Inspiring interiors are totally on point(e)

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Picture yourself dancing on a rooftop garden, having high tea in a luxury condo or perhaps you would like to transport yourself to Palm Springs — but without the cost of an airline ticket.

Well, you can have a version of that as the latest edition of the Ballet Edmonton Home Tour springs to life this weekend on Sept. 21 and 22. For 2024, the tour is unveiling five Edmonton properties — some condos, some single-family homes — that are designed to motivate, excite and transport you into home environments unlike others you’ve seen.

The tour, which has been inspiring Edmontonians for many years, is also a key Ballet Edmonton fundraiser, said Sheri Somerville, Ballet Edmonton’s executive director.

“All Canadian arts organization are still recovering from the devastating financial impact of the global pandemic,” said Somerville. “Patrons buying tickets to our event are part of how we keep professional, contemporary ballet alive in our dynamic city.”

Of the five homes, Postmedia previewed one to give readers a taste of what to expect. North Star, as this home is called, located in Ritchie, is a stunning infill on a corner lot. A finalist for Best Infill 2,000 to 4,000 square feet in the 2024 Canadian Home Builders’ Association Edmonton Region Awards of Excellence in Housing, this home does double duty: it serves as the home for Matt Kaprowy and his family but is also the show home for his company, Infill North, which specializes in building infill homes and renovations.

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At 2,300 sq. ft. — 2,700 sq. ft. should you opt to include the second floor patio and the three-season main floor alfresco space — the home is modern, bright, spacious and inviting. While blacks and whites are predominant, wood accents and plenty of greenery (there’s a nook with open shelving that’s home to numerous plants) add warmth and depth.

Arches and curves soften the open concept main floor, which in addition to the kitchen, dining and great rooms, includes an entertainment zone with what Kaprowy calls his record store (so guests can easily select records to play) and an open-to-above space that makes the house feel more expansive. With three bedrooms upstairs, the upper level combines reasonable space but in a bit of a compact footprint.

Back on the main floor, a small butler’s pantry includes two custom built cabinets that are actually good sized, and probably the most attractive dog crates you’ll ever see. There’s also a home office and a wood-burning fireplace. Even though the house doubles as a show home, though by invitation only aside from the time it is on the home tour, it also reflects the style of Kaprowy and his wife.

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“We’re creative people ourselves, we grew up with the arts,” said Kaprowy, adding that putting the house on the tour is a great fit since it already does double duty as a show home. “And it’s great to help to raise funds for such a worthy cause.”

In addition to North Star, these are the other homes on the tour:

▪ High Tea — a very large downtown condo, coming in at 5,000 sq. ft., and situated on a high floor in a newer building;

▪ Palm Springs Edmonton — a Laurier Heights bungalow with a mid-century modern vibe that is straight out of Palm Springs. Even the landscaping screams Palm Springs. Somerville calls this a “jewel box” home that she said is modest yet very special.

▪ Rooftop Garden — another downtown condo, this one also with a bit of a mid-century modern feel, and, of course, a rooftop garden.

▪ Walls of Art — the third condo; this one a loft in a heritage building. It has been reimagined for urban living.

“This is our primary fundraiser and we really appreciate the loyal, annual Ballet Edmonton patrons and how respectful they are when touring private homes,” said Somerville. “We feel fortunate to be able to host such a fun and joyous event.”

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Ballet Edmonton’s new season starts Oct. 18 as it welcomes a new artistic director, Kirsten Wicklund.

“She is an exciting voice in dance and has planned a season that includes Canadian and international creators,” said Somerville. “Our dancers are thrilled to welcome her and we know she will build upon the amazing work of our beloved former artistic director, Wen Wei Wang.”

BALLET EDMONTON HOME TOUR 2024

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 21 and Sunday, Sept. 22.

TOUR HOURS: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

TICKETS: $45. Each ticket allows you to view each home once over either day. Purchase tickets at balletedmonton.ca/be-home-tour

HOW TO TAKE THE SELF-GUIDED TOUR: Your ticket comes with a digital map of the locations of the five sites. When visiting the homes no purses, pets, food or bare feet are allowed. Visitors are given a bag to carry their shoes in.

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