FineHomes Regina Summer 2013 by Fine Lifestyles

SummER 2013 | VOLumE 4 ISSuE 2

REGINA

Crawford Homes Home Building with Style for 35 Years Tropical Reflections of Ken Beattie Shell Busey on Conserving Resources Meredith Heron: Designing Outdoor Living Rooms

Luxurious Downtown High-Rise Living The Gardens on Rose invites you to experience Regina’s finest high-rise and penthouse living. This brand new development provides quality construction and is beautifully and securely designed as one of only two buildings on 2000 block Rose Street. Revel in the finer things in life without having to leave home. As a resident of this beautiful building, you can enjoy the following right at your doorstep…

CONTACT:

Jason Rumpel 306.535.1478

Independently Owned and Operated

FineHomes

Regina

Rooftop gardens with:

spa-inspired hot tub area fireplace lounge fitness room outdoor lounging areas gas barbeques full kitchen potted trees and shrubs

And when you wouldn’t think to expect more… we’ve included ownership of 2 indoor heated parking stalls with every unit!

Why would you want to live anywhere else? Ask us about our 5 year property tax abatement.

Additional building amenities: day spa coffee and pastry bar

2055 Rose Street, Regina | 306.790.1843 sales@gardensonrose.com | www.gardensonrose.com

Budget Blinds is Regina and surrounding area’s #1 choice for all your window covering needs!

Budget Blinds is North America’s largest window covering company, which provides the competitive edge on products and buying power. Budget Blinds is locally owned and operated. Leanne Fisher, owner, is proud to call Locally owned and operated, Leanne Fisher is proud to call Saskatchewan Saskatchewan home again after moving to Alberta for college 13 years ago. “If you ask any home againwe after tosay Alberta for college ago.so“If you great ask any of our staff why we do what do,moving they will it`s because we 13 getyears to meet many of our staff why we do what we do...they will all answer...because we get to people”. Our staff makes the difference. meet so many great people”. Our staff makes the difference! In addition to In addition to providing customers withwith education aboutabout each product at a competitive price, providing customers education each product at a competitive our staff truly cares about facilitating a fun, professional in-home atmosphere to makein-home the price – our staff truly cares about facilitating a fun, professional window coveringatmosphere process easy. havingcovering product process air-shipped and installing 11 toWhether make theit’s window easy. If it’s havingat product p.m. on a Friday night to prepare for a wedding or helping elderlyfor customer air shipped and installing at 11 the p.m.next on aday, Friday night toan prepare a wedding clean her windows we’re day, up onorthe ladder, are customer different: we gocleaning the extraher mile! thewhile following aiding anwe elder with windows while we’re up on the ladder – we are different – we go the extra mile! We want to change how you buy window coverings; we come to you so you can shop right where your windows are. Explore fabrics, materials, choices and features from hundreds out toWe change howso you buy coverings! Shopprovide where your of product stylesWe andare colours. measure you getwindow the perfect fit, and then windows are. Wea come to you! Explore fabrics, materials, choices and professional installation to ensure beautiful view. 534 University Park Drive, Regina, #3 - 1433 Hamilton Street, Regina, SK Sk. features from hundreds of product styles and colors. We measure so you e-mail: reginaadmin@yourbudgetblinds.ca e-mail: reginaadmin@yourbudgetblinds.ca get the perfect fit, and then provide professional installation to ensure a www.budgetblinds.com www.budgetblinds.com beautiful view. Leanne Fisher, owner

Come visit our new location and see our expanded showroom

Call to book your free in-home consultation REGINA & AREA: 306.949.2300 FineHomes

Regina

We’re passionate about saving you money. Don’t buy another thing until you’ve attended a free DirectBuy Open House. There, you’ll learn just how much the things you want and need for your home really cost. Incredible savings, unmatched selection, exceptional service - you’ll find it all at DirectBuy!

Learn more by requesting your FREE Idea Kit and a FREE Visitor’s Pass to a showroom near you.

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FineHomes

Regina

Call 1 877 683 3940 Visit www.directbuysaskatoon.ca

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Providing you the best countertop purchasing experience. FineHomes

Regina

Finehomes REGINA

WITH FINE homEs EDIToR sHerry lee

hile I’m not a wellknown evening talk show host, or even have aspirations to be, it is fun to take a whimsical page from that book. So, in this issue, I give you the top 10 reasons to read and keep this magazine: • Find out about home builders and renovation companies in our community and what they can offer you this season.

summer 2013 VOlUMe 4 IssUe 2 www.finelifestyles.ca Associate Editor Sherry Lee sherryl@finelifestyles.ca

Staff Writers Nykea Marie Behiel Paul Sinkewicz Rebecca Schneidereit Tobie Hainstock Trina Annand

Graphic Design and Layout DeAnne Bell

In-house Design

•

Learn more from our editorials on eco-friendly bathrooms, functional mudrooms, new trends in lighting, versatile kitchen islands and your perfect cottage.

•

Check out designs for outdoor living rooms with Meredith Heron.

•

Learn from Shell Busy about how easy it is to conserve energy.

Calvin Fehr

•

Enhance your yard with the inspiring tropical reflections of Ken Beattie.

Photography

•

Plan a dinner party where you can serve Gordon Ramsay’s strawberry tart, complemented by a summertime watermelon beverage.

•

Review the realtor directory for an agent to assist with your next home sale or purchase.

•

Scan the retail directory for local businesses with products and services to enhance your lifestyle.

•

Admire the stunning and colourful photography.

•

Dress up your coffee table with its beauty, and leave it out for others to enjoy.

Have a wonderful summer, and enjoy the warm, sunny days ahead of us! finemags

@finemags

Advertising Consultants

Brooke Watson Laurie Betker Randy Glascock 306.551.4789 306.535.4378 306.526.4957 brooke@finelifestyles.ca laurieb@finelifestyles.ca randyg@finelifestyles.ca

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Regina

Amber Moon Danielle Austin Elisa Malfitana Lisa Redden

Cover Photography

Calvin Fehr Henry Godnitz Lisa Landrie Myles New

Contributing Writers Brook Thalgott Erin Campbell Howell Erin Legg Gordon Ramsay Julie Mushynsky Ken Beattie Meredith Heron Shell Busey

Advertising Consultants Brooke Watson brooke@finelifestyles.ca Debbie Paul debbiep@finelifestyles.ca Jason Booker jason@finelifestyles.ca Laurie Betker laurieb@finelifestyles.ca Randy Glascock randyg@finelifestyles.ca

Distribution wayne@finelifestyles.ca Fine Homes Regina is published four times a year by Fine Lifestyles Ltd. All contents of Fine Homes publications are copyrighted 2013 with all rights reserved, except for original articles submitted to Fine Homes, where copyright resides with the author. No other part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Fine Homes. The views and opinions expressed in the expert advice columns herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Fine Homes or the companies it represents. Although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act upon such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation. Canada Post Publication Agreement #41818060 Return undeliverables to: 3440 Balsam Grove; Regina, Saskatchewan; S4V 1H1

The Suncoast Louvered Roof

The Suncoast 3-Season Room

Attention Homeowners: Imagine a durable, versatile and attractive patio cover. One that delivers shade on hot days, protects your family from harmful UV rays and keeps your deck, swimming pool, hot tub and outdoor furniture dry during a rainstorm. We custom build your louvered roof as an addition to your home/business or as its own free-standing patio cover. Our built-in guttering system effectively channels away rain runoff to prevent flooding and structural damage. The louvers are operated by a hand-held remote which is charged by an efficient solar panel. Open the louvers slightly to increase ventilation, or a full 180 degrees allowing maximum sunlight into your home. Suncoast Screen Enclosures offers a screened-in, outdoor area that allows you to enjoy your deck, pool, spa or patio without the sense of being enclosed in an indoor space.

These esthetically pleasing and durable sunrooms protect you from the wind, hot sun, rain and the nuisance of annoying and dangerous insects. A Suncoast screen room works in the winter by keeping your deck area free of snow for the enjoyment of your spa and barbecue. The roof can be made of screening to allow an uninhibited view of the sky with other roof options available. Let Suncoast Enclosures help your patio have a stylish look and feel with the benefits of a fully adjustable louvered system, screen enclosure or three-season room. Give us a call today for your free estimate.

www.suncoastenclosures.com | don@suncoastenclosures.com | 306.761.1801 | Toll Free 1.877.449.5106 FineHomes 7 Regina

What’sInside

Let there Be Light By Rebecca SchneideReit

trends. Crystal suggests starting with a “floo lighting, then adding task lighting (pendant l accents such as over/under cabinet lights. A go, “We’ve also experienced an increase modern fixtures, with a chrome finish beco Crystal says. “We’re starting to see a phase

You’ve probably already heard of “layered lighting,” which incorporates multiple levels of general and task-based lighting in one room. Not only is this style convenient (no straining your eyes during late-night read-a-thons), Crystal Morris at Luminesque Lighting says it’s also one of today’s main lighting

Feature StorieS 14

Let There be Lights

Gordon Ramsay’s Strawberry Tart

Functional Mudrooms

Meredith Heron:

COVER: Crawford Homes, Homebuilding with Style for 35 Years

Shell Busey on Conserving Resources

Eco-Friendly Bathrooms

Tropical Reflections of Ken Beattie

The Ever-Versatile Island

Your Perfect Cottage

FineHomes

Regina

Designing Outdoor Living Rooms

54 TRAT YRREBWARTS 76 sehcuot nredom nwo

WEN SELYM SOTOHP

od” layer of recessed lights work well) and As far as other trends ed demand in more oming more popular,” e-out of the bronze.”

82 departmentS 8

Homes and Properties

Outdoor Living and Landscapes

Dream Kitchens

Seasonal Trends

Inner Beauty and Design

Realtor Directory

Home Improvements and Renovations

Retail Directory

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Regina

Making your DreaM a reality By Tobie HainsTock Photos calvin feHr

f the dream of owning a newly built home really does seem like just a dream to you, then think again. Artisan Design Build’s Spark Series homes are beautiful quality homes that are reasonably priced. With starting prices just over $354,000, the Spark Series homes are within reach for those looking to purchase their first home. Located in the communities of Harbour Landing and Edgewater, these stunning homes are the perfect fit for all families. According to Brad Grass, new home consultant, these homes come equipped with several features including choice of quartz countertops, chrome faucets, soft-close cabinet drawers and doors, triple pane windows, highefficiency furnace and water heater, and landscaped front yard. The basements come with Insulated Concrete Forms

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Regina

(ICF), which provide excellent energy efficiency and superior protection from flood or water leakage. How can Artisan offer high quality homes at such prices? Grass explains that Artisan offers a choice of floor plans within the Spark Series. With each floor plan there are various upgrades available to choose from known as “a la carte” options. The show homes are so beautifully built that it’s hard for visitors to believe that they are demonstrating the basic build package. “The catch phrase, ‘what you see is what you get,’ really does ring true with these homes,” states Grass. There are so many “extras” in the basic floor plans that the homes are stunning and comfortable just the way they are. You don’t have to worry about getting surprised with extra costs.

Grass adds that it’s easy for potential home buyers to pick out the home they are looking for. Simply go to the website at www.ArtisanDesignBuild.ca , view the floor plans and add in the a la carte options. “You can price your own house online,” he comments. After choosing a floor plan that suits the needs of your lifestyle, your consultant will help you assess your options and what works best on the lot of your choice. The estimated time that it will take to get into your new home is about five to six months. “We are able to do it all fairly quickly because we have a plan and we stick to it,” says Grass. One very popular feature of the Spark Series homes is the optional basement suite. The floor plans include an optional legal basement suite with its own private outside entrance. It’s an excellent way

to earn extra income to assist with the mortgage. It can also be used as a mother-in-law suite for a family member or long term visitor. When looking at purchasing a new home, there are so many considerations. Artisan has alleviated the pressure by thinking of those things for you. A trusted home builder with years of impeccable customer service and building integrity behind them, you can count on Artisan to build you the home of your dreams at a price that fits you. Check out their show home at 244N Thauberger. Show home hours are Monday to Thursday 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. FHR Artisan Design Build Ltd. 1801 Turvey Road Regina 306.546.8030 artisandesignbuild.ca

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Finally An Easier Way To Clean your Blinds – Regina Ultrasonic Blind Cleaning Service.

What Is Ultrasonic Blind Cleaning? Ultrasonics is the application of mechanical sound waves to the cleaning process. It utilizes a digital generator powering transducers submerged in a tank of hot water. Ultrasonic cleaning will not scratch, pit or damage blinds; it is completely safe and gentle. With the Ultrasonic machine, we can clean all types of blinds, including: • • • • •

mini blinds micro blinds venetian blinds wood mini blinds faux wood blinds

• • • • •

pleated shades honeycomb shades silhouettes luminettes vignettes

• vertical vinyl • vertical free hang • vertical cloth

To make it even easier for you, we also offer Pick Up and Installation Service.

Regina Ultrasonic Blind Cleaning Service

202–2206 Dewdney Avenue, Regina I 306.525.2655 I www.reginablindcleaning.com

e wall prise. dirty; ng the e area before

y, but ? Your toilet Give it wipe

out the tops of your cabinets. It may not be pretty, but a simple dusting should do the trick.

The kitchen sink Advice and EXPERT stove knobs

Kitchen sinks often harbour more bacteria than the floor or toilet in a public washroom. Rinse down the sink and disinfect it.

Do You Know How Much Dirt and You may not think remove the knobs Grime istoHiding inon your stove very often, and you may wish Your you hadn’t. Blinds? The knobs are designed to be removed easily so than you can clean all the grime behind them. Use a gentle cleanser such as vinegar.

Remotes and keyboards

n your ofiber er to ading

Many remote controls contain the virus that causes the common cold. Use antibacterial wipes or a napkin moistened with rubbing alcohol to clean them weekly. Use cotton swabs to get into those little crevices. All of this applies to your computer keyboard, too.

s time aused clean rts of n the s.

How are you ever going to get these areas clean if you find normal cleaning to be a chore? Let Tidy Time Saver Professional Cleaners take care of your cleaning needs. It will free up your time to do the things you really enjoy!

can period you’re rgens

Sharla Shaw founded Tidy Time Saver in Sharla Shaw the year 2000. They clean more than 200 Tidy Time Saver Each homeowner saves houses a week. Professional Cleaning more than four hours Service per week by not 306.546.1505 having to clean. To learn how you can free sharlashaw@tidytimesaver.com up 200 hours a year, call 306-546-1505 www.tidytimesaver.com or visit www.tidytimesaver.com. FLR

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TIDY TIME SAVER is a proud partner of

check Regina Ultrasonic Blind Cleaning Service 202–2206 Dewdney Avenue, Regina 306.525.2655 www.reginablindcleaning.com

fter being cooped up all winter, many of us are now spending hours and hours cleaning our house getting it ready for spring. We wash our windows and walls, get rid of unwanted items and clean the house from top to bottom. An area most of us forget is our blinds. Blinds are the perfect place for allergens, germs, pet dander and nicotine to hide. Many of us will spend countless hours taking down our blinds and washing them in the bathtub, a process which can easily damage your blinds or your bathtub. There is an easier way: Ultrasonic Blind Cleaning. Ultrasonic Blind convenient and

Cleaning is safe, economical. Only

Ultrasonic Blind Cleaning can ensure that your blind does not get scratched or damaged while being cleaned. Ultrasonic Blind Cleaning is also the only way to safely clean the entire blind including the slats, cords, ladders, tapes and headrail. Ultrasonic blind cleaning also ensures that there is no static electricity to attract dust following the cleaning. By having your blinds cleaned at least once a year, you will have a much healthier home. Tidy Time Saver has expanded to meet this need. We have found the ultrasonic blind cleaning system to work wonders, and we are proud to offer this service to the community of Regina and surrounding area. FHR

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Regina

Let there Be Lights By Rebecca SchneideReit

ven the best artificial lights on the market can’t beat sunlight for its all-around convenience. Natural light is free, it takes up zero room, and it bathes everything in a flattering golden glow. But since every day has a night—and since not every room has a window—every home needs a backup plan, and that’s where things get complicated. Standing lamps, chandeliers, wall sconces, pendant lights… where do you start? When are you finished? And what happens in between? You’ve probably already heard of “layered lighting,” which incorporates multiple levels of general and task-based lighting in one room. Not only is this style convenient (no straining your eyes during late-night read-a-thons), Crystal Morris at Luminesque Lighting says it’s also one of today’s main lighting

FineHomes

Regina

trends. Crystal suggests starting with a “flood” layer of recessed lighting, then adding task lighting (pendant lights work well) and accents such as over/under cabinet lights. As far as other trends go, “We’ve also experienced an increased demand in more modern fixtures, with a chrome finish becoming more popular,” Crystal says. “We’re starting to see a phase-out of the bronze.”

If you’d rather base your home lighting on classic styles than the latest trends, “Clean-cut lines seem to be something that stands the test of time,” Crystal notes. Of course, she says, “Styles are always changing and evolving.” Even chandeliers are enjoying a renaissance, although modern chandeliers tend to eschew the teardrop shapes and curvature of older models. Once you’ve invested in a show-stopping chandelier, though, where do you put it? “A lot of the grander fixtures are going into the foyer,” Crystal says, but there are other options. A pink chandelier, for example, could be the perfect touch in a little girl’s bedroom. Other chandelier owners go totally modern, placing the fixture over the bathtub. “Especially if it’s a Jacuzzi.” Just as important as your light fixtures are the bulbs burning within them. If you’re still using incandescent lights, your days are numbered: these old-fashioned bulbs are being phased out internationally. The two main alternatives are compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Although Luminesque Lighting has sold mainly CFLs for the last couple years, Crystal notes, the last six months has seen a switch to LEDs. “LED is sort of the future,” says Crystal. These lights are dimmable, turn on instantaneously, and have an incredibly long life (up to 50,000 hours). Upcycled and/or recyclable light fixtures—made of glass or metal, for instance—are another way to go green. What is the last, most important green lighting option? Sunlight, of course. While most of us still can’t have it 24/7, there are ways to make the most of it. If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, try outdoor solar panels; if you’re decorating, a stained-glass window can be breathtaking. There are even “tubular daylighting devices” that can transport natural light into windowless rooms. With so many lighting options available, only one thing is certain: the future is bright. FHR

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Regina

306.721.2111 409 McDonald Street, Regina www.luminesquelighting.ca Ho

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t od S Mc Le

www.kendallighting.com

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Rin

Luminesque Lighting is a proud supplier of Kendal Lighting products. Featured are items from their new collections. Please see a Luminesque associate or visit us online to view additional products from Kendal Lighting such as ceiling fans, lamps, pendants, track and much more!

35% OFF

Mention this ad and receive a 35% discount off the retail price on any product in the showroom!

EnerGuide 80 for New Homes Coming to Saskatchewan

collected data and energy simulation software, a rating is issued and the home receives an EnerGuide label to place on the electrical panel door.

Spray Jones

Michael Dynna 12 Pleasantview Bay Phone: 306.359.FOAM (3626) mike@sprayjones.com www.sprayjones.com

n 2012, Ontario’s Building Code was revised to include the EnerGuide 80 (E80) requirement to new residential homes, meaning that new homes must have an EnerGuide rating of 80. British Columbia was the first to mandate this rating system into their building code and Saskatchewan is soon to follow. Once a home is fully constructed, a certified energy advisor inspects the house to verify any energy-efficient upgrades and performs a “blower door test.” Using

Home energy usage is complex and depends on a number of factors such as insulation, building envelope design, windows, heating and cooling systems, air tightness and more. In order to comply with E80 standards, a builder can take two different approaches. He or she can build and have an EnerGuide study completed to ensure the home rates 80 on the scale, known at the “Performance Path.” The other option is to follow a series of construction guidelines, materials and methods that substantially comply with E80 standards, known as the “Prescriptive Path.” If builders choose the prescriptive requirements, certain R-ratings need to be met to meet E80 standards. For example, in Ontario, exterior wall insulation needs to have an R-rating between R-24 and R-29. You can use fibreglass batt insulation, but generally speaking, spray foam emerges as the best way to achieve higher R-values. Energy efficiency and the performance of an insulation system also depend upon other factors as well. As building codes continue

to promote higher performance buildings, determining the R-value of a building is not enough. The performance of entire wall systems is also important and that is where the Wall Energy Rating (WER) system comes in. The WER system includes tests to assess the thermal and air leakage characteristics of wall assemblies. Neither potential R-ratings nor wall thickness determines a WER; it depends on how walls withstand an actual thermal and air leakage test. New insulation technology, such as spray foam, is currently the front runner to meeting these new standards. Again, spray foam is the best option as it does not allow air or heat to flow through it and can therefore easily pass any WER system test. Although we don’t know when Saskatchewan will mandate these standards, we know this is the direction building codes are going. If you are planning on building a new home, it makes sense to insulate it with spray foam: the best way to insulate and to comply with these standards. FHR Michael Dynna is the President of Spray Jones, Regina’s trusted installer of BASF WALLTITE® Eco insulation, and an expert in the fields of insulation and expanding foam.

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Regina

ClassiC Features with a New home Feel By Trina annand Photos Calvin Fehr

For 30 years, Darrell Jones has worked in the housing industry and is now putting that experience to good use. During his years in the industry he gained valuable experience; he also learned what customers are looking for and how to make it a reality. Jones and his son, Justin, struck out together and created Classic Canadian Homes: a business created to embrace a different philosophy of

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Regina

work, and one that puts the customer first. Classic Canadian is a company that focuses on quality workmanship and customer peace of mind. “We wanted to create a smaller home building company where we could spend more time with our clients. We wanted to create a more one-on-one experience,” remarks Justin.

Classic Canadian aims to build only four or five homes a year, taking special care with each one to make sure it is done right. Clients are with the builder every step of the way with continuous updates and scheduled tours of the progress. Jones became a Realtor® nine years ago, now working with Royal LePage to further help clients in the home building process.

It is important when buying a home to work with a professional. With his training as a home builder and Realtor®, Jones is the perfect fit, taking care of all the paperwork so you can focus on your home. Customers value the handson approach of Classic Canadian, “We are truly grateful for all the advice and the great working relationship that was built,” say customers Tom and Michelle. In their newly opened show home at 3626 Green Brook Road, visitors can take in Classic Canadian’s quality workmanship. The company believes in quality products for less, offering high-end finishes such as granite or quartz countertops and Canadian hardwood floors—as builder standards at an affordable price. The two story, 1498 square foot home features all the modern amenities customers have come to expect with added details that create a custom home. The home features a large open concept main floor, stainless steel appliances, designer fixtures and modern wood cabinetry.

Classic Canadian also offers special features that accommodate modern living, such as an already-wired location above the fireplace for a TV, with custom cabinetry. Others features are a nostalgic nod to the quality homes from the past like the raised detail ceiling trim, wainscoting and vaulted ceilings. The builders stand by their quality work offering the Progressive Home Warranty. “For me, the best part of the process is that I am making people’s dreams come true, and bringing their dreams to life. The feeling you get when you hand someone the keys to their dream home is amazing,” remarks Justin. When searching for the

perfect home, why not consider a new home? By getting in at the ground level customers can make their home exactly what they want. With eight home designs, Classic Canadian Homes aim to create a more custom experience for their customers: building what you want. When you are looking for a home, make it a Classic Canadian Home. FHR Classic Canadian Homes 3889 Arcola Avenue East Regina 306.596.3193 info@classiccanadianhomes.ca www.classiccanadianhomes.ca LEFT Justin Jones, owner

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WASCANA VIEW ü ü ü ü ü ü

WASCANA VIEW BUNGALOW CONDO

1844 sq. ft. open floor plan 2 fireplaces Large deck in well-landscaped yard 3 bedrooms + den and 4 baths Professionally developed basement Close to parks & school

$535,000

ü 1256 sq. ft. Custom Built Fiorante Bungalow Condo ü Open kitchen/dining/living area is flooded with light ü Vaulted ceiling, hardwood floors, open staircase— just a few of the amazing upgrades ü Lower level fully finished–family room, bedrooms ü Dream garage–heated, insulated and drywalled ü Situated in a gated community

$569,900

Jacquie Stewart 306.537.6814 Remax Hall of Fame jacquie@jacquiestewart.com Crown Real Estate

Terrie Dunand 306.530.9050 Remax Hall of Fame The Right Agent for Any Market terrie@queencityhomes.ca

The New Miles Freestanding Tub by MAAX Available in white and four bold colors to suit any style

Our Showroom is Your Showroom 1176 Hamilton Street • Regina • 306-565-2284 Hours: Monday - Friday • 8:30am - 5:00pm • Saturday • 9:00am - 3:00pm

www.kitchenandbathclassics.com

Your New Home Is One Click Away

www.ArtisanDesignBuild.ca

How to Build a legacy for a lifetime By Julie Mushynksy

or those people looking to build the home that has been on their wish list, family-owned Lindal Cedar Homes can deliver—literally—and have been doing so since 1945. Internationally renowned, Lindal is the largest manufacturer of quality cedar homes around the world. For the past 14 years, Douglas Pocha has been the Lindal Cedar Homes dealer in Saskatchewan and commanded Manitoba along the way, building across Western Canada. Douglas’ wife Barbara joined the family owned business, and assists customers for BC and Alberta out of their Calgary show home location. They can provide the necessary expertise to design,

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Regina

supply and build your legacy and their many awards are evidence of that. In the 14 years in business, for several years consecutively, their company has been awarded as one of the Top Ten Dealers Worldwide, as well as being the Top Canadian Dealer and Top Dealer for all of western North America. Lindal Cedar Homes has a reputation for building impressive, one-of-akind, unique custom homes, but they always build to suit your lifestyle and work within your budget. They’ve built smaller cottage-style homes, individual living units, lake resort vacation homes, acreage estate properties and rural acreage sites. They also offer commercial

projects such as hotels and resort facilities, golf clubhouses, community centres, convention centres, churches, commercial retail mall properties and office buildings. With their dealership, they are leaving a Lindal legacy, including several “Lindal sub-divisions” all across the west, in places such as Neis Beach and Lumsden, Saskatchewan; Sylvan Lake, Alberta; Kamloops, British Columbia; and now even in Costa Rica! Nearly 60,000 homes have been built under the Lindal name so they can offer thousands of home plan selections. “All our homes are custom designed. Together with our Lindal staff of professionals, we work with you to create your design,” says Barb.

The design of each Lindal—the placement of windows, depth of overhangs, many key features— responds to the site’s natural conditions. The selection of sustainable building materials and finishes follow. Above all, homes are engineered according to the site and surroundings. Lindal delivers uncompromising quality. Beautifully crafted of warm natural materials. Lindal’s signature and success is the soaring volumes, open spaces and delicately articulated expanses of glass that inspire daily living like no other. Some credit the warm glow of cedar, mated with the massive strength of the post and beam frame, the enduring stability of the homes and the company that produces them. Others credit the quality and continuous refinement. Or is it the unmatched calm and comfort of the Lindal home style, in stark contrast to life itself? Given the fact that, like snowflakes, no two Lindal homes are identical, the secret to the classic’s longevity

may well be the flexibility of the Lindal post-and-beam building system and its ability to respond to virtually every site and every homeowner’s vision in varied architectural styles without sacrificing its predictability and efficiency. Lindal recently embarked on the Lindal Architect Collaborative, where nine world renowned architects, including those from the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, have created some incredible and unique designs for their Lindal customers. These include modular homes and additional dwelling units. “These newly designed modular properties are the answer to those people in the oil and gas industry, or perhaps those who may want to move their more elderly parents to their own property,” says Barb. To top it off, Lindal guarantees their properties with the Lifetime Structural Warranty on every Lindal home. To build your home, on your budget, your way, contact Lindal Cedar Homes by phone, email, or drop by for a visit. FHR

Doug and Barb Pocha, owners Photo by Lisa Landrie

Lindal Cedar Homes 802 B Circle Drive East Saskatoon 306.934.6666 Toll Free 1.888.505.1337 lindalcedarhomes@sasktel.net www.lindal.com/prairiecedarhomes

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Functional MudrooMs By Julie Mushynsky

udrooms are the entries to your home, the barriers between the indoors and outdoors and the home’s final checkpoint. Typically located at the rear or side entrances of homes, mudrooms serve two main purposes: to stop all the unwanted mess from being tracked through the house and as a place to store your outdoor and recreational clothing and items. A mudroom’s main appeal is that it decreases the clutter and increases the cleanliness in the rest of the house. Aside from the practicality of a mudroom, there are several ways to design your mudroom into one of the finest features a home can have. Mudroom ideas are endless and you can be as creative as you like, but here are some essentials to include in your design. Regardless of whether you are building a mudroom as part of your new

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home build or re-vamping your porch, ensure the mudroom addresses you and your family’s lifestyle and needs.

up jackets and backpacks. Pegs mounted just above the floor work well for drying off wet mittens, gloves and shoes.

Storage

Make use of vertical space by creating long cabinets, or locker style spaces for hanging gear. You can leave these open or incorporate doors to hide any clutter.

Taking advantage of your space with appropriate storage is key to making the mudroom functional. Storage options largely depend on who uses the room and how. Make sure to use plenty of wall hooks or wooden shaker pegs, preferably a style that coordinates with the rest of your home and can actually hold up what you are hanging. Flimsy plastic hooks would not be ideal for wet jackets or heavy sports gear, for example. When installing hooks, be sure to leave enough room between each or stagger them so that items like heavy winter coats don’t appear crammed together. Install hooks within kids’ reach so they can easily hang

Plenty of shelving, cubby holes and pullout drawers are essential both at floor height and out of children’s reach. Floorlevel shelving and cubbies are perfect for shoes and boots, but ensure you place a lightweight liner to catch dirt and water. Use baskets placed in cubby holes for each person’s smaller possessions and make adult spaces higher. If your mudroom will be housing recreational equipment, like skates and helmets, install special shelving and holders for these items. A tall umbrella stand works great for skis and hockey sticks.

Flooring and Walls Mudrooms are meant to get dirty and so the materials used to build them should be durable and easy to clean. The flooring you use should withstand wear and tear and be water, stain and slip-resistant. Carpet and hardwood are not ideal choices for the mudroomâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; carpet is difficult to clean and hardwood is not moisture resistant. Consider slip-resistant porcelain, ceramic or stone tile and the darker the colour the better. Doormats inside and outside the doorway are great for wiping off dirt, catching sand and soaking up excess water. If your space is large enough, you could install a central drain to hose down the floor in the mudroom. Alternatively, have a hose set up just outside the doorway to wash off before drying off inside. When deciding on wall coverings, vinyl wallpaper is a good choice. It cleans easily and can add colour or a pattern to a room. Others opt for a high-gloss paint with obvious regular repainting. Panelling such as wainscoting is a

great option. Not only is it durable and protective, it is also easy to clean and adds some elegance to the room. For baseboards, vinyl cove is lowmaintenance, inexpensive and an ideal choice if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re mopping often.

Making it More Convenient For You A sturdy place to sit while pulling off shoes or inline skates is handy. Benches and stools are more stable than chairs. Seating should be located off the path that leads to the rest of the house and clear of the door swing area. A builtin bench or window seat, hinged at the top or with a drawer below can add extra storage.

Consider putting in a water cooler. That way, kids do not have to come all the way into the house for a drink when playing outside. Since mudrooms are typically the last place you are in before you leave the house and the first place you enter, make it useful. Hang cork, chalk or whiteboards up for quick reminders and notes to family members. A mudroom is a logical spot for a key rack and a paper and bottle recycling centre. A wall-mounted shelf or a decorative bowl is a great a spot for dropping mail and keys. Also, remember to hang mirrors for those last minute makeup and hair checks. FHR

Many people also incorporate laundry rooms within their mudroom. With a washer and dryer handy, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to just toss the dirty laundry into the wash or hamper. Mudrooms can also be constructed for use as a pet grooming centre by installing a farm sink, chain-link kennel, and using cabinets for food storage.

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PUT THE POWER TO WORK FOR YOU BY BROOK THALGOTT

erry Hincks is committed to the city of Regina, working as a realtor in the city’s busy real estate market. “I have lived in Regina most of my life, and I love working for the betterment of my community,” says Terry. “And in my work as a realtor, I get to help people find the perfect home in the city I am proud to call home.”

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Terry, a realtor with Century 21 Dome Realty, has been matching homes to buyers for years, and has earned many awards in his field: 12, in fact. “I am a full-service agent, and I work with a great team to offer all the services you’ll need, whether you are buying, selling or both,” says Terry. “Plus, any transaction you make with me qualifies for Air Miles®.”

Terry not only offers buying and selling services, but he can also help you with market evaluation, mortgages, home insurance, real estate legal services and home renovations. Terry’s commitment to his community extends far beyond his work as a realtor. Terry is proud to serve on City Council, recently elected to his fourth

term representing Ward Nine. As a council member, he also serves on the Board of Police Commissioners, the Executive Committee and the Public Works Committee. When Terry isn’t helping people find the perfect home, or attending to City Council matters, he’s also actively involved in sports, most recently as offensive line coach at Notre Dame College. He’s coached minor and high school football for 20 years, and he’s committed to helping Regina’s youth succeed. “Whether you’re a long-time Regina resident looking for a new place to call home, or you’re new to the city, I am ready to help you find the home that suits your needs and fits your budget,” says Terry. “Just give me a call when you’re ready to make your move.” FHR Terry Hincks CENTURY 21 Dome Realty Inc. 4535 Rochdale Boulevard Regina, SKS4X 4R3 Office: 306.789.1222 Cell: 306.536.5455 Home: 306.949.9690 terry.hincks@century21.ca

TOP–BOTTOM L-R Player Mason Rossler, Frank McCrystal and Terry at U of R football dinner; Don Narcisse and Terry; Terry and organizers at Black History Month event; Terry`s beautiful grandchildren

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At the Centre of it all Sophisticated. Stylish. Distinctive. Floors 10 Condos 71 1 Bedroom from 1017 sq.ft. 2 Bedroom from 1389 sq.ft. Townhouses from 970 sq. ft. Finishing Hardwood floors, granite countertops, stainless steel Energy Star® appliances

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230-4th Ave East, Regina 306.569.0232 contact@sashdoor.com www.sashdoor.com

TMF: The Mortgage Firm Mortgage Intelligence T. 306.545.9400 TF. 306.545-7446 daryn.young@migroup.ca www.mortgagefirm.ca Brokerage License # 315911 FineHomes

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Dream Homes From Start to Finish By Erin CampbEll HowEll

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andy and Lanny Campbell, owners of Sanlanco Homes, built and live in a beautiful home on an acreage overlooking the rolling hills of Deer Valley and the Qu’Appelle Valley. “Our home and location are unique,” says Sandy, “we built it to fit the landscape.” The 5,465 square foot walkout bungalow was constructed with the finest materials and workmanship, from the solid ICF concrete structure to an interior that incorporates a cherry panelled elevator, curved cherry wood staircase, home offices on both levels and an art studio. Covered patios provide breathtaking views of Deer Valley. “We love it here,” Sandy reflects, “every day we appreciate and are thankful for the beautiful views.” “Sanlanco Inc. began as a farming company that evolved into a construction company,” Sandy explains. Growing up on a pedigreed seed farm and then managing the farming operation gave Sandy the opportunity to learn how to run a successful business. Planning for the future, managing crews of seasonal employees and keeping the wheels of a large fleet of agricultural equipment moving developed his leadership skills. While farming, Sandy fostered a growing interest in general construction. “I’ve been doing construction projects for more than 35 years,” he says, “from concrete foundations and flatwork to framing, cabinetry, tile, stone and finish work.” Large projects included the construction of Red Iron Industrial Buildings on the farm and volunteering to help rebuild the Pense rink after a fire in 1989. Smaller renovation projects included custom kitchen cabinets and general finishing work. Lanny recalls Sandy building kitchen cabinets from scratch—boxes and all.

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Living in the country also necessitated learning how to deal with fresh and waste water systems. “It’s tough to get people to work outside the city at times,” Sandy comments, “so our company is looking forward to working in rural and urban Saskatchewan.” Sandy’s first home construction project began in 1982 when he built their family farm home. What began as a simple 1,700 square foot bi-level evolved into a 2,800 square foot home that included detailed oak finishings, a sunroom and two-car garage with a second storey to house Sandy’s office and Lanny’s art studio. “Our house project was an evolution,” explains Sandy “as our family needs changed, it kept morphing into something more.” Building quality dream homes and custom renovation projects that incorporate the desires of the customer is what Sanlanco Homes is all about. “We do a lot of finish work,” explains Sandy, “overseeing and working alongside independent contractors helps us maintain our quality standard. It’s important to know a home is well constructed, not just how pretty it looks when it’s finished. It has to be done properly from the first shovel of dirt to the last finishing nail.”

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Since selling the family farm in 2006, Sanlanco Homes’ projects have included their current home, a show home in Deer Valley, and a substantial renovation in the Lumsden area, in addition to numerous other projects. The Deer Valley show home is a 3,000 square foot, three-bedroom walkout with three custom-tiled showers, two fireplaces, custom oak detailing and hardwood floors. The Lumsden renovation, recently completed on the Hipkin family farm, involved the addition of an indoor swim spa, new entryway and various exterior upgrades. “One of my dreams was to have an indoor swimming pool and an inviting front entry to our home,” says Jo Hipkin. “After some initial planning, I knew we needed a builder with a solid construction background and a creative imagination who would work outside the city limits. Sandy reviewed our plans with us and provided some creative ideas, which we loved. Through the project, he worked with us every step of the way, incorporating our collective ideas into the finished product. His relationships with excellent tradespeople also kept the project moving forward.”

The result is a new cedar-lined spa area featuring an Endless Pool ®, radiant heated tile floor, large picture windows on three sides, a custom-tiled bathroom and shower, and an inviting entry room with oak accents. Outside, a covered veranda, flower boxes and large decks connected by stamped concrete walkways provide space to enjoy the outdoors. Contoured drainage enhances the landscape, and the upgraded exterior combines beautiful stone work with the original vinyl siding. Jo, Jim, and Georgia Hipkin are enjoying their new space, whether swimming or simply reflecting in the quiet solitude of the new spa room. “It was the perfect place for our daughter’s 16th birthday party,” Jo comments, “the girls spent two-and-a-half hours in the pool and had a fabulous time.” “The finished additions exceeded my expectations,” Jo remarks, “Sandy turned my dreams into reality by completely transforming the look of our house.” “I like challenges,” Sandy says, “I come by it honestly. My father, Lloyd, was an entrepreneur who instilled in us a solid work ethic with a focus

on the future, so I’m not intimidated by stretching myself. I was put on this earth to use my hands, and find working with all types of building materials very rewarding.” Lanny says, “We love the peace and beauty of Deer Valley, so we’re designing our next home to build just down the road.” Sanlanco Homes welcomes the opportunity to work with those who are interested in creating their dream home or renovation. FHR

SANLANCO Homes Sandy Campbell at 306.596.2666 Lanny@sanlancohomes.com www.sanlancohomes.com

First page/secong page top Deer Valley new construction second page Deerfoot Trail new construction third page Lumsden exterior renovation before and after Fourth page Lumsden interior renovation bottom leFt Lanny and Sandy Campbell, owners photos on this page by calvin Fehr

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ustom manufactured modular homes are filling the growing need for more affordable homes. The quality of these homes constructed inside a factory-controlled environment far surpasses a home built on-site. Going modular saves time and money. A new home can be delivered within 45 to 60 days of the order date. All homes meet and/or exceed Canadian Building Standards, and are CSA 277 approved for Canada. They feature 2x6 wall construction, 200 amp electrical service, 95 per cent high-efficiency furnace, drywall, 30-year architectural shingles, a wide array of floor plans, and a large selection of windows, doors, floor coverings and appliances. Several subdivisions are approved, with more in the approval stages, all within three to 25 minutes of Regina. Call today.

Century 21 Dome Stew Fettes 306.537.6188 stewfettes@live.ca www.modularrealty.com

With new flooring like this, feeling more fashionable is only natural. For flooring that’s anything but boring, step into Lowe’s. Our trendsetting new selection now offers hundreds of designer specialty flooring choices. Like European inspired porcelain tiles, handmade 100% wool rugs, and unique hardwoods such as bamboo, eucalyptus and cork. No matter what your budget is, we can help you find the perfect flooring for your home at everyday low prices. Because what good is fashion sense if it doesn’t make financial sense. Whitewashed Barnboard Laminate © 2013 by Lowe’s. All rights reserved. Lowe’s and the gable design are registered trademarks of LF, LLC.

Madagascar Area Rug

Handscraped Natural Walnut Hardwood

Montverde Sabbia Porcelain

Home Building witH Style for 35 yearS by Tobie HainsTock photos calvin feHr

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or 35 years, Crawford Homes has been successfully finding the perfect homes for their clients. Their expertise has been assisting families find the homes that best suit them for decades.

The Walkout Home One area of expertise for Crawford Homes is specializing in homes with walkout basements. These homes have a number of advantages to traditional basements. The location of a new home is a key element to the success of the new home build. While the design and look of a home can always be modified, the location is fixed. A greater investment into a piece of land which allows you to make the absolute most of your home is important to consider. A walkout lot allows you to make every inch of your new home function perfectly for you and your family. This design eliminates those dark and dank areas of home that are less desirable for family living space and bedrooms. Besides the spectacular views offered on most walkout lots, this style of home truly makes you feel as if you have double your square footage with your basement development. With a wall

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of windows and doors on the walkout side of your basement, it transforms basement family rooms and bedrooms into bright and airy spaces that are as desirable as any above-ground living areas. There are many options to create direct access with a single step to your backyard. Many of these lots lead to stunning parks, creeks or lake views. The cost of these walkout lots and the walkout style basements is only marginally higher than a traditional lot and build. So what are you going to do with all this extra living space? Many Crawford clients have used this space as bright, airy and comfortable suites for aging parents or “in-law suites.”

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Another option is to create bedrooms with private entries for university or working-aged children still living at home. Private, but bright in-home office spaces allowing direct access for clients without having to go through the personal areas of your home is another great use of this added space. You can also just enjoy the additional space for your family to spend time together or create a space for everyone in your family. Whether you choose to build a bungalow or two-story is up to you; either option makes a great walkout home. You are unrestricted in your options. Choose a plan from Crawford Homes’ wide inventory or sit down with one of the New Homes Sales

Consultants and create the home of your dreams. Locations, locations, locations! Within city limits, Crawford Homes has options in Harbour Landing with frontages starting 38 foot to 78 foot frontage (no, that’s not a typo; yes, they have lots with 78 foot frontage). Other locations such as Edgewater, the Greens on Gardiner, Skyview, Lakeridge and Fairways West feature frontages varying from 40 to 60 feet. Crawford Homes’ out-of-town and rural options include Bower Estates in Emerald Park, White City, frontages start at 60 foot frontage and The Plains of Pilote Butte from 50 foot frontage. Alternatively, you can provide

Crawford Homes with your own lot to build on. The pricing on walkout lots ranges from approximately $130,000 to about $290,000.

The Modified Bi-level

Want to get a feel for a walkout home? Crawford Homes has walkout homes under construction in most of the above-noted areas that can be made available for viewing. They also have five flagship walkout show homes under construction and available for viewing and purchase. These homes in Harbour Landing and Sundale Resort will be open as show homes starting as early as late July, and range in price from $550,000 to $1.4 million. Call Crawford Homes today and start your dream home!

This concept takes the standard bi-level, which essentially is a raised bungalow with a dropped foyer; the master bedroom is “lofted” above the garage. This creates an owner’s suite, a true sanctuary for the adults of the home.

Another specialty of Crawford Homes is the modified bi-level, also known as the bi-level split.

Whether you have a growing family, are snowbirds, or empty nesters or on your own, this concept creates a distinction between the private and more public areas of your home. This makes entertaining a breeze and joy while still preserving a retreat area just for you. With today’s hectic lifestyles

and differing work schedules, the master bedroom’s separation from the rest of the home allows life to stay on schedule without disrupting your personal rest and private time. The other advantage of any bi-level home is the increased basement window size. The basement is raised in a bi-level, which allows for very large windows giving this area of your home the bright and airy feel of the aboveground living areas. This creates a more functional and enjoyable everyday living space. At 26 feet and 28 feet wide, the majority of Crawford’s modified bi-level plans will fit on any of the lots they have in the city and surrounding areas. What this

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New show home at 5221 Tutor Way

means to you is a new build on the most affordable lots in the city. This will keep your land portion of your new home to as little as $100,000. With two-and three-bedroom options ranging in size from 1,299 to 1,600 square feet, Crawford Homes has an option that is right for you. All of these plans feature nine foot, ten foot or cathedral ceilings as a standard. These beautiful homes are available to view as show homes. The Borealis is the latest of these stunning show homes; this 1,572 square foot home features a fully developed basement and boasts almost 2,500 square feet of living space. You will find this home both lovely and spacious with five bedrooms, vaulted ceiling to the master, five-piece master, huge walk-in closet, wall of windows to the back of the home, island kitchen, 14foot ceilings to the foyer, basement family room with wet bar, three full bathrooms and more. After 35 years of serving clients, Crawford Homes continues to serve their clients and the community with excellence and integrity. Call Crawford Homes today and start your dream home. FHR

Crawford Homes 100-533 Victoria Ave Regina 306.525.9801 Toll Free 1.866.525.9801 info@crawfordhomes.ca www.crawfordhomes.ca

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KS BLIND Bringing Quality Blind Products to Regina, Estevan, Weyburn and Area For Your Satisfaction. the Best Price the Best Service

call now or send us an email to get a free quotation for your home joon kim 306.591.4682 kstradingcorp@hotmail.com

Bathroom

Your Eco-Friendly

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BY BROOK THALGOTT

athrooms are more than just a place to take a shower and brush your teeth—they can be a sanctuary from the world to get a warm, bubbly bath, a refreshing shower or just get some much-needed time alone. A relaxing and refreshing bathroom can also be kind to the environment. Water and bathrooms obviously go hand-in-hand, and there are many ways to reduce your water consumption in the bathroom. Low-flow showerheads are designed to give you a good shower experience, while using up to 50 per cent less water than a traditional showerhead. Available at any hardware or home renovation store, you can find a great selection of low-flow showerheads that flatter any bathroom and cut water use at the same time. Always make sure to fix leaky faucets. A faucet drip can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water a year; that’s a lot down the drain. A faucet aerator installed on your bathroom sink works like a lowflow showerhead, using less water while still giving you the feeling of a traditional faucet. Dual-flush toilets use less water and are available everywhere. Up to 30 per cent of a household’s water use can come from toilets, and a low-flow toilet can use less than 1.3 gallons per flush instead of the usual three or more gallons. Every little bit helps to reduce your water usage and your water bill. Bathroom fixtures, such as sinks and cabinetry, can be eco-friendly too. Try a “salvaged” sink: if it’s bowl-shaped, waterproof and you can drill a hole in it, it can be a sink. Recycled sinks are becoming a trend in bathrooms—bronze, glass, aluminum, rubber, even wood— and if it’s sealed properly, you can have the neatest sink on the block.

Your bathroom cabinets can also go green. Some composite boards and finishes used in cabinetry have volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde. Bamboo is an excellent choice, and you can always recycle with salvaged cabinets for a unique look. You can even source countertops made from recycled content such as glass, which is a new and exciting trend in home renovations. Even your flooring can go green with bamboo, sustainable hardwood or even salvaged lumber. Go green right down to your bathroom accessories. Plants are an excellent way to beautify and purify your bathroom. Spider plants can flourish in bathrooms, along with aloe, snake plant and Gerber daisies—all beautiful additions to any bathroom. Shower curtains are also going green and away from traditional vinyl shower curtains that contain chemicals from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic. Better choices for your shower include natural fibres, such as cotton, bamboo or hemp linens. You can also buy non-PVC curtains, made of a plastic called PEVA. PEVA doesn’t include the chlorine molecules that make PVC a health concern. Don’t forget about greening the things you use in the bathroom, from cleaning products to toiletries. These days, every supermarket carries recycled paper products such as toilet paper, tissues and paper towels. A multitude of excellent bathroom cleaning products are also available. Toiletries have been going green for years now, and you can find plenty of excellent shampoos, soaps, bubble baths and lotions that will make your skin and hair look great without the sulfates, parabens and other chemicals. With a few small changes, any bathroom can turn into an earth-friendly oasis of relaxation and rejuvenation. FHR

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Photo courtesy of Sthamann Homes; showhome located at 3902 Goldfinch Way

Helping Homebuyers Create Dream Homes by Trina annand

aron Wilgosh wants to help you create your dream home. With his years of experience as a REALTOR® with Exit Realty Fusion, Wilgosh’s company, Prairie Home Solutions, is ready to help clients achieve their dreams. The consultation firm specializes in helping clients with the seemingly endless choices associated with homebuilding—from selecting a lot to choosing finishes. Wilgosh knows the ropes and can provide as much or as little service as clients want. Whether building a new custom home, choosing an existing new home or condominium under construction, Prairie Home Solutions can help, and the best part is that the service is free.

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At the beginning of the consultation, Wilgosh sits down with his clients and finds out not only what they need, but what their dream is. Wilgosh doesn’t want his clients to just assume that their dreams are out of reach—anything is possible. “I am driven by the pursuit of perfection, creating the perfect home that is exactly what the client is looking for,” remarks Wilgosh who has helped create nearly 40 homes, and six of his own. With offices in Regina and Moose Jaw, Prairie Home Solutions offers their services throughout Saskatchewan. The company provides a simple but vital service: an alternative to visiting multiple show homes. “We are an impartial third party that will provide you with an

unbiased consultation regarding various options for constructing your new home,” notes Wilgosh. It’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of creating your dream home and all the available finishes. “I am concerned with what’s behind your walls and underneath your floors. You can change things like flooring and finishes, but you are not going to be able to simply lift up your home and change your structure,” remarks Wilgosh. An important thing to remember is there are more options than paint and flooring when it comes to ensuring quality and customizing your home. Not only can Prairie Home Solutions help with designing your next dream home,

but they also help you find existing new homes and condominiums. “As our city expands, the need for help finding a new home or condo has become very important. We know what’s currently available and can help clients who may need a new home in a short timeframe,” notes Wilgosh. “When building a home, people often forget about simple things when focused

on the bigger picture: things like, where am I going to put a broom closet? Our services are free and it never hurts to have another set of experienced eyes and ears on a project,” remarks Wilgosh. It is important to have someone with vision and experience that can translate blueprints and builder jargon into something understandable to a home buyer. Let Prairie Home Solutions be your translator. FHR Prairie Home Solutions 306.541.5985 in Regina 306.690.5685 in Moose Jaw www.prairiehomesolutions.com aaronw@exitrealtyfusion.com

“Aaron listened to our questions and put up with our pickiness. The end result left us with not only a house, but a home.” -Mitchell Duckarmie and Krystal McLeod

“Not only did we get a fabulous looking home, but we made sure we had high quality construction throughout. We are confident our home will be here for decades to come.” -Chad and Tammy Callaghan

Left Aaron Wilgosh, owner; photo by Henry Godnitz top pictures/bottom Left courtesy of Sthamann Homes; showhome located at 3902 Goldfinch Way bottom middLe/right courtesy of Century West Homes; show home located at 4334 Skinner Place

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Audio Warehouse Staff

Half a Century of Custom Home audio By Tobie HainsTock Photos calvin FeHr

tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to believe that almost half a century has gone by since Gord Hammond introduced car audio into Canada. Long before the days of hightech systems, Hammond saw potential in the modest two-channel car audio and opened Audio Warehouse in Regina, one of the most elite electronics dealers in the province today. In time, Audio Warehouse started selling and distributing pre-recorded

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music across the province. The business continued to grow and became a modernday audio/video store featuring a wide selection of name-brand electronics. With the addition of a communications department, Audio Warehouse became one of Saskatchewanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first cellular dealerships. As a SaskTel authorized dealer, they have received countless awards for customer service. Their commitment to service has carried forward to this day with the addition of

exciting new products such as tablets, e-readers and more. Complementing the audio/video sales floor is the custom home division. A team of trained designers and installers work with both home builder and homeowners to design and install a system that will fit their lifestyle. Specializing in home solutions, this innovative department includes designing and installing onetouch home theatres, multi-room music

systems, security cameras and home automation. According to Kevin Beattie, custom home manager, your new home automation system does not have to be a complicated or expensive. In fact, in many cases it is recommended to start simple and add features as you need them. “It may sound cliché, but no job is too big or too small for us,” states Beattie, “we have the personnel to accommodate pretty much anything.” In the case of a new construction, the Audio Warehouse team will work closely with the builder to ensure that everything is done according to schedule. Beattie explains that the home automation team also has extensive experience with retro-fitting systems for renovating your existing home. The introduction of a wireless control panel is a particularly

attractive option for those who are renovating. “We will sit down with our customers and find something that will work with their lifestyle” says Beattie. The custom home division will install a Control4 home automation controller, which can be programmed as simple as a universal remote or as elaborate as a fully automated system — the home owner decides. If you are building a new home, the Audio Warehouse team will educate you on new available technologies and how they may benefit you and your new home. Some of the smart home options range from controlling your lights with program timers, to adjusting the thermostat when you are away, or even being able to monitor your home from almost anywhere in the world. You can even access these features with your smart phone.

The home entertainment system has grown and evolved from just a TV on a stand with a set of speakers in each room, to flat panel screens that mount on the wall requiring more thought about placement and products required to take advantage of all their features. “We’ve been around for more than 45 years,” comments Beattie. “We’ve taken our industry to a completely different level with highly trained staff who take pride in providing exceptional customer service.” Once your home entertainment system is installed, Audio Warehouse has two distinct advantages over most companies. The first is the awardwinning customer service: Audio Warehouse will spend the time to educate you on your system. The second is their onsite service department: Audio Warehouse employs service technicians, allowing them to solve issues quickly.

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These two advantages work hand-inhand, providing you with impeccable customer service and peace of mind. Audio Warehouseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experienced staff has been doing installs in homes longer than anyone in the province. Along with most of the leading-edge companies in the marketplace, Audio Warehouse can design an audio-video experience that suits your wishes and needs. Along with Control4, Audio Warehouse offers brands such as Bose, Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, NAD, Marantz, Boston Acoustics, Sonance and many others to design a system that suits your lifestyle. Still 100 per cent Saskatchewan-ownedand-operated, Audio Warehouse attributes their success to a strong foundation and exceptional customer service. Current owners, Brian Melby and Don Rae have strong roots and loyalty to Saskatchewan. They currently employ approximately 85 people; some are 35-year employees and over half have been there for 15 years. Visit Audio Warehouse at one of their four locations in the province for your car audio system, cell phone services, home entertainment, home automation and more; you will see why they have been around for almost 50 years. FHR Audio Warehouse 1329 Lorne Street Regina 306.525.8128 www.audiowarehouse.ca | |

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Ultimate Canada-Wide Talk, Text and Data Ultimate 65 Plan • UNLIMITED Canada-wide data with no data overage charges • UNLIMITED calling to over 600,000 SaskTel wireless customers anytime, anywhere in Canada • UNLIMITED local calling any time of day • UNLIMITED picture and video messaging • UNLIMITED text messaging in Canada and the U.S. • And more!

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44 Dracup Ave. N. 306.782.6677

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© 2013 Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. Samsung and Samsung Galaxy S4 are trademarks of Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. and/or its related entities used with permission. Screen images simulated. © 2012 HTC Corporation. All rights reserved, HTC, the HTC logo and HTC One are trademarks of the HTC corporation. FineHomes

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The everversaTile

Island By Trina annand

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he kitchen is the heart of the home: a place where homework is done, funny stories from the day are shared and memories of family time are made. Whether your kitchen is just being planned, is original to the home or renovated 10 years ago, an island is an indispensable element: part work surface, part appliance anchor, part social gathering point, and all storage. Whether your style is sleek and modern or rustic and traditional or anywhere in between, a kitchen island is a great addition to the high traffic area. What was once only a few selections for countertops has exploded over the past few years. Homeowners can choose between laminates, butcher’s block, stainless steel or stone, as well as trendier choices such as glass and concrete. Each counter option provides a different benefit; some are more affordable, while others more durable with looks for every taste. Scott Tresek of CNG Stone reminds homeowners to not get hung up on what is most durable. “We try to get our customers to find a colour and pattern that they want. Pick the stone you love; if you take care of it, it will last you forever,” remarks Tresek. He adds that the size of your countertop is only limited by the space in your kitchen and the weight of the piece of stone; after all it must be carried into your home. Tresek reminds renovators to do their homework and get a number of quotes, “If a quote seems very low, there is a reason why.” When it comes to choosing options for your kitchen island the sky and your budget are the limits. Islands can be home to appliances such as dishwashers, microwaves and stovetops, and even a built-in wine cooler for that perfect glass at the end of the day. The kitchen sink can also find a home in your island, but it is important that its placement does not compromise the ability to have a continuous work surface or interrupt the flow of the work triangle between stove, sink and fridge. An island may not be the solution for everyone. Designers recommend three feet of space on either end of an island and note that kitchens smaller than 8x12 feet are likely too small for an island. For these homes, an option could be a

kitchen cart or table: a work surface that can be relocated to provide more space when needed. Those on a budget can still have the extra work space and storage they desire by repurposing furniture like dressers and tables into islands. They most important factor is function not price; you can spend very little on a kitchen and have it function perfectly or a fortune and have problems with flow. “There has been a big push for large work surfaces, and customers are moving away from the two-tier island surfaces,” remarks Greg Huber of Fanny’s Furniture and Kitchens. Huber also notes a movement towards having only drawers in an island, including deeper drawers for easy pot storage. People are moving away from darker finishes and toward painted finishes such as white and grey, as well as

light wood finishes, creating an open and airy feel. “Custom cabinetry doesn’t have to be out of reach,” remarks Huber. “If you can dream it, it can happen” is the motto when working with kitchen islands. Bakers may desire stone surfaces and a mixer on a lift that comes seamlessly out of the cabinet and goes back in without heavy lifting. Renovators with children may desire a breakfast area where stools or chairs can be pulled up for doing homework and cooking lessons. Homeowners looking for a minimalist kitchen can accommodate all the storage they will need in an island. Whether renovating your current kitchen or building new, take the time to research and plan. A well-planned and designed island will stand the test of time. FHR

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Only Top-Quality Wood for Furniture and Cabinetry

1217 Broad Street Regina | 306.545.9818

At Fanny’s Furniture and Kitchens, we build our cabinets with theWe sameare gradecommitted of wood that weto use to build our gorgeous furniture. Hand-selected pieces of Maple, Oak, Cherry, and bringing your vision to life. exotic species such as Echowood are used to craft cabinetry that will last and look great.

a that we can have a small share Withas more thanre7 years of experience creating beautiful kitchen memories they’ made around cabinets and decades of experience in building handcrafted our home in your dream kitchen. furniture, Fanny’s Furniture and Kitchens can turn any kitchen into a dream kitchen. Find out how today.

www.fannysfurniture.com | www.kekulibaycabinetry.com

BISTRO Classic

Gordon Ramsay’s

Gordon’s classic strawberry tart has the crumbliest pastry ever, plus a few of his own modern touches

STRAWBERRY TART PHOTOS MYLES NEW

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Regina

Strawberry sablée tart SERVES 6-8 • PREP 20 mins, plus 1 hr chilling • COOK 35 mins, plus 15 mins cooling time pastry only

I like to use a straight-sided ring for the tart, but if you only have a fluted one it will be fine – you just need to roll the pastry out a bit thicker so that it will get into all the ridges. FOR THE PASTRY 200g plain flour, plus extra for rolling 1 tsp fine sea salt 11/2 tsp baking powder 125g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature, plus extra for greasing 125g caster sugar 1 large sprig thyme, leaves stripped 3 egg yolks dry, uncooked rice, for baking FOR THE FILLING 250g ripe, even-size British strawberries, 4 tbsp icing sugar, sifted 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 284ml tub double cream finely grated zest 1 lemon finely grated zest 1 lime 2 ripe (wrinkled) passion fruits, halved 2 tbsp crème fraîche 2 tbsp natural yogurt 6 large basil leaves icing sugar and a handful small basil leaves, to serve

To make the pastry, sift the flour, salt and baking powder into a large bowl. Rub in the butter until it is the texture of crumbs, then mix in the sugar and thyme leaves. Make a well in the centre. Beat the egg yolks together, then stir into the mixture with a table knife until it forms soft clumps. Using your fingers, draw the pastry together into a rough dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead into a smooth ball. Cover with cling film and chill for at least 30 mins. Rub a little softened butter around a plain 20cm x 2cm flan ring.

PER SERVING (8) 526 kcalories, protein 5g, carbohydrate 48g, fat 36g, saturated fat 21g, fibre 1g, sugar 28g, salt 0.96g

Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Cover the tart case with a large round of baking parchment, then half-fill with uncooked rice. Place in the centre of the oven and bake for 15 mins. Remove and lift out the parchment and rice. Turn oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3, wait about 5 mins, then return the case and bake for a further 10 mins until golden brown. Remove and cool for 10 mins. Using a small, sharp knife, cut away excess pastry, trimming the ring top. Loosen the sides with a knife, pull off the ring and leave to cool. The case should be biscuit crisp.

To make the filling, place the strawberries on a plate, dredge with the icing sugar and vinegar, then set aside. Beat the cream with the grated zests until just forming soft peaks. Scoop the passion fruit pulp into a small sieve and rub through onto the cream with the back of a spoon, then stir in the crème fraîche and yogurt. Stack the large basil leaves together, shape into a roll, thinly slice into shreds, then chop. Fold these into the cream.

Cover a heavy baking sheet with nonstick baking parchment and place the ring in the centre. Dust the work surface and rolling pin with flour. Lightly re-knead the dough until smooth, then roll out to a round roughly 30cm in diameter. Lift the dough over the rolling pin and drape over the ring. Press gently into the sides and let the overhang fall on the outside. Break off a chunk of pastry and roll into a ball. Dip into a little of the icing sugar, then use it to press the dough into the ring. Do not trim at this stage. Chill the tart case for at least 30 mins, preferably in the freezer.

When the base has completely cooled (it doesn’t matter if it has broken around the sides a little), assemble the tart. Spoon the cream into a piping bag without a nozzle, then pipe in small, even dollops over the base. Drain the strawberries and press lightly onto the cream. Dust over more icing sugar, tuck in the small basil leaves among the strawberries and serve immediately.

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Gordon’s guide TO A PERFECT TART ➤ The sweet pastry is quite fragile because it has a higher proportion of butter to flour than most pastry. If you find it impossible to roll out, it can be easily moulded with fingertips, like marzipan, into the tart case. ➤ I use a plain, unfluted flan ring so that the dough presses in and lifts off easily after baking. You can buy these rings at good kitchen equipment stores. ➤ Even though the dough is high in butter, I still recommend greasing the pastry ring well with softened butter and using non-stick baking parchment on the baking sheet. ➤ Instead of ceramic or metal baking beans, I use uncooked rice.

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It is lighter, so holds the pastry down without squashing it. ➤ You can experiment with extra flavours for the dough. In this recipe I’ve used fresh thyme leaves, but my other favourite flavours are lavender flowers, vanilla seeds and cardamom seeds – whatever suits the season and topping. ➤ The cases can be rolled out and frozen for up to 1 month and cooked from frozen, or baked up to a day ahead and stored in an airtight container. Complete the topping and cream about 30 mins before serving. ➤ You can vary the fruits according to the season: for autumn tarts, try sliced and poached plums or apricots.

Patio DRINKS Watermelon Breeze Whether you are relaxing on your patio with a good book, or have friends and family over for a barbecue, there is nothing better than having close by a refreshing beverage. Try one of these cool beverage recipes as you put up your feet or let the conversation and laughter flow.

Ingredients

Preparation

3 cups watermelon, cut into cubes 1 cup coconut water squeeze of fresh lime ice sprig of mint

â&#x20AC;˘ In a blender, add all ingredients and blend until smooth.

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OutdOOr Living rOOms by meredIth heron

ummer is so short in this country, yet so celebrated: cottages, lakehouses and cabins, not to mention all the various shows celebrating and promoting these as industries.

Many of us are city dwellers who only occasionally get to indulge in these getaways. With the advent of buds on trees and green forcing its way through the snow drifts and winter sludge, we start to plan our own summer decorating. As winter draws to a close, I am always excited about planning my spring/summer décor, and each year I vow that I will get on it sooner rather than later. Of course, I suffer from the classic “cobbler-with-no-shoes syndrome” unless I book a photo shoot: I thrive on a deadline. This year, my almost four-year-old son insists that we host his July birthday party at our house. Like his mother, he’s a bit of a big picture planner and he wants to have piñatas after our recent trip to Mexico. I’ve suggested that we hold the party at his godfather’s cottage on Toronto Island, but he assures me that it should be at our house. Gulp. We’ve just recently attended our first “friend” birthday party, and all the parents stayed at the party. Do I really want nursery school parents at my house, in

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my backyard? How quickly can I demolish the back half of my house and fully landscape the backyard? Is it wrong to hold a child’s birthday party in the evening when it’s dark? Don’t laugh. I’m already researching my favourite string lights for outdoor use. To be honest, I love the look. I also love the idea of outdoor living rooms versus patio furniture on a deck. We are working on a patio space right now for clients in Boston. The space itself is pretty formal and overlooks a formal garden. It has the most beautiful quatrefoil fountain in the middle of it (sadly it’s under cover right now, so I don’t have any great photos of it) which divides the patio into two rooms, if you will. Outdoor furniture is expensive, but I’ve also learned that opting for the cheap furniture usually means replacing it within one to two years. So, I’m always on the hunt for good investment pieces and then decorate on a more budget-friendly basis.

The space itself is rather large, so we’ve opted for a pair of chairs and a sofa. We decided to skip the ottomans in favour of adding in some moroccan poufs to keep it from feeling like an outdoor furniture showroom.

Our inspiration for the overall look and feel is a well-travelled, but casual lounging space: a little East meets West. Hand-blocked indigo fabrics, Moroccan silver and teak influences— there will be candlelight (in this case the beautiful string lights won’t work).

Of course, we’ll ground the space with an area rug. There are so many amazing options these days for outdoor rugs. Another little tip: I often use outdoor rugs under kitchen tables or in rooms with kids. They can be hosed down! My favourite places to look for these are Rugs USA (they ship to Canada) and Overstock.com.

We’re using pieces from the Summer Classics Rustic line as our base pieces for the outdoor living room.

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The other room for our outdoor space in Boston is, of course, a dining room. We definitely do not want this set to match. Our chair choice for the dining area will most likely need to double as additional seating for larger gatherings, so we’ve opted for an arm chair. This Chippendale reproduction has a slight chinoiserie feel, which complements our East meets West vibe beautifully; it is also light-feeling, a great juxtaposition to the heavier pieces in the living room is setting. It’s always important to balance scale out with these pieces when you are trying to achieve an eclectic feel.

But, back to my place for a second... how many piñatas does one have to have to ensure that the entire backyard space gets covered in candy when they are hit? Maybe that’s the answer: that and the whole nighttime party gig. I’m brilliant! FHR

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Table-wise, we need a round table and we have a few contenders, but this is the last piece for us to nail down. I prefer a pedestal base for dining tables when possible. It allows you to squeeze in extra guests and makes it easy to cross your legs. You start thinking about these sorts of things when you have a little one literally running around underfoot. A few tables we’ve seen look like a tetanus shot waiting to happen!

Saskatchewan’s only Unlimited Usage Internet Service

Blazing Speed! Up to 260 Mbps SaskTel’s new infiNET™ Fibre Optic Network, will give SaskTel customers increased bandwidth that will enable a whole range of feature-rich Television, blazing fast High Speed Internet and Voice services. It’s consistently fast, so you can upload and download in a fraction of the time it takes now. And with all that speed, we won’t limit your usage – we want you to get the most out of your leading edge technology. And infiNET is future proof because once installed, upgrades that allow future speed increases can be made without replacing the fibre.

You can’t get that from the cable company! To find out more about infiNET services, please visit sasktel.com/infinet

Ultimate Connections. Blazing Speed. Infinite Potential.

infiNET High Speed services are available in a growing number of neighbourhoods in Regina, Saskatoon, and Moose Jaw. See sasktel.com/infinet for details.

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Why Renting HVAC and Water Equipment Makes Sense

Doug MacKenzie President MacKenzie Plumbing & Heating 915 Fleury Street Regina, SK 306.522.0777 service@mackenziepumbing.com www.mackenzieplumbing.com

f you live in Regina, there is a good chance that you already rent your water heater. I have travelled to places in North America where renting water heaters is not as popular as it is here. When I bring up the success of our water heater rental program, every now and then someone will pass me a confused look. “Why would anyone want to rent a water heater?” they ask. It’s a good question for the uninformed. After all, you could just purchase your water heater outright and be done with it.

At MacKenzie, we are happy to sell you top quality, brand-name water heaters. We expect our equipment to give you years of hassle-free service. However, water heaters are not perfect, and it’s not just leaks you need to worry about. Expensive vent motors, valves and sensors can all break down—just like parts in your car. These parts can add up to thousands of dollars in costs out of your pocket. At this point you you’re probably coming up with a few clever names for your water heater. As you flip through the phone book, looking for a contractor, you are now stressing about who to call and how much will this cost me? Our current MacKenzie Rental customers across the city will not relate to the end of this story. They have the peace of mind knowing that if something is wrong, they simply call us, and a fully trained and certified MacKenzie Plumbing & Heating technician is dispatched to their home in priority queue. In fact, our rental customers do not have to worry about repair bills at all. What’s not to love about that? At MacKenzie Plumbing & Heating, we like to say, “it’s a no brainer!” Our customers loved the ease of renting water heaters so much that soon they began to ask about renting other equipment.

Queue the “eureka” moment! Why not provide that same level of comfort and service to all of our products? Our customers didn’t want the headache of maintaining the complex systems that provided air comfort to their homes in the same way that they did not want to worry about water issues. With that being said, we are proud to offer our customers the MacKenzie Diamond Rental Service. The peace of mind you have with your water heater rental is now available for your furnace, air conditioner and water softener. We’ll send a MacKenzie Home Comfort Advisor to your home to assess your needs and provide you with a free quote. Under normal circumstances, we will install your equipment at no charge and all parts; labour and annual maintenance are free during your rental term. The savings from reduced utility bills combined with high efficient products, plus the free maintenance, means you can have all of this for less than $1 thousand per year. Now this is truly a “no brainer”. Call MacKenzie Plumbing & Heating today and ask about our MacKenzie Diamond Rental Service. FHR

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EXPERT EXPERTAdvice Advice EXPERTAdvice Flooring that The BeautySerenity and is Friendly on the Personal Earth and Your Budget Benefit of Wool With Natural Cork ing the basement. This beautiful and elegant flooring harmonizes nature’s best with today’s technology to create beautiful floors that are environmentally friendly and fully recyclable. Northern Timbers are renowned for offering timeless grains and hues that complement many design styles and textures. They are available in eight of the most popular grains and a 6 inch wide plank that makes a grand statement. Installation is easy and efficient.

Robert Grain Grain Robert Robert Grain Parkland Carpet One

If you’re looking for flooring to recreate that natural feel in your business or office, Sylvana Click has the warm look of wood, supreme durability and the ease of noadhesive-required installations ool carpeting is something budget that range. would be fair ask why surface is It50 per cent air,toallowing Parkland Carpet One understands the that has made it one of the most At Parkland Carpet One, we take the increased wool comes from the other side of come a black the for impact resistance andof benefits that withsheep havingin the popularthe andworld. reliableWell, floorings the our flooring very seriously. We conNewonZealand has the offering you comprehensive protection It’s so perfect floorflooring in your world. home. Not onlygood do today. heat This and flooring 100 wools tinually research the established and world’s strongest andisfinest against cold. Cork is suchdue a it’s bad—especially for families. It hasmarket you experience everyday comfort per cent recyclable and offers a 10 that you’ll new manufacturers from around to the environment and vegetation of the wonderful natural insulator and that quality flooringproduct offers, longbeauty been considered a prestige commercial wearthere warranty, the searching forthink fashionable island. Ranchers generations a flooring thathave reduces noise, you also the strength and durabilityinyear discover onlyglobe, thehave elite would of putting the comfortable perfect forfoot and of seen flooring inexperience andsolution have been maintaining isof very under and is that needed to handle the wear and tear providing theirisefficient home. styles It was astoexpensive the quality oftouch. the breed in their isolated traffic troduce to all of ourfor customers. warm to thebusinesses Theareas. pattern of cork of a not busy household. A homes. popular choice your high and practical all corner of the globe. 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This makes isour the expressive and durability customers iswarmth to flooring Thecan feedback has three-eighths been tremendous. choosefor from inch, contained within a Torlys Cork Floor. it the You perfect flooring businesses that provides the warmth, strength People like the wool carpets they Parkland Carpet One is part of the world’s one-half inch or five-eighthsbecause inch thick such as stores, and feel of traditional hardwood arerestaurants, longwith term,the they feelhotels, good to the touch largestoffers floortheir covering co-operative, and flooring, longest lengths up to 68 Torlys customers a floor that motels,and assisted living facilities and at a lower price and with more make the home more comfortable. the Stewardship Just Shorn carpet line. 3/4 inches, allowing design options for iswe’ve FSCadded (Forest Council) housing. installation options. Just Shornhaving is unique because is a co-multi-level the area youwill arefeel planning to transform. certified, passed the itrigorous All carpets good right off the bat. Torlys corka matter floors of arehow made withthey a operative of The standards setNew forthZealand by theranchers. FSC. Torlys Now, it’s durable At Parkland Carpet One, we of-or and the immediate precisely high-density Cork Floors made with little no To experience alliance of are these wool producers are and engineered how they perform overwood time. fer Northern Timbers premium offered bothare core whichby makes itNorthern considerably more environmental footprint because no cork quality Carpet One has allowed the company Synthetic carpets great, but they will vinyl wood plank thatthat recreates and Sylvana Click, visit the resistant to swelling and damage oak trees are cut down in the creation to create efficiencies allow high-Timbers lose their appearance sooner. The than wool other flooring. Using such that cabin andbarks will Carpet Onetheir showroom athigh-quality of thelogflooring. Cork that make quality wool feel carpets to install come intoParkland carpets keep new appearance and core you ayour considerably up the flooring are harvested Canadian homes athome, acarefully reasonable price in1600 wood anywhere in the includ8th Avenue .gives FHR texture longer, keeping home like tougher joint and a much exacting once every nine years, in a centuries-old comparison to past products. new. They’re a little moremore expensive to fit, for abut longer-lasting floor. tradition with hand tools. This dedication start, the long-term benefits are there. For person at forests putting to the the artisan processlooking ensures that All Torlys floors are designed to allow Theofmost common misconception about hardwood or ceramicandtile into their will remain undamaged renewable. It easy and effortless plank replacement; wool carpeting is that it stains easily. this practice product to is have withina that ishome, common 200 same year if your floor is ever in need of repair, old tree still producing cork bark. removing a plank is easy, even in the middle of the floor. All of their flooring is Cork flooring naturally enhances the also backed with an attached underlay comfort of your home with a textured 64 FineHomes Regina Parkland Carpet Carpet One One Parkland 16008th Eighth 1600 8th AveAvenue Regina, Sk. Sk. 1600 Ave Regina, 306.525.9125 306.525.9125 306.525.9125 carpetone.com www.parklandcarpetoneregina.com www.parklandcarpetoneregina.com

It is important to understand thatadds it is, made of recycled cork that in fact, a very water-repellent fibre. The increased warmth, comfort and sound native properties of wool are what make insulation to enhance every environment. it a great choice for carpets. It is naturally As an additionalsobonus, every Torlys corkIt fire-retardant, it is safe in the home. floor can also be disassembled and redoesn’t produce off-gassing, which can be so important for people with chemical purposed in another room or home up to and odour three times.sensitivities. Wool is a natural and beautiful product. With cork floors you have a comforting, The wool carpet industry has been random thatper willcent create an shunnedappearance as about 99 of the elegant look in your home. Since cork carpet industry has gone to synthetic synthetic carpets are isproducts. a naturalThematerial, you’ll discover fastorganic and easy to that reproduce an beauty comeswith witha low price. The short-term thinking of having floor planks that complement today’s marketplace has hurt the wool one another their distinctively category. It isthrough true that historically the unique individual patterns. Cork flooring fashion options with wool carpets were to differentand shades beige. islimited an environmentally health-offriendly But today there is no need to concede hypoallergenic choice which makes it fashion for function. New dye processes ahave perfect fit for high activityofareas in expanded the range colours your home entrance, hallway, kitchen, and shades. basement, family room and bedrooms. As an insulator, wool has no competition. It holds the compared to With one of theheat best better warranties available, Torlys Cork Flooring is an affordable evolutionary approach to transforming the look and feel of your home. FHR

EXPERT Advice EXPERT Advice

Window Fashions tha You’re In Control Withfor Motorized Best You

Window Coverings

EXPERTAdvice Window Fashions Work a hard surfacethat floor and more than a synthetic product. And wool carpet has Best for You a natural “green” appeal because it’s very environmentally friendly. It’s sustainable, right window fashion for your home or renewable andbusiness biodegradable, so it’s by experimenting with light. a good choice for the house. When it Q: What brand window dressings reaches the landfill at the endofof its life, it best addresses everyday needs for biodegrades, and while it is in your home your home or business? it acts a natural air filter, trapping dust A: Without question, Hunter Douglas and dirt. It is also hypoallergenic.

window fashions are the best. People who use Hunter Douglas love how they Some people will contend home is They enhance the lookthe of their home. offercarpet. a multitude of options that allow healthier without We sell both you tocarpets harness the of the sun hard surfaces and at power Parkland both creatively Parkland Carpet One and economically. With Carpet One, and believe that aI’ve carpet Parkland Carpet One warranty, theirI Regina, lifetime had nothing 1600 8th Ave Sk. 1600 Ave Regina, has to be 8th looked in theSk. same way as butat success with their company. I 306.525.9125 always receive effusive compliments 306.525.9125 a filter in any machine. The filter has to www.parklandcarpetoneregina.com from my clients who have chosen www.parklandcarpetoneregina.com be kept clean, Hunter and so the maintenance Douglas for their home.

Nancy Mercer Mercer Nancy

Nancy Mercer Recognized as an industry leader for stylish, energy-efficient, award winning window fashions, Hunter Douglas products are an effective, sensible and affordable solution for your home or business. At Parkland Carpet One, Nancy Mercer’s experience with Hunter Douglas products has given her an appreciation for the innovative design, quality and reliability that the company offers. She is pleased to share what impresses her most about the designs developed by Hunter Douglas. “Without question it is the advanced energy efficiencies and motorized systems. It provides people with the opportunity to use either a hand-held remote control, or a wireless wall switch to adjust multiple window treatments in different areas at the same time. Hunter Douglas has even developed an application whereby you can use your smart phone to activate and adjust your window treatments. It’s remarkable how convenient and simple it is.” Nancy acknowledges the depth and scope of technological advances that Hunter Douglas continually brings to the window fashions market. “One such advancement is the Solar Energy Sensor accessory. This can easily be set

Parkland Carpet One

vacuuming 18 to to open and close window coverings 1600 8th Ave Regina, Sk. would time; be theregular PowerGlide optionevery traverses Q: From your experience, why have Parkland Carpet One’s Nancy Mercer 306.525.9125 24 months, giving it a proper professional automatically during the day to optimize shears andherdraperies or rotates vanes Hunter Douglas window fashions www.parklandcarpetoneregina.com offers practical knowledge, passion cleaning to rejuvenate Asbrand longfor so energy efficiency. There is also an option remained the such filter. a popular to suit the light entering the room, and a is commitment todoes excellence as theMercer filter kept what itto manyclean, years? it to have the window covering adjust even Parkland Carpet One’s Nancy all her customers. She slats is one theofPowerTilt option tilts on of her practical passion isand supposed to do. when you’re not at home offers to offer greater knowledge, A: Their commitment towindow quality and and a commitment to excellence to the leading consultants for many horizontal blinds.satisfaction You may isselect security. The beauty of Hunter Douglas customer second to all of her customers. She is fashions one of inCarpet western Canada, and Atwhatever Parkland One, wetends have none. Douglas tohas be the innovation is that it’s user-friendly. all orHunter systems that work the leadingIt’s consultants for window system more thanare three decades of experience. most cost effective and aesthetically products that exclusive to us, and we fashions in western Canada, and has about efficiency and reliability.” bestFine for Homes you,complimentary and as always they’re window fashions Nancy to share her on more than three decades have of experience. a wide rangeasked of style and selection. theher market. They’re easily brand adaptable designed for convenience, accessibility Fine Homes asked NancyExplore to share her about ideas craft and what the wool option when you come These Hunter Douglas motorized and compatible to any light or climate ideas about her craft and and whatof brand windowconsideration fashions works best yourwill Discerning operating systems allow accessibility seeforaffordability. us. thatconsumers your for home of window fashions workstobest your home or business. ever have to deal with. It’s the have come to appreciate the superiorperfect to hard-to-reach windows, with homealong or business. solution something for whatever so living Despite its reputation, softspace the ability to shape the quality and Douglas youof have.aHunter Q: What should a person craftsmanship thinkQ: about What should person think about and warm can’t be all baaaaad! FHR quantity of light. The convenience of when this choosing and consider window products.” Visit Nancy Mercer at the and consider when choosing window To learn more about the Hunter for your system provides you the dressings opportunity to home? dressings for your home? Parkland Carpet One showroom at 1600 Douglas line of window treatments, appreciate the beauty of A:your home by Nancy at the One of the best ways8th to choose Avenue tovisitexperience theParkland HunterCarpet allowing you to easily control lookis checking how at 1600 Avenue or window the fashions A:they One ofOne theshowroom best ways to8thchoose Douglas or call to book call to book an appointment with her and time. interactIt with natural light.advantage, and textures of the light look at any window fashions is checking how an they at(306) 306-525-9125. YouFHR can also visit Seeing light coming through a window appointment at 525-9125. also provides enhanced safety (especially look and www.parklandcarpetoneregina.com. interact with natural light. allows you to visualize and feel the if one has younger children), and Seeing coming through a window FHR result. It isgreater much easier to choose the light all-around energy efficiency to help allows you to visualize and feel the offset rising energy costs. For Nancy, result. It is much easier to choose the these factors empower her clients to make informed choices based upon their fashion and function needs. “Hunter Douglas offers three options to control its Parkland Carpet One motorized shades and blinds. 1600 8th Ave Regina, Sk. A PowerRise option adjusts shades in 306.525.9125 FineHomes Regina 65 a variety of different rooms at the same www.parklandcarpetoneregina.com

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It’s Easy to Conserve Resources By Shell BuSey

ou can reduce your impact on the environment by reducing energy usage in the home. Energy-efficient upgrades decrease greenhouse gas and other air emissions, which helps create healthier communities. Here are a few simple changes you can make to use our resources more efficiently: Reduce drafts and heat loss from your doors, windows, and attic hatch with weather stripping. In older homes, drafts can account for 30 to 40 per cent of total heat loss. At the same time, seal electrical outlets and switches on outside walls with foam gaskets; on inside walls, use childproof plugs or combination cover plates. Install a programmable thermostat to reduce home heating at night and when away. For every 1°C (2°F) you lower your thermostat, you save two per cent on your heating bill. A reduction of 3°C (5°F) at night, and when you are away during the day, provides optimal savings. Install a ceiling fan and change the direction of the fan to push warm air down in the winter. This especially benefits houses with electric baseboards or high cathedral ceilings. Use fans as your first line of defence against summer heat. Keep your furnace well maintained, and change or clean furnace filters every couple of months. Dirty air filters block airflow and can damage the heat exchanger.

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When purchasing furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, windows, doors and major appliances, look for the ENERGY STAR® symbol. Upgrade your insulation in walls, the basement and attic. Insulating your basement walls and attic can reduce your energy bill by as much as 30 per cent. Take a quick shower instead of a bath. A five-minute shower, for instance, uses up to 50 per cent less hot water than a bath. Avoid running the tap while shaving, brushing your teeth or doing dishes. Partially fill the sink with water and stop about 80 per cent of that clean water from going down the drain—along with your money. Capture rainwater for your garden. The water you use for your lawn doesn’t have to come from a tap. A cistern or a rain barrel will capture and store rainwater for irrigation. Make sure your barrel is covered with a tight-fitting lid or screen to keep diseasecarrying mosquitoes from breeding there. Water your garden or

lawn early in the morning, after the dew has dried, to reduce losses due to evaporation. More than half of the water applied to lawns and gardens can be lost due to evaporation or runoff because of over-watering. In the laundry room, wash and rinse in cold water, using cold water detergent. Washing in warm rather than hot water uses 50 per cent less energy. Also, avoid over-drying clothes. Clothes should dry in 40 to 60 minutes. Better yet, hang clothes outdoors to dry when the weather permits. If you are buying a new dryer, look for one with a moisture sensor; it will turn off automatically when clothes are dry. Install outdoor automatic timers on lighting. You won’t have to remember to turn your outdoor lights on in the evening and off during the day. Installing a timer can cut your outdoor lighting energy use by up to half. You can also use motion detectors that switch on automatically when people move close to them and switch off after a few minutes. Use more efficient light bulbs. By replacing your standard bulbs in your home with ENERGY STAR®-qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs, you can significantly reduce the energy used to light your home. For more home improvement information, to send Shell an email, or to watch Shell’s Ask Shell Coffee Break, go to www.AskShell. com. FHR

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Best Price, Best Personnel, Best Product By Rebecca SchneideReit Photos duStin cRoSby

hen Best Price Railing was founded in 2003, the business’s goals were simple: to provide customers with the low prices and attentive service lacking from big box stores. Since then, it’s gone from a one-man, garage-based enterprise to a multi-city company. Now a member of the Better Business Bureau and the Regina & Region Home Builders’ Association, Best Price Railing’s excellence has been confirmed time and again; the company has even

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received a Chamber of Commerce Paragon Award. What makes Best Price Railing so popular with its customers and industry peers? The quality of its product is one factor. Railing styles are kept carefully up-to-date: the line has “expanded and moved with the times,” in the words of owner Todd Reichel. Competitive pricing is another mark in the business’s favour. Todd, a selfdescribed “Sask. farm boy” and long-time local, enjoys industry connections that

help Best Price Railing earn its moniker. “I’m direct to the manufacturer,” Todd explains, and Best Price Railing’s rates reflect the fact that the business doesn’t need to rely on a middleman. The variety of Best Price Railing’s product adds to its popularity. Railings come in five colours, and glass is stocked in more than 10 varieties (including “privacy glass”). In addition to its assortment of powder-coated aluminum railings, the company offers vinyl and composite

decking, fences, gates, wind blocks and privacy walls (up to six feet in height) and more. Best Price Railing also carries solar lights: these come in two colours and can be custom-fitted to railings, where they’ll shine bright late into the summer nights. It’s an impressive array that allows the company to be known for its selection, as well as its quality. The other primary reason for Best Price Railing’s success is its personal touch. “People are (our) greatest asset,” says Todd, of both the people Best Price Railing works for, and the people who work for Best Price Railing. “That’s the core of the business. That’s why the customers are happy,” Todd says of his team, who strive to provide clients with fast, friendly service. “We get back to people very quickly, and the majority of our quotes are out within 24 hours.” To make it even easier to obtain a speedy estimate, Best Price Railing’s website features an “online quote form” for the digitally-inclined. The Best Price Railing team can either instruct customers on proper product installation, or arrange for installation themselves. Whichever option that customers choose, the business’s highcalibre service throughout the purchasing and installation process means patrons leave satisfied. “They’re happy with how it turned out, they’re happy to save a little bit of money, they’re happy to get good service,” says Todd. They’ll remain just as happy far into the future, since the railings come with a limited lifetime warranty. Barbeques, deck parties, sunrise cups of coffee—whatever your entertainment of choice might be—a gorgeous, maintenance-free deck is your frontrow seat for the summer. With Best Price Railing, building the perfect porch or patio isn’t much more effort than enjoying it. FHR Best Price Railing 1405 Lorne Street, Regina 306.543.7245 TF 800.627.1517 F: 306.543.7255 info@bestpricerailing.com www.best-price-railing.com ABOVE Todd Reichel, owner

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CommerCial and residential

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L–R FRont Row Danielle Lamontagne, Danielle Evans, Meila Pochipinski, Patty Reinhardt, Dale Reinhardt. Back Row Mitch Reinhardt, Jason McNeil, Tim Renauld, John Robinson, Vaughn Woolsey, Dan Melnik, Steve Huber

Keeping You Warm, Cool and drY Year round By Trina annand Photos Henry GodniTz

or 25 years Reinhardt Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Limited has been providing customers with expert service that puts the customer first. The company has come a long way since its humble start as a two-man service operation in Lumsden. First created by Dale and Patty Reinhardt in 1988, the thriving business was founded on small town values. “Saskatchewan is a great place to live and a great place to run a business. We believe in treating our

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customers fairly and honestly,” remarks Patty Reinhardt. Reinhardt Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning believes strongly in community building. In addition to their large regular charitable donations, the company also has an annual holiday toy drive to help local families. They also give a financial donation to a deserving charity on behalf of the staff. The company is also participating in the Amazing Spaces Home Renovation and Design Tour this

year; funds raised will go to help Hope’s Home, another deserving Regina charity. The renovation tour show home features Reinhardt Plumbing’s expert installations, top-of-the-line plumbing fixtures, a custom boiler system and a Napoleon Fireplace transforming the home into an “Amazing Space.” With a fully trained and licensed staff of 50, Reinhardt Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning is perfectly positioned to expertly manage jobs big and small.

“We do a lot more than just come to your home and fix your toilet. We are a full-service company that can address residential heating, air conditioning and plumbing. We also offer commercial service and retrofits and complete new builds as well,” remarks customer service expert, Meila Pochipinski. For Pochipinski, what makes Reinhardt Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning a great place to work is also what makes it the best place to suit customers’ needs, passion for plumbing and respect. “We try to pass along our work ethic and philosophy to everyone that works at Reinhardt. We tell them that since we all spend most of our lives at work, they shouldn’t cheat themselves by having a career they’re not thrilled with. Make sure you’re doing what you love and can be passionate about it. We want everyone working with us to be proud of all their work and treat every job like it is in their own home,” remarks Reinhardt. This philosophy on life and customer service is clearly paying off as customers flock to the business. “We offer small-town values in a big city atmosphere,” remarks Pochipinski. The highlight of a day for Pochipinski is when customers are pleased with a job well done and compliment the fine work. As a member of the SaskEnergy network, Reinhardt Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning is encouraging their customers to choose eco-friendly options in upgrades to appliances, in turn saving them money and protecting the environment. An efficient and well maintained home is a happy home. Customers looking for residential and commercial plumbing, heating and air conditioning work should look no further than Reinhardt Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning: a company built on family and small-town values that believes that if you treat a customer right, they will be a customer for life. Built on hard work and driven to provide the best customer service, Reinhardt Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning will be a staple in Saskatchewan and looks forward to serving for another 25 years. FHR Reinhardt Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Ltd. 230 Leonard Street North, Regina 306.543.7400 ww.reinhardtplumbing.com

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Tropical Reflections

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ropical plants have always intrigued me. Often, my gardens reflect my travels as well as my love of large, bold foliaged plants and unusual, bright coloured flowers. Canada may not seem like the most reasonable geography to install a tropical garden, but that’s all the more reason to play. Sensibly, you are not likely to install permanent palm trees or huge crotons as signature framework plants, but you may consider developing a number of smaller vignettes within your garden space. I enjoy spending time in various precincts of the garden that I’ve designed to evoke particular emotions or restore memories of travels. By Ken Beattie

Containers play a huge role in “staging” gardens and can actually set a scene on their own, if cleverly placed. Even the terra cotta planters that have succumbed to the trials of a wicked winter find a place in my landscape. Typically, I nestle these shards into the soil so as to form a backdrop for a prized plant specimen or a tiny, more delicate sample in the garden. Larger planters that have seen better days offer shade and cooler temperatures for plants installed in and around them as they lie on their sides. This season, I have a number of very large terra cotta planters that have served us well and are now looking a tad bedraggled. These soldiers will form the backbone of an area in my rear garden for my “tropical ruins.” Setting the theme for a tropical oasis can be as simple as dedicating a portion of your garden or deck as “tropical.” It’s a good idea to consider using overhead space, as well as ground or deck level. Think of the space as a room inside your home; you wouldn’t consider painting or decorating the entire room and forget about the ceiling. Perhaps using some brightly coloured parachute nylon fabric woven through the beams of a pergola roof will fit the bill. Fabric is a very inexpensive way to dress up a landscape, either as an awning, shade roof or even outdoor curtains. Splashes of bright colours always bring back memories of tropical climates, so I use them wherever and whenever it is practical. Clusters of containers are a safe bet when considering any garden, but even

more so in a tropical-looking garden. Singular planters can be great as accent or punctuation points when using specimens or spectacularly bright-coloured plants such as hibiscus or bougainvillea; otherwise, clump them together. One look that I am particularly fond of is “eclectic,” where none of the containers are similar. I often select one colour, such as cobalt blue, as the thread that ties the garden together. Pots in this beautiful blue colour will be scattered here and there throughout the collection of wall planters, large containers and singular pots. Plants that work best for me are hibiscus, followed by banana and taro, often sold as elephant ears. Pothos and philodendron, as well as any of the pteris ferns, can be used in planters where you may have used bacopa or lobelia in years past. In direct sun and very hot gardens, a mixture of succulents will also give a tropical feel to the space. Many horticultural varieties are now available in colours spanning the rainbow and with very diverse leaf patterns. Your local garden centres and even the box stores’ plant departments will have the regular houseplant tropicals—they are perfect for this kind of garden. Areca palms usually are very reasonably priced; combined with the lime green sweet potato vine, they make a spectacular splash in your pseudo-tropics. Crotons, with their waxy, multi-coloured foliage, are a sure bet for the hot, sunny garden. The varieties available in Canada are usually red to yellow and can be found in the houseplant section. The trick to success seems to be variety, density and diligence. As with any container garden, you are not wise to install it and then promptly go to the lake for a few weeks—they all require maintenance. Density plays an important role; clustered plants will hold more humidity around the specimens and thus encourage lush growth and fewer insect problems. Variety speaks for itself: any tropical garden or landscape is rich and juicy with textures, shapes, scents and form. Consider also that many tropical plants live on other plants, so that apple trees or well-branched small trees are excellent homes for many orchids and ferns. The big question: what do I do with all these plants over winter? Now, that is a good one! FHR

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DIY LanDscapIng Supplies, Support and Plans in One Location By Tobie HainsTock

o, you want to do some landscaping. You know what you want and how you want it to look. You’re even looking forward to doing it yourself. But you just might need a little helpful advice along the way.

But where do you start? You look at your yard and you know what you’d like to see there, but you just don’t know where to begin and what will work out for the best. “Bring in your ideas and we will help you come up with a plan that will work right for your yard,” Stefan says.

purchased as well as step-by-step instructions. “Be sure to check out the online video support featured on our website.” Video instruction can be found at www.therustyshovel.ca and more advice is provided through hand outs and followup emails that go along with your purchase

With a love for outdoor living, and a combination of more than 35 years experience in the landscaping industry, Sean Stefan and partner Steve Kesslering of The Rusty Shovel offer more than gardening and landscaping supplies. “We offer supplies and support to our customers,” states Stefan.

In most cases, a do-it-yourself project such as this is a one-time-only situation and you want to get it right the first time. Because of the extensive experience of the The Rusty Shovel staff, they are able to pick out trouble spots in the design, or factor in future issues that most people wouldn’t think to consider. “We try to think of the things that you’re not thinking of in order to help carry the project through to completion,” says Stefan.

Offering fast and friendly service is a priority at The Rusty Shovel. According to Stefan, if you bring in your ideas and order your product in the first part of the week, you will have your supplies and instruction by the weekend, if not that same day, depending on the type of project. With their sprinkler systems for example, when you provide a scale drawing of your yard plan, they will put a package together with all the parts you need and provide a copy of your plan that shows exactly where each sprinkler

A lot of customers are coming into The Rusty Shovel planning to do the landscaping themselves to save on labour costs.

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He adds that when you visit The Rusty Shovel, you get the products you

should go and what nozzle and fittings are required for each sprinkler. Stefan says they have a great line of landscaping and sprinkler products to choose from when planning your outdoor look. “It’s good to come by and see what we have available to help you through the planning process,” he says. Blu-lock by Hydro-Rain is a popular sprinkler pipe-fitting system featured at The Rusty Shovel. This is a quicker and easier method than traditional pipe fittings because it utilizes push-and-go technology that requires no tools or tightening. Another popular product line is the Aquascape pond and pondless waterfalls. These items come with easy-to-follow instructions which will have your yard looking fantastic in no time. Pond and pondless kits feature Aquascape’s 20 products in 20 steps philosophy, which will help you create beautiful water features without having to guess whether or not it will work when it’s finished. A great looking and functional yard is enjoyable not only for you, but for your friends and neighbours as well. Beautifully landscaped yards equal a beautiful looking city, and everyone enjoys that. For more information about completing your own landscaping or sprinkler installation, call 757.2227, visit them online or drop by at 680 Angus Street. The Rusty Shovel is open Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. FHR The Rusty Shovel Landscape Shop 680 Angus Street, Regina 306.757.2227 www.therustyshovel.ca L–R Sean Stefan and Steve Kesslering

Enjoy thE outdoors in Comfort By Rebecca SchneideReit

or more than 50 years, Gould Home Recreation has been Regina’s first choice for billiard tables and game room supplies. But when the summer sun finally hits, and we abandon the basement for the back deck, Gould has you covered then, too. “We’re all about making your space beautiful—both indoor and outdoor,” says owner James Magouliotis. The perfect patio experience starts with a spot to relax, and Gould’s exclusive Homecrest outdoor furniture fits the bill nicely. Homecrest models are fully customizable, allowing customers to choose the fabrics, frames and tabletops they find most appealing. It’s not a complicated process; you can customize a piece on your own time on Gould’s website, or if you’re not artistically

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minded, Gould’s staff can give you a hand—at their place or yours. “A lot of times we’ll go to the customer’s home and help them out,” says James. “It really comes naturally.” Whatever look you choose for your Homecrest furniture, it’s certain to last… and last. “The durability and longevity of the product is probably the biggest thing,” James notes of Gould’s offerings. “Everything we carry lasts a very long time.” In fact, he says, people sometimes return to the store 10, 15 or 20 years later, just to put fresh colours on their old pieces: that way, “it’s like it’s brand-new again.” If you’re looking for a back deck showstopper, Gould’s hottest options (figuratively and literally) are their Oriflamme fire tables, each featuring

a burner set in the centre of an up-to48-inch tabletop. “They’re the hottestburning fire pit on the market,” James says, noting that the tables burn at above 60,000 BTU. The Oriflamme tabletops come in various colours, and burners likewise feature a range of designs: Flower, Star, Maple Leaf and more. If you prefer your fire a little more functional, Gould’s most recent additions to their lineup might still ignite your interest. “The newest thing we’ve added, of course, is the grills,” says James. Gould now carries two: the cult-favorite Big Green Egg (100 per cent natural) and the top-tier Broilmaster barbeque. Both feature lifetime warranties. Gould also offers Lava Heat fire towers, so you can enjoy the fresh air on chillier nights.

When the heat becomes too much, and when autumn rolls around again, don’t forget that Gould continues to carry its exclusive lineup of Brunswick and Olhausen billiard tables. Like their patio furniture, Gould’s pool tables may be fully customized according to your preferred style and size, cloth, detailing and wood. The store’s leisure products also include dart sets, foosball, ping pong and more. “It’s a little bit of everything,” says James. The Gould touch is visible all over the city. “We’ve done golf courses, we’ve done seniors’ homes, pool halls,” James lists. But which of Gould’s products made the cut in his own home? “I’ve got it all,” James admits, laughing. “I’ve got the pool table, I’ve got the furniture, I’ve got the fire table.” It’s for a good cause, of course. “I try everything out. If I haven’t tried it out, I wouldn’t be comfortable selling it.” And at Gould, it’s all about being comfortable. FHR Gould Home Recreation 1146 Broad Street Regina 306.522.1442 www.gouldhomerec.com Below l–r James Magouliotis and Dean Lusok, owners

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CREATING YOUR

Perfect Cottage BY TRINA ANNAND

he family cottage is a place to get away, relax, have fun and make memories that last a lifetime. Cottages have come a long way from being a simple roof and four walls without plumbing, heat or electricity. These vacation spots can now have all the comforts of home and offer an all-season retreat for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether completely renovating your cottage or simply updating it, your cottage will provide memories and fun that will last for years. Durability and functionality are fundamental to cottage renovating and decorating. Choose furniture fabrics that can stand a lot of wear and tear. Slipcovering furniture is an affordable way to refresh an item, and also makes furniture washable. Chantelle Butterfield of Funktional Space reminds cottage goers that they are there to have fun, and suggests easy and affordable ideas to reinvigorate their space. “Paint is huge! It’s affordable and you can fix a lot of things with it. It’s a quick fix, and it usually lasts two to five years when properly done,” remarks Butterfield.

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Walls, floors, cabinets and even metal or ceramic decorator items can be given a completely new lease on life with a new paint job. When painting a cottage, small rooms will feel larger with light airy colours; it’s best to add strong colours through accent pieces rather than walls. Flea market finds can be renewed with a little love, creating a laid-back style all your own and even offer an arts and crafts opportunity for cottage excursions. A collection of paint-bynumbers created at the cottage on rainy days can become a fine art collection when grouped together. Involving family and friends in decorating projects not only lightens the load, but gives your space a more personal feel. Framed children’s artwork takes on a completely new feel when creating your own personal gallery. Cottage collections of rocks, shells or pinecones can be displayed in glass vases or bottles to create an attractive accent. If you are not the do-it-yourself type, a lived-in eclectic look can be developed by any professional decorator; just pick what you

love and you’re on your way. For Butterfield it pays to invest in your cottage whether old or brand new. “Invest because you enjoy the cottage. It’s an investment in future vacations, it is part of your lifestyle and where family and friendships develop,” remarks Butterfield. When investing in cottage renovations think about longevity and usefulness. Is your cottage currently a two-or three-season retreat? Perhaps you want to invest in making your cottage an all-season destination. Replacing windows and keeping a solid roof are always smart ideas. Renovations can be as extravagant as you want them to be: make a kitchen that rivals your one at home or add an entire wing to an old cottage to increase the sleeping area for family and visitors. For those rainy days at the cottage, why not add an all-weather room? By adding a sunroom or large patio covering, you can enjoy the great outdoors even when the weather is not so great. Garett Adams of JAGG Sunrooms recommends sunrooms for

all applications, both home and cottage. “It’s a great room to be in because you get extra sunlight. It’s just good for your body and mind,” remarks Adams, adding that screened rooms keep your evenings bug-free. Outdoor decorating at the cottage is also important because most of your time will be spent outside. Look for relaxed furniture that is durable and weather-proof, and cushions that can take some rain. An outdoor shower is always handy when washing off sand and muck before tracking it into the cottage. Creating a walkway out of local stone or even slices of trees can provide an attractive rustic path to the cottage or fire pit. Being at the cottage is supposed to be relaxing, so when deciding on plants for a garden, low-maintenance choices allow you to enjoy the outdoors without a lot of work. No one wants to mow the lawn or pull weeds at the cottage. When decorating or renovating the cottage there is no right or wrong—just pick what you love, create your “home away from home” and enjoy. FHR

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regina

realtor

DIRECTORY

Brian

Jenni

Karen

L-R Matt Burns, Connie Magouliotis, Ryan Kotrla, Daryn Young, Connie Thompson, Don Wilson

Every Lender Offers the Best Rates... Our Firm Offers the Best Solutions

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Stylish Condos in Harbour Landing Bonnie Stanley 306.541.4855 | Igor Riabchyk 306.529.4467 Loretta Hughes 306.537.3500 | Curtis Bonar 306.533.1395 Design Packages bonnie@exitrealtyfusion.com

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Above the Crowd Jacquie Stewart Terrie Dunand Jacquie 306.537.6814 jacquie@jacquiestewart.com Terrie 306.530.9050 terrie@queencityhomes.ca

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retail marketplace

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Do Things Right the First Time

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Offering a wide selection of residential and commercial doors. On call 24/7 all year. Free estimates. Full warranty on products and services.

Focal point in a designed space, new Regency Fireplaces keep the focus on the fire and warmth, with one of the largest viewing areas available.

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Wheatland Fireplace 946 Park Street, Regina | 306.791.6699 www.wheatlandfireplace.com | | |

Love Coming Home

Enjoy the Outdoors in Comfort

Gould Home Recreation 1146 Broad Street, Regina | 306.522.1442 www.gouldhomerec.com

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No extra charge, whatever your location. Leave your worries to us— we will be there with a solution. Call or email. KS Blind 306.591.4682 kstradingcorp@hotmail.com

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Regina’s first choice for billiard tables and game room supplies. Offering exclusive brands: Homecrest furniture, Brunswick pool tables, Olhausen pool tables, Lava Heat fire towers.

Time to start enjoying your weekends and let the Tidy Time Saver do the the cleaning for you. Tidy Time Saver 202–2206 Dewdney Avenue | 306.546.1505 www.tidytimesaver.com | sharlashaw@tidytimesaver.com

Giving Your Concrete Floors A Mirrored Shine Diamond concrete polishing, terrazzo restoration, concrete staining and stenciling, weather proofing concrete drives, decks and sidewalks, decorative floor coatings, coating and glue removal and dust proofing.

High Gloss to Look Boss: Polished ConCrete latest Mirrortrend Image Concretein Polishing Floor design 306.530.0905 | 306.530.0904 | www.mirrorimagecp.ca

Renovation Ideas Begin with Windsor Plywood

Windsor Plywood specializes in home finishing products including high quality doors, flooring, mouldings and plywood. Locally owned and operated.

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Windsor Plywood 920 Bower Crescent, Regina | 306.721.6560 1.888.799.6789 | www.windsorplywood.com

We Brighten Everything, Including Your Day

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Merry Maids 240 12th Avenue, Regina | 306.352.6243 www.merrymaids.ca | merrymaids@sasktel.net

End Of The Roll 2410 Victoria Ave East, Regina 306.585.7655 | endoftheroll.com | regina@endoftheroll.com

Let Design Professionals Plan Your Home

Serving Regina for Over 25 years

KRN Residential Design Ltd. 205 - 1945 Scarth Street | 306.205.2549 info@krndesign.ca | www.krndesign.ca

MacKenzie Plumbing & Heating 915 Fleury Street, Regina | 306.522.0777 service@mackenzieplumbing.com | www.mackenzieplumbing.com

By Ashleigh MAttern

Merry Maids will send two of our professionally trained, bonded and insured maids to your home, along with all the necessary cleaning supplies.

Offering the following services: custom residential design, certified foundation design, additions and renovation planning, light commercial design, consulting.

Providing exceptional service and the best value in floor coverings, with top brands in stock, and floors you can take home today.

Providing home comfort service and solutions with top-level quality and care. Specializing in air and water quality services. Â Call about our rental program today.

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Serving With Professionalism Minimize your risks when buying a home or business property with the help of GPI Regina. Providers of thorough on-site computer inspection reports. Global Property Inspections Serving Regina & SE SK | 306.545.2613 | toll free 855.545.2613 www.GlobalPropertyInspections.ca | GPIRegina@sasktel.net

Because Painting is Personal

Our reputation is based on certainty of a job well done. We focus on the details of every interior and exterior project and on you, our client. CertaPro Painters速 907A Winnipeg Street | 306.757.6151 jduke@certapro.com | www.certapro.com

Biofoam Spray Foam Insulation Biofoam

years in inbusiness, business,and andcompletion hundreds ofofjobs completed. RRHBA 55 years hundreds of jobs. RRHBA member; CUFCA CUFCAmember. member.Certified Certifiedexperienced experiencedsprayer. sprayer.Family Familyand member; and locally owned. estimates. in workmanship. Locally Owned. FreeFree Estimates. PridePride in Workmanship. BioFoam Spray Spray Insulation Insulation & & Coatings Coatings Inc. BioFoam Inc. Regina SK. | 306.533.5036 Regina, S4X 0C5 | (306) 533.5036 www.biofoam.ca www.biofoam.ca

YourMaking home isYour Bathroom Beautiful yourWelargest supply bath tubs, whirlpool tubs, tub surrounds, shower stalls, vanity tops bathroom fixtures lavatories, shower doors, bathroom investment. hardware, bathroom faucets, bath enclosures.

The staff atTrojan Sandstra Construction Marble & Onyx; Shower Doors & More Ltd. understands Home 1445this. Toronto Street | 306.949.5166 | 306.352.4144 owners who are seeking to do www.trojanmarble.com | www.showerdoorsandmoreltd.com improvements to their home expect Integrity, Value & Quality. Sandstra Construction can and will deliver.

Specializing in interior and exterior renovations and new home construction.

Regina, Sk. 306.533.7316 www.sandstraconstruction.com

Carpentry Services You Can Rely On Residential and commercial contractor services. Carpentry, electrical, plumbing. Interior and exterior renovations. New construction. Home additions. Fully licensed and insured. Sandstra Construction Ltd. 306.533.7316 sandstraconstruction@sasktel.net | sandstraconstruction.com

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Regina

The Bevelled Edge Countertops Countertops

Ranked No. No. 11for forcountertops countertopsininRegina Reginaand and area. area. Open Monday to Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday,Monday 8 a.m. toto5Friday, p.m., and Saturday, 10and a.m.Saturday, to 3 p.m.10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Bevelled Edge EdgeCountertops Countertops The Bevelled 1145 Rose Street, Regina 306.790.8488 1145 Rose Street Regina || 306.790.8488 www.thebevellededge.com sales@thebevellededge.com www.thebevellededge.com || sales@thebevellededge.com

A Look of Perfection

The One Store for Your Perfect Floor

Reflections Painting 18 Emerald Creek Drive, White City | 306.539.5783 reflectionspainting@sasktel.net

Parkland Carpet One 1600 8th Ave, Regina | 306.525.9125 www.parklandcarpetoneregina.com

Luxurious and Affordable Homes for Regina

The Exterior People

Artisan Design Build Regina | 306.546.8030 www.ArtisanDesignBuild.ca

Bar-T Construction 1150 Park Street, Regina 306.789.9777

Money Isn’t All You’re Saving

Making Dream Kitchens Come True

EnviroFoam Insulation 1.877.WHY.FOAM | 306.543.8111 lonny.forrester@envirofoaminsulation.com | www.envirofoaminsulation.com

Supreme Kitchens & Millworks Ltd. 1333 Rose Street, Regina | 306.525.3701 | f: 306.525.3704 www.supremekitchens.ca | supremekitchen@sasktel.net

Specializing in residential and commercial painting. Cabinet refinishing, drywall, restoration work. 5 year painting warranty. Free estimates. We treat your home like it’s your castle.

Offering affordable base prices on all homes with standard upgrade options including quartz countertops, triple-pane windows and nine-foot main floor ceiling, making your home unique.

Serving southern Saskatchewan with great service and the best insulation in the industry. Call us today to discover how we can keep you warm!

Carpet One Floor & Home offers the largest selection of carpet, hardwood, laminate, ceramic and porcelain tile, resilient vinyl flooring, window coverings and more. Visit us today.

We understand that building a new house or renovating can be a stressful time. Let our knowledgeable staff help you choose the right exterior package.

Whether renovating an old kitchen or building a new one, we guide you through each step toward the kitchen of your dreams. Family-owned, locally-run business.

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Better Than Granite

Experience What Peace of Mind Feels Like

Granite Transformations 545 Albert Street, Regina | 306.522.1964 regina@granitetransformations.com | www.granitetransformations.com

Peace of Mind HomeCheck 306.790.7272 | peaceofmind-homecheck@sasktel.net www.peaceofmind-homecheck.com

Better Outdoor Living

Your Dream Deck for Less

Suncoast Screen Enclosures 306.761.1801 | dgl.inc@sasktel.net www.suncoastenclosures.com

Best Price Railing 1405 Lorne Street, Regina | 306.543.7245 info@bestpricerailing.com | www.best-price-railing.com

1/4 inch milled granite. Goes right over existing countertops with no mess or demolition. Evening and weekend appointments available. 100% lifetime warranty.

These aesthetically pleasing and durable sunrooms protect you from the wind, hot sun, rain and the nuisance of annoying and dangerous insects.

An insured and bonded quality home-checking service. A â&#x20AC;&#x153;one-stop shopâ&#x20AC;? providing you with security and peace of mind. We treat your home like our own.

Railings and decks are our specialty. Visit our showroom for the best service, selection and price. Now offering do-it-yourself kits or complete installations.

check out our

new website! www.FineLifestyles.ca AMAZING RECIPES! FREE DIGITAL MAGAZINES! AND MUCH MORE!

FineHomes

Regina

Member Regina & Region Home Builders’ Regina &Association Region

Home Builders’ Association

Member

Building Building

Mutually Beneficial Relationships, Mutually Beneficial Relationships,

One ROOf At A time One ROOf At A time

1 4 2 1 E d g a r St rEEt, rEgina | 306 .502.16 6 0 | www.can r id g Eroofin g .co m 142 1 E d g a r Str EEt, r Egin a | 3 06.5 02.1 660 | w ww.ca nridgE ro o fing.com

Proudly Displaying Our Products at These Fine Show Homes…

SHOW HOMES 8702 Sherwood Drive 5221 Tutor Way 3637 Green Cedar Court 4753 James Hill Road

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SHOW HOMES 4777 James Hill

SHOW HOME 51 Paradise Circle

1600–8th Avenue, Regina | 306.525.9125 www.parklandcarpetoneregina.com 92

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Regina

SHOW HOME 5002 Tutor Way

SHOW HOME 4535 Skinner Crescent