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$15,000Come home to $15,000 worth of furnishings, home electronics and

groceries . . . from Visions Electronics, Save-On-Foods and The Brick. Contest runs May 7 to May 31, 2009. Check out MetroVancouver’s new homes and play along each week to increase your chance of winning.

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May 21, 2009

Housing market balancing out

Th e British Columbia Real Estate Association reports that April was the third consecutive month of increasing home sales in the province, on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Consumer demand was bolstered by lower home prices and record low mort-gage interest rates.

Housing aff ordability hit a three-year high at the begin-ning of the month.

“Downward pressure on home prices has eased consid-erably,” says BCREA chiefeconomist Cameron Muir.

“An increase in consumer demand combined with fewer homes for sale has trended the market near balanced condi-tions.”

Th e number of homes for sale through the Multiple Listing Service fell to a 12-month low in April (on a seasonally adjusted basis).

MLS residential sales dollar volume in B.C. declined 25 per cent to $3.1 billion in April, compared to the same month last year.

Residential unit sales declined 20 per cent to 6,918 units during the same period.

Th e average MLS residential price in the province was $449,372 in April, down six per cent from April 2008.

Year-to-date, MLS residential sales dollar volume was down 41 per cent to $7.8 billion over the same period last year.

A total of 1,889 units were sold in the fi rst four months, down 35 per cent from 2008, while the average MLS price declined nine per cent to $433,246.

For further details, visit the B.C. real Estate Association at www.bcrea.bc.ca

Source: B.C. Real Estate Association

Downward pressure on home prices has eased, says BCREA

Coff ee With takes a closer look at North Vancouver ›› p.14

Cameron Muir

KOLBY SOLINSKY

It’s a tough thing to do – to walk into a new home and not feel that rush of

excitement. To not want to sit on the fresh furnishings and soak up that “new house smell.”

Especially as stone-clad exteriors welcome you inside to shiny counters, groomed carpet, and perfectly craft ed wooden doors and closets. You may even fi nd yourself envisioning where your couch will face your television.

As they say, it’s all in the details.Well, on the West Coast, the view of the

mountains rising out of the Pacifi c Ocean only adds to this euphoria. Especially downtown, where nighttime falls and a mil-lion lights are viewable from your window.

It is, without a doubt, what sets homes in Greater Vancouver apart from those in the rest of Canada, or even the province, and it has given local manufacturers a distinct advantage in selling their products along

Made-in-B.C. products keep homes hyperlocal

CONTINUED ON P.2

More and more Metro Vancouver homes are featuring goods made here

Locally made products are popping up more and more in Metro Vancouver homes, such as the garage doors made by Richmond-based

Garador. Garador president Arkadiusz Lewandowski, above, says people are starting to realize there are local alternatives. Rob Newell photo

2 • New Local Home | May 21, 2009

Editor: Tricia Leslie • 604-575-5346 • [email protected] Advertising Sales - Black Press National Sales • Adrian Saunders • 604-575-5812 • [email protected] Advertising • Nicole Hutchinson • 604-575-5826 • [email protected]/Business Development: Steve McIvor • 604-575-5822 • [email protected]: Brad Smith • [email protected]

New Local Home is published once a week by Black Press Group Ltd. (Suite 309 - 5460 152 Street, Surrey, B.C. V3S 5J9) 350,000 copies are distributed free across Metro Vancouver. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited.

BC Stats, in conjunction with the Ministry

of Small Business, Technology and Economic

Development, has organized the British

Columbia Manufacturers’ Directory, which

currently lists more than 4,800 companies and

provides valuable information on manufactured

products, export information, employee size,

manufacturing locations and more.

The database was fi rst produced by the province

in 1922, and is now available as a free, online

search bank.

It is also provided free of charge to manufactur-

ers who do some or all of their manufacturing in

British Columbia.

The site allows you to fi lter its database in

categories ranging from aluminum to appli-

ances, bedding and blankets to cabinetry and

countertops, doors and windows to fencing and

fl ooring, and furniture and lighting to kitchen-

ware and tableware.

Each category shows you company locations so

you can browse all over Greater Vancouver and

support local businesses.

The manufacturing sector plays a critical role in

the economy of British Columbia, and the Minis-

try of Small Business, Technology and Economic

Development is dedicated to helping build a

strong provincial economy that supports job

creation and maximizes economic opportuni-

ties.

The ministry’s activities include marketing and

promoting British Columbia to expand trade and

investment opportunities and increase sales and

exports of goods.

Source: www.made-in-bc.ca

with the province’s attractive real estate.Each year in British Columbia brings with

it new homes and new innovations, and much of the ritz and glamour that makes you stand there and think, “I wish this was mine” has been provided for right here at home.

Aft er all, high quality appliances and con-struction are exactly what a new home off ers. And, because more and more locally manu-factured products are making their way into the new home market, the Lower Mainland’s attractive real estate is truly “made-in-B.C.”

And the trend is growing.One example is Stor-More, a closets and

blinds company that operates out of its Surrey showroom. Stor-More manufactures closet, garage, and pantry organizers, as well as win-dow treatments.

“It’s the interior of what goes behind a closet door,” says Michelle Carnaby, who works in the company’s advertising and marketing departments.

While Stor-More has served at its post in the Lower Mainland for more than 25 years, one need only look at its brochures or its new showroom and see that it has adapted well to that West Coast style we see so oft en in Greater Vancouver – sleek, horizontal lines and a well-organized, clean-cut style.

Th eir closets, showers, and blinds mesh perfectly with the exterior style of handcraft ed stone that is oft en the look of local, residential architecture.

Carnaby knows that there are intangibles that go along with being a local manufacturer.

“You always want to see people be suc-cessful,” she says in a ‘David vs. Goliath’-type fashion.

She adds that Stor-More defi nitely aims to serve the proverbial “little guy” who may get lost in an atmosphere of international big box retailers. Aft er all, Greater Vancouver is no stranger to commercial competition.

However, success has rightly been focused on two critical factors.

“We like to focus on giving people great pricing and focusing on the customer,” she says.

A simple but exceptional philosophy.Stor-More has been able to remain busy and

it looks to keep growing, ensuring that local producers can survive in a constantly-evolving housing market such as Vancouver’s.

“We do new developments all the time, and it’s always ongoing,” Carnaby adds. “We go

right from Vancouver all the way to the Fraser Valley.”

Local companies have also begun to use their products to refl ect Greater Vancouver’s image across North America. For one, the area still remains a success story in its green initia-tives, buoyed by governmental regulations.

Gary Porter, Sales and Marketing Manager at Allied Windows, echoes these statements.

Due to obligatory laws, window producers in B.C. must meet a minimum 2.0 U-value for each overall unit, ensuring a higher perfor-mance standard that also reduces our ‘carbon footprint.’

“In other provinces it’s more optional,” says Porter. “Here it’s mandatory.”

Located in Langley, Allied Windows has seen its operations grow as of recently. “We’re moving across Western Canada,” Porter says, noting that Allied currently is also doing busi-ness in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the rest of B.C. Naturally, Allied has benefi tted from the increase in home starts in the last couple of months.

“Th e last quarter of 2008 wasn’t all that busy, it defi nitely dropped off ,” he says. “But we’ve seen it pick up nicely since January. It’s defi nitely coming back.”

However, it’s not just green-related issues that express Greater Vancouver’s diversity.

Off the front: “You’ll see a lot of the trends that are set in the B.C. market, and they tend to be picked up in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.” – Michael Boylan, owner, Preferred Handcraft StoneCONTINUED FROM P.1

Th e Left Coast is infl uencing the housing industry across the country – not only in design, but by using products and services that are locally manufactured and distributed.

Made in B.C.

Find out more about local products

A directory lists B.C. manufacturers.

The windows in the home shown above were made and provided by Langley’s Allied

Windows. Below, a closet organizer made by Surrey-based company Stor-More.

CONTINUED ON P.11

New Local Home | May 21, 2009 • 3


$800,000

$750,000

$700,000

$650,000

$600,000

$550,000

Coquitlam House Price Comparison for May 2009

NEW Morningstar Home 7 Year Old Home

$682,395

$760,320

A community you’ll want to join

Portrait Homes’ The Crest at Silver Ridge, a master-planned community of single-family detached homes in Maple Ridge, has won more than 60

industry awards, including Customer’s Choice and Best Residential Community in Canada.

A house

for every

family at

Silver Ridge“People herereally, truly love their homes”

A home set in a green, natural playground, with safe streets, friendly neighbours, and peace and quiet.

Usually – in reference to a well-used cliché – if it sounds too good to be true, it prob-ably is.

But at Th e Crest at Silver Ridge, that adage does not apply, says Portrait Homes marketing and sales manager Troy Steine.

“People here really, truly love their homes. Th ey’re very comfortable, and the location is amazing,” he says.

Set in a unique, 105-acre parkland master-planned community, Silver Ridge homes are spacious, with backyards designed for chil-dren and avid gardeners.

More than 40 per cent of

CONTINUED ON P.5


Silver Ridge backyards designed for children

the new Maple Ridge neighbour-hood is preserved as green space, and off ers forested groves, winding creeks, bike paths and nature trails to explore.

But at the same time, local ameni-ties are nearby, Steine says.

“You’re virtually minutes away from anything in the centre of town, in a really quiet, natural setting with some amazing views.”

Potential homebuyers compare the location to North Vancouver when they come and see the community, he adds.

Th e single-family homes, designed with distinctive West Coast-Whistler inspired exteriors, are off ered in a range of sizes and fl oor plans.

Front and backyards have three times more topsoil than conventional communities, to absorb rainfall and reduce the need for watering.

Silver Ridge homes are Built Green certifi ed, which means they meet energy effi cient and environmentally sustainable standards.

Th at equals energy cost savings for the homeowner immediately, and a

better resale value down the road.Steine notes that Portrait Homes

has won an unprecedented total of 63 major industry awards for Silver Ridge alone (105 industry awards since 1989), including 12 Gold Geor-gies from 2004-2008, in categories including Best Residential Devel-opment in B.C. and the Customer Choice Award for best single-family home builder.

“For us to have that (customers’) acknowledgement really means the most,” Steine says.

Silver Ridge also received a Gold SAM award for the Best Residential Community in Canada.

Th e neighbourhood is being con-structed in phases, but many families have already moved into their Silver Ridge homes; work is currently hap-pening on Phase 4A.

For the month of May, there are also buyer incentives – such as design upgrades – that have just been intro-duced, Steine notes, depending on the plan the homebuyer chooses.

Visit Th e Crest at Silver Ridge at 2285 137th Avenue, Maple Ridge, or online at www.portraithomes.ca

Homes at The Crest at Silver Ridge, above and below, are set in a 105-acre parkland master-planned community, yet are still close to the amenities and services off ered in Maple Ridge. The

Portrait Homes neighbourhood is being built in phases. During the month of May, potential homebuyers can ask about newly introduced buyer incentives.

CONTINUED FROM P.4

Community wins more than 60 awards


Central, quiet and private Come home to Wills CreekTownhomes are centrally located in a natural setting

Nature trails and a clear, winding creek are at the back door.

Shops, businesses, schools, local beaches and popular recreation sites are minutes away.

Across the street, there’s the Morgan Creek Golf Course, and on-site, an exclusive club for homeowners who choose to buy a new home at Wills Creek.

Th e townhome community, set in a scenic South Surrey location, off ers all of the above and more to homebuyers, says Emaar Properties (Canada) Ltd. director of sales and mar-keting Dana Samis.

Th e neighbourhood’s premier location is what many homeowners who already live at Wills Creek love, Samis says.

Wills Creek townhomes, above and below, are in a central South Surrey location, just across the street from Morgan Creek Golf Course. The neigh-

bourhood is surrounded by scenic, natural beauty, and many of the community’s homes back right onto Wills Creek itself. CONTINUED ON P.9


TATTON offers the perfect blend of thoughtful design and a tranquil neighbourhood setting. These three and four

bedroom rowhomes border Victoria Park and Leigh Elementary School. With MOSAIC’s reputation for unique design

and quality, an accessible price makes TATTON a rare fi nd.

PRICED FROM $TATTON HOME STORE, OPEN 12-6PM (EXCEPT FRIDAYS)

A Parkside Collection of Georgian Rowhomes

Pricing subject to availability, see Sales Staff for details.

Well designed by nature.


Best Residential Community!

The developer reserves the right to make modifications and changes to the information contained herein. Prices exclude GST and are subject to availability. E. & O.E.

22845 137th Avenue, Maple RidgeOpen Every Day: Noon - 5:00 pm

portraithomes.ca | 604-466-9278

With a wide range of single family locations now available, a wide range of prices from the low 400’s to the low 600’s and the opportunity to customize your interior finishings, this may indeed be the most timely real estate opportunity for you this year.

Discover the unique values and features found in a Portrait Home. These alpine-inspired residences stand apart for their innovative design, impeccable craftsmanship, extremely spacious floor plans and spectacular view settings.

Be among the first to see our newest release...Visit us today!

NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK TO HELP SERVE YOU BETTER!

ACT NOW FOR PRE-COMPLETION PRICING ON THE NEWEST RELEASES AT SILVER RIDGE!

New residences offer more than ever

Today’s new homes off er more than ever. When you are ready to buy a home, one of your fi rst decisions should be to visit the new home builders in your area and explore what’s available.

Th e Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association suggests that you consider the following pointers:

You know what you’re gettingWhen you buy new, you take the guesswork

out of home ownership. You know how the home is built and what’s behind the walls.

Th e builder will explain what to expect, how to operate and maintain the systems, and how to take care of various components in your home.

Th at’s very reassuring, whether it’s your fi rst home or your fi ft h.

Get what you wantWhen you buy a brand new home, you can

tailor it to suit your own taste and prefer-ences, right from the beginning.

You don’t have to “settle for less” or live

with someone else’s decisions, or spend extra time and money setting things right.

Better constructionIt is a fact that “they don’t build them like

they used to.” Today’s new homes are bet-ter than ever – built to the latest codes and standards, using state-of-the-art construction techniques and materials. A brand-new home is an investment in comfort and quality living.

No repairs for a long timeWhen everything in your home is new, you

can plan ahead fi nancially for a number of

years, with the confi dence that your budget will not be strained by sudden and unexpect-ed expenses due to items in your home that breakdown or wear-out.

A third-party warrantyEnjoy the peace of mind that comes with

knowing that your new home is protected by a warranty. Be sure to ask your builder for detailed information, and never buy a home without third-party warranty. Many of the products used in your home are also cov-ered by the manufacturers’ warranties for an extended time.

Energy performanceTh anks to better construction and bet-

ter products like windows and heating and cooling systems, a new home will reduce your energy costs, year aft er year – a comforting thought in a world of uncertain energy prices.

Talk with your builder about opportunities to cut energy use throughout the house.

Other green featuresMaterials with recycled content, or made

from renewable resources.Non-toxic products. “Clean air” features.

Reduced water consumption.Buying a brand-new home makes it easy to

incorporate green choices up front to reduce the environmental impact of your home and enhance your lifestyle.

Designs for the way you liveBright open spaces with lots of windows

and natural light make “home” a warm and wonderful place to be.

Well-designed kitchens, work and storage areas give busy families a break. Entertain-ment rooms gather the household for relax-ation. New home builders understand and build for the needs of the modern family.

Convenience, low maintenanceExpect to spend less time “keeping house”

and more time enjoying the things in your life that really matter. Your builder will show you how to look aft er your home to maintain its beauty and ensure that everything stays in great operating condition, with minimum eff ort and cost.

For more information on new homes, visit www.gvhba.org

Source: Greater VancouverHome Builders’ Association

Today’s new homes are diff erent than the dwellings of yesteryear – they keep getting better.

Enjoy the benefi ts of a brand new home


Energy savings from geothermal heating, cooling

Plus, the attention to detail in every aspect of design – interior, exterior and landscaping – is an added bonus, she adds.

“Everything that would be an upgrade elsewhere is standard here,” she says, pointing to the 10-foot-high ceilings, built-in closet organizers, crown mouldings and baseboards that automatically come with Wills Creek homes.

Gourmet kitchens and stainless steel Energy Star-rated appliances complement the quality fi nishes everywhere, in a style that blends contemporary elegance with tradi-tional charm.

A BC Hydro EnerGuide gold-level com-munity, Wills Creek also features geothermal heating and cooling in every home, which means it’s not only better for the environment, it saves the homeowner money in energy cost savings.

Wills Creek townhomes are 2,300 to 4,400 square feet on three levels, Samis says, adding the energy bill with a typical , fossil fuel-burning furnace would likely be around $250 to $350 a month.

At Wills Creek, that bill will be $112 to $119 per month, she notes.

Th ere is also the Creek Club, a private club-house for homeowners that off ers several op-portunities for indoor and outdoor recreation.

Outside, there’s a bocce ball fi eld, walking paths and a spacious, heated outdoor pool and hot tub. Inside, there’s a fi tness studio, games room, meeting facilities and a lounge.

Will Creek runs through the community, Samis says, with many of the townhomes backing right onto the creek.

“It creates a very quiet, very private feel.”More than 30 homes are ready for ho-

meowners to move in, while phases four and fi ve are still under construction. When complete, the entire community will feature just over 100 homes, now priced from the mid-$500,000s range.

Th e neighbourhood is “the best choice in Morgan Creek,” according to its website.

Find out for yourself at www.willscreek.ca, or visit the homes yourself, on 32nd Avenue, between 160th and 168th streets.

Creek creates a quiet, private milieuCONTINUED FROM P.6

“Everything that would be an upgrade elsewhere is standard here,” says Emaar Properties director of sales and marketing Dana Samis,

referring to Wills Creek (above, below). The South Surrey community also features a private clubhouse, heated pool and hot tub.


New in your neighbourhood

THE DEAL: Branches is a collection of two-

and three-bedroom apartment residences

in North Vancouver’s Lynn Valley neigh-

bourhood. Nestled in a quiet residential

enclave, Branches is close to shopping,

schools, community amenities, and

transit and commuter routes. It is also

just minutes away from the wilderness

that North Vancouver is famous for – hiking

and mountain biking trails, skiing, snowboard-

ing, rock climbing and other opportunities to

enjoy nature are all at the doorstep. Designed

by Raymond Letkeman Architects Inc., Branches

features heavy timbers, brick, glazing, and a

peaceful, landscaped courtyard.

OUTSIDE: The lowrise condo features architec-

ture that pays tribute to the Pacifi c Northwest,

with generous patios and decks for relaxing in the

B.C. outdoors. Located between Burrard Inlet and

majestic mountain ranges, North Vancouver is

the perfect home location for people who enjoy

the outdoors. Hiking, biking, skiing, ’boarding,

kayaking or boating – the city has venues for it all.

Schools – including Capilano University – shops,

restaurants and other services are nearby as well.

INSIDE: Gourmet kitchens with granite counters,

shaker-style wood cabinetry and sleek stainless

steel appliances await inside. Open living spaces

and sophisticated interior design make each

Branches home unique and attractive. Homeown-

ers have access to on-site amenities, including a

fi tness studio, a meeting room and a guest suite.

Address: 1111 East 27th Street, North Vancouver

Home-types: two- and three-bedroom

apartment residences

Price: from $389,900

Online: www.polyhomes.com

Transit: Close to Lion’s Gate and Ironworkers

Memorial bridges, Highway 1, downtown Vancouver

Shopping: Lynn Valley Shopping Centre, Lonsdale

Quay, downtown Vancouver, Park Royal (West Van)

Recreation: Lynn Canyon, Mount Seymour, Grouse

Mountain (the Grouse Grind), Deep Cove, Capilano

Suspension Bridge

>>Nearby amenities

An artist’s rendering of Branches, above, and a quiet corner of a living room.

Polygon Homes: Branches

Polygon Homes’ Branches in North Vancouver off ers homebuyers two- and three-bedroom apartment residences (above and below). Surround-

ed by the area’s spectacular natural surroundings, Branches is also just a short drive to Vancouver, and close to local amenities. The lowrise

condo features Pacifi c Northwest-inspired architecture, with details such as dramatic timber entries and low-pitched roofs.

NOWSELLING


Many are using creativity and innovation to tap into un-touched markets.

Garador is a shining example of this. Currently in its third year of operations, it is the only manufacturer of residential automated B&D Roll-A-Doors in North America and it has set up camp in Richmond with the aim of introducing its product to Greater Vancouver, Western Canada, and the U.S. – markets typically dominated by sectional garage doors.

“In Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and anywhere, really, roll-ups are the standard for garage doors,” says Garador President, Ark Lewandowski.

“It’s a brand-new product [here], it’s an exciting product, and people are realizing there’s an alternative to the tradition-al, sectional doors.”

Lewandowski cites the problems associated with sectional garage doors – constant maintenance hassle and reduced garage space – as reasons to go with the trendy chic of roll-up doors, as more and more pop up in new homes around Greater Vancouver.

Successful forays into home shows and its as-sociation with distributor Westgate Doors have helped Garador’s sales grow, despite the idle economy.

Lewandowski also notes Garador’s recent expansion into Calgary as a catalyst that is sure to provoke increased national interest in his products.

Local products are also having to fi t the design of new homes in Greater Vancouver and their own unique, West Coast style – one that draws people to our shores in droves every year.

In nowhere is this style more evident than in stone fi nishes. It’s become an unoffi cial West Coast custom for many homes in Greater Vancouver to have a craft sman-style look, symbol-ized by cultured stone exteriors on many new homes.

Michael Boylan, owner of Preferred Handcraft Stone in Burnaby, knows this well.

His company, which manufactures cultured stone made from cement, has benefi tted not just from being a local com-

pany, but by selling a product that is truly characteristic of Greater Vancouver.

“It’s the trend for sure,” he says.“It’s amazing, some of these people that have

put it up on even older houses. Th e curb appeal that comes with adding rock on a house is amaz-ing.”

Naturally, this means that B.C.’s residential style is spreading to the rest of Canada, even the East Coast, where eyes remain fi xated on the province’s visual splendour.

“You’ll see a lot of the trends that are set in the B.C. market, and they tend to be picked up in Al-berta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan,” Boylan says.

Preferred Handcraft Stone even off ers options that ensure the house your buying is made from stone found only in Greater Vancouver.

“Th ere’s diff erent stones for diff erent regions, but we’ve got a whole line of stones that identifi es

with the West Coast,” he says.Like the rest of these featured companies, Preferred Hand-

craft Stone’s ability to mesh with customer’s desires has given it considerable success. Aft er taking over the company from another owner four years ago, Boylan says the company has progressed to “the next level” by increasing its production capabilities and quality control by tenfold.

It all goes towards padding the area’s nationwide reputation as a mecca for new home design. And with so much develop-ment and production coming from the “left coast,” it truly ap-pears to be a homemade success – one that we have exclusive access to.

“It’s a brand-

new product

(here), it’s an

exciting product,

and people are

realizing there’s

an alternative to

the traditional,

sectional doors.”

HomegrownsuccessesCONTINUED FROM P.2

Above, some of the choices of stone fi nishes off ered at Burnaby’s Preferred Handcraft Stone. Below left, a photo shows how Stor-More products can help organize a child’s room.

Richmond-based Garador off ers the only residential auto-

mated B&D Roll-A-Doors in North America. Rob Newell photo

Come home to

$15,000

Simply fill out the entry forms below with your contact info and drop off each at the applicable show home.

For new home locations, see their ads in this edition. Only one entry, per week, per new home development. Contest closes May 31/09.

Si

Valid towards

your next new

furniture purchase.

BRICK CARDP R O M OT I O N A L

Exclusively at The Brick

$5000For You$5000Pro

moCard_NewLocalH

o

HOW TO ENTER

}You could WIN $15,000 worth of furnishings, home electronics and groceries . . . from Visions Electronics,

Save-On-Foods and The Brick. Contest runs May 7 to May 31, 2009. Check out MetroVancouver’s new homes and play along each week to increase your chance of winning.

_________________________________________________name_________________________________________________telephone_________________________________________________email











Creating a home you want to live in

TRICIA LESLIE

Some people look at an empty room and see... an empty room. Others, like Sheryn Calvert, see an empty room and immediately start thinking about how they can turn it into an open and effi cient space that is also pleas-ing to the eye.

Calvert, who has worked as an interior designer for 23 years, always knew her calling. She took courses including applied design and draft ing in high school, but to make sure she would enter the fi eld she really wanted, her father helped her arrange interviews with profes-sionals working in six diff erent design industries, from fashion to interior to graphic design.

Aft er asking her questions at every job, Calvert’s mind was fi rmly focused on interior design – and she hasn’t looked back since.

“I’ve always been creative... I like the fact that what I do every day is diff erent,” she says. “To create something in your mind and see-ing it get built is extremely rewarding.”

Calvert has been hired by several Lower Mainland-based development companies over the years, mainly working with Adera Development Corp., as well as for developers in Alberta and the U.S. Now a senior partner with Adera, Calvert has run her own business, Calvert Design Studio, for 15 years.

Th e North Shore studio has won six presti-gious awards – one gold Georgie Award, four silver Georgies, and the Major Achievement in Market Excellence Award – and is involved in several current building projects, from Richmond to Whistler to Maple Ridge.

Creating interiors that fi t a home is diff er-ent for each housing development, but Calvert and her design team take note of what is happening in the industry.

Built-in millwork, such as shelv-ing and cabinetry, is extremely prevalent in homes now, she says.

“Homes are smaller now, and we need more space for storage so there’s less clutter.”

When it comes to colours, there aren’t really any discernible fads or trends, since everyone’s taste is diff erent and the choice is personal, Calvert says, but adds that designers and consumers alike are aff ected by what is happening in European design, including faucet and tile styles.

While colours vary from person to person, Calvert does point out that whites and greys are oft en in demand for interiors, with black and lilac emerging as recent accent colours.

And wallpaper, which was “totally gone a few years ago,” is making a comeback, Calvert says. Designers always think about the hom-eowners’ lifestyles, she notes.

“We’re fi nding that entertaining at home is very popular, so creating a home that people

want to spend time in is important.”She and her design team work to stay on

top of new trends and products related to the fi eld, and attend Design NorthWest, an an-nual trade show, every February.

Each month, Calvert conducts a “product day,” and peruses what is available in the way of tiles, fabrics, wallpapers, lighting design and more. She and her team also go on “com-petition days,” fi eld trips to go and see what products other designers are using.

Th ey also visit industry websites and sub-scribe to trade magazines including Interior Design. For some projects, Calvert and her team must take into consideration several factors, such as VANOC (Vancouver Orga-nizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games) regulations for the

interiors on fi ve Athlete’s Village condos in Whistler. Th e condos will be retrofi tted to be-come housing for employees aft er the Games, Calvert notes - and that was another facotr in the design equation.

Other projects, like Portrait Homes’ Silver Ridge, remind Calvert of another trend that is becoming fashionable: wall tattoos.

Th ey can be designed in every shape and size, and are actually removable stickers, Calvert says, and mentions a full-size, eight-foot high mural-like surfer wall tattoo the wall of a bedroom in a Silver Ridge home.

While she knows styles and trends within the industry will likely always change, Calvert says she’ll remain content doing her job every day, because it is diverse and dynamic.

And, as always – her passion.

Turning a passion into a living

‘Creating a home that people want to spend time in is important,’ says North Shore designer

Interior designer Sheryn Calvert in her North Shore studio. Below, a wall tattoo of a surfer that Calvert designed graces a youth’s bedroom in a Silver Ridge home.

“To create

something in

your mind and

seeing it get

built is extremely

rewarding.”


coffee with...

KOLBY SOLINSKY

Location, location, location.On the North Shore, that phrase means

almost everything to new home buyers who seek both a panoramic view over Burrard Inlet and a plethora of physical activity.

“Th e city is a huge attraction for people who are active,” says Richard White, director of community development for the City of North Vancouver.

A natural draw for new home buyers, North Vancouver condenses all commercial and extracurricular necessities that people seek within its borders.

Th at feeling is also not lost on many devel-opers and real estate fi rms, says Bonita An-derson, with Sutton Group Westcoast and the new Alina Living condos in Lonsdale. “Th e area has been very successful and neighbour-hood-oriented, with extra amenities including restaurants and shopping, and it’s clean and convenient,” she says.

As further proof, White cites a great hospi-

tal, public school facilities, shopping centres, a new Extra Foods store and the recently-opened North Vancouver City Library and Spirit Square Civic Plaza in ‘the heart of the City.’ And of course, one can’t forget the range of terrain that the city off ers.

“You can park your boat at the Marina, go for a short walk to Lonsdale, and 20 minutes later you could be up on the ski hill,” he says.

Not to mention, the city’s location allows for quick service to downtown on the Seabus, which quickly jaunts off to Vancouver’s Wa-terfront Station.

Additionally, streetcars connect residents and visitors of the Lonsdale area with the scenic Lynn Valley and Capilano regions.

While housing starts are expected to be slow this year, White says that new residential permits are still being issued.

“We’re feeling really good about the future of the city of North Vancouver in terms of residential development,” he says. “We’re fac-ing a period of adjustment right now.”

While the economy has a lot to do with

this, White also sees changes occurring in the types of homes built in the City, and new emerging trends.

“Historically, in the City of North Vancouver - the more urban part - most of our development is multiple family, but we do get a fair number of small projects,” says White. “I think the market is changing for multiple families, so we do have a number of projects poised to start construction.”

Although North Vancouver is oft en defi ned by its condominiums and townhouses (as well as commercial high rises), there is still a wide variety of new, sophisticated residences for buyers to browse through.

“Nobody’s stopped their development,” he says.

It’s a shiny outlook, even for an area that already boasts such natural beauty.

As always, the housing market in the City of North Vancouver – and Greater Vancouver, for that matter – is competitive. But there’s al-

ways a silver lining. “Before, a year-and-a-half or two years ago, people couldn’t fi nd a contractor,” White says. “But now there’s plenty looking for jobs.”

Perhaps most impressively, the city remains proud of its environmental success, especially in residential devel-opments. Eventually, the city plans to channel heat to houses and buildings using sources that don’t require the burning of fossil fuels, or greenhouse gases. Currently, North Vancouver has

a district energy system, where heat is pro-vided through hot water rather than steam.

“It’s a great, environmentally sensitive way to produce hot water,” he says. “It’s coming in more places and it’s something to make people aware of.”

Th ere is certainly no shortage to meet customer demands in North Vancouver and, if everything goes according to plan, the area will remain a premier location for new home buyers in the future.

Future bright for North Vancouver‘We’re feeling really good’ in terms of residential development, says city spokesman

A sculpture at the City of North Vancouver’s Waterfront Park highlights the area’s scenic beauty.

Richard White


North ShoreNorth Shore

Burnaby/New WestminsterBurnaby/New Westminster

SquamishSquamish

RichmondRichmond

South DeltaSouth Delta

CoquitlamCoquitlam

Port MoodyPort Moody

Port Coquitlam

VancouverVancouver

SurreySurrey

North DeltaNorth Delta

LangleyLangley

Maple Ridge/Pitt MeadowsMaple Ridge/Pitt Meadows

White Rock/South SurreyWhite Rock/South Surrey

(1)(1)

(2)(2)

(6)(6)

(9)(9)

(4)(4)

(18)(18)(20)(20)

(21)(21)

(19)(19)

(5)(5)(7-8)(7-8)

(3)(3)

(35)(35)

(34)(34)

(33)(33)

(37)(37)

(36)(36)

(38)(38)

(10)(10)(11)(11)

(12)(12)

(13)(13)(14)(14)(16)(16)(17)(17)

(28)(28)

(42)(42)

(27)(27)(24)(24)

(45)(45)

(40)(40)

(44)(44)

(43)(43)

(40)(40)

(30)(30)(32)(32)

(31)(31)(29)(29)

(39)(39)

(26)(26)(23)(23)

(46)(46) (47)(47)(48)(48)(49)(49)

(22)(22)(26)(26)

Squamish(1)Skye-Soleil-AcquaPresentation Centre, 121 Lonsdale, North Van.

604-904-2240, 604-616-1215

(2)Furry Creek-Ocean Crest415- Furry Creek Dr. 604-315-0172

Vancouver (3)CarringtonOak Street & 45th Ave. 604-266-6500

(4)Pacifi cUBC Westbrook Village. 604-221-8878

(5)Aura5437 Willow Street & West 38th Ave. 604-264-6477

North Shore (6)Branches on the North Shore1111 E 27th Street. 604-988-8489

Burnaby(7)JewelWilson & Beresford. 604-456-0688

(8)Brentwood Gate-The Varley1960 Beta Ave. 604-205-7228

(9)Altaire9222 UniverCity Crescent. 604-298-1182

Coquitlam(10)Levo1170 Pinetree Way & Northern Ave. 604-464-5856

(11)The FoothillsBurke Mountain. 604-944-3188

(12)TattonVictoria Drive, Coquitlam. 604-696-1502

(13)Whitetail Lane1357 Purcell Drive. 604-552-3003

(14) Belmont1456 Avondale Street. 604-461-7113

(15) Burke Mountain Heights3398 Don Moore Drive, Coquitlam. 778-285-6299

Port Coquitlam(16)Links2418 Avon Place, Port Coquitlam. 604-460-9907

Port Moody(17)Heritage Woods300 Panorama Place, Port Moody

Richmond(18)Alexandra GateCambie-Garden City. 604-279-8866

(19)Centro7180 No.3 Road-Bennett. 604-270-8305

(20)PradoNo.3 Road & Lansdowne. 604-276-8180

(21)Hennessy Green9800 Odlin. 604-303-6840

South Surrey-White Rock(22)Highland Park160th & 24th Ave. 604-542-8995

(23)Glenmore at Morgan Heights161A St. & 24th Ave. 604-542-8863

(24)The BrownstonesMorgan Heights. 604-538-9897

(25)Wills Creek160th & 32nd Ave. 604-542-6200

(26)Nuvo15454 - 32 Avenue, South Surrey

(27)Morgan Heights26th Ave & 164th Street. 604-531-1111, 604-420-4200

(28)Ocean Park2026-128th Street. 604-538-2345

Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows

(29)Falcon Hill23719 Kanaka Way. 604-466-5723

(30)Crest at Silver Ridge22850 Foreman Drive. 604-466-9278

(31)Solo11749 223rd Street. 604-467-0800

(32)Turnstone14-19490 Fraser Way, Pitt Meadows

New Westminster(33)Victoria HillMcBride Ave. 604-523-0733

(34)Q at Westminster QuayRenaissance Square @ Quayside Drive. 604-515-9112

(35)Red BoatEwen Ave & Furness St., Queensborough. 604-520-9890

Delta(36)Trend7445 Scott Road. 604-590-5483

(37)Radiance at Sundance8385 Delsom Way. 604-581-8144

(38)Cardinal Pointe10605 Delsom Crescent, Delta

Langley(39)Bedford Landing23015 Billy Brown Road. 604-888-2176

(40)Seasons & Prelude at Milner Heights208th St & 72nd Ave. 604-539-9484

Surrey(41)Augusta at Provinceton18199 70th Ave, 778-571-1088

(42)Springfi eld Village8678 156 Street. 604-591-1121

(43)Kaleden2729-158th Street. 604-541-4246

(44)Woods at Provinceton70th & 180th Street. 604-818-3702

(45)The Highlands at Sullivan Ridge60A Ave & 146th Street. 604-538-2125

(46)The Estates at Vistas West16327 60th Ave. 778-574-1380

(47)Tate18983-72A Avenue, Surrey

(48)Vista’s west6093 - 164 Street, Surrey

(49)Panorama Hills15038 - 59 Avenue, Surrey

(49)Nuvo15454 - 32 Avenue, South Surrey

On Tour

New houses are available at Portrait Homes’ The Crest at Silver Ridge, at 22845 137th Avenue in Maple Ridge.

Map_pgTEMPLATE_May14 1 5/12/09 11:18:41 AM

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