Special Features - Renonation - April 22, 2015

There’s a touch of Italian luxury in Crescent Beach, thanks to Tuscan Developments and its president, Mark Peers.

Their recent renovation takes advantage of a fantastic location to create a home that’s perfect for a family, and unrecognizable from the original home. Peers purchased the existing house, built in 1975, because he saw it as a “wonderful opportunity” to create something beautiful.

“The home had great bones,” he says. “Everything was in ex-cellent shape. This saved us hundreds of thousands of dollars by using the existing house.”

The $2-million renovation, which changed both the layout and the exterior facade, took a year from beginning to end, and later sold for over $5 million after the house was completed. Peers calls the home Villa del Sol Ponente, which means House of the Sinking Sun in Italian.

It’s an appropriate name.“From the kitchen you look through French doors over the in-

finity pool and to the ocean,” he says. Sunsets are never in the short supply through the huge windows, and the homeowners

are able to take advantage of unrestricted 180-degree views of the Pacific ocean to the west and the surrounding forest to the east.

The original home didn’t take advantage of these surroundings.“It was designed for an urban lot that was built looking in-

ward instead of outward,” says Peers. “We focused on the ocean and brought it into the home.”

Peers and his team removed all of the interior walls from the main floor of the home, and created a seamless open floor plan.

“We put in major steel beams to support the second floor after we removed the walls from the main floor,” he says. “This house had too many bedrooms, so we removed the bedroom above the living room and created 20-foot ceilings. It enabled us to place large windows above the new French doors.”

Light now pours into the home through those large windows, and the doors open onto the pool and garden area.

“I love the layout; it’s just to die for,” says Peers. “From the kitchen, the living room is on the left and a kids’ playroom is on the right with a fireplace and doors that open onto the pool. It means the family can all be together without being on top of each other.”

The original family room is now called the Arizona Room, after Peers removed the exterior wall and replaced it with an Eclipse Moving Wall that can open up completely to the outside. It holds an indoor fire pit that can be used for barbecues year-

round, and has direct access to the pool and hot tub.The kitchen, now moved to the centre of the home, is seriously

spectacular, with granite flooring and marble countertops. Peers and his team also added a spice kitchen off the main kitchen.

“The spice kitchen is where the action happens!” says Peers.There is also a wine cellar and huge pantry that blends seam-

lessly with style of the elegant kitchen.The main floor also features a stunning powder room, which

was integral to the renovation.“The powder room is the most important room in the house,”

Peers says. “When people come over, they form an opinion of you and your home from looking at the powder room. This one … is really beautiful.”

Another important room is the laundry room, which Peers notes is integral to the successful running of the house when you have a family.

“You spend half your life in there!” he says.Now, the no-longer-utilitarian laundry room has plenty of

space for sorting, folding and ironing, as well as tons of storage.The beauty continues upstairs. With the removal of some of

the floors upstairs to create the 20-foot ceilings in the living area, Peers was able to create a floating walkway that adds to the incredible sense of space in the home.

A taste of Italy with Tuscan Developments

Tuscan Developments’ Villa del Sol Ponente renovation was a year-long project that changed the exterior facade and took advantage of the home’s stunning Crescent Beach location.Photo supplied by Tuscan Developments

“ more page.16

April 2015PRODUCTS

QUALIFIED TRADES EXPERT ADVICE

By Kerry Vital

Bringing the spa home Page 17

w w w . c o a s t a p p l i a n c e s . c o m

Coast has the Brands you Want, and the Expertise you Need!

Vancouver: 8488 Main St

Surrey: 19495 56 Ave

Coquitlam: #1-1315 United Blvd

Abbotsford: 34445 Marshall Rd

The Chilliwack Progress Wednesday, April 22, 2015 www.theprogress.com 15

“ more page.16

“ from page.1

RenoNation is published five times a year in the following Lower Mainland Black Press Group Publications: Abbotsford News, Chilliwack Progress, Langley Times, Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows News, Surrey/North Delta Leader, Peace Arch News. Total distribution available 261,800. For more information please contact your local Black Press sales representative.

Black Press Head Office: Suite 309 - 5460 152 Street, Surrey, B.C. V3S 5J9 Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited.

PRODUCTS QUALIFIED TRADES

EXPERT ADVICE

Every bedroom now has ocean views, a walk-in closet and an ensuite bathroom. The master bathroom in particular is gorgeous.

“The old bathroom was horrid,” Peers says. “It was a 1976 shagadelic pink bathroom with no windows.”

Now, the master bath has a huge window beside the soaker tub that overlooks the ocean, dual vanities and a large luxurious shower.

The low-ceilinged, dark basement below the living room has become a home theatre with eight-foot ceilings after Peers raised the floor above. There is also a Tuscan-style bar and French doors that lead to the garden.

Outside, the pool required a foundation that would cradle the pool six feet in the air. Peers then built the pool around it to cre-ate the infinity style.

Villa del Sol Ponente is now a treasured family home, perfect for both relaxing and entertaining.

“The reason you want to renovate is because you want your home to be the place you want to come home to,” Peers says. “You want it to embrace your lifestyle and reflect you. You want it to be the space where you feel most comfortable and happy.”

When it comes to choosing a renovator for your home, Peers recommends that the homeowner speak to past clients.

“We always ask our clients if we can show the home and have an open house,” he says. “That way future customers can talk to the owners and ask questions. Our modus operandi is to intro-duce future customers to old customers.”

He also notes that homeowners should never rush into a ren-ovation.

“The more time you spend planning and organizing, the less it will cost you and the happier you will be,” Peers says.

A renovation, no matter how large, is a major change to your home and your life, and trusting the person doing the renova-tion is an integral part of keeping your sanity at the end of the day. Peers and his team want to ensure that the process is as painless as possible.

“All of our customers become friends of mine,” he says. “We love them, and we love what we do.”outdoor dining terrace and covered lounge.

The level above is a private haven with three bedrooms. The mas-ter bedroom has its own dressing room and luxurious ensuite.

The top level has another bedroom, as well as a sitting room, library, play room and laundry room.

Teragon also expanded the basement of the home, from half crawl space and half basement to a basement with 10-foot ceil-ings throughout. That basement now holds a games room, home theatre, wine cellar and gym, making the home an entertainer’s paradise.

The home has plenty of heritage-style touches, such as wal-nut panelling and flooring laid in a herringbone pattern. The bronzed railing on the sweeping staircase was inspired by an art noveau railing from Brussels, Belgium, and was hand-forged. Custom millwork, five fireplaces, custom stained glass and natu-ral stone elements are just a few of the other luxurious aspects of The Mayfair.

Van Linge himself is a journeyman carpenter, noting that he enjoys bringing those old-fashioned elements to his work.

“Something that sets us apart is our eye for detail,” he says. “You can’t execute these kinds of ideas without being able to see the (small) details.”

The renovations were completed last year and the owner has since sold the home, but Van Linge and his team are still in-volved with the new owners, assisting them with the operations of the house.

“We’re still working with them to maintain and service the ex-terior paint and the HVAC system, for example,” says Van Linge.

For more information about The Mayfair and Teragon Devel-opments, visit www.teragon.ca.

The home’s main floor now has an open-plan layout and elegant kitchen (above left and top). Peers and his team also built a Tuscan-style bar in the basement (above).

Photos supplied by Tuscan Developments

built with

We can now enjoy the

outdoors much longer

in the fall!

# LOVE PATIO

PATIO COVERS RETRACTABLE GLASS WALLS NATURAL SCREEN ROOMS

FREE BACKYARD CONSULTATION

877.707.7427

Call us now for your

Check out our website for great ideas:

naturallightpatiocovers.com

1.844.65.LUMON

We can nowenjoy the outdoors all year round!

# ILOVEMYPATIO

01/1

5W_N

L21

Wednesday, April 22, 2015 The Chilliwack Progress16 www.theprogress.com

built with

We can now enjoy the

outdoors much longer

in the fall!

# LOVE PATIO

PATIO COVERS RETRACTABLE GLASS WALLS NATURAL SCREEN ROOMS

FREE BACKYARD CONSULTATION

877.707.7427

Call us now for your

Check out our website for great ideas:

naturallightpatiocovers.com

1.844.65.LUMON

We can nowenjoy the outdoors all year round!

# ILOVEMYPATIO

01/1

5W_N

L21

45860 Spadina AvenueChilliwack B.C. V2P 6H9

www.theprogress.comMonday-Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm

■ classifieds • 604.702.5552or 604.702.5554

■ circulation • 604.702.5558■ reception • 604.702.5550

how to reach us...

04/15W_LS22

LindaSexsmith604-793-8100

Looking for your Perfect Home?Call your local award winning REALTOR®.

L_L_LLL_LLLLLLLLLLL 22S222S22S22S22S22SSSSSS22SSS2222S22SS22S22S22S22S22SS

BE REPRESENTED - IT’S WORTH YOUR WHILE.

Top 5% HomeLife CanadaHomeLife Chairman’s Club

CADREB Platinum President’s ClubVoted Chilliwack’s Favourite REALTOR® 2014 A-List

HomeLife Glenayre Realty Chilliwack Ltd.

SOLDOLDSOL

Spending a few relaxing hours at a spa might not be an op-tion for you on a regular basis, but it doesn’t have to be when your own bathroom can take you away from it all at the end of a long day.

“If a consumer is looking to create a spa-like bathroom expe-rience, a custom shower or vertical spa is a great place to start,” says Garry Scott, vice-president of wholesale marketing and brand development for Moen Canada. “It allows the homeown-er to personalize the shower to meet their needs. Everyone has personal preferences for their shower, from finding the perfect water pressure to temperature, down to the scent of the soap.”

Before you can bring the spa home, you need to do a bit of research.

“When a consumer is shopping for a new shower solution, they should consider what’s most important to them and how they use their shower on a daily basis,” Scott notes. “If a con-sumer is looking to create a spa-like experience for their bath, than they might opt for a vertical spa that features a rain show-er, hand shower and multiple body sprays.”

A free-standing soaker tub might be another option for homeowners looking for a bit of relaxation. It can be easy to while away the hours in a warm, deep tub and let the stresses soak away. There are several options on the market for such a tub, from the classic iron clawfoot to a modern fibreglass square or oval shape.

“We are seeing modern designs, now more than ever,” Scott says. “Even our bath safety products are becoming more stream-lined.”

Bath safety products such as grab bars might not be top of mind when you’re looking to build your own spa-like bath-room, but they’re an important consideration if you’re planning to stay in your home in the long-term.

Another consideration is the environment, and this doesn’t have to fall by the wayside in your luxurious space.

“If conserving water is important to a homeowner, they should look for Watersense-labeled fixtures,” says Scott. “A typical shower head uses 2.5 gallons of water per minute (9.5

litres), while a Watersense-labeled shower head operates at 2 gallons per minute (7.6 litres). Since a typical family uses about 80 gallons of water per day in the shower and bathroom, this can equate to big savings.”

A relaxing bathroom needs to be an uncluttered space, mean-ing storage is an important aspect to consider as well. Where will you keep the towels, toiletries and assorted sundries? A proper bathroom vanity, whether it has one or two sinks, will keep ev-erything in its place without marring the clean and streamlined effect that you’re looking for in a spa-like bathroom. If a free-standing sink is more your style, consider built-in cabinetry in other areas of the bathroom, or utilize wire racking as an unob-trusive way to hold what’s necessary.

The key to any great bathroom is in the details, whether it’s

the storage or the fixtures. There is no better way to find your style than spending some time browsing the Internet, home decor magazines or speaking to a professional. A bathroom renovation can be one of the more extensive (and expensive) renovations to a home, so Scott recommends that a plumber be involved in any large renovation.

“Once a homeowner has discovered a tub or shower system that interests them, it’s important to seek out a plumber that’s familiar with the products, and who will work with them to de-sign a system that fits their needs,” he says.

Whether your style is clean, streamlined and modern, or el-egant and traditional, a spa-like bathroom will surely be an im-portant element of your home, one that will give you pleasure for years to come.

Bringing the spa home

Important elements of a spa-like bathroom are a stand-alone tub, freestanding vertical shower and elegant vanities.Photos supplied by Moen

By Kerry Vital


4-15W FD15

CONCEPT TO QUALITY COMPLETION

C: 604-819-5185F: 604-568-3409

10141 Gillanders Rd.

Chilliwack, BC V2P 6H4

Dedrick Kerkhoff

[email protected]

Fourth Dimension Construction is a local builder of quality storage buildings, shops, barns and

garages for agricultural and residential use. Fourth Dimension Construction meets the farm and

home owner needs throughout the Fraser Valley.


Custom Countertops & More!Custom Countertops & More!

In the same parking lot as Cookies Grill

604-391-0059

4/15

W_S

22

“We rock your “We rock your world”world”

New Line of FaucetsAvailable at

Swinstones Granite JEWEL Italian Made

Come visit us at our new showroom!

B1-44335 Yale Road WestChilliwack, B.C.

Phone: 604-391-0059Fax: 604-391-1108

48255 Chilliwack Central Road, Chilliwack604-795-3770

4/15W_S22Monday to Saturday 9am-5:30pm / Sundays and Holidays 11am-5pm

BLOODGOOD JAPANESE MAPLESreg $12999

35%OFF

SUMMER FLOWERING BULB & TUBERS

20% OFFDahlia, Gladiolus, Lilies

BASKET STUFFERS2¼ POT

10 & UP$1349

10 gal

reg $799

FOR

P starting at$1.49

STRAWBERRY PLANTS

20% OFF10 pk Bareroot

MOVING!AS OF APRIL 24

our new location is:

8465 Harvard PlaceUnit #19

is

Serving Chilliwack since 1974

www.neelsheating.com604.792.1951

4-15W NH22

• Installation of Heating & Cooling systems including accessories such as air cleaners, humidifi ers, hot water tanks, tankless water heaters etc.• Licensed & Bonded Gas Fitting• Service and repairs on all brands of equipment• Preventive maintenance for your heating and cooling systems• Full Sheet Metal Fabricating Shop• Qualifi ed, knowledgeable staff • Each new installation is designed for your home• HRV installation & Design

AIRPORT RD.

Trixie’s Car Wash

YALE

RD

.

HA

RVA

RD

OLD LOCATION

NEW LOCATION

Taking a dipBy Kerry Vital

Summer is fast approaching and pool weather will be here before you know it.

Now is the perfect time to consider installing a pool per-fect for entertaining around or getting in a morning swim before the heat of the day.

But there is plenty to think about before adding a pool to your backyard. Your municipality will have rules and regu-lations governing pools, so it’s important to take a look at those before you fall in love with a design outside of those boundaries. A permit will have to be approved as well before excavation and construction can begin. A qualifi ed pool pro-fessional should always be the fi rst person you consult.

It is also best to consult a professional when it comes to the safety considerations. Local by-laws will lay out the require-ments for fencing, and safety covers are available that can block access to the pool; your pool professional will be able to advise you as to your choices and what will work best for you and your family. And of course, adult supervision is the most important thing to have when children are around the water.

Beyond all of the regulations, there are a lot of design deci-sions to be made. Most in-ground pools are built from con-

crete or plaster, but you’re not stuck with a drab grey. “Current trends in colours are dark hydrazzo plaster or

all white tile or plaster,” says Lori Merritt of Trasolini Pools. “Very clean lines and style.”

Even the shape of the pool can be up to the homeowner.“A 16’ by 32’ rectangle remains a standard size pool, but (it

changes) depending on each individual client,” says Merritt. “Popular trends (right now) are negative edge, games pools and lap pools, or adding swim jets.”

A negative edge pool is sometimes called an infi nity pool, where the pool appears to extend to the horizon or vanish off the edge. Th e trend is a relatively recent one, but is oft en seen in high-end hotels, residences and spas.

When choosing the shape of the pool, it’s best to consider how oft en you will use it and what you plan to use it for. If you’re planning to use it to swim laps as a form of exercise, a rectangular pool would probably work best. If your new pool is to be used only for entertaining, perhaps a more rounded and free-form shape would suit. Want to add an in-ground hot tub? Custom hot tubs can be built to match with the pool, including the shape, materials and colours. Even when the weather is cooler, a hot tub is great for relaxing and easing stress.

According to Trasolini Pools, most pools take about 60 days to build aft er the area is excavated. Just another reason to get that project started before summer entertaining season begins! While a pool can be an extensive renovation, it’s also one of the most rewarding and fun in the long term.


• Top Soil • Potting Soil • Steer Manure • Mushroom Manure • Chicken Manure • Composted Manure

No matter the size of your garden...

ENTERPRISES LTD.ENTERPRISES LTD.Bill Kelly • 604-795-3330

ed Manure

GardenGardenCentreCentre

Pit on Pit on Promontory RdPromontory Rd

Mr. ScoopsMr. Scoops

WE LOAD YOUR TRUCK FOR YOU!

4-1

5W

K2

2

Kelmor has everything you need!

Composted Composted

Steer ManureSteer Manure

$$330000

PottingPottingSoilSoil

$$440000

BarkBarkMulchMulch

$$55000020 lb. bag 20 L bag 60 L bag

604-858-260045788 KNIGHT RD.

#1 HIGHWAY

KNIGHT RD.

VEDD

ER R

D.

N

We have all your hardscape and landscape needs covered, including:

Arti cial Turf Bagged Concrete Bricks and Blocks Bulk Sand/Gravel/Soil/Mulch

Cultured Stone Lawn and Catch Basins Natural Stone Paving Stones Pond Supplies Retaining Walls

Bulk Bag Special!

Fill with Soil, Mulch, Fill with Soil, Mulch, Gravel or Sand!Gravel or Sand!

$$9999OnlyOnly

1 cubic yard delivered1 cubic yard delivered

Each additional bag Each additional bag only $69 ea.only $69 ea.

Plus Many More in store Plus Many More in store specials - come see us!specials - come see us!

05/1

4W_C

7

Join us for

4-15

F M

F22

4-15

F M

F22

2” Basket2” BasketStuffersStuffers

Fresh Fresh Veggies Veggies ready to ready to plant!plant!

Bring us your empty planters and we will help you choose the best plants for them & even lend a hand planting!

Pot Up Days!

6698 Prest Rd • 604-847-3651

Saturday, April 25

Mothers Day Mothers Day is coming...is coming...

Beating the heat this summerBy Kerry Vital

Metro Vancouver’s winter has been mild, and an early summer seems to be heading our way.

While we don’t oft en get the extremes of temperature that other regions see, you will want to keep cool as the mercury rises. An air-conditioning system might be just the ticket.

“Th ere are three basic types of air conditioners home-owners can go with,” says Matthew Edwards of Milani Plumbing, Drainage & Heating. “If they have an exist-ing furnace, this can be converted into a central air sys-tem. Th is is typically going to be the most cost-eff ective option, but it all depends on the work that needs to be done.”

Th e second type is called a ductless split.“In these units, one side is mounted on the interior

of the home and the other side is mounted on the exte-rior,” says Edwards. “Th ese are a good option if central air or using the ductwork for A/C is not a viable option. If you’ve just completed a reno and want to add A/C to the room but can’t use the ductwork, this is a good al-ternative.”

Th e third option is something Edwards calls an “air handler.”

“Th ese units work like central air, but require addi-tional ductwork to be installed,” he says. “Th is is usually the best option for older homes, because some of them won’t have the ductwork necessary. Th ey may have radi-ant fl oor heating and never needed the ductwork. Th e option you choose is largely going to depend on your own personal needs and the needs of the home.”

When choosing a system, it’s best to determine what those needs are. Are you trying to cool a small room, or an entire home? Are you replacing an existing system, or installing something brand-new?

“Th ink about how hot it gets during the summer season,” Edwards suggests. “Hotter climates will require your system to run for longer, consuming more electric-ity. So, a more effi cient system will benefi t from this cli-mate than in a colder summer climate.”

Edwards recommends looking at the SEERS number, which measures effi ciency. Th e higher the number (up to 21), the more effi cient the system will be.

“You’re going to pay more for the air conditioner at the start for a more effi cient system, but you’ll see the savings over the long term,” he says.

Edwards’ biggest tip for people looking to install an air-conditioning unit?

“Ask about the warranty. Ask about the warranty. Ask about the warranty,” he says. “If something goes wrong, what’s covered? What’s not covered? If you had the sys-tem installed by a professional, what kind of warranty is there on the labour? Will you have to pay for labour charges if a part needs replacing on warranty? With that being said, keep in mind that you want a licensed, bond-ed and insured installer taking care of all the work. Th at way you’re protected at all times, and so is your home.”

He also recommends doing a bit of spring cleaning.“Th ese units are constantly grabbing unfi ltered air,

fi ltering it and pushing it into your house,” Edwards says. “Dust accumulates all the time, and dust, dirt and grime will aff ect the operation over time. It’s best if you do a thorough cleaning in the spring time, before you turn it on for the summer.”

Homeowners can change the fi lter and vacuum out the unit, but Edwards notes that some cleaning requires a professional.

“Th e fi ns in the system can be easily damaged if you’re not careful,” he says. “However, changing a fi lter is easy.”

A well-insulated home will go a long way toward keeping your home cool in the heat, as well as warm in the winter. Insulation is not a do-it-yourself project, so make sure you consult a contractor or other construc-tion professional when looking at re-insulating your home.

Other options for keeping your home cool are plant-ing shade trees to provide a buff er between the sun and your home, installing shades or overhangs on the exte-rior of the house that will protect your windows from the sun or placing a standing fan by an open window at night when it tends to be cooler to circulate the incoming air. You can also do something as simple as drink more cold water to cool your body temperature, and change your bed linens to something light and airy. No one wants to wake up sticky with sweat! Light-coloured blinds and curtains will refl ect heat back outside, and keeping them closed during the day can further reduce heat. Major appliances such as laundry machines, dishwashers and stoves can generate heat, so keeping their use to a mini-mum during the hottest parts of the day can also assist in keeping your home cooler during the summer months.

When choosing an air conditioning unit, it’s best to consider what your needs are fi rst.

Photo supplied by Mliani Plumbing, Drainage & Heating


SERVING CHILLIWACK & AREA FOR 3 GENERATIONS

6 0 4 - 7 9 2 - 1 4 7 944745 YALE ROAD

www.chilliwackroofing.ca

NEW ROOF RE-ROOF REPAIRSSHINGLES TORCH ON METAL CLADDING

F U L LY I N S U R E D , W C B , C O R C E R T I F I E D

FA M I LY O W N E D & O P E R AT E D S I N C E 1 9 6 1

WHEN QUALITYCOUNTS!

› ›

›

3-15w CR18

›

ALL 20%

OFFFLOOR LAMPSTABLE LAMPSDECOR ITEMSARTWORK & ANTIQUES

4-15F NL22

Light up the night with outdoor lightingBy Kerry Vital

A well-lit house is a dramatic and beautiful addition to any neighbourhood, as well as one that is considerably safer.

Well-placed lighting will not only illuminate your landscaping but also welcome you and your guests to your home.

“Outdoor lighting is used to enhance the beauty of your home while providing safety and security,” says Svea Poulsen of Norburn Lighting and Bath. “Th e exte-rior of your home is the fi rst thing your guests see so it is important that you address it appropriately.”

She suggests that homeowners looking to install new outdoor lighting consider fi rst where they want to add some illumination. Th ere are many areas of the home that might need some extra light, including the en-trance, driveway or landscaping.

“Your main entrance welcomes your guests to your home and can be one of the main features on the exte-rior of the house,” says Poulsen. “Wall lanterns on either side of your door will be a warm and welcoming look for your guests. Under a porch or other overhang, you can use recessed chain-hung or close-to-ceiling fi xtures depending on the height of your overhang.”

Landscape lighting in the front or back yards can be another great way to accent your home, and showcase your gardening work, walkways or water features such as ponds or fountains.

“Well-lit walkways, driveways and porches create a safer and more secure environment for family and guests as they enter and exit your home,” Poulsen says. “Try to avoid the runway look by lighting the entrance to the walkway, any turns and all changes of elevation.

To add interest, place lights near plants to create inter-esting shadows.”

Another good place to install outdoor lighting is over the garage.

“Wall lanterns on either side of the doors or a single light over the door would be enough light for safety and security,” says Poulsen.

Just as there are many styles of home, there are many styles of lighting. Lanterns, spotlights and track light-ing are traditional time-honoured choices, but there are also new styles on the market such as candelabras, pen-dants and hanging chandeliers. Mason jars on a garden path lend a rustic air to the proceedings, while strings of white or coloured lights don’t have to be featured only at Christmas: they make a great addition to a garden or can be strung along a fence. You can even light up a pool, which will not only make it an elegant feature in the backyard but also add an element of safety due to its visibility even on the darkest nights.

“Th ere are plenty of diff erent styles in outdoor light-ing: traditional, modern and transitional,” says Poulsen. “Fixtures will come in a variety of fi nishes such as bronze, black, brushed nickel (and) stainless-steel. Con-sistency in the style of fi xtures unifi es your lighting plan and defi nes your property, making it easier for visitors to fi nd and approach your home.”

She cites a post light as an example of a fi xture that will welcome visitors to the home.

“Th e … light serves as a welcoming beacon, the primary fi xture announcing your home’s presence,” Poulsen says. “So, it’s appropriate that it set a style tone for the rest of the property.”

Outdoor lighting also doesn’t have to make a big dent in your wallet.

“For energy savings, consider purchasing LED fi x-tures,” says Poulsen. “Th e initial cost will be more than

a normal fi xture, but you will save money on energy costs. For the fi xtures that you want on throughout the night for security, you may want to consider one with a photocell.”

A photocell acts like a traditional timer on an indoor lamp, and will turn the fi xtures on at dusk and off at dawn.

“You don’t have to re-member to turn on the lights when it becomes dark,” says Poulsen.

As with most home renovations, getting a professional opinion is a good place to start.

“If you bring in your plans and/or pictures to the showroom, a light-ing consultant can help determine what kind of outdoor lighting would complement your home,” Poulsen says.

Outdoor lighting has come a long way from the traditional sconces and lanterns. Now, you can fi nd recessed fi xtures, uplighting and in-ground lighting, just to name a few.

Photos supplied by MP Lighting

Outworksand outthinks all others

39451 No. 3 Rd. Abbotsford604.850.3601

handlersequipment.com3-15W HE18115155W5W HE18E185W 5W5W HE18HE18HE

ZERO-TURN RIDERSWith exclusive steering wheel control and four-wheel steering!


HelpingPeople

LOVETheir

Homes

benjaminmoore.ca

CHILLIWACK DECORATING CENTRE#108-8645 Young Street • 604-792-1544

www.coastpaint.com

ben® Interior & Exterior Paintben Interior Paintben is a low-VOC, low-odor paint available in any colour you can imagine to suit any lifestyle and every decor. ben makes fabulous style easy and a ordable.

benjaminmoore.ca

©2010 Benjamin Moore & Co., Limited. ben, Green Promise, Benjamin Moore and the triangle “M” symbol are registered trademarks of Benjamin Moore & Co., Limited.4-15W CD22

Need assistance with choosing colours for your home? Matching your walls, doors, trim, etc., to new or existing furniture or fl ooring can be challenging. Janet Riediger can help you avoid making a mistake with your paint colour choices. She has over 30 years decorating experience and is available for a convenient in-home consultation.

Just call Janet atChilliwack Decorating to arrange an appointmenttoday at 604-792-1544.

ben® Interior & Exterior Paint

CUSTOM CUT FOAM for your...

www.kingdom4you.com

Camping Foams Available - Order your specifi c Size

Requirement

CAMPERS

e e t

RV’S Freshen up your RV with a new custom mattress • We also do RV

cushions

MATTRESS FACTORY 604-824-1155

KINGDOM INTERIORS 604-824-9698

5518 VEDDER ROAD(Between Longfellow’s Furniture & Fred’s Custom Tackle near Keith Wilson)

Custom cut to any size,

shape or thickness

Cto

shape

HOME

4/15W_KI22

By Kerry VitalAs spring arrives, it’s time to get

outside and get your hands in the dirt. What better way to give your life some fl avour than with an at-home herb gar-den.

Growing your own herbs does not need to be complicated, time-consum-ing or stressful. In fact, it can be easy as purchasing a few basil or oregano plants. Herbs oft en don’t need as much space as other plants, and thus can be grown on apartment balconies, large outdoor gardens, or anything in-be-tween.

If you’re considering adding an herb garden, your local garden centre should be your fi rst stop. Th ere, you might fi nd some herbs that you’ve never consid-ered before.

“Herb gardens are about as popular as they’ve ever been right now,” says Chris Pershick of Potter’s Garden Cen-tre. “We carry a lot of the traditional favourites such as thyme, oregano, rosemary and mint that have been around for years. Th e diff erence from the old days is the numbers of varieties currently available.”

He cites multiple varieties of mint as an example, including chocolate mint,

English mint, orange mint and pepper-mint, among many others.

“Each has its own special or unique fl avour and growing habits,” he says. “Experimenting and discovering which ones you like the best is a lot of fun for the home gardener!”

Other popular herbs are marjoram, sage, basil, and lavender. Perhaps you’re looking for something a bit more exot-ic? Try lemongrass, which can be used to fl avour soups, teas and other edibles. It’s a popular herb for Asian cuisine. Are you more a fan of Italian? Parsley not only smells great, but also adds a great fl avour on top of pasta or pizza. Maybe add some French fl air with tar-ragon or dill. Herbs can be purchased in seed form or as seedlings, which might be easier for a novice gardener.

Our Lower Mainland climate is quite mild and it is rarely extremely hot or extremely cold, which means that most garden-variety herbs will fl ourish here.

“Th e hardy perennial stuff is pretty versatile and is perfect for the outdoor gardener who enjoys digging in the dirt in their yard,” says Pershick. “Others, such as rosemary, are somewhat hardy but you could lose the plants on a cold winter. For this reason, people tend to

plant the half-hardy plants under a bit of cover such as a balcony in an eff ort to make sure the herbs survive the winter.”

He notes that basil is a tender herb that requires warm weather to grow and thrive, and thus isn’t considered a perennial.

“Tender herbs are fi ne outdoors in the warmth of summer but also can grow indoors with little problems in any season near a bright window in a warm room,” he says. Basil is a great starter herb, since the leaves tend to wilt quickly if they’re not being taken care, and perk up again aft er some care and attention. Plus, it’s versatile and can be used in food and muddled in drinks.

Pershick notes that the best tip he can give to newbie gardeners is to pur-chase a good potting soil and quality fertilizer.

“Many gardeners are going the or-ganic route when it comes to growing plants, especially ones they will ingest, so if growing organically is important to you, there are a number of soils avail-able that are guaranteed to be organic,” he says.

Just about every dish tastes better with fresh herbs, so it’s well worth your time and energy to grow them yourself. An herb garden is also a great way to get kids involved, since the products of their labours are edible and relatively hardy. Who knows, you may even dis-cover that your thumb is greener than you thought.

Photos supplied by Potter’s Garden Centre

Flavouring your life with an herb garden


Sweet dreams & simple pleasuresBy Kerry Vital

One of life’s most simple pleasures is curling up un-der a fresh, clean set of sheets. Whether your style is modern or classic, the new bed linens in stores this spring are sure to delight.

“New bedding is a great way to change the look of a room,” says Ross Thompson, head designer for Quilts Etc. “What I’m seeing for spring and summer is blues. There are some really nice tropical blues right now, often paired with a base of navy or white. It’s a really crisp look. Kind of a nautical feel.”

A clean white palette can be both tremendously soothing and energizing, when done correctly.

“People want to recreate the hotel look,” says Thompson. “You can add a lot to that look with tex-ture, such as an eyelet or even a crochet. Linen is also a super-soft, beautiful look, and that fibre lasts forever.”

Thompson notes that the chic neutral at the mo-ment is grey, changing over from the beige that used to be popular.

“Grey goes with everything,” he says. “There is also a sort of ‘greige’, which is a mixture of grey and beige. It’s quite popular right now as well.”

When it comes to patterns, there are still several schools of thought. Florals might remind you of your grandmother’s couch, but you aren’t stuck with those fussy patterns.

“Florals are still a big seller,” says Thompson. “Big florals are popular right now, moving away from the Laura Ashley-style prints of the past. Watercolour flo-rals are also a trend.”

Other popular patterns right now are tribal motifs and Aztec fabrics.

“You get the bold blacks, reds and a bit of beige,” Thompson says. “There is also a trend towards geo-metrics, and recently, watercolour geometrics.”

He points out the trend toward a Japanese technique called shibori, which incorporates those geometrics in a softer style using a technique similar to the tie-dyeing that many might remember from their youth.

For something even more edgy, Thompson has re-cently seen skull patterns that have proven very popu-lar across Canada.

“They’ve flown out the door!” he laughs.Texture continues to be an important aspect of

dressing the bed, and those trends come and go as well.“We’ve been seeing more pin-tucked designs,” says

Thompson. “They’re almost ruched in a way. It’s usu-ally a solid colour, so you’re playing with texture as a pattern. I’ve also seen crinkled cotton recently, which is great because you never have to iron your bedding! It’s another way to play with texture.”

No matter what might be considered trendy, it’s al-ways important to maintain your own sense of style, even on the bed you sleep in.

“You want to create a room that tells a story about yourself,” Thompson says. “It needs to speak to you as an individual.”

Swapping out some throw pillows on the bed or us-ing a boldly coloured set of sheets is an inexpensive way to follow the current trends while not having to necessarily commit to a completely new style as those trends come and go.

“Use a neutral duvet colour and layer up the pil-lows,” Thompson suggests. “Use some heirloom pieces that bring up memories, and add some new pieces as well; that will make much more of an impact. It’s a great way to change up the look of a room.”

Popular patterns for bed linens right now include geometric shapes, Aztec-inspired designs and tribal motifs. Photo supplied by Quilts Etc.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW RAIDER-HANSEN CHILLIWACK LOCATIONYOUR COMPLETE SOURCE FOR INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIESB-8375 Noble Rd, Chilliwack » 604-792-2664 or 1-888-792-2664Open Monday - Friday 7:30am to 4:30pm www.rainderhansen.com

JETCABLE PULLERS2 ton 17-111225

BOSCH5” ANGLE GRINDER63-AG50-10

MILWAUKEEM18 FUEL 1/2” DRIVER/DRILL KIT64-2603-22

FEATHERLITESTEP LADDERS6’ fi berglass 27-6906

PROTOSQUARE TIPSCREWDRIVER SET47-J1204SS

We stock standard & metric fastenersBOLTS, NUTS, HOT DIP GALVANIZED, RODS, SCREWS, SOCKET HEAD AND NON-FERROUS

RIDGID12 GAL. VACUUM59-40103

$5495

$99 $319

$99

$4999$13999 $9995

$23995

4 ton 17-111228

24’ Aluminum 27-3224D

SALE ITEMS

EE

$10OFFYOUR $50 (MINIMUM) PURCHASE**Present this coupon in person to get your $10 off. Offer valid only at RAIDER-HANSEN Chilliwack branch store. In-store sales only. Expires July 31, 2015. ✂

100% BC owned & Operated

3-15W RH18

OU

TDO

OR

PO

WER

EQU

IPM

ENT

Cash in and save with instant rebates on these top selling models beginning April 1, 2015.

www.echo.ca

45781 Alexander Ave / 604-792-4410 www.copeltd.com

Available at this participating ECHO Dealer:

4-15

W C

OP22See in-store for more savings!!

$39995

TC-210Tiller / Cultivator

Hardened steel bladesare reversible with alifetime warranty.

$429.95 MSRP

$30SAVINGS

• 21.2 cc professional grade engine• 30% reduction in starting effort• Rapid-Loader™ trimmer head• 48” curved shaft• 5 year consumer warranty

GT-225Curved Shaft Trimmer

$16995

$199.95 MSRP99 99 95 M5 MSRPSRP

AFTERINSTANT REBATE

$30SAVINGS


Experts walk the talk on safe digging

Even the experts call before they dig

When a group of FortisBC gas operations managers and su-pervisors volunteered to plant trees and shrubs at Kelowna’s Ro-tary Marsh, they made sure to call BC One Call before they put any shovels in the ground.

Chris Hyland, FortisBC regional manager, Interior south, said the crew knew to call BC One Call a few days before doing the work to ensure they had enough time to receive and review information about underground utilities in the area.

“When you work around FortisBC utility lines regularly, it be-comes second nature to call before you dig,” said Hyland, who is also president of BC One Call. “But getting the information is just the first step. It’s just as important to make sure you under-stand that information and then follow safe digging practices, like start with hand digging when you know you’re working near underground utilities.”

The FortisBC employees received the location information of any underground utilities in the area – including natural gas and electricity lines– and clearly marked them before planting in the marsh.

Only then did they start digging holes to plant ponderosa pine, dogwood, sumac, choke cherry, willow and snowberry, helping to restore the downtown wetland to its natural state.

National Safe Digging Month

April is Safe Digging Month, a time to help educate and in-crease awareness about knowing what’s below ground before you start digging.

FortisBC historically experiences a spike in the number of calls to repair damage to underground utility lines in the spring-time with the start of construction season and homeowners starting their landscaping projects.

Ninety-nine per cent of damage to the natural gas system is

caused by third parties such as construction crews, contractors and homeowners. The vast majority of those incidents could be prevented by calling BC One Call and following safe digging procedures. If you do happen to damage a natural gas line, you could be on the hook for costly repairs.

“Once you have the information about underground utilities, take time to look at the map and if you have some questions we’re here to help,” said Ian Turnbull, damage prevention and emergency services manager at FortisBC.

Call before you dig

Whether you’re installing a fence or doing landscaping, al-ways call or click BC One Call before you dig and they’ll notify the member utility companies, including FortisBC. Then, the utilities will provide you with line location information for free.

Call or click: BC One Call at 1-800-474-6886, cellular *6886 or click bconecall.ca.

Review: Within two days, you will receive location informa-tion. Review it before you begin digging.

Clarify: If you’re still not sure where to dig, or don’t under-stand the information, ask FortisBC for help at 1-888-822-6555.

Never guess where it’s safe to dig. Learn more at fortisbc.com/digsafe.

FortisBC employees called BC One Call to find out where underground utilities were located in Kelowna’s

Rotary Marsh. For safety’s sake, they did this before planting trees and putting up fences.

Photos supplied by Fortis BC

FortisBC uses the FortisBC name and logo under license from Fortis Inc. (15-015.5 04/2015)

Call or click before you dig

Whether you’re gardening,

planting a tree or installing a

fence—avoid costly surprises

by calling BC One Call first to

get your free natural gas line

location details. Gas lines can

be just a few inches below

the surface.

Three easy steps to know what’s belowCall, review and clarify

1 Call or click: Call BC One Call at 1-800-474-6886 or cellular *6886, or click bconecall.ca.

2 Review: In two days you will receive information about the location of your natural gas line. Review it before digging.

3 Clarify: Ask us for help if you need clarification. Call us at 1-888-822-6555.

Know what’s below before you dig. Find out more at fortisbc.com/safedigging.

Documents

Special Features - Renonation - April 22, 2015