V O L /1/ I S S U E 1 I AUTUMN 2012
suitemag.ca
20+
Inspiring Pages Of Hot New Condo Designs, Accents & Personal Tech
think outside the box Comparing Condo Amenities
TOP 10 Must-Have Condo Upgrades
AD FPO
CONTENTS
features
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I TRAVEL Spring in San Fransisco 16 I AUTOMOTIVE Range Rover Evoque Finally Fuel economy from a suburbly 12
designed SUV crossover.
I STYLE Men’s Spring Fashions 26 I CONDO COGNATIVE Up In The Air Will condo prices fall? Find out why 22
the experts are flat out wrong.
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ETIQUETTE CONDO noise, I CONDO handling the pressure.
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I GADGET iPad and the tablet wars 38 I FURNITURE Condo Furnishings for small spaces 33
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Future Fantasy On Front. I DESIGN This Dream Is Real? The completely automated, environmentally friendly future of condo lighting, entertainment and security.
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20+
Inspiring Pages Of Hot New Condo Designs, Accents & Personal Tech
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think outside the box Comparing Condo Amenities
TOP 10 Must-Have Condo Upgrades
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COVER Marilyn Monroe Building RfR(Rent Frock Repeat) for the dress. Elmer Olsen Models (Alexandra Lalonde).
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Welcome to Suite Magazine
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August 2012 As much as SUITE Magazine is a celebration of condominium living, design, taste, good counsel and enriching ideas; it is also an expedition of discovery. We are searching for the Toronto identity, which we know to be complex, unique and charming in its humility.
Urban Condominium Living
Toronto is the kid in the class who is capable enough to sit in the front, bad-ass enough to sit at the back, but cleverly chooses to blend in near the middle. Toronto quietly exerts leadership in international cuisine, the arts, fashion and invention, without having to be first on the search list like Paris, New York, Milan and San Francisco. In Toronto you are judged on substance, merit and a certain understated style. It doesn't collapse around its image, politics or religion and wear them on a t-shirt. Instead Toronto instinctively offers an unquestioning embrace to all global citizens, attracting especially those who live well, as quietly confident, original individuals. While exhibiting effortless cool, today’s progressive Toronto voyageur is quite likely to live in a funky condominum; and of course, to do it well. Our mission is to ensure this happens and to add just a touch of panache. Like our city, the SUITE MAGAZINE team has fallen together organically and incidentally, and yet is composed of an inspiring array of talented and committed individuals. They understand excellence and are seeking, with the help of our readers, to stimulate the conversation about the character of Toronto and its 300,000 condominium residents. We aim to provide ideas of interest to condo residents, rather than just would-be buyers. We focus on improving the comfort and beauty of existing condo homes, and provide tips on overcoming the challenges of condo life. We develop posts about the newest Toronto urban lifestyle trends; including entertainment, shops, designers, sports, clubs, restaurants, architecture, the arts, global directions and much more. SUITE Magazine is the definitive Toronto guide-map for urban condo living. It is an oasis for the vanguard on the unbeaten path. It replenishes our restless spirits, and equips us for the continued pursuit of all the finest moments that the urban condo lifestyle has to offer.
B.F. Nagy Editor
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suitemag.ca
Condo Cognative
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX THE AMENITIES BEYOND YOUR CONDO UNIT WALLS
She’s twenty-something but Heather Wong loves dinner parties. “The first time some of my friends were like, ‘Time to get 10 cats, Heather,’ but I didn't care. We had a real laugh and now it’s a regular thing every couple months in the party room.” Heather likes the club scene, but not all the time. Her bachelor condo was a little tight, so she booked the party room. She and eight friends brought their food and wine with them. “It has a kitchen and a nice view of downtown. The boys brought some tunes and it was great. More friends have started coming, so it’s full on now.” Ahmed R. is a boomer-aged TV producer whose daughters grew up and moved out. “Finally getting my condo is just excellent. My old neighbours hated me because I’m basically too busy to cut the grass and paint the porch --so the house was great for Hallowe'en but that’s about it.” When not working overtime on TV shows, he swims. “I’m a fish. I love the water. Always wanted a pool. The first question I kept asking was ‘What’s the pool like?’”
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Marion and Richard Crewe are in their eighties. They lived in a beautiful condominium in Mississauga, but then they began to need a little more help. Their new place on Marine Parade Drive near Palace Pier is designed for seniors. There is a hairdresser, manicurist, resistance pool, a wellness centre with regular visits from a doctor, and a physiotherapist. The nursing staff is on duty 24 hours every day. “Party rooms, pools and gyms are huge. Amenities make the difference,” says property manager Debbie Anderson. Most people ask about amenities before they look at the units.” There are good reasons for elabourate amenities in condominiums. Some of our needs aren’t really met inside our units, including interaction with groups or distant neighbours, access to the outdoors, and security in the urban environment. Sales professional Mary Kruger says: “A few new condo owners are very interested in the design of their units when they first contact us; and the price.”
“Sometimes they don’t really consider the building amenities or the neighbourhood. It's my job to help them connect the unit they are buying to the day-to-day life they will lead. I make it a priority to match their needs with the right property. When people move out, it’s usually not related to the unit itself.” The front lobby might not be spectacular. Which can be an advantage. “I want my builder to invest in the gym where I spend a lot of time,” says Heather. “All I do in the lobby is pick up my mail and say hi to the concierge. My maintenance fee should be spent on a new treadmill, not cleaning a huge lobby or buying a new sofa.” Condominium living can be intimidating. So the way the amenities are built makes a difference. “You don't want a pool that is so small that everyone else is inconvenienced by old Mr. Cooper’s nightly swim,” says Kruger. “And if you are buying next door to the party room you’ll be happy to hear that it's soundproof.”
Beyond the lobby, the most common condominium amenities in the Greater Toronto Area are full time security, a swimming pool and a fitness facility of some kind. Because amenities add to the cost of the building, the unit price and the maintenance fee, there can be a lot of discussion about what's needed and what isn’t. It comes up when you buy a unit, sell a unit, rent a unit; and it might come up at owners meetings. If a downtown building has inadequate security, owners are likely to raise the issue, and the board might be faced with making expensive changes. “No one wants to be assessed,” says Board Member Kathy Urszenyi. “Most buildings have an annual reserve fund budget for normal wear and tear, but it's not an exact science at the best of times,” says Anderson. If a key amenity has to be added it can be a problem for everyone. The first challenge is to arrive at a consensus, and the second challenge is to pay for it. One of the newer amenities we’ve heard about is the pet deck. Pet decks allow busy residents to walk the dog in their slippers or, if indoor, without putting on a winter coat. “I don't need a pet deck,” says Heather Wong. "I'm not ready for 10 cats just yet.”
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The front lobby might not be spectacular. Which can be an advantage. “I want my builder to invest in the gym where I spend a lot of time,” says Heather. “All I do in the lobby is pick up my mail and say hi to the concierge. My maintenance fee should be spent on a new treadmill, not cleaning a huge lobby or buying a new sofa.” Condominium living can be intimidating. So the way the amenities are built makes a difference. “You don’t want a pool that is so small that everyone else is inconvenienced by old Mr. Cooper’s nightly swim,” says Kruger. “And if you are buying next door to the party room you’ll be happy to hear that it’s soundproof.” Beyond the lobby, the most common condominium amenities in the Greater Toronto Area are full time security, a swimming pool and a fitness facility of some kind. Because amenities add to the cost of the building, the unit price and the maintenance fee, there can be a lot of discussion about what’s needed and what isn’t. It comes up when you buy a unit, sell a unit, rent a unit; and it might come up at owners meetings. Condo Amenities Check List
SENIORS If you’re looking at new places, stay grounded and pay attention! Depending on where your condo is, the shared amenities that come with it can make or break your happiness quotient. It might not be enough to ask if they have a pool and a party room. You pay for amenities up-front and again in your maintenance fee. And they make a big difference to the quality of your condo experience. Check them carefully and compare.
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AD FPO
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Go Time
A BREATH Why not experience a personal epiphany in the birthplace of the Italian renaissance this summer? Among the most stunning regions in Europe; the rolling vineyards, corner markets and medieval castles of Tuscany are awe-inspiring, and the cultural riches of Florence unforgettable. Breathe deeply and be carried away by the sweet perfume of the olive groves, cypress trees, clover and camelias. Around every corner you'll find a postcard view of red-tiled villas in small hilltop villages, sketched artistically against the emerald landscape, dotted with red poppies and slipping into a watercolour blue sky. Visit the vineyards, sample the new Chianti and immerse yourself in the banter in quaint Tuscan towns; and in the
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ofTUSCANY
world famous cuisine, art, sculpture and gardens of Florence. Leave time for that obligatory snapshot next to the legendary leaning tower in Pisa, and lunch in the local bistro. Medieval Festivals For centuries Tuscans have preserved their surroundings, culture and traditions. And each year Tuscan towns play host to medieval theme parties. They include parades, amusements rides, jousting tournaments and medieval music. The Madonna Primavera festival and Calendimaggio festival both take place in Assisi, Umbria, a few hours from Florence. The Palio degli Asini and the Giostra dell’Archidado are held in Cortona, Arezzo.
New Wine The region celebrates the year’s new wines in areas such as Montespertoli. In Sienathe wines from Val d’Orcia and from the Chianti Region are usually presented during wine week near the end of the month. At Pontassieve the Toscanello d’Oro market is dedicated to Chianti di Rufina, Pomino and Colli Fiorentini wines. Six Tuscan localities have been designated World Heritage Sites including the historic centre of Florence, Siena, Cathedral of Pisa, San Gimignano, Pienza and the Val d’Orcia. Florence There is so much to see and do in Florence it’s impossible to know where to start. The most popular tourism destinations include
Michelangelo’s David at the Galleria dell’ Academia, the Galleria degli Uffizi, filled with Renaissance art, the Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore. Drink in the history of the Piazza San Giovanni, the 11th Century Baptistery of John the Baptist, the Giotto’s Campanile, the bell tower in Piazza del Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio bridge of 1345. Photographers are drawn to the Giardino di Boboli, a huge park on a hillside behind the Pitti Palace where you’ll find beautiful gardens, fountains and a great view of Florence from Forte Belvedere. Tuscany inspired Dante, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo. Now let it inspire you.
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Nuance
TORONTO CONDO FURNITURE
When it comes to getting set up, condo and loft furnishings are different than other homes. Lobby surveyed the GTA and found a handful of downtown shops for you that offer stylish and compact furniture, lighting and décor. For a stress-free experience it’s always best to review online first and call to make sure they're open, because downtown shopping can be challenging. For co-ordinates that are further from the core, this group of stores might not be ideal. We’ll look at the 905s in future editions.
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Modern Sensibility 380 Alliance Ave 1-888-668-2688 www.modernsensibility.com Mi Casa 238 Carlton Street 416-929-1913 www.micasatoronto.com Limitless 366 Adelaide St E Ste. 150 tel: 416 366 5288 www.limitless-toronto.com InSTYLE Home & Rugs 948 Yonge Street 416.916.6557 www.instylehome.ca EQ3 Toronto 222 King Street East 416-815-2002 www.eq3.com The Lifestyle Shop King West Village 64 Spadina Ave 416-599-5433 www.thelifestyleshop.net Visitor Parking 254 King Street East 416.350.7275 www.visitorparking.ca
The Penthouse Home Furnishings 184 Front St. East, Unit 102 416-866 7368 www.thepenthousehomefurnishings.com Blvd Interiors 707 Queen Street West 416-362-5222 www.blvdinteriors.com Urban Barn 275 King Street East 416-214-4970 www.urbanbarn.com Urban Mode 145 Tecumseth Street 416 591 8834 www.urbanmode.com West Elm -Shops at King / Liberty 109 Atlantic Avenue 416.537.0110 www.westelm.com Structube 507 College Street 416-929-2423 www.structube.com Casalife furniture 170 East Liberty Street 416-922-2785 www.casalife.com
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Fashion
RÊVE ECOSUITE: LIVING THE DREAM Contemporary sustainable condominium
It feels like a dream. WHEN YOU WALK INTO YOUR DARKENED SUITE, YOUR LIGHTS FADE ON, THE SECURITY ALARM SHUTS OFF, AND THE MUSIC BEGINS PLAYING GENTLY; WELCOMING YOU HOME. YOU CARRY YOUR GROCERIES INTO THE KITCHEN AND THE LIGHTS OVER THE COUNTER MAGICALLY FADE ON AS WELL. YOU WALK INTO THE BEDROOM TO CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES AND THE LIGHTS FOLLOW YOU, FADING UP AND DOWN AS YOU GO. IT’S NOT A DREAM, BUT IT IS CALLED RÊVE (FRENCH FOR DREAM). Of course none of this has to happen tomorrow, because you can totally re-program your security, entertainment, light and comfort settings at any time. You can be comfortable and green at the same time by setting the system so it turns the heat down when you go out to work, and back up an hour before you return. One touch on the control screen shows you how much energy you are using, tells you the outside temperature, the amount of energy generated by your solar panels today, and so on.
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PRE-PROGRAMMED COMFORT AND ECOLOGY You can pre-program the right hours of the day to open and close the blinds, turn on the TV when you arrive, decrease the music volume, or leave perimeter security on while you’re inside the unit. These are just a few of the features available in the ultra-modern Rêve NEXT Living Eco Suite penthouse. Most of them are also available in the other units in the Rêve building, located in downtown Toronto, on Front Street near Bathurst Street. The technological advancements in the Rêve tower and the Eco Suite were created by Cisco and integrated by Tridel, Canada's largest condominium developer and LEED builder. Systems include the Cisco Smart Connected Home Controller, in-wall touch screen, and Control4 lighting audio and video lifestyle products including the Control4 iPod Dock. The suite also utilizes a business-class internet connection, providing highly secure business-class data, voice, and wireless throughout. AIR QUALITY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION Design and furnishings follow the newest eco-friendly trends. They begin with solar heat and hot water, photovoltaic power, and high performance spray foam insulation. They continue with VOC-free water-based finishes used on all cabinetry, wood floors made of recycled furniture, the kitchen’s ECO Countertops made from 75% recycled content, and the laundry room’s PaperStone countertops made from 100% recycled paper. Also, the suite’s Active Clean Air porcelain floors act as an antibacterial agent; and the EcoEssence Fireplace uses bioethanol, releasing only clean emissions. Units in the rest of the building include most of these features, but not the solar panels, which are dedicated to the penthouse suite. The other suites have sealed front doors and energy recovery ventilators to recycle as much heat energy as possible, while maintaining excellent indoor air quality. Residents control their own hydronic heating, cooling and electricity usage, so they can reduce their greenhouse gas footprint and their utility bills. Low-flow fixtures contribute to water conservation. It may not be a dream, but residents at the sold-out Rêve suites will very likely feel that way. They will sleep very soundly, surrounded by a dreamlike futuristic level
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Condo Cognitive
WILL TORONTO CONDO PRICES INCREASE? Will the value of your condominium increase, decrease or remain unchanged? You might get the best answer from your Ouija Board; tea leaves reader or tarot card dealer. You could ask a Toronto real estate expert, but be warned, a few have been off the mark lately.
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It may have been the general pessimism brought on by the market meltdown at the time, but in 2008 several prominent real estate and finance specialists said Toronto condos were overvalued. They called it a bubble and predicted it would burst in 2009. But this did not happen. The opposite happened. While foreclosures were breaking records south of the border, the Toronto skyline became dominated by construction cranes, hovering above new condominium developments.
Toronto is unlike USA cities because it is still attracting educated and affluent immigrants by the thousands. In the past 20 years the Toronto condo market had been dominated by mostly young, firsttime buyers. In the recent past a new group is adding to demand: Boomers. In his classic 2001 book, Boom Bust and Echo, University of Toronto Economics Professor David K. Foote noted that we were in the midst of the largest transfer of wealth in human history, as the already affluent baby boom generation inherited the estates of their parents. He also noted that this would take place at a time when the children of this generation were leaving home, turning wealthy Baby Boomers into empty-nesters who are seeking to downsize their footprints. Condo sales in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) for 2011 were about 25,000 units, many of which were snapped up by older purchasers. Real estate data from 2009 indicates that 23%of buyers in the 45-54 age group chose a condo; 28% aged 5564 did the same; and 40% of buyers aged 65 and over moved into a condo. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) says that as early as 2006, 57% of condo owners were aged 50 years or more.
Despite steady demand, some still think growth will begin to slow. The CMHC says excess supply in the GTA condo market will push prices down in 2012. It estimates that 18,000 new units will come onto the market each year for the next few years. But the experts may be wrong again. Toronto banks do not allow condo developers to receive all of their loans until 85% of their units are sold. The cranes on the cityscape are not erecting empty condos. These units are largely pre-sold. Another key trend fuelling demand for condos is the popularity of urban living. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, while 30% of the world‘s inhabitants lived in cities in 1950, this will increase to 70% by 2050. The idyllic dream of a nice country home with a white picket fence has been replaced. Many of us now want a funky Toronto loft, surrounded by shops, restaurants and tarot card readers.
When real estate prices crashed in the USA, Toronto prices continued to rise. In 2010 the average Toronto October resale condo price was $367,715, up 9% from the previous year. The average Toronto resale detached home price was $751,612, up 6%. The Toronto Real Estate Board reported 7,642 home and condo sales combined in October, a 17.5% increase from October 2010, despite turmoil in worldwide financial markets. Now the experts are taking a closer look. Economists point out that Canada is different than the USA because banking rules here have remained more demanding, resulting in fewer vulnerable mortgages. Our economy is more dependent on natural resources and commodities than on manufacturing and retailing; both of which suffer when USA consumers face financial trouble.
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Condo Trailblazing
SUITE LIVING
A LA MONTRÉAL
His friends were convinced he was losing it when Norwegian-American condo developer Rune Kongshaug moved from New York to the ‘more advanced architecture program at McGill in Montreal. He created a research project on urban agriculture and hired a Master Baker from France for his new condo project. What they didn’t know was that his local food focussed condominium in Point St-
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Charles was already sold out. His vision of a return to organic community living appealed to Montrealers, just as it does to residents in many of today's cities. Owners and neighbours at Kongshaug’s Produktif House love the wood-burning pizza and French stick oven in the basement, the fruit trees in the solar greenhouse, and veggies in the courtyard
garden. They can unwind in a sauna warmed by recaptured waste heat from the bread oven, flush their toilets and water their plants with recaptured, filtered rain water, and zen-out in the yoga room with a walk-out to the garden. They also love the nice even radiant climate control in their units and the lack of utility bills. The geothermal system and
solar panels on the roof power their hydronic heating and electricity. Contemporary ventilation and superior insulation and windows eliminate the need for extensive summer cooling. “To build it like this cost the owners almost 20% more,” says Rune. “But that’s because it’s a small building (9 units) and we were learning a new model.” His next project will be about 20 units, costing less than 10% more than an old style of building. McGill students were involved in the project, gathering data and analyzing the condo as a model for future urban developments. Some of the owners are disinterested in growing things, while others roll up their sleeves and work alongside condo staff in the greenhouse and courtyard vegetable garden.
When neighbours began to smell the fresh baked French stick they made enquiries. A local community ‘bread club’ was formed and many now visit the condo regularly to buy fresh bread, pizza, and fruit; or to just chit chat in the garden. “Some of the international students at the university are not impressed with a movement towards urban agriculture,” says Kongshaug, “They commented that they did not travel half way around the globe to attend McGill and learn about growing lettuce and carrots. But this is not exactly a return to the old ways. It is an advanced technological system. And if transportation costs keep increasing, local food might soon become a necessity, rather than a choice.”
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Condo Cognitive
TEN
‘MUST-HAVE’
CONDO UPGRADES
IF YOU INSIST ON AZTEC STONE COUNTERTOPS AND MULTIPLE MASSAGING SHOWER RAIN-HEADS, CHOOSE THEM FOR THE RIGHT REASONS.
decision, but as a way to increase the comfort and enjoyment of your new home. The ‘must-haves’ therefore, are pretty subjective and depend on the individual. Our list begins with the top 10 most demanded in the past few years in the GTA.
When it’s time to step up to a new living space, it might surprise you to find that popular upgrades may not add commercial value to your property. Most real estate agents say that the cost of very few upgrades will be fully recovered, let alone appreciate by the time you sell your property.
Understanding that it’s all about your enjoyment makes it easier to deal with choices that may be offered by builders or contractors. You should be careful to shrewdly manage your purchase decisions; which leads to a host of additional considerations. Before the work starts have you checked to make sure the upgrade is permitted under your condo agreement? Should you have the builder do the upgrade, hire your own contractor or perhaps even do-it-yourself? How hard should you negotiate with contractors?
If you are in a hurry when it’s time to sell, wood flooring, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops might make it easier to sell your condo quickly; because they are highly visible and popular right now. But again it is doubtful you will recover their full costs. The bottom line is that your upgrades should be seen not as an investment
Some upgrades, such as work on floors, may cost more if completed by the builder, but still seem worthwhile by preventing considerable inconvenience, after your furniture arrives.
Most upgrades cost less with your own trades-people, particularly if you are a good negotiator. If you’ve never worked with contractors before, be careful. Some have been known to ignore agreed work schedules or will try to invoice you for more than was originally quoted. This may be your own fault. If you realize halfway through the job that you want to change an earlier decision or add an enhancement, don’t be casual about it. Discuss the change fully with your contractor, including any added cost or extra time. Be aware that you are automatically at a disadvantage if it comes up after the job has started. He or she can basically name his or her price for the extra, knowing you don’t have a bargaining position. In a perfect world you make your decisions before the work starts; but often you don’t fully visualize your upgrade until halfway through, or don’t anticipate something that crops up unexpectedly.
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No matter how nice a guy he may be, he’s an entrepreneur. If you pressed for a lower price when he first presented his offer, he is likely to try to restore his margin later, when you add the extras. He will also add to completion time and might not bring it up himself. That’s why experienced project managers are not afraid to frequently confirm budgets and completion schedules. The horror stories you here are all about poor communication and differences in expectations. Needless to say, get everything in writing. Novices tend to deal only with price in written quotations, but the schedule should be detailed in writing too. Contractors get busy and can fail to complete your job in their zeal to please a new customer. Your quotation is a contract. Make sure it protects you. Depending on the size of the job you can even include monetary penalty clauses for late completion, although it may be hard to find a contractor who will agree to these. It’s part of your contractor’s job to provide a revised written quotation when asked. Don’t be afraid to request it. On the other hand a continuous stream of project changes, penalties or attempts to push the price down are unfair to the contractor and could come back to haunt you. A contract is a partnership and should be a win for both parties. Be professional and considerate.
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THE TOP 10 UPGRADES 1. GRANITE OR MARBLE COUNTERTOPS 2. STAINLESS STEEL OR HIGH-END APPLIANCES 3. WATER LINE FOR FRIDGE 4. IN-UNIT LAUNDRY OR WASHER/DRYER CONNECTIONS 5. HARDWOOD OR LAMINATE FLOORING 6. BETTER CABINETRY HANDLES 7. ELECTRICAL OUTLET IN ISLAND 8. LIGHTS OVER THE KITCHEN ISLAND 9. UNDER-MOUNT KITCHEN SINKS 10. SPEAKER WIRE FOR SURROUND SOUND
OTHER UPGRADE IDEAS Revised cabinetry configuration Better kitchen backsplash Garbage disposal Dovetailed kitchen drawers Gas fireplace Exotic woods for cabinets and floors Smooth ceilings Trim packages Insulated walls for soundproofing Elongated, dual flush toilets Obscured glass brick for bathroom Ceramic floor for bathroom Jetted tub Rain head shower Better faucets Best underlay for carpet Good window coverings Internet cable if no wi-fi TV cabling Security cabling Lighting electrical Den door or French doors Better baseboards Central vaccuming BBQ gas line More storage Extra parking Wider garage
Condo Insanity
CUT THE RACKET! Condo Noise Problems
NOISE IS AT THE TOP OF THE CRISIS LIST IN VIRTUALLY ALL CONDOMINIUMS. PARTIES, KIDS, DOGS, HEELS, YELLING, POWER TOOLS; ALL OF IT CAN DRIVE YOU TO THE EDGE. AND WHEN IT IS EXCESSIVE OR CONTINUOUS, IT’S UNFAIR. 1. Make sure it’s worth complaining Nonetheless, like any problem, be careful what you do about unfair noise. As you probably know by now, it’s difficult to complain about things in a condo. Complaining can make life worse, not better. 2. Do NOT approach the noise-maker If it’s intolerable, complain correctly. Rule number one is do not approach the noisemaker, even if management says you should sort it out yourself with your neighbour. That’s not right and don't do it. There is no way to sugar-coat a noise complaint and the noise-maker will resent it, no matter how much you may believe you are friends, or that they are a reasonable person.
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If it truly has become intolerable, they are not reasonable. They should haverealizedby now that they are being unfair. 3. Report to the Concierge or Manager In most of North America the rules* say you report it to the Concierge or Manager who is supposed to anonymously advise the violator, and ask the offending party to stop. If this doesn’t work, the Board is required to act. 4. Be professional Don’t complain while you are losing it. Sleep on it; then be very professional. You’ll need to properly document your complaint, which means keep a list of dates and times, and possibly get other proof, like witnesses and recordings. At all times be calm, cool, collected. After all, you are within your rights and you don’t want to create a conflicting new problem through your own poor conduct. Ask what will be done about your complaint and when. Ask for a follow-up communication and ask when you will receive it.
5. The Board is ultimately responsible If the Concierge or Manager brushes you off, you now have one more chance to ask yourself whether your complaint is worth pushing. The next step is the Condo Board. The higher you go, the more legal you are getting. Make sure everything is properly documented in writing, courteous and professional. Hopefully you don’t have to call your lawyer; but if the Board ignores you… 6. Adjust the expectations Even if the offender doesn’t specifically know who complained, they can usually guess; and there will be resentment; because the system forces you to ‘go behind their back’. Behaviour might not change, might not change immediately, might change only a little, and so on. This usually isn’t easy. If someone offers you an apology be appreciative, but be ready to conceal the fact that you complained. They might be truly contrite, or they might be baiting you to confirm that you are the complainer.
Are You a Noise Problem? By choosing condominium living you are making a statement about yourself, which goes something like: “I'm easy going. I can live and let live.” But in the busy, high stress lives we sometimes experience, we occasionally lose sight of this disposition. Sometimes our problems make us less considerate of others. Condo units and party rooms are supposed to be sound-mitigating, but often are not. Don’t yell, slam doors, crank the music at all hours or wear heavy heels indoors. Don’t talk loudly near your door or on your balcony.
Some parties are more fun with a lot of music. Try to hold these in the party room, or in the daytime, with the neighbours invited. Control your dog. If your dog is annoying to you, you can bet the annoyance factor is multiplied for those who don‘t love him like you do. A continuously barking dog is a serious condo problem that you cannot ignore for very long at all. If you play an instrument people will be polite and say it sounds nice, but if you are practicing you probably have to repeat the same song over and over. The truth is, it’s not that entertaining for the listener.
The rules say you’re supposed to have a sound-proof room for such practice. So do the renovation, put the rug under the piano, choose your schedule carefully, or turn it down. Condo living means being considerate. Neighbour relations are just like your other personal relationships. The best rule of thumb is that if you feel like you are trying harder than the other person, you are probably trying hard enough. *For Ontario condo noise legalities call your lawyer and see www.envirolaw.com/regulation-of-noise or www.condoinformation.ca
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Top Restaurants
THE RETURN OF THE POWERLUNCH
THE OCCASIONAL IMPORTANT MEETING IN A CAFÉ OR RESTAURANT IS MAKING A COMEBACK. WHETHER IT’S DISCUSSING AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, ENGAGING WITH NEW INVESTORS, OR PITCHING A PROGRAM TO YOUR BOSS AWAY FROM THE OFFICE; SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EXCHANGES ARE TAKING PLACE OUTSIDE THE BOARDROOM. It might be dinner, lunch or just coffee, but it has to go smoothly. A disruptive atmosphere or loud music will not work. Poor service and bad food will reflect on your judgement. For critical encounters, select your venue safely. In some cases the topic calls for something casual. With some personalities it calls for something creative. You can do both and still be careful. According to city records there are more than 10,000 restaurants in Toronto. This makes it both easy and difficult to choose a suitable meeting location. These suggestions should provide fairly safe bets in several categories.
FINE DINING DOWNTOWN Bistro 990 on Bay near Wellesley A completely authentic French restaurant featuring the architecture of the gauls and unanimously celebrated cuisine. Impeccable service makes it feel like Paris, minus the condescension. Frequented by high flyers and global citizens. Duck lamb, filet mignon and seafood all accompanied by legendary French sauces and freshbaked pastries. The prix-fixe lunch menu is a guaranteed winner. Nota Bene on Queen near University Celebrated Splendido chef David Bene opened a second restaurant in 2008 which continues to win accolades and awards. Try the scallops, rabbit, squash ravioli or one of three raw food entrees. Even simple lunch favourites like burgers or fish and chips are designed to be memorable. The service is superb and the food is unparalleled.
Carisma on King West High-end staples such as foie gras, gnocchi and raviolini alla salvia, a combination of pumpkin raviolini stuffed with veal, roasted pistachio, sage, brown butter and white truffle oil. Other great downtown dining: Lai Wah Heen, The Black Hoof, The Rosewater, Sassafraz in Yorkville
FINE DINING GTA Etobicoke For Etobicoke or Mississauga connections you can choose Greek without risk at the renowned Colossus Greek Taverna in Port Credit on Lakeshore Blvd. Bouzouki music, attentive staff, lamb souvlaki and ouzo. Just be careful with the ouzo. Oakville Jonathans and the J-Bistro are located in a renovated century home in downtown Oakville. Try any of the searingly delicious seafood dishes in the bistro or the quail in
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the main dining room. Jonathans was voted Best Restaurant in Oakville for 11 years running. Enough said. Richmond Hill The Brix Napa Valley Grille and Wine Bar offers a menu in Richmond Hill that might be found in Richmond, California or Beverly Hills. Along with an awardwinning selection of wines this northern eatery is great for corporate groups up to 40 or for semi-casual business encounters. Its warm and inviting environment complete with stone fireplaces brings an upscale feeling to the event.
and acrobatic teppanyaki dinner performance. If you and your guests are seeking vegetarian, the perfect choice is Vegetarian Haven in the Baldwin Village. LUNCH DOWNTOWN Spring Roll in the Atrium on Bay is excellent for a lunchtime chat. The welldesigned interior and summer patio deck are always busy without being loud, with food and service that never disappoints. You can concentrate on the conversation without being embarrassed by the venue.
North York David Duncan House in North York is a pretty safe bet for traditional fine dining and a good atmosphere in a beautiful old house near Don Mills Road and York Mills Road.
Other good ideas for lunch downtown include Mercatto on Bay Street, Christinas on the Danforth or Le Select Bistro, now on Wellington west of Spadina, and of course The Drake Hotel in condo-land on Queen near Dufferin. The Drake is iconic, still trendy, generally noisy, with ‘aboutaverage’ lunch food.
FOOD GENRES For Italian try La Vecchia, for French try Le Paradis Brasserie, and for Chinese don’t miss The Pearl Harbourfront Restaurant. The Mexican food is wonderful at El Rincon Mexicano. Try the Sultan’s Tent for Moroccan, Real Thailand Restaurant in the Annex, the Rodeo Brazilian Steakhouse Rodizio on the Danforth for meaty, crazy weekends; and the legendary Benihana at the Fairmont Royal York for a delicious
CAPPUCINO For a business meeting in a café, go take a look in advance. Location is obviously a key factor if it’s just for a coffee; and cafés change even faster than restaurants according to trendy popularity, seasons and staff turnover. Perils include louder music today than yesterday, bad seating or long line-ups for coffee. Starbucks is usually not a bad choice, but if you want something more unique, try the Lettieri’s
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at Queen and Spadina, Good Times Bad Times Café at Bloor and Landsdowne, The Dark Horse Espresso (a few locations downtown, all pretty good) or the quiet and quaint Tango Palace on Queen near Jones Avenue. DRINKS TOCA Bar for drinks, dining or both features a glass cheese cave, pastry hall, raw food bar, tapas and lots of seafood. For a fun pub experience try the Stout Irish Pub. For a bright red afternoon try the truly unique Pravda Vodka House, which offers 70 kinds of vodka and wins awards for martinis. The food is good too. Panorama at the top of the Manulife Centre still offers one of the best views in the city, in both winter or from the outdoor patio in summer. The Beacher Café in the eastern beaches remains a reliable place to talk business over drinks, coffee or a light meal. It’s especially nice in the summer. ALL NIGHT If you’re meeting and eating deep into the night, we're likely talking comfort food, so the old standby, Fran’s at College and Yonge is a longtime favourite. Try also 7 West on Charles Street, or if you’re in Scarborough, we keep hearing that The Markhan Station is great for a rendezvous in the wee hours.
Nuance
ART and ACCENTS CAN YOU TRANSFORM A COLLECTION OF BARE ROOMS INTO ONE OF THOSE HOMES PEOPLE TALK ABOUT? Express yourself, enjoy yourself, pamper yourself. There are no small actors, only small roles. It’s as true in home décor as it is in entertainment. The seemingly minor nuances, done well, pull the whole thing together. Add these affordable touches to your special place.
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Gizmo Mojo
TABLET WAR GLORY BLOOD IS BEING SHED ON THE BATTLEFIELD OF COMMERCE AS THE WORLD’S BIGGEST CORPORATIONS CARVE UP THE AVAILABLE TERRITORY IN THE TABLET AND TABLET-CONTENT MARKETPLACE. Reviewers seem to mostly rate iPad 2 as the most formidable opponent among the pricier tablets. However, because iPad 3 isn’t here yet and because of low price, the Kindle Fire from Amazon edged Apple out in the holiday 2011 sales battle.
Ipad might still be said to have won the war, blasting everything in its path while still maintaining its healthy margins. Both the Kindle product and the Blackberry Playbook were selling at deep discounts. For Kindle it’s a strategy to support content sales, for Blackberry it’s a touch of desperation. At hundreds of dollars less, analysts say the feature-limited Kindle Fire and Nook are in a different category than more expensive tablet products. They say the
premium tablet category includes iPad, Tablet S from Sony, Galaxy Tab 10.1 from Samsung, Eee Pad Transformer from Asus, and the Blackberry Playbook. Cnet.com recently rated these five on their features from great to not-as-great in the order they are named above. Whatever happens in the world war over tablets and content, most of these weapons are likely to hold their own in the early skirmishes, and many will emerge to fight another day.
iPad received kudos for its friendly interface, vast app catalog, and marathon battery life. It lost marks for its low-resolution screen.
Sleek design helps Galaxy, plus its 3megapixel back camera, 2-megapixel front camera, and powerful dual speakers. Disadvantages were cheap construction and lack of compatibility ports.
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The Asus offers a price around $400, a high-quality screen and relatively cheap keyboard/dock. But the Eee was downgraded for a weak camcorder, problematic docking and poor ergonomics.
Tablet S won praise for DLNA video and music streaming, PlayStation certification for mobile gaming and integrated universal remote. Its negatives included its dull screen and high price.
The Playbook is fast and powerful with HDMI output, advanced multitasking and security. And it integrates Adobe Flash 10.2. But it was also felt that many of its best features are limited by the small screen.
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Gizmo Mojo
MAKE IT EASY TO DO THE RIGHT THING FINALLY COMING SOON, THE SKIFF • Big enough to read, safe enough to bend. • Basic touch features, rich media. • Paper is just so 2011. www.skiff.com
THE WINE CHAIR • A portable, folding chair with sunshade, storage and cooler. • Padded seat, backrest and armrests. • Fold-out side table and storage pockets. • For sports events, tailgate parties, parades, the beach, and more. www.wineenthusiast.com
TAG IT! • Turly tags make it easy to return your lost critical items. • A lot of people will help if it’s easy. • They know it’s hellish to lose your phone or keys. • It’s an easy online/hotline tracking system. • It’s secure because your data’s not out there. • Give them a decent reward ok? --Just sayin. www.turlytag.com
TV LIFT • Automatically hide the TV inside the furniture until needed. • Make it rise magically out at the right moment using remote control. • They even have lifts that rise out from beneath your bed. • Good idea but photography on the site is so poor we can’t tell if the product is decent quality.
• Decent looking case secures to the bike.
• Seems to be custom work through sales offices in each region, rather than store dealers.
• One less excuse and you save on the parking.
www.activateddecor.com
WHY NOT?
• Be careful with your pantaloons on the greasy chain • Or try the other concept -The bikoff. • The bikoff even folds up for storage after you get there. www.bikoff.com
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Suite Scene
FREDA’S WELCOMES THE SUNSHINE AND HER FIFTH DECADE Tailored pencil skirts, silk jumpsuits and floral prints - 70s glam and a 60s earth revival were both included in a late April Spring/Summer show by Freda’s on Spadina Avenue in Toronto.
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In 2011 Jeanne Beker included Freda’s in her list of the top 100 fashion shops in Toronto and was on hand for the event; along with much of the Canadian fashion establishment. The boutique, owned and operated by Freda Iordanous and her daughters, Paulina Georgiou and Elaine Iordanous, carries designer lines such as Michael Kors, Jean Paul Gaultier, Stills, Tracy Reese and Robert Rodriguez.
The event celebrated the boutique’s 40th Anniversary and the collection embraced fluorescent yellow, cobalt blue, citron green and other bold colours, expressed in graphic blocks, digital designs and traditional prints. Get ready for short shorts, high waisted flares and summer-of-love sundresses. The season will be light and airy, yet somehow breathless.
Freda’s also provides its own private collection, designed and produced at the downtown location. While edgy and stylish, the line seeks a certain every-woman positioning; making it popular with everyone from fashionistas to corporate slaves. Freda’s fashion is worn by on-air TV personalities such as Tracy Moore from Cityline and Citytv, Monica Matys from CTV News, Susan Hay from Global TV, and Cheryl Hickey from ET Canada.
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