covet magazine spring 2012

modern living with a prairie twist

real. local.design.

6 Contributors The great friends and talents we have met along

the way who have given of themselves to make

Covet possible.

7 Editor's PagE

OuT and abOuT - Local businesses we would love you to know about.

8unburgErOsborne Village guilt-free burgers.

10 old HousE rEvival ComPanya treasure trove of all things vintage for the home.

STyle defined - A design lesson.A period, style, or piece explained.

11FautEuilOften confused with the bergere, its closed-arm cousin.

12WE lovE

items we have spotted here or there that we think

you will love too.

GeT CrafTy - We can get into good craft projects and love the satisfaction creating something brings.

14 Eggs-travaganza a few new easter egg decorating techniques and a

few oldies revisited too.

COlleCTiOnS - Admittedly, we like stuff. Here we showcase people and their stuff, and their knowledge of their stuff.

16 living WitH and using vintagE and antiquE tablE linEns

PrOfile - Allow us to introduce you to the great, local design talent available in Winnipeg for you to tap into.

18 lisa KasdorF oF simPly CHiC intEriors

Spring in the 'peg, time to dust off those lawn chairs and dig out some flip flops. We're as excited as you to get outside and enjoy the longer days, and fresh air! photo Pauline bOldT, 26mertonroad.com

32 EmErald in tHE City

a Tuxedo jewel that is nestled in lush

greens and wood tones for a cottage in

the city feel.

40

razzlE dazzlEPalm Springs meets the prairies in this

glamorous Charleswood bungalow.

White, light, and modern.

46Condo Collaborationa large lindenridge condo is peppered

with moody and dramatic grays and

yellows in this collaborative effort

between two designers.

52 gEt a load oF tHisa designer's own laundry room goes from

purely utilitarian to a cheery new space

that delivers loads of storage.

abOde A peek inside Manitoba homes and cottages completed by local design talent or design savvy homeowners.

m o d e r n l ivi n g wi t h a p r ai r i e t wis t 3

INTERIOR/EXTERIOR DESIGN | PROJECT MANAGEMENT ACCESSORIES | PAINT, WALLPAPER, AND SUPPLIES

SPrinG 2012

bahia taylor editor in Chief

Co-founder

leigh mcKenzieCreative director

Co-founder

darren grunerudManaging editor

graphic designHinge design

www.hingedesign.ca

styling envy Paint and design

www.benjaminmoore-mb.ca

Owned and Published by: Covet magazine

for inquiries, please contact us at [email protected]

1811 assiniboine avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba

r3J 0a5

www.covetmagazine.ca [email protected]

Cover Photography rachael King Johnson

luckygirl.ca

While every effort has been made to ensure that advertisements and articles appear correctly,

Covet Magazine cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damaged caused directly or indirectly by the contents of this publication. all material

is intended for informational purposes only. The views expressed in the magazine are not

necessarily those of its publisher or editor.

all rights reserved. reproduction in whole or part prohibited without written permission

from the publisher.

Typeset in Chronicle roman and Whitney

Printed in Canada

table of contents

photo raCHael KinG JOHnSOn, luckygirl.ca

TiPS O' THe TradeS - Expert advice. You didn't solicit it but we're giving it to you anyway.

20 WHat a grEat timE to bE a WinniPEggEr

Painter andrew Kroeker walks you

through prepping, priming, and painting

your exterior windows.

21 toolsGreat gadgets, tools, and task-busting

items we thought you should know about.

24 diyan easy, moderate, and difficult do it

yourself weekend project.

26 mErton road and…Travel with photographer Pauline boldt

throughout the city and province and take

in the glorious sites through her camera

lens. This issue, falcon Trails resort.

CHOW - Food glorious food and everything to go with it.

56 For tHE lovE oF lEmonsZesty, tasty, citrus flavours abound in

several recipes. With Springtime comes

a tendency to lighten up the fare, and

so we encourage you to try some fresh

meal ideas, wines to go with them, and

some cool cooking gadgets.

67 givE somE timE to savE somE timE - a great story about the benefits

of meal planning.

Prairie PalleTTe - A glimpse into the Winnipeg art community.

68 madE to mEasurE FinE artThe custom art process demystified.

liVinG Well - Reviews, ideas, a little form and a little function.

70 outdoor CusHions built to last

Take a lesson in cushion construction from

the master, Phil Squarie at Wicker World.

72 Front door sCorE

Some fun colours to try; tips and tricks

to make it so easy you might just change

your door colour for every season!

diG - Get outside and get gardening.

74 WEEds oF WondEr

native plants for sun and shade; spring

clean-up tips and helpful hints about lawns.

81 Hot blogs

be sure to check these out - we do!

82 dEsign dilEmma - your chance to have

an expert solve your design dilemmas.


J. eliZabeTH adler emotesart.comPauline bOldT 26mertonroad.comSaManTHa braun [email protected] Grunerud Man-about-townSylVia JanSen banvilleandjones.comraCHael KinG JOHnSOn brian JOHnSOn luckygirl.ca

andreW KrOeKer certapro.comKen lOxTOn kenloxton.comlOCH Gallery lochgallery.comSTePHanie MiddaGH artfulowl.caJaySOn niCKOl overandaboveconstruction.comrOna rona.caPHil SQuarie wickerworld.caJiM TaylOr Go-to Guylauren Wiebe pinterest.com/laurenwiebelOri VaSSarT suppercentral.ca

110 B LOWSON CRES. | R3P 2H8 | 204 487 3767 | FLATLANDERSFLOORING.COM

Covet, and in particular Bahia and Leigh, cannot thank our contributors enough. We couldn't have realized this dream without you.

COnTribuTerS

6 spr i n g 2012

Spring has sprung and so has Covet Magazine. We are so thrilled to bring you Winnipeg’s newest home and lifestyle magazine, and hope you enjoy our premiere issue. It's chock full of fabulous images, great ideas, and awesome things. We live, work and kick about here in Winnipeg and, as the expression goes, home is where the heart is. We love our city, and as seekers of all things beautiful, we know it has a lot to offer. There are amazing artisans, talented craftsmen, fabulous businesses and shops, and so very many creative design talents right here in Winnipeg and its outlying areas; we decided to bring it all together for you in one new table-top publication. Join us as we peek inside the homes and gardens of wonderful Winnipeg, the villages of rural Manitoba, and the cabins and cottages of our wonderful lakes and parks. You might see someone you know or meet someone you don’t. Rekindle a flame with a former haunt or find somewhere new to explore. Find a solution to an old problem or seek a new problem because you fell in love with a solution. In any case, we hope you will be inspired!

editor's page

real. lOCal. deSiGn.

Covet is free, and if you'd like to receive a copy visit covetmagazine.ca to subscribe. You can view a digital version of this issue there, too. See you in the summer!


unburGer “HealTHy GOurMeT burGerS”

find iT:

472 Stradbrook, (204)888-1001Open Monday-Saturday 11am-10pm, Sundays 12-9pm

HiSTOry: Winnipeg needed a place to get a guilt-free burger. Not just a “good-for-you” burger, mind you (though that’s certainly part of it), but a place where they use local meat and produce, maximize recycling, and even compost food waste. Kyle and Marc, Unburger’s owners, spent several years refining the idea, creating their menu, and finding just the right space for it. Since they opened on June 24, 2011, the word has been spreading. Guilt-free is great, but guilt free and delicious is better yet!

THe SPaCe: The Osborne Village location is ideal, and the modern and minimalist décor is hip but welcoming. White walls adorned with witty text, lovely natural light, and menus displayed on flat TV screens (rather than the typical chalkboard), make it unique. The décor turned out so well that they plan to "expand on it" with their next location!

Menu: The lean beef, chicken, and bison on offer are all Manitoba grown; their veggie burgers are also a hit. Options range from the familiar and popular bacon cheddar burger (I recommend adding “Hot Damn! Mushrooms”), to the “Afternoon Delight” chicken burger (which includes pesto aioli, roasted red peppers, and more), to such outrageous creations as the “Drunken Aussie”, which includes beets, pineapple, and a fried egg! The fresh-cut fries, of both the regular potato and yam varieties, are quickly becoming a local legend; they’re that good. Both are available with either sea salt or sweet curry salt, and a variety of house-made dips.

WinniPeG: Any business, and especially a new one, desperately needs customer feedback, and this is never lacking in Winnipeg; people will tell you if it’s good, or if it’s terrible. This is a real advantage for those, like the Unburger team, who listen: “We’re always trying to learn and to get better… Our customers are brutally honest. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere!”http://www.eatunburger.com/

out and about

GuilT-free burGerStext darren Grunerud | photography CHriS SanTOS

8 spr i n g 2012

THe Old HOuSe reViVal COMPany

find iT:

324 Young St(204)477-4286 toll-free 1-800-830-9421Open Tues-Fri 11:30am-5pm; Sat 10am-5pm; Sun noon-5pm

HiSTOry: The Old House Revival company opened in 2003, and moved to their current, 4-floor location on Young Street in 2004. In 2007, the upper two stories of the lovely old building were opened "as an upscale antique mall." Old House buys and sells salvaged, vintage, antique, reconditioned and heritage building and decorating materials. While antiques dealers are hardly sparse in Winnipeg, the "architectural salvage" aspect of the Old House has been a huge boon to local homeowners looking either to keep the "character" of their older homes during renovations, or to add that character through vintage or antique pieces. Whether it's vintage furniture, doors, moulding, lighting, tin ceiling tiles, or door knobs (and an absolutely astounding array besides), Old House has it — and as a result, business has boomed.

THe SPaCe: Located just north of Portage avenue on Young Street, the appropriately aged building looks big, and indeed it has to be. Old House is not a shopping destination that can be breezed through. Indeed, I recommend setting aside no less than a couple of hours to look through their collection; especially for first-time customers! Even in the highly unlikely event that you leave the premises empty-handed, I'm willing to bet that your head will be positively brimming with ideas for your home.

THe SeleCTiOn: If you've never been in the store, the selection must be seen to be believed. Many people discover that the old-style window or door that they had thought irreplaceable can be found here among their selection of hundreds. The lighting is a definite highlight, too. Seasonal items are popular, and the variety of antique furniture is impressive. You will almost certainly be pleasantly surprised by what you will find in the Old House.

WinniPeG: Not everyone wants to live in a new home, and not everyone who has a newer home wants it to look as though it was built yesterday; with the help of the Old House Revival Company, Winnipeg's homeowners have more options than ever before.http://www.theoldhouserevival.com/

a TreaSure TrOVe Of VinTaGe findS

out and about

text darren Grunerud | photography Old HOuSe reViVal COMPany

10 spr i n g 2012

Fauteuil means “armchair” in French. To antiquarians, it specifically means a French-style armchair that was developed in the late 1600s in France, toward the end of Louis XIV's reign. The style flourished in the 18th century, becoming lighter and more graceful in appearance, but also more ornate. This beauty’s most identifiable characteristic is its open arms, meaning there is open space between the arm and the seat. There is no separate back cushion, as the chair always has a tight back. It could have either a tight seat or a loose seat cushion. The arms will typically be partially upholstered (FYI, these are called manchettes). The frame is always primarily exposed wood, which is frequently carved with heavy relief ornamentation and often gilded or painted. Fauteuils might have the outside of the back of the chair upholstered in a less expensive fabric; this was customary in the eighteenth century. You may find a fauteuil with caning on the back and seat, or upholstered in a wide variety of fabrics from leather to silk to brocade. As a single, the chair can be a perfect addition to the corner of a bedroom or to round out a furniture arrangement in a living room. You might flank a pair on either side of a hall table in a large foyer, or use them with or without an occasional table between in a living room. If you spot a fauteuil with a high square back it is a special variation that is called Fauteuil de la Riene, which translates as “Queen’s Chair”... every girl needs one of those!

style defined

fauTeuil

Pronounced foe TOY(yuh)


we love

covet craves

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12 spr i n g 2012

1. Giant decorative wall cutlery. a super fun take on the old wooden kitchen decor from yesteryear. These stand 38" tall. by abbott.

2. Steampunk ring created with old watch movements. Made by local artist Meagan brown of inspyred Creations. Contact her at inspyredcreations.ca to see other way cool pieces.

3. every reno- or decor-minded gal should always have a tape measure at the ready. These are small enough to slip into a pocket book and are super stylish too. by Two's Company.

4. animal inspired porcelain wall vases grow wild! Torre and Tagus.

5. These posed hands hang on the wall to hold on to your keys, jewellery or other odds and ends at the end of the day. Hang a pair or more to keep all your things at the ready in the front hall or elsewhere. by abbott.

6. Cape bird feeders. an attractive design that will surely please all your fine feathered friends - just fill with bird seed and hang outdoors. by Torre and Tagus.

7. The brushed aluminum numbers of this make-any-size clock are self-adhesive and can be placed in any round or random patterns that you choose. Versa by Torre and Tagus.

8. Moorish-influenced powder coated metal lanterns. These can be hung from above or perched upon a tabletop. Mahesh lanterns by Torre and Tagus.

9. Covet predicts bone will be a huge upcoming trend. look for it in bowls, frames, serving pieces and jewellery like these chic Kolkata bangles byabbott.

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eggs-travaganza

get crafty

It might take a moment for you to place this pattern! You're not expecting to find the flitches, swirls, and whirls characteristic of wood grain on the outside of an egg. But once you do, these are sure to bring a smile to your face!

14 spr i n g 2012

HOW TO:

• Purchase a wood graining tool from your local paint or hobby store.

• Apply a heavy layer of latex house paint or acrylic craft paint to the outside of half of your egg vertically.

• While the paint is still wet, drag your woodgraining tool down the egg and voila! Let this side dry and then repeat on the other side. Experiment with the different sides of your woodgraining tool for variation in your eggs.

• For two-toned eggs, paint the entire egg with a base colour and let dry over night. Apply a thick coat of paint over your base coat and drag out your pattern with your woodgraining tool.

• Finish by giving your eggs a glossy topcoat – we used vegetable oil.

The cold-dip method is a good plan for little ones and leaves a soft, pretty pastel result. Simply dip eggs into cooled dyes and let soak for five to fifteen minutes. The longer they soak, the darker the colours will be. Straining your dyes first will result in a more uniform colour. If you are using hardboiled eggs make sure they are completely cooled before immersing into cold dyes to avoid cracks. Remove eggs from their bath and let dry in an egg carton, on a paper towel, or on a piece of styrofoam or wood that is covered with pins or nails pushed only part way in to create a drying rack that the eggs can rest upon. The hot-dip method means boiling your eggs with your dyes. This method yields deeper, richer colours. Place your eggs into a large pot and cover with one inch of cold water. Add a tablespoon of white vinegar for approximately every litre of water. Add your natural dye ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Let dry in an egg carton, paper towel, or on a pin or nail board. Be sure to stir eggs often if using a chunky dye ingredient, as it will affect the even absorption of the colour. You can also strain your dye, cool, and then boil eggs in it if you desire a very consistent look. red - try beets or beet juice or cranberries;

Orange - outer onion skins; yellow - turmeric;

blue - red cabbage (this is a great one to fool

the kids); brown - coffee or tea; Green - spinach;

Violet - blueberries

Travel back to medieval times and dye your eggs naturally. It's a great alternative to synthetic dyes, and makes for a fun day of scientific experimentation in the kitchen! Just remember: if you will be eating the eggs, they can take on the flavours of your dyes. This can be tasty or not-so-much.

• Metallic spray paints make glorious golden, silver or bronze eggs.

• Glue twine, yarn, or embroidery thread all around the circumference of the egg.

• Glue paper or fabric embellishments to the shells for adornment.

eggs-travaganza

photography raCHael KinG JOHnSOn


collections

Hundreds of times a day we interact with assorted textiles. We wear them, sleep in them, clean with them and (my favourite) we eat on them. Domestic linens are vastly underrated in our highly consumerist culture, yet historically they were items to be treasured; they were always considered an asset in a household inventory. In addition to the monetary value of these linens, their creation also provided a means by which women proved their worth to men; their ability to create and embroider textile items was necessary for daily life.

liVinG WiTH and uSinG VinTaGe and anTiQue Table linenS text STePHanie MiddaGH

16 spr i n g 2012

Our present day (i.e. “disposable”) approach to linens is tragic, as these cloths are masterpieces in their own right. Beautiful and practical domestic linens are now considered fussy and high maintenance, by our impatient standards. Perhaps it is because of the “slow food” movement, the economic change and the shift towards entertaining in the home. Whatever the reason, it is exciting that these linens are coming back into the spotlight as significant pieces of material culture; they are beautiful, and with a little care and work will last a lifetime. So how does one start a linen collection and care for it with constant use? There are endless types of linens that can be used in the home. Firstly it is important to identify where you want to use them. I personally favour table linens, as there is nothing like a gorgeous table to set the tone for a fantastic dinner party. Everyone knows that if the antique damasks are out at my house, they are in for a feast! Bed linens are equal in their beauty and craftsmanship, but bed sizes have changed dramatically over the past century. This makes it hard to find ones that fit, and the wear of bed linens makes them almost obsolete it seems. Whenever I do find bed linens of exceptional beauty, I just use them on my table! When seeking antique or vintage linens of any kind, always look for embroidered handwork and details such as “entre deux” and “faggoting”. You should be able to differentiate handwork from machine work by examining the reverse side. In some cases meticulous handwork can be mistaken for machine work, but usually there is a difference between the sides. Examine for holes. Some small holes are fine, as they can be mended, but larger holes make it difficult to use. If the piece is yellowed or stained, this can be remedied as long as the piece is stable and sturdy. Caring for white linens is pretty straightforward, but coloured cloth and threads may not be “colour fast,” so unless you want to dry clean them, just stick with the beauty of white. Fine linens seem to pop up in charity shops and second hand stores often, and they are most often found in cotton or linen. If you are really lucky you can find silk. Once you have your pieces, caring for them is easy. With contemporary front loading washing machines, which are surprisingly gentle on textiles, I always wash them after a good 12 hour soak in a non-bleach whitener. The only downside to a collection of linens is the ironing. A good trick for those who never use an iron is to pop your linens in the freezer overnight and iron them cold. They are crisp and gorgeous when you are done. Although often these works of art seem like they should be preserved and kept behind glass and in storage, really they should be used. They should be enjoyed and admired at the centre of good conversation and fantastic food.

Our collections specialist, Stephanie Middagh has spent the past 12 years being inspired by museum collections while working as a curator for various museums and galleries. Concurrent to her curatorial work, she took this inspiration to her sessional positions at the University of Manitoba where she continues to teach Introduction to Art and the History of Textiles.

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Durable. Stackable. Affordable.

Residential-sized dumpster BINZ to load all your construction debris. Available in 10 & 20 cubic yard BINZ.

Whether moving into your dream home, or tranforming your current home, BINZ can help you out.


profile

Lisa graduated from the University of Manitoba with a B.Ed. in 1990, and has 19 years of teaching experience. She also successfully completed the Home Decorating course at Red River Community College in 2003. She managed a full-time teaching career, while working part-time as a decorating consultant. After she became a mom, she realized that she could not keep up with the demands of teaching, decorating consultations, and motherhood. She decided to resign from teaching to pursue a career in interior decorating. In January 2011, as a certified Home Decorator with 8 years of experience behind her, Lisa decided to register her own interior decorating business, “Simply Chic Interiors.” She also decided to join CDECA in order to network, and to educate herself further in the interior decorating industry. She currently holds the position of Treasurer on the Central Prairie Chapter executive, and is also the Regional Director for CDECA’s National Board. Her personal decorating style is “Simply Chic,” and is reflected in her business name. She is somewhere between “Contemporary” and “Cottage Chic.” Although she likes the look of white distressed furniture, slipcovers, glass door knobs, soft patterns, fresh flowers, and candles, she stays away from mixing patterns, collections, and golden cherub lamps! She likes the simplicity

of contemporary style, light and bright, neutral colors, furniture with clean lines, and metal. She likes to keep current with styles, enjoys things that are modern, but also loves a good vintage find! She is definitely a minimalist, but feels that her home is comfortable and welcoming. Lisa provides consultations for residential interior decorating, specializing in colour consultations. She will analyze your design needs, and formulate design concepts that are both aesthetic and functional. She will develop a custom plan that will enhance the function and quality of your interior (or exterior) spaces, leaving you with a home that reflects your personality and suits your lifestyle. Depending on your design needs, consultations can include any of the following: space planning, elements of design, choosing a colour scheme, furniture layout, staging, or decor updating. She also offers her expertise as a “professional shopper," and can help you with your selection of fabrics, artwork, accessories, furniture, lighting, window treatments, or flooring. She will work with your decorating style to make your home both beautiful and functional. Whether you’re looking to renovate or decorate, she can provide you with a custom design plan to meet your budget. We asked Lisa some interesting questions to help you get to know her a little better.

PrOfiles is a chance to meet and get to know a local Winnipeg talent.

liSa KaSdOrf Of SiMPly CHiC inTeriOrS

Covet has partnered with CDECA (Canadian Decorator’s Association) to bring you the inside scoop on one of their members from the Central Prairie Chapter. To learn more about CDECA or for a list of CDECA decorators in your area, visit them at www.cdeca.com.

18 spr i n g 2012

Spring is here and we know you are a mother of two. What is an ideal Mother’s Day gift for you? A hot stone massage at the Riverstone Spa!

What colour is your front door right now, and will it change this spring? It is currently white, but I have been thinking about painting it "wrought iron" by Benjamin Moore.

What is your favourite design book? I have so many great design books that it’s hard to choose a favorite. I would have to say that it is a tie between “Home Rules” by Nate Berkus and “Kitchen & Baths” by Candice Olson.

What is your most beloved spring time blossom? Yellow or orange tulips.

If you could meet any celebrity designer who would it be? Nate Berkus.

What meal signifies springtime for you? A grilled chicken/shrimp spinach salad with berries, nuts, and goat cheese tossed with Renee’s Tangerine & Lime vinaigrette.

What’s the best thing you purchased recently? My new Hampton Bay Chantal Chandelier from Home Depot for my master bedroom makeover. For a small price, it certainly adds a lot of elegance to the room.

What inspires you at the moment? I am always inspired by nature, and colors.

What is your favourite chair? I love the look of a tufted Victorian, but love the comfort of my Ektorp chair from IKEA (with washable slipcovers)!

What are your favourite rooms to work on? I love to do a bedroom or living room makeover because it can be done rather quickly and relatively inexpensively. I like to change up my surroundings constantly!


Garden Gadgets With beautiful temperatures come your favourite exterior spring

projects around the home. Perhaps in the past you have put them off, in hopes that they would take care of themselves. This year you will have an extra couple of weeks to do them, or to consider doing them. One of the more common spring projects is taking care of your exterior wood windows. Although a labour-intensive endeavour, painting your exterior windows ensures your wood stays protected from our generally harsh weather conditions. In addition, preparing and painting your windows every 5 years or so makes your home look fresh, and adds curb appeal. Herearesometipstomakeyourwoodwindowslookgreat:Powerwashing or handwashing: Remove the film of dust or dirt that builds up on your window trim. This will make your trim cleaner-looking, and will also prepare it for further work, should you decide to do more. Stubborn stains or mildew, which form due to nearby trees or bushes, should be removed with a trisodium phosphate (TSP) solution. Dust and dirt tends to really show itself on darker trim colours and on flat paint finishes. scraPing and sanding: Once the woodwork has dried after washing, start scraping and sanding the surface down to bare wood. Most of the existing layers of paint will remain intact. All the loose and peeling paint should be removed with a long-neck scraper and then sanded by hand with a medium-grit sanding sponge. Typically, the loose and peeling paint will form along the sill of the window. Occasionally, homeowners with large and flat trim surfaces may choose to powersand their surfaces to make for a smoother appearance.caulking: Gaps and cracks that form along the perimeter of windows or where there is wood separation should be filled with a paintable, acrylic caulk. Caulking can be done around windows and door frames. Some people choose to caulk around vents, electrical boxes, and any other items that are attached to or protrude from the wall.Puttying: Older homes with original windows may require re-glazing or re-puttying to keep the window panes in place. Start by

removing all loose and brittle putty with a flat-edged 5 in 1 tool. Then remove the loose dirt with an old paint brush or a rag. Work the putty in your hands for a couple of minutes to “warm it up” and make it more pliable. Roll it into a long snake and apply on to the areas of question. Work the putty onto the surface with a putty knife.wood Filling: Do this only as a short-term fix. If there is any rotten wood, dig out the damaged area until you reach solid wood, then apply an exterior wood filler in the area and wait for it to dry. Once it has dried, you can sand it down to make it smooth and flush with the rest of the surface.Priming: Seal off all bare wood, new caulk, putty, and/or wood filler with a high-quality exterior primer. With a 2 inch or 2.5 inch brush, work the primer into those areas. Be liberal with the amount, ensuring that the primer does not start running or dripping. In older areas, with previous layers of glossy oil-based paints, it may be necessary to prime the surface completely. Many paint stores now sell “paint and primer in one” paints, although some professionals consider that to be a poor substitute for a high-quality primer.Painting: Apply 1-2 coats of your preferred acrylic paint. If you are unsure of paint quality, ask a trusted painting contractor for a recommendation. Generally, but not always, the more you pay for a gallon of paint, the better the quality. Use an angled 2.5 inch brush for best results and for easiest application.There you go, your windows are prepared, primed, and painted! Perhaps now you have other trim items such as eavestrough, fascia, soffits, downspouts, shutters, vents, doors, door frames, decorative accent pieces. Or, maybe you need your stucco or wood siding painted or repainted.There is also interior painting to consider as well. Many people prefer to paint inside when the weather will allow them to open their windows.

If any of these jobs seems daunting to you, or if you would simply like to spend your time doing other things, please call CertaPro Painters at 204.999.7777 for a free in-home estimate.

WHaT a GreaT TiMe TO be a WinniPeGGer!

The NHL is back; we are mere months away from sitting at Investor’s Group Stadium to watch our favourite football team in warm summer weather; our real estate continues to soar to new heights; and we are experiencing probably the best sustained period of weather in many of our lifetimes.

tips o' thetrades

text andreW KrOeKer

20 spr i n g 2012

Garden Gadgets

Gardening season is upon us, and we've picked some new tools off Rona's shelves that we think will help make digging in the dirt a little easier this year. 1: Path Clear, $7.99, fast acting, non-selective weed control; 2: Potting Mix, $4.29 , enriched with Miracle-Grow; 3: Adjust-a-hook, $14.99, extends 40" and makes watering hanging baskets much easier; 4: Fiskars Bulb Planter, $5.99, gradation marks for easy planting; 5: Weed B Gone, $9.99, kills weeds, not grass; 6: Fiskars Transplanter, $11.99, with gradation marks for easy measuring; 7: Fiskars Herb Weeder, $9.29, easy-grip weeder; 8: Fiskars Cultivator $9.99, breaks and mixes up soil before planting.

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ken loxton photography


Get ready to gril l with these handy

accessories that can be found at Rona.

tools

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SiZZlinG SuMMer

barbeCue TOOlS

1: barbecue Genius Maple Grilling Planks $9.99

2: barbecue Genius Wing rack $25.99

3: barbecue Genius bottle Top baster $9.99

4: Sure flame Propane Gauge $5.99

5: barbecue Genius Meat Thermometers $13.79

6. barbecue Genius Waterproof Mitt $14.86

7. barbecue Genius barbecue Pizza Pan $!5.99

8. barbecue Genius Stainless Steel Cleaner $5.99

9. barbecue Genius Grilling Sauce $4.99

10. barbecue Genius Wooden brush $7.49

11. barbecue Genius basting brush $10.49

12. broil King barbecue regal 600 natural Gas $1549.00

ken loxton photography

22 spr i n g 2012

modErn PlantErs

rona sHoPPing list

diy

diy rating: difficult

Make sure to wear safety

glasses whenever using power

tools or working with wood.

decide how large your opening

will be. if you want to use the piece

to display books or dVds, plan for

appropriately-sized openings. if

you're planning to use it as a planter,

as we are, then we recommend

deciding (and planning for) the size

and type of plants that will adorn it...

before cutting anything!

from the maple sheet, cut two

identical 5' by 24" rectangles, and

put one aside; this will be your

"back" piece.

Map out your openings on the

other 5' by 24" piece with a pencil.

Make your marks on the side that

will be inside the box, so that you

can change your mind! When

you're happy with your openings,

cut them out with the jig saw.

use the rest of the 4x8' sheet to

make u-shaped open boxes. These

will fit inside the openings you cut

out, so that the unfinished sides of

the boxes will be covered by the front

piece. depending on the types of

plants (or not) you plan to use, you

may decide not to have your boxes

the exact same size as the opening;

you can hide the roots of your plants

from view behind a "lip" of the front

piece, on the bottom side. Once you

have them all cut and test-fitted,

apply carpenter's glue to them. Join

then together with the finishing nails

until the glue dries.

When the boxes are dry, place

the front piece good side down, and

align one u-shaped box in place.

Pre-drill with your pocket hole jig,

and screw from the back into the

front piece. repeat to attach both/

all u-shaped boxes.

Place the rear piece on front

piece and screw (from the back) to

join the two pieces together.

you will have unfinished edges

showing; here is where the sheet

veneer comes into play. you will

need to follow the instructions on

the product label, as each iron-on

and glue-on veneer have different

installation techniques. Cut the

sheet 1/2" bigger, on all four sides,

to apply to the side of the planter.

apply good pressure with the iron,

slowly moving from the one end to

the other, letting the iron heat up

the glue. Once it's set, trim off the

excess with the utility knife. do this

on all unfinished edges.

if your openings are to small for

the iron, you can either pre-heat a

perfectly cut piece (without 1/2"

extra) and then install it, or use a

heat gun to heat the veneer.

Once it's all trimmed out, and

all the glue has set, you're ready to

prep for stain.

When you are sanding or

staining, make sure to always

work in a well-ventilated area,

and wear the proper mask and

eye protection.

first, lightly sand any

imperfections out with the 200

sandpaper. Then clean the planter

with a damp cloth, to get rid of any

dust. Mix your stain, and always

follow the instructions on the can.

it may take a couple coats of stain

to achieve the colour you want. in

between each coat, lightly sand

with 400 sandpaper, and make

sure there is no dust on it before

you apply the next coat. follow

the same procedures to apply the

polyurethane, which will seal and

protect the piece.

And you're all done. Enjoy.

One 4x8 sheet of maple ("good one side") One roll of iron-on or paper-back maple sheet veneerContact cement (only if using paper-back veneer)Carpenter's glue1 ½˝ pan head screwsStain (of your choice) and polyurethane 1 ½˝ finishing nails200 and 400 grit sand paper

list of tools:

DrillPocket hole jigHammerUtility knife"J" rollerOil staining brushTape measureTable sawJig saw with finishing bladesRegular home iron

Jayson nickol is a general contractor and the owner of Over and

above Custom Homes and renovations. He built our gorgeous

modern planters and would be happy to quote on any renovation

job for you 204. 999-5351.

24 spr i n g 2012

Found objECts

rona sHoPPing list

diy rating: moderate

Make sure to wear safety glasses whenever

using power tools or working with wood.

Warm up your iron, then use your utility knife

to cut edge banding, 1/2" longer than the side you

want to install. Start on one end and "flush up" one

side of the banding to the sheet. Set the iron on the

banding, so it heats up the glue, then slowly work

your way down the sheet, gluing the banding in

place. Once cooled down, cut off excess carefully

and slowly with utility knife. repeat for the other

edges. Once all is dry, use the 220 sand paper to

sand any small imperfections in the banding; avoid

tearing off the banding by always sanding down,

never up. Give the whole sheet a good sanding to

take off any glue or other imperfections.

On to the stain: always read and follow the label

on the stain you buy. Stain in a well ventilated area,

using proper masks and eye protection.

Make sure sheet is free of dust and wood

shavings. use the pre-conditioner on sheet: brush

on with the grain. Once dry (4-8 hours), lightly

sand with 400 sand paper, then wipe off any

dust. apply thin coats of stain, again brushing

with the grain. do not over-brush, and make sure

to brush out any air bubbles. let the stain soak in

for 5-10 minutes, then wipe off any extra. it may

take up to four coats to get your desired colour;

do a light sanding between coats. When you

are satisfied with the colour, apply polyurethane

using the same technique.

follow same steps to stain all four sides of

smaller boards. Once everything is stained,

assemble the planter section; attach the longer

boards to the smaller ones from the front, with

finishing nails and a bit of glue on each piece,

and set them in with the nail set. fill with stain-

matching filler.

Once assembled, pre-drill from rear of sheet

into planter section. apply a bit of glue and screw

diy rating: easy

find your pallet - ask at large box stores or

drive around backs of commercial businesses

or companies to find stacks of pallets which

are usually free for the taking (be sure you ask

business owners or company representatives

first). if you find a pallet that has many slats on

both sides you have a winner… if you can only

find skimpier pallets then you will need two for

this project.

Select the side of a pallet with the most boards

and bang out every second board (or you can

create your own variation on the pattern). The

boards you are leaving in place will be the front

faces of your plant shelves.

On the reverse side, leave a board in the middle,

a board at the top, and a board at the bottom.

remove all others. leaving these will give you

something to carry your planter by, a means to

hang it up, and also keep it stable.

Pull all the nails from the boards you have

banged off of the pallet, and reinforce the boards

you have left attached to the pallet with extra

screws or nails if necessary.

The boards you have banged off of the pallet will

be the bottoms to each plant shelf. Cut them down

to appropriate size with a hand or electric saw.

attach them to the bottom of each face board you

have left on the front of your pallet with a hammer

and nails, or an air nailer.

Prime and paint your new planter and stuff it

full of annuals, tropicals, succulents and the like. it

makes a beautiful living wall you can hang or lean

in an empty area, indoors or out.

from sheet into planter section. Wipe any excess

glue off with a wet rag.

To hang, screw top part of french cleat to back

side of the sheet, and screw the cleat bottom to

studs, making sure to check for level. Slide the board

onto the cleat, and you're done.

One ¾ piece of "good one side" plywood (or oak, which takes stain better). Have Rona's lumber associate cut it to 5' by 20", or to whatever size you would like. If you chose G1S (good one side), then get Rona to cut you one piece of ¾˝ by 4˝ fir to 28", and two at 2˝Cut two 2x4 to 56˝, and ask Rona to make a french cleat from themA small roll of oak iron-on edge bandingGlue and 1 ½˝ finishing nails1 ½˝ wood screws220 and 400 sand paperStain of your choosing (we used ebony) and semi-gloss polyurethaneDark wood filler to match stainPre-stain conditionerOil staining wide brushlist of tools:

Hammer; Nail set; Utility knife; Iron; Drill and drill bits; Clean rags


the falconlife

26 merton road and… falcon trails resort

26 spr i n g 2012

A Natural Getaway in Our Backyardtext lauren Wiebe | photography Pauline bOldT

The day drifts breezily by on a tranquil lake, with the Manitoba sunset stretching away as far as the horizon sweeps the sky. At peace in the heart of the Boreal Forest sits Falcon Trails Resort, an eco-sensitive collection of private cabins that epitomizes the quintessential Manitoban cottage

lifestyle, and fills the summertime dreams of many. And for a weekend retreat, group gathering, or rejuvenating rest, it’s yours to experience—any time of year. Merging the natural wilderness with rustic luxury, the resort is just a 90 minute jaunt from Winnipeg, yet lives in an experiential world of its own. Thirteen private cabins are available for two, three, or seven day rentals, situated on the southern shore of Falcon Lake in harmonious connection with the solitude of the natural world. At the transition point between the prairies and the Canadian Shield, Falcon Trails gives guests the unique experience of finding a luxurious getaway in the heart of the wilderness. Even better, that experience doesn’t come with an environmental cost. The resort quietly outlines its vision: enjoy—and sustain—the great outdoors all while minimizing human impact. In short, Falcon Trails loves the environment, giving guests the experience of the

idyllic cottage lifestyle while introducing them to a restful, natural way of life that teaches one how to really get away. In a “plugged in” type of world, getting away isn’t all that easy, and finding a place to enjoy that is truly respectful of the environment around it is even harder—all part of the reason why Falcon Trails exists in the first place. The family owned and operated resort employs what it calls a “progressive environmental” ethic, applying everything from natural cleaning products to solar lighting, composting and recycling, to naturally focused landscaping. The two High Lake Eco-Cabins (named for the secluded lake they are built on, a 2.5 km trail from the main area) come highly recommended, having won the 2003 Tourism Manitoba Eco Tourism Award. The focus of these cabins is to sustain the pristine lake and environment, with the help of several other policies: the “remote access” cabins limit habitat ruin by requiring guests to access them on foot (or ski, snow shoe, or bike), while the cabins themselves were built with reclaimed and local materials, run by solar-powered electricity, and use state-of-the-art composting toilets. The Eco-Cabins are a true wilderness getaway, with nothing but the glow of candles and firelight to guide your path at night. In their own words, all you’ll find here is “exotic, untouched natural beauty.”


Never in all of my travels have I been to a place that captures my imagination as much as this place.~Photographer Pauline boldt“


”

28 spr i n g 2012

FalCon trails HigHligHts

• 13 private lakefront cabins

• Complimentary canoes and cross-country skis

• Year-round availability

• Pet-friendly cabins available

• Private, in-cabin kitchens and dining areas

• Winner of the Tourism Manitoba Eco Tourism Award, 2003

• 2 remote-access cabins provide an intimate, environmentally sustainable getaway

• Operational ski hill and naturally maintained trails for hiking, cross country skiing, and biking

• Guided excursions and activities available, including geocaching, horseback riding, and sailing



Amid all the possible activities—a fully operational ski hill, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing in winter; water sports, hiking, geocaching, and more in the spring, summer, and fall months—there is more to find here. Falcon Trails provides rest, becoming a haven for the weary soul to rejuvenate and refresh in the tranquil, halcyon peace of the wilderness. Photographer Pauline Boldt has said fondly of the resort, “Never in all of my travels have I been to a place that captures my imagination as much as this place.” She frequents the resort year-round, often upon returning home to Manitoba from periods abroad. Stimulated by the peace she finds at Falcon Trails, Boldt’s experiences have ranged from the restful and inspiring to educational and active.

A favored moment for many guests? Staring up at the Northern Lights. With one of the best southern views of the famed Aurora Borealis, the nighttime spectacles compete with those seen only in Manitoba’s northern communities, so much that the Falcon Trails staff recommends that you bring your camera, if only for this one photo opportunity. Emily Christie, part of the Falcon Trails team, knows what makes this place so amazing better than almost anyone. What makes it so different is the location and the environment: “Past our resort is nothing but wilderness, and this is one of the most unique features about the resort and what we do—it is a pretty rare thing to be able to find a getaway in the wilderness.” One of the best parts is being able to go out and explore, knowing you’ll be able to retreat and relax at the

30 spr i n g 2012

end of the day in the hand-built luxury cabins. Emphasizing the near perfection of the wilderness retreat, they share with us four multi-seasonal reasons to visit Falcon Trails from the staff who know it best:• Our best kept secret is the spring—the sap is running and the

eagles are returning. We love spending a quiet evening on the dock listening to the ice break up.

• In summer, wildflowers and moss carpet the forest floor, while sleeping in a screened-in porch is a dreamy way to relax. It’s the perfect experience of summer at the lake.

• Fall is our most glorious time, with warm days and cool nights. Watch the changing colours, listen to the ice form on a quiet lake beneath the northern lights, and see the gathering loons as they prepare to migrate.

• Winter is perfection, with its crisp, white, crunchy snow under foot, hot chocolate and warm fires. Nighttime walks on the frozen lake under the full moon (with the Northern Lights also guiding the way) are a staff favourite.

falcontrails.mb.ca 1.204.349.8273

26 Merton Road And... is a regular feature for Covet, and follows the travels of Winnipeg-based photographer Pauline Boldt on her adventures near and far. Visit her blog at 26mertonroad.com to see more of her stunning images and find out where she's off to next.


Painting: Geoff farnsworth"Green Meditation"Oil on board 36'' x 48''available at the loch Gallerywww.lochgallery.com

32 spr i n g 2012

A growing family’s light-filled Tuxedo bungalow sings with a successful mixture of fresh greens, classic creams and rustic wood furnishings.

emeraldin the city

design by enVy PainT and deSiGn lTd. | photography raCHael KinG JOHnSOn


abode

The wonderfully textured drum pendant and

the chunky shelf corbels bring rustic to the

dining room, in contrast to the dining set.

a burst of orange in the wood tray keeps the

table casual and feeling a little smaller for

everyday use.

34 spr i n g 2012

abode

When Amanda and Peter Vader attended the Home Expressions show in the Spring of 2011, they were looking for help in the design of a nursery for the arrival of their first child. At the show, they met designer Bahia Taylor, Principal of Envy Paint and Design Ltd., and

booked an appointment for a consultation shortly after. When Bahia arrived at the appointment, with great visions for the nursery design, Amanda informed her they had a change of plans. They had decided to enlist her services for the living room and adjoining dining space instead. The Vaders had purchased a sectional, a dining set and a television unit previously but came to the conclusion the contemporary choices they had made were not giving their home the feel that they were longing for. The Tuxedo area bungalow already had some great things going for it. Large windows spanning the living and dining areas filled the rooms with beautiful natural light. Crown moldings and newer hardwoods were in place and the rooms were ample. However, as they were the rooms felt cavernous and incomplete. During the consultation and walk-through, Bahia noticed maps of cottage country and a vast collection of books. A book collection is often very telling: the couple loves to travel and entertain, and

The custom cut, smoked glass shelves atop the corbels create that lovely mix of

rustic and refined. a lake of the Woods map adds a personal touch and makes

for great dinner conversation. right, Top to bottom: a touch of orange in the floral

arrangements by ann’s flowers and Gifts, reference the decor accessories for

cohesion.; The wonderful leather chair that amanda and Peter purchased which

inspired the feel for the rooms.; Some of amanda’s book collection casually fill an

interesting bookcase and create a vignette along the wall dividing the living area and

the kitchen without impeding traffic flow through the area. blankets are kept nearby on

a leaning wooden ladder and the white and wood toned stool marries the two pieces

together while standing by for extra seating


" I overheard guests talking while I was in the kitchen and they were discussing, amongst themselves, how lovely the house looked and felt. It was super nice to hear what they really thought and that they were so comfortable in my home." ~ Amanda Vader

a wooden orange basket repeats that pop of

colour. resting under the dining room shelves,

it makes a great toy box for baby Thomas.

36 spr i n g 2012

Trim:

benjamin

Moore Cloud

White CC-40

Walls:

benjamin

Moore Clinton

brown HC-67

benjamin

Moore

Hemp Seed

CC-578

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Top: The gorgeous, tufted storage ottoman was custom designed to fit the space perfectly by bahia and

constructed by Topstitch. The oversized tray makes a great hard surface, and coordinates with the dining table

just across the room. Top right: new baby boy, Thomas, has a hand in the decor as well. right: bahia had the fresh

green living room chairs widened by 3.5" to make them just a bit roomier, and upholstered them in a green and

cream mini check fabric, to temper the heaviness of the leather sofas. a slightly removed reading nook just off the

main seating arrangement makes use of a corner, and slices out a portion of the room just for amanda. This area

was originally set aside for the great desk the couple owned, but it was swapped out for the reading area instead.

Chair fabric avant Garde: banff Colour 223

Pillow fabric avant Garde:

Perfume Colour 032

Ottoman fabric Kravet: 31747 Colour 1

Curtain fabric (curtains not shown) avant

Garde; flair; Colour 020

Curtain leading edge fabric (curtains not

shown) antex; Verona ii; Colour fern

rug: wood rug dynamic rugs eclipse

Collection 63205; colour 6333 Multi Silver

modern living with a prairie twist 37

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Amanda loves to read novels. The Vaders are lake people. Amanda grew up spending weekends at the family cottage at West Hawk Lake, and she and Peter continue to spend their time there whenever possible. A reclaimed wood desk and its partnering leather chair were tucked away in the adjacent office. Bahia asked about them, and Amanda indicated they were the only pieces the couple had purchased that they were truly happy with… and a concept for the space began to grow. Amanda and Peter met with Bahia a few weeks later to review a new furniture layout, and plans for filling the space with new pieces. The idea was to evoke a comfortable and easy feel, while still being refined enough for entertaining. The plans called for a pair of opposing leather sofas in a medium brown distressed leather, which would only get better with age. Peter wanted sofas that would beckon him for a nap, and the down filled, over-length pair fit the bill perfectly. The Vaders wanted a neutral palette for the room but did not want the room to look beige on beige on beige. By introducing a deeply layered play on various shades of green, in very small doses, the rooms feel like they are green. In fact, only a few key elements are actually green – this will make for an easy and budget friendly foray into a new look when the time comes. Taking a cue from the woods themselves, a stunning rug that subtly details the inside of a log is warm and anchoring, and makes a fabulous conversation piece. Amanda says “...only one person has figured out exactly what the pattern is right off the hop and it’s fun to get guests to try to identify it.” Rustic wood elements that reference the desk that the couple love so much were brought in, but were tempered with sleek, cinnamon toned walnut pieces like the tv console, bookshelf and bench in the foyer (not shown) that were added in order to repeat the finish and lines of the dining table, for cohesion between the two rooms. To further bind the spaces, rustic touches like the barn wood shelf corbels and console table, raw linen pendent light, and accessories were added to the dining area to play down its formality. The rooms have a natural, lake life feel but still hold on to a strong city vibe – the ultimate in refined rustic.

38 spr i n g 201238 spr i n g 2012

The view into the dining room from the living room captures the touches of

orange which punctuate the space. left Top: iron clock keeps time in a stately

fashion. left bottom: a pair of recycled railway tie consoles marry the rooms yet

again; one as a sofa table in the living room and the other as a sideboard in the

dining room. Gourd-shaped lamps add a little whimsy and rest on the console

behind the sofa, contributing to the overall green scheme.


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light bounces all around in the almost all-white kitchen.

40 spr i n g 2012

razzle Dazzle

A light-filled Charleswood bungalow gets a top-to-bottom kitchen and family room overhaul, with a nod to Palm Springs style.

interior design PluSH HOMe + deSiGn | Photography bliSS STudiOS

Sheila is right at home with rudy and Cooper.


Design duo Dayna Kinsman and Jennifer Stephanson, of Plush Home and Design Inc., not only hit a home run for their clients – they knocked it right out of the park. Homeowners Sheila and Corwin had very specific ideas for the update of the home they share with their beloved pooches Rudy and Cooper. They found the girls from Plush by wandering through a show home that the designers had completed. They knew immediately that the team was right for the job. The couple came to the girls with magazine images of all things they loved, and many ideas they had garnered from their extensive travels. Corwin, a travel agent, and Sheila, a lab technologist, seize every opportunity to get away, and one of their favourite destinations is Palm Springs. The desert locale is all about luxury, parties and sun. Their renovated home scores three for three on that checklist – it’s filled with gorgeous furnishings, it’s perfect for entertaining, and the sunlight pours in to bounce off all of the pearly, new surfaces. Dayna sums it up as “Palm Springs meets the prairies.” The design team at Plush handled both the design and the project management of the entire renovation. From the front door, to the living room and dining room, through the kitchen and family room, down the hallways, and into the laundry room, old carpet and linoleum came out, making way for new, oversized floor tile. The couple chose tile to make clean-up and maintenance a breeze in their two-poodle household. New stainless steel appliances came in, and Corwin was especially happy to see the old ones vacate the premises - he had spray painted them black himself as a “tide-us over” solution. The formerly sunken family room was built up to the level of the rest of the home, and a dividing wall that separated the kitchen and family room was torn out to open the two rooms on to each other. While many things were going out of the home, and being disposed of responsibly, the homeowners wanted to be mindful of reducing their contribution to the landfill. They elected to reface their existing cabinets with new doors and re-use the cabinet boxes, which were still in great shape. They swapped out the wood-burning

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42 spr i n g 2012

get thIS look

www.artfulowl.ca

The Artful Owl uses art history as its starting point for the exploration of various methods and mediums in art making.

The goal of the workshops is to instill visual literacy in the participants through experiential learning in art history.

hoot hoot, love art.

Call 487.2012 for info or to register

16-1700 Corydon

SPRING TERM: April 10th - June 19th

Preschool Themes (Ages 2-6)• Making Art with Tools

School Age Themes (Ages 6-16)• Ancient Worlds• Northern Renaissance

Students will learn the context of these periods in art while connecting with the materials and methods. Visual literacy, history and creativity are the goals of our sessions. $225 per participant (includes all materials)

SUMMER ART CAMPS:JULY 9-13: Ancient Greece

JULY 16-20: Ancient Egypt

JULY 23-27: Modern Art

JULY 29- AUGUST 3: Canadian Art

AUGUST 13-17: Renaissance Masters

AUGUST 20-24: Found Art

9am - 4pm $100 per day $50 for half day

Classes are limited to 10 participants so book early at [email protected]

SPRING TERM

left top: a new extension of the kitchen cabinets and countertop create a smart desk area, where a now-redundant kitchen table used to be. left bottom: at mid-day, the entire room is awash with light.

Trim:

benjamin

Moore Cloud

White CC-40

Main areas:

benjamin

Moore Hazy

Skies OC-48

Cabinetry

is benjamin

Moore Halo

OC-46

lining room

and dining

room rockport

Gray HC-105

(not shown)

Julian tile Maize in Sky Gray flo.

Caesarstone Misty Carrera 4141

Tile is discontinued but is close to ames Geo-Gray.


stove for a gas insert, but kept the original oak mantle, treating it to the same fresh white paint treatment that the kitchen cabinets received. An oak spindled railing was replaced with beautiful glass, and new baseboards took care of banishing the remainder of the honey oak that ran throughout the home. Keeping what they could helped the project stay on budget, and was in keeping with Jennifer’s philosophy that “you don’t have to take everything out and start from scratch to transform a space”. The entire endeavour ran smoothly with the girls’ expertise, and was complete in 3 ½ months, with a total price tag of $70,000.00. Dayna and Jennifer refer to their clients as wonderful, new found friends. They have grown to know them very well and can honestly say that the home reflects who their clients are and their lifestyle. When describing this, Jennifer points out the size of the television: she explains that it isn’t an important element to the couple, but it is there when they need it. It is so unobtrusive in the room and its scale, relative to the fireplace, is a great lesson in balance when combining both elements in one area. When it came to the new finishes for the space,

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44 spr i n g 2012

brown, beige, and tan were all expletives, and not to be repeated in the new design plan. Clean, white, and glamorous was the mandate, with a bit of shimmer and glimmer tossed in for good measure. The luminous backsplash, with its offset geometric pattern, flows gracefully into the polished countertop, and the two are bound together by the perfectly chosen grout colour. Sheila and Corwin have a beautiful dining room, and felt there was no need for the repetition of an eating area in the kitchen for the two of them. They enjoy the use of their island for casual meals, and utilized the space that formerly housed a kitchen table to create a desk area that is an extension of the kitchen cabinets. The bar stools and sling chairs reference the Le Corbusier style of Jeanneret, who was a pioneer of modern European architecture and highly influential in post-war Palm Springs design development. The chrome accents of the cabinet hardware, the faucet itself, and some of the well-chosen chrome accessories play on the chrome of the chairs and make the entire room dazzle. Combined with the crystal jewelled pendant over the island, clear glass tables, dramatic pops of turquoise, lime and pink, and the throne-like majestic purple occasional chair, it all makes for a space fit for a pair of kings – and their owners!

" You employ stone, wood, and concrete, and with these materials you build houses and palaces: that is construction. Ingenuity is at work. But suddenly you touch my heart, you do me good. I am happy and I say: 'This is beautiful.'" ~Le Corbusier (Vers une architecture, 1923)

Top to bottom: Textural turquoise jar – another light reflecting surface.

a few key items on the mantle, kept neatly on a tray, have big impact with little effort.

This cheeky fellow enjoys pride of place sandwiched between the two le Corbusier chairs

Opposite top: The clean geometry of the back splash and the sleek chrome faucet are punctuated with spectacular fushcia orchids.

Opposite bottom: fun accessories seemingly float on the clear glass coffee table; a great design trick to keep a room light and airy.


COndO COllabOraTiOn

design by enVy PainT and deSiGn lTd.

with Tara SPenCer-nairn

photography raCHael KinG JOHnSOn

Gentlemanly striped wallpaper brings the scheme of grey and taupe together, and makes a bold statement right at the front door. The horse painting is a fun, inexpensive touch.

46 spr i n g 2012

So often, when we write about condos, we feature tips and tricks for down-sizing, big style for a small space, or take-it-with-you tips for renters. Not so for this spacious gem in the community of Linden Ridge. Sherrie Johnston and Derek Talon invested in their condo to stay, and have made it their own by finishing the basement into a media room and workout area, and by giving their main floor entry and family room a cosmetic overhaul. They called upon Tara Spencer-Nairn for a colour consultation, and together with the couple Tara and Bahia Taylor, of Envy Paint and Design Ltd., collaborated on a comfortable yet tailored concept for their main living area. When Tara first visited the condo she was met with a colour story of bold blues, yellows and reds. Sherrie and Derek own some artwork of which they are very fond, and the piece that holds pride of place in the stairwell clearly inspired the condo’s previous palette. While taking inspiration from art is quite often a very successful jumping-off point, the pair were tired of the saturated colours and wanted a whole new look. First on the hit list were the heavy blue draperies. Not installed correctly and falling out of the walls, they were screaming to be replaced. Bahia and Tara combed the stacks

The expertly crafted, custom leather sofa fits the room to a tee, as does the area carpet. Top left:a stunning, overscale, glass bowl in the mello yellow accent colour rests atop the coffee table, which Sherrie fell in love with while shopping one day. The cream is perfect for the space and the beautiful metallic reptilian print shimmers like the drapery. bottom left: fresh, live pussy willows say spring without straying from the decor. arrangement by ann's flowers and Gifts.


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48 spr i n g 2012

The view from the kitchen shows off the symmetry of the great room. The furniture arrangement allows for both entertaining and conversation without television, and several great vantage points for movie nights.


of the fabric library at Envy for some great options, and Tara met with Sherrie and Derek to go over all the possibilities that would work with the paint scheme she had selected. The couple chose a graceful vine pattern that brings a feminine touch to the space, and a sense of calm that the bold blue draperies did not. With the eradication of the draperies, the adjacent blue feature wall in the stairwell made little sense. Tara chose to use Benjamin Moore’s Brandon Beige CC-530, which allows all the colour in the artwork to sing and the piece to take centre stage, rather than compete with its backdrop. The cream leather sofas were moving down to the basement, and the large living room could handle an oversized sectional. With the room sharing a space with the kitchen, a dominant piece of furniture was necessary to anchor the space. At over 7’, Derek needed to be able to stretch out and relax. Given that all searches for a sizable piece led to extremely long wait periods, for pieces that left a lot to be desired in quality, the decision was made to invest in a custom piece. Taking an arm here and a leg there from pieces the couple had seen, but didn’t fit the bill, and the measurements required for comfort and to fit the room perfectly, Bahia set to work to design the sectional. When the plan was approved, the task was placed in the capable hands of Garth Epp of Topstich Upholstery and Design, where a pattern was drawn, a hand pieced solid maple frame was constructed and gorgeous slate gray leather was wrapped around the masterpiece. The couple loves their piece; it’s ultra comfortable to enjoy as a seat, but also comfortable to own, given the craftsmanship and guarantee that come with a custom piece. The wallpaper chosen for the foyer takes the gray in the leather sectional and the taupe of the walls, and unites the entire scheme with a touch of black. The tailored stripe is repeated in the reclining chair, in a faint cream pinstripe, and everything is punctuated with a deep mustard colour and hits of black. Sherrie and Derek love their space. Sherrie says “We love the warmth and feel of our great room; Bahia and Tara gave us so many great options to choose from, always meeting our wishes, needs, and ensuring quality, which was important to us.” The toughest item for all minds to meet on for this project was the carpet. It was easy for Sherrie to choose the carpet itself from the options Bahia had selected for her, but the size was a little tougher. Bahia says “There is a tendency to be too stingy with size when choosing an area carpet. The key piece people struggle with is covering up the wood floors that they spent a lot of money on, with a carpet they need to spend a lot of money on. All of the furniture sits on the carpet and, while it covers almost all the wood floors in the room, it really makes the room feel larger and delineates the space proportionately.” Derek and Sherrie’s condo, while meeting none of the condo article clichés, has a few of its own – sometimes bigger is better, and often two heads are better than one.

abode

Top: Sherrie's growing collection of pretty, neutral vases.

left: The pinstriped, men's suiting-inspired fabric on the recliner is a dapper

addition to the room, and the lightheartedness of the licorice allsorts

pillow fabric keeps things from feeling stuffy

50 spr i n g 2012

GeT THiS lOOK

drapery: Soletex Kismet

Crown:

Stockholm dP

30908

Cushion fabric:

Maxwell Star Search

#35 Silver

Maxwell all Sorts

#270 Silver/yellow

Maxwell Topside

#5 Gray/yellow

Walls:

Benjamin

Moore

Brandon Beige

CC-530

rug:

Surya

athena

m o d e r n l ivi n g wi t h a p r ai r i e t wis t 51Available at your local Meat and Deli departments.

Our ALL NATURAL, GLUTEN FREE

Sausages, Patties and Minis

are Great for Grilling!

pioneermeat.ca

GeT a lOadof this

abode

design Tara SPenCer nairn

photography TraCey COnrad

52 spr i n g 2012

Spring in Winnipeg, with its sloppy streets, can create an extra volume of laundry. Seasonal activities such as soccer and ultimate frisbee are starting up, and all that traffic and volume can overtake a room that is cramped. Maximizing the vertical space in this River Park South laundry/mudroom helps this busy young family keep their feet in matched socks and their noses out the door on time. Laundry rooms have evolved from a purely utilitarian purpose into multifunctional spaces. This room, with its wide counter, spacious storage and natural light, makes tackling a pile of clothes much more manageable and provides an organizational hub.

making it work: maximizing the space in a cramped

laundry/mudroom helps breath new life into a

never-ending chore

before

of thisdesign Tara SPenCer nairn

photography TraCey COnrad

Opposite: Tara’s red washer and dryer were the cue for accenting her laundry/mud room; right: floating shelves add a new way to keep pretty things and laundry supplies close at hand; above: a gorgeous stool is at the ready for donning shoes.


abode

54 spr i n g 2012

GeT THiS lOOK

We made this retro and informative laundry symbol poster by scanning an old housekeeping image, blowing it up and getting it printed on a large format printer.

Walls:

benjamin

Moore

Thunder

af-685

ana Tolia Tile and

Stone inc. Sassii

arctic Gray

Counter Top

Kashmir White

Granite

Opposite, clockwise from top right: Grouping laundry necessities on a tray makes them a decor accessory and keeps things organized too;fresh hand towels are at the ready in a metal basket; Tiling the wall above the washer and dryer brings a finished look to the new granite countertop, now a great folding surface. The pretty blind is the finishing touch; The addition of a long row of cupboards allows Tara to stash things that had no place before.


for the love of lemonsphotography Brian Johnson

chow

56 spr i n g 2012

Arugula has been used as an ingredient in

aphrodisiac concoctions dating back to the

first century, AD.(Cambridge World History of Food)

CreaMy leMOn dreSSinGThis zippy lemon dressing can be used over any of your favourite salad greens for a quick and easy starter. ½ cup sour cream2 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese1 tbsp. water1 tbsp. oil1 tsp. dry mustardsalt and pepper to tasteWhisk together all ingredients and drizzle over mixed greens.for the love of lemons


Tantalizing giant prawns are light but surprisingly filling. This recipe sets them with lemon, garlic and arugula for a winning combination.

58 spr i n g 2012

leMOn PaSTa WiTH SHriMP12 Spaghettini pasta nests (3 per person)3 large cloves of garlic grated or pressed¼ cup olive oil2 tbsp. butter1 tsp. grated lemon zest2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice¼ cup fresh parsley2 cups fresh arugula16 giant cooked prawns, deveined and peeled (defrosted if using frozen)

Boil a large pot of water for the pasta nests. While waiting for water to boil, combine all ingredients except parsley and arugula in a large skillet. When water comes to a boil, place your nests in the pot and cook until el dante (about five minutes). While the pasta boils turn the heat (under the skillet) up to medium and heat oil mixture for about a minute. Add shrimp and heat through (about three minutes). Remove from heat and add parlsey and arugula. Drain pasta and place in a platter or bowl. Pour skillet contents over pasta, toss, season with salt and pepper and serve.

We asked tonnes of people what fare made them think of Spring, and asparagus almost always topped the list. This recipe combines their fresh flavour with that of beef and steak spice. Drizzle with lemon just before serving!

aSParaGuS WiTH leMOnGrocer's bundle or two of asparagusOlive oilEpicure Selections Beef and Steak SpiceLarge bowl of ice waterBring large pot of water to a boil. Insert asparagus into boiling water for 1 minute to blanche. Immediately transfer to bowl of iced water to stop the cooking process. Lay asparagus onto tin foil and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle genrously with beef and steak spice. Place foil onto bbq grill or on a pan under broiler, and cook until the tops begin to brown and blister.


leMOn COMPOund buTTerThis make-ahead blend of herbs, lemon and butter is a spring staple. Mix it up in large batches and use it to sauté veggies, scramble eggs, spread on breads and more. Freeze it in logs or cut into pats and freeze and you'll have a quick and natural go-to seasoned delight to finish a sauce, throw into bbq foil packs, round out a roux, or top baked potatoes at the ready all season long. Here we spread it on hot grilled chicken for melty, tasty, deliciousness. For a more formal affair you can make a small incision in the side of a chicken breast and grill or bread and fry the chicken for a wonderful kiev. It would be a wonderful accompaniment to grilled fish or beef, too.Try it and let us know how you love to use it. Write to us at: [email protected] or share your ideas on our Facebook fan page!

½ cup butter¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley2 tbsp. grated or pressed shallot1 clove of grated or pressed garliczest of half a lemon2 tbsp. fresh lemon juiceSalt and pepper to tasteMix all ingredients together well. Place on plastic wrap in a log shape and close plastic wrap around the log. Roll with light pressure to help form the log and twist ends of plastic wrap closed. Refrigerate or freeze.

60 spr i n g 2012

A hot charcuterie plate makes for simple alfrescoe dining in a snap. Fresh atrisnal breads accompanied by flavoured dipping oils, olives and peppers, along with chicken and melted compound butter make a casual, finger style meal that feels unique and special — with little effort by the chef.

leMOn GarliC CHiCKenSeason chicken breasts, thighs or parts with salt and pepper and grill. Immediately after they come off the grill, top with a pat of compound butter and serve.


PairinGS

chow

leMOn barS1 cup flour½ cup butter¼ cup sugarpinch of salt1 cup sugar2 tbsp. flour¼ tsp. baking powderzest of 1 lemonjuice of 1 lemon2 eggs beatensprinkling of icing sugar

Cut butter into dry ingredients and press into ungreased 9” square pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. While crust is baking beat all ingredients together. Pour our over crust and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool and sprinkle with icing sugar. Cut into squares.

Excerpted from The Complete Best of Bridge Cookbooks, Volume 1 by The Best of Bridge: Karen Brimacombe, Mary Halpen, Helen Miles, Valerie Robinson and Joan Wilson © 2008 Robert Rose Inc. www.robertrose.ca Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

**Lemon Cake Recipe can be found on page 80.

leMOn PaSTa WiTH

SHriMP: michele satta Costa

di giulia bianco, italy (under

$25) from the coastal region of

Tuscany, this stylish white wine

marries beautifully with the

acidity of lemon and the flavours

of the sea in the shrimp.

aSParaGuS WiTH leMOn:

a dish with bold flavours of

asparagus (a tricky ingredient

for wines) and lemon calls for

a white wine with lively acidity

and bold flavours of its own. Try

bouchard Finlayson sauvignon

blanc, south africa (under $30)

leMOn Grilled CHiCKen:

Pala stellato vermentino, italy

(under $30) as the chicken

comes off the grill pour Stellato,

a Mediterranean white wine with

fruit-driven aromas, good weight

and perky acidity, and your meal

is raised to an art form.

leMOn CaKe: dom brial

Euphoric muscat, France (500

ml, under $25) a dessert wine

needs to be as sweet or sweeter

than the dessert. euphoric is

slightly fortified, with citrus

and exotic fruit aromas, and

sweetness balanced by weight

and acidity.

leMOn SQuareS: Casa silva

semillon/gewurtztraminer

late Harvest, Chile (half bottle,

under $10) lemon squares call

for a dessert wine like the Casa

Silva. Mixed citrus notes and

a palate that is sweet, round,

full and balanced make for a

beautiful harmony!

Sylvia Jansen is a sommelier and wine instructor at Banville & Jones Wine Co.

text SylVia JanSen

62 spr i n g 2012

A moist and perfectly balanced blend of tart and sweet, all wrapped

in cream-cheesy goodness. It's almost too pretty to cut into… but we did!


chow

botanically-brewed beverages made using century-old english recipes. Grown-up colas with interesting flavours. refreshing as virgin bevvies, or try one of fentimans own classic cocktail recipes; we like the Mandarin Screwdriver. Mix 1.5 oz Vodka with 6 oz fentimans Orange Jigger. See more at www.drinkfentimans.com. available at Supper Central.

fresh squeezed citrus juice is delicious to perk up your

beverages and recipes. Juicing is so easy with the OxO Cirtus

Juicer. adaptable to lemons, limes, oranges and even small grapefruits. Has measurement

markings for the perfect amount of juice very time.

easy, efficient and available at Home Outfitters.

The OxO Good Grip has a patented angled surface that lets you read measurement markings by looking straight down into the

cup. no need to fill, check and adjust your liquids any longer.

These are at all the meal stations at Supper Central, and you can

buy one there to take home too.

Placed inside the bottle, the Corkcicle chills your wine from the inside out. lose the bucket, use again and again, for both reds and whites. available at banville and Jones Wine Company.

don't let half of a lemon go to waste with this lemon keeper. Keep leftover lemon halves and wedges fresh and firm in

the refrigerator with this easily-recognizable storage container. available at Home Outfitters.

The Sombrero Juicer is made to fit into your water bottle. it juices and

strains. Genius. lightweight and super portable. now you can squeeze lemon

or lime into your water bottle on the go. We also love the glass water

bottle – so chic and not crowding the landfill. both available at envy

Paint and design ltd.

64 spr i n g 2012

THe Wine PanTrySylvia Jansen is a sommelier and wine instructor at Banville & Jones Wine Co.

Like a good food pantry, a well-stocked wine pantry should be cool and dark. Think about three categories:Comfort: A few red and white table wines with easy drinkability, that show their place of origin with honesty, and do not break the personal bank.

SpeCial oCCaSionS: Stashing a few nicer wines means that any occasion becomes special with the pull of a cork or twist of a top.

Celebration: A quality sparkling wine or classic Champagne makes an instant celebration. Keep a bottle or two of bubbly on hand.

Ask your retail Sommelier or wine expert for recommendations on pantry stock that will be as unique as your own personal taste.

every foodie needs this shiny little rock. it instantly removes onion and garlic odours from your hands – just use it like you would a bar of soap. The smells disappear, but the soap lasts forever! available at envy Paint and design ltd.

Heavy duty juicer. This one will last a lifetime. Makes light work of juicing and straining, and opens super wide or not so wide to accommodate both lemons and limes. See your fine food retailer for one of these work horses.

Oh microplane, how did we ever get along without

you? Grate! for cheese, ginger, chocolate, citrus zest, shallots; and

it’s the ultimate tool for garlic. no more smashing and mincing. running a

clove over this awesome gadget turns it to a juicy paste so fine for cooking and sauces. Get all that amazing flavour without biting into

a chunk of garlic that’s too big to be palatable. available at fine food retailers.


Every day at 5:30 pm it would be the same story…what can we pull together from the pantry for supper together? Does mac and cheese really GO with leftover pork tenderloin? Throw some frozen veggies in there and we have a balanced meal…don’t we? My husband had been urging me to make a weekly menu plan, but I never felt I had enough time in a day, let alone time to waste making “notes” about what we were going to eat. I’d like to say one day I suddenly had an epiphany about the glorious things this could do for my family –but no. It was a shopping trip to IKEA that really did it for me! IKEA is, of course, known for things that are cute, quaint and oh, so, practical. Among many other things I purchased that day, I bought a modern-looking white board that was made from a smoky tempered glass. I bought it thinking “I just have to find someplace to put this in my house!” When I got all my IKEA loot home and in their new places, I found that the perfect wall space for my new board was in my kitchen. I was reluctant because I just knew that my husband was going to say it would be perfect for menu planning. Ugh… could he be right? That Sunday I wrote down (in fancy lettering with my fancy dry-erase markers) what we were going to have for supper Monday through Friday. Soon, many things began to change in our household. My boys

GiVe SOMe TiMe TO SaVe SOMe TiMe

As a mom of three active kids under 12, who works full-time, I never had enough time to get organized when it came to meal planning.

Sunday baked Salmon, Quinoa, Orange Carrots

Monday Spicy Chicken and Squash

Tuesday Shrimp and Mushroom Penne

Wednesday leek, Mushroom and Cheese fritatta

Thursday Slow Cooker Pot roast with Carrots

Friday Tandori Haddock with brown rice, Peas and Corn

Saturday Pork Tenderloin with Veggies and Salad

Weekly Menu

a great meal planning app for the tech savvy…Check out http://www.mealboard.com

chow

text lOri VaSSarT

66 spr i n g 2012

find usin the Waverley Automall@ Bishop Grandin

1-800-677-9086

The 2012 Sonic hits all the right notes with a powerful, yet ridiculously fuel efficient 1.4L turbocharged ECOTEC® engine,

motorcycle-inspired gauges and a full set of availablefeatures including Bluetooth® wireless audio streaming

and the OnStar RemoteLink™ mobile app.Build and Price Estimate Payments

actually got excited each morning as they looked at the board to see what we were going to have for supper. I found myself just a little less stressed about that dreaded end-of-day question: “What are we going to eat tonight?”. I suddenly had the tool I needed to know what to have in the house for ingredients each week. Now I am totally converted to meal planning – but does that mean I need to give my husband some credit? The jury’s still out on that one, as I’m not quite ready for “I told you so!” Write it down for the world to see…

I recommend a white board or poster on the fridge so that all family members can see what meals are planned for the week. It makes for a topic of conversation every weekend, when you start your plan for the week ahead. But if you don’t have the space in your kitchen, having a notebook handy can work just was well. The power of choice… I often let the kids take turns deciding on one or two meals that we are going to have each week. Sure, they are going to choose pizza or tacos, but at least if I know it ahead of time, I will also have the ingredients in my house to throw a salad with it. It makes them feel special to be involved in decision-making for the household, and proud when others enjoy the meal too. My husband loves fish, but it never came to mind for me to cook it on a regular basis — now if he requests it for the week ahead it gets on the table. if it’s on the list… One of the main benefits to meal planning is that you know ahead of time all the ingredients you need in the house to pull it off. I find myself doing one big shopping trip each week, rather than a bunch of sporadic ones. This saves me time and money because I am not impulse buying each time I go. I go in knowing what I need, and am far less likely to pick up “this and that” just in case. I also throw out much less food than I had before. I buy what’s on the list, I know we are going to eat it, and I even know when. The healthy way… It is also fairly obvious that planning ahead can mean a lot less eating out and pre-packaged foods. Meal planning allows you to plan and eat balanced and healthy meals. That doesn’t mean you can’t have those “chicken nugget nights” but it does mean you will have

them less because you are ready with other, healthier foods. you’ve got to have options… Whether you are meal planning or not, the weeks are just plain busy. Even when we plan, curve balls are thrown at us. When you find yourself making a pot of chilli or a lasagna to fit into your meal plan for the week, double it up and put another meal in the freezer for those crazy days you know will come. Meal assembly businesses can also offer

pre-packaged, home-style meals that are great, quick options for busy evenings when you have to get kids to activities. Eating out can be fine too, if you make the right choices and limit the times you do it. a family that eats together… What meal planning comes down to for me is that, at the end of the day, my family is sitting around a table together with a healthy meal, talking about their day. What more could I ask for? Okay, honey, you can say it…”I told you so…!”


What to do when ‘off the rack’ just won’t do

Have you ever fallen in love with a painting or the artistic style of an artist but the size of painting didn’t work in the space? Have you been unable to find the perfect painting for a specific room? If so, commissioning artwork may be right for you. Although relatively few people are aware that many visual artists are open to doing commission work, and that some will do so “on spec” or without any obligation on the client’s behalf, the option can be highly appealing to clients and designers who are looking for something special. One Winnipeg-based artist has embraced that trend and has completed more than 100 commissions to date. Shirley Elias, whose work is represented in galleries across the country and locally at Birchwood Art Gallery, finds working with clients to create a special piece rewarding on many levels.“As a visual artist who wants to communicate joy and energy through my work,” said Elias, “nothing is as exciting artistically as the commission process.” That process can be initiated through contact with a gallery that represents a specific artist or by direct contact to an artist of choice by phone or email. A site visit or series of discussions may follow, with focus on discovering the client’s ideas, specific wants for the piece, and budget considerations. While some clients have no solid idea of what they want, or choose to limit their input to something such as the size of the work, others come to the project with very specific ideas about what they would like to see. “Sometimes it is a particular colour that the client loves and wants used in the painting or they ask me to abstractly nod to a personal detail such as a place that they have visited in the past or piece of music that moves them,” said Elias. “Adding subtle elements that reflect things that are very meaningful to them adds a great deal to their love of the painting.” Whether it is a private or corporate commission, the experience is pretty much the same. Elias' works were commissioned to adorn the headquarters of Corus Entertainment studios, which house three very different Winnipeg radio stations. Some of the private clients Elias has worked with may not be inspired to commission a piece because of design, but rather by personal motivation. Such was the case with Karla Dawe and Dr.

Edmund Dawe (Dean of the University of Manitoba's Marcel A. Desautels Faculty of Music), both professional musicians and educators, and long-time art collectors. Mrs. Dawe approached Elias with the challenge of creating a work specifically for her husband, as a surprise birthday gift. Mrs. Dawe wanted music and a piano theme to be important elements of the piece. Elias not only used music from Dr. Dawe’s solo CD recordings as inspiration for his work, she listened to his recordings while painting his piece. The end result was exactly what Mrs. Dawe had hoped for, given her husband’s reaction. “I was thrilled... Music that has inspired me for many years is reflected in this vibrant work of art. It was the perfect gift!” Dr. Dawe said. As wonderful as the personal face-to-face process can be, there are times when the commission process is done entirely by email or phone because of distance, with the artist never meeting the client or seeing the finished work in its new space. This was the case when Elias was approached by residents of Florence, Italy, to create two new works - one for their home and one for their newly designed restaurant. Working with them completely online, Elias received photos of the spaces, dimensions, framing considerations, as well as an idea of their artistic tastes. Now two of her original works hang in Florence. In addition to the commissions from Italy, Elias has painted “e-commissions” for clients in Edmonton, Calgary, and Saskatoon, and she is currently working on one for a private residence in New Brunswick. Contact begun via email can escalate into in-depth face-to-face meetings. Making the process less intimidating for the client is the fact that some artists, like Elias, will take on a commission without the client being tied into it - they just have "first rights of refusal.”“The bottom line for me is that I only want them to purchase the painting if they love it,” she said. “So far, touch wood, no one's returned a commission but I want them to know that they don't have to feel locked into the process.” So the next time you are looking for that special piece of art and can’t find the perfect fit, be sure to ask the gallery, or an artist whose work you admire, if a commission is an option. You may just find exactly what you are looking for.

Made TO MeaSure fine arT?

text J. eliZabeTH adler

prairie palette

68 spr i n g 2012

In the spring, At the end of the day,You should smell like dirt. -Margaret Atwood

habitat in harmony with design | samantha braun | 204.223.6157 | [email protected]

Hinge Design is a strategic branding and interactive design agency. We’re

honest, approchable, down to earth and would like to help you advance

the interests of your business.

hingedesign.ca | 204.997.8857

design | illustration | branding | social media | web


fabriCThere are two main variations in outdoor fabric: solution dyed versus printed. Solution dyed is just as it sounds; the acrylic is dyed and then woven into various patterns and designs. Printed fabric has the pattern or design imprinted on top of a neutral base fabric. The biggest differences the consumer sees in these two options are found in price and durability. Solution dyed fabric has the higher cost, but it is more durable. Outdoor fabric comes in thousands of prints and patterns. Having your patio cushions recovered or rebuilt is a great way to bring new life to your outdoor decor. The best selection of outdoor fabric in Canada can be found right here in Winnipeg at Wicker World. The knowledgeable staff can help you recover, construct new cushions or pick out a new set of outdoor furniture.

COnSTruCTiOnFoam cushions come in varied thicknesses. A typical depth is six inches, which offers plenty of lounging comfort. Reticulated foam is most commonly used in quality cushion construction. It is perforated, which will speed up the drying process—in the event the interior part of your cushions does indeed get soaked. A six-inch cushion that does get wet should dry in two hours sitting flat. To speed up this process, sit the cushion on end!

STOraGeWhat do you do with all this stuff in the Winter?! Cushions and outdoor furniture don't need to be put inside during our winter months. However, it is a good idea to protect them from furry friends who might make a cozy home in your lovely cushions!

builT TO laSToutdoor cushions

Outdoor cushions have advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years. From reticulated foam to the expanding variety of waterproof fabrics, there is an enormous selection in various price points to help add comfort to your backyard patio or deck.

living well

70 spr i n g 2012

fabulOuS OuTdOOrfabriCS

builT TO laST Maxwell Survivor #10 Zebra

Joannedelmar#73J5591

Sunbrellafoster Metallic#56051-0000

JoanneJunction lagoon#45510-0005

JoanneSurf#75J5591


A quick glance is all it takes for someone to make a first impression. Three seconds, the experts say, is all it takes. An amazing front door will carry a lot of weight toward making those three seconds count. Your front door is the front line – the first thing people see - it imprints your personality on your home. It sets the stage for what is within. It guides visitors to the entrance. Best of all it's so easy to change - so have fun with it!

THe frOnT dOOr SCOre

living well

HOW TO…1) Before you start make sure your door is clean. Paint will not

adhere to oils or grease and applying paint over dirt and dust will be problematic. Making sure a surface is clean before you sand is very important so as not to drive impurities into your substrate.

2) Sand lightly. This provides a tooth for your paint to stick to and will remove any bumps or ridges that could telegraph through to your new paint job.

3) If your door is new or if it is previously painted with an oil based product and you are now using a latex product, you will need to

prime your door. Ask your local paint retailer for advice on the best primer for your type of door.

4) Paint the door with two coats of your top coat. A panel door will require the use of a brush and roller. A flocked foam or velour roller will leave the smoothest finish. A satin or semi-gloss sheen is most typical for a door.

5) Leave the door open for as long as possible to dry. Paint takes a minimum of two weeks to cure. While it may feel dry to the touch in a very short time, it will still be vulnerable to abrasion until it is fully cured.

72 spr i n g 2012

Try THeSe…

Benjamin Moore Black Panther 2125-10; a timeless standby. elegant, sophisticated and classic. Pair with white flowers and greenery or accessories to keep it fresh.

Benjamin Moore Camelot CC-4; a moody and mystical choice. regal, rich and calm. Spectacular with gray accents and mustard yellow flowers like marigolds.

Benjamin Moore hale Navy hC-154; a calm and historic hue. Preppy, reserved, and strong. Compliment with oranges and yellows.

Benjamin Moore rosy Blush 2086-30; a "look at me" selection. a new approach to red. Splashy and brave. Keep the scheme monochrome by using pink and red accents to fully embody the lightheartedness of the look.

Benjamin Moore grassy Fields 2034-30; Happy and welcoming. Generous, fresh, and steeped in nature. Partner with pink, yellow and orange to amp up the playfulness.


Weed is such a relative term... so what is a weed anyway? In botany, we considered a “weed” any plant that had escaped from the garden center and was pushing native plants around. In the garden center, a weed was usually a native plant that was crowding out the petunias! Technically, a weed is any plant that’s growing where it’s not wanted...so around my place, that would make a petunia a weed! As a designer, I employ any plant that is right height, colour, texture and flowering time to fit the bill. As an ecologist, the plants I use have to go a step further—they have to be happily suited to the place they’re going to be planted. Does it like hot sun? Does it put up with dry shade? Does it play nicely with others, or would it take over a whole bed in a year? Some of the most useful plants in our zone 3 repertoire (most of us should stick with zone 3 for starters) are the plants that have been in friendly Manitoba (or surrounding area) for hundreds of years (Gasp! Those plants that some think of as weeds!). Let’s just call them native plants to avoid any confusion.

Some of our native plants have traveled across the pond and been favourites in Europe for years (Purple Cone Flower, Black Eyed Susan and Blazing Star and even Goldenrods). The added bonus of using these plants in their natural setting is that they provide habitat for our native critters—creating a welcome refuge in the urban jungle. Plant a few native prairie wildflowers, and you’ll notice new caterpillars, soon followed by stunning butterflies. Native grasses and some drift wood (or a stony border) will lure slug-eating small mammals. Don’t worry, you won’t even know they’re there—and you won’t miss the slugs. Native shrubs provide spectacular fall colour and, often a plethora of berries for birds through the winter. There’s no doubt that native plants are the best choice to address some of our most challenging landscaping dilemmas—like seasonal flooding, very deep shade, or hungry deer. Each “problem” has a group of plants that have adapted to these conditions naturally—for them it’s not a problem. Using native plants in your garden makes it work as hard as you do... without even trying!

WeedS Of WOndertext and photography SaManTHa braun

dig

74 spr i n g 2012

sPecies growth Particulars

suPerstar qualities

habitat beneFits

Purple Cone flower (a)(Echinacea angustifolia)

45-75cmlarge purple blooms from July through august

drought tolerant; deer resistant; gorgeous seed heads; excellent cut flower; lots of cultivars too

a favourite nectar source for butterflies, bees and hummingbirds

black eyed Susan (b)(Rudbeckia hirta)

30-60cmbright yellow “daisies” with black centers; blooms through July; re-seeds easily

drought tolerant; deer resistant; cut flower; lots of cultivars

nectar source for butterflies; seed for Goldfinches

Joe Pye Weed (c)(Eupatorium maculatum)

100-150cmlarge, fluffy purple flowers from august through September

needs moist soil to grow well; deer resistan; cultivars available

Great nectar source for butterflies in late summer; birds use the seed for food and nesting

Swamp Milkweed (d)(Asclepias incarnatIa)

90-120cmlarge, flat, dark pink flowers in late June through July

Tolerates wet soil, but does well in a typical flower bed; cultivars available

food plant for monarch caterpillars

bee balm (e)(Monarda fistulosa)

60-90cmShowy pink flowers from late June to august; spreads to form a non-invasive mat

Thrives in a range of soil conditions; excellent cut flower; fragrant and edible leaves (for teas etc.); deer resistant, cultivars available

nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds

If you’re just getting started with native plants (or cultivated versions of them), these (pp. 75-76) are some easy additions that pair seamlessly with traditional plants or other native species.

full Sun SPeCTaCular

a b c d e

WeedS Of WOnder


sPecies size suPerstar qualities

wildliFe attributes

Ostrich fern (f)(Matteuccia struthiopteris)

60-90cm.large bright green fronds radiate from base. Spreads slowly by roots

edible “fiddleheads” in spring; needs moist soil to do well in heat; tolerates deep shade; deer resistant; attractive brown sporophyte (brown spike)

Provides cover for small mammals

Wild Ginger (g)(Asarum canadense)

10-30cmSlow spreading groundcover

deer resistant; tolerates deep shade; medicinal root (not the same as asian ginger)

Strange little flowers pollinated by ants!

Star flowered Solomon’s Seal (h) (Smilacina stellata)

30-50cmWispy, spreading ground cover with delicate white star flowers through spring

Tolerates deep and dry shade; tolerates spring flooding and sediment.

deer eat it, but you probably won’t notice

Western Canada Violet (i)(Viola canadensis)

20-50cmfast spreading (by root and seed) ground cover with white flowers in late spring through early summer

Tolerates deep and dry shade; tolerates spring flooding and sediment; add flowers to salads.

food (or bait!) for bunnies. deer and rabbits will eat it, but again, you probably won’t notice

northern bedstraw (j) (Galium boreale)

25-60cmdelicate branching leaves with clusters of white flowers in early summer. invasive in sun, wandering in shade

Sweet, fresh fragrance when bruised; fills spaces between plantings with a light “baby’s breath” feel; excellent cut flower

Crowds out weeds; provides cover for small mammals; food and nectar source for moths

f g h i j

SHady SHOW OffS

dig

76 spr i n g 2012

THe TOuGHeST COnTenderS

THeSe SPeCieS HaVe PreTTy aGGreSSiVe

GrOWTH HabiTS... buT THey are THe

GO-TO PlanTS fOr TriCKy SPOTS WHen

uSed aPPrOPriaTely.

tall Cone Flower (Rudbeckia hirta) (sun to shade, 150-200cm)—Tall and beautiful. This is one of the few plants that shows off bright flowers in the shade. In the sun, it dominates a flower bed very quickly... so pair it with other tough contenders for a very low maintenance bed.

obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana) (full sun to part shade, 60-100cm)—A misnomer if there ever was one! Stunning, but far from obedient... this plant forms a tall, thick mat when planted in moist or even wet soil. Hummingbirds will fly straight past a feeder for this one!

giant hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)(full sun to part shade, 50-90cm)—This plant’s tough, but not really invasive (it just re-seeds easily). Hyssop is equally useful planted as a tall shade plant, or planted in the belting hot sun (although it looks quite different in the two extremes). It holds its own with these space-hogs, and lends pretty blue spikes to the landscape for most of the summer. It also makes a nice tea!

Canada anemone (Anemone canadensis)(full sun to part shade, 55-55cm)—Great ground cover for dry, dappled, shade or sunny forest edges (conditions like that dead space between your house and your neighbours'!). Canada Anemone pairs well with Canada Violets and Star Flowered Solomon’s Seal for a low maintenance woodland feel.

Wild Strawberry (Fragaria glauca) (full sun to part shade, 15-30cm)—A favourite for adding around pathways, under shrubs, or along sunny tree lines as a thick groundcover —no mowing! The red tendrils look amazing running over stone. Teeny, tiny, tasty berries are a fantastic bonus.

We all know the benefits of going local. Sourcing close-to-home materials for your garden has some great benefits too. Not only are these limestone pavers beautiful and versatile (they can work for solid pathways, rustic patios, or garden borders equally well), but they were also formed right here in Manitoba—450 million years ago. One of the biggest advantages of using natural stone in your landscape is just that, it’s natural. It’s relatively easy for real stone to have the look and feel of being there forever; and that element of permanency can be hard to achieve in new construction and new garden projects. Adding moss and ground covering plants between the stones (like creeping thyme, violets, or wild strawberry) will also add some instant age to the project. You can see that this is not your typical garden path... no two will ever be the same. And if you decide to pick the stone yourself, your back and fingertips probably won’t be the same either! On the bright side, you can skip the gym and drive out to the town of Tyndall (yes, that’s why it’s called Tyndall stone), and spend a lovely hour or two picking through the “rubble pile” at Gillis Quarries. If you’re really lucky you may find yourself the proud new owner of a very cool “Captain Nemo” nautilid fossil—now that’s a conversation piece for the next patio party! If you are more inclined to spend the afternoon buying patio furniture (or playing a round of golf ), many nurseries and garden centers carry a lovely selection of Tyndall stone that’s gauged (all the same depth) and ready to be installed.

GOinG lOCal WiTH liMeSTOne


dig

You’ve been staring longingly at the snow pile by the steps all winter (possibly even averting your gaze)—underneath it laid the flower bed that was full of colour and life last summer. Now the snow has melted, spring is springing, birds are singing, and you are faced with the garden that was... a twisted mess of spent blooms, soggy leaves, driveway muck and the odd piece of paper that blew out of the recycling bin. Don’t despair; the garden may look a bit rough this time of year, but those spent blooms and soggy leaves served a valiant purpose all winter. Why spend hours in the fall bagging leaves, when you can spend a fraction of the time defiantly tossing them over your flower beds? (Ok, if you just didn’t bother doing anything in the fall, that’ll be our little secret). Those left-over leaves collected all your “clean” neighbour’s ladybugs—they’re yours now (finders-keepers right?). You also protected your plants from the cold temperatures of winter (exaggerated by the absence of deep snow cover this winter). About those blooms: If you have some winter superstars (purple coneflower, ornamental grasses, and dogwood, for examples) you had some very stunning displays poking through the snow. The seeds you left standing fed wintering birds, fed bad-bug-eating small mammals, and lead to new seedlings in the spring. So what now? The Karl Foerster reed grass you love still looks like someone sat on it (and that’s being kind!). Take a deep breath, grab some gardening gloves, your favourite garden tub, a good sturdy knife, and let’s get started. If you do have grasses, they’re first on the chopping block. Grasses are typically shade intolerant (they require lots of direct sun), so you need to cut them down to get the best new growth in the spring. If you don’t cut last year’s thatch off early you will either be faced with the nauseating task of pulling dead out of the new growth, or staring at a nasty mix of dead

and new shoots all summer. Use a garden knife to saw back and forth while holding the top of the plant (you can also tie up the top to make large grasses easier to manage). Cutting close to the base looks best—just be careful that you aren’t cutting into the crown. Next, take some pruning shears (or your garden knife) and cut down all those old flower stems and last year’s dead remnants. Just work from one end of the bed to the other—systematically taking down everything in your path (it can actually be cathartic on a nice spring day). Pull the leaves off of your full-sun flower beds to let the soil warm up as you go. If you have any weed-seeds in the mix (or any plants you don’t want more of ), put them in a separate pile (with the driveway sand and stray recycling)... you don’t want those in your compost pile. Shade gardens (think hostas and ferns) get a slightly different treatment—these are often the last beds to tackle (they’re also the last to defrost). Since many shade plants are actually forest plants (hence the shade tolerance), they are well adapted to coming through leaves. By the same token, full-sun grassland plants are only adapted to poking through light grass thatch. Shade plants do benefit from clearing off last year’s leaves and spent stems, but a nice trick for mature gardens (with really large plants) is to only clear out the leaves from the crowns of the plants. The leaves mat together and act as extra mulch to keep weeds out from between—they also keep the lady bugs in your flower bed! Another good idea is to leave any leaf bags open so ladybugs can make an escape back into your garden. One more spring cleaning trick for impatient shade gardeners (do you know any?) is to leave at least one old flower stem on your hostas (or mark with a nearby twig!)—we’ve all rushed to the nursery in the spring and tried to squeeze in a new plant right on top of a late arrival hosta!

SPrinG Clean-uP

78 spr i n g 2012

No matter how much you want to show your lawn some love, resist the urge to rake soggy sod. If your lawn is still wet, the only thing you’ll remove is the roots. That’s not good! Once the lawn is dry, feel free to grab a leaf rake and get the old thatch out. Spring is a great time to address any bare patches by re-seeding. New sod owners would want to use Kentucky blue seed (otherwise the patch will grow in a different colour and variety than the existing sod). However, Kentucky blue has at least one major drawback—it needs full sun to do well. My deepest sympathy goes out to those who have had new sod planted in the shade, and then held themselves personally responsible for its slow and inevitable death. A second drawback is that Kentucky blue can take up to six weeks to germinate... for lawn seeders, that’s a very long time to keep the seed damp enough to germinate, and keep the weeds out while you’re at it. Some grass seed buyer-beware: even seed mixes labelled “shade blend” often contain some percentage of Kentucky blue. For lawn-lovers that like the idea of “quick grass” (often the pet owners among us!), read the label carefully. “Quick grasses” can contain annual varieties—and annual means it dies over winter. It can be frustrating to spend all that effort growing new grass to have it die over winter. However, annual grass varieties are often used in a seed mix to “fill the gaps” as Kentucky blue takes it’s time to come up. One of my all-time favourite seed mixes is EcoLawn. EcoLawn is a ridiculously shade tolerant and drought tolerant blend of fescues. And since it’s fescue, it also

grows equally well in hot sunny locations. Another added bonus; fescue takes little to no mowing (depending upon the lawn-look you like). Letting it grow all summer creates a short, meadow-like prairie (it doesn’t just fall over and die back like a typical un-mowed lawn.) Over-seeding your existing lawn with a mix like Ecolawn in the spring helps thicken up the lawn, and takes full advantage of spring rain to get it started. A

word of caution: this “Lawn Love” technique could lead to more golfing, less watering, and definitely less mowing! Now if only we could get EcoLawn as sod... maybe one day!

Samantha Braun is a landscape ecologist and designer with over 15 years experience in the horticultural industry. Her company, Ecotones, specializes in creating Habitat in Harmony with Design.

laWn lOVe


HOT blOGS

leMOn CaKe (from page 63)

1 cup butter, room temperature2 ½ cups all-purpose flour½ teaspoon baking powder½teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon salt1 tablespoon lemon zest2 cups sugar2 large eggs 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice1 cup low-fat buttermilk¾ cup sour cream1 lemon, thinly sliced and seededSet aside:¼ cup sugar, ½ cup water, 8 thin lemon slices ¼ cup fresh lemon juice2 containers premixed cream cheese frosting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour two 8-inch round cake pans, tapping out excess flour or spray with cooking spray. Insert a round of parchment paper cut to fit in the bottom of each pan. In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. With mixer on low, beat in eggs one at a time. Beat in lemon juice. Add sour cream. Alternately beat in flour mixture and buttermilk beginning and ending with flour mixture; mix just until combined. Divide batter between pans and smooth tops. Bake until cakes pull away from sides of pans (about 30 to 35 minutes). While cakes bake bring ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water to a boil in a saucepan. Add lemon slices and simmer 25 minutes. Place lemon slices onto a waxed-paper-lined plate. Stir ¼ cup fresh lemon juice into syrup and set aside until cakes are done. Once cakes are baked let cool in pans 10 minutes. Run a knife around edges of pans and invert cakes onto a wire rack. Poke holes in warm cakes with a toothpick or thin skewer. Spoon syrup over each cake five times and discard reamining syrup or make into lemonaid by adding water and ice. Let cakes cool completely. Frost cooled cakes and top with candied lemon slices.

where to find

if you liked what you saw in our premiere issue of Covet, check our digital version for links from our source guide to the product and talent. Visit www.covetmagazine.ca for more information.

designers in this issue: Emerald in the Cityenvy Paint and design ltd. designer: bahia Taylor 204.487.3666 130 - 1600 Kenaston boulevard Winnipeg, Mb r3P 0y4

razzle dazzle Plush Home + design inc. designers: dayna Kinsman and Jennifer Stephanson 204.415.7070 70 arthur Street #523 Winnipeg, Mb r3b 1G7

Condo Collaboration designer: Tara Spencer-nair n 204.479.0338 and envy Paint and design ltd. designer: bahia Taylor 204.487.3666 130-1600 Kenaston boulevard Winnipeg, Mb r3P 0y4

get a load of thisdesigner: Tara Spencer-nairn 204.479.0338

Thank you for taking the time to get this far!

if you enjoyed our premier issue of Covet perhaps you might give your patronage to our advertisers. Their support has allowed us to create what you have enjoyed.

artful Owlbenjamin MoorebinZ Container Service ltd.birchwood art GalleryCarrara Tile and Marble ltd.CertaPro Painters ecotonesemotesartenvy Paint and design ltd. flatlanders flooringHey Kiddo PhotographyHinge designGallagher GroupKen loxton Photographylinden ridge OrthodonticsMPd GlassMurray Chevroletnoble Savage interiorsOver and above Custom Homes Pioneer MeatSupper Central

80 spr i n g 2012

HOT blOGSThis is a collection of blogs that the staff at Covet visits daily for inspiration.

desire to inspire pairs australian and Canadian design junkies Jo and Kim. Their daily shots into their own readers' homes is addicting. www.desiretoinspire.com

a new addition to this list that doesn't really fall into blog territory is jango (www.jango.com). Jango is all about making online music easy, fun and social. all you do is type in an artist that you love and a station with a variety of music in that genre fills the air.

Covet cannot say enough about yWg deals (www.ywgdeals.com). in fact, our creative director and her husband booked a last minute getaway to iceland based on one of their travel-tips. it was a heck of a steal at $488 each, taxes included! Sign up for their alerts so you can be notified when there is a great deal available.

Whether decorating a nursery or planning a garden, Pinterest has inspiration boards for every subject. Pinners create theme-based collections and share them with the social community. The site is searchable, organized, and exploding with ideas. Make sure your pin is linked to the original artist, designer etc., to preserve the intellectual property. To sign up, visit www.pinterest.com.


design dilemma

do you have a design dilemma?

Send us your questions and some photographs to

[email protected] for your opportunity to receive free

design advice from the talented design team at Covet!

82 spr i n g 2012

Please visit covetmagazine.ca for information about a free subscription or about advertising opportunities.

modern living with a prairie twist • www.covetmagazine.ca

like these eggs? Check out page 14 for more great decorating ideas.

photograph raCHael KinG JOHnSOn

a fun and easy method for the kids. While hard boiled eggs are still quite warm have the kids doodle on them with wax crayons. The hot eggs melt the crayons into masterpieces.

for an awesome effect we made new use of crackle paint.

covet magazine spring 2012

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