Design Your Home Magazine - Winter 2015

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Winter 2015

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Western Manitoba

Sentimental Value

Endless Possibilities

Location!

Location!

Location!

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

Contents

5

Nu Trend Kitchens

18

In Every Issue

4 . . . . . . . . Letter from Editor 5 . . . . . . . . Feature: Nu Trend Kitchens 10 . . . . . . . Feature: 831 Braecreast Location! Location! Location!

23. . . . . . . Did You Know

Home Improvements

My Idiah! - Pine Cones

10

831 Braecreast Location! Location! Location!

Lifestyle 14 . . . . . . . 13 Things Every First Aid Kit Should Have 22. . . . . . . Wine Advice: Go-To Wines

Design & Decorative 18 . . . . . . . My IDIAH: Pine Cones

8 . . . . . . . . Benefits of a Wheelchair Lift 16 . . . . . . . Endless Possibilities 20. . . . . . . Sentimental Value

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 Our Third Anniversary!

W

ow, does time fly! This winter will mark our 3rd anniversary creating Design Your Home magazine!

I love celebrating this anniversary at my favourite time of year. The winter season for me is all about family and friends. I love getting ready for Christmas, stocking the freezer with meals and baking to share with everyone, and every year I find a gift to make, that I can share with my neighbours, family, teachers and friends. Previous years I have gifted canning, homemade irish cream, and crochet dish cloths. I haven’t quite made up my mind what I’ll make this year, but I’ll be sure to share it on the Design Your Home Pinterest page!

Winter for our family is also about spending time outdoors.

We enjoy snowmobiling, skating, sledding, ice fishing and of course, building snow for ts and snow men/princesses!

The winter months, is a great time to explore your city or town in ways you don’t during other months. That may be snowshoeing, cross country skiing or snowmobiling on trails through the bush, or ice fishing in the middle of the lake. Spending time outdoors in the winter is not only a great activity for your health, but a great bonding time with the people you love. And, you can never beat warming up with a big mug of hot chocolate!

4 | Design Your Home | Winter

Winter is also a great time to get renovations done or star t planning your projects for the new year. If you are going to be inside for the winter months, you may as well work on projects then, as when summer hits, you want to focus your attention outside. This is a great time to approach your local contractors and discuss any projects you want done and get a few quotes put together. I always say, that if you are able to get renovations done, do them now and enjoy them!

I hope that you are able to get out and spend time with your family and friends over the winter months, or maybe tackle a project or two. Look for local activities, festivals, or just pack up the car and head to the local sledding hill, maybe we will bump into you!

Jaime-Lynn Dyck Design Your Home

Feature: Nu Trend Kitchens

By David McConkey Photos By: Kara Matthews - Sterling Images, Submitted by Nu Trend Kitchens

T

here is a lot behind the unassuming door at 535 - 34th St. There you will walk into a showroom filled with great displays, samples, and ideas.

There you will see a state-ofthe-ar t vir tual tour of design possibilities. And there you will meet two of the most friendly and knowledgeable people around: the owners of Nu Trend Kitchens – Joyce and Mac Hofer.

We are looking at a spot hidden in plain sight in the strip mall complex at 34th and Victoria. You might have heard the location referred to as “the old vacuum place.” No problem.

It is now the home of Nu Trend Kitchens. It is where you go if you are a homeowner or a contractor and you are planning a new kitchen, bathroom, and more.

Mac and Joyce Hofer exemplify the qualities that grow from sturdy Westman roots: friendly, practical, embracing innovation. Both Joyce and Mac grew up on a local Hutterite colony, grounded in an ethic of hard work, craftsmanship, and all-round resourcefulness.

Showroom

Office Space

Mud Room

Stair Rail

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 5

“Not that long ago, there was just a drawer and a door, ...but today, there is so much more.”

The Hofers bring a variety of skills to their enterprise. They got their introduction to the home construction and renovation business when they managed another company. When they worked there, they made contacts and discovered a natural love for the business and for meeting the needs of their customers.

Two years ago, Mac and Joyce were ready to strike out on their own and they star ted Nu Trend Kitchens. The couple lives near Brandon and they delight in owning a small business, serving their customers, and building their own success story.

The vision for Nu Trend Kitchens is a three-fold offering: more options, high quality of materials and construction, and customized design and build. They offer a total service to transform your ideas into reality. They do the design work.

The cabinetry is custom-made right here in Westman. They will then do the installation, whether you are ordering a renovation or new construction.

To get to know Nu Trend Kitchens, stop in at their showroom at 535 - 34th St. Their hours are Monday to Friday 9 6:30 and Saturday 10 - 2. (Just drop in.

Or feel free to make an appointment; their phone number is 204-717-9200.)

You can visit them online at their new website nutrendkitchens.com or on their Facebook page. If you are attending the Brandon Home & Leisure Show, check out their booth. For both of the two years that they have been there, their display has won the award for “best in show.”

“We will listen to you,” Mac says about their guiding philosophy. Take it one step at a time. Star t with the layout of your room. Decide what you want,

6 | Design Your Home | Winter

where your appliances will be, the use of each cabinet. Later you can choose the colours and materials. And they mean it when they say “custom.” As Mac says, “If you feel you need one more inch somewhere, we can add one more inch.”

There is beauty in Nu Trend Kitchens.

There is the beauty of good design, colour, and material. And there is also the beauty of good planning, efficiency, and organization. The cabinets will fit exactly to your situation and around your appliances; there are no fillers or spacers. Maximum quality, maximum style, maximum use of space.

The 1,400 sq. ft. Nu Trend Kitchens showroom brings these themes to life. Of course it is well designed and beautiful to behold. There is a range of options and prices for counter tops and cabinets. Mac is keen to point out the quality built into each unit – they are all constructed of 5/8 inch material. And behind the doors and inside the drawers are many secrets to good organization: accessories for the storage of food, cutlery, dishes, garbage, recycling, and more.

“Not that long ago, there was just a drawer and a door,” Mac says about cabinetry. But today, there is so much more. Customers are often surprised at the great assor tment of accessories that can make storage and cooking that much easier and that much more enjoyable. Go ahead and ask: you can get all your questions answered. Like how to make the most effective use of your corner units. Or what options are available for under-the-cabinet lighting.

You can then see how all of this goes together by immersing yourself in their Vor tek vir tual 3D display. This is a huge

Vortek 3D Display (4 ft. by 8 ft.) visual presentation of your design. You can try out – vir tually – different options and change them instantly to reveal how they would look with different colours and materials. Mac and Joyce proudly point out that theirs is one of only three of this type of technology in all of Canada.

Kitchens, of course, are at the hear t of Nu Trend Kitchens.

But if you are looking for something else – in either a new build or a renovation – Joyce and Mac are there for you.

Think not only of the kitchen and bathrooms, but also stairs and railings, entry hall cubbyhole, closet organizers, NuTrend.Kitchens.F17.15_Layout 1 15-06-18 10:48 AM Page 1 bar, pantry, and enter tainment centre.

So take your time. The Hofers are happy to take the time with you. They recognize how impor tant your home is to you. After all, as Joyce points out, “Most people will only get one chance at building their dream kitchen.”

With Joyce and Mac Hofer of Nu Trend Kitchens at your side, you can have anything you desire. They want to custom design and build for you. They want to offer more options to you. They want to bring a finished project to you that looks better, works better, and lasts longer.

“If you can think of it,” Mac says, “then we can build it.” And Joyce adds, “And if you can’t think of it, then we can think of it.” inspired

designs created 4 life

BRANDON SHOWROOM 535

- 34th Street

CELL

204.724.2711 • PHONE 204.717.9200 EMAIL

info@nutrendkitchens.com

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 7

The Benefits of Vertical Wheelchair Lift

H

ow fast can you walk?

Run? Or climb the stairs? If without a second thought you can say “Faster than you� you would probably think that those are trick questions. But for those who find these rather simple tasks very strenuous and challenging to do, such questions can be arresting for them.

8 | Design Your Home | Winter

The physically challenged, as well as the aged individuals, who spend most of their time in their wheelchairs, have limited mobility. Consequently, their independence are also lesser than what they had when they were not yet confined in their wheelchairs. These people can greatly benefit from special transpor tation equipment, such as elevators, ramps, and ver tical wheelchair lifts.

A ver tical wheelchair lift, or platform lift, is powered by either hydraulics or electrical energy. This device allows a wheelchair bound individual to be elevated or lowered among floor levels without having to leave his/ her wheelchair.

The ver tical wheelchair lifts come in many different models, some of which includes the following: • Enclosed Model – In this ver tical wheelchair lift, the wheelchair and its occupant can stay on top of a platform while enclosed with walls as the lift moves up/ down. This type of lift is especially practical for outdoor uses where safety may be compromised because of altering weather conditions.

• S haftway Model – This kind of wheelchair lift can fit within existing walls, just like a typical elevator. It is ver y much useful in both residential houses and public establishments.

• Stage Model – This lift model features solely a platform. It is commonly used for shor ter heights or elevations, such as on a stage or onto a vehicle.

• Opal Model – This ver tical wheelchair lift is similar to the enclosed model that has a platform enclosed with walls. However, this lift model has an open ceiling.

Ver tical wheelchair or platform lifts can be used in different locations, as shown in the following situations.

• Ver tical platform lifts give wheelchair confined individuals a better way in to and out of their residential homes as such devices allows them to be raised from the ground up on their elevated (or with

A ver tical wheelchair lift is indeed of great significance to people with physical limitations. For them, having such device could mean a better life with more activities and greater independence. Whether installed in homes or in public structures, a ver tical platform lift can make a significant change in the lives of these individuals. -DYH

R olling Spokes 1 I H H C P st n

ealth

are

roducts

Vertical platform lifts ...Made in Canada for Canada

steps ) front porches.

• Affordable alternative to residential elevators

• In schools and in other similar educational institutions,

• Accommodate new or existing buildings with little or no modification

ver tical wheelchair lifts are installed to give access to physically handicapped students, faculty and staff,

• Can be installed indoors or outdoors

and visitors to enter an auditorium stage or other elevated platforms.

• Completely resistant to weather

• Some public buildings already have elevators installed,

• Smooth, quiet, light weight, and dependable

but such transpor tation system oftentimes could not carry a wheelchair. Hence, they still opt to install

ome

ver tical wheelchair lifts for this special need. Also, many

Every year thousands of people look for a solution to the problems posed by the staircase in their home.

older buildings have cramped areas that do not have

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spaces to accommodate ramps. That is why they prefer to have ver tical platform lifts installed rather than the space consuming ramps.

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DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 9

Feature

By Wanda Kurchaba Photos by: Kara Matthews - Sterling Images, Chris Coulter - RLP

Location!

Location!

Location!

I

f you’ve ever been involved in buying or selling a house, you’ll often hear from family and friends and realtors how impor tant it is to be in a good location. Von Ast Construction cer tainly had this in mind when they developed an amazing new condominium complex on Brandon’s Nor th Hill.

10 | Design Your Home | Winter

Twenty-four condominiums are par t of phase one of the 831 Braecrest Condominium project. While there are many fabulous features in the complex, Royal LePage Mar tin-Liber ty Realty Sales Representative Chris Coulter said that the convenience and advantages to being on the Nor th Hill are cer tainly perks to consider.

“It truly is a prime location on a corner lot with some of the views of the city that are so beautiful,” said Chris.

Each of the condominiums are spacious and roomy with two bedrooms and two bathrooms within the 1146 square foot units. The open concept living room, dining room and kitchen provide for comfor table and ample space for relaxing with friends and family. Kitchen Gallery on 9th is proud to be par t of the project and helped to design the kitchen layout and select cabinetry options.

New homeowners, in the one-third of the units that are already sold, were all able to move in to their fabulous new homes by the end of October. With the remaining suites still available, there is still an oppor tunity for buyers to customize their dwelling to suit their own individual tastes.

831 Braecrest: Your Easy Lifestyle Awaits You! Amenities: • 2 Bedroom Condominiums • Heated Underground Parking • Elevator • Common Area with Full Kitchen • Fitness Room • Handicap Access • Secure Entrance • Plenty of Visitor Parking Prices starting at

$239,900

MARTIN-LIBERTY REALTY

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VON AST CONSTRUCTION (2014) INC.

Show Suite Now Open Open Weekends 2-4 PM or by appointment anytime.

Brian Baker Sales Representative/Partner

204-721-0928

Chris Coulter Sales Representative

204-720-1817

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 11

“On the main floor there’s a large common area that has a full kitchen with a comfortable sitting area that can be reser ved for family functions or can be used to gather with neighbours...”

kitchengallery9.ca

Exceptional Custom Kitchens & Baths • Professional Design Consultants • 3-D Computer Designs • Cambria Quartz, Granite & Laminate Countertops downtown on 9th

204-571-6888 12 | Design Your Home | Winter

Over 25 Years of

Experience You Can Trust!

“We have Shelley Taylor of Tailored Interiors that works with each individual condo buyer to help them personalize their space as far as picking colours, cabinets, flooring, counter tops and provide them with any other advice that she can to help them out,” said Chris.

Each level of the proper ty has garbage disposal, wide hallways and recessed doorways for more privacy and to reduce noise levels. As well, extra steps were taken during construction to help with sound proofing and provide quiet living accommodations. Another local trade, Innovative Plumbing and Heating from Brandon, was well involved in the plumbing and heating of this new development. From the mechanical systems to the plumbing fixtures.

On the main level of the three-story building the entrance ways have secure access, there’s an elevator, a recreation/ fitness room and a large meeting place.

“On the main floor there’s a large common area that has a full kitchen with a comfor table sitting area that can be reserved for family functions or can be used to gather with neighbours,” commented Chris.

While each homeowner will get a heated, underground parking spot, an added bonus is the ample space for visitor parking, as well as an additional parking garage for a second vehicle or a recreational vehicle.

“It is quiet and comfor table and you can still keep an investment in place while maintaining an independent lifestyle. It’s a nice stepping stone or great alternative to home ownership without the high costs of retirement living or paying high rent and having no capital investment.”

Future plans for the development will add an additional 24 condominiums running east/west on Braecrest Drive in phase two. Von Ast Construction is a four th generation builder, based out of Niverville, MB.

While Chris says this style of home would suit many different buyers, it is ideal for first-time home buyers, those that are close to or at retirement and are looking to downsize, as well as for professionals that are focussing on establishing their careers.

“While there’s no age restriction, we’ve definitely been attracting those that are 50 plus where they are semiretired or downsizing. It’s the type of building that makes for a simple lifestyle and is convenient for those who like to travel,” said Chris.

Shelley Taylor Cell: 1-204-761-7057 Email: tailored@mymts.net

For all your plumbing and heating needs!

• Commercial • Design Build • Residential

Brandon, Manitoba

204-727-7204 - ipandh@mymts.net DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 13

13 Things Every First Aid Kit Should Have

E

veryone should have a home first aid kit ready to go in case an emergency should arise. If you have small children, being prepared with an up-to-date first aid kit becomes even more impor tant. Keeping a first aid kit within easy reach will provide you with considerable peace of mind.

Here’s a handy checklist of the items that your first aid kit should, at a minimum, contain:

14 | Design Your Home | Winter

1. An Antiseptic (such as Bactine) Cleaning scrapes or wounds is impor tant for preventing infection. If soap and water are not on hand, using an antiseptic will help flush out debris and provide a mild pain relief. Antiseptics may come in cream or spray form.

Many, such as bactine, also provide pain relief.

2. Bandaids and gauze pads Bandaids help treat injuries of all sizes. Your best bet is to buy a large package that comes with a variety of sizes.

For gauze pads, buying larger sizes works best, because you can always cut them down to the size you need. Gauze pads work well for more serious injuries.

3. Scissors. Speaking of cutting, scissors are often overlooked in many first aid kits. Scissors come in handy not just for cutting gauze pads, but for cutting clothing, adhesive tape, and anything other materials or obstructions that may present themselves in an emergency.

4. Ace Bandages.

9. Analgesic

Ace bandages come in handy in a variety of situations, such as sprains and breakages.

An analgesic is a pain reliever. Include a small bottle of aspirin or ibuprofen to combat headaches, migraines, or pain due to injury.

5. Instant Cold and Hot Pack.

These packs are for one-time use only, so it’s a good idea to stock up your first aid kit with them. They can be applied on sprains, bruises, and bumps to reduce swelling.

6. Adhesive Tape Adhesive tape can be used to form splits, tape gauze, and secure any other bandages.

7. Tweezers

10. Antibiotic Ointment A small tube of antibiotic ointment can go a long way.

Antibiotic ointment can be used on scrapes, cuts, wounds, and other injuries to prevent infection.

11. Rubbing alcohol and disinfectant These are helpful for cleaning insect sting bites or for cleaning wounds. Alcohol wipes are particularly convenient to have in your first aid kit because they don’t take up much space.

Like scissors, tweezers are often overlooked, but come often come in handy. They can be used to remove stingers, ingrown hairs, splinters, and hang nails.

12. Antihistamine

8. Latex Gloves

13. A list of emergency phone numbers

Latex gloves are a helpful addition to any first aid kit.

Latex gloves will provide a clean and sanitary way to protect you against bacteria, blood, bodily fluids, and other potential contaminants that you may encounter in an emergency situation.

In the case that someone may suffer from severe allergies, having some sor t of antihistamine on hand is a good idea.

Keep an index card with the numbers of your doctor, the national poison center, and all other emergency contacts.

Also, it’s a good idea to write down the name of members of your family who have allergies, and any medication they take on a regular basis. - DYH

Natural Gas Save up to $12,000 on home heating. & buy

all inst

00 $ 2,0 0 C I TR E $ 3,00 C C E EL RNA FU t to Cos

TO

25-YEAR COST TO RUN $

31,850

& buy

all inst

00 $ ,5 S 3 00 A G AL E $ 5,5 t to Cos

TO

R C TU NA RNA

FU

25-YEAR COST TO RUN $

16,650

It pays to heat with natural gas.

Upgrading to natural gas heating may cost more up front but, lower operating costs will quickly pay back your investment.

We offer a variety of financing programs that can make upgrading to natural gas heating more affordable. With our Pay As You Save plan, you can finance part or all of the installation with the savings generated by the upgrade.

For more information on heating and financing options, or to use our online calculator to estimate the savings for your home, visit:

hydro.mb.ca/heating The costs shown above to buy, install and run are averages and will vary depending on your home, specific heating needs, and other conditions.

The cost to run is based on a natural gas cost of $0.2851/m3 and electricity cost of $0.07672/kWh.

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 15

Endless

B

Written by Wanda Kurchaba

y the late 1980s, statistics show that close to 90 per cent of Canadian households had a microwave oven. At first, they were viewed as luxury items and now many see these handy kitchen appliances as a necessity. The Internet is much the same.

The Internet was first developed in the late 1960s, but it wasn’t until the 1990s when it really took off. According to the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, 87 per cent of Canadian households today are connected to the Internet. Similar to the microwave oven, the Internet was originally seen as a luxury item, but in today’s world it now seems like we can’t live without it.

“The Internet is now considered a utility. It’s considered an essential service, a necessity. It’s not to say that an individuals life can’t continue without it, but it is so much more enriched with it. It’s definitely not a luxury anymore,” said Robbie Zetariuk, Director of Marketing and Dealer Development for NetSet Communications.

16 | Design Your Home | Winter

Possibilities

It’s easy to see that as technology has advanced, so has the Internet. Even within the past ten years, not only has its use changed, but the speed of which the service is now offered, especially for rural-based homeowners, has made a significant impact on many people’s lives.

“It’s no longer just the people that were brought up in the Internet generation, we’re finding more and more people that are retired are realizing that it opens up opportunities for them, whether it be connecting with friends and family or by stimulating their mind by learning new things. It’s not demographic based, it’s not gender based, it’s not aged based. It is there for everybody and everybody is using it,” Zetariuk said.

And, we all know that the Internet isn’t just about email.

It’s about the ability to connect at whatever level you choose, whether it be it through social media, email, Skype or FaceTime. It’s used for enter tainment, education and for business.

“The Internet is so important to our daily lives. For some it’s about staying connected with friends and family from across the world. Being able to watch your grandchild take their first step is so powerful, it changes how people are able to maintain family relationships. From a personal point of view, there’s a very emotional connection,” said Zetariuk.

Of course with the latest advancements like Long Term Evolution, commonly known as LTE, service providers are able to easily add more customers, provide faster speeds and more reliability which enhances the experience for the end user.

In many households, having the Internet is one thing, but having a WiFi router seems to be just as impor tant.

With Smar t TVs, smar tphones, laptops, tablets and almost anything else electronic in your home, it seems nearly impossible to function without WiFi.

“A WiFi router is the device that rebroadcasts the Internet throughout your home. The larger the home and the more devices and users you have, the better quality of a Wifi router you need. The quality of the router will absolutely determine the experience the homeowner is going to have with the Internet. The Internet connection is only as good at the router and the router is only as good as the Internet coming into to, they both need to work in harmony,” said Zetariuk.

In terms of how far we’ve come, Zetariuk said that it wasn’t long ago where people living outside of larger centres were forced to share their phone line with their Internet. Now, with faster speeds and reliable service we’re controlling our thermostats, alarm systems and automating our homes for more convenience, efficiency and security.

“Even five years ago for residents in rural Manitoba the Internet was slow, it was very unreliable and worse you couldn’t make a phone call and be surfing the net at the same time. Now, you can run multiple devices, you can be on your laptop, you can stream music, you can download movies or you can take online courses, it’s unlimited.”

Speed You Can Count On. Enjoy time with your family being connected to the world, watching movies, enhancing education, all in the comfort of your home.

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DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 17

Written and Photos By

By Jaime-Lynn Dyck

Pine Cones

I

love using items I find in nature to add to the decor in our home or use for crafting. This past fall, I collected an array of pine cones and used them in many different projects around our home.

Before you use your pine cones, it is a good idea to bake them. Bake them? Yes, bake them! This gets rid of any tiny bugs and critters still inside the pine cones. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet o and bake them at 250 F for 30 minutes. After you have baked them, place them on a cooling rack for 1 hour. Now they are ready to craft with or just use as decorations around the house.

One of my favourite and most basic ways I use pine cones, is placing them in clear glass containers and arranging them on my table. I like to do this in the fall/winter months.

Add a little more punch to them by painting them! White pine cones look very nice, but feel free to paint them any colour you like. Try painting

18 | Design Your Home | Winter

placed on wax paper. After I dipped all the pine cones, I went back and dipped them again, and then again. This gives them a thicker layer of candle wax on the pine cones. They look really nice and smell even better! For the essential oil, pick the fragrance you want to use, I used cinnamon. Add a few drops to a tiny bit of water in a spray bottle. Place your pine cones into a large resealable plastic bag and spray them generously with the mixture. Seal the bag and shake them around. Feel free to open the bag and spray again. Then seal the bag and them the colours of the season and place in a dish on a table. I painted some soft pastel colours and then placed a yellow dot on the bottom, in the middle. When placed upside down on a dish, they resemble lotus flowers! Painted pine cones are one of my favourites now and great to do with kids!

A couple ways to add fragrance to your home through pine cones, is using wax from old candles or essential oils. For the wax, I took old candles that had not completely burned and I melted the wax in a pot on the stove. The wax I used was a chocolate fragrance! I then dipped the cones into the liquid wax and

leave for about a week. After the week, feel free to remove the scented pine cones and use to freshen up a room!

My last favourite thing to do with pine cones is to make Christmas decorations with them. Either for the tree, to give as Christmas gifts or just to decorate a present. The one project I made with my daughter this year, was little elf pinecones for our tree. I improvised the craft, with materials I had at home.

Check out our Pinterest page for this craft and many other ways to use pine cones!

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www.elkhornresort.mb.ca DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 19

Feature Home

By Wanda Kurchaba Photos by Kara Matthews - Sterling Images

H

Sentimental Value ouses often hold more value than what you see on an assessment.

The sentimental value that they hold, especially for a family home that you grew up in, can be truly invaluable. It could be a home where you celebrated childhood bir thday’s, it’s possibly where you got your first pet or it could be the place where you introduced your parents to your future husband or wife.

Many of us have fond memories of our family home. As a child, it’s hard to imagine that you’ll ever leave. As an adult, you may wonder what it would be like to live there again and if you could create special memories with your own family.

One local homeowner doesn’t have to wonder anymore. As her and her husband started to think about downsizing, an opportunity presented itself that would allow her to move in to the family home where she grew up in the 1970s.

She indeed has fond memories of sharing a bedroom with her older sister and watching her mother quilt and sew in the front veranda. With 1300 square feet, it was a warm

20 | Design Your Home | Winter

and pleasant home where her mother and father welcomed family, friends and neighbours.

Kate moved out when she was in her early 20s, but visited often as her parents remained in the family home until a few years ago. It was then, that her father basically handed her and her husband the keys.

“My sister wasn’t interested in it, as she lives in Toronto. My parents and my sister and I always felt, and I’m not sure when it started, but it always seemed like I would live here. My husband and I talked about it and we knew when the kids were older and when we were ready to downsize we would move here, but of course everything had to align,” said Kate.

The red brick cottage craftsman-style home on 14th Street is a two-bedroom bungalow with all the character and charm that you’d expect from a house that was built in 1916. As it becomes a century home, the care and maintenance that the new homeowners have invested ensures that it will remain par t of the Brandon landscape for many years to come.

“My parents had maintained and kept the house as it is, without any additions. While it was new to us when they bought it, it was already a 50-year-old home and had two or three families living here before us,” said Kate. “We’ve cer tainly modernized it. We tried to take advantage of the character that it has.”

They reclaimed what they could that was original to the house.

The exterior, the front door, as well as the functional cast-iron wood fireplace are all features that were part of the original build.

Some of the new aspects of the home, such as the bedroom and bathroom doors, were custom built to embrace the history of the home, while at the same time modernizing it.

The authentic elements and select pieces of furniture are a reminder that the home was built ten decades ago, however the decor and extensive collection of eclectic ar t and furniture bring a modern perspective that adds a stunning finishing touch to a fabulous renovation.

“We’ve always loved ar t and I likely got my love for it from my sister. We have travelled a bit and like to explore ar t collections. Once you’re exposed to it and learn who some of the ar tists are you can’t help but love it.”

While renovations took longer than expected (nearly two years), the homeowners said it was well wor th it and they are now thoroughly enjoying the comfor ts of their new, minimalistic space after downsizing from a home that had double the living area.

The open concept living area is bright and inviting with many natural light sources and nine-foot ceilings which bestows a feeling of abundant space.

“What I find so different, and it doesn’t have to do with any structural changes, is the windows. They haven’t been moved; my father did replace them, but when it comes down to it there were so many things in front of the windows that I always thought that the house was a little dark. We really like light and openness, it was a complete transformation when we removed the shelving units and drapery.”

The homeowners chose a neutral, pure white for the wall colour (Benjamin Moore-Cotton Balls) and contemporary European style cabinets for the eat-in kitchen, which are offset by granite counter tops and Quebec maple hardwood flooring throughout.

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Wine Advice: Go-To Selections

W

e all have favorites. Goto selections – like a little black dress or leopardspotted pumps – that are perfect for everyday occasions and special events.

Red wine is beloved by many. It is not as food – friendly as wine in other categories and food pairing is often a consideration. When choosing which go-to red is most suitable for an evening I like to not only select what I believe to be the most suitable wine but also give careful thought to who will be attending and what their red wine preferences are. One wine I have repeatedly featured at

More impor tant than shoes or clothes, I have go-to wines.

Red, white, rosé , sparkling and still, dry or sweet, desser t or aperitif I have favorites in all such categories and would love to share them with you. With the exception of Por t and Desser t wine I have listed a value priced (under $15.00) wine along with one other. I believe these selections are easy-drinking, great value, broadly appealing, affordable and readily available.

events and whose quality remains consistent from vintage

Let us begin with sparkling. Sparkling wines (along with rose) are the most versatile of all wines and are considered to be the wines of celebration. Begin an evening with a dry sparkling wine, either served alone or alongside aperitifs or end dinner with an off-dry or sweet sparkling wine easily paired with a vast array of desser ts. Mums Napa Brut Prestige ($22.49), is made in the U.S.A. using the traditional sparkling wine technique ( the same technique as used for the production of Champagne). This is a beautiful and decadent wine. My value sparkler is Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava, priced at $14.95, also made using the traditional method.

Desser t wines add a sense of formality to an evening. A

Rosé wines offers incredible diversity and beauty. Styles vary, covering a broad spectrum ranging from dry to sparkling to desser t. Belleruche Cotes du Rhone Rosé is dry and elegant and priced at $16.99. In the value category, and a relatively new addition to my go-to list, is the Marchesi de Frescobaldi Rèmole rosé from Italy. This wine is priced at $14.99.

Next up. White wine. If you were to ask what my favorite grape varietal is, that is a question I can easily and quickly reveal. It is Riesling. Hands down. My go-to choices in the white wine category are Dr Loosen Ürziger Würzgar ten Riesling Kabinett, $24.99, a delicate and beautiful wine and the value-priced and charming Jackson-Triggs Reserve Riesling ($14.99.)

22 | Design Your Home | Winter

to vintage is the Marchesi de Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Rufina $19.99. A value red that seriously overdelivers is Grandes Vinos Y Vinedos Monasterio de Las Vinas Reserva ($14.99). Red wines from Italy, Spain and France offer terrific value, are great pairing wines and are well-represented on my go-to list. rich and decadent desser t wine Torres Floralis at $14.97 (500 ml) is my currant go-to. This highly aromatic wine has an exotic nose of acacia, roses, brandied apricot, peach and honey. We served this at Thanksgiving Dinner and it was a huge hit. Don’t be concerned about the small bottle size (500 ml) as desser t wine pours measure 2 ounces so a small bottle goes a long way. Desser t wines are an extra special touch and not only pair well with the majority of desser ts they are also lovely served along cheese or nuts.

The cool weather and dark nights scream out for Por t.

Add a roaring fire and Por t is essential. Although there are many different types of Por t, I favor Tawny Por t. Tawny is a blend of several vintages (years) and wood aging gives it softer subtler flavors and aromas. Warre’s Otima 10 year old Tawny Por t $25.09 (500 ml) is consistently delicious. A standard Por t pour is 3 ounces.

It is comfor ting to have a go-to wine list. The wine selections listed above are a sampling from my go-to wine list, wines that I seek out for their broad appeal and exceptional quality. Favorites come and go so I encourage experimentation. It is the only way to expand your “go-to list”. Perhaps that is the best advice of all.

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1 loiglrn ipn

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Design Your Home magazine has articles about the house, cottage, apartment or condo living, from the interior to the exterior.

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