Modern Luxuria Vol 4 September 2020

More Homes in Edmonton are Getting Makeovers

COVID-19 is keeping people close to home and now home improvementcompanies are seeing a lift in business

WORDS BY ERIN SLOBODIAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY TATYANA SEMENOVA

It seems that with more people spending more time in their homes they’re also spending more money on their homes. Furniture companies are reporting higher sales in 2020 and home improvement companies are saying the same. Iron River Surfaces has had what they’re calling a “very steady year” so far in 2020.

Owners Sheldon and Paula Small are married and have four children between them. The couple decided a couple of years ago to leave their careers and join forces to open their own home improvement and renovation company. The Smalls say that the passing of Sheldon’s father nearly two years ago was a big wake-up call. The pair talked about how working in their separate fields and raising kids left far too little time for them to spend together and that needed to change, “life is too short.

We needed to move forward and follow our dreams,” said Paula.

Iron River Surfaces works with designers, individual clients who are renovating, and with builders in new home construction. “It’s about the service, the design, and the quality of the product and installation,” explained Sheldon.

Neither the year 2020 nor the global pandemic are over which means more people will be staying close to home and investing in their own comfort and sense of wellbeing and luxury, “Our clientele that has the means to travel, who are not traveling right now, are noticing a lot of changes and updates that they need in their homes, well they are now acting on those updates now and we’re ready to help,” said Sheldon. ▶

Clean and contemporary. This style is a salute to the 80s and is gaining in popularity. White oak hardwood layered with pops of the trending colours of pale green and matte coral. It’s a look that is associated with clean contemporary spaces, the ever popular Scandinavian style, and the still sought after modern farmhouse aesthetic.

Luxurious and sophisticated. This tailored palette echoes the trend to incorporate matte black in kitchens, cabinetry and countertops. Fluted walnut panels, interesting shapes, and subtle veining bring in texture and add interest to this overall design concept.

High impact and minimalistic. The drama created by this black and white pairing is versatile and classic. Shown here against a backdrop of highly textured and richly-hued herringbone hardwood, this monochromatic combination is a stand out choice.