This Bathroom Magic customer wanted all the latest materials and colors for their new bathroom. They removed the old tub and shower walls and said "no to more tile & grout ever!"

Sometimes, a dream home is not the one that lasts forever – it is the home that allows homeowners to change with their needs, wants and even the rest of the neighborhood. Such was the case with this Calgary home, built in 1960 as a 1,300-square-foot bungalow …

Have you taken a good look at your patio and finally realized that you are really not putting this space to good use? Your deck or patio should essentially be an extension of your home, and with the right outdoor décor, it can be. Here at Outdoor Art Pros, we have all the right pieces that will make this space as inviting, comfortable and memorable as the rest of your home.

How much thought do you put into your windows? Though they act to enlarge, lighten and even decorate a space, windows are an area that can be overlooked when considering a renovation. A total window rehabilitation is a clever means to improve the overall aesthetics of a house, and gain energy efficiency in the process as seen here in the two Albertan family homes that received an overhaul by Pella.

Though overall renovation budgets may still be on the wane, master ensuites seem to be one place where compromise and economy are secondary to luxe finishes. Hotel inspiration is common, with features such as TVs integrated in mirrors , door-less showers, and ultra high-end finishes being coveted.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), a non-profit trade association that has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry for more than 45 years, conducts an annual member survey to identify the latest trends in bathroom and kitchen design. Based on 350 responses throughout Canada and the United States, here are five (5) bathroom trends for 2012. Note that four (4) of the trends also cross over to Kitchen Design.

Kitchen Magic was asked to create a functional kitchen for this wheelchair bound homeowner who lived alone and had struggled with inaccessible space for many years and was greatly limited when working in the kitchen.

Problem: An outdated 1980’s family room with an awkward rounded fireplace with ineffective storage using up an entire wall in the room, has two entrances which divide the room in half.

A 50’s sensibility is modernized with a clean-lined contemporary look – making a young couple’s dream kitchen wishes come true.

A bright new contemporary kitchen with walk-in pantry and skylight – what more could one ask for? How about an additional third bedroom and an addition to the main floor that creates a new master bedroom with an expanded ensuite? This stunning renovation inspires awe and envy.

This southeast Calgary home was in serious need of an update. New materials, added storage and luxury finishes beautify the outdated kitchen and living room.

This standard bi-Level 80’s house had great bones and was in a location with wonderful views. It just needed a complete update to be the perfect retirement home.

This stunning renovation was a 2008 SAM Award Finalist in the “Best Home Renovation – Without Addition” category. More impressive were the challenges the project faced – a limited, aggressive and tight 7 week schedule – including the move-out, full condo renovation, procurement of all furnishings, accessories and appliances, and the subsequent move-in and the final staging; all the while adhering to stringent Condo Bylaws with respect to noise and time of work.

Two wide entrances and a railing that was limiting traffic flow became awkward and unbalanced for our client who spent very little time in this cozy family room. To make matters worse, storage was non-existent, the furniture was bulky and the room felt like it was closing in on them. An oversized open corner mantle on the heavy oak fire place looked out of place and off scale. Our clients wanted a space that they could come home from work, relax, and spend more time with family and entertain friends.