Luxury Home Canada

No. 3

spring 2012 $12.99 US / $12.44 CA

LUXURY HOME CANADA

Natural Approach Johnson Chou illuminates the Toronto skyline textural balance Fleur-de-lis Interior Design Inc. / meticulously chic Augusta Fine Custom Homes

ARCHITECTs ARCHITECTs

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contents

ARCHITECTs

FEATURES Textural Balance

p 142 The Congregation Residence, crafted by architectural firm _naturehumaine, boasts a modern, minimalist kitchen; the end result of removing walls from the original space and opening it up to the living and dining room.

The team behind Toronto’s Fleur-de-Lis Interior Design Inc. transformed an ordinary residence into a one-of-a-kind bungalow using natural elements and a feng shui approach

page 120

Respite in Motion With influences from around the world, Johnson Chou succeeds in taking his client’s on a journey through every room, while incorporating sleek design features

page 132

Urban Retreat The Montréal architectural team behind _naturehumaine successfully execute big ideas in small, urban contexts. With a mix of old and contemporary design, Stéphane Rasselet and Marc-André Plasse create unique, livable spaces

page 142

West Coast Modern Outdoor elements are carried indoors in the North Shore with help from Mason Kent’s vision, which was inspired by his childhood and Vancouver’s lush scenery

page 152 ON THE COVER The 10 Bellair residence by Johnson Chou Inc. features a brightly-lit kitchen with reflective stone surfaces, and floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the famous CN Tower. page 132 cover Photo: TOM ARBAN

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ARCHITECTs

a principal partner of A Collaborative Design Group

Laurie McBain Interior Design Consultant Phone: 403.279.7932 Cell: 403.813.0637 www.kaldesign.ca kaldesign@telus.net

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At Kaleidoscope we strive to ensure that your home reflects your personal sense of style and while the overall design plays a large part in that, the finishing touches are often what sets a home apart. We provide the expertise to create a complete enviroment; whether you are seeking luxury, elegance, playfulness or a sense of serenity, anything can be achieved.

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CONTENTs

p 120 architects

Fleur-de-Lis Interior Design Inc.

Providing concepts and programs for deluxe homes 30

Linebox Studio

33

Streamline Design

36

Decca Design INC.

40

CAMPBELL DESIGN

THE PLANS A showcase of sleek, modern architecture— from plans to completion 43

CAMPOS LECKIE STUDIO

BUILDERS Construction firms specializing in peerless residences 52

AUGUSTA FINE CUSTOM HOMES

58

MARIC HOMES

62

SCHREYER CONSTRUCTION

65

Stellar homes

70

Sierra west homes

73

PARS CONSTRUCTION

75

calrudd construction

78

VENCHIARUTTI BUILDERS

80

CLARK HAMILTION ENTERPRISES

84

ottawa carleton construction

DESIGNERS 90

rOBYN CLARKE + CO.

94

ANDREA GRAY DESIGN

97

STUDIO H DESIGN

100

ariel muller designs

PROJECTS

104

FIRST IMPRESSIONS DESIGN

Taking luxury to new heights

107

Kaleidoscope Designs Inc. & Cocina Interior Designs

110

khachi design group

162

MCGILL design group

164

TAYLOR HANNAH ARCHITECTS

166

CORE ARCHITECTURE

Designer Showcase

DISTINCTION

An in-depth look at some of the industry’s most unique designers 113

ROBERT BAILEY INTERIORS

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Photo: susan teare

Creative minds in interiors, landscapes, and furnishings

Second homes and getaways 172

CLARENCE DEBELLE

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CONTENTs

PLUS

Editor’s Note

page 8

Online Now A sampling of content found at LHCanda.com page 12

Calendar Trade shows and special events in the coming months page 14

Product Spotlight Highlighting innovative products and designers page 15

Materials Trends in the medium of creation page 22

Behind the Lines featuring Rock Paper Tree Design page 24

Books Industry expertise and inspiration page 27

Directory

page 176

p 21 WAVES

by Erik Jørgensen (erik-joergensen.com)

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editor’s note p 152 Mason kent design inc.

When Peter Lunney and Eric McClelland, partners of Fleur-de-lis Interior Design,were asked to build a luxury vacation home that would unite a balance of the surrounding environment, they leapt at the opportunity. In “Textural Balance” (p.120), the award-winning team surged headfirst into the Lake Champlain residence, using a Feng Shui approach throughout the design while also incorporating the natural elements: earth, wind, fire and water. The one-of-a-kind bungalow features creative lighting, custom furniture and seamless millwork.

The North Shore receives an updated look by design firm Mason Kent in “West Coast Modern” (p.152). With inspiration from plush foliage, coastal views and drawings of West Vancouver homes he played with as a child, the man behind the company has produced enviable, serene escapes. Kent believes that “the most successful homes should be built in concordance with the nature that pre-exists in the space”.

_naturehumaine architecture design, the architectural firm headed by Stéphane Rasselet and Marc-André Plasse, combined the original construction of the St. Hubert residence in Montréal with their unique vision in “Urban Retreat” (p.142). The award-winning partners take the ideas of their client’s and challenge them, opening up new design possibilities for every home. Though faced with restricted space within an urban environment, Rasselet and Plasse achieve an intimate, yet not overcrowded, feel. The end result is a cohesive blend of old and new stylings that fit each client.

In “Respite in Motion” (cover story), Johnson Chou Inc. embraces sleek and clean design while blending textures to create a masculine edge in this downtown Toronto residence. The client’s appreciation and passion for travel is evoked by scenes from Paris, the Himalyas and Southeast Asia. The objective was to create a dwelling in which the client becomes one with the space. “For us it’s about architecture engaging and enhancing one’s life... encouraging one to notice those moments and things one encounters and are taken for granted everyday.”

We hope that you enjoy our coverage of Canada’s natural approach for building and design. As always, we will continue to acknowledge and educate industry professionals everywhere for their commitments to innovative projects and products where informed decision-making and resourcefulness are paramount.

The Editors 8

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Photo: stacy thomas

F

or the spring issue of Luxury Home Canada, the designers and builders featured focus on all things natural. Indoor spaces reflect the outdoors in a rugged, yet refined way. Wood, rocks, water and light flourish in every room, while creative uses of metal, glass and marble touches form a polished look. The innovators bring the cities of Montréal, Québec and Toronto to life with sleek motifs and an endless array of mixed materials.

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Paintech Ltd. 775 Pacific Road | Oakville, ON 905.465.2702 | Info@Paintech.com www.paintech.com

NEWS FLASH products Tress is a mixture of filled and empty space accomplished through a unique weaving technique. Each lamp comes in a variety of sizes and shapes and are made of composite material on a lacquered fibreglass base and come in black, red and white.

Research & Sales

Art & Editorial

director of editorial research

managing editor

Gerald Mathews gerald@bowen-enterprises.com Colleen Wall

senior editor

director of sales

Samantha Bohnert samantha@bowen-enterprises.com

Desmond Chester desmond@bowen-enterprises.com Dan Zierk dan@bowen-enterprises.com Gavin Coll

advertising manager Jacqueline M. Lowisz jacqui@bowen-enterprises.com

TRESS BY FOSCARINI

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Sign up for the new e-newsletter from Luxury Home Canada, highlighting the latest products, industry news, events, and previews of upcoming issues.

Deidre Davis deidre@bowen-enterprises.com

Cory Bowen, Editor in Chief www.bowen-enterprises.com

art director Mike Domzalski mike@bowen-enterprises.com

design intern Joshua Hauth

correspondents Isabel Eva Bohrer Christine Cox Tricia Despres Bridget Esangga Jamie Farshchi Melissa Fears Amy Howell Hirt Rodric Hurdle-Bradford Tara Imperatore Jessica Kirby Lauryn Allison Lewis Kimberly Nichols Zipporah Porton Chris Terry

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Timeless Developments invites you share your concept and allow us to build your custom home.

Our peaceful locations, innovative designs and visionary craftsmanship will enable you to enjoy the tranquility and warmth of elegant resort lodging. Formed by a skilled team of industrious, professional personnel, Timeless Developments features quality results with sophistication, comfort and elegance.

5025 Cammeray Dr. | Kamloops, BC | Ph. 250.318.1177 | F. 250.578-8970

ONLINE NOW JSPRPlastic Fantastic JSPR, a Dutch furniture and interior design firm, was founded in 2005 by Jasper van Grootel. The company aims to deliver products with unexpected touches, while still being simplistic. The Plastic Fantastic line of durable and flexible furniture is the company’s best-known creation. Made entirely out of rubber, the chairs, benches and ottomans can be placed indoor or outdoors, and are available in more than a dozen vibrant colours. jspr.eu To learn more about this and other innovative products, visit our web site: lhcanada.com

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calendar

Trade shows and special events in the coming months

APR. 12-15

APR. 27-28

APR. 28- MAY 12

Intl. Home & Garden Show

THE CREATIV FESTIVAL

Home & Garden Cologne

Toronto, Canada Canada’s largest home and garden show will feature energetic backyard landscape designs and outdoor living products. Everything related to eco-friendly design techniques and renovations will be covered by demonstrations and seminars. biztradeshows.com

Toronto, Canada The Creativ Festial, one of the most popular international art and design industry events in Canada, highlights different art forms like: decorative painting paper, customized decorating, floral, fibre arts and textured papers. biztradeshows.com

Cologne, Germany For all garden lovers, the beautiful Rheinpark at Cologne, Germany brings you the 2012 Home & Garden Cologne exhibit. Participants will preview the latest trends and techniques used in the flower and garden and home decoration field. biztradeshows.com

APR. 20

APR. 27-28

MAY 19-22

Victoria Spring Home Expo

Banff Session

Victoria, BC Canada This three day event showcases exclusive design fabrications, furnishings and décor. As one of the largest expos in the area, guests will meet with expert planners and world class trade dealers for furnishings and décor. homeshowtime.com

Banff, Alberta, Canada Every two years over 450 architects, interior designers and academics across the Canada and the US attend The Banff Session Conference to discuss the impact of Cultural Context and how it enhances design decisions. banffsession.ca

Intl. Contemporary Furniture Fair

APR. 21-22

APR. 27-29

MAY 21

Green Festival

COLCHESTER COUNTY HOME SHOW

ASI ADVANTAGE ROAD SHOW

New York, USA The Green Festival, held in NewYork is the largest sustainable trade event on the East Coast. The festival will deliver inspiring workshops, talk sessions and demonstrations from over 125 international, regional and local speakers. greenfestivals.org

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Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada Homebuilders that specialize in remodeling, custom cabinets, kitchen and bath and more will share the latest techniques and trends in the industry. tradeshowz.net

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center New York, USA For four days trade professionals across the globe will showcase contemporary furniture, lighting, textiles and materials for residential interiors. icff.com

Vancouver, Canada The ASI Advantage Road Show brings together everyone from suppliers, distributors, dealers and decorators. The newest trends and techniques will be featured with do-it-yourself opportunities. biztradeshows.com

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT For the spring Issue, our products come to life with vibrant colours, playful swirls and movement that corresponds to ocean waves and delicate streams. Unlikely materials fuse together to form beautiful, yet functional pieces for any space.

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NORMANN Bau Lamp

ARCHITECTs

Made of wooden, interlocking geometric circles of black, blue, red, white and yellow, this suspension lamp recontextualizes Bauhaus design.

Designed by Vibeke F. Scmidt for Normann of Copenhagen. normann-copenhagen.com

MOOOI gothic chair Made of polyethylene, this chair can be used inside and outside, and comes in a variety of vibrant colour combinations. moooi.com

SIX INCH The Bench Reminiscent of bricks found in the castles and dungeons of classic video games, The Bench is made of high-density foam that is covered in polyurethane.

Available in any Pantone colour. sixinch.be

NINE STORIES Elsie Series As a limited edition line of furniture and decor, the Elsie Series is made from reclaimed automotive sheet metal harvested from salvage yards. ninestoriesfurniture.com

VERNER PANTON / flowerpot This lacquered steel lamp comes in a variety of colours including cream, mint, orange, red, black, white and purple. vernerpanton.com

groupa / Booklamp Made of a painted iron rod, this minimalist book-holder was part of the company’s “Piece Per Week” project. groupastudio.com 16

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primary attraction

ESTABLISHED & SONS AUDREY LIGHT / Cape Sofa The British company known for innovative and contemporary design has produced a wide range of products of furniture, lighting and decor. The Audrey Light (right), inspired

by Audrey Hepburn, is made of hand-blown Venini opaline glass in a modern and exquisite shape and comes in red or sapphire. Cape (below), an upholstered sofa with a flowing cover was made to look casual but also luxurious. There are numerous colours and fabric options, allowing for updates to any space. establishedandsons.com

kartell foliage sofa Italian designer Patrica Urquiola takes pride in creating artful furniture pieces. The Foliage Sofa designed for Kartell was inspired by the relationship between the natural environment and artificial foliage. The leaves forge a soft crown resting on a framework of white branches which virtually form a seat. With top-stitched embroidery running through the entire surface and four round legs, this sofa offers a soft and relaxing seating experience for two that can be placed anywhere in the room. kartell.it

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shape shifter

FOSCARINI TRESS Tress is a mixture of filled and empty space accomplished through a unique weaving technique. Each lamp comes in a variety of sizes and shapes and are made of composite material on a lacquered fibreglass base and come in black, red and white. foscarini.com

dima Curl My Light Made of interwoven steel rings, this table light creates alluring shadows when illuminated.

Available in white or black. dimaloginoff.com

koket Intuition Dining Table Designed with women in mind, this dining table combines artistry and smooth curves. The swirled base is made of two-toned metal in either black matte, gold, pewter or copper. The top is available in black metal, bronze metal, clear glass or smoky glass. bykoket.com

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shape ARCHITECTs shifter

NEMO Carmenciata This mini table lamp is made of opal white blown glass with a shade that comes in painted aluminum, reconditioned leather, translucid polycarbonate or wood. nemo.cassina.it

FOSCARINI Le Soleil Italian company Foscarini prides itself on offering products and services with an international flair. Le Soleil was inspired by the Guggenheim Museum in New York, comprised of asymmetric bands that diffuse illumination. The light comes in three colours: aquamarine, red and white and is made of polycarbonate and chrome-plated steel. foscarini.com

gallotti & radice Layer Tables As the first Italian company to experiment with the use of an extraordinary furniture materials, crystal, Gallotti & Radice is an avant-garde design company that focuses on elegant shapes to create pieces for both domestic and international markets. The Layer Dining table has a transparent glass top with a wooden base swirled in superimposed conical rings. gallottiradice.it

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ARCHITECTs

Lithos Le Pietre Incise The Le Pietre Incise collection, designed by Raffaello Galiotto, was designed to create movement and depth to walls. The wide curves and illuminated stone slabs turn an ordinary light fixture into a piece of art. The collection is comprised of 14 different models, with a wide range of stone materials. lithosdesign.com

WovinÂŽ WOVIN WALL Three-dimensional, modular and lightweight describe this ceiling tile system, which was originally created to absorb interior acoustics, but also succeeds in being visually appealing. wovinwall.com

URBAN PRODUCT Dune Tile Based in Toronto, Urban Product is a furniture and product design company that emphasizes the use of eco-friendly and locally-sourced materials. Dune Wall Tile, one of the company’s featured products, puts a modern spin on classic wall tiles. Each tile is priced individually, and comes in gypsum, winterstone, concrete and walnut materials. urbanproduct.ca

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wave rider

SABA ITALIA Primo Quarto Curved, dramatic lines turn the practical and functional aspects of a bookshelf into an artistic piece that also doubles as wall decor. Eye-catching yet subtle, Primo Quarto--an italian phrase meaning “First Quarter,’ which refers to the phase of the moon where only half of it is visible and waxing--takes on the curvilinear shape of the moon. The shelves, while slanted, still effectively operate as storage for books, music and magazines. Each shelf is available in two sizes, and in black or white lacquered wood.sabaitalia.it

Erik JØrgensen Waves / In Duplo Danish designer Erik Jørgensen has been designing unique furniture for a myriad of spaces, from the Museum of Modern Art to private residencies. Waves (above) is an upholstered two-person bench that has been sculpted to replicate the movement of the ocean. The bench is made of pantera foam, with a black lacquered fibre. In Duplo (below), is a sofa series that consists of two distinct sofas, Duplo High and Duplo Low, that can work separately, but can also function together seamlessly. Each sofa is made of a loose seat and lumbar cushions, and the legs are made of powder-coated aluminum. erik-joergensen.com

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ARCHITECTs

Sika Design Monet / Dali Sika Design, makers of handmade furniture based in Denmark, specializes in a variety of materials that create comfortable, yet eye-catching seating. The “Monet” chair (above) is a high-back chair that comes in three colours: antique brown, natural or taupe rattan.

The chair also comes with a footstool that recalls one of the company’s original creations from the 50’s and 60’s. The “Dali” chair (below), made of handcrafted rattan, comes with a neck and back cushion that is available in more than 25 colours. sika-design.com

Virofiber V20 V20 is a collection of fifty different styles of all-weather wicker, which will soon expand to 150 styles. virofiber.com

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materials

Munna Cutie Upholstered in fur with gold leaf feet, the “Cutie� armchair is a mix of vintage charm and playfulness. munnadesign.com

minotti COW CARPET Designed by Rodolfo Dordoni, the Cow Carpet, made of long-haired cowhides, is reminiscent of the country with an elegant flair. minotti.com

KYLE BUNTING Jet Stream Rug Known for its line of luxurious carpets and wall coverings, Kyle Bunting has completed thousands of projects for design professionals and private clients across the globe. The Jet Stream Rug is a cowhide rug available in more than 50 colours of natural and dyed hair on leather. All rugs are custom sized and have a non-slip backing. kylebunting.com

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behind the lines

Rock Paper Tree Design Nature-inspired premiere furniture from Vancouver-based design studio Rahim Tejani has always been fascinated by the dramatic juxtaposition of permanence and pliability found in nature.

Growing up in Vancouver, an area surrounded by nature, Tejani spent long hours as a child exploring the forests, often collecting rocks as mementos.

While getting his master’s degree in Architecture, he became intrigued by concrete, and the organic quality it could take on, particularly in the hands of icons like Frank Lloyd Wright.

When he made his industry debut at the Interior Design Show West in Vancouver in September, he created concrete holders for his business cards, and received enough requests that that he is now producing these as part of what will be a growing line of desk accessories.

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“What I find most appealing about concrete is its perennial and fluid nature. It has the strength of stone yet can take on virtually any shape or form,” Tejani says.

His studio, Rock Paper Tree Design, pays homage to his favourite materials, – “where ideas first take shape” – but allows clients full customization.

Studying Wright’s landmark Fallingwater design in Pennsylvania helped strengthen Tejani’s resolve to create things – whether homes or furniture - that hold a profound sense of belonging to the spaces they inhabit.

“Each piece is handcrafted and built to order – to accommodate the specific needs of each client and their space,” Tejani says. “The aim is to steer clear of mass-production in hopes of creating unique, beautiful objects that will last beyond our lifetime.”

“Seeing something that was nestled into nature and really had to fit into the landscape, that made me realize this is really what I want to do,” he says.

After stints in other design fields, including illustration and animation, Tejani returned to his roots and, with the reassurance of his wife, launched a venture that reconnects him to his childhood muses and encourages clients to connect to their environments.

His two creations, “Cubed” and “T4,” consist of concrete that can be tinted nearly any colour and slabs of solid wood that can be nearly any species, with the option of using either a mix of several types of wood, or an engineered reclaimed wood product.

With individuality in mind, Tejani designed each piece to have an intentionally ambiguous

lhcanada.com

Photos: JESSY PLUME

by Amy Howell Hirt

behind the lines 01

CUBED Wood slabs can be removed and reconfigured so that “Cubed” can function as a bench, coffee table or entertainment unit. Felt bottoms allow the 250 pound, 18 inch by 18 inch concrete blocks to be moved with ease.

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purpose and style –that can either be clean and contemporary or classic and elegant.

The wood slabs can be removed and reconfigured so that “Cubed” can function as a bench, coffee table or entertainment unit, and “T4” can be used as a shelving unit, entertainment unit or display for artwork.

And although the 18 inch by 18 inch concrete blocks of “Cubed” weigh 250 pounds each, felt bottoms allow them to be moved to support the slabs from the end or sides.

Although he hopes to begin introducing a new piece once or twice a year from his Vancouver studio, the idea has to come about organically.

The concept for “Cubed” rolled around in his head for years, and went through about a year of revisions and refinement.

“It’s a bit of a process. I’m not trying to rush anything,” he says.

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Deuce InterIors Ph. 403-230-1015 6 2 6 - 3 5 t h av e n u e n o rt h e a s t c a l g a ry a B t 2 e 2 l 1

books

7 Climb

True life: steven harris architects author: Steven Harris Showcasing a trajectory of Steven Harris’ residential work from the past 25 years, True Life succeeds in effortless and accessible spaces that cater to the individuals that inhabit them. Using a collaborative approach, the projects reflect the client’s needs, making each innovative and unique.

Princeton Architectural Press; papress.com SHA_book_01_VERBS_pxii_101_ToP.indd 6-7

7/26/10 3:27:17 PM

Expressive modern: THE INTERIORS OF AMY LAU author: AMY LAU A love for 20th-century furniture mixed with the use of luscious colours results in a distinct aesthetic that only Interior Designer Amy Lau could create. Every home she works with is influenced by nature, and she integrates abstract art on the walls as well as in textiles, transforming an ordinary room into a three-dimensional work of art. The Monacelli Press; randomhouse.com/monacelli

THE MODERN CALIFORNIA BEACH HOUSE author: PATRICK KILLEN Founder of studio 9 one 2, architect Patrick Killen, incorporates technology into his imaginative and innovative design aesthetic. Not only are the clients’ desires met, but Killen’s attention to basic human needs, such as comfort and safety, are apparent throughout his work. Images Publishing Dist Ac; imagespublishinggroup.com

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THE CYPRESS RESIDENCE BY PACIFIC PENINSULA GROUP • FEATURED IN LHQ SPRING 2012 / photos by Barry Calhoun

ARCHITECTs

N o. 15 Spring 2012 Q

2012 28 luxury home CANADA Subscriptions are freespring to industry professionals.

Pacific Palace

Kari Whitman rolls out the red carpet for this regal L.A. pad

Spring 2012

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TRÈS CHIC Brian McC arthy’s 18th

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RS-001 BY CAMPOS LECKIE STUDIO/ Photo: Raphael Santa Ana

A group of skilled and passionate innovators who plan, develop and re-envision buildings and homes for clientele across the globe

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ARCHITECTs

01

Linebox Studio Inc.

by Tricia Despres LineBox Studio owner Andrew Reeves fulfilled the dreams of a family living in Ottawa, CA, who were on a quest for a home that offered the privacy of the country and the excitement of the city. What came of those desires was the creation of a 4,500-squarefoot, one-of-a-kind dwelling that is both modern and inexplicably comfortable.

“Building a home in the middle of a downtown area always has its challenges,” says Reeves. “In essence, we were given the responsibility to recreate the privacy they had in their previous homes via the use of the existing nature found throughout the kidney shaped property. Indeed, it was a strange find for us, since both sides of the property were lined with trees.”

Other challenges included a nearby, south side parking lot situated close to the property and would possibly hinder their desires for privacy.

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“It became a technical exercise for us, since it looked as [if] we would have to turn our back on the southern parking lot, but still find a way to have the sun shine into the home,” he says. “We wanted to focus on creating something with both form and function that would also react to environmental changes. And looking back on it, I would say it turned out to be one of the cleanest and most geometrically simple homes we have ever created.”

In the end, the house would encompass all of the homeowners’ desires. Reeves and his team work from a quaint, collaborative design studio in Toronto, and take on a wide variety of job types throughout the year. Their main goal is to connect a client’s needs and desires, budgets, contexts and artistic expressions with a truly unique sense of place.

The Lighthouse Residence The Lighthouse Residence is delicately perched on a hillside and built specifically to bring light in from every angle. “This project was very light driven,” explains Reeves, who worked tirelessly alongside builders Darryl Squires and Kevin Lake of The Lake Partnership. “And in order to bring ample light in, we made a number of different tweaks during the construction process, including the addition of a deck. Not only did the deck give us the opportunity to bring more light in, but it also offered the family yet another place to entertain. They are very social people with three kids, two dogs and an insatiable desire to enjoy their family, friends and the city they live in. The last thing they wanted was some sort of piece of art that guests would feel that they couldn’t touch.”

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Photos: PHOTOLUX STUDIOS

Modern design and functionality come together in a downtown dwelling

ARCHITECTs

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01 The Lighthouse Residence meets the standards of the owners, with a clean and simple aesthetic surrounding the exterior 02 White walls and large windows surround the minimal and bold living room decor 03 The simplicity of the kitchen and dining room is made more exciting with a metal island and a view to the woods outside

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04 The dining table is as sleek as the kitchen and living room furniture surrounding it 05 Views from the yard showcase each room on every floor of the home 06 A fireplace surrounded by glass in the living room complements the room’s artwork

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ARCHITECTs 05

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“We wanted to focus on creating something with both form and function that would also react to environmental changes.”

Andrew Reeves, Owner

“Many clients just seem to gravitate to us,” he says. “We have a certain European and more progressive style than many other builders in the area. Often, when we first meet with clients, I do this exercise in which I want them to take the nouns we use to describe rooms, and change them to verbs. Once they do this, the discussion changes drastically.What it means for me to bathe could be different from how they bathe.”

And right from their first meeting, Reeves and the homeowners seemed destined to make a great team. Often, Reeves said that those initial consultations with prospective clients are one of the most important moments in the entire building process.

Fulfilling the homeowners’ goals of creating a social dwelling were met via the interconnectedness of many of the rooms in the home, from the kitchen to the basement. “The home is set up in a pinwheel of sorts, with all of the rooms connecting in one way or another,” says Reeves. The home is also made

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up of a number of natural materials, including Canadian western cedar, limestone, polished concrete and an ashen colour hardwood that went far in bringing more warmth to the space.

“The land with which this home was built had been basically forgotten about for the past 40 years, so creating what I think is an amazing structure on it is extremely rewarding,” says Reeves. “I remember the city being fairly hesitant when they heard we were working on creating a ‘modern’ dwelling. People can get nervous just upon hearing the word. I think now that they have seen how well it looks, perhaps the city can be open to accepting more of these kinds of houses in the future.”

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Photos: PHOTOLUX STUDIOS

For this project in particular, designing a home with clean and simple lines fit perfectly into the lifestyle of the family of five. “It was built to be a social home,” says Reeves, “The family loves to entertain, and then they have the activity of three teenagers. Their goal was to purchase a new house, but they could never find something that truly fit their lifestyle.”

ARCHITECTs 01

Streamline Design timber frame Specialist Kevin Simoes puts a modern spin on classic log home design

Photo: Dom Koric/Visual Sensations

by Isabel Eva Bohrer from multiple angles.” The client, who owns a large building envelope repair contracting business in Vancouver, “decided to build this dream vacation home as a retreat for him and his family,” Simoes explains. “He chose this site for its stunning views and prominent location as he wanted to show off this stunning home,” he says.

“Modern yet timeless.” These are the words that building designer and Principal Kevin Simoes uses to describe the style of his company, Streamline Design. “We have completed projects around the world so we have a very diverse and blended architectural style,” Simoes explains. Streamline Design specializes exclusively in timber frame, log home and post and beam constructions. While most of the projects have been high-end residential, Streamline Design also does light commercial, structural and engineering work. Moreover, the firm prides itself on incorporating green and sustainable practices.

To capture and take full advantage of the location, Simoes created dual prows to access multiple viewpoints. “The prows are also on an outward angle of 10 degrees to increase the grandeur,” he says.

Two recent projects include the Bella Vista and the Mixal Heights residences, located in Sun Peaks and Garden Bay, BC, respectively. Simoes explains that in the former, “we wanted a one-of-a-kind design that demanded attention.” Set on a hill on Bella Vista road, the road from which the project derives its name, the house needed to “look good

A steel catwalk with a glass floor, in turn, looks all the way through to the basement. “The glass half circle in the main floor continues the view down,” Simoes explains. Free, floating timber staircases are “suspended off the curved concrete wall which extends from the foundation to the ceiling,” he says. “We also used this wall for shear, providing 80% of the lateral strength

01 The Bella Vista home has a rich, textured facade of brick and stone 02 Pella windows framed by impressive timber beams showcase the stunning view from the Bella Vista living room 03 A timber staircase moves up the curved concrete wall while a glass half circle provides views to the basement

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to the structure.” Simoes himself is particularly proud of the timber frame and curved timber beam, completed by Canadian Timber Frames, the massive Pella windows with minimal trim detailing, as well as the built-in hot tub and water fall feature, completed by Rain City Rock & Waterscapes, Ltd. Simoes notes that the client of the Mixal Heights project, an executive and project manager for Walt Disney, “wanted a natural cedar, post and beam structure with many unique features, materials and art to inspire his friends and family (naturally he has an artistic flare and an eye for details as he manages all of Disney’s builds).” The client chose

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PhotoS: Dom Koric/Visual Sensations

“We have completed projects around the world so we have a very diverse and blended architectural style.” Kevin Simoes, principal

ARCHITECTs

PhotoS: Linda Sabiston/First impression Photography

The Mixal Heights Waterfall A very special aspect of the Mixal Heights Residence is the exterior water feature and living wall that transitions into the master bedroom shower.

“Initially the intent for this space was an exterior shower,” Simoes explains.

However, during the first site visit it became evident that it deserved a more impressive feature. A subcontractor suggested a waterfall, the client loved the idea and “the goal was then to create a beloved, inspirational space that blends in with the surrounding forest,” Simoes explains.

“We utilized the existing site stone, several large landscape rocks and a specifically coloured massive granite slab, which in one piece went from the exterior to interior.” The company then carried that same stone beyond the shower and behind the commode, tying it all together with a large stone mosaic by a local artisan. This mosaic slowly sweeps behind the sinks and carries around the tub, completing the bathroom and visually carrying the eye from one end to the other.

this site for its tranquil nature and stunning views.

Streamline Design, in turn, “wanted to create something unique and timeless, so we utilized a lot of stone and natural woods. The challenge was to not overdo any one colour or material while still tying it all together.”

Simoes is proud of many details that helped him overcome this challenge. “There are many exquisite details that carry on throughout the home,” he says.

This includes, for example, “quilted western maple, bubinga and cherry cabinets with copper kicks

by West Coast Arts. The kitchen island and desk incorporate basalt pillars, which are also present in the entry, stairs, eating bar and fireplace stones. The fireplaces and master ensuite contain artisan stone work by Ancient Art of Stone; adding tremendous

interest to this home’s truly custom look,” observes Simoes. The cedar post and beam log works were supplied by West Coast Log Homes.

The ‘living wall’ beside the water feature contains moss, licorse ferns and wildflower seed. That isn’t the only green feature of the project; further sustainable aspects include passive solar orientation, FSC certified hardwood flooring, Zero VOC interior paints and Low VOC sealants, Energy Star appliances throughout and many more. It’s a 98% permeable site, meant to stand the test of time.

As for the future of his very own company, Simoes has numerous projects in mind: “We’re only limited by our imagination, our clients’ budget and the site/location requirements.”

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ARCHITECTs 01

Decca Design Inc. From design to completion…creating unique spaces for all clients

by Amy Howell Hirt At Decca Design, successfully building or renovating a home involves a thorough, client-focused process and developing a long-term relationship based on open communication and respect.

For residential and commercial clients in Calgary, AB and across North America, the family owned, six-person architecture and interior design firm provides customized masterpieces based on each client’s lifestyle, needs and tastes. “ You don’t just come in and walk out with a plan,” says Jennifer Brown, Principal at Decca Design. Brown also says that she and her partner Keith Anderson, Principal at Decca Design, have

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“implemented a four-staged process that ensures that each client; will have the final product they envision. It’s important to invest the time to get to know the client; that’s what makes a house become their home.”

When determining the direction for a home’s design, Brown gets down to the nitty-gritty of daily life. Each of the process stages – conceptualization, implementation, visualization and realization, are integral to developing the ‘right’ design.

Spaces that cater to entertaining are a common request, and the Decca team learns the specifics, such as whether the goal is to have comfortable family meals and cookouts, or host large soirees.

While doorways and walls provide the fundamentals that physically separate various spaces in a home, creating visual breaks and connections is an art form. The team at Decca Design has an eye for accomplishing this with wellplaced features and carefully selected colours, shapes and materials. From the front door of a vacation home in Nanoose Bay, BC, an open riser staircase provides a teaser for the ocean view, and a visual anchor point for the exquisite home. “We created a dramatic effect by having the open staircase near the front entrance,” says Jennifer Brown, Interior Designer and Principal at Decca Design. “The staircase acts as an area divider between the foyer and the living space. When you enter the living room there is a wall of glass that takes your eye out to the endless ocean view.” Repeating a particular colour or shape is another way to visually connect spaces. In the Calgary home, the team designed a trellis on the deck that mimicked the roll of the barrel ceiling in the kitchen. This connected the indoor and outdoor aspects – creating a cohesive entertaining space.

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PhotoS: Jamie Bezemer

Nanoose Bay Residence

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Ceramic Tile, Marble, & Slate Installations Bathrooms | Kitchens | Floors | Fireplaces

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01 The French inspiration of the kitchen is reflected by the furniture-like millwork, providing ample storage space, while creating an upscale atmosphere 02 The homeowners original art work inspired this spa like ensuite. The pairing of the natural stone, on the floors and walls, and the earth tone colour palette creates a relaxing space to unwind 03 The hand-carved corbel is one of the many distinguishing details designed by Decca to carry the French ambience throughout the space

For the owners of the Nanoose Bay, BC vacation home, contemporary architecture was an exciting departure from the classic styles of their previous homes, while low-maintenance materials – like barefoot-friendly cork flooring and stoneblock exterior construction are perfect selections for the family’s lifestyle.

The Decca team designed a 6,500-square-foot retirement getaway that the owners plan to share with family and friends. To accommodate visitors, private guest quarters are located above the garage, and an expansive open living area creates a resort-like feel.

Often, a custom renovation will provide the new feel that a space needs. In a renovated home in Calgary, the selections focused on what was important to the family, including a warm French style inspired by a cycling tour the client did in France. The family loved cooking and hosting dinners, and to increase the entertaining space, the living room was opened to the kitchen and connected to an extensive deck.

The kitchen features hand-carved inserts by Deuce Interiors and hand-painted corbels and a faux-finished curved ceiling by Juigalli Furniture Finishing Ltd., paired with elegant classics like

383 Heritage Dr. SE Calgary, AB T2H 1M8 P. 403.615.1411 | F. 403 252 8769 JetSet4u2@shaw.ca

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“To me, it’s just as important to form a relationship with the client as it is to focus on the end goal.”

04 The contemporary design feels right at home in this natural seaside environment. Low maintenance landscaping and spaces blend simplicity with beauty 05 Careful consideration was used when planning the staircase to maintain the panoramic ocean view, only 100 feet away. Innovative architectural features contribute to the feeling of a casual waterfront retreat with exquisite bay views

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granite countertops from Alberta Marble & Tile Co. Ltd., furniture-style cabinetry and travertine floor inlays from Ames Tile & Stone Ltd., finished with chef favourites like a Viking stove and Sub-Zero refrigerator.

All selections are decided early and detailed in a project reference binder.This tool tracks all the details (schedules, budgets, fixtures, materials and drawings) related to the project. “At any stage

of the process, the client can call us or the contractor and clarify points on a particular paragraph on a specific page,” Brown says. All parties working on the renovation have access to the binder, minimizing any miscommunications.

“We all bring different experiences to the table, and that’s a huge asset,” says Anderson. “We listen to all the ideas that the client has, and try to make them a reality.”

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PhotoS: VR Webtours

Jennifer Brown, principal

BEAUTIFUl ON THE OUTSIDE

Campbell Design EFFICIENT ON THE INSIDE In an age of rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, modern home buyers are beginning to demand more from their new homes.

Today’s buyers want a home that offers solid, reliable, weather-resistant construction. Insulating concrete form (ICF) construction represents a modern innovation, and a significant departure from the traditional built environment. And at its core is the most proven building material on earth: reinforced concrete.

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Insulating Concrete Form Construction

ARCHITECTs 01

Natural Warmth

An upfront interview process allows this Vancouver design firm to meet all the design needs of busy professionals

by Christine Cox It’s not unusual these days for people to build their dream homes in concert with their natural surroundings. This type of home building is not only a popular ‘trend,’ it’s slowly becoming central to the way people choose to live and build, especially in areas as lush and magnificent as Calgary’s Canadian Rockies. Post Hill, which is on the far west side of the city Calgary, AB; about 70 kilometers east of the Canadian Rockies, is a prime location for housing developments and is where Architect Cameron Campbell of Campbell Design worked with his dream client, Peter Gergo.

Gergo, a builder himself with an architectural business on the side, had some ideas for his home when initially meeting with Campbell. “When Peter came to me, he already had a rough sketch of what he wanted,” says Campbell. “He wanted a living space

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that opened out to the forest. I call that environmental living, and it’s just the sort of project that jazzes me.” In fact, Campbell has built other homes in the Post Hill development on the far west side of Calgary, where the Gergo residence is, and he has a reputation for understanding how to help nature live harmoniously behind manmade walls.

“Peter’s first question to me was perfect. ‘What can I do to get some passive sun?’” says Campbell.

“We have to deal with creating heat in Calgary because we have winter eight months of the year.”

But Campbell, who started his own business in 1987, admits that not everyone in Calgary is as eco-conscious as the Gergo’s. “I’m trying to influence my clients more and more that way,” he says.

These elements are further exemplified with the use of a solar chimney.

The chimney, also known as a thermal chimney, was designed centuries ago and has predominantly been used in various Middle Eastern countries.

Typically, the chimney is black so that it is able to able to absorb a significant amount of the sun’s rays, which heat up the air that passes through the vertical shaft. Depending on the size and shape of the chimney, natural ventilation can occur through convection-the process of heat being transferred from outside to the interior--thus providing a natural way to warm up the home.

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PhotoS: Colin Smith Photography

Campbell Design

With a love for outdoor spaces and the necessity for an environmentallyconscious approach to development, Campbell Design has granted the client’s wishes for a perfect mingling of nature in the Gergo Residence. The home is surrounded by plush forest, and Campbell brought not only natural settings to the home’s interior but also eco-friendly elements.

ARCHITECTs 02

01 Brick and wood accents in the kitchen mimic the home’s exterior

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02 The living room has cozy seating options and views to the surrounding Aspen woods from full-scale windows 03 The foyer leads to a bridge that looks out over the dining and living room areas

“With Peter as the GC for his own home, this job was intensely personal,” says Campbell. “I worked very little with anyone but Peter.” The Gergo’s have one daughter and were intent on making their new home not only environmentally, but family friendly, so plush shag rugs throughout softened surfaces and created a play space for children. Gergo admits the house is not always “neat and tidy,” so it’s no surprise that the furnishings are both sturdy and luxurious. The

master bath boasts a huge shower with a window above the tub for an unobstructed view of the Rocky Mountains. From a third level glass railing, one can gaze over the tops of the Rockies.

Perhaps the most stunning and dynamic room in this cultured stone house is the one most connected to the outdoors. “We located a 16 foot by 18 foot solarium with a glass wall on the south side of the house and created a solar chimney,”

says Campbell. The atrium is sealed off from the rest of the house, and a rock wall was built on either side. “We also created a living wall covered with plant life. Plans for a waterfall on the west side,” though admittedly daunting, “are underway,” says Gergo. The Gergo’s harvest rainwater for irrigation in a huge cistern.

Though the house is built of concrete (the insulated walls are 13 inches thick) and steel (except

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04 The rear of the house can be seen from the three-season room and master bedroom

for the roof and interior walls) it manages to appear elegant and welcoming. Still, as much as the team tried to build a markedly energyefficient home, there is a lot of energy involved in making concrete and steel. “In that regard,” says Campbell, “all the materials are not a renewable resource like wood – but the Gergo’s wanted a super sound proof, well-insulated home. So we worked with convection – due to the design of the air flow, the solar chimney and the ventilating system, the schematics create a high amount of thermal mass.” The solar chimney creates air flow, allowing the cooler air from below by opening low windows and then opening the large skylight in the solarium with

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a slightly higher, cedar plank ceiling that traps the hotter air, creating convection through the house by drawing in cool air in the summer and emptying out hot air. “In the winter,” explains Gergo, “we keep the skylight closed. The entire room is designed as a ‘buffer’ for the wintertime – in the summer it’s very sauna like.” The room is decorated with casual but solid wicker furniture. The game room featuring a wet bar has a padded wall and booth for a playful solution to noise.

and soft furnishings that help absorb sound, this home tells the story of an architect and a family finely in tune with the subtleties of their surroundings, both inside and out.

Finally, the home’s roof is sprayed with foam to create a monolithic dome with no attic space.

In conjunction with the triple-paned windows

offereing a high level of service while striving to keep

a message from Stack It Wall Systems/Seal It Waterproofing Our crews at Stack It Wall Systems have used over 25,000 blocks to shape the ideal energy efficient house for dozens of clients. We are committed to ICF construction competitive with other forms of energy efficient construction.

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PhotoS: Colin Smith Photography

05 The bathroom in the master bedroom has an impressive shower and a bathtub with a window looking out into the woods

ARCHITECTs

THE PLANS A showcase of the step-by-step process toward developing sleek and effortless architecture, from the drawing board to real life

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CROSSTOWN LOFT

RS-001 BY CAMPOS LECKIE STUDIO/ Photo: Raphael Santa Ana

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THE PLANs 01

Comfort Zone

These partners share a deep appreciation for form, nature and beautifully engineered homes

by Lauryn Allison Lewis Michael Leckie and Javier Campos founded Campos Leckie Studio, an interdisciplinary design firm based in Vancouver, BC. They founded the company in 2008 after previous collaborations on architectural projects “in the margins” since first meeting in 2003.

Today, the duo’s business philosophy revolves around the notion that good design can change lives. Both agree, “Design can play a transformative role in the way that individuals carry on their daily activities–through a process of support, enrichment and appreciation of space and the objects of daily life. To that end we believe that the process of design in an intimate and collaborative

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process that requires care and attention to detail.

We strive to create a rigorous design logic in all of our projects that results in a simplicity that is meaningfully understated.”

This philosophy is one Campos Leckie Studios extends to each and every one of its clients. Both partners feel, “Our approach is based on the development of relationships with our clients that transcend the provision of services to a place where we, along with the client, can push together toward a common goal that is rooted in an architectural solution to their requirements and the site –space, light, form and tectonic. At the end of the day our Litmus test for the fit of

For the RS-1 district, also known as the “OneFamily District”, Campos & Leckie understood that knowing what kinds of restrictions lay before them would ultimately play a role in the overall project. The district aims at promoting and maintaining a single-family lifestyle. The purpose of this is to emphasize personal and intimate relationships with neighbours, while at the same time preserving common and shared outdoor spaces.

Individuals in the RS-1 district work together to maintain plants and trees that reflect the care and attention to neighbourhood streets.

According to Campos and Leckie, “The project also sought to update the more traditional interpretations of living in an urban context.

It incorporated landscape and exterior space as an integral part of everyday living.”

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PhotoS: Raphael Santa Ana

Campos Leckie Studio

Campos Leckie Studio not only had their client’s standards, as well as their own, to meet, but also the city of Vancouver’s. The city, which is broken into specific zoning districts, encourages certain areas to maintain and adhere to guidelines. Types of districts include, “Two-Family”, “Limited Agriculture” and “Commercial”, with variations on the commonality that distinguishes one district from another.

THE PLANs

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Bedroom Bathroom Ensuite Roof Deck Living Dining Kitchen Study Garage Office Media Room Family Room Laundry

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ARCHITECTs ARCHITECTs

01 The back of the property houses a quaint courtyard and deck perfect for garden parties

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02 The roof deck is a serene getaway located in the southern most part of the house 03 The plush foliage in the front yard adorns the home’s simplistic façade 04 A mix of colours and patterns creates a vibrant backsplash for the living room’s pristine perimeter 05 The main floor opens to a long line of interconnected rooms, with open slat stairs leading to the second floor 06 The main deck and sunken courtyard with water fountain complete the rear yard of the home’s exterior

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PhotoS: Raphael Santa Ana

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THE PLANs

SECTION D SECTION D

SECTION B

a project with our office is not based on budget or profit, but on the ability of the project to ultimately create something that has architectural integrity, interest and meaning.”

It’s an approach that sparks further creativity. “We feel that our projects are not formally derivative of each other but rather evolutionary in terms of the ongoing development of ideas. Ideas that prove to be successful and relevant carry forward

SECTION B

and give rise to novel responses to new circumstances,” Leckie says.

The Vancouver RS-1-002 project was an attempt to create a modern space within Canada’s ubiquitous RS-1 zoning district. “The project explored the development restrictions of the residential regulations as well as the limitations of building within an urban context,” says Leckie and Campos. “The process was meant to generate a set of

guidelines for what we have termed a ‘flexible prototype’ that could address the contextual differences of individual sites in a way that allows for a customized integration of passive environmental strategies, the incorporation of exterior space as part of everyday living, and the provision of an affordable and flexible live/work space.” The RS-1-002 is 2,560 square feet, with a 540-squarefoot detached studio. The basement and garage of the project could be easily converted from work

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Located on the east side of downtown Vancouver in the Yaletown district, the Crosstown Loft was completely remodelled for a young couple looking to start a family. “The existing building at 550 Beatty St was Vancouver’s first ‘New York style open plan loft’ - originally a 1907 warehouse that was retrofitted in 1981,” says Michael Leckie and Javier Campos. “In this new third iteration of the life of the building, the renovation is programmed with 1000 square feet of living and entertaining space upstairs and 1000 square feet of sleeping and play space downstairs.” The partners exposed and refinished the original timber structure and created a space inspired by a minimal palette. “The design goal was to create a functional interior that would maintain the original open plan feel of the loft typology, while also supporting the requirements of a growing young family,” says Leckie and Campos.

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PhotoS: John Sinal

Crosstown Loft

THE PLANs

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07 Interior view from upper floor living area toward kitchen with entry beyond

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08 Interior view of lower floor showing nursery and child’s bedroom, with operable partitions in open position 09 Interior view of spiral staircase and upper floor living area from kitchen 10 Interior view of lower floor showing child’s bedroom with operable partitions in open position

areas into rental spaces, reflecting lifestyle changes, such as working from home, to starting a family.

“In this iteration of the guidelines we were able to implement meaningful cross ventilation, natural lighting throughout, and accommodate passive heating and cooling strategies,” says Campos. The project also incorporates exteriors and landscapes as an integral part of everyday living. “A large part of the second floor was integrated as deck space

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that runs the length of the house and is accessible from both upper floor bedrooms,” says Leckie and Campos. “The floor space made available as a result of this organization was redistributed to the basement. The resulting bedroom/office/flex room incorporated a desirable south-facing patio.”

Certain commonly held beliefs are consistently applied to everything Campos Leckie Studios

undertakes. “We always endeavour to approach each project without preconception, and are committed to a rigorous process of examination and discovery. It is the process that is important for us, always leading to unexpected outcomes,” says Leckie and Campos. In a world overrun with cookie cutter architectural design, Campos Leckie Studios is as dynamic as the sea, meeting desert sand.

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PhotoS: John Sinal

11 Interior view of lower floor showing child’s bedroom with operable partitions in closed position

ARCHITECTs

BUILDERS

The Cypress Ridge at South Pointe BY MARIC HOMES / PHOTO DANIEL WEXLER

Dedicated contractors, with a unique approach, pay keen and thoughtful attention to constructing and remodeling residences from the ground up

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BUILDERs 01

Augusta Fine Custom Homes

By Christine Cox

MacGregor Project

Augusta Fine Homes recently created a model Mike Plumton, General Manager of Augusta Fine home that rivals most in its league. In the Ranches Homes, a division of NuVista Homes, is the proud of Silverado, the MacGregor project has been recipient of several home building awards. Included is the highly coveted J.D. Powers & Associates award, met in Calgary with high acclaim. With the help of architect Steve Berger, whom Plumton has a prestigious recognition of the quality and charworked with on numerous projects over the years, acter of the homes Plumton builds. Since Plumton the Augusta team created a 3,443-square-foot opened the doors of NuVista Homes in 1998, the French country-style home that includes amenicompany has also won Calgary’s Customer Choice ties not often found in model homes, including a SAM builder award seven times. “Plumton has set a new standard for luxury living,” says Wendee Bishop, "toy" garage.

Creative Director, “because he’s passionate about Interior designer Sharon Maguire made it her misboth homebuilding and fine craftsmanship.” The sion to portray a warm, casual and sophisticated company prides itself on reaching beyond the norm ranch atmosphere within the space by using earth in luxury living; by doing things creatively while tones and deep browns mingled with opulent light never forgetting function and grace. The company fixtures for maximum impact. lives up to its slogan “Quality is our Obsession.”

Located on the Southwestern edge of Calgary, Silverado is adjacent to the world class equestrian facility known as “Spruce Meadows”.

Already over 80% constructed, this established master planned community features an extensive linear pathway system, green space and seven-acres of wet ponds. Nana® walls were used in the MacGregor home, and come in various sizes, colours and uses (www.nanawall.com). The two storey home boasts two decks in the back – one covered and one specifically for barbecuing.

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PhotoS: Ken Taylor, VR Tours

Calgary home builder gracefully blends luxury with whimsy

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Our Experience

Equals Your Satisfaction

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01 The double side drive garage and single “toy” garage create a dramatic statement to the exterior of the MacGregor Home 02 The dramatic 19-foot ceiling is balanced by the Juliet style balcony and matching chandeliers.

The bridge gives access the upper floor family room from the master retreat 03 The open plan concept allows the home owner to interact with family and friends whether it’s in the kitchen, the dining area or the built-in bar

The kitchen, while designed with efficiency in mind, promotes not only cooking, but intimate conversation. A magnificent maple island is stained the colour of bourbon, the island and bar sinks are made of hammered copper and the maple Lockport cabinets lend a rich border to the room. The Sienna Bordeaux granite countertops are finished in leather and the Wolf gas cooktop has a striking back splash made of oil rubbed bronze mosaic tiles.

In the dining area, the moving glass Nana® wall opens onto a semi-enclosed outdoor living space complete with its own fireplace and TV. “This home appeals to those who love to entertain and to be entertained,” Mike Plumton says. There is a home theatre set up with two–tiered seating within soundproofed walls and a home theatre package that includes a 72” LED TV. The media wall is adorned with pearl glass mosaic tiles.

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04 The opulent master ensuite has a tranquil waterwall that can be enjoyed from the tub, bridge or foyer below.

On either side of the tub are matching granite vanities with small chandeliers 05 You can never get enough storage in a kitchen but this one comes close.

The large walnut butcher block island makes a statement while the SubZero™ and Wolf ™ appliances help to bring out your inner chef

4522 - 112th Ave SE Calgary, AB T2C 2K2 403.252.1101

In the opulent ensuite, 12-foot vaulted ceilings hover over the nine foot by nine foot water-wall viewed from the free standing soaker tub, the upper floor bridge and the foyer below. The floors are made of heated Marmo D Marfil marble, and the ensuite includes a six-foot shower with dual rain shower head. A nine-foot closet boasts custom built floor-to-ceiling shelves and an upper storage access library ladder that anyone would envy.

is noticed throughout the masterful details in the interiors of this mansion.

“A unique feature of this home,” Plumton points out, “is the dual staircases at either end of the residence.

We designed the children’s wing for privacy, while allowing easy access from the master suite to the wing for tots from the heart of the home.”

One can’t imagine that anything within this home was overlooked. Every detail, no matter the size, was meticulously deliberated over.

“Simply said, this home inspires dramatic appeal,” says Bishop. “With its 19-foot high ceilings and 12’8” glass Nana® wall, every detail was considered. Beginning by donning the foyer’s grande entrance with dual oversized chandeliers, no room is without statement.”

a message from Hardwood Gallery With twenty three years of experience, we’ve learned that quality begins at the top and it’s a pleasure working with the quality-oriented management at Augusta Homes. We

Claude Durand, Augusta’s finish carpenter since its inception, has exceptional skills and offers a level of craftsmanship second to none. His touch

are also like-minded in our belief that quality materials, workmanship, service and the willingness to go beyond speaks for itself.

deerbridgeplumbing.com lhcanada.com

PhotoS: Ken Taylor, VR Tours

Deer Bridge Plumbing was established in 1986. In 2008, we built a new shop using radiant floor heating. This new shop is 45% larger and yet, our yearly operating costs are 48% less.

This knowledge is applied to all radiant heating systems for our new home builders.

a message from Laird’s Spindle & Railing Laird’s Railing is proud to partner with Augusta Fine Homes supplying stairs and railings to Augusta projects. In Augusta, we have teamed with a partner who truly reflects our own company philosophies and values; exceptional quality and true craftsmanship; creative design for a legacy that endures; and customer service excellence. a message from Deer Bridge Plumbing & Heating With twenty three years of experience, we’ve learned that quality begins at the top and it’s a pleasure working with the quality-oriented management at Augusta

Residential Heating and Cooling

Homes. We are also like-minded in our belief that quality materials, workmanship, service and the willingness to go beyond speaks for itself. a message from Big Foot Building Products Bigfoot Building Products is the proud supplier of custom, quality interior finishing products to Augusta Fine Homes.

Not only are we dedicated to the supply of quality products such as Doors, Mouldings, Door Hardware and Bath Accessories, we are also committed to outstanding service to our valued clients. a message from Heating Essentials We at Heating Essentials Ltd. are just coming up to our 10th anniversary thanks to builders such as Augusta Fine Homes. Residential Heating is our business and specialty, it is the core of what we do. Our vision is to be the first choice service provider to our clients - the builder and their homebuyers. We take pride in doing our best for you! Email : contactus@heatingessentials.com a message from Maguire’s 5th Ave. Flooring Known for their high level of detail and unparalleled workmanship, many of the interior design and fashion elements in Augusta¹s elegant and engaging showhome have been brought together by Maguires Flooring/Window Coverings. From the brilliantly textured silky accent broadloom carpet on main floor den and the uncompromised craftsmanship in all the travertine flooring to the luxurious plush nylon carpet throughout, quality is apparent in every aspect. Yet Maguires is far from just a flooring company, providing exquisite finishing details you may not expect. The mother of pearl stone mosaic feature wall, custom window coverings and beautiful fabricated furniture are also among the plethora of elegantly designed additions. Maguires 5th Ave Flooring would like to extend our appreciation for the opportunity to work with Augusta on this amazing project. Visit us today and discover the true potential of your home. www.maguiresflooring.com. a message from Jertyne Interior Services Jertyne Interior Services is recognized in the insula-

Celebrating 10 years in business!

tion/drywall industry as a consistent provider of flawless workmanship. Their award winning business profile continues to be the basis of their excellent reputation among Calgary’s home builders. Based on founding partner Robert Legault’s personal philosophy, “Do what you say you will do, when you say you will do it.” The company thrives on striving for excellence in all aspects of their business. By providing comprehensive, highly consistent quality services Jertyne has built a legacy based on their commitment to quality and quite

Phone: (403)692-8553 Fax: (403)692-8554 Bay G, 610 - 70 avenue S.e.

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Bay #16, 21 Highfield Circle SE Calgary, AB T2G 5N6 P: 403-266-3678 F: 403-243-3138

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Building Beautiful P

Since 1994

Jertyne Interior Services Ltd. Residential Insulation and Drywall Contractor 60 Commercial Drive SW Calgary, AB T3Z 2A7 T: 403.219.1046 F: 403.250.6721 W: http://Jertyne.com E: info@jertyne.com

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Bay 7 5608 1st St. SE, Calgary, AB T2H 2W9 hardwoodgallery0@lycos.com

BUILDERs 01

Maric Homes Exceeding every conventional benchmark in the custom home building industry

By Isabel Eva Bohrer Maric Homes holds a distinguished position in Manitoba’s homebuilding industry. For 40 years, Maric Homes has pioneered advanced building techniques and ground-breaking aesthetics that have allowed them to become among the mostrespected and historically innovative custom home-building firms in the province.

Founded in 1973 by Steve and Cathie Maric, the company prides itself on being a truly custom home builder. From their elaborate show homes to each dream home they build for private clientele, all of Maric Homes’ projects are varied and unique. Special projects include lakefront cottages in Manitoba’s Whiteshell Provincial Park and homes of stunning scope and beauty on Win-

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nipeg’s distinguished Wellington Crescent. Maric Homes has also engaged in effective partnerships with established local architects. “Lloyd Secter, one of our province’s most prominent architects, has proven to be an especially successful collaborator – Mr. Secter even conceptualized the design for our future head office, currently under construction,” adds Dan Rolfe, Project Manager of Maric Homes.

“Maric Homes was founded [...] on the principles of integrity and passionate attention to detail,” Rolfe explains. “[The legacy of Steve and Cathie Maric] is a strong motivator for the subsequent generation to become stewards of the Maric name and carry it to new heights. The fact that a

The Cypress Ridge at South Pointe is Maric Homes’ newest show home. “In the Winnipeg market, new home buyers are sophisticated,” explains Dan Rolfe. “We understand that the most subtle of differences and the extra effort we put into our designs are always appreciated by the public.” The Cypress Ridge at South Pointe embodies Maric Homes’ approach to the contemporary family home. Specifically, “the staircase is the anchor of the entire design,” he affirms. “It flows continuously from the lower level to the top floor in one single assembly; it bonds the foyer and den with the great room and kitchen. By designating the staircase as the house’s fulcrum, we achieved one of our central design goals: blend function with beauty.”

Further unique products include tile from Ames Tile (www.amestile.com), Julian Tile (www.juliantile.com), Caesarstone quartz countertops (www.caesarstone.ca), Kitchencraft cabinets (www.kitchencraft.com), For Space Sake closet organization (www. forspacesake.com) and Jeld-Wen Windows (www.jeld-wen.com). All of these ingredients come together to make the Cypress Ridge the ideal family space.

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PhotoS: Daniel Wexler

The Cypress Ridge at South Pointe

02

PREFERRED SUPPLIER OF

MARIC HOMES

01 A stunning staircase of solid maple is the anchor of the home’s design. Vertically, it connects the main floor to both the upper and lower level; horizontally, it carries the beautiful maple from the den through to the entertainment wall 02 With a goal of undivided relaxation, the builder designed a twoway fireplace that simultaneously shares and separates ensuite spa and the bedroom

family business has access to unique ingredients provides a competitive advantage to our clients.”

The team at Maric Homes is “constantly seeking ways to transform and invigorate the familiar,” says Rolfe. “We’ve managed to separate ourselves from our peers by following this maxim.” And with success; Maric Homes is by far the most award-winning custom-home builder in Manitoba.

“We specialize in realizing our client’s dreams,” Rolfe affirms. As such, the company’s design process certainly begins with the ideas and goals of their clients. But more than merely being present

at an initial meeting, clients of Maric Homes are involved in every single aspect of the home’s design and execution.

While always keeping the needs and desires of the client as their core guiding principle, Maric Homes’ company motto is ‘We build to astonish.’

“This is more than a tagline; we look at it as an obligation to our clients and the public’s expectations,” Rolfe explains. “We seek to exceed every conventional benchmark in our industry – design, attention to detail, craftsmanship and service.”

The company’s own ongoing evolution is regarded as its most rewarding project. “We are particularly proud of how we continue to separate ourselves from our peers,” Rolfe says. Homebuilding in Manitoba is necessarily rigorous – homes must be attractive, while also being able to stand up to the harsh prairie climate. Regarded as leaders in design and execution, Maric Homes has managed to make a singular name for itself in the industry. “There is a distinct sense of accomplishment when we hand over the keys to new homeowners,” notes Rolfe.

In every home that they build, the company tries to achieve balance between the effective use of space and beauty. Their success is a result of recognizing that one is usually a product of the other.

“Broadly, our aesthetic goal is classic prairie luxury guided by our client’s taste.”

www.amestile.com

BUILDERs

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04 03 The kitchen’s layout was designed with both chef and host in mind. The central island connects the bar and dining area to the kitchen. Storage, counter space, and commercialgrade appliances add utility and beauty 04 The builder’s focus on detail and creating depth is exemplified in the niche wall framing the master bed. This eliminates the need for a headboard and allows the use of beautiful blown glass pendant lights 05 Partition walls on the main floor suggest space and create circulation. The space flows together seamlessly, defining the rooms without separating them completely

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PhotoS: Daniel Wexler

06 The builder envisioned an atmosphere akin to a spa when designing the master ensuite.

A soaker tub is the centrepiece, complemented by heated onyx tile and a fireplace

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Discover the Beauty of Kitchen Craft

06

In fact, the client guides the company’s inspiration first and foremost. The landscape and surroundings play an absolutely integral part in the design process as well. “Beyond the pragmatic, though, inspiration comes from anywhere: the quilting on the inside of a briefcase, the design of a bridge, a painting seen in a cottage, the colour saturation of a photograph or movie.” Maric Homes seeks to draw inspiration from everywhere and contextualize it into the firm’s design approach.

a message from Ames Tile & Stone Ames Tile & Stone is Western Canada’s premier supplier of ceramic, porcelain and mosaic tile, natural stone and installation accessories. Ames works with trusted suppliers to bring you quality products for all of your project needs. For more information, contact a certified Ames consultant or visit our website at www.amestile.com. a message from Kitchen Craft

As for the future, Maric Homes will continue to try to innovate aesthetically and technologically while being guided by the firm’s traditional design direction. They look to continue to seek balance between remaining a tastemaker for the broader direction of home design in Manitoba while also keeping consistent with the home-buying public’s high expectations of Maric Homes.

The collaboration between a contractor, supplier and homeowner is very important in the custom home-building process. For

Winnipeg Locations

over two decades, Kitchen Craft has proudly worked with Maric Homes and their clients.

Kitchen Craft’s rich history combined with our fashion-forward approach allows us to create lifestyle expressions for every budget.

1500 Regent Ave. W Ph. 661.6977 5-1650 Kenaston Blvd.

Ph. 489.0455

kitchencraftwinnipeg.com

BUILDERs

01

Creating contemporary clean lines and highly functional, yet simple, designs

by Isabel Eva Bohrer Specifically, Schreyer Construction focuses on Axel Schreyer’s longtime experience in the connew high-end custom homes and high-end renostruction industry has always been coupled with a vations. What characterizes their style, in turn, fascination with custom production. Back in Gerare “contemporary clean lines, highly functional, many, he began his construction career at age 19, yet simple,” according to Schreyer. Moreover he specializing in custom production already during his is convinced that his company’s “genuine care for apprenticeship. Schreyer subsequently moved to the its clients” and the way in which Schreyer ConWest Coast of Canada to work on timber and highend projects on Vancouver Island. “My other passion, struction provides “high quality with low impact on the environment,” is precisely what makes skiing, brought me to Whistler, where I was worktheir work unique and successful. ing for five years for Whistler Blackcomb mountain with the building maintenance department, and learned a lot about all the remaining parts and systems “A few years ago we did a remarkable transformation of a client’s existing townhouse,” Schreyer that make up a well functioning building,” he says. says. “The client was very much involved in the “Then my new life partner Katarina and I decided to design herself.” Schreyer proudly mentions “it start our own new construction company.” It is then was the first project ever that we decided to enthat the legacy of Schreyer Construction began. ter into the Georgie Awards. Although there was some stiff competition from all over the province, Since 1994, the company has become well estabwe entered the project and won ‘The Best Resilished, building a reputation on delivering their perdential Renovation’ of the year.” sonal best to achieve the objectives of their clients.

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The Khyber Home The Khyber home “is a spec home, currently marketed (www.schreyerconstruction.com),” explains Schreyer, “therefore we have a wide range of potential clients.”

He is particularly proud of the “simple, yet inspiring, easy flowing living space that appreciates the environment at every turn.” The main floor features local honed basalt floors, master in-suite features Jerusalem limestone with original fossils and pure wool carpet with organic underlay from Burritt Carpets (www.burritcarpets.com). All bathroom vanities and horizontal cherry kitchen cabinets are by Citation Kitchens (www.citationkitchens. com) and all appliances are Miele (www. miele.com). Featured products from blu bathworks (www.blubathworks.com) include: blu-stone freestanding pedestals, basins, freestanding tub with freestanding bath filler, hang wall toilets, faucets and showers, as well as bath accessories.

Throughout the home, you’ll find vast windows and doors (Eclipse Folding Door Hardware), that are connected to wraparound decks, which are pre-wired for hot tubs and gas heat lamps. All in all, it’s the epitome of a low footprint residence.

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Photos: Kristen McGaughey

Schreyer Construction

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Contemporary bathware by Michael Gottschalk Featuring BT0402 in bluŘstone™ concrete

01 Vertically stacked stone and uniformed cedar siding play an important role on the exterior facade and complement the homes’s natural material and colour palette 02 The home’s light footprint preserves the natural vegetation of the surrounding forest 03 White tones were taken through the house to give the interior a more sculptural look and sense of tranquility.

Douglas Fir trim and doors are coordinated, complementing the ceiling, and the heated volcanic basalt floor 04 Unique kitchen features include a window back-splash that draws the eye toward beautiful greenery. Large folding glass door that opens out to wraparound decks and a spacious walk-in pantry

compact The transformation of this townhouse is not the only one of Schreyer’s project that has received accolades. The Khyber Home, where the company sought to create “high energy efficiency without compromising design” has similarly been recognized. It received a Built Green BC award for “Highest-Rated Built Green BC Home”, is a SAM (national) Award Finalist for “New Home Category” and is Georgie Award Finalist in two categories: Best New Kitchen and Best Home (the winners are to be announced in spring 2012).

Ř

capacity

59”L x 311/2”W x 235/8”H Holds 300L/80G

That may all sound too good to be true. But in fact, every project also comes with challenges. In particular, Schreyer observes that it is not always easy “to find the right clients.” For the future, Schreyer Construction hopes to “find more likeminded clients” to create unique projects.

Another challenge is the lack of governmental support with regards to sustainable construction. Specifically, Schreyer would like to “see more support from all levels of governments in

1 . 6 0 4 . 2 9 9 . 0 1 2 2 blubathworks.com

BUILDERs 04

“When the opportunity arises, we like to take part in a designing process as well. That’s when our inspirations get transformed into reality.”

Axel Schreyer, principal

As for the inspiration behind these sustainable, high-quality buildings, Schreyer says that “we love to travel.” Inspiration derives from “lots of places, great homes, books, magazines. Ideas come from anywhere really,” he says. “You can sit on a beautiful beach looking at the vast ocean or stare at the snowy mountain tops in their sunset glory after a good ski day.” He adds that although his company specializes in high quality construction and renovations, “when the opportunity arises, we like to take part in a designing process as well. That’s when our inspirations get transformed into reality.”

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In terms of his company’s design and construction process, Schreyer says that the clients are “absolutely involved at all stages and/or as much as they can.” He adds: “Generally, we describe for a potential client the building process, services and fees. We get some idea of how knowledgeable they are about the whole process, what stage are they at in terms of design and actual plans of their future place and whether or not we feel it is realistic.” But that isn’t everything; “We also are interested in their personality. It is like a marriage. You want to have a strong foundation for a successful relationship.”

a message from Blu Bathworks Vancouver-based contemporary bathware design house and manufacturer, is a Canadian brand increasingly specified on the international stage.

Their range of European-inspired bath fixtures and fittings are equally at home in five-star luxury resorts and distinctive residences worldwide.

Having had the pleasure of personally working with Schreyer Construction on such projects, Blu’s founder & CEO, Michael Gottschalk, extends his appreciation to Axel and Katarina

It is Schreyer’s own “love for creating something beautiful and functional and an appreciative homeowner” that initially made him want to become a builder and designer. And this love and appreciation still comes through in every one of his projects.

Schreyer and the team for their superior approach to construction and the quality of their workmanship over the years and continued success for the future.

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Photos: Kristen McGaughey

terms of green building, such as in the form of tax breaks and other incentives.” Despite this lackluster governmental support, Schreyer Construction is committed to “consistently building well-designed, high-quality dwellings, with low [carbon] footprint.”

BUILDERs 01

Stellar Homes

Parkland County Estate

Raising the Standard of Luxury Building, One Thoughtfully Crafted Home at a Time

by Lauryn Allison Lewis For over 30 years, Mike Klein, President of Stellar Homes in Edmonton, AB has had a passion for construction. He started out as a carpenter, and later developed Klein Construction. Thirteen years ago Klein and his team expanded to form Stellar Homes, a construction company rooted in family, with an emphasis on exacting quality.

Carla Klein is the interior design specialist of Stellar Homes, and the couple’s daughter, Hillary, heads up the marketing and sales department. Klein adds, “We are currently grooming [Hillary] to learn every facet of the industry, and are very excited to have her join our team.” Three site supervisors, an es-

timator and a project coordinator round out the small team.

Recently, Stellar Homes oversaw the completion of a 6,667-square-foot home north of Stony Plain on a two-acre parcel of land in Tuscany Heights, overlooking Muir Lake. This vacation property took two years to build, and Klein informs, “lots of extras were added, including a 3,412-squarefoot shop with a full wash bay, and a six-car, twostorey garage.” Every trade team involved in the home’s construction have been long time partners with Stellar Homes, and know what to expect from the collaboration.

Located in Edmonton, AB, the Parkland County Estate is 6,667 square feet north of Stony Plain.

Seated on two acres of land in Tuscany Heights, the home overlooks Edmonton’s Muir Lake. Features of the home, which are standard of most Stellar Homes, are hardwood floors, heated ceramic floor tiles, a sun room, library, five fireplaces, six-car, two-storey garage, acrylic stucco , Icynene Insulation System and Decra Metal Roofing. Windows and doors (eclipse folding door hardware), that are connected to wraparound decks, which are pre-wired for hot tubs and gas heat lamps, should you so desire.

All in all, it’s the epitome of a low footprint residence.

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“Our main goal is to have someone drive by one of our homes and say, ‘That is a Stellar Home!’ We never build the same home twice; our designs belong solely to our customer. It is truly a home built specifically for them!”

Mike Klein, President

Standard features of every Stellar home include in-floor heating in both the living space as well as the garage, garage floor drains, smart wiring, and controlled lights and blinds, and that’s just for starters. While special attention to small details might initially raise the cost of construction, Klein believes that these are wise investments worthy of the cost; thicker and wider footings, double wide driveways and steel soffits rather than aluminum and custom crafted millwork and moulding.

Worksite cleanliness is a top priority for all. “Our cleanliness is more than just clean and orderly,” Klein says. “It is a philosophy we apply to every job. We know that a clean site is a safe site and is more easily managed and inspected during the building process.”

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Long before building begins, clients often approach Stellar Homes by reference. Klein says, “In the initial meeting we establish whether Stellar Homes is the right builder for the customer.

From there we start the progression to detail design; the client’s wish list. Once we understand their needs, we can move forward with their design. We generate a specification sheet and then complete the pricing. Once the contract is signed, the project coordinator moves forward with the next phase of construction. Periodical site meetings are held throughout the construction process to help keep the customer informed and involved.”

When it comes to the Stellar Homes business philosophy, Klein says, “Provide the best home we can without compromise. Our main goal is to have someone drive by one of our homes and say,

01 Illuminated trees and cobblestone stairs surround the home 02 The ornately-decorated sitting area is complete with leather chairs and an extravagant fireplace 03 The entryway shines with an opulent chandelier and regal rug 04 Views from the entryway show the living room that connects to the dining room and a guest bathroom

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ONE COMPANY... COMPLETE SOLUTIONS.

14505-116 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5M 3E8 Tel: (780) 453-5691 Fax: (780) 454-4022

info@culhamcustomwoodwork.com www.culhamcustomwoodwork.com ph. 780.893.8291

GLENORALUMBER.CA

BUILDERs 03

04 a message from McLeod Home Building Centre McLeod Home Building Centre values it’s relationships with clients like Stellar Homes and believes that great partnerships produce great projects.

McLeod Home Building Centre has been in the building supply business in the Edmonton area since 1916. We are proud to supply our clients with the best-quality framing lumber and sheeting goods, engineered floors and roof trusses, and finishing for all tastes and budgets. Service is our foundation. a message from Culham Custom Woodworks, Ltd. Culham Custom Woodwork Ltd. strives to exceed our clients’ expectations. We love to take on challenging projects as a team; our goal is to provide the best in quality and service. Stellar Homes Inc. allows us to create unique features for every client resulting in homes with distinct personalities.

‘That is a Stellar Home!’ We never build the same home twice; our designs belong solely to our customer. It is truly a home built specifically for them!”

And it’s true; Stellar Homes are built in small, artisanal batches, usually no more than five or six a year.

The ability to provide unprecedented quality and beauty to his customers offers the president a tremendous source of inspiration, and he strives to, “stay on top of new and exciting innovations in the industry, and keep presenting them to our clients.”

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The values of trust and respect flow through each decision Klein and his team make, every interaction they have with their clients, and the way they treat the client’s home while it is being built. Homes are everywhere, even luxury homes are not hard to find, but no one is going to incorporate more personal touches or invest more time in a building project than Stellar Homes. Knowing this about them, it’s easy to understand their slogan: “Exclusivity has its privileges!”

a message from Kitchen Craft Celebrating 40 years in business, Kitchen Craft Cabinetry is proud to be a long standing member of Edmonton’s construction industry. With an incredibly talented and driven team, Kitchen Craft welcomes new construction and custom renovation projects, consistently providing an unrivalled level of value, quality, craftsmanship and service. No matter what story you want to tell, Kitchen Craft has the styles, finishes and inspiration to bring it all together.

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135 South Ave., Spruce Grove, AB Ph: 780-962-2575

Builders love our lumber.

Customers love our service.

High quality framing and finishing for the discerning building professional.

2866 Calgary Trail • Edmonton South 780.465.6531 10627-170 Street • Edmonton West 780.930.1520 www.kitchencraftedmonton.com

BUILDERs 01

Sierra West Homes The Okanagan Lake lends its spectacular views to customized dream homes in Kelowna

by Tara Imperatore It all started as a simple interest in architecture.

A high school job in construction and 30 years of hard work has since evolved into a thriving custom home business in British Columbia. Kevin Adams, President of Sierra West Homes, leads a company that is designing, constructing and building expansive properties in some of Western Canada’s most desirable locales. “Recently in the last eight to 10 years the focus has been on luxury homes,” Adams explains, who has previously worked on high-end commercial developments like storefronts and restaurants. “We specialize in being able to adapt to whatever the client needs.” And adapt they have, building directly into Kelowna’s well-known unpredictable, mountainous terrain.

At the centre of Sierra West Homes’ unique creations is the 100-mile-long Okanagan Lake.

Taking advantage of the lake’s breathtaking views

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and countless features is a must for their clients, despite any challenges that the rugged topography may present. Collecting knowledge from each job site, the company has developed an expertise for making gorgeous homes in unfavorable and varying geographical conditions. “We’re definitely the go-to company as far as the design, construction and management of the projects up until completion,” Adams says. “We specialize in designing and building luxury custom homes, specifically for clients’ lifestyles and needs.”

Innovation has been at the forefront of one of their current jobs, building out a former eightacre orchard property. The client required a 20,000-square-foot home, but with one unusual request: half of it needed to be dedicated to his personal car collection. “When we were designing the home, the question was, ‘how many vehicles

The Highpointe Project The combination of quiet suburban lifestyle, with access to all the amenities of the city, has attracted many to build within the gates of Highpointe in Kelowna. “It’s an exclusive development situated on Knox Mountain in the heart of the city,” Kevin Adams says. The completed community - 65 lots ranging from three-quarters of an acre to two acres - will contain residences valued between two to 10 million dollars, possessing some of the most impressive sweeping views the Okanagan has to offer. Though still in the initial planning stages in Highpointe, Adams can envision the aesthetic to be similar to the trends he has seen recently: clean, simple lines in architecture and interior design, as well as Tuscan and European styles, and West Coast contemporary flat roofs.

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Ploutous Enterprises is proud to be a leading supplier of flooring materials to both commercial and residential markets.

01 A plush, bright-white curvaceous couch replicates the modern artwork above the fireplace in the living room 02 Cylindrical wall lamps illuminate the polished wooden stairway 03 Leopard-print upholstered chairs accessorize the understated dining room table 04 The kitchen and dining area are illuminated by a nouveau chandelier and subtle ceiling lights

do you want to park in there?’ And the answer was 20,” Adams recalls. Not only that, but it also needed to contain storage space for an RV, boat, customized car wash, mechanical lift and motorized turntable. “When you pull in the idea that it’s an auto showroom like [a] Porsche [showroom]… it certainly has some wow factor to it,” says Adams.

The Highpointe Project is another exciting development in Kelowna. As one of the exclusive builders in the community, Sierra West Homes is busy cultivating two large lots spanning three quarters of an acre each. The 6,000-7,000 square-foot living space within the one-of-a-kind home will be outfitted with only the finest fixtures, handpicked furnishings, exotic granite and marble products, putting their values between three and five million dollars each, respectively. The only possible rival to the stunning interiors will arguably be some of the best views in Kelowna. “Some homes will be built on a bluff or a cliff overlooking the lake,” says Adams. “The views are fantastic.”

Bringing All Your Flooring Needs Together Ploutos Enterprises Ltd. 107-1889 Spall Road, Kelowna B.C. P. 250.860.7740 ploutos.ca

BUILDERs 03

We specialize in designing and building luxury custom homes specifically for clients’ lifestyles and needs.”

Kevin Adams, President

04

This scenic, calming location affectionately nicknamed “Napa Valley of the North” has seen a recent influx in retirees looking to start the next chapter of their lives in a new home. With hundreds of beautiful wineries, polished golf courses and endless outdoor and water activities to enjoy, it’s no secret why. “The area we’re in is Western Canada where people want to come to retire,” Adams says.

“So there’s a large migration of people in their 50’s and 60’s who are wanting to move here for a more relaxing retirement community and so that tends to bring people who have worked in jobs that now give them the means to build what they want, when they want it.”

Sierra West Homes’ promise to deliver quality craftsmanship, distinct character and exceptional elegance to each prospective homebuyer. From the blue prints to the finishing touches, they guide clients through the creation of their dream homes, in their ideal location, with unparalleled mountain and lake views. With nearly 50 luxury custom homes under his belt, Adams is taking his company into the future with a clear and precise goal in mind. “There is a large number of custom homes being built right now and continuing into the foreseeable future…and we’ll continue to provide a service to clients looking specifically for homes out of the ordinary, built to their standards and needs.”

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01

Pars Homes Unique design with customer engagement equals success

By Rodric J. Bradford

Photo: Craig Thompson Wyman Gallery Photography

For Pars Construction, building a high quality home is not about a price, it is about creating a daily experience that leaves the homeowner in amazement whether they have been in the home 10 months or 10 years. For over 20 years, Pars Construction has earned a strong reputation by building those experiences in the Okanagan Valley.

“To us a house is not just a place made up of bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen and living spaces,” says Naze Khajavi, client liaison for interior design at Pars. “Every time you walk in to your home it should be breathtaking like an ocean view. Clients now wait until our homes are available because they want that feeling.”

Khajavi’s husband, Amir, has established this reputation by taking pride in the excellence of his workmanship and careful attention to detail. As a result of his efforts, Pars has been recognized as the winner of the highly prestigious George and Tommie awards of excellence.

“We understand that the home is the largest investment of a person’s life,” says Amir. “Therefore we

walk side-by-side with our clients from start to finish and beyond. Patience, flexibility, along with integrity and honesty are foundations for a smooth construction process.”

The process is led by constant client engagement, fulfilling requests during every step of production to prioritize materials and complete projects within the home using long-time trusted subcontractors— a key to their success. Pars’ clients have access to a team of experts who can produce a perfect product from scratch. They also have access to experienced interior decorators that assist in decision-making in tiles, granites and colours within budget guidelines from trusted sources.

“We feel the finishing stages are key,” says Amir. “We use them to perfect every detail of the design and enhance the final masterpiece that exudes the echelon of craftsmanship.”

A walk-through of the home at the frame stage is vital for the design process, where options include high ceilings, crown moulding and stone work. Final furnishing decisions are made at the lockup stage.

01 The open floor plan, 18-foot ceilings, and attention to detail puts this home above and beyond international standards. Outdoor living is maximized with an outdoor fireplace and brick patio overlooking the pool 02 This beautiful courtyard, open to the sky above, is a haven in the comfort of your own home. The heated floor and drainage allows for year round use. The privacy and tranquility in this Tuscan paradise is indescribable and allows the stresses of modern day life to melt away 03 Kelona Kitchen Studios designed the rubbed finish on the island to provide an antique feel, accentuated by the copper-inspired finish above. The transom cabinets are equipped with a glass door on top

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SPECIALIZING IN: 03

“We fit whatever the customer wants in the initial blueprint,” says Naze. “But it is in the lockup stage where we decide to put in extra features that increase the quality of our custom homes.”

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An example of the Pars process is the home at 433 Audubon Court in the village of Kettle Valley, a unique five bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom Tuscan-style home with country stone exterior.

An open courtyard is the unique jewel of the home, fully landscaped and located at the centre of the home.

“It is a true Italian courtyard that you see as soon as you open the eight-foot solid arched wood door,” says Naze. “The natural light brightens the home because of the location so when you walk up the loft you are looking down to the courtyard from a u-shaped staircase with 18-foot high ceilings. The tall glass wood-trimmed windows that surround the courtyard add to the experience.”

1964 DAYTON ST. | KELOWNA, BC PH. 250.717.3415 MULLINSHOMEDESIGNS.CA 74

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433 Audubon Court also features a master bedroom with custom-built cabinetry, shower and walk-in

closet. Granite countertops, custom sinks and highend fixtures complete the room. Pars’ attention to detail is demonstrated throughout the house, from hickory flooring to heated concrete with snow sensors in the courtyard, to full-finished bronze elements and a granite island in the kitchen.

“People walk into our homes and they do not want to walk out,” says Naze. “They stare at the features and our unique ideas. We have never had a client question our features because they enjoy the creativity that results from the risks we take.”

The result from Pars’ creative construction and design is a loyal client base that wants the Pars experience for their home design.

“We always have clients asking what we are doing next, and they are even willing to live in temporary housing until a home becomes available,” says Naze. “We have put in the thought, design, effort and love into these homes, and the comments continue to be incredible.”

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Photos: Craig Thompson Wyman Gallery Photography

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BUILDERs 01

Calrudd Construction Two brothers show that a family business delivers spectacular results

by Jamie Farshchi

Photo: Video Openhouse Team

On a clear day this striking 7,000-square-foot West Vancouver home features views that stretch from Mount Baker to Vancouver Island. If you’re fortunate enough, however, to find yourself looking out of its expansive, floor-to-ceiling windows on one of Vancouver’s many rainy days, you might find yourself nestled among the clouds themselves.

Built by Calrudd Construction, based in North Vancouver, this stunning home features concrete, ironwood, cedar and glass. The company’s president, Colin Rudd, says the design is unique in its considerable use of exposed, structural concrete.

“The way we use concrete is sometimes overlooked because there are so many impressive features in homes like these, but there is quite a lot of work that goes into those walls, a lot of detailing,” Calrudd says. “You can’t tell from the finished product

but the amount of exposed concrete made it a little more challenging construction wise. We had a bunch of reveals and details in the concrete so it’s a significant amount of work going into it.”

The grey colour palette of the concrete interior walls also offered the homeowner, a modern art enthusiast, the perfect backdrop to display his collection of bright artwork.

“The client was a young professional building his dream home,” Rudd says, “at the time he was a bachelor so a lot of the homes’ features - the downstairs gym, wine room, the pool - came from the perspective.”

The curved structure of the ceiling crafted in zinc on the exterior and lined with cedar, softens the cool, stark concrete.

A Concrete Plan A bold, modern single-family home, completed in 2008, couples exposed concrete walls with glass balconies and ironwood flooring. The home’s curved cedar ceilings and wall cladding sit in stark contrast to its bold lines; lending warmth to the modern design.

Floor-to-ceiling windows featured in the living area bring an abundance of natural light. The design even allows sunlight to reach the basement through glass floors featured on the main level of the home. The ironwood flooring utilized throughout the home will weather naturally, allowing the design to change organically and in time will add a rich patina to the wood.

Exposed structural concrete is featured on both the exterior and interior walls.

To insulate, Calrudd utilised a thermal break in the design; four inches of Styrofoam between the large concrete slabs that form the walls.

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01 Floor-to-ceiling and wallto-wall windows hide none of the view from the living and dining areas 02 Views from the master suite and of the arced rafters 03 Expansive views from the outdoor living space with built-in BBQ and fireplace

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“Our clients want to build something special, we look for the challenges in delivering that and that’s where we excel...”

Colin Rudd, President, Calrudd construction

With a millwork shop the company manufactures custom window casings, doors and furniture, an addition to the company’s services that Rudd says gives them a competitive edge. “Because we can manufacture custom pieces in a shop environment you end up with a more stable product,” he says, “we can avoid working on site in the rain with a wet job site full of mud. That’s not ideal for woodwork.”

Rudd’s father established Calrudd Construction in 1974 and the business has been in the family ever since, with Colin and his brother Ian taking over as partners in 1999 and, more recently, bringing in their children to join the company.

Rudd says having their own shop also gives their team a real connection to the homes they work on. “These are two or three year projects so you put a lot of time into them and you really feel like it’s a part of you when you finish it, there’s a pride in handing over the keys.”

Calrudd specializes in building unique homes from foundation to furniture delivery and handing over the keys.

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Calrudd’s projects extend from the lower mainland, to Whistler, the Gulf Islands and the

Sunshine Coast, a range Rudd says has both its challenges and rewards.

“If you’re building on the Sunshine Coast you have to consider transport; it’s a ferry ride over,” Rudd says. “In all places outside you also have to consider getting the right trades and with some of the work we do on these homes that can be the challenge, but we’ve managed to overcome it” The company’s client base consists of people looking to build something unique.

“Our clients want to build something special,” he says “we look for the challenges in delivering that and that’s where we excel, helping the client, the engineer and the architect to make the complicated elements of the project work.”

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Photos: Video Openhouse Team

“The way the ceiling was constructed was fairly new technology at the time,” Rudd says, “they started with curved and tapered rafters that were formed out of wood strands, not cut in the traditional way. The cladding materials were formed around these rafters or ribs. So the way it’s constructed is almost the way you would construct a wooden boat; you start with the frame and then we’re cladding it with different materials.”

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BUILDERs 01

A 75-year-old tradition with a modern twist

by Zipporah Porton A regular at construction sites since before he was old enough to attend school, it was only natural for Marc Venchiarutti to expand on the custom homebuilding business his family started more than 75 years ago. “From the age of five, I was always on the job sites with my father, just hanging around and observing,” says Venchiarutti. “When he retired, I went off on my own and carried on the family tradition.”

The family business began with Venchiarutti Construction, founded by Marc’s grandfather Tony Venchiarutti, who moved to Canada from Northern Italy in the 1900’s. A true tradesman, Tony was a stone mason who also built homes throughout Toronto before his son, Silvio, took over and expanded the company. In 1989, Marc formed Venchiarutti Builders to continue the family’s practice of creating fine custom homes.

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Overall, meticulous attention to detail and customer satisfaction have always been top priorities for the Mississauga, ON-based homebuilder. “We oversee everything from start to finish and make sure that it is done to the satisfaction of our clients,” says Venchiarutti. “We also make sure that every detail is completed per the designer’s vision.” With a reputation for unique, high-end creations, Venchiarutti Builders is known for building quality homes in the luxury neighbourhoods of Mississauga, Oakville, and Toronto.

In 2008, Venchiarutti was approached to tackle his largest project to date with the 11,000-square-foot French Chateau-style home in Mississauga. The client moved to Canada 25 years ago, and built a life that enabled them to build the home of their dreams. After noticing

French Country-style Home In creating this dream home, the client worked with Venchiarutti Builders to design a French Country-style dwelling like the ones he had witnessed overseas, but still needed to fit into the local Canadian setting. The overall goal of the design was warmth and fluidity, which was achieved with white limestone marble (courtesy of Ariston Marble and Granite Ltd.) throughout to make the home bright and welcoming.

Though located in a prestigious neighbourhood, this wasn’t the largest lot in the area. Instead, the location was chosen so that architect David Small and Venchiarutti Builders could take advantage of the idyllic wooded views.

Along the way, Anne Venchiarutti provided interior design advice, and Tom Marino of PZ Painting helped with the colour scheme for the French-inspired masterpiece.

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Photos: Marc Venchiarutti

Venchiarutti Builders

BUILDERs 02

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01 Indian Limestone and a mahogany front door keep with the traditional French Chateau style. The home is nestled beautifully in the Mississauga woods.

02 The Grand Foyer welcomes guests into both the home and the great room. The great room’s two storey, curved window provides a spectacular view of the property

several impressive Venchiarutti homes in the area, the clients chose to work with Venchiarutti.

David Small of David W. Small Designs, a regular Venchiarutti collaborator, served as the architect.

The project took roughly 16 months, thanks in part to the clients knowing exactly what they wanted.

“The owner had a lot of influence of the home,” says Venchiarutti. “He was well educated as far as what he wanted.”

Built on a 218-foot lot, the house has everything that one needs. The two main focuses were family

and entertaining, which dictated the overall setup and the extravagant features located throughout.

The open concept was utilized to encourage space for visitors, who are often invited over to enjoy the full-size theater under the garage and the dance floor and lounge area in the basement. For the family’s personal enjoyment, there is a full-size gym on the main floor to stay fit year round, and a waterfall feature in the family room just over the fireplace to create a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Keeping the business in the family, Venchiarutti’s wife, Anne, who is a member of the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO), helped to select the custom finishings, trim and finer details that elevate the home to the next level of luxury. Unlike some homes, these high-end accents appear from the top floors all the way down to the basement.

ample, on the main floor there is a full-size kitchen, and a second, smaller kitchen where the homeowners do most of the cooking; a tradition in tune with their heritage. Additionally, since this wasn’t a spec home, the Venchiaruitti’s were able to include extra luxury features throughout, such as outfitting the soffits and eaves troughs with copper, rather than simply aluminum.

Though this was the largest home Venchiarutti has ever built, it was still crucial that the quality didn’t suffer. “Our reputation for quality is why I was hired,” says Venchiarutti, “and so it was important that the home was built to last, as well as represent[ed] the clients’ overall wishes.”

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“When Anne’s involved, she gives clients guidance along the way and they find that comforting,” says Venchiarutti. “It allows them to relax and go about their own lives while we create their dream home.”

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BUILDERs 01

Clark Hamilton Enterprises British columbia firm thrives on collaboration

by Chris L. Terry “What we try to do is build people’s dreams,” says Clark Hamilton, describing the philosophy of his design/build firm, Clark Hamilton Enterprises, Ltd. “The biggest key to our success has been paying attention to what the clients are telling us. We listen to what they want, then produce it.”

Hamilton put his love of drawing and building to use in the 1980’s when he left his job at a design firm to work on his own. At the time, the fish farming industry was booming, and it offered opportunities to work on a diverse array of projects. Along with writing business plans and developing nine turnkey fish farms, Hamilton found himself designing hatcheries, floating barges, net pen systems and other equipment for this burgeoning industry.

He formed Clark Hamilton Enterprises, Ltd. in 1989, and moved on to designing and building complex high-end residential projects. Timber frame houses are a favourite of Hamilton’s, and he finds ways to incorporate smart home systems, solar and geothermal energy. “It’s elaborate for a residence, very involved,” says Hamilton.

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While Hamilton enjoys timber frame construction, his design style is not limited. He has also designed and built residences with an industrial flair, using metals and concrete, plus ranchers and subdivision houses. But don’t think of Hamilton’s suburban homes as generic. “When you see our homes in a subdivision, they stand out with respect to the details. They set us apart from run-of-the-mill homes,” says Hamilton. “We employ a lot of posts and beams, tapered posts, stonework and cedar shingles. We get into quite a lot of West Coast contemporary, but more with a cottage flavour.”

The cottage flavour comes from craftsman-style finishing, wood interiors, beam work and specialized lighting that provides the sense of comfort that is intrinsic to Hamilton’s work. Hamilton’s homes have more of a feel than a signature look, a feel that comes from collaborating with clients as opposed to forcing his own ideas.

“For a lot of designers, it’s all about the designer, while I’m trying to capture the ideas of my clients.

It’s their home, not my home. I want them to say,

‘This is exactly what I wanted.’ That’s the most satisfying thing to hear.”

Take for instance, the Whitaker home site. For this project, Hamilton and the owners developed the design and worked with British Columbia Timber Frame Co. to create a spectacular wood frame structure, which appears to grow right out of the very trees that support it. The essence of this unique and special home was captured and brought to life by Mallory Wilkins, a very gifted interior designer.

Furthering his love of collaboration, Hamilton helped form The Coast Community Builders Association during the economy’s initial downturn three years ago. The association’s goal is to create a voice for the building community, as the coast area is developed. They intend to build a vibrant community by creating jobs for future generations, so that they don’t have to leave the beauty of the coast.

“People here are concerned with the environment, and we’re all trying to preserve it in our own way,” says Hamilton. “We feel like we can do it by building community.”

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“The biggest key to our success has been paying attention to what the clients are telling us. We listen to what they want, then produce it.” Clark Hamilton, Owner 01 The spectacular 4,200-square-foot timber frame country hobby farm occupies 10 acres of the pristine Sunshine Coast 02 The vaulted ceiling with a raised cupola provides extraordinary natural light, making the home feel very airy and comfortable

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It’s terrific to hear that a builder is looking beyond their projects at the big picture, be it the community or nature. While Hamilton is looking at the big, he is still focused on the details. He says, “One of our philosophies in building is that we don’t say, ‘That’s good enough’ on our job sites. We take it as close to perfection as we can get.”

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It takes a team to build unique homes where old world craftsmanship, a healthy living environment, and new age electronic amenities are equally important to the client. It’s been great to work with a team that shares our commitment to excellence and client satisfaction.

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BUILDERs 01

01 The foyer’s spaciousness provides a panoramic view to both the upper floor and surrounding rooms 02 The sitting area is elegant yet cozy with an ornate chandelier and small fireplace 03 An aerial shot of the staircase shows floor-to-ceiling curtains and boldly-illuminated chandelier

this spring. It features an exquisite indoor pool and all the unique amenities a custom home should have.

When it’s completed, this will, no doubt be one of Ottawa’s premier homes.” Other current projects include a four-unit apartment building at 732 Cooper Street, and the rebuilding of local landmark, Ayoub’s Market, which was destroyed by fire.

Lifestyle renovators combine personal investment with professional skill

by Matt Korovesis “Unlike many builders, when a client hires Ottawa Carleton Construction Ltd. (OCC), they’ll see us on site everyday, never a foreman,” says Bessie Porcari, Office Manager/co-Coordinator for OCC. “Our clients need and want personal, custom attention. Our goal is to provide that to them… and more.”

Owned and operated by Frank Porcari, OCC specializes in true, custom homes, from full, turn-key

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custom-designed and built homes, to managing specific construction projects, or custom additions to existing spaces.

The OCC team serves greater Ottawa, including metro Ottawa, Orleans, Gloucester, Nepean, Kanata, Greely, Manotick and Stittsville. “We have a number of one-of-a-kind projects coming up in 2012,” says Porcari. “We’re really excited about an 8,500-square-foot custom home we’re starting

Porcari says it’s essential that clients feel comfortable with their builder. “After all, a custom home is likely the single biggest investment they’ll ever make, and since our name is on their home too, we want to ensure everything runs smoothly.”

As such, Ottawa Carleton Construction “only works with the best tradespeople,” says Porcari.

“It takes years to build a list of trusted, dependable, professional trades and we’ve got them.”

Porcari brings decades of Ottawa custom home building and construction industry experience to the table. While he started OCC in 1988, during

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Photos: CORY BOWEN

Ottawa Carleton Construction Ltd.

“We take pride in guiding our clients every step of the way, from choosing a property, approving a building design and choosing the finishes,” says Porcari. “Every stage of the building process is rewarding for us from the ground up, through to completion making sure our clients are happy gives us great satisfaction.”

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The Earls Court Residence The owners of the Earls Court Residence are a family of four,” says Bessie Porcari.

“They wanted practicality, elegance and to make an understated statement.” A key goal for the residence was a durable, long-lasting home, in which the client family could feel both comfortable and secure. To achieve this, Ottawa Carleton Construction (OCC) implemented a security camera system covering the entire property perimeter. “The client can see recorded images from any television set in their home, or smart phone,” Bessie Porcari explains. This feature is called “home automation,” she adds. “The home is also equipped with a surround sound system, and so the client can hear CD-quality music from any part of their home – even on a smart phone.”

Throughout the project, OCC worked with local trade professionals. Overall, the result is a highly elegant home, custombuilt to reflect the client’s exclusive lifestyle and accommodate all of their needs and wishes.

his summers as a child Pocari would go on home site visits with his father. Over the years, he and his OCC team have accumulated expertise covering just about every possible aspect of construction and custom home building, “To ensure everything goes smoothly from start to finish,” as the website states: “In other words, we get things done right the first time.” The bottom line, as their slogan reads, is to create “custom homes built to last.”

This was the case with the Earls Court project creating a custom home that would stand the test of time. “To create a long-lasting home, high quality and efficiency were a must,” says Porcari. “For example, in the design stage, they wanted the largest windows to ensure they had great views of the forest. Another important element was achieving a certain ‘flow’ from the kitchen through the butler’s pantry, which includes a fully equipped fridge, coffee machine and its own dishwasher.” The residence also includes its own wine rack and full wet bar, so that the clients can entertain their guests.

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“When a client hires Ottawa Carleton Construction Ltd., it’s us they see every day on the site, not a foreman.” ‒ Bessie Porcari, principal

“To achieve the peace of mind sense of safety [that the clients] wanted, OCC installed a top-of-theline security system,” Porcari explains. In fact, providing clients worry-free living is a common theme in all of Porcari’s projects. One client testimonial reads “I take great comfort in knowing I can count on Frank and the OCC team whenever I need them… worry free.” The same client credits Porcari as the driving force behind their home, saying: “Although I love my home, Frank’s ongoing commitment to my home and me has really impressed me.”

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Photo: CORY BOWEN

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Ottawa Carleton Construction’s custom homes are built to last, and so is the connection they maintain with their clients. As Bessie Porcari says of her husband, “Frank’s inspiration comes [from] within. He loves what he does. I’ve never heard him say, ‘I don’t want to work today.’ He wakes up in the morning looking forward to the day, every

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ARCHITECTs

DESIGNERS

THE Bianchini Home BY STUDIO H DESIGN / PHOTO Larry Arnal

Creative and enthusiastic minds with a flair for enhancing spaces that reflect a mix of their imagination alongside a client’s personality, needs and desires

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Robyn Clarke + Co. Offering Timeless Design Solutions When Time is of the Essence

by Lauryn Allison Lewis Robyn Clarke, principal of Robyn Clarke + Co. in Toronto, understands that time is a treasured asset. She goes to great lengths ensuring that none is ever wasted. Her clients–much like the designer herself–consist mainly of young, busy professionals; their time often stretched or scarce. To set them at ease, Clarke offers this guarantee: “Robyn Clarke + Co. can complete an entire home in 20 weeks. 16 weeks following the date of our presentation to the client, all furnishings are delivered and installed. Whether the home is 3,000 square feet or 10,000 square feet, we get it done in that time frame. Our firm specializes in catering to busy professionals and their families – we are aware that our clients have very little ‘free time’ so we get their homes done quickly and efficiently.” Respect for a client’s time, concurrent with the importance of a positive and collaborative experience, are

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guiding forces of the Robyn Clarke + Co. business philosophy. “Our clients are extremely busy – they’ve hired our firm not only for our design expertise, but specifically because our efficient design process works for their lifestyle,” Clarke says. “After just a couple of brief meetings, they know we’ll make the right choices for them and feel confident leaving decisions to us. We strive to deliver the ultimate customer experience and we have an unparalleled level of service which keeps our clients coming back.”

This was exactly the case when Clarke and her team were hired by a young investment banker who wanted to entirely redesign his 4,000-square-foot condominium in the One St. Thomas Building in Toronto’s prestigious Yorkville neighbourhood; a stone’s throw from the city’s posh shopping district. Clarke describes

“Our signature style is ClassicContemporary,” Clarke explains.

“Some of our clients prefer a more traditional aesthetic while others are more modern, but all Robyn Clarke + Co. projects have the same overall feel consisting of clean lines and timelessness.” In the York Mills Bathroom, reflective and translucent accents such as the frameless glass shower and Philippe Starck Louis Ghost Chair (starck.com) impart an airy feeling to the stone-laden space solid and sophisticated yet decidedly modern touches fill the Bloor Yorkville Suite. A monochromatic and masculine palette were used throughout, while pieces made of reclaimed hardwood add warmth and depth.

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Photos: Aleksandra Pavlovic

A Cohesive Palette

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WHY SETTLE FOR THE COOKIE-CUTTER APPROACH?

01 This dining room, located in the luxurious One St. Thomas building, presents a hip and modern vibe with a level sophistication by incorporating one-of-a-kind reclaimed wood and other statement pieces (the building was designed by legendary New York architect Robert A.M. Stern)

the client as “conservative with a definite edge,” and so the designer decided to go with a “classic and sophisticated look for his suite, incorporating one-of-a-kind reclaimed wood and other statement pieces.” When Clarke decided to incorporate additional layers of interest she “accented each room with splashes of vibrant colour and unexpected esoteric artwork.”

02 Eclectic layerings of contemporary and natural elements throughout this condo create a rhythmic flow. For added interest, each room is accented with splashes of vibrant colour and unexpected esoteric artwork

The long and narrow shape of the space proved to be a bit of a challenge, but Clarke and her team had a strategy in place. “We created three separate areas, each defined by light fixtures and area rugs. We also opted for a custom designed sectional sofa to help achieve further definition” Clarke says.

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DESIGNERs

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04

04 The four distinct areas in this large, open-concept condo are defined by strategic furniture and area rug placement. The layout was crucial to making the space functional, practical and visually appealing. While most of the space is decorated in a calming colour palette, shots of a vibrant orange add an exciting energy 05 Special consideration was given to displaying artwork in a way that visually connects to the designed environment. Unique custom furniture was designed by Robyn Clare + Co to achieve complete harmony

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Photo of study: Aleksandra Pavlovic Photo of study: Michael Graydon

03 An Art Deco inspired desk and the large map give this study a classic and sophisticated look, while the use of a monochromatic colour palette, and suiting-type fabric for the custom window treatments evokes a masculine feel

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beautiful kitchens, custom cabinetry furniture, and millwork

Photo: Michael Graydon

Clarke is flexible in terms of shaping her style and approach to suit the needs and lifestyle of her clients. While designing a luxury bathroom for a couple with four children, she knew that creating a special place for rejuvenation and relaxation was top priority. “The existing dated bathroom was gutted and transformed into a beautiful, calming space where they could do just that,” Clarke says. Top-of-the-line products were incorporated, including natural stone and Philippe Stark fixtures.”

Creating spaces such as these seems to have a rejuvenating effect on the designer herself. “I’m inspired by knowing that my firm has the ability to improve our client’s lives in a tangible way,” Clarke says. “It encourages me when my clients express how happy they are with their homes, and that they look forward to coming home at the end of their busy day, to a beautiful place that was designed just for them.” It’s clear Clarke takes great joy in revealing these re-imagined places of respite. “It’s always a wonderful sur-

prise for our clients when they arrive home on their ‘Reveal Day,’" Clarke says, “The Robyn Clarke + Co. Reveal Day is the day we reveal the finished design of a home to the client. All of their furnishings are delivered, assembled and installed in a perfectly coordinated, single-day installation, accessories are placed and artwork is hung. The day ends with our client arriving home to experience their newly designed space for the first time – never a dull moment!”

a message from watchtower interiors At Watchtower Interiors Inc. we specialize in custom kitchen cabinetry and cabinetry in general to custom furniture. We do our best to help our customers accomplish their projects, whether it's starting a brand new project, or renovating an existing one from any interior of their homes. With professional advice we

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can take their hopes and property value to a new level. Call us to set up a free in home consultation.

22 eugene st. toronto, on m6b 3Z4 o: 647.341.1927 / c: 647.206.4395 watchtowerinteriors.com

DESIGNERs 01

Andrea Gray Design Former flight attendant turns her hobby of searching for antique treasures into a successful design business

“What started off as a simple hobby quickly became more as I got hooked on the excitement of discovering interesting pieces and learning about their corresponding history and provenance,” says Gray, founder/owner of Andrea Gray Design.

the foundation for her future. Then, in 2003, she opened a design firm that offers everything from basic design consultation to complete renovations.

The consultation may include services such as floor plans, elevations and perspective drawings, and, as a project develops, Gray works with clients and tradespeople to select the desired custom made furniture, window treatments and lighting accessories. With renovations, Gray works directly with a contractor on the overall concept, choosing finishes and assisting with other logistical elements such as building drawings and permits.

A former flight attendant for Air Canada, Gray gave up flying to spend more time with her children and to become a design entrepreneur. First, she started her own antique business that laid

While her attraction to antiques led her to the interior design industry, her overall style focuses on combining modern and traditional styles to create symmetry and harmony. “If I had to deconstruct

For many, rifling through estate sales and auctions for hidden treasures is simply a fun activity on a weekend afternoon. The same used to be true for Andrea Gray, only in her case, a love for antiques led to the launch of a successful career as an interior designer.

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Though every project is different, Andrea Gray focuses on an overall goal of integrating the clients’ specific wishes with her own individual design style and point of view. With each client being unique, there is no way to incorporate signature pieces or themes within her work. However, regardless of the project, Gray always uses pieces with clean lines that are peaceful yet hip. She also favours glass, mirrored surfaces and chrome when having pieces custom made. Most recently, she has been using custom-made glass, and chrome sawhorse desks for clients’ home offices when it aligns with their wishes.

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Photos: Alex Gray

Black and Cream

by Zipporah Porton

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01 The monochromatic palette with undertones of texture designed to catch the eye creates a harmonious and engaging living room. This, coupled with black accents in the form of lampshades, the fireplace and the other accessories anchor the space 02 The light chairs combined with the rich tones of the dark round table create contrast in this dining room. Furthermore, the bold abstract painting adds a splash of colour and interest into this otherwise neutral space

my style to its most basic elements, they would consist of a desire for a clean, finished product that is uncluttered and exudes or creates feelings of calmness,” says Gray. “This is achieved through the use of carefully designed layers that consist of art, lighting and accessories with interest and personality.”

Well-travelled and trilingual, every aspect of Gray’s life feeds into her work. Having spent time living and traveling in Europe, the Middle East and Mexico, Gray has used her adventures to find inspiration. A believer in the notion that luxury can easily be found in everyday objects, she infuses

Cinzia Design

Ph. 416.451.2446 cinziadesign@rogers.com

DESIGNERs

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03 This front entrance is a mixture of new and old as demonstrated by the gold antique mirror and the custom made off white bench. Together they create a tension while also being functional 04 Shades of cream greet visitors as they enter the den in the form of the custom made sofa, rug and window treatments.

This soothing atmosphere, coupled with the exposed brass nail heads of the chocolate brown leather ottoman echo the homes’ traditional mood.

Finally, this feeling is further reinforced by the vintage bergère chair, which was reinvented with a light upholstery and finish of natural materials for the interior of the home adds to the home’s clean exterior

this into all of her projects. “Put simply, luxury can and should be found in the experience of otherwise everyday items that are made to the highest standard and out of the best available materials,” says Gray. “It exists in fine linen for your bed, thick Turkish towels or using silver pieces when setting your table. Luxury can also be found in the layering of sofa with a thick cashmere throw or velvet pillows or in hand-knotted wools rugs that are not only beautiful but durable.”

Focusing on the areas in and around Toronto, Gray has designed for both residential and commercial projects, but prefers the residential projects as they are more personal and she enjoys “creating spaces that can bring families together.” In either case, keeping her clients involved in the process is crucial. “Ultimately, I don’t want them to be unhappy with a purchase or the finished product,” says Gray. “For example, I never order a sofa or chair for a client without having them first sit in it, as everyone likes a different seat; some like the softness of down and others like their seats firm.”

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Photos: Alex Gray

With a background in antiques and art, further reinforced by a degree in interior design, Gray has the tools to create a comprehensive design and finished product, which has ultimately led to her success. “Anyone can buy a sofa, chair or a rug,” says Gray, “but to make a space interesting and well designed, they have to be layered within an overall concept that is further heightened by choice accessories and art, which all work to draw attention to each other and the overall desired look.”

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DESIGNERs

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Studio H Design A design firm WITH A CLASSIC CONTEMPORARY AESTHETIC

by Isabel Eva Bohrer

Photo: Larry Arnal

“I have always been very creative but I became a designer after graduating first with a business degree, and working in the hospitality field,” explains Anne Aziz, Principal of Studio H Design.

“While pregnant with my first child I went back to school to study interior design. I added studies in architecture and urban planning for interest and inspiration,” she adds. Aziz brings all of these skills - interior design, architecture, urban planning, business and hospitality - to Studio H Design.

Studio H Design is a full-service, professional interior design firm, with a showroom and consultation studio complemented with fine products from both Europe and the U.S. It’s “a classically contemporary design firm,” as Aziz herself describes her company. With expertise in architec-

tural detailing and project management, Studio H Design works primarily on high-end residential homes. “Usually, we get involved very early in the design process - once preliminary architectural plans are completed - long before any shovel hits ground,” says Aziz.

As for the wide-ranging scope of her company’s work, Aziz proudly says, “we were entrusted by clients living in India to carry out a comprehensive design assignment, from architectural detailing through to delivering a fully furnished and accessorized home here [in Ontario].” Ontario is where Studio H Design is based, but their projects transcend the immediate area. “Our projects are diverse both from a design perspective as well as geographically, and include large log ski homes in

Bianchini Home “John and Katia Bianchini have exceptional taste and a very keen interest in being closely involved with the design concepts and execution of them in their home,” says Anne Aziz. “We had the confidence and keen attention to detail of a discerning client, which only enhanced our ability to conceptualize and then execute a comprehensive vision for the home.” A great number of the pieces in the home were designed by Studio H and made by local artisans. In John’s office, we find a custom designed desk by Studio H, including a polished nickel base with allowance for wire management & Macassar Ebony veneer top (www.studiohdesign.ca). The built-in cabinetry and ceiling in the office was also designed by Studio H & Gren Weis Architects, and built by Hallmark Homes (www.hallmarkhomescorp.com). Draperies, too, are custom made by Studio H of a Villa Roma fabric, while a Kravet fabric adorns the STERN High Back Executive Chair by David Edward (www.davidedward.com).

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“As with any successful company it is the commitment to the client that drives and inspires us.”

Anne Aziz, Principal

New York State as well as modern condominiums here in the Toronto area,” Aziz says. That’s in addition to assignments in Palo Alto, CA, Seattle, Washington and New York City. Attention to detail is a hallmark of Studio H, whether the assignment is all encompassing as it was for her clients from India, or simply designing a fireplace for a beach home in Prince Edward Island, as she was thrilled to do for another Toronto client.

“As with any successful company it is the commitment to the client that drives and inspires us,” observes Aziz. The Studio H Design team has over 30 years of combined experience in custom home design, and “has always and continues to put the

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needs and desires of the client first and to endeavour to attend to the details with exceptional precision,” according to Aziz. “We encourage the close involvement of our clients as we believe the end result is always better with their input,” says Aziz.

One prime example of the company’s commitment to their clients is evident at John and Katia Bianchini’s home. “They both wanted a very classic home with fine details and a contemporary twist,” recalls Aziz. “We embraced the direction and the freedom given to us to come up with very personalized pieces and design concepts.” In the process, they also collaborated closely with the architect, Gren Weis, “so that his vision could also

01 The seating area is complete with velvety chairs and a welcoming fireplace 02 Comfortable seating areas flow throughout rooms, with modern lighting and metallic tables 03 Crystal touches in the lighting and hardware add to the bathroom’s refined, polished look 04 A reading room has views to the outdoors and a classic fireplace

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The answer is not always clear.

Photos: Larry Arnal

Imagining and creating custom designs with glass for Commercial, Architectural and Residential.

be realized in the execution of the interiors. Again, dos.” Aziz even calls to mind the quote of a famous we stress team involvement including the architect, scientist to justify her point: “As Sir Issac Newton wrote, ‘If I have seen further it is by standing on the the builder, the client and us,” Aziz says. shoulders of giants.’”

When designing, Aziz is equally open to diverse While looking toward architects and designs of sources of creative inspiration. “Inspiration for me can come from anywhere,” she explains. “For great caliber, Aziz does not lose sight of the real-life situation and specifically, her clients. “A follow up example, while driving on a busy highway I discussion with our clients months or even a year noticed how the light was hitting the dome of a or so later is great feedback to see how they funcbuilding in the distance and I registered how it made me feel. I brought the colour back into the tion in their space and what particularly works well design of a range hood in a kitchen I was working and what may be able to be improved upon,” she explains. According to Aziz, a person’s habitat can on,” Aziz says. either add or detract from his or her living experi“We [also] follow the work of architects and design- ence. “I believe the best architects and designers ers that we admire as well as viewing and reading instinctively know this,” she says. “All good design is not, after all, just about how a space looks, but a number of interior design publications,” she explains. “The work of our peers is always of inter- more importantly it is how it makes you feel,” Aziz concludes. est to me and I am very happy to give them ku-

49 Bakersfield St, Toronto, M3J 1Z4 Tel: 416.636.7379 Fax: 416.636.8424 Web: classiccrystal.net

DESIGNERs

Ariel Muller Designs From design to completion…creating unique spaces for all clients

by Jessica Kirby Ariel Muller was exposed to design before he took his first breath. His mother studied interior design while pregnant, setting the stage for Muller’s remarkable career creating custom interiors in upscale residential and commercial spaces in Canada, the United States, Cuba and the Middle East.

“Both my parents are in the design business, so I grew up in an environment where I was exposed to the wonderful world of design,” says Muller, who has operated Ariel Muller Designs since 1986.

Muller toyed with his strong inclination toward creative arts, math and sciences studying architecture at the University of Waterloo. He quickly realized his passion lay in interiors and furniture, and he completed his interior design studies at the International Academy of Design.

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As soon as he graduated, he accompanied his parents on a worldwide search of interesting furniture, accessories and art to fill their newly constructed design centre. Muller learned to fuse his experience of different cultures and styles into custom interior work using wood, metal and stone in exotic finishes to define his spaces. Exclusive furniture has become as much an identifying trait of Ariel Muller Designs as the company’s use of cutting edge technology.

seen at Cameo’s--makers of kitchen cabinetry-Toronto Showroom. It connects a sleek modern design with the latest in audio-visual technology

by Architronics that is clearly beyond the typical wall-mounted flat screen TV. Straying a bit from flashy appliances and entertainment systems, Country Estate is a large log home in which warm tones and the creative use of textures create a luxurious, yet refined rustic aesthetic.

“Integrating technology into our designs is where we really shine,” says Muller. “Clients are often looking for luxurious designs that accommodate their lifestyles, and they have automation and AV requirements which we integrate seamlessly into the design.”

“The great room’s warmth defies its impressive scale,” says Muller. “Soaring ceilings and expansive views mesh with the welcoming seating areas and rich wood tones for the ultimate log home experience.”

Technology also plays a part in Fusion, one of the company’s feature kitchens. The kitchen can be

The kitchen is tucked under the mezzanine, featuring double curved islands with integrated

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Fusion (Kitchen of Tomorrow) Fusion is fully equipped with a variety of technological features, including a custom automated Runco backsplash. It incorporates an interactive video wall that comprises three high-resolution TV displays, which can create an almost seamless 10-foot-wide image, or display many images simultaneously. “Imagine a backsplash appearing to be a picture window on the skyline of any city in the world, or as a cook calling up recipes from the web,” says Muller. “While entertaining you can use the backsplash to watch TV or a movie, you can Skype your family, or use it as a touch screen to control the music, lighting, window blinds, HVAC, and security cameras in your home.” The kitchen is designed with a blend of rift-cut walnut and white high-gloss lacquer, and includes touch-activated motorized doors and drawers that activate LED interior lights.

The up-lit bar counter made of striking grey agate semi-precious stone, high-end appliances and exclusive fixtures complement the sophisticated, edgy design.

appliances—the inner island features a butcher block counter while the outer has a 2 ¼ inch thick stone countertop to relate to the scale of the space.

The room’s hardwood floors are wide, random plank reclaimed elm, complemented by a twostorey, wood burning fireplace. The cut stone fireplace is accented by an antique French tapestry that conceals a flat screen TV. “Just turn the TV on and the tapestry panel automatically lifts to expose the TV,” says Muller.

Brown velvet curtains rise two stories to frame the windows and soften the log walls. Sunlight is filtered by motorized shades which are cleverly concealed when not in use. A custom forged wrought iron chandelier made of hand blown glass helps to fill the vaulted space.

Most of the tables and upholstered pieces, including a handcrafted, 14-foot Bubinga wood dining table, flanked at either end with chocolate brown show wood arm chairs upholstered in

leather with woven leather backs, are custom made to work with the scale of the extremely large but inviting space. A memorabilia and entertainment space in a private residence houses one of the country’s largest collection of NHL memorabilia outside the Hockey Hall of Fame, and Muller was tasked with accommodating the extensive collection.

“The challenge was how to integrate this into a personal space in a way that the entire collection could be easily viewed, and at the same time allow the room to serve as a media room and versatile entertainment space,” says Muller.

Custom wood and glass showcases display hockey jerseys, sticks, equipment and smaller items like pucks, and signed player contracts.

“The end result is a space where family, friends and guest pro hockey players can socialize comfortably, and enjoy the hockey memorabilia collection, sport broadcasts, movies, or music,” says Muller.

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Memorabilia House: Muller’s first encounter with adding technology into his designs started back in the late 80’s, when he created custom cabinetry to help conceal large televisions. Making custom AV solutions work and look amazing is accomplished by blending Muller’s skills with the client’s needs and requirements.

Memorabilia Space idealizes the concept with a 5.1 surround sound system that features a drop down projector which tucks up into the ceiling when not in use. The layered ceiling design conceals beams, ductwork, electrical, mechanical, acoustical treatments and speakers, while sculpting and defining the space.

What makes the spaces that Muller designs cohesive and distinct is his knowledge of technology and the challenge of integrating it harmoniously that it appears seamless.

“Technology allows people to enjoy a better lifestyle,” says Muller. “That is key to what we do and to what inspires me.”

a message from Jordyn Developments Jordyn Developments is an established luxury home builder specializing in custom homes in Toronto and its surrounding area. Founded in 1988 by Bryan Letofsky, Jordyn Developments has received top ratings by Tarion for almost 25 years. Jordyn Developments specializes in design, building and construction management for custom built homes and renovations. With a passion for detail and traditional building expertise, Jordyn Developments takes pride in their commitment and dedication to their clients. a message from CULMONE + ASSOCIATES Culmone + Associates, a Toronto based boutique firm specializing in Architectural Technology, Building Design and Planning in Custom Residential, Commercial and Industrial Projects - producing unique and original building designs, meeting and exceeding client expectations, limitless styles that fit seamlessly into their surroundings or stand out tastefully as preferred. Culmone + Associates’ building design is exemplified on the Country Estate project. Ariel Muller’s team, produced an exemplary and complimentary interior. Culmone + Associates are proud of their relationship with Ariel Muller Designs.

P. 416-878-6420 | www.jordyndev.com lhcanada.com

Ph. 416.252.9861 | culmone@on.aibn.com

DESIGNERs 01

First Impressions Designs Bringing thoughtful details to comprehensive design

By Amy Howell Hirt On any given day at the British Columbia office of First Impression Designs, you might find a pile of fabric swatches and furniture sketches, landscaping layouts, plumbing plans, artwork-in-progress, perhaps a hard hat and several labeled Rubbermaid bins, ready for transport.

While First Impression handles a range of high-end residential and commercial projects, the massive task of designing model homes from conception to completion has become a bulk of the firm’s business the last couple years, and builders often give the team free artistic reign.

Established by principal and owner Shannon Haerdi in 1994, the firm combines comprehensive design services with a careful consideration of the details – from the placement of stations in a hair salon to the fold of hand towels for a model home. “We want to create spaces that work for our clients, and offer personal attention to detail in every aspect of our clients’ interiors,” Haerdi says.

“We have developed great working relationships with our builders. They’ll say, ‘We’ve seen your work, go ahead and pick your colours,’” Haerdi says. “We usually pick the exterior finishes first and take a theme or colour and carry it subtly [sic] throughout the house.” There are often general requests or guidelines from the builder, but the staff of five is responsible for nearly every design decision, start-

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When designing model homes for three builders in BC, Shannon Haerdi and the staff at First Impression Designs pair neutral tones with universally appealing themes to create a space where any potential buyer could feel at home. For an estate model home in Cloverdale, BC, the team played up the idea of “bringing the outdoors in.” In the dining room, offwhite walls provide a canvas for a soft fernwood-green shade, seen in artwork from Hambleton Fine Art Services (fineartservices.com) floral arrangements by Mayhew’s Wholesale (now part of Florists Supply Ltd. floristssupply.com) and drapery using fabric from Maxwell Fabrics (maxwellfabrics.com). Accessories from Torre & Tagus (torretagus.com) and “old leather” maple flooring from Dansk Hardwood’s (danskhardwood.com) Mayan engineered collection introduce an earthy warmth to the space. In the bedroom, designed for a little girl, the team introduced a “teddy bears’ picnic” theme – complete with a wall mural of a park, but used beige carpet and all-white finishes to keep the focus on selling points such as the window seats.

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Photo: Oliver Rathonyi-Reusz

Cloverdale Residence

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01 Hand painted coffered ceilings, a 7-foot-long custom mirror, and custom drapery complete the Cloverdale formal dining room 02 This kitchen comes complete with tropical brown granite counters and a hand set glass and stone mosaic splash. A canopy hoodfan, gas cooktop, built-in wall oven and convection microwave entice any cook

Photos: First Impression Designs

03 This kitchen and informal dining room open to this homes great room and 16-foot-high ceiling entryway featuring spectacular views of the river, and Mount Baker beyond

04 This living room was spacious enough for a full-sized sofa and two cozy chairs that face the fireplace. The soft colour palette was carried throughout the house and made this small home feel grand

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05 This little garden bedroom is complemented with a hand-painted garden mural, teddy bear picnic area and a basket full of bug catching adventure. The hand made bed skirt and soft bedding finish off the space

ing with creating or reviewing the home’s working drawings and electrical and plumbing plans. Of course keeping all these details organized requires a system, which Haerdi has perfected.

“We try to be as efficient as possible. All of the preparation is done beforehand and all items are boxed and sorted per room so that when we get to the site we unpack in each room and lay out the items accordingly,” she says. “We are in and out within a week, with all the items inventoried.”

The team is just as involved when working with homeowners to build or remodel. Although they may have less items to inventory, there are often more details to puzzle together.

A client in Coquitlam, BC wanted his home to showcase items from his company, Double Leaves Furniture Industry Co. So the team used the client’s own design of cherry-coloured rosewood trim that matched the furniture and capitalized on the open space’s natural light “to allow clients to visualize

these beautiful furniture pieces to their greatest potential,” Haerdi explains.

In residential work, their design considerations often don’t end at a home’s four walls. For a family in Burnaby, the team delivered a dream kitchen with quartz countertops, amenities like pot fillers and an open floor plan that connects to three separate outdoor living areas, including a cozy seating area, a large grassy space and an in-ground pool with lounge furniture.

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The most unique design requirements sometimes come from commercial clients. For an office-space expansion at an airport, Haerdi had to pay attention to which employees needed offices next to each other, and the square footage assigned to each person. “There was a hierarchy to it,” she recalls.

Managing both the details and overall design for a project means every staff member at First Impression Designs fills multiple roles: Melanie Bridge, the inventory controller, also serves as a purchaser and assists with model home set-ups – duties she shares with Anne Edwards, who handles finish selections.

Rhonda Wright is involved in inventory control and data entry, while muralist Carla Lagore might spend the morning sketching out a design, applying a faux finish in a home or creating custom artwork on a canvas, and finally selects wallpaper or helps to stage a model home in the afternoon.

“Homeowners love it,” Haerdi says. “A standard home normally has just one light in the middle of the room, but we can look at it and see that they will also need can lights or lights in the tray ceiling.”

For clients – most of whom are repeats or referrals, this comprehensive approach means there won’t be surprises regarding budget, deadlines or overlooked needs, now or in the future.

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Photos: Oliver Rathonyi-Reusz

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“Our intention was to further expand their living space by utilizing their patio areas as additional yet practical functional space,” Haerdi explains.

DESIGNERs

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Kaleidoscope Designs Inc. & Cocina Interior Designs Laurie McBain and Chris Salas specialize in luxury and estate homes in Calgary

Photo: Trevor Carter Photography

by Isabel Eva Bohrer “I loved kaleidoscopes when I was a kid,” recalls Laurie McBain. “Kaleidoscopes are always changing; every time you turn the slide, it becomes something different.” In the quest to create beautiful designs that are tailored to each client’s needs, McBain founded Kaleidoscope Designs Inc. in 1997. Kaleidoscope Designs Inc. set out as a launchpad for what McBain envisioned to be a complete home design service, working from the start of the build, layouts, colours and product specifications, all the way up to furnishings and finishings.

Since 2007, McBain’s company has been forming a partnership in A Collaborative Design Group with Chris Salas, owner of Cocina Interior Designs Ltd. Together, McBain and Salas specialize in luxury

and estate homes in the Calgary area, as well as some vacation homes outside Calgary.

Many times, they start a project at an early stage in the home. “Sometimes it’s an open field,” Salas says. “In order to really create a concept, we get involved in exterior colours and finishings, so that the home is represented in a full package, and not just altering an inside that has no connection to the exterior,” McBain explains.

While Salas’ area of expertise lies in the technical drafting and design of cabinetry and interior details, McBain conceives the overall concept and, moreover, focuses on the finishing details. “The best part of it for the client is that you are always getting two sets of eyes and hands on the job,”

01 The main stairway leads both downstairs and upstairs, and looks out over the prestigious sitting area 02 The brightly-lit kitchen is a mix of metal and marble against white cabinetry 03 The living room receives natural light from large windows that look out onto the home’s patio 04 Soothing hues of sea foam green accent the rich wooden bathroom

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explains McBain. Regarding her partnership with Salas, she adds, “Instead of an overlap, it’s expanding a knowledge base to make sure that we can cover all the different aspects. We almost become a second contractor for the builder.” Referring to the scale of the projects they usually work on McBain explains, “9,000 square feet needs more than one person!”

Throughout, McBain and Salas draw on some of the best custom home builders in the Calgary area.

“There is still a real love of woodwork here [in Calgary],” explains McBain. In many of the homes, much of the millwork is done by Paul Walters of Silverstar Woodcraft. “There is a certain amount of luxury, elegance, richness and tradition that is followed along with wood,” McBain adds. The window dressings, in turn, were made and supplied

by Cordell’s Design, while the Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances adorning the kitchens are distributed

by Bradlee Distributors Inc. Further elite custom builders include Eiffel Homes, Elm Homes, Kali-

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kitchen Photo: Trevor Carter Photography. living room Photo: Grant Waddell

JPSILVERSTAR@SHAW.CA 403-560-3857

04

mar Custom Homes, Gallaghers Homes and Maillot Homes. To achieve their specialty light fixtures, McBain and Salas consult Tony Vande Kraats at Cartwright Lighting.

Looking back on their design trajectory, McBain and Salas highlight the Bowerman estate home as a particularly rewarding project. Mrs. Bowerman placed full trust in the designers’ hands, so much so that McBain recalls her saying, “I will never do a project again without you!”

where they have to create charisma in a much smaller package. McBain is also enjoying her work on a lake home in Invermere, BC. Her real dream is to design for Habitat for Humanity. “I would love to take all that knowledge and ability and help out somewhere,” she says.

a message from Adanac Granite

Photo: Grant Waddell

For over a decade Adanac Granite Inc. has been

The Bowerman family isn’t their only returning client. The designers frequently bond and become friends with their clients during the building process. “I have a client that I have done her and her family’s work for almost 18 years,” says McBain.

“You have more than one of those!” says Salas.

serving Calgary, an area with second to none top quality solid surfaces. With unparalleled customer satisfaction we continue to be involved in some of Calgary’s most customized projects. Our team has many years of service under their belts so we only come up with solutions and not problems. As Adanac Granite moves forward in new and improved

Right now, McBain and Salas are working on 30-plus projects, including inner-city challenges

fabrication process it easy to understand why we are Truly INSPIRED BY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION!

DESIGNERs 01

Khachi Design Group Ontario-based design/build firm unite talents of many

by Tricia Despres

Leading the way of Khachi Design Group since its opening in 1993, Khachi and his team are known throughout North America for their incredible list of luxury design services for cor-

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porate, residential, hospitality and retail clients.

And while he began to show his technical talents at an early age, it took many more years for his creative side to begin to take flight.

“My father was an architect and my brother was getting into the structural engineering field as I was getting ready to go to college,” says Khachi.

“At the time, my interests were actually in the sciences, so I initially considered entering the field of dentistry.”

His dental aspirations never took flight, though, and Khachi eventually found himself in the real estate industry, where he began to create a number of important relationships with both builders and designers. Quickly, Khachi grew tired of the

01 The living room is pristine yet inviting, with subtle variations of white and cream on the walls and furniture 02 Marble and chrome décor with white furniture provide for a regal feel in the master bathroom 03 Ample storage is offered in the master bedroom with a floor-toceiling custom closet system 04 The kitchen and dining room share a space and a colour palette of brown and white

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Photos: Brad Quan - Q Studios

Renowned design/build expert for over 18 years, Ramsin Khachi, principal of the eponymous design group, has spent day and night creating architectural masterpieces for his long list of luxury home clients. Yet, there has always been one challenge that this visionary has never been able to conquer. “I could never figure out how to take apart my Etch a Sketch,” says Khachi with a chuckle. “I was the kind of little boy that would take toys apart, just to see how things worked.

But I have to admit…I never could find out the real story of what made that Etch a Sketch work.”

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KOMANDOR EUROPEAN STYLE

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Oakville Residence Khachi always hoped to bring a more truthful look into the world of home renovation.

So with the debut of Ramsin’s Reno, as seen on the television show CityLine on Citytv, the accomplished designer was able to bring a raw look at the renovation of his own piece of property in Oakville. Since then, Khachi has joined the ever-popular daytime program, The Marilyn Denis Show on CTV as their design & décor expert. He continues to bring his loyal viewers through demolitions, shopping trips and landscaping snafus. “We go into a ton of detail and give people a true inside look at the home renovation process,” he explains.

real estate field, saying that the business of selling real estate didn’t suit him and that, "it didn’t feel right how easily the money was made."

So, Khachi decided to show off his creative side with the opening of Khachi Interiors. “I got rid of the sports cars, got a van and for the first time in my life, I let my creative side take over,” says Khachi, who dutifully records his inspirations either electronically or on scraps of paper. “Yet, it took me a long time to realize that I couldn’t be creative 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I remember my dad telling me that being creative can be a struggle on a day-to-day basis. But still

309 Horner Ave., Toronto T. 416-251-1880

www.komandor.ca

Introducing Monogram

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to this day, one of my favourite parts of the job is the initial consultation with a client. I love to sit and listen to what their problems are and as they are talking, I can usually begin to create an image in my head, and ultimately it ends up being the one that gets built. No one gets it at the time, but I do.”

a message from GE Monogram Introducing Monogram® fully integrated refrigerators and dishwasher GE Monogram has always offered refrigerators and dishwashers that can be customized with a choice of exterior panels. Now Monogram is opening a new door in built-in design with models that can not only be customized, but also fully and seamlessly integrated with surround-

One of the most high-profile projects Khachi and his team have worked on was the Dove Spa, an effort from the Unilever Canada to create "oneof-a-kind spas" throughout North America. “I spent that whole first meeting making these crummy looking sketches of what I was picturing in my mind,” says Khachi. “It was one of those ventures that we didn’t make any money on, but at the same time, it was an opportunity where we can look back and feel good to see not only what we achieved, but what we learned.”

ing cabinetry. This new collection is the perfect answer to those looking for a true flush fit. For more information, visit us at monogram.ca

a message from Marana Kitchen & Home Design After twenty-five years, Marana continues to blend old-world craftsmanship and modern design innovation with a bold and steady touch. At Marana, kitchens are built from original visions of beautiful, highly functional family living spaces. And the shop

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on Portland St. remains home to expert cabinetmakers from around the world- just one reason Toronto’s top names in design come to Marana with their most prestigious projects. But, Marana is perhaps best known for exceptional customer service. From concept through to design and installation, clients work closely with in-house designers to realize their dream homes and spaces. Marana has grown over the years, but it remains true to family-owned roots, which helped it achieve a truly intimate customer service experience.

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Photos: Brad Quan - Q Studios

Fully Integrated Refrigerators & Dishwashers

Khachi even went so far as to create his own reality type show, Ramsin’s Reno {see sidebar}.

“I would watch all of these home shows and it was always all about the drama,” he says. Khachi hopes to debut his own line of furniture pieces in the next two years. “I wanted to create a show that would teach people the right way to do things, with detail into the real process behind it all. Every time I am faced with an obstacle, I stop and tell myself that if someone else on this earth can do it, so can I.”

DESIGNER SHOWCASE

Robert Bailey Interiors “The story of Robert Bailey Interiors must begin with the story of Robert Bailey,” reads the opening of a strategic storyline that documents the trajectory of the interior design firm. So let us turn first to Robert Bailey. Upon being asked why he became a designer, Bailey says, “I was born this way.” Many of his earliest memories involve “arranging things to appeal to a personal sense of rightness” and in particular, he credits his mother “for her unending support and encouragement, which gave him permission to follow this passion.” story: Isabel Eva Bohrer photos: JOSH DUNFORD

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ailey’s passion became his vocation, and eventually led him to found his company, Robert Bailey Interiors. “My designer instincts began as primarily about style,” he says, “but over time have evolved to prioritize the people who inhabit our work.”

Robert Bailey Interiors focuses on highly customized, client and site-specific design. “The work of our office is primarily residential, with a lesser percentage of hospitality, retail and commercial work,” Bailey says. “We work in a contemporary manner for lifestyles of today.” However, he also highlights that his company does not work exclusively in a modern style; on the contrary, “most of our work is a blend of styles, resulting in a very personal portrait of our clients and their desires,” he says.

According to Bailey, it is this fact that makes his company particularly unique and successful. “We offer very personal service to our clients. And work very much in a collaborative style,” he explains. “We also ‘own’ our clients program and always put ourselves in their place, never designing without their needs being addressed.” Although each project is different, it is the “norm” that Bailey’s clients are involved throughout the design process in varying degrees.

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01 The foyer overlooks a glass stairway and a hallway that leads to the living room

04 Reflective surfaces in the bathroom sparkle from light coming through the expansive windows

02 The living room has abundant seating to take in the breathtaking views of Vancouver

05 A floor-to-ceiling window in the bathroom’s spacious shower looks out onto downtown Vancouver

03 The foyer in the Deep Cove property peeks onto the first and second floor stairway with exposed brick

06 Neutral colours and comfortable seating provide a relaxing experience while viewing the city below

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The Fairmont Penthouse At the Fairmont Penthouse, Bailey and his team sought to create a “a refined, peaceful interior.” The project is replete with products and furniture designed especially for the residence, including custom area rugs by Zoe Luyendijk Studio (zoeluyendijk.com) custom soft pieces

by Carmel Furniture (carmeldesigns.net), as well as custom case pieces by M Trayler (trayler.com) and Lech Podgorski (lechdesign.com). In the living room, lamps

by Solis Betancourt + Studio H from Holly Hunt (hollyhunt.com) shed light on the Aspre + Ecume chairs

by Christian Liaigre (christian-liaigre.fr/en), as well as Casablanca chairs and ottomans by Tresserra. In the family room we find an occasional chair and ottoman

by Giorgetti (giorgetti.eu), pleasantly illuminated by a Kevin Reilly floor lamp (kevinreillylighting.com) and table lamps by Armani Casa (armanicasa.com). Den lamps, in turn are by Christian Liaigre (christian-liaigre. fr), while bedroom lamps are Portana Romana (portaromana.co.uk/). Bailey characterizes the outcome as both “beautiful” and “understated,” a consequence, he says, of the fact that his company “[custom] designed almost all of the furniture for the space.”

In fact, Bailey’s inspiration frequently stems from his clients. “Inspiration comes in many forms, but usually the jumping off point is our client(s),” he says. “As projects proceed they take on a life of their own, and the project itself becomes the inspiration.”

Both the Fairmont Penthouse and the Deep Cove home in North Vancouver, BC, could be considered such projects that took on a life of their own. With regards to the former, Bailey explains that the clients “are an international couple, whose global business bring them to Vancouver several times per year.” In terms of the objective for the project, he adds that with the penthouse, he and his team sought “to create a refined, peaceful interior, that reflected our clients goals for a visually quiet space that is at once luxurious and comfortable.”

At Deep Cove, in turn, Bailey explains that the goal “was to create a contemporary pacific home to be lived in, by an active family and their guests.”

(Specifically, the clients are a young family with two pre-school children and two dogs). “The house was built ground up, and every aspect of the design was considered as part of the whole,” Bailey says.

As is the case with the Fairmont Penthouse, almost all of the furniture was designed especially for Deep Cove North Vancouver, including custom

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“We love working with clients to make their dreams concrete, and create livable spaces that are functional and unique to the user.”

Robert Bailey, Principal

soft pieces by Carmel Furniture. Other unique products include Holly Hunt lamps in the living room, a dining table by B&B Italia, and area rugs throughout by Colin Campbell, who provides Vancouver’s largest selection of natural wool carpet flooring and hand-knotted area rugs.

All in all, Bailey considers all of his projects rewarding on different levels.

The “satisfaction for me is not comparable, as each experience is unique,” he explains. There is, however, a common denominator throughout: “The most rewarding principle of our design is longevity,” Bailey affirms.

It is the longevity that has enabled Bailey to remain in the design business for over 30 years, and it appears that his company will last well into the future, too. As for his own plans for the next year, Bailey says that, “Hospitality is an area of design that perhaps allows for the most lateral thinking so this work is always exciting to produce.” All in all, however, he enjoys both private as well as public work. “We love working with clients to make their dreams concrete, and create livable spaces that are functional and unique to the user.”

07 A black and white runner in the hallway leads the way to the living room’s floor-toceiling windows

10 Somber exposed brick and subtle tones of the seating area come to life with the vibrant artwork on the walls

08 Enjoy city views from comfortable indoor seating, or step outside onto the glass patio

11 A mix of brick and glass and slatted steps complete the main stairway

09 A futuristic wall of illuminated dots against a black background tie together the sleek furniture of the sitting area

12 Beige and neutral tones of both the furniture and decor of the bedroom bring a calming feeling to the space

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Fleur-De-Lis interior design inc. emphasizes collaboration & putting clients first story lauryn allison lewis

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Photos Susan Teare

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01 The walnut floor is mirrored with a four-foot-deep ceiling coffer, custom Dutch lighting, hot rolled steel panels and a red lacquer console 02 A double sided fireplace separates the front hall from the media room. Nero Extra marble creates graphic patterns. Slumped glass panels float above 03 An open concept kitchen faces the dining room. Wood-panelled pantry hides all services while a forged iron screen separates the kitchen from the media centre

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eter Lunney and Eric McClelland, partners and principals of Fleurde-lis Interior Design Inc., first met over twenty years ago, when both worked at Citiworks Design; a small design firm where they collaborated on and completed designs for more than forty Skydome skyboxes. In 1989, they founded Fleur-de-lis Interior Design Inc., and since that time, have built their firm’s notoriety on a succession of residential and commercial projects in the Toronto area, as well as in New York City, Boston, Nassau and most recently, Vermont.

According to Jenna Laquinta, the firm’s spokesperson, “Fleur-de-lis’ work has been acknowledged with awards from the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO) and from the Design Exchange. Their projects have been featured in the Toronto Star, the National Post, the Globe and Mail, Condo Life, New Dreamhomes, Home and Décor, Home by Design, Trends, and on Citytv’s CityLine where Eric is a regular guest expert.”

When Fleur-de-lis was asked to build a luxury vacation home in Vermont overlooking Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains, the partners knew it was a tremendous opportunity to express their design strengths. “We pride ourselves on integrating a variety of exotic and luxury materials in modern and well-balanced spaces,” says Lunney, which include “simple lines, creative lighting, custom-designed furniture, intricate millwork and a Feng Shui approach to mixing the five elements of wood, earth, wind, fire and water. A well-balanced interior automatically has some mixture of all these elements.”

After four years designing and building, what resulted was an 8,400-squarefoot modernist bungalow. The designers describe the home as, “an open concept modern home filled with one-of-a-kind artist commissioned design

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elements blended with a variety of exotic finishes to give each space interest and warmth.”

Millwork and lighting make all the difference

In talking about the Lake Champlain Residence, a sense of awe and humility permeate the conversation. “[We] re-planned the architect’s initial concept to open up the spaces by deleting most walls, dividing spaces with sculptural elements including slumped glass walls, a curved steel audio visual unit, wrought iron screens and hand-blown glass sculptures. A very integrated design approach was adopted using walnut as a main interior finish and designing most millwork with it. Modern materials including stainless steel, hot-rolled steel, cold-rolled steel, striated limestone, leather, marbles and onyx rounded out the palette,” Lunney and McClelland say.

In the Lake Champlain Residence, Lunney and McClelland agree that the custom millwork throughout the home was its most important design feature, while using a consistent group of base building finishes imparted continuity, which was tantamount. A panelled wall with hidden doors encourages clean, unbroken lines and spaces, and walls of wood blend into the windows in order to create a dark backdrop which highlights the outdoor views. Custom door frames with stainless steel hinges and door stops add elegance and unpretentious luxury. Floor patterns with stainless steel strips bordered by walnut insets create “area rugs,” which delineate living spaces. Light coves conceal pot lights, while large rectangular and circular coffers became grounding points for large scale light fixtures. And finally, thoughtful touches of exotic materials including goat skin cabinets, silver leaf doors, a backlit wall of onyx and mother of pearl tiles add interest and individuality to the home’s interior.

An equally thoughtful approach was taken by Fleur-de-lis to ensure that the home’s hidden features would flow as seamlessly as those meant to be seen.

The team says, “All HVAC mechanicals were carefully integrated into an elaborate ceiling plan that includes more than 100 coffers. All pot lights and vents are hidden within coffers to give the space the illusion of clean, unspoiled ceiling planes. Spatial manipulation was attained using floor to ceiling glass in almost every room to create a blur between interior and exterior.”

When talking about the home’s challenges, both agree that working abroad means that special considerations must be made. Lunney and McClelland say, “Doing work abroad is always challenging, as it is difficult to assess whether you

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04 The bedroom features a Birdseye maple with mother of pearl inlay headboard. An Ultrasuede速 panelled ceiling soars above the bed while a marble fireplace provides both warmth and beauty 05 A marble tub deck flows into the shower becoming a bench.

Curbless limestone floors continue up the sidewall framing the marble end wall

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06 Weathered barn board, stainless steel, limestone and walnut create the Zen-like back entrance. An antique wood bowl is used as a potting sink 07 A sunken living room hosts three separate groupings of seating options. The Tibetan rug has a birch branch motif.

Walnut shelves double as a dining room buffet

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08 Swivel chairs offer 180-degree views of the lake. A custom sofa creates a cozy window seat. Full height windows are framed in raw steel

10 Birdseye cabinets continue from the bedroom into the master bathroom. A doublesided marble and polished stainless steel fireplace anchors His & Hers vanities

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09 Concrete floors flow into the exercise area. A teak ceiling floats above the pool. Slate, and cork warm the space and a steel waterwall becomes the focal point

are better to use local manufacturers and distributers or whether it’s better to have things shipped from the suppliers you know. A combination of both strategies was adopted and all of the furniture, lighting and stone came from both Canadian and American suppliers that Fleur-de-lis had used in the past.”

When asked what, if any, surprises came about during the home’s construction or completion, McClelland says, “Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the project was when the final installation and accessorising happened, just how well the client’s accessories and art work [complemented] the interiors of the house... In the end it was delightful to see how displaying these items added to the texture and complexity of the house in a beautiful layered manner, as opposed to cluttering the design.”

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Respite in Motion

Johnson Chou INC. embraces the aesthetic of narrative design: movement, lighting and layering story Melissa Fears

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n easy blend of texture, masculinity and modern edge distinguishes the interiors of Johnson Chou, the provocative architect behind Johnson Chou, Inc. in Toronto. Incorporating natural materials that range from hand-rubbed wood to ultra-polished marble and granite, he has, in only a decade of practice, created sophisticated residential spaces for an elite clientele.

A graduate of the University of Waterloo School of Architecture, Chou briefly deviated from his professional path in the mid-nineties to pursue visual arts. In 1996 he co-founded Archive Inc. Gallery & Art Library located in the Queen West Gallery District in Toronto. It was through the gallery that Chou’s emerging design practice began and flourished. In 1999 his design practice was launched.

“Having endured a recession at the beginning of my architectural studies and then another following graduation in the nineties, I was rather disillusioned with the profession,” Chou says. Chou’s firm strongly believes in creating architecture that engages on intellectual, emotional and physiological levels of experience.

“We believe that architecture should elevate the experience of the commonplace and to ritualize the everyday,” says Chou. “For us it’s about architecture engaging

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01 A glass rotunda directs movement throughout the house and allows for views into the den, powder rooms and guest rooms 02 The foyer features a glass partition from Accura Glass and Statuario Marble from Marble Trend 03 Views of Toronto are enjoyed from the kitchen’s floor-to-ceiling windows 04 The rotunda acts as a physical and metaphorical hub that the home revolves around 05 Recessed lighting from Eureka/ Eurolite illuminate the rotunda and surrounding areas

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“Movement is really important as you create views through the space. The movement to the destination is as important as the destination itself.”

Johnson Chou, Owner, Johnson Chou, Inc. spring 2012

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10 Bellair Residence This handsome Toronto residence is abundant with tranquil modernism details, polished finishes, and global refinement. The client, a world traveler, who chose the apartment for its views of the city, wanted that level of meticulous detail and refinement. For this 10 Bellair Residence, architect Johnson Chou gave the client a perfect retreat as bold and exotic as the travel locales he loves.

Chou eludes decorative distractions in favor of pristine clean-cut lines that seem almost reclusive in their spatial and monochromatic restraint. Embellishment, when it comes, often takes a utilitarian form—kitchen counters topped with thick slabs of dark granite wide planked floors and straight-lined furniture. Accent lighting and attention to details is what helps move the viewer through the space.

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and enhancing one’s life… encouraging one to notice those moments and things one encounters and are taken for granted everyday.”

Chou’s design philosophy is a continuum that evolves with every project in which there are essentially four conceptual streams that he applies to each project. One of which is the narrative; essentially a story created and inspired by the words of the client. “Be it about the idiosyncrasies of the client, the image they wish to project or even delved from a literary source, it is an interpretation of the client’s hopes, dreams and desires,” says Chou.

For the 10 Bellair Residence in downtown Toronto, Chou kept the simplicity desired by the bachelor client. Using streamlined materials and leaving out drywall and doors, Chou was able to subtly evoke the client’s three favourite retreats - Paris, the mountains in the Himalayas and the boutique hotels in Southeast Asia. Entering through the front, you are moved into the acid-etched mint-coloured glass rotunda, which directs you to the library, guest suite and the living room. “Movement is really important as you create views through the space,” says Chou. “The movement to the destination is as important as the destination itself.” Keeping similar elements throughout the home is important as it enhances one’s experience. Glass, dark granite and hand-rubbed ebony wood surround the entire home.

06 The dining room is separated into its own private cove, with a gilded chandelier and a curtain that doubles as a partition 07 Black granite counter tops from Marble Trend complement the Statuario Marble on the kitchen walls 08 The austere living room houses an L-shaped floor-to-ceiling cabinet that covertly conceals a large flat screen television

Soft camel-coloured leather envelops the upholstered living room wall and dining room enclosure, while luxurious cream curtains and white Statuario Marble add elegance to the kitchen and bedroom.

Sculptural and recessed lighting highlight the details in space, such as the graniteclad fire and water feature element in the main hallway. “Lighting has two roles: either it is a sculptural form that brings attention to itself or more importantly, articulates and defines the spatial qualities of a space and the forms and details within,” says Chou. Lighting plays a pivotal role in this high-top residence.

Cove lighting hidden behind ebony walls provides ambient lighting, while recessed LED track lighting frames stunning views in the living, dining and kitchen areas. In the master bedroom, breathtaking city views along with rich textiles and neutral colours, add warmth to the stark interior.

“There are two different approaches to the creation of a space, one can walk into a room and everything is revealed, but what we are more interested in was the creation of a sequence of layered views and experiences,” he says. “The tub that overlooks the city is evocative of a boutique hotel the client stayed at looking over a harbour in Southeast Asia. One day he may appreciate it, the next he may not notice.”

a message from DS Interiors What we bring to design is clever utilization of space and meticulous

“The work that we do is all about layering and concealing and gradually revealing,” says Chou. “So that you walk through the space, the story is being told to you in a sequence.”

attention to detail. We create warm, inviting and luxe interiors. Even the most discerning client would agree.

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Urban Retreat _NATUREHUMAINE

Infuses Personality and Privacy into this inner-city Environment

story by Bridget Esangga photos by _naturehumaine

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aturehumaine is an architectural firm rooted in the practical aspects of building homes, while striving to simultaneously create a sense of intimacy and personality within a rigid, urban community. The firm’s portfolio includes a plethora of residences in densely populated blocks, and it stays fresh by taking on a variety of projects, including designing a 4,000-square-foot art museum created in the former studio of the late minimalist painter Guido Molinari.

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Partners Stéphane Rasselet and Marc-André Plasse first collaborated on a design competition for a monastery in Québec. In 2003, they opened _naturehumaine Architecture and Design, and it quickly grew into a seven person firm based in Montréal and was recognized twice in 2011 by the Ordre des Architectes du Québec with awards for excellence. Its Congregation Residence won a first place award for residential interior design, while the St. Hubert residence won the Marcel Parizeau Award for a small-budget project.

“At the beginning of each project, we try to think of something new that we haven’t seen,” Rasselet says. “We try to innovate within a certain realm of possibilities. We develop a concept that stands out and that’s easily understandable in a few words or a few sketches. It gives a direction and personality to the project.”

For the St. Hubert residence, _naturehumaine infused the home with a unique personality by exposing and preserving some of the original elements of the building. The firm was charged with designing a one-and-a-half storey addition for the back of the original home. As construction began and the interior of the old building was opened up, the _naturehumaine team noticed the beauty of the original joists and painted them white, leaving them exposed as an interior de-

01 Abundant seating throughout each room make the dining room, kitchen and living room cozy and inviting 02 The modestly-designed kitchen is separated from the rest of the house by a sleek wooden bar area 03 Wooden stairs and a thin, black metal railing leads down to similarly designed kitchen area 04 A large, rectangular skylight and sliding partitions separating the rooms, make the upper floor appear larger 05 Frosted glass closets blend into the bedroom wall and a glass door leads a backyard patio

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sign element and creating a rough appearance. They coupled the exposed joists with concrete panels on the kitchen floor for a textured finish that helped define the overall character of the home.

“We try to challenge clients by proposing new ideas, new ways of looking at a space, and to try to get out of their standards a bit,” Rasselet says. “We try to twist things to challenge them with new ways of living in a space.”

Most of _naturehumaine’s residential projects are not multi-million dollar homes, and the firm is involved in the entire project, interior and exterior. It must respect the budget while achieving its vision. For example, they will work with engineers to build cantilevers made of wood and give them a finish that creates the illusion of being made of steel. In fact, working with the sub trades allows the company to achieve a cohesive final project.

“We do all the cabinetry, stairs, steel details, integrated furniture,” Rasselet explained. “It’s the only way for us to get a final product where there’s a consistency with what is being expressed with the exterior of the house as well as the interior of the house.”

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The Congregation Residence The Congregation Residence is located in Pointe-St-Charles, Montréal, a lively urban neighbourhood just south of downtown. The project required _naturehumaine to construct a new building between two existing homes that still gave a feeling of privacy to the residents.

“There were a lot of conditions on the site that forced us to come up with solutions,” said Stéphane Rasselet one of the firm’s founding partners.

Rasselet’s team opened the first-floor plan, removing the walls between the kitchen, dining room and living room. Next, they created a focal point by opening the second floor and designing a dramatic staircase with a landing. A person sitting on the first floor can see the second floor.

“You see all the movement, the circulation throughout the house,” says Rasselet. “It makes the house more lively.”

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06 The modestly-designed living room looks out onto the fenced-in sunken patio area 07 A lively exterior provides a stark contrast to its surroundings. The bold two-toned colour palette reinforces this idea 08 A bathroom off the main bedroom is simplistically decorated in modern black and white

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“You see all the movement, the circulation throughout the house, It makes the house more lively.”

Stéphane Rasselet, Founding Partner, _naturehumaine

This can be a delicate balance, however. In the Congregation Residence, the back exterior has gold-coloured walls that are echoed by second floor gold coloured panels within the home. Rasselet said it can be difficult to impose a colour on a client, but in this case, the clients were very involved in the entire project and had a strong interest in architecture themselves. They visited the site often during construction, and they decorated the home carefully when it was complete. Their furniture and lamps made for a cohesive look when the project was completed.

According to Rasselet, other clients may be surprised with the evolution of a home as it moves from the original idea and evolves through the design and building processes. For him, these processes are the motivating force behind his work.

McGill. They teach you things in a way that everything you learn will help you work in the real world. It’s a very practical, down-to-earth education.”

And it is this pragmatic approach to design that serves as the inspirational springboard for _naturehumaine’s award-winning work. Rasselet said he sees the constraints of working in small spaces, the municipal building code and ordinances, and even the client’s objectives and budget as challenges that give rise to the innovative thinking that allows them to do things that have not been done before.

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Rasselet and Plasse both studied architecture at McGill University in Montréal where they learned a practical method of design. “They forced us to come up with a concept for projects,” Rasselet says. “It gives the project a spinal cord around which you can develop afterward. It’s a mindset we inherited from

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West Coast Modern Nature ReignS with vancouver’s mason kent Design inc.

Story Kimberly Nichols Photos Stacy Thomas

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01 The sitting area has a refined coziness to it, with a fluffy rug, plush seating and fireplace 02 The kitchen window looks out onto the home’s front yard comprised of trees, boulders and a man-made pond

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ason Kent is a modest man, one who is uncomfortable articulating the inherent and intuitive processes he implements while creating dream homes for his clients. If it were up to him, he would personally buy up land and build houses like the kid in the sandbox who passionately concocts visions from his own mind on the playground.

But when prodded a bit, he admits that it was the drawings and models of West Vancouver’s modern homes that he played with as a young boy that remain his lifelong mental companions and sources of perpetual inspiration.

“I grew up in the fifties when local modernism was in its very early stages,” he says. “My parents were both professional musicians and I was exposed to artistic rather than traditional offerings in my cultural upbringing. I fell in love with the architectural drawings in the magazines that my parents were drawn to and they remained with me. People like Frank Lloyd Wright, Arthur Ericson and Fred Hollingsworth were my early heroes.”

Today, as the single-handed visionary of his company Mason Kent Design, Inc., he has become known for his one-on-one mentality with clients who appreciate the same things he does, as well as the collaborative methods of seeing those mutual dreams come to fruition.

Over 100 homes throughout the North Shore have his signature stamped upon them. The recent 4973 Water Lane Residence is a good example of this. Both Kent and his clients fell in love with the coastal location where topography including the lush trees, rudimentary rocks, and curvaceous land begs to remain undisturbed while laying the groundwork for a significant architectural gem.

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“One aspect of modernism that has always particularly led my design direction is the fact that the most successful homes should be built in concordance with the nature that pre-exists in the space,” explains Kent.

This combination can be seen in the home’s welcoming façade, which wraps around a massive boulder grouping that acts as both entry to the home and cornerstone of the impeccably designed property.

A long open corridor, from which all of the clean-lined spaces are strategically placed to garner different views of the ever-present rocks, connects the main floor of the home. Dark grey slate throughout mirrors the colour and texture of the external stone landmark. A reflecting pond on the top of the formation can be seen from within the kitchen bringing the element of water to the forefront of the home’s already peaceful atmosphere.

ARCHITECTs

03 The large kitchen and dining area has metallic accents against birch wood panels 04 The kitchen allows for impressive views of the open patio and fire pit outside 05 An outdoor dining area mirrors the natural setting that surrounds it

Dramatic moments weave the interior and exterior of the home together, like the chocolate brown jutting and linear eave that creates an outdoor patio, upon which key moments in the landscape lend a calming perspective conducive to reflection. Large skylights placed generously within the home perpetuate this marriage of indoor and outdoor allowing natural light to filter throughout in concert with large windows and eclipse doors. White oak hardwood adorns the staircase and upper level floors so that a sense of lightness accompanies the ascension toward the elevated environs.

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06 The home’s exterior looks as though it were built into a mountain, with rocks and lush foliage scattered throughout 07 An alternate view of the sitting area shows windows that look out into the front yard 08 The sleekness of the bathroom is made complete with window views to the backyard and a skylight

a message from Clarence Debelle It is with great pleasure that I listed this magnificent

An undisturbed flow of the home was also considered when choosing sleek, non-obtrusive appliances and features such as natural gas direct vent Kingsman fireplaces with “clean view” circulating kits.

“Although it was a consideration, the resulting serenity and presence of this house was something that came as a nice surprise, an end note to my plans,” says Kent.

This exquisitely refined, modern residence erected around a sublime moment of nature bespeaks a true glimpse of the subtle and elusive designer’s key characteristics.

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contemporary residence! Mason Kent and the owners, collaborated their thoughts and wishes, to produce an absolutely exceptional modern home, located on a large, sunny, meticulously landscaped lot. Without fail, each and every buyer who came to visit the home, commented on its serene beauty, and the elegant balance between the home, the lot and the setting. From the street, the structure, gardens, and waterfall are poetically graceful, and from within, the floor plan, and attention to design and quality, with an emphasis on indoor/outdoor living, offer an elegant yet functional living space. I look forward to having the opportunity to represent another equally exquisite home.

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PROJECTS

the Rathnelly Ave. Residence by mcgill design group / photo: ted yarwood

A look into how home builders and designers turn lackluster spaces into livable, yet intriguing residences

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Rathnelly Ave. Residence Colleen McGill’s rooms are crisply enunciated, straightforwardly classic, dominant yet understated and charged with a powerful simplicity that is unmistakably stylish. The Toronto designer’s approach works beautifully when applied to her four-bedroom home. The elements?

Think expressive antiques, sharp clean materials, soothing colour schemes, and carefully integrated moments of whimsy—a paper lantern chandelier is a favourite—to invigorate the mind.

Several mirrors line the walls to make the home feel bigger, such as the nine foot floor-length mirror (mcgilldesign.ca) in the living room. A muted colour palette brings light to the space with a hint of something dark in each room.

Keeping the home livable, a small nook in the kitchen allows for small family moments without lacking on style. “The bench (mcgilldesign.ca) is nice and deep so you can lounge out on it and the fabric is durable,” says McGill. “Makes such a great spot for people to congregate without taking up too much room. The dark cabinets (mcgilldesign.ca) give it that little bit of contrast.”

McGill Design Group

design-build process very seamless,” McGill, President of McGill Design Group Inc., says.

By Melissa Fears Since launching her business 15 years ago, Colleen McGill has specialized in comfortable luminous interiors framed by crisp intricate architectural and millwork details.

Softened by mounds of chic fabrics and sparkling with silvered-metal accents, the designer’s illuminated spaces are chromaticallysimplistic backdrops for the stylish clients who inhabit them.

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Her inviting transitional rooms convey richness without stuffiness, as her contemporary style is warmed by the use of luxurious textiles and the careful placement of impressive vintage pieces.

Design-build experience is crucial in this economy.

McGill holds two degrees in both economics and interior design, making her a designer of all trades.

“Having a really detailed concrete understanding of the construction process at the beginning makes our

She believes in the integrity of using durable, timeless pieces and design from start to finish.

Having grown up in a beautiful home herself, she understands the importance of detail. “I believe putting quality finishes into the house for longevity and making sure the house feels timeless,” she says.

“I really believe in the resale value of the house so if you want to sell in 10 or 20 years, it’s still speaking to people.”

Mixing the old and new makes the spaces chicly understated in décor and modest in disposition.

Layering in aged elements help to offset any sterility. “I think it makes for a much better room if it

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PHOTOS: Ted Yarwood

Instilling homes with polished and practical modernism

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has layers and personality,” says McGill. “All old can sometimes feel very stuffy and all new can feel like it’s lacking personality, so I think it is great to mix the two.”

Quality always comes first. Spending more money on classic pieces that are durable and long lasting is a smart investment. “We like to keep the basics classic, always very thoughtful in terms of proportion, finish and detail, but it’s never overdone,” says McGill. Classic pieces have frames that will stand the test of time even after the fabric has worn. Her new furniture line called PLUM launched in February, and McGill used many of the same guiding foundations of her interior design in this collection.

“A lot of the same principals are going into it like beautiful upholstered pieces that have clean lines and are really well proportioned,” she says. “They are simple, a little more youthful and [there are] some very eclectic pieces.” Pieces such as an oversized upholstered bench and wall can be very understated in terms of design, yet still make a statement with subtle pops of colour.

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“Instead of doing something predictable and small, I did something huge,” says McGill. “It’s fun and been a really great piece… It should be a piece you love and I don’t really love the faux crystal look you can get for cheaper.”

Beautiful light soaks in the walls of the bedroom allowing for a very bright inviting atmosphere. “The house is very feminine,” she says. “We have a young family and I think that it needed to feel very soft and bright. A lot of the millwork was added to hide storage.”

The bedroom’s vintage light fixture plays off the high ceilings and the sunlight coming in. “I found a really great 1960’s piece and had it plated in polished nickel,” says McGill. “I think it’s incredible.”

Touches of glamour and playfulness lend perfectly not only into this home, but to the brand as well.

01 The dining area has understated creamy tones offset by ornate wall and ceiling decor 02 The lively and brightly coloured bedroom is clad in whites and pops of colour 03 The living room showcases touches of artistic pieces and cozy seating 04 Upholstered walls add to the comfortable seating area in the home 05 A basic oval dining table highlights the avant-garde chandelier

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“It adds a layer of fun into the room that is otherwise pretty classic,” says McGill of the Whitney Residence. “Other pieces like the vintage wall sconces or chandeliers; that’s where you can pull some really fun pieces.” This sun-filled home, completed in 2010, keeps a muted colour palette of blues and greys. Contrasting lines really work well with the heritage of the home.

“We decided to layer in a few unexpected elements, some really pretty pieces, like the dining room chandelier,” she says. “We kept the clean aesthetic that they wanted, but not too clean.” Adding unexpected pieces add complexity and interest to the designer’s own traditional Victorian Row House, the Rathnelly Ave. Residence.

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The design expert of Canada turns the tables to become her own client

by Tara Imperatore To say Dee Dee Taylor Eustace wears many hats would be a drastic understatement. Architect, interior designer, mother, television host, writer and philanthropist are just a few of the titles she juggles on a daily basis. As owner of Toronto-based Taylor Hannah Architect Inc., she is bringing her unique design philosophy to everything from ski chalets to fine dining restaurants to private yachts. And for Dee Dee, each project is another opportunity to keep things fresh and interesting. “I’ve pushed the envelope in all of the things I’ve done in terms of reinterpreting history and design,” Dee Dee says.

But it has to be exciting; I want people to be excited to work with me.”

Attending University of Toronto Architecture School gave Dee Dee the opportunity to unite her many passions. “I loved physics and math and

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fashion so I thought it was the best way to combine my interests.” After graduating with honours, she entered the male-dominated field ready to dive right in and express her feminine point of view. “It’s interesting because there aren’t a lot of women architects…people think that two men run the firm,” Dee Dee said, referring to her company’s name.

“Being a woman in this industry I think you have to prove yourself and once you’ve done that I think it’s a great profession for a woman.” Dee Dee has led Taylor Hannah Architect to 20 years of success taking on some of the top jobs in Toronto, and beyond, including luxurious homes, downtown condominiums and the popular Harbour 60 Steakhouse.

She isn’t keeping all of her architecture and design secrets to herself and her clients, though; she shares her wealth of knowledge with several media outlets

Olympic View House When Dee Dee Taylor Eustace isn’t busy developing and designing dream spaces for her clients, she finds time to create for herself. In a collaborative effort from her three businesses, Taylor Hannah Architect, Montclair Construction, and Ellis Fine Cabinetry, she custom built her own 6,000-squarefoot home from the ground up at 90 Kilbarry Road. “I did it for two reasons: to show what I’m capable of doing and for resale as well.” Sparkling chandeliers, large picture windows, dark wood flooring, chic silk drapery and calming blue hues bring an air of sophistication throughout the interior. A doublestorey-height library lined with leather walls and a limestone fireplace is another elegant highlight. The back of the property opens up to a beautiful private garden, with the U-shape design giving a wall to the front of the street. “I felt I could set the tone for the north end of [the school] Upper Canada College and I think I achieved that.”

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PHOTOS: Martin Bydalek Photography

Taylor Hannah Architect

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01 This private family home is located in the heart of one of Toronto’s most affluent neighbourhoods. The architecture and interior design was completed

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02 With dark rich wood flooring and light and airy walls the master ensuite becomes a very comfortable space. The chandeliers and wall sconces add a luxurious richness to the space 03 The coffered ceilings, gallery like hung wall art and ceiling to floor drapery add formality to the main dining room 04 The combination of stained wood and painted cabinetry add classic charm and timeless style to this warm family kitchen

as well. Dee Dee is considered a design expert of Canada, solving The Globe and Mail readers’ most difficult design dilemmas as a columnist. She has been the host of her own television show, appeared on Oprah three times and is coming out with a new show this summer. “Everything that we’ve touched we’ve been able to hold the bar really high and do some of the best projects in television, newspapers, architecture and interior design,” she says of her and her team. “We’ve been really lucky.”

To ensure there is no shortage of ingenuity in her work, Dee Dee travels around the world, most recently visiting Argentina, and uses the inspiration

to develop even more projects, including a jewelry line. “There’s so much to learn in this profession I can’t help myself. Whether I’m in Paris at Fashion Week or researching what the new new is, I always have a thirst for knowledge and education.” Like fashion designers take ideas from the past and reinvent them, Dee Dee is constantly looking to breathe new life into old ideas. “I always want to see what’s new and reinterpret it; so with my background being an architect I’ve got the structure behind me and the rules.” With the basic foundation laid, Dee Dee is able to go on to create spaces that are forward thinking, yet stand the test of time. “You can’t have something that only lasts a day; it needs

to have longevity, it needs to be timeless; it needs to be elegant.”

Work isn’t Dee Dee’s only focus, however. She brings balance to her hectic lifestyle by spending time with her family. “I have two great kids and that’s a big part of me as well.” Being able to demonstrate what hard work and determination can result in is important to Dee Dee. “I love the fact that I work and I can take my children and show them houses I’ve done or cottages and they go to restaurants that I’ve done and I think it’s a fantastic thing to show that you have to make your own living and you have to be creative. It’s a great way to lead by example.”

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CORE Architects Inc. CORE Architects Inc. adds lavish condominiums to the downtown Toronto skyline

By Tara Imperatore What began 18 years ago with three skilled architects and a collective passion for design has since become a multi-award-winning firm redefining the Toronto skyline. The success that CORE Architects Inc. enjoys today is a direct result of the hard-working creative minds of partners Babak Eslahjou, Charles Gane and Deni Poletti. Babak and Deni developed a close friendship while studying at University of Toronto, and went on to meet Charles when they all worked at the same architectural firm following graduation,”

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says Deni. “We were kind of selected naturally in the firm as being a talented group; people wanted us on their jobs so we ended up doing a lot of projects together.” The more they collaborated, the more they knew that they should start their own business.

Taking on smaller commercial and residential jobs allowed CORE to gain valuable experience while developing relationships within the industry. But as the company grew, so did the

01 In an unusual and dramatic play with residential volumes, the glassy four-storey horizon of condominiums canters 12 degrees off the building’s north-south axis only to correct itself to the orientation of the street, and continuing upward in a sequence of great stacked blocks.

02 The roof terrace and seasonal swimming pool, part of the outdoor amenities provided to those residents who wish to live in the heart of downtown gallery and club district

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12 Degrees Currently under construction for CORE Architects is 12 Degrees, a one-of-akind residential building located in the eclectic Grange neighbourhood. “No other property in this quadrant will realistically be developed, so this building had to be special,” said Charles Gane, designer of 12 Degrees. In an area where buildings are supported by stilts and art is the focus, Gane knew creativity wouldn’t be an issue. “We thought of a bunch of glass cubes that were scattered on the site and one of them we twisted and it worked with the neighbourhood and the views,” he explained. “When you come around the corner, you see a certain rotation in one direction; 12 degrees worked for everybody so it turns out that’s what they called the building.” This rotation created terraces and balconies on the corners so future residents, ranging from recent college grads to retirees, will be able to enjoy all that the gallery district has to offer.

“When you come around the corner, you see a certain rotation in one direction; 12 degrees worked for everybody so it turns out that’s what they called the building.”

Charles Gane, Partner, Designer of 12 Degrees

aspirations of moving onto larger scale projects. “The three of us were very aggressive, had some business savvy, and really pushed the experience that we had,” Deni explained.

“We approached young, new developers that were starting out the same as we were and we landed one condominium project in downtown Toronto.” As their first big project, and one of only a few residential developments occurring during the economic downturn, the partners were able to make a name for themselves by turning a single opportunity into many. “Our reputation in the city was for doing interesting residential buildings, getting them built from A to Z, and doing it well; so people started to hear about us,” Deni said. “We just kept getting larger projects and meeting new people.”

One such project was the LUNA condominiums, a nearly 680,000-square-foot complex complete with two towers and a podium set in the heart of the city. “Toronto is a very competitive market from a residential standpoint,” Deni said. “So to differentiate yourself from another developer you really have to have some interesting designs and unit layouts.” After impressing Concord Adex developers on several projects in the past, they approached CORE again with this exciting venture. CityPlace Central Park, an eight-acre urban park near the site, played an important role in the design of LUNA. “There’s a curvilinear façade that has a focal point toward the park, so that was the genesis of the shape of the tower to the south,” Deni explains. “Architecturally, because of this curvilinear shape, there were

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04 03 The LUNA condominiums, in the heart of Toronto, are 680,000 square feet with a podium and two towers 04 The rooms of the LUNA condominiums were created by Interior Designer Mike Niven 05 Mike Nevin accented each room in this condominium with vibrant red details 06 Expansive rows of windows overlook views of the Toronto skyline

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some elements that were added to that façade like these staggering glass panels.” The glass was used to emphasize the shape of the building and to reflect colours and images of the surrounding environment.

LUNA was unlike any other project CORE Architects had designed and developed before, not just in terms of scale. All of the Concord Adex buildings in the area are involved in a public art program, encouraging a new dynamic between architect and artist. Deni had to ensure that the art in the neighbourhood was related in part to a lighting component at the top of the building. “It was interesting to work with this designer to bring the art element into the design of the architecture,” Deni said. “I haven’t had to do a building where public art was integrated into the actual façade, so that was unique for us.”

Constant research and extensive travel helps them keep a finger on the pulse of their industry. “We generally try to pick different parts of the world and attempt to understand how other people live there and what trends are happening in those areas,” Deni said. “We are taking those external influences and learning from them and bringing them back to the office.” With an array of award-winning designs behind them, the talented partners of CORE Architects Inc. head into the future with just as much enthusiasm as the day they started.

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Specializing in Negotiating and Closing Real Estate Transactions for Buyers and Sellers

www.clarencedebelle.com clarence@clarencedebelle.com 604.726.5780

2922 Park Lane, Altamont, West Vancouver - $12,800,000 Exquisite high banked water front home, on one of West Vancouver’s most prestigious streets, with a spectacular 270° panoramic city/ocean view, only a 10 minute walk to Dundarave Village, with its fine shopping & restaurants…

730 Andover Cr., British Properties, West Vancouver - $6,988,000 Magnificent custom designed residence, with spectacular Downtown & Lions Gate view. Every aspect of this stunning home is custom built, from hand painted ceilings & murals, to running water fall, swooping staircase, large Gourmet kitchen, and billiard room befitting a grand hotel. Truly an amazing home…

6269 St. Georges Cr., Gleneagles, West Vancouver - $8,988,000 Spectacular residence with panoramic ocean & mountain views! This magnificent 10,000 ft2 home, with picture windows throughout, offers an amazing view from virtually every room. With its oversized rooms and an additional 5,000 ft2 of outdoor decks & patios, this is an incredible home for entertaining family and friends.

8035 Pasco Road, Howe Sound, West Vancouver - $7,200,000 Stunning waterfront retreat! This spectacular residence, located on a .8 acre lot with 115 ft of waterfront frontage and a 1,400 ft2 dock, offers an incomparable west coast life style. Walk through the two solid fir doors and you are greeted by massive wooden beams, blue slate floors, and floor-to-ceiling stone fireplaces, all overlooking one of the most stunning of all possible views!

P ROFESSIONAL , A TTENTIVE , D EDICATED

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DISTINCTION

4241 rockridge Ave. by clarence debelle / photo: BLURRD media

A focus on the inspired visionaries who diligently work toward designing avant-garde and exclusive residences in the custom-home industry

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DISTINCTION

Clarence Debelle Harmony through interrelated details

“It’s a labour of love but it’s a powerful experience selling a home,” Clarence Debelle says from his West Vancouver office with Angel Hasman & Associates Realty. “I do it because I love helping people, and, for most people, the single biggest asset in their life is their home. Even if it’s an investment property, it’s still their home.”

After 10 years as an investment banker in Toronto, Debelle returned to his home town of West Vancouver to establish himself as the go-to luxury realtor in the area. He has adapted to the changing

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international market in British Columbia with a focus on helping clients who are resettling from Mainland China, offering everything from translation services to assistance in enrolling his clients’ children in school.

With a reputation for going above and beyond, Debelle says he sees his job as a realtor as not just selling homes, but selling communities, particularly when selling a listing to families relocating from abroad. Often going as far as giving clients personal guided tours of West Vancouver, which

6269 St. Georges Crescent, Gleneagles, West Vancouver Spectacular residence with massive panoramic ocean & mountain view. This magnificent 10,000-square-foot home, with picture windows throughout, offers an amazing view from virtually every room. With its oversized rooms and an additional 5,000 square feet of outdoor decks & patios, this is an incredible home for entertaining.

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Photos: BLURRD media

by Jamie Farshchi

DISTINCTION

“Regardless of whether they are buying or selling, my duty is to the client. I sell the neighbourhood, I sell the community, but beyond that I sell West Vancouver.”

Clarence Debelle

have been known to include the area’s best schools, golf courses and even dinner at one of West Vancouver’s finest restaurants.

“Regardless of whether they are buying or selling, my duty is to the client,” Debelle says. “I sell the neighbourhood and the community, but beyond that, I sell West Vancouver.”

Having grown up in the area, Debelle’s appreciation for West Vancouver is apparent as is his dedication to his clients. Debelle says it was his father, who owned a number of hotels in Canada and Mexico, who shaped his approach to customer service.

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8035 Pasco Road, Howe Sound, West Vancouver This spectacular residence, located on a .8 acre lot with 115 feet of waterfront frontage and a 1,400 square-foot dock, offers an incomparable west coast life style. Walk through the two solid fir doors and you are greeted by massive wooden beams, blue slate floors and floor-to-ceiling stone fireplaces, all over looking one of the most stunning of all possible views.

Debelle says he wants to redefine the real estate business through a commitment to professionalism, honesty and integrity.

“My duty is to put the home in front of as many different buyers as possible,” says Debelle. “More

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showings means more offers, which means achieving the highest possible price for my seller.

It’s easy to take a passive role, but I do things most people don’t do because I have a responsibility that goes beyond selling.”

Just out of high school, Debelle dedicated three years to rock climbing, tackling some of the hardest rock walls in North America including, el Capitán and the Squamish Chief, just outside Vancouver, while supporting himself logging on the West Coast. He says rock climbing was an experience that not only defined his value-directed approach to his work, but also defined him as a person.

“The elegance and the integrity of climbing taught me a lot,” says Debelle. “A rock face is not something you attack aggressively; you have to approach it with a certain respect. It’s not reaching the peak, it’s about how you reach the peak. I want to redefine the realty business in line with those values.”

With dedicated websites in both English and Mandarin, featuring video tours, floor plans, exhaustive professional photographs from every imaginable angle, Debelle is certainly redefining the meaning of customer service in realty.

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Photos: BLURRD media

“I grew up in the service business,” Debelle says.

“People loved my father and loved staying at his places because he went above and beyond. Customer service is everything in realty. There’s a lot more to it than selling someone a home and walking away; it’s about families and helping them start the next stage of their life.”

Exceeding Customer Expectations 29 Portland St., Toronto, ON Ph. 416.259.3445 MaranaKitchens.com

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directory Architecture

Flooring

Jessy Plume, jessyplume.com, 24-25

Hardwood Gallery, hardwoodgalleryltd.ca, 55,57

John Sinal, johnsinal.com, 48-50

Maguire Flooring, maguiresflooring.com, 2

Josh Dunford Photography, joshdunford.com, 113-119

Millenium Roofing Inc., 613-822-6688, 86-87

Ken Taylor, VR Tours, virturaltourphotorgrapher.com, 52-54

Ploutos Enterprises Ltd., ploutos.ca, 71

Kristen McGaughey, kmcgphoto.com, 62-64

Campbell Design, campbelldesign.com, 40-42

Larry Arnal, arnalpix.com, 89, 97-99

Campos Leckie, camposleckie.ca, 29, 43-50

Furniture

Martin Bydalek Photography, bydalek.com, 164-165

CORE Architects Inc., corearchitects.com, p. 166-169

Established & Sons, establishedandsons.com, 17

Michael Graydon, 92,93

Decca Design, decca-design.com, 36-38

Gallotti & Radice, gallottiradice.it, 19

nature humaine, naturehumaine.com, 142- 151

Linebox Studio Inc., linebox.ca, 30-32

JSPR, jspr.eu, p.12

Oliver Rathonyi Reusz Photography, inviewimages.com,104-106,

Mason Kent Design Inc., masonkentdesign.com, 152-160

Kartell, kartell.it, 17

Photolux Studios, photoluxstudios.com, 30-32

Streamline Design, streamlinedesign.ca, 33-35

Koket, bykoket.com, 18

Raphel Santa Ana, 29, 43-46

Taylor Hannah, taylorhannah.ca, p. 164-165

Moooi, moooi.com, 16

Stacy Thomas Photography, facebook.com/stacythomasphotography, 152-160

Munnna, munnadesign.com, 23 Accessories & Décor Dima, dimaloginoff.com, 18 Erik Jorgensen, erik-jorgensen.com, 15, 21 Foscarini, foscarini.com, 18-19 Groupa, groupastudio.com, 16 Nemo Carmenciata, nemo.cassina.it, 19 Normann of Cophenhagen, normann-copenhagen.com, 16 Saba Italia, wood.sabaitalia.it, 21 Verner Panton, verner-panton.com, 16

Nine Stories, ninestoriesfurniture.com, 16

Susan Teare, susanteare.com, 120-131

Rock Paper Tree, rockpapertree.ca, 24-25

Ted Yardwood Photography, tedyardwood.com, 161-163

Sika Design, sika-design.com, 22

Tom Arban Photography, tomarban.com, 132-141

Six Inch, sixinch.be, 16

Trevor Carter Photography, trevorcarterphotography, 107-109

Virofiber V20, virofiber.com, 22 Heating and Cooling Heating Essentials Ltd., 403-266-3678, 55 Interior Design

Video Openhouse Team, vopenhouse.ca, 75-76 VR Web Tours, vrwebtours.com, 38 Plumbing Fixtures Deer Bridge, deerbridgeplumbing.com, 54-55

Books

Andrea Gray, andreagraydesign.com, 94-96

Pools & Spas

Expressive Modern: The Interiors of Amy Lau, randomhouse.com, 27

Ariel Muller Designs, arielmullerdesigns.com, 100-103

Alka Pool, alkapools.com, 82-83

The Modern California Beach House: Patrick Killen, imagespublishinggroup.com, 27

Cocina Interior Designs, (403) 235-5369, 107-109

True Life: Steven Harris Architects, papress.com, 27

Cinzia Design, cinziadesigns.com, 95 Deuce Interiors, 403-230-1015, 26 DS Interiors, 416-938-5015, 179

Carpets & Rugs

First Impressions Designs, first-impressions-designs.com, 104-106

Kyle Bunting, kylebunting.com, 23

Fleur de lis Interior Design, fleurdelis.ca, 120-131

Minotti, minotti.com, 23

Jertyne Interior Services, jertyne.com, 55-56

Products Big Foot Building Products Inc., 55 Star Building Materials, starbuildingcalgary.ca, p.13 Sunshine Coast Home Building Centre, homehardware.ca, 81 Realtor Clarence Debelle Luxury Home Realtor, clarencedebelle.com, 160, 170-174

Johnson Chou, johnsonchou.com, 132-141 Closets & Doors Komandor Closets & Doors, komandor.ca, 111

Kaleidoscope Designs Inc., kaleidoscopedesigninc.com, 4,107-109 Khachi Design Group, khachi.com, p.110-112

Roofing Millenium Roofing, 613-822-6688, p.87 W Roofing Ltd., wroofing.ca, 77, 79

Construction & Design

Laurie Ghielmetti Interiors, lgisf.com, p.178

Aleika Group Inc., aleikagroup.com, 88

Mason Kent Design, masonkentdesign.com, p.152- 159

Stairs/ Railing

Augusta Fine Custom Homes, augustacustomhomes.com, 52-57

McGill Design Group, mcgilldesign.ca, 162-163

Laird’s Railing, lairdsrailing.com, 53,55

Calrudd Construction, calrudd.com, 75-77

_naturehumaine, naturehumaine.com, 142-151

Clark Hamilton Enterprises, clarkhamilton.com, 80-83

Robyn Clarke + Co., robynclarke.com, 90-93

Stone, Tile & Concrete

Core Architects Inc., corearchitects.com, 166-169

Robert Bailey Interiors, robertbaileyinteriors.ca, 113-119

Adanac Granite Inc., adancgranite.com, 109

Culmone + Associates, 416-252-9861, 102-103

Studio H Design, studiohdesign.ca, 89, 97-99

Ames Tile & Stone, amestile.com, 59, 61

Jet Set, 403-615-1411, 37

Watchtower Interiors Inc., watchtowerinteriors.com, 93

Ariston Marble & Granite Ltd., ariston.ca, 77-78 Manotick Concrete, manotickconcrete.ca, 86

JK Custom Renovations, jkcustomrenos.com, 91 Jordyn Developments, jordyndev.com, 102

Kitchen & Bath

Maric Homes, marichomes.com, 51, 58-61

Blu Bathworks, blubathworks.com, 63-64

McLeod Home, 780-962-2575, 68-69

Irpinia Kitchens, irpinia.com, 5

Creek System Integrators, 604-885-9323, 82

Mullins Drafting & Design, mullinshomedesigns.ca, 74

Jerome’s Appliance Gallery, jeromesappliancegalleryinc.ca, 55,57

JAD Solutions, 613-821-7897, 88

Ottawa Carleton Construction, ottawacarletonconstruction.com, 84-88

Kitchen Craft Cabinetry, kitchencraftwinnipeg.com, 61

Pars Homes, parshomes.ca, 73-74

Kitchen Craft Cabinetry, kitchencraftedmonton.com, 68-69

Schreyer Construction, schreyerconstruction.com, 62-64

Marana Kitchens, maranakitchens.com, 175

Sierra West Homes, sierrawesthomes.com, 70-72

Monogram, monogram.ca, 112

Stellar Homes, stellarhomes.ca, 65-69

Pure, purecuisines.com, 149

Taylor Hannah Architect, taylorhannaharchitect.ca, 164-165

Suncrest Cabinets, suncrestcabinets.com, 106

Timeless Developments, timeless-developments.com, p.11

Superior Cabinets, superiorcabinets.ca, 55-56

Venchiarutti Builders, venchiaruttibuilders.com, 78-79 Electrical J.D. Globe Electrical Services, 613-744-3595, 86-87

Technology

Walls Lithos, lithosdesign.com, 20 Paintech, paintech.com, p.9 Stackit, stackit.ca, 39, 42 Wall-Coverings & Paint Urban Product, urbanproduct.ca, 20 Wovin, wovinwall.com, 20

Millwork British Columbia Timberframe Co., bctimberframce.ca, 82

Window Treatments

Beer Timber Company, beertimber.com, 77

Blinds With Flair, blindswithflair.com, 88

Glenora Lumber & Building Supplies, glenoralumber.ca, 67

EVENTS

Photography

ASI Advantage Road Show, biztradeshows.com, p.14

Aleksandra Pavlovic, 90-92

Banff Session, banffsession.ca, p. 14

Alex Gray Photography, alexgrayphotography.com, 94-96

Colchester County Home Show, tradeshowz.net, p.14

Brad Quan- Q Studios, 110-112

Green Festival, greenfestivals.org, p.14

Colin Smith Photography, modelgraphy.com, 40-42

Home & Garden Cologne, biztradeshows.com, p.14

Cory Bowen, 84-88

International Contemporary Furniture Fair, icff.com, p.14

Craig Thompson Wyman Gallery, wymangallery.com, 73-74

International Home & Garden Show, biztradeshows.com, p.14

Windows & Glass Classic Crystal, classiccrystal.net, 99 Rossen glass & mirror, rossenglass.com, 85 Woodwork Culham Custom Woodwork Ltd., culhamcustomwoodwork.com, 67-68 Koletic Designs, koleticdesigns.com, 103

Daniel Wexler, hotfrog.ca, 51, 58-61

Precision Werkz Architectural Woodwork & Cabinetry, preicisionwerkz.com, 180

The Creativ Festival, biztradeshows.com, p.14

Dom Korici Visual Sensations, visualsensations.ca, 33-35

Silverstar Woodcraft, 403-560-3857, 108

Victoria Spring Home Expo., homeshowtime.com, p. 14

Jamie Bezemer, ca.linkedin.com/pub/jamie-bezemer, 36

Powell River Woodworks, 604-485-4133, 81

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At home with Laurie Ghielmetti designer Laurie ghielmetti of Laurie ghielmetti interiors specializes in creating environments that reflect the outlook and lifestyles of its clients.

01

01 The traditonal master bedroom features an abundunce of artful touches. The headboard is upholstered in Clarence House fabric from Belmar Company, in San Francisco CA (belmarcompany.com). The bed itself showcases a cashmere coverlet from Pratesi (pratesi.com), bedskirt by Christopher Hyland (christopherhyland.com) and Italian pillows, Chinese silk fabric bolster pillow and antique throw all from The Lotus Collection (ktaylor-lotus.com) The gold mohair chair from Gregorius/Pineo (gregoriuspineo.com) and iron bench from Blank and Cable skillfully complement the Bessarabian rug.

LHC: Where did you study architecture, and what major influences have shaped your business?

LHC: How do you connect with your clients, to

LG: I was a Humanities Field Major at Berkeley

LG: We have several conversations about their

and studied Art and English. I worked with my aunt, an Interior Designer, and then started my own business 23 years ago. My early travels abroad with my parents and journeys with my own family into Asia and other areas of the world have influenced me. I felt the confluence of the mixture of cultures here in California and wanted to use that wonderful eclecticism to help inform my own work. [It was] a mixture of balance and surprise. Â

lifestyle, the adjectives that they would like to use when they enter their own home and how they would like others to feel in that home as honored guests. Clients often show us photos of homes they have admired in magazines and if not, we ask them to go onto our web site and let us know which rooms appeal to them and why.

Most of the time, people wear colors that they feel enhance them and explain their personality and that is often carried through in the colors that speak positively to them in their home; whether it be in furnishings, art or paint that car-

LHC: What types of services does your company offer?

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understand their needs and desires?

ries through even in the choice of style for their pieces. And then we continue that communication throughout the relationship. We are a small firm, which allows us to create intense personal relationships with our clients often over a period of years as we grow together to fit their needs.

LHC: What’s in the future for Laurie Ghielmetti Interiors?

LG: I feel so passionately about the joyous pursuit of interior design that at this point I cannot imagine waking in the morning and not wanting the challenge of this work. I continue to enjoy the variety of clients who invite us into their private lives and ask us to turn their thoughts and ideas into a wonderful reality, where a marriage of both style and comfort can be attained. A home is supposed to enhance our lives and the interior of that home needs to feel there is a conversation between the various elements that is balanced. A result that provides both stimulation and serenity.

lhcanada.com

photos: Robert Whitworth

LG: We are a full service interior design firm.

That includes: architectural consultation for new or remodeled homes, furnishings and accessories for the home and art advice for building or adding to personal collections of contemporary art.

Integrity

DS INTERIORS Design - Build

Experience

Creativity

Energy

Toronto Office Dina Theodoropoulos Tel: 416.938.5015 dsinteriors@sympatico.ca

ARCHITECTs

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