Design Your Home - Fall 2013

Free

Fall 2013

Western Manitoba

Creative Flair Painting

101

Finance a Home Improvement

Home Renovation and Maintenance DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 1

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 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 • Estimated 3 readers per issue, equals to 45,000 points of exposure.

• Timeless, often kept and referred to again and again.

• Located in very high traffic areas • Delivered to a target audience.

• We have articles that feature tips and advice from Home owners and experts.

Images: Kara Matthews, Sterling Images

Contents

16

Feature Business

24

8

Feature Home

Design & Decorative

In Every Issue

Home Improvements

4 . . . . .

22. . . .

14 . . . .

24 . . . .

32. . . .

34. . . .

6 . . . . . H ome Renovations and Maintenance in the Fall 12 . . . . Painting 101

Letter from Editor My IDIAH Feature Business Feature Home Safety Do You Know

Design & Decorative

Lifestyle 10 . . . . Home Improvement is Great, if you Know How to Finance 23. . . . Wine Advice

8 . . . . . Creating Flair

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:

www.reaxiongraphics.com

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 3

Letter from the Editor

Photo: Tourism Dauphin

SPOT THE EDITOR: Stew (right) and Mike, getting dirty at the Manitoba Mud Run

L

ooking back on the summer of 2013, it was surely one to remember. Being involved in the Westman Ultimate Frisbee League, Brandon Barbarians, and the Manitoba Mud Run was an experience I will never forget.

Our team the “Disc Monsters� of the Westman Ultimate Frisbee league had a great year. With most of our players having two years or more experience really showed on the field. We were 12-2 for the regular season and won first place by shutting down the Finger Flickin three year winning streak.

4 | Design Your Home | Fall

2013 Westman Ultimate Disc League Champions The Disc Monsters

The Brandon Barbarians are continuing to play the regular season until the end of the September. The season is coming to an end and it looks good for both the Division 1 and 2 teams to make the playoffs. The Manitoba Rugby finals are being hosted by Brandon, so if you are interested or curious about rugby, come on down to the pitch (Reilly’s Field) on Saturday, October 3 and experience the excitement.

Dauphin’s first Manitoba Mud Run was a huge success.

They were thrilled to repor t that the grand total of pledges raised for the MS Society of Manitoba was a whopping $42,521.34!

It was a 10k run with 20 obstacles which sounds grueling but wasn’t. The suppor t you received from other teams or individuals at each obstacle made it possible for anyone to complete. I’m going to be there next year and I’m encouraging everyone to come out and get dir ty.

We at Design Your Home would love to hear or see (pictures, videos) what you did this summer. We will

Photo: Carrie Stanley

Stewart, playing for the Barbarians, running into contact. share it on our facebook, twitter and may post it in next summer’s issue of Design Your Home magazine. We like to share events and activities available for the public. Please send your emails to designyourhome@mymts.net or post it on our facebook page.

Words

from our Readers

We at Design Your Home magazine welcome letters, emails, and discussions from our readers. Receiving your feedback on ar ticles or ideas on how to make our magazine better will always be welcomed.

So please: • Email us at designyourhome@mymts.net, • Visit us on our website designyourhome.ca, or • Like us on Facebook at design your home magazine Please make sure to include your name, address and telephone number so with your approval we can consider your feedback for publication

5

Home Renovation and Maintenance in the Fall

D

oing a few chores around the house this month can save you major expense in the spring.

Here are some home maintenance jobs that should be on a homeowner’s winterizing checklist:

By doing a little preventative maintenance now, you can prevent minor problems from escalating into a major headache in the spring. Minor repairs done now can prevent air and moisture penetration from attacking the structural integrity of your home down the road.

Clean eaves troughs after the last leaves have fallen. Run a garden hose and check that they are draining properly and that downspouts are operating and directed away from the home’s foundation walls. Check for leaking or damaged gutters, downspouts and hangers. Remove rust and patch the gutters with roofing cement. Caulk leaking seams and make sure pop rivets are secure.

Cleaning the eaves troughs in the fall, for example, can prevent ice damming in the winter, where moisture is forced up under the roof ’s shingles during winter’s freezethaw cycles.

6 | Design Your Home | Fall

Check the roof for trouble signs such as broken or missing shingles, cracked, buckling or curling shingles, or bare spots

where the granular coating has worn off. Check flashing around vents, skylights and chimneys. Look for pieces that have peeled back and for cracked caulking that could allow moisture penetration.

Have the chimney cleaned and check the exterior structure for worn flashing, loose bricks or crumbling mor tar.

Have your furnace cleaned, inspected and safety checked.

Depending on the system, you will need to have the furnace vacuumed, the filter changed and the pilot checked.

Check for blockage of attic louvers by wasp’s nests and put sheet metal, wire screen or wood over any openings, including under the eaves, to prevent animals from nesting.

Remove and store your window air conditioner. Make sure to clean the coils and filters and cover loosely for the winter. If you are leaving the air conditioner in the window, put a weatherproof cover over it to protect it during the winter.

Clean your lawn mower and other garden tools before storing.

Give all the metal parts of your tools a wipe with an oiled rag to prevent rusting. Drain the fuel from gas-powered machines and run the engine until the lines are clear. Drain the oil and replace it. Clean caked-on grass and debris.

Check doors and windows for proper caulking and weather-stripping. Do the draft test: hold a lit candle and run it along the seams of doors and windows. A flickering flame means your heating dollars are going out the window.

Check the bottoms of doors for a snug threshold seal or door sweep.

Wash windows to let in the maximum heat and light during cold winter days.

Doing your fall chores can make your life easier come spring, when you would rather be fishing than fixing winter damage. - DYH

Single & Multi Family Homes

Make sure your fireplace is in safe working order. Check that the damper opens and closes smoothly and fits properly to prevent heat loss. Check inside the fireplace to make sure no bricks are loose or broken. If your fireplace is smoking excessively, check the chimney for fallen bricks.

Installing a chimney cap can cure a smoking fireplace by improving the draft.

Drain exterior water lines, hose bibs, sprinklers, and pool equipment before the first major freeze. Caulk around pipes where they enter the house.

Clean your barbecue and store it in a protected place for the winter. Never store propane tanks indoors.

Clean patio furniture and store, loosely covered, in a dr y place.

2404 Park Avenue, Brandon, MB R7B 0S3 Phone: 204.728.2235 - www.jandg.ca DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 7

Creating Flair

By Kyla Henderson

A

dd some creative flair to your home this Christmas season with something unique from Rosanne’s Silk Designs. Rosanne’s Silk

Designs is a unique business which operates a seasonal Christmas show out of Brandon, called Christmas At Home, a retail store in Wasagaming, Manitoba, called On or Under the Tree and does wedding and event decorating. Rosanne’s Silk Designs has been owned and operated by Marita and Eric Dowsett for the last seven years and has been in Brandon for the last 17 years.

8 | Design Your Home | Fall

Christmas At Home is taking place from Saturday, October 19th to Saturday, December 21st, and is done entirely in the Dowsett’s home, located one and a half miles south of Patricia Avenue on 1st Street. Ever y room from bathroom to living room will be bursting at the seams with Christmas.

“When the Christmas At Home star ts up the house is full.

We’ve got three floors of Christmas,” said Eric Dowsett.

At Christmas At Home you’ll find everything from the perfect tree ornament – there will be more than 15,000 on display, to snowmen decor to welcome your guests, to unique kitchen gifts for that hard-to-buy-for someone on your holiday list.

“We’ve really got the whole spectrum of Christmas from Christmas stockings to four-foot nutcrackers,” said Dowsett.

Christmas At Home will be open Saturdays and Sundays 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., but group evening appointments can be booked.

At On or Under the Tree, which will be open in Wasagaming Saturdays and Sundays until October 13th this year, you’ll find Christmas decor and gifts for every member of the family, young and old.

this year’s Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation’s Gala Dinner, taking place this September 28th.

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , c a l l R o s a n n e ’s S i l k D e s i g n s at 204-725-3602 or visit them On-line at www.rosannessilkdesigns.com.

Dowsett said selling Christmas items most of the year between the Wasagaming store and the Christmas At Home event continues to keep the spirit alive for the business owners.

“As people come in, they are so excited when they think about Christmas, whether it be in June, July or August and they have a little bit of that spirit for the moment. It’s interacting with people and helping people make their holiday season a little bit more special,” Dowsett said.

Rosanne’s Silk Designs also does floral rentals and custom decorating for weddings and events big and small, including

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 9

is Great

If You Know How to Finance

T

here are many good reasons to improve or remodel your home. The key is to find the right way to finance the improvements.

With housing prices at an all time high, homeowners who have outgrown their existing home or feel that it no longer meets their needs have a dilemma. It would be great to move to a larger house, but the prices of larger houses are higher than ever. What to do? The savvy homeowner might consider remodeling. You can add an extra room, conver t a garage or update a kitchen. It’s less expensive than buying another house, and there are many options for funding it.

Here are a few ways to obtain funds for home improvement purposes: Credit cards - If you have received a recent offer for a low-interest or 0% interest “teaser� rate for applying for a new credit card, this may be your ticket. These offers are usually good for balance transfers from other accounts,

10 | Design Your Home | Fall

and the rates are sometimes good for the life of the loan. This could be the best choice if you are doing the improvements yourself. Be sure to read the fine print, or that 0% interest could turn out to be 20% or more.

Home improvement stores - Sometimes, lumberyards and home improvement stores offer their own financing and the deals are often pretty enticing.

Sometimes they even include no payments for a year or so. Again, this option works best if you are doing your own work. And make sure you pay on time; sometimes the interest accrues retroactively if you pay late.

Home equity loan - This is a great way to go if the project is expensive and is being done all at once. You will have a fixed interest rate and a fixed repayment schedule.

Be aware that you are putting your house at risk if you fail to pay. This is the best option for major renovations performed by a contractor. Most loan institutions let you refinance your mor tgage up to 80% of the value of the house. For example, if your house is wor th $200,000, you

can borrow up to $160,000 minus what you owe on your mor tgage.

Refinance plus improvements - If you have no equity in your home but still want to do improvements, you can get up to 80% of the improved value of your home. Having quotes for the renovations and the project completed you can add most of your expenses to your mor tgage.

Home equity line of credit - Great for long-term projects that just require a little bit of money here and there. The interest rate is variable and you only have to pay back what you actually use. You would be able to borrow up to 65% of the value your home and you are, as with a home equity loan, pledging your house as collateral.

With the price of houses still near all time highs, this is perhaps the best time ever to consider staying in your home and fixing it up. You can make it more suit your needs and you don’t have to move. And with numerous financing options available, funding should be available for just about anyone who wants to make their home just a little bit more livable. - DYH

THINK LOCAL

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Scott McMullan (AMP)

Brian Keown (AMP)

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MORTGAGE SPECIALIST 204-761-8188 keown.b@mortgagecentre.com

Mike Trollope

Terri Lynne Lawrence (B. Mgmt)

MORTGAGE SPECIALIST 204-573-3938 trollope.m@mortgagecentre.com

MORTGAGE SPECIALIST 204-578-5335 terrilynne@mortgagecentre.com

You are more than your mortgageTM When choosing a mortgage, you want advice that you can count on. As one of Canada’s longest established national broker networks, we’re dedicated to providing you with all the information you need to make a well-informed decision on your mortgage financing needs. Our mortgage professionals update their knowledge of the current market trends, rates, and regulations regularly, allowing them to provide you with sound guidance.

Call now for your no charge consultation and discover all your mortgage options.

Phone 204-578-5335 930 Lorne Ave., Brandon, MB

www.mortgagecentre.com/brandon DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 11

B

rushing up on the best way to paint a room, it might give you less stress, less mess, and a smar ter way to paint a room.

Colour. The first step is paint colour selection. It's a good idea to try a small sample on the wall or hang up a paint colour swatch to see how light affects the colour at different points in the day. Some paint manufacturers make it even easier for you. For example, Behr's Preview Samples let you create your own custom-tint 8-oz. paint sample, enough to paint a 4' x 6' area of your home. You can order the inexpensive samples

12 | Design Your Home | Fall

through the company's Web site and they will be shipped directly to your home.

Sheen. After deciding on colour, you may want to select a sheen. For example, a flat/matte sheen helps hide surface imperfections. Low-lustre flat enamel sheen is very washable and perfect for high-traffic areas, while eggshell enamel offers superior scrubbability. Satin enamel has a silky warm, pearl-like finish, while semigloss is sleek, radiant and scrubbable.

Calculate. Determine the amount of paint you'll need by measuring the height, depth and breadth of the room. Be sure to subtract the measurements of the doors and windows.

Prepare the room. Remove or cover the furniture. Make sure it's away from the walls so you have room to work.

Remove switch plates and outlet covers, and tape hinges, doorknobs and other small items you don't want painted.

Cover your floors with a drop cloth or plastic sheeting.

Items that should not be painted (such as securely attached window valances and ceiling fans) should be completely covered with plastic sheeting or masking paper.

Repair any holes or dents in the walls. Remove any loose debris from the damaged area using 100-grit sandpaper or a lightly water-dampened rag. Using a putty knife, apply a thin layer of patching material to any cracked or dented area, feathering the patching material one to two inches away from the repaired area to blend the surface evenly.

Allow to dry. Sand finished area with 220-grit sandpaper, blending the patched area evenly with the surface.

Application. Once you get the paint home, stir it thoroughly.

Use a high-quality, nylon/polyester brush. Apply paint to the perimeter edges of the project area with a brush prior to rolling. Once the perimeter of the wall is done, pour the paint into a paint tray or a five-gallon bucket. Dip the

roller cover completely into the paint, covering the entire roller cover area. Remove excess paint by rolling onto the ribbed section of the paint tray or bucket grid. Star ting in an upper corner of the wall, place the loaded roller cover approximately three to four inches away from the painted perimeter. Working in a three-by-three-foot area, roll a "W" onto the wall. Roll back into the previously applied paint to maintain a uniform finish. Continue the "W" technique three to four inches away from the last section applied. Work from the top down, until the wall is completely covered.

Cleanup. Remove all tape and coverings. Take drop cloths out of the finished room and shake off dust and debris.

When paint has dried, reattach switch plates and outlet covers and any hardware that was removed. Vacuum the floor, re-hang pictures and mirrors and put furniture and decorative accessories back where they belong. Wash brushes, rollers and pans in warm, soapy water. Work the cleaning solution throughout the brush bristles or roller cover, rinse twice in clean water. Allow to dry.

Sit back and enjoy your beautifully painted room. - DYH

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DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 13

Feature Business

By Kyla Henderson

Photos by Silver Production

“

14 | Design Your Home | Fall

I t was the next logical step in owning my business – to have my own building...”

August 2013

“I

f you build it, they will come.” That’s what Kevin Costner’s corn field whispered to him in the movie “Field of Dreams,” but the same rang true for Parkland Source for Spor ts owner Dave Campbell. With his retail business bursting at the seams in its old location, Campbell said he was on the hunt for an existing building in Dauphin that would meet his current and future needs.

December 2012 “My lease was up in my current space at the end of December and I was looking at the future of my store and wanted to own my own building. It was getting pretty tight and cramped in our current space and it made it hard to display some things or have more products on the floor. We really, really have outgrown the old space,” Campbell said, who has owned Parkland Source for Spor ts for the last eight years. “When my realtor, Ken Dyck, showed this building to me, my initial thought was that it was a real piece of junk. I couldn't see anything when he showed me” That piece of junk, a really big, three floor building, located at 6 First Ave. S.W. In Dauphin, was originally built in the 1930s and was a Western Grocer until the mid 1990s when an antique store moved in and was the last recent tenants.

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 15

“

I see a lot of potential in the future with this building... it really allows us to spread out and showcase our products.”

The building was in need of some serious TLC and sat empty for months. Building a new Parkland Source for Spor ts wasn't a realistic possibility for Campbell as the cost of just renovating an existing space just didn't compare.

Campbell said that nothing he saw after though caught his attention and he star ted to think the building could be the one for him.

touches that made the building truly unique, like the

“I did a lot of sitting back and thinking and I slowly, slowly

Dyck who really made him see the potential, and Ken took

changed my mind,” Campbell said. “It was the next logical

over the details of the renovation as building manager for

step in owning my business – to have my own building

Campbell, as Campbell was still running Parkland Source

and pay a mor tgage instead of paying a lease. Even totally

for Spor ts at its old location. Campbell said Ken did most

renovating this building didn't compare to the cost of

of the organizing for the renovations, lining up building

building new. It was definitely more economical. There's the

inspectors, contractors, plumbers and others. Campbell

fact too, that it's a heritage building in Dauphin, one of the

said while many things had to be cleaned or replaced and

last few really good old buildings in town,” Campbell said.

cer tain changes needed to be made to accommodate a

When Campbell did decide to go ahead with the building,

large retail space, the developers did their best to keep

flooring, which features solid wood, 2x6 planks going end to end in the building. Campbell said it was the help of Ken

it was a number of the heritage features the building

the heritage feel of the building.

possessed that sealed the deal.

What appealed to

Ken assembled a team of trade’s people to make this

Campbell about the old run down building in Dauphin was

project come to life. He contacted Darren from D.M.

the sheer size, it's a total of 30,000 sq. feet. as well, cer tain

Eddie Engineering to design the blue prints and plans to

16 | Design Your Home | Fall

Mountain View Realty Po Box 273 Dauphin, MB R7N 2V2

   

Ever thought of

INVESTING 

          

in Real Estate?

Ken Dyck, Broker 204-638-0057

♦ ♦ ♦

                                  

 

                          

Ken Dyck Specializes in Buyer’s Agency SERVICES - Residential Subdivisions & Development - Recreational Property Subdivision & Development - Institutional Property Acquisitions & Development - Commercial Property Acquisitions & Development - Industrial Property Acquisitions & Development

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 17

6-1st Ave SW, D

Hours

Website: pa Email: par 18 | Design Your Home | Fall

Dauphin,MB - 204 638-7057

s: 9-6 Monday-Friday 9-5 Saturday Sunday - Closed arkland.sourceforsports.com rkland@sourceforsports.ca

Follow us online:

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 19

make sure the building would meet all current codes.

Once all the designs and plans were in place the project could move forward with the plumbing and electrical.

The building had to have all the old wiring and plumbing removed and this would not be a small task. Ken hired two local companies Steiner Plumbing and Heating and Korotash Electrical to complete this job.

To bring this building to the modern technology, Baker Computers was the company to do this. They wired in all the telephone, computer, fax, and cashier tills with the newest and most efficient programs.

It was just as impor tant to make the outside reflect the inside and Birss Landscaping was up for the challenge. Just one of the great touches Birss Landscaping added was new stone work for the front entrance to make everyone feel welcome. Another great eye catching element is the 10 foot, luminated, NHL hockey players alongside the building a special touch Campbell wanted to give the building.

Campbell wanted to keep the building’s charm, so instead of replacing the floor they stripped and refurbished the floor, which was dingy and worn from 70 years of wear

20 | Design Your Home | Fall

Birss Greenhouse Thinking of remodelling your yard?

We have everything you need from trees, sod, topsoil, to interlocking brick for driveways, patios, planters, stairs and sidewalks.

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In season: April through July | Monday to Friday 9-5 Off season: Call 204-638-6343

and tear, to reveal beautiful, shining hardwood. Another feature of the original building Campbell decided to keep was the stunning brick walls inside the building that are now a feature of the retail space. Keeping some of the original components was key in the new design of Parkland Source for Spor ts and the floor and the brick walls stand out even more with the bright lighting in the store. “We even painted the ceiling a tin colour to give it that old world feeling. It looks really good with the lighting,” Campbell said.

Parkland Source for Spor ts moved in and opened to the public in it’s new building on August 22, 2013 using 12,500 sq. Feet of it for retail space spread over two floors. The main floor features footwear and clothing, while the second floor showcases the wide variety of spor ts equipment available.

“I see a lot of potential in the future with this building.

Right now it really allows us to spread out and showcase our products. We've essentially tripled our retail space,” Campbell said. “I love it. It looks way better than I could have anticipated, better than I could have dreamed.”

Korotash Electric Ltd. Residential, Commercial & Farm Complete Electrical Services Underground Trenching Cable Locating

Campbell said he's received quite a warm reception from residents in Dauphin for renovating the old building.

“It's a good feeling. I have people who come up to me and say I'm doing a good thing renovating this old building, that they thought it would just stand vacant. I'm proud of the fact that we could turn it into something new,” Campbell said.

For more information, visit the brand-new location at 6 First St. S.W., call them at 204-638-7057 or visit Parkland Source for Spor ts at www.parklandsourceforspor ts.com.

38 1st Ave. NE Dauphin, MB R7N 1A4 www.bakercomputers.com

Tel: (204) 622-5377 Fax: (204) 622-5388 sales@bakercomputers.com

Celebrating 34 years in Parkland!

Congratulations Dave!

(204) 732-2026

518 Main St. S., Dauphin, MB JIM STEINER 638-3900 steiner@mts.net

ONE LESS THING TO WORRY ABOUT DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 21

By Jaime-Lynn Dyck

Repurposing Toilet Paper Rolls!

T

oilet paper rolls have a great use, but why not use them to make something useful after you are done with them!

The #1 way in which people re-use their empty TP rolls is using them in a Craft but we have come up with a handful of other ways you may find them useful.

Tp rolls with an old box or basket can help organize your work station. Line the bottom of your box or basket with your tp rolls and use each section for organizing your desk or craft area. We filled ours with markers, crayons, pencil crayons, scissors, glue sticks and ink blotters!

Long cords getting in your way? Fold up the cord and tuck neatly into a roll! You can do this for either small indoor extension cords or cords hanging from small appliances or electronics around the house.

22 | Design Your Home | Fall

Here is a fun little decoration you can make for Christmas to hang on the tree or off a present.

Push your roll flat and cut it into 6 equal pieces. Next, glue all the pieces together one at a time at one end and finish with some fake berries in the middle. Tie a piece of ribbon or twine to the end to put it in place.

Have you ever used a TP roll to wrap a small gift? Here are 3 nifty little ways to decorate up a roll into a pretty little present. Use the roll to make a par ty popper. Simply wrap the roll in wrapping paper and finish with cellophane and ribbons on the ends. Another way is to fold the top and bottom par t of the end into itself to create a closure.

Do the same thing to the other side. Then decorate up your gift with paper and tie with a ribbon. The last one, you will need a sewing machine. Lay the tp roll flat and sew one end. Make sure you put your gift in the roll at this point, as you are now about to sew close the opposite end! Either keep it flat and sew the other end the same way, or do what we did and sew it the opposite way to create a different effect! We put a hold punch through the roll on one end to attach the ribbon or a name card.

After you are done using your wrapping paper on other gifts, cut a TP roll and place around your roll to hold your paper in place! We found this worked best on larger rolls of wrapping paper.

Our last use of toilet paper rolls is an advent calendar for the kids in your home. We cut each roll in half and then glued tissue paper to the top of each roll. After that, number them 1-25 and arranged them in no particular order in rows of 5. Get out your glue gun and now attach them all together.

Stand up your rolls, as they are all attached together now, and fill with treats, candies, little toys, erasers or small crafting supplies, anything your child would love. Now place a piece of cardboard behind the open end of the rolls so nothing falls out and glue it to the cardboard using a hot glue gun.

Make sure it is secure and now you have your advent calendar.

Your child will love breaking through the tissue to find their prize each day leading up to Christmas!

If you have any fun ways to use your tp rolls, please share them with us on our facebook page!

Wine Pick

Heartland Shiraz, Langhorne Creek, Australia, 2010 A beautifully balanced finely structured Shiraz with notes of spice and black pepper accompanied by eucalyptus, mint, ripe red and black fruit. Good fruit concentration, fine soft tannins and a smooth lingering finish. Serve at 16-18 degrees C. Kate Wagner Zeke Sommelier(ISG) Certified Specialist of Wine, Certified Wine Educator(SWE) wineadviser@wcgwave.ca

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 23

Feature Home

By Crispin Butterfield, Urban Theory Interior Design Photos by Photography by Dale

24 | Design Your Home | Fall

I

f you had driven by the 1000 block of 13th Street prior to 2009, you might have noticed a grouping of small, single family homes nestled in amongst tall, mature trees lining the east side. An older area, populated by a large mix of houses built prior to 1960, it has seen its fair share of change and development over the last several decades. A handful of businesses currently populate the nor th end of 13th Street, but over the course of the last 4 years, a new type of neighborhood Renaissance has star ted taking place.

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 25

The high demand for affordable housing in the city, combined with a prime real estate area in need of somewhat of a makeover, created the perfect oppor tunity for Geoff Gregoire – par t owner of Contractor’s Corner here in Brandon. With condo living on the rise right across Canada, Geoff recognized a void in the market place, and knew he and his company could begin to help fill it.

“When we purchased the proper ties in 2009, there were older single family houses located on the proper ties. We knocked them over and built the condo units from scratch, which allowed us to sell off the 3 units separately and create some much needed affordable housing”, Gregoire says. With many of the condos being built around the city currently listed at star ting prices of over $200,000, many of the demographic looking to buy into the condominium lifestyle is being bumped right out of the market. And often times one might find something in a more affordable price range, but discover the interior fittings and finishes aren’t up to snuff.

“Our goal was to provide higher end affordable housing without cheaping out on the finishings and design”.

the buildings are newer in comparison to their old appearing neighbors, they seem to blend into the area quite effor tlessly. Gregoire wanted the building to have a great curb appeal by adding great stone work from Quality Stone, installer friendly panels. Not too tall or ominous, their quaint and simple charm helps soften their introduction into an area occupied by many older structures. Gregoire points out that although these were their first foray into condo development, it seems they’ve been able to truly satisfy all of the individuals that bought into their units. “It was a bit of a learning curve, but the

26 | Design Your Home | Fall

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owners were very good to work with and are very happy with their homes.”

Wendy, a vibrant and self-professed “very happy” homeowner, was gracious enough to invite me over one afternoon for an in-depth tour of her place (along with some fantastic iced tea), and a very candid discussion of her experience transitioning from once owning a single family home, to now owning a condo. Recently widowed, Wendy explains her decision to sell and seek a lower maintenance lifestyle: “after my husband passed away, I stayed in our house, thinking I wouldn’t have too much trouble on my own. I had help from my son and other family members, and for a while it was manageable. But as time went on, it began to just be too much to keep up with alone. I didn’t want the hassle”. After researching and visiting a few other condos on the market, Wendy settled on Contractors Corner’s units mostly in par t due to their price and location: central but relatively quiet with private parking in behind. “I went through some of the other condos available in the city at the time, and I can’t say I was all that impressed with what I saw, for the prices

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“I’m drawn to earthy browns, taupes, and golds… most everything you see here is what I brought with me from the house, and it works”.

28 | Design Your Home | Fall

they were asking. Although this place wasn’t totally finished when I purchased, it already had that feeling of “home” – I had no trouble envisioning myself being quite happy here”.

With almost all of the interior finishes and materials preselected by Contractor’s Corner months before they were put on the market (except for the dazzling tile backsplash in the kitchen – that was something Wendy was able to have a say on), most of the headache that can come from building new had been eliminated, making the move an easy decision for Wendy. Gregoire was able to get most of the finishings from Rona in Brandon. Geared towards a slightly more modern and ear thy crowd, the condo is fitted with a variety of darker cabinetry, and rich looking flooring. “A lot of the colours and finishes they used, oddly enough, are my colours”, Wendy explains, referring to the design palette she had cultivated in her previous home.

“I’m drawn to ear thy browns, taupes, and golds… most everything you see here is what I brought with me from the house, and it works”.

What also ‘works’ is Wendy’s eye for pulling together décor and accessories. Clearly someone with a penchant for decorating, the condo has a cozy and inviting atmosphere, right from the very moment you enter the front door. It

takes a bit of a keen eye to be able to mix and match accessories and furnishings with a successful end result, something Wendy says some of her friends call upon now and then in their own homes. “They’ll stop in and ask ‘where did you get this, or where did you find that’, and I usually have all of my luck shopping locally, in locations like Kullberg’s.”

The open-concept layout of the living room, kitchen, and dining room is a common design element amongst newer condos, and something Wendy says has been such a great feature, especially when her family comes to visit. “When we get together, there are a lot of us! We are able to pull stools and chairs out into the living and dining area, and everyone still feels connected. In the old house, I couldn’t make use of the space like this.” And with the multitude of family photos and collages lining the walls in the hallway, it’s obvious just how impor tant family really is to Wendy. Her grandmother’s old treadle sewing machine sits quietly in the spare bedroom - used cleverly as a make-shift bedside table - as do several other family pieces.

One might think that buying a new home means buying all new furniture to go with it – but that wasn’t the case with Wendy. “Some of my most cherished possessions

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are pieces my husband bought for me”, she says, pointing out a few unexpected wedding and anniversary gifts she’s found proper homes for, even as she’s downsized. A curio cabinet at the front entry, an eclectic travel trunk at the foot of the spare bed… even a glamorous upholstered bench in the Master bedroom are all pieces from her past she was able to incorporate. “I consider my style to be a mixture of styles”, she muses, “global, very eclectic, and maybe even a little Old World… I like traditional looking things with some history to them”.

So the shift from single family living to condo life, although a little tough at times due to the circumstances, has been relatively effor tless for Wendy. And she is more than appreciative of and satisfied with everyone from Contractor’s Corner that worked on the condo. “I can’t say enough good things about them”, she comments.

“They paid attention to detail, and if anything came to light after the fact, they were right here to solve it”.

30 | Design Your Home | Fall

What was once a natural progression for retirees and the elderly has swiftly turned into an enjoyable option for many different people in all stages of life – young and old.

“Condo living, for the most par t, is maintenance free - that could be one reason people are buying into the condo market. Our condos are built on slab, so the “no stairs” benefit is also a nice perk for some” Gregoire speculates.

And with plans to build 6 other developments, Contractor’s Corner won’t be slowing down any time soon. “We are just star ting to build 3 more condo units on Princess Avenue East, with the same floor plans and footprint as the condos on 13th Street”. And he also hints at one of the quality finishes he plans on incorporating in the new units: “Infloor heat will be an added benefit not typically found in your average condo, while still maintaining an affordable asking price”.

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y t e f Sa e

By Bill Whit

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any children will be walking and biking to

when they indicate it is safe. Watch for turning vehicles

school. Young children may not be aware how

and remember to Stop, Look and Listen.

to handle traffic in a safe manner. You can help

them by stressing they walk on sidewalks, where available, and cross at intersections. When riding a bike they must, by law, wear a helmet. The law, passed by the Manitoba legislature last year, requires people under 18 to wear helmets while riding a bicycle or risk a $50 fine.

All children should walk their bike across streets. When crossing at an intersection without signals they should stop before stepping into the road and look both ways before

Back to school means more children walking and biking on our streets so drivers must take special care and be aler t especially in winter when it may be dark and there could be slippery conditions for both driver and pedestrians. Be aware of school zones and reduce speed to 30 km/hour even in jurisdictions where it is not yet the law. Be ready to stop at all times and be patient. Obey the crossing guard’s directions.

proceeding. Cross when the road is clear and walk, don’t

If your child is one of the many Manitoba children who

run. If it is a controlled intersection push the “walk” button

must ride a school bus there are different safety challenges.

and wait for the “walk” sign to light up or the traffic light

Arrive five minutes early for the bus. Stand back from

to turn green. If there is a crossing guard, then only cross

the road side away from traffic and wait for the bus to

32 | Design Your Home | Fall

come to a complete stop before boarding.

Use the handrail when getting on the bus.

When on the bus never run, push, shout or throw things. Sit facing the front of the bus with your backpack by your feet. Eating and drinking are not allowed on school buses at any time. This protects students or drivers that have food allergies and helps maintain bus cleanliness.

When the bus stops remain in the seat until the bus comes to a complete stop.

When you leave the bus, hold the handrail and take two large steps away from the bus. To cross the street in front of the bus, walk ahead at least ten giant steps (three metres). Cross only when the driver gives a signal. Proceed across the street, looking both ways for on-coming traffic. Cross the street in single file.

If everyone is getting off the bus, the people at the front leave first. Do not push.

If you drop something near the bus, do not pick it up. Tell an adult.

The 10 giant steps (or 3 metres) rule is a good measurement for children to identify the danger zone around the school bus, par ticularly when crossing in front of the bus. Children should never enter the danger zone unless the bus driver has given them permission. If a child can touch the

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

Contact us at: Email: designyourhome@mymts.net Phone: (204) 573-3790 View Us at: Website: www.designyourhome.ca