Edmonton Home Décor and Renovations - NOV/DEC 2012

EDMONTON EDITION | FREE

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2012 VOLUME 10 ISSUE 6

IN THIS ISSUE

REFASHION & REFINE ON A DIME

SEE HOW YOUR RENOVATION COMES TO LIFE

Bring out the excitement of the season

HOLIDAY DÉCOR

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contents

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 6

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2012

28

10 cover story

10

Entertaining

HOLIDAY STYLE

BY ERICA GELMAN

18

tips & tricks

features

17 On a roll!

14 Bringing your renovation to

BY ELISA KROVBLIT

20 Introducing the new RenoMark.ca

BY BRYAN TUCKEY

21 Pumpkin cheesecake with praline sauce

BY LESLIE STYLES

24 Customizing Edmonton’s fibreglass door options

BY AL DUECK

28 A space & a place for everything

life in the design phase

BY MARIE SOPROVICH

18 Refashion & refine on a dime

BY YANIC SIMARD

27 West Edmonton Mall

welcomes Pottery Barn

BY SALINA YARA HALABI

30 Change your interiors, change your life

BY USHEDA AKBAR-SHANKS

BY HELLEN BUTTIGIEG

33 The harvest

BY ELISA KROVBLIT

34 Ask a pro

in every issue 06 Editor’s notebook

BY SHELL BUSEY

36 Decoding the code

BY MICHAEL NYIKES

38 Developing your own unique Landscape design

BY SHANE’S LANDSCAPING & CONTRACTING LTD.

33

A touch of elegance

hunterdouglas.ca

manufacturer’s

Min.

rebate * $

200

*See this participating dealer for details

The Holiday Home Makeover Event Makeover your home this holiday season with Hunter Douglas window fashions.

Pirouette® window shadings play with light and give your home that special holiday sparkle.

From September 1st to December 19th, 2012, ask us how you can receive a minimum of $200 in Hunter Douglas manufacturer’s rebates.

Scan with your smartphone.

hunterdouglas.ca

Tren-Des Design

First Impressions Window Coverings

Ann Cutting Designs Ltd

St. Albert AB 780-919-9036 trendesdesign@shaw.ca

St. Albert AB 780-756-0916 aprilhi@shaw.ca www.first-impressionsltd.net

Sherwood Park AB 780-467-7105 jennacastle@shaw.ca 5

editor’sNoTebooK

November - December 2012 Volume 10 Issue 6

vice President, wall2wall media

Jacqueline Hill editor-in-cHief

Susan Legge editor/account executive

Nancy chemait 780.619.3241 account executives:

Shelley balla 587.784.4044 Jennifer mizier 780.217.6778 carolyn Porteous 780.668.3570 art director

Sarah Jang Production manager

bala Gnanapandithan

Deck your halls

Production co-ordinator/ graPHic designer

mohammad Haidarpour graPHic designers

caroline Wassef

As we say good-bye to fall, and begin to prepare for the holiday season, we turn our attention inside the home. Whether you are planning on renovating, re-decorating or just adding some holiday spirit, this issue is full of ideas to get your home ready for the season.

Soon friends and family will begin to gather and you will need to create a festive atmosphere in the home. If you’re planning on hosting get-togethers this season, our feature article “Entertaining Holiday Style” has great advice on planning for guests, decorating your home, and setting the table for holiday feasts.

Need to update the look of your home, without blowing your holiday budget? Designer Yanic Simard brings us “Refashion & Refine on a Dime” which explores ways to introduce high fashion into your home affordably. He shares his top six budget-friendly decorating tips that will transform your space easily and economically.

For those who are looking to turn their renovation dreams into reality, the article “Bringing your Renovation to Life in the Design Phase” takes us through the different processes that will ensure a successful renovation, while sticking to a feasible timeline and budget.

New technology not only helps keep renovations on track, but makes it exciting for the client by helping them visualize the end product.

All of us at Home Décor & Renovations would like to thank our readers and advertisers for your support and wish you all the best of the season. We look forward to a great 2013!

contributors

Usheda Akbar-Shanks, Shell busey, Hellen buttigieg, Al Dueck, erica Gelman, elisa Krovblit, michael Nyikes, Yanic Simard, marie Soprovich, Leslie Styles, bryan Tuckey, Salina Yara Halabi Home Décor and Renovations magazine is published six times a year.

Home Décor and Renovations magazine is distributed throughout Edmonton and Greater Edmonton area. This publication has been designed for the renovation market as a guide. Home Décor 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.

The advertising herein, including the photographs and all artwork is the property of Home Décor and Renovations magazine and not that of the advertiser. The advertiser has purchased the right of reproduction in Home Décor 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.

We’re LiSTeNiNG! send us your comments, questions, renovation stories, pictures and great ideas!

Home décor and renovations

Happy Holidays & Happy Renovating!

nancy chemait eDiTor nancy.chemait@wall2wallmedia.com

Po box 458 Station main edmonton, Alberta T5J 2K1 PUbLiSHeD bY

Wall2Wall Media is a trademark of Yellow Pages Group Co. in Canada.

6 home décor and renovations NOV - DEC 2012

CELEBRATING SUCCESS

WALL2WALL MEDIA would like to congratulate all of the 2012 CHBA–Alberta Awards of Excellence Winners and Finalists

WALL2WALL MEDIA is proud to once again be a Gold Sponsor of the CHBA–Alberta Awards of Excellence in Housing 8 home décor and renovations NOV - DEC 2012

RENOVATION UNDER $200,000 SPONSORED BY BY

JELD-WEN WINDOWS & DOORS

AQUARIAN RENOVATIONS GLENORA RESIDENCE | EDMONTON

FINALISTS:

AQUARIAN RENOVATIONS | VALLEYVIEW RESIDENCE | EDMONTON NEWCASTLE HOMES & RENOVATIONS | FRASER JANZEN RESIDENCE | CALGARY

BEFORE

AFTER

RENOVATION OVER $200,000 SPONSORED BY

CARRIER CANADA

NEWCASTLE HOMES & RENOVATIONS HART RESIDENCE | CALGARY

FINALISTS: TRUE-LINE CONTRACTING | MELYNCHUK RESIDENCE | ALBERTA ULTIMATE RENOVATIONS | BONAVISTA SH III | CALGARY

*Prices do not include land or GST nov - dec 2012 home décor and renovations 9

cOVErstory

Photo courtesy of HomeSense

Entertaining

HOLIDAY STYLE

by ERICA GELMAN

IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR – FRIENDS ARE GATHERING,

family is arriving, the food is cooking, the presents are stacking and you are hosting a highly anticipated holiday event.

In our house, the holiday party is a not-to-miss affair, I take this season very seriously and expect nothing less from my guests. It’s the one time of the year where everyone clears their schedules and unites together.

Much like interior decorating, we suggest planning your holiday décor in advance. Decorating for the holidays goes 10 home décor and renovations NOV - DEC 2012

allow your holiDay DÉcor to reflect, in this case, a new season anD embrace the spirit of the holiDays

beyond just dressing your tree and hanging the lights. It also means setting your holiday table, decorating your entrance and creating a festive atmosphere around your house, especially if you are expecting guests. Prepare yourself for the amount of guests, the length of their stay and how many events you’ll be hosting. If you’re not hosting but rather attending, you still may want to make your home look and feel festive. The same principles apply to decorating your home day-to-day as they do to decorating your home for

Decorating for the holiDays goes beyonD just Dressing your tree anD hanging the lights. it also means setting your holiDay table, Decorating your entrance anD creating a festive atmosphere arounD your house, especially if you are expecting guests.

nov - dec 2012 home dĂŠcor and renovations 11

this year – we woulD suggest mixing your metals similar to what we are seeing in fashion, you Don’t just have to choose one. want to try a new spin on traDitional hues? you can incorporate royal jewel tones liKe emeralD green anD Deep amethyst with silver accents anD create your own classic Design.

the holidays. The most important rule of design is consistency. Allow your holiday décor to reflect, in this case, a new season and embrace the spirit of the holidays.

Start with a theme. Usually, I would say to stay away from any themed décor however, when it comes to the holidays I say, “Go wild!” Generally there is an excitement when it comes to the holidays and when entertaining I like to bring that excitement out in the details. For luxurious touches, what screams luxe more than glitzy gold or shimmering silver? You can add silver-rimmed wine or champagne glasses accompanied with gold leaf charge plates at the dinner table. This year – we would suggest mixing your metals similar to what we are seeing in fashion, you don’t just have to choose one. Want to try a new spin on traditional hues? You can incorporate royal jewel tones like emerald green and deep amethyst with silver accents and create your own classic design. However, if it’s fresh and modern décor you’re ready to implement, try black and white punctuated with crystal accessories or gold finishes. Incorporate things that are simple with something somewhat special. It could be your grandmother’s antique china mixed in with modern flatware, or historic family ornaments decorated in new apothecary glass vases.

When it comes to tabletop décor, a real statement comes from adding volume and height with various vignettes. If you want to leave your dining table strictly for tableware then decorate around the room or on the buffet table. You can add one large centrepiece in the middle and several smaller ones around the room or across the table.

While flowers are typically thought of as common centrepieces, we like to add contemporary details like birch trees cut down to size, faux antlers, lots of candles and even fur throws on dining seats.

Whether it’s Christmas, Chanukah or New Year’s Eve – be sure to deck your halls, dress your mantle, accessorize your tree, and set your tabletop.

Erica GElman toronto-based designer erica gelman, principal of erica gelman house of Design. specializes in both large and small scale residential design projects throughout toronto and the gta. Known for enhancing and creating new possibilities in every space of your home. house of Design www.ericagelman.com 12 home décor and renovations NOV - DEC 2012

780 455-6839 8826 51Ave Edmonton www.everythingexteriorstore.com

“I redecorated while my husband was away for the weekend”

Interior WALL FLATS

Wall Flats™ are lightweight dimensional wall tiles that work together through an automatic

pattern repeat to create large-scale dimensional walls of any size and shape. They can be easily installed, trimmed and painted with commonly available products and tools. Scraps are biodegradable and can be recycled with other paper products or composted.

Edmonton Renovations Home Improvement & Design reaches more qualified readers than any other home improvement publication. Our readers are looking for project ideas and connections to professionals that specialize in home improvement, design and construction. Within our colourful, informative format, we can highlight your business, product or service in the best possible way: with creative advertising and/ or informative articles and profiles. It’s the best way to get your business the valuable exposure it needs!

nov - dec 2012 home décor and renovations 13

FEATURE

Bringing your

renovation to life in the design phase

by MARIE SOPROVICH

YOU'VE DONE YOUR HOMEWORK AND YOU ARE CLEAR

about the experience you want in your newly renovated home, you've gathered pictures from all your favorite magazines showing the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom layout that you think will best suit your family. You've thought about the textures you want on the oors, the open spaces you want to create between rooms and the color pallet you like for the walls, baseboards and cabinetry. You've just clicked off the latest episode of The Ultimate Make-over, you've been to see your banker and you are pumped about a local renovator whose solid reputation and award winning work is just what you are looking for... So what's next? How do you turn your dream into a reality?

As with creating anything good in your life there is a process to follow that will support you in ensuring

14

that you not only have exactly what you want in your renovation but also within an amount that you can budget for and in a timeline that is workable. Arriving at these intersecting points is an exciting journey that all reputable renovation companies should take their clients through before any actual construction work begins. Once a client and renovator agree to walk the first phase of the construction process together there is often a design agreement signed and a deposit made for design and estimation work that is essential for a well-planned, professional renovation. During the design phase the homeowner will meet a number of times with the Design Coordinator, Interior Designer or Architectural Designer to clarify even further their needs, the structural changes that can be made to accommodate their dreams and the picking of products that they would like to have in their newly renovated space.

Reviewing your renderings with

Bringing your reno to life has never Been such an exciting journey... take lots of pictures and as much digital footage as you like and you too could end up on a home makeover showeven if it is only playing in your new in-house media room.

an Architectural Designer is often a highlight during this process as the technology used by professional renovation companies facilitates virtual walk-throughs and detailed views of your project. Tyler McNaughton Senior Architectural Designer at Aquarian Renovations says, “The technology we use today helps the client visualize their renovation plans before a single board is cut. The time and detail put into the design phase deepens our valued relationship between the home owner, our design team and the dream they hold for their renovated home. The process is exciting, rewarding and an instrumental part of our work! “ From Design phase the project then moves into the Estimation Department where all elements involved in the renovation project are priced out and collected into the quote. Chief Estimator at Aquarian Renovations, Garth Tyler-Neher says that, “Complete, timely and accurate estimates are an essential component of the renovation process. Attention to detail is vital as this becomes the working budget document for the renovation project. The numbers have to work for everyone so we go through the quote line-by-line with our clients, often referring to details in the rendering so everyone is crystal clear on exactly what we will be doing and how it will be finished.”

After conversation and agreement between the homeowner and the design and estimation team, a final design and budget are approved, signed and the renovation date is set. At some renovation companies the homeowner may be added to an online tracking system nov - dec 2012 home décor and renovations 15

call Builder Trend which allows customers to follow scheduling progress, change orders, budget, billing and all other transactions about their project from the convenience of their computer. Mark McNeil, who recently renovated his home with Aquarian said, “Builder Trend has been a convenient and easy way to help me stay on top of what was happening on our renovation project even when I was away on business. I could see photos, review our documents, approve change orders and follow our budget. Having instant access to the people working on my home and my ability to follow the day to day progress of the work brought a feeling of confidence and involvement that added to the excitement of the renovation and more importantly, added to our peace of mind.”

Bringing your Reno to life has never been such an exciting journey...

Take lots of pictures and as much digital footage as you like and you too could end up on a home makeover show- even if it is only playing in your new in-house media room. Renovate on!

16 home décor and renovations NOV - DEC 2012

after | Before

mark mcneil, who recently renovated his home with aQuarian said, “Builder trend has Been a convenient and easy way to help me stay on top of what was happening on our renovation project even when i was away on Business.

TIPSANDTRICKS update a piece on your own!

Shepard Hardware Products Two-inch Hooded Ball Caster Plate. Bright Chrome. $10.32/pair Visit homedepot.ca

on a roll!

Casters have rolled up front and centre in home dĂŠcor.

Bar carts, kitchen trolleys and even mid-century modern coffee tables repurposed from industrial equipment make use of this handy and handsome piece of hardware.

by ELISA KROVBLIT

Boos End-Grain Butcher Block classic kitchen cart $1448.

Visit williams-sonoma.ca

Libations Bar Cart $699.

Visit crateandbarrel.ca

Scissor lift table - Restoration Hardware $995. Visit restorationhardware.com

FLYTTA kitchen cart $229.

Visit ikea.ca

Yield coffee table $499.

Visit cb2.ca

Antique Factory Trolley $620.

Visit anthropologie.com nov - dec 2012 home dĂŠcor and renovations 17

FEATURE

Refashion & refine on a dime by yanic simard

photo by brandon barre

18 home dĂŠcor and renovations NOV - DEC 2012

style into your space is possible, and in more ways than one! Below are my top six decorating ideas that will be kind to your bank account.

MULTI-PURPOSE PIECES Only purchase pillows, lamps, and throws that will work in more than one room. That way you can change up the look of each room from time to time without spending any money!

Now that’s what I call budget-friendly decorating!

photo CoMpLIMentS oF the SUrrey hoteL In nyC

inTrOdUcinG aFFOrdaBLE HiGH

EXTRA LIGHTING Added illumination doesn’t have to be expensive. Go back to the traditional way of lighting with candle wall sconces – no electrician, or hydro needed. Try the electric candles from Candle Impressions (candleimpressions.net).

TIRED WICKER FURNITURE Don’t know what to do with your old wicker furniture besides throwing it out? Before kicking it to the curb, why not spray-paint it in a bold colour like Benjamin Moore’s Laguna Blue, 2059-30 or Berry Wine, 2003-30? It could serve as an exciting accent piece with an element of surprise.

INSTANTLY UPDATE BACKSPLASH Bored of your outdated backsplash?

Home improvement stores such as The Home Depot sell peel-and-stick backsplash, available in a wide variety of styles and colours to blend into any space. The best part is it’s so easy to do, you won’t need to hire anyone to install it. Simply add it on top of what’s existing if what you have beneath is more or less a flat surface.

FAUX WAINSCOTTING Using paint, add a band of what will imitate the look of wainscotting simply by using paint. My favourite way of doing this is using two similar colours but in different tones, usually the darker, more weighted colour for the bottom

and the lighter shade on top. The bottom portion should be about 30 inches from the floor, and you can add moulding to separate the two tones if you’d like, or not.

BLACK HIGH-GLOSS Painting a piece in a black high-gloss paint finish can look very high-end without the price tag associated. It could be a new inexpensive piece that you bought with a finish you’re not fond of, or it could just be an outdated piece that needs refreshing.

YANIC SIMARD Yanic is the design editor of New Condo Guide and principal designer of Toronto Interior Design Group.

Specializing in residential and commercial projects, Yanic often applies his signature high/low and old/new combination techniques in developing his unique designs. He has created designs for clients in Toronto, Montreal and Miami, and appears as a regular guest expert on Citytv’s CityLine. tidg.ca • facebook. com/yanic.simard • twitter.com/ yanicsimard nov - dec 2012 home décor and renovations 19

TIPSANDTRICKS

Introducing the new RenoMark.ca

Building Industry and Land Development Association

by BRYAN TUCKEY

I’D LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ANNOUNCE

how proud I am of the national RenoMark program’s new, redesigned website – renomark.ca – which launched in October, making it even easier for homeowners in Canada to find professional contractors for their home renovation needs.

As many of you already know, RenoMark is a program originally started by the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) back in 2001 to differentiate professional renovators from underground contractors.

The RenoMark brand stands behind professional renovators who have all agreed to a Code of Ethics, as well as a renovation-specific Code of Conduct that included offering a minimum two-year warranty on all work, carrying a minimum of $2 million liability insurance, providing a detailed, written contract for all jobs and returning all phone calls within two business days.

The program was so well-received by homeowners that it immediately garnered interest from nearby provinces and today, the program is administered across eight provinces in more than 38 regional areas, each with its own searchable database of professional renovators.

With a strong marketing campaign and support from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA), the RenoMark brand has grown into a recognizable and respected symbol of professionalism in the renovation industry. It means you are putting your home into the hands of a professional and can renovate with confidence, whether you’re in the GTA, Greater Vancouver or the Maritimes.

The new renomark.ca website will feature a modern design and simplified interface, allowing visitors to find contact information for professional renovators, read tips on the renovation process and download the RenoGuide – the complete guide to a successful renovation.

The RenoGuide is a free informative brochure outlining the five steps to a worry-free renovation or addition. It is customized to each region where the RenoMark program is administered, and is regularly updated to include the latest applicable taxes, regulations and fees. This is a must-have for anyone considering a home renovation and I encourage you to download a copy today.

The residential renovation market is an integral part of the Canadian economy as a $66-billion industry that accounted for 56 per cent of all residential construction investment last year.

However, the home renovation sector in Canada is still fighting underground operators who work on a “cash only” basis.

Every dollar of evaded taxes, as well as EI and CPP contributions, puts more pressure on governments at all levels to raise other revenues, damaging both the economy and the credibility of Canada’s tax system. In short, underground renovators who dodge taxes are hurting our country’s economic prosperity and success.

If you are considering a renovation project for your home, make sure you work with a professional renovator. Not only will you contribute to the growth of this industry and this country, you will have the confidence that your home is in the hands of real pro!

To see the new design or to see if the RenoMark program is available in your area, visit www.renomark.ca.

BRYAN TUCKEY Bryan Tuckey is President and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD), the creators of RenoMark, and can be found on Twitter (twitter.com/renomark_ca), Facebook (facebook.com/renomark), YouTube and BILD’s official online blog (bildblogs.ca).

tipsandtricks

scrumpdillyicious

pumpkin cheesecake with praline sauce

Leslie Styles, foodie & travel aficionado, shares some delicious dishes found on her travels around the world.

ingredients serves 12

› 1 15-oz can pumpkin puree, equal to 1 3/4 cups › 8 whole graham crackers, broken › 1/2 cup pecans › 1 tbsp light brown sugar › 5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted plus more for greasing the pan › 14-oz cream cheese, at

room temperature › 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar › 1 tsp salt › 1 tsp cinnamon › 1/4 tsp freshly ground nutmeg

› 1 cup heavy cream, at room temperature

› 1/4 tsp ground cloves

› Pecan Praline Topping

› 1/4 tsp ground allspice

› Cinnamon Ice Cream

› 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice › 2 tsp pure vanilla extract › Whipped Cream, for serving (optional)

› 5 large eggs, at room temperature

directions › Set a rack over a baking sheet

and line the rack with two layers of paper towels. Spread the pumpkin purée over the paper towels and let drain for two hours, until the purée is fairly dry. › Preheat the oven to 450°F.

Butter the bottom and side of a nine-inch springform pan. In a food processor, pulse the graham crackers until finely ground. add the pecans and brown sugar and pulse again. add the melted butter and pulse just until incorporated. Press the crumbs onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake the crust for about six minutes until it is fragrant and lightly browned. Let the crust cool. › In the bowl of a standing

electric mixer fitted with the paddle, beat the cream cheese until it is very smooth. In a small bowl, whisk the sugar with the salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. With the machine on, add the spiced sugar to the

cream cheese and beat until creamy. Carefully add the drained pumpkin puree and beat until smooth. add the eggs one at a time, beating well. Beat in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and vanilla until the cheesecake mixture is smooth. › Pour the cheesecake mixture

over the cooled crust and bake for 12 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 225°F and bake the cheesecake for about three hours, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 150°F. Let the cheesecake cool on a rack, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

luscious and creamy, this decadent

recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake with Praline Sauce is a delicious combination of cream, sugar, eggs, pumpkin purée with an intoxicating blend of traditional pumpkin pie spices: ground cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and allspice. Once it’s baked, the cheesecake is then topped with a sweet buttery pecan praline topping. The key to this dessert’s success is threefold: draining the pumpkin purée on paper towel at the beginning, so it’s as thick as possible; ensuring that the cream cheese, eggs and cream are at room temperature before starting; and finally, beating the cheesecake mixture thoroughly so that the final result is lighter than air. Rest assured, the extra effort pays off. This pumpkin cheesecake is very light, not heavy at all, and wonderfully delicious. I’ll wager that you’ll never make a pumpkin pie again. As a final flourish, a dollop of whipped cream or scoop of homemade cinnamon ice cream, would be pretty hard to resist!

› Run a hot knife around the

cheesecake and loosen the springform ring. Carefully remove the ring and transfer the cake to a plate. Using a warm knife, cut the cake into wedges and serve with the pecan praline topping and a scoop of cinnamon ice cream.

leslie styles Leslie is president of Styles design Inc., a Toronto-based branding and communications agency, and author of Scrumpdillyicious, a food & travel blog dedicated to all things delicious. She can be reached at stylesdesign.net and scrumpdillyicious.blogspot.com nov - dec 2012 home décor and renovations 21

Expert Advice: Kitchen

Design

The kitchen is considered the heart of the home. It is no longer just for meal prepara�on, it is where we spend �me together as a family and it is where we entertain our guests. Since life is so busy and on days becomes hec�c, there is no �me to be disorganized! The most important aspect of designing a kitchen is to make it func�onal, without compromising the beauty. This is where a Kitchen Design Expert can help you make decisions about the layout, storage solu�ons and materials used in your project. Their knowledge and past experiences can help to be�er plan your space to meet all your needs and wants and incorporate the important details you will appreciate when you begin to use your new kitchen.

When planning your new kitchen, it is important to consider how you are going to use it, and what your needs will be.

Planning the space properly will ensure that it func�ons well for Superior Cabinets your family. Most people want to include an island in their kitchen however you have to ensure that your oor plan has enough room to make this work. We recommend at least 42” around the island to make sure that there is a good traffic ow in the space.

You will also want to take some �me to research appliances. A common challenge today, is that people want to have double wall ovens, a cook top and a spot for their microwave. This op�on takes up quite a bit of space, and dependent on the size of your kitchen, is not always prac�cal to have. A nice solu�on is to incorporate a wall oven with a built‐in microwave and trim‐kit above, and then include a standard slide‐in range. This is a great way to integrate two ovens, a cooktop, and a microwave in less space.

Storage is also an important considera�on in the planning process. We recommend that you take inventory of the items that you have and how o�en you use them. If you have a lot of small appliances such as a mix master, food processor, etc, you might want to designate a cabinet or pantry for these small appliances. Roll‐out shelves work great for these. Since there is adjustability with roll‐out shelves they can be placed at the proper height in the cabinet so you can easily store a large mix master. One of the most valuable pieces of advice is to do the things now that are hard to change later, like drawers for example! If you plan on staying in the house for a long �me, so�‐close drawers are a great investment! Drawers are the ideal storage solu�on as they make it easy to access all items in the cabinet and we have many op�ons for organiza�onal inserts.

If you have a �ght space, and are looking for a way to create more storage space, it’s a great idea to incorporate taller wall cabinets. This will give you that added storage space that is great for less commonly used items. Adding stacked upper cabinets with glass doors not only looks good, but is a perfect way to add decora�ve glass to wall cabinets without compromising valuable lower wall storage space where stored items may be be�er hidden behind solid doors. Adding glass doors somewhere in the kitchen is also a great way to add personality and colour. Showcasing your favorite decora�ve items behind glass doors adds an element of interest to your kitchen and ensures that they stay clean.

Visit our showroom and let one of our Design Experts help create your dream kitchen! www.superiorcabinets.ca

Expert Advice: Kitchen

Design

If you have children, you are likely going to want to include an island or a peninsula with some sea�ng for them. O�en people will also designate a certain drawer for cra� supplies, it’s nice to have them conveniently located nearby. It’s also a good idea to have a drawer or two for kids’ dishes, and then they can help out by ge�ng their own dishes at meal �me!

New func�onal innova�ons in the kitchen include corner drawer cabinets and sink drawer cabinets.

Both cabinets are the perfect solu�on to keeping these areas which are typically clu�ered and difficult to access, organized and easily accessible.

A great func�oning kitchen also needs to look good. Some things to consider when picking out your cabinet colour, is ooring, paint, and counter tops. You want to make sure you have ample ligh�ng in the space if you are going with dark materials. White cabinets with some darker accents, like the island, or some of the base cabinets are on trend. I always suggest going with a painted mdf cabinet for the white cabinets as these cabinets are easy to keep clean and work great in our climate with the varying humidity levels. Compliment with darker wood cabinets to add more texture to the space. It’s a great idea to select a few choices of ooring and counter tops before you decide on your cabinet colour. You want to make sure that the visual elements work well together before you make nal decisions.

Corner Drawer Cabinet

Superior Cabinets has a new technology available now to provide a full colour rendering of your kitchen prior to ordering.

Digital Showroom takes the guess work out of how your aesthe�c decisions will look by allowing you to visualize your room in a 3D environment before it’s even ordered. This unique design tool is available on‐line at www.superiorcabinets.ca. Work with one of our predesigned rooms and make it your own. Visit our showroom and have one of our Design Experts help create your dream kitchen. You can also share the 3D rendering of your kitchen, with your design selec�ons with family and friends.

We can also help you with other rooms in the home such as family rooms, dens, bathrooms, closets, mud rooms and laundry rooms. One of our Kitchen Design Experts will work with you to ensure that every aspect of your project is perfect for you, your family and your lifestyle.

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11045—190 Street NW Edmonton, AB 780‐409‐3400

Design and visualize your dream kitchen on‐line with Digital Showroom at www.superiorcabinets.ca Edmonton

Calgary SE

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Saskatoon

Regina

TIPSANDTRICKS “OUR FIBERGLASS ENTRANCE DOOR

Customizing Edmonton’s fibreglass door options

by AL DUECK PRESIDENT, DUXTON WINDOWS & DOORS

24 home décor and renovations NOV - DEC 2012

system is as old as the house,” says Barb Webb, homeowner, “We are very happy with the decision we made 24 years ago when we decided to go for the fiberglass door system. We wanted a high performance system that looked like wood. We just wish we had also chosen fiberglass windows at that time!”

The combination of low interest rates and rising demand have resulted in a considerable rise in value of Edmonton homes over the past number of years.

This rise in value has also created more interest in proper investments in these homes to protect that equity.

Simultaneously, the elements of swinging doors have continued to evolve such that a wider range of high quality options are available, both for the new custom home as well as a replacement up date. The variety of door options from door component suppliers is also very readily accessible on the internet as noted in the sites below. And, the wide ranging Canadian window and door manufacturing industry (Fenestration Canada) has continued to expand its substantial capabilities.

First, the more extensive use of insulated fiberglass door panels has continued as the selection has continued to expand. Leading manufacturers of door panels such as Thermatru and Richersons/Nanya have invested ever more heavily into the tooling which creates patterns of fiberglass “skins”.

(These door skins are then assembled into door panels with insulation sandwiched between them, creating an insulation advantage versus solid wood doors.)

The fiberglass skins now offer numerous types of wood graining (oak, fir, mahogany, cherry) as well as patterns and sizes (even 8 feet tall!) that allow the final result to amazingly replicate the affect of high quality solid wood doors. Not to be missed, “smooth skin” fiberglass doors have also added another less obvious creative element for the more contemporary application. While the decorative glass inserts continue provide considerable variety, a newer installation method offers a “flush glaze” system for some door types. This system allows the doors to be created

THE WIDE RANGING CANADIAN WINDOW AND DOOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY (FENESTRATION CANADA) HAS CONTINUED TO EXPAND ITS SUBSTANTIAL CAPABILITIES.

with exceptionally large glass area and a very slim line detail that is literally built into the fiberglass panel at the door factory. “We see excellent value in the ability for this FibreWall system to deliver a ‘curtainwall’ or contemporary look with superior thermal performance,” says David Poetker, designer and joint owner of The House Company, “Both the metallic fibreglass door panels and frame sections have slim lines. The resulting large glass area truly suits our style of design/build projects.”

Door frame characteristics have also expanded in reaction to demands for pre finished, low maintenance characteristics.

A number of firms have developed and expanded such systems with vinyl wrap or cellular/solid vinyl or pultruded fiberglass frames. Door frames are a very important component of the system as every day use demands a solid frame and installation. And, a great variety of weather considerations demands a system of sill and weather-stripping that can provide a seal under a variety of circumstances. Today, some systems offer a sill (both in and outswing) with an actual compression seal such that there is a more complete seal all the way around the door. And, the most recent door frame systems also incorporate a nov - dec 2012 home décor and renovations 25

SOME POINTERS ON SELECTING YOUR SWINGING DOORS 1 Consider the overall aesthetic effect of your choice of door colour and style.

2 Consider the floorplan setting as to whether IN or OUT and LEFT or RIGHT (always viewed from the outside) swing operation is ideal.

3 Double door systems can be either an IN-swing terrace or OUT-swing garden door, both incorporating insect screens.

4 Select an experienced, qualified installer to ensure a solid, durable door system backed with a warranty.

5 Select a door manufacturer who is a member of Fenestration Canada.

RELATED NETSITES DOUBLE weather-strip seal such that there is an added opportunity to block all types of weather.

Expanded creativity of door systems includes a full range of colors / finishes (including real wood interiors) in some door frames plus window wall combinations with amazing attached sidelites and transoms. The glass walls literally attached to the swinging doors can also be fine-tuned with high performance glass to achieve a perfect balance of light and comfort. The newest door frames have the capability to accommodate everything from the most cost effective dual low e insulating glass to world class triple film/quad cavity with R20 (center of glass). Exterior door frame finishes have recently trended to greater use of metallic silver or very dark selections such as commercial brown or even black. “Our client wanted to maintain the large entrance area and yet ensure LOTS of glass area,” says Jon Bakker of DUXTON Windows Project Manager, “They selected the brickred fiberglass frame and panels and were really pleased with the effect.” As well, frame interiors simultaneously can be customized to feature real wood options such as oak, fir, mahogany or cherry to match the fiberglass door panels. The awareness of such options and careful consideration of your selection of finishes can have a major impact on the result.

Lastly, a wider range of door hardware has become available as even commercial style pull bars have become more readily available in residential doors. Automatic multi point locking systems from Ferco are increasingly being incorporated in fiberglass door panels with a considerable selection of handle finishes and styles including Emtek. These features add style and security options to your choice of door systems, regardless of door type. “Correctly installing a door requires patience and a solid door,” says David Smeding, co-owner of Shield Windows & Doors, “And fiberglass doors have some important advantages built in.”

Canadian designed, created and installed door systems can truly add tremendous value to your home or project for many years to come, backed by a Canadian company and employees. “Our clients want to make sure that the entrance is a real focal point“, says David of Shield Windows & Doors, “Entry doors such as the 8 foot tall plank style door and sidelites can be a really striking addition to a home.” Another fenestration decision made as an investment!

26 home décor and renovations NOV - DEC 2012

DUXTON WINDOWS & DOORS www.duxtonwindows.com

EMTEK www.emtek.com

FERCO www.ferco.ca

FENESTRATION CANADA www.fenestrationcanada.com

NOVATECH http://novatechgroup.com

THERMATRU www.thermatru.com

RICHERSONS DOORS www.richersonsdoors.com

SHIELD WINDOWS & DOORS www.shieldwindowsanddoors.com

FEATURE

West edmonton mall

welcomes Pottery Barn

by Salina yara halabi

of the store. Themed displays throughout the store are sure to inspire shoppers, and a Design Studio allows customers to discuss and plan their space and furniture needs with the help of specially trained associates. The Design Studio presents customers with options on fabrics, wood, and leather - plus, a complimentary service also offers customers the option to have a trained associate come to their home to further enhance the design consultation process.

Pottery Barn has areas dedicated to each area of the home, including the living room, dining room, bedrooms, bathrooms, and outdoor spaces. Feature walls present lighting options, elegant rugs, and window treatments, while displays featuring unique bedding, dinnerware, frames, and handmade candles are also presented throughout the store.

Visit Pottery Barn in West Edmonton Mall located in phase two on the second floor. Online shopping is available at www.potterybarn.com.

On Saturday, OctOber 6, 2012 West Edmonton Mall celebrated the grand opening of Pottery Barn. The 15,000 square foot retail outlet is Edmonton’s first Pottery Barn store and is the sixth in Canada. The grand opening weekend activities included a special gift with purchase and a complimentary Entertaining with Style class that took place on Sunday morning.

Offering beautiful home furnishings and decor options, Pottery Barn was built on the foundation that furniture should be comfortable and stylish, while always providing customers with quality and value. Established in 1949, Pottery Barn was acquired

by Williams-Sonoma, Inc. in 1986 and has since grown to become an exceptionally popular North American home furnishings retailer.

The West Edmonton Mall location features a stunning recovered barn wood ceiling that adds to the warm and inviting style 27

tipsandtricks

A space & a place for everything by hellen Buttigieg

Whether you have a spraWling home With plenty

of room or a cosy place that has little in the way of extra space, you need to create a system so that your home functions in a manner that accommodates your lifestyle needs. And whether you live large or small, chances are there’s a favourite spot in your home that sees more than its fair share of action. It’s a corner of the sofa you curl up in, or a spot at the breakfast counter that has a pile of things you want to get to ‘when you have a minute’ that could use a little bit of help. Without designated spaces you’re forever tucking things away that don’t have a real home – and wasting far too much time trying to remember where and when you go to retrieve them. Develop a place for each activity you do and space to keep those items that go with it to add some organization to your home – and your life!

Everyone needs a home office. Are you using your kitchen or dining room table as an office? It can be frustrating and time consuming to constantly have to pack up your papers and bring them out again. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a student or a homemaker, you need a space in your home specifically designated for processing paperwork.

Although it would be ideal to have a room devoted entirely to this purpose, you can also use an armoire in the family room that closes up when not in use, or a closet that has been refitted with a countertop and drawers. You’ll also need good lighting, a comfortable chair, and a functional filing system.

Where did I put the... Have you ever stored a special item in a safe place and then forgotten where you put it when you need it three months later? A simple solution is to create a document in MS Word or a similar program on your computer to record the location of seldom-used articles. Use the ‘find’ feature in Word (located in the Edit drop-down menu) to retrieve the information quickly within the document. Be sure to name the document something obvious so you can find it on your computer.

28 home décor and renovations NOV - DEC 2012

Name that room. Rooms that don’t have a specific purpose often become dumping grounds for clutter. Before you begin de-cluttering, go through your home, room by room, and determine how you want to use each space. Identify which items support the purpose of the room and which ones should be moved elsewhere. Keep a few boxes handy so you can easily transport smaller items to their appropriate rooms.

A shoe-in for office supply storage. Use the pockets of a clear vinyl shoe bag to hold just about everything you need for the office, from spare scissors to extra batteries. These usually come with hooks you can use to hang them over the door, allowing you to tap into previously unused space.

Everything needs a home. Whenever you bring a new item into your home, immediately find a permanent place for it to live. To help you determine the best spot for it, ask yourself what else is like it, and where (and how often) you will use it.

deVelOP a PlaCe fOr eaCH aCTiViTy yOU dO and sPaCe TO keeP THOse iTems THaT gO WiTH iT TO add sOme OrganizaTiOn TO yOUr HOme – and yOUr life!

Store similar things together and store items near their place of use. Items used daily should be placed in the most accessible areas (within arm’s reach), whereas seldom-used items can be stored in out-of-the way spaces. Keep a label maker handy to label drawers, shelves and containers so you don’t have to rely on your memory when you need to find something quickly.

Hellen Buttigieg Hellen buttigieg, CPO, is a Certified Professional Organizer, life coach, TV host and owner of We Organize U. Visit her website, WeOrganizeU.com, for a free e-book on how to find more time, energy and inner peace. Contact Hellen at 905.829.2219 or info@WeOrganizeU.com

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Staple the receipt and warranty to the instruction manual and tape it to the bottom of the item so it’s easy to find if you need to refer to it. For portable items like cell phones and MP3 players, store the manuals in an accordion file by category.

Where did I leave my keys? The most common excuse for lateness? “I couldn’t find my keys”. It’s hard to be successful if you can’t even leave your home. Save yourself the frustration and embarrassment by simply making an extra set of keys and keeping them in a special place. Give another set to a relative or neighbour in case of emergency. Create a home for your keys and always place them there when you arrive. You can use a bowl, a small basket or a hook. If all else fails, attach a beeper to your keys that you can activate when they go missing.

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nov - dec 2012 home décor and renovations 29

FEATURE

change your interiors, change your life by usheda akbar-shanks

Like some Literary masterpiece you aLways

find yourself going back to, the seasons beckon us.

The winds of change push us forward — from the gargantuan flames of a fall forest fire to the dry heat of burning wood and the smoky grey and black of smoldering charcoal. The smells and sounds of fall are upon us once again. My inspiration for autumn interior décor is so vast in scope and yet so easy. Just look outdoors for guidance.

Exciting design The transition to fall is tricky, as variations in weather can throw us off. An Indian summer can make us forget that it even is fall. It may seem like summer one day, and then we find ourselves back to blustery fall the next. Even though we do this year after year, our design does not have to be boring. Fortunately the shifts and changes reflect what is new and unfolding in the design world. How do we add that punch of excitement to an otherwise overdone fall colour scheme?

A sure way to update your interior décor is to use a little bit of traditional fall colour. Keep adding and layering as the weeks progress in the season. For example, if you have already used orange and peach in the summer, then do not replicate this colour in the fall. Use a totally different colour palette. This does wonders for the psyche, adds some excitement to your home and gives you an excuse to start over.

Instead of using predictable fall colours like burgundy, burnt oranges, reds and browns— try something 30 home décor and renovations NOV - DEC 2012

The naTural organic Themes are also hoT Trends and green living geTs more enTrenched in our everyday design.

From rapper sTyle jewelry and Flashy cars To Bollywood dance moves, an exciTing Fusion is Taking hold in Fashion and inTerior design different. Using white and primary colours in the cooler months may be an option, as designers and consumers re-invent the colour wheel. Warm these colours up with shiny, metallic accessories and lots of coloured crystal.

Choose a little, or a lot This year's trends are all about bling, or shiny imitations! Choose a little or a lot, but keep it coming. Gold is back again, from lighting fixtures to curtain rods. Basic black, with hints of gold glimmer, shimmering metallic and acid hues such as psychedelic yellows, greens and mauves. Think a little on the side of retro, a mix of earthiness with shiny undertones. Mix and match different textures with shiny threads and colour blocking. The natural organic themes are also hot trends, and Green living gets more entrenched in our everyday design. From Rapper-style jewelry and flashy cars to Bollywood dance moves; an exciting fusion is taking place in fashion and interior design with more complex combinations and eclectic tastes. Nobody wants a cookie-cutter home. Simplicity is calming, but there is a fine line between basic and boring. More complexity translates into what is comfortable for the individual and their family. For me, this fall is all about complex layering, changing your colour palette nov - dec 2012 home dĂŠcor and renovations 31

do noT Become a mere copycaT. look aT whaT oThers have done, BuT ulTimaTely TrusT your own insTincT.

whether it be re-painting some walls, or bringing in complex textures and unusual artwork.

Fall trends overlap the entire spectrum in the designing world. The new trends are parallel in furniture, interior palettes, clothing and architectural realms. This scope is very wide indeed, but trends catch on like wildfire, with all the tweeting birds and Facebook follies, it is not surprising that one could get caught up in a vortex of information and ideas.

A word of caution: Do not become a mere copycat.

Look at what others have done, but ultimately trust your own instinct.

The psychology of design I believe that if you change your interior design, you change your life. Create calm out of chaos, or excitement out of boredom. Armed with good Interior Design options you are the architect of change in your life! What you like is paramount to your interior design success. Find something you like or feel passionate about and then stick with it no matter what the trends are. I always work from a client-centered perspective, asking pertinent questions and getting valuable feedback. The available materials from suppliers will fill in the trendy gaps as we are bound by what is available in the market.

Keep in mind that the ‘un-trained’ mind can be tempted to use discordant combinations. Pure emotional choices should always be tempered by common sense. I am one of those free-thinking, intuitively gifted, right- and left-brained people, looking at pure emotional aspects of design (that is where 32 home dĂŠcor and renovations NOV - DEC 2012

the passion comes in) while simultaneously tempering it with technical expertise (the reality check). I have been fortunate to be able to tap into my creativity, both as a writer and a designer.

I ultimately teach people while I continue to learn.

When things are not flowing smoothly and your interior design life is like sailing on rough waters, then it is time to call in an expert. As a local design expert, I spend sufficient time at the planning stage and have a deep understanding of local trends.

Profound & magical change Although I always try to accommodate a client's wish list, sometimes a drastic paradigm shift is in order. In simple terms, when it comes to design, you can always change your mind. When the starting point is very broad, testing the waters is advisable. Through change and evaluation comes something profound and magical. First decide on your colour scheme, your preferred style, price point and time frames. This coupled with some computer-generated drawings will get you on the right track.

Change your mind about little things, but always keep your eye on the big picture. Go ahead and make some design changes. I guarantee that your new fall interior will inspire everyone who enters your home, and it will change your life for the better, too.

usheda akbar-shanks b.a. socioLogy, urban studies and design Freelance Writer, Intuitive Designer

phone 780.484.3664 edmonton, aB. e-mail ushanks@shaw.ca

TIPSANDTRICKS

one

two

the

HARVEST

by ELISA KROVBLIT

three

five

Nothing tempers dropping temperatures like a warm and hearty meal. And nothing adds to a meal like good company. From traditional turkey to a modern fusion sensation, it’s time to host a scrumptious harvest meal.

six

four

seven

one Keaton Extended Dining Table. $2,079. Visit potterybarn.com two Mario Batali 6 qt. Dutch oven $149.95. Visit crateandbarrel.com three DIOD Glass, available in Red, Blue, White and Turquoise $2.99 each. Visit ikea.ca four Turkey Placecard Holders $34.95 for set of four. Visit williams-sonoma.com five Gold-Dipped Flatware $38/5-piece setting. Visit anthropologie.com six CB2 5-piece Paddle Cheese Gift Set $58.50. Visit cb2.com seven Vintage French Nailhead Upholstered Chair $199-$499. restorationhardware.com 33

TIPSANDTRICKS

SHELL BUSEY: ASK A PRO

Cozying up to fireplace safety

by SHELL BUSEY

THE WARM AND COMFORTING GLOW of a fire is a welcome treat as winter

evenings bring a crisp chill to the air. Whether you curl up in front of a wood-burning or a natural gas fireplace, it’s important to know how to enjoy your fireplace safely.

WOOD-BURNING FIREPLACE

When a wood-burning fireplace is in use, air is continually drawn out of the home and up the chimney. This air must be replaced to maintain the air balance flowing in and out of the home. This is essential for the safe operation of all fuel burning appliances. This balancing act ensures adequate air for complete combustion and ventilation of the flue gases.

If the air balance is altered because of poor air supply or a blocked chimney, carbon monoxide (CO) and soot can be produced and down drafting can occur.

To prevent smoke and flue gases (CO) from entering your home, follow these precautions: ›› When a fireplace is in use, an open damper allows the smoke and gases to exit. ›› Ensure an adequate fresh air supply into your home before lighting the fire. ›› Some fireplaces come with their own combustion air duct. If yours is not equipped with this, you must have a fresh air supply nearby (such as an open window). ›› Keep the fresh air supply open, even overnight, until the fire is completely out. ›› After the fire is out and the ashes are cold (or when the wood-burning fireplace is not in use) close the damper. This will prevent air and heat loss up the chimney, and cold air drafts from coming down the chimney.

The first line of defense against CO is the proper installation, use, maintenance and inspection of all your fuel-burning appliances. The second line of defense is a properly installed CO detector. When you are about to purchase a new CO Detector, make sure it is approved to the latest standards. Look for CSA 6.19 or CSA 6.19-01 on the package.

34

Consider installing glass doors on your wood-burning fireplace. The doors will prevent heat in your home from escaping up the chimney, saving you money on your heating bill.

You may also want to consider purchasing a Draftstopper they designed to prevent drafts from conventional wood burning fireplaces when not in use.

NATURAL GAS FIREPLACE

Natural gas fireplaces can operate over 60 percent efficiency; whereas, a typical wood-burning fireplace operates at 10 per cent efficiency. (Efficiency refers to the amount of heat that is extracted from the flame and is used to heat the home). Remember to have regular inspections performed on natural gas fireplaces, along with all natural gas appliances.

TYPES OF NATURAL GAS FIREPLACES

›› Fireplace Insert: natural gas fireplace that fits inside an existing masonry fireplace. ›› Natural Vent Fireplace: natural gas fireplace that has a type B vent (a four inch manufacturer-recommended venting pipe used to exhaust the combustion gases of fireplaces, hot water heaters and other small natural gas appliances) going up a fireplace chase (the enclosure on the outside of the house that the metal chimney runs through). ›› Direct Vent Fireplace: natural gas fireplace that uses a single outlet, dual pipe system to draw combustion air and vent exhaust. The vent is typically installed directly behind the fireplace or slightly above and behind. ›› Free Standing Fireplace: wood stove appearance, with the benefits of natural gas. Can be either natural-vent or direct-vent.

OTHER OPTIONS

Pellet Stoves and Inserts: They are environmentally friendly, extremely clean burning and cost effective. Pellets are made from 100% waste sawdust, dried and compressed, creating an ideal heating fuel.

Electric Fireplaces: A great option if you live in an apartment and you want the look and feel of a fireplace when installing a gas unit is simply not an option. While they are not meant to heat a large area, they do provide some added comfort to a room.

For more home improvement information, to send Shell an email, or to watch Shell’s AskShell webcast go to www.AskShell.com.

SHELL BUSEY For more home improvement tips, sign-up to receive Shell’s online House Smart Newsletter at www.TheHouseSmart.com

HouseSmart Home Services Referral Network

From A-Z, Your Home Improvement Resource

IT’S JUST THAT EASY!!

Visit AskShell.com for helpful tips to improve your home including: Renovation Trends, New Products, Maintenance and Repairs, Do-It-Yourself Tips and Grants and Rebates for energy upgrades

r Projects Help For You

des ciency Upgra • Energy Effi d Cooling • Heating an Control • Air Quality paces ent & Crawls m se a B et W • Design • Accessible

Proud Ho useSmart Members Serving th e Edmonto n Area • Cloverd ale Paint • Windso r Plywood • Baseme nt System s • Duradek Vinyl Dec k ing • Karndea n Luxury V inyl Floori • The Furn ng ace Comp any • Durabu ilt Window s & Doors

For any type of home improvement referral, call us at 1-888-266-8806 or visit us at: www.AskShell.com and please remember; “It’s Just That Easy!” nov - dec 2012 home décor and renovations 35

TIPSANDTRICKS

Decoding the code

by MICHAEL NYIKES

Q

A reader wrote saying they were planning to take out a building permit to update the window sizes in their legal secondary suite and asked if they will also need to upgrade every other aspect of their secondary suite to the current requirements of the Alberta Building Code (example: installing a second heating system dedicated to the secondary suite)?

A

Section 9.37. of the Alberta Building Code deals with situations where a new secondary suite will be added to a new house at the time of construction or to an existing house as a renovation.

For a legal secondary suite that existed prior to December 31, 2006, the homeowner would not be required to meet all the requirements of the current Alberta Building Code, however the homeowner would

A SECTION 9.37. OF THE ALBERTA BUILDING CODE DEALS WITH SITUATIONS WHERE A NEW SECONDARY SUITE WILL BE ADDED TO A NEW HOUSE AT THE TIME OF CONSTRUCTION OR TO AN EXISTING HOUSE AS A RENOVATION

need to perform the work necessary to ensure that the existing secondary suite met the requirements of the Alberta Fire Code (which came into effect on December 31, 2008).

For details on situations involving the upgrading requirements for existing secondary suites, please refer to Fire STANDATA FCI-0807 at http://www.municipalaffairs. alberta.ca/cp_secondary_suites. cfm or contact the Safety Services Branch of Alberta Municipal Affairs toll-free at 1.866.421.6929.

Future Decoding the Code columns will continue to answer readers’ questions about how the provincial building code affects their 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

PRODUCT & SERVICES DIRECTORY APPLIANCES

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11045-190 St. 780-409-3400 www.superiorcabinets.ca CLOSETS

The Closet People

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CALL US TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION nov - dec 2012 home décor and renovations 37

tipsandtricks

developing your own unique

landscape design by shane’s landscaping & contracting ltd.

When deciding on the landscaping for you neW

home, you want to build it around a particular style – your style. Where does this style come from? Well, it could be as simple as seeing a photograph somewhere or visiting public gardens and taking mental notes. Whenever you see a landscape, it will either appeal to your senses or not. You want to lock into what you like, take pictures.

Your landscaping should enhance your home, not compete with it. The decision whether to make it a formal or informal garden is entirely up to you. This is pretty much the heart of landscaping. Landscape design orchestrates all of these elements along with all the construction factors, biological details of healthy plant growth and maintenance, and then that unknown factor we call art.

Your ProPertY’s LandscaPe Officially, landscape design is the arrangement of your outdoor space for your best enjoyment and satisfaction. Many people think of landscaping as the placement of plants. This is not quite true. Landscape design is really creating outdoor rooms that are functional, maintainable and nice to look at from different points of view.

A well-designed home lawn and landscape is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Aesthetically pleasing means that it should give the viewer a pleasant feeling comfort, with a sense of well-being. comPLements the neighbourhood Ideally, a good landscape design should not detract from the neighborhood, nor cause problems with your neighbours. In fact, good landscape design should increase your home’s value.

With a little planning, you can organize and design your landscape square footage for maximum use for all your family members including the family pet. A good plan better organizes your outside property so that it creates a pleasing visual relationship between your house, property and the neighborhood.

PLanning is the most imPortant Part of anY LandscaPe Planning is often neglected in the rush to get some green stuff in the ground. Some residential builders stick a tree in the middle of the front yard and cover the rest of the dirt with sod on sterile soil as part of their “total landscape package.”

38 home décor and renovations NOV - DEC 2012

In time, that single tree grows so large it dwarfs the house and sometimes hides it completely from view. The grass uses up whatever nutrients it had in the original. good PLanning Leads to a satisfYing environment When you begin landscape planning, think about the entire space and overall effect your plan might achieve after installation/planting and down the road as plants mature.

The plan should include more than just trees, shrubs, and some a lawn. Patios, decking, screening, outdoor lighting, walkways or parking areas are all features that should be integrated into the big picture before you ever get your hands dirty.

PreParing the finaL PLan An experienced landscaping company can assist you in the planning. Once you have agreed upon your design concepts, you’re ready to begin designing a plan that works not only for your family, but also becomes a valuable asset for the entire neighbourhood. Even though your neighbours didn’t help in financing the project, they certainly we enjoy your efforts almost as much as you and your family.

The design should include a planting plan and plant list and should show the location of all the plants (now and future) and give appropriate information about the specimen plants. This plan will also show necessary changes in the walkways or the driveway and include any additions to be constructed such as a deck or patio.

Shane’s Landscaping & Contracting Ltd. specializes in residential, estate and acreage landscape construction. From patios to water features, driveways, retaining walls, lighting, walkways, fences, irrigation, garden beds, boulders, barbecue, fire pits and the new synthetics grasses, we can help make your landscaping beautiful. Planning your landscaping is an exciting time and we are here to help. Our team of friendly knowledgeable and hardworking staff can make your landscaping dream a reality. Call us now for a consultation.

Shane’s Landscaping & Contracting Ltd. is locally owned and operated, providing residential/commercial landscaping, commercial snow removal services to Edmonton and surrounding area. Call us for a consultation at 780.983.8233 or view our website at shaneslandscaping.com

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