Make Your Mark

Custom walnut casework from Lucien Millwork (2018) Ltd was utilized throughout the home to achieve the design goals for this project, designed by Soma Interiors, with construction by White Label Homes.

By Kelly Gray Photography: Lynette Photography & Michael Roberts

Fully custom-built homes and renovation projects often come with significant challenges. Having the right team at the start of a new home build or a renovation project means peace of mind and sound sleeps. This is where White Label Homes stands out.

White Label Homes was founded on the premise that design and construction shouldn’t be at odds and service should be paramount. According to company president and White Label Homes’ co-founder Daniel Melendez, their team of seasoned experts works diligently to remove the pain-points often associated with residential renovation or construction projects.

“We start with the basic understanding that our projects are our clients’ homes. Once construction The windows were another key design aspect for this updated property. Supplied and installed by Duxton Windows, fiberglass frames with mullions and edges that mirror the home’s architecture were used.

is complete, people will live in these spaces for years to come. Designs must align with the lifestyles and personal tastes of the people for whom we build. White Label Homes’ mission is to allow people to make their mark with renovations that feature high specification materials and designs that respect both the client’s unique sense of aesthetics, as well as the building’s architectural needs,” says Melendez.

A recent project in Winnipeg’s middle-Tuxedo neighbourhood is a great example of White Label Homes’ commitment to construction excellence that brought to reality the client’s vision and love for mid-century modern interiors. The Tuxedo project, designed by Rita Talwar of Soma Interiors, sought to update a classic mid-century modern bungalow to contemporary standards with luxury finishes and elements that have restored this property to its former glory and elevated the luxury to new heights.

Melendez points to the stunning kitchen that features unique stone countertops from Ital-Stone Design. The kitchen is a masterpiece reworked in a white palette, and features stunning stone countertops from Ital-Stone Design.

Fabricated with attention to detail

204-807-4870

Showroom & Manufacturing

61 Airport Road, Winnipeg, MB, R3H 0V5 www.ital-stone.com

The kitchen is a masterpiece reworked in a white palette that delivers a bright, airy feel throughout the home. Melendez comments that the specialty stone offers a unique translucence that brings a one-ofa-kind appearance with complex depth and beautiful, well-balanced variations.

“It was wonderful to watch the crew at Ital-Stone Design perform the installation. The stone is very delicate and requires a deft touch to create the appearance of simplicity in this home,” he says, mentioning further that the stone perfectly complemented the retro mid-century modern design.

The custom millwork and wood accents are other aspects of the project that helped the design reach its peak. Interior wood finishes are important components to designs that seek to recreate characteristic mid-century modern approaches. This Tuxedo home utilized highly custom walnut wood casework from Lucien Millwork (2018) Ltd to achieve its design goals. For example, wood screen accents are found on walls and ceilings in treatments that create spatial separation amid the openness of the kitchen and dining areas. A custom planter in the dining nook adds softness to the room while creating privacy from outside views. Lucien Millwork’s excellence extends to the bathroom, where the custom double vanity features impressive attention to detail.

“The grains match on the doors with a centered veneer that creates balance. The design flow is further accentuated on the bathroom dressing table with the use of elements similar to the wood screen treatments found in other areas of the home,” says Melendez, noting that designer Rita Talwar added a hidden mirror to the dressing table that enhanced functionality while allowing the wood design elements to stand out as an artistic bridge connecting the flow of the overall plan.

Windows are another key design aspect of this updated property. Built by Duxton Windows, White Label Homes' project used fibreglass frames with mullions and edges that mirrored the architecture of the home. This element created a Lucien Millwork’s excellence extends to the bathroom, where the custom double vanity features impressive attention to detail. The dressing table offers a lighted mirror, hidden behind wood doors when not in use.

Soma Interiors didn’t leave a stone unturned when it came to design details like the custom crafted curved leg supporting the stone countertop in the kitchen.

204. 794.9668 follow me @somainteriors_wpg soma-interiors.com

harmony between the exterior and the interior, resulting in unity in the overall design. The fibreglass frames also contribute positively to the building’s eco-footprint. Fibreglass windows offer reduced conductivity to heat and cold, even though the frames are thinner than other styles such as metal or PVC. The frames are also more stable in our harsh Manitoba environment. This stability means better seals throughout the window as well as greater longevity of product.

The dedicated team at White Label Homes enables their clients to make their own mark. “Yes, we are a professional team that designs and builds exclusive properties and undertake exacting and precise renovations. In the end, it is our clients’ vision that inspires and invigorates the process. We build their space, and they leave their mark. Our goal is to bring their dreams to life and allow our clients to make a statement in built form,” he says, inviting people to visit whitelabelhomes.ca to discover the intersection where great designs meet building professionals.

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Design Meets Technology

3D Tech offers new approach to interior design

BY DONNA MINKUS

If you want to know what your dream kitchen will look like before it’s actually built, you will want to get in touch with Rita Talwar, owner and principal designer at Soma Interiors.

Through the incorporation of 3D technology into the design/ construction process (3D printing, rendering and Virtual Reality), Soma Interiors offers an immersive experience as an option in the pre-construction phase. A 3D model is constructed so that a client can virtually walk through and experience the design via a headset. If there is a struggle with a kitchen counter selection, for instance, the client can toggle between materials allowing them to make a more confident design decision.

“What makes us unique is that we treat 3D tech as a tool in the process,” Talwar says. “Virtual experience is a defining advantage in design, but perhaps more so during construction,” she adds. “In renovating, for example, each trade conducts a virtual walk-through. As a result, they too understand how their work will connect to the next as they can see how the details tie together.”

Talwar, who developed her design philosophy while working on her Masters of Interior Design, describes the creative process as listening, articulating, and developing functional and aesthetic spaces for clients. From start to finish, Talwar is committed to giving clients what they need and creating the space that works for them.

“Details matter,” she explains. “Clients tell us what they want, but it’s the dialogue between us that determines the final design; space is a powerful entity, in the end it will influence its users.”

Soma Interiors prides itself on quality service, covering the job from concept design to contract administration. “We are involved in every aspect of the project from space planning to construction documents to contract administration,” Talwar says. Project budgets range from jobs for $30,000 to $5 million homes, she adds. “We can work within anyone’s budget. There’s a misconception that Interior design is a luxury. We can keep things affordable and still give clients what they want to enrich their lives.”

A hands-on designer, Talwar is part of every project her company takes on, whether it’s an entire home, residential upgrade or a commercial retail space. “I meet with clients and maintain that connection throughout the project,” she says. “I love what I do and part of that is building relationships that last long after our work is done.”

Contact Soma Interiors to discuss your home renovation possibilities. Call (204)794-9668 or email rita@soma-interiors.com

Aproblem with sleep was the impetus for a product that provides relief for untold numbers who spent much of the night tossing and turning, trying to find a cool spot in their bed.

The product that would solve the problem is called The Smart Topper. The technology behind the product was developed by two engineers - Jason Elliott and Marty Furse. Elliott, who had worked in product development, was telling Furse about his inability to get a good sleep because his bed heats up quickly and he is constantly rolling over to find a cool spot in his bed.

“Marty’s a serial entrepreneur,” Elliott says, “and we had been looking for a product to develop. Our discussion about my sleep issues triggered the idea for a thermally controlled bed.”

It took two years to develop the technology for The Smart Topper, which they launched under the company name Perfectly Snug. The company - now three years old - manufactures the product in Vancouver.

“Perfectly Snug Smart Topper is

A Perfect Night’s Sleep made from high quality memory foam for supreme comfort. Next is the heating layer, which provides BY DONNA MINKUS warmth if you are cold (perfect for winter). On top is a special material that allows air from the small fans to move against your body, providing cooling and temperature regulation. Your temperature is monitored with sensors throughout the Smart Topper and the amount of airflow is controlled to keep you at your preferred temperature. Control buttons are built into each side of The Smart Topper, which allows for easy temperature Smart topper keeps your bed cool and dry adjustment, Elliott points out. “Independent settings are great for couples who have different bed different than any product on the temperature preferences. Each can market because the technology allows set the temperature on their side of the mattress cover to maintain a the bed and be comfortable at their constant temperature. Other products desired setting.” feel cool at first but they don’t stay Distributed primarily through cool. The Smart Topper allows air to e-commerce, The Smart Topper can be circulate underneath and around you. delivered anywhere in North America. When you climb into bed and feel that “We primarily rely on social media to cool sensation, your bed stays like that advertise our product,” Elliott says. all night because the controlled air “We use a number of platforms, flows keep you cool and dry.” including our website, and Google To develop the technology, Elliott ads but primarily we advertise on put sensors in his bed to measure Facebook. We’ve had great response what happens in sleep. “Within 45 from across the country using social minutes the bed heats up to 38 degrees media.” Celsius,” he explains. “Heat causes For more information about people to roll over to find a cool spot. The Smart Topper, go to You are constantly rolling over so you Www.PerfectlySnug.com never get into a deep sleep cycle and wake up feeling unrested. Once we understood the problem, we were able to develop the technology that could stop that from happening.” The special layers are what prevent heat from being trapped, he says. The Smart Topper is two inches thick and is made of four layers. The bottom airflow layer has small fans that pull cool air from the foot of the bed. Above it is the comfort layer

White shaker cabinetry is the little black dress of kitchens: timeless and goes with everything. Here, a vaulted ceiling with rustic beam and floating shelves enhance the cabinetry’s eternal appearance.

“My vision for this kitchen renovation was to create an open concept, airy, bright space with a modern farmhouse feel by removing the wall between the dining room and kitchen to accentuate the vaulted ceiling,” says Kitchen Craft designer Joan Wong. “The L-shape and island layout was replaced with a galley and larger island.”

Kitchen Craft’s Newhaven cabinetry in whitecap opaque finish is beautifully matched by the veined quartz countertops. Trendy accessories include rustic pine accents and black linear hardware and lighting fixtures for the popular modern farmhouse look.

“These finishes are neutral yet contrast strikingly when used next to each other,” says Wong.

The renovation also included giving the once-shiny birch hardwood floor a matte finish to coordinate with the floating shelves and beam. Useful touches include wider-than-normal cabinet doors, heavyduty wood drawers and built-in double oven.

Kitchen Craft’s Kenaston store is moving – but only across the street. Visit 1650 Kenaston until the new store at 1659 Kenaston opens in late October. Or visit online at kitchencraft.com

All Dressed Up

Gone are the days of hideous ceiling fans with wicker inserts in the blades and hurricane glass shades.

“It’s not your grandmother’s fan,” says Simon Simkin, co-owner of Super-Lite of the Maverick ceiling fan from Monte Carlo Fan Collections. “It’s become one of our best selling fans.”

The contemporary ceiling fan comes in a variety of sizes and colours, with or without a light. If chosen, the bright LED light is integrated into the body of the fan and dimmable. The fan’s direct current motor is quiet and extremely energy efficient. It comes with a remote control and wall controls are available. Some models and finishes are also weatherproof.

Beyond the beauty, there’s a natural practicality to a ceiling fan year-round.

“It really helps the comfort level in a room in both summer and winter because it sets up an airflow pattern in the room and keeps the temperature even,” says Simkin.

Super-Lite is Winnipeg’s largest showroom with ceiling fans, lights for inside and out, and more. They offer a variety of different styles for all spaces, and in a beautiful setting that allows customers to visualize the products in their own home.

Style Meets Function

Whisk Up Some Light

What could be more fitting for a kitchen than whisk-inspired lighting? The dynamic Frusta pendant by Eurofase Lighting has a steel construction with beaded chain cage that beautifully mimics the kitchen instrument, while matching the home’s traditional meets modern feel. “This fixture has a soft industrial design and was the perfect fit to tie together the elements in the room,” says Adilia Silva, general manager for Total Lighting.

Custom cabinetry complements overall design

A home renovation is a great time to bring new life to your space. This gorgeous walnut vanity was created to complement the overall design of the bathroom shown here. Its elongated structure and the continuous line of the grain gives the vanity a sharp look. Manufactured by Lucien Millwork (2018) Ltd., a custom woodworking company in Winnipeg, the cabinet beautifully meets the home renovation concept from Soma Interiors to create forms that emphasized the horizon line.

“It is very rewarding being able to create someone’s concept into a final product that the customer will be able to enjoy in their new space,” says Jeff Thurlbeck, president for Lucien Millwork (2018) Ltd.

The low-lying, floating vanity and complementary cabinet use rift cut, book matched walnut to achieve the tight grain lines. Interior pullouts hidden behind the doors and drawers keep the front clean and sleek. Behind the upper cabinet is a lighted mirror for a touch of glamour. The walnut is finished with postcatalyzed lacquer for durability.

“In my opinion, walnut is one of the most beautiful and elegant woods,” says Thurlbeck.

Ital-Stone Design fabricated the knife-edge quartz countertop, and the overall renovation was coordinated by White Label Homes.

Check out other projects on Instagram @lucienmillwork2018ltd or email luciencwltd@mymts.net

The use of three pendants rather than one larger fixture was strategic. “It keeps a level of simplicity with repetition, while still having that ‘statement’ feel at the same time in this space,” says Silva.

Total Lighting, located at 347 William Avenue, has a unique open concept showroom with the latest lighting, from traditional chandeliers to industrial pendants like this one.

“We are your one-stop shop for all lighting related products. Our fantastic and experienced team can help find the perfect style to fit your space and budget,” says Silva. “Function and beauty – you can have it all! We are where bright ideas begin.”

Total Lighting has been illuminating Winnipeg homes and businesses for over 45 years.