VOLUME 11 ISSUE 118 n OCTOBER 2015
contents
12 COVER FEATURE
12
Reminiscing in Riversong Innovations by Jayman coming to a close with only a few opportunities left in Riversong
COMMUNITY FEATURE
High style, smart living 28
Artesia at Heritage Pointe is the epitome of stylish, sustainable living
Special Feature PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT NO. 41072011. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: Source Media Group Corp. 207 - 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2H 0J9
Check out what’s happening in Cochrane
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contents 16 38
22
FOCUS ON
10 Frightfully stylish
Costumes aren’t just for kids, give your home a Halloween makeover
SHOW HOME PROFILES
SHOPPING
16 Island life
41 Floor models
22 Last chance at
Calbridge Homes’ Mahogany Island masterpiece is latest lottery grand prize
46 Garage gurus
FEATURE
32 Stage managers
Home staging can help bring out your home’s selling potential
38 Illuminasia
Lantern & Garden Festival at Calgary Zoo
6 |
STYLE
Williamstown
The hit Airdrie community from Vesta Properties is down to its final homes
Wide range of flooring options bring new sense of style to homes
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Turn the garage into an essential part of your home’s style COLUMNS
51 Around Town 58 Hope at Large
ITEMS
8 Editor’s Message 52 Maps 56 Advertiser Index
10
editor’s message n
Season of change
Driving up north on the QE II the other day, I noticed how quickly the leaves are changing, and the chilly melancholy of fall seems to settle over the land. Halloween is fast approaching, in case you didn’t notice the merchandising hanging in the big box stores yet. But it seems Calgarians have more scary things on their minds than what costume to wear. With the continued slowing of the economy due to the plummeting oil prices, it’s natural to be worried about what the future holds. But as far as the local housing market goes, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) says things may not be as bad as they seem. According to a CMHC report published in August, Calgary’s housing market is not under threat of a correction despite a downturn in the local economy. And that in fact, Calgary is a “low risk” for a housing correction. Housing starts may paint a different picture, but the slump is an expected consequence of the weaker economy, and besides last year’s soaring starts is a tall order to match. But the CMHC sees Calgary’s acceleration in housing prices and overbuilding were considered stable, while the threat of overheating had decreased, and the risk of overvaluation is moderate. It does offer caution that some unforeseen economic event that causes the fundamentals to change dramatically could affect the assessment. Under these conditions, it may be harder to sell your old home. That’s why we have Andrea Cox talking to a couple of home staging professionals in her home staging feature that offers some tips on design tricks that can help you bring out the home’s full potentials to buyers. And, as usual we have features from David Crosson on styling your garage, and Kathy McCormick on choosing your flooring that can help homeowners bring out the best in their home. Innovations by Jayman, our cover feature, never had any trouble giving their customers some of the best designed homes in the market, and their domination of the Cochrane market — along with the rest of the JaymanBUILT group — is a terrific indicator of the awesome skill and quality. Speaking of which, Vesta Properties has exhibited the same all-encompassing values that have turned their Williamstown development in Airdrie into such a huge hit, and only a few single-family homes and their Gateway townhomes are the final opportunities to own a new home here. As far as hits are concerned, you don’t want to miss this year’s Hospital Home Lottery grand prize home by Calbridge Homes in Mahogany Island, check out the feature inside to learn more — better yet make the drive down there just to experience its full grandeur. It’s another jam-packed issue with more news and how-to articles that we know our readers love. You know you can count on us for more. Thanks for reading!
PUBLISHER
Source Media Group
info@sourcemediagroup.ca A S S O C I AT E P U 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 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Dave Macaulay
dave.macaulay@sourcemediagroup.ca
Megan Sereda megan.sereda@sourcemediagroup.ca P R O D U C T I O N A D M I N I S T R AT O R
Colleen Leier
colleen.leier@sourcemediagroup.ca EDITORIAL
Andrea Cox, David Crosson, Aaliya Essa, Marty Hope, Jacqueline Louie, Kathy McCormick PHOTOGRAPHY
Jean Perron
ADVERTISING SALES |
Cindy Marks
cindy.marks@sourcemediagroup.ca ACCOUNTING
accounting@sourcemediagroup.ca DISTRIBUTED BY
Gallant Distribution Services, Media Classified, Source Media Group ISSN 1918-4441 PRINTED IN CANADA
©2015 Source Media Group Corp. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from 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 property 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
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Kitchen design
@CalgaryNewHomes
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NewHomeLivingCalgary
focus on
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Frightfully stylish
Costumes aren’t just for kids, give your home a Halloween makeover n BY
Aaliya Essa
HALLOWEEN IS AN occasion for macabre fun —when children of all ages dress up as frightful critters and take over the streets. You can bring the spirit — or shall we say, “ghost” — of Halloween into your home with an abundance of creative — if creepy — designs. NL
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7 8 [ 1 ] Jack-o’-Lantern Paper Lantern Set, $17.95 at Pier1 Imports. [ 2 ] Pumpkin Spice Hand Soap Pump, $7.95 at Pier1 Imports. [ 3 ] Pre-Lit Glitter Skull Wall Décor, $49.95 at Pier1 Imports. [ 4 ] Spider Web Doormat, $26.95 at Pier1 Imports. [ 5 ] Glitter Day of the Dead Bride and Groom, $30 each at Pier1 Imports. [ 6 ] Beaded Spider Web Pillow, $32.95 at Pier1 Imports. [ 7 ] Spider Web Candelabra, $39.95 at Pier1 Imports. [ 8 ] Witch Hat Bottle Stopper, $8.95 at Crate and Barrel. [ 9 ] Day of the Dead Corkscrew, $34.95 at Crate and Barrel. [ 10 ] Spider Web Table Runner, $44.95 at Crate and Barrel.
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| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE |
REMINISCING IN RIVERSONG Innovations by Jayman coming to a close with only a few opportunities left in Riversong
I
t seems such a short time ago that Innovations by Jayman was just starting to build their first homes in Cochrane’s scenic riverside community of Riversong some seven years ago, and now the popular single-family builder is down to their last few homes here. Right now, for buyers that act quickly, Innovations by Jayman is offering the opportunity to purchase their new home fully upgraded for their final few homes remaining in Riversong. “What make these homes unique,” says Kym Daigle, area manager for Innovation by Jayman, “is that they are fully upgraded — from lights and tile and quartz countertops in the kitchen, even the bonus room and fireplaces are all included in our last opportunities available”
Nitro show home
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Although these final seven lots may be Innovations by Jayman’s last homes in Riversong, this move-up and starter home builder arm of JaymanBUILT will still be a big presence in Cochrane. In fact, the whole Jayman group remains firmly committed to this western heritage town’s continued growth. With over $70 million in homes and land business done every year in Cochrane, Jayman is indeed one of the biggest believers in this vibrant small town just west of Calgary, and has played a key Jay Westman role in its the phenomenal growth.
Nitro show home
| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE |
Unite show home
This comes as no surprise though, as JaymanBUILT CEO and Chairman, Jay Westman, has a strong emotional bond to the town. His dad, Al Westman, was building in Cochrane in the 1970s, and at the time, a young Jay Westman was a superintendent building in the first new subdivision of Glenbow here. Jayman has been building here through the intervening decades, but they came on strong in Cochrane in 2008 with the launch of Riversong — developed by its own land developer division, Tamani Communities. “Riversong is a beautiful family community that is near completion,” says Daigle. “Nestled in a way from the highway, there are a lot of paths to walk, several parks to play in, and it’s amazing place to live.” There have been a variety of buyers that are interested in living here too, she says. “We have all age groups living in Riversong, which is a big part of why this is such a nice place to live,” she says. “I have lived in the community for six years now and it is such a joy to see my clients starting out their lives together.” The homes they offer here take advantage of the pristine surroundings and are designed to be the ultimate family-friendly homes. There are three different models to choose from, he says, starting from $439,900 and topping off at $459,900. It’s very attractive, he says, for buyers that are looking for a home at this price point. There are currently two show homes on display. Unite is 1,921 square-feet in size, there are three-bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms,
Unite show home
and this home starts from around $439,900. This home offers a spacious master retreat that actually takes up almost of half of the upper floor, with a large ensuite perfectly designed with relaxation in mind, coming home after a long day and settling in for a nice soak could easily become apart of your regular routine. The Nitro show home is a spacious 1,938 square-feet in size; this home also has three-bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms, and starts from around $449,900. This model is designed with a very large open great room, perfect for entertaining and spending time together as a family. Both homes also have a double garage as well as the laundry room located on the second floor. “Our buyers are loving the value of these homes!” says Daigle. “Everything is included and the added bonus of living in a completed community is really very appealing.” For his part, Westman remains a firm believer in Cochrane and it’s growth potential. “It’s an extremely desirable area and especially with the lifestyle and it’s ideally suited for all ages, everybody from their first home all the way to empty nesters and seniors,” he says. “People want to live here due to the proximity to the mountains, Banff and the small town lifestyle feel of Cochrane. People feel safe and feel a sense of community. It has excellent schools, and easy access to Calgary. The entire town is so picturesque.” JaymanBUILT remains committed to the town’s success. “We have invested in the future as we have made a major investment into the
community with the contribution to the expansion of the Spray Lakes Centre which will be called the Jayman Aquatic Centre,” Westman says. “Clearly, we are committed to Cochrane and will continue to be invested in Cochrane for many years to come,” he adds. n
fast facts
COMMUNITY: Riversong DEVELOPER: Tamani Communities STYLE OF HOMES: Two-storey homes BUILDER: Innovations by Jayman PRICE: Unite from $439,900. Nitro from $449,900 SIZE: Unite 1,921 sq. ft., Nitro 1,938 sq. ft. ADDRESS: 585 and 589 River Heights Crescent DIRECTIONS: Northwest on Crowchild Trail, follow Crowchild Trail NW/AB-1A W, Stoney Trail NW/AB-201 W and TransCanada Hwy/AB-1 W to AB-22 in Rocky View County. Take exit 161 from TransCanada Hwy/AB-1 W. Follow AB-22 and River Heights Dr to River Heights Crescent in Cochrane HOURS: Monday – Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m.
Register or for more information visit www.jayman.com
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show home profile n Calbridge Homes
Island life
Calbridge Homes’ Mahogany Island masterpiece is latest lottery grand prize WRITTEN BY
Pepper Rodriguez n PHOTOS BY Jean Perron
CALBRIDGE HOMES HAS made it a point to create some of the most unique, and grandest Hospital Home Lottery grand prize homes over the last few years, but their latest opus can only be called a dream come true. With its fantastic location in what could be the city’s most exclusive neighbourhood on Mahogany Island, the winner of the grand prize for the latest Hospital Home Lottery will have more than just a $2.3 million home but a multi-million dollar lifestyle. Calbridge has gone from strength with each new grand prize Home, as each seemed bigger in scope and even more ambitious in design than the previous one. Their 2015 edition may even surpass them all in beauty and style, as Calbridge pulled out all the stops to make a remarkable milestone home.
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This regal 5,087-square-foot triple-garage estate home is located in the heart of this gated community by Hopewell Residential, which will only have 22 homes — all with private docks backing onto tranquil waters of the 63-acre Mahogany Lake. It makes complete use of this most desirable location by giving the design plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and the fantastic, calming views. The walk-out basement — tricked out with all a family needs to enjoy the waterfront lifestyle — provides easy access to the private dock; a partly covered outdoor entertaining area with its own fireplace opens from the kitchen to delight party guests; and an expansive deck at the back gives the feeling of being onboard a luxury yacht. The winner not only gets this three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath, designer furnished, professionally landscaped Grand Prize Estate Show Home, they also get $50,000 in cash and Cottage Care maid service for one year (worth $5,000). All tax-free.
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BELOW Like all of the award-winning builder’s previous grand prize lottery homes, this one on 91 Mahogany Island S.E. exhibits what Calbridge Homes likes to call “functional luxury.” That means that for all its remarkable features — like oak lava brown lime-washed hardwood flooring, tall, knock-down ceilings, and top-of-the-line appliances — it’s still a comfortable place that you want to go home to.
show home profile
ABOVE The great room is the sedate and formal side of the home with its tall, cathedral-like windows and fireplace surround with a concrete hearth. Almost every side of the home gets fantastic sight lines to the lake and the community beyond, and the great room is a perfect vantage point for when the weather gets chilly.
»
ABOVE Calbridge’s unmistakable expertise is very much in evidence in the elegant demeanour of its exterior design of this traditional Tudor-style Grand Prize Estate Show Home with lots of natural elements — including designer stone accents and knotty alder front door with dark walnut stain — that add to the serene streetscape of the ultra-exclusive Mahogany Island. RIGHT The lower level development is devoted to a lifestyle of leisure. There’s space designed to storing your fun-in-the-water gear, and a central recreation space for enjoying the company of friends — including a fabulous wet bar. You wouldn’t be able to keep your friends from making your home their default game-night congregation spot.
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ABOVE Living large is given new meaning in the expansive master bedroom, which covers the entire rear wall of the home. French doors open to the Juliet balcony, where one can start a lazy Sunday morning with a hot beverage and marvel at their lucky stars for winning this magnificent home.
BELOW The master bath transports one to a luxury hotel setting with its Rak Sparko Black floor tile, Flurry quartz countertops and free-standing soaker tub standing next to an oversized window. The only thing about the ensuite’s relaxing lavishness it is you may never want to step out.
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Calbridge Homes
ABOVE The sumptuous, gourmet kitchen has style and functionality stamped all over it, and the massive island with Macabus quartzite countertop provides both. It can be a sleek work station for the chef of the home, and a gleaming counterpoint of modernity to the classic touch that the twotone cherry stain cabinetry and exposed beams bring.
n show
home profile
fast facts BUILDER: Calbridge Homes COMMUNITY: Mahogany Island DEVELOPER: Hopewell Residential SIZE: 5,087 sq. ft. VALUE: $2.3 million (which can be won with a $100 lottery ticket) ADDRESS: 91 Mahogany Island S.E.
LEFT Adjacent to the kitchen is a partly covered courtyard accessed through French swing doors with glass fronts, which adds another dimension to the entertainment aspect of the home. It’s a warm, casual environment where guests can enjoy an after-dinner brandy. Tickets to the 2015 FHHL Grand Prize home can be bought at the show home or online at www. calgaryhospitalhomelottery.ca. NL
HOURS: Wednesday to Friday 2 to 7 p.m., and noon to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays DIRECTIONS: South on Deerfoot Tr., exit east on Stoney Tr., exit right on 52 St. S.E. and left on Mahogany Blvd. and follow the signs WEBSITE: www.calgaryhospitalhomelottery.ca
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A IRDRIE
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M LDER
N OMEB ’S H UI ST
6 YEARS IN
A RO W
show home profile n Vesta at Williamstown
Last chance at
WILLIAMSTOWN The hit Airdrie community from Vesta Properties is down to its final homes
n WRITTEN BY
Pepper Rodriguez
IT’S A LITTLE HARD to believe, but in just a span of five years since the first shovel hit the ground in Williamstown, this singular natureinspired master-planned community from Vesta Properties is down to its final few homes. Williamstown’s Gateway townhomes and a few single-family homes are, in fact, all that’s left of the its seven phases, and the final chance to own a new home in this idyllic community in northwest Airdrie. Williamstown is Airdrie’s most nature-centric community with the 45-acre Nose Creek environmental reserve at its very heart. This closeness to nature has been crucial to its success, but Vesta Properties area manager, AJ van der Linden says the wide range of products and attractive price point they offer have also contributed to make this master-planned community a huge hit. “Because Vesta was the developer and exclusive builder in these final phases, we were able to control how we built the community. Finishing construction along one street before moving to the next meant residents didn’t have to put up with construction traffic for long stretches of time,” he says. “Our strategy to always have spec homes ready for quick possessions was also very warmly received by buyers.” Williamstown has largely realized all its potentials and now has a very attractive mix of heritage inspired streetscapes set in a natural location where nearly 40 per cent of the 162-acre development is set aside for parks and open spaces. Even better, Williamstown backs onto Nose Creek environmental reserve, which comes complete with trails, a pedestrian bridge and look outs. At their Horizons community, only a few of their front-garage homes are left after their condo-fee free rowhomes and laned single-family homes sold out. While Gateway will have their three-storey townhomes — and if the past is any indication, those will be snapped up pretty quickly too. “I’m not sure if we will have any left before the year ends, this summer has been exceedingly busy for us,” van der Linden says. Though Williamstown may be winding down, Vesta will still have a strong presence in Airdrie and Calgary next year with the release of their new developments in Copperfield in southeast Calgary, and in southern Airdrie.
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TOP LEFT The Gateway’s kitchens are designed for entertaining and have all the features that buyers look for in a first home, including quartz countertops, stylish laminate floors, nine-foot ceilings and stainless steel appliances. “These all come standard, there’s really no need to upgrade,” van der Linden points out.
LEFT There are eight remaining floor plans to choose from for the Gateway townhomes, ranging from 1,315 to 1,700 square-feet, starting from $285,000. “Two- and three-bedroom townhomes are offered all with terrific open-concept designs and other features that first-time homebuyers find quite irresistible,” van der Linden says.
ABOVE Part of the Gateway townhomes charm is its Arts and Crafts style architecture featuring upscale detailing, cultured stone accents, trimmed window sills, classic entry columns and windowed heritage doors. They also come with fenced yards, spacious balconies and a rear two car garage with convenient lane access.
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show home profile n Vesta at Williamstown
fast facts DEVELOPER | BUILDER: Vesta Properties Ltd. COMMUNITY: Williamstown in Airdrie SIZE: Gateway townhomes from 1,350 sq. ft., single-family homes from 1,900 sq. ft. PRICE: Townhomes from $285,000; and single-family from $400,000 HOURS: Monday – Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m. DIRECTIONS: Take Hwy. 2 to Airdrie. Exit west onto highway 567. Follow to Veterans Boulevard west and follow past Main Street. Follow the signs to Williamstown at 8th Street and Veterans Boulevard WEBSITE: www.vestawilliamstown.com
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ABOVE The abundant greenspace has been the hallmark at Williamstown but the family-friendly amenities that now dot the community — including the new Heron’s Crossing Elementary School (K-6) — have made it a hit. “We will have 900 families here on build out. Having the school here is such an amazing amenity. We’re the only new community in Airdrie where the majority of students can walk to school.” TOP MIDDLE Buyers have ample opportunities to personalize their Gateway townhome by choosing their favourite, professionally-designed colour schemes. Even better is they get the assurance of owning a home from a reputable builder with over 25 years of industry experience, having built over 3,500 homes in B.C. and Alberta. TOP RIGHT There are about 20 single-family frontattached homes remaining in Williamstown’s Horizon district starting from the $400,000s, ranging from 1,900 to 2,600 square-feet. “Our biggest single-family homes are still priced under $600,000, which is real value you can’t get anywhere else,” van der Linden says. RIGHT Vesta’s Gateway townhomes have sold particularly well and half of the 112 units have already been taken in the last eight months. “They have everything first-time homebuyers need, including attached two-car garages, and they get to live in a well-designed, family-friendly neighbourhood,” he adds. NL
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home profile
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Artesia at Heritage Pointe
n community
profile
Artesia at Heritage Pointe is the epitome of stylish, sustainable living
High style, smart living n WRITTEN BY
Pepper Rodriguez
T H E L AU G H T E R O F C H I L D R E N is the welcome music of the neighbourhood in Artesia at Heritage Pointe, where the elusive qualities of a safe, luxurious, environmentally responsible community that young families want to raise their kids in are found. Located just outside of southern Calgary, on a bluff overlooking the Pine Creek Valley and Bow River and just off Highway 2, Artesia is blossoming into the closeto-nature community it has been envisioned to become. About 50 per cent of the development has been snapped up, and half of the lots on its latest segment (Phase 3) are already spoken for. And it has accomplished this remarkable feat in an ecologically responsible manner that includes leaving nearly half of the 137-acre development to municipal and environmental reserves, open spaces, and water amenities. “Our three storm ponds are not only aesthetically pleasing, we also use them to redistribute water for irrigation purposes for both common areas and homeowners’ lawns,” says
Carol Oxtoby, President and CEO of Heritage Pointe Properties. Artesia is the final stage of Heritage Pointe Properties’ nearly quarter of a century endeavour to create spacious, luxury communities in the rolling prairie grasslands in the hamlet of DeWinton. The original Heritage Pointe community and its adjacent 27 -hole golf course answered a burgeoning demand to cater to the lifestyle needs of corporate executives, lawyers, doctors and their families. Artesia may be the final chance to experience this quiet, idyllic lushness so close to the thriving, major urban centres of south Calgary.
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community profile n Artesia at Heritage Pointe
Augusta Fine Homes
Albi Homes
FAST FACTS COMMUNITY: Artesia at Heritage Pointe DEVELOPER: Heritage Pointe Properties BUILDERS: Bungalow Villas exclusively from Calbridge Homes, Single-family estate homes from Albi Homes, Augusta Fine Homes, and Homes by Avi. (New singlefamily show homes to open spring 2016) PRICES: Villas start from the mid $850,000s; Singlefamily homes start from the $1 million range DIRECTIONS: South on Deerfoot Trail and exit on Dunbow Road and follow the signs HOURS: Monday to Thursday 12 - 6p.m., Fridays, Weekends and Holidays 12 - 5 p.m. WEBSITE: www.liveartesia.com
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“Artesia answers a specific lifestyle need for a safe, secure, comfortable community where neighbours know each other, and still remain close to Calgary’s city centre,” Oxtoby tells New Home Living. “We’re also just across the river from the exciting commercial development of Seton. Really, our residents get the benefit of living a peaceful, relaxed lifestyle but with big city amenities just nearby.” On offer are fabulous, single-family estate homes, and luxury multi-family villas. But here, every lot backs onto a spectacular community amenity. Whether green space, water feature, a protected environmental reserve, or an escarpment, each home will always have a beautiful backyard landscape. Artesia’s Phase 3 will have 63 single-family estate lots with some of the largest lot depths (some are 130-feet deep) with one-of-akind views of Pine Creek Valley. Home sites range from 65–90 feet in width. “The density at Artesia is one fifth of any comparable South Calgary neighbourhood and sets a new standard in living without compromise,” Oxtoby says. Artesia welcomes Homes By Avi and Augusta Fine Homes to their builder group. “Together with Albi Homes, our new group, will open new show homes in the spring next year, and add their pedigree of award-winning quality homes to Artesia’s already exciting mix of prairie style sophistication.” Calbridge Homes’ upscale Bungalow Villas in Artesia bring a luxurious maintenance-free lifestyle to the retiree and emp-
n community
ty-nester set, and those just wanting to simplify life. They are in their final phase with 36 villas starting in the $850,000s. “They are beautifully appointed and offer access to all the outdoor space and community amenities that make Artesia so special,” Oxtoby says. In Artesia, every single-family bungalow style home starts at 1,750 square-feet, and every two-storey single-family home starts at 2,400 square-feet with a minimum of 1,400 squarefeet in the main level. Prices are from the $1 million range. But beyond the beautiful homes available here, is the natural lushness of the surroundings and the careful stewardship of Heritage Pointe Properties to offer the most attuned to nature community in Calgary. In Artesia, you will find tennis courts, basketball courts, open fields for soccer, Frisbee, or an epic game of tag. “We have a lot of young families buying their homes here,” says Oxtoby. “Children bring so much energy to the neighbourhood,” she adds, pointing out that this year’s Halloween promises to be a spectacular event as more families with little kids have moved in. Artesia’s amazing water features not only add to the idyllic scenery, they serve an important function as well. “We utilize a system of bio-swales to collect naturally occurring water, which saves us from treating approximately 60 million litres of water annually,” Oxtoby says. NL
profile
Homes by Avi
Calbridge Homes
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feature n
Stage managers
Home staging can help bring out your home’s selling potential n WRITTEN BY
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Andrea Cox
Photos courtesy Simone Rosseau & Associates RE/MAX (Central)
n feature
Photos on these pages are samples of home staging work by Furniture Connection Staging & Rental Company.
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n these days of a slowing economy, we need all the help we can get when trying to sell our single-family home or condo. Home staging by a professional is a good start. By having someone help you establish a show-home-quality look for the home that brings out all its potential, then you’re already halfway to getting it sold and maybe even getting a better price for it. For Diane Wells hiring a home stager to help her sell her home was always part of the plan. “I’d considered home staging from the get go because I knew friends who had used a stager and it was very effective in helping them sell,” explains Diane, an engineer who works downtown. Diane had been living in a two-storey, three-bedroom home in Wentworth on Calgary’s westside for almost 10 years. “I had accumulated lots of stuff, and the main floor furniture had been with me for quite some time,” she recalls with a smile, intimating that it had seen better days. She interviewed three home staging companies, settling on Olga Brovkina owner of Furniture Connection (furnitureconnection.ca). “I connected with her immediately,” says Diane. “And I trusted her.” Olga recommended a thorough revamp of the main floor. All of Diane’s furniture was put into storage and then Olga staged the living room and dining room with contemporary furnishings from her 10,000-square-foot warehouse, which is stock full of furniture, and accessories from lighting to art — all for home staging purposes. She spiffed up the master bedroom with accessories and tweaked the master bathroom. “When she was finished it really looked spectacular,” says Diane. Home staging uses design and psychology to lead a buyer towards a purchase, by showcasing the home’s pluses and hiding its drawbacks. “Everything should be appealing, starting with the curbside — the grass should be cut, fresh flowers should be in pots, the exterior should be painted with no cracks showing,” says Olga.
“Everything should be appealing, starting with the curbside — the grass should be cut, fresh flowers should be in pots, the exterior should be painted with no cracks showing.” She suggests that when spiffing up a home for sale, sellers put themselves into the shoes of potential buyers, noting that first impressions are everything. Research shows that buyers make a connection with a home within the first few seconds of entering. “Once they have made that first impression it is very hard for them to think negatively even if they see something that they don’t like because they have already subconsciously connected with it,” says Olga. Certainly statistics show that home staging does make a difference, a big difference. Close to 90 per cent of potential homebuyers start their search on the Internet, so fabulous photos are a must and a staged home photographs beautifully. A recent survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors showed that home staging helps potential buyers to visualize the property as a future home, as well as encourages them to overlook other property faults. Max Tuff, property stylist, home stager and owner of Second Look Home Staging (secondlookstaging.ca) stresses that the first step to creating a fabulous first impression is to start with a plan. That’s where the consultation comes in. Most home stagers will visit the home, take a walk through and jot copious notes. Then they will go away, mull it over and construct an action plan that should detail everything that needs to be done, along with an itemized budget. OCTOBER 2015 NE W HOME LIVING
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Before-and-after home staging images from Second Look Home Staging.
BEFORE
AFTER
Don’t forget the two most important rules — highlight the focal points and set the home up so that the function of each room is crystal clear.
“The way that we live in our homes is not necessarily the way that people like to view them,” says Max, with a laugh, adding that the staging process can be challenging for those with young children. “You have to get them excited about the move and have them help you as much as possible to put toys away,” she says, adding that having a plan for everyday clean up when there is a showing is crucial. The first step in any plan is to clean, clean, clean and to edit as much as possible. “Be ruthless,” says Max. “Take out furniture; find the flow.” Olga agrees and suggests removing all clutter from every room, even cupboards and closets. “There shouldn’t be stuff on the floor. You want to show how spacious the home is and show case an organized way of life,” says Olga, indicating that it is a psychological tool. “Even if the potential buyer isn’t an organized person — they will be able to envision themselves being organized.” After cleaning and editing, the next step entails esthetics, starting with the backdrop. Wall colours should appeal to a broad spectrum of clients — neutral or subtle shades of colour are best. When it comes to furnishings less is more especially in a smaller space such as a condo. “There are just certain tricks that stager knows,” says Olga. For example, use glass coffee tables instead of wood to create a stronger and more spacious visual image. Use lighter fabrics and finishes. Lighting is also very important. Consider adding floor and table lamps to add a softer edge. And don’t forget the two most important rules — highlight the focal
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points — the fireplace, the views, the windows and set the home up so that the function of each room is crystal clear. “It’s really about creating a whole look — people want an instant connection when they walk into a place or view it online. They want that feeling of ‘oh, I like this place,’” adds Max. The three most important rooms to stage are the living room, the kitchen and the master bedroom and bath. Diane listed her home at the beginning of July and even though at the time the real estate market was in the throes of softening with inventory steadily accumulating, her home sold in just five days for just over $700,000. “I really believe home staging maximized my investment. It made my home shine,” enthuses Diane, who is now cosily ensconced in a pretty mountain home in Canmore with her new husband. And she says the cost of staging, although a little pricey, was well worth it. Max says that a client should expect to pay around $250 for a consultation that includes a written and detailed action plan. While the action — renting furnishings, painting, de-cluttering and adding or deleting accessories can range in price, running the gamut. She suggests budgeting about half to one per cent of the list price to get your home ready for sale. “It’s not a foolproof formula, but it gives you a ballpark idea of what you will be spending,” she says. NL
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Illuminasia Lantern & Garden Festival at Calgary Zoo n WRITTEN BY
Jacqueline Louie
F
amilies in Calgary can celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in a very special way this year at the ILLUMINASIA Lantern & Garden Festival, a new exhibition being presented at the Calgary Zoo by Sinopec Canada. ILLUMINASIA features authentic Chinese lanterns lighting up the zoo, creating a unique Asian experience in Calgary, and developing cultural connections between Calgarians and the city’s growing Asian community. “We are trying to authentically represent and showcase their culture, and bring to light the beautiful artistry of an 800-year-old tradition,” says Roz Freeman, Calgary Zoo advisor, Special Events and Promotions. “We want to help illuminate that to our city, and we’ve taken a Calgary Zoo twist on it.” ILLUMINASIA — the only lantern and garden festival of its kind in western Canada — features more than 180 lanterns that have been designed according to a zoo animal theme, with animals from around the world in addition to culturally symbolic animals such as the crane, Mandarin duck and phoenix. Lanterns are located throughout the zoo’s Dorothy Harvie Gardens, from the zoo’s north to west end. Designed and produced in China, the one- to three-metre tall bamboo lanterns were assembled on site at the Calgary Zoo by craftsmen from China, with assistance from local tradespeople. ILLUMINASIA is a unique festival, differing from a traditional Chinese lantern festival in that it is much more animal themed, in line with what the Calgary Zoo is all about. “Being a zoo, we wanted to have lanterns that people would be more familiar with, that we can program around, interpret around and have a little more fun with,” Freeman explains. ILLUMINASIA is aimed at the entire family. Youngsters will enjoy the lantern festival “100 per cent.” And adults will truly appreciate ILLUMINASIA, which Freeman describes as “a more sophisticated version of ZOOLIGHTS. “There’s more of an artistic appre-
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ciation,” she explains. “Kids can look at it and think ‘Awesome!’ while adults will have a more refined appreciation for the artistry that goes into the lanterns.” ILLUMINASIA puts the spotlight on three countries: first China, then Japan, and finally India. Each night during the festival, which runs Thursday through Sunday evenings September 17 – November 1, you and your family will be able to enjoy pan-Asian entertainment, free with the purchase of your ILLUMINASIA event ticket. The Calgary Zoo worked with a cultural advisory committee of local pan-Asian community leaders to bring unique entertainment and programming to the festival. “We have reached out to the community in a very strong way to make sure we are authentic in the way in which we present our
We have reached out to the community in a very strong way to make sure we are authentic in the way in which we present our entertainment, with the cultural programming and the lanterns themselves.”
entertainment, with the cultural programming and the lanterns themselves,” Freeman says. “We are very committed to the proper representation and authenticity of it.” ILLUMINASIA’s multicultural entertainment stage will feature everything from martial arts demonstrations to lion dancing, singing, dancing and much more. •Experience China will take place September 17 – 27, with headliner ‘On the Silk Road’ performed by Phoenix Hua Yun Artistic Troup from Montreal. •Experience Japan will take place October 1 – 11, with headliner Kenichi Ebina, 2013 winner of America’s Got Talent. •Experience India will take place October 15 – 25, and the headliner is Sparq Productions Bollywood. ILLUMINASIA also features special programs focused on the arts, foods and culture of China, Japan and India. These programs, which require pre-registration for a fee, allow guests to learn in greater depth about the foods and cultures of these particular countries. The Calgary Zoo plans to make ILLUMINASIA an annual event, much like ZOOLIGHTS, varying and switching out the types of lanterns on display each year. In 2018, the arrival of giant pandas Er Shun and Da Mao — on loan to Canada from China as a symbol of the strong friendship between the two countries — will further add to the excitement of the Calgary Zoo’s Lantern & Garden Festival. The pandas will remain at the Calgary Zoo for five years. NL OCTOBER 2015 NE W HOME LIVING
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shopping
Floor models Wide range of flooring options bring new sense of style to homes n WRITTEN BY
Contempa Carpet
I
Kathy McCormick
Demand is strong for smooth porcelain and natural classic-look tile in cream, white and grey, as well as classic mosaics in hexagon or lantern shapes.
t’s something a lot of people don’t think about — but it’s one of the most important choices you’ll make when you buy a new home because it’s something that is used every single day by everyone in your home and everyone who visits. It’s your choice of flooring. Whatever you choose, it will be well used — and it sets the tone for the rest of your home’s decor since it is on every surface of the floor in every room of your house. And the choices are not only plentiful, but overwhelming, unless you do your research and talk to the experts. “You should always seek a flooring professional,” says Glenn Davies, director of business development for Dannburg Floor Coverings. “We are trained in helping homeowners make the right choices for their homes.” That starts with the individual homeowners’ lifestyle, budget and expectations of the different products available to them, he says. That will ultimately narrow down choices. Additionally, “we are fortunate to have the internet at our disposal, and all of the major flooring manufacturers have websites.”
Contempa Carpet
Not only do the many websites explain the pros and cons of each type of material, they also help with care and maintenance of each. In today’s world, hardwood is still king, and it’s a bonus for resale value, says Morley Woluschuk, sales manager at Contempa Carpet Co. And many of today’s innovations are designed with a green bent to become more sustainable and healthy for homeowners. For example, a new product called Pure Genius by Lauzon Flooring has created interest, says Woluschuk. “It is a light-activated, air-purifying agent made of titanium dioxide, which is integrated into Lauzon’s Titanium
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floor, that breaks down toxic contaminants on contact, like formaldehyde, and cleans the air inside the home.” Engineered hardwood is still a popular choice as well, says Davies — and again, it fits the environmental stewardship people are looking for today. “Engineered products have helped us be more conscious of how we use the trees and they help the end product perform better in different climates.” Similarly, Woluschuk has another option. “An excellent alternative in a similar price range to hardwood is cork flooring,” he says. “The nice thing about cork is that we can re-harvest every nine years without harming the tree. It’s also warmer and quieter than hardwood.” Solid hardwood flooring and engineered hardwood range anywhere from $3.99 to $7.99 per square-foot at The Home Depot Canada (with installation starting at approximately $3.45 per square-foot for a floating floor and $4.65 per square-foot for a glued-down floor), says Jack Rende, senior merchant for hard surface flooring at The Home Depot Canada. Natural and grey tones are the most popular, and “we are seeing trends continue to favour the hand-scraped, saw-cut and wire-brushed look, but also towards exotic woods such as Acacia. Wider and longer planks are definitely the new trend emerging in this category.” But while hardwood is still king, it’s crown is slipping with the many other choices and, ironically, many are simulating the look of wood grain, says Masha Sysova, associate merchant for flooring at The Home Depot Canada. “We see customers gravitating to a luxury vinyl flooring, either in a wood look or tile patterns with the same trends we see in our hardwood, laminate and tile selections — heavy, embossed, rustic looks with distressed or hand-scraped, wire-brushed pattern.” Vinyl is a popular alternative because of its ease of installation, she says.
Dannburg Floor Coverings
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“As with any home, the flow from one area to another will help give the feeling of ‘spaciousness’” Vinyl is a perfect choice for renovations as well, since it simply ‘floats’ over most existing floors and is easy to install. In fact Luxury Vinyl Tiles are “one of the biggest products to hit the market over the past few years,” says Davies. “It’s made from new and recycled vinyl and very cost effective and very durable. If one tile is damaged, simply replace it.” Tile, in any style, texture and shape, is still a very viable alternative, says Rende. “It’s mainly used in applications for bathrooms and kitchens.” Surprise, surprise, there is a new tile trend emerging, he says — “the wood look. This is perfect for the customer who wants the benefits of tile but a natural, wood look.”
The Home Depot
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The Home Depot
The concrete look is another favourite — and says the merchant for flooring, larger tile sizes, in the 12-inch by 24-inch range, The Home Depot Canada. have become popular, he says. “Carpet remains in steady Over at Contempa Carpet, Woluschuk is demand,” says Steve seeing demand for smooth porcelain and Mulvihill. “Carpet natural classic-look tile in cream, white and provides warmth, insulation, grey, as well as classic mosaics in hexagon safety, sound reduction, surface or lantern shapes. cosmetics, improved air quality, easy And of course, tile is a wonderful choice maintenance, durability, and the extensive colour options offered.” for basements and cold weather climates, as in-floor heating can be installed underneath Texture-style carpet remains the most widely purchased, to keep people warm and cosy all year long. he says, but curly, cut pile (frieze), level loop (Berber) and pattern Prices of tiles at The Home Depot can range are also offered in everything from nylon, to polyester, to polypropylene anywhere from $0.79 per square-feet to up- (Olefin), to wool, each with its own pros and cons. Prices at The Home wards of $8 to $10 square-feet Depot range anywhere from $1 a square-feet to $5. Laminate is the most economical of the bunch, The biggest advancement in carpet over the last few years has been ranging anywhere from $0.70 a square-feet to the new soft-fiber systems, says Davies. “These new fibers are easier than ever to keep clean, yet still hold their shape and appearance for $2.49 a square-feet and it’s a great alternative years. There’s no better feeling than squishing your toes into some of to those on a budget, Rende says. “We have seen the quality, design and innovation im- the new carpet available to us now.” prove tremendously over the last few years. Upgrading the underlay is a great way to save money on carpet choice, It is a great product with easy application for says Woluschuk. “This is the best value you can do in any home.” homes, condos and businesses, making it a So consider your priorities, your budget, your wants, and your needs, winner in the flooring category.” and then have some fun choosing the flooring that works best for you Again, some are made with wood-grain fin- and your family. Condo owners will have a few more things to think about before ishes that are convincing, says Davies. installing flooring of their choice, the experts say. Since the type of “Some of the floors we are seeing now have flooring will affect others below or beside the units. such a realistic look and feel, it is sometimes This can limit the choices, says Davies. “Because of sound/noise difficult for even the most experienced flooring professional to tell the dif- considerations in condos, the contractors usually implement specific construction methods to help control the transmission of noise.” ference from the real thing. And often the condo bylaws may limit choices. “Laminate floors still prove to be a cost-effective alternative while still “By using an underlay rated for vinyl flooring with a high sound rating, adding a high level of durability for the condo owners will meet guidelines set by their building’s corporation busy households full of kids and pets.” requirements,” says Sysova of The Home Depot Canada. “Carpet is an excellent choice for condo owners because the carpet One tip from Woluschuk: “Make and its under pad are noise absorbents,” adds Mulvihill. sure to research the product origin Consider the space as well, adds Davies. “As with any home, the and request documents to confirm flow from one area to another will help give the feeling of ‘spaciousthe product is formaldehyde-free.” And then there is the always-pop- ness’” — an important element to create the feeling of a larger space. ular carpeting, especially desirable “Flooring is a very important aspect of this. When one type of flooring in bedrooms, basements and areas flows from one room to another, the space can appear larger and not where warmth underfoot is important, so visually chopped up.” NL
ABOVE Vinyl Texture-style carpet remains the most widely purchased, he says, but curly, cut pile (frieze), level loop (Berber) and pattern are also offered in everything from nylon, to polyester, to polypropylene (Olefin), to wool, each with its own pros and cons.
LEFT Engineered hardwood is still a popular choice and again, it fits the environmental stewardship people are looking for today. FAR LEFT “Engineered products have helped us be more conscious of how we use the trees and they help the end product perform better in different climates.”
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Garage gurus W
hen it comes to garages, it’s definitely what’s on the inside that counts. Of course, the exterior door needs to make sense with the overall look of the house but the magic really does lie within. Of course, in many cases a lot of clutter lies within, too — hence the need for a cohesive garage makeover/design plan. As someone who hasn’t driven since the age of 18 (no, I’m not helping you with the math…) I don’t really spend a lot of time thinking about these über-utilitarian spaces. Or, should I say, spaces that should be über-utilitarian. More often than not, as indicated previously, the garage becomes a catch-all for the detritus of our lives, items that seemed like a good idea but never really made it to the charity shop/ recycle depot/local landfill once discarded. You see all those cars that always seem to be parked on the driveways lining the street? You have to wonder why don’t the owners use their garage for its intended purpose. But alas, un-cluttering is a subject for another time. This issue, we want to focus on bringing stylish function to your garage — be it in a single-car attached
Although the garage will never be the hub of the home like the kitchen, it’s still part of it and should be treated to a bit of attention.
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garage townhome, a utilitarian detached garage for a laned home, or one of the fancy triple-garages with high ceilings found in most estate communities. After all, a stylish garage can be the perfect setting for your garage band practice or your next garage sale. While it’s true there are some very useful things in garages, they generally are not treated with much reverence. “A place for everything and everything in its place” is a great motto, particularly when it can be executed effectively. And in doing my research for this story, I found no more effective execution than that provided by Gladiator GarageWorks. Available locally through Trail Appliances, this sleek and serviceable line of garage gear is like Lego on a grand scale. Shiny, tough, really cool Lego, to be more specific. Available in modular units that can be configured to suit numerous requirements, the Gladiator system anticipates any need and accommodates it handily. The cabinets themselves are constructed of either graphite or ultra-chic white steel (in their Select Series), with diamond-tread fronts on the former and smooth matte silver on the latter. The system also boasts a robust selection of accessories to handle everything from bikes and balls to shovels and shoes (that last one likely for things like hiking boots and gardening
style
Photo courtesy Gladiator Garageworks/Trail Appliances
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Turn the garage into an essential David Crosson part of your home’s style n WRITTEN BY
ABOVE: A garage is a great place to embrace bright colour—note how the silver cabinets ‘pop’ against it BELOW: Gladiator’s approach to storage is akin to minimalist art, except with maximum space efficiency.
Photo courtesy Gladiator Garageworks/Whirlpool
clogs, unless someone in the household has a serious footwear addiction). Gladiator’s countertop offerings include both bamboo and maple — great choices for warming up the look of all that slick steel. As well, many of their purpose-built units — tool chests, for example — have basic black tops with a raised rim to help corral all manner of gear for projects on the go, all of which glide in and out from under their line of workbenches thanks to handy, hardy casters. For more on the series, view the full product line at www.gladiatorgarageworks.ca. It would be a shame to hang such a beautiful product on what is often left as a “blank” wall — or, more specifically, an unfinished mess of drywall and mudded tape. Practically speaking, leaving the surface untreated just invites damage and stains — the latter being very difficult to clean once they have penetrated the drywall. Your best bet is to first find a good, durable paint (yes, this is a perfect time to use premium product) and the second is to choose an actual colour. All too often you see the doors go up on a white or beige garage interior, neither of which will help camouflage those little marks and dings that inevitably occur. Worse still, it suggests a life lived without verve, and certainly doesn’t provide much excitement for the odd time you do find yourself spending time within. For real drama — and a nice pick-youup in the morning/night as you depart for/arrive from work — select a favourite colour and go to town with it! Even if, say, cobalt blue is at odds with the more neutral
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TOP LEFT TO RIGHT: Nothing beats classic silver for lending a touch of industrial style to your space Thanks to LED lamping, RLM’s fixtures are ‘green’ no matter what colour their finish RLM’s fixtures come in a variety of bright colours, the perfect way to add some pizzazz to your garage Fixtures from RLM’s retro Industrial series are beauties of a bygone era.
Photo courtesy Gladiator Garageworks/Trail Appliances
The standard Gladiator Garageworks line comes with utilitarian-chic diamond-tread fronts on many cabinets.
tones of your home’s exterior (or interior, for that matter), the excitement it lends when the door opens is worth the visual disconnect. And just think whose garage sale is going to be the easiest on the block to find, not to mention the one with the most stunning backdrop for merchandising all manner of wares. How could you not turn to the rainbow for inspiration? Another major downfall of garages is lighting, which is often treated as an afterthought (or, worse still, default) through the use of fluorescent tubes. Although they do the trick, this is an excellent place to supplement task lighting with a bit of dazzle. RLM, a division of Troy Lighting, has an excellent array of playful, industrial-inspired fixtures in crazy-cool colours, the perfect accompaniment to your bold and beautiful walls. I particularly like their Deep Reflector fixture or the Retro Industrial collection. Better still, whichever hue you choose will be ‘green’ thanks to energy-efficient LED lamping in each model, which ties the score between style and sustainability. Let’s not forget the flooring, too. There are some terrific options you can get to give the flooring of your garage an extra shine. Epoxy and acrylic resin-based garage floor coating is readily available that adds style and sturdiness to the garage floor. Tool cabinets — if you have the space — are also a good idea to keep your garages from turning grungy. Although the garage will never be the hub of the home like the kitchen, it’s still part of it and should be treated to a bit of attention. And, when garage sale season returns again, I will be cruising around to see just who has been paying the most. Attention, that is… NL
Photos courtesy RLM Lighting/Robinson Lighting and Bath
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By Pepper Rodriguez
Cardel Homes is new sponsor for Cardel Rec South
Calgary housing starts continue slide
CARDEL HOMES AND South Fish Creek Recreation Association (SFCRA) celebrates their new Cardel Rec South partnership. In addition to the sports complex name, Cardel’s SFCRA sponsorship includes four ice arenas — Cardel Ice 1, 2, 3 and 4 — plus a community gymnasium, Cardel Court. This exciting partnership highlights Cardel’s long-standing commitment to growing healthy, happy communities. “With Cardel having wrapped up its naming sponsorship at Cardel Place, and given our long history of building in south Calgary, it was a natural fit to become a sponsorship partner with [SFCRA],” says Damon Ockey, Director of Marketing for Cardel Homes. The sponsorship highlights Cardel’s commitment to growing healthy, happy communities since 1973. “South Calgary is growing quickly,” says Ockey. “This partnership gives us a opportunity to contribute to the health and wellness of families by enhancing Cardel Rec’s programs and improvements to facilities. We’re excited about this opportunity and hope to bring many events to Cardel Rec South, including co-sponsored events with Cardel Rec South the Calgary Hitmen and Roughnecks.”
ALTHOUGH HOUSING STARTS in the Calgary Metropolitan Area (CMA) reflected an upward trend in August, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) says slumping oil prices continue to depress housing starts. The CMHC uses a moving average of the monthly seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR)1 of total housing starts for a more accurate picture of housing starts and this reflected a increase of 13,881 units in August compared to 13,228 in July. “Housing starts trended higher in August as multi-family construction outpaced that of single-detached homes,” says Richard Cho, CMHC Principal Market Analyst for Calgary. “Despite this increase, the impact of low oil prices on employment, income growth and confidence in the market will keep the pace of construction from surpassing 2014 levels”. Actual starts in August fell 30.3 per cent to 1,134 units, and was felt heaviest in the single-detached market, which saw new construction fall from 595 units in August last year to 330 last month.
Walton Launches Cornerstone A VITAL PART OF the city’s New North has been unveiled, as Cornerstone by Walton Development and Management LP (Walton) officially launched its construction phase in August 2015. Taking shape over 1,100 acres, Cornerstone will be home to approximately 30,000 residents and forging new ground in the north-east quadrant of the city. “Cornerstone will continue to change the face of north-east Calgary,” says Bill Doherty, CEO of Walton. “We’ve carefully considered the landscape where the community sits and the needs of the City of Calgary. Our goal is to build a beautiful and diverse community that reflects the unique attributes of Calgary itself.” At the heart of the development is Cornerstone’s urban boulevard and Major Activity Centre (MAC). Featuring retail, commercial and residential spaces, these elements will
bring jobs and retail closer to home, and offer a city lifestyle in the north-east. Cornerstone encompasses five distinct neighbourhoods both north and south of Country Hills Boulevard: Park; Point: View Ridge: and, Gate. Each neighborhood features distinctive elements, connected by a central retail, commercial and transit hub. The combined energy of the neighborhoods come together to forge new ground for the city of Calgary. “Cornerstone brings the unique attributes of Calgary to life,” says Craig Dickie, Executive Vice President with Walton. “It’s exciting to watch this be developed in the north east of the City, an area that has been largely untouched for a long time.” Cornerstone will be Walton’s second development in north-east Calgary, and is the largest approved development in Calgary’s
FROM LEFT Craig Dickie (Executive Vice-President, Canada, Walton Development and Management), BIll Doherty (Chief Executive Office of Walton Global Investments Ltd.), Ward 3 Councillor Jim Stevenson, John Plastiras (Executive Vice President, Real Estate for Walton Global Investments Ltd).
history. Skyview Ranch, Walton’s first development project, is substantially complete. Community showhomes in Cornerstone are expected to open in Fall 2016. NL
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Northeast n calgary map
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Southeast/Calgary area n calgary map
AIRDRIE
OKOTOKS
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advertisers index n APEX Land
Genstar
Heartland page 36
Walden page 56
APEX Land
Grasslands of Beiseker
Hillcrest page 50
page 54
Hopewell
APEX Land
page 40
MountainView page 57
Hopewell Mahogany page 49
Baywest Homes page 28
Brookfield Residential Auburn Bay page 45
CHBA
page 35
Furniture Connection
Innovations by Jayman
United Communities Nolan Hill page 15
United Communities
Vesta Properties
Sunset Ridge page 59
page 4
Jayman MasterBUILT
Cornerstone page 26
Mattamy Homes
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Drake Landing page 20
Innovations by Jayman
Genesis Land
Pier 11 page 7
United Communities
The Ranch page 44
page 35
Genesis Land
Harmony Inside Front Gatefold, page 2
Front Cover, pages 12-13
Riviera page 27
Canals Landing page 9
Qualico Communities + Bordeaux Developments
Walton
Watermark at Bearspaw
back cover
page 37
McKee Homes
WestCreek Developments
page 21
OCTOBER 2015
Legacy page 3
E DR. NOR TH RI
ELIZA BETH STR EET
DG
SANDSTONE DRIVE MOUNTAINVIEW GATE
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403.982.0795
hope at large n
By Marty Hope
ON PAR WITH THE BEST Construction begins for new mix-use community of Shawnee Park STANDING ON A RISE with heavy equipment growling all around, Cardel Homes president Mike Selinger talks about what Shawnee Park will become. Right now, the former Shaw-Nee Slopes golf course is in the early process of being transformed into an infill community of some 1,700 homes that will nestle within the existing community of Shawnee Slopes in southwest Calgary off James McKevitt Road. Just over two years after purchasing the 130-acre property, Cardel Homes and its development manager Genstar Development Company are well into development construction which involves removing trees — to be replaced as community development moves forward — installing underground servicing, grading, road construction and staking out building lots. And while groundwork continues, there has been sales activity in the first phase of 17 fully-landscaped single-family lots along Shawnee Park Drive where houses are priced from $670,000. The south-facing lots will be a minimum of 40-feet wide and will be within walking distance of Fish Creek Park and the Fish Creek LRT station. “We have three sales to date,” says Selinger, adding that construction was expected to start on those homes and on a show home this fall. He also says that list of interested potential purchasers continues to grow while people await more information on the overall project and get a better idea of the product types that will be offered and the availability of lots. “We’re hoping to release our overall community vision concept soon. It will be
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subject to development permit approval but it will reflect our vision,” says Selinger. That vision includes delivering a master landscaping plan that includes required tree removal and replacement within the goals of the approved land use bylaw, the construction of three substantial neighbourhood parks, pathway design, “attractive” street concepts, and environmental reserve retention, as well as an impressive lineup of apartments, townhomes, semi-detached, and single-family homes — all complemented by their own neighbourhood mixed use area. Selinger says the housing mix will see approximately 550 lower-density homes and about 1,150 higher-density units. “The majority of the lower-density homes will be under a bareland condo ownership structure that will provide added value benefits like private landscaping maintenance and snow removal,” he adds. “The higher density development will occur on the east side of the site in the TOD (transit-oriented development) area for the most part,” says Selinger. The remainder of the overall site will see a collection of various neighbourhoods offering homes in a variety of price ranges, including a neighbourhood with million-dollar-plus homes directly adjacent to Fish Creek Park. Cardel is the exclusive builder of all the homes in the project, with the exception of a 23-acre multi-family and mixed use area that has been conditionally sold. Over the winter, the hectic pace of development won’t slow all that much with working continuing on the 23-acre site, road and
Mike Selinger
park construction, development of housing sites, show home construction, and work on an 80-home second phase planned for release in 2016. For more information on Shawnee Park, visit www.cardelhomes.com or the sales centre at the Cardel head office at 180 Quarry Park Boulevard S.E. NL
Marty Hope. For more than two decades Marty Hope has been reporting on the housing and development industry in Calgary, throughout Alberta, and across Canada. In March, he was presented with the Maple Leaf Award from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association which is given annually to a non-builder member in Canada for contributions to the industry.