Avenue February 2017

bankershall.ca

ag silver boutique • Carati Fine Jewellery • Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut • MediDerm Spa

Parfum Gallerie • Vivah Jewellery • Zyn The Wine Market

$7,499,000

#200 256003 Coalmine Road W, Calgary, AB

Unprecedented post & beam style home on 68 acres of natural landscapes with indoor & outdoor equestrian arenas & guest house on 22 acres.

Dennis Plintz

403.608.1112

40 Westbluff Ridge, Calgary, AB

Luxury home on a gated 3 acre ridge lot in Springbank. Masterpiece indoor infinity/lap pool with sight-lines to panoramic mountain views. MLS#C4070178

Dennis Plintz

403.608.1112

$2,850,000

2902 Montcalm Crescent SW, Calgary, AB

A stunning home on an oversized 68’ x 208’ lot fronting onto South Mount Royal Park. Mature trees and extensive landscaping. MLS#C4078257

Dennis Plintz 403.608.1112

THE RIVER - 125 26 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB

Located in Calgary’s most sought-after boutique waterfront development. This luxurious 2 bedroom spacious home is impeccably designed. MLS#C4083517 Anne Clarke 403.803.5578

$2,259,000

116 Posthill Drive SW, Calgary, AB

Situated in exclusive Posthill Estates, this exceptional home was designed with exquisite craftsmanship and boasts over 5,100 sq.ft. MLS#C4088964

Corinne Poffenroth 403.804.2444

3903 18 Street SW, Calgary, AB

Contemporary custom home in Altadore with luxury throughout. 3,284 sq.ft. and 1,069 sq.ft. lower level, 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, double garage. MLS#4077684

Dennis Plintz 403.608.1112

$1,985,000

10 Slopes Grove SW, Calgary, AB

Breathtaking mountain views from this masterpiece custom home on a half acre lot in Springbank Hill. M LS#C4074062

Dennis Plintz 403.608.1112

$1,890,000

THE RIVER - 129 26 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB

Welcome to THE RIVER Calgary’s most sought after luxurious boutique waterfront development. A truly elegant & refined 2 bedroom home. MLS#C4083518

Anne Clarke 403.803.5578

$1,149,000

630

Located across from Calgary Elks Golf & Country Club, & minutes to the airport & downtown, this custom designed home is truly extraordinary. MLS#C4088171

Corinne Poffenroth 403.804.2444

4722 21A Street SW, Calgary, AB

Pristine custom home in Garrison Woods built in 2010 boasting over 3,200 sq. ft. MLS#C4091622

Renata M. Reid 403.630.3991

Jennifer Everingham 403.614.8772

$689,900

6019 34 Street SW, Calgary, AB

Ideally located in beautiful Lakeview with views of the park, this updated bungalow features over 2200 sq.ft., 4 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms. MLS#C4088555

Renata M. Reid 403.630.3991

$689,000

8 Red Fox Road, Rural Bighorn M.D., AB

A unique 35.5+/- acre parcel in the wildcat hills in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Just 10 minutes from Ghost Lake Reservoir. MLS#C4076714 Kyle Stone 403.669.5390

$658,700

4263 Passchendaele Road SW, Calgary, AB

Beautifully presented bright end unit townhome located in the heart of Garrison Woods. Over 2600 sq.ft., 3 bedrooms plus upper loft.MLS#C4089098

Renata M. Reid 403.630.3991

$925,000

46 Glenmore Green SW, Calgary, AB

Gated community at Glenmore Greens. Beautiful sunny walkout bungalow featuring over 2950 sq.ft. with 3 bedrooms & 2.5 bathrooms. MLS#C4088557

Renata M. Reid 403.630.3991

#309 804 18 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB

Beautiful condo in Anderson Estates, a heritage building built in 1912 with original quality &character located steps from 17th Avenue. MLS#C4090576 Dennis Plintz 403.608.1112

25 Avenue NE, Calgary, AB

THE HOME OF POSSIBILITY

CURRIE: Combining the Core, the Commons and the Campus neighbourhoods to create holistic urban living that is second-to-none. Beautiful homes for young singles, urban couples, busy families and retirees. Seven minutes to downtown. Acre upon acre of green space. A true community where good people come together over great food, beautiful parks, walkable streets and balanced living.

And the possibilities are endless.

The Calgary Colour Palette

Top local designers give us their choices for paints, textiles and other home decor elements inspired by the Rocky Mountains, Bow River, prairies and Calgary cityscape.

By Paige Johnston

54 French Dining

Our guide demystifies the different types of French restaurants so you can tell your bistros from your boulangeries and, of course, know which spots offer the best of French cuisine in Calgary right now.

By Elizabeth Chorney-Booth

62 Prosperity or Bust

We’ve certainly been here before, so why does the bust part of the boom-bust economy continue to take us by surprise? We take a look at the history of busts in Calgary and how they have shaped the city.

By Andrew Guilbert

DEPARTMENTS

27 Detours

Playwright John Murrell talks Filumena and writing local, Icelandic landscapes come to Calgary and find out what the Synchronized Skating Championships are all about.

34 Good Taste

A complete set-up for a romantic brunch that is sure to make you a culinary cupid.

39 Dining

A roundup of new dining options, including Provision, Mill Street Brewery, Mostly Mango and more.

LIFE

We profile four Calgary professionals who travel frequently and have find out what tips and tricks these

78 Style Q&A

Jordan Baylon, the community investment manager for Calgary Arts Development, marches to the beat of his own drum, fashion-wise.

82 The List

It’s local boutique La Chic’s 40th year in business. To celebrate, we ask owner Elena Achilleos to tell us her 10 favourite things.

36 The Pour

Any port in a storm, they say, but here are our top picks for Port as well as pairings at Charbar, Whitehall and Bonterra.

75 Mountains

Enjoy great cross-country ski getaways by staying awhile in places like Vernon, Kamloops, Golden and Canmore.

84 New And Noteworthy

Swedish socks, Friday flowers and cool Cologne are on our radar this month.

86 Decor

COVER STORY

Kimberly Wiebe’s jewelbox condo features marble in the kitchen and lavender on the walls.

92 How to Buy a Couch

Everything you need to know to buy a sofa in Calgary, at any price point.

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Publisher Joyce Byrne, jbyrne@redpointmedia.ca

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Staff Photographer Jared Sych

Production Designer Caroline Grippo

WU MAN & FRIENDS

FRI • MARCH 3, 2017 • 7:30 PM

BELLA CONCERT HALL at MRU

Recognized as the world’s premier pipa virtuoso and leading ambassador of Chinese music, GRAMMY®

Award-nominated musician Wu Man has carved out a career as a soloist, educator and composer giving her lute-like instrument a new role in both traditional and contemporary music. A member of the famed Silk Road Ensemble, Wu Man has premiered hundreds of new works worldwide, while spearheading multimedia projects to preserve and create awareness of China’s ancient musical traditions.

mru.ca/enjoy

Avenue is proud to support local initiatives in our community. Visit AvenueCalgary.com/events to find out more about upcoming events in the city.

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Contributors Aldona Barutowicz, Erin Brooke Burns, Elizabeth Chorney-Booth, Joanne Elves, Madison Farkas, Tom Firth, Jennifer Friesen, Kaitlyn Hanson, Tara Hardy, Paige Johnston, Kait Kucy, Fraser Tripp, Julie Van Rosendaal, Katherine Ylitalo

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Stay Warm

As I write this we are in the midst of a long cold snap, at the beginning of what looks like it will be a deepfreeze of a winter, and at the tentative recovery stage of a lengthy cool down of the economy. In short, it’s chilly out there literally and figuratively.

Fortunately, Calgarians are resilient and optimistic, and what’s more, they look out for one another.

My mother is currently visiting me from a city to our west that fancies itself a bit of an oasis. And yet, all the residents there seem to do is complain about the cold and the snow and the costs and the inconveniences of life in that paradise.

Whereas here, even as the temperatures dip far below freezing Calgarians note the blue skies and cheerfully remind each other “Stay warm!” as they bundle up for the weather.

Likewise, we seem ever hopeful for optimistic signs of economic recovery. In “Prosperity or Bust” our assistant editor, Andrew Guilbert, explores the history of booms and busts in the city. And while there are certainly some sobering facts, he also finds signs of hope — among them the greater diversification of our local economy and strength in the housing market.

For me one of the greatest signs of hope in that article is the story of the Laid Off Calgary support group. Obviously it’s not great that there are so many among us who have lost jobs. But the fact that founder Bianca Sinclair formed

Käthe Lemon Editor-in-Chief klemon@redpointmedia.ca

the group just because she saw a need in the community and did something to address it is a testament to the resiliency of our community and Calgarians’ willingness to find a way to not only pull themselves up when they can, but pull each other up even when they’re down.

The other laudable characteristic of Calgarians that this speaks to is our high activity level. Even when the weather is blustery we bundle up and keep at it. As they say, when you’re going through hell, keep going!

GET AVENUE ON YOUR TABLET!

To get the tablet edition, go to avenuecalgary.com/tabletedition.

CORRECTION

Our January issue story about the Calgary Courts Centre aboriginal courtroom stated incorrectly that the Calgary Courts Centre was one of the first courthouses in North America to merge all three judicial levels — Court of Queen’s Bench, provincial court and court of appeals — into one space. The Courts Centre does not house the court of appeals, which is at TransCanada Pipelines Tower.

Celebrating Calgarians and all they do comes naturally here at Avenue — we are unabashedly in love with this city and the people in it. It’s a simpler task when things are going well. But the darker days certainly are the times when it’s easier to see the lights so to speak, and we continue to find stories to celebrate in the city right now, both in the print issue and online at avenuecalgary.com.

And remember, it can be cold out there, so we hope you stay warm.

Sleek full-sized appliances include gas cooktop and 48 inches of refrigeration

Abundant storage includes full-height pantry space and multiple closets

#alloyhomes

Be sure to follow our projects live on social media, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Be inspired, discover ideas and watch our buildings take shape from sketches to drawings to built works.

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Alloyhomes

Alloy Homes Incorporated

CONTRIBUTORS

403-264-3667

alloyhomes.com

info@alloyhomes.com

MADISON FARKAS

Madison Farkas graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Mount Royal University. She has contributed to the Calgary Journal, Global News Calgary, Best Version Media, Avenue and CBC Books. As a reporter, editor, photographer and videographer with a love of investigative journalism, Farkas has covered such topics as the 2015 Canadian federal election, violence against women, the arrival of Syrian refugees in Alberta and the impacts of the economic downturn. Farkas has relocated to Ontario and is continuing her career in Peterborough.

KAITLYN HANSON

Born and raised in the Foothills, Kaitlyn Hanson is a Calgary-based writer and teacher with a background in online media. She studied broadcast journalism at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ont., before moving overseas — first to the UK to work as a writer and editor in Manchester, and then to Sydney, Australia, where she was the content manager at Castleford Media until 2012. Hanson currently teaches grades 7 and 8 humanities in High River, Alta., When she’s not writing or teaching, Hanson can usually be found running, reading, or enjoying the Rockies with her husband, Matt.

TARA HARDY

Tara Hardy is a deeply passionate collage artist who has won numerous awards and continues to push the boundaries of her imagination. She describes herself as hard working, experimental and constantly searching for new inspiration. Hardy is very passionate about animal welfare and the environment, and has worked for The New Yorker, The Globe and Mail and numerous other publications. Her work is displayed in the Google head office in Dublin and will be in the second season of Netflix’s, “Master of None” airing this year. Hardy is the granddaughter of Ray Mead, a well-known member of the Painters Eleven.

KAIT KUCY

Kait Kucy is your typical multi-hyphenate freelancer (writer, photographer, social media lover) — ultimately a big ideas person who gets zero sleep. When she isn’t out cool-hunting in the wild streets of Calgary, she’s tapping away at her computer writing her column for Avenue and planning her now-annual creativity conference, Next Big Thing. Her adorably busy two-year-old son Jack keeps her whole work/life balance thing in check.

Theatre Calgary’s Skylight.

March 2017

2017 BEST RESTAURANTS

We reveal our selection of the top 10 overall restaurants as well as our picks for top dining trends of the year and the restaurants that exemplify them.

SERVING UP STYLE

Local restaurant staff show off droolworthy spring fashion looks.

SPRING SKI DEALS

If you’re looking for great prices, paired with slightly warmer weather, this is the best time to hit the slopes.

DISCOVERY CENTRE OPENING MARCH

Bungalows | Custom Homes | Lot Opportunities

Urban Living by Baywest is a trusted developer with over 30 years building in Calgary’s vibrant and established communities. Discerning clients appreciate a home building experience focused on craftsmanship and personalized attention, from a team with the knowledge to bring your vision to life.

Visit our website for showhome details, as well as information on open houses and interactive workshops.

To arrange a complimentary pre-building consultation please contact

UrbanLivingHomes.ca

DETOURS

Playing Local

For playwright John Murrell, inspiration begins at home.

Playwright John Murrell has had a good season so far. The 40th anniversary production of Waiting for the Parade, his play about Calgary women on the home front during WWII, and his latest work, Fat Jack Falstaff’s Last Hour, both hit the stage last fall. This month, Calgary Opera is remounting Filumena, an opera for which he wrote the libretto. Filumena tells the true story of an Italian immigrant to the Crowsnest Pass who gets involved in her lover’s bootlegging business in the 1920s. It’s interesting to note that two of those three stories are set in the Calgary region, a common backdrop for his work. “I think I could almost say every other play is set here,” says Murrell.

But telling local stories isn’t something Murrell feels forced to do. If anything, writing about his surroundings is as natural for him as living. “There’s the idea we often hear that anything a writer writes is autobiography, because it is how you feel and how you perceive the world,” he says. “In a way, I’m always writing the story of the world as I see it.”

Murrell says when he and his fellow playwrights were starting out in the ’70s, there was a sense that there was rich material to be mined at home, which could be brought to audiences who would see their stories reflected back to them. “At the time Waiting for the Parade was written, it was very important to Canadian theatre to tell our own stories in our own voices. The Canada Council for the Arts had sort of put that as a mandate, that we were creating Canadian theatre and that meant Canadian plays on Canadian subjects.”

Though some would balk at the chances of homegrown content competing with the deluge of international media, especially coming from our neighbours to the south, Murrell, whose plays have been performed around the world, thinks the fact we don’t boast of ourselves the way other cultures do is a unique facet about the Canadian sensibility. “Other cultures, in sometimes patriotic or jingoistic ways, have trumpeted who they are, what they are and how they feel and think, but then that leaves a unique Canadian voice about the Canadian experience for us to revel in,” says Murrell. “I think our audiences get that.”

Andrew Guilbert

Calgary Opera performs Filumena Feb. 4, 8 and 10. For more information visit calgaryopera.com

Images of Iceland

After more than 30 years working in commercial advertising, Calgary photographer Gerard Yunker decided he needed a change of pace, so he booked a plane to Iceland to undertake a purely creative project based around images of the island’s terrain. “I’ve been doing commercial advertising for a long time … and I don’t think there’s a legacy for that work,” says Yunker. “I wanted to take a few risks and step out of my comfort zone.”

“IN THIS UNKNOWN ENVIRONMENT, THESE FRIGID, METALLIC SKIES, THAT PIERCING LIGHT, THE RADICALLY CHANGING CONDITIONS AND TEMPERATURES, I JUST SURRENDERED TO IT; BECOMING PART OF IT, STANDING INSIDE OF IT, SEEING IT CHANGE.”

The result of his trip is a series of 60-inch by 20-inch landscape shots, a selection of which are on display this month at the Paul Kuhn Gallery in a show titled réttsælis (Icelandic for “clockwise,” the direction Yunker travelled

around the country). Some are black and white, some are in colour, but all capture the beautiful aesthetics of natural Nordic landscapes. “They’re fundamentally visual landscapes, but they are also physical, in terms of sensing rather than just seeing” says Yunker. “In this unknown environment, these frigid, metallic skies, that piercing light, the radically changing conditions and temperatures, I just surrendered to it; becoming part of it, standing inside of it, seeing it change.”

In order to capture the various terrains, Yunker drove a camper out to remote locations to shoot from incremental degrees, capturing a breadth of view single photos couldn’t. He then processed the multiple exposures per image on location in the camper.

For Yunker, the reason for creating massive prints is simple. “There’s something about large scale that interests me. It has a lot of impact,” he says “Just immerse yourself in the image and you can see stuff you never even saw when it was shot.” —A.G.

réttsælis is on display this month at the Paul Kuhn Gallery as part of the Exposure Photography Festival. For information visit gerardyunker.com and paulkuhngallery.com

Filumena, 2003.

Filumena photograph by Trudie Lee; synchronized skaters photograph by ©Skate Canada/Danielle Earl; réttsælis photographs by Gerard Yunker.

Sequined And Synchronized

There’s an effortless grace to the sport of figure skating, particularly in the pairs discipline, where skaters move as fluid extensions of one another. So what happens when you add 14 other skaters? That’s something you can find out at the Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships this month.

In synchronized skating, teams ranging from eight to 16 skaters complete a program of elements in unison using a variety of formations, explains Nicole Brady, Skate Canada’s synchronized skating coordinator. These elements include sequences such as wheels, circles, intersections, blocks and lines, all of which require strong timing and coordination.

“You need to be aware of the difficulty there is in synchronizing up to 16 skaters on the ice at the same time,” says Brady. “Synchronized skating takes patience and teamwork to create beautiful programs. If even one person is off-time it can affect that entire section of the choreography.”

At the Calgary event, over 800 skaters from across the country will compete for national titles in five categories, from novice through senior. The top two senior teams will represent Canada this April at the 2017 International Skating Union World Synchronized Skating Championships (the sport’s highest level of competition) in Colorado Springs. —Fraser

Tripp

The 2017 Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships are Feb. 24 to 26 at WinSport’s Markin MacPhail Centre. For information, visit skatecanada.ca.

Pacific Wine & Spirits

FONSECA TAWNY PORT is a beautifully blended tawny port that is smooth and velvety with nutty overtones. Sure to warm your Valentine’s heart. To find a retailer visit liquorconnect.com/727339

Brinkhaus

1 2 3 4

NOUVELLE BAGUE BRACELETS - From the Tempo collection, elegant enamel bracelets accented with white diamonds and 18kt yellow gold. www.brinkhaus.com

Master Chocolat

Diamonds make the perfect Valentine’s Day Gift. Visit our booth at the Calgary Farmers’ Market, order online or find your closest Master Chocolat retailer at www.masterchocolat.com

Wild Rose Brewery Mix half Velvet Fog wheat ale and half Wraspberry Ale to create this Alberta favourite. Pink Velvet is great to share with your loved ones this Valentine’s Day. www.wildrosebrewery.com

DETOURS

this month do to

PHOTOGRAPHY EXPOSURE PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL

FEB. 1 TO 28

This annual, month-long festival is a celebration of photography as an art form. The only festival of its kind in Alberta, Exposure is all about the appreciation of photography and encouraging working photographers in their craft, with exhibitions taking place in selected galleries throughout the city.

exposurephotofestival.com

MUSIC FESTIVAL BLOCK HEATER FESTIVAL

FEB. 10 TO 12

The organizers behind the Calgary Folk Music Festival know that a little live music can help get you through the cold winter months.

The inaugural Block Heater festival was held last year and will return to four venues along the Music Mile this month, including Festival Hall, the Lantern Community Church, the Ironwood Stage & Grill and the Alexandra Dance Hall. Expect three days of folk and roots music by local, national and international acts.

calgaryfolkfest.com

THEATRE THE EXQUISITE HOUR

FEB. 13 TO MARCH 4

Attend this Lunchbox Theatre show and you’ll forget that it’s the middle of winter. That’s because The Exquisite Hour in the middle of summer, in the year 1962, when Mrs. Darimont ventures into bachelor Zachary Teale’s beautiful backyard, asking for just one hour of his time. What follows is a touching portrayal of friendship and hope.

Lunchbox Theatre, 115 9 Ave. S.E., 403-265-4292, lunchboxtheatre.com

THEATRE SKYLIGHT

FEB. 14 TO 25

This special presentation in Theatre Calgary’s 2016-2017 season is an intimate play that sees two former lovers from very different backgrounds reconnect. They discuss their differing opinions and ideologies, as well as their mutual desire for each other and the result is confrontational, thought-provoking and exciting. Engineered Air Theatre, Arts Commons, 403-294-7447, theatrecalgary.com

BALLET LIFE

FEB. 16 TO 18

Alberta Ballet presents the Canadian premiere of this show by the all-male dance company BalletBoyz. Performed by 10 dancers, Life is choreographed by Javier de Frutos and Pontus Lidberg and showcases the athleticism of ballet and the power of dance to tell stories.

Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave. N.W., 403294-9494, albertaballet50.com

MUSIC DIANNE REEVES

FEB. 23

When it comes to jazz, Dianne Reeves knows how it’s done, with three decades of performing and five Grammy Awards to her name. Her Calgary performance is part of the TD Jazz series presented by Arts Commons. Jack Singer Concert Hall, Arts Commons, 403-294-9494, artscommons.ca

OPERA COWTOWN CABARET FEATURING PRISON DIVAS

FEB. 23 TO 26

In this parody of Orange is the New Black, a crew of opera singers land behind bars, but even that won’t stop them from singing. The performance includes Twitter-inspired opera improvisation, a duelling divas competition and even some belly dancing. Festival Hall, 1215 10 Ave. S.E., cowtownoperacompany.com

For more great events, sign up for our Weekender newsletter at AvenueCalgary.com

Insider

PENNY SANBORN, ACCORDIONIST, THE ELEMENT OF FIRE

This month, Calgarian accordionist Penny Sanborn and her trio will combine their decade of experience playing together with the skills of the Instrumental Society of Calgary for The Element of Fire: Fiery Tango and Beloved Italian Music. “A lot of people associate the accordion with folk music, but it’s a classic sound in tango music as well,” Sanborn says. “The traditional instrument in tango is the bandoneon, which is like a small accordion, so if you were to go to Argentina, you’d see it a lot there. There aren’t many bandoneon players here, but you can play the music on accordion.”

The Element of Fire is Feb. 26 at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, 1121 14 Ave. S.W. For tickets visit instrumentalsociety.ca

St. Stephen's Anglican Church

SALE-ABRATION!

Our 23rd Anniversary!

SAVE UP TO 50% OFF!

MARCH 1st - 6th, 2017

Start shopping our Sale-a-Bration premium wine sale on Wednesday, March 1st with over 100 wines on sale and discounts of up to 50% off!

Friday, March 3rd and Saturday, March 4th will feature Taste-to-Buys on the majority of wines on sale. Quantities limited and available while stock lasts!

Sign up for our weekly e-blasts to receive early access to all major Willow Park Wines & Spirits Sales!

FEATURED EVENTS

THIS SALE-A-BRATION

THURSDAY, MARCH 2nd

Brunello Consortium Wine Festival 7pm - 9pm | $50

FRIDAY, MARCH 3rd

Napa Connoisseur Class 5:30pm - 6:30pm | $85

FRIDAY, MARCH 3rd

The Trusted Experts Travel Festival 7pm - 9pm | $55

DETOURS

Openings

MABOU

A new cheese and wine bar has opened in the former Farm restaurant space, the latest endeavour from Janice Beaton, owner of the adjacent cheese shop. Mabou, which means “a place where two rivers meet” in Mi’kmaq, offers a cheese-focused menu, including cheese pairings to accompany the selection of wine, local beers and cocktails.

1006 17 Ave. S.W., 403-229-0905, maboucalgary.com

REVIVE LIFESTYLE FITNESS

Follow through on your New Year’s wellness resolutions with a class at Revive Lifestyle Fitness. The new 1,975-square-foot Bankview studio offers circuit and interval training using spin bikes, water rowing machines, TRX and kettlebells. The bright, modern studio is an inviting space to get a lowimpact workout.

2503 14 St. S.W., 403-700-0338, revivelifestylefitness.com

BUTTER BEAUTY PARLOUR

Treat yourself to some pampering at Butter Beauty Parlour’s second location in Bankers Hall. Calgary’s McKinley Burkart designed the new 1,500-squarefoot downtown space, which is decorated with artwork from Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art. Offering services like waxing, lashes, manicures, pedicures, brows and make-up, Butter Beauty Parlour is also the spot to pick up high quality product lines such as Bumble and bumble, Bloom Lashes, Zoya nail polish and more.

161, 315 8 Ave. S.W., butterbeautyparlour.com, @butterbeautyyyc

www.willowparkwines.com

SUCRE PATISSERIE & CAFÉ

Indulge in macarons, Madeleine cookies, pain au chocolat, cruffins (a cross between a croissant and a muffin) and more at the new Sucre Patisserie & Café in the Beltline. Designed by Holland Design, the approximately 1,600-square-foot café evokes a Parisian vibe with modern black-and-white decor and a mix of table and bar seating. Pair your French pastry with a cup of Vancouver’s Matchstick Coffee.

1007 8 St. S.W., 587-352-5505, sucrecafe.com

VELOUR CLOTHING EXCHANGE

Located above Tubby Dog, Velour buys, sells and trades pre-owned apparel and accessories for men and women. With vintage (1960s to 1990s) and modern styles in store, you can find everything from brand-name boots to vintage denim jackets.

VINE ARTS WINE & SPIRITS

The local wine and spirits retailer has opened a second store on 17th Avenue S.W. Sarah Ward Interiors designed the approximately 2,500-squarefoot space, which features exposed brick walls, refinished hardwood floors and artwork by Lee Nielsen. Along with wine, craft beer and spirits, the new store also has a growler bar and a selection of bitters and other cocktail-making ingredients. 932 17 Ave. S.W., 403-454-1106, vinearts.ca, @vinearts

Photograph supplied by Elyse Bouvier

February 2017

SPONSORED EVENTS

High Performance Rodeo

January 5 to February 2 hprodeo.ca

Theatre Calgary’s “The Audience”

January 24 to February 28

theatrecalgary.com

YYC Hot Chocolate Fest

February 1 to 28

yychotchocolate.com

PARKFORUM

February 11 to 12 ourparkonline.com/events

Theatre Junction’s “Transistor”

February 22 to 25

theatrejunction.com

Theatre Calgary’s “Night with the Stars”

February 26

theatrecalgary.com

Avenue is proud to support local initiatives in our community. Visit AvenueCalgary.com/events to find out more about upcoming events in the city.

GOOD TASTE

BY Julie Van Rosendaal PHOTOGRAPH BY Jared Sych

Brunch At Home

Whether you’re planning a cozy brunch for two or hosting a group of friends for an early get-together, pick up these goodies and avoid the pressures of the kitchen first thing in the morning.

SCONES FROM SIDEWALK CITIZEN

Every good brunch is built on a solid foundation of carbohydrates, and you can’t go wrong with scones. The ones made by Sidewalk Citizen founder Aviv Fried are legendary, so be sure to toss an assortment in a basket (butter and jam optional).

618 Confluence Way S.E., 403-457-2245, sidewalkcitizenbakery.com, @sidewalksimmons

FRESHLY SQUEEZED JUICE FROM SUNTERRA

Brunch should come with a citrus squeeze and Sunterra has a variety. Try the beet-andorange for something different or stick to the classics — orange and grapefruit — straight-up or with a splash of prosecco. Seven locations, sunterramarket.com

BACON OR SAUSAGE FROM CURED

Pick up some house-cured, nitrate- and phosphate-free bacon or sausage from the vast display at Cured Delicatessen, because everyone likes bacon.

8409 Elbow Dr. S.W., 403-244-0570, curedyyc.com

PARFAITS MADE WITH HIGHWOOD CROSSING GRANOLA AND BLES-WOLD YOGURT

For an Alberta-style parfait, take crunchy granola made with organic oats, flax and sunflower seeds from Highwood Crossing in High River, drizzle with maple syrup and Highwood’s coldpressed canola oil, and layer with yogurt (regular or thick Greekstyle) made with milk from the herd of Holsteins at Bles-Wold Dairy & Yogurt in Lacombe. Available at Calgary Co-op stores, calgarycoop.com, bles-wold.com highwoodcrossing.com

QUICHE FROM MANUEL LATRUWE

The rich, thin, buttery quiche at Manuel Latruwe is just about the best vehicle for eggs, ham, veggies and cheese there is. You can pick them up whole, in two delicate sizes. Warmed up or served cold, they’re equally delicious.

1333 1 St. S.E., 403-261-1092, manuellatruwe.com, @manuellatruwe

THE POUR

BY Tom Firth

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Erin Brooke Burns

A Fine Fortified Wine

Perfect for sipping on cold winter nights, Port pairs well with desserts and cheeses.

Fortified wines come in all types and styles, but none enjoy the reputation that Port has. It’s seen as highly civilized, the beverage of the British upper crust. That’s partly because it’s perfect for enjoying by a roaring fire on a rainy London winter’s night. But also, its need to rest in the cellar for years meant that, historically, only the upper crust had the means to enjoy it properly. For Canadians, our love of Port probably has something to do with our nation’s ties to the British Crown, or, at least, our penchant for paying attention to what the Brits have to say about anything.

PAIRINGS

WHITEHALL

Colheita Port and parfait

The 1982 from Kopke ($18 by the glass) and Whitehall’s douglas fir pine parfait are a great match. The dessert’s bitter chocolate sorbet pulls out all sorts of interesting nuances in the vintage-dated tawny Port.

CHARBAR

LBV and chocolate-caramel flan

on the menu

Port and chocolate go together like peas and carrots or Sonny and Cher. Ramos Pinto’s LBV ($8 by the glass) has black fruit and a little spiciness to balance out the richness of the chocolate and salted-caramel flan with candied pistachios.

BONTERRA

Tawny Port and tiramisu

One of the great dessert classics pairs so well with a beautiful tawny Port. The Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Old Tawny ($7) is a steal on the menu and draws out the espresso and chocolatey notes. The 30 Year Old ($22) is a real treat, too.

The fortified wine known as “Port” is made specifically from grapes grown in the northern Portuguese region known as the Douro, a rugged river valley that stretches from Spain to the historic centre of Porto Valley and its sister city of Vila Nova de Gaia across the river. The untamed river runs through a deep and sinuous channel carved out of the granite and schist soils. In order to grow grapes on the steep slopes, stone terraces were built. As a result, each vineyard in the Douro Valley is different (some face the sun, some get more rain, and so on). This means the best wines in the region are a blend from the best vineyards.

Ramos Pinto’s LBV with chocolate and salted caramel flan with candied pistachios.

Traditionally, Port wine was made by pressing grapes in open fermenting tanks called lagars. The grapes were crushed by foot for several hours to extract maximum colour and flavour. After about half the sugar in the grapes was fermented, the wines were fortified with a neutral grain alcohol to stop the fermentation, keeping the natural sweetness and bringing the alcohol level to around 20 per cent. The wine was then transported for aging to warehouses in coastal Vila Nova de Gaia, where Port shippers such as Taylor Fladgate, Graham’s, Sandeman and Dow’s had their offices.

These English-sounding names were British firms that commonly had other interests in Portugal such as wool, livestock, or merchant-trading. During the frequent periods of conflict in Europe in the late 1600s to the early 1800s, the English found they could enjoy the quality wines from the Douro when it wasn’t politically appropriate to drink French wines or those from other out-of-favour regions.

Nowadays, Port producers can complete the whole production process in a single location, eliminating the step of shipping wines to Gaia for aging.

Port can be classified as either barrel-aged or bottle-aged. Barrel-aged Ports are the tawny Ports. Over the time they rest in barrel, they gain oxidative characters (nuttiness) and lose both fruit and colour. Tawny Ports typically have an age statement such as 10, 20, 30 or 40 years, an average of the various Ports inside (the greater the age, the more prominent the flavour from barrel-aging). Colheita Ports are single-vintage tawny Ports, in which all the wine comes from a single year and is barrel-aged for a minimum of seven years.

Bottle-aged Ports have a dark, red-black colour and the category includes several styles. At the tip of the pyramid are the “vintage” Ports. Made in only the best years, they are flagships of the various Port houses, often a blend of several properties to create a house style. Single-quinta Ports are sourced from a single property in a single vintage in the Port house’s holdings, producing a very high-quality Port. Single-quinta wines can’t be blended with other vineyards, but, because the quality of the estate is so high, the wines are wellrounded, even in their youth, and provide good value in your cellar. Late-bottled vintage (LBV) Ports are single-vintage wines that, with additional barrel-aging, are ready to drink once released.

Port is best enjoyed after a meal and is typically paired with dessert courses. Tawny Ports are incredible with pumpkin or nutty desserts — even apple pies or butter tarts — while bottle-aged Ports are great with chocolate or fig dishes. All Ports go great

with cheese (blue cheese is a classic pairing). Once opened, Ports do keep a little longer than most wines. Young-vintage or singlequinta Ports are best finished within a week. For well-aged wines older than 20 years, the timeline is much shorter (somewhere between “by bedtime” and “by Sunday morning”). Tawny Ports can last much longer — I’d have no problem picking away at a bottle for two or three weeks. Traditional “vintage” Ports can and do improve significantly in the cellar. The very best vintages and bottlings have a timeline measured in decades. Single-quinta Ports are typically best within 10 to 15-plus years of the vintage date. Tawny Ports and most other styles are released ready to drink, but don’t panic if they aren’t opened right away — there is always next winter, old chap.

QUINTA DO NOVAL 2007 SILVAL VINTAGE PORT

This “second label” vintage port from Noval is a worthwhile acquisition for the cellar. The 2007 is still quite the monster, but it’s going to shine in a decade (or three), with intense dark fruits with a distinct chocolatey character along with deep spice notes. Plan on drinking it in about 2030 or so. $75

KOPKE 1965 COLHEITA PORT

A real treat for fans of tawny Port. Layers of exotic orange, saddle soap, tea leaf and a little bit of fresh garden pea on the nose, in addition to all that toffee, wood and citrus-oil flavour you love. Perfect with butter tarts, roasted almonds or a crème Anglaise. $184

PICKS

FONSECA 2008 QUINTA DO PANASCAL

Single-quinta wines mature a little faster than declared-vintage Ports. That said, the ’08 from Fonseca’s premium quinta is just starting to shine, so don’t feel you have to rush to enjoy the raspberry, cassis and cherry fruits or savour the herb and toasted-coconut aromas. $75

GRAHAM’S SIX GRAPES RESERVE PORT

A classic and easygoing port to keep on hand. Named for the six grapes comprising the blend, this is a solid introduction to the Graham’s house. Juicy, plummy fruits with a clean, mint-leaf character throughout. Pair with good cheddar or some figs. $32

RAMOS PINTO 20-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT

A great example of a 20-year tawny that, to my mind, delivers the best of fruit and barrel. Look for intense floral aromas with orange, sponge toffee and wood spice and a complex palate that seems a little lower in sweetness than others. Refreshing on its own or with nutty or toffee-flavoured desserts. $74

FONSECA 2007 UNFILTERED LATE-BOTTLED VINTAGE PORT

Prominent floral and savoury aromas with herb and plum notes. Being unfiltered gives the character a little extra oomph, but this LBV is ready to roll right now with chocolate brownies or blue cheeses. $29

DINING

BY Elizabeth Chorney-Booth AND Alana Willerton PHOTOGRAPHY BY Jared Sych

Mill Street Brewery

BREW PUB

After years of searching for just the right location, Mill Street Brewery celebrated the grand opening of its first Calgary brewpub this past October. This is the first Western Canadian location for the Toronto-based brewery, which has set up shop in the historic Costigan House on 17th Avenue S.W. The house has a storied past that dates back to 1893, serving as the home of the first crown prosecutor in Calgary, a former editor of The Albertan and even famed mountie Sir Samuel Benfield Steele.

Short rib mac ’n’ cheese and draft beer from Mill Street Brewery.

More recently, the space was the former site of local nightclubs The Republik and Tequila Nightclub. Now, it’s the home of the Mill Street Calgary Brew Pub. Inside the building, guests will find the in-house brewery, a beer hall, a sit-down restaurant area and a retail shop. There are also two patios — one at the front of the building and one at the back. The beer hall has large windows that look into the brewery, but diners who want a closer look can go on one of the brewery tours that begin at 4 p.m.

Naturally, the brewpub offers an impressive selection of craft beers. Along with well-known Mill Street classics like the Cobblestone Stout, Original Organic Lager and Tankhouse Ale, Calgary’s head brewer Bennie Dingemanse will also be coming up with a selection of rotating, made-in-house beers that are only available here. At the time of the grand opening, some of the new brews included a Chuck Wagon Wheat Hefeweizen, Twin Tips Double IPA and Base Camp Stout (a chalkboard in the beer hall lets you know which new beers are available on tap and which are currently being brewed in the tanks).

Not to be outdone by the beer offerings, the brew pub’s food menu is also impressive, thanks to a partnership between Mill Street and Calgary’s Creative Restaurants Group, which has brought the city Bonterra Trattoria, Cibo, Posto Pizzeria & Bar and others. Expect to see dishes like short rib mac ’n’ cheese, elk chili, calamari and Cobblestone Stout Nanaimo bars on the menu. —A.W.

219 17 Ave. S.W., 403-454-6871, millstreetbrewery.com/calgary-brew-pub, @millstreetyyc Mill Street Brewery.

PIZZA TO GO AND WINE TO STAY Una Takeaway and Frenchie Wine Bar

BMeX Restaurant Group Inc., the Calgary company behind the popular restaurants Una Pizza + Wine, Ox and Angela and Native Tongues Taqueria, had a busy 2016. The restaurant group opened two new eateries within a month and a half of each other, both located right next door to Una Pizza + Wine. And even more changes are on the menu for this year.

Una Takeaway originally opened last summer as a grab-and-go eatery with a handful of seats inside and a small patio out front. Offering its popular pizzas by the pie or by the slice, it also served a variety of salads, pastries, sandwiches, desserts and more. There was also a coffee bar and a fridge with take-home dinners, drinks and Made By Marcus ice cream treats.

However, the eatery recently underwent some changes, closing the back of the space and offering only its pizzas and a limited number of other items from the Una menu for takeaway at the front. And at the end of February, the entire space will be changing into a new concept. Keep an eye out for the exciting changes coming to this local eatery. But if you’ve grown attached to Una pizza to go, don’t fret. When the new restaurant opens, there will still be a takeout window at the front for those still hoping to get their pizza fix.

And here's some more welcome news for those who want to get their hands on some of Una's delicious fare without leaving home: Una Takeaway started offering delivery services last September. Everything on the menu will be available for delivery within downtown and the southwest end of the inner city.

But Una Takeaway isn't the only new thing here. On the wall at the back of the eatery, a portrait of a French bulldog marks the entrance to Frenchie Wine Bar. This tucked away spot features a curated list of biodynamic and organic wines that come from small, unique producers. Empire Provisions, a local husband-and-wife operation, makes the French wine bar's charcuterie offerings in-house, while cheeses are sourced from Peasant Cheese.

Frenchie was designed by Connie Young, the designer behind many stylish local restaurants, and the 350-square-foot, 15-seat space has a cozy vibe thanks to its moody lighting, a striking chandelier, hand-carved bar and large red banquette. It's the perfect atmosphere to enjoy a glass of wine and a charcuterie or cheese board with a friend.

Diners access Frenchie through Una Pizza + Wine. Be sure to check it out soon, because while Frenchie may be a bit of a secret spot right now, it won't stay that way for long. —A.W. 616 17 Ave. S.W., 403-453-1183, unatakeaway.com, @unatakeaway; 618 17 Ave. S.W., 403-453-1183, frenchieyyc.com

Frenchie Wine Bar.

Frenchie

Wine Bar photographs by Deserae Evenson

WINE-FOCUSED Provision

Operating out of a publically owned building in a park can present challenges to a restaurateur, but it also allows for a certain sense of creativity. When Jackie Cooke and Kirk Shaw took over the former Boxwood restaurant location in Central Memorial Park last fall, they knew that they were working with a small space — something they were accustomed to with their

Carrot & Mascarpone Cheesecake on the menu

other restaurant, Avec Bistro. With no choice but to create something that is intimate and respectful of the surrounding park, they developed a concept that is reflective of the seasons.

Like many restaurants, Provision’s food philosophy is strongly dictated by seasonality — both in what’s available, produce-wise, but also by what feels right as diners gaze out the windows at the environment around them.

Chef Daniel Pizarro (who is also the chef at Avec) regularly switches up his vegetable-focused menu to reflect what’s going on outside — offering heartier braises in the winter and lighter fare in the summertime.

As with Avec, while food is important, Cooke and Shaw are just as concerned about making sure their customers are drinking well. Space issues mean the wine, cocktail and beer lists are all fairly short, but Cooke, who is also the sommelier at both her restaurants, sees that as a chance to carefully curate, rather than limit, the wines on offer. “The wine list changes frequently,” Cooke says. “It’s divided into two sections: spring/summer and fall/winter. At Avec, I organize the wine list by weight, but here the wines are organized by how they relate to the seasons.”

The other thing about the small room that excites Cooke is that she’s able to hold regular wine-tasting and pairing dinners, something that can be risky for larger restaurants with more seats to fill. Keep your eye on Provision’s calendar for ticketed events featuring special menus from Pizarro paired with wines that are near and dear to Cooke’s heart. —E.C.B.

340 13 Ave. S.W., 403-265-4006, provisionyyc.com

Provision.

CASUAL Mango Mania

Mango Mania, a quick-service takeout restaurant with a menu inspired by the mighty mango, opened its doors in September, 2016. Located in Crescent Heights, Mango Mania specializes in pillowy baos stuffed with savoury fillings and mango-inspired drinks, teas and smoothies. It’s open late (10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays) for all your late-night snacking needs.

There are five fillings for the baos: braised pork belly, spicy Korean chicken, roast duck, bulgogi cheese steak and miso mushroom. Get one for $4, or mix and match any three flavours for the $12 bao trio, which comes with your choice of the green mango salad or a dessert.

The drinks and desserts are where the mango madness really comes in. Mango Mania’s large selection of signature drinks includes mango milkshakes, mango lemonade, fresh mango milk tea and more. You can embellish your drink with add-ins

like tapioca, handmade mango mochi or pieces of ataulfo mango. There’s also mango panna cotta and mango pudding for dessert. —A.W. 1115 Centre St. N.W., 403-668-0802, mangomaniayyc.com, @mangomaniayyc

KOREAN

ABOVE From left to right, miso mushroom, Korean chicken and roast duck baos with coconut mango smoothie.

Skinny GeneS

In my experience, narrow lot infills are amongst the most difficult residential design projects to get right. The long and narrow spaces in the floor plans are often too dim and depressing because almost all of the natural light comes through the two short ends. Add to that the challenge of fitting all of the functional needs of a busy family life into a very confined width and it is little wonder that infill homes have a bad rap.

This doesn’t have to be the case. Our FAB (Future Adaptive Building) system rethinks the nature of narrow lot living by going back to the essence or DNA of the infill house. This means carefully placing the stairs and bathrooms to maximize open space and access to daylight. It also means maintaining functional adaptability so that the use of every square foot of space is optimized, even as your needs evolve. It’s time to give infills another look. With the FAB system, the small footprint, narrow lot home, can be a great and more affordable way to live.

Showroom: 2212 4 St SW | Concept House: 1220 39 Ave SW | 403 229 4330 | housebrand.ca

John Brown is a registered architect. He is a founding partner in Housebrand and a Professor of Architecture at the University of Calgary where, through the Design Research Innovation Lab, he explores the future of age-in-place design.

COOL TREAT Sweet Tooth Ice Cream

Scooped, swirled, made with liquid nitrogen — ice cream comes in many forms in Calgary. And now, you can also get it rolled at the city’s newest ice cream shop, Sweet Tooth Ice Cream.

Sweet Tooth Ice Cream is the city’s first brick-and-mortar shop to specialize in rolled ice cream, a treat that hails from Thailand. The shop has brought some new energy to the Chinatown area since it opened this past September.

Sweet Tooth makes the rolled treat by pouring a cream mixture and toppings onto a cold plate, chopping and mixing them together, then scraping them into rolls. The shop’s four cold plates are all within view, so you can watch your ice cream being made and rolled right in front of you.

Sweet Tooth Ice Cream offers seven rolled ice cream flavours on its regular menu, which range from the Strawberry Shortie (made with strawberries, vanilla bean and whipped cream) to the London Fog (made with roasted Earl Grey, honey, Fruit Loops and whipped cream). There are also always two or three seasonal flavours available, one of which is a collaboration with

fellow Chinatown shop The Chocolate Lab. For 50 cents to $1 more, you can add extra toppings like brownie bits, wafer sticks, gummi candies and mini macarons.

Rolled ice cream isn’t the only treat you can get here though — the menu also features macaron ice cream sandwiches and raindrop cakes, which are like clear Jell-O in the shape of a raindrop. Once you’ve made your choice, grab a seat at one of the shop’s tables or at the bar and enjoy. —A.W.

206 Centre St. S.E., 587-832-0128, sticyyc.com

Strawberry shortie rolled ice cream.

/avenuecalgary

CITY

Often set against crystal-blue skies or intense sunrises and sunsets, Calgary’s ever-expanding skyline is an iconic symbol of the city’s progress and growth.

“Calgary’s skyline is vibrant and full of light. Using this as inspiration within the design of a home, I would tend to lean toward a cooler palette of greys, rich navy and creams, adding a hint of golden tones to reflect the beautiful sunlight. It is a strong, timeless palette, with warmth filtering in through highlighting details.”

–Kelsey

10.

11.

12.

Kittleson, Woolrich Group

1. Tile – available in two colours, from Stone Tile, stone-tile.com

2. Fabric – Luum Full Wool in “Deep Orchid” (4008-18), from Teknion, teknion,com

3. Fabric – Luum Heather Felt in

“Pinon Tree” (4007-04), from Teknion

4. Wallcovering – Midtown in “Seattle” (ASL161370), from Crown Wallpaper & Fabrics, crownwallpaper.com

5. Fabric – Scape in “Raven” (466357007), from Maharam, maharam.com

6. Fabric – Brushed Cashmere in “Grau” (465978-004), from Maharam

7. Fabric – Luum Heather Felt in “Acai” 4007-10, from Teknion

8. Fabric – Effect in “Titanium” (398550-013), from Maharam

9. Paint – Behr Burnished Clay PPU18-9

Paint – Behr Natural Grey PPU18-10

Paint – Benjamin Moore Frostine AF-5

Paint – Behr Classic Silver PPU18-11

RIVER VALLEY

With the Bow and Elbow rivers flowing through the city, not to mention several creeks on the north and south sides, Calgary’s waterways are a dynamic feature in the city’s landscape.

“My ideal colour palette, inspired by the rocks within a Calgary river valley, would consist of deep greys and a medium shade of caramel and rust alongside a light warm grey. More specifically, Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal HC166, Acorn 1125 and Grey Mist OC-30. Grey Mist, one of my all-time favourite colours, has a chameleon quality and changes beautifully with the Calgary light.” –Nyla Free, Nyla Free Designs

“Steel blue-grey and varying shades of green, even including chartreuse [come to mind]. There are certain times of the year when our hills are a vibrant shade of green that would make a great accent colour against a more neutral palette.” –Stephanie Charest, Stephanie Charest Interior Design

“Moving water makes me think of shades of blues and greys, like the ones you would find in mountain run-off, with a sparkle from the sunlight reflecting off the river. Within an interiordesign scheme, this could be reflected using soft and overlapping textiles with a hint of metal for contrast.” –Johanna Power, IBI Group

1. Wallcovering – Beth Nicholas “Moments” (BN-2), from Area Environments, areaenvironments.com

2. Air Plant – Tillandsia, from Antheia Floral

3. Paint – Benjamin Moore Deep Mulberry 2069-10

4. Paint – Benjamin Moore Chartreuse 2024-10

9. Succulent – Echeveria, from Antheia Floral, antheia.ca

10. Quartz – Princetown, from Cambria, cambriacanada.com

11. Fabric – Hella Jongerius Foliage in “Clover” (466257-002), from Maharam

“I am fortunate enough to live along a river valley in Calgary and see these changes occur throughout the year. In the spring, ornamental apple trees have vibrant pink or red leaves that contrast with the deep greens of our many poplar, spruce and elm trees. There are so many colours to draw inspiration from and I always think of this time of year as very fresh. Summer brings wildflower blooms, vibrant grasses and varying shades of green. These mossy tones work flawlessly together. I must say my favourite season is autumn. The poplar leaves turn a beautiful vibrant yellow, the ash leaves turn a striking copper colour. There is a wide array of earthy, vibrant hues that work harmoniously together.” –Kevin

5. Paint – Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal HC-166

6. Fabric – Flock in “Course” (901892002), from Maharam, maharam.com

7. Fabric – Micro in “Hunter” (466099–009), from Maharam

8. Fabric – Luum Heather Felt in “Mustard Seed” (4007-08), from Teknion, teknion.com

Mitchell, Mitchell Design House

“I would pick a main colour to run through a river valley colour palette, such as steel blue. I would repeat this colour in fabrics, paint, artwork and draperies, but add layers and depth with other colours to create harmony. Main pieces in a room could take colour inspiration from the moving water and accent colours could reflect the land, leaves and grass.” –Stephanie Charest, Stephanie Charest Interior Design

12. Fabric – Luum Full Wool in “Fresh Water” (4008-10), from Teknion

13. Fabric – Luum Heather Felt in “Indian Ocean” (4007-07), from Teknion

14. Tile – light grey, from Stone Tile, stone-tile.com

Calgary image courtesy of Tourism Calgary

1. Paint – Sherwin Williams Downing Slate SW-2819

2. Paint – C2 Architectural White C2-516

3. Fabric – Tuft in “Thunder” (700004-001), from Maharam, maharam.com

4. Wallcovering – Walter Niedermayr “White Rush” (399493-001), from Maharam, maharam.com

MOUNTAINS

The majestic views of the Rocky Mountains — crystal-clear and snow-capped in the winter and ethereal and distant in the summer — are a year-round source of inspiration and delight.

“If [the Rocky Mountains]were my inspiration, I would probably choose cooler tones like greys, blues and purples. I have done many projects for clients’ second homes in Canmore in the past and, while each was different dependent on the client’s wishes and specific tastes, one that comes to mind is a master bedroom that had an amazing mountain view. I actually chose the wall colour (Benjamin Moore Smoked Oyster 2109-40) right from the view out the window.”

–Reena Sotropa, Reena Sotropa In House Design Group

5. Fabric – Pressed Plaid in “Natural” (466181-001), from Maharam

6. Fabric – Luum Heather Felt in “Noil” (4007-02), from Teknion, teknion.com

7. Leather – Draft in “Swoon” (700002-001), from Maharam

“When I think of our mountains and the surrounding landscape, I see reflections of the mountains in our lakes: the strong contrast of white mountain peaks with crisp, clean waters below. For decor, I picture a dark accent wall with a big mirror hung over a rustic woodaccent table. A tall chrome light fixture stands beside a clean white leather chair with a warm faux-fur blanket draped over the side. I feel the lighting in this space would be warm and not overbearing.” –Tanya

Stembridge, Stembridge Interiors

“Focusing on natural materials is the most honest way of capturing the spirit of the Rockies. In a custom home McKinley Burkart designed at Kicking Horse [in Golden, B.C.], we opted for oversized timbers and slabs of stone throughout the entire home. We didn’t use any drywall. When selecting finishes, we chose them specifically because their finish didn’t feel machined, replicating the textures of the mountains. This resulted in a house that had the weight and presence to hold its own amongst the Rocky Mountains.” –Caelan

Tatz, McKinley Burkart

“My Rocky Mountain-inspired palette would be light, airy and showcase natural beauty. It would include monochromatic natural materials with interesting stone veining, wood grain and textile fibres within a dominant true white space (my pick is C2 Architectural White). Architectural White will create a bright, dynamic space that evokes the tranquility experienced on a mountain peak and act as a gallery backdrop for the natural textures and colours found in materials and details.” –Deana

Lewis, Design Office of Deana Lewis Inc.

Mountains image Thinkstock

PRAIRIE

A short drive from Calgary, in almost any direction, will land you knee-deep in fields of wheat, flax, canola or other crops, as the open sky takes centre stage.

1. Paint – Sherwin Williams Byte Blue SW-6498

2. Paint – Sherwin Williams Vast Sky SW-6506

3. Paint – Benjamin Moore Coral Essence 2001-40

4. Fabric – Deconstructed Rose in “Golden” (466086-001), from Maharam, maharam.com

5. Tile – from Stone Tile, stone-tile.com

6. Wallcovering – Chisel in “Isle” (399571-016), from Maharam

7. Fabric – Luum Heather Felt in “Vicuna” (4007-05), from Teknion, teknion.com

8. Fabric – Micro in “Brew” (466099-012), from Maharam

9. Fabric - Scape in “Raven” (466357-007), Maharam

10. Fabric – Luum Fine Grain in “French Beige” (4046-15), from luum textiles, luumtextiles.ca

11. Fabric – Luum Fine Grain in “Fathom Blue” (4046-12), from luum textiles

12. Paint – C2 Frida C2-602

“Picture the scene near Morley, Alta.: wild horses in a massive, untouched field against the majestic mountains, a train in the background. Within a contemporary colour palette, combine the textural black and muted white of the wild horses with the reds, steel and scratchy yellows of the train beyond. For a traditional palette, look to grassy tans, yellows and strong browns.” –Holly Shearer, Shearer Licensed Interior Design

“The sunrises in Calgary are known for their intense coral hues, and, at LeAnne Bunnell Interiors, we are in a strong coral phase right now. We love the notquite-pink, not-quite-orange-saturated richness that is popping up in several of our recent projects.”

–LeAnne Bunnell, LeAnne Bunnell Interiors

What type of crop or field would inspire you in creating a colour palette reflecting Alberta’s prairies?

“Mustard seed. Just like the Alberta prairies, mustard has shades of yellow and orange seen everywhere from our farm fields to our sunsets; greys and browns that can be found in our landscape and mountain range; greens within our forests and grasses and shades of burgundy and rose found within our provincial wildflower and backyard chokecherry trees.” –Elena

Del Bucchia, Elena Del Bucchia Design

If you had to choose a single paint colour to define Alberta’s prairies, what would you choose?

“Benjamin Moore Fairview Taupe HC-85. I use this colour often on exteriors to compliment the Calgary landscape. “Fairview Taupe” resembles the darker tones of the prairie wheat fields that I love. It has richness to it, with just enough warmth behind it, and blends in with the natural landscape.” –Rochelle Cote, Rochelle Cote Interior Design

SPONSORED EVENT

TRANSISTOR CABARET CONTEMPORAIN

FEB 22-25, 2017

Cabaret Contemporain is an ensemble of five French musicians, crafting an explosive performance that defies genres in this fresh approach to world music.

In Transistor, acoustic instruments are amplified through an electronic filter, falling between the unexplored realm of minimal-techno and contemporary music.

Cabaret Contemporain bears similarities to Four Tet, Voices From The Lake and Daphni/Caribou, and is signed to electro/experimental label M=Minimal in Berlin.

www.theatrejunction.com/ transistor/ Box office: 403.205.2922 ext: 1

Avenue is proud to support local initiatives in our community. Visit AvenueCalgary.com/events to find out more about upcoming events in the city.

Cassis Bistro owner Gilles Brassart.

Dining Fench

As the number of French restaurants in the city continues to grow, a little education goes a long way in enhancing your enjoyment and appreciation of the cuisine. Since a big part of demystifying French food means understanding the French geography, here’s a guide to the country’s key culinary regions. Note that in France, restaurants tend to adhere to the cuisine of only their area. In Calgary, however, French restaurant menus typically include a range of dishes from different regions and feature a variety of styles all in the same space, allowing you to do a culinary Tour de France of your own choosing.

Alsace

NORTHEASTERN FRANCE

Butting up against Switzerland and Germany, the cuisine of Alsace is notable in that it often seems just as German as it does French. Pork is plentiful in the region and is often served in the form of choucroute garnie: pork sausages or ribs served over sauerkraut. Bacheofe is another typical Alsatian dish — a robust stew packed with beef, pork and lamb with potatoes and other vegetables, all swimming in a white-wine sauce. Fish is often on deck in Alsace, either served over sauerkraut or battered and fried.

The German influence also informs the wines of Alsace — the northeast is best known for its whites, particularly gewürztraminers and rieslings. Beer also plays a role in Alsatian culture — the city of Strasbourg is home to a number of major breweries, and what could go better with a plate of sausage and sauerkraut than a nice cold lager?

Burgundy

CENTRAL-EAST FRANCE

Any mention of Burgundy immediately brings one thing to mind, and it isn’t food. One of France’s great wine regions, the fields of Burgundy are lined with vines of chardonnay, pinot noir and gamay grapes. With viticulture being such an important industry, it’s no surprise that wine sneaks into Burgundy’s food. Two of France’s most famed dishes, boeuf bourguignon and coq au vin — respectively, beef or chicken braised in wine — are Burgundian, as is the luxurious escargots de Bourgogne

All of that wine seems like a waste without a little bit of cheese. Goats are plentiful in Burgundy, making for some great chèvre. Some fairly indulgent cow’s milk varieties also come out of Burgundy, including Époisses, soft Soumaintrain, and creamy Chaource. Since the French can make even cheese into something tastier, Burgundy is also known as the home of the gougère, those savoury little puffs made of cheese and choux pastry — which, naturally, go beautifully with a glass of wine.

Lyon/Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

CENTRAL-EAST FRANCE

The city of Lyon in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, with its bouchons (casual places to eat hyper-local food) is often considered the heart of French cuisine — the city has long been a cultural hub and acts as a crossroads for various gastronomical influences. You’ve got vegetables from the Rhône valley, beef from the region just north of the city, and poultry from Bresse — all coming together in Lyon.

Bouchon cuisine is homey, but indulgent. Fatty duck pâtés and various offal creations are ubiquitous, and sausages (like the tripe-filled andouillette sausage) or chunks of roast pork usually show up over the course of an evening of eating, often alongside pan-fried potatoes. One of the more classic Lyonnaise dishes is the quenelles de brochet: a giant gnocchi-like dumpling served with a rich seafood sauce. Another classic is the cervelle de canut, a spreadable cream cheese mixed with garlic and chives. Lyon is also conveniently close to the Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône wine regions that provide a constant flow of wine in the bouchons Avec

1 Alsace

2 Burgundy

3 Lyon/AuvergneRhône-Alpes

4 Provence

5 Toulouse and Midi-Pyrénéese

6 Bordeaux

7 Normandy and Brittany

Bistro black and white photograph by Phil Crozier

TOP Photograph on the wall at Avec Bistro showing serving staff sunning themselves outside the restaurant. ABOVE Bison tartare at Avec Bistro.

Calgary Restaurants

Avec Bistro

Avec’s chef is classically trained in Paris, but this little bistro offers a slightly more contemporary and localized take on the French classics. Foie gras torchon, frog legs and peasant cheeses all make menu appearances alongside tweaked French specialties like bison tartare and a uniquely vegetarian French onion soup. 550 11 Ave. S.W., 587-352-0964, avecbistro.com

Cassis Bistro

This cozy bistro specializes in the southern French dishes that owner-operator Gilles Brassart grew up with in Aix-en-Provence. Chef Stephanie Bayer even travelled to France to visit with Brassart’s mother, who helped her perfect secret family recipes like soupe au pistou Provençale (vegetable soup from Provence). 2505 17 Ave. S.W., 403-262-0036, thecassisbistro.ca

Éclair de Lune

Tucked away in a northwest strip mall, Éclair de Lune doesn’t look like much from the outside, but it offers a number of spectacularly authentic French pastries. The eclairs and petit fours are appropriately fussy, and the bakery counter also features quiches and savoury croissants for takeout or to lunch on in the adjoining café. 1049 40 Ave. N.W., 403-398-8803

ABOVE Roasted Noble Farm duck breast at La Chaumière. BELOW LEFT Soupe au pistou Provençale at Cassis Bistro. BELOW MIDDLE La Chaumière Chef Bob Matthews. BELOW RIGHT Eclairs from Éclair de Lune.

Provence

SOUTHERN FRANCE

Bordering Italy and sitting right on the Mediterranean, the food of Provence is influenced by the sun and the sea, focusing on fresh savoury herbs and succulent seafood. You can’t talk Provence without talking bouillabaisse — the brothy fisherman’s stew brightened with herbs de Provence and saffron. The proximity to the shore makes for other fishy delights as well, like the ever-popular brandade de Morue, a delicious concoction that involves whipping salt cod into potatoes.

The Mediterranean elements are strong — olive tapenades are prevalent in Provence and daube provençale, the region’s wellknown peasant beef stew, is full of tomatoes and olives, giving it an Italian flair. Provençal cuisine also employs plenty of fresh whipped aioli, vegetable-rich soups and sweetbreads. Drink-wise, vineyards abound, producing a wide variety of wines, including some very worthwhile rosés. Meals in Provence are often kicked off with a nip of pastis, an anise-flavoured liqueur that’s a favourite in the region.

Toulouse and Midi-Pyrénéese

SOUTH-CENTRAL FRANCE

The city of Toulouse and the surrounding Midi-Pyrénéese region is worth mentioning if only because it is home to one of the bestknown French dishes: cassoulet. This rustic French stew feels comforting and (by North American standards at least) fancy at the same time, with its duck confit, Toulouse sausages, hunks of pork shoulder and French beans all simmered for hours in an earthenware pot.

Of course, Toulouse cuisine has more going for it than those one-pot cassoulets — the equally comforting garbure soup made with ham and cabbage is another signature dish, as is duck and goose, prepared in a number of different ways (you’re bound to find some foie gras if you’re exploring the food of Toulouse). For sweet tooths, Toulouse has a history of confectionary, with the Pavé du Capitole chocolates and Cachou Lajaunie licorice drops both hailing from the city.

Bordeaux

SOUTHWESTERN FRANCE

Make no mistake — Bordeaux is wine country. Considered one of the most important wine-growing regions in the world, wine is undoubtedly the biggest influence on Bordeaux culture and food. Bordeaux is most famed for its blended reds — made from any combination of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, petit verdot, malbec, and carménère. There are also a few white Bordeauxs, usually sweeter Sauternes.

But even the French can’t subsist on wine alone, so the Bordelais make their meals out of fresh shellfish and traditional concoctions like lobster and scallop terrine. Red meat also appears in Bordelais cooking — beef is plentiful in Bordeaux and appears in signature dishes like entrecôte marchand de vin: steak fried in a simple redwine sauce. Lamb also abounds, and is particularly delicious when prepared in Bordelaise sauce made from bone marrow, shallots, butter and red wine (also perfect with escargot). For something sweet, turn to the iconic cannelés bordelais, small cylindrical cakes soaked with rum and vanilla.

ABOVE Pastry display at La Boulangerie. LEFT TOP La Boulangerie exterior. MIDDLE Escargots at Fleur de Sel Brasserie. BOTTOM Fleur de Sel owner Patrice Durandeau.

Fleur de Sel Brasserie

A 4th Street S.W. fixture since 1998, Fleur de Sel’s menu spans the highlights of the entirety of French cuisine, including an authentic cassoulet, Alsatian choucroute, cognac flambéed escargots pineau

hood feel has rightly earned Fleur de Sel a solid group of regulars.

2015 4 St. S.W., 403-228-9764, fleurdeselbrasserie.com

La Boulangerie

More than just a French bread shop, La Boulangerie’s all-butter pastries (think kouign-amann, cannelés, tarts, eclairs, profiteroles and macarons) are among the best in the city. The shop serves lunchtime meals, too: sandwiches on fresh-baked baguettes and croissants, plus tasty crepes, soups and stews.

2435 4 St. S.W., 403-984-9294

La Chaumière

The grande dame of Calgary’s fine-dining scene, La Chaumière has stood on 17th Avenue S.W. for decades and remains the place to go for fancy oldschool French dining. The menu is full of tartares, sweetbreads, duck and soufflés for a classic whitetablecloth French culinary experience.

139 17 Ave. S.W., 403-228-5690, lachaumiere.ca

Normandy and Brittany

NORTHWEST FRANCE

Normandy and Brittany are both in northwestern France and, while the two are separate regions, they have culinary commonalities thanks to their proximity to the sea. Beyond its succulent oysters and scallops, Normandy is also known for its apples — as seen in apple tarts and, more importantly, France’s best apple cider. Normandy is also the birthplace of Camembert cheese, one of France’s most famous creamy exports.

Down the coast in Brittany, crepes and galettes (savoury buckwheat crepes) rule and can be filled with anything from bacon and cream-drenched mushrooms to a simple spread of salted cultured Breton butter. That same gloriously rich butter can be found in Breton butter cakes and biscuits or elaborate kouign-amann pastries. On the less-buttery side of the spectrum, Breton cuisine features hearty stews made of gnarly looking monkfish, mussels and other seafood. To wash it down, traditional Breton beer and mead serve as a reminder of Brittany’s Celtic heritage.

Glossary

In North America, terms for French restaurants are often used interchangeably, but, in France, there is a definite difference between a brasserie, a bistro and a bouchon. Here is a quick glossary of French eateries.

Ollia Macarons & Tea

Ollia’s focus is firmly on the much-celebrated macaron. Co-owner David Rousseau is from Brittany, the birthplace of salted caramel, which is one of Ollia’s most popular fillings. All the macarons are made with traditional French techniques, which die-hards can learn themselves at one of Ollia’s baking classes.

810C 16 Ave. S.W., 403-457-9775, byollia.com

Royale Brasserie Française

Though his native Brittany is near to chef Dominique Moussu’s heart, the lively Royale Brasserie touches on a range of French cuisines. The kitchen aims for substance over style with classic menu items such as baked mussels (as well as steamed moules frites), rabbit terrine, and a beautiful côte de boeuf for two.

730 17 Ave. S.W., 403-475-9457, royaleyyc.ca

Suzette Brittany Bistro

Focusing on Breton cuisine, sweet crepes and savoury buckwheat galettes — stuffed with anything from seared scallops to merguez sausages — dominate the menu at Suzette. The galettes (a rarity in Calgary) are the must-try here, but the restaurant also does a great moules frites and, oddly enough, one of the city’s best mac ’n’ cheeses.

2210 4 St. S.W., 403-802-0036, bistrosuzette.ca

BISTRO: Bistros are intimate, usually familyowned restaurants that serve traditional fare and French wine. You’ll find casual menu items that also show up in brasseries, as well as tartes, braises and stews.

BOUCHON: Specific to Lyon, bouchons are independent, casual dining spots that typically serve decadently high-fat items like pâtés, offals and roasts.

BOULANGERIE: A bread shop. Dedicated boulangeries usually don’t dabble in pastries or cakes.

BRASSERIE: The name translates to “brewery,” so a brasserie is a French version of a pub: beer and cider are usually served in a loud, bustling space. Typical brasserie meals include steak frites or mussels (also with frites, please!).

CAFÉ: In France, a café is where you go for your coffee, and perhaps a light snack or lunch in the form of a croque monsieur or a mealsized salad.

PATISSERIE: A bakery specializing in cakes and sweets. This is where you’ll find your eclairs, macarons and petit fours.

TOP Pickerel with sautéed leeks and mushrooms at Royale Brasserie. BOTTOM Royale bartender Mitch Vernaroli.

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Prosper

ity Bust or

used thespaces to grow food. Some of these repurposed lots, like the Bridgeland/Riverside Vacant Lots Garden, still exist today.

past are condemned to repeat it, so a look back seems in order.

BY Andrew Guilbert ILLUSTRATIONS BY Tara Hardy

Near the section of the Elbow River that runs alongside Rideau Park, the ruins of a half-built manor stand as a sort of cautionary tale. Known as Lindsay’s Folly, the sandstone structure was built by Dr. Neville James Lindsay, a physician who made a fortune in Calgary real estate in the 1880s. Intended to be a beautiful mansion on the banks of the Elbow, instead it became a pile of stones after Lindsay lost everything when the real estate market and economy collapsed in 1913.

Lindsay’s Folly may be the most striking, but it isn’t the only economic scar tissue dotting our city. The subsequent slump in 1914 saw many a piece of prime real-estate turned into vacant lots, the proliferation of which led to the creation of the Calgary Vacant Lots Garden Club, which

But despite these visible reminders of what happens when boom turns to bust, Calgary’s economy hasn’t yet managed to break the cycle. As the city endures yet another one of its economic downturns, dusting off the, “Please God, send us another oil boom; we promise not to piss it away this time” bumper stickers and judiciously reapplying them to any truck not sold in desperation, the underlying belief is in the pendulum inevitably swinging back.

But forecasts suggest this bust could be a particularly bad one. A report by TD Economics released last summer qualifies the 2015-2016 slump as, “a well-above-average recession based on a number of key benchmarks,” and predicts a cumulative annual decline in real GDP of around 6.5 per cent, more than twice the average of past downturns. So yes, it’s bad. The question is whether this one is bad enough to have a sobering effect on future boom times, or whether the headiness of economic prosperity will once again override the memories of hardship. As the saying goes, those who cannot remember the

According to historian and author David Finch, our economy has seen about one bust per decade since the early 20th century. This is in spite of the fact Alberta has enjoyed relative prosperity twice as often as it has struggled financially.

“The last time I crunched the numbers, for 57 of the last 75 years, there have been surpluses in the budget in Alberta,” says Finch. “One of the real vulnerabilities for our society is that the people think the good times are normal and the banks and the other lenders do, too.”

Finch points to the housing market as an example of how we can be misled by market trends; our assumption is that houses have been going up in value when, in real terms, they are simply being built larger and, therefore, are more expensive. Factoring in inflation, the reason houses seem to appreciate is just that they’re getting bigger, while the value of our money is actually decreasing.

This optimism means Albertans tend not to save money against the hard times, preferring to take their chances rather than make difficult decisions, like whether to reinstitute a sales tax. “We tell our politicians we’d rather roll the dice,

With Calgary’s peaks-and-valleys economy currently in a valley, it’s time to take stock of how we keep finding ourselves down here.

play the lottery, because if two out of every three years you have more money than the government can figure out how to spend, then why should you have a provincial sales tax?” says Finch. “It’s time for the people of Alberta to grow up. Boom and bust is a gambling way to live.”

Where Finch compares our finances to a roll of the dice, Ron Kneebone, economist and professor at the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, relates the situation to a different vice, comparing the provincial government to an alcoholic in need of a 12-step program. “The first step is to acknowledge that you’re helpless against what you’re fighting, whether it’s alcohol, drugs or, for the Alberta government, the price of oil,” he says.

In his research, Kneebone found that, from 1928 through 1947, government spending was mostly in line with taxation; when spending fluctuated, taxation was adjusted in kind. Then, in 1948, when oil was discovered in Leduc and significant oil revenue started to come in, spending and taxation split apart, with the former climbing away from the latter.

One of the biggest problems with our economy isn’t necessarily that it fluctuates with the price of oil, says Kneebone, but rather that our government hasn’t taken the necessary steps to mitigate the instability that comes from using revenue collected from non-renewable resources. In his view, one of the purposes of government is to encourage economic stability, but, for the better part of the last century, Alberta’s provincial governments of all stripes have instead created volatility by allowing spending to rise quickly during booms and maintaining or cutting it during busts.

That’s not to say that there haven’t been efforts to save for rainy days. In 1976, the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund Act was passed, partly intended as a bulwark against future downturns. The fund, which started with just over $2 billion, benefitted from an annual investment of 30 per cent of provincial energy revenues until 1987, when Premier Don Getty stopped the transfers. Subsequent governments spent the majority of the province’s oil revenue. Despite good returns on investment and the occasional injection of funds, the Heritage fund’s value, adjusted for inflation, has essentially stagnated relative to its previous growth and now hovers around $18 billion.

From Kneebone’s perspective, the cure for what ails us is simple: “Controlling spending, but also a stable source of revenue to replace an unstable source of revenue, which is oil and gas,” he says. “We’re talking about a sales tax. It’s obvious to

ECONOMIC MILESTONES IN CALGARY’S HISTORY

1875

The NorthWest Mounted Police establish Fort Brisebois, renamed Fort Calgary in 1876.

1892

Calgary is incorporated as a city.

1883

While drilling a water well, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) finds gas at 3,250 metres below the ground.

1929

The Great Depression begins.

1914

1930

Mineral Rights are transferred from federal to provincial governments.

1898

The CPR makes Calgary its divisional headquarters, leading to growth in population, construction and industry.

1905 1913

Alberta becomes a province. The real estate market in Calgary collapses as a result of rampant speculation in the unregulated industry.

The Dingman #1 oil well gushes into existence in Turner Valley, inspiring a speculative fever. In one 24-hour period, more than 500 oil companies come into being. Fewer than 50 of these companies ever put drills into the ground, leaving many investors destitute.

William “Bible Bill” Aberhart’s Social Credit party comes to power at a time when 10 per cent of the country’s population benefit from financial assistance.

Turner Valley oil production hits 10 million barrels a year.

Oil becomes Canada’s premier source of energy, replacing coal.

Alberta collects $21 million in oil dividends.

The federal government creates the National Energy Board (NEB) to regulate interprovincial and international trade.

After 133 unsuccessful attempts, Imperial Oil strikes oil with its Leduc No. 1 well.

The provincial debt and interest payment take up half of the province’s revenue, prompting the introduction of a sales tax and hiking of incometax rates.

As part of an embargo against the U.S., the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quadruples the price of oil. The per-barrel price goes from less than $3 to nearly $40, leading to a worldwide oil crisis, but an economic boom in Alberta.

1976

The Alberta Heritage Trust Fund act is passed to create a “rainy day” fund of reserved oil revenues.

1979

An oil crisis caused by the Iranian Revolution causes a spike in the price of oil.

The National Energy Program (NEP) is put into effect by the federal government, imposing federal taxes and royalties on the industry, as well as a national oil price for Canadians lower than the world price.

1985

Great Canadian Oil Sands (now Suncor) begins production in the oil sands near Fort McMurray.

1971

The provincial Progressive Conservative party comes to power under Peter Lougheed, ending Social Credit’s 35-year tenure.

1986

The NEP’s redirection of investment from the oil sands leads to a recession in Alberta, coinciding with a global recession and a fall in oil prices.

The federal government’s Western Accord deregulates the oil industry.

The price of oil lands at US$11.50 a barrel, leading to another downturn in Alberta, as well as a tax hike and cuts to health, education and social services.

every state economist in the world that Alberta needs an HST [harmonized sales tax].” A sales tax of just a couple of percentage points, says Kneebone, could have potentially huge benefits to the economy; one paper from the U of C’s School of Public Policy theorized that an eight-per-cent HST would bring in $800 million a year from non-resident tourism alone.

Though the numbers of a financial downturn are easily calculable, there are also emotional and psychological costs as the unemployment rate inches upwards. David Kirby, clinical services manager for Distress Centre Calgary, which provides free, 24-hour crisis support and professional counselling, says the recent economic downturn has resulted in a significant uptick in demand for the centre’s face-to-face counselling services, approximately “30 per cent across the board,” compared to last year’s numbers.

Kirby, who started at the centre as a volunteer in 1996, says that, at the beginning of the downturn two years ago, the centre began seeing more people calling in after losing their jobs, fearful for the future. These days, circumstances for callers have become increasingly dire. “We’re seeing more people who are just losing hope that this is going to end anytime soon,” says Kirby. “These are people who have exhausted their [Employment Insurance], are now on the verge of exhausting their personal savings and have no clue what they’re going to do next.”

Kirby says, historically, two of the hardest things to cope with when experiencing financial duress are the loss of hope and the feeling of being a burden to people. “In general, what we see over a hundred years of research is that any time there’s an economic downturn, like a recession, and unemployment goes up, so do suicides,” he says. “Even though the reasons for those people taking their own lives are individual, there’s something horrifically consistent.”

The omnipresence of social media is one way modern busts differ from their historical counterparts. This relatively new phenomenon can needlessly amplify the severity of a downturn, leading people to assess the situation as being more dire than it really is. And, while social media can be an effective way for people to connect (albeit superficially), it often fails at reaching people on an individual level. That’s where support groups like Laid Off Calgary can help.

Founder Bianca Sinclair started the weekly group in January 2016 when she was disappointed

2001

The high price of oil helps dig Alberta out of its $23-billion debt, which is paid off four years later.

2014 2007

The global financial crisis, the worst since the Great Depression, hits markets in Alberta. Canada would recoup the majority of its losses by 2010, the first G7 country to do so.

Canada enters an economic downturn as a global oversupply of oil sends the barrel price plummeting from US$115 to below US$70.

1993 2015

The Alberta NDP wins its first majority government in the province, ending the PC party’s 44-year reign, on a platform that promises to boost the corporate tax rate and review the royalties paid by oil companies to the province.

with the lack of support available in Calgary and wanted to use her skills and experience to create a forum that she felt was needed. Sinclair has since organized more than 50 meetings that have reached between 250 and 300 people, and says there’s currently a waiting list for the 12-person, 90-minute events (the group size is limited so people get to know each other). People often come to the meetings sad, frustrated and anxious, many waiting for months after they’re let go to seek support, and a doomand-gloom mindset is common, Sinclair says. But, through discussion and mutual guidance, members can rise above the negative messages that perpetuate a bad situation. “Their perspective shifts to be more clear on what’s within their control and what actions they can take, feeling more empowered or hopeful,” she says.

According to Todd Hirsch, chief economist at ATB Financial, the numbers aren’t good right now, but they’re still not as bad as some of our past busts. “When I look as a cold-hearted economist at the numbers and not the stories, data-wise, we are still not as bad as it was in the 1980s,” he says. “I started high school in Edmonton in September 1981, and that month the unemployment rate in Alberta was 3.1 per cent. By the time I graduated, in June 1984, the unemployment rate was 12.5 per cent. That is an economy that essentially collapsed.”

Comparing the current situation with the downturn of the ’80s, Hirsch says there’s plenty of reasons to feel optimistic; for starters, there’s more economic diversity in town, more major head offices for companies like WestJet, CP Rail and Agrium, as well as other transportation and warehouse industries that weren’t here 30 years ago. The housing market is also substantially better than it was during the ’80s when prices fell 25 per cent, a catastrophic shift compared to the current 3.5-per cent decrease Calgary has seen in the past two years.

Though unpleasant, busts are necessary corrections to the economy, Hirsch says, the hangover caused by economic excess. “It’s kind of like when you’ve got the flu … the fever is the body’s way of recalibrating and fighting off the infection or virus. A recession is a lot like that; it is the economy’s way of recalibrating, in some ways rebalancing the labour market.”

It’s true, Alberta’s economy has traditionally bounced back, though mostly thanks to a petroleum-based trampoline. Going forward, if the only way to get rid of the lows is to mitigate the highs, unless the province takes steps in that direction, we’ll just have to keep bouncing.

MAKING THE BEST OF THE BUST

Tips on how to keep your head above water when the economy is going under.

“The challenge is to find a way to bring out the positives in a negative situation, so how do we focus our time on building positives, rather than just seeing the entirely negative situation? Knowing what we can control and what we can’t control helps to align ourselves energetically in the right direction.”

—David Kirby, clinical services manager for Distress Centre Calgary

“First of all, it’s about coming to terms with loss. The second step is looking at your routine — how you start your day — and setting it off on the right foot, getting up at a good time like you did when you were working and establishing things in your day that provide a sense of structure. Self-care activities, taking time to exercise and look after yourself, that’s going to show when you are interviewing and networking.”

—Bianca Sinclair, founder of support group

Off Calgary

“It depends on the individual, but, for a lot of people, [a bust] is a fantastic time to reevaluate career choices. Maybe that’s a shift in career to something different altogether. Maybe it’s skills upgrading. Maybe it’s taking online courses or enrolling in a course at SAIT or at a university or college.”

—Todd Hirsch, chief economist at ATB Financial

Laid

GETAWAYSlife

Tips and Tricks of Savvy Travellers

Those of us who take the odd vacation flight have nothing on the people who fly frequently for work, as well as for pleasure. We talked to four Calgarians for whom air travel is a way of life to find out their best advice for what to bring, how to bring it, and how to make the whole flying experience a whole lot better.

BY Shelley Arnusch AND Madison Farkas

when I’d be bringing my collection to different showrooms all over the city, I would use a hockey bag, this big Easton goalie bag. I’d always get these looks at the airport and I’d be like, ‘I’m not a hockey player!’”

Lauren

Bagliore’s

travel essentials

“I’ve been gluten-free forever, before it was a big thing. The airlines are just starting to get a little better with op tions but I think they have a long way to go.”

Bagliore makes her own using essential oils such as bergamot, lavender

Lauren Bagliore Celia Cocoon Coat is made from a fabric I developed, a high-tech Japanese nylon that’s wind and water-resistant and breathable. You could wear it for anything from 12 degrees to minus-30.” Bagliore also packs her Desiree “Endless” Dress, which can be worn 10 different ways, and Palermo pleated wrap. “The wrap is a piece that’s elegant for Italy and edgy for New York — you can crumple it, hand-wash it, and it doesn’t wrinkle.”

Do you have a routine once you’ve boarded the airplane?

“I try to work between New York and Calgary. It’s a four- to five-hour flight so I’m trying to maximize my time. If I’m going to Europe I try to be more relaxed. I do love to read an old-fashioned book. I’m not a Kindle user — I love the smell of a book and the weight of it in my hands.”

What’s your best advice for navigating airports?

“I’ve missed flights in the past and that’s just the most horrible feeling, you’re so stressed. Sometimes it’s out of your control, but it’s just the worst feeling in the world, so I’ve learned to give myself more than enough time. Leaving earlier is always better. I used to make fun of my dad for that, but he’s so right! I learned the hard way. With age comes wisdom.” —S.A.

“I design what I wear, I design what I love, and I design what I need. I knew, with my lifestyle, I needed pieces that were functional, easy to pack, not too heavy but also versatile.”

DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR SKIN ADVANCEMENT

Andrei Metelitsa’s work in dermatology takes him aboard cruise ships, where he gives educational presentations for physicians. His frequent destinations include cruises in the Caribbean, the Baltic Sea and Asia’s Pacific coast and he usually brings his wife and two young children with him.

Formal wear “Depending on the length of the trip, I always bring at least one blazer and one suit. I typically like Cavali suits or Etro. I then bring dress shirts to mix and match with the suit or blazer. I especially like tailored dress shirts from Eton, Ted Baker and Paul Smith, which I purchase from Harry Rosen.”

Melatonin This hormonal substance can help regulate the sleep-wake cycle and is seen as an alternative to sleeping pills.

Crayons

Travelling

What are the challenges of packing for business cruises?

“You usually have formal nights, which mean dresses for women and jackets for men. Then, as a business traveller, I also have to look presentable during my lectures — I do eight or nine lectures over the course of a two-week cruise — and I try not to repeat outfits. My wife and I are also both serious about our fitness. We both work out every day, which means bringing workout gear. Then you have casual clothes for us and the kids. Kids can be messy, so we’ll bring multiple changes of clothing for them.”

What brand of luggage do you use?

“I use Heys luggage sets with a pattern on them that makes them stand out. My family travels with two large suitcases, one medium-sized suitcase, one carry-on, a backpack and a few smaller bags. I’m designated the medium suitcase, so I have to work my magic to get everything to fit. The kids have one-and-a-half large suitcases and my wife gets the other half of the large one.”

How do you pack?

“I bring slightly thicker jackets, which are less likely to wrinkle. I put my shoes on top, with the soles up, and I stuff them with socks or small accessories, to use up that space and to ensure there’s no fold. I use Eagle Creek packing kits to organize and free up more space. I place all of my dress shirts together in a folder, which compresses them and minimizes wrinkles. I use the cubes to roll and compartmentalize the rest of my clothing. I never travel without these kits.”

What do you bring with you on the plane?

“We’ll bring the iPad for the kids. They also draw a lot, so we’ll have drawing pads and crayons. One of the recent trips we took was before my wife’s World Beauty Fitness and Fashion competition, which required very precise nutrition, so we brought a 6 Pack Fitness meal bag with some of her own meals. We’ve also started taking melatonin to help us fall asleep and reset to the time difference.”

Any advice to make business cruises easier?

“Get laundry done on the cruise so you’re not bringing back dirty clothing. They often have promotions in the last few days where you can get all your laundry done fairly affordably.” —M.F.

“On one trip to Tokyo I had booked what I thought was an appropriate four-door sedan. Even with our precise packing, the driver was overwhelmed at how much luggage we had. We almost needed to get a second car.”

Eagle Creek Pack-It Set Metelitsa is able to pack his multi-faceted work-leisure wardrobe into one medium-sized suitcase by using these organizers.

Andrei Metelitsa’s travel essentials

tiny little bottles, so if you bring your own salad you can use their dressing.”

Black jersey dress

“I’ve worn mine with flat sandals to casual events, to evening events with a little jacket and for business with a more serious jacket.”

What’s your packing philosophy?

“I always carry on, so I have to be very precise with what I pack. It actually takes longer to pack less because you have to think more about what you’re packing. Sometimes I’ll be on the road for a week to 10 days at a time and I may go to multiple destinations. I had one trip where I went to Toronto, then to Boston, then to Chicago, and then back to Toronto, and then Vancouver, then Calgary, and I carried on the whole time. Part of it is you have to be prepared to recycle your clothes. A lot of people want to wear a different outfit every day and that’s not me.”

Do you have a travel routine?

“It starts when I’m packing at home. I’m always conscious of security. I don’t want to be held up. Everything that needs to be pulled out for security I put in my briefcase on the top. I always pull out my to-go cup even if there’s nothing in it because it just alleviates their questioning. I anticipate what they might be concerned about and pack in a way to make it easily accessible.”

Do you use your time in the air to work?

“I find I’m really productive. But now that planes are getting Wi-Fi, I’m engaging with the office and with my emails and I’m not sure that’s a good thing, be cause I’ve found being on the plane for four or five hours is great thinking time. I have done some of my most impressive thinking on the plane. I’ve reorga nized companies on the plane with a piece of paper. I’ve done strategic plans, I’ve done business plans, I’ve done acquisition plans. I don’t usually talk to the person beside me. I’m a bit anti-social that way.”

What’s the one thing that bothers you the most about travelling?

“The way men behave! Something triggers in their mind and a man who may be extremely polite dayto-day loses any kind of etiquette or social grace. It’s like, they’ve gotta get in line first, they’ve got to get their carry-on suitcase up there, they rarely help me put mine up. If I ever had enough time I would do a PhD on that, because I think it brings out their primal instincts.” —S.A.

Headshot photograph by Brian Buchsdruecker

“I’m very much about the independence plan — what can I do to be independent of all the different obstacles that are getting in my way of a pleasant experience?”

Expandable Packing Case

Double-turning wheels

ASSOCIATE, B+H ARCHITECTS AND CHIL INTERIOR DESIGN

As an interior designer, Edward Tsang travels frequently between Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver. Internationally, his client meetings and design presentations have taken him from Hong Kong to Paris.

What do you wear on the plane?

“My go-to is always comfortable drawstring pants that can be rolled up shorter or lengthened depending on the temperature — you might land in a hot, humid place, but it’s –10˚ in Calgary. On top, I’ll wear a comfortable T-shirt, a long-sleeve button-up cardigan and a leather jacket.”

What business clothes do you pack?

“A sportcoat and pants, maybe a black or grey dress pant or a dark-denim skinny jean, depending on who I’m meeting with. The top can be a two-fer. To change it up, I bring a tie, a neckerchief or a vest so it doesn’t look like I’m wearing the same outfit. For personal days, I like semi-casual pants. I have a pair from Club Monaco that can be worn with sneakers or dress shoes. You might end up with that last-minute meeting, and they work whether you’re getting grab-and-go food or going to a nice restaurant.”

What’s your best advice for travellers?

“Leave a card with your contact information inside your luggage, not just on the travel tag. Tags can come off if they’re handled roughly. Also, don’t bring more than one colour of one piece — if you’ve got two black tops, take one out. Another thing: get some cash before you land. When you get there, all you’ll want to do is get a cab and many only take cash. And download and prepare all the service apps such as Uber or other driving-service apps before you fly to get better deals.”

What do you usually have in your carry-on bag?

“I bring my jewellery with me in my carry-on and wear it when I land, but I never wear it on the plane. Airplanes are so dry, so you’re putting on lotion and washing your hands a lot, and you’re always taking rings off. That’s how I lost two beautiful rings, one that I got in Bali and one family heirloom. I left them by the sink in the airplane washroom. I also always bring a one-litre bottle of water for hydration.”

What’s the one thing that bothers you most about travelling?

“Unpredictability — flights changing, navigating airports, figuring out what visas you need. That’s why I plan and prepare as much as I can.” —M.F.

“My must-haves for the trip must be carried on the plane with me. I cannot afford to lose a suitcase. It’s happened. Lesson learned.”

Matt & Nat Raylan Med

Diaper Bag

Not just for parents, a diaper bag is a versatile carry-all with multiple pockets

Zanerobe

Leather Sureshot jogger pants “I love these because they’re durable and more comfortable than jeans. They are also conducive if I have to run straight to a client meeting from my flight without having

Tumi Tegra-Lite

Medium Trip

and a removable garment sleeve make this hardside case a good fit for business travellers.

Meet the Neighbours

‘‘

The Alberta Haskayne Executive MBA program positively transformed the way I view, approach and manage business problems and opportunities. My transformation to a strategic thinker was the result of a focused, relevant curriculum and access to an extremely talented network of high-achieving business professionals.”

Justine Jones, EMBA’13 Strategic Account Executive, Oil Sands Baker Hughes

MOUNTAINS

BY Joanne Elves

Cross-Country Ski Getaways

The skinny on some great destinations for Nordic skiers who want the resort experience.

Aski vacation doesn’t have to mean downhill skiing. Mountain-bound folk who would rather spend their days gliding through a snowy meadow on a perfectly set track than racking up chairlift runs can still enjoy all the dining and amenities that world-class ski destinations have to offer, plus a few more benefits as well. Vigorous cross-

country skiing can burn upwards of 600 calories per hour, so you can guiltlessly enjoy your après-ski dinner, and since Nordic-skiing trail passes cost significantly less than downhill lift tickets, it’s all the more reason to splurge at the spa.

Here are four not-too-distant spots where cross-country skiers can get the best of everything.

SilverStar Mountain Resort.

Photograph by Blake Jorgenson

MOUNTAINS

Canmore, Alta.

This charming mountain town just 90 km down the Trans-Canada from Calgary’s western limits is a cross-country ski mecca, home to the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, originally built for the 1988 Winter Olympics. These days, the centre hosts regular worldcup and national races and continues to be a training ground for the Canadian team as well as a popular spot for recreational skiers.

For the ideal Canmore cross-country weekend, book your accommodations at Silver Creek Resort and head out early enough on Friday evening to dine at Silver Creek’s Wild Orchid Bistro & Sushi Lounge before relaxing with a glass of vino in your luxury condo. The Canmore Nordic Centre is a good place to start if you’re new to the sport — rental skis are available on site from Trail Sports and there is a nice, flat, 10-lane practice area in front of the day lodge to test your skills. Single-day trail-use fees during the winter range from $9 for youth to $15 for adults. Once you’ve got your stride-and-glide going, you can tackle the Centre’s 65 kilometres of trails, starting with the rolling 11-km Banff Trail loop.

If you’re ready to go beyond the Nordic Centre, the Goat Creek Trail is a beautiful ski that sets out from a trailhead eight km south of Canmore and threads through animal-track patterned terrain to end at the Fairmont Banff Springs. At nearly 20 km one way, Goat Creek is a pretty long haul for an out-and-back, so plan to hop on the Roam Banff-Canmore bus to return to Canmore. After a day like that, you’ll certainly be ready for a hearty meal at the much-loved Crazyweed restaurant.

Golden, B.C.

Skiing in Golden, B.C. is synonymous with Kicking Horse Resort. However, just a three-minute drive from the resort, you’ll find the Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre, with 33 km of groomed trails for both classic and skate skiing (a more vigorous style that uses a skating motion on a wide, flat track). The trails are well marked, from green (easiest) to black (most difficult), and present opportunities for skiers to challenge themselves with higher-difficulty routes that loop off the easier trails. All the trails eventually loop back to the base so you can’t get lost.

Dawn Mountain charges trail fees that range from $5 for kids to $12 for adults ($30 per family), collected via an honour box if there isn’t someone present at the day lodge. Tickets can also be purchased online (goldennordicclub.ca) for those who don’t carry cash. Ski and snowshoe rentals are available on weekends and rental fees are surprisingly inexpensive considering the quality of the gear.

Back at Kicking Horse Resort you’ll find a wealth of on-hill accommodations, ranging from lodge-style suites to freestanding luxury chalets. The ultimate dining experience at Kicking Horse is the Eagle’s Eye Restaurant, which sits atop the resort at an elevation of 7,700 feet, accessed via the gondola. At the other end of the gondola, Corks Restaurant + Bar in the Copper Horse Lodge is a cozy spot with a menu that includes comfortfood preparations of proteins like beef and elk along with wines from the Okanagan Valley.

Canmore photograph by Parks Canada courtesy of Travel Alberta, Golden photograph courtesy of Tourism Golden, Bottoms Bar photograph by Adam Stein, SunPeak Ski photograph by Royce Sihlis

SilverStar Mountain Resort, B.C.

This alpine resort near Vernon is B.C.’s third-largest ski area. What started in 1958 as a ski hill for locals has since become a noted destination resort with an international clientele. Even so, with its quaint, mining-town-styled village painted in bright colours and its friendly, relaxed vibe, SilverStar maintains the charm of a local’s hill. Averaging over seven metres of snow annually, the resort’s claim to fame is that it’s “100 per cent natural” — no snowmaking required.

The Nordic skiing offerings at SilverStar are nothing short of exceptional, with more than 55 km of groomed trails within the resort boundaries. The resort trails connect to another 50 km of trails at the neighbouring Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre, creating the largest daily groomed cross-country network in Canada. Single-day cross-country trail fees range from $10 for kids to $17 for adults for just SilverStar trails, or $15 to $23 for a “Dual Mountain” pass that includes the Sovereign Lake trails (passes include lift access to the upper trails at the resort). SilverStar also has four km of lit track, offering Nordic night skiing Fridays and Saturdays after 5 p.m. for $10.

Most accommodations at SilverStar are a quick walk (or ski) from where you need to be. There are nine hotels and lodges in the village as well as a variety of rental chalets and condos to suit almost every budget. Main Street is where you’ll find everything you’ve forgotten, as well as rentals. Thirty metres from the end of Main Street you are slapping on the boards and taking to the trails. Walking along Main Street to the trails is a good opportunity to plan where you’re going to go for lunch, après and dinner. If you’re up for it, visit the 1609 Restaurant & Lounge for late-night cocktails and nibbles.

Sun Peaks Resort, B.C.

Sun Peaks Resort near Kamloops has answered the call of the skinny-ski crowd in a big way, improving and increasing the amount of groomed cross-country trails and building some new digs where you can wax and relax.

The second-largest alpine resort in B.C., Sun Peaks has 37 km of groomed and track-set trails, mostly maintained on a daily basis. A new Nordic centre is open daily up at Parking Lot 5, where you’ll find trail information as well as a warm-up area, boot-change area and waxing bench. The centre also offers rentals and lift-ticket sales on weekends.

Nordic passes range from $10 for kids to $19 for adults, and each pass is good for two rides up the Morrisey Express chairlift — that’s 1,260 vertical feet in one fell swoop — to the backcountry terrain on the ski resort’s Holy Cow Trail. (“Holy Cow!” is what people tend to say as they gaze out at the awesome view from the top, and when they’re ripping down the steep and winding trail back to the base.)

Sun Peaks has a reputation as a great family resort, so it makes sense they would consider furry family members as well. The McGillivray Lake trail is designated dog-friendly, so Rover can also experience the thrill of being out in the backcountry on a snowy day. The trail leads to the McGillivray Lake Outpost, a warming hut with washroom facilities open daily until 3:30 p.m.

Sun Peaks has daily Nordic clinics for beginners in both classic and skate skiing as well as ski-and-stay specials. The resort was designed as a Tyrolean-style alpine village and has more than 7,000 beds spread out over a variety of hotels, lodges, hostels and chalets that can be accessed by skiing to the door. Before you ski back to your lodgings, though, be sure to make a stop at Bottoms Bar & Grill in the Coast Sundance Lodge, the perfect pub for an aprèsski pint.

TOP Canmore Nordic Centre. LEFT Eagle’s Eye Restaurant at Kicking Horse.

BOTTOM LEFT Corks Restaurant + Bar at Copper Horse Lodge, salmon dish. BELOW Sun Peaks Bottoms Bar and Grill in the Coast Sundance Lodge and Sun Peaks cross-country ski track.

BY Meredith Bailey

Jordan Baylon

As the community investment manager for Calgary Arts Development, Jordan Baylon helps local artists and arts organizations find the resources they need to thrive.

A poet himself, Baylon draws inspiration from Japanese culture, samurai flicks and delicious home-cooked meals, particularly anything made with pork belly. But Baylon is especially inspired by people, be they members of his large extended Filipino family or the interesting strangers he observes while riding the CTrain through downtown Calgary. The self-described wallflower says he’s happy to be invisible, which seems at odds with his distinctive and playful sense of style.

Baylon favours traditional Japanese dress robes, Western-inspired neckties and perfectly tailored collared shirts. To Baylon, true personal style is an opportunity to let the little spark we all carry within us burn bright.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Jared Sych

STYLING BY Aldona Barutowicz

PHOTOGRAPHED AT Golden Central

Haori overcoat and shirt are vintage; pants from Gap; shoes from Jikatabi.

The flowing robe you’re wearing today is amazing. What is it?

This is called a happi. In Japan, they wear it usually around festival times, so it’s not something people wear every day, although some eccentric people will.

So, it’s a dress robe?

It’s more “costumey.” If I was at a festival in Japan following behind a procession going to a shrine, I'd be wearing this.

There is an element of confidence or bravery in how you dress.

You think so? I feel like I’m a bit of a wallflower.

But today you’ve paired your happi with a lanyard tie secured with a carved turtle. That’s not exactly something that blends in. Yeah, there’s an ostensible output; there are petals on the flower. I can’t deny that and it’s something that’s taken me a little while to grow into. I think there are lots of aspects of everyday life that are inane or ugly and alienating for people because we have to compromise that little spark inside of us. For me, clothes have been a little weapon to beat back some of that ugliness. Clothes have been an invisible bridge I can create to a part of myself I don’t feel has the same sort of voice in everyday life. It’s that secret inner world.

A secret inner world you’re willing to share?

I have to, because I have to grow it and sun it a little bit. Put it out there.

You have a very specific look; where does it come from?

When I was a kid, I was very into Asian culture, specifically through the medium of ’70s film, like kung fu and samurai flicks. The clothing of ancient Asia is

very inspiring to me. So I wear a lot of robes and lots of layering. When there is a pattern, it’s rich and very sumptuous and, when there isn’t, it’s very elegant.

Have you always been fashionable?

I always had a specific way I liked to dress as a kid. When I was very young, my mom used to make my clothes and I think I owe a lot of my “razzmatazz” to her. I would describe some of the looks she made as if Al Pacino in the movie Scarface was a little boy going to his first communion.

Do you have a favourite childhood outfit?

One of my favourite pieces was a Hulk Hogan T-shirt that was kid-sized and had Velcro down the front so you could rip it open like he did. I used to rock that as much as possible.

How did your style evolve?

I can offer you a vignette: There was a period of time when I was big into Darth Vader, so I would wear my grandma’s towels like a cape and use old rolls of wrapping paper like my lightsaber.

You didn’t want to be Luke Skywalker? No way! Villain, for sure. Who wants to be Luke? Boring.

When did you decide to start to dress the way you do now?

The turning point for me was when I lived in Japan after university. I was living in this little mountain village, a World Heritage Site, full of tourists, but no one in the village spoke English. I really missed hiphop and A&W, but, when I came back from Japan, something changed inside of me and I no longer wanted to hold back.

What does your closet look like today?

I have a couple of robes, a couple of happi, some haori — that’s like an overcoat worn over a kimono. When I’m not feeling that saucy, I might even wear a cardigan and punch it up with accessories.

I like collared shirts. To me, there’s nothing more sophisticated than a white collared shirt. I have a really thick neck — it’s like the size of a pro wrestler’s, so I have to get my shirts tailored to get the fit that I want. That’s one extravagance I give myself.

Where do you get your shirts made?

Himark Martin Tailors is based in Hong Kong and travels to Calgary every so often. They book a hotel room and you go there and they measure you and you get to pick your fabrics. All of it is customized. It’s so worth it.

With your job, you must have to attend a lot of opening-night parties. What do you wear?

In Calgary, there is an opening night of an arts event every night of the year. I’ll wear a robe over a collared shirt and then accessorize. I have a Colonel Sanders-style tie I like. It looks like a bow.

WHEN I CAME BACK FROM JAPAN, SOMETHING CHANGED INSIDE OF ME AND I NO LONGER WANTED TO HOLD BACK.

Jacket from Zara; bespoke shirt tailored by Himark Martin; tie is vintage.

Sweater from J.Crew; Matsuri Happi vest is vintage.

Your Japanese robe works well with a Western-inspired tie? There’s a kinship there, for sure. An 18-year-old at Cowboys may wear a loop tie, but so would a 70-year-old Chinese man, and that appeals to me. I guess my vibe has a geriatric influence.

How so?

I grew up wearing my grandfather’s clothes. He’s a dandy. All of his clothes are tailored for him. He would wear tailored golf shirts and trousers. He loves a loafer.

So your look is like a Southerndandy grandparent with a samurai influence?

Ha! I’m very influenced by both my grandparents and somewhere in there are my mom’s Don Knotts-inspired razzmatazz suits.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Where are you from?

I was born and raised here in Calgary.

What do you do?

I design and run investment programs that support the arts in Calgary.

What did you think you’d do when you were growing up?

I wanted to be either the abbot of a Shaolin temple or a Bela Lugosi Dracula, you know, with the cape and tux.

What would you do if you didn’t have to make a living at it?

I would focus on maintaining a modest, well-appointed household where I would grow a small plot and cook for my friends and family every day. Home is very important to me.

What is your favourite childhood book?

The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen by Lloyd Alexander. Where in Calgary do you shop?

Hong Kong Food Market in Forest Lawn or the T&T in Harvest Hills.

Pet peeve?

An unexamined sense of entitlement. Full stop. Midnight snack?

Lap chang sausage on rice, then vanilla ice cream, then honey-mustard potato chips, then a chocolate chip cookie, then leftover salt-and-pepper squid right out of the fridge, then ...

Favourite cocktail?

The Sugar Water boys [sugarwater.bar] mixed up this cocktail that has fresh dill in it, of all things. If I can’t have that, then nigori sake or bourbon.

Favourite locally made edible treat?

The steamed salted egg yolk custard bun that my friend Sango makes at his restaurant, Golden Central.

Kimono purchased in Japan; sweater and jeans, both from Urban Outfitters; Feivue Thai Chi shoes purchased at the Chinese Cultural Centre; Anne et Valentin glasses from Brass Monocle.

Elena Achilleos

Elena Achilleos has been into fashion since her early years in London, England, when she would watch her mother dress up in beautiful gowns for a night out. The family moved to Calgary when Achilleos was 10 years old and within months her mother opened La Chic, a women’s clothing store filled with iconic European designers. It has now been 40 years since La Chic opened, and Achilleos has taken the reins. Her British accent may be gone, but her love for European fashion remains. Here are 10 things she can’t live without.

1

This hidden-gem [store] carries stunning Italian tile — really modern, really European and absolutely beautiful. If you want something unique, this is the place to go, and you won’t choke at the prices.

7

These are amazing. They’re made in Milan and they combine all these different patterns — geometric, floral and paisley. We carry them at La Chic and we sell out every season.

8

When I get off a flight and my skin is really dried out, I just pop one on at the hotel and in 30 minutes my skin is dewy and soft.

This is three tables in one. It has these oversized metal cogs that you can turn to change the shape and size. Every time someone comes over they ask where I got it.

3

It really is a jewel for Calgary. It’s an amazing building, and I love the way they redid the King Eddy, but I’m just so impressed with the way they’re celebrating Canadian music and our history.

4

A lot of people don’t know about this spot, but the walking trails are absolutely gorgeous. It almost feels like you’ve gone for a day in Kananaskis, when it’s actually just in Calgary.

zones Gallery on 11th Avenue S.W. and I absolutely loved it. The artwork is built on a resin wood and covered with a graphic abstract print.

9

It’s so tender you can cut it with a breadstick and once you try it, you’re hooked. It’s really famous in Europe, but it’s only sold here in specialty stores like Mercato and Lina’s Italian Market.

6

I found these French tea towels by accident when I walked into Inspirati one day. They’re beautifully made, eco-friendly and really unique — an accent piece for your kitchen.

10

Just incredible. They’re very rich, but perfect for brunch. In life, it’s good to treat yourself to something that delicious.

La Chic, Bankers Hall, 403-269-4775, lachiccalgary.com

Porcelanosa Tile

2 Astrolab Cocktail Table by Roche Bobois

National Music Centre

Griffith Woods

Etro Handbags

Rice Water Face Masks by The Face Shop

Rio Mare Tuna

Duck Confit Perogies at The Nash

Tea Towels by Le Jacquard Français

FRIDAY FLOWERS

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Local Finds

BY Kait Kucy, Meredith Bailey AND Ricky Zayshley

Swedish Stockings

Made in Sweden from recycled nylon, Swedish Stockings ($16 to $46 from Piece on Peace) are the first high-quality sustainably produced hosiery on the market. Available in a variety of styles — from knee-highs to maternity stockings — and colours including “Bordeaux” (a deep red) and “anthracite” (dark grey), Swedish Stockings are designed and made using natural dyes in a solar-powered production facility, creating zero waste. Part of the company’s mandate is to encourage pantyhose wearers to be part of this global solution and mail your old, ripped stockings to their recycling centre. –K.K Piece on Peace, 5 Spruce Centre S.W., 403-663-9433, pieceonpeace.com

editor’s pick

It’s hard to improve on Friday. The weekend beckons, and with that sense of hope comes a more relaxed vibe at the office, perhaps a glass of wine with lunch, and a spring in your step. A few Fridays ago, my already good mood was elevated to amazing with the arrival of a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Alykhan Velji Designs. It’s a brilliant concept: every Friday Velji creates seasonal bouquets ($45) that can be ordered online and picked up at his studio. It’s a perfect hostess or host gift, but an even better treat for yourself. –R.Z. 217 4 St. N.E., 403-617-2406, fridayflowers.ca

Kasha Lashes

Local makeup artist Kate Barutowicz designed her own collection of lashes after feeling like there was a niche to be filled for high-quality synthetic lashes that didn’t compromise on style or comfort. With 10 lash styles available, Kasha (Kate in Polish) offers a range of lashes from low-key “Au Naturel” to the completely over-the-top “Up the Drama.” At $28 a pair, the lashes will last up to 20 uses with good maintenance and care, meaning your peepers will be blink-worthy for nearly a month. –K.K kashalashes.com

Tata Harper Skincare

When Tata Harper’s stepfather was diagnosed with cancer, she began investigating the ingredients in the products she used every day. She discovered that skin-care products such as body lotion and face cream contained potentially toxic and even carcinogenic additives. Harper’s research inspired her to create a luxurious and effective skin-care line that was 100-per cent natural and non-toxic. Now available in Calgary at Murale at Southcentre, Tata Harper Skincare is Ecocert-certified, cruelty-free, completely vegetarian and made in small batches on Harper’s Vermont farm. Small batches mean all the products are as fresh as possible, so you can actually smell ingredients such as raw honey and locally harvested calendula. The Replenishing Nutrient Complex ($68) is a standout with Vermont-grown linden and moisturizing jojoba. —M.B. Murale, Southcentre, 403-278-8302, murale.ca; tataharperskincare.com

Heather Cuell Kiln Formed Glass for Art & Architecture

Kiel - Oil on Canvas

Homeowner Kimberly Wiebe sent samples of what she wanted her space to look like to designer Rob Kurkut. To her surprise, he said it was doable in her budget.

Downtown DREAMS

BY Kaitlyn Hanson PHOTOGRAPHY BY Jared Sych

HONOURING

HERITAGE

When Kimberly Wiebe first rented a corner unit in the iconic Anderson Estates in Lower Mount Royal, she knew she had a winner.

“I walked in ... and it just, it felt like home,” says Wiebe, who was in the process of splitting from a long-term partner when she moved into the building in February 2015. “It just felt peaceful; it felt right; it felt calm.”

Six months later, Wiebe purchased the partially furnished heritage condo from her landlord and enlisted the help of Calgary designer Rob Kurkut to turn it into her dream home. “I had always loved those apartments,” Kurkut says.

“When I found out that she had bought a place in that building, I was hoping she would hire me.”

Because Anderson Estates (formerly known as the Anderson Apartments) dates back to the early 20th century, Kurkut and Wiebe had to think creatively to create a modern dwelling that didn’t

lose sight of its heritage roots. The duo settled on a lavender hue to complement the dark wood trim, and Kurkut encouraged Wiebe to invest in antique light fixtures in keeping with the spirit of the building. “I think we stayed true to the era of the apartment,” says Kurkut, who specializes in visual presentation. “Of course, there were restrictions because of [it being] a heritage building — normally, I would have painted the wood trim — but it is beautiful woodwork.”

Bookshelves painted the same colour as the walls were installed to conceal an awkwardly situated door in the living room, and together Kurkut and Wiebe sourced hardcover books and antiques to suit the space.

“This was an opportunity to go crazy with accessories,” says Kurkut, who also tracked down a large bust for Wiebe’s dining room table and adorned it with one of her necklaces. “Wherever you sit, there’s something nice to look at.”

A DIY novice and a Calgary designer team up to create a stylish small space in an iconic inner-city location.

BIG STYLE, SMALL BUDGET

When Kimberly Wiebe purchased her corner unit in the historic Anderson Estates building off 17th Avenue S.W., she knew the space she wanted to create for herself would require stepping out of her comfort zone. “Because we had a limited budget, we had to be creative,” she explains. “I had to do a lot of the work myself.”

Under the guidance of friend and local designer Rob Kurkut, Wiebe — a self-proclaimed “DIY novice” — spent a year painting, building furniture and sourcing the perfect accessories to make her home the peaceful retreat of her dreams.

As a yoga instructor and inspirational speaker with her company Strength & Soul, Wiebe often finds herself giving encouragement to others. But, when she began the daunting task of repainting her kitchen cabinets, it was Wiebe who reached out for support.

“I remember having a conversation with a girlfriend and saying, ‘Oh my God, I don’t know how I’m going to do this, there’s so much to tape off,’” she says. “And just sort of reiterating my own advice back to me, she said, ‘Take it one step at a time. Tape off one cabinet and just paint that one.’”

Over the period of a year, Wiebe and Kurkut oversaw a major kitchen renovation, hung floral wallpaper in her cozy bedroom, modified and painted IKEA bookcases to give the illusion of built-in shelving in the living area and sourced a range of designer furniture, Kijiji finds and antiques in keeping with the unit’s rich, centuryold heritage.

“Of course, it’s empowering to do a project you couldn’t have imagined doing,” says Wiebe. “Every room makes me smile.”

TOP Between January and May 2016, Wiebe and Kurkut gave the vintage-inspired kitchen a complete overhaul.

TOP LEFT The kitchen before the renovation.

A TIME OF TRANSITION

As a yoga instructor and motivational speaker, Kimberly Wiebe loves to push her students to challenge themselves, but she never imagined she would have to take so many risks of her own when she bought a unit in the historic Anderson Estates in Lower Mount Royal.

Working with Calgary designer Rob Kurkut, she envisioned creating a space that was feminine and stylish, but that also felt like a safe haven as she navigated her way through a relationship breakdown and a significant career change in 2015. “The place has been good for me in so many ways,” Wiebe says.

Kurkut encouraged Wiebe to take on many projects herself because of her limited budget. This meant that, for the first time in her adult life, she spent her evenings staying in, rather than going out. “If there are certain things you can do on your own, there’s a sense of accomplishment,” says Kurkut.

As Wiebe painted and sanded bookcases, enlisted the help of her ex-partner to hang wallpaper, relocated furniture from her previous home and sourced books and antiques to fill her living space, she saw her home, as well as her self-esteem, blossom. “Between going to the gym, going to yoga and working on my place,

it’s the best therapy I could have ever had,” she says. “Everything really has a story behind it, related to me. And it empowered me to do projects and things that I never thought I could do.”

Wiebe says the greatest part of her transition is fulfilling her lifetime dream of living in a Parisian-style apartment. “This is the closest I’ve been in 20 years to that vision,” she says. “It’s just fun. I say now, more than I ever have in my whole life, that I love my life.”

RIGHT “In here, I feel like I’m in Paris,” says Wiebe of her luxurious bedroom. “Everything is super low-key.”

BELOW Even the compact bathroon has space for carefully chosen antiques and accessories.

DECOR

TINY BUT MIGHTY

Calgary-based designer Rob Kurkut shares his strategies for maximizing a small space.

1. Choose carefully. “We didn’t want to run out and buy things for the sake of buying them,” says Kurkut. Instead, he and client Kimberly Wiebe, tracked down a meaningful collection of items over several months that suited the historic character of the apartment.

2. Focus on furniture. “You eat at a table; you live on a sofa,” Kurkut explains. “Never put a condo-size sofa in a condo — it can look like dollhouse furniture.” Larger furnishings, particularly in living and dining areas, make a space feel warm and welcoming. “I like to use the biggest sofa that can fit, to anchor the space,” he says.

3. Spend smart. Kurkut encouraged Wiebe to invest in vintage chandeliers and original artwork in keeping with the apartment’s rich heritage. “I wanted her to spend money on certain things,” he says. Mixing careful investments with DIY projects and inexpensive finds created an eclectic, yet curated look in Wiebe’s heritage apartment.

BEFORE

LEFT “I wanted to make it really feminine,” says Wiebe of the grey lavender colour she chose for her living and dining areas.

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BY MEREDITH BAILEY

THE GREAT Sofa Search

Whether you call it a couch or a sofa, one fact remains: it’s the most multifunctional piece of furniture you’ll ever purchase. The perfect piece isn’t just for sitting, it also serves as a spot for napping, a perch for tea, extra seating during potluck dinners, a catcher of crumbs from your movie snacks and, with the cushions lifted, a pretty cool fort.

A sofa needs to be durable and built to last, because chances are you’ll have it for 25 years — or more. The perfect sofa is also an expression of your unique interior-design sensibilities. Maybe it’s a bespoke sectional in a vibrant hue that serves as your living room’s focal point, or maybe it’s a solid three-seater in a buttery leather that anchors your eclectic art collection — either way, it defines your space.

Whether you’re searching for a classic floor model, a custom-made treasure or something in between, our guide will help you find the perfect couch for your home, in every price range.

BUDGET $3,000 OR LESS

Acouch is the workhorse of your living room and, as such, can be one of the biggest furniture investments you’ll make. But it is possible to find one that combines great design with durability at a reasonable price.

If your budget is firmly set at $3,000 or less, standbys like IKEA, Urban Barn and La-Z-Boy offer several options, from two-seaters to sectionals, for well under that. Even though the price tag is low, the product quality can still be high, says La-Z-Boy Furniture’s in-house designer Sandra Hodgins. “Furniture at the same price point can look the same on the outside, but it’s what’s going on inside that makes the difference for the longevity of your piece” she says. “Look for things like sinuous springs, high-density foam and topgrain leather.”

For those with a budget of less than $2,000, Hodgins recommends La-Z-Boy’s Urban Attitudes collection of modern and contemporary sofas in interesting fabrics and bold colours designed especially for urban condo spaces.

If you can’t find what you want on the showroom floor, but don’t want to compromise on your budget, EQ3 offers customized sofas in a wide variety of upholstery choices. “You can get a custom-made sofa [upholstered] in fabric in the $1,500 to $2,500 range,” says EQ3 in-home consultant and interior designer Tiffany MacKay. “You could even add a rug and some pillows and a lamp and you’re closer to finishing a room within your $3,000 budget.”

Most of EQ3’s sofa frames are constructed out of solid aspen and birch wood and all are made in Canada at its Winnipeg warehouse. According to MacKay, a sofa that’s made in Canada won’t be as affected by our country’s harsh climate. “When you have a sofa that’s made in a humid climate and then comes to Alberta, it may take a while, but it does tend to warp,” MacKay says. “Sometimes, when people buy a sofa produced overseas, they think the foam on their sofa is collapsing, but really the frame has warped.”

CAMELBACK

Named for it’s “humped” or curved back, the classic camelback-style sofa has been popular since the 18th century.

CHESTERFIELD

The chesterfield’s back and arms (and sometimes seat) are quilted, and it is most often upholstered in leather. The style is right at home in a sophisticated den or library.

LAWSON

This comfortable American-style sofa is similar to the English rolled-arm sofa; but, unlike the rolled-arm’s tight back upholstery, the Lawson’s back cushions are loose.

MID-CENTURY MODERN

This rectangular-shaped sofa has clean, minimalist lines and sturdy wood legs, and is ideal for fans of Mad Men’s 1960s-inspired style.

SECTIONAL

The modern sectional is incredibly comfortable and comes in a variety of configurations, making it perfect for changing needs.

EQ3 Eve sofa in Coachella Cognac leather.

Illustrations by Chantal Bennett

$3,000 TO $6,000

The “bones” of your sofa — the specifics of how it’s made — tend to get more handcrafted the more you’re willing to spend. Buyers with a mid-range budget of $3,000 to $6,000 (or more) can look for a bench-made sofa by a single master upholsterer, meaning every stage of construction has been handcrafted and the springs have been eight-way hand-tied.

This means that the spring coils in the deck or seat of the sofa have been literally hand-tied eight ways from each spring, which guarantees a balanced seating experience and prevents squeaks from shifting coils. “With an eight-way hand-tied product, the density can be sprung up differently, depending on whether you want a firmer seat,” says Emily Sissons, director of sales and design at Domaine Furnishings & Design.

Sissons says the type of seat you want in a sofa is extremely important — that includes the cushions that sit on top of the bench. “In that $3,000 to $6,000 range, you have lots and lots of cushion-fill options,” she says. “Cushion construction is typically a dense foam core, and then they wrap that foam core in down and feather like a sandwich. So, if a client has back problems, we can find them a firm and supportive cushion, or help the client that wants something super-slouchy and mushy and delicious.”

Upholstery fabric faces a lot of wear and tear, so upholstery in high-performing durable material is key. Buyers who want a couch that can

withstand kids, pets and high traffic should look for fabrics that have been rub-tested with either the Martindale or Wyzenbeek abrasion tests.

The Wyzenbeek test, which is more common in North America, is a mechanized test in which a piece of heavy cotton is rubbed in a back-andforth motion across upholstery test fabric. Each swipe back and forth is considered one “double rub,” and the test is performed in increments of 5,000 until the fabric shows signs of wear. The Martindale rub test is similar, and more commonly used in Europe, but instead of back and forth, upholstery test fabric is rubbed in a figure-eight type motion and is measured in “cycles” or “rubs” of 1,000. “Upholstery-grade fabrics have a rating of 15,000 double-rub counts or higher,” says Rhonda Fairhurst, owner and interior designer at Country Living Furnishings & Design.

Lynne Paulsen, interior decorator at Country Living, says if clients are expecting to use a particular piece a lot, they may want to go into the 30,000, 50,000 or even 100,000 range, all of which are offered by Country Living.

When it comes to upholstery fabric, natural isn’t necessarily better, says Paulsen. “Natural material like cottons and linens and silks shrink, fade and stretch,” she says. “Man-made material lasts longer and the fabrics we use now have a large polyester content. You can still have the natural fibres, like linen, but you blend in polyester content for longevity and wearability.”

LEATHER

Leather is one of the most durable and versatile natural upholstery materials and is easy to clean and care for. Top-quality hides are suitable for high-traffic areas and get more attractive with wear.

LINEN

Made from the flax plant, linen is naturally anti-microbial and mildew resistant. It has a relaxed, wrinkly texture that doesn’t shed or pill, making it a great choice for slipcovers.

SILK

Silk is a beautiful and sumptuous material often used in top-quality velvets. Because of its delicate and non-stain resistant nature, silk is not ideal for a high traffic sofa, and requires professional cleaning.

SYNTHETIC

Synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon, acrylic and rayon are tough, long-lasting and easy to clean. Often less expensive than natural materials, synthetics are perfect for heavy-wear sofas.

WOOL

Wool is made from animal hair, such as sheep or rabbit, and is a natural and sturdy upholstery choice that is often blended with synthetic fibres for durability and stain resistance.

Dakota condo sofa from Country Living Furnishings & Design.

BUDGET

$6,000 OR MORE

When price is no object, the hardest part of finding the perfect sofa may be narrowing down your options. Montauk Sofa’s sectionals start from $9,000, and can be custom-ordered in tens of thousands of fabric options. (Montauk also has maple kiln-fired hardwood-frame sofas that start from $4,500). Despite the wealth of choice when it comes to upholstery options, Montauk manager Chris McGuire says the most popular colour for the made-in-Canada furniture is grey. “Nine out of 10 sofas are grey. That colour isn’t going anywhere,” he says.

Although many of Montauk’s sofas may be grey, its production process is completely green. “The whole piece can actually break down. The feathers, the foam used inside, the stain on the feet — it’s all biodegradable,” McGuire says. Montauk’s green-building practices are especially good for people with allergies, because it can custom-make sofas that will not off-gas. Off-gassing is the process in which potentially irritating or harmful chemicals that have been trapped in new materials during the manufacturing process are released into the air. “We offer 100-per cent latex foam, which is completely natural. Natural latex foam is right from the

PRO TIPS

Bruce MacMillan, owner of Limitless Calgary, which specializes in European-made modern and contemporary furniture, shares his quick but essential tips for sofa shopping:

• Be Clear Is your sofa intended to be a conversation piece or everyday lounger? Know before you go.

• Have a Seat Touch, feel and take some time to sit on the sofa. Firm is your friend.

• Measure Up Know the dimensions of the room and allow for three feet of space around your sofa.

• Invest Wisely Quality matters. It’s better to buy once and have a beautiful piece for 20 years. 1015 9 Ave. S.E., 403-800-0780, limitless-calgary.com

rubber tree and it comes out like sap, so it’s pure,” McGuire says. “We’ve had people buy from us who have allergies and can’t have any off-gassing and we can accommodate that.”

Resource Furniture’s sofas are also green, but in a different way: each multifunctional piece has at least two uses. Resource’s Italian-made, queen-size wall or Murphy beds include a sleek, comfortable modern sofa, as well as any combination of desk, storage shelves, table or queen-sized bed housed in one unit. The wall-bed units are popular with downtown condo dwellers looking to maximize space while maintaining a modern design. Resource also carries sofa beds in a variety of sizes.

Convertable furniture requires a different construction process than a standard sofa, says Resource co-owner Mark Adolf. “Because it has dual functions, the engineering has to be in place so when you move it, it’s effortless. The technology that goes into the springs and hinges and gas pistons is where our furniture shines,” he says.

Priced from $9,500, a well-constructed sofa/ wall-bed combo should be easy to operate and stay that way for decades. “You’re opening and closing the bed on a very regular basis, so it has to be able to withstand the constant movement of the parts,” says Adolf. “Because of that, the wall beds [at Resource] have a lifetime warranty on all parts and mechanisms.”

Murphy bed from Resource Furniture.

THE SOURCE

DECOR PAGES 98 TO 104

Sofa from Peridot 638 11 Ave. S.W., 403-2376890, peridot.ca

Nesting tables from Crate and Barrel Southcentre, 278-7020, crateandbarrel.ca

Chandeliers in dining room and living room, sconces in living room, bust on dining table, architectural prints in dining room and vintage accessories in kitchen from Rob Kurkut Interiors rk-interiors.com

Area rug in living room from HomeSense various Calgary locations, homesense.ca

Vintage accessories throughout and vintage mirrors and lamps in bedroom from Iron Crow 4305 9 St. S.E., 403-287-8770, ironcrow.ca

Vintage accessories throughout and antique mirrors in kitchen from Sentimental Journey Antiques 1901 20 Ave., Nanton, Alta., 403-646-2439, sentimentaljourneyantiques.ca

Art in living room by Kellie Hampton artbykelliehampton.com

Kitchen counter, sink and faucets from IKEA 8000 11 St. S.E., 1-866-866-4532, ikea.com

Bed from Restoration Hardware Southcentre, 403-271-2122, restorationhardware.com

Chandelier in bedroom was a gift from friend Paul Hardy

Art in master bedroom from Anewall anewall.com

Chairs around dining table were purchased on Kijiji and reupholstered with fabric from Chintz & Company 1238 11 Ave. S.W., 403-245-3449, chintz.com

Drapery fabric from Bhatia Cloth House 5075 Falconridge Blvd. N.E.

Kitchen floor renovation by Rymak Construction 587-899-0927, rymakconstruction.com

THE GREAT SOFA SEARCH PAGES 107 TO 112

Country Living Furnishings & Design 3701 17 Ave. S.W., 403-240-0111, and 16061 Macleod Tr. S., 403-873-8000, countrylivingfurnishings.com

Domaine Furnishings & Design 7130 Fisher Rd. S.E., 403-301-2339, domainefurnishings.com

EQ3 8180 11 St. S.E., 403-212-8080, eq3.com

IKEA 8000 11 St. S.E., 1-866-866-4532, ikea.com

La-Z-Boy 7300 11 St. S.E., 403-259-1000, and two other Calgary locations, la-z-boy.com

Limitless 1015 9 Ave. S.E., 403-800-0780, limitless-calgary.com

Montauk 617 10 Ave. S.W., 403-265-6777, montauksofa.com

Resource Furniture 510 12 Ave. S.W., 403-457-5711, resourcefurniture.com

Urban Barn 650 Stewart Green S.W., 403-237-7177, urbanbarn.com

WORK OF ART

CURATED BY Katherine Ylitalo

Monument to Fallen Stars

Visit unusual locations and rethink winter nightlife during Calgary’s newest visual arts festival. Search out the unused, fenced-off parking lot on the corner of 4th Avenue and 5th Street S.W. to enter the temporary nocturnal art installation, Monument to Fallen Stars, by Caitlind r.c. Brown and Wayne Garrett.

The ground appears to be a graveyard of over 70 decommissioned city streetlights. The bulky, traditional Cobra Head light fixtures (retrofitted with LED lighting) are scattered, belly up. The fragile glass Fresnel lenses that recently diffused the yellowish glow of high-pressure sodium lamps onto city streets now face skyward.

A few lamps power-up slowly with clicks, flickers and buzz. Some burn golden; some pink or white. Five to 12 dazzle at a time, then cool down as others cycle up. If you pay attention, you might decode each network as a constellation. The air might be filled with ice crystals, intensifying the edges of light beams. You might have a turn at the telescope aimed at a distant mirror. If not, the experience of the sensory re-cast context for the defunct fixtures is enough to prompt thoughts about skyglow and the upside down nature of hubris.

Calgary artists Brown and Garrett present this new artwork as part of GLOW Downtown Winter Light Festival after participating in more than 15 light festivals abroad, including Prague, Singapore and Portugal. They began collaborating in 2011 after working with the irreverent collective, Arbour Lake Sghool. With appreciation for the artwork of colleague Lane Shordee, and internationally renowned artists Olafur Eliasson and Anthony McCall, they share an interest in light, the metaphor of materials (especially what’s possible through re-appropriation), and what they call “strange beauty.”

ARTISTS:

MEDIUM:

SIZE: The footprint of the work is 110 feet in diameter within the larger lot, reaching to the height of a mirror four storeys up on an adjacent building.

LOCATION: Intersection at 4th Avenue and 5th Street S.W., southwest corner.

NOTE: One of 11 works in the inaugural GLOW Downtown Winter Light Festival, hosted by Downtown Calgary, Feb. 17 to 20, 2017, 6:30 to 11 p.m. nightly. For more information visit calgarydowntown.com

TITLE: Monument to Fallen Stars, 2017

Caitlind r.c. Brown and Wayne Garrett

Cobra Head street lamps, platform, telescope, mirror.

Photographs and rendering images by Caitlind r.c. Brown and Wayne Garrett

IN SILVERADO

GET TO KNOW OUR RESIDENTIAL SIDE

For over a century, PCL has built an unequalled reputation constructing large-scale commercial projects. What is lesser known is the fact that we also build residential and mixed use developments - each with the same passion, expertise, and competitiveness that are the hallmarks of PCL.

For more information about PCL Residential, contact: Carlos Gollega | Manager, Residential and High Rise Division 403-250-4851 | cagollega@pcl.com