Niche Magazine by NICHE MEDIA

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where you belong

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PM 41835528

Moving On Up Livable Elegance A Home for Royalty

P R E M I E R

E D I NICHE T I O N

a home to nurture your soul

FINAL PHASE…NOW SELLING Bridges at Glenview Pond Phase II is a unique neighbourhood of 34 heritage style single family homes. Homes that are custom designed to match your family’s needs, desires and lifestyle. The backdrop for your home is a private park with a creek, 2 ponds, bridges and lush landscaping. It’s the perfect setting for a morning jog, an afternoon walk or an evening stroll. The lots have been designed to offer homeowners both privacy and the ability to create unique outdoor spaces to enjoy.

2 BRAND NEW SHOW HOMES NOW OPEN

Tucked into the existing Old Glenmore neighbourhood, Bridges at Glenmore Pond is within easy walking to the lake, cultural district and downtown. For people who enjoy an active lifestyle, Knox Mountain and the Rails with Trails offer both biking and hiking trails without the need to load up the car - just head out from home!

Glenview Avenue at Cerise Drive

HILLCREST

GORDON

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ENT

GLENMORE

HIGH

CER ISE

PRESENTATION CENTRE OPEN Noon - 5:00pm (closed Friday)

BERNARD

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250.763.7209 NICHE

www.bridgesliving.com

live with momentum INNOVATIVE INTERIOR DESIGN CREATIVE ELEGANT INTELLIGENT SENSIBLE DRIVEN REFINED TRENDY RELIABLE UNIQUE FLOORING UNEXPECTED UNCOMMON FLASHY INFINITE GLAMOROUS ATTENTIVE DETAIL TACTILE WOW MILLWORK CLASSY FRESH ADAPTABLE LOGICAL COMP L E X F U R N I T U R E D E M A N D I N G INTEGRITY SLEEK HIGH-STYLE MODERN DIVERSE NOW DELUXE DECISIVE INTENSE PASSIONATE BUILD INTRIGUING URBAN COOL SOPHISTICATED DRAMATIC DIVINE EXOTIC EDGY FIERY STRATEGIC PROUD A-LIST AVANT-GARDE RENDERINGS KNOWLEDGE VIP DEBONAIR STRONG FLAMBOYANT UNCOMPROMISING LIGHTING ITALIAN LEATHER EXCLUSIVE CABINETS SEXY

MOMENTUM INTERIORS

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inside FEATURES

20 MOVING ON UP Okanagan residents are moving skyward.

HOME FOR LEARNING 2010

LIVABLE ELEGANCE

Students team with companies and CHBACO to build a green dream home.

This palatial Okanagan residence is both regal and welcoming.

DEPARTMENTS

6 FROM CHBA-CO

48 ECOLIFE

8 DIG

50 COMMUNITY

Incoming president Kevin Bounds and executive officer Tammy Jackson share views and news. The latest developments from CHBA-CO members.

13 EXPERTS

Questions answered by CHBA-CO home professionals.

16 PROFILE

Terry Heinrich gives good business and gives back.

Terasen warms up GlenValley to a geothermal exchange system. Melcor’s Black Mountain sweet spot is a scenic golf neighbourhood.

52 VIEWS

Three CHBA-CO developers profile Okanagan residential purchasers.

18 COMPANY

54 HERITAGE

34 PRODUCT

58 CHBA-CO DIRECTORY

The historic Caetani House in Vernon was home to Italian royalty.

The Mission Group is inspired by design, detail and dreams. Crystal Classic believes a home should have a superior exterior.

Your guide to all the members of the Canadian Home Builders Association of the Central Okanagan.

36 REDUX

Gord Turner explains how to renovate the right way.

38 EFFECTS

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A R C H I T E C T U R E

At Robinson Lighting, illumination is an art and science.

42 IMPRESSIONS

Dave Pfuetzner from Acorn Homes dishes on curb appeal.

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D E C O R

where you belong

INSIDE:

Moving On Up Livable Elegance A Home for Royalty

44 SPOTLIGHT

Dwell is a community designed by listening to lifestyle.

Photo: Courtesy Okanagan Collection.

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Cover: Palatial Grove is the name of this luxurious 10,000 square foot home and estate currently listed as part of the Okanagan Collection by Sotheby’s International Realty.

E D I T I O N

from the editor’s desk where you belong

NICHE:

Craig N. Brown

Publisher

yes, it’s where you belong

Chytra Brown

Assoc. Publisher

Dona Sturmanis

Editor

Donna Szelest

Art Director Contributors

Dorothy Brotherton Deanna Merrick Barbara J. Shave Rand Zacharias

Colin Jewall All other photos are credited

Photographers

Director of Sales Chytra Brown Account Managers Kathie Nickel

Murray Hicks Angus Cathro Roy Kunicky Jesse Kunicky

Administration

Joanne Clark

Niche Magazine is published in conjunction with Canadian Home Builders Association of the Central Okanagan.

101B - 1979 Old Okanagan Hwy., Westbank, BC V4T 3A4 T. 778-755-5727 F. 778-755-5728 www.prospermediagroup.ca President & CEO Craig N. Brown Vice President Noll C. Derriksan

Grand Chief WFN,, U.B.C.I.C.

VP Sales & Marketing Chytra Brown Assistant to the Publisher Joanne Clarke NICHE Magazine is published in Westbank, BC by Prosper Media Group Inc. ©2010 All rights reserved.The views expressed in NICHE are those of the respective contributors and not necessarily those of the publisher or staff. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 41835528. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: 101B - 1979 OLD OKANAGAN HWY., WESTBANK, BC V4T 3A4.

f you love your home, you will enjoy our new magazine NICHE. It’s for those of you who care about all the details of where you live, from the master plan right through to the kitchen appliances. You want your home to be the very best it can be, and want expert information now, in one magazine. It’s published as a partnership between the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of the Central Okanagan and Prosper Media Group. Inc. which is a fortunate union. In existence for more than 50 years, the Canadian Home Builder’s Association is the respected voice of the residential construction industry. Among CHBA-Central Okanagan’s 190 members are architects, builders, community developers, designerbuilders, financial professionals, government offices, home design and decor specialists, insurance and accounting professionals, landscapers, media and marketing experts, realtors, renovators, suppliers, contractors, utility and warranty companies. Prosper Media Group Inc.is arguably the Okanagan’s largest group of publishing companies producing regional, national and custom publications: Okanagan Business Examiner, Savour Magazine, Field to Plate, Native Business Development Magazine and Sotheby’s International Realty Okanagan Collection. Our contributors are experienced writers about the home industry and in some cases have worked in it. They are also fortunate to be able to access the expertise of the CHBA-CO members. We are truly appreciative of and grateful to the many professionals, services and suppliers who advertise in our pages. They are here to make your home living an optimal experience. We are proud to present these talented individuals and companies in our magazine and encourage you to use their services. We look forward to your feedback and suggestions for stories in NICHE, where you belong. Please email editor@nichemag.ca.

Dona Sturmanis Editor N

Printed in Canada.

NICHE

from chba-co

welcome to the new magazine – ours and yours

n behalf of Canadian Home Builders’ Association-Central Okanagan, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to our new quarterly publication, NICHE, where you belong.

We are very excited about this magazine and through our partnership with the publisher, Prosper Media Group, we will be bringing interesting and informative content that is intended to appeal to everyone. From our membership of industry professionals to anyone who appreciates design, architecture, and décor, this magazine will deliver content that you will want to see and read. There will be regular columns that will feature projects in the region, features about our member companies and their products or innovations, industry news and events relevant to homeowners and members alike, as well as opportunities for readers to ask experts for advice and information for do-it-yourselfers, to name a few. The Canadian Home Builders’ Association works very hard for, and on behalf of, our members and the general public in ways that some of you may not be aware of, such as:

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Supporting apprenticeship programs at local colleges through initiatives like the “Home for Learning,” as well as awarding bursaries to top students Providing support, education and accreditation programs for our members, such as Built Green™ and RenoMark™ Working with all levels of municipal, provincial, and federal governments on everything from building codes and bylaws to lobbying for changes in how the HST was implemented Organizing industry events such as the Tommie Awards to recognize excellence in the building industry, the annual spring Real Home Show to showcase businesses and products to the general public, and of course, our annual Golf Tournament.

I invite you to visit our website at www.chbaco.com for more information on our members and what we can do for you. Once again, welcome to our new magazine! I know that you will enjoy the feature stories, regular columns and articles in this, and all future issues of NICHE, Where you belong.

Kevin Bounds INCOMING President CHBA-CO N

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from the desk of

Tammy Jackson

Executive Officer, CHBA CO

he Canadian Home Builders’ Association is the voice of the residential construction industry in BC and Canada, dedicated to fostering a housing environment in which the industry operates effectively and professionally while maintaining affordability and profitability. CHBA is built on a vision of a strong and positive role for the housing industry, and a commitment to support the professionalism of our members and provide affordability, quality and choice for consumers. The Canadian Home Builders Association of the Central Okanagan is actively involved in the communities where members and customers live and work. Through ongoing representation to municipal government, media relations and consumer education, they address important issues and have a strong presence that benefits members and contributes to housing affordability and the well-being of communities across Canada.

2010 Home for Learning CHBA CO was honored to have the opportunity to partner with the Okanagan College Residential Construction Program, Distinctive Developments, and Melcor Developments to create the 2010 Home for Learning. This project promotes education, community and professionalism in the residential construction industry in our region. CHBA CO would like to give a special thank you to our industry partners; we couldn’t do it without you: Terasen, JeldWen Windows & Doors, Plasti-Fab Ltd.-Advantage ICF, CertainTeed Saint-Gobain, Engel Electric Ltd, Four Seasons Insulation Ltd/ Icynene Inc., Fortis BC, Mara Lumber, Robinson Lighting, Madge Contracting Ltd, Redline Bobcat Services Ltd, Castanet Media, Moen Incorporated, Berard Design Group Inc., City of Kelowna, Mullins Drafting & Design, Norelco Cabinet Solutions, Built Green BC, Capri Insurance, Burnco, Loney Plumbing, Emco, Bolt Security, Swiss Solar Tech, Shane’s Built-In Vacuums Ltd., Cultured Stone, Steels, Starwatch Audio Visual, Travelers Canada, Field Forestry Service – Blue Ox Timbers and Sunco Drywall Ltd.

TOMMIE 2010 The Thompson Okanagan Housing Awards or TOMMIE Awards is celebrating our 19th year of recognizing excellence in many aspects of the home building industry right here in the Central Okanagan. This year we are pleased to have available 46 categories from new home construction, renovations, marketing, landscape design to environmental considerations. Place your projects for all to see! Enter TOMMIE 2010 today by visiting www.chbaco.com. Online entry closes October 14th, 2010. N

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dig Dig is Niche’s new department devoted to news from CHBA-CO members. We want to hear from you! It is our goal to contact each one of you personally to connect and introduce ourselves. We obviously cannot fit in news from everyone in each issue because of the number of CHBA-CO members and space considerations. If you are hard to contact or submit your news too late or not at all, it will obviously not appear either. That said, please send your news for Dig in the winter issue of Niche to editor@nichemag. ca. The deadline is November 1, 2010. We look forward to hearing from you! --DONA STURMANIS & RAND ZACHARIAS

As the October 7th decision day draws closer, Society Makeover’s panel of judges has a very hard decision on its hand: choosing which society will win a $20,000 renovation prize. Indeed, every non-profit that has submitted an application for the prize is more than deserving of an overhaul. The Downtown Kelowna Association, L. Solberg’s Recovery Society, Penticton Early Childhood Education Society, Habitat For Humanity Kelowna, Building Healthy Families Society, and Kelowna Community Foodbank Society are just some of the non-profits vying for Society Makeover. And every one of them has critical renovation and maintenance requirements that they can’t afford to pay for themselves. “Over the span of 25 years, we’ve had the privilege of working with dozens of societies on numerous public housing projects in the Okanagan region, so to celebrate, we want to give back to the community in which we live and work,” says Dan Scuka, president, Scuka Enterprises Ltd. The general contracting firm created the Scuka Community Revitalization Initiative, which includes a variety of charitable programs, education for youth, community involvement, and more! “We’re really excited to be kicking off with Society Makeover,” says Dan. Scuka Enterprises began seeking applications from societies in the Okanagan on August 1 in need of renovation, upgrading or remodeling construction services. Scuka Enterprises is offering a charitable in-kind gift of $20,000 (labour and materials) to complete a society’s makeover project by year-end. The company will announce the winner of Society Makeover at its 25th anniversary event on October 7th. Who decides and how? Dan Scuka has called upon colleagues to help make the tough decision. A representative from NOW Canada Kelowna (New Opportunities for Women), Luke Stack, Executive Director, Society of Hope is included on the judge’s panel that will make the final decision. “Scuka Enterprises is a great example of a community minded business,” says Luke Stack. “In celebration of their 25th anniversary they are investing into the non-profit sector to provide practical help to an organization in need. I am anticipating a tough job ahead because I expect all applicants will be very deserving.” After 13 years in Kelowna, Wilson M Beck Insurance Services has moved their offices in the city to a newer, bigger location. They extend an invitation to come and see them at the Invue Tower at #107-2040 Springfield Road. Acorn Communities Ltd. reports that “although times are slow,” there are some exciting ventures coming up. They are in the preliminary stages of the Osprey Ave. Lofts, which are a block over from the successful West Ave. Lofts in Pandosy Village, Kelowna. Another “very preliminary” project is a joint venture land deal called McCoubrey Plateau in Winfield where it will see a mix of multi-family, multi-story and single family homes. Winfield has already accepted the official community plan for this area. The company will also be taking part in the infrastructure of many multi-sites and villas in a joint venture with G-Group for development of lakefront properties. “G-Group has spent many years forging ahead with the project along with the many other facets of the overall development plan,” says David Pfuetzner, general manager of Acorn’s home division.

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“Currently we are in Sunset Ranch and Blackstone,” he says. “Sunset Ranch is a golf course community with 200+ single family and villa homes left to build out of 450 master planned golf course homes. Blackstone is a small 23 lot ‘boutique’ subdivision nestled on the hillside beside Begley Rd. overlooking Black Mountain and the Irrigation District lands as well as the Okanagan Lake.” Acorn has also joined a few key people in the building and supporting of an orphanage in Mexico. “We have currently partaken in the setting up and land purchase for future orphanages in this area,” says Pfuetzner. “President Greg Bird and others believe very strongly upon this ministry through Hope for the Nations.”

PHOTO: colin Jewall

“The Videofied MotionViewer is a very hot new system that we are just in the early stages of introduction,” says Dennis Palmer, systems specialist at Bolt Security. “We find it pretty exciting and are sure it will generate a great deal of attention across all types of residential and commercial buildings.” The Videofied systems have two-way voice communication, are completely wireless, have a fouryear battery lifetime, and can have up to 19 separate video sensors that capture a 10-second video recording upon the instant of an intrusion. Bolt and Diamante Custom Automation, owned by ex-NHL goaltender Byron Dafoe, have recently partnered to bring smart home technology for median, top end homes and any business. Homes can have drapes drawn, lights turned on and temperature of products in the fridge recorded, etc.—yes, this stuff exists—from anywhere in the world. Created in 1987, Bolt is a locally-owned and operated business owned by brothers Bob, Gary and Brian Gylytiuk. Bolt Security also supplied the alarm systems in the Home for Learning project in Kelowna (see related article in this issue), donating and installing the system at no cost.

The Home For Learning under construction

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Who helped to keep the 2010 Kelowna Home for Learning property so neat and tidy? It all started this summer when Karen Thompson, marketing manager of Canaterra Property Pages, had a YMCA exchange student from Quebec staying with her for six weeks while her daughter went to Quebec for six weeks. This was all part of the YMCA Student Work/ Student Exchange Program. “We had 14 exchange students in town to better their English skills and learn more about Canada,” she reports. “It’s a fab program. The Y pays for all transportation and food during the travel as well as most of the ‘touristy’ expenses. The kids travelled by plane at the start and travelled home on VIA Rail. The kids all were given full-time jobs for the six weeks.” Thompson invited and organized to have Luigi Mastrobuono, local coordinator for the Y’s program and the 14 exchange students come for a morning and clean up the Home for Learning site for the workers from Okanagan College’s residential building program. “The students swept, picked up nails, scrap lumber, drywall and sorted it for disposal,” she says. The profit from the sale of the home will benefit CHBA-CO, Okanagan College and a local charity, yet to be determined. “It really is a wonderful program that any family can afford, as really the only thing you need to spend money on is the food, which you would need to spend on your child if they were home anyway. Students were from all over the Okanagan and Kamloops in our group which went to Quebec. They were placed with families all around Montreal and the outskirts; these were just some of the many groups.” Floform Countertops is opening a branch in Kelowna in early October. With locations across Western Canada, the countertop specialty company is bringing its established history and service to the Okanagan, and will be located on Commerce Avenue, just east of Trail Appliances. Established in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1961, Floform has grown to become one of Western Canada’s leading countertop manufacturers. It offers Cambria, the Consumer’s Digest recommended Best Buy countertop product, as well as Artisan Granite, the next best countertop product in the market.

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The branch will be managed by Ken Hilsenteger, who has recently relocated to Kelowna from Edmonton, and his wife Pamela. After ten years of owning and operating a countertop manufacturing and installation business in Edmonton, the Hilsentegers were thrilled with the opportunity to be part of the Floform family and to live in the Okanagan. Ken and Pam’s business in Edmonton focused on education and consultation with their customers on all the various products and fabrication choices available with countertops, so that the final choices were the right ones. “That experience and desire to recommend and then supply the best possible countertop for each customer will continue to be the focus,” says Ken. “Our showroom will be bright and inviting, and each customer will be greeted warmly at the door. The spacious layout will allow the customer to view the sample countertops as well as the large product samples to get a confident match of colour and texture when matched to their own flooring and cabinet samples.” The Waterfront community in West Kelowna, developed by Trasolini-Chetner, is reducing prices from $1.495 million to $980,000 on selected units, targeting, among others, buyers from Alberta. “Alberta buyers stayed on the sidelines last year due to the economy, but have returned and are on the lookout for bargains,” says Rob Chetner of Trasolini-Chetner, that developed the luxury community on the shores of Lake Okanagan. “Right now, we’re offering three 2000+ square foot, lakefront, four-bedroom and den vacation homes for prices as low as $949,000. These are homes that were listed at as high as $1.7 million during the boom years back in 2007, and $1.495 million last summer. Waterfront consists of 20 four-bedroom and den lakefront homes, each with their own boat slip, a year-round sports court and play area, green space and beach front, a mineralized swimming pool and a hot tub right on the lake. Chetner also points out that if 30 per cent is put down on any of the unsold units, the company will carry the financing costs and strata fees until possession is taken next year.

f r o m c o n c e p t t o c o n c l u s i o n ... y o u r e x p e c tat i o n s w i l l b e e x c e e d e d .

Visit our new showroom 107 - 1641 Commerce Avenue, Kelowna

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250.860.5333

www.floform.com

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Rob Anderson of Built Rite Homes has been involved as general contractor with Project Build II, an innovative local program offering a hand to hard-working people struggling to save up enough of a down payment and move their family into a new house. Other participants involved in the project include TD Canada Trust, the District of Lake Country, the Central Okanagan Foundation and the Property Source Group. The down payment is provided by a special donation. If someone has enough family income and good credit to make monthly mortgage payments, they can visit www.thepropertysource.ca for more information, to review the qualifications and download the application. Current projects for Architecturally Distinct Solutions Inc. include GlenValley Townhomes and an in-fill commercial building on Ellis Street in Kelowna . Both projects implement sustainable solutions that include geothermal heating and cooling (GlenValley) and material and structural re-use (Ellis Street). “Our company goals include a focus on design and creating thoughtful and environmentally responsible buildings that will instill a sense of ownership pride,” says Matt Johnston, principal architect. He says the firm has over 18 years of professional international experience that includes local and international institutional, commercial and sustainable residential projects. Architecturally Distinct Solutions Inc. is a member of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. The company is also LEED-accredited, a licensed builder in BC and a member of Built Green BC. CorWest Builders has teamed with West Harbour Holdings to provide customized homes for the first phase of the waterfront subdivision, known as West Harbour. Focusing on a Tuscan theme, the homes will include clay tile roofs, stucco and stone exteriors and high-quality interior finishings. Other features include hardwood floors, granite countertops throughout and Kohler faucets. The lakefront community offers amenities such as a beach, boat slips for every home, commanding views, pool, parks, gym, indoor clubhouse, RV parking, and indoor tennis. CorWest is proud to be a part of this community and development. For more information, visit the Presentation Centre at 1593 Ellis Street, Kelowna, BC.

PHOTO: RYKON GROUP

The Rykon Group, through innovative approaches to the challenging real estate market, has done very well in new home sales with an impressive 115+ homes sold between their two developments – Sonoma Pines and INvue in the past 18 months. “We were proactive in responding to the needs of our buyers at Sonoma when we introduced one-level town homes over a year ago,” says project manager Bill Eager. “People who were eager to downsize snapped up the opportunity to live in an established community without giving up the comforts of having their own garage, convenient location and their pets.” The landmark, amenity-driven, concrete tower of INvue became an attractive choice for the first-time buyers, especially when the exLower Mainland condo king of sales Bob Rennie took over the marketing for the development in May. “Rennie Marketing introduced a new reality to the marketplace,” Eager admits. “He made it clear that buyers are willing to become owners when they understand that quality construction is a positive investment that will appreciate over time.” N

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Summer Slowed Buyers’ Market in the Okanagan

he Central Zone of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) reported July 2010 sales activity of all MLS® property types cooled down as the summer weather heated up. While growing inventory improved choice for buyers and sales volumes increased year-to-date, unit sales were down from last month and last year. Inventory increased 2.28% over last year at this time (to 5,525 from 5,402), but new listings decreased 15.99% over July 2009 (914 compared to 1,088) and dropped 15.83% from last month (1,186). Overall sales were down 48.38% compared to last July (to 239 from 463) and declined 30.92% from this June (346). Total residential units sold decreased 50.23% over July 2009 (to 215 from 432) and dropped 32.60% over last month (319). Sales of single family units decreased 53.74% from last July (to 105 from 227) and were down 40% from last month (175). However, total sales activity year-to-date (YTD) has improved 14.51% compared to the first seven months of 2009 (to 2,430 units from 2,122) and sales volumes YTD are up to $992,274,473 from $814,247,635. “Home sales in early 2010 made up for the ground lost during the poor market a year ago, but consumer demand in most BC markets slowed for the summer as people were busy with vacations and yard work rather than thinking about buying or selling,” said Brenda Moshansky, Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) president and REALTOR® in the Central Zone. “With continued economic recovery and job growth, and interest rates rising slower than anticipated, consumer confidence and buyer interest are expected to pick up again in September – slowly returning to postrecession demand patterns with a gradual increase in sales.” “A larger inventory of homes for sale has created the most favourable conditions for home buyers in more than a year,” noted Cameron Muir, B.C. Real Estate Association (BCREA) chief economist. “However, the buyers’ market is expected to be short-lived as total active listings throughout the province peaked in May and are beginning to wane with more balanced conditions set to emerge in the fall as the selection drops.” The Central Zone of OMREB covers an area from Peachland to Lake Country and east along Highway 33 to Westbridge (including the Christian Valley). The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) is comprised of 1,179 member REALTORS® and 86 real estate offices in the Southern Interior of BC. -- OKANAGAN MAINLINE REAL ESTATE BOARD

BC Home Sales to Rise in 2011

he British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) has released its 2010 third quarter Housing Forecast Update. BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are forecast to decline 7 per cent from 85,028 units in 2009 to 79,500 units this year, before increasing 5 per cent to 83,400 units in 2011. “The volatility in consumer demand characteristic of the past 24 months is expected to give way to more gradual improvement through 2011,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA chief economist. “Housing demand has fallen back to earth from its break-neck pace at the end of 2009 and is expected to more closely match overall economic performance over the next 18 months.” “A larger inventory of homes for sale has created the most favourable conditions for home buyers in more than a year,” added Muir. “However, the buyers’ market is expected to be short-lived as total active listings peaked in May and are beginning to wane, with more balanced conditions set to emerge in the fall.” The average MLS® residential price is forecast to climb 6 per cent to $492,800 this year and remain relatively unchanged in 2011, albeit declining by 1 per cent to $489,500. --BC REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION N

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experts

questionsfor home professionals

BY DOROTHY BROTHERTON

Q. How do I decide on hardwood, engineered or laminate flooring? A. Steve Everitt of Okanagan Hardwood is not a fan of laminate flooring, but he

concedes it has a place. “Laminates are typically made by taking a picture of a real hardwood floor.” He recommends that a combination of tile and hardwood is preferred over doing an entire home in laminate and carpet. Most engineered flooring can be installed by floating, glue-down or stapled methods. It is specifically designed to use below grades or when radiant heating is involved. Engineered flooring is a popular choice; varieties of species and widths have increased dramatically, making it even more appealing. Three-quarter inch solid hardwood, sanded on site or pre-finished, is stapled or nailed down, so it needs a suitable plywood or OSB subfloor. Hardwood can serve generations and be refinished many times. “Look at the setting,” advises Everitt. Setting may determine the type of flooring you choose for the visual impact you want to achieve. Laminate is typically the least expensive. There’s a wide range of qualities and price points among engineered and hardwood floorings. “Be well informed on what you are buying,” he adds. “To me there’s nothing that compares with the beauty of hardwood,” says Everitt.

Steve Everitt, Co-owner Okanagan Hardwood

Continued...

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experts continued from page 15

Q. What are the things I have to consider if I want to have walls removed in my home to create a more open living space?

A. Removing walls in an existing house to open up living space has been a common

Len Suchocki, Chriscan Enterprises Ltd.

request since the great room concept took hold. “The challenge to the home owner and contractor is to carry this out without compromising the integrity of both the structure and the mechanical/electrical system,” says Len Suchocki of Chriscan Enterprises. He advises when considering wall removal, first determine if it is a bearing wall. If so, it should be looked at by a qualified person, such as a structural engineer, to determine what loads are coming down on this wall and how best to transfer and carry those loads another way. Then one can proceed safely. Other more obvious observations include checking to see if the ceiling height is the same and what is expected on both sides of the wall. Once the wall is removed, remediation will be required for the hole in the ceiling drywall, vapour barrier and insulation. All walls, bearing or non-bearing alike, may contain wiring, ducting or plumbing. “All mechanical and electrical systems will need to be rerouted to maintain the integrity of the system. This work should be handled by qualified tradesmen, to ensure safety and the desired outcome in performance.”

Want the best pOssible lighting fOr yOur prOject? www.designingwithlight.ca Come on into the Okanagan’s most innovative lighting lab and let us take you through our virtual showroom. Specializing in sustainable energy efficient and L.E.D. lighting. Let certified Lighting Consultant Mike Bentien C.L.C., L.S. (one of only two in Canada) and with 28 years of experience do your lighting layout ahead of time, saving you time, money and costly mistakes.

MOre selectiOn

call to make your appointment today! 250.862.3671

over 110 lighting companies Saving you money with our virtual showroom. MeMber Of chba

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#2-961 Laurel Ave, Kelowna designingwithlight@shaw.ca

home professionals

Q. Where are the best rooms and places to put tile? A. It’s an easy option, but often a mistake, to slap one kind of flooring down

throughout an entire home. “It has been my experience that more often than not people wish they had put tile in areas where hardwood or carpet had been installed,” says Steve Cartwright, an expert on flooring at Dannburg Interiors. A better solution is to plan ahead by thinking through how each area of the home will be used. “Tile is a great choice of flooring for areas of high traffic or where there are concerns for dents, scratches, or there is a greater possibility of water spills.” Examples of these areas could be foyers and bathrooms. “Many home designs have kitchen and eating areas that lead to an outside deck or have laundry rooms adjoining the garage. These would also be good areas for installing tile.” But what about concerns that tile may look or feel cold? If that’s the case, Cartwright suggests adding area rugs to give a warm feel to the room. “Another option to achieving complete warmth throughout the floor is to have heat wires installed under the tile at the time of installation.”

Steve Cartwright, Sales, Dannburg Interiors

Do you have a question about your home you would like to ask the CHBA-CO experts? E-mail it to editor@nichemag.ca, attention Dona Sturmanis.

Our respect Has Been earned ...One nail at a time

Not all building exterior companies are created equal. At Crystal Classic, we have worked hard to earn the excellent reputation that over 30 years experience provides. www.crystalclassic.ca

Call us for new home, reno or commercial exterior service for buildings in Kelowna and outlying areas. we also install windows, soffits and gutters. 250.861 . 5 9 8 8

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How to Be Distinctive:

give good business andgive back A

sk Terry Heinrich about his company, Distinctive Developments, or his commitment to Built Green, and his voice is filled with confidence and knowledge that reflect his insight into the building business. Then ask him about the Canadian Home Builders Association, or the Home for Learning (see feature article, this issue) and his voice resonates with pride. Here is a man who has a thriving, competitive business, and who considers public education and giving back equally important. Heinrich came to his wife’s hometown of Kelowna in 1995, and Distinctive Developments was born at that time. He is a journeyman carpenter; most of his family was involved in the same business. Distinctive Developments projects include residential development, some commercial work and renovations. Heinrich reflects on his success. “I have experience working with a lot of clients from all over the world. I’m good at interpreting and visualizing what they are after,” he says. Distinctive Developments is one of three preferred builders in the Black Mountain development, which includes the Meadowlands, the Fairways and Uplands. Heinrich’s favorite project just happens to be the 4,500 square foot home he lives in, on the Black Mountain Golf Course in the Fairways. Continued on page 41

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BY DEANNA MERRICK

RIGHT FACING:

Terry Heinrich, Builder, in front of the Home for Learning

PHOTO: rand zacharias

give good business and give back

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COMPANY:

THIS DEVELOPER THINKS IN 3-D

design, detail &dreams inspire Mission Group Communities

BY DOROTHY BROTHERTON

he Mission Group was started by four friends with a single passion: They aimed to build exceptional home communities. Randy Shier, Jonathan Friesen, Gerald Heinrichs and George Summach pooled their skills and vision to invent a certain savvy style, notable in their Kelowna-area communities, Â Mission Shores, Verve, Dwell, Amberhill, Sheerwater and Mode. These are not projects stamped out with a cookie-cutter. The aim was to make communities that are distinctive, integrated and fit the lifestyles of people who choose to live there.

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The Mission Group decided to use the potential home buyer’s dream as a starting point. “We start by thinking about a place for you to live your dream, in a home of refined design, built with a keen eye for detail. Our three-dimensional thinking may sound a little different, but we think it’s how we can create outstanding communities,” says Shier. Dream-design-detail have become the watchwords of the Mission Group. When you look at their developments, it’s easy to recognize different kinds of dreams fleshed out. For instance, the 87-condominium loft-style homes called Mode near Landmark plaza appeal to the person who wants to live on the edge of the future. Amberhill at Kettle Valley is a community of three-and-four-bedroom townhomes where families are settling for the child-raising years. It gives off completely different vibes than Dwell on Ambrosi Road in the heart of Kelowna. Brownstone inspired Dwell consists of two-to-three-bedroom city homes. Verve is a 441-condo development that reflects the Glenmore Valley lifestyle with bright, contemporary homes. Mission Shores features 54 rambling cottages on Okanagan Lake. Mission Group also has a base in Abbotsford, and you can see their work at Sage at Auguston in Abbotsford or Ocean Bay Villas in White Rock. Currently on the drawing board is a project called Aqua, planned for a 6.25-acre site near the Hotel Eldorado in the Cook Road tourist-commercial area, now in the approval process stage. When the vision is fully integrated with community plans, expect to see an exciting waterfront community take shape. Bob Anderson, Mission Group’s marketing director, explained that the moderate-density home building adopted by Mission Group reflects today’s realities. “Growing a community on the fringes is not a sustainable way to grow. It promotes further urban sprawl.” He notes Kelowna has potential to become a world-class urban centre. It’s no surprise that Mission Group is a multiTommie winner. Shier says, “We have a comprehensive approach that is focused on the customer from start to finish. We design, plan, build, market, provide after-sales service and control the whole process without outsourcing.” N

PHOTO: COURTESY MISSION GROUP

Mode has the distinctive style one would expect from this innovative developer.

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Feature:

Moving On Up

Okanagancities move skyward BY DOROTHY BROTHERTON

o far in Okanagan Valley history, settlements have mainly moved out, not up, spreading over hunting, grazing and crop-producing lands. In the 20th century we clustered around trading centres, then pushed out into suburbs and up slopes into forest interface. In the last few decades orchards have fallen to the axe, and analysts warned us to preserve food-growing lands and cautioned us about paving paradise. So we’ve begun to grow up. Literally. Instead of single family homes on half-acre lots, we’re doing more cluster housing, town homes, condominiums and highrises. Expect this trend to continue, because homes are always in demand and no more land is being created. The Altus Group projects Canada will build 170,000-180,000 new housing units per year from 2011-2016.

The Dolphins is a fairly early example of “high-rise” living in Kelowna.

Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd of the Okanagan’s largest city at 107,000, says, “We’re committed to density. Density means you have to go up. There’s a limited land base to accommodate the number of people.”

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Kelowna surveys the public to determine tolerance for high-rise building in five town centres where towers may eventually cluster: Downtown, Pandosy, Rutland, Orchard Park and Capri. Results varied and storeys allowed will likely vary in the centres. In general, the 25-storey mark seems to be the maximum desired anywhere. Shepherd said it was clear the majority does not oppose highrises, but has concerns about massing and extremes. “Our city has become tolerant of high-rises, but not in a cluster,” she notes. The city has sprouted several tall buildings in recent decades, with great reviews on the steppedback Centuria on Gordon, 16 stories, the classy Madison on Ellis, 15, and creative INvue on Springfield, 12. Kelowna’s current highest building is Skye Tower at Waterscapes, 26 storeys on Manhatten Drive.

The Dolphins, 17 storeys, and Discovery Point, 21, first changed the city skyline. In various stages of application are towers of 19, 23 and 26. Some are slowed down along with the economy. Continued on page 22

There are advantages to “living at the top.” The units in Kelowna’s Waterscapes have spectacular views.

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Bylaws of Vernon, population 38,000, permit 16 storeys. Approved recently for Penticton, population 35,000, is Penticton Place, with three towers of 20-23 stories on Martin Street. These will change the city skyline and are expected to enhance the city’s character. Mid-rise multifamily complexes line Penticton’s waterfront districts. There are obvious advantages to building homes in the sky: We save rich farmlands for growing food. We create wealth by multiplying the number of homes on one piece of ground. We cluster people together, making mass transit viable. This slashes the burgeoning traffic problem. Expensive sewers, roads and sidewalks don’t have to push over long distances.

Municipalities Ponder About How Far to Rise But is moving on up what everyone wants? Evidently not, considering how we resist. We are a people cut from pioneer cloth, where individualism is cherished. We like our own four walls unconnected from other walls. We like our fences. We like our personal wheeled bubbles, so we can motor in isolation wherever we need to go. For all the logic of moving on up, there may be a downside. Peter Chataway, a Kelowna-based building designer, spoke against high-rise 30-storey towers for downtown Kelowna, eventually defeated. Chataway said, “Anything higher than five storeys, you can’t wave to your neighbour on the street. High density creates more crime and alienation. You put more rats in the cage, they fight more often.” The New York City Twin Towers tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, is the extreme example of high towers attracting crime. A basic observation from someone who moved from an upper apartment to the ground floor: “I love having a little piece of ground outside my door,” says Susan DeBeeson.

Waterscapes’ Skye Tower at 26 storeys is currently Kelowna’s highest building.

neighbourhoods.” There’s a proposal before council for an eight-to-nine storey building in Lakeview Plaza, a redevelopment of an older shopping centre, school and fire hall. “If we are going to spark redevelopment, we’ll see mixed use and densification, but probably never more than 12 storeys.” The advantages, says Findlater, include sparking commercial development, because that happens when you put people into centres, and commercial strengthens the tax base. But densification goes beyond: “It will create opportunities for transit to become a way of life.” West Kelowna is looking at medium-rise buildings in Westbank Centre and Boucherie Centre. Findlater adds that governments must permit developers to create economically viable buildings. That means higher. It stands to reason if you build 200 housing units on the same footprint as ten at ground level, you make more money. Nailing down today’s footprints is a goal seen in Calgary’s integrated land/mobility plan: “The compact scenario proposes a radical shift towards sustainability principles. It assumes no additional land is used for urban expansion and 100 per cent of new population and job growth is accommodated within the existing urban footprint.”

Okanagan communities are wrestling The stylish Madison in Kelowna with the building-up concept. Peachland, Bob Anderson of Mission Group, an acalmost has an Art Deco feel to it. about 5,000 residents, recently complettive Kelowna development company, sees ed a visioning document on their future. Three-to-six storey moving up as the way to go. “This is a community growbuildings hug the Highway 97 corridor, with two-to-three ing at the edges. That’s not sustainable; it only promotes storeys near the beach. Earlier proposals for 10- to 12-stofurther urban sprawl. Great cities all over the world have rey buildings were shot down. vibrant downtowns where people live.”

West Kelowna is a mid-valley community with mid-size population—about 30,000 people plus 10,000 on neighbouring Westbank First Nation and rural lands. “We’re looking at more mixed use,” says Mayor Doug Findlater, adding strongly, “We’re not looking at high-rises in NICHE

Penticton architect Cal Meiklejohn said what’s needed is more people living downtown to call it a neighbourhood. Maybe that’s what moving on up is all about. PHOTOS BY DOROTHY BROTHERTON

Okanagan cities move skyward

the road to success is always under

MEET TOMMIE

CALL FOR ENTR ES He’s not only cute, He’s highly sought after.

TOMMIE is the symbol of excellence for the construction, design and renovation industry in the Central Okanagan. Every year, the building community competes to win a TOMMIE for their very own. Your road to success is Construction. Now isoff theyour opportunity Show Pride. to exhibit your work. Enter the 2010 Tommie Awards. Enter your project in the 2010 Tommie Awards. show off that pride. The road to the Tommies starts here. The Road to the Tommies Starts Here.

CALL FOR ENTRIES

Complete entry informationEntry at chbaco.com Enter online at chbaco.com Deadline October 14, 2010 Entry Deadline October 14, 2010

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Feature:

homefor learning 2010

BY RAND ZACHARIAS

The Home for Learning takes shape as students of OC’s residential construction program participate in its building.

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RENDERING: COURTESY CHBA-CO

SITE PHOTOS: COLIN Jewall

Okanagan College partners with CHBA-CO and companies to teach students how to build a superior “green” home

he large, newly-constructed home overlooks Kelowna from Black Mountain on Begley Road. It’s an attractive, cream-coloured residence, accented with pale stone work. The project is coming to a close as the interior and landscaping near completion.

There are many special things about this dwelling. One of them is that it is a Kelowna 2010 Home for Learning project, a key part of Okanagan College’s 26-week residential construction program. Led by instructor Ken Radalet, the students worked on the home from footings through framing. They also learned environmentally-friendly building practices in the process, as the house is a Built Green Gold standard home,

rated on everything from building materials to ventilation quality. “They got a real hands-on education,” says Terry Heinrich, president of one of the learning home’s partners, Distinctive Developments. “We had students learning the installation of plumbing systems, electrical systems and construction from the foundation to the completion of the exterior of the home.” The other Home for Learning partners with whom the students worked were members from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of the Central Okanagan and Melcor Developments Ltd. Continued...

Artist’s rendering of the 2010 Home for Learning when it is completed.

home for learning 2010

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When finished, the home will be sold, like all Home for Learning projects, and the proceeds used for bursaries and new tools for future students in the OC residential construction program. The Home for Learning program has been running in various locations throughout the Okanagan Valley from Revelstoke to Penticton since 2004, partnering with various businesses, First Nations bands, developers and associations during the course of its existence. The Black Mountain Home for Learning isn’t quite finished. “The remainder of the project [interior and landscaping] will be done by volunteers and sub-trades as the need arises,” says Heinrich.

Environmentally-Impressive Systems

“We build your home like it’s our own”

This home has been constructed to a Built Green Gold standard with an impressive EnerGuide rating of 80. “This has little to do with the American-conceived LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] environmental standard system for building since that’s more for commercial construction,” says Heinrich. “More importantly, we’re using local materials as much as possible, along with solar technologies to heat water, heat-recovery ventilation (HRV) and other new systems and products— like Icynene—to lessen the carbon imprint this home will make.” Icynene is an environmentally-friendly insulation product, totally air-blown, that does not emit gases once it’s cured. It contains no ozone-depleting substances, and minimizes the intrusion of outdoor pollutants and allergens by creating a continuous air barrier in walls, ceilings and floors. The product also minimizes condensation, moisture build-up, and the growth of mould or mildew.

Experience an Award Winning Builder www.edgecombebuilders.com

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The Home for Learning also has an in-floor heating system in the basement, a heat pump and a forced air furnace. These three systems will efficiently and cost-effectively cool and heat the house over the course of the Okanagan Valley’s seasons. An air seal test, called a “blower door home for learning 2010

test,” was also performed before any of the interior walls were clad with sheet rock, allowing the heat recovery ventilation system to reach peak performance levels and the home to have the high EnerGuide rating. “One of the benefits of these project homes is the high quality products and installations that are donated,” says OC Kelowna assistant dean of trades and apprenticeship Randy Werger. “It may be the heating systems, the windows, the flooring materials, etc.—so many of the industry’s high end products are donated by local businesses in a median price point home that benefits the future home owner.

ROV Consulting has been serving the Okanagan Valley since 1997. We specialize in residential & commercial structural engineering, including:

• Over-height basement walls • Tall Frame Walls, Retaining walls • Suspended Slabs (Garage Slabs) • ICF Walls, Additions & Renovations • Unique homes, Town homes & Condos • Small Commercial Offices, Warehouses • Inspections on behalf of other engineers

Werger, incidentally, like Heinrich and many others in the building industry, have in the past volunteered their time as past presidents of the CHBA-CO.

P:250.860.0412

F: 250.860.0443

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Heinrich believes that the Home for Learning project is actually three-fold in its educational structure.

r r

Industry veterans get to see new applications in construction, installation and technologies. Homeowners receive new knowledge, such as how they can realize up to 80 percent savings in annual heating and cooling costs by using new solar technologies, combination heating and cooling systems and new advances in home sealing. Students learn the skills they need to build to a very high standard.

“I know this is built better,” says Heinrich about the Home for Learning, “because if the students don’t get it right the first time—they redo it until it is right. That’s the level of supervision on this project.” For a listing of companies that have donated to the Begley Home for Learning, see page 7.

home for learning 2010

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cover:

Palatial Grove BY DOROTHY BROTHERTON

ยง

livable elegance Grand in Design, with Owner Comfort in Mind BY DOROTHY BROTHERTON

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A salt-water pool echoes the curves throughout the home and ties it to the softness of the landscape.

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he new elegance in Okanagan homes is not the overwhelming opulence that suggests one should tip-toe through the doorways, nor is it the boxy monster-house presence that forbids you to enter. The new elegance is relaxed and disarming. It invites people to be themselves. Beyond impressive, this elegance is livable. The new elegance combines the best money can buy—the elements of privacy, beauty and quality—and wraps them in a fully livable context.

carried out in the provision of five bedrooms with five and a half baths. Rooms all seem to open out, inviting one in. The use of space, light and curves contributes to this sense of invitation. The kitchen feels like a place you could walk into and stay to chat or cook up anything from a gourmet feast to a cup of hot cocoa, with its light warm colours, English-style

Nowhere is this new elegance more apparent than at Palatial Grove, tucked away on 14.5 gated acres of rolling orchards and vineyards in Gallagher’s Canyon. The Georgian-plantation style home has an absolutely grand presence, yet the dwelling has warmth that you don’t expect in a 10,000-square-foot mansion. Built in 1996, the home has the feel of centuries, both past and future. It’s just that classic. Vaulted ceilings give an airy sense, with exterior arched details pulled inside by the ceiling, windows and doorways. Central ceilings are 23 feet high and feature Schnonbeck crystal chandeliers. Railings on a promenade echo the outdoor pillars. Space is

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The vaulted ceilings of this magnificent home create a felling of airiness.

livable elegance

As regal as this home is, every room is designed for livable comfort.

cabinetry and gentle curves. Wall decor spells out “Live, Love, Dance,” and that’s exactly what you feel invited to do. The custom kitchen blends the warmth of home with the pillared look of outdoors for an undated style. French doors usher you from room to room and appear to open spaces rather than close them. Lavish use of

livable elegance

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This is the kind of property being discovered by more and more retiring baby boomers and moneyed European clients, looking for a fresh take on elegance, a place they can actually relax, as well as entertain in grand style.

The greatroom (left and centre) adjoins the expansive, welcoming kitchen.

white-on-white decor adds to the classic feel, and is counter-pointed by dark woods and dramatic colours. The home, as you might expect in this setting, features a wine cellar with a barrel-style wood ceiling, heavy hinged wood door and earthen floor, covered with gravel and finished with Roman stones. An underground culvert helps create a stable level of humidity.

Palatial Grove is part of Sotheby’s International Realty’s Okanagan collection. Sotheby’s started marketing here a few years ago and the name itself lends new luxury to the high-end housing market. Sotheby’s Christa Froesh, who formerly handled real estate in Germany, says of the Okanagan, “The caliber of homes being built is absolutely stunning.” This fabulous home is stunning and elegant--to be sure-but also a haven that can be called home. PHOTOS: COURTESY SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY N

The views at Palatial Grove are partly responsible for the livable elegance ambiance that called for the home to be marketed recently in the $6-million range. The setting offers city, lake and vineyard views for a feeling of pure Okanagan. The landscaping makes lavish use of vines, some even climb the exterior Georgian pillars and arches. A salt-water pool echoes the curves found throughout the home, and ties it to the softness of the landscape.

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livable elegance

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ylw.kelowna.ca NICHE

PRODUCT:

Superior Exteriors

give your home theDressing It deserves

How to

BY RAND ZACHARIAS

t’s a pleasure to view the exterior of a beautifully-crafted home. However, is it as attractive upon closer inspection? It should be, and if it is, it is likely due to the craft and experience of the exterior’s installer. PHOTO: COURTESY CRYSTAL CLASSIC

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“It’s easy to make a home’s exterior attractive from the street,” says Dan Poznikoff, proprietor of Kelowna’s Crystal Classic Exteriors. “It takes craftsmanship to make the outside envelope water-resistant and the angles of wooden details and mortar flashings tight and attractive when viewed up close.” Poznikoff knows all about the nuances of home exteriors. “I’ve spent, and spend, hundreds of hours letting my customers know—they will shrink—even before we’ve begun installation,” he says. “Wood is unpredictable. It can twist, bend and warp very quickly in the dry heat of the Okanagan Valley. Fibre cement board will shrink, opening vertical joints; stucco can crack as a building settles; and vinyl sidings and aluminum fascias and gutters expand and contract through summer heat and winter cold.” In order to deal with these issues, Poznikoff says it’s important to investigate all the alternative siding possibilities. And if these traditional materials are used, it’s a given, of course, that the exterior is installed by professionals who know what they’re doing to deal with such characteristics. “I won’t hire a crew with less than four years experience,” he says. And although the average homeowner may not know what to look for in the installation work and why, Poznikoff is one of the ones who does. “I watch for caulking and installation of hose bibs, flashing and inside corners—including the application of house wrap or tar paper. Is the corner wrap installed at a tight 90 degree angle? Is the exterior wrap around a window installed to keep moisture out?”

New Exterior Materials, New Challenges For the experienced installer, the challenge of creating something unique is always exciting. With the popularity of Craftsman-style architecture in recent years, new roof lines, columns, ceilings and towers have become more complicated and created the continued need for superior craftsmanship. Post-and-beam designs, trellises and pergolas, wood soffits and recessed pot lights have increased the need for experience and attention to detail. “We’re always working on prototypes or testing new products and their limits,” says Poznikoff. “Two-step copper fascia and metal fascia are recent additions to our available product lines. Smart Trim has changed the face of wood-wrapped windows; it’s straight and unlike a natural wood, it just doesn’t twist or warp.”

Sidings That Deal with “Hot Spots” In interface regions in the Okanagan, where danger from wild fire is a possibility, the price of an exterior has risen for the homeowner-- instead of an $8000 vinyl cladding, for example, there might be an $18,000 fibre cement/stucco/steel wrap combination for safety’s sake. Fireproofing a home when living near forested areas is a lesson the Okanagan has learned. This is not the only heat problem a home can face. Continued on page 41 Today’s unique architecture presents a welcome challenge for exterior specialists.

how to give your home the dressing it deserves

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REDUX:

Repurposing Your Home

renovatingright meanspreplanning correctly

BY DOROTHY BROTHERTON

Renovation transformed this kitchen from ho-hum to warm and inviting.

PHOTOS: SUBMITTED

any of us fall shamelessly in love with our homes. Memories seem wrapped in the walls, and how can we live without that view? But letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face it. The home no longer suits our evolving lifestyle. We must make a choiceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;either sell it or renovate.

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Maybe it wouldn’t take much. You’ve mused about knocking out a wall, reconfiguring a space, adding a suite or updating a tired kitchen. You sense somewhere between a few tweaks and a major overhaul, this old house could become your dream home.

Check that your preferred contractor has liability insurance, Workers’ Compensation coverage, a business or HST number and written warranties. Is the contractor a member of the CHBA and Better Business Bureau? Check references. Go see his actual work.

What about renovation nightmares? Dark stories exist of marriages that succumb, fisticuffs threatened, children buried under rubble . . . okay, maybe that’s urban legend. But home renovation can rank up there on the stress metre with the two top human stressors: loss of a loved one and divorce.

When you’ve settled on your contractor, go beyond the handshake. Get a written contract and a clear pay schedule. Turner offers a check-list that helps you understand the timing of your reno, exactly what the renovator will do and what is your responsibility.

Why venture into this minefield? Because rewards can be huge. You get to stay in the home and neighbourhood you love. You save heaps over buying another home, where you may also want to make changes. You retain your sense of home. Your finished renovation makes you feel renewed, ready for life’s next chapter. Gord Turner of Gord Turner Renovations says a positive experience begins here: “Do your due diligence to select your company. Be really comfortable with who you pick. The relationship may last for months so you need a level of confidence.” In the specialized renovation business since 1989, Turner advises people to interview prospective contractors. “We like to hear your story, so we better understand why you want to renovate. Understanding what you really want and need in your newly recreated home is vital.” Present a full-spectrum picture of your needs and goals. It begins with your dream. Sketch it out on the proverbial napkin. Do your homework, educate yourself, discuss budget with your family and be flexible within realism. It’s not always about price; it’s about what you get for what you spend. The Canadian Home Builders’ Association recommends meeting at least three contractors at your home. Show them your plans, discuss needs and obstacles. Get written estimates. renovating right

Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Appraisal Institute of Canada rate reno projects for payback value: “The best returns on your renovation investments are projects that target your kitchen and bathroom.” These bring 75 to 100 per cent recovery when you sell. Welcome to your renovated home—it feels both wholly new and like an old friend.

Clay Interiors www.clayinteriors.com

Making Old World Charm New Again Finishing Specialist for Lime Plaster Lime Paint and Eco Based Plaster and Paints 250.859.3242 ltrump@telus.net Serving the Okanagan Area

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EFFECTS:

Shedding Light on Lighting Trends

enhancing a home with illumination is more than flipping a switch

BY BARBARA J. SHAVE

ow do you find out the “need-to-know” facts about the best lighting for your home?

You consult illumination experts like Larry Lundgren, LC (lighting specialist) of Kelowna’s Robinson Lighting Ltd., and company regional manager, certified lighting consultant Norm Brown, CLC (certified lighting consultant). Both are licensed in the field of interior, exterior, and landscape lighting.

PHOTOS: COURTESY ROBINSON LIGHTING

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Lundgren and Brown agree, for example, that although LED lights are energy-efficient, it will be three to four years before they displace fluorescent bulbs. “There is over-concern about energy efficiency at present. We must have both quality and quantity of light,” says Brown. LEDs are not doing the whole job. “People over age 60 need three times more light, and bluer light works best for them.” The light-emitting crystals (diodes) are colour inconsistent, he says, and do not yet produce sufficient illumination. “Besides, there are other ways to save energy,” maintains Lundgren. “One watt-bulb at the top and one at the bottom of steps works just as well as fully-lit stairs. The eye fills in the rest.” Lower-wattage halogen bulbs, set in mirror-finished ceiling baffles, provide more efficient lighting than white baffle pot lighting; the quality of illumination is better, and the bulbs last longer.

Home lighting can be designed to enhance and accent artwork.

“I’m not in the lighting business; I’m in the vision business,” clarifies Brown. As a top North American consultant in interior, exterior and landscape lighting, he is a keynote speaker for the American Lighting Association. He understands that the function of lighting includes setting moods and scenes. He is in the business of sharing his vision of modern lighting’s endless possibilities.

Effective Lighting is an Art and a Science Those possibilities have transformed illumination into an art form. Specialists balance feel with function within the home. They know how to subtly enhance with light. These experts mix intensity, lustre, colour, warmth, and angle as if these light variables are paints on a palette. The art entails more than enhancement of a room or a home feature. The well-being of the residents of those homes must also be enhanced. Light soothes anxiety and relieves depression. Because candlelight is more flattering than flashlight, soft sidelights are now recommended for bathroom mirrors instead of the traditional row of harsh bulbs across the top. The art of light became a measurable, mathematical science when light angles and positions were calculated for best effect in varying circumstances. To properly accent a 36inch wide painting with a recessed fixture on an 8-foot ceiling, for instance, “the fixture should be mounted 15 inches from the wall at a 30 degree projection angle, and the bulb should be the correct MR 16 lamp,” says Brown. Variations, such as higher ceilings, entail different specifications. Robinson Lighting Ltd. on Dilworth Drive in Kelowna is the only Okanagan retailer with a light lab where, with literally a flick of the switch, different room-illumination schemes can are demonstrated. In this lab, Lundgren can also show accent techniques and decorative effects like wall washings for creating dramatic shadows. In a flash, he proves that the darker the countertop, the more subdued must be the under-the-cupboard light because light glares off dark, shiny surfaces. Lundgren demonstrates variables in cabinet, track, table and recessed lighting as well as blue light, white light and middle-of-the night light. Twice a week he hosts seminars for architects, interior designers and builders in this lab, and plans a class for electricians. enhancing a home with illumination

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Lundgren provides private consultations, too. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like to spend several hours with each client and visit their homes to determine their tastes and their interests.â&#x20AC;? The consultations are free of charge if the lighting products are then purchased from the Robinson Lighting Ltd. Robinson also supplied the demonstration lighting for The Learning House at the Black Mountain Golf Course and Community. The point is that appropriate lighting is arguably the most important aesthetic consideration for modern home design, and it has become a complex art and science. To light efficiently and to best effect, the expertise of a trained consultant is now a must. N

Artfully-installed illumination enlivens even a kitchen.

From building to renovating, we have everything to build your home, from the foundation to the roof, inside & out. Residential structural frame systems, ICF energy efficient building materials, Beaver Home & Cottage Plans, Architectural solution services, Roofing, Siding, Insulation, Windows & Doors, and much, much more! www.h

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enhancing a home with illumination

product

profile continued from page 16

continued from page 35 “There will always be unique design instances,” says Poznikoff, “where sun reflects off a window or glass deck and creates a hot spot on your siding. For vinyl sidings, this is a factor because they can heat to 160 degrees, but after that warping can occur. Other more heat- resistant coverings can solve a problem like this if your home has a reflective problem. Most contractors have run into instances of this nature.” Smart Trim, laminated woods, vinyl stuccos strong as steel, copper prototypes, re-formulated fibre cement boards and steel fascias are many of the new technologies that are coming out to increase the durability of the siding on today’s homes. Development is continual to create ultimate exteriors.

Heinrich’s work has earned him several gold and silver Tommies in past years, but he hasn’t taken home any trophies lately due to his work as chairman of the Tommie Committee of the Canadian Home Builders Association of the Central Okanagan (CHBCO). He also chairs the Home for Learning committee, and sits on the provincial board as Secretary-Treasurer. He is committed to the mandate of the CHBA and the protection of consumers. “The CHBA can help protect people from fly-by-night operators. Consumers need to undertake due diligence, which does not mean running from one show home to another. We can help people identify the right questions to ask before they start building,” Heinrich explains. In his own business, one major focus is the Built Green program, designed to help single family residences in BC and Alberta become more...green. “We’re good at making homes energy-efficient from the appliances through to the walls. We use solar panels, tankless hot water heaters and computer-based programs for lighting. I’m always up to date on new products that will stand the test of time. Ideally, we aim for ‘net zero’ homes, meaning that energy sources, especially from the sun, result in no utility and electrical bills,” said Heinrich. Ultimately, his business is successful because he loves what he does and acknowledges that he’s very good at it. “Home building is all about details. You have to understand the process of putting those details together in the best possible way, to create the best possible product.”

constructing a new home? The best time to install energy efficient systems is during construction of a new home. You will save energy, reduce your energy bills, enjoy more comfort, and have a home that’s easier on the environment.

Poznikoff, like the experienced siding man that he is, says it’s important for homeowners to make informed decisions about what clads their home. He likes to “educate his customers on their envelopes.”

Best of all, you can receive cash back and other incentives through FortisBC’s New Home program.

a PowerSense home is a happy home

Find out how you can save. Talk to a FortisBC PowerSense rep, visit our website, or call 1-866-4FORTIS (1-866-436-7847).

use your PowerSense www.fortisbc.com

how to give your home the dressing it deserves / give good business and give back

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IMPRESSIONS:

Curb Appeal is Crucial

tips for

makinga homeas impressiveas possible

BY DOROTHY BROTHERTON

urb appeal is about first impressions. It’s like the handshake when you meet a new person. When you meet a new home or neighbourhood, curb appeal reaches out to you.

The right landscaping really enhances a residence’s exterior, whether it’s multi or single family. PHOTOS: COURTESY ACORN HOMES

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Attractive curb appeal makes a buyer feel welcome, strikes a chord and causes a home to be taken seriously. Poor curb appeal labels a home as forbidding, tawdry or unimpressive. Good curb appeal captures drive-by home searchers, inviting them inside. Beyond the single home, curb appeal is a crucial factor for entire subdivisions. “Builders must carry the subdivision theme, yet build variety,” says Dave Pfuetzner, general manager/owner of Acorn Homes, developers of Blackstone, Sunset Ranch and West Avenue Lofts. “People see the whole street and there should be a common character, yet individuality in homes.” This can be achieved with tasteful use of shapes, colors, textures, well-manicured lawns and natural rockscapes. “The bottom line is it has to feel like home,” adds Pfuetzner.

What You Can Do To “Curb It” We’ve all seen winding roads that simply entice you to follow them. Gift wrapping can create excitement that begs you to look inside the box. It’s what good curb appeal does for your home. To evaluate your home’s curb appeal, stand down the street and look through fresh eyes. Ask yourself what you would notice first as a potential home buyer. You may see that you need to clean up a wood pile, store garden tools, trim trees, freshen paint or repair the driveway. Pinpoint your home’s worst and best features. How can you improve the worst and make the best stand out? Your first tool is elbow grease. Make everything shine. Banish mold. Power wash siding. Mow and edge lawns, pull weeds, rake leaves. Polish windows. No spiders please. Don’t neglect the margins. Boulevards provide margins for your home and are part of curb appeal. Pay attention to the fence or shrubbery surrounding your property. This frames the whole picture. Better Homes and Gardens magazine suggests ways to add curb appeal. Some take a day, others a weekend or a month: In a day, you can create symmetry by flanking your door with attractive plants or sculptures. Replace old house numbers and hardware, add a blast of color to your front door. Do a mailbox makeover, add window boxes or container gardens and renew planted beds. Viewings may take place in the evening, so consider outdoor lighting to highlight a feature or create a path. As a weekend project, you could replace the front door with one featuring leaded glass inserts or decorative wood panelling. Install molding, shutters, accents or arbors. Consider a new planting bed. Replace gutters and downspouts. Add a water feature. If you have a month, dress up your driveway. Stain the concrete or add flagstones, tile the doorstep, build a walkway with pavers or brick, paint siding or apply stone veneer. “First impressions are lasting impressions,” says Pfeutzner, and you want to ensure those impressions are the best your home can have. N

In subdivisions, streets have a common character, yet the homes have individuality.

making a home impressive

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spotlight:

Call Them City Homes, Not Town Homes

dwellings

designed

by listeningtolifestyle BY DOROTHY BROTHERTON

PHOTOS: COURTESY MISSION GROUP

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dwelling, throughout history, has been a place to inhabit. Whether it was a cave or a mansion, it was a person’s home—their residence, shelter, abode, habitat, home. That’s why it seemed appropriate that the latest community from Mission Group is called Dwell. But the developers faced a market saturated with condos and knew this community would have to be different. They looked hard at the condo over-supply and asked themselves, “What can we build that is not a condo?” explained Bob Anderson, Mission Group marketing director. “It needed to compete with condos on price, but offer more value.” They came up with three leading features: Two-car garages, rooftop sun decks and personal front doors. Mission Group combined these concepts into a collection of city homes. Notice they are not called town homes, because the location and style speak city all the way. “The brownstone-inspired architecture creates a very urban style streetscape that cannot be found elsewhere in Kelowna,” says Anderson. The brainchild of David Tyrell Architecture, it definitely gives the community a warmth that typical city dwellings often lack. Two-car garages are sure to be enticing, but because residents are close enough to walk to shopping, amenities and businesses, cars may end up parked in the garage, among sports equipment or hobby storage. The location is another plus. It provides urban conveniences, but is just minutes from a stroll on Mission Park Greenway for a taste of nature. Speaking of nature, each home at Dwell has a garden court with individual walk-up entry. Trees and habitat are planned to attract song birds. At Dwell, each resident’s front door is theirs alone and no one lives above or below, contributing to the sense that their space is their own.

Dwell is the first community of its type to offer rooftop sundecks to every owner.

The piece-de-resistance in terms of nature is the expansive roof deck, a private outdoor space. Anderson noted Dwell is the first community of its type to offer rooftop sun decks to every homeowner. Residents will no doubt be relaxing with friends under the stars or growing

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heard from people who dreamed of easy living, but not sloppy. They wanted simple living, not sterile. They wanted space, not burden. They talked longingly about enjoying the outdoors and ample garage storage, but didn’t want the trouble of a detached home and yard. More and more people seem to want to live in the centre of their lifestyle. Dwell is located on Ambrosi Road in mid-Kelowna, with an eclectic collection of businesses and multi-family homes in the neighbourhood. Dwell was built taking in mind the character of the established community.

Each home at Dwell has a garden court with individual walk-up entry.

patio tomatoes under the Okanagan sun. The individual decks make Dwell an unmistakably Okanagan community. When Dwell was in the birthing process, Mission Group

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Home buyers have come to expect eco-consciousness, and Dwell delivers. Green features include water-conserving shower heads, faucets and toilets, Energy Star appliances and energy-efficient windows. Carpeting is environmentally-friendly. Fibre-cement shingle siding is made from 30 per cent recycled material. Landscaping is drought-tolerant. Anderson says Dwell captures the best of both worlds. It resists urban sprawl but retains independence. N

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dwellings designed by listening

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ECOLIFE:

Terasen Warms Up Developer

to a

greener heatingand coolingsystem

BY JOAN CHURCHILL

The geoexchange system installed by Terasen at GlenValley will be similar to the one they provided for this Sechelt peninsula community.

hen GlenValley on Clifton, an 86-unit townhouse development in Kelowna, was in the planning stages, geoexchange was not on the must-have list. “First-time home buyers are looking for affordability along with amenities like three bedrooms and green space,” says Pat Klassen, owner’s representative for GlenValley. “Initially geoexchange wasn’t considered, as it would have priced these homes out of reach for many buyers,” he adds. Klassen reconsidered when approached by Terasen energy solutions manager Wade Benner about providing geoexchange, an alternative energy solution, for the development.

PHOTOS: COURTESY TERASEN

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Geoexchange 101

How does a geoexchange system work?

An artist’s rendering of what GlenValley’s streetview will look like when it is completed.

Innovative and cost-effective, geoexchange works by extracting heat from the nearby ground to provide space heating. In the summer months, it can also provide space cooling. The result is a smaller carbon footprint and stable energy costs for the homeowner. But what made the model even more attractive for GlenValley was that Terasen would own and operate the system under a 25-year contract. “The Terasen-owned geoexchange systems can reduce costs for the developer, as each home only requires an air-to-water heat pump, which can be installed at a fraction of the cost of a conventional furnace and outdoor condensing unit,” says Benner. It’s a win-win for the developer and the eventual homeowners. GlenValley saves on capital costs and homeowners will reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Plus, the system is backed by the reputation of Terasen, a company with 100 years of history in B.C. Not just a natural gas utility anymore, Terasen has a long-term energy strategy that’s future focused, considering the needs of British Columbia’s communities not only today, but tomorrow as well. It’s an innovative approach called integrated energy solutions. It means that in addition to using natural gas as a foundational fuel, alternative integrated piped energies such as geoexchange, biogas and waste heat recovery can be incorporated to provide heating, cooling and domestic hot water. Geoexchange systems are already in use at multiple developments in Victoria and Vancouver and one at Summit Pointe, a condominium development in Kamloops. Another piped energy service Terasen is proposing to offer customers is biogas, an energy source that is captured from decomposing organic material at sites such as landfills, agricultural waste and wastewater treatment facilities. The energy that’s created can be injected into the natural gas pipeline network and used for heating applications, electricity generation or as a transportation fuel.

olar heat is naturally stored in the earth just below the frost line. That heat can be used to heat or cool buildings. In colder months, pumps draw heat from the ground to provide space heating, while in the summer the system uses the cooler ground as a “heat sink” to provide space cooling. What difference will a homeowner notice between geoexchange and a standard HVAC system? Comfortable and quiet, a geoexchange system provides even, constant warmth and cooling and uses less energy than a conventional furnace. In addition, the technology frees up valuable green space and reduces noise by eliminating the need for outdoor air conditioning and condensing units. N

Diagram of geothermal exchange system.

Whether you are a homeowner planning a renovation or a developer building a multifamily complex, Terasen has a range of energy efficiency incentives and alternative energy solutions designed to optimize savings and innovation. To learn more visit terasengas.com. N greener heating and cooling system

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community:

Black Mountain Sweet Spot

golfcommunityis surrounded by recreationand scenery

this

BY BARBARA J. SHAVE

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The homes at Black Mountain are meticulously built.

ome find your sweet spot.” With this intriguing slogan, Melcor Development Ltd. highlights the dual qualities of “ the 106-acre Black Mountain Golf Course and Community as both a recreational and residential showplace. In 2006, this Edmonton-based company acquired the private 18-hole, par 71, champion golf course that meandered the rolling terrain, terraced water courses, ponds and awesome viewpoints. With 85 years of successful land development as a public company, trading on the TSX, Melcor recognized the potential of the 106 acres of grassy meadows and forested slopes which embraced the fairways. Upon acquisition, Melcor opened the golfing to the public, then subdivided this surrounding property into a multigenerational community of both single and multiple family home sites. While protecting the natural environment, they designed an extensive network of trails to make it accessible. “Our proximity to the Big White Ski Resort draws those who seek year-round recreational living,” says 43-year-old Brad Pelletier, who was recently named Melcor’s vice-president as well as president of its Kelowna projects. Black Mountain offers other attractions. Its diverse ecology makes it a haven for nature-lovers. Kelowna’s shopping and beaches are 15 minutes away. Of course the spectacular viewpoints appeal to all. Development has proceeded in phases. The Meadowlands, containing 45 stylish, single-family homes, is tucked behind the parkway that leads to Black Mountain from Highway 33. A school is nearby. Meadowland homes average $500,000. The Fairways is nearing completion. It comprises 28 estate lots with homes averaging $1.5 million. With completion of the Black Mountain reservoir, Fairways homes will overlook both the golf course and the lake. It’s the unbroken valley panorama, extending all the way to Lake Country, that attracts the latest buyers to The Uplands. Some of the 200 lots, almost teetering on the mountain’s rim, sell for about $300,000 with homes costing an additional $650,000. A section of the community provides luxurious duplexes and construction of Pinehurst, an apartment-style condominium, will begin soon. Melcor recommends three local construction companies to those who buy lots. Okanagan Sunrise Construction, Distinctive Developments Ltd., and Okanagan Premier Builders are each noted for meticulous craftsmanship. The sales centre exhibits their home styles and features. Brad Pelletier, Melcor’s new vice-president, has a master’s degree from the London School of Economics. He also has 12 ½ years of experience as managing director of IMG Sports in Canada, a Toronto promotional agency for athletes, where he managed a sizeable roster of golfers, including Canada’s Mike Weir. Pelletier amassed such an impressive network of golfing contacts that the National Post listed him as one of the most influential people in Canadian golf in 2009. “I have the unique ability to position, market and sell,” summarizes Pelletier . Not that Black Mountain Golf Course needs such expertise ... Score Golf named it a finalist in the 2010 competition for Best New Course in Canada. N

PHOTO: COURTESY melcor

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views:

PROFILING RESIDENTIAL PURCHASERS

three questions

Paul Benson, President Boreback Ventures Inc.

By Dorothy Brotherton

Mike Webb, President & CEO Harmony Homes

Miles Krahn, President &CEO Meadow Ridge Homes

Who is currently buying most of the Okanagan’s new homes?

Benson:

Three particular demographics of note are the ‘frozen chosen’ who have elected to leave the cold prairies and come out to enjoy the warm Okanagan, the local homeowner who looks forward to a newer home with more comforts, and people desiring to own a second home in the Okanagan for recreating or to position for retirement.

Webb:

Those buying new homes today are a mix of purchasers with ability to pay for what they want. They are upsizing or downsizing and cannot find anything in the existing market that suits their needs, tastes and lifestyle. Similar to a vehicle, who buys a used one if you can get new for not much more?

Krahn:

It’s the empty nesters and retirees at this point in time who are buying Okanagan homes, because the market has had a significant shift in demographics. First- time home buyers are out of the market, they’re gone, and it’s because of the new qualifying rules. There are still some buyers who are moving up.

What are some of the most important lifestyle factors buyers want when buying a new home in the Okanagan?

Benson:

There are two divergent groups; one group is all about location, being near community services and having easy access to all that the city offers. The second group is looking for a more remote location—a countrystyle location with more land, commonly, and more privacy, but with reasonable access to shopping, theatres, and urban friends when desired.

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Webb:

For the most part, single detached new home buyers have a varied selection of communities and developments to choose from, but the single most appealing component is ‘lake view.’ Low maintenance products, energy efficiency items, large kitchens and lots of bathrooms seem to be major choices, and ceramic and hardwood floors along with marble counter tops.

Krahn:

Many want to be close to the action. There are two groups: One has lots of disposable cash and wants a larger estate home with a view, privacy and a pool. The second group is empty nesters or those close to being empty nesters, who want a smaller home, nice quality, good location, in the $600,000 range.

Are more new home buyers who may have once wanted a house now considering condominiums?

Benson:

Increasing numbers are looking to own condominiums. We’ve observed two reasons. First is cost. The migration to a condominium can often free up equity or yield a reduced mortgage or simply reduce the hurdle to entry for a new homeowner. Second is freedom to vacation or leave home with less concern for looking after the yard or security.

Webb:

Select buyers are currently considering condo purchases. These are mainly retirees who do not wish to deal with maintenance issues and younger families that are unable to invest in an existing home. Location to work may be a deciding factor. The dream to have your own home is still foremost to Canadians.

Krahn:

No, not in my experience. It’s about demographics. The typical buyer is starting to have grandkids, and they can’t run the halls and be expected to follow rules, so a condo isn’t practical. A condo may work for awhile, but not long, because where do you put these kids?

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Heritage

Svevaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

home:

sanctuary or prison? BY RAND ZACHARIAS

PHOTO: Courtesy Greater Vernon Museum Archives

Front exterior view of the Caetani family home in Vernon, located on Pleasant Valley Road. Circa 1921.

When Samuel Sommerville built this expansive home in 1896, he had no idea what its future would hold. A dance instructor, tax collector and then

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PHOTO: Yuri Akuney

The heritage Caetani House in Vernon has a rich (and perhaps haunting) legacy of European royalty, an enigmatic and talented artist with a poignant life story, and currently, as a centre for culture and the arts.

The front of the Caetani House as it is today.

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Sommerville continued to add wings to the home until 1903. A decade later, the home came into possession of H. G. Mueller, the owner of Vernon’s popular night spot of the time—the Coldstream Hotel. In another eight years, it would be bought by a distinguished stranger from Europe.

PHOTO: Courtesy Greater Vernon Museum Archives

alderman, he designed and built his house on Pleasant Valley Road in the Late-Victorian Vernacular Revival style which emphasized solidity and comfort.

A Home for Italian Royalty In 1921, the tall, handsome, and mysterious Prince of Teano, Duke of Sermoneta, Leone Caetani, arrived at the train station from Italy—with a young four-year-old daughter named Sveva, her mother, Ofelia Fabiani, a female companion named Miss Juul (pronounced Yule), 30 pieces of luggage, and a cook in tow. He purchased the third home a realtor showed his small family on the spot, for $7,000 cash. The story of the Caetani House and Duke Leone’s daughter, Sveva, are closely intertwined because the legacy of both are complicated, tragic and finally, inspirational. The irony of the house becoming a 25-year prison term for the Duke’s only daughter, last in the line of Caetani, could not be foreseen. The Duke had picked Vernon at random with a waving finger when informed that the Okanagan Valley was the best place to live in British Columbia— however, the story has some prologue. Leone, from Rome, had originally entered into an arranged marriage with Vittoria Colonna, a bride from a rival family, in 1901. It concluded in a loveless union. Divorce was not an option for the Catholic pairing, but Leone and young Ofelia fell in love, as had Leone’s wife, Vittoria, with a doomed artist named Umberto Boccioni (who would die falling off his horse in the Great War). After the birth of his daughter with Ofelia, Sveva, the Duke brought his new little family to Canada to start a fresh life. At his new estate in Vernon, Leone came to love the life of wood-cutting and manual labour surrounding the upkeep of his house and orchard. Though presently the home appears to be near the city centre, woods surrounded the home at the time. Going to town then was much more of an adventure than it is now. Though living in the Okanagan, the Caetanis frequently travelled around the world, including visiting Paris and returning to Italy.

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Family photograph of Ofelia, Leone and Sveva Caetani taken on the front lawn of their home in Vernon. Circa 1927.

This all ended in 1929. Leone had sold his Italian properties and invested heavily in the stock market. His wealth was severely diminished and the global tours ended. Sveva attended private school in Victoria from age 12 to 17 when Leone succumbed to throat cancer in 1935. She was asked to remain with her mother, Ofelia, and her formal schooling ended. Leone’s only daughter would not leave the house for three years. Lampshades, drapes and wall-hangings were removed as Ofelia developed an aversion to dust. Sveva became a slave to daily washing, ironing, cleaning and general house work. For a time, she had to sleep in her mother’s bedroom until finally moving her bed into a hallway. Finally, after 16 years, she was allowed to go to town to do the banking, with Miss Juul, but only if she called Ofelia every half hour.

A Brief Taste of Freedom In 1960, Ofelia passed at the age of 64—Sveva had spent 25 years caring for her mother. Her mother left her Italian holdings to the Catholic Church—Sveva’s father sanctuary or prison

had left his daughter the home—but little Caetani money remained. Sveva became a teacher and over time, the home became an art studio where she returned to painting, an earlier passion of hers, and produced a series called Recapitulation— 56 water colours following in spirit the theme of Dante’s Divine Comedy. She also separated the home into four suites for rental purposes—all of them, now updated, have artists as tenants.

The Legacy Continues After Sveva’s death at the age of 77 on April 28, 1994, the artist, who had never sold a painting, left her home to the City of Vernon and her painting legacy to the Vernon Public Art Gallery. Christine Pilgrim, an artist/actress who lives in one of the Caetani suites, states, “She only recently had a painting sell. This put her on the list of Canadian artists.” Sveva was known to give many of her drawings and watercolours away. Pilgrim, who has lived in the house for the past seven years, feels there might be a little extra “company” in the house. “There is certainly a presence, or presences here in the attic. In fact, recently, because I’ve not been home as much as ‘they’ might have liked, one by one, my clocks have stopped. On another occasion, I hosted a tea party here [acting] as Miss Juul and when I spoke a little too loosely of the family background, the lights flickered. I decided then it was time to stop. So did my guests!”

Maintaining the House In keeping with the Heritage Revitalization Agreement, the house has been restored and renovated over time. Problems overcome, typical of a vintage property, have ranged from removing the exterior lead-based paint to getting rid of asbestos in the basement.

The Society is particularly grateful to the Community Foundation of the North Okanagan, the Kalamalka Rotary Club and Human Resources Canada for their financial support and labour towards renovation work on the house and studios. Restoration of the exterior of the house and roof repairs began in May 2005. The house was painted in New London Burgundy Bordeaux and Greenmount Silk Douce Dentelle from a specialist historical color collection. Craftsman-style shake and clapboard siding with exposed beams beneath the soffit are a testiment to the exquisite quality and strength of the home. “The house has recently been inspected and found in excellent condition from top to bottom,” says Judy Katalanic, the Society’s executive director. Much of the landscaping has been created through volunteer work to stay in keeping with the gardens that still exist on the Caetani Estate in Italy, created by Leone’s mother over a century ago. Tours of the grounds are conducted in July and August with many events occurring year round. For more information about the Caetani Cultural Centre Society, the Caetani family, and this inspirational heritage site, and family, visit http://www.caetaniculturalcentre. org/index.html. To read more about Sveva’s fascinating life, visit http:// www.nald.ca/CLR/okanagan/history/7svena.pdf.

PHOTO: Yuri Akuney

Over the course of the last decade and a half, five studios have also been created from existing outside buildings as workplaces for artists to rent.

will of businesses in the community and a volunteer force without whom much of the work to date could not have been completed.

As always with a house of this nature, the maintenance is ongoing and expensive. The Caetani Cultural Centre Society, which maintains the property, relies heavily on the good The solidity of Caetani House shows in its architectural style.

sanctuary or prison

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DIRECTORY CHBA-CO Architects Architecturally Distinct Solutions Inc. Matt Johnston / Grace Pontes 250 878-4313/250-448-7801 www.distinctsolutions.ca Builders A Legacy of Designs Ltd. Brad Dziedzic & Brandy de Bartolo-Dziedzic 250-558-8889/ 250-558-8839 www.legacyofdesigns.com

2010-11

Cardan Enterprises Ltd. Don Dudgeon & Lisa Dudgeon 250-861-8823 www.cardan.ca

Dutch Construction (1988) Ltd. Bill Bouwsema 250 317-3636 www.dutchconstruction.com

Hamill Creek Timber Homes Inc. Fiona Daniels 250 366-4320 www.hamillcreek.com

Chaparral Industries (86) Inc. John Pushor/Jim Pushor 250-765-2985 www.chaparralhomes.com

Edgecombe Builders Kevin Edgecombe & Don Campbell 250 491-8655 www.edgecombebuilders.com

Chatham Homes Dave Chatham 250 764-5387 chathamhomesltd@shaw.ca

Eidse Builders Jim Eidse Gary Tebbutt & Elmer Eidse 250 862-2650 www.eidse.com

Hansum Homes & Development Inc. John Hansum & Fran Hansum 250 764-2324 www.hansumhomes.com

AuthenTech Homes Ltd. Scott Tyerman, RHP 250 491-7690 www.authentechhomes.com

Chriscan.com Enterprises Ltd. Len Suchocki 250 712-1324 www.chriscan.com

Borebank Ventures Inc. Paul Benson 250-979-1650 paul@borebank.com

CorWest Builders Chris Little/ David Sargent 250-869-4960 www.corwest.ca

Built Rite Homes (A Division of Roblyn Developments Ltd.) Robert Anderson 250-764-0315 www.builtritehomes.ca

Destination Homes Don Erdely & Travis Erdely 250 707-1752 www.homesbydestination.com

Callidus Construction Group Sue Matic 250-764-6434 www.callidusconstruction.com

Distinctive Developments Ltd. Terry Heinrich 250 491-1171 www.Distinctivedevelopments.com

Harmony Homes Mick Webb 250 765-5191 www.harmonyhomes.net

Fawdry Homes Glenn Fawdry, RHP 250 862-8630 www.fawdryhomes.ca/

Heirloom Custom Homes Ltd. Jason Brears 250-718-5752 www.heirloomcustomhomes.ca

Frame Custom Homes Ltd. Bill Frame 250-718-8670 www.framecustomhomes.com

Hildebrant Homes Ken Hildebrant 250 309-4986 www.okanaganbchomebuilder.com

Freeport Industries Todd Venier / Chris Inkster 250 707-3950 www.freeportindustries.ca

Ian Paine Construction Ltd. Ian Paine 250 868-2133 ianpaine@shaw.ca

Greenman Homes Clayton Halley 250 423.0753 www.greenmanhomes.ca

Impact Builders Chad Jones 250-470-2269 www.impactbuilders.com

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Niche Mag Fall 2010 KEL.indd 1

02/09/2010 9:54:20 AM

Inspiration Homes Ltd. Rod Doroshuk 250-542-3111 www.inspirationhomes.ca\ Jaycor Homes Inc. Vince Montemurro 250-768-5070 jaycorhomes@shaw.ca Jazel Enterprises Ltd. James Zeleznik 250 768-5799 www.Jazelhomes.com Karmoy Builders Inc. Jody Dyrland 250-919-8448 www.karmoybuilders.com Kascade Developments Scott Renou 250 448 6339 scottrenou@hotmail.com Keith Dahlen Construction Ltd. ReBath Okanagan Ken Dahlen (ReBath Okanagan www. rebathokanagan.ca) 250-545-1300 www.keithconstruction.ca Kentland Homes Ltd. Stephen Wells 250 764-1306 www.kentlandhomes.com Larsen & Whelan Enterprises Ltd. Stephen Whelan & Ian Larsen 250-423-8810 info@fernibuilders.com Mandala Custom Homes Inc. Lars Chose 250-352-5582 www.mandalahomes.com Manzanita Homes Inc. Bryan Reese 250-870-1827 www.manzanitahomes.net Meadow Ridge Homes Ltd. Miles & Susan Krahn 250 861-3344 www.meadowridgehomes.com Neil Miller Homes Ltd. Neil Miller 250 764-8627 www.millerhomes.ca Okanagan Dream Builders Ltd. Trent Tinkler 250-808-1788 www.okanagandreambuilders.com Okanagan Glacier Homes Inc. Kirk Andersen 778-755-5003 www.okglacierhomes.com Okanagan Sunrise Construction Ltd. Dale Ahlbaum/Nick Franz 250 763-1461 www.OkanaganSunrise.com Okanagan Sustain Homes/Into the Woods Furniture and Cabinetry Carl St. Jean 250-260-8425 www.oksustainhomes.ca

Okanagan Trend West Master Builder Ltd. Ray Moran 250-558-0415 www.okanagantrendwest.com Pars Construction Amir Khajavi 250 764-6226 www.ParsConstruction.com Pentar Homes Ltd. Fred Parent 250 862-9006 www.pentarhomes.com Quiniscoe Homes Ltd. Lisa Budenholzer 250-342-0853 www.quiniscoe.com Richbuilt Homes Darren Richmond 250 549 8852 rcdhomes@telus.net RJ M Management Ltd. Margie & Randall Rhode 250 859-2332 m_rhode@shaw.ca

Surecraft Construction Ltd. Jim Shales - President 250 878-0718 www.surecraftconstruction.blogspot.com

Gallagherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Canyon Construction Al Bremner 250 860-9013 www.gallagherscanyon.com

Team Construction Mgmt. (1981) Ltd. Charles Cullen 250 868-8326 www.teamconstruction.ca

George Schluessel Real Estate Investments Ltd. George Schluessel - President 403 410-1224 www.procura.com

Timberhaven Homes Ltd. Scott Ross 250-878-0159 www.timberhaven.ca Trico Homes Inc. Jacob Kuiken 250-545-9261 www.tricohomes.com Tyee Custom Homes Ltd. Carl Lauren 1-250-427-0315 www.tyeecustomhomes.com Valux Homes Ltd Joe Rood 250 317-1332 www.bridgesliving.com

RLJ Homes Inc. Ray LaPointe 250-862-1968 www.rljhomes.com

Varitec Enterprises Ltd. Don Kerr RHP 250 769-2375 varitec@telus.net

Rockwood Homes Construction Ltd. Gilles Ladouceur 1-250-450-9761 www.rockwoodhomes.ca

Webster Construction Ltd. Ken Webster 250 763-6600 www.thewebstergroup.com

Rykon Construction Management Ltd. Randy Siemens Kelly Lawrie CMA 250 712-9664 www.rykon.ca

Wilson and Company Ltd. James Wilson 250-869-7125 wilsoncustombuilders@telus.net

Schulz Construction Inc. Marlin Schulz 250-212-9541 www.schulzdevelopments.com Sierra West Homes & Construction Corp. Kevin Adams 250 767-1993 Cell: 878-2207 www.sierrawesthomes.com Ski Home Limited Richard Unger 1-250-342-2555 www.skihome.ca Square Root Contracting & Consulting Ltd Mike Twack 250 863-6576 www.sq-root.com Sunstar Ventures Ltd. Denis Bigham & Bob Buvyer 250-807-2270 buvyer@hotmail.com Sunterra Custom Homes Ltd. Ranbir Nahal 250-503-8220 www.sunterracustomhomes.com

Woodstyle Homes Ltd Donovan Imbeau 250 558-9765 or 250 558-9765 www.woodstyle.ca Community Developers Acorn Communities Ltd. David Pfuetzner Greg Bird 250 491 0095 www.acornhomes.com Aldebaran Enterprises Inc. John Jacobsen 1-250-306-9355 www.aldebaranhomes.com Callahan Property Group Ltd. Bob Callahan 250 717-3000 bob@callahanpg.ca Dilworth Quality Homes Inc. Greg Asling - General Manager Chris Reiter - Building Operations Manager 250 762-9999 www.dilworthhomes.com G Group of Companies Green Solutions Grant Gaucher - President / Andrew Gaucher - VP Developments 250 712-2449 www.ggroup.ca

L & S Contracting Ltd. (A Div. of Lambert & Paul Construction Ltd.) Lambert Schmalz 250 860-2331 l-stom@silk.net Melcor Developments Ltd. Tobi McNeil 250-717-8390 www.melcor.ca Mission Group Jonathan Friesen Randy Shier Gerald Heinrichs George Summach 250 448-0016 www.themissiongroup.ca Molenbeek Ventures Development Corporation Wim Zuydervelt 250-764-0338 www.creeksidepark.ca Ocorp Development Ltd. 250-764-1750 www.ocorpltd.com Predator Ridge Limited Partnership-Land Division Brent Ree 250-503-1739 www.predatorridge.com Scuka Enterprises Ltd. Dan Scuka 250 765-0136 www.scuka.bc.ca Starland Developments Company Ltd. Kathleen Mackenzie 250 717-8228 www.prospectkelowna.com Tyee Custom Homes Ltd. Carl Lauren 1-250-427-0315 www.tyeecustomhomes.com Woodland Hills On The Ridge Geby Wager 250-764-0626 www.woodlandhillskelowna.com Woodstock Development Inc. Dennis Kort & Jennifer Kort 250 769-7775 www.discovereaglesview.com Design-Build Alternative Construction Inc Edmaro Cabete 250 864-0761 www.alternativeconstruction.ca Bellamy Homes Les Bellamy 250 470-2429 www.bellamyhomes.ca

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DIRECTORY CHBA-CO Chaparral Industries (86) Inc. John Pushor/Jim Pushor 250-765-2985 www.chaparralhomes.com Mandala Custom Homes Inc. Lars Chose 250-352-5582 www.mandalahomes.com Nesbitt Originals Paul & Jan Nesbitt 250 762-3337 www.nesbittoriginals.com Okanagan Glacier Homes Inc. Kirk Andersen 778-755-5003 www.okglacierhomes.com Okanagan Sustain Homes/Into the Woods Furniture and Cabinetry Carl St. Jean 250-260-8425 www.oksustainhomes.ca Financial Services RBC Royal Bank Gary Eisenhut 250 868-4188 www.rbc.com

2010-11

TD Canada Trust Bruce Murray 250 763-4241 www.tdcanadatrust.com

Dannburg Interiors Norma Schmidt & Gary Munt 250 862-5277 www.dannburginteriors.com

Government Offices BC Housing Peter Chau 250 487-2521 www.bchousing.org

Mullins Drafting and Design Inc. Lee Mullins & Lani Hoff 250-717-3415 www.mullinshomedesigns.ca

Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation Paul Fabri 250 712-4334 www.cmhc.ca City of Kelowna Mo Bayat - Building Inspections Manager 250 469-8630 www.kelowna.ca Homeowner Protection Office Doug Cox 250 646-7067 or 1-800-407-7757 www.hpo.bc.ca Home Design/Décor Specialists Clay Interiors Len Trump 250-859-3242 www.clayinteriors.com

Custom

Hampton Landscaping/Concrete/ Pools Tim Valeriote 250 860-3196 www.hamptonliving.ca

The Ensuite Bath and Kitchen Showroom (Div. of EMCO Corp.) Lisa Dartnell Showroom Manager. 250-769-8528 www.theensuite.com Insurance/Accounting Capri Insurance Services Ltd. Erika Jarvis 250 860-2426 www.capri.ca Grant Thornton Chartered Accountants Chris Warburton, CA 250 712-6800 www.GrantThornton.ca

Joe Wackerbauer, R.s.T.C., I.T.C.,

Landscapers Hampton Landscaping/Concrete/ Pools Tim Valeriote 250 860-3196 www.hamptonliving.ca Media/Marketing Okanagan Valley Newspaper Group The (The Daily Courier) Terry Armstrong 250 470-0721 www.kelownadailycourier.ca Professional Services Canaterra Property Pages Karen Thompson 1-250-575-8877 www.canaterra.com

• Project management • Design Consultation • Quality Custom Homes • Custom Finishing

CeRTIFIeD GeneRAL ConTRACToR

• sustainable Building Techniques

P.O. Box 101, Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0

• Victorian, Contemporary, Tudor and santa-Fe

Phone: 250.494.9609 Cell: 250.809.9519 Fax: 250.494.9604 www.okanagancustomhomes.com

Wilson M. Beck Insurance (Kelowna) Inc. Brett Innis 250-763-3840 www.wmbeck.com

• LICENSED • INSURED • REGISTERED

Okanagan

Homes LTD.

The Co-operators Solve Insurance Sevices Inc. Dennis MacLeod 250-861-3777 www.cooperator.ca

• Log Homes • Additions & Renovations

We b u i l d th e C us to m H o m e o f yo u r D re a m s

Okanagan NICHECustom Homes - Niche half pg ad 1

10-08-05 9:07 AM

Carbon Copy Digital Paul Gervais 250-860-6928 www.carboncopydigital.com

Big Steel Box Troy Doell 250-763-9660 www.bigsteelbox.com

Jona Panel Sales Joe Shalapata 250-764-7595 www.jonapanels.com

Rona Home & Garden Bill Roper & Chris Robertson 250-979-3089 www.rona.ca

Interior Pool and Spa Ltd. Brian Pavia 250-868-4831 www.interiorpoolandspa.com

Dennis Palmer 250-861-1001 www.boltsecurity.net

K2Stone (Kelowna) Inc. Darren Kroeker 1-866-323-3035 www.k2stone.ca

Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd. Henry Howe 250-765-4765 www.steel-craft.ca

Kaycan Ltd. Sandra Woodcock 250 258-8528 www.kaycan.com

Sundeck Centre Bryan Hughes & Justin Reynolds 250-766-7320 www.sundeckcentre.com

Kelowna Carpet One Floor and Home Gary Noble 250-762-5312 www.kelownacarpetone.com

The Brick (Commercial Sales Division) Tom St. George Harinder Lalli 250 765-2291 www.thebrick.com

Okanagan College Randy Werger 250 862-5494 www.okanagan.bc.ca Pushor Mitchell LLP Brad Cronquist 1-250-869-1150 www.pushormitchell.com ROV Consulting Richard Visscher, P.Eng. 250-860-0412 www.rovconsulting.ca SW Audio and Visual Cal McCarthy 250-868-3333 www.sw-online.com Tactx Project Sales and Marketing Inc Debbie Harding & Rob Hager 250-763-5703 www.tactxinc.com Winmar Kelowna Stewart Walker 1-250-862-3500 www.winmar.ca Realtors Century 21 Executives Bill Hubbard 250-549-2103 www.century21.ca Renovators Chriscan.com Enterprises Ltd. Len Suchocki 250 712-1324 www.chriscan.com Gord Turner Renovations Ltd. Gord Turner 250 469-9379 www.gtrenovations.com Keith Dahlen Construction Ltd. ReBath Okanagan Ken Dahlen (ReBath Okanagan www. rebathokanagan.ca) 250-545-1300 www.keithconstruction.ca Okanagan Glacier Homes Inc. Kirk Andersen 778-755-5003 www.okglacierhomes.com Suppliers AcuTruss Industries Ltd. Barry Schick & Rob Voros 250-860-6667 www.acutruss.com All Weather Windows David Collins 250 860-5666 www.allweatherwindows.com

Broadleaf Logistics Mike Whitehead 250 860-4470 www.broadleaflogistics.com Burnco Rock Products (BC) Ltd. Dave Tesarski & Dean Biglow 250-769-7865 www.burnco.com Cambridge Elevating Inc. Jamie Hamilton 250-550-6125 www.cambridgeelevating.com Coast Wholesale Appliances LP Rob Siddon 250 765-2421 www.coastappliances.com Colonial Countertops Ltd. Deeanna Wehrhahn 250-765-3004 www.colonialcountertops.com Cultured Stone Kim Kotowsky 250-864-8110 www.culturedstone.com Designing with Light Supply Mike Bentien / Rob Bentien 250 862-3671 www.designingwithlight.ca DuPont Building Innovations Ryan Foster 250-575-2545 www.construction.tyveck.ca Enviro Choice Sewage Treatment Solutions Shane Warawa 250 765-8265 - 1-866-765-8265 www.envirochoice.ca Euroline Windows Inc. Jim Stephenson/ Paul Klyne 250 448-8484 or 250 718-7771 www.euroline-windows.com Floform Countertops Ken Hilsenteger 250 860-5333 www.floform.com Gienow Windows & Doors Dave Richert 250 868-9006 or 1-800-367-9520 www.gienow.com Home Hardware Building Centre Gary Welder 250 868-9040 www.homehardware.ca Iko IndustriesLtd. Vincent Carrier-Sales Representative 250-212-7742 www.iko.com

Kelowna Ready Mix Harvey Beselt 250 762-2211 krm@uniserve.com kit.biz Catherine Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill 250 712-1004 www.kitbiz.ca Kitchenhaus Cabinets Ltd / C ash + Carry Cabinet Warehaus Jason Coroy / Brooke Nicholas 250-491-5665 / Cash & Carry 250.491.4774 www.kitchenhauscabinets.com / cabinetwarehaus.com

The CAT Rental Store Graham Hoffman 250-860-3510 www.catrents.ca The Ensuite Bath and Kitchen Showroom (Div. of EMCO Corp.) Lisa Dartnell Showroom Manager. 250-769-8528 www.theensuite.com Trail Appliances Terry Volden 250 862-3838 www.trailappliances.com

Mara Lumber Lou Gauthier 250-765-2963 www.maralumber.ca

Westeck Windows MFG. Inc. Mark Stevens 250-862-3800 www.westeckwindows.com

Norelco Cabinets Peter Raja - Owner/General Manager 250-765-2121 www.norelcocabinets.ca

Westwood Fine Cabinetry Inc. Kelly Kennedy - Business Dev. Manager 250 860-3900 www.westwoodfinecabinetrry.com

OK Builders SupplyLtd. Pat Kunz 250 762-3206 www.okbuilderssupplies.com

Wolseley Kitchen & Bath Classics Hayley Mepham & Norm Schwab 250-860-4366 www.wolseleyinc.ca

Okanagan Hardwood Flooring Co. Ltd. Steve Everitt 250 765-2610 www.okanaganhardwoodfloors.com Phantom Screens Levon Symonds 250-762-7592 www.phantomscreens.com Plasti Fab Sean McBeth 604-526-2771 www.plastifab.com Pure Granite Rocks Clark Omand 250-558-3773 www.puregranitrocks.com Robinson Lighting Centre Tim Karila 250 860-9626 www.rlrbc.com

Trade Contractors Ace Plumbing & Heating Brian Walter 250-861-6696 www.aceplumbing.bz Bath Fitter Ian Gorst 250-860-8678 www.bathfitter.com Beyond Audio Inc. Mike Ohman 250 860-9929 www.beyondaudio.com Bolt Security Systems Dennis Palmer 250-861-1001 www.boltsecurity.net CDN Roof Doctor Ltd. Howard Pfefferle / Ken Langton 250 765-3013 www.roofdoctor.ca

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DIRECTORY CHBA-CO CertaPro Painters Jason McMurray 250 868-5126 www.certapro.com Crystal Classic Exteriors Inc. Dan Poznikoff 250-861-5988 www.crystalclassic.ca Discovery Glass & Aluminum Inc. Gary Alton 778-753-5966 www.discoveryglass.ca Eco Thermal Energy Billy Medwid 877-491-3637 www.ecothermalenergy.ca Empire Drywall Ltd. Sharon Lafreniere 250 451-0900 www.empiredrywall.ca Floform Countertops Ken Hilsenteger 250 860-5333 www.floform.com Four Seasons Insulation Ltd. Roger Prato 250-861-3626 www.fourseasonsinsulation.com

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2010-11

GeoTility Geothermal Installations Corp. Rick Nelson 1-250-762-5776 www.geotility.ca Glass Canada Inc. Debra Dotschkat 250-454-9923 www.glasscanada.net Hi-Test Exteriors Ltd. Jason Gagnon-Owner 1-250-808-8859 j_gagnon73@hotmail.com K-Town Contracting Jason Hatter 250 215-4656 www.ktowncontracting.com Keith Dahlen Construction Ltd. ReBath Okanagan Ken Dahlen (ReBath Okanagan www. rebathokanagan.ca) 250-545-1300 www.keithconstruction.ca Kilo-Womp Electric Ltd. Keith Wemp 250 861-3939 keithwemp@shawlink.ca

Loney Plumbing Inc. Richard Loney 250-470-0108 loneyplumbing@shaw.ca Madge Contracting Ltd. Chris Romano 250-765-1180 www.madgeroofing.com Nicholson Enterprises Bob Nicholson 250-212-1758 nicholsonent@gmail.com Square Root Contracting & Consulting Ltd Mike Twack 250 863-6576 www.sq-root.com Starwatch Audio Video Peter Tischler 1-250-717-0022 www.starwatchav.com. Sundeck Centre Bryan Hughes & Justin Reynolds 250-766-7320 www.sundeckcentre.com

Utility Companies FortisBC Inc. Kim Jones 250 717-0808 www.fortisbc.com Shaw Cablesystems GP Marc Reinhart 250 712-2345 www.shaw.ca Terasen Gas Brent Hunt 250 868-4522 www.terasengas.com Warranty Companies National Home Warranty Programs Gord Houston 1-604-575-3536 www.nationalhomewarranty.com Travelers Guarantee Company of Canada Marvin Friesen - Kelowna Ed Tsumura Vancouver 1-800-555-9431 www.travelersguarantee.com N

it here

loving it here

find yourself at

HOME a fresh, new concept for one-level townhomes

GRAND OPENING OF INNOVATIVE ONE-LEVEL TOWNHOMES Along the 14th fairway – Two Eagles Golf Course

Our new spacious Rialto and Camarillo Townhomes offer the perfect blend of urban convenience and relaxed lifestyle right outside your front door. No Compromise. Remarkable Value.

larger

than condo living

spacious two-bedroom/two-bath private garage and patio • clever storage capacity modern interiors • convenient visitor parking low maintenance landscaping

spacious interior of new Rialto Model Townhome

THE RYKON GROUP = SUCCESSFUL HOMEOWNER

Established in 2004, this quality Rykon development of 300 residents enhances the community, your lifestyle – and naturally, your investment.

Join our conversation

while there’s still lots to say.

Visit Our Sales Centre

Model Townhomes Open Daily 12:00 – 5:00 pm 250.768.3703 sonomapines.com 300 residents already love living here

selling new home development in the okanagan

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