East Coast Living Summer 2018

east coast

LIVING Inspiring home life in Atlantic Canada

A CENTURY-OLD P.E.I. HOME GETS A MUCH NEEDED RESTORATION

rural renewal

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SIX MUST-TRY ATLANTIC WINES PICK THE RIGHT FLOORING SUMMER DESIGN TRENDS DISPLAY UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1, 2018

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contents

SUMMER 2018

Lightscaping adds drama and depth to your yard year-round

46

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High-traffic area? Active children?

We’ve got flooring for that

THE LIST

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

12 Décor: Summer design

24 Cover: Good bones

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updates

Use these five expert-styled looks to keep your home on trend all summer

32 In depth: The quest for the

16 Décor: Floor finder

Three flooring specialists share their advice on how to match the right floor to each room of your home

perfect yard

A little bit of landscaping can help you create an outdoor oasis to call your own

EATING IN

20 Projects: Quick fix: home

A century-old home in rural Prince Edward Island gets a much needed restoration

office

Simple do-it-yourself ideas from the experts to transform your space without emptying your wallet

36 Baking the world a

better place

Neal Bowers, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia’s bread man, talks outdoor baking

42 Libations: Raise your glass

to local wine

Atlantic Canada’s wineries are growing in stature and style. Here are six to try this summer

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SUMMER 2018

Welcome home

46 Gardening: Shine a light

Lightscaping shows you a whole new side of your garden

49 Buying Guide 50 Last Look: Tia Saley

A health scare convinced this New Brunswick glass blower to follow her passion

we do that DAZZLE THEM AT YOUR MEETING OR CONVENTION Advocate provides stress-free product support for meeting planners, conventions and events.

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DARTMOUTH, NS 902-457-7468 | PICTOU, NS 902-485-1990 | HALIFAX, NS 902-455-2870 | BRIDGEWATER, NS 902-543-2457 DIEPPE, NB 506-857-8790 | SAINT JOHN, NB 506-654-1303 | ST. STEPHEN, NB 506-466-3220 | ST. JOHN’S, NL 709-597-2599

Welcome

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LIVING home Inspiring

home

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ME GETS P.E.I. HO TION URY-OLD RESTORA A CENT NEEDED A MUCH

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5 2018 | $4.9 SUMMER ing.ca stliv eastcoa

DISPLAY UNTIL

Summer 2018

1, 2018

Photo: Bruce Murray/VisionFire

Get inspired with fabulous decorating, renovation and entertaining ideas… with a uniquely Atlantic Canadian twist.

Save 25% off the newsstand price.

Treat yourself to East Coast Living for just $14.99 + HST a year!

(4 issues per year.)

Subscribe online eastcoastliving.ca/subscribe

efore our team researches and writes an issue of East Coast Living, we sit down to discuss ideas for the stories that fill its pages.

Some ideas come from something we read or a trend we’ve noticed. Decorators, designers, and contractors across our region suggest others. But many of our best ideas come from readers just like you.

Take our winter 2017 cover story. Halifax homeowner Terra Jamieson told us about the extension she and her husband Rob added on to their early 20th-century home. They loved their home, but as their family grew, they were outgrowing the house. Terra’s message hooked me immediately. It had everything a good East Coast Living story needs: a unique home, a challenge, and a solution that our readers can put to work.

Terra saw her home and situation as a perfect fit for our magazine. Now we’re turning to you, to ask what you’d like to see in our pages in the coming year. What makes you excited about the next East Coast Living?

More home stories, more how-to features, more recipes?

Complete our three-minute, online survey before August 31 and we’ll enter you in a draw to win one of three year-long subscriptions to East Coast Living. Find it at eastcoastliving.ca/survey18.

In our summer issue, you’ll find plenty to inspire you through the warmest months of the year. We’ll visit a home in Point Prim, P.E.I. that was lovingly restored from crumbling walls into a cozy country cottage (page 24).

Because summer is our favourite time to get outside, we’re highlighting the great outdoors. Learn about landscaping ideas big and small to create a comfortable outdoors space to spend long evenings (page 32), how to light your garden to make those evenings even longer (page 46), and visit outdoor baker Neal Bowers to share some sure-to-please bread recipes you can bake inside or out (page 36). Plus, sommeliers suggest a selection of summer wines from across our region (page 42).

As always, we love hearing your feedback on the magazine and seeing your projects come to life. Share your ideas and pictures with us on Facebook or Twitter, or email ecl@metroguide.ca.

Correction: Due to reporting errors, the story about K. John Mason Ironworks in the spring 2018 issue of East Coast Living contained several incorrect statements about K. John Mason Ironworks that were not fixed during editing. See the corrected story here: eastcoastliving.ca/2018/03/lastlook-k-john-mason-ironworks. East Coast Living regrets the errors.

East Coast Living is a Metro Guide publication.

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SUMMER 2018

Locally Made

SOLID WOOD FURNITURE Custom Built Options

On our cover: When Zach Hancock found this rural cottage in Point Prim, P.E.I. it was crumbling in on itself. After his restoration it’s a cozy light-filled space. Read about his journey on page 25.

Photos by Stephen Harris Publisher Senior Editor Editor Creative Director Art Director Graphic Designer Production Coordinator

Patty Baxter Trevor J. Adams Kim Hart Macneill Jamie Playfair Mike Cugno Barbara Raymont Kelsey Berg Emma Brennan

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To subscribe, contact Bonnie Marchand at bmarchand@metroguide.ca or 902-420-9943 or subscribe online: eastcoastliving.ca Canada: one year (four issues), $14.99+HST; U.S.A.: one year, $14.99 US. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher.

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Volume 21, Number 2 Summer 2018 ISSN 1714-1834 East Coast Living is a member of:

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Discover infinite possibilities at www.centura.ca SUMMER 2018

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Meet our contributors CAROL MATTHEWS “Shine a light” Carol has been gardening for over 40 years and writing about it for more than half that time.

Her work has appeared in magazines, newspapers, online, and on the radio.

CHRIS MUISE “Floor finder” Chris is a King’s College graduate and freelance writer working in Halifax, with a strong focus on community news. He’s also a cat lover and a big fan of transforming robots. @TheSilentG

SANDRA PHINNEY “Baking the world a better place” Sandra writes from her perch on the Tusket River outside of Yarmouth, N.S. She writes for numerous publications and is especially fond of celebrating Atlantic Canada and her people. sandraphinney.com

HEATHER FEGAN “Summer design updates” Heather is a freelance writer, book reviewer, and blogger based in Halifax. heatherfegan.com

KEN KELLY “The quest for the perfect yard” Ken is a freelance writer and contributor to East Coast Living based in Moncton, N.B. @musicnerddotca

RICHARD WOODBURY “Raise your glass to local wine” Richard is a writer and editor from Halifax whose work has been published by CBC, Reuters, and the Chronicle Herald. richardwoodbury.ca

HEATHER MacLEAN REID “Last Look: Tia Saley” With a background in public relations, journalism, and publishing, Heather is a freelance writer based in N.B. When not writing, she practices and teaches yoga. @hkmmac

STEPHEN HARRIS Photography for “Good Bones” Based in Charlottetown, Stephen produces work for various ad campaigns and publications worldwide. studio-28.ca

HEATHER LAURA CLARKE “Quick fix: home office” Heather is a Truro, N.S.-based journalist and columnist whose work appears in newspapers, magazines, and websites across Canada, including the Huffington Post, New Homes & Renovations, and the Chronicle Herald. @HFXHeather

CASSANDRA BERNARD “Good bones” Cassandra is a P.E.I.-based writer who contributes to G! Magazine and works at the Legislative Assembly of P.E.I. She holds a bachelor of arts in print journalism from UPEI. @cassandraheaven

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summer

design update Five expert-styled looks to keep your home on trend

BY HEATHER FEGAN

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SUMMER 2018

Pops of Colour “It’s been a long period of greys, whites, neutrals,” says Susan Drover, owner and principal designer at SAM Design Inc. in St. John’s, N.L. Update your palette. Think rich inky greens, smokey plums, and pastel pinks in pale blush feminine tones: a mix of masculine and feminine. “This is OK for those who currently have a white, neutral palette,” says Drover.

Try white as a backdrop, she says. “It’s a great place to start to use an injection of colour.” Drover suggests colour-blocking walls, popping colour on muted interior doors and backsplashes with jewel-toned colours in large scale ways, or bathroom feature walls with fun tiles.

DECOR

Photo: Matt McMullin

For Nancy Dibblee, owner and interior stylist at Fine Interiors in Halifax, black and white is a classic combination that is on trend. “I have a black wall in the dining room with black and white photography,” says Dibblee. She suggests creating contrast with accent pieces that are affordable and simple to swap out when trends change. “A rule of decorating: every room can use a touch of black.” Dibblee suggests combining black with brass or classic white. Try crisp white linen on a bed with a black and white striped sheet, or placing a black chair nearby.

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Photo: Matt McMullin

2

Classic black & white

Brass is back “Not everyone is on board with this but you can incorporate brass with lighting, plumbing, and furniture,” says Dibblee. “It is on trend for 2018.”

She suggests taking a classic piece of furniture and swapping out the pulls for brass ones. “I did a blue island with brass pulls, and it was a great way to update a kitchen.” She says mixing metals can feel weird at first, but it can look good. She loves mixing in the Delta Trinsic faucet with a gooseneck in brass.

“You have your stainless steel sink and stainless steel appliances, and incorporating brass brings a balanced feeling and complements it.”

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Textures to the touch “Velvet looks luxurious, especially in deep blue,” says Dibblee. Start small with a pillow, a throw, or an accent piece in deep blue. “This is not your grandmother’s traditional velvet sofa that you’re not allowed to sit on. Jazz it up.” Drover agrees: “Luxurious textiles for your furniture, pillows and throws in velvets and wools, is like jewelry for an outfit. It will dress things up.”

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SUMMER 2018

Going green A resurgence of gorgeous planters and fresh organic greenery means greenhouse displays, hanging plants and anything tropical is a hot trend. “We know plants make us feel happier, leave us feeling recharged, make us healthy,” says Dibblee. Her favourite is the fiddle leaf fig tree. “The leaves are leathery, and there are only 20 to 30 leaves on a typical plant. Put one in an empty corner to help balance and round out a room.” Drover also suggests botanical wallpaper in rich hues as an inexpensive way to update a look and bring in colour and life.

“Botanical wallpaper on a full wall is dramatic, happy, and fun.

Wallpaper is so simple. There are amazing options. Rather than a whole room, paper behind a sofa or bed, or all the walls of a small powder room. “

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Floor

finder

BY CHRIS MUISE

Flooring specialists share their advice on how to choose the right floor for each room

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DÉCOR

F

looring covers every room in your house, and with most lasting 10 to 30 years or more, it’s key to decide what type is best for your space before investing.

“You really have to think about your lifestyle, and the sort of maintenance and wear you subject your floor to,” says Troy Campbell, a sales manager with Tops to Floors in Summerside, P.E.I.

THE LIVING ROOM One of the most trafficked rooms in the average family home.

Our panel of floor specialists was practically unanimous.

“I would definitely recommend a hardwood floor,” says Gary Sabean, owner of Crown Flooring in Halifax. “If you’re walking into a living room, nothing looks better than a hardwood floor.”

“Hardwood increases the value of your home,” says Jeff Colwell, a sales-estimates expert at Hamilton Carpets & Ceramics in Saint John, N.B. “People want to see hardwood in a living room. They don’t want to see carpet. When [someone is] buying a house and carpet’s down, first thing they say is ‘The carpet’s got to go.”

However, carpet still has its fans, at least in certain contexts.

“I find carpet’s coming back in bedrooms,” says Colwell. “People want something soft on their feet when they get out of bed.

There’s also the misconception that, ‘I can’t have carpet because my kids are allergic.’ That’s false. Carpet holds the dust until you vacuum. You get less dust in the air with carpet than you do with hardwood or laminate. Every time you walk on hardwood or laminate, you’re stirring it up in the air.”

“A properly-maintained carpet is not bad for you,” adds Campbell, who says carpets are also good for furnished basements, since modern carpet is designed to breathe, which allows moisture trapped in concrete subfloors to evaporate. “An annual cleaning and a weekly vacuuming keep your carpet up to snuff. ”

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KITCHEN

BATHROOM

There are more options for the kitchen, especially depending on whether your household is home to a busy young family or a retired couple.

“There are so many different products now that have different applications based on individual preference,” says Mark Howe, general manager of Tommy’s Flooring in Fredericton.

“In the past, ceramic was always [the standard], because it increases retail value,” says Colwell.

But it’s not for everyone.

“Some people do not like ceramic tile because it’s cold,” he says. “They don’t like it because it’s hard, hard on the knees, hard on the legs, hard on the feet, and sometimes the back.”

Another alternative is making a comeback.

“All kinds of companies are coming out with what they call LVT: luxury vinyl tile,” says Colwell. “Not as cold, not as hard, more forgiving. You can drop a dish and it might not break, unlike tile.”

Some LVT also has the advantage of being waterproof, a boon for families with children.

Again, you have some choice depending on how you plan to use the room. Options range from classy-looking ceramic tile, to more affordable sheet vinyl, perfect for less-trafficked water closets.

“A lot of clients are wanting custom tiled showers, and they’ll coordinate the floor with the wall, just to give you that upscale look,” says Campbell. “Your bathroom’s going to be your most expensive room-per-square-foot in the house. People will tend to invest a little more.”

For a half bath, going a little cheaper with sheet vinyl might be the most prudent choice.

“You can go with less quality in a bathroom, because it’s socks and bare feet,” says Colwell, who says tile in a family bathroom frequented by busy kids is a bad idea. “You don’t have the discoloured grout lines from your kids missing the flush.”

“You can cut corners in a less-used area, for sure,” says Bob Clarke, residential flooring expert with Baker Flooring in St. John’s, N.L. “The laundry room, even, is another example.”

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DÉCOR

BEDROOMS Once again, hardwood flooring comes out the clear winner for our panel. There are several options here, especially for those whose moist climate might be challenging on wood.

“We’re within a few miles of the water at most points,” says Campbell. “That’s why we’re firm believers in engineered wood. Being an engineered product, it still gives you the look of real wood, but it doesn’t give you the real wood problems, as far as expanding and contracting.”

Engineered wood is versatile, too. “The structure of engineered hardwood allows you to put that pretty much in any room of your house,” says Clarke.

Real hardwood isn’t ideal for young kids still learning to walk, who have mastered the art of mess-making.

“With children, they’re going with laminate in the bedroom; easy to clean and quite durable,” says Howe.

There are many variables to consider when choosing the perfect floor. The key is taking the time to understand your needs and what will work for you. Most flooring stores will let you take home samples to understand how a floor will look in your space, and many floor specialists offer free in-home consultations.

“The last thing that they want is somebody buying a product not suited to the customer’s lifestyle,” says Colwell. o

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HOW LONG SHOULD YOUR NEW FLOOR LAST? Carpet: 10 to 15 years

Engineered wood: 25 years

Longevity depends on the quality, where you put it, and if it’s properly maintained. “An annual cleaning and a weekly vacuuming keeps your carpet up to snuff.”—Troy Campbell

It comes with a structural warranty that real hardwood doesn’t because it’s a manufactured product. This option also hides scratches better than real wood. “If you’re gluing it in the seams, you’re making it waterproof.”—Gary Sabean

Luxury vinyl tile or plank: 15 years Many brands have a 15-year residential warranty, and some a lifetime warranty. “It’s extremely durable, almost indestructible, and it’s cheaper than the majority of hardwoods.”—Mark Howe

Ceramic Tile: 30 to 35 years New types of tile on the market are stain-resistant and use allergy-free epoxy grout. “It’s almost indestructible. The new type of grout out has so much more polymer modifications.”—Mark Howe

Vinyl: 15 to 20 years If properly maintained, even on the cheaper end, you can get a couple of decades out of vinyl. Though it’s best to consider high-quality brands, especially in the kitchen. “Some vinyl, it’ll last until you’re tired of looking at it.”—Jeff Colwell

Hardwood: The life of your home Can be sanded and refinished several times before needing replacement. “If a home’s been there 100 years, the hardwood floor should be there 100 years.”—Gary Sabean

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quick fix:

home office

Simple do-it-yourself ideas from the experts to transform your space without emptying your wallet

BY HEATHER LAURA CLARKE

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PROJECTS

AN ERGONOMIC CHAIR Cory Porteous, marketing manager of Office Interiors in Dartmouth, N.S. says many work-at-homers start out using a basic kitchen chair because it’s what they already have.

“If you have an uncomfortable chair, you’re more likely to keep getting up and walking around, which makes you less productive,” says Porteous. “If you don’t love the chair you’re sitting in every day, you deserve an upgrade.”

Sitting in the wrong chair can lead to serious back pain, especially if you spend most of your time using a computer.

Justin Horvath, interiors manager with Pinnacle Office Interiors in Paradise, N.L., says your body will thank you for choosing an office chair that keeps your back straight and your knees and elbows at 90-degree angles.

“Adjust your chair and your body to a comfortable position with neutral body posture,” says Horvath. “And pay close attention to the size of your chair. We’re all built differently, so it’s important to find a chair that’s not too big or too small.”

COST: $75–$700 TIME: 15–20 minutes to sit in different styles and learn what feels right

UPGRADED PAPER STORAGE Even mostly-paperless offices still need a spot for stashing receipts and signed contracts. Keeping paper clutter out of sight makes for a cleaner, more focused workspace.

The first step to clearing your desk surface is determining which system will mesh with the way you work. If you have to cross the room to file a paper, will it get ignored? What needs to be filed separately, and what can be combined?

Instead of a standard letter tray or inbox that doesn’t hide the papers from view, consider boxes with lids, magazine files, file boxes, or storage cubes.

COST: $5–$30 TIME: Minutes of shopping

THE RIGHT DESK Old-school walnut desks with built-in shelving and CD racks are quickly being replaced by sleeker, simpler options.

Skip shelving that fills up with clutter, pencil cups, and half-finished cups of coffee.

Position your desk to look out the window, set it up in the middle of the room, or facing the door seeing as much of the room as possible for maximum feng shui.

Studies show standing during at least part of the work day improves heart health and circulation. Most sit/stand desks adjust to different heights so you’re able to use a standard chair, a tall stool, or stand.

You need not replace your whole desk. Standing-desk converters sit on top of your existing desk, and raise up and down to allow you to toggle between standing and sitting.

COST: $60–$800 TIME: Shopping time, plus assembly. For the non-handy, most stores will assemble for you, for a fee

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A FRESH PALETTE Home offices often double as guest rooms or dens. Sometimes they’re stolen spaces in converted basements or outgrown toy rooms. Repainting the room might feel like an unnecessary expense, but it can significantly affect your mood.

White is a popular home office paint colour because it’s crisp, clean, and can brighten up even the dingiest of rooms. Try calming blue or grey tones if your job is particularly high-stress. Creatives may get a charge out of bold hues like teal and dark purple, but those tones could be too stimulating if you need to focus quietly for long periods.

COST: $40–$60 TIME: Half of a day

POSTURE PERFECTORS Are your wrists, knees, and elbows in the proper positions when you’re working at your desk? Are your eyes level with the top of your computer screen?

Porteous says hunching can be hard on your neck and wrists, but getting an ergonomically-designed workstation is easier than you think. You can retrofit existing office furniture with inexpensive pieces that make working much more comfortable.

If you aren’t sure what you need to straighten up and fly (work) right, Horvath says that’s where office interior specialists can lend a hand. Talk to them about your home office set-up, and they can explain how to adjust your position for optimal productivity.

COST: $35–$200 TIME: 30 minutes o

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East Coast Living Magazine

good bones

An antique cast iron stove preserves some of the home’s heritage.

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COVER STORY

A century-old home in rural Prince Edward Island gets a much needed restoration

BY CASSANDRA BERNARD PHOTOS BY STEPHEN HARRIS

T

he property in Point Prim, P.E.I., was overgrown with long grass and weeds when Zach Hancock first saw the online sale listing in 2012. The tiny, 100-year-old shack of a house was in no better shape. Creatures lived in the walls and the roof leaked, causing water damage everywhere, but the home’s bones remained strong. The house was vacant since the 1990s, with members of the community checking on it over the years.

After years of travel, Hancock wanted to lay down roots in P.E.I. Despite the house’s rough state, the water views and rolling farmlands lent the property, with its apple and walnut trees and lilac bushes, endless potential.

“One of the most common questions I’m asked is, ‘Wouldn’t it have been cheaper to just tear it down and build a new house?’ The answer is yes, but that is not what interested me,” he says. The house was listed for $75,000 but was reduced to $49,000. Hancock’s offer of $46,000 was accepted.

The quaint, two-bedroom house spans 1,300 square feet on just over one hectare of land tucked in off of the main highway on a road that winds down a narrow peninsula to the island’s first and oldest lighthouse, Point Prim Lighthouse.

The old home needed major renovations. Hancock was overwhelmed at first with the amount of work needed, and had no idea where to begin. After a complete home inspection, he learned that the only update in recent years was the electrical wiring. Literally every other part of the house needed repairs.

“I soon realized I had no choice but to start from the bottom and replace the foundation since the walls were starting to fall in,” he says. Seeing the house lifted high into the air was a sign of what the future held for this house, but also of the challenges to come. “A lot of the plaster cracked everywhere, so I found myself patching that for months,” he says. “Luckily I have some family and friends that were good to help too.”

He replaced floor joists, installed a new carrier beam for the house’s main support, and new sills for the house to sit on. Once all of these jobs were completed, Hancock replaced the entire south-facing side of the house that a carpenter ant infestation rotted completely.

Hancock hired contractor Devin Tierney, of Compass Construction, in Charlottetown to install six skylights in the new steel roof. Tierney says there is much homeowners should consider before undergoing major renovations to an older house.

Hancock painted the original pink and white bath tiles white to brighten the space.

RIGHT: The cozy cottage is surrounded by fields and farmland.

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“Be fully aware there might be hidden surprises when opening up or removing walls,” Tierney says of older homes facing major renovations.

Tierney found rot and electrical that needed to be rerouted to accommodate the skylights, but says Hancock was lucky. Out of date wiring and insufficient insulation in interior and exterior walls are two common, high-cost complaints.

“Homeowners should have some funds set aside to compensate for cost of unforeseen issues that really can’t be neglected upon discovery,” he says.

One of the more challenging projects Hancock faced throughout the entire renovation was finding a sufficient way to heat the old house during the winter. There was no heating system in the home when he bought it.

He always dreamed of having a wood stove, which of course is not as easy as buying a wood stove and lighting a cozy fire. He had to install a new double steel-lined fly in the chimney, as well as a new chimney top along with a heat pump as a secondary source. “They were both working great, but I could somehow still see my breath,” he says. Hancock soon found out there wasn’t a single sheet of insulation in the walls. He solved this issue by having blown-in insulation put in every wall and the attic, which helped, but there was still no heat rising to the upper levels of the home.

Hancock found a cast iron farm sink for only $800 at his local Mr. Plumber store. The walnut butcher block countertop adds a splash of refinement to the country kitchen.

ABOVE: Plants fill most rooms in the house, adding colour and improving air quality.

RIGHT: Custom skylights added more natural light in the small, second floor bedrooms.

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COVER STORY

While installing a ceiling fan in the dining room, he noticed a hole where there was once a grate to allow heat flow from downstairs to rise. He installed an antique floor grate to fill the hole where a previous grate had been, and another one above the wood stove. “This finally did the trick and I was warm and comfortable,” he says.

Once all of the major structural renovations were complete, Hancock focused on decorating the home, which involves a lot of plants. “I find they add so much life to a space and would choose plants first over any piece of furniture,” he says. “My house is filled with natural light which also makes it easy for my plants to thrive.”

Each room in the home has a cozy, cabin vibe. Like the structural renovations, the original décor badly needed a facelift, but offered some pleasant surprises underneath.

In the living room, he ripped up old red, sun-faded and stained carpet to reveal dark hardwood floors which he complemented by painting the walls nearly black grey. A black, antique cast iron stove welcomes guests to this comfortable space, including a $9 antique chair found at Value Village that Hancock had Blair Hall Reupholstering in Vernon Bridge refinish.

Hancock says his favourite room in the house is the kitchen. It is by no means a chef’s kitchen, but it works as a perfect eat-in country-style cookery. Sunlight pours in from every side of the house all day long, and he knew this room was going to be special.

Of all renovations, the bathroom was the most dramatic. It started out with fish-printed wallpaper on one wall, bright green paint on another mixed with pink and white tiles. He painted the tiles with white semi-gloss tile paint, and found a vanity with a unique marble

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top at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Charlottetown for only $120.

“It’s been a conversation piece ever since,” he says. After all of the time, energy and money spent on this older house, Hancock is attached to it.

He can’t see himself leaving the house or its community.

“I still have little projects on the go, but now that I’ve come this far, I’ve found myself really getting to enjoy the space and surroundings,” he says.

He enjoys his vast gardens each summer, picking fresh berries in the morning and vegetables for dinner. He finds peace in tending to his flowerbeds that he has built up over the last few years, and spends quiet time watching the farmers harvest their crops in the nearby fields. He says there is nothing quite like taking his rescue dog, Simon, for a walk to the water below the house, or sitting by his wood stove during a classic P.E.I. snow storm. “The location couldn’t possibly be beat if you tried.”

Hancock’s restoration went as expected, but Tierney reminds homeowners to evaluate their budget and to assess their wants versus their needs before undertaking a project of this magnitude.

“Older homes are a fixture of P.E.I. and it is nice to see them when they get a breath of fresh air,” he says. “Just have a thorough home inspection done with a professional before to have a better idea of what your wants are and how to budget to accommodate them.”

Hancock knew he had the option of tearing the older house down and building from scratch, but he also knew this little home was something special.

“I’d far rather restore and appreciate the history and hard work that once went into building these beautiful pieces of art,” he says. “I think my home has a personality of its own that you wouldn’t come by in a new build.” o

FEEDBACK

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ecl@metroguide.ca

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perfect yard With a little bit of landscaping, you can create your outdoor oasis

BY KEN KELLEY

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Photo courtesy of Earthform Landscaping

IN DEPTH

Photo courtesy of Earthform Landscaping

A

lthough it’s just as long as any other season, summer seems to get away from us the fastest. In an effort to make the most of the time of year, many Atlantic Canadians are making their yards more comfortable and welcoming.

“People want to maximize the space in and around their home,” says Darcy MacNeill of Stratford, P.E.I.’s Earthform Landscaping.

“We’re noticing a definite upswing in the preparedness of customers and clients to invest in their backyard space. Not only do they want to make the most of the summer, many customers are opting to install things like fire features that not only help extend the season, but also serve as a focal point in the yard.”

Of course, improving the look of your yard doesn’t always equate to spending big bucks. MacNeill says homeowners shouldn’t dismiss the appeal of manicured flower beds and a clean walkway.

“Those flowerbeds and the walkway can speak volumes about the mood or tone that a homeowner is trying to set, especially if you’re looking to sell your house,” MacNeill continues. “You ultimately want to create a welcoming atmosphere for your guests.”

Pamela Beltzer, owner of Heritage Landscaping in Lunenburg, N.S. says that while simplicity will never go out of vogue, some clients are bringing increasingly ambitious ideas to the table.

“Not so long ago, if you had a respectable lawn and a couple of trees dotting your property, your landscaping was often complete,” Beltzer says. “But the idea of spending more time outside and using the whole property has really exploded over the last five years.”

With an increased focus on living outside, Beltzer says customers are installing everything from regulation-sized horseshoe pitches to tennis courts. There is also an increasing number of people complementing their outdoor surroundings with sculptures, while avid readers are creating nooks where they can immerse themselves in their books.

ABOVE LEFT: The quality of outdoor furniture has increased dramatically over the last decade to the point where some can be as comfortable as indoor furniture.

TOP RIGHT: Fire features alongside a pool or hot tub add an extra element of texture and drama at night.

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Photo courtesy of Heritage Landscaping

“People are definitely breaking out of the cookie-cutter rectangular decks that many home builders attach to a home” Another trend that Beltzer has noticed is a move towards ecofriendly projects.

“Many people are taking an interest in rehabilitating land and using plants to create a more sensitive ecology,” Beltzer says. “People are recognizing that climate change has a major impact on the severity of storms and changing weather patterns and are including native elements to do their part to help stabilize the environment. We’re seeing people take an interest in planting things that will help bees and butterflies thrive and creating small pockets of habitats for songbirds, squirrels, and rabbits.”

It’s not only animals benefitting from landscaping these days. Given the increasing popularity of the eat local trend, combined with the public’s desire to know where the food they eat is coming from, Beltzer says she sees a resurgence in small-scale gardening.

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“The great thing about small-scale gardening is that you don’t really need a lot of room to do something impactful,” Beltzer continues.

“People are embracing the notion of growing their own salads and getting back to more nutritionally complete food.”

Neil Pond, owner of Urban Landscaping in Rothesay, N.B., says that a large deer population and the bedroom communities of Saint John have clashed in the last five years. People are building fences to protect their gardens.

“There has been a growing trend of planting deer-resistant plants and invisible-looking mesh fences to help keep deer out,” Pond says. “But the deer population hasn’t necessarily deterred people from pursuing oldfashioned gardening.”

As people take on larger projects to spruce up their backyards, Pond insists the public shouldn’t underestimate the importance that decks play in making the backyard feel like home.

“People are definitely breaking out of the cookie-cutter rectangular decks that many home builders attach to a home,” Pond says. “We are seeing an increasing amount of people that are renovating their existing deck or adding defined spaces, like a cooking area or additional recreational space. When it comes to carving out a space for relaxing or socializing, we’re seeing larger wicker sectionals and chairs furnishing decks. People want to bring the comfort of the indoors outside.”

IN DEPTH RIGHT: Fire features can help extend the season long into fall.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Deck with defined spaces for entertaining, cooking, and lounging are a popular choice for new builds and backyard renos.

Photo courtesy of Earthform Landscaping

In the quest to create the perfect outdoor space, where they won’t be affected by the elements, Pond says many people are installing pergolas and gazebos. Not only can the structures help keep people and furniture dry, a set of curtains can help homeowners control the environment more so than if they were out in the open. With the addition of some LED lighting, you can create the perfect atmosphere for your outdoor getaway.

But if splurging on major renovations to your yard just isn’t in the cards, fear not. Even relatively cost-effective projects can add some zip to a tired-looking yard.

“There are still a lot of people using mulch around garden to help suppress weeds, but also create a contrast between the garden and the lawn,” Pond says. “Perennials remain a big seller and are ideal for someone that might not have the time to dedicate to a high maintenance kind of plant.”

Whether you’re experienced with sprucing up the homestead, or just getting your feet wet, there are all kinds of projects to keep you busy for the summer months. o

FEEDBACK ecl@metroguide.ca eastcoastliving.ca @EastCoastLiving East Coast Living Magazine

HOW TO HIRE A LANDSCAPER Pamela Beltzer of Heritage Landscaping in Lunenburg, N.S. offers advice to help make hiring a landscaper simple.

References. “While you can generally take comfort in a company that has been established for quite some time, most reputable companies will have a list of references to provide you. Even better, some landscapers will go on tour with prospective clients for a couple of hours to showcase the work they’ve done at different homes in the area.”

Word of mouth. “Don’t just try to speak with people that have hired a specific company. While that input is valuable, supply and landscaping companies as well as hardware companies can be a great resource in helping find the right people in your region.”

Trust your gut. “Hiring a professional to take on a project is a lot like picking a paint colour: A big part of it is gut instinct. If you’ve got someone that is a good listener and seems genuinely vested and interested in helping achieve your goals, chances are they will be a good fit for the project.”

Consult the professionals. It’s always a good idea to consult professional landscaping organizations like Landscape New Brunswick & Landscape Prince Edward Island, Landscape Nova Scotia and Landscape NL. A quick check of a company’s status with the local Better Business Bureau can also increase peace of mind.

SUMMER 2018

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Baking the world a better place

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EATING IN

Neal Bowers, Lunenburg’s bread man, talks outdoor baking STORY AND PHOTOS

BY SANDRA PHINNEY

W

hile teaching a course in school librarianship at the University of Prince Edward Island in 1987, Neal Bowers heard about a novel way to deal with stress: “One of the participants said she loved to get a big batch of dough going and lose herself in the kneading. Good exercise with edible results.”

Back home in Lunenburg, N.S. where Bowers and his wife Marie have lived and worked since 1969, bread-making became his default snow day activity. He’d make a big batch of three or four loaves. “Two for us, one or two to give away to colleagues,” he says.

With retirement looming in February 2002, Bowers decided to increase his output and sell some. Loosely following the model of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), he formed a bread club. Friends and acquaintances invest $10 at a time and he delivers freshly baked bread on specified days.

Although eager to increase production, Bowers’ standard-size kitchen oven limited him. Yet, investing in a commercial oven seemed a stretch.

That’s when he remembered a childhood family vacation in Quebec where he saw wood-fired bread ovens in back yards, with bread for sale at roadside. “The ovens were often rough-looking structures made of clay,” he says. “But the bread was tasty, and there were lots of customers.”

Research led Bowers to purchase a book titled The Bread Builders by Alan Scott and Daniel Wing. He ramped up his baking time and serendipity stepped in; he started working as the Sunday morning baker at LaHave Bakery in December of 2002. In addition to bread, Bowers made pizza and baked sandwiches. “Think Hot Pockets, but only better,” he says.

Occasionally he helped out on other days as well.

Transition from kitchen to outdoor oven With the expansion of his bread-making expertise, Bowers ordered Alan Scott’s plans to build an outdoor bake oven. He and his friend, “all-around handyman” Eban Stevens, started building the oven in 2003.

The material list from the plans was easy to source from building supply outlets and garden centres. The only puzzling part was the area around the oven door (where the flue is), “But we improvised a bit and it worked out.”

Now there are excellent YouTube videos showing each step in detail.

Bowers baked his first batch of bread (whole wheat round loaves with flax, poppy, and sunflower seeds) that November. He says as he pulled the loaves out of the oven he thought it was old-timey and magical.

“Good loaves of bread are the result of fully mixed and kneaded dough, fermented and proofed at optimum temperature for the right length of time, and baked at the right temperature for just the right length of time,” says the 67-year-old bread-making aficionado. “Mistakes and failed loaves happen, but even these can be turned into croutons, bread crumbs, or bread pudding.” Keeping a straight face, he says, “You could always use an overcooked loaf as a door stop.”

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Bowers’ says his biggest satisfaction in baking is using his outdoor oven. “Using really old and primitive technology and materials to make a tasty and nourishing food item that is superior to 99 per cent of what is available in a grocery store.”

Bowers likens making bread to meditation.

“There’s a contemplative zone to enter, a rhythmic physical activity to get lost in. Making bread is satisfying. I also feel proud and privileged.”

Rose-Marie Lohnes was introduced to Bowers’ bread five years ago and is now a regular customer. The Bridgewater resident says, “Although I’m partial to his sourdough bread, I also love his baguettes and bagels. All his breads are made with specially ground flours and extra seeds. They are delicious!”

Lohnes buys four to five loaves at a time, and often eats half a loaf as soon as it comes through the door. She also slices the bread and freezes it.

“With no preservatives, a loaf only stays fresh for a few days, Lohnes says, “but his bread freezes really well.” She also appreciates the fact that the bread has an interesting texture because of the ingredients the baker uses and the way the bread is baked outside. “The flavour is unique and has just the right amount of moisture,” Lohnes says, adding, “I think he kneads love into each loaf.”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: 1. Separating the dough into loaves.

2. Shaping the dough by hand makes each unique.

3. Preparing the dough to rise.

4. Scoring the dough.

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EATING IN

Rustic round seeded loaves Bowers measures his ingredients by weight, a preferred method for many big-volume bakers. You can find a basic kitchen scale at most department or dollar stores. Recipe courtesy of Neal Bowers Yields three loaves INGREDIENTS 1.5 kg (2.3 lb) all-purpose flour 100 grams (3.5 oz) whole-wheat flour 825 grams (29 oz) water at room temperature 125 grams (4.5 oz) warm water 2 tbsp (30 ml) honey 1 package yeast 100 grams (3.5 oz) seeds (try sunflower, pumpkin, flax, poppy, sesame, or chia) 25 grams (.88 oz) salt DIRECTIONS 1. Make soaker in large bowl using flour and 700 grams (25 oz) water.

Mix and let stand for 1 hour.

2. In small bowl, mix 125 grams (4.5 oz) water, honey, and yeast. When mixture is foamy, about 10 to 15 minutes, add to soaker with seeds.

3. Mix until well combined and then gradually add 450 grams (1 lb) all-purpose flour and salt. Before all flour is incorporated, turn dough out on table or counter to knead.

4. Knead 7 to 10 minutes, until all flour is used and dough is bouncy and smooth.

5. Transfer to greased bowl and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour to 90 minutes depending on room temperature.

6. Punch down dough and place on floured surface.

7. Divide into three portions and shape into rounds. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

8. Proof 30 to 45 minutes, score tops, and bake at 380 to 400°F (193 to 204°C) for 40 to 45 minutes.

9. Bread is done when probe thermometer inside the loaf reads 93°C (200°F).

Cheddar and jalapeno bagels These hefty bagels are perfect with a dab of butter. They also make perfect BLTs. Recipe courtesy of Neal Bowers Yields 18 bagels INGREDIENTS 800 grams (1.8 lb) all-purpose flour 800 grams (28 oz) room temperature water 150 grams (5.3 oz) warm water 2 tbsp. (30 ml) honey 1 package yeast 1 or 2 jalapeno peppers, diced 25 grams (.88 oz) salt 1 to 1 1/2 cups (250 ml to 375 ml) sharp cheddar cheese DIRECTIONS 1. Make soaker in large bowl using half flour and half room temperature water. Mix and let stand for one hour.

2. In small bowl, mix warm water, honey, and yeast. When mixture is foamy, add to soaker with remaining room temperature water, remaining flour, peppers, and salt. Mix until thoroughly blended.

3. Before all flour is incorporated, turn dough out on a table or counter to knead. Knead seven to 10 minutes, until all flour is used and the dough is bouncy and smooth.

4. Transfer to greased bowl and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour to 90 minutes depending on room temperature.

5. Punch down dough and place on floured surface. Divide dough into 18 pieces, about 110 grams (4 oz) each, and form into small balls.

6. Let balls rest, covered with a towel, 10 to 15 minutes.

7. Form bagel shape by poking thumb and middle finger through.

Squeeze and rotate until desired size and shape is achieved.

8. Place on floured surface and cover with towel to rise for another 10 to 15 minutes.

9. Bring large pot of water to boil. Working in batches of three to four, carefully boil bagels for about one minute, flipping once during boiling.

10. Remove bagels with slotted spoon. Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Most ovens will fit six bagels each on three baking sheets.

11. Top each bagel with small handful of cheese.

12. Bake 20 to 25 minutes at 193 to 204°C (380 to 400°F). Bagels should be slightly brown with crispy cheese.

13. Bread is done when probe thermometer inside the bagel reads 93°C (200°F).

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Photo: Noah Fecks

Cornmeal and Molasses Sandwich Bread The amount of flour required here is more open-ended than other recipes because of a few variables in making this bread. Depending on how long the cornmeal is left to absorb the water, you will need more or less flour for kneading. Recipe from the cookbook Pantry and Palate, courtesy of Simon Thibault.

Yields 2 loaves INGREDIENTS 3/4 cup (177 ml) cornmeal, plus 1 tbsp for dusting 2 tsp (10 ml) sugar 3 tsp (15 ml) lard or vegetable shortening 2 cups (500 ml) boiling water 1/3 cup (78 ml) room temperature water 2 tsp (10 ml) yeast 1 tsp (5 ml) baking soda 2 tsp (10 ml) salt 1/2 cup (125 ml) molasses 4 to 5 cups (1000 ml to 1250 ml) flour, plus 1 tbsp (15 ml) for dusting DIRECTIONS 1. Mix cornmeal, sugar, and lard. Add the boiling water and mix thoroughly to eliminate any lumps. Cool for about 45 minutes.

2. Cornmeal will expand and look somewhat like porridge. Ensure the porridge is cool enough for yeast to activate. Too hot can kill yeast.

3. In room-temperature water, thoroughly mix yeast and baking soda.

Add to cornmeal porridge, then add salt and molasses. Mix until well blended.

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4. Stir in flour 1 cup (250 ml) at a time, incorporate completely before adding more. After incorporating third cup flour, dough should start to come together, pulling away from bowl sides.

5. Turn dough out onto floured surface, and dust with more flour to start kneading.

6. With flour-dusted hands, gather the dough into large ball and knead.

Dough will be slightly tacky at first.

7. Keep adding small amounts of flour as you knead it. Dough will become smooth and not tacky, and will feel taut and less elastic as you knead.

8. Place dough in a clean bowl, cover with cling film, and allow to rest for about 45 minutes. Take dough out and knead gently for about 1 minute.

It will feel very elastic compared to prior kneading.

9. Place back in bowl to rise for about 1 hour.

10. Grease pans with lard, and dust with 1 tbsp (10 ml) flour and 1 tsp (5 ml) cornmeal. Remove dough from bowl, cut in half.

11. Gently pinch dough ends to shape loaf. Place each loaf in greased and floured loaf pan. Allow to rise for another hour.

12. Preheat your oven to 204°C (400°F). Place bread into oven and bake 1 hour.

13. Remove bread from the oven and remove loaves from pans.

14. Bread should sound hollow when tapped on bottom. If not, return to oven for 10 minutes, without loaf pan.

15. Allow bread to cool for at least 1 hour before cutting.

EATING IN

Du bon pain blanc / Good White Bread This enriched white bread is reminiscent of eggless challah or French pain au lait. It’s a great white bread to eat on its own, as toast, and, perhaps best of all, cut into slices and left out to dry overnight for pain perdu, also known as French toast. Recipe from the cookbook Pantry and Palate, courtesy of Simon Thibault Yields one loaf

DIRECTIONS 1. In saucepan, warm milk and buttermilk to a gentle simmer.

2. Remove milk from the heat and add sugar and shortening. Stir to dissolve sugar.

3. Dissolve yeast in room-temperature water.

4. Add 1 cup (250 ml) flour to milk mixture and blend to a smooth batter.

5. Add salt and yeast water to batter, and mix thoroughly. Add remaining flour, 1 cup (250 ml) at a time, until dough forms a ball and unsticks from bowl sides.

6. With flour-dusted hands, gather dough into large ball and knead. Dough will be slightly tacky at first.

7. Place dough in a clean bowl, cover, and allow to rest until doubled in size, about 1.5 to 2 hours.

8. Remove dough from bowl. Place on wellfloured surface and knead briefly.

9. Roll dough into log, and place in greased and floured loaf pan. Cover, and allow to rise for 1 hour.

10. Preheat oven to 204°C (400°F) . Bake for 1 hour.

11. Remove bread from oven and remove from pans. Bread should sound hollow when tapped on bottom. If not, return to oven for 10 minutes.

12. Allow bread to cool for at least 1 hour before cutting. o

Photo: Noah Fecks

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FEEDBACK ecl@metroguide.ca eastcoastliving.ca @EastCoastLiving East Coast Living Magazine SUMMER 2018

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Raise your glass

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LIBATIONS

to local wine Six must-try Atlantic Canadian wines for summer

BY RICHARD WOODBURY

W

riting a list of must-try Atlantic Canadian wines was once a simple task.

“You have tons of stuff to choose from nowadays,” says Craig Pinhey, a wine judge and sommelier from Rothesay, N.B., and co-author of The Wine Lover’s Guide to Atlantic Canada. “You didn’t used to have those options.”

Nova Scotia’s sparkling wines garner international acclaim. L’Acadie Vineyards in Gaspereau won a silver medal in 2011 at Effervescents du Monde, an international sparkling wine competition in France. Last year, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay announced he would offer 2008 Brut Reserve from Benjamin Bridge, another Gaspereau vineyard, at one of his London restaurants.

With similar growing conditions to that of the Champagne region in France, Nova Scotia’s Gaspereau Valley is ideally suited to producing them.

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Benjamin Bridge’s Brut uses a combination of traditional Champagne grapes–Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier; its makers use the traditional French method, in which fermentation takes place in the bottle. When Benjamin Bridge was first getting off the ground about 20 years ago, extensive climatic and soil research determined the vineyard could thrive at making sparkling wines.

With notes of almond and apple, there’s also a touch of salinity, which comes from the Bay of Fundy’s impact on the air in the area.

“When I say salinity, it’s not a salty wine … there’s a huge underlying acidity, but richness and brininess from that,” says Alex Morozov, the vineyard’s assistant winemaker.

Another option is L’Acadie Vineyards’ 2015 Vintage Cuvée Rosé, which is made of l’Acadie Blanc and Marechal Foch grapes. It has pleasant strawberry aromas and toasty notes.

Vineyard owner Bruce Ewert says while rosé is fine to drink yearround, there’s a reason it’s popular in summer. “I don’t know if it’s a New World thing or an Old World thing, but traditionally rosé is a summer sipper by the pool, having a barbecue, and so on,” he says.

“Sparkling rosés follow that theme.”

People often associate sparkling wines with toasts, but they can also go great with meals. “People don’t think of it as carrying you all the way through the meal, but it’s going to accentuate the meal because it’s going to help your mouth to salivate and it’s got enough acidity to be bright beside anything, which is nice,” says sommelier Kathryn Harding, retail manager at Halifax’s Bishop Cellar.

Trying a Tidal Bay wine from Nova Scotia is a summer must.

Made of 100% locally grown grapes, wines bearing this appellation must meet strict standards, including using only certain kinds of grapes and limits on how much of the wine they make up. Also, an independent blind panel tastes them, so you can rest assured any of these crisp, fresh whites that feature green-fruit flavour and minerality will be a good pick. “It’s a cool way to try Nova Scotia whites and kind of see the expression of the winery through that,” says Harding. According to the provincial wine association’s website, 11 vineyards produce Tidal Bay: Avondale Sky, Benjamin Bridge, Blomidon Estate Winery, Domaine de Grand Pré, Gaspereau Vineyards, Jost Vineyards, Lightfoot & Wolfville, Luckett Vineyards, Mercator, Planters Ridge, and Sainte-Famille Wines.

LIBATIONS

Pairing Options While New Brunswick’s vineyards are better known for their fruit wines, Motts Landing Vineyard and Winery in CambridgeNarrows offers Summer Solstice, a quintessential summer wine with its citrus and floral notes.

Sonia Craw, the vineyard’s winemaker and owner, studied winemaking in New Zealand. One of the techniques she learned is to grow some grape clusters in the shade to bring out more of the fruit flavours, which New Zealand winemakers do with Sauvignon Blancs to bring out the passionfruit. “That’s sort of what I try to replicate here,” says Craw.

In Newfoundland, Rodrigues Winery & Distillery in Whitbourne is noted for its blueberry wine. “Newfoundland has a reputation as having a pristine environment and part of what makes that true is the blueberries they use are wild,” says Moira Peters, a sommelier and co-author of The Wine Lover’s Guide to Atlantic Canada based in Maitland, N.S. “There are really very little chemicals used on their fruit,” One final Atlantic Canadian wine option is Murray River, P.E.I.’s Rossignol Estate Winery’s Blackberry Mead Wine. As a wine judge, Pinhey tastes it frequently because it often wins medals. “It has a very intense blackberry flavour,” he said, noting with fruit wines, you want that pure flavour to shine through. o

The right wine can accentuate any meal from fish and chips to lobster risotto. Here are six pairings to tickle your taste buds this summer:

Brut, Benjamin Bridge: Harding suggests oysters, fish and chips, a ham dinner, or charcuterie.

2015 Vintage Cuvée Rosé, L’Acadie Vineyards: Ewert recommends roasted or grilled chicken, pasta with a white sauce, lobster risotto, butternut squash, or barbecued meats.

Tidal Bay: Harding suggests drinking Tidal Bay by itself on a hot day on a patio, but with a meal, she says it’s great with seafood, pastas, vegetable dishes, and chicken meals.

Summer Solstice, Motts Landing Vineyard and Winery: A perfect summer-drinking wine that pairs well with salads and fish, says Craw.

Blueberry Wine, Rodrigues Winery & Distillery: Peters recommends drinking this with cheese, pork chops, or bacon and eggs.

Blackberry Mead, Rossignol Estate Winery:

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Pinhey suggests having it with a Maritime dessert, like a crumble or grunt, or on its own before or after a meal.

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shine a light

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SUMMER 2018

GARDENING

Lightscaping shows you a whole new side of your garden

BY CAROL MATTHEWS

F

rom patio lights and flood lights to candles, adding low voltage lights extends your relaxation time with family, garden parties, and barbecues. Plus it adds interest and drama to your garden all year round, and is a safety feature.

Lightscaping can be as easy as buying a do-it-yourself kit at the local hardware store or shining a flood light up a tree, or you can hire a contractor to do the job.

To get started, walk around your garden at night to see which areas would benefit from lighting. Depending on the size of your garden you may only want to highlight one or two features. However, if your garden is large there are many ways to draw attention to the after dark vistas with subtle glows, bold spotlighting, or soft shadows.

With the exception of underwater lighting, you can temporarily produce most of these effects with flashlights, to give you an idea of what the finished product will create. Experiment and you’ll be surprised at the dramatic effects lighting can have.

Uplighting is accomplished by placing lights at ground level, shining upwards to create dramatic locations throughout your yard that may seem merely ordinary during the day. Place a light at the base of an imposing tree, dense shrub, or an arbour. Choose a white light for simple elegance, or try different colours to create different moods.

Downlighting or moonlighting adds the effect of a full moon every night. Place downward facing lights on trees, fences, or other structures, to create a romantic atmosphere. The delicate shadow patterns of leaves and flowers will project on the ground. A series of these lights placed along a tree or fence line improves a quiet stroll.

Cross lighting is especially attractive for lighting feature plants, waterfalls, and fountains. Cross lighting shines two lights on an object from different directions.

Silhouetting highlights a statue or large pot placed in front of a wall. Put a light directly in front of the feature to cast a dramatic shadow on the wall behind.

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Most garden lighting falls into two types: solar and low-voltage electricity. Here are some points to ponder before choosing one: Solar lighting is energy efficient and easy, as lights activate automatically as the sun sets. Instead of burning out at once, solar lights dim gradually so you’ll know when to replace them. Most solar kits can be installed DIY which means a lower price tag than the professional installation of electric lights.

On the downside, solar-powered lights are dimmer than low-voltage electricity. Keep charging pads clear of dirt and thick dust to ensure a full charge or one light can be brighter than the rest.

Low-voltage electric lights are brighter, and come in a wide array of styles and options, and can be turned off and on from inside.

Wiring can be simple enough for the DIY approach or require a professional. A professional upgrade can add value to your home, but will require upkeep as the system ages.

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Path lighting is often used for safety, adding a lovely ambiance. Point the lights down to avoid glare. In winter months, lighting pillows of snow on shrubs and perennials will add a storybook look.

Fairy lights aren’t just for Christmas. They lend a mystical feeling to your garden year round. Add them to branches, trunks, and bushes, or wrap them around railings or arbours for a soft glow.

Candlelight is a quick and inexpensive way to build mood and romance in your garden. Whether you float candles on a pond, hang them in glass containers from trees or garden architecture, or secure them in sand in a paper bag along a walkway, candles are a natural for creating atmosphere and mystery after the sun goes down.

Underwater lighting such as soft lamps, a glittering water surface, and fountains bathed in color create a spectacular ambience. To add a tropical atmosphere to your water features, place a submerged fogger in your pond. Position it so the fog will rise around a waterfall or fountain.

Underwater spotlights create the same shimmering reflection on surrounding walls and fences that aboveground spotlights do. Project the light through the surface of the water onto the wall.

Waterfalls are especially attractive lit from within. Highlighting the falls with outside lighting is attention grabbing, but placing the light under the water, behind the falls, creates a mystical, relaxing atmosphere.

Set up a light to reflect the water onto a wall or fence near your pond.

Place a spotlight on the side of the pond opposite the wall, and shine the light into the water. Even a relatively still pond throws reflections on the wall for a shimmering effect that cannot be duplicated in daylight.

Ensure your lights and submerged fixtures are rated for underwater use.

Never place anything underwater without confirming this. Also remember these lights and techniques are not for use in swimming pools or any water that humans or animals may use. Underwater lighting fixtures made of copper or brass may be toxic to your koi or goldfish.

If weather keeps you inside anytime during the year, creative lighting allows you to continue to enjoy your garden after dark, even if it is from a window. o

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Buying guide

BUYING GUIDE

Now that you’ve seen all the quality products and services available in Atlantic Canada, here’s a guide to help you access these products for your own home.

Advocate (p. 5) 902-455-2870 advocateprinting.com Attica (p. 23) 902-423-2557 attica.ca

Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design (p. 38) 902-270-7491 capebretoncraft.com Centura (p. 9) centura.ca

Beauti-tone (p. 3) Beautitone.ca

Galbani (p. 51) galbani.ca

Boxing Rock (p. 44) 902-494-9233 boxingrock.ca

Garage Kings (p. 30, 31) 1-866-417-5464 garagekings.ca

CanExel (p. 10) canexel.ca

Garden South Park Inn (p. 38) 902-492-8577 gardensouthparkinn.com Irving Energy (p. 9) irvingenergy.ca

Lake City Woodworkers (p. 8) 902-465-5000 lakecitywoodworkers.com Maritime Window (p. 41) 902-422-6290 maritimewindowfilm.com

Red Door Realty (p. 29) 902-425-2811 reddoorrealty.ca Renaissance Fireplaces (p. 52) 450-565-6336 renaissancefireplaces.com

Metro Home (p. 41) 902-894-5536 metropei.com

Terra Verde (p. 27) 506-389-1898 terraverdehome.com

Nimbus Publishing (p. 23) 902-455-4286 nimbus.ca

Thermador/BOSCH (p. 7) 1-800-567-3855 venmar.ca

Proluxe (p. 15) 1-800-463-7426 perfectwoodstains.ca

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QEII Foundation (p. 2) QE2GotThis.ca

WB Fowler Industries (p. 44) 1-800-290-8510 wbfowler.com

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LAST LOOK

catching her breath

A health scare convinced this glassblower to follow her passion

BY HEATHER MACLEAN REID When your brother is a child painting prodigy, finding a way to make your mark is hard. “My brother, Rob Saley, is a professional and prolific painter. He was a child prodigy, so I couldn’t compete there,” Tia Saley laughs. “I did pottery classes and that process takes forever. It just wasn’t for me. What lead me to glass blowing was the immediacy and the physicality of it. It’s high-risk multitasking, and I’m really good at multitasking.”

Saley travels at least twice a year to Brighton, Ont. to visit her former teacher Paulus Tjiang at his gallery and hot shop, Frantic Farms Clay and Glass and Gallery. There she creates wine glasses, functional vases, dream jars (glass that is sand blasted and decorated), and more. “I love the fluidity of the material–viscous liquid transformed into a hard, usable piece. And that my breath is what has shaped it.”

In 2007, Saley was frightened awaiting the outcome of a possible thyroid cancer diagnosis. Thankfully, tests determined she was healthy. After that stressful period, the Ontario native took a sabbatical from teaching at Lakefield College School in Lakefield, Ont. to pursue artistry full time. “I made a pact with myself that after my advisees graduated I was going to take a year off and do something to nurture myself. And that was travelling and glass blowing,” Saley says.

The nature in her adopted home is her inspiration. “The rolling hills of coniferous trees with the sea on the horizon–those vivid blues and greens definitely find their way into my work.”

She attended the Haliburton School of Art and Design, undertaking a four-month intensive diploma in glass blowing. In 2013, after several years of world traveling while teaching, Saley and her husband moved from Ontario to Rothesay, N.B. She teaches at Rothesay Netherwood School (RNS), a private boarding school.

Now a mother of two small children, Saley teaches art, environmental science, and ecology part time, to balance her work, family life, and art. “There’s a theme there,” she says. “The subjects I teach are the things I’m drawn to. But there’s also some irony, because glass blowing is notoriously energy inefficient. I have an internal struggle with that, in some regards.”

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Saley sells her glass work primarily at Handworks Gallery in Saint John, N.B., and at the annual RNS art show. Her art was also recently featured at the Saint John Airport. Tandi Hooper-Clark, whose parents are famed Canadian artists John and Kathy Hooper, is a curator of art from local visual artists and craftspeople for the airport. “You can see that they’re happy pieces, and she loves what she’s doing,” says Hooper-Clark of Saley’s work. “She experiments with colour and form and shape. Her work is fun and has a real sense of whimsy.”

For Saley, representing the local artisan community in such a well-travelled place was an honour. “It was a wonderful feeling to welcome people, potentially for the first time, to Saint John with the vibrant colours that go into my pieces, reflective of the landscape here,” she says. “Sometimes coming ‘from away’ can be palpable with the lack of family around, but friends here have become like family. Being selected to show in the airport made me feel rooted and a part of this place.” o

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