Style Manitoba Summer 2021

ONE OF A KIND

Extraordinary custom-built home defies description

GET LOST IN MANITOBA THIS SUMMER Vacation destinations & places to explore

INFILL FABULOUS Distinctively urban luxury homes in perfect harmony with established communities

CONTACT US EARLY FOR ALL YOUR SEASONAL NEEDS

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EDITOR

Rita van Leeuwen

ART DIRECTOR

Paul Butters

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

Amy Atkinson

Lea Currie

Julie Germaine

Kelly Gray

Greg Klassen

Randal McIlroy

Quentin Mills-Fenn

Leigh Patterson

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

Mast Creative

PHOTOGRAPHY

Mast Creative

Michael Roberts

Scott Zielke

ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE

Lisa Lester

DIRECTOR DIGITAL MEDIA

Joe Potenza

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the agenda

Welcome to Style’s Summer 2021 edition! Thankfully, the warm season has finally arrived! Now that school’s out for the summer, I’m sure many of you are eager to pack up and head out of town for some well deserved rest and relaxation. Whether it’s to the family lakeside cabin or a rental property for some long awaited beach time, or perhaps even a camping trip, there’s nothing quite like a break away from it all. After months of lockdown and restrictions, heaven knows we all need some quality vacation time to recharge.

Looking for places to go, new locales to explore? Adventures can be found in numerous locations throughout our beautiful province. Check out Style’s travel column - Get Lost in Manitoba this Summer – for some excellent holiday recommendations. From hiking trails and day trips to exciting northern adventures and other destinations further afield, travel columnist Greg Klassen has it covered. (Needless to say, travelling and exploring Manitoba should only be done with members

of your immediate household until restrictions are lifted.)

Another excellent read this issue is our cover story – One of a Kind – Leigh Patterson’s coverage supported by Ian Krahn’s photography on an extraordinary 10,700 square foot custom-built home located in Winnipeg. Boasting a glamorous Miami-inspired design, this residence exudes luxurious finishes, precision-built qualities and unique design elements that elevate it to a whole unprecedented level. Kudos to the builder and associated local suppliers for bringing the homeowners’ vision to life!

Also included on our editorial line-up is Kelly Gray’s article, Infill Fabulous, a look at how an astute local developer has successfully carved a niche in Winnipeg’s infill housing market, constructing new luxury residences and renovating existing homes that blend in beautifully with neighbouring homes found in established communities.

On another note, at writing time, Manitoba was still experiencing high

daily COVID 19 case counts and our ICUs were overwhelmed to the point where patients were being transported to other provinces with enough ICU capacity and medical staff to care for them. It ‘s critically important for Manitobans to maintain their diligence in adhering to the restrictions that are in place if we’re ever going to get through this. I can’t stress this enough - getting vaccinated is of paramount importance to us all if we ever want to achieve widespread immunity. Even if you think the virus won’t seriously harm you, it can kill or cause serious permanent or longterm medical damage to those you care about. Do it to protect them, do it so we can all hope for a better tomorrow that includes hugging our loved ones and visiting with those beyond our immediate households. With a united effort, perhaps this will happen before summer’s end.

In the meantime, stay safe and enjoy the season ahead.

There is no doubt about it: this home is one of a kind. Beyond its sheer size (10,700 square feet of living space), its luxurious finishes, precision-built qualities and unique design elevate it to a whole, unprecedented level.

For these homeowners, there was only one builder they could trust to bring their vision of a glamorous Miami-inspired residence to life: White Label Homes.

The clients had worked with White Label Homes on a renovation at their previous home in Tuxedo. In 2018, they enlisted the team to take on this custom build on a lot they had purchased in Charleswood.

“Our clients are huge fans of modernist architecture found in Miami and are there quite often; they wanted to carry a similar aesthetic into their new home,” says Daniel Melendez, co-founder and president of White Label Homes. “They also had an impressive collection of art and furniture acquired during their extensive travels, and so the home needed to consider this in our design.”

For this large-scale project, White Label Homes teamed up with Rita Talwar of Soma Interiors and Alden Neufeld of Size Architecture, to help inventory the homeowners’ collections and design the home. After consulting over a series of

design iterations, the homeowners and the builder landed on a customtailored plan for a spectacular home that would reflect the client’s aesthetic, showcase their extensive Peter Lik photography collection and be a place to comfortably live and entertain.

It’s difficult to know how, or where, to begin to describe this home, but perhaps the best place to start the reveal is just beyond the custom oversized 5’ x 10’ pivot front entry door. That’s when the “wow” factor is on full display. Every entrance is a grand one when you’re

Accent lighting supplied and installed by Robinson Lighting on the home’s exterior highlights its distinctive architecture at night.

One of a kind

Extraordinary custom-built home defies description

Soaring 22’ high ceilings, paired with abundant windows glazed onsite and built by DUXTON Windows & Doors, allow natural light to fill the large main floor entertainment space. Scale was carefully considered in the design to accommodate and showcase the clients’ furniture and artwork. White Label Homes relied on the expertise of Soma Interiors to help select the high-end interior finishes found in the home.

BY LEIGH PATTERSON

PHOTOGRAPHY: MAST CREATIVE & MICHAEL ROBERTS

greeted by a lobby befitting a five-star hotel.

“Our clients insisted on a black and white interior décor, with no shades of grey and accent colours,” says Melendez. That classic and restrained colour palette begins on the floor, where 3’ x 6’ porcelain tiles, handmade in Italy and installed by J&R Tile in a rectangular pattern effectively creates a huge, gleaming welcome mat. The same tile extends throughout the home to create a cohesive flow downstairs and up.

Speaking of up, look way up. The home features soaring 22’ high ceilings on the main floor to add further grandeur. Large glass windows were glazed onsite and built by DUXTON Windows & Doors to allow natural light to fill the large main floor living spaces.

“We scaled the design of this area proportionately to accommodate the baby grand piano in the corner, and the fractal custom bar area. The larger-than-life agate artwork by Alex Turco suspended above the bar area was commissioned for this home by the owners,” notes Melendez.

To maintain the home’s lightfilled, opulent feel, Fort Rouge Glass manufactured and installed a “shaft” of glass panels from the basement to the upstairs that envelopes the elegant staircase. It looks deceivingly simple and clean, but incorporating the staircase required a great deal of work and precision.

This was a challenge met by Treads by Design, who employed knife-edge detailing on the woodand-steel staircase to echo the home’s crisp, clean lines. Undermounted LED lights supplied by Robinson Lighting on the hand railing provide safety while accenting this central architectural feature.

“When it comes to execution, we are very focused on the details,” says Melendez. “We really pushed our trades to deliver the best details using the most current construction technology. It shows up in the highly specific finishes of the home.”

To maintain the home’s custom, opulent feel, Fort Rouge Glass manufactured and installed a “shaft of glass” panels from the basement to the upstairs that envelope the elegant staircase.

The home’s black-and-white theme starts at the front entrance, where 3’ x 6’ porcelain tiles, handmade in Italy and installed by J&R Tile, create a huge, gleaming welcome mat. The same tile extends throughout the home to create a cohesive flow downstairs and up.

The wine room is conveniently located next to the home’s show-stopping kitchen. An area conducive to both cooking and entertaining, it’s equipped with two large double knife-edge islands featuring striking black quartz countertops with white marbled effects and subtle waterfall edging, supplied and expertly installed by Ital-Stone Design. State-of-the-art stainless steel appliances are inset into the sleek custom cabinetry from Lucien Millwork (2018) Ltd for a seamless look.

On the opposite side of the main floor space is a spacious living area where the homeowners and their guests can gather in comfort. This space is located adjacent to a formal dining room where a lowered ceiling and floating black panel with integrated LED tape lighting and the homeowners’ own spiral light fixtures create an intimate space for dining. From here, there is an unobstructed view to a custom-built, temperature and humidity-controlled walk-in wine room. With an impressive 295-bottle capacity, a tile floor that mimics the home’s entranceway, and integrated LED lighting, the wine room is as beautiful to look at as it is to use. Then, there’s a show-stopping kitchen. An area conducive to both cooking and entertaining, it’s equipped with two large double islands featuring striking black quartz countertops with white marbled

Multiple light pendants recessed into the ceiling help define the kitchen space without impeding the sightlines to the rest of the main floor.

Also on the main floor is a spacious living area where the homeowners and their guests can gather in comfort. This space is located adjacent to a formal dining room where a lowered ceiling and floating black panel with integrated LED tape lighting from Robinson Lighting create an intimate space for dining.

effects and subtle waterfall edging, supplied and expertly installed by Ital-Stone Design. Multiple light pendants recessed into the ceiling help define the space without impeding the sightlines to the rest of the main floor. State-of-the-art, stainless steel appliances by Sub-Zero and Wolf are inset into the sleek custom cabinetry from Lucien Millwork (2018) Ltd for a seamless look.

The family room is a picture-perfect retreat. One highlight is the luxurious and private spa room, well appointed with a glassed-in shower with multiple showerheads and a heated granite bench. A distinctive book-matched granite feature wall inset with a linear gas fireplace insert from Heat Savers is the main focal point of the room. The same room converts to a home theatre, thanks to a ceiling panel that conceals a flatscreen television attached to automated arm. At the push of a button on a remote, the panel flips down for viewing, and retracts into the ceiling when not in use. It is just one example of the ingenuity at play in the home.

With an impressive 295-bottle capacity, a tile floor that mimics the home’s entranceway, and integrated LED lighting, the temperature and humidity-controlled walk-in wine room is as beautiful to look at as it is functional.

The full-sized bar is an amazing space for entertaining. The geometry of the bar was intentionally designed to juxtapose the grid layout of the rest of the home.

Wallpaper by: Ellie Cashman

“Advance Electronics installed invisible speakers in the ceilings and completely wired it so that it is a fully automated and smart home,” says White Label Homes' vice-president Jared Neufeld. As the project’s site manager, Neufeld has intensive knowledge of the home’s entire workings. “We are one of the first in the province to have fully integrated cold air return grilles, so it looks seamless, without ugly grilles that can ruin the aesthetic,” adds Melendez. “It’s well-designed and conceived in execution, even behind the scenes.” With insulation rated at R24 in the walls and R60 in the ceilings, it is an extremely efficient home, too. AllPro Mechanical installed three furnaces, one on each level, to ensure maximum control for thermal comfort.

Arguably, we may have left the best for last on our tour: the master suite. This is truly a suite to behold, from the custom ostrich leather upholstery gracing the headboard

3’ x 6’ porcelain tiles, handmade in Italy and installed by J&R Tile, create a huge, gleaming welcome mat. The same tile extends throughout the home to create a cohesive flow downstairs and up.

A cozy seating area in the family room is perfect for lounging. A unique feature here is the ceiling panel that conceals a flatscreen television attached to automated arm. At the push of a button on a remote, the panel flips down for viewing, and retracts into the ceiling when not in use. Home automation was provided by Advance Electronics.

A book-matched granite feature wall inset with a linear gas fireplace from Heat Savers is the main focal point of the family room.

in the bedroom, to the mitered-edge quartz feature wall with see-through gas fireplace, to the massive walk-in closet with built-in millwork. But the pièce de résistance must be the ensuite, replete with a fully glassedin shower and toilet. A black-andwhite freestanding bathtub and accompanying matte black fixture are a gorgeous counterpoint to the Italian porcelain tiles. The bathtub shares a large space surrounded in gleaming modern white cabinetry topped with two vessel sinks.

Pushing the envelope on this custom home build meant doing so on the envelope itself: the stunning and distinctive exterior. “We used knife edge detailing here, too,” says Melendez. Transcona Roofing was entrusted with supplying and installing the modified bitumen system to the structurally sloped flat roofs. For the cladding, the White Label Homes team opted to

The master suite features a mitered-edge quartz feature wall with see-through gas fireplace from Heat Savers that separates the bedroom from the ensuite.

The home’s black-and-white theme starts at the front entrance, where 3’ x 6’ porcelain tiles, handmade in Italy and installed by J&R Tile, create a huge, gleaming welcome mat. The same tile extends throughout the home to create a cohesive flow downstairs and up.

The ensuite is replete with a fully glassed-in shower (glasswork by Fort Rouge Glass) and toilet. A black-and-white freestanding bathtub and accompanying matte black fixture are a gorgeous counterpoint to the Italian porcelain tiles on the floor and shower surround.

White Label Homes. Photography by Ian Krahn.

use Prodema board, a sustainable and technologically enhanced wood product from Spain. The rich wood panels lend warmth to the façade, and together with the accent lighting supplied and installed by Robinson Lighting on the “knife edge,”

highlights the home’s distinctive architecture at night.

Completed in early 2021, the home is now being thoroughly enjoyed by the clients. “They love it,” says Neufeld. “We gave them the home of their dreams.”

The bathtub shares a large space surrounded in gleaming modern white cabinetry manufactured and installed by Lucien Millwork (2018) Ltd. Two vessel sinks mimic the style of the bathtub.

A custom upholstered ostrich leather headboard makes a signature statement in the bedroom of the master suite.

Builder – White Label Homes

STYLE FILE About the builder

Backsplash, glass shower

doors, staircases, decks & railings – Fort Rouge Glass

Interior Design – Soma Interiors

Fireplaces –Heat Savers Distributors

Lighting products –Robinson Lighting

Tiles & tile work – J&R Tile

Roofing –Transcona Roofing Ltd.

Windows & Entrance Door –DUXTON Windows & Doors

Countertops & stonework –Ital-Stone Design

Cabinetry & millwork –Lucien Millwork (2018) Ltd

Alarm, sound system & automation –

Advance Electronics

Heating & Plumbing –

AllPro Mechanical

Garage doors –Wallace + Wallace

Plumbing fixtures –The Ensuite

Appliances –

Stalwart Appliances

Building materials –McMunn & Yates.

Concrete foundation –

JLA Concrete Work

Drywall – HK Drywall

Electrical –

GRD Electric (2010) Ltd.

Exterior façade –

Above All Roofing

Flooring – Bill Knight Flooring

Furnishings –Top Stitch Upholstery Design

Interior doors & trim –HK Projects/Kauenhowen

Projects LTD (KPL)

Painting – Valour Decorating

Powder coatings –River City Powder Coatings

Siding, soffit, fascia –

Above All Roofing

Structural –

Tower Engineering

Framer –J. Smith Construction

Central vacuum system –

Vacuflow Manitoba

Architecture –

Size Architecture

Stairs – The Tread Works

A desire to improve the designbuild process for their clients underscores the mission of White Label Homes.

Understanding that design, construction and renovations can be intimidating, frustrating and unclear, White Label Homes co-founders Daniel Melendez and Karl Loepp set out to simplify the experience, remove barriers and help clients get to their end goal, whether building a dream home or renovating a kitchen.

Using their “White Label Method,” developed over years of experience, they guide clients through their four-step process to take every project from design through construction, painlessly.

Leading operations is principal Jared Neufeld, who has an extensive knowledge of construction management and project delivery. Neufeld has helped deliver some of the most complex and challenging projects in the company's history, including the marquee home profiled on the preceding pages. In February of 2021, White Label Homes welcomed registered architect Jeff Del Buono. As an integral member of the team, Del Buono is expanding the delivery of in-house design-build services. Add to this core team a strong cadre of trusted tradespeople who help bring each project to life.

Making small innovations within an established industry is no small feat, but White Label Homes is up to the challenge. After all, at the heart of their business is a passion to create beautiful spaces and build good client experiences.

Daniel Melendez

Jared Neufeld

Jeff Del Buono

Mortgage solutions that fit

When it comes to obtaining the right home mortgage package, it's good to have a specialist in your corner, especially in this highly charged real estate market where properties are selling well above the asking price with multiple offers on the table.

Palmina Thomson is a Home Financing Advisor with Scotiabank and specializes in residential mortgages. Her customer-responsive approach helps take a lot of the challenges out of home mortgage shopping.

“My approach is a personal one. I’m available when clients are. A new home purchase or renovation can be a cause of stress. We understand this and work to smooth the process,” she says, commenting that she is available seven days a week, and mobile – so she can arrange financing in the comfort of her customers’ home or office. She teams with top real estate agents and insurance brokers to offer the best possible advice and service.

Palmina gets things started with a meeting where she advises on mortgage aspects such as down payment, payment schedules, risk avoidance, rates and terms.

“In this market, it is essential to have a preapproval on how much you can borrow so you have everything ready when the offer is made. Also, be prepared with supporting documents that the bank may request. Having the right documents speeds the process. In this market, time is of the essence,” she says, remarking that the proper preparation allows people to look for properties at the right price point. It avoids disappointments and

wasted time looking for homes that are beyond a buyer’s means.

“We typically use a person’s gross income (before taxes) to determine the amount they can borrow. For most people, this means 39% of income can go to a new home purchase.” Palmina reports that she offers a wide range of lending packages designed to fit the situation. These packages include financing products for new home purchases, home renovation and improvement, and refinancing.

She reports that while spring is traditionally a busy time for home purchases, this year’s market is extreme. Rates are starting to climb from historic lows. Home prices are moving up with properties receiving multiple offers for purchase. “Having the right fitting mortgage can deliver an edge in this highly competitive market,” she says, inviting people to discover the comfort a well-tailored loan package provides.

For more information contact Palmina at: palmina.thomson@scotiabank.com

Experience, knowledge and trustworthiness are essential qualities to look for when seeking to hire a realtor in this highly charged real estate market. Natasha Kouk, a leading Winnipeg Realtor® with Royal Le Page Dynamic Real Estate for almost 20 years, clearly embodies these characteristics. Just ask any of her previous clients who continue to call her when they seek to sell, buy or refer their friends and family members. Having a base of satisfied clients has continued to build her business and is the best evidence of their trust in her skill at providing sound advice.

Her drive to assist clients is founded in her abilities to listen and truly understand their unique needs. From that point, she offers guidance and fine-tunes her approach to focus on finding properties with the right fit for each client.

“We got to know Natasha through a real estate transaction. We have since become both friends and neighbours,” say Winnipeg residents Andrew and Sheryl. “She won us over following her marketing presentation and then came through with a professional step-bystep approach that took out a lot of the nervousness that accompanies a home sale.”

“The current real estate market is very vibrant and is one of the most

extreme I have seen in my career,” says Natasha, adding that there is currently a shortage of inventory in lower to mid-priced homes. And with low-interest rates helping to push demand, especially among first-time buyers, prices have been on the rise. “This means it's especially important to have a knowledgeable Realtor® for purchase negotiations, where multiple bids can be received for available homes, and for sales where owners want to achieve the best possible price in this market.”

Natasha offers a boutique style of service where she gives individual attention that continues to bring clients back again and again. Indeed, her

dedication and hard work have been rewarded with numerous real estate awards over her career.

“I am a full-service realtor and will assist you every step of the way. I work with trusted home inspectors, tradespeople, lawyers, and bankers who are all part of preparing a home for sale or in purchasing a home.”

Natasha is a specialist in properties in Winnipeg’s southern quadrant and in Headingley, where she reports a tremendous expansion of homes and services over the past 10 years. However, many days she can be found in any of Winnipeg’s diverse neighbourhoods, helping clients of all ages sell and buy properties that best suit their desires.

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Benji Miles Director, Wealth Management Portfolio Manager Investment Advisor

Leah Case Associate

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Stepping Out with Style

By Quentin Mills-Fenn

Various summer favourites are closed for the time being: Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg Art Gallery and Qaumajuq, Transcona Museum, Canadian Museum of Human Rights, Seven Oaks House Museum and Ross House Museum, Dalnavert Museum and Visitor Centre, St. Boniface Museum.

Many of them have put together digital programming, so check their websites for more info.

After the cancellation of the Winnipeg Jazz Festival, the organizers will be announcing lower-keyed events for later in the summer. Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Fringe Festival will be entirely online again this year. And watch out for announcements from events like Folklorama, the Winnipeg Folk Festival, and the Winnipeg International Writers Festival to see what they’ve got in store.

The Assiniboine Park Zoo is also closed temporarily, but park green spaces and the Nature Playground are open. Scheduled to open July 9 are the Outdoor Gardens at The Leaf, close to 30 acres in the south-east corner of the park. The outdoor Gardens at The Leaf include the Indigenous Peoples Garden, Kitchen Garden, Seasonal Garden, Sensory Garden, Performance Garden, and The Grove. The LeafCanada's Diversity Gardens is the final major phase in the redevelopment of Assiniboine Park and Zoo. An ongoing

project, eventually The Leaf will become an indoor/outdoor, multi-seasonal attraction, so get a sneak peak and enjoy some of Winnipeg outdoors.

Also, be on the lookout for Dinosaurs

Uncovered, an exciting and interactive new dinosaur experience, open for a limited time only this summer at the Zoo. Dig deep and learn about the latest archaeological discoveries, emerging technology and science, and evolutionary connections between distant dinosaur species and their modern-day relatives. Dinosaurs

Uncovered will feature dinosaurs from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods including the fearsome Tyrannosaurs Rex, massive Omeisaurus, and small but mighty Velociraptor, plus more recently discovered species like the feathered Dakotaraptor. With 17 life-size, animatronic dinosaurs along a forested trail, it should be hard to miss. (Details TBA)

For more outdoor fun, FortWhyte Alive is open, albeit with familiar restrictions: households only, masks are mandatory in all indoor spaces

Spring turns into summer, and you get the feeling that life is starting up again.

Dinosaurs Uncovered - Photo: Assiniboine Park Conservancy

and encouraged elsewhere, and the Alloway Reception Centre is open for check-in only. The Nature Shop is open for one visitor at a time. Still, you can take part in various nature-inspired activities, crafts, games, and exploration, and let your adventurous side come to life. Each week will feature a different activity geared towards varying ages, helping you get connected with nature. These self-guided experiences will help you see and interact with nature in a new way – and inspire you to keep looking for ways to connect and do good for the planet long after your visit.

At Oak Hammock Marsh, the Wetland Discovery Centre is closed. Pre-booked guided outdoor programs will still be delivered with reduced capacity to comply with the new restrictions. Check their website for upcoming nature-filled activities.

For a nature-urban experience, check to see what the Winnipeg Trails Association has on offer all over our city. Their website has over 30 detailed trail maps, each map offering detailed insights for each trail with information of surface type, trail length, refreshments / washroom facilities / parking, connecting trails, and points of interest found along each trail. Put on some comfortable shoes and get exploring.

In the fall, it’s the rescheduled Doors Open Winnipeg. The 18th annual edition now takes place on September 11th and 12th. It’s a free citywide celebration of Winnipeg’s distinct spaces, outstanding architecture, and fascinating history, with the opportunity to explore Winnipeg’s past at over 90 unique events and tours located throughout the city.

While we’re waiting for museums and galleries to open, some galleries have announced shows. For example, Cre8ery, 125 Adelaide Street, 2nd Floor, has scheduled Transcendence by Jacobus van Houdt, although the exhibition is

TBC, pending Manitoba Health’s updated restrictions.

While you’re waiting to feed the mind, feed the body at the farmers’ markets that will be kicking off soon all over town. For example, there’s the Downtown Winnipeg Farmers Market outside at True North Square (242 Hargrave Street) on Thursdays, starting sometime in June. Head north to the East St. Paul Farmers' Market (302 Hoddinott Road, East St. Paul), or south to the St Norbert Farmers Market/Le Marche (3514 Pembina Highway).

As you’re driving south, why not keep going until you get to St. Adolphe and drop by the Sunflower Expo (opening August 7, tentatively, and until September when the blooming is over). Explore 40 varieties of sunflowers over 8 acres (lots of beautiful photo opportunities), then indulge in a glass of wine or craft beer. Plus, get lost for a spell and wander the corn maze, climb the giant hay bale pyramid, or visit the petting zoo. Check out the Pumpkin Barn to pick out some pumpkins, squash, and local honey.

(1351 MB-200, Saint Adolphe)

Back in the city, we’re starting to see some concerts scheduled in the late summer and fall. A quick glance reveals shows with something for almost everyone.

Who better to lift spirits than Celine Dion? She’s planning to come to Winnipeg as part of her Courage World Tour. Five Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards, 20 Junos, a Eurovision win, and 240 million albums over a 35-year career. That’s a lot to pack in one show. (August 16, Bell MTS Centre)

If you’re in the mood for murder, there’s The Sopranos - Comedy & Conversation. Join Steven Schirripa (Bobby Bacala), Michael Imperioli (Christopher Moltisanti), and Vincent Pastore (Sal Bonpensiero) for behindthe-scenes stories about the legendary show, and maybe some theories about the show’s finale. (August 21, Club Regent Casino)

Manitoba 150’s free summer concert, Unite 150, has been rescheduled for Saturday, August 28th. Swing by the Manitoba Legislative grounds for a free outdoor full-day concert featuring Manitoba’s iconic music acts, inclu-

ding headliners Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings. Plus, multicultural programming, a concert tavern featuring locally made spirits and craft beers, an alcohol-free family fun zone, and Manitoba cuisine and crafts.

April Wine formed in 1969. That’s amazing. Their discography includes numerous gold and platinum selling albums with hits like "You Could Have Been a Lady" and "Just Between You and Me." (September 16th, Club Regent Casino)

The Winnipeg Folk Festival & Park Theatre present Joel Plaskett with Mo Kenney. Catch one of Nova Scotia's favourite sons, along with his band, The Emergency, spinning tales and singing songs. (September 20th and 21st, Park Theatre)

Or maybe Barbie Girl is more your jam. Reliving the music from just a few decades ago, '90s Nostalgia is bringing their Electric Circus edition tour, featuring AQUA, Vengaboys, Eiffel 65, 2 Unlimited, Haddaway, and Jenny from Ace of Base. Electric Circus' longest running and original hostess, Monika Deol will be emceeing the tour. (September 21, Bell MTS Place) “Come on Barbie, let’s go party!”

Then James Taylor & His All-Star Band are scheduled to play with Bonnie Raitt on September 26th. Taylor and Raitt’s highly anticipated Coast to Coast Canadian Tour celebrate a decades-long friendship. “You’ve got a friend…da, da, da, dah…da, da, da, dah…” (Bell MTS Centre)

Remember to check websites for changes and updates. There’ll be more events for the summer and fall planned, so keep your eyes open. In the meantime, get outdoors and stay safe!

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On the BOOKSHELF

Tomorrow They Won’t Dare to Murder Us (Verso)

by Joseph Andras

by Quentin Mills-Fenn

A brief, powerful novel based on recent history: the Algerian struggle for independence from France in the 1950s, a brutal period that cost the lives of a million Muslim Algerians. Fernand Iveton - white, from a French background - is arrested, tortured, and sentenced to death by guillotine for terrorism at a time of nationwide turmoil and violence. It’s a story of cowardice and desperation, hope and good, and eventually, justice. Translated from the original French by Simon Leser

Terminal Boredom (Verso)

by Izumi Suzuki

A fascinating collection of stories by a cult writer and actress who took her own life in 1986, shortly after writing the title story. A captivating mix of punk and surrealism: a family alone in a deserted city learns how to be human from misunderstood cultural references, the perils of interplanetary dating. It’s like kitchen sink science fiction, speculative writing about technology out-of-control mixed up with mundane things like dreary friends and running into ex-girlfriends. There’s nothing quite like her writing. (Originally published in Japanese; unusually the stories have different translators)

I Am Herod (Goose Lane)

by Richard Kelly Kemick

After publishing some well-received poetry, an armchair-atheist at loose ends joins the cast of the Canadian Badland Passion Play as one of the main heavies. One of the few agnostics, if not heathens, in the cast and crew of the devout, the amateur, and the odd (Judas Iscariot, Martha of Bethany, Pharisee with Cane, Baptizee 4). It’s very funny with a foul-tempered Pilate and a Jesus with a credit for the TV show Supernatural, but who still has to live up to the performance of the Best Jesus Ever from a few years back. It’s also a respectful, sweet, and thought-provoking meditation about belief and belonging.

Reviewed by Randal McIlroy

DIANA KRALL

This Dream of You

(VerVe/UniVersal)

Nanaimo, B.C.-born singer / pianist Diana Krall continues to set her signature quietly on jazz standards and the sympathetic songs of her contemporaries. This Dream of You is virtually the companion set to her previous album, Turn Up the Quiet, with songs tracked mostly at the same sessions with producer Tommy LiPuma, who worked with her for 25 years before his passing. Leftovers they’re not. “Just You, Just Me” is a spirited romp featuring Stuart Gordon’s excited violin. Her subtle animation of “Don’t Smoke in Bed” matches Bob Dylan’s title song for a feeling to hold the heart. Vocally, she tends to the slow and breathy, but her piano playing remains brisk and smart, especially in a frisky “Almost Like Being in Love” and “I Wished on the Moon.”

JUSTICE

Justin Bieber (DefJam/UniVersal)

Predominantly, Justin Bieber’s latest is the golden sound of modern pop music – breezy tunes, sung lightly and spiced by a guest list of largely unobtrusive rappers. His startling choice to open Justice with a recording by the fiery Martin Luther King Jr. hints at the artist’s deeper emotions, which are released on the closing “Lonely,” an admission that stardom for the young can exact a heavy toll. For happier contrast, there’s “Off My Face,” an acoustic guitar ballad, and the cheerful “Peaches,” a sunny and surprisingly saucy affair.

THE WEEKND After Hours (repUblic/UniVersal)

After Hours isn’t as dark as its cover image, where the Toronto man born Abel Tesfaye is streaked with blood, but sonically it's heavy going – woozy keyboards and a voice filtered through enough pitch altering to summon Munchkin choruses – that’s slow to lift. It’s late in the game when The Weeknd fools the second-guessers by strutting into a 1977 disco for “In Your Eyes” – popping bass, steam hammer drums and all. “Scared to Live” begins as a hymnal before sampling Elton John’s “Your Song” in the chorus. “Save Your Tears” gets down to even better business with its irresistible keyboard hook. The Weeknd is a man of many parts for the urban/soul scene, and they’re all young and strong.

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Vs A Heightened Effort to Sanitize Your Home

It’s natural to want to lock everything down during this crisis. When conducted safely, housecleaning services actually improve the health of your home and workplace. So much so that the government deemed cleaning services essential to the population, with the following safety precautions in place: social distancing, washing hands for a specific length of time, wearing a mask and gloves, disinfecting the soles of shoes or wearing shoe covers while using EPA approved cleaning products and methods.

As consumers, we find ourselves in a dilemma: should we maximize our safety measures by preventing anyone other than our immediate family from entering our home or enhance our cleanliness by hiring a professional cleaner to clean and sanitize our home?

You Make the Rules - your home, your rules, more safety efforts. Allow ventilation, wear your own protective equipment, instruct family members to social distance while the cleaner is working, or stay on a level other than the one the cleaner is working on.

Hiring a Cleaning Service During Covid19 is more important than ever because:

1. Safety: Cleaning professionals have been trained to follow all safety protocols while effectively eliminating germs/ viruses with EPA approved cleaning solutions.

2. Peace of Mind: With everything you are required to do like homeschooling and working from home, a professional cleaner will give you peace of mind, knowing that the task is now taken care of.

3. Participate in the solution by making sure your home is kept hygienic, sterilized and spotless by professional cleaners.

Take Time Cleaning staff are well trained and diligently follow cleaning protocols, using EPA tested products proven to kill the Covid-19 virus and 99.9% of all germs.

5 Simple Ways to Eat Better at Home

By Julie Germaine

Photography: Envision

Photography | Art Beauty Fitness

This pandemic has affected all of our lives in ways we could never have imagined, and the changes to our routines have gone on and on! It is natural to have put on a few pounds due to stress and the transition to a more sedentary day, especially if you’re working from home. However, you do have control of what food you eat, and it is becoming increasingly important to put in effort to make healthier food choices.

Whether you want to lose weight, maintain your current size, build muscle, or just optimize your health to keep your immune system strong, your diet is ultimately going to decide your success. Here are my top five tips to boost the nutritional content of your foods without doing a complete lifestyle overhaul.

• Choose whole grain foods, such as multi-grain breads, whole-wheat pasta, and brown rice over the white processed versions. Your body will receive more nutrients to keep you healthy and these carbs take longer to digest, so you feel satisfied longer.

• Eat more eggs, especially for breakfast or before bed. More protein is always beneficial for your health and eggs offer a complete protein that

your body can effectively use. Eating more protein helps develop and maintain lean tissues, which increases your metabolism naturally. Check out the recipes on my blog for my Turkey Bacon Breakfast Oat Cups, which incorporate all the best parts of a diner breakfast, including eggs, into convenient, bite-sized biscuits you can grab on the go.

• Whether cooking for yourself or ordering delivery, choose dishes that are baked or roasted rather than grilled or fried. If you can’t resist

ordering your favourite, non-healthy menu item, cut the serving size in half by sharing it with a friend.

• Eat more fruit – and choose this over sweets when you are feeling snacky! Fruit is nature’s candy, and there are so many varieties and flavours to choose from, you should really never get tired of them. And, hey, now and then, enjoy those strawberries dipped in thick dark chocolate. You deserve it.

• Love the crunch of chips at night?

I hear you! Instead of this fatty, high calorie trap, make light popcorn (and don’t add too much butter). You will save yourself 200 calories per 100 g serving with this simple swap.

I would love to help you achieve your fitness goals! Please visit my website for information on my virtual personal training and nutrition programs, including my 30 Day VIP Fat Loss Challenge where you can lose 2 inches from your waistline in 4 weeks with 30-minute home workouts!

Julie Germaine is a 2x Pro Fitness Champion, Certified Nutrition Expert and Specialized Weight Loss Coach. She has helped thousands of men and women achieve incredible body transformations through her virtual coaching since 2005. Check out her services at www.juliegermaine.com or book a FREE 15-minute online fitness consultation at: www.calendly.com/ juliegermaine

Providing high-quality, local eggs with a commitment to responsible animal care.

Lee family Egg farmers from Holland, MB

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups (720 mL) all-purpose flour

1/4 cup (60 mL) white sugar

1 Tbsp (15 mL) baking powder

1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) salt

1/2 cup (125 mL) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces or grated

3/4 cup (180 mL) milk plus 2 Tbsp (30 mL), divided

2 large eggs, beaten

1 Tbsp (15 mL) lemon zest

1 cup (250 mL) blueberries

1 cup (250 mL) white chocolate chips

Blueberry White Chocolate Scones

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375˚F (190˚C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine flour, ¼ cup sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or using a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add ¾ cup milk, eggs, and lemon zest. Stir just until mixture forms a dough. Gently fold in blueberries and white chocolate chips.

Divide dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, pat each half into 7-inch rounds. Cut each round into wedges. Place each scone on the prepared baking sheet. Brush with 2 Tbsp reserved milk.

Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 16 scones.

The power of makeup is undeniable; our favourite products help create the looks we love, enhance our favourite features, and encapsulate our individual definitions of beauty. The best beauty routines help women boost their confidence and face the world head on - no matter what the day has in store.

As the seasons change, so should our skincare products. Now that summer has arrived, it’s time to switch up our heavier winter facial creams for some light but effective products for your daily routine.

Skincare Essentials

Modern Nature (MONAT) is a vegan, anti-aging skincare line that will have you head over heels about your skin. Ophthalmologist and Dermatologist tested and approved, MONAT features three lines dedicated to every skin type: Be Purified for Oily Skin, Be Balanced for Normal & Combination Skin and Be Gentle for Dry, Sensitive Skin. For summer, I also recommend: Sun Veil (Sunscreen), C. Radiance Illuminating Serum, Be Purified Clarifying Cleanser and Berry Refined Scrub. (Check out my Instagram for more details on MONAT products @iamamyatkinson or visit missamyatkinson.mymonat.com)

Get the Look

The saying “less is more” is definitely true come summertime when we don’t want to be wearing so much makeup and sweating it off. It's essential to find products that will bring long lasting, good coverage that don’t leave a heavy feeling on your skin. Here’s what was used to create my look:

SUMMER BEAUTY ESSENTIALS

By Amy Atkinson

Photography: Daniel Melnyk Photography

1.Primer

For over 10 years, I’ve been using Chanel’s Multi-Use Illuminating Base. A little goes a long way. Use a Beauty Blender or Makeup Brush to apply, but the key is to press it into the skin and ensure every area on your face is covered evenly.

2.Foundation

IT Cosmetics CC+ Illumination in Neutral Medium was used here. It provides full coverage but is not heavy on the skin, and feels like you're not even wearing it. Plus it has Broad Spectrum SPF 50, perfect for shielding us from UVA and UVB rays, and contains anti-aging hydrating serums. For perfect application, use a Beauty Blender from Sephora. Wetting your sponge just a bit will give your skin a nice glow (a trick from Celebrity makeup artists from around the world.) The secret here is “less is more,” but the real trick is pressing it into the skin so it looks like you're not even wearing it.

3.Concealer

My go-to for concealer is by Tarte cosmetics, here in a Light Sand shade. I wear just a tiny bit under my eyes and love this one because it has a smooth texture and blends perfectly onto your skin.

4.Powder/Set Makeup

To set foundation and concealer in place, I opted for pressed powder by Charlotte Tilbury in Airbrush Flawless Finish. These three products together give you the look of not wearing any makeup, just beautiful porcelain skin. And remember - the secret with applying foundation, concealer and other products is blend, blend, blend!

5. Bronzer

I chose bronzer by Benefit in the Hoola shade, which has a matte finish and is perfect for any skin colour because you can build upon it to make it as dark as desired.

6. Blush

To add just a touch of blush, I opted for MAC (shade Dainty).

7. Eyebrows

First I filled them in with Anastasia Brow Definer in Soft Brown; then used a small angled brush to fill in the beginning of my eyebrows with MAC eye shadow in a light brown shade. Eyebrows should be lighter at the beginning and a bit darker at the ends, but I also use eye shadow throughout my entire eyebrows for a more perfected look.

8. Eye Shadow

Instead of eye shadow, I used a pressed powder called Harmony from MAC, a nice deep matte brown brushed over my eyelid and a bit above it, contoured the sides of my nose with the same colour, and used it under my eyes for a more defined look. In the inner eye corners, a lighter shade - Perfect Omega from Marc Jacobsgives the illusion of a wider eye.

9. Mascara

My new go-to mascara is Colossal Big Shot Volume Express (waterproof, in Intense Black) by Maybelline - definitely a summer must.

10. Eyeliner

Stila Stay All Day waterproof liquid eyeliner was used to line above my eye and create a winged effect to add a little more drama.

11. Eyelashes

I love wearing false lashes to bring my makeup look that much more alive, and used Lilly Lashes called Miami to get this look.

12. Setting Spray

To set and keep makeup lasting long during the hot weather, my go-to is Too Faced Replenishing Setting Spray with Coconut water, ProbioticBased Ingredients & Skin Revivers.

Amy Atkinson is an accredited medical aesthetician, based in Winnipeg. Check out her Instagram for more details on MONAT products @iamamyatkinson or visit missamyatkinson.mymonat.com

Netley Creek Golf Course and RV Park has a lot of surprises in store for those new to the links or those looking for a quiet camping retreat. Owned and operated by Alan and Jackie Grabinski and Bethany Luptak, the site, under a half-hour from the Perimeter, features an 18-hole Golf Canada affiliated course, 38 fully serviced RV camping sites, as well as a licensed restaurant with patio and clubhouse.

The location is unique thanks to the lovely creek and rolling terrain that comprises one of the largest natural valleys in the Interlake region. “Our course has a lot of elevation, water and challenging fairways,” says Bethany Luptak. She reports that people are often amazed at the beauty of the 153-acre site when they arrive. “There are six bridges, and players are immersed in nature on this course. It’s close to the city but a world away with a lot of great natural elements.”

Hitting the Green

BY KELLY GRAY

The course features 6328 yards of fairways with red, white and blue tees available for all skill levels. The longest hole is a challenging 554 yards that take players to the clubhouse and the 60-seat Mallard Eatery with its licensed patio. Along the course, players cross six bridges and find water features on 12 holes. There is also a nice range of par threes, such as the ninth hole where balls must travel over a steep ravine.

“Plan to bring more than one ball on this course,” jests Alan Grabinski, an area resident and real estate investor who saw the opportunity to keep the course in local hands when the original owners/developers, the Dalman family, decided to sell.

“This investment is a labour of love that was a lifestyle decision,” says Alan Grabinski. “My wife Jackie and I have lived in the community for a number of years and golfed the site since it opened. We loved the course

and its beauty. Friend and business associate Bethany came on board with her love of golf. Together we form a partnership dedicated to enhancing the Netley Creek Golf experience,” he says, adding that the course is among the ‘greenest’ in Manitoba thanks to the minimal use of chemicals on greens and their stewardship of the water aspects.

The course launched this year on April 22. “We had more than 100 players show up for the opening day,” says Bethany. “From the beginning, the greens have been in great shape and running very fast.”

Bethany reports that the site can host tournaments and groups to a total of 312 persons. “We are looking to grow this capability as we move forward,” she says.

More than golf

One way they are developing the business is through the adjacent RV Park.

Currently, there are 38 fully serviced sites for campers and motorhomes up to 65 feet. These include a range of creek-side lots and others with the majority pull through for easy access.

“This area is newly developed and features crushed asphalt rather than dusty gravel, and sites have mature trees and shrubs,” says Alan. He reports that the RV Park accommodates both seasonal and daily use, and bookings have been strong. “We are seeing about 50/50 golfers to people just interested in camping in the beautiful setting,” he says, mentioning that the stay and play package has proven to be popular.

What are people saying? According to Bethany, they were surprised when people came off the course and began asking to speak to the owner or manager. “One after another, people came up to us and told us how surprised they were by the quality of the course and taken back by the natural attributes. So many people book a new tee time

before they leave. These bookings tell us they had a great experience,” she says, inviting people to take the short

drive north on PTH 9 to discover one of Manitoba’s hidden golf and camping gems.

GET LOST IN MANITOBA THIS SUMMER

BY GREG KLASSEN

Travel has looked a lot different over the last year for Manitobans. We’re probably not heading to Europe anytime soon and even travelling out of province right now is risky. Luckily, there are some incredible adventures and destinations awaiting you, just outside your window.

Sue Murdoch, who books tours at Churchill’s Lazy Bear Lodge, says right

now is the time to visit Churchill. “Many Manitobans haven’t done it. Churchill is a beautiful place to visit and it’s in our own backyard.” She has a tip for all Manitobans.

“Use your air miles and stay in your own province and don’t pay tax.”

Lazy Bear Lodge offers two adventures. The first is a Beluga whale dream tour for families with

young kids. Over two days, your group will tour the Prince of Wales Fort and of course, get out on the water for an up close and personal encounter with beluga whales.

“They are super curious and come right up to the boat to see what’s going on,” says Murdoch.

Families with teens can choose the four-night Ultimate Arctic Adventure option. This tour includes a drive up the Churchill coastline to see polar bears in their habitat. “In the summer they are fat and awesome to look at.” To get to Churchill, you can either fly, or if you have more time, drive to Thompson and overnight on a 12-hour train to the northern port.

If you’re looking to stay closer to home, head out to the Pembina Hills for the day. HyWire Zipline is located close to Manitou (as well as the US border), and the whole family (ages 5 and up) can enjoy a couple of hours flying above the tree canopy. Top speeds of 50 km an hour are what to expect, according to owner Allan Brown. Brown says the experience is set up to be progressively challenging, so that riders grow in their comfort levels.

“There’s a bunny hill. Then you hike to top of the valley and choose from two different tours - one with five cables and one with eight,”

Photo: Dennis Fast - Courtesy of Travel Manitoba

Photo: CoPilot Collective - Courtesy of Travel Manitoba

says Brown. It all takes less than two hours.

Ten minutes away is Pembina Hills Provincial Park, a spectacular part of the escarpment and a great place to go for a stroll or a picnic, particularly on a warm, fall day. Located southwest of Morden, the park’s deep, rocky ravines were formed by glacial melt waters more than 10,000 years ago.

Original landowners Henry and Elma Martens wanted to preserve the area’s natural features and sold their land to Manitoba Conservation and the Nature Conservancy of Canada in the late 1990s. Now you can meander down oak and aspenlined paths punctuated by chokecherries, wild raspberries, purple asters, Saskatoons and meadow blazing stars before hitting panoramic views of the surrounding farmland.

At Manitoba’s only national park, Riding Mountain, much of the action is centered around the charming village of Wasagaming. Located on famously frigid Clear Lake, the town opens up in the summer, offering golfing, horseback riding and water sports. Most families will want to choose a hotel with a pool. My pick is the recently renovated Lakehouse, which offers sophisticated lodging and an innovative food and drink menu.

Riding Mountain National Park features 370 km of some of the best hiking trails in Manitoba. One of the most famous treks leads to Grey Owl’s cabin. It will take the better part of a day, but you’ll get to see a little explored part of the park and dig into the legendary Englishman who lied about his heritage but was sincere about protecting Canada’s wild lands. The western portion of the park is the least discovered, partly because the trailhead is about an hour drive from Wasagaming. Here, an old warden’s trail bisects the surrounding rolling aspen parkland.

One hike that never gets old is about 40 minutes north of Wasagaming and is called Boreal. In less than a 30-minute loop, you travel through boreal forest, passing Black spruce and trembling Aspen trees, over a boardwalk on a woodland marsh, and crossing a slow moving creek. There are signs of beavers everywhere and you are practically guaranteed to see wildlife. Hikers of all skill levels and children of any age will love this trail. My first hike there was at around the age of six and I’ve been returning nearly every year since. The trail provides a lovely stop on the drive through Highway #10 through the park.

Take a cruise around Clear Lake on the Martese. Twice a day, the boat takes you around the circumference of one of Manitoba’s coldest and deepest lakes. The cruise departs roughly

Photo: Liz Tran - Courtesy of Travel Manitoba

an hour before sunset and offers a perfectly relaxing nightcap after a busy day of activity in the park. No matter how many times you’ve been to the park, you’ll be surprised how different it all looks from the water.

Two hours north of Winnipeg, a trip to Hecla Island promises a refreshing weekend getaway. This provincial park is on a series of islands on Lake Winnipeg, where you can boat, fish, golf, cycle, hike and view wildlife.

Hecla feels a world apart from the city. As you cross the causeway onto the island, notice the old ferry departure point, which used to be the only way to get across from the water. Some of the park’s best trails are at the Grassy Narrows Marsh, just past the park’s entrance. Here, boardwalks allow you to hover above one of Manitoba’s most incredible marshes. Look below the water’s surface and you’ll find a fascinating world of tadpoles, snails and water plants. The best time to visit the marsh is dawn or dusk, when wildlife is most active. Sunsets at Hecla are frequently spectacular; so don’t head out without a camera.

If a summer weekend promises to be a sizzler, consider a trip to Steep Rock. Something about the limestone cliffs and ultra blue water evokes thoughts of a Greek island. One of the nicest beaches in the province,

its soft sand and shallow waters guarantee you’ll want to put up your feet and stay awhile. Whether you hike or canoe around the cliffs, it’s easy to fool yourself into believing you are somewhere exotic.

Families have discovered Pinawa’s Channel Float and Paddle, where you can choose your method of transportation and spend an afternoon lazily sailing down the river. Luxury river tubing, kayaking, canoeing or standing on a sups board - it’s all here. This is the perfect group activity for families or to celebrate your kid’s birthday.

In summer, Assiniboine Park is the perfect place to connect with nature within Winnipeg’s city limits. Winding trails, wide open green spaces, and gorgeous gardens encourage visitors to be active or relax, whatever their mood. The Park is also home to popular attractions such as the English Gardens, Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, Park Café, Nature Playground, and Assiniboine Park Zoo.

“This summer at the Zoo, be sure to check out Aunt Sally’s Farm. Inspired by one of the Zoo’s most beloved historic exhibits, it is home to playful goats, lively llamas, and pot-bellied pigs,” said Laura Cabak, Manager of Public Relations & Communications, Assiniboine Park Conservancy. “And don’t miss Dino-

saurs Uncovered, an exciting and interactive experience that features 17 life-size, animatronic dinosaurs along an outdoor forested trail plus an indoor display of museum-quality skeletons, fossils, and artifacts.”

If you’re downtown and the weather doesn’t encourage outdoor activity, head to the Winnipeg Art Gallery to experience the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world. Recently opened, Qaumajug, or it is lit, is the newest gallery at the WAG. The vibrant new gathering place resembles a giant iceberg. Touring the new space, it’s exhilarating to see the wide range of art from northern art makers. There’s a visible vault, learning spaces,outdoor plaza, numerous galleries, café and brand new gift shop.

Spend a Saturday roaming the St. Norbert Farmers Market on the outskirts of Winnipeg. The market features more than 70 merchants, and is where to find local, sustainable products, which have a much shorter supply chain than most food found in groceries. There are a dazzling amount of merchants with everything from candles to birdhouses to glass creations.

Savvy Winnipeggers head to Assiniboine Forest if they’re looking to walk, cycle or run in nature. It’s

Photo: JP Media Works - Courtesy of Travel Manitoba

easy to get a little lost on the many trails here. One of Winnipeg’s most underrated and surprising trails is Bois-des-Esprit, located off of St. Anne’s Road. It’s a relatively short two km stroll through five different ecosystems – river bottom, wetland, oak and forests, as well as grassland. Bois-des-Esprit is the largest remaining riverbank forest in the city. The woods feature a series of oxbows or abandoned riverbeds that can be identified as U-shaped low-lying areas. (Oxbows are formed when a sharp bend or loop in the river eroded over time until the narrow neck of land between the two banks finally cut through creating a new straighter river channel.) The abandoned riverbeds of Bois-des-Esprit have become highly productive wetland habitat supporting a rich variety of vegetation and wildlife, including whitetail deer.

Manitoba’s Whiteshell area offers plenty of summer adventure. Canoe one of the magnificent lakes, or hike or mountain bike one of its 26 trails. The area around Rainbow Falls is a perfect place for a picnic or a selfie. Pine Point Trail is a great trail for a family hike, offering views of three sets of rapids and magnificent views of the river. Directly across from the

GREAT PLACES TO REST YOUR HEAD

Falcon Trails Resort

Big Whiteshell Lake campground is a 1.5-kilometer loop hike that ends with spectacular 360 views over the lake. The first section is quite steep, fine for kids but not great for seniors, and definitely slippery when wet or snowy. The reward is a stunning slice of the Canadian Shield, with plenty of places to sit down for a picnic or a breather.

North of the Whiteshell, is the lesser-known Nopoming Provincial Park, which translates to “entrance to the wilderness” in Anishinabe. Crystal clear lakes are scattered among the granite outcrops of the Canadian Shield. The Walking on Ancient Mountains hike leads past Tooth Lake to a stunning 360 panoramic view of the surrounding forests and lakes. Look closely at the rocks and you’ll see reminders of what caused this landscape. Camp or swim at Black Lake, which has that untouched sense of wilderness.

Travel to any part of Manitoba and you’ll be surprised at the wonders in your backyard. Go somewhere you haven’t been before. If the pandemic has illustrated one thing, it’s that there is magic to be found in our own province, we just have to get out there and find it.

An incredible hideaway on the south shore of Falcon Lake. Book early (It’s very popular!) and you’ll be rewarded with a private hot tub, a lake view and nature enveloping you.

Lakeview Hecla Resort

Something for everyone in the family here. A picturesque 18-hole golf course, a relaxing spa, along with many hiking and swimming options. Also, Gull Harbour Marina rents lakeside cabins that are charming, for those on a tight budget.

Bluenose Bed & Breakfast

The place to rest your head if you’re in Snow Lake. A sun terrace, hot tub and lovely garden make this legendary bed and breakfast an essential couple’s destination. Other northern lodges to recommend include Paint Lake Lodge and Marina, and for a fishing expedition, Bakers Narrows Lodge.

Moon Gate Guest House

On the banks of the Whitemouth River, this Indigenous owned, eco-friendly all-season guesthouse is a former egg grading station and wooden stir stick factory.

Modern Viking

Designed to pay homage to the tents inside a Viking encampment, this unique vacation rental will open near Riverton this June. Described as “Lakefront. Neighbourless. The heartbeat of waves. Inside, accommodation fit for James Bond.” Follow them on Facebook for booking information.

And if you’re looking to book a campsite in a provincial park, check out this online link: https://prspub.gov.mb.ca

Photo: JP Media Works - Courtesy of Travel Manitoba

Clean line family birthstone designs - natural gems in a combination pendant by Winnipeg jewellery designer John Watson. Custom treasures from this locale are always made locally. Contact the Workshop for a personal design appointment at 204-956-2096.

Watson Workshop

236 Osborne St Instagram @watsonworkshop

FABFINDS

Hand cast concrete home décor items by local artisans Tyson & Aynslee MacKay. Follow them on Instagram @sandstonestyle for upcoming markets & product pictures. To order, visit their Etsy page or email them direct.

Sand Stone Style

sandstonestyle@hotmail.com www.sandstonestyle.ca

LIGHTS. CAMERA. ACTION!

Whether personal or professional, your online presence is everything, No filters needed here! CAMERAREADY LiteBars were designed by EMMY® Nominated Lighting Designer, Chris Methot, who realized the need for better lighting as workers moved online. Great for anyone who works or meets online, these LiteBars use the same angles & colour temperature TV lighting designers use (great on all skin tones). Easy to fit on desks & easy to fold up for travel or storage. Use one, two or three for professional lighting at a fraction of the price! Order from CameraReady Lighting at: https://www.camerareadylighting.com and Amazon

Combining their love of wood and style, these local artisans thrive on designing and making unique “kreations,” ranging from shadowbox frames and signs to minimalist wood wallets. Follow them on Instagram @luckynumber3kreations or email them direct.

Lucky Number 3 Kreations

Email: Ln3kreations@hotmail.com Instagram @luckynumber3kreations

Facebook:https://wwwfacebook. com/luckynumber3kreations/

Cleaners rejoice! The Shark VACMOP Cordless Hard Floor System provides powerful suction for dry debris combined with spray mopping for wet stuck on messes — a complete clean all in one no-touch disposable pad. No filter or maintenance necessary, just replace the pad. At under 5 lbs., this cordless lightweight vacuum mop has powerful LED headlights to reveal hidden debris, operates on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery & has magnetic charger for quick & easy charging. Available at major retailers Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart Canada, Home Depot Canada & more. For info on Shark products, visit sharkclean.ca

Slim, edge-lit LED panels are creatively positioned to intersect in a dynamic, whimsically modern light fixture design featuring anodized aluminum. The Coburg - available in gold or black.

Total Lighting Sales

347 William Ave www.totallightingsales.ca

The Ninja® Foodi™ 8-in-1 Digital Air Fry Oven packs a lot of features & cooking capacity in a small countertop footprint. Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Bagel, Toast, Dehydrate, and Keep Warm—all in one appliance. When you’re done cooking, reclaim your counter space by simply flipping the oven up & away to clean & store. The Ninja Foodi 8-in-1 Digital Air Fry Oven is available online in Canada at ninjakitchen.ca, Canadian Tire and Amazon.

The comforts of home

Coming this fall to south St. Vital!

Located in beautiful south St. Vital, The Oaks on St. Mary’s blends modern living with classic neighbourhood charm.

SUITE FEATURES

• Designer fixtures and finishes

• Spacious and designed kitchens

Leasing inquiries:

P: 204.330.7107

• Open concept living areas

• Private balconies with sweeping views

• Luxurious bathrooms and en-suites

BUILDING FEATURES

• Ultra quiet concrete construction

• Covered under-building or surface parking

• Ample visitor parking

• Electric vehicle charging stations

• Resident fitness centre

E: info@towersrealty.ca

Winnipeg, MB R3Y 0A1

TheOaksOnStMarys.ca

• Walk-in closets in two bedroom suites

• Soaker tubs

I need one for the Oaks featuring the website address, coming this fall to south St. Vital and the phone number 204.330.7107 1777 St Mary’s Road.

• In suite laundry and storage

• Central heating and air conditioning

• Electronic security entrances

• On-site caretaker

• Pet friendly

Have it all

So many things in life come with compromises. The Oaks on St Mary’s is not one of them. The Oaks is a new 57-unit property in south St. Vital (1777 St Mary’s Road) that offers luxurious modern design in a setting that checks all the boxes. Available this September will be suites in three configurations - onebedroom, two-bedroom and fully accessible one-bedroom units for residents with mobility challenges.

According to Jason van Rooy, Director of Marketing and Customer Service with Towers Realty Group, the organization behind The Oaks on St Mary’s, the location is a key attraction with the property close to nature, new bike trails and the ample services and amenities of nearby sites such as St. Vital Mall.

“There is interest from a wide-ranging demographic who appreciate the mature nature of the neighbourhood and its great location. The Oaks is close to U of M, St. Vital Mall, and Victoria General Hospital, as well as all the independent shops and restaurants on St. Mary's Road. The property is also close to routes out of the city to cottage country. And the site offers some of the best hiking and biking trails, with Henteleff Park and its forest and riverside paths just a short walk away,” he says.

The Oaks is a concrete construction, four-storey design with large overhanging eaves. Concrete construction means privacy with suites nestled in quiet, thanks to the dense, thick walls between units. Suite sizes are ample and are perfect for those looking

to downsize from large family homes or those seeking a modern luxury interior to complement contemporary lifestyle. Suites range in size from 566 square feet (The Vista) to 769 square feet (The Dakota) and offer outdoor and covered open-air parking and EV charging facility.

Suites feature east or western exposures, luxury finishes, large closets, and balconies in all but a few second floor units. Appliances are stainless steel and include a dishwasher and overthe-range microwave (except Vista suites). In the Dakota and Riel suites, moveable islands with built-in wine racks are standard. This moveable island means more flexibility when planning dinner parties and gettogethers, not to mention furniture placement. Bedrooms are large

enough to accommodate king-sized beds, and four-piece bathrooms offer a clean, modern design. Natural light floods the suites through large living room windows and patios doors.

On the main level, the design delivers with a lounge in the building's lobby. The lounge provides built-in workstations and USB charging ports, making this an ideal setting to get some work done, conduct a small meeting or gather with friends and neighbours. This level also features a fully equipped fitness studio. Both amenities look out to lush green space where bike paths connect to the building’s covered front entrance.

Applications are now being accepted for September occupancy.

Want more information? Visit www.theoaksonstmarys.ca for the latest on this new lifestyle opportunity in south St. Vital.

CURB APPEAL

So often the backyard is where landscaping efforts are focused, but sprucing up the front yard, which is seen every day by homeowners, as well as guests and neighbours, is worth equal effort. Letting the front yard blossom creates the best first impression for your house.

“This project is a one-of-a-kind front yard,” says Kari Zahariuk, landscape designer with 3 Seasons Landscaping, which created this scenic space. “It changed a boring front yard –a typical expanse of green lawn – that was only meant to be looked at into usable space that is now way more pleasurable to look at and be in."

The team at 3 Seasons designed a sunny seating area with a sunken patio, retaining walls and steps. To ensure it was not completely exposed to the street, they surrounded it with lush, full planting beds that take this front yard from typical to wow. Shrubs form a backdrop for an explosion of flowers from perennials and annuals, including thriller lady’s mantle, purple coneflower, becky shasta daisy, and grand marshall bee balm.

The sight – and aroma – of this gorgeous yard will be enjoyed by the homeowners and all who pass by for years to come.

Time to Play

As the warmer weather brings a reprieve from an extremely tough year, the opportunity to get outside and play is finally here. With a backyard Sport Court, the ability to be active and have fun is easily accessible – it’s always open and there are no restrictions or capacity limits.

“With a Sport Court in your yard, you know where your kids are and what they’re doing – and it’s a healthy outdoor activity. They’re not sitting in front of the TV playing video games or on their phones,” says Gary Weinberg, owner of Athletic Flooring Systems, Manitoba’s Sport Court distributor. Sport Court surfaces are superior to what you’ll find on a

public court. Made of high-impact polypropylene, it’s engineered for both sport and safety.

“This flooring provides both shock absorption and lateral forgiveness. It reduces the stress and strain on the athlete’s knees, joints and lower back. It also reduces the tendency to roll your ankles when doing side-to-side movements,” says Weinberg.

With a 15-year guarantee, average life span of 25 years and no maintenance, a private Sport Court is the best way to be active and keep your kids safe and close to home. Learn more at www.athleticflooring.ca

Custom approaches

BY KELLY GRAY

Affordable luxury apartments, custom-built homes, and infill housing tailored to neighbourhoods have made Paragon Design Build a leader in Winnipeg’s properties’ market. Currently, the company has more than 30 projects on the go for a combined value exceeding $200 million.

According to Nigel Furgus, President of Paragon Design Build, it all started back in 2008 when he and his life partner, Paragon Design Build Vice-president, Alyce Kupskay were building a new home.

“At that time, we were clients. We saw how the custom build experience could be so unpleasant. We knew it could be better,” he says, mentioning that they saw big opportunities in luxury furnished rentals at the time. “The Jets were returning, and we realized there was no rental housing product in the city with the level of amenities typically enjoyed by professional hockey players and team executives. So, we rented our new home to some of the Jet’s organization and got busy building 18 more homes for them over the next three years.”

These fully furnished properties, neatly tucked into established higher-

end neighbourhoods, showed off Paragon as a community-sensitive builder with an eye to luxury design in the infill market.

Today, the company specializes in the South End, Crescentwood and River Heights neighbourhoods, and is involved in property acquisition and rezoning as part of a complete design, develop and build strategy. They undertake between three and

five custom homes each year, as well as construct small-scale multi-family projects (duplexes, six-plexes) and larger-scale builds such as the new apartments at 30 University Crescent.

Luxury custom-built homes

204 Waterloo Street is the latest custom home built by Paragon Design Build, with Tim Didur as the architectural designer. With more than 3,500

square feet of living area, this threeand-a-half bath, five-bedroom home fits seamlessly onto one of the city’s most prestigious streets.

“We wanted to build something special here, and by the reaction we received from neighbours, I think we have succeeded,” said Nigel Furgus, President of Paragon Design Build. “The exterior looks like a traditional character River Heights home, providing some of the hints of high-end luxury we included inside. We embellished every detail of this house.”

Stepping inside, you immediately get a sense of comfort, spaciousness and exquisite taste. The foyer features a 20-foot vaulted ceiling highlighted by a contemporary, but still slightly rustic chandelier. It’s the first of many stunning light fixtures you’ll see in every room, most of which were sourced locally from Robinson Lighting Centre.

“We like to use local suppliers as much as we can and we did that here again,” said Furgus, and he means that. The walls and foundation were built using LogixICF insulated forms from AMC Foam in Headingley, which helps make the home extremely energy efficient. Another example is Springfield Woodworking, which did all of the cabinetry.

Back in the foyer, visitors step onto tile inlaid into oak flooring. To your

left, a staircase with custom oak and steel railing rises to the second floor, but the eye is naturally drawn to the roomy entryway ahead and living room to the right. It’s a brilliant entrance and a wonderfully warm welcome to the home. You can instantly imagine yourself greeting family during the holidays and dinner guests in the foyer, which spills onto a stunning living room with an oversized marble fireplace and gigantic picture window.

The living room, then, naturally flows into the dining room and kitchen. Each space is tastefully

separated with high and wide archways, but still perfectly connected. It is the ideal layout for entertaining or for cozy nights at home with family.

“It’s the best of traditional River Heights style with the most modern amenities,” said Furgus. “We went all out on this home. There’s even a butler’s pantry with pocket doors just off the kitchen, and a great big deck to enjoy summer evenings.”

Looking for more information on getting into an affordable luxury residence? Visit www.paragondesignbuild.com

Infill Fabulous

BY KELLY GRAY | PHOTOGRAPHY: SCOTT ZIELKE

Eric Laflamme is working hard to help neighbourhoods retain their unique charm - one property at a time. Laflamme is the principal of AspenGrove Developments, a Winnipeg-based company specializing in constructing new luxury residences in established communities and renovating much-loved family homes.

Early in his career, he saw the value in residential projects that help people stay in their neighbourhoods close to friends, family and familiar surroundings. Citing his tag line - ‘the epitome of cool with a warm edge’ - Laflamme states that AspenGrove Developments’ concept seeks to create a perfect balance of leading edge architectural design combined with warm and rich materials at a reasonable price. “We saw from the outset that we could produce equal or better results at lower prices than what we were seeing every day in the marketplace,” he says.

AspenGrove Developments’ roots go back to the late ‘90s when Laflamme was in the Masters of Architecture program in Calgary. “My dean asked if I wanted to do a renovation project. I already had trade experience, and this project helped me build on my knowledge set,” he says, mentioning that the

Large windows from Duxton Windows & Doors add to the exterior appeal of this home.

600-square foot plus kitchen reno eventually turned into a larger project that involved the complete teardown of the existing home. Neighbours impressed on Laflamme the need for their support on any infill project. “I learned early on that transparency and communication were as important to the neighbours as it was to the clients, and I have carried this thinking on how we manage projects today.”

Philosophically, AspenGrove’s increasing success is attributed to the expansion of its collaborative approach. This significant ideology includes client insight, neighbour concerns, market needs, preferred trade and supplier partners’ input, as well as working harmoniously with architects, interior design firms, and engineers.

Laflamme married into Winnipeg in 1999. When he first arrived, he found it difficult to continue with his construction activities. Upon reflection, he states how incredibly grateful he was for all the opportunities he was given between homebuilding opportunities. One of those opportunities was working for a local engineering/manufacturing company, where he would learn about the theories of Lean Manufacturing/Toyota Production System.

“In hindsight, working at the manufacturing facility was the best experience and training ground for my personal development. I had the benefit of being mentored by some great corporate minds here in Winnipeg,” Laflamme notes. The company supported his learning by allowing him to take on a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) that further broadened his understanding of operational management.

The sleek clean bathroom design features tile work by J&R Tile, a glassed-in shower by Fort Rouge Glass and lighting by SuperLite.

The stairwell is bathed in natural light through well-placed windows from Duxton Windows & Door. Stair railings from Phoenix Ironworks add a distinctive touch, while a contemporary light feature from SuperLite adds a note of drama.

DESIGN IS IN THE DETAILS YOU DON'T SEE

PICTURE TRUE HOME AUTOMATION...

Imagine arriving home to a well-lit driveway. Upon entering the door, with the foyer lights turned on. Temperature is just right; the news is on the TV and music is playing in the bedroom. Virtually every electronic device in the home can be automated. Entertainment, temperature, lighting, or security can be controlled with the touch of a button – even when you’re away from home, you can access its functionality.

PREWIRE AUDIO

TV/VIDEO AUTOMATION

LIGHTING

AUTOMATED SHADES

SECURITY

CALL 204-784-6391 OR VISIT: advance.mb.ca/advanced-residential-technology

The kitchen features crisp white cabinetry from Klassen Kitchens accented with black hardware and topped with gleaming granite countertops.

Why is Lean Manufacturing important to AspenGrove?

A major tenet of Lean Manufacturing is defining value in the eyes of the customer. Laflamme states that Customer Value is the perception of what a product or service is worth to a customer versus the possible alternatives. Worth is whether the customer feels they got benefits and services over what they paid. “We carry little overhead, no showroom, or any ‘waste’ that needs to get passed on to the customer. When a competitor quotes my clients $1million for an infill home and we are providing them with an equal product for $150,000 less, it speaks to the waste being passed onto the client.”

At the core of the theory, it is really about doing more with less. "I can’t always compete with the big players that have huge economies of scale, but by using LEAN principles, I can compete on quality and deliver a strong value equation, often faster and cheaper than my competitors.”

Winnipeg’s ageing housing stock

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Winnipeg is a perfect location to practice AspenGrove Developments’ approach to what is known as infill housing. According to 2016 census data collected by CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation), among the 18 largest Canadian metropolitan areas, Winnipeg ranks first in the proportion of older homes (built in 1945 or earlier). At the time of the census, 16% of all homes in Winnipeg’s metro area, or approximately 49,000 in total, qualified as older properties. This large amount of older homes speaks to the need for refurbishment or infilling our ageing neighbourhoods with properties built to more modern standards.

Infill housing is an urban plan that sees older homes in mature neighbourhoods torn down and replaced with new

homes. The beauty of Infill housing is that it allows people to live in well-established communities that tend to offer walkable classic amenities such as retail stores and restaurants, schools, churches and community clubs.

Recently, The City of Winnipeg updated its recommended design guidelines for Winnipeg’s mature communities in its Small-Scale and Low-Rise Residential Development Guidelines. Winnipeg's Senior Planner, Richard Mahé, reports that the guidelines help determine what designs are appropriate for smaller-scale residential buildings in their local context. The guidelines also provide direction on where dif-

ferent types of buildings should be located within mature communities.

“The guidelines don’t dictate what type of architectural style a building should take, but rather help create a standard of development within our mature communities that respect the character of the neighbourhood,” says Mahé, noting that the guidelines set out standards for design characteristics such as building height, roof pitches, façade materials, and architectural features.

Modern touches meet tradition

According to Laflamme, success in the market means understanding the nu-

ances of each neighbourhood in which they work. For example, each neighbourhood has what he likes to call a ‘dress code.’ “This is how properties need to look to conform to the balance of styles,” he explains.

Laflamme balks at the need for Architectural Controls in older neighbourhoods, but at times, sees them as necessary.

“A great designer can achieve the same outcome with the sensitivity of the broader neighbourhood’s architectural influences,” he says. “It's important to us that each property we design accentuates the feel of the neighbourhood and works with the adjacent residences.” Laflamme

Wood flooring from National Interiors unites the kitchen and family room, injecting warmth into the overall design. Recessed and over island lighting from Robinson Lighting add ambiance to the space. Home automation from Advance Electronics includes in-ceiling speakers.

remarks that AspenGrove can deliver all the modern touches of a new home in the suburbs while maintaining a home’s traditional street-side appearance.

Creating the right look and bringing older properties to modern standards is part of every project on AspenGrove’s plate. And collaboration amongst partners/ service providers ensures clients are offered the broadest range of knowledge, creativity and skill sets. The arrangement of services AspenGrove provides to its clients is attributed to these positive working relationships and partnerships.

For example, the project located at 257 Harvard is one example of the collaborative approach used by AspenGrove. The owners first approached Dlux Design and Co. for a modern masterpiece of open floor plan and natural elements to meet the young couple’s busy lifestyle. The home, in the heritage Crescentwood neighbourhood, blends in nicely with its surrounding neighbours.

“In this instance, AspenGrove acted as the builder. However, we were able to value-engineer an additional 12% out of the cost of the home. Likewise, the project at 340 Waterloo was designed and built by AspenGrove, but we partnered with Tracy Edmonds Leckie Designs for the interior, whereas 355 ElmStreet was done entirely in-house with our team,” says Laflamme.

Local companies part of the quality equation

Helping them achieve this goal is a list of well-known local suppliers that understand the demands of infill housing projects.

For example, Olympic Building Centre supplies framing and decking materials to AspenGrove’s projects. “Olympic is a trusted partner of AspenGrove. We completely understand a builder’s customer and their need to alter building plans. As such, we’re known for our flexibility and sales support,” says Garnell Ulmer, Building Project Coach, Olympic Building Centres.

Duxton Windows is a Winnipeg manufacturer that specializes in fibreglass windows. “We provided fibreglass windows and doors to AspenGrove’s projects at 340 Waterloo St. and 444 Waverley Street in River Heights,” says Duxton Windows’ project manager Conor Beach-Nelson. “Our products are energy efficient and strong. They offer thin, clean lines that work well with a more modern appearance. Paint also adheres well to fibreglass, and we can deliver windows in a wide range of colours. This appearance is key for designers looking to create projects with a contemporary aesthetic.”

Conor reports that they added a few interesting details to the windows in the Waterloo and Waverley properties. They applied Simulated Divided Lites (SDLs) to replicate muntin bars in a treatment that further blended the design into the character of the neighbourhood. “We also created doors with attached sidelights and transoms, as well as a custom false window in front of the main level washroom with insulated back painted glass,” he says.

Garage Masters is another key player among AspenGrove’s supply team. This company is best known for building garages from the ground up, but for AspenGrove, they offered their unique polyaspartic floor coatings for the garages at

Advance Electronics

Direct Connect Electric

Duxton Windows

Fort Rouge Glass

Garage Masters

J&R Tile

Klassen Kitchens

Harry Odwak -

Monopoly Realty

National Bank

National Interiors

North Coral Landscaping

Olympic Building Centre

Phoenix Iron Works Ltd

Robinson Lighting

SuperLite

A unique glassed-in office by Fort Rouge Glass offers the perfect work at home environment. Flooring from National Interiors adds the right balance of warmth to the space.

257 Harvard and 340 Waterloo. “This coating delivers an excellent protective finish to floor surfaces in garages,” says Garage Masters’ owner Kevin Harrald. He reports that AspenGrove also looked to them for accessories that make these spaces more storage-friendly and more in keeping with current trends like ‘Man Cave’ and ‘She Shed’ applications. “Eric (Laflamme) is not building run-of-themill designs. With garage organization tools this area becomes more of an extension of the house itself.”

Little details such as tasteful railings were not lost on AspenGrove designers. They turned to Phoenix Iron Works to complement stair designs that have become a hallmark of AspenGrove’s projects. “We flexed our creative muscles and met the open tread, light oak stairway with a rail that is lighter and thinner to accommodate the contemporary flair of the design.”

Phoenix Ironworks tends to work on larger-scale commercial projects, and their products are more common in places such as high-rise stairwells. “We've always been involved with finer detail and architectural railings in commercial areas, but getting into the single-unit residential market and working directly with homebuilders and homeowners is something of which we're looking to do more. I have known Eric Laflamme for years from commercial projects, and I think his vision is very valuable. We were happy to assist in these infill projects that are refurbishing our city.”

National Interiors supplies flooring solutions to AspenGrove Developments. “AspenGrove has looked to us for a range of engineered hardwoods and new luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring, as well as 50-ounce sculpted nylon carpets for bedrooms,” says National Interiors’ Sales Consultant, Deb Rivington. National Interiors has been a leading supplier of flooring, tile, window coverings and interior finishes to Winnipeggers and their contractors for years. “Important to AspenGrove was the fact that engineered hardwoods work well with our climate here in Manitoba where product expansion and contraction can be a challenge. They were also interested in Canadian-made products that mirrored those in use in the neighbourhood already. This product selection meant lots of oak,” she says, mentioning that these selections are user and maintenance-friendly.

Monopoly Realty is another partner in AspenGrove Development’s success.

Monopoly is a boutique brokerage that has been involved in some of the city’s largest residential real estate transactions and is among a group of AspenGrove’s real estate consultants. “I was introduced to Eric by associates several years ago and since then we have become friends,” says Monopoly Realty Realtor® Harry Odwak. “I look for properties that might be a good fit for what AspenGrove Developments is doing in terms of infill housing or investment. What I see is Eric and his team being focused on quality and doing it right for their clients. Over the years, this approach has put them at the top of the ladder among builders. They understand neighbourhoods, and they understand design,” he says, concluding that AspenGrove Developments’ success lies at the intersection of these two points.

AspenGrove has looked to Klassen Kitchens to create rooms that are the heart of their new homes. “We are a totally custom shop. There is nothing ‘cookie cutter’ about anything we do,” says Lorne Klassen, principal with Klassen Kitchens. He remarks that Klassen Kitchens has been at the forefront of Winnipeg’s building scene for more than 40 years and has hundreds of satisfied clients to their credit. “Eric has ideas for designs that meet the overall package. We work with Eric and his clients to realize the finished product. We are specialists in what we do, and together with Eric, we can give the client design advice. At Klassen Kitchens, we know the current trends and how to construct unique kitchens that do it all. The homes AspenGrove builds are the result of an uncompromising approach to quality.

Together we share this commitment. Good design means homes that work.”

Tyler Ethridge at North Coral Landscaping has been working with AspenGrove to help properties look their best. North Coral offers three full crews (fourth crew coming soon) and according to Ethridge, they provide a custom approach that works with AspenGrove’s designs. “Eric’s designs tend to be clean and minimal with lots of connected space. Our goal is to complement this,” he says, remarking that at 340 Waterloo they helped the property blend into the existing neighbourhood with a simple grass lawn in the front and grass and stone in the backyard. He suggests that with the current pandemic in full swing, people have rediscovered their yards and are looking to companies such as North Coral Landscaping to help them realize their outdoor dreams.

Overall, the success of projects by AspenGrove Developments lies in its concept – to create a perfect balance of leading edge architectural design combined with warm and rich materials at a reasonable price. That philosophy combined with an uncompromising approach to quality and a strong team of likeminded suppliers has kept this company ahead of the curve in Winnipeg’s infill housing market.

Form meets function in the kitchen, featuring custom cabinetry by Klassen Kitchens.

If you can walk on it, chances are Total Flooring has what you need. Total Flooring has just opened their new location at 702 Broadway in the city’s center, and with it, they bring a massive showroom in addition to $2 million in inventory. The new location will be the company’s retail site as well as their head office.

“We are the largest stocking dealer of flooring products in Winnipeg,” says Total Flooring President, Brian Labossiere, mentioning that the biggest saving in flooring is buying in-stock materials. For example, he reports that prices for waterproof luxury vinyl plank products are as low as $1.49 a square foot, a price that is considerably lower than the current price in the market. Total Flooring buys trainload stock and passes on the discount to customers. If they do not have products in stock, they have flooring samples you can look at and order.

“I have been in this business for over 30 years. Together with our knowledgeable and highly skilled staff, we know floors, and we know how Manitobans like a good price. We also know that people like to touch and see goods before they buy. Our staff can show the biggest selection, and we also offer installation. Customers also like the fact we offer complete pricing.”

Total Flooring has completely changed the look of the corner of Broadway and Sherbrook. “When we moved

Tops in Floors

BY KELLY GRAY

PHOTOGRAPHY: MICHAEL ROBERTS

in, we kept the 18-foot-tall trees, loved the 22-foot exposed ceilings and impressive skylight in this 22,000 square-foot building,” says Brian. “We added a six-foot waterfall to add to the design and to give a homey feel.”

“We wanted to be in the center of the city to be more accessible and to accommodate all markets. Getting to the store is easy; it’s 15 minutes from everywhere, even the suburbs. You can get into our building from either Broadway or Sherbrook, and parking is not a problem as we have 24 parking spots at the front of the store.” The overall appearance makes the store a unique addition to Winnipeg’s building product community.

Total Flooring undertakes flooring projects not only in the commercial sector but also in new homes, specializes in insurance work, renovations, restorations and cash and carry.

“We do big projects as well as smaller jobs and even offer the advice that gets home projects looking great. We offer to come to your home for a personalized quote and properly measure. It's on a comfortable one-on-one basis. We want to be known as a local family company, who serves the community like family, and this is how we do business.”

More information on Total Flooring is available at www.totalflooring.co

A Light Touch of Whimsy

A striking dark wall and stately floorto-ceiling windows are given an air of whimsy with this creative light fixture. The Coburg chandelier by Eurofase looks more like an art piece than

lighting, but its cleverly styled linear panels have slim, edge-lit LED panels.

“The continuous run of LED lights delivers seamless, multi-directional

Style x Function

lighting that plays well off the dark wall,” says Adilia Silva, general manager with Total Lighting Sales.“It’s a strong looking piece with an excellent light source, yet delicate enough to not overpower the room setting.”

The team at Total Lighting Sales selected this chandelier to fit the vision for a creative and whimsical, yet modern space, while the distinctive linear design complements the expansive windows. The interlocking panels are laser cut for added precision and made with anodized aluminum to create a durable, corrosion-resistant finish.

Whether it’s a contemporary chandelier or a transitional pendant, Total Lighting Sales is your one-stop shop for all lighting related products.  Their unique, open concept showroom boasts the latest lighting that offers both function and beauty.

“Our fantastic and experienced team can help find the perfect style to fit your space and budget,” says Silva. “We are where bright ideas begin.”

Soothing Sanctuary

BY LEA CURRIE

Abathroom may seem strictly utilitarian but it’s so much more. It’s where you begin and end each day. It’s a quiet space to unwind with a nice hot bath or shower. It provides much needed moments of solitude. To create this sanctuary, the team at Dynasty Bathrooms performed a bathroom makeover that brightened up this client’s ensuite.

It’s easy to sink back into this expansive freestanding tub with a heated towel bar at the ready. For a soothing shower, this modern upgrade features thermostatic control to maintain a constant water temperature, a rainfall showerhead and hand-held units that can offer water simultaneously, and custom sprayed granite wall panels that span to the ceiling. A 63-inch vanity in deep navy blue with sprayed granite top has an attractive ramp-style sink and ample storage. Under foot, new luxury vinyl tile flooring provides the look of tile but is more durable, quieter, softer and warmer.

Dynasty Bathrooms is a family run, locally owned and operated company that has been in business for 37 years. The company offers a wide range of product lines to suit your style and budget.

“We work with our clients first in our showrooms, showing them a variety of options available. Clients can kick off their shoes and get in a tub and make sure it's a perfect, comfortable fit. In our design centre, we can put together the different samples of varying product and find that perfect cohesive look. We then visit the client’s home to ensure everything will be a perfect fit,” says Tina Driscoll, vice president of Dynasty Bathrooms. “Our team has passion for what they do. They take pride in their workmanship, and enjoy seeing the final results.”

Visit dynastybath.com or one of two showroom locations: 369 Logan Avenue or 3-996 Lorimer Boulevard.

Kitchen Charm

It’s no surprise that the modern farmhouse style has risen in popularity. What’s not to love about the warmth and charm of the country aesthetic combined with contemporary clean lines? Kitchen Craft was pleased to

bring this fashion-forward kitchen design together for New Generation Homes’ showhome in Headingly.

The natural barn board feature wall and barn door and corbels on the

island are stunning elements that exude the mid-century farmhouse feel. The cupboard door styles and modern colours – Kitchen Craft’s thermofoil doors in satin antique and Alder wood cabinet in Tuscan island – advance the calm yet striking palette. High-definition laminate countertops and vinyl plank flooring round out the look to perfectly suit New Generation Homes’ vision.

The use of shelving with inset lighting on the barn board backsplash provides an unobstructed view and enhances the room’s open concept feel.The large walk-in pantry provides generous storage.

“Functionality is primary in the design, and with the open concept and large island and countertop, the work areas are maximized in the space,” says Kitchen Craft designer Andy Schultz.

Whether you lean to a style that is more country or contemporary or something in-between, Kitchen Craft designs are created for you.

Organization Optimized

Good clothing looks better when it's well organized. Consider a recent project by For Space Sake, Winnipegbased experts in maximizing spaces and enhancing lives through the ultimate organization experience.

Their client, a Winnipeg professional with exceptional taste in both clothing and home décor, sought a solution to create better closet organization. “He wanted a closet that would resemble what you would see in a high-end menswear boutique,” says For Space Sake owner Pauline Boisselle. She reports that since this project wasn’t a large walk-in, it was essential to have as many drawers as possible for folded socks, underwear, T-shirts, bathing suits, and running gear.

Wow factor was essential. For example, the client picked an exciting wall covering for the space between the clothing racks and the cabinets, the art on the back wall, the display of colognes, and the lighting. Everything came together to create the ambiance that he was seeking.

Pauline notes the quality of the cabinetry and the little touches. “The handles on the drawers are nothing short of spectacular. We like to refer to this as 'the jewellery on the cabinetry,” she says.

It’s been a time to pause and reflect. To look at life in new ways. To consider fresh possibilities, and a lifestyle focused on different dreams.

Your new point of view will feel right at home at 390 on the River condominiums. Surround yourself with upscale luxury, a vibrant community and every service imaginable. And best of all, the magnificent vistas –as expansive as your vision of what life could be.