Kitchen Fashions Home Fashions Magazine

A Kitchen Party with David Myles Rachel Mathis

Home Renovation Tips Debbie Travis

Renovating is Exhilerating Maureen Allain

Trendy Tones for Fall

Style and Colour with Cobi Ladner

Healthy Living

Dr Shelley Quinlan

Holiday Memories with Rosemary Mark DeWolf

Green Spaces Alex Brennan

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CONTENTS Advice from an Expert Home Renovation Tips from design diva Debbie Travis

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Renovating is Exhilerating Maureen Allain offers kitchen renovation tips

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The Magic of a Kitchen Party Rachel Mathis

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Without Your Health, Nothing Else Matters Healthy living with Dr Shelley Quinlan

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Head for Colour Cobi Ladner talks trendy tones for Fall

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Creating Holiday Memories with Rosemary Tips and ideas from Mark Dewolf

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Take It Outdoors Investing in your Green Space with Alex Brennan

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Must Have Gadgets for Every Kitchen

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1365 Hanwell Road, Fredericton, NB E3C 2N2 P: 506 452-1116 F: 506 457-2920 E: info@kitchenfashions.ca www.kitchenfashions.ca Kitchen Fashions' Home Fashions Magazine is published by Carle Publishing Inc. All content, copyright Š 2012, Carle Publishing Inc.All rights reserved.

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Carle Publishing Inc. 60 Shayla Court, Fredericton, New Brunswick, E3G 0N3 Phone: (506) 238-4683 Fax: (866) 609-5674 Email: andy@carleventures.com Website: www.carlepublishing.com

editor in chief

creative

Andy Buyting

publisher

Carle Publishing Inc.

& direction

Carle Publishing Inc.

senior designer content coordinator contributors

John Christenson John Christenson Pat Belding Maureen Allain Jami Kloet Rachel Mathis Dr Shelley Quinlan Mark DeWolf

advertising

Andy Buyting (National)

coordinators

Jackie Cornwall (Local)

photography

All images sourced from istockphoto.com unless otherwise identified.

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ello, it has been 6 months since our team at Kitchen and Window Fashions launched the first issue of Home Fashions Magazine. I would like to thank our audience for the wonderful feedback received on the magazine. We have listened to all of your feedback and have included even more great local content. Similar to the Spring issue, the Fall issue combines international design trends with great practical articles and advice that is designed for Maritimers.

We would specifically like to thank David Myles for contributing to our cover story and sharing his thoughts on why the kitchen is the favorite room in the Maritime home to play music. We have other great articles including a healthy living article by Dr Shelley Quinlan (Fredericton Family Chiropractic) and an article by Alex Brennan(Earthworks) on how a “well planned outdoor

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space not only improves your personal well being, but will add to your quality of life and value of your home�.

We have made a point again to select contributors and advertisers that are the best at what they do in their chosen field and their passion truly comes through in their story.

As we transition from one of the most beautiful Maritime summers on record back to indoor living spaces we are reminded of the many small projects that may have been forgotten over the summer months. As you go out to find suppliers and purchase material to complete some of these projects before winter, remember the importance of buying from locally owned independent businesses. Think global, buy local.

Thank you, Scott Ross

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An Industry Changes

By Pat Belding, Kitchen & Window Fashions

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n an industry that’s forever changing, narrowing it down to one particular piece of news to write about could have been difficult. For me however, there is one item this year that really stands out.

Often referred to as Heat-R or Heat Mirror technology, this could be arguably one of the greatest things to happen to household energy efficiency since spray foam. This summer Allsco® windows and doors became the first to offer Heat-R technology publicly in the Maritimes.

Finally, you can have your cake and eat it too! When building a high efficiency home in the past, it has been an essential part of the design to eliminate extra or un-needed windows. This is because the industry standard in Fredericton today is double pane vinyl windows with an R rating of somewhere between R3 and R4. Keep in mind; new construction standard household walls generally achieve approximately an R20-R25 of insulation. In the past, home owners looking to “upgrade” had one choice which was to go to a triple pane window. Allsco®’s triple pane for example would give you around an R6 rating, which is

a substantial upgrade for a nominal fee BUT now with Heat-R, everything has changed!

By swapping the standard Argon with Krypton gas and adding the new Heat-R technology, they have successfully achieved an R Rating of an amazing R14.7 in the window thermo. An unprecedented almost 5 times the R value of the standard double pane window and almost 8 times the R value of a non-Low E/Argon window. How you ask? Well, Heat-R Glass uses two layers of Nano scale coatings often referred to as Low-Emissivity. This energy bill saving film is then suspended evenly inside the window thermo unit.

As heat and light energy reaches the window glass it is reflected back into the house. In the process they have also created 3 air pockets within the thermo unit. The more air pockets the better.

Combine that with ultra-efficient Krypton gas and you have yourself a game changer. Even more amazingly, Heat-R technology adds no extra overall weight to the window itself.

Depending on the number of windows and sizing, at roughly double the cost of the two pane vinyl window, it may not be for everyone. However if you’re the ϋber energy-conscious consumer looking to build a green, self-sustaining, super-efficient home, this could be for you. Even the home owner looking to build for the long-term, it’s certainly an expense that will pay for itself after a few years of ownership.

It’s great to see that in an industry where the bar for our regulations is set so low, we have fantastic companies like Allsco® who will be forever raising the bar on the norm not because they had to but because they can.

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WHAT'S HOTCOLOUR TRENDS 2013

By Beauti-Tone

Colour is an affordable luxury that adds comfort, sophistication, glamour and energy to your personal space.

Painting with one or more of the exciting new trend colours from Beauti-Tone dresses your home with great style.

Red: An exciting rich new red, blended with the deep hues of raspberries, Rave Review, a very liveable red for home that states strength and stability.

Pink: A beautiful soft pink that is not prissy, Japanese Blossom Looks wonderful with neutrals or sophisticated greys and grounded taupes.

Orange: Looking for an energetic hue that refreshes your space? Try Moroccan Tangerine, brushable optimism. Very desirable for an accent wall or snippets of colour charm in unique spaces, furniture, drawers, backs of cabinets that delight the eye. Not to be ignored Mexican Clay a clean terra cotta that is earthy and gorgeous.

Purple: Purple, purple, purple very popular in fashion and home fashion, Regal a perfect purple that will be important for your home from accessories to wall colours. Grey Jersey a softened purple pairs beautifully with greys and browns, a wow fashion statement.

Grey: Grey a real cool hue that plays well with all colours. From warm greys Grey Eye Shadow, Stainless Steel and Gunmetal to the cools Fog and Mist a perfect shade of grey for all your decorating needs.

Brown: Brown is gaining momentum. A grounded colour expressing comfort, Spontaneity is reminiscent of leather saddles, boots and elbow patches. Basking the room in luxury.

Yellow: A light invigorating yellow with a slight green cast, Riff has a translucent quality and a chameleon colour that works well with other cool cast colours.

A warm, embracing yellow that is amazing, Halogen Yellow, is fantastic with White Smile or Gunmetal Grey.

Green: Green is the third most popular colour painted after neutral greys and browns. Introducing a saturated rich natural green, Green Day. It’s essence comes from the forest, an authentic natural green. A softer neutral green, Eco-Green is a fabulous green that always looks phenomenal in any space.

Blue: Blue for home is gaining popularity from the denim inspired hues of relaxed comfort, Rolling Stones, Blue Suede Shoes to the sophisticated hue of French Navy Blue. The new black!

Provided by Steve Burgess of Simms Home Hardware Building Centre. Your paint expert downtown on King, Fredericton!

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Advice from an Expert

Home renovation tips from design diva Debbie Travis

By Jami Kloet

In the world of home renovations, nobody does it like Debbie Travis.

With her innate talent for design and dry British wit, the international television personality, bestselling author, syndicated newspaper columnist and Home Collection designer knows a thing or two about creating a comfortable space.

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After years of being the face of television hits like The Painted House, Debbie Travis’ Facelift and From the Ground Up with Debbie Travis, the decorating diva has seen and done it all.

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With her latest offering The Debbie Travis Christmas Collection ready to launch just in time for the holiday season, Travis has found herself in a fall frame of mind.

“The fall is a wonderful time for people to cocoon indoors and focus on spending quality time together and entertain,” she says, adding that the change in seasons is a great opportunity to update your space so that it feels comfortable and organized.

Travis says that updating your look doesn’t always mean a huge overhaul or costly investment.

Sometimes just adding a punch of colour with fresh decor such as drapery, rugs and cushions can make a major impact.

However, if you are in the process of overhauling your abode, Travis recommends keeping comfort and family in mind.

“The focus of renovations are trending towards creating family spaces,” she says, noting that homeowners are opting for bigger, open kitchen plans, entertainment zones like home theatres, and even adapting their spaces to age with them in an attempt to live in them longer or accommodate aging family members.

As with any industry, Travis says going green is still top of mind when it comes to renovations. Homeowners, she notes, have continued to incorporate green materials and building methods into their design plans, and generally aim to make their homes more energy efficient.

When it comes to feature selections, Travis has noticed that people prefer a mix of efficiency and innovation, opting for elements like recessed LED lighting, and incorporating smart technology through the use of clever appliances, built-in USB ports and iPad docking stations.

On the kitchen front, Travis says people are focusing on creating kitchen spaces that will operate as the “hub of the home”.

“They are becoming extensions of the living area,” she explains. They can include multi-purpose designs such breakfast bars that double as homework stations, and feature high-performance materials such as stainless

steel and satin finished stone and glass (some of which are even lit with integrated LEDs).

“I renovated my kitchen a few years ago and it is always an important project because it can be the most costly renovation that people undertake in their home and is a room that you spend so much time in,” says Travis, who would encourage anybody undertaking such a project to invest in the newest products and appliances to keep current with the design world’s rapid pace of change.

Travis also suggests incorporating accessories and appliances to suit a central décor theme. Try pairing retro-coloured silicone and rubber accessories with white and stainless steel for a contemporary look, or black nickel and oil rubbed bronze fixtures and hardware to suit a more rustic look.

Having gone through a kitchen renovation both professionally and personally, Travis says at the end of the day, it all comes down to budget.

“There are really three different ways to approach a kitchen renovation,” she says. For a quick facelift, sometimes just a lick of paint, new backsplash tile, cabinet hardware and other accessories can make all the difference. For a medium priced renovation, Travis recommends replacing larger appliances and refinishing old cupboards.

The last approach is what she calls the “full knockdown.”

“For this, I really recommend doing your research,” she says. “First, decide on your budget. Pick a style that you love and stick to it.” Whenever possible, Travis urges homeowners not to compromise on appliances or surface materials.

“Look for newer materials that will stand the test of time, not just in durability but in trend as well,” she says, noting that solid surface materials are such as stone, slate, marble, steel, wood or glass usually work best.

“A kitchen reno generally should last around 15-20 years, so you want materials that are going to look as fresh in 15 years as they do now,” she says.

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enovating an old house is exhilarating, satisfying and romantic …right?

By Maureen Allain.

Maureen is an accredited designer living in Fredericton, NB

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ell, sort of. Just keep telling yourself that every time you taste a little drywall dust on your toast or pull the third splinter out of your foot, it will all be worth it in the end.

There are many “charming” aspects of a 130 year old house; soaring ceilings, elaborate mouldings, hardwood floors everywhere. As with all things in life, you get the good with the bad; layers of wallpaper, carpenter ants, worn out hardwood floors everywhere. Not to worry, all restorable. Since I was a child my mind would immediately wander off into the land of redecoration. Five minutes upon entering a room, mostly in older, dilapidated buildings, I loved the idea of restoring a home back to its’ original glory, with of course the benefit of modern conveniences.

I barely made it through the front door of this house and I loved it. It has good “bones”. The original design was well thought out. Plenty of tall windows, wide staircases and my favourite, hardwood floors, everywhere , even in the kitchen. But due to economic times, I think around the thirties, this grand house was divided into three apartments. As it turns out, a blessing during these economic times.

My apartment is on the second floor. The kitchen is, where I suspect, originally claimed the master

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bedroom. I have to give compliments to the inventive person who headed the redesign of these units. They accommodated a 24” stove right beside the walk in pantry. Yes, it’s true, a walk in pantry. Complete with custom built, shaker style uppers, three deep drawers, a hinged door corner cabinet, donning Martha Stewartesque bronze latch hardware and D cup pulls.

Fabulous! All, of course, completely useless.

I’m sure in the day that charming little pantry would have sufficed. People survived with a few bowls, two pots and a skillet. A skillet. Not four sizes of Teflon, three stainless, a copper bottomed one and a skillet.

My gleaming, eighteen piece, pots alone would use up all the drawer space. What about the cupcake tins? I have four sizes, two of each. And the bowls?

Albeit, this may say more about our level of consumption than the planning skills of 1930’s builders. It was clear, this kitchen had to go.

I’ve designed about fifty kitchens in my career. I was convinced I could make this room work. I moved pieces of furniture in and out. I tried adding some generic wall cabinets. Nothing looked right. The 42” wide double porcelain sink, that everyone adores, is a killer on your lower back. Its’ deep basin sits only 22” inches from the floor. Try doing dishes in that!

Any designer will tell you, the most difficult space for them to do, is their own. After several attempts I decided to walk away from it for a while.

One second later, there it was, a chunky mahogany island with a marble top, on a clearance sale. It’s completely unconventional and yet very old world.

It reminded me of the chic patisseries in Paris or the ultra, hip bistros in Soho. It was my jumping off point. I knew exactly what to do. I let it select the cabinet door style. The islands’ marble top is telling the cabinets to be grey, my favourite colour. Grey will blend beautifully with the new stainless appliances.

I dreamt of several soft close drawers and glass door uppers with dimmable lighting everywhere.

Black, quartz countertops would flawlessly pull it all together. I would even splurge on the latch hardware, simply to keep Martha happy. Or…do I create a complete juxtaposition and use fashionably sleek, glossy, modern units? This would be more difficult but with careful planning and attention to detail, I could make it work. Then it happened, reality, that looming cloud named Budget, reared its’ ugly head.

Taking on a project like this is not for the faint of heart. If you are, hire a professional or spend time doing research. Ask a few post-Renovators. The most

important person in your life at this point is a building inspector or, if necessary, an engineer. Suggest your grandest ideas and go from there. If you are absolutely insane, hopefully they’ll tell you. Just remember, almost all things are possible and it all comes back to one thing, money. If you have an endless source of funds then there are no limitations.

In this age of internet and social media, anything and everything is at your fingertips. Even though you may get a great deal on a splendid, polished nickel, Swiss faucet, there are others issues to consider. Fortunately and unfortunately, I’ve been through this before. I know what to expect. Not to be a Negative Nelly, but if you expect the worst and hope for the best, you’ll be fine.

I barely made it through the front door of this house and I loved it. It has good “bones”.

Since the renovation on this house took place around eighty years ago, there are no records, no plans and no original drawings. Even though it was obvious to me where the joists and support walls were, I had it checked out anyway, whew, solid. The make shift closet that joined an oddly angled wall was terribly awkward. At seven feet deep and 34” wide, I decided it was a better space to recess the fridge and get another, desperately necessary bank of drawers.

When designing a kitchen, there are several rules to follow; create a workspace triangle, wall cabinets hang 18” above your countertop, dishwasher beside the sink. When dealing with an apartment kitchen of a 130 year old house, the rules fall apart like the first hit on a lathe and plaster wall. Good thing… I don’t HOME FASHIONS MAGAZINE

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like rules. They’re not really rules, more guidelines.

I’ve had several clients spew the “rules” back at me like the Gospel according to Sarah Richardson, heard recently on yet another HGTV renovation episode, so it must be true. But if you pay really close attention, Sarah Richardson doesn’t follow the “rules” either.

The original architect didn’t prepare this house to be divided into separate units. Most likely, He wasn’t thinking about plumbing for a dishwasher or venting for an over the range microwave, or the gargantuan sized fridge. So you have to think outside the realm of what’s considered normal.

Chances are, you’re not going to have a typical suburban style L shaped kitchen. Work with what you’ve got. That L shape is highly overrated anyway.

Living through a renovation is not fun, period.

However, here are a few tips to help save you some money, stress, and more importantly your sanity.

1. Over prepare. Let your food stock dwindle. Most people hoard too much stuff anyway. Remove as many things as you can, including appliances.

2. Make a list of what you will absolutely need for the next 5 weeks. One place setting and utensil set per person. Box up, label and store everything else.

3. Make individual meals and freeze them. Your microwave is your new best friend.

4. Set up a mini make shift kitchen in another room. This one really helps with the ever increasing frustration.

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5. Cover any upholstered furniture with a sheet and plastic. Store blankets, drapes and throw pillows in air tight bags or luggage.

6. Have everything on site for the start date. Appliances, plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, tiles and grout.

7. Compromise with the budget, do some of the labour yourself.

I stained and varnished the sanded wood floors myself. I will be crack filling, sanding and painting. That will pay for the extra drawer bank and 42” high wall cabinets.

8. OVER PREPARE. You can’t wrap, pack or protect too much. Construction debris, saw dust and drywall dust are your worst enemy. The expression “when the dust settles” came from somewhere. The answer to when is, about 6 weeks.

After you’ve vacuumed and mopped for the thirty seventh time, like the plague, it’s back.

It is a small price to pay to have your fresh, functional and uniquely gorgeous kitchen. I just have to decide which style to go with and with anticipation, can’t wait to reveal the final product.

For now I’m off to buy a lottery ticket, I really want that quartz countertop.

It is a small price to pay to have your fresh, functional and uniquely gorgeous kitchen. m

Fall is a Time for Change

Bless Your House, Harvest a Kitchen

By Kate Mammen

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or a person who was born ‘Down Under’ you would think given the relative warmth of the climate in which I was raised, that summer would be my favorite season.

Well it was, until I had the distinct pleasure of experiencing ‘fall’ – your much nicer description of the season we refer to as Autumn. Not that the two can be compared.

Fall in the Maritimes must be one of the most exquisite experiences Mother Nature has to offer, and I along with countless others, feel honored to be able to participate in it.

But beyond the inestimable beauty of the season, there is the incredible bounty it offers to our tables. Apples, pears, plums, pumpkins, squash, gourds, chestnuts are fall incarnate. For me, and many people I know, our kitchens are well and truly the ‘heart’ of our homes. .

Kitchen renovation is not for those who might possess a somewhat less than stellar constitution. It takes a great deal of thought, preparation, and clarification of copious amounts of detail to carry out a kitchen transformation successfully. And for this reason, planning and communication with your kitchen designer is key.

Whilst there is never a ‘wrong’ time to renovate your kitchen, there are many reasons why renovating in the fall is a great time to carry out a project of such tremendous proportions.

Principally, you’ve had the entire summer to be with your family and discuss what is important to all members about how the kitchen should look and function. With this general input from all, the end result is that the new kitchen becomes everyone’s favorite room as opposed to a room that may have been otherwise known as “Mom’s” domain.

As I’ve mentioned, kitchen renovations require lots of communication between those carrying out the renovation and those living in the midst of it. It is my opinion that the two parties need to be in the same place at the same time.

One of the saddest stories I’ve heard is of a family that was told that they best take their holidays during the ‘bomb shelter’ time of the renovation. They did so, and eagerly awaited for their camping holiday to finish so that they could come back to see their new kitchen!

They got home, ran into their new kitchen, and cried.

Instead of being ‘happy campers’, they were the exact opposite – to say the least. Camp out in your own house as the renos occur. It is safer, less costly, and you’ll end up with exactly the kitchen you had in mind.

Another great feature about renovating your kitchen towards he end of summer is that you may, just may, have it ready for Thanksgiving. But if the final touches are not complete by then, it would definitely be ready for a spectacular December Holiday season. In the interim, you then get to spend a couple of months with your new appliances, and your new space to get all the kinks worked out before the hordes of guests arrive, and arrive they will!

Fall provides us with a cornucopia of reasons to make our own kitchen right for our needs. It is a season of breathtaking and enchanting change. Many cultures celebrate with festivals that are tied to the harvesting of fruits, vegetables and grains that ripen at this time. So what better excuse could you have than to bless your kitchen with the right physical and structural ingredients that it needs, in order to, well and truly, become the ‘heart’ of your home – a place of great warmth, wonderful exchanges, many thanks, and memorable gatherings.

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Kate Mammen is a realtor with Exit Realty Advantage with over seven years of experience in real estate, but also with many years experience in the kitchen. Kate’s former life as a pastry chef and retail food consultant had her taken into kitchens across the world, and landed her here in Sunny Fredericton. She knows how crucial it is to find the right home, in the right location, at the right price for her clients and she goes above and beyond to do it. Her clients always feel at home with Kate, and know that her vast experience in the marketplace will serve them well.

Yes, whatever your real estate needs may be, to get sensational service, you can “Count on Kate”.

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The Magic of a Kitchen Party

Socializing seems like the perfect thing to do

By Rachel Mathis

“When you pull everything together in a kitchen there’'s something about it that becomes inherently informal and that’s what’s special about it”

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hat makes the kitchen such a good place to socialize? Is it the growing smells of dinner, or maybe the simple fact that the kitchen holds the beer? The classic Maritime place to play music in a household has always been the kitchen because that’s where the people are. So what is it about a kitchen that brings people together, makes them want to stomp their feet, get out a pair of spoons, and break out the guitar? “Everybody in the Maritimes are already hanging out in the kitchen,” says ECMA songwriter of the year, David Myles, “so if we add music to that it becomes really powerful.”

The environment of a kitchen is very special. We spend so much of our time there that it grows with us.

The little knicks and scrapes on the floor each have a story of their own and those stories reflect the people who live there. Being invited to be in someone’s

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kitchen is like being invited to be part of their family for a little while. The kitchen is the member of the family which holds everything together. We spend most of our time there, preparing food and sharing stories so it becomes part of your life. So because of our love for our kitchen, we want to put time into dressing it up, spending time with it, and introducing it to new people. Your kitchen begins to establish a reputation of its own.

So on those special occasions when socializing seems like the perfect thing to do, a party seems to grow organically from the floor to the ceiling. Those treasured fiddle players, the guitar wizzes, and the spoon tappers start to filter in and congregate in the kitchen and around the house piano, then the singers and foot stompers join right in. You stock the fridge, dim your lights and get ready for the music to take

you on a trip of its own. “Stomp your feet, clap your hands…Just be a part of it. That’s the atmosphere that makes a good kitchen party so infectious. It’s that everyone is able to take part and enjoy themselves!” says Evan LeBlanc, Fredericton based musician.

A true kitchen party isn’t the type of thing you can meticulously plan out or scheme; it’s simply something that falls into place. People are all packed together, dancing, singing, tapping, laughing…it feels like a completely different place, yet it’s still your home. The dim lighting encourages people to go up and talk to someone new, and the conversations are always sure to ignite quickly. You have song requests, food queries, and drinks to hand out, but your kitchen holds it all at your fingertips and in the familiar setting, you know where to reach.

“Everybody in the Maritimes are already hanging out in the kitchen,” “People create moods and atmospheres no matter where they are, however kitchen parties do add a little something…A kitchen that is lived in, has art and photos, warm colors and dimmed lighting makes people feel more at ease and it infuses certain closeness between the people there,” says Jane Blanchard, lead vocalist for Fredericton band Margo, Margo, “As a musician, kitchen parties are a great time just to play and collaborate with different people.”

That magical environment that stems from a kitchen party is so special that people don’t tend to forget it.

They look back on those fantastic conversations they had with a person they just met, or the musician they discovered there who was so real and so open. The subtlety of the environment which is set in the kitchen influences these experiences and turns it from a fun night into a night that you want to keep forever. Those subtleties are created by the people there and the feeling of the kitchen.

“When you pull everything together in a kitchen there’s something about it that becomes inherently informal and that’s what’s special about it,” says David Myles. “It’s not a show, people don’t feel pressure about messing up…and if you happen to be there watching other people it’s the best place to hear

people play music because you’re seeing them in the most real environment because they’re not putting on a show, they’re just playing.”

“Stomp your feet, clap your hands…

Just be a part of it."

That is why the Maritimes are known for their kitchen parties; the feelings they induce are so captivating that you will never forget it. It’s unfortunately also easy to turn into a cliché. Since we are so well known for them here in the Maritimes, we try to create that magic which grows from spontaneity, not planning.

As great as these times are, we have to be prepared to let them happen when they happen and not try to force them into being.

A kitchen party is intimate and unique because it grows in the kitchen; the place in the house that is most loved and most cared for. Whether it’s because of the colors that were thought over for many nights, the tiles and details, the wooden floor that was perfect for dancing, or the cabinetry that framed the whole thing, this is where the magic happens. The kitchen is where people can let go, be themselves, and play their favorite tunes. The kitchen is the best place, in any home, for a party.

A kitchen party is intimate and unique because it grows in the kitchen; the place in the house that is most loved and most cared for. g

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So what kind of meals will you be preparing in your new kitchen?

Without your Health, Nothing else Matters

The importance of putting the right things in your body

By Dr Shelley Quinlan

This magazine contains tons of great ideas for improving your kitchen. Home improvements— particularly improvements to your kitchen—can have a significant impact on your quality of life because they improve the environment in which you spend a lot of your time. Beautiful environments generally lead to happy people.

those that they should stay away from), or 2) people know what to eat (and what not to eat) but choose to eat poorly anyway.

But of course there are also other aspects of your life that impact the quality of it. One of the most important—I would suggest the most important—is your level of health and wellness. After all, without your health, nothing else matters.

Make vegetables and fruit the cornerstone of your diet. They are packed with the nutrients your body needs to function at its best, and should make up at least 50% of every meal.

To a large degree your health and wellness depends on what you put in your body day after day after day. I like to call this the biochemical dimension of wellness, which, together with the physical and psychological dimensions of wellness, determines your overall level of health and wellness.

All of which is just a fancy way of rephrasing the ageold (but never more true than today) adage You are what you eat!

Over 65% of New Brunswickers are overweight or obese. More than any other factor, this is due to the terrible eating habits of our citizens.

Why are we eating so poorly? In my view there are only two possible reasons for this: 1) people don’t know what foods they should eat (and 18

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So for the people in the first category, here are my top three tips on what to put into your body (and not to put into your body):

Limit processed and fast foods, especially processed flour (white bread) and sugar. Usually the less ingredients there are on a label, the better. Get organized and empowered to make your own meals and skip the craving to grab drive-thru on your lunch or evening drive home.

Drink lots of water every day. Proper hydration is often overlooked but it is SO important for proper functioning of the body. A good rule of thumb is to drink ½ your body weight in ounces every day. So if you’re 150 pounds, drink 75 ounces of water per day. Milk, juice,

Dr. Shelley Quinlan is a chiropractor and owner of Fredericton Family Chiropractic: A Creating Wellness Centre.

power drinks, coffee, tea and soft drinks do not count as water! Water is water – pure and delicious with nothing added! Most other liquids we fill ourselves up with have lots of added sugar, dyes and chemicals and should be avoided. And don’t get tricked by the term “diet” – these are equally bad for you and it could easily be argued that these diet drinks are worse due to the addition of extremely toxic chemicals such as Aspartame. Just because it contains fewer calories does not mean it is good for you.

Of course there’s TONS more to be aware of for healthy eating, but if you implement these 3 tips alone, you will see a noticeable improvement in your health and wellness.

For those of you in category 2 who already know what to eat and what not to eat but still have trouble eating right, here are my top three tips to help you make better choices at mealtime: Make sure to have healthy snacks nearby at all times—at home, at work, in the car—wherever you spend a lot of your time. Apples, bananas, carrot sticks, almonds, etc. are great on-the-go snacks. We

often make bad choices when we’re starving and don’t have healthy alternatives at the ready.

Be conscious of portion size. On a scale of 1-10, if being stuffed is a 10, eat to a 7. Eat smaller meals and snacks (5 or 6) throughout the day (i.e. breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack).

Have patience and give yourself a break. Don’t try to change all your eating habits at once. Your road to improved eating will happen in baby steps. Pick one or two days a week where you can indulge in a brownie or sundae or poutine or whatever. It’s all about making more good choices today than you did yesterday, and more good ones tomorrow than you did today.

For the first time ever, our children have a shorter life expectancy than that of their parents. In my opinion, this is a red flag screaming, “something needs to change”. The good news is you can begin to change this right now – today – by getting in the habit of making nutritious and delicious foods in your own beautiful kitchen. Good luck and have fun with it!

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Cobi on Colour

Cobi Ladner talks trendy tones for Fall

By Jami Kloet

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decorating conversation with Cobi Ladner always turns to the topic of colour. The former magazine editor turned designer has always been a fan of the brighter side of décor. So much so, that when she launched her namesake brand, cobistyle, a collection of home and lifestyle products, it was her mission to add colour to a marketplace full of monotones and neutrals.

Three years later and mission accomplished. As her cobistyle brand has grown, so has the design world’s affection for all things bright and beautiful.

“This colour world that we now live in came into the marketplace last spring and it came on strong,” says Ladner with delight. “You couldn’t deny it. The whole world went to colour.”

Still riding high on spring’s vibrant invasion of colour, Ladner says she’s excited to see how these tones will transition into fall. Though she’s never been one to label something as a trend, she admits to being thrilled over this current colour craze.

And because colour is currently trending, and because nobody loves colour like Cobi Ladner, this is one design trend she’s delighted to discuss.

Here are Ladner’s picks for falls prettiest pops of colour.

ORANGE Ever since the Pantone Color Institute declared “Tangerine Tango” (Pantone 17-1463) as the colour of the year for 2012, orange has been the au current colour choice in everything from fashion to furniture.

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“Orange is wonderful, fresh and new for fall,” says Ladner. “We’ve got it in a few things in my line because it works so well.”

If you’re not a fan of typical fall colour pairings like orange and brown, Ladner recommends orange and turquoise for a beautiful, modern mixture or orange and red for a more unconventional, yet contemporary, combination.

JEWEL TONES While spring was bursting with bright pops of colour, fall will feature rich jewel tones such as deep purple, blue and olive green.

“It’s still colourful, but it’s got that richness to it,” she says, adding that she’s noticed jewel toned hues in fashion accessories like handbags.

“It’s pretty beautiful. I think fall is going to look great” RED Red is another colour on Ladner’s fall radar.

“Red is really fresh. It’s livable, rich and warm,” she says.

It’s also one of the season’s shades that’s being coordinated into more uncommon colour combinations such as red, brown and cream, a mix Ladner thinks is wonderful for Canadian winters.

WARM NEUTRALS “Even the neutrals are rich and warm and nice,” says Ladner of the season’s pretty palette of chocolates, charcoal grays, navy blues, and even warm shades of black. “I hope it continues on for a while,” she says.

“It really works well with our Canadian fall/winter.”

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he earliest recordings of rosemary date back two millennia. Long used for medicinal purposes and as a flavouring agent, in the Middle Ages rosemary became a symbol of remembrance. It was used both at weddings and funerals to celebrate love, fidelity and a love of life. Christmas is a time when we celebrate loved ones and memories both old and new, so why not incorporate some rosemary into your holiday celebrations?

Mark DeWolf is a food, drink and travel writer, a sommelier instructor and owns By the Glass, which takes guests on epicurean adventures around the world.

Creating Holiday Memories with Rosemary

By Mark DeWolf

Decor:

Rosemary Wreath

Rosemary trees have become very popular. Just add a few colourful decorations and instantly you have a fragrant and seasonal holiday display for your kitchen. Or if you want to get crafty, you can make a rosemary wreath.

What you’ll need: Supplies: Rosemary branches 1 5-inch grapevine wreath - available at most craft stores Clear thread Florist’s wire Scissors Twine Directions: 1. Tie 3-4 rosemary branches into small bundles at base with the clear thread.

2. Lay first bundle on the wreath and secure with the florist’s wire.

3. Overlay second bundle on top of first bundle and secure with wire. Repeat until last bundle meets up with the first bundle.

4. Fill in any empty spaces with individual branches if necessary.

5. Garnish with twine bow.

Crafty tip: Clip the branches off a rosemary tree, as they are more flexible and cost effective compared to buying individual packages from the grocery store.

Gifting Idea: Rosemary Oil

Flavoured oils make wonderful gifts for the epicureans in your life. Dry a ¼ cup of finely chopped rosemary in an oven for 4-5 minutes or set out for a few days in a warm 22 FALL 2012 HOME FASHIONS MAGAZINE

sunny spot (don’t use fresh rosemary as you run the risk of botulism). Place the dried rosemary in a heavy bottom pan, add a bottle of good olive oil and heat on medium until it turns colour (about 5 minutes). Let cool completely and funnel into an artisanal oil bottle. Make sure the bottle is absolutely dry. Add a couple tablespoons of pink peppercorns and you’re done. Tie a recipe onto the bottle with a colourful ribbon. Add a bottle of wine and you’ve got the promise of a wonderful night of great food and drink. This makes a great hostess gift.

Quick and Easy Appetizer:

Rosemary Skewered Lamb

Use rosemary branches in place of skewers to spruce up your holiday hors d’oeuvres routine.

16 ounces lamb loin, cubed ¼ cup lemon juice 2 tbsp olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced 2 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary Rosemary skewers Cherry tomatoes Zucchini slices Marinade the lamb in a bowl with the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and fresh rosemary for an hour. Place a piece of lamb, a cherry tomato and a slice of zucchini on a rosemary skewer and cook on a grill pan over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side.

Wine Pairing Tip:

Cocktails:

In Taste Buds and Molecules, Quebec sommelier François Chartier, has revolutionized food and wine pairing by revealing natural flavour bridges between food and wine by connecting the molecular structure of the flavour compounds of our favourite dishes and classic grape varieties. One of the perfect harmonies revealed in the book is the complementary relationship between rosemary and Riesling. I’d suggest brushing grilled or sautéed shrimp with rosemary oil and serving it as a satisfying hors d’oeuvres at a holiday dining event.

Rosemary can not only add a fragrant scent to your favourite dish but it can also add flavour to cocktails. Try out these rosemary infused drinks at your holiday celebrations.

Rosemary & Riesling:

Mixing it Up with Rosemary

Rosemary Martini 2 oz vodka ¼ oz dry vermouth 1 sprig rosemary Dash olive juice Rosemary skewered cherry tomato 1. Place the vodka, vermouth, rosemary and olive juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice; shake vigorously.

2. Strain into a chilled martini glass or ice filled rocks glass; garnish with the skewered cherry tomato.

Cran-rosemary Cosmopolitan 1 ½ oz orange liqueur 3 oz cranberry juice 2 sprigs rosemary Twist of orange 1. Place the orange liqueur, cranberry juice and rosemary in a cocktail shaker with ice; shake vigorously.

2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

3. Garnish with remaining rosemary sprig and twist of orange.

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Lemon Rosemary Shrimp 1/4 cup butter 1 clove garlic minced 1 tbsp lemon zest 24 jumbo shrimp, peeled, deveined Lemon wedges Salt & pepper Rosemary Oil 1. Place a large sauté pan or wok over medium-high heat; add the butter.

2. When the butter is melted, add the garlic and lemon zest.

3. Add the shrimp and sauté until center is cooked through; about 3-5 minutes.

4. Transfer the shrimp to a plate; squeeze some fresh lemon juice over top.

5. Drizzle the shrimp with rosemary oil and season with salt and pepper.

6. Add a little pizzazz to the presentation by skewering the shrimp with fresh rosemary.

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Take it Outdoors

By Alex Brennan

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ne of the most precious personal resources we have in this area of the world is outdoor space, and using this space to add value to our life is something we should embrace whole heartedly.

Not only can upgrading and renovating your outdoor space add value to your property, but it can also add value to your life in terms of health and well being, both mental and physical. Given that such a little bit of outside can go such a long way, we should all be investing in our landscaping and our lives.

With more and more of us spending the majority of our time indoors these days contending with screens, re-circulated air, and regulated environments, a serious social trend of nature deficiency is beginning to make itself evident in many facets of our society.

Study after study indicates that the limited amount of time people spend outdoors is damaging to our physical and mental health, stress levels, creativity, and sense of connection with the natural world.

What better way to counteract this trend then to create a personalized, natural space right outside your back door that will not only improve your personal well being, but will add to your quality of life and the value of your home.

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Outdoor space, like any space in your house, has to be carefully considered, designed and executed. Just as a well-designed kitchen can make your cooking, entertaining and general living a hassle free joy, a well-designed outdoor space will pull people out and can provide a bit of solace in an otherwise hectic life.

An effective outdoor extension of your home depends on your needs, your designer, and, of course, your budget. The ultimate goal is to make the space suit your needs and aesthetics, and there are solutions and considerations within every budget to help personalize your yard.

What Do You Want?

The best way to get things started is to begin asking questions about how the space is going to be used.

Will it be used as a children’s play area or as an entertaining area? Perhaps you are a gardener who wants lots of flowerbeds to putter around in or a golfer who wants greens to putter upon! Maybe you’d like a little more privacy or maybe you are searching for a Zen space to simply sit and relax and ponder the mysteries of life…or Soduku.

What is Your Vision?

Your needs will start to inform what type of design you are looking for, but your style will personalize it. Keep in mind that there are plenty of creative solutions to ensure that your style and your needs can happily co-exist. For example, young children may not get any benefit out of a large amount of stone or man made surfaces, but trees and turf will delight; perhaps stylized wooden screens or large plantings can separate the two elements.

Conversely, a sleek outdoor patio + kitchen, complete with well designed seating, shade elements, and clean plantings will do wonders for the dinner parties, but may not offer enough naturalized elements to satisfy someone who is looking for a natural refuge. By keeping the patio and kitchen close to the house and creating a plant heavy area at the back complete with flagstone and a water feature will give you two distinct zones that will accommodate both needs.

What Do You Need?

Most of all what you need is careful consideration.

Spend some time in the space figuring out where the sun rises and sets, where the wind blows, if you have

low or high spots, how close your neighbors are, if they have large trees on their properties, and if you have water or wetness issues. Also spend some time inside your house looking out your windows upstairs and down to consider what you’re going to be looking at if you make changes outside.

Remember what the ultimate goal is; you’re trying to add value to your life. Carefully considering and executing a re-design of your yard will add usable space, improve both the function and aesthetics of your property, encourage outdoor time and exposure to nature, reduce stress levels and add monetary value to your home. But most of all it may give you the opportunity to exercise some creativity and forethought in the creation of what could be the most important side of your life: the Outside.

Remember what the ultimate goal is; you’re trying to add value to your life. l

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Gummy Bear Ice cube tray!

It has fun written all over it for both children and adults.

The silicone tray can be filled with any liquid (water or juice) and put in the freezer. This can add so much fun to your children’s drinks. Or be the perfect size for jello shooters for the adults! The tray can also be used for chocolates. The sky is the limit. A must have at under $10.00

Measuring Spoon

This spoon does double duty of measuring and stirring the meal you are preparing. It can measure both dry and wet ingredients! The handle measures up to a ¼ cup, while the spoon measures half teaspoon, teaspoon, tablespoon and 2 tablespoons. This cool gadget will be something you won’t be able to cook without once you have one! Another under $10 item!

Must Have Gadgets for Every Kitchen

By Michelle Parsons

Goggles

They may look a little strange but they may save you from crying over your next meal.

For some people, cutting up an onion can be a real tear fest. So put away the tissue and bring out the goggles and this problem will be a thing of the past.

They are comfortably designed to fit snugly against your face and the soft foam seal presses around your peepers keeping out offending fumes. Not a bad deal for under $25.00.

Digital BBQ tongs!

This is a very hightech item. There are special sensors in the tips to detect the meats temperature.

Now there is no more wondering if your meat is cooked all the way through.

This amazing tool will chime when the temperature of whatever meat you are cooking is done! Now they call this the BBQ tongs but this would be perfect for the chicken you cook in the oven or the pork chops that you pan fry! It has seven preset meat type settings and one custom. This is a wonderful item at under $40.00.

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French Fries!!!

Homemade French fries are a favorite in many families. However they can be very labour intensive.

But no more with the French fry slicer! This wonderful machine makes 36 steak cut French fries in one press of the lever. Switch out the blades and you can also have match sticks fries perfect for the oven. The deep fryer is my favorite option of course! A more expensive gadget, but worth it, at just under $70.00.

Meatballs Anyone?

Another gadget that is topping the list!!! I’m not very good at making meatballs so this device is a life saver. The stainless steel grill can make 12 meatballs at a one time on your grill and allow the fat to drip off. In the amount of time it takes to grill a hamburger, you can have amazing flame broiled meatballs for your spaghetti meal!!

A great deal at $50 for this gadget.

46 Nashwaak West Road Taymouth, NB E6C 1Z8 joforbes@nb.aibn.com

Joanne Forbes BBA Sales Representative

Tel: (506) 367-3305 Fax: (506) 367-2480 Cell: (506) 440-9755

For all your insurance needs...

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elcome to Capital City Builders; a full service home building company with your comfort in mind. They take care of you from start to finish; through drafting, surveying and interior design, to finishes and warranty.

Capital City Builders is Fredericton’s Bungalow specialist! They build a variety of home styles but their passion is building functional main level living spaces. They work closely with you to ensure that every square foot of your new living space is purposed and functional.

Fredericton's SMART Homebuilding Choice “We were sceptical but decided to give them a call. Right away we were able to tour a home they were building. After hearing about the process we weren’t scared anymore. We also watched projects progress through their Facebook page and really liked what we saw” They stick to their quote! Whether you are looking to downsize and build your dream retirement home or a parent in need of a functional home for your growing family; you expect quality within your budget. Capital City Builders carefully prepare your quote to ensure that the only surprises you get along the way are positive ones!

“We knew we could get what we wanted within our budget through Capital City Builders. The process was simplified; they keep you on budget and don’t try to upsell you all of the time, if you want more, that’s up to you” Capital City Builders understands that you have a full and busy life, so, they coach you through the process and professionally manage the details for you. You can be as involved as you want to be. They work closely with professional supply partners to provide excellent finishing and design services so you don’t have to shop around, you can know that you are in solid hands.

“They present the full package and set up appointments with their preferred suppliers for you. I don’t know of another builder who will bring you floor samples instead of you having to fend for yourself!”

As a proud Gold Member of “Green Shops Fredericton”, they recycle building waste and encourage trade persons to participate in green initiatives on site. They also use local builders and suppliers ensuring fewer emissions. “…there were separate bins for items to be recycled – even the trade’s persons were encouraged to recycle their pop cans and bottles on site; that impressed me” If you are thinking about building your dream home, consider Capital City Builders. They have a solid reputation for excellent quality and their customer care is second to none.

“My advice to you is, go for it! Pick up the phone and give them a call and see what happens”

Thelma M. of Fredericton

Watch for Capital City Builders signage and building sites around the city, and check them out at www.facebook.com/capitalcitybuilders or call 506-476-1012.

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