Living Spaces Fall 2014

SPACES

L IV IN G

TH E OFFIC IAL M AGAZINE OF TH E S AS K AT O O n & R E GI O N HO ME B UI L DE R S‘ A S S O C I AT I O N

AUTUMN 2014

THE IMPECCABLE

PANTRY

Holmwood takeS shape WOMEN BUILDING SASKATOON Enjoying success in our city’s construction industry

GOING GREEN

Bonnie Crozon Ehrenburg Homes New Home Sales Rep 230-2510

Gerry Bezaire Ehrenburg Homes New Home Sales Rep 241-2596

Joanne Cross Remax Saskatoon

Jody Cross Remax Saskatoon

934-0909

934-0909

CHOICE LOTS

Ehrenburg Homes offers one of the best lot selections in Saskatoon for clients wishing to build custom homes, including walkouts, large pie-shaped lots and lots backing green spaces. Currently, Ehrenburg Homes has residential lots available in Stonebridge, REMARKABLE SERVICE Rosewood, Hampton village, Kensington, Over the past 30 years, Ehrenburg Homes Evergreen, and Parkview Cove development in Osler. has earned a reputation for award-winning customer service, including the Platinum Service Award from the New Home Warranty Program of Saskatchewan. Our after-sale warranty is second to none, ensuring your satisfaction.

A proud ENERGY STARÂŽ certiďŹ ed builder, Ehrenburg Homes incorporates numerous environmental and energy-saving products into these new homes. The homes we build today are designed to have a positive impact tomorrow!

MOST OF ALL, WE LOVE BUILDING HOMES.

2013 HOME BUILDER OF THE YEAR

In business since 1983, Ehrenburg Homes has built some of the most distinguished and energy-saving new homes in Saskatoon and area. Every home we build is a castle designed to complement each family’s tastes and needs! Building a home is likely the single largest purchase your family will make. By selecting Ehrenburg Homes, you can be assured your home is being built by the best professionals in the industry.

We go above and beyond our customer’s expectations to build homes that are attractive, innovative and liveable...

Let us help design your custom castle from the ground up! Whether you choose from our ‘Family of Castles’ or have us custom design the castle of your dreams, our team of qualified and dedicated professionals is at the ready!

EHRENBURG HOMES

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Spend more time living your life! Homes range from 1229 to 1362 square feet and include a BBQ gas hook-up.

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Daxton has been Saskatoon’s best kept secret... until now!

Daxton condominiums are situated on possibly the last great location in Saskatoon.

The South Saskatchewan River and Meewasin Trails are across the street and many of the condos have views of downtown, all with the convenience of Silverspring living.

Daxton is an unbelievable value and worth finding.

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6

A Message from SASKATOON & REGION HOME BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION

For further information PHONE: (888) 955-5188 email: info@saskatoonhomebuilders.com

P h o t o b y J e ff Ly o n s

The Saskatoon & Region Home Builder’s Association is committed to growing our labour force, and we are so proud that our fall issue highlights just that – the growth and development of women in various aspects of the construction industry! In this issue, we are pleased to feature some of our member companies who are contributing to the advancement of women in residential construction, and the women in our industry who lead by example.

Throughout all aspects of the home building industry, we find more and more women who are taking on roles that have not traditionally been filled by females: from construction trades such as electricians, plumbers and carpenters to production coordinators, designers, architects and project managers. The “Women Building Saskatoon” feature in this issue of Living Spaces shines the spotlight on women who have been instrumental in the industry for many years, along with those who have re-

cently started in this business, and who intend to be home building well in to the future.

As we head back to school and enjoy the cooler weather that comes with fall, now is the time to think about doing interior renovations to better enjoy your space. Consumers in Saskatoon have a wide variety of Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association members to choose from, many of which employ and celebrate the outstanding and competent women who are a growing force in the residential construction industry.

We hope you enjoy this edition of our Living Spaces magazine and that you might find answers to some of your renovation or decorating questions within these pages. Planning a fall renovation? Don’t hesitate to contact the Home Builders’ Association, to build with the best in the business.

For further information, please contact us at: (888) 955-5188 or email: info@saskatoonhomebuilders.com

7

L I VI NG

SPACES contents

THE O F F I C IAL MAG A Z INE O F THE SAS KATOOn & RE GION HOME BUILDERS ’ ASSOC IATION

13

F EAT U R E S 13

AT HOME: Willowgrove home does double duty

40 WOMEN BUILDING SASKATOON: Colleen Mah

20 Style is on parade in South Kensington

42 WBS: Bernice & Angela Williams

24 Habitat calls on Saskatoon women to do their part

46 WBS: Holly Patzer 48 WBS: Amanda Krawchuk 50 WBS: Tamara Bell

8

52

WBS: Janice Haldorson

54 WBS: Krista Martens 56

WBS: Jilaire Soucy Wagner

58

WBS: Rhonda Iula

62

WBS: Sheena Sinclair

80 YWCA Trade Journey breaks down barriers to careers

AUTUMN 2014

82

EDITOR Jeannie Armstrong ART DIRECTION James Grummett PHOTOGRAPHY Jeff Lyons Elaine Mark

28 DEPA R TME N T S

87

DE S I G N & R E N O V AT I O N 28

The Impeccable Pantry

76

What Inspires You?

85

AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Unique program puts home ownership within reach

F OOD & E N TE R TA I N I N G

56 87

IN THE KITCHEN: Nicola Lawson

18

NEW MEMBER PROFILE: 3 ‘N 1 Construction

26

ASK AN EXPERT: Maison Fine Homes

36

TRAILBLAZERS: Bath Fitter Saskatoon

64 ASK AN EXPERT: Kitchen Designs by Delta 66 VISIONARIES: Holmwood takes shape in East Saskatoon 70 ASK AN EXPERT: Fresco Interiors Design Group 72

BUILDING COMMUNITY: Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan

82

COMMUNITY: Elk Point designed with an eye for sustainability

CONTRIBUTIN G WRITERS Jeannie Armstrong Jennifer Jacoby-Smith Hilary Klassen Blair Braitenbach Tom Eremondi Ashleigh Mattern Kira Olfert Paul Sinkewicz PROJECT COORDINATIO N Karen Kobussen PUBLISHER The StarPhoenix

Living Spaces is published

by The StarPhoenix on behalf of the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association To reserve your advertising space in the upcoming edition of Living Spaces, contact Sherry Dyck at The StarPhoenix, at 657-6213 or email: sdyck@thestarphoenix.com 9

FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome Jeannie Armstrong Ed i t o r

10

Welcome to a very special edition of LIVING SPACES, published in partnership with the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association!

In this edition of Living Spaces, meet ten Saskatoon women who are breaking down stereotypes and busting gender barriers to establish rewarding and diverse careers in the construction industry. Several of our profiled women are industry pioneers who have blazed the trail over the past couple of decades, inspiring and empowering a new generation of female builders, designers and tradespeople to strive for success.

It’s been an incredibly busy summer for member builders of the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association. All that hard work has translated into an amazing choice

of housing products, located in new neighbourhoods all around Saskatoon. Living Spaces offers a sneak peek of two of our city’s up-and-coming subdivisions: Elk Point and Holmwood.

Speaking of new neighbourhoods, you can see the newest innovations in design and décor at the South Kensington Parade of Homes, featuring 11 showhomes by nine new home builders. Look inside for details and plan your tour of the parade!

One of our readers’ favourite features in Living Spaces is In The Kitchen. In this edition, we visit chef and caterer extraordinaire Nicola Lawson, who shares a selection of family favourite recipes sure to whet your appetite.

Enjoy!

NO MATTER HOW YOUR CABINETS GET USED... ...WE MAKE SURE THEY ALWAYS LOOK GOOD!

Cabinets Phone: Fax: 690 Service Rd N Osler, Sk, S0K 3A0 306-230-0764 306-239-4614

Email: danp@rockridgehomes.ca

Website: www.rockridgehomes.ca

AT HOME

The Westridge Homes’ team works from the home offices of Reagan Tameling. Pictured left to right are: Tara Lefebvre, Reagan Tameling, Mark Mitchell and Aaron Keays.

Willowgrove home does double duty

by Jeannie Armstrong P h o t o s b y El a i n e M a r k , D&M Images

Reagan Tameling doesn’t have far to go to work every morning. The spacious walkout basement of his attractive Willowgrove home is the Saskatoon base of Westridge Homes.

Tameling heads up the residential homes division of Westridge Construction, a longtime commercial construction company headquartered in Regina. The company built its first single family home in Saskatoon in 2000 and now constructs approximately 12 homes a year in our city. Most are custom builds, although Westridge usually has a couple of ‘quick possession’ houses on the go.

“When we started the business in Saskatoon, we had commercial office space,” says Tameling. For the past five years, he’s operated the company from the offices in his Willowgrove home. It’s a move Tameling doesn’t regret.

“Going back at night and on weekends to meet with customers, it’s so nice to have everything right here,” says Tameling. “Plus, bringing the clients into your home not only shows the quality of work that we do, it also forms a bond, a friendship. It makes the build-

ing process more personal and that’s who we are. By the time we finish a client’s home, we have become really close. They are sharing their lives with us.”

He adds, “Customers get a chance to see, not only a house that we’ve built, but a house that has been lived in for five or six years. It’s a great way to see how our homes stand up and how timeless the style is.”

Tameling also enjoys sharing his home with his employees. “We are a pretty close group. The work/friendship thing is quite blurred,” he says of his long-time employees – design consultant Tara Lefebvre, site supervisor Aaron Keays and construction manager Mark Mitchell.

For Westridge staff, going to work is a literal walk in the park. Tameling’s home backs onto one of the beautifully landscaped linear parks in Willowgrove. Staff and clients enter the business through the lower level garden door.

When he designed his 1,460 square foot raised bungalow, site orientation was important to Tameling, who has a background 13

in architecture. “To get the best views of the park, I angled the house on the lot. I wanted to make the park the focal point, rather than the neighbours’ houses across the park,” says Tameling.

“Everything in the house worked off that angle – the placement of the staircase and the fireplace. Because it’s a corner house, I wanted to have windows all around, so I could catch light all through the day. It wasn’t a fun house to frame, but it worked out really well.”

Although Tameling’s home is ultimately a ‘living’ showhome, he didn’t design it with future clients in mind. “It was always meant to be my house. It’s my style. If it was meant to be a showhome, the style would have been more general – and less ‘me’.”

Tameling’s personal style leans toward classic old world elegance. “Although I built this home five or six years ago, to me, it doesn’t feel dated yet,” he says.

Design touches that express his personality include the exquisitely crafted wainscoting and mouldings throughout the home.

“I love fireplaces, and I wanted mine to be the focal point of the great room. I raised it up to give it more grandeur in the room and moved the TV off to the side so it wouldn’t detract attention from the fireplace,” says Tameling.

The painting over the fireplace is Tameling’s own. “It’s one of two paintings I’ve done in my life. I think my sister has the other one,” he laughs.

The vaulted ceiling in the living room is accented by maple beams. “In open spaces, I always like to incorporate design features that define the different living areas within a great room. In a lot of our plans, we’ll bump up the ceiling over the living room. Even though it’s one large open space, it creates the feeling that this is its own separate room,” says Tameling.

“This was supposed to be an 11-foot ceiling, but because of the roof system, I had to vault it instead of going straight up. I enjoy the way it turned out.”

Tameling continued his design theme of classic elegance into the kitchen. The handsomely crafted maple cabinets are stained white with a glazed finish for a slightly ‘antique’ feel. The top tier of upper cabinets feature glass inserts enhanced with satin nickel caming.

The granite-topped island is designed for style and function. “The island has six angled corners, so when people gather around, you can have a conversation instead of sitting in a row,” says Tameling.

He’s particularly pleased with the wide C o n t in u ed o n p ag e 16

14

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at home c o n t in u ed f r o m p ag e 14 plank oiled maple floor that extends throughout the main floor. “So many people comment on the warm feeling it gives this room,” says Tameling.

“It’s very forgiving. You don’t see the nicks and dents.”

The rustic solid wood floor perfectly complements Tameling’s furniture choices. Most are vintage items that he’s collected and painstakingly refinished in his immaculate garage.

A weekend farmer, Tameling also wanted the home’s floor plan to incorporate a combination mudroom/laundry room with direct garage access.

Built-in laundry baskets keep the room organized.

The master suite features more of Tameling’s antique pieces, including a gorgeous armoire he restored. His must-have in the ensuite was a wallmounted TV. “I always watch TV when I’m getting ready in the morning.

It’s off to one side and I can see it from all locations. It’s something I’d do in any future house I built.”

The bedroom’s large windows capture views of his attractive backyard.

“I love my backyard. I worked with a landscape designer and then got Visions Landscaping to do the work. The plan takes advantage of the natural sloping terrain, with a waterfall of rocks coming down. It’s all low maintenance, which was important,” says Tameling.

Although his Willowgrove home is constantly on display, Tameling is quick to point out that it’s just one example of what Westridge can do.

“This is my style; it’s not ‘Westridge’ style. Westridge will do any style.

We’ve done everything from ultramodern to almost Victorian. We design and build to suit the client’s tastes, not our own.”

In designing any home, Tameling says the most important factor is ‘liveability.’

“Sometimes people go for the ‘wow’ factor, but they don’t realize they have to live in that house too. We point out the positives and negatives of different design concepts and let the customer decide,” he says. LS 16

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17

NEW MEMBER PROFILE

I N T R O D U CI N G

3 ‘N 1 CONSTRUCTION b y Bl a i r B r a i t e n b a c h P HOTOS BY J E F F LYONS

Ken Eade has built his business by hiring good people and educating his customers.

18

In Saskatoon’s booming construction market, Ken Eade takes pride in his business model that’s focused on honesty and integrity.

Now in its fifth year in operation, 3 ‘n 1 Construction provides a variety of building and renovation services, including roofing, siding, fascia, soffits and framing. Just as important as providing quality workmanship, according to 3 ‘n 1 Construction owner Eade, is building a reputation recognized for its upfront approach that ensures each customer is well informed from estimate stage to project’s end.

“I spend as much time as I can with potential clients in regards to educating them so our customers can make an educated decision based on what their needs are,” explains Eade.

“My mandate from the start has just been about bringing in that education factor.”

Eade says he walks clients step-by-step through any potential work site, and verifies that any agreed upon contract will match his crew’s expertise to guarantee customer satisfaction. Because the city is witnessing construction demand like never before, Eade believes making transparency a priority will ensure his business continues to thrive should the high tide eventually break.

“We’re in an economy where there is no shortage of work and it’s a great industry – a person can make a healthy living at it – but

you don’t have to do it by cutting corners or lowering standards,” says Eade.

“It’s easy to think it’s going to stay like this forever, but it’s not. As contractors we have to be responsible because when this boom does stop there’s still going to be work out there but only the cream of the crop will rise. I want to lay a strong foundation now with good people and policies.”

By partnering with like-minded organizations that share in his business’s core values, Eade is confident 3 ‘n 1 will continue to grow as a leader in the industry. Recently joining the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association is one more step in the right direction, says the 18-year construction field veteran.

“I’ve worked in Saskatoon for other reputable companies and they’ve been part of the Home Builders’ Association. Being part of the Association not only helps build camaraderie with other members, but it lends a level of credibility to my company’s name,” Eade says.

“I’m hoping being part of the Home Builders’ Association and Trusted Saskatoon and relying on referrals will act as the best form of advertising.”

While Eade stands behind his crew and the exceptional workmanship they provide, he believes taking care of the finer details is

“A house i s the largest purchase p e o p l e make and w e w a n t to respect i t . ” Ken Eade, 3 ‘n 1 Construction also what separates his company from the pack. For instance, once a job is complete, Eade says it is mandated that the site be left spotless. Further, regardless of time and work schedule, if a homeowner has any questions a member of the 3 ‘n 1 crew will drop what he’s doing and provide clarification.

“The most common punchline in the office is ‘it might be a job site to us, but to our clients it’s their home,’ and we really want to

keep that idea at the forefront in what we do.

A house is the largest purchase people make and we want to respect it,” he explains.

“My guys go out of their way to talk to clients and homeowners, because when we’re asking clients to put faith in us over competitors, we at least owe them an explanation into what we’re doing.”

Treating others with dignity and building strong community ties extends beyond client

and business relationships, Eade notes. Rather than referring to his seven-person crew as staff members, he calls them a team who accept equal responsibility in 3 ‘n 1’s success.

“Everyone makes same dollars on the job.

It helps get things done faster and it’s a team atmosphere and guys are in control of what kind of money they make,” Eade adds.

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Style

is on parade in South Kensington

by Jeannie Armstrong P HOTOS BY J E F F LYONS

North Prairie Developments introduced contemporary design elements to its parade home at 119 Childers.

Presented by Dream Development, the South Kensington Parade of Homes offers a chance to explore 11 different showhomes by nine of the city’s top builders. The parade also is building awareness about the exciting new neighbourhood of Kensington.

20

It’s the longest-running block party in Saskatoon, and you’re invited!

The South Kensington Parade of Homes is underway now through the spring of 2015, presented by Dream Development (formerly Dundee Developments).

Turning the spotlight on the new master planned community of South Kensington, the event showcases 11 different showhomes constructed by nine of the city’s leading new home builders.

“It’s a showcase for the builders and the products they’re building,” says Don Armstrong, vice-president, Saskatoon land operations, with Dream Development. “It’s also a way for the public to become more familiar with the new neighbourhood of South Kensington.”

New home builders participating in the South Kensington Parade include Campbell Custom Homes, Daytona Homes, Ehrenburg Homes, Homes by Dream, Montana Homes, North Ridge Development, North Prairie Developments, R & D Fraser Homes and Streetscape Developments.

“We wanted to make sure we had the right mix of builders who would offer a good variety of housing choices in the parade,” says Armstrong. “We have a long history with the majority of the builders in the parade.”

The South Kensington Parade is sure to inspire dreams of new home ownership.

Model homes line both sides of the 100-block of Childers Crescent, with styles ranging from neo-contemporary to classic traditional. Oddnumbered homes on the block feature designs with front-facing garages, while even-numbered houses are designed to accommodate detached garages with rear lane access.

All of the showhomes featured in the parade are either two-storey or bi-level models.

Each builder has brought fresh creativity and innovation to their designs, including ‘musthave’ features and amenities that today’s consumers are looking for in a new home, such as open concept floor plans, mudrooms, walkthrough pantries, luxurious master suites and more.

Two of the parade homes feature developed legal basement suites, offering future

Homes by Dream has two entries in the South Kensington Parade, showing off both contemporary and transitional style.

home owners the potential of earning revenue income.

South Kensington Parade homes ensure maximum curb appeal with pleasing Craftsman-inspired exteriors and professionally landscaped front yards. Many of the homes feature inviting front verandahs enhanced with architectural columns and stacked stone accents. Shake-trimmed gables and dormers are another attractive touch.

The neighbourhood of South Kensington is Dream Development’s portion of the larger subdivision of Kensington, which extends north of 22nd Street West to 33rd Street, and west of Confederation Park and Pacific Heights to Neault Road (Hwy 7).

Armstrong says that one of Kensington’s top selling features is location, citing the neighbourhood’s proximity to the Blairmore Suburban Centre and its rapidly expanding commercial zone, two high schools and the Shaw Centre. “Kensington also has good connectivity to the downtown area, particularly via 22nd Street,” says Armstrong.

Three major development partners have

been involved in bringing Kensington to reality. “Dream Development has the south third of the development. The City of Saskatoon has the centre portion. West Canadian Development Corporation has the northern third of Kensington,” says Armstrong.

“The neighbourhood offers a wide range of housing forms, designed to meet the needs of the varying age groups, income groups and lifestyles. There will be a mix of single family detached (including some walkouts), semi-detached, street and group townhouses, apartments, as well as the potential for mixed use developments,” says Armstrong.

Kensington has been designed to be a pedestrian-friendly, ‘walkable’ neighbourhood, linked by attractive linear parks with walking trails. The linear park system will link to a picturesque Village Square, adjacent shops and a core neighbourhood park. Land has been designated adjacent to the core park for future schools as well as an integrated community centre. A pedestrian overpass will make it easy to access the Blairmore Suburban Centre and adjacent high schools on foot or by bike.

The great room in Ehrenberg Homes’ parade entry is ideal for entertaining.

Roadways in Kensington have been configured to reduce conflicts between motorists and pedestrians, including the frequent use of roundabouts.

Designed with the environment in mind, Kensington’s park system and neighbourhood ponds double as storm water management tools. “There are three ponds that are part of the open space linkage,” says Armstrong.

The end result is a family-friendly subdivision designed to accommodate approximately 8,300 people upon build-out.

“With the housing choices that are being offered in South Kensington, affordability and attainability is a focus. We wanted to ensure there was a good mix of entry level and midrange price homes, as well as some mid- to higher-range products on lots that back on to some of the green space or water amenities,” says Armstrong.

All of the showhomes in the South Kensington Parade are open Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Mondays through Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. LS

You’re sure to find inspiring design and home décor ideas when touring the different showhomes on the parade route, including this open-concept twostorey design by R & D Fraser Homes.

21

Now showcasing homes in our new community.

Come visit South Kensington’s parade of homes, featuring showhomes by 9 of Saskatoon’s leading builders.

Hours of operation: Mon-Thurs: 3-9pm Closed Fridays Sat, Sun & Holidays: 1-5pm

22

HOMES

SHOW

FROM BEGINNING TO END

STONEBRIDGE 102 TEAL CRESCENT

HAMPTON VILLAGE #1 365 DAWSON CRESCENT

SOUTH KENSINGTON 115 CHILDERS CRESCENT

RANDY JACOBSON 306.227.1933 I OFFICE 306.934.3086 I info@fraserhomes.ca I www.fraserhomes.ca 23

Habitat calls on Saskatoon women to do their part

b y A s h l e i g h M at t e r n

24

Habitat for Humanity Saskatoon has built homes for more than 60 families since 1992, and they’re ready to up their game with the goal of building 10 houses per year by 2018.

To get there, though, they’ll need some extra help.

The campaign $100,000 in 100 Days is a new effort to get more people involved in Habitat –specifically women. Modeled after a similar fundraiser in Regina, the campaign invites 100 women to donate $1,000 each.

Most of Habitat Saskatoon’s donations come from corporate sponsors, so this campaign is a new approach for Habitat, and a new opportunity for women to invest in their community, says Tara Martin, Habitat for Humanity Saskatoon staff liason for $100,000 in 100 Days.

“It’s a really close group of women who come together and build a home for a family that’s been waiting for one, so their investment of time, of financial resources... all goes to creating a better life for another family,”says Martin.

This is the second year they’ve hosted the campaign. Last year they reached half their goal, with 50 women contributing $1,000 each. “We thought that was amazing,” says Martin. “These were 50 women we had never worked with before.”

Regina’s version of the campaign started in 2011, and last year they raised $200,000.

They’ve also linked their fundraiser with

Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build – a program that has women taking the lead on a work site. Habitat Saskatoon also runs a Women Build program separate from the $100,000 campaign, usually hosted annually.

There are differences between Regina’s and Saskatoon’s campaigns by necessity, though: each city is a different place, and needs a different approach. “We really found that what worked in Regina didn’t necessarily work here,” says Martin. “People were wanting something else.”

In Regina, 100 women donated $1,000 each, but in Saskatoon, most women are fundraising among their friends, or holding mini-fundraisers of their own to meet their personal $1,000 goal. Also, in Regina the campaign was carried out mostly on social media, but Martin says Saskatoon participants prefer to make connections on a person-to-person basis.

“In Saskatoon, we’re finding that women are wanting more of that personal touch, to come out and listen to what Habitat is doing in the community.”

The $100,000 goal is the price tag for Habitat to build a single-family home, but with the cost of land increasing, they’re no longer able to build single-family dwellings, says Martin.

“To better serve those people who need our program, we’re building multi-family units.”

The $100,000 they raise through the campaign will go to Habitat projects in general.

Current projects include a fourplex on Avenue S, which they’re building in partnership with the Prairie Spirit School Division, and their biggest build yet: a 12-unit project on Slimmon Road in Lakewood, which starts next spring.

The kick-off for the $100,000 campaign was an event hosted by the Little Red Dress Club on September 8. They aim to meet their goal 100 days later, on December 17. Some women have already committed to donating, but they’re looking for more community leaders and philanthropists to step in.

Habitat for Humanity helps low-income, working families in Saskatoon purchase homes by offering interest-free mortgages on houses the non-profit organization has built.

Partner families are also required to volunteer 500 hours, as part of what Habitat calls “sweat equity.”

The homes are built with 95 per cent volunteer labour, and when individuals invest in Habitat for Humanity, 100 per cent of their investment goes back into programming. All of Habitat’s administration fees are paid for through ReStore, their retail outlet. “People can know that their investment is being well used,” says Martin. LS

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Q: We are building a new home and not sure what type of exterior we should do. What are my options?

A: There are five main options when choosing the main exterior material for your home. When making your choice, evaluate the options based on price, aesthetic and performance. Architectural standards in your neighbourhood may specify what materials or colours must be used. Here is a summary of the options, listed in order of cost.

Vinyl Siding – This durable, low-maintenance and cost-effective option for cladding your exterior is relatively easy to install. A wide selection of colours and textures is available, including faux wood options.

Cement Siding – Typically referred to by the manufacturer’s name (Hardie Board™ or Certainteed™), fibre cement siding is a composite material made from sand, cellulose fibre and water. Offering the look of traditional wood siding, cement siding is Class 1 (A) firerated (virtually non-combustible), dimensionally stable to changes in humidity and temperature, resistant to wind and hail impact, resistant to UV-fading and environmentally sustainable. Cement siding comes in a number of factory baked-on colour options, but can also be easily painted.

Conventional Stucco – A cement and sand-based coating, conventional stucco is applied in multiple coats. Colour choices can be customized but are somewhat limited to colours that cement can be dyed (often lighter colour palettes).

Acrylic Stucco – Acrylic stucco is a two-coat system with a cement-based undercoat and a waterproof acrylic top coat. Colour choices are endless as any paint colour can be matched. Acrylic stucco has a similar texture to conventional stucco. It can also be done with an intermediate coat to get a smoother finish closer to what can be achieved with EIFS. EIFS (Exterior Insulated Finishing System) Stucco – EIFS is a five-step stucco system with an added element of insulation and weather protection. A liquid vapour barrier is used instead of conventional building paper or house wrap, then exterior rigid insulation is applied, typically increasing the value of your insulation system by R5 to R12. A small gap is left between the insulation and the exterior of the house to allow condensation and any water infiltration to exit the structure. The acrylic coating is then applied directly to the rigid insulation. EIFS provides a very airtight membrane, like a winter parka for your home. EIFS offers unlimited colour choices and a smooth finished texture. Due to the technical nature of this system, it’s important to select a contractor that has received formal training through the EIFS Council of Canada.

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Today’s expanded pantries make it possible to hide your mess beautifully. But they’re not just about gleefully stashing things out of sight. They allow for impeccable designer storage as well as the opportunity to create a beautiful custom aesthetic.

The Impeccable

Pantry

by Hilary Klassen P HOTOS C o u r t e s y o f AyA K i t c h e n s

With the popularity of open concept living, pantries as separate spaces have evolved to keep kitchen tasks, food preparation and storage out of sight, maintaining the design unity of visible spaces.

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Say goodbye to the typical corner pantry or kitchen cupboard. The new must-have pantries are sizeable walk-in rooms with custom shelving and unique design elements. Designer Denise Graves of Tait Kitchens believes the trend is a response to the popularity of the open concept. “I think it’s because of how the open plan has evolved because many people are finding the open plan is literally too open,” says Graves. “With the open concept, you often want it looking pretty, you don’t want a lot of things sitting out, whereas when your kitchen was more of a separate room with just one cook, leaving things out wasn’t such a horrible thing because it was functional. But now it’s a response to aesthetics.”

Graves is seeing a resurgence of interest in the butler style pantry, like a traditional older home would often have. “They’ll have everyday food storage, and possibly a coffee maker, a microwave, and maybe a secondary fridge unit. That’s quite common,” she says, adding that often when they do a true butler’s style pantry it functions like a pass-through from an entryway. “Hand in hand with that is the mudroom concept where we’re building in lockers and benches for the family entry into the home.” The pass-through pantry leads from the mudroom to the kitchen, like a functional oversized hallway. This design often includes a couple of walls of full cabinetry, possibly an upright freezer, and is a good place to incorporate some windows if you don’t have them in the kitchen.

Graves helps clients create an effectual design that could involve merging storage areas.

“The linen closet, for example, is often incorporated into the pantry. In renos we’ve often done this because we’re opening up spaces and moving walls, freeing up space to create an efficient blueprint.” Some reno designs use an existing corner pantry and extend it, so it leads into another room.

“Style features include a lot of open shelving - often it’s something done more commercial or restaurant style – stainless steel countertops, stainless steel moveable islands. The restaurant supply companies are doing very well with that and we’ve incorporated some of their items built into cabinetry as well in terms of open roll-outs for all of your dishes,” says Graves. Depending on the room size, some moveable islands in the pantry can be part ‘regular countertop’ and part trolley.

Besides being the ideal hideout for the beautiful mess, the pantry as a separate room creates some opportunities. While the kitchen retains its own design aesthetic within a unified open concept, the pantry can become the home owner’s indulgence, with its own aesthetic. With this space located out of sight, it’s time to indulge your whims.

Denise Graves, senior designer for Tait Kitchens is seeing a growing interest in pantries as separate rooms. These rooms may function as a secondary kitchen, spice kitchen or butler’s pantry and have custom open shelving or cabinetry, as well as the imprint of the home owner’s aesthetic.

“ I t ’s m a y be the p l a c e t o do s om e t h i ng tren dy… o r a l t e r n atively, g o b a c k to what y o u re a l l y love re g a rd l e ss if it’s i n s t y l e or not.”

Denise Graves, Tait Kitchens

“It’s maybe the place to do something trendy if you’re cautious in terms of your decorating style, or alternatively, go back to what you really love regardless if it’s in style or not.

That’s often where I find clients may incorporate some pieces of furniture that they really love, like old antique hoosiers.” Graves says some clients add interest by mixing materials, like rough-hewn or more decorative shelving.

Displaying a sundry antique collection or a small bottle, dish or utensil collection in the pantry would seem ideal as well, not to men-

tion drying herbs out of sight.

If the room functions like a secondary kitchen you may see a second dishwasher, a second fridge, or a bar sink. “In a reno I just did recently, the client has fridge drawers out in her kitchen but in her pantry, that’s where the full size fridge is,” says Graves. The pantry as secondary kitchen may become more of a work zone, with small appliances like toasters and cumbersome bread machines left out and ready to use. For some ethnic populations, the secondary kitchen is the “spice”

kitchen or the “dirty” kitchen where all of the cooking is done.

The re-visioned upsized pantry will appeal to those who crave inspired blendings of beauty and order. Graves says it’s everybody’s wish but it’s much like an island – you can’t put it into every kitchen. But when it’s possible, she and her team spend “immense time” figuring out what the client wants to do with the space to facilitate the goal of creating an impeccable, functional, beautiful, personalized pantry. LS 29

ROCK RIDGE HOMES

30

“THE ACHE FOR HOME LIVES IN ALL OF US,THE SAFE PLACE WHERE WE CAN GO AS WE ARE AND NOT BE QUESTIONED.” MAYA ANGELOU

Home.

It’s a powerful, evocative word. It’s the place where we sink our toes into our own turf and hit ‘reset’ when necessary. It’s where we build memories and our real story unfolds.

Jason Doell, owner of Rock Ridge Homes, recently added a new chapter to his story. His newly completed home in Warman exemplifies everything Rock Ridge does best, build custom homes. Displaying the latest in home automation and exceptional attention to detail, the home reveals considerable design savvy.

Beautiful views of the Legends Golf Course out back take nothing away from the beauty indoors.

There’s 4400 square feet of awesome, starting with eight foot doors and 10 foot ceilings to create a grand feel on the main floor.

Travertine tile sets off the living room fireplace, along with a huge maple mantle. You’re never in the dark, with LED lighting in the custom staircase, the floating shelves and throughout the home.

A Wolf range with a grill and two gas ovens plays a starring role in the kitchen. Framed by a stone arch, it channels a French chateau. Rock Ridge Cabinets have granite countertops, under and over counter lighting, a sensate faucet, built-in fridge and microwave, and servo technology for garbage and recyclables.

Tucked beyond the kitchen is a mudroom with lockers and walk through pantry.

Head upstairs to discover a luxurious master suite on its own floor. This comfortable retreat boasts a library sitting area, fireplace and expansive golf course views. “And every woman’s dream, the walk-in closet which is about 400 to 500 square feet.

There’s valet hooks, a built in cabinet for jewelry, tie and belt hooks, slots for bags, shoes and scarves, all surrounded in solid maple,” says Doell. The ensuite has a dual sink vanity with towers, an automated rain shower programmable for six users with temperature controls and body sprays, a separate water closet and a large free-standing soaker tub.

When a builder has his own cabinet company, why wouldn’t the garage have cabinets? Of course it does. And an epoxy resin finished floor, in-floor heat and floor drains, and ‘whisper quiet’ automated doors. “If you ever drive away and forget if you closed your garage door, you can actually say ‘close garage door’ and your phone will close it,” says Doell.

Automation in the home extends to total climate control, in-floor heating, TV, audio (5.1 and 7.1 systems), lighting, lawn sprinkler system, etc. all controlled by mini-iPad docks. The quality workmanship that is a hallmark of Rock Ridge is evident throughout.

ROCK RIDGE HOMES I WWW.ROCKRIDGEHOMES.CA

(continued on next page)

I 306-239-2229

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ROCK RIDGE HOMES

While building high end homes is typical for Rock Ridge, Doell’s vision doesn’t stop there. He continues to be passionate about offering a range of services. The company does complete renovations or restorations, starter homes, luxury homes and small commercial projects. In 2010 Rock Ridge received a Heritage Award from the city of Saskatoon for their restoration of a downtown building. Being able to deliver a custom product that people want and are connected to keeps him motivated.

That includes helping younger couples get into the market and get more of what they want – a custom home that reflects who they are versus a cookie cutter product. “It sounds hard to believe, but it’s true. That’s what custom home means, not paying a higher amount of money to get what you want,” says Doell. “‘Custom’ doesn’t make Rock Ridge unaffordable to the guy that wants a starter home. It just should provide them more confidence that they get the same quality and the same attention to detail as the guy that’s building a one, two or three million dollar house,” says Doell. The build process is open and transparent, and welcomes creative and artistic elements.

Doell got into building homes as a hobby, first for himself, then for others. “It became a passion that I really enjoyed, and it grew into a business. What’s kept me passionate over the last 10 years and what I love about it is that feeling when I’m bringing the customer through the finished house, and it’s all cleaned and I’m handing those keys over and the customer says, ‘it’s better, it’s far greater than I ever imagined it would be’.”

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TRAILBLAZERS

Lloyd Bachiu (left) and Cam Bedry (right) have made Bath Fitter a household name in Saskatoon.

Bath Fitter Saskatoon

by Tom Eremondi

P h o t o S s u ppl i e d b y E h r e n b u r g H o m e s

“ I ’ d say 95 per c e n t o r more of our i n s t a l l s are finished i n j u s t one day.”

Lloyd bachiu, BATH FITTER SASKATOON

36

It didn’t take long for Bath Fitter to become a household name in Saskatchewan.

That’s because the company found the winning touch with its model of one-day bathroom renovations.

“Bath Fitter Canada got its start in 1984 and will be celebrating its 30-year anniversary this year,” says Lloyd Bachiu, co-owner of the Saskatoon franchise with partner Cam Bedry since 2000.

With a winning product, the two quickly expanded their company. They opened the Regina franchise in 2001 and then bought into the Bath Fitter company itself in 2003.

That’s allowed them to expand with branches in Washington state, which Bedry now operates.

Noting backgrounds in business and construction, he says “Cam recognized a need for a top quality bath and shower product with a parent company that would stand behind their products. Today Bath Fitter is the premier one-day bath remodeling company in

both Saskatchewan and Washington.

“We started with six employees in Saskatoon. As of right now we have 32 employees in the U.S. and 26 in Saskatchewan,” Bachiu adds, noting Randy Shalovelo is now a partner in the Saskatchewan operations.

“We supply custom manufactured acrylic bathtub and shower products including the unique seamless one-piece acrylic tub and shower surrounds plus a wide selection of accessories,” Bachiu says. “All products are covered with the Bath Fitter lifetime warranty.”

“The other reason Bath Fitter is so well known is because of that one-day service,” says Shalovelo, noting the replacement liner is assembled in the Bath Fitter factory and then installed in the home.

“I’d say 95 per cent or more of our installs are finished in just one day. The majority of the installations take, on average, about six hours.”

He notes the exceptions are likely cases

where there is need to repair moisture damage, structural flaws or plumbing fixtures.

“These really need to be done before the liner is installed but the nice thing is Bath Fitter’s installers can do the repair work. There’s no need to hire another contractor.”

This will take the installation into two days, which is the longest a Bath Fitter install usually ever takes. All installations are ready for normal use the following day.

Shalovelo says, “we feel we’re unique in offering this one-piece liner. There are no seams, no need to re-caulk the corners, and the piece can wrap around wherever is desired, including from the floor to the ceiling for a full enclosure.”

The durable, high-gloss acrylic material used by Bath Fitter means it is leak-proof and scratch-resistant. “It’s easy to look after and clean with very little maintenance so it will continue to look beautiful and luxurious for years to come, which is why we’re able to offer a lifetime warranty,” says Shalovelo.

While white is always a popular choice, Shalovelo says a décor-conscious customer can also choose from solid and marble colours, as well as smooth or tile-patterned finishes.

Bath Fitter also offers a large number of accessories, including doors, corner seats, grab bars, shelves, soap dishes, ceilings, wainscoting, towel bars, faucets, window trims and mouldings, and shower rods.

“With the 650 moulds, the many colours and finishes, and the wide array of accessories, our customers have an unlimited number of options,” Shalovelo says.

While the company is best known for its liner replacements, he wants consumers to know it does more. “We can do complete tub replacements. If it needs to be pulled out and replaced because of wear or because homeowners want a different or bigger tub, we can do that.”

This includes custom-made showers and also tub-to-shower conversions. “Again there

is really no limitation to sizes. We can do just about anything.”

The Bath Fitter name has been recognized and accepted by more than just thousands of happy customers. Since being established, the Saskatchewan branches have received both ABEX and SABEX business awards. Bath Fitter also received the Consumer’s Choice Award in the Bathroom renovation category for five years running from 2010 to 2014.

At the same time, Bath Fitter has found a seamless fit for itself – with the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association. “I’m not sure of exactly when we joined the Association but I believe it was right from our beginning,” Bachiu says. “Belonging to a professional association shows consumers that we’re a company they can trust and rely on to look after their bathtub and shower renovation needs.”

For more information on the company and products available, visit www.BathFitter. com . LS

37

Creating a beautiful space suited to your needs takes skill. Locally owned and Creating a beautiful space suited to your needs takes skill. Locally owned and manufactured, Majestic Cabinets are custom-designed specifically for your space manufactured, Majestic Cabinets are custom-designed specifically for your space whether it’s a full kitchen renovation, installing a murphy bed and office space, whether it’s a full kitchen renovation, installing a murphy bed and office space, or another creative project. And because you’re dealing with a local company, or another creative project. And because you’re dealing with a local company, t ht e y ’yr’er es m aa l l l lee nn oo u ugghht ot oppaay yaat tt e he sm t ennt itoi onnt o t ot h t hee t thhi ni nggss t thhaat t m maatttteerr –– tthhee ddeettaai il lss..

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“You can see the whole landscape has changed, for the better.”

WOMEN BUILDING SASKATOON MAKE room guys!

The new home construction industry is breaking down gender barriers and is encouraging women to join its ranks and discover new and exciting career opportunities. Living Spaces invites you to meet ten Saskatoon women who have made their mark in the residential construction industry in diverse and non-traditional roles, and who are encouraging other women to follow their career path.

40

Colleen MaH

North Ridge Development Corporation

by Jeannie Armstrong In 1998, Colleen Mah left the security of a management position with the federal government’s taxation agency to work for North Ridge Development Corporation, the company her husband Wally Mah and business partner Jules Calyniuk started in 1982.

When the company’s sales manager left to pursue other interests, Wally invited Colleen to fill the position.

She took the job, but played it safe by keeping her options open. “I took a leave from Revenue Canada because not everyone can work with their husband. I found out that we worked together really well. I brought new skills that as a mom-and-pop operation Wally

P HOTOS BY J E F F LYONS

hadn’t developed. It was good for our relationship; it was good for our company,” says Colleen Mah. The training and skills she acquired at Revenue Canada proved beneficial in her new role at North Ridge. “I had received very good training on staff management and different processes. One of the things that was missing when I came to North Ridge were established processes and policies. As an entrepreneur, you never want to become a bureaucracy, but on the other hand, you want to have clear policies and procedures. It helps you; it helps the staff. That’s what I brought at the beginning.”

During her years as the sales manager of

Colleen Mah (right) consults with Shannon Morton (left), North Ridge Development’s manager of sales and marketing.

In 1998, Colleen Mah left the security of a federal government job to work alongside her husband, Wally, at North Ridge Development Corporation. Few women were employed in the construction industry at the time. “Now women are everywhere in the industry,” says Colleen.

Colleen Mah is the first and only woman to have served as president of the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association.

North Ridge Development, she developed the company’s real estate brokerage. “We hired Carroll Udy at the time and she became our broker. We developed North Ridge Realty to increase our market share. When Carroll retired, I obtained my broker’s license,” says Colleen. “It’s been very good for North Ridge Developments to have a licensed real estate arm in addition to our in-house sales team.”

North Ridge Development Corporation has experienced phenomenal growth over the past 31 years, expanding into one of the province’s largest single- and multi-family home builders and land developers. Over 3,000 families in 14 municipalities now live in high quality homes constructed by North Ridge Development Corporation.

Colleen says her role within the company has “morphed” in recent years. “It’s more of a senior management role. Our goal is to not have to be in the office all the time - but we haven’t gotten to that stage yet. We are considered the owners’ group and are training our management team to operate according to the ‘rules of Wally’,” says Colleen.

David Calyniuk, Jules’ son, works closely with Wally in North Ridge’s land division.

Colleen and Wally’s son Patrick is at the helm of North Ridge’s Regina operations. Both sons have worked in various areas of North Ridge. “They’ve tried different things and

have stepped up voluntarily. They’re the ‘G2’ of this company,” says Colleen.

The years have flown by since joining North Ridge, she adds. “One of the things in the housing industry is the variety of experiences that you have all the time. It’s so enjoyable. I’m always learning something new.

There are constant innovations in the housing industry. I love looking at new designs and trends.”

Among the changes Colleen welcomes is the growing number of women working in the construction industry. “When you stand back and take a look, you can see the whole landscape has changed for the better,” says Colleen.

“Twenty years ago, there was no push for women to get into the trades. Now, women are everywhere in the industry. There is strong promotion for women to get into the trades.

When we attend meetings at the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association, there are lots of women in attendance. Twenty years ago, there were spouses and that was it. Now, there are women working in construction, working in the trades. They own their own companies,” says Colleen.

Promoting industry professionalism is important to the Mahs. “We’ve always been really involved in the Home Builders’ Association and have encouraged our staff to volunteer

and serve on committees and as directors,” says Colleen. She has served numerous terms as a director on the Association board, and in 2002-2003, was elected to be the first and only female president of the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association.

“It’s important for young women to know there are other avenues to making a good living, other than clerking. Our industry can certainly provide that to women and men alike,” says Colleen.

In April of this year, the Mahs provided a gift of $100,000 to SIAST for the creation of the North Ridge Development Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Awards. The Mahs’ $100,000 gift is being matched by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Advanced Education, doubling the value of the scholarships to $200,000.

The awards are designated for students in SIAST’S Electrician, Carpentry, Plumber, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning programs.

Six awards will be distributed this year, with special consideration given to women and mature students.

“We talked to SIAST about what some of the barriers are. Those are the two groups that seem to have the biggest barriers to entering the trades. We need to make sure that women realize that they can have good careers in this industry,” says Colleen. LS 41

“When I drive past a house or a project we’ve built,it makes me feel proud to see what we’ve accomplished.”

by Jeannie Armstrong

P HOTOS BY J E F F LYONS

WOMEN BUILDING SASKATOON Bernice Williams Angela Williams North Prairie Developments Founded in 1987 by John and Bernice Williams, North Prairie Developments Ltd. has constructed close to 3,000 single- and multifamily homes in Saskatchewan. The familyowned company has evolved into one of the province’s largest construction firms, active in residential, commercial and retail construction, as well as land development.

The couple got their start in the business by building a couple of houses a year, relates Bernice. “Then we moved into more commercial tendered projects. We built quite a few housing projects in Northern Saskatchewan in those early years.”

Joining her husband in the family business proved to be a successful partnership, she explains. “As partners, John and I have our own areas that we look after. We’re both very hands-on. For us, it works really well.”

In the early years, Bernice worked on-site as well as in the office. “I did the clerical work, accounting – and painting!” says Bernice. “As the company grew, we had to bring in more staff. We started by hiring some clerical staff.

I was still painting at that point as well as doing the accounting.”

While growing the company, the Williams were also raising a young family. Bernice recalls doing a lot of the accounting work in the evenings, after the children had gone to bed.

If she needed to be on-site, there were days 42

Working together with her husband John Williams in establishing North Prairie Developments 27 years ago, Bernice (left) started off doing everything from accounting duties to painting. The family-owned company has now evolved into one of the province’s largest construction firms. A second generation of the Williams family is now part of the company’s management team. Daughter Angela (right) is assistant manager of North Prairie’s multi-family division.

she loaded up the kids and took them along.

“I did a lot of juggling and made it work,” says Bernice.

Growing up on construction sites, it’s no wonder that sons Andrew and Tyler and daughter Angela have followed in their parents’ footsteps as the newest members of North Prairie Developments’ management team. “I think I have the best job in the world,” says Bernice, “because I work with all three of my kids! It’s wonderful!”

In addition to Bernice’s role as business partner, she continues to oversee several areas of the company, including Finance, Human Resources and Community Relations.

“Giving back to the community is something that’s very important to our family,” says Bernice, citing North Prairie’s support of worthy organizations including the Saskatchewan Children’s Hospital Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, STARS Ambulance and St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation.

Daughter Angela Williams joined North Prairie 15 years ago. “I started as receptionist, then moved into service and warranty. I worked in that department for quite a few

years, while developing our safety program.

I really liked the idea of project management and took that on about seven or eight years ago.”

Angela is now the assistant manager of North Prairie’s multi-family division. Recent projects include the 187-unit gated community of Little Tuscany and Bellagio Terrace, a 77-unit luxury apartment condominium in Regina. Now, Angela is hard at work on North Prairie’s new downtown high-rise, Shangrila on Fourth. The nine-storey condo project has several unique features, including an innovative car share program.

Bernice says there weren’t a lot of women involved in construction when she and John started North Prairie in 1987. “Today, you see many more women at construction sites, in a variety of roles,” she says.

Does Bernice consider herself a role model for women who are now enjoying construction careers? “I’m not sure if I was a role model, but I think anyone I spoke to knew that I enjoyed what I was doing. They could see it was possible for a woman to work in construction, alongside the fellows.”

Quality and Affordability go hand-in hand.

Providing top quality products and personal service for residential and commercial customers; renovations or new construction.

Angela adds that it’s now quite common to see women at North Prairie’s construction sites, employed by their different sub-trades.

“There are women framers, painters – you name it!”

What advice does Bernice offer to women who are exploring careers in construction?

“Go for it! Today, I don’t think the old stereotypes exist. It’s not a man’s job anymore. If you have the skill sets, the knowledge and the drive, you can do it! There are tons of opportunities in different areas.”

Bernice reflects on North Prairie’s past 27 years with a lot of satisfaction. “When I drive past a house or project we’ve built, it makes me feel proud to see what we’ve accomplished. We’ve been able to succeed with the help of our knowledgeable employees, our hard-working sales staff and the longterm relationships we have with our trades and suppliers.”

Angela says, “That’s what our mission statement is all about: We want to provide our customers with innovative, quality homes that we would be proud to call our own.” LS

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“It’s not just boys’ town; it’s equal opportunity.”

WOMEN BUILDING SASKATOON

Holly Patzer Dream Development

by Hilary Klassen

Patzer says women bring a different angle to the workplace. “I think in general, women think of things that men don’t. The Mars and Venus thing comes into play.”

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The aerial view of Saskatoon will be significantly altered thanks to visionaries like Dream Development. Holly Patzer, sales and marketing coordinator for Dream, is directly involved in shaping these changes to our city footprint, as more and more raw land is transformed into future communities to feed a hungry, growing metropolis. Dream has just completed their Stonebridge development and has several other projects on the horizon. Patzer is excited to be a part of it.

“I’m very happy to be working where I am right now! What’s exciting is to see the closure of some very successful developments but yet be first hand with new projects.

You’re acquiring the land, you’re annexing it, you’re getting it into sellable lots, you’re seeing it through from the raw land into a future family home,” she says. “It’s pretty exciting seeing a development happen.”

Dream will be opening up a new area of the Willows soon which will be known as Westport. They just opened a Parade of Homes in their South Kensington development which has four phases underway, and the final phases about to be launched.

Probably the largest development Saskatoon has ever seen is Dream Development’s upcoming Holmwood project east of Arbor Creek. The area will become home to about

75,000 people over 20 to 25 years. The first neighbourhood is called ‘Brighton.’ “This new area is going to be really unique and exciting and I think it’s exactly what Saskatoon needs,” says Patzer.

Patzer fills a variety of roles in land development for Dream. She coordinates lot draws, (communication, agreements and promotional materials), sits on the architectural design approval committee, just organized their South Kensington Parade of Homes, is involved with workplace safety, and even pulls together golf tourneys.

Recently the company introduced a new program called LotFX. Patzer set it up, implemented it and now manages it. “Now we have a new system to work with where everything comes to us electronically. It’s a wonderful class-one database that we’ve implemented and we’re very excited about it.”

Having grown up with boys and worked in the oil, gas and mining industries, Patzer feels comfortable working in male-driven environments. She was a human resources manager in Calgary for many years. “I have a lot of marketing and HR experience, working with people for years and years. It was a male-driven environment and a great experience.”

Patzer is encouraged to see more women

out on construction sites. “It shows that it doesn’t have to be males doing those kind of things. It’s not just boys’ town, it’s equal opportunity. It’s nice to see more interaction with the women in any industry. Even in our company it’s nice to see women in high ranking roles as well.”

Patzer is an avid hockey player, like her mother and grandmother. She has coached both men’s and women’s hockey, and finds women bring a somewhat different perspective to the ice and to the board room than men. With hockey, she found that when she asked the guys to go out on the ice and run a certain play, they just went out and did it.

“Ladies, when you’re coaching them, they like to know what they’re going to do, but

they like to know why. I think I’m the same.

They need the understanding and then they can go out and do it 100 per cent and I think maybe that’s what I bring to the male environment within my world.” It’s also bringing a different angle. “I think in general, women think of things that men don’t. The Mars and Venus thing comes into play.”

Respect and confidence are high values for Patzer. “When you’re in a group of gentlemen and you stand out because you’re the only woman, you just maintain your stand on all levels. Overall if you walk in with confidence and you know what you’re talking about, they respect that and you draw your lines as to where respect levels are. You’re communicating without maybe even say-

ing anything, it’s your aura, it’s your energy, it’s how you carry yourself,” she says, adding that at Dream everyone is wonderful to deal with. “We have a great team and my VP, Don Armstrong, he’s been fantastic.” He understands her push to learn and desire for growth.

Patzer is pretty passionate about her work, but seems to find a balance between work and home life that works for her and doesn’t involve staring at the clock. “I think there’s a balance, it’s a choice. You have to choose to spread yourself the right thickness that you’re comfortable with,” she says.

Working with Dream and impacting aerial views seems to make sense for a woman who doesn’t like ceilings, except in houses. LS

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47

“I see the project through from start to finish.”

WOMEN BUILDING SASKATOON Amanda Krawchuk Krawchuk Construction b y K i r a Olf e r t P HOTOS BY HI L ARY K L ASSEN

Amanda loves the constant challenges and unexpected surprises that every renovation project brings.

“The problem is always solvable,” says Amanda.

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Krawchuk Construction is owned and operated by the wife-husband team of Amanda and Jordan Krawchuk, and was established in 2007.

The company has built a steady reputation as one of Saskatoon’s premiere home renovators and basement finishers, all while Jordan still works full-time as an industrial arts teacher in Saskatoon. In describing the division of labour, Amanda says, “Jordan is in charge of customer acquisition and marketing and I am in charge of project management, from dealing with the sub-contractors to design and purchasing, and I see the project through from start to finish.”

Amanda remembers as a young girl when she was “always building stuff with my dad’s tools. I’ve always been interested in making things, and in art and in re-doing homes. I love just the idea of home improvement.”

She also loves the never-ending opportunities for learning that the job allows her.

“Every project throws you for some kind of loop, and you have to figure it out. But you’ve got all your hands-on experience and knowledge from past projects, so you take that and the problem is always solvable. I’d say that was one of the biggest things I’ve gotten out of this job,” she says.

“It has caused me to become more assertive and confident as I realize I am able to deal with issues that once seemed so huge to me, but now I realize are challenges I can deal with, and have dealt with.”

As for being a woman in the trades, Amanda says she has not experienced any

challenges in the job that were gender-specific. “The problems I deal with are problems that everyone in the industry deals with.”

And although there are specific supports out there for women in the trades, and women might feel the need to prove themselves more, Amanda says that “the best advice I can give a woman in this industry is to keep competitive and keep educated. If you know your stuff and know what you’re about, I think you’ll find that the men you deal with are completely receptive to you.”

Amanda strongly believes that women excel at the area of design. “Women have an eye for detail and quality that really adds critical details to any project.”

In the future, Amanda says she would like to see the company branch out into building new homes. “It would be amazing to be with a new build from the blueprints right through to the clients seeing how it looked all finished – to take a blank slate and to watch it grow.”

She hopes more women will take advantage of the “active, hands-on, construction field. The industry is booming, and there is so much room for people to use their creative potential.”

Owning her own company, Amanda adds, gives her a home/life balance she might not otherwise have. “Although both of my kids are now in daycare, I still work from home, and I have the freedom to schedule work around my kids’ appointments and school activities. I work for myself, and I love the opportunities this gives me.” LS

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“I think I can help women understand the process from my vantage.”

WOMEN BUILDING SASKATOON

TAMARA BELL Evermore Homes

by Tom Eremondi P HOTOS BY HI L ARY K L ASSEN

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Tamara Bell co-owns Saskatoon’s Evermore Homes with her husband, Roger, but that’s not all she does with the company.

“My husband is main site manager but I do site management when needed,” she says. “I do all paper work, product selection for houses, and help clients make selections.

Roger and I also work with sub-trades, doing things like choosing floor plans with drafts people or choosing what energy efficient items to have.”

Bell is even present to give the home a final clean and inspection before giving keys to new owners. “It doesn’t matter who worked on the home, in the end it’s my name that’s on it so I’d rather catch the stuff than have our buyers find it.”

Roger and Tamara launched Evermore in 2006, building just one home since they were both working. “The business really picked up and we realized it made sense for one of us to quit our jobs, especially with having two small children at the time, so I did. I took on all of the site duties and hired someone to help me.

“I did that for a couple of houses and got

to learn everything about building a home from start to finish.”

The company was building eight to 10 homes a year but is scaling that back to five to seven as it does more custom builds, Bell says. “We work with Vereco Homes, building highly energy efficient homes which are time consuming because of features like double wall construction, R80 in the attic and R40 in the walls. Everything takes extra care. In the end we feel the homes are worth it.”

As a woman involved in an industry traditionally populated by men, she says the challenges she faced eight years ago are waning. “When we started there were certain tradespeople who would call and refuse to speak with me, even if I identified myself as an owner. That hasn’t happened for some time.”

She’s not so much dedicated to bringing a woman’s perspective as to bringing a different perspective. “So many homes are bought by couples, so I think it’s a real advantage to being a couple building homes. I bring different things to a build than my husband does and make certain choices that he might

never think about but that he has to trust me about. That’s why we prefer to have both of us meet with our clients, especially the couples. I think I can help women understand the process from my vantage.”

A modern working mother, Bell says, as her kids get older, she’s found the ideal solution for balancing work and family – taking them to work. “My son Jakob is 16 and has worked for the company since he was 13.

He’s now laying subfloors for us. My daughter, Lauren, is 13 and very helpful because she was five when we started Evermore so she’s being doing this almost all her life.

“I think the biggest advantage of having them both on the job with us is teaching them the value of doing a hard day’s work and that, no matter what you do, it’s all an important part of the process.”

Bells say the market is ideal for what she wants to be doing. “We enjoy the extra value of building a better home but take pride in all homes we build. Saskatchewan is a great place to live and work and I can’t see the market slowing down anytime soon.

“I enjoy what I do and nothing, outside of my family, makes me happier than seeing a client happy with one of the homes we’ve spent hours and hours building.” LS

As a co-owner of Evermore Homes, Tamara Bell works alongside her husband Roger in constructing highly energy efficient homes.

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“I know what works for a space and what doesn’t.”

WOMEN BUILDING SASKATOON Janice Haldorson Stone’s Edge Granite b y K i r a Olf e r t P HOTOS BY HI L ARY K L ASSEN

Janice Haldorson utilizes her extensive experience to help clients design their dream space.

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Janice Haldorson of Stone’s Edge Granite grew up around construction and building.

Her dad and her brother worked in the trade, and it seemed natural for her to do the same.

She started out at the order desk at Nu-Fab Building Products, and eventually tried her hand at the design aspect of the business.

From Nu-Fab, Haldorson moved onto Superior Cabinets where, along with orders and design, she began to work in sales. Today, she is head designer at Stone’s Edge Granite.

When Haldorson started at Nu-Fab in 1986, “there were no other females, and the sales staff were all men. But I’ve seen that change over the years, and by the time I left Superior, the majority of the sales staff were women. Overall, especially if you look at the amount of female designers there are, the trade has way more women involved now than when I started. To see a woman on a construction site is not at all unusual anymore.”

This is especially true, says Haldorson, as more and more builders choose to use designers from the beginning of projects.

“Builds are very design-oriented these days, and builders are using designers when they map out projects. It just makes the whole build run more smoothly.”

Haldorson enjoys all aspects of being involved in construction. “Design is so much fun, and it is in me to do it. And because I’ve spent so much time in the past doing orders, I know exactly what needs to be ordered for

all of my designs, and by now, I know what works for a space and what doesn’t. I also love the hands-on aspect, and I love getting onto sites and working with the tradespeople. And I especially love bringing my experience to help clients design their dream space.”

She adds, “Often, clients are overwhelmed with advice and opinions. It is a very important part of my job to help them weed out the extra ideas and focus on what they really want. It is so exciting, and such an honour to see how gorgeous it all looks when the build is done.”

Haldorson enjoys working on “anything that comes my way,” and is currently working on a number of large projects in both Saskatoon and Regina.

She encourages anyone who is interested in building or design to pursue a career in this field. “It is a great and very rewarding job, not to mention being quite lucrative in the Saskatoon area right now. And you meet a lot of wonderful people.” The sense of accomplishment that comes with those relationships and those projects are worth “never, ever having your cell phone turned off,” she laughs.

In the end, Haldorson says, “I am most happy that I have had the opportunity to build and nurture relationships with the builders in our area. It is very gratifying to think that I am a part of building the future of Saskatoon and Saskatchewan. I am very proud to be a part of that growth.” LS

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“There are more women doing this kind of work now than there ever was before.”

WOMEN BUILDING SASKATOON Krista Martens

Beyond Measure Design, Inc.

by Jennifer J a c o b y- S m i t h P HOTOS BY J E F F LYONS

After nine years in the industry as an architectural designer, Krista Martens decided to strike out on her own. She started Beyond Measure Design, Inc. in 2008 to fill what she calls, “a need in the industry for a new design perspective.”

She focuses on three guiding principles when custom designing houses for various Saskatoon home builders: space, purpose and perspective.

“I create a space that is unique to the clients’ individual needs, make sure the plan has been designed with purpose and help create a new perspective on what is possible,” Martens explains.

As an entrepreneur, she has loved the close interactions with clients and getting to know their needs, but she says there were challenges at times convincing some builders she was just as knowledgeable as the next guy.

“Probably the biggest one is getting people to understand that as women we still know the same information as everybody else,” says Martens.

Over time, as more women enter the field, these concerns are becoming less and less common.

“When they (builders) understand that we’re more detail-oriented sometimes, they re54

alize that it’s very positive to have women doing their design work for them,” Martens says.

“It is slowly becoming more of a women’s industry – especially in the design of things. I know there are more women doing this kind of work now than there ever was before.”

Courses like the architectural technologies at SIAST in Moose Jaw (where Martens trained) or at SAIT/NAIT in Alberta continue to attract women who have an artistic flair and a desire to see their vision come to life. Martens points out women may be more detailed oriented and more focused on the functionality and flow of a design. Issues related to placement of furniture or artwork may seem like small things to many, but, she adds, “it’s the stuff that brings your house to life.”

Finding a work-home balance is definitely a challenge for many women in any industry. When Martens became a mom five years ago, she and her husband mutually agreed he would stay home with their baby girl, while Martens became the breadwinner. Martens says it’s been a major blessing to their family and her business.

“That balance is always a tough one to find, but I think if you really love what you’re doing, work doesn’t seem like work. It becomes part of your lifestyle; it’s not just a separate

compartment.”

Martens maintains an office at the Two Twenty building on 20th Street specifically for meeting with clients, but says she does much of her work in her home office.

Martens says the most fulfilling part of her job is finding solutions to clients’ problems.

Often it requires her to think outside the box.

Such is the case with a current project with Maison Fine Homes. The infill project near the University of Saskatchewan presented several challenges. Martens’ personal home was an infill project in Mount Royal, so the challenges have been very familiar to her.

“It’s been a long project, but it’s been very educational,” she says.

Of course, the home owners will get a beautiful new home with a mature, established neighbourhood around it, including trees.

With the city booming and the housing market flourishing, Martens says there will continue to be a demand for architectural designers.

For those looking at getting into the industry she suggests, “Know what you’re good at. Don’t worry about the naysayers because it doesn’t matter. What matters is you enjoy what you’re doing and you’re putting out a product or service you’re happy with.” LS

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“I love the creative process… creating a living, breathing, functioning home.”

WOMEN BUILDING SASKATOON Jilaire Soucy Wagner Maison Fine Homes b y ASH L EI G H MATTERN P HOTOS BY J E F F LYONS

Co-owner of Maison Fine Homes, Jilaire Soucy Wagner loves the creative process involved in designing a client’s home and bringing it to life.

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As co-owner of Maison Fine Homes, Jilaire Soucy Wagner fills many roles: she’s the lead client liaison during the design and building process, helping to develop floor plans and design the house; she’s in charge of marketing and communications; and she heads up quality checking, working with the trades to make sure the details are executed properly.

“I love the creative process,” says Soucy Wagner of her work. “I love the idea of starting with a lot, and talking to a family and finding out about them and what they want their forever home to be, and building it for them. That whole process of taking a twodimensional drawing and creating a threedimensional, living, breathing, functioning home. It’s exciting to see it come to life.”

Maison Fine Homes is currently working on an infill home on University Drive – a family home for clients who they’ve been working with for the past year – as well as two other projects for families building their first and second homes.

Soucy Wagner and her husband Andrew Wagner have been building homes for 15 years, starting by building homes for themselves when they lived in Red Deer, Alta.

Living in the houses they built taught them valuable lessons about what works and what doesn’t work, often through trial and error.

Her background is in corporate communications and strategic planning; she credits her previous work for laying the foundation for what she does today.

“A large part of the work I used to do had a very strong visual component, developing publications and newsletters and websites,” says Soucy Wagner. “That visual side of the work has definitely translated into how spaces are laid out, and how people perceive them. The whole idea of people’s perception of it and looking at it through someone else’s eyes shaped the way I do things.”

Soucy Wagner thinks it would benefit the industry to have more women involved, though she understands the barriers women face when considering a career in the home building business.

“Men’s and women’s communication styles can be different. Men can be more gruff, while women like to be polite, and like to make sure no one’s feelings are hurt.

These are huge generalizations, but typically those are the types of things that are barriers as opposed to [strictly] gender. How do I adjust my style so I’m respected and equal?”

As the owner of her company, she is respected in her role, but it wasn’t always that way. Though she notes attitudes have changed in the 15 years they’ve been building, when they first started building houses, she did face some challenges.

“I think you get respect when you give respect. That’s some advice I would give to other women in the industry. And that’s a lesson in life: When you’re respected, that’s when you can do good work, that’s when people want to collaborate, when everyone’s working to the same goal.” LS

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“If a husband and wife are going to dedicate both their careers to one thing, they’re obviously passionate about it.”

WOMEN BUILDING SASKATOON Rhonda Iula Decora Homes

by Hilary Klassen It seems Rhonda Iula does everything but sling a hammer as co-owner of Decora Homes. She and her husband Ricky launched Decora in 2007 and seven years later, she’s loving the construction biz! Sure, Ricky does some stuff, but Rhonda has her hands in a sizable chunk of the pie, exercising “ladyship” over bookkeeping, staff relations, client meetings, advertising, sales, website maintenance, design (from floor plans to finishing details), tracking trends and new products in the industry/market and continuous learning.

It’s a partnership that works very well for the couple. “This year Decora has some amazing, very exciting projects on the books. Three of them are in Greenbryre and these custom projects are so unique, they’re just amazing,” says Iula. “Each one of them is totally different and I love that part of it.” Decora also has projects in Evergreen, Kensington, Rosewood and Martensville, and does custom builds in Regina.

Iula’s training in bookkeeping has been a great help to the business. A couple of previous jobs doing the books for construction companies also prepared her to do accounts receivable, accounts payable and payroll for Decora. “I didn’t actually have any construction experience when I started. Ricky had all the construction experience and none of the accounting so I guess we complement each other.”

58

Rhonda Iula, of Decora Homes, loves the challenge of creating new home designs, finding new and innovative products and meeting with clients in her role as co-owner.

She finds that women bring a greater sense of style and uniqueness to the construction industry when it comes to the final product of the home. “We’re not just thinking about the structure. I know for the men on site, that’s what’s really important, and of course it’s important to me too, but I think beyond that. I think about what the final product is going to look like, even when designing new plans.”

People shopping for a builder to handle their project may also be swayed by the “woman” factor. “When we meet new clients, they seem to gravitate more to companies where there is a woman involved,” says Iula. “I think the wife just wants to know that there’s going to be another woman there who’s going to be overseeing or thinking of new things. And to me it seems like, if a husband and wife are going to dedicate both their careers to one thing, they’re obviously passionate about it.”

Working in the industry does present a few challenges, like keeping on top of industry standards, and having a good understanding of the job sites and construction in

general, says Iula. She visits their sites regularly to stay on top of that game and track their projects, and enjoys the learning part of it. “This industry is challenging but in a good way. We are able to source new materials and products and brainstorm new design ideas on a daily basis. I enjoy coming up with new floor plans to offer our clients and give them a home which is unique and reflects their own design and style.”

As a team, the Iulas prefer a hands-on approach which involves communicating directly with their clients. They meet with prospective clients several times to build a trust relationship. “They have to trust us that we’re going to be able to build the home that they want. So it takes time to gain that,” says Iula. “We have some amazing clients, and have become friends with quite a few of them too.”

Iula says there’s more husband and wife teams coming into the industry. When you’re partners in life and partners in business, finding balance can be tricky. “In the beginning I struggled, I didn’t have a routine.

I find once you discover a routine and stick

with it, balancing your work and home life is much easier,” adding that when she’s working at their home office, she’s not distracted by what needs to be done around the house.

“Once I’m in there, I just pound the work out.” The couple knows when they need to unplug and recharge by taking a vacation.

Iula sees a lot of women entering the industry, working on construction sites doing plumbing or electrical or on framing crews.

“It’s just becoming more the norm. It’s great to see; it’s diversity. And it brings uniqueness to the jobsite. You don’t get that rough edge any more. Men will always be better behaved when there’s a woman around.” she laughs.

Seeing the final result of all their efforts is very gratifying to Rhonda. “When you’re in the beginning stages of seeing a house get framed it’s exciting because you see the structure take shape. It’s a lot of work, you put in a lot of time and effort, especially with custom homes. But when you start putting in the finishing touches, when it all comes together, that’s when it gets really exciting.” LS

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“I enjoy the renovation side, taking something old and giving it new life.”

WOMEN BUILDING SASKATOON

Sheena Sinclair

Bella Vista Development Corp.

STORY & P HOTOS

by Hilary Klassen

On build sites, Sinclair tracks project details using Bella Vista’s online project management software.

62

Sheena Sinclair’s face brightens as she talks about being involved in the construction industry. Her husband Jeremy launched Bella Vista Development Corp in 2009 and Sheena left her job in the communications field in 2011 to join him. She clearly enjoys her role as project coordinator. ““Quite simply it’s fun!” she says. “I enjoy working with the people, I enjoy the clients, the tradespeople, I enjoy the renovation side, taking something old and giving it new life.”

Bella Vista’s main focus is renovations, and they do a few new builds as well. “I work with the clients on design and selecting product, basically start to finish because we look after everything from drafting, if that’s involved, all the way through the product choices and getting quotes,” says Sinclair.

Sinclair tracks the details of their projects with a little help from online product management software. Consequently, there’s no mountain of emails to sift through because all information is stored in one place and up-to-date. “Depending on the scope, there are so many decisions to make that it’s hard to keep track for us and for our clients. ‘We were looking at four different front doors, but which one did we actually go with’,” says Sinclair. “All our selections are entered on-

line in categories. It’s great! It’s a huge timesaver!” Communications, scheduling, decisions, progress and budgeting is all tracked by the software. Trades use the software as well. Specs are uploaded so tradespeople can log in when they’re onsite.

Sinclair’s education in business administration and marketing is very transferrable to her current situation. Previously, in the ag industry she was doing literature and website updates. “Now that stuff is obviously very valuable in branding ourselves, our website, literature and planning for trade shows,” she says. She does graphic design and marketing for the company, and all website and management software updates.

Chillin’ with the boys is nothing new for Sinclair and she feels comfortable in the industry. “I grew up with all boys in my family; I have three brothers so I’m kind of used to the environment. Of course we have challenges but I don’t know that they’re necessarily related to being a woman in this industry. I feel like I fit in and I feel confident,” she says.

Sinclair feels women bring a unique contribution to the industry. “Having the patience to be able to step back from a situation when things come up is a plus. There’s always something in a reno, an issue or prob-

lem. Just being able to adapt and roll, not dwell on what you can’t do, but be able to move forward with a revised plan and carry on, is what I bring.”

Leaving a job site clean, especially with a reno, is another thing she thinks is probably on women’s minds more than men’s. For clients living in a space while it is being renovated, that’s certainly a plus.

Functionality of design is another area where Sinclair thinks women tend to shine.

“From the male perspective they’re more, ‘how can we build it, how can we get it done,’ and I think as a woman I see more, ‘how is it used in the end? Is it functional for the home owner, for the client, for the family? What’s their lifestyle, what do they do, do they en-

tertain?’ I think that perspective is really important because you can make something new and pretty but if it doesn’t function, it’s a missed opportunity to really meet the client’s needs.”

Juggling work and family life can get interesting when you have a 21-month old son and evening meetings with clients. Sinclair has no problem dragging files back and forth daily from work to home in case her son suddenly gets sick and she needs to work from home. Hauling 20 pounds worth of working files around every day shows a high commitment to the company, the clients and the family.

Bella Vista has recently added a cabinet line to their business. Most of their business

BUYING A NEW HOME? PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT

comes through word of mouth, referrals and repeat customers, but the cabinet line will attract a new stream of clients.

Being able to help people bring their dream reno to life is gratifying to Sinclair. “I really enjoy being part of the whole process and the end result. We have clients that hug us when they meet us on the street. They feel like family. Or they cry at the end when they see everything come together. It’s exciting to be able to give people that kind of a feeling.”

It’s also great to have women friends and colleagues in the industry. “I think we’re always rooting for each other, even just talking about our work/family balance. And we’re proud of each other and the things we’re accomplishing.” LS

JEFF STEWART 1.306.222.3233

www.stewartrealty.ca

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Q A

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EMAIL: kitchendesignsbydelta@sasktel.net www.kitchendesignsbydelta.com

kitchen designs By delta

Q: Where do I start when considering new kitchen cabinetry?

A. The first thing to decide when upgrading kitchen cabinetry is your budget. Cabinets typically make up 50 per cent of the entire cost of a kitchen. This will then help dictate the quality of materials that will be used, finishes and any additional upgrades or accessories. You will also want to consider the style of the home, existing décor and any new trends that you wish to incorporate. Aside from aesthetics, the way that your kitchen functions and flows from each work space should be well thought out and planned ahead of time. Another detail to consider is the amount of time you will stay in the home. The longer you plan on staying, the more time you will want to spend planning and detailing the function and aesthetics to create a timeless space.

Q: What other upgrades should be done while changing cabinetry?

A: Since new cabinetry will add value to the home, you do not want to lessen this by using outdated fixtures, appliances and other finishes. Upgrading simple fixtures such as sinks and faucets may not seem like a big deal but can have a huge impact on the overall look and function of your new kitchen. Although your current ones may be fine now, will they last the duration of your new cabinetry or will they need to be changed in a year or two anyway? Appliances will generally dictate the overall layout and design of your kitchen which makes it important to know ahead of time the location, style and sizes of these products. To complete the entire look, other finishes such as flooring, countertop and backsplash should be considered at this time.

Q: What is the most desired kitchen feature?

A: Kitchen islands are the most desired and versatile feature of a kitchen. Aside from adding additional workspace and seating area to the kitchen, they can also add interest to the space. More and more people are adding islands that incorporate different design elements from the rest of the kitchen. This is a great way to try out new trends without committing to the whole kitchen which can also help keep costs down. Some ways to do this are changing the island cabinetry or countertop colour, door profile or even something as simple as different handles and knobs from the rest of the kitchen. Decorative features such as posts or a furniture base can also be incorporated for added interest.

www.kitchendesignsbydelta.com • 306.651.7578 64

Spring may seem a long time away - we still have to get through winter first! But it’s

not too early to start thinking about booking your booth for HomeStyles 2015! With tens of thousands attending each year, you’ll experience concentrated exposure to diverse consumers over the course of four days, as well as the opportunity to connect with potential suppliers and clients within the industry!

We’re excited for an even bigger and better show than ever before, with three halls filled with exhibitors focusing on building, renovating, and lifestyle products and services. We’ll be featuring expert speakers Damon Bennett, contractor, featured contractor on Holmes Makes It Right on HGTV and contributing columnist HOSS Magazine; and Kate Campbell, carpenter, Deck Wars, and Disaster Decks on HGTV. At HomeStyles, there truly is something for everyone!

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March 19 - 22, 2015

Show produced by:

For more information and to obtain a complete registration package, visit us at saskatoonhomebuilders.com/events or call 306.955.5188.

65

VISIONARIES

Holmwood tak es shape i n eas t Sa skatoon b y A s h l e i g h M at t e r n I L L USTRATIONS S u ppl i e d b y Dream Development

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A variety of housing types, higher density, sustainability, walkability, and mixed-use spaces: The newest suburban development area in Saskatoon is taking the latest and greatest in community design, and bringing it to our city.

Holmwood will extend from the far east side of the city, near Rosewood, Briarwood, College Park East, Arbor Creek, Willowgrove, and Evergreen. Plans for the area include five to six new neighbourhoods, housing an expected 75,000 people once full build out is reached 25 to 30 years from now.

Don Armstrong, vice-president of Saskatoon land with Dream Development (formally Dundee Developments), said one of the goals with Holmwood is to provide opportunities to work closer to home and reduce commute times. To that end, Holmwood will feature a major regional commercial development in order to create a new employment area.

“Master-planned with the employment area is the suburban centre that fosters a broad range of land uses, including medium and high density residential, district park space and civic facilities,” says Armstrong, “all integrated around a large naturalized wetland together with the proposed mixeduses and suburban centre commercial along 8th Street.”

BRIGHTON, NATURALLY Dream and the City of Saskatoon are currently working on the first neighbourhood in the Holmwood sector: Brighton. The new neighbourhood will be located next to Arbor Creek and College Park East, with McOrmond Drive and 8th Street defining its boundaries.

The theme of Brighton is to preserve and integrate nature. Plans include green street curbs, naturalized swales in medians, and wetlands integrated into the commercial and institutional spaces.

“It’s the first attempt to integrate a constructed wetland into an urban plan, so that’s definitely going to be, not only a challenge, but it’s going to set the trend going forward as to how wetlands are treated in urban context,” says Armstrong.

In another project Dream is involved in, the new neighbourhood of Elk Point on the west side of the city will also be integrating wetlands into its design. Armstrong says both neighbourhoods are pilot projects for this kind of wetland integration.

In both Brighton and Elk Point, the wetlands will be constructed, but they will replicate their natural function, and be used as part of storm water management. This focus on integrating nature is the future of commuCont i nue d on pa ge 6 8

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VISIONARIES c ontinued from page 66 nity design, Armstrong says.

“Going forward there will be greater focus upon sustainability, and being innovative through improved efficiency in water management and more sustainable development practices, and enhanced opportunities for alternative energy.”

Like other new neighbourhoods in Saskatoon, Brighton will feature more multi-family housing forms and higher density housing than older communities in the city. The City of Saskatoon is looking for new neighbourhoods to have a higher density to fulfill its need for compact growth, as well as fulfill the demand for more variety in housing options and better affordability.

In an attempt to offer a wide range of housing to meet the needs of varying age groups, income groups, and lifestyles, Armstrong says Brighton’s plans include space for single family detached and semi-detached homes, as well as street and group townhouses and apartments.

Creating a higher density neighbourhood also requires creating open spaces for people to enjoy, which Brighton has in spades. Walkability is also key to creating a comfortable, sustainable community.

“The vision for Brighton is to... develop a walkable neighbourhood that integrates all uses, including residential, commercial, educational park amenity, and nature in a cohesive manner,” says Armstrong.

He also says Brighton will promote a 68

transportation system that balances the needs of motorists, transit users, pedestrians, and cyclists. Roads known as “complete streets” will aim to knit development areas together rather than separate them.

DREAMING UP NEW COMMUNITIES In May this year, Dundee Real Estate Asset Management (DREAM), launched as an independent public company on the Toronto Stock Exchange, and officially changed its name to Dream.

The largest private residential land developer in Saskatoon, Dream and its predecessor companies have been directly involved in the planning and development of several existing neighbourhoods in the city, including Confederation Park, Parkridge, Wildwood, Briarwood, Erindale and Arbor Creek.

They’re also currently involved in developing Hampton Village, Kensington, Stonebridge, The Willows, and the aforementioned Elk Point and Brighton.

The experts at Dream Development, Dream’s land development branch, have a big job ahead of them when they take on the creation of a new neighbourhood. Dream works with consultants to plan the communities on the acquired lands, then works with contractors to complete the underground water and sewer utilities, sidewalks, and surface road components, along with amenities such as parks, lakes, and walking paths.

Once they secure municipal approvals, they

can finally work with builders to raise a new neighbourhood.

Dream works with the City on the requirements and goals they have for the neighbourhood, and in order to get a sense of current trends in neighbourhood design, they watch the national and international market.

“We always do research to learn what is going on in other centres, both in U.S. and Canadian cities,” said Armstrong. “Some of the larger cities have trends that would start earlier than what we see evident locally here, so we look at those trends and determine if they are transportable into our market conditions.”

Having developed several neighbourhoods in Saskatoon, as well as ones in Edmonton and Calgary, gives Dream insight into what works and what doesn’t work in new neighbourhoods. But markets can be fickle, and trends can change during the course of developing a neighbourhood.

“During the course of [Brighton’s] development, you may see things change from what the original neighbourhood concept had originally envisioned. Sometimes it’s price driven, sometimes demand driven, or new ideas come up,” says Armstrong.

Whatever final shape Holmwood may take, Dream always has Saskatoon’s best interests in mind, says Armstrong. “Dream understands and takes seriously the role we play in contributing to the attractiveness and quality of life within our city.” LS

122A VENTURE CRESCENT, SASKATOON SK (BEHIND SMP) PH:306.242.3594

www.ямВo-essence.com 69

QA

ASK AN EXPERT CHARLENE SCHUMACHER

FRESCO INTERIORS DESIGN GROUP #40-710 CYNTHIA STREET (306) 933-3200

Email: Charlene@frescointeriors.ca www.frescointeriors.ca

Inspiring Design Inspire Limitless Design Exclusive Furniture- Custom Drapery- Designer Wallpaper

70

Q: What are three ways to add designer details to our home?

A: How do you define the difference between a standard spec home and a show home? It’s the exciting design concepts which cohesively flow throughout. The “finishing details” will define your home from another. We begin by designing specific focal points as you enter each room, starting from the front entry and walking through the entire floor plan.

Consider each application carefully to ensure each fresh perspective flows beautifully:

1. Use shluter trims on transition points for all tile applications and create elevations for your installer to ensure it is planned and installed correctly.

2. Research “statement lighting fixtures” for specific focal points such as the dining area, kitchen island and entry. Sculptural pieces in these areas will help to define your home’s style. Nothing defines like lighting. Juggle your lighting budget by spending less on vanities and hallways in order to have exciting dining or entry fixtures. The Luxor 1010 is a circular sphere with 90 tiny LED lights, causing a glow like a starlit sky. At the Fresco Interiors Design Center, we carry exclusive fixtures, completely new to Saskatchewan, which can set your home apart.

3. Create dramatic bulkheads, floating bulkheads over kitchen islands, coffered ceilings in the great room, and ambient reading zones in bedrooms highlighted with lighting, then accent with textured wall treatments or wallpaper.

Q: How can I create cohesive colour?

A: Consider the Design Rule: “70-20 -10.” Use 70% of a main colour; 20% accent colour; and 10% pop colour. Interesting vignettes are created using this balanced combination.

Q: My stucco colour looks purple. How did that happen?

A: Colour bounces off colour. A gray stucco may look gray on the colour chip until you install the stone application. If the stone has an underlying yellow undertone, the gray may react against the warm gray/golden stone, bringing out the purple hue – an exterior finish you didn’t expect or want. A taupe wall may look taupe until the hardwood is installed and the golden tones of the hardwood react, bringing out a peachy or pinky hue on all the walls.

The cost to re-stucco or re-paint can be extensive compared to the cost of a colour consultation. The right colour combinations will enhance your home and provide advanced resale value.

Whether you require a two-hour colour consultation or a complete design plan for a new home build, Fresco Interiors can enhance your investment. With 11 years of residential design, what unites us to our client is our passion for designing rooms which embody the client’s style. An inspired home is a seamless blending of all ideas cohesively emerging into the home of your dreams.

Love where you Live!

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Phone: Fax: Email: 690 Service Rd N Website: Osler, Sk, S0K 3A0 306-221-8887 306-239-4614 jasond@rockridgehomes.ca www.rockridgehomes.ca 71

BUILDING COMMUNITY

Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan: “This hospital is about family-centered care”

by Blair Braitenbach PHOTO BY Lisa landrie

72

The Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan will be a facility tailored specifically to meet the needs of this province once complete, according to the foundation’s CEO. A first in the province, the Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan is intended to provide targeted patient care to children – including a neonatal care unit – as well as expecting mothers. In terms of pediatric care, children will receive services whether required due to injury or disease.

As part of the foundation’s research program, Brynn Boback-Lane, president and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan, says she and the steering committee have had the opportunity to tour several other children’s hospitals throughout North America, allowing for best practices and key design components to best serve Saskatchewan residents. Additional studies, however, have led to a revision of the hospital’s design as project leads determined population forecasts set in 2009 did not account for Saskatchewan’s rapid growth.

“It’s a complex planning phase when designing something like the new Children’s Hospital,” explains Boback-Lane. “The design of the hospital is being assessed and is almost in the finalization phase.”

In addition to patient services, the hospital

will house research departments and provide state-of-the-art medical equipment for both pediatric and maternal care.

“We are fortunate as a children’s hospital to have both pediatric and maternal services being taken care of under the same roof.

This hospital is about family-centred care,” Boback-Lane explains, adding the design will include indoor and outdoor play areas to make the young patients feel more at home and comfortable in their surroundings.

“We are very fortunate in Saskatchewan to have amazing doctors, specialists, nurses and therapists who are trained to adapt to remarkable and different sets of circumstances because each child’s condition will be completely different.”

In April, the Children’s Hospital design was put on hold to better accommodate the province’s ever-growing population – notably in its consideration to increase space to house more available beds. Within a week after that news broke, the Province announced it was going to commit an additional $20 million towards the inclusion of 24 new rooms, allowing for a total of 176 beds within the hospital.

According to a report in The StarPhoenix, “Plans for trapezoidal-shaped upper floors C o n t in u ed o n p ag e 74

73

BUILDING COMMUNITY c ontinued f r o m p ag e 72 of the hospital will have to expand by 38,000 square feet to accommodate those extra beds in the maternity ward, neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric intensive care unit, observation unit, and pediatrics ward.”

The planned expansion will push back the hospital’s opening date set for 2017. Construction is expected to begin this fall.

Boback-Lane says the redesign was fundamental to ensure the project is done right. It was in 2009 that the Government of Saskatchewan committed $200 million in funding towards the hospital.

“Since that time a number of provincial committees and stakeholders have been involved to ensure that many voices are heard and that proper feedback and research is done before putting pen to paper as to what the design is going to look like,” Boback-Lane says. “At this time design elements are being finalized and there has been some concrete preparation for the actual site where the hospital will be located (adjacent to the Royal University Hospital).”

In addition to the Province’s significant

financial contribution, Boback-Lane says the hospital foundation has received funding and support from countless numbers of individuals and organizations. Boback-Lane could not give a specific amount of money that has been raised towards the project to date. However, she confirmed fundraising has resulted in “millions of dollars” in contributions.

“The fundraising received to date is overwhelming and extremely humbling when you have children coming in with piggy banks or lemonade money, to major donors making incredible gifts from the heart. Every little bit will help us get the equipment and the environment we need to support the patients that require this specialized care,” she says.

Of those who have supported the Children’s Hospital Foundation, Boback-Lane gives special credit to the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association.

“We are grateful to the contributions made from the home builders and their membership and those that support this association,” she says.

“It makes sense that home builders in

this province have engaged in the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan because they have a great connection to families through their work. It is the home builders that provide security, a good environment and opportunities for families to live and grow in this province.”

At the end of the day, Boback-Lane says the Children’s Hospital will provide a greatly needed facility that is lacking in the province. With all the support the foundation has received over the years – through fundraising and volunteer efforts – Boback-Lane is confident all the hard work will amount to a world-class facility dedicated to caring for mother and child.

“As a mother, for me the most important part I can play in the lives of my own children is to keep them safe and healthy. However, when it becomes out of one’s control to do that, the presence and expertise of a children’s hospital within one’s community is invaluable to any family. Because without health and without hope everything else seems very small,” she says. LS

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75

Inspires WHAT

YOU?

b y J e n n i f e r J a c o b y- S m i t h

SAMTRON HOMES

As fall rolls around Saskatoon builders are continuing to bring home buyers fresh samples of design and construction in new neighbourhoods across the city. Living Spaces spoke with two local builders about what inspires them as they sit down to design a new show home. Where do their ideas come from? How do they fuse function and style to create a space you can call home?

Jeff Cao, owner of SamTron Homes, says he takes a team approach when designing new spaces. The team often shares photos of interest houses and ideas they encounter and use them to create new showhomes for SamTron.

Photos by Jeff Lyons

76

Started in 2012, SamTron Homes is a rather new builder in Saskatoon. Last year the company built five homes in the city.

One of SamTron’s most recent showhomes is located at 127 Roy Crescent. This beautiful walk-out in Evergreen boasts a beautiful stone and wood siding exterior. So where does owner Jeff Cao get his ideas from?

“Anywhere,” he says. “When I see a house on the street, I take a picture of it. And any other medias such as online and magazines.

Also, my realtor will send me some pictures of homes he likes.”

Cao also takes a team approach when it comes to new designs. Cao, his real estate agent and designer begin the process by brainstorming features they want to include in the home.

“We’ll bring up all the good designs we’ve seen before to discuss, and after the initial plans are out, we’ll meet again to discuss which one

suits this home and which one doesn’t. Cost and practicality will be taken into consideration at this stage,” explains Cao. It was Cao’s designer who first brought forward the idea of using wood on the exterior at 127 Roy Cres. and Cao says, “It looks fantastic.” A walk-through pantry also provides convenience when bringing in the groceries after shopping.

Those kinds of ideas have to meet SamTron’s standards for building.

“I want my home to be different from others,” says Cao. “(I want to) maximize the square footage, and be energy efficient. For the higher end homes, I always hire a professional interior designer to pick the material and colour to make sure that when people come into the home they feel comfortable and welcome.”

C o n t in u ed o n p ag e 78

77

INSPIRES co ntinued from page 76

Jeff Renneberg of Jaylin Homes says finding inspiration is an ongoing process of researching the latest trends and design tools, not just in Saskatoon, but across Canada. Photos supplied by Jaylin Homes

J AY L IN HOMES For Jaylin Homes’ Jeff Renneberg finding new design inspiration requires extensive research. He and his wife, Lynette, spend a lot of time keeping up with what’s trending.

“We look at a variety of things when picking new products and homes,” says Renneberg.

“Different design influences, new products that are coming out. We look at what’s new and innovative – whether it’s home electronics or security systems, just whatever is new on the market place.”

The Rennebergs also keep an eye on what’s trending in other markets such as Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba. They pay close attention to what other builders are doing and what’s attracting customers to their homes. On a recent trip to Alberta, they toured several open houses in Cochrane and Calgary.

But with the internet, they are not limited to places they’ve visited personally. “Virtual tours open up the whole world in front of you,” Renneberg points out.

78

The couple also have a very simple philosophy when it comes to choosing design elements to include in new showhomes.

“It’s a pretty simple philosophy: if we want it, we’re very confident other customers will feel the same way. If Lynette and I can envision ourselves living in a home, other customers would as well,” says Renneberg.

One of their latest showhomes was a perfect example of this. The Evergreen home on Sauer Crescent was so inviting, the Rennebergs were tempted to just move right in.

“It was just a beautiful house and it had all the I-wants that a person could ever dream of having.”

The builder who constructs roughly 25 houses a year says designing a new house is about taking artistic design and making it work for the client.

“It’s functional and practicality and you have to balance those out all the time,” says Renneberg. LS

79

YWCA Trade Journey breaks down barriers to careers b y A s h l e i g h M at t e r n

80

The demand for skilled trades in Saskatchewan is growing, and the construction industry currently can’t keep up. But the YWCA Trade Journey program might be able to fill that gap.

“Women are still an untapped pool,” says Barb Macpherson, executive director of YWCA Saskatoon. “They make up less than five per cent of ticketed trades.”

The YWCA Trade Journey is currently in a pilot project stage, but Macpherson has big dreams for its future. She sees the program still going strong 10 years from now “We’re developing something that’s going to benefit and be of value to the industry,” she says. “We’re not asking them to help us out; we want to create something that’s helping them, and helping women.”

For some women, going into the trades could mean a substantial increase to the quality of life for them and for their families. Even a full time job in the service industry doesn’t bring in enough money to fully support a family.

But entering the trades can be intimidating for women, especially for those who have never even considered a career in the trades.

The 16-week program aims to teach women how to succeed as a tradesperson, covering everything from an introduction to three specific trades, physical training, tours of work sites, work placement, and learning soft skills.

Macpherson says the soft skills – like resiliency and problem solving – may be the most important to a woman’s long term success in the field.

“We’re helping them to understand how to function in a workplace that’s male dominated and isn’t terribly friendly to women.”

Some challenges women face on construction sites include dealing with men who genuinely think they are being helpful by offering

to carry something, when in reality, they’re being dismissive of the woman’s abilities.

How should a woman respond to that kind of friendly but ultimately negative attention?

“It’s the ability, in a collegial way, to solve that problem by saying, ‘Thanks, I understand you’re doing this for positive reasons, but I’m part of this work crew, and I can do it myself,’” says Macpherson.

Even the lead-up to the start of the program may encourage more women to go into the trades. The four-step screening process includes information sessions, an in-depth application process and review, and individual interviews. Throughout the screening, interested women will be given additional information and guidance, so even if the Trade Journey program isn’t for them, going through the steps could lead to new opportunities.

The support doesn’t end after the program finishes, either. The YWCA will continue to work with the women after they’re hired, helping them to solve any problems they encounter, and even work with the employers if need be. The students will also be connected with mentors from the beginning.

The pilot project starts in 2015, with two cohorts of 15 women. After the first two groups complete the course, the YWCA will start long-term planning for the program.

“We’ve had a lot of consultation in developing this pilot project, and we’re going to have to do some tweaking before it becomes a full-fledged, ongoing program,” says Macpherson.

Everything will be up for discussion at that point, but the end goal will be to make a sustainable program that construction companies will look to as a resource.

“Because we’ve done so much in screening and prep training, they can trust that if they hire one of our graduates, they’ll get quality employees,” she says. LS

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COMMUNITY

Elk Point designed with an eye for sustainability

by Ashleigh Mattern

82

Elk Point is set to become one of the most sustainable neighbourhoods in Saskatoon, says Frank Long, director of the City of Saskatoon Land Branch.

“These neighbourhoods are probably more sustainable than some of the core neighbourhoods,” said Long. “They’re on the leading edge of sustainability.”

Drafts for the new neighbourhood have the streets laid out east-west, so the houses will be facing north-south, which gives builders an opportunity to incorporate passive solar design into the homes, and gives home owners the option to use solar panels.

Plus, the city has incentives for builders to create energy efficient homes.

The neighbourhood is also designed to be more walkable, more cyclist-friendly, and to have better access to transit than other suburbs in the city.

“A lot of our suburban neighbourhoods are very car-oriented, and what we’re trying to do with some of our newer ones is provide alternate opportunities for those who want to cycle and jump on a bus,” said Long.

The area they’re building on has natural wetlands, and they plan to incorporate that prairie landscape into the neighbourhood.

Not only will the wetland parks be an amenity for Elk Point residents, they’ll also help filter the storm water that ultimately ends up back in the river, said Long.

“It’s nature’s way of cleansing the storm water,” he said. “You want to work with what mother nature gave you.”

Brad Murray, City of Saskatoon land development project manager, said they’re looking at developing the wetland parks in a more sustainable way, including using native plant species.

“Rather than being the fully manicured, landscaped, turfed areas, these will be much more naturalized,” said Murray.

The other departure from most Saskatoon

neighbourhoods is the mixed use core, says Murray, with multi-family dwellings backing onto a central park. In the past, much of the linear park space has been backed onto by single family lots.

“We’re recognizing that there’s going to be a higher population in this area, and we want there to be really good access to recreation,” said Murray.

He also notes that the city is moving away from single use neighbourhoods, where single family dwellings and multifamily developments are separate.

“We want to build neighbourhoods that accommodate people throughout their lifestyle from start to finish,” said Murray.

“We can accommodate seniors, young people, various income levels. We’re trying to get a real cross-section of population, to give them a chance to grow with the neighbourhood.... I think it builds a more cohesive community in the long run.”

With plans for commercial space, residents won’t have to leave the neighbourhood to meet their daily needs; restaurants, hair dressers, dentists, coffee shops, and grocery stores are all expected to set up shop.

This commercial space will also benefit the surrounding neighbourhoods of Hampton Village, Dundonald, and Kensington, which are lacking the kind of retail amenities planned for Elk Point, Long notes.

“We want this neighbourhood to connect into the larger neighbourhood fabric out there, so you’ll see a lot of connecting streets into the existing neighbourhoods,” said Long. “Some of the amenities that we’re providing here will also be easily accessible for residents in the adjacent neighbourhoods.”

If the city’s growth continues at the rate it is now, Elk Point will be a complete neighbourhood in about five or six years, with the first lots available in late 2015. LS

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$ AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Unique program puts home ownership within reach

by Paul Sinkewicz

A ground-breaking partnership is putting home ownership within reach for more people.

Meadowview Terrace, in the Evergreen neighbourhood on Saskatoon’s north-east side, is an 80-unit, multi-family condominium project. A number of the homes will qualify for the program being offered by the partnership of NewRock Developments, the Genworth Canada mortgage insurance company, the City of Saskatoon and the Province of Saskatchewan.

Cam Ens, president of NewRock Developments, is proud of the role his firm has been able to play in improving people’s lives.

“NewRock has been offering our mortgage assistance program since we started about four years ago, and we’ve helped over 500 families get into home ownership,” says Ens. “The first thing we do is address the down payment with assistance. That’s one of the hardest parts of getting into a home, especially in Saskatoon with rents as high

as they are. How do folks save up for that down payment?”

NewRock helps by supplying a portion of the down payment, which is typically an interest-free loan repayable upon resale.

But this Saskatoon development will see the company offer it as a grant for the first time ever. “It’s non-repayable, which is new for us,” says Ens. The second step in making home ownership affordable is making the monthly payment more manageable. When the buyers close on a new home, NewRock supplies a set amount of funds to the Canadian Society for Housing Trusts, which then uses the funds to reduce the monthly payments.

“In the first year it starts at a certain level and decreases every year after that,” says Ens. “It’s a great way to ease people into handling the full mortgage payment.”

The third key factor in getting people into their own homes is reducing the qualifying income for a mortgage, thanks to the first

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“Our qual i t y i s something w e ’ re really prou d o f , a n d that show s i n t h e number of re p e a t buyers we h a v e . ” Cam Ens, NewRock Developments two steps.

“To get a mortgage you have to earn a certain amount of money, but with NewRock’s programs you can make a little less and still qualify,” says Ens. The company has developments in B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan and has given back about $15 million in its first four years of existence.

“There are a lot of good-news stories we have about folks who couldn’t get into owning a home before and now they can,” says Ens. “It’s fantastic. We get thank-you cards and notes and e-mails. I’ve had the chance to hand over the keys to families who are getting their first home, which is pretty rewarding. A lot of times they are in tears, actually.”

Ens remembers hearing from a mom who couldn’t get over the joy of laying in bed in a room she didn’t have to share with her children for the first time.

“She loves her kids, but she also loves

having her own bedroom and bathroom.

And it’s fantastic for kids to have their own space.”

There is often a waiting list for New Rock’s projects. A recent Regina development sold out “in minutes.” The demand for affordable housing increases in markets like Regina and Saskatoon.

Ens says the lowest monthly payment available in the Meadowview Terrace project will be under $670. The average rent for as similar home would be well over $1,200.

That would be a well-appointed two-bedroom home, with grants providing the ability to purchase with no down payment and 10 years of monthly payment assistance.

“It’s a pretty special program on select homes that we have,” says Ens. “It’s based on income and is possible thanks to the City of Saskatoon’s help.”

The program has different levels of buying assistance for a variety of income levels.

Ens says many people who think they can’t

qualify for a mortgage, despite paying higher rents elsewhere, are surprised to find they can qualify to own their home.

The Meadowview Terrace development backs onto a park area, features private entries, and for the first time some homes will have a detached garage. There are five floor plans, ranging from 800 to 1,290 square feet, in two- and three-bedroom formats.

Each home features top of the line accoutrements like granite countertops, six energy efficient appliances and spacious design.

“We really focus on the quality,” says Ens. “All of our homes are built on site. Our quality is something we’re really proud of, and that shows in the number of repeat buyers we have.”

Ens expects the development to sell out very quickly so he urges anyone interested to explore their website (www.NewRockHomes.ca) and watch for announcements as the development gets closer to opening for sales. LS

IN THE KITCHEN

by Jennifer J a c o b y- S m i t h

P h o t o s b y J e ff Ly o n s

with

Nicola Lawson Nicola Lawson got her start in baking at a very young age. She remembers sitting on the kitchen counter at four years old helping her mom scoop out cookie batter. It seemed a very natural progression for her to train in culinary arts at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.

After graduation Lawson travelled the world, working in places like Africa and Bermuda and various locations in Canada. By the time she returned home to live with her parents, they had relocated in their retirement, so home was now in Saskatoon. She

planned to stay just long enough to regroup and get ready for the next overseas contract, but things changed.

“My roots got a little bit deeper here and I made some really great friends,” notes Lawson. After working in various restaurants around Saskatoon she found herself needing her own freedom and that led to her becoming an entrepreneur at the age of 25. She opened PickNic’s Bakery and Bistro in the basement of the CIBC Building in 2003.

“It was supposed to be more bakery and less café. And then, because I was downtown, 87

Grilled fennel salad with parmesan and garden herbs Fennel bulbs, sliced Olive oil Fresh herbs like basil, parsley and thyme and some Fennel fronds Lemon juice and zest Parmigiano reggiano shavings 1. If your fennel bulbs have stalks and fronds on them, then you’ll want to trim them off.

2. Cut off any hard and inedible outer parts.

3. Trim a tiny bit off the bottom, the core helps to keep your slices intact.

4. Holding your fennel bulb upright cut 1/4 inch slices vertically from top to bottom.

5. Brush each side with olive oil and a sprinkling of salt and pepper.

6. Place slices on a medium hot grill turning until you get a nice char on each side and fennel is tender to the touch.

7. Whisk together the lemon, olive oil, herbs and zest adding salt and pepper to taste, then drizzle all over.

8. Garnish with the shavings of Parmigiano Reggiano.

people showed up more at lunch. My lunch offerings expanded as time went on,” explains Lawson. “And then because I was downtown, everybody wanted everything catered.”

After five and a half years, the café on 22nd Street became too small to accommodate Lawson and her crew. By this time PickNic’s was catering large corporate functions and Lawson had become a mom. She says, “I decided to right-size into just catering.” She bought retail space for PickNic’s Catering on 33rd Street in 2011.

The culinary business still comes very naturally for the 36-year old.

“It’s just such an easy, non-stress thing for me to be doing,” says Lawson. “And I love people, so this business makes a lot of sense for me.

I have some really great relationships with ongoing clients that I’ve worked with for a decade.”

At home, Lawson says she keeps meals pretty simple for her husband and daughter, Mishka. The couple shares a love of curry. “It makes me happy and my husband loves it and my daughter’s getting used to it.”

While her husband is rarely in the kitchen, Mishka, now five, helps out whenever she can and Lawson is happy to pass on her passion for good food.

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Apricot almond chicken salad sandwiches 3 roasted or grilled boneless skinless chicken breast (approximately 5 to 6 oz. Each), sliced Âź cup each: sliced sun-dried apricots, sliced red onions, feta cheese, shredded carrots, toasted sliced almonds 2 tablespoons each: mango chutney, pesto, mayonnaise In large bowl combine all ingredients. For a delicious lunch, scoop filling onto fresh multigrain baguette with a layer of field mix and enjoy with a seasonal soup or salad, or for a fancy afternoon affair pop some into cute little teabuns and garnish with a cherry tomato and Fresh Basil leaf with a bamboo toothpick.

BBQ Pork Tenderloin with Minted Citrus Rhubarb Compote Slice the raw pork tenderloin on an angle into 1-inch thick pieces.

Rub all meat surfaces with a mixture of olive oil, canola oil, salt, pepper, crushed garlic and thyme. Grill on both sides for approximately 4 minutes each side.

Rhubarb Compote:

In a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add half of a red onion, diced. Cook until tender (about 8 minutes).

Add:

2 cups fresh rhubarb 1/3 cup marmalade 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar Âź teaspoon each salt and pepper Cook down until thickened, stir often. Add 3 tablespoons or so of chopped fresh mint. Serve warm or room temperature on grilled meat.

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Nutty Caramel Bars Crust: 1 pound butter, salted 1 cup white sugar 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla 4 cups flour Cream butter and sugar until light. Add eggs and vanilla, mix well. Stir in flour. Spread onto two 9 x 13 pans lined with parchment paper. Press crust three-quarters of the way up the sides of the pan. Bake at 375˚ F until it gets a cracked look throughout (about 20 minutes). Cool. Prepare filling.

Filling: 1 cup butter ½ cup honey 1 ½ cups packed brown sugar ½ cup whipping cream (unwhipped) 4 cups mixed whole nuts (hazelnuts, pecans, peanuts, cashews, almonds) In saucepan, heat butter and honey. Add brown sugar and bring to a boil.

Boil 2 minutes without stirring. remove from heat, stir in cream and nuts.

Pour over base and bake for 10 minutes or until caramel bubbles. Remove from oven, puncture any bubbles that may have formed, with a paring knife.

Using the back of a tablespoon, spread nuts and sauce evenly over the base before it cools.

Cool. Slice and serve. Freezes well. Makes two 9 x 13 pans.

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