Home & garden magazine 2013 si by Relyon Mktg

EASY WAYS TO ADD THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT TO YOUR HOME

A BAKING TRADITION LIVES ON

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Contents cover story 40

Holiday Sparkle In No Time at All

Easy ways to add the Christmas Spirit to your home

feature 6

Hidden Jewel

Sus-tain-a-bil-ity

Serene Vista

CCADS Ltd.: Building an Eco-Friendly Home

A Baking Tradition Lives On

ad feature 10

Illuminate Your Life with LED

A Passion for Beautiful Grounds

Stems of Floral Fevor

12 Hot Tech Gifts for the Holidays

Mosaic tiles are fine for floors and walls

Home Owner Facts: Hot Water Savings

THE COVER

tips nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tricks

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14 28

From the Editor

24 36

f you are reading this issue, then it’s safe to say that your are officially introduced to Relyon Marketing Group newest product; The Virgin Islands Home & Garden Magazine. Positioned as ‘the Virgin Islands ultimate guide for resourceful living’, The Virgin Islands Home & Garden Magazine’s goal is to capture the energy, attitude and interests of thousands of home owners, soon to be home owners, gardeners, farmers, builders, contractors, and do it yourselfers, who are looking for reliable and pertinent information and who place great value on quality. VIHG Magazine is published four times annually with each issue highlighting a season. The Spring Edition’, in March ‘ the ‘Hot Summer Edition’ in June ‘Fall Cool Down Edition’ in September and ‘the Holiday Edition’ in December. The tone of VIHG Magazine is influential and daring, and aims to inform, inspire and educate rookies as well as the more seasoned and experienced readers within this very specific target audience. The content in this inaugural issue is 100% home and garden with a 70% skew towards local features and 30% on international and regional, home and garden issues. In this edition, you’ll see features on affordable homes, energy efficiency from lighting to water heating, eco friendly gifts, local features of new business ventures and holiday decoration ideas. We hope that through reading, you will be encouraged to make wise choices when it comes to building, buying, selling, remodeling, and landscaping your home and adopt habits that will result in a more healthy, aesthetically beauty and cost efficient lifestyle. Here’s to good living! Publisher Relyon Marketing Group Editor Jerelyn D. Callwood Assistant Editor Elton Callwood Advertising Elton Callwood

Creative Design Visualeyes Production Fort Lauderdale Fl. Contributing Writers Staff Writers George Moore Photographers William Torrillo www.photo.vi Elton Callwood OFFICE: Tel: 284-494-8105 ADVERTISING: 284-542-0121 sales@relyonmarketinggroup.com www.relyonmarketinggroup.com

Virgin Islands Home & Garden Magazine is powered by Relyon Marketing Group. The content of this publication, including any medical advice is for information purposes only and is not a subsitute for personal consultation with a qualified medical practitioner. Unless expressly stated, Relyon Marketing Group does not endorse or recommend the use of any product contained herein, nor are we responsible for the effectiveness of products which appear in this magazine. The entire contents of this magazine is copyrighted and may not be used without the written consent of the publisher. VI HOME&GARDEN December - March 2014

Hidden Jewel

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HOME is where you treat your FRIENDS like family and your FAMILY like friendsâ&#x20AC;Ś. As you wend your way up to the National Park of Sage Mountain, Tortolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest peak, the air seems fresher and the breeze a little cooler. Away from the meeting point, on a private road sits a gem of a property that will warm your soul.

et on half an acre and with panoramic views encompassing Jost Van Dyke on the North side, across the Eastern tip to Virgin Gorda and down the South side to Norman Island, this warm, tropical style home welcomes you with open arms as you approach and enter the driveway. Steps leading up to the covered walkway that runs along the length of the house are accented with flower beds creating a vibrant and homey feel. Walking into the main entrance that brings you in to the open concept living area andfully fitted kitchen you have a sense of being part of the family. You almost expect to be welcomed with the smell of baking, the pot on the stove and a cool, long glass of lemonade. As you step out on to the covered outside dining area and balcony the view simply takes your breath away, not knowing which direction to look as you scan from the North Coast to the South. The alfresco dining with its high archways and full height,wooden, vaulted ceiling, looks out across the green hills and mountains giving a Mediterranean feel almost reminiscent of a summer retreat in the Pyrenees . Lush mature tropical planting VI HOME&GARDEN December - March 2014

and the warmth of the Caribbean sun is what sets it apart and brings you back to the tropics. An open sun deck makes a wonderful spot to sit and enjoy your morning coffee or afternoon cocktail, and the well-keptlawned garden below is great for a social get togetheror BBQ making a wonderful addition in creating a family home.Steps take you down to the garden where there is evidence of fun family times. A net is strung between two trees either side of the lawn and the racquets and balls have been dropped where they were when the inevitable cry of ‘ dinneeeerrrr’ came from the kitchen above. From the Outdoor dining, an additional room, currently used as an art and craft studio makes a great creative space or could be used as a home office. You certainly wouldn’t mind going to work every day in this setting! Back inside and through the utility room into the kitchen you walk down the hallway to the master bedroom, further office and guest bathroom. The master suitehas plenty of natural light and a full private bathroom, whilst the office space works well as it is or could be used as an additional guest room or being next door to the master an ideal place for a nursery. The staircase from the living area then takes you down to the ground floor where there are two further double bedrooms and a full bathroom with additional linen storage area. This downstairs area is a great place for the kids to have their own space especially as they grow into young adults. In addition to all the rooms and space used in making this house a home there is a self-contained unit that could be used as storage for all the bikes, surfboards, boat bits and fishing rods that get usedin all those outdoor activities that are always in need of a secure, dry place of their own so as to be kept from encroaching into your living space! Alternatively it could be turned into a perfect, self-contained guest suite for the additional family members when they come to stay. Although prominently placed atop Tortola, this home is not far from all that the island has to offer. Close to the beaches of both sides, a short drive to the marina at Nanny Cay or into the bustle of Road Town, this hidden Jewel is still secluded enough to feel a million miles away and after a long day out, this house will be waiting to welcome you home!

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Illuminate Your Life with LED

Looking for an environmentally friendly way to light up your home? Light emitting diodes, or as you may know them, LED lighting has gained increasing popularity as an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to existing lighting options on the market.

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If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a homeowner considering a switch to LED, several things should be taken into account. One, how long the bulbs last; two, how much money you will save; and three, the overall environmental impact of that lighting,â&#x20AC;?

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The reason this is becoming one of the fastest growing industries in terms of lighting is because of the global initiative by countries around the world to reduce their carbon footprint, to conserve energy and reduce costs,” says John Cline, Director of Atlanta Solar, the local distributors of LED lighting. LEDs are the most efficient lighting product on the market, consuming about one tenth the energy of incandescent bulbs and about fifty percent of compact fluorescents. Carrying a lifespan of 50,000 hours, about forty times longer than the regular incandescent bulb, and five times that of a compact fluorescent, LED lighting is quickly becoming the preferred lighting for homes and businesses. With the United States government set to enact legal restrictions in 2014 on the use of incandescent bulbs, the regular light bulb will soon be a thing of the past, leaving the consumers to choose between compact fluorescents and LED bulbs. Though the initially cost of installing LED lighting is considerably more than its counterparts, there is definitely a huge payback over time with savings in electricity usage. These savings can easily be recouped in as little as three to four months depending on the size of the home and usage. “In the BVI we pay about 43 cents per kilowatt hour and when you do the calculations, you can actually see how quickly you can get back your savings,” Mr. Cline explains. “Overall I would say it’s a wonderful way to reduce the cost of energy, reduce the amount of money

you’re paying for your electric bill on a monthly basis and help the country to achieve its goal of becoming more energy efficient.” As the only retail store in the BVI which specializes in lighting, Atlanta Solar offers in-store demos at their location in Fish Bay. The staff also does site visits to assess lighting needs, as well as energy audits to educate consumers on the benefits of switching to LED lighting. “I can give you maybe one example of a customer who outfitted his home with LED lights… his bill was about $300 a month and it was dropped to about $140 when he replaced his lights. He is saving about $1600 a year and he has a family of three in a three bedroom house with lights that come on at night and stay on with photocell. So you can do the math,” Mr. Cline shares. Atlanta Solar also sells solar powered LED products including solar streetlights, solar powered houselights, parking lot lights, and parameter lights, further reducing energy costs. “If you’re a homeowner considering a switch to LED, several things should be taken into account. One, how long the bulbs last; two, how much money you will save; and three, the overall environmental impact of that lighting,” he adds. LED’s come in different shades called colour temperatures which allow the customer to choose the level of brightness for home or office. And one advantage of LED lighting is that it contains no harmful mercury, which is found in compact fluorescents. Additionally, LEDs emit considerably less heat and carbon dioxide compared to its competitors.

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A Passion For Beautiful Grounds Like expertly applied makeup, a gorgeous garden and neatly landscaped grounds will enhance the beauty and value of any property. And there is one location in Tortola where tropical plants like the bougainvillea or the exotic orchid, fruit trees, or anything to construct that beautiful landscape can be found. Groundworks BVI

offers a wide range of products and services including the sale and care of plants, trees, shrubs, flowers, groundcovers and lawn grass. They also offer design and building services for sidewalks, walkways, decks and patios; soil retention measures; external lighting and irrigation; along with other design and enhancement elements related to outdoor living and exteriorscapes. We also boast a full line of trucks and specialty equipment in excess of 18 pieces that allows us to be efficient on any size project. Groundworks Garden Centre offers an extensive Garden Center inventory over 12,000 palms and plants in stock and the general feel of the place is botanical and relaxing, with easily traversed setup, clean environment and a friendly knowledgeable staff.

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L - R: Mr. Andy Blanc, Accountant, Mr. Vernon Daniel is the Manager and Horticulturalist and Mr. Hector Reyes Landscaping Manager. [Photo by Elton Callwood]

Adding more to the attraction are the sounds of parrots and other exotic birds. Mr. Vernon Daniel is the manager of the Groundworks Garden Centre which is one of the first places customers visit to choose indoor plants like the Chinese evergreen or outdoor plants such as heliconias. “We take the plants from seeds and we turn them into the pretty plants you see here,” says Daniel, who has six years of experience in the horticultural industry. “Customers can come into the nursery and select the plants they desire. There are customers like the resorts, the hotels, the villas, who will purchase plants in bulk; then there is the sale of materials and garden supplies,” he adds. Daniel also conducts site visits based on customers’ requests to evaluate their properties for landscape maintenance or for insect and pest control. The maintenance crew goes out twice a week to care for plants which have been rented out to various entities. A plant lover at heart, Daniel admits that he sometimes talks to the plants, and science has his back that this practice often makes for healthier growth. Armed with a first degree, his knowledge of plant care and maintenance

is impressive. “The great thing about indoor plants, such as dracaena, is that they don’t need much light so they will grow without much trouble. For outdoor, one of the favourites of all the customers is the bougainvillea - they come in a number of colours, heights and sizes and can be used in entry ways, for hedges and climbing. A lot of customers also love scented plants and Jasmine or Lady of the Night is another popular ones,” Daniel explains. Equally knowledgeable is landscaping manager Mr. Hector Reyes, who has on his resume a stint in one of the palaces in Riyadh, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. At Groundworks, his duties include visiting clients with his team to carry out landscape maintenance. “It depends on the needs of the clients, but usually we maintain the grass, the shrubs and flower beds. We also do some tree pruning because if the trees are overcrowding the area, it will affect the plants underneath and without the sunlight, the plants will die. We also check if the plants are being watered properly. If there is automatic irrigation, we check if the system is working properly and if there are certain areas which are not being reached by

For a landscaper to make it look nice you really have to have that passion in you...Of course you need to have the technical knowledge but it’s the passion that builds a nice garden.

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the automatic irrigation, we water those plants manually,” explains Reyes. For the perfect garden or landscape, Reyes recommends ensuring that the basic requirements for plant health – air, water, and sunlight – are met. “These are the factors that we have to consider so that’s why when we do a design we know what type of plants to put in there. Even if the customer says ‘I want this plant’ I explain to them that we can give you the plant that you like, but it will not thrive that well because it is not the appropriate plant. That is the approach to execute the design for the client,” he notes. In the office, Mr. Andy Blanc, accountant says it is the disciplined and informed staff which ensures customer satisfaction and gives the company its competitive edge. “The staff is one on one with customers, and is able to explain indepth about the products we sell and take whatever questions the customers have. This business is close to our hearts so we put a lot of effort into it and you can tell by the end product the amount of time and care that went into it,” Blanc comments. It’s a passion that’s shared by all the staff, and appropriately summed up by Reyes. “For a landscaper to make it look nice you really have to have that passion in you. Those who have passion will turn a simple place into something, creative and imaginative that fits into how you want it. Of course you need to have the technical knowledge, but it’s the passion that builds a nice garden.” VI HOME&GARDEN December - March 2014

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Y T • I • L I B • A • SUS•TAIN ] e e t iil b h u n y e t s h [su

ral vironment or depleting natu en e th to ful rm ha ing be t The quality of no rm ecological balance. te glon g tin or pp su y eb er th resources, and

t’s a word used more and more every day and all around us, not only the world over but right in our own backyard. All we have to do is look around at our beautiful setting to know that we, as an island nation have limited resources, limited space and very real challenges to face and overcome to preserve our environment for future generations. The good news is, the green movement is here and it is here to stay. Changes are being made in Government legislation regarding sustainability in energy policies, building practices, waste reduction and removal. Every sector of business, from tourism to financial services is noticing the effects. Individuals are banding together to clean up the coastlines and ban the bag. New local businesses have cropped up over the past several years where clean energy, recycling and repurposing are their bread and butter: BVI Recycling, Green and Clean, Alternative Energy Systems, Clean Energy AC and Refrigeration, Greencrete, to name a few. Sustainability: it’s also the noun upon which Nutmeg Designs was built. Tucked away in the Tortola Ice Building in Wickham’s Cay II, directly behind House and HIHO, there is a little retail shop that is making a big difference. Nutmeg Designs is the British Virgin Islands’ only sustainable goods shopping experience and it’s full of surprises and fresh ideas for the ecoconscious shopper, homeowner, villa manager and yacht owner. Each item, from furniture to accessories and gifts, is a one-of-a-kind work whether it is small such as

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William Torrillo www.photo.vi a handbag, basket, piece of jewelry, or larger items such as bookshelves,beds, armoires, indoor or outdoor dining tables and chairs. Many are designed and produced right here in the B.V.I. The common thread? No two pieces are alike and the purchase of each one has an eco-friendly story while helping a business or community either locally or abroad. Take for example Tropical Salvage furniture, just one of the brands that Nutmeg carries. Tropical Salvage reclaims old, quality hardwood in Indonesia and gives it new life in solid wood furniture. In doing so, theycreate fair trade, conservation supportive jobs in Indonesia and enable consumers to choose wood products whereby availability does not depend on harvests of standing trees. Built by skillful hands to last, Tropical Salvage furniture will endure and enchant for generations. Tropical Salvage intentionally models their business to support tropical forest conservation, empower communities, and mitigate climate change. Having represented Tropical Salvage for several years, Nutmeg Designs has worked with clients from Virgin Gorda to St. John designing custom pieces, staging comfortable, practical and unique eco-friendly living and dining areas, bedrooms and those special hideaway nooks in

homes, rental villas and inns. Another line carried exclusively at Nutmeg is Nzito Furniture: furniture and accessories that are created with recycled wood from retired East African coastal dhows. Nzito is a small but dynamic company that specializes in creating collections of handcrafted wooden designs. The workshop employs local Tanzanian artisans who hand craft bespoke furniture pieces and small creative individual gifts and accessories. Their rustic collection continuously evolves, influenced by the ancient African environment coupled with modern design trends. Closer to home, Nutmeg’s owner Annie MacPhail does as much recycling on island as possible, producing furniture and gifts from ‘already-on-island’ waste. She is the founder and organiser of an annual fundraiser called the CHAIR-ity Exhibit and Auction whereby schools, groups, families and individuals create chairs made out of recycled materials. The chairs go on exhibit each October and then are auctionedto the public. The funds raised are donated to Green VI, the BVIs non-profit organization working toward a greener, cleaner and healthier British Virgin Islands. This year’s first place winner was a beautifully finished pallet chair designed and built by Jocelyn Gunter and Jerome Glascow. Their VI HOME&GARDEN December - March 2014

entry also won the prize for ‘Best Production Chair’ and with the assistance of Nutmeg Designs, will be put into production and sold at the shop. In addition to furniture, Ms. MacPhail has developed a line of sailcloth bagsand accessories made from discarded BVI sails. From design to prototype to manufacturing, all are sewn right in her shop. Shealso creates custom accessories and lighting for individual clients out of the same material that would otherwise end up in the dump or in the incinerator. Recently Nutmeg finished a run of 300 used sailcloth branded tote and wine bags for the 2013 BVI Wine and Food Festival this past November. “There is so much re-useable material such as sail cloth that I am certain we can start to make a dent in reducing various waste streams here,” says Ms. MacPhail. “It is simple and goes back to a simpler age. I remember as a kid playing on playgrounds that were entirely made out of used tires, tree houses made from construction scrap, arts and crafts and toys were created using available left over’s. I also know that some of the best gifts I have received have been thoughtfully made by the giver, not mass produced and covered with ridiculous overdesigned packaging.” Nutmeg Designs is known for showcasing locally and regionally made products that fit their eco-friendly model and they are always on the look out for new and unusual creations. For example, Ms. MacPhail

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buys products for the shop made from straw, grasses, reclaimed wood, recycled glass, bamboo and driftwood. She designs products in collaboration with Green VI that are sold exclusively at Nutmeg such as recycled glass pendant lights and demi john bottles. Nutmeg carries recycled glass, conch shell and concrete coasters and cheeseboards made by Greencrete in Virgin Gorda, hand stitched pillows made from fabric remnants by Pamelah Antoine who donates a portion of the proceeds to cancer treatment foundations and Green VI, and hand painted sail cloth bags by local artist Joseph Hodge to name a few. And for the holidays, Nutmeg makes decorative table centerpieces and Christmas trees from found beach rope, used sailcloth Christmas stockings, and tea stained Christmas ornaments hand stitched in cotton canvas. Nutmeg Designs is worth seeking out whether you live in the BVI or are just visiting. At the Wickham’s Cay II traffic light, take a left toward the Moorings and make your first left down the alley where you’ll see their shop right in front of you. For indoor or outdoor sustainable furnishings, eco-trendy gifts, or for some eco-chic decorating ideas, be sure to stop in when you’re next in the neighborhood. Nutmeg Designs is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am until 5pm and Saturday from 10am until 1pm. And don’t forget to follow them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/NutmegDesignsBVI.

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Stems

Floral Fervor of

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If the sight of a striking bouquet or floral arrangement makes your heart melt then you’ll love Tortola’s latest flower boutique.

tems is a quaint new store which just opened up at the old Clarence Thomas Building. But for many it’s not so new, says owner David Penn, just a return to the business he closed five years ago. A burning passion for the art of floral design shared with Alice Maestre, Stems chief designer and manager, led to the reopening just in time for the holidays. “I missed it,” Penn admits, adding that the closure was meant to dedicate more time to his other businesses. “When you love something you do it really well, and we decided that since we both love it so much, we’re going to make ourselves happy and do what we love.” Penn had inherited the flower shop his mother started 35 years ago. But even before that, the seeds for the love VI HOME&GARDEN December - March 2014

We’re catering not just to the $300 arrangement crowd, but we’re starting from $15 up so that the little man who needs to have a flower for his girlfriend can come and get something. It may be $15, but it may be a lot of money for that person... and whatever we’re going to produce for $15 is going to have the same creativity, the same thought, and the same beauty at that scale that we would in a $1,500 arrangement.

of flowers were sown by his maternal grandfather who was a botanist. After five years and countless calls from former clients demanding their award winning work, Penn and Maestre teamed up and Stems re-opened in November. “It’s a one-stop Christmas shop at the moment,” Penn explains, pointing to the wide assortment of Christmas decorations in stock. “We have fruit baskets, wine baskets, wine and cheese baskets; we’re having some specially designed Christmas baskets with cookies and black cake commissioned specially for Stems. We’re also doing edible arrangements for a small but significant market who have expressed interest in that.” The store’s inventory will change as the seasons dictate, catering to Valentines, Fathers Day, Mothers Day, Easter, and religious feast days. Stems also caters to weddings and other special events down to the arches and trellis, and its designers offer on-site work if requested. “We’re catering not just to the $300 arrangement crowd, but we’re starting from $15 up so that the little man who needs to have a flower for his girlfriend can come and get something. It may be $15, but it may be a lot of money for that person and we have great respect for that and for any customer whether he spends $1 or $1,000. Whatever we’re going to produce for $15 is going to have the same creativity, the same thought, and the same beauty at that scale that we would in a $1,500 arrangement,” Penn states. “Anything the customer wants, we will do our best to accommodate them,” adds Maestre, who brings 16 years of floral design experience. “When we’re doing a single rose, it’s not just a rose. The rose needs to represent love and elegance… when you see that, you know that it’s coming from Stems.” The passion for flowers that these two share is something they’re committed to ensure is reflected in every piece of work that leaves the store. “Every arrangement that goes out, our name is on that and we need to make sure that the standard is at a certain level every single time. What I can say about us, there is a passion that burns brightly for flowers and floral beauty, and that is something that has to be quenched,” Penn adds.

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CCADS Ltd. Charles Cooper Architectural Design Services

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Building an eco-friendly home What’s better than a home on a tropical paradise? Having an eco-friendly home in a tropical paradise! That’s the goal of Charles Cooper Architectural Services (CCADS) Ltd.Charles Cooper Jr., known to many as Chalice, is the brainchild and chief architect behind this move that is seeking to revolutionize architecture in the British Virgin Islands. His name is already associated with many residential and commercial structures such as the Multi Purpose Sports Complex.

I became interested in various building designing, both residential and commercial, from a young age and at around the age of 15, my interest in architecture grew.My fascination started during the periods when I worked after school with my dad who was a construction worker. I really loved to see how the raw materials formed a finished product,” he shares. At the same time, in high school,he was introduced to technical drawing and was drawn to the idea of becoming a skilled architect. After high school, Cooper worked at the Public Works Department for a few years before being hired by a renowned architectural firm, Roger Downing Partners & Co., for about eight years. As his skills and experience grew, Cooper decided to venture into his own business and Charles Cooper Architectural Services (CCADS) Ltd was born in 1998. “I worked from my small office at my home, but I realized that the demand for my services was rapidly growing,” he recalls. With the desire to be more rounded in the field and an interest in green/sustainable architecture, Cooper decided to pursue further studies at New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) Rhode Island. For six years the business was put on hold while he studied, earning VI HOME&GARDEN December - March 2014

a BA degree and a graduate certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). “I returned home eager to make my contribution to the development of my country through innovative designs, consultation and through the promotion and encouragement of eco-friendly sustainable designs which help to preserve the environment,” Cooper says.“We design eco-friendly buildings that do not damage the environment so anything we do or build; we take the environment into account.”This also means using recycled building materials wherever possible, he adds. “Every aspect of a building that can be taken down can be reused,” Cooper explains. “Wood, floors, sheetrock it can all be reused. We don’t have the facilities here... but if you get whole blocks they can be reused or you can crush them into granular materials which can go back into the cement. The steel can be straightened and reused but it’s just a matter of putting the infrastructure in place.” Cooper explains that LEED designing takes into account natural amenities such as air, sound and building materials used to construct new buildings or to make existing ones safer. That could be as simple as choosing lead-free paint for the interior and exterior of the building, or relocating the windows for better lighting and ventilation. And though building an eco-friendly home may cost more, Cooper insists that the payoffs in human and environmental benefits are worth it. “It will cost more in the interim but at the end of the day you’re healthier and may even live longer knowing

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that you are making better choices and building a safer environment. The more we concentrate on making healthier homes the more productive we are in our communities,” he adds. Cooper is a strong advocate of recycling even when making adjustments to existing structures. Using roofing material such Enviroshakes, which are made of mostly recycled materials enhances the building’s aesthetic appeal;giving the look of natural wood while being mould, mildew and insect resistant. Additionally, this material is said to be virtually maintenance free, and will not rot, crack or peel. “It’s somewhat a challenge to make an existing home eco-friendly but I try to save as much of the structure on the inside, rather than tearing it down. So after an assessment, if we have to take down more than 60% of the home, we say to the owner,‘let’s tear it down’. It’s basically to be economically viable to the client and the environment.” Though there is a lot to consider when building an ecofriendly home, Cooper says his focus is to partner with his clients to achieve the goal of a sustainable, energy efficient home that will bring savings in the long run and enhance the health and well-being of the occupants. “People have to understand the concept of LEED design. It can be costly at the beginning but it will ensure good health in an energy efficienthome.” CCADS Ltd is located in the old Clarence Thomas Building. The office hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm, Mondays to Fridays.

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Serene Vista Towers

A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; George Moore

ising up from the hill top is the curvaceous silhouette of Serene Vista Towers.

Proudly elevated above Beef Island and overlooking Virgin Gorda, this palatial paradise isthe epitome of elegant grandeur and the perfect home for entertaining. Through the electric gates you almost expect to be greeted by valet parking and escorted to the grand entrance where the towers that flank

either side stand over you. This home is nothing short of exquisitely lavish. The awe inspiring great room has a cathedrallike feel with stone columns, marble flooring and double height ceiling complemented by a gallery. Features such as a stone fireplace with mantel and a fountain with cherubs protruding from the walls are definite focal points yet without being overbearing. The central dining table is set for eight with the option to include more. In the kitchen, with its granite countertops and state of the art appliances, you can imagine the room being alive with activity,

canapĂŠs being prepared and cocktails being served from the large bar that clearly defines the kitchen from the dining. There is a gentle breeze that cools the buzz of excitement being created in what is the perfect kitchen for any aspiring chef. At either side of this awe-inspiring room are two sitting areas. The more formal of the two has full length windows curving round the SouthEast facing wall. The double doors open out onto a balcony that follows the curve and has a view looking either towards the West with Buck Island and the Sir Francis Drake VI HOME&GARDEN December - March 2014

channel or towards the East with Beef Island and Virgin Gorda. The less formal sitting area has comfortable furnishings, creating an area to unwind and relax whilst looking out upon the walled courtyard catching the afternoon sun. Double height wooden doors lead off from the central living area to the main level bedrooms, each with its own unique feel. Large, solid wood, queen sized beds with luxurious furnishings and ensuite bathrooms. Upstairs a further two

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guest bedrooms as tasteful and well-furnished as the others and a large master suite radiate out from the central galleried area that also comprises of an additional circular sitting room and a smaller TV lounge area. The master suite is positioned in the house to gain the best of the breeze, once the windows and doors to the private balcony are open a subtle breath of fresh air creates a serenity that is sure to relax even after the most stressful of days. The

master bathroom is super-sized with coliseum style walk in tub, his and hers walk in closets and a large dressing area that would be the envy of many a fashionista. The main house is impressive enough but it is surely the entertainment room downstairs that wins over most. Bringing a whole new meaning to the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Man Caveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, steps from the living area lead down to a room that spans the full length of the house. Equipped with pool table, football and air hockey. Leather

sofas surround the wall sized flat screen TV, an ideal place to watch live sports events with friends. The full kitchen and bar are a great addition and excellent for hosting a large get together. With its own entrance your guests donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even need to come through the main house when you are having the BBQ by the pool. Surrounded by a stone tiled sun terrace, the pooland gardens are the final finishing touch toa luxury you will want to come home to. VI HOME&GARDEN December - March 2014

A baking tradition lives on

Ms. Lyra putting tarts in her brick oven [Photos by Elton Callwood]

Everyone in the community of Carrot Bay knew Lyra Parsons as someone who could bake the most delicious pastries all year round, but when it comes to Christmas in the Virgin Islands, people would travel from near and far to order their favorite guavaberry tarts among other delicious treats which is in high demand during the holiday.

ehind her years of experience in baking homemade pastries, 73 year-old Parsons continues the tradition of using a heirloom which she said makes her product more demanding. Parsons, today, utilizes her grand- motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brick oven that was once used by over three generations in her family. The oven has been refurbished in order to preserve its appearance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I baked a lot of pastries for my home on a regular basis but a lot of people would put in their order especially at Christmas time. I would bake coconut bread, loaf bread, pineapple/guava tarts and even tomato tarts. From the

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time I was about 13 years old, I began baking. I saw my grandparents used to bake in this oven and I continue the tradition, it is much better to bake my tarts in,â&#x20AC;? Parsons added with a smile. In making preparations for the busy season, Parsons said she her ability to bake without measuring her ingredients comes naturally and the routine of boiling her own fruits and using all natural ingredients becomes easier after baking for many decades. After stewing her own fruits to make her tarts, they are frozen and then thawed before adding to other ingredients to complete the process. While she uses her own unique recipe, combined with spices and often times home-made liquor, Parsons juggles her

L - R: Ms. Lyra’s tarts are ready for the oven. Tarts inside the brick oven.

I enjoy baking and once you know what you are about it becomes easier every time you go at it. This has been a part of me for many years. I don’t know who will continue to carry on the tradition after I am gone.

time preparing her brick oven for the final preparations. “When you put the wood in the oven and it is light, you will notice the brick turns white. This is how you tell when the oven is ready. You sweep the ash aside and then you can put in whatever you are baking,” Parsons added as she relates the stages of using her traditional method of baking. This tradition of baking tarts is among one of the rare cultural heritage that is kept alive in the community where Parson resides. During the festive season the guavaberry liquor was one of the drinks given to travelling carolers along with tarts and cassava bread as they go from house to house serenading the villagers. The practice continues throughout the Virgin Islands but has seemingly lost its flavor as parsons noted “Christmas is not what it used to be.” “I enjoy baking and once you know what you are about it becomes easier every time you go at it. Even when I don’t have orders for tarts I still bake often for my home use, I love what I do this has been a part of me for many years. I don’t know who will continue to carry on the tradition after I am gone,” Parsons noted. A wood burning brick oven gives you that unique savory taste that cannot be reproduced in a normal kitchen oven, Parsons indicated. According to history, these ovens have been around for 3,000 years or at best the early rise of civilization. Since middle age times the wood burning oven has been used to bake bread and other foods. Its origin is lost in time but leads us back to the origin of bread. The only way to bake bread was by means of a wood burning brick oven. As well as bread, other foods can be cooked such as pizza, roast meats, pastries and cakes. The wood burning oven provides the food with a wholesome flavor that cannot be achieved with other types of cooking. Over the years, Parsons have treasured many Christmases but the memories of her childhood days in the village where

she still resides seem to be the ones that linger on most of all, as she recalls the festivities as though it was yesterday. “We always looked forward to Christmas as a child back in those days. We would go to the hills and cut a Christmas tree and place candles on the prickles with our decorations. We would then spray on white stuff to turn it white. It was a time of sharing whatever you have with others, now it isn’t as good as before. We didn’t have goat meat and turkey, we had fried fish with home-grown chicken along with peas and rice, a lot of guava berry and a drink called ‘Miss Blyden’ (a small pear-looking fruit with prickle). We would burst it open and sweetened it with spice and sugar served with ice… very nice drink,” Parsons shook her head from side to side reminiscing on her youthful days. According to Parsons, a daughter of the community’s soil, pastry making today is rarely done in brick ovens and therefore products are dried out and tends to lose their desired taste. Brick ovens on the other hand, are more suitable for pastries as it prevents them from drying out while they bake quickly. Parsons in her earlier days coupled her baking skills with her job within various hotels across the Territory where she worked as a room attendant to provide for her seven children. Despite growing up without her mother and father from a tender age of 9 months old, Parsons was cared for by her aunt and her grandmother who first taught her the art of baking. She was brought up in the Methodist Church where she remains as a devoted member of the assembly in her community today. When she is not busy, mixing and stewing guavas, pineapples and coconut to make her mouth wateringtreats, you will be sure to find her at the community center with other elders fashioning crafts, playing games or rehearsing hymns for an upcoming concert. Parsons attends senior classes three days per week at the center where she socializes with her peers and often rekindles the dwindling traditions of the Virgin Islands. VI HOME&GARDEN December - March 2014

VI HOME&GARDEN December - March 2014

tips n’ tricks

Holiday Sparkle

in No Time at All EASY WAYS TO ADD THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT TO YOUR HOME If you’re like most people, you don’t have much time left at the end of a busy day to do anything extra. But at this time of year, you want to do something to make your home look festive and special and create the wonderful Christmas holiday atmosphere. You’ll find some ideas here for quick and simple ways to add a festive look to your home without spending a lot of time or money. And you’ll have time left over to really enjoy Christmas!

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1. Decorate Everything With Bows

• Tie generous ribbons to chair backs, candlesticks, picks in plants, wreaths, garlands, basket handles, drapery tie-backs, stair railings, and doorknobs. • Bows look festive and the ribbons you choose should tie together with the rest of your decorating. Choose ribbons in colors and patterns that coordinate with your decorating scheme. • You don't have to stick with red and green. Choose plaids or florals that tie in. If you can't find anything that looks quite right, then choose metallic silver, gold, green, or red. • Choose a ribbon that you can untie and re-tie each year. This will save money in the long run, and you'll end up with a good collection. • When the holidays are over, untie the ribbons and press them lightly. The bows won't get crushed and the ribbons will be ready when you want to take them out the next year.

2. Use holiday tableware for every meal in December.

• Look through your cupboards and get out any dishes that look festive. • Discount stores often carry seconds of name brand china, as well as fun designs that are not so common. • Start a set of holiday dishes with dinner plates that coordinate with your everyday dishes. Add new pieces each year, like salad plates and mugs. Note: Be sure the pattern you select will be continued from year to year. • Buy 1 or 2 place settings each year. Before long, you'll be able to serve a feast. • If you're adventuresome, choose a different pattern and one place setting each year. Arrange the different dishes around the table and get lots of comments and rekindle memories. When they're not in use, the dishes can be displayed around the room.

3. Turn off the lights.

• Arrange lots of candles on the dining table and dine by candlelight, even if you're just having leftovers. Every meal will feel special. • Burn a fire in the fireplace each evening and encourage family members to gather around and read, do homework, write Christmas cards, or snooze. • Arrange pillar candles in your bathroom, on the sink or around the tub. Take time to soak and enjoy! If you have little children in your home, you should be very careful with candles around the house. Always have an adult in the room.

4. Hang holiday wreaths.

•Put a wreath or swag on every door you have. Of course, start with the front door to welcome guests. • Go on to the back door, inside and out. Remember over the mantle, and in all your front windows. Don't forget bedroom doors, inside and out.

• Use real pine, holly, or grapevine, decorated with bows, berries, fruit, pinecones, raffia, ornaments, birds, photos, or candy. • To keep wreaths year after year, buy artificial wreaths that will last. Remember, you'll need room to store them!

5. Use lots of special color.

• Don't even think about not putting up the perfect Christmas tree. • Drape garlands, either real or artificial, on railings, over mirrors, on the top of armoires, and along the mantle. • Use ribbons and ornaments to put wonderful color around your home for this special season.

VI HOME&GARDEN December - March 2014

6. Do you hear what I hear?

• Whenever you're home, turn on a CD or the radio and listen to Christmas music. • Tie some sleigh bells onto the front door, and listen to the cheery welcome. • When you go into your children's room in the morning, wake them with jingling bells or a jolly "ho, ho, ho". • Check the schedules ahead of time so you don't miss the Christmas specials on TV. Make it a family time to share these wonderful shows. • Collect the classic movies with Christmas themes, such as "A Christmas Story", "It's a Wonderful Life", "Scrooge", or "The Santa Clause".

7. Have something sweet around the house.

• Prepare a bowl of fresh fruit or holiday cookies to put out as soon as guests arrive. • Bake little loaves of tea breads and wrap them in holiday wrap. Set them in a pretty basket for decoration, then take one when you go visiting and give one to guests who visit your home. • Make a wreath with candies tied on. Have a small scissors handy to cut off candies for guests. • Fill a pretty basket with traditional candy canes and set it on the coffee table or entry table. • Make or buy a gingerbread house for decoration and snacking. • Put goodies in your guestroom to make your house guests feel really welcome.

8. Add gifts of nature.

• Use leftover greens from your Christmas tree to make a few quick arrangements in simple bowls. • Place a simple arrangement in a bookcase, on the bath sink, on the kitchen window sill, and on occasional tables. • Pile pine cones with ornaments and bows in a bowl or basket. • Gather sprigs of holiday greens together with a bow and hang them from the inside of your windows. • Decorate your bathroom or kitchen with a small poinsettia. • Collect branches of evergreen and make a simple swag for your bedroom doors. • Tie evergreen sprigs onto candles with a pretty ribbon. Add colorful, small ornaments.

VI HOME&GARDEN December - March 2014

9. Add shine and sparkle to everything!

• Place shiny ornaments in a clear glass bowl or vase. • Embellish indoor plants or trees with shiny ornaments. • Set up a menorah celebrating Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.

10. Create memories and bring happiness.

• Plan a time in the day when the whole family is home to open the doors of an advent calendar. • Make a ritual of lighting the Christmas tree each evening. • Remember friends or acquaintances who cannot go out and offer a small, decorated Christmas tree. • Make a family time of preparing Christmas or holiday cards, taking a family picture, and addressing the cards. Offer to help a friend who cannot do this task alone. By keeping things simple, you'll find that you can enjoy the season, the lights, and the traditions with family and friends without getting tired out in the process. Merry Christmas!

VI HOME&GARDEN December - March 2014

tips nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tricks

VIHG DIY

Mosaic tiles are

fine

for floors and walls.

osaic tiles come on sheets backed by netting or paper. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not hard to lay as the backing means they will stretch or compress to fit. Tiles on netting are easier to use but they cost a little more.

Tiling a floor You'll need: Basic carpentry tools: r tape measurespirit level r plumb line r Straight edge r 6mm notched trowel r Buckets (several) for mixing adhesive and water r Sponges or scourers r Spatula r Rubber squeegee (for applying grout) r Tile pincers Here's how:

Clean the floor and make sure the base is firm. Divide the room in quarters and adjust the starting point so the least possible cutting needs to be done. Stretch or compress the grout joints where you have to, cutting sections right through the backing.

VI HOME&GARDEN December - March 2014

Work on one quarter at a time. Mark the floor as a grid to show each sheet.

Put adhesive on with the trowel. Adhesive for floor mosaics should be slightly drier than that for larger tiles so there's not too much movement.

Lay the tiles following the grid. Press tiles into place with a flat piece of timber (about 250x100mm). Fix any skewed tiles as you go. And don't work yourself into a corner!

Cut the edge sheets as you work, using tile pincers to cut around floor wastes and drain pipes.

Sponge off excess adhesive. Rinse frequently and make sure you wring out well, because a wet sponge will make the bedding soft and the tiles sink. Allow 24 hours to dry.

Grout the floor with the same mix you used for laying. For extra resilience, add a bonding agent when tiling timber-framed floors. Put the grout on with a rubber squeegee, working it in well diagonally.

Tiling walls Here's how:

1 2

Make sure the surface is dry, flat and sound.

Hold a sheet of tiles against the wall at the lowest point and mark the top of the sheet. Using a spirit level, draw a horizontal line around the room.

Mark a vertical line in the middle of the wall as your starting point. Set out the tile sheets along the wall with full tiles in each corner. Fit by cutting the netting: the mortar

joints of the last two sheets can be stretched or compressed to fit. Normally, tiles under 25mm don't need cutting. Mark each sheet of tiles on the horizontal line. Allow a gap for grout, hold a sheet above the horizontal line, then mark a second line.

floor level isn't even. Try to avoid joints of less than 1mm because they're difficult to grout. If you have to, pull the tiles off the netting and nip with pincers to fit. Take off excess adhesive with a damp cloth but don't move any tiles. Let dry for 24 hours.

Starting at the vertical line, spread the adhesive with the trowel and finish with the ribbing horizontal.

Put the first sheet of tiles in position and align the joints. Bed the tiles into place with a flat piece of timber. Then run your hand over the tiles to make sure the surface feels even. If the tiles are heavy and the adhesive soft, the wet netting could stretch and sag. Until the adhesive sets, temporarily nail small tacks under a few of the tiles in the top row to hold them in place.

Keep on tiling to the required level, checking that the joints are even and each row is horizontal. Compress or expand the grout joints in the last two sheets to fit.

Fix the cut tiles in each row last. If the corner is too tight to apply adhesive, butter the back of the sheets.

Fix the bottom row of sheets, compressing the sheets if the

Grout with the same mix you used for laying. Put the grout on with a rubber squeegee, working it in well diagonally. Use a soft sponge get rid of any excess before it sets, rinsing the sponge often.

Let it dry for 24 hours, then polish with a soft, dry cloth.

Tip

Tiling curves with mosaics Mosaics are ideal for curved surfaces. Cut a template of the curve using a 600mm wide piece of particle board to check the tiles curve evenly.

VI HOME&GARDEN December - March 2014

tips n’ tricks

Home Owner Facts…#01

By Atlas Construction (BVI) Limited

HOT WATER SAVINGS

uring the winter or ‘our cold weather time of year,’ along with all the yearend activities, consider the energy cost to your pocket book caused by your hot water usage. Family gatherings and stay in family and friends round the yearend adds hours to your Hot Water Heater Unit (whatever type you use) and rings the BVIEC smart meter ever so quickly adding up the dollars come January bill. My attempt to represent the facts and information in this commentary, regarding the culprit, the actual producer of the hot water, the Heater Unit, is so you can consider the matter holistically, and possibly at the end of the commentary you would

be considering your move towards Hot Water Savings. Hot water units were not the norm long ago when structures were being built. I remember bathing in cold water showers many days as a boy and boiling some to take away the chill in cold season time. As time, technology and convenience progressed into the 21st century, so did the hot water units to meet the casual demand of the consumer. Hot water is essential to every structure built today and have become essential to every home in this century. Every design done by an architect or structure built by a contractor has some element or preparation for hot water consumption. Currently, there area variety of ways to get water heated for daily use,

but which is most economical? Which option will save you the most money and cost the least to you, the consumer? Building mosteconomically for hot water,or the most economical or green way to save on hot water cost, is to not use any at all.Financially, a cold bath cost nothing out of pocket,it’s very refreshing and cools you off right away when days are hot. Yes, you’re imagining the ultimate reality…you picture yourself standing in the shower your hand on the mixer (it’s the dead of the cold weather season!) fearing the inevitable, in a moment when you finally decide, cold water will come rushing out that spray nozzle. Screaming is not an option, after all you have guests.You may need to justify

VI HOME&GARDEN December - March 2014

not having a need for hot water. Many may want to know why you don’t have hotwater. They might even be upset or impressed to stay over less. But as it stands, you’re saving a few hundred dollars annually and if you don’t mind the cold water,it might be the best way to hot water savings. Building mosteconomically conscious of your hot waterrequirements in the 21st century, nomorethecold-age era,requiresa bit more thought before spending your hard earned or easily earned cashon water heating equipment to then turn and try to pacify its annual operation cost. The best thing to considerwould beSolar. Solar requires no demand annually on energy produced by BVIEC, but is produced solely throughinexhaustible energy, the blazing sun. When there are days at a time when there would be no sun, yet yourequire heated water.The solution would be to add a heating element on a switch, so you only use energy when you choose. But then somehow you’ll eventually discover that switch would be on more than off. Whatever you choose on cold days to keep hot water for your consumption is with you, but solar is best on overall savings and impact on the environment.

Conventional Water Heaters Use Energy and pollute

An average four-person household with an electric water heater needs about 6,400 kilowatt hours of electricity per year to heat their water. Assuming the electricity is generated by a typical power plant with an efficiency of around 30 percent, it means that the average electric water heater is responsible for about eight tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, which is almost double that emitted by a typical modern automobile. The same family of four using either a natural gas water heater will contribute about two tons of CO2 emissions annually in heating their water. Solar Water Heaters:

Tankless Water Heaters:

Solar Water Heaters: The Economical Choice Residential solar water heater systems cost between $3,500 and $9,500, compared to $1000 to $4000 for electric and gas heaters. With savings in electricity or natural gas, solar water heaters pay for themselves within four to eight years. And solar water heaters last between 15 and 40 years. So after that initial payback period is up, zero energy cost essentially means having free hot water for years to come. The next best thing by comparison is tankless.Should you consider a tankless water heater, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons first. Propane heaters and instant heaters are closely comparable, however it may be worth your while to inquire of the efficiency of your propane supplier. Benefits: Both • They never run out of hot water. • They’re more efficient with no standby heat loss. • They take up less space and can even be installed on walls or outdoors. • There’s no possibility of flooding due to a ruptured tank. • You can shave as much as 20 percent from your water heating costs. Electric • Smaller units can be installed under cabinets or in a closet, closer to the

VI HOME&GARDEN December - March 2014

point of use. • They only need enough power to heat the amount of water necessary at any given moment. • Electric models don’t produce green house gases directly but does so indirectly through the electric company. Propane • Propane models are less expensive to operate Drawbacks: Both • They cost up to three times as much as a tank water heater. Electric • Electric models may require an additional circuit. • Electric models require a lot of energy. Propane • Gas-powered units produce greenhouse gases. • Gas units require the additional expense of an annual servicing. • Venting gas and propane units requires expensive specialist workmanship Other Considerations: • Water heating accounts for about 20 percent of your home energy budget. • A whole-house electric model costs $1000-$1700. • A whole-house gas model costs $2,000-$4,000. • Electric models are generally cheaper to install than gas. • Natural gas is less expensive now, but expected to surpass electricity in the coming years. • A standard bathtub holds about 35 gallons, soaking tubs hold between 4580 gallons. Capacity heaters are last of the options for savings. They burn up energy continuously trying to maintain its water temperature optimum to meet your requirements but use a large amount of energy to do so.Even if you were to try electrically to control its operation by say a 3-way circuit (as a light fixture that can be switched from two locations) having a timer switch to energize the unit when your usually at home (evenings and mornings and all day weekends) and you have a switch to energize the unit for on-demanduse (when your home out of the timer settings), you would still be faced with wait time to heat the capacity of water before you can detect temperature difference and the energy used would still surpass the tankless model. Not to mention there’s the infrequent pressure release valve failure/ruptured tank, spilling water for you to clean up or possibly slip and fall. To leave this option apart of your home, apartment or place of business is to stay in the cold-age. As a matter of fact eliminating this option is Hot Water Savings.

VI HOME&GARDEN December - March 2014