Team Power Smart

Summer 2013

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Jillian Harris from the heart Current design trend you can't get enough of? I'm addicted to gallery walls – I love doing a collection of art. designer, with just the bare essentials of furniture, two pieces of art on the living room walls and an antique deer's head mounted in the bedroom. There are, however, plenty of windows that provide natural light and offer views stretching from the North Shore mountains to Burnaby. "It's so simple because the view really speaks for itself." Her Kelowna residence, on the other hand, is 25 years old and as conservatively traditional as her Vancouver condo is strikingly modern. "When I describe it to my friends, I tell them, 'Look for the very grown-up-looking house,'" says Harris. "It's got lots of wainscoting and wall-panelling; high, coffered ceilings; an old-school fireplace; and lots of whites and creams and antiques. It has lots of character, it's beautiful – it's my dream home. "I just fell in love with it and didn't really think about the energy consumption," she admits. "When I got my first electricity bill I was very disappointed that the bill was so high considering how much I had learned from working with Power Smart on the campaign for the last two years – my own home was so incredibly inefficient." Harris is determined to cut her energy use as she looks to take part in an energy-saving challenge. She is also interested in getting a professional energy-audit done on the house to get recommendations on how to improve its efficiency. She's now in the throes of planning a major renovation for this fall, including all new energy-efficient appliances and light fixtures – she has even ordered solar panels for the roof. Despite her own ambitious home reno plans, Harris is quick to point out that "green design" doesn't have to be stark or overly modern. She points to historic houses and character homes on Love It or List It Vancouver Photo: Gabriel Hall, Working Title Graphic Design & Photography p08-11 JillianFeat Smr2013_rev.indd 11 where she was able to make simple changes like sealing the gaps and cracks to prevent heat loss, upgrading insulation and taking advantage of south-facing windows with coverings that keep the heat out in summer and in during the winter – all of which they managed to do in keeping with Harris's unique brand of style. "The great thing is, environmentallyfriendly design isn't new anymore; so many products out there right now are energy efficient." A design trend you can't wait to be over? Spaces that are too modern and lacking in personality; I think it's almost over, though, and I love that eclectic is in. Five words that describe your design style? Fresh. Airy. White. Texture. Vintage. Style icon? Kelly Wearstler and Sarah Richardson – if you combined them, that would be my style. Design rule to live by? Design based on your personality and the things that make your heart tick, as opposed to what's in style. –Jillian Harris "The great thing is, environmentally-friendly design isn't new anymore; so many products out there right now are energy efficient," says Harris. "Back in the day, your options were basically cork or bamboo, and that's just not the way it is today – now it's just about making conscious decisions and being passionate about it." In fact, one of Harris's favourite green design tips doesn't involve buying anything new at all. "I always like to go vintage, reclaiming and repurposing as much as I can," she says. "Whether it's looking in your own basement, your mom's basement, or going to your local antique store, you're keeping something out of the landfill and keeping another item from being mass produced." Harris lists old books, cutlery, teacups, linens and chests among her favourite items to collect, particularly European 17th- and 18th-century antiques. "But really, it doesn't matter how old it is – I just love something that has a story and shows its age. Those things just add so much character to a home." ■ Favourite antique/thrift store find? An antique glass buoy wrapped in rope that I found in Maui. I put it on a side table in my living room right below a framed piece of vintage coral, so it has a sort of nautical look. It takes up the whole table and it's totally impractical, but it's absolutely beautiful. Favourite B.C. destination for a weekend getaway? Either home to Kelowna, or else Tofino. Dream job? My job now is my dream job, but if I were to pick something entirely new, I'd like to be a chef. Signature dish? Right now, it's a spaghetti bolognese, but my boyfriend Justin makes an amazing kale Caesar salad that we've been practically living off of. Favourite energy-saving tip? Throw a dry towel in the dryer with your wet laundry – it can decrease the time your laundry dries by up to half! team power smart  summer 2013  11 13-06-07 3:16 PM

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