Q: What is your background, and why did you go into home building as a profession?

A: As a fifth generation builder, I’ve inherited a love for design and construction. I’m especially excited by the fact that in this business, every day is different from the last. There’s never a lack of challenges, and these challenges demand the expertise of an accomplished builder with many different skill sets. In fact, I would say that people and communication skills are the most important part of that set. On any given day, I may be on a job site reviewing details with sub-trades, discussing a quote with a supplier, meeting with the city planning department, working with a client to meet their design needs, or giving a prospective buyer a personal tour of a show home.

There are so many aspects to building that keep my creative juices flowing. There’s something new to contemplate every hour. It’s an exciting business.

Q: Tell us about Vineyard Developments and your projects over the last few years?

A: We [Craig Mohr and father, Richard Mohr] incorporated Vineyard Developments Ltd. in 2002 to develop and market a 35-unit townhouse development known as Mission Breeze. These executive townhomes are located off Lequime Road in Kelowna, BC’s prestigious lower Mission area.

Once this award-winning development was finished, we worked on a 38-unit townhome development in Invermere, BC. I took the creative lead in every aspect of this project, from site layout, floor plans and exterior elevations to creating compelling promotional materials and a marketing campaign.

Then we [Vineyard] became a participating partner and designed a new four-story condominium project in Penticton known as East 163. Then, of course, there was the 2012 Grand Tommie award for the Sheerwater Home (insert link to the Okanagan Home article when it’s up). Now, we’re working on a 74-unit townhome complex as well as a couple multi-million dollar homes.

Q: In your mind, what are the top reasons for clients to choose you as their builder?

A: I’m very eager to please my clients, and I have an endless supply of fresh new ideas. I keep my company small, so I can offer custom, hands-on service, creative flexibility and attention to detail. That’s what really separates me from my bulky and less client-oriented competitors. I have a youthful, modern vision, coupled with strong construction experience, to complement my design ability.

Q: You say you are eager to please – when have you gone above and beyond for a client?

A: I do that with every client, so it’s difficult to pick one example. Vineyard’s design arm, Creative Source Energy, recently spent an entire year designing a lakefront home to meet the very specific and challenging demands of a client. The result was a home that looks incredible from the outside, yet has an extremely functional interior living space. Projects like this are a testament to the original work we do at Vineyard – we never work by templates.

A great deal of effort goes into creating synergy between a unique-looking exterior and a functional, comfortable interior. The foundation and structure of this particular home was very complicated. It demanded close attention to the lot, evaluation changes and specific engineering methods to ensure structural integrity, while remaining cost-effective.

This project validates and reaffirms our goals at Vineyard – to exceed our clients’ expectations. We believe the best approach is to under-promise and over-deliver.

Q: What top three things should people should do when building a new home?

A: First is functionality. You can have the nicest looking house on the block, but if it’s not functional, you’re not going to enjoy it, and it’s not going to be marketable.

Second is value. Pick the right location; have a strong design; and build it in the right price range. This way, you know your home will always hold its value.

Finally, there is reputation. Do your homework on any builders you are considering. Get references and don’t be afraid to ask questions. When you get your answers, make sure they make sense and meet your expectations.

Q: Describe your building process?

A: I call my process the 3Cs: Connect – Create – Construct. First, I connect with my clients and gather all the information I need to make sure I exceed expectations. Then, I create a design that perfectly suits their needs and expectations. Finally, I price and construct the project with the utmost integrity, keeping an eye on even the smallest details.

Q: How do you ensure the homes you build meet the customer’s unique needs?

A: Questions, questions and more questions. I never assume I understand a customer’s needs. I always ask a ton of questions first, until I get a crystal clear picture of their vision. How well you listen directly affects how well you meet their needs and by extension, how much they will enjoy the finished product.

Article from BEST HOME Magazine.

Perched on a mountain slope overlooking British Columbia Lakefront views, this distinctive and picturesque retreat seems to imbibe the whimsy of nature, echoing its forms with a skilled playfulness that captures glances as often and as steadily as the waves molding the shores below.

“It was very important to capture as much of the lake, mountain, and skyline views as possible when designing the home for both style and function,” asserts Craig Mohr of Vineyard Developments. Vineyard is known for exceeding client expectations in creating a synergy between a uniquely beautiful exterior and its functional, comfortable interior. A curved design was utilized to help the home blend into the natural setting, as well as allow viewers different perspectives from each room. The proximity to the lake suggested a nautical theme, which was achieved by the inclusion of four sail shapes designed into the roof, each providing a vaulted ceiling to the master bedroom, great room, dining room, and den. “The home is located below the main subdivision road so the rooflines would be a major focal point and therefore it was integral that they be unique and interesting,” adds Mohr. Large overhangs also keep the house cool and create shaded outdoor living areas with high rake windows for maximum viewscapes.

For over a decade, Craig has been beautifying Kelowna’s viewscape with his distinctive blend of vision and style. As both a design/build company, Vineyard captures the essence of their client’s dream and translates it into reality, using the latest building products and their best applications to achieve results that speak for themselves. “The foundation and structure of this home were very complicated, so several engineering methods were evaluated to ensure structural integrity was maintained while remaining as cost-effective as possible,” affirms Mohr. As the site was located on a mountain slope, large quantities of rock had to be excavated and substantial retaining walls erected, creating a walkout with elevator access to accommodate guest bedrooms, a recreation room, a gym, and media center. Resolute in his strategy of ‘connect-create-construct,’ Craig’s aim to satisfy client needs with an eye on every detail was carried through to fruition.

Thankful for his client’s trust, that allowed him the creative freedom to develop what he felt was appropriate for their family, home site, and the surrounding area, Craig adds, “They wanted a funky, contemporary concept with great views that would fulfill family needs. It was an exciting project from start to finish, one that was three years in the making.” Featuring 6600 square feet of concrete, steel, and wood, this ultra-custom home required countless hours of planning to achieve an original concept that demanded design vigilance and strategic review.

“I count myself very fortunate to have had this opportunity and freedom to design and build a world-class home for such a deserving family. It was a true labour of love for everyone involved”, recounts Craig, whose artistic background allowed him to derive from the creative side of this venture much personal joy and satisfaction. In retrospect, the project testifies to Craig’s business credo: “The best approach is to under-promise and over-deliver.”

Sheila Chutskoff – Owner of Oranj Fitness

It is my pleasure to write a letter of reference for Craig Mohr of Vineyard Developments. Craig designed and built both of my fitness studio and I cannot begin to describe the professionalism and quality that Craig brings to his work. Craig is upfront with both finances and timelines, he communicates very well and can bring any vision to reality.

The quality of Craig’s work is impeccable and his attention to detail is second to none. Not only was Craig part of the design and construction of my Kelowna studio, he also assisted in my Fort McMurray studio. In Fort McMurray we encountered many unique construction challenges that Craig had to contend with. Craig dealt with these challenges in a timely manner and enabled the studio to be a one of a kind facility.

I would highly recommend choosing Craig for any design and building project. I look forward to working with Craig in the future.

The Okanagan Home Magazine – Spring 2013
Written by Darcy Nybo | Photography by Colin Jewall Photography

The home was designed to look great from the road, 100 feet above. The curve of the driveway and the lines of the home match the curve of the road above and the lake below.

Craig Mohr and Vineyard Developments are well known for their multi-family townhome developments and single-family homes. They recently tackled a project at Sheerwater in Kelowna, BC with a specific task in mind: to ensure all the main rooms of the home had a view of Lake Okanagan.

“I had just finished designing a show home that was really unique,” says Mohr from his Kelowna office. “My business partner took that plan with him on a business trip. His client saw them and was interested in buying those plans; however, I wasn’t ready to sell them.”

The client informed Mohr they had a lot picked out in the Sheerwater development and wanted to build there. He asked Mohr if he could create new plans for that specific lot. “I told them I could design something way cooler within their budget,” laughs Mohr. “I worked on a preliminary design which they liked, and then started working with them on a new design for their property. I took six months to complete the design and another six months to go through the price and permit process. A year after we met, we started construction.”

The build was difficult, as it was located on the side of the mountain. “I worked on site work for six to seven months before we could even pour concrete footings,” says Mohr. “It was very environmentally sensitive so a lot of thought had to go into managing drainage when it rained. We developed a rain harvesting system for irrigation and a large trenching system where the water would filter into three different trenches and then trickle down to the lake. There was a lot of thought and effort involved to make sure we handled the water correctly, that there was no erosion on the mountain, and that water entering the lake would be purified.”

The home itself is a considered a rancher with a walk-out basement; however it goes above and beyond that general description.  The home has four sails, each one covering a major area of the home: the master bedroom, the great room, the kitchen/dining room, and the flex room. The ceilings are 20 feet at their highest point.  As unique as that is, it gets even better. Mohr also designed the house to be round, in order to capture a different view of Lake Okanagan from every room in the house. The sails themselves are rounded at the back, as are all the windows in the home. You can look north to Vernon from the master bedroom and south to Kelowna from the flex room at the other end of the house. Everything in between is pure lake view.

Building a rounded home has its difficulties. “Nothing in this house is straight,” says Mohr. “It’s all angles. I spent months reviewing material and looking at different ways of approaching dealing with a round house. Most of the material was sourced locally from companies out of Kelowna.”

Another difference in this home is that it is 100 feet lower than the subdivision road. Mohr had to make sure the home looked good from above.

“We covered the sails with a raised ridge metal and the flat roof sections have 2-foot by 2-foot paver stones. We needed something that could be taken off easily in case the roof needed repair or replacing.”

The pool at the front of the home follows the natural contours of the house and has a built-in infinite edge spa. Under the trellis area is a cabana with a change area and outdoor shower as well as a sit up bar and a summer kitchen. There’s also a barbeque area with custom stainless steel cabinetry and exterior stone and granite countertops. “We wrapped the decks around the entire lake side of the home,” says Mohr. “The outdoor living space is massive. There are so many different areas to sit and enjoy the views.”

Even the front gate incorporates the home design. If you placed the two columns at either side of the gate together, it would be the same shape and angle of the sails on the home.

Then there is the inside of the home.  The front entrance has a lot of long sweeping lines. Even the chandelier is suspended in a spiral pattern. From the entrance there is a staircase which takes you to the lower level where you will find three guest bedrooms, each with their own ensuite, a pool table, a wet bar and a gym.  “We also built a circular man cave underground (under the driveway) that has a theatre room with a custom built-in couch,” says Mohr. “There’s even a secret entrance built into a curved wall.”

Upstairs, the master bedroom is a sight to behold. Step into the room and you’ll see a feature wall chosen by Jen Szewczyk from Fresh Interior Design and Consulting, that gives added privacy to the sleeping area. Glass sliding barn doors open onto two steps, which lead down into the master ensuite. Again, the same style of feature wall is used to give added privacy to the room. The ensuite has a river rock feature that starts on the floor and then crawls up the walls of the shower. “These are all individually hand-laid stones,” says Mohr. “It took about 10 days complete. The rest of the floor is ceramic tile. As you can see the bathtub is a triangle shape with rounded edges, to match the rounded walls of the home.”

Then there is the kitchen area. The doors for all the cabinetry are made with the same rift cut cherry as the garage and front door. The glass tile mosaic wall behind the gas range is also on a curve, as are the walls for the cabinets.

The centerpiece of the living room is a Montego ribbon flame gas fireplace; approximately 12 feet in length. The fireplace wall has ceramic tile and the hearth incorporates the rift cut cherry wood.

The collaboration of homeowner and designer created this truly stunning home. “In the housing industry, it usually takes a year and then you are on to the next project,” says Mohr. “This one took three years. They gave me a huge amount of artistic freedom and I was able to design what I felt was best for them and for the neighbourhood. As a fifth generation builder, I’m proud of this home. It gives us credibility for larger projects.”

We can’t wait to see what Mohr and Vineyard Developments come up with next.

>View the article with all the magazine images online at the Okanagan Home magazine

By Ross Freak
Special to The Okanagan Saturday
February 2, 2013

Craig Mohr’s journey to building excellence and a grand Tommie started on a drilling rig in Northern Alberta. The fifth generation builder won Home of the Year – one of the four Grand Tommies — and another gold for excellence in a single family detached home over $3 million at the Canadian Home Builders Association gala January 26th.

“My dad offered me his business when I finished high school and even though it took me a few years to figure things out and come back to this industry, I now feel very lucky to be doing something I’m so passionate about. From concept, design and materials – to construction and completion, Vineyard Developments is an extremely satisfying business for me.”

Instead, Mohr studied business, and fine arts and got his first job in Kelowna at Western Star’s marketing department. “I had a dream of putting on a suit and tie, going to the office, which I found I really didn’t like. The pay was good and I’d probably still be there, but fortunately, they closed the plant and I had to head in another direction.”

That direction eventually took him to the drilling rig. “It was 30 below, so I phoned my dad to see if he would help me start a construction business in Kelowna.” His father, who had moved here, had just been offered a piece of property in the Mission on which they would build Mission Breeze, a 35-unit townhouse development.

“My dad said, ‘you’re going to be responsible for it all. You will learn everything that’s involved.’ I dealt with all aspects of that particular project, including selling the units. It hit the market just perfectly because it shot off like a rocket, and I had the means to branch out on my own. I put on water wings and it was sink or swim.”

Mohr needed those water wings when the economy sank shortly after. He was building million-dollar homes, but living in a 28-foot camper. “It’s tough living in a camper during the winter, but I had my hot tub set up.”

While times were tough, he didn’t sell himself out or short. “I’m always creating something unique. I’m more concerned with standing back and asking myself: am I happy with the end product? Does this get my juices going?”

The house that won him the Grand Tommie got his juices going, and he submersed himself in it for three years. “It was the first thing I thought about getting up and the last thing at night.”

While skill and dedication delivered the Tommie, luck got him the job. He had drafted a house plan, which his business partner was looking at on the plane to Edmonton, when someone looked over his shoulder, and was captivated.

“He called me a few days later and said he wanted to buy the plan. When he said he wanted to build in Sheerwater that piqued my interest and when he told me his budget, I said. ‘I can design something way cooler.’”

Mohr spent a year designing the house and another six months working on the site before the footings went in. “It was challenging lot, but the clients gave me a huge amount of freedom.” He had a gut feeling the dream house would pay off in another dream – gold Tommies. He even wrote two speeches, but could only give the one for the Grand Tommie.

“In the first, I wanted to thank my parents because my mom and dad went out on a huge limb for me.”

He’s starting another large project, a 74-unit townhouse complex, and has a few multi-million-dollar homes on the go that might get him back at the Tommie podium.

“I want to make sure I’m meeting my clients’ expectations, to go above and beyond to create something unique. “I want to get up in morning and enjoy what I’m doing. If I can find a nice balance by not working too hard and having free time, that would be success for me.”

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.

What are three things on your bucket list?
Learn to fly.
Purchas an eight seat passenger jet.
Travel the world.

If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
Barnacle Bill – When I was young my father named our small aluminum fishing boat Barnacle bill. I always thought that sounded funny. I love my Dad

If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
The day of my death. I would want to know how I felt about the life I just lived. I think that would be incredibly insightful.

What are you passionate about?
New Home Design, I am grateful for the gift of creativity. There is nothing better than standing back and appreciating something that flowed through you into form and shape.

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
I have no best day. There have been great days. There have been challenging days. Such is life

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
SheerWater. My custom design and build project that won the Grand Tommie award For Home of the Year. That was exciting for my company.

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna? What do you like about it?
Natures Fare. It’s always fresh, nourishing and I love all the staff.

What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna? Why?
Golfing. I love being outside, it’s extremely challenging and I can clear my mind.

What is the name of your business/organization?
Vineyard Developments Ltd.

What does your business/organization do?
Vineyard Developments is an award-winning custom builder and designer in Kelowna and the surrounding areas. Our staff have been designing modern yet timeless residences and building high-quality homes for over 12 years. We operate on a simple, timeless policy by putting ourselves in the clients’ shoes. Our clients get the same level of service we would expect under the same circumstances. And as experienced builders, we have high expectations.

We specialize in:
Interior & exterior design
Custom residential construction
Luxury estate construction
Commercial design and construction
Multi-family design, project management and construction
Renovations over $500,000

Where can people find you or your business online?
www.vineyarddevelopments.com

How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
Linkedin.com/company/Vineyard-developments
Where can people find your business on Facebook?
Vineyard Developments

What is your Twitter account?
@Vineyardluxury

What is your mission?
To design and construct the home or work space you have always envisioned for your family or business, while meeting your budget and timeframe. We draw on the same well of creative design, project management expertise, suppliers and construction know-how for each and every project; – big or small.

If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
Finding work life balance.

Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
I like to keep the door wide open for anything that might come my way. That’s one of the things I like most about this business; you never know what the future will bring. There is just so much opportunity; it’s a very exciting business to be in.

Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
For new home design and custom construction I’m the very best in the business. I don’t think there is any one that cares more about making something look as good as humanly possible as I do.

What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Small company.
We are a small company dedicated to exemplary design concepts and construction techniques. As our client, you have our undivided attention and the detail-oriented eye that comes with taking pride in everything we produce.

Start-to-finish service.
At Vineyard Developments, we have the full-circle design knowledge and construction expertise to take your project from the first meeting to move-in day. Designer, project manager, builder and sales person – we are all of these things. Our clients benefit by having a consistent point of contact and a common thread of understanding through each phase of the project.

Added value from imagination, creativity, vision and inspiration.
Our expertise helps us give you functional housing and interior detailing suggestions to maximize your budget and space through each phase of your project. This value-added Engineering is built into every project we do. We love to share both our creative and practical solutions with clients, especially when it helps optimize their budgets. We pride ourselves on inspired, original exteriors and functional, irresistibly livable interiors.

What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
I can be extremely particular about how I want things to look and my perfectionist ways can be challenging for the people I work with. I am always grateful for the extra effort my team puts into every project we work on. Thanks for doing your best. Thanks for making my designs into something great.

How does your business/organization impact the community?
We create a huge amount work and employment for people in and around the Kelowna area. We always do our best to build beautiful structures that are lasting and timeless. We try to treat everyone fairly and do our best to respect the environment around us.

If I could change one thing about Kelowna, it would be:
More fun funky places to dance and enjoy live entertainment.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The pure natural beauty that’s everywhere. In the summer there is no better place on earth.

My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Kaitlynn Fleury from Fluidity deep tissue massage

Some general comments I would like to share are:
Thank you for recognizing my company and for inviting me to share a little about myself and what we do . I am grateful.

Vineyard Developments is an award-winning custom builder and designer in Kelowna and the surrounding areas. Our staff have been designing modern yet timeless residences and building high-quality homes for over 10 years – from $100,000 to $5,000,000 custom builds. In 2012, we were proud to earn two gold Tommie Awards for design and construction excellence for Sheerwater Sails.

Each Vineyard project starts with a client’s vision, and we use our construction and design expertise to bring that vision to life. We work on projects of all shapes, sizes and styles. And we always aim to make the most of Kelowna’s stunning views. Our surroundings inspire our developments.

We pride ourselves on our reputation of high-quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and a dedicated focus on our clients. At Vineyard, staff excel at creating beautiful and original exteriors and functional, comfortable interiors. We look forward to the new and exciting challenges that come with making every project exceptional, from the first meeting to move-in day. The ultimate goal is to exceed your expectations and leave you feeling like your new project is precisely what you envisioned and more. As experienced designers, developers and builders, we will complete your project within your budget and time frame.

Our reputation – Our promise
Building a home is a big undertaking. At Vineyard, we encourage you to ask questions, and we believe that full transparency is the best policy. We operate on a 100% open-book basis. Every bid, invoice and receipt is available for our clients to review at any time.

We are proud of every single one of our projects. But most of all, we are motivated by happy clients. Please feel free to contact us for client references if you would like to hear first-hand experiences about working with the Vineyard team.

After the record breaking summer we’ve been having in Kelowna, I’ve been thinking a lot about passive cooling. Passive cooling systems use on-site energy, natural resources, and architectural design in order to cool a building through non-mechanical means.

In other words, passive cooling is separate from your regular heating and air conditioning unit. It cools the house without extra electricity use. Some systems, called hybrid cooling systems do use motors, fans and pumps to help the natural cooling along.

One of the reasons I am fascinated with passive cooling from a design aspect is because every house has a different ideal passive cooling program based not only on its location, but also the sun exposure, the wind, even the soil on the lot.

Passive cooling can be divided into two main techniques: preventative and modulation. Preventative, as the name implies, focuses on keeping the house from heating up to begin with, while modulation techniques attempt to dissipate heat that’s already accumulated.

Here in Kelowna, despite the recent heat, keeping warm in the winter is more of a concern than keeping cool in the summer, but that doesn’t mean that passive cooling can’t still be relevant in designing your new home. In fact, some passive cooling techniques, like bulk insulation and high performance windows can do double duty, keeping the house warm in the summer and cool in the winter.

Simple ventilation is the most obvious form of passive cooling. Any home builder can tell you that a well-ventilated house, in winter or summer, is a wonderful thing. Ventilation uses the wind, or the natural buoyancy of hot air to the advantage of the house by moving hot air out and drawing cool air in.

Evaporative cooling, using the process of water evaporation to cool the air in a simple, low power machine that can lower a building’s temperature by nearly 10°C., while radiant cooling uses water or another fluid to absorb heat during the day and dissipate it at night. Radiant cooling systems frequently make use of rooftop ponds the function of which can be reversed in the winter, absorbing heat and drawing it into the building below.

The least practical process, in modern terms, but one of the more interesting in design terms is earth coupling, or using the relative cool of the earth to insulate the building from excess heat or cold. A good example of the simplest earth coupling structures are the dugout shelters that used to cover the Canadian prairies in the 1800s. Being mostly underground, dugout houses were warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Most people wouldn’t want an entirely underground house these days, but there is also indirect earth coupling, which uses underground tunnels to channel air through the earth, where it cools, before being directed back into the house.

These are just some of the ways to build a passively cooled house. Building materials contribute to cooling and heating, as does the basic layout. If you’re interested in passive cooling, give us a call at 250.878.9411 or email me at craigmohr@vineyarddevelopments.com, and we can talk airflow.

I love my home. If you’re reading this, you probably love your home too. But chances are, you have a list of things you’d like to change. Most home owners don’t even have to stop and think. The kitchen island is too small, the bathroom counter too low, the sink is on the wrong side of the laundry room, and the closets in the master bedroom can’t fit my winter coats.

You’re not alone. According to the BC Stats, there’s been a more than 15% increase in year to date spending on residential building permits between 2013 and 2014 in the Thompson/Okanagan region of BC. That means that more Kelownans have decided to make 2014 their remodel summer

Don’t you deserve the best possible version of your house? Doesn’t your house deserve to be a showpiece? It’s not difficult to transform the experience of your home without losing any of its natural charm. Below are five popular remodels in our area and why people get them.

1. Kitchen
Nationwide, the kitchen remodel is consistently the most popular. The kitchen is one of the rooms we spend the most time in, and it’s a room we need to be able to navigate easily. A remodel can bring modernity and ease of use to this, the most useful room in your home.

2. Bathroom
The bathroom remodel is the second most popular construction. A lot of older builders made this room for functionality, sometimes at the cost of form and luxury. With the right changes, a bathroom can become the lush, tranquil retreat it should be.

3. Closets
A lot of Canadians get their closets remodeled when they make other changes. Frequently the space in question is next to or adjacent to a closet, and home owners take advantage of this in order to expand their closet space.

4. Room Addition
Adding a bathroom, bedroom, or even a sun room is another popular remodel choice. As families grow, and life changes happen, a remodel can add room for a baby, create a home office, even an indoor pool or game room.

5. Master Suite
Like the bathroom remodel, the master suite remodel is about luxury and comfort. At the end of the day, you want your space to reflect your style, to be a place where you can leave the rest of the world behind. With a master suite remodel, you’ll get exactly what you want. Add a balcony, or an en suite bathroom. Cut bigger windows for better views, or add a sunroof above the bed.

The majority of the work I do is building a new house from scratch, but I also remodel homes for clients who already like where they live, but want the luxury and comfort of a custom built home. Call me at 250.878.9411, let’s talk about how you could be living.

I love using reclaimed and local resources in my builds and remodels. A look at my portfolio shows my commitment to creating a unique space for my clients, and reclaimed wood is good stuff.

Most timber farms cultivate fast-growing trees that don’t support the ecosystem they’re grown in. By using reclaimed wood, you can lessen or even eliminate your reliance on farmed wood. You’re also keeping useful resources out of a landfill by making an environmentally conscious choice, and you’re giving your home a new story all at the same time.

Due to the fact that reclaimed wood was likely harvested from old growth trees, while new wood comes from tree farms that grow and harvest on a quick turn-around, reclaimed wood tends to be stronger, and look better than newly farmed wood. This is because the tree it came from was allowed to develop for several decades, maybe even centuries longer than modern, farmed wood.

While the most obvious reclaimed wood projects are done in a rustic style, that’s not a hard and fast rule. With different milling techniques, different types of wood and different finishes, reclaimed wood can fit any style. It can be milled for conformity of size, or to emphasize its variations. It can be stained, pained, or left as natural as possible. It all depends on your taste.

Some people might worry about the reliability of older wood, but reputable dealers will guarantee their product. After finding a source, usually an old structure that’s being demolished, they cut the wood they use from a larger block, plane it, and then kiln dry it to prevent warping. Kiln drying can take up to a year sometimes.

It’s important to note that reclaimed, kiln dried wood is very different from salvaged wood. The terms “reclaimed” and “salvaged” are sometimes used interchangeably, but they shouldn’t be. Reclaimed wood has been planned and treated, while salvaged wood has usually undergone no change. Depending on your project, one might be superior to the other, but for inside home features, reclaimed is the way to go. Salvaged may still have metal in it, along with lead or other substances that are no longer considered safe for indoor use. Of course, it’s not difficult to buy salvaged wood and have it planed and treated ourselves. There are several companies in Canada that can turn salvaged wood into reclaimed wood for us.

Reclaimed wood is just one of the ways I work you to make your home a showpiece. I take inspiration from the site, from your life, and I make your home as unique as you are, with the best materials and inspired design.

Give Vineyard Developments custom home builders in Kelowna a call at 250.878.9411, or email me at craigmohr@vineyarddevelopments.com. We can talk about your dream home.