homes&design summer 2013
e d m o n to n j o u r n a l . c o m
Relaxed
rooms
Providing you the best Countertop purchasing experience
FLOFORM.COM | P 780.474.7999 7630 YELLOWHEAD TRAIL, EDMONTON, AB
in this issue SUMMER 2013
features 7
BEAT YA OUTSIDE!
Make late spring feel like high summer
14 DECODING DECOR
What is Cottage Style?
21 SUMMER IN THE SIXTIES
Mod patios
26 COLOUR COATED
Bright furniture
32 BACKYARD EATS ARE TREATS
How to start a garden
39 THIS VS. THAT
Granite or quartz?
26 advertisers
ARTISTRY BLINDS.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
12 CLOSET CREATORS.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 COAST WHOLESALE APPLIANCES.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 COVENTRY HOMES.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 FLAMAN FITNESS.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 FLO FORM COUNTERTOPS.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 HOME WATER SYSTEMS INC... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 JIFFY VACUUM.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 MOBLER FURNITURE.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SALISBURY GREENHOUSE.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SCANDIA FURNITURE.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 ST. ALBERT SOURCE FOR SPORTS.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 UPPERWOODS FURNITURE.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 CARPET CRAFT & MORE.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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on the cover Get the feel of sun, sky and sand. Allen Logan hall tree from Ethan Allen with accessories in coral, lemon and sea green.
SUMMER 2013
HOMES& DESIGN
3
Back Yard
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editor’s note
SUMMER 2013
Editor
HELEN METELLA
Welcome to the Summer 2013 edition of
hmetella@edmontonjournal.com Managing Editor
SASHA ROEDER MAH sroedermah@edmontonjournal.com
Homes & Design
Contributing Writers
LEANNE BROWNOFF JANE CARDILLO PAMELA IRVING DAVID RYNING ANN SUTHERLAND Photography
JASON FRANSON Design
CHRISTINE PEARCE Advertising Lead
RHONDA VICKERS rvickers@edmontonjournal.com
For advertising opportunities in the . next issue of HOMES & DESIGN . online magazine please call 780-429-5553
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E D M O N TO N J O U R N A L . C O M
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When the weather’s fine ... here’s the design!
F
OR MOST OF US, buying
furniture, painting walls and choosing home accessories is hardly something we do as regularly as the seasons change. So it may seem silly to decorate in a style that takes its cues from summer. But as designer Leanne Brownoff explains in Decoding Decor, Cottage Style decorating is all about the attitude of summer: informal, welcoming and happy. Whose home couldn’t benefit from more of that? If you feel like you’ve just survived Edmonton’s Winter That Would Not Die, why not take full advantage of the flipside benefits of our climate? Long, sunny days are perfect for growing vegetables and Backyard Eats Are Treats shows you how to get started, whether you’re limited to a few containers, or are digging your first garden plot. This issue also throws a spotlight on the latest trends in patio furniture, and on accessories that make outdoor living appealing even before the full heat of summer arrives. There’s also a primer on the unexpected new colours popping up in contemporary furniture. Best of all? Everything is available from stores in the Edmonton area. Enjoy!
Helen Metella
SUMMER 2013
HOMES& DESIGN
5
E L A S G N I V O M UR O G N I S CLO D A O R D L MAYFIE N O I T A C LO
SAVE UP TO
50
%
MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER After 20 years at our Mayfield Road location Scandia Furniture will be moving, to a brand new location. The entire store will be on sale. Clearance items throughout including all accessories. ALL ITEMS SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE 10560 Mayfield Rd. Phone (780)483-4949 Lots of free parking
TAKE 6 MONTHS TO PAY. NO FEES. NO INTEREST.
www.scandiafurniture.com
IT’S SO YOU.
All sales final Floor models and clearance items as is Reduced prices do not apply to any previous purchase
HOURS: MONDAY-WEDNESDAY 10:00-6:00PM THURSDAY 10:00–9:00PM FRIDAY 10:00–6:00PM SATURDAY 10:00–5:00PM SUNDAY 12:00–5:00PM
Beat ya
outside!
Get a head start on patio season ANN SUTHERLAND | Edmonton Journal
SUPPLIED / BOB GUNDU
MicroPro Sienna deck
W
hy wait for full summer, when you can cure your cabin fever and get a jumpstart on patio season now? With light, heat and colour, your outdoor space will be warm and inviting, even during a late spring.
SUMMER 2013
HOMES& DESIGN
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Decked out Anchor your outdoor room with a cosy deck. MicroPro Sienna is a new wood decking material now available in Canada that has low VOC emissions and a cedar look achieved without staining, so it can be installed and used the same day. The company uses a newly patented technology that injects solid copper into the wood at a microscopic level, without any need for solvents. Where: Lowe’s How much? Approximately 20 per cent higher than pressure-treated wood
Time for a snack A portable grill makes it easy to find the most sheltered spot in your backyard and create an instant cool-evening picnic. Look for porcelain enamel to ensure years of rust-free grilling. What: Jumbo Joe portable charcoal grill from Weber Where: Home Depot How much? $44.99 8
summer 2013 HOMES& DESIGN
Have a seat Karren Beasley, president of Edmonton’s Pur Living, designs and manufactures outdoor seating that is wellsuited to our weather. The furniture is made from acrylic resin, a stable and strong material that expands and contracts in extreme temperatures. The furniture won’t crack, peel or fade and can be used year-round.
What: Five-piece St. Croix sectional with interconnecting pieces Where: Pur Living, 11615 149th St.; 780-809-9787 How much? $3,765
Turn up the heat A firetop table (above) or a wall unit fireplace (left) is a stylish, sleek and multi-levelled answer to those chilly evenings. These run on propane or natural gas. With the tabletop unit, the flame is even hot enough to roast marshmallows. What: Firetop table; wall unit fireplace Where: Pur Living How much? Tables start at $900. Featured unit shown here is $4,600.
photos this page: jason franson / edmonton Journal
summer 2013
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Forever green Can’t wait for summer blooms? Green up your outdoor space with artificial plants. The Forever Florals created by the folks at Pur Living last for years without fading or fraying. Made from plastics and UV-protected, they can be left out year-round. What: Forever Florals plastic plants Where: Pur Living How much? $179
Pergola privacy A pergola creates a private and intimate setting. It also adds a layer of protection from elements such as wind and sun. Drape fabric over it to make a windscreen on a chillier day when the spring winds are blowing. What: Four-by-12-foot pergola kit Where: Pur Living How much? $1,350
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summer 2013 HOMES& DESIGN
Bright idea Set the mood with light. Lanterns with lit candles can be placed on side tables or hung on a pergola to add a touch of magic. For a whimsical twist include an artificial tree. The blossoming tree of light, in six different colour options, is made from fibreglass over a weatherresistant aluminum. What: Lanterns (above); LED tree (right) Where: Lanterns at Tin Box; 10512 Whyte Ave. or 12433 102nd Ave. LED tree at Pur Living. How much? Lanterns: Small - $18, Large $31.50. LED tree $3,200.
Cosy up You’ve got your outdoor space set up. All that’s left is to wrap yourself in a warm, colourful blanket. When made from a wool-polyester blend, it will keep the heat in and is easy to care for, too. What: Outdoor blanket Where: Tin Box How much? $110
all photos these pages: jason franson / edmonton Journal
summer 2013
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Decoding Decor
What is Cottage Style?
14
summer 2013 HOMES& DESIGN
leanne brownoff | Edmonton Journal
C
ottage Style design is that ideal balance of casual comfort with a slightly tousled, easy sophistication. It is as refreshing as a tall, cool glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and as effortless as an afternoon nap in a hammock.
What mood does it set? It’s that feeling of “getting away from it all.” Cottage Style exudes casual hospitality. It creates a welcoming oasis that invites guests to leave their hectic lives at the doorstep. Think about the easy breezy days of summer and you’ll discover the basics to cottage style.
Supplied / cottswood interiors
A room filled with casual summer offerings like a cream sofa, colourful accent pillows, and wispy drapery exudes Cottage Style chic.
“Summer living is all about effortless style, fabrics that don’t require maintenance, deep upholstery that you can sink into. Pillows in fresh bright colours — melons, aquas, pinks — all speak to the lightness and fun that summer living conjures in our minds.” — Paulette Gunn, senior designer at Cottswood Interiors
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What does Cottage Style look like? Karen Visser, owner and designer at Bella Casa Design Centre Ltd., characterizes the look as “crisp white linens and grey base tones that can be easily accessorized with brightly coloured throw cushions and drapery panels.” White and grey neutral tones are awakened by splashes of yellow, coral, chartreuse, tangerine and turquoise. And don’t forget green.
“Some form of green in our homes, whether it be toss pillows, a character chair, a rug or simply a teapot on the stove ... is so uplifting. Especially in our climate, we just don’t get enough of it!” — Paulette Gunn, senior designer at Cottswood Interiors
Botanical and nautical themes in accent pieces, dishware and linens, like these from WilliamsSonoma, also help set a Cottage Style tone.
A comfy and cosy Copley lounger and ottoman in fresh green, by CR Laine, from Cottswood Interiors.
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summer 2013 HOMES& DESIGN
RIGHT: Revelle Parigi yellow bedding, from Bella Casa. BELOW: The Andromeda console by Lexington, from Cottswood Interiors, has jade coloured stones reminiscent of sea glass collected on the beach.
above: Churchill Linen Roses Bronze Flax Pillow, from Bella Casa.
Colour pops with round Uno ottomans in spring green, from Cottswood Interiors.
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Cottage Style can be modern or folksy:
Fun, blue and chrome accent chair by Michael Weiss delivers contemporary Cottage Style. From Cottswood Interiors.
Linens in yellow and coral, from Williams Sonoma, are great complements to crisp neutrals.
To create it use: • No-fuss, oversized white linen bedding that grazes the floor and grey base tones • Gauze draperies that dance in the breeze • Throw pillows in cheery accent colours reminiscent of a bouquet of handpicked field flowers
• Accessories in yellow, coral, chartreuse or turquoise • At the table, brightly coloured linens that display festive plates and glassware • Stunning outdoor furniture that requires little maintenance
Where can I find it in Edmonton? Bella Casa Design Centre Ltd. 9646 142nd Street bellacasadcl.com
A silk duvet by St. Geneve Fine European Bed Linens imparts casual luxury: white-on-white, crisp, fresh, breezy, and cool. From Bella Casa.
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summer 2013 HOMES& DESIGN
Cottswood Interiors 10940 Mayfield Road cottswood.com Williams-Sonoma West Edmonton Mall - Level 2 (by Entrance 9) williams-sonoma.ca
The BEST place to buy your Major Home Appliances
w w w . c o a s t a p p l i a n c e s . c o m T W O L O C AT I O N S I N E D M O N T O N : Edmonton North - 18503 Stony Plain Rd NW (780) 451-6095 Edmonton South - 5345 Gateway Blvd NW (780) 436-5501
780.718.9613
Showroom by Appointment at 7315-50 Street Walk In Closets • Reach In Closets • Mudrooms • Wardrobes • Offices • Garages Entertainment Centres • Pantries • Laundry Rooms • Wall Beds • Sliding Doors • Blinds
www.closetcreators.ca
Creating Your Perfect Space
Summer in the
Sixties Patio furniture gets a new groove with mod lines and pop-art colours
jane cardillo | Edmonton Journal
Photos supplied
D
on Draper’s living room could be as close as your patio this summer, as a retro revival of all things ’60s, prompted by recent seasons of the TV drama Mad Men, moves outdoors. Sleek, low-slung coffee tables, streamlined sofas, pops of psychedelic colour on seat cushions and throw pillows, and metal accents reminiscent of spring-loaded
folding chairs are signs that mid-century style is still influencing current design. Add in contemporary extras, such as outdoor pizza ovens and fireplaces, hot tubs that double as vacation spas, and solar-powered table lamps, and you’ve got what it takes for classic entertaining with a modern flair. Here are this summer’s top trends...
summer 2013
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Streamlined and steel
Get a convertible! Furniture with adjustable parts means more entertaining and less clutter. For smaller gardens and apartment balconies, Ikea’s modular seating in woven plastic rattan from its Ammero line (above) combines to form small sofas or larger seating solutions. The Westbury rectangular adjustable table at Home Depot (below) is a coffee table with moving panels. It transforms into a dining table and comes with interchangeable ice bucket and flat metal top with umbrella hole.
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summer 2013 HOMES& DESIGN
Straight, clean lines on many outdoor loveseats and chairs rock the 1960s look. Go for a space-age vibe with the curvy lines of the Skarpo armchair from Ikea (above). Or add metal accents, like those found in the Laredo line from Beachcomber Hot Tubs and Patio (below), and these pieces take on a modern, edgy appeal.
Hotter than a match head Colour is a huge influence this summer with lime green, aqua, turquoise and orange bursting onto seat cushions, throw pillows, tablecloths and more. The luxurious seating from the Monterra collection at Beachcomber Hot Tubs and Patio (above) sizzles in burnt orange, while Ikea’s Roxo series of chairs and stools in powdercoated steel come in eye-popping shades of orange and turquoise (right).
Amp up accents Don’t forget the finishing touches. Solar and wind-powered table lamps and area rugs (both from Ikea) in bold, sassy colours transform your patio into an outdoor living room. Ikea and Home Depot also carry a wide selection of striking flower pots, watering cans and lanterns. Shade yourself with a brightly hued umbrella from Dinette & Patio Showplace.
Pillowtalk
supplied / ikea
Home Depot’s Hampton Bay collection adds splashes of vibrant colour and pattern to seat cushions and throw pillows. Want more sophistication? Channel ’60s icons Audrey Hepburn or James Bond and check out Ikea’s black-and-white cushions and textiles.
supplied / home depot
supplied / ikea
summer 2013
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summer 2013 HOMES& DESIGN
Colour Coated S
trong colours are clamouring for attention this year: blues in vivid hues, pinks and oranges that evoke blazing sunsets, and greens as lush as wet gardens. Surprisingly, designers are even presenting permanent pieces of furniture covered in colour. You can get the look without turning your living room into a garishly bright set for The Big Bang Theory. Here’s how...
Ethan Allen’s Quincy bed, $1,399, Loren bench, $591, and Dhurrie rug, $199 SUMMER 2013
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1
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summer 2013 HOMES& DESIGN
5 2 Choose pieces that have equally assured lines when washing them with bold colour. 1 Sturdy construction lends these
3
pieces heft. Duncan buffet, $2,129, and Duncan hutch, $1,589, in Sunflower Yellow. Miller dining table, $1,569. Gilbert armchairs in Kelly Green, $339. All from Ethan Allen
2 Modern arms on the chairs and the
angled sofa ends signal that the choice of lavender was an up-to-the-minute decision, too. Barnhart Wynn chair, $1,969 and Barnhart Elwood sofa, $3,759, both from McElehran’s Fine Furniture
3 A no-nonsense base supports this
Allen Warren end table in Marine Blue, $939, from Ethan Allen
4 Strong and effective, just like its
colours. Carmichael loft chair, $1,250 from 29Armstrong
4
5 Sleek and memorable, Canyon sofa by Bensen, $2,081 from 29Armstrong
6 Allen Logan hall tree in Chambray Blue, $1,829, from Ethan Allen
6 summer 2013
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1 3
2
Surround bold colours with layers of complementary hues in textures and accessories.
1 Tangerine and blue pottery stands out against this Duncan hutch, from Ethan Allen
2 This French white console table, $639, from Ethan Allen, is set off by accessories in silver and pewter tones
3 Cool blue Atwood sofa by Gus Modern, $2,150, from 29Armstrong
4 While these raspberry and turquoise tones are
equally exuberant, their subtle florals and checks create a calming texture blend. Bench and area rug from Ethan Allen
4 30
summer 2013 HOMES& DESIGN
Add subtle texture with patterns or stripes, as well as with fabric and finishes.
1
1 Big green stripes are tempered by this
Nadine Chest in silver leaf, $2,199, from Ethan Allen
2 Even an elegant, understated sofa can
hop right on-trend with the addition of shiny, flower-power-flavoured cushions in teal. Bernhart Nova sofa, $3,189, at McElehran’s Fine Furniture
2
Be bold but not overbearing – use only a couple of “big” colours in a room. Balance is key, even in an artsy setting. Carmichael loft sofa and chair by Gus Modern, $2,150 and $1,250, at 29Armstrong
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Backyard eats are treats Even newbies can grow food pamela irving | Edmonton Journal
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T
here’s no easier way to impress at your dinner table than by serving homegrown food. Nothing easier, either, whether you have room for a backyard garden or merely for a few containers on a balcony. “All you need is a hunger for beauty and good food,” says Jim Hole, co-owner of The Enjoy Centre in St. Albert. “The passion will come naturally when you see the results.” For containers or for small garden plots, here are the simple guidelines on what and how to plant.
Just Arrived
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STORE HOURS:
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Maple Crest 729 - 37A Avenue SE tel: 780-756-1190
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Newcastle 12420 - 171 Avenue NW tel: 780-756-7505
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Westerra 1347 Westerra Drive, Stony Plain tel: 780-963-3822
Woodhaven 5414 Edworthy Way tel: 587-523-6999
www.coventry-homes.com
Supplied / The Enjoy Centre
LEFT: Cucumbers in a container. Supplied / Akemi Matsubuchi
RIGHT: Tomatoes do well in containers on sunny porches or balconies.
container gardening Supplied / Claudia Bolli
Essentials • Sunlight If your balcony gets more than four hours per day of sunlight, you can pretty much grow anything. Balconies tend to trap sunlight. If you get less light than that, think cool seasonal greens and leafy vegetables, such as chards.
• Soil
Large containers contain lemon gem marigold, cherry tomatoes, kale, and swiss chard (black planter); peppers, thyme and lettuce (clay planter). For colour, texture and scent: lamium, millet, potato vine, heliotrope, nicotiana and oxalis
Use high-quality potting soil that’s PH balanced.
• Water Buy an attractive watering can, and enlist a neighbour to water while you’re away. Forget drip systems. If something goes wrong while you’re gone, there’s no one there to make it right. Tip: Water only when soil feels dry to an index finger inserted to the first knuckle.
• Containers Deep containers with drainage holes and trays are best. Twenty-litre containers handle a good variety of plants comfortably.
H o w t o P l a n t C o n ta i n e r s • Plant the highest-growing plants, such as dill, in the centre of the container. • Ring them with mid-growth plants like oregano and thyme, and add an outer circle of low-growth edible flowers. Pansies are tasty in early spring, nasturtiums add heat to summer salads and calendula is an early fall beauty for any occasion. summer 2013
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All you need is a hunger for beauty and good food. The passion will come naturally when you see the results. jim hole | the enjoy centre
W h at t o P l a n t ? “What do you like to eat?” asks Jim Hole. “Plan your containers accordingly.” • Pick your favourite flavours. Lemon balm, mint and cilantro are great fresh in summer. Tip: Grow mint in its own pot or it will take over. • Tomatoes and basil grow well together in high sunlight and often do better in containers than in the garden.
backyard plots If you’re a newbie gardener with a backyard, herb spirals are a great place to start. “Herb spirals are small, circular gardens that are multi-sensory, easy to create and add to your culinary adventures,” says Claudia Bolli of Wild Green Garden Consulting. “The herbs can be picked and used fresh throughout the season.”
Essentials • Sunlight A backyard that is sunny up to eight hours per day is best. If you get six hours or less of sunshine, either consider shade plants only, or planting in a sunny front yard.
• Water Plant near a water source — preferably a rain barrel — and kitchen door or patio for easy access. Supplied / Claudia Bolli
Containers featuring herbs, peas, tomatoes and lettuce.
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summer 2013 HOMES& DESIGN
• Land A plot that’s 1.5 metres in diameter is a good size. You don’t want to walk through the spiral to pick herbs.
PHOTOS: jane thrall
In early to mid-June, transplant your hardened-off herbs and seedlings into the spiral; add other ornamental features as desired. Then just weed and water.
H o w t o P l a n t a n H e r b Sp i r a l • Mark out a circle one to 1.5 metres in diameter. Dig out the sod and weeds using a garden spade. • Top up existing soil at a ratio of three bags of top soil to one bag compost, mixed in with a garden fork. Tip: Good planting soil should be dark, crumbly and loose, with an earthy smell. • Mound the soil up about 30 cm (one foot) in the centre. • Create a border with bricks. • Line the bricks with 20 to 25 cm (eight to ten inches) of wood chips to create a barrier from grass invasion. • Create a spiral starting from the centre. • Use stones, shells or crockery — be creative!
W h at t o P l a n t • Purchase four-inch pots of your favourite herbs and some you want to sample. Keep the pots outside during the day, until the fear of frost is gone. • Plant herbs that like drier conditions — such as sage, thyme and rosemary — near the top of the spiral. • Plant herbs that need more moisture — such as parsley, chives and tarragon — near the bottom of the spiral.
• Shadier spots on the north side favour herbs like French sorrel or vegetables that prefer less direct sun. Try rainbow Swiss chard with colourful stems. • Tip: Pineapple sage and lemon balm add zest to your palate. • Edge the spiral with edible flowers to add colour and culinary interest. • Water deeply when dry.
Local Resou rces • Food and the City: Urban Agriculture and the New Food Revolution, by Jennifer Cockrall-King, Prometheus Books: an inspiring book for grow-ityourself foodies, by an Edmonton-based journalist. • The Enjoy Centre: enjoycentre.ca: a St. Albertbased greenhouse, floral studio, whole foods market and deli, and more, for gardening supplies and locally grown foods. • Wild Green Consulting for tips and assistance with edible landscapes wildgreen.ca summer 2013
HOMES& DESIGN
37
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vs. How to be hard-headed when choosing granite or quartz countertops david ryning | Edmonton Journal
Supplied / stoneworks granite & marble
Granite commands attention in this dramatic kitchen countertop and backsplash.
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ant a durable countertop that also looks great? Granite and quartz are at the top of the list for many homeowners — but how do you choose between them? Start by considering the look you’re after, says Samantha Loh, of Stoneworks Granite & Marble. Do you want a visual centrepiece with a heavy “wow” factor? Or a uniform look that blends seamlessly with cabinets and wall colours? Next, learn how the stone will work in your conditions, says Fil Maiorana of Real Stone Works. Consult an expert who can explain how different stone behaves. Here’s a quick guide to common questions.
Rich depths of colour and pattern make granite the perfect showpiece. Shown here in Original Treasure from Stoneworks Granite & Marble.
Granite W h at i s i t ? Granite is natural stone that is quarried, then cut into slabs. Since the concentrations of the minerals that make up granite vary, each piece is distinct in colour, pattern and composition.
These closeups show the unique patterns that occur in granite slabs. From left, Palomino, Magma Black and Superwhite, all from World Stone.
W h at d o e s i t l o o k l i k e ?
W h at s h o u l d I k e e p i n m i n d ?
There are wide variations in pattern and colour for granite, even within the same slab, but it will always have an earthy white, pink or grey base tone.
• Variability: Look at an entire slab when choosing your piece. If the shape of your counter requires separate pieces butted together, seams can be difficult to disguise.
W h at m a k e s i t g r e at ?
• Maintenance: Granite is porous, and pores can be a breeding ground for bacteria. For that reason, many experts suggest sealing granite once a year. Others disagree. Maiorana believes that sealing isn’t necessary for most granite and that maintenance is no more onerous than for quartz.
• Beauty: Each slab of granite is unique, making it a perfect choice when the countertop is meant to be the centre of attention. Think of granite slabs as pieces of art, says Loh. • Durability: Granite resists scratches, heat and stains. If it does chip or scratch, surface polishing is usually enough to restore it, while the stone’s varied grain allows blemishes to blend in. 40
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W h at ’ s t h e c o s t ? Most granite is $70-$150 per square foot.
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Quartz W h at i s i t ? Quartz countertops are an engineered stone, using quartz that’s bonded with resin. A typical ratio is 93 per cent quartz to seven per cent resin.
W h at d o e s i t l o o k l i k e ? Choice of colour is virtually unlimited. The quartz crystals will create a sparkle within the base colour.
W h at ’ s g r e at about quartz? • Uniformity: The colour and pattern of the countertop remain consistent, making it easier to match the rest of the décor. Seams are not as noticeable. • Ease of maintenance: A quartz countertop doesn’t need to be resealed.
W h at s h o u l d I keep in mind? Quartz, while extremely durable, can be difficult to repair if damage does occur. Choose cleaners carefully, says Maiorana, as harshly alkaline or acidic substances can harm the surface.
W h at ’ s the cost? Supplied / stoneworks granite & marble
ABOVE: The muted tones of quartz complement any decor. BELOW: A closeup view shows the neutral tones in this White Ash quartz countertop.
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Most quartz is $85$150 per square foot.
Less expensive options... Stoneskin Peel ’n Stick natural stone tile: These stone mosaic panels are applied over top of existing tile and can be used for countertops, backsplashes or as accents. Heat resistant, easy to install and great-looking, they are an economical way to breathe life into your kitchen. They can also be used on tub surrounds, fireplaces or feature walls. Available in Edmonton at Kingswood Distribution Inc.; kinswood.ca (sic).
Trend Glass recycled-glass countertops: Attractive, durable and maintenance-free — and perfect for the ecologically minded — these countertops use a combination of tempered glass, post-consumer recycled glass and stone. Available at Granite Transformations; granitetransformations.com.
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