VOLUME 13 ISSUE 144 n DECEMBER 2017
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COVER FEATURE
Seton: the evolution of suburbia The Brookfield Residential community brings urban living to the south
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Season’s Greetings
Bring the spirit of the Holidays in with these decorative ideas SHOW HOME PROFILES
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OUR NEW WEBSITE
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Amazing Kimber
Rustic warmth, contemporary style blend in Lifestyle Homes’ Kimber
Personal fit
Shane Homes flexes customization muscle in Legacy COMMUNITY PROFILE
20 Belmont begins
CALGARYHOMELIVING.COM
Anthem United gathers all star builder group for Belmont
STYLE
22 Style of the season
Christmas décor doesn’t just mean Christmas trees COLUMNS
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Real Estate Insider Hope at Large ITEMS
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Editor’s Message Maps Advertiser Index DECEMBER 2017 NE W HOME LIVING
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editor’s message n
Merry Christmas, everyone!
I’m a sucker for Christmas carols. Growing up, dad would be playing his Ray Conniff and Bing Crosby Christmas albums on the turntable as soon as All Souls Day is over (that was our version of Halloween in the Philippines). Now, my tastes in Christmas carols run more towards the classic rock versions from Springsteen and Bryan Adams (still on turntable), but they drive my daughter crazy, so I don’t start playing them until the week before Christmas. What we do to bring the Christmas spirit at home is decorate, right on December 1 the lights are up. Our STYLE writer Christina Loc has some tasteful DIY ideas to help us usher in the spirit of the Season, and they aren’t your traditional trees and garlands and boughs décor. I also spoke with Deepti Chadha of Threads & More to get the perspective of how Calgary’s non-Christian residents get in the swing of the Season. We’ve got Aaliya Essa’s Focus On photo feature on Christmas décor that outlines the varied choices that are out there too. Speaking of getting into the swing of things, our friends at Brookfield Residential sure are enjoying Christmas early with the success of their new Seton community in the southeast. This new urban hub in the south is now introducing single-family homes to the mix, a feature not even the great metropolitan cities of the world can offer, certainly not as affordably as Seton does. Find out more about them in this month’s cover feature. Then we have our show home profile for Shane Homes’ Sienna in Legacy. The laned singlefamily home is still the best bet for young families who prioritize privacy and affordability. Shane Homes points out that their ability to personalize to a huge extent is what gives them the edge in the market. We also have The Kimber from Lifestyle Homes. Their latest show home in the the idyllic Cimarron Estates in Okotoks is a breath-taker. It has all the fantastic features that make their homes stand out, as well as a practicality that families understand. Anthem United can’t wait for 2018 to start, especially with their new community of Belmont in the southwest that now offers a full complement of single-family and multifamily homes, even no-condo-fee towns. They are the first new community west of Macleod Trail and its appeal for new homebuyers is emphasized. Finally, have you checked out our revamped website www.calgaryhomeliving.com. It’s easier to navigate, has a ton of exclusive content and has a more pronounced lifestyle edge that homebuyers are looking for. It’s also optimized for use on smart phones and tablets, so you’ll have all our exclusive content and archived articles right on your fingertips. This year certainly was a whirlwind for us at New Home Living, it seems like only days had passed since we were celebrating Christmas 2016. But we’re all eagerly waiting for 2018, there are a lot of new communities out there that we’re eager to explore. Come along with us for the ride.
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Pepper Rodriguez
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Christina Loc, Aaliya Essa, Marty Hope, Mario Toneguzzi ADVERTISING
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©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
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New Year outlook OUR NEW WEBSITE
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SEASON’S GREET Bring the spirit of the Holidays in with these decorative ideas
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Aaliya Essa
IT’S BEGINNING to look a lot like Christmas, find new and creative ways to decorate your home for the best time of year. With items that bring cheer and add a stylish flare to your home, this season your home will be dazzling both inside and out. NL
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TINGS
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9 7 [ 1 ] Cosmos Gifts 10676 Christmas Fantasia Teapot, $73.94 at Walmart. [ 2 ] Holiday Time Mixed Red Berry Wreath with PE Needle Pines, $39.98 at Walmart. [ 3 ] Holiday Time Flannel Pillowcase, $3.88 at Walmart. [ 4 ] Holiday Time Four Tree Printed Mat, $12.88 at Walmart. [ 5 ] Hallmark New Home 2017 Christmas Tree Ornament, $7.98 at Walmart. [ 6 ] Christmas Signs Décor, $74.95 at Pier1 Imports. [ 7 ] J Let It Snow Snowman Painted Wine Glass, $13.95 at Pier1 Imports. [ 8 ] Holiday time Tree Design Steel Round Tin, $3 at Walmart. [ 9 ] Cupcakes ‘N More Small Dessert Stand, $21.50 at Walmart. [ 10 ] Ho Ho Ho Luminary, $24.95 and Crate and Barre. [ 11 ] The Holiday Collection starting from $50 each at Threads & More. [ 12 ] Collectible Glass Tree Figurine, $24.95 at Pier1 Imports. OUR NEW WEBSITE
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| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE |
T
he vision for Seton has always been to create downtown living away from the downtown, building a modern, urban hub in central suburbia of southern Calgary. What may come as a surprise is the varied residential opportunities that are now being offered here, which now includes single-family homes. Not many urban centres in the world can claim to have singlefamily home offerings, including Calgary’s downtown. But this new Brookfield Residential mixed-use development envisioned to become the new urban heart of the suburban south will have a whole range of condos, townhomes and, yes, singlefamily home options with prices to match any budget. “We will have semi-detached to move-up single-family homes, lots of laned homes, front-attached homes as well as fee-simple townhomes,” says Jason Palacsko, Brookfield Residential VicePresident, Calgary, Communities. There is already an exciting selection of multi-family homes selling and in various stages of construction in Seton, and adding the single-family home line brings another layer to the fully realized community setting that Brookfield is aiming for.
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SETON:
THE EVOLUTION OF SUBURBIA
The Brookfield Residential community brings urban living to the south
The nearby communities of Auburn Bay and New Brighton — incidentally, all Brookfield Residential communities — are winding down with their single-family offerings and “there is rising demand for those products in the area,” Palacsko tells New Home Living. Brookfield Residential has already assembled their builder group to take on the task with sales to begin in early 2018, and show homes slated to open by the late spring of that year. Brookfield Residential will be offering laned semi-detached homes, as well as laned starter homes. Trico Homes will be bringing in starter laned products, while Cedarglen Homes and Jayman BUILT will have move-up front-attached garage homes. Jayman BUILT will also offer a line of nocondo-fee street towns in Seton. OUR NEW WEBSITE
Adding this residential element to Seton is crucial in attracting families to the community, something that downtown Calgary has struggled to do. What gives Seton the advantage is that its design encompasses a diverse range of social, cultural, recreational and commercial endeavours that will attract the whole spectrum of homebuyers. Seton will have something for young professionals starting their careers, downsizers and retirees looking for a simpler lifestyle in an urban setting, as well as families. A future Seton Homeowners’ Association will also help build the community and provide connections for residents to come together. “It will be a unique HOA with a vision of an urban center,” Palacsko says. He says the Seton HOA will be molded after what Brookfield has seen succeed in the residents’ associations and homeowners’ associations of previous communities, “but its signature will be to bring our vibrant urban vision to life in south Calgary,” he adds. “It will host programs and events within its facility but also around the community. Programs and events will be focused on bringing vibrancy to the community and providing opportunity for all generations
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| ADVERTISING COVER FEATURE |
to enjoy. It will enhance the landscape of the community and bring seasonal excitement for the young and young at heart.” Another factor attracting families to Seton is that education plays a major part in the community’s character. Already, the South Health Campus is being promoted as a centre for wellness and health-related instruction. This, in combination with a new CBE public high school (under construction and slated to open in September 2018) and new 330,000-square-foot YMCA/public library complex (also under construction and expected to open in 2018-2019) makes Seton a place for big FAST FACTS: ideas — and families — to grow. COMMUNITY: Seton “Life in Seton is going to be about easy Developer: Brookfield Residential BUILDERS: access to everything,” Palacsko says. “We Single-family homes starting from the wanted to be on the leading edge, creating $500,000s a smarter community in the sense of • Brookfield Residential – laned semiproviding the outlying areas with the types detached, laned starter homes of amenities that you would find in the core.” • Cedarglen Homes – two-storey, front-drive move-up homes The vision is to “bring all the excitement • Jayman BUILT - two-storey, front-drive found in the downtown core closer to residents of southern Calgary,” Palacsko move-up homes, and street towns says. “Seton will have everything from • Trico Homes –laned starter homes offices, shopping, entertainment, education Multi-family starting homes from the high and health and fitness in one concentrated $100,000s: area.” • Seton Park Place condos from Cedarglen That vision is already taking shape, with Living grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurants • Stile Seton townhomes from Rohit and other amenities already up and running Communities in the first phase. Seton’s urban district • ZEN Urban District townhomes from will have 1 million square-feet of retail space Avalon Master Builder that will blossom into a multitude of offerings. The Superstore grocery store is • Townhomes from Trico Homes already open and already proving popuWEBSITE: lar among the surrounding communities. www.setonurbandistrict.com for more The heart and soul of the district will be information the Market Street District where the street
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oriented detail will meld with vertical mixed-used components — condominiums and apartments on the second level above the shops. Here, Brookfield has entwined many beautiful place making sculptures and light displays to add elements of architectural appeal. When completed, Seton will be one of the most comprehensive mixed-use developments in North America with over two-and-a-half-million square-feet of office and retail space, two hotels, a 16acre regional park, public library, schools, and 7,000 homes split between singleand multi-family units. Residents can expect vendors like Mountain Equipment Co-op and Tim Horton’s to join the list of amenities already in place. Tommyfield Gastro Pub, Starbelly, Shoppers Drug Mart, Save-On Foods and Starbucks are all on scene now. “At the end of the day Seton will have everything that you would need to satisfy your daily necessities right through to your luxury wants and desires,” Palacsko says. “Not to sound like a cliché — but Seton will be the ultimate live-work-play community,” he adds. n
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show home profile n Lifestyle Homes
AMAZING KIMBER Rustic warmth, contemporary style blend in Lifestyle Homes’ Kimber
n WRITTEN BY
Pepper Rodriguez
LIVING IN STYLE has always been the point at Lifestyle Homes, and the 20-year-old homebuilder has built a reputation in creating some of the most eye-catching luxury homes this side of the Rockies. Their latest show home — The Kimber — in Okotoks’ scenic Cimarron Estates is not just a breath-taker, but possesses a rare practical side that appeals to families, especially with its modern take on countryside living. The Kimber is the next step in the evolution of the family home, the style is definitely there as can be expected with Lifestyle Homes, but the family-first values that they adhere to is also very much in evidence. The twin islands in the kitchen are a big part of the appeal of the main floor and the seamless glamour of the wall-mounted appliances allows the whole open-concept design to shine. The wide-plank, distressed look oak hardwood floor through the home ties everything together and the staircase with clear glass paneling and open-to-above great room lends the 3,218 square-foot home just that much more glamour. The elevator accessed from the triple-car front attached garage stops at every level that brings a whole new meaning to family convenience. “We pride ourselves in building a home that perfectly fits each homeowner. From small adjustments, to complete custom designs, we are delighted to work with our clients to make their home one of a kind,” says Brenda Gould, Lifestyle’s director of marketing and client services.
BELOW The Kimber show home’s prairie elevation is a stand out in the Cimarron Estates’ already spectacular streetscape that “boasts large lots and exclusive homes for big families and big dreams,” Gould says.
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RIGHT The master bedroom of this 1.5-storey hybrid bungalow with a developed basement level overlooks the idyllic Sheep River. “It’s just a stunning view to wake up to every morning,” Gould says. Having access to the full-length deck from the bedroom is also a great way to start the day.
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Lifestyle Homes n show home profile
fast facts BUILDER: Lifestyle Homes COMMUNITY: Cimarron Country Estates DEVELOPER: Tristar Communities SIZE: 3,218 sq. ft. PRICE: Kimber is at $1.4 million. Lifestyle Homes in Cimarron start from $700,000s ADDRESS: 70 Cimarron Estates Dr., Okotoks DIRECTIONS: South on Hwy 2, exit on 306 Ave. E, south on 32 St., right on Cimarron Estates Gate and follow the signs HOURS: Monday to Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., weekends and holidays noon to 5 p.m. WEB: www.lifestylehomes.ca
LEFT The 2,219 square-foot main floor is a mix of family comfort and snazzy allure. The Kimber also has 999 square-feet in the upper level with two bedrooms and a bonus room. And the optional lower level is a sprawling entertainment area with two more bedrooms a gym and a theatre room. BELOW Anthracite super-matte flat panel cabinets with walnut and glass cabinets blend well with the designer stone accents and the modernity of the tile backsplash to give the kitchen its executive brilliance. The twin island design is as practical as it is memorable. NL
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show home profile n Shane Homes
PERSONAL FIT Shane Homes flexes customization muscle in Legacy n WRITTEN BY
Pepper Rodriguez
ABOVE The Sienna laned home show home features elevation B with stone detailing. “Laned homes sold out quite quickly in Legacy’s first phases, we’re glad to be able to offer more of these in this new phase,” says Kalida Goldade, marketing manager at WestCreek Developments, Legacy’s developer.
ABOVE The long, central island takes centre stage in Sienna, with the galley-style kitchen behind it providing lots of working and entertaining space. The quartz countertops give it a clean, uncluttered look and the upgraded full-height backsplash. “Sienna’s welldesigned kitchen is one of its most popular features,” MacLean says.
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Shane Homes n show home profile
fast facts BUILDER: Shane Homes COMMUNITY: Legacy DEVELOPER: WestCreek Developments SIZE: 1,561 sq. ft. PRICE: Starts from the $390,000s ADDRESS: 17 Legacy Glen Row S.E. DIRECTIONS: South on Macleod Tr., east on 210 Ave. and follow the signs WEB: www.shanehomes.com
THE DETACHED GARAGE single-family home has always been the preferred home for first-time homebuyers. The comfort and pride of owning your own home, with your own yard, and still remain on budget is its enduring appeal. And with Shane Homes takes these features even further with their ability to personalize the home to fit the buyers’ lifestyle. Shane Homes’ latest show home, Sienna in the southeast community of Legacy, brings to focus the multi-awarded builder’s skill in designing a smart, stylish three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home. Sienna’s entire 1,561-square-foot size is put to good use with no wasted space. “Our biggest advantage remains that we are able to let buyers customize the home to better fit their lifestyle. If they want to turn Sienna to a twomaster-bedroom plan, they can. If they want to extend the home five feet, they can,” Shane Homes area manager Michael MacLean. Sienna is a new model for Shane Homes. Its stylish functionality is evident from the full-length covered verandah that adds so much family-friendliness to the streetscape, to the contemporary open-concept main floor, and its stylish galley kitchen with long, central island. Sienna starts in the $390,000s in Legacy, and Shane Homes offers five other laned homes here starting from the $380,000s. “Legacy has a lot of things going for it, new schools, new commercial areas are coming up and it’s a perfect community for young families and those looking for their first home,” MacLean says.
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TOP LEFT Optional maple railing with metal spindles on the staircase brings a sense of contemporary style to Sienna. The laminate flooring in dining nook, kitchen and foyer gives the main floor lend it a stately ambience. “There aren’t a lot of upgrades in the show home, and building one similar to it will be about $405,000, including GST,” MacLean says.
BELOW The spacious living room at the front of the home is an inviting spot for entertaining guests. Oversized windows and nine-foot ceilings allow tons of natural light in, giving interiors a sunny countenance. “Our laned homes offer plenty of room for growth, and Shane Homes can help buyers achieve those goals with our customization program,” he adds. NL
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BELMONT BEGINS Anthem United gathers all star builder group for Belmont n WRITTEN BY
Pepper Rodriguez
SPRING 2018 CANNOT come any sooner for Anthem United, as the respected land developer announces that it will be opening the first show homes in its new southwest community of Belmont at this time. “Show homes will begin construction this winter with completion by spring 2018,” says Anthem United Director of Sales and Marketing, Steve LePan. This 280-acre community, located south of Silverado community on Sheriff King Street and west of Macleod Trail on 210th Avenue, will be the first new community west of Macleod Trail. “It is an area of untapped growth potential,” LePan says. “It’s a place where proximity to the amenities of south Calgary and an abundance of park and recreation areas mean your new home extends well beyond your front door,” he adds. Belmont is all about beginnings, and as such is perfect for anyone looking to begin a new phase in life. From those who want to own their first home, to those looking to move up to a family home, and those wishing to simplify their lifestyle. LePan says Belmont offers affordable lot sizes from 25- to 31-feet wide. “We’re looking to attract the entry level market.” Anthem United has already assembled a powerhouse team for their builder group with Jayman BUILT, Morrison Homes offering laned singlefamily homes, while Cedarglen Homes, Homes by Avi, Shane Homes and Trico Homes building two-car front attached garage move-up homes. Single-car front attached garage homes will also be offered. Four multi-family home sites are also being developed in the first phase
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that will have townhomes from Anthem Properties and from StreetSide Developments. Announcements on the other phase one multi-family builders are expected in the new year. Belmont’s opening phase also includes 170 single-family lots and 54 street towns. “Homes by Avi will be developing feesimple street towns,” he says. Built in a row with blocks of five or six units, these street towns offer great value and quality of design. All with no condo fees! Laned homes are built on 25-foot wide lots with a single side yard and optional reardetached garage. “A perfect home with great curb appeal for young couples or growing families,” LePan says. These are from Jayman BUILT and Morrison Homes. Single-car, front drive homes from Jayman BUILT and Morrison Homes have a 25foot wide lot with a single yard, and offer convenience and affordability. While double-car, front drive homes have floor plans to accommodate all a family could want and available in sizes from 29- to 31-
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Belmont n community profile
foot wide lots with a single side yard. These are from Homes by Avi, Cedarglen Homes, Shane Homes, and Trico Homes. While prices on homes of all kinds in Belmont are still to be determined, affordability is a focus, says LePan. “We’re looking at first-time buyers and young families … we want to make it attainable for them to get into the market,” he says. Accessibility will also be key and Belmont will be within 500 metres of a future LRT station, but as it is, Belmont is already quite near the existing LRT station at Bridlewood-Somerset. There are two future school sites in Belmont itself (one elementary, and one high school). “We will also have a City of Calgary recreation centre right in the community,” Le COMMUNITY: Belmont Pan says. Also a comprehensively planned and accessible playground for children of all DEVELOPER: Anthem United ages will be constructed in Phase 1. BUILDERS: Another thing that makes Belmont a Single Family Homes on a lane with place for new beginnings is that it will be optional rear detached garage the first community to be launched under • Jayman Built and Morrison Homes the Anthem United name, following United Single Family Homes with front Communities purchase by Anthem Properattached garage ties in 2014. • Avi, Cedarglen, Shane and Trico Renowned land developer United CommuHomes nities had been developing land in Alberta Townhomes for Anthem United and for more than 80 years and they were behind StreetSide Developments Street such master-planned communities as Sage Towns from Homes by Avi Hill, Nolan Hill, and Drake Landing. LePan says the aim was to reflect the “comPRICING not yet released. ing together of two companies.” DIRECTIONS: South on Macleod Tr. “It was a natural fit to go with Anthem and west on 210th Ave. S.E. United,” he adds. “Respecting both comShowhomes opening early 2018 panies’ pasts.” Register now to be the first to know: United has been a real estate developer www.belmontcalgary.com in Alberta for more than 80 years, and has developed upwards of 60 communities and sold more than 20,000 lots. Anthem is a real estate development, management and investment company based in Vancouver. In the Calgary area, Anthem United has three communities coming. Belmont, D’Arcy in Okotoks — which has already broken ground in the spring, and Chelsea in Chestermere, which will follow soon. “Together with Anthem, we are a team of 300 in B.C., Alberta and Sacramento, California, with 190 projects under our belt, including more than 10,000 homes, 6.2 million sf of commercial and 5,000 acres of land for future development across Western North America.” NL
fast facts
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style
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Style of the season Christmas décor doesn't just mean Christmas trees n WRITTEN BY
Christina Loc
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s we wrap up 2017, the Holiday season is a time to kick back, relax, and spend time with the people you love. Reminisce about good times, create new memories and spread good cheer to all — today and always! Capturing this sense of Holiday cheer involves some creativity. You don’t have to be limited to the obvious Christmas items sold in your big box stores. You can come up with your own DIY Holiday décor. Here’s a Top 10 list of must-haves I’ve put together that — with a little elbow grease and imagination — can capture the festive spirit of the season and turn your home into the perfect place for a Christmas get-together with friends and family.
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ABOVE: Decor possibilities are endless with glass vessels. Use them all year round for different holidays, occasions and every day. Stop by Michaels to pick some up.
RIGHT: For some glitz, Katherine's Collection, has a dazzling selection of sparkly pretty ornaments
Decorate with Large Glass Vessels. Hurricane lamps, apothecary jars, decorative cloches and lanterns are all a type of glass vessel. Hurricane lamps are a safe and beautiful way to burn candles. For the holidays, fill the base with white sand, baking soda or salt to resemble snow. Add one or several candles, always in odd numbers, and scatter pinecones with sprigs of cedar. Apothecary jars come in all manners of shapes and sizes. Cluster these pieces together for greater impact. Build a little village or forest inside. A cloche is a clear glass cover. You can showcase keepsakes or fill them with decorative items. Keeping scented candles under a cloche is a great way to preserve a candle's scent. Lanterns, once mainly used to house candles can be versatile too. Fill them with ornaments and tie a beautiful bow on the handle, and instantly it becomes festive!
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Fresh Boughs are a must! Even if you have an artificial tree and garland, be sure to add fresh holiday boughs this season. Nothing compares to the look and scent of pine, cedar and fir. Eucalyptus and birch are also wonderful for this time of year. Visit your local florist to pick up prebunched holiday greens or have them make a lovely custom arrangement for you.
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Add Candles. Incorporate warm light to your mantle, dining or accent table and counter tops. Did you know beeswax candles help purify the air? All the more rea-
DECEMBER 2017
son to burn them! Honey Candles, sold at Community Natural Foods, is made with all natural beeswax and is available in a variety of shapes and sizes.
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Use LED Strings. These require so little energy that they can be used any where with batteries. Place them inside glass vessels, decorative bowls, string them anywhere you want for a starry glow.
Toss Cushions and Throws. These bring instant coziness to any room. Holiday themed cushions are a great addition. Make sure to layer with luxurious fabrics like velvet, sparkly sequins, or Mongolian fur and use down filled or at least down filled alternative inserts.
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Tree Ornaments. You can never have too many tree ornaments! I have a set of silver, white and gold ornaments I rely on almost every season. Depending on any particular year's accent colour or theme I'm in the mood for, I simply add it to my basics. Chintz and Company has a fantastic selection of extraordinary ornaments.
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Tiered Plate Stand. Elevate, elevate, elevate! Make your spread look stylish and dimensional by displaying food on towers. Build up.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ZEST KITCHENWARE
Cake Stand. These are available in many sizes, heights and styles, and contrary to their name are quite multi-functional. Aside from it's obvious use, I like using cake stands for other purposes too! Think of it as a footed platform that allows you to create different heights with your display.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHINTZ AND CO.
Build your dinner or brunch display upward for a grand statement. Crate and Barrel has a few to choose from.
This Sophie Conrad Footed Cake Plate comes in different heights and is one of many stands to select from at Zest Kitchenware in Dalhousie.
Hand Soap. Don't forget the powder room! A lovely hand soap next to the sink with a candle and small plant or fresh flowers makes visiting the loo just that much more special! Unwrapped Life, a locally-made organic body product line, has a signature scent called 'destress' comprising a blend of essential oils which includes notes of blood orange and bergamot.
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Music: what is Christmas without holiday tunes? Thank goodness for internet music streaming services. Holiday playlists and other genres are available at the touch of your finger. The great thing about this 10 must-haves list is your space can still feel festive with or without a Christmas tree. A lot of these items are things you can use or re-use throughout the year and keep that festive Holiday spirit alive. NL
Unwrapped Life product can be found at Outside the Shape in Inglewood or online at www. unwrappedlife. com
PHOTO COURTESY OF UNWR APPED LIFE
PHOTO COUR TE S Y OF K I YA HOME
Add glow to any corner of a room and to anything. LED strings can be purchased at Kiya Home in Chinook Centre.
style
A NON-TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS
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algary has certainly become a melting pot. It is now a second home to many who come from different cultures and customs that may not necessarily celebrate Christmas as traditionally done in the West. Like Threads & More proprietor, Deepti Chadha, who immigrated to Canada from India fi ve years ago, many are adapting to the culture of their adopted land, and one of the biggest things for her is getting her family into the spirit of the Holidays. Chadha says her daughter knows about Santa Claus and they exchange gifts on Christmas morning. But asides from the Christmas tree, Santa ornaments and gold and silver tableware, her instinct for Holiday décor in her home isn’t all about tinsel. “When it’s about Christmas decoration or bringing the Christmas feel to my house, my first rule is to bring warmth to the décor and make it as welcoming as possible,” Chadha says. “I use scented candles. Scents like vanilla, cinnamon creates an aroma of warm spices. I bring out all my throws and blankets in warmer colors like burgundy, chocolate brown, beige to add up to warmth and coziness.”
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Threads & More offers a Holiday line of throw pillows that accentuate the feeling of magic and warmth that Christmas inspires. There are a lot of reds, burgundy, and mustard orange; earthy, cheery colours that evoke a Holiday cheer. Even her everyday designs rely on lots of colours. “Threads & More is all about colors, textures and patterns. i love how expressive every color and texture is and has a story to tell,” she adds. “I believe that your idea of a dream space or décor can be achieved by adding some color to your Holiday décor,” she says. “We use luxury fabrics like velvets and 100 per cent silk. These bright colors pair so well with the neutral furniture. We also offer free customization to any size and colour. All our pieces are made to order so we offer free fabric swatches to help you make the right decision.” For more information, visit www.threadsandmore.ca NL Chadha launched Threads & More last year as an outlet for her creative energy, and her new Holiday line of decorative pillows brings a festive feel to traditional Christmas décor.
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By Mario Toneguzzi
HOME ADVANTAGE Calgary remains sold on homeownership HOMEOWNERSHIP IN THE Calgary region remains a popular choice among people. In fact, a recent Housing in Canada report by Statistics Canada found some key information from the 2016 census. “Calgary, Canada’s fastest growing CMA between 2011 and 2016, had a homeownership rate of 73.0 per cent, well above the national average,” says the report. While the homeownership rate in the Calgary census metropolitan area has been declining for the past decade, it remains above the national average, which is good news for the market. The rate for the Calgary CMA was 73.9 per cent in 2011 and 74.1 per cent in 2006. More than 9.5 million of the 14.1 million households in Canada owned their home in 2016, representing a homeownership rate of 67.8 per cent. The rate of homeownership has been relatively stable over the last decade. In 2006, the rate was 68.4 per cent and in 2011 it was 69 per cent. In contrast, over the period 1991 to 2006, the homeownership rate rose from 62.6 per cent to 68.4 per cent, says StatsCan. Here’s another interesting piece of info from the federal agency. The share of households living in condos in Calgary was 21.8 per cent, much higher than the 13.3 per cent national average but lower than in Vancouver where it was 30.6 per cent. According to StatsCan, the average value of a dwelling (owner estimated) in the Calgary region was $527,216 in 2016, up from $466,438 in 2011. The median value in 2016 was $450,406 and $400,831 in 2011. For Canada, dwelling values averaged $443,058 in 2016. OUR NEW WEBSITE
Let’s take a look at some of the other informative reports that have come out this fall that give us a good glimpse at what’s been happening with the Calgary real estate market — and what to expect in the next year. HOUSING STARTS There was some good news in September for homebuilders of single-family homes in the Calgary region. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, single-detached starts of 465 were up 19 per cent from a year ago (391) but multi-family starts dropped by 45 per cent year-over-year going from 814 to 449. Because of the big decline in the multi-family sector, total starts were off by 24 per cent to 914 from 1,205. BUILDING PERMITS According to Statistics Canada, the August value of building permits in the Calgary region was $280.6 million, up from $226.4 million in August 2016. Total dwellings were 1,032 which rose from 665 the previous year. The single-family category increased to 393 from 317 while the multi-family was up to 639 from 348. NEW HOUSING PRICE INDEX According to Statistics Canada, new home prices in the Calgary CMA in August rose by 0.1 per cent month-over-month and by 0.5 per cent year-over-year. INVESTMENT Alberta investment in new housing construction of $806.2 million in August was up 25.3
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per cent year-overyear, according to Statistics Canada. THE FUTURE The CMHC is painting a pretty positive picture for the Calgary real estate market for 2018. The worst in the local housing market seems to be behind us after going through the recession years of 2015 and 2016 caused by a collapse in 2014 in the oil prices. The reason for the uplifting forecast? Calgary’s economy is back on track and the region expects to see both population and employment growth — some key factors in lifting the housing market. Here’s a snapshot of what to expect. CMHC is forecasting single-detached starts to range between 4,200 and 4,600 in 2018, which is slightly better than the 4,100 to 4,500 range expected this year. The multi-family market, however, won’t fare as well dropping to 6,000 to 6,500 units next year from 6,700 to 7,300 this year. MLS sales in the region are forecast to improve slightly in the range of 23,300 to 24,900 transactions in 2018 from 23,000 to 24,600 this year. NL
Mario Toneguzzi Based in Calgary, Mario Toneguzzi has 37 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist and editor. He worked for 35 years at the Calgary Herald covering sports, crime, politics, health, city and breaking news, and business. For 12 years as a business writer, his main beats were commercial and residential real estate, retail, small business and general economic news. He nows works on his own as a freelance writer and consultant in communications and media relations/training. Email mdtoneguzzi@gmail.com
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Northwest
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Northeast n calgary map
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Southwest | Southeast | Calgary Area
advertisers index n Anthem United page 2
Qualico Communities Evanston page 4
Brookfield Residential Seton cover, pages 10-12 Heritage Hills of Cochrane page 3 Jayman BUILT Cochrane page 19
Reliance Home Comfort page 13 Shane Homes Midtown page 18
Mattamy Homes Back cover
Walton Cornerstone page 7
McKee Homes page 24
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Qualico Communities Ravenswood page 31
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AIRDRIE
OKOTOKS
COCHRANE OUR NEW WEBSITE
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By Marty Hope
LOVING OKOTOKS LIVING Future growth for Okotoks is in the cards
OKOTOKS IS GOING to continue to grow, you can take that to the bank. Moez Moledina, general manager of Tristar Communities Inc., and Sandi Kennedy, former mayor of the town just 15 minutes south of Calgary, are both more than a little confident of what the future has in store. Moledina, who has been in Okotoks since 1994 overseeing the planning and development of the massive Cimarron neighbourhood says two elements lead him to believe growth is in the cards. Firstly, there is the fact water concerns that were so prevalent just a few short years ago have gone away, and hand-in-glove with that was the cap on population, also gone. “There are no limits to population growth anymore, and based on the number of new developments that are or will be taking place, Okotoks hasn’t finished growing,” Moledina says. “Okotoks will be an even more vibrant community.” Two of those developments working their way through the local approvals process have Tristar’s fingerprints on them, and come as Cimarron heads into the home stretch. Cimarron was moulded from 550 acres of land Tristar bought in 2002. And by the end of next year — the expected buildout date — the mixed use community will have an estimated 3,000 housing units and a population of about 10,000. The new pieces of land selected by Tristar are on each side of Big Rock Trail. Kennedy, who was mayor of the town
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between 1988 and 1994 and during a time when the population doubled to about 10,000, sees new developments as the generator of growth. “The current population is approximately 30,000 and the forecast is to grow with development paving the way. And they will help small D’Arcy Ranch Golf Course businesses as the statistics show that within one year new members of gaining more services and businesses to our community stop going to Calgary for serve their needs. That being said, we at everything and shop at home,” she says. Tristar have found that between 35 and 40 One development pointed out by Kenper cent of buyers in Cimarron have come nedy is D’Arcy by United Anthem on 280 from other foothills regions like Black acres on the north side of town adjacent to Diamond, Turner Valley, and High River,” the 280-acre D’Arcy Ranch golf course. he says. It’s a good example, she says, of what new Okotoks was made for families, suggests developments will look like. According to Kennedy. United Anthem D’Arcy will be united by a “Calgary buyers make up a good number network of pathways, and “will be a place of buyers in Okotoks because we have that gives its residents a chance to connect. schools in all districts, terrific sports and With sprawling green spaces, new arts facilities for all ages, after-school and schools, a high street, community spacsummer programs, and, of course, the es and access to the D’Arcy Ranch Golf stores and other businesses required by Course, D’arcy is a community designed families,” she says. NL for today’s family with a vision that hails neighbourhoods past,” a company news Marty Hope. For more than two decades release says. Marty Hope has been reporting on the housing Both Kennedy and Moledina say that and development industry in Calgary, Calgarians looking to relocate will turn to throughout Alberta, and across Canada. In March, he was presented with the Maple Leaf Okotoks because of ease of access and the Award from the Canadian Home Builders’ appeal of the foothills community. Association which is given annually to a “People come from Calgary for the slower non-builder member in Canada for pace of a small town, a town that is steadily contributions to the industry. OUR NEW WEBSITE
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