Home Feature

Downsizing in Style

Successfully downsizing and moving into a smaller home always comes with its own set of challenges. However, with a well-executed plan, a small space can live large and most importantly give one the freedom to decorate to their heart’s desire, as is the case with this newly renovated home.

The focal point of the living room’s seating arrangement is the custom built entertainment unit and cabinetry designed by Zareck to house her television, provide shelving for displaying pretty accessories and hidden storage compartments.

Christine Zareck recently completed the renovation of her 1050 square foot builder basic condo. Drawing on her innate skill and expertise in pulling colour, pattern and fabrics together, she has filled her home with carefully edited furnishings, small space innovations and a decor style that blends harmoniously from room to room. Although her new space is small in footprint, it is huge in style and decked out with beautiful fabrics, accessories, and customized furnishings.

“I wanted it to feel like a big hug the moment you walk in the door,” says Zareck.

With thoughtful planning and creative thinking, this open plan living space was completely transformed using a unified colour scheme of white, cream, sea foam green and soft pastels along with custom design-built furniture, dual purpose furnishings, and clever DIY projects. Being a creative person, it should come as no surprise that she is also an avid DIYer who likes to up cycle, restore and create things from scratch, saving money so she can splurge on custom purchases. The result of all her hard work is an elegant, pretty and serene haven where she can relax and unwind at the end of a busy workday.

Opposite Page: Christine chose to keep the existing white kitchen cabinets but added upgraded finishes such as stainless-steel appliances, durable white quartz counter tops, and a show stopping tile back splash along with all new plumbing and light fixtures. Right: The cathedral ceiling that encompasses both the living room and the kitchen adds a sense of openness, creating volume that makes all the rooms feel much larger.

SPRING 2022 www.pei-living.ca 63

BELOW: Wall paneling installed in the entryway, along with artwork and hooks for coats and bags, create a welcoming entry setting the tone for the entire space. One of Christine’s “fabulous finds” was an inexpensive faux grass cloth patterned peel and stick wallpaper. She installed it on the entry wall paneling, as well as on the living room’s built in cabinets. One would never even know it wasn’t authentic unless you closely inspected it.

Christine’s original painting “Young Christine’s Dream” takes centre stage on her living room wall.

ABOVE: In the living room a set of custom sewn tailored Roman shades provides privacy and light control. The sofa is adorned with lots of plump pillows, drawing one to sit down, put your feel up and relax. Due to its extra-long length and depth, it can also be used as an extra sleep space if needed.

RIGHT: Creating the perfect living room conversational area are two custom upholstered armchairs, a floor pouf and a generously sized custom sofa. The sofa is slipcovered in a neutral off-white fabric which balances perfectly with the floral motifs on the chairs and chair cushions. Conveniently situated between the armchairs, this dual-purpose piece can be used as a side table for both chairs.

RIGHT: The dishwasher is cleverly disguised within the kitchen cabinets thanks to the addition of drawer front cabinet panels. With two separate washing drawers, washing cycles can operate either together or independently from each other, saving water and energy.

LEFT: The dining room table allows for everyday seating for two people, but when necessary, a bench in the hallway can be moved in to accommodate seating for four.

DIY PROJECTS: The antique buffet/server was refurbished with a DIY painting project. Originally a brown wood finish, Zareck painted in the same soft sea foam green used throughout the space and refinished the wood top. She also framed the six seashells herself. They were modeled from similar artwork she found online; she was able to reproduce a similar look at a fraction of the cost to purchase.

The team behind the dream

CHRISTINE ZARECK, Homeowner and Business Owner

SANDRA MACGILLIVRAY, In-House Designer North Rustico Home Hardware Building Centre

Meet Christine Zareck, the business owner of Material Girl in Charlottetown. On any given day she and her staff are busy at her design shop helping clients select and procure finishing touches to their homes, including fabric selection and custom window treatments, along with sewing and upholstery services.Turning to her own home for this renovation, it was now her time to create a home that not only reflects her personality and taste but allowed her to decorate to her heart’s desire.

We would like to thank Christine for sharing her lovely home, her imagination and her tips and tricks for small spaces with our readers.

CRESCENDO

Founded in Montreal in 1986, Les Papiers Peints et Tissus Crescendo Inc. is a company of import and distribution of high-end quality fabrics for interior decoration.

Material Girl carries a vast selection of fabrics from Crescendo suitable for all of your fabric requirements.

Christine purchased many of her building supplies at her local Home Hardware Building Centre in North Rustico. While meeting with Sandra, their in-house designer, Christine mentioned she was having a tough time finding the perfect kitchen backsplash. It was during the conversation that Sandra said I think I might have the tile for you and proceeded to pull out a bag of pale green tiles reminiscent of sea glass and beach waves. The tile was exactly what Christine had envisioned and the rest is history.

As a dealer for the Lexington brand of furniture, Zareck was able to get the chairs she wanted by customizing the fabrics and finishes to her specifications.

MARTIN A. SCHELLEN

Having a trusted finish carpenter was essential for the renovation. Working with furniture designs Christine drew up, skilled artisan Martin was able to take her plans off the paper and custom build them into reality. A master craftsman with attention to detail, Martin took on numerous projects during the renovation, including building the entertainment centre and custom furniture pieces and overhauling her existing sofa.

► Completely tucked out of sight is a hidden compartment within the built-in cabinets. A pull-down door reveals a dedicated space for all Christine’s art supplies.

◄The dining table was another of the custom pieces Martin built, allowing Christine to design and determine the appropriately sized table to perfectly fit her small space. The artwork in the entertainment cabinet is actually the Samsung Frame TV. The unit can display artwork to the owner’s taste when not being used as a television.

► Christine’s original sofa was built by Martin and received a fully customized makeover, he took the sofa completely apart, right down to the springs and frame. It was then rebuilt to be longer and deeper. Once it was rebuilt, a new custom slipcover and pillows were custom sewn to complete the overhaul.

HOME CONSTRUCTION INCENTIVES FOR ISLANDERS

efficientcyPEI is offering incentives to Islanders to ensure their home will energy efficient and reduce their home’s environmental impact. Everyone benefits!

Submitted by Darren MacKenzie with information from efficientcyPEI.

The easiest way to ensure you have an energy efficient home is to make it part of the plan before you build. Your new home will cost less to operate, be more comfortable and help reduce your environmental impact.

PLAN ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The New Home Construction Program is available for new construction. The first step is to plan your design with your builder, then contact one of efficiencyPEI’s energy partners. They will arrange for a certified energy advisor to evaluate your building plans before you build.

To be eligible your plans evaluation must be submitted before or within 30 days of receiving your building permit. You must have your plans evaluated before the footings are poured. If your building permit is over 30 days but construction has not yet

started, the energy partner will arrange a site inspection to verify this with efficiencyPEI.

Step two is to use the energy advisor’s customized recommendations to improve the energy efficiency of your design. Work with your builder to implement the efficiency recommendations when you build your new home.

The final step to receive your rebate is to have your certified energy advisor conduct a follow up assessment on your new home within 12 months.

Your home will be assigned an EnerGuide rating that tells you (and future buyers) that your home is comfortable, efficient and saves money. Depending on the efficiency of your new home, you could receive up to $5,000 in rebates. Either the homeowner or builder may register the home. The rebate will go to the homeowner, unless the homeowner requests that the builder be paid directly.

SOLAR ELECTRIC REBATE PROGRAM

Solar energy is quickly gaining popularity on the Island. The use of solar energy can lower energy bills working hand-in-hand with other efficiency upgrades.

The solar program makes solar power more affordable than ever before by providing financial incentive for Island homeowners, farms and businesses to install solar PV panels. Solar incentives will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 500 tonnes annually and create approximately 20 jobs in PEI’s renewable energy sector.

In addition to solar rebates, financing is available through the Government of Prince Edward Island to assist with the up-front costs of solar installation. Incentives for residential homes: $1,000/kilowatt installed, up to 40 per cent of installed costs, to a maximum of $10,000.

THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY LOAN PROGRAM

This loan program will provide financing for PEI home-owners who are approved applicants under either of efficiencyPEI’s Energy Efficient Equipment Rebate and Home Insulation Rebate programs. This will assist with the up-front costs associated with the purchase and installation of products and/or building envelope upgrades that will improve the energy efficiency of the homeowner’s existing primary year-round residence.

There is also financing available to assist with the up-front costs associated with the purchase and installation of solar equipment that can lower energy bills for Islanders through the Energy Efficiency Loan Program for How much financing is available under this program?

Eligible applicants can apply to receive a repayable loan of up to $10,000, towards 100 per cent of invoiced costs for eligible activities that have been pre-approved by efficiencyPEI under their rebate programs.

The loan will bear interest at the fixed rate of five per cent per annum and is repayable over a period of up to seven years.

Legacy Homes Ltd. 12745 St. Peters Road, Ten Mile House 902.626.3200 www.peilegacyhomes.com

MacKenzie Builder Services Ltd. 262 Howe Pont Road, Eglington 902.969.0425 www.mackenziebuilders.ca