CondoNewBuild | Page 28

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR CUSTOM HOME WITH AN OUTDOOR LIGHTING PLAN. When it comes to custom homes, it is important to have a well thought out exterior lighting plan. You should enlist the help of an experienced electrician who can work with your landscaper to make sure your lighting plan is perfectly suited to your individual needs and lifestyle. When building a new home, you can save yourself stressful changes later on by having a plan in place for all your exterior lighting needs. In today’s housing market, a well planned landscape is pure gold; offering improved curb appeal and setting your home apart. Water features are a popular choice for new homes but it is important to keep maintenance in mind when designing a pond or water feature for your home! Creating a low-maintenance pond and landscaping design ensures you will be able to enjoy the features without a lot of extra work. It also protects your future home value as high-maintenance features can make a home harder to sell. A well designed pond will be easy to clean and user friendly, reducing the work and costs needed to maintain it down the line. Plan your landscaping around plants that can last from season to season and focus on greenery and rockscape to keep maintenance to a minimum. A shallow pond with gurgling rocks and not water plants is a great choice if you want a streamlined, modern look with very low maintenance! If you are going for a more lively pond with fish, take the time to invest in a design that accommodates the needs of the fish and offers the right filtration to ensure longevity and low maintenance. - Jordan Ninkovich and Robert Anderson, Fraser Valley Ponds/Cambie Water Gardens, www.fvponds.com Bring the beauty of nature indoors with these nature-inspired tiles! FLORAL PATTERNS add a beautiful touch to any space. We love this modern take on a traditional floral pattern. HONEYCOMB patterns have been popular in recent years. This tile option pays homage to the original creator of the pattern with a decorative 3D tile that can be used to add a fun statement to a backsplash! COLORS OF THE SEA Mosaics in a mix of green, blue and gray create an ocean- inspired look that is perfect for a spa bathroom. - Fifth + Fir, www.fifthandfir.com 28 Safety and security are both important concerns to consider when planning your exterior lighting. Motion lighting for security, or pathway lighting to allow you to see where you are walking at night are examples of safety and security lighting. Of course, outdoor lighting can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. For example, driveway, entrance, pool, cabana and pathway lighting can be designed for added safety while also illuminating architectural details. Accent lighting can also be used for purely decorative purposes, highlighting masonry and other exterior features of your home or garden. - Hotwire Electric, www.hotwire-electric.com