Parade of Homes

DISTINCTIVE STYLE IN RIDGEWOOD WEST When Carol and Grant Danielson were choosing a look for the exterior of their custom-built home in RidgeWood West, they had one overriding objective. "I'm a traditionalist in most ways so I wanted a look that was timeless," Carol says. "If you look at a lot of homes, the patterns repeat, the styles repeat. I didn't want that. Everything that we chose we wanted to love it forever." After much deliberation, the Danielsons went with a fusion of new and traditional elements that included Teton Shadow Rock, a manufactured stone with a distinctive texture that complements both contemporary and rustic architectural designs. "In the first year and a half we had so many people ring our doorbell or leave us notes asking if they could take pictures and where we got it from," Carol says. "We were quite tickled about that." Three years later, the Danielsons' home on Peregrine Point hasn't lost any of its curb appeal, and they're still happy with one of the easiest decisions they made in the home-building process — choosing a location. RidgeWood West, located in Charleswood, is close to their former home in St. James and is convenient for many of the clients Carol works with in her home-based massage therapy practice. RidgeWood West is also an ideal fit with their aesthetic values. The architectural guidelines for the community were designed to achieve a consistent standard of craftsmanship while encouraging innovative use of materials and styles. Carol says the entire build experience was "phenomenal," thanks in large part to the relationship she and Grant enjoyed with their builder, Maric Homes. "We interviewed builders for over a year before we made our decision. It was not a quick, impulsive decision," she says. Maric Homes has built several homes in RidgeWood West. Peri Maric, vice president of architectural design, says they've tried to strike a balance that is rooted in visually familiar elements but also new and progressive components, especially in terms of exterior looks. The current Maric show home at 116 Creemans Crescent is a perfect example of that balance. It features James Hardie cement panels placed vertically and tied together with narrow wooden strips called battens. "The house is meant to be a very modern take on what a Manitoba cottage would look like. Because of the nearby forest and the west facing, you get some beautiful sunsets. We thought this house would fit in perfectly with that but offered a modern enough contrast that we were able to make a statement with it." Broadview Homes has also built several homes in RidgeWood West. Its current show home at 125 Kestrel Way features a board-and-batten look with vertical panels in the front and acrylic stucco on the sides and rear. Vice president of Broadview Homes, Dave Wooden says these materials are increasingly popular choices because they offer a wide range of colours and increased durability compared to other types of stucco or traditional vinyl siding. "Vinyl used to be more affordable but the price of these alternatives has come down a little bit and it really makes the house stand out," he says. "Adding coloured PVC window trims are another in-demand feature that can really make your house pop." Qualico Communities' design administrator Alaina Saper says encouraging builders to use different materials, colours and exterior designs sets each home apart in RidgeWood West. "There's still a level of cohesion in terms of quality and design, but it's not a cookie-cutter approach," says Saper. "The guidelines allow people to choose things that express their own individuality and aesthetics while maintaining that overall, comprehensive designed look." QUALICO COMMUNITIES — RIDGEWOOD WEST "In the first year and a half we had so many people ring our doorbell or leave us notes asking if they could take pictures and where we got it from." Q 116 CREEMANS CRESCENT 125 KESTREL WAY 8 Parade of Homes Spring 2020

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