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people We’re always looking for ways to improve our homes. Increased comfort and function are key elements we all crave. The season of renewal is upon us and these local home improvement experts are ready to help inspire your next update.
Garage Enhancements Ltd.
S P E C I A LT Y: Flooring, cabinets and organizers H I S T O R Y: Established in Puslinch in 2007, Garage Enhancements continues
to grow its services for the Guelph and South Western Ontario area. The company is also a proud supporter of the Ontario SPCA and donates one dollar for every invoice created to the promotion of animal welfare. W H AT ’ S H O T: Stylish coloured concrete floors with an anti-slip surface. Also, vinyl storage slats offer endless opportunities when applied to the walls of a garage, keeping those awkward items like shovels, rakes and bikes from taking up much-needed real estate on your garage floor. K E Y I N G R E D I E N T: Organization. Know what you want from your garage and work with a professional to create a functional space. Plan to store items frequently used in accessible places and tuck seasonal sports equipment away until the weather calls for it. C U R R E N T P R O J E C T: A ho-hum, weathered garage has been transformed into an extension of the home with levelled floors, new cabinets, vacuum and light systems as well as vinyl siding walls to create extra storage. It has gone from a dark, musty space to an organized storage heaven. A D V I C E : Renewing. There is no need to completely overhaul your garage by tearing it apart and starting over. “Resurfacing is an economical alternative to a costly replacement,” says owner Lawrence Clark, who does the same for swimming pool walkways, sidewalks and patios.
Station Earth
S P E C I A LT Y: A full range of home automation from a satellite installation to a full automation system. H I S T O R Y: Station Earth began in 1986 and transformed into a full home automation service in 1993. The company’s services include
installing home audio, theatre and video, lighting systems, heating and hot tub controls and music throughout your entire home. “We will go anywhere the client is – both home and cottage,” says Rod Dykstra, project manager. W H AT ’ S H O T: Green energy is a hot topic, and home automation is upping the ante. Being able to control the lighting and temperature of your home, using timers or occupancy sensors, saves energy and the environment. Also gaining popularity is being able to control your home remotely. You can now log in to your home while at the office or on vacation and control your heat, alarm system, lighting, music, anything. K E Y I N G R E D I E N T: Customer service. “We will go take the garbage to the curb if you want us to,” says Dykstra. “It’s all about customer service.” C U R R E N T P R O J E C T: A local home with almost all of the available features in home automation. The customer can now activate lights, music, security systems and heat with the touch of a button. The project also includes a full home theatre system with theatre seats and a fibre-optic ceiling that spreads a starry night over the movie-watching experience. A D V I C E : Always try and plan for the final result rather than taking one step at a time. Technology is always changing and it’s a matter of allowing for these changes for the future of your home comfort and enjoyment.
Pioneer Craftsmen Ltd.
S P E C I A LT Y: Award-winning design-build residential renovations H I S T O R Y: Pioneer Craftsmen has been in business since 1953 and has remained family-owned since its inception. W H AT ’ S H O T: Increased functionality of all spaces with more capacity for entertaining family and friends. Home owners are leaning
toward opening up spaces like kitchens and living rooms and creating dens that can act as a home office and a quiet place to escape. K E Y I N G R E D I E N T: Planning. “The upfront planning time is key to a successful renovation project,” says Marie Adam, one of the owners at Pioneer Craftsmen. Choose an experienced renovator who will take the time to guide you through this process. C U R R E N T P R O J E C T: Pioneer Craftsmen has been nominated for the 2009 Canadian Home Builders Association National SAM Award, home renovation category. Inspiring the nomination is a stunning backyard conservatory made of natural clear cedar. The beautiful window arrangement, cathedral ceiling, skylights and fireplace combine to create a space where the homeowners can enjoy their spectacular backyard without the bugs and despite the weather. A D V I C E : Make sure the renovator you choose has the right credentials: a member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB), has the RenoMark seal of approval, the experience and the team to complete your renovation professionally, on time and on budget. OH
The Bar Store
Residential bars The Bar Store was started in 2004 by a family with 35 years of experience building the perfect bar to rest your elbows on. W H AT ’ S H O T: People are investing their money into creating home entertainment and bar areas as an alternative to going out. Modern, cleaner lines are in. The trend is moving toward dark maple bars with stainless steel accents for a more modern, contemporary look as opposed to the old English pub style of oak and brass. Customers are also choosing luxury, customized features such as keg fridges with taps, wine racks and wine fridges and custom bar units. K E Y I N G R E D I E N T: The Bar Store has made creating a customized, quality-made hardwood bar for your home a breeze with pre-designed options they cleverly refer to as BYOB (build your own bar) on their website. Here, the customer can choose the layout, stain and accessories to their dream entertainment bar. C U R R E N T P R O J E C T: The team is currently working on a bar based on the Hard Rock Café. This project features display cases for guitars, a wet bar with a sink and dishwasher as well as full-sized fridges and a hidden microwave so that the space can double as a second kitchen. A D V I C E : Get in early. Include a professional in your planning stages. This way you won’t run into unforeseen electrical and plumbing problems. Also, really examine the space. Think about how you’ll be using your bar most. How does it need to function? S P E C I A LT Y:
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