FineHomes Regina Fall/Winter 2010

FineHomes

REGINA

FALL + WINTER 2010/2011

FEATURING THE LATEST TRENDS IN DESIGN

DREAM KITCHENS

House Built By Harmony Builders See Page 16

Start To Finish Construction Commerical & Residential, Electrical & Plumbing

Our addition started out as a dream, and Start To Finish Construction turned it into reality. We found the crew to be friendly, knowledgeable and easy to work with. We have already recommended them to others!

Mike & Carol

Call 531-4438 Safety is not a job. It’s a way of life!

INTERIORS • Kitchen & Bathroom • Basement Replacement • Basement Finishing • Painting and Trim • Ceilings • Flooring • Wall Bracing • Drywall EXTERIORS • New Masonry • Masonry Restoration • Roofing • Siding • Fencing • Decks • Garages

SUTTON GROUP RESULTS REALTY NORTH

From Left to Right: Joel Trapp, Tim Otitoju, Tim Chicilo, Jen Welykholowa, Aaron Habicht, Devin Stubel, Giuliana DeCosmo, Don Crone, Karin Wees, Rob Pederson, Brian Albert, Tanya Kohl, Domenico Palamara, Chris Parrott, Gaston Sirois Missing: Brett Ackerman, Tracy Albert, Patrick Allingham, Devon Crawford, Joan Johnston, Kelly McDonald, Carolle Prawdzik, Rosa Rolfe, Katrina Stettner

Buying Or Selling Your Home. . .

Let us help you every step of the way. We will work to ensure your satisfaction.

306-533-3131

6135 Rochdale Blvd., Regina rob@robpederson.com

SAND & GRAVEL LTD. SINCE 1978

ALL TYPES OF EXCAVATION CONCRETE REMOVAL BASEMENTS TRACK HOE SNOW REMOVAL BOBCAT & MINI BOBCAT SERVICE

SUPPLIERS OF:

BASE Monday to Saturday Deliveries

ALL TYPES OF SAND ROCK TOP SOIL MANURE MIXES Call Lorne & Nathan For Estimates

781-SAND 781-4595

781-7263

WHITE CITY

lserbu@imagewireless.ca

J & C CUSTOM CABINETS LTD.

We Can Build Your Dream

J & C Custom Cabinets Ltd.

1831 MacKay St. Regina 306-585-2223

Our Showroom is Your Showroom

Editor Thom Barker

editor@finelifestyles.ca

Graphic Design + Layout Joni Gaudette joni@finelifestyles.ca Audrey Roskewich audrey@finelifestyles.ca Logo Design Gary Blaney gary@finelifestyles.ca Photgraphy Artec Photographic Design Cal Fehr Shawn Fulton Contributing Writers Mackenzie Brooks Mark Claxton Tobie Hainstock Carter Haydu Trilby Henderson Ryan Holota

John Morrell RheaPhoto.ca Vienna Di Ruscio Photography

Amy Nelson-Mile Lee Parent Jennifer Semesock Jenn Sharp Carol Todd

Advertising Consultants Brooke Watson [P. 551.4789 | brooke@finelifestyles.ca] Wayne UnRuh [P. 306.541.3365 | wayne@finelifestyles.ca] Publishers Randy Liberet [P.306.540.3320 | randy@finelifestyles.ca] Wayne UnRuh [P. 306.541.3365 | wayne@finelifestyles.ca] 3440 Balsam Grove, Regina, SK S4V 2S4

You will be taken care of from the moment you walk into one of our showrooms. Our knowledgeable consultants will give you personalized service and advice while choosing from a vast selection of Kitchen & Bath fixtures. From enduring traditional classics to sleek modern contemporary styles and eco friendly - We Have Something for Everyone.

Prepare to be inspired by stepping into one of our showrooms and see the endless possibilities that await you.

16 Showrooms to Serve you

REGINA 1176 Hamilton Street 306.565.2284 www.wolseleyinc.ca

www.finehomes.ca Fine Homes Regina is published two times a year by Fine Lifestyles Regina, Ltd. We reserve the right to edit any materials chosen for publication including photographs.

We reserve the right to reject or accept any article, photograph, image or advertisement.

All contents of Fine Lifestyles Regina, Ltd., are copyrighted 2010 with all rights reserved, except for original articles submitted to Fine Lifestyles Regina, where copyright resides with the author. No other part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Fine Lifestyles Regina or its writers. The name Fine Homes Regina, its logo and material cannot be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers.

The views and opinions expressed in the expert advice columns herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Fine Homes Regina or the company’s they represent. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity.

Although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act upon such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

fall\winter 2010 RHBA: Why buy a new home?

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Harmony Builders: New kids on the building block

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Emerald Park Homes | CNG Stone Products |

YOU HAVE A PROFESSIONAL DOCTOR, DENTIST AND LAWYER.

Cougar Custom Cabinets: The freedom to choose

20

Century West Homes: Smart, fresh futures

28

The Creeks: Close your eyes and imagine it

33

Munro Homes: Now building in the creeks

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Janine Wilson: Who are you going to call?

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Gilroy Homes: Better by design

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Baltic Homes: Customizing your dream

49

Tidy Time Savers: Movin’ on up

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Ripplinger Homes: Building your dream home

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Capital Modular Structures: Engineered construction

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RENOVATIONS Parkland Carpet One: Cover floors and now windows

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Jillian’s Design Elements: Home for the holidays 68 Sunset Bay | Artic Spas: Higher degree of living 70 Wood Ridge Flooring: Setting trends

72

Radio Centre: Life of your electronics

75

DREAM KITCHENS

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WHY NOT HAVE A PROFESSIONAL REAL ESTATE AGENT TO LOOK AFTER ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS?

City Space Kitchens & Interior Design: We think unique

78

Excel Custom Cabinets: The perfect kitchen

81

P. B. Custom Cabinets: Discover the difference

84

Cobb Cabinets: It’s going to be great

87

Fanny’s Furniture: High quality handcrafted kitchens

90

FloForm Counter Tops: Home at the hard rock

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Timber Stone: Building solid foundations

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JEFFERY HARMEL 4420 Albert St. Regina, SK

306-539-5202

jeffery.harmel@century21.ca

WHY BUY A NEW HOME? “When you buy a brand new home, you get the best of both worlds, all the traditional value you expect in a home, plus the advantages that only a newly built home can provide.” says Stu Niebergall Executive Director of the Regina & Region Home Builders’ Association.

Get what you want. New home builders offer unparalleled quality and value. Choose from an incredible selection of show homes, then work closely with your builder to decide on the features and finishes that work best for you and your family.

You choose the builder. When you buy a brand new home, you get to choose your builder based on their reputation and track record. Builders are proud of their work, they have the skills, experience and integrity to do the job right, and they are committed to your satisfaction.

You know what you get. With a new home, you know how the house was built and what went into it-both what you can see and what is behind the walls. And if you have questions later, your builder will be there to give you helpful and accurate information.

Quality construction. The quality of your new home is based on solid construction and attention to details.

Builders combine the latest construction techniques with timeless craftsmanship to create homes that are comfortable, attractive and great to live in.

Well-designed sub-divisions. New subdivisions are designed to foster a spirit of neighborliness by carefully balancing private and public areas-

welcoming home designs, green recreational areas, playgrounds for children, safe and attractive roads and pathways.

Great designs. Today’s new homes combine function and style, with open, inviting living areas, lots of light, well-planned work spaces and built in convenience. Flexible layouts make it easy to accommodate future changes to your household.

Advanced products and materials.

New homes use the most advanced building components. From construction materials to heating systems, the technology built into every new home ensures high performance, durability and long term satisfaction.

Finishes with flair. From flooring to faucets, the latest finishing spells great looks and superior performance.

Builders offer a wide selection of standard and upgrade options-you can pick and choose what best suits your

Regina & Region Home Builders’ Association

lifestyle, personality and budget.

Easy maintenance. With today’s careful construction, thoughtful design and improved building products, it is easier than ever to keep your home in great condition inside and out.

Energy-efficiency. Thanks to advanced construction, higher levels of insulation and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, you not only save money on your energy bills, you also enjoy a far more comfortable home.

Indoor air quality.

Clean air, a comfortable moisture level and no mold or lingering odors-new homes are designed to give you and your family the best possible indoor living environment.

Safety. Constructed to the latest building codes, a new home includes a wide range of safety measures to protect you and your family, from electrical circuit protectors and safety

Regina & Region Home Builders’ Association

glass to hard-wired smoke detectors.

Warranty. One of the great advantages of buying a brand new home is the warranty that comes with it.

Professional builders stand behind their work with an after-sales service program and a guaranteed third-party warranty.

Stable financial planning. Plan for the future with confidence. With a new home, you know what you are getting. Everything is brand newthere will be no major repair bills and no replacement costs for years to come.

Where can you go to find a qualified new home builder?

Trust www.reginahomebuilders.com.

Builder members of the Regina & Region Home Builders’ Association are qualified professionals who have completed the Certified Professional Home Builder Program and are part of a third party new home warranty program.

Since 1955, the Regina & Region Home Builders’ Association has been the voice of the residential construction industry in our community - one of the most vital and enterprising industries in the country.

“Canada is an acknowledged world leader in residential construction” says Niebergall, who goes on to say “Canadians are considered among the best-housed people in the world. We are widely recognized for our technological ”know-how” and well respected for the quality of homes we build.”

It’s a BIG job...and we can help!

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REGINA & AREA

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SHOWHOME LOCATOR MAP 1 2

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KENSINGTON GREENS DEVELOPMENTS INC. 789-0891

5

LAKERIDGE

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DUNDEE DEVELOPMENTS 347-8130 GELLNER HOMES 4515 McMillian Dr, 5355544\535-1400 Hours: Wed. & Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm HOMES BY DUNDEE 4538 Brass Cres. 347-8100 Hours: Wed. & Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm

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NORTH PRAIRIE DEVELOPMENTS The Lofts on Stockton #112 - 1300 North Stockton St. Dale Ripplinger 775-5556 Hours: Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm

3 4

MAPLE RIDGE

TERRA DEVELOPMENTS 924-0445

DEVELOPMENTS INC. 789-0891 GILROY HOMES 7022 Maple Ridge Drive Contact: John Grundy 527-3772

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GILROY HOMES 117 Oxbow Cres. 789-6080 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm

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CRAWFORD HOMES 176 Oxbow Cres. 525-9801 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm

SHATKOWSKI HOMES 4530 Brass Cres.

Lyle 539-3223 Hours: Wed. & Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm

SKYVIEW

HARVARD DEVELOPMENTS 777-0650 PARADE OF HOMES ARTISAN DESIGN BUILD 202 Brookview Drive 546-8030 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm

NORTHRIDGE DEVELOPMENTS 4414 McMillan Drive 352-5900 Hours: Wed. & Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm

WINDSOR CROSSING Preston Place #1 - 1401 Preston Cres. 5259801 Hours: Wed. & Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm

FAIRWAYS WEST

HOMES BY DUNDEE 101 Oxbow Cres. 347-8100 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm YAKOBOVICK HOMES 105 Oxbow Cres. 546-5353 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm

6 7

ROSE POINTE TOWNHOUSES

WESTRIDGE HOMES 853 Connaught St. 537-0809 Hours: Sat. 2-4 pm

EVANS COURT

EVANS DEVELOPMENT GROUP 584-5378 3566 Evans Court Hours: Tues. - Thurs. 2-4 pm 3501 Evans Court Hours: Tues. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 2-4 pm

8

HARBOUR LANDING DUNDEE DEVELOPMENTS 347-8130

CRAWFORD HOMES 4657 Malcolm Dr. 525-9801 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm HOMES BY DUNDEE 4653 Malcolm Dr. 347-8100 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm JANSON HOMES 4633 Malcolm Dr. Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 2-4 pm

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THE CREEKS

www.thecreeks.ca 522-2300 PARADE OF HOMES

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GILROY HOMES 4010 Goldfinch Way Ron MacDonald 539-4568 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Weekends & Holidays 1-5 pm

CRAWFORD HOMES 3313 Valley Green Way 525-9801 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm DAYTONA HOMES 3348 Greenbank Rd. Julie Green 501-9693 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 3-5:30

& 6:30-9:30 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm

STHAMANN HOMES 4106 Goldfinch Way Brad Gregg 591-1736 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm Weekends

& Holidays 1-5 pm

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GILROY HOMES 3304 Valley Green Way Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm

VARSITY HOMES 4622E Pincherry Place Bonnie/Nicole 529-2035 / 535-7896 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm Weekends

& Holidays 1-5 pm

HARMONY BUILDERS 3453 Valley Green Way 591-0631 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm TRADEMARK HOMES 3320 Valley Green Way 205-2502 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm

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SUN DALE ON LAST MOUNTAIN LAKE

SANDSTONE HOMES 237 Tuwale Trail Randy Johnson 351-1725 Hours: Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm

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MUNRO HOMES 4649 Malcolm Dr. 596-2727 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm

CLOSED HOLIDAYS NORTHRIDGE DEVELOPMENTS 4657 Hames Cres. 352-5900 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm RIPPLINGER HOMES 4641 Malcolm Dr. 533-9698 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm SAGE #201- 4822 James Hill Rd. 5811212 Hours: Mon. - Wed. 5:30-7 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-3 pm

10 11 12

WASCANA VIEW

FIORANTE HOMES 2319 Tuscany Way Dianne Lelb 537-8022 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 2-4 pm

EMERALD PARK WHITE CITY

GREAT PLAINS LEASEHOLDS 525-9516

2 Loft Rd., White City Hours: Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm GREAT PLAINS 10 Christopher Place 525-9516 Hours: Call for Appointment

WINDSOR PARK

NORTHRIDGE DEVELOPMENTS 4002 Lepine Rd. 352-5900 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat., Sun. & Holidays 1-5 pm

REIMER HOMES 368 Fairway Road Ingrid Rudd 535-0374 Hours: Wed. & Thurs. 6:30-8:30 pm

Sat. 1-4 pm TRITHART HOMES 347-7747 \ 536-5993

RIVERBEND

2102 Heseltine Rd. Rory Clark 790-3638 Mark Cullen 790-3695

NEW GARDINER PARK

CRAWFORD HOMES 525-9810 404 Fairway Place, White City, SK Hours: Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm

NORTHRIDGE DEVELOPMENTS 8226 Wascana Gardens Bay 352-5900 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat. & Sun. 1-5 pm

JASTEK RIVERBEND PROJECTS INC.

www.greensongardiner.com 789-0891 PARADE OF HOMES

CENTURY WEST HOMES 3316 Valley Green Way 522-1062 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm

Sat., Sun. & Holidays 1-5 pm

HOMES BY DUNDEE 4006 Goldfinch Way 3478100 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm Weekends

& Holidays 1-5 pm

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GREENS ON GARDINER

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PILOT BUTTE

NORTHRIDGE DEVELOPMENTS 201 Willow Ridge Dr. 529-5645

NEW KIDS ON THE BUILDING BLOCK SHAKE THINGS UP Home-building and harmony? Can the two ever go together?

For clients of Harmony Builders, the answer is a resounding

“Yes!”

By Mark Claxton

With a radical commitment to creating a great experience for their clients, Katrina Stettner of Harmony Builders and her business partner, Matt Rogina of Peace of Mind Contracting, are raising the bar and raising eyebrows within Regina’s home-building industry.

“We’re different from everyone else,” Katrina says. “We want people to enjoy building their house. We’re going to change this industry.”

“It’s all about our clients,” Katrina continues. “I know everyone says that, but we really follow it. Our goal is to make those people so happy they tell everybody.”

Whether you’ve built your own home or spoken to others who have, you’ve likely experienced or heard any number of horror stories: endless construction delays; unexpected and astronomical costs; shoddy workmanship. Many who contemplate building are frightened away by the experiences of others.

As veterans of the industry themselves, Katrina and Matt are determined to change that.

“We’re focused on quality,” Katrina says. “If we wouldn’t do something to our own home, we’re not going to do it to yours. There are no shortcuts.”

Harmony Builders’ client-first philosophy has generated early and impressive word-of-mouth business. Katrina sold seven homes before Harmony Builders even had a show home to display. The buzz has since multiplied, with the show home at 3453 Valley Green Way drawing plenty of attention and rapturous reviews.

“Our colours are not what everyone else does, our styles are not what everyone else does,” Katrina says. “We’re trying to set the bar higher.”

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fall 2010

With its 10-foot ceilings, interior transoms and handmade trim, Katrina says, “There’s nothing else in Regina like it. People are saying, ‘I just want to duplicate this house!’”

Of course, part of the point for Harmony Builders is that clients shouldn’t be forced to duplicate anything. When you build with Harmony, you can adopt one of their plans, customize a plan, or create a new one from the ground up.

“We’re not going to make things more stressful and tell you, ‘no, you can’t do this’ or ‘you can’t do that,’” Katrina says. “And it doesn’t cost to customize a plan or change one of ours. We don’t charge for that.”

That kind of flexibility continues after the construction has begun.

“We had a client who wanted us to knock down a wall, so we knocked down the wall,” Katrina recalls. “Another didn’t like her paint colour, so we changed it. Most builders would charge you an arm and a leg for that.”

Escalating costs are a common peril for new home builders, who face a bewildering array of choices about design features, materials, colours, appliances, etc. Those decisions become more difficult when they involve changes to the original vision or plan.

It is at those times that clients need sensible—and not self-serving—advice and suggestions from their builders. “We know you’re spending a lot of money with us, so we’re going to give you quality,” Katrina says.

One of the more remarkable aspects of working with Harmony Builders is how that quality comes at a lower price than you will pay with many other builders.

No Costly Surprises

Where others will bill their clients for every extra cost incurred during construction, Harmony goes the extra mile to save money for their clients.

“I always tell my clients, when you sign with me, the only things you will pay for are those features that you decide you want,” Katrina says. “If Matt decides during construction to invest a little more time or add a little more quality, we’re not going to come back to you and say, ‘hey, we need another thousand.’”

With Harmony Builders, extra and unexpected costs are the exception rather than the rule.

“Our prices are very, very good,” Ka-

trina says. “We don’t have a big overhead; we work out of our show home, and we don’t hire a ton of people. We keep the costs low so we can pass our savings on to the client.”

Those savings include numerous nocharge services, such as modification of home plans and a free interior design consultation.

“We’re in it because we love what we do. We’re generous people, and I believe you always get it back,” Katrina says.

“We know people are going to be happy and tell others.”

Katrina is quick to credit Matt Rogina for the outstanding quality that is inherent in every home built by Harmony.

Her partnership with Peace of Mind Contracting has made for a winning team.

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fall 2010

“Matt is amazing, he really knows his stuff,” she says. “He’s the pickiest guy you’ll ever meet when it comes to building houses. He puts so much love and care into it. He’s also very hands-on; he does a lot of the work on our houses.”

While Matt oversees construction, Katrina looks after virtually every other detail on behalf of her clients, including exterior and interior design and financing.

“Permits, engineering—I look after all the minor details,” she says. “I meet with clients to pick out colours. I give them lots of places to go and people to see so they can start picking out the things they want.”

As if that isn’t enough, Katrina can even help clients sell their current home. As a licensed realtor with the Sutton Group, she can help to ensure that the sale of your old home doesn’t get in the way of enjoying your new home.

“That’s one of the perks of letting me look after everything,” Katrina says.

With Matt managing the construction and Katrina managing the process, Harmony has a great track record of getting clients into their new homes on schedule.

“We’ve been hitting their possession dates,” Katrina says, admitting that has often meant an intense workload as she and Matt both put in extra hours to ensure a target move-in date is reached.

“I work harder now than I ever have, but I love it,” she says. “We love what we

do.”

While building a new home may strike many as a complex, difficult, and potentially nightmarish scenario, Harmony Builders strives for quite the opposite experience.

“We can find a home plan first, or find a lot first,” she says. “Some people are set on a lot they love, or they may find a plan they love but need to find the lot.”

The odds are good that you’ll find a plan you love with Harmony.

CUSTOM DESIGN

“We have our own draftsperson, he’s amazing,” Katrina says. “He’ll draw up anything you want.”

Once the plan and lot are finalized, “we can basically start digging,” she says.

“It’s simple, it’s fun, and I call the clients if I need any information.”

Of course, the clients are also welcome to make their own calls—any time.

“I’ll have clients call me at 11 at night and I’ll pick up the phone,” Katrina says.

“We’ll meet clients late at night.”

For Katrina and Matt, the harmony and peace of mind they want their clients to experience are a reflection of the joy they find in their work.

“This is our passion in life,” Katrina says, “And when you find your passion, you want to make people happy.”

She remembers a phone call from one client who had just spoken with the drywallers working in the client’s basement.

“They told her they would work for Harmony over any other builder,” Katrina said, “because with Harmony, the house is built perfectly.”

It’s that kind of feedback, from clients and associates alike, that tells Katrina and Matt their approach to business is the right approach.

“When the trades respect you, the clients respect you and the suppliers respect you, you know you’re doing something right,” Katrina says. “We’re meant to do this.”

KRISTA AND MIKE’S STORY

It was just a few days after the arrival of their baby boy that Krista and Mike Blenkin realized they were going to need a larger living space. Already the parents of a five-year-old, they wanted a house that could serve as a happy home base for years to come.

“We wanted something that was going to change how we lived and make everything easier,” Krista recalls. “But we also didn’t want to get in over our heads and not be able to enjoy life.”

While she and Mike had talked often about building their own home, “it was kind of a scary idea for me,” she says.

On the advice of friends who were also building, the Blenkins contacted Katrina Stettner at Harmony Builders.

“Katrina was so full of positive attitude and enthusiasm,” Krista says. “It helped me to be calm and actually look forward to the experience.”

Krista’s biggest worry involved the sale of their old home: what if they were unable to sell it for enough money, or unable to sell it at all? That, says Krista, is where Harmony Builders really saved the day. “Katrina, being a realtor, was able to help us with that,” she says. “Since then, the whole process has been awesome.”

Despite the record-breaking level of rainfall this past spring, Krista and Mike’s new home in White City will be ready for their projected move-in date.

“Even through the busiest times, and with two small children, the process has been painless,” Krista says. “I would definitely recommend Harmony.”

CHRIS AND LORI’S STORY

Chris and Lori Vancuren were not prepared to wait for more than two years to build their dream home; yet they were told by several builders in the area that was how long it would take.

“When we talked to Matt and Katrina and they said, ‘we can do it faster than that,’ there was no hesitation,” says Chris. “I had also looked at a lot of the work Matt had done and his work is impeccable.”

The foundation for the Vancurens’ new home was laid in March and they will be moving in early this fall. As excited as they are about the imminent move, Chris is particularly amazed at the pleasantness of the journey along the way.

“We used to live in Calgary and had a house built by a major company there,” he says.

“We were always on the bottom of the list when it came to getting things done. We had a lot of problems with them. Dealing with Matt and Katrina, we always knew we were one of their most important clients.”

Chris and Lori had an extensive wish list of customizations for their home. Katrina and Matt, rather than putting up roadblocks or imposing exorbitant extra costs, worked with the couple to ensure their dreamed-of home became reality.

“We have rock work everywhere in the house: above the bar, above the kitchen stove—anything and everything we wanted to do, it was no problem,” Chris says. “It’s going to be an amazing house.

“I’m going to tell everybody I can how great Matt and Katrina were,” he says. “They’re the people I’d suggest you go to.”

DEREK AND LAURA’S STORY

While Laura Ralston and her fiancé Derek Becker were looking at homes, they came to a gradual realization.

“We’re the kind of people who would go in and repaint everything and change the flooring and do all that stuff,” Laura says.

“We figured we might as well have it how we want it from the start.”

Derek and Laura picked out a plan provided for them by Harmony Builders; true to form, though, they had many additional ideas.

“We changed a lot of things from the original layout,” Laura recalls. “And we did a fair bit to the flooring and had a custom shower. Katrina and Matt never had any problem with anything we wanted to do.

“Going into it, we were fairly nervous,” Laura continues. “We’d heard so many horror stories from other people about different builers. Harmony Builders were super easy to work with. They helped us every step of the way because we really had no idea what it would be like.”

The ground was first broken on Derek and Laura’s lot in May of this year; by the time you read this article, they will already have moved into their new home.

“Everything went really, really well,” Laura says. “We’d do it again. Except we’re going to love our house so much, we probably won’t want to!”

To start dreaming about your new home, give Katrina a call at 591-0631, or email katrina@harmonybuilders.ca stop by any time to marvel at the Harmony Builders show home, or visit their web site at www.harmonybuilders.ca.

THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE

Building a custom home ensures your house reflects who you are and how you live

By Trilby Henderson In today’s housing market, says Garry Sawchyn, owner of Emerald Park Homes, “Nothing compares to custom home building when it comes to giving homeowners the creative control to construct a home that truly reflects who they are and how they choose to live.”

Whether this means including an open layout built for entertaining, a quiet alcove where they can pursue a beloved hobby, or a luxurious master bedroom where they can unwind and relax, custom home building gives homeowners the freedom to choose.

For Howard and Connie Luedtke, building a custom home allowed them to perfectly combine old-world elegance and contemporary class into a unique design that fulfills all of their ideas of what a home

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Photography By Vienna Di Ruscio

should be. Thanks to a solid team of professionals, including the staff at Emerald Park Homes, CNG Stone Products Ltd. and Cougar Custom Cabinets, the Luedtkes are not only living in a home they love, but were able to enjoy the process that got them there.

Howard and Connie already had some experience with the homebuilding process, having built the Regina home where they previously lived. However, Connie says the experience was much different this time around, partly because the couple had a better idea of who they were and what they wanted and partly because their builder, Emerald Park Homes, offers clients a virtually unlimited building palette.

“I really felt that we were making more decisions than the first time,” she says.

SEEKING THE RIGHT BUILDER

The Luedtkes spent several months working with a designer to perfect the layout of their new home before beginning their search for the right homebuilder. The quality of work they found in Emerald Park Homes made that decision easy. “We saw some of [Garry’s] work and we were very happy. That’s when we decided to go with him,” says Connie. “He’s a fantastic guy, a hands-on guy. That makes a difference.”

Plus, Emerald Park Homes has access to a great selection of lots in the Regina, Pilot Butte and White City areas, including acreages, bay and walkout lots, and properties near the golf course and proposed new school, making it easy for new homeowners to find the perfect location for their family.

The Luedtkes expect the community’s small-town feel and friendly, safe environment will provide a relaxing oasis from the hustle and bustle of city life while allowing them to remain connected to Regina, where they own and operate two businesses: Northgate Sewing Centre and Peachtree Quilt Shop.

The couple’s new three-bedroom, threebathroom home features more than 3,800 square feet of living space. Connie says she and Howard both had concrete ideas of what they wanted in their home. For example, in designing the home’s interior, Connie chose to use only natural materials, such as granite, marble and hardwood. She also chose to give the home’s main floor the old-world, Tuscan charm she had fallen in love with during the couple’s trips to Europe, while incorporating more contemporary design features in the lower level.

“Now I’ve got the best of both worlds,” Connie says.

By enabling each other to take control over the areas that were important to them, they were able to combine their efforts into creating a home that satisfied all of their needs. For example, the home’s driveway, deck, three gas fireplaces and in-floor heating were all features that were important to Howard. Connie, on the other hand,

focused much of her attention on creating her dream kitchen.

CUSTOM CABINETS, QUALITY STONE WORK

The main kitchen is clearly one of the most stunning areas of the Luedtkes’ home, and fully embraces the authentic Tuscan charm Connie sought to create. A ceramic tile floor, warm colour palette, and lots of natural light combine to give the room a welcoming, comfortable feel perfect for sharing a cup of coffee with a friend or cooking up a large meal for a group gathering.

The heart of the kitchen is, of course, the cabinetry built by Cougar Custom Cabinets of Regina. The family-run business, owned by Ken and Sherry Kraushaar, has been building and installing custom-made cabinets for more than 28 years, and takes pride in offering clients the most innovative designs, materials and techniques available on the market.

For their kitchen, Connie selected solid maple cabinets, lacquered off-white and glazed with a rich, dark-brown stain in keeping with her Tuscan style. She chose a dark-brown maple island to create contrast within the kitchen and connect the space to the open living room by matching the colour of the wood flooring and fireplace mantel.

The Luedtkes say they received an outstanding level of customer service and were impressed with the fact that Ken not only made himself accessible to them, but really listened to what they wanted. “Our experience working with Ken was wonderful,” says Connie. “I would have to say that he’s a very talented, gifted cabinet maker. He not only does the job, but he’s a good creator.”

The company provided the Luedtkes with a 3D design of each of the cabinets they had planned for the house, enabling them to easily visualize how the cabinets would fit into each space and function with their needs. “That was very helpful,” says Connie. “That was very big.”

Since every aspect of each cabinet is constructed at the company’s workshop, Cougar Custom Cabinets maintains complete control over the quality of their workmanship and the final products they produce. They are also able to fulfill unique requests that mass cabinet manufacturers cannot meet. In fact, Ken has a reputation for tackling new challenges and thinking outside of the box to achieve the look and functionality his customers desire.

In the Luedtke kitchen, Ken faced the challenge of constructing cabinets that could accommodate the numerous highend, cutting edge appliances the couple

had chosen, including an extra-wide cook top and built-in microwave drawer. He also included an appliance lift for Connie’s large mixer: instead of her having to haul the heavy mixer in and out of a cupboard, the pull-out shelf on which the appliance sits can be raised to counter height and then lowered back into place when it’s not needed.

Cougar Custom Cabinets also constructed the cabinetry in the home’s bathrooms, laundry and lower-level mini-kitchen. In keeping with the more contemporary appeal of the lower level, the maple cabinetry throughout the basement was finished with a deep-brown, hand-rubbed stain.

When Connie expressed her desire to give the bar-height counter in the mini kitchen a bit of extra flair, Ken added a stainless-steel panel along the bottom. He also suggested additional cabinets for the laundry room in order to maximize the storage potential of the space—a suggestion Connie is very happy she listened to.

Of course, no cabinet is complete without its crowning touch—the countertop—and nothing combines beauty and durability like natural stone. The Luedtkes considered a couple of different companies, but Connie says she was immediately impressed with CNG Stone Products Ltd. the first time she walked through the business’s front door and was greeted by owner Scott Tresek. “It was Scott’s helpfulness that drew me in,” says Connie. “We received good customer service.”

Their first impression proved true, as the Luedtkes found that CNG Stone continued to deliver a level of customer service beyond their expectations. In fact, providing outstanding customer service is one of the cornerstones on which the Regina-based company has built its business. The other is the quality workmanship and expertise it brings to each custom granite and concrete project it completes.

In the Luedtke home, CNG’s craftsmanship is most apparent in the kitchen, where it was able to fulfill Connie’s unique-butchallenging request for a large granite island countertop featuring an Ogee edge with a full bullnose edge laminated onto it. “When I wanted something, they really bent over backwards to find it,” says Connie.

It was CNG who recognized the need to double the thickness of the rest of the kitchen countertops to match that of the island. “We knew the island would look nice and thick because of the laminated edge, and we had concerns that the rest of the kitchen, if not laminated, wouldn’t look right, so we just did it,” says Scott. The company made sure the rest of the counter-

top was kept simple with clean lines so as not to take the focus away from the island.

“You could tell that they wanted it to look good because they knew their name was behind it,” says Connie. “A couple of times, they just bit the bullet and did things that they felt were needed. I didn’t recognize that and they did. They took the extra step.”

Connie says they had also planned to accent the living-room fireplace with granite, but instead chose to follow Scott’s suggestion that the lighter look of marble would be a better fit. Once again, Connie and Howard found that Scott’s advice was right on the mark to achieving the look they wanted.

BUILDING TO FIT YOUR LIFESTYLE

When homeowners purchase a used home, they generally have two options: they can try to live within the design of the previous homeowner or they can embark on a series of renovations in an attempt to express their

personal tastes on somebody else’s canvas.

Building a custom home, on the other hand, allows homeowners to cultivate a personal sanctuary catered to their specific needs, complete with all of the comforts they require to enjoy life to the fullest.

Upon entering the home, guests are greeted with an open view of the large kitchen and living room, complete with coffered ceilings and a stunning fireplace. Distressed hardwood floors throughout the main level keep with Connie’s old-world look, as do her choice of light fixtures.

The expansive master bedroom—the only bedroom on the main floor—also features a coffered ceiling, hardwood floor and fireplace. Connie chose to raise the fireplace from its standard location so that it would be visible from the bed. Although this posed a challenge for Garry because of the placement of the living room fireplace on the opposite side of the wall, Connie says he readily set to work finding a way to make it happen.

“Garry was very easy to work with. He was very open to my ideas, not negative right from the get-go. He was just positive,” says Connie. “He’d never say, ‘We can’t,’ and that’s what made it such a good experience.”

The old-world appeal of the main level is carried into the couple’s ensuite bathroom through details such as the travertine tile walls, glass-walled shower complete with pebbled floor, and hand-glazed cabinetry.

Initially, Connie had planned to include both a large walk-in closet and a mainfloor laundry room off the ensuite, but the shape of the lot meant there wasn’t enough room for both.

Having to make small concessions can sometimes be part of the building process, but most homeowners will find that they have a great say in what those concessions are when they work with a custom homebuilder who understands what they want.

In this situation, Connie opted to keep the large closet and move the laundry room

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downstairs, where there was plenty of space. “It was not a problem once I made the decision. We did it, and I’m very happy,” she says.

A stairway near the master suite leads to a private, second-storey alcove, complete with both large window peaks and skylights. For other homeowners, the space would lend itself well to use as an office or even a children’s playroom; for Connie, it only has one ideal purpose—to serve as her sewing studio. “Of course, because sewing is our business, this room was very important to me,” she says.

From the main floor, another stairway leads down to the walkout basement. The low, wall-recessed lights along the stairway give guests the first indication that the home’s lower level will have a more contemporary appearance.

One of the most eye-catching features of the lower level is the tiled, wide-screen fireplace. Rather than focusing the attention on the immediate area surrounding the fireplace, the Luedtkes chose to continue the slate-coloured tile surround across the

entire wall. “We wanted to make a big statement, so we went across the whole wall. When people walk down here, it’s the first thing that catches their attention because it definitely is a focus wall,” says Connie.

Although it includes an impressive laundry room, storage area, bathroom and two bedrooms—one of which has already been claimed for use by the couple’s granddaughter when she visits—the focus of the lower level is the sizeable great room and ingenious corner mini kitchen. With its own dishwasher, fridge, and microwave, Connie says the smaller custom kitchen will make entertaining on their lower deck much more convenient, because it eliminates the need to run upstairs to the main kitchen.

Most of the exterior work, including the stucco, stone, deck and railing, was completed by Bar T Construction and Prestainer Ltd., a company owned by a member of the Luedtkes’ family. Howard says he appreciated Garry’s willingness to work with Bar T Construction on their home, and found

that everyone worked well under Garry’s leadership. “They respect his knowledge and eagerness to do a good job,” he says.

PLANNING PAYS OFF

The Luedtkes initially invested a lot of time in planning their new home, but found that their efforts paid off by making the rest of the process easier. “I found that, through spending time looking at books, when it came time to pick things out, I had a pretty good feel for who I was and what I wanted,” Connie says. “It made it a very good experience that way.”

Even though they had concrete ideas of what they liked and disliked before they began, Howard and Connie both found that working with Emerald Park Homes and trades people like CNG Stone Products and Cougar Custom Cabinets, whose expertise they could rely on, made a big difference when it came to making the right decisions along the way.

“All along, the tradespeople we’ve dealt with have been excellent,” says Howard.

“Really, they went all out.”

............................................................................................................................................

Emerald Park Homes 64 Great Plains Rd., Emerald Park 781-3383

CNG Stone Products 1445 Scarth St. 585-9876

Cougar Custom Cabinets 440 Maxwell Cres.

924-0240

emeraldparkhomes@sasktel.net www.emeraldparkhomes.ca

sales@cngstone.com www.cngstone.com

info@cougarcabinets.com www.cougarcabinets.com

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Photography By John Morrell

CENTURY WEST BUILDS SMART, FRESH FUTURES

By Mackenzie Brooks

Meet Regina’s freshest and most innovative building company: Century West Homes. Located at the Regina Centre Crossing, Century West Homes is ready to make a first rate impression on you and is building homes that will make you say “wow!” Speaking to the staff, it’s easy to see that it’s not only the quality of homes that impress, but the customer service and attention to detail that sets Century West apart.

President Milt Walker’s motto, “we hire the best people, and provide the best place to work,” is the keystone of Century West’s reputation for success and growth, and they are growing fast.

Century West Homes is built on integrity, quality and responsiveness. As a young company, Century West Homes 28

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is a unique group. While still a fresh face on Regina’s building and design scene, Century West Homes builds on years of experience from its parent company, Walker Projects Engineering. This experience has formed a company of enthusiastic employees

with a solid structure, just like the homes they build and renovate for their customers. Century West Homes is a fully integrated engineering, design and building company meaning they handle all aspects of building your home within their own company.

Century West Homes makes it their focus to educate their customers along the way because they feel an educated customer is a lifetime customer.

Century West Homes is innovative and is always up-to-date with how the consumer is living their life. “Communication is number one,” says Director of Sales and Marketing, Dustin Halvorson. “We text, email, Facebook and use the phone and meet in person to focus on keeping our customers up

to date on what is going on with their home-build without dragging them away from their already busy lives.”

A NEW WAY OF THINKING

The process of building a home with Century West Homes is just as unique as the company. Customers are encouraged to shop around for a builder as the Century West team is confident that, when allowed to make comparisons between builders, customers will choose Century West Homes for its superior customer service and quality finishes. “We encourage potential customers to survey all the best ideas, and share them with us,” says Halvorson.

“We will then design them into your customized home. If you can imagine it, we can make it happen for you and your family with top quality as our main focus.”

Equally as attractive to new customers of Century West Homes is the quick turnaround time for their completed build. The average time from contract

to completion is 10 months. “We are proud to provide our customers with superior customer service from Day 1 to completion and beyond,” said Dustin. “We know that our customers are looking for great value at a fair price, from a company they trust and will do the job to the highest standard and provide the care and attention customers deserve. It is so rewarding to work with customers who are enthused about their home, being with them throughout the process of building and seeing their faces as they walk into their home seeing their dream has become reality. We receive many house warming invitations in this company because we make it our top priority not just to satisfy customers’ expectations, but to exceed them.”

Century West Homes aims to build between 25 and 30 homes every year in the Regina, Moose Jaw and Weyburn areas. This number of annual building projects allows the team at Century West Homes to remain focused on their customers and keeps projects running smoothly and on schedule. Because of full integration, Century West Homes

can plan effectively for every aspect of building and uses a core group of sub-trades. In addition to keeping scheduled projects running effectively, this integration allows Century West Homes and the home builder to have access to those who complete portions of their build, such as drywallers and painters, and maintains all team members’ product and service quality and an extremely high level of professionalism and accountability.

BENEFITS ABOUND

The benefits of building with Century West Homes are many. In addition to access to the entire team and multiple home floor plans—each one customizable—customers can also access the expertise of Interior Designer Kerri Ermel of HNH Designs. New home builders know they will be making hundreds of decisions about how their new home will look and may feel overwhelmed knowing that the design choices they make will be lasting.

With access to Century West Homes’ interior designer, customers can allay

WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING

Brad and Andrea Stevenson recently purchased their new home from Century West Homes. The Stevensons loved the Century West show home in east Regina so much they decided they needed to have the custom 1,997 square-foot, two-story home with an attached garage all to themselves.

They purchased it and moved right in.

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Photography By John Morrell

their worries knowing that Kerri is available to guide them through their design choices with professional advice. In addition to considerations like paint colours, flooring choices and countertop surfaces, Century West Home customers also have access to audio visual wiring expert Dean Clark of Clark’s Custom Creations. Because every custom home deserves a custom A/V system, Dean works with the project manager and the sub-trades to ensure customers benefit from a wireless design to camouflage all electronic hook-ups without deviating from the building schedule.

The result of these value-added package benefits is a structurally solid, beautiful, and Energy Star rated dream home where your family can live out a lifetime of memories. Because of the superiority of a Century West home, if your circumstances change, you’re also assured of excellent resale value.

When your new home is complete, the Century West Homes team follows up with you one month, three months and one year after your possession date.

If you’re already living in your dream neighbourhood but are looking to modernize your living space, Century West has a sister company that does renovations. Renovation expert Bruce Kaytor will work with you to create a vision for your current home and give you an outstanding result to exceed your specifications.

do it all again.” Ade and Temi, along with their two-year-old daughter Ademide, are happily making memories together in their new Century West home.

Photography By Cal Fehr

“We are extremely satisfied with our new home,” said owner Andrea Stevenson. “It is exactly what we wanted.

People visit our home and tell us how unique it is. The stone wall at the front entrance is a feature of conversation for everyone who comes through our front door. Our gas fireplace is modern and funky; there’s no other home quite like it.”

Because Brad and Andrea moved directly into their home, their purchase process was streamlined. “Century West Homes was prompt in responding to all our questions about purchasing and were very accommodating during negotiations,” said Andrea. “Every concern was addressed promptly and all touch-ups were completed on time after we moved in. We would absolutely build with them. We’ve heard so many stories of our friends’ building experiences, but for us, working with Century West Homes was a wonderful project.”

In Moose Jaw, Ade and Temi Adewu-

mi began their journey with Century West Homes in November of 2009 shortly after moving to the area. They moved into their new 2,200 squarefoot, two-story Century West home on August 9, 2010. “We decided to build with Century West Homes because of their reputation,” said Temi. “The team at Century West Homes is very professional and we had heard a lot about them. We also knew we wanted an Energy Star rated home and when we met Century West’s fantastic sales team we decided to go for it.”

Century West Homes met all of Ade and Temi’s expectations. “We wanted to change the location of the steps in ourgarage and the team resolved the issue immediately and to our satisfaction,” said Temi. “They looked after us like friends.” The Adewumi family’s favourite room is their new kitchen, which features gleaming granite countertops and high end custom cabinetry.

The Adewumis also love their master bedroom and bath. “It’s like having a spa at home!” said Temi. “We would

Kyla and Ryan Moffatt also recently finalized their new home plan. The Moffatts and their three children will move into their Weyburn bi-level with loft in August of 2011. “Because we live out-of-town, we wondered what the process of building would be like,” said Kyla. “It was easy, and the sales team has been great about communicating with us. Century West allowed us to customize the layout of the kitchen, great room, master bedroom closet, ensuite and even where the stairs would be located. We’re very excited!” The Moffatts are also enthusiastic about their home’s Energy Star rating which will save them money and give them peace of mind.

With accolades such as these, it’s no wonder that Century West Homes is excited for what 2011 will bring for them and their customers. “Watch for two brand new show homes that are sure to impress,” says Dustin Halvorson. Century West Homes is expanding and continuing to make an impression on their customers and in the community as well. “People build with people they know and trust. With that in mind, we are excited to continue to become more and more involved in the communities we build in.”

For all the latest information and to start building memories with Century West Homes, contact the team of experts to realize your family’s dream home with a customer driven company and the freshest ideas in the business.

Century West Homes, www.centurywesthomes.com, #205 – 1621 Albert Street, 306.522.1062, dhalvorson@centurywest.ca, Facebook page: Century West Homes fall 2010

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These treatments range from light-filtering to room-darkening, but also come with a black-out option.

“These are by far our most popular window treatments,” said Rob. “They also come with four different lift systems so that customers can find the solution that works best for their living space, including completely cordless which is perfect for young families with children.”

CLASSIC, MODERN OR WOODEN

BEAUTIFUL BLINDS

Meeting customers’ needs for top-quality window treatments isn’t just a job, it’s a passion

By Lisa Hueser

L

ocally owned and operated in Regina, Phillips Blinds & Shades has the experience and the product knowledge to help you with your window covering needs.

Owned by Rob and Linda Phillips, Phillips Blinds & Shades has a reputation built on customer service, with more than 30 years of experience in the industry and offering free installation to its customers.

At Phillips Blinds & Shades you will find a wide assortment of Graber Window Fashions—a brand that has been around for 70 years, and features beautiful, top-quality window treatments including Cellular Shades, Faux Wood Blinds, Horizontal Blinds, Roman, Roller and Solar Shades, to name just a few. Graber’s 70-year tradition is also backed-up with a lifetime guarantee on all of its products.

“Carrying a product that you believe in, like Graber, makes it easy to sell with complete confidence to our customers,” says Rob Phillips.

UNDERSTANDING MARKET DEMANDS

In an industry that is demanding more home energy efficiency, CrystalPleat® Cellular Shades insulate windows to keep rooms warmer during Saskatchewan’s sub-zero winters and cooler in the hot summers.

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The potential is endless for window coverings with Graber’s LightWeaves® Roller and Solar Shades collections.

The amount of light in the room will always be right with this line of window treatments that help you manage the light and glare with fabrics in an assortment of weights and colour to complement your décor.

Also popular are the Graber Traditions® Wood Composite Blinds and Lake Forest® Faux Wood Blinds—offering a functional-but-stylish alternative to natural wood blinds. Available in a wide assortment of colours, these fetching blinds resist moisture and humidity and are ideal for the kitchen and bathroom.

And, unlike natural wood, these blinds resist warping.

NOT JUST A JOB, A PASSION

“This isn’t just a job for us, it’s a passion,” said Linda. “We strive for the utmost customer service and give our customers a great shopping experience.

Based on our large referral rate, we are meeting our customers’ expectations.”

For a free in-home estimate, give Phillips Blinds & Shades a call today!

Phillips Blinds & Shades 516 Victoria Ave. E., Regina, SK 525-4637 www.phillipsblindsandshades.com

THE CREEKS:

SURROUNDED BY NATURE IN THE CITY

By Ryan Holota

CLOSE YOUR EYES AND IMAGINE IT As the sun settles below the horizon, the last bits of light reflect off Chuka Creek.

A family of ducks swims away from the shore. The sound of crickets creates a pleasant soundtrack to your evening as you and your family relaxes before bed.

Somewhere, an owl wakes up, ready to take on the night. A hummingbird is barely visible in the corner of your garden.

It is the idyllic dream of many to someday save enough money to retire and build a house near the water. But, for those people who live in The Creeks it isn’t a dream, it is an affordable reality. The Creeks isn’t a new resort community 45 minutes from the city, it is located right in the city, only a few min-

utes from the Sandra Schmirler Leisure Center, 90 seconds past Prince of Wales Drive on Arcola Avenue.

Kevin Reese, general manager for The Creeks says: “The neighborhood is really taking shape. When the area was designed we thought first about creating beautiful, peaceful and relaxing areas for the residents. With those ideas in mind, we applied them to all of the decisions that we would make during the zoning and development process.”

This design philosophy is evident the minute you turn onto Chuka Boulevard from Arcola Avenue. Wide streets are bordered with grass-lined sidewalks.

Antique-looking street lamps stand proud, ready to present the evening

streets in a classical and elegant manner. More than 12 acres of landscaped green space flows throughout the area, all of it developed with lighting, walking paths and play structures for the enjoyment of the residents. Two parks will be developed, each with tree lined pathways and vast open areas for playing games, flying kites or just enjoying the beautiful weather.

Bordered on the south by Chuka creek, The Creeks also backs onto the McKell Wascana Conservation Project. The end result is a neighborhood isolated from the hustle and bustle of the city, located in the confines of the city. Access to the area is easy, right off Arcola Avenue. fall 2010

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CHOOSE YOUR IDEAL LOCATION Designed to create quiet residential streets, the lots in The Creeks are different from those in the rest of the city; 625 lots with frontage up to 18.25 metres and more than 42 metres deep mean you can have the space to build the home you want or to landscape your lot in the manner you choose.

Laid out in quiet crescents and cul-de-sacs instead of long, boring streets, the subtle curves of the roads enhance the beauty of the surrounding landscape. The development of the first 152 lots was a success, and the team is set to release 66 more lots to builders this fall. The Phase 2 lots which are due to be released offer a great mix of styles. All of the lots are beautiful, but Prestige lots offer something just a little bit more exclusive: backing onto the creek area, you are ensured a lifelong view of a protected nature area where no further development can take place.

BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME, OR YOUR FIRST HOME Eight Builders have been carefully selected by the developers of The Creeks to create the homes in the area. These builders have been chosen for their outstanding levels of customer service, satisfaction and the high quality of their homes. They have invested a lot of time and resources into making The Creeks the destination subdivision it is quickly becoming. Many of the builders have show homes located on Goldfinch Way and Pincherry Place, and all of them offer a wide variety of home plans that meet the design requirements set forth in the zoning plan.

Some of the builders also have spec homes available for purchase,

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meaning that you may be able to move into The Creeks sooner than you could imagine. For more information on available homes, visit The Creeks and talk to the builders’ sales staffs.

For those buyers looking for something a little smaller, a townhouse development is planned for the next phase, featuring semi-detached condo units that capitalize on the many benefits of the area while sharing land and development costs with other home buyers.

If you feel that walking through nature is more fun than mowing a lawn and weeding a garden, this may be the right option for you.

In order to preserve the peaceful feeling, subtle architectural controls are in place in the neighborhood. This ensures that owners have the ability to flex their creative muscles without fear of offending a neighbour or hurting resale value in the future.

“We developed a broad range of architectural standards for the neighbourhood,” Reese says. “Most of them were aimed at protecting and growing the value of the houses by ensuring that only top quality materials, finishes and designs are used in the area.”

CONNECTED TO NATURE The McKell Wascana Conservation Project was unveiled in 2005 and officially opened in 2009 with 171 acres of natural prairie and wetlands; four kilometres of groomed nature trails; interpretive walks and benches; a dock; and an amphitheatre. Home to more than 19 varieties of natural prairie grasses and species such as the Leopard Frog and Red Winged Blackbird, as well as other prairie animals such as ducks, geese and rabbits, the park is a nature lover’s dream.

A joint venture between the city of Regina, Ducks Unlimited, and the family of Bob McKell, this land has never been broken with a plow, meaning that it is unspoiled nature, just as it was in 1880 when the land was first settled.

The Creeks butts up against this beautiful conservation area, providing scenic overviews and access to recreation areas. Sensitive to the environment and the overall aesthetic, great care was taken by the developers to blend the new areas with the old by carefully selecting plants and grasses to transition between

the two areas.

Living so close to nature is not only good for your peace of mind, it is good for your physical health too. Walkers, runners and bikers are never far from a path on which to set out and get some exercise.

AFFORDABILITY AND VALUE Everybody has heard that the three most important rules of real estate investing are location, location and location. Choosing to live in The Creeks is a wise choice not only for resale value in the future, but for getting the most from your money today. Wide streets, boulevards, upgraded street lamps and concrete brick fencing are the foundations of the neighborhood. Compared to other areas of the city, the size of the lots, the amenities and the beauty of the area provide you with one of the best investments that you can make when searching for a new home.

“Really, you are getting a lot more for your money,” Reese explains. “When it comes right down to it, a lot in The

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Creeks is competitively priced and offers exceptional value.�

Proximity to the amenities of the city, but far enough away from the downtown core to discourage random passersby, The Creeks offers safety and security as well as peace of mind to its residents.

PART OF THE QUEEN CITY Despite the peace, quiet and vast expanses of nature, The Creeks is very much a part of the City of Regina. Less than five minutes from east end shopping, The Creeks is close to your work, close to your favorite restaurants, and close to all of your favorite Regina attractions and entertainment destinations.

Because The Creeks is so close to all the amenities the east end of Regina offers, the decision was made to avoid any commercial development within the community. No commercial businesses means no drive-through traffic, no busy streets and less noise and bustle near your home. When you come home you can leave the worries, stress and sounds of the day behind you.

VISIT THE CREEKS TODAY The best way to experience the beauty of The Creeks is to take a short drive out to see it for yourself. Head southeast on Arcola Avenue and take the second right past Prince of Wales Drive. There are several show homes available to walk through, as well as the stunning Hospitals of Regina Foundation Lifestyles Lottery house that is being raffled off to raise money for Regina hospitals.

You can also visit the website at www.thecreeks.ca or phone the office at 522-2300.

You will soon understand why The Creeks is the best place to build your new home.

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NOW BUILDING IN THE CREEKS! Show Home Grand Opening Spring 2011!

Our reputation precedes us. Known as high-end custom homebuilders, we have built our reputation for excellence by delivering more than our customers expect. Our standard specifications include things that other homebuilders charge extra for.

Munro Homes works only with a closely selected team of tradespeople, meaning that all of our houses, from the least expensive to the million dollar showcases, are built by the same framers, cabinet builders, plumbers, and electricians.

Even with all of this, you can still have your own custom built Munro Home for as little as $283,875 plus land and GST. You’ve worked hard for your money. Don’t you deserve the best?

We don’t compromise, and neither should you.

Stop by our show home at 4649 Malcolm Dr in Harbour Landing.

It is open Monday through Thursday from 7pm to 9pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 1pm to 5pm.

To talk to us call 543-2777 (office) or 924-4227 (show home)

WHO ARE YOU GOING TO CALL? JANINE WILSON DOES IT ALL

By Lee Parent

There’s an old saying that goes something like this: It takes energy to make energy. Janine Wilson is a fine example of the truth of that statement and her accomplishments are proof of the theory.

Her days are full to the brim as she moves forward on many and various projects; her fulfillment is the result of the assistance she offers potential homeowners, 38

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Photography By Shawn Fulton

assistance that takes many forms and directions and aptitudes. From her first meeting with potential clients, she leads them through the maze of real estate.

Offering relocation services, listings of existing residential properties, plans for new construction, and, most recently, access to a qualified mortgage broker, Wilson guides her customers from

dream to reality. Thanks to the expertise gained over twenty years in the business of real estate, she does what she calls ‘match-making’, finding the perfect home for clients, time and time again, and achieving great personal satisfaction from the results.

Home ownership is the basis of a sound financial plan for the future. Although rent payments obviously provide the renter with a place to live, that home never becomes one’s own, and there’s no return on the money invested. Rent can drain a budget and make saving difficult, especially in a market like the current one in Regina, where vacancy is low, demand is high, and landlords have the upper hand. On the other hand, a home owner almost always builds equity, offering the possibility of financial gain when the time comes to sell. Should the market dip, any loss incurred will likely be much less than what rent would amount to over the same time period.

The earlier in life that a person becomes a home owner, the better his or her financial outlook will be. That first foray into the real estate market can be daunting, however. In fact, home ownership can be an intimidating aspect no matter what a person’s age or stage of life. The options are numerous and multi-faceted, with houses, condos or duplexes available in a host of styles such as bungalows, splits, two-stories and bi-levels.

There are hundreds of existing homes in every section of the city. In the condominium market, the variations increase, with detached units, townhouses, and apartments in many different complexes and configurations. There’s also the option of building a brand new house rather than purchasing one built to someone else’s tastes. Any prospective home-

owner might be bewildered; a first-time buyer could be overwhelmed.

With such a dilemma at hand, one should turn to an expert, and that’s often when the name Janine Wilson of Home Life Crawford Realty comes up. Her success in real estate is a matter of record, but for Wilson, becoming a licensed Realtor® in 1989 was merely the starting point of a multi-faceted career. Seeing additional needs in the marketplace, she developed skills far more complex than just listing and showing existing homes, skills that have become the cornerstones of her business and her livelihood.

For instance, as replete as the MLS® system is with listings of existing homes, a customer may just not find one that suits him or her in every way.

Some people aren’t even interested in established neighborhoods; they dream of finding a wonderful lot in a particular location and building exactly the home they want from the ground up.

After encountering a few clients like

that, Janine Wilson quickly got into new construction with Crawford Homes.

Having built a couple of houses for herself and her family, she found new construction even more exciting when that option allowed her to help more home buyers find exactly what they want.

The most intriguing aspect of all this, is Wilson’s matter-of-fact manner of describing how she saw the needs of clients and learned new skills to meet those needs. For example, when she decided to design floor plans, she tackled the technology of AutoCad drafting. Her modesty is impressive as she discusses this proficiency. She is a woman who takes her own competence for granted in the most down-to-earth manner. If you visit her website at www.janinewilson. ca, you will see examples of that competence. The website offers floor plans of houses and condos, as well as illustrations of exterior styling that are a pleasure to view.

Rising housing costs opened Wilson’s

mind to another facet of the real estate business. Noticing a lack of affordable housing, she focused attention on condominium projects, and developed some townhouses suitable for buyers who couldn’t afford to build a large house, but still wanted a home of their own.

Since then, she’s developed condos in many styles and configurations to suit a multitude of lifestyles and preferences.

Wilson enjoys designing the condos as much or more than she does single family residences.

Good listeners make good Realtors®, and Wilson is a very good listener. As her clients express their wants and needs, she absorbs every detail, enabling her to find the solutions to those requirements.

Her traits of empathy and efficiency must be inherent, for the same attitude is displayed by Wilson’s daughter. Danielle Wilson followed in her mother’s footsteps to become a licensed Realtor® and recently became a licensed Mortgage Broker as well, adding another spe-

cialized service to the organization.

In today’s market, prospective homeowners need to shop as carefully for financing as they do for property; to offer even more comprehensive service to clients, Wilson can refer them to Danielle for mortgage prequalification. Being qualified for financing should be the first step in any search for a home, and Danielle Wilson has all the tools to help with that process.

When a buyer knows exactly how much he or she can spend on a house or condo, the search is greatly simplified; no time is wasted and disappointments are avoided.

It isn’t just the lowest rate that makes a mortgage suit a buyer, and Danielle can assist that buyer with all the other terms and options of financing.

In part, Wilson’s success stems from her attitude toward Saskatchewan in general and Regina in particular. Having raised her family here, she considers the city home in every way, although she was born in Florida and still has family there.

As many women do, she first considered real estate as a career because it allowed her the freedom and flexibility she needed to raise her two children. Hav-

ing structured her own life around that premise, she understands the facilities and services that families wish for and need. Based on that understanding and her experience in the industry, Regina offers everything that residents need for the present and the future.

Wilson doesn’t hesitate to predict that the future in Regina and the rest of the province is very bright indeed. She sees the potential for steady growth and expansion over the next several years, and senses that Regina will become “the place to be” as the city recovers from recession. Like so many in the province, she has faith that Saskatchewan’s time is coming, that the province has a great deal to offer, and that its many attractions will draw in new residents and offer great opportunities to those who are already here.

And whether they are relocating here from outside the province or simply moving from one section of Regina to another, they can look to Janine Wilson for assistance because that, very simply, is what she does, and does very well indeed.

Good listeners make good Realtors®, and Wilson is a very good listener. As her clients express their wants and needs, she absorbs every detail, enabling her to find the solutions to those requirements.

Janine Wilson 306-537-3200

Danielle Wilson 306-536-0027

www.janinewilson.ca

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Gilroy Homes Better by design

By Ryan Holota

Terry Gilroy built his first house in 1979 with the vision of creating a home that would provide families more than just shelter. He wanted his house to represent a standard of quality, design, and long-lasting beauty. Since then, Gilroy Homes has created hundreds of custom built homes for Regina and area residents, with each one of them living up to Terry’s original vision.

While Terry Gilroy built his first home by himself, it wasn’t long before he began assembling a team of people around him to build on his expertise and help him share his dream with more families. During the 1980s, Gilroy Homes began to hire a new breed of tradesperson, those focused not on building quantity, but focused on doing the job right every time and ensuring that each customer received the keys to their home only when it was complete and everything was just right. Many of those original people are still with Gilroy Homes today, sharing their knowledge and philosophy with the next generation of employees.

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Gilroy Homes is proud of their relationships with their suppliers. When looking for new and innovative construction materials, Gilroy always seeks out the best Saskatchewan people, products and vendors to help bring the dreams of their clients into reality.

Home buyers looking for quality have always gravitated toward Gilroy Homes. Whether building a starter home, a family home, or the retirement house of their dreams, a Gilroy customer knows that whatever their budget, Gilroy Homes will provide value and quality for their dollars.

Gilroy Homes knows that a home is the most important investment you will ever make.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOME? For some, their dream home is a luxuriously appointed condominium in one of Regina’s newest areas; a place to invest in, to own, and to call home without all of the maintenance that goes along with owning a detached house. For others, a cozy starter home to start a family in and a place to build memories is the dream. Still other people envision a lifetime of hard work, saving, and investing paying off in the form of an expansive retirement home, with vast open spaces and all of the latest high-tech gadgets.

Gilroy Homes is in the business of helping people make their dreams a reality. As one of Regina’s premier builders, Gilroy creates more than just houses. Their townhouse-style condominium projects, apartment-style condominiums and semi-detached developments are perfect for those who want to own their own home without the maintenance of home ownership.

As quality builders, Gilroy Homes has won several RRHBA Best New Condo Project awards for design and construction.

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With an in-house design and drafting department, Gilroy Homes can help you make your dream home a reality, whatever it looks like. While they do have a wide selection of completed home plans, they also offer the flexibility to change the plans as you see fit. Or, if you know exactly what you want, they are happy to sit down with you and create the custom home of your dreams.

“Some of the most beautiful homes that we have ever built first came to us

as a sketch on the back of a napkin,” says Terry Gilroy, “And we worked with those people to explore what was possible and to build their vision for them.”

Of course, with all of this experience, sometimes they create a home perfect for you without even realizing it. Gilroy Homes believes very strongly in making housing accessible to everyone and has an extensive inventory of homes available for immediate purchase. Those willing to wait a little

longer may find that they fall in love with one of the beautiful show homes that Gilroy has created in Regina – six of them are available for viewing so that you can see the quality and attention to detail that Gilroy puts into each and every new home they build.

CUSTOM BUILT HOMES Everyone’s home is special. From the colour of the walls to the style of floor-

ing to the fixtures in the kitchen, no two homes are ever exactly the same.

For those who modify a design or work from a completely custom vision this is even truer. From the initial meetings with their clients about budget, to the finalization of the construction drawings and the selection of finishes, their team of professionals works with you every step of the way.

“We are one of the few builders who walks you through the construction of your home in a very direct way,” says

Ted Reilly, sales manager for Gilroy Homes. “As the home is constructed, you are given tours during the framing; plumbing and electrical; and finishing phases of the house. This lets you see the project in detail from start to finish, and allows you the opportunity to make changes that can increase your enjoyment of the home. Of course, we also take you on a very detailed final walkthrough of the house, making sure that you understand everything about the house and that everything is perfect.”

With lots available in all of Regina’s subdivisions, Gilroy Homes can also work with you to select the perfect location for you house. And, with Gilroy’s experience, their membership in the Regina and Region Home Builders’ Association, their affiliation with the Saskatchewan New Home Warranty Program, and their designation as an R-2000 and Energy Star certified builder, you know that the house you receive the keys to will be perfect when you move into it.

Their membership in the Saskatchewan New Home Warranty Program is a particular point of pride with Gilroy Homes. Since joining the program in 1988 they have consistently been recognized with the prestigious Gold Service Award for outstanding service to their customers. This program—which can provide up to 10 years of coverage against major structural defects and provides coverage for a variety of potential problems in a home—is standard on all of the homes constructed by Gilroy.

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THE TEAM THAT WORKS FOR YOU

A BUILDER OF COMMUNITIES

Gilroy Homes is more than another builder—they are a team that truly works together to help you get the best home you can. From their headquarters and showroom located at 3890 Eastgate Drive, their team works tirelessly to make sure you are taken care of.

Inside, the design and drafting department creates and modifies plans to your specifications, while the DĂŠcor Center gives you a taste of the options that are available to you when building a new home. Samples of hardwood flooring, exterior finishes and a mock-up kitchen are all available to help inspire you and help you narrow down the choices to those that will ultimately end up in your home.

The sales team assembles in the core of the office building, located together so they can share ideas and stories of success in helping families find the house they want and in the back is a workshop and the headquarters of the Service Department, fully stocked with whatever they might need to repair a damaged item in your home.

Gilroy Homes views itself as more than just a builder of buildings. They build homes and communities. As supporters of the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living and the Regina Association for Community Living, Gilroy gives back to the city and province that have supported them for so long.

Choose Gilroy Homes to build your home. Their commitment to their customers comprises Service, Respect, Honesty, Quality, Communication, and the Pursuit of Excellence. As the winners of more than 30 RRHBA Masters Awards, and proud recipients of awards such as Best Show Home, Best Condominium Project and Best New Home Kitchen, they have the experience and skills to bring your vision to reality.

Stop by their office at 3890 Eastgate Drive in Regina, or visit them on the web at www.gilroyhomes.ca.

If you prefer, simply give them a call at 789-6080 and talk to them about your needs and your dreams.

Just a quick note to thank everyone at Gilroy for the completion of our new home. We sometimes don’t take the time to say thank you, but felt you all deserve it! Special thanks to our sales rep and the drafting department for the many reworks of the plans and to all the workers and trades who have and are working on our home. Everyone is pleasant, knowledgeable and professional. Thanks for taking our ideas and giving them a place in our new home.

Sharon and Richard E. Gilroy Homes have been excellent to work with from design through to completion. Our sales representative has been most accommodating and conscientiously ensured follow-up on all the “small� details. Given this was our first new home construction [project], we were pleasantly surprised at how painless the process could be, which, in the end, is a tribute to the builder, Gilroy Homes.

Brian and Roberta H. Thank you for making the purchase of our new home such a pleasant experience. When we first considered building a new home, we were concerned about planning a home from scratch and all the decisions that go with it.

Ted Reilly was very helpful in guiding us through the design and construction process and we are certainly pleased

with the results.

I would also like to thank you, the Gilroy Homes staff, and the sub trades who constructed our home for the prompt and professional service that we received after we moved into our condominium. It truly has been a pleasure. We would certainly recommend Gilroy Homes to anyone who is considering purchasing a new home.

Frank L. We wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and compliment your team for building our dream home. Outstanding service and advice first started with our sales consultant, who assisted

us with the design of our home. Barry's creative input helped achieve great satisfaction in our finished home. We are extremely pleased with the fact that our careful planning with them has meant that we would not change or alter any of the design in our home today, which is exceptional. Guests to our home compliment us on the design and layout each and every visit.

We would also like to forward a gracious compliment to the entire staff.

Everyone was outstanding throughout the building process and follow up.

The Gilroy Team was able to answer every question promptly and satisfied every request in an efficient and timely manner.

Terry, when we decided to choose a homebuilder we took the time to visit your website. The key factor in our decision was your statement that your company is dedicated to understanding the needs of your clients, to provide professional service, superb craftsmanship, and ensure satisfaction. Bottom line: you have earned our respect. Your team has understood our needs and delivered professional services and outstanding craftsmanship. We have our dream home. We are proud of it and are happy to say: "It is a Gilroy home".

Kevin and Kim J.

GLACIER GLASS:

PROUD, INDEPENDENT, COMPREHENSIVE

By Lee Parent

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Photography By RheaPhoto.ca

Glacier Glass is proud to be Regina’s largest independent glass shop, offering a comprehensive range of products and services. Their 30th anniversary is merely one milestone along the path of a constantly evolving company. This family business has developed in so many areas it’s impossible to list all their products and services in this small space. One innovation worth mentioning is the custom made frameless shower enclosure that can add a wonderful touch of elegance to any bathroom.

“All our custom glass frameless shower door enclosures use heavy glass,” explains Jamie Halbgewachs, vice president and general manager. There are many different styles and finishes of hardware to choose from to complete the project. “We do probably a 50/50 split between new home installations and renovation showers.”

When you choose a glass shower enclosure, you are making a commitment to the beauty of your bathroom. Halbgewachs explains why choosing the right shower glass can help you enjoy that beauty longer. “Normal uncoated glass, and even the leading coated shower glass, is susceptible to corrosion,” he says, “and corrosion can make your shower enclosure look dull over time.

“Clarvista glass is different. It has a coating fused to the glass, sealing the glass surface to provide a protective barrier. The true beauty of the tough, smooth surface of Clarvista glass becomes apparent in its ability to resist the corrosive action of moisture, humidity and the chemicals found in many household cleaners. It has proven itself in the lab, and it will do so in your shower. So, with regular maintenance, your shower looks newer, longer. And that is a beautiful reason to choose the Clarvista glass.”

Halbgewachs believes strongly in service, quality and a professional image. “Our vehicles are nice and white with a clean logo,” he explains. “Our installers have uniforms with nametags. With our image comes high-quality workmanship. It's just that we try to think of what we want in a service professional coming up our driveway!”

“The company's priority is to provide quality products and service,” he maintains. “It's all on our logo, which says 'Glacier glass: our quality and service are clear.'

That's what we pride ourselves in. No matter what we do, we want to leave that customer feeling like they got a quality job. I think we're pretty good at that.”

Glacier can supply many items for new construction or renovation projects. The residential service department consists of a knowledgeable and friendly staff of installers. Customer service representatives are available to discuss all the options for a renovation, repair job or new project.

Glacier’s business concept is: as practical as the products it produces.

Our Quality & Service is Clear

545-3990 or 1-888-545-3990 410 Quebec Street Regina

ALLIANCES WORK TOGETHER ON EXCITING NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Customizing your dream with Baltic Homes

By Tobie Hainstock | Photography By RheaPhoto.ca

There is plenty of buzz in Regina over the building boom going on and the team at Baltic Homes in smack in the center of it. With custom home projects in Lakeridge, Windsor Park and Harbour Landing, plus surrounding regions like White City, Saska-

toon Beach, Moose Jaw and Bethune, 2010 has been a busy year.

With so many successful projects on the go, business partners Eldon Hall and Dominique Rodrigue take pride in their ability to keep the communication open between themselves as

builders and their clients. This line of communication starts the moment the clients walk through the door with their dream home in mind.

Hall and Rodrigue take the time to listen to the desires of the customer and will do their ultimate best to

make those dreams a reality.

Right from the planning phase, the client is involved fully and the partnership between the homeowner and builder begins. If the client wants certain features in their home, Baltic Homes will do their best to make it happen. If there is any reason—such as structural integrity or cost effectiveness–why the request can’t be fulfilled, the team at Baltic Homes feel it is important to inform the client right away to avoid any disappointments later.

“We will scope out the two top options and present them to the client to help them make the decision without wasting their time and money,” explains Hall.

It is the mentality of the team at Baltic Homes that the home owner must be completely happy with their new home once it is completed. This is achieved by keeping the client informed at all levels of development which is done by doing regular walk-throughs on site with the client at different stages of the building process. According to Hall, walk-throughs are usually done to scope out the framing, electrical, plumbing and finishing phases of development. This encourages open dialogue between the client and the builder.

After being in business for the past seven years, the team at Bal-

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tic Homes has seen trends and fads come and go in housing design.

“People are looking for homes that will grow with them,” says Hall, “five years ago the average home we built was about 1,300 square feet compared to closer to 1,900 today.”

Another dominant factor in modernday home-building is the energy efficiency of the home. Hall notes that the Baltic Homes team has worked with a variety of levels of green solutions for homes today including geothermal, spray foam insulation, solar panels and insulated concreteformed foundations that come standard on each Baltic Home. Baltic Homes is also a certified installer and dealer for Logix Block ICF Foundations.

Hall explains that utilizing prefabricated homes as offered by Nelson Homes assists in waste management in that it reduces the amount of material used on the build site. Less waste on the building site means less that goes to landfills and more.

NELSON HOMES: QUALITY HOMES TO FIT YOUR NEEDS

Baltic Homes has been a Franchise Dealer of Nelson Homes since 2004.

With the pride that both companies place in quality, service and integrity, a new home owner can rest easy knowing that their home has been built with quality and their best in-

terests in mind.

Founded by brothers Ray and Austin Nelson in 1949, Nelson Homes is Canada’s largest home manufacturer and is celebrating more than 60 years of serving customers throughout North America, Europe and Asia. The head office and main manufacturing facilities are located in Lloydminster, Alberta.

In 2003, Ray Nelson transferred the ownership of the company to a group of long-time employees, who continue to carry on the Nelson legacy. Their promise is continued commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and integrity.

Nelson Homes has an authorized dealer network of 130 dealers in western Canada, west-central United States and Europe. The Nelson panelized package system provides customers with one-stop shopping of a complete material package, design services, technical support and guaranteed quality and quantities. The Nelson Green Specification focuses on energy efficient and environmentally friendly products with minimal waste and less environmental footprint. The Nelson manufactured floor, wall and roof components can be built to suit any custom residential, multifamily, or commercial application.

Another option for home buyers provided by Nelson Homes is the

Nelson Homes: Quality homes to fit your needs

ready-to-move home. These beautiful, comfortable havens are built completely and then shipped to the client’s location of choice. To the delight of the client, these homes arrive onsite complete and virtually ready to move into. A ready– to-move home by Nelson is a quality home constructed with the same level of detailed craftsmanship as the panelized home, but with more reinforcement to allow the home to withstand the move.

More than 42,000 Nelson Homes have been delivered throughout North America, Europe, and Asia

ranging in size from 700 square feet to 14,000 square feet. The Nelson system has also been used for many multifamily projects, hotels and assisted living facilities.

Whether it’s a starter home, an upgrade for a growing family, a cottage retreat or a scale-back for empty-nesters, Nelson Homes has floor plans to match the needs of the customer.

Check out the many beautiful and functional home designs on their website www.nelson-homes.com.

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Making your Dream a Reality We all have images in our minds of our ideal lifestyles and there is no time like the present to make them come true.

It may seem like only a dream to some folks, but, with the collaboration of Homes by Baltic, Nelson Homes and Sunset Developments Inc., that dream doesn’t have to sit idle.

“The only limits are time and money,” states Hall as he encourages clients to use their imagination.

To begin taking the steps to achieving your dream lifestyle, contact Baltic Homes today at:

306-537-9247 or check out their website for more information at www.homesbybaltic.ca.

ESCAPE...

to the Resort Village of Saskatchewan Beach More and more people are choosing to get away from it all every day rather than just on vacation. Imagine the beauty and solitude of resort living all year long. Enjoy sitting out on the deck and watching the sun go down over the water after a long day at the office.

This is a dream that can easily come to light.

The folks at Baltic Homes will assist you in choosing the lovely custom home or the beautiful Nelson Home that suits your lifestyle.

Presently, the team at Sunset Developments has 45 fully developed lots available within the village for those who are seeking a retreat from hectic day-to-day living. The combined efforts of these professionals will ensure that resort living can happen for you and your family sooner than you expected.

Located 15 kilometres north of Craven, on the east shore of Last Mountain Lake, is the beautiful Resort Village of Saskatchewan Beach.

With shopping services available in nearby Lumsden, Craven and Silton, plus an easy 25-minute commute to Regina, this friendly community enjoys the best of both urban and rural worlds.

A healthy and active lifestyle is something the entire family will find easy to participate in with plenty of outdoor fun only steps away from the door.

With the Saskatchewan Beach Regional Park located in the village, residents can enjoy easy access to two lovely beaches, one featuring a

playground and picnic area and the other with a playground and boat launch. These beaches are often the hub of activity with many activities to take part in such as fishing, boating, swimming, canoeing and more.

If water sports aren’t for everyone in the family, there’s always walking, jogging, hiking, bicycling, bird watching and so much more. For those who enjoy a mix of indoor activities the village offers poker and crib nights as well as pot luck suppers and more.

The first of July brings everyone out to the annual Summer Music on the Beach Festival and Barbecue hosted by the community association. It’s a great way to gather with friends and family and enjoy the beauty of the area.

There is plenty of wintertime fun at Saskatchewan Beach, as well. Many of the residents enjoy getting together for snowmobiling, ice fishing, cross country skiing and skating. What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday, outside in the fresh, crisp air, then indoors meeting with friends and neighbours.

With so much going on and so many wonderful activities to choose from, it’s a certainty that couch potatoes are few and far between in the beautiful Resort Village of Saskatchewan Beach.

For more information about the Sunset Development, call 306-729-2426 or visit them online at www.sunsetsaskbeach.com.

Lots have 100’ frontage and range from 130’ to 250’ deep.

Starting at $60,000.

One parcel is 1.3 acres with a 180 degree unobstructed view of the lake.

Movin’ On Up...With the Tidy Time Saver Crew

By Tobie Hainstock

Sharla Shaw, Owner

“I look at it as if I were moving in,” states Shaw.

“How I would like it done if it were my home.”

They also offer residential house cleaning services to keep your home spotless all year.

To book your next cleaning, call Sharla at 591-7969 or check them out online www.tidytimesaver.com.

Have you ever walked through the construction site of a new home or condo?

Although it’s one of the most exciting places to be, it is also one of the dirtiest.

There’s sawdust, fragments of pipe, little bits of wire, mud, dirt and let’s not forget the drywall dust that gets into everything.

Contractors tidy up regularly, but who does the final cleaning before you move in? Sharla Shaw and her team at Tidy Time Saver Professional House Cleaning are highly skilled cleaners who will see to it that your newly built home not only looks clean but is dust free as well.

This is no light dusting and polishing. Shaw states it can take 35 to 60 hours to get a newly built home move-in ready. With nine full-time professionals on her team, Shaw is confident Tidy Time Savers can get your new home in ship-shape condition.

“We take bookings two to four weeks in advance but we are flexible,” says Shaw.

Years of cleaning experience for clients like Matt Simpson, site supervisor of Reimer Custom Designed Homes has proven their professionalism and dedication even further.

“Two things we have appreciated about this company, Tidy Time Savers, has been the excellence in the quality of service they provide,” says Simpson. “It has always been a joy and a positive experience to work with them.

Secondly, the efficiency of this company has been one of a kind. When given tight deadlines to complete the task of cleaning our homes they have never failed,”

Ripplinger Homes delivers the best quality products to their home owners.

RIPPLINGER HOMES BELIEVES BUILDING YOUR DREAM HOME SHOULD BE ENJOYABLE AND WILL STRIVE TO MAKE YOUR EXPERIENCE STRESS FREE

By Ryan Holota Founded in 1997 and originally focused on building infill homes in established neighborhoods, Ripplinger Homes has grown into one of the leading home builders in Regina and the surrounding area. Devoted to building you the perfect house for your needs, Ripplinger approaches every project with a blank sheet of paper.

“Our mission is to construct superior quality homes while providing exceptional service to our customers and valuing the work performed by our employees and subcontractors,” says Ken Ripplinger, president and founder of the company. “Our customers have usually seen a show home, or know somebody who has built with us before, and they 54

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Photography By RheaPhoto.ca

know about our reputation as a quality builder. When they come to see us they may have a good idea of the things that they would like to see in their home, or they might only know that they want to build a new home. We can show them numerous Ripplinger Homes plans that we can customize to suit their needs, or we can work with them to come up with something completely new. In the end, we create a home that is customdesigned for our home owners and their lifestyles.”

“Some people may think that they would be overwhelmed by this, but we have developed processes that really make the project quite simple,” adds Leanne Ripplinger. “We work very closely

with our home owners to discover their needs and then we use our experience and knowledge of the industry to build them the perfect home.”

Their experience and dedication to their customers is evident. Vance Brehmer, the company’s site supervisor, is the man who coordinates the various tradespeople and home owner meetings to ensure that everything goes according to plan. It helps that they have built longterm relationships with their trades.

“Dealing with the same craftsmen, the same suppliers for a long period of time, that really helps us to control the quality of our houses. They know what we expect from them and we know that we can count on them to deliver the best.”

Of course, the employees at Ripplinger Homes also play a large part in delivering quality and satisfaction to the home owners.

The quality that this philosophy delivers is recognized in the industry. Ripplinger Homes has received the New Home Buyers Choice Award in three of the past four years. This award is given by the Saskatchewan New Home Warranty Program to the builder who receives the highest ratings from customers in the areas of customer service, warranty service, quality of workmanship, and their overall recommendation. In addition they have received several awards for Best Custom Home and Best Show Home from the Regina and Region Home Builders Association.

Ripplinger Homes believes that they have a responsibility to deliver the best quality products to their home owners.

As a result many of the things that are upgrades for other home builders— items like deluxe kitchens with extra deep bottom drawers and quiet close hinges and glides; ceramic tile; hardwood flooring; super-high efficiency furnaces; triple pane low E argon filled windows; and acrylic exterior stucco— are all considered standard. In short, their client homes are built to the same high standards as their award-winning show homes. It is for these reasons that “a Ripplinger built home” is often mentioned in marketing materials when owners sell their homes.

For most potential buyers, the Ripplinger experience starts at one of the company’s beautiful show homes or with a walk through of one of the company’s spec houses. The current show home located at 4641 Malcolm Drive in Harbour Landing is an example of the type of quality and beauty that can be built into one of their homes.

With lots available for purchase in Regina’s finest developments, Ripplinger Homes can build a house for you wherever you choose to live. From infill housing in established neighborhoods to new lots in desirable communities, they can help you build the home of your dreams.

If something a little less custom is an option for you, they also have spec houses available for early 2011 possession, with more new houses under construction for

delivery later in the year, including entry level homes in “The Landings.”

The team at Ripplinger takes particular pride in delivering perfect, turnkey houses to their home owners. Their attention to detail in the design and planning phases are key elements in achieving this goal, as is their dedication to keeping you informed and involved in the process. By working with their home owners throughout the process, carefully managing schedules, and working with suppliers, you can move into a home that is complete from basement to attic.

To learn more about Ripplinger Homes, check out their web site at

www.ripplingerhomes.com, or stop by their show home located at 4641 Malcolm Drive, or visit their offices at 1825 MacKay Street.

If it’s more convenient for you, just give them a call at (306) 596-2204 or send an e-mail to info@ripplingerhomes.com .

You will be glad that you did.

THE RIPPLINGER SHOWCASE HOME

Bulter’s Pantry

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As I walked in the front door of 4641 Malcolm Drive—Ripplinger Homes’ latest show home—I was taken aback at what I saw. The ceilings were way up, and the entrance provided me with multiple options for exploring the home. To my left I could see a glimpse of the finished basement, with a custom entertainment centre, bar, and giant television screen. Straight ahead, only a few stairs kept me away from a modern living/dining room.

Climbing up, I again noticed the height of the vaulted ceilings—easily 14-feet tall at the centre. Luxurious hardwood floors led my eyes to the room dividing fireplace. The landscape fireplace has glass on both sides so that it could be seen from both the living room and the dining room. Set in a tower of glistening quartz that stretched up to the ceiling, I was impressed by how well the fireplace created separate living spaces without feeling like it blocked off any portion of the house.

The kitchen impressed me even more. Custom cabinets in a dark finish and granite countertops provided ample storage and workspace, but what really surprised me was the butler’s pantry located off to the side of the kitchen. With a small refrigerator, sink, and more storage and granite, this was the perfect location for managing a cocktail party or letting friends and family help prepare a cozy dinner at home.

The main floor laundry room was like something straight out of an interior design magazine. A front load washer and dryer towered in the center of the room, with drawers and cabinets for storage and hanging racks to organize clothing on. A built-in ironing board was on display, the kind that tucks into a drawer to save space.

One bedroom and the main bathroom also occupied the main floor, but my curiosity led me up a short flight of stairs, through a quiet sitting area, and into the master bedroom. The sizeable room was painted in warm colors, with a built-in dresser and window seat tucked into a nook on the far wall. The master bath was impressive; a deep freestanding tub commanded my attention, but I also noticed a huge marble shower with glass doors and two marble-topped vanities with vessel sinks. Both vanities were full of drawers—even the space directly under the sink had deep storage!

Further exploring the house, I headed down into the basement. Glass railings afforded me excellent visibility as I headed into the basement and let lots of natural light flow into the space. The entertainment centre was custom-built just for this house, and a bar area was built into the back of the room. Two more bedrooms had been created in this space (for a total of four in the house) and another bathroom (for a total of three) had also been included. The mechanical room provided plenty of opportunity for storage, as did the large area under the front entrance and staircase.

The front yard of the house was beautifully landscaped, so I thought it would be nice to check out the backyard and see what it offered. I was pleasantly surprised by not only a finished deck, but

also by a completely landscaped backyard. Grass was growing green, a PVC fence had been installed, and a substantial storage area had been created under the deck. Above the French doors I noticed a complete set of surround sound speakers—perfect for relaxing with a cold drink or throwing a party with friends.

I strongly encourage you to visit the Ripplinger show home at 4641 Malcolm Drive in Harbour Landing. It is open from Monday to Thursday from 7pm to 9pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. To learn more about how Ripplinger Homes can help you build the house of your dreams, call their sales consultant Carolyn Zaryski at 533-9698 or email carolyn@ripplingerhomes.com

THANKS TO THE RIPPLINGER TEAM FOR MAKING THIS SUCH A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE

We walked through our first Ripplinger show home 10 years ago and fell in love with it. As a couple who frequently visits show homes and had renovated our entire home, we could see the difference in quality and attention to detail immediately. We wished that someday we could build a new home for ourselves, and it was very clear that we would choose them to build it for us.

Working closely with Ken, Vance, and Jim, we modified an existing plan to suit our needs. They were all very accommodating, finding new ways to accomplish the things that we wanted, and carefully explaining the process to us as we went along. Many friends and family members offered advice of things to watch out for when building, but we had none of the problems that they were concerned about. In fact, we had nothing but positive experiences with the team at Ripplinger.

We really appreciated the friendliness of all of the crews and trades people; they all worked closely together and communicated with each other and with us to complete the house. We formed real friendships with everybody and will be sad to see all of them go now that our home is finished and we are living out our dream. Thanks to the Ripplinger team for making this such an exciting, fun and memorable experience.

-Pat and Darlene McKenzie, Regina

Proud owners of a Ripplinger built home

www.ripplingerhomes.com Office: 306-596-2204 Sales: 306-533-9698 fall 2010

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THE CAPITAL MODULAR STRUCTURE ADVANTAGE: • • • • • • • •

30% less of total building cost 30% faster completion time than traditionally built homes Easier, build-green process Custom design flexibility 10 year limited warranty Code compliance Financing and insurance are no different than site-built Complete turnkey service

CAPITAL MODULAR STRUCTURES

By Jenn Sharp

ENGINEERED CONSTRUCTION FOR THE MODERN ERA An aptly named company moved to Saskatchewan’s capital city last year and is now well-situated to provide the city and the province with much needed housing options.

Philip Rossignol, Chief Executive Officer of Capital Modular Structures originated his business in New Brunswick and after working in the eastern provinces and markets across the United States, made the move to the growing province of Saskatchewan last year.

Rossignol says it was a perfect choice

or contemporary homes, apartment buildings, assisted living or mixed use commercial complexes, as well as hotels and town homes. With more than 15 years of industry experience, the leadership at Capital Modular Structures understands the importance of your investment. The company’s production staff has been committed to building the highest quality homes and commercial structures throughout Canada and the United States for the past 15 years and is proud to deliver an outstanding finished product.

for his company, which also includes Capital Foundations and Capital Hospitality. “Our focus is on high finish modular homes; we’re offering an affordable alternative to on-site builders.”

Capital’s pre-engineered building system can be used for traditional

A complete design-build service guides you through the construction procedure. Modern, energy-efficient designs and closely managed projects are tailored to meet your needs resulting in an efficient and eco-conscious building process.

Capital Modular will fully manage

building projects through to construction completion, eliminating the need for additional management and costs, and enabling a quick completion process. Capital Modular Structure’s main clientele are developers, builders and investors on larger scale, multi-unit developments.

Capital Modular is a member of the Canadian Home Builders Association (CHBA) and builds structures that meet or exceed the national building code. They comply with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) requirements and are CSA (Canadian Standards Association) certified. Building projects can also be designed and engineered to meet green building standards.

Rossignol feels the move from New Brunswick was a wise one for Capital Modular, and that Saskatchewan will be one of Canada’s top destinations in the coming years. He predicts that, because of the province’s natural resources, companies from across North America and the world will be flocking here in the next 20 years. The economy will grow exponentially and “the people coming here will need housing, extended-stay rental accommodations and options.”

Rossignol’s concern is that major centres, such as Regina and Saskatoon and surrounding areas, currently lack a wide range of affordable housing options and extended-stay facilities.

This is just one of the areas in which he hopes to expand his business and make his mark on Saskatchewan’s housing market. Because projects can be completed faster than traditional building procedures, Capital Modular is perfect for a province with a short building season and provides the perfect alternative to traditional on-site building projects. The province needs to be ready to welcome an influx of people and housing plays a huge role.

Just how does the assembly and building process work? The first step is to consult with Capital Modular building and design experts. They will guide

you through the process of choosing a floor plan and design layout that will fit your needs and budget. A Capital Modular home can be completely customized and Rossignol says if you have blueprints of a home you love, bring them in and they’ll make it work. And don’t forget about the interior. “There’s nothing we can’t do,” he says. “We’ll take care of everything from custom cabinetry to flooring and fireplaces for you.”

Now your chosen design will go into the engineering and permit stage where qualified experts will ensure the house is safe and meets building code requirements.

The house begins to take shape as construction and production start at one of three partner plants chosen according to type of project. The assembly process typically takes as little as 10 to 15 weeks, depending on the size and design of your home. And if building green is important for your project, then a Capital Modular Structure may be just for you.

Capital Modular recycles all leftover materials, ensuring their environmental footprint is as small as possible while lowering customer costs.

Homes are assembled by reliable and trained employees and shipped to their destination in a few large pieces.

Once your home is ready, the components are shipped to the final destination: your new home site. Prior to the home arriving, Capital’s team will dig the basement and install their exclusive-to-Saskatchewan MagWall™ Foundation system. Then, the team will begin to assemble your new house. After the modular components are secured in place, they do the final finishing work. About two to three weeks from the date it arrived on-site, you can expect to move into your gorgeous new home, which has been customized to suit your family’s needs.

Choosing the modular building system over an on-site build offers immeasurable value. This option is “cost-effective because structures are built in a

MAGWALL™ BUILDING SYSTEMS: •

• • • • • •

Build durable and energy efficient walls while simplifying construction process Eliminate site-labour costs Consistent, high-quality workmanship Save on energy bills Quieter, draft-free environment Healthier – resists moisture, mold, rot and insects Contains and inhibits fire

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plant by employees on a payroll and in a quality-controlled environment,” explains Rossignol.

Building with Capital Modular Structures eliminates the need for a subcontractor. By building with this concept, it eliminates 60 per cent of the licensed tradesmen’s scope of work.

Because a Capital Modular home is pre-fabricated indoors, the weather is not a concern until the building is erected at the site and even then, the time period is considerably shorter than the time required for a traditional build.

Capital Modular structures need to be built strong enough to sustain the move from the plant to the final building site. The construction of the modules are over-built to meet transport requirements. For example, these buildings have hurricane straps in the walls and the drywall is glued-on and double-screwed. The floor, ceiling and walls are completely glued and

additional services (website development, marketing brochures and floor plans) for developers in order to complete a subdivision pre-sales marketing package. They will work with the developer in all stages of planning and development.

CAPITAL HOSPITALITY

bolted into place. “We always need to build stronger homes than traditional, on-site built homes because ours need to be transported,” says Rossignol.

He feels his company is able to offer a service exceeding that of traditional housing developers. “Our goal is for people to walk into one of our homes and be unable to tell it was manufactured off-site. We have to provide an extremely high-quality product so people aren’t concerned that it’s modular.”

Capital Modular Structures offers 60

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Another branch of the Capital family, Capital Hospitality is a name synonymous with a “home away from home.”

Many workers in the natural resource sectors are required to work away from home for weeks at a time. While they do not necessarily want to purchase a home near their job-site, it’s also not economical for these men and women to stay in a hotel for days on end, or to rent an apartment on a parttime basis.

Capital Hospitality is rectifying this problem by building extended-stay facilities which can be rented for affordable rates, by the week, month or longer. Complexes with 44 units are coming for Estevan and Carlisle and another 16-unit complex is being developed for Regina.

Rossignol refers to these facilities as a “home away from home” because

each suite comes fully equipped with a kitchenette and a quiet, yet efficient washer and dryer. At double the size of a traditional hotel room and at a lower cost, he hopes these complexes will offer industry workers a “welcoming experience which will feel more like home than a hotel.” Plans are also in the works for a caterer or small restaurant to provide food services to the complexes.

CAPITAL FOUNDATIONS: PROUD SUPPLIER OF MAGWALL™ BUILDING SYSTEMS: A Saskatchewan first

Imagine how much easier it would be

warm!” he adds.

Another bonus of using MagWall™ will come when you decide to finish your basement. The need to frame, insulate and drywall the space will be eliminated, further reducing your out-of-pocket costs and speeding the project along that much quicker.

Capital Foundations installs the MagWall™ building system in all of Capital Modular’s projects, from single-family homes to multi-unit town home or apartment complexes and hotels. MagWall™ is also available for purchase by individuals or developers, separate from Capital Modular building projects.

to build a house if you could eliminate site labour costs for framing, insulating, vapour barrier and sheathing.

Until recently, there was no way to avoid these construction costs. Capital Modular Structures is now proud to announce the arrival of the MagWall™ Building Systems to Saskatchewan.

An exclusive supplier of the building system, Capital Modular also offers exclusive installation and distribution services for the province. Company CEO, Philip Rossignol, explains that it can support up to three storeys and has been approved by the City of Regina.

Capital Modular Structures also has a Saskatoon office to better serve those interested in the MagWall™ Building System and to offer better service to the builders in the Saskatoon area.

The MagWall™ system will significantly lower operating costs for a more comfortable and healthy living environment while homeowners enjoy consistent performance for years.

It has been utilized in both residential and commercial applications.

The structural wall, roof and floor system uses MagBoard™ a fire, mold and insect-resistant sheathing that is easily finished on the exterior and interior of buildings. MagWall’s™ EPS insulated core outperforms competing insulation materials and eliminates air infiltration. MagWall™ offers superior fire resistance, a draft-free living environment and will not rot or mold.

Engineered in Edmonton, MagWall™ has been used in North America for close to ten years but never before in Saskatchewan. Rossignol says it’s a perfect choice for homeowners and builders alike because “it offers an extreme savings compared to overall housing packages. Using this system, developers can build faster and more efficiently.”

The benefits of MagWall™ to homeowners will be seen immediately in monthly energy bills. Rossignol says to expect a significant reduction on utility bills, as homes require smaller, less costly heating and cooling systems. “And your basement will be

For more information, visit capitalmodular.com/foundations and the MagWall™ website at: magwall.com. fall 2010

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CAPITAL MODULAR DEVELOPMENTS THE WILLOW ESTATES IN PENSE The city of Regina is expanding rapidly and in the coming years, the growth will only become larger.

There’s a lack of affordable housing options on Regina’s west end, where a considerable amount of this growth will be concentrated. Job creation, coupled with company expansions in three different sectors will mean an excess of 2,000 new people will need to find housing in the area or elsewhere.

The town of Pense is situated at the hub of all this activity. According to the Government of Saskatchewan website: “Mosaic Potash is proposing to expand its solution potash mine located near Belle Plaine in the RM of Pense. The expansion would increase production capacity from 2.27 to 4.81 million tonnes per year by 2020.” In order to increase their production capacity, Mosaic will be hiring hundreds of new workers who will need housing.

The Willow Estates subdivision was recently approved and Capital Modular Structures is currently pre-selling Phase One of the project: town homes in the 40-unit development, which will comprise 10 four-plexes in all. Each town home will be about 1,320 square feet and they are set up to face one another in the attractively landscaped subdivision.

Phase Two will consist of 48 more units.

“Our focus has always been on delivering quality projects that remain affordable” says Capital Modular CEO Philip Rossignol. “There’s lots of job creation happening on the west side of Regina and we saw a need for more affordable housing options.”

Buyers can choose from five floor plans and various finish packages to suit their tastes.

For more information on the Willow Estates in Pense, visit: capitalmodular.com/willowestates or contact Capital Modular at: (306)522-0650.

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CAPITAL MODULAR STRUCTURES ASSOCIATED WITH ASPEN VILLAGE PROPERTIES WHITE CITY’S ASPEN LINK

First Floor

Located just 10 minutes east of Regina, in the beautiful town of White City, the new Aspen Link subdivision offers a chance to purchase a luxury home in the town’s well-manicured Emerald Park. Buyers can choose from 50 lots located at White City’s lush, 18-hole championship golf course.

Capital Modular Structures is proud to offer buyers and developers custom designed homes on gorgeous, walkout lots. “Everything can be customized,” says Rossignol. Capital Modular is the perfect choice for the discerning buyer who wishes to build his or her dream home for a cost much less than an on-site build and in half the time.

From the time of purchase, you can expect to move into your new luxury home in about 16 to 20 weeks dependent upon the size and finish required for the home.

For more information on this exciting development, contact Blair Arn, Aspen Village Properties Ltd, at (306) 539-1027

CHBA

Member

Second Floor

1810 College Avenue Regina, SK 306.522.0650 Toll Free 1.888.522.0650 philip@capitalmodular.com

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PARKLAND COVERS FLOORS AND

NOW, WINDOWS

By Amy Nelson-Mile

After nearly 30 years of providing great products and exceptional customer service, Parkland Carpet One is poised to make its store even better. By late November they will be moved into an airy, spacious new location at 1600 8th Avenue (next to Western Cycle on 8th Avenue).

Robert Grain has been manager of Parkland Carpet One since the founder retired 11 years ago. Grain explains that Carpet One is not a franchise, it is a co-operative owned by over 1,000 members based in Canada and the US. “Parkland Carpet One is part of the world’s largest floor covering cooperative,” he says. “One little store couldn’t bring the variety of materials that we do. We bring in the top styles from all the leading manufacturers at very reasonable prices. And we’re still locally-owned, to serve you with a local touch.”

Parkland Carpet One carries many items in addition to the numerous varieties of carpets. They have hardwood, laminate, vinyl and Ceramic tile—any

kind of flooring that you could want, you can find in their store.

“The new store will have the largest selection of samples in city,” Grain adds.

For the past 15 years they’ve also carried many kinds of window coverings. Now that Parkland Carpet One is moving, Grain says, they are taking the opportunity to enhance their window coverings area. They will now have a staff person who devotes her time exclusively to working with window coverings.

Nancy Mercer is the new Window Fashions Consultant for Parkland Carpet One. Mercer has extensive experience to offer the customers; she has over 25 years in the business.

She loves to help clients with making sound choices for windows.

“I help them with the decision making process” she says. “Do they want windows that provide more privacy; that block out light; that make a fashion statement?” She takes into consideration whether they are trying to

Photography By Cal Fehr

make a room look larger; the shape and size of the rooms; whether they have children or pets. She also works with difficult-to-fit windows.

The window coverings that Parkland Carpet One carries are very well-known, trusted product names.

They include such brands as HunterDouglas, Shade-O-Matic, and Jackson.

Photography By Shawn Fulton

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Both Grain and Mercer are looking forward to displaying these wonderful products in the new store. With 13,000 square feet, there will be plenty of room to display both the flooring and the window coverings. “The new store will have displays of almost every product,” Mercer says.

The window covering displays will certainly be striking. To begin with, the setting is perfect for the display and Grain points out the store will be fresh, bright and clean. Mercer adds: “The displays will be on full-sized windows with natural light—and all the properties that brings.”

Grain says that although the physical environment of the new store will provide everyone with the beginning of a wonderful shopping experience from the moment they walk in the door, it won’t stop there. Parkland Carpet One staff members are friendly and highly trained.

At Parkland Carpet One, customers have always been able to count on consistently positive treatment from the staff, and that certainly will continue. Consultants greet customers promptly and courteously and immediately learn what they can do to help the customers with their shopping experience.

Whether it is direction to appropriate products to browse through or more focused advice in choosing material, Parkland Carpet One staff can provide it. Grain explains that as a member of the Carpet One co-operative, “our staff have the opportunity to train extensively. We encourage it, because a staff that has ongoing training is a staff that can provide better customer service. The training available ranges from online courses to courses offered through Carpet One’s traveling university. Sales people learn the details of the different kinds of products and services; it’s very diverse.”

As well as the services that the in-store staff offers, there are on-site services.

Mercer, for example, offers home consultations. She will visit customers’ homes with samples and help them choose the product, the colour and the design best suited to their window. Finally, she measures to ensure that they get exactly the right size.

Parkland Carpet One also offers professional installation of all the products they sell.

Grain notes that Parkland Carpet One will tackle any size of project and will devote the same care and attention to

it, no matter what the size. “We pride ourselves on giving the personal touch to all our customers,” he says.

“We hope to see all of you—past, present and future—soon. I would like to invite everyone down to see our new store, to meet Nancy, and to browse a bit. It’s going to be a wonderful location for all your ongoing flooring and window covering needs, so I’m looking forward to welcoming you there!”

For more information on Parkland Carpet One, go to www.carpetone.com 1600 - 8th Avenue Regina 306-525-9125 fall 2010

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A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS The Christmas season has arrived at Jillian’s Design Elements, celebrating a 12-year tradition with Moose Jaw’s Christmas in October.

Always remember to keep your decorating simple. Use clear bowls, vases and apothecary jars by filling them with small shiny Christmas balls. Try replacing dry branches and twigs that you currently have in your vases with sparkly sprays and sticks. By placing fresh greenery with Christmas balls and pine cones around your fireplace you'll create a stunning focal point.

When you purchase neutral furniture it allows you to accent with different toss cushions each season. For the holidays change your accent pillows to something with a metallic, adding some sparkle and some texture to your home.

Here at Jillian's we love unpacking all of our brand new stock. We feel like it is opening present after present of exciting holiday spirit! As a decorator I know and understand how important it is to you to make your house a home, with the Christmas season being no exception. A home should be filled with a mixture of classic pieces, sentimental decor and a splash of the latest design trends. Always remember that interior design trends change with every season, so it is important to stay true to your personality and personal style. It is easy and affordable to inject small splashes of the latest trends, without overhauling your entire tree each year.

Celebrate the season by accenting with metallics, layers of texture, lots of white and perhaps a little sprinkle of animal print. Experiment with silver, pewter, gold, copper, bronze and the ever-versatile champagne. All shades of metallics look and feel great with fresh greenery. Don’t be afraid to mix and match and pair metallics together.

A white or silver tree can provide the

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perfect back drop for all your holiday memories. An all-white Christmas is the trend this season, creating a true winter wonderland.

To guarantee the perfect table setting, start with a dazzling centre piece. We suggest using a wreath lying flat on the table instead of its traditional positioning on the door.

The wreath grounds the fire burner creating a unique and spectacular ambiance. Fire burners are always great for indoor and outdoor use by using clean-burning ethanol fuel.

Jillian’s Design Elements offers a

each year. Simply hole-punch the corner of the card and tie a ribbon to hang from the garland.

In the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season, remember to keep what is near and dear to your heart. Celebrate with those that mean the most to you.

Give your time and heart to friends and strangers. Keep cherished family traditions alive and spend time making new ones. Surround yourself with the warmth of family and friends and the inspiration of the season with your spectacular holiday decor.

variety of fire burners for your table or your patio. We have placed words of inspiration on each plate, providing your guests with a memento of the evening as their take home gift.

Another wonderful idea for assigned seating is to use photo ornaments on each plate and send them home with your guests.

Create sparkle and light reflection in any room by placing a mirror under your arrangement. Try replacing the glass on your coffee or end table with a piece of mirror that can be left all year long for a lasting effect.

In the blistering cold winter, it is heartwarming to watch the fresh growth of an amaryllis. An amaryllis is a staple

to every holiday décor plan. Planted around Halloween, they grow a half inch each day culminating in beautiful blooms at Christmas that last for another three to four weeks. Jillian’s Design Elements is carrying a variety of Giant and Hybrid Amaryllis bulbs this year.

For all of those important handmade Christmas ornaments that don’t precisely match the color scheme of your designer tree, have some fun by creating a memory area. Wrap fresh garland around the staircase, mantel or bookshelf and make an eclectic collection of cherished holiday cheer, using those treasured keepsake ornaments. This area would also make a great location to showcase the assortment of holiday cards you receive

Jillian’s Design Elements 14 High Street E Moose Jaw, SK 306-693-0673 www.jilliansdesignelements.com

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SUNSET BAY ARCTIC SPAS: IT’S TIME TO ENJOY A HIGHER DEGREE OF LIVING By: Mackenzie Brooks Everyone needs a spa day now and then. Relax in your own hot tub spa, reduce daily stress and enjoy much-needed time with your family and friends. For 16 years, owner Mike Patterson and the sales and service team at Sunset Bay Arctic Spas have been providing exceptional spas, hot tub products and quality service to the people of Southern Saskatchewan.

The newly expanded team also welcomes store manager Tory Morissette. With considerable industry and product knowledge, Tory and Mike can make sure that every day is a spa day for you and your family.

With Sunset Bay, spa ownership has never been so easy, so affordable and so personalized.

Drawing on his business acumen and his years of experience in the hot tub industry (first in Saskatoon and then Regina), Mike Patterson opened their newest showroom at 1333 Albert Street in Regina to meet the growing demand for hot tubs in the Regina market and the surrounding area.

Mike knows that spas are an investment in your lifestyle and that customers base their decision to purchase a hot tub on their own unique style and individual requirements. “We have a hot tub that will fit your every specification,” said Mike.

THE BENEFITS ARE MANY

There are many reasons to invest in a hot tub, and sales at Sunset Bay have shown that family ownership is dramatically increasing. Making the decision 70

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| Photography By Cal Fehr to purchase a hot tub will increase the amount of time your family spends together and will create an enjoyable family get-together out of any otherwise regular evening at home. “Everyone is so busy these days, which really puts a premium on family time,” said Mike. “One of the best reasons to own a hot tub is that your kids will actually get in it with you and talk to you!”

The benefits of hot tub ownership don’t end there.

Relaxing in the warm and stimulating waters allows your body to release tension, can ease the ache of sore and tired muscles and even alleviate headaches. Submersion in the massaging waters has also been shown to reduce joint inflammation and the pain associated with arthritis, naturally increase blood flow, reduce joint stress and boost recovery time between exercise sessions. In addition, the exceptional affordability at Sunset Bay combined with the opportunity to customize standard models means that investing in a hot tub from Sunset Bay will not only add value to your family, leisure and entertainment time, but will also add value to your home. Hot tub models are available for lounging, seating and for entertaining and can be tailored for your choice of colour, jet capacity, lighting, music and even television capability.

PROUDLY BUILT IN CANADA

Perhaps the best reason to invest in a spa from Sunset Bay is that their hot tubs are built in Canada, by Canadians, who understand our changing seasons.

All models of tubs produced for Sunset Bay are built in Alberta for year-round use and are guaranteed to withstand the harshest climates—and in Saskatchewan, we know a thing or two about harsh climate! Every hot tub is built with efficiency in mind. The tough, life-time guaranteed acrylic tubs and cedar bases have insulated walls and floors to ensure the pump transfers heat directly to the water, thereby maintaining an energy-efficient and comfortable tub at every sub-zero temperature Saskatchewan will experience.

The result is a tub that can be used year-round so you maximize your investment.

SUNSET BAY’S NEWEST PRODUCT

Highlighted this month at Sunset Bay is their newest product: the steam shower. Customers enjoy improvements to their health by reducing toxins and stress, improving blood circulation and maintaining beautiful and youthful skin. Steam showers have also been shown to aid in weight loss and to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Like the tubs at Sunset Bay, their steam showers improve the quality of your life while adding value to your home. All models are available in single or two-person capacity and function like regular bathtub/shower combos with steam and misting capabilities. The showers can be installed in new home builds or into renovated bathroom spaces as models come in several sizes. Features like foot and back massagers, jet tub options and even radio and phone capabilities are included in most models.

Visit Mike, Tory and the crew at

Sunset Bay Arctic Spas at 1333 Albert Street in Regina

to check out their impressive (and industry awardwinning) show room of spas and hot tub products and meet the friendly sales and service team who are ready to discuss your family’s tub and steam shower requirements. Let them help to customize the right product for you.

Call 525-0546 or find Sunset Bay Arctic Spas’ full details on the web at www.sunsetbayleisure.com.

You and your family will thank the Sunset Bay team this winter!

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IN HARDWOOD, TILE, CORK AND CARPET WOOD RIDGE FLOORING SETTING TRENDS IN ECO-STYLE

by Jennifer Semesock Owners of Wood Ridge Flooring, Rene Putzlocher and Erin Capp, know that when creating a style for your home, the flooring you install is as important as the furniture you choose and the paintings you hang on your wall. Their diverse selection of flooring attests to this—from recycled carpet and distressed hardwoods to Italian Glazed Tile, Wood Ridge Flooring carries the latest trends to suite your style.

“Trends in Regina are leading more toward hardwood and tile—that’s the majority of products we sell,” says Capp. “By following the trends of these products, home owners are able to easily create bolder styles within their own houses.”

IN CARPET

Wood Ridge Flooring carries a hot twist on carpet right now—patterns. The variety of colour and dimension keep your floors looking new and clean longer. When finishing basements, Berber carpet

Photography By Cal Fehr

has been the top choice for years. Wood Ridge Flooring carries many different choices of carpet, so why not cozy up with a soft, luxurious carpet that is long lasting and durable? The Shaw Clear Touch carpets are a cozy and environmentally conscious alternative.

IN HARDWOOD

Wood Ridge Flooring strives to sell species of wood that are common to Canada because they can contribute to the forests and replanting systems. With these species of wood, there is a growing trend to focus on color to create a more dramatic look with flooring. “The new staining processes give us colors we’ve never seen before,” says Capp. White washes and lighter stains are becoming very 72

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BEING GREEN

Photography By Cal Fehr

widely used. Also, grey tones are very popular, offering a whole new range of wood colours.

“Mirage Hardwood is one of our top lines of wood,” says Capp, “the technology involved in the flexibility of the surface on their wood is second to none. This technology extends the beauty and life of the floor beyond others.” Mirage Hardwood offers beautiful variations of hardwood that is milled in Canada. Not only are their products top of the line and environmentally friendly, a majority of the wood is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified.

Wood Ridge now offers custom stained flush mounts and floor vents to match the hardwood. They do the staining in their building, decreasing shipping costs and excessive wait periods to receive the final product.

IN TILE

The latest and hottest trend in tile right now is the use of inkjet technology. It uses metals such as iron, steel and copper in the glazing process, creating a dimensional tile. Custom tile showers and custom tile en-suites are very trendy. Not only does the tile create a spa-like illusion in the bathroom, it also increases the value of your home.

“Glass back splashes and glass accents are still hot,” says Capp. “Using them in your bathroom or kitchen create a unique and polished look. If you’re looking to achieve a fabulous new look with a fireplace, try using a ledge-stone or stack-stone.”

With one of the largest tile galleries in Regina, Wood Ridge carries brands such as Casa Roma, Solistone, Ames Tile, Midgley & West, Julian Tile, Marble Systems, Euro Ceramic Tile and Alyse Edwards.

IN CORK

Cork flooring is part of a fast growing trend. This renewable resource is known for adding extra sound-proofing to your floors, acting as a thermal insulator and being hypoallergenic.

Wood Ridge Flooring carries Wicanders cork, the world leader in cork oak flooring. Wicander’s has recently released the industry’s first sustainability report, proving value in both industry and environment.

Wood Ridge helps home owners create a look that is not just trend setting, but that is gentle on the Earth. “We are looking toward to the future and trying to focus on sustainability and being environmentally friendly,” says Capp.

Many of the big names in the industry, such as Mirage, Wicanders, Ames and many more have participated in this movement, providing top quality products that are affordable. Customers who walk into Wood Ridge are not necessarily looking for “green” products, but are introduced to it when shown the different styles manufactured by the leading brands in flooring. “[The green trend] is starting to pick up because the prices are very similar, whether it’s a recycled product or not,” says Capp. “A lot of people still have it in their heads that if it is a recycled product, it will be more expensive.” Being responsible for nature does not need to be pricey. Wood Ridge combines affordability with quality to ensure their customers are satisfied with their purchase.

One trend that is becoming more popular in the hardwood market is the use of Canadian mill hardwoods. Through smaller production costs, both financially and environmentally, woods from Canadian mills are gaining a lot of popularity.

Even tile plays a role in protecting the environment. Tiles are usually between 40 per cent and 60 per cent recyclable.

For example, the Casa Roma Flatiron tile is honed and rectified glazed body porcelain that can be used both outdoors and indoors. It contains approximately 40 per cent recycled product, such as iron, steel and copper.

“Green” carpeting is another growing trend. Recycled from soft drink bottles, the Shaw Clear Touch carpets are not only trendy and environment-friendly, they are stain and spoil resistant. Their patented R2X Stain and Soil Resistance System was tested and proven to keep stains on the surface of the carpet, rather than letting them seep through becoming impossible to remove.

Customers of Wood Ridge Flooring can not only expect to see a wide variety of styles with unique “green” touches fall 2010

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Photography By RheaPhoto.ca

fact that we chose a laminate that has a “green” element to it is also important to our family. Rene and Erin really helped us pick something that not only looks fabulous, but is economical and environmentally friendly.”

“WE’LL FLOOR YOU!”

when they walk into the store, but they can be assured that they are going to be greeted with knowledgeable and friendly staff who are excited to bring their vision of a trendy home to life.

After deciding to build a new home, Jenn and Matt Dominguez went into Wood Ridge to purchase their floorings.

Jenn explained her complete satisfaction with the service they received and the final product: “Wood Ridge did all the flooring in our home—carpet, linoleum, laminate and tile. They coordinated everything in our home, from paint colour to our coun-

Photography By Cal Fehr

tertops to trim colour.

“We worked mostly with Rene and their designer. The only thing we knew for sure was the colour of our cabinets and the carpet colour—that’s it! We showed them our choices for those two, they called us back into the office and had our entire house laid out for us. It was simply remarkable. They made it so easy! We left that day feeling so happy and pleased; they had taken the guess work out of everything for us, and it was exactly what we wanted.

“Our home is amazing. The flooring is everything we expected and more. The

With such a prominent focus on style and the environment, it’s easy to see how Wood Ridge is quickly becoming a popular name in the flooring industry.

To top it off, they still offer in-house design and expert installation!

If home owners need another reason to revamp their flooring this fall, Wood Ridge is offering a special sale ending December 31, 2010 on all Mirage Hardwood and accessories. See the staff for details and let them surprise you with how affordable Mirage hardwood flooring can be. Being green and trend setting comes at a terrific price!

Wood Ridge Flooring 435 Dewdney Ave., Regina 306-352-4639 www.woodridgeflooring.com

RADIO CENTRE LOOKS AFTER YOU FOR THE LIFE OF YOUR ELECTRONICS

By FLR Staff

Electronics should suit your life in sleek, easy-to-use style, according to Radio Centre.

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Photography By Jesse Covert-Ruttenberg

A hidden gem on Regina’s Warehouse District Dewdney Avenue strip, Radio Centre is Regina’s oldest independent electronics retailer and a business on the cutting edge of electronics for you and your home.

Specializing in top-of-the-line consumer electronics—flat-panel televisions, home theatre systems, “smart house” installations and more—Radio Centre has everything you could possibly need to create the perfect viewing and listening experience at home.

The store is full of Panasonic plasma and LCD TVs, Sharp LCD TVs, Onkyo home theatre receivers and Polk Audio speakers, plus cameras, camcorders, accessories for everything and more.

More than 60 years of service Radio Centre first opened in 1948. It was originally located at 11th Avenue

and Lorne Street.

“It opened before there was television, which is why it’s called Radio Centre,” says co-owner Tim Parsons.

“We’ve kept the name to remember our roots, but we’re focused on being a leader in delivering the best and freshest technology the home electronics industry has to offer.”

While the technology Radio Centre specializes in is always evolving, its reputation for stellar service hasn’t changed over the last 61 years. Parsons and co-owner Rene Fahlman, along with team members Joe Hadesbeck, Kris Hadesbeck and Phil Johnson, are focused on matching their high standard of electronics knowledge with an equally high standard of customer service.

It’s not just about selling, servicing and installing great electronics, say the team members at Radio Centre; fall 2010

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it’s about setting each customer up with the perfect system for his or her lifestyle.

“Custom smart-home technology and pre-wiring is future-proof,” says Parsons. “We can make your home work for you today and make it wired-ready to learn new tricks as technology advances.”

CUSTOM WIRING FOR NEW HOMES

In the building stages of a new home, customers are encouraged to bring their floor plans in for a consultation. Radio Centre can custom-wire the whole home, so there will never be a mess of wires behind the television, stereo or home theatre system.

Multi-zone audio systems can put your music in whatever room you’re in— from an iPod, radio, satellite or cable box—and keep your kids’ music playing in their space at the same time.

In-wall touch pads installed in any room or the newest generation of remote controls are used to change the source and volume, and can also be set up to control your lights, home theatre, blinds and more.

SLEEK SOLUTIONS

Radio Centre also has some sleek solutions for people who haven’t pre-wired but want the clean look. A wireless 54inch Panasonic plasma that’s less than an inch deep is in the store now—and just the beginning of emerging technologies in wireless and lightweight home theatre, according to Parsons.

Attending the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas the past two seasons has proven to Radio Centre’s team that thin is in.

“Plasmas are getting to be under that one-inch depth,” says Parsons. “It gives it a real low-profile look when it’s hanging on your wall.” He adds that wireless technology also means that Blu-ray players, receivers and other boxes can stay out of sight for the cleanest look, in the event that you didn’t have an opportunity to pre-wire.

Radio Centre is also a specialist in making electronics user-friendly, selling and setting up universal remotes on a variety of budgets that run the whole system— new or existing—with single-touch commands.

“YOU SHOULDN’T BE ON YOUR OWN”

To help deliver the best service and keep it simple for customers, Radio Centre is

also a licensed warranty depot for everything it sells. House calls and a service centre right in the store mean fast service, which sets Radio Centre apart from the big-box store electronics dealers.

“You shouldn’t be on your own to figure it out if your home electronics don’t work the way you want them to,” says Fahlman, who adds that services range from proper set-up to repairs, if you ever need them.

“If you buy something at a big-box store you may have 30 days for returns or warranty. After the first 30 days, you’re on your own,” says Parsons.

“When you buy from Radio Centre, we’re looking after you for the life of your electronics.”

2100A Dewdney Ave. Regina, SK Phone (306) 352-3030 www.radiocentre.ca

We can make your home work for you today and make it wired-ready to learn new tricks as technolgy advances.

DREAM KITCHENS

THE LATEST TRENDS IN DESIGN

City Space Kitchens & Interior Design Inc. “We Think Unique”

By Ryan Holota Photography By Artec Photographic Design Located in the historic Strathdee building on Dewdney Avenue, City Space Kitchens & Interior Design Inc. has a loftstyle showroom with feature cabinetry displays, finish options and samples. The business moved to Regina under the creative direction of Charlene D. Vaughn, BID (Bachelor of Interior Design) in 2007. The showroom quietly opened in January of 2008. Vaughn specializes in helping homeowners turn their outdated, less-than functional kitchens into the 78

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vibrant and exciting heart of the home.

Vaughn is a registered Interior Designer; her qualifications are recognized across Canada and in the USA. As the past-president of the Interior Designers Association of Saskatchewan, and with decades of experience in creating functional and beautiful spaces, she and her team put all of their skills and expertise to work for you.

The focus of City Space Kitchens & Interior Design Inc. is predominantly

within the kitchen; however, their cabinet offerings provide tremendous versatility allowing the cabinets to be customized as appropriate for any room in the home. From bathrooms to bedrooms, laundry rooms to entertainment centres—even custom closets—the team at City Space can transform your existing problem area from old and dull to new and exciting or take your new home construction from ‘builder boring’ to fresh and inspired. With three employ-

ees and a service area encompassing much of southern Saskatchewan, City Space is in the business of making you say: “Wow!” City Space is a dealer for two lines of Canadian-built cabinetry: Merit Kitchens of Surrey, British Columbia and Décor-Talora Cabinets of Morden, Manitoba. Both manufacturers have been in business for more than 30 years and offer high-quality semi-custom modular cabinets designed to produce beautiful, creative and useful spaces. Semi-custom cabinets are high quality cabinets that are available in a variety of depths, widths, and configurations to accommodate any space. By using a modular design, the companies are able to produce cabinets of high quality and the production time is reduced from a typical custom job. Myriad options are available to make your cabinets truly unique.

Both manufacturers offer standard melamine case construction and each offers an upgrade to plywood boxes.

80 door styles; when you factor in the wood species that each is available in and the multiple finishes, the choice can become overwhelming,” says Vaughn.

“It’s hard to imagine that we couldn’t exceed anyone’s expectations. Our manufacturers will even do custom colours.”

Creating useful kitchens isn’t just about space. By looking at your space with trained and experienced eyes, Vaughn can identify areas where hidden potential exists. As much as we all love to look at design magazines where the kitchen is grand and over-sized, the reality is that most of us want a similar sense of elegance and design, but within our more modest spaces and budgets. In the end, including more functionality is the key.

Years ago, incorporating a lazy susan was a ‘Wow’ factor in many kitchen remodels. Today, the choices to create useful spaces are almost endless. A space as tiny as 12 inches can be outfitted with pull-out pantry shelves and other accessories, creating an incredible amount of

Both Merit and Décor-Talora use solid wood drawers with dovetail joints. Merit kitchens also offers an eco-friendly case option that may contribute to achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) points. The Skyblend low emission melamine contains recycled materials and no urea-formaldehyde is added during manufacturing, meaning there are significantly reduced levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in your home.

“With the two lines we have in excess of

space in a very small footprint.

“Making better use of small spaces is one of the key concerns that clients often have,” Vaughn says. “One of the most popular upgrades that people invest in when they are renovating the kitchen is to install as many roll-out shelves; pull out accessories; and banks of drawers as possible. Functionality! That is the key because what’s inside matters.”

Using 3D computer design software, City Space creates plans and blueprints to show the details of the space. Once

the kitchen is at the pricing stage, City Space presents full-colour 3D images showing the completed space, allowing clients to view everything just the way it will look when the work is done. If the client sees something they don’t like, changing it at this stage is as simple as changing the plans. Clients can imagine themselves living, working and enjoying the new space before the old kitchen is even removed.

City Space Kitchens & Interior Design Inc is a full service interior design business. For many people, a major renovation is daunting and may have been delayed for some time. For others, they’re busy and not that interested in the whole DIY movement – they want someone with expertise to narrow their choices and carry out the work with skill and in a timely manner. Often they’ve seen things they like but don’t want to simply copy it. They opt for calling a professional.

“We work within people’s comfort zone so they can get a good grasp of the process,” Vaughn says. “It’s a design package that we can provide our clients. We work with other specialists in putting the pieces together for people, doing the leg work and coordinating because it’s what we do all the time. That said, we’ve had some clients that were great collaborators, who really knew what they wanted and took a very hands on, active role in their redesign. We’re always excited to work with great people.”

Make an appointment to visit the showroom to discuss the products and services provided by City Space Kitchens & Interior Design Inc. Appointments can be scheduled in an evening or on Saturday for your convenience. The showroom tour is at no cost, but Vaughn asks you to set aside a couple hours. “It’s a great opportunity to meet one another; to discuss your vision, project goals and timing; and most importantly, the budget.

We like to spend the time with people in the very early stages, before we’re even contracted to complete the work. I can come back to my notes and the choices they made at the time of the showroom tour, even months later, and I’ll understand the people and their goals. Spending the two hours before they have finalized their decision on supplier is a great investment for me.” fall 2010

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City Space is in the business of making you say:

“Wow!�

City Space Kitchens and Interior Design Inc. 101-2206 Dewdney Avenue (in the Strathdee building) (306) 565-2206 info@cityspacekitchens.com.

Showroom by appointment

The

Perfect Kitchen CRAFTING THE PERFECT KITCHEN OUT OF THE CUSTOMER’S OWN MIND

By Carter Haydu Photography By Cal Fehr

Two worlds came together under one roof when Janis Patrick and Ken From bought a home together. “It’s our first house as a couple,” says 47-year-old Patrick. In May 2009, she and 54-yearold From purchased a 1987 property in a quiet Regina neighbourhood.

According to Patrick, moving in together was actually the easy part. The two spent several months transforming the “dated” interior of their new home into something within which both she and From could live comfortably.

“We pretty much gutted the kitchen and first floor.”

Renovations centred on what Patrick considers the most important room in a house—the kitchen. She says an interior designer helped the couple choose elements to satisfy both homeowners. All the couple needed was someone to turn their mutual dream into reality.

That’s where Excel Custom Woodwork-

ing came in.

From humble beginnings, Colin Hanoski handcrafted Excel Custom Woodworking in 1995 as a fresh teenaged high school graduate, working out of a garage. “When I started, it was a fulltime job for me. Just myself at the time and a couple of part-time workers,” he says, adding by 1998 his business expanded and now the company operates out of a 7,000 square-foot facility, employing as many as 10 staff.

Five years ago, Hanoski sold his cabinetry business to Gemard Holdings Ltd. and stayed on as operations manager.

Today, the 33-year-old says the company remains committed to its original motive—transforming customer concepts into functional and attractive kitchens.

“When we identify the customer’s wishes, we create the finished product.”

The story of each Excel Custom Woodworking product begins with the cusfall 2010

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tomer. Hanoski says consultations lead to initial design drafts, which undergo revisions until a final blueprint is approved. Next, comes the production stage, which might take as long a couple of months. Hanoski said each cabinet is crafted for each specific kitchen, with no need for “filler pieces” to compensate various cabinet sizes.

“We build it to fit in that location,” Hanoski says, adding installation of the finished product typically takes about a week.

In the home of Patrick and From, the couple selected dark-stained maple cabinets, with totally flat fronts. “We just wanted a very clean, flush look and that’s what they did,” Patrick says, adding Hanoski and his workers not only crafted the ideal cabinets, but installed the kitchen islands and, in fact, renovated the entire main floor of the house— all complementing a roomy, versatile and inviting family kitchen.

Because building the perfect kitchen might require more than simply building quality cabinets, Hanoski says Excel Custom Woodworking will renovate an entire house, so long as the kitchen is part of those renovations. He believes the kitchen is the centre of a home and having the ability to move walls and adjust other rooms often helps in the process of creating the ideal space for preparing and eating meals.

“This way we have a lot more freedom in the process of constructing the ultimate space.”

Each kitchen requires different considerations based on homeowner needs and preferences. Hanoski says the number and size of islands, seating space and cabinets all depend on how many people will use that space and in what capacity.

“We’re trying to create a space that can easily accommodate the number of people who may be in the family.”

While there are trends in kitchen design and décor, Hanoski strongly encourages customers to choose colours, materials and designs based on personal preference, rather than the latest in magazines.

“To me, the most important thing is building a kitchen space that fits the family,” he says, adding trends tend to 82

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change with more frequency than an individual’s personal tastes. “A kitchen, being a major investment in any home, needs to be functional and enjoyable for many years.”

Patrick says Hanoski was incredibly approachable throughout the entire renovations process for her home. If she had a question or issue, Hanoski would respond in a timely and satisfactory manner.

“He was very good to work with,” Patrick says, adding all this consultation

and planning left her with a room in which she and From could enjoy preparing and eating meals.

Patrick says she is both pleased and amazed Excel Custom Woodworking took a mere idea and turned it into a functional and attractive kitchen space.

“There’s nothing really I’d change.”

While building cabinets and kitchens is a creative enterprise, Hanoski doesn’t really consider himself an artist. He says Excel Custom Woodworking doesn’t create for its own gratification and is

to customer service and individualized products is what sets Excel Custom Woodworking apart from the competition.

“We want to produce a space for our customers to enjoy and maintain a good reputation in the city of Regina.”

Hanoski says it gives him a lot of pride knowing the kitchens he helps create serve as the much-loved and well-used key elements in many local homes.

“Our work is there for everyone to enjoy and for us to be proud of.”

Excel Custom Woodworking is located at 2430 8th Ave., Regina.

For more information on the company and its services, contact Colin Hanoski at 306-757-0088 or visit online at www.excelcustomwoodworking.com.

only satisfied with a product when the customer is satisfied.

“We work not for what we want, but for what they want.”

In the home of Patrick and From (which was completely renovated this past April) selecting design elements took a lot of negotiating between the couple.

They had to bridge years of separate individual preferences and tastes in order to achieve a kitchen that would satisfy both equally.

Patrick says From wanted multiple

kitchen islands, while she wanted plenty of space for leisurely entertaining of family and friends, as well as, maintaining lots of storage room. The kitchen Excel Custom Woodworking built delivers all these elements and more.

“I’m pleased with the quality. It speaks for itself,” Patrick says. “[Excel’s] crew was very good and overall I’d say it was a great experience.”

While there are other cabinet builder and kitchen renovators in the Regina area, Hanoski says his company’s attention

At any time, Excel Custom Woodworking is conducting 10 to 15 jobs at various stages of completion. Hanoski says his staff mainly works within Regina and the immediate surrounding area.

However, the company has done work as far away as Saskatoon, Yorkton and Calgary.

Since he started the business as a teenager working out of a garage, Hanoski says the workload has been and continues to be steady. In recent years, he has increased staff to accommodate the influx of homebuyers to Regina and Saskatchewan. Through it all, Hanoski says he maintains the core values upon which he built Excel Custom Woodworking over a decade ago.

“We are a smaller company that tries to design for our customers.”

As for Patrick and From, Hanoski left them with a beautiful home, centred on their ideal kitchen.

Patrick says it perhaps isn’t always easy for two people to bridge their particular tastes and preferences. However, thanks to the help of Excel Custom Woodworking, the couple’s first home together is one that satisfies the preferences of both, giving them a beautiful and functional kitchen in which to grow old together.

“It works well for both of us. We have a nice spot where we both sit and have coffee.” fall 2010

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P.B. CUSTOM CABINETS RENOVATIONS AND MILLWORKS

DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “OPTIONAL” AND “CUSTOM” Don and Judy Miller of Regina, Saskatchewan recently had their kitchen and dining room renovated by P.B. Custom Cabinets Renovations and Millworks. P.B. (for Peter Bandorf) installed a complete set of new cabinets, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, set off by gleaming hardwood floors and a stunning glass tile backsplash.

“We had a pretty typical 1970s kitchen,” explains Judy Miller, “It was dark, the cabinets were falling apart, and the storage was very poor.”

“We had browsed what was available at the big box stores, got ideas from TV and magazines, and were ready to do something,” adds Don Miller. “We started looking for contractors in the phone book, from word of mouth, and we got a few quotes.”

“Every other company that we spoke to was hard to get a hold of, gave us a quote that didn’t really tell us what was included, and gave us a floor plan of how the kitchen could be laid out,” Said Judy. “P.B. Custom Cabinets was different. The quote was very detailed, right down to the hardware and the style of hinges that we would get. Instead of a floor plan, we got a three-dimensional colour picture of what our completed kitchen would look like. The image was very realistic. On top of that, [Peter] was great to work with.

“I really liked that he listened to everything that we had to say, and then offered suggestions on how to improve the final product,” Judy continues, “We had a lot of ideas, but we don’t redo kitchens everyday—Peter does, and he really shared that information with us. We couldn’t be happier with the results that we got.

“Peter also worked very closely with us on planning and working on the project and the timeline. He was always available on evenings and weekends to answer our questions or meet us at the house, and he coordinated everything really well. We were only without a functional kitchen for about two weeks.”

At P.B. Custom Cabinets, it is not uncommon to hear testimonials like this at the end of a project. With more than 25 years of general woodworking experience and more than eight years in the business of producing high-quality custom cabinets, Peter Bandorf has learned that delivering the best quality product is not only appreciated by his customers, it

is also rare in the industry. “Over and over again I hear nightmare stories from my clients about contractors. Just look at the reputation the industry as a whole has with customer satisfaction. It isn’t hard to deliver a great experience, but so few companies take the time to do it. It helps that I have such a great employee as Steve Andreas working with me. Together, we really put the customer first.”

“There are a lot of great people doing work out there right now, but there are also a lot of companies that have just popped up overnight to capitalize on the housing boom in Saskatchewan. When you choose a contractor, it is important to do your homework. Check into the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been complaints registered. Find out if they are insured and if they follow proper building codes and get permits for their work. Something as simple as an improperly installed exhaust fan can put your family at risk.”

WHAT ARE CUSTOM CABINETS? The term ‘custom’ is used a lot in the home industry, but people don’t really mean custom. Instead, they just mean that you have some options. You may get to select from one of three or four colours, or perhaps you can have your choice of hardware or door styles.

When Peter Bandorf says custom, he means custom. Need a cabinet that is 26 7/16” wide to fit between your stove and your dishwasher, no problem (actually, they can do any width in 1/16 inch increments, about 1mm). Want to add drawers to your lower cabinets instead of shelves? No problem. Interested in making a cabinet that fits up against your wall work as a china cabinet, computer desk, or bookshelf? No problem.

Because Peter actually designs and builds the cabinet boxes himself in-

stead of ordering pre-made boxes in standard widths, he can build whatever you need to minimize the use of filler strips, optimize your kitchen layout, and create a beautiful, functional kitchen for you.

As a member of the Better Business Bureau of Saskatchewan, and the Regina & Region Homebuilders Association’s Renomark program, Peter makes a point of giving his all on a project, no matter what the budget. “Many people think that custom cabinets are out of their reach, but that’s not really true. Custom cabinets don’t need to be more expensive than cabinets that are purchased at a big box store, but they will fit better, look better, and last longer. Whether someone is looking for a small budget kitchen or a luxury kitchen for a renovation or new home project, custom cabinets give you more flexibility, more options, and a better quality product.”

CABINETS, RENOVATIONS, AND MORE When renovating a kitchen there is a lot more involved than just cabinets.

Sometimes walls need to be moved, flooring changed, painting, ceilings, plumbing and electrical all come into the situation. We can plan and handle all of the required work. “Most of the work we either do ourselves or in conjunction with our network of tradespeople being sure to follow all of the relevant building codes, and obtaining any required permits.”

They do more than kitchens too. “We specialize in millwork and cabinetry, so we try to keep our work in that realm, but we can handle a lot of different projects. Built-in entertainment centers can get pretty complex, and they make for fun and beautiful projects.”

Peter states they are also involved in complete bathroom and family room renovations.

GOOD NEWS SPREADS FAST

The quality of the work P.B. Custom Cabinets Renovations & Millworks completes is evident from the moment you see it. It’s for those reasons that P.B. has delivered kitchen cabinets as far away as Toronto. “Quality is something that is appreciated everywhere,” Peter says. “Right now we’re in the process of manufacturing two bathroom vanities for clients in Toronto. I have all of the dimensions and photographs to work from and I ship the completed cabinets out there. I take a lot of pride in my work, so I know everything will fit when it gets there.”

If you are thinking about doing some cabinet work or related renovations, it pays to discover the difference between ‘options’ and truly custom cabinetry. Visit P.B. Custom Cabinets Renovations & Millworks at 431 Quebec Street, or point your browser to www.pbcustomcabinetsregina.ca.

Or, give Peter Bandorf a call at 306.543.6112.

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Cobb Cabinets “IT’S GOING TO BE GREAT!”

By Ryan Holota

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Photography By Rheaphoto.ca

A vast workshop space filled with high tech woodworking equipment hums with busy people and the sound of cutting wood. An assortment of projects, in various stages of completion, occupies workstations throughout the shop.

At one workstation, a new boardroom table for a large corporation is awaiting finishing. Further on, somebody’s dream kitchen is being inspected by a man with a careful eye for detail to ensure that everything is perfect.

It’s a typical day at Cobb Cabinets. Incorporated in 1978

by Mitch and Colleen Cobb, Cobb and Company Cabinets Inc. has grown into one of the most advanced cabinetry and millwork providers in the province. Known for creating beautiful, high end residential custom cabinetry, Cobb Cabinets does much more than that. A large part of

their business is creating store fixtures, commercial millwork and built-in furniture for businesses large and small, while a group of tradespeople focused on residential work handles projects from bathroom renovations to basement development.

With a team of approximately 20 full-time employees and a network of time-tested, dependable tradespeople, Cobb Cabinets can handle your job no matter what it is. “A lot of people don’t expect it from us,” says Mitch Cobb, “but we can handle every aspect of your renovation. It’s very common for us to general contract the entire renovation procedure, from demolition to finish work.”

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mentioned that the sink wall of the old kitchen was cold during the winter. Seeing an opportunity to provide increased customer satisfaction, the team investigated the problem and found a lack of vapor barrier and insulation in the wall and a defective window. Removing the drywall, the professionals at Cobb insulated the wall and installed new vapor barrier and drywall. They also installed a brand new triple pane window cased to match the cabinets. The kitchen is now beautiful and warm even on the windiest winter morning.

Covering every aspect of renovation projects allows Cobb Cabinets great control over the quality of the finished work. “Everything that we do, from the smallest bathroom renovation to the largest commercial work, must meet up to the same level of detail, which assures customer satisfaction.”

Detail is paramount for Cobb. Knowing that the finished product is a direct result of the materials used, Cobb doesn’t skimp on any details. Even their cabinet boxes are made out of superior materials. “Instead of using standard white liner grade melamine to create our cabinet boxes, we use industrial particle board with heavy door grade thermofused paper. This material is stronger and offers a better final product. In addition, it allows us a wide range of finishes. Rather than having all of our cabinets with plain white interiors, there are dozens of options ranging from high-tech silver to exotic species of wood, even bright yellows or purples if that is what your heart desires.”

As Regina’s only cabinet manufacturer and renovator with a membership in the National Kitchen and Bath Association, Cobb Cabinets is proud of the education and training being a member of the NKBA brings with it. “The NKBA provides a number of training courses throughout the year, and holds events worldwide to ensure that we, as professional kitchen and bath service providers, are always up to date on the latest trends, methods, styles and products that are out there on the market. When new products are introduced, we hear about them first, and we can get feedback from 88

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hundreds of other professionals to know if the products meet the high standards that we seek to provide to our clients or if we should look for other materials to make their dreams come true.�

A team of true professionals leads the craftsmen and tradespeople inside Cobb Cabinets. Chad is the commercial estimator and grew up in the business, learning from a young age that delivering the very best is what customers remember. Ed, the man in charge of making sure the shop floor has the products they need when they need them, is a career cabinetmaker who comes from a family of cabinetmakers. Don is the electronics person, coordinating the computer controlled equipment and the man who makes the CADD shop drawings. Aziem is the production manager in charge of running the shop floor and making sure things go as planned. David works closely with Mitch to plan and design kitchens that homeowners dream of working in, entertaining in and impressing friends and family with.

The rest of the team is no less talented.

Rather than employing line workers, the entire staff at Cobb Cabinets can best be described as Artisans who work with wood. With a careful eye to detail and steady hands, they look at each new project as a chance to deliver the very best work they can. Many of them are former business owners looking for a chance to work with a great team and at least one of them has received national recognition for furniture products they have built in the past.

When you are ready to learn more about Cobb Cabinets and how they can transform your kitchen, bathroom or other renovation product, visit them on the web at www.cobbcabinets.com, or give them a call at 306.347.7266.

Their showroom and production facilities are located at the corner of Dewdney Avenue East and McAra Street, in Tuxedo Park. fall 2010

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DREAM KITCHEN High-Quality, Handcrafted, Canadian Famed Regina store now offers kitchen cabinets as beautifully made as its furniture.

By Ryan Holota If you have lived in Regina for any length of time, you have undoubtedly heard of Auntie Fanny’s Furniture. This local, family-owned business has developed a reputation as a purveyor of heavenly, handcrafted solid-wood furniture and unique accessories.

In the company’s never-ending quest to provide high-quality, handcrafted Canadian goods to its customers, Fanny’s Furniture has recently launched a new line of home cabinetry. These 90

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cabinets are built in the same familyowned workshop as the great furniture they offer, using the same triedand-true building methods.

Kitchen cabinets today are not the same products they were even just a few short years ago. Today, most manufacturers build only the cabinet boxes, ordering pre-fabricated

doors in standard widths from other businesses to complete the work. At Fanny’s Furniture, Kekuli Bay cabinets are 100 per cent handcrafted in the company’s own workshop, including the doors. Need a 25 or 17 inch cabinet? It’s no problem for the craftsmen at Kekuli Bay, and there are no additional charges.

BUILT WITH CARE

Because Kekuli Bay cabinets are built by the same people who build all of Fanny’s Furniture, you can be sure they are built with care. The craftsmen use the same furniture-quality wood, joinery techniques, and finishing methods to create their cabinets as they do to build elegant, heirloom-quality furniture. Kekuli Bay cabinets are readily available in seven species of wood and an impressive number of finishes, although the customization options are limitless. Do you desire cabinets crafted from Wenge Wood or Walnut? You need only ask In-house kitchen design consultant Greg Huber creates custom 3D CAD/CAM drawings of your dream kitchen so that you can visualize the way the space will look and feel. Better yet, Greg can provide you with more than just cabinets. He has been trained to help you complete your entire project, from flooring to paint to countertops, including stone, concrete and man-made materials.

Working with only seasoned installers and following up with you to ensure that all of the small details are taken care of, the family-like staff at Fanny’s understands how important it is to make sure their customers are fully satisfied. Their goal is to make your experience as painless as possible. As a long-time member of the Regina and Region Homebuilders’ Association and the Better Business Bureau, Fanny’s furniture knows how to take care of you.

“It’s really all about customer service for us,” says Debra Huber. “We have purposely decided to structure our business in such a way that it allows us to treat our customers like family.

We could open a larger store, hire more sales staff and lower our quality, but that’s just not the way we want to do things. Instead, our store is cozy but comfortable, and our staff is extremely knowledgeable. They have been with us for a long time, and they understand our values and the way we want our customers to feel.”

THE AUNTIE FANNY’S STORY The Fanny’s Furniture story goes all the way back to 1985 when an innocent family vacation sparked the idea of opening a brass and gift store in Regina. Extremely high levels of customer service led to expansion, and the current location at 1217 Broad Street was opened in 1995.

The business evolved from brass and gifts to wood furniture, and in the

years between, Fanny’s Furniture worked with family members in British Columbia to open Huber’s Heritage Furniture. Because the same people who owned the retail stores were in charge of the furniture workshop, they could provide the highest-quality solid-wood furniture at reasonable prices. With Gerald Huber, the family even developed its own freight line so it could have total control over the delivery and transportation of its pieces.

Recently, the staff at Fanny’s Furniture sold furniture to the grandson of one of their original customers. When three generations of customers shop at your store, you must be doing something right.

“Once someone becomes a customer at Fanny’s Furniture, we consider them to be a part of the Fanny’s family. It’s not uncommon for clients to come back to the store just to visit with John, Kent, Sandra or Marlin, because we really build a relationship with them,” says Debra Huber.

Indeed, it is that type of relationship that led to them developing a line of kitchen cabinets.

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“So many of our furniture customers came back to us and said: ‘Where can I get cabinets that are built as well as your furniture?’” Greg Huber, the kitchen design consultant, didn’t have an answer for those customers. “We wanted to do something to fill that gap in the market.”

The answer was Kekuli Bay. Named after the body of water near the Huber’s Heritage Furniture factory, the furniture workshop was tasked with creating a line of cabinets that would

please those who had come to expect great quality at affordable prices.

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL “Our craftsmen already had all the skills, but they had never used them to create cabinets before,” says Debra Huber. Not wanting to experiment with their customers’ kitchens, they began by creating sample pieces in the workshop and then worked with family members. Greg Huber was the

first in Regina to have his kitchen done with Kekuli Bay cabinets. “It’s absolutely beautiful,” he said.

More recently, the company has completed another family member’s kitchen. “My sister Charlene has just had her kitchen finished, and it is stunning,” says Greg Huber.

With the completion of its showroom and customer kitchens under construction, Fanny’s Furniture knows that it has a winning product on its hands.

Debra Huber adds, “We would really like to invite people to our store to see the quality and value that we offer.

Our furniture is the type of furniture that you will pass on to your children and grandchildren someday, but that does not mean that it is expensive.”

“With the addition of Kekuli Bay cabinets,” says Greg Huber, “we can now provide cabinets that match the quality of the furniture that we sell. This opens us up to an entirely new market of people—homebuilders, renovators and design professionals who are searching for solutions for their clients. Of course, we also work with individuals to help them get the kitchen of their dreams.”

Fanny’s Furniture Kekuli Bay Cabinets

1217 Broad St. Ph. 545-9818 www.auntiefannys.com www.kekulibaycabinetry.com

HOME at the Hard Rock

By Carol Todd | Photography By RheaPhoto.ca

It may not have all the cachet of the famous café, at least not yet, but your home can still be the hard rock star of the neighbourhood with gorgeous natural stone countertops.

First up on what the industry calls the “hard and shiny” list is quartz. Most commonly associated with watches and clear sculpture, the crystalline mineral is coming on strong as the new stone-age material for home countertops. It is one of the hardest materials known to man and it can bring beauty, lustre and durability to your home.

Quartz is just one of the many options Floform Countertops for the Canadian West offers to the discerning homeowner. There is also granite, recycled glass, wood and solid and laminate composites—all available in a multitude of dazzling colours, and all professionally installed. But it is the quartz that really shines. “It’s huge for us,” says Brian McIntyre, Regina branch manager.

ONE-STOP SHOP

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral on earth and one of the hardest.

There are very few items in common use that are harder. That means your countertops will stay scratch-free virtually forever. And the non-porous nature of the stone product means no stains either.

There are many different varieties of quartz, several of which are semi-precious gemstones, such as amethyst.

Since the dawn of mankind, these varieties have been the most commonly used minerals in the making of jewelry and hardstone carvings, especially in the Middle East and Europe. Common colored varieties include citrine, rose quartz, amethyst, smoky quartz, milky quartz and others.

The Irish word for quartz is grian cloch, which means ‘stone of the sun,’ and clear quartz is, in fact, one of the few materials that breaks light down into a spectrum of colour. The countertops are not clear, of course, they are actually 93 per cent quartz combined with colour and a binding agent. But they do come in almost every colour of the rainbow.

“Right now, our quartz comes from Cambria Countertops. Their palette is unbelievable and they’re always expand-

Floform has grown from its birth in Winnipeg in 1961 to become western Canada’s leading manufacturer of quality countertops. Starting with post-form laminate countertops provided the experience needed to expand into products such as Corian® by DuPont solid surface, Artisan Stone granite, Cambria quartz surfaces and solid hardwood tops

by Heritage wood. The company estimates that, every day, more than 100 families in the West have a Floform countertop installed in their home.

McIntyre also out started with the laminates, at Custom Countertops Saskatoon, before opening the Regina shop in 1979. There was only him and Myron Strohan initially, but business soon picked up and McIntyre says it has been rocking ever since.

“It’s been a pretty steady progression,” he says, adding there was a lot of competition at that time. What set Regina Custom Counterparts apart from the rest was its focus on countertops.

“Most of the other guys who were cutting countertops were also doing cabinets, so they couldn’t get the wholesale market because their competitors weren’t going to buy from them,” says McIntyre. “But, we were strictly coun-

lines and suppliers, McIntyre says the bigger company has given his operation a lot of support including helping bring them into the computer age. “We were very pencil and pen for a long time. Because they’re big and knowledgeable, we get a lot of assistance from them as far as administration goes. They’ve moved us into the modern age. We were a small office until Floform came, but we’ve gotten super busy,” he says. From those first two people, the Regina business has grown to now include a staff of 23.

McIntyre says they still retain a close relationship with the Saskatoon branch of Floform, which does the fabricating for most of the company’s eight western Canadian branches. “They are very sophisticated up there. It’s a huge operation,” he says. They even have their own semi-trailer trucks to transport the raw materials to the shop in Saskatoon and to take the finished product to the stores.

There is still a lot of competition in the market and McIntyre says Floform is more than able to meet and beat it, largely because of the selection it offers.

“I don’t know of anybody who has the variety we do. A lot of our competitors in the hard and shiny business don’t do

ing it,” says McIntyre, pointing out that Floform is the exclusive dealer for Cambria in western Canada.

The Cambria and Zodiaq product line of quartz, non-porous products have been certified as safe for use as a food preparation surface by NSF International, an independent consumer protection company. And they are covered by a limited lifetime warranty.

tertops so, over time, some of our competitors got rid of their countertop saws and started buying from us. They continued to sell cabinets and we supply them with countertops, so it was a good deal.”

Floform Countertops came along and bought the business three years ago, and McIntyre says that has been an incredible boost to their business. In addition to opening the door to the Floform product

laminate. We still do a lot of laminate; it is still the most economical,” he says.

“We probably are the only one-stop shop in southern Saskatchewan that does everything.”

That everything includes recycled glass, wood, and solid and laminate composites, as well as the other ‘hard and shiny’ material: granite. The only thing they don’t do is stainless steel.

ABUNDANT AND ROCK HARD

THE OTHER ‘HARD AND SHINY’

Available in a range of colours and myriad patterns to match any decor, granite is not only extremely dense and durable, it is gorgeous. While not quite as hard as pure quartz, it is still one of the hardest materials available and it will take a lot more than a dropped coffee cup to mark a granite surface.

With granite, Floform can build your countertops from among a kaleidoscope of designs and colours, ranging from solid, to dizzying swirls and patterns. That natural art show is the result of the crystalline nature of granite and the various minerals it contains, especially feldspar. It’s these variations in mineral composition that give the range of colours and what is often called the “movement” in the stone.

The word granite itself comes from the Latin granum, meaning grain, a direct reference to the stone’s coarse-grained, crystalline structure. But the Latinspeaking Romans were not the first to use this versatile stone—that honour goes to the Egyptians, who used it to line the burial chamber of the Cheops pyramid.

Floform offers the Artisan Stone Collection with a range of 24 colours in both Classics and Exotics lines. All are covered by the industry’s first and only comprehensive residential limited lifetime warranty.

GREEN IS THE COLOUR

Here in Riderville, green is always the colour: of Rider Pride and environmental sustainability. But there are many more colours than green in the ultimate reduce, reuse and recycle mantra—stunning countertops in recycled glass.

The Vetrazzo products carried by Floform are made of 85 per cent recycled glass with a concrete matrix and are heat resistant and impervious to stain. The environmentally friendly products create strong, durable countertops that will withstand many years of normal use. In the unlikely event of damage, it can be easily repaired by Fine Line Pacific, a sister company of Floform. It is less porous than marble and concrete, equivalent to some granite and will resist most stains. However, acids— for example,

red wine, lemon juice or vinegar—will etch the matrix of the surface if not cleaned up immediately.

And, there is a story in every surface— a story about the life of the glass and its transformation. And a story about us. The largest percentage of the glass comes from curbside recycling programs with the balance coming from post-industrial usage, windows, dinnerware, reclaimed glass from building demolition, and other unusual sources, such as decommissioned traffic lights.

WOODN’T IT BE NICE

Floform extends environmental consciousness into another of its countertop products—wood, with a long-standing commitment to forestry conservation and sustainable forestry practices. Its Green Forestry Practice applies to both domestic and reclaimed wood with all of Floform’s North American hardwoods coming from sustainably managed forests. Sustainable forest management (SFM) is the management of forests according to the principles of sustainable development. Sustainable forest management uses very broad social, economic and environmental goals. A range of forestry institutions now practice sustainable forest management using a variety of methods and tools that have been tested over time.

Heritage Wood products make for lovely solid wood countertops expertly crafted to bring elegance, warmth and durability to your home. The world’s finest domestic, exotic, and reclaimed wood is crafted into flawless perfection.

Available exclusively through Artisan Group, Heritage Wood countertops add a unique, luminous touch to kitchens and countertops, turning the ordinary into something extraordinary.

The Heritage Wood bamboos, as well as, a variety of reclaimed wood species,

satisfy the requirements for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Manufactured in China, the factory is centered in the middle of a sustainably harvested bamboo forest.

Heritage reclaims wood from original U.S. sources including barns, factories, warehouses, textile mills and other commercial buildings. Floform offers a range of stunning options, each with its own unique characteristics and history.

All of the reclaimed wood meets LEED specifications as eco-friendly.

Wood countertops are tolerant to heat as well as red wine, mustard and other substances that usually stain. Finished with penetrating waterproof oil, they are extremely durable even in areas exposed to moisture. And they are safe for food preparation and food contact. Inherent properties prevent bacterial build-up and Heritage Wood is finished with an organic tung oil listed by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as food-safe.

They do need to be re-oiled every 12 to 48 months, depending on use, but are simple to clean and disinfect with a vinegar and water solution.

NOT ROCK, BUT STILL SOLID

Corian solid surfaces are available in more than 110 colours and numerous different edging profiles. This is the original solid surface invented by DuPont more than 35 years ago and it continues to be the standard for solid surfaces. Because it is nonporous, stains do not penetrate the surface and with proper cleaning it also resists the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria.

Solid surface is an acrylic product consistently coloured all the way through and typically made in half-inch thick sheets. Corian is also repairable and renewable. Any stain would likely affect only the surface and can be buffed out with a Scotch Brite pad. Floform can help you customize your design with integral sinks, seamless backsplashes and inlays from a collection of more than 100 colours. All acrylic or polyester solid surfaces are susceptible to damage from heat. Hot frying pans, dishes from the oven, warming trays and the like can scorch or fracture the surface, so trivets are recommended.

TRIED AND TRUE

Many homes already have laminate countertops. Plastic laminate is made from layers of paper that are first impregnated with resin and then bonded together under pressure and high temperature forming a thin, rigid sheet.

Branded manufacturers of laminate such as Formica, Arborite, Wilsonart, Pionite and Nevamar are glued to a wood substrate typically for countertops. Floform carries an assortment of more than 200 stock colours and textures and can custom order sheets if they don’t have what you want right there.

Laminate is a thin material and requires proper maintenance. Unfortunately chips, burns, cracks, and scratches cannot be repaired, and a replacement countertop is often needed. Floforms’s Post-Form Collection can be heated and bent to create integral backsplashes and wrapped front profiles in several different styles. The flat lay process allows for custom shapes and sizes that cannot be achieved with post-form process. Only attached backsplashes are possible with this process. Wood accented edges in oak or maple, beveled to bullnosed, can add to the beauty and durability of solid surface edging.

TESTED AND TRUSTED

Regardless of which material you choose, Floform can help you finish the job from among its broad selection of Wilsonart and Kohler sinks, taps and other products. And they will ensure you get the job done right.

“It’s a trust thing,” says McIntyre, “This is Saskatchewan; you buy from people that you trust. You don’t have to be cheapest in town, but you do have to be reliable, with a quality product, get it done on time and, if there is a problem, get it resolved as soon as possible.”

That relationship has proven its worth for Floform Regina and McIntyre, who says he has been in thousands of homes in southern Saskatchewan. Not even the recent recession put much of a dent in the business. “Our market hasn’t slowed down. If anything, we’ve expanded,” he says, crediting the ongoing success to the longevity of the business and the experience of the staff.

“Any business is a team effort and we’ve got an excellent team,” he says. And he expects the business to be as durable as its countertops. “The future looks bright.

We’ve got lots of work. And there are new products that we’re always dabbling in.”

More information is available on the company website at: Floform.com. In addition to product information, the site also includes some handy materials to help make the experience as painless as possible, such as a pre-installation checklist, how to measure and how to care for your countertop.

FloForm Counter Tops 530 Henderson Dr., Regina 306-721-2220 www.floform.com bmcintyre@floform.com or evallevand@floform.com

TIMBERSTONE BUILDS SOLID FOUNDATIONS FOR HEARTH AND HOME Timberstone is a family owned and operated company with a long history in the sales and service industry. We pride ourselves on our ability to bring high quality and value- oriented Masonry and Landscaping products to our customers with an outstanding service record. When you have a combination of a locally owned and operated family business that is committed to personalized service, offering a superior quality of material at an affordable and reasonable price, then that foundation for success in your home or for your business is set. That’s what TimberStone is all about. “In our minds, service and quality-driven products is what we base our business on,” according to Owner Darrell Kennedy.

With stores in both Regina and Saska-

toon, TimberStone prides itself on delivering to you the strongest selection of natural and manufactured stone, as well as, brick that is offered anywhere.

Located at 515 6th Avenue East in Regina, owners Darrell and Kim Kennedy, along with Darrell’s mother Tracy, offer a combined 25 years of sales experience. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, all three are committed to supporting local charities. They understand and value the responsibility business has to all of its customers.

To back up this commitment, a portion of all profits from the store will be donated to the Autism Resource Centre.

Offering a customized showroom, TimberStone understands that dedicated service comes hand in hand with the high standard of materials they have to offer. With a variety of quality-driven suppliers to choose from, TimberStone offers a large array of products that comes with an industry leading turnaround. By understanding the nature of the complexities and time-challenges associated with any building project, you can be assured that TimberStone will do everything in their power to make whatever you need work within the time restrictions you have. The owners of TimberStone know full well how challenging creating the right look for your home and business can be. “Many times when people walk into the store they’re not 100% certain of what they can do to make their home special. We take the extra time to sit down with them and go over all the options. By explaining in detail what we can offer them, it saves them money and time in the long run.” This proven expertise that TimberStone has with Natural Stone

products will assist enormously in helping you to choose that perfect stone product, in that perfect place.

TimberStone is in partnership with Environmental Stoneworks, offering a full and varied line of manufactured stone veneered products and accessories for residential and commercial applications. Environmental Stoneworks’ ability to tailor their products and services to distinct architectural

preferences has made them one of the largest turnkey providers of manufactured stone veneers worldwide. With this selection, comes the quality and service that Environmental Stoneworks is recognized for worldwide.

100 per cent of the materials offered

by TimberStone are stored indoors at their warehouse, insuring you receive the highest grade of quality material with every purchase. TimberStone also offers a full line of brick from Sioux City Brick. A five-generation family managed company, Sioux City has demonstrated a commitment to quality brick while upholding strict environmental standards. TimberStone has built its sizable reputation on its commitment to quality and service. They understand that everyone who walks into their showroom becomes a part of their extended family.

Tracy feels it’s the number one reason for their success. “We have a lot of referral customers who come into the store. We’ve had many people tell us the reason why they’re in the store is because their friends enjoyed doing business with us. That means the world to us.” TimberStone: a family built on the foundation of dedication to offering only the best.

584-2990

515 - 6 Avenue East, Regina | www.tsdstone.ca | tracy@tsdstone.ca