Winter 2012

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WINTER

2012

AWARD-WINNING UPPER MISSION ESTATE

PLAN FOR GEOTHERMAL GUIDE TO HOME INSPECTORS FRESH APPROACH TO MODULAR HOMES

Fine Homes&Luxury Properties

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FEATURES

CONTENTS 18 38 42 48 52

Upper Mission Masterpiece Ambleside Residence A Festive Facelift Bird’s Eye INvue The Competition Stacks Up

LIFESTYLE

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30 At Home & Away | A Weekend At Silver Star Mountain Resort 32 Kitchen Essentials | Bruno Terroso of Vanilla Pod Restaurant

DEPARTMENTS

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26 34 54 56 58 62

Online | Silver Tommie Finalists 2012 Kitchen | Get The Look Artist Profile | Stu & Yvonne Goldberg Builder Profile | MAB Construction Planning | Geothermal Accessorize | Glam Great Rooms

12 14 15 16 17 28 36 55

News Real Estate Review Design Wealth Legal Home Improvement Industry Green Housing

COLUMNS

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Cover Photo by Colin Jewall Photography

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Issue 26, Winter 2012 ISSN 1913-0759 OkanaganHOME.com info@OkanaganHOME.com Publishers: Justin O’Connor, Christy Hughes Chief Editor: Christy Hughes Creative Design: Okanagan HOME Team Advertising Executive: Justin O’Connor Contributors: Denis Apchin, Shell Busey, Topher Edwards, Ross Freake, Laura Goldstein, Marion Henselwood, Christy Hughes, Richard Montgomery, Darcy Nybo, Justin O’Connor, Cliff Shillington, Jennifer Smith, Bruno Terroso, Keith Veerman, Rob Voros, David Wylie Okanagan HOME Magazine Box 121, 138-1876 Cooper Road Kelowna, BC V1Y 9N6 250.826.9961 OkanaganHOME.com info@OkanaganHOME.com President: Justin O’Connor Okanagan HOME Magazine makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes; however, it cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions to story, ad or photo content.

The contents of this publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, including distribution by any electronic method, including email, website or other distribution without the written consent of the publisher.

Upon publication, Okanagan HOME Magazine acquires Canadian Serial Rights and copyright to all content included in this issue.

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FROM THE PUBLISHERS Okanagan HOME has taken a cue from the aesthetic works of art within its pages. The magazine comes alive with a fresh new look going into the New Year; complete with a modernized new logo. We hope you will embrace and enjoy it, as it places a heavier focus on the reason we are all here – it’s the Okanagan.

Speaking of which, as we write, it is the middle of December here in Kelowna.

It is a beautiful day, the sun is shining and people are enjoying the outdoor skating rink on Water Street downtown. The temperature is warm enough that we have a tough time deciding on whether or not to wear a jacket. You’ve got to love winter in the Okanagan!

This Winter 2012 issue marks our sixth as the new owners of Okanagan HOME. It was a daunting decision to sell our home in Kamloops and leave a comfortable six-year career, jumping into a new industry. As with any new business, it has taken determination, good intention, and a great deal of work to create something that we hope readers will see value in and enjoy for a long time to come. After only a year and a half of overcoming obstacles, we can whole-heartedly say that the Okanagan is truly amazing and we would encourage anyone to live here.

Throughout our journey as publishers, we have met countless individuals in various facets of the home industry, who are truly gifted in what they do. It is very inspiring and a constant motivator for us in our own trade.

Photo by Legend Photography Kelowna

This issue we highlight some of the brilliant work that goes into making homes that are as unique as the Okanagan itself. We have had the pleasure of working with some amazing people to create yet another issue full of beautiful homes throughout the Okanagan Valley.

Our cover story is a spectacular visual representation of what transpires when Frame Custom Homes and its associate partners work together to turn a concept into an award-winning reality.

The Ambleside Residence feature is a shining example of ingenuity and problem solving at its best. Chriscan Construction and its team demonstrate how they overcame the challenges to build an amazing home on a lot that is only 25 feet wide.

Dive inside to see the other treasures we have discovered for this issue.

We wish all of you the very best in 2013 and look forward to what this year will bring for Okanagan HOME. Sincerely,

Justin & Christy OkanaganHOME.com

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NEWS New Design Firm Opens in Kettle Valley inArtifex Design Ltd. is a new drafting and design company that has made 202-5309 Main St. in Kettle Valley their home. The business is young in more ways than one. Partners Hamid Khajavi (27), sister, Saba Kjhajavi (25) and Paulo Kegles (30), have three degrees and six diplomas in engineering, business and drafting between them. inArtifex provides full services from obtaining permits, to interior design, to complete 3D renderings of your plan.

“We are very involved with our clients,” said Khajavi. “We bring them into the office, do changes on the computer while they are here, and show them what we are doing.

They are very much a part of the entire process; it is a very hands-on process, as much or as little as they want to be.”

The office is open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., but as Khajavi said, “We’ll meet with our clients pretty much anytime, it just takes a phone call.” Their number is 778-477-5599, or find them on the web at inArtifex.com.

Development Could Double The Population Of Peachland “Our 20 year development plan has the potential to double the population of Peachland,” said Julia Debolt, Realtor for the Ponderosa Development. The development recently finished and opened their duplex townhome showhome, and is well underway with phase 1.

The new owners are expected to move in in May 2013 with the entire phase to be completed by early Winter 2013.

“We have duplexes, fourplexes and sixplexes”, said Debolt, “and in spring 2013 will be releasing single family homes for sale. We also have golf cottages of about 400 to 500 square feet that will be used as time-share recreational properties. They can be rented out by the golf course.”

In total, there are 69 townhome units and 130 singlefamily units planned for this stage of the development.

The master planned community has been zoned for 2300 homes. PonderosaLiving.ca Most Energy Efficient Wood Stoves in the World Produced in the Okanagan Blaze King Industries is now listed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the most efficient wood stoves in the world. These clean burning stoves, burn at a very high heat, minimizing pollution and can go up to 40 hours without refueling.

“We [Blaze King] manufacture five of the top eight most efficient wood stoves in the world,” said VP of Business Development for Blaze King, Alan Murphy. “Blaze King uses a unique combination of a built-in thermostat with a catalytic combustor to achieve these high efficiencies.

There are many benefits to this for everyone. This is great news for municipalities that are trying to create a cleaner environment,” said Murphy.

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Blaze King’s factory is located in Penticton and is a Canadian success story. It is impressive when a small Penticton company takes on the world and wins first place. For more info check out BlazeKing.com.

Happy Trails to You On November 21, 2012, Mayor Walter Gray and Melcor’s Andrew Melton got together for the sod turning ceremony for the new Black Mountain Walking Trails.

The trails are located directly across Black Mountain Drive from the existing stairs. The sloped mountain will soon have a complete three-way trail system to a lookout area at the top.

Melcor Developments and the City of Kelowna are working in partnership to create an impressive natural trail network on open space lands that will be preserved from development.

The trail network will traverse hillsides and natural plateaus that showcase the spectacular Okanagan dryland vegetation, rock formations, and vistas.

First-Time New Home Buyers’ Bonus for BC Residents This new initiative was launched by the BC Government to encourage first-time homebuyers to purchase new construction. The bonus is a non-taxable, one-time payment worth up to $10,000. BC residents who are first-time homebuyers and who purchase an eligible new home before April 1, 2013 may be eligible.

www.distefanoarchitecture.com

250-868-9278

You must have never owned a primary residence anywhere in the world; and for couples and multiple buyers of a home, that means all of them. Claimants must file a BC resident personal income tax return and individuals or families who move to BC after December 31, 2012 will not be eligible.

In addition, new buyers may also be eligible for the Property Transfer Tax First Time Home Buyers’ Program. For more information, go online to gov.bc.ca and search ‘first time new homebuyer bonus’.

Architecturally Distinct Solutions Wins Kelowna Mayor’s Award Mayor Walter Gray presented the city of Kelowna Mayor’s Environmental Achievement Award for Most Sustainable Development to Grace Pontes and the firm of Kelowna’s Architecturally Distinct Solutions (ADS), this October.

A unique LEED accredited architectural and licensed building company, ADS has constructed the first LEED Canada for Homes project in Kelowna. The home scored an EnerGuide rating of 88 (approaching passive performance) and includes a long list of innovative detailing, from the use of an Armour Cool roofing system to grey water recycling and domestic hot water. For more info on this amazing home see our full story on the web at OkanaganHOME.com or visit Architecturally Distinct Solutions, at DistinctSolutions.ca.

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REAL ESTATE REVIEW FORECAST FOR 2013 | CLIFF SHILLINGTON The Okanagan real estate market, in particular Kelowna, has remained quite stable in 2012 with sales outpacing most of last year. The market still remains in buyer’s territory but the number of listings is declining, down almost 4 percent from last year, which followed a 2 percent decline in 2011. Most buyers are either first-time buyers or move-up buyers stimulating activity across all price points.

Cliff Shillington is the Owner and Managing Broker of RE/MAX Kelowna. He has been active in the real estate industry in various capacities since 1978 and is currently serving as a Director for the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board.

Sales of single-family homes proved steady, with an average price of $470,000 - virtually on par with last year. The condo market has shown signs of rebounding with sales up about 11 percent, however prices are down somewhat from last year. Newer condos can now be had for under $200,000, while a single-family starter home can be found in the mid $300,000 range. The luxury market with homes over $1,000,000 has been quite active with sales outpacing last year. We may see upwards of 100 homes sell for over $1,000,000 this year. The last quarter of 2012 has moderated somewhat from earlier in the year (like most markets across Canada) likely due to tighter CMHC mortgage regulations. However, we do expect the overall market to end the year 3 percent ahead of 2011 levels, forecasting 3,430 properties to change hands.

The average price will settle in at $400,000, just 1 percent below last year’s figure.

So what is in store for 2013? We expect a healthy housing demand to characterize Kelowna’s real estate market in 2013. Improving economic fundamentals next year will support the market. Positive growth is forecast both regionally and provincially particularly in the forestry, mining and tourism sectors, which will help employment. Population growth is also predicted, which will be absorbed primarily in the Lower Mainland, but the Okanagan Valley will see a spillover benefit. The elimination of the HST in April will likely bode well for housing across the board, particularly new construction, as the consumer understanding of its application has been mixed. The strong outlook for Alberta is also expected to buoy demand in Kelowna, as Albertans comprise approximately 20 percent of the city’s buyers.

Growth will be slow but steady for Kelowna’s resale housing market next year. Consumer confidence is expected to increase, which should bring some buyers back into the market, particularly those who held off in 2012 in light of the new mortgage rules. All indications are that mortgage rates are going to continue at record lows for another year, providing opportunities to enter or move up in the market. Unit sales will likely increase another 3 percent to 3,530 and the average price will hold at $400,000. The May 2013 election may be pivotal, as a major swing in leadership could affect the business and development climate in the city.

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DESIGN FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION | DENIS APCHIN You’ve likely heard the phrase “form follows function,” but have you really thought about what it means or where it came from?

The phrase “form follows function” was coined by American architect Louis Sullivan. In his 1896 article, “The Tall Office Building Aesthetically Considered” Sullivan wrote: “It is the pervading law of all things organic and inorganic, of all things physical and metaphysical, of all things human and all things superhuman, of all true manifestations of the head, of the heart, of the soul, that the life is recognizable in its expression, that form ever follows function. This is the law.”

Denis Apchin is an award winning, Okanagan-based designer of spectacular, luxury homes.

At the time, technology, tastes and economics were rapidly changing. The forms of late-19th century buildings were still being worked out, based on innovation going all the way back to ancient Greek and Roman architecture. It was clear to Sullivan that a new form for buildings was needed, and he thought that form ought to come from the function of a building, not historical precedent. This new form became the modern structural steel skyscraper.

Frank Lloyd Wright, who was then Sullivan’s assistant, adopted the phrase “form follows function” and further promoted it. The Guggenheim Museum is a good example of Wright’s application of the principle. Its spiral shape was intended to allow visitors to easily view the artwork within. At the heart of every piece of practical design, whether it is a website, office building, home, piece of furniture, book cover, tool, or anything else, there is a function; a task the item is expected to perform. Most functions can be achieved in a variety of ways, but there are some basic elements a designer needs to take into account to create a product that best fulfills its intended function.

These are the elements of functional design, the process of responding to the needs or desires of the people who will use an item in a way that allows their needs or desires to be met. Perhaps the single most important consideration in the design process (and the one most often forgotten) is the intended audience for the product. What works perfectly well for one user might be completely dysfunctional for another.

Functional design is necessarily a relationship between users with problems to solve and designers with solutions to offer.

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WEALTH TALKING TO KIDS (OR GRANDKIDS) ABOUT MONEY | MARION HENSELWOOD With cash, debt and personal finances dominating so many conversations today, it may be logical to assume financial education is something parents are passing on to their children. However, a new survey shows only one-third of Canadian kids aged between 10 and 17 regularly discuss money and finances with their parents.

That means now is a terrific opportunity for parents (or grandparents) to start teaching their kids about cash.

Most parents manage to talk to their kids about the birds and the bees, but for some reason we’re more reluctant to discuss dollars and cents. Like anything, a positive financial future is based on knowledge and creating good habits in our formative years.

Given the lingering economic uncertainty and the record debt levels Canadians are currently carrying, now, more than ever before, parents should be providing sound financial guidance.

Marion Henselwood is a branch manager at Valley First’s Guisachan branch in Kelowna.

“Good financial advice is like gold,” says Marion Henselwood, of Valley First. “When talking financial literacy, I turn to the old saying ‘watch the pennies and the dollars will look after themselves.’ By understanding your smallest earnings and expenses you can work up to the more complex financial issues you will face in your life.”

Henselwood believes there are a number of reasons parents may avoid talking about finances and financial literacy with their children. Among them is the perception that money is a taboo topic or that parents simply don’t have the knowledge to pass on.

“We learn at an early age that talking about money is somewhat socially unacceptable,” says Henselwood. “I think some of that mindset is present in most households. Beyond this, the reality is, many adults don’t have the necessary financial knowledge to pass on to their children. Survey results also show kids aren’t averse to furthering their financial knowledge; more than 30 percent would like to talk more openly about their family’s finances.”

“By talking openly about finances, parents can eliminate a lot of the mystery associated with money,” says Henselwood. “It’s good for kids to know money doesn’t grow on trees, and once parents have started that discussion, it becomes easier for them to provide education on healthy financial habits.”

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LEGAL MIXED USE DEVELOPMENTS | RICHARD MONTGOMERY

It is becoming more common to see developments that include a combination of both commercial and residential uses. While these mixed-use developments can have some issues that need to be resolved from time to time, if they are properly set up, the issues are usually minimal and resolvable. The benefits of use mixing can turn out to be a significant amenity for all parties.

Richard Montgomery is a partner at Montgomery Miles Law Firm. His business clients are varied and include proprietorships, partnerships, companies, investors, developers and financial institutions. His real estate clients include lending and mortgage work to conveyancing, leasing and development transactions.

However, one of the pairings that is starting to occur is that of long-term (i.e. owner-occupied) residential with short-term (i.e. vacation rental) residential. This type of mixing can often be problematic for the owneroccupier, who is trying to maintain their normal sleep and work schedules, while a number of their neighbours are staying up late and enjoying their vacation. This is usually not a good combination.

If you are looking at buying a residential strata unit as your regular home, you would be wise to check the zoning bylaws at the municipality to see if short-term rentals are permitted. You should also check the development’s strata bylaws to see if these allow for short-term rentals. If this is allowed, then you should give careful consideration to the compatibility of your intended use and that of the vacation rental units on the property.

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UPPER

MISSION MASTERPIECE WRITTEN BY

ROSS FREAKE COLIN JEWALL PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

Frame Custom Homes did such a good job building its latest Tommienominated home that it might redefine what it means to entertain.

“The people we built the house for had this vision to create this space for friends and family,” says Bill Frame of Frame Custom Homes. “The main objective was to make sure it all worked as far as the entertainment went. It’s an entertainer’s dream.”

But guests will probably be so enthralled by the view - both inside and out - that they might not want to leave.

The 7,000 square foot four-bedroom, five-bathroom walk-out bungalow was positioned to maximize views of the city, lake and mountains. But the views inside are almost as impressive as the scenery on the outside of the huge windows.

The master bedroom certainly has great internal and external views. It also has a double-sided fireplace, separate sitting area with a view, a magnificent ensuite, with a laundry room, and a big walkin closet.

Also on the main floor are the great room, kitchen, and pantry that live up to even a high-octane partier’s idea of entertainment central.

“I like the way the kitchen, and wet bar area are kind of attached, but separated,” Frame says. “The kitchen is to the left, wet bar is central, and behind is an enclosed wine room.

POOL.

With LED lights, which can change colour, the pool takes care of itself and you never have to vacuum; the circulating-jet system forces dirt to the filter. Pool cover moves at the touch of a switch.

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C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 9

“The round bulkhead above accentuates the whole curve of the wet bar; it’s a key part of the success of the house.”

Downstairs are bedrooms, bathrooms, gym, wet bar, pool table room, media room, and another laundry room.

The owners can check on their automated house whether they’re shopping in Kelowna or sun-bathing in Hawaii.

“You can carry your iPad around and manipulate lights, volumes, the fireplace - you can open or close blinds.”

“It was nice to be part of a project like that, where you are able to transform something into this beautiful home.”

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living area.

Every room is distinctive with exceptional, layered ceiling detail and custom-milled baseboards and window casings.

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The 10 foot-coffered ceilings are accented with crown moldings that add layers of detail.

d i n i n g a r e a . ( o pp o s i t e p a g e )

k i t c h e n . ( o pp o s i t e p a g e )

p r i n c i pa l b e d r o o m .

Dining area with large table positioned for views of Okanagan Lake and West Kelowna.

The kitchen, central to the pantry, dining room, living room, bar and temperaturecontrolled wine room, is an entertainer’s delight.

Bedroom at twilight. ................................

Two-way fireplace has a unique contrasting “shadow box” presentation.

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Maple drawers have soft-close mechanisms, and Blume undercount full extension slides. Cabinets have built-in recycling containers for eco-conscience convenience.

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m a s t e r wa l k - i n .

This closet is more than kind to even the most fashionable garments.

P r i n c i pa l B at h r o o m .

Bubble bath with a view.

The soaker tub is nested in an arched alcove, beside a fireplace encased in a marble wall.

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Ensuite has his-and-hers vanities with separate sinks and lots of personal space. Cream-painted maple cabinets are accented with glass pulls. Countertops are Italian Perlatto Olympo marble.

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media room.

Doc Holiday and the Earp brothers drop into the media room, which was designed to evoke a theatre feel. The home has a multi-media Navnet A/V control system for viewing photos, home videos or movie library. Listen to satellite radio or digital music library. b a s e m e n t.

Downstairs has TV, custom-built fireplace, games room, and wet bar.

AMAN D A BELL F OR MARSHALL ’ S HOME LIVING | I n t e r i o r D é c o r BARTLE & GIBSON | K i t c h e n & B a t h r o o m P l u m b i n g F i x t u r e s C AN - NOR ELE C TRI C | E l e c t r i c a l C o n t r a c t o r / H o m e A u t o m at i o n S y s t e m / A u d i o V i d e o & L i g h t i n g C o n t r o l S y s t e m s C U C INA D EL RE C ABINETRY | C u s t o m M i l l w o r k & C a b i n e t r y C USTOM GRANITE W ORKS | A l l G r a n i t e S u pp l y & I n s t a l l a t i o n D IS C OVERY GLASS & ALUMINUM IN C . | A l l I n t e r i o r G l a s s W o r k F RAME C USTOM HOMES | C u s t o m H o m e B u i l d e r GRAN D O P ENINGS W IN D O W & D OOR LT D . | W i n d o w s / D o o r s / H a r dwa r e S u pp l i e r MARSHALL ’ S HOME LIVING | A l l F u r n i t u r e / Acc e s s o r i e s / F l o o r C o v e r i n g s OKANAGAN HAR D W OO D F LOORS | H a r dw o o d F l o o r i n g S u pp l i e r ROBINSON LIGHTING & BATH C ENTRE | S u pp l i e d A l l E x t e r i o r / I n t e r i o r L i g h t i n g F i x t u r e s TAILORE D LIVING KELO W NA | C u s t o m C l o s e t s WALRO D P AINTING & D E C ORATIN g | I n t e r i o r P a i n t i n g / S t a i n i n g / C l e a r F i n i s h e s

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ONLINE SILVER TOMMIE FINALISTS 2012 It’s that time of year again – the time to recognize the great achievements of some well-deserving businesses and individuals in the local residential construction industry. Join us in congratulating the Silver Tommie Finalists for 2012. In addition to winning Silver, they are now finalists for awards in the Gold Tommie Gala put on by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, Central Okanagan in January 2013.

Go to the Editor’s Picks at OkanaganHOME.com for full details on the winners. You’re not going to want to miss the online sneak peek of the amazing projects that are up for Gold.

Photo credits clockwise from top: Orlan Photography, Shawn Talbot Photography, Liquid Estate Real Estate Marketing, Ed White

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LEFEBVRE-SMYTH RESIDENCE

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HOME IMPROVEMENT WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HOME INSPECTIONS & APPRAISALS |SHELL BUSEY Buying residential or commercial real estate is a serious venture with some potentially significant risks. Selecting the right property inspector can greatly reduce the associated risks. The following information will help you understand the process.

What qualifications should an inspector have? Check the inspector’s credentials. A “certified inspector” with the designation CPI or CHI signifies that he or she is certified under a government act and is recognized by the courts and other professional bodies. There are two bodies that regulate home inspectors in BC: Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors (BC) and Applied Sciences Technologists & Technicians of BC. A background in the building industry, as well as in the inspection field, is an asset. If you have not built or repaired it, how can you inspect it?

A qualified inspector must possess a good working knowledge of: building envelopes, structural components, plumbing/heating/ electrical systems, roofing, ventilation and hazardous materials (e.g. asbestos related items such as Zonolite insulation).

The inspector needs to understand how all the components listed above function and how they work together as a system. The ability to communicate this information back to you is also important.

An experienced, perceptive inspector should notice design defects and signs of structural or component deficiencies (including unprofessional workmanship).

Follow-up information from the inspector should include the ‘how to’ or ‘who to’ for making the necessary corrections.

Make sure you do your homework when accepting a referral for an inspector through your realtor. You must be certain that the inspector is working in your interest. Realtor/inspector relationships can pose a conflict of interest and are a cause for concern within our industry. As of March 31, 2009, all inspectors in BC need to be licensed under the Consumer Protection BC. How much should a home inspection cost? It can cost thousands of dollars to sell an average house, yet people are sometimes surprised at a $600 fee to inspect the same property. The inspection of an average 2,500 square-foot house, provided by a qualified inspector, should cost between $400$600. The inspection should include a detailed written report, complete with pictures in electronic form and a walk-through

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with you of the home. There should also be time for follow-up discussion. Allow 5 to 6 hours for a thorough inspection.

The bottom line is that the purchase of your home is one of the biggest financial commitments you will ever make. Do your homework, ask the right questions and do not base your selection of a property inspector on price alone.

Once you’re in your new home, you may want to renovate it.

Homeowners are faced with questions like, ‘How much do I spend on my renovations?’ or ‘What will be the return on my investment?’ or ‘What should I put my renovation dollars into?’ Conversely, lenders will have questions such as ‘What is the purpose of your renovation?’ and ‘Are you renovating to increase the equity in your property?’

A qualified real estate appraiser can help answer these questions. A detailed appraisal report on a property will provide two values. One will be pre-renovation or ‘as is’ and a second value would be post-renovation or ‘as if completed’.

There are tools available to assist you in your renovation process. The Appraisal Institute of Canada developed RENOVA, an interactive web-based guide, which was designed to give consumers a better idea of the return on investment that they can expect for a variety of home improvements. When an appraiser makes their initial visit to the property, the appraiser will state what is seen upon inspection. Upon their followup visit they will state what is seen at that time, including all updates.

The appraiser should not comment on building code compliance or quality of construction, unless that appraiser has specific expertise. Sometimes a lender will request a costto-complete estimate or a proposed budget for the renovation project on a specific property. This information does assist the appraiser when determining the two separate values. It is good practice to back up and support any cost estimates, whether this information is provided by you, the homeowner, or by a contractor.

In conclusion, there are resources available to help you determine both the pre-renovation and post-renovation values of your home. You can also use the services of an accredited appraiser to provide an opinion of value. This can aid in a better understanding of whether or not a renovation is worth your while. The bottom line is that an appraisal will help you to realize the maximum return on your investment.

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

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AT HOME AND AWAY

Photo by Morten Byskov

Photo by Rowan Thornton

A WEEKEND AT

SILVER STAR MOUNTAIN RESORT WRITTEN BY

DARCY NYBO SILVER STAR MOUNTAIN RESORT

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF

Just over an hour away from Kelowna and 25 km from Vernon is Silver Star Mountain Resort. With 700 cm of snow annually, 115 ski/snowboard runs, sledding, skating, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, bowling, a movie theatre and even wall climbing, it’s the perfect place to get away with friends and family.

Robin Baycroft, Resort Services Manager is excited about the 2012/2013 winter season. “Silverstar has 5,600 beds in the village, including the world-renowned Snowbird Lodge and Silver Star’s newest property, the Firelight Lodge, located right beside Brewers Skating Pond and Tube Town.” The Firelight is not what most people picture when they think of a ski lodge.

It has contemporary styling akin to Yaletown and has a more modern feel to it.

Silver Star is blessed with all natural snow and they have a great mix of everything from beginner slopes to the dark side, which is predominantly black diamond and double black diamond runs. Night skiing is only $10 starting in January 2013.

Skiers and snowboarders co-exist well at Silver Star. The Terrain Park/Rock Star Energy Drink Park is 20 acres in size and jammed with rails, fun boxes, spines and huge table top jumps. Rock Star also has the snow cross course and the Olympic style snowboard/ski cross, aimed for family fun.

“We have over 100 km of snowmobile trails in Sovereign Provincial Park,” said Baycroft. “We have guided tours available from within the resort area. We even have a little mini BMX style track for the kids to drive mini snowmobiles and it’s lit up at night.”

Not up for skiing, snowboarding, or sledding? How about a horse drawn sleigh ride or a gourmet dinner at a rustic cabin, or maybe you’d be more inclined to do some wall climbing in

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the National Altitude Training Centre. The Ousia Day Spa offers everything you need to relieve tension and completely relax.

There’s the Gallery Odin inside Kal and Maria Molnar’s private home, with around 30 BC artists with only original art. Or perhaps you’d like to knock things down, in which case, there is bowling.

“Pin Heads Bowling Alley is brand new this year,” said Baycroft.

“There are four lanes of 10-pin bowling with a cozy lounge serving wine and après ski drinks. It is super high tech with big LCD screens and iPads for keeping score and it’s located in the lower level of the Firelight Lodge.”

After a hard day enjoying yourself, you’re going to have to eat and Silver Star has great places to dine.” There are 16 places to eat at Silver Star,” said Baycroft. “They range from the cafeterias to the Silver Grouse Steak and Chop House. It rivals any restaurant in the North Okanagan. It’s a cozy 40-seat setting overlooking the Monashee Mountains.”

There are several après ski and after dinner places in Silver Star as well including, The Bulldog, Long John’s Pub and The Saloon where you can dance the night away.

If that’s not enough, throughout the season they have events like the snow sculpture competition, provincial level free style skiing, the over the hill downhill and so much more. For more info, go online to SkiSilverStar.com.

Photo by Rowan Thornton

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KITCHEN ESSENTIALS FLAVOUR LAYERING | BRUNO TERROSO

If you were to ask my Mother, she would say that she taught me everything I know. My years of experience aside, she may be right. Growing up Portuguese, it was always about food and family. Having 20 people around the dinner table was not uncommon… some might even call that a slow day. Every dish that my Mom put on that table had depth and layers of flavour. So while great ingredients can lead to great dishes, I believe it is knowing how to combine them to produce those layers of flavour that will have people asking for the recipe.

Bruno Terroso is the Executive Chef at Vanilla Pod Restaurant at Poplar Grove Winery in Naramata, where he has been with the company for 7 years. Some of his earlier culinary experience includes work at Naramata Hertigage Inn and the Bonfire Bistro in Kelowna. Before this he trained in the culinary arts program at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George, BC.

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So what is flavour layering? It is the structuring of flavours by combining ingredients at various stages of the cooking process, while utilizing every opportunity to bring out the unique qualities and contributions of each ingredient. Compare it to listening to an orchestra… the combination of sounds produces a beautiful harmony, but you are still able to pick out each instrument. In essence, that is the goal of a great dish.

A key element in layering and enhancing flavours is choosing complementary ingredients, keeping in mind that complementary flavours are often contrasting. While this may sound confusing, two contrasting flavours can enhance one another. For example, sweet and salty. You can blend tastes, textures and aromas while retaining each ingredient’s individual flavour.

Now, don’t get discouraged! While this may sound time consuming and labour intensive, layering can be as simple as caramelizing onions, deglazing a sauté pan, reducing stock or wine, or seasoning at each step. So take your time. Enjoy the process. Build those layers. Make something that tastes good, taste even better. Your family and friends will love you for it. They may even want the recipe.

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KITCHEN

Get the

look

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1

5

3

2 Kitchen Photography by Darrell Uruski | Kitchen by Berard Design Group

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LIGHT F IXTURES

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C OUNTERTO P

Quartz countertops by Quartz-Forms in Capris 100. Find at Paragon Surfacing.

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Wolf 30” built-in L Series Unframed single oven (model SO30U/S). Find at Genier’s Appliance Sales & Service.

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F AU C ET

Mountain Plumbing faucet (model MT1401) for instant hot water at the island. Find at Baths By Design. BathsByDesign.net

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W OO D F LOORING

Solid Sawn 7” Oiled FumedWhite Oak by Vintage.

Available at Okanagan Hardwood Flooring Co. Ltd. OkanaganHardwoodFloors.com

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INDUSTRY TOMMIE AWARDS – A TOOL FOR CONSUMERS Written by Rob Voros

Have you been seeing more of this gold-clad fellow around lately? It’s Tommie time again and it is important that we take time each year to applaud the companies who lead our industry with professional and high-caliber projects, despite what has been a difficult few years. These companies represent a building industry that is delivering outstanding service and quality.

Their continuing commitment to excellence makes a powerful contribution to the improving economy and housing market of the Okanagan. The Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA), Central Okanagan’s Tommie Finalists have been announced and we look forward to the Gold Gala on January 26th at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort & Conference Centre.

The Tommie Awards provide value to our members and to the community. It is a vehicle that provides validation to members that have raised the bar and created a product or service to be proud of. This includes recognition by their peers, as they have found a way to add an innovative touch to a community, home, renovation or product in an industry that excels in building the best.

This year’s awards featured over 140 entries that showcased amazing new homes and incredible home renovations throughout the Okanagan Valley. In a total of 48 categories, these entries showcase the quality, imagination and ingenuity within our industry that continues to strive for excellence.

What does this mean to you, the consumer?

From product and service providers, to the tradespeople, builders and developers, each feels the pressure to offer fresh ideas and innovation. In doing so they can compete with their peers and capture the attention of the industry, media and consumers. This is how the Tommie Awards feed the industry’s highly competitive and innovative spirit. New homes, new communities and virtually every component of the two have progressed substantially over the years. Common features found in new homes today were once unique new features included in a Tommie Award entry.

The awards are a significant measure of the ‘best-of-the-best’ in a competitive industry - a great tool for the consumer. The standard of excellence is raised every year, as all contributors to the residential construction industry evolve to keep up, and that means the customer is the ultimate winner.

Watch out for businesses showcasing the CHBA’s Tommie statue or logo. When you see him, you can be sure that you’re dealing with quality.

“Winning a Tommie is something to strive for...and when you win, it’s the best feeling in the world! Makes it all worthwhile.” - Gina Tyerman, Authentech Homes “The recognition we receive means a lot to all of us at Inspiration Homes. It motivates our entire team to continue doing what we do really well – build award-winning homes for our clients in Vernon, British Columbia and the surrounding area. But even more than keeping us motivated, winning a Tommie Award for Excellence signals to our clients - past, present and future - that we really take our work seriously.” - Rod Doroshuk, Inspiration Homes Vernon “It is always an honour to be recognized for your work but because the Tommies are evaluated by people in the industry that means more to us. Being considered one of the best by experts in your industry is one of the highest forms of recognition.” - Al Ryder, Dilworth Homes “We are very proud to be recognized by the Tommie Awards and we feel that the awards we have received give our clients confidence that we will do an excellent job building their home. We think that everyone here at Bridges feels that they are part of a very special community.” - Sandi Barr, Valux Homes/Bridges Living

Rob Voros is the Vice President of AcuTruss Industries Ltd., a supplier of professionally engineered and manufactured roof truss and floor support systems. Rob is also the past President (2011/2012) of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, Central Okanagan and presently acts as the Tommie Awards Committee Chair.

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Canadian Home Builders’ Association

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THE

AMBLESIDE WRITTEN BY

DARCY NYBO COLIN JEWALL PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

It all started with a narrow lot and a homeowner’s dream. That was combined with the expertise of Chriscan Construction and the knowhow of George Gowlland, Architect, to create one of the most challenging, yet rewarding builds of the year.

That same home, known as The Ambleside, won four Tommie Silver awards in 2012 and is in the running for the Gold Awards, which will be announced in January 2013.

“We couldn’t have done this without our chief organizer, juggler and problem solver, Jimmy Kitchin,” says Len Suchocki, president of Chriscan Construction. “Due to the constraints of a 17 footwide home, the unique challenge was to build a living space that didn’t feel like a narrow corridor.”

They also had to contend with a 25 foot-wide lot that left nowhere to stage the build.

“We had room to park one vehicle and we had no room in the back because we had to have a place to put the dirt we excavated,” says Suchocki. “The scheduling was constantly being changed because lead times for delivery had to work with lead times on the supplier end. We were always worried about being overcrowded.”

Even with time and space constraints, the house was finished in nine months, once they’d gotten over all the municipal bylaws and hurdles. The result, as you can see in the photos, is a 2,175 square-foot masterpiece.

The owners also wanted a garage for their vehicles, so it was placed behind the house for lane access.

“We placed the heat pump in a depression on the garage roof as there wasn’t any more yard space left,” Suchocki points out.

EXTERIOR.

The front of the home was finished off with synthetic lawn and a xeriscape garden.

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kitchen.

Floor-to-ceiling cabinets and wood grain porcelain tile give this kitchen a warm, homey feel.

Dining / living area.

The home’s main door opens into the dining/ living area, which overlooks the lake.

Bi-parting patio doors allow a natural flow of light through the home.

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C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 8 .

Then came the challenges on the inside of the house itself.

“It was so narrow, so we made it as open as possible. We put the staircase off to the side, and put windows top and bottom so lots of light could come in from the north side. We also created a glass-covered roof over the recessed front door to allow for more light. There’s a balcony off the master bedroom overlooking the lake. With the glass railings, the space seems to carry on beyond the house. It’s an illusion to increase the sensation of space. What you see is what you feel.”

Gowlland had his work cut out for him when it came to making narrow look open and airy. “On the north side we created a continuous cloister, so the light comes down the stairwell from above as well as from the windows on the side.

Another unique aspect of this home is that they didn’t want their master bathroom to be a separate room.”

Gowlland put his plans together and a feature tub was placed so one could look through the fireplace, through the master bedroom and to the outside while in the tub. “We recessed the storage cabinets to give the bathroom more space,” explains Gowlland. “The walk in closet was placed at the far end of the bathroom with a separate room for the toilet. We also put a glass wall between the stairwell and master bedroom and an 8-foot door with a glass panel above it to let the natural light flow through.”

Other space saving ideas were to have the TV mounted to the ceiling and have two fixed panel, bi-parting patio doors off the living area. The front yard had synthetic lawn put in and a small front garden was planted with xeriscape plants with no irrigation for low maintenance.

“We oriented everything [windows, glass doors] to face east with as much side light as we could pick up,” says Gowlland.

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“In the basement, window wells were created to bring in as much light as possible. It opened up the basement to give this large open space good flow through from the gym area to the home theatre area.”

The flooring in this home truly does add to the beauty of the design. The main and upper floors are 6 x 36-inch slabs of porcelain tile with a wood grain finish to give it a warm feeling.

The award-winning staircase is made of wood purchased from Bridgeport Floors.

The biggest challenge faced in the design and construction of this home was the fact the house was long and narrow with no supporting inside walls to brace it. The openness and windows made it very livable, but the challenge was to make it sound. “We had to overcome that by making shear walls wherever we could,” says Suchocki. “We ended up making all the walls shear walls as well as any little dividing walls (like the small wall between the ensuite and master bedroom).”

He explains further, “After the walls were framed with 2 x 6s we skinned the whole wall with a sheet of metal, then attached plywood and drywall to that. We did that right down into the basement so the entire three floors of the house are tied together with steel.”

In the end, despite all the trials and tribulations, Chriscan Construction and George Gowlland created more than an awardwinning house; they’ve created a cozy, comfortable home.

P R I N C I PA L S U I T E . ( A L S O O P P O S I T E PA G E )

The master bedroom shower looks across the soaker tub and through the two-sided fireplace, into the master bedroom, while the master bedroom overlooks the lake.

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FESTIVE

FACELIFT WRITTEN BY

ROSS FREAKE GEORGE DIMITROV/DIGITAL DEAN PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

Even Tommie paid attention when Nesbitt Originals and Okanagan Dream Builders mixed wood and steel in a home renovation.

The blend of traditional and modern impressed the people on the Hot Holiday Homes tour in 2011, but more importantly it impressed the home owners, and the Canadian Home Builders’ Association judges who nominated him for a gold Tommie, emblematic of building excellence.

“It was a unique house, kind of French provincial,” Paul Nesbitt of Nesbitt Originals says. “The couple were modernists and wanted contemporary. We said, let’s hit on all the major factors and let’s see if we can detail it using dark woods mixed with some stainless steel.”

He just tweaked some parts of the house - replacing drywall ceilings with dark wood, updating fireplaces, or repainting - but even minor changes added pizzazz to the aging décor.

EXTERIOR.

The roof over the front entrance is stainless steel, as are the gutters. Door is plaided with stainless steel panels. Soffits are fir.

B A C K YA R D .

The covered patio has sitting and dining areas. Folding, sliding doors open the patio to the outside, while folding screens slide across to keep bugs out.

DINING ROOM.

The dining room was decorated for the Hot Holiday Homes tour.

But the house came alive when he laid three-inch stone on kitchen counters, hung an $8,000 light fixture above the island, turned a traditional fireplace into a linear one with backlighting, replaced wooden stairs with stainless steel, and covered the patio; separating sitting and dining areas with a doubleedged fireplace.

“The clients were just so excited. Our tradesmen are second to none.” Happy clients keep builders in business, but the “800 ladies and 10 guys” who traipsed through the house on the Hot Holiday Homes tour also validated Nesbitt’s design decisions.

“I heard all the comments. It was encouraging to have people walk through and go, ‘oh, I love this house.’ They look at all the stainless steel on the stairs and fireplace and in the library, and go ‘wow, I didn’t know that would work.’

“Everybody was skeptical that injecting stainless steel into a traditional home would come together, but we pulled it off.”

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kitchen.

The $8,000 light over the island was found at the NeoCon Interior Design Show in Chicago.

l i b r a r y.

After using the rolling ladder to find the right book, residents can relax in a big chair in front of the fireplace. The recess was created for artwork, which commands the room.

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living area.

The living room was created around the couch, which was bought before the home was renovated.

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

The linear fireplace is backlit with blue light, which can be changed to different colours. The slab of stone is surrounded by polished stainless steel. The Etruscan horse above the fireplace also shows up in a granite inset near the stairs, and at the front gate.

p r i n c i pa l b e d r o o m .

The fireplace was moved so it aligned with the bed. The door leads out to the hot tub.

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

The ceiling flows down behind the headboard in the master bedroom and ties the two sides together. The ceiling to the right is recessed. The floor has ceramic tile, which runs throughout the house and was chosen so the big dogs wouldn’t ruin the flooring.

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BIrD’s EyE

v u e IN WRITTEN BY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

DAVID WYLIE

COLIN JEWALL PHOTOGRAPHY

Kelowna’s newest Penthouse owners are on top of the world.

The buyers snatched up the last two of the 92 units available in the 15-storey modern concrete tower. It took only two years after construction wrapped-up in 2010 to sell out in a tough real estate market, a testament to the top-notch quality of the condo, says INvue sales manager, Jane Wilson.

“Not many other buildings have these kinds of amenities,” she says. “It’s fun showing people the rooftop.

Your views are amazing.”

The rooftop offers a sweeping view of the lake, mountains and agriculture that make the Okanagan such a desirable place to live. It also boasts a pool, jacuzzi and patio. There’s a gym, sauna, billiards room and dog wash inside.

foreshadow of what’s to come in the penthouse suites, with their high ceilings and exposed concrete.

Located a stone’s throw from Orchard Park Shopping Centre, the INvue condo’s cruise ship shape helps it stand out on the skyline.

The larger of the two penthouses is 2,500 square feet, with three bedrooms and it sold in November. The unit comes with a dramatic million-dollar view highlighted perfectly by the floor-to-ceiling triangular wall of windows visible from the living room, kitchen and loft; agriculture to the left, Okanagan Lake ahead and city views to the right.

“It’s designed with space in mind,” says Adrian Block, the president of Rykon Construction. “When you walk through the lobby for instance, it’s a real lobby - not an afterthought lobby.”

There are three balconies, off the living room, guest bedroom and principal bedroom. The upstairs principal bedroom’s ensuite bathroom features a sleek infinity tub and steam shower, with radiant heated floors underfoot.

Four massive concrete pillars stretching to the vaulted ceiling greet those walking into the building. It’s a

“We wanted that luxury spa feel, so we wanted space and height and a sense of richness,” says Block.

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The second, smaller penthouse sold in October. It has two bedrooms and features similar eye-catching modern finishes, custom touches and angular designs as the first. The kitchen in the 1,800 square-foot unit feels slightly more spacious, but the suite doesn’t have the same 180-degree view of the first.

Instead, a long wall of windows faces south over fields of green to where the horizon touches mountaintops. The same view can be seen from a window in the ensuite bathroom that frosts over at the flip of a switch.

LIVING AREA.

Angular design in the 2,500 square-foot INvue condo penthouse helps show off the sweeping view of the Okanagan, including agriculture, mountains, Okanagan Lake and cityscapes.

The floor-to-ceiling windows are equipped with automatic shutters to soften the light coming into the penthouses.

Rykon is no stranger to the condo market, having built 12 concrete towers in Vancouver. The company is also working on other projects in the Okanagan, including the 525-lot Sonoma Pines development by the Two Eagles golf course in West Kelowna.

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kitchen.

The modern kitchen, with granite countertops, gives cooks a nice view of Kelowna while they create culinary treats.

p r i n c i pa l b at h r o o m .

The ensuite bathroom is designed to give a luxury spa-like feel, with a steam shower and double faucets.

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LIVING AREA.

Charcoal Canadian maple hardwood is underfoot through much of the penthouses. Both homes were purchased furnished with modern, eye-catching pieces.

Care to make a grand entrance?

The first thing people notice about your home is the front entry door.

It’s their first impression and should speak to who you are.

All Weather Windows manufactures an exciting variety of front entry doors with stunning decorative glass options, to make that first impression count.

Homeowners, architects and builders rely on All Weather Windows for a comprehensive line of beautiful and durable entry systems that add value and beauty to any home.

Visit allweatherwindows.com to find a dealer near you, or contact the Vancouver office directly at 1-800-518-8338.

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THE COMPETITION STACKS UP WRITTEN BY

DARCY NYBO PLATINUM HD CANADA

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

Life would be much simpler if you could just pick your home out of a catalogue, customize it to suit your needs, and have it set up and delivered; all within two or three months. Kurt and Kris Goodjohn thought so too and created Karoleena Homes.

Their factory is based in Calgary and they are looking to expand into BC, Eastern Canada and the United States. What makes Karoleena Homes stand out from the competition is their demand for quality and efficiency. “We have in-house architects that are professionally trained to create smart living spaces,” said Kurt Goodjohn. “With a 1,500 square foot modular home you get the same functionality you would find in some 2,000 to 2,500 square foot homes that have a lot of wasted space.”

Then there is the actual strength of the homes. The modules are a steel structure making them 400 percent stronger than most other modular homes and substantially stronger than a typical wood frame home. These homes are highly energy efficient. The walls are anywhere from R28 to R60 with ceilings starting at R51. “We have gone through a lot of the models and our modular homes have an EnerGuide rating of 91,” said Kurt. “A typical home has an EnerGuide of 74. That translates to savings on heating and cooling.”

Creating your own custom-made home is as easy as sitting down and talking to the people at Karoleena. They do everything for the homeowner, from designing your home to getting permits and pouring foundations, to setting up the home, putting on the roof and finishing the inside. “It’s like putting 50,000 pound Lego blocks together, explains brother Kris from his home in Naramata. “The modules are wrapped in protective packaging and trucked to

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your home site. Once they arrive, cranes take the modules off the trucks and stack them into place. Then the crew takes over connecting the electrical and plumbing. The interiors are 95 percent complete when they leave the factory, so there is not much left to do except when drywall seams need to be created or a cabinet needs to be put into place. The modules are already sealed from the outside.

After that, the siding and roof is completed.”

According to Kris, putting a home together can take anywhere from five days to two weeks, depending on the size and if it has a below ground level. If a basement is involved, they will have a crew onsite to finish that as well.

Kris’s home was based on their Kitsalano model, then adjusted to accommodate for a walk out basement. It has a full geothermal heating system and an ELAN automation system for audio/video, lighting, indoor climate control and security. It was designed with that specific lot in mind, taking full advantage of the view, the arc of the sun and the landscape. They even planned for a modular addition to go onto the house in the future. “There is a window on the second floor that pops out that can be turned into a door or just an opening for a hallway to the new section,” he explained. “The beauty of these homes is you can keep adding to them. As long as your original design is expandable, lot size is your only limit as to how much you can add on.”

As for cost, the price ranges from $250 to $300 a square foot when everything is included. “We have a set time frame and work on a fixed budget,” explained Kurt. “If anything goes wrong, that’s our cost, not the homeowner.”

To find out more about Karoleena modular homes go to www.karoleena.com. You can also see them on YouTube on Dragon’s Den as they get a great business partner in W. Brett Wilson.

living area.

Floor-to-ceiling windows outside kitchen/dining area allow for full natural light when cooking and entertaining.

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

Lift and slide doors that open up the whole room to give you more indoor/outdoor space.

kitchen.

Open kitchen area with built-in appliances, floor-toceiling cabinets and lots of drawers.

b at h r o o m .

This home has a shower with enough room for two, an overhead rain can, two showerheads, and double sinks. A tub could be added to the extension at a later date or put into the basement bathroom. A hanging toilet is located on the left behind the shower to maximize space.

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ARTIST PROFILE STU AND YVONNE GOLDBERG Written by LAURA GOLDSTEIN Imagine watching contestants racing around the world under terrible duress, experiencing excruciating weather conditions in every mode of exotic transportation from hot air balloons to rickshaws - in almost total silence.

“Music makes it exciting, ” says composer-musician, Stu Goldberg, who helped establish the library of music for the 13-time Emmy Award-winning CBS television reality show, The Amazing Race. “Executive producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, wanted a soundtrack of wall to wall chaos, but reflecting a sense of location from Italy to Thailand without being a travelogue,” explains Goldberg. “It was a tremendous challenge - 45 minutes of big action music and it had to be composed in three days.”

Perhaps best known in the Okanagan as a local jazz pianist, record producer for Anna Jacyszyn’s soothing vocals and composer of Stage Within for Ballet Kelowna, Goldberg’s modest demeanor belies his extensive accomplishments.

In early years, Goldberg realized a successful solo career in Europe, recording 14 albums before moving to Los Angeles as a session musician.

One of those sessions happened to be as featured keyboardist among 100 musicians for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Harrison Ford and Sean Connery.

Over the years, Goldberg has composed hundreds of scores for film and television in Canada and the U.S., most recently for The Bouquet directed by Anne Wheeler and starring Danny Glover.

“I have to be a chameleon and compose, play, produce for all kinds of projects,” says Goldberg realistically.

Above: “Okanagan Lake” oil on canvas Below: “Sunburst” acrylic on canvas

by Yvonne Goldberg

“I love music and art - they are inseparable to me,” says painter, music teacher and Stu’s partner in life, Yvonne Goldberg. “My Dutch grandmother was a concert pianist and my mother kept this tradition alive by teaching me classical music and exposing me to opera, ballet and art.” And not surprisingly, Goldberg met her husband Stu at one of his jazz concerts in Germany in 1980.

They have been married for 30 years with three children.

European trained with a Masters Degree in Art & Music, Goldberg and family moved from Los Angeles to Penticton eight years ago. She saw an opportune niche to establish the one-woman YGO - Fine Art Gallery to showcase her paintings.

“Living here, with the beauty of the Okanagan’s light on the water; the unpredictability of the weather, sky and cloud formations; the shape of the rocks and mountains, really influences the depth and variety of my work,” she confesses.

Goldberg’s intuitive colour alchemy whether in oils, acrylic or pastels and her innate ability to metamorphosize her painting styles from impressionism, contemporary to the abstract, have made her large canvases of landscapes, portraits and still life, highly sought after. She loves the challenge of commissions and they are compelling additions to several wineries, corporations and private homes. Her new series of paintings are a modern take on women painted by Old Masters, but set in the Okanagan. They are infused with Goldberg’s subtle humour: Oka Lisa, (after Leonardo da Vinci); her joie de vivre; Okanagan Mermaid (after John William Waterhouse) and Goldberg’s sensuality: Angel of the Valley, (after Abbott Handerson Thayer).

“Although we work separately, Stu and I brainstorm together – we are never short of ideas. We’ve collaborated on CD covers for recording artists he has produced, photo shoots and my line of greeting cards based on my paintings. We always tease each other a lot,” laughs Goldberg, “but we can’t imagine our lives without being creative and each other.”

For more on the Goldbergs visit StuGoldberg.com and YGO-FineArt.com.

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GREEN HOUSING

WILL YOUR HOME’S ENERGY PERFORMANCE MEASURE UP? | KEITH VEERMAN If you’re a residential builder, or buying a new construction house, you’ve likely heard buzzwords like LEED™, PassivHaus, Built Green™ and EnerGuide 80®. These are concepts that sound nice… and greenish, but what do they mean in terms of construction and the future livability of a home? Does it mean you have to go solar? Or live off of the grid?

Keith Veerman is Manager, PowerSense Efficiency at FortisBC. FortisBC’s PowerSense program is continually evaluating energy saving products.

*oee.nrcan.gc.ca, Natural Resources Canada, Office of Energy Efficiency, What is the EnerGuide Rating System?

The reality isn’t so extreme. Take EnerGuide 80 for example. An initiative of Natural Resources Canada, you might already recognize EnerGuide labeling when buying a new fridge or clothes washer. It applies to homes too. According to Natural Resources Canada’s website* “An EnerGuide rating shows a standard measure of a home’s energy performance. It shows you (and future buyers) exactly how energy efficient a home is. The efficiency is measured on a scale from 1 to 100, with 100 being a home that is considered airtight, well insulated, sufficiently ventilated and requiring no purchased energy on an annual basis.”

Today, most new homes built to code achieve an EnerGuide rating of only between 65 and 72.

A home that is rated EnerGuide 80 or 85 is considered energy efficient. For the home’s resident that means lower energy bills and a more comfortable home, with a smaller environmental footprint. To achieve EnerGuide 80 or higher when building a new home, you must first contact a certified energy advisor to have your plans evaluated. The advisor will then model different options focusing on heating, ventilation and the building envelope to improve efficiency.

It’s up to you to decide what options you choose to achieve EnerGuide 80 or higher. This could mean installing high-performance windows, incorporating efficient insulation technologies such as insulated concrete forms, or installing a high-efficiency natural gas furnace or air source heat pump.

Achieving EnerGuide 80 or higher can help make your project stand out from the crowd, attract buyers and increase resale value. Better yet, FortisBC offers rebates for energy-efficient new home construction.

To learn more visit fortisbc.com/newhome.

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BUILDER PROFILE MAB CONSTRUCTION Written by Jennifer Smith | Photography Courtesy of MAB Construction

A nail is a nail and a hammer is a hammer, but in the construction industry you’ve got to know how to hit the nail on the head and hammer home your timing.

So when Franki and Mark Beaney fell in love with the Okanagan on a family vacation in 2007, they understood time was of the essence. clients throughout each job and say it is really the secret to their Then in their mid-thirties, with two young children and a successful success. carpentry business just north of London in Buckinghamshire, England, Mark’s skills were quite marketable to contractors scrambling to meet the “We’re not cheap, but we like to give people good value for their demands of a red-hot housing market and growing city. money,” he said.

“I was offered a job by Greyback, the company doing the bridge construction, From installing motion-censor under-cabinet lighting to crafting before we even got over here,” said Mark. “Of course, when we arrived, the handmade roofs, there is no job where MAB Construction can’t job wasn’t there.” add the feel of luxury.

The couple landed just in time for the global financial crisis to shake up the And Mark just might be the only carpenter in the Okanagan industry, but Mark wasn’t about to head home. He started in construction to enjoy a working roster of high-end hockey players’ homes as a teenager and knew how to build a career as a builder. with almost no knowledge of their celebrity. As a contractor for Timberhaven Homes and Predator Ridge Construction, “Throughout the world, building is building, a house is a house; so I learned he’s had a hand on some of the most extravagant projects in the Canadian way,” he explained. the area; and yet, he readily admits he likes the more modest, creative jobs just as well.

As housing in England is primarily brick, Mark had to pick up concrete work and framing. He quickly landed a job with Gord Turner Renovations, Working by himself, adding subcontractors when he needs adapting the knowledge he had from converting barns to trendy country them, he figures there’s no job too big, too small or too difficult houses in England to BC’s wood-frame construction. for him to figure out.

He enjoyed working with the “creamy, smooth North American concrete,” but discovered his attention to detail as a finishing carpenter was marketable on its own.Within a year, he created MAB Construction, with Franki providing the office assistance he readily admits he is “rubbish at”, when she was not working as a pharmacy assistant.

“I like what I do. I’m good at what I do, and I’m very honest with my clients,” he said. “If I don’t think a job needs to be done, I’ll talk myself down.”

This year, MAB Construction spent five months on one renovation and completed nine other projects. They Mark has 20 years of self-employment to his name, and an unparalleled target renovations with an eye to building whole homes eye for quality, so he had no trouble securing an enviable clientele out of in the future. the gate. The Beaneys make an effort to stay in close communication with

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PLANNING GEOTHERMAL Written by Darcy Nybo Geothermal is one of the newest, yet ancient ways to heat and cool your home. We contacted some experts, Peter Harteveld and Peter Whiten of Custom Air Conditioning. They’ve amassed a wealth of knowledge over the past two decades and we went to them to get the story on geothermal.

Before the shovels hit the dirt, the planners have to look at the builder’s plans and the topography of the site. Then the type of field is decided upon; either horizontal or vertical. “We look at the application and the size of the building and do load calculations to see how much heating and cooling is required,” explains Peter Harteveld. “The more you can run off a system, the more attractive it gets. For example a house with snow melt for the driveway, a hot tub and a pool, makes geothermal appealing because you can use it for multiple things.”

Harteveld says retrofitting existing buildings to geothermal can be done, but it is very intrusive. “You have to dig the yard up and bring piping into the mechanical room of the home through the foundation.”

For those who are in a position to do a retrofit, Harteveld says to expect the cost to be 10 – 20 percent higher than a new build system.

Costs for geothermal vary greatly and are dependent on the situation.

Costs are broken down into two segments; mechanical and field work.

“The mechanical is what we put inside, the heating, the cooling, hot water, etc.,” says Harteveld. “The field work consists of drilling and trenching and laying the field. What we put inside the home is 20 – 25 percent more than a typical heating/cooling system. As for outside, it is so variable, it’s hard to put a figure on it.”

The good news is the savings aspect of geothermal. “If you factor off your cap costs and compare it on a system to system basis you see savings immediately,” says Harteveld. “If you are using savings as a benchmark to pay back your capital investment, it depends again on the number of features, size of the field, type of field, etc. For arguments sake, payback on a large complex property could be as soon as three years.”

Custom Air also recommissions systems. Harteveld explains, “The problem with some existing geothermal systems is they haven’t been commissioned properly so people aren’t seeing the energy savings they thought they should. We specialize in recommissioning the system to get it to do what it was supposed to do in the first place.”

Geothermal is meant to last 15 to 25 years for the mechanical equipment, and the ground loop should last for at least 50 years. If it is not set up properly it will not last, so make sure the people doing your geothermal set up are accredited.

For more information on geothermal go online to CustomAir.org.

Geothermal coils rest at the bottom of a trench, eight feet underground.

This system will be used to heat and cool a large residential home.

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Proud supplier of decorative lighting solutions for another beautiful project by Frame Construction!

Kelowna, BC #4-1495 Dilworth Dr. (250) 860-9626 www.robinsonlightingcentre.com

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ACCESSORIZE

THROW PILLOWS

Flounce Pillow in Red and Felt Flowers Pillow in Sand, with hidden zipper close for cleaning ease. Find at Pier 1 Imports. Pier1.ca

BOOKCASE

This Hutch Style Bookcase by CDI International offers storage and style.

Find at Marshall’s Home & Living.

MarshallsHomeLiving.com

CANDELABRA

The Queenstown Candelabra by Ren-Wil holds five candles and sparkles with its chrome finish. Find at Marshall’s Home & Living.

MarshallsHomeLiving.com

SPOTLIGHT GLOBE

Oozing with Hollywood charm, the Monahan Adjustable Tripod Antique Silver Lamp by Arteriors Home.

Find at Marshall’s Home & Living.

MarshallsHomeLiving.com

S O FA

Whitaker Sofa by Ethan Allen with a low lying tufted back, generously scaled rolled arms, and three welted loose seat cushions. Choose exposed wood legs or a waterfall skirt. EthanAllen.ca

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Jane Hoffman Coldwell Banker Jane Hoffman Group Kelowna, BC • 1 888-856-2632 • jane@janehoffman.com 01 OkanaganHOME.com