Calgary Home Decor & Renovations - Sept 2016

SEPTEMBER 2016 VOLUME 14, ISSUE 4, FREE CALGARY EDITION

Designing with COLOUR & LIGHT A Fairytale POND Get inspired to ORGANIZE

HGTV CANADA’S

THE EXPANDABLES

starring at the Calgary Home + Design Show

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contents

V O LU M E 14 I S S U E 4

SEPTEMBER 2016

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SEPTEMBER 2016 VOLUME 14, ISSUE 4, FREE CALGARY EDITION

in every issue 06 Editor’s notebook

41 tips & tricks 25 What to expect on your inspection

36 Decoding the code features 16 Rustic chic inspired by summer outdoor spaces 34 Colour and light 20 Landscape renos 30 Why should I have to stage?

41 Create A Fairytale Pond

Designing with COLOUR & LIGHT A Fairytale POND Get inspired to ORGANIZE

HGTV CANADA’S

THE EXPANDABLES

starring at the Calgary Home + Design Show

renomark 28 Renovation and your neighbours

cover story

Visit the Calgary Home + Design Show Sept 22-25

pg.

10

COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF HGTV CANADA 4 YPNEXTHOME.CA

business profiles 08 Variety of styles, options for kitchens at Cabinet Solutions

inspiration 30 Smart solutions create great kitchens

40

The Scoop: Modern pop for the office

44

Top five ways to organize and declutter your space

14

Rossini’s Furniture helps you put a personal stamp on your decor

37

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63rd

editor’s notebook

SEPTEMBER 2016 VOLUME 14 ISSUE 04 PRESIDENT, YELLOW PAGES NEXTHOME

Jacqueline Hill EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / DIRECTOR OF CONTENT

Susan Legge NATIONAL SALES MANAGER HOME, DÉCOR & RENOVATIONS

Moe Lalani SALES MANAGER, ALBERTA

Shelley Balla ART DIRECTOR

Daiana Garay

Have fun with it

SENIOR EDITOR

Elisa Krovblit

It’s your home, it really should be a reflection of who you are. It’s not a museum, where every pretty little thing is going to stand unused and pristine, it’s your home - a place where you should feel comfortable, where you can do your real living, where you can put your feet up, relax and feel at ease.

MEDIA CONSULTANT

Anita van Breevoort, 403.461.5518 Anita.VanBreevoort@ypnexthome.ca NATIONAL CIRCULATION MANAGER

The way I look at it, there are two aspects of your home – things you can change easily and things that are going to be more permanant.

John Jenkins PRODUCTION MANAGER

Helen Pearce

Have fun, be whimsical, take a chance with those elements that are temporary or inexpensive and can be changed more easily. Go out on a limb with bright-coloured pictures or a funky chair in the office. You’ll see what I mean in The Scoop this issue (pg 40). That room is a lot of fun and offers a great balance between sophisticated pieces and great accessories.

Put energy and thought into spaces that are more permanant. This issue, Bonny Dann talks about your outdoor space in terms of an outdoor reno (pg 20) – and it is. It will be an investment, but look at it as an investment in creating a space that you’ll be able to use and enjoy. Invest in elements that will make it functional and accommodate your needs. It’s easy enough to make your outdoor space look nice, but you may want to hire a pro and come up with a great plan to make it into a real outdoor room!

Kitchen renovations can be a major expense and not something you’re likely to do twice. Do your research, find the perfect finishes and come up with creative solutions that you can live with, long term. Lisa Canning has some great suggestions this issue (pg 30). From suggestions on maximizing your budget to some innovative solutions to common problems, she shows us how to put the “fun” into function.

Hope we can inspire you to have some fun and enjoy your home.

Thanks for reading!

ELISA KROVBLIT

PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR / GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Greg Van Sluytman GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Mike Terentiev, Miguel Cea CONTRIBUTORS

Jo Alcorn, Julia Black, Lisa Canning, Bonny Dann, Mickey Foulds, Vanessa Gash, Michelle Hopkins, Laura Le, Michael Nyikes, Heather Ryan, Jackie Swartz, Bryan Tuckey

The advertising herein, including the photographs and all artwork is the property of Home Decor and Renovations magazine and not that of the advertiser. The advertiser has purchased the right of reproduction in Home Decor and Renovations magazine only and does not have the right to reproduce the ad in whole or in part in any other place or publication without the consent of the publisher.

The entire contents of this publication are protected by copyright and are intended for the sole use of the public.

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S Home Decor and Renovations magazine is published six times a year. Home Decor and Renovations magazine is distributed throughout Calgary and Greater Calgary area. This publication has been designed for the renovation market as a guide. Home Decor and Renovations magazine carefully inspects all ads for accuracy, however, the publisher and the printer shall not be responsible for any mistakes, design errors or incorrect information which is provided by the advertiser or their representative.

home decor and renovations

SENIOR EDITOR, YP NEXTHOME Elisa.Krovblit@ypnexthome.ca

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Inspiration | BUSINESS PROFILE

VARIETY OF STYLES, OPTIONS FOR KITCHENS AT CABINET SOLUTIONS

by HEATHER RYAN

TODAY’S KITCHENS are going white and bright with contrasting dark colours for a striking, contemporary look.

“Two tone white and dark cabinetry is really popular and on trend,” says Carl Russell, general manager at Cabinet Solutions, a division of Legacy Kitchens.

Stephen Buller, CEO, Legacy Family of Companies, adds, “I’m updating my kitchen right now and going with white cabinets and a dark island. In the last few years light greys and white have been very popular; now we’re seeing those light colours combined with dark countertops and backsplashes.”

Carl notes that cabinet styles have moved away from more traditional fronts to sleek, flat and shaker style panels which offer a modern look and cleaner lines. “Islands are also as popular as ever, and people are definitely choosing granite or quartz for their counter surfaces.”

He also says that today’s new cabinet designs provide more space than older models, “so you can update your small kitchen without removing walls and still get more storage space. We have so many great options for cabinet accessories to maximize space,” he explains. “We have pull-outs with adjustable shelving to store cans, bottles, spices and recycling centres. For corner cabinets there are lazy Susans, which allow more accessibility, but we also have the very popular magic corners that swing open and pull out to make the most use out of the space.”

Cabinet Solutions offers a variety of in stock, pre-assembled cabinet styles for do-it-yourselfers and renovators. “We’re also very excited about our partnerships that allow us to package cabinets, solid surface countertops, appliances and installation service,” Stephen says. “We’ve worked with our partners to design a package that provides our customers with excellent pricing on more than just the cabinets and helps guide them through a simple kitchen renovation process. Homeowners are able to get a complete package at their budget level.”

“Getting a new kitchen can be less expensive than homeowners expect,” Carl says. “Because we buy in bulk, we pass those savings onto our customers so they can do it affordably. To get started, a homeowner simply needs to bring in measurements of their space and we’ll do a free kitchen design and estimate.”

If you’re thinking about updating your kitchen or bath, contact Cabinet Solutions at (403) 569-0967 or visit www.cabinetsolutions.com.

8 YPNEXTHOME.CA

cover story

THE STARS OF HGTV’S THE EXPANDABLES – DESIGNER MIA PARRES AND MASTER CONTRACTOR ROB EVANS – will share insights into their experiences on the show and how they’ve helped homeowners make the most out of their space when they come to the Calgary Home + Design Show this fall.

Mia is a high-end residential designer whose design aesthetic is characterized by simple sophistication and smart functionality, while Rob is a design-trained contractor who is a specialist in renovating residential properties. They are the headlining speakers at the Calgary Home + Design Show, which runs September 22 to 25 at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park.

Prior to their appearance, we had a chance to ask them questions about the show and more.

HGTV’S the EXPANDABLES STARS AT CALGARY HOME + DESIGN SHOW

by HEATHER RYAN photos Courtesy of HGTV CANADA

10 YPNEXTHOME.CA

1. You’re hosts of The Expandables on HGTV. How did this show come about and can you tell us a little about the show?

Mia: We originally got together to shoot a three-minute teaser about five years ago, which is a way of testing the way Rob and I, and our crew, mingle together for magical camera purposes. We drove around to some sites and ended up having a tailgate party with Rob’s crew on the back of one of our trucks. It was a blast!

Originally we were going to create a format that was called Mr. Basement, and I would pop in as a designer, but we saw a bigger need once we tapped into the Toronto markets.

Homeowners had entire floors of their houses that needed top to bottom renovations, and our challenge was to reorganize the functionality of their space without adding a single square foot.

We both present them different design and construction plans and we have to pick between the two. It’s truly fascinating to see the way homeowners decide which one of our plans to go with, it feels like we’re helping them fall in love with their homes all over again.

2. What are the most popular reasons people have for expanding?

Rob: There are any number of reasons why people want to expand their homes, but they usually fall under two categories: needs and wants. Some homeowners “need” to change the functionality of their space; they have outgrown their current house, but love the neighbourhood, so we make space, open things up, reorganize to add more useful space and capture unused areas of the house (the basement!).

Others fall into the “want” category. They want to add more play space in the house for the kids, a better kitchen area to help entertain or an ensuite bathroom. People struggle to sometimes to see the possibilities in their own houses, that’s where we come in.

3. What obstacles are there to expanding?

Rob: Unfortunately there are some obstacles to expanding and it’s usually on the construction side. There are limits as to what can be done to a home, city bylaws have to be followed. Permits need to be acquired from the city, this can cause time and financial restraints on the project. As well, often times there has to be money spent “behind the walls” in structure and utilities.

People have no problem paying for a Carrera marble countertop, but no one wants to pay for a beam in the ceiling holding the house up!

A good contractor will make clients aware of all the pitfalls of expanding before the project starts and help plan for a smooth build.

4. Many showhomes today have gone light, bright and white, what suggestions do you have to add colour to this theme?

Mia: With colour palettes leaning towards a more traditional clean, white, bright palette, I really believe it’s important to keep colour and personality in the mix. A pop of colour in a backsplash in a kitchen, imagine six dining chairs in a strong solid colour, bright accessories, glossy coffeetable books and even a brightly painted front door can really help revive the traditional and neutral finishes. You can have a strong neutral base palette and

accent it with bright furniture, rugs and paints that can be more transitional if need be.

5. Are there any new trends and styles that you recommend and/or colours people should incorporate for fall?

Mia: I think that there several trends to watch out for in renovation – consider heated floors as a massive part of your entry way renovations. They work to heat your space and can really help with the chilly transition from summer to fall.

I also think touchless living is becoming more accessible and in demand. Whether it’s a thermostat or electric blinds touchless is definitely a trend that is here to stay.

“It’s truly fascinating to see the way homeowners decide which one of our plans to go with, it feels like we’re helping them fall in love with their homes all over again.”

—Mia

When it comes to decor, there is going to be a strong accessory slant towards marble accents; we’re already starting to see marble bowls, coasters, lazy Susans everywhere!

I also am seeing a big trend towards matte finishes – whether it’s in lighting, tiles, even paints, it’s coming in hot and flat!

6. You’re hitting the main stage at the Calgary show. What will you be talking about?

Mia: Rob and I are going to be chatting with audiences about our experiences we’ve had with homeowners on The Expandables and how we’ve helped homeowners learn to love their homes… again. The common thread that ties them together is that they bought their houses, truly hoping to build a place they’re proud to call home and life… gets busy! Kids, jobs, and eventually the clutter creeps up. That’s where we come in. Without adding a single extra square foot, finding the functionality in the chaos, and helping to build a space that is smart, and designed for a happy family life!

7. Any advice you have for Calgarians looking to expand?

Mia: Invest in a beautiful front entry. Whether it’s a new contemporary door without windows or a fresh paint colour, nothing says transformation like an updated entry way. And if you already have a fabulous front door, consider how you can wow your guests. Make the coat clutter disappear? A vintage bowl to throw your keys? A framed family photo to welcome them?

I really love mirrors for opening up spaces and although it’s difficult to use mirrors for television purposes, when it comes to my design life, it’s a designer weapon!

Work with what you’ve got. There are fabulous ways of 12 YPNEXTHOME.CA

expanding the space you have, and a professional can help you transform everything from your old cabinets with a fresh coat of paint, to reorganizing your kitchen appliance layout, and even popping in some new pot lights to brighten up the space and make it feel bigger!

You can hear more from Mia and Rob during the Calgary Home + Design Show presenting on the Trail Appliances Main Stage on Friday, September 23 at 7pm and Saturday, September 24 at 2pm. The Show runs: September 22, 4 to 9 p.m.; September 23, noon to 9pm; September 24, 10am to 9pm; and September 25, 10am to 6pm at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park.

Follow them on social media: Rob Evans: Twitter: @robevansreno Instagram: robevansreno Mia Parres: Twitter: @MiaParres Instagram: miaparresdesign

Bring your home dreams to life The Calgary Home + Design Show is where big ideas, trusted advice, and fresh inspiration unite. Complete with more than 350 brands and local companies, and the biggest names in the industry, including Master Contractor Rob Evans & Designer Mia Parres from The Expandables and Home to Win on HGTV Canada, and W Network’s Todd Talbot, co-host of Love It or List It Vancouver.

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Inspiration | BUSINESS PROFILE

Rossini’s Furniture helps you put a personal stamp on your decor

by HEATHER RYAN

WITH HOME DESIGNERS going light, white and bright, the latest furniture styles allow homeowners to add a splash of colour and put their own personal stamp on their decor, says the merchandizing expert at Rossini’s Furniture.

“In showhomes the trend is toward grey walls with white trim and white kitchens,” says Rhonda Baxter, “so our clients are wanting deep saturated colours for their furniture. We’re seeing a lot of purple and 14 YPNEXTHOME.CA

navy, both of which go well with grey and white, and lots of variations of blue to classic black.

“Some people are also choosing white furniture or an ivory tone in leather or fabric, and adding pops of colour with accents such as cushions, throws, rugs, vases, lamps or a single chair,” she adds. “We’re also seeing a lot of people mix things up, for example, going with a classic colour on their sofa or sectional in leather and then going with one or two chairs in fabric.”

Art work is another way customers are adding colour to the white scheme, and to assist them with choices Rossini’s recently added an art gallery area showcasing original works from local

artists and the works will be changed regularly to provide a range of selection.

“Generally, when it comes to furniture we focus on comfort first and foremost,” Rhonda says. “We specialize in leather furniture, and our sectionals and home theatre styles are very popular. They’re very comfortable, functional and, especially with our dollar, we have focused on Canadian-made quality furniture.”

Much of Rossini’s furniture is also customizable, she notes, so clients can get furniture to fit any size room in any style, colour and configuration “allowing them to put their own personal style in their home.”

Whether there is room for two seats or 10, Rossini’s can provide customers with numerous options – reclining seats and power seats are popular. “Power is definitely the way to go, and most suppliers now offer rechargeable battery packs for the power seating, so if you have a traditional home theatre design or a Great room with furniture away from the wall, you don’t have to worry about plugs and cords running all over the place,” Rhonda explains.

She notes this time of year is ideal for homeowners to plan their home theatres and sectionals as it takes up to 10 weeks for custom pieces. Ordering now means they’ll be ready for the start of hockey season or for winter when you spend more time indoors and want to relax in comfort.

Moving into the dining room, Rossini’s carries several designs with grey being most popular colour. Many styles offer 38-inch

widths, ideal for condos, but can be expanded to accommodate larger parties.

“We are also seeing a lot of people mix and match their chair styles; and benches are popular because they can take the place of three chairs, but you can also use it at the entry or at the foot of the bed,” Rhonda says. “People are getting more creative with their home decor because there are so many choices available and they can customize to personalize their home.”

To view the latest styles, visit Rossini’s showroom at 711 48 Ave. S.E. or www.rossinisfurniture.com.

What’s that scent it’s driving me wild. It’s Leather!!!

Discover the scent yourself visit Rossini’s Furniture Corner of Blackfoot Trail & 46th Avenue SE, Calgary 403-259-4448 | rossinisfurniture.com

AUG - OCT 2016 | HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 15

Inspiration | STYLE FILE

RUSTIC CHIC INSPIRED BY SUMMER

by JO ALCORN

WHEN SUMMER ARRIVES everyone’s thoughts turn to a great outdoor retreat. But as summer winds down and the weather cools, why not enjoy that lovely, summery rustic style indoors?

Here are some sure-fire tips on how to create an easy, breezy outdoor feel right in your own home.

When you can’t always enjoy the great outdoor why not bring some of it inside? Get creative! Tree branches or beautiful stones are budget friendly and look beautiful on display.

16 YPNEXTHOME.CA

Sometimes it’s all about creating a comfortable natureinspired space inside that really sets the tone. Try creating a cozy quiet escape where you can put your feet up and relax with a good read. This year, get inspired by nature and change up some of your artwork. Posterjack.ca is my go to for great photo options. All at the click of a mouse, I can have an entire natureinspired feature wall created. Best of all, they deliver to your doorstep so you can spend more time enjoying a summer siesta.

Get creative! Tree branches or beautiful stones are budget friendly and look beautiful on display.

I love the light and breezy look of white seating contrasted with greenery to capture that rustic feel. Grab a mason jar or large vase, add some greenery and you’ve brought the outdoor feel right into your home.

Fresh flowers are a staple in any nature-inspired decor.

I bring fresh flowers into my home weekly, all year round.

It’s a great way to bring the outdoors inside.

There is nothing like a cold drink on a hot summer’s day.

A bar cart is a great idea, but if you don’t have space for one, you can still set up a nice bar area on your counter. Add some faux greenery and you’ve got your own little sipping station.

Nothing says summer like a picnic table. I love how many people can fit around it and it really brings me back to summertime as a kid.

JO ALCORN

Adding some durable, comfy and fashionable pillows to your space is sure to brighten it up for summer. Try a few from my new Jo Alcorn Pillow collection, available on Etsy.

is a design specialist and designer on HGTV’s Home to Win. She has her own furniture collection, lighting line, pillow and dog bed line and is known for her savvy design concepts. Visit Jo at www.whitewashco.ca AUG - OCT 2016 | HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 17

tips and tricks

Decoding

THE CODE

by MICHAEL NYIKES

Q:

I received an email asking whether the work being done on the Big City Charters Agreement by the municipalities of Calgary and Edmonton will impact the provincial building code requirements in those two cities.

A:

This is a very interesting question and somewhat difficult to answer because of the current timeline of the initiative.

For a bit of backgrounder, in October 2014 the Government of Alberta, the City of Calgary, and City of Edmonton signed an agreement to develop a Big City Charters to support the cities’ unique needs, strengthen their relationship with the province and benefit all Albertans by building strong, vibrant cities that attract trade, investment and economic diversification. Work began to create special legislation to provide Alberta’s two largest cities with tools that recognized their sophistication, and gave them the ability to better manage the challenges of rapid population growth and the subsequent demands put on social programs and infrastructure systems.

Throughout the summer of 2016, Alberta’s Municipal Affairs Ministry travelled to 20 cities and towns in Alberta to collect input around modernizing the Municipal Government Act, which guides how all municipalities in Alberta shape their communities. This fall, engagement will begin on Big City Charters for Calgary and Edmonton. Stakeholders, members of the public and elected officials will review and provide feedback in a series of sessions with project experts. Next steps in the spring of 2017 will be for city charters to be drafted for Calgary and Edmonton in order to best meet the needs of their residents and communities. Each city charter will be a regulation under the Municipal Government Act. It is expected that the new Big City Charters will then be enacted in the summer of 2017.

18 YPNEXTHOME.CA

Some of the discussions may indeed be directed at establishing “Municipal Building Codes” to suit the unique requirements of Alberta’s two largest cities. This is currently in place in Vancouver whereas the City of Vancouver Building ByLaw 2014 is based on the BC Building Code and includes unique provisions regulating the design and construction of buildings in the City of Vancouver. There are mixed reviews on the success of this in addressing challenges by large urban governments by providing more flexibility and tools than small municipalities to respond to local matters. The intent of these types of char-ters is to clarify roles and responsibilities so the strengths of all parties are best used to find innovative solutions.

Future Decoding the Code columns will continue to answer readers’ questions about how their home improvement and construction projects. Email your questions to me at decodingthecode@gmail.com. Be sure to include which city you live in, as well as your phone number in case I need to follow up with you.

MICHAEL NYIKES Michael is a nationally recognized speaker, columnist, and leading industry expert on building codes, residential construction, building envelope science, and environmental design. He can be reached at decodingthecode@gmail.com

15

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Home & Garden

Landscape

RENOS

by BONNY DANN / Escapes Inc.

MID SUMMER CONSTRUCTION is in full swing, overpasses are being built, additions are going on schools, houses are being repainted and having new windows and roofs installed. Renos are happening everywhere – and landscapes are no exception!

We don’t usually think of renovations and landscape in the same sentence, and I have personally always referred to them as “garden 20 YPNEXTHOME.CA

make-overs”; more like someone whose job depends on their appearance and they have a fashion/hair/make-up make over rather than gutting a home back to the studs and starting over. But, as I sit back and reflect taking a Bobcat in and cleaning

off the front yard to start with a clean slate, I realize it is more like a renovation than a make-over. After all, we are pretty much back to the clay – much like being back to the studs. Then you start rebuilding.

We can’t always get a Bobcat in to do the demolition. Often on the narrow lots of in-fills we have to strip everything back by hand. Either way, like the house, you need to get back to the starting point. Often we find that once we have everything cleared off, homeowners will comment on how much better it looks already. It is simply getting rid of the clutter – red lava rock or the overgrowth of plant material, tired and worn out patios, walkways, planters in the front and decks, fences and retaining walls in the rear. Just like inside, the materials are outdated or worn out. Things have changed. We now need bigger patios to accommodate outdoor living room; furniture and fire tables rather than a table and chairs; and larger decks to accommodate an outdoor cooking station with eating areas and possibly room for a kitchen garden in pots. We also want outdoor fireplaces in relaxation areas or meditation areas. We want outdoor rooms for our children to play in – whether young with play structures or older with sports courts – or even a putting green for dad.

Maybe a studio for an artist or potter or a potting area for an avid

In rear yards what we can do is endless but you can also keep it as simple after it is stripped as adding new soils, replanting trees, shrubs and perennials and laying new sod. gardener. The ideas for outdoor living spaces are endless but each and all require a landscape reno!

To plan your outdoor reno you do the same as indoors, decide how you want to use each area and what you would like to see in each area. An advantage outdoors is we can move areas fairly easily, what was once a raised deck can be come a patio or a semi closed in outdoor living space relatively easily, an entertaining area on a patio can be situation high up or towards the rear of your property where once only grass grew again relatively easily. We don’t have to move walls or worry about which are load bearing walls like in interiors but we do have to very aware of building codes and bylaws and having a grading expert on board so we have water flowing in the right directions.

Once we have sorted out the logistics of each area, even if

Before the reno this area was just lawn – now it is a beautiful outdoor living area

AUG - OCT 2016 | HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 21

Garden off of the new p;atio

it is just creating curb appeal in the front yard, we can get to work rebuilding. If you are selling your home and only need a reno to create curb appeal, we can keep it as simple as a new design, reshaping beds and replanting with attractive plant material not only staying in a colour palette but balancing texture, heights and type of foliage. If you are doing a front reno to stay, you may want to add a courtyard or a small patio, perhaps a fountain surrounded by beautiful plant material. In my own front I widened a Rundle flagstone path so there is room for a bench creating a sitting area (when I get time to buy the bench) and I added a fountain to block out street noise.

In rear yards what we can do is endless but you can also keep it as simple after it is stripped as adding new soils, replanting 22 YPNEXTHOME.CA

BEFORE

trees, shrubs and perennials and laying new sod. Or you can go all out and add new retaining walls if they are needed, new patios or decks, water features or fountains and fireplaces. It will look as fantastic as your indoor Great room with new paint, hardwood and a new fireplace.

The sooner you start your landscape renos the sooner you will be out enjoying outdoor living spaces created, just for you!

AFTER

BONNY DANN is owner and expert landscape designer at Escapes Inc. www.escapesinc.ca

CALL TODAY FOR A CONSULTATION Designing & Creating Outdoor Living Spaces...just for you! w

403.803.0773 | www.escapesinc.ca | info@escapesinc.ca

SERVICES WE OFFER • NEW SITE DEVELOPMENT • MAKE-OVERS, partial or complete • STONEWORK, patios, walls, walks • CUSTOM WOODWORK, pergolas, screens, decks • MAINTENANCE, flower & shrub beds, lawns • PRUNING, shrubs, hedges • CREATING CURB APPEAL & STAGING • SOD, installed • CONCRETE AUG - OCT 2016 | HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 23

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tips and tricks

WHAT TO EXPECT ON

YOUR INSPECTION

YOU’VE FINISHED PLANNING your new renovation, you’ve gotten a building permit from The City of Calgary and are ready to start construction. It’s an exciting time for DIYers!

Perhaps you are transforming your cold, empty basement into a beautiful living space tailored to your needs. We spend lots of time thinking about paint, finishes and decorating, but sometimes forget about safety. After the whirlwind of getting a permit and planning every detail, it can be easy to forget the next steps to completing the permit process. To help with those often forgotten steps and to help you be prepared, I’ve put together a list of what to expect on your inspection.

I have a permit for the work.

Does it really need to be inspected?

The inspection is the final step of your building permit. Without it, the building permit is just a concept. If you don’t have the work inspected, The City has no idea if you’ve done the work correctly, or at all. Your inspector brings a fresh set of eyes to your project. Known as safety codes officers, City inspectors are knowledgeable in construction, proper building practice, safety and building code. They verify that you have built things the way you planned and that you meet safety code requirements. They can also steer you in the right direction if you have encountered problems or gotten off track.

by VANESSA GASH

How to book your inspection Inspections can be booked online by visiting calgary.ca/vista or by contacting 311. If you call before 2 p.m., your inspection will be booked for the next day.

At what stage of construction should I call for an inspection?

An inspection for basement development and other interior renovations should be called when the new walls have been framed and before gypsum board (drywall), insulation or vapour barrier have been installed. This allows the inspector easily to see what has been constructed and check for proper fastening of materials. Once the framing has been covered, it is very difficult to tell if things have been done correctly. It is also more expensive to make required changes if the construction is already covered.

Deck projects can be built completely, including decking material and railing, before calling for an inspection. As long as an inspector is able to see under the deck to see the beams and joists, this is acceptable. If you plan to install a skirting around the bottom of the deck, we ask that this is left until after the building inspector has reviewed the installation. This is for the same reasons that inspections should be done on exposed interior walls before being done on drywall.

You’ve already paid for an inspection

I have a contractor completing the work.

Do I have to do anything?

Inspections are part of the building permit process and included in the permit price. Why not give yourself the peace of mind that things are completed to a minimum standard of safety?

If you are having a contractor complete the work for you, you still need to ensure that inspections are done. In most cases, contractors are diligent and call to have their work inspected.

Keeping in touch with your contractor and setting your AUG - OCT 2016 | HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 25

expectations at the beginning of the project, preferably in a written contract, is a good way to protect your investment. No one wants to be left holding the bag if their contractor does not follow through as you’ve expected. Since any work that has been done in the home is ultimately the responsibility of the homeowner, it pays to be proactive. For other tips on hiring a contractor, visit calgary.ca/homerenos.

What do City inspectors look for?

Your inspector will review what you have built to make sure it matches your proposed plans and to identify safety code infractions. It is important to understand that Alberta’s safety codes mandate a minimum standard for safety, not necessarily best construction practice. Only code infractions will be identified in your report.

Basements – typical items in an inspection » Installation of framing members - proper size, materials and nailing patterns. » Confirm doors accessing furnace and laundry rooms meet the required 32-inch width. » Verify bedroom window type and operation is adequate for egress (exit). Ensure the window opening is not obstructed by cantilevers or decks. » Locate smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and confirm they are operational. » Check new ductwork for all rooms has been properly installed for heating and ventilation » Check handrails on stairs, proper landings and any other safety concerns that may exist.

cosmetic portions of the project and the building permit is considered complete. » Acceptable with conditions means that minor deficiencies have been found but they are not significant enough that an inspector has to re-inspect. It is the owner’s responsibility to correct these, whether another inspection is required or not. » Not acceptable - recall inspection indicates that the inspector has found multiple items that need correction and that they wish to see the project again before proceeding further. In this case, the inspector will add another inspection for the owner/ applicant to call for when the items are corrected.

Electrical and plumbing inspections

Decks – typical items in an inspection » Ensure the structure is installed properly and adequately fastened - proper size materials, hangers, nailing pattern, beams locations, posts, joists and decking. » Verify railing height meets minimums for the height above ground. Test resistance of railing. » If composite materials are used, ensure they are installed to the manufacturer’s installation instructions and any applicable CCMC (Canadian Construction Materials Centre) documents.

If you are completing a project that has electrical or plumbing work, you may need to call for additional inspections. If the work is being done by a contractor, they should obtain their own trade permits and call their own inspections. If you have decided to do your own electrical and plumbing work under homeowner permits, you will need to call for these inspections. These types of work typically have two inspections: rough-in and final. » A rough-in inspection is typically called at the same time as framing. For more information about electrical work that should be completed before calling this inspection refer to calgary.ca/electricalpermits. » A final inspection is required when the work is 100 per cent complete. For electrical work, this means when everything is fully hooked up and operational with all cover plates installed.

For plumbing work, it is when all the fixtures are installed and in full working order.

What documents does the inspector need to see?

Do I need to provide anything else?

For more information about home renovations, inspections, maintenance and more, visit calgary.ca/myhome.

Your approved drawings and permit conditions must be on site when the inspector arrives. Renovation projects that include structural changes may have a professional engineer involved. If this is the case, a field review by your engineer must be provided to your field inspector when they arrive. If you are required to provide this document, it will be listed in the permit conditions you received with your permit.

How will I know if I passed the inspection?

Once the inspector has completed their review they will leave an inspection report that identifies any items to be corrected. An inspection may have one of three outcomes. » Acceptable means that you do not have any deficiencies that need to be corrected. At this point the owner may finish the 26 YPNEXTHOME.CA

VANESSA GASH, LEED AP SAFETY CODES OFFICER - BUILDING COMMERCIAL PLANS EXAMINER, CALGARY BUILDING SERVICES; PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

Vanessa has been a plans examiner with Calgary Building Services at The City of Calgary for five years, and is a graduate in Architectural Engineering Technology from College of the North Atlantic.

Prior to working for The City, she spent many years working in the commercial and residential construction industry in Calgary.

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RENOVATION AND YOUR NEIGHBOURS

by BRYAN TUCKEY

RENOVATING IS A GREAT WAY to add value to your home, increase your quality of life and enhance the look of your neighbourhood, but the process can be tough on your neighbours.

Be considerate of the people who live around you when planning a renovation, as you could be subjecting them to months of dirt, noise and additional vehicles. Before the hammers start swinging, be sure to discuss your renovation plans with those next door, behind you, across from you and further down the street.

Whether you are building a deck, adding a second story or tearing down and rebuilding your home, it is important for you 28 YPNEXTHOME.CA

to inform your neighbours of your building plans.

Spend some time going door to door to talk about your building plans. Whether you are building a deck, adding a second story or rebuilding your home, your neighbours will appreciate knowing how long the renovation will take and who to contact if potential issues arise.

A professional renovator can accompany you on these visits and help guide you through working with neighbours.

The national RenoMark program is a great resource to find professional. Visit www.renomark.ca locate a RenoMark contractor in your area.

All RenoMark renovators agreed to a renovation-specific

Code of Conduct, which includes providing a written contract; offering a minimum $2 million in liability insurance; having two years warranty on all work; and carrying all applicable licenses and certificates.

A professional renovator can help answer any questions your neighbours may have, from architectural design to zoning bylaw compliance. Keeping your neighbours fully informed will make them more supportive of the renovation. The City of Toronto recommends posting your building permit in a prominent area on your property.

A common concern for people is curb appeal so bring your drawings to show what the final product will look like. A good design will put a lot of people at ease.

Another great way to avoid disturbing your neighbours is to ensure you adhere to your municipality’s noise bylaws, rules that restrict the hours of operation for construction equipment or activity.

Your professional renovator will follow a proper waste removal process and keep the construction site clean to avoid fines and prevent health and safety hazards.

Some municipalities require you to obtain a Street Occupation Permit should your dumpsters or construction bins extend beyond your property line. A professional renovator will be familiar with all bylaws and requirements.

The most important part of any renovation for you, your renovator and your neighbours is safety. Every municipality

Whether you are building a deck, adding a second story or tearing down and rebuilding your home, it is important for you to inform your neighbours of your building plans. has its own unique set of Property Standards and Property Maintenance bylaws. These may include things like putting a fence around the property, placing portable toilets far away from your neighbour’s homes and ensuring that proper safety equipment is worn by all workers. Professional renovators know to comply with these bylaws and avoid potential fines from the municipality.

BRYAN TUCKEY is President and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) and is a land-use planner who has worked for municipal, regional and provincial governments. He can be found on Twitter (twitter.com/bildgta), Facebook (facebook. com/bildgta) and BILD’s official online blog (bildblogs.ca).

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AUG - OCT 2016 | HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 29

Inspiration | STYLE FILE

SMART SOLUTIONS create GREAT KITCHENS

by LISA CANNING

I LOVE RENOVATING KITCHENS. They’re probably my favourite room in the house to design

because of how much they are enjoyed. Whether it be cooking up a gourmet meal for one or fast efficient meals for a big family, the kitchen really needs to be functional space to use and entertain.

But what do you do if your budget is limited? How do you maximize style in the kitchen without breaking the bank? Here are my top ways to renovate the kitchen on a budget.

BEGIN WITH A GOOD FOUNDATION This might not seem like a budget saving tip, but it definitely is one in the long term. Older homes and apartments can sometimes present a bit of a mystery in terms of how they were built. DIY additions and not-sostrict building code of yesteryear might leave your new renovation susceptible to potential damage, so check it out thoroughly to avoid future heartbreak and potential costly errors.

In this kitchen, we opened the walls up to find an insufficient amount of insulation (especially since this wall was formerly an exterior wall)! So we fixed the issue by installing Certainteed insulation to ensure the cold stays out and the heat stays in. You can put as many gorgeous interior finishes in a space as your heart desires, but if the space doesn’t have a good foundation you may encounter expensive issues down the road. So before you start to renovate, check for things like proper structural support, correct electrical work, water and mould damage, and proper insulation.

USE LAMINATE COUNTERS FOR COUNTER SURFACE AND SHELVING We replaced the dated and warped counters with a beautiful grey Belanger laminate counter that was a wallet friendly investment. The key to using laminate is to use a modern edge profile and keep the colour neutral for the most modern look.

We repeated the laminate material in floating shelves. I love this look as it gives the kitchen some architectural detail and a custom element at a wallet friendly price point.

…continued on page 32 30 YPNEXTHOME.CA

BEFOR

E

yo ur

Renovations

Enhancing homes

lives!

AUG - OCT 2016 | HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 31

…continued from page 30

SAVE ON LIGHT FIXTURES

KEEP YOUR CABINETS BUT CHANGE THE HARDWARE In this kitchen, one way we stretched our budget strategically was to keep the original cabinets, which were still in great condition. But we wanted to give them a modern upgrade, so we changed out the interior cabinet hinges and drawer slides to quiet close hardware by Grass Canada. Now slamming doors and sticky hinges are a thing of the past ,and the homeowners got a luxurious update at a fraction of the cost of brand new cabinetry. In addition, instead of replacing the drawer and cabinet pulls and knobs, we sprayed them out Oxford Blue by Krylon and then colour matched an interior paint and gave the interior of the glass front cabinets a hit of blue. These simple, yet cost effective changes make a big impact in this kitchen.

While everyone will have their own unique set of values in regards to what is important to them in the hierarchy of design needs in the kitchen, when you are working within a tight budget you really do have to prioritize. I like the approach of saving on light fixtures so you can spend on other areas like faucets and textiles. In this space we used beautifully designed, affordable priced pendants and overhead lighting both from Bouclair.

INVEST IN RELIABLE APPLIANCES AND FIXTURES Where possible, appliances and fixtures are where I like to invest my renovation dollars in kitchens as they are the elements that get so heavily used and enjoyed for functional purposes.

For the range I wanted dependability and ease of use, and selected an electric front range by Maytag. With a fast pre-heat option and flat cooktop, cooking and clean-up are really efficient. In a similar way, I went with the beautiful Delta Trinsic faucet with an integrated pull down spout that provides great function along with a touch sensor allowing you to just tap the faucet anywhere to turn it on.

LIMIT YOUR COLOUR PALETTE Limiting your colour palette is a really great way to stretch your dollar as you don’t have to invest in lots of different pieces to make a decor scheme work.

Taking a cue from the cabinet pulls, we picked up the blue again in a simple paisley window covering and large area rug. Decorative accessories on the floating shelves and breakfast bar from HomeSense continued our colour story in fun patterned mugs and striped table linens. To keep your colour story cohesive, use your desired colour at least three times in a space, whether it be in paint, decorative accessories or textiles.

32 YPNEXTHOME.CA

LISA CANNING runs Lisa Canning Interiors. Learn more about her approach to modern, family friendly design at lisacanning.ca

AUG - OCT 2016 | HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 33

feature

&

COLOUR

LIGHT

by MICKEY FOULDS

34 YPNEXTHOME.CA

ONE OF THE GREATEST PLEASURES of summer is the light - endless bright days which seem to start long before we need to get up and continue well into the evening hours. It streams into our homes with an invigorating intensity and tends to change and brighten the colours of our walls and furnishings.

The relationship between colour and light is frequently overlooked when designing our homes and colour schemes, yet the two are inextricably connected.

Without light there is no colour – a pitch dark room looks the same whether the walls are white or black. Colour is reflected light, and the surface from which it reflects together with the nature of the light will dictate how we perceive it.

If you are selecting colours or light fixtures for your home, it is important to consider the following: »

The source of the light in the space.

Incandescent, halogen, fluorescent and LED light bulbs are all currently in use (with an increasing tendency to LED for environmental and economic reasons), yet have profoundly different effects on the same coloured surface. Incandescent AUG - OCT 2016 | HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 35

LED light bulbs are more pricey than the old incandescent light bulbs, but use far less energy and should last about 20 years!

light is warm, and brings the warmer colours to life. However, cool blues, greys or greens lose their intensity. Conversely, compact fluorescent sources will intensify cooler colours beautifully yet strip the warm shades of their character. Halogen is the closest to natural light. Last but not least, LED is fairly natural but not as warm as incandescent. Many paint stores have a facility where you can observe the paint chip colour of your choice in different lighting situations to avoid disappointment at home.

I have had a situation where I have been called in by clients who had recently repainted their main floor in a colour they loved, but were profoundly disappointed by the result – it simply did not have the warmth they were hoping for and were thus considering repainting yet again. A simple change of light bulb (in this case fluorescent to incandescent as it was a number of years ago) immediately solved the problem, much to their delight!

36 YPNEXTHOME.CA

»

Colour reflecting light.

Most paint colours are assigned a “light reflective value”, or LRV, which is the percentage of incoming light it reflects.

This is a really useful number, because the higher it is, the lighter the colour and the brighter the space.

A pure white would thus be close to 100, for example Benjamin Moore’s Simply White CC-117, which has an LRV of 92.60(92.60 per cent of incoming light reflected). Compare this with Benjamin Moore’s Willow CC-542, which is close to black with an LRV of 8.30 (only 8.3 per cent of incoming light reflected). Your decorator or paint store professional can provide you with this information. While not completely rigorous, the LRV does give us a fairly good idea about relative lightness/darkness when comparing possible colour choices for our walls.

If you are trying to decide between a soft green or a light blue for a child’s room and are wondering which will look

brighter, the higher LRV number will answer that question for you.

When looking at the four walls of any space which are painted the same colour, it is very apparent that they respond differently to the angle of incoming light to the extent where it often looks as though there are a variety of shades present. Colour is not absolute. This is why it is essential to obtain or create a large sample (like 50cm by 50cm) of your colour choice and observe it in various positions morning, noon and night to truly understand its complexity.

A further influence on the colour of your space is outside the window. The light filtering in through a green maple tree in the springtime is very different to that coming through the brilliant red leaves of the same tree in fall, or to the bright white reflections of a snowy winter’s day. The orientation of the window also plays a significant role, with north, south, east or west sunlight

This is very much the lighting of the future, so when you are replacing burnt out bulbs, LED is the way to go.

The next time you go shopping for furnishings or paint, or find yourself planning a renovation, take the time to understand the relationship between your colour choices and light sources for the best possible outcome.

You’ll be delighted with the end result!

providing very different influences at varying times of the day. »

Environmental impact.

To maximise available light from natural or generated sources, use colours with a high LRV (light colours) as less light

will be absorbed by the paint. With the vast improvements in insulation, larger windows and skylights allow us to make far better use of natural light. LED light bulbs are more pricey than the old incandescent light bulbs, but use far less energy and should last about 20 years!

MICKEY FOULDS MSC CID CRSS Metamorphosis Design Ltd. phone 403.651.3462 email metamorphosisdesign@shaw.ca

View our website or showroom and be inspired with the product options we provide.

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www.prestigerailings.com AUG - OCT 2016 | HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 37

Feature

WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO STAGE?

by LAURA LE

IS IT REALLY NECESSARY TO STAGE MY PROPERTY? IT LOOKS OKAY…DOESN’T IT? This is a question I hear so often. The answer is different for every seller, and is dependent on a couple of variables. In my opinion, they are cost and willingness.

The cost can seem prohibitive initially, but consider the potential buyers. If a property is vacant, adding furniture, artwork and accessories completely changes the experience the buyer has while visiting your property over your neighbour’s house that is unoccupied. It is extremely important to have amazing photographs of your property 38 YPNEXTHOME.CA

online. This is the best way to get the buyers out of wherever they are living now to come see what you have to offer them.

Once they are in the property, they actually have somewhere to sit and talk, linger a while and maybe imagine living in the space. When a property is vacant there is nowhere to do this so they walk through and leave instead of sitting on the sofa and looking around at what the room has to offer and how it “feels.”

That “feeling” is very important, and a professional stager will be ensure the buyer sees exactly what they are getting if they purchase the property – whether it is a lovely fireplace or a gourmet kitchen.

The fees for staging a vacant property will be less than the first price reduction you will have to make if the property does not sell right away. And, when there are offers, the staged property will be less likely to receive the low-ball offers. I have had real estate agents tell me on several occasions that they overheard buyers walking through an open house that was staged saying “well, I guess they aren’t desperate to sell because they have the money to stage.” The first time I heard this comment years ago I was very surprised and happy that that was the logic these buyers used.

As far as staging an occupied property goes, often it is just a case of moving furniture around a bit to highlight architectural features. Usually this process involves some editing of “stuff” to ensure the rooms feel large and uncluttered.

It can be necessary to add another layer of decorative items.

A stager can provide this layer at a nominal fee, and it truly can make a huge difference in the photographs used online. It can be as simple as a few toss cushions on the sofa and a throw over

the arm of a chair, maybe some art or mirrors on the walls.

If renting the decor is not an option, you can hire a stager to purchase these items and you have lovely new decorative items that compliment your existing furniture for you to take to your new house.

Last – but as far as preparing your home for the real estate market, definitely most important – is cleaning. The house must be spotless and odour free. If you have pets, please ensure your home doesn’t smell like it. Do not plug in room fresheners into the walls trying to cover up the smells…get “air sponges”. They are small containers in which you remove the lid and hide behind furniture. They absorb the odours extremely well. Several may be required depending on how much absorbing needs to happen.

Clean, odour free and as beautiful as you can make your property will ensure your agent will be pleased to show your property. Do everything you can to present your largest investment in its best light.

AUG - OCT 2016 | HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 39

Inspiration

the

SCOOP

Catch up on decor + reno news, inspiration, style + more

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MODERN POP FOR THE OFFICE

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inspiration

CREATE A FAIRYTALE POND

HOUSING MAGIC, MYTH AND RAINBOW-WINGED DRAGONFLIES

by JACKIE SWARTZ

AUG - OCT 2016 | HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 41

DURING SUMMER DAYS AND EVENINGS a beautiful sight to behold is the magic of rainbow-winged dragonflies circling under sapphire skies. Dragonflies have the uncanny ability to reflect and refract light and colour. Often linked to magic and mysticism, their stories are timeless. With iridian wings and intricate form, they appear to come from fairyland. They are helpers as well. As adults dragonflies eat insects. Therefore they are a great way to control the mosquito population in your yard.

A small pond with the right habitat conditions will help you attract glistening dragonflies and damselflies to your garden.

Dragonflies and damselflies belong to the insect order Odonata and most of them require water throughout their life cycle. The young ones (nymphs), live underwater for several months – and sometimes years – before emerging as adults.

Adults will lay their eggs in the stems of plants and you’ll definitely enjoy watching dragonflies and damselflies.

The beauty of dragonflies and damselflies eating insects

42 YPNEXTHOME.CA

is that they rid your yard of many unwanted insects. They are harmless to people because they do not sting or bite.

They consume their own body weight in bugs each half hour, so having beautiful dragonflies in the garden can help tremendously for the outdoor gardener. A single dragonfly can eat as few as 25 mosquitoes a day and up to hundreds of mosquitoes daily. Both insects are from the same family. They are able to fly at speeds of up to 30 miles an hour, so they can avoid birds and frogs. Dragonflies have large bodies and large wings that are outstretched at rest. Damselflies have slender bodies and their wings are together at rest. You cannot have fish in your pond if you want dragonflies because the fish will eat the young nymphs and eggs.

A large pond is not necessarily needed, a half rain barrel can be used. Whatever size you make it must be protected from wind and receive afternoon sun. If you desire a pond it should be at least 24 inches in the centre, and shallow at the edges.

Deep water protects the young ones from predators. Backyard ponds can be made up to 20 feet in diameter if there is sufficient space. Mixed depths are essential for using a variety of water plants.

There are three types of water plants: Floating, marginals and oxygenators. Floating plants include water-hyacinth and water lettuce. Marginal plants (above water, but roots are submerged) include irises, grasses, cattails, sedges, rushes and flowering marginal plants. Oxygenator plants (under-water plants) include hornwort, water thyme, pond-weed or tape-grass. Oxygenator plants provide resting areas for the young.

Hardy marginal plants around the pond are just as important as the underwater plants. The young crawl up these plants when they are transforming from water residents to flying aerial performers. Marginal plants may take time to grow. A short term solution is to put sticks in the pond so the dragonflies have something to perch on. Natural bamboo sticks are one idea that you can use. Just remember that dragonfly ponds cannot have

fish in them. Planting around the shoreline of the pond will also provide perching for dragonflies and damselflies. Our zone is between a 3a and 3b. One of our hardiest plants to survive our winters is horsetail. It is a zone 2 plant.

To make the pond aesthetically pleasing, use flat stones around the edge of the pond. This will also provide a place for the dragonflies to warm. Some species of dragonflies are attracted to light-coloured rocks. Light coloured stones include river rock, granite and limestone.

Now that your fairytale pond is in place, take time to sit and ponder the architecture of these creatures of magic and myth.

They defy logic in flying and one may feast their eyes on the myriad coloured wings floating above.

JACKIE SWARTZ has a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from Olds College. She specializes in the horticultural planning and landscape design of urban and residential environments. You can contact Jackie at 403-472-5082.

AUG - OCT 2016  |  HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS  43

Inspiration | STYLE FILE

TOP 5 WAYS TO ORGANIZE

AND DECLUTTER YOUR SPACE FROM DESIGNER JULIA BLACK

by JULIA BLACK | photography by ROBERTO CARUSO

44 YPNEXTHOME.CA

•

1

IN A SOCIETY WHERE “STUFF” easily defines us, it’s important to keep mindful of what we really “need” in our homes. By editing your belongings you will feel refreshed with new-found space, and will be highly motivated to keep an organized household. Bins and baskets should become your new best friend – and I’m talking about the gorgeously stylish bins and baskets on the market today that add to your home decor. I love toofifteen because they are simple, modern and help enhance a minimalistic lifestyle that I embrace. I also love artisanal woven baskets from places across the globe, like those from Far and Wide Collective.

• •

• •

2

INVEST IN A GOOD LABEL MAKER. I use labels wherever I can – containers, folders, jars for my kids’ crafting materials, medicine cabinet items, seasonal bedding, cleaning products and so much more. The trick is to use them in closed storage units (or in kids’ spaces) so the label doesn’t compromise your decor. You don’t want labels staring at you in the face all day long! I love the way labels force you to put things away where they belong – and it’s so helpful when you need to find something quick!

3

ONE OF THE BIGGEST CLUTTER PROBLEMS I see is overflowing bookshelves.

Not only is it an eyesore, but it’s awfully impractical for finding or putting away your books. Try switching over to a Kobo e-reader to consolidate your books, and use your open shelves to display your beautiful books and objets d’art. I love the new Kobo Aura H20 because it’s got a sleek design and has access to more than 4.9 million eBooks and magazines; plus, it’s perfect for on the go, even in the bathtub or around the pool!

AUG - OCT 2016 | HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 45

”I love toofifteen because they are simple, modern and help enhance a minimalistic lifestyle that I embrace.“ • •

• •

4

USE A CORKBOARD IN YOUR KITCHEN to organize family notes and plan your meals for the week! You’ll be able to see what you have coming up for the week in one place, and it will eliminate fridge clutter and notes.

5

MAKE A HABIT OF GOING THROUGH your belongings and discarding the things you don’t use anymore. Every now and again I like to get my kids to go through their things and box what we can donate to those in need. They like the activity because, truthfully, we all know it feels good to give – and I love it because it helps keep us organized and make sure we’re not being swallowed by our belongings.

JULIA BLACK Over the past decade Julia black has worked with extraordinary designers, stylists, editors, photographers, television crews and contractors. She has been a design assistant on HGTV (on and off camera), decorated homes and spaces, worked for designers, produced and styled home photo shoots, and done prop styling for food shoots for magazines, as well as having been a CityLine “expert” on CityTV.

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*On renovation projects $100,000 and up, we will match and better a recognized competitor’s quote by 10%. At Trademark Renovations, we are constantly reviewing and negotiating preferred pricing arrangements with our supplier & trade partners to get you the best value for your money.

We are so confident about our pricing that we guarantee you the lowest price for your overall renovation project while delivering our unsurpassed level of quality, service and transparency.

(403) 277-5600

www.trademarkrenovations.com

TERMS & CONDITIONS: This Best Price Guarantee applies to projects based on identical scopes of work, specifications, products, levels of finish, service, and quality. Best Price Guarantee applies to overall total project price and not the individual components contained therein. All recognized competitor quotes are subject to verification by Trademark before honoring this offer. Trademark will not accept screenshots or other purported evidence of a lower price that cannot be independently confirmed by Trademark personnel. Nor will Trademark verify any request that it believes, in its sole discretion, is the result of a printing or other error or is made fraudulently or in bad faith. All original documents from recognized competitor quotes must be presented to Trademark prior to verification, execution of any contract or commencement of work. This Price Guarantee excludes insurance claims, free offers, gifts with purchase, gift cards, gift certificates, rebates, clearance or close-out prices, credit or financing programs, used, damaged, or display merchandise or products.

Discount applied before taxes and environmental stewardship fees or other levies, if applicable. This price guarantee cannot be combined with any other offer. Trademark reserves the right in its sole discretion to modify or discontinue the Best Price Guarantee or to restrict its availability to any person, at any time, for any or no reason, and without prior notice or liability to you. The failure by Trademark to enforce any provision of these Terms & Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.