FineHomes Saskatoon Spring 2012

Spring 2012 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1

DAVID SUZUKI’S Queen of Green Downtown Saskatoon A liveable option?

Meredith Heron Canada’s Favourite Gardener FineHomes 1 Ken Beattie SASKATOON

TK HOMES and FRESCO INTERIORS Luxury Master Bedroom Suite unfolds to reveal Spa Room and Retreat Space.

Design Center Opening Soon!

WESTERN

CARPET ONE

®

610 Cynthia Street • 306.665.6640 www.westerncarpetonesaskatoon.com Stores Hours: M-F 8:30am - 5:30pm • Sat - 9am-5pm Saskatoon & Region Home Builders Association, Inc.

DGL Suncoast Screen Enclosures offers a screened-in, outdoor area, that allows you to enjoy your deck, pool, spa or patio without the sense of being enclosed in an indoor space. These esthetically pleasing and durable structures protect you from up to 90% of the wind, the hot sun, rain and the nuisance of annoying and possibly dangerous insects.

E

ach of our screen enclosures is custom built on-site and offer year round use even in the winter to keep your deck area free of snow for

the enjoyment of your spa and bar-b-que all year long. . In addition, there are several features that we can add such as custom colours, power retractable screens, 3 season windows and even a doggy-door.

S

ummer is not nearly long enough! But with a 3 Season sun room, you can enjoy the fresh air and the outdoors long in to the Fall and earlier

in the spring as well. A great place to start you annual garden early and keep them long into the fall or grow palm trees on the prairies!

Head Office:

ph 306-761-1801

tl 1-877-449-5106

fx 306-545-9307

sales@dglsuncoast.com

www.dglsuncoast.com

DGL

Beautify your surroundings and add value to your property!

Specializing in: Complete yard landscape construction • Walkouts • Staircases Elevation Changes, landings • Retaining Walls Paving Stone • Irrigation • Lighting • Plant Material Fabric and Mulch

Landscape Construction

phone: 306.280.6609 | www.city-gardens.ca

The Next Level in Washlet Luxury ®

Toto Washlet E200 The E200 offers a contoured design for a sleeker look and uncompromised Washlet luxury.

The E200 Features: Convenient Remote control, Warm air dryer with three settings, Heated softclose seat with Temperature Control, Soothing aerated warm water wash, Self-cleaning Water wand.

Touch me, feel me, turn me on...before you take me home.

Canada’s most interactive kitchen & bath showrooms.

With hundreds of products, one on one appointments and the latest trends.

Saskatoon • 306-933-2237 649 - 51 Street East

Regina • 306-565-2284 1176 Hamilton Street

Winnipeg • 204-788-0550 1300 St Matthews Avenue

Visit Us www.upgradeyourlifestyle.ca

Photos by Pete Lawrence

Glass...Natural, Pure Beauty in Bold or Subdued Colours & Textures Easy to Clean – Always Looks New – No Grout Nothing will make a room come to life like the products we have. Castle Glass will custom make glass panels to accent any room. One of the most versatile materials used in homes today is glass. Whether wonderfully bold or subtly muted, glass can migrate from traditional decor to a fresh contemporary style. Discover with Castle Designer Glass a truly distinctive way of designing with glass, adding that designer touch to any home or business.

Treat yourself to a look inside the Castle Designer Glass Gallery Today!

840-47th Street East, Saskatoon www.castledesignerglass.com Call Janet at 306.477.0098 or email: castledesignerglass@gmail.com

“Outstanding opportunities to connect with other like minded individuals”

“The best personal and professional development session I have ever attended”

“Excellent format, Powerful faculty of speakers, Empowering experience!”

– Margaret Page, Etiquette Page Enterprises

– Kathy Assayag, Concordia University

– Alan Ruddiman

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

Saskatoon

April 13, 2012 • 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Credit Union Centre 3515 Thatcher Avenue .............................................................................

Register Today

1.866.994.2555 www.PowerWithinLeadership.com

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

One Full Day of Inspiration, Motivation and Tools for Excellence!

Dr. Phil McGraw Michael (Pinball) Clemons Leonard Brody Mike Lipkin Phil Town Jennifer Heil

Dr. Phil McGraw

KEYNOTE PRESENTER

Dr. Phil McGraw, perhaps the most well-known mental health professional in the world, is the host of the new leader in daytime talk, DR. PHIL. Launched in 2002, DR. PHIL provides the most comprehensive forum on mental health issues in the history of television. For nine years, Dr. McGraw has used the DR. PHIL platform to make psychology accessible and understandable to the general public by addressing important personal and social issues.

Host & Executive Producer Dr. Phil

Dr. McGraw’s work was recognized by the American Psychological Association in 2006, by honoring him with a presidential citation. Over the years, the DR. PHIL show has received 21 Emmy nominations and won 5 PRISM Awards, for the accurate depiction of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse and addiction. In addition, The Alliance for Women in Media, sponsors of the Gracie Award, named after Gracie Allen, has honored DR. PHIL every year since 2008.

Dr. McGraw is the author of six #1 New York Times bestsellers, published in 39 languages with over 24 million copies in print. In 2003, Dr. McGraw established The Dr. Phil Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization, funding many worthy projects benefitting disadvantaged children and families. In addition to his work with the Dr. Phil Foundation, Dr. McGraw is a frequent supporter of many worthwhile organizations, including the Court Appointed Special Advocates program.

Dr. McGraw earned a B.A., M.A. and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of North Texas, followed by a year of post-doctoral training in Forensic Psychology at The Wilmington Institute. After 25 years he retired from practice as a licensed psychologist to devote full time to his educational media platform.

An avid tennis player, golfer and scuba diver, Dr. McGraw lives in Los Angeles with his wife Robin.

TEAMWORK Winning Against the Odds

(Pinball)

Michael Clemons

Renowned as one of pro football's most electrifying players, Toronto Argonauts running back Michael "Pinball" Clemons was the CFL's all-time all purpose yardage leader. However, it is his exceptional character, in addition to his outstanding athletic ability, that has made him the remarkable fan favourite throughout Canada.

Pinball’s tireless community involvement and participation in countless charitable causes exemplify the qualities he possesses. He has used his superb leadership and communication skills in his former roles of Coach, President and CEO of the Toronto Argonauts - and now as the vice-chairman of the franchise.

In 2001, Clemons was honoured with the Order of Ontario, and he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

Pinball’s presentations are at once captivating and empowering, and clearly demonstrate the capabilities of teamwork. Pinball inspires his audiences by illustrating what is possible and what it means to beat the odds. Pinball communicates his heartfelt stories with a passionate spirit and his patented, contagious smile.

7

FineHomes SASKATOON

CFL Legend and Toronto Argonauts Vice-Chairman

www.PowerWithinLeadership.com | 1.866.994.2555

Leonard Brody

Bestselling Author and Two-Time Emmy Nominated Media Visionary

LEADERSHIP Leadership Alchemy: The Ten Steps To Creating The Chemistry for Success in Times of Change

TECHNOLOGY

The Monumental Shift: An In-Depth Look into the Future of Canada, Technology and the Changing Workforce

Leonard Brody has been called "a controversial leader of the new world order."

He is a highly respected entrepreneur, venture capitalist, bestselling author and a two-time Emmy nominated media visionary who has been through one of the largest internet IPOs in history. A co-founder of user generated news powerhouse NowPublic.com; the President of Clarity Digital Group, one of the largest online news conglomerates in the world; and an advisor to venture capital funds and companies and governments around the world, Leonard is a highly sought after speaker who addresses everything from how technology will continue to revolutionize the workplace and workforce to how corporations can use challenges to steer them toward innovation and growth.

Mike Lipkin

Mike Lipkin is a Toronto-based speaker, author, motivator and persuasion coach who has worked with over 1,000,000 people worldwide. He is the President of Environics/Lipkin, one of Canada’s largest and most sophisticated research houses. By combining Environics’ Social Values Research with his personal expertise and experience, he provides people with the confidence and insights to connect with others at the deepest level.

Specifically, Lipkin provides people with The Personal Best Practices to embrace change while motivating others to do the same. Lipkin has authored four best-selling books including his newest book is One Life, One Meeting – How to Achieve Preeminence One Conversation at a Time.

Bestselling Author, Business Leader & Motivational Speaker

www.PowerWithinLeadership.com | 1.866.994.2555

Phil Town

FINANCE

Investing for Financial Success

He isn’t your typical Wall Street guy. An ex-Green Beret and former river guide, Phil Town is a self-made millionaire several times over and America’s most widely sought-after speaker on investing. He is credited with calling both the top of the market in 2007 on CNBC and the bottom in 2009.

Bestselling Investing Author of Rule #1 and Payback Time.

LEADERSHIP

SUCCESS STRATEGIES Becoming the DriverCreating a Plan for Success

Phil teaches novice investors how to invest for high returns with less risk than putting money in managed funds and regularly references Warren Buffett, David Einhorn, Joel Greenblatt, Julian Robertson and Ray Dalio as examples of the investors who do it the right way – what he calls Rule #1 investing. His books RULE #1 and PAYBACK TIME were both instant #1 New York Times bestsellers and are now published in 14 languages. He has made over 40 appearances on MSNBC-Tv’s “Your Business” and starred on CNBC Tv’s “Millionaire Inside” Series. Phile Town lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Jennifer Heil

As one of Canada's premier athletes and recipient of multiple Olympic medals in freestyle mogul skiing, Jenn Heil is a woman whose approach to life consists of a dedication to hard work and a vibrant spirit. After winning gold in the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, she was voted CanWest Media Canadian Female Athlete of the Year in 2007 and won silver in the latest Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

Jennifer was also recently received The Bobbie Rosenfeld Female Athlete of the Year Award, 2011, presented by the Canadian Press. Now retired from competition, Jenn focuses on her drive to succeed and pursuit of excellence in her charitable work. She is active in supporting Plan International's Because I am a Girl Campaign, and is a passionate mentor to youth sports and young women.

9

FineHomes SASKATOON

Canadian Olympic Champion - Voted Canadian Female Athlete of the Year

www.PowerWithinLeadership.com | 1.866.994.2555

The best personal and professional development session I have ever attended – Kathy Assayag, Concordia University

WHAT you will learn Leadership & Innovation • The fundamental tools for establishing a strong leadership foundation • Improve response and reaction time while energizing your team • Combining execution and rewards as a driver of performance Organizational Effectiveness • Harness the power of teamwork, determination and personal excellence • Cultivate a responsive environment • Leverage internal assets in order to expand your competitive edge

EVENT HOST

WHO Should Attend

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Marketing, Business Development & Information Technology

• Increase productivity in order to thrive in a rapidly evolving business and social environment • How technology will continue to revolutionize the workplace and promote innovation and growth Personal Development • Discover “Your Power Within” to create meaningful results • Overcome challenges and achieve your personal best • Creating the life you desire ........................................................................................................................

Executives, Senior Managers and Candidates for Leadership Positions Human Resource Professionals Business Development, Marketing & Sales Professionals Social Media Consultants and Professionals Information Technology Professionals Project Managers Business Advisors & Management Consultants Educational Professionals Government Managers and Administrators Entrepreneurs, Business Owners & Franchisees Managers & Team Leaders Healthcare Professionals Professional Services

Register 3 tickets and receive the 4th complimentary

(Applies to general and VIP tickets only. Must register by

phone to receive the Group Rate offer)

EMERALD

Media Rate: $395

VIP

Media Rate: $203

(includes Preferred Seating and Photo Opportunity with Dr. Phil)

(includes Preferred Seating behind Emerald Section)

GENERAL

Media Rate: $69

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

CLICK HERE

TO REGISTER ONLINE ........................................................................................................................

Register Today!

1.866.994.2555 www.PowerWithinLeadership.com

Tickets are subject to 10% TAX. Please add $7.50 service charge per transaction. All sales are final. Please note, the conference ending time may vary as this is a live event. Speakers and date may be subject to change.

Ne w! Eldorado Fireplace Sur round s Shown is the new Eldorado Stone Soho Boutique Fireplace Surround with Birch Ledge Cut33 Stone.

We s t e r n C a n a d a’s m o s t c o m p l e t e o f f e r i n g o f m a s o n r y p r o d u c t s i n c l u d i n g clay brick, veneer stone, outdoor living products and much more.

Vi s i t a n I - X L s h o w r o o m t o I m a g i n e t h e P o s s i b i l i t i e s .

511 Dewdney Ave E. Regina, S4N4E9 306 757 2661

716 - 43rd Street Saskatoon, S7K3T9 306 664 3388

Brick & Stone,

Imagine the Possibilities

Celebrating 100 Years in 2012 11

FineHomes SASKATOON

w w w. i x l m a s o n r y. c o m

FineHomes

SASKATOON

WITH FINE HOMES EDITOR THOM BARKER n February 8, Statscan rolled out the first results from the 2011 census. The sly statsticians at Canada’s counting agency know just how to keep the anticipation and excitement building by dribbling out the data in four releases over an eight-month period, just like Hollywood keeps us on the edges of our seats awaiting the sequels to our favourite film franchises.

Fine, call me a geek, but I have always been fascinated by human geography and demographics. The initial release included population and dwelling counts, which are particularly relevant to this magazine and to Saskatoon.

Between 2006 and 2011, our city’s population grew from 202,408 to 222,189, almost 10 per cent in five short years. Some other sources have it pegged as high as 260,000 (I think from Saskatchewan Health statistics), but those same sources also had the 2006 numbers significantly higher. In any event, 20,000 people is a pretty hefty increase, but it’s hard to really appreciate the magnitude of it until you put it in perspective.

If it were a brand new city with that population, it would be the fifth largest in Saskatchewan. It is the equivalent of taking the cities of Yorkton and Melville and moving them to Saskatoon. If Toronto, which boasted a population of 2.5 million in 2006, had grown at the same rate as Saskatoon, it would have added 250,000 people.

As it stands, the Big Smoke added 4.5 per cent during the last census period, or approximately 112,000 people. That would be the third biggest city in Saskatchewan, the 34th largest in the entire country, just ahead of Lethbridge, Alberta.

Fascinating, am I right?

Okay, so maybe you’re not waiting with bated breath as I am for the second, May 29, release of age and sex data, but what about the fact that Saskatoon added 6,611 private dwellings over the past five years?

That is an extraordinary amount of construction, not to mention all of the associated design, wholesale, retail, consulting and financial services activity, the economic benefits of which trickle to virtually every person who lives here.

All of that puts me in mind that a tip of the hat should probably go out to the City of Saskatoon. Through all of this growth, there has not been a whole lot of grumbling or news stories about how inconvenient it has all been. Sure there is the occasional detour, such as the mess around Lorne Avenue and Circle Drive extension, but all in all, I’d have to say the municipality seems to be keeping up pretty well under growth-conditions that no one would have predicted a decade ago.

Finally, there is the question of where all these people are coming from.

There are returning Saskatchewanians and job-seeking Canadians from other provinces, but one of the largest cohorts is immigrants from overseas. This can be seen anecdotally in all the great new ethnic restaurants, groceries and other businesses cropping up all the time. As one who cannot get enough ethnic cuisine, it is very heartening to see, but I suppose that is fodder for a column in an upcoming issue of Fine Lifestyles.

Spring 2012 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1 www.finelifestyles.ca Editor

Thom Barker editor@finelifestyles.ca

Associate Editor Quinn Bender quinn@finelifestyles.ca

Contributing Editor Ryan Holota ryanh@finelifestyles.ca

Graphic Design and Layout Lori Gallagher lori@finelifestyles.ca

In-house Design Joni Gaudette joni@finelifestyles.ca Tracy Hahn tracyh@finelifestyles.ca

Cover Photography Heather Fritz www.heatherfritz.com

Photography Candace Epp www.candaceepp.com Kerry Lubchenko www.armandkerry.com Michelle Berg www.michellebergphotography.tumblr.com Pete Lawrence www.pete-lawrence.com Samantha Hawkins www.photosbysh.com

Contributing Writers Alexandra Walld Ashleigh Mattern Candace Fox Daniel Dalman

Edward Willett Karin Melberg Schwier Ken Beattie

Meredith Heron Shell Busey Suzanne Huber Tammy Robert

Advertising Consultants Cathie Watson Chris Larson Crystal Reich Jason Booker

cathie@finelifestyles.ca chris@finelifestyles.ca crystal@finelifestyles.ca jason@finelifestyles.ca

Publishers Randy Liberet 540.3320 randy@finelifestyles.ca Wayne UnRuh 541.3365 wayne@finelifestyles.ca 3440 Balsam Grove Regina, Sk. S4V 2S4 Fine Homes Saskatoon is published four 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., publications are copyrighted 2011 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 Ltd. or its writers. The name Fine Homes Saskatoon, 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 Lifestyles Regina Ltd. or the companies it represents. 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.

FeaturedContributors Suzanne Huber

Suzanne Huber began her career in her fourth year of business school at the U of S selling software to hotels. After growing the local company throughout Canada and into the US, she decided it was time to branch out and start Couture Business Development Inc. with coowner and friend Candace Fox in August 2009. Couture Business Development today provides marketing, public relations and sales consulting services to businesses in various industries. Suzanne is an avid traveler and spent time living in London England and has traveled to 18 countries. She also volunteers as the Vice President of the Saskatoon Opera and as a big sister with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Saskatoon. www.couturebusinessdevelopment.com

Ashleigh Mattern Ashleigh Mattern is a freelance writer and editor, born, raised and living in Saskatoon. A recent graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, she spent four years working for the student newspaper the Sheaf, first as arts editor, then as copy editor, and finally as editor-in-chief. Last year, her experience as a representative on the Canadian University Press board of directors gave her a new appreciation for non-profit governance.

She currently sits on two non-profit boards. Having worked as a freelance writer for the past three years, she has written for many local publications. She also enjoys creative writing and continues to pursue a career in that field despite many warnings not to. www.ashleighmattern.com

Karin Melberg Schwier Karin Melberg Schwier is a Saskatoon writer, author and illustrator whose most noted works are about people with disabilities.

She has written several books and many articles for home renovation and lifestyle magazines, and is currently completing her eighth book, Flourish: People with Disabilities Live Life with Passion (Inclusion Press, 2012).

A recently completed novel manuscript is in search of a publisher. homepage.mac.com/karin.schwier/copestone

Heather Fritz “When I am invited into people’s homes, I am always drawn to the photos they have on display,” says Heather Fritz, nationally published, Saskatoon-based photographer. “I was inspired by Shannon Tweed’s collection of small-framed family photos on display in clusters around her home. While her house is large and elegant, each display acted like a piece of art while acknowledging the importance of family in this home.” Heather has been shooting professionally for over seven years. She grew up in Alberta and has lived in the Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Ontario. Heather is the official photographer for the Saskatoon Opera and is the co-chair/founder for Saskatoon’s “The High Tea” fundraising benefit tea. www.heatherfritz.com

Candace Epp Candace is a vibrant visual designer with a specialty for interpreting her clients’ expression while showcasing the emotion, place or event.

Her passion for photography began as a child with a single stunning photograph. When she was given the opportunity to study visual arts at the University of Saskatchewan she jumped at the chance, and soon after began lifestyle and wedding photography. With her talent and entrepreneurial skills, Candace has seen her company grow from a single vision. Candace’s work has taken her to many faraway places, creating images for herself and others, she has made it her life’s goal to be as creative as possible toward everything she endeavours to do. www.candaceepp.com

Samantha Hawkins Samantha Hawkins is a photographer with a passion for art. “I love people, and I love creating beautiful images for people to cherish,” she says. Working within multiple disciplines of photography allows Samantha to continually expand and evolve as a photographer. She shoots everything from babies to boudoir, and all walks of life in between. Her work has been shown in many galleries throughout Saskatchewan and British Columbia. An artistic eye, a candid demeanour and a decade’s worth of professional experience allows Samantha to create unique images designed specifically with her subjects in mind. www.photosbysh.com

What’sInside

18 FEATURE STORIES 18

Cover Story: TK Homes

30 Downtown Living 46 Queen of Green 16 SHOW HOME LOCATOR MAP

55 Meridith Heron 80 Ken Beattie

30

46 55 18

80 91 79 DEPARTMENTS 18

Homes and Properties

46 Green Living 52 Inner Beauty / Interior Design

15

FineHomes SASKATOON

52

79 Luscious Landscaping 91 Improvements and Renos

SASKATOON & AREA

SHOWHOME LOCATOR MAP 13

12

12

11

71 St W

N

71 St E

16 Dr Thather Ave

Marquis

Airport Rd

45 St

an Dr

in Rd

Whitesw

Wanuske nw

Millar Ave d

Central Ave Preston Ave

4A ve

108 St

5

Gray Ave

d

rR

Ker

Campus Dr

6

Ruth St

Valley Rd

8

8 St E Brairwood Rd

9 Boychuk Dr

Taylor St

McKercher Dr

Acadia Dr

7

8 St E

Kingsmere Blvd

Ave

aC res Sp

adin

Ave Fletcher Rd

Clarence Ave

3

11 St W

Broadway Ave

14 St E

11

McOrmond Dr

Ave H

Ave P

25 St

lvd

eB

rov

wg

lo Wil

McOrmond Dr

Cres dina Spa

2A ve

Idylwyld Dr

Dr le rc Ci

Confederation Dr

Altridge Dr

11

22 St

Dundonald

11 St W

se Dr

20 St

Fairlight Dr

2

Pinehou

33 St E

22 St

Chappell Dr

7

33 St W

Lorne

14

e

os

r im Pr Dr

Dr

Circle Dr

37 St W

Junor Ave

Hughes Dr

Dalmeny Rd

McClockin Rd

re

no

Le

51 St

45 St

Ave C

1

Diefenbaker Dr

56 St

Faithful Ave

SASKATOON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Warman R

Idylwyld Dr

60 St

10

Circle Dr

4

5

Preston Ave

14

16

Stonebridge Blvd Clarence Ave

Melville St

11

View more showhomes at www.showhomedirectory.com a website of the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association.

1.

HAMPTON VILLAGE HOMES BY DUNDEE 1322 Korol Crescent 374-6100 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm Sat., Sun. & Holidays 1-5 pm NORTH RIDGE HOMES 306 East Hampton Blvd.

Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 2-4 pm & 7-9 pm Sat., Sun. & Holidays 1-5 pm

R&D FRASER HOMES LTD. 538 Dickson Lane Rob Burlingame 227-7523 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm Sat., Sun. & Holidays 2-5 pm

D&S HOMES 202 Greenfield Crescent Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7 - 9 pm Sat. & Sun. 1:30 - 5pm

2.

3.

BLAIRMORE

R&D FRASER HOMES LTD. Unit 30-502 Rempel Manor Rob Burlingame 227-7523 Hours: Monday – Thursday 7-9 Sat., Sun. & Holidays 2-5 pm

INNOVATIVE RESIDENTIAL HARTFORD GREENS 406 - 715 Hart Road 270-5032 Hours: Tues. - Thurs. 5-7 pm Sat. & Sun. 2-4 pm

CAMPBELL CUSTOM HOMES 824 Rempel Crescent Roger 241-6215 www.campbellhomes.ca Hours: Sat. & Sun. 2-4 pm

NUTANA

TOUCHSTONE DEVELOPMENT 150 Blackstock Cove Sat. & Sun. 1-3 pm

NORTH RIDGE DEVELOPMENT WATER’S EDGE SALES CENTRE 337 – 623 Saskatchewan Crescent W. Bonnie Durrant 229-4837 Hours: Mon. - Sun. 2-5 pm Evenings by Appointment

4.

5.

6.

7.

HOMES BY DUNDEE 111 - 602 Cartwright Street 374-6100 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm Sat., Sun. & Holidays 2-5 pm Closed Fridays

8.

GPD TRILLIUM PROJECT INC. Ed Machart 291-3111 SHOW SUITE LOCATED AT A102 - 415 Hunter Road Hours: Tues. - Thurs. 1-3 & 6-8 pm Sun. 1-5 pm Closed: Mon., Fri. & Sat. NORTH RIDGE HOMES 751 Rempel Crescent Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 2-4 & 7-9 pm Sat., Sun. & Holidays 1-5 pm NORTH RIDGE SERENITY POINTE SALES CENTRE Located on the Corner of Willis Cres. & Cornish Road.

Terri Leatherdale 242-2434 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 2-4 & 7-9 pm Fri., Sat., Sun. & Holidays 1-5 pm

9.

10.

WARMAN HOMES 323 Player Crescent & 232 Warwick Crescent Children’s Wish Foundation Parade of Homes Hours: Mon.-Thurs. from 7-9pm Sat., Sun. & Holidays from 2-5pm ROCY HOMES 313 Nicklaus Drive 242-8600 by appointment only CAMPBELL CUSTOM HOMES 717 White Oak Avenue Roger 241-6215 www.campbellhomes.ca Hours: Sat. & Sun. 2-4 pm

GREYSTONE HEIGHTS

13.

11.

D&S HOMES 885 Geransky Crescent 890 Geransky Crescent 374-4774 Call for your private viewing D&S HOMES Stone Point Estates 901 4th Street South 374-4774 Call for your private viewing.

EHRENBURG HOMES 222 Parkview Cove - Osler 384-1473 www.parkviewcove.ca Opening 2012!

Mon. – Thurs. 7-9pm Sat., Sun. & Holidays 2-5pm

BRIARWOOD ROSEWOOD

WILLOWGROVE TOUCHSTONE DEVELOPMENT 319 Padget Cove Opening 2012!

Sat. & Sun. 1-3 pm RIVERBEND DEVELOPMENTS LTD. 312 Willowgrove Lane Roger Schmidt 241-0719 www.willowlanetownhomes.ca Hours: Mon. - Fri. 7-9 pm Sat. & Sun. 3:30-5:30 pm Closed: Holidays

MARTENSVILLE/OSLER NORTH RIDGE HOMES 861 Glenview Cove 242-2434 Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 7 – 9 pm Sat., Sun. & Holidays 1-5 pm

WILDWOOD

BOYCHUK HOMES 834 Ledingham Crescent Gerry Bezaire 241-2596 Joanne Stanton Hassler 260-3122 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm Sat. & Sun. 2-5 pm

WARMAN WARMAN HOMES 428 Nicklaus Drive 933-9595 or 222-0137 www.warmanhomes.ca Hours: Sat. 2-5 pm or by appointment

NORTH RIDGE KINGSWOOD MANOR 116 - 918 Heritage View David Leatherdale 242-2434 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 2-4 & 7-9 pm Fri., Sat., Sun. & Holidays 1-5 pm

NORTH RIDGE HOMES 203 McBeth Crescent 242-2434 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 2-4 & 7-9 pm Sat., Sun. & Holidays 1-5 pm

HOMES BY DUNDEE 738 Stonebridge Common

12.

J.B. Black Estates 1214 College Drive 221-2506 Hours: Wed. 6-8 pm Sat. and Sun. 2-4 pm

STONEBRIDGE

HOMES BY DUNDEE 618 Rempel Crescent 374-6100 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 7-9 pm Sat., Sun. & Holidays 2-5 pm Closed Fridays

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS AQUA TERRA CONDOMINIUMS 419 Nelson Road 222-2229 Tues-Fri 4:30-6:30pm Sat-Sun 1-4pm

EASTVIEW

RIVERBEND DEVELOPMENTS LTD. 2730 Main Street Roger Schmidt 241-0719 www.silverleafsuites.ca Hours: Mon. - Fri. 4:30-6:30 pm Sat. & Sun. 1-3 pm Closed: Holidays

THE WILLOWS

D & S HOMES 101 – 525 Hunter Road 374-4774 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 2 - 5 & 7 - 9 pm Sat & Sun. 1:30 - 5 pm

LEGACY HOMES 307 Lucyk Crescent 955-5000 Mon-Thurs 7-9pm Sat,Sun and holidays 1-5pm

EHRENBURG HOMES 231 Whalley Crescent 384-1473 www.ehrenburg.com Opening 2012!

Mon – Thurs 7-9pm Sat, Sun & Holidays 2-5pm

14.

EVERGREEN CAMPBELL HOMES 1906 Pohorecky Terrace www.campbellhomes.ca Sat. & Sun. 2-4 pm

Designer to BuilDer

By Karen Johb and Charlene Schumacher, Edited by Suzanne Huber.

Photos by Kira Nelson and Heather Fritz

Creating a custom home is a special luxury most of us only get to do once. With careful planning and consideration for how you live, your home can be designed to both accommodate your lifestyle and utilize the natural environment around you. From selecting which windows the light will shine through, to pin pointing the exact locations for a future home audio system, there is no shortage of decisions to be made when creating your custom dream home. Working with a builder you trust is important to ensure your vision becomes your reality.

TK Homes has extensive experience in building homes in Saskatoon. They know 18

FineHomes SASKATOON

the value of carefully designed plans and giving clients the opportunity to work closely with Fresco Interiors, and other local suppliers and trades, to help guide them through the decision-making process, leaving no detail unexamined.

One of TK Homes’ recent projects displays several examples of diligent designing and material selection throughout the building process. Notice the black materials that flow from the glass black-splash over the range to the granite countertop, and then across the room to the granite and tile fireplace.

Charlene from Fresco Interiors explored many options with TK Homes before settling on the right one. Clean lines were

created at every tile change. The fireplace was given a dramatic flair by cutting the granite tile to half the size of the main textured tile. Directly across the room, the backsplash above the range was given the reverse look, exchanging the placement of the black polished granite and the textured porcelain grey tile.

These features required collaboration between suppliers and craftsmen, building out the raised sections to identify the best placement of the granite rows. Cutting the corners of the granite provided a clean, professional look by using the best materials for a unique and dynamic effect.

TK Homes partners, Karen and Tony Johb, bring complimentary skills to their customer-oriented homebuilding business. Karen’s background is in Project Management for Information Technology.

At TK Homes she transfers her knowledge of software development into homebuilding analogies.

“The key elements of a good home are very relevant to many industries that build computer programs, widgets or even processes. Start with a good design and build a strong foundation,” says Karen.

Her husband Tony has been in the construction industry for over 30 years.

He appreciates projects that allow for the proper amount of time to develop all the details in the plans.

“I do not have the luxury of guessing on any part of a home build,” he says.

Tony works closely with the information provided from the house drawings for all interior and exterior details.

Tony and Karen Johb

Clean lines were created at every tile change. The fireplace was given a dramatic flair by cutting the granite tile to half the size of the main textured tile. Directly across the room, the backsplash above the range was given the reverse look, exchanging the placement of the black polished granite and the textured porcelain grey tile.

Backsplash with shluter accenting tile rows

Understand how you live At each stage of the home-building process, there are many questions that the builder and designers can help you with.

The first is deciding what style of home you want to live in: What do you want?

What do you need? What do you love?

And how do you live? These are questions you will surely be asking yourself. But after doing a little research and visiting other homes, you are now committing to the process of designing your future home.

When the drawing starts taking shape, TK Homes often see their clients experience the significance of this exciting time—“Wow, this is really happening!” It is always a good idea to consider choosing from a Builder’s selection of most loved homes. With a little tweaking you may get exactly what you are looking for and more. These

Fireplace with raised granite panels with reverse color to backsplash

solid home plans have usually answered correctly a thousand more questions that are valid for most home owners TK Homes suggests differentiating between your wants and needs. Are there things you can do yourself? Is it worth the extra dollars to have someone else do it?

Or would it make more sense to include everything with your mortgage? It is recommended to work with your builder to compare the pricing of the possible do-it-yourself projects , such as your basement, deck, driveway and yard, with having it as part of your home-build price.

“Take the time for conscious planning and to really observe how you live,” says Karen. What is the dynamic of your family lifestyle? Do you need to consider different bedtimes for night owls and early risers? Think about the practicalities of every-day living. Is a built-in audio system worth the joy it will give you?

Determining how much closet space you will need, how to design your garage or 19

FineHomes SASKATOON

Six established, quality businesses will partner with the new Design Center, working with Fresco Interiors to showcase the best that Saskatoon has to offer whether you are building or renovating.

a special gym or theatre room are just some of the other considerations. If this sounds overwhelming, that’s okay because there is extended guidance from the designers at Fresco Interiors, and the various suppliers of TK Homes, to help you through your choices.

Fresco Interiors.

The design process Principal Designer of Fresco Interiors Design Group Inc., Charlene Schumacher, along with Brianna Hammond, help clients create a clear vision of their new home’s style and design features. They can guide you through the intricate design details, recommending unique applications for everything from tiled wall facades to lighting features. These are design elements that can take your home from basic to beautiful, on a determined budget.

Walk through the blueprints The design stage is when you can really personalize things. Charlene recommends that you start with the floor plan. “Walk through the blueprint as though you are actually walking through the home.

Consider what you are going to see as you round every corner.”

Fresco Interiors creates elevations and perspective sketches to give homeowners a 3D view of their space, and to best allow them to envision their future home. It also shows where the important focal points should be, which will become the shots of “wow”. Accent lighting is chosen to glamorize specific areas in the home.

Features such as media walls, tiled tub surrounds and range-hood backsplash 20

FineHomes SASKATOON

• TK Homes • Styles by Allied Flooring • Westridge Cabinetry • Floform Countertops • Fandango Lighthouse •GP Door Design Inc.

designs are all illustrated. Flooring surfaces are chosen to ensure they compliment cabinetry and countertop undertones, securing the “flow.”

“Our job is to ease any potential frustration our clients may have with all the multiple design decisions, and then make it enjoyable!” says Charlene.

In TK Home’s latest show home, Charlene reminisces about some of the design elements: “I love the spa room and how the textured marble backsplash sweeps up the back wall and wraps overhead… and the drama of the steamy water falling from the ceiling, inviting you to relax and unwind. I love the sculptural, clean lines of the furnishings, and how it embodies both modern lines with comfort . Karen Johb from TK Homes is wonderful to work with! We collaborate so well, uncovering unique design concepts from the combined ideas of clients, builders and designers.

Together, we mold it into something so much better than one person could create.”

Fresco Interiors new design center opening soon The process of finding the perfect combination of flooring, cabinetry, backsplash tile, fireplace surface, lighting and stair railing can be difficult and very time consuming. Fresco Interiors’ main goal is to make this process easier. That’s the motivation behind the opening of the New Fresco Interiors Design Center. It will be a welcome addition to those wishing to build or renovate a home, featuring the latest and exciting design ideas.

The Fresco Interiors Design Center will also include a studio where clients and builders can book a design consultation.

A colour palette can easily be established by pulling numerous samples for everything from cabinetry to flooring to countertops, from many established Saskatoon suppliers. This is all under one roof, eliminating the need to run around with numerous samples trying to match a countertop.

The front showroom will showcase stylized room vignettes displaying exclusive furnishings, wallpaper, custom drapery, textured wall applications and original artwork allowing you to feel like you’re walking right into your own living room.

Design elements, furnishings and accessories are purchased from markets in Las Vegas, Toronto, New York and High Point to offer customers new and unique options. The Saskatoon Design Center will be open to the public two days per week, beginning July 2012, at 2201 Speers Ave. Fresco Interiors Design Team, from right to left: Brianna Hammond, Design Consultant Alesha Goodwin, Staging Assistant Charlene Schumacher, Principle Designer Shelly Wozniak, Sales Assistant Kelsey Guenter, Design Technical Assistant

The luxury master suite, spa and retreat TK Homes had a list of requirements that included a master luxury suite with a fireplace—cozy, but not too hot—visible from the bed. From this criteria came the idea of modular living.

With the use of conventional pocket doors, the owners were able close off areas to create three different living choices. By placing the doors between the relaxation area, the tub room and the master suite, it allowed the use of all three areas as either separate rooms, or a combination of living spaces—offering one occupant the comfort of a fireplace and TV, while bathing in the spa-like tub room, while yet someone else occupied the master ensuite.

The luxury of this space extends into the ensuite with a seven-foot shower, using body sprays and four rain-heads.

The master suite had a list of wants which culminated into a unique modular living floor plan.

Special attention was given to the extra lighting of the ensuite, providing plenty of illumination to a large closet, makeup desk and changing area separate from the bedroom. “This is such a great space,” Karen says. “Your partner may be sleeping while you want to shower, dress and prepare for the evening or your daily work schedule.”

Even with these unique solutions to the list of wants, the interior-design options provided by Fresco Interiors brought to life the vision originally held by the builder/ customer and bumped it up to a whole new level of reality. This space required a special working relationship with Brothers Plumbing and Heating and Moonlight Electric. Their personalized service made all the difference.

TK Homes | A designer’s assistance If you are not a details person, this stage may be intimidating to you. But taking the

time and consideration at this stage will allow the rest of your building process to flow more smoothly. TK Homes and Fresco Interiors want you to be thrilled when you enter your beautiful new home.

They recommend their clients take their time at this phase, and consider all the options. In the grand scheme, moving in a month later will not make a huge difference in your life, but making some changes to your plan potentially will.

Once you have decided on the style of your home and drafted the details of your plan, it is time to make your materials selections. Karen stresses to view this as a fun and exciting time even though there are still many decisions to be made. It is highly recommended that you work with a trusted advisor to help you through the process, so your space creates the atmosphere you desire.

Karen and Charlene recommend gathering pictures that reflect your style of choice for cabinets, fireplace, flooring, exterior colors, materials, entrance doors, door locks and bathroom fixtures.

Then throw it all in a binder. Pictures are important at this stage when you are trying to communicate to suppliers and Brothers Plumbing and Moonlight Electric

Closet, Ensuite and Changeroom

the builder. “The pictures are an important element, as they will reveal the repeated style and color preferences, allowing us to develop a design plan that reflects the couple’s dream-home vision.”

Once all of surface selections are made, they gather them for a confirmation viewing—all the undertones must work beautifully together. If anything was chosen in isolation and doesn’t work, you will see it immediately. You should love your new home. If it doesn’t work go back and re-select.

Denise and Adam Byblow weeks before move-in day

Designer & builder.

Working with the customer The day has come. It is time for the final walkthrough on move-in day. Excitement and pure adrenaline flow as you reach the end of the process. All the time spent on the design details show themselves in your home’s unique warmth and personality.

By this time you will have met with your designer to establish furniture size and placement prior to the move. Do not underestimate the importance of blinds and the dramatic verticality that drapery can make. They can offer an important ambience to your home. If you are going to spend money on window dressing, why

TK Homes and Fresco Interiors work tirelessly in hopes that you can come home and say “ I love where I live.”

Tony Johb and Gord Curtis

not make sure it is perfect for your tastes; working with a professional can make that difference. Tony says that spending time on a pre-walkthrough can ensure everything is complete by your movein date. Set up a time a couple of weeks prior with the builder to catch up on any of those small details that are so important to you. A customer’s excitement, at the realization that they are standing in their new home, is a fulfilling moment for TK Homes. We take pride in each of our builds as we have played an important part in making your dream a reality. FHS

For more information regarding the new Fresco Interiors Design center and TK Homes information, please visit Fresco Interiors at the Home Styles Show at the Prairieland Exhibition –March 22-25 (Booth #726) TK Homes Ltd. 306.221.7060 tkhomes@sasktel.net www.tkhomes.ca Fresco Interiors 306.493.7771 frescointeriors@yourlink.ca www.frescointeriors.ca

CONTEMPORARY LUXURY LIVING

Available for immediate occupancy

PRICED FROM

$299, 900$449, 900 NET GST INCL.

419 NELSON ROAD - UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS MODERN SHOW SUITES OPEN TUES - FRI: 2:00 - 4:00 SAT - SUN: 1:00 - 4:00 • • • • •

1000-1300 Sq ft luxury condominiums Super sized balconies - room to breathe 9Ft. Ceilings, Granite counters throughout Dual in-floor radiant/forced air heat, central air Modern architecturally designed floor plans

• Acrylic stucco and stone exterior • 6 New appliances, Upgraded flooring/lighting • Carwash bay, Fitness room, Amenities room

GOOD SELECTION WITH SOME VIEWS STILL AVAILABLE

GERRY LAGIMODIERE 306.222.2229 SASKATOONDREAMHOME.COM AQUATERRALIVING.COM

MARKETED EXCLUSIVELY BY

VIRTUAL TOUR:

http://www.myvisuallistings.com/vt/52423

SASKATOON

SeriouS SoundScaping elevating the movie and music experience with the ‘wow ’ factor

By Daniel Dalman. Photos by Candace Epp

T

o say that you truly heard sound, you will need to hear music from Pulsworks Audio Arts, and even that may be an understatement. Inside the Pulsworks Audio Arts showroom is a world of unparalleled sound and video experiences. You will you hear sounds and see sights that you’ve probably never experienced before as you encounter sensory images and sensations that will take you to new heights of listening and viewing pleasure. Your guide through this adventure is David Puls, CEO and chief

24

FineHomes SASKATOON

creative officer, who will astound you with his expertise and artistry in providing the ultimate audiophile experience.

Specializing in audio-system and hometheatre design and customization—an appreciation for the finest-quality sound and viewing experience—while respecting your budget and taste can be found here. David uses his extensive talents and knowledge (from the recording and audio-visual disciplines) to tailor a match for your expectations, whether modest

or extensive. He thereby ensures your satisfaction and long-term listening and viewing pleasure, whatever the environment or facility. The bottom line is this: Pulsworks’ objective is to provide you with an audiophile experience that is characterized by the ‘wow’ factor. You must be totally absorbed by what you hear and see.

David Puls calls upon his vast experience and passion to create a truly unique and crafted solution for each client. Whether

employing a vast of array of products (i.e. McIntosh, Bryston, or other worldclass equipment) or an elegant simple system, you will be serviced by a master craftsman. David reveals and finds satisfaction in seeing his clients awed by the amazing pureness, and quality of the system he will suggest for you. Wow! “It’s not about pushing boxes of product out the door,” David says of his business strategy, “It’s about listening, discovering and suggesting solutions to a customer’s needs; helping the client articulate what they want, and then developing a personalized system and illustrating what is possible.”

It is in this manner by which customers are taken on a sensory journey. The goal is to provide you with a system of unparalleled value, and to experience an amazing kalidescope of sound and sights in your entertainment hours.

The mission is for you to hear music in a way that is not often heard, and to witness the crystal clear visuals of his home-theatre offerings. Puls presents clients with systems that go beyond their expectations.

The key focus for Pulsworks is truly you, the customer. What you are

looking to accomplish and obtain is what David pinpoints with every consultation.

Bypassing all the technological jargon that can confuse people, David sets his sights on what the clients is expecting, and wants to experience. Creating a sound system or a home theatre with the perfect, personal fit is the measure of your experience at Pulsworks. A hallmark of Pulsworks is that clients can rest easy knowing they are getting the best solutions in the business, whether their investment is large or small. Regardless of the venue (homes, offices, or major facilities), whether large or small-scale projects, David’s use of years of training and rich experience provides you with the ultimate listening and viewing experience, both in terms of quality, value and solutions customized to your needs and desires.

There are those who are doubtful, those who think they may have a hard time with the quality of results that Pulsworks provides. They need only to step into the world of Pulsworks to marvel at the sounds of the home-theatre showroom and the crystal-clear projection screen and images. Never have you seen colours so vivid, and images so large, so clear, and so up close. Customers often say the experience is “jaw dropping.” Technology that provides better-than-movie-theatrequality projection will be before you

as you enter an environment of how films, music and sound are meant to be seen and heard. Those sceptical of the differences between sound systems need only to follow David to his audio theatre, take a seat, and let the music engulf you.

With a combination of tube and solidstate equipment, or whatever you may prefer, this experience will be a first hand opportunity to appreciate David’s artistry and craftsmanship. It will undoubtedly take you to an oasis of audible pleasure.

Sounds will wash over you and, frankly, allow you to feel and experience enfolding musical sensations and cascades that stimulate and excite you. Usually, you will not want to leave and you’ll wonder how you’ll listen to anything else again.

It is not just the quality of the equipment that provides exceptional sound, but it is 26

FineHomes SASKATOON

a careful and creative mix of the custom arrangement that elevates the total effect so profoundly. David’s experience is exceptional in designing sound systems and home theatres that illustrate and prove the whole is more than just the sum of its parts. Sound, music and artistic expression are a passion. Come in for yourself and see if what has been said is true. It’s the coming together of all the elements we have spoken about, along with David’s experience and artistry, that can provide you with a magic moment of listening and viewing pleasure. If you are looking for the best, and for those who may have never considered sound and sight in these dimensions, Pulsworks is a place you need to experience. FHS

David Puls, CEO and chief creative officer

PulsWorks Audio Arts 2009 Alberta Ave 306.244.7857 david@pulsworks.com pulsworks.com

EXPERTAdvice KITCHENS

By Ken Schauerte, Senior Design Consultant, Superior Cabinets 6 years of Kitchen Design Expertise

By Tansley Struthers, C.I.D Provisional I.D.A.S Senior Design Consultant, Superior Cabinets

What is the benefit to using drawers in my base cabinets vs. cabinets with doors?

Drawers in the kitchen are always a plus.

Although they may cost a bit more, the capacity of a cabinet with drawers far exceeds the capacity of a cabinet of the same size with doors. You can load a drawer to the top, and still be able to see all the contents without having to move contents to get at what you need. The function of a drawer cabinet is greater as well. In one motion you pull your drawer open to access contents without much difficulty. A cabinet with doors limits access; therefore you may often have to bend down onto your knees to access your stored items, especially in the back of the bottom shelf. Although drawers provide better functionality in your kitchen, you may still want to use base cabinets with doors for aesthetic appeal or budget. I would recommend however that you include at least one or two full banks of drawers.

I would like to include an island in my kitchen for additional work space and storage. What do suggest when designing an island?

One of my favorite design ideas is to put cabinets front and back of the island. If space allows, I always suggest to my clients to put shallow depth cabinets on the back side of the island; 12” to 15” deep. Since the back side of the island is usually where island seating is, these cabinets can be used to store items like small appliances or Christmas dishes that are used less frequently. This also creates more free space in cabinets that are easier to access for items you use daily. Designing with cabinetry on both sides of the island also involves a larger work surface which is always great for gatherings and day to day activities.

I am planning on renovating my kitchen.

How do I start?

Your kitchen is one of the most important and well used spaces in your home. It serves as a family gathering spot, and is more commonly becoming the center for entertaining. A kitchen renovation will most likely be the largest project a homeowner will undertake. Don’t let that scare you as the result will add ease to your lifestyle and value to your home. When considering a kitchen renovation, it is important to think of your likes, dislikes and what you would like to see improved. Start by exploring the internet and magazines for images that can be used as inspiration for your space. Create a wish list. Once you have collected ideas of what you would like to see in your kitchen, a professional designer will help plan your space to accommodate your needs. As a professional kitchen designer, I am here to listen. I will help guide you through the renovation process from concept to completion, and within your budget. With proper planning and advice from an expert, your new kitchen will give you years of enjoyment.

process, it is important to know what your kitchen is going to be used for and how you would like it to function. The two most common issues customers have with their current kitchens are the lack of storage and functionality. A kitchen design should focus on your needs and ultimately provide you with as much storage as possible.

One great way to gain extra storage is to include wall cabinets that are installed to the ceiling, leaving no unused space at the top of your cabinets; commonly known as a “dust collector”. It may seem like the cabinets are going to be too high to reach and will go unused but it is a great place to store items you only need to access once or twice a year. Another great way to improve storage is to include a pantry cabinet into the design. Pantries are a great way to add functional storage. Upgrading standard shelves into roll outs will allow you to pull shelves out for complete visibility of all contents. Your choice of appliances can also add to the functionality of the space. Instead of incorporating a stand – alone range, why not replace it with a wall oven and counter cooktop. This will free up the space under the cooktop for additional drawers, which are the ultimate storage solution in any kitchen. FHS

As a Professional Kitchen Designer, what are some of the most common design options you include in your kitchen designs?

When starting the kitchen renovation 747- 46th Street West 306.667.6600 Visit www.superiorcabinets.ca to try our On-line Design Tool Digital Showroom

It’s the Way to LIve For the young and the young at heart, Rockwood of Warman is more than a place to live, it’s the way to live.

w w w . w a r m a n i s h o m e . c o m Rockwood Developments 555 Redwood Crescent Warman, SK S0K 4S1 p: 306.230.9903 e: info@warmanishome.com

Showhome/Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm Saturday-Sunday 2pm - 4pm

29

FineHomes SASKATOON

��anting roots in

downtown �askatoon A livable option?

By Ryan Holota

Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatoon

Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatoon

askatoon is changing.

This may seem obvious at first, but if you delve a little deeper into the culture and attitudes in the city, you uncover some fundamental changes in the way people are thinking across the province. As much as Saskatchewanians like to think that our main cities are cosmopolitan, we have great lengths to travel before we reach the levels of ‘big cityness’ that places like Calgary, Vancouver, and Toronto have achieved. One of the key factors in that regard is the number of people who are living in the downtown core of the community.

31

FineHomes SASKATOON

For the past 50 years or so, the trend has been to push away from the downtown hubs and to spread the community across the vast prairie landscape. It seemed as if every family wanted a 43-foot lot with a two-car garage and an open concept living-slash-dining room. Living in the downtown core is seen as something for people who aren’t as financially well off, or who can’t afford their dream home in the suburbs—students, single people, and the elderly who simply never moved away.

Of course, this perception hasn’t always been shared by everyone. There have been downtown condominiums for decades, often incredibly glamorous spaces that rival those of any Vancouver high rise.

Lofts and condominiums with views of the river valley, filled with carefully selected items chosen by interior designers have existed in Saskatoon all along. But now, more and more people are looking for their own piece of it. So, what’s the draw?

It is easy being green The topic of energy conservation can be highly divisive, but whether you care about the environment because you want to protect the world around you, or are simply looking for ways to save money on expenses, energy conservation can help you achieve your goals.

Put simply, dense urban areas are more environmentally friendly than sprawling suburban areas. For one, the living spaces are typically much smaller than those in suburban Saskatoon. These smaller spaces naturally require less energy to heat and cool, and compact spaces require less lighting. This has a positive effect on both your utility bills and the amount of energy that you consume each month.

Reduced driving is another factor that will save you money and reduce your environmental footprint. While all of your

Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatoon

Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatoon

friends are talking about installing remote starters and letting their cars warm up for 15 minutes before they begin the 30 minute commute downtown, you get to sleep in, pour a tall hot coffee and set out for a leisurely 10-minute walk to work.

Fewer miles on your vehicle means less fuel consumed—a plus both for your wallet and the environment. Less wear and tear on your vehicle also means fewer trips to the repair shop—not to mention a higher resale value.

In The Middle Of It All Some people say that Toronto is the centre of the Canadian universe, but those who live in downtown Saskatoon may just disagree with that. Living anywhere downtown puts you in easy walking distance of many of Saskatoon’s greatest features. Head out for supper at some of Saskatoon’s finest establishments, catch a movie, or join your friends at one of downtown Saskatoon’s many great pubs. Of course, you can always watch a live performance at the Persephone Theatre or go for a walk along the river. There is no end to the entertainment, cultural, and lifestyle-destination events in downtown Saskatoon.

Looking for supper? Restaurant choices include Asian, Mexican, Greek, seafood, steak, and more. Want to meet

people? There are dance clubs, quiet pubs, and live music venues. Trying to get some exercise? No city has a more beautiful backdrop on which to go for a walk, run, or bike ride, and there are plenty of indoor exercise options to keep you fit in the winter.

The truth is, the streets of downtown Saskatoon are never empty – there are always groups of people going to work, coming home from work, looking for a bite to eat, or looking for some fun. You’ll never be alone downtown.

Incentives, Incentives, Incentives The City of Saskatoon has made it a priority to entice more people to live downtown. With a goal of having 10,000 people living in the downtown core, the City has put into play two housing incentives to attract new residents.

The Renovation Tax Abatement Program is designed for those who are renovating existing housing projects. Those who are approved for the program will receive a 25 per cent reduction in their property taxes each year for the next five years, up to a maximum of $10,000 per year. The Residential Conversion Program is intended to encourage developers to repurpose existing buildings, many of which have architectural or historical significance, into multi-unit residential dwellings and mixed use buildings. While both of these programs are focused on the developer, rather than on individual residents, increased development leads to increased availability, which leads to increased residency. As more people live, work, and play downtown, they will be rewarded with even more events and amenities.

On The Verge Of A Transformation Revitalization has been taking place in the downtown Saskatoon housing market. An increasing number of housing units have been developed, and continue to be developed, in the downtown area. Saskatoon is growing at a record pace, and this growth is not expected to slow anytime soon. As more and more people continue to flood the city, the suburbs will expand, driving house prices up and increasing commuter time and congestion on city streets. An increasing number of people have already chosen to make downtown Saskatoon their home. If moving downtown is something that you’ve been thinking about you need to ask yourself when you’re going to take the first step. If you haven’t been thinking about it, why not? FHS

Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatoon

Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatoon

E

A FRESH TAKE ON CONTEMPORARY HOME DESIGN

By Candace Fox. Photos by Pete Lawrence

ntering Haven Builder’s showroom is an impressive sight, a definite teaser to what a fully-finished home would look like from Saskatoon’s Haven Builders. Although fairly new to the city’s list of home builders, Haven has already left an impressive mark with their custom-built homes in neighbourhoods around the city. Proving that “your home should be your haven,” the company has truly encapsulated the essence of luxury and comfort in their completed builds. Aside from the finished product, customers working with Haven Builders will notice something particularly unheard of, a process that is stress free and, dare we say, even fun. Word of mouth travels fast, and Haven’s past customers have sited the company as one of the best in customer service, finished product and overall creation of their dream homes.

Haven Builders Haven Builder’s custom-built homes stand out on their own, and bring to Saskatoon a new standard for contemporary design and luxury. With their high standard for custom finishes throughout their homes, not to mention an outstanding reputation for workmanship, the company is proud to showcase a new type of style, borrowing its

cues from European designs and West Coast living. Included in their repertoire of services are home renovations. The company has revitalized many customers’ homes by recreating a space they love to live in. Haven Builders and Haven Cabinets are happy to work with their customers to create a home they enjoy walking into, with all the luxuries they need, want or did not even know they could have.

The company is careful in choosing their sub trades, all of whom must meet their quality standard criteria set forth by the company. From renovations to custom home builds, the company ensures the process is as smooth and stress free as possible. Every stage of the build and renovation process is monitored closely, as the company is passionate about exceeding the customer’s expectations.

Haven’s Signature Service experience is meant to create a stress free process, help answer any questions and go over design details – anytime.

Haven Cabinetry Division Experts in both new builds and renovations, Haven Builders works directly with customers to design their dream home with all the fine details and functionality.

They also utilize their unique, high-end cabinetry division to renovate and upgrade a home’s current design. Haven Cabinets is a division of Haven Builders. It’s an exclusive offering that ensures customers receive a product that is unique to their home design. Cabinetry is an essential part to every home; it holds much purpose in both aesthetic design and function.

As many would agree, the heart of every home is usually the kitchen. It is the area with the most activity and notoriety of all other rooms in a house. The cabinetry and overall design in this high traffic room sets the tone and opinion for the rest of the house. Beautiful cabinets, uniquely designed to suit your home’s own look and feel, will create an inviting ambiance that’s perfect both for entertaining and comfortable for everyday cooking.

Customers enjoy the ability to work directly with Haven and their cabinetry division, incorporating their own unique ideas and designs that suit the needs for them and their families.

35

FineHomes SASKATOON

The Coalsdale 2 Haven Builders have outdone themselves with the second edition of their Coalsdale home design. Dubbed ‘The Coalsdale 2’ and located at 210 Werschener in the Rosewood community, this new build is a delight of luxury and contemporary design. While still in the construction process, Haven anticipates this highquality home will be off the listings page fairly quickly.

The Coalsdale 2 home is a two-story, three-car garage masterpiece with over 3,300 square-feet of developed living space on three floors. The home boasts a beautiful, executive-style kitchen which highlights the quality cabinetry by Haven Cabinets. A spacious master bedroom, which includes a much-talked-about en suite and dressing room, is another highlight of this beautiful build. The house is complete with an eight-zone, iPadcontrolled Home Automation system and a fully finished basement with an entertainment/theatre centre.

Open Floor Design The open concept design is immediately realized when entering The Coalsdale 2. Flow from the kitchen to the dining room and living area is well connected with choice materials to pull the design concept together. The contemporary home is finished with custom hickory flooring, European-styled cabinetry in the kitchen and Arabesco marble countertops. The unique designer glass backsplash by Saskatoon’s Castle Glass is complete with back lighting – just another luxurious touch complete by Haven Builders. The kitchen features Europeanstyle appliances along with every coffee lover’s dream, a built-in coffee station.

While entertaining for friends and family, a walk out deck just off the main living area adds to the spacious and open-concept design of the interior. The thoughtful, built-in cabinetry is designed with busy lives in mind, and is found throughout the whole house. Additional materials found in the home include ceramic tile in the front entry—a practical and stylish feature. The outside includes 36

FineHomes SASKATOON

radius paving stone on the steps and front entrance. The house’s exterior is a mix of materials including long-lasting stucco and more stone, adding to the overall curb appeal of this luxurious new build.

Second Floor Features The master suite is located on the second floor and is arguably the most impressive room in the house. This in-house getaway includes a spacious sitting area, bay windows, a two-way fireplace, an equallyimpressive en suite and a dressing room that will be the envy of any women’s friends. The entire room evokes a sense of luxurious living. Natural light flows throughout the room, but is especially appreciated in the dressing area, allowing for optimal conditions when picking out the day’s attire. This suite is truly the master of the house, and a huge selling feature to The Coalsdale 2.

The second floor also includes two additional large bedrooms with large closets. The laundry room is also found on the second floor and includes an abundance of shelving. A well-designed bathroom is found with an inner door separating the bath and toilet from the sink, which is highly appreciated by busy families.

The Coalsdale 2 is not just contemporary in design, but also in its building materials and environmental efficiency. The heating, cooling and hot water systems are all set up to save customers money and reduce their environmental footprint.

It’s a sustainable feature that Haven Builders thinks is important to offer their customers.

Living show home A living show-home experience that will delight your design senses is planned for June 2 and 3, 2012. Admirers of the home will appreciate the quality finishes, sophisticated use of materials, the unique design features (never done before) and contemporary-yet-warm ambiance. For more information about the living show home or to inquire about Haven homes for sale, including a completed home in Evergreen, visit Haven Builders’ website or contact them directly.

Coming Soon…The Fosston Not yet built, the highly-anticipated Fosston is going to be a modern design – a west-coast infused addition to one of Saskatoon’s newest neighbourhoods. The home is still in its planning phase, but the Haven Builders are excited to shake up the building community with this uniquelydesigned concept house.

The Fosston will be like no other home in Saskatoon. Reminiscent of a vacation

getaway to white-sanded beaches in the south, the south-facing home will allow for an abundance of sun light through topto-bottom, oversized windows with little obstruction to the interior view. Revel in coastal living on the prairies. A fullyraised garden deck over the garage will be perfect for entertaining, barbequing and relaxing outdoors on warm Saskatchewan days. Creating a peaceful ambiance with natural materials, clean lines and modern touches, the Fosston will invoke an organic lifestyle through its interior space and finishings. It’s a unique concept

for those worldly homeowners who enjoy modern living but look to nature for their inspiration.

The interior space’s design and finishings are intriguing. The sophistication brought about by the extensive millwork will boast the same luxury-appeal as all of Haven’s completed homes. The Fosston will include a mix of natural materials and unique styles with major European influence and flare. The custom carpentry

by Haven Cabinets will create ample storage with bench seats, built-ins and the butler’s pantry; the appliances will be a side note against the beauty of the home’s finished millwork. This loft-esque home design will create an airy environment for homeowners to relax and breathe freely.

The Fosston will be a modern and contemporary living space for those looking for something new.

Signature service and Haven homeowners Stress-free building? It is possible with Haven builders. Haven works directly with customers, one on one, to better select home finishings and coordinate quotes. Haven eliminates the headache

Haven Builders Inc. 829 - 46th Street W 306.382.3667 yourhome@havenbuilders.ca www.havenbuilders.ca

by offering customers a customerfocused building experience. Enjoy the convenience of having a personal designer at your fingertips. With customer service as the company’s key focus, homeowners can focus on the important aspects of the home-building process. FHS

“Going through a renovation and watching the tradespeople respect our personal space, protecting the rest of my home from dust and dirt, covering things up, continual communication by updating us on the process, keeping on track of the trades... having a keen eye for detail: this is what I have experienced with [Haven Builders]. I gladly give my name as reference to any future endeavours you work on. You are a top notch organization and I look forward to working with you once again. I have absolutely no hesitation to give out your names to my clients and circle of friends. You are one class act.”

- Lori and Gary Emde

“You are such a great team of people, both personally and professionally.

Any time you would like to show your workmanship and accomplishment, or just say hello, our door is always open. Whether you know it or not, you have become a part of our lives by giving us a beautiful house to call home for our family.”

-Darren, Lori, Dawson, Evan and Delaney Adamko

“Haven Builders by far exceeded our expectations. Their staff is very skilled and always so professional.

They create a high-quality product, and, best of all, they finish on time. We have friends who started a kitchen renovation with a different company at the same time we did, and they still aren’t done. Thank you Haven for the great service and for making our renovation process near painless, it was actually fun. It was a great experience!”

-Amy & Adam Bourassa

HAVEN TEAM L to R: Tyler Franson, Dallas Stobbe, Steven Schroeder, Tim Baerwald, Spencer Dick Front row- Donna Senterre, Nathan Stobbe

EXPERTAdvice Mortgages

By Mike Kovacs Account Manager TCU Financial Group 307 Ludlow Street 306.651.6500 www.tcufinancialgroup.com

Before applying for a mortgage you must ask yourself a few vital questions. While they may sound obvious, the answers are anything but.

How much do I qualify for?

A better question might be, what is the type of lifestyle I want to live? There could be a significant difference between the maximum mortgage amount you qualify for and the amount of payment you want to be committed to. For most families, the

purchase of a home is the largest investment they will make in their lifetime. The amount you pay for your home will determine many of your other lifestyle choices. During the mortgage-approval process, make sure you consider your long-term goals and ask questions to ensure you understand how your cashflow (now and into the future) will be impacted by your choices. For my clients’ benefit, I do not offer a mortgage approval until I obtain an understanding of both your financial and life goals.

Should I take a fixed or variable rate?

This is a very good question, especially in today’s environment of low interest rates. There is no right or wrong answer.

Your decision should be based on an understanding of the many options available, and how they impact your finances and your peace of mind. I use a simulation calculator to show my clients the possibilities. A favorite scenario of mine is one where I illustrate the impact of taking the best rate, which is usually a variable rate below prime, and show what would happen if you make the higher payment amounts required for a five-year fixed rate. The simulator then shows the interest savings

if the prime rate doesn’t change. We also look at different scenarios of interest-rate increases to show how much it would have to rise before the savings point is lost. With this information on hand, you are able to make a well-informed decision that fits with your current situation.

Should I “buy out” my current mortgage contract to get a lower rate?

Most mortgages have pre-payment penalties built into the contract. There are many factors that determine the benefits, if any, of paying these pre-payment penalties.

Your first step is to have a review completed on your current contract to determine what the costs are. Once the penalty amount is determined, you are able to look at new mortgage scenarios to see what your savings and benefits might be. FHS

THE PEARL OF SASKATOON HOME BUILDS

By Daniel Dalman. Photos by Heather Fritz

N

estled in the corner of any Bay you can often find a pearl. The same is true for the Saskatoon home market. On a corner lot in Willowgrove, Homes by Daon has created that pearl—from the street, it is luminous.

The freshly completed “pearl” in the Daon portfolio, glows with fine craftsmanship and tasteful touches, from the stucco and stone exterior, to the rear deck and to every detail and finish inside. At 227 Stefaniuk Bay, the home truly shines.

Homes by Daon, a custom home builder with over 30 years of experience, has been building amazing and quality homes, and completed this project only weeks ago. Every step of the way, owners Deborah and Don put all the finishing touches on their homes, and have done so exceptionally well at this address. The five-bedroom, three-bath, 1,517-squarefoot home, plus 889 additional square feet in the developed basement, is the showpiece of the type of homes they build. With quality touches and upgrades 41

FineHomes SASKATOON

FineHomes SASKATOON

41

around every corner, people looking for a place to call home, or thinking about building a home from the ground up, should look to this example from Homes

by Daon.

The inviting home is set on the corner of a quiet street. The attention to detail extends right down the house number, set securely in a block of stone. The front door, made of glass and dark wood, sets the tone for what is to come. The modified bi-level home is unlike all others. In the wide entry, with access to the garage, and ample space for shoes and coats (not to mention toys, and hockey equipment for a growing family) hangs a modern light fixture framed by a large window. On the main level a vaulted ceiling soars above a great room with a gas fireplace and a wall of windows opening to the back yard. A den with picture window to the front is 42

FineHomes SASKATOON

accessed through double glass doors off of the great room. This multi-purpose space is just one more feature of this unique floor plan. Custom cabinetry in the spacious kitchen is yet another quality touch that Homes by Daon insists upon.

High end appliances, quartz counters and tiled backsplash finish the kitchen with a level of sophistication not often found. Centered in this elegant kitchen is the functional island, providing extra storage and counter space. Finished in dark colours with contemporary pulls, the cabinetry features upgrades such as soft-close doors, pot drawers, full-slide extensions, and a separate corner pantry behind a frosted glass door. It is truly a chef’s paradise.

The rest of the main floor includes a bedroom and full bath. Ascending a short flight of stairs to the second level you find

the master suite.

Close enough to the centre of the home, but secluded enough to allow for privacy, the master suite is a testament to what Homes by Daon does well. A jetted soaker tub, with his and her sinks and a glass, enclosed shower offer all the amenities of a executive home. The walk-in closet is an indulgent luxury, fitting in perfectly with the rest of the master suite. A picturesque window, showcasing the quiet cul-de-sac outdoors, adds drama and lets light pour in.

In combination with the high efficiency furnace, the house’s triple-glaze windows make this home a three-star, energyefficient home.

43

FineHomes SASKATOON

Throughout the home, contemporary touches highlight the amazing features.

From ungraded faucets, to the hardwood floors and lighting sconces, the mastery is in the details. Not only is the décor simple and refined, the colour choices make the rooms feel homey and movein ready. The modern floor plan gives a flexible and comfortable area to live in—s traight lines, in combination with the thoughtful décor niches.

The basement level of the home offers two more bedrooms, a bath, laundry room and large family area.

The thoughtfulness of the builder is represented in the added features of pre-existing wiring for dvd, tv, and bluray components, and a second remote-controlled natural gas fireplace with built in book cases. The fireplace is finished with travertine tile and stonework, making it the focal point of

the room. With high ceilings, and large windows, the space doesn’t look like your typical basement. The roomy bedrooms would make the perfect space for teenage children and guests. High quality carpet in an appealing earth tone makes the rooms feel comfy and cozy. The bathroom is finished with the same quality touches as in the rest of the house. Set off the back of the downstairs living space, the laundry room features sparkling Samsung washer and dryer, and beautiful custom cabinetry and enough storage for a growing family.

The house is a showpiece of style and sophistication. If building your dream home is in the cards, Homes by Daon have lots available in Hampton Village and Evergreen. FHS

SHOWHOmE TImES: Saturday 2pm to 4pm Sunday 2pm to 4pm

Homes by Daon Don and Deborah Grenier, RR2, Station Main, Saskatoon 306-668-9933 daonco@explornet.com www.daonconstruction.com

EXPERTAdvice CREATING A HOME DESIGN BRIEF What is included in a home design brief?

There isn’t one correct formula to follow.

Here are just a few items that I’ve found helpful in designing homes for my clients over the years.

By Krista Martens Architectural Technologist A. Sc. T. LEED Green Associate Beyond Measure Design Inc. 306.974.3955 info@beyondmeasuredesign.ca www.beyondmeasuredesign.ca

A

Home is our personal retreat, our sanctuary from a sometimes-hectic world. It is where we relax, work and spend time entertaining friends and family.

A home must be able to cater to all these different functions under just one roof—not always an easy task. By taking the time to think ahead and create a home design brief for your project, you’re taking the necessary steps to ensure your new home build gets off to a great start.

What is a home design brief?

It is simply a binder or folder of images and lists that communicates your needs and desires to a home designer.

1. Include examples of homes or homedesign elements that you admire or find appealing. To name just a few, these include elements like entrance ways, kitchen and bathroom layouts, exterior facades, staircases and fireplaces. Keep in mind that if you bring in a floor plan you like it cannot be directly copied. Plans must be appropriately modified to avoid issues with copyright.

2. Create a list of the rooms you need and want. Needs are essential items for living, and wants are the spaces that would be nice additions. Determine the minimum space needed for these rooms and compare that to your current living arrangements. This will give you a quick frame of reference when discussing your plans with a designer. Consider how you live in your home—what spaces are used frequently and what areas are wasted.

3. Try to determine what size of home you can afford to build. No matter how hard you try, it just isn’t possible to fit all the rooms of a 2,000 square-foot home into the budget of a 1,200 square-foot plan .

So be flexible.

4. Attach the lot information for your chosen property (if that decision has been made).

Make notes of any views you find appealing so that rooms can be placed accordingly.If you haven’t chosen a location for your home consult with your builder & designer about options before starting your design.

5. Think about what style of home you are drawn to. Keep in mind, there are building restrictions that can affect your home’s overall design. Your designer will guide you through your specific situation.

6. If you plan on keeping your existing furniture take the time to measure your pieces. This will allow your designer to incorporate them and the space they require into your design.

7. Include construction elements that you would prefer: items like wall heights and types, floor systems, beam types, foundation types, etc.

Don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers, this is just a starting point.

Consult with your designer about the options available.

8. Are there mechanical items that you are considering using? You may not realize it, but the mechanical systems and construction elements work together to create a building envelope. It’s imperative to discuss all your options and weigh your decisions carefully.

Is that really all it takes?

Yes, but it is just the beginning of the design process. From here you will sit down and discuss your project with your home designer and builder. The home design brief is by no means an exact representation of what your home will be, but serves as a starting point for all discussion.

It is now the job of your home designer to take this information & create a design that combines both the practical & creative elements of a home. FHS

45

FineHomes SASKATOON

DAVID SUZUKI’S

QUEEN OF GREEN “Saving the planet isn’t a spectator sport”

By Ryan Holota

hen Lindsay Coulter was nine years old she was watching CBC Television’s The Nature of Things when she turned to her parents and, crossing her fingers, said, “One day, David and I will be like this.” Not many children are able to predict their futures before the age of 10, but Coulter could not have been more correct. After graduating from the University of Alberta with a degree in Zoology in 1999, Coulter began working on a series of intensive scientific research projects. Working in the remains of harvested forests in Northern Alberta, she was concerned about what she saw.

She wanted to find a way to communicate with people, to educate them about the consequence of their choices, and the things they can do to be kinder to the environment. Contributing editor Ryan Holota sat down with Coulter to ask about this education, and find out why people need to recycle less.

FHS: How did you come to be known as The Queen of Green?

46

FineHomes SASKATOON

LC: I moved to Vancouver to work with the David Suzuki Foundation, while I was planning my wedding in 2006. I wanted to have a greener wedding, to offset the carbon footprint of all the flights, etc, and so I talked a lot about the things I did to accomplish this. I became the go-to person for a greener everyday life – things we can all do that are actually backed by science and can make a real difference.

FHS: How do you feel that people can make the biggest difference?

LC: I get asked this question quite often. I always say that you need to look at where your biggest impact is going to be. For example, if you fly a lot, try to find ways to reduce the number of flights that you

take. One of my favorite suggestions is for people to recycle less.

FHS: Recycle less?

LC: Yes. Recycling is one of these socialnorming things that makes people feel okay about the choices that they make.

Recycling is important, but it should come after finding ways to reduce and reuse the waste that we create. Reuse what you can. One of my favorite examples of this is glass jars. People spend tons of money on containers and storage, and throw away lots of glass jars. Glass jars can be heated and frozen, used to store dry goods, and as decorative containers. They’re quite useful.

FHS: Once people feel like they’ve mastered the basics, how do you suggest that they move on to the next step?

LC: I’m very passionate about this. You need to begin leveraging what is happening in your community. Once you’ve mastered composting, for example, start helping other people do it. If you live in a small community, try to set up a community composting programs, for example. Saving the planet isn’t a spectator sport. It’s time everybody gets involved.

FHS: You’ve been outspoken about home-cleaning products and offer recipes for people to make their own. Why do you suggest that people do this, and are these products as effective as the ones you can buy from the store?

LC: Absolutely. In Canada, food and cosmetics are the only things that need to be labeled with ingredients. We have no idea what goes into other products, such as cleaners, but we know that many of these ingredients do have negative side effects. One of the easiest things that we can do is to simply look at everything we buy. If the manufacturer hasn’t opted to include a list of ingredients, then don’t buy the product. If there is an ingredient list, then look for items that are on the Dirty Dozen list and avoid those products as well.

I haven’t bought laundry soap for six years; now I just make my own. It’s much more affordable. The price for liquid laundry detergent is around $6 per litre in the stores, but you can easily make it at home for $1 per litre. That’s a significant savings for something that is easy to do, works well and can protect the environment. FHS Lindsay Coulter writes a blog at davidsuzuki.org and at metronews.ca as the Queen of Green. She can also be read in Canadian Living magazine and listened to on radio shows and podcasts across Canada. For a list of the Dirty Dozen ingredients, visit davidsuzuki.org.

Lindsay Coulter

Maintain a clean and hygienic kitchen without the chemicals of store-bought solutions.

Make your own all-purpose cleaners GLASS AND MIRROR CLEANER Wipe with newspaper to avoid streaks • 1/2 cup white vinegar • 1/2 cup water Pour into spray bottle.

TIP: Before switching to this green cleaner, clean up the waxy residue traditional brands leave behind with a 5% rubbing alcohol-to water solution.

STAINLESS STEEL CLEANER Removes smudges from stainless steel appliances • 1 Tbsp olive oil • 1 Tbsp white vinegar Drip olive oil onto rag. Rub surface to get rid of smudges. Drip white vinegar on the other side of rag. Wipe and let dry.

FURNITURE POLISH Since wood finishes vary, always do a test patch • 2 cups warm water • 2 Tbsp olive oil • 2 Tbsp white vinegar (or lemon juice) Pour into spray bottle. Shake well, spray, rub, and polish with rag.

More tips and recipes at www.queenofgreen.ca

Sustainable harvest

healthy oceans EatEat forfor healthy oceans

Drunkengarlic garlicprawns prawns Drunken in10 10minutes minutes in ASK FOR ASK FOR Trap-caught spot prawns from Trap-caught spot prawns from Canadian Pacific. thethe Canadian Pacific.

Smash garlic cloves chopping board with side of your knife.

Add Smash thethe garlic cloves onon thethe chopping board with thethe side of your knife.

Add some a deep pan over medium heat.

Toss garlic cloves in the until some oiloil to atodeep pan over medium heat.

Toss thethe garlic cloves in the oiloil until slightly golden.

Turn heat onto high.

Add prawns and sake.

Quickly slightly golden.

Turn thethe heat onto high.

Add thethe prawns and thethe sake.

Quickly cover with cover with thethe lid.lid.

Drunken garlic prawns in 10 minutes 2 lbs spot prawns (frozen 2 lbs livelive BCBC spot prawns (frozen thawed used andand thawed cancan be be used as as a a substitute fresh) substitute forfor fresh) 2 tbsp chili paste 2 tbsp redred chili paste

Sake (Japanese Rice Wine) 300300 mLmL Sake (Japanese Rice Wine) 1 head of garlic cloves, whole 1 head of garlic cloves, whole

ASK FOR: Trap-caught spot prawns from the Canadian Pacific

Every minute, hold tight and shake pan to toss prawns without Every minute, hold thethe lidlid tight and shake thethe pan to toss thethe prawns without releasing steam.

The prawns cooked when their flesh is firm, their releasing anyany steam.

The prawns areare cooked when their flesh is firm, their eyes grey, and their shells turn orangey-red completely.

Depending eyes areare grey, and their shells turn orangey-red completely.

Depending onon thethe size, this will take minutes. size, this will take 4-74-7 minutes.

Ladle prawns, garlic cloves, and sake broth into deep bowls.

Combine Ladle thethe prawns, garlic cloves, and sake broth into deep bowls.

Combine dipping sauce ingredients. dipping sauce ingredients.

Peel, dip, eat, slurp, and repeat.

Serve with a crusty baguette to soak Peel, dip, eat, slurp, and repeat.

Serve with a crusty baguette to soak upup allall thethe

Smash theOil garlic cloves on the chopping Flavourless Oil (such as Grapeseed) briny essence. board with the side of your knife. Add some Flavourless (such as Grapeseed) briny essence. oil to a deep pan over medium heat. Toss the garlic cloves in the oil until slightly golden. Turn the heat onto high. Add the prawns and the sake. Quickly cover with the lid.

SIMPLE DIPPING SAUCE SIMPLE DIPPING SAUCE

INGREDIENTS • 2 lbs live BC spot prawns (frozen and thawed can be used as a substitute for fresh)

Every hold 1/2 minute, cup light sauce the lid tight and shake the pan to toss the prawns without releas1/2 cup light soysoy sauce This recipe is courtesy of SeaChoice ambassador Melody Fury, a Vancouver-based This recipe is courtesy of SeaChoice ambassador Fury, a Vancouver-based ing any steam.

The prawns are cooked when their flesh Food isMelody firm, their eyes areforgrey, food blogger founder of Vancouver Tour.

Visit GourmetFury.com Juice zest of lime 1/2 lime food blogger andand thethe founder of Vancouver Food Tour.

Visit GourmetFury.com for thethe Juice andand zest of 1/2 and their shells turn orangey-red completely.

Depending on the size, this will take 4-7 original recipe and a step-by-step photo guide. original recipe and a step-by-step photo guide.

1/2 Thai chili, minced 1/2 Thai chili, minced minutes.

1 tsp brown sugar 1 tsp brown sugar

• 2 tbsp red chili paste

1 tsp sesame 1 tsp sesame oil oil

• 300 mL Sake (Japanese Rice Wine)

Several mint leaves, minced Several mint leaves, minced

• 1 head of garlic cloves, whole • Flavourless Oil (such as Grapeseed) SIMPLE DIPPING SAUCE • 1/2 cup light soy sauce

Ladle the prawns, garlic cloves, and sake broth into deep bowls. Combine dipping sauce ingredients.

Peel, dip, eat, slurp, and repeat. Serve with a crusty baguette to soak up all the briny essence.

• Juice and zest of 1/2 lime • 1/2 Thai chili, minced

.org .org

• 1 tsp brown sugar • 1 tsp sesame oil • Several mint leaves, minced 49 FineHomes SASKATOON

This recipe is courtesy of SeaChoice ambassador Melody Fury, a Vancouver-based food blogger and the founder of Vancouver Food Tour. Visit GourmetFury.com for the original recipe and a step-by-step photo guide.

and delicious meals

Warm beet ‘n scallop salad with crabapple relish

Serves 4

ASK FOR: Farmed scallops, preferably those raised using the off-bottom culture method INGREDIENTS • 8–10 large scallops • 6 organic beets

healthy oceans EatEat forfor healthy oceans

• 1 fresh pork sausage, such as the pork & apricot sausage from Oyama Sausage Company RELISH Drunken garlicprawns prawns Drunken garlic • 10 crabapples, cored and quartered in10 10minutes minutes in • 1 onion, minced

ASK FOR ASK FOR

• 1 bunch mint, chopped • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

Trap-caught spot prawns from Trap-caught spot prawns from Canadian Pacific. thethe Canadian Pacific.

Smash garlic cloves chopping board with side of your knife.

Add Smash thethe garlic cloves onon thethe chopping board with thethe side of your knife.

Add some aTbsp deep pan over medium heat.

Toss garlic cloves in the until some oiloil atodeep pan over medium heat.

Toss thethe garlic cloves in the oiloil until •to 2 organic honey slightly golden.

Turn heat onto high.

Add prawns and sake.

Quickly slightly golden.

Turn thethe heat onto high.

Add thethe prawns and thethe sake.

Quickly •with Olive cover the cover with the lid.lid. oil

2 lbs spot prawns (frozen 2 lbs livelive BCBC spot prawns (frozen thawed used andand thawed cancan be be used as as a a substitute fresh) substitute forfor fresh)

Every minute, hold tight and shake pan to toss prawns without Every minute, hold thethe lidlid tight and shake thethe pan to toss thethe prawns without Combine theTherelish ingredients in aflesh medium bowl and releasing steam.

The prawns cooked when their flesh is firm, their releasing anyany steam. prawns areare cooked when their is firm, their eyes grey, and their shells turn orangey-red completely.

Depending eyes areare grey, and their shells turn orangey-red completely.

Depending onon thethe set aside. size, this will take minutes. size, this will take 4-74-7 minutes.

2 tbsp chili paste 2 tbsp redred chili paste Sake (Japanese Rice Wine) 300300 mLmL Sake (Japanese Rice Wine) 1 head of garlic cloves, whole 1 head of garlic cloves, whole

Wrap the beets in foil and roast in a 350° oven for 30-

Ladle prawns, garlic cloves, and sake broth into deep bowls.

Combine Ladle thethe prawns, garlic cloves, and sake broth into deep bowls.

Combine 40 minutes or until a knife pierces them easily. When dipping sauce ingredients. dipping sauce ingredients.

cool enough to touch, peel the beets, cut into thin slices

Peel, dip, eat, slurp, and repeat.

Serve with a crusty baguette to soak Peel, dip, eat, slurp, and repeat.

Serve with a crusty baguette to soak upup allall thethe and arrange on a medium plate. Drizzle with olive oil.

Flavourless (such Grapeseed) briny briny essence.

Flavourless OilOil (such as as Grapeseed) essence.

SIMPLE DIPPING SAUCE SIMPLE DIPPING SAUCE 1/2 cup light sauce 1/2 cup light soysoy sauce Juice zest of lime 1/2 lime Juice andand zest of 1/2 1/2 Thai chili, minced 1/2 Thai chili, minced 1 tsp brown sugar 1 tsp brown sugar 1 tsp sesame 1 tsp sesame oil oil Several mint leaves, minced Several mint leaves, minced

Cook the sausage in a small frying pan over medium heat until the juices run clear when a fork is inserted.

Remove from heat and let rest for 5-10 minutes. When This recipe is courtesy of SeaChoice ambassador Melody Fury, a Vancouver-based This recipe is courtesy of SeaChoice ambassador Melody Fury, a Vancouver-based cool enough to touch, cutFood into 10Visit slices. food blogger founder of Vancouver Food Tour.

Visit GourmetFury.com food blogger andand thethe founder of Vancouver Tour.

GourmetFury.com forfor thethe original recipe a step-by-step photo guide. original recipe andand a step-by-step photo guide.

Clean the scallops, removing the adductor muscle. Pat dry and season with salt. In a medium pan on high heat, add olive oil followed by the scallops, ensuring that there is plenty of space between each one. Sear the scallops 30 seconds per side and the remove from heat.

Slice each scallop in half, width-wise, and arrange the slices on top of the beets, alternating with the sausage. Top with a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper and serve with the crabapple relish.

.org .org

This recipe is courtesy of SeaChoice ambassador Melody Fury, a Vancouver-based food blogger and the founder of Vancouver Food Tour. Visit GourmetFury.com for the original recipe and a step-by-step photo guide.

Scott McQueen co-owner of FrogBox. Photo by Armand Kerry Photography.

The leap To a less sTressful move

By Ashleigh Mattern veryone has experienced the stress of moving. Whether you’re moving across the country, across the city, or across the hall during renovations, you need boxes.

But cardboard boxes are a pain. Aside from the hassle of finding or buying them, the bottom falls out if they get too heavy, they’re difficult to stack, they rip easily and they get soggy in the rain. Then you still have to deal with them once you’re done.

Even if you try to be environmentally friendly by finding used boxes, cardboard boxes on average are only used twice before they end up in the recycling bin.

“We can do something for the environment that doesn’t have to cost more, or make things more difficult,” says Catherine McQueen.

McQueen is one half of the sister-brother team bringing Saskatoon an alternative to cardboard: FrogBox.

FrogBox rents reusable, sanitized plastic boxes, making moving more convenient and eco-friendly than ever before.

“We want to make moving less stressful for us and the planet,” says Catherine’s brother Scott McQueen.

FrogBox brings their boxes to you. You pack and move, and then they pick them up when you’re done. The weekly rental rates are comparable to the price of buying cardboard boxes new, with the bonus that FrogBoxes are ready to go as soon as they arrive.

the end of its life—around 400 uses—it will be recycled.

They deliver to Saskatoon and area, and they also offer dollies, packing paper, and wardrobe kits. To find out more, head to frogbox.com/saskatoon.

FHS

Not only do FrogBoxes cut down on the amount of cardboard thrown away, for every dollar you spend, one per cent will be donated to Ducks Unlimited—to help protect the wetlands where frogs live.

The boxes are made out of type-two plastic, which is the most commonly recycled type. When a FrogBox reaches

FrogBox p: 306.664.FROG(3764) e: saskatoon@frogbox.com www.frogbox.com/saskatoon

Commercial, Residential And Office Cleaning Experts!

We Exclusively Sell Envirowise Products Including: • Bio-Degradable Garbage Bags • Household Cleaning Products

Photo by Candace Epp

• Personal Care Products Like Bubble Bath, Soaps And Body Washes

* Gift Certificates Available

Grand OpeningMarch 10 Dolce Casa

Maid Services Corp.

635 Avenue H S (Corner of 16th Street) • 306.374.6243 • dolcecasamaids@hotmail.com

just released New colors from Benjamin Moore. Only available in AURA paint. The finest paint we've ever made

With the advent of Colour Stories, a whole new chapter in paint colour technology is being written.

With an unprecedented array of truly unique hues to choose from, creating your own colour story has never been easier – or more exciting. Inspired by nature, the senses, moments in time, found objects and pure imagination, each colour tells its enticing tale.

Now… create your own, personal colour story.

701 - 2ND AVENUE N.

PA I N T S

FineHomes SASKATOON

DESIGN

53

W WW.DAYS PAINT S .COM

A RT W O R K

701 2nd Ave N. • 306.244.4721 www.dayspaints.com

EXPERTAdvice BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO AN OLD ROOM

Michelle Rowlett

W

hat is the best part of spring in Saskatchewan? Well, I am sure some would say it is more daylight, others would mention warmer weather, and I know a few people who would insist it is the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Well, I for one would say the best part of this season is, redecorating. Spring is traditionally a time for renewal and revitalization, what better place to revitalize than your favourite space, office or...even the whole house.

are all big trends this spring, so do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and make a bolder statement in your muted room.

Drapes anyone? Spring has sprung ,so why not frame your view of the newly budding trees with a fresh set of drapes. Linen, taffeta, or silk, the fabric choices are endless.

Beautiful florals, damasks and stripes to compliment the new pillows on your sofa.

If this is your bold statement feature in the room, choose a pattern that will stand out, yet still tie in all the existing elements in the room.

Flowers are an essential part to Spring, and they immediately add a fresh and colourful feature to any room. Place a beautiful bouquet in a colourful new vase; look for a unique shape and/or something in turquoise, lime green, or a strong yellow. The whole presentation will be a cheerful reminder that spring is in the air.

Incorporating trendy new accessories to a room will give it an instant update and may inspire more creative design ideas.

Bring on the paint! Nothing gives a room an instant update like a fresh coat in a new colour. Choose from Benjamin Moore’s new colour palette, Colour Stories. This new offering is like no other colour introduction.

Black and grey tints are not used in the production, resulting in greater clarity, purity and vibrancies in all colours. One of the 240 new colours should work with your spring 2012 refresh project.

Let redecorating your home be your way to celebrate the arrival of spring. Feel free to stop by Days Paints and join us in the design studio where we can answer many of your questions and help you with your next project. FHS

7 0 1 - 2 N D AV E N U E N .

DESIGN

There are many ways to breathe new life into a room: adding a punch of colour, a mix of textures or a unique accessory are just a few ways to revitalize your space. Love your chocolate-leather sofa but want to add some personality to your room? Look for new toss cushions in bold colours or fun prints and choose accessories in those same colours to tie together your whole room. Embellishments, fringe and “bling”

Photos by Candace Epp

PA I N T S

Day’s Paints & Design 701 2nd Ave N. 306.244.4721 www.dayspaints.com

W W W. D AY S PA I N T S . C O M

A RT W O R K PA I N T S

54

FineHomes SASKATOON

D E S I G N E R FA B R I C S C U S TO M T I N T A E R O S O L S WA L L PA P E R W I N D O W FA S H I O N S C O M P U T E R C O L O U R M AT C H I N G

DESIGNER GREEN

By Meredith Heron reen Design. Truth be told, the only people who ever ask me about this, are journalists looking for a sound bite for a story that they are working on.

I can count on my hand the number of clients who have ever asked me about including an environmentally friendly product in their project.

Even fewer, have asked that we design from a greenbased/ environmentally-based platform. Coincidentally, though, as I type this, I have been approached by someone whose entire ethos is ecologically-/environmentally-based to do her dining room according to very strict guidelines.

I didn’t learn about green technologies or design in design school. It was beginning to become a bit of a buzz, but sadly, 10-plus years ago it still wasn’t really on anyone’s agenda. I 55

FineHomes SASKATOON

became more aware of them when I met my husband—and now business partner—nine years ago. I often joke that I married a tree hugger.

My philosophy around green design, however—thanks to the aforementioned tree hugger is pretty simple. Common sense.

What’s that you say? True, I am not exactly the poster child for common sense, but here goes: • Buy local products and services • Make choices that are sustainable materials • Avoid products with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) • Install windows/doors, appliances and insulation that promote energy conservation.

• Use water-based lacquers • Use natural fibres (they are actually more stain resistant and kid animal friendly) • Buy handmade when possible • Invest in quality • Invest in the best you can afford and if you can’t, save until you can I’m not a trend-follower—a trendsetter maybe—but I really don’t believe in them and find design trends, more often than not, are gimmicks to drive sales. Green design, on the other hand, is a way of living, not a trend, so you need to incorporate eco-friendly choices in wherever you can (hence the common sense part).

If you are looking for great products that are eco-friendly and design friendly too check out a few of my favourites...

MEREDITH

Threadcount Fabrics Flor Brizo, Delta Faucet, Axor (Masco Corporation) Forbo Floors Weaver & Loom Merida Meridian Para Paints

If you’d like help creating a home you absolutely love, please contact info@meredithheron.com about our design services, including our Virtual Design Studio. We would love to work with you on it. FHS

Committed to providing professional and home chefs with top quality products that deliver on what they promise.

The Mall at Lawson Heights 134 Primrose Drive • 306.242.3226 Centre Mall 3310 8th street East • 306.664.3226

All with the push of A button You can turn off all the lights in the house, lock the door and set the alarm - from your bed. we offer the Control 4 solution for integration of home Audio, Video, lighting and environmental Controls. we can provide home theater design, whole home audio, or a complete home automation package designed for your lifestyle.

™

™

844 - 47th street e., saskatoon, sK s7K 0X4 p: 306.291.2230 e: info@burcoelectric.com

www.burcoelectric.com

InspIred lIghtIng and plumbIng One-stop shop for a home’s features and details

By Tammy Roberts. Photos by Samantha Hawkins

R

obinson Lighting and Bath Centre is Saskatoon’s newest premier interior-design showroom, full of luxury lighting and plumbing products to meet your home construction or renovations needs.

If you’re unsure where to begin, walking through the doors of Robinson Lighting and Bath Centre is a great start. “We encourage homeowners and designers to bring in their blueprints,” says manager Kelly Foss. “From there we’ll come up

58

FineHomes SASKATOON

with options for whole home solutions in plumbing and lighting.” The showroom itself is a stunning source of inspiration, showcasing innovative technology, inspirational shape and form and outstanding quality from the all the top factories and designers.

Robinson Lighting and Bath Centre’s sales consultants’ experience, combined with quality product education from leading manufacturers means you can rest assured you are investing in the

best products for your residential or commercial space.

“Our Saskatoon location has operated for a year, featuring everything you need for your plumbing project, whether in a new home or during renovations,” says Kelly. In February we were proud to add a full and varied range of beautiful home lighting products to our showroom, making us a one-stop shop for all those wonderful features and details that make your house a home.”

ba robinson staff

Fully staffed with knowledgeable sales consultants educated in all the product lines Robinson carries, you’ll find the latest in bath and kitchen products, from tubs and showers to faucets and accessories, as well as modern and traditional lighting features.

Robinson Lighting and Bath Centre is a subsidiary of B. A. Robinson Co. Ltd., a solid Canadian company with over 70 years of history in the construction industry and retail home improvement market in Western Canada. An official member of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Platinum Club, they operate from over 20 distribution warehouses and showrooms in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northwest Ontario.

“Lighting is a big part of BA Robinson’s brand,” says Kelly. “We stock a wide variety of big, bold home accessories such

as chandeliers, floor lamps, table lamps and track lighting.” Their comprehensive collection of contemporary lighting will fit anyone’s personal budget and style.

You’ll find some of the hottest trends in kitchen and living room lighting, pendants and all the latest additions from lighting manufacturers.

or renovating, our sales consultants are ready assist you in meeting your needs,” says Kelly. “We’re always ready to work with designers and homeowners alike to provide the best in product for your lighting and plumbing choices. It’s about blending the best in personal style with the right interior solutions.” FHS

With their ever-expanding inventory of mid- to high-end product lines, Robinson offers everything you need to make your kitchen or bath a space that reflects your lifestyle, from tubs and showers to faucets and accessories in leading brands such as Grohe, Aquabrass, Bain Ultra, Moen, Fiat and Kohler.

Visit our Brand New Lighting Showroom Open Now!

Lighting and plumbing fixtures bear a huge impact on the look, character and design aesthetic of any space. Your choices, from classic and traditional to modern and edgy, will drastically change the feel of the room. “Whether you’re building

Robinson Lighting & Bath Centre 829 - 46 Street 306-664-2389 www.barobinson.com 59

FineHomes SASKATOON

DREAM STAIRCASES AND MASTER CRAFTSMEN

By Candace Fox. Photos by Pete Lawrence

reputation has expanded primarily by word of mouth. It’s something David and his team are very proud of.

Products and services A beautifully-crafted staircase can become a statement piece in the home, whether it’s an elaborate design, or a classic approach for a look of simple elegance. DAG-Wood Products is a master in curved staircases, but their product list is full of other wood products as well. Customers wanting custombuilt staircases for their new builds or renovations can be assured DAG-Wood will provide them with a beautiful endproduct, manufactured on site with local products. Producing classic and contemporary designs, and working with various other choice materials, DAGWood works directly with their customer to ensure the process is stress free and exactly what the customer wants.

Nothing is as welcoming in the home as a beautifully-crafted custom door. Add a touch of opulence to your home or office space with a solid-core door manufactured and made by DAG-Wood. The options are endless: choose something with a classic design and wood grain, or contemporary and unique with a glass insert. DAGWood makes interior, exterior and cabinet doors; they can match your new door with existing doors in your home or commercial space, as well as work with you directly on a custom design, uniquely all your own.

D

AG-Wood Products is a master in curved and straight staircases, railings, custom doors, and many other high quality wood products. Owner and operator David Neufeld has been passionate about this industry since childhood. Watching his dad and uncle work hard at their business, building and crafting wood products, was David’s

introduction into carpentry. It was in his blood. From that point on, what began as a hobby then side job transformed into a business in Osler, Saskatchewan, in 2008. Since then, the DAG-Wood name has become synonymous with quality workmanship, made with the best wood products available. Servicing customers across Saskatchewan, the company’s

Get creative with your posts, railings and spindles. Whether they’re straight or curved, accenting your staircase with quality-crafted design elements will enhance the overall. DAG-Wood offers a variety of post designs 3.5 inches in size, with or without caps. Choose from simple blank posts to an elegant, three-line.

For a more traditional design, consider a two-flute. In choosing handrails, the “A” style profile is a sleek, modern and comfortable fit for your hand. Spindles come in half-inch squares with your choice of three stock colours: black, oil rub bronze and pewter. A base pattern of a single knuckle between two blank spindles gives just enough detail without

61

FineHomes SASKATOON

looking overcrowded. The DAG-Wood team can help you with the specifics, but regardless of the styles you choose, your new staircase will be the envy of your friends and neighbours.

DAG-Wood also handles many custom projects for both residential and commercial clients, including special carpentry requests like built-ins. The carpentry experts can build shelving units, signage, cabinet doors, mantels, floating stairs and passage doors. If you’re unsure if the project is right for DAGWood, just call and ask. David insists his quality craftsman will find a way to build your custom millwork project.

Everything in-house An important part of the business for David Neufeld is the company’s

62

FineHomes SASKATOON

ability to do everything in house, from manufacturing to installing; it is all done

by DAG-Wood craftsman and employees.

The purpose for keeping all functions within DAG-Wood was born on the need for consistent quality products and production control to keep the tongueand-groove style of manufacturing. The wood-staining process is also done

by DAG-Wood, either on-site after installation, or in a staining booth at their Osler location. Custom stain matches are always an option for customers who are trying to keep the look of their space consistent with other wood pieces. David says if they do not have a particular stain colour available in their showroom, they will order it specifically for the customer.

All the materials used for production are all locally sourced, as the company believes in supporting the local economy and businesses.

DAG-Wood’s inclusion of the CNC machine to their production facility has allowed them to accomplish much more intricate and custom designed projects in a short amount of time. The computer operated machine requires a qualified opperator. The piece of equipment is fairly large and able to accommodate substantially large pieces of wood in order to replicate the design in the computer.

With its impressive capabilities there is not much the machine cannot accomplish.

Employee dedication In order to provide quality customer service David conducts all the training of employees. The company’s staff includes 18 of the best craftsman, spray technicians, installers and front-end staff—all dedicated to offering DAGWood standard service to the customer.

With many of the employees being from the area, DAG-Wood’s team is dedicated and hardworking. The staff take pride in building the DAG-Wood brand and watching the business grow.

Walking into the DAG-Wood showroom, customers will immediately be greeted

by Lisa H and Lisa K –the company’s two main points of customer contact. Both from Osler, these women are personable and a delight to know. They are a valuable addition and asset to DAG-Wood.

Shop manager Neil Krahn has spent his entire, 35-year career working in the railing business. DAG-Wood cannot say enough great things about having such a hard working and experienced carpenter. Anyone stepping into the shop area will immediately notice well organized, sectioned-off rooms, each filled with equipment to handle various production jobs – all shockingly tidy and well planned out. To ensure the carpentry team are adopt the DAG-Wood standard

of quality service and products, each one is trained by David and Neil. This ensures production expectations are met and each piece of equipment is used to its potential.

David sees his carpentry team, all locals, flourish as individuals as well as in their dedication to quality craftsmanship.

“The team at DAG-Wood would like to thank all of our customers for their continued support,” says David. He invites new customers to stop by their showroom and inquire about how their master craftsman can make their next carpentry and custom-millwork project come to life. Serving customers in Saskatoon and surrounding area, the company is more than willing to travel North or South to complete large, more involved projects.

For more information visit their website online, www.staircasesk.com, or stop by their showroom in Osler, SK, the team at DAG-Wood would be happy to assist you with any questions or design issues you may have. FHS

Owner and operator, David Neufeld

660 Service Rd N Osler, SK 306.239.2177 info@staircasesk.com www.staircasesk.com 63

FineHomes SASKATOON

ExtrEmE makEovErs without thE ExtrEmE budgEt

By Alexandra Walld. Photos by Candace Epp

W

hether you are selling your home, doing renovations or simply looking to freshen things up, Realistic Redesign will bring your vision to life. Barbara Shawcross, owner and senior consultant of Realistic Redesign has an interesting perspective on architecture and design, believing that it is possible to make the most of what you currently have in your space.

“The goal is to build upon your existing personal style, rather than reinvent it,” says Shawcross. “What makes me dramatically different is that I like to use as much of your existing furniture and decor as possible—refresh your house by moving some things around.”

An alternative to interior designers and decorators, Realistic Redesign offers services for room organization (suggestions about paint, furniture placement and layout), staging for a sale (consulting or working with the realtor or home builder to complete the staging process) and custom purchasing

64

FineHomes SASKATOON

(recommendations for the homeowner as well as shopping for them and returning items).

Shawcross’s education and background make her unique. The interior consultant has seven years’ experience in the construction consulting industry, a diploma in Architectural and Building Technologies from SIAST and a BA with a major in Art History with a focus on North American Architecture. She is a Canadian Certified Staging Professional and member of Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan.

misconception in interior design; you do not have to spend a lot of money to achieve your goal,” she says. “My favourite part of my job is the end result, the before and after moments. It is rewarding to help people get those great spaces and achieve it without a $10,000 budget.” FHS

Owner, Barbara Shawcross

Shawcross’s process begins with an inhome consultation, which lasts between two to two-and-a-half hours, and includes a professional room-by-room analysis and a hardcopy book with recommendations.

Design methods vary depending on the goals you have for your space.

“Some people feel overwhelmed in creating a great space and end up spending a lot of money. I think that’s a

306.229.1982 www.realisticredesign.com

It Is stunnIng the DIfference a QualIty Door Makes By tammy robert Photos by candace epp

“If you can dream it, we can build it.”

- Myron Guenther

65

FineHomes SASKATOON

hen renovating or building your dream home, it’s easy to forget how we enter and leave it. If you think that modern door design is a simple matter of open-and-shut traditional style philosophy, then GP Door Design is your destination to change all that. Their distinctive doors will be the center and modern accent in any house design.

GP Door Design Inc., an entrepreneurial and innovative Saskatoon-based company, was born out of co-founder and contractor Myron Guenther’s desire to incorporate a unique high-quality door product into his own home.

“I wasn’t happy with the door styles that were available,” says Myron, a finishing carpenter by trade. “I had decided that I wanted solid doors in our house, and thought I could try building them myself, to save a bit of money and be able to feature my own designs in my home.”

Myron began by creating a prototype door in his garage, before incorporating

from left to right: arlen speakman, Myron guenther, kyle fillion and Jillian holladay

PrIncess hoMes

them into his home. “Soon I was using my own home as a show home for builders, to display the kind of work I could do,” he explains. “Chris Oleksyn from O Homes asked if I could create doors for one of his show homes and now uses them in every one of his projects.”

When Myron started GP Door Design, the only other available custom door product was produced in Eastern Canada, and the selection of designs was limited. Today GP Door Design Inc., is supplying Western Canada’s leading manufacturer and supplier of solid-core, custom designed, high-end interior doors, each individually created with the individual customer’s desires and specifications in mind.

o hoMes

With more and more homeowners asking Myron for his skilled, artistic creations, he knew there was a market for custom doors.

He visualized a niche in the industry for high-end, modern and stylish doors, falling directly in line with all the current trends in contemporary new-home construction.

“When you’re building a house you can customize just about every feature to reflect the owner’s unique style - why not the doors as well?” he asks.

“We use solid, premium MDF material combined with other mediums such as stainless steel, glass, laminates, and a variety of veneer and arborite choices,” explains Myron. “This combination allows us to produce high quality doors with a modern, sophisticated flair.” Don’t be fooled by the stunning exterior, a GP Door Design door offers much more than a pretty face. Look inside and discover engineering and craftsmanship exceeding professional standards.

Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) is so designer-friendly,” he continues. “We can turn it into virtually anything the customer wants. It’s also very hard to damage,

PrIncess hoMes

Contractors, home owners and commercial businesses are now able to order GP Door Design’s quality interior doors, incorporating virtually any design request imaginable while taking advantage of their quick turn-around delivery to any location at home in Saskatoon or across the country.

o hoMes

easily fixable, paints and even stains great.

Many people would not even notice the difference between a dark stained MDF door and a dark stained maple door, so cost is also a huge benefit.” Myron also points to the environmental benefits of MDF, which is a green-friendly product using predominantly all recycled materials.

MetrIc DesIgn

shIrley hoMes

When you open and close a door from GP Doors, the high quality craftsmanship is obvious. Being completely solid MDF means the doors are extremely heavy.

The quality and feel of the entire home is improved instantly! Being solid MDF also gives homeowners the advantage of soundproofing.

Use the quality and design of a modern interior door to control the feel and the flow of your home’s interior design. GP Door Design is where you will create the interior doors that represent that final touch, giving your home the exquisite look and feel Myron and his team believe all of their customers deserve - limited only by your imagination. Unlimited possibilities for graphics, creative hardware and even three-dimensional designs will ensure that your doors are not like any others. You can choose a door with the same design on both sides, or customize each side separately to suit the personality and decor of your spaces.

“We always consult with the customer to find out their ideas first,” says Myron.

“Some clients come to us knowing exactly what they want, others take advantage of the extensive collection of designs in our catalogue. We ask questions to get some idea of the style of the house, or overall design element they are looking to achieve. Our clients come to us with all kinds of different ideas and we welcome that absolutely.”

Contemporary interior doors delicately balance form and fashion. GP Door Designs’ creations compliment a wide range of architectural styles, as well as design needs - offering standard or custom-sized interior doors. Their priority is producing products constructed with the highest quality craftsmanship while following cutting-edge designs, infusing beauty and character into everyday living.

Every entrance door has its own charm, which reflects the personality of its inhabitants, and needs to compliment the home’s exterior while perhaps demonstrating a little about nature of the interior design. “We also manufacture exterior doors,” Myron says. “The designs are endless and it’s a weather-proof product, customizable not only by design, but also by size. One of our designers will help homeowners create the entry way of their dreams.”

haven BuIlDers

The future for GP Door Designs is bright, Myron says. “We’ve grown to employ four people, and are moving towards selling

69

FineHomes SASKATOON

our doors across western Canada, talking with distributors in key areas to help promote our doors and our concept of customization.” As for Myron, he couldn’t be in a better place. “I love what I do today, because it doesn’t feels like work. We get to help people make their homes their own.”

There are so many choices at GP Door Designs. See them for yourself on their website, where you can start planning your next renovation or new home design right away. Or check things out in person by swinging by their Saskatoon showroom, located at 2210 Speers Ave. Inside, and assisted by Myron and his staff, you can see - and touch - for yourself examples of exactly what you can do with custom doors. Anything from different types of glass options to different types of designsthe options are endless.

“When you walk through a home which has GP Door Designs installed within, you understand the difference right away,” says Myron, the pride evident in his tone.

shIrley hoMes

“The trend right now is towards ‘less is more,’” says Myron. “Clean lines and simple, elegant designs.” Whether looking for something one-of-a-kind or classic and timeless, the bottom line is that GP Door Design strives to please the customer, whatever they require. In fact, they recently completed a job where they created a piece of wall art to match the doors designed for the client’s house.

“You sense that the home looks and feels of a higher quality - there’s a sense of style that you might not even be able to pinpoint right away. But you will. One of the only moving parts in a home - we pass through doors every day of our lives.”

For more examples of GP Door Designs creations, visit one of the homes available from their valued partners: O-homes, Fisher Homes, Haven Builders, Boychuk Construction, Soroski Homes, Ivory Homes, Valentino Homes, Touchstone Developments, Sparta Homes and Fresco Interiors.

“If you can dream it, we can build it.”

- Myron Guenther FHS

GP Door Design 2210 Speers Avenue Saskatoon, SK S7L 5X7 p: 306.955.9934 e: myrong@gpdoordesign.ca www.gpdoordesign.ca

ORIENTAL RUGS SOON TO CARPET SASKATOON Local store celebrates inclusion of lauded, continental fair-trade sale

By Daniel Dalman

S

askatoon should get ready to have the rug pulled from under their feet, because thanks to Ten Thousand Villages, there is an amazing opportunity to replace it. From April 13 to 22, their 45th Street and Avenue C location (beside the red airplane) is holding a sale that will take rug shopping to a whole new level.

As part of their annual Oriental rug sale, Ten Thousand Villages brings in close to 100 rugs, imported from artisans in

Pakistan, to locations across Canada and the United States. This year, for the first time, Saskatoon will be hosting this exciting event featuring unique handcrafted, fair-trade rugs from Pakistan.

The event will be located in the newly reopened 45th street location. The rugs will be on display and available for purchase, allowing interested parties to see up close the masterful artistry that goes into every hand tied knot.

Ranging in size, colour and design, these rugs are purchased by the Ten Thousand Villages organization from Bunyaad, an artisan group located around Lahore, Pakistan. Bunyaad (formerly JAKISS) was founded in the late 1960s and over the years has grown to include more than 850 families in approximately 100 villages.

With the sale of their work these artisans gain valuable, needed income, while being given the opportunity to share their gift of craftsmanship with the rest of the world.

The beautiful and intricately designed rugs are 100 per cent hand woven by adults. Using natural fibers, such as wool with organic dyes, these pieces are a oneof-a-kind masterpiece for any home. It takes a group of specially-skilled artisans up to one year to complete a room-size rug. Every strand of wool is hand knotted (an experienced artisan ties up to 40 knots per minute). From the design process to the finished product, everything is done by hand.

Often, woman weave these rugs while looking after their children and working other jobs. The freedom and income provided by rug weaving allows them to pay for food, education, healthcare and housing. Thanks to the tracking capabilities of the company, Ten Thousand Villages is able to look up exactly where each rug comes from, what design is used and, in some cases, the artist who created it. When purchasing one of these rugs, you will not only be buying a unique,

fairly-purchased work of art, you will be contributing to a bigger story—something to be proud of.

Ten Thousand Villages provides vital, fair income to people in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East by selling their handicrafts and telling their stories.

By purchasing products from over 100 artisan groups in more than 35 countries, the network of stores helps improve the lives of tens of thousands of people everyday. This non- profit group has been a part of the Saskatoon landscape for more than 30 years.

Managed by a staff committed to the experience of selling fair trade items, and like-minded volunteers wanting to spread the global message of craftsmanship and fairness to the people of Saskatoon, Ten Thousand Villages is unlike any other store; it’s a way of life. What they have created with their fair trade brands goes beyond a logo, and becomes a relationship. The rug event is both an amazing opportunity for stylish Saskatoon buyers to purchase one of these amazing rugs themselves, and to be a part of a global initiative.

Those interested can attend a preview of these rugs at the Ten Thousand Villages’ 45th and Avenue C location for an information session, to be held April 13, the Friday before the sale. You can also view the company’s inventory online to select specific rugs at your leisure before viewing them up close in the store. FHS Learn more about how rugs are woven and made at: www.rugs.tenthousandvillages.ca

143 2nd Avenue N 306-242-2991 tenthousandvillages.ca

71

FineHomes SASKATOON

Thank you for your patronage over the past 40 years

inventory clearance everything must go selection of Wall Decor Custom Drapery Shoppe hugeand canvas Pictures 223-2nd Avenue S. 306.242.1712

Showroom over 36,000 sq ft • Largest in-store gallery of La-z-boy” • Leather and Bedding Galleries Locally owned and operated since 1990 • Non-commissioned staff, experienced, loyal employees Custom order designs, colours, size, fabric, etc to perfectly fit your custom built home 9-6PM MON-SAT, 9-9PM THURS

FURNITURE 831 -2nd Ave North

l

306.664.2323

WORLD l

furnitureworldsaskatoon.com

Brent Eldstrom

Smart homeS without the high-tech confuSion control your heating, lights, electronics with ease and from far away

By Ashleigh Mattern. Photos by Michelle Berg

B

rent Eldstrom believes an automated home should be simple enough for Grandma to use.

“If people can’t use the systems, they’re not very good,” said Eldstrom. “The whole idea behind this is to make complicated systems easy for people who don’t want to worry about technology.

In the realm of home electronics, if Grandma wants to watch a movie with the grandkids, all she has to do is press “movie” on a touch-screen panel. No fiddling with five controllers, no need to

The display is available on an installed touch screen in the home, but it’s also available as an application on all major smart phones and tablets, including the iPhone, iPad and Android devices.

change the settings; just insert the movie and the automated home theatre system will dim the lights, close the shades, and start the flick “What we’re trying to do is to make home technology super simple, and in fact to make it hidden,” said Eldstrom, president and founder of Saskatoon Smart Homes.

Saskatoon Smart Homes has been making Saskatoon homes smarter since 2009. In partnership with Crestron, the premier smart-home hardware and software vendor in the world, they create smart homes that make home management easy, convenient and fun.

Audio, video, energy management, lighting control, video surveillance, security systems, smart irrigation systems, telephones and intercoms and more - everything is controlled with clearly-labelled switches and an easy-touse touch screen display.

The software of the display is the key to Saskatoon Smart Home’s successful simplicity. The software is the brain of any smart home, and the most automatic homes will have software that is simple and unobtrusive.

We’ve all seen websites that are easy to use, and had to stumble our way through websites that are difficult to use.

“It’s the same thing with touch screens for a smart home,” explained Eldstrom.

“There’s an art to creating displays that can be easily used.”

The display is available on an installed touch screen in the home, but it’s also available as an application on all major smart phones and tablets, including the iPhone, iPad and Android devices. The app on the smart phones and tablets has the exact same display as the one in the home, so you don’t have to learn more than one program.

In regards to the software aspect, Saskatoon Smart Homes have an advantage over the competition because they are also software developers.

“Frankly I don’t understand how a smart home company can create capable smart home systems without doing real software development,” said Eldstrom.

“For example, we built our own irrigation controller that does more than any of the commercial controllers available today.

Ours can decide if we need to water, based on readings of underground sensors or

the current wind speed. We decided to turn on our drippers in high wind but not the sprinklers. If a client asks me to create a program for a unique scenario I can do that.”

Saskatoon Smart Homes will sit down with clients at the kitchen table over the course of four to six meetings, and discuss what they would like the system to do. Would you like Christmas music to play when you press the “music” button in December? Have the outdoor lights automatically turn off at 11 p.m. every evening?

Once they’ve finished programming your house, if you need to make any changes you can give them a call and, most of the time, they can reprogram certain elements without having to visit your house.

Partnering with the best With Saskatoon Smart Homes, they are confident that after the work is done, everything will work smoothly. This confidence stems from their relationship with Crestron.

Eldstrom has been involved in smart home systems for more than 10 years, working with all the major brands. After watching

The house saves energy in more sophisticated ways than by just adjusting the thermostat. It can keep track of the energy your large appliances and home theatre uses, or, if you’re using solar panels, it will display how much power you’re bringing in.

The automated home will passively help with home heating and cooling through opening or closing the blinds at the right time of day during the right season. The blinds will automatically close to direct summer sunlight to keep the house cool, but keep those same blinds open during the winter to warm things up.

more than a few systems companies go out of business over time, he wanted to make sure they partnered with a provider that was still going to be around in 20 years’ time.

Crestron has been in business for more than 40 years, proving they’re a company with staying power in such a fast-paced market.

The Crestron technology also integrates with other technology and suppliers, so even though Crestron doesn’t carry security systems or home theatre systems, their software will still be able to communicate with non-Crestron brands.

“Crestron is not a company that forces you to use their products exclusively for all aspects of your smart home,” said Eldstrom. “This allows us to create solutions that can draw from the best hardware components. For example, we might build a system that uses Lutron for lighting, Honeywell for HVAC, and Apple for media servers. We control all these components with Crestron controllers, touch screens and remote controls. At last count, Crestron could integrate with products from 278 companies.”

76

FineHomes SASKATOON

Home management “automagically” Houses with the Saskatoon Smart Homes and Crestron technology seem to take care of themselves.

If you’re heading on vacation, you’ll naturally turn down the heat and close up the house while you’re away to save on energy. On your way back, open an application on your smart phone, choose the option “coming home,” and by the time you get back your home will be bright and warm and welcoming.

Security systems are also easy to manage.

If while you’re away a friend or family member needs to get in, you can remotely disarm the security system.

Forget about multiple remotes and having to reconfigure the system every time you want to switch from the DVD player to cable. Saskatoon Smart Homes and Crestron create custom-built remotes. Want to watch TV? Choose “Watch TV.”

Next level entertainment But let’s be honest— a big draw of an automated home is that it’s fun to use, and home entertainment systems are one of the places smart homes really shine.

What They Do...

• Home Automation by Crestron • Network Infrastructure • Structured Wiring • Home Theatre • Whole House Audio • Whole House Video • Energy Management • Lighting Control • Video Surveillance • Security Systems • Smart Integration Systems • Nightscaping • Telephone and Intercom

“Our demo home-theatre was created exclusively by myself and my wife to show off our capabilities,” said Eldstrom.

“I gutted the room and started over. I did the framing, I built the cabinets, my wife installed the slate floors and did all the painting and draperies. I installed the wall board and I installed the detailed trim. When the room was complete I installed and coded a full Crestron home automation system. We are very happy with the results.”

in the house. Instead of having a DVD player for each TV, you just need one DVD player: pop in your movie, and play it anywhere in the house.

Saskatoon Smart Homes designs systems that benefit the whole family. Mom and Dad can manage the house easily, the kids (both big and small) can listen to their favourite tunes no matter what room they’re in, or enjoy a great home theatre experience. Even Grandma will have no problem making the darned thing work.

“We’re taking away the complexity,” said Eldstrom. “This is for everybody, not just for the geeks or the techno guys.” FHS

Forget about multiple remotes and having to reconfigure the system every time you want to switch from the DVD player to cable. Saskatoon Smart Homes and Crestron create custom-built remotes.

Want to watch TV? Choose “Watch TV.” Whole-house audio—the ability to play music in all rooms in the house with speakers—is one of the most popular options, with whole-house video being a newer option many homeowners are choosing. The whole house video allows for video to be played on any television

306.975.0659 brente@saskatoonsmarthomes.com www.saskatoonsmarthomes.com

77

FineHomes SASKATOON

We share your obsession for the right ingredients The Grohe K7: Proof that kitchen necessities aren’t always of the edible kind.

Consumers have enjoyed grohe kitchen faucets for over 25 years. the secret recipe behind the new grohe K7 commercial style kitchen faucet? all the functionality of a professional kitchen tool, delivered in a solid brass body scaled and designed for residential use. Locking toggle alternates between aerated flow and spray even at very low pressure, spout rotates 170°, and nimble handle provides precise temperature and flow control thanks to the grohe silkMove® cartridge.

Pity those who actually believe that quality is a luxury.

www.grohe.ca www.grohecatalogue.ca

2 2 2 5 b ave n u e C n o r t h saskatoon, sK 306.249.4000 w w w. p l u m b s h o p p e . c o m

Early's may 2010

4/1/10

8:54 AM

Page 1

A clean, distinctive look that compliments any landscape setting while adding value to your property

Curb-Ease 306.361.4651 menz@curb-ease.com

See more at curb-ease.com 79

FineHomes SASKATOON

GROWING UP GREEN

By Ken Beattie

he sun returns, our spirits lift and the seed packets arrive on the shelves of every conceivable retail outlet known to humankind. Perhaps it is a primal instinct to get things growing, starting seeds and planning for the upcoming season. Personally I think a great deal of this instinctual business of spring is triggered by vitamin D from the everincreasing sunlight.

I can recall as a small boy still in elementary school the rush and buzz of the first seed catalogue’s arrival (nowadays they arrive in December). There was a thrill in sitting down with my Dad leafing through the already dog-eared pages, drooling over the potential that the images offered. Perhaps one could draw an analogy to Playboy Magazine and that genre of literature, as I only read the seed catalogues for the articles, honest!

Nevertheless, articles or images, the seed catalogues were a crucial planning tool for the seasonal gardener to follow. The age old lesson that one learns, it seems over and over again, is not to sow the entire

Shasta Daisies

81

FineHomes SASKATOON

packet of seed. One hardly needs 27 varieties of basil, now really! Admittedly, I am as guilty as the next person, having sown the entire packet of seeds and yes, all 27 varieties of basil did very well, thank you very much.

Not that I am blaming my parents for the rich over-indulgence, horticultural of course, but there were a great many life lessons learned growing up green.

Today, there is a particular urgency for all things “green” and natural. Perhaps it is a generational phenomena but it really seems quite reasonable to assume that growing plants and in most cases, food, the way I did as a kid, is nothing unusual or special, it is just common sense.

My great grandparents, grandparents etc., all grew a very “natural” garden.

There was very limited, if any, use at all of synthetics other than perhaps potato dust! As it turns out, my Saturdays spent in the potato patch collecting greasy, fat potato bugs in a tin can was “organic.”

OMG, who knew?

Like every other gardener whom I have met, the topic of manure always comes up, yes in a good way. One would think that we gardeners were members of some upscale wine group the way we discuss manure and other such wastes at every opportunity including social outings.

Compost ranks right up there as well, but nowadays, recycling and composting have an entirely different association than they did when I was growing up. For goodness sakes, what other society actually manufactures bags for waste, supplies vehicles to haul it away and then worries about all the waste?

Composting was always a part of the cycle of the garden; we just knew the process under a different name. Information abounds on the positive attributes of garden compost inclusive of plans and recipes to prepare the perfect batch.

Compost really works along at its own speed and I can’t really see the need for a “compost thermometer” and some of the other accoutrements that are so popular today.

Yes, the compost heap that I recall as a child smelled foul for a time and eventually turned into rich, dark brown gold to be gingerly applied to the most special of plots in the garden. Nothing fancy about that, just haul it away and dig it in. In researching for a project one day I came across a word that was used to describe this seething heap of potato rinds, grass clippings and orange peels; skutch! As it turns out this term is used to describe the wastes that come from the linen process and indeed was composted.

So, my parents and grandparents actually had a familiarity with the process and didn’t just make up the name for our benefit. Today, I can’t produce enough compost of my own to satisfy the needs of my heavy clay soil, so I usually purchase some to augment my home brew. The long and the short of it is, there is never enough!

Growing vegetables in the home garden is becoming popular again with a younger demographic. This trend may well be associated with food security issues or simply having fresh, unadulterated produce. We can all agree that if you have grown your own tomatoes, there is nothing like eating fresh from the vine relative to the perfectly formed, red balls we see at the supermarket. Not everyone, 82

FineHomes SASKATOON

however, has the space to produce sufficient produce but even a small city yard can yield quite an amount of food.

There are no rules broken if you actually plant veggies in with your perennials and seasonal flowers, actually many of them are great companions. Rhubarb is one of my favourite plants to use in the landscape as here on the Prairies there are not a lot of coarser leafed plants that will survive.

Onions do remarkably well within a patch of snapdragons or Shasta Daisy; actually, they help discourage many insects from visiting.

Beets can be very attractive in containers along with lettuce and edible greens.

Continue to harvest the young leaves throughout the early season and enjoy “micro greens” from home. Window

boxes overflowing with herbs and edible leaf crops are very attractive and produce continuously if grown in a good sunny location. Hanging baskets have proven to be excellent homes for miniature tomato and cucumbers (both which will climb also).

There really is no end to what you can do in your garden to “green” it up. The terminology of green is frankly getting a bit tiresome as we tend to overuse and brand everything for the sake of marketing.

Simple enough, just apply common sense, consider that what you give to the soil it will give back and practice what we preach in the garden. Good advice, simple to follow and success is sure to follow. See you at the garden centre! FHS

EXPERTAdvice TROPICAL PLANTS A finishing touch to any home design

By Janet Wanner Gentle Earth Design Studios 2324 Cairns Avenue 306.343.-8594 GentleEarthDesigns@shaw.ca GentleEarthDesigns.com

A

dding tropical plants to your home puts the finishing touch on any interior design. There is an evergrowing list of new and beautiful foliage plants to choose from and each year greenhouse growers add more choices.

The names of the newest varieties are the most interesting and romantic. The newest Aglonema (Chinese evergreen) has variegated green and white leaves suffused with a rosy pink and goes by the name of ‘Jazzy Gems’.

The beauty of tropical plants is mainly in their varied foliage shapes and colours, from the strap-like leaves of the vertical Sanseveria to the fat-leafed succulents and the fan-shaped palms. These plants, in combinations, create shadowy outlines that fill the corner of any room with fascinating forms and textural contrasts.

Another species, Draceana, has a new and vibrant colour of green called ‘Limelight’.

This adds a huge spot of splashy colour to any room.

The old-fashioned Sanseverias (the socalled mother–in- law plant) has become the plant that designers have focused on in the last few years. Its vertical shape and ease of care is so sculptural and minimalist that you will see it in many modern interiors with its varied forms and colours: ‘Black Gold’, silver ‘Moonshine’ and the tiniest mini clumps in a small pot.

Planters and pots should be chosen carefully. You can choose one that adds to the whole design, or even one that disappears into the background, like a solid black pot. Tall vertical shapes like the Lechuza brand, Cubico , has a European flair that almost mimics a piece of furniture.

Plants in any room add a psychological boost to our indoor environment; it’s a beautiful and dynamic source of nature that not only brings green into our lives, but increases the air quality of our winter homes. FHS

83

FineHomes SASKATOON

From Grandma’s Gate to prison palisades Family fencing business enjoys iron-clad 35-year reputation

By Karin Melberg Schwier t’s been more than 35 years since partners Larry Holinaty and Randy Dobmeier started up a little fencing company in Saskatoon called Nordic.

Guided by their dedication to reputable work, the men believed chain link was the wave of the future. When Larry’s son Rob came on board in 1979, Nordic soon began selling its own products, never compromising on quality materials. In 1986, the on-site manufacturing of chain link wire was added and today, the third Holinaty generation still has galvanized steel in their veins. Nordic is the largest maker, supplier and installer of chain link and offers a variety of additional fencing products for commercial, residential and recreational needs in Saskatchewan.

Rob Holinaty heads up Nordic Fencing today, though he’s reluctant to call himself “the boss.” Much of the ongoing success of the company comes from the belief that a family-run business means employees and customers are treated like family, too.

“A lot of my business ethic, and how I believe customers should be treated, I’ve learned from my dad,” says Rob. “We’re going into the third generation with each of my three sons involved, so trust me,” he laughs, “that the same work ethic has been instilled in Mike, Dave and Andrew.

We’re not a top-down company. It doesn’t matter if you’re a new installer or you’ve been managing a crew for years, anyone’s good idea is a good idea.”

Larry Graham has been with Nordic for 17 years, managing residential crews and pricing projects. “The Holinaty family is pretty self-effacing when it comes to the success of this company,” he explains.

“The whole reason Nordic enjoys such a great reputation is that Rob and the boys treat both the people who work with them and their customers with great respect. Everyone here is family, and every customer is treated with the same care and attention.”

Nordic’s head office is in Saskatoon, but also has an outlet in Prince Albert as well as an operation run by Rob’s brother Jeff Holinaty in Victoria, B.C. Winner of

the 2011 Consumer Choice Award for Business Excellence in Saskatoon, Nordic enjoys strong brand name recognition, but Rob doesn’t believe in resting on laurels.

“In our industry, customers have a lot of choice in terms of products and quality.

We just don’t believe in using substandard products,” he insists. “The old saying “you get what you pay for,” is really true in the fencing industry. A smart, educated consumer will ask why they might be getting something cheaper. We have to stay competitive with our pricing, but we help our customers understand what they’re getting in terms of quality and durability.” Staying with high-end materials and products, unlike some competitors who deal in cheaper products, means Nordic’s quality is never compromised.

“Pretty early on, we found we wanted to expand into the maintenance-free idea,” explains Rob. “The core of our business is the chain link. Commercial and industrial work is the mainstay of the company, whether that’s for an autobody outfit, a potash mine, provincial utilities, a public pool, or a full-blown penitentiary fencing job. Residential work makes up about a quarter of our business and we’ve seen a lot of growth in the demand for the PVC and ornamental iron fencing.”

In recent years, ornamental iron made of galvanized steel has gained popularity and provides strength, durability and corrosion resistance as another attractive and maintenance-free choice. It makes up about 10 to 15 per cent of the company’s residential work. For the die-hard wood

PHoTo By SAMANTHA HAWKINS

While chain link fencing is Nordic’s bread and butter, the virtually maintenance-free PVC polyvinyl fencing is also in demand.

When the product was first introduced about 20 years ago, Nordic was “wary of a product designed for Florida and California where they don’t know anything about 40 below,” says Rob. In fact, early reports caused the company to hold back until the technology improved. Now Nordic enjoys brisk sales and customer satisfaction with PVC. With panels and posts that will never rot, rust, warp or corrode, it’s an appealing choice for people who would rather spend their summers fishing or golfing than scraping and staining the fence.

Today’s consumers are much more educated about available products.

Nordic’s website offers easy-to-navigate and understand information on all its products and services. Customers will come in for the first time and already have a clear idea of what they want, having previously seen a Nordic project.

Mike Holinaty manages the commercial crews and does the pricing work on upcoming projects. During high-demand periods, 10 to 12 crews may be at work, with 10 of those on commercial and industrial jobs. Andrew Holinaty is a “jack of all trades,” says Rob. “He welds, works in the shop, runs gate operators, makes sales. He’s our youngest so he gets the run around,” Rob laughs.

Dave Holinaty has taken the reins at the family’s newest acquisition, Trans Industrial Safety Training. A bit of a

enclosures and pens to the Forestry Farm, the SPCA, kennels for the city’s dog clubs, fencing for an accessible playground in Morris T. Chernesky Park and sponsorship of many other causes happen because, Rob says, “the community has treated us very, very well over the last three decades.

It’s pretty simple. We treat people the way we want to be treated.”

departure from fencing, the company specializes in 1A truck-driver training and a variety of safety courses necessary for work in the construction, oilfield, mining and transportation industries. The same work- and customer-service ethic at Nordic also defines this new venture.

“It’s been really great to have the opportunity to grow up in the family business,” says Dave. “I’ve learned so much from people who started in 1976 and are still with us. Dad’s amazing; he always listen’s to everyone’s input. He says he’s not the boss, but that we’re all co-workers. I don’t know if Grandpa ever thought the company would go into the third generation, but it really does put a smile on his face.”

“We strive for quality every time. Longevity and customer loyalty come not only from projects that go smoothly, but how you make a problem right so the customer always walks away with a smile,” Rob insists. “We’ve been here a long time.

A good reputation speaks volumes to customers. They know we’re going to be here tomorrow and the tomorrow after that.”

Nordic Fencing enjoys long-term loyalty from its employees. Randy and Lloyd Dobmeier and Bruce Meyers have been with the company since its inception.

Many, like Cindy Witzaney and Frank Bohle, are 25-year-plus veterans. others, such as Lisa Jabusch, are “juniors” at 13 years. Nordic makes a commitment not only to its employees and customers, but also to the community. Donations of

(Nordic Industries, 404 Melville Street, Saskatoon, ph: 306-653-3663; TollFree:1-866-518-9333, email: info@ nordicfence.com. See www.nordicfence. com. Contact Trans Industrial Safety Training, 339 Edson Street, Saskatoon, ph: 306-934-5935, email: transindustrial@ sasktel.net or see: www.transindustrial. ca.) FHS PHoToS By SAMANTHA HAWKINS

customer, Nordic offers custom-built wood fencing and decks. Wayne Budz, Nordic’s wooden fence and deck builder “is a perfectionist,” says Rob. “He could double as a piano builder, his work is that beautiful.”

Nordic Fencing 404 Melville St. Saskatoon, SK S7J 4M2 p: 306.653.3663 e: info@nordicfence.com www.nordicfence.com

Get your quote here!

Visit Trans Industrial at the HomeStyles Home Show at Prairieland Park March 22–25.

Ask about our courses, including Motorcycle training.

Call or register on-line.

Space is limited, spots filling up fast!

Photos by Michelle Berg

One-stOp training shOp

Pre-register on-line!

serves multitude of safety needs

By Karin Melberg Schwier ou’ve seen them on the highway and around Saskatoon. Those big, white transport trucks with a trailer the length of a city block. If the logo on the cab door reads Trans Industrial Safety Training, rest assured the driver is well on his or her way to being one of the industry’s top professionals. The company’s multiservice safety instruction is the best in the business.

“We want every person who leaves our training courses to walk away with knowledge and skills above and beyond the industry standard,” says Dave Holinaty, operations manager. “We want to put safe, good-quality drivers out on the road and on the job site. Our instructors are the best in the industry,” he says, adding that their rigorous driver-training and safety courses are of the highest standard.”

Trans Industrial began with 1A truckdriver training and soon expanded into multi-service safety training for the transportation, construction, oilfield and mining industry. Today, Trans Industrial also offers ATV and snowmobile operation as well as Saskatoon’s longest serving and most extensive motorcyle rider training program.

Most motorcycle dealerships recommend training courses to every new rider. Trans Industrial often sees experienced riders enrolling their spouses and children in the training course.

“SGI recognizes the benefits of training and encourages all riders to consider training for their personal safety and success.”

Brian Kline, Manager Driver Development and Safety Services SGI. Trans Industrial’s program meets and exceeds all regulatory requirements. “We start from the beginning with every student, right from the basics of how to complete a proper pre-ride inspection on your bike,” says Holinaty. “Someone may say ‘I’m already an experienced rider, so I don’t really need this basic information.’ But we want to be certain that everyone receives the quality Trans Industrial training. There are always new things to learn, we want to fix any bad habits, review basic fundamentals, and show people how to improve. Everyone can become a better, safer rider.”

For less than the cost of many helmets, the Trans Industrial course includes motorcycles for each student, qualified instructors for both in-classroom theory

and the two-part skills development course. This includes balance, braking, turning, decision making, traffic patterns, emergency maneuvers and gears.

Instructors work closely with each student as they progress in the operation of the motorcycle.

“There’s the industry standard and then there’s the Trans Industrial standard,” says Holinaty. “We offer more training packages than anyone in the province, and we offer more comprehensive courses. Whether it’s for truck driving, motorcycle operation, standard first aid and CPR, forklift operation, WHMIS, or any one of about 30 different courses we offer, people walk away happy, employable, knowledgeable, safer and more skilled.” FHS

Trans Industrial Safety Training 339 Edson Street, Saskatoon, SK S7J 4C8 p: 306.934.5935 e: transindustrial@sasktel.net www.transindustrial.ca 87

FineHomes SASKATOON

Precise, trustworthy irrigation systems whether professionally installed, or Diy, the choice is easy

By Tammy Robert. Photos by Candace Epp

T

ucked away in the heart of Saskatoon’s north industrial district is a business that for more than 40 years has ensured the city’s lawns and gardens have stayed. Saskatoon’s C&F Installations is where you’ll find both the people and parts necessary to make certain your own grass, shrubs and flower beds does the same

88

FineHomes SASKATOON

Owner Barry Agarand has been with C&F Installations for thirty-one years.

A journeyman heavy-duty mechanic by trade, he’s a hands-on kind of guy who understands the underground sprinkler industry inside and out. “The biggest change I’ve seen is all the improvements, in things like the technology and electronics,” he says. “The controllers were once mechanical clocks; today,

they’re all solid-state, computerized systems. Devices like rain-sensors—all the new technology designed to save water, is about putting the exact amount of water precisely where you need it, when you need it.”

The grounds of beautiful institutions such as the University of Saskatchewan and numerous award-winning golf courses

The grounds of beautiful institutions such as the University of Saskatchewan and numerous award-winning golf courses are the result of partnerships with C&F Installations, so you can trust they know what’s best for you and your yard.

are the result of partnerships with C&F Installations, so you can trust they know what’s best for you and your yard. With no job too big or too small, they are prepared to help you meet both your commercial and residential irrigation needs.

Barry wants to be sure you get the best sprinkler system - the one that meets your watering needs. “A good irrigation system puts just the right amount of water on each area of your lawn,” he says. “Ultimately, it will meet three key standards.”

The first of these is quality—both in parts and installation. “All the irrigation parts we use and sell in our showroom are professional grade—the same as what we install on commercial projects,” says Barry. “Our sprinkler heads have a five-year warranty. Your average big-box home improvement store typically sells a consumer-grade product, which is not only second-rate, but has just a oneyear warranty. It’s simply inferior to the professional grades we use, like Rainbird, Hunter and Toro. Those are some of the best names in the business.”

The second standard C&F never compromises on is the design of your underground sprinkler system. “We

base every client’s unique design around the intelligent use of water. Everything is automated, meaning there’s no requirement for homeowners to monitor their rain gauge, or worry about their space staying green when they go on vacation.”

Without a good design, some areas will become too wet and others too dry. When designing the underground sprinklers for your project, Barry’s team gives full consideration to water pressure, terrain elevations, walkways, sunny and shaded areas, your property’s plant types and sizes, trees, fences and other present or future structures like your shed or garage.

“All we need to design an underground sprinkler plan for your property is a copy of your yard plan, showing us where your flower beds, shrubs, sheds and walkways are located,” says Barry. “We can even use something as simple as a surveyors certificate, but the more details we have, the better.”

Whether you chose to have C&F Installations’ professional crew install your underground sprinklers, or take on the installation yourself with one of their do it yourself (DIY) designs, you can be

confident your irrigation system will be accurate and efficient.

Which leads us to the third area of C&F’s superior standards - installation.

Think installing your own underground sprinklers sounds too difficult to tackle yourself? Think again. After completing and returning C&F Installations’ comprehensive, easy-to-read DIY sprinkler-system design guide, their team will produce a detailed, colour-coded plan for you to use as a guide for the installation.

“You’re getting the same product, regardless of whether you choose to do it yourself, or have us come in and install the system for you,” Barry says.

“The manifolds are all pre-built, heads are all pre-nozzled. We use turn-sealed fittings—no clamps. Once you take that DIY package home, you know we’re only a phone call away if you need us to follow up on any questions or concerns you have, or problems you run into.

“Before our clients go out the door with their DIY package,” Barry continues, “we have ensured they know exactly what to do. It’s numbered, it’s colour-coded. It’s

89

FineHomes SASKATOON

“Before our clients go out the door with their DIY package, we have ensured they know exactly what to do. It’s numbered, it’s colour-coded.

It’s foolproof.” foolproof. Usually we can answer any question over the phone. In fact, nine times out of 10 we can help out over the phone, but on that odd occasion we can’t, we’ll come out.”

If you’d rather have someone handle your irrigation installation, C&F Installations will be there from beginning to end, with free estimates conducted right in your yard for full-installation packages. They’ve got three full-time trucks constantly on the go, dedicated to servicing residential and commercial properties. From your first phone call, the time, care and dedication Barry and his team puts into servicing their customers is abundantly apparent, and comes backed by a two-year warranty for installation on parts and labour.

“We can revamp existing underground sprinkler systems, or automate manual systems,” says Barry. “We offer yearly service contracts—getting you going with a spring startup, and then when you’re getting ready to put things away in fall, we’ll come out and fully winterize your sprinklers.”

C&F Installations’ service contract comes with a guarantee that things will be back on track the following spring.

C&F will take care of your backflow device installation and testing needs, both commercial and residential. They also

90

FineHomes SASKATOON

Left To Right - Bob , Melissa, Barry Behind The Counter Left To Right - Kathy, Gord, Irene

conduct annual testing of commercial devices to make sure they’re up to code.

Take the time to check out C&F’s immaculate, well-organized retail showroom—whether you’re shopping for a new project, browsing the extensive collection, or simply needing replacement parts.

“Any piece of the irrigation puzzle that’s missing, we’ve got it,” says Barry. “There’s always someone here to help you out.”

“C&F has residential clients for whom we’ve not only installed underground sprinklers in their houses, we’ve done their kids’ houses—even their grandkids’ houses,” says Barry. “We’ve worked with some clients through five or six of their homes. The way Saskatoon has grown is amazing. Now we’re looking forward to working with a whole new generation of homeowners, meeting their irrigation needs.”

Come see us at

Gardenscape 2012 March 30, 31 and April 1, 2012 Prairieland Park

Checking out Gardenscape this year?

Make sure to stop by and visit C & F Installations at booth No.314 under the Rain Bird tent. FHS C&F Installations Co. Ltd. 2924 H Miners Ave 306.931.8755 cf@sasktel.net www.cfinstallations.com

RENOVATING FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING Aging boomers create a boom in accessiblity modifications

By Shell Busey

or many seniors, living independently at home is a less costly and much more welcome alternative to moving

address accessibility issues that

Some of these barriers, however, can be eliminated without major home repairs or having a big impact on your budget. In general, adapting the space in a home to accommodate an aging resident should have enough space for a wheelchair or walker. This includes wide aisles and doorways, large toe kicks, and adjusted countertop heights.

Here are some more specific ideas to keep in mind when remodeling for the future.

sometimes come with growing

Bathroom

older. Seniors can have some

• Install a bowl that hangs over the edge of the vanity to accommodate a wheelchair.

to a seniors facility. However, the design of our homes, does not

difficulty carrying out daily activities because of stairs, hard to reach switches and cupboards, bathroom fixtures that are too awkward or narrow halls and doorways.

91

FineHomes SASKATOON

• Install a single lever faucet with a retractable nozzle for easier reach.

• Have a mirror that tilts forward, for comfortable use by a wheelchair user.

• Provide a side-entry, walk-in tub, or convert your existing tub, and install a heightadjustable showerhead.

• Arrange cupboards for easy access to heavy items. Choose cabinets with pullout shelves, turntables or Lazy Susans in cupboards.

• Provide lower countertops with higher toe-kick space to accommodate wheelchair users.

• Use large handles on cabinets to make them easier to open and close for those with arthritic hands.

• Make sure knee clearances have a minimum width of 30-inches, 36-inches is ideal. The clearance should also be 27-inches high and 19-inches deep.

• Additional conveniently placed electrical outlets may need to be installed.

Throughout the home • Install wider doorways and hallways.

Door openings should be at least 32 inches wide, A 36-inch-wide door is even better.

• Hallways also should be at least 36 inches wide.

• Use pocket doors or doors with hinges that allow them to open wider. Also, create open pathways in and around the room.

• Install backing behind walls for grab bars, especially in the tub/shower and toilet areas. If you’re remodeling the bathroom and you’re tearing out tiles around the tub, then it’s a logical time to put in reinforcement for grab bars.

• Install faucets with single-handle controls or infrared sensors.

• Buy a special toilet or retrofit an existing toilet to raise the seat 17 inches from the floor.

• Include a large roll-in shower with a seat, separate the tub and shower or replace the tub and shower combination with just a shower.

92

FineHomes SASKATOON

Kitchen When planning a new kitchen for independent living, careful choices of appliances: • Install the wall oven higher off the ground and a front-control cook top.

• Install the microwave oven at counter level or below. Also, allow recessed space beneath the kitchen sink.

• Look for a sink that is four-inches deep rather than the standard seven-inch depth, and consider side-by-side refrigerator and freezer so you don’t have to reach, bend, or crouch to get into either.

• Consider which way doors should open.

Install levered door handles that are easier to grasp than traditional round doorknobs.

• Replace flip-type light switches to rocker switches.

• Light switches, thermostats, and other controls should be no more than 48 inches from the floor.

Install adequate task lighting. Equipping any room with proper lighting is important, and particularly for the elderly who may enjoy reading, writing, sewing, or crafting.

• Add motion detectors on exterior lighting. Well-lit entries are safer and they act as a crime deterrent.

Hardwood flooring

• Equip the entry door and other doors with easy-to-use levers instead of knobs.

• Electronic keyless entry locksets can replace keys for entry doors.

• Automated security services are available.

• Provide flat thresholds that are easily navigated by someone using a wheelchair or walker.

• Avoid hard tile or any flooring that is grooved or ridged. Area rugs can also pose a hazard to an elderly or sick loved one. Look for smooth hardwood flooring or commercial-grade carpeting.

• Install non-slip flooring in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room, or treat floors with an anti-slip solution.

• Lower rods in the closets and install shelves so that objects can be raised off the ground – placing the clothes most often used in the middle of the clothes rod.

• Purchase a front-loading washer and dryer with front controls and place it on a raised platform.

For walls as smooth as this page.

• Casement and crank-style windows are easier to open and close than double-hung windows.

Heating and cooling This is very important to the comfort of the area. If you are remodeling a separate suite such as a basement or coach house there are some great options when it comes to heating and cooling. They can range from adding a gas or electric fireplace insert or installing an in-floor heating system. There are systems on the market for just about any type of heating retrofit application. Radiant Electric Floor Heating Systems can be installed under floor coverings such as ceramic, natural stone or floating laminates. A ductless air conditioning heat pump system such as the Mitsubishi Mr Slim unit is ideal when there is no duct work. FHS

For 50 years now United Drywall has prided ourselves on providing the finest drywall craftsmanship available. Seamless finishing, smooth surfaces and as close to perfection as humanly possible, that’s our promise to you. Let us bring half a century’s worth of experience to your next project. Call us today, we’d be happy to hear from you.

Saskatoon 1-306-244-6878

For more home improvement information, or to send Shell an email go to www.AskShell.com.

Shell Busey

uniteddrywall.com

The cornersTone soluTion To qualiTy flooring

By Tammy Robert. Photos by Heather Fritz

L

ocally owned and operated for the past 10 years, Cornerstone Flooring and Interiors has quickly become one of Saskatoon’s most trusted names in home decor. Janice Williams and her team of caring, professional sales staff and qualified, experienced installation specialists pride themselves on their solid reputation of providing quality service and customer satisfaction.

“While still providing the best selection of flooring products, Cornerstone Flooring and Interiors has evolved,” explains Janice. Our clients come to Cornerstone with a specific vision in mind. We take that vision and bring it to life using our unsurpassed selection of beautiful flooring products paired with our talented and inspired installation experts, who create not only a home decor solution, but also a home decor revolution. We can take our clients’ concepts and create personalized works of art for them in their homes.

Cornerstone boasts an extensive selection of the finest products in the

94

FineHomes SASKATOON

flooring and interiors industry today.

Their materials and products range from timeless hardwoods, durableyet-elegant carpets, as well as vinyl, engineered flooring and tile for any and all commercial and residential needs.

Those are just our flooring products.

Cornerstone also carries a wide array of granite and all-natural stone, including marble and travertine. They can transform any home or business inside and out to make their customers’ visions become a reality. From traditional to contemporary, a clients’ style needs can all be met.

Customers are rediscovering the versatility and beauty that carpet can bring to any home or business.

Cornerstone Flooring and Interiors carries all types of carpet: from berber to shag, residential to commercial.

Cornerstone’s carpets come from leading manufacturers that carry tough and resilient products that are able to withstand daily wear and tear and still look elegant and timeless.

“We love Mohawk’s Smartstrand with

DuPont Sorona,” says Janice. “It’s the only carpet with natural stain and soil resistance built directly into the carpet fibers during the manufacturing process.”

Whether a client chooses to accent a room with one of many stunning area rugs, or decides on wall-to-wall carpeting, Cornerstone can accommodate any vision or design a customer desires.

“Cornerstone’s success is based on forming lasting relationships with our customers, by providing them with unparalleled service and selection,” says Janice. “Cornerstone Flooring and Interiors has established itself as the very best place to go for total home and commercial flooring solutions.” FHS

#7 - 844 - 51 Street E 306.955.4441 cornerstoneflooring@sasktel.net www.cornerstoneflooring.ca

95

FineHomes SASKATOON

Over 250,000 Readers Can’t Be Wrong!

FineLifestyles SASKATOON

SPRING 2011 1 VOLUME 2, ISSUE

FineLifestyles

DRAGON’S DEN

SPRING 2011

ARLENE DICKINSON

BRETT WILSON

N BRUCE COCKBUR ES IP C RE DS IEN BREAST FR LF SASKATOON GO

FineHomes SUMMER 2011

FineHomes SASKATOON

and

FineLifestyles SASKATOON

reach over 250,000 readers, due to their unique distribution in Saskatoon and surrounding areas.

SASKATOON

CANADA’S FAVOURITE GA RD

ENER KEN BEATTI E

STYLISH DÉCOR WITH

MEREDITH HERON

To find out about incredible marketing opportunities, call 306.664.3463 today!

SHELL BUSEY

MEMBER

LUXURY FROM TH

J.B. BLACK

E GROUND UP

DREAM KITCHEN S // HOMES AND PRO PERTIES// CONDO LIVING // COTTAGE COU NTRY// INNER BEAUTY AND DESIGN // LUSCIOUS LAN DSCAPING // IMPR OVEMEN

TS AND RENOS

ESTATES

www.FineLifestlyes.ca

THE CONDALOW STAGED FOR LIVING Blending the best of upscale condos with a genteel older neighbourhood bungalow

By Karin Melberg Schwier. Photos by Candace Epp heryl Mills is a program and curriculum development specialist at the University of Saskatchewan, and on the side she advises people on creating better living and working environments.

She’s the parent of two adult sons. She paints. She dances. Often both at the same time. She believes in the energy of feng shui, holistic and right brain ways of knowing.

The title of Mills’ most recent book suggests she’s no shrinking violet: The Feel Fabulous Secret Formula: Becoming a juicy sexy powerful passionate woman. When most people take on a home renovation, you expect a few compromises, a horror story or a grumpy regret or two. Not so with perpetually positive Sheryl. She loves the traditional look and feel of her Haultain neighbourhood, but wanted the clean modern interiors and efficiencies of an upscale condo and a design that reflects her unique desires. Why not blend both?

As someone who abhors a lot of stuff and possessions, Sheryl felt a life experiment was in order. For three months, she lived in a downtown condo to see if it suited her. For the most part, it did. She

was motivated to design the same “one level living” in her 980 square foot Cairns Avenue bungalow.

“I figured I could create downtown upscale in my bungalow and keep all the mature trees, quiet neighbourhood, lots of light, on one level with no elevator, no moving downtown, condo fees and taxes, or parking problems,” explains Sheryl.

The first step was to pitch possessions she didn’t love or find useful, a Shaker maxim that led her to sell and donate many unwanted items. Step two: a complete main floor reno of her 1951 bungalow.

From the outside, the bungalow blends comfortably with the modest demeanor of the street. In fact, hers is the mirror image of next door. But now the inside wows with an upscale contemporary loft feel: refinished gleaming hardwood, open sunlit and uncluttered spaces, sleek, elegant lines. A “fantastic partnership” with Christoph Nuesch of Ribbit Homes, saw the main floor transformed.

The entry with a double-sided coat closet, open living and kitchen areas, one bedroom, bathroom and den, linen closet, Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced ceiling heights, dimmable pot lights, new subfloors for slate tiles, pocket doors, and compact laundry area were all part of Sheryl’s vision.

“Christoph’s consistent response to my ideas was, ‘This is your house. Whatever you want, we can make that happen,’” Sheryl says. His commitment to quality work showed as he dismantled the bungalow’s interior. “I have the utmost of respect for our trade professionals of the past,” Christoph adds. “The detail and labour intensive work involved in creating a standard home a couple of generations ago is quite unbelievable. All you need to do to appreciate this is to start taking it apart. Today’s tradespersons, though highly skilled in their own right, cannot forget how technology and product improvements have made their lives much easier.”

Rob Assie of Tesella Stone Carvers created floating slate shelves in the bathroom and entry, and Italian slate (reclaimed from pool tables) for kitchen and bath countertops. “We finished them with Italian organic extra virgin olive oil!” says Sheryl.

The entire reno was finished in just three months to the day. With perhaps a nod to her recent book, Sheryl says, “The walls moved, the earth shook and the end result is absolutely perfect for me!”

Singularly perfect was the guiding philosophy for Sheryl, who gave “absolutely no thought to resale, only to what I needed.”

She may have raised a few eyebrows, including her mother’s, with her unconventional ‘raw kitchen’ with no

98

FineHomes SASKATOON

stove, cooktop or conventional fridge.

“But,” she says, “food is not a big thing for me. I don’t cook. I don’t have dinner parties. I eat a raw food diet so this kind of kitchen was part of the ‘exactly what I want’ plan for this renovation. Part of the experiment was challenging convention, going with that versus what I really want for who I am and how I live.”

Using the principles of feng shui and that value that says every aspect of a home should be both beautiful and functional, Sheryl says everything is both “aesthetically and tactilely pleasing, and purposely functional for me.” Her IKEA kitchen cabinets are stunning and inexpensive and the Lee Valley handles

have a feel to them that can only be described as sensual.

Christoph was a wealth of expertise on energy efficiencies, Sheryl adds. “I appreciate the programmable thermostat that regulates the furnace, the low flow shower head, and I also appreciate the surprise of the heated bathroom floor” made possible when Christoph rerouted the original in-wall heating duct through a linen cupboard and the floor joists. This meant a warm floor, a spa atmosphere and toasty towels. “Honestly, working on an old home and bringing it back to life brings much satisfaction and pleasure,” Christoph says. “The challenges are exactly what I seek out in a project and what I love about my work.”

Creating a living environment adaptable to changing needs was a consideration for Sheryl who loves to travel. A completely self-contained ‘condo within a bungalow’ can be rented as an executive suite for extended periods of time. With little to worry about regarding maintenance or possessions, she can enjoy a “low hassle home approach that a condo offers.” By making use of a yard care company, she can literally pack a bag for Borneo without a second thought.

before

Costs came in at an amazing $60,000 for a total redo of the upper level, including labour and materials—a price that also included new furniture, new windows, even new dishes, glasses, curtains, cushions, bedding.

Phase Two will create a full self-contained guest unit on the lower level. Son Taylor occupies the space now while attending university. “It was never about ‘saving money’,” Sheryl insists. “That was never the intent. It was always about creating the living space I wanted, what looked and felt pleasing to me. But working with a great contractor who didn’t view this as ‘just a job’ meant he cared enough about his work and his client to think of creative solutions. Bargains were merely delightful serendipities. I would not change one single thing.”

How’s that for passionate and powerful?

FHS

after

Kimberlee

Jennifer

Leslie

SaSkaToon’S fuSion of real eSTaTe experTiSe The Team ennifer, Kimberlee and Leslie are proud Real Estate Agents of Century 21 Fusion. “Kimberlee and I both joined the Team at Century 21 in February of 2010,” says Jennifer. “It was an easy choice to make, after working at a competing brokerage.

The services, training, education, and weekly sales meetings assist us in maintaining a high level of service. Century 21 offers us a support system that we would normally have had to pay extra for.

an easy decision, knowing that all of those systems would be included in our service, allowing us as agents to go out and work with our clients more efficiently.”

Having started her career in this field as a Real Estate assistant, Kimberlee knows how much focus goes into maintaining an office, keeping up with paperwork and essentially doing all the behind-the-scenes work. “Making Century 21 our home was

The support these women have received at Century 21 Fusion has helped them achieve their goals.

With Jennifer receiving the Masters Diamond Award, Kimberlee receiving the Masters Emerald Award and Leslie receiving the Masters

100

FineHomes SASKATOON

Leslie joined the team, also from a competing brokerage, in February of 2011.

“Since joining this team I and have noticed a significant increase in my production.

The support staff and training sessions are truly beneficial, especially for someone just starting in this business.”

Silver Award, this award-winning team is ecstatic with their achievements. “I never dreamed that I would be accepting this award for 2011,” Says Jennifer. “I had a baby in September of 2011, and with the support of Century 21 I was able to continue working right up to and after the birth of my second child”.

The fusion The relationship Jennifer and Kimberlee share is now well known. They have been friends since the third grade and use their strong, personal bond when dealing with their clients. They have a unique team, with Jennifer and Kimberlee representing mostly the listings within their office, while Leslie Christian represents a large

“A referral is the best compliment we can receive.”

Service options allow clients to really get involved with the process, rather than being told how the process will work. Past and current clients have vocally appreciated this approach.

As a team of three people who are working for their sellers 24/7, these hardworking ladies give their clients piece of mind, knowing they will never be put to the back burner. They pride themselves in great service to clients. This will in turn lead to future referrals from those happy clients, and a referral is the best compliment any agent can ever receive.

Jennifer, Kim and Leslie look forward to hearing from you and letting them help you with either the purchase or the sale of your home. They know that this is one of the biggest investments you can make, and are there to help you along the way and make everything move smoothly. FHS number of the buyers. This way, when a buyer contacts them directly from one of their listings, he or she is then passed along to Leslie, acting as the buyer’s agent, so each party has their own representative to reduce the chances of an arising conflict of interest. This is just one of the many features this team has to offer.

Leslie comes to the team also with an extensive real estate background.

Growing up in New Orleans and then moving to Florida, she enjoyed many years of selling real estate while working for a homebuilder in the Orlando area. A few years after meeting her husband, who was from Canada, she moved to Saskatoon.

She started her career here in 2009 with a different brokerage, but in early 2011 decided to join Century 21 Fusion alongside Jennifer and Kimberlee.

“As a relatively new agent in Saskatoon I have found that by joining Century 21 Fusion, with Jennifer and Kimberlee, that I have gained so much more experience and

knowledge of the market in Saskatoon. It’s resulted in much higher productivity,” says Leslie. “My primary focus is working with homebuyers so whether you are a firsttime or a move-up buyer, I assist you every step of the way. I find it very rewarding to hand you the keys to your new home.”

The Service Jennifer, Kim and Leslie like to think of themselves as having a wide variety of advertising sources to offer the best possibility of being seen by that one buyer who will end up making that listing their new home. They like to give their sellers many options to choose from, including where they would prefer to have their properties showcased, offering a staging consultation by a professional stager and exploring open-house options. Airmiles are a great closing gift, and if you collect Airmiles, they are happy to give two airmiles per $1,000 of the purchase/sale price.

703 Circle Drive East Saskatoon, SK S7K 0V1 p: 306.653.8222 www.century21fusion.com Jennifer Allen p: 306.241.2229 e: jenniferallenc21@hotmail.com Kimberlee Matheson p: 306.717.1663 e: kmathesonc21@hotmail.com Leslie Christian p: 306.280.5954 e: saskdreamhome@gmail.com

Windows and Window Coverings

Lighting Accent Decor

Pillows

Televisions

Tables

Furniture Flooring

Rugs

Your first and onlY stop before and after renovations any type of home renovation or remodelling effort can be a stressful time for many of us. driving from retailer to retailer, trying to find the one place that carries the products which we desire most, can be time consuming and frustrating. even then we may instead sacrifice what we exactly want with what we are willing to live with. then, once we have made our decision, we begin the process all over again, trying to ensure that we are able to get the very best deal. this spring, let directbuy of saskatoon show you how you can save your time and money, on more of the things you choose for your Home. an exclusive directbuy membership allows you access to many of the products and brands found in traditional and mortar stores—some of the products and brands may not be available in your local market. the best part is that never again will you have to search for the best deal, because you will be buying everything you choose, without the hidden retail markup. are you envious of your neighbour’s renovations and upgrades? How could they afford the best brands and styles? it’s likely their family is a member of directbuy of saskatoon. our renovation products include windows and window coverings, flooring, outdoor kitchens and furniture, spas, composite decking, garage packages, kitchen cabinetry, countertops and backsplashes, fireplaces, furnaces and central air conditioners.

Buy SOONER Buy SMARTER Buy BETTER! Saskatoon, SK 306.683.0008 www.directbuysaskatoon.ca

Request your complimentary Visitor’s Pass today!

WHen tHe renovations are CoMplete, HoW Will You spend tHe MoneY You saved? for years, directbuy of saskatoon has worked with hundreds of local families just like yours, and shown them how to become empowered as the consumer. these families purchase more of the products for themselves and their home than they ever believed they could own, for much less than they would ever expect to pay. for many of these families, this could easily mean thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars on the products they purchase each day. never pay hidden retail mark-up again. instead, buy your wife an elaborate anniversary ring from an out-of-market jeweller. purchase the new television and furniture you’ve been saving up for. buy your new set of designer luggage and be ready for your next trip. and stop admiring your neighbour’s convertible. own it yourself. believe it or not, all of it is available at directbuy of saskatoon for less than you ever expected to pay. at directbuy you can purchase almost any big ticket item, including home furnishings and accent pieces, designer jewellery, electronics, appliances, automobiles, computers, barbeques and gaming tables.

Buy SOONER Buy SMARTER Buy BETTER!

103

Saskatoon, SK 306.683.0008 www.directbuysaskatoon.ca FineHomes SASKATOON

Request your complimentary Visitor’s Pass today!

AFTER

UPDATING THE HOME YOU LOVE

BEFORE

One family’s journey through the renovation process

By Ashleigh Mattern. After photos by Michelle Berg

ean and Janice had been living in their home since 1988.

Besides the general wear and tear of their property, they needed an update.

104

FineHomes SASKATOON

“Renovating is a decision about whether you want to move or stay,” said Janice.

“We love the area, which is why we decided to stay.”

They hired Ridge Crest Developments to do the renovations. Ridge Crest had finished their basement about 10 years ago, so they felt comfortable hiring them to do more extensive work.

In any renovation, you have to deal with the smells, the dust, and water interruptions. No one wants to deal with those inconveniences over a long period of time, and Ridge Crest understands that. When Dean and Janice sat down with Ridge Crest owner Ron Rhode in September, Janice was surprised that Rhode thought their renovations would be done by Dec. 20.

AFTER

BEFORE

out, so how can we do this best with what we have?”

Before the renovations, their home was awash in light oak. Now the kitchen’s expanded cabinetry is a sleek dark wood, and they’ve carried this darker echo throughout the house in the bathrooms and with the new bannisters.

But Janice didn’t want to get rid of the oak completely. Ridge Crest kept her wishes in mind as the renovations progressed, balancing the dark cabinets and bannisters with light-coloured tile and hardwood.

With the addition of beautiful accent pieces, such as hand-painted light fixtures in the kitchen and a square-cut onyx sink in the main floor bathroom, the result is a finely balanced look that’s even better than what Dean and Janice had originally envisioned.

“In your head, you’re going, really? You think you’ll actually finish that soon?” she said.

flooring throughout the house, painted, and installed new light fixtures, windows, and doors.

Construction started in late October, and they were done the renovations on Dec. 21.

One of the challenges with any renovation is that you need to work with the existing home.

During that time, Ridge Crest completely overhauled the kitchen and all the bathrooms, installed tile and hardwood

“It was nice to have a professional opinion,” said Janice. “We’re not building a new home, we’re not changing everything

“The customers were instrumental in the design,” said Rhode. “They knew what they wanted and we presented options and made it happen.”

Ridge Crest Developments are home improvement specialists.

Their tradespeople are trained for renovations.

Many of them have been with the company since it started over 10 years ago.

105

FineHomes SASKATOON

Renovating YouR Home tips to help you save time and money

By FHS Staff

veryone has a different reason for wanting to renovate their home.

Some may be looking to make a change in the way their home looks or feels while others may want to fix a maintenance issue or make their homes more comfortable and energy-efficient.

Whatever your reason, undertaking a renovation involves a number of important decisions.

Always take the time to thoroughly plan out your renovation before you pick up a hammer (or the phone).

Mistakes on paper are much easier and less expensive to fix than mistakes on the job.

To help you make more informed decisions, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers a number of tips, tools and resources like the Before you Renovate: Renovation Guide.

Consulting these resources before you begin can help you save time, money and a lot of frustration — resulting in a better overall renovation experience.

First, always take the time to thoroughly plan out your renovation before you pick up a hammer (or the phone). Mistakes on paper are much easier and less expensive to fix than mistakes on the job. Taking the time now to identify what your priorities are, and how you want to achieve them, can save you a great deal of expense (and more than a few headaches) further down the road.

Next, decide whether or not your planned renovation is practical. For instance, that addition may look great, but can your home’s systems handle the additional heating, lighting and plumbing

requirements? Learn to draw the line between what would be nice and what’s really essential and consider hiring a qualified professional early in the process to help guide you toward what’s practical for your home.

It is also a good idea to think about the long-term impact of your renovations.

For example, renovations that make your home more energy-efficient could pay for themselves through years of lower monthly utility bills. In addition, think about your family’s future needs by making sure your design is flexible enough to adapt to changes as time goes by.

To avoid going over-budget, have a clear idea in advance of how much your renovation will cost and how much you can afford. CMHC’s Household Budget Calculator is designed to help you understand what you can afford.

Get written estimates from at least two reputable local renovators, architectural firms or materials suppliers and if they

ask for a deposit, make sure it is a nominal amount and get a signed receipt.

If you need help financing your renovation project, there are several options.

You may be able to renegotiate your mortgage, apply for a personal loan or line of credit, or obtain a home equity loan. If the renovation will make your home more energy-efficient you might even qualify for financial assistance.

CMHC recommends that you speak with your mortgage professional in order to evaluate and understand the options that are available to you.

For more than 65 years, CMHC has shared a wealth of knowledge and housing expertise, as well as useful tools and guidance, to help Canadians enjoy an informed and assured housing experience.

To consult or download copies of CMHC’s resources for renovating a home visit www.cmhc.ca and search “renovate”. FHS

107

FineHomes SASKATOON

Transforming problem garages inTo mulTipurpose living spaces

By Karin Melberg Schwier. Photos by Samantha Hawkins

L

arry Westby’s face breaks into a smile when customers come through the door. “Welcome to our place,” he says, extending a big hand. “Make yourself at home!” The customers cast wide eyes around the showroom. “This looks amazing! You could eat off the floor!

And look at those cabinets. And hey, there’s a keg cooler and a big screen TV!” Within moments, they’re getting a royal tour, and in their heads dance visions of their own pumpkin-like garage morphing into a gleaming showpiece.

Larry grins. He sees that a lot. When people realize the phrase “it’s just the garage” doesn’t need to exist any more, glorious possibilities open up.

Saskatoon Custom Garage Interiors specializes in a polyaspartic floor coating that actually soaks into concrete and becomes permanent. It’s four times more durable and abrasion resistant than an epoxy surface covering. It comes in a variety of colours and looks fantastic. Any dirt, grime, oil, or other spills are simply rinsed away. Installation can happen in as little as one day and is ready to park on within 24 hours. But Saskatoon Custom Garage Interiors doesn’t stop at tough, shiny floors. Custom-designed, 16-gauge steel cabinets by Hayley with 16 gauge steel-drawers and doors can fit any space, need and budget. Saskatoon Custom Garage-manufactured plywood cabinets and stainless steel countertops are purpose-built on site and offer another choice in customized storage. (See sidebar for other SCG products.)

If you boil down the business philosophy behind Saskatoon Custom Garage Interiors, it’s a simple one: “We want people to feel comfortable coming in as many times as they like to ask questions,” says Larry. “We’re very proud of our quality products, workmanship and service. I’m a fussy, meticulous old guy and all our staff and installers are trained well, not in just the products but the customer experience. Treating customers nicely and with respect is really important to us. When our customers are happy, they’ll be kind enough to tell their family and friends about us.”

Larry, along with wife Elaine and co-owner Cliff Thiemann, have a lot to smile about.

The company is just shy of its fourth anniversary; three full-time flooring crews are on the go and a second cabinet installer will join the team soon.

It was Larry’s own garage makeover that got the wheels turning. After 26 years as owners of the Meile Bosch kitchen supply store, Larry and Elaine sold the business.

Larry took a hard look as his messy, cluttered and dirty garage.

After cleaning everything out, he thought about storage. “I had some beautiful dark blue Redl kitchen cabinets left over from my old Meile Bosch trade show display that fit perfectly. Things were put away behind closed doors, not stacked on the floor.” Larry didn’t stop there. He installed a stainless steel counter and a big screen TV. The neighbours took notice.

“I’d have the garage door open and people would walk by and ask if they could come in.” Larry laughs. “People asked me where they could get this done. We thought, hey, there’s something here.” Retirement was short-lived.

“We take one of the biggest rooms in your house and turn it into the best multi-purpose room for the whole family. Why shouldn’t it be one of the nicest rooms in your home?”

When a garage is no longer ‘just the garage’ • Polyaspartic floor coating made by Slide-Lok

Since then, SCGI has transformed over 500 garages with custom designed storage and polyaspartic flooring, as well as steps, deck and driveway projects.

Besides residential work, there is a growing list of commercial clients like Farm World, Moody’s Equipment, Custom Truck Sales, Federated Co-op and Miner’s Construction, and three Rocy-built Hospital Home Lottery projects.

• Cabinets and storage systems by Hayley and SCG

It’s an idea whose time has come, Larry says. “We take one of the biggest rooms in your house and turn it into the best multipurpose room for the whole family. Why shouldn’t it be one of the nicest rooms in your home?” FHS

• PogoLift snowmobile & ATV lifts

• SCG cabinets with hide-away Murphy bed option • Handiwall Slat-wall system and accessories • Hyloft overhead storage system • Daytona car lifts

• Breezy living screen doors • RedWell infared wall heaters

“We have worked with Saskatoon Custom Garage Interiors for the past 3 years. They offer great products at very competitive prices, and most importantly, they build a great rapport with their clients. They are experts at what they do, and are able to get the work done quickly, and efficiently. Put quite simply, they are a great company to work with.”

- Dave Dyck, ROCY Homes.

• Danby keg coolers and fridges

Elaine and Larry Westby Cliff Thiemann 3122 A Miller Avenue 306.933.4320 elaine@customgarages.ca larry@customgarages.ca cliff@customgarages.ca www.customgarages.ca

for information about products and to see a garage makeover video, visit: www.customgarages.ca.

Owners, Mark Pfeifer and Mike Scarfe

The sophisTicaTed pracTice of Two broThers in grime

By Edward Willett. Photos by Candace Epp

Y

Increasingly in Saskatoon, people call Brothers in Grime

Mike, who was born in Regina and attended school in Regina and Saskatoon, and Mark, who was born and raised in Saskatoon, knew each other for years before joining forces three years ago.

Mark started Brothers in Grime in 2000 with a single portable unit. “I got into it just to make some extra money,” he recalls. “I didn’t expect it to balloon the way it did, but one of my partners moved off to Alberta and the other I bought out, and I just kept at it. The more I learned and the more I educated my customers the more referrals came in. It just started to snowball.”

Owners Mark Pfeifer and Mike Scarfe have the staff, the equipment and, most importantly, the knowledge and training to

Mike began carpet cleaning in 1991, working for various companies before starting Mike’s Professional Carpet Care.

Mike and Mark kept running into each other on various jobs. “We always joked we should have been one company,” Mike

ou could call Brothers in Grime Cleaning and Restoration Inc. the Ghostbusters of cleaning companies. As the movie theme’s lyrics go, “If there’s something weird and it don’t look good, who ya gonna call?”

110

FineHomes SASKATOON

clean and restore everything from stained carpets to mold-infested structures to sewage-flooded basements to buildings damaged by water and smoke.

If it’s got grime, we’re there...

“I just wanted to send a personal thank-you for your service over the past week. We are extremely happy with both our house and rental. Nathan did an awesome job, and the whole experience was extremely professional and pleasant. We will most certainly be going to you for any future needs, thanks again!” - Ashley Crothers says, “and then one day we sat down over a couple of beers and just decided to do it. We should have done it years ago.

Mark was always tired and busy, running everything himself, and I was doing the same thing.” By combining forces, they’ve both been able to spend more time with their families.

complete lab report detailing what molds are present, whether they’re active or dormant, the spore count and more.

A multitude of services

As a result, Mike says, “We know exactly what we’re dealing with.” Removing mold is not something a homeowner should undertake on his or her own, he adds. “We install negative air, build containment and duct the machine to the outside, so that as we’re removing the mold it’s not becoming airborne and polluting the rest of the house. We get the home back to a sanitary state, so it can be rebuilt. We don’t just come in and hack it out and put it in bags.

Mark says he’s always had the attitude that “Yes, we can do that!” when asked to take on some new cleaning task. As a result, as the company’s reputation grew, and more and more referrals came its way, more and more services were offered.

“It takes a special kind of training. It’s a pretty intense training course. Mark and I, and one of our other technicians, have a certification called microbial remediation technician from The Clean Trust. Not a lot of people have that designation.”

Brothers in Grime cleans carpets, area rugs and upholstery; offers stain removal, deodorizing, sanitizing and pet odor control; will put protectants on fabric and carpets, and can even remove smoke and other odors. It provides a 24/7 emergency restoration service in the event of basement floods, sewage seepage, fire damage, vandalism and more, and is the only company in Saskatoon certified for trauma scene recovery, which can involve dealing with biohazards like blood-borne pathogens.

The Clean Trust, formerly known as the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, is an independent, non-profit body that sets and promotes high standards and ethics and works to advance communication and technical proficiency within the inspection, cleaning and restoration service industry. Brothers in Grime is

They called the brand-new company Brothers in Grime Cleaning and Restoration, to reflect the fact that it’s far more than “just” a carpet-cleaning company.

The way the company deals with mold is a good example of the kind ofknowledgeable service it offers.

When a customer comes to Brothers in Grime with a concern about mold, the company consults with a home inspector who is certified to do air-quality testing.

The home inspector collects samples then provides Brothers in Grime with a

certified by The Clean Trust in too many areas to list.

Always up to date “We’re up to date, our equipment is up to date, and our training is up to date. Every time we hire a new guy we’ll send him away for training. We attend seminars all over North America. We invest a lot of money into keeping current, and we keep up to date on the industry,” Mike says.

Mark and Mike are both proud that Brothers in Grime is 100-per-cent local.

“I’ve always supported local,” Mark says. “When I do my purchasing for the company I try to buy locally where I can before I outsource to anyone else. If you support local, those people will support you, too.”

“A lot of people appreciate we’re Saskatchewan boys, we didn’t get sent from Ontario to help them!” adds Mike.

Mike, who is vice-president of the Saskatoon Shrine Club, gives up a lot of time to the charity when he’s not tied up with the business and his family, and Mark often gives him a hand with things like setting up displays.

They find their work satisfying. “What’s really rewarding,” Mark says, “is when I go in to clean a carpet in somebody’s house or businesses and they say, ‘How come the other guy didn’t try as hard as you did? You guys do such a great job!’ Emails or letters from customers that are more than satisfied keep us going and make us want to do even better.”

Mike concurs. “We come to homes where they’re crying because they think they’re going to have to level their house. My biggest fulfillment is seeing how happy people are when we’re done.”

So, “Who ya gonna call?” if you’ve got a tough cleaning or restoration problem?

Brothers in Grime, obviously.

“If it’s got grime,” says Mike, “we’re there.”

FHS

Services Available: • 24/7 Emergency Restoration Service • Carpets, Area Rugs And Upholstery Cleaning • Stain Removal • Deodorizing, Sanitizing And Pet Odor Control • Protectants On Fabric And Carpets • Remove Smoke And Other Odors • Flooding, Fire Damage and Vandalism Restoration • Biohazard and Mold Removal

306.229.3639 brothersingrime@shaw.ca brothersingrime2@shaw.ca www.brothersingrime.ca Nathan Bernard

EXPERTAdvice One mattress fOr the perfect night’s sleep Which One? that Depends On You

Owner, Mark Stevens Photo By Black Bench Productions

6 – 405 Circle Drive East 306.652.1212 mstevens67@msn.com “Like” us on Facebook today!

By Tammy Robert

W

iseguys Mattresses owner Mark Stevens knows what you’ll need to get the perfect night’s sleep— and there’s nothing he loves more than making sure you get it.

Photos By Heather Fritz

“Your mattress is the most important piece of furniture in your home, because if you don’t sleep right, you don’t function right,” he says, confidently. “The bottom line is comfort, comfort, comfort.”

comfort requirements. Varying pressure points, circulation, back problems—each bed I stock is designed with one or more of those in mind. The only way to know which one is right for you is by trying them out.”

As the only dealer in Saskatoon to carry Serta’s Perfect Day premium line, Mark has dedicated himself and his business to providing his clients with the very best bed for their unique needs. He prides himself on only stocking mattresses that meet his exceptionally-high standards for quality and value.

Looking for a gimmicky sale? You’re not going to find it at Wiseguys. “We never push product on clients by advertising markdowns on inflated retail prices, or with phony add-ons, because we know you’re smarter than that,” explains Mark. “Our regular pricing is always lower than our competitors. We are truly an independent mattress store, not part of a chain or a buying group. We deal directly with the factories in everything we do.”

With over a decade of experience in the mattress and sleep-comfort industry, Mark has been in business for himself for five of those years—hand picking every model in his store. He says each model of every brand that Wiseguys Mattresses carries is selected to give you the best value for your dollar.

“If everyone’s needs were the same, I would just stock one mattress,” says Mark. “The truth is that everyone has different sleep

Mark’s message is simple: “It doesn’t matter what anyone says; the only thing you ever need to look for in a bed is comfort and durability. It’s got to be built to last.”

“The best bed I sell is the one that’s best for you,” Mark says, smiling. “Everything I sell is awesome, but it’s gotta work for you.” FHS

113

FineHomes SASKATOON

EXPERTAdvice DESIGNER HEEDS CALL FOR 80s ACREAGE UPDATE

BEFORE

AFTER

Photos by Heather Fritz

AFTER designer decorator Chantelle Butterfield of Funktional Space.

Chantelle Butterfield Funktional Space 306.227.3008 www.funktionalspace.com

W

hen Ron and Jody Villeneuve decided to renovate the 1989 Riverside Estates two-storey they bought in 2011, they knew they needed help with interior design and décor. They needed someone who would listen to their ideas, an appropriate “must have” for a couple who own Quality Hearing Centre. “It was so important that we have someone pay attention to our vision and guide us along the way,” says Ron. Builder Mark Ramage knew just the right person:

“The 1980s wasn’t a pretty decade,” laughs Chantelle. “For clothes, hair or home décor!”

The quality of materials in the Villeneuve home was very good–oak kitchen cabinetry, for example–but the look was dated, tired and, well, 80s. The cabinets found a new home in the builder’s rental property.

Sunshine ceilings, windows, paint colours, flooring and original linoleum all had to go, too.

“I like to suggest to people, ‘if it hasn’t been hot, then it won’t be hot,’” says Chantelle.

“The problem with trendy looks for your home is that soon it won’t be.” Chantelle encouraged Ron and Jody to ensure their upgrade flowed from big decisions in the kitchen and bathroom. “Go for classic looks,” she says. “Go trendy with easily replaceable accessories, inexpensive fluff and baubles.”

In the Villeneuve reno, the modern pop with a classic foundation involved cherry Huntwood cabinets with Hanover door style, Marathon handles and chestnut stain, a beautiful granite countertop, stunning kitchen island with stove insert and microwave and heated tile flooring. Along with the kitchen, the refresh brought back to life the master bedroom and bath. The Villeneuves scored better deals on furniture and appliances with Chantelle’s contacts.

“She saved us loads of money that more than paid for her services.” They’ve asked her to come back for more guidance on the rest of the home.

“My wife and I both felt overwhelmed by all the decisions. Chantelle listened to us and guided us. She has a very friendly and uplifting personality and we consider her our friend now,” says Ron. “It’s not often you become friends with someone who provides you a service, but Chantelle is just one of those people.” FHS

THE SUN HAS FINALLY ARRIVED… INVITE HER IN Pacific Home Products Ltd. specializes in the installation of Pella windows and Lifetime™ sunrooms of the finest quality.

This spring, embrace that touch of sophistication that will add light, warmth and value to your living space.

CONTACT US FOR A QUOTE

Brilliant Since 1986 306-244-2800 ll info@pacifichomeproducts.ca Showroom #1 - 501 45th St W, Saskatoon, SK S7L 5Z www.pacifichomeproducts.ca

Saskatoon’s trusted window and door experts.

You can expect...

A great selection of CSA and Energy Star windows and doors Comfortable browsing, accurate information and the right advice Industry leading warranties Maintenance-free performance and outstanding energy efficiency Trusted sales, installation and service expertise Visit Saskatoon Doors & More, a proud Authorized Durabuilt Dealer. You will love the selection, style, energy efficiency and affordability of your new Durabuilt windows and doors.

Authorized Dealer