Covet Magazine Holiday 2012

holiday gift guide modern living with a prairie twist

Winnipeg Designers share their holiday WOW factor secrets

holiday decor ten tips for setting a stress-free holiday table

tasty appetizers: Winter bites... in a good way modern living with a pr airie t wist

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6 Contributors The great friends and talents we have met along the way, who have given of themselves to make Covet possible.

7 Editor's Page

Out and About - Local businesses we would love you to know about.

10 artful owl A children's art studio.

12 toad hall toys Winnipeg’s ultimate shop for quality toys.

Abode

A peek inside Manitoba homes and cottages, completed by local design talent or design-savvy homeowners.

Style defined - A design lesson. A period, style, or piece explained.

11 photo PAULINE BOLDT, 26mertonroad.com

I look around, leaves are brown now And the sky is a hazy shade of winter Look around, leaves are brown There's a patch of snow on the ground... ~Paul Simon

the nutcracker The evolution of this staple holiday cast member.

14 We Love Items we have spotted here or there, that we think you will love too.

Get Crafty - We can get into good craft projects, and love the satisfaction that creating something brings.

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dinner service An unconventional palette of mauve, tan and champagne put a new twist on making merry and bright.

light, bright, and white Renovation specialists, Over and Above IKEA for the holidays Custom Homes take this classic River Three fantastic crafts to add some Swedish cheer!

Heights home to modern functionality.

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winter slumberland Tara Spencer-Nairn of Style Within creates a modern, cozy master bedroom with the creative use of pattern and texture.

double take Envy Paint and Design redesigns two bathrooms with an eco-chic twist.

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Collections – Admittedly, we like stuff.

Here we showcase people and their stuff, and their knowledge of their stuff.

13 Giving collectables.

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ta b l e o f co n t e n ts

HOLIDAY 2012 Bahia Taylor Editor in Chief Co-founder Leigh McKenzie Creative Director Co-founder Darren Grunerud Managing Editor Graphic Design Hinge Design www.hingedesign.ca Styling Envy Paint and Design www.benjaminmoore-mb.ca Owned and Published by: Covet Magazine For inquiries, please contact us at info@covetmagazine.ca 1811 Assiniboine Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3J 0A5 www.covetmagazine.ca info@covetmagazine.ca Cover Photography Luckygirl Photography luckygirl.ca While every effort has been made to ensure that advertisements and articles appear correctly, Covet Magazine cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damaged caused directly or indirectly by the contents of this publication. All material is intended for informational purposes only.

The views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editor.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part prohibited without written permission from the publisher.

Typeset in Chronicle Roman and Whitney Printed in Canada

PROfile - Allow us to introduce you to the great, local design talent available in Winnipeg for you to tap into.

Prairie Palette - A glimpse into the Winnipeg art community, or profile of a great local artist.

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Mona Bartmanovich of Wind & Water Interiors

kathleen black

Tips O' the Trades - Expert advice. You didn't solicit it but we're giving it to you anyway.

20 Brighten the outside of your home this holiday with LED lights.

22 Tools Always be prepared. Our list of must-haves for hitting the highways this winter.

24 DIY A local stationery design house shares 5 festive tips for repurposing wrapping paper remnants over the holidays.

28 26 Merton Road and‌ Travel with photographer Pauline Boldt as she explores the beauty of FortWhyte Alive.

56 gIve a little, give a lot Covet's first annual guide of fantastic gift ideas.

Chow - Food, glorious food and everything to go with it.

Living Well - Reviews, ideas, a little form and a little function.

80 deck the halls The inside scoop to what the design pros are doing to decorate for the season.

82 2 x 4 Life Follow radio personality Dez Daniels and her family, as she blogs her way through the start-to-finish journey of a new home build.

Dig - Get outside and get gardening.

84 Start thinking about spring planning for the garden... yes, already. Â

88 Where to find

89 Hot Blogs Be sure to check these out - we do!

90 Design Dilemma - Your chance to have an expert solve your design dilemmas.

68 winter bites These fantastic finger foods and cocktails will turn any chilly night into a savoury feast among friends. modern living with a pr airie t wist

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contri b utors petals west www.peatalswest.com pauline boldt 26mertonroad.com KATHLEEN BLACK blackglass@mymts.net Samantha braun ecotones@mts.net marisa curatolo www.marisacuratolo.com darren grunerud Man-about-town Teen Gowler trmckoys.ca The Garden Room www.gardenroomshop.com Kate & Birdie Paper Co. www.kateandbirdie.com TOM BIMA ticoswinehouse.com Esther Eisbrenner benjaminmoore-mb.ca Rachael King Johnson luckygirl.ca brian johnson gooddogphotography.ca Toad Hall toys toadhalltoys.com stephanie middagh artfulowl.ca Tara Spencer-Nairn stylewithin@mts.net MANITOBA HYDRO hydro.mb.ca IKEA ikea.ca Claire picard blogging expert SUSAN KUZ spacialexpressions.com Toad Hall toys toadhalltoys.com jim taylor Go-to Guy DEZ WENGROWICH twobyfourlife.com KASSIA WOLOSHYN benjaminmoore-mb.ca

e d i to r ' s pag e

FortWhyte Alive p 28 Photo" 26mertonroad.com

Winter is upon us It’s time to bundle up and brave the conditions as well as hunker down and enjoy your interiors. Winter activities are abundant for us Manitobans and as always we encourage you to try something, or visit somewhere new. Make your list and check it twice. Here’s what we have planned for the long haul between December and April...

• Brush up on my shutter-bug skills. I’m taking a class to learn what my camera can do – finally after owning it for 3 years.

• Cross-country ski. I’ve been saying it for years and this year I’m going to take it up!

• Decide on a wallpaper for my bathroom, order it and hang it.

• Finish the scarf I started to knit last year that has been sitting in a basket in my dining room since then.

• Same as Leigh’s last point...check out the spread on page 28, how can you resist?

Clearly we can’t!

• Snowshoe. I'm usually the voice of reason when my husband says 'let's go get lost in this random patch of forest,' but it's always an adventure.

• Finish our basement. We're almost there, and cannot wait to turn on our toasty, warm heated floors!

• Head out to the the lake - as much as possible. This is my answer to the 'what would you like to do today' question at any time, in any season.

• Fort Whyte. Where adventures await...

Covet is free, and if you'd like to receive a copy visit covetmagazine.ca to subscribe. You can view a digital version of this issue there, too. See you soon! modern living with a pr airie t wist

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co l l ect i o n s

Collectible Holiday Gift Ideas 1. Vintage Watches A vintage watch makes a fantastic gift. They can be found inexpensively, but if you are looking for more of an investment piece, a vintage Rolex will always hold its value.

Always make sure the watch is in working order. If it is an automatic wind, give it a few hours to be certain it keeps time. It is worthwhile to have it professionally cleaned by your trusted watchmaker. Put a new strap on it and it is like new, only cooler.

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2. Holmegaard Glass Mid-century modern glass never goes out of style. These functional organic shaped pieces hail from Denmark, and are both highly collectible and stylish.

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3. Vintage Barware The art of serving cocktails never goes out of style. Decanters, shakers and heavy crystal glasses are a fantastic gift. Look for pieces without chips and cracks if exploring vintage, or mix and match vintage and new and fully outfit a bar.

4. Cufflinks New or vintage cufflinks are a great gift for that french cuff suit-wearing man. Antique stores are an amazing source for high quality, vintage cufflinks. Do avoid costume quality, and stick with silver when buying vintage.

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4 5. 1950’s and 60’s Brooches Vintage rhinestone brooches should be staple in every woman’s wardrobe and they are easy to find in charity shops.

Look for pieces without any stone loss and keep an eye out if they are stamped as those tend to be more valuable.

6. Anniversary Edition Books Everyone has a favourite book, a work that changed their lives. If you don’t know that about the recipient, give them your favourite book, with a card telling them a little bit about why it had such an impact on you. If a book is too recent for an anniversary edition, get the hard cover version instead of a paperback.

Our collections specialist, Stephanie Middagh has spent the past 12 years being inspired by museum collections while working as a curator for various museums and galleries. Concurrent to her curatorial work, she took this inspiration to her sessional positions at the University of Manitoba where she continues to teach Introduction to Art and the History of Textiles.

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out and about

artful owl text DARREN GRUNERUD | photography Marie Jaworski

hoot hoot. Love art.

Find It: 6-1700 Corydon, 204.487.2012; Classes daily. Winter term registration ongoing. create@artfulowl.ca History and space: The idea for the studio came from a love of art, creativity and learning. Creative director and studio owner Stephanie Middagh has spent the past 12 years being inspired by museum collections while working as a curator for various museums and galleries. Concurrent to her curatorial work, she took this inspiration to her sessional positions at the University of Manitoba where she continues to teach Introduction to Art and the History of Textiles. In 2010, Stephanie turned a former beauty parlour in the Corydon Village Mall (a few blocks east of Kenaston Boulevard) into a cool studio for kids. In the two years since the Artful Owl opened, the studio swiftly acquired a busy, charming and fun character. Buzz around the new business has steadily increased, as has business for Stephanie and her growing staff. Here at Covet, we talk to a lot of people – and everyone we talk to loves the Artful Owl!

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Menu: The Artful Owl is one of those rare places where kids love to go, AND they learn while they have fun. This makes it popular with parents as well as the kids, who seem hardly to notice that they’re learning! The Artful Owl is a studio where children go to learn about art and art history, but in a unique way: by actually making art of different styles and time periods, in different mediums. Pre-school classes are one hour per week; school-age children can do the same, or opt for more advanced classes of an hour and a half or two hours per week. Class sizes are kept small to provide kids with lots of personal attention.

Art parties are popular (you choose the theme, from painta-princess to robot sculpture and many others), and can be booked any time outside of regularly scheduled classes. the difference: Uniquely in Winnipeg, the Artful Owl uses art history as its starting point for the exploration of various methods and mediums in art making. The goal of the classes is to instil visual literacy in the participants through experiential learning in art history. Education experts generally feel (and we agree, for what it’s worth) that visual literacy and creative thinking are going to be crucial skills for the next generation; creative problem-solvers will always be needed! http://www.artfulowl.ca/

st y l e d e f i n e d

The Nutcracker research Esther Eisbrenner Nuts have been a significant part of the food supply since the beginning of time. Over the years, man has developed many ingenious ways to open the shells. Early civilizations opened their nuts with rocks. Over time, what was a purely utilitarian tool evolved into ornate and highly decorative, yet still useful, objects.

The figure of the nutcracker has become a traditional symbol of Christmas as a result of the music of Peter Tchaikovsky; The Nutcracker is an annual December presentation by many ballet companies throughout the world. As a result, nutcrackers are often seen as a part of Christmas decorations, especially in Germany where many are created.

Available today in a plethora of incarnations, the original nutcrackers were carved in the rural woodlands of Germany to replicate the forms of kings and soldiers. The statues were crafted with a large mouth to hold the nut, and a lever on the back to easily split it. The carvers of the first nutcrackers lived very difficult and meagre lives. Working in their homes, the money earned from peddling their carvings was often the only source of income the families had. It is believed they felt that those in authority were apathetic to the poor. The poor blamed the upper class for their hardship, and designed the nutcrackers in the likeness of those in authority. In a role reversal, the king (or his carved likeness) would serve the poor by shelling nuts for them.

An alternate speculation is that the nutcracker represents the power and strength necessary to drive away evil and malevolent spirits from the family home.

In 1872, Wilhem Fuchtner, known as the father of the nutcracker, put the first commercially-made nutcrackers into production with the use of the lathe. Today, the 6th generation of the Fuchtner family is still in the trade. Nutcracker characters available today range from the traditional king or soldier, to a modern hockey player or ballerina. Whether you eat nuts or not, why not add a nutcracker to your holiday decor this season?

We’re sure he will crack you up!

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out and about

toad hall toys text DARREN GRUNERUD | photography COVET MAGAZINE

...Not your average run-of-the-mill toy store!

Find It: 54 Arthur Street Holiday hours (until December 24): Monday-Friday 9:30-9; Saturday-Sunday 10-5 204.956.2195; Toll Free 1.888.333.TOAD History and space: Located in a character filled building in the heart of the Exchange District Toad Hall is Winnipeg's most unique toy store. Ray and Ann England, with the goal of creating a toy store unlike any other, founded Toad Hall Toys in 1977.

They succeeded. Toad Hall Toys is a unique and memorable store that can bring out the inner child in anyone. If the name seems oddly familiar (and you’ve never heard of the store), you probably recognize it from Kenneth Grahame’s classic children’s book The Wind in the Willows. Today, Toad Hall is run by Kari, Ray and Ann's daughter, who maintains the high standards set by her parents many years ago. Kari and Ray hand-pick all of the toys that are sold in the store, and several a times a year you can find them at various toy fairs throughout the US and Canada.

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menu:No one familiar with Toad Hall will dispute their claim to be Winnipeg's Premiere Toy Store for kids and adults of all ages. They carry toys, books, puzzles, games and much, much more. Toad Hall is Western Canada's largest magic dealer, the first toy store in Canada to carry Playmobil, and are the place to go if you are looking for Hobby items (railway, miniatures, models and supplies). If you’ve never spent an afternoon in their Exchange District store, we recommend that you find out what you’ve been missing! the difference:Toad Hall sells real toys, of the timeless variety. Preferring to leave the plastic, flavour-of-the-week toys based on the latest movie (think Avengers figures, for instance) to the big box stores of the world. Toad Hall tries to avoid licensed toys, though they do sell some toys that are based on novels and children's books. High quality is the common element in everything Toad Hall sells. http://www.toadhalltoys.com

w e lov e Don’t leave a stocking unstuffed this season. Try these great items... you may need a bigger stocking...

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1. Never buy another eraser again. Indigo; 2. Pretty cases for business cards or for the gal who doesn’t carry a wallet or purse. Will house the necessities neatly and securely. Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 3. The tool guy or gal in your life will love to crack open a brewsky with this wrench bottle opener. Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 4. Cute bag clips are perfect for the bird lover. Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 5. So gross they need to be tried. If you hide a pickle ornament, as is the German tradition, this makes the perfect prize! Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 6. Back to the basics... and it’s still fun! The Garden Room; 7. We dig the vintage packaging and really who doesn’t love a scavenger hunt? The Garden Room; 8. The tween or teen in your life will love this!

It’s a book that’s meant to take a beating... super fun activities and whacky ideas abound. Indigo; 9. Show them how it’s done with a retro set of Jacks.

Yes, there was fun before electronics kids! The Garden Room; 10. Perfectly sized for all types of doodads. Made from 95% post-consumer material and 1% of sales of Blue Q bags support the conservation work of The Nature Conservancy. Toad Hall Toys; 11. Adorn your phone or pod or pad with darling little critters...why...no reason...just really, really cute. Indigo; 12. Rookie diners will appreciate cutting their chops on these. D. A. Neils; 13. The doodler and artist alike will enjoy Smencils scented pencils. Pair them with Mr. Sketch smelly markers for a winning combination no one could resist.

Indigo (smencils), Wal-Mart (Mr. Sketch); 14. For the four eyed folks these are simply the best contact lens cases ever. Envy Paint and Design Ltd. ; 15.

This nose knows...how to sharpen a pencil. Finally it’s okay to shove things in your nose in public. Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 16. Let them feel the love by keeping their hands and toes toasty on cold days. Reusable warmers will have them thinking of you always. Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 17. Laughter is the best medicine they say and a silly bandage can help ease the pain. And by silly we mean shaped like underpants. Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 18.

Because the restrooms that offer complimentary seat covers are never the ones in which they are really needed. Ensure they have one, always, with this handy purse sized tin. Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 19. A spot of emergency medicine is sometimes required. Keep them prepared with travel and purse sized medical cross pill boxes. Envy Paint and Design Ltd.

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g e t c r a f t y at i k e a

Christmas ornament tower Pile some ornaments and baubles onto a tiered dessert tray for an interesting layered look. You could rest this on a chair to dress it up as shown, on the buffet table, or in your entrance. For a full centrepiece use multiple tiered trays of different heights, and run them down the centre of the dining table.

IKEA 365+ Serving Platter

wrapping paper flag garland

Advent adventure For some giant fun try a large scale advent calendar on for size. Stretch Margareta fabric over a board or canvas. Use small hooks or pretty thumbtacks to hang miniature numbered gift bags filled with holiday treasures. Fun for the whole family! Margareta fabric, Julmys gift bags

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Deck the halls or the walls or the tree with a handmade flag garland. Cut triangles from gift wrap (or fabric remnants) and lay each triangle evenly spaced and face up on your work surface. Lay a length of twine or ribbon over the widest portion of your triangles. Fold the top edge of each triangle over the ribbon or twine and glue (or sew) down. Involve the kids in this easy to master holiday craft!

Julmys wrapping paper, Julmys ribbon

Fun Facts About IKEA Winnipeg: # Parking spaces 1619 # Cash Lanes 40 # Restaurant Seating 651 # of Co-workers hired 350 • IKEA Winnipeg’s ballroom will hold 15,000 balls • IKEA Winnipeg expects to sell 120,000 meatballs in the first week • IKEA Winnipeg expects to sell 20,000 hot dogs in the first week Size 395,671 ft2 Kids play area 2,228 ft2 # of Carts to Simplify Shopping 1,575

Did you know?

• IKEA Winnipeg will showcase 55 inspirational room settings

• IKEA Winnipeg will have 30 bicycle spots

• IKEA Winnipeg’s Swedish Food Market will be 3,605 ft2

• Total customer journey: 1.3km

• IKEA Winnipeg will offer 9,500 products

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p ro f i l e

wind & water interiors Since 1997, Mona Bartmanovich has been the principal designer & owner of Wind & Water Interiors. Mona has contributed her expertise to several award-winning homes and has been featured on television, radio and in several publications. In 2011, Wind & Water Interiors opened a design centre in the heart of Kenora, Ontario and focuses on providing premium design services, products and project management.

PROfiles is a chance to meet and get to know a local Winnipeg talent.

Covet has partnered with CDECA (Canadian Decorator’s Association) to bring you the inside scoop on one of their members from the Central Prairie Chapter. To learn more about CDECA or for a list of CDECA decorators in your area, visit them at www.cdeca.com.

What is your favourite room?

My favorite room...I love them all for different reasons, but my favorite at the moment is the kitchen - especially during this time of the year. Although I'm not much of a baker, I am a foodie and love to express my love through my preparation and sharing of meals. The family room is a close second - particularly one with a wood burning fireplace.

What colour means comfort to you?

I was so adverse to blue for such a long time in my career, but I'm finding myself in love with it in all its various hues. I work with color so much with clients, so I tend to have different shades of white on my walls and use color in my fabrics (upholstery, drapery & cushions) and accessories. What conveys comfort to me is less about a given colour, more about how it used and expressed in a space.

What is the most important thing to remember when decorating a room?

What's important to me when I decorate a room is how it will look once all the layers of design are applied. That will vary depending on the stylistic vision for the space. If it is a traditional space, I'm fanatical about millwork and architectural detail. If it's a modern, rustic loft, then just the right tension between the two is important.

What's on your wish list this holiday season?

A trip to Europe would be amazing!!

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Do you sketch by hand or click on a computer?

I sketch by hand... I've been drawing since my childhood and feel much more comfortable with a pencil than a keyboard.

The best Sunday morning music?

During the holidays, I love holiday jazz.

Anything easy to listen to. No country or heavy metal though.

What are you giving this holiday season?

Beautiful hand-made and hand-wrapped caramels from the local B & B in Kenora.

What celebrity designer do you most want to meet?

That's a tough question...There are so many that I don't want to leave any of them out. There are certainly several great Canadian designers. I guess Sloan Mauran.

Do you have any projects on the go in your own home right now?

We will be starting a renovation on our recently purchased home in Kenora this coming year. It will involve adding much more architectural detail, a new kitchen, new flooring...the works.

What smell takes you back to this time of year as a child?

The smell of orange & cinnamon.

Something delicious slow roasting in the oven really brings on that cozy, warm nostalgic feeling.

What are your holiday traditions?

I'm all about Christmas morning brunch.

It's an intimate affair that includes my brother, his wife & our parents. I love creating & preparing the brunch menu and setting the dining room table with gold, white and silver, all aglow with candlelight. Chafing dishes are part of the serving station & keep the food warm.

Champagne, wine and bloody Marys are generally the libation of choice - along with the coffee, of course. www.windnwater.ca info@windnwater.ca

tips o' the trades

Brighten the outside of your home this holiday with LED lights While tradition plays a big part of the festive season, sticking to the tried and true with your holiday lights might be costing you more money on your energy bill. Traditional incandescent holiday light strings, the ones with the larger bulbs, consume five to seven watts of electricity per hour, per bulb. When you consider most strings carry approximately 50 bulbs, that’s costing you more than 250 watts per hour, per string.

In comparison, light emitting diode (LED) holiday lights use up to 90 per cent less electricity, which means if you choose to use only LED holiday lights this holiday season, compared to other years when you used only incandescent lights, you’d save 90 per cent on your holiday lighting bill.

In the spirit of a well-known holiday carol, here are 12 tips to remember as you take your lights outside.

1. Compared to incandescent lights, LED lights last up to 10 times longer. They’re also more durable because they don’t have filaments or glass bulbs that break and they’re also less of a fire hazard because they produce less heat.

2. Carefully inspect your holiday lights – new and old – before plugging in. Cracked sockets, frayed, bare or loose wires, can cause a serious electrical shock or start a fire. Replace any damaged strings.

3. Do not connect LED light strings to conventional strings.

Your LED lights will wear out more quickly and it could cause a fire hazard.

4. When plugging your lights into an extension cord, plug or socket, make sure it has been approved by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) for outdoor use.

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5. Purchase hooks or clips designed for hanging light strings.

Do not use metal staples or nails as these can cut or damage your light string and cause damage to your home.

6. Consider using a timer to control the amount of time your lights will be turned on. Not only will it help you save on your energy bill, it will also help eliminate the need for going outside during a Manitoba winter evening.

7. Reduce the risk of electrical shock. Keep electrical connections off the ground and make sure wiring is clear of drain pipes and railings.

8. Read all of the caution and warning labels. You should know the maximum number of strings that can be connected together and if the light strings are constructed for indoor or outdoor usage, or both.

9. Connect outdoor holiday light strings to a properly wired exterior 120VAC outlet. If you don’t have one, consult with an electrician to have one installed.

10. Purchase the right lights. Mini-lights are rarely used on roofs because they don’t emit enough light to be seen from further away. Much more common are C7 and C9 LED holiday strings.

11. Take note that on average, homes use approximately four strings of lights.

12. Take your lights down after the season is over. Cords and bulbs left outside can deteriorate quicker than you think.

To ensure your home receives glowing reviews for years to come, choose LED lights to brighten your holiday season.

to o l s

Call us for your free estimate

204.999.5351 interior or exterior renovations, over and above your expectations

Over & Above Custom Homes can help with your next renovation project.

overandaboveconstruction.com

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12 When it comes to our blustery Manitoba winters and driving conditions, the Boy Scouts sure have the right idea! Prepare yourself, your loved ones, or the new driver in your family for a road emergency this season. Be ready for the worst-case scenario as a road emergency can happen at anytime, and anywhere. Assemble the following items in a small basket or tub, keep it in your trunk... you won't really need it until you really need it, and then you'll sure be glad you had it!

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1. tow strap, cable or chain; 2. 5 lb. fire extinguisher; 3. dry blankets/clothing and footwear; 4. shovel; 5. road flares or warning light; 6. gloves or mitts; 7. traction mats or sand, salt or kitty litter; 8. matches; 9. survival candle or lamp for warmth; 10. flashlight with batteries; 11. bandages, sterile wipes and gauze; 12. booster cables; 13. snow brush and ice scraper : 14. heat-reflective survival blanket; 15. screwdriver; 16. reflectors; 17. emergency escape hammer (this should be mounted to the driver door or in the glove box)

In addition, pack a stash of high energy rations such as bottled water or juice boxes, raisins, cookies, jerky, power or granola bars, canned soup or meats, canned fruit, rice cakes or crackers, and dry cereal. Don't forget a manual can opener and utensils.

Safe driving this winter...the team at Covet hopes these items go untouched in your vehicle indefinitely - except for checking food expiry dates from time to time of course!

204.255.4204

GallagherGroup.ca 942 St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba

F R E E CO

NSULTA TIONS F COMMLI EXIBLE SSION R ATES FREE HO ME STA GING QUALIF IED BUY ERS

Helping You Every Step Of The Way Gallagher group for Remax Performance Realty

ENHANCING LIFE AND SPIRIT THROUGH DESIGN

Concept development Space planning Kitchen design Custom furniture Lighting plans and fixtures Colour consultation Materials and finishes selections Trades consultations and coordination

TAMARA ECKSTEIN, B.ENV.D Interior Designer

204.894.5636 | ecksteindesigngroup.com

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diy

Wrapped Up

A local stationery design house shares 5 festive tips for repurposing wrapping paper remnants over the holidays‌

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1 Gift Tag Toppers

Create whimsical gift tags out of wrap trimmed into seasonal silhouettes – like these abstracted evergreen trees – for a casual flourish atop kraft wrapped packages.

Directions: Sketch your own template on a piece of cardboard (or find a free printable template online) and trace the template onto wrap. Cut out silhouette and attach to the top of package. * Kate & Birdie’s Charcoal Pine Cones wrap (WP14)

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diy

Hostess Goodies

Line the inside of cardboard boxes with wrap and fill with your favourite cookie for a simple, seasonal hostess gift.

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Directions: Cut wrapping paper about 1/8” less than the width of your box and to the desired length (wrap should be able to run up the front and back sides of the box and fold over each other). Slip wrap into box and gently press wrap along the boxes inside edges.

Arrange cookies and fold wrap flaps over top. Cover with lid and package with baker’s twine. * Kate & Birdie’s Cabin and Mountain wrap (WP27)

Origami Garland

Craft your own garland with origami stars - made from strips of wrap - attached to a length of baker’s twine.

Directions: Cut wrapping paper into strips 29 cm long by 3/4” to 1-1/4” wide. Fold back and forth (accordion style) at 1 cm increments. Glue ends together and press lightly to create the star shape. To maintain shape, glue a small piece of cardboard to the back of the star. * Kate & Birdie’s Peach Berries wrap (WP29), Charcoal Pine Cones wrap (WP14), Yellow Magnolias wrap (WP01), Brownstone Doors wrap (WP10) and Hummingbirds wrap (WP12).

3 Envelope Liners

Seal holiday cards with a personal touch by lining envelopes with coordinating wrap in pretty patterns.

Directions: Cut wrapping paper in the shape of your envelope, leaving about a 1/4” of envelope showing. Slip liner into envelope, press down flap to create fold line and affix with glue. * Kate & Birdie’s Charcoal Pine Cones wrap (WP14) and holiday card (HD37B)

4 Sweet Centerpiece

Dress up basic white platters and pedestals with festive wrap to transform holiday baking into a centerpiece that’s as sweet to look at as it is to nibble on.

Directions: Cut wrapping paper slightly smaller than the size of platter / pedestal. Lay in place and top with the treat of your choice. * Kate & Birdie’s Peach Berries wrap (WP29) For more DIY projects, visit Kate & Birdie’s blog www.kateandbirdie.com/category/blog

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ELIMINATE STANDBY POWER • Instead of using your screen saver, set your computer’s power management feature to automatically turn off the monitor after a certain period of inactivity.

• Plug any office equipment and infrequently used home electronics into a power bar that can be easily turned off to eliminate standby power.

• Use one power bar to charge all your electronics and switch it off when not in use. Battery chargers draw power even when the device is not plugged in.

SEAL GAPS TO STOP DRAFTS • Check your home from top to bottom for leaks. Outside air can enter your home through unsealed gaps.

• Seal individual holes like cable or phone lines and along more widespread leaky areas such as baseboards.

• Save on your heating bill with simple home improvements, such as installing insulators behind cover plates.

REDUCE YOUR HOT WATER USE • Install energy efficient showerheads and faucet aerators (1.5 gallons per minute or less). These small improvements can lower your home’s water heating cost and save you money on your energy bill.

• Apply pipe insulation on the hot and cold water lines of your water heater.

• Use cold water for wash and rinse laundry cycles. Make sure to do full loads and hang clothes outside to dry whenever possible.

• Planning a vacation? Turn your water heater to vacation mode.

CHOOSE ENERGY SAVING APPLIANCES • Cook with the smallest appliance possible, such as a toaster oven in place of an oven.

• An ENERGY STAR® refrigerator will use up to 50 per cent less energy than the average 10 year old refrigerator.

• Run only full loads and use the air dry option on your dishwasher.

USE ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING • Try using energy efficient light fixtures in every room in your home. They come in a variety of designs, colours and sizes and last at least 10,000 hours.

• ENERGY STAR® qualified torchiere lamps are a safe alternative to halogen torchiere lamps as they give off a fraction of the heat. They can still be dimmed but use much less electricity.

• To get the most out of your Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs), use them in rooms where the lights are on for more than 30 minutes, such as the family room, kitchen, hallway or porch.

For more Power Smart tips visit manitobapowersmart.ca

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FortWhyte Alive photography PAULINE BOLDT

FortWhyte Alive is a yearround nature preserve with something to offer for everyone.

Visitors have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Manitoba's wonderful wildlife, take a stroll along the boardwalks and trails or enjoy some delicious fare in the Buffalo Stone Cafe. Located on McCreary Road, FortWhyte Alive is 640-acres of prairie beauty that shouldn't be missed.

Workshops, storytime, sports instruction and guided walks are just some of the things to enjoy throughout the winter months.

Fit adventurers should mark February 24th on their calendars if they're brave enough (continued on page 33)

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winter act i v i t i e s at fo rt w h y t e a l i v e : • Ice fishing • Snowshoeing Snowshoes are available to rent • Skating • X-country skiing • The super Richardson run toboggan slide • Winter Fun Days for kids • Horse drawn sleigh rides (specific dates only)

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26 m e rto n roa d a n d … fo rt w h y t e a l i v e

1961 McCreary Rd. Winnipeg, MB R3P 2K9 info@fortwhyte.org www.fortwhyte.org PH: 204.989.8355 Daily Admission Adults: $6 Seniors (55+): $5 Students & Children: $4 Members & Children Under 3: FREE

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Winter Hours of Operation Monday – Friday: 9 am to 5 pm Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: 10 am to 5 pm Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve December 24 & December 31, 2012: 10 am – 1 pm

(continued from page 29) to face the cold and participate in FortWhyte's Hypothermic Half Marathon.

If you prefer a more leisurely pace, visit FortWhyte for a date on Fridays in January and February for a delicious dinner at the Buffalo Stone Cafe followed by an outdoor adventure.

Evenings include sleigh rides, snowshoe scavenger hunts or some jam pail curling on the lake.

Covet's staff finds that we enjoy winter a whole lot more when we confront it head on, however outdoor adventure may not be front of mind come -35째C in January. FortWhyte has a busy calendar of educational and active indoor workshops and events to participate in while hiding out from the cold.

FortWhyte invites you to "bring your family and friends for a day of fresh air, outdoor activity, wildlife and cultural heritage" this season.

Download FortWhyte Alive's Winter Newsletter to view a full schedule of the wonderful winter programming for the whole family www.fortwhyte.org.

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An unconventional palette of mauve, champagne, and tan put a new twist on making merry and bright. photography rachael king johnson

Even if you don’t have a coffee table that’s this perfect for Halloween, you can employ the same principles on it. Spray some artificial apples black; place deep, fall-coloured blooms in a heavy vessel; add some scary novels and a couple of skulls for good measure. Flowers by Petals West.

Mauve and tan walls in this dining room set the stage for an elegant table delectably set for eight.

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design by ENVY PAINT AND DESIGN photography COVET MAGAZINE

Some tips and tricks for tasteful Halloween decorating.

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This holiday decor is not red and green and we’re more than okay with that. The room still says holiday. It still says tradition. It simply says it in a new way. So go ahead and mix it up this year!

Mercury glass is the perfect addition to a room or table when you want to bridge the gap between metals.

It can look both gold and silver simultaneously bringing harmony to silverware and gold accents for instance.

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Let’s face it holiday dinners can be tricky. Preparing the meal, bringing extended family together and making sure the ambience of the room is stellar is no easy task.

But when you are armed with a fresh take on a holiday palette and a table you can ninety-five percent set days before you can take the big day in stride.

The team at Covet Magazine was invited into the Meilleur’s family home days before their winter holiday celebration and set the stage for dinner for this year and years to come. Follow these top ten tips to take the stress out of decorating your holiday table...

1. Update key pieces. A new tablecloth can inspire a whole look. We took our cue from the main wall colour in the dining room and draped the table in a shimmering beige cloth with a waffle weave for texture.

2. Bring out the basics. The family’s everyday white dishes were combined with dark purple placemats and silver chargers to take them from ordinary to extraordinary.

3. Mix the old with the new. Antique carnival glass salad bowls and tumblers in a glorious opalescent sheen are an unexpected touch. Showcase collectibles or heirlooms if you have them to make your table unique and memorable.

4. Keep the lines of communication open. A lively dinner party is a fun dinner party. Keep centrepieces off to the sides where they won’t block conversation or plan a location to remove them to at meal time.

5. Some things are best when not served fresh.

While fresh flowers are always beautiful if you keep them out of your tablescape you can have the table ready to go days or even weeks in advance of your party. We used everyday white vases and filled them with battery operated lighted willow branches and silver pinecone sticks and whirly twigs. Miniature baubles hang from the branches in varying shades of purple, mauve and silver.

6. Tell people where to go. Keep Aunt Ethel away from Grandpa Joe if necessary by marking place settings.

Alternatively, forge new relationships by seating guests near someone they don’t know. We used tiny vases that double as place card holders. It’s easy to drop in a single bloom the day of (here’s your hit of fresh) or you can fill with something dried or greens that will last for weeks and over several parties.

7. Do all your shopping in one place. Don’t run rough shot all over town unnecessarily. We picked up our placemats, chargers, cloth napkins, table cloth, groceries and baubles all at the grocery store.

8. Go nuts. We did. An easy and good looking filler for bowls, hurricanes, or out on the length of your table is nuts. We amped these ones up by giving them a coat of white and champagne spray paint ahead of

A blend of old and new is interesting and lends a layered feel to the settings. New placemats and chargers, everyday dishes, antique carnival glass and silverware mix together easily.

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time. It makes them inedible so keep some aside for those who enjoy but you can keep them year to year to use again and again.

9. Dim the lights. Candles create a mood of sophistication and elegance.

Bonus – they make everyone look better too! Add them to your table in any way you can whether it be low tealights or tall dinner tapers your complexion will thank you!

10. Make light of blights. Something will go wrong, it always does. Your reaction to catastrophe either big or small will make or break the party.

Laugh it off even if you want to cry and remember to keep calm and host on!

Top left: Light up willow branches are a new and easy care replacement for live flowers. Great for times when you can’t make it to the florist or want to set the table ahead of time; Far left: A fancy feather wreath adds a bit of flare and is lightweight enough to suspend from a curtain rod; Sideboards and buffets are useful surfaces for serving pieces. Don’t forget to give them some attention when decorating the room; Above: Doctor up nuts by treating them to a dusting of spray paint in white, metallics or a combination of both.

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design by Tara Spencer-Nairn, Style Within photographyTracy Conrad, Country Lane Art Gallery

Glossy white bamboo panels add drama behind the low-profile bed. Ruffled white bedding leaves endless options for creating a new look when the mood strikes, by simply swapping out pillows and accessories. modern living with a pr airie t wist

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A chair and side table add a perfect perch to read a good book and a great place to rest your hat!

When it comes to texture, more really is more. These panels, while hard-surfaced and high-shine, add warmth and interest.

Designer Tara Spencer-Nairn of Style Within, and her husband John, built their house six years ago. Since then, Tara has repainted and redecorated the entire house twice and finished the basement, leaving only one room untouched - the master bedroom.

It’s not uncommon for the master bedroom to take a back seat to the rest of the house when it comes to completing the space. It could be that the master bedroom is not a public space and is not often seen by our guests. It could be that the only time we spend in the space is with our eyes closed. It could be that we, as homeowners, feel like the completion of our master suites is self-indulgent. After all, it is a space just for us. We get stuck in a rut of bedroom guilt. In Tara’s case even the laundry room trumped her bedroom.

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When Tara’s oldest daughter asked if her room could get a repaint and redecorate, Tara, after much deliberation, decided it was time to put the master bedroom next on the list.

The room had become a dumping ground for everything, while Tara and John were busy with their careers and running their three children back and forth to all their activities. It was finally time for the grown-ups to have somewhere for just the pair of them to curl up and relax.

The room received a repaint, and berber carpets were swapped for new birch hardwood floors in a cherry finish.

In search of something unique for the headboard wall, Tara considered both wallpaper and cultured stone before stumbling upon panels made from bamboo fibres. The panels were primed and painted a glossy white, then attached to the wall. A sleek low-profile bed was set in front of the dramatic panels. Not yet ready to replace her dresser, Tara opted to give it a facelift;

Tara’s old pine dresser gets a new lease on life with a lick of paint and pretty new knobs.

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Take a cue from Tara this season and feel free to mix textures and metals. She fearlessly combines fur with sateens and linens; glass with silver, gold and champagne to wonderful effect.

When Tara’s oldest daughter asked if her room could get a repaint and redecorate, Tara, after much deliberation, decided it was time to put the master bedroom next on the list.

the solid pine piece was treated to a deep charcoal coat of paint, some distressed edges, and new crystal hardware. “I try to repurpose when I can (so) as not to waste, to be more cost-effective and be environmentally friendly when possible,” says Tara.

The mandate for the room was a blend of cozy and warm with a dash of pretty.

The bedside tables are unmatched to add interest to the space. One is a mirrored set of drawers which provides

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extra closed storage and offers some sparkle and reflection. The other is a folding tray table that keeps the other side of the bed feeling open and airy. A television, the bigger the better, was on John’s list. Tara opted to tuck it into the corner behind the door, where it could still be enjoyed without being front and centre. A white ruffled duvet allows Tara to change the look with ease by using different pillows and throws. For winter, toss pillows in varied textures like knits

and faux fur contribute to the warm and cozy atmosphere.

The interesting thing about the rut of bedroom guilt is how quickly it dissipates. Once the room is complete and ready to enjoy, the feeling of guilt is quickly replaced with a feeling of ‘why didn’t I do this sooner?' We are sure Tara must be feeling this right about now… after all, it only took her six years to turn her boring bedroom into a dazzling winter retreat!

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1. Hardwoods Home Depot/Good Fellow Birch/Cherry 2. Headboard wall Rona/3D Wallpanels/EKB-02-103 3. Drapes Kravet/32344/52 4. Maxwell/Rendezvous/03 5. Benjamin Moore Museum Piece, CSP-40 6. Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal, HC-166 7. Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace OC-65

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L ight, Bright and White design by TRACY DYCK photography Rachael King Johnson

An energy-efficient, sustainable, beautiful family home made from local Manitoba straw.

renovations over and above custom homes architecture fisher studio photography rachael king johnson

This River Heights home flashed forward fifty years, and is now a modern, functional hub for a busy surgeon.

Exterior: The corrugated metal above the entry door catches your eye, and makes you look twice at the home...and then you notice how thick the walls are.

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Opposite: Walls and built-ins awash with white, warm wood floors and modern furnishings get a lift with the seasonal pops of tangerine - right down to the beverages.

This page: The crisp white solid surface countertop waterfalls over both sides of the wood island. The natural stone finish of the floor tile helps keep the kitchen feeling warm despite all the sleek, cool surfaces like the high gloss cabinets, glass and steel.

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Clockwise from above: A high-gloss white vanity and vessel sink float above shimmery mosaic floor tile.

The window takes the position usually held by the bathroom mirror, and is flanked by two small glass pendants; The bed nestles neatly into built-in cabinetry with a niche above for artwork and night time essentials; The family room sofa is treated to a luxurious tangerine throw and pillows; Traditional nutcrackers have a modern vibe, decked out in solid white from head to toe.

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White and chrome hydraulic stools tuck neatly under the island when not in use.

Decorating with white may seem like an easy way out; the truth is, it's one of the simplest decorating techniques to get right – or wrong. White walls are a cool and brilliant foil when paired with pales or against strong, bold colours, but they can also appear boring, flat and cold if not in balance with everything else in the room. Architectural designer Ward Fisher of Fisher Studio and contractor Jayson Nichol of Over and Above Custom Homes collaborated on this project, to give the homeowner a timeless backdrop that can go toe-to-toe with any accents he chooses for years to come. This holiday season, the home gets a lively boost with tangerine accessories and winter greens.

The process began with meetings between client, architect and contractor to discuss the removal of a non-loadbearing wall to open up the kitchen to the new living room. Once the walls began to come down, as is often the case in renovations of older homes, there were some unpleasant surprises: Jayson's

team discovered that the house was not insulated. Since that's kind of important for our Winnipeg winters, every exterior wall was gutted, strapped, insulated and finished with new drywall. The attic also received a comfy coat of spray foam to keep things toasty and warm. The entire home was outfitted with new wiring, and some rooms were even treated to acoustic wiring. An en suite bath was added to the master bedroom, a sleek flush-mounted fireplace to the living room. Doorways were modified, and a curved staircase was built at the back entrance. Heated flooring in the kitchen and en suite keeps tootsies comfortable when it's chilly, and a new wall-mounted air conditioner keeps the whole house cool when it's not. The hardwoods were refinished, and custom cupboards, vanities and wardrobes now handle all the storage duties. The homeowner, Dr. Hill, had a very laid-back attitude and let the architect plan how the spaces should look, and the Over and Above

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team complete the orders. The result is a beautiful home with improved function.

The overall white scheme allows for an ‘anything goes’ blank canvas when it comes to accessorizing or making seasonal change-ups. The pillows, candles, bowls and throws can be swapped out when the mood strikes to create a whole new look. The cool white walls and custom cabinetry are combined with warm wood floors and a wood island in the open kitchen and family room. In the dining and living room, the woods and white continue with touches of deep charcoal on the fireplace and area carpet to lend a dramatic tone to the spaces. On the second floor the scheme continues with dazzling tile, glass and cabinetry, the warm wood floors and deep gray accents.

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A splash of tangerine here and there reference the main floor in a subtle way. The neutral choices on the big and permanent items will give this space staying power for years to come. The tangerine may give way to lime green, brown, turquoise or anything in between but the true staying power of white will outlast them all. It’s reminiscent of how us winterpeggers feel about our white landscape mid season...it could last forever!

The deep grey tiled gas fireplace can be enjoyed from both the living and dining rooms. The charcoal-striped rug and dark furnishings lend a dramatic feel to the rooms.

Fresh greens lay loosely on the coffee table, with a few ball ornaments and candle sticks, for a simple and festive display.

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1. Kitchen floor Ceratec/Verd Agata 2 Bathroom floor Ames/Bianco Carrara/BC58P 3. Bathroom walls Ames/Bianco Carrara/MPBU36 4. Kitchen Island Cedan/Acajou/Mahogany/ING-43J

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design by envy paint and design ltd. photography dallas ludwick

Envy Paint and Design Ltd. upgrades two main floor bathrooms in this cozy River Heights bungalow.

Double sinks are undermounted in natural looking solid concrete counters by Stonescape Inc. and topped off with a beautiful glass blend tile in multiple shades of blues and greens.

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ta k e o n e "We bought a fixer-upper in a great location and with a great overall layout, but with some major upgrading needs. For one, we knew both main floor bathrooms needed to be gutted and completely re-done. Asap. It seemed like a daunting task." With help from Envy Paint and Design Ltd. the main bathroom was taken from drab to fab with the subtraction of pink fixtures, tile and wallpaper and the addition of new floors, sustainable bamboo custom vanities and mirrors, concrete counter tops by Stonescape Inc., a new tub with tile surround, a gorgeous glass backsplash and a cool blue and green colour palette.

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Top left: The room feels light hearted with whimsical touches like the botanical print roller shade and fluffy green and white bath mat.

Above centre: Sustainability is very important to homeowners Dallas Ludwick and Troy Scott. When a selection could be made with that in check it was. The custom bamboo vanities and mirrors by the team at Envy Paint and Design Ltd. are a feel good, not to mention look good, choice.

Top right: A wonderful piece of art, a gift from Dallas’ sister, was the inspiration point for the room’s colour scheme. It’s made up of many, many, many tiny fish. Artist, Kobina Nyarko.

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1. Green Tile Epoch/Contempo/Tatara-1671 2. Blind Habitat Blinds/Impresssions/Stitched Leaves 3. Vanity Carbonized Bamboo/Natural 4. Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue HC-144,

Above: Bamboo accessories were a great addition to reference the vanity and mirrors. Simple, single lever faucets are unobtrusive and allow the vibrant backsplash to take centre stage.

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" Overall, I love the fact that these bathrooms suit us in every way in terms of functionality and style.

I feel relaxed and happy in them!" ~ Dallas Ludwick, homeowner

A rectangular vessel sink and sleek, chrome, trough style faucet pair nicely with the rustic looking concrete counters by Stonescape Inc.

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ta k e t wo The ensuite has a muted and sophisticated scheme much different than the fun feel of the main bathroom. A deep toned, wenge vanity with shallow storage towers are perfect for keeping essentials out of sight yet at your fingertips at the same time. Stonescape Inc. treated the concrete counter with a darker finish that picks up the tones of the glass backsplash perfectly. The mirror is nestled into the tile for a clean and polished look. "These bathrooms are exactly what we were looking for.

I really didn't think it was going to be possible to fit (a jet bath) into the ensuite, given the space that we had and the original layout of the rooms."

With careful planning and reworking of the layout, the team at Envy Paint and Design Ltd. managed to include a closet for two as well as a jetted tub in the master suite.

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1. Vanity Wenge Wood/Natural 2. Stone and Pewter Accents/Tozen/Nickel Natural 3. Floor – Canvas Tex/395 4. Benjamin Moore ,Barely Beige CC-140

Top left: A stunning glass backsplash in shades of grey and brown is the perfect complement to the counter and custom wenge vanity.

Top right: A bell wreath in the muted wedgewood blue of the accents brings a bit of holiday into the room.

Above: Black hardware picks up on the striation of the wenge and hits of black and charcoal in the backsplash.

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15 14 To the “foodie” who quenches my thirst and tickles my tastebuds like no other.

You’ll need to try these gifts right away and I can taste test right?

1. An expandable snail funnel – stores flat and pops up at the ready when needed. D.A. Neils; 2. Handy half pot strainer – keeps things in the pot, stores flat, and washes easily. D.A. Neils; 3. For the perfect piece of pie – even the first slice. D.A. Neils; 4. Handy scrapers just the right size for reaching into small jars. D.A. Neils; 5. Jane Hornby’s What to Cook and How to Cook It – a must have. Indigo; 6. Bottle top pourers. Top your oft used oils and vinegars with easy pour spouts or fill a pretty bottle with dish soap for a dispenser that looks good on the counter. D.A. Neils; 7. Onion Goggles – enough said. D.A. Neils; 8. Bowl scrapers to ensure every bit of better batter makes it into the recipe. D.A. Neils; 9. Helping hands such as these teeny tongs make light work.

The Garden Room; 10. Measure out the perfect cup of joe with a 2 tbsp. coffee scoop. D.A. Neils; 11. Keep buns and bread toasty and warm...simply place the terracotta disc in the basket. D.A. Neils; 12. Ingenious garlic mincer and slicer in one. D.A. Neils; 13. Add a splash of colour to cook’s life with some fresh new spoons. The Garden Room; 14. Drain cans with ease with a perfectly sized can top strainer. D.A. Neils; 15. Keep palms and digits safe with silicone easy care mitts. D.A. Neils

Foodie

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5 8 Avid readers of all ages will love to bury their noses in a new bound adventure.

1. It's a beautiful day in Jurassic Park (ballpark, that is), and the herbivores and carnivores are taking the field for the season's final game. The crowd is enthusiastic—and similarly extinct.

This wonderful series is awesome and absurd in perfect harmony. Indigo; 2. Steve McCurry is an American photojournalist best known for his photograph, "Afghan Girl" that originally appeared in National Geographic magazine. A gorgeous coffee table book for all. Indigo; 3.

“Hey Hey, My My” this newly published gem about Winnipeg rocker Neil Young will surely show you have a “Heart of Gold”. Indigo; 4. Vampires are a big deal these days. We think every blood thirsty fan should have the original under their belt. Indigo; 5. The classic zombie story with stunning telling. A small group of people led by hero Rick through a zombie infested

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world. No backup, no help coming, no search for a cure. Simple day to day survival. Give the first book but be prepared – your recipient will want to eat through the others. Indigo; 6. Life of Pi is a masterful and utterly original novel that is at once the story of a young castaway who faces immeasurable hardships on the high seas, and a meditation on religion, faith, art and life that is as witty as it is profound. Make them read the book before they see the movie! Indigo 7. J.K. Rowling’s much anticipated book for grown-ups is allready a best seller. A big novel about a small town...Indigo; 8. Graphic book marks make smart gift tags. Indigo; 9. Durable plastic page sitters for the young reader are sure to produce giggles and grins. The Garden Room; 10. If you know someone out there who has not read The Hobbit it is your duty to force it upon them. A delightful journey that all should take. Indigo

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1. A sharp eye and quick reflexes are all it takes to play the 5 quick party games in this grab-n-go tin. Toad Hall Toys; 2. With his infectious smile and gel-filled body, he's the fun way to soothe life's bumps, bruises and aches (and let's face it, he's much cuter than a bag of frozen peas). Toad Hall Toys; 3. Djeco exquisite stamp kits include both stamps and stamp pad. The detail in these stamps needs to be seen to be believed.

Toad Hall Toys; 4. The seventh book in the best selling series by Jeff Kinney will be sure to please the Wimpy Kid fan...or turn someone on to the series by starting with number one. Indigo; 5. Adorable weiner dog pens... for those with puppy love. Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 6. Puzzler in your life? Give them a new challenge with the ultra-smooth Greek designed manipulatives of V Puzzler. Toad Hall Toys; 7. The easy to fly and maneuver dual prop helicopter, Lite Hawk Duo, is missing only one thing...a pilot. Toad Hall Toys; 8. Look no further than Thames and Kosmos for superbly designed science kits for your young scientist. Toad Hall Toys; 9.. Made of Honduran hardwood and magnets, these satin finished blocks combine simplicity with esthetic beauty. Touch one and you won't want to put it down; 10 Hard Hat? Check. Work boots? Check.

Macaroni and cheese? Check. Toad Hall Toy

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For the furry four legged children in your life – of the canine variety 1. Perfect for the resistant brusher these baking soda and herb infused wipes clean the front and the back of the teeth at the same time. The Pawsh Dog; 2. From farm to friend Whole Life pet treats are made from the freshest human grade foods. Some flavours to try include venison, lamb liver, pure cheddar cheese and many more. The Pawsh Dog; 3. Even pups need graphic tees. The Pawsh Dog; 4. Perfect for romps after sundown the K9 LED Ball illuminates at the push of a button.

Bright, durable and water resistant.

The Pawsh Dog; 5. With a convenient mitt-shaped pick up bag who wouldn’t want to...okay we know it’s not fun but these easy dispense, portable baggies are biodegradable to boot.

The Pawsh Dog; 6. The best gift for the sophisticated pooch. We promise no hang over with this 12oz slobber by volume bottle. The Pawsh Dog; 7. Satisfy even the most vigorous gnawer with a Tasty Bone. Your pooch’s palette will love flavours like duck, pheasant and stilton.; 8. Throw after throw this ball tosser will go the distance every time with the added bonus of keeping hands slobber free.

The Pawsh Dog; 9. For the design conscious owner this dual feeding station has non-slip feet, a wipe clean body and dishwasher safe bowls. The Pawsh Dog

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1. Cheery red cardinals are among many species of fence sitters that simply screw to the top of the fence to add interest to the garden. The Garden Room; 2. Frasier Fir scented Thyme products is a wonderful scent all are sure to enjoy. Try candles, lotions, car fresheners, and soaps. The Garden Room; 3. See the action from the root to tip with a clear bulb forcing jar. Add water and your favourite bulb and enjoy the show... in slow motion mind you. Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 4. Multi blade herb scissors make short order of chopping. Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 5. Keep track of success and failures alike in a lovely keepsake garden journal. Indigo; 6. Squeeze every last drop of lotion and paste from the tubes with Crabtree and Evelyn’s tube turners. The Garden Room; 7. Without a doubt the handiest garden tool going. Digs into small spaces, cuts easily with a serrated edge and the pointed end furrows and weeds. The Garden Room; 8. An invaluable tool for weeding, mixing soils and cultivating close to plants without damaging them. The blade is a curved band of high-tensile stainless steel, and the bright handle is a lightweight polypropylene.

The Garden Room; 9. Dazzling, jeweled, ceramic snail treasure box because slow and steady wins the race. The Garden Room; 10. A wonderful gift of soothing, protective formulas for hands, nails, and cuticles. The Garden Room; 11. Handy silicone mini pots are perfect for potting or sorting seeds or for the gardener to utilize in the kitchen. D.A. Neils; 12. A wonderful, zone specific series by Laura Peters and/or Patricia Hanbidge. The Garden Room

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For the Winnipegger in withdrawl...

1. Winnipeg Jets hoodie to keep cozy and warm. Costco; 2. The Best of Down Goes Brown hockey blog all in one tangible collection. Hopefully we’ll have hockey back before it gets finished...but...doubters. Indigo; 3. Demon Hot Shot is the world's first and only speed measuring hockey puck that is as accurate as radar. Official size and weight. SportChek; 4. Snazzy skulls or Canadian flags are a fun alternative to plain white tape. Sportchek;

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5. Two minutes for holding...your spot. Indigo; 6. Collectible puck ornaments are sure to please.

Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 7. If you just can’t decide a gift card is always one size fits all.

Sportchek;8. For the youngest fans this board book is delightful. Full size fact filled versions are available for older children. Indigo

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5 To the "Decorista" - the person in my life who collects paint chips even when there's nothing to paint, who pvrs HGTV and dreams of wallpaper patterns.

1 and 5, A fabulous design tome like colour maven Tricia Guild’s A Certain Style or Design Sponge at Home by hot blogger Grace Bonney. Indigo Books; 2. Set the table with new dishes showcasing the silhouettes of some lovely perches. Envy Paint and Design Ltd. 3. A refillable Sharpie encased in stylish silver belongs at the fingertips of every design savvy guy or gal. Staples; 4. Juicy coloured pocket or purse size tape measures are a must have when hitting the shops for treasures and supplies. Envy Paint and Design Ltd; 6. Cute and colourful note pads in the form of a paintbrush – handy to hang so always available when needed. Envy Paint and Design Ltd; 7. Silicone sticks dripping with colour are meant for stirring pots and bowls of sauces and batter rather than paint! D.A.Neils

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Make sure your host or hostess gets the mostest...or the very bestest 1. No one will care who cuts the cheese on this witty board. Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 2. If you’re visiting a dog owner they’ll love that you gift their tiny beast. This cheeky leash holder is a smile maker in many respects. Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 3. Perfectly weighted to release only one tissue at a time and rid the home of the tissue box that sticks out like a sore thumb forever. Love it! Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 4. Make up a variety pack of brews at your local LC and top them with a wall mounted bottle opener for the hops fan. Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 5. The whole family will delight in lighting a candle each day to mark the countdown. Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 6. Make a bottle of vino extra special by tying an accessory to it. A bottle stopper and wine charm kit are the perfect touch. Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 7. Salt and pepper dishes in pretty silver with etched lettering to grace the table or rest near the stove for easy pinching and dashing. Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 8. Whimsical and trés collectable Krinkles by Patience Brewster are delightful additions to any tree. The Garden Room; 9. Magnetic snowflakes make stunning gift toppers and the lucky recipient can stick them to curtains, vases, French doors, a blouse and so much more. Envy Paint and Design Ltd.; 10. A new scent, if your host is lucky enough to own a Lampe Berger home fragrance diffuser, will be graciously received. If your host doesn’t own one you should change that. Envy Paint and Design Ltd. and The Garden Room

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For the good-sport. Winter activities abound for us in Manitoba. We've got ice and snow, groomed trails, some ski hills, all sorts of indoor facilities and at least five months to hit them all.

1. Snowshoes in awesome colours are an easy introduction to snow sports. Mountain Equipment Coop; 2. Comfortably work your phone, MP3 player, or laptop mouse pad with warm hands thanks to gripper palm and click-wheel-compatible thumb and index finger. Wear them under mittens or warmer gloves or on their own in mild weather. Sportcheck; 3. Helly Hansen HH® Warm fibre technology combines Merino wool with Lifa® fibre to provide all the warmth you need without sacrificing dryness. Sportchek; 4. At what point does a sock go from something you simply wear on your feet, to something your feet can’t live without? The women’s Burton Scout Sock walks the line between total comfort and absolute dependency. Sportchek; 5. The Phenom Goggle uses Smith

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Optics' Vaporator lens to dish out top-notch optical quality and make fogging a thing of the past. Sportchek; 6. Clinically proven, athlete tested, and used by millions of people worldwide. KT Tape is lightweight, comfortable to wear, and used to treat and prevent hundreds of common injuries such as knee pain, shin splints, and tennis elbow. Sportchek; 7. Advanced, multi-layer technology activates a new level

of distance performance, propelled by increased velocity and optimized aerodynamics. Sportchek; 8. Now H2O is prêt a porte! Mountain Fountain hydration packs are great for offroad riders, hikers, cross-country skiers, runners and others too. This version holds enough water and an extra kit for longish outings. 9. Pro Style Training Gloves engineered for sparring, heavy bag workout, or mitt work. Sportchek

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For the wanderluster It has long been said that travel "broadens the mind".

Evidence proves that jumping on a plane will not only make you smarter, but more open-minded and creative...we encourage you to encourage the traveller in your life.

1. The Evolution Pillow; perfect for keeping your noggin off the stranger's shoulder beside you.

Journeys Travel & Leisure; 2. Pack-It system: a fantastic trio that aids in organizing your shirts, shoes and souvenirs. Journeys Travel & Leisure; 3. Radio-frequency identification (RFID)blocking passport case and wallet, keeping your information private and secure. Journeys Travel & Leisure; 4. Lonely Planet Country Guide books - the essential reading accessory for

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any adventure to a foreign land. Indigo Books; 5. Vinni Bag inflatable travel pouch protects booze and bottles from bashing and breaking en route. Journeys Travel & Leisure; 6. Europe, Asia, South America and beyond all require power converts. Make sure your electronic device is protected before plug in. Journeys Travel & Leisure; 7. Pack smart and avoid overweight luggage fees with the Balanzza Mini Digital Luggage Scale. Journeys Travel & Leisure; 8. Keep hydrated up in the air and save space with the Vapur Anti-bottle. Fill it up at a fountain after passing through security. Journeys Travel & Leisure; 9. Secure room keys, credit cards and money safely while swimming inside this waterproof Splash Box. Journeys Travel & Leisure

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A bottle for every occasion 1. Stanley Lambert Choc-a-Bloc. Australian Tawny Flavoured wth rich chocolate to produce a luscious after dinner dessert wine. We think it would be divine with ice cream. The Winehouse; 2. Arrogant Frog Ribet Rouge. Wine Enthusiast Magazine says, “Vibrant cherry, juicy strawberry, raspberry preserves and blackberry notes with a kiss of vanilla on the finish.

The Winehouse; 3. Ehlers Estate 1886 Cabernet Sauvignon 2008. Notes of black plums, black cherries, violets, cinnamon and toffee, layered with ripe red fruit and chocolate cherries.

Complex, exciting, and elegant. The Winehouse; 4. Armand de Brignac (Ace of Spades) rose champagne. The label on every gorgeous bottle of Armand de Brignac is made of real pewter, polished and applied by hand. Each bottle is packaged in a black wooden gift box.

The Winehouse; 5.Vin D’alsace Michel Fonne2009 Gewurztraminer. Full-bodies and wellstrucured, its intense bouquet displays rich aromas of fruit, flowers and spices. The Winehouse;

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6. "For many years, traditional viticulture relied on the hoe, a simple tool used to keep errant vineyard weeds at bay and to allow vines to perform at their best. Modern practises have changed, but for those of us that still remember, we salute the Dirty Hoe..." The Winehouse; 7. Canti Proseco. Sparkling and bubbly and just the right size for a stocking. The Winehouse; 8. Broadbent Madeira 10 year Malmsey. Aged in oak casks for at least 10 years. A wonderfully rich Madeira with a sweet, rich chocolaty flavour and a concentrated bouquet. Best with desserts or after a meal. The Winehouse; 9. Domaine du Noble Loupiac 2009. This sweet and fruity white displays a complex and medium nose. On the palate, its lively acidity and fullbodied texture precede a long finish. The Winehouse; 10. Easton 2003 Fiddletown Zinfandel.

These old vines barely provide a crop each year. The vineyard is about as old as they come.

The finished wine has thick brambly blackberry fruit with pepper, anise, clove, and other exotic spices.. Fat and mouth filling, this Zin has great persistence on the palate. The Winehouse Gew

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Winter Bites

These fantastic finger foods and cocktails will turn any chilly night into a savoury feast among friends. recipes and food styling MARISA CURATOLO photography BRIAN JOHNSON

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Chorizo con Queso Dip ½ pound chorizo or pork sausage, casing removed and crumbles 1 cup chopped white onion 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped ½ cup fresh tomato salsa 4 ounces cream cheese ½ cup grated Monterey Jack cheese In a large non-stick skillet, over medium heat, cook the chorizo until pink. Add onion and cook until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and jalapeno and cook for 4 minutes. Stir in tomato salsa and cream cheese and mix well.

Add grated cheese and cook until cheese is thoroughly melted. Transfer to a serving dish. Serve warm.

Serves 10 Kitchen Notes Chorizo is a spicy Mexican sausage made from pork and seasoned with chilies, garlic and cumin. Look for it in the deli section of your local supermarket.

Tortilla Chip recipe on page xx

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Chicken in lettuce cups 2 tablespoons canola oil 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup finely chopped baby boy choy 1 ½ pounds ground chicken 3 green onions finely sliced ½ cup hoisin sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 teaspoon sweet chilli sauce sea salt, to taste 1 head baby butter lettuce, separated into leaves ½ cup dry roasted peanuts, crushed fresh cilantro leaves, to garnish Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 4 minutes..

Add ground chicken and cook 5 to 7 minutes or until no longer pink, breaking mixture up with a wooden spoon. Add bok choy and cook 2 minutes. Stir in green onions, hoisin, soy and chilli sauce; season with salt and heat 2 minutes.

Transfer mixture to serving bowl.

To assemble, spoon 3 to 4 tablespoons filling into lettuce leaves. Sprinkle with peanuts and cilantro. Roll up tightly.

Serves 8 Tip Best way to eat this dish is to have a platter set with bowl of peanuts, cilantro, lettuce leaves and chicken mixture. Have each person assemble their own. The dish is slightly messy – make sure to have plenty of napkins on hand.

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Pear and Goat Cheese Crostini 1 French baguette 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 pears, thinly sliced 6 ounces soft goat cheese honey pea shoots 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts pieces, toasted Preheat oven to 350°F Cut bread into ¼-inch slices. Brush each slice with olive oil. Arrange slices on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake until slightly toasted.

Bake pears for about 6 minutes or until lightly brown.

Divide goat cheese evenly among crostini.

Top each piece with a pear slice, pea shoots and walnut pieces. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with honey.

Makes 24 pieces Kitchen Notes If you cant”t find pea shoots you can use any fresh baby greens,tatsoi, mache or spinach.

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Rosemary Pecans 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves 1 tablespoon brown sugar 2 teaspoons sea salt 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted 2 cups shelled pecans Preheat oven to 350 째F In a large bowl, combine rosemary, sugar, salt, and butter Add the nuts and toss well.

Spread pecans on a parchment lined baking sheet. Toast in oven, about 7 to 8 minutes until warm and fragrant, stirring midway.

Serve warm. Makes 2 cups

(continued on page 86)

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Baked Brie with wild Mushrooms Recipe on page 88

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Chocolate pots 1 cup 35% cream 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped 1 tsp vanilla extract 3 egg yolks ½ cup sugar garnish ½ cup whipping cream Preheat oven to 300°F In small saucepan heat cream until just before a boil. Remove from heat and add chopped chocolate and vanilla and whisk until smooth.

Place egg yolks, sugar and vanilla in a bowl; whisk until foamy. Slowly pour in meletd choclate, whisking constantly until smooth.

Pour mixture into a large measuring cup for easy pouring. Place 4 oven proof small jars or ramekins in a large pan. Pour custard into cups ¾ full. Pour hot water half way up sides of pan. Place in oven and bake 30 to 25 minutes or until custards have a slight wobble in center. Remove cups from water, wipe and cool. Top custards with whipped cream just before serving. Serves 4

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Are you a closet mixologist? Have a delicious drink up your sleeve? Share it with friends and family this season by giving all or some of the ingredients as a gift with your secret recipe. If your drink calls for a simple syrup why not make it ahead of time and bottle it with a “made by you” label? A lovely gesture with a handmade quality!

For a template visit www.covetmagazine.ca mixologist TEEN GOWLER photography BRIAN JOHNSON

The Rosemary Gin Fizz 1 ½ oz. Hendricks Gin ½ oz Rosemary Simple Syrup* Tonic water Lots of ice Garnish with a lime wedge and fresh rosemary sprig

E R W I N T E R M T

T h e A r t f u l O w l u s e s a r t h i s t o r y a s i t s s t a r t i n g p o i n t f o r t h e e x p l o r a t i o n o f v a r i o u s m e t h o d s a n d m e d i u m s i n a r t m a k i n g .

T h e g o a l o f t h e w o r k s h o p s i s t o i n s t i l l v i s u a l l i t e r a c y i n t h e p a r t i c i p a n t s t h r o u g h e x p e r i e n t i a l l e a r n i n g i n a r t h i s t o r y .

C a l l 4 8 7 . 2 0 1 2

f o r i n f o o r t o r e g i s t e r W I N T E R T E R M : J a n u a r y 8 t h - M a r c h 2 3 t h Preschool Themes (Ages 2-6)

The Wonderlust ½ oz. St. Germain Liqueur ½ oz. Vanilla Simple Syrup* Top with Prosecco or Champaign Lots of ice Garnish with fresh cranberries

Cosmopolitan 1 oz. Grey Goose Vodka ½ oz. Triple Sec ½ oz. lime juice 1 oz. Cranberry juice Shake Vodka, triple sec, lime and cranberry juice vigorously in a shaker with ice.

Strain into a martini glass rimmed with sugar and lemon zest.

*Simple Syrups are easy to make by combining 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of water, 3 tablespoons of honey and adding a couple of fresh rosemary sprigs or vanilla beans to a saucepan. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes over medium heat, and then let cool completely.

Opposite, clockwise from top left: Mixologist Teen Gowler treats her simple syrups with apothecary style labels; Teen’s Rosemary Gin Fizz – a must try!; Treat your guests to Teen’s Wonderlust – sure to impress!; Keep things chilling with snow as a chic (and free) alternative to ice.; Pomegranate looks pretty afloat in pink bubbly.

• Colour and Medium School Age Themes (Ages 6-16)

• Canadian Art and Ancient Civilization • Dadaism, Surrealism and Modern Art S t u d e n t s w i l l l e a r n t h e c o n t e x t o f t h e s e p e r i o d s i n a r t w h i l e c o n n e c t i n g w i t h t h e m a t e r i a l s a n d m e t h o d s . V i s u a l l i t e r a c y , h i s t o r y a n d c r e a t i v i t y a r e t h e g o a l s o f o u r s e s s i o n s . $ 2 2 5 6 - 8 y e a r o l d s ; w e e k l y c l a s s i s 1 h o u r $ 2 9 0 9 - 1 2 y e a r o l d s a n d T e e n A r t ; w e e k l y c l a s s i s 1 . 5 h o u r s $ 3 5 0 A d v a n c e d A r t ; w e e k l y c l a s s i s 2 h o u r s P r i c e s i n c l u d e a l l m a t e r i a l s

pARTies A v a i l a b l e f o r a l l o c c a s i o n s a n d a l l a g e s , t h e m e s o f p a r t i e s w i l l b e a d d e d e v e r y t e r m . C h e c k o u t t h e o w l w e b s i t e f o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n .

P a r t i e s a r e $ 2 5 0 f o r 1 0 p a r t i c i p a n t s a n d a r e a v a i l a b l e a n y t i m e i n t h e s t u d i o o u t s i d e o f c l a s s t i m e s t c r e a t e @ a r t f u l o w l . c a

hoot hoot, love art.

w w w . a r t f u l o w l . c a 1 6 - 1 7 0 0 C o r y d o n

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prairie pa l e t t e

Clockwise from top left: silver rain 2012 acrylic, glass Magellan's Pleasure encaustic and glass Before the Storm encaustic and glass unattended sorrows 2012 detail organic pate de verre

Manitoba has a plethora of both emerging and established artists.

In each issue, Prairie Palette will introduce you to some of the talented locals who share Manitoba with us, and demystify some of the intricacies of art and the art scene in Manitoba. This issue we are excited to introduce Kathleen Black to you.

Kathleen Black was fortunate to be allowed to paint on walls as a child.

Educated in Manitoba and Alberta, she is comfortable in many mediums, and enjoys the strength and inspiration of the people and prairies around her. Kathleen's art is influenced by time and light; she often works with glass, and finds that the relationship between glass and light defines a moment in time. She hopes that her inner reflections expressed visually speak to the viewing audience, and that they realize a similar emotion.

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Her work is represented in Edmonton, Victoria and most importantly at home in Manitoba. Kathleen works as an oncology chemotherapy nurse. She also works with Artists in Healthcare, which has created a great art program with the outpatient chemotherapy patients.

Kathleen works in various mediums including acrylic, oil, watercolour and recently encaustic. Encaustic is an ancient form of painting with beeswax; many old Egyptian objects and paintings are painted with encaustic.

Kathleen has always painted, but her glass works started about 23 years ago, with the birth of her daughter. Since then, at times when others would go on vacation, she would go to school in Alberta to learn more about glass.

The interaction of light with glass has inspired her to experiment with adding glass or resins to her paintings, to "add the element of reflection"..."this creates a beautiful changeable quality depending on the light." www.medeagallery.ca

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living well ask a designer:

The holiday season is upon us which got us wondering what some of Winnipeg's design talent does to deck the halls. We asked, "what is your favorite way to create a WOW factor when decorating your home for the holiday season?"

infinite interiors Ella Donnelly For Christmas decorating, I believe in the mantra that more is more! Every room in the house, every table and ledge is set with candles, greenery, natural elements mixed with mercury-glass Christmas ornaments. A natural tree dominates the space, with eye-catching decorations and unexpected details.

Christmas music plays softly in the background all season long; mulled wine is simmering while dispersing fragrance throughout the house. Lights are dimmed, candles are lit and everyone is welcome! The whole holiday season is my â&#x20AC;&#x153;wowâ&#x20AC;? moment, from the day I start decorating.

wind

Ph. 807.468.7843 | http://www.windnwater.ca

s pac i a l e x p r e ss i o n s Susan Kuz To add holiday sparkle in our home, I love to use light in interesting and fun ways. Little white lights and the glow of candlelight are my favorites. We use them throughout our home, creating a beautiful collection of lit trees in our family room, light sprigs in plants, and a few strings in red glass containers. Scented candles are lit to infuse wonderful fragrance through the air, and our wood fireplace sets the mood with great aroma and warmth.

And of course, holiday music is always playing. This year we've ordered a new dining room table that seats 10+, so I'm definitely going to have some fun with that!

My answer: pine trees, white lights and Christmas music: Charlie Brown.

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wat e r i n t e r i o r s

I love to decorate with glass cloches, fresh flowers and greenery. Anything that comes from the forest or your own backyard. A twig with a bird's nest long abandoned by its occupants, a large pine cone or a scotch pine branch - any of these look fabulous under a cloche. I also love using a collection of mason jars with tea lights nestled in a little white sand, then placed around a few cedar or pine boughs... especially welcoming and beautiful on a hall table!

Ph. 204.999.3384 design@infiniteinteriors.ca

&

Mona Bartmanovich

Ph. 204.801.4389 susan@spacialexpressions.com

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A change in the weather is sufficient to recreate the world and ourselves.

-Marcel Proust

habitat in harmony with design | samantha braun | 204.223.6157 | ecotones@mts.net

t wo - by - fo u r - l i v e

The holidays are here, and it's about to get ugly. text DEZ DANIELS Nasal drip is a constant companion as I write this article (don't say I didn't warn you), and the last few days have been spent sleeping and whining to anyone who will listen (my husband will say more of the latter than the former). Even though I'm someone who has a pretty hardy immune system through cold and flu season, I'm not surprised it was my turn to catch a bug. The holidays are an insane time; throw in a house build, and the whole concept of self-care goes out the newlyinstalled window. It's a recipe for “forced downtime”!

We're into “mile 13” of the building marathon: it's the point where you're not so close to the start that you have that sense of exhilaration that comes with breaking ground, nor are you close enough to the end that you can see the finish line. We are smack dab in the middle, where slight progress scarcely feels worth celebrating. The drywall is up, and the heat turned on – both very tangible changes. But some of the “niggly” stuff, like adjustments to basement duct work for consistent ceiling height, and moving drain pipes to their final locations, are less than “sexy” developments. It's ironic that these seemingly imperceptible changes are things that if not done now, could very much be what you notice later.

While much is going well, our one epic battle remains the roof. It began with a shortage of material ordered. Then there was difficulty with the crew showing up when promised.

When the second order came in, there was STILL not enough material. Then a leak was detected in an area of the roof that was supposed to be finished (did I mention the drywall was up?). After that problem was discovered, ice guard and silicone was added to the area, but frankly, it's a mess. When questioned about it, the company said it would probably “have to be addressed every couple of years.” Umm…NO! And then, after the rest of the remaining tin finally showed up, it was mis-measured when added to both the front and the back of the roof. This has resulted in an unattractive “bulge” right down the middle of the west side of the house. Patience has grown somewhat thin…

Bizarre as it's been, sharing this phase of the build in Covet was something I almost didn't do. After telling the story on my blog, someone responded on twitter with the comment “be thankful you

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are having building problems. I only wish I could fix my house.”

For a moment, I felt very ashamed. Indeed, there are people that could only wish for these kinds of problems. But upon reflection, I've come to the conclusion that every problem, whether big or small, is of value to the person experiencing it. It helps us realize that sometimes, all we can do is take a deep breath, and one more step forward, and that's it. That, to me, is the definition of hope, and there is tremendous value in that, regardless of your personal circumstances. And for us, this home comes after years of working, and flipping, and saving….more flipping, and then working some more. In some ways, it is the END of the marathon.

What we can learn from problems may be of even greater value than the hope they potentially generate. In our case, we have carried on with the same roofer up until this point, because even though it would have been easier for him to walk away from this job, he hasn't done that. He continues to try and make things right, which is all we can really ask for, despite several moments of wanting to bash each other in the head with a large mallet. Is this the smart thing to do? We're not sure, but by this time next year, we'll know. And we'll have learned something we never would have otherwise. We're ok with that.

One of my wishes for the coming year (and the rest of this house build) is that I try to see my “problems” as jagged stepping stones on my way to resiliency. I think that, along with acknowledging gratefully all the things that are going well, are the key pieces to a happy life, regardless of what gets thrown at you.

And now…the holidays. I decided that as the work (thankfully) continues to go on around us, my intention will be some this “elective downtime.” Not laying around because your limbs feel like lead, but unplanned hours, “on purpose”: lots of sleep, fresh air, board games and wine…not necessarily in that order.

Whatever your intention is – may it be so.

P.S.: Please remember that life tests the resiliency of some folks more than the rest of us. There is no shortage of opportunity to help over the holidays – and the rest of the year – with your time, money, and compassion. Winnipeg Harvest, The Christmas Cheer Board, along with dozens of other agencies in town, would be delighted to hear from you. Merry Christmas!

H EALT H Y S H O U L D NE VE R BE BO R I N G !

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dig

Winter Wonderland— Quite literally text SAMANTHA BRAUN “So… What do gardeners do in the winter?” asked our beloved editor on the phone, one drippy cold fall day. Of course, this was followed by an uncomfortably long silence, paired with a look on my face I would have paid money to see myself. The irony of the situation (which I failed to see at the time) was that while I was pondering this very valid question, I was actually staring out of my living room window at my front garden… wondering.

Basically, I was staring at a couple of “blank spots,” left behind after removing some noxious European buckthorn in the

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spring. I stare at them out the window, still irritated with the gap the “amendments” were making in my sub-canopy (or lack thereof ). Hmmm.

So I guess that’s what gardeners do in the winter. They wonder, and they plan, and they find things to do that remind them of gardening. They stare at their garden (good, bad and ugly), and plan for next year. If that’s not what you do as a gardener in the winter, it’s not a bad idea to try. I obviously have a bit of a bias as far as planning goes, but you know

what happens when you go to the grocery store hungry, and without a list—the same happens to your garden without a little forethought (only with slightly less chocolate and Cheetos)!

I feel obligated to give just a little professional “heads-up” if you think you’re off the hook for winter wondering because you’re going to get someone else to sort out your garden in the spring. Well, springtime’s a little busy for landscapers and designers (something very ridiculous happens about the 3rd week in May for some reason—must be a pressure change or

something). If you’re serious about getting a crew to break ground for you next year, start sorting through the options now.

Ok, maybe after you open presents would be alright, but don’t wait too long. You have undoubtedly heard horror stories about trying to find good tradesmen (or tradesladies) with all the new building going on in this neck of the woods. Well, all those new builds not only need skilled plumbers, dry wallers, painters etc… they also need grading, concrete, patios, 20+ yards of topsoil, sod, fences and decks (at a bare minimum!) and (hopefully!) a plan to get it all in the right place … you get the idea. Get booked early, and do your design homework so you can hit the ground (literally) running in the spring.

So, winter gardening homework can actually be kind of fun, especially if it includes a very large mug of hot chocolate with Bailey's and/or Kahlua in it, and a crackling fire, and a new fluffy blanket. Winter’s a great time to flip through garden and design magazines and figure out what you like (and don’t like), rip pages (gasp!—one day I might actually bring myself to rip pages, but I just use paperclips), the Lee Valley catalogue, or if you’re going a little more high tech, Pinterest has enough garden stuff to your thumbs hurt. Create a garden design dream board (or a pig pile of inspirational pics, which is usually what I get handed when I’m showing up in someone’s kitchen!). Along the same planning vein, garden supply places and seed catalogues send out their stuff in the winter, so go online and have them mailed out ready for when there’s a bit more time to have a look; January is normally a little less nuts for perusing such things. If you get your shopping list ready this winter, you’ll end up with fewer Cheetos in the spring!

Another lovely gardening activity (and you can write it off as homework too, if you like), is to go visit a couple of nurseries this winter; many take advantage of some down time with lovely gift shops, full of sparkly things you can add to your gardening wish-list from Santa. Now’s your chance to put things on the list you probably won’t treat yourself to in the spring—like a Japanese Garden Knife maybe? Really good shears? (actually, you’re going to need those, just buy them now if you haven’t already). This “homework” not only gets you what you want (or need) from your little elves, but it will re-charge your gardener batteries to smell un-frozen dirt and be surrounded by growing things for an hour or so. The Assiniboine Park Conservatory is also a nice reprieve for the garden-inclined in the dead of winter—and makes a great spot to dream up your spring plans.

If you want to brush up (or even learn from scratch) some tricks of the trade (including the “how to plan” part), check out the seminars and courses available around the city. Garden clubs, various garden societies, garden centers and even retail outlets offer seminars through the frozen months—when else would you get gardeners to show up?… Many classes don’t start yet, but you’ll need to register early to get a spot. So, even if your thumbs are frozen, they can still stay greenish this winter.

Samantha Braun is a landscape ecologist and designer with over 15 years experience in the horticultural industry. Her company, Ecotones, specializes in creating Habitat in Harmony with Design.

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dig

Budget saving tips

Forcing Bulbs for Dummies Forcing bulbs is a not for the faint of heart—at least for most spring bulbs.

They need between 12 and 16 weeks in the fridge (hyacinth and tulips, respectively), then potting up in a sunny window, and turned almost daily so that they don’t grow all floppy and sad… and no-one likes floppy and sad. I’m sorry, but I just can’t condone that kind of thing!

Luckily, there is a better way. Some industrious garden centres get their hands on pre-conditioned bulbs—that’s right, you can just pick them up and pop ’em in—no fridge time needed. For bulbs like paper whites, you don’t even need soil. Pop them in a special bulb vase (or any container with some pebbles in the bottom), and make sure the base of the bulb just touches the water. As the bulb grows (which is as soon as it’s exposed to light for a while), the roots grow into the

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water, and the green shoots up out of the bulb; with flowers soon to follow. Ok, so you still need to turn them as they grow, and maybe tie them to a bit of left-over dogwood or some sort of sparkly thingy, but at least you’re growing something cheery in the dead of winter. Our houses are nice and warm, so paper whites grow very quickly (you can have blooms in as little as 4 weeks), and it’s a good idea to buy enough to stagger the plantings by a couple of weeks to give you a continuous supply of fresh flowers on your mantle.

You won’t need the Glade Plug-Ins with these babies either—once the blooms open, the house will be filled with the scent of spring bulbs. And of course, don’t forget the ubiquitous grab-and-go amaryllis packages this time of year; they make a nice addition to a bottle of vino for your next hostess thank you.

Quick tip for houseplants—many tropicals suffer a bit through the dry of winter (much like our faces!). In general, if it has shiny, thin leaves (like palms, peace lilies, ginger etc.), throwing them in the shower for a quick rinse every couple of weeks will not only help freshen them up a bit, but help keep them free of typical indoor beasties like spider mites and scale. Again, like us, a happy, healthy plant fights disease better than an unhappy one! But a quick warning: lower light levels and cooler night temperatures mean slower growth, so don’t overwater your tropicals. Humidity is nice, but waterlogged soil will give you different beasties like fungus gnats and root rot. So let the soil dry between waterings (you should be able to feel moisture about an inch down before you water again), and your plants will find a happy balance.

When making wreaths, swags or outdoor arrangements, chop your leftover evergreens into little pieces (waste not, want not!), toss in a few cones and dried seed heads and a bag of coarse 5 spice from the Asian market down the road—and voila—instant potpourri. If you are lucky enough to have a wood-burning stove, pop the greens (like cedar, fir and pine pieces) into an antique pot and simmer for even more lovely holiday fragrance—try adding cinnamon bark, cloves, orange peel and ginger for the alluring fragrance of ginger bread and Christmas tree – without all the flour and sticky residue!

MORE THAN PATIO FURNITURE • • • •

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Some winter garden Do’s and Don’ts • Do shovel snow onto flower beds and provide a little extra insulation and protection.

• Don’t shovel snow off your lawn; it exposes the roots to extreme cold and temperature fluctuations.

• Do use gravel and sand to keep your walkways safe.

• Don’t use salt, or pile drive way salt onto your flower bed.

• Do leave seed heads and grasses for winter interest (and great habitat and food).

• Don’t aim the snow blower at them (yes, you know this baby was learned the hard way!).

• Do “borrow” from the winter garden to decorate for the holidays (seed heads, dog wood and willow branches, rose hips,

hydrangea heads, pine cones, grape vine, seedpods etc).

• Don’t uncover junipers and small cedars; they can get sun scald above the snow line.

• Do gently shake heavy snow from evergreens and shrubs (the tall stuff, like cedars, spruce, fir) to prevent overloading and breaking.

• Don’t indiscriminately chop off pieces of evergreens; they can’t grow new shoots from old wood, so prune carefully from sections you don’t want anyway--or just steal your neighbours Christmas tree branches when they realize they bought a 9ft tree for an 8ft ceiling.

• Do put up a Griswald-inspiring display of lights around your home and garden.

• Don’t wait until it’s -40 C.

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w h e r e to f i n d If you liked what you saw, check out our digital version at www.covetmagazine.ca for links to the product and talent featured in this issue. In addition, we are happy to help you source one of your “gotta haves” from within our pages. Simply visit us on Facebook at Covet Mag where you can post your query, and one of our team will reach out with the information... while you’re there, be sure to “like” us too!

Designers in this issue: Dinner Service Covet Magazine info@covetmagazine.ca

Baked Brie with wild Mushrooms 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1 shallot, finely chopped 3 cups sliced assorted wild mushrooms 1 tablespoon brandy or dry sherry sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste 6 –ounce wheel of brie 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed 1 egg, beaten Melt butter in a large skillet, over medium-high heat. Cook onion and shalllot, until soft and fragrant. Add mushrooms and sherry; cook untill soft. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and let cool.

Winter Slumberland Style Within Designer: Tara Spencer-Nairn 204.479.0338 stylewithin@mts.net

Remove rind from top of brie and discard. Spoon mushrooms evenly over top of cheese.

Light, Bright and White Over and Above Custom Homes Owner: Jayson Nichol 204.999.5351 www.overandaboveconstruction.com

Roll out puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Place cheese in center of pastry and gather up edges to enclose cheese ( Make sure not to tear pastry or cheese will run out when cooked).

A small bundle of dough will form on top. Pinch top together and trim excess dough with scissors. Brush egg wash on top of pastry.

Fisher Studio Architectural Designer: Ward Fisher wardfisher@mymts.net

Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cover and chill 30 minutes.

Double Take Envy Paint and Design Ltd. Designer: Bahia Taylor 204.487.3666 130-1600 Kenaston Boulevard Winnipeg, MB R3P 0Y4 www.benjaminmoore-mb.ca Thank you for taking the time to get this far!

If you enjoyed our Holiday 2012 issue of Covet perhaps you might give your patronage to our advertisers. Their support has allowed us to create what you have enjoyed.

AG Windows Artful Owl Benjamin Moore & Co. Ltd. BINZ Container Service Ltd. Birchwood Art Gallery Classic Fireplaces CertaPro Painters Ecotones Eckstein Design Group Envy Paint and Design Ltd. Expedia Travel Flatlanders Flooring Hard Wired Electric Hinge Design Good Dog Photography

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Gallagher Group J and M Window and Door Co. Linden Ridge Eye Care Linden Ridge Orthodontics MPD Glass Manitoba Hydro Murray Chevrolet Noble Savage Interiors Over and Above Custom Homes Pioneer Meat Plush Home and Design Inc. Rockwell Basement Finishing Style Within

Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 20-25 minutes, until pastry is golden brown. Place on an serving platter. Serve warm with assorted bread and crackers.

Serves 10

TORTILLA CHIPS 6 6 -inch soft tortillas canola oil for deep-frying sea salt, to taste Lay tortillas on cutting board and cut tortilla into 8 wedges. In a medium saucepan with a heavy bottom, heat oil to 350 degrees.

Fry tortillas in small batches until light golden, about 5 seconds per side. Quickly remove from heat and drain on paper towels.

Sprinkle with salt. Tortillas can be made several hours in advance and warmed in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes.

HOT hot BLOGS blogs text by CLAIRE PICARD I've lived in seven different abodes since coming to Winnipeg as many years ago. Each time I moved, I was sure the next place was the one that would finally be 'designed', not just full of stuff. I have still not actually succeeded in creating my dream design, but while I'm dreaming, here are some blogs I check out for inspiration: Brooklyn Limestone http://www.brooklynlimestone.com Stefanie Schiada is "Mrs. Limestone", the gal behind the blog Brooklyn Limestone. The blog was started as a way to document the transformation of her 100 year old house in Brooklyn NY. As it's been a number of years, the blog is now full of renovation ideas, decorating inspiration, DIY projects, and lifestyle and travel posts. If you're a Halloween or holiday fan, definitely check this blog out, Stephanie and her husband go all out every year with lavish decorations and increasingly imaginative themes. Stephanie is quite the photographer so the pics that accompany each post are great, and you can even buy her travel pics off the blog.

Hooked On Houses http://hookedonhouses.net/ This is a great blog that is a departure from most in the "shelter" category. Hosted by Julia, a writer from Ohio, it is all about looking at houses. Some of the fun things you can expect here are tours of celebrity homes, and lots of before and afters. Here are two of my favourite sections; 1) "TV / Movie Houses" Every Monday Julia posts about a new TV or movie house, you know, the ones where you stare at the set, obsessing over how you could recreate the look instead of paying attention to the story line? These posts have tons of stills from the movies, comparisons to the real houses, and extensive information about the sets and designers. Julia has probably done over 100, so if there is a particular set you fell in love with, chances are she has blogged about it. 2) For anyone who frequently looks on the MLS listings just to see the houses, the section "Bad MLS Photos" is for you. Granted, you are not likely to find designs you want to emulate here, but you will certainly find a laugh - some of them are inexplicable!

ART for YOU!

Windy Day Poppies

by Fiona Hoop acrylic on canvas

Headland

by Rob Owen Oil on Panel

6-1170 Taylor Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba 204.888.5840 800.822.5840 www.birchwoodartgallery.com main level gallery, ample parking,

Love it! Hang it! Live it!

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design dilemma 2.

Add an attention grabbing wall paper to draw your eye away from the avocado fixtures.

3.

1.

Colour on ceiling is fun try it in a small space!

Shop for towels in this hue.

Hi Covet Magazine!

I recently purchased my first home â&#x20AC;&#x201C; complete with a matched set of avocado green bathroom fixtures. It is not currently in my budget to redo the bathroom (but it is in my long term plans). Do you have any suggestions on how I might make these look good in the short term?

Thanks, Denise Davis

Trim

4.

Walls

5.

Ceiling

6.

7.

1. Uttermost/Alanna vanity mirror; 2. Dainolite/Courtney/V6015-4W-PC; 3. wooden bath accessories; 4. towels in a deep teal blue; 5. Benjamin Moore/Gray Owl/2137-60; 6. Benjamin Moore/Palladian Blue/HC-144; 7. Benjamin Moore/Dill Pickle/2147-40 8. Crown/Candice Olson/Shadow Flowers Embrace the avocado fixtures with this fun, poppy print!

t h e s o lu t i o n Dear Denise, Congrats on the purchase of your first home...how exciting! We developed two schemes for your avocado bathroom. The first plan will minimize the dominance of the green fixtures by working with them to create a spa like atmosphere in the room.

The second plan is a full on embrace â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it gives new meaning to hugging the toilet!

Here we are emphasizing the avocado to the max so it appears as though you ran out and special ordered them brand new yesterday.

Either option will carry you through until you are ready to complete your bathroom renovation...we hope that will feel a little less urgent now with a these solutions in tow!

Design by Bahia Taylor and Kassia Woloshyn of Envy Paint and Design Ltd. Do you have a design dilemma? Send us your questions and some photographs to info@ covetmagazine.ca for your opportunity to receive free design advice from the talented design team at Covet!

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3.

1.

2.

For towels; add a splash of colour that is as bold as the wall paper!

4.

Walls

Ceiling

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6.

1. Uttermost/Sanita vanity mirror; 2.Crown/Amy Butler/Field Poppies; 3. chrome bath accessories; 4. towels in a fresh coral; 5. Benjamin Moore/Rosemary Sprig/2144-30; 6. Benjamin Moore/Coral Gables/2010-40

A fun and easy method for the kids.

While hard boiled eggs are still quite warm have the kids doodle on them with wax crayons. The hot eggs melt the crayons into masterpieces.

For an awesome effect we made new use of crackle paint.

modern living with a prairie twist â&#x20AC;˘ www.covetmagazine.ca