Abbotsford News Thursday, October 24, 2013 C1

Designing with natural gas

By Kerry Vital

Natural gas is no longer needed exclusively by profes-sional chefs and high-end homes.Homeowners are increasingly choosing natural gas in their kitchens, living spaces and even outdoors.

“A lot more people are choos-ing natural gas these days, espe-cially in the kitchen,” says Steph-anie Malhas, interior designer

“ more page C4

Natural gas can be used in many rooms in your home, including the kitchen, living

room and even outside.

“ more page C3

By Kerry Vital

Imagine waking up in the morning and walk-ing 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 fi nishes it feels like a home and yet still belongs in the environment with its commercial surroundings.”

Because of the regulations governing com-mercial sites, it took a year to get approval from the City of Vancouver, and the home had to match commercial fi re codes due to its location. It was also built using steel construction in order to fi t in with the city regulations, as wood fram-ing 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 order-ly,” Kerr says. “Space was tight and anything heavy has to be craned in as there was not vehi-cle 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 fi nishes were chosen to complement the commercial building next door.

“The existing patio we built on was not

Getting rid of the commute in VancouverKerr Construction helps Vancouver homeowner see his vision come to life.

By Melissa Smalley

As the weather cools and we fi nd 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 Cur-tain Call Drapery & Decorating Co.

Similar to previous seasons, wallpaper is still a popular choice for homes, and choosing a print with graphics and tex-ture helps to fi ll 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 tex-ture, prints are creeping back in with bold graphics and embroi-dery,” Walker explained. “This can add the perfect pop to any

Fall in love with autumn decor trends

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 fi re codes due to it being located beside a commercial building.

Photo submitted by Kerr Construction

“ more page C3

October 2013PRODUCTS

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There’s a lot to be excited about when it comes to decorating for the season.

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C2 Abbotsford News Thursday, October 24, 2013

Abbotsford News Thursday, October 24, 2013 C3

room, especially in a modern design. And we’re not just seeing a single colour any more as an ac-cent.”

If you’re in the market for some new furniture, Walker said the latest trend is leaning towards a more refi ned, ‘glam-rustic’ look to pieces that are on the lighter side, with fi ne 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 fi nishes 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 de-signs with hints of metallic and luxury accent fabrics, including velvet and faux fur, as well as the ever-pop-ular tribal motifs and animal prints.

If it’s the fl ooring 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.

For those homeowners who enjoy the challenge of DIY (do it yourself), these vinyl-fl ooring products are now available in a high-quality self-adhesive 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 look-ing to add a splash of colour and style to your home, or you want to embark on a complete design renova-tion, seeking out the advice and expertise of a design professional will help save you time and stress and will ensure you have a fi nished product you will love.

square,” says Kerr. “So the home had to be designed to fi t 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 fl oor 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 fl ush transitions on the fl oor 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 fl oating wall beside the open staircase,” Kerr says. “It was such an engineering feat to make an eight-foot-high wall solid without being attached at the top or sides. It provides the defi nition 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 fi gure out how it could be built.”

Now the homeowner can enjoy his new home without having to worry about commut-ing, and he has plenty of space to entertain or relax.

“He loves the way the simple modern inte-rior 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 fl oating wall, below, and tons of natural light in the kitchen, below left, and bathroom, above.

Photos submitted by Kerr Construction

Home built on commercial building site but looks like it’s always been there

Among the trends you’ll fi nd for fall are brightly coloured accessories such as pillows, left, and richly coloured textiles, above. Tribal motifs and metallics are also on-trend for fall, right.

Bouclair Home photo far left, Pier 1 photo above, The Curtain Call Drapery

and Decorating Co. photo left.

“ from page C1

Decorating for the season

“ from page C1

Check out all of the great room, kitchen, and outdoor living areas that need a makeover! VOTE for the most deserving room for your chance to win a $500 gift card towards a natural gas purchase. (i.e. stove-top, fi replace, grill)

Go to abbynews.com/contests …click on RENO ME and VOTE NOW!

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C4 Abbotsford News Thursday, October 24, 2013

Natural gas an effi cient option for the home

Natural gas is a convenient option for your home, whether you want to fuel a fi replace, above, or an outdoor fi repit, far right. Natural gas is also great for cooktops and ovens in the kitchen.

Photos submitted by FortisBC

“ from page C1

at Sarah Gallop Design Inc. (SGDI). “People like the quality and evenness of cooking with a natural gas cooktop.”

Natural gas appliances can be found in many styles, including traditional free-stand-ing ranges, built-in ranges, professional-look-ing 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 benefi t from a natural gas makeover. Outdoor spaces and living areas are also tops on the list.

“Everybody likes an outdoor fi repit 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 fi repit. H A R D W O O D - V I N Y L - T I L E - W I N D O W C O V E R I N G S - C A R P E T - L A M I N AT E A N D M O R E

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Abbotsford News Thursday, October 24, 2013 C5

Reg. #14716

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW before you call any electrician

To ensure you are contacting the right electrician, consider this...

Call today!Abbotsford 604-857-8890 Mission 604-826-8810

r TM www.bluecrest.net.

51 Focused or Filler: Most electricians prefer new construction or big projects and consider

home renovations and repairs an interruption to their day. At Blue Crest Electric we focus on the homeowner. We love home renovations and take great pride in our installations. Our broad scope of knowledge and experience means that troubleshooting and problem solving are our specialty.

2 Appointments: Most electricians don’t make actual appointments. Instead, they say something like, “I’ll be there Tuesday” or “some time next week”. Meanwhile you waste a lot of time waiting, wondering if you should risk going out in case he should show up. When you call Blue Crest Electric for an appointment, we arrange for our actual arrival time so you can go about your day with the least amount of inconvenience, and we keep our appointments. Guaranteed.

3 Invoice Overload: This is what happens when you get a ‘ball-park estimate’ or are charged for ‘time & material’ and the electrician gets paid more the longer he takes to complete the job. At Blue Crest Electric we take exception to this practice. We show you the guaranteed exact amount you’ll pay before the project begins. In most cases we will even provide several cost options so you can choose what is right for your budget.

4 Don’t have the parts: Other electricians do not stock their trucks like we do. This usually results in 2, 3 or even 4 trips before your problem is fi xed and is all added to the time charged on your invoice. Blue Crest Electric trucks are stocked with more parts so we can fi x your problem the fi rst time.

5 Guarantees: Ask other electricians if they guarantee their work, and for how long, and you’re likely to get a blank stare or you should be informed of their ‘concrete guarantee’ which lasts as long as they are standing on your concrete driveway. At Blue Crest Electric, your satisfaction is 111% guaranteed. If you’re unhappy with our work for any reason, we’ll redo it. Free. We want you to be more than just 100% satisfi ed. We want you to tell your friends good things about us.

ALL WORK PERFORMED TO YOUR COMPLETE SATISFACTION BY RELIABLE, TRAINED AND EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROFESSIONALS.

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EXP2013 FINALIST4

05

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SOUTH ABBOTSFORD AND HAZARD TREE REMOVALS POWER LINE TREE PRUNING

When: October 21, 2013 to March 17, 2014 Time: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Trees are a significant cause of power interruptions. Contact between trees and power

lines can also create a severe danger.

Over the next few months we will be pruning and removing trees in South Abbotsford.

Boundaries: North: Highway 1

East: Townline Road

South: USA Border

West: Lefeuvre Road

Trees are pruned using the best arboriculture (tree care) practices. Skilled workers

employed by BC Hydro are trained in both electrical safety and tree care. Only correct

and proper techniques are used to eliminate any safety hazards.

For more information about this work, please call Derek Brown at 604 854 8466. For more

information on our vegetation management practices, please visit bchydro.com/trees.

REMBRANDTAND THE DUTCH MASTERS

LANDSCAPES AND PORTRAITS

S E P T E M B E R 6 T O N O V E M B E R 1 7Opening Reception Friday, September 6, 7-9pm

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Thank you to our generous sponsors and supporters

Burnaby Art Gallery exhibitions and public programs are admission by donation. Suggested admission to these special exhibitions is $10.

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.

“It’s kind of like camping in your own backyard,” says Gallop. “You get the informality of outdoor space with the convenience of natural gas.”

And convenient it is. Natural gas is available at the push of a button, so you no longer need to wait for your fi replace or cooktop to heat up or worry about running out of propane for your outdoor barbecue. It’s also more ener-gy-effi cient 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 effi ciency, demonstrating that natural gas is the most affordable choice for homeown-ers. Find it at www.fortisbc.com/energycalculator. FortisBC natural gas customers are continuing to benefi t 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.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 fi nalist 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.

C6 Abbotsford News Thursday, October 24, 2013 Abbotsford News Thursday, October 24, 2013 C7

C8 Abbotsford News Thursday, October 24, 2013

Upper Fraser Valley

Habitat for Humanity®12-34220 South Fraser Way (OFF OF ABBOTSFORD WAY)

604.557.1020www.habitatufv.ca

OPEN:9am-5pm Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri8am-8pm Thurs9am-4pm Sat

• lots of furniture to choose from• only new carpeting• new kitchen cabinet doors• we tear out kitchens for free• lots & lots of cabinet and kitchen pulls• lots of brand new and slightly used doors,

assorted sizes• assorted lumber, from 2x4s to much more• ask us about our delivery policy

While having almost everything you

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materials and household furniture.

We’re a BUILDING SUPPLY STORE with a CAUSE!

Not exactlyas shown.

By Kerry Vital

The winter holidays are fast approaching, and you’ve probably already seen the fi rst sprinklings of snowfl akes and reindeer in stores. It’s never too early to start thinking about what you’d like to include in your holi-day decor plans.

“Traditional colours are being used in a new way,” says Vickie Maxwell, media coordinator for Bouclair Homes. “Red is mixed with gold and black, giving it a strong, glamourous feel to a very traditional holiday colour.”

Red, gold and green is usually what comes to mind when Christmas is discussed, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick with those traditional colours. Bouclair is moving beyond that this year with collections that feature teal, silver and white. Keeping your own style in mind will make for a far better look than trying to stick with something that’s not your style.

Sparkle has always been an integral part of the holidays for some, and you’ll fi nd plenty of options in stores.

“Emerging trends for holiday decor is anything that sparkles and mixing con-trasting elements like earthy wood and metallic accents together,” says Pottery Barn spokesperson Kendra Stewart. “Pair big wooden candle pillars with shiny mercury glass and earthy ceramics for a contrast of rustic and luxe elements to create a casual yet festive look for the season.”

Pottery Barn is updating some of the traditional holiday items this year, including glittery reindeer and sequined woodland creatures.

“The holidays are all about creating an inviting space to

entertain and celebrate the season, and I love the tradition of decorating with my nostalgic pieces and pairing them with new seasonal updates,” says Stewart.

“This year, bring a little warmth and spar-kle to every room with accents of mercury glass and a chunky knit pillow or faux fur throw.”

The holidays can also be a great time to try out some do-it-yourself ideas.

Cutting out snowfl akes from folded paper is a time-honoured tradition, stemming from elementary school experiences for many. Setting your kids free with the crayons and glitter makes for an easy afternoon craft project.

Another great idea is to gather some pine cones from your local park and hanging them up with some ribbon. For a little extra touch, try spray-painting them and rolling them in glitter before hanging them.

You can also fi nd a new use for some of the tree ornaments that you don’t want to put on the tree. Filling a glass bowl or vase with them and using it as a centrepiece adds some sparkle and colour to a holiday table. You can also do this with pieces of candy or fruit, or jingle bells from a craft store.

Strings of lights are also a great way to decorate for the season, no matter which holiday you celebrate. Running them along a fi replace mantel or inside a window frame will lend some more sparkle to your space. Or, try wrap-ping them up the banister of your stairs, accented with some tinsel garland.

Decorating for the holidays is all a matter of individual style, whether you want to go all-out with the lights and wreathes or just decorate a tree for you and your family to enjoy.

Glitter reigns supreme for the winter holidays

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Abbotsford News Thursday, October 24, 2013 C9

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C10 Abbotsford News Thursday, October 24, 2013

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 Yokoha-ma.

That year proved to be educational in more ways than Timmer expect-ed.

“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 effi ciency.”

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-effi cient.

“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 Prov-ince of British Columbia, LiveSmart BC offers valuable rebates to help make homes more energy-effi cient.

“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 effi cient standard. The rebates defi nitely helped,” says Timmer.

In all, Timmer received $1,050 from LiveSmart BC for completing a range of energy-effi ciency 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-effi cient 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 fi nd out more about the LiveSmart BC program, visit bchydro.com/livesmartbc.

A lesson learned in Japan results in reduced energy bills in British Columbia for the Timmer family

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 effi ciency. 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

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Abbotsford News Thursday, October 24, 2013 C11

By Kerry Vital

When it comes to replacing your windows, you’ll need a clear vision of what you want the exterior of your home to look like.

“You have to think big picture on what look you want,” says Mark Brandow, sales manager for Centra Windows. “Are you going to paint the exterior a different colour in the future? Are you going to change the siding?”

Brandow says that the fi rst thing he does when he goes to a client’s home is to stand outside the house with the homeowner and talk about the look he or she wants for their home.

“You need to have a vision of what you want,” he says.

The biggest thing that homeowners need to consider when replacing their windows is the energy savings, especially as it gets colder.

“You want to keep the heat in,” Brandow says, adding that it will save you money in the long run.

The important things that you should consid-er are what Brandow calls “the three keys.”

The fi rst is the glass, followed by the frame and the installation.

“The installation is the most important com-ponent,” he says. “If you don’t have it installed properly, it’s more drafty in your room and it opens walls to rot, which leads to mold and bigger expenses.”

He also recommends homeowners ask the window compa-ny what they use as spacers between the glass to maintain the seal.

“We use structural foam that expands when it’s hot and con-tracts when it’s cold,” Brandow says. “Glass does that too.”

When it comes to style, clean, crisp lines and clear glass are the most popular, whether you’re looking for a large bay window or a small picture window.

Brandow recommends those looking to replace their windows budget between $600 and $800 per window in order to cover the glass, screens and inert gas that fi lls the space

between the panes. He also notes that most window replacements will take about fi ve to eight weeks from the time you sign the contract to the fi nished product.

“We’ll go through the options that work for you,” he says. “We’ll talk about function and the trim options including the colour scheme.”

While you may not consider your win-dows tops on the list of things keeping you warm in your house, it’s defi nitely worth a second thought as the nights get colder. No one wants to spend more money on energy bills than they have to.

Think of the big picture when it comes to windows

Having properly installed windows will not only make your home look great but will also lower your heating costs in the long run.

Photos submitted by Centra Windows

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