To see all the pictures of the Renovation visit the Renovation of the Month for May 2007.

The new subfloor is installed over old foundations. All of the electrical, plumbing and heating have been stripped out, and all of the old plaster and rotten materials have been removed.The foundations have been waterproofed, the new first floor walls have been erected, and new weeping tiles are being installed.

The new front stairway, complete with railings, has been installed. And, a brand new entry in porcelain tile and a new wood trim, paint and pot lighting have been completed.

The rear elevation exterior of the home has been stuccoed, and vinyl double-glazed thermopane windows have been installed throughout. Flower-box window niches were added for future planting boxes. The drainage was changed to flow away from the house — resulting in a beautifully dry basement.

In this picture, you see the tiny 30-year-old kitchen complete with arborite counter tops, and old strip oak flooring with no backsplash. The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house. Obviously, this kitchen required a major upgrade.

As you can see, the entire kitchen has been remodeled. This new maple kitchen features granite countertops, undermount sinks , a tumbled marble backsplash, energy-saving stainless steel appliances and porcelain tile floors — allowing for easy maintenance and durability.

This newly remodeled kitchen also has a built-in spice rack and a pullout lazy Susan. The granite countertops overhang the peninsula cabinets to create a cozy eating area. The main kitchen sink is a double sink with a pull-out faucet.

In the front end of the kitchen is a family-sized eating area with a walk out to the deck for easy BBQ access. This kitchen is not only a dream to cook and eat in, but it’s also a perfect place to spend quality family time.

This is the newly renovated basement washroom. The floor is comprised of porcelain tile with wood paneling under the chair rails. To warm things up a bit, we added a leaded glass mirrored medicine cabinet.

Notice the surface mounted sink installed over a marble vanity top. See how the frameless glass tub and shower enclosure installed on the deck-mounted bathtub add elegance to this washroom? The porcelain floor tiles also make for a maintenance-free durable floor surface. The wall-mounted faucets are installed in a mirrored/marble wall facade over a maple contoured vanity.

The master washroom is complete with every elegant requirement. The limestone tile and floors compliment the limestone mosaics and ceiling moldings. The seamless glass shower is mounted on the whirlpool tub deck marble. The marble counter is complete with under-mount sinks over a maple vanity consisting of nickel faucets, handles and towel bars. The rainshower head with body spray jets make you never want to leave this shower! A heated floor, pot lighting, sconces and a skylight also help to make this washroom a total dream.The powder room on the first floor is perfectly set up for guests and visitors. The copper sink, faucets and sconces are attached to the marble slab podium that is fixed to the front wall. The floor and sink counter are also fashioned in marble slab. The other perimeter walls are painted with a faux finish to accent the marble.

About The Builder
The principals of Barabco Design/Build have been in the Custom Home and Renovation Market for over 38 years. We are a full service company that can take any project from design, through Zoning and Permits to decorating and fruition. We have project managed, custom built and/or renovated homes of all sizes and shapes from 900 square feet in the Beaches to 38,000 square feet on the Bridle Path, Rosedale, and Forest Hill Village.

We strive to deliver our projects in a timely fashion, with strict attention to detail and budgets. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is trained to fit in well with families and are always missed when they move on to the next project.

For more information visit http://www.barabco.com/

You have probably heard of a thousand different techniques for stain removal - everyone has been taught something different by their mothers, but certain elements will always help when you find yourself with a stain on your rug. The following is a brief and simple tutorial that should cover the majority of common household stains. Using carbonated water in place of normal water in our experience has more beneficial effects and will not harm the material.

1) Act immediately.
2) Scrape off any solids or lumps with a table knife or spoon.
3) Do not rub or scrub the stain - this may permanently distort the carpet fibres.
4) Soak up the stain with clean white towels or paper towels by pressing on stain. Keep repeating with a fresh towel surface until there are no more stain transfers to towel.
5) For all water soluble stains such as coffee, wine, soft drinks and food stuffs, use Turco-Persian’s Carpet Stain Remover, or mix 1 tsp of laundry detergent with 8 oz of warm water. Dab solution onto stain and repeat above absorption with towelling. Repeat procedure as long as stain is coming out. Be careful not to oversoak rug.
6) When no more stain is coming onto the towel, get a fresh bath towel, fold it 3-4 times in half and place on stained area. Place a telephone book on top of towel. Leave for 24-36 hours.
7) If any trace of stain remains, wipe gently with a mild solution of white vinegar. (i.e. 1 oz vinegar to 6 oz cold water).

FOR URINE

1) Soak up immediately.
2) Dab on straight solution of white vinegar if stain is still wet to neutralize fresh urine.
3) Repeat folded towel procedure as above.

FOR GUM, GREASE, SHOE POLISH, OILY TYPE STAINS

1) Spot clean with odourless mineral spirits (readily available at hardware stores).
2) Put on towel & wipe the spot.
3) Do not soak rug.

Courtesy of Turco Persian Rug Company Ltd - Unbeatable for over a 100 years.

Ceramic tile requires minimal floor care compared to most other flooring types, but there are a few things you need to do to maintain the beauty of the ceramic tile floor.

Wash Regularly
Wash the floor regularly to remove any dirt or grit. Use a mild, diluted household detergent solution. Regular cleaning will help in the prevention of stains and abrasions. After washing with a mild detergent you should thoroughly rinse the floor with clean, warm water every time.

Vacuum Regularly
Sweep, or vacuum your glazed tile regularly. This will help remove larger particles of dirt that could scratch and damage your tiles.

Wipe Spills Immediately
Liquids spills may be wiped up with an all-purpose household cleaner. This will also help the grout joints from becoming discolored from possible stains.

Avoid Ammonia-based Cleaners
Ammonia-based cleaners may discolor some types of colored grout.

Never Wax a Tile
The glazed ceramic finish should never be waxed.

Grout Sealers
Grout joints should be treated with a silicone grout sealer twice a year to help preserve the grout color and to prevent discoloration from spills.

Chris Paulsen
cpaulsen@homerenovationguide.com

Selling your home is an involved process that affects your family and your future. Before you begin this process, you’ll want to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.

When should you sell? How do you get the best price? What kinds of renovations should be made prior to the sale? We’ve prepared this Home Selling Guide to assist you in answering the many questions that arise during the home selling process. When you’re armed with the right information, and an experienced real estate agent, you’ll be closer to reaching your goal - selling your home fast, and for the best price.

Thinking of Selling?
This section gives you some insight into the many factors that affect a selling decision, including economics, interest rates and supply and demand. You’ll also find information on determining the best price, selling a home yourself and avoiding common seller errors.

Getting Ready
Choosing the right real estate agent, understanding market conditions and having all your documents in place will ensure the selling process runs smoothly.

Marketing Your Home
This section provides you with some valuable information on getting your home ready for showing, making repairs before you sell, and ensuring the showing of your home goes smoothly.

Screening Offers
This section walks you through the offer process, understanding the specific items on an offer to purchase, along with knowing what to look for when you hire a lawyer. In addition, there are five key reasons why a home is not selling in a good market.

Closing
While your home has sold, here is a review of the items that need to be completed, including adjustments, net proceeds, closing costs and possession date.

**Article provided by Justin Havre & Mike Hannah , C.I.R. Realtors
Providing the latest Calgary real estate listings including Aspen Woods, Chaparral, Cougar Ridge
Cranston, Tuscany, West Hills, West Springs, McKenzie Towne, New Brighton & Springbank
Tel: (403) 294-1500 Fax: (403) 266-0941

Chris Paulsen
cpaulsen@homerenovationguide.com