Smart Homes Magazine Issue 1 No. 1 2015

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ISSUE 1 NO. 1 2015 gpsmartguide.com

Celebrity Renovator

Damon BENNETT Moving on up

A GUIDE TO MAKING YOUR HOUSE A HOME Get Organized | LET’S DECORATE Buying, Selling or Building | RENOS Home Maintenance | OUTDOOR SPACES

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| Issue 1, No. 1

INSIDE

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26 33 | On the Cover

Get Organized 6

Celebrity Renovator

Damon BENNETT Moving on up

Let’s Decorate 9 10 14 16 18 20 22 24 26

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Life Organized $600 Weekend Makeover Renovate, Redecorate or Relocate: Chiks Makeover How to Choose the Right Window Coverings Stained Glass in Interior Design How to Hang a Picture Frame Lighting 101 Q&A with Marty Johnson: Mural Artist Colour & Beauty: How to Choose Art for Your Home Wynterlea: History Refreshed

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Buying, Selling or Building 29 30 32 37 38 40 44 46 50

New Homes Offer Latest Features 5 Things to Know: Before You Have Your House Inspected First-time Buyers Crave Freedom From Renting Q&A with Chris Newbury: Canadian Home Builders’ Association Grande Prairie Region Building and Development Permits Made Easy Staging: Superstition or Reality Think Inside the Box: Modern Architecture Opting Out: Much to be Gained from Living Off-grid Rammed Earth: An Introduction

Renos 51 52 54 55 56

How to Avoid Renovation Rip Offs Innovative Bathroom Design Commercial Bathrooms: Wow Them and Keep it Clean Concrete Repairs: An Introduction 5 Things to Consider Before a Renovation

Home Maintenance 58

Editor: Erika Sherk Editing Assistants: Emilia Hovorka, Amy Rawluk Graphic Design: Irons Design Layout: Irons Design, Emilia Hovorka Printing: McAra Printing Contributing Writers: Erika Sherk, Cathi Hobbins, Judy Hein, Andre Boulet, Elaine Zaichkowsky, Nicole Lester, Geri Shaw, Gary Woodland, Canadian Home Builders Association, Lena Buechner, David Olinger, Someh Niengor, Derrick Casey, Shane Lux, Brandy Brost, Meredith Vezina, Susan Bradshaw and Chester Groner Photo contributions: Christina McMullan (Beaver Roo Photography), Chris Constantine, T.Sedore Photography, Lux Lighting (Feiss), Hunter Douglas, Beaver Roo Photography, Baldomero Fernandez, Chana Mayer, Jody Klassen, Gord Raymond, Indoor Elements, Contours Continuous Curbing Ltd., Innovative Earth Inc., Elaine Zaichkowsky, Dara Enns Photography, Crystal Murray (dgd Homes), Aztec Landscaping Ltd., and Highmark Homes Grande Prairie Smart Homes Magazine & Smart Marketing & Communications makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions.

The statements, opinions and points of view expressed in articles published in this magazine are those of the authors, and publication shall not be deemed to mean that they are necessarily those of the Smart Marketing & Communications, the publisher, editor, or the Grande Prairie Smart Homes Magazine.

Advertising in Grande Prairie Smart Homes Magazine does not indicate an endorsement by Smart Marketing & Communications.

Smart Marketing & Communications is a proud member of the Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce, the Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association & Alberta Magazine Publishers Association

Get to Know Your Furnace

Outdoor Spaces 61 62

Issue 1, No 1 Publisher: Smart Marketing & Communications

The Appeal of Great Curbs Five Simple Steps to a Great Fire Pit

Printed in Canada. Copyright 2015 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.

2015, ISSUE 1, NO.1 Smart Homes Magazine is published once per year. We print 20,000 full colour/glossy copies.

Distribution is throughout Grande Prairie, Alberta and region via Canada Post, Basic Stops Distributor, local retailers and by subscriptions.

Inquiries/Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Smart Marketing & Communications P.O. Box 25272, RPO Wapiti Centre Grande Prairie, AB T8W 0G2 P 780-402-1157 F 780-532-9452 info@gpsmartguide.com www.gpsmartguide.com Advertising/Sales Inquiries to: Emilia Hovorka 780-402-1157 / info@gpsmartguide.com

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Allie-Rae MacMillan 780-978-3081 / sales@gpsmartguide.com Cover Photo: © Chana Mayer / Damon Bennett

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| Editor’s Note

Welcome to the inaugural issue of Smart Homes magazine! From building renovations to design inspirations, this annual publication aims to put both practical advice and entertaining anecdotes into your hands. We want to teach you useful do-it-yourself skills but also to break open the way you think about homes, and flood you with new ideas.

Photo: © Beaver Roo Photography

Grande Prairie may be a resource-based town but it’s also filled with innovation, environmentalism and ingenuity. Exploring the city’s houses and homes from the inside out - from concrete to architecture to interior design - reveals a community that believes in aesthetically-pleasing, thoughtful homes built well.

We cover the basics, from curbs to furnaces, but also bring you into the homes of local people who live completely off-grid - and love every moment. We talk to CarolLee Eckhardt, who turned an old downtown house into a showpiece of design and renovation. Brandy Brost gives us the steps needed to create an outdoor fire pit space that will have your friends casually ‘dropping by’ constantly to enjoy it.

We’re all aware that the decoration and design of a home can bring pleasure to daily life and yet it’s all too easy to let the status quo remain for years. Check out a room revamp by CHiKS Design Group for genius ideas. Nicole Lester shows us that even a few small touches can take a bathroom from boring to brilliant. Have you considered using stained glass in your home? Local artist Elaine Zaichkowsky has ideas that will likely surprise you.

Wherever your interests lie, whether it’s permitting or flashy design and high-tech lights, Smart Homes has something for you. Let’s get this conversation started and keep it going. If you have a story to share or some expert advice, get in touch. There’s a lot happening in Grande Prairie and it’s our aim to bring the most intriguing, thought-provoking stories to you.

– Erika Sherk, Editor

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"Since we began in business we have been very fortunate to have been involved in many unique projects for which we have won awards. We have found success by providing a personalized service to our clients that is not possible by taking on to much at a time. Our philosophy is built on the idea that we are building a relationship with the people we build for while also building them a house."

U RBA N ES CA P E S .CA

FOR INFORMATION ON CUSTOM BUILDING CALL:

Tyler Lorencz, 780-876-5540

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Photo: Š Chris Constantine

| Get Organized

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LIFE ORGANIZED

BY ERIKA SHERK

Clutter can make us miserable: Time to take a stand It’s hiding on counters, lurking under our beds, hanging off railings. It’s stuff and we are drowning in it. Such an innocuous five-letter word but as North Americans, our desire to acquire material goods often leads to cluttered homes and cluttered lives.

“I call it ‘stuffitis’”, says Jason Tourangeau, “this desire to always have more stuff.” Tourangeau is a Grande Prairie life coach who offers his clients, among various services, help decluttering and organizing their lives.

“Some of us have been plagued with this mindset,” he says, of the endless desire for more, “and even find our value and self-worth by the things we have.”

“I think Western society is prone to collecting clutter and accumulating more than we need, thinking that more means successful,” says Kellie Timmins, who owns Plank Health, a health coaching business. “We are always trying to keep up with the neighbours and the Jones and before you know it, it’s out of control.”

A disposable society, propped up by savvy marketing campaigns, keep us shopping, she says. “There are always new things coming out and they’re not meant to last - think of phones and computers. We tend not to fix things anymore. We toss it and get something new.”

There are various reasons why we love to buy, but the end result is often the same: too much junk and nowhere to put it.

Clutter can lead to all sorts of negative effects, says Tourangeau, reeling them off. “Feelings of hopelessness and being stressed out, times of avoidance, procrastination, depression, feeling like you’re out of control or a sense of drowning.”

It’s no fun, in other words “it definitely increases stress,” says Jennifer Van Teeling, who works as a professional organizer at California Closets, which operates in Grande Prairie from its Edmonton base. Clutter can ruin a day at its start, if you’re trying to find things

and tripping over piles of laundry, she says.

“If you can keep things simple, keep them minimal, not in a chaotic environment where you can’t find things, you’re refreshed and ready to start and focus on the things that matter,” she says.

Many of us find it hard to keep clutter down. How, then, to launch a full-scale clutter mitigation?

Tourangeau put together a quick list: 1. Stop buying more things!

2. Create a new system. Example: ‘Before I start something new, I will put away and organize my previous projects.’

3. Do something 30 times over and you will start to create a new habit. Start practising keeping things neat and tidy until it’s engrained.

4. Buy a bigger house! Actually this was an attempt at a bad joke and will not help you, however this has been the method for some over the years.

“Sometimes it’s baby steps,” says Van Teeling, “so not completely getting rid of an item but finding a more appropriate place for it. We generally only wear 10% of our clothing 90% of the time,” she says. “It’s a matter of figuring out what are those 10% that we use on a daily basis, and getting rid of the rest.”

Seventy percent of Canadians are bothered by their clutter, according to an Ipsos Reid poll done in 2010 for Kijiji.

“Sometimes what happens in our home, whether it’s clean and organized or dirty and messy, can be a reflection on what’s really going on inside of our heads and hearts,” says Tourangeau.

It can be a vicious cycle - clutter upsets us, but sometimes we’re cluttered because we’re upset.

Timmins agrees. “You can tell when people’s minds and bodies are in a funk - look around their house and it will look that way. And vice versa - you get your house and surroundings more basic and simple and it’s going to flow over into your life.”

A true overhaul of one’s cluttered ways involves a perfect storm of motivation - the desire to own less and the willingness to purge, maintain the new normal, and not accumulate more.

“We have had the hoarder clients where you walk in and there are piles of things, waist-deep, with trails to get through them,” says Van Teeling. “We try to do as much as we can but if they’re not going to try and get rid of things, they’ll eventually still struggle.”

There’s no doubt it takes commitment. Timmins once did a major house organization for a client. “When it was done, the house went right back (to where it started). Too many people want someone else to fix things for them but people need to start doing their own work,” says Timmins.

The biggest benefit from living a simpler life can be found in knowing that you’re in control of your life and your surroundings, instead of them controlling you,” says Tourangeau.

“When you have less stuff and know where everything is supposed to be, then there is less to worry about or even think about.”

A closet-cleaning recommendation is the hanger system, according to Van Teeling. Turn all your clothes hangers backwards on the rod. Then, every time you use an item you turn it forwards.

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Photo: © Baldomero Fernande

Home Office After

Van Teeling’s approach: Go through every item in a room or closet and divide into three sections: 1. Keep Items: The clothing you wear on an everyday basis.

2. Discard/Donate Items: You don’t wear them, don’t use them, and never will 3. Keepsake Items: Take keepsake pieces like a wedding dress or a hockey jersey and put them in a space you don’t use every day so they’re not taking up prime real estate.

“Really quickly you should be able to see the clothing you’re wearing every day,” she says, “Then take the items still turned backwards and get rid of them or donate them or put them in another space.”

Another suggestion from Van Teeling: invite a friend. “If you have a friend come over and help you go through your items, they can give you an honest opinion on whether an item of clothing looks good on you or if you really need all those bills sitting around your office.”

Once an initial purge and reorganization has taken place, how to keep it that way? A priority is to slow down the buying, says Timmins. A shift to more meaningful buying can calm down the manic acquisition.

“We need to be thinking about where we’re spending money rather than just frivolously buying something because it’s new, it’s shiny, or it’s cheap.”

Really reevaluate your buying habits and aim for conscious purchasing, she recommends. Instead of buying 20 tanktops that cost $5 each, buy one good8

Home Office Before

quality, made-in-Canada top.

“To keep clutter down I recommend once a season going through things,” says Van Teeling. “Reanalyze what you want in your closet, what do you want to remove from it.”

Timmins recommends weekly 10minute tidies and doing a monthly sweep through every room to pluck out unwanted items. Van Teeling also suggests doing a thorough scan at the start of every season.

“It’s not as overwhelming if you do it once a season and it will help you stay on track,” she says.

Van Teeling recommends having a place for everything. “Have a spot for bills, have a hook for the purse or backpack you use every day, have a specific place for shoes.”

Keeping it reasonable is key. “There’s

excess and there is minimalism and I think we need to strive for a little bit more balance within our homes and our stuff,” says Timmins. “We don’t need so much.”

The benefits are “definitely less stress, more time to do the things you really want,” says Van Teeling.

“Actually appreciating what you do have,” says Timmins. “Saving money and saving time so you can focus on family and friends.”

“What are the benefits of decluttering?” asks Tourangeau. “I have a better question to ask: What are the benefits to living a life of disorder and full of clutter? I don’t know if anyone can answer this question positively because I don’t think there is any good reason.”

| Let’s Decorate

$600 Before

DIY WEEKEND ROOM MAKEOVER

After

Renovate Redecorate or Relocate

Photo: © T.Sedore Photography

When we first met with our client, ‘Ang’, we listened to what frustrated her about her current home, and made a master wish list for what needed to be changed for her family. They had lived in their Crystal Lake two-story home for 11 years since starting a family. Sometimes this list is what makes you realize that changing your existing home into your “dream home”, is either attainable, or is going to be such an extensive (and expensive) renovation process, that maybe searching out a new home more suited to your wants and needs is the answer.

That was the case for Ang.

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BY CATHI HOBBINS / CHIKS DESIGN GROUP

Before

Fast forward to the following year when we got the call announcing they had found the home they wanted to purchase, and they just needed a little help making it their own! That takes us to one of our very favourite projects of 2014. They chose a wonderful 5,600 sq. ft., two-story home in Carriage Lane, purchased from the builder who had been slowly finishing off the final details. Most of the design decisions had been made by the builder, and our focus was just on lighting, paint and furniture.

With a grand, two level foyer and sweeping staircase up to the second level, ceilings that ranged from 10 ft. to more than 20 ft. throughout, and very large rooms, finding the proper scale of light fixtures that weren’t too heavy for the existing structure, was challenging to say the least! We managed with a mixture of lighting in coordinating styles from Restoration Hardware, and locally from LUX Kitchen Bath Lighting.

The next task was choosing the paint colours. Ang really wanted to bring in grey tones, however, the builder had trimmed the house in a dark stained oak, and all of the cabinets, doors and floors were – you guessed it – also oak. Now we aren’t talking honey stained oak of the 1990s, but still – in a house of this size – that’s a lot of oak to decorate around! With that much wood in the house, paired with existing paint colours of gold and red, we had the challenge of switching a very warm palette

over to the ultimate in cool palettes – grey. Creating a grey palette is second nature for us given its popularity over the past seven to eight years, but finding a warmer grey that works with oak is a little more difficult. We painted some large sample boards of colour possibilities and looked at them in every room, at different angles, during all times of the day, under natural light and artificial light, to see how the colours changed, and what worked best everywhere in the house. We chose Benjamin Moore’s Thunder – a smoky grey with a warm beige undertone for the main paint colour throughout the house, and it was transformed.

This family entertains often, and with the kitchen, dining area and living room encompassed within one large open area, we had to ensure colours were cohesive throughout, and that comfortable seating was abundant. The homeowner had found upholstered dining chairs and we added a leather settee at the dining table for lounging after meals, and to provide extra seating during get togethers.

Furnishing a large-scale living room doesn’t always mean purchasing oversized furniture. Many people think furniture’s ‘place’ is against the walls to make a room appear larger.

However when your living room is already very large – grouping the furniture towards the centre of the room to create a cozy living space and conversation area might be the answer.

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“We wanted to create more of a ‘loungey’ feel versus a formal sitting room, so we decided on an oversized tufted ottoman rather than a coffee table.”

Photo: © T.Sedore Photography

After laying out various options in our design software, we chose two curved sectionals to float in the room facing each other, with one end opening to the stone fireplace and television, and the other opening to the dining area, with two modern wing chairs in a wonderfully patterned, coordinating fabric in cream and charcoal. We chose a durable textured fabric in cream for the sofas.

These Palliser pieces were all custom ordered locally from Bama Furniture. In order to create a larger curved sofa, we paired right and left one-armed loveseats together to form one long piece, offering seating for at least four to five on each sofa.

We wanted to create more of a ‘loungey’ feel versus a formal sitting room, so we decided on an oversized tufted ottoman rather than a coffee table. This provides additional seating and a more relaxed atmosphere. Even with hundreds of furniture manufacturers at our fingertips, we were unable to find an oval ottoman frame on this large of scale. So we designed it ourselves. With our drawings, one of Bama’s manufacturers in Alberta created it for us, completely custom-made to our requirements. The result was fabulous and the crystal chandelier hanging above it makes it a focal point in the room - not to mention, at 6 ft. long, large enough to seat many guests at a party! Ang wanted to bring blue into the colour scheme so 12

besides the toss cushions, throws, some of the custom window coverings, artwork and a few accessories, a beautiful soft blue was chosen for the ottoman.

The final item to finish the living room setting was a very large area rug. This is an important element especially when you are floating the furniture in the centre of a room. It helps anchor all of the furniture pieces, and creates warmth. Most readily available area rugs are 5’x7’ and 8’x10’ or they can be special ordered larger. In this case, the area rug needed to be 15’ x 20’.

We had our friends at Nufloors in Grande Prairie create a custom area rug, bringing in a blend of all the main colours in the room – brown, grey and cream. This was achieved by seaming together cuts of broadloom (normally broadloom comes on a 12’ roll) and then having all of the edges bound.

As you can see in the after photos, the area was completely transformed by changing the paint palette, adding built-ins on either side of the fireplace, hanging some feature lighting, and properly placing the appropriate sized furniture for the scale of the room.

Renovate, redecorate or relocate… sometimes it becomes a combination of all three, but there is always a way to create your dream home, and love where you live.

780.538.4673 wizard@persona.ca

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BY JUDY HEIN / JH INTERIORS

How to Choose the Right Window Coverings Choices in window coverings have proliferated in recent years. There are shades, blinds, privacy sheers, shutters, woven woods and more. The selection can be bewildering, so I have sorted out and defined some of the options to make the process easier for you.

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Let’s start with some basics. ‘Blinds’ generally refer to a window covering constructed from slats or vanes, which can be adjusted by a manual pull cord, wand or remote control.

Blinds are wonderfully adjustable: the slats can be tightly closed for privacy and light blockage, or tilted open to allow just the right amount of light. They can be pulled up and stacked at the top of the window to allow an unobstructed view.

Slat-type blinds can be constructed from a variety of materials, like aluminum, PVC, wood and wood polymers, and also have a variety of slat sizes, ranging from ½ inch to 2 ½ inches. The wider the slat, the more view through you will have. Faux wood blinds are less expensive than the real thing and are not susceptible to moisture issues, which makes them a great choice for kitchens and bathrooms.

If you are going to use a painted wood blind, you might as well go faux - nobody will be able to tell the difference.

Roller shades have become much more popular lately, especially the screen type.

With stronger and more innovative

operating mechanisms than the old spring types, roller shades are making a comeback, with multitudes of colours, designs and opacities. To be properly room-darkening, a roller shade must be mounted on the wall above the window, with the fabric rolling down the trim. You can order your roller shade with a matching valance for a finished look. For more light control and privacy options, consider a dual shade, with one roll being semi-sheer, and the other opaque.

Cellular or honeycomb shades are beautiful, versatile, energy efficient and available in a multitude of colours and options. They can be very roomdarkening, or semi-sheer, or you can get both shades in one unit, a popular choice for bedrooms. Top down/bottom up, also known as café style, is also an option that offers extra light and privacy, particularly useful in a street-facing window. Look for a shade with a cell-within-a-cell or double cells for added energy efficiency.

A cordless or controlled cord length option is also a good idea to protect the safety of children and pets.

Woven wood shades come in many styles and materials, including grasses, reeds, jute, and bamboo. They bring a distinctly organic texture to a room, and their nubby, slubby feel makes them relaxed and comfortable looking. They can be found in flat Roman shade style or with more fullness as shown below. Some can be ordered as a café-style too and also as a vertical drapery for patio doors.

Woven woods are not opaque and will need a liner if that is your goal.

Shutters are an increasingly popular option, available in many sizes and configurations. They are energy-efficient, sound absorbing and offer excellent light control. They are very easy to maintain and have no cords to present safety

issues, which makes them an excellent choice for children’s rooms.

The final category of shades is the privacy sheers. These are a combination of sheer and solid fabric, offering good light control, UV protection and the softness of drapery. Beautiful and elegant, these are wonderful for large windows and more formal spaces.

Your biggest priority in choosing window coverings should be deciding whether you need privacy or light – or both! Budget is of course a major consideration with slat blinds generally being more budget friendly and the privacy sheer category more costly.

Safety features and ease of maintenance should be considered as well.

One of the most commonly asked questions when choosing blinds is regarding colour. A good rule of thumb is to harmonize the colour of the blind to the least changeable feature of the room, like tile or flooring. A no-fail approach is to choose a neutral colour close to the colour of the window trim. Your blinds should rarely be the determining factor in your room’s palette.

There are many brands and qualities of blinds. A good quality blind will last for many years and should be considered an investment in your home. Look for companies with lifetime warranties, so you can enjoy your investment with peace of mind.

JH Interiors JUDY HEIN Window Coverings Specialist Complimentary Consultations

Grande Prairie, AB 780-882-8698 judhein@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook fb.me/JHInteriorsGP 15

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Photos: Š Elaine Zaichkowsky

BY ELAINE ZAICHKOWSKY / MADE OVER SPACES

Stained glass is an age-old and everinteresting art form. The beauty goes beyond the first look: the way the coloured glass captures the light can be quite intriguing as it refracts and the colours bounce off, changing with the light and moods of the day.

Traditionally stained glass was made as awe-inspiring applications for windows, but there are numerous ways in which stained glass can be used in a home interior. A person may use stained glass in any style; traditional, whimsical, arts and crafts, in linear patterning or abstract shapes. They may be done with contemporary twists in designs reimagined for a new era, adding a mix of modern with ancient that provides beautiful filtered light and privacy.

Not just for church windows Stained glass can support the colour palette and add to the theme or design style of any home with either a traditional or modern flair and is actually more versatile in décor than one would think. There are endless ways that applications of stained glass can be used in a home. For instance, in a transom window or in elegant arched doors, any glass or French doors or customized glass doors in cabinetry. It is great in bathrooms to let in light but maintain privacy. By putting a stained glass window on an inside wall it brings in light and creates beauty at the same time to the partitioned area. Stained glass panels in dividers between open area rooms can act like pieces of art.

In areas where you do not want to obstruct your windows, back-lit panels on an interior wall is another way to integrate stained glass.

It can also be incorporated into hanging ceiling lighting, flat panelled lighting or in table and floor lamps in Tiffany-style or more modern geometric or abstract designs. The subject matter for a stained glass design is limited only by imagination.

Photo: © Elaine Zaichkowsky

Stained Glass in Interior Design

Exploring glass mosaics My favorite application of stained glass though, is in mosaics. Mosaics are more freeform and versatile when creating art and it is a great way to use leftover pieces of glass.

Mosaics can be used in any pictures, on all sorts of objects or applied to walls in murals.

Backsplash areas are a great place for a unique application of stained glass mosaics that are as easy to clean as tiles. It can also be used in decorative trim edges on mirrors or elaborate pictures for wall art.

A mosaic may be designed to reflect light instead as it is usually prepared on a backer board that does not let light through and it can be as amazing in the change of daylight as stained glass in a window especially when using iridized or mirrored styles of glass in the picture. Mosaic glass art is made by gluing the cut glass pieces on to a backer board and then grouted the same as tile. When using small pieces of glass you can do all sorts of shading and lines in mosaic art, making the picture highly intricate and photo-realistic.

This is a freedom that cannot be accomplished to the same degree in a stained glass window art style.

Versatile glass There are many types of stained glass, too numerous to reference. Glass sheets are sold by the square foot and they can range greatly in price because of the way they are manufactured and what is used to create the

colour or surface effect. Glass comes in a wide array of colours and colour combinations and can be clear cathedral glass or opalescent in basic colours or streaky shadings of blended colours. Stained glass can also be made in many different textures which adds another dimension to any piece of art. Stained glass art is held together with either leading, or with copper foil and solder, and can be cleaned and polished just like any type of glass.

Glass fusing or warm glass, a popular artglass technique, is done with special glass that can be heated and formed into many shapes like vases, bowls or abstract objets d’art either large or small and beautifully designed with a vast display of colours and styles. These items can add flair, character and elegance to your interior spaces and are very eye-catching because of the brilliant hues of the glass or simple colours with stunning shapes.

Setting the tone with stained glass A stained glass feature does not have to be large but should be balanced to the scale of the space or size of the room. One may create a focal point or theme with stained glass that features patterns, abstract designs, still life, landscapes or with a stained glass object.

When a stained glass design is not done well it can feel dated or out of place. The patterns or pictures must flow in keeping with the theme and décor style of your room for a harmonious design.

If you are a lover of stained glass, a good glass artist should be able to create most anything that you can imagine. Not all artists work with all styles of glass, though. They usually specialize in what they are passionate about and suits their style of creating. If you have an idea it can probably be done, but as always, the size and complexity determines the price.

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Illustration Š Sergey

oto Toropov/Dollar Ph

Club

How to Hang a PICTURE FRAME

BY ANDRE BOULET / PICTURE PERFECT FRAME & GALLERY You’ve got a lovely new piece of art for the home. Congratulations! Now the tricky part - putting it properly on a wall. It’s important to have your art carefully and securely hung to ensure you can enjoy it for years.

First, decide where you want your picture. Have a friend or family

member hold it up against the wall. If it goes nicely with other decorations, furniture and lighting, you’ve got your spot. Mark it with a pencil, right where your hanging point would be.

Then, make sure that the picture is going to be hung on a sturdy wall and that the frame, whether wood or metal,

is strong enough to safely support the art to be displayed.

The type and strength of the hanging system you’ll need is determined by the size and weight of the picture. Art is precious so choose carefully to ensure your piece will be securely placed.

Now, gather your hardware. You can head to your local framing store to purchase the supplies. Here is a handy primer to the different hardware available to hang a frame.

Wire and Hanger: Use these for medium to large frames. The actual weight and size will determine which capacity of wire and hanger assembly will hang the frame safely. Usually only one nail is used with this system.

Top Corner Hangers (wall buddies): Working with a large, heavy frame? This is a good bet. Supported by a nail at the top corners, the sloped, serrated edges allow for horizontal adjust-ment. This is a nice, secure method - once in place the frame will not readily shift from its position.

Sawtooth Hanger: These are best for small, light frames. The hanger is attached at the rear top centre of the frame and hangs on one nail.

Photos: © Beaver Roo Photography

Security Hangers: These are great for any size frame that needs to not move. Fixed hanger brackets at the top corners and one or more bottom brackets that accommodate a locking screw ensure that the frame cannot be removed without special tools. Generally used in public places such as hotel rooms, hallways, bars and restaurants where loosely hung frames can be a safety issue, this is one of the most secure ways available to keep art on a wall.

To position the picture in its proper place on the wall, measure the distance from the wire or bracket(s) to the top of the frame and you will know where to insert the nail. Gather your tools - tape measure, pencil, hammer - and have fun hanging your picture!

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Photos © Lux Lighting

Lighting your home sounds easy enough, right? Unfortunately, what starts as a simple need to ‘pick out some lights’ can quickly spiral into a confusing and overwhelming affair. The basics, however, don’t need to be complex. There are just a few things you need to know.

Getting Down to the Business of the Basics There should be three types of lighting working together in your home: • Ambient • Task • Accent A lighting plan that brings your home to life includes all three types, in some shape or form.

Ambient lighting, otherwise known as general lighting, provides us with the illumination required to see and walk around safely and comfortably. Ambient lighting is typically centralized, emanating from a source in the middle of the room.

Depending on the size of the room, more light could be required than one fixture can provide, in which case, additional lighting sources are added.

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Be Kind to your Toes Ambient lighting can be accomplished with chandeliers, ceiling or wall-mounted fixtures, recessed or track lighting, and with lanterns mounted on the outside of your home. Having a central source of ambient light in all rooms is of paramount importance to a good lighting plan, and is fundamental to not introducing your baby toe to your furniture on a regular basis. It’s true, the baby toe power stub can be avoided!

A Foot Candle is Not as Weird as it Sounds To determine how much ambient light is needed, first you must determine the square footage of the room. For example, if a room is 10 ft wide by 10 ft long, its square footage is 100.

The number of foot candles needed per room is determined by its usage. A foot candle is how bright the light is, one foot from the source. It equals one lumen per square foot.

Room

Foot Candles

Living Room Kitchen General Kitchen Stove Kitchen Sink Dining Room Bed Room Hall Way Bathroom

Needed 10-20 30-40 70-80 70-80 30-40 10-20 5-10 70-80

Personal preference is a huge factor.

Some people want their space to be brighter than others. As well, these calculations use an average ceiling height of 7-10 ft. If your ceilings are exceptionally high, you will require more light.

Math. Boring but Worth It. I know math is boring and I promise it will be over soon. Keep reading, you’re so close!

When using LED options, the lumen output requirement can be decreased by up to 30%. LED lamps experience very little light loss and are directional by nature, causing fewer lost lumens. When comparing lighting fixtures on the basis of delivered light, LED fixtures often perform as well, and in some cases significantly

BY NICOLE LESTER

Lighting 101 better, than conventional fixtures, while consuming far less energy.

The next step is determining the lumens needed. A lumen is a unit of measurement for light. To determine the needed lumens, you need to multiply your room square footage by your room footcandle requirement. For example, a 10’ x 10’ living room is 100 sq ft and requires 1,000-2,000 lumens.

Bulbs typically have the lumen output marked clearly on the box, making it easier to figure out if a certain fixture will work for your space. For instance, if you have a two-light fixture, using A19 LED 800 Lumen bulbs in a 100 sq ft living room, you will have more than adequate lighting.

Clear as mud? Ok, No More Math.

The second type of lighting is task lighting. Aptly named, task lighting helps you perform specific tasks such as cooking, studying, grooming etc. Undercabinet, track, recessed, vanity and pendants are all excellent examples of task lighting. Under-cabinet lighting in your kitchen makes a world of difference when your back is facing the ambient

light source and you don’t want to cut your fingers off. Any woman can tell you that doing your make-up in a bathroom with only ambient lighting can have you come out looking like the love child of Tammy Faye Bakker and Marilyn Manson.

Nobody wants that.

Show Off Properly: Accent Lighting Last but not least is accent lighting.

Accent lighting is the dramatic flair that completes the landscape. Accent light can be used to highlight unique design

features within your home. An excellent example is tray ceilings or a stone wall.

When accent lighting is drawing your attention to a specific prized possession, for instance a painting or sculpture, it is important that the light shines three times as much light on the desired focal point as the ambient lighting around it. So, sue me, there was a little bit more math. Just stop complaining, get out the calculator and get ready for a beautifully-lit home.

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BY ERIKA SHERK

Interview with an Artist:

Marty Johnson, MJ Designs What is your background in art?

I grew up drawing but my post-secondary education is actually in body work through massage therapy. It wasn’t until the last few years that I felt I could keep my mind focused on art as a career. My art background has been a wide variety of influences but I am a self-taught artist.

Besides taking art class in grade school, this is all from experience - trial and error and the occasional YouTube video.

How did you get into creating art for houses?

A few years ago a friend asked me to paint a mural on her son's wall. I have done many different types of art such as drawing, sand sculpting and painting. I told her that I’d love to try … and if they didn’t like it they could paint over it. It is still in the house, thankfully.

What was your first project?

It was for my friend’s son - a six year old boy a fun scene in his bedroom from the racing game Mario Kart.

How did it go?

It was a surprise for the boy and he was very excited to see it when it was done. From what I’ve been told, he makes sure everyone who visits comes to his room to see it. I have learned a lot since then but it was that mural that helped pique the interest of Carston Siebert from High Mark Homes to ask me to paint one in the 2014 Dream Home.

What materials do you use?

For murals I use acrylic paints and airbrush paint mostly. I also use black light paint for the glowing ‘night murals’ that I do.

How long does it take?

Murals can take a wide variety of lengths of time depending on the project. The 2014 Dream Home took me two months to paint.

This year for the Dream Home it took me only nine days. It simply depends on the size of the mural and the detail.

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What are some of the biggest challenges?

The biggest challenge to date has been the double mural for the Dream Home in 2014. I painted a kids” playroom they called the ‘Secret Room.’ The daytime layer was a mural of dinosaurs in a forest. Then I painted a second mural overtop with the invisible paint. The second mural only shows when the normal lights are off and the black light is on, creating a scene you would have no idea is even there. That time it was an Avatar theme. It is incredibly hard to do. I have to paint in the dark and can only see the paint when it touches the wall and the light hits it. It is incredibly challenging to make two murals work together seamlessly.

Another challenge is designing something from another person’s description of what they are hoping for. Usually they want to see past work to figure out my style and see if they will like my work. It can be difficult because I design each project based on the customer's style. I take their idea and style and work to make it amazing based on what that person wants.

What is the best part?

The best part for me is seeing an idea come to life. Every one of my projects has inspired another person to pick up a brush or pencil and start to create something of their own. I feel very blessed to unintentionally inspire others to be creative, just by doing something that makes me happy.

What has been your favourite home mural project so far?

Painting in the Dream Homes has been my favourite so far. I love the challenge of coming up with something that people will not have seen before.

What is a double mural?

It is where I design and paint one mural, and then I paint another mural on top with invisible paint. It is truly amazing to see the second mural light up in the dark. This has been a very difficult process to figure out because there isn’t anyone else that does it to this extent as far as I know. When I came up with the idea I thought I’d be able to find information online - you can find everything online! But there was nothing at all. It took me two and a half months to figure out if it was even possible. It was hugely difficult but I’m happy to say it works and is stunning.

Especially when you look at the day mural, then the lights go out and instantly you are looking at different night mural. A valley and sky turns into a huge lake and waterfall right before your eyes; it is amazing to see.

When you create art for a home, what effect do you hope it has on the inhabitants?

The effect is figured out in the design process. It could be relaxing, inspiring, promote creativity, high energy or promote something they sell. It simply depends on what they are looking for. Each project is designed differently from the next for that reason. I like the challenge of it all.

Why do you think it's important to have art in one's home?

We all live in boxes and have very busy lives.

Art has the ability to make that box a home or transport your imagination to another place very quickly and very easily. We all can use our imagination. It only takes seeing something to spark it.

Photo: Š Beaver Roo Photography

Colour & Beauty:

How to Choose Art for your Home As an ambassador for colour and spaces filled with beauty, this is a topic close to my heart. But before I fill your head with all my juicy tips for choosing art for your home, we need to first define the purpose of art in your home.

For me the purpose of art is to add soul, individuality and energy to your space. Original art is my favorite way to achieve the highest level of all three of these initiatives.

Original art is that ‘one-of-a-kind’ expression of one person. It is one person’s ideas, thoughts and energy put into a physical form.

Sometimes even the emotions of the artist can be seen and felt in their art by the viewer. It can draw you in, make you smile or just give you a sense of wonder. There’s beauty and soul in anything made by hand versus an item mass produced by machines.

Whether it is a painting by a professional artist or a finger painting from a child, there is importance and energy put into every 24

handmade creation. The art you choose for your home will help create a story of the people that live there. That story should be a reflection of your style, your personality and be as interesting as you are!

Your art can show your sense of humor, your interest in travel or just your love of colour. Even a photo is a person’s perspective and view, frozen in time. Now all of this might seem overwhelming when picking out your coveted pieces, but don’t overthink your decision.

Ultimately your goal is to love what you fill your home with no matter what anyone else’s opinion is!

Once you have had a moment to think about what ‘story’ you want your home to say about you (and your family) it’s time to start treasure hunting for those amazing creations! Here are my tips on how to do it: Photo: © Luso /iStockphoto

BY GERI SHAW / REFRESH DESIGN GALLERY

Light it up!

Be open to different mediums and styles To create visual interest, choose a variety of textures from photography to oil paintings to sculptures. A variety in style is also more interesting - you can have an abstract painting in the same space as a photo as long as there is something in common between the pieces such as reoccurring colours or framing. Don’t worry about matching the architectural style of your house to your art.

A traditional house can have abstract art and a modern house can have traditional art. It’s the contrast of opposites that can make a house unique and unexpected.

Photo: © cunaplus /Dollar Photo Club

Photo: © arsdigital /Dollar Photo Club

Position lights to give the art more importance and bring out the colour/texture. Avoid hanging pieces across from windows where direct sunlight will glare the glass on framed pieces or use non-glare glass.

Above Photo: © arsdigital /Dollar Photo Club Right Photo: © Oleksiy Mark /Dollar Photo Club

Pick the right size Have a colour for your space/wall palette in mind Select the most important and visible walls to spotlight your art. For example, above a mantle on a fireplace is a great place to hang art as it is already a focal point in the room.

Also consider the space above a headboard or at the end of a hallway, to draw you in.

Mirror the shape/size of the wall: if the wall is tall and narrow, hang art to vertically fill the space. This will enhance the architecture of your home. Don’t be afraid to fill the wall, hanging a small picture on a large wall dwarfs the art and gives it less significance.

Photo Club Photo: © goir /Dollar

Frame it piece of art can Adding a frame to a e, make it nc give it more significa ent other art em pl m co lp he or r large home. If it’s a or furniture in your e sure it’s at wrapped canvas mak give it more to least two inches thick t. igh we d an e nc ta subs

An interesting space has a variety of colours and saturations of colours infused into the space. Don’t worry if your art has colours in it that are not in your home. As long as there are a few colours that relate to your space your art will enhance your living space. All colours have a different sense of energy and everyone has a different emotional reaction to different colours. Choose art with colours that speak to you, compliment other items in the room and that you love. Often I tell people to look at their closets for inspiration, if you feel good wearing the colour chances are you’ll like looking at it in your home.

Expose yourself to many forms of art from many sources Before you purchase, give yourself a chance to explore art galleries, art shows, museums or search art websites or blogs. You might be surprised to find that the more you are exposed to, your taste will change.

Look for art in unusual places Finding art in unusual places - while travelling, going to antique stores or student art shows will give a story to the art and create a memory to remember every time you look at your art.

I hope this inspires you to get excited about choosing art for your home. Make it a journey into discovering and enjoying beauty. It’s not just about the final purchase it is also about the experience, appreciation of creativity and joy for the soul!

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History, refreshed:

Wynterlea WEARING 63 YEARS WELL

BY ERIKA SHERK

W

alking into Carol-Lee Ekhardt’s house, you might accidentally forget you’re in Grande Prairie. High ceilings, antique furniture, modern art and a view of greenery greet guests in her entrance hallway.

“Most people, when they walk in the front door, say “oh wow,” says Ekhardt. “Not many homes have entrance hallways anymore.”

The view from the hallway goes straight to the living plants in her conservatory. “I think the green view is so important,” she says. It’s also true that many homes don’t have conservatories. In a world of cookie-cutter uniformity in home building, Wynterlea, Ekhardt’s house, is certainly a standout.

As a former interior designer, she was already familiar with the house when it came on the market in 1986, having designed rooms in it for its then-owners. “It was an old friend,” she smiles.

The house, when she purchased it with her then-husband Dr. Jack Wynters, was relatively small at 1,300 square feet.

Originally 800 sq. ft, the house itself “was still pretty tiny,” says Ekhardt.

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Small, however, the yard was not. Built onto one of the massive lots given to veterans in the Veteran Lands Act, the house sat on an 88 foot space on a quiet, leafy street in downtown Grande Prairie.

With a background in both interior design and carpentry, Ekhardt soon began planning a renovation. “It was just too tempting to pull some of the potential out of the house,” she says.

As a self-professed ‘greenie’ who bikes and walks everywhere, she wanted to increase the energy efficiency of the house as well as its size, usefulness and aesthetic beauty while staying true to its roots. “When I work with an old house, it’s important for me to keep some of the original integrity of it,” she says.

“If a house has good bones, if its skeleton has good structure, then we should make every effort to keep it. Just because it’s old doesn’t mean it’s no good. We can’t destroy all of our heritage - we’ll never know where we’ve been if we do that.”

With this in mind, the storm window from the house’s front door was put in as an additional window in what became her

Photos: © Beaver Roo Photography

daughter Emma’s room. The original brick chimney was exposed. “It’s Dalen brick!” Ekhardt says, explaining that from 1922 to 1955, Grande Prairie had its own brick factory. Her garden has 2,000 Dalen bricks in it, reclaimed from buildings torn down on Richmond Avenue years ago.

There are bits and pieces of history throughout Ekhardt’s home, both from years gone by - a chest her greatgrandmother brought from Germany - or from more recent times, a painting of local actor Dale Dryer performing in ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’ painted by Tim Heimdal, a well-known artist from the region.

Ekhardt built antique stained glass from a pub in England into a cabinet in her dining room. “I think IKEA is great,” she says, “but it’s nice to also have pieces in the house with some character.”

The big renovation started in 1990 - a major overhaul that took 11 months and added 1,160 square feet. “I was the contractor so I basically did it all myself,” says Ekhardt. Her dad, 70 at the time, came up from Manitoba to help in April of 1991. “He was a beautiful finishing carpenter so we did a lot of the finishing work together. He died about 10 years

ago, so I have a lot of good memories of that.”

She added rooms, hallways, windows, changed the entrance, paint, art, furniture - you name it. Extra insulation was added and new, double-glazed argon gas windows were added to increase the energy efficiency of the old home.

When asked what architectural style the house could be described as, she answers, “mine,” and laughs.

“I love all the rooms,” she says, of the home she shares with her partner Bruce Douglas and ancient cat Boots. “Every part of the house is very, very lived in - there’s no show piece.”

Her yard, which includes a carefully-designed “floppy English garden,” is another favourite space. “The garden is quite jungly,” she says. “It really is very lush and dense when it gets going.”

The house has been through a lot of changes in its 63 years and Ekhardt says she wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

“Everyone wants to live in yuppieville, in the suburbs,” she says, “but I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t want to live here with the big trees, the huge lots … all the potential.”

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Photo: © T.Sedore Photography / Unique Home Concepts – Jade

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Photo: © T.Sedore Photography / Unique Home Concepts – Evangeline

| Buying, Selling or Building

BY THE CANADIAN HOME BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION / GRANDE PRAIRIE REGION

New Homes Offer the Latest Features In the market for a home? New homes should be top of mind because of choice, the latest and greatest technological advances, and the confidence that comes with knowing your builder.

Last year builders in Grande Prairie started work on more than 700 new single and multi-family homes – that’s a lot to choose from.

Professional home builders combine the latest construction techniques with timeless craftsmanship to create homes that are comfortable, attractive and great to live in. New homes use the most advanced building components. From construction materials to heating systems, the technology built into every new home ensures high performance, durability and long-term satisfaction.

Energy efficiency is a key consideration for home buyers. Improvements in insulation and more energy-efficient heating and cooling systems will save you

money every month on utility costs, and your family will enjoy a more comfortable home.

You can breathe easy in your new home because indoor air will be free of the lingering odours left by previous owners or mold problems caused by leaks or excessive humidity.

A new home is also safer. Building codes are constantly being reviewed and standards updated. New construction ensures you enjoy the benefits of these advances, from electrical systems to safety glass to hard-wired smoke detectors.

Buyers also know what they are getting in a new home. Who knows what problems are concealed behind the walls of an existing home? With a new home, you know how the house was built and what went into it – both what you can see and what is behind the walls.

Detailed information about the history, features and maintenance schedule

prevents expensive and unexpected bills that can upset even the most wellbalanced household budget.

Start your new home search by talking to builders. Look at neighbourhoods where the builder constructed homes in the past and check a current building site.

Once you have selected a builder and construction begins, you can track progress to ensure you are satisfied with the results.

CHBA members in Alberta led the way by providing the first home warranties in Canada. Last year the provincial government made warranties mandatory so all new homes are covered for up to 10 years. That’s a lot of peace of mind when making such a major purchase.

Purchasing a home is often a long-term commitment. If you want to choose from the best homes on the market, start by checking out the show homes. You’ll like what you see.

We specialize in hard to source interior/exterior home finish products including flooring, doors, moulding, paneling, gas and wood fireplaces. We carry higher quality, responsibly sourced products.

With our friendly, knowledgable staff members we can help with all products.

11066-92 Ave l 780-538-9663 l sales@windsorplywood.com

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BY GARY WOOD P. ENG. RHI NHI / GARY WOOD HOLDINGS LTD.

things to know 5 Before your house gets inspected

So our first item for you, the sellers, is to ensure that the home inspector will have complete and easy access to the major components of the house.

Specifically the furnace, hot water heater, electrical panel, sump pump and attic hatch. You need to make sure that stored items are moved out of the way so that the inspector can do the job they were hired to do. This is impossible when the deep freezer is over the sump pump or if a bed is directly below the attic hatch (this prevents setting up a ladder).

By ensuring easy access, you will allow for an efficient inspection and avoid any damaged items caused by the inspector attempting to gain access (but more on that later). These essential items (furnace, hot water tank, sump pit, electrical panel and attic hatch) are very important to the home inspector and so they are likely to require a return visit if not evaluated on the first attempt.

Photo: © Beaver Roo Photography

1 To begin, a little background: you should know that a home inspection is a visual non-invasive inspection of readily accessible components of the property. This means that the home inspector will not be dismantling items, moving a bunch of stored items or pulling out the clothes washing machine to gain access to the area below.

While this may seem to be the buyer’s problem (and their inspector’s) it may not be that simple. Inaccessible items may raise red flags for the buyer or it could result in delays as the buyers might ask for additional visits to the property to check out items that were not evaluated on the initial home inspection.

It’s better to allow for a complete home inspection on the scheduled day and let the process continue from there than potentially cause further delays and suspicious buyers.

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2

Second is the issue of pets. There are a few concerns with animals left in the property when the home inspection is scheduled to happen. One is that the animals might escape. Trying to catch an escaped dog or cat is not part of the inspector’s duties.

Sometimes the animal when left at home, attempts to protect his surroundings. Dog whispering is also not part of the inspector’s training or responsibilities. Another concern is that some homeowners have areas of their house where the pets are not allowed. These might be certain bedrooms or the bathrooms and this is accomplished by having the doors closed. The inspector will not be aware of these restraints and so doors could be left open to these areas unknowingly. If you have animals that could escape or might behave badly please make arrangements to have them out of the house. A pet daycare or a friend’s house are possibilities if you can't take them with you. A home inspection typically lasts two hours so make your plans accordingly.

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5

Fourth is stored items outside or in the garage. Same concept as we discussed earlier: make sure any important areas are clear for the inspector: items like the garage heater, under a raised deck, along exterior walls. If you are selling a manufactured home or a property with an outside crawlspace access in the winter time make sure the snow is shoveled away from the access hatch, and that it can open, so the inspector can evaluate the area beneath the home. The same logic applies as before, there’s no reason to raise red flags or cause a second or more visits to the property.

Let the inspector get to all the needed areas so the job can be done properly the first time.

Now to summarize I want to be clear: I don't expect the seller to have a perfect home or to run around fixing every little thing before the inspector arrives. However, following the suggestions above will go a long way to ensuring the inspection goes smoothly, limits the amount of incidental items and could avoid second or third visits to the property that would not only inconvenience the buyer and inspector but also the seller. Let's all work together to do it once and to do it right.

4

Fifth, and finally, we come to the little things like bulbs, remotes and maintenance. Home buyers want to buy a good house. One of the things that affects this impression is the little things like burnt out bulbs that leave an unfavorable impression. Change the light bulbs, replace the furnace filter, put the outlet cover plates back up (after you took then down to paint). This should have been done before showing the house but if you didn't get around to it you might as well do it now. The fewer items noted on the inspection report the better it is for the seller. Another item in this category are remote controls for things like ceiling fans, fireplaces etc. The inspector will want to check these items and if he can't find the remote it becomes difficult to do so.

Again, it behooves the seller to make sure there are no questions left as a result of an incomplete inspection. The last thing here is to notify the inspector of any broken or inoperable items. Things like window hinges (I had a window fall completely out of the frame and drop eight feet onto the ground as a result of simply trying to test that it would open) and window cranks (sometimes the window will open but not close and it is difficult to close if the crank is stripped and it is a second floor window). If there is something that isn't working properly and further damages could occur as a result of attempting to operate it, let the inspector know ahead of time. It will save us all a lot of headaches.

Photo: © Beaver Roo Photography

Third is the issue of valuables or irreplaceable items.

During the home inspection the inspector is concentrating on evaluating the property, not keeping track of his clients’ whereabouts. Buyers typically attend the inspection and although additional attendees are discouraged it does happen that they bring their children, parents or friends along for a quick tour or the entire inspection. With so many people in the house it is impossible to keep track of everyone and again it is not the inspector’s responsibility to do so. As a result, the sellers should ensure that any valuable items are properly put out of view.

When I see a large diamond engagement ring left lying out in a spare bedroom I make note of it and it makes me nervous - but I won't take responsibility for it. In the same manner any precious or breakable items should be put away. Additional people, unfamiliar with the house, could accidentally bump into furniture and knock these over, potentially damaging them.

Children not used to being concerned about breakable items might cause damage or an incident resulting in broken treasures. As it’s better to be safe than sorry, put away valuable or precious breakables to avoid any heartache later.

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BY THE CANADIAN HOME BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION  GRANDE PRAIRIE REGION

First-Time Buyers Crave Freedom from Renting If you are younger, taking extra time to decide on a home purchase, and are hungry for more information on the subject there is a good chance you are an FTB – a First-Time Buyer.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) surveyed 500 firsttime buyers online and then followed up with focus group discussions with recent and prospective home buyers.

What they found tells us a lot about first-time buyers and how their approach to the search for a home compares with repeat buyers.

For starters, they found 72% of FTBs searched online for “home buying info” compared to just 29% of repeat buyers.

Their key reasons for wanting to enter the housing market were “not wanting to rent” and “wanting to own their home.”

Those explanations will sound familiar to many potential FTBs in this community who are tired of paying their landlord every month.

Grande Prairie’s apartment vacancy rate has remained under 2% for three years and the rent for a two bedroom

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apartment is approaching $14,000 a year.

Besides wanting to start building personal equity and wave goodbye to the landlord, first-time buyers have other things in common.

They are young – almost two-thirds are under 35 years of age – and because they are still in the early stages of their careers, they have lower incomes than repeat buyers.

First-time buyers also need a little more time to complete a purchase, taking an average of 10 months to plan a move instead of the seven-month norm for repeat buyers. But once they have purchased a home, they are 50 per cent more likely to move again within the next five years than repeat buyers.

In some ways, FTBs are not a lot different than people with experience in buying real estate: both groups favour single family homes.

One big question facing FTBs that the survey did not cover was whether to buy a new or a used home. The survey did touch on one factor that should be part of that decision – the need to spend

more to fix problems or improve the property after the purchase is completed.

More than half of first-timers expect to make major repairs or improvements within five years of the purchase.

The reality is many rookies in the real estate market will find comfort levels are higher with new homes because they can tailor a home to best fit their needs, take advantage of technological advances that will lower utility bills, and enjoy peace of mind knowing they will not face big repair bills.

They can also avoid the stress and hassles of trying to find a resale property that fits both their needs and budget only to then to be forced to make a hurried decision on whether to put in an offer.

One excellent source of information on home buying – and we know FTBs are looking for all the material they can find – is the CHBA Grande Prairie Region website. It includes a list of CHBA members in the community with the experience and expertise to satisfy both first-time and repeat buyers.

Damon BENNETT Moving on up

ayer Chana M Photo: ©

BY ERIKA SHERK

Formerly known as Mike Holmes’ senior contractor, Damon Bennett, 43, is swiftly coming into his own as a Canadian home renovating celebrity. Bennett was a contractor, running his own company in Toronto in 2005 when he bumped into the producer of the wildly popular ‘Holmes on Homes’ show on HGTV. Next thing he knew, he had been hired as Mike Holmes’ general contractor and promoted to senior contractor a year later. Bennett left the show in early 2015 after 10 years of fixing bad contracting work for homeowners around Canada. GP Smart Homes caught up with him in Eastern Canada on a break from appearing at home shows nation-wide.

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Photo: © Chana Mayer

Damon, where are you right now?

I’m in Halifax, where there is still lots of snow! I’m just resting up before attending a home show. I'm on the road these days.

help. It's sort of a continuation of the [TV] show, that's how I feel.

I often do a little Reno 101 speech to guide people through the process of what to expect – potential pitfalls and what to avoid. It's very interactive.

You’ve been attending a lot of home shows lately, we hear.

Yes, this is the time of the season where people start to think about building. I also use home shows as a source of information for myself. I love going to them just to see what's out there. I actually find all kinds of new products that I can't actually find online. I love the home shows and I really enjoy helping people at them.

There's a lot of people out there that need

What else are you working on right now that has you excited?

I’m working on a lot of stuff, actually. TV is still chasing me so I’m still looking at that. We’re working on all kinds of ideas right now. I also have a construction company going in the GTA. It’s funny, when Mike [Holmes] and I first parted ways I thought it would be really easy after being 10 years with him in the industry that I could go and start

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contracting like I was before I met him. But when I started doing quotes it just became a debacle. People wanted to take selfies and to ask me, 'what does this crack mean?' It was impossible, I couldn’t actually go and do estimates anymore.

Now we have a full-time estimator. It’s a different world when all of a sudden you’re put on TV. I grew up as a contractor so I fell assbackwards into this and I still find it very odd that there’s 'celebrity' attached to me.

I come from a town of 800 people, a little town called Burritts Rapids, just outside of Ottawa, so it’s a real eye-opener, especially being in Toronto. There’s six million people in Toronto and they all seem to watch the show (laughs.) It’s an interesting life but I am a contractor first, that's what I love to do, that's my passion.

That’s what brought me onto television.

After a solid 10 years on TV with Mike Holmes, what do you miss about that life?

Well, the 10 years were hard. We looked for the worst jobs possible and we had to overcome them. It’s not like it was just a regular contracting job where you go in, you rip everything down and you start fresh. It was very, very hard. We did all the work ourselves. We didn’t have a behindthe-scenes crew so we worked really hard and a lot of the time there were young people on the show that we had to train

and there were only a few of us that were skilled. That part was tough.

It’s all encompassing, when you’re on a show like that, and it was a really popular show for 10 years. You end up not being with your family as much, not being with your friends as much. We were helping a lot of people, though, and I thought ‘I've got a few years to do really something good’ and I did it but it was very, very hard on the soul. But you look back on it and we did so much good. We helped so many people financially. Mike calls it 'divorce dust' when contractors come in and they wreck the job and there's dust everywhere and when the financials hit people start getting upset. I believe we saved marriages (laughs.)

I'm not surprised they're rescues.

From everything we've heard and read, it does seem you have a big heart. You actively hire and train veterans to work at your construction company. Why is this something important to you?

Well, I grew up in Ottawa and there are veterans all around you there. I grew up with World War Two veterans who landed on the beaches, and they told me their stories. It was something we grew up with.

We were taught to respect the soldiers who had fought for Canada. Really, our identity came in World War One and World War Two when we identified ourselves as a country and I really don’t feel that those people were taken care of when they came back. We just didn’t have the resources to know how to deal with it.

I have talked to a lot of older people who suffered severely after WWII. So in our new wars, I ended up meeting guys who came back from those wars very damaged themselves. They became very good friends of mine; I ended up hiring them for the show. I brought Glen Coyle and Johnny Kendall, who each served over in Afghanistan and it was like I could see the healing happening after I hired them. The work was helping them, the camaraderie was helping them. That’s what the army trains them to do - they work in a unit, they have each other’s backs. I could really see the smiles coming out. When I first hired them, Johnny especially, I could see the hurt in him, I could see the distance.

These are new wars and these young guys

Can you talk about your new TV show, are you able to tell us what that might look like?

I’d like to keep it along the same lines.

Helping people is really what brought the soul to the TV thing. TV brings you to places you wouldn’t normally go to as a contractor. I was able to go to New Orleans and able to do the show with Ellen in LA, travelling across Canada … those are things that really endeared me to it but what I'd really like to do is maybe a show in a different part of Canada. We focused so much on the GTA and Vancouver on two opposite ends of the country but there’s all that in-between and it’s not the same building practices, it’s not the same weather there. I think there's a need for something a little bit different, getting out of those urban areas.

I'd like to get into the rural areas and start tackling some of the issues there.

Maybe in northern Canada?

Absolutely! I would love to do that. Even a travelling show where I pick up my family and we go to a town where we actually help someone who’s very much in need. I would love to do something like that, get in a trailer with my three dogs, three cats and six ferrets (laughs.) I’ve got a large animal population at my place. All rescues.

Photo: © Chana Mayer

That is something I wanted to ask you about. You are a Canadian home renovation celebrity now. Did you see that coming? How did that happen?

Oh my Lord (laughs.) No, I did not see this coming. I drove from Ottawa to Vancouver with five friends and ended up living there for a bit and doing some roofing. I really enjoyed it. The boom happening there had died down, though, and I decided to leave Vancouver after about a year of rain. It was a really bad year, the work was drying up and I decided to come back to Ontario. I ended up going to Toronto, where my brother and I started a contracting business. We did really well for about three years and I was just on a street working, one day, actually fixing another contractor’s work on a deck. So we’re down on the street, talking about final payment after I’ve done the job and the lady says ‘oh, there’s Mike’s producer’ and I said, ‘Mike?’ She said, ‘Mike Holmes,’ and I said, ‘oh, that’s cool, let’s talk about this payment.’ But the guy came up and he wanted to get into the conversation and he wanted to tell me how great the show was and I brushed him off and thought nothing of it. Well, two weeks later he called me and asked me if I would join Mike.

I talked to my brother about it. We thought it would be a good idea for a year or so, to get a bit of a name going for our company. Well, it was 10 years later Mike and I ended up parting. We were doing so much good, it was hard to leave. It’s what gets you out of bed every day, helping that many people.

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What’s exciting to you today in terms of building in energy efficient ways?

There are all kinds of new products coming out. I'm talking right now with a German fellow and we'd like to build a passive house. It uses new technology so you don’t really need a furnace. Your furnace room is the size of a broom closet.

I’m hoping to build one in the next year or so. I’m branching out in terms of looking at technology because I think we really need to start looking at energy efficiency.

Maybe not building homes so big, maybe building them smaller, more energy efficient and cutting down our costs. I mean, this really was a brutal winter.

Energy efficient homes are the thing of the future.

In general, is there a product or tool that you’re really pumped about these days?

It’s interesting, it’s only a $300 tool but I came across a thermal-imaging camera that goes onto your phone. It’s called a Seek Thermal Imaging Camera. I went to a home show a few months ago and I found it and what it does, it attaches to your phone and it gives you the same imaging quality as a $10,000 thermal imaging camera. This puts it in every contractor’s toolbox. It puts it in homeowners' hands if they want it. It shows you heat loss leaving your house, you can see moisture entering your house. Let’s say there’s a duct disconnecting in your wall, you can see that. Contractors don’t have to do all the guesswork by ripping down your walls to find your problem, you can pinpoint exactly where it is. It's a $300 tool that could save hundreds if not thousands of dollars. That little tool right there is one thing I’m excited about right now.

Photo: © Chana Mayer

and women need help and they need work. The officers can get other jobs but it was the grunts, the boots on the ground that really need that help. I’m actually working on a program right now but it’s not launched yet. We're working with Kijiji on a site where they're going to post jobs for veterans all across the country. I’ll be able to expand on that once it’s out but I think it’s going to take a few more months.

When it comes to kitchen renovations, what would your three tips be for people who are looking to renovate a kitchen on a bit of a budget?

I’m not DIY but I had a friend replace his whole kitchen for $4,000. He went to a Habitat for Humanity ReStore for his cabinets. I think this is where things are heading. People are going to start getting really tight with their money, they’re going to start looking for alternative means. He did a really interesting project where he took an old kitchen and converted it into a new kitchen with some new paint products called a Rust-oleum product. We sprayed the cabinet, we put the handles on. It cost about $4,000 and you know what a kitchen renovation costs these days. They can get very expensive. So looking at alternative avenues-there are some great cabinet makers out there but I think people are getting a little bit tight budget-wise. When you’re renovating a whole house, those are some ways to look at it. If you can, you can buy used cabinets, spend some time sanding them down, spraying them down and changing the hardware, you can get a brand-new kitchen out of that.

Other products I use: I just joined the CertainTeed team, because of their MemBrain system. Everyone uses 6 ml vapour barrier in Canada up in their insulation. But the CertainTeed membrane actually breathes. It allows moisture out. A vapour barrier is basically an air stop system over your insulation but the membrane actually allows moisture out.

We have a test kit where we wrap moist wood in this 6-ml vapour barrier and we

tape it up. In two days it starts moulding.

We then use the CertainTeed one in the same application and it was dry as a bone by the next day. There are products out there that just need to come to light and these are some of them. This is why I go to home shows - to look at products and see what I can show home owners. They’re always asking about blue wood and pink wood and those are great products but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to materials to use. Treated woods in your kitchen is always a good idea as well. You never want a leak but things happen in kitchens. That’s why I frame with pink wood or blue wood in kitchens or bathrooms, moist areas like those.

Basements as well.

Spring is - sort of - around the corner, even with all the snow in Halifax right now. Do you and your motorbike have any plans together for the summer?

That is a great question. I love it. Yes, we do. I have to say, my motorcycle is the one thing that can de-stress me. It really is. It’s the one thing where you get on the road, you’re by yourself and everything goes away. I plan on getting on it a lot this year as last year I was only on it a few times.

But yes, thanks, I’m getting on my bike a lot this summer. Even a new bike this summer! I think I’m due. If there’s any advice out there on what kind of bike to get, please let me know.

Thanks Damon!

Photo: © T.Sedore Photography / Unique Home Concepts - Evangeline

BY ERIKA SHERK

& QA Local Housing Market

with Chris Newbury

Chris Newbury is the President of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Grande Prairie Region and General Manager at Unique Home Concepts. GP Smart Homes talked to him recently about the local housing market.

What are today’s new home buyers looking for here in Grande Prairie?

I would forecast an increase in desire for multi-family and starter homes due to the affordability issues and the rental market. Starts last year were the highest since 2008 so there is some growth in demand for higher density homes.

People are looking for good location with proximity to schools and shopping. Another key location feature would be a place that backs on to parks and trail systems. There is also demand for higher quality finishing for homes. Consumers are becoming more informed about the new products and construction practices and are expecting those will be part of their new home.

What has changed in the last while about building a home in Alberta?

Building codes are constantly evolving to improve the homes we build and it takes a professional builder to keep up with the latest requirements. Energy efficiency has been a high priority in recent years, and that means today’s homes use less power, and monthly utility bills are lower. That’s also good for the environment.

We have also seen some major changes in consumer protection legislation. All new homes must have a 10-year warranty now.

CHBA is proud that its Alberta members were the first in Canada to offer new home warranties, and we’re glad that this is now a requirement for all builders. On the multifamily side, the provincial government has modernized condo legislation. Many of the changes are designed to help condo boards work better and increase the professionalism of building managers. Both warranties and better rules for condos help protect consumers when making such a major purchase.

Does the Grande Prairie market have advantages over other big cities in Alberta?

The forest products sector does not get as many headlines as the energy secto,r but it is still a major contributor to Alberta’s economy. Here in Grande Prairie, we have a closer connection to the industry than most other Alberta cities. The good news is that home construction in the U.S. is doing much better now and that means more orders for the plants in our region that produce lumber and panel board. The strong US dollar also makes Canadian wood products even more attractive for the American market.

The economy has been top of mind for many Albertans lately. How has that affected the new home industry in Grande Prairie?

2014 was a very strong year for housing starts – up almost 23 per cent over 2013. We have seen a lot of buyers taking a “wait and see” approach through the first quarter. With the last market correction still fresh in everyone’s mind, we understand home buyers are taking a more cautious approach. Grande Prairie’s local economy is stabilized by a variety of other industries. We expect to see a stronger third and fourth quarter as the year unfolds.

What questions should home buyers ask to make sure they have the right builder for them?

Strong communications between the builder and client is the cornerstone of a successful project. Buyers should feel comfortable asking to see previous projects and ensure they understand timelines for construction.

The builder should demonstrate a strong commitment to service and warranty, as well as to the community. Ask the builder to share references from past customers to ensure satisfaction.

Photo of Chris Newbury: © Beaver Roo Photography

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BY DAVID OLINGER / CITY OF GRANDE PRAIRIE

A family wants to build a detached garage. What are the key steps?

The size needs to be determined and whether a kit will be used, a builder is being contracted or the homeowner is going to do the construction. Two main permits are required – a development permit and a building permit.

The Land Use Bylaw states that any building over 20 square metres will be set back a minimum of 1.2 metres from the walls to the side and rear property lines.

The garage cannot encroach on any utility right of ways on the property. These will be shown on the RPR (Real Property Report) discussed below. Applicants should have a good idea of what they want and a location before starting the permit process.

Applications can be located at www.cityofgp.com or visit Development Services to complete the forms.

If resident have difficulty locating or completing the permit forms, Development Services can be contacted at 780-538-0421, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.

Development Services is located at the City Service Centre at 9505-112 Street.

Enquiries can be made to devpermits@cityofgp.com.

“Applicants can bring their completed forms to Development Services or a staff member can assist in finishing the document and answer any questions,” says Development Permitting Supervisor Joe Johnson. “Staff review completed 38

applications to ensure all the blanks are filled in, and required paperwork has been provided.”

If a new driveway access is needed for the garage, the applicant will be directed to the City Engineering Department for a driveway crossing permit.

Development Permit Form Details Required information on the Development Permit form includes: • Name • Address • Information about the size of building being constructed.

If the applicant is not the owner of the property as listed with the land title registry, an authorization letter from the owner will be required.

“The applicant will need a copy of his RPR – the survey of his property,” says Johnson. “He should have received a copy of this when purchasing the house. If this cannot be located, the applicant will need to contact the survey companies in the city to see if they can supply a copy. This is needed as part of the permit application.”

The applicant will need an elevation drawing – illustrating what the garage will look like from each of the four directions.

These can be drawn by hand with use of a ruler.

• Indicate measurements and features on this drawing: for example, the walls are 10 feet high, overhead door is on the east side.

Photo: © Jody Klassen

Building and Development Permits Made Easy Permit Costs • Development Permits for a garage are $75.00 • Building Permits for a garage are $49.50 • An electrical permit is an additional $49.50 • A permit for plumbing or gas (for a heater) is $49.50 Variances If there is a reason the required setbacks or other standards of the Land Use Bylaw, (ie., the lot is an odd shape) cannot be met, a variance may be granted.

A variance gives a property owner permission to vary the requirements of the Land Use Bylaw. The cost is $300 and each application is reviewed on its own merits and is either granted or declined.

Some variances require input from neighbours while others go before the Community Growth Committee for a decision. The Development Officer will guide the applicant through the process.

Application Completion Once the completed permit and payment are accepted, the application is entered into the CityView computer system. Applications are handled in the order they are received, and the next available Development Officer takes the application from the front of the queue.

Depending upon how busy staff are, it could be one day or a few weeks before the application is reviewed. The

Development Officer goes through the development proposal to ensure that it meets the requirements of the Land Use Bylaw.

They are looking to ensure that garage is set back from the property lines by at least the minimum requirement, is not on any right of ways, has driveway access, and meets any height restrictions or maximum lot coverage restrictions.

If a variance is being requested, the situation is reviewed and if required, letters are sent to the neighbouring property owners.

Once the Development Officer has reviewed and approved the permit, the actual development permit is issued and the drawings are stamped.

These documents are sent electronically to the Safety Codes staff for the review of the Building Permit to start.

A copy of the development permit is emailed to the applicant for their records but this doesn’t mean it’s time to start building. The applicant must first receive the building permit.

A Building Safety Codes officer reviews the plans to ensure they meet all requirements of the Alberta Building Code. They approve and stamp the Building Permit and issue the electrical and plumbing/gas permits if applicable.

The building permit and the stamped drawings and plans will be emailed to the applicant.

“Now you can start building,” Johnson says. “Permits are valid for one year so it may be a good idea to apply before the spring permit rush starts so you have the permits in hand when making arrangements to start building.”

Decks and Renovations Permits for building decks are on a percase basis. For example, Development Permitting staff will ask whether it will be covered with a roof, enclosed by walls or open to determine if a development permit, building permit, variance, or both a development permit and building permit are needed.

A major renovation will include a development permit and a building permit and likely an electrical permit.

Detailed drawings of what the applicant wants to build will be required. A plot plan is needed to determine setbacks.

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BY SOMEH NIENGOR / DGD HOMES

Staging:

Superstition or Reality As the economy does one of its slopes, new inventive ideas begin to arise in all sectors of Grande Prairie.

Staging is one example - finally making its appearance in the Peace Country area. But what is ‘staging’ exactly?

Is it magic? One swipe of the fairy godmother’s staging wand and your house is instantly sold to the next “wants to be wowed” buyer?

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Photo: Š Crystal Murray (dgb Homes)

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Photo: © Crystal Murray (dgb Homes)

W

ell, not exactly, though I have heard some crazy superstitions in the staging world. I have to admit I haven’t tried to bury an eight-inch statue of St. Joseph, upside down, facing the street (because he is apparently known to have special powers in real estate transactions.) I don’t advise clients to use the number 8 in the price of property as a Chinese tradition to bring forth wealth and prosperity. Nor do I carry around my African ‘wishing beans.’

In any event, selling is an extremely drawn-out, stressful process so I can understand desperate measures!

Anything you can do to make the process go by faster and smoother means less grey hairs for all involved. A professional stager and their team can help this process be less nerve-wracking in general and shorter, too - your house will likely spend less time on the market.

So what in the world is staging anyway?

Staging is the process of getting a home ready for sale. The way you live in your home and the way you market your home are two different things. The buyer’s perspective matters! The seller has control over two things: the price and how their home looks. A professional stager uses ‘buyer’s eyes’ to highlight the marketable features of the property and creates an experience for showings and images for MLS (Multiple Listing Service.)

Selling for top dollar means: • priced right • no to-do list for the buyer • setting the stage • professional photography • a great real estate agent with a comprehensible marketing plan The first hurdle is to get in the right mind set. A Stager helps create that shift of changing your home into a house. It’s the most difficult and unsettling part of selling. Set your mind on the end goal.

Why are you selling? What are your dreams? Is selling your getting you closer to your goal? Are you letting go of the past? Are you retiring? Are you selling to get into your dream home or to travel?

Knowing what you want out of this process is important because during the time your house is on the market, it will not feel like your home. We have to take the ‘home’ out of the house to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. This is why staged homes sell faster and for more money.

After you get in the mode of moving towards your dreams, here are six more tips to get your home ready for sale.

1

Depersonalize This step can include animals, religious symbols, family photos, paint and wall paper. This step hurts a little (actually it hurts a lot) but try not take depersonalizing personally. It is the most amazing step when staging a home. This is the part that allows buyers to imagine themselves in their new home.

2

Declutter, pack up and store My rule of thumb is pack up two-thirds of your house. Keep what you use and store what you don’t. It will help you keep the house clean if you are living in it while selling. Currently, I have my house on the market. I stored things in my friend’s garage and gave away and sold items. The possibilities are endless. Don’t be afraid to ask for favours or help in this process. It is a huge job!

3

Update the look!

Buyers in Grande Prairie are young and want something that reflects them. This is an easy step to staging. Paint if you have to paint.

Replace flooring that needs replacing.

Update your bathroom or kitchen.

According to renowned real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran, for every dollar a home seller does not invest in condition work, a buyer will deduct at least three. Most buyers today are putting their full investment into the purchase price of the home and don’t have extra money for any major work.

4

Fragrance, flowers and natural greenery Tantalizing all five senses is important. Buying a house is emotional.

People imagine raising their children, spending time with their loved ones and entertaining their friends - all in one split second - as they view your place. Being conscious about creating emotion is a must to help your property stand out. I create emotion by using fresh baking or Christmas scents, real plants and a big bouquet of flowers. It makes a buyer feel calm and relaxed. Remember, buying a house is stressful as well.

5

Focus on inside and the outside Q-Tip clean on the inside and immaculately landscape on the outside.

Call on friends or have it professionally done. We don’t ask for help enough! You have to learn to ask or pay for help in the sale process. I know it’s hard. I even got caught like a deer in the headlights with this step. I finally had to break down and call on all my girlfriends. It’s a must if you want to make top dollar.

6

Leave the selling up to your agent!

I’ve worked with a lot of local agents in Grande Prairie. It’s hard work and they all do an incredible job. It is the seller’s job to get their home ready for sale. It is the agent’s job to market your home. Don’t hang out for showings or open houses. I’ve seen it do more harm than good. It’s not a good feeling losing hundreds of thousands of dollars because you decided not to believe in the person you hired. Trust the agent you

have chosen and ride out your contract with them. Think great thoughts. Believe in people and they will amaze you.

Upstaging all the rest is essential in today’s market. Staging is going to become an essential marketing tool in Grande Prairie as buyers experience the ‘unstaged’ home vs the ‘staged’ home.

Staged homes on average get more showings and sell faster, which is less stress for you as a seller. Staging is definitely a must in today’s market.

Staging Residential Cleaning Real Estate Photography 104, 11735 105 Street Ph 780 533 3455 Email dgdhomes@gmail.com 43

BY DERRICK CASEY / FUSION HOMES “Modern architecture is a term applied to an overarching movement, with its exact definition and scope varying widely.”

I borrowed this from the first line of a Wikipedia definition of modern architecture. It’s an indirect way of saying ‘something happened that we can’t explain.’ Historically this seems to be the very nature of a movement. It happens and we define it in retrospect. I wasn't interested in extracting further clarity as I found the ‘it’s hard to define’ definition to be one of the characteristics of modern architecture that I appreciate so much.

While the movement started in the late 1800 with architects like Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright, it’s really the residential offshoot of ‘mid-century’ modern that we are referring to when we say a home is modern today: Joseph Eichler-style Californian homes with the iconic center courtyard or retro cinderblock screen walls.

Often when we talk about our design ‘style,’ interior, architectural, fashion or

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otherwise. We use words that we suspect cover and convey the characteristics of our genre.

If someone said their fashion style was ‘boho’ or ‘chic’ or ‘couture’ you would be able to pick out a shirt and pants for them (though not me in particular, I had to Google these words). If someone said they like Craftsman-style homes you could immediately envision the exposed rafter tails, knee braces and wraparound veranda.

When someone says they like modern it’s never entirely clear what they mean.

Some people think modern simply means current. Others think modern means technologically-advanced. Often a direct correlation between green and modern is presumed.

What seems to be consistently true about the term modern is that it provokes emotions in everyone who hears it. I’ve heard people say ‘modern homes are cold’ or ‘those houses are so interesting’ - doing very little to describe what features the homes have but instead describing the

emotions they invoke.

While modern homes and modern furniture or even modern art lack hard and fast rules on what are the nonnegotiable components that make them modern, it seems that any fan of the genre can look at anything and almost instantly say ‘that’s modern’ or ‘that isn’t.’ With that in mind I’d like to describe what, for me, are the core values of modern homes and why they matter to residential living.

MINIMALISM This is arguably a separate movement in itself but it is predominantly adopted in identifiable ‘mid-century’ modern homes.

The homes are typically free of ornate finishing and detail.

Focus is placed on creating smartly designed floor plans and an overall timeless structure that acts as a blank pallet for furniture or art to ‘accent.’ Often

THI INS TH BO

INK IDE HE OX

Photos: © Dara Enns Photography

interior walls are free of color so that warm wood accents or bright statement pieces don't compete with the overall pallet. Ironically, the elimination of trims and crowns and cornices in finishing moderns homes can require an even higher attention to detail, as the minimal transitions cannot be hidden under layers.

FUNCTION This is probably the component of modern homes on which modernists place highest value. Louis Sullivan's phrase "form follows function" became a battle-cry of Modernist architects after the 1930s. The credo was taken to imply that decorative elements, which architects call ‘ornament,’ were superfluous in modern buildings. Does a flat roof eliminate unsightly downspouts? Does a wall veneer add acoustical value to a room? Does a screen wall allow natural light to flood into the center of the home? Sometime the function happens by accident but in

well-designed modern homes the function is likely the first question asked.

LOW AND LINEAR This what people often think of when modern is discussed. Flat roof (or low slope) and boxy. Remember the value placed on function? Modern homes are not flat topped and rectangular to be lazy.

The design can often be based on efficient use of living space and lot space. People ask me if flat roofed homes need to be shoveled off in the dead of winter. I tell them only by their truss designers because if the roof has failed under snow it’s likely an engineering flaw. I’d like to debunk the myth right now: flat roofs don’t have performance issues. In fact, when designed correctly, they tend to perform better under high wind, have fewer ice damming issues and shed water in a much more predictable way than a peaked roof.

I T ’S A L L M AT E R I A L As mentioned earlier, a modern home starts with good ‘bones’ and little color.

When it comes time to introduce stunning

walnut open riser stairs or an interior concrete wall with plank form detail the new materials act as a complement to a highly versatile space. Often materials are chosen which have an industrial aesthetic: steel, glass or concrete, alway offset with warm woods, defining textures and an inviting Arne Jacobson egg chair.

N AT U R A L L I G H T All of the design aspects of a modern home come together when the sun comes up. It’s hard to decide what’s more fabulous about living in a modern home, all the natural light flooding in or all the shadows created by the strategically placed appendages that block it. Light is everything and good window placement can manage temperature, comfort and privacy all at one time. When possible, modern homes are situated on the lot to maximize passive energy control and capitalize on daylight in the heart of the home.

In short modern homes are smart, simple and sustainable but beyond that they stir: stir conversation, ideas and progress.

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Photo: © Gord Raymond

It’s too easy to have an old-school image of longhaired hippies living in shacks when contemplating ‘off-grid living.’ However, that vision is wildly outdated. Today all kinds of different people live off-grid, from your classic hippy to a bank manager right up to a family with 13 children.

“I have no two clients anywhere near the same,” says Gord Raymond from the office of GP Wind and Solar, his company specializing in taking people off-grid. “I have one system that runs a big house with mom, dad and 13 kids.”

He has clients who work in the oilfield, one who manages a major bank and one that lives solo in a small cabin at the very end of a long dirt road. “I just build the systems to whatever the needs are,” he says.

Dr. Phillip Vannini, Canada Research Chair in Innovative Ethnography, spent 46

three years interviewing Canadians living off-grid, including several in the Grande Prairie area. He says he too discovered that the stereotypes were false.

“The common misconception is that it is people who might be trying to live outside the law or might be challenging our culture - hippies, hermits, things like that - but in actuality people who live off grid generally are very common people,” Vannini says.

While the majority of those in the Grande Prairie are firmly tied into the energy grid, there is a dedicated contingent who relish the independence of opting out.

When Ken Peterson asked his wife Shannon if she would be willing to try living off-grid when they started building a house west of Beaverlodge in 1995, she responded, “I don’t really mind, as long as the lights will still come in when I flick

the switch.”

The Petersons have used solar, wind and a back-up generator for power ever since. “We would do it again,” says Shannon. “We would stay with it even if we had the ability to get power,” she laughs. “Which, you know, for $50,000, we could.”

No monthly bills, independence from energy companies and no power failures are among the benefits, the Petersons say.

“I love the quiet,” says Shannon, pausing for a moment to listen. “There’s no sound of mechanical things in this house. It’s just silent.”

“It’s a bit of a scary jump,” says Raymond, of the move away from power companies. “But when people actually commit to it - when they’ve been doing it for a year - 100% of them say ‘I’d never go back to the grid.’”

BY ERIKA SHERK

OPTING OUT

Photos: © Beaver Roo Photography

Much to be Gained by Living Off-grid

Douglas King / NRG Homes

“The learning curve is steep - at first you have to reinvent how your home works, how your life works,” says Vannini.

“But once you’re past that - how hard can it be when our entire species has survived that way for thousands of years?

We’ve been off the grid longer than we’ve been on the grid.”

Larry Dahl and his wife Susan have been living off the grid “off and on” for 20 years, full-time for the last 10.

“I was working for a power company in Calgary and I realized we were overcharging everybody pretty bad,” he says, of his initial interest in solar power.

“I guess I’ve always been a bit of a rebel but I didn’t like paying power bills. They had control over me whereas it was something I could provide myself.”

When he left Calgary, he looked for a piece of property to build on. “The prerequisites were that if possible we

Shannon and Ken Peterson

were going to make it non-primitive,” he says. “We wanted a modern home but we wanted it to be as self-sufficient as possible.”

Their house on the north slope of Saskatoon Mountain has a dishwasher, washing machine, a fridge and a deepwater well that all run on solar power, with generator back-up. “We didn’t give anything up,” he says.

His system - solar panels, mounts, batteries, charge controller, combining breaker, inverter and back-up generator costs about $800 per year in fuel and maintenance. An amount he’s happy to pay considering he no longer receives monthly power bills.

“It’s another 400 bucks a month that I can spend on myself instead of the power company,” Dahl says, of the benefits of living off-grid. “The other one is that I’m self-sufficient. If there is a grid-

based power failure, my lights are still on.”

Today it's easier than ever to leave the grid, he says. “It’s a big step for people they’re no longer reliant on someone else providing power,” he says. “But the stuff is fully modern now so that 99% of people could do it by themselves now without an issue.”

All you have to do is remember to do regular maintenance on the equipment, he says, adding it’s generally infrequent and reasonably simple.

Another side benefit of living off-thegrid: actually paying attention to energy consumption.

“You become aware and you have to become organized,” says Shannon. “You come home from work and you think, ‘well, I should vacuum and I’m going to throw in a load of laundry,’ and that just can’t happen any time anymore.”

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It may take a bit more planning but living off-grid can be cost-effective. Solar panels are cheaper than they’ve ever been. Tying into the grid in remote areas is more expensive than it’s ever been.

It cost the Petersons $17,000 to install their solar system in 1995. The system has more than paid for itself. “We’ve definitely saved money,” says Shannon. “Sixteen years of no power bills? Some of our neighbours have $500 bills.”

Advocacy group One Block Off the Grid surveyed 45,000 off-grid households in the United States in 2011 and discovered that the national average of money saved over 20 years by those households was $20,800.

Often financial incentives are what move people to solar power, says Vannini.

“Gosh, I’ve heard estimates ranging up to 1 million dollars,” he says of the cost to tie a remote location in to the power grid.

“But even if it’s 100,000 dollars people ask themselves ‘would I want to pay that or invest 30,000 dollars in an off-grid system - a very good off-grid system for

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It’s not a big deal, says Dahl. You get used to it. “At the beginning I started out calculating every last little electron flowing through my system and then I realized that I didn’t need to do that.”

He notes that much of the electricity used in modern homes is unnecessary, known as the “phantom load” - electricity you use all the time without realizing it.

Such energy-consumers include the clock on an electric stove, the internet router, the constantly-plugged-in TV. “But when you’re living off the grid,” he says, “if you’re not using something you tend to turn it off.”

“It doesn’t really matter if it takes a minute for your TV to warm up or your satellite receiver to come back online,” he adds. “That’s just time to go have another beer and sit and relax.”

You just have to be a bit strategic, Raymond says. “You’ll think, okay, today we’ve got sunshine so solar’s producing.

So that’s a day where you check the numbers on your panels and say, ‘let’s do some laundry, let’s plug the chopsaw in.’”

Creating Enjoyable Outdoor Living

fullspectrumexteriors.ca 48

that kind of price - and people generally ask themselves that question and answer yes.”

He often found, however, that once his interview subjects started investigating off-grid living, they found many other side benefits - the environmental aspect, the quietness, the independence, the sense of pride in doing something unique.

The Petersons use a solar panel with a tracker, which keeps it facing the sun. A small wind turbine helps produce energy and they have a generator - as do nearly all off-gridders - for the overcast, dark days. They've replaced their batteries once, their tracker once, their charge controller four times and their panels never.

Everyone involved agrees that solar power systems have improved hugely in the past 20 years. It’s normal now to have a 20-25 year warranty on panels and 5-10 years on the inverter.

Prices for purchasing a solar system with generator range from $1,000 for a

NET ZERO Another way to approach energy efficient living is net zero homes. Douglas King, owner of Grande Prairie construction company NRG Homes, has been learning and studying about the concept for 10 years. “It’s the exciting part of building for me,” he says, of the technologies and knowledge that can make a home incredibly energy-efficient.

“It’s what gets me out of bed in the mornings.”

Net zero homes are generally airtight, well-insulated, placed to maximize passive heating (through the sun’s rays), and feature solar panels. The idea is that in the summertime, the abundant sunshine gives a home has more solar energy than it needs and homeowner sells the excess back to an energy company. In the winter time, the lack of available sunlight means the home draws from the grid - creating an overall balance of give and take.

Photos: © Beaver Roo Photography

super-simple RV model to a sky’s-thelimit set-up. “I’ve got a system running in northern BC that’s close to $130,000,” says Raymond. “It just depends on the customer and what they need.”

Vannini, whose research led to the creation of a documentary and book called Life Off Grid, says that people are becoming more and more interested in alternative energy.

“We live in a world that is going to be asking those questions more and more - questions about how to use energy more intelligently, how to use different sources of energy, how to live comfortably and conveniently with renewable technologies,” he says.

“When you look into these homes you realize that these folks have been asking themselves these questions for several years now and they’ve been finding great answers that we can all learn from. It’s a powerful lesson for all of us.”

“You absolutely can take an existing home and make it net zero - energy retrofitting is going to become a lot more popular, especially as energy prices continue to rise, which is inevitable,” says King. Grande Prairie doesn’t yet have a net zero home but King believes that day is coming. “The beauty of a net zero home is that when you have excess energy you can put it into the grid and you’re paid for it and when you need it, you can draw it.”

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BY DENNIS BATTIG / INNOVATIVE EARTH INC.

RAMMED EARTH Rammed earth is a building technique that has existed and been developed over thousands of years but is still very new in the North American market. Perhaps the most famous example would be sections of the Great Wall of China: they are thousands of years old yet still exist today.

Rammed earth as we know it consists of a dry mixture of sand, gravel, and cement that is compressed and compacted into forms using pneumatic tampers. Iron oxides are added to change the colour of the mixture to tailor one’s preferences and taste. In our climate, 4-6 inches of insulation is typically embedded in the middle of the 18 inch thick wall to give the wall an R value of 20-30. The electrical is also imbedded with the use of conduit.

The thick walls act as a thermal mass to retain heat in the winter and cold in the summer. Along with its now high R value and thermal mass the wall system is completely air tight.

The main use of rammed earth has been to build housing but the strong wall structures have served to prove very functional as privacy screens, sound barriers, retaining walls, and as feature walls for land-scape and businesses. The Kelowna airport built a wall in 2012 as part of an expansion in which rammed earth was chosen to incorporate energy efficient and sustainable building techniques. The unique applications of rammed earth often make it an ideal building material.

The price of this product will vary from 50

Photos: Š Innovative Earth Inc.

An Introduction

place to place as will any building type due largely on labour and material costs in your local area. With new and efficient building techniques, the labour cost in the recent years have made it a more viable product for the everyday home owner.

Rammed earth is a very safe product.

The exterior is virtually fire proof, wind proof and water proof. The interior will not be damaged after a basement flood and there is no worry of mold. There is no cavity in the wall to harbour mold, mildew or pests. The walls are toxin free and there is no off-gassing of chemicals like many other building processes.

In our northern climate there is some concern over freeze thaw. Rammed earth is a very good product in cold temperatures, being a porous material.

When the moisture in the wall expands due to freezing it simply expands into the small air pockets in the wall.

Once the forms are stripped, you are left with a finished product inside and out

that looks much like layers of rock. There is no insulating, dry walling, or painting required. Down the road, nothing will need to be replaced or refinished. Other than a light wash or vacuum from time to time, it is virtually a maintenance-free finish.

All rammed earth structures are engineered and tested to meet or exceed all local building codes. In terms of safety and Alberta building codes, rammed earth falls under the umbrella of concrete, therefore requiring a structural engineer to see the project along. With added tests for concrete strength, ground disturbance reports and extra permitting, rammed earth is undoubtedly as strong and safe if not more secure than any stick-framebuilt dwelling. There are rammed earth structures all over the world that are hundreds of years old and still going strong. That is a true testament to the strength and durability of this beautiful and unique building technique.

| Renos

BY THE CANADIAN HOME BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION / GRANDE PRAIRIE REGION

How to Avoid

Renovation Rip Offs Reputable renovators shudder when they hear about consumers ripped off by bad contractors. It’s even sadder when the victims are seniors who may be struggling to get by on fixed incomes.

Fortunately there are ways to protect yourself so you can do the renovations that will make your home more comfortable, attractive, safe and accessible.

The first thing is to recognize that charlatans may be lousy renovators but are terrific at winning your trust.

Warning signs include offers of a special deal because the contractor is supposedly doing another job in your neighbourhood.

Watch out if you are quoted a price before the renovator sees the job. Alarm bells should go off if you are asked for a big down payment to purchase materials.

Besides the potential for outright fraud where a contractor takes the deposit and runs, shoddy work can mean huge repair bills and trouble when it comes to sell a home if the work violates codes or was performed without permits.

Most of us also like a bargain so it’s no surprise that homeowners are tempted

when a renovator offers to accept payment in cash if no receipt is required.

The so-called “savings’ from cash deals can also be an illusion. Unlicensed contractors likely pay more for materials and the purported GST savings may be eaten up by a padded bill.

You are guaranteed not to get a warranty on the work – plus the warranties on appliances may be cancelled unless you can prove they were installed by a qualified technician.

Without a written contract, there is no legal recourse if there are problems. And you can be exposed to legal liability if the cash operator does not have coverage for injured workers, or damage to your property or a neighbouring home.

Here are key questions to ask before you agree to a “steal of a deal”: • Will the contractor guarantee the quality of the materials and workmanship in writing?

• Will you receive proof of payment?

• Have all building permits, inspections, licences and certificates required by your municipality been obtained?

• Did you get two or three estimates? If an estimate seems too good to be true, review it to make sure nothing is missing.

One way to protect yourself from fly-bynight operators and ensure quality work is to hire a member of the RenoMark program.

This identifies renovation contractors who have agreed to the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Code of Ethics and a renovation-specific Code of Conduct.

RenoMark renovators understand the value of customer service, provide warranties and continually educate themselves on trends, materials and new regulations.

You can also find more ideas about how to ensure your renovation goes smoothly by checking out the Get It In Writing page at www.chbaalberta.ca. This collaborative initiative with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. will help you understand issues such as liens, documentation to require from contractors, details about what should be included in the written contract and useful project checklists.

Photo: © Artco /Dollar Photo Club

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Photo: Š T.Sedore Photography / Unique Home Concepts - Juliauna

BY NICOLE LESTER

Innovative Bathroom Design The 3rd millennium B.C. is known as the “Age of Cleanliness”. Toilets and sewers were being invented around the world. The modern conveniences that we’ve not only grown accustomed to, but are a necessity for keeping us clean and healthy, have been evolving for thousands of years. After all…everybody poops.

The awe-inspiring greatness of the Roman baths and the beginnings of indoor latrine facilities have given way to running water at the tips of our fingers and flushing toilets, changing what we consider “routine”. What’s exciting right now in the sea of advancement?

Low Flow… Everything. Toilets, showers and faucets all give us the ability to take advantage of our modern resources, but also to protect them. Canada’s water withdrawals are nearly double that of 16 other peer countries, on average. Innovation takes on a whole new meaning from a conservation level! As the collective world consciousness becomes more aware of our usage, as well as the limited nature of water as a precious resource, the company’s manufacturing toilets, shower systems and faucets are rising to the occasion and making not only efficient but attractive options.

Thermostatic Showers are an advancement that not only simplifies our day to day showering habits, but can also protect people from the dangers of being scalded, or a dramatic change in water temperature that could cause a person to abruptly move and potentially slip. Safe, efficient and beautiful!

Wall-Mounted Toilets. Not only can low flow toilets make an impact on your pocket book, and our earth, but the new wave of technology can increase the space in your bathroom, while making it easier to clean. I don’t know

about you but getting on my hands and knees to scrub and dust at angles that require a person to be a contortionist, isn’t my idea of a good time. Wall-mounted toilets are a porcelain gift! No gross bolts, hidden under lame little caps that pop off and hit you in the face while you’re trying to clean. Also, if you are above average height or have a disability that requires a taller toilet than is possible to source out, this innovation can make a serious contribution towards your quality of life.

Let’s not overlook over Bidets! I know, I know… after touting the importance of water conservation, turning around to advocate using water instead of toilet paper seems counterintuitive, until we have a closer look. On average, North Americans use 57 sheets of toilet paper per day. Who cares? We’re talking about water here, right? Well, those 57 sheets of toilet paper will require 3.7 gallons of water to create. One squirt from a bidet uses about 1/8th a gallon of water. A few bidet usages will still use far less water than the toilet paper option, not to mention less paper!

Floating vanities and cabinets afford you a stylish option that also frees up floor space. This makes it easier to clean and less likely to bash fragile toes off of hard pieces of furniture on those early morning trips to the loo.

Wet room designs are on the forefront of style. Excellent for smaller spaces where every wall counts! Wall hung toilets and floating vanities make this dream more achievable and sustainable by decreasing the number of items touching the floor that could be compromised by insufficient waterproofing. Great care and attention must be given to the slopes and angles in a wet room, however, lest your hallway become a ‘wet room’ too!

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BY SUSAN BRADSHAW / SUPERIOR INTERIORS

How many times have we all been in a perfectly nice gas station or store, only to find a plain, grubby washroom hiding in the back? It’s been proven that welldecorated, clean, spacious bathrooms encourage customers to visit a business and to come back again. It’s a sound business investment to clean up and jazz up a bathroom. A great bathroom can lead to an increase in sales - potential customers come in to use the facilities and leave with a coffee and magazine. Here are some ideas for an excellent commercial bathroom:

Photos: © Beaver Roo Photography

Wow Them and Keep it Clean flush toilets, automatic soap dispensers, dryers and taps all keep the passage of germs down and make cleaning easier. It also speeds things up for in-a-hurry customers. Use quartz countertops that don’t wear out with undermount sinks to make clean-up easier. Tiling the walls keeps graffiti at bay.

Extra Touches Consider lots of lighting, carefully placed, and good mirrors for makeup repair in the ladies’ washroom. Keep an eye on mirror placement, you don’t want to accidentally reduce the privacy of a restroom.

Design Depending on the business you could have hundreds of people coming in every day. It’s something to remember when redesigning. You’re not going to please everyone but you’ll need to aim for impressing the masses. One thing guaranteed to do this? Changing up the decor from time to time. It creates a feeling of a fresh, dynamic business that keeps evolving.

customers. It’s distasteful to have to set a handbag or coat on a public bathroom floor. Consider a small shelf to hold a coffee cup or car keys.

Accessibility Make sure all parts of the bathroom are accessible for everyone. Check the necessary requirements for your area.

Ease of Use Put hooks on the backs of bathroom doors.

This will earn you major points with

Cleanliness Set it up to be touch-free. Design it so the entrance is private but still door-free. Auto-

With a little extra care and some thoughtful design, you’ll have hordes of customers at your door in no time - all looking for the loo.

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Dress it up!

Chandeliers and mirrors are the jewellery of a bathroom. Add a touch of sparkle, it will leave an impression of glamour and design creativity with your customers.

BY CHESTER GRONER / NEXTSTAR TECHNOLOGIES

Concrete Repairs: An Introduction Concrete cracks are inevitable, it’s not a matter of if but when cracks will happen. Sometimes people think a concrete crack means the product has failed but it’s simply part of the reality of concrete. If you have concrete poured and find yourself with a crack, don’t despair, you just need to know a few things about what to do.

Why do concrete foundations crack?

The most common type of concrete cracks is the result of shrinkage and generally happens within the first 30 days after a foundation has been poured. Concrete shrinks as water within the concrete evaporates. The wetter the concrete mix is, the more shrinkage is going to occur, which ultimately weakens the foundation. Another reason for concrete cracks is from natural settling of the foundation.

What about structural foundation breaks?

Structural cracks can be reinforced and stabilized with the use of carbon fibre and Kevlar grid straps and staples, preventing further movement and cracking. The engineered approved grid strap system is comprised of high tensile strength carbon fibres woven together by Kevlar strands. They are designed for stabilizing both poured concrete and block walls. Due to its extreme high strength to weight ratio this is the repair material of choice for bowed basement walls to restore and maintain structural integrity. They add strength to Epoxy-injected cracks to transfer stress across the repair and adding considerable more life to the repair. It is a proven superior alternative to steel for reinforcing structural substrates since it is stronger, stiffer and non-corrosive and is popular in both residential and commercial applications. It also can be bonded to the surface of a concrete structure at any time to stop bowing and cracking.

Most concrete foundation cracks are strictly leaking problems, especially during heavy rains and snow melt. Not only can excess water in the basement potentially damage or ruin valuable items, but chances for mold and mildew growth are significantly higher. Basement wall cracks also have the ability to widen. After a foundation crack forms, the prospect of water seepage (whether slight or major) arises. If water leakage from a foundation crack is minimal now, the potential exists for the crack to widen, allowing further seepage into the basement.

How does one repair concrete cracks?

The repairing of concrete cracks, whether a structural deficiency and/or concrete wall seepage, is a critical aspect of the basement waterproofing process. Today, the most efficient and economical way to repair poured foundation cracks is with the low-pressure injection of either epoxy or polyurethane foam.

Surface patches are not adequate as the water will continue to enter and deteriorate the concrete inside, eventually making the problem worse. Digging up from the exterior is very costly and is usually only as a last resort.

Leaking or Cracked Basement? Call us!

7 days a week FREE ESTIMATES NO digging - injections from the inside Protect your investment - water damage is very expensive

For wet and leaking cracks, the preferred injection material is polyurethane. Upon contact with water within the crack, polyurethane foam reacts by expanding throughout the void, thus filling the crack. For structural defects, epoxy is injected to effectively glue the concrete back together.

-

Which is better, epoxy or polyurethane injection? If the crack needs to be structurally repaired and the area needs to be as strong as, or stronger than, the concrete around it then epoxy injection is better. If the crack needs only to be repaired to prevent water leaking through it then polyurethane is better.

780.518.9806 • nextstar.ca SERVING GRANDE PRAIRIE AND SURROUNDING AREA 55

BY MEREDITH VEZINA / HIGH MARK HOMES

Things to Consider Before a Renovation 1 3

5

Budget. The budget is one key component of a successful renovation. Those who fail to sit down and take the time to properly lay out their budget often find themselves in well over their heads, and the “little renovation” becomes a monumental headache. The more comprehensive and detailed the budget, the better off you will be. Research the cost of materials and appliances you anticipate to use, the expected cost of a contractor, the cost of alternative living arrangements if needed - all the things that add up over the course of a renovation. A good rule of thumb is to account for a 15 per cent cushion within your budget, as unexpected expenses always arise. Although it may seem tedious at first, determining a realistic budget will allow you to get through a renovation eager to start the next.

2

Determine Your Renovation Goals. Are you thinking of updating your bathroom because it looks dated? Or are you thinking of upgrading a kitchen in order to increase your resale value? The goals of a renovation can be as simple as adding a coat of paint and some new trim to brighten up a room, to finishing a basement for use as a suite. Wherever you fit on that spectrum, decide what the short term and long term goals are for that space.

One example of this could be a desire to improve the lighting within your renovation space. Whether it is done by adding larger windows, adding skylights or having an electrician add additional fixtures, lighting can drastically alter the feeling of a home. The greatest thing about a renovation is that you are shaping a space to fully suit your needs. As such, ask yourself what will work best for you and your family.

Have you been thinking about renovating that old, run down kitchen? Replacing those floors? Feeling a little bit overwhelmed with the whole process? Well, you aren’t alone. Here are some things to consider before you get the sledgehammer out and start swinging!

Find the Right Contractor. If you have opted to use a contractor for your renovation, take the time to find a reputable contractor. Do your own research and look for a contractor that fits your style and who produces a quality product. Ask for references from previous clients and get recommendations from others who have recently used a good contractor. The Canadian Homebuilders’ Association includes members of small businesses and contractors that have been credited and designated as reputable builders. Communication between you both will be extensive so it is a good idea to choose a contractor that you are comfortable with.

Be sure to clearly lay out your goals, timeline, and budget with your contractor and be sure to sign a contract that you are both happy with. The contract is an extremely important part of the process as it protects both parties and clearly lays out your agreement in writing. Don’t overlook this step.

Remember that spending extra money on a qualified and experienced contractor will save you time and energy in the long run. Plus, good contractors are an invaluable resource for contributing design and building knowledge to your renovation.

4

Get Advice from Others. Now that you have found your contractor and set your plan and budget, it is a good idea to talk to fellow homeowners who have undergone renovations. Most of the important lessons take place during the renovation process and seeking advice from others is a great way to avoid the same mistakes. Ask them about what they would do differently, what went well, and what didn’t. Be proactive and get as much information about what to expect so that you don’t feel unprepared.

5

Stay Calm and Motivated. Renovations are stressful, costly, and chaotic. But they are incredibly exciting and so rewarding once completed. If you are calm and positive, the effect on the job site is quite palpable. A happy worksite is a productive worksite, so keep calm and enjoy the experience!

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Photo: Š Highmark Homes - 2014 Custom

Photo: © Serenethos/Dollar Photo Club

| Home Maintenance

Get to Know Your Furnace Your furnace is an essential piece of your home and you always expect it to work. The vast majority of people know very little about their furnaces. You may not know its age, its brand, its filter size or its efficiency. Your probably don’t remember the last time it was serviced unless that call was a result of a failure on a very cold day. Many of us are like this don’t feel bad if you don’t know much about your furnace. A few simple tips can help it keep operating well.

As a home owner the first and most important thing you can do is regularly change the filter in your furnace. This will give you cleaner air circulating through your home and your furnace will be more efficient.

How do I change my furnace filter?

If you have your owner’s manual for your furnace it will show you where the filter is and how to remove it.

Before you head out to buy new filters, determine what type of filter you have. It is a good idea to buy multiple filters and label each filter with the date you plan to install it. Then you’re always ready to go.

First of all you need to locate your furnace.

If you’re not sure, the best way to do this is 58

by turning the fan setting on your thermostat to the ‘on’ position, listen for the sound of your system and follow it to its origin.

Now that you have located your furnace open the slide or the door panel to get access to the furnace. You will usually find the filter near where the cool air enters the furnace in the cold air return duct or the entrance to the blower chamber.

Next, slide out the old filter and replace it with the new one. Make sure the air flow arrow on the filter is pointing the right way. The arrow points in the air flow direction which filters cold air before it is heated and releases into your home.

Now replace the panel or door. Ensure they are closed properly - if not, the safety feature will not allow the furnace to start.

A Primer on Filters The more efficient the filter, the more often it needs to be cleaned or changed.

Dirty filters restrict air flow, overwork your furnace and increase your utility bill by up to 7%.

Basic filters are recommended by manufacturers and these filters run between 7-10% efficiency. They vary in price but you can find them for $5 for a

pack of five at any hardware store. These filters need to be replaced monthly. Some manufacturers of pleated filters recommend every three months, but if the white filters start to grey, it’s time to change them.

Pleated filters run at approximately 7090 percent efficiency and cost around $15 each. These filters should be checked monthly and changed if they are grey.

Electrostatic filters cost around $150 and they start at 90% efficiency. These filters need to be cleaned or changed every two weeks.

Electronic air cleaners range from 90% to 99.98 % efficiency and cost up to $1500. These filters need to be cleaned or changed every two weeks.

Allergy Filters are recommended to keep the air in your home more pure. If you have one of these filters it is important that you run your furnace fan continuously. Dust is constantly flying around your home, and if your furnace isn’t on to catch these impurities through your filter, your money won’t be well spent. These filters should be vacuumed monthly and cleaned yearly.

What should you do if your furnace stops working?

1. Check your furnace filter to see if it needs to be changed or cleaned.

2. Check the furnace doors to see if they are closed properly. If they are not closed properly the safety feature will not allow the furnace to start.

3. Check Gas to ensure that it is turned to the on position 4. Check your electrical panel. Based on the legend that is on the panel, find the breaker that is for your furnace and ensure it is turned on.

5. Check your furnace power supply. Every furnace has a power switch, this switch looks like a light switch and is usually found by the furnace or in a stair well leading to the furnace. Ensure that this switch is turned on. It is a good idea to label this switch so that people know what it is for.

6. Check your thermostat to make sure it is set to the proper setting for the season.

If you have an error light or the flame is blank, change the batteries.

If all the above ideas haven’t worked it’s time to call your local service provider.

Before you call, have your furnace’s brand, model and serial numbers ready. This will allow your technician to make sure he or she has the proper parts before getting to your home. Keep in mind that it impossible for any service provider to carry every part for every furnace in stock.

As seasons change from cold to hot, what temperature should my thermostat be turned to?

It is recommended that you turn your thermostat to 20 degrees and if it gets colder the furnace will automatically turn on.

What setting is best on my thermostat?

On, Off, or Auto. If you like you can turn your fan to the “on” position. This will keep you home cooler. Hot air rises and gets trapped upstairs while the basement or ground level floors are much cooler. The furnace fan draws that cool air from the

Photo: © Indoor Elements

BY LENA BUECHNER / INDOOR ELEMENTS MECHANICAL LTD.

basement and redistributes it throughout the house for a more even temperature.

Some people prefer to turn their furnace completely off and this is fine too.

The life expectancy of a furnace is 18-25 years. Keep in mind that summer is a great time to look into getting a new furnace.

This way you will be in control of the process and will have the time to research and get quotes that will ensure you are happy with your final product.

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@2DAYFMGP

2DAYFM GP

2DAYFMGP

| Outdoor Spaces

The Appeal of Great Curbs

BY SHANE LUX / CONTOURS CREATIVE CURBING LTD.

We all desire to have a great home with a fantastic looking yard. We are all looking for simple solutions to keeping our landscaped yards looking great, without a lot of maintenance.

When building a new home a general rule of thumb is to spend 10-15 % of the value of the home on landscaping. Any real estate agent will tell you a welllandscaped yard could get you up to 15% more in resale value, compared to the same looking house a couple blocks away with no landscaping. It’s all about curb appeal.

One way to help make your home look fantastic is concrete curbing. Curbing not only will help increase value to your home, it will also help to maintain your yard, make your home more beautiful and allow you to enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Compared to other edging, concrete curbing won’t rot, warp, get mangled in your lawnmower or deteriorate over time.

It combines amazing strength and flexibility. The beauty of the concrete curbing system is that it can be done at any stage in your landscape transformation. It can be added early in your new home design or it can be added to any mature yard over time.

Just because curbing is practical, it doesn’t mean it lacks creativity. Curbing

comes in various sizes, shapes, colour and textures to go along with your home’s decor. And that’s where it’s wise to consider a professional curbing company.

A professional concrete curbing company will help you measure out the area to be curbed, help you choose your design to meet your needs and answer any questions you may have. When looking for a company, do ask some basic questions: “How long have you been in business?” “Is curbing all you do?” “Can I put my curb there or does a bylaw hinder you from doing that?” “Do you have a portfolio so I can see some of your work?” “Does your business carry WCB, Liability Insurance and have a proper business license to operate in Grande Prairie?” “Do you put control joints in your curb and if so, how deep?” (Concrete curbing is going to crack, so a control joint allows for a place for it to crack.) If a company cannot answer any of these questions satisfactorily, then you may want to stay away from them. There is often a reason why some businesses offer a “cheaper” curb compared to others: it’s just that simple, it’s done cheaply.

A great curbing company will have several products to help make your curb last forever. Cable reinforcement is a must in this country due to our freeze/thaw cycles and shifting ground. Cable helps keep that curb together and will allow very little movement within the control

joint. Fibermesh is a product that gives your curbing some strength and help with shrinkage. Air entrainment, is also necessary to help in our freeze/thaw cycles.

Concrete curbing comes in all kinds of colours. There are primarily two ways to get colour. One is through a process called slurring. Slurring takes the colour, almost like paint (even though that not what it is) and drapes over the curb. You’ll get brilliant results and a more glossy finish.

The disadvantage comes if you chip it: then you have a grey concrete spot. The other way is to have the colour mixed throughout the concrete mix. When mixed this way you get a more matte finished look. The advantage of doing it this way is that if you happen to chip it, nick it or break it you will have colour throughout and it’s not as noticeable.

And finally, a sealer. A good concrete sealer is a must in protecting your curb from the elements and keeping your colour bright and beautiful. If you already have coloured curbing in your yard, it is a good idea to re-seal it once every year to two years. It’s a simple do-it-yourself job, but take care in doing it - some sealers do not interact well with each other and they may turn your curb white or yellow. Try to get the same company that originally did your curb to come back and maintain it.

And once you have your curbing completed you just add your flowers, trees, shrubs or whatever your heart desires, sit back and relax and marvel at your new beautiful yard.

Photo: © Contours Creative Curbing Ltd.

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Photo: Š Aztec Landscaping Ltd.

Five Simple Steps to a Great Fire Pit

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BY BRANDY BROST / AZTEC LANDSCAPING LTD. Redefining how we cook, socialize and create energy, fire pits are increasing in popularity as we bring our living spaces into the great outdoors of our own backyards. You don’t have to wait for weekends or holidays, you can bring camping to life in your backyard every day of the week when you have an inviting fire pit on your property.

Envision a huge outdoor kitchen just off your deck where you have an old-style brick oven to entertain your guests. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have the hub of your house extended into your outdoor landscape? Bring the kitchen of your home outdoors and invite the neighbourhood in, with a spectacular fire pit.

Or, on the other side of the spectrum, a fire pit can bring you quiet and solitude. Experience the tranquillity of letting your stress go every evening.Your backyard can become an outdoor spa with a bubbling water feature to surround you as you sit at your crackling fire. In the sanctuary of your own space you can transport yourself after a tough day at work.

The only limit to what you can create around a fire pit is your own imagination. A good basic round fire pit can be built over a weekend for less than seven hundred dollars.

STEP THREE

STEP ONE

Why not go a little wild?

Let’s go shopping!

You will need: • 0.5 yard of ¾ inch road crush • 1.5 yards of ¾ inch washed rock or other groundcover to surround the fire pit • 1 stack stone fire-pit kit • 40 feet of black landscape edging • 140 square feet of landscape fabric

STEP TWO

Pick a place in your back yard a minimum of 10 feet away from the house or any standing structure. Cut out a round area of turf for the fire pit to sit in - about 12 feet across and four inches deep is good.

Pour your ¾ inch road crush into the centre of this space and tamp it down with a hand tamper or vibratory plate tamper. The road crush should be installed a total of four inches thick, but you should pack it in 1.5 inch increments to ensure proper compaction.

Place your first row of bricks, leaving two inches between every second or third brick to allow air to come through and fuel your fire.

You could place two bricks together and then leave a one-inch space for each brick - this is personal preference, just make sure you leave spaces for air to get through. Once the first row is installed with a few gaps for air flow, continue stacking the remaining stones on top of them, leaving no spaces between bricks on any row above the first row.

STEP FOUR

Install the landscape edging around the perimeter of the entire excavated area. Place the landscape fabric from the edging to the fire pit.

STEP FIVE

Install the washed rock or other groundcover on top of the landscape fabric. Then invite all your friends over and enjoy your newly created outdoor living space!

Starting with this basic design you can also add and build on to your wildest imaginations. You can use the same basic idea to build a big cook oven, just a different pattern. To build the brick foundation below you would use the same procedure in Step One and just excavate down an additional 3.5 inches to accommodate for one inch of sand and 2.5 inches of paving stones.

Your fire pit doesn’t need to be a round standard pit either, you could create a square one with a brick patio and benches around it. Just extend the above instructions to include the benches. Or you could create a wall around the sitting area to section off the entire fire pit area.

How about getting a bit more elaborate? With some outside help you could add a water feature to surround your fire pit. A small waterfall or maybe even a Coy pond for you to relax beside could be a great addition.

Starting simple with your basic fire pit and building out from there is something a home owner could do today on their own, fairly expensively. Build on it over time and within a few years you could have a backyard retreat that brings many friends and family over to enjoy.

YOUR BUY ME A TEAM “We work as a team, so you’ll never be left waiting or wondering” Part of Dominion Lending Centres HT Mortgage Group and Canadian First Financial, Independently Owned and Operated

YOUR EXPERTS IN FINANCING YOUR DREAM HOME BUILD

#105, 10127 - 121 Avenue, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 7V3 www.buymeahome.ca

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Store your fats, oil and grease in an empty can.

Let it harden and throw can in garbage.

Why should I not put fats, oils and grease down the drain?

It will plug your drain which results in damage and expense to you and your neighbours.

Is it ok to pour fats, oils and grease down the drain as long as I...

1. Use the garbage disposal?

No, garbage disposals only grinds things before they pass into your sewer pipes.

2. Run hot water with soap down the drain after?

No, hot water with soap only gives the illusion it dissolves the fats, oils and grease, but eventually it cools and will clog your drain.

3. Pour liquid oil at room temperature down the drain?

No, liquid cooking oils float on top of wastewater and will stick to the pipes and will eventually build up.

For more information visit www.aquatera.ca

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