New Design team to prove themselves with Lottery House
SAINT JOHN, October 8th - Design 4 Space inc., a new design company in uptown Saint John, have been contracted by Blair Construction to design the grand prize of the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation's lottery fundraiser, a house in the Highland of Drury Cove. The goal of the project, to raise money towards programs-and-equipment funding at the regional hospital, and towards renovations to the neonatal intensive care and oncology units. This design was no small feat, however this female design team were up for the challenge.
Design 4 Space inc. was open for business in May of this year, and the woman are experiencing tremendous success in Saint John and surrounding areas. They are filling a growing need in our community for client focused interior design working on new and existing spaces. Together have completed a mixture of projects such as Leinster Court Apartment Complex, luxury homes and condos to include full service kitchen and bath design, commercial office spaces, retail spaces and the re-design of Studio 54 just to name a few. The great news for this contemporary design duo seems to be that the projects keep coming, and it seems they have only just begun.
“When we were approached to work on the Hospital Foundation project, we were truly excited not only for the exposure, but for the cause. We want to make sure we are involved in great projects that create growth in our city, and so far that is what we are experiencing!” says Kim McMahon, partner in Design 4 Space Inc.
Heather Kamerman, the other half of this dynamic duo is thrilled so far by the amount of growth that is happening, and the potential for their new company. “We still have not launched our grand opening as we have been so busy with upcoming projects such as the Lottery house, the great thing about Saint John is how quickly you are able to raise the visibility of your business by hitting the pavement and working hard, word of mouth so far has been our friend!”
The new lottery house on Fox Point Drive, is beautiful on it’s own, so the woman of Design 4 Space inc. realized that the designer decorated rooms were the icing on the cake. They focused on answering the question how do you create a room that will appeal to everyone? “Most people are of the opinion that, your house should be YOUR home, renovated and decorated to suit YOUR needs and aesthetics, so how do we meet the desires of this potential winner they we have not yet met?” says Kamerman.
The team’s execution, and their strategy was “It can neither be too feminine nor masculine; it needs to be child-friendly and even elderly-friendly; the colours and fabrication need to be crowd-pleasing, yet not generic. We worked hard to make the home a home, yet as exciting as it was to dress it all up, we were committed to not making it seem perfect and uninhabited like a showroom.” says MacMahon.
Design 4 Space is excited for what’s ahead, they are thrilled to be a part of something that will change someone’s life, and are happy that their company has already embarked on projects that are community minded.
"We have chosen an excellent team who so far have an outstanding track record. They will bring exciting and innovative ideas on how we can make the Lottery House a fantastic grand prize and attraction, so that we can essentially raise more money for this well needed cause in our city.” says Tim Cameron, CEO of the Hospital Foundation.
Designers show their commitment to Saint John
I had a bit of time to kill the other day before an afternoon appointment uptown, so I decided to slip into Urban Deli to warm my bones and to grab a hot coffee. While there, I noticed a couple of familiar faces. The last time I had seen these women was a four years ago when they were scoping out space in my building looking for a place to set up shop. Their plan was to open an interior design business in Saint John. Hmm ... I thought, good luck with that one. As it turned out the space that I had didn't fit with what they had in mind. As we talked I learned that, after they had crossed my location off their list, they eventually settled on a small office in the John Law building.
Design 4 Space inc. had arrived. Armed with two leather pillows, a phone and no clients they looked at one another and said, "We have our own studio."
So here we were a few years later and I just had to ask: "So how's the design business?"
Two big smiles and a synchronized, "Great!" I wouldn't have bet my money on this venture, but when you're wrong, you're wrong.
Heather Kamerman and Kim McMahon made it work because for them it was all about living the dream in Saint John.
Saint John? So do these women know what they are talking about, do they have any balanced perspective on cities?
Kamerman had lived in South Africa, Boston and London and chose Saint John. McMahon had lived in Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary and chose Saint John.
Throughout the conversation McMahon remarked; "I used to want to go back home, but not anymore."
Still curious about Saint John as a choice for a place to start a business, I asked; "So why didn't you choose say Fredericton, Moncton or Halifax, why Saint John?
Kamerman looks at McMahon and they both give me a look as if to say the answer should be obvious; "It's the people, it's the incredible potential of the city core, the incredible heritage and history."
As my head swings from one to the other, I hear; "We want to contribute, to help rebuild, a place that will attract young families, a place where people want to live and raise their families."
I learned that these women also feel very strongly about supporting local businesses; master woodworker Steve Judge for wood carvings; Craftsmanship in Iron for custom metal fabrication; and the list goes on.
Make no mistake, they are two women that are very serious about business, but they are also two women who are committed and are making a difference in the community.
So how committed are they, where does the rubber hit the road? Well, they've bought a historic building in the South End at the corner of Pitt and St. James. That's where you will find both McMahon, Kamerman with their families, living and working. You don't get anymore committed than that.
Bayview library gets a facelift
SAINT JOHN - Brand new big, comfortable and colourful beanbag chairs and a tickle trunk in the form of an armoire filled to capacity with dress-up clothes for every occasion stole the limelight during the unveiling of Bayview School's renovated library.
Amidst hundreds of new books, seating areas and artwork inspiring children to reach for the stars, Bayview students got the first glimpse of their new library, which was made possible through the efforts of Irving Oil Ltd., on Wednesday.
Bayview principal Jill Baxter is thrilled with the result.
"It's just an amazing opportunity for these boys and girls. It promotes literacy in our school and it just means so much," she said, as her students tried on Groucho Marx-style masks, cowboy hats, angel wings, clown garb, sheriff's badges and more.
"The boys and girls have more of a welcoming environment. It's different, it's new, and inspiring," Baxter said.
Bayview School is located on Loch Lomond Road on the city's east side and serves more than 200 children from kindergarten to Grade 5.
A photo of the drab, former library is in marked contrast to the new blue, red and yellow-accented room with its blue polka dot window valances.
Vibrant artwork on the walls encourages students to "never forget you are loved," "always be yourself," and "follow your dreams."
"Hopefully, they will reach out to the boys and girls to be themselves," Baxter said.
"Go for the goals," she said. "That's what those messages mean. It took a lot of time to pick those out."
Next up, new computers will be arriving for the library and the children will get to choose additional art work that will hang from the ceiling.
The biggest improvement for Baxter is proper seating.
"What was in here before was OK but it wasn't something conducive to the size of the children. They can now come in here in a comfortable spot and sit and enjoy a book in a cozy area."
Hundreds of new books, representing thousands of dollars, have also been acquired.
Irving Oil Refinery general manager Mark Sherman says seeing the enthusiasm of the children makes it all worthwhile.
"This is exactly what it's all about," he said.
"We're pleased and privileged to be able to help out. It's a nice environment for them to learn in."
Initially, it was thought that the renovation might be completed for about $3,000.
It went over budget, but Sherman said that's not a problem; in fact, he's not even sure what the final bill was.
"That wasn't really what the important issue was," he said.
"It needed some upgrades.
"We really wanted to make sure that they had what they needed to get the job done here every day."
Irving Oil has been quietly working away enhancing education opportunities for children at Bayview School for more than three years.
In addition to the renovated library, Irving Oil has provided a new playground for students, and SmartBoards - representing an investment of more than $75,000 - and helped them green up the area around the school. Refinery employees also provide fruit to help fuel their bodies so they're better prepared to learn.
Up to 40 refinery employees visit Bayview School regularly to help out.
The company has been doing similar work with Champlain Heights School for a number of years.
