VOLUME 10 ISSUE 102 n June 2014
contents
12 cover feature
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Style and sensibility Stylishness and charm combine in Jayman’s Lamont in Auburn Bay
Feature
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Who’s the boss? Women leaders make their mark in Calgary’s home building industry
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contents
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focus on
10 Seating arrangement
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Accent chairs add comfort and style to any room setting
Show home profiles
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A winning style
Homes By Us wins hearts and minds with Ashton
21 Stylish advantage
Sabal Homes’ style panache makes them a favourite in Copperfield
Community Feature
26 Living in dreamland
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EvansRidge blossoms into a cool, complete community as it nears completion
Style
34 Open possibilities
Shopping
Open concept floor plan frees up the design space
38 The couch test
Sofas are more than just a comfy nap spot
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columns
45 Around Town 54 Hope at Large Items
8 Editor’s Message 48 Maps 52 Advertiser Index
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editor’s message n
Loving the living room The living room, now often termed as the great room by builders, has traditionally been the place where the family gathers and where they entertain. Its traditional, formal function as a common area where adults can be in the company of their friends has given way to a more informal gathering place that can be enjoyed by all members of the household. And that concept took an even tighter hold with the advent of the open floor plan. Our Style writer, David Crosson, focuses on this predominant floor plan that is used in both multi-family and single-family settings. He tells us in his most distinctive style how we can arrange furniture in this situation to make the full use of the space an open concept floor plans offers. Our Shopping writer, Kathy McCormick, gives us an overview on picking your sofas (design, fabric, size) to fit your living room, while our Focus On photo feature by Aaliya Essa presents accent chairs that you can use to complete the look of your room. This concentrated approach is just another way we at New Home Living try to keep our features on point and give our readers a complete picture of what they can do in their home. Speaking of complete, Jayman MasterBUILT’s Lamont/Converge show home in Auburn Bay is as complete a design as a family home can be. Stylishly urban in looks, yet utterly functional in manner — no wonder the builder has been won the SAM Award multiple times. Sabal Homes and Homes By Us are featured in our revamped show feature spreads — the respective images of their show homes giving readers a taste of the craft and quality they put in their products. We also take a look at the booming northwest community of EvansRidge that is nearing completion only a few years since it was launched. This issue also shines a light on the outstanding women in Calgary’s home building industry, and our Elizabeth Booth talks to some of the best in Part One of her Women in the Industry feature. With the spring market booming, you can trust us to bring you the latest on what’s happening in the new home market and how this can affect your lives — from buying one, decorating your home, and enjoying the lifestyle.
PU B L I S H E R |
Source Media Group
info@sourcemediagroup.ca A s s o c i a t e PU B L I S H E R |
Jim Zang
jim.zang@sourcemediagroup.ca Editor |
Pepper Rodriguez
pepper.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca Art director |
Jean Faye Rodriguez
jean.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca g r a p hi c d e s igne r S
Lama Azhari
lama.azhari@sourcemediagroup.ca
Dave Macaulay dave.macaulay@sourcemediagroup.ca
Megan Sereda megan.sereda@sourcemediagroup.ca p r o d u c t ion a d mini s t r a t o r |
Colleen Leier
colleen.leier@sourcemediagroup.ca EDITORIAL
Elizabeth Chorney-Booth, David Crosson, Aaliya Essa, Marty Hope, Kathy McCormick Pho t og r a p h y
Dave Macaulay, Don Molyneaux A d ve r t i s ing SA L E S |
Cindy Marks
cindy.marks@sourcemediagroup.ca A c c o u n t ing |
Donna Roberts
accounting@sourcemediagroup.ca D I STR I B UT E D B Y
Gallant Distribution Services, Media Classified, Source Media Group ISSN 1918-4441 PRINTED IN CANADA
©Source Media Group Corp. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without the expressed written permission of the publishers. Source Media Group Corp. agrees to advertise on behalf of the advertiser without responsibility for claims or misinformation made by the advertiser and acts only as an advertising medium. Source Media Group reserves the right to refuse any advertising at its sole discretion. New Home Living® is published 12 times per annum and is available free through select distribution points in Calgary and area. New Home Living® accepts editorial submissions by electronic mail only. Please forward any submissions including all personal information to nleditor@sourcemediagroup.ca. Unsolicited submissions will not be returned. Advertising information available only by request. New Home Living® is a registered Trademark the propperty of SOURCE MEDIA GROUP CORP. Reg. CIPO TMA 693289. Source Media Group, 207, 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 0J9. T: 403.532.3101, F: 403.532.3109, TF: 1.888.932.3101 E: info@sourcemediagroup.ca www.sourcemediagroup.ca
Next month:
We turn our attention to the Children’s Room
@CalgaryNewHomes
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NewHomeLivingCalgary
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Seating arrangement
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Accent chairs add comfort and style to any room setting n by
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Aaliya Essa
The sofa would likely be the biggest piece of furniture in your living room, and it used to dictate the look of the entire room. The accent chair — like an ottoman, love seat or old school armchair — is a great way to break the monotony of this set-up by adding a different colour, style and feel to the proceedings. It also works in any nook of the home that you can turn into an instant reading corner. NL
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[ 1 ] Matt Rocker, Leather, $799, at EQ3. [ 2 ] James Rocker – Fabric, $499, at EQ3. [ 3 ] Jazz Stationary Occasional Chair - Juniper, starting at $1,299, at La-Z-Boy. [ 4 ] Gavin Accent Chair - Purple, $849, at Urban Barn. [ 5 ] Salema Chair – Fabric, $699, at EQ3. [ 6 ] Rothe Accent Chair - Saffron, $399, at Urban Barn. [ 7 ] Cedric Arm Chair, $599, at Urban Barn. [ 8 ] Hipster Stationary Occasional Chair - Mink, $699, at La-Z-Boy.
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| Advertising cover Feature |
Style and sensibility
Stylishness and charm combine in Jayman’s Lamont in Auburn Bay
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t has the romance of a Jane Austen novel mixed with the downto-earth functionality needed by a family home, the Lamont show home in Auburn Bay proves Jayman MasterBUILT is at the top of their game in offering modern, family-friendly homes. The eight-time SAM Builder of the Year winner, Jayman MasterBUILT has indeed mastered the craft of designing homes that answer the wants and needs of families in an affordable manner. The 2,149-squarefoot Lamont takes this expertise a notch higher by giving it a flexibility that few can offer. The Lamont show home is a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath, double attached garage home with a developed lower level option that adds a fourth bedroom and another full bath. But a little tweaking can convert this into the Converge, a 2,405-square-foot home with four bedrooms upstairs and an optional fifth bedroom in the basement. “The Lamont is great for families with young children, there’s a lot of space for entertaining yet enough room to give each member of the
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household their own private space,” says area manager Grant Aberdeen. “Its twin, Converge, is great for even bigger families, and perfect for the blended families that we now see more of in Calgary.” The open concept main floor with the standard nine-foot ceilings and the oversized windows give the Lamont a sense of ease and spacious comfort with plenty of room to entertain and invite guests over for holiday dinners. Jayman’s standard Gourmet Kitchen style used here expertly shows Lamont’s potential as a party home with its five-burner gas stove top, European style chimney hood fan, granite countertops and seamless integration of appliances — such as the fridge, microwave and oven — within the wood cabinetry. “The centre island is perfect working spot for the chef of the home, while the extended ledge over the counter looking onto the dining room is not only great as a spot where guests can gather during parties, but also provides a convenient spot for quick meals for families on the go,” Aberdeen says.
From the living room, an elegant painted wood and iron spindle stairwell leads to the upper floor where you are greeted by a gracious central bonus room. “Having the bonus room separate the master bedroom from the kids’ bedrooms creates a buffer that gives each member of the family the privacy they need and a space where they can gather to watch TV or enjoy a movie.” The luxurious master bedroom overlooks the tranquil backyard, but this is no ordinary owners’ suite, as the attached ensuite is designed to impress. It is divided into two distinct areas to cater to each individual needs of the couple, separate his-and-hers vanities and walk-in closets — the “her” area featuring a make-up counter. The set-up includes a private water closet, luxurious glass stall shower, and oversized soaker tub that provides homeowners an escape from the daily tumult. “It’s easily one of the most stand-out features of the Lamont, rarely seen in most other homes,” Aberdeen point out.
The Lamont features the Lower Level Media Option at 604 square-feet with guest room, full bath and media room with full wet bar. It is one of four development options offered in each home. “Having the lower level developed gives single-family homes so much more flexibility, and we at Jayman can get this done for our buyers affordably,” Aberdeen says, pointing out that this upgrade can be done for about $30,000 to $60,000 depending on the size of the home. “It adds to the resale value of the home, too,” he says. The Lamont show home is priced at $634,900 including GST and all the upgrades. Jayman homes in Auburn Bay start from $565,900. “Jayman MasterBUILT has two Sales Centers within Auburn Bay,” says Jayman sales manager, Warren Saunders. “We are in both the Move-Up market segment and the Semi-Estate.
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| Advertising cover Feature |
“The new Seton development has reinforced the overall value statement and convenience that living in Auburn Bay provides to our customers and will provide a vibrant mix of both lifestyle and convenience that our customers value.” The Move-Up segment is Auburn Bay and starts currently in the $570,000s, while the Semi-Estate location is called Auburn Sound and starts at $610,000.” Both Auburn Sound (Semi-Estate) and Auburn Bay (Move-Up) are anticipating new lot releases sometime this summer. “We have one opportunity each for the Lamont and Converge as spec homes in the current phase of Auburn Bay, with the Lamont going for $582,900 including GST and Converge at $684,900 including GST. This is a rare location backing onto the green space and wet pond in phase 33,” Saunders says. The lake community is one of the fastest growing communities in Calgary and it is fast approaching build out with only a few more phases left, Aberdeen says. “A lot of our buyers are attracted by the lifestyle this 43-acre lake community offers, and there’s also the added appeal of living across the street from the South Calgary Health Campus and the new Seton commercial complex.” “Auburn Bay is now an established lake community where you can build a brand new Jayman home and benefit from the wide range of amenities that are already in place and take advantage of,” Saunders adds. “The new Seton development has reinforced the overall value statement and convenience that living in Auburn Bay provides to our customers and will provide a vibrant mix of both lifestyle and convenience that our customers value.” The community itself is getting two new schools that have already been improved for 2016, including a K-4 public school and a K-9 separate school. The recently expanded Auburn House with its waterpark and tennis courts and multipurpose rooms is also there for residents to enjoy. “All these certainly add value to our homes, which explains why we’ve been so busy,” Aberdeen says. n
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FAST FACTS: Builder: Jayman MasterBUILT Area: Auburn Bay Developer: Brookfield Communities Model: Lamont/Converge Size: Lamont starts at 2,149 sq. ft., Converge from 2,405 sq. ft. Price: Starts in the mid $500,000s including lot and GST Address: 203 Auburn Springs Blvd. Directions: South on Deerfoot Tr., Seton exit, left at overpass, left into Auburn Bay entrance and right on Auburn Bay Blvd. Hours: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m.; weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m.
For more information, visit www.jayman.com
show home profile n
Top The high standard finish of the Ashton is easily seen in the open concept layout. The stately feel of the home is established by hand-scraped hickory hardwood flooring, designer stone column matching the grand fireplace in the great room. Coffered ceilings along the dining nook add to the grandeur.
Right Italian marble flooring in the wide, and welcoming foyer brings the wow factor as soon as you enter the home. The six-inch baseboards and six-inch headers add to the rich feel of the home.
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Homes by Us n show home profile
A winning style Homes By Us wins hearts and minds with Ashton n Written by
Pepper Rodriguez
It should come as no surprise to Homes By Us’ growing customer base that the builder took home a New Home Award at the SAMs this year; after all they’ve already experienced first hand the care, craftsmanship and precision the 23-yearold custom home builder is capable of. Taking home the Best New Home prize in the $460,000 to $534,999 category for their Ashton show home during the 2013 Calgary SAM is gratifying, but Homes By Us’ Raphael Jimenez says their innovative home designs have won over clients long before that. “There is nothing cookie cutter about a Homes By Us home. Exceptional quality construction is our standard,” Jimenez says. “Everything else is unique to each homeowner’s dream, which we get to match with our standard exceptional specifications.” The 2,852-square-foot Ashton is a stunning showcase of the builder’s exacting, detail-oriented process. It’s still very much
a suburban family home in nature, but with an inner stylish character that’s far from the ordinary. The curving staircase of the Ashton is a perfect example of how their design — no matter how stylish — doesn’t deviate from the family-friendly functionality of the home. The Ashton’s staircase still has a sweeping grandeur but it doesn’t take up a lot of space and doesn’t interfere with the flow of the home. “We could have easily gone with an open riser style to give it a more modern, urban feel, but we felt that this is still ultimately a family home with kids who wouldn’t necessarily need that,” Jimenez tells New Home Living. The soaring ceiling of the great room, the oversized windows and executive finish of the Ashton makes it a winner whether it took home an award or not. Homes By Us currently builds custom homes in the popular community of Aspen Woods in the southwest. Wide lots of 42- to 55-feet wide are available where you can build homes starting from $1.1 million ($560,000 for just the home and around $400,000 for lots).
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Left Ashton’s stately exterior allows it to blend well with the exclusive southwest neighbourhood of Aspen Woods Estates. “It’s a very popular community where people can remain close to schools, the LRT and other amenities, like Aspen Landings and still feel far from the daily grind,” Jimenez says.
Right The soaring 18-foot high ceiling of the Ashton’s great room makes it a family home like no other. Big windows framed by sleek drapery and the artistic detail above the fireplace give it a resounding flourish.
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show home profile n Right The master suite is as luxurious as one can expect and takes up almost half of the upper storey with its spectacular ensuite and spacious walk-in closet that is connected to the laundry. “We think of function and convenience for the family, so the laundry is located in the middle of the second floor immediately accessible to all members of the household,” Jimenez says.
Below The boutique-style ensuite features a twosided fireplace to the master bedroom, porcelain tile floors, and floating vanities with under cabinet lighting shows Homes By Us’ exacting attention to every detail of the home.
Below The walk-through design of the bonus room with its numerous built-ins provides a comfortable environment for family movie nights. The high tray ceiling and architectural wall with glass insets adds a touch of class.
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Top The kitchen is a study in artistic functionality with plenty of storage and working space. Soft-close custom-made cabinets and drawers are of solid wood. The waterfall design of the L-shaped island gives it a modern, flowing look and the miles of granite counter space it provides — including a corner table for quick meals — is a thing of beauty.
Homes by Us n show home profile
fast facts Community: Aspen Woods Estates Developer: Springbank Land Co. Builder: Homes By Us Style: Custom estate family home size: 2,852 sq. ft. Price: Starts from $1.1 million Address: 110 Aspen Summit Dr. S.W. Hours: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m. Directions:West on 17th Ave. S.W., and right at Aspen Summit Dr. WEBSITE: www.homesbyus.ca
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Sabal Homes n show home profile
Stylish advantage Sabal Homes’ style panache makes them a favourite in Copperfield n Written by
Pepper Rodriguez
Suburban living never looked so good as in a Sabal Homes single-family home, and their selection of laned homes in Copperfield shows their “uncommonly stylish” touch that buyers just fall in love with. “We are just over 50 per cent sold out of our remaining opportunities to build a laned home in our final phase of Copperfield,” says Sabal Homes’ marketing manager Nicole McLaws. This new and established community in the southeast is approaching its final building stages, and buyers are rushing to live in a neighbourhood that has all the qualities to enjoy a fulfilling suburban lifestyle. “Sabal homeowners love Copperfield because it’s got an established feeling, with so many amenities right inside the community, including schools, parks, playgrounds, gas stations, Tim Hortons, Starbucks, retail shops and so much more,” McLaws says. “The other great thing is that the community is truly built for year-round living, with toboggan hills and a hockey rink in the winter, and a ball hockey rink, sports fields and play equipment in the summer.”
Sabal offers just the kind of homes that fit this suburban lifestyle. Their range of laned homes in Copperfield starts from the $370,000s, and there are four show homes displaying the kind of award-winning design versatility Sabal is known for. Available are the Xeno a 1,280-square-foot home with two master bedrooms each with their own attached ensuite; the 1,501-square-foot Verso is the definition of open-concept, with lots of natural light, plus handy features like a built-in bench in the foyer and second-floor laundry. And the Insight is a gorgeous, modern show home at 1,656 square-feet with a stunning fireplace, maple hardwood flooring, a main floor office and vaulted ceilings in the master retreat. Lastly, is the one-of-a-kind Precise. The 1,578-square-foot home is perfect for families, with its main floor tech zone, large U-shaped kitchen and three-bedroom, plus master ensuite, second-floor layout. Sabal has a number of quick-possession homes available, in addition to a wide range of presale homes — so there’s something to suit everyone’s timeline.
TOP The open-concept floor plan of the Precise is made to seem even more spacious with the use of white elements through the main floor, including designer laminate flooring, tile-detailed fireplace design and white couch that makes it easy to add splashes of colour throughout.
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show home profile n
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Sabal Homes n show home profile
TOP LEFT The Precise’s tech centre off the stairway landing is a popular feature, making a dedicated space for the ubiquitous computer desktop or laptop that rules our lives. The built-ins and feature wall give it a professional countenance and a window adds to its cheery ambience.
Left The U-shaped kitchen is a model of functional style. The window over the sink is a welcome addition. Upgraded mosaic tile backsplash frames the modern chimney-style hood fan and extended-height cabinetry with glass inserts complete its European feel.
Bottom The luxurious master bedroom with a tray ceiling has everything a first-time homebuyer wants, including a five-piece attached ensuite and a spacious walk-in closet. The masterful design done for the show home displays the enormous potential the room has for putting a personal touch.
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Opposite page Even if it has an open concept floor plan, there’s enough division in the Precise’s main floor so you don’t see the kitchen from the doorway. Quartz countertops continue its bright white colour scheme and modern light fixtures over the marble top dining table give it an urban vibe.
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show home profile n
Top The master attached ensuite provides the welcome respite after a hard day. Dual vanities, a large soaker tub and a benched shower stall are all high on the wish list of new homeowners and Precise comes through in a big way.
Right Precise’s upper-floor laundry is one of its most popular features, no more dragging dirty laundry all over the house on laundry day. Tile flooring is included in bathrooms and laundries of Sabal’s laned homes in Copperfield.
fast facts builder: Sabal Homes community: Copperfield Model: Precise Style: Three-bedroom laned home size: 1,578 sq. ft. Price: Laned homes from the $370,000s address: 184 Copperpond Park S.E. Directions: South on 52 St. S.E., left on 130th Ave., right on McIvor Blvd., left on Copperpond Blvd. and follow the signs Hours: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m. Web: www.sabalhomes.com
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community profile n
Living in dreamland T h e n o r t h w e s t e r n e d g e of Calgary has seen a tremendous amount of growth in the past few years, and nowhere else is this transformation seen better than in EvansRidge, which now is just a couple of phases away from build out. It’s a little hard to believe that EvansRidge was launched only in 2011, and it is already nearing completion. “We’re the top selling community in the northwest,” says Pat Lothrop of Dream Development — formerly Dundee Developments. The wide variety of home options in EvansRidge is a key reason for its popularity, everything from townhomes, rear laned, front attached garage and estate homes can be found in the 150-acre neighbourhood. “We’re releasing walk-out lots along the ridge that promise to be best sellers, and new townhomes from Jayman Modus are now selling,” Lothrop adds. Homes by Avi and Calbridge Homes offer both multi-family and single-family homes, there’s also Genesis Builder Group, Excel Homes, Landmark Homes, Stepper Custom Homes, WestView Homes, Innovations by Jayman, and Morrison Homes. The newest to the group is DS Homes, which will be opening its second show home here late spring. Jayman Modus is selling their Avira townhome project, which will have 100 stylish two- and three-bedroom models with single, tandem and double car heated garage. They start from 1,200 square-feet and prices are from the low $300,000s.
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Evansridge n community profile
EvansRidge blossoms into a cool, complete community as it nears completion n Written by
Pepper Rodriguez
Calbridge Homes is offering some of the most affordable ridge homes in Calgary, where their double front attached homes start from the $700,000s. EvansRidge is just a 20-minute drive to downtown, and much less than that if you’re going to the airport or CrossIron Mills in Balzac. The Stoney Trail extension enhances accessibility of residents in the neighbourhood, and this particular part of town in the northwest will be very much the centre of the action as far as future home developments go, and buyers have a chance to get in early. Improved bus routes into EvansRidge also address public transportation concerns. “It’s a vibrant community that’s only getting better,” she tells New Home Living.
DS Homes show home
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The wide variety of home options in EvansRidge is a key reason for its popularity, everything from townhomes, rear laned, front attached and estate homes.
DS Homes show home
Photo by Dave Macaulay
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community profile n Evansridge Calbridge - Vantage townhomes
Calbridge - triple-car show home
New show homes are opening from the nine-member builder group that Dream has assembled and that helped them achieve the vision for EvansRidge. With prices starting in the $300,000s all the way to the $1 million range, there is indeed something for everyone. “We’re filling up fast, all our builders have been extremely busy, and the announcement that new schools are opening in the area is just spurring demand more,” Lothrop says “A new K-9 Catholic elementary school will be built in the community, it is anticipated to be completed by 2016. It will have a capacity of 750-900 students. Also approved was the public K-4 Evanston school with the capacity of 600 students,” she says. That isn’t the only news coming out of the developer, which has announced a major rebrand that would see them become Dream Development. “After many years, we’re happy to announce that we’re moving into a new and exciting time in our business and, starting May 12, 2014, our name will be Dream Development,” Lothrop says. “We believe this change will bring clarity to our story and aligns our efforts around one core belief: to build better communities. This sums up what we do and why we do it and has been such an integral part of our culture, our work and our objectives since the beginning.” A dream is exactly what residents in EvansRidge will find, as the developer has what just may be the widest selection of products in the northwest. “Prospective buyers can come into this community with a price point in mind, and they still have a wide selection of homes to choose from that will fit their budget,” says Lothrop. NL
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fast facts Community: EvansRidge Developer: Dream Developments Builders & Prices: Townhomes: Avira by Jayman Modus starting from the low $330,000s, Vantage on by Calbridge Homes starting in the $300,000s, Evansridge Street Homes by Homes by Avi from the low $300,000s Single-family: Calbridge Homes from the $550,000s, DS Homes two-car walk-outs starting from $479,000, Excel Homes from the $370,000s, Genesis Builder Group from $385,900, Homes by Avi from the $340,000s, Innovations by Jayman from $322,900, Landmark Homes from $459,900, Morrison Homes from $336,000, WestView Homes from $449,000, Stepper Custom Homes from $369,000 Directions: North on Symons Valley Rd. N.W., right on Symons Valley Pkwy. And follow the signs. Hours: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m. or check with individual builders Web: www.lifeontheridge.ca
feature n
Who’s the boss?
Women leaders make their mark in Calgary’s home building industry n Written by
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f we were to judge solely by the number of home building reality shows on TV, we’d probably come away with the impression that it’s an industry dominated by men. The Mike Holmes, Brian Baeumlers and Paul LaFrances of the TV home building world are, after all, household names. But if we look closely in Calgary’s home building industry itself, we quickly find that this assumption is far from the truth. Stereotypes of home building (think burly guys in overalls) may lead one to believe that the business is an old boys club of sorts. But, in reality, many of the industry’s key players are very accomplished businesswomen. The Calgary home building corporate landscape does benefit from the feminine touch, many women play a key part in the business, ranging from jobs in the trades right up to presidents and CEOs of major companies. New Home Living talked to some of the top women in the local industry about their experiences and what led them to choose a career in home building or development. While the stories they tell are drastically different there is one commonality among all of these women — all of them said that their professional determination, work ethic, and willingness to learn played a much larger part in their successes than anything having to do with gender. This will be a two-part feature introducing readers to some of the renowned women corporate leaders in the Calgary home building industry, arranged in alphabetical order. Part 2 will be come out in the July issue.
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Elizabeth Chorney-Booth
Lesley Conway
President, Hopewell Residential Communities
Lesley Conway’s tenure as President at Hopewell Residential has seen the developer grow from its humble beginnings into one of Alberta’s largest and most acclaimed residential developers, winning several Developer of the Year and Community of the Year awards along the way. Conway herself has been recognized as a YWCA Calgary “Woman of Vision,” was also given the MAXX Award — the Haskayne School of Business’ highest honour for Management Alumni Excellence and is Hall of Fame as a four time recipient of the Women’s Executive Network’s Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100. Her journey towards a career in community development began after she decided to combine her undergraduate degree in urban planning with her MBA. After a stint working in the oil and gas industry, Conway’s love of urban planning led her to the home building industry, and eventually to Hopewell Residential Communities as their Vice President. The mentorship of then-President Jim DeWald prepared her to take over the position of President a few years later. In the 14 years since, Conway believes that perseverance, determination, and a trusted team of amazing professionals she works with have added to her personal and professional successes. “I am fortunate to be working with some very smart and talented people.”
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“I am very grateful for the opportunity that our company owner gave me to lead the company. He took a chance, he believed in me and trusted that I could do the job. For well over a decade, I have led my team the same way through trust, respect and empowerment. The success of this collaborative approach to doing business can be seen in the communities we create and the homes that we build,” says Conway. “I believe that the softer skills, such as being a good listener, focusing on problem solving and relying on intuition or emotional intelligence have been a big part of my success. This is how I was mentored by my trusted advisors and this is how I mentor those around me. Having fun at work is also really important too!”
Elaine McKee-Doel
Co-Owner and President, McKee Homes
Elaine McKee-Doel also learned the ropes from a mentor, but hers was someone very close to her: her late father, Martin McKee, who founded McKee Homes in Airdrie in 1987. Even though Doel grew up watching her dad work in construction, she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Calgary, thinking that she may try for a job at a newspaper. Eventually, though, she couldn’t resist the lure of working with her tight-knit family. Doel now runs the company with her husband Rob Doel and her sister, Grace McKee. “What has kept me really engaged and passionate about the industry, in one regard has been the opportunity to work with my family, who are really amazing,” Doel says. “When my dad was alive it was pretty great to wake up every day and work with a man I not only loved but really respected. But the other part of it is that it’s an amazing opportunity to make a real impact on people’s lives.”
“For the most part in this industry we find very career-minded, committed passionate people.”
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Doel has worn many hats at McKee Homes (she started when the company was just a few years old and ran on a tiny staff), but felt like she needed to complete her Master Builders Certification in order to understand the ins-and-outs and be able to take on a management role. Today she not only encourages young women to explore the business side of the industry, but to also look into the trades and develop a true understanding of construction. Her company is very much involved in the community, as they launched the Building Futures project that teaches high school students the basics of the home building trade. In partnership with George McDougall High School, and the Rockyview School District, the Building Futures project brings the students to a teaching environment away from the classroom, and it is a project that’s near and dear to Doel’s heart. Two of the schools they assisted in building will be complete by the end of the school year. “We have 32 Grade 10 students learning all required Grade 10 curriculum and building two homes all at a location in Reunion,” says McKee Homes President Elaine McKee-Doel. “We built a double detached garage classroom behind one of the homes they are building with our trades and supervisors.”
Lisa Feist
Vice President, Streetside Developments
Lisa Feist also didn’t start her career with an eye on the housing industry. When Feist moved to Calgary after living in the United States for a number of years, she started her own marketing firm, but soon realized that working independently wasn’t as rewarding as she had hoped. After taking a job in the housing sector, Feist quickly fell in love with the variety of challenges that the job had to offer, but more importantly, she was drawn to the passion and breadth of experience that she found in her co-workers. “Marketing can be cross-applied in different disciplines, but the differentiator in the residential building community is the people,” Feist says. “For the most part in this industry we find very career-minded, committed passionate people. They’re delivering homes and that’s
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a big purchase for most people — it’s usually the largest acquisition that they’re ever going to make. So we have to take it seriously and we have to care about it.” That zeal of the job is what has kept Feist in the industry and allowed her to eventually become Vice President at Streetside Developments. She advises newcomers to the industry to give themselves time to study different facets within the business until they find something that they truly love and can build a career on. Under her leadership, Streetside won their first SAM Multi-Family Builder of the Year award in 2013.
Karin Finley
Vice President Community Development (Southern Alberta), Qualico Communities
Karin Finley also knew that she needed a career that she could really feel passionate about. Before she started her first job at Qualico Communities (then as a Project Engineer), Finley asked her potential boss to describe a typical day on the job. When he responded “I can’t” because no two days would ever be the same, Finley knew that the industry was the perfect fit for both her personality and background in engineering. Since joining Qualico 17 years ago, Finley has thrived on the challenges and responsibility that comes with shaping new communities within the city. Not one to shy away from taking on even bigger challenges, Finley also sits as the Chair of Calgary’s Urban Development Institute so that she could get involved with the bigger picture questions that come with community development. “It’s both a learning opportunity for me as well as a growth opportunity to understand something bigger,” Finley says of that role. “As I’ve moved up in my company I’ve begun to understand that some of the decisions about development come from outside of this company and I found it was absolutely essential to get involved to be part of that dialogue and to help actually build and grow this city the way that it should be.”
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Wendy Jabusch
Vice President, Calgary Homes at Brookfield Residential
Of all the women we spoke to, Wendy Jabusch has perhaps the most experience in the home building business, having worked in the industry for over 30 years. Once upon a time, Jabusch started her career on the drafting and design end, but her own quest for learning has taken her through several positions in the industry. Much like her other colleagues profiled here, Jabusch counts the number of challenges and highly motivated colleagues as reasons why she continues to enjoy her job after so many years. But, most of all, she loves the satisfaction that comes with making an impact on homeowners’ lives. “We create homes and we create communities where people live their lives, raise their families, and forge friendships,” Jabusch says. “I’ve always been interested in the idea of contributing something not only for the here and now but also for the future.” Jabusch says that being a woman has not presented any particular challenges in her career but that she has seen a number of women participating in aspects of the business that have traditionally been more male-dominated. “We now have some women on site as carpenters and we have a construction manager who is a woman,” Jabusch says. I think what’s changed in recent years, and it’s not just in this industry, is that women are picking any kind of jobs that they find interesting.” She continues to advocate for gender equality in the industry, however, as Brookfield has participated in Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build initiative. Women Build is an international movement that helps bring women together for a common purpose: to change the lives of families in their own communities. It promotes the involvement of women in the construction of Habitat homes, allowing participants to learn new skills and trades so they can contribute to providing families safe homes. “We are very proud to be supporting Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta,” says Jabusch. “As a home builder, we know how important a home is to a family. We wanted to take part in the Women Build initiative not only to lend our expertise in home building, but to also promote and advocate for women who are working in the industry.” NL
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When faced with lots of right angles in a room, consider mixing up your geometry. Here, angled pillows and a round coffee table soften the corner of an oversized sectional. Photo by Brent Mykytyshyn, courtesy of Barbarian Interior Decoration.
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Open possibilities Open concept floor plan frees up the design space n Written by
David Crosson
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ver the past decade or so, much has been said about the death of the living room. With almost all multi- and single-family homes embracing open concept floor plans, it is true that dedicated parlour space (to use an old-fashioned term) is becoming as rare as good behavior from Justin Bieber. Still, in fielding client questions I get the distinct impression that many homeowners feel so-called great rooms really aren’t all that great. This isn’t the case, of course, but if you don’t know what to do with a space then having a lot of it can feel like a burden. A huge part of the problem — one that I see all the time in enclosed rooms — is that most people push all their furniture up against the walls like nervous teenagers at a junior high dance. All this does is make a space appear even larger and, in turn, more sparsely furnished — neither of which is a benefit in a room meant for socializing, whether it’s you and a partner or a holiday houseful. In terms of interior design, there are several classic furniture layouts that work beautifully no matter what style your furniture. Modern, traditional, transitional — it doesn’t matter so much how your pieces look as how they function. If you’re going to spend money on furniture (and you should, by the way), then it must earn its keep rather than merely serving as space-filler. (That’s what oversized vases of dusty sticks in awkwardly placed niches are for…) Here are three examples of classic furniture plots that can be scaled up or down — or even duplicated back-to-back in a very large space — to serve your needs as both homeowner and host(ess) in any situation. They’re fairly self-explanatory so rather than wasting precious words stating the obvious, I will use the rest of this column to share a few nuggets (notice I didn’t say “rules”) that will really help any one of them to sing.
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Modern, traditional, transitional — it doesn’t matter so much how your pieces look as how they function.
Three examples of classic furniture plots that can be scaled up or down. june 2014 NE W HOME LIVING
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Photos on this page from Lee Industries. Courtesy Country Furniture/The Other Room
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Sofas and sectionals are great but if you already have a family room for lounging and TV viewing, they may not be the answer for your great room. Consider surrounding a coffee table with four comfortable arm chairs (much like a hotel lobby) to create an intimate conversation zone. Remember, the maximum distance for comfortable conversation is eight feet and this set-up will address that issue beautifully.
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Don’t worry about the back(s) of furniture pieces being visible from the kitchen in an open space. Generally speaking, two medium-sized chairs look more inviting but a sofa will work if you keep it low (under 32 inches high) when the ceiling is a standard eight feet. In spaces with taller ceilings, higher profile pieces like wingback or tuxedo-style sofas will help keep things in proportion.
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Although the basic rule of thumb is that coffee tables should be one-third to one-half the length of your sofa, don’t be afraid to anchor your space with something oversized. This can also include a generous upholstered ottoman/tray combo or a cluster of smaller tables — anything can work provided it serves as a nucleus for conversation. Add smaller, more portable accent tables near chairs or sofas to maximize function, then make sure all your (adult) guests have a cocktail in hand so they can test them out…
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Ideally, area rugs should be large enough so that all furniture can sit on top
of them. I know you love your hardwoods but there should only be a border of about one to four feet visible around the perimeter of the rug/seating area. Remember, the rug is the “art” and the floor is the “frame,” not the other way ‘round.
Don’t forget to embrace geometry — most rooms are comprised of rectilinear shapes (walls, windows, millwork, furniture) so be sure to balance all those right angles with softer items. When in doubt, opt for round or rectangular furnishings to complement your stricter shapes and don’t forget how much softness drapery, throws and accent cushions can bring to a room. Given that you will likely be choosing a wall colour for two — or more — adjacent spaces in an open concept plan, try using full spectrum paint for maximum impact. Unlike many others on the market, this product uses complex, saturated formulas to achieve exceptional depth of colour, which changes with the light over the course of the day but always looks beautiful. C2 is a pioneer and leader in the field and is available through Walls Alive on 17th Avenue. With the number of windows great rooms generally have, and the amount of sun as we get here in Calgary, I urge you to embrace a richer colour than you might generally choose in order to ampup the drama. After all, life is too short to live in beige boxes. NL
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: David Crosson is the owner of Barbarian Interior Decoration Ltd., which woks with both residential and commercial clients in Calgary and beyond. He is also the author of the blog Hausfrau: Better Living Through Better Living and is frequently called upon to provide commentary in matters of life and style in the local media. For more information visit www.barbariandesign.ca
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couch test Sofas are more than just a comfy nap spot n Written by
Petrie sectional. Photo courtesy Urban Barn
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Kathy McCormick
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Lure sectional. Photo courtesy Urban Barn Price starts at $1,726
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ust as beauty is more than skin deep, sofas are more than just something that is nice to look at: you need to be comfortable sitting on them, too. “A sofa is an investment that most of us will keep for many years,” says Sebastien Fauteux, creative director with Urban Barn. “The reality is that at month-end, most of us don’t have unlimited budgets to furnish our homes. Knowing where to focus your funds is quite simple if you think practically. Equally as important to a quality mattress in the bedroom is a quality sofa in the living room. Furniture purchases such as a coffee table or bookshelf can always wait: you won’t be sitting on these everyday so you’re less likely to mind if they’re less than perfect. A sofa will define your living space and ground all other furniture.” So while looks are important, “how you want it to function is more important,” says Cathy Miller, public relations for Crate and Barrel Canada. Kiln-dried hardwood or high-equality engineered wood frames ensure the frame won’t warp or sag, she says. “Good quality springs and cushions are essential — foam cores wrapped in fiber or feathers is the most stable.” The most basic sofas will be a fiber seat with down wrapping and the most durable fabric is usually a polyester or microfiber with cotton blend, says Jordan Bondar of Bondars Furniture. “I would definitely invest my money into the bigger pieces — couches, bedroom suites or dining room sets — and save on the extras, accessories or bookshelves. It’s amazing what you can do with a few Ikea pieces mixed into the right spaces.” Look for warranties, says Fauteux. “This is usually a very good indication of the quality of a piece of furniture. If a manufacturer is willing to offer a 10-year warranty on a sofa frame, you should be able to rest easy knowing that the frame of that sofa is well constructed.” And it doesn’t matter the size of the space, the experts say. Today, sofas come in three basic sizes: Apartment sofas – from 72 to 76 inches “Much more comfortable seating for two than the traditional 66-inch loveseat size,” says Miller.
These are used ideally in condos along with perhaps a chair or two — or a versatile ottoman that can double as a table, a footrest or extra seating when needed. These can start from about $1,700. “Especially putting the ottoman in a fun print or a hair-onhide makes the room pop,” says Bondar. “And it gives it some visual interest.” People are also replacing the traditional seating arrangements of old in larger spaces, Miller says. “It used to be that you would see a sofa, its identical loveseat and identical chair — all matchy-matchy in a room. Those days are over. People definitely like to mix things up. Even a sofa with two matching chairs isn’t as common now.” Another great way to plan: Two small sofas facing each other with a table between. “The biggest mistake people make is buying a sofa too overwhelming for the space. A sofa should not fill up the entire wall.” Standard sofas of 84 inches to 88 inches “People typically want to buy a basic sofa — and then what they put on it and around it is what is used to give the room character,” Bondar says. “For example, they will use a basic sofa with patterned chairs and some fun toss pillows.”
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Photo courtesy Bondars
Contemporary style works well with any style of décor, so your look can evolve over time while still keeping the same sofa. Large sofas of 90 inches and up “We find our customers often fall in love with the larger sofas they see in store,” says Fauteux. Urban Barn has one popular model, the Durango Sofa Chaise, that’s 107 inches. “There’s something so nice about being able to stretch out on a sofa — but not all spaces are built equally and your square footage will dictate the size of sofa that fits your space.” For that reason, some of the most popular models today are sectionals. “There was once a time where it was thought that sectionals were best suited for casual rooms strictly for TV watching,” Fauteux says. “Over time, sectionals have evolved and now include more configurations that will work in literally any sized room.” Miller agrees — she once lived in a tiny NYC apartment with a four-piece sectional to maximize seating. Determine the traffic flow in your space first before planning
Photo courtesy Crate & Barrel
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the type of furniture and the configuration, says Fauteux. “Avoid obstructing a main walking path or view whenever possible.” He says colour choices and even lighting will affect how well your home flows, “so keep this in mind when deciding which furniture pieces will look right and fit seamlessly into your space.” So what are people buying today? “Lately, tufted sofas have become really popular,” says Bondar. “This is a low-profile tufted back with usually a rolled arm.” At Urban Barn, “our most popular styles seem to be those that have a contemporary vibe — a solid, straight arm wide enough to rest a drink on, a back low enough to not obstruct any views (but not too low), clean tailoring, and solid legs to ground it to the floor,” Fauteux says. Contemporary style works well with any style of décor, he says, so your look can evolve over time while still keeping the same sofa. Not “ultra-modern,” but contemporary is favoured at Crate and Barrel Canada as well, says Miller. “For a while the shabby chic look was in but there is much less of that now. It’s used more for cottages, summer homes, sunrooms, and bedrooms.” Look for straight arms, wooden legs or plinth-type visible wood and metal platform bases. Neutrals are the biggest choice for colour with grey a leader, and the beige and cream family not far
Photo courtesy Bondars
behind. For the more adventurous, there’s even been some demand for red and velvet to liven up a room, but for the most part, the bright colours are used as accents on accessories, pillows and the like. The same is true for patterns. Most people opt for solid colours for sofas and choose patterns for the chairs or pillows — with geometric a popular choice today. As for material, leather is still popular because of its durability — especially for people with children or pets, says Bondar — but choose carefully, says Bondar. “The really soft leathers scratch the easiest. Picking a harder leather will eliminate any problems you might have down the road.” And “like a lead Hollywood actor, it usually looks better with time,” says Fauteux, adding that research is needed before that purchase. “Remember that there is no standard grading system for leathers, but here are leather types.” The best leather is full-grain, aniline-dyed leather, says Miller. “The cheaper leathers may have surface colour and texture painted on and will be from a hide split two or three times — much less durable.” Her advice: “If you can’t afford good leather, go with fabric instead.” And there are plenty of choices today, the experts say — many very durable with interesting textures. It’s all about choice and creating the look you want that adds character and warmth to your home. NL june 2014 NE W HOME LIVING
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11th Peanut Butter Classic women’s golf tourney this June The all-women Peanut Butter Classic golf tournament is being held on June 9 at the prestigious Heritage Pointe Golf Course. Now in its 11th year, this event, run and organized entirely by volunteers, has raised over $955,000 to support programs for women and children in need, and contributed over 2000 jars of peanut butter to the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank. Visit www.peanutbutterclassic.com for more information and to register.
Dundee becomes Dream Dundee Developments, the developer of Montrose in High River and EvansRidge in Calgary announces that they will be changing their name to Dream Development effective May 12, 2014. Dream Development is a division of Dream — a real estate investment, development and management company whose scope of business includes land development, housing and condominium development, asset management for three TSX-listed funds, investments in Canadian renewable infrastructure and commercial property management. “The company was getting too big and needed to restructure its brand to conform more closely to its vision of developing modern, family-friendly communities,” Dream Developments’ Pat Lothrop tells Around Town.
Homes by Avi announces Dream Project winners Homes by Avi, Gibson Fine Art and the Calgary Stampede Lotteries are pleased to announce Michelle and Stephanie Hoogveld as the winners of the Dream Project competition (formerly Calgary’s Next Top Artist). Michelle and Stephanie’s work will be featured in the 2014 Stampede Rotary Dream Home.
By Pepper Rodriguez
April housing starts climb Multi-family construction led the way in Calgary’s hot home building market, as housing starts in the Calgary Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) were trending at 17,239 units in April compared to 16,662 in March, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The CMHC report says that April total starts in the CMA were at 1,592, up by 49.2 per cent from last year. The single-detached market has seen a hike of 15.6 per cent to 630 units while the multi-family sector is up 84.3 per cent to 962 units. On a year-to-date basis, total starts in the Calgary CMA rose 64 per cent to 5,857. That consists of a 135.4 per cent climb in the multi-family sector to 3,767 units and a 6.0 per cent jump in the single-detached market to 2,090 units. “The trend in total housing starts continued to increase in April, due largely to elevated multi-family construction in recent months,” says Pichu Kalyniuk, CMHC Market Analyst for the Prairie and Territories Region. “The increase in construction has been supported by strong net migration, continued job growth, and a decline in new home inventories.”
Cardel launches inner-city arm Cardel Homes enters the lucrative inner-city market as the award-winning builder launches Cardel Inner City with the opening of their first show home in the southwest community of Killarney. “We’re very pleased with the response to our new inner-city developments,” says Cardel’s Travis Burnside. “We’ve found out that people are willing to pay premium prices to live in these inner-city communities that allows them to live closer to downtown, eliminate the long commutes and avail of nearby, already-established amenities.” Their first show home is the 2,638-square-foot Solstice A at 3211 Kinsale Road S.W. this semi-detached homes has four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths and premium finishes, including Hanstone Quartz countertops and engineered hardwood floors. Prices for Cardel Inner City homes start in the $700,000s, which includes lot, GST and the basement development and garage, Burnside says. There are six infill homes available right away, and 16 more coming soon, he adds.
A new Concept for blinds Blinds can be seen in a new light, as Concept Coverings opens their new show room in southeast Calgary. The company unveiled their new 1,000-square-foot show room in the Shepard Regional Centre in the southeast to give customers a better idea of the products and services they offer. Concept Coverings is an authorized distributor of the full range of Hunter Douglas products in Calgary, but it is their specialization in motorized blinds that sets them apart from competition. Connie and Barry Drake started the company five years ago, when they saw that there was a need for experts in the specialized field of motorized blinds. “It’s an easy, elegant way to simplify life,” Connie Drake tells Around Town. NL
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calgary map n Northwest/Northeast
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calgary map n Southwest
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Southeast/Calgary area n calgary map
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advertisers index n Avid Ratings page 33
Jayman MasterBUILT page 53
Brookfield Residential pages 42-43
Living the Dream page 29
Cardel Homes Chapparal Valley page 3
Mattamy Homes page 56 McKee Homes page 55
Cardel Homes Inner City page 15
Sabal Homes page 25
CHBA page 46
Tamani Developments Riversong page 47
Concept Coverings page 37
Trico Homes page 20
Dream Development page 52
United Communities Nolan Hill page 2
Homes By Us page 20 Hopewell Communities Copperfield page 41 Hunter Douglas page 44 Innovations by Jayman Kings Heights page 9 Jayman MasterBUILT Auburn Bay FC, pages12-14
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Vesta Properties page 4 Watermark page 46 WestCreek Developments Legacy page 7
hope at large By Marty Hope
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Crunch time City and home industry work to ease housing crunch Housing affordability and consumer choice are being jeopardized by a City of Calgary proposal to put limits on suburban growth. New suburban growth could be restricted to portions of Calgary’s northeast and south for years if the city goes ahead with a strategy that recommends all its new suburban infrastructure money go to those two undeveloped sectors between 2015 and 2018. But recent developments suggest the two are working more closely to avert disaster. Canadian Home Builders’ Association Calgary Region president, Doug Whitney, says the industry recognizes the need for sustainability, innovative development and the rising costs of infrastructure. In that regard, industry continues to work with the city on its Framework for Growth and Change. But at the same time, he adds, surging in-migration over the next five years as s result of the positive economic climate and job growth means the industry needs to plan now for future growth. Builders need the certainty of a continued supply of lots well into the future to keep up with demand and to ensure employment for the industry’s 37,000 employees, he adds. “It is not just about builders needing inventory; it is about businesses of all kinds needing the ability to provide their expanding work forces with variety and choice (in housing) if this city is going to be the vibrant centre we all desire it to be. The economic impact of short-sighted planning will be far more impactful than some may think,” says Whitney. Trent Edwards, Brookfield Residential’s
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chief operating officer for Alberta, says limiting development will impact buyers at all levels and put upward pressure on prices. “The rising house prices and lack of choices will impact those at the entry level Trent Edwards Doug Whitney the most, and will start pushing people who want to live in release from CHBA-Calgary Region says the city out of the market, resulting in them the latest Suburban Residential Growth seeking homes in surrounding communities 2014–18 from the City of Calgary is a step in where similar-sized homes are more affordthe right direction. able,” he adds. “Looking at the Suburban Residential Allan Klassen, president and managing Growth report and comparing it with partner of Albi Homes, says affordability reports created by the industry, the city and comes down to individual comfort levels. the industry have basically the same total Prices, he says, have gone up 100 per cent (which) is approximately 5,900 lots or one in Calgary in the past decade and with the year of average SF (square-foot) absorption “looming shortage of land supply” costs rate,” the CHBA press release says. It adds will continue to be a major concern for the that the City and industry continue to work housing industry and consumers. The only together to “refine the reporting of key saving grace, he adds, is that interest rates information” critical to growth. NL have stayed low. “Albi has positioned itself in four different market segments outside of Calgary to Marty Hope. For more than two decades ensure we have not only affordable value Marty Hope has been reporting on the housing for our customers but just as importantly a and development industry in Calgary, throughout Alberta, and across Canada. In steady land supply,” says Klassen. March, he was presented with the Maple Leaf Recently, however, the City and the indusAward from the Canadian Home Builders’ try seem to have found common ground in Association which is given annually to a that they now agree on the actual number non-builder member in Canada for of available serviced land. A recent press contributions to the industry.