Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Richmond Review ¡ Page B1
Designing with natural gas By Kerry Vital Natural gas is no longer needed exclusively by professional chefs and high-end homes. Homeowners are increasingly choosing natural gas in their kitchens, living spaces and even outdoors. “A lot more people are choosing natural gas these days, especially in the kitchen,� says Stephanie Malhas, interior designer at Sarah Gallop Design Inc. (SGDI). “People like the
Natural gas can be used in many rooms in your home, including the kitchen, living room and even outside.
“ more page.
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Fall in love with autumn decor trends There’s a lot to be excited about when it comes to decorating for the season. By Melissa Smalley As the weather cools and we find ourselves spending the majority of our time indoors, you may be feeling the urge to spruce up your home with some new decor or a little makeover. When it comes to picking out the proper colours, patterns and styles for your home, this fall there is plenty to be excited about, according to designer Joan Walker, owner of The Curtain Call Drapery & Decorating Co. Similar to previous seasons, wallpaper is still a popular choice for homes, and choosing a print with graphics and texture helps to fill any room with subtle warmth. This year, fabrics for chairs, cushions and other such items are a little more bold, with orange and blue hues. “After years of natural texture, prints are creeping back in with bold graphics and embroidery,� Walker explained. “This can add the perfect pop to any
Among the challenges that Kerr Construction ran into while building this Vancouver home was a long permit process, noise restrictions and having to adhere to commercial fire codes due to it being located beside a commercial building. Photo submitted by Kerr Construction
Getting rid of the commute in Vancouver Kerr Construction helps Vancouver homeowner see his vision come to life. By Kerry Vital Imagine waking up in the morning and walking next door to work. Sounds like a dream for those who commute every morning and evening. That dream came true for one Vancouver homeowner, with the help of Kerr Construction. “It’s a beautiful home,� says Doug Kerr, founder of Kerr Construction. “One of the aspects of the house that I think turned out really well was
that it looks and feels like a home even though it sits on top of a parking structure beside a commercial building. With the landscaping, the green wall and the exterior finishes it feels like a home and yet still belongs in the environment with its commercial surroundings.� Because of the regulations governing commercial sites, it took a year to get approval from the City of Vancouver, and the home had to match commercial fire codes due to its location. It was also built using steel construction in order to fit in with the city regulations, as wood framing is not allowed. The noise from the existing commercial space was one of the considerations when constructing the home, as well as the space
constraints. “We had to be mindful of the existing active commercial businesses on site and had to keep the noise contained and the site tidy and orderly,� Kerr says. “Space was tight and anything heavy has to be craned in as there was not vehicle access to the rooftop patio where the home was built.� The shape of the home was determined by the patio that was already in place, while the exterior finishes were chosen to complement the commercial building next door. “The existing patio we built on was not
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Page B2 · Richmond Review
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
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Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Richmond Review ¡ Page B3
Home built on commercial building site but looks like it’s always been there “ from page.1 square,� says Kerr. “So the home had to be designed to fit the irregular shape.� The 52-inch-wide pivoting front door suits the commercial space, but also showcases the warmth of the home. Inside, the kitchen island counter and recessed ceiling above match the shape of the home, lending a modern touch to the space. The homeowner, an older gentleman, now has several features that will help as he ages. Among them is a convenience kitchen on the second floor to ensure that he can entertain on his deck without having to go up and down the stairs to the main kitchen. There are also flush transitions on the floor in case a wheelchair is needed in the future. Smart home automation is included throughout, making it easy for the homeowner to keep connected. “My favourite part of the home is the floating wall beside the open staircase,� Kerr says. “It was such an engineering feat to make an eight-foothigh wall solid without being attached at the top or sides. It provides the definition of space without blocking out all the light from the skylights in the stairwell as well as adds a little mystery of how it was constructed.� The view from the home is spectacular, so the exterior deck was constructed to maximize the homeowner’s view, enhanced by the large windows and skylights. Among the interesting features of the home is a textured green wall above the entrance to the parking garage below the home. The greenery already surrounding the home was kept, with new plants added as well. Now, the home looks like it was always there. “The homeowner was very involved in the day-to-day decisions of the home that took just over a year to build,� Kerr says. “He had a vision of how he wanted it to look and how it would function. It really is his vision. Our job was just to figure out how it could be built.� Now the homeowner can enjoy his new home without having to worry about commuting, and he has plenty of space to entertain or relax. “He loves the way the simple modern interior of the home showcases his art collection and his favourite Fin Yule furniture made in his Danish homeland,� says Kerr.
The green wall above the entrance to the parking garage, left, provides visual interest. Among the features in the home is an eight-foot-high floating wall, below, and tons of natural light in the kitchen, below left, and bathroom, above. Photos submitted by Kerr Construction
Decorating for the season “ from page.1 room, especially in a modern design. And we’re not just seeing a single colour any more as an accent.� If you’re in the market for some new furniture, Walker said the latest trend is leaning towards a more refined, ‘glam-rustic’ look to pieces that are on the lighter side, with fine features and tapered, slim legs. “Overall, it’s a little more sophisticated, but at the same time exuding a casual glamour and relaxed look,� she said. Natural wood finishes are still a popular choice – especially in coffee tables, which are often placed in groupings at different heights for a tapered look. “These pieces are not only multifunctional, but they create a dimension of a square centre of a room.� Other styles of look out for this season include designs with hints of metallic and luxury accent fabrics, including velvet and faux fur, as well as the ever-popular tribal motifs and animal prints. If it’s the flooring in your home that needs a little attention this fall, a popular choice, according to Dora Belyk of Surfside Flooring, is vinyl wood plank and tile. “It is durable and has great design detail that looks very similar to real hardwood or tile,� Belyk said.
PRODUCTS â?ąâ?ą QUALIFIED TRADES â?ąâ?ą EXPERT ADVICE â?ąâ?ą
For those homeowners who enjoy the challenge of DIY (do it yourself), these vinyl-flooring products are now available in a high-quality selfadhesive format to make the job easier than ever. If you prefer to leave it up to the experts, however, Surfside has a team of professional installers on hand to get the job done. Whether you’re just looking to add a splash of colour and style to your home, or you want to embark on a complete design renovation, seeking out the advice and expertise of a design professional will help save you time and stress and will ensure you have a finished product you will love.
Among the trends you’ll find for fall are brightly coloured accessories such as pillows, far left, and richly coloured textiles, left. Tribal motifs and metallics are also on-trend for fall, above. Bouclair Home photo far left, Pier 1 photo above, The Curtain Call Drapery and Decorating Co. photo left.
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Page B4 路 Richmond Review
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Richmond Review 路 Page B5
Page B6 · Richmond Review
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
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Natural gas an energy-efficient option for the home page.1 “from from page.1 quality and evenness of cooking with a natural gas cooktop.” Natural gas appliances can be found in many styles, including traditional free-standing ranges, built-in ranges, professional- looking cooktops and single or double wall ovens. “It’s a more professional kind of cooking,” says Sarah Gallop of SGDI. It’s also faster. FortisBC notes that natural gas cooktops heat up instantly and provide precise temperature control. Natural gas ovens are naturally convection ovens, circulating air continuously around your food and ensuring that it cooks or bakes evenly. But it’s not just the kitchen that can benefit from a natural gas makeover. Outdoor spaces and living areas are also tops on the list. “Everybody likes an outdoor firepit now,” says Susanne Doise of Sensitive Design Inc. “You want to create an outdoor space that you can use for three seasons of the year.” When it comes to that outdoor space, you have many more options than just the firepit. Doise says she’s recently designed entire outdoor kitchens, which can be easily connected to your home’s natural gas supply. She and Gallop also note the increase in people installing patio heaters so they don’t have to head inside as soon as it starts getting a bit chilly. Natural gas is available at the push of a button, so you no longer need to wait for your fireplace or cooktop to heat up or worry about running out of propane for your outdoor barbecue. It’s also more energy-efficient for space and water heating, saving you money on your heating bills. FortisBC offers an online energy calculator that will help you compare the cost of fuel sources and their energy efficiency, demonstrating that natural gas is the most affordable choice for homeowners. Find it at www.fortisbc.com/energycalculator. FortisBC natural gas customers are continuing to benefit from some of the lowest prices in a decade. As of Oct. 1, customers will see a decrease for the cost of natural gas to just over $3 per gigajoule. More information can be found at www.fortisbc.com/rates. Other outdoor options that Gallop, Doise and Malhas
have seen lately have been fire tables and full outdoor fireplaces. “People are looking for an indoor-outdoor life,” says Gallop. “You can install a fire table that looks just like a coffee table and can be used as a coffee table outside, with a linear burner in the middle.” She’s also seen firepits within an outdoor dining table. “Natural gas brings warmth,” Gallop says. “It obviously brings physical warmth but also a warm ambiance.” This is especially important in the living areas, where you want to gather with friends and family. Natural gas fireplaces are both cozy and convenient. FortisBC notes that you can even pre-program some models of gas fireplaces to turn on at a specific time to warm up your space in the morning or before you get home from work. “There’s a lot of flexibility when it comes to gas fireplaces,” says Gallop. “You can convert an old wood-burning fireplace, customize how it looks, whatever you want to suit your style, space and budget.” Doise agrees, saying, “A fireplace in the living room becomes a focal point. You want to place everything around it.” While you may not be contemplating a move any time soon, installing natural gas in your home will also increase the resale value in the future. FortisBC has partnered with Black Press on the Reno Me! with FortisBC contest, which began Oct. 7. Readers are encouraged to submit a photo by Oct. 31 of their great room, kitchen or outdoor space and explain why they want a makeover using natural gas. One finalist from each category will be chosen to receive a consultation with an interior designer and a rendering of their space. Then, one winner will be chosen by readers to receive $10,000 towards their renovation, with the second and third place homeowners receiving $2,000. Voters will also get a chance to win a $500 gift card towards the purchase of a natural gas appliance. To enter the Reno Me! with FortisBC contest, visit your local Black Press paper’s website and click on the Contests link. For more information about natural gas in your home, visit www.fortisbc.com/goodforhomes.
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Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Richmond Review ¡ Page B7
A lesson learned in Japan results in reduced energy bills in British Columbia for the Timmer family Submitted by BC Hydro
Mark Timmer and his wife Tina learned a lot from their time living in Japan. When they returned home, they knew they needed to re-evaluate their priorities when it came to energy efficiency. With the help of the LiveSmart BC program, a partnership between BC Hydro Power Smart, FortisBC and the Province of British Columbia, the Timmers have been able to take advantage of valuable rebates to homeowners. Photo submitted by BC Hydro
Mark Timmer’s wife, Tina, is of Japanese descent, but until a couple of years ago, their four children had only experienced life in Canada. To make sure they got to know their Japanese heritage, the Timmers sold their house in Victoria in 2009, Timmer took a self-funded year away from his job, and the whole family moved into a rented house in Yokohama. That year proved to be educational in more ways than Timmer expected. “Our monthly electricity bills were huge in Japan,� he says, “nor were they low in our old house in Canada. When we returned in 2010, we knew we needed to re-evaluate our priorities. We rented for a year while we looked for a house to buy. Location was important, and size – we have four kids! – but just as important, we wanted energy efficiency.� What Timmer eventually found was a 2,700-square-foot bungalow from 1958, walking distance to great schools and shopping. But he was going to have to do a lot of work to make it energy-efficient. “The incentives available through the LiveSmart BC program were a really important consideration in deciding to do the work,� says Timmer. A partnership between BC Hydro Power Smart, FortisBC and the Province of British Columbia, LiveSmart BC offers valuable rebates to help make homes more energy-efficient. “We knew we didn’t want to have to worry about shocking energy bills in the future, but we still had a budget we needed to keep to in bringing the home up to a really efficient standard. The rebates definitely helped,� says Timmer. In all, Timmer received $1,050 from LiveSmart BC for completing a range of energy-efficiency upgrades to his home, including extensive air sealing around windows, doors and electrical outlets and improvements to attic and roof insulation. An assessment of Timmer’s home before he did the upgrades gave him an EnerGuide 69 rating; that rose to EnerGuide 81 after the work was complete. EnerGuide was established by Natural Resources Canada; any rating over 80 means that a home is extremely energy-efficient and will use up to 30 per cent less energy on heating and electricity than an average home. “Our monthly energy bill is now just $101 a month,� boasts Timmer. “It took work, but the house is really comfortable now. I also think that, in future, the EnerGuide 81 rating will help us sell the house more quickly.� To find out more about the LiveSmart BC program, visit bchydro.com/ livesmartbc.
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Page B8 ¡ Richmond Review
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
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