Bazinga!, the community-building app for condo dwellers, is available for the first time in Alberta.
Bucci Group is the first developer to offer the service in Wild Rose Country, launching it today at their sold out Tribeca development in Calgary’s Mission neighbourhood. But don’t fret Calgary homebuyers, you have another opportunity to live in a bazinga!-ready building as Bucci will also make the app available at Ven condos once that Kensington Village development is completed.
As we’ve reported in the past, bazinga! is a game-changer for the way homeowners and tenants interact with their homes. Bazinga! allows residents to access important home information, receive building updates, communicate with building staff, and connect with neighbours.
“We want to help build community and simplify the lives of our homeowners,” says Bucci Group vice president Mike Bucci. “Aside from building necessities, our residents can use bazinga! for social uses like organizing carpools, sharing restaurant recommendations and posting notices for your lost keys”
Bazinga! will only add to the convenient and community-minded lifestyle offered at Ven. The four-storey development is within easy walking distance of dozens of restaurants, cafes, recreational facilities, parks and schools. To learn more about the remaining Ven homes, visit the presentation centre at 306 10th Street NW in Calgary (second floor) between 12pm and 6pm Saturday through Thursday.
For more information call 403 225 0023, email admin@bucci.com or visit their website here.
Renovations and Improvements
Kid-Proof Your Design
One of my frequent requests from clients is to design a “kid-proof” home. I must tell you, If I am completely honest about this, it’s impossible. I don’t have children, but daily life (and the occasional party) have provided plenty of visible damage in my home – like the time someone danced in stilettos on my beautiful hardwood floors, or the red wine I spilled on the day my new white carpet was installed. Or that time I knocked over my brand new custom credenza because I opened all the drawers at once and damaged four of the drawer fronts. Spills and scratches are going to happen. I like to remind my clients of the five-foot rule. If you can’t see damage from a standing position, it doesn’t exist.
All types of flooring are subject to possible damage; try to consider your new hardwood scratches as a natural and charming authentic aging process. Tile can break, carpet can stain and Marmoleum can get damaged. Whether it’s you moving the fridge for cleaning or the kids riding their skateboards in the house while you are out in the backyard, make sure you choose the best quality you can afford and don’t worry about life’s little accidents.
When you are furnishing the living room, consider investing in pieces that will last. You can always re-cover the chairs or sofa once the little ones are grown. This is a far better option than purchasing disposable furniture that will end up in a landfill when you are ready to buy your “real” furniture.
by Lori.Andrews on Sep 16, 2013
– See more at: http://www.crebnow.com/kid-proof-your-design/#sthash.O8lhY3gD.dpuf
Province will ban future development on floodways
In the wake of the largest flood in Alberta history, the Tory government announced a sweeping plan to move homes and businesses out of the areas most in danger from a deluge and to flood-proof other areas at risk from rising waters.
But many of the details of the province’s initiative have yet to be nailed down, and the impact on communities such as Calgary and High River is still uncertain.
In a rare Sunday news conference, Municipal Affairs Minister Doug Griffiths announced the province will ban new development in floodways — the areas subject to the most destructive flows in so-called “100-year floods.”
The province will allow — and pay for — the repair and rebuilding of damaged homes in floodways, but it will not pay for damages from future floods on refurbished homes in those zones, he said. If a property owner chooses to relocate, the province will provide financial assistance for a new home.
Premier Alison Redford said in an interview that the government is trying to provide “the most choice with the least impact,” but acknowledged the policy will mean tough choices for some homeowners.
“There are people who have homes on the floodway that they love and we’re saying, ‘really, if you want to choose to stay there, you have to understand there are consequences.’ That’s going to be hard for people to hear, but I also think that most people are going to realize that makes sense,” she said.
In flood fringe zones — the portion of hazard areas outside of the floodway — the government will pay for repairing or rebuilding homes affected by the recent disaster, but will require flood-proofing such as berms, water control infrastructure or raising the structure.
The government will pay an additional 15 per cent over replacement costs for flood-proofing measures on individual homes in some cases. In other instances, broader municipal flood mitigation efforts will suffice, but that will only be determined through consultation with municipalities, Griffiths said.
If no flood-proofing takes place, homeowners will not be eligible for disaster assistance in the case of a future inundation. Homeowners in floodways and flood fringe areas across the province who weren’t affected by the recent flooding in southern Alberta and Fort McMurray won’t be relocated and will still be eligible for assistance in case of future flooding.
Griffiths acknowledged the province has no estimate of the number of houses affected by the new policy — though he says the amount located on floodways is small — or the cost involved. The Progressive Conservative government announced an initial $1-billion for flood relief and reconstruction, but said more money would certainly be needed for a disaster estimated as causing multiple billions of dollars in damage.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi said he knows the government had to move quickly but he was surprised that such a major policy shift would take place without consultation with municipalities.
While he doesn’t disagree with the government’s intent, Nenshi is concerned about how the government will determine what properties fall within each category, saying there are differences in expert opinion over what areas should be considered floodways and what should be designated flood fringe areas.
In a rare Sunday news conference, Municipal Affairs Minister Doug Griffiths announced the province will ban new development in floodways — the areas subject to the most destructive flows in so-called “100-year floods.”
The province will allow — and pay for — the repair and rebuilding of damaged homes in floodways, but it will not pay for damages from future floods on refurbished homes in those zones, he said. If a property owner chooses to relocate, the province will provide financial assistance for a new home.
Premier Alison Redford said in an interview that the government is trying to provide “the most choice with the least impact,” but acknowledged the policy will mean tough choices for some homeowners.
“There are people who have homes on the floodway that they love and we’re saying, ‘really, if you want to choose to stay there, you have to understand there are consequences.’ That’s going to be hard for people to hear, but I also think that most people are going to realize that makes sense,” she said.
In flood fringe zones — the portion of hazard areas outside of the floodway — the government will pay for repairing or rebuilding homes affected by the recent disaster, but will require flood-proofing such as berms, water control infrastructure or raising the structure.
The government will pay an additional 15 per cent over replacement costs for flood-proofing measures on individual homes in some cases. In other instances, broader municipal flood mitigation efforts will suffice, but that will only be determined through consultation with municipalities, Griffiths said.
If no flood-proofing takes place, homeowners will not be eligible for disaster assistance in the case of a future inundation. Homeowners in floodways and flood fringe areas across the province who weren’t affected by the recent flooding in southern Alberta and Fort McMurray won’t be relocated and will still be eligible for assistance in case of future flooding.
Griffiths acknowledged the province has no estimate of the number of houses affected by the new policy — though he says the amount located on floodways is small — or the cost involved. The Progressive Conservative government announced an initial $1-billion for flood relief and reconstruction, but said more money would certainly be needed for a disaster estimated as causing multiple billions of dollars in damage.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi said he knows the government had to move quickly but he was surprised that such a major policy shift would take place without consultation with municipalities.
While he doesn’t disagree with the government’s intent, Nenshi is concerned about how the government will determine what properties fall within each category, saying there are differences in expert opinion over what areas should be considered floodways and what should be designated flood fringe areas.
“Our city is built at the confluence of two rivers,” he said in an interview.
“We really need to know what we’re talking about here. We ended up evacuating nearly 100,000 people, a 10th of our population, and we really need to understand what the province is talking about when we use those terms.”
Bowness, Elbow Park, Mission and Sunnyside were among the neighbourhoods hardest hit by the flooding, which began on June 20.
Nenshi noted that both the Bow and Elbow Rivers have carved slightly new courses because of the flood, requiring updates to flood mapping.
Griffiths said the province will use its existing flood hazard area maps, subject to some tweaking, to determine who falls where.
He noted that some neighbourhoods that suffered the worst flooding in High River — the town that has suffered the most from the catastrophe — have never flooded before and have not been considered part of either a floodway or flood fringe zone. What to do in cases like those has yet to be determined, he said.
Griffiths also could not say whether residents in floodways that choose to leave damaged homes will be compensated for their land, as well as the cost of their homes. He said the province will work with municipalities on a “case-by-case” basis on the issue.
“We fully understand these policies come with extensive considerations and while we don’t have all the answers to all the individual situations faced by Albertans today, we’re working as quickly as possible with municipalities to finalize the details,” said Griffiths.
Griffiths said the province will also require notification on land titles for properties in floodways and those in flood fringe areas that have not been protected against flooding.
Wildrose party Leader Danielle Smith, who represents High River as Highwood MLA, said she wanted to see the government commit to investigating the causes of the flood.
But Smith said she is in agreement with the broad outline of the government’s plan.
“What they are proposing at first blush seems to be practical,” she said.
“But what I worry about is that they’re putting almost 100 per cent of the blame and the responsibility on homeowners to solve this problem. In my opinion, there are some big, important infrastructure decisions and mitigation decisions that need to be made by the federal and provincial and municipal governments.”
With files from Don Braid, Calgary Herald
Albertans are big spenders on home renovations…
Alberta homeowners plan to spend the most on their home renovations this year, according to a new poll released Monday by the CIBC.The poll, conducted by Harris/Decima, said Albertans plan to spend on average $22,900, much more than the national average of $15,300.
The poll found that 39 per cent of Canadian homeowners say they plan to renovate their home in the next 12 months.
Regionally, Alberta residents are among the most likely (52 per cent) to say they plan to renovate their home in the next 12 months, while British Columbians are among the least likely with only 25 per cent of homeowners saying they plan to renovate.
“Renovation spending is linked to resale transactions and income, which is rising in Alberta,” said Lai Sing Louie, regional economist for the Prairies and Territories for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.
“MLS sales increased by over 12 per cent in Alberta last year and this will translate to a higher level of renovation spending this year. Many resale homebuyers budget for renovations after taking possession. Our last forecast is projecting about four per cent growth in 2013.”
The poll also found that Canadians aged 45-54 plan to spend among the most on their home renovations this year ($18,300 on average), nearly $3,000 more than the national average.
“Whether it’s replacing an old roof or updating a kitchen, home renovations can help you get more out of your property, but you do need to consider how the costs will fit with your overall financial plan,” said Colette Delaney, Executive Vice President of Mortgage, Lending, Insurance and Deposit Products, CIBC.
Scott McGillivray, host of HGTV’s Income Property, said “kitchens and bathrooms are always value-adds, so if you’re prioritizing your renovations and looking to make your dollars go further, plan on doing those rooms first.”
The poll found that 39 per cent of Canadian homeowners say they plan to renovate their home in the next 12 months.
Regionally, Alberta residents are among the most likely (52 per cent) to say they plan to renovate their home in the next 12 months, while British Columbians are among the least likely with only 25 per cent of homeowners saying they plan to renovate.
“Renovation spending is linked to resale transactions and income, which is rising in Alberta,” said Lai Sing Louie, regional economist for the Prairies and Territories for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.
“MLS sales increased by over 12 per cent in Alberta last year and this will translate to a higher level of renovation spending this year. Many resale homebuyers budget for renovations after taking possession. Our last forecast is projecting about four per cent growth in 2013.”
The poll also found that Canadians aged 45-54 plan to spend among the most on their home renovations this year ($18,300 on average), nearly $3,000 more than the national average.
“Whether it’s replacing an old roof or updating a kitchen, home renovations can help you get more out of your property, but you do need to consider how the costs will fit with your overall financial plan,” said Colette Delaney, Executive Vice President of Mortgage, Lending, Insurance and Deposit Products, CIBC.
Scott McGillivray, host of HGTV’s Income Property, said “kitchens and bathrooms are always value-adds, so if you’re prioritizing your renovations and looking to make your dollars go further, plan on doing those rooms first.”
By Mario Toneguzzi, Calgary Herald April 22, 2013
Shipping containers to transform vacant lot in Sunnyside
The Changing Face of Sunnyside…
Much like khaki pants — bland and utilitarian — shipping containers typically don’t turn heads.
Yet, in recent years, shipping containers, or “sea cans,” have become the darlings of architects, designers and artisans. With a little ingenuity, containers have been modified into multi-storey houses, backyard offices and popular “container villages” such as Brooklyn’s Dekalb Market.
Now, a proposal is in the works to transform a barren, half-acre field near the Sunnyside LRT station into a temporary “container village” that mixes art, commerce and community-building.
“The minute you start to change the colour, the shape, how they fit on top of each other, you’re suggesting to folks to rethink what that space can be,” said Nicole Mion, artistic director of Springboard Performance.
The space in question, a city-owned plot at the corner of 9th Street and 2nd Avenue N.W., has sat vacant for more than a year after an old warehouse was razed.
The land will, at some point, be home to an affordable-housing development. But that could take years to unfold.
In the coming weeks, Mion, along with the Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association and the citizen-led Bow to Bluff Initiative, plan to apply for a development permit with the city and hope to have the village built this summer.
“It would be nice if this wasn’t an empty, ugly space with chain link fence around it,” said Tamara Lee, Bow to Bluff’s communication chairwoman. “We want to demonstrate to the community, and even citywide, how to create a great public space — even temporarily.
“It’s basically Lego, and people get excited about space and they get very excited about Lego.”
Ward 7 Ald. Druh Farrell said the site could be zoned as a temporary park and turned over to the community association to oversee. That would allow the community to steer the project. Sort of.
“It can’t just be anybody,” said Farrell. “It needs to be the community association. They have the authority and there’s all sorts of responsibility and consulting.”
It’s not the first time Calgary has flirted with a container village. Mion was instrumental in last fall’s visual arts event at the Fluid Festival in the East Village.
“It goes back to the core of what a village is about … meeting points, courtyards,” Mion said. “In a large city, it is easy to lose sight of our neighbours. It’s very easy to drive to the suburbs, put your car in the garage, have dinner, watch TV and then the day starts again.
“In a village, there are meeting points for conversation, for commerce, for creative ideas, that I think is a really exciting step for Calgary and community.”
Jeffrey Spalding, artistic director with Museum of Contemporary Art Calgary, helped with last year’s container event in the East Village. He hopes this proposed container village inspires Calgarians.
“It’s strange. We’re only talking about a handful of containers parked in a little triangular park in Calgary,” Spalding said. “But, we only get one chance in life to do stuff, and sometimes it’s the most unexpected things that are the most exciting and exhilarating. That’s what I’m hoping for.”
For more information e-mail the city at: hscavitalization@gmail.com or call 403-283-0554.
By trevor howell, Calgary Herald March 25, 2013
Luminoso Design
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1. Enter our website www.luminosodesign.com
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3. Email us at info@luminosodesign.com and tell us which is Your favorite Fortuny light***.
4. Forward this $WIN$ opportunity to your friends and contacts! We direct ship worldwide so all of your contacts everywhere are welcome to enter our DRAW .
5. FIVE DRAW WINNERS! will each receive a $200.00 credit towards a Fortuny Lighting Fixture of their choice (the Light chosen does not have to be the one stated as “the favorite” *** re: #3. above)
6. Contest Entry Closes: February 25th, 2013 @ 5:00 pm. Thank you for entering our Valentine’s Day DRAW!!! all who participate are automatically entered to WIN!
For further information or if you have questions contact us:
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ph: 403 283-5763
Pantone Color of the Year for 2013
The Residential Studio at Sizeland Evans Interior Design is happy to share with you the New Pantone Color of the Year for 2013: Emerald!
Mavis or Jane would be delighted to assist you in introducing this pop of color into your home in 2013! Call for an appointment: 403.266.2110
It's that time of the year again!
In the spirit of Christmas, Sizelandevans Interior Design would like to share some fabulous Christmas decorating ideas for your fireplace mantle courtesy of Pinterest… (click on the picture to view a larger image in a new window):
Mavis and Jane would be happy to work with you to make your design dreams come true! To contact them call: (403) 266-2110 or email: info@sizelandevans.com
To find some of the residential projects that Sizelandevans Interior Design has completed, you can visit their website at www.sizelandevans.com, hover over “portfolio” and click on “live” (or click here!).
Deal Makers for Home Buyers
Click here or on the image above to view a 2 1/2 minute video on what are some of the deal makers for buyers.
Bathroom Renovation Tips!
Click Here or on the image below to view a .pdf version with bonus remodeling money saving tips!!
