If you have the internet, you've probably seen a lot of buzz surrounding brand - building your brand, brand identity, the importance of brand.  The truth is, brand is important but it's so much more than your logo and company colours.  Your brand is how you're perceived by those who experience it.

A strong brand is reflected through advertising, social media presence, product packaging, your pricing, your products or service, how your staff treat your customers, and your environment.  

At Candace Wolfe Design, we work closely with branding strategists to reinforce your brand into your interior.  When it comes to branding your space, the applications go way beyond colour.  Your brand should be reflected in your environment starting with your space plan - how do you want your customers or clients to perceive you from the time they walk through your door, to the time they leave?  

We recently completed the Garneau Project, a local chiropractic clinic.  Our client wanted the brand experience to reflect the company values.  They believe in movement as a part of every day life.  We wanted that value to translate throughout the space.

The Community Space (shown above) was created for clients to interact, as well as move within the space.  Each seating area encourages conversation.  Exercise equipment is available in this area as well for those who don't want to sit while they wait.

Not sure how to incorporate your brand into your interior?  Feeling a disconnect between what you put out into social media regarding your brand and the space you do your work? 
We love creating brand identity with our clients.  Let us help elevate your brand to the next level.

Edmonton's favourite landmark is getting an upgrade and its igniting heated debates on social media and online.  Patrons are voicing their concerns that the iconic hotel will lose its charm with the new proposed upgrades.  We've been following this story because the Hotel MacDonald and it's historic character, is one of our favourite spots in the city.

We always say that you don't need to make big changes to your space to have a noticeable difference, and this is a great example of that.  When you look at the two images above, you'll see that the upgrade consists of new paint, lighting, flooring and furniture.  Whether you like the changes or not, the difference it makes in this space is HUGE.  

When you think of some of your favourite spaces you frequently go to, you would probably agree that they are infused with character that may be inspired by travel, culture or history.  While that may seem accidental, it's actually well thought out.  It's a sign of good design.  Good design is thoughtfully carried out in every detail within a space.  The Hotel Mac currently embodies a Chateauesque style and every detail embodies that style.

The pushback from the community is that while an upgrade may be necessary, the proposed new design is not keeping with the historical character of the hotel.  The thing to keep in mind is that the proposed design is only a rendering for conceptual purposes.  Renderings are meant to highlight some of the attributes and overall concept.  They're not meant to be an exact depiction of the space.

In business, change is necessary to stay relevant.  As designers, we always start a project asking what needs to change and what the desired outcome is.  Every business is going to vary in terms of their return on investment (ROI), and it's our job to help the business (our client) achieve the desired outcome.

We love that the city is buzzing about this.  We see this as a good thing that people are becoming more informed about architecture and design, and that they're passionate about speaking out about it.  That passion is what is going to change the urban landscape of our city for the better. 

Demo is underway at the Grosvenor Residence.  Since the building was built in the 70's, there were definitely some unknowns going into the project.  For instance, the building is concrete so we knew we would have to get a little creative with some of our solutions as it's not practical or cost effective to relocate services in concrete. 

In the kitchen, we wanted freedom with the design layout so the contractor built a new wall on top of the old, so we could run the plumbing exactly where we needed it.  We lose a little space (4" or so) but we get a blank canvas to run services where we want.

In older buildings, surprises are inevitable.  DIYers can often take shortcuts, and if you're renovating a space that was done by a DIYer, definitely be cautious.
The design called for demolishing the old oak railing in the loft, to be replaced with a glass railing.  When the crew pried the shoe (bottom portion of the railing) off the concrete, they exposed a plumbing pipe hidden underneath.  Unfortunately, that pipe burst from the strike of demolition, and immediately added a 'water feature' to the space!  IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are doing a renovation, make sure you have the proper insurance in place - especially if you are renovating in shared space like a condo.

Luckily the condo was mostly concrete so once the fans were brought in, the space dried out quite quickly and construction could continue.
Some things you can bank on in old buildings, but honestly plumbing running under the stair railing was a surprise to all of us!  There is no reason we would have assumed we would find plumbing in that location!

Surprises happen on site - that's a guarantee.  That's why it's important to have your designer available during construction, so they can work with your contractor to mitigate changes as they occur.

Wanna see more progress on the Grosvenor Residence and more of the before shots?  Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated!

It's not often that clients WANT to incorporate colour into their spaces, so when they do we definitely embrace it!  
Even though the homeowner bought their condo completely renovated, she wanted to put her own touch on her new space.  

When we approached the floor plan, we changed the layout of the basic kitchen to reflect her love of cooking and entertaining.  The homeowner wanted open concept but we were challenged with limited space so the dining room was placed IN the kitchen!

We added design elements such as brick walls and columns to give the condo more character.  A wallpaper mural was added to the guest bath which creates a wow factor that may not otherwise be there.

But the real showstopper is the custom artwork we commissioned for the kitchen backsplash.  The vibrant colours are just what the homeowner wanted and we can't wait to see the final stages of this space come together.

Builder Basic.  A term that makes most people cringe.  It's music to our ears.  We prefer to think of it as 'blank canvas'.  Think about it - you typically have a fairly neutral palette, with non-threatening finishes to work from.  Builders and developers do this for good reason.  The more similar each suite is, the more efficient to build from a cost and time perspective.
We recently had the opportunity to work on a special project for clients of ours in Victoria, BC.  They had purchased a 700 sq.ft. loft space and wanted to add some character as well as wanted their home to tell their story.  They had found personal articles that had been collected over the years by their parents and grandparents, and quickly realized that there was a great story there.

The concept was to have a luxe space that housed all of the family heirlooms and collectibles, without being kitschy.  The homeowners wanted a space that was relaxing, original and a reflection of both them and their family members.

​The husband's grandfather came to Canada with very little but was able to start his own Barber Shop and actually purchase the building in which it was located.  His father lived with his grandparents in the apartment above the barber shop.  While going through boxes of old items, the couple found these photos of the barber shop and wanted a place for them in the loft.

Because the homeowners had so many items from their family tree, we wanted to have ample space for display.  Luckily, we were working with the height of a loft so that was not an issue.  We used almost every exposed wall for built in storage, and to display artwork and family photos.
Design Tip: We painted the TV media wall black to disguise the TV in the room.
The 'wish list' from the homeowners was that they wanted a space to relax and watch TV, ample kitchen dining room space to act as a make-shift office when necessary, and loads of storage to display all of the memories they wanted to see.

​In order to fit a dining room table AND a built in pantry for additional storage, we designed the table to be built off of the island.  With a marble top and a trapezoid base, the table makes a statement as well as serves it's purpose.  Rather than have the typical 3 pendants hanging over the island, we added one large fixture that spans the island and the table.  In smaller spaces like this you need fixtures that have double duty.

​Condos are often an overlooked piece of real estate that you can really customize to be your own, not to mention they're usually in prime locations.  So the next time you hear builder basic, don't cringe.  Think of it as a blank canvas!

Clients are often surprised when we give them timelines for design and construction.  They always assume it's going to take less time than we estimate.  I mean, we know we're good but we're not THAT good.  There is a lot of work that goes into thoughtful design and trust us, it's not something you want to rush.  

We started design for this project in February and completely redesigned all 3000 sq.ft including:

• Exterior design and finishes
• Interior design and finishes
• Custom built-ins
• Custom laundry/mudroom/wetbar design
• Fireplace design (which included 2 additional fireplaces)

The transformation on the Saskatchewan Residence is giving us goosebumps so we're sharing some of the progress as well as the PROCESS of how we got there. 

Unless you're Barbie, a pink house is a little dated.  So obviously we wanted to give this princess mansion a little update. 

The footprint is substantial so we wanted to give this dwelling the luxe look it deserves.  Because we were moving the front door anyway (client request) we opted to give the entire house a bit of a face lift.
Rather than keep with the monochromatic stucco throughout, we layered the materials to give the house more dimension.  In addition to the stucco, we added stone, lux architectural panels, and glass.  

​Stay tuned for updates on the interior!

As we approach the end of summer, a lot of soon-to-be empty nesters are considering their options. It used to be that once the kids left the house, you stayed in that same house for many years after. But things have changed. Freedom brings a change in lifestyle for many empty-nesters and it's not a lifestyle of slowing down.
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After spending over 30 years in the same house, our Oliver Residence clients - who are busy baby boomers - found themselves wanting a home that reflected their lifestyle, which meant foregoing yard work and house maintenance. With a love of renovating, these homeowners 'downsized' to a 2200 sq.ft. apartment condo adorned with an 80's design style. 

These two actually acquired more space than they had previously but they now had everything conveniently located on one level.  Having renovated their own home over the years, these two knew what they wanted but just needed a little help bringing it all together. After creating an open concept floor plan, we worked with them to pull inspiration from their amazing art collection, creating an Art Deco design style that could be carried throughout their new high rise.  

With the condo market currently catering to the buyer, this is a great time to take advantage of some of the amazing properties with character in our downtown core. There are many benefits to buying central such as:

1. Walkability - so many of the properties have everything you need ALL within walking distance.
2. Mature neighbourhoods - enjoy the beauty of nature while not having to do any of the maintenance yourself. #winning
3. Minimized commute. You've worked hard and you value your time, and you know your time should not be spent in a car.

​So before you dismiss the idea of ever living in a condo, think about what you value and the lifestyle you want, and choose your next property based on that.

THE SOCIAL SPACE
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Join our community for a behind-the-scenes look into our world where we're sharing design advice, real life client projects and  renovation costs.

It’s the age-old debate for any construction project - cost versus value. The fact is, when it comes to value engineering, one of the first things to go are the creative design elements. 
But is that necessary to achieve a healthy bottom line? Do creativity and innovation need to be compromised to stay on budget?
After completing the interior design for an Edmonton-based affordable housing project, CWDesign knows first-hand about things to consider to maintain creativity in a project while staying on budget.
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Do you have the right people in place who have an innovative mindset? Innovation shouldn't add cost to a project – being innovative is a different way of approaching a challenge to find a solution. People with an innovation mindset are the ones you want on your team if you don’t want to compromise creativity for revenue. Integrating these people early on will help you develop savings throughout the project with their innovative thinking.

WHO is on your team is just as important as the mindset they hold. A successful project should include all stakeholders, including your procurement team, as well as a collection of professionals with different skill sets to attribute to the project. A lot of forward thinking companies are hiring more than one firm to work on their project to expand on that innovation. They recognize the value that different expertise and experience bring to the table.

Creativity shouldn't come at a price. Even with a tight budget, and restricted material choices, you can still achieve a great aesthetic. These projects sometimes challenge a designer’s creativity more than others by forcing them to push their thinking outside of the box.  Colour, shape, and texture can drastically change an environment without breaking the bank, and coming up with creative ways to do that while staying on budget can be the most rewarding part for a designer.

THE SOCIAL SPACE
We see space differently.
Join our community for a behind-the-scenes look into our world where we're sharing design advice, real life client projects and  renovation costs.

Everyone has heard of value based design.  Value based design is getting the best bang for your buck.  Where is your money best spent?  What is the cost vs the value?  We always have that conversation with clients but another conversation we always have is one around their personal VALUES. The rules, habits and behaviours we follow in our daily lives have an impact on the things we use.  Part of our process is to really get to know our clients and discover how to design for their lifestyle and most importantly  - their values.
We're sharing a few tips on things to consider when designing around your values:

We love lists.  You should too.  Make a list of your values and determine your top 5.  Not sure what you value?  This list can help you get started.  A lot of financial advisors will advise you to invest in what you value when choosing stocks for your portfolio.  This is sort of the same idea.

​Do you like to read a book in the tub?  Are you an avid gardener?  Do you love to cook?  Think about where you like to spend your time and invest your heard earned money there.  A free standing tub may look beautiful in an ensuite but if you don't like to relax in a bath at the end of the day - why bother adding that to your budget?  Build a larger shower with a few bells and whistles that you can enjoy every morning!

​So often we meet clients who got an idea from a friend of theirs who saw something on TV.  If that idea relates to  your values - great!  Let's implement it into the design!  But if not, why would we spend your money on it?  Friends and family are great for referrals but just because someone did something in their home, doesn't mean it works for you.  In floor heating in a bathroom may be a dream to one person but a nightmare for someone else going through menopause!

​We ALWAYS consider resale when designing a renovation or new build.  Even if you think you may live there forever, at some point the house will have to be sold.  This doesn't mean we compromise on customizing a design for you, it just means that we always have resale in the back of our minds when we're designing a floor plan or making finish selections.  For example, having consistent finishes throughout a home is more resale friendly than having every single room in the house assigned a different aesthetic.

THE SOCIAL SPACE
We see space differently.
Join our community for a behind-the-scenes look into our world where we're sharing design advice, real life client projects and  renovation costs.

It's one of those necessary evils that we hate to deal with but we NEED it for our home renovations - INSURANCE.  Let's get real here - insurance is boring.   When planning a renovation, I'm sure you would rather look at countertop samples than read through insurance policies.  But the truth is, if you don't have the right insurance in place - your renovation can cost a lot more than you're expecting!

A lot of people avoid the insurance conversation because:
a) the information can be overwhelming and;
b) the policies themselves can be hard to understand.

Not every situation is the same and both me (and your insurance broker) understand that.  So I'm breaking it down for you, making it easier to understand the basics so you have the proper insurance in place BEFORE you start that renovation!

​Note: You should always consult with your insurance broker about the best policy for your needs.  The tips listed below are to act as a guide to conversations you should be having with your insurance broker, and are not to replace the advice of a professional.  

1. Your insurance broker or agent needs to be advised if there are any structural changes/additions or any type of changes that would affect the value of the home.  This includes upgrading flooring from carpet to hardwood, but isn't necessary for things like changing the paint colour.   Adding a bathroom, finishing the basement, and other big changes should be advised to your broker PRIOR to beginning construction.  If the policy requires an amendment to allow permission for renovations in order to cover the materials should something happen before the project is complete, and you don't advise your broker - you aren't covered.

2. Depending on the size of your renovation – you may need a course of construction policy in place until construction is complete.  Course of construction policies are different than a regular homeowners policy.

3. Failing to advise the insurance company of major changes to the home would be considered a material change in risk and could potentially leave you with insufficient coverage or, in some cases, no coverage at all.

4. If you're not going to live in the home during the renovation, the insurance company needs to be advised and they will determine if they will allow a vacancy permit on the policy to continue coverage.  In this case, when a home is vacant, the coverage is usually limited to specified perils, with things such as vandalism and water damage being excluded.  This is because the risk of a claim and the size of the claim is expected to be larger due to the fact that no one is at the property on a regular basis.  Failure to advise the insurance company that the home is vacant would leave the homeowner with no coverage in the event of a claim.  (Vacant means the home is not occupied for 30 days or more)

5. When purchasing an older home: Insurance companies usually require updates to the heating system, electrical panel (min. 100 amps), roof, and plumbing (including hot water tank).  If you're buying an older home without these updates and planning on renovating, some insurance companies will allow them to be insured prior to being updated, but will usually require proof of updates within a particular time frame or the policy will be cancelled.  Meaning if you buy, you have to renovate right away.  Most insurance companies will not insure a home that is being purchased to renovate prior to moving in (meaning it will be vacant when policy starts), unless that homeowner has existing property insurance with the same company.
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6. A lot of first time homebuyers end up in this tough spot where they are currently renting and not carrying tenants insurance. Then they purchase an older home with the intention of renovating for a few months prior to moving in to it, and find out most companies won’t insure them when they try to apply for insurance.  They usually end up having to get insurance through a high-risk market with limited coverage and higher premiums.  Make sure you have insurance - even if you're renting!

1. If you are doing renovations to your condo, insurance is your responsibility - not the responsibility of the condo corporation.  The condo corporation's policy typically only covers the building to the specifics of when the dwelling was first constructed. This means if you bought a condo that was built in 1990 and originally had linoleum and carpet when it was new, under the condo corporation’s policy that’s what you will get if the condo burns down (even if you put in $30,000 to upgrade to slate and hardwood).  You need to add these upgrades to your personal policy.

2. All condo corporation bylaws are different – so it is very important to read the insurance section to determine what exactly the condo unit owner is required to insure to make sure that you would be fully covered in the event of a loss.   Any changes to your condo could affect your coverage, so even if you’re unsure, you’re better off just advising your broker and they can let you know if any changes are required on your policy.
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3. Same as homeowners, vacant condos are not permitted unless the insurance company allows it, so if renovations are being done to a condo and no one is living there at that time, the insurance company needs to know and amend the policy or there will be no coverage.

This is where things can get a little tricky.  Most insurance companies would require a commercial insurance policy for this situation as the property is more of a business asset than personal property UNLESS you are living in the flip while renovating.

Things to consider if you’re buying an older home to renovate and flip:
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1. When were the last updates done to the home for roof, furnace, hot water tank, electrical?
2. Does the home have a past history of a certain type of loss (ie: sewer back up) and if yes, have preventative measures been put in place (ie: sump pump)?
3. Find out from your broker if you are required to move in to the home right away, or if you can complete renovations first.
4. Find out from your broker if your coverage will be limited depending on the types (size) of renovations you plan on doing.
5. Get a quote from your broker on the cost of insurance on the home and inquire about ways to reduce premium.  For example, if you're going to be finishing the basement or doing renovations to the basement, this would be a good time to get a mainline backwater valve installed to prevent sewer back up.  Homes with this device usually get a discount on premium if it has been professionally installed and it will lessen the likelihood of a sewer back up loss that could increase their premiums in the future.

​So there you have it!  There is so much to consider with insurance that we can't possibly cover it all in one post. But this list should definitely get you started to having the right conversations with your insurance broker for your next renovation.

THE SOCIAL SPACE
We see space differently.
Join our community for a behind-the-scenes look into our world where we're sharing design advice, real life client projects and  renovation costs.