"A person that works with their hands is a tradesman.  A person that works with their hands & minds is a craftsman.  A person that works with their hands, mind and heart is an artist."  Antonio Almonte Jr., President of River City Stone.

St. Vital Current Custom Kitchen Build -two views of the current custom designed and built cabinets in progress.  3/4" birch plywood bases with 1/2" plywood drawers that all slide out with Blum Tandem under mount soft return sliders.  The cabinets/drawers are faced with a gray horizontal laminate.  All upper cabinets will be horizontal cabinets that have lift up Blum soft return Aventos HK-S lift hinges.  The custom island breakfast table is installed and awaiting Quartzform counters from River City Stone.  he island base seen incomplete will be drywalled with a circular stainless steel ring mounted as a decorative feature that will match the stainless appliances the client has purchased.    

I'm told from various people that i'm the ONLY custom Euro kitchen builder in Winnipeg.  That is building from scratch to fit the needs and the specific environment of peoples homes in the horizontal like cabinet style.  This is very interesting considering the size of the market and how many kitchen cabinetry business' there are.  The CEO & owner of a local (10 years plus in business) successful and growing stone business loves my work and said "they don't build cabinets like you do any longer" and uniquely designed and custom built.   He also told me that local cabinet builders and suppliers don't use and install the best of cabinets that people are paying huge dollars for.    

Kitchen Cabinets

Two views of a kitchen reno i did in River Heights, a complete gut of a

1950's bungalow and built the cabinets out of 3/4" Maple.  I first strapped out the walls to 2 x 6" to give the client greater insulation R value, new window, bulkhead, new wiring and plumbing (with undermount sink) along with a raised dishwasher so that a person doesn't have to bend over quite so far and access or put dishes away.   The counters are silestone (non staining, durable, heat resistant and non-pourous).   

All the drawers are pull out so items can easily be stored and removed.  Hinges are all Blum.
I incorporated the design with the existing glass blocks that were in place which was a lovely feature.

Handles are stainless from Lee Valley and i incorporated a dishwasher that the client loved as she never had one before.

So who doesn't need a storage shed?   I find the smaller ones you buy from Home Depot aren't custom and not too practical.  I poured a concrete pad, threw up the walls and 2" X 6" beams for the roof and bam had a great storage shed for the backyard.  The previous owner built a ratty not too practical shed that was elevated off the ground (rodents and mice got in under the structure) and barn roof was terrible for storage and even trying to move about in so down it went.  The new structure is tall for storage above and has high walls to hang all sorts of garden articles, tools, furniture and bicycles.  The double doors that i built also hold easy to access garden tools.    Everyone needs one of these.

Garden Boxes

I built these reasonably priced spruce elevated garden boxes for a corner of my backyard and filled them with organic composted soil that i manufactured on site (from green and brown sources- grass clippings and leaves and compost from the kitchen).  The elevated boxes serve to keep rabbits out (they don't seem to jump up into things?) and serve to make things easier to weed and garden (don't have to bend over!) so far they have worked spectacularly.  You can build them any size but not too wide or long!  I absolutely love them and am building more...
 

 

Outdoor Spaces

Outdoor spaces are increasingly extensions of our indoor living spaces.

I had torn out a former deck that measured a tiny 8' wide by 12 long which was virtually rotting in spots and falling apart.  Tearing that apart i built a larger cedar deck space with privacy wall (the neighbors were unruly and noisy) that now has Virginia Creeper growing (fast growing) on it.  The pond  generates white noise with a pump and fountain.  As well a small 90 sq ft pavilion serves as a space for entertaining and having a quiet tea on sunny mornings.  

Colours for the home

In the newest e-issue of the Huffington Post (4-28-13) Carolyn Gregoire writes that "Colour can be a wonderful tool for making your home less stressful and more calming- and it can have a significant impact on your mood and well-being."  I couldn't agree more.  As a fine artist, designer, builder i so often come across people's homes where they have NOT painted anything within their home, interiors are original to when they may have moved in (?) and no sign of creativity or daring exists (maybe people are scared of colour? Yea i suspect that).

The Huffington article reported that a University of Minnesota study "found that red environments increase stress response (and i've also heard initiate appetite- hence the checkered red and white table clothes in eateries), while green and white environments do not."  "The most calming colours are usually in the blue family, but muted dusty shades of other colours can also be soothing according to Jackie Jordan, Sherwin Williams Director of Marketing."

     Soft blues (SW 6771 Bathe Blue seen left) slow down heart rate and lower blood pressure.  The most stress reducing tones are soft watery tones.  They're soothing and calming in a home.

Pale grays (SW 7058 Magnetic Gray) that are light especially when paired with white or blue elements in a space can create a very relaxing environment.  Gray is a perfect choice and can be layered with any colour to create a serene environment.   Seen below right....

 Beiges (SW 6106 Kilim Beige) are on the warmer end of the colour spectrum and beiges tend also to be calming.  Anything in the neutral category tends to be calming and when you start getting into warmer colours like yellows and oranges they tend to generate more energy.
Seen directly below...







Dusty pinks that are pale give a relaxing feel.  A HOT pink room isn't going to be calming but if you do something on the lighter end of the spectrum and on the grey side that can also be warming.

Lavenders (SW 6828 Rhapsody Lilac) and muted shades of violets and purples that are in the gray spectrum can again be calming.

                                                   

                                                   

Pale greens or pale yellow greens are the most stress-reducing in the green family, which bring to mind scenes of nature.  Apparently in order to be calming they have to be soft and less saturated.

Dont be afraid to use colour, and use to reduce stress and make your home inviting.  You can always punch things up with an original painting on a wall, pillows, rugs, or various other objects to give your space pop.

     

Maturity and Design Considerations

According to the 2011 Canadian Census- nearly 15% of Canadians are now 65 or older, that number is expected to climb to 20% by 2031..to my mind that calls for wise ergonomic design for the aging "Boomer" generation.  Single story dwellings with "no -step" or fewer steps as possible are the way to go where possible, laundry on main floor, wider doorways, ease of access to things in closets and kitchens--shelves not too low or not too high, dishwashers that are elevated (something i always incorporate where possible into my kitchen designs, switches that are 'rocker' style like the "Decora" large light toggle switches, good and or more lighting (eyesight diminishes with age- along with a host of other things), wide hallways, levered doorknobs vs round doorknobs, higher plugs that standard (not needing to bend over) to plug things in, pull out drawers--and pull out everything--  are just some essential design considerations that come to my mind.   Its essential that our homes become "smarter", better designed, easier to work, live and utilize as we age.  Stats indicate that 89% of people over 50 years of age wish to stay in their homes indefinitely and 68% of remodelers incorporate "aging in place" remodeling upgrades.  If some or all of these features can be accommodated within a dwelling you are also ensuring a better re-sale value.    

Modern Euro Laminate Kitchens

I absolutely love the look and variety of modern laminates and the use of them in the linear very horizontal new Euro kitchen designs. Simply spectacular looking.  I started on a new project for a client in St.Vital who want this look and i'm very excited to be contracting the project as well as building the cabinets for them.     

I am however a little dissappointed that Winnipeg carries so few varieties of laminates comparitively to say our friends in the United States.  Shopping around and having samples at home was very helpful at helping the client reach a decision as to what they wanted.  Its full steam ahead on the project that will feature darker cabinets matched to lighter wood floor and stainless cabinets.  I'll post the pictures when completed.    

Walk in Closet Solution

Lisa my partners closet was formerly a a dark 2' x 3' space that had coat hooks serving as a hangers for her clothes with old shelves at one end of the closet she couldn't reach.  The former 1949 design was very poor so it was high time to give her a proper storage space.   Robbing space from a former bedroom i built a divider wall which i dry walled and built this walk in closet with set of cabinets to hang clothes and store foldable's.  4" pot lights on a dimmer really make a difference.         

A sample of the versatile drawer that holds an inner slider drawer that houses various costume jewelry.
You can never have enough storage!  Needless to say Lisa loves her new walk-in closet and what's not to like?  

The New Hollow Reed- Commercial Space Build

Different shots of a commercial site i was fortunate enough to be involved with on Corydon Ave- The New Hollow Reed Holistic shop opens in June.  The client Chad Cornell and his wife Nancy wanted a few cabinets built for the space.    

Nancy Cornell wanted a large shelving unit constructed to display her various products which will be on display and for sale.  The shelves are Birch plywood 3/4" and the 7' and 6' high shelves may be adjusted to different heights as i drilled holes that hold brass paddles (purchased from Lee Valley) so Nancy ay alter her display as she see's fit.  

 Chad Cornell wanted a custom "bar counter" that patrons can sit at and peer out the large front windows of the cafe portion of the space.

A custom spruce bulletin board was built to accomodate patrons and visitors who may like to display local events, biz cards, posters etc.  The board is soft wood and can easily handle thumb tacks.   

The main counter as seen when entering the new "Elixer" tea and coffee cafe space.  I constructed this out of 3/4" birch plywood and has plenty of storage space behind.  I turned al items around in approximately six days recognizing that Chad and Nancy needed this job done quickly.     

Outdoor Feature...

I sculpted this mulch and boulder feature in my front yard as i believe any mulch is a beautiful element within a yard, beautiful as well as practical as mulch can help contain water for trees & shrubs.  The boulders and natural stone are a beautiful additional element to any commercial or residential site.    

Modern Kitchen Reno

I built my own custom designed contemporary galley kitchen using 3/4" 4' X 8" sheets of plywood that is red oak veneer stained in ebony with a varathane finish.  The previous country style cabinetry was built by Home Depot and had awful particle board designed cabinetry that was literally falling apart.  I advise against Home Depot and IKEA cabinets which may look great which but don't last.  Another consideration is IKEA cabinets require assembly (which you'll have to pay someone to do) and after shipping aren't that great of a deal after all.   The counters we chose are an East Indian granite purchased from our friends at River City Stone whom i recommend (although i would advise anyone purchasing counters to invest in Silestone or quartz counters which are non-porous and thus hygenic, non-staining and heat resistant).  All doors on the upper cabinets are soft return Blum hinges (great for reducing noise and slamming doors) and the bottom cabinets are all soft return slider drawers (again reducing slamming and drawers allow the user to see everything that is in the drawer versus having to crawl around and reach into the cabinet-drawers are the only way to go when you build your kitchen).  The stainless dishwasher is elevated off the floor to reduce the need to bend over and i'll try to recommend building that into any kitchen design that i build.  An appliance garage is seen above the dishwasher for toaster, coffee maker, juicer, food processor and blender to be accessible but yet cleanly out of view until needed.  A single deep sink is seen with Hans Grohe faucet.  As well we have a three stage reverse osmosis filtered water dispenser.  The kitchen design i built also features a pull out garbage and recycling bin drawer, flip out sink drawer for pads, wash rags etc and large pantry.  I have to say its a efficient and useful design.   My partner Lisa loves it and doesn't miss the old kitchen at all, especially since i was able to improve so many elements of the space- added dishwasher, more storage, better work and task lighting and a welcoming design that everyone can congregate around (the "bar" counter in foreground).  I had to remove a portion of a supporting wall to open the space but a doubled 2" X 10" header beam easily handles the load.           

Editorial

Winnipeg is a unique & diverse city that is largely comprised of older homes needing renovation.  It is reported that "Winnipeg has the the third oldest housing stock in Canada right after Halifax and Montreal" (Renovations magazine Dec 2012-Jan 2013).  Naturally an increasing amount of home owners want energy efficiency (insulation), plumbing and electrical upgrades, cutting edge style, technology and comforts incorporated into their homes.  No where is is this more apparent than in the kitchen, the heart of the home where we cook, entertain and congregate.  I'm personally shocked by the lack of lighting found in even the more modern eighties homes, let alone the homes built earlier.  Lack of storage, electrical sockets, not to mention poor cabinetry (where you're forced to bend and look into cabinets), and cramped environments are more than evident in homes in Winnipeg.  I truly believe we can take any environment and improve it- and not need a million dollars to make it right.  I'm shocked, but not surprised, by the prices charged by local cabinet manufacturers and design companies who want upwards of 50K and more for an average kitchen gut and renovation.  Depending upon what a person wants i really think we can develop a space for a reasonable cost that includes modern appliances, efficient lighting, storage and new cabinetry with soft return hinges and drawers.  I really believe it doesn't have to cost a couple/family their life savings to build a custom space that is functional, looks terrific and leaves money in the wallet than going to these huge manufacturers or contractors that have tremendous over head and expenses with hundreds of employees and buildings, i really think there's something to be said for value,  quality workmanship and innovation from "mom & pop" operations who work out of their own shop.  It's a matter of finding a person who is both imaginative (can visualize) AND bring the designs to life (build) and that can be difficult as i've found builders often can't visualize or don't have design savvy or designers who can come up with terrific designs, colour choices, conveniences but cant build or don't know what's involved in implementing their designs.  Its rare i think you find both elements in a person but if you can you reduce costs, save time,  and get a better result as that person may oversee the project from start to finish.