Okanagan Home Magazine Summer/Fall 2010 by Okanagan Home

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HOME Summer/Fall 2010

INSIDE SUMMER/FALL 2010 Features

Green Water The Ultimate in Recycling: City of Kelowna

Waking Up in Paradise

Home Theatres

Waterfront

Greystokes Millwork Ltd.

Crystal Heights

Sunridge Landscapes Ltd.

Bridges at Glenview

Paragon Surfacing Ltd.

Ca Solare

S2 Innovative Products Group

110

Nootka Island

Kekuli Bay Cabinetry

103

Fink Machine

COLUMNS 10

Okanagan Real Estate Review 104

Denis On Design

Environment

106

Ten Design From the Forest

PROFILES 28

Tubelo Granite

Modern by Marshall’s

Marshall’s Home Furnishings

Koeda Flooring

Bones & Stones

Norelco Cabinets

Real GolfWEST

Jamana Evergreen Hedge

Okanagan Business Review

Sunshine Pools and Spas

Issue 17, Summer/Fall 2010 ISSN 1913-0759 www.Okanagan-Home.com roelrich@shaw.ca Publisher: Raymond F. Oelrich Senior Editor: Keri-Lynn Turney Art Director: Tyson Henderson Administrative Assistant: Kathi Smith Advertising Executives Raymond F. Oelrich, Arlene Paulsen Contributors: Ross Freake, Mike Freeman, Deanna Merrick, Summer Bracey, Lisa M. Robinson, Barry Milner, Don Gerein, Denis Apchin, John Rousseau, Michael Coburn, Keri-Lynn Turney, Raymond Oelrich Okanagan Home Magazine Kelowna, BC, Canada www.Okanagan-Home.com

Photo by Kelowna Custom Theatres

Cover: Waterfront taken by Colin Jewell Photo Studios Inc.

Telephone: 250-864-8382 Email: roelrich@shaw.ca President: Raymond F. Oelrich No part of this publication may be copied or reprinted without the written consent of the publisher. Publications Mail Agreement # 41908512

Each issue of Okanagan HOME is now printed with pollution-free soy based ink.

Photo by Norelco Cabinets

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HST Winners?

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f there is a silver lining in the HST debacle it may be for the home improvement industry, specifically those companies offering home dining/entertaining options, products and services. Here is my reasoning: when GST/HST is charged on most meals eaten away from home but not on the food bought to cook at home, it rewards those that cook their own meals, and penalizes those that eat out more often. With this as a backdrop of logic, it stands to reason more people will opt to stay at home, entertain, cook their own meals and save the Hated Sales Tax (HST) over the course of time. That bodes well for those companies that benefit from home-cooked meals, including appliance manufacturers, distributors and dealers, kitchen companies of all kinds, and even some entertainment groups that offer alternatives to a night on the town. The new “out” may well be “in.” Having grown up in the 50s and 60s, I fondly remember my family having block parties where all of the neighbours came over for huge B-B-Q gatherings. Each family took turns every weekend inviting the rest of the neighbourhood over for music, dancing and sharing heaping quantities of food and beverage. The parents gathered in the house, yard and patio while the kids played wherever we weren’t under foot. Everyone took pride in their homes, lawns and furnishings, regardless of how much it

may have cost. Think how nice it would be in the Okanagan if that tradition was reborn again and entire generations of stay-athome entertainers cooked, served their own meals and yes, did their own dishes! The HST will benefit some industries and stagger others. It is a natural fact of life. I am just glad our magazine features those that should benefit and our readers are left with choices in those products and services that make the Okanagan a grand place to call home.

Consume or Conserve?

omeone might say that apathy is the biggest problem in this country, and another might answer, “Who cares?” How ironic, since apathy truly is the biggest hurdle we face on many fronts. It is evident everywhere, but especially in our consumption of resources. In a world where nearly one third of the planet’s population has little or no clean, fresh water to drink, we spill ours from every tap without thinking twice. On a hot breezy mid-day in late June I drove past a former, vacant orchard on Hart Road that had elevated sprinklers, pounding out what must be thousands of gallons a day, most of it evaporating before it hit the ground. Just below there was a golf course doing the same thing. Don’t people realize the best time to water is early or late in the day, with no wind or better yet at night when the moisture can soak into the ground, not evaporate or be carried away by the hot wind? Do they not know, or not care? Which is worse, ignorance of a prob-

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lem or ignoring that problem once you know better? It’s not just water. We waste an amazing amount of gas, oil, electricity and other energy, which is the topic in several articles and columns this issue. Cars sit idling while running their air conditionings, home thermostats hover at 70 degrees during the summer and 74 or more during the winter, with no regard to the cost of that energy consumed. If the prices tripled for all natural resources would we cut back? Perhaps. In some parts of the world the cost of water alone consumes as much as 30% of a family’s income! In Kelowna water is absurdly inexpensive, which partially explains why we use so much of it without regard to cost. According to one major European energy provider our local electrical rates are so low it does not pay to convert to solar energy as they have in Europe, where the rates are significantly higher. We are living in this world on the assumption we have an endless supply of energy, which is true if we capitalized on what Earth provided in solar and wind energy, but no, we shun those logical choices for the quick fix of oil, gas and other fossil fuels, which cannot be replenished and have a finite lifespan. Hopefully the world and especially North America will learn from the Gulf oil spill and unless logic prevails here in BC we could have the same disaster come crashing onto our shores. A spill that size would kill our birds, fish and plants if the pipeline from the oil sands in Alberta to the BC North Coast is built and tankers ply our rocky coast with their deadly cargo. Our own ferry boat operators cannot even pay attention to a route they know well without hitting the shore and sinking a craft, so what makes us think occasional visiting mega-tankers running that same rocky-strewn labyrinth of channels won’t make such a mistake, like the Exxon Valdez did. And all in the name of supplying more oil to a world that consumes it at an ever-increasing pace. Oh, sorry, was that anti-BC or anti-Alberta or even anti-Canadian to take that stance? Perhaps, but do we really want to pledge the BC Coast in a high-stakes poker game with oil in the pot as our only prize? The US government has already issued stern warnings to Canada to not plan to export the oil sands into the US, especially when as a country we rank dead last in greenhouse gas emission reduction of all G8 countries and our “leadership” in this country does not seem to listen. The world’s consumers use more oil now than any other time in history according to CNN, ignoring the plentiful optional choices and some day it will be too late to make the transition. Europe know this, but until the price of electricity rises enough in Canada to make alternative choices viable they will sit on the sidelines, ignored by the majority of builders, developers and governments. Speaking of excess, it was recently reported that our city has no fewer than 209 people (employed by Kelowna taxpayers no less), that earn at least $75,000 dollars a year or more, with the highest salary for the city manager who earns in the neighbourhood of $250,000 a year. To compare, the President of the United States earns a salary of $400,000 US a year. For a city this size, do we really need over 200 people earning that much money? Do we really need a new $80,000 logo (that looks remarkably like the old one) that a 5th grade elementary class project could have created in local contest for free? Excess prevails ev-

erywhere, but when the city leaders are first to drink from the tax-payer’s city well, what example does that show for the rest of us? Shame on them, and shame on us for letting them stay in power us without demanding change. The provincial government is no better, but we can always add another tax to support all of these salaries right? Drink long, drink first, drink often. Excess and apathy, a dangerous combination for all. Yes, we live in a world of excess, and on some days I think Kelowna, BC is the capital. Until the city, provincial and federal governments, as well as consumers, builders and developers change their way of thinking, Canada will fall further behind the rest of the world in finding and rewarding alternative energy solutions. We applaud those that have made some changes and many of them are published in these pages and we will continue to do so. In this issue you will find numerous stories that identify the company as contributing to energy efficiency or renewable energy. Please support these companies as much as possible in making buying decisions. Which is worse, not knowing or not caring? Since homes are the largest consumer of energy for most families, let’s start there, whether it is saving water, oil, gas or electricity, we can all make a change any day we choose. Hopefully these articles will bring builders, consumers and even city planners to realize we all have choices we can make. It may cost us more now, but as the old saying goes ‘Pay me now, or pay me later.” The energy toll gate extracts its toll from us all, and we are all in that line approaching the booth.

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Ok a n a g a n R e a l E s tat e R e v i e w to pay mortgages. Our real estate market has performed well and as expected over the past year. Sales of units increased and average prices increased By Don Gerein as well. Inventory was on its way down until this May. At this point riting articles on in time, inventory has increased in spite of the increased number of the market used units sold this year to date. This is due to the fact that pent-up sellers to be relatively now like the prices enough to test the market with their properties. easy. It was a mat- There is also the annual Spring and Summer trend in the Okanagan ter of analysis of past data, draw- when people think it is a good time to list their property in case a ing conclusions based on trends, tourist might like it enough to buy it. This raises inventory levels sigand creating an article that would nificantly. Close examination reveals that these types of listings are remain relevant for a reasonable priced too aggressively and will come off the market by the end of September without the desired result. There exists in the Okanagan a length of time. The challenge now is to analyze large proportion of people that own two properties as a hangover from the market reaction to the speed and the previous market cycle. Some of the inventory is second propersurprise related to change and the ties or investment homes which are going to end up on the market magnitude of that reaction. This is sooner or later. In this mix are a large number of condominium apartments. This is the sector that produced the most new supply and sales have remained S.F.R. STATS SECOND QUARTER SOURCE: OMREB 2008 2009 2010 fairly flat in this area as the sector is overUnits sold to July 31/10 1277 1149 1036 supplied. It is obvious that developers are not rushing to build this type of commod$516,500 $486,000 $450,000 Av. Sell Price of July 31/10 ity to have it sit in inventory. This supply 1833 1686 1952 Listing Inventory as of July 31/10 will be absorbed but it will take four or five quarters to moderate. I am often asked about statistics recompounded by the speed at which news travels around the world garding that elusive Alberta buyer. It is obvious that they have not due to the Internet. The consumer has certainly been blindsided on been as noticeable a force as in past years. In the last cycle, they many levels recently. It does not matter whether it’s HST, the down- were purchasing primarily second properties in the form of condograding of Greece, or disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. All have the miniums, houses or recreational properties. It was their intent to use same effect. Because of events beyond anyone’s control, indecision them personally and often prior to relocating here. These were luxury and lack of direction paralyze the consumer as they exercise an over- purchases made with discretionary money or borrowed money, beabundance of caution. In short, the consumer responds by staying fore the world changed. While buyers from Alberta have not totally deserted us they are fewer in number. We also face competition from home. Real money responds by seeking a safe haven. distress sales in the deserts of Arizona and Southern California. Such are the potholes in the road to recovery. According to people I speak to in the oil patch, revenues and exTo put things in perspective, the crisis-torn economy of Greece, which frightened the financial world in May, is smaller than that of pectations have improved in the last year. Positive indicators in this Ontario. Europe’s money is being spent on bailing out five (so far) sector are boosting confidence and we should see the return of Altroubled governments instead of buying our products. However, only berta dollars in to our market next year. While putting current events into perspective let’s remember that 4% of Canadian exports go to mainland Europe and Greece is only 2.5% of Europe’s GDP. Furthermore, Canada is being recognized we get our news mainly from American sources which endeavor to as a safe haven. Our monetary and fiscal policy suggest the making place an extremely negative spin on events abroad to divert attention of a reserve currency writes BNP Paribas SA in a recent Bloomberg from their own serious economic problems at home. Also remember report which goes on to say that real money (foreign investors) will how fortunate we are to be where we are right now. The Chinese use buy Canadian securities and become more heavily invested here. Our two brush strokes to write the word “crisis.” One brush stroke stands dollar has stayed in the mid 90’s through all the recent upheaval. for danger, the other stands for opportunity. In a crisis be aware of Investors know that government net debt as a percentage of GDP is the dangers but also be open to recognize the opportunities. forecast at 27% in Canada, 80% in US, and 140% in Japan. We have a new commodity to sell and it is security and safety. Money flows C o n ta c t towards stability and, conversely, away from instability. To add to the good news, we are in a positive economic cycle Don Gerein, Broker and President and BC’s net debt at 15% is far lower (way less than half) than that Macdonald Realty Kelowna of Ontario or Quebec. BC is forecasting real growth for 2011. This Phone: 250-860-4300 macanswer@shawbiz.ca stability equates to jobs, which equates to pay cheques with which Let’s Put Things Into Perspective

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DENIS ON DESIGN DENIS ON DESIGN

Our Environmental Responsibility By Denis Apchin

ey folks do you remember what it was like to get out of your comfort zone and try something new for the first time? Remember your first kiss? , Car payment?, Mortgage? How about that first diaper change??? These life changing initiations were all awkward at first and perhaps even a little bit scary but we got through them didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t we? Stepping out of our comfort zone helps us grow our confidence and expand our knowledge. It is an essential part of manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inherent nature to evolve; without that ability to push ourselves for ever greater comfort and success we would be stuck back in the Stone Age. Take for example the changes we have made with our own human shelters which were initially just a simple structure or a natural feature that provided protection against bad weather and the odd predator. The first shelters made by human beings were made from readily available materials like animal hides, stones, earth and wood. While we still tend to use materials available to us in regional areas they are now more refined and mass produced to be made affordable for the masses. By striving for ever greater comfort over the centuries we have made many advancements in the design and construction practices of our shelters. The distinctive architectural styles of homes that have evolved around the world were influenced largely by their local climate, materials available, construction knowledge, and cultural values of the given area. However, through the industrial revolution the exploitation of raw materials and polluting our environment with the processing and transporting of these materials has caused a new global issue which will dramatically influence the style of architecture of the future. Sustainability has become a part of our everyday language in recent years. The concept as it is generally understood comprises of three areas of equal importance. They are: Economic development, which promotes a lasting, viable basis for employment and prosperity, while protecting our economic resources against exploitation; Social development, which demands decisions, and developments which benefit all members of the community; and Ecological devel-

opment, which aims to protect the natural environment and conserve it for future generations. Sustainability is here to stay; it is not a trend or fad that will disappear into obscurity with 8 tracks and cassette players. It is our responsibility to do what we can to help our environment. Remember what it was like when recycling was first introduced? It was awkward at first but in time we adapted to the new ritual as easily as changing diapers. We are only at our infancy of sustainable housing. The future will bring us dwellings that are completely self sufficient creating their own energy and able to process waste. Structures will be built completely from recycled products and organic materials creating a zero carbon foot print. How soon this happens is largely up to you. I encourage you to push your comfort zone when it is time to build your next home and go out on a limb by implementing the newest technologies and design practices possible. The rewards will not only save you money in the long run but think of how satisfying it will be to know you did your part to make our environment a safer place for future generations.

C o n ta c t APCHIN DESIGN www.apchin.com

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SUMMERLAND SKY

By Denis Apchin

ife should be lived in balance. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the idea behind Summerland Sky. Balance within the person, yes, but also in balance with the Earth. A number of sustainable technologies are being incorporated into the design of lot 9 at Summerland Sky, and will be carried through in the actual build. From wall building to heating and cooling, it is all carefully designed to be in balance with the Earth. The more common sustainable technologies being used include both passive and active solar heating. Passive solar design uses the natural movement of heat and air to maintain comfortable temperatures, operating with little or no mechanical assistance. Active solar systems use mechanical devices such as pumps and fans to move heat from collectors to storage or from storage to use. In the case of Lot 9 the entire roof will house solar blankets that will pre-heat the water for the pool and domestic hot water tanks. Other sustainable technologies will also include geothermal heating and cooling, rain water harvesting, soy based expanded spray foam insulation and triple glazed Low E Squared glass. However the more uncommon and most interesting sustainable technology to be incorporated at lot 9 is using rammed earth to construct most of the exterior and retaining walls. Rammed earth is a

technique used in the building of walls using the raw materials of earth, chalk, lime and gravel. It is an ancient building method that has seen a revival in recent years as people seek more sustainable building materials and natural building methods. Rammed earth walls are simple to construct, incombustible, thermally massive, very strong and hardwearing. Soil is a widely available, low cost and sustainable resource, and harvesting it for use in construction has minimal environmental impact. Because rammed earth structures use locally available materials, they typically have low embodied energy and generate very little waste. The soils used are typically sub soils low in clay, between 5% and 15% typically with the topsoil retained for agricultural use. Ideally, the soil removed from the excavation can be used, further reducing cost and energy used for transportation. To me the best part of using rammed earth walls is that finished product is so unique and attractive all by itself. It also eliminates unnecessary material, transportation, and labour to cover it with traditional finishes like stucco, wood or stone.

Contact SUMMERLAND SKY www.summerlandsky.com www.apchin.com

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Not To Be Outgrown

By Ross Freake and Photographed by Shawn Talbot If they ever wake up in a bad mood, all Lynn and Alex have to do is look out their 10-foot, floor-to-ceiling bedroom windows and get ready for an endorphin rush. As quickly as their visual cortex can assimilate the information hitting their eyes, their mood will be as high as their mindblowing house is above the valley floor. From their second-floor bedroom, they look out over Kelowna’s downtown, the bridge, West Kelowna, Mount Boucherie, and when they wipe the sleep from their eyes, they might be able to see Ogopogo sunning himself near Rattlesnake Island. (The couple agreed to let Okanagan Home do a feature on their home if they could remain anonymous.) The view is stunning, but so is the house, which was created in full-colour 3D by designer Denis Apchin to fit the lot in their Dilworth neighbourhood long before shovel hit dirt. “I don’t think we had much of an idea, but Denis did and we liked his idea,” Lynn said. “He designed this house for this lot. We weren’t sure how it would look, but, as turns out, it’s unique.” Most of their neighbours have a walkout basement, but the couple wanted easy access from the main floor to the yard, pool and hot tub for their three daughters and golden retriever. To preserve sightlines, all the pool necessities are in a bunker beneath the pool deck, and the yard is clean, sparse and elegant enough to make a Zen master meditate on the spot. “Instead of manipulating the lot to suit the house, we manipulated the house to suit the grade of the lot and maximized the view,” said Apchin. “The whole west side is all glass. It works out very well.” The 5,900-square-foot house has three floors, five bedrooms, six bathrooms and a contemporary look. Although it stands out subtly, Apchin had to rein in his imagination because the materials and look had to fit Dilworth design guidelines. “The house has four-foot overhangs for shading the sun,” Apchin said. “We cantilevered the roof out even further over the reversed tapered columns, so we could get a larger overhang. It’s not crazy different from the rest of the neighbourhood, it fits in, but we tried to use our materials in unique ways, put a little spin on it. Form follows function and because of the large overhangs on the lake side, we did

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HOME Summer/Fall 2010 it on the foyer.” That 16-foot foyer is stone and glass, matter and light combined. A 500-pound, 10-foot-high, four-foot wide Brazilian Mahogany door opens into an oval entrance leading to nine, curved dark-wood steps going down to the great room, and nine up to the bedrooms. “The curved walls of the hallway share the same radius point as the stairs, helping streamline the traffic flow,” Apchin said. “Traditionally, hallways are like a maze and zig-zag to accommodate rectangular rooms. As a result of finding a solution to streamline traffic, the form of the stairs and curved hallways is not only open and expansive, but unique. The stairs are the focal point of the house for traffic flow and aesthetically they are pleasing to the eye, appearing almost like a sculpture.” The couple remembers standing in the dirt trying to visualize the word picture Apchin was drawing of their house. “We were sort of, well, I guess so,” Lynn recalls. Fortunately, Apchin had the technology to show them their house, spin it around, walk them down hallways, into bedrooms and through walls. “The house is exactly how the model looked,” she said, remembering how popping windows in and out in the 3D CAD program helped her decide on elements of the house. “We were thinking of putting a window in the laundry room, but because it’s split, (looking at it from outside), the window would have been down here,” she said, reaching down to knees. “With that technology, you could put it in, take a look, and take it out.” The couple was outgrowing their old house, from which they could only get a fleeting glimpse of the lake. “We thought it would

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KELOWNA KLOSETS $0/46-5"5*0/ t %&4*(/ t */45"--"5*0/

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HOME Summer/Fall 2010 be nice to have a beautiful view, so we bought the lot for the view,” she said. “We used to drive our jeep to the back of the lot and look at the view. We just kept driving up and staring at the lot,” Alex said. “The girls got tired of looking at the dirt.” While they wanted a house that matched the view, it had to be a family home with enough room for their three kids, a large dog and lots of relatives, and boy cousins. “It has some unique features, yet it’s still a family house,” Lynn said. The family room, which we didn’t have in our last house, is nice and cozy. We threw a fireplace in there at the last minute. We’ll hang in there quite a bit.” They stand in silent wonder at the view through the floor-to-ceiling dining-room windows, then at their daughters sitting at the 16-foot long kitchen island. “This area here will get a lot of wear,” Alex said. “It’s a bigger version of what we had in our other house, but with this view.” While Dilworth usually designs and builds all the houses on the mountain, it encouraged some owners to get their own designer. The couple made an exhaustive search for the person who could turn their dream into reality. They interviewed architects, drove around Wilden and Dilworth, around the lake in a boat, looked at websites, but they decided on Apchin mostly through intuition. When the house started to take form, they visited every day, often five times a day. “I’d drop the kids at school, come by the house on the way from work,” he said. “The project manager joked — maybe

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it wasn’t a joke — that there are 18,000 decisions to make when you’re building a custom home. Every day, you had to make some decisions. It was work until all that stuff had been decided; then it was stand back and watch them finish.” They were effusive in their praise of the people who helped them create their dream home, starting with Apchin and Dilworth Homes project manager Steve Hansen and the workers who overcame challenges they had never encountered before. “We ran into some marvelous creative trades, the guys who put in the doors and millwork from Everwood, neat guys, the landscapers, the tile guy.” And the nameless engineer who made sure the beams can handle the weight of wood, stone and glass. “Two beams run all the way though the house; you can see them exposed in the kitchen a bit,” Alex said. They’re holding up the stuff that engineering wise they hadn’t considered before, but Denis swore it could be done. The overhangs had to go through wind testing. I think there is an engineer who said ‘put in a bigger beam, bigger, bigger; OK, it’s 100 times past what I think is a problem, so I’ll sign off on it.” Putting in a 500-pound, 10-foot door is not something Everwood Custom Woodworking encounters every day, and the homeowners watched them, with trepidation, wrestle with it. “It went in on April 1,” Alex recalled with a chuckle, “but the guys from Everwood phoned and said, ‘look, I don’t think you can move in because you don’t have a front door.’ “You had it two days ago doing a dry fit, what are you talking about?” “It fell out of the truck.”

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C o n t ac t

“Nice try. Liar, liar.” Even the sisterly tiff they expected over who would get the bedroom with the view didn’t happen. “We thought the oldest would be angling for here,” he said, surveying the view he sees from the master bedroom. “The middle one really wanted this room, but the oldest one took the one with a bathroom and the six year old was just happy to have a bedroom. For the first little while, they missed each other (the two youngest who had shared a bedroom) and you’d come in and find one on the floor sleeping beside the bed.” Maybe it was the view and she just wanted to make sure she woke up in a good mood, just like mom and dad.

Apchin Design Corp www.apchin.com Everwood www.everwooddesign.com Quality Air Care www.qualityaircare.ca Dilworth Homes www.dilworthhomes.com Fun Water Pools www.funwaterpools.com Rona www.rona.ca Allied Electrical allied-electric@shaw.ca Ashley’s Framing ashleyconstruction@telus.net Miwen miwencontracting@shaw.ca Creative Roots Landscaping www.creativerootslandscaping.com Kelowna Klosets kelownaklosets@telus.net Rutland Glass www.rutlandglass.com

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KITCHENS Thank goodness! The days of designing granite countertops by cutting out a cardboard template are behind us. Or at least they are at Tubello Stoneworks, where the process of granite manufacturing has been updated with the latest digital technology. By embracing and

sign drawn “hard copy” by hand. The CAD drawing is faster, cleaner, and more importantly, it shows the customer how their kitchen will look with the new stone in place, in colour and in a two-dimensional view. “Our software allows clients to see exactly what the finished product will look like, including any seams. As a result, the customer gives us final approval prior to cutting their projects,” explains Lori Patterson, the company’s Office Manager and PR rep. From the design table, the CAD files are uploaded into a Computer

investing in industrial science, the business has opened a vault of stonecutting options. One part of the method is called Computer Aided Drafting, or CAD, for short. This designing software allows Tubello to input the exact dimensions of the available space and then configure an attractive countertop to precisely suit that space. What is unique about CAD is that it has limitless possibilities. If the design needs to be altered, or even changed completely, the lines can be moved with the click of a mouse, rather than the modification troubles inherited by having the prototype de-

Numerical Controlled (CNC) water-jet cutter. This powerful machine-tool uses, as you might have guessed, an extremely high pressure stream of water to cut the stone. Water-jet is used in many industries for cutting perfect edges and intricate profiles in hard materials. The computer technology makes the water-jet follow the exact cutting path dictated by the CAD file. This modern method is not only much faster, it is incredibly accurate, leaves a smooth finish and is virtually error-proof. Having CAD and CNC technology allows Tubello to readily en-

TUBELLO STONEWORKS Quality Craftsmanship Since 1970 By Michael Freeman

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courage customer feedback on how the slabs will be cut for their kitchen. But the kitchen isn’t the only place in the home that looks spectacular with sophisticated stonework. Bathrooms, patios and recrooms are just a few other places Tubello Stoneworks can enhance. Bring your ideas to their Kelowna showroom and speak to an expert. Tubello manufactures over a dozen kitchens a week and services commercial projects as well; a seemingly daunting workload, but their modern processes enable them to manufacture a larger quantity of higher quality products. They may be riding a wave of contemporary technology, but brothers Rob and Tom Tubello, the principals of the company, stress the importance of down-home friendly service. Started as a tile shop in Regina over 40 years ago, the family owned and operated Stoneworks business has steadily grown its client base with courteous, professional service, and eventually opened their second office here in Kelowna. Although they cater to a wide array of consumers, Tubello can call on four decades of experience to answer any questions. Their staff members are well versed in customer service and product knowledge; there isn’t much that they haven’t seen be-

fore. “Our company owes much of its success to its strong employee base, as several key people have been with us for over 15 years,” relays Patterson. Currently, they have an impressive inventory of 500 slabs in stock that are digitally pictured and managed in their database, providing a multitude of choices for the most discerning buyers. In addition to granite, Tubello also carries a complete line of marble and quartz products. Stone—one of the hardest natural materials known to man, and one of civilization’s first home-building blocks. These pieces of the earth’s surface conjure up feelings of awesome strength; of impenetrable durability. Of hand-built walls and of flat-cut surfaces polished to a gleam. At Tubello Stoneworks, the art of manufacturing and custom-cutting granite for your home and kitchen has been taken to a new level. Come into their showroom and see for yourself.

C o n ta c t TUBELLO STONEWORKS www.tubello.net

Quality Craftmanship Since 1970

Come visit our showroom to discuss a volume discount.

Q Specializing in Granite and Quartz Countertops 103-2714 Hwy 97 N Kelowna BC V1X 4J7 Phone: 250-860-4280 1-888-400-4280 Email: info@tubello.net ww www.tubello.net

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FURNISHINGS Modern by Marshall’s Modern Reflections By Lisa M. Robinson

hether you are looking for a complete or partial change to your living decor, or you are just starting fresh, Modern by Marshall’s gives you that crisp, clean edge to your home living experience. Walking through Modern’s doors, you will be surprised that you are not bombarded by the high-pressure sales you normally expect from a retail outlet. You will also be surprised by the casual, everyday, street attire the Modern staff are wearing. Within their fun, invigorating environment, you will find you are wowed and inspired by their products, people, and atmosphere. The staff at either Marshall’s stores, are not just out to sell you a product, they are there to help you create your home, a mirror of who you are. Owner, James Marshall, started with a vision. In 1994, he was working in the furniture retail business when he

realized he enjoyed seeing the smiles on customer’s faces. He wanted to become more involved, so in 1997, he opened his own store. Three years ago, he saw the need for a store such as Marshall’s Home Furnishings, catering to the needs of people looking for the more traditional styles of furniture and home products, with quality, personal service, and reasonable prices. Approximately six months ago, Marshall opened his new store and vision, Modern by Marshall’s. The idea of his new store was to fulfill the need for the new and trendy. Contemporary, Modern, New – words that help describe the style of the store and its products. “Generally speaking, the furniture is clean, fresh, different, low profile, and sleek,” Marshall says. “Young urban professionals tend to gravitate towards the cleaner look of modern or contemporary styles. That is not to say they don’t appreciate the more traditional or transitional styles in our other store. Many times, we combine sales from both stores to help our clients get the look they desire. Our client base is very diverse, from young urban, to mature families, to young families, and the everyday professional. People are looking for

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something that helps them define what their own personalities are, at any age.” Whatever it is you’re looking for, Marshall assures us that “you will find Sales Manager, Barton, and Sales Person, Kayla, ready to meet you with enthusiasm and a helpfulness that is unique.” Most of the furnishings at Modern by Marshall’s can be customized to suit your colour and fabric tastes, making it a very personal experience. And when your prized merchandise is delivered to your home, delivery staff, Trevor and Justin, will ensure that it is carefully placed and assembled wherever you like it. You will find only the best products with Marshall’s, as four or five times a year, they attend furniture shows around North America looking for fresh, new, exciting, and innovative home furnishings. This August in Las Vegas, James Marshall and GM, Len Krueger, will be attending the World Market Center looking for furniture and products on the cutting edge. Countries from all over the world will be there to show off the best of the best. Modern by Marshall’s offers top brands,

“such as Mobital, Calligaris, Left Bank Art, Van Gogh designs, and many, many more.” They carry furniture for all areas of your home, and accessories to match, such as “rugs, clocks, sculptures and one of the largest collections of unique wall art for any room.” James Marshall takes great care and pride in making customers happy. While the price of the products remains modest, Marshall refuses to sacrifice the quality of the furniture to accommodate a much lower price. With Modern by Marshall’s, you get what you pay for, and more. Marshall involves himself in every aspect to ensure quality and customer satisfaction. In fact, you may attend the store just to find him unloading furniture in the back with the forklift. You will be Modernly impressed!

C o n ta c t Modern BY MARSHALL’S www.modernbymarshalls.com

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Furnishings Marshall’s Home Furnishings The Comfort of Traditional By Lisa M. Robinson

our furniture and your home tend to define who you are. Therefore, Marshall’s Home Furnishings is a first-stop shop on your road to identity. Marshall’s Home Furnishings’ 16,000 square-foot store was started about three years ago by James Marshall, and carries the best of Lexington, Paladin, Elite Leather, Thomasville, Broyhill, Lane, Elran, Stylus and Decor Rest. The merchandise gracing the isles of Marshall’s Home Furnishings could be described as elegant, warm and colourful. With a vast variety of options to choose from in the store or from their catalogues, you are sure to find the exact match for your personal tastes. Asked if Marshall’s would be expanding outside of the Kelowna area, James Marshall answered, “We currently have no plans to expand beyond our home base. We believe because we put our name on the store, we feel we would be better suited to give our customers

more personal service by staying and living within the community with which we do business, until such time our children decide to become involved.” As for the kids carrying on the family business, James says, “There’s a big family to bring up the rear in the future. Four kids in all – and all boys to boot.” Marshall’s Home Furnishings will be around for generations to come! In fact, when you enter the store, it’s like coming home. Marshall says the atmosphere in the store is relaxed to the point of casual clothing being a prerequisite for working there. One day, his General Manager, Len Krueger, tried wearing a tie to work. Marshall says, “I threatened to cut Lenny’s tie off one day, it was so ugly.” Marshall speaks very highly of all his store team. Of Krueger, Marshall says, “Len Krueger joined the Marshall team two years ago as the GM. He brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge. Hiring Len was the best thing I ever did. We think the same and really enjoy working with each other. I can’t think of a better person that I would want to work with in this business.” As for the rest of his staff, Marshall says, “I think of them as a true extension of my own family. We love Kelowna and we love doing business in Kelowna. Our

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combined furniture management experience tops 50 years. We think we know a thing or two about what our customers want.” Offering a wide range and variety of traditional and transitional furniture and furnishings for your entire home from top to bottom, Marshall’s Home Furnishings is the place to be. If you’re having trouble deciding what would suit your lifestyle, budget, and home, Marshall’s has the service for you. Their website boasts: “We believe that you deserve the very best interior design expertise available for no additional cost to make sense of the many divergent styles we have on display. If you would like one of our design consultants to visit your home to assist you, simply call and book an in-home consultation. We at Marshall’s Home Furnishings can help with space planning, colour and style selection to create the look you want and the comfort you need at a price that’s right for you!” Marshall says that this initial consultation is free up to two to three hours, if need be, for any serious shopper. Marshall says, “No job is too big or too small. We love helping people realize their dreams. Our place of business is our home for the day, and we want everyone who comes into the store to be treated the way we would greet you in our own personal homes.” Visit Marshall’s Home Furnishings in person, or visit them online, to get a full view of what they have to offer. Also check out their sister store, Modern by Marshall, for sleek, contemporary merchandise.

C o n ta c t Marshall’s Home Furnishings www.marshallshomefurnishings.com

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Photo by Andreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s AudioTronic

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Homemade Popcorn, Front Row Seat

By Deanna Merrick and Keri-Lynn Turney

emember when it took months for a new movie to be released on VHS for rental? Or when you had to tape a TV show, one episode at a time, and set up again every week while the series ran? It wasn’t that long ago, but today’s new films and TV shows are often accessible at a moment’s notice. Technological advancement has raced forward and today, stunning home theaters are available to anyone who wants their entertainment front row centre, right in their own home. An entire industry has been built around the home theatre. We spoke to some of the area’s leading experts and learned that the meaning of ‘home theatre’ has broadened, offering a variety of at-home entertainment centres, including some found in the great outdoors! Andre’s Audiotronic has been serving up the latest in audio and visual equipment to Okanagan residents for 30 years. Their reputation for knowledgeable staff, fair prices and high level of after-sales support and communication are

Photo by Andre’s AudioTronic key elements in their long-standing success. During the past 15 years, home theatres have become increasingly popular, and individual requirements are as varied as the people who are buying these state-of-the-art systems. The process of designing a custom home theatre starts with the client. In a preliminary meeting, an in-depth evaluation of your expectations is done and the activities you want to be able to do are identified. Home theatres are commonly used for movies, gaming, virtual concerts or just regular TV viewing. Justin Hamilton is Andre’s go-to expert on home theatres. After the initial consultation with a customer, his job begins in earnest. “Our customer service philosophy is to listen to our customers; hear what they want for their home and then provide an exciting and cost-effective plan

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Photo by Andre’s AudioTronic

for each of our clients. There are so many ways to personalize your home theatre, and we want our customers to be completely satisfied,” says Hamilton. Components in a home system are also varied; they can include five to seven speakers, depending on the size of a room; an amplifier; DVD player; large screen TV or a front projector with a very large screen. They very latest in technology includes a 55- to 65inch 3-D home theatre, using a large screen LED or Plasma TV. Room calibration and on-site adjustments and testing ensure the best possible results. “We want to evoke an experience that captures the same wonder and excitement as a movie theatre, as well as being a fun place for family and friends to enjoy good times together,” Hamilton explains. At Andre’s Audiotronic, their selection is outstanding. In home theatres they use name brands like Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, LG, Bose, Denon, Yamaha, Control4 and Speakercraft. They select these companies because of their commitment to research and development, and they will always be found on the cutting edge of the latest technology. When building a new home, builders often insulate and double drywall the theatre walls for sound proofing. They can also use a sound dampening material if the homeowner is looking for extreme quiet. Often, a home theatre is built under the suspended slab of a garage. As heating can affect the performance of a home theatre, it is important to have a temperature controlled room with a fresh air intake and an

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exhaust system. Their business is growing; they have locations in Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Castlegar, Cranbrook, and Kamloops and will soon open a new store in Prince George. Andy Hoxha has been in the industry since 1993 starting on the North Shore of Vancouver and creating his own company, In Tune Sound & Security in 1998 before moving it to the Okanagan in 2000. He says home theatres have evolved since then, as instead of putting them in the family/living room, more and more clients are dedicating whole rooms to the at-home theatre experience. “The builders have also seen a need or request for planning and making the space available in a home for a theatre. I find in the Okanagan with tourism, vacation rentals are also offering dedicated theatre rooms for their guests,” he adds. But his work is much more than installing a theatre. He does lighting, seating, décor, sound proofing and sound conditioning. As well, these dedicated rooms are often multi-purpose: golf simulators, bars, poker tables—you name it, Hoxha can do it. “System Integration has been a very large part of our business in the last decade,” he says. “Known as automation, local control of your theatre room has not stopped there. Touch-screens, hand-held or wall mounted, tablets, laptops, and cellular phones have been the major all-in-one control for theatre’s, lighting, security, HVAC, pool/spa, irrigation, CCTV and multi-room audio,” he explains. “With an increasing amount of summer homes and vacation rentals in the Okanagan and the owners living in other provinces even in other countries, the call for remote access to their home systems are increased quickly.” And just about everything can be automated. Hoxha says you could be sitting on the beach and turn up your A/C, get the hot tub ready, open or close the blinds . . . “These control systems are endless in what they can do for the end user. I commonly tell our clients, ‘you name it, we can do it, the possibilities are endless.’” Ryan Dockrill of Kelowna Custom Theaters is seeing the same kinds of things. Kelowna Realtor Gary Athans is no stranger to upscale homes in the Kelowna area. He is intimately familiar with new homes, older homes and renovated homes and he summarizes it best:

“The majority of upscale homes have a home theatre. They include everything from bars to popcorn makers. One client had a complete minitheatre themed from the 1950’s. A home theatre is great in the winter and total entertainment for the family and get-togethers. And of course, it should be located somewhere near the wine cellar!” he says.

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Photo by Kelowna Custom Home Theaters

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“Our clients like having one central system that they can access drawings, acoustical studies . . . and the list goes on. They work their whole house - HVAC, security system, security cameras, with your architect and interior designer and general and subweather, lighting, music, contractors to make sure blinds, gates, fireplaces everything fits just right. etc.” he explains. “Keeps All this attention to dethe wall clean and makes tail, coupled with close everything easy to operteam work gives the cliate.” He goes on to say, ent what Dockrill calls “Everything we do is “an outstanding final making people’s homes product.” look non-cluttered by Kelowna Custom not having equipment Theaters performs an everywhere and we analysis of sight lines make their life simpler,” and acoustics to “ensure says Dockrill. great sound and picture Kelowna Custom Thequality at every seat,” aters tailors your theatre promises Dockrill, addto your lifestyle. The ing that they design a sophistication required consolidated control systo do this does not come tem, enabling the client out of a “theater in a to dim the lights, close box” system. After a Photo by Kelowna Custom Home Theaters the shades and even start visit to your home, their the movie with a push of engineers and designers a button. create comprehensive installation documents. Such documents But the process has to start somewhere. include important aspects of the installation like electrician’s “Our process for custom theater design begins with the interwiring diagrams, audio/video/control block diagrams, CAD facing of the client with our team,” he says.

Photo by Andre’s AudioTronic

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HOME Summer/Fall 2010 The staff works with the customer to gather the information required to understand the direction you wish to go, and your style, according to your home’s interior, your budget, or your wish list. During this first meeting, they discuss ideas with you, familiarize you with the latest in audio/video and whole-home automation systems, discuss accent lighting and seating options, and go over acoustic reinforcement and warchitectural elements. “It is not about large quantity of theaters each year, we make sure we do the job right and with excellence,” he says. Once retained, Kelowna Custom Theaters presents a proposal, refines ideas, gathers sample materials and begins the visual diagrams. Once a preliminary budget is created, they get to work creating your in-home theatre dream. But forms and diagrams aside, all the companies seem to agree: simplicity is where it’s at. “While technical ability is great, some people don’t understand all the details on what and how their system goes together,” explains Robb Farr of Starwatch Audio Video. “We like to simplify it down to basic wants and needs to keep the project easy to talk about without our clients’ eyes glazing over and not being a part of the conversation.” Whether a client chooses a straight theatre room or a lifestyle room where the room might have something like a pool table or a bar, they usually add automation of some sort. It might be great features like “automation to simplify, music to bathe in

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and lighting to set the mood,” Farr says. “Our job is technical side, your job is to enjoy.” He says that they always add their own “custom spin” on any project they are doing. “We like to do a lot of décor in our theatres, budget permitting, so we can theme your room to be from a night at the movies, to the Bridge of the USS Enterprise and you are the captain.” While a higher quality video and audio experience in a home theatre is part of the experience, one thing remains the same no matter where you watch a movie: “People do love popcorn in all theatres!” says Farr. Wayne Derkach of Home Link Automation & Theatre Installations has another great point about home theatres: “It also brings families together, having a place of their own to go watch what they want, when they want.” He adds, “No traffic, no line-ups, no rude people . . . just pure entertainment.” But what about the cost of entertainment in the comfort of your own home? “Every system we do is budget-based. Some people think that a home theatre or music in every room is for the rich and famous,” Derkach says, “but we can design a system that meets everyone’s budget to bring the reality of having an entertainment system home.” He says the home automation part of the business can be a tough sell, as people don’t realize what it can really do for them. “Think of how convenient it is to open your car door and the interior light comes on,” Derkach suggests.

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“Why not have your house automated so that when you open your front door the interior lights come on or use a driveway sensor so you never come home to a dark house.” But there are times you want the dark . . . in your home theatre. “We refer to it as everyday easy . . . the TV turns on, the DVD player starts, lights dim and the movie starts,” says Derkach. Don’t forget the butter on the popcorn! C o n tact Andre’s AudioTronic www.andresaudiotronic.com In Tune Sound & Security www.in-tune.ca Kelowna Custom Theaters ww.kelownacustomtheaters.com Starwatch Audio Video www.starwatchav.com Home Link Automation & Theatre Installations www.homelinkdesign.net

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Floor Covering Koeda Flooring…the Wonder of Wood By Deanna Merrick Koeda Flooring is a local business whose expertise has reached beyond the Canadian borders all the way to the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy. That success reflects the winning combination of expert workmanship, the finest products and customer satisfaction as guiding principles. Phil Taneda is well versed in today’s trends in wood floors. “We are seeing a trend toward greys and whites, as well as wire brushing to add texture and an aged timeless feel,” Taneda says. “But of course we work more like a chef with no specific menu, creating for you your signature dish.” At Koeda Flooring, they spend time to find out exactly what the client wants, using their input and imagination, and working with them to make it happen. Koeda flooring has been in business for five years, and Kerry Baran has over 20 years of wood manufacturing experience. The company is known for having a very personal feel. “We recognize that clients are making what can be a very difficult and multifaceted decision so we work hard to make it more enjoyable and give them a floor they are involved in creating,” Phil explains. Key elements when selecting a wood floor in-

clude performance, lifestyle and personal taste. Koeda staff work closely to educate clients on the technical aspects of wood and clients select a color that will work well with the overall finished product. Taneda and Baran have excellent relationships with a number of mills, wholesalers and product suppliers. They are able to keep prices considerably lower than most retail and wholesale stores, while at the same time, delivering high quality and unique products. Creating wood floors begins with choosing the raw material. Koeda purchases based on quality and grade, and is careful to check that the moisture content is between six and eight per cent. They then mill the wood, utilizing high quality German tooling to ensure a proper fit. The stain is carefully applied by hand and is followed by a top coat finish. In this, they use a German hardwax oil consisting of vegetable oils and carnuba wax. This mixture has a similar hardness to a site-applied polyurethane, but is completely environmentally friendly. Maintenance of wood floors is quite simple. A light vacuuming or dusting and the occasional floor mop with a cleaner designed for a hard wax oil finish are all that is usually required. Taneda points out the importance of proper care. “Recognizing that you are living on a natural product that can be harmed if standing water is left on it, or heavy furniture is dragged across it, will help it keep looking beautiful for years,” he

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said. “With proper care, a wood floor can last forever.” The eco-friendly finish on Koeda’s wood floors has the ability to bind itself, which allows it to be repaired without the difficult and messy process of sanding down to bare wood and starting over, as is the case with most plastic finishes on the market today. Koeda Flooring works with many partners on projects both in the Okanagan and further afield. They work closely with Jorin Wolf Interior Design on many projects, because they appreciate the vision and integrity she brings to a project. They have also partnered with design teams in Aspen, Colorado; architects in Vancouver and design companies in Calgary. Locally, they work with San Marc Homes, Dilworth Homes, Fawdry Homes, Heirloom Homes, Rykon Construction and Westville Homes, Douglas Lake Homes…just to name a few! While Koeda Flooring specializes in floors, they also create base-

boards, fir trim casing and crown mouldings. Taneda sums up Koeda Flooring’s work ethic and approach to business. “We are a local company; we produce our product locally using the local work force. We believe strongly in the importance of being environmentally conscious and for that reason, we became one of the first of a very few companies in North America to use environmentally friendly finishes on our product,” says Taneda.

C o n ta c t KOEDA FLOORING www.koedawood.com DOUGLAS LAKE CUSTOM HOMES www.dlch.com

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DECOR Bones & Stones Decor Ltd. The New Thought in Decor By Lisa M. Robinson

here is something new in Kelowna, and it brings with it a historical flavour. Sandy McKay, owner of Bones & Stones Decor Ltd., has recently opened her doors for business to those interested in creating a unique decor with a paleontological feel. Carrying the slogan, Nature’s Design, McKay collects pieces of natural history from all over the world. Fossils, rocks, and art from places such as Indonesia, North and South Africa, England, Germany, Russia, Canada, and the USA grace the shelves and walls of McKay’s store. While there are a wide variety of exotic pieces, she has personally collected some herself. McKay’s enthusiasm and knowledge for collecting rocks, minerals, and fossils grew over the years, eventually becoming much more than just a hobby. She and her family planned their trips around rock hounding and collecting the unusual. Sandy says of her family outings, “Wherever there was a place to rock hound, we were there.” She and her husband now own and operate Greencrest Explorations with three operating mines for gold, jade, and blue quartz. With over 20 years of experience excavating for fossils, emeralds, sapphires, and other precious stones, all the way from Newfoundland to British Columbia, Bones & Stones is their first retail outlet. They also own Greencrest Excavating Inc. and

Okanagan Contractor Services Ltd. McKay says that her inspiration for opening her unique store came from the encouragement of her friends and family. “I am a decorator at heart, and have placed various pieces in my home. I always got the ‘Wow! Where did you get that?’ or ‘That is so cool. Can you get me one?’ It took two years of collecting just the right pieces for the store. I’m very pleased to share these with the public,” she says.Bones & Stones Decor carries prehistoric fossils of fish, ammonites, orthoceras, petrified wood, and a variety of art with the same theme. In case you are wondering, ammonites and orthoceras are extinct cephalopods which are characterized by a prominent head and arms or tentacles, much like a squid. Ammonites (meaning “horn of Ammon) have a flat spiral shell, reminiscent of a snail shell, whereas orthoceras (meaning “straight horn”) are characterized by a long, straight, tapering shell. The fossils from these ancient animals furnish your home with an earth-grounding ambiance. Asked if all of the fossil displays in McKay’s store are genuine, she answers, “Some of the fossils are replicas, like the large, reddish trilobites and the trilobite bowls. We have a few superb replicas to offer our customers a more affordable solution to unique decor. A trilobite group piece we have, for instance, one would never find a group

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of trilobites so nicely grouped and in such immaculate condition for even a fraction of the cost for an actual grouping. So our replicas give customers the next best thing.” Bones & Stones Decor carries rock types from Amazonite to Zoisite, from all around the world. Two of their fountains are made from the semi-precious stone, Australian Boulder Opal. McKay says, “Opal is most famous for its play of colour, a display of rainbow-like

hues that change with the lighting or angle of observation.” A very royal addition to a home. McKay is constantly on the lookout for artwork to compliment the other items in her store. Her favourite piece is a metal-art fish – one artist’s rendering of a fish that would have lived 50 million years ago. In recounting how Sandy found this particular piece, she says, “During one of our many buying trips, I yelled to my husband, “Turn left! Quick!” Before the words ‘What for?’ came out, he saw what I wanted.” Sandy had found the unusual fish art. She says, “I just love that piece. For me, it encompasses what the store is all about.” She feels that professional designers, architects, and custom home builders will benefit from her unique home decor products. “There are so many ways in which to incorporate these unique pieces into their design.” And if there is something extremely unique and unusual that is not in the store, Bones & Stones Decor is able to order items from “small to a full-scale dinosaur! If a customer would like a 10’ x 10’ fish fossil for above their fireplace, I can happily help them with that.” Bones & Stones is currently in the process of creating a website. However, if a particular piece interests you, McKay can email you images. If you are able to come into the store, you will have that immediate feeling of stepping back into a prehistoric time that we can only dream about.

C o n ta c t BONES & STONES DECOR LTD. www.BonesAndStonesDecor.com

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Waterfront Luxury, The Dream Continues

By Ross Freake

ob Chetner walks back in time every time he steps onto the beach at The Waterfront. He sees the same view today that he did 33 years ago when he first came to West Kelowna: the lake, vineyards, and mountains, and, depending on the weather, a snow-capped Little White, or a long line of clouds, like baby quail following their mother, moving up and down the lake, while hawks, and eagles and osprey, float upon the wind. He can still hear Kumbaya at the Green Bay Bible camp, and further left, although he can’t see it though the weeping willow trees, the now funky Green Bay with its million-dollar houses, and mobile homes, with float planes and ultra lights on the beach; to his right is West Bay Beach and Boucherie Beach, where he spent his first summer when he was 13. He hasn’t missed a summer in the Okanagan since. When he turns around, he sees the realization of a dream — a hot tub and salt-water pool, a huge, manicured lawn in the middle of 20 semidetached townhouses, each with four bedrooms, two with en suites, nana-doors that fold back

and open up the wall to an outdoor kitchen under a huge overhang, protection from sun and rain. The main entrance to each townhome at The Waterfront is through an eight-foot oak door that opens into a 35-foot, two-sided glass tower containing the staircase and looks out to vineyards, lake, and mountains, depending on perspective. The grass courtyard has been raised, allowing residents to see over the pool and hot tub onto the lake and the anchored dock and the mountains on the other side. Chetner developed the upscale, award-winning, three-storey condo with boyhood friends Ron Baron and Paulo Trasolini, who is also his partner in Trasolini Chetner Construction. “I would come up to Kelowna every summer and as I grew older, fell more and more in love with it and always dreamed of building and developing. It was more of a dream than anything else, but as we got older, it became apparent we could pursue the dream we had always talked about.” This is third time lucky for Chetner and his partners, since they also pursued what became The Cove and Barona Beach. “Then, this opportunity happened. Our initial vision was to create something — a legacy for our family and ourselves,” said Chetner, who has a home in The Waterfront. “It was created more out of passion than profit. It had to make financial

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HOME Summer/Fall 2010 sense, but our drive was to create something we wanted to be part of. We envisioned the ideal place to vacation in the Okanagan, and it morphed into what it is. We were designing it when the market was on the increase and there was excitement about recreational waterfront property — homes became large, fancy, dynamic and more spectacular.” When the global economy collapsed and the Okanagan housing market with it, the partners wondered whether they would have been smarter to have built 80-100 condos on the 12-acre property below Boucherie Road. “We decided to stay the course and we’re happy we did; now we have this phenomenal project and people who are in it are loving it. We wanted to build a community that everyone could feel part of, a community as opposed to a family home.”

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Judges from the Canadian Home Builders Association were also wowed by The Waterfront: it won four national awards — excellence in new home design and construction; distinctive community development; innovative technology and construction techniques; outstanding marketing and sales activities — and an Okanagan Award for Excellence in Creating the Best New Resort Development. Chetner admits the townhomes are pricey and people who can live there could probably afford a single-family house on the lake, but argues that while it would be a nice house, it wouldn’t be unique or special, and wouldn’t be connected to a vibrant community of likeminded people. “I built myself a home with a lot of nice neighbours. It’s a magical place. My kids are six and eight and they can’t wait to go up there, and that’s the sentiment of all the owners and their kids. It’s mostly all families — the kids range in age from one to early 20s — and you can see the friendships starting to form. We have people from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton, the three major areas we have drawn from. “We have our home filled with friends and family all summer long and that’s how we like it. We want to share it and enjoy it with. To come there and enjoy it year-round is a real treat. We’re fortunate and grateful and lucky to have this opportunity. They’re not cheap places, but it’s worth it.” Danny Popescu thinks so, too. He and his wife used to come to the Okanagan for summer vacation and wanted a vacation home here. “We looked for a good two to three years for real estate, but nothing caught our eye as much as this project,” said the West Vancouver financial planner. “It has everything you can ask for, and has that low-density, community feel. You have the privacy of your own

home, but with the benefit of having friends there. My wife spends all summer there, so it’s nice to have people around. Really, there’s no other project like it. It’s turnkey, and you can spend as much or as little time as you like there.” And when owners aren’t using their townhouses, they can rent them — through an approved rental agent, or privately. Sandy and Tim Yates of Calgary found the town house has plenty of room for four adults and two kids. “I love it. I love the contemporary design,” said Sandy, a retired designer and Realtor. “It’s beautiful, all high end. It’s very internally focused. We have two grandkids — a two and a four year old — and they love to play on the grass. The pool is secure and you don’t have to watch them every minute.” The Yates found the unit on the VBRO website. “It looks pretty dramatic on the Net and it’s just as nice as it looks (on the computer screen). It’s a good rental property; they’ve set it up so there are bunk beds, maximizing the space. It’s very nice.” The Yates were on the patio reading, enjoying the peace and quiet while everyone else in their group was out and about. “This is the best appointed patio I’ve ever been on: the fridge, the fireplace, the barbecue; it’s very nice,” said Tim, a semi-retired psychiatrist and psychotherapist.” “Those nana-doors are fabulous, it’s great in this climate,” Sandy added. “The inside opens to the outside. It’s a great design. You can see its quality for sure: the glass railings cost mega bucks, and the Sub-Zero fridge costs 10 grand.” The world-travelling Yates enjoy wine and while in Kelowna last year did major wine-tasting trips to Oliver and the Naramata Bench, “and Quail’s Gate is one of the best,” Tim said. “And we’re going to Quail’s Gate today for lunch,” Sandy said with

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“Together with Bob and his team at Shoreline, we created the best new dock on the lake here at the Waterfront”. - Rob Chetner

#5 760 Highpointe Drive, Kelowna Stunning Okanagan contemporary architecture designed to enhance lifestyle and entertaining with panoramic lake, city and valley views from every level day or night. 6,110 sf, 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, triple garage w/car lift, large pool house with studio above, 1.66 acre site in exclusive Highpointe. Estates. $4,998,000 MLS® 10005729

#45 760 Highpointe Drive Kelowna Tuscan inspired, timeless designed residence. Located in exclusive Highpointe Estates on a 0.37 acre cul-de-sac site with unobstructed panoramic views of the lake, city and valley. 7,413 sq ft, 6 bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms, infinity edge pool with swim up bar, triple garage and more. $4,950,000 MLS® 10005964

604 Peridot Place, Kelowna Olde World Tuscan designed residence with unobstructed panoramic lake and vineyard views and located in a private cul-desac in the Upper Mission. 5,852 sf, 6 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, culinary kitchen, master bedroom suite with spa ensuite, in-ground pool and more. $1,995,000 MLS® 10011485 Cell: 250-864-9140 Tel: 250-764-9147 Toll Free: 866-764-9147 tim@seatoskyokanagan.ca Professionalism you can trust

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a laugh, anticipating sitting in the restaurant overlooking the vineyard and the lake. The Quail’s Gate vineyard is just up the road and the visible from many units. But soon, a vineyard will be part of the development. Residents will drive past eight acres of vineyard as they leave the hectic world behind and slide into the peace and tranquility of The Waterfront. Even the Realtor* manning The Waterfront show home, which just sold, enjoys the beauty and the serenity of development. “This is as high-quality anywhere I’ve ever worked,” said Norm Bolitho, who has sold real estate in Hawaii, Mexico, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Muskoka area of Ontario. Bolitho came from Calgary to help sell The Cove in West Kelowna, and the Outback in Vernon, but the lure of the Okanagan keeps him here. “It’s a pretty awesome area. There’s nothing like it in Canada.” While it has been joked that someone retiring in Saskatchewan will buy a house in the Okanagan, Chetner doubts they will ever find another place like The Waterfront. “I don’t think there will be another development like it on this lake ever, based on what’s happened with the economy, land values and the scarcity of this type of property, and that makes us even more special,” Chetner said from Vancouver, wishing he were in West

Kelowna. “It’s a rare community.” Chetner doesn’t have the free time that he did as a child, but in the summer, he makes the commute from Vancouver to the sun-andmoon kissed lake just about every weekend. “Every morning, I take the kayak out and it’s me and the water. I can’t get enough of it. There’s something magical about being up there; it’s peaceful, it’s tranquil. It’s a slice of heaven that will only continue to get better.” While he’s toiling during the week in Vancouver, his kids are in the Okanagan, loving it, just like he did as a child — and still does. The dream, just like the view, continues. * Approximately 30% of the sales to date have involved cooperating brokers. Co-operating brokers earn 1.5%.

C o n ta c t Trasolini Chetner www.traschet.com Everwood www.everwooddesign.com Shoreline www.shorelinepiledriving.com Lynx Brand Fence www.lynxfence.com Coast Wholesale Appliances www.coastappliances.com

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DECOR

Norelco Cabinets Kelowna’s Latest Social Scene…The Kitchen By Deanna Merrick

t Norelco Cabinets, they like to call the kitchen the “Heart of the Home.” With all of the functions it serves, the kitchen has earned its rank as one of the most important rooms in a house. Kitchens are getting larger as they become the centre of activity for entertainment, creating gourmet meals, to doing homework and socializing. Entire families gather there so good traffic flow is essential. Separate work stations, serving areas and creative storage are also key. As kitchens are now the focal point of many great room designs, more importance is being put on the look of the kitchen and how it blends with the rest of the home. Derek Ruf, design manager at Norelco, says the first step to new cabinetry and kitchens is to choose a style or theme, then select appliances. Next, clients need to determine how much space they want to dedicate to the kitchen. The selection for doors is huge. Norelco carries over 20 door styles in their standard selection, and many more custom styles are available. The current favorite is the Maple Shaker door with a dark stain. Trends also include a traditional painted door with a chalked finish, and for the younger generation a more modern and sleek contemporary look. Norelco Cabinets have nine of their own kitchen design sales staff, and they will also work with interior designers. Their projects range from individual homes to a large percentage of the multifamily buildings in Kelowna. They average an impressive 2,000 kitchens per year between their two plants. Ruf says it is a real benefit to be able to work directly with Norelco Cabinets, who is the actual cabinetry manufacturer, when planning a new kitchen. “Most manufacturers will only sell through a dealer network, which makes it very difficult for the consumer to get the same service as they would dealing directly with a local manufacturer. The quality of workmanship can be monitored at every level and the local manufacturers keep the prices very competitive,” Ruf explains. The entire process usually takes about four to six weeks. Costs vary significantly as clients select the various components for their kitchen and cabinets. “By taking a very simple contemporary melamine design to a very detailed French Colonial design, the same layout could change from $5,000 to $20,000 in cabinetry alone, not to mention plumbing, lighting and flooring,” says Ruf. “All

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these items combine to create a specific theme and all will significantly change the cost, depending on the theme and details chosen.” Norelco Cabinets has been in business since 1972, which is an impressive feat unto itself. Ruf believes the key to their success has been diversification, as the company can handle any size or type of job. They also have a custom plant, Cucina Del Re Cabinetry, that is able to design and build any feature or style of cabinetry. When you plan and design a new kitchen, there are literally hundreds of accessory ideas to consider. Norelco offers storage solutions that include pull-outs for easy access; garbage and recycling containers; spice racks; utensil storage; lazy susans; slide-out cutting boards and pop up shelves, just to name a few. They also feature a variety of finishing details to add character to client’s designs, such as intricate moldings, decorative cabinet feet, hand-carved corbels, glass doors and specialty knobs. Ultimately, it is Norelco Cabinet’s ability to offer clients the entire package that works so well for customers. They offer knowledgeable sales and design staff, the latest 3D technology to design cabinetry, price it and send the information directly to “Computer Numerically Controlled” equipment to build exactly what was designed. Professional installers and nearly 60 people in the manufacturing plants provide the best possible source of quality, custom cabinetry.

C o n ta c t Norelco Cabinets www.norelcocabinets.ca

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Paradise in the Short Grass Story and Photos by Raymond F. Oelrich

stood over a five-foot putt, with everything on the line. I did not flinch or waver and calmly pulled the putt four inches left, below the hole. “Figures, I could have done THAT on the golf course,” I reasoned, not on my own putting green, but then again, that is exactly why I had a synthetic green professionally installed by Real GolfWEST. I was remarkably impressed with the company’s owner, Scott Smockum, when I watched him install the green. He carefully, meticulously rolled golf balls, one after another, until he had just the right break he wanted. When I would have called it “good enough” he called it “when I am done it is good enough” and he was right. In a world that only rewards the exceptional, good isn’t good enough. I kept thinking of that quote I had recently heard as I sat on the edge of the grass and admired his work. For a week Scott and his fine, capable staff, Todd and Paul, showed up every day as they contoured and shaped a partially neglected side yard into a Picasso of synthetic turf, complete with putting surface, long and short rough for chipping and even edge-

Photo by Troy Hill Photography

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ithin hours of the release of last month’s Spring/Summer issue of Okanagan HOME magazine I received a call from a client in Penticton – I was not even aware the article was released. The client had some ideas in her head about what she was looking for but I thought it be best if I come down to take a look at her yard and incorporate her ideas along with my vision. Within a week of the first phone call we had devised some sketches and renderings for the optimal size, shape and location of her soon-to-be practice facility. What I didn’t know was that the client wanted this project to be completed during June 19th -22nd as it was to be the ultimate surprise Father’s Day present, and their family was going camping during these dates. To us, this meant rain or shine, this 1,000 sq.ft. project, complete with bunker and putting green, was to be 100% completed in four days! I was fully confident we would complete this project, even though we would be missing the 2010 US OPEN at Pebble Beach – an event we were all looking forward to watching as Pebble Beach had just installed our premium EZ-Tee® driving range turf specifically for the open. With literally an hour to spare (I kept in touch with the client via text on her drive home), we completed this project, and her husband was pleasantly surprised at the transformation that had taken place over the weekend, all without his knowledge. He called me later that night to express his gratitude and he was just beside himself. I only wish I was there to see his reaction! The story doesn’t end there – as I handed the client a CD with over 50 pictures of the transformation that had been underway, she immediately posted them on facebook. One week later I received a call to design and build another surprise putting green – this time we had three days for a surprise anniversary present! What lucky husband - Scott Smockum

framing wood chips, far exceeded my lofty expectations. “We got a call the day Okanagan HOME hit the newsstands last issue,” Smockum offered as he removed an inch off the top, “and the lady wanted to surprise her husband and get him a putting green for Father’s day, so we installed it while he was out of town.” Scott beamed as he described the husband’s reaction. “He was floored and could not believe we got that installed in just a few days.” “A world that only rewards the exceptional,” I mumbled as Smockum reached for his rake and I sat sipping my coffee, trying to simply stay out of his way. We started talking about golf and soon about favourite courses, club design, how to hit a high fade and other matters critical to a golfer’s sanity. I asked him if he ever played Tower Ranch, one of my all-time favourite courses, and I was stunned to learn he shaped and seeded every green on that course! “Tobiano too, up in Kamloops, and about 20 other courses around the world,” he said nonchalantly, as if everyone shapes and designs world-class courses for a living. “While in Thailand, I was even fortunate enough to redesign Asia’s number 1 rated golf course, where Tiger Woods won the Johnny Walker Classic,” he said. “Gave it all up when I started this business,” he whispered as he laid on the ground to eye-ball the grade from top to bottom of the green. “The business has competition, but only until people really look at what we offer and what we do to make these as close to a work of art as we possibly can.” I watched as he shaped the gravel around the soon-to-be hole and he asked me, “Roll that ball from the top of the green to this hole location and see if that is the amount of break you want, or do you want even more?” I dutifully rolled the ball and told him, “Give me some more, I can get flat greens at Michaelbrook, I want some real challenge here from all angles.” “Your course, we will do whatever you want,” Smockum replied, carving out a bit more gravel until the ball broke hard from the side, just as the tougher holes do, and that is just what I wanted. Fast-forward one week and Smockum is done and cleaning up his tools while I hit putts from all over the green. “It is larger than most of them, and some real challenge with our ‘secret ingredient’ laid down,” he said, and he was right. I had watched him put on the

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;The business has competition, but only until people really LOOK at what we offer and what we do to make these as close to a work of art as we possibly canâ&#x20AC;?. - Scott Smockum

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Photo by Troy Hill Photography

ART & NATURE

in Perfect Harmony

T LI

•

E • EXPERTISE RIENC E P EX

• Design • Rockwalls • Patio areas • Irrigation • Paving stones • Lighting SPECIALIZING IN CUSTOM BUILT, NATURAL LOOKING WATERFALLS, STREAMS & PONDS DIRECT:

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250.575.4646 • OFFICE: 250.979.2782

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final touches that no one else offers and it did make a huge difference in the reaction of the ball. He went on to explain how their patented ceramic infill helped the green maintain its true speed long after competitor’s greens have dried up and gotten as fast as a parking lot. I had witnessed him applying this last application and was truly impressed. “We want these to last forever,” he said. I agreed. “It does not need to last forever, just long enough for my youngest son Ben to graduate from college,” I winked, nodding to my 17-month-old son who was already hitting balls as he trotted around the green. Virtually every day since it was installed our family has been out to the green, sometimes for several hours a day. Having a homebased business, my wife and I love to take a breather and sit by the course and watch the kids putt while we sip our morning coffee. “I am amazed how much these kids love playing here, not just for golf but playing badminton, kicking a soccer ball, turning cartwheels or just laying on the grass and telling stories,” my wife commented as the kids took turns trying to sink a six-foot putt. “Thank you for putting this in for us, we truly love it,” she said. The kids nodded as they kept sinking putts their father routinely had missed a few minutes before. After everyone went into the house I putted for a couple more minutes and realized how much this was mental therapy for a businessman; a place where one can come and relax, hit a few putts and take a break from the hectic business world we all live in. “Peace, quiet and relaxation, all cut to the same length,” I thought to myself as I finally mastered the five-footer that had

eluded me previously. Few investments I have ever made in home improvement have ever looked so nice so quickly and made such an amazing transition to my home as this putting green has for our family. It has become a jewel in our yard, which we will use nearly every day of the year. “Good simply isn’t good enough” is right. This was exceptional and Smockum and his company should be congratulated for what they have created and can do for others as well. For more information about Real GolfWEST and for a consultation, see contact information below.

C o n t a ct REAL GOLFWEST www.realgolfwest.com

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OUTDOORS Filling The Holes An Easy Alternative By Raymond Oelrich

ost homes in the Okanagan have one common trait; the homeowners look into someone else’s yard and the neighbors look into your’s. Some yards are SO close to a neighbor’s house you could water YOUR lawn and their lawn with one sprinkler. A quick look around the Okanagan proves the ‘hedge of choice’ is cedar and some of them are the color of fudge, dying from their constant thirst of water, and lots of it. The simple solution is a Jamana Evergreen Hedge of simulated cedar, thin synthetic strips interwoven INTO a chain link fence, so carefully woven it looks like a true hedge, but is only the width of the fence. One special advantage of this ‘mini-hedge’ is it eliminates the spiders, rats and mice that thrive in most hedges. We know of one hedge that was recently removed and more than a hundred mice and rats left running when they removed the cedars.

SUPPLIER OF COUNTERTOPS TO

SIX DIFFERENT GOLD AND SILVER AWARD WINNING HOMES

www.puregraniterocks.com

Jamana Evergreen Hedge is permanent hedging filler ‘strips’ that are simple and easy to install and actually quite fun for the homeowner and family to install, easily accomplished in a couple of hour’s time in most cases. The strips are available in various lengths (or heights once installed into the fence) with most of them 4’ to 6’ high. They never need watering, crucial in this arid Okanagan climate, and don’t fade or change color and are maintanence free. One huge advantage is the privacy they provide, especially for those homes where the neighbors take more than a casual interest in your daily life. The strips simply slide into the wire fence, one at a time and within a few minutes the yard takes on a totally different look as these photos show. For more information about having a Jamana Evergreen Hedge for your yard contact Bennett at the contact information below.

C o n ta c t JAMANA EVERGREEN HEDGE jamana-evergreen@hotmail.com

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Crystal Heights in the Lakes

A True Neighbourhood By Keri-Lynn Turney In

age

where

can

communicate

via

computers and hand-held devices, Crystal Heights is bringing back the neighbourhood. semi-detached

homes

within

With its 104

master

planned

community, one is reminded of days of old: back when everyone knew their neighbours, there were block parties, and the Smith kids played with the Robinson kids down the street all day.

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family-oriented community is just what many are after in these hectic days. Throw in three lakes within five minutes of the development, and you have a setting any active family would love. It “projects a true neighbourhood,” says George Wilson, sales coordinator for the project. Ten houses were initially released July of this summer, and Phase 2 is projected to begin February, 2011. But don’t worry about construction steps from your door. “One tremendous feature of the development is after Phase 2 occupancy, all construction on future phases will be accessed from the North side of the site and no construction traffic will be permitted through occupied phases,” explains Wilson. Out of the eight floor plans available, from two bedrooms and a den, to four bedroom walk-outs, there is something for every type

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of home buyer. “One of the plans has a master bedroom on the main floor which would appeal to many including ‘lock and go’ owners,” says Wilson. These homes, which will come complete with landscaping, were designed specifically for the Okanagan: large, open layouts, bright outdoor spaces and fenced yards make the homes

welcoming and functional. The builders, Citimark/Western Construction have a history of thousands of similar units, satisfying the local market with price and quality. “Experience permits the developer to be creative without necessarily increasing pricing”, explains Wilson. For the home buyer this means prices starting in the low $300’s. But it’s the community feel, with your own privacy too of course, that really sticks out. “Master planned communities are becoming more and more popular,” Wilson says. “They offer security of design compliance, well laid-out roads, lighting, etc., and pride of neighbourhood.”

C o n ta c t CRYSTAL HEIGHTS www.itsclearuphere.ca

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Outdoor Living Sunshine Pools and Spas Backyard Paradise By Lisa M. Robinson

he Okanagan is not just a place to live, it’s a lifestyle. That lifestyle includes enjoying the Okanagan’s sunshine, warmth, and water. But when life is too fast-paced for the time or energy to head off to the lake, Sunshine Pools and Spas has the ability to create a water paradise in your own backyard. With over 20 years to its name, Sunshine Pools and Spas have helped bring this lifestyle of the Okanagan to people’s homes, over and over again. President, Ken Reid, assures us that their goal for their clients is, “Relaxing Made Easy. We want every one of our customers to have a worry-free pool or hot tub that looks beautiful and runs perfectly, so they can simply relax and enjoy it. We want our customers to know us as the people they trust and rely upon to make them proud of their backyard paradise.” From start to finish, and beyond, Sunshine Pools and Spas makes creating and owning a pool a pleasant, worthwhile experience. Whether a pool is being added to an existing property, or you are in the planning process of building a new home, they can help you determine the perfect location, size, and shape to fit your needs. With online tools and expert staff on hand, the customer is presented with the best pool education and service possible. Going on vacation or don’t have the time to maintain a pool? Don’t

worry. Sunshine Pools and Spas “will look after the water care, maintenance, and service for as long as the owner would like.” From Peachland to Vernon, Sunshine Pools and Spas will help improve your lifestyle. You can have as much, or as little, involvement in building and maintaining your pool as you wish. Once you have made the decision to utilize their full expertise, they will be your primary contact throughout the entire process, making it easier for you to carry on your normal life while waiting for your piece of paradise to be completed. Only wanting the best for their customers, Sunshine Pools and Spas are Kelowna’s exclusive authorized dealers for Hayward Pool Products, and BioGuard products. With these two companies on board, you will have the best in pool accessories for heating, lighting, and pumps – just to name a few, along with safe, efficient chemistry to protect your pool and family. Reid outlines the interest Sunshine Pools and Spas take in their customers: “Upon completion, when most builders are gone, we fill and balance the pool with BioGuard products, set up and program Hayward controls, provide four weeks of maintenance at no charge, provide pool school onsite, and have customers come into the store for instruction in water care products. We also provide discounts for purchases the first swim season, and offer free first winterizing.” With this kind of commitment, you know that you’re not into your investment alone. And neither is Reid. He has a team of professionals organized to complete your project. Reid says of John Nybo of VP Construction: “John heads up our Con-

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struction Division – managing our pool building projects. He oversees the jobs, does hands-on work as required, and is the customer contact from start to finish of the project, in charge of ensuring the customers are thrilled with the finished product.” And of Sean Colluney of VP Service, Reid says: “Sean heads up our Service Division – managing our Service and Maintenance departments, overseeing all the work done in those areas, which can be up to 40 different onsite calls per day, and is responsible for complete client satisfaction.” With a team as good as Reid’s, you cannot go wrong in creating your dream pool with the ease and comfort of knowing your venture is in capable hands. All of Sunshine Pools and Spas work and products are guaranteed. “We offer full manufacturer warranty on all pool components (varies from 1 to 25 years, depending on the item). We offer a 5-year workmanship warranty on the construction process. For products that Hayward guarantees for one year through other dealers, they warranty for 3 years when purchased from Sunshine, as we are their sole authorized dealer in Kelowna.” Sunshine Pools and Spas have won many Awards of Excellence, and boast numerous testimonials for their accomplishments. Please see their website at to view these, along with the photo gallery and links to Hayward Pool Products and BioGuard.

C o n ta c t SUNSHINE POOLS AND SPAS www.sunshinepools.ca

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Green Green Water

Using Water Responsibly By Barry Milner

f it’s brown - flush it down, if it’s yellow – let it mellow.” Anyone what has visited friends on an acreage supplied by a well or cistern has chuckled at this poetic piece of logic. This rhyme is a classic example of what sustainability is all about. Without due care and precautions, these home owners could potentially run out of water and make their dwellings uninhabitable. This is unlikely to happen as the limit of this resource is painfully obvious to those living there and measures are taken to ensure a continuous and sustainable supply. This is called living within your means, a concept that has become beyond the comprehension of the most of us caught up in the plastic world of credit, consumption and waste. Now for us city dwellers, it is a totally different experience. I turn on the tap and water flows 24/7. If I chose to use this ready supply of treated water for whatever reason, so be it! Just be prepared to pay a meager sum of money at the end of the month – no problem! I have even read a local letter to the editor that states that water is free; we just pay for the delivery. This writer goes on to state that it is all a conspiracy by government to suggest that we actually have limits to the supply of surface and ground water. I wonder what colour the sky is in his little world? Anyway, unlike our rural friends it is very difficult to clearly measure the limits of our municipal water system at a macro level. And hence the denial continues. So what can we do as regular citizens to make sure our municipal water systems are viable and sustainable into the future? One option that deserves consideration is greywater systems. Simply put, a greywater system recovers and treats spent wash water from the bath, showers and laundry and uses it for the toilets. Nearly 40% of the treated potable water that is supplied to your home is consumed by the toilet so this application means a significant reduction in residential water consumption. I am proud to say that I have a greywater system in my house and to make it even more gratifying - I own a Canadian made product – BRAK. Now that isn’t to say that my choice to add greywater to

our home construction wasn’t without issue. Unfortunately, my first plumber went out of his way to discourage me from the idea of using a greywater system with justification like, “It won’t make you any money.” Then to add insult to injury he decided to charge me three times the cost for the installation – no doubt for my own good. It makes me wonder how many times people are persuaded not to use these new environmentally sustainable technologies because the contractor is incapable of working outside of the box. Needless to say, I promptly instructed our project manager to source out another plumber for the whole job. The good news is that I have a greywater system and I love it! Blair Gautschi, one of the owners of BRAK Systems is a resident of West Kelowna. I had contacted Blair after doing my research on greywater systems not knowing that he was one of the principals of the Montreal based manufacturer. It sure was great to have such a knowledgeable resource in our own community. So I asked Blair about the development of BRAC systems and the movement to embrace water conservation. “In 2005 I met fellow karting enthusiast Dennis Yasar and after visiting his Montreal warehouse to view a prototype of his greywater concept, it started to sink in how huge a potential there was behind this process,” he explained. “My plumbing knowledge was put to work and the first evolution of the BRAC System was brought up to code and put on the market. After many years of promoting the concept of grey water recovery to somewhat resistant municipalities, a major break-through in the technology’s acceptance happened when it was included on the Built Green and L.E.E.D. (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) checklists as a significant component to the goal of water conservation in the built environment. Another indicator to add credibility to the technology’s growth is the fact that pre-plumbing a new home for grey water systems (referred to as “purple pipe”) will be a part of the new BC Green Building Code. Much like the City of Vancouver has implemented a requirement to pre-plumb new homes for future solar installations it is all about building homes that are capable of adapting to a changing world. But BRAC isn’t happy with just mastering the grey water market.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our next product due for certification this summer is a blackwater (sewer/septic) treatment system using SBR technology. The blackwater treatment system will produce recreational quality water from blackwater that can be used (and reused) for things such as car washing, laundry and toilet flushing,â&#x20AC;? he says. Like many of the new environmentally sustainable technologies, greywater systems will eventually become the norm and we will all think back in disgust about a time when we used such a valuable resource so irresponsibly.

C o n ta c t BARRY MILNER bmilner@geotility.ca

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GREEN The Ultimate in Recycling By Summer Bracey

lthough the business may not be glamorous, the results sustain some of Kelowna’s most iconic features. The City of Kelowna’s Wastewater Treatment Facility, located on Raymer Avenue, cleans the water we drain or flush so it can replenish our beautiful Okanagan Lake, creates the aptly-named Ogogrow (nutrient-rich compost) and helps to heat Okanagan College, facilitating the growth and expansion of young minds. The cycle begins when you flush your toilet, take a shower, drain your dishwater or wash your car. Water and waste travels through the City of Kelowna’s 475 km of underground sewer pipes on its way to the Wastewater Treatment Facility. Upon arrival, screens, grit removers and primary clarifiers remove solids from the wastewater. Sludge is pumped to the fermenters and organic material, to the dewatering facility.

Getting the bioreactor treatment

Water then travels to the bioreactor where microscopic bacteria eat most of the remaining organic matter. Full and happy, the bacterial cells float to the secondary clarifier, sink to the bottom of the tank, travel back to the bioreactors, where they are plumped and pumped to the dewatering facility. The cleaner water flows through an exten-

sive filtration system and is disinfected by Ultra Violet light. The UV lights are strong enough to warrant an emergency shut-off device, triggered when water levels get too low. If your eyes were exposed to the lights, they would be damaged within seconds; your skin in minutes – just imagine what it does to those stubborn unwanted bacteria cells. The resulting newly cleaned water is then pumped out into Okanagan Lake through a pipe, venting more than one km off the shore and 65 m deep.

Wastewater heat recovery

In a new relationship with neighbouring Okanagan College, some of the reclaimed water is pumped off to the school, acting as part of its heating system. This preheat, generated by the natural decomposition process, is captured and used as a sustainable way to heat surrounding buildings, including the new Centre for Learning, saving energy and money. After the water cycles through the campus, it is routed back to the Wastewater Treatment Facility and returned to Okanagan Lake.

Beneficial biosolids

At the dewatering facility, solids that were pumped from the fer-

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menters and sci-fi sounding bioreactor are further processed to become a nutrient-rich sludge used as the base for Ogogrow compost material. Biosolids contain essential plant nutrients and organic materials that replenish soil and retain moisture. At the Regional Compost Facility, the biosolids are mixed with wood waste and water to create the perfect composting environment. The resulting mixture is then piled on top of an aerated floor that forces air through the piles, promoting decomposition. The piles heat up and exceed 55 C for at least 21 days. This amount of heat ensures that any remaining pathogens are wiped out, making the material safe for humans to handle.

Safe, nutrient rich compost

Decomposing and further composting continues for an additional four months. As the compost matures, it gets darker and takes on an earthy smell. Excess wood waste is removed and testing is conducted for pathogens, nutrient value, moisture, PH and metals content. Test results are submitted to the Ministry of Environment for final approval and must meet all the requirements of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Organic Matter Recycling Regulation before it can be used. The approved dark, rich looking Ogogrow product is then sold and distributed in bulk to local retail outlets, landscapers, orchardists and nurseries for purchase and use by customers throughout the Central Okanagan.

Giving recycling a new meaning

From start to finish, Kelownaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wastewater cleaning process attempts to be less wasteful, utilizing many steps along the way for other beneficial outcomes. The resulting water replenishes Okanagan Lake, heat produced is captured and used at Okanagan College and the biosolids are used to nourish local yards. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a dirty job, but the Wastewater Treatment Facility produces so many environmental benefits that, in the end, it comes out smelling like a rose.

C o n ta c t City of Kelowna www.kelowna.ca

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Building The New Old House

By Ross Freake

ridges at Glenview Pond hasn’t even been completely built yet, but it has won the Academy Award of Okanagan construction. The 34-lot development, with the first 12-home phase complete, beat out big developments to win the gold Tommie for community of the year. It also won silver for townhouse development of the year, best detached home over 3,000 square feet, and best detached home under 2,000 square feet. While he expected to win some silver hardware, Jim Andrews was pleasantry surprised to hear the name of his company — Valux Homes — called at the Tommie gala awards ceremony, so he and partner Joe Rood had to concoct an impromptu speech on their way up to accept the award. “The first phase was the smaller phase and to win community of year was pretty darn good,” said Andrews, still thrilled and proud months after winning the Canadian Home Builders Association award. “There were developments that were strong that had won gold in other categories, so we thought we probably wouldn’t be winning the gold, but when they announced our name, we were pleased and very proud.” The first phase of the development in the Cerise Drive and Glenview Avenue area has a variety of single-family homes: twounit town homes, carriage-style town homes with legal suites, and a fully detached home. “All the homes fit together design-wise,” said Andrews, president of Valux, the company he formed to create the development. “But they are all different.” In this fast-paced world, many people want a simpler life; a rural, away-from-it-all feeling, but still close to everything they need; an oasis in the heart of the city. That’s Bridges at Glenview Pond. You can have downtown living while tucked away from the noise and traffic. Residents can walk downtown, to City Park, Parkinson Recreation Centre, Kelowna Golf and Country Club, and five malls — Orchard Park, Orchard Plaza, Capri, Spall and Towne Centre — are within a five-minute drive. “For people who want to bike or walk, we’re down in the flats, but we’re up against Knox Mountain. If you want to go for a hard bike

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HOME Summer/Fall 2010 ride, it’s up the road and up the trails; bike up as hard as you want, get tired and coast home,” said Andrews, who has been known to do just that. Bridges is less about size and more about space, comfort and simplicity. It’s a sanctuary; Homes are small, yet spacious; simple, yet gracious; private, yet neighbourly. It balances a contemporary lifestyle with nature. Andrews and Rood had already designed and built 150 homes, winning 24 local and provincial housing awards, including Tommie Builder of the Year, before devoting all their time to Bridges at Glenview Pond. Before starting the development, Andrews, a former cabinet and furniture maker — with a knack for design, scale and visualizing in 3D and colour — spent a lot of time pondering and researching how he would design the neighbourhood that would become the best of the best. He went to builder shows and design symposiums here and the U.S., talked to a lot of people and read books to study the current trends. He chose a heritage style. “We took the approach that we would build nice-looking houses that are all different, but with a heritage theme, with colour,” said Andrews, a former president of the Kelowna chapter of the Canadian Home Builders Association. “It’s good to have houses blend into hillsides, but when you’re on the flats or in a bowl, it’s nice to have it a little more cheerful.” While some builders go a little retro with 1980s and 1990s plans, add a gable or two and call it heritage, Valux wanted more authenticity — grandma’s house with a modern interior. “The heritage aspect creates a feeling of belonging that stems from that connection to the past, and stability. We could have gone modern, but I don’t think the development fits that as well as a heritage feeling. As well as providing a connection to the past, heritage homes are meant to last. Victorian and Craftsman homes of the late 1800s and early 1900s provide continuity of character and a sense of wellbeing. The homes we create are variations of these classic styles, blending the emotional comforts of the past with the conveniences and efficiencies of today. We’re building the new, old house; yesterday’s character for today’s home.” Andrews shares the sentiments expressed by Phillip Moffitt, founder of the Life Balance Institute: “A house is a home when it shelters the body and comforts the soul.” That’s the goal at Bridges when the partners design a custom home to fit the desires, needs and wants of each buyer. Certainly, it’s more challenging and time consuming than simply offering customers a few plans — as many developments do — but Valux even goes a few steps further to ensure it gets the right design for each resident. “When someone comes in, we show them the development, we show them what we can do with the plans we have and then do a lifestyle interview to find out what they looking for. We discuss what they like, what kind of exposure they like, and what size rooms.”

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HOME Summer/Fall 2010 And after collecting all that information, Valux takes one more giant step. “We almost always go to the home they’re living in, to see what they like about it and sometimes, more importantly, what they don’t like. We then present lots of ideas on how things could be different and how they can get the best value for what they’re spending. For one person, a soaker tub is a high priority, for someone else not. So why have it in every house? Some people want a formal dining room, others want great rooms and open concepts. Everyone is different. It costs a lot of money to build houses, land is expensive,” so Valux, with its custom-design approach, endeavours to save its client as much as possible through design and specifications. And since these are heritage and not monster houses, homes are built to maximize space by cutting down on hallways, creating larger rooms. Valux has started the second phase of Brides at Glenview Pond and two show homes were scheduled to be finished in August. One is a three bedroom with a full, unfinished basement. The other, an empty nester, has the master bedroom on the main floor with the basement developed for auxiliary living. “One area you’re living in, but you have these other spaces that are functional when you have guests, or have older kids or parents living with you.” In one show home, the laundry room connects through a walk-in closet to the en suite and the master bedroom. “It works well in the morning; you can get up, have your shower and sneak out the laundry room without disturbing your partner. At the same time, the laundry room is in such a good location, you can get do the laundry and put it away really quickly.” But just as houses are connected to and balanced with nature, the

Opportunity Awaits You This gorgeous South Western home was originally designed by renowned designer Denis Apchin 16 years ago and built in what has become the highly desirable Eldorado Estates neighbourhood in the Lower Mission. This unique 4,000 square foot home is positioned on a very private half acre lot surrounded by old growth forest and features beautiful mature landscaping and an in-ground concrete swimming pool. The complete interior was recently updated by the Berard Design Group. The level of artistry and craftsmanship will exceed the expectations of the most discriminating buyer. Location, location, location! This home is conveniently situated only minutes away from retail outlets, recreational facilities, golf courses, marinas and within short walking distance to local schools, shopping, restaurants and beaches. This is a rare opportunity to own a master designed, fully refurbished, private estate in one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in the Okanagan offered at $2,650,000 MLS®10000677. To arrange a private viewing of this residence, please contact Tim Down at Sea to Sky Premier Properties. Tim Down Sea to Sky Premier Properties Cell: 250-864-9140 Tel: 250-764-9147 Toll Free: 866-764-9147 Fax: 250-764-9143 web: www.seatoskyokanagan.ca e-mail: tim@seatoskyokanagan.ca

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indoors and outdoors also flow into each other. While indoor-outdoor living is popular in the Okanagan, Andrews thinks Valux has refined the concept at Bridges, artfully merging the two. Most developments have two small side yards that are basically a no-man’s land, “but Valux combined then so that one side is usable and one side is given to your neighbour to use. You’re right up to the neighbour’s house including the exterior wall of the house, which doesn’t have any windows. The siding contractor played their part too. Wilderness Custom Exteriors Ltd, a preferred James Hardie plank installer, does full exterior renos and new construction siding projects in the Okanagan. It takes a group to build a community. While it is a community, privacy is essential. Andrews says, “We create private, outdoor living space that are nicely connected to the inside of the homes. We cut into the house a little to create extra space, extra privacy, extra cover with fireplaces and outdoor kitchens; we even have TVs out there. “The public backyard space faces our private park and green space, but we have these side yards that are completely private. If you want to go out in your underwear and read the paper, you don’t have to worry about the neighbour, or if you’re barbecuing, you won’t have your friend, John, from down the street yelling, ‘put one on for me.’” In addition to the private courtyards, and the green space backing onto Brandt’s Creek, Bridges will also have a park up the middle. “We’re creating two ponds with a creek. There will be a walking path and bridges crossing the creek. It creates that sense of space

between the houses, but will give a really nice place for people to walk or de-stress after getting home. There will be lots of waterfalls and sounds of running water. It will be nice place to live.” Andrews is looking forward to the day when all the homes in Bridges at Glenview Pond are built, so he can then experience the neighbourhood as a resident rather than the builder. “I will live there. I’ll buy the last lot and build the last house.”

C o n ta c t BRIDGES AT GLENVIEW www.bridgesliving.com Discovery Glass www.discoveryglass.ca Springfield P&D www.benjaminmoore.ca Gienow Windows www.gienow.com Wilderness Custom Exterior Ltd. www.wildernesscustomexteriors.com

a home to nurture your soul

PHASE II… NOW SELLING Bridges at Glenview Pond Phase II is a unique neighbourhood of 34 heritage style single family homes. Homes that are custom designed to match your family’s needs, desires and lifestyle. The backdrop for your home is a private park with a creek, 2 ponds, bridges and lush landscaping. It’s the perfect setting for a morning jog, an afternoon walk or an evening stroll. The lots have been designed to offer homeowners both privacy and the ability to create unique outdoor spaces to enjoy. Tucked into the existing Old Glenmore neighbourhood, Bridges at Glenmore Pond is within easy walking to the lake, cultural district and downtown. For the active, Knox Mountain and the Rails with Trails offer both biking and hiking trails without the need to load up the car, just head out from home!

Glenview Avenue at Cerise Drive

HILLCREST

GORDON

CLEM

ENT

GLENMORE

HIGH

CER ISE

PRESENTATION CENTRE OPEN Noon - 5:00pm (closed Friday)

BERNARD

HARVEY

250.763.7209

www.bridgesliving.com

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INSIDE Greystokes millwork ltd. The Wonders of Wood By Deanna Merrick

reystokes Millwork has called the Okanagan Home for over 21 years, and it soon becomes evident that their approach to both their client satisfaction and their work itself is the secret to their success. On their comprehensive web site, they explain their philosophy: “We believe your home is much more than concrete and wood. At Greystokes we feel that the heart of any home begins in the kitchen… We have built our reputation on quality workmanship, attention to detail, but most of all we have succeeded in making happy customers. Whether it’s your idea or our idea we will take you from start to finish!” Sue Welch of Greystokes reflects back on the company’s humble beginnings when, in 1989, Lee Welch began building cabinets in his garage. “We’ve grown from a twoman operation in a garage, to 13 employees and a fully automated shop,” she says. “We’ve combined the best material and

most advanced technology with woodworking and experienced craftspeople. Greystokes ensures that the spaces are planned to make the most of any homeowner’s lifestyle, work habits, personal taste and budget. Their specialty involves the entire process from conception to completion. Being a millwork shop, they often handle the woodwork in the entire interior of a home from entry doors to cabinetry. Currently, 90 per cent of their business is residential and about 10 per cent is commercial. Welch says Greystokes does anywhere from 50 to 80 jobs a year depending upon their size. She sites one large project currently underway, a $7 million build, where Greystokes has manufactured entry doors in Walnut, wood cabinets and even walnut furniture. “We work in a broad range of homes, so we’ve dealt in house packages ranging from $10,000 to $300,000,” Sue explains. Greystokes specializes in more than kitchens and baths. They are often commissioned to design mudrooms, laundry rooms, wine cellars, bars, media rooms, home offices, closets and custom furniture. They also excel at custom pantry and entry doors, solid surface counter tops, laminate counter tops, decorative hardware and even decorative glass.

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Being a custom cabinet shop, they work with an extensive variety of wood species and a multitude of door styles. They are capable of customizing any stain or paint colour to achieve exactly the right result. Welch says trends in the Okanagan are starting to reflect the individual taste of the home owner. “The Okanagan is an interesting place for trends. As the area grows, I believe people are letting go of basic resale designs, and leaning much more toward their personal tastes,” she reflects. Greystokes Millworks works with a variety of people on their projects. They’ll collaborate with designers, contractors and directly with retail customers. One very satisfied partner is Rod Doroshuk, President and General Manager of Inspiration Homes. He has expressed his satisfaction with Greystokes on the company’s web site. “I have had the Greystokes Team exclusively design and construct all of our cabinetry and millwork for over five years for all of our award winning homes. The open lines of communication with Lee and his staff have simplified an otherwise difficult task in designing unique and exceptional products. I am proud to say that,

with Greystokes as our associate company, we won a Gold Award for Best Kitchen at the 2008 Tommie Okanagan Housing Awards,” Doroshuk writes. Sue says the company is evolving toward the use of greener products, although there are still some challenges. “As we slowly push toward greener products, the content of the products we use are changing. We are ready and set up for greener products,” she says, adding that the cost of making a commitment to go green is still somewhat expensive. Wood is a natural, living and breathing product. The finish on cabinetry helps protect wood from the environment but it still needs to be kept clean and moisturized. A proper maintenance program, as outlined on Greystoke’s web site, will ensure that wood products have a long life.

C o n ta c t Greystokes millwork ltd. www.greystokesmillwork.com

Come visit our showroom to discuss a volume discount.

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PROFILE Sunridge landscapes Landscaping Your Life By By Lisa M. Robinson

fter a long, hard day at work, do you desire peace, serenity, comfort? Would you like the security of walking out your back door into your own private park to sip on a glass of wine, or cradle a cup of warm, aromatic coffee in your hands? Or maybe you want to draw customers to your business with the help of an eyecatching, landscaped exterior. If you do, then Aaron and Andrea Lester at Sunridge Landscapes Ltd. are the people to contact. Within one to three meetings, over approximately two weeks depending on the scope of the project, you will have worked with

Aaron and Andrea to design a plan on paper creating the dream you desire, “complete with pictures and plant material samples.” Imagine coming home everyday to your own private retreat that you helped create. Or walking outside your busy office into a natural setting to enjoy the fresh air and relax your mind, perhaps even being able to listen to your own waterfall. Initial consultation with Sunridge Landscapes Ltd. is free to anyone within about a 45 minute radius of Aaron and Andrea’s home in Oliver. After that, there would be a nominal fee to travel outside of the area for consultation. Kelowna residents may pay $125 for this initial personal one-on-one service which will give you an overall vision for your planned landscaping area. Aaron and Andrea have completed projects “in the South Okanagan, in Osoyoos, and all the way north up to Vernon.” During the planning process, budget is the keyword. Sunridge Landscapes Ltd. has the experience to work within your budget range so that you can build something aesthetically pleasing, which is also affordable to you. Since “landscaping in general can be so different from project to project,” Aaron and Andrea work with the client to customize a scene that will fit their needs. Smaller projects can be designed for a modest $5,000, and range all the way up to $100,000 for larger more involved projects, and of course anywhere in between. With their creativity and flexibility, Sunridge Landscapes Ltd. will not disappoint. Sunridge Landscapes Ltd. landscaping plans include “all the materials and labour to complete the project.” Their work does come complete with a one-year warranty, however, will not include any maintenance. They provide a wide range of service, from intricate rock work, waterfalls and ponds, to underground sprinkler systems they supply and install themselves. Asked if they would also install children’s playgrounds, they said, “We have installed some small play structures for residential clients, including a children’s tree house, but no public playgrounds as of yet.” Aaron and Andrea were asked to describe their business in a

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couple of sentences. Their answer: “We are a full-service landscape design and build company. Customers will find that we are a professional and detail-minded company that combines the beauty of nature and the artistry of man, while increasing the value of their property.” And that is one of the reasons customers come to Sunridge Landscapes Ltd. Increasing the value of your home is an investment for your future. When people come to look at your home, first impressions will be everything, and in today’s market, first impressions could make all the difference. Sunridge Landscapes Ltd. will transform your existing property from ordinary or plain, to something absolutely remarkable. Customized landscaping breathes life into the exterior of a home, and speaks of its occupants and their values. Using natural stone, they build boulder retaining walls that will add depth to your home exterior surroundings, or use feature boulders to create character, and flagstone

patios and fire pits to entertain friends by. So, if you have made the decision to create beautiful surroundings for yourself, and increase the value of your home or business, Sunridge Landscapes Ltd. has vowed in their Code of Ethics to serve you with “integrity, knowledge and creative ability.” And how far in advance do you need to book your project before starting work? “Ideally three - four weeks notice is enough time in the busy season (April - July), and only one - two weeks from August - November.” Happy planning!

C o n ta c t SUNRIDGE LANDSCAPES www.sunridgelandscapes.ca

Come visit our showroom to discuss a volume discount.

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INSIDE Paragon Surfacing Ltd. Beauty – Surface Deep By Lisa M. Robinson

eauty sometimes really is only surface deep, especially when it comes to countertops. Paragon Surfacing Ltd. is a leader in supplying and installing quality kitchen and bathroom countertops, and commercial solid surfaces. They specialize in the fabrication and installation of Silestone®, DuPont™, Green Eco Friendly, and Corian® countertop surfaces. Corian® is very popular in both residential and commercial applications. Its versatility, quality and design make it desirable in all kinds of settings: hospitals; doctors’ offices; food service industry; bathroom counters and showers; kitchens counters; desks and tables; retail and entertainment industries; and the marine industry – including “on cruise ships, ferries, luxury yachts, naval vessels, houseboats, sailboats, powerboats and other forms of water transport,” states Paragon Surfacing’s web site. Its durable, non-porous surface provides an easily cleaned, sterile surface. The sky’s the limit with Corian®. It can be fashioned, formed, or sculpted into all kinds of shapes and designs to create furniture, art, placards, designed walls, and more. According to Paragon’s website, “Corian® is the material of choice for architects and designers around the world. Corian® makes undulating curves, waves, and free-form

organic patterns possible.” Corian® comes in a wide variety of colours and designs. With Corian®, “Your environment will be as distinctive and expressive as you want it to be.” If you’re looking for something a little bit different, very stylish and durable, with a touch of earth, try Silestone®. Made from “specialized natural stone material consisting of 90 per cent natural quartz with resin binders,” “Silestone® has the sophisticated elegance and timeless beauty of stone. The natural quartz in Silestone® delivers a distinctive depth, brilliant clarity, glimmering radiance and cool, solid feel unique to natural stones.” Silestone®’s heat, scratch and stain resistant surface is also built to be easily cleaned to maintain sterility: “Microban® antimicrobial protection is infused into 100% of Silestone® natural quartz countertops to help prevent the growth of stain causing bacteria.” Therefore, Silestone® provides that little bit extra peace of mind in taking care of your family. And with 48-plus colours, you will be sure to find a shade and design to match your tastes. If going green is your thing, you might want to look at Paragon’s line of recycled materials. On their website, look for the heading, “Green Eco Friendly Surfaces.” ECO™ by Consentino is “new, durable and environmentally friendly ... made of 75% recycled content composed of post-industrial or post-consumer materials.” And for a beautifully unique surface with remarkable designs and colours, try Vetrazzo® Recycled Glass Surfaces. “With Vetrazzo® Surfaces you

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can express both your style and your respect for the earth without compromise. Vetrazzo® is 85% glass, and all the glass used is recycled.” With Paragon Surfacing Ltd., there is something for everyone. Throughout the Shuswap, Okanagan, and beyond, Paragon Surfacing Ltd. will service your countertop and surfacing needs. Chris McCutcheon, one of three principle owners, moved his family to Kelowna three years ago “specifically to operate the Okanagan division.” McCutcheon says, “I worked for Paragon Surfacing in Richmond in 2000, then headed to Nelson to complete my Fine Woodworking Diploma at Selkirk College in Nelson. After school and several years later, we started Paragon Interior in Kelowna in 2007.” Chris McCutcheon says that his business partners, Vince Woodlock and Dave Hocking, own and operate Paragon Surfacing in Richmond. Paragon’s website sums up the company’s birth: “Paragon Surfacing was established in 1989. The two journeyman cabinet makers recognised a demand for quality surfacing products and set out to create a

one of a kind business. Complete customer focus is present in every facet of their business and is what separates Paragon Surfacing from other countertop companies in the Vancouver Lower Mainland & BC Interior.” Besides visiting one of their stores for a view of the variety of products, you can ask that one of their design consultants visit your home. Paragon says, “You may also fax or email us your drawings for a quotation. Make a quick sketch of your counters, including dimensions, on a piece of paper, take a digital photo of the drawing and email us.” With excellent customer care, service and a lengthy warranty, you can’t go wrong with Paragon!

C o n ta c t Paragon Surfacing Ltd. www.paragonsurfacing.com

Come visit our showroom to discuss a volume discount.

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Green Products S2 Innovative Products Group Ltd. LED – The New Bulb on the Block By By Lisa M. Robinson

oing green and being environmentally friendly means much more than recycling paper, cans, and milk jugs. It also has to do with how we utilize our industrial energies and natural resources to create power, and use power, in our homes and businesses. Just as a small seed can be planted and watered to eventually become a very large tree, so can the click of a switch or the change of a light bulb in the privacy of your own home, mean a change in the entire global picture. Over 30 years of combined experience in the lighting and marketing industry means that Suzanne M. Wood – president, and Shea Hewitt – vice president, both of S2 Innovative Products Group Ltd. (S2iPG), have the ability to understand how one seemingly small change in our daily behaviour can affect an entire scene. Together, they bring environmentally friendly lighting solutions to your home and business, one bulb at a time. According to S2iPG’s website, the new LED lights last 50,000 hours over the traditional 1,000 hours for an incandescent bulb, or 6,000 hours for the compact fluorescent bulbs, which means fewer trips up and down the ladder, and fewer drives to the hardware store. It also means fewer products disposed of in our landfills. With LED lights, there are no harmful gasses emitted into the atmosphere, no mercury used as with fluorescent lights, and very little heat produced from the bulb, saving on air conditioning bills. The website also says, “The use of LED lighting results in lower power usage and energy costs” – this means that the less energy used, the less environmental usage in creating power, and this equals

sustainability and conservation of the environment. Wood sums up the “green” benefits of their products this way: “It is the more energy efficient and environmentally friendly alternative, a better quality of light, and longer lasting.” Wood assures prospective clients of the versatility of their products: “We have a complete LED product line to replace incandescent, halogen, high pressure and metal halide products. Most conventional lighting can be replaced by LED.” As well as carrying a comprehensive designer series of LED lights for dining and other specialty areas in your home, they also carry a wide-ranging “commercial line for industrial applications such as hi-bays, wall packs, low bays, for parking garage lights and warehouse, etc.” If you are concerned about your new LED light bulbs fitting regular light fixtures, a problem that has often been encountered with compact fluorescent bulbs, there is no need to worry in the majority of cases. Wood assures us that “Most LED lamps are designed to fit the common fixture; however, there may be some specialty fixtures that won’t house the LED lamp.” As far as replacing fluorescent tube lights in shops or other large areas, Wood says that they have a “one for one replacement ... the only thing that needs to be done is to bypass the transformer, the rest of the fixture remains the same.” Compared to the quality of other light sources, LED lighting is very much like natural daylight, meaning that, “Working in an environment with quality LED lights, it is very easy on the eyes – no flicker or hum like the other technology in the industry,” she says “LED lights are now offered in neutral, warm, and cool colour temperatures with a high CRI (colour rendering index), which is the qualifier to provide the best quality of light for the application. Did you ever wonder when you purchase clothes or furniture from the store and thought it was one colour, then got it home and it is a completely different colour? ... Some conventional lights can be very

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yellow,” she explains. S2 Innovative Products Group Ltd. has had some large commercial projects in their portfolio. These include Gold’s Gym in London, ON; Stuart Park, Kelowna; and Simon Fraser University, just to name a few. Though the head office for S2iPG is in Kelowna, they have reps throughout Canada in the provinces of Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia to service your needs, with some opportunities outside of North America. There are also a few local stores carrying their products, such as Pine Lighting – a retail store, or some wholesale stores, such as Gescan, Wesco, and HD Supply Litemor. S2iPG’s concern and care for the environment and their clients is reflected in their Mission Statement: “S2 Innovative Products Group Ltd. is committed to distributing high quality, innovative, energy efficient products to those organizations and individuals who wish to join in our mission to contribute to the long term sustainability of our planet. We will be recognized as Canada’s leading distributor of energy efficient LED lighting solutions which will satisfy the needs of our customers both socially and economically.” With this kind of dedication, clients and potential clients can rest assured that their needs will be met while also

taking care of our planet. “Customers trust that we have taken the time to gain the knowledge by working closely with the manufacturing experts. It is only now that consumers have started to be interested in switching technology and they have comfort in our insight with the years of experience,” says Wood. “We pride ourselves in customer service and have built a reputation for reliable, quality solutions for all types of conventional lights.” With some countries, such as Australia, banning the incandescent bulb, there is a need for new alternatives to lighting and power usage. This is only one way to address climate change and protect our environment, but a positive way that can easily and affordably begin at home. Speaking of affordability, FortisBC and BC Hydro have agreed to offer a rebate on LED lamps purchased from S2iPG. So go green with S2iPG, and keep our earth green with the new bulb on the block.

C o n ta c t S2 INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS GROUP LTD. www.s2iPG.com

2011

PROSPERA PLACE

February 25 –27, 2011

Tommy Smythe Sarah Richardson’s aptly dubbed “design sidekick” in Sarah’s House 3 on HGTV, is coming to Kelowna. We are proud to introduce Tommy as our ‘Celebrity Designer’. Tommy is who you want on your team to help juggle the daily chaos that comes with renovations.

Kelowna’s favourite home show is not only the FIRST major consumer home show of the year, it is the most focussed – on building and renovation, and on design and decor.

For exhibit information call 1.800.316.7366

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A little bit of Italy

By Lisa Robinson f you are looking to buy a home with the feeling of Tuscany, then Ca’Solare home building project is for you. Surrounded by green and flowering orchards, lush vineyards and a breathtaking view of the lake, this “Home Under the Sun” is like an Italian vacation at home. Andrew Gaucher, the operations manager of G Group Developments in Kelowna, says that the “project is not yet

complete, but is scheduled to launch late summer or early fall.” The 31 exclusive suite project’s main demographics are expected to be those between the ages of 40 to 65 who are semi-retired or middleaged professionals. Andrew says that with its “quiet neighbourhoods, exclusive lake views, and quality homes,” it is a perfect opportunity “for homeowners living in Kelowna’s Mission to downsize without giving up the features of the Upper Mission.” Andrew emphasizes that with the incredible amount of interest having been expressed over the project, anyone interested in purchasing one of these unique setting homes, needs to register (see

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web address at end of story). When you register, you will receive updates on the project ensuring that you don’t miss out on such a rare opportunity. When Andrew was asked what G Group stands for, he answered, “G Group is our family development company. G Group Developments and Sawchuk Developments are co-developers and builders for this project. Both of these companies have hundreds of homes built and sold behind them, and have been in business in the Okanagan for several decades.” With credentials such as these, you can have the confidence you need to invest in your future this way. Ca’Solare was inspired by the vision to create a setting which would get the best out of the Okanagan. With the combination of orchards, vineyards, and an unobstructed view of Okanagan Lake, the background for Ca’Solare is truly unique. Andrew says, “The purpose of these homes is to provide an exclusive enclave of quality residences which are truly irreplaceable in Kelowna.” All the residences are attached. However, Andrew assures

prospective customers that each home is private, with the structure being built from concrete, and the shared walls between the homes being double-party-wall insulated, as well as screening between the balconies. All of the homes are one-story units comprised of one, two, or three bedrooms, plus dens, with a few variations. Within the same building on the first level, a workout and spa area is planned behind the housing. Andrew says of such facilities, “This is a private amenity, only for use by residents, and will be maintained through their strata homeowner fees.” This will add to the appeal of the housing development by bringing the convenience of physical activity and health right to your own backyard. Speaking of strata, there will be some standard rules that apply. Pets are allowed, however, there will be some size and quantity restrictions. But don’t worry about where to take your pet as “the project is surrounded by luscious landscaping and pedestrian walking trails,” making a day out with your four-legged friend convenient

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and enjoyable. If you like to walk and it’s the right weather for a stroll, then you can make your way down from your home into the Lower Mission. It’s about a 10-minute, or a two- to three-km trip, and you will arrive at the local grocery and retail stores. Sit down for a cup of coffee, or savour a tasty ice-cream cone before the walk home. Whether you’re a full-timer in Kelowna and plan on living in your Italian “villa” all year round, or you are a traveler who leaves for extended periods of time, with no maintenance other than what’s inside your home you can rest assured that you are able to “lock and leave” without worry. With homes at Ca’Solare, there will be no reservations about the security of your home. If for extra security you do choose to rent out your unit while you are away, no problem. The only requirement is that the rental is on a monthly basis, and no shorter.

And finally, Ca’Solare’s distinctive location is one of the key reasons it is set apart from other building developments. This Italian-style gem is nestled deep into the Mission hillside, not only overlooking orchards, vineyards and the great Okanagan Lake, but the view sweeps around looking out from downtown Kelowna, across to the Westside, and south towards Penticton. With this in mind, you will be enjoying year-round beauty and scenery. A standard two-, five-, and 10-year warranty comes with each home, adding extra confidence in your new dwelling. You will not be disappointed by the quality and friendly service provided.

C o n ta c t G Group www.ggroup.ca

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Everything but the Kitchen Sink

By Ross Freake

d Huber figured as long as he was taking the heat he might as well get into the kitchen. Kekuli Bay Cabinetry, a division of Huber’s Heritage Furniture, was selling wholesale, but when Huber was blamed for someone else’s poor customer service, he got mad. “I was walking down the street in Vernon one day and this guy called me and said, ‘I just received your kitchen unit a few months ago and it’s really nice, but your customer service really stinks.’ “I went, ‘What?” Huber said as he put down his coffee cup and

leaned both his arms on the countertop of his new Kelowna store — Kekuli Bay Cabinetry Kitchen Design and Sales. “Man, was I upset. That pushed me over the edge. I said to Ed Junior, if we were going to take the heat, we’re going to go direct.” Huber came out of retirement to run the Kelowna store, which is inside Fanny’s Furniture on Baron Road. “We are the only store with this concept that I know of: kitchen cabinets and furniture under one roof built by the same factory. This is unique.” Not only is that concept unique, but the way Huber started Kekuli Bay Cabinetry, and his other businesses is also singular. It all started because he was worried about his wife, Bonnie. She had a stressful bank job and the then Safeway manager was always

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looking for a business she could run. “For years, I said, ‘If you worked half as hard for us as you work for the damn bank, we’d be millionaires.’ “One night, we went to movie, but got there early, so we went across the street to this new store, Auntie Fanny’s Giftware. “Bonnie says to the owner, ‘this store wouldn’t be for sale, would it?’ The guy says, ‘listen, honey, everything is for sale,’” Huber recalls with booming laughter. “Two months later, we owned that store. That was Oct.10, 1984. I remember the date because it was my wife’s birthday.” A year later, they opened a store in Kelowna, and soon after, started franchising when his cousin’s wife wanted to know how she could get a store like Fanny’s Giftware in Regina. Soon there were 10 stores, but during those boom times, people often wanted to buy the furniture Huber had his displays on. “I found it really annoying.”

But in 1991, the bottom fell out of the giftware business and he remembered the annoying people who wanted to pay $2,000 for furniture instead of $20 for giftware. “As an experiment, I opened a store three doors from Fanny’s Giftware in Regina and called it Fanny’s Oak Furniture. The first month, I did more business by myself than the three in the gift store, with a lot less work. Right then, we made the decision to turn Fanny’s Giftware into Fanny’s Furniture.” But he was unhappy with the furniture he ordered and was constantly complaining to suppliers about the quality. “One day, my main supplier said, ‘Ed, I’m getting tired of you. Why don’t you build the furniture yourself and then you can see what kind of problems we have.’ I couldn’t stop thinking about that. “That night, I said to Bonnie, ‘why don’t we go into the furniture building business? She thought I was insane, but the next day I saw a

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story on the national news about a furniture-manufacturing plant in Salmon Arm going bankrupt.” Five weeks after installing all new equipment in the Salmon Arm plant, the first piece of Huber Heritage Furniture came off the line — a bedroom dresser. Within a year, the company had outgrown the plant and after the lease expired, bought a bigger building in Vernon on three acres. Ed Junior ran the plant and the 40-50 people it employs. Business was booming. Life was good. Huber was content. Until four years ago when he had a party at his home in Kekuli Bay on Kalamalka Lake. “One of my son’s buddies was a kitchen sales person, and he was complaining about the poor service from kitchen manufacturers. He said to Ed Junior, ‘how come you guys don’t get into kitchen cabinets?’ Ed said we’re too busy. But it stuck in my mind.” Huber did some research and found out he only needed a few

pieces of extra equipment and that most cabinet manufacturers, something that still amazes him, don’t make their doors. “And we make our own doors. So I thought, ‘we have to get into the kitchenmanufacturing business.’” Ed Junior’s friend, the kitchen salesman came to Kekuli Bay, bringing his contact list with him. “Overnight we had some orders. Now, we’re doing millions of dollars a year in kitchen cabinets.” Huber’s Heritage Furniture has a reputation for quality products and topnotch customer service, and almost as soon as Huber set up a store and showroom in his factory, a big Lower Mainland developer hired Kekuli Bay to put cabinets in all his new houses. Kekuli Bay also provides all the cabinetry for a big Calgary developer. “We did a lot of work, high-end stuff, at the Outback in Vernon. Houses start at a million. With condos, there are 300-400 homes up

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there, and we did 50 per cent of the kitchens. That was a feather in our cap. And we did a 50-unit condo on Silver Star, and we have the Phase II contract.â&#x20AC;? Business was booming. Life was good. Huber was retired â&#x20AC;&#x201D; until he walked down a Vernon street and met a man who was unhappy about a cabinet door. In September, Kekuli Bay Cabinetry Kitchen and Design opened its Kelowna store and in January, Huber un-retired himself to run the busy store. Huber attributes some of Kekuli Bayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success to Ron Syrnyk, manager of the Kelowna division, designer and master of computer software that allows him to show customers what their kitchen will look like before the cabinets are delivered. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were very fortunate to get Ron,â&#x20AC;? Huber said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has some solid contacts.â&#x20AC;? One contact was Allie Paulsen, who bought a Kekuli Bay kitchen because Syrnyk had helped put in a previous kitchen when he worked elsewhere. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m totally satisfied with Kekuli Bay. I love my kitchen, love Ron,â&#x20AC;? said Paulsen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kekuli Bay offers a larger selection of products than is standard. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be custom made, which I found really beneficial because I was able to make my kitchen individual. It was tailored, so I do have unique corners and things.â&#x20AC;? Doug McNish was as impressed with Syrnyk and Kekuli Bay as Paulsen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m dealing with him because heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a precise kitchen guy. He went above and beyond selling me a kitchen. His service was

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so good, it was incredible,” said McNish who saw a few kitchens and installers in his 31 years as a Realtor. “Ron dropped in seven or eight times to re-measure, to make sure everything is right, I think he is the best there is; the best kitchen guy in the valley.” Syrnyk is as passionate about kitchens as some people are about the food they cook there. The former building maintenance company owner switched professions 25 years ago when he helped put a custom-built kitchen into his new home. “I fell in love with the process and immediately got involved with a cabinet manufacturer as a dealer rep. I have worked in design and sales, on the factory floor, owned two dealerships, and have been a sales manager for a large Western Canadian manufacturer. “I live by the philosophy that I want to lead the pack. I’m always finding new stuff so when people talk to me and then talk to the competition, he hasn’t heard about the products I’m offering them. My focus is to live on the leading edge.” That’s the place Huber has been since he and Bonnie walked

across a Vernon street to look at giftware almost 27 years ago. He’s happy to be in the kitchen store joking with customers. “We’re just starting to emerge as a stand-alone company. We have some big pokers in the fire. It’s not just kitchen cabinets. We do vanities for bathrooms; we do millwork. We’re doing East Side Mario’s in Vernon. We did counters at Predator Ridge, and a couple of other golf courses; we did some schools. “We can do a complete kitchen minus the appliances. “We make everything, except the kitchen sink,” said Huber as he let out another booming laugh. And it’s all done with service that’s as hot as any kitchen.

C o n ta c t KEKULI BAY kekulibaycabinetry.com FINK MACHINE www.finkmachine.com O

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PROFILE Ten Design: Tile Every Nook Custom Hard Surface Craftsman By John Rousseau When it comes to giving a home contour and personality, hard surfaces like natural stone, ceramic tile and concrete are always up to the task. Ten Design proprietors John and Karen Rousseau, based in Summerland, specialize in custom hard surface design and installation. We are so blessed in this building climate to be able to work with mediums of such high quality: they never give off gas, offer bombproof durability, and when properly matched with adjacent finishing work, stylistically last forever. The epitome of this for our firm is the unveiling of our new line of stone portraits. We take a customer’s

favourite landscape, like the view from their patio, break it into a few lines and have the sections represented by marble and slate. They are all handmade and no two are the same. These portraits can be installed inside or out, on foyer floors or shower walls, set into fireplaces or behind kitchen ranges, where most people like to get carried away. We’re really looking forward to breaking into the commercial market with this product, some business signs, water features and even public art projects. However the heart of our business is the installation of custom showers. There is a lot of marginal tile work out there and one place there shouldn’t be is in a wet area. All of our showers have proper concrete bases, the latest in waterproofing technology coupled with un-degradable substrates, all in the pursuit of a leak-free environment. People spend a lot of time in the bathroom; it has to be done

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right. One of our customers complained the one problem with her shower is the fact she has to get out... eventually. The use of concrete as a countertop medium has been steadily gaining popularity in the finishing community. Seeing this trend and always loving something new to do with mud, we have incorporated concrete furniture into our portfolio. Mixing mediums like wood, tile, concrete and aluminum is really fulfilling. People are often surprised

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at how beautiful concrete used in a living room or kitchen setting can be. With all the finishing options that are available in the form of stains, dyes and aggregates, concrete is becoming a real player in the countertop arena and fits in nicely with both modern and classical design philosophy. At Ten Design, we believe that a brilliant idea is only 5% of its potential. Without proper design, medium selection and quality craftsmanship that idea will never be fully realized. With our inherent need for updating and incorporating new products paired with immovable industry traditions, you can bet your application will be right the first time. So weather it’s a one-ofa-kind stone portrait, a custom spa shower or a stylish place to set your wine glass, let Ten Design help make your home stand alone.

C o n ta c t TEN DESIGN www.tendesign.ca

Timber frame professionals Japanese precision meets BC timber frame

Come visit our showroom to discuss a volume discount.

Thompson Shuswap Okanagan

Daizen Joinery Ltd. 250 679 2750 dai@daizen.com www.daizen.com

Daizen Joinery STONE + CERAMIC TILE

CUSTOM BUILT SHOWERS

CONCRETE FURNITURE + COUNTER TOPS

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250.494.0128 w w w.tendesign.ca

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Profile From the ForesT Something Old, Something New By Raymond Oelrich

the most stable product that can be bought. Home owners spend a lot of money in building their homes and should get something that will pass the test of time. It’s always cheaper to do it right the first time.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe - Victorian Wedding Custom

OH: What made you decide to go into the milling reclaim business in 2000?

ach item in this poem represents a good-luck token for the bride. If she carries all of them on her wedding day, her marriage will be happy. This same tradition can apply to a home. Excepting the silver sixpence, From the Forest, who manufactures a variety of products from custom closets to topless glass railings, can fill that need. We will feature more about this company in future issues, but for now here is a quick overview in a discussion with Fred and Brenda Everett.

OH: Can you comment on your “green friendly approach”? How important is this to your clients? FTF: Taking lumber from old buildings is not just good for the environment it is also

FTF: I guess the thing that got me into the milling of the old lumber was from my parents. They had an antique business and watching an old run down piece of furniture get restored back to the beautiful piece it once was. OH: How can custom closets enhance your clients’ lives? What kind of options are available? FTF: A custom closet can simplify the home owner’s life to where everything has a place. The options are only limited to the budget. We suggest think ahead. As the square foot cost of a home increases it becomes more important to use every inch. OH: What are the latest trends in organizing?

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FTF: We find that our customer is looking for convenience, hidden drawers and a creative mind. OH: What is the allure of a topless glass railing? FTF: Glass has become a big feature in homes today, as the beauty of our country is breath-taking and should be unobstructed. OH: Which is the project you are most proud of and why? FTF: The project that sticks out in my mind is where we had the opportunity to supply a homeowner with the best quality quarter sawn timber available and this carried though the entire home. Home Quest is one of the top builders in the Okanagan. We are happy to say that our timbers, knee braces, soffit, showers doors, topless railings, mirrors, closet organizers, faux beams were selected for this home. Some of the wood in this project came from Burnaby Heights High School, built in 1940. OH: How is your blog working for you? Why is it important to your company to do this? Great new website! FTF: We are very happy to have our blog to show case our products and the builders that we service. This will be a great marketing tool for all involved.

C o n ta c t FROM THE FOREST www.fromtheforest.ca

Come visit our showroom to discuss a volume discount.

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PROFILE TESORO ARCA By Lisa M. Robinson

f you desire to live in the Okanagan playing on Okanagan Lake in your speed boat, traveling on vacation in your RV, or taking your snowmobiles up to the Monashees, AND have the room to safely store all these high-priced toys, then Tesoro Arca townhomes are for you. Tesoro Arca townhomes (when loosely translated from Spanish means the treasure chest) are a multi-phase project on Kelowna’s

Westside which broke ground in November 2007 with their first show suite opening May 1, 2008. With the combined efforts and experience of Dan Dupuis, a Licensed Realtor of 21 years currently with Royal LePage, and James Zeleznik of Jazel Homes, a general contractor with 21 years experience, there is no doubt that the quality of the homes is second to none. As project manager of DU-ZE Developments Inc, Zeleznik, along with sales manager, Dupuis, are “looking for people who want to live a carefree lifestyle, who have or want to get toys and enjoy all that Kelowna and area has to offer.” The vision started when they realized a need: they saw “the lack of storage for people’s high ticket items such as boats and RV’s,” and wanted to fill the gap. With their 50’ length and 14’ high ceilings, each heated garage has enormous storage potential. But that’s not all – there is a 30 amp RV plug, a sani-dump, hot and cold hose bib, and a drain. Then there is the convenience of an elevator to take you and your groceries or friends from the garage to any floor you desire. And if the large storage area isn’t enough to entice you, then its

preferences and lifestyle. Ken and Marty Manly love their Tesoro Arca home and especially recommend it to snowbirds who enjoy the Okanagan atmosphere. “It is the only place in Kelowna that met our needs perfectly,” Ken says. He and Marty chose their home in the development stage and were able to tailor it to their needs. They chose to purchase a larger threebedroom unit which gave them the ability to have two garages. Ken says, “Our coach is in one garage, and our shop and hobbies are in the other, with very comfortable living above.” The options for size range anywhere from one to three bedrooms,

“Nouveau Chic” style should. With each unit’s vaulted ceilings, upstairs loft, engineered hardwood floors, granite countertops, and ceramic tile floors, you can be sure to live in extravagance. Warm yourself by your natural gas fireplace after returning home from a cold day on one of the local ski hills, or equip your pre-wired deck with a hot tub to soak in after a long, hard day at work. And in the summer, entertain friends and family by hooking your BBQ up to the natural gas outlet,

also on your deck. Each unit also comes complete with stacker washer and dryer, and four stainless steel appliances. The high efficiency furnace and central air help you maintain comfort in any season. Luxury follows you to the large master ensuite with a custom tile shower and soaker tub. Earth tones create calm throughout the home. If you are thinking of a more customized approach, Dupuis says there is the opportunity to pick your own colours and finishings, and bring other upgrades to your unit by purchasing before or during the building stage. No matter what, there is a townhome to meet your

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making it possible to accommodate families, empty nesters, snowbirds, retirees, or those who would prefer to play over working in the yard. There is very low outdoor maintenance as large turning and parking areas eat up the immediate green space. Pets are also welcome here. The only policy for Tesoro Arca is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Live and let live.â&#x20AC;? And though green space in the townhomeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s immediate radius is limited, Dupuis says of the development, â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are going to be walking trails connecting all the buildings, and connecting to a nature walk to the lake, much like the Mission Creek Parkway. We will also have a park at the bottom of the property bordering the creek.â&#x20AC;? So there are no worries about where you could walk your dog, or how far you would have to go to enjoy the outdoors. Ron and Fern Rowe are also happy customers. They testify: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We like Tesoro Arca for several reasons: great garages for parking our motorhome and cars; great floor plan and construction; proximity to shopping; and the elevator for bringing up groceries and when loading the motorhome for a trip. We have found Jazel Group good to deal with and they look after any concerns promptly. The view of the lake and the mountains add a little extra touch.â&#x20AC;? The proximity to amenities is another plus for the Tesoro Arca townhomes. Dupuis assures that the homes are â&#x20AC;&#x153;walking distance (within 1 km) of all the new box stores and malls in West Kelowna, two blocks to the golf course, six minutes to the boat launch, 10 minutes to downtown Kelowna, and five minutes to the Coquihalla Connector.â&#x20AC;? You are living in the heart of West Kelowna, a beautiful, fully supplied community, unique to itself. Tesoro Arca has warranty options of two, five, or 10 years to

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choose from. However, with the quality and care of workmanship, homeowners can rest assured that they are receiving the best product on the market. While current units are going fast, deposits are now being taken on the next phase of the project which will see the building of seven to 10 units by the end of this summer, possibly sooner.

C o n ta c t TESORO ARCA www.townhomesfortoys.com

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A Short Hop To Paradise

Story and Photos by Jordan Oelrich and Ray Redmond

elcome to Nootka Island, my name is Tim,” said the owner of the lodge as we stepped

off the plane. The huge English Mastiff that was walking along the dock couldn’t help but catch my eye as I was trying to be polite. We had just settled in the room and got unpacked in time for an early dinner. Over our first meal I got to know the owners more and was happy to learn Tim and his wife, Sandy (her maiden name was Rea) both grew up in Kelowna and graduated from KSS, the same high school I had just graduated from in June. He explained they started Nootka Island Lodge in 1983 and their son Matt and daughter Katie both work at the lodge. It was nice to

meet up with Kelowna natives and see a family business that takes such good care of their clients and I could clearly see they all took pride in the lodge. When we were informed there would be an evening of fishing from 5:30 until dark that night, we picked up the pace. None of us had ever eaten that fast in our life! We went down to the docks, hopped into the boat we were assigned to, and were greeted by our guide, Dave. With anticipation we worked the inside of the boundary on the west shoreline with no luck. We got wind of some guys that were doing well on the other side, so over we headed there to join in on the action. An hour of trolling herring rigs and other lures, and we were surprised by our first fish, ripping the line out of the downrigger clip. “Fish on!” said Dave, and we decided my friend Ray would have the first fish. After a few good runs, we finally got him to the boat, an 18-pound chrome slab of a Chinook.

As I lay in bed that night, totally exhausted, I rolled through the thoughts of the day and our trip from Kelowna to Gold River. Both my friend on this trip, Ray Redmond and I work at Trout Waters fishing shop in Kelowna and we jumped at the chance to come sample the big fish of the sea. We were also tempted by the summer steelhead of the Gold River on the way. We fished for an hour or so, lost one large fish that broke off, then packed up, got our licenses and stamps, and headed for the plane in the little town of Gold River. We were greeted by the pilot and waited for all the other guys to show up, both of us eagerly anticipating the 15-minute flight to the lodge. As the sound of the ocean lulled me to sleep I gave thanks for the time off work, a safe trip for all, my friends on the trip and the salmon sure to come. The next morning rolled around very quickly, and

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the 4:55 AM wake-up call startled me. We had another extremely quick meal, and hit the water again. After a few hours of me nearly falling asleep, our first fish of the day tore the line off the clip, and peeled line as fast as we could get the rod out of the holder. That was what I considered a real wake-up call! A few good runs under the boat and he was in the net, and what seemed to have been the same 18-pound chrome ghost as the day before, was now in the boat on the end of my line. Another very similar fish for me and four fish that spat the hook before Ray could get them to the boat and we were in for lunch. Most of the other guys did quite well, and when they decided to nap, Ray and I had to feed the addiction a little more, hiking up to the lodgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reservoir for the small Cutthroat trout that were said to live in that small piece of water. The dinner call rolled around quick and we were

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back on the ocean again for the late fish. A very slow evening yielded only one fish for Ray, a gem of a small Sockeye destined that was said to be very rare in that area in this time of year and later made a fine meal for all. Late night shut-eye and another early morning rise and we were back at it. The reports from the area had been very weak that morning, and we didn’t have much to say against it. That morning Ray said a prayer to Capt. Cook who had inhabited that shoreline many centuries ago. His prayer was shortly answered when a small, feisty 8-lb Chinook was fooled by the size 5 Tomic plug pulled on the left downrigger at 28 feet. The lunch chat was a little less lively, everyone hoping to get into some better fish in the evening, or at least a fish. This evening showed nothing, except for that the fish were a little smarter than us. No fish, but it proved to be

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one of the best nights there, as Dave, Ray and I shared good stories, and he even showed us a few tricks that he uses for winter Steelhead on the Cowichan river. We couldn’t believe the fact we got skunked that night, but went to bed hopeful for the next morning. I almost enjoyed the one last “knock, knock” on my door at 4:55 AM the next morning, knowing how much I would miss this place. It was very foggy so we decided not to try too far off shore for the first bit, but if it cleared up we would go have a try at the halibut and ling cod that were known for that area. Once the fog cleared up we found open, calm oceans as well as a warmer breeze and better skies. The only thing we couldn’t find were the fish. A few minutes into jigging we had bites, and Dave was very enthusiastic as he rigged up the harpoon, hoping for a halibut. “Lock and load!!!” were the words that accompanied his smile that morning. The fish we brought up was not what we hoped, and the 15-20 pound

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Skate was released into the water. The next few teaser fish were all Dog sharks, very pesty little guys. Soon 11:15 AM rolled around that day and we knew our time was over at Nootka Island, and we headed in for one last lunch and our float plane ride back to Gold River. Ray and I couldn’t believe how well we were treated on this trip, and we couldn’t have asked for any anything more from the staff at the lodge, or from our guide Dave. The one last burst of excitement was the aggressive landing in the floatplane on the way back to Gold River. It was a bittersweet feeling leaving that place, knowing it was over. Both Ray and I each had a girlfriend

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waiting for us back home, work at Trout Waters to catch up on and our friend Nick’s 40th birthday party the following night. The trip back to Kelowna was shorter knowing we had a cooler full of fresh Chinooks. We knew our good luck had carried on with us, putting us on the 7:30 PM ferry as the third last car. We will always treasure our time at Nootka Island and how much we will miss those five days, but we will never forget Nootka Sound.

C o n ta c t NOOTKA ISLAND www.nootkaisland.com