Dyh fall 2014

Free

Fall 2014

Western Manitoba

Prepare Your Garden for

WINTER

Building a Home?

Feature Stories:

J&G Homes, Sutton-Harrison Realty

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Contents

10

Sutton-Harrison Realty

26

In Every Issue

4 . . . . . . . . Letter from Editor 10 . . . . . . . Featured Business: Sutton Harrison Realty 26 . . . . . . . Featured Home: J&G Homes 30. . . . . . . Did You Know

Lifestyle 28. . . . . . . Wine Advice: Tips for Assessing Wine While Dining 24 . . . . . . . Kitchen Safety

My Idiah

18

J&G Homes

Design & Decorative 8 . . . . . . . . Trends in Custom Window Fashions 14 . . . . . . . Making A House Plan 30. . . . . . . My IDIAH: A Gallery of Your Own

Home Improvements 6 . . . . . . . . Prepare the Garden for Winter

Disclaimer Reasonable care is taken to ensure that Design Your Home Magazine ar ticles and other information on the web site are up-to-date and accurate as possible, as of the time of publication, but no responsibility can be taken by Design Your Home magazine for any errors or omissions contained herein. Fur thermore, responsibility for any losses, damages or distress resulting from adherence to any information made available through Design Your Home magazine or website is not the responsibility of Design Your Home magazine. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Design Your Home magazine.

All interior and exterior home improvements/repairs should be consulted by a professional, prior to the star t of the project.

Adver tisements and the content, including photos, of adver tisements published within Design Your Home magazine are solely by the adver tiser. Design Your Home magazine does not accept responsibility for opinions expressed in adver tisements for copyright issues with regards to photo, adver tising, copy and adver tisement, nor shall they find liable thereby.

Design and Layout by:

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 3

Letter from the Editor

Moraine Lake

F

all is coming soon and I would like to reflect on our family summer holiday. We decided to take a “Griswold family cross-countr y drive” – Canadian style. We planned a two-week drive from Brandon to Vancouver Island. It was not my first time on Vancouver Island, but it was my first time driving through the Rocky Mountains.

We made our first stop in Moose Jaw, Sask., at the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa, where we spent two days in Canada’s largest therapeutic geothermal mineral water pool. The natural warming pool was a great way to relax

4 | Design Your Home | fall

and star t our holiday. We continued our drive to Calgary, where we spent two days visiting family and Canada’s largest living history museum, Heritage Park. The Park theme is “How the West was Once.” With more than 200 exhibits and attractions it offers fun for the whole family.

who was par t of a whale watching experience. We decided to spend four hours on the water around Victoria. They guarantee a whale sighting and they followed through with their promise.

The next day we spent the day with family, at my cousin’s wedding. The wedding took place at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt. The base provided a great landscape for a wedding, with a 180-degree, unobstructed view of the harbour.

After the great time in Alber ta we packed up and headed to British Columbia. Our first stop was in Revelstoke, B.C., where they have an amazing attraction called the Enchanted Forest. “It provides summer travellers of all ages with a refreshing stop in the enchanting world of fantasy, set in untouched nature.” - The Enchanted Forrest resor t. Driving through the Rocky Mountains for the first time was spectacular. If someone was counting, I must have said WOW every five minutes. With so many scenic views and pull-over locations, we tried to take it all in.

Being on the road for a week, we made it to Vancouver Island. We spent time on the harbour front and took in the local seafood dishes. On the docks we met a guide

On our way home, we stopped in at Lake Louise where we spent time at Moraine Lake as well. The view of the mountains and the clarity of the lake could not be completely captured by a photograph. The clear blue water and the endless mountain peaks was a view I could take in for hours. We spent the rest of our trip heading back home to Brandon, with only a few bathroom and food stops.

It was a wonderful experience and I would recommend a western drive through the mountains for a summer fun, family vacation.

Stewart Dyck Publishing Editor, Design Your Home

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 5

Prepare the Garden for Winter

T

his ar ticle outlines the practical steps to putting the outdoor garden to rest for the winter.

are you like me? Sad to see the summer end but at the same time relieved that there is one less task to tend to.

Weeding, watering, pruning, and more weeding is over for this year and with a few more chores the outdoor gardening year draws to a close. Most of what needs to be completed is a matter of cleaning up and covering up. Practical steps to preparing your outdoor garden for winter involve: 1. Protecting plants. There are different opinions concerning whether to cut down or leave plants standing through the winter. Here on the Prairies most people leave their perennials standing for a variety of reasons.

In par ticular, trapping the snow cover is impor tant for protection of plants and retaining moisture. Snow cover acts the same as good mulch by insulating the soil. Many perennial stems and seed heads are also very attractive for winter interest and provide food for the birds. after the ground freezes, mulch perennials and shrub beds with pine needles, compost, peat moss, or chopped leaves. This

6 | dESIGN YOUR HOME | FaLL

protects the soil and plant roots and moderates the effects of extreme temperature changes during winter periods of freezes and thaws.

2. Cleaning up the garden. Harvest warm-season crops such as tomatoes even though they are still green.

Lay out on windowsills; or layer them in boxes with newspapers between the layers of tomatoes. They will slowly ripen or you can use green tomatoes for fried green tomatoes or various green tomato recipes. Pull out any remaining crops or spent annuals; clean up remaining debris and weeds to decrease the possibility of disease problems in the spring.

3. Evaluating your garden design. Before you star t winterizing your garden, take a few minutes to review what worked and what didn’t and make note of any areas that you would like to change in the spring.

4. Preparing the soil for early spring seeding.

Turn over the garden soil late in the season while amending with organic matter such as leaves, compost, or well-rotted manure. In the spring, a light raking is all that is needed.

5. Caring for trees and lawns. Protect the tender bark of young trees from rabbits and gnawing critters by wrapping stems or trunks with chicken wire or commercial tree-guard products. To prevent rodents from nesting

near buildings and trees, trim tall grass and remove weeds. deeply water trees and shrubs so that they go into winter well hydrated. don’t prune shrubs and trees as it may stimulate new growth just before the harsh weather. Cut lawns and fer tilize if you wish with a low-nitrogen “winter” blend. Use grass clippings for mulch or compost. Never send them to the landfill, as they are excellent fer tilizer left on the lawn (if they are not too long) and/or make terrific compost/mulch dug straight into the garden or used for garden pathways. Once rotted on pathways, dig into the garden and replace with new grass clippings.

6. Planting before winter. Now is the time to plant bulbs. Garden centres carry many varieties suitable for the Prairies. Remember : buy good quality as cheap is not better. The larger the bulb – the larger the bloom. Look for plumpness, firmness, clean skin, and surface. directions for planting are included with the package.

7. Composting. Compost dead plant debris including leaves. Leaves are a valuable natural resource. Rather than a nuisance, they are the best soil amendment as well as terrific mulch. Leaves take very little effort to recycle into a

wonderful soil conditioner – leaf mould – for the yard and garden. You can make leaf mould by the same process nature does. Pile up moist leaves and wait for them to decompose or shred the leaves into smaller pieces before piling them up. If you wish, you can enclose the pile with chicken wire, snow fencing, or something similar. In the spring, I rake up dry leaves and dig them straight into the vegetable garden.

8. Cleaning your tools. Clean the soil from all your

gardening tools, oil any wooden handles and moving par ts, sharpen any blades, and then store them in a dry place for the winter.

9. Water Gardening. Bring in pumps, drain, and clean; take care of tender water plants prior to freezing.

10. Bringing in your indoor plants. Before

bringing in any houseplants that have spent the summer outdoors, examine them for critters, wash them, and spray with soapy water or insecticidal soap. Use sterilized potting soil purchased from garden centres or shopping malls if re-potting your plants. don’t use garden soil as it may harbour insects, weed seeds, disease, and fungi. - dYH

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dESIGNYOURHOME.Ca | 7

Trends in Custom Window Fashions

J

ust like runway fashions, window fashions change, and there have been many new developments recently. Let’s take a look at the top 10 trends to give you inspiration!

1) Clean Lines One of the biggest design trends we are seeing today is the use of clean lines to create a contemporary, streamlined look.

When it comes to draperies, inverted box pleat draperies on smaller-scale rods are all the rage. Flat Roman shades and box pleat valances are another popular style and are a great way to achieve a lighter, brighter, and less fussy look.

8 | dESIGN YOUR HOME | FaLL

2) Greys Grey has replaced taupe as the new neutral. We are seeing grey everywhere including fabrics, fashion, and home decor.

Sophistication can be achieved in interiors by combining grey with neutral draperies in various tones and textures.

3) Bright Colours On the opposite side of the spectrum, bright colours are also hot right now; clean crisp tones of orange, fuchsia, orchid, turquoise and cobalt blues act as the centre of attention in rooms. Have a little fun by combining bright colours with greys and neutrals.

4) Natural Fibres You can achieve a sophisticated and contemporary look by using natural fibre fabrics. Linen is a perfect example

that is very hot right now. There are many textured solids available in natural fibres as well such as cottons and silks.

5) Large-scale Prints Large-scale prints that are big and bold are being seen more and more in interior design. Because they are so dramatic, they need to be used sparingly for the best effect.

8) Colour Blocking Colour blocking is a trend in fashion that almost everyone is familiar with and is a big trend in soft treatments as well.

The idea is to use contrasting blocks of colours at the top and bottom of a drapery. Colour blocking is also a great look on Roman shades and valances. Colour blocking is a great way to add subtle colour into a natural space without overpowering it.

9) Thin Rods Thin metal rods are trending and we are seeing more sleek designs such as French poles that return back to the wall with no finials. This keeps with the modern look of today’s fashions.

10) Nailheads Nailhead embellishments are being seen everywhere today; they can be found on upholstered headboards, cornices, chairs and even drapery panels. an important thing to remember when it comes to interior design trends is that they typically stick around for a decade.

Investing in these trends will give your home a fresh and updated look that you can enjoy for many years to come!

Article and pictures provided by Budget Blinds.

The Best in Custom Window Coverings Residential & Commercial

6) Geometric Patterns Large geometric prints are a great way to add impact to any room. Greek keys are an especially popular and versatile geometric motif. Everyone is in love with geometric patterns and trims so make sure you incorporate them into drapery panels to valances. Bold patterns like these don’t always have to be in bold colours; they are just as attractive in neutral shades.

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preferred drapery accent. Today, tape trims come in a wide variety of options including solids, Greek key embroideries and animal prints. Tape trims can be used in many ways to embellish window treatments, bedding and pillows.

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dESIGNYOURHOME.Ca | 9

Feature Business

By David McConkey Photography Jaime-Lynn Dyck

T

he bond between a proper ty buyer or seller and their agent can be a life-changing one. The insights, knowledge, and dedication the REaLTORS速 bring to their clients can make dreams come true. This is what the Sutton-Harrison Realty team see as their starring role. and, brokers Kit and Sue Harrison have made it their mission to ensure they and their team put all their skills and energy into helping their clients reach their end goals.

“Real people, real service, real estate.” That’s the motto of Sutton-Harrison Realty, which provides a full-service business. That means meeting the needs of clients – whether interested in a house, a condo, a business, a farm, a recreational proper ty, a retirement residence, or a proper ty for development. And, just as their clients are on the move looking for the right proper ty – so are they. Sutton-Harrison Realty is moving their family of 28 REATORS® into their new, modern, specially chosen location – the Cornerstone Mall at 18th and Rosser.

Today, Kit and Sue are the broker / owners of a successful enterprise. They are sharing with their clients the excitement of moving into a new location as they tailordesign their new office space to fit their clients’, their new par tners’, and their team’s needs. Their 28 REALTORS® – serving clients in Brandon, Westman, and beyond – are very excited about the move.

How did they get to where they are now?

Spreading Their Wings The story star ts 30 years ago, in 1984. At the time, Kit was one of the youngest real estate professionals to join the industry. In 2003, Sue entered the business: they were now par tners at work as well as husband and wife. At that same time, they sought affiliation with a national firm. They chose Sutton, which has a reputation for being tech savvy and is one of the largest real estate companies in Canada.

Sutton-Harrison Realty was born. They decided to expand to a larger office and secured a storefront in the 300 block of 10th Street. Then came the oppor tunity to purchase the nor theast corner of 10th Street and Victoria Avenue.

Sutton-Harrison Realty operated from 10th and Victoria until a couple of years ago when it was developed for a national tenant. At that point, they moved into a temporary spot in the 1600 block of 13th Street. They explored several options before deciding on their new location: the Cornerstone Mall on the nor theast corner of 18th and Rosser.

The new office has a fresh, high-tech, modern look.The 18th Street location provides a welcoming atmosphere, with easy access and parking for clients, staff, and visitors. The product they sell is external to their workplace, but having

a convenient, professional office is still important. The highprofile, handsome, and handy Cornerstone development at 18th and Rosser is ideal. In real estate – both commercial and residential – it is “location, location, location.”

The new setting, Sue says, “is the office of our dreams.”

The new office is par t of a complete rebranding and redevelopment of the whole company. One impor tant aspect is the move to a par tnership model. The new par tnership now encompasses a half-dozen individuals who bring a diversity of strengths, knowledge, and experience.

The result: a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and energetic team that can better meet the needs of their clients.

Building

on

Client Commitment

Of course, the Sutton-Harrison Realty’s overall success speaks to their dedication to their clients – serving them over the years with integrity and competence. Kit and Sue, in the words of their mission statement, are “committed to be your first choice in personalized real estate services, and to help you achieve your goals.”

And today, they also must be on top of the abundance of information and new technology. Much communication is now on the go: with texting, cell phones, and other mobile devices. And the Internet: with social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Many of the team have their own Facebook pages, YouTube sites, and Twitter profiles. (You can find Sutton-Harrison Realty on Facebook at facebook.com/suttonharrisonrealty. And, you can contact Sutton-Harrison Realty by e-mail at shradmin@sutton. com; by phone at 204-571-5900; or toll free at 1-877-4635900.) As par t of the overall redevelopment, their website (suttonharrison.com) is also being completely redone.

Celebrating

the

Satisfaction

Kit and Sue are delighted with the real estate field. It is a great way to enhance the lives of their clients, to par ticipate in the business life of the community, and to make a living.

The work is satisfying, even though it entails long hours at tasks that are often not obvious or even noticed. Selling a proper ty is much harder than it might appear to the casual observer. And even though much work is done electronically with new mobile applications and social

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 11

benefits to their clients individually. The real foundation of the team is solidly based on the Harrisons’ attracting and nur turing really good people. Their REaLTORS®, Sue says, “all have good souls.”

Every Sutton-Harrison Realty client is treated as a special individual. But Kit and Sue have a larger vision as well. They know that a city, town, or rural area can be much more than just a collection of people who happen to live in the same place. When people are engaged as neighbours and citizens, that place can be nur tured as a vibrant community.

That is why Kit and Sue are involved in charities and other organizations. That is why they encourage all their REaLTORS® to contribute, par ticipate, and give back to their community. and that is why they set aside a little bit from the proceeds of every transaction. They then quietly channel those funds to people they have encountered through their work who are in need.

looKing media, the sheer amount of old-fashioned paperwork has actually increased. There are now more regulations and other requirements that must be met. and their work is not over just because the buyer and seller have agreed to a deal. In many ways, Kit says, “we are often just star ting our work when an offer is accepted.”

Real estate, Kit says, “is an equal oppor tunity business.”

Both women and men have the oppor tunity to reap the same rewards. a special benefit is that real estate work often can provide some flexibility. It allows, for example, for a parent with a young family at home to get star ted in the career.

Kit and Sue speak with obvious pride and enjoyment with the 28 REaLTORS® who work with them at Sutton-Harrison Realty. “It is not all about being the top sales person,” Kit says. “We get our biggest kick out of seeing someone grow and be a successful, confident, happy person.” developing and suppor ting an effective team means implementing programs such as on-going training, best practice sessions, and performance recognition. Kit and Sue believe that the stronger the team, the greater the

12 | dESIGN YOUR HOME | FaLL

To The fuTure

What’s in the future? Kit and Sue see even more growth and even more oppor tunities. They have the exclusive rights to the Sutton name for the territory in the province of Manitoba excluding Winnipeg. So the whole rural and nor thern Manitoba beckons. There are increasing oppor tunities in the commercial sphere – a special interest of Kit’s. another area of growth is in proper ty management – there are now more people who are investing in real estate, but would like to have someone else professionally manage it for them.

Today’s environment, Kit and Sue point out, more than ever creates a need for real estate professionals. There is more information out there and everything is more complicated. There is a greater need for a qualified experienced professional to help buyers and sellers sor t through it all. a need to consult with someone who knows the market, who has accurate information, and who knows the steps required. Someone who can be a guide to the intricacies involved, like financing, legalities, regulations, home inspections, and more. To get an idea of the scope of the real estate scene, check out the SuttonHarrison Realty website at suttonharrison.com. There, you can see their team of REaLTORS®, their services offered,

and their current listings and more. and you can browse through useful ar ticles like “Tips on Buying Your First Home,” “Windows: Replace or Repair?” and “Zen and the ar t of Packing.”

Kit and Sue have arrived at a point where they can reflect on lives and careers of real accomplishment and fulfillment.

“We really enjoy what we are doing; we don’t even think of it as work,” Kit says. “It’s what keeps us energized and sharp.”

integrity and friendliness with a firm focus on their client’s needs and wants. and they continue to revel in the spirit that is the life of the real estate business.

“There is nothing more fun than handing the keys over,” Sue says. “Seeing a client get what they have been looking for and dreaming of.”

Their new office will be a strong statement about the Sutton-Harrison Realty team and where they are going. about their pride of where they have come from. about their commitment to serve the community today. and about their confidence in the future. (The team of SuttonHarrison Realty are celebrating the opening of their new office with a Brandon Chamber of Commerce “after Five” event plus a “Client appreciation” on Thursday, September 18. If you would like to attend, please pre-register by phoning 204-571-5900.)

What drives Kit and Sue Harrison and Sutton-Harrison Realty? at their core, the Harrisons combine down-home

Photo by Photography by Dale

dESIGNYOURHOME.Ca | 13

Making A House Plan

How To Build The Home You Have Been Dreaming About:

P

lanning to build a house is surely an exciting endeavor in anyone’s life. It is a major step throughout the course of a lifetime, one of the milestones that most hardworking people look forward to.

Being a major decision, making a house plan can be a very difficult feat. Without the proper knowledge, one can turn a dream into a nightmare. For tunately, with some basic know-how, one can be guided into making a good house plan that can make one’s dream home come into reality.

The Basics of a House Plan When making a house plan, the first step is to picture the general components one would want to have in their dream home. Going directly to the details might leave

14 | Design Your Home | fall

one frustrated as there are hundreds of things to think about, thus, it is impor tant to first have an overview of the house plan. How many bedrooms would you want? This depends on how many people will live in the house, or if you plan to accommodate more in the future. You should also think of the size of the house, whether you want it to be a bungalow or a two-storey structure. You have to imagine the general feel of the house, before going to the nitty-gritty details.

The Financial Factor Of course it is quite impossible to build a house without thinking of your budget. In most cases, the budget would determine so much about what you can do to the house you are building. It would be helpful to consult contractors or builders to see what kind of house would match your finances. Check if the house you imagined in your overview would be affordable according to your budget. If your budget does not meet your dreams, then you might just need to remove some elements, but if you have more than enough money, you may want to add some more things.

The Components of the House Plan after contemplating the type of house you want and viewing it according to your budget, you can then begin to plan the essential components of the house. Here are some of them:

purposes. While a structure built on a strong foundation with sturdy materials could already provide shelter, it could barely become a dream home. Some types of finishes you might want for the exterior of your home could be stucco, vinyl, brick, aluminum, or wood. For the interior you might want drywall, stone, concrete, wood, among many others.

1. Foundation – a house must be built on a sturdy foundation.

You might want a basement as a foundation, this could give you extra space, perhaps for storage or another room. To maximize the square footage of your house, a Walkout or daylight Basement in the home can provide many benefits that are lacking in a traditional basement setting. a walkout basement is most frequently found in houses situated on a slope, since par t of the basement level is above ground – however a walkabout basement is most simply defined as a basement with full windows and a door to the outside. a walkabout basement has many benefits, including the fact that it can create more living space and increase the appraisal value of your house.

Building a house is a major endeavor that requires careful planning and consideration. With a good plan and the proper execution, one can be sure to build a dream home. - dYH

408 Park Ave., e, Brandon, MB

Bring the right team together, all under one roof.

You might also want a slab foundation or a crawlspace if you do not want a basement. You need to check with your local building authority as to what type of foundation can be used when building a house.

2. Materials – of course, you would need to choose the types of materials to be used for the house.You might want simple wood or hardboards, you might want concrete or stone. again it all depends on your preference, budget, and the environment where your house will be built.

3. Exterior and Interior Finishes – finishing is also important even if some people might think it is just for aesthetic

our Team is ready to Assist You for all Your Home & Business Needs

Showroom : 408 Park Ave. E Brandon, MB 204 727-3799 - www.contractorscorner.ca dESIGNYOURHOME.Ca | 15

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• cost of labour • total cost including permit fees • expected payment schedule • estimated start and completion date • statement that the contractor carries liability insurance and workers compensation coverage • details of warranties or guarantees • details of cleanup during work and on completion • homeowners responsibilities • Evaluate the proposals – make sure they cover the same work and use equivalent materials.

the estimate/proposal. Modifications in the contract must be initialed by both you and the contractor.

Regardless of where you live or the type of home you have, Manitoba Hydro has many Power Smart* • Do not enter into a verbal agreement or programs and availablesign an incomplete document. Without a financing to make your home more energy efficient. complete written contract, you have very

Insulation

little footing to resolve disputes if the work is not done to your satisfaction.

Most LEDs are dimmable and come in a variety of shapes, colors, and wattages, allowing you to customize the look and feel of your home more than any other lighting technology.

If you find yourself in a dispute situation, contact the Consumers Bureau at 945-3800.

Up to 70 per cent of a home’s annual energy bill can be attributedFortotipsheating on making your Power costs. A well insulated homehome uses lessSmart visit: www.manitobapowersmart.ca energyyouRSelf and that means lower heating PRoteCt wIth A wRItteN CoNtRACt and cooling costs and less environmental Appliances • Once you have selected a contractor, impact. ask them to prepare a contract based on Did you know that running a second their estimate/proposal. Read it carefully, including the terms and conditions and Whether it is cold air leaking in or warm air fridge that’s over 15 years old could fine print, to ensure it accurately reflects escaping during the winter, a drafty house cost you more than $100 per year? loses energy and is less comfortable. Adding Manitoba Hydro’s Refrigerator insulation to un‑insulated areas or topping Retirement Program will arrange for up to Power Smart standards is one of the free removal of up to three older units easiest and most cost‑effective ways to from your home, dispose of them in an save energy and lower your energy bill. environmentally responsible way, and you’ll receive a $40 rebate for each You may be eligible for a rebate on the one. This program offers an easy and cost of your insulation through Manitoba convenient way to get rid of your second Hydro’s Home Insulation Program. The fridge, save you money, and ensure your rebate and savings of up to $150 annually appliance is recycled responsibly. on your energy bill can make the project *Manitoba Hydro is a licensee of the Trademark and Official Mark.

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very worthwhile and affordable. Check with the contractor or retailer of your choice to find out if your project qualifies.

LED Lighting

Light emitting diode (LED) bulbs are the most energy efficient type of lighting available, using up to 80 per cent less electricity than standard incandescent bulbs. Replacing one incandescent bulb can save you up to $80 over the lifetime of that bulb.* Replace all your incandescent and halogen bulbs in your home and save even more.

LED bulbs last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs, so they are well‑suited for the hard‑to‑reach sockets in your home. They work well when in cold weather and will achieve full brightness immediately. * assumes replacement of 60W incandescent

Affordable Energy

Our Affordable Energy Program makes it easy to save energy, improve the comfort of your home, and save money.

You may qualify for an in home energy audit, FREE insulation, and a high efficiency natural gas furnace if you are: • a homeowner with a limited income and think energy efficient upgrades for your home are too costly or hard to do; • a home renter with a limited income, we can work with your landlord to have energy efficient upgrades done to the home you live in; • a landlord interested in energy efficient upgrades which can increase the value of your property and reduce the energy consumption of your tenants.

Water and energy

The second largest use of energy in a home, next to space heating is water heating. Install Power Smart low‑flow plumbing devices in your home to reduce both water and energy consumption.

Manitoba Hydro is offering free Water and Energy Saver Kits that include low‑flow showerheads, faucet aerators, pipe insulation for your water heater and a fridge/freezer thermometer. The Water and Energy Saver Kit can save you approximately $30 a year on your residential energy bill.

Financing

Manitoba Hydro offers Power Smart financing options designed to help you improve the energy efficiency of your home and keep your monthly payments manageable.

• Power Smart Residential Loan offers various loan terms to make monthly payments manageable, with the added convenience of having the loan payments applied directly to your utility bill.

• Power Smart PAYS (Pay As You Save) offers extended financing terms for energy efficiency upgrades. You Pay As You Save because your monthly payment is less than the estimated annual utility savings generated by your upgrade. These savings are averaged over 12 months and used to calculate your monthly payment.

• Residential Earth Power Loan assists homeowners with the cost of installing geothermal heat pumps and solar water heaters. Loan payments are added to your utility bill.

For more information and complete details on all available Power Smart programs, visit hydro.mb.ca or call 1-888-624-9376.

*Manitoba Hydro is a licensee of the Trademark and Official Mark.

It doesn’t need to be sky high Lower your energy bill with Power Smart*.

Order your FREE Water and Energy Saver Kit.

Upgrade your insulation and get a rebate.

Retire your second fridge and get $40 and FREE pickup.

Get a FREE energy efficient LED bulb when you sign up for MyBill.

See if you qualify for FREE insulation and a new high efficiency furnace for only $9.50 per month.

Finance your energy efficiency upgrades with convenient on-bill payments.

To learn more about our Power Smart rebates and loans, visit hydro.mb.ca or call 204-480-5900 or 1-888-MBHYDRO. *Manitoba Hydro is a licensee of the Trademark and Official Mark.

dESIGNYOURHOME.Ca | 17

Feature Home

By Wanda Kurchaba Photos by Kara Matthews - Sterling Images

Profile Clip Video at designyourhome.ca 18 | Design Your Home | FALL

“

What I really like about the house is that there’s a little bit of ever ything for ever yone.”

M

odern and contemporary or traditional and classic – these are fairly common terms often used to describe the style of a house.

Meredyth Leech, design Manager with J&G Homes, recently put the finishing touches on a new show home for Brandon’s Fall 2014 Parade of Homes and she with

Jared Jacobson, Owner J & G Homes, worked hard to find a balance between the two.

“The one thing to keep in mind is that not everyone likes modern, not everyone likes traditional, so I tried to blend the two as much as possible to appeal to everyone,” Meredyth said.

Jared worked closely with Meredyth on the style of the home “this is one of our signature homes, which when we build that lineup of the home, I will tend to put a bit of my finishing touches into it.” Jared said.

dESIGNYOURHOME.Ca | 19

Visit this home Sept. 13th, through Oct. 5th, with the Parade of Homes

9 Southview, Brandon, MB Number Nine Southview drive in Brookwood, one of Brandon’s newest developments, is where you’ll find J&G’s new show home. along with the style of the home, Meredyth also considered the customer who would eventually purchase it.

“I designed this house for a family that loves to enter tain and spend time inside and outside. It’s definitely a fun house with a large patio, a fully landscaped backyard, a bar and home theatre room,” Meredyth said.

Master Bedroom

This, of course, is just one of a number of projects that J&G Homes currently has in the works. Since 1956, they have been in the business of building and generations later this family-owned business is still going strong.

Jared Jacobson, the third generation of Jacobsons at the helm, has been Chief Executive Officer (CEO) since 2004.

He believes J&G’s solid reputation in Brandon is based, in par t, because of their history.

“We’re well known for being around for three generations and for our quality construction,” Jared said. “We’re a local business that has always given back to the community.”

Master Bathroom 20 | dESIGN YOUR HOME | FaLL

J & G Homes staff 270 employees, approximately 55 subcontractors, 550 trades people and with the nine other Jacobson-owned companies, running a corporation of this magnitude takes a lot of forward thinking and planning.

Jared looks to his family and staff for suppor t.

“It’s impor tant to be involved in the business and to not be an absent owner. I try to be involved as much as I can and to continue the legacy of my dad and grandpa,” Jared said. “I have a great team and surround myself with good people. I rely on them a lot and if you use your team wisely, the organization will always be successful.”

It’s quite obvious after walking through the new home on Southview drive that it did indeed take a team of great people to make it the stunning showcase that it is. There are many features of this fabulous abode that gives it not only finesse on the inside, but fantastic curb appeal as well.

Wet Bar

“Because it’s a show home we like to showcase as much as possible, so we did use mixed materials on the outside instead of just stucco and brick. The metal wood siding and wood grain doors really brought it together. I feel like we’ve created a home with a modern, more West Coast vibe,” Meredyth said.

The home features a fully landscaped yard with a Barkman patio and fireplace. The driveway has a new style of pavers, as does the patio. These thick, weathered, wood-looking pavers are also a new Barkman product that was used to complement all the materials used on the outside of the house.

Theatre Room

dESIGNYOURHOME.Ca | 21

building a show home, Meredyth admits it’s definitely a bit trickier than working on a project for a homeowner.

“We don’t normally do a finished basement or a bar as a standard it is optional to the homeowners to do at time of construction or in the future. It’s a much bigger plan and of course there’s the timelines and the pressure to get everything completed on time. at the same time, however, it’s also one of the best jobs to take on because we’re able to try new and innovative products and there’s a bit more room to play. So, I think it all balances out.”

Large Covered Deck The home, itself, is 2012 square feet on the main level.

It has an open-concept design, plus five bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, a large covered deck off the kitchen, a modern fireplace, a basement bar and a home theatre room. The creative and unique features inside and outside the house will definitely appeal to a wide range of buyers.

“My favourite par t of the house is probably the pine hardwood flooring. We rarely use hardwood these days, so it was nice to be able to,” Meredyth said. along with the hardwood floors, there are quar tz counter tops throughout with a lovely waterfall effect in the kitchen and a comfy fireplace that beautifully sets off the living room area.

“The quar tz throughout the house is really nice as well.

Quar tz counter tops are really popular as they are along the same lines as granite and marble, except there are more colours to choose from; it’s a bit more durable and there’s less maintenance,” Meredyth said. “The fireplace is a more modern style than our standard fireplace – it is more linear, more contemporary. We used a faux, concrete panel which is a new product that is light, easy to cut and good to work with.”

Other features of the show home include a gorgeous ensuite bathroom with a freestanding bathtub and a beautifully tiled shower, a spacious entrance, main-floor laundry, a Jack and Jill bathroom and an attached two-car garage. as you walk through this beautiful home, you will notice great furnishings and decor from Kullberg’s. according to J&G’s tracking system, it takes a minimum of 52,000 components to build an average home. With all the various components and the added pressure of

22 | dESIGN YOUR HOME | FaLL

Outdoor Fireplace When building with J&G Homes you’ll find a large variety of plans to choose from within the Lifestyles, Legacy and Signature series and all their homes can be customized to the homeowner. Jared says they try to provide customers with attractive plans that match the lifestyle and price range of each customer. They strive to find innovative plans people can afford to build new homes and they strive to provide great customer service.

“We’re basically a full-service, one-stop shop for people who want to build a new home. We have a whole new process in place for working with customers that includes all the people that you need – we have designers, realtors, an engineer, drafts people, a planner, two customer service representatives and people to work with in the finance depar tment. By having the whole supply chain, we can offer the best pricing and best value for the cost (of building a home),” Jared said.

In addition to the home at 9 Southview Drive, J&G Homes will feature two other homes in the Fall Parade of Homes, September 13 - October 5. They are located in Southridge at 31 and 32 Ericson Crescent. For more information about J&G Homes, visit jandg.ca.

D F

EL RE W i & t IV E Fi hin na S ER 2 E nc 00 T ing k - Y Pl m o UP an f B s A ra va ndo ila n ble

www.kullbergs.ca

Kullberg’s Furniture - Brandon 731 18th St, Brandon, MB (204) 727-5449

Kullberg’s Furniture - Virden 346 King Street East, Virden, MB (204) 748-3331

Need more decor?

El Bon Homme, 2011, Spain This dr y medium-to full-bodied red wine is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Monastrell, a grape variety indigenous to Spain. It has aromas of blue and black fruit, dried herbs and flowers, and a savor y palate of earth, anise, hickory and dark fruit.

751 18th St., Brandon, MB R7A 5B6 dESIGNYOURHOME.Ca | 23 Phone: (204) 725-4664

Kitchen Safety

C

ooking can be a very enjoyable

pastime

remember

that

but safety

in the kitchen is imperative. You are dealing with knives, fire, hot appliances and the often-forgotten danger : bacteria.

Observe basic safety rules and always be aler t as one slip can cause a serious incident.

• have pot holders ready and be sure to use them.

• do not cook in loose clothing or with long hair not tied back. You don’t want anything accidentally catching fire.

• have handles pointed away from the stove front where they could be accidentally hit by the cook or grabbed by a child.

• remove all dangling jewelry that could get caught on pot or pan handles.

• set up a safe zone so children do not get close to the stove or hot pots or pans.

24 | Design Your Home | fall

•

beware of steak knives. They cut meat so will cut a finger or hand.

•

do not lick cream cheese, butter, etc. off of a butter knife.

•

never slice freehand over the sink.

•

secure the cutting board by setting it on a damp towel.

If you do cut your hand, rinse the cut with cold water and apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Wrap in a clean cloth or paper towel and raise above your head and keep pressure on it until the bleeding stops. apply an antibiotic cream and bandage.

If the cut is deep, stitches may be needed so visit the nearest emergency room for medical attention.

The kitchen is a gathering place for many occasions. By following these practices you can keep it a safe and happy •

raw meat, fish and some dairy products are temperature sensitive so keep them in the fridge. do not let them sit out on the counter tops.

•

keep raw meat and poultry away from other food items and each other while storing. avoid cross contamination.

•

wipe up spills as soon as they happen to keep the floor dry and avoid slips and falls.

•

wash your hands to help prevent the spread of bacteria after handling all foods but especially meat products.

•

always have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and know how to use it before the need arises.

Knife Safety •

always store knives in a wooden block or in a drawer away from children.

•

keep the knives sharp to help prevent slips.

•

slice away from your hand and keep fingers clear of the blade.

•

do not use your hand as a cutting board: for example, cutting an apple in half.

•

to mince: keep the blade tip on the board and pump the handle up and down.

•

hold the food with the tips of your fingers.

experience for all.

Bill White has been associated with work place safety committees for 25 years in the government and the private sectors

e m o H r u o Design Y magazine

We are on the lo o

kout for:

Motivated

Sales Representatives If you are interested in this position, please email: jobs@designyourhome.ca dESIGNYOURHOME.Ca | 25

A Gallery of Your Own

O

By Jaime-Lynn Dyck Illustrations by Jenna Rae Photography, Regina, SK

26 | Design Your Home | fall

ne way to achieve a designer look in your home is properly hung artwork. If you are like me, you like to take plenty of pictures of your family and travels, but arranging them on the wall can be a bit of a struggle. Here are some tips to get you that designer look at home!

Groupings are more effective when hung in symmetry, like a square or rectangle. Find a commonality to tie the grouping together, such as all-black frames, wood frames, or white mattes. If you already have a collection of frames, consider painting them all the same colour. Find the wall space you wish to hang your gallery and let’s get star ted!

Tip: for higher ceilings, you can hang slightly higher. Mark the nail/hook location of each frame on the paper hanging on the wall and nail/screw it right over the paper. Then just tear the paper away. This will ensure your photo gallery is Lay your frames on the floor in different patterns, until you find a layout you like. Spacing should be 2-3 inches apar t between frames on all sides. Trace the frames on a large piece of paper and hang the traced paper on the wall, for even a day or so, to get a good feel for it. You can also cut each frame size out of paper and stick them individually to the wall and move them around as you see fit. Pictures should be hung at eye level which is approximately 57 inches (to centre of the picture). When hanging your gallery, be sure that the centre of the grouping is 57 inches.

hung according to your layout.

Now fill your frames with your favourite pictures and enjoy your new photo gallery!

Kara Matthews Photographer

1-204-872-2372 kara@sterlingimages.ca

Mention T h Ad and S is ave

$50 o

Your Fall 2 Lifestyle S 014 ession

dESIGNYOURHOME.Ca | 27

Wine Advice

Tips For Assessing Wine When Dining

A

wine

assessment

considerable thought.

time

When

takes and

the wine, producer and vintage. Once accepted the waiter pours a small sample, usually one ounce, for your assessment and approval.

dining,

First, note the appearance of the wine. Tilt the glass to

although there is no time limitation

Evaluate the color, clarity and hue. Is the wine clean and

to accept or decline a wine, the fact

view it against a white background – a napkin or placemat. shiny or dull and murky? Most wine is bright and reflective although some of the best wines are unfiltered and may

is, many patrons feel rushed.

appear slightly hazy. Wine made from different varieties

Wine assessments focus on appearance, aroma(smell) and

For example, Sauvignon Blanc is pale straw yellow in

taste, and the following tips will help you make a relatively quick, yet accurate, assessment. It helps if you are familiar with the grape variety used to make the wine and if you are familiar with the wine – even better. You already know what to expect.

When wine is presented to you, check to make cer tain that it is indeed what you ordered. Verify the name of

28 | dESIGN YOUR HOME | FaLL

or by different methods has dramatic differences in color. color where an oak-influenced Chardonnay is a medium gold hue. The “legs” or ‘tears” , the droplets that stream down the inside of a glass, are not an assessment of a wines quality, they are simply a reflection of the amount of glycerin, alcohol or sweetness.

Smell is by far the most critical assessment. Put your nose in the glass and smell the wine, then swirl (swirling

exposes wine to air releasing aromas) then smell again.

Take your time. does the wine have the aromatic profile you expected? do you detect any faults? Wine should never smell like sherry (unless it is), as this is proof of an oxidized wine, where musty or wet basement odors indicate a “corked” wine. Other scents such as geraniums, onions, cabbage and nail-polish remover also indicate faults. If you identify an aromatic fault there is absolutely no need to taste the wine. If you are uncer tain about the fault then you must taste the wine.

The main goal of tasting is to confirm aromatic faults and assess the balance between sweetness, acidity, alcohol and

Wine Pick

tannin, the major components of wine. Faults detected only thru taste are excessive bitterness or tannins (the drying, astringent texture in wine).

If the wine is faulty it should be refused but if you simply do not like it, that is a different scenario all-together.

Kate Wagner Zeke, Sommelier(ISG) Certified Specialist of Wine, Certified Wine Educator(SWE) wineadviser@wcgwave.ca

Live the

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Invest in lakefront property for just $59,900

Conundrum White, 2011, U.S.A., This wine, a blend of numerous white grape varieties, was first released in 1989 and serves as inspiration for winemakers around the world who produce white multiblends in its image. The grape varieties in this wine include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscat, Viognier and “others”. The conundrum? How much and what other grape varieties are included?

This lush and fleshy medium-bodied wine has generous flavors of honeydew melon, passion fruit, mango and ripe pear. The highly aromatic nose mimics the palate with the addition of the floral qualities of acacia and flower blossom

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dESIGNYOURHOME.Ca | 29

Do You Know?

Name that town: Read the questions and choose the correct answer.

1 This town is known for being “Manitoba’s Valley Paradise”

4 Which town maintains its status as Canada’s longest running country music festival?

• • •

• • •

dauphin Selkerk Minnidosa

Minnedosa dauphin Flin Flon

2 This town is the self-proclaimed Lily capital of the world.

5 Which town has come to be known as the “Oil Capital of Manitoba”.

• • •

• • •

Por tage la Prairie Rivers Neepawa

3 What city has a British Common wealth Air Training Plan hangar from the Second World War, still in its original location and considered a a National Historic Site?

• • •

Brandon dauphin Por tage La prairie

Virden Melita Swan River

6 As of January 1, 2014, estimated population of • • •

Manitoba has an

1,150,000 1, 272,000 2,300,000

Prize - Brandon Wheat Kings Family Pack W WI I WA RB IRD S

2 Adult and 2 Youth tickets to a 2014-2015 Regular Season Game

Email your answers to contest@ designyourhome.ca. or enter on our contest page at designyourhome.ca. all correct answers will be entered into a draw, a winner will be drawn Nov. 1, 2014 (One entry per email).

Summer 2014 Wordplay Contest Answers: 1) Long Underwear, 2) Double Car Garage, 3) Bold Escape, 4) High School, 5) Turn Over A New Leaf, 6) Square Dance Contest

30 | dESIGN YOUR HOME | FaLL

Western Manitoba Design Your Home magazine is a Brandon, MB based company created to promote and feature all the great trades in our local area. With the limited amount of media in Brandon and area, this magazine will assist you and your company with great exposure. design Your Home magazine will help local companies feature their business and the special work they do. design Your Home magazine will focus on the home and proper ty. Each issue you may see ar ticles on Home and Building, Real Estate, design and decorating, Landscaping, and a special featured Home and Business.

Why feature in Design Your Home:

• Local Home Magazine • 15,000 Magazines published each issue • Published 4x per year: Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring • Timeless, often kept and referred to again and again • We have articles that feature tips and advice from home owners and experts Contact us at: Email: dyh@designyourhome.ca Phone: (204) 573-3790 View Us at: Website: www.designyourhome.ca Images: Kara Matthews - Sterling Images, and Jaime-Lynn Dyck - DYH

dESIGNYOURHOME.Ca | 31

Differentiate yourself from others

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Your Print and Digital Media Solutions PromotionalPublications.com Phone: (204) 573-3790

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