New Home Living - January 2017 by Source Media Group

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 133 n JANUARY 2017

contents

10 COVER FEATURE

Personality and design Amanda Hamilton brings personable design palette to Calgary show homes

FEATURE

The perfect pair Real-life partners Justin and Jillian make show debut at Calgary Renovation Show

Cochrane Living Special Feature PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT NO. 41072011. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: Source Media Group Corp. 6109 — 6th Street SE, Calgary, Alberta T2H 1L9

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contents 16

20 28 23

FOCUS ON

Marking time

Tell time in stylish, colourful ways SHOW HOME PROFILES

16 Countryside charm

Janssen Homes offers familyfriendly sophistication in Fireside

20 Luxury by the beach

Cast out winter blues in Morrison Homes fantastic Mahogany Island show home

COMMUNITY PROFILES

23 Cornerstone of life

Walton Development’s latest community is a smash hit

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SHOPPING

31 The working home

Make working through the weekend at home something to look forward to

COLUMNS

39 Around Town 40 Hope at Large

ITEMS

6 Editor’s Message 36 Maps 38 Advertiser Index

editor’s message n

Welcome 2017!

PUBLISHER

New Year, new look. And it starts with changing my profile picture here. Well, you know, baby steps… it has been eight years since I last changed the mug shot, so why not start with that small change? Besides, like Calgary’s new home market, I think I’ve aged pretty well, all things considered. Speaking of changes, we thought we’d start the year with some new content for New Home Living. The Designer Series will feature some of Calgary’s best designers and show off their best work in the show homes that we all love. We start it off with Amanda Hamilton, whose work with Homes by Dream in their Evansridge show homes had really inspired this new series. The Calgary Renovation Show feature we have in this issue is also something new and exciting. It’s the first Renovation Show from Marketplace Events, the same folks who have given us the Calgary Home + Garden show and Calgary Home + Design show. Check out our interview with home renovation star Jillian Harris and her partner Justin Pasutto, who is making his presentation debut at the show. Mike Holmes Jr. is also going to be at the show (check out our interview with him in the January issue of Condo Living out now). Of course, no New Home Living issue is complete without at least a couple of show home profiles, and we start the year off with a couple of beauties. First we have Janssen Homes’ stylish countryside show homes in Fireside that bring a new sense of sophistication to suburban living. While Morrison Homes gorgeous Mahogany Island mansion just brings luxury lakeside living in the city to new heights. We also talk to Walton’s Kendra Milne to find out the latest in the new community of Cornerstone in the northeast that promises to change our perception of living in this thriving sector of Calgary. Kathy McCormick tells us all about the ways we can make the work-where-you-live philosophy make sense in her Shopping story on live-work spaces. Aaliya Essa shows us the kinds of wall clocks out there that can enliven this most serious of home rooms. This year may have been not the best year for growth in Calgary’s home industry, but what it does prove is the resilience of our home builders, and indeed, the whole city in rolling with the economic blows that have come its way, and we’re still standing. I’m ever the optimist but when I say 2017 looks better, it’s not just with rose-tinted glasses. With new communities opening like Cornerstone and Livingston opening in Calgary, and the new areas of growth in Chestermere and Cochrane (check out our winter edition of Cochrane Living), growth is in the forecast in 2017. Come along with us for the ride.

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 DESIGNER

Dave Macaulay

dave.macaulay@sourcemediagroup.ca

Vivian Zhang vivian.zhang@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

Aaliya Essa, Marty Hope, Kathy McCormick PHOTOGRAPHY

Phil Crozier

ADVERTISING

advertising@sourcemediagroup.ca ACCOUNTING

accounting@sourcemediagroup.ca DISTRIBUTED BY

Gallant Distribution Services, Media Classified, Source Media Group ISSN 1918-4441 PRINTED IN CANADA

©2017 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, 6109 — 6th Street S.E. Calgary, Alberta T2H 1L9. T: 403.532.3101, F: 403.532.3109, TF: 1.888.932.3101 E: info@sourcemediagroup.ca www.sourcemediagroup.ca

NEXT MONTH:

Living room design

@CalgaryNewHomes

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NewHomeLivingCalgary

focus on

MARKING TIME

Tell time in stylish, colourful ways n BY

Aaliya Essa

SMART WATCHES and smart phones may be handy devices to tell the time, but they can’t beat wall clocks when it comes to affecting the look of a room. Whether it’s a cuckoo clock or a Homer Simpson clock, wall clocks come in so many designs, shapes and sizes, personalizing your time is just that easy. NL

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5 [ 1 ] Starholk, $9.99 at IKEA. [ 2 ] FirsTime® Windmill Wall Clock, $69.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond. [ 3 ] IKEA PS 1995, $39.99 at IKEA. [ 4 ] Alice Wall Clock, $99.99 at Urban Barn. [ 5 ] FirsTime® Whitewashed Rope Wall Clock, $56.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond. [ 6 ] Umbra® Numbra Meyal Wall Clock, $59.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond. [ 7 ] Homer Simpson 3-D Motion Wall Clock, $49.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond. [ 8 ] Lucette Wall Clock, $299 at Urban Barn. JANUARY 2017 NE W HOME LIVING

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cover feature n

Personality and design

Amanda Hamilton brings personable design palette to Calgary show homes n WRITTEN BY

Pepper Rodriguez

S All images are from Amanda Hamilton’s Scarborro design project.

he isn’t one of your usual ebullient, bubbly designers regularly seen in the TV home renovation shows, but Amanda Hamilton’s shy and reserved exterior has not stopped her from becoming one of the most in-demand interior designers in Western Canada. Her Amanda Hamilton Design Studio is based in Calgary but she has done residential, restaurant, retail and office design work in Edmonton and Vancouver as well. Her latest work can be seen in Homes by Dream’s Arrival Collection of show homes in Evansridge, which certainly display her wide-ranging tastes and talent in crafting inviting, livable spaces. With an insatiable need for adventure, Amanda travels extensively, stumbling upon inspiration and a few glasses of Rose along the way. She currently resides in Calgary with her husband and their adored pup, Pepper. She has also had a hand in evolving the distinct modern feel of many inner-city infill homes like the ones she has done in in Scarboro and Elbow River that we see in this feature. Interior design was life-changing for her, and Amanda has decided to give deserving kids the same opportunity, as she has launched the launch of the Amanda M. Hamilton Interior Design Travel Scholarship. This annual

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academic achievement scholarship through the Mount Royal Bursaries program will be awarded to one student that is involved in the Interior Design program; financial assistance provided to those that are passionate about the design industry. In this special feature, New Home Living talked with Amanda on a wide range of topics from her design inspirations, to what led her to this career to shed a light on this emerging talent in the field.

Tell us about yourself. How did you get started in the industry? What was your first break in the industry and how did you get it? I’m 34 going on 45. I thrive on change, exploration and experience. Believe it or not, I’m

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actually an introvert who is good at being an extrovert. Conversation is intellectual foreplay but I could always lock myself up in a cozy chair with music, wine and a pile of books. If “reader” was a career, I may have also considered this alongside Interior Design. I don’t really sleep much, I love Sci-Fi films, my purse always looks like a paper graveyard and I’m an annoying morning person who loathes coffee. After graduation I took a short breath to reignite my soul before taking on a position as at a well-known Architecture and Interior Design studio. I was (very thankfully) thrown into the deep end of great restaurants, retail and custom residential projects. After about three years, I started to receive quite a bit of interest for work outside of the studio so I decided to make the leap. It was in the midst of a recession and everyone thought I was crazy, which I probably was. With that said, I don’t think I would change a thing because frankly, I’m likely somewhat unemployable now — marching to quirky off-tempo beat of my own personal tambourine.

Where did you study? When did you know that this was the career you wanted?

PHOTO BY PHIL CROZIER

I graduated from Mount Royal University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Applied Interior Design. Previous to this, I was an “A” student gone sideways, crushing “Cs” in what should have been simple courses at the University of Alberta. I come from a family of educators and “going Post-Secondary” is as serious as going rogue. With a background in visual, dramatic

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and the musical arts, I hadn’t quite nailed down what I wanted to study. After some soul searching and research, I had an epiphany — Interior Design! It was a career that I had never really heard of but is seemed to suit my skills so I packed my bags and moved to Calgary.

What do you think is the first thing people and clients should know about you? That I’m quite literally obsessed with continuing education, learning, reading, exploring, questioning and constantly evolving. Being my friend, team member, partner or my client probably isn’t a breeze. I want to be challenged and I want to challenge others in every interaction. I have high expectations of myself and of those around me. I blame my parents of course for this.

What inspires you? And how do you translate the inspiration into design? This commitment to exploration bleeds over into my work so inspiration is found in my day to day interactions and adventures. Significant cultural and social influences like literature, art, music, film and fashion are all purposely woven into our work, providing depth to the design narrative. When translating this into the design intent, it’s imperative for the work to subtly reference the inspiration so it doesn’t become a literal reflection that is at risk to appear too thematic or contrived. These little “nuggets” of curiosity should be planted throughout and take time to discover. Basically, don’t go to second base on the first date.

Tell us about your process in coming up with a design plan for your residential clients. What comes first, vision or budget? Give us a typical step-by-step process. I can’t give away all of my secrets! However, I can confidently attest to the importance of balancing the vision with the more practical elements of the project, which include items like the budget, schedule and joint expectations. We always start the planning process by laying out the groundwork for the vision after fleshing out the functional requirements. It’s easy to become caught up in the creative process as it’s often associated with the being the fun, tangible portion of the project but it doesn’t matter how beautiful a space is if it doesn’t actually work for the users.

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All images are from Amanda Hamilton’s Elbow River design project.

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How do you bring personality into interior design? I’m sure some clients would just tell you to do whatever you feel is best, but how do you engage them into bringing their own taste to their home? We start all of our projects with a discovery process, which typically runs two to three hours that is fairly intensive and it is expected that all parties are fully committed and engaged. We chat about everything from what an average day looks like and family structure to the dog’s habits and how much time someone spends in a bathroom. It is an intimate process because we truly need to understand the lives of our clients beyond the surface level to imagine and construct an environment around them. While our work is sometimes recognizable, pursing client inclusion throughout a tailored process ensures each space embodies the values and captures the character of each client.

What’s important to you in staging a show home? And how do you accomplish this vision? Tell us of a specific project you’re most proud of. Contrary to the advice from some industry professionals, I don’t agree that you should clear out your whole house when staging for a sale. I think quite the opposite. While I agree that your home shouldn’t look like an episode of Hoarders, it should showcase the character and style of the owner for the potential buyers to experience. Many people are very visual and while not all buyers agree on style, the right buyer will be able to envision themselves in the home. Show homes can quite often be

generically staged so that it feels like anyone could live there — this is likely the point but we don’t want everyone, we want the right people because you are curating a neighborhood not just a house. We recently completed seven show homes with Homes by Dream and we really particularly love the projects we completed out in EvansRidge for them. While we’ve never done work with a builder to this level of detail, we love that we were able to create a story about the future owner without constraint. We created five unique lifestyle concepts and represented three of these in the show homes, Kinfolk, Minimalist & La Maison Rêve. Each had its own story, with “people” as the design intent.

What do you think is the trend for interior design in 2017? It can be a colour, or style of furnishing, or a “look”. I don’t follow trends, I avoid them. Once a trend has emerged, it’s already old news. Inspire your own trends, don’t follow them. My two cents!

If money was no object, what would you choose first in designing the main floor of an estate home? What’s next? I would start with art and then design all of the sightlines to allow the homeowners and guests to engage with this art from multiple vantages. Next, I would probably source a cozy bench from which to perch with a great vintage of red wine while I drew inspiration from whatever was hanging in front of me.

What do you think sets you apart from other interior designers? What’s your edge? Calgary is a city filled with incredible talent and when I’m asked this questions by potential clients, I always support this fact. You are going to get great design from this petri dish of talent — that’s the baseline, the expectation. The part that gives you the edge is what else you bring to the table. For us, we value the long term relationships with clients and encourage an authentic, wild, raw, creative adventure and we look for clients who are up for the challenge. We don’t have a niche and we don’t want one; we want only to explore design in a way the leads, inspires and educates. NL

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show home profile n

ABOVE Sharai Nicholson says Cypress’ West Coast cool design is easily seen in the design of the open concept main floor. The blue centre island in the show home brings a focal point to the casual contemporary design, quartz countertops on the island and in the perimeter counters bring a glossy charm to the proceedings, and the full height cabinetry accentuate the nine-foot ceilings that shows the spaciousness of the home.

RIGHT The Cypress features wide plank oak hardwood flooring throughout main floor and custom on site built maple bookcases and mantle.

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Janssen Homes n show home profile

COUNTRYSIDE CHARM n WRITTEN BY

Pepper Rodriguez

COCHRANE’S COMMUNITY OF Fireside certainly enjoys all the benefits of life in the countryside. Wide open spaces, panoramic views of the Rockies, and a picturesque country setting the young, active families, and downsizers have found attractive. Janssen Homes understands the appeal of the community, and the homes this multi-awarded, 52-year veteran home builder offer here mirror Fireside’s family-friendly character — but with a distinct, modern twist. The 2,211-square-foot Sedona and the 2,274-square-foot Cypress set the tone of sophistication in Fireside. “We have always prided ourselves on having functional floor plans that make sense for everyday living; Perfect for new families, growing families, and empty nesters,” says Janssen Homes’ Lisa Janssen. For example, both show homes have lots of pantry space in an accessible, but separate area with access to a stand alone stainless steel freezer close to the kitchen. The open concept main floor allows for

Janssen Homes offers family-friendly sophistication in Fireside cooking while keeping an eye on the kids, or for everyone to be enjoying the spaces together. Interior designer Sharai Nicholson put a lot of effort in giving both homes a more contemporary feel than what is normally expected in the countryside. “I like the minimalist, industrial touch in my designs, but keep a lot of warm tones in them as well, which I feel gives a more transitional feel to these homes. Not too modern and not too traditional,” Nicholson tells New Home Living. The open concept design of both homes help her carry out the enticing vision for both show homes that go hand in hand with the practicality and functionality that are hallmarks of Janssen Homes. Janssen Homes offers a wide range of products in Fireside including five models of front-attached garage homes from 1,876 to 2,274 square-feet; laned homes from 1,275 to 1,791 square-feet; and duplexes from 1,275 to 1,402 square-feet. Prices are from the $330,000s for dupexes, $370,000s for laned, and from the $470,000s for homes with front-attached garages.

NOTE: PHOTOS ON THESE PAGES ARE OF THE CYPRESS SHOW HOME.

LEFT The varied elevations of Cypress (in the foreground) and Sedona bring a charming curbside appeal with lots of stone detail that make them stand out even more in Fireside. The Sedona has four bedrooms and two-andhalf baths as standard, but the show home has a developed basement with an additional bedroom and full bath. The Cypress has three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths.

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show home profile n Janssen Homes LEFT The optional waterfall design of the centre island with granite top adds to the urban feel of the Sedona. The full-height cabinetry emphasize the extra tall ceilings and doors, not to mention the extra storage capacity that comes with every Janssen home. Built-in shelving in the walkthrough pantry bring a stylish practicality to the home.

fast facts BUILDER: Janssen Homes COMMUNITY: Fireside, Cochrane DEVELOPER: La Vita Land STYLE: Front-attached garage move-up homes SIZE: Sedona – 2,211 sq. ft, Cypress – 2,274 sq. ft PRICE: Sedona starts from the $520,000s and Cypress from $530,000s ADDRESS: 12 and 16 Emberside Glen, Fireside, Cochrane HOURS: Weekdays 2-8 p.m. and weekends/holidays noon-5p.m. WEBSITE: janssenhomes.com

ABOVE The oak plank feature wall in the master bedroom of Sedona is another examples of the unique eye for detail Janssen Homes has for all their homes. “I thought it added a nice visual perspective to the home, and complements the home’s big windows and tall ceilings,” Nicholson says.

LEFT The upscale boutique look of Sedona’s master ensuite is achieved by having a soaker tub with three piece Roman tub filler, full tiled shower with 10-millimetre glass with rain head and shower, and hot water recirculation line for warm floors. The granite countertops in the dual vanities class it up even more. NL

NOTE: PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE ARE OF THE SEDONA SHOW HOME.

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show home profile n Morrison Homes

LUXURY BY THE BEACH Cast out winter blues in Morrison Homes fantastic Mahogany Island show home n WRITTEN BY

Pepper Rodriguez

THERE’S NOTHING like living a lakeside lifestyle, especially if you’re in landlocked Calgary. But even in the exclusive, rarified company of the estate homes of Mahogany Island, Morrison Homes’ The Monaco still stands out. The show home comes with every amenity, convenience and luxury you can think of — including a fully loaded lower level development, with a huge bar, a golf simulator, gym and wine room — just what’s needed to while away those winter blues. The beauty of living in Mahogany Island — besides that it’s in the heart of Calgary’s

largest man-made lake — is that every home here can be custom made. And Morrison Homes has proven their mastery over the craft — what with 12 Grand SAM Builder of the Year Awards, who can argue? Everything in The Monaco screams of luxury and living well — not in an overly ostentatious manner, but in a stylishly practical tone that denotes design confidence and skill. “The Monaco represents the pinnacle of luxury island living with its layout offering stunning lake views at multiple vantage points,” says Katie Lepine of Morrison Homes. “A few special features include a spacious chef inspired kitchen with a butler’s pantry and barbecue deck, a stunning master bedroom overlooking the lake, and a developed basement perfect for entertaining friends and family.” It is a total “wow factory” with one cool detail after another. Prices in Mahogany Island start from $1.4 million and the show home is valued at $2.4 million, and it shows. The gated community will only have a total of 22 homes in the first island.

LEFT The enthralling kitchen is a poetic blend of style and sensibility, unique pendant lighting gives a touch of urban grace, granite and quartz countertops, and the full-height cabinetry brings a seamlessly polished look.

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ABOVE The Monaco has a total of 4,258 square-feet of living space and not an inch was squandered. The magnificent openconcept living room, with its panoramic view of the 63acre Mahogany Lake retains its coziness despite the massive space. The 10-foot ceilings on the main floor, the modern granite-faced fireplace and full-height windows accentuate the posh feel.

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home profile

RIGHT Lots in Mahogany Island range in size from 54 to 64 feet wide and are available by contacting the builders directly. Morrison’s triple garage, two-storey home with lower level development and nanny suite perfectly utilizes the space and projects a stately curb appeal with glamorous detail.

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show home profile n Morrison Homes

RIGHT One of the highlights of The Monaco has to be the stellar open-toabove staircase. The Great Meister feature wall in stairwell extends from the basement stair landing to upper floor ceiling. The open-rise glass railing staircase is a spectacular detail and the ornate light fixture in the circular tray ceiling puts an exclamation point to the grandeur.

RIGHT The nanny suite over the triple-car garage makes it the perfect home for growing families. But the spacious quarters does not work only for the kids’ caregiver, but for extended family members — that’s why it’s also sometimes called a granny suite, or a mother-in-law suite.

ABOVE The recreational paradise that is Mahogany Lake is beheld in all its majesty from the raised and covered deck of The Monaco. The home backs right onto the beach, and each home on the island gets a private dock. Here, owners can fully enjoy the four-season lifestyle with winter skating parties, summer barbecues on the beach or long autumn strolls. NL

BELOW The supreme feeling of comfort afforded by the spalike ambience of the master ensuite is completed by in-floor electric heat, including in the enormous walk-in closet. “At Morrison, we make it easy to design a home that fits perfectly with your life. Whether that means an oversized mudroom with plenty of storage, a deck that spans the width of your house overlooking the lake, an in-law suite for your parents or spaces to entertain friends and family,” Lepine says.

fast facts BUILDER: Morrison Homes SHOW HOME: The Monaco COMMUNITY: Mahogany Island STYLE: Estate home with triple-car front drive garage with nanny suite PRICE: The Monaco show home is at $2.4 million, homes in Mahogany Island start from the $1.4 million SIZE: 4,258 sq. ft. ADDRESS: 35 Mahogany Island S.E. SHOW HOME HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and Holidays noon to 5 p.m. WEBSITE: www.morrisonhomes.ca

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Cornerstone n community profile

CORNERSTONE OF LIFE

Walton’s latest community is a smash hit

n WRITTEN BY

Pepper Rodriguez

THE NEXT STEP in Walton Development and Management’s vision to redefine Calgary’s northeast sector is taking shape with Cornerstone, the developer’s second master-planned community in the area. With an unprecedented opening of 28 new show homes last fall, Cornerstone announced itself as the next biggest, most ambitious development in the northeast that will bring a fresh take on active, convenient and easygoing lifestyle. “Cornerstone is a brand new community, it is the New Face of Calgary’s Northeast, and development is well underway on the first stage,” says Kendra Milne, vice-president for marketing at Walton Development and Management. Cornerstone can be seen as a follow up to Walton’s Skyview Ranch next door, which is now one of the newest established communities in the northeast and is nearing build out. Like Skyview Ranch, one of Cornerstone’s biggest strengths is the wide range of homes that are offered here. There are five home

builders offering five different product types, including, duplex, zero-lot line, courtyard, street oriented townhomes and traditional front-drive homes. Cornerstone promises a home to fit any lifestyle and budget. The first stage includes 590 lots available for purchase, Milne says. But other than just another new community, Cornerstone offers a whole package of lifestyle amenities that make living here a joy. One of Cornerstone and Skyview Ranch’s key attributes is their accessibility. They are both close to Stoney Trail, Metis Trail, Country Hills Boulevard, and Deerfoot Trail. “Cornerstone residents can easily access a wide array of amenities including over 10 schools, Calgary Northeast Sports Facility, Max Bell Arena, the Calgary airport, Sunridge Mall, Peter Lougheed Hospital, and the highlyanticipated redevelopment of Deerfoot City — to name a few,” Milne says. “There are five major access points, give residents the ability to get easily by car from where they are in Calgary, to home.”

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community profile n

“The most significant environmental consideration is the preservation of 180 acres of environmentally significant natural wetlands that promotes preservation of natural attributes of the area.” It is also a uniquely walkable community as well, affording residents access to a major activity centre, extensive pathways around protected wetlands, recreational facilities and future LRT access. “We have 95 acres of dedicated parks and school spaces, and 14 kilometres of regional pathways connecting the community and offering attractive gathering places and inviting opportunities for walking, jogging or cycling,” she adds. It’s conducive to a healthy lifestyle and perfect for active families with its natural areas and open spaces that accommodate leisure activities and organized sporting events. “Plus, Cornerstone is the future home of Calgary’s next regional park in the northeast,” Milne says. Cornerstone will also be the future site of Calgary’s first Major Activity Centre (MAC), which will offer plenty of shopping, commercial and employment opportunities, making it a true live-work-play community. A future LRT line will connect Cornerstone from the existing line in nearby Saddletowne Circle. But Milne feels that Cornerstone’s focus on preserving the environment is also key in its timeless appeal. “The most significant environmental consideration is the preservation of 180 acres of environmentally significant natural wetlands that promotes preservation of natural attributes of the area,” she says. These natural wetlands will become a part of a new regional park for northeast Calgary. The park will encompass 20 acres and connect to the Rotary-Mattamy Greenway — a 140 kilometre network of parks and pathways. To further enhance residents’ experiences, the community

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will work with both the City of Calgary and the Parks Foundation to bring potential amenities to the open space including fitness programs, play structures, and off-leash dog parks. Response has been terrific to the 28 new show homes that recently opened. The distinguished builder group Walton has assembled in Cornerstone has outdone themselves in offering some of the newest, most unique home designs in town. Morrison Homes offer duplex and traditional front drive homes; Shane Homes has duplexes, zero-lotline , street-oriented townhomes and traditional frontdrive homes; Pacesetter Homes have zero-lot-line and

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traditional front-drive homes; Truman Homes — in their first single-family presence in northeast Calgary — have traditional front-drive homes; and Jayman BUILT offers street-oriented townhomes, zero-lot-line, and their new courtyard line of homes that have rear-attached garages. Front-drive homes are the classic style, with double car garage accessed from the front. Duplexes are a side-by-side option at an attainable price point. Street townhomes are multi-family developments designed with an urban feel, without condominium fees. Zero-lot-lines are a popular choice for all, with both front and rear garage access options. “There is something for everyone,” Milne says. Prices start from the $330,000s. But more than anything else, Cornerstone represents Walton’s commitment to growth in Calgary. “Launching Cornerstone in today’s market was

profile

a strong example that there is still demand in the market for attainably priced, new housing product. Cornerstone offers such a strong selection, there is something for every family available in the community,” Milne says. NL

fast facts COMMUNITY: Cornerstone DEVELOPER: Walton Development and Management BUILDERS: Jayman BUILT — street-oriented townhomes, courtyard homes Morrison Homes — duplexes, and front-drive homes Pacesetter Homes — zero-lot-line homes, and front-drive homes Shane Homes — duplexes, zero-lot-line homes, street-oriented townhomes and front-drive homes Truman Homes — front-drive homes and a multi-family development in the future PRICES: From $330,000s DIRECTIONS: North on Deerfoot Tr., east on Country Hills Blvd, north on Metis Tr. and follow the signs HOURS: 2 – 8 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and noon to 5 p.m. weekdays and holidays WEBSITE: www.liveatcornerstone.ca

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The

PERFECT PAIR Real-life partners Justin and Jillian make debut at the Calgary Renovation Show

Jillian Harris

hat do a former reality TV star and a former pro snowboarder have in common? A lot more than anybody can imagine, apparently, just ask Jillian Harris and Justin Pasutto. Jillian, star of Love It or List It Vancouver (and formerly of ABC’s The Bachelor and The Bachelorette reality TV shows), and her real-life partner Justin, now a residential development project manager, bring their act on the road for the first time. The home design power couple headline The Main Stage at the first Calgary Renovation Show. As new parents working through a home reno of their own, designer Jillian and long-term partner

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n WRITTEN BY

Pepper Rodriguez

Justin will be sharing their unique insight on how to communicate, compromise and stay on budget during the stress of a home renovation project. Their presentation promises to be a highlight of the show, as the couple is well known for their sense of humour, honesty and transparency with their fans, and will share their practical advice on surviving home renovations as a family. “This is actually really funny because Justin and I don’t tell stories together very well,” Jillian tells New Home Living. “We both like to be ahead on the highway and don’t know how to merge very well. So it will be VERY interesting watching us talk for 45 minutes together. But for the most part, we will be discussing being a young busy couple, with a new family all while taking on a new renovation, something I’m sure many can relate to in Calgary!”

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This will also mark the first time Justin — a native Calgarian — will be part of Jillian’s act. Asked if he was looking forward to it, he gives an enthusiastic “yes!”. “I’m super stoked to be doing my first onstage presentation in my hometown, I think that will make it a lot more comfortable for me. I’m a talkative guy so I’m thinking it will feel pretty natural. But Jill is a pro, I’ll definitely be asking her for some tips before we go on-stage,” he says. Jillian says they will be giving tips and tricks of what they’ve learned as they do their own home renovation, like “issues that we’ve bumped into and how we solved them and of course the renovation that we’re taking on in general,” she says. Although they may look like the perfect postcard couple, Jillian says she and Justin don’t always get along — at least when it comes to design ideas. “No, we definitely do not. Is there a couple out there that always gets along?? We butt heads a lot as we are both very type A and need to be in charge and control, which causes a lot of issues!!! But taking on our new house renovation project together, we knew it would be the hair that broke the camel’s back with all of the work, commuting, and Leo, and we made a pact to understand how difficult it would be and know that the other person may screw up. We’re going

Jillian Harris, baby Leo, and Justin Pasutto

The Calgary Renovation Show is especially focused on homeowners looking to change up the look of their home. to save the rest of those details for our presentation!” The show is a homecoming of sorts for both of them. “Justin and I are both Alberta born and raised, Justin is from Calgary and I’m from Peace River. But as luck would have it we actually met in a lineup at a bar in Kelowna called Roses. We were both somewhat single at the time and neither of us were looking for anything. We chatted and hit it off and after our first date we were pretty much exclusive.” That was four years ago, now they have a family, newborn baby Leo, and their Boxer rescue pup, Nacho Cilantro, a design business, along with www.jillianharris.

Mike Holmes Jr.

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repurposing and renovating the space they already have to fit their needs,” she says. “The all-new Calgary Renovation Show focuses on reimagining your current space. You can come down and meet with every variety of contractor and check out all of the latest trends in renovations, as well as get inspired and even learn how to complete some of the renovations on your own,” she adds. There will be over 200 exhibitors, including IKEA, Floform, Sleep Country and many local renovation companies. For more information, go to www.calgaryrenovationshow.com NL

Danielle Bryk

Rosalyn Lazaruk

com website, not to mention Jillian’s continued filming for Love It or List It Vancouver. “We like to think of ourselves as a very busy couple, we love to travel, camp, and have fun, but our priority is always our family and extended families,” she says. “We now have a new renovation to work on together so needless to say we don’t have time for much!!!” The Calgary Renovation Show runs from January 13 to 15 at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park. Also slated to appear are HGTV Canada’s Mike Holmes Jr. and Danielle Bryk. Plus, Wicket Blue founder and designer Rosalyn Lazaruk, among a host of other renovation experts, will also be there. Marketplace Events is producing the Calgary Renovation Show. They also produce the Calgary Home + Garden Show (spring) and Calgary Home + Design show (fall). Marketplace Events show manager, Teri Salazar says the Calgary Renovation Show is especially focused on homeowners looking to change up the look of their home, and that such a show is all the more timely. “Given the current economic situation, Calgarians who were thinking about moving into a bigger home may be holding off on those plans for a while and instead,

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Real advice. Real inspiration. Real experts. The new Calgary Renovation Show (formerly Calgary Homexpo) is back and better than ever with a brand-new look for 2017. Get no-nonsense advice from stars including Love it or List it Vancouver’s Jillian Harris and partner Justin Pasutto, HGTV Canada’s Mike Holmes Jr., Rosalyn Lazaruk and Danielle Bryk, and gain inspiration and ideas from more than 200 trusted brands and local vendors. Three days only: January 13-15, 2017 at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park. Satisfaction is guaranteed — we’re so sure you’ll enjoy the show, we’ll refund your admission if you don’t! Buy tickets online and save $3.

SHOW DATES & HOURS Friday, January 13th: Noon – 9:00pm Saturday, January 14th: 10:00am – 9:00pm Sunday, January 15th: 10:00am – 6:00pm

ADMISSION Children 12 and under: FREE Adults (13+): $12.00 Adults (13+): ONLINE $9.00 Seniors (60+): $10.00 Seniors (60+): ONLINE $7.00 Seniors Friday before 5pm only $5.00 (Box Office & Online)

BMO Centre, Stampede Park Buy tickets online courtesy of RenovationFind and save $3 at www.calgaryrenovationshow.com. NL Web: calgaryrenovationshow.com Facebook: facebook.com/homeandgardenevents Twitter: @HomeShowsAB

shopping

WORKING HOME

Make working through the weekend at home something to look forward to

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Kathy McCormick

TOP RIGHT Reitveld adjustable floor lamps, $409 at Wayfair.ca.

ven in today’s more mobile world, a home office is on most home owners’ wish lists — even if space is tight. A dedicated, efficient space for office supplies, whether you need a full-on work-at-home space or simply a quiet spot for paying bills and catching up on emails, is a must for homeowners in the wired world we live in. “In order to help foster productivity and creativity, it’s important for home offices to incorporate sever-

P H O T O C O U R T E S Y WAY FA I R . C A

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al design elements,” says Jessica Dowling, head of Wayfair Trade Services, Wayfair.ca. “The right amount of lighting is step one. A mixture of lamps and natural lighting with a workspace by a window or skylight helps improves performance.” From there it’s all about creating a space that works for you and how you work — and insuring it fits in with your home décor to make the space both functional and attractive.

PHOTO COURTE SY CALIFORNIA CLOSE TS

California closets says another key to keeping things in place is a mix of open and closed shelving.

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P H O T O C O U R T E S Y S TA P L E S

LEFT Whalen Legeant L-Shaped Desk, Cherry, $319.99 at Staples. BOTTOM LEFT Serta® Rincon Ergonomic Executive Mesh Chair, $429.99 at Staples. BOTTOM RIGHT Hyde Park Club chair, $1,219.99 at Wayfair.ca.

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pose and offer storage compartments that make it easy to put away materials after a day’s work.” They are a stylish solution, she says, that also offer ample storage “to keep you organized with minimal clutter.” The home office solutions follow the whole home trend today of multi-purpose, says the senior manager of Wayfair.ca. “We know our customers love versatility,” says Meredith Nethery. “It’s no surprise that one of the big trends is toward furniture designed for multi-use or small spaces.” Another key to keeping things in their place is a mix of open and closed shelving, says California Closets. “Having both types of shelving gives you maximum storage flexibility. Keep frequently used items in bins or display books and collectives on the open shelves.” A few drawers can keep small items hidden away but close — and consider adding a lock to one of the drawers for cheque books and secure files. More traditional technology will mean looking for items such as cord-tamers to keep them untangled and hidden, or a pull-out shelf for the printer to keep it handy but the bulky piece of technology can be hidden when not needed. Fabric or cork boards (or walls) allow you to pin notes or inspirational quotes to keep you motivated and organized. And personalize the space so it’s truly yours. Photos, art pieces and plants do just that. “Plants are a seamless way to add a natural aspect to your office and are nice décor pieces, too,” says Dowling. But with today’s technology moving more and more towards wireless communication, do you need a specific space dedicated to the home office today? Yes, say the experts. “Some people produce their best work in a sitting, conventional desk setup, whereas with others, a coffee shop is better for them,” says Dowling. Either way, they need a specific place to store material so it’s orga-

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“Investing in a good desk and a comfortable chair is also important,” Dowling says. “A conventional office chair is a good go-to, but using a plush dining chair adds a fresh look.” An L-shaped desk or a long rectangular space might be ideal for how you work, says Emily Reaman, director of PR and communications for California Closet Company, which has many informative blog posts on office space and related content at www.californiaclosets.com (you can also find the Calgary location here). “A clean, open desk that’s free of clutter provides an ideal place to spread out and complete tasks with ease.” While standard desks continue to be a big trend with many options and styles, some have wheels, making them easy to store away at the end of the day, says Dowling. And built-ins are a great way to incorporate the home’s style with desks, shelves, cupboards and storage all in one. If space is tight some unique options are available. One of the most compact — ideal for smaller homes or condos — is the Murphy bed, which can have a desk component as the main feature hiding the bed until it’s needed. “Configured for a small studio apartment or home office that doubles as a guest room, a Murphy bed is a clever, space-saving solution that offers instant flexibility,” says California Closet’s website. “You don’t have to compromise style where space is limited.” For more on Murphy beds, check this blog: www.californiaclosets.com/blog/6questions-about-murphy-beds-answered/. But there are other unique solutions to small spaces. “To help separate work from home, consider an armoire desk,” says Dowling. “These are multi-pur-

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P H OTO CO U RTE S Y C A L I FO R N I A CLOS E TS

LEFT California Closets opts for clean, open desks free of clutter for a fabulous home office.

nized and easy to find. This could be as elaborate as a whole office, or as simple as a filing cabinet or even a laptop briefcase or large tote with multiple compartments. “People are continuing to move to using laptops versus a desktop, so a laptop desk paired with a comfortable accent chair adds a nice setting for a home office.” It’s all about personizing space to fit your needs, she says. “When you’re not tethered to a desk, your options for working spaces are wide open. Consider more than one work spot — a comfy chair paired with a laptop desk, a console table or a kitchen island.”

More and more, people are allocating space for computer work for all members of the household — kitchen alcoves for IT Centres, where cooks can check out recipes or pay bills while the meals are on the go — or parents can supervise the kids doing homework, computer desks in kids’ bedrooms or even in hallways outside the kids’ rooms so they can share the space, or even closet space off main living areas in apartments where a built-in desk and shelves serve the purpose and can be closed when not in use. Versatility is the key; functionality and productivity the goal. NL

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BELOW Adam writing desk with leaning bookcase, $749.99 at Wayfair.ca.

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Northwest

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Northeast n calgary map

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calgary map

Southwest | Southeast | Calgary Area

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AIRDRIE

OKOTOKS

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advertisers index

75 Muirfield Close page 15 APEX Land Mountainview in Okotoks page 26

Mattamy Homes Back Cover Shane Homes Midtown page 5

Brookfield Residential Albi page 7

Trico Homes page 33

Jayman BUILT page 41

JANUARY 2017

Market Place Events Calgary Renovation Show pages 27 – 30

APEX Land Hillcrest Airdrie page 2

DS Homes page 38

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United Communities Nolan Hill pages 35 Westcreek Developments Legacy page 19

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By Pepper Rodriguez

Big things ahead for West Creek Developments in 2017 AFTER THE HUGE success of Legacy community in southeast Calgary, its developers, West Creek Developments, is pushing ahead with big moves in 2017 and beyond. The familyrun Calgary-based firm is keen on growth this year, as it opens not only new show home parades in its current community of Legacy, but will be launching totally new communities through 2018. West Creek Development’s Kalida Goldade reveals that Legacy will be welcoming new Townhome, Laned and Move Up homes in the spring. “ Trico Homes will be unveiling their newest project of Townhomes in Legacy. The laned show home parade will feature homes from Jayman BUILT, Shane Homes and Stepper Homes. While the upscale move up homes will have new show homes from West Creek Homes, Trico, Jayman BUILT, Calbridge, Sterling and Stepper Homes.” Prices for laned homes will start from about the $360,000s and Move Up from $ 500,000s. Down the road on 210 Avenue S.E. from

Legacy, West Creek Developments will be opening their new master-planned community of Wolf Willow. It’s a scenic piece of riverside land near the Bow River, with pristine, natural views. This is scheduled to open around 2018. Next is Cornerbrook, which is West Creek’s portion within the northeast community of Cornerstone. This will have a wide variety of homes, including everything from Condos to

Industry giving back THE PAST CHRISTMAS season saw players in the industry giving back to the community. Source Media Group participated in the Kinette Club of Calgary’s Adopt-a-Family program for Christmas, that distributed Christmas gifts to 270 needy families (or some 1,100 people). “I am so proud and grateful to be part of this project and so thankful to the committee members and all of the Kinette Club of Calgary,” says Source Media’s Heather Dugall. Meanwhile, New West Luxury Homes donated its time at the Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids — BB4CK. BB4CK works in partnership with Calgary schools to make and deliver free healthy lunches for students who would otherwise go hungry. They made and packed lunches for kids from kindergarten to grade 12 and up to 80 schools making 1241 lunches for kids. Ron Butler — President and Mike Steiner — VP along with our sales team contributed their time and we made a whack of sandwiches, cookies and bagged too many carrots to even count. “BB4CK is an outstanding organization and group of people and we will be back in the Spring,” says New West Luxury New West Luxury Homes Team Homes’ Sandi Serr.

Single family Move Up homes, and will begin development in the next two years. Down the pipeline is what could be their most ambitious project yet with Bridgeport and Dawson’s Landing in Chestermere, just off the eastern border of Calgary. The project is going to be one of the most ambitious and will involve 926 acres of land. It’s in the middle of planning right now and concrete steps will probably be taken between late 2017 and early 2018. Big things are definitely ahead for West Creek Development this year, stay tuned for more announcements.

Calgary sees rise in November starts HOUSING STARTS IN the Calgary Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) were trending at 10,264 units in November compared to 10,151 in October, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The trend is a six-month moving average of the monthly seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR) of total housing starts. “Total housing starts trended higher in November due to an increase in the pace of single-detached starts as multiple construction declined slightly,” said Richard Cho, CMHC Principal Market Analyst for Calgary. “While the trend has started to stabilize, it is still below historical norms due to weaker economic conditions and elevated multiple inventories.” Actual November starts have single-family homes up five per cent to 346 compared to 345 in November last year. All other home products, including apartments and row homes, tumbled 62 per cent from 1,039 to 399. NL

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By Marty Hope

HIGH ON OKOTOKS United Communities begins development of two new Okotoks communities MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT in Okotoks is taking to the high ground — literally. United Communities, a Calgary-based developer, will open a new chapter of its long, successful history spanning two decades in this town 20 minutes south of Calgary’s southern boundary, by breaking ground on two new communities flanking Northridge Drive. And these two neighbourhoods — called D’Arcy and Wedderburn for the long-time farming families who owned the properties — will begin to take shape this year. “We just love Okotoks,” says Steve LePan, marketing director for United Communities. “It’s a town with its own unique character and identity. And for us the north side is a plus with its proximity to Calgary for commuters and the beautiful landscape and sweeping views of the Rockies.”

Steve LePan

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The two properties represent the last remaining lands within the current town boundaries, says Okotoks senior planner Colin Gainer. “All other residential neighbourhoods are completely built out or are nearing build-out and have limited housing types available. There has been significant interest in the development of the D’Arcy and Wedderburn lands for quite some time but it has only been in the last few years that the lands have been sold for development,” he says. D’Arcy will be located on 280 acres of land bounded on the north by the town boundary, on the south by Sandstone Gate, on the east by Northridge Drive, and on the west by the D’Arcy Ranch golf course. The golf course is separately owned and not part of the area development, but the town has worked with both the golf course and United Communities to ensure there is an appropriate interface as well as access between the golf course and future development of the D’Arcy Lands, says Gainer. The 160-acre Wedderburn development is located on the east side of Northridge Drive between 338 Avenue and Banister Gate. United plans to begin its northside venture at D’Arcy with grading and infrastructure work to start early in the year. LePan says the company hopes to follow that with show homes by the fall. “We’re going to be showing product types for all budgets and lifestyles, everything from street towns, townhomes, semi-detached and other multi-family styles, to single-family homes with rear-detached and

front attached garages, and move-up and estate homes” he adds. There are projected to be approximately 2,000 homes in D’Arcy spread over several phases in the coming five to seven years of construction. Pricing has not been announced. D’Arcy will also have its own retail area, Gateway Village, that will offer residents a wide range of retail in a High Street setting, as well as some office space and a couple of K-9 schools. It could well be that as D’Arcy opens the doors to its first show homes, heavy equipment will move onto the Wedderburn property. United’s vision for this piece of historical land includes a mix of housing types with an 11-hectare area that will provide a mix of commercial and residential uses — mostly low- to medium-density residential development. Wedderburn will also have its own retail sector. United’s other developments in Okotoks are Drake Landing, Crystal Ridge, and Crystal Shores. Visit www.darcyokotoks.com for more information. 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.