Alair Magazine - Edition #1 by ALAIR Magazine

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DISCOVER A New Era in Home Construction

PEOPLE

PROJECTS

PL ACES

FOUNDER’S MESSAGE Welcome to the inaugural issue of Alair Magazine. If you told me in 2007, when Alair first started, that one day we would have our own magazine, I might not have believed you. However, here we are today, celebrating our new lifestyle magazine, which will feature some of the amazing people and projects Alair is known for, but also a few fun things you may not know us for. We have quite a few characters across Alair, and they come with some unique talents. From recipes to ALAIRious jokes to project and community spotlights, this magazine is made especially for you by the people on our team.

CONTRIBUTORS Publisher Adam McCaa Digital and Print Manager Jason Clayton Managing Editor Natalie Harper Editors Laura Field Nicole Wicks Creative Lead & Design Chelsea Hamre Contributors Jacqueline Tyler Kristina Matisic Chris Bolio Andrey Sokolov Whitney Brown Jessica Leavitt Lisa Bereziuk Jennifer Mulchandani Jaclyn Anderson Brynn Bagot Allday Aimee Spring

And that team is now more than 600 people strong across Canada and the United States; each of whom is committed to doing something never been done before in the construction industry. They are not only building award-winning homes and businesses in their respective communities. They are also building the stories you will see in this issue, as well as many future issues. And while building a magazine is much different to building a house, it still takes a lot of planning, a skilled team, and many hours pouring heart and soul into every sentence and photo. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this first ever issue of Alair Magazine. It is very special to be able to share this with so many peoplefrom our staff to our homeowners to our valued trade and market partners. We have tried to include a little something for everyone here, and we have much, much more to come! Please enjoy this introductory edition, as we focus on helping you Discover Alair. Blair McDaniel Founder and CEO, Alair

4 COVER S TORY

DISCOVER ALAIR

Discover the evolution of homes and how Alair is helping people live better lives; today.

LO C ATION SP OTLIGH T

THIRD TIME’S A CHARM Follow Katy and Herman on their journey to build their Savannah dream home.

DESIGN TRENDS

BANFF–JASPER ADVENTURE

Explore the natural beauty in these Canadian National Parks.

PM PROFILE

ELLIOTT SHEAVES

From project manager to partner in less than 5 years.

SOFTEN YOUR SPRING TONE

Vancouver-based interior designer Sarah Desaulniers shares the top design trends for spring and summer.

LO C ATION SP OTLIGH T

THE HEART OF THE HIGH COUNTRY

Blowing Rock, North Carolina has been long known for its unparalleled views, scenic hikes, and picturesque waterfalls.

CLIENT FE AT URE

10 PRODUC T SP OTLIGHT

ALAIR CARES

A SPECIAL SURPRISE FOR THE CAMROSE WOMEN’S SHELTER

DESIGN FE AT URE

VIEWS FROM EVERY ROOM

Custom BC home designed to incorporate views of the Pacific Ocean and tree-filled park.

FISH & SHRIMP CEVICHE

Get this refreshing Ceviche recipe from regional partners Chris & Michelle Bolio.

EVELYNN RATCLIFFE

Turning lemons into lemonade.

RECIPE

See some of our top ecofriendly and wellness buys to get you through summer.

PARTNER PROFILE

BUILDING ART

We believe art doesn’t only live in a gallery. It also lives in our communities.

THE HEALTHY HOME

#AlairLovesLocal

ALAIR IN ACTION

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DISCOVER ALAIR

A HISTORY of

Housing Discoveries Since the dawn of man, we have all needed shelter. From the first peoples seeking comfort in caves, to our ancestors escaping wicked winters in the comfort of huts made from mammoth bones, animal hide, mud and grass. In the early ages, those who built protective shelters were some of the most respected and highly regarded members of the community. In many cases, they not only helped to create comfort; they saved lives by giving safe haven from the elements. The concept of creating a “circle of safety” for the early peoples was born out of sheer necessity to create stronger, more protected communities. Those who excelled in constructing were looked to for their expertise in providing protection, safety and comfort for others. Over the thousands of years humans have evolved, so have our shelters. We watched as caves became timber cabins. Cabins became stone structures. Stone structures became glass-filled skyscrapers.

Today, our homes are no longer simply protection from the elements, but our safe havens—special spaces to get work done, to enjoy the big game, or to gather around preparing and sharing a family feast. And the people who built our homes have evolved just as much as the structures they designed, developed and constructed. From Victoria, British Columbia to Naples, Florida, the team at Alair has led the construction of more than 5,000 custom homes and renovations helping to beautify, enrich and shape communities across North America. While no huts or caves have been built since Alair started in 2007, there have been a few treehouses, Little Free Libraries and even martial arts studios created in several cities.

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Team Alair at the 2019 Alair International Awards and Conference | Austin, Texas.

Creating A New Circle of Safety Alair started with humble beginnings in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. A few like-minded individuals with an interest in construction and business started to see there was a better way to build homes while also building their business. They collectively took the book on modern day construction, tossed it away, and started to write a new book. The goal—to create a unique construction management process that could be easily implemented, replicated and scaled to any sized project by focusing on the human experience. Then they added one more chapter to the book. The process could work for other builders and remodelers—anywhere in the world. The next stop for Alair was in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. With multiple Alair offices, people who share the same goals and values, and a proven process that could be replicated; the accidental franchise was born. It didn’t take long for others in the construction community to see the opportunity to be part of a paradigm shift Alair was creating. #TeamAlair began to build with new contractors, business leaders and community champions all joining together to create credibility among the contractor community.

Today, Alair has more than 100 locations across North America, and continues to expand to new territories. When people discover Alair, they become part of a team of people who care about beautifying and enriching the communities where they live and work. A team of people who care to protect the communities they are part of. Alair’s approach to building community begins by creating a Circle of Safety and trust within the company. The more than 600 people who make up Team Alair across North America are a unique support network who can anticipate and adapt to unforeseen situations with greater agility and ease. This means innovations in construction can be tried, tested and successfully scaled up. In Simon Sinek’s book, Leaders Eat Last, the concept of a Circle of Safety is explained as “Only when we feel we are in a ‘Circle of Safety’ will we pull together as a unified team, better able to survive and thrive regardless of the conditions outside.” If the circle is broken, group strength diminishes. When in the Circle of Safety, “We” becomes the protector of “Me.” When we look out for what is best for “We,” “Me” is already covered.

From Circle to Sphere Expanding the Circle of Safety to include the homeowners ultimately creates a “Sphere of Safety”.

Alair is reimagining the construction industry with their “We” approach to building and renovating homes. The approach is simple, and the process is proven. It starts with focusing on the human experience, and understanding the normal construction process is often uncertain, uncomfortable and at times, very stressful. By eliminating risk and uncertainty through the proprietary ClientControl™ process developed by Alair, each project is completely planned in advance, so there are as few surprises along the way. Once planned, an experienced Project Manager leads every step of the project, and documents it end-to-end in full transparency and detail for the homeowner. Expanding the Circle of Safety to include the homeowners ultimately creates a “Sphere of Safety”. Perhaps it’s what even makes Alair unique in an industry that sometimes forgets its important origins as protectors of people and builders of community.

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A Significant Discovery Today, Alair has the largest footprint of any premium custom home building and large-scale renovation/remodeling brand in the world. With a mission to build credibility, community, culture, collaboration and consistency, Alair is helping to create history in the home renovation and construction industry by introducing a smarter and more scalable way for builders, renovators and contractors to conduct, and ultimately grow, their business. We may never know if in 10,000 years, this significant discovery contributed to shaping the world we live in the way our ancestors did with the shelters and structures they created. What we do know for certain is each year Alair is helping more and more people live better lives; today.

We invite you to Discover Alair, and our people, projects and process in this inaugural edition of the Alair Magazine.

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THIRD TIME’S A CHARM 10

Most of us have a dream to live out our retirement in a warm, sunny locale. Our dream house will be situated in an idyllic neighborhood where friends are just next door and when family comes to visit there are plenty of activities to share in together.

no decisions are made hastily; he takes his time to carefully choose his words, not out of fear or anxiety, but out a true desire to be heard and understood. When Herman made up his mind, they went to work finding a place they could call home.

Herman and Katy Kensky are no different. Living in California for 35 years and preparing to make a move for the final chapter of their life led them to explore options in Savannah, Georgia. They weren’t expecting to fall in love with this Southern town, but when they visited The Landings, a lovely golf community with a high population of retirees, they just loved how it felt to be there. There was something in the air that Katy felt immediately, and she went to work convincing Herman it checked all their boxes. Family members had done research themselves, but Herman wasn’t to be swayed until he could put the facts together for himself. Weighing all options and knowing that leaving behind a life they had built in California would be difficult, the decision wasn’t made hastily. When you meet Herman, you know that

Their REALTOR® showed them properties that fit the idea of the cottage Katy had in mind, but none them were quite right.

“I just didn’t think I had a renovation in me.” Katy says. Then their house in California sold and suddenly it was clear just what the budget was, and on her third trip back she had the REALTOR® show her various lot options. Katy says, “I thought I could build a small Lowcountry cottage and have it the way I wanted it to be. And it wouldn’t be that big of a deal.”

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Following the recommendation of their REALTOR® and cousin, they started talking to a builder. The builder even started showing them various lot options; talking to them about the look and feel of the cottage. Katy asked if the builder’s draftsman could draw up the plans, hoping to save a little bit of time and money by not having to hire an architect. The builder was made aware of the time line, they were hoping to be in their home within the year. Katy says, “I knew I was going against the traditional way of you go to an architect, you come up with everything you want on paper and then put it out to bid. I thought I could skip that whole process. And then this would all happen much quicker. It had the potential to, because he [the builder] knew our time frame.” But then things started to fall apart. Pricing was coming back hundreds of thousands of dollars higher than they had thought. The builder wasn’t getting back to them, the plans weren’t coming along, no contract was signed. Katy and Herman felt like nothing was happening and worse, no one was listening to them.

Imagine this. Katy and Herman were living in a rental. They had packed up their whole world and life to make this move. Their belongings were in storage, they had to move out of the first rental and into a second rental. They went and talked to another contractor. It wasn’t going as planned, and they knew that they needed to do something different. “We told the first builder we had reached out to another contractor, then the first builder, reacted immaturely, taking his sign out of the ground and he just left.” They went with the other contractor they had started talking to, and they were excited their home finally started. Sadly, it wasn’t long before the same events started happening with the second contractor. He pulled away, stopped communicating with them. There were no contracts, no receipts and no draw schedule.

Herman and Katy went to a lawyer, as they were going to fire the second contractor. They got two more recommendations of other contractors, and Herman and Katy started interviewing them. At this point in the process, both Katy and Herman were downtrodden. They were tired of living in a rental property, a place that wasn’t home. It was talking a toll on them. The excitement they had felt about moving to Savannah and getting plugged into this community started waning. They were embarrassed and ashamed that they weren’t in their house, yet and that they couldn’t seem to figure out how to find a way to make their dream home a reality. Katy went to a luncheon, heard about a project that was ahead of schedule and below budget. “Why wasn’t that us?” Katy asked. She went by the job site, took a photo of the sign and told Herman to set to work researching. Herman placed a call to Alair.

“It was like he understood. It was like I was being listened to instead of told what to do.”

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Walter Strong was at a conference, they remember, but he called them back and had a conversation about the project. Herman recalls, “It was like he understood. It was like I was being listened to instead of told what to do. It was also a tremendous amount of empathy from someone who I hadn’t even met. Someone who was willing to look at this and see if they could help. There were no promises, it was a real conversation and it resonated with me.” Katy chimes in, “It was like a miracle, that’s how it felt in that moment. Now we will be listened to, there will be communication. We were so hopeful.” Walter and Walter Strong, Jr. came to look at the job site. There it was, their dream home, framed sitting on the lot, and old dumpster, abandoned, looking like the set for a haunted house. Katy immediately liked the Walters. But then she was worried, “Walter, Jr. has all this experience and I knew this project was

a mess and a big undertaking. I was just fearful they wouldn’t want to take it on.” Herman says, “What I got was a sense of honesty and sincerity. We were listened to; no promises were made, but empathy and then they said they wanted to help if they could.” 50 years together, and Herman and Katy Kensky had been through some tough times. You expect that, life can be challenging. But this process, there were plenty of dark days. Herman says, “Building a house is just that. It can be life-altering but it’s not the most important thing you have to deal with as two adults. It did affect our outlook, and that has completely been redone. We are excited about building again. We have advisors looking over our shoulder, no one is going to let us make mistakes. And first and foremost, they have our welfare in mind and that’s a very comforting feeling.”

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“Living better for me is being in my home now” Fast forward to the contract with Alair signed. Cal Rowles at the helm as project manager and construction is finished on time and on budget. Nearly three years later, The Kenskys have moved into their dream Lowcounty Cottage. Katy speaks from the heart, “living better for me is being in my home now, after being in two rentals that were very depressing to be in. It was an upsetting time. Initially when we first moved in, it just was so overwhelming and we weren’t still sure that we had made the right decision. And then eventually we got unpacked, are planning the furniture. Then you have to pinch yourself because you can’t believe this is your home. Oh, we aren’t just visiting here, this is it. It’s better than I ever thought it would be, it’s all I wanted it to be and more. We are definitely living better now.” Herman adds, “living better for me is having realized a concept that my wife and I had in our heads that someone was capable of translating into a material thing. And that allowed us then to refocus on what we both agree are the important things in life.”

“Living better for me is having realized a concept that my wife and I had in our heads that someone was capable of translating into a material thing. And that allowed us then to refocus on what we both agree are the important things in life.” AL AIRHOMES.COM

BANFF – JASPER ADVENTURE

Hiking up Rundle Mountain - East end of the trail

WHILST THE PANDEMIC IS STILL ONGOING, IT’S IMPORTANT TO PRIORITIZE CARE WHEN YOU GO ON AN ADVENTURE. IT IS ALSO ESSENTIAL THAT YOU FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS TO PLAN YOUR VISIT ACCORDINGLY NOTING ANY CHANGES IN ACCESSIBILITY TO ATTRACTIONS, NECESSARY QUARANTINE GUIDELINES ETC.

Go for the Awe-Inspiring Views, Stay for the Fresh Mountain Air Whether it’s your first time to the largest country in North America and the second largest country in the world, Canada – or it’s just another weekend getaway, there is so much for visitors to explore. One of Canada’s western provinces you don’t want to miss is Alberta where spacious prairies meet stately mountains. You will find national parks in Jasper and Banff, which are some of the safest destinations that you can visit in 2021.

PREPARING FOR YOUR ADVENTURE For a fully immersive experience, book a rental car with a large moon roof and drive with the windows down. Music as well can help define a memory of a new place. Being that there can be limited radio reception in the mountains, create a playlist before your visit with some iconic Canadian classics. Also, if traveling with friends or family in separate cars, purchase or rent hand-held radios so you can share jokes and laugh together, point out wildlife and share in the ‘oooos and awes’ when cruising around mountain peaks in true disbelief for the scale of natural beauty in front of you. There are so many things to see and do in Banff and Jasper, enhance your trip by booking a guided tour in advance to get the most out of your itinerary GetYourGuide.com. Tour guide and group of rock climbers at Mount Norquay’s Via Ferrata with views of Banff townsite.

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ICONIC SCENIC DRIVE THROUGH THE ICEFIELD PARKWAY (HIGHWAY 93) There are some famous stretches of road in the world almost worth the trip to a destination just for a drive alone. The Icefield Parkway is one of these drives – one that everyone in this world should be so fortunate to explore. This is Canada’s “Road to Hana – Maui, Hawaii” but without the skinny, shared, scary, twirly roads for it completely provides the true essence of the Canadian country. The Icefields Parkway extends from Lake Louise, connecting to Jasper National Park in the north. The Parkway is opened yearlong and is primarily used for travel between Banff, Calgary and Edmonton to Jasper. View of an RV driving on the Icefields Parkway near Beauty Flats in Jasper National Park.

WATCH

Icefields Parkway Top Sights: Jasper and Banff National Parks by Adventures Out Here

TOP THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Visitor getting water from the Columbia Icefield Glacier tour.

EXPLORING JASPER Name meaning, “Known as the ‘Supreme Nurturer’, Jasper is a stone of grounding and stability, providing comfort and security, strength and healing.” Jasper, named after Jasper Hawes, who operated a trading post in the region, is a town located north of Banff National Park and west of Edmonton in Canada’s Alberta province, it is the commercial centre of Jasper National Park. JASPER NATIONAL PARK With its snow-capped peaks, glacier-fed lakes and springs, Jasper is a mecca for wilderness and adventure. From skiing, snowshoeing and skating in the winter to hiking, camping and biking in the warmer months, Jasper National Park, established in 1907, is a special place to reconnect with nature, the largest park in the Rocky Mountains spanning 10,878 KM with a population of approximately 4,500 people, and known to be more remote and rustic with fewer crowds than Banff in the peak seasons.

Columbia Icefield via a Discovery Adventure is a must-do experience. At the heart of the incredible Icefields Parkway is one of the largest non-polar ice fields in the world. Here, you’ll travel on a massive Ice Explorer to a place where you can walk on, feel and drink from the Athabasca Glacier – you may not have another opportunity to drink water as pure as this in your life. Skywalk is a jaw-dropping walk along a glass-floored lookout where giant glaciers perch above you and the spectacular Sunwapta Valley spreads out below – a true adventure rich in scenery and wonder. Jasper SkyTram climbs to the summit of Whistlers Mountain, with views of surrounding mountain ranges, turquoise lakes and downtown. Maligne Lake, features boat cruises to include wildlife and waterfall sightseeing tours to Spirit Island, Maligne Valley and Canyon. Maligne Canyon Icewalk is one of Jasper’s most impressive and popular adventures to the bottom of the deepest accessible canyon where you can marvel at frozen waterfalls, ice caves and incredible ice formations.

Photo Credit: Parks Canada

EXPLORING BANFF BANFF NATIONAL PARK Canada’s oldest national park, established in 1885. Located in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, west of Calgary, (Credit Wikipedia.) It covers 6,641 KM and has local population of approx. 8,700 people. From offering access to the world’s best outdoor winter activities similar to Jasper, it offers horseback riding, mountain climbing and biking like nowhere else.

Family walking the boardwalk on top of Sulphur Mountain

TOP THINGS TO SEE AND DO Sulphur Mountain, whether you climb from the base, or ride the gondola up to the summit, the gaze down is that of amazement towards the town, lakes and rivers on the valley floor far below. Banff Upper Hot Springs are located a short walk up from the gondola, so leave your car where it is. The historic attraction owned by Parks Canada features 100% natural mineral water that will sooth your body and your soul. Fairmont Banff Springs, is the iconic Canadian railway hotel full of history, a true castle built providing world-class hospitality for over 130 years. Enjoy Afternoon Tea with views from the terrace, a round of golf, enjoy a day at the spa or even book a true luxurious overnight stay. Bow Falls, is a large waterfall on the Bow River, Alberta, just before the junction of it and the Spray River. They are located a short walk from the Banff Springs and near the hotel’s golf course. Johnston Canyon, is one of the best hikes passing waterfall after waterfall on walkways chiselled into the mountainside up to the sanctuary of ink pots.

Scenic exterior shot of Brewsters Glacier Skywalk in the Icefields Parkway

Banff Avenue street scene in the Canadian Rockies, Alberta

Downtown, Banff Avenue, there are plenty of local retailers, restaurants and patios to enjoy as well as information centres to connect with.

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PM PRO FILE

Elliott Sheaves

From Project Manager To Partner In Less Than Five Years 22

BUILDING HIS LEGACY INSPIRED BY TRAVEL AND LIFE BY THE WATER

GROWING UP DRAWING ON DRYWALL AND ‘SETTING’ TILE Elliott Sheaves, 36-years-old, is a third-generation builder, both his father and grandfather spent their lives in the industry. As a young child he remembers spending time in his grandfather’s woodshop and going to the lumber yard each Saturday alongside his father. “You could find me playing in the garage drawing on scrap drywall and setting broken tile, “says Elliott. When Elliott was 15-years-old, he moved to Collingwood, Ontario with his mother and went to high school and it was university where he met his girlfriend (now wife) of six years both now parents of two daughters. The life of construction was on Elliott’s mind, but at that time, it was all too familiar, so it was after earning a business management degree at Dalhousie University, Elliott and Danielle moved to Asia and taught English in South Korea for three years. After an amazing journey and experience, the couple moved back to Ontario in 2011 to Aurora where Elliott started managing construction projects at a small firm of 10 people in King City building custom decks, completing small renovations and everything in between.

JOURNEY TO ALAIR HOMES In 2015, Alair recruited Elliott and he moved to Midland, Ontario, and slept on the floor in the home of one of his new colleagues, Justin Thompson. The two had known each other through mutual friends for a few years and by working on some projects through their legacy businesses. “The first year I spent assisting the business while familiarizing myself with the Alair systems. The next three years, 2015-2018, I was a Project Manager utilizing my newfound skills and previous experience into completing incredible, large custom homes.” He says the support and structure of Alair’s large North American network allowed Elliott to shine and feel connected to a stronger team of experts. “I had an amazing start working with Alair; from my move to Midland being next to Georgian Bay having chance to get near the water whenever we wanted was a gift. I finally had work-life balance and found a true setting to keep progressing,” said Elliott. “I wanted as much runway as possible, a place to keep growing.”

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P M P R O F I L E – E L L I O T T S H E AV E S

ADVICE FOR THOSE ENTERING THE INDUSTRY AND FUTURE PROJECT MANAGERS While the Alair brand is still quite new in respect to the industry of home building as a whole, the company has come a long way in reintroducing to the public to what it means to have a reputable partner to construct their home.

ATTRIBUTING HIS SUCCESS When asked what he attributes his success and growth to Elliott says, “I am a sponge. I love learning and I realized early on in this business you need to create ‘raving fans’. The power in earning the trust of both my customers and my team through genuinely developing relationships with them was essential to propelling my career.” Elliott’s post-secondary education was an advantage to him at the start of journey as he quickly realized the fundamentals of sales and marketing were the key in understanding the importance of brand development.

“My family mentored me, especially my Mom being an entrepreneur, I was exposed to what it meant to create a positive client experience.” He also had and continues to have, many mentors within the industry including the Alair network, the many supportive clients who are successful industry leading doctors, high ranked officials and more. “I’ve learned so much from my clients alone in what inspired their success to get to a position to build their dream home – it’s been motivating every step of the way and I cherish many of those connections today.”

“I would say to those considering a career in this field, to not be scared – there is a huge void in the market for talented and empathetic tradespeople and builders. It’s incredibly rewarding and a lucrative industry.”

Steps to Success …and some points I wish someone told me

1. No communication is still communication 2. Manage client and team expectations 3. Trust your team and people around you 4. Don’t pretend to know it all and know your limits

5. Lead by example 6. Culture is strategy 7. Introduce healthy daily habits, and bring forth mindfulness

8. Focus on the people experience and you’ll always win

Elliott is incredibly passionate about giving where he lives and through initiatives like Hockey Helps the Homeless, #AlairLovesLocal and inspiring youth with online mentoring for Y2 Entrepreneurship Labs, he hopes to give back and represent what this industry is about; building healthy lives that also give back to its centers of people and local culture.

Continually educate, motivate and inspire yourself ELLIOTT’S TOP BOOKS & PODCASTS BOOKS Jupiter’s Travels by Ted Simon Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell It Takes What it Takes by Trevor Moawad and Andy Staples PODCASTS No Laying Up The Builder Nuggets Podcast Fine Home Building

WHAT HE HOPES EVOLVES “I wish the perception of the industry was more inviting in that not everyone who works in it is ‘out to get homeowners…’ There are bad apples sure, but with Alair we work hard to curate trades and partners who care just as much as we do,” says Elliott. Elliott can’t wait until that day, and sees it happening sooner than not especially with the strong projection of business since the pandemic saw consumers seeing value and desire to upgrade their living situations. WHAT’S NEXT Elliott’s three-year plan includes expanding his Alair Partnership to one or two more offices and to continue building a strong team. He would like to get to a point in his leadership where he could entrust the operating to other trained Partners where he could take seed money and invest into other business opportunities such as real estate. In the meantime, keep an eye out for a passion build as he has a mission to create a sustainable and holistic approach to backyard pergola design inspired by Japanese joinery temples.

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THE HEART OF THE HIGH COUNTRY Blowing Rock, North Carolina

The High Country of North Carolina has been long known for its unparalleled views, scenic hikes, and picturesque waterfalls. If you have ever had the privilege of taking a walk through one of its national forests, you most likely would have found yourself feeling like you had jumped right into a postcard.

The High Country is home to a long list of beautiful places, and located off the Blue Ridge Parkway you will find the small mountain village of Blowing Rock. Continuously voted “Prettiest Small Town in America”, Blowing Rock is full of sweeping panoramic views, walks with nature, North Carolina history, and immense mountain culture. Families have traveled here for generations, seeking the slower pace of life and connection with nature that the High Country offers. Blowing Rock is one of the rare gems left where you can spend your afternoon hiking on pristine trails, swimming in hidden mountain pools, trout fishing, and sitting atop mountain summits. After a day of experiencing nature, you can take a short stroll into the heart of the village to dine with one of the many world-renowned chefs. No matter what adventure you seek, the heart of the High Country awaits you.

LO C A L S ’ R ECO MMENDATI O N S

DINING

BEST HIKE

BEST VIEW

BEST FISHING

The Speckled Trout Restaurant and Bottle Shop Many locals consider this favorite spot their “home away from home”. A place to gather with friends old or new, The Speckled Trout is famous for fresh locally sourced food and hand crafted cocktails. Drop in after a hike to enjoy a meal and a taste of local life.

Tanawha Trail Milepost 305.5

Rough Ridge Milepost 302.8

This hike stretches 13.5 miles running parallel with the Blue Ridge Parkway and takes hikers through hardwood coves filled with laurel and rhododendron, up to mountain summits, and down into the deep beauty of the forest. It showcases views of Rough Ridge, the Linn Cove Viaduct, and Grandfather Mountain. This hike is not for the faint of heart, but if you can make it the entire trail it provides an unmatched experience of the beauty that the High Country truly offers.

While many locals would claim the panoramic mountain view from their home is the best spot in the High Country, tourists can find the same breathtaking views atop Rough Ridge. Sitting at 4,773 feet elevation, this 1.5 mile hike is perfect for families and offers some of the best views in the area.

Don’t be silly…a local fisherman never tells his secrets A local will always greet you as if you are old friends. However, the place where he catches his prize winning trout will never be revealed. If in the hunt for a great local guide we suggest: The Speckled Trout Outfitters Chetola Fly Fishing.

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DE S IGN TRENDS

Soften Your Spring Tone Design Beyond Beige Photo: Arden Interiors

Design trends for spring/summer combine natural elements and a cozier vibe 28

Spring has always been a time to refresh and renew, but this year, that desire for change may be even stronger. After spending more than a year at home, staring at the same four walls, many of us are looking for ways to update our environments. We talked to Vancouverbased interior designer Sarah Desaulniers from Moor Design about the top design trends for spring and summer.

Moor Design, Photo: Janis Nicolay

Natural Materials Moor Design, Photo: Janis Nicolay

Hushed Tones “Overall, there is a general softening,” says Desaulniers. That applies to all facets of design and decor. “It’s those linen tones and the softening of the stark black and white and grey and white color palettes we’ve been seeing before. I think it’s really cozy.” Color tones are becoming warmer overall, a trend that applies to kitchens, bathrooms, fabrics, and paint. “Wall colors are going to a more creamy tone to create a warmer space. The whites will be deeper and warmer, leading into a more flax color tone.” Desaulniers also suggests integrating colors such as terracotta, umber, mushroom tones, and layering tone-on-tone color palettes.

We are moving even further towards the use of allnatural materials. Timeless all-wool rugs are always a good investment. When it comes to fabrics, “It’s all about linen right now. Again, going back to those softer flax tones. I’m seeing linens for bedding, for your throw pillows, for drapery. It’s really beautiful.” Wood is also becoming more “natural,” if you will. Instead of rift sawn wood, there is a movement towards flat sawn, which allows the beautiful grain to show through. Don’t be afraid to mix light and darker wood tones, creating a warm overall palette. Even stone is getting softer, in appearance, if not in durability. “In 2020, we were still loving statement marbles. We’re now transitioning into the use of more subtle neutral stones, such as limestone, travertine, and quartzite for countertops, backsplashes, flooring, and tabletop materials,” says Desaulniers.

This softening also applies to shapes. Think curved, less angular furnishings, which elicit feelings of comfort and coziness. And when it comes to cabinetry, flooring, hardware, and furniture colors, there is a movement towards light to medium tone woods that have more depth and overall warmth.

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Moor Designs, Photo: Janis Nicolay

Mix and Match If you live in a modern, minimalist space, creating such a cozier, natural, and softer environment can be achieved by mixing contemporary and classic elements. Desaulniers suggests adding rustic elements to clean and contemporary spaces, things like rustic beams, vintage wood accent cabinets, heritage style doors, and ripple fold drapery. In order to warm up a white, potentially sterile bathroom, look to include a lighter, warmertoned wood vanity and cabinetry. And instead of using shiny marble white tiles, consider matte surfaces, matte tiles, and less glass.

Calvert Design Photo: Jason Babakaiff

Expanding Outdoor Spaces One of COVID’s biggest impacts on home design is how we view and use our outdoor spaces. The backyard or patio has gone from a nice-to-have to a must-have sanctuary where we can socialize more safely. “A lot of people are building new decks, patios and outdoor gathering spaces. Custom exterior kitchens are also becoming a big thing. Anything that can create more space to connect and build more memories with family and friends,” says Desaulniers. The desire for bigger spaces is also being seen indoors. There is a movement to expand any type of family gathering spaces, including rec rooms, family rooms off of the kitchen, and playrooms.

SuCasa and Gregory Funk Design, Photo: Carsten Arnold

Bringing the Outside In After living through an exceptionally “dark” winter, it isn’t surprising that we are craving increased light. Desaulniers predicts that we’ll be seeing larger windows, some coming down to ground level. We’re also seeing larger patio doors and more folding glass doors that can open up full sections of the home to the outdoors.

Going Greener Indoor plants are becoming an integral part of our decor. They provide color and contribute to a more natural aesthetic. And as we spend more time working from home, indoors plants are a good way to improve air quality, boost mood, and even increase creativity. Don’t have much of a green thumb? Avoid the somewhat finicky Fiddle-Leaf fig. Desaulniers suggests going with ferns which can be heartier and easier to care for. Succulents are another beautiful way to add some green to your space, but they too can be difficult to take care for. Consider investing in some faux foliage, which has come a long way in terms of quality and variety. But the easiest and least expensive to bring some spring vibes into the home?

“Flowers!”

Calvert Design Photo: Jason Babakaiff

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BuildingART BuildingART launch event at the Art Gallery of Alberta (April 2018)

We believe art doesn’t only live in a gallery. It also lives in our communities. Modern Luxury depicted by artist Gisele Jerke.

Bottle cap art of an acreage home by Jeff Meszaros, Owner and artist of JAM Bottle Cap Art.

When we look at a house; we see a masterpiece. Many artists come together to create these masterpieces – from architectural designers to interior designers to framers to finishers. Each person who works on a home is a skilled crafter or creator, and we think of all these people as artists. We also know that art is subjective. When you look at a piece of art in a gallery, you analyze it and you decide if you like that piece of art or not. Even the most popular works of art from the Mona Lisa to the statue of David to the Sistine Chapel have their friends and foes. However, these pieces of art are still the most valuable, talked about and coveted pieces of art in human history.

Gallery guests view Karen Bishop’s depiction of a modern urban redevelopment home.

The same goes for a home – especially a custom home. It is a unique piece of art that is created by numerous artists from the imagination of its homeowner. Whether the homeowner prefers a modern or contemporary home, or a traditional craftsman style home, or perhaps a mountain-like lodge home; each homeowner’s masterpiece will be reflective of their preferences in style and functionality. In April, Alair celebrated the three-year anniversary of our Building ART event hosted in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Several of our custom homes were turned into works of art at the Art Gallery of Alberta, and displayed for 200 guests for a one-night-only exhibit. Thank you to the amazing local artists for these masterpieces we could gift to the owners of these homes. Traditional craftsman depicted by artist Tessa Stanley.

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Chris’ FISH & SHRIMP Chris and Michelle Bolio Regional Partners, Southeast Texas

ceviche

Growing up as the son of an American mother and a Mexican father allowed me many gifts in life. Not the least of which were wonderful cultural experiences, customs, and strong values from both Countries and Peoples! One of the amazing and repeated experiences I got to have was that of family outings to the beach in Mexico, in many parts of the country. Not as a short-lived vacation, but as a normal course of every summer. Our full days at the beach inevitably included copious amounts of food, drinks, and all manner of delicious-ness! One of the staples we had constantly was freshly made Ceviche of all kinds. In my opinion, nothing says refreshing summer meal like a cold Ceviche. My base Ceviche recipe is really easy and includes fresh white fish, like Tilapia, and any type of fresh shrimp, lots of lime juice, and usually pineapple or mango, depending on what I can get. Feel free to experiment—that’s the beauty of cooking! I prefer mine with an ice-cold Mexican beer...Enjoy!

Prep 15 min Total Time 1hr 15 min Serves 4 as a light meal, or 8-12 as an appetizer

Directions 1. Finely chop onion and place in a

large bowl. (1/2 onion if very large, or full onion if on the smaller side)

2. After tenderizing your limes to break open

Ingredients Serves 4 as a light meal, or 8-12 as an appetizer

□ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □

4 fillets of White Fish such as Tilapia ½ lb of Fresh Shrimp Cilantro 8-12 Limes ½ Orange 1 Yellow or Red Onion 3-4 Vine Ripened Tomatoes 1-2 Jalapeños Pineapple or Mango Ripe Avocado Salt and Pepper Any Carrier you’d like...Tostada Shells, Plantain Strips, or good Tortilla Chips

the vesicles (juice sacs), squeeze enough lime juice into a bowl to completely and liberally cover the onion. Salt it.

3. Chop fish into small cubes, and shrimp into larger bites or leave whole. Add to onion & lime. Mix and push fish and shrimp down to make sure it is covered by the lime juice.

4. Dice 3-4 tomatoes. (I removed the seeds for this recipe.) Add to mixture.

5. Finely chop a handful of fresh cilantro. Add to mixture.

6. Finely chop Jalapeños. (Jalapeños, like any spicy pepper vary greatly in the amount of heat they will give off. This is where you need to try a piece to determine the heat level of your peppers. If more is needed, keep the seeds. If you want the flavor and texture with less heat, remove the seeds) Remember this is not meant to be super spicy. Just have a hint of heat.

7. Rough chop pineapple or ripe mango. Add to mixture.

8. Squeeze ½ orange into mixture. 9. Mix all ingredients together. 10. Make certain that there is enough juice

to just about cover the ingredients. Cover with plastic and press down so that all the fish is submerged if possible.

11. Place in the refrigerator and let sit for at least 1 hour for the flavors to meld.

12. After sitting, try the mixture and add

salt and pepper to taste. If too sour for your liking add a pinch of sugar.

13. Drain lime juice and serve cold with sliced avocado and a wedge or slice of the fruit.

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The Healthy Home So much of our focus over the past year has been to try to stay healthy. Both when we leave the house and when we stay indoors. And as we work, play, and exercise at home we want to ensure the products we use there are not only good for us, but also good for the planet. Here are some of our top ecofriendly and wellness buys to get you through summer.

Our favorite eco-friendly and wellness products for spring and summer JARVIS BAMBOO STANDING DESK FROM FULLY If sitting is the new smoking, then the standing desk is the new kale. When it comes to models, the Jarvis adjustable desk from Fully gets our vote. It’s made from bamboo from sustainable forests that’s grown without pesticides or fertilizers. It comes in a number of sizes, leg-colors and two finishes and has a height-togel that’s designed to “leverage natural hand motion.” Thumbs up to that. GET IT HERE fully.com

REVOLVE CORK YOGA MAT Up your Down Dog with the Scoria Cork Yoga Mat. The mat is made from 100% natural cork and tree rubber that sustainably harvested. It doesn’t contain PVC, PER or other chemicals that can be found in other workout mats. The best part? It’s naturally anti-microbial and super-grippy, eliminating the need for a towel during those sweaty sun salutations. GET IT HERE scoria.ca

AG HANDS FREE SANITIZER From sticky to icky, by now we’re as well-versed in sanitizers as we are in our favorite wine varietal. Our top pick by a long shot is AG’s Hands Free Sanitizer. It comes in a gel or spray, kills 99.9% of all germs and bacteria, and is approved by both Health Canada and the FDA. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free, not to mention one of the few sanitizers that actually smells good. GET IT HERE aghair.com

GREENOVATION ECO PALM LEAF DINNERWARE Wining and dining in outdoor spaces? You don’t have to compromise durability or style with Greenovation Eco Dinnerware. The disposable dishware is made from naturally fallen leaves of the Areca palm tree. The pieces are also backyard compostable and 100% biodegradable, a great alternative to paper, plastic or petroleum-based picnic ware. And if you think disposable means flimsy, these dishes are also microwaveable. GET IT HERE ecopalmleaves.com

CRUE TOUCHLESS FAUCET FROM KOHLER It’s sleek, it’s sexy, it turns on the water with the wave of the hand. Hands full of dishes? The Crue Faucet from Kohler can also be voice-controlled and is pairable with Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home Kit. It even has a temperature memory, turning on and off at the last temperature used, avoiding all that get-up-to-temp water waste. “Alexa, tell Crue to do the dishes now too.” GET IT HERE kohler.ca

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PA R TNER PR O FILE

Evelynn Ratcliffe

Turning Lemons Into Lemonade 38

How one Alair partner turned pandemic “lemons” into Rum Punch and the business model that helped her do it.

If you were to scroll through Evelynn Ratcliffe’s personal Instagram, you would never believe she is behind a $10 million construction company in Ontario, Canada. Her Instagram looks more like she is a full-time adventure-seeker living next to an oceanic oasis. Turquoise waters and sandy beaches, champagne toasts with breathtaking sunsets in the distance, surfing and hiking and exploring, and boating and horseriding adventures with her family are enough to make anyone envious of the life she is living. What you find if you scroll through her two business pages on Instagram (@alairhomesforesthill and @alairhomesmarkham) is very different. You will see photos of award-winning homes and renovations that make Toronto and their clients’ lives better. You will see a team of top professionals who are all building a fast-growing business together. You will see the charitable rebuild of a local martial arts studio that helps empower youth. You will see community outreach programs, donation drives, and behind the scenes videos showcasing some of the most notable homes in Canada. One might wonder, how is it truly possible for her to lead two construction companies in Canada while working remotely from the beach in the south Caribbean? BEFORE THE CARIBBEAN With 20 plus years of marketing experience in strategic consulting with small and large corporations, Evelynn Ratcliffe took the leap to leave a life of burnout to join Alair Homes and live a life of flexibility.

Thinking back, when her now business partner, Andrew Black, of two successful Alair offices in the Greater Toronto Area, first suggested she join his team, she didn’t immediately jump at the offer he was making her. Andrew was looking to scale up his business prior to joining Alair, and knew Evelynn would be a strong asset to the team, to complement his tenacious drive and ambition. However, she was focused on climbing the corporate ladder in Toronto, so she declined at the time. “I was focused on growing my marketing and consulting career; I was not interested in ‘working with my hands’, which is what I assumed the home building industry would be all about,” she recalls. “Andrew would reach out from time to time to see if I had changed my mind, but I was still focused on a corporate career.” Nearly eight years later, Evelynn found herself working with a start-up project that was coming to a close. While she had accomplished so much in her career by that point, it donned on her that her ascension up the corporate ladder did not paint a destination picture she felt truly fulfilled by. Working long hours for businesses that weren’t her own, she realized that her dreams of flexibility and freedom were at the mercy of her ambition — that the two concepts were mutually exclusive, not feeding into each other as she had once hoped and dreamed. With this epiphany, she reached out to Andrew, who had since joined Alair, to ask if his offer was still on the table to which he replied, “Yes, can you start on Monday?”

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PA R T N E R P R O F I L E – E V E LY N N R ATC L I F F E

Evelynn admits she had to learn a lot about the construction industry, but her superior organizational and strategic planning skills gave her a natural head start in terms of understanding and embracing the model and process of a franchise system. “Andrew and his business had come a long way, and with the structure of Alair behind it, was growing in a direction I could really agree with.” “The first eight months were spent dedicating myself to every aspect of our client and employee experience,” said Evelynn. “Andrew was the perfect person to learn from, since he has spent his lifetime in this industry. However, so much of his knowledge was stored in his head, and if we wanted to scale the business, we would need to extract all that knowledge, and develop systems to be able to replicate his know-how. Focusing on exceeding the standards of attention, care, and service for our clients through proven processes is where I thrive, and to come to a company where I could contribute this ultimately allowed me to work on the business; not in the business.” Together, Evelynn and Andrew work towards the same goals. This has enabled the team to optimize their efforts, which fundamentally brought more balance to their lives. Sharing the load—together—and playing to each other’s strengths, they’ve built a healthy and sustainable business with a great culture, and strong sales.

BUILDING THE BUSINESS While Andrew focuses on the production side of the business, Evelynn thrives in overseeing marketing, market research and development, and stakeholder engagement. “Fundamentally, the ability to split common leadership tasks between two people both contributing to the common vision, mission and values of our business means we are able to more quickly and successfully scale up our business while giving us the freedom to spend time with our families,” she said. “Family and community both mean a lot to Andrew and me, and being part of Alair has allowed us to do things we would never have been able to do in regular business.” BUSINESS FROM THE BEACH Evelynn proved this in 2020 and 2021 when she moved with her family to Barbados for a six-month adventure in the sun. “The pandemic created a rare and positive moment for us in that our kids were doing online learning, and my husband and I decided to take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she says. “It’s truly how Andrew and I are set-up with Alair and the support I have from him that has enabled me to live a dream life with my family in the Caribbean while also creating a dream business back in Canada.”

“It’s truly how Andrew and I are set-up with Alair and the support I have from him that has enabled me to live a dream life with my family in the Caribbean while also creating a dream business back in Canada.”

Doing Zoom calls from the beach house while staring out the window looking at a monkey while operating a business like nothing has changed is not something one might think is reality, but the reality is Alair’s franchise model led to the freedom Evelynn was searching for the majority of her career.

“We can also say we have time—money is renewable; time is not. Not only can Andrew and I take time off and be with our families, but we can also be in an entirely different continent and know our business will be just fine! That’s true freedom to me,” says Evelynn.

“I humbly, but proudly can say we have earned financial freedom and it genuinely feels so good to say ‘we’re running a $10 million business!’—but it hasn’t also been sunshine and roses, we’ve had our tough days, but have also had the support of the franchise system to help us through,” says Evelynn. “Despite some ups and downs, our top priority has been to build trust with our team and clients so that we can today, and 52 weeks a year, say it’s fun to run our company.”

With technology, the partners have identified the power and capability in collaboration and have a five-year plan where the sky is the limit. “We aim to open a third and fourth office this year and have options that we didn’t have before thanks to Wi-Fi, video conference calling, WhatsApp and more – the freedom in our potential is priceless. I am grateful to have the Alair network, and to never feel alone – even from my remote workspace and while my family is on the beach. I am adamant that I stay humble and curious and am as dedicated to ensure our team is finding freedom just as we have.”

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ALAIR cares Little Free Libraries Alair Homes 604 has built and erected a number of Little Free Libraries across the Lower Mainland. Working in conjunction with Out of Line Designs, passersby can now grab a book or leave a book at one of five Alair libraries located from Surrey to Coquitlam. There are seven more in the works, slated for delivery in May. If you are interested in becoming the steward of Little Free Library, get in touch!

Dan Licardo Bathroom Renovation Alair Dallas-Fort Worth, along with several generous industry partners, are teaming up to renovate a bathroom for veteran Dan Licardo. Dan served 16 years as a US Navy SEAL member. In 2018, Dan was in a terrible car accident due to brain injuries sustained during his service, which resulted in the amputation of both legs. This renovation will make Dan’s bathroom and closet more accessible and help his day-to-day life be a little easier!

A Special Surprise for the Camrose Women’s Shelter by Andrey Sokolov Alair Camrose Partner

I have three great loves. I love, admire and respect my family. I love the community where my family lives. I love renovating and building homes. Helping people get the home or business of their dreams is so rewarding and inspiring. I can’t imagine doing anything else. So, it’s only fitting that the recent renovation we did for the Camrose Women’s Shelter Society is truly one of my most beloved projects. It may not have been the largest or most luxurious renovation I’ve ever completed, but it is probably the most personally significant and impactful project, and I absolutely love this renovation. This renovation made me realize that who I am as a contractor and person, is very similar to who the Camrose Women’s Shelter Society is and what they do for the women in our community. As a contractor, when we build or renovate, we make changes to a structure. From pouring the concrete and building a foundation to erecting the walls to protect people from the elements to putting the finishing touches in to make the space inviting and comfortable. We do things that fundamentally improve the living situation for the homeowners or family who live there. This is very similar to what the Women’s Shelter does—their walls are a safe haven for women, and the role of their team is to help improve the living situation for the women who seek out their shelter and services.

My responsibility as a contractor is to make sure we provide a safe structure for the people who need to live or work within it. My responsibility as a father, husband, son, grandson is to protect, love and empower the women in my life; to listen to them and respect them. This is essentially what the Camrose Women Shelter Society does daily for the women and children it serves. Helping women by listening to them, respecting them and giving them a safe space can make all the difference to these women when they leave the shelter. Every day, this project had me thinking differently. As I walked down the hall to get to our project site, and passed the women and children temporarily living there under the care and protection of the shelter, I was reminded of my responsibility to this place, to its team and to the many women who rely on the Society to help them. When I think about my daughter growing up, I wish for her to be respected, loved, supported, cherished, cared for, safe, healthy and happy. This is what I wish for every woman, and this is what I will strive to provide for the women in my life. I encourage everyone to consider supporting your local women’s shelter. Domestic violence is on the rise since the start of the pandemic, and the staff and volunteers do amazing work in our community. The women (and men) they serve are very deserving of our kindness and support. To learn more about the Camrose Women’s Shelter Society and how you can support, visit www.camrosewomenshelter.org. AL AIRHOMES.COM

DE S IGN FE ATURE

Views From Every Room This methodically planned custom home in Nanoose, BC, was brilliantly designed to incorporate views of the Pacific Ocean and the tree-filled park that nestles up against the property. When entering the home, the floor-to-ceiling windows showcase a view unlike any other, expertly bringing the outside into the living space. Special permits and schedules were needed for the eagle nests on the property, and excavating could only take place during certain seasons.

WATCH

client testimonial

Some additional features of this home include: a vaulted ceiling with timber-frame beams and tongue and groove pine, a wood-burning fireplace, built-in benches that perform double duty for extra storage and seating, stacking doors in the living room, maximizing the living space, a floating staircase leading to the owner’s cantilevered suite, floor-toceiling windows in the owner’s bedroom, patio off the owner’s suite with clear surround for unobstructed views while sitting, a large deciduous tree built into the concrete patio, and customizable storage units were used for all closets to maintain clean lines throughout.

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D E S I G N F E AT U R E

Brilliantly designed to incorporate views of the Pacific Ocean and the treefilled park that nestles up against the property. 46

#AlairLovesLocal Love was in the AL-AIR earlier this year, as Team Alair across North America united to show some heART and support for local restaurants and eateries affected by the pandemic. We visited some of our favorite places to grab a bite, a coffee or a sweet treat, and purchased $100 gift cards to give away on social media.

Alair Solon supporting Mish Mosh Eatery

Alair Edmonton supporting Rebel Food and Drink

Alair St. Albert supporting Confections Cake Co.

Alair Grey Bruce supporting Walker House

Alair Barrie and Orillia supporting Rustica Pizza and Coco’s Cookies

Don’t forget to show some heART for our local and small businesses if you have the means to do so. AL AIRHOMES.COM

ALAIR IN ACTION SURPRISE! During a recent basement renovation, Team Alair in Arlington, Virginia, discovered a fireplace hidden behind layers of walls. The homeowners decided to incorporate it into the final design. This 500 sq ft renovation project was the 2021 NARI Southeast Regional Contractor of the Year award winner for the Basement Under $100K category.

Carriage House Incoming! Alair Homes Squamish is working with modular home builder Honomobo on two projects. The company uses old shipping containers to create their modern spaces and partners a construction partner like Alair Homes, which is responsible for everything outside of the Honomobo unit, including site preparation, utilities and foundation work.

West Vancouver Cliff House How many men does it take to build a retaining wall on a cliff? A lot! Alair Homes West Vancouver recently completed a new custom home on lot that sat empty for 40 years because of the technical challenges associated with building on it. The home is now perched on a 45foot rock, overlooking the road below.

NARI Awards Monolith Foundation Alair Savannah’s Prescott Home features a monolithic foundation, which required a line of cement trucks to be at the ready.

Alair Dallas-Fort Worth wins 12 of 33 possible CotY awards at the annual NARI Awards

Women in Construction Week #TeamAlair in Savannah, Georgia celebrated Women in Construction Week by creating boxes to give to inspiring women in construction. The custom boxes included candles from PepperMango, Alair branded leather koozies from Satchel, custom oyster knife, Alair pens, and hand sanitizing spray. The Women in Construction honorees were: Reshma Johnson from Shah Architecture, Stratten from JD Painting, Eva Schafer from Southern Wood Cabinet + Design, Beth McDonald from Elizabeth McDonald Interiors and Michelle Arnold of Garden State Tile.

Team Appreciation Alair Dallas-Fort Worth hosts the Alair New Braunfels office for a fun day of collaboration! It is so helpful to share inspiration, tips and tricks, and resources with another office. There is so much to learn from one another!

Alair DFW Partners From left to right: Alair Dallas-Fort Worth Partners Chad Hatfield and Mike Scarlett, and Regional Partner James Hammel

That’s ALAIRious

What did the carpenter say when he walked inside a bar? Is this bar, tender?

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Living Better Starts Here™ is not solely our company tagline but also our creed. To genuinely live better, we must first make the choice to do so. Living better does not just happen. It must come from a personal desire to be better, to do better, and the determination and humility to work daily to become the best possible versions of ourselves. It means we practice empathy in all our interactions by striving to see the other point of view. It requires we hold steadfast to untethered discipline that keeps us focused through challenges large and small and to maintain a commitment of integrity in all our personal and business pursuits. It calls us to support and encourage one another to wrap our organization in a tapestry of strength, and flexibility and avoid drama at all costs. It needs us to believe in and to buy-in to Alair’s mission that our focus is on the human experience, not the products and services, and to never speak in any way that would denigrate or degrade what others have worked so hard to achieve. It asks us to acknowledge that while change is often difficult, if we are to harness innovation, change is a necessity for growth and survival. Ultimately, it is only through this commitment to personal excellence, that together we find truth and meaning in the words, Living Better Starts Here™