New Homes
New Homes
The function quotient
As exciting as it is to walk through a show home loaded with tons of flashy options, style alone doesn't make a home.
At the end of the day, it's a home's function quotient that makes it livable. That's something the design team at KDR Homes took into account when they were designing their latest show home at 16 Waterstone Drive in South Pointe, said KDR's sales representative, Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate's Sean Kirady.
"This is a home that impresses with its overall design rather than all kinds of bells and whistles," he said. "It won a gold award in the Fall Parade because it's a modern yet functional design that works for everyday life, yet is still beautiful."
That function starts in the foyer, where, unlike most modern designs, the entrance is an entity unto itself, segmented neatly from the great room by a wall that defines the home's upper-level staircase.
"I think it's a great feature," said Kirady. "There's lots of room to shed your clothes and shoes, there's a high ceiling, lots of light from three vertical windows and a rich feel that's created by a taupe tile floor. At the same time, there's a bit of mystery because you can't see the great room."
When you do come around the corner, you enter an area that features exceptional balance between fashion and function. To the left is an office with a sliding barn-style door. From there, the great room opens up into an open-concept space in which space and light are pervasive, yet each space is still a distinct entity.
Case in point is the kitchen, which is defined by a 10-foot-long, L-shaped island with double sink and seating for up to six people. Perfectly proportioned and beautifully finished, it possesses both practicality and panache, said Kirady.
"It's shape opens up the kitchen's interior, providing plenty of room for more than one person to be in the kitchen without feeling crowded," he said "Add in a corner pantry and another pantry on the right side of the fridge, and you've got tons of storage even before you consider the (walnut thermofoil) cabinets. The corner pantry also defines the cooking area, which features a stainless steel, slide-in flattop Kitchen Aid stove that's complemented nicely by a (grey/light taupe) tile backsplash."
Meanwhile, the spaces in front and behind the kitchen -- the entire great room is set on elegant, white (with a hint of grey) oak hardwoods -- are also intuitively designed. To the rear is a conveniently situated mud/laundry room that contains a double closet, nook for bench or storage unit and door that provides seamless access to the attached triple garage; there's also a handy two-piece bath, as well.
To the front is a dining area surrounded by three windows and a patio door that leads to an elevated deck.
"Not only is the dining area a good size (14.1 feet by 8.2 feet), it comes with a great wetland view," said Kirady. "It can easily hold a table for six to eight, and the door to the patio allows you to expand your entertaining area in the spring, summer and fall."
Additional -- and, well-appointed entertainment/hang-out space, at that -- can be found in the adjacent family room, which seems a good deal larger than its listed square footage (16.4 feet by 15 feet) due to a rather dramatic design feature.
"The ceiling actually goes up to a height of 19 feet," he said, noting the soaring ceiling allowed for another desirable design feature, a group of four floor-to-ceiling windows. "All the natural light and wetland view are incredible, and the room is finished off nicely by a gas fireplace with a stainless steel surround next to and eight-foot-wide entertainment unit (with thermofoil walnut TV niche and two display shelves above)."
Wind your way down to the walk-out basement, and you find a bright, ergonomically sound area that's steeped in fashion and function.
"Again, it's a simple, functional design that offers a games area with three windows, a door to a covered, grey slate patio and a media area with two huge windows. The wetland view from both areas is incredible," Kirady said. "There's also a huge bedroom with double closet and an ensuite-like four-piece bath."
Meander upstairs, and the home's intelligent design continues in the form of an upper level with a wall that divides it neatly into two sections. To the right of the stairs is the secluded master suite; to the left is a bedroom wing notable for its efficient use of space.
"It actually contains three bedrooms, a laundry room, spacious four-piece bath and linen closet," he said. "All three bedrooms have huge (about five-foot by five-foot) windows and double closets with neat storage nooks off to the side."
Then, there's the 14.1-foot by 15.3-foot master suite.
"The bedroom is just the right size, the wetland view is awesome, and an entrance fronted by another barn-style door leads to the walk-in closet and ensuite. The ensuite is a beautiful space with angled stand-alone soaker tub, cream porcelain tile floor, six-foot glass/tile shower and walnut thermofoil/quartz vanity. It's a delightful, relaxing space."
Kirady said the 2,647-sq.-ft. home is an exceptionally well-rounded design.
"It's an absolute masterpiece -- it's in a great location (next to an upcoming school), the lot is both private and beautiful, and the design gives you classic looks with a functional, open-concept design. This home has it all for a growing family."
lewys@mts.net
New Homes
Aging in Place an idea whose time has come
I am frequently asked to gaze into the crystal ball and forecast coming trends and changes in the residential construction industry.
Normally, I don't have to look any further than the Parade of Homes or the Renovation of the Year Awards. These events bring out the best in new-home construction and renovations, producing the most innovative and creative work imaginable.
However, the Manitoba Home Builders Association is about to introduce a program that will change the way many of us look at our places of residence.
The 50+ age demographic is the fastest-growing segment of our population and a large majority want to stay in their homes as they age.
The accessibility features in much of our older housing stock will not be able to accommodate the inevitable demand.
Aging households may also become multigenerational households. This is particularly true in culturally diverse populations.
Therefore, the MHBA is proud to introduce the Aging in Place certification course, a three-day workshop that teaches the technical, business management and customer service skills essential to competing in one of the fastest-growing segments of the residential construction industry.
To date, this course has only been offered in Halifax. Manitoba will be the first to create certified Aging in Place specialists (CAPS) west of the Atlantic Ocean. A registered, certified instructor will be flown into Winnipeg for the Feb. 10-12 workshop.
The MHBA, our builder members and our renovator members are all proud to be the pioneers of this concept. Allowing people to stay longer in their homes as they age will result in a wide variety of benefits.
Homeowners will have more adaptable homes that will permit them to maximize usage for longer periods. Whether it is because of a disability or a preference, the choice is theirs.
Renovators and builders will be developing a previously untapped market. Whether it is the construction of a new home in a new neighbourhood or upgrading an older home, opportunities are plentiful for new designs and concepts to maximize use of all spaces.
When homeowners find it too difficult to navigate around their home, they often seek out the services of group facilities. There is a cost to everyone to provide these services. By being able to stay longer in your own home, these costs are reduced.
Certified Aging in Place specialists will be the new experts in this rapidly growing field, available exclusively through the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Homebuilders' Association
New Homes
Tweaking it to the max
As good as a new home's design might be, it can always be made better.
Which is exactly what the design team at Sterling Homes did when they subtly tweaked an already successful home plan, The Montara: make the 1,675-square-foot bungalow better in several key areas.
"The tweaks started with giving the home a new elevation to give it even more curb appeal," said Derek MacDonald, marketing manager, Qualico single family homes. "Its exterior looks very refined with its cultured stone accents and clean lines -- it's a home that really catches your eye when you're walking by. That rich look extends inside; the home was designed to offer upscale family living."
Because it's a show home, The Montara comes loaded with -- get this -- more than $100,000 in options. As such, the home truly delivers on it intention of providing a family with an upscale envelope in which to co-exist.
However, as fetching as those options are -- they combine to create a warm, relaxing main-floor ambience -- the floor plan sets the table for the finishes. Were the floor plan not functional, it would be nearly impossible to enjoy the surroundings to the fullest possible extent.
The Montara's functional floor plan starts in the foyer, which is extra-wide -- and feels that much wider due to the presence of a formal dining room to its left. A brief hallway then leads into a T-shaped great room that's open, yet deftly divided into three distinct spaces.
"The great room's floor plan basically defines each space for you in a seamless, subtle way," said MacDonald. "It starts off with a very functional kitchen with a nine-foot by four-foot island with eating nook for three and a chocolate-stained maple base that contains a wealth of cabinets for extra storage."
Meanwhile, the remainder of the kitchen's copious collection of cabinets contrasts sharply (in a good way) from the chocolate-stained island.
"Upper cabinets are a beautiful white maple -- the upper cabinets have glass inserts," he added. "The countertops are a sharp-looking (striated) taupe laminate. A corner pantry adds extra storage space; a chocolate brown glass tile backsplash makes the white cabinets pop and ties in nicely with the island."
A jog to the left -- a significant one, at that -- yields space that houses an oversized dinette area (for four), which is placed next to a huge window and patio door.
"It's a well-designed area," said MacDonald. "There's lots of room between the dinette and kitchen, so it doesn't feel boxed in. Not only is there plenty of room for a table for four, but the patio door also gives you access to another great feature -- a covered deck that's ideal for grilling steaks and visiting with guests."
Another buffer area creates welcome separation between the dinette area and family room, while a nine-foot ceiling and loads of glass placed all around the great room makes for a naturally bright great room.
"There are large windows everywhere, so the great room is just flooded with daylight," he said. "The family room is a beautiful space that's defined by a tray ceiling (an optional feature) above and whose focal point is a gas fireplace with striking cultured stone surround with maple entertainment units on either side. The high-end laminate distressed oak flooring, which runs through the whole great room, is warm, and it looks so good, you're hard-pressed to tell it isn't real hardwood flooring."
A one-third, dark-capped stub wall that defines the stairs also defines the front of the family room -- and a hallway that leads into the home's ultra-private bedroom wing, which is actually much more than just a bedroom wing thanks to a sound ergonomic design.
"I think the bedroom wing is an exceptional use of space. Essentially, Sterling's design team took one corner of an open-concept home and dedicated it to being a quiet, private and efficiently-designed area," MacDonald said. "Both secondary bedrooms are large (at 12 feet by 10 feet each), there's a big four-piece bath and laundry/mudroom with access to the 21-foot by 23-foot double garage."
Then, there's the master suite, which is set off in its own little corner of the world.
"It's close to the common area for quick access, yet it's set away from the kids' rooms for privacy," he said. "The bedroom was deliberately mid-sized (at 12.6 feet by 12.6 feet) to leave extra room for the ensuite, which I think was a great move."
And how. Not only is there loads of room to move, but there's loads of natural light that flows in from an obscured glass window set over a nice, deep soaker tub. The spa-like space is finished off in style by a taupe tile floor, five-foot shower and French white vanity; it's even wired for sound so residents can soak in style to the soothing strains of their favourite tunes.
"The master bedroom is what it should be -- a true retreat," said MacDonald.
He added that because The Montara is a bungalow, there's all kinds of living space to develop downstairs.
"Conservatively, there's 1,200 sq. ft. to develop into media and games areas, a bedroom or two and storage. With the basement, you have a home that offers nearly 3,000 sq. ft. of total living space. It can also be built for a little over $400,000 with basic finishes, as well. You get the same great floor plan, just not the high-end finishes. Either way, it's a great home that's loaded with function and style."
lewys@mts.net
