Four weeks later, the condo was ready to move into.  Cara had to wait a little longer for the specially ordered tiles on the backsplash in the kitchen to arrive, but it was otherwise complete, except for the décor.

Feeling somewhat overwhelmed by all the choices ahead, involving the help of an interior decorator was decided upon. Anchoring the Global Noon News Hour, as well as being the roving reporter for Global Calgary Morning News, Cara had met the decorator during one of her interviews. The interior decorator helped turned a blank slate into Cara’s personal statement.

The chocolate brown couch in the living room is Cara’s signature piece and the interior decorator started with that.  “Hire someone who knows,” Cara recommends.  The interior decorator suggested taupe tones for the walls and then advised Cara to paint the ceiling off-white to open up the space.  She “told her where there were deals”, too.  Cara found many things at various stores, from IKEA to Chintz and Company, and was later assisted by a second interior designer.  He brought green elements into her condo Cara would not have otherwise thought of and Cara has embraced the idea.  The throw pillows and one piece of art are all part and parcel of the whole package now.  Another beautiful accent piece is a picture entitled “Innocence”, gracing its own space in the living room where it can watch over whoever sits in the low black chair nearby.  “I found the mirrors and curtains on my own,” Cara proudly mentions, as well as the Asian influenced side table. “This is my place.  I love that it’s got my touch to it.  This is me.”

The wall above the console that holds her television and stereo is bare.  Cara is thinking of using her own creative talents to fill the void.  “I have a friend who is a painter and we’re going to have a ‘paint day’.  Then I will have my own piece of art up on the wall.  I want to bring in more green and I want it to be rectangular and go:  POW!”

Dimmer switches on many of the lights in the condo were put in upon the recommendation of the first interior designer.  “It’s a different place at night.  It sort of looks like a lounge.”  This becomes very apparent when the dimmed mini pot lights shine upon the beautiful kitchen’s granite topped breakfast bar.  Three classically styled black leather bar stools cement the look.  The wispy full length curtains hanging over the sliding glass door to the balcony offers a gentle backdrop to the space.

Instead of the traditional galley styled kitchen often found in condo conversions, Cara’s spacious kitchen (including two lazy susans and nine drawers) is square shaped, allowing more room to work.  The stove’s fan and light are hidden very creatively within a mini sunshine ceiling, stained to match the stunning shaker styled maple cabinetry.  Stainless steel appliances were standard features as were the granite countertops and hardwood floors.

Cara continued the granite into the bright and cheerful bathroom with tiled floor, where it is found on the vanity holding a stainless steel vase. 
Upon the recommendation of the first interior designer, who picked up the colour in some bedding, Cara had her bedroom painted a cranberry colour.  Elegant built-in dark chocolate brown cabinets (three drawers plus three sections for hanging clothes) were stained to match the bedroom suite.  A wicker basket, used to store linens, and a chest of drawers complete the stylish, yet cozy bedroom.

The in-suite laundry facilities, a stackable washer and dryer, are most convenient.  “I can do my laundry whenever I want.”
Cara is an active member of the 19-suite building’s condo board.  She feels “it is a good way to learn” about living in a condo and it “keeps me in the loop”.

Cara moved to Calgary in October 2003, only renting in the Bankview area until she made her decision to purchase her own home.  Cara knew the neighbourhood and wanted to stay in the general area.  “The location is great.  It is close to everything that I like to do,” including going to the boutiques, restaurants, lounges and coffee shops along 17th Avenue SW.  Cara really likes overlooking a park below, but is most excited about seeing downtown from her large patio door and bedroom window.  “It looks great at night. The view is awesome!”

There were two reasons she decided to buy:  the first was as an investment.  “I got in at a pretty good time.”  She has seen property values increase since she moved in.  The second was:  “I wanted something that was mine.” 
If she could change something about her condo, she would like to have more storage space and underground parking.  Being on the top floor of the four storey walk up, at the end of an exhausting day, an elevator would also be a nice feature.  She explains how she would have loved to have had a second bedroom to double as an office and guest room, but “for the moment” having the one bedroom unit “is just fine.” The size and openness of the floor plan “forces me to keep it clean.  I don’t like to see the mess. It was all about location and I was willing to sacrifice size.  But I am happy.  It’s less to clean,” she laughs.

It has been just over a year and Cara is feeling comfortable enough with how her condo has turned out.  “I am thinking of having my first party soon.  It’s about time.  It’s right enough.”  Break out the champagne and bring on the tapas….Cara’s place is ready!   CL