Calgary Home Decor & Renovations - Dec 2014/Jan 2015

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DEC 2014 - JAN 2015 VOLUME 12 ISSUE 6

CALGARY EDITION

GET PLANNING FOR YOUR DREAM RENOVATION NOW! 2015

trends DECOR

FORECAST

Scott McGillivray McGillivary & Sarah Richardson CATCH UP WITH THESE DESIGN STARS AT THE NEW AND IMPROVED

2013 RENOVATOR CHBA-CALGARY REGION

OF THE YEAR

For Those Who Value Luxury, Quality And Exceptional Design 403.203.7676 + WWW.ALBIRENOVA.COM

contents

VOLUME 12 ISSUE 6

DEC 2014- JAN 2015

30

48 FREE

DEC 2014 - JAN 2015 VOLUME 12 ISSUE 6

in every issue 8 Editor’s notebook

business profiles

CALGARY EDITION

GET PLANNING FOR YOUR DREAM RENOVATION NOW!

10 Ultimate Renovations

2015

trends

BY MICHELLE HOPKINS

DECOR

16 Wallace Fleming emphasizes quality,

FORECAST

client satisfaction

BY HEATHER RYAN

Scott McGillivray McGillivary & Sarah Richardson CATCH UP WITH THESE DESIGN STARS AT THE NEW AND IMPROVED

18 Albi Renova - A 1983 home gets a fabulous new makeover!

BY MICHELLE HOPKINS

cover story

25

PLANNING FOR YOUR HOME STARTS AT HOMEXPO

BY DEANNA MCARTHUR

22 Renovate with award-winning Kurmak Builders

BY HEATHER RYAN

36 Kon-strux produces

award-winning designs

BY HEATHER RYAN

70 Trademark Renovations makes customer service a priority

BY HEATHER RYAN

features 11 Trends and Tradition

BY MICKEY FOULDS

30 Kitchen makeovers reflect your style

BY HEATHER RYAN

41 Installing a fireplace adds value to your home

BY HEATHER RYAN

46 Keeping Warm this Winter

BY SAVANNAH HOLCROFT

COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDON BARRÉ AND TIM LEYES

48 By the numbers…...

BY ADENE LUCAS

54 Let the cold begin…

BY LAURA LE

58 Creating Pretty But Practical Outdoor Living Spaces

BY BONNY DANN / ESCAPES INC.

62 Dreamscape to Winterscape

BY BJACKIE SWARTZ

designer feature 19 A Contemporary Kitchen Reno from the heart

BY LAURA STEIN

hosting101 24 10 ways to be the

perfect party host

BY SARA DUCK

renomark 44 Now is a great time to plan for that renovation

BY BRYAN TUCKEY

tips & tricks 38 Pros and Cons of Renovating Through the Winter

BY VANESSA GASH

64 Decoding the code

BY MICHAEL NYIKES

67 Preventative Maintenance

BY SHELL BUSEY

Renovations that Inspire

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Home renovations from the homebuilding experts.

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SO MANY WAYS TO UPDATE YOUR HOME MAIN FLOOR UPDATES AND EXTENSIONS KITCHENS BATHROOMS

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EDITOR’SNOTEBOOK

DEC 2014/JAN 2015 VOLUME 12 ISSUE 06 VICE PRESIDENT, WALL2WALL MEDIA

Jacqueline Hill EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / DIRECTOR OF CONTENT

Susan Legge DIRECTOR OF SALES, NATIONAL

Josh Heppner SENIOR SALES MANAGER, WESTERN CANADA

Edwin Rizarri ART DIRECTOR

Victoria Cigan EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Sara Duck

MEDIA CONSULTANT

What’s on your renovation wish list?

Anita van Breevoort, 403.461.5518 Anita.VanBreevoort@wall2wallmedia.com

Welcome to our winter issue! Tis the season to cosy up by the fire and entertain with loved ones, while the snow swirls outside. Tis also the season to start thinking about next year’s renovation wish list! Are you hoping for a new master bathroom with his and her showerheads? Or, a kitchen update, complete with a large granite island?

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Bala Gnanapandithan PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR/ GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Mohammad Haidarpour GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

You may be interested to know that when it comes to home improvements, adding a fireplace to your home adds $20,000 in value and 50 to 80 per cent return on investment. With Calgary’s long winters, installing a fireplace may just be the perfect home addition. Check out Hearth & Home Fireplace Specialties’ great advice on page 41.

Viosa Barileva, Mike Terentiev, Miguel Cea

Maybe you are waiting to compile your reno wish list until after you attend the Homexpo – Calgary’s annual renovation and home innovations show, running from Jan. 16 to 18 at BMO Centre, Stampede Park. You’ll find a ton of inspiration for all your home needs, including advice on making that dream renovation come true! Also, you won’t want to miss design stars and special guests Sarah Richardson and Scott McGillivray at the show. We catch up with these two talents on page 25.

Home Décor and Renovations magazine is published six times a year. Home Décor and Renovations magazine is distributed throughout Calgary and Greater Calgary area. This publication has been designed for the renovation market as a guide. Home Décor and Renovations magazine carefully inspects all ads for accuracy, however, the publisher and the printer shall not be responsible for any mistakes, design errors or incorrect information which is provided by the advertiser or their representative.

And for the ultimate party planner, check out 10 tips to be the perfect host from Peggy Post, great-granddaughter-in-law to the famous American etiquette writer Emily Post, on page 24. There really is an art to being a great host during this busy season.

We hope you enjoy the issue.

Heather Ryan, Mickey Foulds, Adene Lucas, Laura Le, Bonny Dann Escapes Inc., Vanessa Gash, Hellen Buttigieg, Michael Nyikes, Shell Busey, Yanic Simard, Bryan Tuckey

The advertising herein, including the photographs and all artwork is the property of Home Décor and Renovations magazine and not that of the advertiser. The advertiser has purchased the right of reproduction in Home Décor and Renovations magazine only and does not have the right to reproduce the ad in whole or in part in any other place or publication without the consent of the publisher.

The entire contents of this publication are protected by copyright and are intended for the sole use of the public.

WE’RE LISTENING! Send us your comments, questions, renovation stories, pictures and great ideas!

HOME DÉCOR AND RENOVATIONS

Cheers,

SARA DUCK EXECUTIVE EDITOR, WALL2WALL MEDIA sara.duck@wall2wallmedia.com Follow me on twitter: twitter.com/saraduckHDR

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BUSINESSPROFILE

ULTIMATE RENOVATIONS

A DATED 1980s LAKEFRONT HOME MORPHS INTO A STUNNING CONTEMPORARY DREAM HOME

W

by MICHELLE HOPKINS

hen Heather Dyson and Brad Sparks moved in together they became a blended family of seven. The couple quickly needed to work out whether they should live in Brad’s lakefront home or purchase a new home to accommodate their busy active household.

They spent a few exhausting months looking at new homes. They soon concluded they could never find a home in such an idyllic location as the one Brad owned. They decided that renovating the “tired looking” 1980s home was the perfect solution.

“We realized how much we loved the home; its lakeside setting, the big trees and the large yard,” says Heather. “It was quite dated inside and out. We also really needed more bedrooms so that all five children could have their own space.”

The couple wanted to create an open-concept home that took full advantage of the lake views. “I had dreams of what was possible here and I knew we could fix what wasn’t working,” adds Brad.

The couple researched a number of renovation companies. In the end, they hired Ultimate Renovations. “We knew they had a great reputation, we’d seen their show homes, we checked their references and saw their numerous awards… ultimately, it was an easy decision,” explains Brad.

Working closely with Brad and Heather, the multiple award-winning renovator undertook the extensive restoration. The project consisted of removing walls, raising ceilings, installing larger windows to maximize lake views, as well as adding square footage, more bathrooms and bedrooms. The team of professionals transformed the family’s home inside and out into a functional modern showstopper.

The results were stunning and the couple couldn’t be happier. “I had complete confidence that Ultimate Renovations could create our vision. Not only that, they were very creative in coming up with solutions to all of our ideas, whether they made sense or not,” quips Brad. “There were challenges along the way but they always found a way to make it work.”

Heather agreed. “As far as renovations go, this was a dream,” says Heather.

“They were upfront about the timeline, the costs and they delivered on all of their promises. They really are passionate about what they do and it showed in every aspect of the renovation process.”

John McCoy and his team of professionals at Ultimate Renovations invite you to contact them to discuss your home improvements goals. To find out more about Calgary’s premier luxury renovator, call 403-287-3122, email at info@ultimaterenovations.com or visit the website ultimaterenovations.com.

10 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

FEATURE

TRENDS and TRADITION

by MICKEY FOULDS photos courtesy of MCARTHUR FINE FURNITURE & INTERIOR DESIGN

AT FIRST GLANCE traditional style and current trends seem to be mutually exclusive. You are either edgy and current, or stuck in some stuffy space surrounded by your grandmother’s hand-me-downs!

This perception is of course completely flawed and I was curious to find the sweet spot when it comes to more traditional and classic design. After all, it is traditional because it has endured, often over the course of many centuries and still continues to have great appeal.

To this end I decided to explore a little further and found myself at McArthur Fine Furniture And Interior Design in Calgary. Harking back to 1938, this third generation family run business prides itself on providing enduring high end quality pieces and excellent service. It is easy to walk in and at first glance assume their collections are predominantly completely traditional. However as I took the time to look carefully strolling through the showroom a picture emerged that was intriguing.

Firstly, consistently beautiful, classic pieces which were well designed, detailed and exquisitely finished caught my eye and a “new traditional” style became evident. In addition, there was a tremendous diversity of styles represented – truly “something for everyone”.

DEC 2014 - JAN 2015 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 11

Talking with General Manager Robert Pound, I discovered that McArthur’s approach is refreshingly focused on supplying enduring pieces that will serve their owners for a lifetime, whilst at the same time coordinating well with more contemporary pieces, of which many were also evident in the showroom. Their progressive approach is to move away from the stodgy design of yesteryear and provide classic forms reinterpreted with cleaner lines, more current colours and reflecting a dynamic energy appealing to both young professionals as well as an older demographic.

Upon asking about buyer trends, Robert informed me that they had noticed that customer preferences indicated a return to larger, more substantial pieces after the current love affair with mid-century modern design (which is very challenging to execute well in large traditional Elbow Valley and Bearspaw style homes!). There is a current interest in Spanish and Persian influenced pieces which have larger scale and more detail. Colour choices remain current with

12 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

2015 BRINGS WITH IT THE RESURGENCE OF BLUES WHICH HAVE BEEN IN THE BACKGROUND FOR FAR TOO LONG

grey as the preferred neutral and rich warm tangerines and purples as accent colours. Classic furniture manufacturers such as Stickley have also addressed customer preferences by bringing out modern collections with fabulous upholstery, yet continuing with their long tradition of superb craftsmanship.

An additional need also addressed by the store in recognition of how we like to shop (because time is of the essence!), is that of “one stop shopping”.

They have recently added a window treatment division to their services which will essentially enable clients to have every aspect of furnishing their space addressed.

I left the store reaffirmed that one should always buy the best quality possible, and mix beautiful high end pieces with more basic pieces if you are constrained by budget, as you progress with furnishing your home. Exquisite, ornate and traditional pieces can look sculptural when mixed in with more contemporary pieces – indeed many of them are pieces of art! It is very important to get the balance and proportions right if this is your intention, and thus worth getting some professional advice if challenged in this area.

Reviewing what I saw on my field trip and considering what I am seeing in the design industry, the following reflects where 2015 looks to be taking us… and it is going to be a quite delightful journey!

Colour is usually the dramatic frontrunner in trends and 2015 brings with it the resurgence of blues which have been in the background for far too long. Paired with rich leathery browns they create a beautifully classic combination. Smoky greys, muted pastels, soft neutrals and metallics will continue, and these will be highlighted by rich bright jewel tones - unusual color combinations will catch our attention and add an air of spontaneity. Lovely clean whites will add a level of sophistication and together with the smoky greys will replace anything that could be described as beige. There is a sense of freedom with the choices of either soft soothing colour or dramatic and energized schemes.

Feature walls by now should be a thing of the past, and only be used if they highlight an architectural feature or visually adjust the dimensions of a room. Colour should rather be used to paint zones, especially in open plan multipurpose spaces.

Pattern is evident everywhere and is basically heading in two directions.

We continue to see soft, organic and fluid prints as well as strong geometric

DEC 2014 - JAN 2015 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 13

designs. Texture continues to be a focal point with fabrics and especially so when it comes to upholstery, where fabric will be the preferred choice.

With our ever increasing awareness of responsibility for the environment we will continue to focus on natural themes, such as texture and shape derived from natural products. Materials and finishes are generally authentic looking and high sheen only found if it accentuates the natural beauty of the product.

For the most part matte finishes are preferred as they accentuate the form and material. In addition to chrome and stainless steel we will be seeing an increasing amount of the visually softer and warmer metallics such as gold, copper, pewter and steel.

From a design perspective we will continue to draw on a global aesthetic after all, with the level of communication available to us the world has become a smaller and more accessible place! Organic shapes in lighting and accessories are on the rise.

Both environmental and social responsibility for materials and labour used in the manufacture of products deserve our attention as we make decisions about the pieces we bring into our homes.

In conclusion, have fun with trends and realise there is a way to execute them so that you are not left sitting ten years later in a sadly dated space. Head out to the stores, see beautiful pieces, get inspired and plan your space with care, and never forget to enjoy the process!

14

MICKEY FOULDS MSC CID CRSS Metamorphosis Design Ltd. phone 403.651.3462 email metamorphosisdesign@shaw.ca

Bringing You Home Since 1938 67 Glenbrook Place SW off Sarcee Trail and North of Richmond Road SW, Calgary 403.246.6266 141 Gateway Drive NE, Airdrie 403.960.1030

w w w.mcar thur furniture.com Mon.-Thurs. 9:30-6pm Fri. 9:30-6pm (Airdrie) Fri. 9:30-9pm (Calgary) Sat. 9-5:30pm Sun. 11-5pm

BUSINESSPROFILE

WALLACE FLEMING

WALLACE FLEMING EMPHASIZES QUALITY, CLIENT SATISFACTION

by HEATHER RYAN

A

company dedicated to managing renovation projects effectively, Wallace Fleming Design & Renovate provides top quality fit and finish that consistently meets and exceeds their clients’ expectations.

“Our priority is on quality and great client services,” says Vaughan Wallace, managing partner of Wallace Fleming, a project manager whose passion for renovations and construction prompted him to start the business 10 years ago. “As a construction project management company, we take care of all the details of the renovation from beginning to end ensuring it’s completed on time and on budget.

“We hire quality trades and suppliers to obtain the best results and we’re here to ensure there are no errors and if there are, we have the experience to deal with them,” he says. “We’re constantly working to meet the needs and expectations of our clients and provide a service that is second to none.”

“I have an extensive background in client services and I understand quality and know what people expect,” Wallace adds. “Quality is not just in the finished product, but in the experience clients have and we want our clients to be pleased with the whole process.”

Wallace Fleming started out crafting smaller bathroom renovations and basement projects, but its reputation for honesty, integrity and quality has grown to where clients now call on them for high-end projects and entire home renovations.

“We just completed a whole house renovation to a Charleswood bungalow where we gutted the home to the exterior studs and completely rebuilt it,” Wallace

16 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

explains. “We removed structural walls and created an open design and a master bedroom with walk-in closet and ensuite and the clients were pleased with the results.”

Wallace Fleming also recently completed a project for a Garrison Woods home adding 450 sq. ft. on the back, which now houses a new galley-style kitchen with a huge island, and redesigning the front of the home. “The home looks fantastic and met the client’s expectations,” Wallace says. “There were some huge challenges, but at the end the client was very happy – enough to refer us to others.”

To learn more about Wallace Fleming Design & Renovate, visit wallacefleming.ca.

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BUSINESSPROFILE

ALBI RENOVA

A 1983 HOME GETS A FABULOUS NEW MAKEOVER

by MICHELLE HOPKINS

BEFORE

AFTER

T

ammy Wolcott and Bruce Roberts thought long and hard before choosing to renovate rather than relocate. They were literally hours away from putting an offer in on a home they both liked, when the couple opted out.

“We realized that we really loved our neighbours and our street,” says Tammy. “It would have been a major expenditure to move and purchase a newer home that still would have required some renovations.”

So, the couple decided to give their outdated 1983 home a makeover.

“We always thought it was going to be our starter home, that we would eventually move,” says Bruce with a chuckle. “Two children later and nearly 30 years and we are still here and the house has undergone very little updating.”

After interviewing three renovation firms, the couple chose multiple awardwinning Albi Renova Luxury Renovations.

“We attended a few home shows. About two years ago we met Luke Wideman, the production manager at Albi Renova,” says Bruce. “We were so impressed by his knowledge that we took his business card. We definitely felt very comfortable with Luke and he really listened to our needs and provided great suggestions.”

Once they got underway, the scope of the renovations became more extensive.

“The exterior was given a facelift, the basement is now a great room with plenty of built-in storage cabinetry, and we now have a mud room,” adds Tammy. “The house is much brighter thanks to more windows.”

18 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

Their outdated, cramped kitchen was brought back too life with an openconcept design that features new cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, a granite island, contemporary lighting and beautiful flooring.

“In the morning we sit at our island and drink our coffee while on our laptops … it’s fabulous,” says Bruce.

Today, Bruce and Tammy are thrilled with their “new” home. “We have been in our home for a few months now and it feels like our old home on steroids ... It is so much nicer, brighter and functional now,” says Tammy. “I love our new, bigger kitchen, our stone fireplace and our much larger ensuite with separate shower and bathtub.”

They also couldn’t be happier with Albi Renova. “We heard stories about renovations taking too long and costing way more and we found quite the opposite,” Bruce says. “Every week, we saw progress and they kept right on schedule.”

Both would not hesitate to recommend Albi Renova. “Everyone we dealt with was professional, respectful and ensured we were completely satisfied,” says Tammy.

“After we moved in, we were extremely impressed at the care they took with even the smallest of details.”

DESIGNERFEATURE

A CONTEMPORARY

KITCHEN RENO t r a e h e h t from

by LAURA STEIN photos by DAVID BAGOSY

HIGH GLOSS CUSTOM CABINETS WERE INSTALLED IN GREY AND WHITE, AND CAESARSTONE COUNTERS THAT LOOK LIKE MARBLE PROVIDE A BEAUTIFUL, MAINTENANCE-FREE WORK SURFACE

SOME PROJECTS HIT A LITTLE CLOSER TO HOME THAN OTHERS, AND THIS

project hit close. Really close. Not only were my clients extremely particular and demanding about all aspects of the design, they were also my parents. After 35 years of living in the house I grew up in, they had enough of all the stair climbing, yard work and maintenance involved in keeping up their home. The house was sold with all the nostalgia and mixed emotions that usually accompany such a life change, and they decided to purchase a condo. After my old room had been cleaned out, repainted and staged, I had to get over it fast and focus on my next task – creating a new home for my parents that they would enjoy for the next chapter of their lives.

The building they chose had been built in the early 1980s, and the unit had never been updated. Although the kitchen was a good size, the original finishes were worn and dated, the cabinets small and the appliances in poor condition. The entire condo, including the kitchen, was renovated before they moved in.

As an avid cook, my mother was concerned about having a functional kitchen with lots of counter and storage space. She wanted the room to be bright and airy, with sleek contemporary cabinetry. The kitchen was gutted – floor, walls and ceiling – and we started from scratch. I can still hear the echo of my contractor’s warning, “This one better be perfect, or you’ll be hearing about it for the next 30 years.”

The pressure was on.

DEC 2014 - JAN 2015 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 19

The first challenge was the concrete construction of the building and the condo board rules. We had no choice but to leave the sink, stove and fridge in their existing locations, limiting the layout options for the room. My mom, however, wanted to increase the amount of storage, add a wine fridge, an attractive range hood and a built-in microwave. I had to find a way to create extra space where there was none before.

We were able to check off everything on my parents’ list by closing off the entrance to the adjoining room, (which was converted from the dining room to an office for my dad), creating more space for storage and appliances. The peninsula was moved out towards the window, giving us room for an additional cabinet next to the sink. The depth of the peninsula was also increased to allow for storage on all three sides, and plenty of counter space for cooking and baking.

With the layout settled, we set about creating the contemporary look my parents were after. The dropped ceiling was removed to create a more open feeling and new track lighting was added to properly illuminate the space.

20 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

High gloss custom cabinets were installed in grey and white, and CaesarStone counters that look like marble provide a beautiful, maintenance-free work surface. Extra large porcelain tiles were used on the floor to create the illusion of an even bigger space.

For the backsplash, my mother wanted the simple, clean look of a marble slab, but it didn’t fit in the budget. To get the look without the price, we installed large marble tiles. Each tile is the same height as the distance between the counter and the upper cabinets, so there is little interruption in the veining of the marble.

My parents are now happily settled into their new condo.

Like in the old house, the kitchen is the heart of their new home. It took no time for my mother to get back into her routine of hosting large family dinners, cooking and baking up a storm. “It’s amazing,” she told me recently. “I love my kitchen, and it’s even better than my old one.” Phew! Another demanding client satisfied. And it’s a good thing… this one has a key to my house!

Kitchen 1

2

3

TIPS AND TRICKS:

Using two different colours for kitchen cabinets can help create a more dynamic and balanced space. In this kitchen, we used light grey cabinets on the sink side of the room to provide contrast with the dark counters and white backsplash. We used white on the opposite side where the cabinets run floor to ceiling.

4

Most kitchens require bulkheads for ventilation ducts.

By hiding them inside the upper cabinets you can achieve a higher-end, more custom look. Here, we built the cabinets, around the bulkheads and extended the doors in front of them to create the illusion that the cabinets go all the way to the ceiling. The taller cabinets add to the sleek look.

5

Instead of cabinets with doors, use large, deep drawers in your base cabinets. They allow you to store more items, can be organized with dividers and inserts, and are much easier to access.

Make the best use of corners by installing LeMans units.

These handy gizmos make use of space that is otherwise lost, and pull all the way out of the cabinet for easy access. No more crawling on your hands and knees to find something buried all the way at the back.

LAURA STEIN Laura Stein Interiors is a Toronto-based firm specializing in custom interior decorating and design for residential clients. Laura’s focus is on fresh, lifestyle-based design infused with comfort and understated luxury. She is one of Toronto’s most prominent and highly-visible decorating professionals, having won considerable acclaim for her personalized design style.

Visit laurasteininteriors.com

Large floor tiles can trick the eye into making a room seem bigger than it is, as long as the room isn’t tiny.

In very small spaces such as powder rooms, large tiles can have the opposite effect. Be sure you can fit at least three full tiles across the width of the floor.

RESPECT

I

RELATIONSHIPS

I

RESULTS

RENOVATING SMALL KITCHENS CAN CREATE LARGE RESULTS... IT’S POSSIBLE! WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WE’VE HONED OUR SKILLS ON THOUSANDS OF RENOVATIONS TO CREATE CLEVER DESIGNS FROM THE MOST COMMON SPACES, TAILOR MADE TO OUR CLIENT’S LIFESTYLE. YOU COULD SAY THAT IT HAS BECOME OUR PASSION.

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PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO VIEW OUR EXTENSIVE PHOTO GALLERY OF COMPLETED PROJECTS...

WE WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU TO DISCUSS HOW YOUR PROJECT CAN BE A SUCCESS!

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DEC 2014 - JAN 2015 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 21

BUSINESSPROFILE

KURMAK BUILDERS

RENOVATE WITH AWARD-WINNING KURMAK BUILDERS

by HEATHER RYAN

W

hether you’re looking to do a renovation project or desire a custom-built home, planning early is the key to success, says Frank Gordon-Cooper, president of Kurmak Builders.

As an award-winning renovator and custom home builder, Gordon-Cooper knows it takes significant planning to build a custom home or undertake a whole house renovation or addition.

“Great success will come from taking the time to plan properly,” he says.

“The time necessary to plan, develop designs, decide on a realistic budget and schedule will ensure quality and value.”

Communication is also a major component and they make it a priority, Gordon-Cooper says. “Involving a homeowner throughout the construction process is absolutely vital – naturally, our clients have a lot of questions about their project. If they know what to expect, their perspective changes. They feel more comfortable with the entire process.

“For us, quality is more than just superior craftsmanship; it’s the dedication to communication, maintaining schedules and staying within our client’s budget,” he comments. “If we ensure quality in all these areas then we’re giving our clients value. And, at the end of the day, our clients tell us they are very happy and we met or exceeded their expectations.”

Being involved in both renovations and custom homes provides Kurmak with an edge which benefits their clients.

“As a renovator we see how materials last, what construction methods worked and which ones didn’t, and as a custom home builder, clients encourage us to use different materials and create unique designs, doing both really pushes us to be better and as a result our clients receive higher quality work and long-lasting value,” GordonCooper explains.

Kurmak recently completed a beautiful inner city custom home this summer that turned out “extraordinarily well,” he says. “This is a modern bungalow with a fully developed basement and beautiful details. The nature of the project was unique and the homeowners did an exceptional job with their selections and they were very pleased with the outcome.”

You can learn more about Kurmak Builders, which is a member of the BBB, Canadian Home Builders Association – Calgary Region and RenoMark, by visiting: www.kurmakbuilders.com.

22

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10 WAYS TO BE THE PERFECT

party host

PEGGY POST, GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER-IN-LAW TO THE FAMOUS AMERICAN ETIQUETTE WRITER EMILY POST, SHARES HER TOP TIPS FOR ENTERTAINING WITH STYLE AND GRACE DURING THIS BUSY SEASON.

by SARA DUCK

FLEXIBLE AND GRACIOUS

INVITE CLEARLY

WATCH THE CLOCK

Include necessary information for your guests in the invitation, such as where the event will be held, what time and dress code required.

Expect guests to arrive on time and plan to be ready 15 minutes ahead of time so that you can warmly welcome them.

This includes having your table set, bar stocked and bathrooms ready with extra tissue and essentials.

Your soufflé falls. Or one friend arrives with an unexpected guest. The ruined dessert?

Have a fallback. The uninvited guest? As discourteous as it is for someone to spring a surprise on you, be gracious. No polite host would ever send an uninvited guest packing.

THE SPARK

START THE MEAL GRACEFULLY

THE LIST Preparing your guest list carefully is key to a successful party. Creating a congenial guest list ensures a comfortable and enjoyable evening for all.

KEEP CALM AND PLAN ON Set your menu ahead of time, ensuring you’ve checked all of your guests’ dietary restrictions and you have enough food for the entire evening.

ACCEPT OFFERS OF HELP Throwing a party can be enjoyable, especially if you approach it with simplicity. If someone offers to bring something, look at your menu and ask accordingly.

As host, you set the tone for making your guests feel comfortable and welcome.

Make sure to circulate the room, introduce guests to each other, engage in interesting conversation. No talk of politics, please!

BE ATTUNED TO GUESTS’ COMFORT When it comes to your guests,’ be on the pulse to their needs. Offer seconds to those who may be a little shy to ask for more and look out for wallflowers shying away from conversations.

Signal when guests can start the meal, you may need to finish off the last details in the kitchen and don’t want the food to get cold. Give a welcome speech and tell everyone to start.

SHOW APPRECIATION Thank people for coming as you bid them goodbye. And don’t forget to thank anyone who brought you a gift.

R E N OVAT I N G S I N C E 1975

INC.

Renovation Specialists & Custom Home Builder

jameswoodhomes.com

The tools of our trade have changed.

Our craftsmanship hasn’t.

There’s craftsmanship, caring, experience and pride in everything we do. All to ensure your complete confidence in our work, from start to finish.

There’s craftsmanship, caring, experience and pride in everything we do. All to ensure your

Call for your complimentary in-home consultation complete confidence in our work, from start to finish.

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Helping to build and renovate since 1975

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XC SM ARK OF E CR H

BA - E ST D 1 9 46

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24 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015 Jameswood Homes_Renovation Mag Full Page Ad_JAN.indd 1

03/01/14 12:58 PM

COVERSTORY

Planning for your home starts at Homexpo

by DEANNA MCARTHUR photos of Sarah Richardson by BRANDON BARRÉ photo of Scott McGillivray by TIM LEYES 25

All about Scott Scott McGillivray is an award-winning television host, full-time real estate investor, contractor, writer, educator and speaker. His passion lies in educating homeowners to make smart renovation and investment decisions that deliver financial rewards.

HGTV star: • Award winning executive producer, co-creator, and host of hit series Income Property.

• Judge on HGTV’s new show Flipping the Block • Judge on HGTV’s Canada’s Handyman Challenge • Judge on HGTV’s All American Handyman Best Selling Author: In 2014, McGillivray shared some of his sage advice in his latest best-selling book ‘How to Add Value to Your Home' where he offers top tips for homeowners looking for the best return on their home improvement investments.

Connect with Scott: scottmcgillivray.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/

EverythingScottMcgillivray Twitter: @smcgillivray

All About Sarah Sarah Richardson is an award-winning designer and television personality, known around the world for jawdropping transformations that turn ordinary spaces into magazine-worthy rooms with an incredible wow factor.

Host and co-producer of five HGTV lifestyle series: • Real Potential • Room Service • Design Inc. • Sarah’s House • Sarah 101 Author: Richardson’s just released her new book ‘Sarah Style’, the long-awaited resource guide to designing your perfect home was released in partnership with Simon & Schuster Canada.

Connect with Sarah: sarahrichardson.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahrichardson. design Twitter: @SarahR_Design

26 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

BETTER THAN EVER WITH TWO OF THE MOST POPULAR TV PERSONALITIES ON HAND

Whether you’re looking for a new home or condo or planning for a successful spring renovation, you start thinking about it in January – which is why CHBA Calgary Region hosts Homexpo, the first building, renovation and home innovation show of the year, January 16 – 18 at the BMO Centre, Stampede Park.

And this year’s show is slated to be better than ever with two of the most popular TV personalities on hand to share their expertise and answer your questions.

After capturing full houses last year with standing-room-only crowds, Scott McGillivray, host of the popular show Income Property, is back and he is armed with even more tips on how to get the most return on your home.

With the vacancy rate in the city at an all-time low, homeowners and investors who are considering the addition of a secondary suite to generate some extra income couldn’t find a better resource for information.

McGillivray has a plethora of experience to share and, to date, has worked in over 25 cities and on more than 250 properties.

“Secondary suites provide a source of income for new homebuyers,” says McGillivray. “And the construction of a proper suite increases the value of the home by at least what you have put into it.”

But that’s not all, McGillivray will be joined by Sarah Richardson, award-winning designer and star of shows such as Room Service, Design Inc, Sarah 101, Sarah’s House and Sarah’s Cottage.

After 15 years of producing and hosting TV programs on HGTV Canada and HGTV US, Richardson says that each viewer wants something different. The Etsy/home crafted craze clearly shows that handmade do-it-yourself segments are hugely important to a large segment of the population worldwide, but at the same time, there are people looking for cutting edge renovation and design ideas, as well as inspiration for easy décor updates.

“The idea isn’t to encourage people to redecorate continuously, but find a style that resonates, and gradually work to create a home environment that suits your personal taste and style, whatever your budget is,” says Richardson.

And whether your home is old or new, Richardson has the skill and expertise to help you with your transformation plans.

“When renovating you need to consider what will deliver the best overall value in a home, and then prioritize how to make it work,” she says. “Most people living in older homes would prefer a more open-concept floor plan. You can achieve this by opening up the structure and removing most of the walls in a main floor renovation, or you can work to create site lines and ‘windows’ in the existing walls that can help to make the overall space feel lighter and brighter and more connected.”

DEC 2014 - JAN 2015 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 27

The most exciting part of Richardson’s Homexpo visit is her new, long-awaited book, Sarah Style. Hot off the press, it will be here just in time for the show and she has offered to spend time after her presentations with the audience to sign copies which can be purchased at any Indigo, Target, Amazon, iTunes, or various other retailers. There will also be copies of the book for purchase on site after each presentation.

Want even more information on home investment and renovations? Check out McGillivray’s new book ‘How to Add Value to Your Home.' He reveals how you can get the biggest bang for your buck and shares his proven advice on renovations that make sense, the large and small ways to add value, maintaining your home, mistakes to avoid, tips on attracting and keeping good tenants, and strategies for preparing your house for sale.

Whether you are planning to give a room in your home a little face lift, are looking to do a full home makeover, or even if you have decided to buy new, Homexpo has exhibitors ready to answer your questions and provide you with the services you need.

Consumers will find booths that feature the newest products and trends from all facets of the residential construction industry, from windows to flooring to appliances and more.

Also available is the popular Destination Renovation booth where homeowners looking to renovate can get advice from a CHBA Calgary Region RenoMark™ renovator. With

any home project, there are many pieces of the renovation puzzle that need to be considered, even before the hammers start to swing. Destination Renovation is your chance to get the answers you need to feel confident in your project.

The RenoMark™ program was launched nationally to help homeowners find reliable, reputable and professional renovators. Visit RenoMark.ca/ Calgaryregion for more information.

And if you are looking to take your first steps into homeownership or you are looking to downsize, the allnew Condo Showcase is a great onestop shop for new condo projects in the Calgary region. Explore projects from across the city without doing the legwork and speak directly to the informative representatives from various multi-family builders.

Don’t miss your chance to begin crossing items off of your homeimprovement wish list. Buy your tickets online at homexpo.ca beginning December 1, or purchase them at the door.

Connect with Homexpo on Facebook (facebook.com/ homexpocalgary) and Twitter (@HomexpoYYC) for a chance to win tickets, stay up-to-date on design trends and for show information.

Homexpo Quick Facts What: Canadian Home Builders’ Association Calgary Region annual renovations and home innovations show Where: Hall D and E, BMO Centre, Stampede Park When: January 16-18, 2015 What Time: Friday, January 16: 2 - 9 p.m.

Saturday, January 17: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sunday, January 18: 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

28 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

How Much: Adults: $12 • Seniors/Students: $10 Children 12 and under: Admitted FREE Special Guests: Scott McGillivray Presentation times: Friday evening and Saturday daytime Sarah Richardson Presentation times: Saturday daytime and Sunday morning Anticipated Attendance: 16,000+ people

FEATURE

s High quality renderings can really communicate your ideas to your renovator!

Photos supplied by Drawings 4 Everyone

Putting your ideas on paper is fun and easy. Let your creativity flow! Photos supplied by Drawings 4 Everyone

30 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

Kitchen makeovers

reflect your style

by HEATHER RYAN

ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR RENOVATIONS AMONG HOMEOWNERS IS THE KITCHEN MAKEOVER.

By adding new storage options and products and redesigning workspaces you can create a more functional space and have a newly renovated kitchen that will reflect your personal style and better suit your needs for years to come.

The kitchen is frequently characterized as the heart of a home so it’s not surprising many people look to update it. And for best results “homeowners need to take the time to plan, at least two to three months, before they start construction,” says Rudy Madsen, founder of drawings4everyone. “If they want to have the work done in the spring; it’s a good idea to start planning now.”

Madsen helps homeowners plan their renos by providing inexpensive 3D drawings of their project so they can see what their kitchen will look like before any work begins.

“We ask our clients to do a sketch of their kitchen layout and make selections for things like sinks, countertops, cabinets, flooring, lighting and even paint colours and we can pull it all together in a 3D model with photos of those specific products,” he explains.

Once the drawings are complete, the homeowner can see right away if what they selected works or not. “If they don’t like how the cabinets look or they want a bigger island, it’s a lot easier and more cost effective to make revisions to the drawings than having your renovator change things during construction,” Madsen says.

“Having the visual aspect of 3D renderings really gives architects and renovators an understanding of what you want and eliminates the risk of getting something you don’t want,” he adds. “It really gives the homeowner power and control over their renovation and it’s a fun and exciting process.”

Greg Billson, owner of ShelfGenie of Alberta, agrees, and provides his clients with 3D animated models of storage solutions for their kitchen. “The models allow them to open cabinets and pull out shelves so they can see how they will function and how much additional storage they provide. It creates a certainty for homeowners because they know what they’re getting before they make any form of commitment.”

DEC 2014 - JAN 2015 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 31

Glide-Out shelves put everything within reach, improve organization and decrease clutter. Photo supplied by ShelfGenie

Your Sketch

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ShelfGenie creates custom glide-out shelves so they can fit any size cabinets. “Installing glide-outs ensures you get the most use out of your space, even those oddly shaped cabinets,” Billson says, adding glide-out shelves can make even that awkward space under the sink or that hard to reach space in cabinets above the microwave or over fridge totally functional.

“The glide-outs place everything within reach, allowing people to access storage space even at the back of the cabinet,” Billson explains. “And they help people organize their cabinets because they offer more usable space and are designed specifically for the kinds of items that they want to store.”

For corner cabinets and corner pantries, ShelfGenie offers several solutions, such as the Glide-Around, which features both glide-outs and a turntable, giving access to additional storage on the sides making those deep corners more accessible, and their designers work with clients to ensure the best results.

“Everyone uses their kitchen differently, so having the ability to create custom-built storage means homeowners can create the right storage solutions to properly fit their lifestyle and needs,” Billson says.

Love using your kitchen with storage that's custom-designed to embrace your lifestyle. Photo supplied by ShelfGenie

DEC 2014 - JAN 2015 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 33

A feature that is making it on many people’s kitchen makeover wish list is Blanco Canada’s SILGRANIT® sink.

These SILGRANIT® sinks couple beauty with toughness – SILGRANIT® is a rock-solid composite that is engineered in Germany and made in Canada – and they are non-porous, scratch-, chip- and stain-resistant and can withstand the heat of saucepans straight from the stove up to 280°C (536°F).

“These sinks are functional, durable and beautiful,” says Edyta Drutis, marketing manager at Blanco Canada.

“Frequently, we look at colour trends in kitchens and refresh our sink colours to match. All of the colours are imbued with a mineral pearlescence to catch the light and each one is designed to complement the other decor features in your kitchen.”

There are currently six colours available – Cinder, Anthracite, Truffle, White, Cafe and Biscotti – and a seventh will be launched in the first quarter of 2015.

However, if you prefer the look of stainless steel, Blanco has its STEELART® product that presents unsurpassed quality and appeal. Handcrafted in Germany, any sink in the line is an exclusive blend of artisan craftsmanship with German precision, Drutis says.

And, when choosing a sink, don’t forget about the faucet.

Blanco carries faucets in several distinct styles, including those in SILGRANIT® colours to match the sinks and a split finish faucet that combines colour and chrome. High-arc and gooseneck models and those with pull-down and pull-out features with dual spray function activated at the touch of a button are popular choices.

Some of the other fabulous features homeowners may want to consider for their kitchen makeovers include: • countertops, granite or quartz are popular choices; • decorative backsplashes with glass mosaic tile and stainless steel inlays; • appliances, stainless steel is still tops, although some homeowners are choosing appliances that blend into the cabinetry and built-ins such as wine fridges, wall ovens and warming drawers; • hood fans are getting more decorative with some being dropped down from the ceiling in stainless steel and glass over the island or over the cook top surrounded in stone; • cabinets are being built to the ceiling and some people are doing duo tone cabinets with light on upper and dark on lower banks or a dark island to contrast with the light kitchen.

s BLANCO BLANCO ATTIKATM Sink / BLANCOCULINATM Mini Faucet

BLANCO METRATM X Sink / BLANCO POSH Faucet, photos courtesy of Blanco Canada Inc.

34 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

Quality makes a difference.

BLANCO SONOMATM, dual spray, pull- down kitchen faucet is the perfect combination of functionality, clean lines and lasting value.

BLANCO QUATRUSTM stainless steel sink collection offers modern design with a wide selection of styles.

Blanco kitchen products represent quality, European design and German engineering. www.blancocanada.com

BUSINESSPROFILE

KON-STRUX DEVELOPMENTS

KON-STRUX PRODUCES AWARD-WINNING DESIGNS

by HEATHER RYAN

H

omeowners who desire a renovator that has become known for crafting award-winning, stylish designs and exceptional craftsmanship are choosing Kon-strux Developments for their next renovation project.

In business since 2007, Kon-strux has been a finalist for 12 Calgary SAM Awards, winning two for Best Kitchen Renovation (one over $90,000, one under $90,000), and an award for Best Bathroom Renovation, and it has been a National SAM Award finalist in the Best Kitchen Renovation category for the last two years.

This year Kon-strux Developments owner and president Shannon Lenstra is excited to have a number of projects that are deserving of entries in the National SAM Awards including one completely renovated home in south Calgary.

“It was a 1980s-era home that had really outdated colours, closed off spaces and a sunken living room, which we removed by raising the floor,” Lenstra says. “We removed a wall between the kitchen and dining area to create an open concept and we incorporated a small under-used sitting area

to enlarge the kitchen. We also enhanced the cathedral ceiling over the dining table with a bulkhead and recessed lighting to create a more intimate atmosphere.”

Among the most distinctive design elements was the creation of stunning rock feature walls and custom built-ins that deliver a wow factor. The rock feature walls at the front entry, around the fireplace in the living room and in the master bedroom create a cohesive look and visual impact throughout.

“I’m a designer by trade and believe consistency of design is created by using uniform finish selections and colour palette,” Lenstra explains. “The stone walls help to create an opulent, elegant, classic feel but it also adds a level of comfort and warmth to the home.

“In the kitchen we made a wow impression by updating the tired finishes, adding a large island with storage and seating, new cabinets including a full wall of pantry storage with spice racks, art display areas on the upper cabinets and an Italian tile backsplash with wall sconces on each side of the hood fan.

“I love doing really different designs and this home was great. The clients were wonderful to work with and allowed us the design flexibility and creativity that you need in order to craft a home worthy of an award,” Lenstra says. “They trusted us to create a quality renovation and bought into our design and it turned out beautifully.”

For more on Kon-strux Developments, visit kon-strux.com.

36

DEC 2014 - JAN 2015 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 37

TIPSANDTRICKS

PROS AND CONS OF RENOVATING

THROUGH THE WINTER

by VANESSA GASH RENOVATION PROJECTS COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES,

including interior, exterior, cosmetic or structural. If like me, you’ve caught the ‘renovation bug’, it seems that before one project ends another is already starting. Since winters in Calgary can affect your construction plans, it’s always a good idea to sit down and plan out the stages of your proposed renovation ahead of time. Scheduling and organizing your renovation will help you continue your project throughout the year. Where possible, it is recommended you try to and schedule the winter months for design, drawing preparation, permit applications, interior construction and finishing. Below ground works, foundations, exterior framing and finishing are best completed in the warmer months between spring and fall.

You’ve likely noticed that construction continues despite the snow and cold weather in Calgary. In fact, most home builders and construction companies work on their projects year round. Although it’s possible, keep in mind any below grade work done during the winter construction season will come at a premium cost. Concrete foundations must be hoarded and heated to cure and harden properly. The same is true of exterior finishes such as stucco, which require above freezing temperatures for several days to ensure proper installation. Works such as landscaping, 38 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

concrete driveways and asphalt are avoided altogether during the winter. Most builders will try to enclose a new home before cold weather and snow begin so they can focus this time on interior work and finishing. To ensure the best quality product at the most reasonable cost, it is recommended to minimize the amount of exterior work done in subzero temperatures.

Interior renovations such as basement development, bathroom and kitchen alterations including interior structural changes are well suited for the winter months.

There are advantages to interior renovations during the winter. Particularly in January and February, construction volumes tend to be lower than throughout the summer.

With this in mind, it may be a good time to engage contractors who have more availability to begin new work and may offer more competitive rates. Additionally, this time of year tends to be less busy at The City of Calgary.

For this reason, wait times to receive a Development or Building Permit may be reduced.

Large renovation projects such as additions often require a Development Permit prior to applying for a Building Permit.

Since this type of permit can take six weeks or more to obtain, winter is a great time to work on your design and drawings package. Having well detailed drawings is important

for permit applications and can help you obtain more accurate quotes from contactors. Investing your time and energy in the planning stage of your renovation is one of the best ways to ensure you end up with the finished product you envision. Engaging professional draftspersons and engineers during the winter, when the weather is less favourable to exterior construction, will better position you to start exterior construction when spring arrives and the ground thaws.

RENT IT

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Brochures and checklists are available at The City’s website www.calgary.ca to assist you with your renovation plans. For specific construction or development related questions please contact our Planning Services Call Centre (403) 268-5311.

VANESSA GASH, LEED AP SAFETY CODES OFFICER - RESIDENTIAL BUILDING REGULATIONS DIVISION DEVELOPMENT AND BUILDING APPROVALS

Vanessa Gash is a Residential Plans Examiner with the Building Regulations Division at the City of Calgary. She is a graduate in Architectural Engineering Technology from College of the North Atlantic and spent a number of years with various architectural firms and homebuilders in Calgary.

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FEATURE

INSTALLING A

fireplace ADDS VALUE TO YOUR HOME

by HEATHER RYAN Photos courtesy of HEARTH & HOME FIREPLACES & RENOVATIONS

WITH CALGARY’S LONG, COLD WINTERS it’s not surprising many people want to cosy up in front of a toasty fireplace on those frosty nights.

Along with creating a warm and comfortable environment, installing a fireplace can add value to the home, says Preston Meyer, vicepresident of marketing for Hearth & Home Fireplace Specialties.

“According to the National Home Builders Association, adding a fireplace is among the top five or six renovations you can do that adds value to your home,” says Meyer. “Not only does adding a fireplace help with heating your home because they are more efficient and environmentally friendly, adding a fireplace adds $20,000 in value to your home and gives you a 50 to 80 per cent return on investment.”

Meyer agrees that most people choose to add a fireplace because it provides a secondary heat source and because it is also energyDEC 2014 - JAN 2015 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 41

efficient. “Gas and wood burning fireplaces can heat a room up to 2,500 sq. ft. so it’s capable of heating a whole home. We have a number of customers who have converted their older woodburning fireplaces, which are smoky, dirty and inefficient, to efficient wood or gas – turning that chilly family room into a warm inviting place."

“As well, today’s gas fireplaces can be thermostat controlled so you can control the warmth of the room,” Meyer continues. “You can also set them on timers so you can turn your heat down on the furnace at night and heat the home with the more efficient gas fireplace.”

Having a fireplace also gives homeowners peace of mind if the power goes out, Meyer adds.

“You can still operate the gas fireplace – the radiant and convective heat will keep the home warm so your pipes won’t freeze, and if you have an efficient wood-burning stove you can also cook on it if the power is out.”

Hearth & Home Fireplace Specialties, which has been warming the homes of Calgarians since 1985, offers full service from supply and install to design and servicing of gas, wood and electric fireplaces.

“We have three divisions – fireplace, service and renovations, which does small to full home renovations,” Meyer says. “Our service division does fireplace maintenance and we suggest having fireplace maintenance done yearly to ensure it’s operating safely.”

The maintenance includes a safety check of items such as the gas valve, electronics, fan and heat exchange to ensure they are all functioning properly.

“A lot of people have concerns about how hot the glass gets on the fireplace and the possibility of their children touching or falling into it,” Meyer says. “But new regulations as of January 2015 42 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

call for all fireplaces manufactured in North America to have a child safety barrier to prevent them from touching the hot glass. Many manufactures have already addressed this with barriers or cool touch glass.”

Hearth & Home Fireplace Specialties offers a full line of contemporary and traditional fireplace designs and can also create custom fireplaces.

“The trend in fireplaces is for clean faces, giving a larger viewing area and less visibility to metal and louvers. The big trend is toward the linear fireplace, which presents a contemporary look, and there is also an all glass series where you don’t see any metal,” Meyer says.

He notes that outdoor fireplaces, double-sided indoor/outdoor fireplaces and gas fire tables are also popular with Calgarians, “because they allow people to extend their enjoyment of the outdoors well into the evening.”

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Now is a great time to

PLAN FOR THAT RENOVATION

by BRYAN TUCKEY

MAYBE YOU’RE LOOKING TO UPDATE YOUR KITCHEN,

modernize your bathroom, spruce up your living room, create an office nook or finish your basement. These kinds of projects take time to plan for, and I suggest that you seek out a qualified expert to make your renovation dreams come true.

For the past 15 years, more and more Canadians are investing their hard-earned wages repairing, upgrading and expanding their homes. In fact, a recent study conducted by Altus Group revealed today’s renovating industry is worth $63.4 billion nationwide. That is approximately 3.7 per cent of the total GDP, which shows the impact of the renovation sector on the national economy.

Renovating is a great way to increase the value of your home and improve the quality of life for you and your family.

Your home is probably your largest asset and it deserves the attention of a qualified expert. Where do homeowners turn to find a professional contractor?

Traditionally, the three main sources have been referrals from friends or neighbours, local home builders’ association listings or local home show exhibitors. Of course, not all renovators are the same.

I always recommend hiring a contractor affiliated with the national RenoMark program, who understands the value of customer service during and after projects, and who has access to information on current trends, the latest materials and new regulations.

Professional renovators and trade contractors are key components among our more than 1,400 member companies. BILD established the RenoMark program in 2001 to help homeowners identify professionalism and integrity in the renovation industry. To date, the program has successfully given RenoMark renovators a wellknown and respected brand that recognizes them as professionals that agree to abide by a renovation-

44 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

RENOVATING IS A GREAT WAY TO INCREASE THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. specific code of conduct and a code of ethics of the administering home builders’ association.

The latter specifies that the contractor will provide the homeowner with a detailed, written contract, offer a minimum two-year warranty, carry a minimum $2 million in liability insurance and hold all applicable licences and certificates. The program has rapidly grown to 40 communities across nine provinces. To find the best professional suited to you and your style, simply visit renomark.ca to find a RenoMark renovator near you, then use the searchable database by region and type of project, to determine your best renovator. With the growth in business that the renovation industry is experiencing, professional renovators are in high demand, so be sure to give yourself some time to do the proper research.

Like buying a home, a renovation is one of the biggest investments you’ll make. Take your time to ensure the person you hire for the job is one that’s right for you.

BRYAN TUCKEY Bryan Tuckey is president and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association and a land-use planner who has worked for municipal, regional and provincial governments. Follow him on Twitter @bildgta, facebook.com/bildgta, and bildblogs.ca.

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FEATURE

Keeping Warm this Winter

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FEATURE

BY THE NUMBERS…...

by ADENE LUCAS photos by DAVID COOMBE FREQUENTLY CLIENTS STRUGGLE WITH THE RULES. Those ideal numbers you need to know when deciding on how high an art piece should be hung, how low a chandelier should hang over the table and other essential numbers.

Typically, I can eye a space and tell what’s too low, too high, too crowded and just wrong.

However, for those of you who like to know the numbers, I’ve compiled a list of the basic rules for placement along with common tips to make decorating a little easier.

Of course rules are meant to be broken but a guideline is always nice to have just in case.

48 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

TAKE THE TIME TO WALK THROUGH YOUR HOME AND SEE IF YOU’RE A RULE BREAKER OR FOLLOWER AND WHAT YOU CAN IMPLEMENT TO MAKE A FEW IMPROVEMENTS

DEC 2014 - JAN 2015 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 49

ARTWORK

The bottom of the artwork should be eight to ten inches above the top piece of furniture, be it a sofa, headboard or credenza. The height of hangings should also relate to other pieces in the room. The center of interest in the picture should be about 60” to 66” from the floor which is average eye level. Spacing art two to three inches apart looks best if you are doing a gallery wall.

AREA RUG

Eighteen inches of flooring between the rug edge and wall is ideal but twelve can work in a pinch as long as its equal amount of flooring is exposed along the perimeter.

The rug should be large enough so that all the furniture legs can sit on the rug. Also make sure the area rug under a dining table is large enough to pull the chair out and not teeter on the edge!! A good rule of thumb is having the rug 24” larger than the table on all sides. If the space doesn’t permit, then forgo the rug. A rug that is too small under a table will make the room appear smaller or make the table look too large.

50 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

DINING AREA

The light fixture should be hung 30” to 36” inches above the table. The diameter of the fixture can be at least half the total width of the table. If there are two fixtures in the same family of lights, select the larger one as a small light will have little impact and may get lost visually in the space. Remember to install a dimmer for a softer look and to create atmosphere so the light is cascading rather than glaring. Also, try to avoid having the bulb visible as it is not flattering and harsh to look at. Often lights are hung too high and the glare is off putting and creates an interrogation feel if you care to swing the fixture back and forth. It is a fact that glares can cause irritability and fatigue so it’s something to seriously consider.

As for spacing in a dining area, we like our elbow room and two feet of space per person along the perimeter of a table works best. Ideally three feet of space is required behind a table area for easy access. To get in and out of a chair, 18” makes it comfortable for the average sized adult to maneuver.

COFFEE TABLE

The standard height is 17” and for functional access 12” of clearance between the coffee table and seating is preferred.

Select side tables that match the height and depth of the sofas arms as closely as possible that way you can easily reach the table and the scale will look more effective.

LUNCH COUNTER

A lunch counter usually stands between 35” to 36” inches high. A stool seat height needs to be 29” to 30” high for ideal clearance. I prefer hydraulic stools so that family and guests can be as close to the counter as they like. A bar usually stands between 40” and 42” high and requires a seat height of 29” to 30” for space underneath. For spacing the stools you need between 21” to 25” per stool depending on how wide the stool is. An odd number of stools looks better grouped together than an even number.

SCONCES

The placement of sconces depends on the size of the room and the height of the people living in the space. A general rule is the center of the sconce be placed five feet from the floor and eight to ten feet apart. For rooms with vaulted ceilings the level can be higher, between 66” and 70” above floor level.

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WINDOW TREATMENTS

Rods should be hung three inches above and beyond the window frame. For a formal look hang the drapery rod halfway between the top of the window frame and the ceiling. Hem drapery panels so they puddle on the floor for drama (about 4 inches of material) for a retro look, hem the drapes so they land just below the sill. For a classic look, drapes should be hemmed one quarter inch above the floor.

considered a social distance while anything above twelve feet is public distance. Keep these numbers in mind as well as circulation of a space and natural traffic patterns when planning your furniture placement.

Now that you’re armed with some basic numbers and a few tips, take the time to walk through your home and see if you’re a rule breaker or follower and what you can implement to make a few improvements for the look and functionality of your home.

SPACE

A person requires 30” of space around them for ease of movement. Major traffic paths like hallways should have a clearance of three to six feet feet while minimal clearance is 18”. Personal space is typically 18” to four feet. This of course could be argued as everyone has their own comfort level. Four to twelve feet is 52 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

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FEATURE

LET THE COLD BEGIN…

by LAURA LE

AS I AM WRITING THIS ARTICLE WINTER HAS BEGUN, the temperature has dropped and it is snowing. Every year I fool myself into believing it is not going to happen; that maybe the cold and snow will pass us by. If you haven’t already guessed… I am not fond of this particular season. This is the most challenging time of the year to stage a property.

The days have become shorter so lighting becomes extremely important. When it is light till 10:00 in the early summer the amount of lighting needed is minimal compared to when it is dark by 5:30. Last night I was in a vacant property in which we all needed our flashlight apps to see the living room because there was no overhead light fixture. We staged that property with 3 sources of lighting in the living room; a floor lamp and 2 table lamps. It is ideal to create a triangle of 54 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

light when placing lamps in order for the room to feel well-lit and welcoming.

There are also amazing battery-operated candles available at stores like HomeSense, Restoration Hardware and even Costco. They come with timers that can be set so no one is walking into a dark room or property. I have also used a grouping of these on a dining room table where there was no overhead light fixture and adding one was impossible because the condo was in a concrete building. These battery-operated candles offer ambient lighting that is beautiful and the batteries last for months.

Turn the furnace on so it is always at a constant warm temperature when you are selling a property. This is not the time to conserve energy because you are not home.

Potential buyers need to feel warm and be invited in to wander slowly looking in cupboards and closets. We do not want them to rush through without taking off their coat so they can get back into the car before it cools down.

This is also a tricky time of the year as far as cooking and pet odours go because we are not able to open up the doors and windows to air rooms out. Be mindful of what you cook, if you are craving fish, go out and eat it. Keep everything associated with the furry friends clean and neat.

Keeping bedding and linens laundered is a must because there is nothing worse than going into a room or opening a linen closet and that stale smell assaults you. Air fresheners are useful but often just mask the smell.

Having everything laundered and neatly folded is great.

DEC 2014 - JAN 2015 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 55

IF YOU ARE SELLING IT IS BEST IF THE HOLIDAY DECORATING CAN BE KEPT TO A MINIMUM

The shelves in the stores are full of holiday décor right now and everything is so beautiful, sparkly and adorable.

It is so tempting to buy that sequined penguin and take it home and fill every surface with festive decorations. If you are selling it is best if the holiday decorating can be kept to a minimum.

Even if you are not it is a good rule to live by… less is more. This minimum is subjective depending on the amount of decorations that are owned. For example, my Mom’s minimum takes my sister and me 4 hours to set up.

She could not possibly have a holiday without everything including the 5’ bear hugging 6’ tree. My decorating takes me about an hour…

Ensure the sidewalks and driveways are shoveled and clear for potential buyers, especially if the property is vacant and you are not able 56 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

to get there to remove the snow and ice. I suggest hiring a snow removal company or a neighbourhood kid to get the job done. I see many properties where the snow is not removed and there is nothing welcoming about struggling up and unmarked sidewalk and trying to knock as much snow as possible off your footwear before stepping into the front entry. It is also dangerous both outside and inside.

The floors become wet and slippery and that moisture and dirt is tracked throughout the property.

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Selling a property in the winter is a challenge. Keep the lights on, furnace burning and if you are having an open house maybe bake some cookies and put on a pot of coffee so the buyers may want to linger in your house instead of your neighbours.

LAURA LE CREATIVE ENHANCEMENT INC. Laura Le has owned Creative Enhancement for about seven years. Laura completed courses with Accredited Staging Professionals (ASP), Canadian Staging Professionals (CSP) and Canadian ReDesign Association (CRDA).

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FEATURE

CREATING PRETTY BUT PRACTICAL

Outdoor Living Spaces

by BONNY DANN / ESCAPES INC.

AS OUR LIVES BECOME FASTER PACED AND MORE COMPLEX, as traffic becomes more

congested, as we have longer and longer work days and weeks, as the cities we live in become more noisy and crowded, the more we need the sanctuary we call “home”. With all the time you spend indoors at work and traveling in your car or by public transportation, you may find yourself craving outdoor living spaces or escapes in your own backyard.

The first thing I recommend is to think about your lifestyle and how you want to use your outdoor living spaces. Once we have determined whether you want outdoor entertaining areas for lounging, dining, a spa area, kitchen or play area for your children, we should head inside. Indoors we can determine which outdoor living space you wish to view from each window and access from each entrance. Depending on your lifestyle and family situation, you may wish to be able to keep an eye on your children while you are in your living room or kitchen. Or you may prefer to view a beautiful 58 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

garden or meditative area from your home office. These choices are all personal and the types of outdoor living spaces we can create seems endless! Outdoor kitchens and dining areas, for those that love to cook, are as fully equipped as your indoor kitchen if you wish! Outdoor living rooms or family rooms for when you are not dining or after dining with friends or family. Outdoor spas, meditative or relaxation areas for those of us that need to unwind! Play areas for small children or putting greens and tennis courts for adults and older children. If your family has dogs, we need to take them into consideration when planning. Dogs needs are pretty basic; a bathroom area, a play or exercise area, shade and water. I try to plan dog runs and bathroom spaces out of the way such as along the side of a garage, out of site. When there isn’t such an area, we have hidden doggie bathrooms behind garden walls, which look lovely on the side facing the living areas. Where you can not use hardscape materials, a dense hedge will help. If the dogs do not have access to a water feature in your garden, make sure you keep a bowl full.

When planning where to put whatever type of outdoor escape you have chosen, we have to remember to keep functionality and flow in mind. We want the gardens or outdoor rooms to flow from inside out and vice versa. By locating outdoor kitchens or grilling stations off the

MATCH THE ARCHITECTURAL STYLE OF YOUR HOME TO CREATE THE MOST AESTHETICALLY PLEASING LOOK interior kitchen, for instance, creates ease or flow for the cook; especially if your outdoor kitchen is not fully equipped, which so many are not in this climate. Having an entertaining patio off your family room or living room allows guests to mingle between the two areas at larger gatherings. I have a fairly small family room off my kitchen but have double French doors leading to a good sized patio with outdoor living room furniture and the ease and flow for guests is fantastic. As well, the view from the French doors is very pretty with gardens and a water feature on the other side of the patio. If you have a narrow style home or infill, with only one rear exit, we often use in line both a deck and a stone patio. One for cooking and dining and one for relaxing or entertaining. With wider lots and homes they can still flow one from the other or be completely separated depending on the layout of your home and how many exterior doors you have leading to the rear gardens. Creating the right flow maximizes the beauty of any outdoor living space.

When designing gardens or outdoor living spaces, I like to make sure they match the architectural style of your home to create the most aesthetically pleasing look in the back and side areas and the most curb appeal in the front! Some styles will overlap at least to some degree. For instance, contemporary gardens and formal gardens share similar elements such as simplicity and less colour. Just as xeriscape, desert style gardens and zen gardens all use less plant material than traditional or English style gardens and more boulders, gravels or pea stone. Vegetable gardens can be incorporated into any style of garden as can children’s gardens and fruit bearing trees and shrubs. Another important element in aesthetics and flow, as well as design, is to use the same materials indoors and out. If that is not possible because of our harsh Canadian winters and you have to change to a different product, match the colours as closely as possible. As long as it is from the same palette, the shade can be slightly darker or lighter. Remember to check your colours in various light situations to make sure they compliment each other in both bright sunlight and artificial light. Colour also plays a part in 59

choosing your softscape materials as you want the plant material to compliment the colour of your home and hardscape.

Adding lighting and water features to your design is always a bonus.

Lighting not only extends the time you can be outdoors but can also be used decoratively to make your gardens prettier as well as more visible in the evenings. Fireplaces or heaters also extend how long you can stay outdoors and fireplaces can be very attractive, adding to the overall beauty of your outdoor living spaces. Water features help disguise traffic and other unwanted noises and again add to the attractiveness.

With your dreams, desires and our ideas, whether you do it all this year or create it over the next few years, you will have very pretty but practical outdoor living spaces created, just for you!

BONNY DANN is owner and expert landscape designer at Escape Inc. www.escapesinc.ca

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FEATURE

Dreamscape to Winterscape: LIGHT UP YOUR GARDENS IN SEASONAL DELIGHTS

by JACKIE SWARTZ

TURN YOUR GARDEN INTO A WINTERSCAPE,

make the enjoyment last. You might be surprised to know that gardening for winter is a growing trend. We call this Winterscaping and it’s all about making the yard look attractive during the coldest time of year. Commonly used trees and shrubs are planted just for winter interest. There are also many fun ideas to make your yard dazzle with interest throughout the winter.

Common winter arrangements can be assembled in garden containers, made into wreaths or made into hanging baskets. Beautiful greens and reds are nice contrasts of colour for winter arrangements. Homemade ice candles are easy to make and a nice way to light your pathway at night.

Winter wreaths are commonly made from a mixture of pine, spruce, cedar and juniper boughs. Red berries cut from Ash trees can be used to create colour contrast.

Adding pine cones will make it look rustic. Pine cones can be found in almost every city park lying underneath the evergreen trees. I have cut branches from Red osier dogwood shrubs and mixed them into wreaths. This adds colour and makes the wreath look amazing.

For instant gratification, a winter planter is easy to make and has huge impact. Using identical planters in front of a two car garage looks amazing. One by itself at the beginning of a walkway or the side of

WINTER WREATHS ARE COMMONLY MADE FROM A MIXTURE OF PINE, SPRUCE, CEDAR AND JUNIPER BOUGHS.

62 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

a front door is really nice looking too.

Before freeze up, empty the summer plants. Then cut tall leafless branches and insert them in the centre of the pot for height. Dogwood branches will have red stems and Birch branches will be rustic-looking. Evergreen boughs can be used from pruned trees. Large pine cones and red berries can be wired into the boughs to create colour and contrast. Large red ribbon bows can be added during the holiday season.

Hanging baskets are made almost the same way as garden planters. Pull out the summer flowers before freeze up and insert evergreen boughs. I like to do my centers first. Pick the height that you want them and then fill in the center. Secondly, work around the basket going clockwise using boughs until it looks full. You may need to add a little more where the sides meet the center part. Mini lights can be used so they light up at night or flameless candles. Pine cones and red berries can also be used to create a rustic feeling. Adding ribbon will make them look more festive.

Both deciduous and evergreen plants are used in our landscaping to add beauty and colour during the winter time. These plants include shrubs and trees. Some

HANGING BASKETS ARE MADE ALMOST THE SAME WAY AS GARDEN PLANTERS. PULL OUT THE SUMMER FLOWERS BEFORE FREEZE UP AND INSERT EVERGREEN BOUGHS.

of our evergreen trees include White spruce, Colorado blue spruce, Columnar blue spruce, and Lodgepole pine. Commonly used deciduous trees are Paper birch, Cutleaf weeping birch, European and American mountain ash, and Amur cherry. Deciduous shrubs that maintain colour in the winter include Red osier dogwood, Siberian dogwood and Bud’s yellow dogwood.

Several evergreen shrubs include Junipers, Globe spruce, Dwarf balsam fir, and Mugo pine.

There are rules that apply when using trees and shrubs to create winter interest. What happens when

we get a huge snow fall and the snow is so deep that it has covered everything? Using upright-growing shrubs and trees will solve this. You will always be able to see these plants no matter how deep the snow is. Some upright-growing examples include Moon glow juniper, Wichita blue juniper, Tolleson’s weeping juniper, Spiral juniper, Backeri blue spruce, and Hoopsii blue spruce.

Ice candles are simple to make. All you need is a twenty gallon plastic bucket. If you don’t own one, you can purchase one at any hardware store.

Fill it three quarters full and then set it outside. It may take up to twenty four

hours to freeze. You do not want it to freeze entirely. Bring the bucket inside just to warm it enough so that the ice can slide out easily. Do this outside!

The remaining water will run out. Now, the top becomes the bottom. Once you have flipped it upside down, you will see that it is somewhat hollow.

This is the top. Now you can place them where you want them to go and add a candle inside. The thicker the top is, the less likely the wind will blow the candle out.

Winterscaping is easy and fun to do. It makes your yard beautiful and colourful even in the winter.

Our yards and gardens need not be ‘dead’, and can be quite beautiful in our cold season. Winterscaping is low maintenance. No watering and no insects, just pleasure. This is gardening at its best.

JACKIE SWARTZ Jackie Swartz has a Bachelor of Applied Horticulture Degree (BaHT) from Olds College. She specializes in the horticultural planning, design, and ongoing life of urban and residential environments.

You can contact Jackie at: Website: www.wildstrawberrygardens.com Email:wildstrawberrygardens@gmail.com Office: 403-472-5082

DEC 2014 - JAN 2015 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 63

TIPSANDTRICKS

Decoding the code

by MICHAEL NYIKES

Q

I received an email from a lady who is planning to do an extensive renovation and she asked whether windows in bedrooms are governed by the building code or fire code?

64 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

A

Although bedroom windows are not considered to be an ordinary means of entry and exit to a room, in the case of a fire many occupants have been saved by using them as an emergency escape route. There have been instances where sometimes by the time an occupant is able to respond to a smoke alarm, their house may already be filled with smoke and their escape route from the bedroom via the door blocked. This is where windows become critical as a means of escape.

The 2006 Alberta Building Code article 9.7.1.2. establishes the general requirement that bedrooms must have at least one window that is large enough that it can be used as an exit in case of an emergency. (The article does not apply when the bedroom has a door leading directly to the outside or the suite is sprinklered.)

Therefore unless the bedroom has a door that leads directly to the building exterior, or the suite is sprinklered, each bedroom must have at least one window openable from the inside without the use of tools or special knowledge. This window must provide an unobstructed opening with a minimum area of 0.35 m2 (3.77 ft2 or 543 sq inches), and no dimension less than 380 mm (15 in.). The minimum window area must be achieved without having to remove window sashes or hardware. Also the window can’t require support when in the open position.

Basement bedroom windows present an added challenge. Besides the height, width and overall area requirements that the window must meet, there are certain requirements for the window well on the building exterior. If a window well is required, it must be out from the window at least 550 mm (about 22”) to provide safe passage. Awning style windows for example opening into a window well typically do not work because they sometimes cannot provide the necessary clearances and the hardware can obstruct the opening. Details of windows opening into a window well are covered in article 9.7.1.3. of the 2006 Alberta Building Code.

Future Decoding the Code columns will continue to answer readers’ questions about how the provincial safety codes affect their projects.

Email your questions to me at decodingthecode@gmail.com. Be sure to include which city you live in, as well as your phone number in case I need to follow up with you.

MICHAEL NYIKES Michael is a nationally recognized speaker, columnist, and leading industry expert on building codes, residential construction, building envelope science, and environmental design. He can be reached at decodingthecode@gmail.com

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Carbon Monoxide Awareness Carbon monoxide (CO) is odourless, colourless and lethal.

You can prevent and detect it by taking simple steps at home.

Cut out and complete this checklist to stay safe from CO:

Take these steps to prevent CO in your home: Fuel-burning appliances (i.e. furnace, hot water heater, fireplace, natural gas range, etc.) checked by a qualified technician regularly according to manufacturers’ specifications.

Last inspection (date): _______________________________ Furnace filter checked monthly and replaced (if necessary).

Date last replaced: __________________________________ Indoor and outdoor vents and chimneys cleared of debris, snow and ice (if necessary).

Area around fuel-burning appliances clutter free.

Flames of all natural gas appliances checked regularly (it should be blue).

Adequate air supply (nearby window opened) when using a wood-burning fireplace.

Vehicles never idled in garage, even with the overhead door open.

Take these steps to detect CO in your home: CO detector(s) installed and maintained according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Expiry date written on CO detector(s) with a marker.

Date of expiry: __________________________________ CO detector(s) battery replaced annually, if applicable.

CO detector(s) vacuumed monthly.

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TIPSANDTRICKS

preventative

MAINTENANCE Investing some time and effort now will save you hassle and expense in the long run

by SHELL BUSEY

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE CAN SAVE A LOT OF TIME

and money and fall is a good time to begin assessing your home for any damage or repairs that may need attending to.

Conducting a regular home inspection will help keep your house in good condition and maintain its value. Here is a list of maintenance items that can help you identify areas where work may be needed to ensure that minor repairs don’t turn into major expenses.

WINDOW AND DOOR MAINTENANCE Old caulking, missing weather stripping and poorly installed windows will increase your utility bills through lost energy and make your heating system work longer than needed. Check for leaks around your windows and doors, especially near the corners. Check caulking and weather stripping on windows and doors for damage and

replace as necessary. Remove the old caulking and clean out the opening.

Apply a full even bead of caulking around all of the doors and windows.

BATHROOM Check caulking around

sinks, bathtubs, and showers.

Caulking can become brittle and therefore useless as a water seal.

After removing the old caulking use a resilient silicone bathroom grade caulking, and do not forget the edge of the tub at the floor and wall. Â If neglected, a tub enclosure with water damage can be a costly repair.

DEC 2014 - JAN 2015 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 67

DRAINAGE Ensure that the ground around your home slopes away from the foundation wall, so that water cannot seep towards the basement. Examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture, and repair as required. The gutter and downspout system should keep water from pooling around the foundation. Be sure gutters and downspouts are kept open and in good repair and if necessary use downspout extensions.

HEATING SYSTEMS Have your furnace or heating system serviced by a qualified service company once a year. It is wise to have this done during the off season when heating contractors aren’t as busy. Check your furnace filter. If the filter accumulates household dust and is not replaced regularly, your furnace has to work harder to pull the air through the duct system. Clean or replace filters monthly during the heating season.

Have your chimney checked each fall before you use it.

ATTIC VENTILATION Provide adequate attic ventilation so that the underside of the

roof and outside air is at the same temperature. Check to make sure attic insulation is not blocking the roof ventilation. Blocked soffit areas can create moisture buildup. Excessive frost or staining on the underside of the roof, or ice dams on the roof surface could be caused by a lack of proper ventilation in your attic or air leakage from your home’s living space into the attic area. A qualified energy advisor could perform an energy audit to indicate these deficiencies that can be remedied with proper insulation upgrades and draft sealing.

Homeowners that take the time to address routine maintenance items can minimize damage and prevent costly problems before they occur.

For more home improvement information or to send Shell an email, go to www.AskShell.com and become a member of Shell’s HouseSmart Club.

SHELL BUSEY For more home improvement information, or to sign-up for Shell’s FREE online HouseSmart E-Newsletter visit www.AskShell.com

68 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

ADVERTISERS DIRECTORY Albi Renova ___________________________________________ 3

Jameswood Homes Inc._______________________________ 24

Anna Sindrewicz (Cir Realty)___________________________ 57

Kon-Strux Developments______________________________ 37

Artisan Kitchens & Renovations________________________ 21

Kurmak Builders______________________________________ 23

Atco Gas ____________________________________________ 66

Lakeview Floors______________________________________ 45

Blanco Canada Inc.___________________________________ 35

Mcarthur Fine Furniture & Interior Design______________ 15

Calgary Homexpo Show_______________________________ 29 Cardel Renos__________________________________________ 7 Classic Craft Homes___________________________________ 40 Construct-It___________________________________________ 39 Drawings 4 Everyone_________________________________ 32 Enhance Your Home___________________________________ 47 Escape Inc.___________________________________________ 60 Floor Trendz Inc.______________________________________ 39

Overhead Door Company_____________________________ 61 Prestige Railings & Stairs Ltd __________________________ 53 Rossini Furniture_____________________________________ 51 Rusco Industries ______________________________________ 9 Shelfgenie___________________________________________ 33 Sheila’s Window Toppers & More Ltd.__________________ 53 Shell Busey__________________________________________ 69

Gienow Renovations By Ply Gem______________________ 45

Spindle, Stairs & Railing Ltd ________________________ OBC

Hard Rock Developments______________________________ 46

S.I.S. Supply Install Services Ltd._______________________ 65

Hearth & Home Fireplaces & Renovations______________ 43

Trademark Renovations______________________________ IBC

Innovative Bed Systems_______________________________ 57

Ultimate Renovations _________________________________IFC

Interiors With Elegance_________________________________ 5

Wallace Fleming Design & Renovate ___________________ 17

Shell Busey’s House Smart Club

Benefits: »Ask your home improvements questions for a personal email response from Shell »New product reports

If you are not already a member now is the time to do so as it is free until further notice.

It’s just that easy!

»New building code information »What’s new for (DIY) Do It Yourself »Show updates

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DEC 2014 - JAN 2015 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 69

BUSINESSPROFILE

TRADEMARK RENOVATIONS

TRADEMARK RENOVATIONS MAKES CUSTOMER SERVICE A PRIORITY

by HEATHER RYAN

T

rademark Renovations’ passion to provide quality workmanship and customer satisfaction has resulted in not only winning the Consumer Choice Award five consecutive years, but having more than 70 per cent of their business come through referrals from happy customers.

“We’ve made customer service a priority and it’s something we’re proud of,” says Blair Foisy, owner and president of Trademark Renovations. “Receiving the Consumer Choice Awards is important to us because it is determined by real votes by real people outside of the industry, free of politics, and I think it demonstrates that we’re doing it right.”

“Our emphasis is on giving our customers quality, transparency and value,” he says. “Maintaining the consumer’s best interests and delivering value has been the cornerstone of our company. We want our customers to be happy when the job is done and that we’ve met their expectations and beyond.

“Much of our business comes from referrals and that tells us people are so proud of their home and job we did that they refer us to others who need a reno or want a custom build,” Foisy adds.

In business since 1981, Trademark’s solid reputation and dedication to high standards has resulted in continued success allowing the renovator to focus on large scale renovation projects, historical restorations, and custom built

70 HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

homes throughout Calgary and area.

One of its highly successful, recently completed reno projects was to a 1950s-era home in Elboya. “The home was renovated in the 1980s, but the new owners found it wasn’t functional for their lifestyle or their growing family and they wanted a more updated look,” Foisy explains.

“We completely tore down the second floor and removed all but two walls on the main floor, we then discovered the remaining walls were substandard so the inspector allowed us to remove them as well, and we fully gutted the basement essentially giving the owners a whole new home.”

The renovation doubled the square footage on the second floor, adding two bedrooms and laundry room to go along with a master bedroom with walk-in closet and ensuite. “We did all new mechanicals, created an open main floor with a very nice kitchen and downstairs added a home theatre and mini-bar,” he says. “The home has great curb appeal and the owners are very happy.” In fact, they’re so pleased they did a video testimonial for Trademark’s website and have already referred the company to others.

Learn more about Trademark by visiting: www.trademarkrenovations.com.

Make no compromises‌

Quality, Transparency, Value

OUR BEST PRICE GUARANTEE

*On renovation projects $100,000 and up, we will match and better a recognized competitor’s quote by 10%. At Trademark Renovations, we are constantly reviewing and negotiating preferred pricing arrangements with our supplier & trade partners to get you the best value for your money. We are so confident about our pricing that we guarantee you the lowest price for your overall renovation project while delivering our unsurpassed level of quality, service and transparency.

(403) 277-5600 www.trademarkrenovations.com

TERMS & CONDITIONS: This Best Price Guarantee applies to projects based on identical scopes of work, specifications, products, levels of finish, service, and quality. Best Price Guarantee applies to overall total project price and not the individual components contained therein. All recognized competitor quotes are subject to verification by Trademark before honoring this offer. Trademark will not accept screenshots or other purported evidence of a lower price that cannot be independently confirmed by Trademark personnel. Nor will Trademark verify any request that it believes, in its sole discretion, is the result of a printing or other error or is made fraudulently or in bad faith. All original documents from recognized competitor quotes must be presented to Trademark prior to verification, execution of any contract or commencement of work. This Price Guarantee excludes insurance claims, free offers, gifts with purchase, gift cards, gift certificates, rebates, clearance or close-out prices, credit or financing programs, used, damaged, or display merchandise or products. Discount applied before taxes and environmental stewardship fees or other levies, if applicable. This price guarantee cannot be combined with any other offer. Trademark reserves the right in its sole discretion to modify or discontinue the Best Price Guarantee or to restrict its availability to any person, at any time, for any or no reason, and without prior notice or liability to you. The failure by Trademark to enforce any provision of these Terms & Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

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