Covet Summer 2016

COVET TU RN

FIVE!

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modern living with a prairie twist

Backyard

RETREATS

Plus HOW SWEDE IT IS

THE GROWTH PATTERN OF THE TREEHOUSE THE ANTS GO MARCHING…OUT!

DISCOVER PIPCREEK FARM

Every moment is a classic.

S TA R B O A R D B Y H I N G E . C O M

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“ “it's a smile, it's a kiss, it's a sip of wine ... it's summertime!” ~Kenny Chesney

CONTRIBUTORS The great friends and talents we have met along the way who have given of themselves to make Covet.

7 EDITOR’S PAGE

OUT AND ABOUT — Local businesses we would love you to know about.

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CANDIES AND CURIOSITIES Shop an eclectic mix of goods in this charming retail space.

10 CAROL SHIELDS MEMORIAL LABYRINTH Lose yourself in the calm and serenity of this gem in King’s Park.

STYLE DEFINED — A design lesson.

A period, style, or piece explained.

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120 DEGREES IN THE CHAISE

Istockphoto

ABODE

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

28 ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK An outdoor entertaining hub nestled amongst the trees on the bank of the La Salle River.

38 HOW SWEDE IT IS Grand Central gets a makeover for a young family.

46 THE GREAT BACKYARD ESCAPE A park like backyard oasis perfect for relaxation and exhalation.

12 WE LOVE Items we have spotted here or there that we think you will love too.

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

14 ENVY PAINT AND DESIGN LTD.

TIPS O’ THE TRADES — Expert advice. You didn’t solicit it but we’re giving it to you anyway.

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THE FAT PAINT COMPANY

modern living with a pr airie t wist

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at ! l o c at e d eld #25 5 scurfi 3666 204.487.

blinds Reasons for using window treatments

light control

Different window treatments can filter light to let in more or less as per your own need.

pr ivacy

Gives a sense of your own space and virtual privacy.

set a tone Window treatments help in reflecting your taste and style.

c a ll 2 0 4 .4 8 7. 3666 to s ched ul e a f ree window treatm ent cons ul tati on

we wo rk w it h yo u . . . envy paint and design

is an independently owned design centre and Benjamin Moore Signature Store located in the southwest quadrant of Winnipeg. We are proud to deliver the kind of specialized service you simply won't find at a large chain. We endeavour to make your decorating, designing and space planning decisions easier by guiding you through the process with as little or as much of our expertise as you need. See us for: wallpaper, paint, flooring, furniture, window treatments, accessories and more!

envypai n t a n d d esi gn.com | 204.487. 3666

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

SUMMER 2016 Bahia Taylor Editor in Chief Co-founder Leigh McKenzie Creative Director Co-founder Barbara Chabai Copy Editor Darren Grunerud Managing Editor Jim Taylor Props Coordinator 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 - Scott Zielke While every effort has been made to ensure that advertisements and articles appear correctly, Covet Magazine cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage 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.

GET CRAFTY— We can get into good craft projects, and love the satisfaction creating something brings.

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UPCYCLED DRESSER Reworking a tired old dresser.

22 SIMPLE JOYS Modern farming at its finest.

64 BENJAMIN MOORE

66 SUMMERTIME, AND THE LIVING IS TREEZY

DIG — Get outside and get gardening.

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SUMMER’S HOTTEST PLANTS

CHOW — Food, glorious food and everything to go with it.

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XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

LIVING WELL — Reviews, ideas, a little form and a little function.

70 TEN NATURAL WAYS TO KEEP ANTS AT BAY

72 WHERE TO FIND

74 ENDNOTE

COVET TALKS — Yup, we’re chatterboxes…and you’re gonna love who we chat up.

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CARLA HYRCYNA Gardening tips from St. Mary’s Nursery and Garden Centre.

Typeset in Chronicle Roman and Whitney Printed in Canada Publications Mail Agreement No. 42575014 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to info@covetmagazine.ca modern living with a pr airie t wist

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CONTRIBUTORS BARB CHABAI bccreativehouse.com ANDRES DANELAK andreadanelak@hotmail.com TWILA DRIEDGER twilaleanne@gmail.com DARREN GRUNERUD Man-About-Town RACHAEL KING-JOHNSON luckygirl.ca ARTHUR LIFFMANN envypaintanddesign.com JULIE PEDERSEN juliepedersen.com DAN PERREAUX dan@undergroundstudioworks.com TIFFANY SHELDON tiffanysheldondesign.com JESSICA STEVENS jstephensphoto.com JIM TAYLOR Go-to Guy SCOTT ZIELKE scottzielkephotography.com

white hot styles • light up your room...

995 Milt Stegall Drive, Winnipeg, MB (204) 784-0099 | 1-866-870-1292 www.robinsonlightingcentre.com

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e d i to r ' s pag e

An hour's drive from Winnipeg north on Highway 59 will take you to Grand Beach, one of the world's top 10 freshwater beaches.

The beach is one of our favourite places to rejuvenate, clear out the mind clutter and let the inspiration roll in.

Manitobans are lucky to be within driving distance to some of North America’s best sun-kissed beaches, home to blue skies, white sandy dunes, and lakes perfect for swimming, boating or just soaking up the sights.

This year, three Manitoba beach destinations are among 26 beaches and seven marinas in Canada to be given a Blue Flag, international eco-certification awarded to beaches and marinas meeting strict criteria for water quality, environmental education, environmental management and safety and services.

Blue Flags will be flying high this summer at Gimli Beach, West Grand Beach and Winnipeg Beach. When you see the flag, it’s an assurance that the beach meets high standards for safety, water quality and environmental standards. Pretty cool!

This issue, we’re also setting high standards for ideas in and around your home – many of which come directly from Mother Earth herself. In addition to our design solutions that use natural products and eco-friendly paints, we’ve got articles on choosing the best bedding plants, planning backyard landscaping and combatting ants with non-toxic pantry staples.

Plus, join us as we go day-tripping out to beautifully rustic Pipcreek Farm for a glimpse into simplified country life (and a thick slice of handmade artisan bread).

Summer is the time to rest, relax and revitalize. We suggest you starting by digging your toes into the sand and then digging into this inspiration-packed issue of Covet. Enjoy!

Covet is free, and if you'd like to receive a copy visit covetmagazin.ca to subscribe.

You can view a digital version of this issue there, too. See you soon!

SUMMER ROOFTOP POP-UPS Winnipeg Art Gallery, 300 Memorial Blvd.

Wednesdays 8-11pm until August 24 The WAG’s new series of 18+ summer events under the skyline includes trivia, mixology, movies, and more!

P: 204.789.1290 http://wag.ca/visit/events/specialevents/ display,event/896/summer-rooftop-pop-ups

ROYAL MTC PRESENTS THE WINNIPEG FRINGE THEATRE FESTIVAL Various venues. See website for details.

July 13-July 24 If we’re not friends yet, we will be. The Winnipeg Fringe hosts more than 180 companies from across Canada and around the world. Indoor shows take place daily from noon to midnight in more than 30 venues around downtown.

P: 204.943.7464 www.winnipegfringe.com

TERRY FOX – RUNNING TO THE HEART OF CANADA The Manitoba Museum, 190 Rupert Avenue July 14-October 10 The Manitoba Museum is commemorating Terry Fox’s heroic Marathon of Hope by presenting the most comprehensive exhibition ever organized, depicting the run and Terry’s remarkable and continuing legacy. Terry Fox– Running to the Heart of Canada provides an in-depth look at Terry’s epic 143-day, 5,373-km journey from St. John’s to Thunder Bay. P: 204.956.2830 www.manitobamuseum.ca

ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET'S “BALLET IN THE PARK” Lyric Theatre @ Assiniboine Park, 55 Pavilion Crescent July 27-July 29 Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet launches its 77th season with the summer favourite

Ballet In The Park. This free familyfriendly event returns to Assiniboine Park for three outdoor performances on the Lyric Theatre stage at 7:30 pm nightly.

P: 204.956.0183 www.rwb.org

FOLKLORAMA FESTIVAL Various venues.

See website for details.

July 31-August 13 Celebrate life and culture with world-class entertainment, delicious authentic food and beautiful cultural displays at Folklorama.

P: 204.982.6210 www.folklorama.ca

DOWNTOWN DRIVE-IN Garry Street & Graham Avenue August 6, 13, 20, 27 Come downtown for great summer movie viewing for free!

P: 204.958.4640 www.downtownwinnipegbiz.com

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out and about

CANDIES AND CURIOSITIES text BARBARA CHABAI | photography DAN PERREAUX FIND IT: 30 Robinson Avenue, Winnipeg Beach Open Thurs-Mon at 12:00 Noon Facebook: www.facebook.com/candiesandcuriosities and Instagram: @candiesandcuriosities HISTORY: Nicole Zadorozny always saw the potential in a derelict building one block from Winnipeg Beach’s famous boardwalk. “Something drew me to it and I couldn’t understand why someone didn’t love this little place.” Built in the 1930s, the property sat vacant for years before Nicole and husband Ron Prokopetz scooped it up in 2012 with the dream of turning it into something special. “I’ve been a buyer, seller and collector of antiques for years, so it made sense to open a vintage store.” For the past two years, the couple has enjoyed chatting with curious customers across the candy counter. “The history of the store is still a mystery, so we’re piecing the story together with help from the community.”

THE SPACE: Nicole and Ron poured their hearts into transforming the old building themselves. “We wanted it to feel like you’ve stepped back in time,” she says. While they salvaged some of the original shiplap and a section of fir flooring in the renovation, much of the traditional design concept came to life by implementing fixtures that only look well preserved – pressed tin tiles on the ceiling; energy-efficient stained glass

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windows; shelving units made from recycled plywood. Over 4,000 cedar shingles, each painstakingly stained and installed manually, cover the exterior while 18 hand-carved corbels with a Victorian-era flourish adorn the fascia and awnings.

MENU: “Customers tell us this will be a memory place for their kids,” Nicole beams. Old fashioned sweets and popular treats fill the repurposed display cases; nostalgic signage and die-cast trucks emblazoned with confectionary brands line the walls.

Poke around and the retro eye candy is everywhere you look: sparkling vintage jewellery, rare finds, cottage-chic lamps, Arborite tables and Pyrex dishes, classic bicycles, wooden toys and breezy beach décor. “Our store gives people plenty of fun ideas of how to decorate their cottage or their trailer. And why shouldn’t you have fun with it? It’s your second home.”

WINNIPEG: Candies & Curiosities is a celebration of the bygone days of Winnipeg Beach, right down to the authentic 1909 nickel-plated brass cash register that Nicole found at auction. Manufactured by the National Cash Register Co., the antique register was designed for candy shops but the real clincher was on the drawer’s inscription, revealing that it was once used for Winnipeg Beach’s attractions. “I just had to have it,” she says. “We were thrilled to find it but even more proud to be able to bring it back to Winnipeg Beach where it belongs.”

120 DEGREES IN THE CHAISE I

t’s debatable where the chaise lounge originated – in fact, even the name itself is up for debate.

Although written and pronounced “chaise lounge” since the 19th century, the upholstered half-couch, half-daybed is more accurately called a “chaise longue” – French for “long chair.”

By definition, a chaise is an upholstered seat made for only one person. It always has a back and may have one, two or no arms. Compared to a settee, a small sofa with two arms and a back, or a divan, which has a tufted mattress-like seat directly on the ground or on a low wooden frame, a chaise is more like a combined chair with a long foot stool.

While the French are credited with the modern interpretation of the luxurious lounge seat, it actually has a celebrated place in world history. In ancient Egypt, a chaise featuring built-in headrests served

as a relaxation place in the arid desert – and a final resting place in many tombs.

Ancient Greeks and Romans were also known to sit back and enjoy sumptuous feasts while reclined on chaises.

Around the time of the Ming Dynasty in 1368, the Chinese adapted the chaise for outdoor use, placing them amidst fragrant gardens so that users could relax surrounded by beauty in the open air. It was the first deck chair made for lounging!

Fast forward to the 20th century. After being elevated by well-to-do European aristocracy in the Victorian era and being popularized as a velvety parlour fixture back when fainting was so stylish they made furniture for it, the chaise finally made its way into mainstream culture – both indoors and outdoors.

Lavish homes that were exquisitely decorated often featured chaise longues replete with tassels and ornate

trimmings. The golden age of Hollywood glorified the style further as glamourous starlets draped across chaises for their back-lit close ups.

As outdoor living rose in prevalence, so too did the chaise long... uh, lounge.

Its graceful contours and outstretched comfort made the perfect seat for anyone tempted to recline poolside, or on a patio, balcony or cruise ship deck.

Today’s chic outdoor chaise is still designed for optimal relaxation but with practicality and affordability in mind.

Featuring low arms, curved seat and a slightly reclining back, contemporary chaises are cushioned and either made from weather-resistant aluminum, composite wood, or from natural materials like cedar, teak or rattan.

Whether part of the decoration or for recreation, it just wouldn’t feel like summer without a chaise longue to lounge in.

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out and about

CAROL SHIELDS MEMORIAL LABYRINTH text BARBARA CHABAI | photography DAN PERREAUX FIND IT: King’s Park, 198 King’s Drive in Fort Garry Website: manitobaartsnetwork.ca/carol-shields-memoriallabyrinth.html HISTORY: The Carol Shields Memorial Labyrinth is a permanent tribute to the beloved Pulitzer, Orange and Governor General Award-winning author, who died from breast cancer in 2003.

Labyrinths had long held a special place in Shields’ heart. Her husband Don recalled that early in their courtship, the couple toured London’s Hampton Court Maze in 1956. Years later, a visit to Saffron Walden Maze in Essex was a creative catalyst for Larry’s Party, Shields’ acclaimed 1997 novel. In it, protagonist Larry Weller discovers a love of garden mazes and becomes a professional maze designer.

THE SPACE: Located in King’s Park near the University of Manitoba, the 2,000-square metre labyrinth was designed by Winnipeg architecture and landscape firm ft3 as a place for meditation, healing and reflection. Labyrinth walking is an ancient practice; the winding path is said to lead toward personal, psychological and spiritual transformation and people report feeling more relaxed and reflective upon reaching the centre. The Shields Labyrinth is a seven-circuit, bowl-shaped design with pathways outlined by commemorative bricks. The entryway is

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a pair of granite walls engraved with quotations from Shields’ published works.

MENU: Native perennials and ornamental shrubs populate the labyrinth and its tranquil meditation garden. Many of the chosen hedges and flowers were ones used by Shields’ character Larry in his carefully-constructed mazes. Black-eyed Susans, harebell, lamb’s ear, Junegrass, sweetgrass and prairie lilies attract an array of bees, dragonflies, grasshoppers and Monarch butterflies, all of which can be enjoyed and contemplated while resting on one of the benches situated in the recesses along the labyrinth’s path.

WINNIPEG: A labyrinth is a primeval symbol of life’s journey, and much like a labyrinth, Carol Shields’ path to Winnipeg was not a direct one. Born and raised in Illinois, Shields studied abroad in England and Scotland before she married. After living in Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa, the family moved to Winnipeg in 1980, where they resided for the next two decades and made great contributions to the community. In 1982, as she worked on her fifth novel, Carol became a professor in the English Department at the University of Manitoba and retired in 2000 as Professor Emerita. According to the University of Winnipeg, where she was Writer-in-Residence and later served as Chancellor from 19961999, Shields “saw the extraordinary in ordinary people, in her characters and in those she encouraged.”

204.255.4204 GallagherGroup.ca 942 St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba

F R E E CO

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

The Gallagher Group agents take the stress out of buying or selling your property.

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

w e lov e

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his summer’s fashion formula is easy and breezy – looking cool, cute and chic no matter how high the mercury climbs.

Our seasonal finds (so hot they’ll melt your Popsicle!) include classic essentials that pair universally-flattering silhouettes with effortless statement pieces.

We’re in love with linen, stripes and abundant pockets, wrapping up a hot ensemble in a great scarf or topping it off with a fantastic bag. Which ones will become your summertime staples?

1. Jute cuff clutch in chevron and medallion print, both boast a gold zipper and wooden bangle. $15 2. The Marley shirtdress is a sleeveless cotton chambray with double chest pockets and removable waist tie for a look that is either cinched or loose and blousy. $92 3. Jute totes feature an all over graphic black print on natural jute with vegan leather handles. $25 4. The Ainsley bow skirt features a ruffled, elasticized waistband with removable waist tie. $68 5. Cotton yarn-dyed poncho with hand-tied tasseled hem trim is perfect with jeans and leggings or a day at the beach. $60 All selections are available at Envy Paint and Design Ltd.

3.

4.

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Interior or exterior renovations, over and above your expectations.

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

overandaboveconstruction.com

Call us for your free estimate

204.999.5351

PRO f i l e

I

t’s not only the sheer size of Envy Paint & Design’s showroom that wows customers, it’s the infinite number of possibilities it contains.

“Right from the beginning, our vision was to be much more than a paint store,” says principal Bahia Taylor. “We really wanted to focus on inspiring decorating and design.”

In 2014, the independently-owned design centre and Benjamin Moore Signature Store moved to its current 9,400-square foot location after outgrowing its former Kenaston address. It gave Bahia and her partner and husband Jim an opportunity to broaden their vision and product offering.

“Since 2009, Envy has grown into the one-stop design centre we’ve always known it could be. The expanded showroom allows us to highlight many of the things we’ve always done but people may not realize we do: furniture, flooring, lighting, upholstery, countertops and tiling – along with complete general contracting and project management services.”

Design Associate Arthur Liffmann enjoys the reaction from people who walk in expecting a small paint store and instead, find a substantial showroom filled with endless ideas.

“They are usually surprised to discover how much we can do for them, whether it’s a simple colour consultation or getting fully involved in a gut-and-rebuild renovation,” he says. “One of the best things about Envy is that we’re very a la carte. We can plug in or unplug wherever clients need us to.”

UNMATCHED EXPERTISE: “We can talk to a customer about how a product is going to perform; we know what a colour is going to do in different light and how certain sheens will hold up,” Bahia says. “As designers, these are things we not only know in theory, but we’ve put into action in our own projects.”

Envy’s designers have an intimate knowledge of the manufacturing process from visiting their suppliers, as well as attending design and trade shows around the world. While every designer has their own distinct approach, they each bring something unique to the table. “We may have different perspectives but it’s a design democracy,” Bahia says. “When you hire us, you’ll have seven pairs of professionallytrained eyes on your project. You get the best of all of us.”

DIY? Y-E-S: After finding your inspiration on Pinterest or HGTV, Envy can help get that do-it-yourself job done right. “For instance, 90% of a paint project is in proper preparation; we offer advice on how to do that so the customer gets the best results,” says Bahia.

“We can also dispel some of the myths and misconceptions,” Arthur adds. “So many people are terrified to paint over golden

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oak kitchen cabinetry because they’re convinced it’s going to be a disaster, yet it’s one of the easiest transformations you can do.

It’s just a matter of good prep work, using the right products and following all the steps.”

A TREND WORTH FOLLOWING: The recent resurgence of colour is on Arthur’s design radar. “We’ve been in the ‘greyish’ territory of stainless steel and brushed nickel for 15 years now; the palette between cream and mocha occupies a very narrow spot on the spectrum,” he says. “In fact, we’ve raised an entire generation that doesn’t know how to put colour on walls because they don’t know what that looks like.”

Arthur likes to use colour in unexpected, but realistic ways. “There are some amazing trends that introduce colour and texture to a room; like starting with a neutral envelope like grey and beige, then bringing in a colourfully-patterned wallpaper or a bright green or bold orange sofa.”

CRUSHING ON BENJAMIN MOORE: “Benjamin Moore is recognized for the quality of their products, and as people who are very focused on delivering quality, Envy is proud to sell them,” Bahia says, adding that her favourite thing about working with Benjamin Moore is having access to their extensive colour library “because their colours are just so good.”

Interestingly, Benjamin Moore manufactures its own exclusive colourants – and because of that, their formulations cannot be replicated. “You can’t duplicate a Benjamin Moore colour without using their colourant,” she says. “You can’t take one of their colour chips elsewhere to have it mixed and expect to get the same depth of colour. It may be close but it will always be ‘not quite.’”

PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT ENVY PAINT & DESIGN: …now carries clothing and fashion accessories! After toying with the idea for some time, Envy brought in a collection of women’s winter wear last holiday season and it flew off the shelves. Since then, the store’s marketplace has grown to include a mix of clothing and fun, seasonal accessories.

“It’s a perfect fit for Envy as it shows that we appreciate good design, whether it’s a sofa or a dress,” explains Arthur. “As crazy as it sounds to say I came in for a gallon of Oxford White and left with a linen dress, it happens. When you’re here looking at patterns, colours and textiles, it’s a completely fluid experience.”

Visiting Envy’s “boutique within a boutique” is an enjoyable shopping excursion – even if you aren’t looking for paint.

“You have the luxury of taking your time while you browse, or the luxury of asking a professional designer for their advice,” Bahia says. “Plus we make a great cup of coffee.”

whitespace. grid . repetition. alignment. you notice de s i gn eve ry wh e re . we do too.

Hinge is a strategic branding and interactive design agency. We are passionate about culture, and how we can create conversations between our clients and their target audiences. We believe that style reflects who you are and what you do; and in today’s competitive marketplace, having a distinct style is an advantage that will help you stand apart from the crowd. A meaningful style is a powerful way to define your purpose, represent your values and effectively communicate your brand to customers. Design thinking is crucial when approaching and solving business problems in a culture full of change. We’re honest, approachable, down to earth and would like to help.

hingedesig n.c a | 2 0 4 .9 9 7 .8 8 5 7

tips o' the trades

CHALK UP A GREAT FINISH TO FAT PAINT

T

he beauty of chalk-style paint is that it can transform old furniture, cabinetry, frames, jars and much more into enviable works of art. The genius of FAT Paint is that it’s as easy to apply as it is versatile and inspiring to use.

Developed by New Westminster, B.C.-based artisans Victoria Lambert and her brother Bradford, FAT Paint goes on smooth, distresses easily and finishes with flair.

“It’s quite special because it allows an individual to create a look very much like a heritage piece,” Victoria says. “The great thing about chalk-style paint like ours is that it has great adhesion properties and generally, there’s no priming and very little prep work involved. Just a bit of sanding and off you go.”

Victoria says that while latex is great on walls, it tends to peel on furniture, plus it isn’t quite as tactile as a chalk-style painted piece. “That’s not only because of the quality of the paint but how you finish the paint,” she explains.

“After applying the FAT Paint, the surfaces get a light sanding to take the paint job to the next level. When you first paint, it feels like suede. You give it a light sanding and it feels like velvet. And once you put on the FAT Wax Beeswax Polish, it feels like silk. It’s a terrific finish in the end.”

Instead of the FAT Wax finish, the company’s CLEAR Top Coat can be used for added durability. “If you’re painting a dining room table, you want to be able to put something down on it without scratching or lifting the paint. A FAT Wax finish gives a museum-quality polish but it can still be porous, whereas a CLEAR Top Coat offers a subtle sheen and protects from stains too.” (Red wine spills, anyone?)

With 42 colours in The FAT Paint Company’s palette, including six created in partnership with Canadian designer Amanda Forrest of The Marilyn Denis Show, the possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

“The key to success is really just following these five easy steps,” Victoria says, “and having some fun with it.”

FAT Paint is available in Winnipeg exclusively at Envy Paint & Design. For more info and design tips, visit TheFatPaintCompany.com.

Step 1: Give it a Once Over Give the piece a “once over” by wiping down all corners, sides and edges with a sanding sponge. FAT Paint has great adhesion and holds to most wood, glass, metal and fabric. Even so, there are some surfaces that need a bit of help (FAT Paint is not recommended on IKEA furniture, which has been sprayed with a laminate coating that makes adhesion a challenge). It’s best to paint a test patch. Apply FAT Paint to a section, let it dry and give it a scratch with your fingernail. If the paint peels, you’ll need to give the piece a heavy sand or apply a quality adhesion primer.

Step 2: Clean Clean all surfaces with warm water and dish soap or a homemade vinegar wash. If the project is particularly grimy, a heavy duty paint-prep cleaner may be required.

Wipe down well with water.

Step 3: FAT’n it Up Apply a coat of FAT Paint with a good quality brush. You could also use a low-nap or velour (not foam!) roller. Apply layer by layer, leaving 20 minutes between coats with at least two coats minimum.

Step 4: Sand It Time to get creative! Use a sanding sponge or sandpaper and gently sand all surfaces with FAT Paint on them. The goal is a smooth-to-thetouch finish. If you’re looking to distress your piece, put a little more muscle into the spots you want to reveal. Dust with a tack cloth.

Step 5: Seal It Add a top coat so that your craftsmanship lasts. Use a lint-free cloth or wax applicator brush to push naturally clear FAT Wax onto your masterpiece. Work in sections and rub it in like hand lotion. After five minutes, buff it. Then let FAT Wax cure for at least six hours before buffing once again for good measure.

For table tops and other surfaces that will get a lot of use, a clear top coat is strongly recommended.

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FREE decorating and

colour consultations FREE decorating and

colour consultations

call or visit to call or out visit more! to find find out more!

www.envypaintanddesign.com www.envypaintanddesign.com

5 Scurfield Blvd #25 | 204.487.3666

luxe living

give your humble abode a fresh face this summer Shop the e nv y pai nt & de s ig n marketpl ace for all your home decor goods.

Jackie bed in queen size $2200

Montague end table in driftwood $538

Decorative pillow $40

Alma side lamp $200

Framed wall dĂŠcor $140

Clearwater vase $48

Cotton velvet pillow $40

Mystique area carpet $1320

Alana pouf $250

get crafty

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G ET C R A F TY AT T HE COT TAG E :

DECOU PAG E D RESS E R This whimsical project is ideal for the cottage — it’s easy and relatively quick to do, the design is fun and one of a kind, plus the end result is totally practical. It’s a great way to revive one of your existing dressers or transform a yard sale or flea market find! yo u w i l l n e e d : Sandpaper (120-150 grit)

Mod Podge (matte finish)

Cloth (for wiping away sandpaper dust)

Old plastic credit card or rewards card

Water-based stain in the colour of your choice

Clear coat in the sheen of your choice

Lint-free cloth (for applying stain)

Paint brush for applying clear coat

Small foam paint brush (for applying Mod Podge) Graphic paper (posters, gift wrap, magazines or newsprint work great)

1. Before starting, remove the dresser hardware. Strip the old paint and sand the dresser down, carefully wiping up all the dust before staining. We stained this dresser black to bring out its beautiful wood grain, but a chalk-style paint would be a great alternative and requires less prep.

2. Apply a thin layer of clear coat (be sure to stir it well before using). This will create a better seal for adhering your graphics.

3. Determine where your graphics will go. If you like, use painter’s tape or take photos to compare options – it’s always better to plan ahead than to run out of room!

4. When you are ready to add the graphics, Mod Podge one area of the dresser at a time. If your graphic paper is thin, just use a thin layer. Add more for thicker paper.

To view Julie Pedersen's muckies and other work please visit juliepedersen.com

5. Apply your graphic, working from one edge to the other.

Using an old credit or rewards card like a squeegee, gently push any bubbles and excess adhesive out. A pin can also be used to relieve isolated bubbles. Wipe the entire image with a soft cloth to remove any excess Mod Podge.

6. Let the surface dry for at least one full hour before brushing on the clear coat. It may feel dry sooner, but waiting the proper amount of time prevents any new bubbles from appearing. If it is a high-humidity day, allow for more drying time.

7. Gently brush on a clear coat in the sheen of your choice (this project used a matte finish). When completely dry, replace the hardware or install shiny new pulls to update the handles.

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COVET CARAVAN …

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SIMPLE JOYS

Photography by SARA TAPLIN PHOTOGRAPHY and PIPCREEK FARM Written by BARBARA CHABAI

PipCreek Farm perfects the art of slow, thoughtful living in a setting where nothing is ordinary

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o everything in the country there is a season: a time to plant the garden, and a time for branding the cattle. A time for harvesting honey. A time for picking mushrooms.

“So much of our life out here is dictated by the rhythm of the seasons,” says Andrea Gorda of PipCreek Farm, a working family farmhouse nestled between Roblin and Russell in Inglis, Manitoba. “We’re very much tied in to our daily chores and the fact that if it’s wood cutting season, we’d better get that wood in. If it’s canning season, then it’s time to preserve our berries and vegetables.”

Living off the land, which Andrea estimates they are able to do 50 per cent of the time, if not higher in the summer, was immediately appealing. They’ve come to rely on what they and their neighbours grow in gardens, fields and pastures, including a small herd of grass-fed Dexter Angus cross cattle and a flock of heritage-breed laying hens.

“People have an entirely different perspective on life out here and that has an influence on the culture,” she says. “It’s a sense of self-sufficiency, of independence. It’s not exactly pioneer living, but people must still learn to do things for themselves. It’s refreshing.”

Falling in love with the big open skies and the encircling boreal forest, Andrea and her husband bought the former homestead nine years ago. Since then, they have been

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COVET CARAVAN … n a rc i ss e

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dedicated to an intentionally slow, sustainable life and giving their three children – aged four, seven and eight – an unencumbered childhood; free to splash in the creek, ride their bikes down stretches of gravel road or snack on ripened apples from the orchard.

“In some ways, the kids have an Enid Blyton existence out here – an opportunity to do their own thing, have adventures and not be kept under wraps,” Andrea says. “We’re all loving this life.”

That grounded lifestyle has inspired a successful business venture for

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PipCreek Farm, which is quickly gaining a reputation for making farmhouse functional goods. Their home product line includes hand-painted canvas bags, block-printed pillows and an “unplastic” reusable food wrap that is beeswax based and compostable.

Andrea, who has an agroecology degree from the University of Manitoba, says that much of the inspiration behind her expanding product line continues to come from the surrounding prairie landscape – and her family.

“I want my kids to be able to see the

value of handcrafted goods; to see the value of sitting down, envisioning a project and becoming immersed in the process; of holding a finished product that you created.”

A GATHERING PLACE In late May, Andrea opened up her home kitchen and invited anyone who wanted to come for a day of bread making, food and community.

Speaking from her farmhouse experiences, Andrea guided each of the seven participants around the table

in kneading their own artisan loaf. As the bread baked, visitors lunched on homemade biscuits, garden asparagus soup and spring salad, then roamed the grounds. By the end of the day, everyone left with the cream-cheese smothered chocolate Chelsea buns they’d also made, along with a PipCreek apron and a Mud + Stone pottery bowl created especially for the day’s doughy work.

“I was hoping to host people here in a welcome space; to celebrate learning, community and slowing down for moments to create and be grounded –

but I think I got even more out of it than they did,” she laughs. “We had so much fun.”

Andrea is in the process of planning more weekend workshops that will not only nourish creativity, but help connect visitors to the past by embracing traditional living.

“In my perspective, but from my own experience, we come from a place of immediate gratification – we can have whatever we want delivered to our doorstep the next day. But in many ways, people are trying to simplify their lives.

We are choosing to eat more cleanly and consciously, and we are choosing to live in less cluttered spaces with room to breathe and special items that are meaningful to us.

“I think it’s nice to slow the pace down and have a real experience with something that has a deliberate thought process or story behind it,” she says.

“We are realizing that it’s the luxury of those small moments that can make a simplified life a fulfilling life.”

Pipcreekfarm.com

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RO CK A ROUND T HE C LOC K From morning coffee enjoyed high above the pond on the porch swing, to happy hour drinks shared with friends under the gazebo and marshmallows roasted over the fire pit at dusk, this outdoor oasis makes exterior living easy at any time of day. design by CAROLYN KRAWETZ photography EMILY CHRISTIE text by TWILA DRIEDGER

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Flanked by perennials, stunning stone walls and towering oak trees, the water features (including a man-made pond and expertlyconstructed waterfall) take centre stage in this outdoor oasis.

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Patience is a virtue. And in the Krawetz family’s case, this virtue comes in the form of a rustic rural retreat 12 years in the making.

“It was a simple country acreage with oak trees all around it,” Carolyn Krawetz says of the original seven-acre property she and her husband Jeff purchased in 2004. “Not a lot of landscaping was done, it was all just grass and trees.”

The blank canvas, situated just outside Winnipeg on the bank of the La Salle River, allowed the couple to explore their shared passion for design.

“The vision was to have a beautiful landscape to sit around and enjoy the nature,” she explains.

Already working in construction and land development, with immense interest in outdoor design, Jeff envisioned a waterfall, pond and fountain, which would be the flagship features to the design.

“There was no master plan,” Carolyn says. “It was a long process and it took many years. Piece by piece, it just came together.”

Opposite: Nothing is more serene than the sound of water trickling down a gradual slope of rock, stone, and pebbles.

Top: The hammock offers a shady reprieve while the kids play in the adjoining playground area. Bottom: The lush green landscape of oak trees is a beautiful backdrop for the family’s private patio.

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“ The porch swing is one of our favourite spots because it overlooks everything. We sit there and listen to the waterfall and it is so soothing and relaxing.”

~ Carolyn Krawetz

This page: Water springs up in the centre of the pond, adding attention and ambiance to the country sanctuary.

Opposite Top: A glass and aluminum railing allows clear views and vibrant cushions add a punch of hues to one of many settings to sit and take in the tranquil surroundings.Bottom: Anchored by the grand gradient of rock and stone, the lounge area echoes the natural colours of the environment while adding some pizzazz.

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More like stone by stone. Over the next few years, Jeff collected rocks from quarries all over Manitoba and into the Kenora area. Little by little, the land started to take shape.

Jeff started to dig the pond and pack gravel piles for the water features, and in 2009, the couple added 2,500 square feet to the original home, including a window encased lodge-style sunroom, additional bedroom, and a new roof that gives the grandness of a new home build.

The result is a scene fit for the senses. “The porch swing is one of our favourite spots because it overlooks everything. We sit there and listen to the waterfall and it is so soothing and relaxing,” says Carolyn.

Whether it’s gliding on the porch swing, relaxing in an Adirondack chair, or soaking in the hot tub under a structurally stunning gazebo, Carolyn says her family tries to spend most of their time outdoors now that the project is complete.

In the summer, Carolyn and Jeff’s six- and nine-year-old daughters swim in the pond while mom and dad watch from the loungers near the shallow end. In the winter, the pond is converted into an ice rink for the family to skate on.

“That pump house – we call it the shack – that’s also the warm-up shack in the winter,” Carolyn explains. “We have a fire burning in the wood stove, put on our skates, and out we go!”

Meals are served alfresco with views of the rustling oak trees and scenic pond. Company gathers on the inviting sectional, where they are served appetizers and soak in the sunshine.

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“I wanted an outdoor space we could enjoy that had different elements of nature brought in,” Carolyn details. “A space where we could entertain and hang out as a family.”

In addition to appreciating the raw beauty of her surroundings, Carolyn, a home decorator and owner of Trendy Looks, used her design expertise to complement it by enhancing the exterior living spaces.

Carolyn chose functional furniture that is both cool and comfortable and deliberately placed it to maximize conversation and enjoyment of the panoramic views. Colourful outdoor cushions play on the natural surroundings, with vibrant hues referencing rust-coloured rocks, green oak trees and summer’s bright blue skies.

A refined and low-profile railing in glass and chocolate brown aluminum adds elegance and ties in nicely with the dark furnishings and earth-inspired tones.

Neighbouring elements chosen showcase natural materials, including the rustic wood beams of the gazebo, full-fledged pieces of granite, carefully selected stones, and perfectly placed perennials.

Opposite: The spacious pond doubles as a swimming pool in the summer and an ice skating rink in the winter. This page top: A couple of chic loungers at the base of a rocksolid staircase provide a perfect place for sunbathing. Bottom: “We hang out in the hot tub and have a great view of the waterfall,” Carolyn says. modern living with a pr airie t wist

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abode At the end of the day, the Krawetz clan congregates around a fire pit fit for a king. Enclosed with a stacked stone wall and built-in concrete-stamped bench seating, the space is cozy enough for a moonlight fire for two, but boasts enough sitting room for extended family and friends.

A perfect place to round out a day spent outdoors.

Expansive exterior seating and entertaining areas, complete with fire pit, hot tub, porch swing and lounge area, set the scene for a sizzling summer party.

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GE T T H I S LO O K 1.

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HOW SWEDE IT IS design by BAHIA TAYLOR photography SCOTT ZIELKE text by BARBARA CHABAI

A collaboration with Ikea turned a small, outdated kitchen into the hub of the home

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t first blush, a 69-year old house does not seem like it would be compatible with a contemporary Ikea kitchen, but it turns out they’re a match made in home décor heaven as Covet’s art director Leigh McKenzie and husband Darren Grunerud discovered.

“We wanted the kitchen to become central command for our family, and that meant opening up the space, making it brighter and creating a thoughtful layout that included a more efficient workspace,” Leigh says.

“Our first instinct was to go with Ikea because they have solutions for everything. We also liked Ikea’s approach to environmental responsibility.

It’s good to know that customers don’t have to choose between sustainability and style, function or price.”

Leigh and Darren turned to designer Bahia Taylor of Envy Paint & Design to help bring the plan together and execute their vision.

“From a design perspective, many designers are perfectly happy to help clients with Ikea kitchens. Ikea offers a myriad of design options, internal customization features and storage solutions which you’d pay a great deal for if you were to get a custom of semi-custom kitchen elsewhere,” Bahia says.

“Ikea kitchens can also be turned around very quickly for those that don’t want to wait for custom work and best of all, from a quality standpoint, Ikea is every bit as good as many custom kitchen companies.”

Bahia intentionally designed the kitchen into distinctive zones, with a full wall of storage on one side and the work zone on the other side. Between them, a massive, eight-foot long peninsula with a wood countertop takes up the most space because it does most of the heavy work as the family’s workspace, eating station and clean up area.

“We wanted the peninsula to stand out as its own feature, so we made that as big as we possibly could,” she says. “We put the sink right into the

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countertop, which is very common in European design. Some people might tend to shy away from that, but if installed properly with the right products, it can last for years and years.”

With its serene walls and matching white-on-white backsplash featuring textured tiles interspersed among the smooth, the kitchen’s sleek, ebony Ikea storage wall is a classic study in dramatic contrast. Bringing them together is a dark grey DuraCeramic flooring – solid in construction, very little movement, and is kid and pet friendly.

“We couldn’t be happier with our Ikea kitchen and love how bright and functional the space is now. It really works for us and suits our lifestyle, especially being a two-career family with two small children keeping things hopping around here,” Leigh says.

“We had an excellent experience working with Envy and Ikea, and I would highly recommend that anyone considering a kitchen makeover use Ikea’s resources to get it done.”

THE WISH LIST • Open up the space and make it brighter • Introduce a large, multifunctional workspace • Create more storage solutions, including space for kitchen gadgets, oversized dishes and items not used on a daily basis • Blend modern design with touches of rustic décor

THE PROCESS 1 After the designer came up with a layout for the kitchen, it was sent to Ikea for consultation on the right cabinetry solutions. “I’m glad we worked with professional designers to execute our vision. Their job is to consider things that we never would have thought of on our own,” says the homeowner.

2 Once the homeowners had finished gutting the old kitchen and removing a wall to open up the space, they enlisted the Ikea installation team to take precise measurements, which were then inputted into Ikea’s planning tools system. “Ikea’s tools make the process go smoother, whether they are installing or you are doing it yourself. It’s worth every penny to get their expertise.”

3 Although Ikea kitchens are suitable for DIYers, the homeowners once again used the company’s installation team to put in the cabinetry including cabinets, door fronts, drawers and drawer fronts, interior shelving, hinges and cover panels. “They were meticulous and awesome.”

4 The designer helped choose all of the finishing touches: wall paint, quartz countertops, the pendant lighting over the kitchen peninsula and luxury vinyl tile flooring.

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GE T TH I S LO O K

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Begin and End Your Day Beautifully Organized

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1824 Grant Avenue | 204.488.2633 forspacesake.com

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“You can have a cottage or you can try to bring some of the cottage experience home to your own backyard,” say the homeowners. “That’s one of the things we tried to accomplish.”

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T H E G R E AT B A C K YA R D E S C A P E This breathtaking pond and gazebo create a park-like tranquility at home design by GALAY LANDSCAPING photography SCOTT ZIELKE text by BARBARA CHABAI

“ While we’ve created individual spaces that reflect the personalities of different members of the family, these rooms still relate to each other and to the overall design of the home they share,” says the designer.

A layered mix of finishes, patterns and textures delivers chic comfort in this revamped principal bedroom

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anitoba summers may be fleeting, but homeowners Rod and Tracey found a way to make the most of the season in their own backyard.

“Tracey and I are both outdoor people, so we wanted to put our focus on building an oasis, a place we could relax,” Rod says.

Eight years ago, the couple purchased property south of Winnipeg between Lorette and Île-des-Chênes. The previous homeowners had the idea of landscaping the two-acre yard, going as far as making a rudimentary dugout with an island in the centre.

“We had our own ideas about how to take it further, and we knew we definitely wanted a pond and a gazebo,” says Rod. “We envisioned it as a place of relaxation to have friends and family over – a place you can escape without having to leave home.”

The homeowners contacted Gordon Galay of Galay Landscaping to help turn their dream yard into reality.

“I was pleasantly surprised by how little had been done, which meant we basically had a blank slate to work with,” Gord says. He immediately incorporated the couple’s vision into his own concept for a multi-phase design that involved building the foundation and gazebo, constructing the pond and a bridge, plus installing a patio and fire pit within close proximity of the water feature.

“Collaborating with Gord during these last four years has been a great experience. Along the way we’ve learned that a project of this size is a very dynamic process that requires patience and fluidity,” Rod explains. “Sometimes what we originally envisioned needed to be altered, or if we came up with a new idea or discovered something wasn’t working quite right, we’d change it up.”

In addition to having to build a temporary driveway to truck in heavy equipment and move in dozens of truckloads of boulders, the sheer scope of the project also presented a challenge.

“We wanted to create something that would suit the size of the entire yard, so it had to be fairly substantial. A tiny pond and gazebo just would not have the same impact or provide the same level of serenity,” Rod says. “At the end of the day, the project turned out to be much bigger than either we or Gord originally planned, but it was important that it fit in terms of scale.”

After attempting to find a local contractor that could build the gazebo to spec, Gord ended up hiring a company in Ontario to prefabricate some of the elements, which were shipped and assembled onsite. The three-season gazebo is over 200 square feet, with plenty of space to accommodate a sitting and dining area for entertaining.

But without a doubt, the star of the entire project is the pond.

Originally, it was positioned in the lowest lying area of the yard “and contrary to popular belief, that’s not the ideal location because you want to keep it free from contaminants,” Gord says.

Top: One of two streams that circulate water in the pond to a natural filtration area, eliminating the need to chemically treat it. Bottom: The stunning, three-season gazebo provides over 200 feet of entertaining space, and houses a dining table, sitting area and a refrigerator to store cool refreshments.

Opposite: A hardscaped firepit area is the perfect spot to roast marshmallows or keep warm after the sun sets.

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“ We envisioned it as a place of relaxation and to have friends and family over. It’s secluded, serene and it really adds to the feeling of being away while you’re still at home.”

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“So we had to come up with a solution to build things up to accommodate both pond drainage and underground drainage.”

Rainwater is diverted from the downspouts on the house and garage and is used to naturally replenish water in the pond that is slowly lost through evaporation. Two large pumps then push the water to a natural wetland filtration system where plants and gravel remove many of the nutrients that contribute to algae growth. When this natural filter overfills, the water then cascades over a waterfall and branches back into the main pond via twin trickling streams. Once the pond is full, the water level sits just two inches below the surface of the patio, creating a mesmerizing effect.

“Our intention was to make it as maintenance free and as environmentally friendly as possible,” Gord explains. “The biggest thing about it is that it’s very much its own ecosystem.

The water is kept clean without the use of chemicals.”

Connecting the pond and gazebo is a custom-built bridge made of steel with a cedar plank overlap.

“We have young granddaughters who love to sit on the bridge, put their feet in the water and feed the koi fish,” Tracey says. “On a hot day, it’s nice and refreshing and the fish will come up and nibble on your toes.”

Rod and Tracey say they are now outside all the time enjoying their peaceful surroundings. “It’s secluded, serene and it really adds to the feeling of being away while you’re still at home,” he says, while Tracey adds they aren’t quite through with making changes to the yard yet.

“We’ve got room in the opposite corner from the gazebo and pond, so the next thing I’d like to see is a raised garden to plant trendylooks.ca some vegetables in the summer. We’ve already talked to Gord about it.”

GE T TH I S LOOK

T R E N DY L O O K S Home Decorating Solutions

Trendy Looks offers the following consultations: • Color Selection • Furniture Selection/Layout

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• Flooring Selection • Window Treatment Selection • Space Design/floorplans (including kitchen, bathroom, fireplace etc.)

• Renovation designs

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• Outdoor living design

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1-3) Custom landscaping available through Galay Landscaping 4) Recycled Plastic Adirondack Chairs available at Wicker World

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Carolyn Krawetz Home Decorating Consultant (204) 799-7181 | carolyn@trendylooks.ca

TrendyLooks.ca

c h ow

Tacos are delicious, messy and great fun to eat, so it’s no wonder they’re a big smash. The assembly job that makes everyone’s taco a custom affair for the palate also makes them a great hit with the kids!

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CO M IDA

MEX ICANA Mexican cuisine is a fusion of flavor created mostly with ingredients native to Mexico. Rooted in Spanish influence hundreds of years old, Mexican food is a taste evolution of ideas, ingredients and cooking methods incorporated by past and present generations of Mexicans.

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Specially marinated flank steak is loaded with Mexican flavors.

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Representing the colors of the Mexican flag, these super-quick and easy condiments are not only wonderfully fresh but also incredibly versatile and make a great accompaniment to various Mexican cuisine. modern living with a pr airie t wist

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Fresh ingredients make everything better! Chef Brian’s Sayulita Salad recipe is an easy, excellent chopped salad that makes for an amazing first course but doubles as a wonderful lunch salad for weekday brown baggers.

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FLANK STEAK TACOS (serves 6)

1 large flank steak (approximately 2 lbs) 2 dozen small corn tortillas 3 Mexican condiments (Cumin Sour Cream, Avocado Sauce & Pico de Gallo recipes on this page) 2 cups of finely chopped cabbage 1 tablespoons rice vinegar 1 cup of Cotija cheese, crumbled (feta would work well also)

MARINADE:

½ medium onion, roughly chopped 4 cloves garlic 1 whole canned chipotle pepper in Adobo sauce 1 teaspoon Adobo sauce ½ cup cilantro 1/3 cup lime juice and zest of 1 lime 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon cumin powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper 1 teaspoon chili powder Combine all marinade ingredients in a food processor and puree.

Score steak on both sides and place in a large freezer bag. Pour entire marinade mixture into the bag, zip tight and massage the outside of the bag so that the steak is thoroughly covered with marinade. Refrigerate for 2 to 8 hours.

While the steak is marinating, make the Mexican condiments if not made already.

Combine cabbage and rice vinegar. Set aside. Wrap tortillas in foil and warm in oven.

Take steak out of the fridge and bring to room temperature. Heat BBQ to high temperature. Grill steak until medium rare, approximately 10-12 minutes.

Remove from heat and rest steak for 10 minutes more. Slice steak against the grain into thin strips.

MEXICAN CONDIMENTS Representing the colors of the Mexican flag, these three condiments are not only fresh garnishes for most of the dishes listed, but they are incredibly versatile for all Mexican cuisine. Tip: putting the Cumin Sour Cream and Avocado Sauce in squeeze bottles makes serving easier and is handy for nachos or breakfast burritos the next day!

TORTILLA SOUP (serves 4-6)

Add all ingredients into a small bowl and mix well.

1 chicken breast, cooked and shredded 2 poblano chile peppers, roasted, peeled, seeded and sliced 4 corn tortillas, cut into ½ inch squares ¼ cup of canola oil 8 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced 1 medium onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped 2 tablespoons tomato paste 5 cups chicken stock ½ cup hot sauce (Chalula recommended) 1 ½ tablespoons cumin 1 ½ teaspoons oregano (preferably Mexican) 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper

AVOCADO SAUCE

GARNISHES:

Add all ingredients into a food processor and puree until smooth.

Heat oil over medium high heat in a large pot. Add corn tortilla squares. Fry until golden and crispy for approximately 4-5 minutes.

CUMIN SOUR CREAM 1 cup sour cream 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 teaspoons cumin powder

1 ripe avocado 3 green onions chopped into thirds 1 jalapeno, seeded ¾ cup plain yogurt ½ cup roughly chopped fresh basil ¼ cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice ¼ teaspoon salt

PICO DE GALLO

5 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced ½ cup finely diced onion ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro ½ lime, juiced ¼ teaspoon salt Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and gently toss until fully mixed.

4 tortillas cut into thin strips and toasted until crispy Cotija cheese (Monterey Jack is a fine substitute) handful of chopped cilantro sour cream 1 diced avocado 1 lime cut into wedges

Add tomatoes and onion, stirring occasionally until tomatoes become soft and onions become translucent. Add garlic and poblano chiles. Stir and cook for 3 minutes. Add tomato paste and mix well. Add chicken stock, stir and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat. Add hot sauce, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt and pepper.

Let simmer for 10 minutes. Add shredded chicken and cook for 10 minutes more.

To serve, divide into bowls and top with array of garnishes.

Assemble tacos by doubling up the tortillas. Start with a base of flank steak strips and top with cabbage, Mexican condiments and the Cotija cheese.

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When autumn nights are closing in, it’s great to tuck into a full-flavoured, hearty dish and what could be better than a hot bowl of hearty soup with a kick?

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SAYULITA SALAD (serves 4-6)

DRESSING

2 cloves of garlic, crushed and chopped ½ jalapeño, thinly sliced into discs ¼ cup lime juice and zest of 1 lime 3 tablespoons of brown sugar 2 tablespoons of fish sauce (substitute soy sauce if you prefer) 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 tablespoon hot sauce (Chalula preferred)

SALAD

2 English cucumbers 20 medium-sized cooked shrimp 4 cups thinly sliced Napa or Savoy cabbage

3 green onions, sliced into matchsticks 1 red pepper, cut into matchsticks ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro ¼ chopped fresh mint Toasted tortilla strips for garnish Combine all dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Reserve.

Peel one English cucumber and slice lengthwise and remove seeds. Dice into cubes. Then, slice other cucumber lengthwise and remove seeds. Cut into slices. Put cucumbers into a strainer, sprinkle with salt and set aside for 15 minutes. This draws out excess moisture from cucumbers. Combine remaining salad ingredients into large bowl. Add cucumbers and dressing to salad bowl and toss.

Garnish with toasted tortilla strips just before serving.

Be brave with the lime juice and hot sauce in this Mexican salad, modern living with a pr airie t wist

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These chocolatey churros are dangerously easy to make and are the ultimate litlle bundles of sweet joy!

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CHURROS WITH MEXICAN CHOCOLATE SAUCE CHURROS

Vegetable oil (enough for frying churros) 1 cup of water 1/3 cup butter 2 tablespoons brown sugar ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup flour 2 eggs ½ teaspoon vanilla ¼ cup sugar + 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for dusting churros (combine)

MEXICAN CHOCOLATE SAUCE

1 disc of Abuelita hot chocolate chopped into chunks 2 tablespoons heavy cream 1 tablespoon butter Preheat 1.5-2 inches of vegetable oil to 375°F in a 10-12” frying pan. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, add water, butter, brown sugar and salt. Bring to a boil.

Remove from heat and stir in flour to form a ball of dough.

In a separate bowl, mix eggs and vanilla together. Add this mixture to the dough until completely combined. Fill a star-tipped piping bag with this mixture.

When oil is at desired temperature, pipe 4-inch strips of dough into the oil. It’s a good idea to use scissors to cut the desired length of dough from the piping bag tip.

Cook for 1-1½ minutes, then flip over to cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Remove churros and place on paper town to absorb excess grease. While still warm, roll in sugar and cinnamon mixture.

To make the chocolate sauce, melt chocolate in a double boiler. Once melted, add cream and whisk until smooth. Add butter, continuing to whisk until creamy.

Transfer to a bowl for dipping.

I

t’s fitting that Brian’s first food feature in Covet Magazine is Mexican, as it was after his first adventure across the Pacific Coast of Mexico that he came home and began to replicate the recipes of the meals he had along the way. His first experience of authentic Mexican cuisine came far off the typical tourist path from a little abuela (grandmother in Spanish) who served up her homemade Tortilla Soup from the back of her home full of hanging chiles, delightful aromas wafting from her large cast iron cauldron, and rogue roosters walking around the yard.

She was gracious enough to give him a handwritten copy of her recipe, and although many of the ingredients can only be found local to that region, Brian has been able to create a variation of the soup which is quintessential Mexican cuisine. Look for Latin-American supermarkets, restaurants and grocers in your city for leads on where to find the best ingredients to recreate authentic flavors.

B

rian Johnson is a self-taught cooking enthusiast. He cooks for his three children and culinarily challenged wife, as well as a large community of friends and family who after every meal beg the question, "Why don’t you open up a restaurant?”

While his dreams of opening an eatery are manifesting, Brian spends all his free time in the kitchen trying out different recipes from all across the board and experimenting with different flavors along the way.

Refining and learning constantly as his kitchen in the interim becomes his restaurant and his family the regular patrons. While he loves to be adventurous, he truly appreciates a simple meal made of quality ingredients and thoughtful preparation.

“Good food brings people together in such a meaningful way. Life nowadays is especially busy, so it’s nice to take the time to prepare a meal and gather around the table to ‘break bread’ with your family and friends as a way of genuinely connecting. Enjoying one another’s company over delicious food is such a vital part of healthy living.”

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ca r l a h y rcy n a

ST. MARY’S NURSERY AND GARDEN CENTRE text by ANDREA DANELAK

Whether starting your yard from scratch or simply adding to your existing space, landscaping can often be a daunting task even for the most seasoned gardener. We spoke to gardening guru Carla Hyrcyna, co-owner of St. Mary’s Nursery and Garden Centre, to find out some landscaping tips to assist in your yard-beautifying efforts.

WHAT KIND OF PLANNING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE LANDSCAPING YOUR YARD?

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF PERSONAL TOUCHES THAT CAN YOU ADD TO YOUR LANDSCAPING?

When you’re thinking of landscaping, you’ll want to take a look at your surroundings and any existing landscaping from your neighbours to influence what you put in your yard. Look at the exposure of where your house is situated, which will reflect the suitable types of plant material. Consider the degree of gardening you want to do. Some people want low-maintenance landscaping, while others want to be more active in their gardening.

Personal touches could include swimming pools, pergolas, unique decks, garden paths or what we like to call a garden room, in which one area of your yard may reflect one style and the other side may be a seating area.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT VARIETIES OF PLANTS, SHRUBS, TREES OR FLOWERS FOR YOUR YARD? You should look at the scope of the landscaping – the lay of the land in terms of downspouts, drainage and where water flows on the property. All of that can indicate what kinds of plant material can succeed in these areas. Planning ahead is best – if you’re looking at a plan, it prevents you from jumping around and planting things that aren’t conducive to your yard.

ARE THERE ANY REGIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR MANITOBANS TO CONSIDER WHEN LANDSCAPING?

It depends. In the city, we’re in growing zone 3 and need to choose plants that are hardy to our zone or even cooler, but everyone wants to break the boundaries and experiment. If you have a really sheltered location in your backyard, there may be areas where you can break boundaries by going into a higher growing zone. It’s important to remember that plants are living things and sometimes even the hardiest plants can succumb to the elements.

WHEN SHOULD A PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPER COME INTO PLAY VERSUS DOING IT YOURSELF? A professional can assist you if you need help with the vision of where to take your yard. He/she can point you in the right direction and help you lay out a map. Setting goals in the beginning by making a plan helps because you can do it in stages – then you can do the work yourself or hire a professional.

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CAN THE SIZE OF YOUR YARD PLAY A ROLE IN YOUR PLANS? Traditionally, if you have a two-acre yard, you’ll have a gamut of selection. Now that some backyards are smaller, you’ll see a style of plant being developed with characteristics of bigger plants. For example, a type of hydrangea is being adapted to smaller spaces.

Growers are listening and as a result, we’re seeing more of these smaller plants.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE UNTIL YOU CAN ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF LANDSCAPING? It all depends on the stage and scope of the work. Digging beds can be quite labour intensive, especially with the excavation of Manitoba clay. Do you want rock walls built? There is a bit of a learning curve so the wall has the strength to withhold for years. Some jobs can be two or three days and some can take as long as a month.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES MANITOBANS MAY FACE WHEN LANDSCAPING? The number one challenge is the weather. You can be completely prepared but the mighty weather can put a damper on getting into the garden to dig or plant. Also, make sure not to work too hard in the sun!

ANY OTHER LANDSCAPING TIPS WORTH MENTIONING? Do think of your wish list of what you want in your yard. You can always budget high and pull back. Maybe part of it won’t come for a few years, but at least you’ve allotted for it in your game plan for the future.

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SHINE ON

to c hoose the right paint sheen b ase d on the v is u al loo k y o u w ant to a c hie v e as w ell as ho w m u c h tra f f i c the area re c ei v es .

1. GLOSS PAINT Gloss paints, also called high-gloss finishes, have the highest light-reflective characteristics. They are also the toughest, most durable and most stain-resistant types of paint. Both latex and oil-based

Most common for walls in medium-

quickly, resist yellowing and have better

traffic areas, eggshell has a soft, velvety

mildew resistance; oil-based enamels are

appearance that resists dirt and grime

harder with greater abrasion resistance.

as well as mildew. The main benefit of

Ideal for: Cabinets, doors, windows and trim.

eggshell sheen is that it is extremely washable, releasing dirt from its surface

2. SEMI-GLOSS PAINT

easily and keeping its fresh look. It is an

Semi-gloss paints have a slightly glossy

durability or light reflectance is needed.

appearance that is not as highly reflective

Ideal for: Bedroom, Kitchen, Living Room, Rec Room, Laundry Room.

choice if you have young children. Most paint experts agree that the highest quality semi-gloss paints are 100% acrylic latex paints, which also come in enamel grades.

Ideal for: Cabinets, doors, windows and trim.

3. SATIN OR PEARL PAINT These paints have a sheen level lower than semi-gloss and yet, are more lustrous than eggshell or matte paints. You will find that satin and pearl paints have a slightly higher sheen than eggshell and matte finishes.

Paints in this category tend to have greater warmth and depth on surfaces than matte and eggshell paints. They also resist stains better, although not as well as gloss and semi2016

Ideal for: Living Room, Bedroom as well as trim and doors.

as “enamels.” Latex enamels dry more

and are easy to clean, making them a good

summer

prepping the wall and using primer is a must.

4. EGGSHELL

radiant, they offer good stain resistance

tend to highlight surface imperfections, so

gloss paints are sometimes referred to

as their gloss counterparts. Sleek and

64

gloss paints. Pearl and satin finish paints

ideal coating for rooms where a little more

5. MATTE PAINT Non-reflective in nature, matte paints tend to conceal surface imperfections better than paints with higher sheen levels. They are invaluable if walls are dented or rough or when painting over drywall where the tape job is not carefully sanded or where very porous joint compound has been used. Matte paint can make surfaces seem smooth and uniform in appearance. As a bonus, matte paint is much easier to touch up compared to paints with higher sheen. The durability of certain specialty matte finishes has come a long way, as they are now as durable and washable as eggshells in select brands.

Ideal for: Bedroom, Living Room, Dining Room, Rec Room

REMOVING OLD WALLPAPER IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK (WE PROMISE!)

R

emoving old wallpaper is one of the most cost-effective ways to makeover and update a room, and yet it’s still one of the most feared home improvement chores.

With a little preparation and a few easy tips, you’ll find it isn’t so frightening to change your walls from bland to grand!

Do not take a shortcut by attempting to paint over existing

wallpaper. While a few coats of good paint can conceal a particularly bold pattern, it inevitably leads to problems when the seams show through, a corner comes loose or a panel starts to peel.

Trust us, proper wallpaper removal is worth the effort and really, it’s not that hard to do.

STEPS FOR REMOVING WALLPAPER: 1. Put down a plastic sheet or drop cloth to cover the flooring or carpet. Test a small area by lifting off a small section of wallpaper in an inconspicuous corner. If you’re lucky, there will only be one layer of wallpaper; if not, the job will take you longer to finish.

2. Some wallpapers are considered “strippable,” meaning they are easy to remove. For example, vinyls are usually easier to strip off a wall. To find out if your paper is strippable, pry a seam edge loose using a utility knife and tug gently. Pull down at an angle, keeping both hands close to the lifting edge. If it comes off easily in a long sheet without adhesive residue, your job should be relatively simple.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• WALLPAPER SCRAPING TOOL

solution on the area and let it soak in. You may need to apply it

• UTILITY KNIFE

several times. Another trick is to mix liquid detergent (or fabric

• PUTTY KNIFE

softener) in a bucket of warm water, then sponge some water

• DROP CLOTH OR PLASTIC SHEET

• SPONGE

• SPRAY BOTTLE

• COMMERCIAL WALLPAPER REMOVER SOLUTION

• LIQUID DISHWASHING DETERGENT OR FABRIC SOFTENER

• STEPLADDER

3. If the wallpaper does not come off easily, spray the remover

onto the wallpaper to help soften it. After five minutes, use a scraper to lift off the paper.

4. If it appears the water solutions aren’t penetrating, use a scoring tool to make tiny punctures in the material so that the mixture can saturate the wallpaper faster. Be very careful not to gouge the drywall!

5. After several minutes, try stripping the wallpaper by hand. If the backing is left, it can be scraped off with a broad putty knife.

6. For particularly stubborn paper or multiple layers of paper, consider using a steam wallpaper stripper. It may make your job faster and easier.

7. Once the wallpaper and backing are removed, spray the wall with the remover solution one last time and scrape off any spots that may have been missed. Wipe down the wall with a damp sponge and let it dry for a few days.

8. Lastly, be sure to sand the walls with 80 or 100 grit sandpaper, then dust them off before painting. This will allow the new coating to adhere better.

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living well

SUMMERTIME, AND THE LIVING IS TREEZY

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P

icture it: the first morning of summer holidays in Everytown, Anyyear. School is out, sprinklers are on, and kids on every block are ready to review their plans for the Best. Summer.

Ever. Some will grab their bikes or hop on boards and convene at the secret summer hideout known as the neighbourhood fort. For a very lucky few, these meetings are conducted in the sacred chapel of youth, the fort’s equivalent to the holy of holies: the treehouse.

For those of us who can recall watching Swiss Family Robinson, the mystique of a house in the trees has never worn off, spurring a recent revival of interest in treehouses – not just as kids’ summer forts, but as viable options for vacation suites or permanent residential homes for grown-ups.

Treehouse living by necessity has always been, and continues to be, a part of life in areas with inhospitable geography – flood zones, densely forested territory with no suitably cleared terrain, or areas with high temperatures or significant precipitation. In fact, entire populations in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia have secured homes in the trees, as living under a leafy canopy can provide protection from rain and relief from the heat.

Creating living spaces in trees as folly or fashion dates back to the Roman era, when Emperor Caligula had a platform model constructed in a plane tree during one of his building sprees.

However, it was during the Renaissance that treehouse living developed serious design credibility that continues to impact treehouse design today.

Beginning in 16th century Italy with the powerful Medici family, treehouses as garden structures and viewing stations started a trend in Europe. By the 1700s, English-built treehouses were used for alfresco dining and music listening. But leave it to the French to perfect the entire romantic experience in Plessis, a suburb of Paris where, inspired by the Swiss Family Robinson story, masses of treehouses linked by bridges were constructed in chestnut trees intertwined with rambling roses. Patrons, hoisted into the trees in woven baskets, filled 200 tables nightly to dine on roast chicken and champagne. Today, the area is still known as Le Plessis Robinson.

The latest treehouse revival developed in earnest in the 1990s, an era now recognized as the fourth distinctive period of treehouse design. Modern treehouse construction still generally begins with the creation of a rigid platform, or a series of platforms, upon which the rest of the house is built. While it is customary for the edges of a platform to rest on branches for support, additional reinforcement may be required. Struts and stilts that rest on concrete piles are common supports; new “diamond pier” designs are favoured in cantilevered home construction are an excellent alternative as they minimize damage to the tree’s root system.

Modern treehouse design and construction seeks to minimize damage to the host tree and, given their place in nature, oftentimes uses reclaimed timber and recycled construction materials. New measures have replaced traditional invasive fastening devices that puncture the tree – stay rods, friction and tension fasteners are all good replacement options for nails and screws.

When it comes to treehouse design options, the sky is truly the limit with bedrooms, bathrooms, and full kitchens all going out on a limb. Eat your hearts out, Robinson family!

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modern living with a pr airie t wist

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Covet Mag

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dig

S UMME R ’S H OT T E ST P L A N TS

What Manitoba’s green thumb crowd is growing in zone 3 text by ANDREA DANELAK

‘Tis the season to hit the garden – and you won’t want to miss this summer’s must-have plants and flowers.

“There’s a lot of diversity happening in the market right now,” says Carla Hrycyna, co-owner of St. Mary’s Nursery and Garden Centre. “You have a lot to choose from, so it really depends on what you’re looking for and what kind of gardener you are.”

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Winnipeggers have been flocking to garden centres to purchase culinary plants that eventually make their way from garden to dinner plate.

“Customers are asking for fruits, vegetables and herbs that they can harvest for cooking, such as strawberries, chives and cilantro,” says Hrycyna. Mojito mint has also proven popular – perfect for sipping cocktails in the backyard on a hot summer day.

Hrycyna attributes the boom in edible gardening, in part, to the increase of younger gardeners trying their hand in the soil for the first time. “They’re learning how to garden by growing food, not necessarily by starting with flowers,” she says. “They want to know what they’re eating.”

EASY MAINTENANCE The emergence of low-maintenance gardening has marked an increase in grasses, sedums and tropical succulents – ideal purchases for the gardener who wants something strong and hardy without the maintenance synonymous with more finicky plants.

“We put a lot of colour into our yards by using flowers, but grasses provide us with an extension of our garden come the fall,” says Hrycyna. “We like the sway and movement of grasses in the summer but they really take centre stage in the autumn.

The grasses will hold colour in the landscape when other flowers start to fade, with beautiful golden to rust-colour blades complementary to our rich fall colour pallet.”

Succulents are known for their striking beauty in outdoor arrangements, as well as their ability to transition from outdoor to indoor when cooler weather makes an appearance. “Succulents have become very, very popular on Pinterest,” notes Hrycyna.

“The younger generation is really driving this trend and is teaching older gardeners about succulents and their versatility.”

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SUNNY DAYS AHEAD The success of planting and growing often boils down to the weather, and Winnipeg’s hot, humid summers can pose a challenge when working with certain types of plants. Enter SunPatiens, a type of impatiens experiencing a boost in popularity in 2016.

“These flowers can take the heat of being in the sun,” says Hrycyna. “They’re larger plants, look very dramatic and come in a full spectrum in colours.” As an added bonus, their performance supersedes those of traditional impatiens, making them the perfect addition to any garden.

GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES One of last summer’s fastest-moving plants, the Never Alone Rose proved to be a strong performer in container gardening, with flowers like dwarf hydrangeas now following suit in popularity for those with smaller yards.

“Dwarf hydrangeas are very hot right now,” says Hrycyna.

“People are looking for shorter varieties like Pinky Winky and Little Quick Fire, which are a little scaled back in size.”

THE BIRDS AND THE BEES (AND BUTTERFLIES, TOO) In that same vein, “anything to do with butterflies, birds or bees is just huge this year,” says Hrycyna. “When people want to grow their own food, they’re often interested in caring for the pollinators, too.”

Adaptable flowers like asclepias, which encourage insects to pay a visit to your yard, are gaining ground. “Asclepias, also known as milkweed, are like butterfly food. Though the native asclepia has more orange tones, there are now cultivated varieties in other colours that draw monarch butterflies,” she says. “Daisy varieties are also growing in popularity because they help bees collect pollen, thereby helping our food crops.”

“IT’S LOVELY TO SEE THE YOUNGER GENERATION TAKE AN INTEREST IN GARDENING, AND WE’RE EVEN STARTING TO SEE MORE CHILDREN VISIT THE GARDEN CENTRE,” HRYCYNA SAYS. “TEACHING THEM THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANTS IN OUR ENVIRONMENT, WHETHER FOR FOOD, ACTIVITY OR HEALTH, IS REALLY SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL.”

dig

10 NATURAL WAYS TO KEEP ANTS AT BAY If ants are invading your home, fight back with natural pest control you’ve got in your pantry

I

t’s the time of year when pesky ants are making their way into our homes, seeking out the cool comfort of air conditioning and more importantly – food!

In Canada, most ant species are omnivorous, which means they like feeding on a wide range of food sources. Their dietary requirements can change throughout the year, but during mating season (late spring into the summer) ant colonies need mega protein for the maturing larvae. Later in the summer, they switch focus to hunting for sugary carbohydrates that will

1. LEMON JUICE: Spray lemon juice around openings where you suspect ants are trekking inside. Lemon juice plays havoc with the scent trails that ants need to get around.

2. VINEGAR: Same principle as lemon juice. Ants hate the acrid smell of vinegar, so use it in a 50/50 solution of half vinegar, half water to clean surfaces.

3. CINNAMON: Sprinkle dry cinnamon in areas where ants have appeared, or proactively spray cinnamon essential oil around windows, doors and floors to keep ants out.

4. CUCUMBER AND CITRUS PEELS: Leave peelings in areas of known ant activity. Cucumber and

sustain them as they prepare nests for winter.

And where do they go to chow down? To your kitchen – yuck!

As tempting as it may be to exterminate the entire colony with a heavy blast of toxic pesticide (or a flame thrower in extreme cases!)

– it’s not wise when you’ve got curious kids or pets around. Instead, here are some ideas for all-natural ant deterrents that are safe but effective to use in and around the house – and best of all, you’ve already got them on hand.

citrus peels are toxic to the types of fungi that ants feed on, so they don’t want to go anywhere near them.

5. DISH SOAP: Try pouring liquid dish soap directly onto ant hills or mix the soap with some water in a spray bottle to spray on baseboards and around windows or doors.

6. BAKING SODA AND POWDERED SUGAR: Ants can’t differentiate between the two substances, so the sugar is what attracts them and the baking soda reacts in their digestive system and kills them. Super tricky!

7. COFFEE GROUNDS: Locate the ant hill and pour used coffee grounds over it – it won’t kill, but they sure don’t like it and will likely

relocate. Also works great in flower beds and the nitrogen is good for the soil.

8. CREAM OF WHEAT: Ants eat it, their stomachs expand and they explode.

Poof… problem solved.

9. CORNMEAL: Ants will pick it up and take it back to the nest where they will feed on it. Because the ants cannot digest the cornmeal, they will starve to death. Sad. No, not really.

10. RAID THE SPICE RACK: Throw ants off the trail with a few shakes of a stronglyscented deterrent! Sprinkle black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, cloves or garlic around the foundation of your house.

Eradicating stubborn ants from your household requires a trial and error approach until you find a solution that works best. An online search for other eco-friendly removal options comes up with recommendations like chalk, baby powder, borax, diatomaceous earth and artificial sweeteners among many others, so you might have to give several ideas a try. Good luck!

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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 Designers in this issue: How Swede It Is Envy Paint and Design Ltd. Designer: Bahia Taylor 204.487.3666 www.envypaintanddesign.com Rock Around the Clock Trendy Looks Designer: Carolyn Krawetz 204.736.3455 The Great Backyard Escape Galay Landscaping Designer: Gordon Galay 204.757.4763 www.galaylandscaping.com Thank you for taking the time to get this far!

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73

e n d n ot e

G N I D R A O N OW B

IDING S D O O ER W H T O D N A SHIPLAP

T

raditional in its roots yet right on trend, wood siding is hugely popular in interior decorating right now. The visual interest that well-preserved paneling adds to bed, bath, kitchen or living area walls is indicative of its staying power all these years.

Once reserved for use on barns, sheds and outbuildings, salvaged or new wood siding can be applied in all sorts of incarnations starting with verticals (remember that dreamy Hamptons beach house set in Something’s Gotta Give?) and continuing with chevrons, horizontals and alternating widths. Thanks to its versatility as well as its wide availability, the interior siding trend should be around for quite a spell.

So if you’re swooning over a laid-back, yet modern farmhouse look and are ready to climb aboard the good ship(lap), here are a few things you should know:

• Wood siding boards come in rough-sawn or milled pine or similarly inexpensive wood in various widths between 3” and 10”.

• While painted wood siding is all the rage for a beachy and time-worn look, be sure to prime your boards and any knots appropriately to avoid a different kind of rage! Pine especially requires specific primer to keep knots from bleeding through.

• Remember, not all paneling is created equally when it comes to style and design:

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Clapboard is a type of siding made from wedge-shaped boards which are designed to overlap with each other.

Shiplap is milled lumber that consists of simple interlocking boards, where the top and bottom form an attractive wood siding.

Board-and-batten is a treatment of vertical boards with battens covering the seams.

Rustic V is a lap jointed affair with chamfered edges that meet at the seams to form a “V”.

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