For durability reasons, it is a good idea to detail a resilient flooring at your front door. One elegant solution is to create a tile inlay because it visually allows the hardwood to flow through to the entry while simultaneously providing the durability of a floor mat.


An inlay simply means that the tile surface is set into the hardwood as opposed to having tile laid wall to wall. There are three critical details to take into account if you are considering a tile inlay in your home: the first is to “picture frame” the hardwood around the tile inlay, the second is to reinforce the joint between the hardwood and the tile using a metal edge and not rely on the strength of the tile grout and the third is to extend the tile all the way to the sill of the front door so to avoid any chance of direct foot to floor contact with the hardwood at the threshold.


Today’s Slides:

In today’s episode, we are reviewing the floor plans of our recently completed Housebrand house that will be featured throughout the month of February for our “on location” segments.


This three storey, 3,000 square foot home features a sunken courtyard on the lower level and a main floor terrace off the living and dining rooms taking advantage of expansive views to the west.


The plans are organized around a central service block that runs up all three floors. The service block houses the laundry and mechanical on the lower level, the kitchen pantry and guest bathroom on the main floor, and the master en-suite on the upper floor. The stairwell is unusual in that it forms an “L” shape around the outside of the service block. The living spaces on the main floor are organized around the kitchen which is located in the center of the plan and on the lower floor, a family entertainment space and guest bedroom suite face towards the west facing sunken courtyard.


Today’s Slides:

We are very excited to announce that for the month of February, Slow Home will be on location in one of our most recently completed Housebrand homes. The house, designed and built by John and Matthew, is a 3,000 square foot infill house in one of Calgary’s established inner city neighborhoods.


This house is located on a standard 50 by 125 foot lot with a rear detached double garage and has been designed to optimize its front facing west orientation. The main floor has a raised exterior terrace that faces towards the mountain views to the west. The lower level, about a half a storey below grade, has an exterior sunken courtyard to take advantage of the west afternoon light. The east facing rear yard has a large deck off the main floor family room as well as a garden.


Over the course of the month, John and Matthew will be taking you on a tour of the interior and exterior of the home looking at the overall design concept as well as zooming in on some of the most interesting technical and construction details.


Today’s Slides: