowers to add

colour to your home’s entrance. You might even want to buy a welcome mat!

The kitchen and bathroom are two rooms you will want to pay special attention to. Make sure they are spotless.

Are all of your lights and electrical outlets working? Do you need to add more to make the rooms brighter and more accessible? If you are unable to do these jobs on your own, ask an electrician to do it for you. Although it will cost more, you will know that everything works; also, extra lighting and outlets really do increase the value of a room in the eyes of potential home buyers.

Take a look at the flooring in your home. Are there rips or stains in linoleum or carpet? Are hardwood floors looking dull? Have all of your carpets cleaned.You can rent a carpet cleaner for a good price from a local hardware or grocery store. If your carpet is damaged, you may be able to patch it if the spot is small. Linoleum is quite inexpensive, and easy to install. Clean and polish all hardwood floors.

Finally, before potential home buyers arrive to look through your house, add the finishing touches. Put fresh towels in

the bathrooms and kitchen. Tidy closets, and make sure no newspapers or bills are lying out. Wipe down counters.

Light a candle or two and put on some quiet music. Make sure all pets are out of the way. By following these tips, your home will be sold before you know it, and the selling price will put a smile on your face! -DYH

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 7

Add Colour to Your Room With Blinds

B

linds are a way to colourize your home and work spaces. As life’s colour pallet becomes larger and larger, consumers can say good-bye to bland rooms.

furnishings and accessories. Now we can use those items

The availability of thousands of colours and new acceptable

catching space through the use of colourful window

colour combinations can enhance any room in the home

treatments, such as ver tical blinds, horizontal blinds, roller

without the need to spend thousands of dollars in new

shades and roman shades, which are readily available for

8 | Design Your Home | Summer

that once were thought outdated by the integration of new ideas and colours widely available to all thus creating a unique ambience. As dĂŠcor goes, while white will continue to be the most popular paint colour, the more diverse selections are moving at greater speeds, and this applies to all categories, including window treatments, such as blinds.

We are today able to take a plain white colour room furnished with plain furniture and turn it into an eye

visualization by visiting on-line retailers who display a full array of product lines and colours on the Internet. This modern capability gives the consumer the tools to design a specific scheme to fit the specific use of any room in the home or office. It is recommended that the window treatment is selected first then followed by the selection of accessories which will turn the bland space into the desired setting.

A plain, white room can also be enlivened through the use of stained wood blinds such as mahogany or other so called medium colours. The use of dark stained colours should be limited to specific situations that call for their specific use. Should a light blue room use a dark coloured blind, the contrast can be quite striking and powerful. On the other hand, often these rooms will go the basic route of white blinds, which will diminish the distinction of the otherwise beautiful room.

Oftentimes we find ourselves dealing with a darkly painted room with a wall colour which, for whatever reason, we do not wish to replace, yet we wish to change its appearance and effect. This change in appearance and/or effect can be achieved by the use of vivid colours that allow exterior light into the room. Ver tical blinds, horizontal blinds, roller shades and roman shades can all aid the consumer in creating the desired atmosphere by the availability of thousands of colours and also their operational features which allow the full control of light. Another impor tant factor to be considered is the use of window blinds or shades that incorporate translucent materials and fabrics with varied openness factors.

When

effecting

change

in

these

difficult

spaces,

consideration should be given to objects which will fur ther achieve the desired result, i.e. the use of ar t work or pictures with colours similar to the chosen window treatment which will bring the room together as a pleasing expression of the individual taste.

Window treatments have come a long way in the choices of colour and patterns. Your blind may not only be functional, but can become the feature of your room! -DYH

Free In-Home Consultation

Blinds Shutters Draperies Roller Shades Window Film DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 9

Feature Business

By David McConkey Photos by Kara Matthews - Sterling Images

“Wo 10 | DESIGN YOUR HOME | SUMMER

Wow!” “I had no idea!” If you are like most people that will be your reaction the first time you visit and see the new location of Alternative Landscaping.

Opened just this spring, it has a greenhouse, retail garden centre, and landscaping office. Plus lots of space for plants, trees, equipment, and landscaping materials. You will find Alternative Landscaping on the edge of the city, at the southeast corner of 34th Street and Patricia Avenue.

Alternative Landscaping owners Chris and Karin Griffin look to the present and to the future. But they also look to the heritage of the past. In the middle of the landscaping office is an ornamental fountain made from two very substantial

limestone blocks. Those blocks are from Brandon’s historic Prince Edward Hotel, which stood at the corner of 9th Street and Princess Avenue from 1912 until 1980.

The Griffins star ted the company in 1998. It was then just “a guy and a truck” operation, Karin says. Chris – and a little later with one employee – did the outside work. Karin did the paper work from a home office in their basement.

What’s in a name? They chose “Alternative” to announce that they were the new, fresh, different option. And “A” has the added advantage of being first in alphabetical listings.

By 2001, with the business growing and juggling a new baby as well as a toddler, it was time to expand. A spot in the 2200 block of Maryland Avenue became available, and they took it. (In the early days, the baby often accompanied Karin to the office.) Around the same time, they purchased the site at 34th and Patricia, and they waited until they were ready to develop the proper ty.

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 11

12 | Design Your Home | Summer

The business continues to be mainly landscape design, installation, and maintenance. You can see their work gracing many residential proper ties and commercial locations all over Westman and even into Saskatchewan.

Like outside: at the Manitoba Public Insurance building and the Corral Centre. Or inside: at the Shoppers Mall, where topiaries decorate the food cour t.

You can immerse yourself in the sumptuous photography showcasing their handiwork when you visit their website at alternativelandscapingltd.com. The pictures will leave you dreaming. How your outdoor living space could be enhanced. How your proper ty could become more valuable. How your place could be more inviting, more beautiful, more fun.

The Griffins are all about expansion and diversification.

During the 2008 recession, they thought that more homeowners might want to save money by providing their own labour. So Alternative Landscaping began offering more materials for do-it-yourself folks.

But Karin says that if they do it themselves, she wants her customers to do it right. Often people have misconceptions about which materials would be appropriate, or which materials would be the best buy for a par ticular situation.

So, she will make sure to ask them about their plans and objectives for their project.

“What I really enjoy is teaching people,” Karin says. “I have clients who come back with pictures and they are proud that they have done it themselves. It makes me feel good that I have taught them something and they can do it, and do it right.”

The biggest change with growth has been hiring more staff.

“In the beginning, I did everything: answering the phone, bookkeeping, supervising,” Karin says. “Now we need to hire the right person for the job.”

Alternative Landscaping currently employs about 35 people year round. The number swells to 75 during the summer, including a Clear Lake division. Karin speaks with obvious enjoyment and pride in their staff. The Griffins take great effor t to hire the right people, employees who will, SUPERIOR WORKMANSHIP BY PEOPLE WHO CARE

N W

Richmond Ave

Patricia Ave

18th St.

Complete professional landscape installation Total landscape design, from concept to completion Excavation and grading for commercial and residential properties Year round Lawn & snow maintenance services for residential, commercial & condos • Gardening Services • Complete Green house and Garden Center for all your shrubs, annuals perennials • Your total one stop Shop for all your green, landscape, bulk, block materials to do your back yard or for us to do it for you

34th St.

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Sales 204-727-7289 • Fax 204-727-7531 • Toll Free 1-866-727-7289 www.alternativelandscapingltd.com • email: info@alternativelandscapingltd.com

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 13

as Karin says, “fit the culture of the company.” Their mission statement: “Superior workmanship by people who care.”

are available for anyone to purchase. “If you see us using it,” Karin says, “we can sell it to you.”

Their staff appreciates what is involved in outdoor work.

While it can be great to have a job that is out of doors, the work must be done on time, to the highest standard, and in all weather conditions. Not only when it is nice and sunny, but also when it is dreary and pouring rain. Not to mention in the bitter cold; landscape maintenance like snow clearing goes on all year.

Among those high-quality products are the paving stones and blocks that can be used for places like walkways, driveways, flower beds, and patios. And for water features: from fountains and ponds to streams and waterfalls. Alternative Landscaping is a direct dealer for Barkman products. As well, it is the only dealer in Westman for the Belgard line of concrete retaining wall and paving stone products.

Retail staff at the garden centre are friendly, confident, open to learning, and ready to engage customers in finding the right solutions. In this line of work, Karin says, “We have to be able to talk with people. This industry is not a shy industry.

The Alternative Choice Garden Centre carries a variety of items that can enhance anything from the smallest of balconies to the largest of lawns. The garden centre has the Lechuza brand of self-watering planters exclusively in Westman. These planters provide water to the roots of plants, saving water. You have the convenience of not having to water every day – an indicator shows the level in the water reservoir. The planters come in many different sizes and can be used indoors and out. The liners can be lifted out, making them very por table, and are interchangeable so you can easily switch around colours.

Drain the water from the reservoir and you can leave the planters out all winter.

Alternative Landscaping is a full service company. You can get them to do everything for you from planning to installation and then on-going maintenance. Or, you can buy the materials and supplies and do it yourself. You can also get them just to design your project for you.

And if you are looking for plants, they have hundreds of varieties of flowers, herbs, vegetables, annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees. Plus all the landscaping materials and accessories – like topsoil, fertilizer, sand, gravel, peat, rock, wood mulch, and more – to go along with any planting or project. Perhaps most important, you will get knowledge there.

Alternative Landscaping has done the research to find and get great high-quality products. Karin notes that the commercial-grade materials they use in their installations

14 | Design Your Home | Summer

The garden centre has a number of other intriguing products that are only found there, in Westman. Outdoor cedar furniture where each piece of wood is hand selected, so there are no knots and no warping. As well, there are huge mosquito coils and durable nylon solar lanterns that you can hang in a tree or around a patio and that will last all season.

PROFILE CLIP

See video at designyourhome.ca

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 15

Just like the blocks from the Prince Edward Hotel in their office, the Griffins continue to look to the past with fondness.

Back to the time they worked from their home and had just one truck. “We still have our first truck – we can’t get rid of it,” Karin says. There is a sense of coming around full circle.

The toddler and baby of their first days in the business are now teenagers working part time in the family enterprise.

The Griffins are fully engaged in work that they find very fulfilling. They are people who have found the ideal: enjoying their jobs so much it doesn’t seem like effort. “It’s not really work,” Karin says. On her office wall is a sign. “Success is not the key to happiness, happiness is the key to success,” it says. “If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”

As for the future, the Griffins see even more, with their new location becoming a destination spot. The setting with the greenhouse and the other buildings is really inviting: not only practical and functional, but also very attractive.

The buildings are the work of Crane Steel Structures and electrical completed by G.T. Smith and Sons, both businesses are located here in Brandon.

have found the greenhouse to be the perfect background for wedding photos.

Perhaps there can be a skating rink in the winter? What else? They have 40 acres – lots of space. They have lots of ambition. They have lots of imagination.

The Griffins are ones not to rest and put their feet up.

They see Alternative Landscaping as always a work-inprogress, as always a creation that is unfolding.

“We are doers.” Karin says. “That’s just who we are.”

Another Design build by

There has already been one wedding in the greenhouse, complete with a reception catered. As well, other couples

440 Richmond Avenue E • Brandon, MB R7A 7G7 Serving Westman Since 1918 Phone: (204) 728-3385 Fax: (204) 727-1661 Cell: (204) 573-7615 Email: gtsmith@mymts.net Website: www.gtsmithandsons.ca

16 | DESIGN YOUR HOME | SUMMER

934-A Douglas Street Brandon, MB, Canada R7A 7B2

Phone: (204) 725-3588 Fax: (204) 728-8354 Website: www.cranesteel.com Email: info.bdn@cranesteel.com

Outdoor Living is Here to Stay

I

magine

sitting

on

your

outdoor patio and enjoying the ambience of the moment...

the soft blowing breeze caressing your arms, the beautiful scenery in front of you, the bright sun and the perfect companion, and with your favourite beverage or drink!

Yes, you can enjoy your outdoor patio! In spring and summer and also to some extent in winter, you can enjoy the outdoor patio.

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 17

All you need is a patio space and the right atmosphere.

Sprucing up and maintaining your outdoor living space will help the resale value of your home in the long run.

Before you begin, clear everything off of your deck or patio and give it a good pressure wash. If it needs staining, all the new furniture in the world won’t help – bite the bullet and give it a new coat of stain or paint. This is actually a great place to get started with colourful accents. Try painting your fence posts a bright, coordinating colour such as teal.

Or paint a pattern or border around the edge of your deck.

Create different rooms; we are use to having our homes divided into rooms, but rarely take this approach to our outdoor spaces. But dividing up your yard can actually help to maximize your enjoyment of it. Look at the available space and designate one area for play, one for dining and socializing, and another for relaxing. Then decorate accordingly!

Decks are for socializing, so show that you are ready for company. The addition of metal furniture is inexpensive and comes in lots of great colours. Place a colourful bar cart in the corner and load it up with bright acrylic glassware.

New furniture can make a wonderful difference in the presentation of your patio. Alternatively, you can simply buy new cushions or covers for your existing patio furniture. The right seating can also be very important. There are many kinds of seating: wooden chairs and benches, wicker chairs, glider chairs and vintage metal chairs, just to name a few.

dashes of colour quickly, because you can usually buy them this time of year in bloom. To get continuous colour and greenery, plant some perennials too. Then once the annuals are star ting to die out, you’ll have something to replace them. You’ll also have the added joy of seeing the perennials sprout again for several years to come.

Ask a professional. Your local lumberyard, retailer and contractor should each be familiar with the multitude of new deck and railing products. Seek their opinions on what materials and styles would work best for your outdoor haven. -DYH

Yard ornaments: These can be as simple as a small bird house, a pole mounted outdoor lantern light, or even a wheelbarrow with flowers. Putting a little something extra in your yard defines you and your tastes, plus it gives your home a more unique personality that stands out from your neighbours.

Set the mood with colour : Just as you would with an indoor room, you can use colour to decorate outdoors. In fact, applying colour theory when selecting plants and flower arrangements can influence the mood and personality of a space. For example, while ear th tones are appropriate for a relaxation corner, bright colours like pink and red are ideal in areas used for play. If you’re building a patio or deck, select a base colour that matches your home, but allows for flexibility in design.

Flowers, Plants, Vines & Bushes: A popular way to spruce up a yard quickly is to simply put out some pretty plants, bushes, vines and flowers. Annuals are great for adding

18 | Design Your Home | Summer

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Feature Business

By David McConkey Photos by Kara Matthews - Sterling Images

H

ere’s a great Westman success

story.

They

star ted out as a two-

man small renovation outfit. They grew and grew. They are now a network of five companies offering a full range of building services.They still do renovation work. But as well, they now do new construction, restoration, retail sales, and more.

The success story is Contractor’s Corner. The business has just opened a new showroom, office, and production facility at 408 Park Avenue East. (It’s just off Richmond Avenue.)

Head down there: you can see their products, learn about their services, and get ideas from their friendly staff.

The company owners are brothers Geoff and Tim Gregoire. In 2008, they established themselves as Contractor’s Corner. They set up at 4th Street and Van Horne Avenue. Back then, they billed themselves as “Westman’s Counter top Shop.”

The Gregoires have been steadily expanding ever since.

Geoff would like to remind everyone of what they are now. “People might think we are just renovations,” he says, “but we have expanded well beyond that.” Now, they are proud to call themselves a full-service “Design Centre.”

The company’s goal is to be a one-stop location for the Westman area for building, renovation, and restoration

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 19

20 | DESIGN YOUR HOME | SUMMER

needs; offering project management, material supply, and construction services.

They have carefully developed and added to their capacity by establishing new enterprises that specialize in different aspects of the construction trade. In addition to Contractor’s Corner, their stable of companies now consists of: •

Hard Scabble Stucco & Stone

•

RiverCrest Restoration

•

Con-Cor Homes

•

All Around Plumbing & Electrical

They can meet all of your construction needs. Whether it is the renovation of a kitchen and bathroom, developing a new basement space, flooring, plumbing and electrical projects, or constructing a new home or condo development. As well, they can supply any of the materials: whether you are a do-it-yourself homeowner or if you are yourself the contractor. Any of their services can be obtained individually or as par t of a larger package. The different companies all work out of the Park Avenue East location bring the whole team together.

The complement of Contractor’s Corner companies gives them the ability to take on an ever-expanding range of work. A pressing need in Westman is for more affordable housing, either as new single-family homes or multi-family developments. That need is addressed by Con-Cor Homes.

As another example, RiverCrest Restoration is able to tackle a variety of restoration tasks, such as dealing with the damage caused by fire, water, or mould. RiverCrest is also cer tified in removing asbestos.

Another par t of their business is commercial millwork.

Contractor’s Corner can custom design and build the service counters, cabinets, and desks required by par ticular commercial, office, or retail settings. As an actual working example, you can see how they have designed and constructed their own showroom. That includes the reception desk, counters, and cabinets that store and display products and samples.

The showroom has many displays They also show different options for interior design, like feature walls of different materials – even stucco.

More than half of their new building is devoted to a production facility. There are separate places for the cutting of countertops, the manufacturing of commercial cabinetry, as well as the shipping and receiving of building materials.

To do all the work required, the Gregoires employ about 50 people. When needed, they also work with some 20 sub-contractors. Because they do a broad range of work – including many renovation jobs that are indoors – they have never needed to lay off staff. Employees have the advantage of full-time work through the different seasons and being involved in a variety of projects. As well, some students are hired for the summer months. Geoff talks about his staff with the satisfaction of employing those

It’d be quicker to tell you which windows we don’t make.

We make all kinds of windows for all kinds of projects. Choose from vinyl, wood, clad and hybrid options.

The new Park Avenue East showroom and office space well illustrate the high quality of work and attention to detail of Contractor’s Corner. A result that shows class, attractiveness, and flair. The showroom has not only many samples, but also complete kitchens and bathrooms. And CROP the offices themselves are more than just work spaces.

For a better look, visit plygem.ca

Part of The Designed Exterior ™ by Ply Gem

plygem.ca

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 21 4”

3”

ALIGN CROP

The answer is to use the Contractor’s Corner design service.

Two designers, Jenna McNabb, Design in Mind, and Lauren Hotel, B.A.I.D, can unite the wishes of the homeowner with all the options available. Their designers, Geoff says, “bring the whole job together.”

Contractor’s Corner is also a Castle Building Centre, which means they have a complete range of building supplies available. Products – such as bathroom or kitchen fixtures, counters, cabinets, flooring, windows, doors, lumber, or any other building material – can be ordered through them.Their helpful and knowledgeable staff will assist you in finding whatever you need through the Castle online service.

Products that are ordered are ready within three to five days for pickup or delivery to you.

Geoff points out that because they don’t have the overhead expense of an inventory of stock on hand, they can offer better prices for products.

Useable Model Displays who will fulfill the company’s goal of great workmanship: done safely, carefully, and efficiently.

To get a sense of the products and services available from Contractor’s Corner, browse their website at contractorscorner.ca. There is a complete checklist of what could be required for any project, from design and drawings, to estimating and scheduling.

With any job – even renovating one room – there is a vast array of options. These can include fixtures, flooring, kinds of finishes, and accessories like hardware and mouldings.

There are colours and textures to consider. Homeowners know that they want to renovate. But Geoff says that often the homeowner can be stuck trying to visualize the final result. What will look the best? Make the best use of space? Be the most functional? And, because homeowners are often getting ready to sell: what will add the most value to the proper ty? At this point, for many people, Geoff says, “It can be overwhelming.”

22 | DESIGN YOUR HOME | SUMMER

One interesting product is a brand of panels that can be used inside or out. These realistic-looking panels are made from high-density polyurethane, so they are easily handled and installed. They can bring to life an exterior wall, an inside feature wall, or as par t of a patio or other outdoor living area. Here is a way to have the beauty of stone, but without the expense and hard labour of real stone, cement, and mor tar. Contractors Corner has panels that look like actual concrete, brick, or barn board, that can give you the look you want.

So you can order everything home building related at Contractor’s Corner and yes, even the kitchen sink. Geoff emphasizes that their retail service is available to contractors as well as to the general public. Contractors can source any supplies they need for their jobs. As well, contractors find it very handy and a time saver all around to send their clients down to Contractor’s Corner. In the showroom, clients can sift through the wide range of options available, ask all the questions they might have, and then pick out what they want for their contractor to install. “We were once a small contractor,” Geoff says, “so we have built this business to accommodate other small contractors.”

NE

W

LO

CA TIO

N

408 Park Ave., E, Brandon, MB

Bring the right team together, all under one roof.

Fire / Water / Mould / Abestos Certified

Phone: (204) 717-9000

Providing Conventional Stucco, Acrylic and Masonry Fireplaces

Phone: (204) 717-5325

Specializes in: • Ready to Move Homes • Site Built Homes • Lot Sales • Commercial • Sub Contracting Phone: (204) 727-3799

Our team is ready to assist you for all your Home & Business needs

come see our showroom at 408 Park ave. e Brandon, mB - 204 727-3799

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 23 Visit our website at www.contractorscorner.ca

But even as they have expanded, the Gregoires have never lost sight of their beginnings as that small contractor. Even though their time is now mainly involved in managing and supervising, Geoff says that he and his brother Tim “are not suit and tie guys.” They still like to steal away to the shop every so often to do some cutting of counter tops – even it means going in the evenings or on weekends.

When Geoff talks about the company’s success, he identifies customer service and satisfaction as still being their core objective. Whether it was back then: like renovating a kitchen or bathroom. Or today: like building a new condo development. When he recalls where they were and where they are now, he has a large perspective.

“We are small enough to give good customer service,” he says, “big enough that we can do everything.”

The Gregoires have an obvious sense of fulfillment in building a successful business. Their original “countertop shop” on 4th Street was 4,500 sq. ft. Now, they have a showroom and a production and distribution facility totaling 18,000 sq. ft. They were first considering constructing a new building, then saw the potential in the vacant one on Park Avenue

East. They largely gutted the structure and transformed it to become a multi-purpose facility. They see even more growth ahead. “We own the empty lot next door,” says Geoff. “Eventually, we’ll have to use it, that’s for sure.”

The secret to their growth and success is a deep commitment to customer service, great workmanship, and a sense of integrity that they infuse into everything they do.

It’s simple, really, Geoff says. “We build every job like it’s our own home.”

Castle Building Centres Group wishes to congratulate our member Contractor’s Corner on their new location and fabulous state-of-the-art design centre in Brandon, MB

Visit Contractors Corner 408 Park Avenue East Brandon, MB www.contractorscorner.ca

24 | DESIGN YOUR HOME | SUMMER

PROFILE CLIP

See video at designyourhome.ca DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 25

Security and Your Garage Door Opener Remote

Y

ou’d be right to be concerned about security with your wireless garage door opener and remote. An intruder can gain access to your garage contents, or even your home if you don’t follow some simple security steps.

Different radio frequencies are used for communication between the remote and the opener. Tiny switches known as dip switches are used to adjust the frequency used between the two. It is a wise idea to reconfigure the dip switch settings to make sure your garage is more secure.

A dip switch is a small block of plastic about the size of a dice cut in half. They are usually coloured blue, red, or black with 8 to 10 tiny white switch levers positioned up or down. Only when the up / down switch patterns match on both devices will your garage door opener remote control be able to communicate with the opener unit. By adjusting the switch pattern, you are changing the radio frequency used to communicate between the two.

You should be able to easily locate the dip switch on the opener and on the remote control clicker. But to get access to the dip switch on the remote you might

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need to open it up if the dip switch isn’t found in the battery compar tment. Remove the screws holding the remote together, or carefully pry it apar t if there are no screws. Once you have access to the dip switch on the remote, scramble the switch positions, and then match the positions on the openers dip switch block. It does not matter what the pattern looks like, so long as it’s a random pattern that would be difficult for someone to guess.

If you have trouble getting the remote to work after doing this, verify that the dip switch patterns are the same on both units. Then check the remote battery is in good condition, and as usual, make sure the opener has power, and operates normally using the control panel inside your garage. You might have to read the manual if all else fails.

If you are thinking of getting a new garage door opener or have already gotten one, then you will want to change settings, just to make sure everyone is honest. Don’t forget, your installer or anyone working with him knows your frequency switch settings unless you change them. So go ahead and mix up the switch pattern settings and test that it works.

If you have a newer garage door that does not use a dip switch, you should still reset your remote. This can be done

by The “Learn” button (see right) on your garage door opener, which is located above the antenna wire that hangs from the motor head, it may also be under a light cover. The “Learn” button will be green, red/orange, purple or yellow.

The “Learn” button has two functions. One is to program accessories to the opener, the other is the clear the memory of the opener. Clearing the memory on a unit

Reset your remote using the “Learn” button will erase all of the accessories that are programmed to the opener.

Even if you are a do-it-yourself type, you’ll want to make the same changes. Don’t just stay with the factory default settings. If you did, then anyone could just drive down your street with a compatible remote until he finds a door that opens and gives access to a home. Make sure that’s not you.

This advise also applies to anyone buying or renting a new home too. Just like you might change the lock to guarantee there are no spare keys floating around that could compromise your home security. You have no way of knowing how many previous residence there might have been. And you wouldn’t want someone to just walk right into your garage or home. -DYH

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Water B

eing at the beach or at a pool can be the best of times in the summer.

Unfortunately drowning and injuries are a common occurrence with young and old alike. Most can be prevented by following simple safety rules. Whether you are at a beach or a pool there are usually rules posted. Following these rules can help ensure a safe, fun time. They are there to protect you and help keep the pool clean and sanitary.

Never run when in a pool area. The area is nearly always slippery do to splashing and water dripping when people exit the pool. Take special care when entering or exiting a pool. If there is a handrail, be sure to use it.

28 | Design Your Home | Summer

Whether a pool, lake or swimming hole check the area before diving or jumping in. First time in, check the area by walking in and checking for rocks, submerged logs, toys or shallow areas. Diving in can cause severe injuries if you hit an obstruction you were not aware of.

Stay within your limits and abilities. Do not swim out until you start to tire. Remember you have to be able to cover the same distance coming back. At beaches always stay within roped off areas and marker buoys and swim parallel to shore if possible. Use the buddy system even if there is a lifeguard present. Watch out for each other.

Beware of hazards in pools and hot tubs such as suction lines and drains. Water is filtered thus it is suctioned out of the pools and tubs. Never put your head under water in whirlpools or hot tubs as hair can be caught in the lines

cannot open and ensure it is locked when the pool is not in use or being supervised by a responsible adult.

Keep the pool clean to help prevent bacteria and germs.

Use recommended sanitizing chemicals and follow the directions on the chemical containers.

Follow the operation and maintenance instructions for your pool or hot tub especially about the circulation systems.

Do not allow food or drink in the pool or hot tub. Spills will mean extra cleaning.

Do not allow glass dishes or drink containers in the pool area. A broken container can lead to a serious injury and if broken glass enters the water the pool or hot tub will have to be drained to allow a thorough cleaning.

Enjoy the summer and play safe. and your head could be held underwater. Wear a bathing cap or tie your hair up or braid it to prevent accidents.

Small children’s arms and legs can also be caught in a drain that has a poor cover over it. If a cover is missing do not use the tub or pool until a proper cover is in place.

Bill White has been associated with work place safety committees for 25 years in the government and the private sectors

Play safely when in pools or at the beach. Wrestling or tumbling around could lead to your head hitting cement sides, bottoms, pool decks or rocks in a lake. Drowning can occur very quickly.

Alcohol and water don’t mix. Alcohol slows your reflexes and affects your stability easily leading to slips or falls. It can make you drowsy, especially in a hot tub, and that can be dangerous.

Protect your children. Never leave them alone near any water for even a moment. Small children and infants should always be within arms reach. Smaller children should wear government approved life jackets and older kids should be taught the “buddy” system. Teach them to check for hidden dangers at a beach such as sudden drop offs and hidden logs or rocks.

Take a first aid course to prepare you should an emergency arise. Make sure your children are wearing waterproof sunscreen even on days when it is not too hot or is partially cloudy. Take breaks in the shade.

Look after your pool and keep it safe for people of all ages.

Fence off the pool area according to local bylaws for fence height. Ensure there is a lockable gate that small children

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 29

By Jaime-Lynn Dyck

A Garden with Personality!

E

very year, many of us pull out our pots and get ready for planting season. Have you ever thought about using items from around your home to display your beautiful blossoming buds? Here are some ideas to help get your creativity flowing in your garden!

A tipsy garden pot display (top right) is an interesting way to display different varieties of your blooms or even herbs. To make this, you will need several different sizes of clay pots with the hole in the bottom, and a piece of rebar. Place your largest pot on the ground where you want to display it and drive the rebar in the ground about a foot, through the hole in the center of the pot. Fill with soil and then place your next pot through the hole, but tilt the pot to the side, so the

30 | DESIGN YOUR HOME | SUMMER

rebar is against the side of the pot at the top; continuing doing this all the way up your rebar. After placing a few pots, you can keep with the same size, and don’t necessarily need to go smaller. Feel free to search online for instructions and videos.

Using an old bird cage to grow herbs or plants that vine out, will definitely be a show stopper hanging from a tree or post in your garden. Cover the bottom with landscape fabric before arranging your soil and plants. Make sure you water frequently as the soil with dry up faster in this container.

I love re-using objects around the home or garage that I no longer use. For this planter I used a kettle I no longer needed. You may also like to use an old tool box, picnic basket, crate, pot or vase.

Add some whimsy to your garden with little bird baths made out of tea cups! For this project, you will need a diamond drill bit to make a hole in the cup and saucer, and then fasten to a rod or dowel with a screw.

necessarily referring to your old pair of running shoes, but how about an old pair of skates, work boots or rubber boots. We used a wooden pair of decorative shoes as a feature in this garden.

I hope this has given you some inspiration to give your garden a little personality this year! Happy Gardening!

Fairy gardens are also a fun little addition to your garden. You can either create one right in your garden or use a container so you can enjoy it inside as well. We created ours out of a chip and dip serving platter. We used the smaller dip bowl as our pond, filled it with rocks and placed a bridge over it. Fill your container with plants and soil and then start playing! We included some figurines, rocks and shells. Don’t forget sand, pine cones, and any other small objects you desire. Figurines and accessories can be picked up at your local gardening centre.

A few more ideas...

Display an old mail box in your garden or on your fence to hold your gardening gloves and tools.

This is will keep them in a safe, dry place close to where you do your work.

Place your yarn scraps in your yard or garden for the birds to use in their nests!

How about re-using a pair of shoes in the garden! I’m not

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Wine Advice

So, you’re having a par ty

F

rom weddings to baby showers, long weekend celebrations, anniversaries, impromptu gatherings and elegant affairs, there is a wine cocktail for every occasion.

Wine cocktails may be made with a variety of wines: red, white, rosé, sparkling, sweet or dry. When selecting which wine to use consider the aromas and flavors in the wine, because if, for example, you choose a white wine with notes of tropical fruit you can complement the wine-infused blend with the addition of mango, melon and pineapple.

Sauvignon Blanc’s profile is intensified by the addition of citrus and tropical fruit, where Riesling is enhanced by green apple, peach, pear and nectarine. Red wine-infused drinks made with Pinot Noir improve with the addition of raspberries, strawberries and cherries, flavors that mimic those in the wine.

Undoubtedly the most popular wine-infused cocktail is Sangria which may be made with white, rosé or red wine, although traditional Sangria recipes call for a dry red table wine from Spain or Por tugal. If you prefer ripe and fruity red Sangria select one of the many off-dry “New World” red blends such as Apothic Red, Diabolica, Gnarly Head Authentic Red or Fetzer Crimson.

Although it is not necessary, if you prepare Sangria or wine-infused punch a day ahead it is well wor th the effor t, as this allows the flavors to meld together. Also, it is best to keep all ingredients refrigerated as cool temperatures enhance and enliven the drink. Serve drinks in cooled frosty stemware and add a special touch with garnish. A

32 | DESIGN YOUR HOME | SUMMER

slice of orange, lime or lemon, mint leaf, flower or sprig of rosemary make the drink more appealing.

There are many ways to alter a recipe to suit your taste and budget by adjusting or substituting ingredients. Sweetness may be adjusted by the addition or omission of sugar but also by substituting a beverage such as club soda (dry) for ginger ale (sweet) or dry wine with off-dry (slightly sweet) wine. For cocktails calling for Champagne, you may substitute less expensive dry sparkling wines made using the same wine-making method. Try Cava from Spain, wines labeled “Crémant” from France or any sparkling wine labeled as having been “made by the traditional or ancestral method”.

The following recipes were selected not only because they are refreshing and beautiful, but also quick and easy to prepare.

Billini The classic recipe, invented in Harry’s bar in Venice, calls for white peaches but either yellow or white may be used.

• 2 ripe peaches, peeled, halved and pit removed (or canned peaches in natural juice) • chilled Champagne Puree peaches until smooth. Fill Champagne flutes 1/3 full with peach puree, top with Champagne. Garnish with a peach slice.

White Sangria 1 26 ounce(750 ml) bottle of white wine – Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer unoaked Chardonnay, Vinho Verde • 2/3 cups white sugar • 3 oranges - thinly sliced • 1 lemon – thinly sliced • 1 lime – thinly sliced • 2 ounces brandy (optional) • 1/2 litre ginger-ale • Combine all ingredients other than the ginger-ale.

Chill. Add the cooled pop just prior to serving.

Pink Sangria • 2 – 10 ounce packages of frozen sliced strawberries, thawed • 1 – 12 ounce frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed • 2 bottles of rosé – White Zinfandel for a sweeter blend or Provincial Rosé for a drier blend • 2 cups pineapple juice • 1 litre ginger-ale Mix the first 4 ingredients together. Cool. Add ginger-ale just prior to service.

Mimosa There have been adaptations to this recipe over the years but here is the tried and true (and easy) original.

• Orange juice • Champagne Fill one-half of a Champagne flute with sparkling wine and top off with orange juice.

Traditional Sangria • 1/2 cup brandy • 1/4 cup lemon juice • 1/3 cup frozen lemonade • 1/3 cup orange juice • 1 bottle dry red table wine from Spain or Por tugal • 1/2 cup orange-flavored liqueur – triple sec or Grand Marnier (optional) • 1 lemon – thinly sliced • 1 lime – thinly sliced • 1 orange – thinly sliced • 1/4 cup white sugar (optional) • 2 cups of carbonated water (optional – use only if “fizz” is desired) Combine all ingredients other than carbonated water and refrigerate overnight. If you want a fizzy beverage add cooled carbonated water just prior to serving.

Kate Wagner Zeke, Sommelier(ISG) Certified Specialist of Wine, Certified Wine Educator(SWE) wineadviser@wcgwave.ca

Wine Pick 19 Crimes Shiraz Durif, 2012, Australia Is it a crime to drink red wine in the summer? Absolutely not. This full-bodied and intense red blend is smooth and juicy with generous dark red fruit, black pepper, spice and a whiff of eucalyptus. Nice ripe tannins and moderate acidity carry thru on the lengthy and appealing finish.

Sileni Cellar Selection Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc, NV, New Zealand New Zealand is world renown for its quality Sauvignon Blanc and this sparkling wine is no exception. It is bright and light-bodied with a fine smooth mousse, vibrant acidity and aromas and flavors of pineapple, fresh cut grass, gooseberry, lemon and lime. Pair this racy wine with a fresh seasonal salad with goat cheese.

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 33

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