Design Your Home - Winter 2012 - 1st Edition

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 1

Brandon and Area

Winter 2012Free F I R S T E D I T I O N

7 KitchenDesign Ideas

FireplaceEfficiency

Is Your Home Safe While on Vacation?

PlusSafety Tips

Brandon and Area

Design Your Home magazine is a Brandon, MB based company created to promote and feature all the great trades in our local area. With the limited amount of media in Brandon and area, this magazine will assist you and your company with great exposure.

Design Your Home magazine will help local companies feature their business and the special work they do.

Design Your Home magazine will focus on the home and property. Each issue you may see ar ticles on Home and Building, Real Estate, Design and Decorating, Landscaping, and special featured Home and Business.

Why feature in Design Your Home:• Local Home Magazine.

• Over 15,000 magazines published

• 3 readers per issue, equals to 45,000 points of exposure.

• Timeless, often kept and referred to again and again.

• Published 4x per year: Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring

• Located in very high traffic areas

• Delivered to a target audience.

• We have articles that feature tips and advice from Home owners and experts.


Disclaimer

Reasonable care is taken to ensure that Design Your Home Magazine ar ticles and other information on the web site are up-to-date and accurate as possible, as of the time of publication, but no responsibility can be taken by Design Your Home magazine for any errors or omissions contained herein. Fur thermore, responsibility for any losses, damages or distress resulting from adherence to any information made available through Design Your Home magazine or website is not the responsibility of Design Your Home magazine. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily ref lect the views of Design Your Home magazine. All interior and exterior home improvements/repairs should be consulted by a professional, prior to the star t of the project.

Adver tisements and the content, including photos, of adver tisements published within Design Your Home magazine are solely by the adver tiser. Design Your Home magazine does not accept responsibility for opinions expressed in adver tisements for copyright issues with regards to photo, adver tising, copy and adver tisement, nor shall they f ind liable thereby.

Contents

Fireplace Efficiency

In Every Issue4 . . . . Letter from the Editor5 . . . . Words from Our Readers10 . . . Feature Home18 . . . Feature Business24 . . . My IDIAH26 . . . Sidewalk Safety33 . . . Business Emporium34 . . . Do You Know?

Design & Decorative6 . . . . 7 Kitchen Design Ideas17 . . . A Wild Idea to Make a Bold

Decorating Statement32 . . . Christmas Styles 2012

Home Improvements15 . . . Fireplace Efficiency22 . . . New Products You

Should Be Aware of30 . . . Window Coverings Keep

Homes Cozier During Winter

Lifestyle8 . . . . Keeping Your Home Secure

While On Vacation27 . . . Keeping Your Pet Calm

During Holiday Celebrations28 . . . Using A Broker:

Step by Step

FeatureBusiness

FeatureHome

10

1815

4 | DESIGN YOUR HOME | WINTER

Welcome to the First issue of Design Your Home! A Brandon, Manitoba based magazine, serving Brandon and area. My name is Stewart Dyck. I live and work in Brandon, Manitoba. After moving back

to Westman and into our new home, we found it difficult to find the right people and

products for our domestic needs. We quickly realized that there was a need for a local

Design and Style magazine.

Each issue will showcase ar ticles about the home, from the interior to the exterior. We

also hope it will help you find local ideas, products and companies that will help you make

your living space your home!

We have brought together a team of local individuals and businesses to bring you

this magazine. Jaime-Lynn Dyck, Marketing and Sales Manager, Scott Kasprick of

Reaxion Graphics, Leech Printing and many other local freelance writers and photographers.

Our goal is to use local talent to bring you our FREE publication, in order to help with your

house, cottage, apar tment or condo needs.

I hope you enjoy Design Your Home magazine.

Stewart DyckPublishing Editor,

Design Your Home

Letter from the Editor

Here are Questions we have heard so far:

What sort of articles are going to be featured in Design Your Home Magazine?Design Your Home will feature ar ticles on Home Improvement, Design, Garden & Landscaping, Life Style, and

Real Estate.

Where can I get my Design Your Home Magazine?Design Your Home magazine will inser ted in the Saturday edition of the Brandon Sun, quar terly. There will

also be displayers located in high traffic areas across the Westman area. (See www.designyourhome.ca for

exact locations)

How many issue of Design Your Home magazine are available each year?Design Your Home magazine will have 4 issues a year ; February, May, August, November. Each issue will

feature ar ticles per taining to that season.

5

We at Design Your Home magazine welcome letters, emails, and

discussions from our readers. Receiving your feedback on ar ticles or

ideas on how to make our magazine better will always be welcomed.

So please:

• Email us at [email protected],

• Visit us on our website designyourhome.ca, or

• Like us on Facebook at design your home magazine

Please make sure to include your name, address and telephone number

so with your approval we can consider your feedback for publication

Wordsfrom our Readers


Kitchens have evolved a lot over the years. Once found

only in the rear of the house, today’s kitchen design takes

the kitchen out the background. The challenge for kitchen

design is in creating a more open-faced kitchen that is par t

of a dining area, a family room or a great room.

In deciding on how to design your kitchen, you must take

into consideration such things as: will your kitchen have an

island? Will it be of a modern or traditional design? What

kinds of appliances will you need for your new kitchen

design? What kind of lighting design?

1. Kitchen as ‘Great Room’

Whether you are redesigning an existing kitchen or

planning a kitchen in a new home there are some design

considerations to keep in mind, such as including an island

or peninsula as par t of the kitchen design. These can be

used to connect the kitchen to a nearby dining area or

family room thereby creating a ‘great room’. A kitchen

island or peninsula will allow the cook to keep in visual

and conversational contact with family members or guests

in the adjoining family or dining room.

7

Kitchen Design Ideas

In deciding on how to design

your kitchen, you must take

into consideration such

things as: will your kitchen

have an island? Will it be

of a modern or traditional

design? What kinds of

appliances will you need for

your new kitchen design?

What kind of lighting design?


2. Create a Kitchen Canopy

To give the kitchen some visible borders without blocking

views create a kitchen canopy. Also a high ceiling in the

kitchen can create the perception of spaciousness.

3. Using Kitchen Cabinet Color to Set Tone of Kitchen Design

Kitchen cabinets will help set the tone for the whole room.

The choice of wood will influence the overall look of your

cabinets. To create a light look, use a light wood such as

ash, beech, birch, oak, maple, or chestnut. For medium

range, select cherry. To darker kitchens, choose wood that

has some color to it.

4. Plan Out the Use of Cabinets and Drawers in The New Kitchen Design

Plan out in the kitchen design blueprint just how your

cabinets and drawers will be used and how much space

and storage you will need before you star t your new

kitchen design. The first thing to examine is the counter

surface area. Look at where you put everything in your

existing kitchen and where in your new kitchen design

will these things will go in the new space. Will there

be more than one person cooking at a time, if so, will

there be enough room for two cooks in the kitchen to

work together?

5. Use The Galley-Type Kitchen Design

As for counter arrangements, many kitchen designers

agree the galley-type design to be the best in terms of

efficiency with its single aisle and counters to either side,

making it easy to turn around to go from sink to

cooking range.

6. Under-Cabinet Kitchen Lighting

Kitchen lighting can be an overlooked area of kitchen

design. Even if the kitchen has generally good lighting, the

counter areas can be somewhat dark. For these areas

under-cabinet lighting can help provide more light to work

in. By using simple spots or fluorescent lights a smaller

kitchen can be made to look larger.

7. Looking at Counter tops

Granite, marble, and limestone are all popular natural

materials for use in counter tops and are available in many

colors. Ceramic tile kitchen counter tops are versatile,

practical, and also available in many colors, as well as many

shapes, patterns, and finishes. Solid surface counter tops

provide seamless acrylic faces. Solid surfaces also come in

almost limitless colors, patterns, and styles, and are stain and

heat resistant. Laminate counter tops are more affordable

but not built to last. Concrete counter tops are known for

versatility, as well as strength. Wood counter tops are long

lasting and easy to clean and repair but the wood will not

withstand exposure to water and household chemicals.

Stainless steel counter tops lack the elegance of granite or

tile. These counter tops do not absorb stains, but tends

to scratch easily.

-DYH


Imagine returning from your

holiday to find your windows

broken, your cars and

possessions stolen or even your pets

gone. Your space has been violated.

Relax, because with the proper preparation you can

discourage intruders and have a carefree vacation.

Worry shouldn’t be on the agenda when you are

vacationing. Your holiday is a treat that should be enjoyed

without stressing about the safety of your home. By

planning ahead you minimize your risk of something going

wrong while you are gone.

Depending on how long you will be gone, there are a few

common sense things you can do for your home, pets and

possessions.

Discourage thieves by getting

a house sitter. This is the

best way to ward off

trouble. If you know

someone who will

regularly stop by your

house - water your

plants and turn on

the lights, you are lucky.

If you have animals you

might want to think about

hiring a house sitter for while you

are away. This way your pets are properly cared for

and your home is safer. Peace of mind is worth some extra

money. If you are going to hire a house sitter - make sure

you use reliable and trustworthy service. Ask around and

get references.

If you can’t get a house sitter the goal is to make your

house look lived in. It’s a good idea to have a trusted

Keeping Your Home SecureWhile On Vacation


neighbor to look after your

home. Someone who can

keep an eye on your

property and who has

a contact number for

you should anything

go wrong.

There are all kinds

of timers you can

buy that make it seem

like there are people in

your house. Light timers and

radio timers can be very effective in

deterring criminals and are easy to install.

Think about the state of your lawn before you leave.

Overgrown grass is a loud signal that there is nobody home.

If you are not able to have a neighbour or someone you

know maintain your yard (cutting your grass or shoveling

snow), consider hiring a local company that specializing

in this.

If you are going to be

gone long enough

for your mail to

pile up make an

a r r a n g e m e n t

with a neighbor

to pick it up - a

pile of unopened

mail is an obvious

signal to criminals

that nobody is home. You can also contact your local post

office about having your mail held for you for a small fee.

Even if you aren’t going away for a long time there are

some things that you need to do every time you leave the

house.

- Always lock your door and

leave a key with someone

to check on your home

while you are gone.

- Turn on the radio/

TV and leave some

lights on

- Do not leave your

spare key under the

doormat or in any of

the equally obvious hiding

places. Rather give a copy to

someone else and don’t have a

spare key anywhere in your garden while you are home.

If you MUST hide your key on the property be creative!

Develop a reciprocal relationship with your neighbors.

Watch their houses when they are away; keep your eyes

and ears open for strange happenings and ask them

to do the same for you. Group together and form a

neighborhood watch of some sor t.

If you follow these tips you can be sure your chances are

good that you will return to a secure house.

-DYH


Space under the stairs for kids play area

Feature Home

Written By Kyla Henderson


Bar Cabinets Lift Up

W hen it comes to

getting what you

want in design

and style of your home, star ting

from scratch is the best place to

star t. That’s just what Jeff Kulman

and his par tner did with their

new home in Brandon.


In six months, Kulman went from design to a custom-built,

personalized space to call home sweet home. Their 1450

sq. foot bi-level was a Ray Burgess design and after some

tweaking, Kulman came up with a working draft. Kulman,

who owns Get Bent Sheetmetal in Brandon, acted as the

general contractor and did most of the work himself,

getting various trades to do jobs he couldn’t do.

“A friend of mine had this plan and I liked it. He wasn’t

using it, so we just made a few modifications to it and that

was it,” Kulman said. “It was very open concept – living

room, dining room/kitchen area. It had a nice ensuite with

a tub and shower, a four piece bathroom, a walk-in closet

and downstairs opened to a bar area and large family

room.”

While Kulman and Get Bent Sheetmetal did the heating

and air conditioning, plumbing was done by Badger Creek

Plumbing and Heating Inc. and Kulman contracted friends

he knew in the business to fill in the rest.

The kitchen is where Kulman made the changes to the

design and really set the overall feel and look to their

entire home.

Custom Wet Bar

Childen’s play areaunder the stairs


Ensuite complete with a built-in hydro massage bath tub and angle shower


The kitchen is a lovely

open concept space,

painted in modern colours,

with one wall finished in

a backsplash of beautiful

tiny stones. Kulman has

said he appreciates the

functionality of their

kitchen, perhaps due to

their redesigned island.

“It’s comfor table. Your

prep area is right there

and then behind you

are your fridge and

your stove,” Kulman said. “It’s functional with some

modern touches.”

They redesigned the island in the kitchen, so they could

overlook their dining and living room while preparing a

meal and expanded their pantry into a walk-in style.

“We really like the walk-in pantry in the kitchen. It gives

us a lot of space and options where to put groceries and

room to store things,” Kulman said.

A real highlight of their kitchen is their cupboards, which

were purchased at and installed by Contractor’s Corner. The

cupboards are stainless steel, with glass inserts – a perfect

accent to the stainless steel appliances in the kitchen.

The large master bedroom is also another lovely feature of

the home, with soft lighting and an ensuite complete with

a built-in hydro massage bath tub and angle shower. Two

other bedrooms upstairs and two down provide ample

space for office and guests.

Going downstairs into the spacious basement you’ll find

other personal touches of the couple, or maybe of Kulman

who enjoys hosting his friends over to watch sports games,

which have extra impact with the surround sound. The

walk-up bar is a centrepiece in the downstairs of the home,

with a cupboard and fixtures that give it a unique feel.

A beautiful home is nothing without curb appeal though.

The stucco completes the homes modern look, done by

McLachlan Stucco. Kulman did the landscaping himself, but

had D & B Sprinklers install the underground sprinkler

system. With a vision and a plan you can make your house

a home.

701 4th Street 204-727-3799

•NewHomeConstruction

•Renovations•RetailSales

www.cont rac to r scorne r.ca

Custom Stools


The fireplace has long been the favorite spot to gather in the Canadian home. A place

for warmth, the fireplace adds ambience, sparking memories that are to be treasured. With all the benefits that a fireplace can bring, there are some major downsides that if not addressed can cause a love for the fireplace to wane. With soaring energy costs, the chief negative of having

a fireplace has to be its inefficiency. When there is a fire

burning, the fireplace does indeed radiate warmth in its

general vicinity, but it also creates a convection current

that can actually pull conditioned air out of the room and

up the chimney causing your furnace to work over time.

When the fire is not burning, the fireplace has a damper

which is supposed to block inside air from escaping and

outside air from invading. The problem is that the damper

is usually made of metal (this type of damper technology

hasn’t changed in over 100 years!) and has no seal, which

means that the damper is incredibly inefficient.

Your home has a dir ty little secret – the fireplace that is

designed to warm your house is actually doing the opposite

and costing you hundreds of dollars in energy costs. Don’t

fret – with a little investment of time and money, you can

turn that inefficient fireplace into a powerhouse heater

that will reduce your energy bills and add even more

charm to your existing fireplace.

The following is a list of 4 things that you can do yourself

to drastically reduce the heating costs associated with the

inefficiency of your fireplace.

1. Top Sealing Dampers replace the fireplace throat

damper and are installed at the top of the chimney. The

top sealing damper has a seal that acts like a storm door

keeping the expensive conditioned air inside the house

and the outside air – outside. This principle works year

FireplaceEfficiencyReduce your energy costs by

transforming your inefficient

fireplace into an energy saver.


round, whether you’re heating or cooling your house. This

product can be purchased online and is easily installed by

either a homeowner or a handyman.

2. A fireback is a cast iron plate that is placed at the back

of your fireplace. Its purpose is to protect the back wall

from fire damage and it usually features a design that adds

to the homes decor. The fireback improves the fireplaces

efficiency by absorbing the heat from the fire and radiating

the heat back into the room.

3. A Fireplace Heater pulls fresh air from the room,

circulates it through a chamber that is heated by the

fire and then blows the heated air back into the room.

These heaters are closed systems so no smoke from

the fireplace is invading the home. Depending on which

kind you purchase, these heaters can make a significant

difference in your homes temperature, even heating a full

room on its own. Specific fireplace heaters can be installed

with fireplace glass doors which will kick your cost savings

up another notch.

4. Fireplace Glass Doors will likely carry the largest

investment, but you can reduce some of that cost by doing

some of the work yourself. There are a number of fireplace

doors that can be purchased online and come with easy

to install instructions. The fireplace glass door creates a

barrier between the living space and the chimney, thus

reducing the area that your furnace will have to heat. This

alone is a good reason to install these doors, but it’s not

the only reason. Fireplace glass doors offer another level

of safety for the home by protecting children and pets

from the fire. If you have a wood burning fireplace you will

want to purchase the screen mesh that is designed to go

with the fireplace glass doors. This will allow you to have

the doors open while the fire is burning and still have your

home protected from sparks and embers. Fireplace glass

doors are now being manufactured with modern designs

and really add beauty and charm to the fireplace.

If you’re handy, all of these suggestions are easy to

accomplish, but call your local heating or fireplace

representative. If you’re concerned about high energy

costs but you want to keep your fireplace, then it’s time

to plug up the holes in your monthly energy budget by

plugging up the holes in your fireplace. -DYH


Do you like creative decorating ideas? Here’s an

exciting new way to add a distinctive look to

your home.

Ready to be a little wild in your decorating?

The secret to good decorating is to be bold and creative

without ever being tasteless. Here’s an idea which is unique

enough to get attention, yet will never be out of place.

Instead of just flowers in a silk arrangement, use feathers!

Feathers bring an added bit of texture and life to the

standard silk flower display. Pheasant and peacock feathers

will add height and drama. Bright colored feathers will

make your display eye-catching and unique. To add

softness to a bouquet, try ostrich plumes.

You may want to leave the flowers out and make your

arrangement entirely out of feathers. An interesting

container can serve as a wonderful star ting point. Search

for one with an animal skin motif. Duck feathers in a

leather container will add a manly feel to any office or

game room. Short feathers at the base, with spikes of

pheasant plumes, create an attention drawing piece for

a buffet or hall table. Exotic feathers can add spice to a

bedroom. Put them out with candles and create a very

romantic mood.

Look outdoors for feathers of local birds from your area.

You can use these to make a statement about your love

of where you’ve chosen to live. Take a walk in a nearby

wooded park and soon you’ll have a collection from local

birds. Typically these are small feathers, yet they’ll say

“home” in a cute display on an end table.

Search the floral section of your favorite craft store for

interesting natural items such as moss, twigs and dried seeds

to add to your design. A skilled florist will help you change

these elements into a stunning display for your home.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. You’re sure to draw

interesting comments and with reasonable consideration,

you’ll add a stimulating look to any room. -DYH

A “Wild” Idea, To Make a Bold Decorating Statement

Blinds and Drapery to suit

Your Style...Your Budget!

SHELLEY TAYLOR Phone 204-726-5510

www.tailored-interiors.caEmail [email protected]


A t J&M Window and Door Company in Brandon and Winnipeg,

you¹ll find cutting edge technology and products with an unparalleled commitment to quality and service. J&M Window and Door Company, located at 1860 18th

Street North in Brandon and 1059 Henderson Highway

in Winnipeg, offers a complete selection of beautifully

designed, top quality windows and doors to add style to

your home and cut down your energy costs.

J&M was set up in 1983 by a very young George Penner,

who worked for Duraco, a national window company,

at the time. He began his career as a screen roller and

eventually became plant manager at Duraco at age 20. With

Duraco he ended up in Japan, training on PVC windows.

In 1985 he came back to Brandon and bought ownership

of J&M. He opened up the second J&M Window and Door

Company in Winnipeg in 2004, which his son Ryan Penner

now owns and operates.

J&M offers a wide range of windows and doors to suite

your needs and the style of your home. Free, no obligation

estimates and experienced, knowledgeable installers are

two of the perks of dealing with J&M.

J&M Windows and Doors

By Kyla HendersonFeature Business

Written By Kyla Henderson


WindowsWhat stands out most perhaps about J&M¹s windows

is the undeniable quality and an unbeatable lifetime

warranty. J&M offers picture and fixed windows, casements

and awnings that allow you to control the air flow into

your home and bay and bow windows, which allow more

natural light into your home. J&M currently sells North

Star window products at a competitive price.

“We are on the cutting

edge of technology all

of the time,” Penner

said. “People¹s ideas and

values change and we¹ve

kept up with that. We

offer exceptional service

and quality products. We

are all about quality and

service.” J&M also offers a

line of aluminum window

awnings.

DoorsPenner says buying

windows or doors is

an investment and with

Manitoba¹s harsh climate

temperatures ranging from +40 to -40 degrees Celsius and

J&M can help you choose the right door to keep the weather

outside. J&M offers a wide selection of doors to fit any style,

shape, size of entry way of your home, including wood and

steel insulated doors. “We have always paid attention to

product quality and the design of our products. In Manitoba,

you can¹t afford to have a cheap door. We offer an excellent

product, with an excellent warranty,” Penner said. All J&M

doors have a 20 year warranty on everything.

GlassworksWith J&M¹s state of the ar t etching machine, your

imagination is the only limitation. Jamie Dillabough, a

true ar tist when it comes to bringing your creations to

life, uses glass, and tempered glass, plexi, wood, marble,

leather, granite, aluminum and mirrors in his work. Just

about any size is an option too. Everything from small

coasters, (Dillabough recently provided the Winnipeg Blue

Bombers with 3,800 sandblasted logo coasters,) up to a

75 sq. feet sheet. If that¹s not big enough, Dillabough has

experience doing many custom designs that are in multiple

large pieces.

“We can do old black and white photos that are good

quality, we can do any picture you take with your

camera and put it on glass, marble, mirrors and more,”

Dillabough said. Popular custom designs Dillabough has

done include wedding portraits, newborn photos, pet

memorials, memorials, ar t designs, and more. Dillabough

has retrofitted cabins with custom designed glass work

featuring a bear and wolf landscape that makes up the

ceiling high windows in the cabin. He has done a number


of back lit photos on mirrors or glass for people¹s

homes or bars. Dillabough even did a

custom piece for the Winnipeg

Blue Bombers that featured

former Bomber slot back Milt

Stegal in play on the field that

now frames the door to the

Bomber offices.

Want a unique gift or a stunning piece

to set a room apar t? Need a great gift for

grandma or your boss? Dillabough works with

customers to help form their ideas and can make

your vision come to life. In its glassworks depar tment,

J&M offers shower glass and mirror installation, custom

laser etching, sandblasting and deep carving, sharp cutting

of glass and plexi and laser etching on tempered glass.

(J&M¹s etching machines is one of the few in Canada that

can do tempered glass.) For more information, or a great

idea, email Jamie Dillabough at jamie@jandmwindows.

com. To contact J&M Window and Door Company, call

them in Brandon at 204-728-1746 or visit them on-line at

www.jandmwindows.com.

QUALITY WINDOWSAND DOORS.GREAT SERVICE.EXCEPTIONAL VALUE.

©2009 North Star Manufacturing (London)Ltd. All rights reserved.

High Energy Bills?

Don’tSweat it!Our energy-efficient windows and doors keep costs down.

Our optional triple-paned glass, Argon gas or Krypton gas-filled windows provide the highest-performance and maximum energy and cost savings. And you can take comfort in knowing that your’re helping to save the environment, too.

Enjoy the view through North Star windows and doors.

Offer valid until January 31/2013

#

SAVE THE GST

Present this coupon or mention our ad in Design Your Home magazine.

1860 18th St. N., Brandon, MB


I f you are thinking of renovating your home, there may

be a number of new products on the market that you

might not be aware of:

1- Wi-Fi thermostats that come with Lennox variable gas

furnaces will get automatic updates over the internet,

have the weather forecast, enable you to control your

furnace from your iPhone or remote computer, plus this

thermostat can also email you or the installing contractor,

if it is not working and tell you what the problem is.

2- Zoning your forced air heating system, is very important

in larger homes. People will spend a lot of money on visual

things in the home like counter tops, lighting, flooring, and

furniture but when they move in, they are surprised at

how uncomfortable they are because different areas of

the house vary so much in temperature. Think about it,

you have one thermostat to control the basement, main

floor, upstairs and maybe a sun room. Did you know it is

possible to have a control for each area? This would save

you money by turning the heat down in areas not being

used and use the energy in the area that you use the most.

3- Hot and cold lawn taps on the outside of your house to

wash your car, water the plants, clean up your garden tools,

or flood the hockey rink in the back yard.

4- Delta touch faucets that can be turned off or on by

simply touching them, great for kitchen taps when you

have sticky fingers.

5- Replacing an Anode rod in your hot water tank can

extend the life of your tank by 5-10 years! The anode is

a sacrificial rod in the tank that the minerals in the water

attack because it is a softer metal. In Brandon this rod only

last about 3-4 years so if it is replace in that time line it will

extend the life of the tank.

These are just a few ideas that Westside Plumbing &

Heating service people can help you with. It will make

your house more comfortable, energy efficient, and make

your life easier in your own home.

Westside Plumbing & Heating is a Residential service

and retro-fit company that specializes in the residential

market only, they don’t do commercial, Industrial or new

construction. Their service people are polite, show up on

time, knowledgeable, and are able to get your problem

fixed as quickly as possible, for a reasonable price.

Westside Plumbing & Heating has found that it is better

to train their service people in one area of service such

as “residential”. The home owner is much happier dealing

with one service person, as to having to set up another

service call with different trades’ persons. When the

one service call can meet all their needs whether it is

plumbing, heating, or air conditioning, it can save you time

and or money. Service techs are also trained to point

out potential problems before it becomes a larger more

expensive problem.

Westside Plumbing & Heating also offers a 24/7 service.

This very important in the service industry, because they

will be available when you need them!

- Courtesy of Westside Plumbing and Heating

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First Years


W reaths have come a long way from the

traditional evergreen. Typically you can

find wreaths in a round shape, symbolizing

strength. Now you can see them in squares, triangles and

as monogrammed letters.

Whatever the shape, size or material, have fun dressing up

your front entrance with a wreath this season!

Christmas Ball WreathMaking a wreath out of Christmas ornaments can be lots

of fun! You can truly make it your own and match it to any

décor. You will need a minimum of 3 boxes of ornaments

and simply feed them through a bent wire hanger. Finish

with a large bow on the top and voila! One of the easier

wreaths you can make at home yourself.

Snowman Wreath Why not make a fun wreath like the snowman wreath!

This wreath will add a little personality to your entrance.

Simply take 3 grapevine wreaths and wire them together.

Lay it on some cardboard in a well ventilated area and

spray with white spray paint. Take a plastic top hat, cut it in

half and hot glue to the top of the wreaths. Then add any

accessories you choose, such as a scarf, bells and maybe a

plaque with your last name on it!

Monogrammed WreathMonogrammed wreaths can be very unique as well. First

take the letter you wish to use and all you need to do next

is cover, paint or wrap it with any material you choose!

I decided to hot glue fake cranberries for a festive feel.

Finish with a satin or burlap ribbon. You may also want to

cover your letter with evergreens, pine cones, pearls…the

possibilities are endless!

It all depends on the style of your door, how you choose

to hang your wreath. There is the traditional wreath

hanger that hooks over the door, magnetic hangers and

simply using ribbon. Ribbon can be used to hang the

wreath to the desired length, or you can simply hang

your wreath from the ribbon and tack it to the very top

side of your door!

Don’t forget that wreaths are not just for

Christmas anymore, but can be used to celebrate any

time of year!

My Idiah! {i did it at home}Dressing Up Your Front Door for the HolidaysBy Jaime-Lynn Dyck


Customize by putting a plaque with your family name.


M y name is Bill White and welcome to my

first home safety ar ticle in the exciting new

magazine ‘Design Your Home‘. I am thrilled to

be asked to work with Design Your Home magazine so I

can shares my years of experiences and trainings to make

you aware of any hazards around your home.

In this edition, I want to talk about keeping your sidewalks

and driveways safe in a Manitoba winter.

Icy sidewalks and driveways can turn everyday chores like

getting the mail, taking out the garbage or walking your

dog into a dangerous adventure. Keeping your sidewalks

and driveways clear of ice and snow will help to keep your

family, friends and the mailman from possible injury.

De-icing compounds can be harmful to your cement and

also do harm to plants you may have in nearby flower beds.

Following are some suggestions for reducing the

amount of de-icer needed while keeping your

sidewalks and plants safe.

Shovel the walks during a snow

storm, if possible, to prevent

build up. Frequent

shoveling makes the

job easier. A sharp,

metal snow shovel

is the best tool for

removing snow that

has been compacted.

After the storm and the snow

has been cleared, spread a thin layer of sand over the walk

and driveway to help with traction. Kitty litter also works

well if spread sparsely. Wearing rubber soled boots will help

with traction.

If you cannot avoid a de-icer, choose a product that is more

environmentally friendly. Calcium magnesium acetate is a

product that does not contain salt and it is easier on metal,

cement and plants.

Reduce the amount of de-icer needed by using the smallest amount possible and applying it only when absolutely necessary.

Liquid de-icers are available but may be more difficult to find and can be pricey.

Remember that de-icers do not remove the need to remove ice but makes it easier by preventing ice from bonding to cement or pavement.

You can also spread de-icer at the beginning of a snowfall making it easier to clear ice and snow after the storm.

The best way to prevent damage to your plants is to not user de-icer but if it is a necessity then avoid shoveling

snow over the plants. In the spring thoroughly water

the garden areas to help flush de-icer from the soil.

Avoid shoveling any salt/sand

combinations that falls from your car onto

your lawn or garden areas.

If you are clearing snow and ice be sure to dress appropriately. Pay special

attention to your hands, feet and exposed areas.

Warm up before you star t and take frequent breaks.

If you have a history of hear t disease avoid shoveling without first consulting your doctor.

Push the snow when possible and if you have to shovel take small amounts.

Have a safe and enjoyable winter and I’ll see you in the

spring.

Sidewalk Safety By Bill White

Bill White has been associated with workplace safety committees for 25 years in the government and private sectors


There’s one family member that

many people forget about

during holiday family gatherings:

the pet.With the hustle and bustle of the season, many dogs and

cats get overly excited when friends and family gather. This

not only can annoy your visitors, it also can be harmful to

your pet.

But you don’t have to keep your animal crated or locked

in a room in order to avoid problems. The following tips

will help your pet stay calm enough to not miss out on

the holiday fun:

• Give your pet an extra workout. Taking your pet for an

extra long walk or having a longer playtime can help

tire your pet out before the par ty star ts.

• Encourage guests to greet with care. As the par tygoers

trickle in, asking your guests to calmly greet your pet.

Giving an excited greeting can encourage your pet to

do the same.

• Amuse your pet with a toy. To distract your pet from

jumping up on guests or getting into things, use toys

as a distraction. For dogs, toys with hiding places for

treats are suggested. Catnip toys will keep cats busy.

• Reward good behavior a few times during the event,

by keeping pet treats handy. Encourage your guests

to refrain from feeding your pet “people food.” Using

people food as a treat can lead to your pet begging for

more at your guests’ feet. -DYH

Keeping Your Pet

Calm During Holiday Celebrations

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(204) 728-0900 [email protected]

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941 - 26th Street, Brandon, MBR7B 2B7


We’re all familiar with going

to the bank for a mortgage.

Taking time off work, using our lunch

hour or having to take much needed

days off only to spend it waiting for

our appointment with our bank.

There’s got to be an easier way…

When I say “I work for you”, I mean it. I do all the work

of mortgage shopping for you, so you can concentrate on

making your move go smoothly. I’ll meet to discuss your

needs when and where you like—or handle everything

over the phone or even via email, if you prefer. I’ll take

the time to explain all the steps and terms in plain English

to make sure you’re completely comfortable. Then I’ll

negotiate your mortgage to Canada’s leading lenders who

compete for the opportunity of funding your mortgage. If

they want your business they’re going to give me their best

rate or there’s another bank that will.

Top ten reasons to use a Mortgage Broker1) Get independent advice on your financial options.

As independent mortgage broker I’m not tied to any

one lender or range of products. My goal is to help you

successfully finance your home or property. I’ll star t by

getting to know you and your homeownership goals. I’ll

make a recommendation, drawing from available mortgage

products that match your needs, and we will decide

together on what’s right for you.

2) Save time with one-stop shopping.

It could take weeks for you to organize appointments with

competing mortgage lenders and we know you’d probably

rather spend your time house-hunting! I work directly with

dozens of lenders, and can quickly narrow down a list of

those that suit you best. It makes comparison-shopping

fast, easy, and convenient.

3) I negotiate on your behalf.

Many people are uncer tain or uncomfortable negotiating

mortgages directly with their bank. Brokers negotiate

mortgages each and every day on behalf of Canadian

homebuyers. You can count on my market knowledge to

secure competitive rates and terms that benefit you.

Using a Broker: Step by Step Written by a Mortgage Specialist


4) More choice means more competitive rates.

4) I have access to a network of major lenders in Canada,

so your options are extensive. In addition to traditional

lenders, I also know what’s being offered by credit unions,

trust companies, and other sources. And I can help you

take care of other requirements before your closing date,

such as sourcing mortgage default insurance if your down

payment is less than 20% of the purchase price.

5) Ensure you’re getting the best rates and terms.

Even if you’ve already been pre-approved for a mortgage

by your bank or another financial institution, you’re not

obliged to stop shopping! Let me investigate to see if there

is an alternative to better suit your needs.

6) Get access to special deals and add-ons

Many financial institutions would love to have you as a

client, which is why they often offer incentives to attract

creditworthy customers. These can include retail points

programs, discounts on appliances, shopping clubs, and

more. I do the math on which offers might be worth

your attention when it comes to financing or mortgage

insurance so you get the perks you deserve.

7) Things move quickly!

My job isn’t done until your closing date goes smoothly.

I’ll help ensure your mortgage transaction takes place on

time and to your satisfaction.

8) Get expert advice

When it comes to mortgages, rates, and the housing

market, I’ll speak to you in plain language. I can explain the

various mortgage terms and conditions so you can choose

confidently.

9) No cost to you.

There’s absolutely no charge for my services on typical residential mortgage transactions. How can I afford to do that? Like many other professional services, such as insurance, mortgage brokers are generally paid a finder’s fee when we introduce trustworthy, dependable customers to a financial institution. These fees are quite standard and nearly industry-

wide so that the focus remains on you, the customer.

10) Ongoing support and consultation.

Even once your mortgage is signed and paperwork is complete, I’m here if you need any advice on closing details or even future referral needs. We are happy to be of assistance when you need it. No appointments to make to come see me, just call, I’m here.

We work for you, not the lenders

• 120 day rate holds• Purchases • Refinances• Construction

Mortgages• Access to

40 different lenders• We now offer

commercial leasing

Call now for your no charge consultation

and discover all your mortgage options.

Phone 204-578-5355930 Lorne Ave., Brandon, MB

Scott McMullan (AMP) MORTGAGE BROKER 204-761-2678

Mike Trollope MORTGAGE SPECIALIST

204-573-3938

Brian Keown (AMP) MORTGAGE SPECIALIST

204-761-8188

www.mortgagecentre.com/brandon


W indow coverings

add an inviting

finishing touch to

your rooms, and during winter,

they can even keep your rooms

warmer and cozier. Window treatments can make a room more comfortable by reducing the chill from uncovered windows. Open window treatments on south-facing windows during the day to let the sun warm your home. As the sun sets, be sure to close window treatments to keep more warm air

in your home.

Keep more of your hard earned money and save on

utility bills by conserving energy this winter. Your window

treatments can help cut your heating bill by preventing the

warmed air in your home from cooling against the chilled

window pane. Ten to 30 percent of a home`s heat can

escape through windows during winter. Depending on

your window treatments, you can reduce heat loss through

the window pane by up to 40%. Snugly-fitted window

treatments that are fitted inside the window frame are

more efficient than those mounted outside the frame at

keeping warmed air away from chilled glass.

If you`re in the market for new window coverings and

want to save on energy costs, the type of product you

choose can make a big difference.

Cellular Shades

A favorite for the

conservation set.

Their construction

lets them trap air

and prevent heat

loss, providing a

definitive R-value

Window Coverings Keep Homes Cozier During Winter

Cellular Shades


depending on cell size, opacity levels and type of fabric.

R-Value refers to how well the material resists heat

flow. The higher the value the more insulation the fabric

provides. Cellular shades combine energy efficiency with

versatile design options, and will definitely cozy-up your

home in the upcoming months.

Shutters

A great choice

because of how they

are mounted and

the materials they

are made from. For

centuries, shutters have

offered homeowners a

unique blend of beauty

and practicality. Their

simple, timeless appeal

instantly adds an element of sophistication to any room, while

their insulating design helps lower energy bills year round.

Roman Shades

Available in a

multitude of styles

ranging from crisp

and contemporary to

bold and dramatic and

are proven winners

for energy efficiency.

Add a black-out liner

to enhance insulation

proper ties.

Draperies

THESE can be bundled—that is combined with a cellular

for instance to fur ther enhance chill busting. When

spring comes along, swap heavy draperies for sheers or

lighter fabrics.

There are many

products on the

market today and

many manufa-

cturers. When

you choose to

shop with us at

Budget Blinds, you

experience the number 1 window covering franchise in

North America with over 20 years of exper tise. During

a complimentary in-home consultation we bring you only

the best products from the best manufacturers and we

suit the products to your needs and style. We have a style

for every point of view!!! Allow us to help cozy up your

home for the winter—and save you some money on your

energy bill!!!

- Courtesy of Budget Blinds

FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATIONBlinds Shutters DraperiesRoller Shades Window Film

Rugs and Accessories635 10th Street, Brandon

Shutters

Roman Shades

Draperies


Candy Land Deserts

Yuletide Elegance

Frosty Winter Woods

Down Home Sleigh Ride

Sentimental Season

Snowdoodle Countdown

ROSANNE’S SILK DESIGNSPhone: [email protected] | www.rosannessilkdesigns.com

Peek into Santa’s Workshop & Visit Us for all the Season Can Offer

Christmas trends over the last number of years have

expended to suit numerous family lifestyles. To

demonstrate to you the ways Christmas products can

deck the halls together, we have chosen just a few themes that

reflect the styles, color palettes, elements and floral material

to compliment any of your choices for the 2012 season.

Your everyday home décor can mix into any of the

themes that match your style. This will make your

home well rounded and keep your year round favorites

complimenting your Christmas décor.

Trim tips:• Ribbon, like scarves or belts are a perfect accessory

for floral designs or to tie up the perfect gift.

• Bring the outdoors in with the use of all types of birds.

• Nutcrackers from the traditional to the whimsical

stand to greet visitors.

• Use elves to remind us of the child like charm of the

holidays.

• Nativities; presentations of the holy family in all sizes

and materials.

• Hark the Harold; Angels will always sing the joy of the

season in variations of facial expressions, wings, along

with glittering lights.

To all of you, enjoy your favorites in Christmas décor from

woodland adventures to holiday treats, with decorations

and a range of colors for black and white, perky prints

amidst the traditional green and red.

- Courtesy of Rosanne’s Silk Designs

Christmas Styles 2012Finishing Details – Trends in Trims


Business Emporium

I Specialize in Tutus, Baby Wraps, and much, much, more.....

Please visit our Facebook group Jaid CreationsEmail at [email protected]

Jaid Creations

L I G H T C O M M E R C I A L & R E S I D E N T I A L H V A C I N S T A L L E R S

Jeff Kulman OWNER PHONE (204) 724-5333EMAIL [email protected]

By Appointment Only

Body & Spirit Massage Therapy

Karen Wotton R M T

[email protected]

Scott KasprickOwner / Graphic Designer

The seasons change. The tasks change. Fortunately, your machine doesn't have to change. Bobcat®

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Do You Know?

Where are you if you see these images? For the Answers, please visit our website at www.designyourhome.ca/doyouknow.

Email your answers to [email protected]. All correct answers will be entered into a draw, winner will be drawn January, 15, 2013. One entry per email address.

A B C D

HGFE

Name this street and win a $50 Gift Card to The Keg.

DESIGNYOURHOME.CA | 35751 18th St., Brandon, MB R7A 5B6

Phone: (204) 725-4664

Kullberg’s Furniture - Brandon731 18th St, Brandon, MB(204) 727-5449

Kullberg’s Furniture - Virden346 King Street East, Virden, MB(204) 748-3331

FREE DELIVERY

& SET-UP

Within 200 km of Brandon

Financing Plans Available

Need more decor?www.kullbergs.ca

Brandon’s Home MagazineWe are giving you, our readers, articles about house, cottage, apartment or condo living, from the

interior to the exterior. We also hope it will help you find local ideas, products and companies

that will help you make your living space your home!

Contact us at: Email: [email protected]: (204) 573-3790View Us at:Website: www.designyourhome.ca

Design Your Home - Winter 2012 - 1st Edition

Documents

local home magazine

new home

home safe

home owners

home winterwelcome

home secure

home improvements15

home magazine ar ticles