Westshore Living May 28, 2023

The seaside community of Royal Bay is growing again!

The Official Home Builder of Royal Bay

There’s plenty of excitement in the beautiful seaside community of Royal Bay by GableCraft Homes with the grand opening on May 26 of Quality Foods and Cascadia Liquor stores. Marking the next phase of development for its residents, GableCraft has also released it latest residential neighborhood within the community, Southlands at Royal Bay. Offering many desirable qualities for homebuyers, including three or fourbedroom models, Southlands is adaptable to the needs of young couples, growing families, and retirees. Homebuyers also have

the opportunity to add a suite as a Mortgage Helper.

However, Southlands is not just like any other development. GableCraft Homes, the Green Builder behind Southlands, is committed to creating healthier and safer communities by designing homes with modern technology that prioritizes energy efficiency, water conservation, and indoor air quality while reducing environmental impact. All Southlands homes will be built solar-ready, allowing homeowners to easily convert to a fully sustainable, solar-powered home. Energy Star-rated appliances and low-

flow shower heads, faucets, and toilets are some of the other features that residents can look forward to.

In addition to its sustainability focus, Southlands offers unique opportunities for homeowners to personalize their homes. The homes feature contemporary architecture and both lane and front-garage home styles, allowing homeowners to choose specific design elements that suit their tastes and preferences. By registering early, prospective buyers can have a direct say in the design of their homes and ensure that their new homes reflect their individuality.

Overall, Southlands at Royal Bay is an attractive development that offers many benefits for prospective homeowners, from its central location to its commitment to sustainability and personalization. If you’re looking for a new home, don’t miss out on this opportunity to be part of the Royal Bay community.

Visit GableCraft’s HomeStore at 394 Tradewinds Ave. or call Tanya Zakkour at 250-508-2270 or Brendan Wilkinson at 250-713-7770 to schedule a visit.

The Next Generation

Contemporary Home Styles

Things to consider when choosing a kitchen faucet

Before open-plan kitchens were commonplace, kitchen faucets were relatively inconspicuous and fixture selection garnered less ambition. Today, your kitchen faucet is generally front and centre and is an important component of the room’s design.

From practical (controls, spray, size) to personal (colours, materials, finishes) considerations, it can be a daunting task when you don’t know where to start. However, there’s one constant that drives the direction, according to Sameha Dixson, showroom supervisor at Splashes Bath & Kitchen, in Victoria. BC

“The main factor to consider is whether it’s for a new construction or renovation. If you’re renovating, you’re often inheriting things that exist, whereas with a new construction, you’re starting fresh and have more control in the direction things go.”

Overall, you’ll want to consider your style preference, type of faucet you want (one lever or two handles), and your current sink configuration.

To help make shopping for your new kitchen faucet a more seamless and enjoyable experience, these considerations and model options address some common questions.

Function: performance, versatility

Functionality should guide your selection process. Think about the features that would make your tasks easier and more efficient.

“Some manufacturers have technology built-in, like Brizo’s (Delta’s inspired line) voice IQ,” says Dixson. “You can command the faucet to turn on and off, or anything from pre-mixed temperature to distinct temperature settings or measured amounts.”

The Hansgrohe Focus offers hands-free technology as does the Blanco, with their touchless SOLENTA Senso, which includes a sophisticated start-stop technology that automatically shuts off after 90 seconds.

There are also models with SmartTouch technology, which allows you to simply touch anywhere on the faucet body or handle. This makes it easy to activate only when needed, helping reduce water usage, and providing convenience and control.

From rinsing vegetables to cleaning sink corners, spray heads are another consideration and range from pull-out and pull-down heads attached to the faucet, or adjacent side sprays.

“How the spray pulls down is going to be dictated by the style,” says Dixson. “Brands with contemporary styles have spray heads close to the same diameter as the spout. With traditional and transitional, which tend to flare out, will fall more naturally into your hand; ultimately, the faucet’s style will affect the dimensions and how it performs.”

Aesthetic: product depths, finishes

Product depths include things that might exist within the same space, like accessories or bar faucets, lighting and cabinetry.

“When you’re choosing a fixture, it’s being married with something else and we want to ensure they function together to maximize their performance in unison rather than just as a single item,” explains Dixson.

Black matte and chrome finishes are two constants that retain their popularity. Chrome is the most cost effective, whereas black matte, brushed or satin nickel, or polished nickel or gold are more expensive.

“Brizo is the artwork on the countertop and their Tulham comes in exciting mixed finishes, which speaks to the new trend of having more than one finish in your kitchen.”

Every brand has their own interpretation of tones, so be mindful when matching other materials in your kitchen.

Other considerations are size, scope and placement. Consider if your sink is under a window, whether you want a clean horizon, a low profile without visual interruption, or a showpiece.

For more information on the products, visit splashesonline.com.

Consult a Splashes Bath & Kitchen expert to learn more about the best kitchen faucet for your needs, and view their exceptional selection of reputable brands and quality products at one of seven Vancouver Island showrooms, including Victoria at #101-740 Hillside Avenue and Westshore at #315-895 Langford Parkway.

Get expert advice on the right faucet for your needs

A kitchen faucet by Hansgrohe Focus. Photo via Splashes Bath & Kitchen

Van Isle Windows

FOOD BANK INITIATIVE

In the Spring of 2020, thousands of businesses and their employees were adversely affected by Covid-19. Van Isle Windows was extremely fortunate they were not one of them. After a very brief shut down, the company was fully operational, and their employees were able to work, pay bills, and feed their families. The new construction and the home renovation business sector was, and has continued to be, active and thriving. However, it was abundantly clear this was not the same for everyone living in various local communities. People lost their jobs and incomes all because of the Global pandemic. Just paying rent or mortgages was a challenge, let alone putting food on the table. Due to growing inflation and rising interest rates, added financial stress is a reality. It is becoming increasingly difficult to make ends meet, and the cost of food can be prohibitive. After hearing a program on CBC radio that the food banks really needed help, Van Isle Windows felt there was no better place to provide their support, so

in the Spring of 2020 the company decided local food banks is where they could provide funding. They launched a sales promotion and donated a portion of their window and patio door sale proceeds to local food banks, and in that first year the company donated $45,225. This money was donated in various quantities, to local food banks in Victoria and across Vancouver Island. Recognizing the ongoing and continued need, in 2021 and 2022 Van Isle Windows ran with the same initiative, supporting food banks and similar food related initiatives on Vancouver Island and Gulf Island communities, and in those 2 years, they donated another $49,150. In the past three years, this is a combined total of $94,375. Van Isle Windows is extremely proud of this initiative and the donations made to these various local charities, and have decided to launch this initiative for the fourth consecutive year in a row. The company thanks all their customers, as their support has provided them with the ability to give back to local communities.

A portion of our window and patio door sale proceeds went to local food banks, and in that first year the company donated $45,225.

JUNE Activities & Events!

Julie Lawlor Executive Director, WestShore Chamber of Commerce

charge. Also taking place on June 10, from 11:00 am-4:00 pm, is the Change Makers Gathering Festival at Starlight Stadium in Langford. This event honours Indigenous culture, values, and history, and is held with great appreciation for the Indigenous Knowledge Keepers whose expertise make the activities possible. These include drop-in cedar weaving workshops, Teen Zone activities, drum and dance groups, and a Bannock Taco lunch. You’ll find more details on the Events page of the City of Langford website. Also on June 10

more details, please go to the News & Events section of the City of Colwood website. At the other end of Ocean Boulevard, Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse NHS will be celebrating World Oceans Day on June 10 from 10:30 am-4:00 pm. “You have your pick of games and activities to try. Do you want to know how a tidal pool is like a military fort; become an ally to small water creatures; create the most colourful poster celebrating Southern Resident Killer Whales; and meet local superhero Super Ollie? Join one or all five programs offered throughout the day.” Adult admission is $8.50, seniors $7, and youth 17 and under are free of

– and every Saturday until October 7 – the Goldstream Farmers Market takes place within Veterans Memorial Park from 10:00 am-2:00 pm. “Vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, fresh-baked breads and goodies, unique and quality crafts and textile creations.” While you’re in the area, you’ll also went to check out what’s happening across Veterans Memorial Parkway at The Langford Station where you’ll find more food & drink, gift ideas, activities, and events! Looking for more information about these organizations and events? Please go to westshore.bc.ca and check out our Community Calendar and our Business Directory.

Greater Victoria’s first designated rapid transit service, which connects downtown Victoria and the West Shore, is already proving popular. Blink RapidBus Route 95 has been designed to provide faster, more frequent service than previous routes allowed. Users

50, there are an additional 21 trips daily, Monday to Friday, an increase of about 12 per cent.

During non-peak travel periods, transit riders can expect a bus to arrive at least every 15 minutes between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays. Buses are equipped with an automated recording of upcoming stops. Still to come are infrastructure improvements between Goldstream Avenue and the Trans-Canada Highway in Colwood and View