Edmonton Home Decor & Renovations - May/Jun 2016

PLUS IN THIS ISSUE

Hot trends in concrete:

Outdoor kitchens

Renovating with the

environment in mind!

TALKING LUXURY WITHLUXURY WITH

SarahRichardson

MAY - JUNE 2016VOLUME 14, ISSUE 3, FREE

EDMONTON EDITION

HIRE APROFESSIONALRENOVATOR.

DO IT RIGHT…

Choosing a recognized professional renovator is the best decision you can make when renovating your home! Being an informed and knowledgeable consumer is essential and since 2007 RenoMark has raised the bar by identifying renovation contractors in the Edmonton Area who have agreed to the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Code of Ethics and a renovation-specific Code of Conduct.

Renovate with confidence – hire a CHBA-Edmonton Region RenoMark renovator for your next renovation and embrace the renovation process with a sense of security and peace of mind.

For more information on CHBA-ER, RenoMark or to access a complete list of CHBA-ER & RenoMark members visit www.renomark.ca/EdmontonRegion

GET IT DONE RIGHT THE FIRST TIME

CANADIAN HOME BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION » PROFESSIONAL RENOVATORS

RENOVATION BY: RENCON INDUSTRIES INC.

THIS ISSUE’S PARTICIPATING MEMBERS:

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF MEMBER CONTRACTORS CALL (780) 425-1020 OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.RENOMARK.CA/EDMONTONREGION

Ph. (780) 479-6032www.homestyleconstruction.ca

Ph. (780) 986-2160www.renconindustries.ca

Ph. (780) 414-0686www.ackard.com

Ph. (780) 481-7671www.aquarianrenovations.com

Ph. (780) 435-6304www.serenitycontracting.ca

Ph. (780) 434-0923www.innovationplus.ca

Ph. (780) 244-0504www.acutaboveliving.com

Ph. (780) 465-8071www.revolvingrooms.ca

Ph. (780) 433-3166www.diamondcontractingab.ca

Ph. (780) 660-1026www.fortresshomes.ca

Ph. (780) 454-1513www.coogeeconstruction.ca

In every issue 6 Editor’s Notebook

VOLUME 14 ISSUE 03

MAY - JUNE 2016contentsCover Story

8

Sarah Richardson: Luxury is in the eye

of the beholder

pg

10 12 20

by Elisa Krovblit

business profiles

15 Benjamin Matthew Contracting

HD&R features

10 Hot trends in concrete: Outdoor kitchens By Renée Majeau

12 Feature A Beautiful renovation begins with the end in mind by Marie Soprovich

14 RenoMark Renovating with the environment in mind!

18 Decoding The Code by Michael Nyikes

20 Feature Views in your home that pay you back by Al Dueck and Aynsley Dueck

MAY - JUN, 2016 | HOME DECOR AND RENOVATIONS 7 6 YPNEXTHOME.CA

WE’RE LISTENING!Send us your comments, questions, renovation stories, pictures and great ideas!

Published by

WITH WARMER DAYS HERE TO STAY, now is the perfect time to get started on your home improvement projects. Whether you are taking on a major renovation or just looking to refresh your home’s décor, this issue is full of ideas, inspiration, and expert advice to guide you along the way.

Gracing our cover this issue is someone who needs no introduction….design authority Sarah Richardson is back! We caught up with Sarah, who has a new design book “At Home: Sarah Style”, and asked her about luxury, lifestyle and what makes a house a home. To Sarah, luxury is in the eye of the beholder and inside she shares with us the top fi ve a� ordable luxuries that make her love being home.

We also take a look at hot trends in concrete, the benefi ts of high performance windows and doors, as well as join new home owners’ on their renovation journey. These stories and more are awaiting you on the pages inside.

Home Décor & Renovations Magazine is proud to announce the winners of the Renovation Awards at the CHBA-ER Awards of Excellence, which took place on Saturday March 19 at the Shaw Conference Centre. The following renovators have been recognized as the best in the industry:

Best Exterior Renovation: Alair Homes - Chrenek AcresBest Renovation under $200,000:

Aquarian Renovations - Blue Quill ResidenceBest Renovation $200,000 to $500,000: Ackard Contractors - Highlands

Best Renovation over $500,000: Alair Homes - Chrenek AcresRenovator of the Year: Ackard Contractors Ltd.

Congratulations to all the winners and fi nalists!

Home Décor & Renovations is always free and is available across the Greater Edmonton Region at participating retailers and in our yellow street boxes. If you have any comments or have a renovation story you wish to share, please write us – we would love to hear from you.

Happy Renovating!

Want more news on the home, decor and reno front? Check out our site: ypnexthome.ca

EDITOR, YP [email protected]

Follow us on twitter:twitter.com/YPNextHome

Like us on FacebookFacebook.com/HomeDecorandReno

NANCY CHEMAIT

Editor’s Notebook

MAY - JUNE 2016VOLUME 14 ISSUE 03

President, YP NextHome

Jacqueline Hill

Editor-In-Chief / Director of Content

Susan Legge

Director of Sales, National

Moe Lalani

Art Director

Megan Pike

Editor/Account Executive

Nancy Chemait 780.619.3241

Production Manager

Bala Gnanapandithan

Production Co-Ordinator

Dennis Ng

Contributors

Shell BuseySara DuckElisa KrovblitMichael Nyikes Salina Yara HalabiMarie Soprovich

home decor & renovationsPO Box 458Station MainEdmonton, AlbertaT5J 2K1

Home Decor & Renovations magazine is published six times a year. Home Decor & Renovations magazine is distributed throughout Edmonton and Greater Edmonton area. This publication has been designed for the renovation market as a guide. Home Decor & 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 Decor & Renovations magazine and not that of the advertiser. The advertiser has purchased the right of reproduction in Home Decor & 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.


anhwp.com

INNOVATION PLUSDEVELOPMENTS

LIMITED

The coverage you need. The partner you trust.

1 800 352 8240 | anhwp.com

Is My Renovation PROTECTED?

if your renovator is a Member of

The Alberta Renovation Warranty Program.

YES…

*Your renovation project must be enrolled with the Program to be guaranteed third-party warranty coverage

Next issue ad deadline JUN. 13, 2016

Distribution starts JUL. 1, 2016

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!

Cover Story

IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

LUXURYSARAH RICHARDSON

By Elisa Krovblit | Photos by Stacey Brandford

SARAH RICHARDSON HAS ONE OF THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE NAMES IN THE DESIGN WORLD. ROOM SERVICE. DESIGN INC. SARAH’S COTTAGE. SARAH’S HOUSE. SARAH 101. REAL POTENTIAL. THESE HGTV PROGRAMS HAVE BROUGHT SARAH INTO THE LIVING ROOMS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD FOR OVER 10 YEARS, AND IN THAT TIME, SARAH HAS CREATED A FOLLOWING OF FANS THAT ADORE HER STYLE AND HER EXUBERANCE, TAKING TIPS, IDEAS AND JUST INDULGING IN SARAH’S BEAUTIFUL DESIGN. HOME DECOR & RENOVATIONS CAUGHT UP WITH SARAH TO ASK HER A FEW THINGS ABOUT LUXURY, LIFESTYLE AND THE THINGS THAT MAKE SARAH’S HOUSE A HOME.


Sarah has let us step into her home

both on TV and in her gorgeous new

design book, At Home: Sarah Style.

Room by room, home by home – from

city home to farmhouse and cottage

getaways – we get to explore the spaces

Sarah has created to enjoy with her

family. It’s not a designer putting favourite

projects forward, it’s a designer living her

design, showing the way she embraces

these elements and executes them to

meet her family’s needs. From furniture

to art, from colour palette to material

choices, little details, big design elements

and the view, Sarah has put her expertise

to work to create the perfect project for an

especially important client – her family.

After looking at these beautiful spaces

and wonderful escapes, Home Decor &

Renovation had a chance to ask Sarah

about her sense of luxury.

“I haven’t said ‘luxury’ as many times

in the past month as I’ve said in this

interview,” Sarah remarks halfway through

our discussion. It’s quite a significant

comment, and clarifies her perspective in

one concise moment. Sarah explains that

she isn’t about labels or grandeur or “bling”

or big shows of ostentation; and too often

that’s what we envision when we envision

luxury.

“I believe in little luxuries,” Sarah says.

“I’m not into luxury for the sake of luxury.”

Art is a favourite item she feels is a luxury.

“Art is all encompassing,” she says. It’s

not the price point, but the intrinsic value

that makes it a luxury. “Something that

speaks to you, created with passion and

purpose. Regardless of budget, the biggest

investment in luxury is the art.”

Not just big canvases, “it can be a vase

– hand-made by an artisan,” she says.

Supporting the arts and those that create

these beautiful objects is important, “not

disposable, mass market items.”

When looking at our homes, where

we put our money, she explains, from a

project perspective is “Big ticket living –

investing in kitchens and baths.” But when

it comes down to luxury, those rooms

don’t define a home. It’s the way you

complete the home that brings in that

luxury. One of Sarah’s favourite spaces is

the living room of her city house, “because

I was able to find some really great vintage

pieces. A Milo Baughman chaise (pictured

left) and chairs, and a Willy Rizzo coffee

table (pictured first page). It’s a luxury to be

able to score unique pieces.”

One other luxury Sarah feels benefits

everyone is the luxury of having

somewhere to get away. “Having another

place to go,” she explains, is important.

While Sarah really appreciates her home-

away-from-home escapes, she also views

travel, just getting away and taking time, as

being the real luxury.

“Luxury is all relative,” Sarah says, as we

A look through At Home: Sarah Style is a wonderful tour of the homes in Sarah’s life. These include her city home – both before and after a major renovation – a cottage, a farmhouse and her mother’s home. Each fulfills a different use, a different need and the design is effective in committing those roles. From playful and funky to sophisticated and elegant, the pages are full of incredible imagery with anecdotal explanations from Sarah. The recipes are wonderful too. You won’t know what you did without the Cosmic Sandwich in your life.

Sarah’s top 5 affordable luxuries that make her love being home

wind down the discussion. Paring down

life to its most simple elements, having

things to appreciate and time to enjoy

one’s life are definitely the luxuries Sarah

appreciates. When I ask Sarah if she

has anything else to say about luxury,

her response captured our discussion

perfectly. She told me “Luxury is in the

eye of the beholder.”

1. Stealing some quiet time on a weekend afternoon beside a crackling fire to dive into a new issue of a design magazine with my feet up while I’m covered in a cozy throw (I’m adding some beautiful loomed cotton throws to my product line for early summer).

2. A steaming hot giant Nespresso latte in a mug that was hand painted by one of our daughters. Beautiful form mixed with great function has made me the owner of a Nespresso in every kitchen; work and home, city and country.

3. Thoughtfully made and passionately crafted decorative arts. In every room of our house there are sentimental handmade pieces that are sculpturally beautiful but not necessarily decadent or expensive. Investing in pretty little affordable luxuries and supporting talented artisans makes me happy.

4. Candlelight. Nothing is more calming and relaxing at the end of a busy work day than a room bathed in the glow of candlelight. Candles aren’t for special occasions in our home. They are a daily necessity. It’s the little things that matter.

5. Fresh flowers. The finishing touch to any well-designed room is something lovely and living. I don’t have time to get to the flower store and treat myself often, but I always have potted orchids to brighten up my rooms. Whether you get them at the grocery store or the florist, potted orchids are an inexpensive floral choice that will bloom for about four months!


Style Inspiration

HOT TRENDS IN CONCRETE: OUTDOOR KITCHENS

IN RECENT YEARS, the concept of

indoor-outdoor living has exploded to

become one of the hottest trends in

home décor and design. With more and

more homeowners looking to get year-

round enjoyment out of their yards and

to create attractive yet functional outdoor

living and entertaining spaces, concrete is

playing an increasingly important role in

landscape design and architecture.

Because concrete is durable, versatile

and easy to maintain, it is a natural choice

for outdoor living spaces in any climate.

Whether you are considering building an

outdoor kitchen, installing a fire feature

or revamping your entertaining space,

the many decorative options, colours

and textures of concrete will allow you to

customize the look and function of your

backyard project while not breaking the

bank.

OUTDOOR KITCHENSAccording to City MiniMix Concrete Inc.,

a local leader in managing backyard

projects, kitchens will be the most

popular outdoor living trend in 2016.

Kent Majeau, co-owner of City MiniMix,

says “People are becoming more

sophisticated in terms of how they want

their outdoor kitchens to look and feel.

They want their outdoor kitchens to

become the “heart” of their backyard, an

extension of their homes and a beautiful

place to cook, eat and entertain family

and friends. Using concrete, the design

options for outdoor kitchen spaces are

endless.”

Like any landscaping project, the size

and scope of an outdoor kitchen is best

determined by thinking about how you

intend to use it – how many people will

you need to accommodate? What are

your entertaining needs and personal

tastes? What is your budget? Depending

on scope and budget, outdoor kitchens

range from small areas with a simple

barbecue to elaborate, fully equipped

kitchens with features like integrated trash

bins, ice chests and cabinetry that add

convenience and luxury.

No matter your scope or budget,

concrete is an ideal choice for outdoor

countertop surfaces as well as flooring

and even furniture for the outdoor

kitchen area.

CONCRETE COUNTERTOPSConcrete countertops are perfect for

outdoor kitchens because they are

extremely durable and a classy addition

to both traditional and modern kitchens.

They provide a sturdy, easy-to-clean

area for prepping food, barbecuing or

entertaining and they stand up to UV

light, harsh outdoor elements and resist

cracking and wear.

Concrete can offer a wide variety of

customization, from embedded rocks

to any colour of pigment and staining,

allowing homeowners to personalize their

countertops according to the style and

design they prefer. Concrete countertops

also allow you to seamlessly integrate

a backsplash and to mimic the look of

many other materials, saving money for

those who admire pricier options but

have a limited budget.

Renée Majeau is co-owner of City MiniMix Concrete, a locally owned concrete manufacturing and delivery company who also manages any concrete project, big or small. For more information, visit www.cityminimix.com

By Renée Majeau, City MiniMix Concrete Inc.

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10 YPNEXTHOME.CA

Feature

by Marie Soprovich Owner Aquarian Renovations

WHEN HOMEOWNERS MATT AND

KIM WERE LOOKING to purchase a

house they already had a renovation in

mind. Purchasing a great home in an

older neighbourhood brings a wonderful

benefi ts to both the homeowner and their

family and this couple was drawn to the

house and the community. In addition

to securing a home that was already

integrated into an established and well

respected neighbourhood, they realized

that they would have a shorter commute

to work and established schools for their

children. Their yard would be much

larger and more private with gardening as

a real possibility. Planning a renovation

also created an opportunity for the

natural beauty of the existing house to

be transformed into the dream home

they've always wanted. Limited only by

imagination and perhaps budget, Matt

and Kim realized that they could have

all these things and more with a good

renovation.

Matt and Kim scouted out more

than one house that would fi t the

criteria they had in mind before they

made the off er. Being proactive and

conscientious investors they also scouted

out a renovation company they wanted

to work with. Information from their

due diligence guided their decision

making and they found just the right

house for their family needs. Kim states,

“We bought this house knowing that a

renovation was required. We had looked

at other houses and Aquarian had even

given us an estimate for a renovation on

another house before we made an off er

on our current home.”

With a desire to return their Mid-

century home to its former glory and a

little bit more, Matt and Kim worked with

the design team at Aquarian to draw up

the plans for a beautiful newly renovated

home. They knew there were some

things that needed repair and there were

some features that they really wanted to

A beautiful renovation begins WITH THE END IN MIND

enhance the lifestyle and modern look

they desired. “The two rooms we really

wanted to fi x were the kitchen and the

ensuite off the master bedroom. We

wanted to keep as much of the character

and original features as possible. The

house had beautiful beam work that had

been painted and we wanted to restore

these original features as best we could.

Other issues that needed to be addressed

which were far less glamorous included

one of our basement walls which needed

reinforcement and a necessary sump

pump. The roof also needed to be rebuilt

and insulation had to be added to the

entire house.”

With all this awareness Matt and Kim

purchased the house and Aquarian got

busy making their vision come true. Kim

recalls, “The design process was great.

The biggest challenge was to imagine how

the space would look with walls moved

around. The 3D renderings really helped

and there were very few challenges with

BEFORE


BEFORE

the design. Areas that were surprises included costs

hiding in the non-insulated and crumbling walls… And

not to mention that crumbling roof.”

Some of the best decisions Kim and Matt recall

were best captured in the description of their product

selection day which was described as a “crazy day due

to our busy schedules… We are busy people so we did

it in a day!” Kim describes that,” the flooring was the

best decision we made with product selection. We

had walnut hardwood floors and they couldn't stand

up to what we seemed to do with floors. Marsha

suggested laminate and did a great job of explaining

just how much it has changed through the years and

although I was sceptical, I was wrong… This flooring

is great and we haven't scratched or dinted it yet! She

also suggested building a tiled dog shower for our furry

family members in our large laundry room. Our laundry

room has direct access to the back yard so it made

sense to have it there. We also wanted upper cabinets

installed along the entire width of the laundry room for

extra storage. There was a Dutch double door installed

as well so there could be air flow if we wanted the dogs

to be contained.”

Kim also loves the tile selection for the bathroom

and the hardware selected too. “The original ensuite

had a single sink so we decided to add a much needed

double sink. The bathroom came together perfectly,

each of the pieces, the lights, tile, hardware, and

cabinets complement the other elements of the room

and we just love it!”

When asked to describe what are the special

features in their newly renovated home Kim was quick

to explain the solutions to her storage space concerns

in the kitchen. “Our old house had a huge walk in pantry

and I was very concerned that the renovation would

lose that storage space. Aquarian designers helped

plan the kitchen with two pull out pantries and utilized

a corner space for an appliance garage. I am amazed at

how efficient and practical this design solution was. We

store tons of things there”. Kim continues, “There are

so many things that we love and which work perfectly

for our family. The barn door is a perfect example. The

original railings were also saved, and sandblasted and

then painted a pewter colour to match the rest of the

changes. The floor to ceiling windows bring the river

valley into create the perfect backdrop for our living

room and the whole renovation helped to keep the

character of our home. We love it! Many of the features

are subtle and they bring a smile to my face every time I

enter the room”

BEFORE

Marie Soprovich Owner of Aquarian Renovations; Writer, Visionary, Leader. Visit www.aquarianrenovations.com or call 780.481.7671



Photo courtesy of Aquarian Renovations

Tips And Tricks

RENOVATING WITH THE ENVIRONMENT IN MIND!Hire a RenoMark contractor

PRESERVING STRUCTURES AND PREVENTING unnecessary waste from going in the

landfill is what renovations are all about. Improving your home design, energy efficiency,

building envelope, aesthetics and function of your home are all good reasons why you,

the homeowner, choses to renovate. Renovations driven by the need to improve energy

efficiency and reduce environmental impact are as important as the renovations designed

for improved space usages in kitchens and bathrooms. There are many products

available today which support the individual goals of the homeowner and the collective

direction the construction industry is moving in regarding a lower environmental impact

as an overarching goal.

A renovation can restore a home to its former glory by taking it back to its original

condition if it has experienced a fire or flood or a renovation can transform a home into a

new living space that meets the current needs of the homeowner. Ask your professional

renovation contractor to help you select the products that best meet your construction

and environmental goals.

Finding your RenoMark contractor through the Canadian Home Builder Association

Edmonton Region is a good choice as they have a proven track record and are

committed to a renovation-specific code of ethics. These renovators also stay current

with the range of environmental products and practices that best support Green

renovations. RenoMark renovators will also provide essentials such as written contracts,

warranties and all the insurance necessary. They also understand the value of customer

service and continually educate themselves regarding current trends, including green

building and what that means for the customer in the selection of appropriate materials

and specific regulations. Ask your RenoMark renovator about build green options and

support the growing trend of a greener and more environmentally friendly renovation.

Remember that RenoMark® is an organization within the Canadian Home Builders

that you can trust when finding the right renovator for your project. These renovators

are all members of The Canadian Home Builder’s Association. RenoMark renovators

understand homeownership and just how hard people have worked for their homes.

Credentials that capture a professional renovator include:

» A proven track record in the industry with past project lists, references, testimonials

from previous clients and contacts.

» Well established business practices, project management and client communication.

» Clearly defines the responsibilities of the renovator and the homeowner regarding

insurance, finance and scope of work.

» Professional memberships and affiliations

such as Canadian Home Builders –

Edmonton Region, RenoMark, Chamber

of Commerce, Better Business Bureau

» Experience, training, education,

craftsmanship and skills, upgrading and

special expertise.

» Minimum 2 year warranty

Find your professional renovator

at http://www.renomark.ca/

edmontonregion/home

A renovation can make your home

more environmentally friendly for you,

your family. Check out your RenoMark

contractor today!

For a list of BUILT GREEN® builders and

renovator members please visit

www.builtgreencanada.ca/find-a-member

RENOMARK EDMONTON – WWW.RENOMARK.CAThe program identifies those renovation contractors who have agreed to CHBA – Edmonton Region’s code of ethics, as well as a renovation-specific code of conduct, they provide warranties, understand the value of customer service, and continually educate themselves regarding current trends, materials and regulations.

* Resources included: Canadian Homebuilders Association “The Get it in Writing Handbook” and RenoMark Website


AT YOUR SERVICEBenjamin Matthew Contracting focuses on service

and design to make homeowners’ visions come to life

BENJAMIN MATTHEW CONTRACTING LTD. has been in the business of creating

custom-made spaces in the Edmonton and surrounding area since 2011. Since

then, president and owner Benjamin Guittard has been very busy building solid

relationships with both homeowners and some of Alberta’s top designers, all to

achieve beautiful, high-end renovations for his clients.

“I’m a smaller company, so I can focus on relationships and off er more personalized

service and advice,” explains Guittard. “Honestly, my success is all about building

relationships with the right people, both homeowners and artisans. I get done what I

say I’ll get done, and that honesty and trust goes a long way.” While Ben manages the

projects himself and works with his sub-contractor teams onsite, he swears by fi nding

Business Profi le


the right designers and tradespeople

he can trust. “They need to be talented,

dependable and respectful to the project

and the homeowners.

“Today, people know more of what

they want. They already have an idea of

their style, and have a vision. It’s my job to

help translate that vision into something

tangible.” How he does that is all about

his process:

That process varies, depending

on if the homeowners has a designer

or not. If they don’t, he encourages

them to get one and connects them to

one who he thinks can best translate

their vision into a reality. Guittard has

worked extensively with established

local design firm Hastings Ilagan Design

(hastingsilagan.ca) for the last few years,

and has worked closely with Melanie

Marshall at MSquared Design Group

(msquareddesigngroup.com) and—more

recently—Karolin Metivier KM Designs

(karolinmetivier.com).

“Normally, I meet with potential clients

and get to know them and understand

their goals. I get a brief description of

what they’re looking for, maybe check

out their Pinterest boards or other

clippings they have, and in week or two

I come back with a ballpark budget to

make sure we’re speaking the same

language in terms of expectations.

“If they want to proceed, we start to

look at the scope and bring in trades for

a walkthrough. We then source materials

and create a tighter budget. At this time,

we also start to work on permits for

large-scale projects with major changes

to the home. It’s only then that the work

begins.

“Communication is key,” says Guittard.

The more homeowners know about

what’s happening, the better they feel

about the renovation. “When people

know what’s happening—when they have

all the information and updates—they feel

better about the whole process.”

Guittard learned that trick of the

trade (so to speak) thanks to his family:

he comes from a long line of builders

and developers. In fact, he grew up

doing renovations at his parents’ house,

learning along the way. And his first

job was working at a golf course doing

landscaping and carpentry. So you can

probably say this is what he was born to

do. Not that he knew that at first.

“I actually went to university to be

a doctor,” Guittard exclaims with a

chuckle. But after taking some time off to

refocus after his first year, he completed

university with a business degree. While

in school, he spent six years honing his

building and project management skills

at Beautiful Basements and Timberstone

Builders, and then started working for

Brookfield Residential, learning about

engineering and architecture. Once he

had enough experience under his belt, he

launched Benjamin Matthew Contracting

fulltime.

Since then, he’s been doing mainly

high-end custom renovations in

some of the city’s more established

neighbourhoods.

To learn more about Benjamin Matthew Contracting or see some of Guittard’s work, visit his website at benjaminmatthew.ca, email [email protected] or call him at 780-686-4273.

Tips and Tricks

Michael Nyikes 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 [email protected]

By Michael Nyikes

Decoding THE CODE

A The answer depends on whether the

floor joists are covered with a sheathing

material or not.

Many older homes from the ‘60’s and prior

did not use sheathing (such as plywood)

over the joists and so the strips of hardwood

would be laid directly across (at right angles)

to the floor joists. The same holds true today

although it is exceedingly rare to find this

practice still in place.

If it does occur, then the Alberta Building

Code stipulates the strips of hardwood flooring

are to be cut so that each end of strip can

be fastened to the supporting floor joists

underneath…..this is called end-matching. Also,

no more than two adjoining strips can end-

match on the same joist, meaning the next pair

of adjoining strips must be end-matched on

a different floor joist. This distributes the load

more evenly over the joists, prevents squeaking,

as well as separation of the hardwood flooring

from the sup-porting floor joists below.

Over the past 30 or so years, the vast majority

of hardwood flooring has been installed with a

sheathing material over the floor joists. Once

there is sheathing in place, the strips of hardwood

flooring can be installed in any direction, as well

as in a variety of patterns, and mixed with other

flooring types such as carpet and tile.

Future Decoding the Code columns will

continue to answer readers’ questions about

how the provin-cial safety codes affect their

projects. Email your questions to me at

[email protected]. Be sure to include

which city you live in, as well as your phone

number in case I need to follow up with you.

QI recently had a loyal reader ask me if it matters what direction the strips of hardwood flooring are in-stalled in relation to the direction of the floor joists underneath.

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MAY - JUNE 2015VOLUME 13 ISSUE 3

HOME DECOR & RENOVATIONSPO Box 458Station MainEdmonton, AlbertaT5J 2K1

PRESIDENT, YELLOW PAGES NEXTHOMEJacqueline Hill

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / DIRECTOR OF CONTENTSusan Legge

NATIONAL SALES MANAGER, HOME DÉCOR & RENOVATIONSConni Robinson

ART DIRECTORMegan Pike

EDITOR/ACCOUNT EXECUTIVENancy Chemait 780.619.3241

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Shelley Balla 587.784.4044Jennifer Mizier 780.217.6778

PRODUCTION MANAGERBala Gnanapandithan

PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR Dennis Ng, Greg Van Sluytman

GRAPHIC DESIGNERViosa Barileva

CONTRIBUTORSHellen ButtigiegShell BuseySara DuckElisa KrovblitMichael Nyikes Jamie Banfield Salina Yara HalabiYanic SimardMarie Soprovich

Home Decor & Renovations magazine is published six times a year.Home Decor & Renovations magazine is distributed throughoutEdmonton and Greater Edmonton area. This publication has beendesigned for the renovation market as a guide. Home Decor &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 advertiseror their representative.

The advertising herein, including the photographs and all artwork is theproperty of Home Decor & Renovations magazine and not that of theadvertiser. The advertiser has purchased the right of reproduction inHome Decor & Renovations magazine only and does not have the rightto reproduce the ad in whole or in part in any other place or publicationwithout the consent of the publisher.

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

WE’RE LISTENING!Send us your comments, questions, renovation stories, pictures and great ideas!

Spring is here, and now is the perfect time to update, renew and refresh your living spaces. This issue is filled with inspiring and informative articles that will help you prepare your home for the warmer months ahead – both inside and out!

BBQ’s and bonfires will have you spending more time in the backyard, and we have the top outdoor trends for 2015. Whether you have a large backyard or a cozy patio, we give you the rundown on today’s hottest tools, accessories and outdoor décor ideas. See our special Outdoor Living section for all the details.

Maybe this spring has you dreaming of redesigning your inside spaces. In this issue’s cover story, design authority Yanic Simard gives us a “Lesson in Design” where he shares his expertise and advice on how to achieve your dream design. Key principles to keep in mind when working with a designer are to be upfront, do your research, keep calm and, maybe the most important, choose someone who you can trust – it will help make your dream a reality.

Home Décor & Renovations Magazine is proud to announce 2015 CHBA-ER Awards of Excellence in Housing finalists in the Renovation Category. See page 25 to read about the renovators that have been recognized as the best in the industry. The winners will be announced Saturday, April 25th, 2015 at the Awards of Excellence in Housing Gala at the Shaw Conference Centre. Congratulations to all the finalists!

Hope you enjoy the read and Happy Spring!

NANCY CHEMAITEDITOR [email protected]

EDITOR’SNOTEBOOK

Spring into action

Published by

Feature

THERE ARE SOME CONFUSING signals in the news over the

past number of months. Suddenly, oil based energy costs

have dropped dramatically despite experts predicting resource

shortages in the years to come. At the same time, building

experts have concluded that the highest source of heating/

cooling costs are related to the building envelope and

specifically windows and doors.

Considering a probable rebound in oil/ energy costs,

investments in new builds and renovations should reflect

future operating costs. A modest investment in better quality

fenestration not only reduces overall heat loss, but also can

create an excellent source of heat in our cold

climate market.

» Investment Point #1: Rather than save a few

short-term dollars on ‘cheaper windows,’ closely

evaluate overall R-value, thus reduced heat loss for

the long run.

“The best building envelopes have a

combination of thicker walls with less thermal

bridging, in addition to high insulating windows

and doors – an insulated frame, argon gas fill, and

Co-written by Al Dueck, President and Aynsley Dueck, Marketing Manager, DUXTON Windows & DoorsPhotos by The House Company

VIEWS IN YOUR HOME THAT PAY YOU BACK The benefits of high performance windows & doors


one or two low emissivity coatings on

the glass,” comments Dave Smeding of

Shield Windows & Doors. “Even if the

wallsare well insulated, leaky windows

will contribute to signifi cant heating/

cooling loads all year round.”

Careful consideration of the

orientation of the house, by elevation,

creates another really important

consideration. “Solar heat gain is central

to the design of our houses whenever

a site off ers good sun exposure,”

comments Jamie Thompson of The

House Company. “Very large south

windows combined with concrete

fl oors can provide a large portion of

winter heating needs. Incorporating a

thermal chimney – high windows with

remote openers – controls overheating

without fans in all seasons. The use of

shade awnings reduces summer heating

while allowing full sun in the winter. The

added perk to this strategy is the fl ood of

daylight and how the outdoors becomes

part of your living space.”

Creating the right solution for

your home involves some careful

consideration to balance passive solar

gain with suffi cient shading in the hot

season, to avoid overheating. Some

contributing factors include: orientation

by elevation, location of deciduous trees,

roof overhangs, shade from nearby

buildings and the appropriate selection of

glass. The graph below provides insights

on diff erent types of glass coatings and

their eff ect on solar transmission.

» Investment Point #2: Do your

homework and consult with a

knowledgeable building expert and

window consultant to select fenestration

and glazing that suits your specifi c

project.

In addition, consider important

elements such as clear views of the

outdoors, cross ventilation in those

amazing spring and fall days, accessibility

through swinging/sliding doors which

do not block key pathways and the net

eff ect of the air tightness that is achieved.

“Sliding windows are not nearly as air

tight as compression sealed windows,”

comments Dave. “Also consider

European-style tilt n’ turn windows, with

a great compression seal, and lots of

glass area. When it comes to swinging

doors, consider multi-point locking

hardware – it improves air tightness,

increases security, and adds to the

durability of the door slab.”

» Investment Point #3: Select enough

air tight venting windows which give

you fresh air, while limiting your heating

costs. Finally, thoughtful investments

on windows and doors should give

consideration to the longer term

durability and environmental impact

of their production and performance.

Triple pane glass will best maintain its

seal when placed in a stable and durable

frame. Research shows that fi berglass is

one of the most stable materials on the

market today. While wood is an excellent

building material, it tends to absorb

moisture and expand/contract with the

changing seasons.

Lastly, consider the warranty and

the source of your window and door

product. Finding a locally manufactured

product may be not only a solid

environmental consideration but also a

key factor in long term support.

» Final Investment Point: Consider

selecting a local manufacturer and a

trust-worthy installer that will back your

warranty in the long run.

Building experts have concluded that the highest source of heating/cooling costs are related to the building envelope and specifi cally windows and doors.

U-Value R-0 R-18 R-39 R-60

0.30 R-5 R-11 R-15 R-17

0.20 R-5 R-13 R-19 R-23

0.15 R-5 R-14.5 R-23 R-28

0.10 R-5.5 R-16 R-27 R-34

Window15% of

Wall Area

Wall R-Value with Windowsw/Varied Wall Insulation Levels

Sources:“Holes in the Wall: To Improve the Energy Performance of Walls, Look at the Total R-Value,” Journal of Light Consyruction, February 2014


PRODUCT & SERVICES DIRECTORY

AWNINGS

Canfab Products Ltd 12819-144 ST 780.451.4341 www.canfabproducts.ca

CABINETS

NexLevel Cabinets 5311 - 97 Street 587.596.6666 587.596.7777

CONCERTE

City MiniMix Concrete Inc 780.974.7969 [email protected] www.cityminimix.com

DECORATIVE PAINTING

Unfauxgettable Interiors 780.999.5609 [email protected] www.unfauxgettable.ca

FLOORING

Payless Wholesale Flooring & Lighting 18415-104 Ave 780.487.2700 www.paylessfloors.ca

HOME RENOVATIONS

A Cut Above Living 780.244.0504 acutaboveliving.com

Ackard Contractors Ltd. 780.414.0686 www.ackard.com

Aquarian Renovations 780.481.7671 www.aquarianrenovations.com

Appollo Sunrooms 780.466.1952 www.apollosunrooms.com

Coogee Construction Ltd. 780.454.1513 www.coogeeconstruction.ca

Diamond Contracting 780.433.3166 www.diamondcontractingab.ca

Fortress Homes & Renovations 780.660.1026 www.fortresshomes.ca

Full House Renovations 780.483.2666 www.fullhouserenovations.com

Homestyle Construction Ltd. 780-479-6032 www.homestyleconstruction.ca

Innovation Plus Developments Ltd 780 434-0923 www.innovationplus.ca

Rencon Industries Inc. 780.986.2160 www.renconindustries.ca

Renovations of Excellence 780.441.1243 www.wedorenos.com [email protected]

Revolving Rooms Interior Design Inc. 780.465.8071 www.revolvingrooms.ca

Serenity Contracting & Design Inc. 780.435.6304 www.serenitycontracting.ca

KITCHENS

Kitchen Craft Cabinetry 2866 Calgary Trail, NW 780.465.6531 www.kitchencraft.com

Towne and Countree Kitchens 17212 107 Ave. 780.489.3331 www.towneandcountree.com

LIGHTING

Design 21 FX Lighting Ltd. 780.421.1940 www.design21.ca

INTERIOR DESIGN

Flawless Interiors 780.903.0634 www.flawlessinteriors.ca

Kohon Designs #143 - 10309 107th St. Phone 780.428.6230 www.kohon.ca

Mojo Design Inc. #1, 10340-134 St. 780.455.5229 Mojodesigninc.com

STONE PANELS

Prima Stone 4328-97 St. 780.932.7289 www.primastone.ca

TILE

Tile’s Trend #7 445 Parsons Road Ph: 780.485.2277 [email protected] www.tilestrend.com

WINDOWS

Durabuilt Windows & Doors West 10920-178 St. 780.455.0440 South 8605 Argyll Rd 780.463.4466

Duxton Windows & Doors 6764 99 Street (by appt only) 780.887.5163 www.duxtonwindows.com

TILE’S TREND

SUPPLYING LEADING-EDGE, MODERN, CONTEMPORARY PRODUCTS

#7 445 Parsons RoadEdmonton, AB.T6X 06WPhone: 780-485-2277

Email:[email protected]

MON- FRI: 9:30AM - 6:00PMSAT: 10:00AM - 5:00PM

After hours call 780-237-2757

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There is no substitute for experience!

LOU SOUCY 780.441.1243

Visit www.WeDoRenos.comfor details and full virtual tours.

• Guidance and Professional Supervision• Quality Workmanship• Ground Level & Second Storey Additions• Sunrooms• Kitchens• Basement Transformation• Exterior Remodelling

RENOVATING?DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START?

CALL THE RENOVATION PROFESSIONALS

Basement Transformations Including Potential Rental Suites

after before

PROUDLY SERVING EDMONTON AND AREA SINCE 1977…AND THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR EXPERIENCE!

• BONDED • LICENSED • FULLY INSURED

ARE YOU THINKING OF BUILDING A NEW HOME

IN AN ESTABLISHED NEIGHBOURHOOD? WE CAN BUILD THE

CUSTOM INFILL HOME FOR YOU!

Great design lives here.

Choose fiberglass for the ultimate in design flexibility, and the best in performance.

We’ve moved! 9515 49 Ave. Edmonton, AB (By appointment only)

780.887.5163 | duxtonwindows.com

Edmonton Home Decor & Renovations - May/Jun 2016

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