Summer is upon us, and there is no better time to soak up living in a community where nature is on your doorstep.
While every season at SLR offers something special in the way of activities, by the time June rolls around, we are ready to take advantage of the warm sun, cold lake, and long, beautiful days.
If you’re looking to live in a community where you and your family can enjoy the outdoors close to home, look no further! Here, we share 9 of our favourite summer activities at SLR and the surrounding area.
Canoeing and Paddle Boarding on Spring Lake
Our residents LOVE getting out on the water and taking in the tranquil scenery in a canoe or paddle board. It’s an amazing way to start or end the day! There are no motorized boats on Spring Lake, so the experience allows for quiet reflection, a chance to listen to and watch the abundant bird life, and simply spend time reflecting, either solo or with family members. Kids have so much fun seeing their community from the vantage point of the lake, and learning how to launch, paddle, and steer.
2. Fishing for Rainbow Trout
Did you know that Spring Lake is stocked with rainbow trout? It doesn’t get more peaceful than passing time with a fishing rod and the calm waters of spring lake.
3. Relaxing on the Deck (and Enjoying the View)
Whether your home feature views of Spring Lake, Loon Lake, the Meadow or the Ravine, time spent on the deck offers a chance to unwind and appreciate your little piece of paradise. In the summer, you can watch the setting sun on a warm evening and hear nothing but the call of the loons and an orchestra of frogs.
The best way to follow up a deck session? Your backyard campfire. S’mores and stories around the fire don’t have to be reserved for camping trips. Our residents enjoy this pastime on their very own properties.
4. Growing a Garden
With a 1/2 acre property, your yard offers plenty of room for growing veggies, flowers, or a mix of both. Seeing the blooming gardens throughout the community each year is so inspiring, with a wonderful variety of colours and scents. And kids are natural gardeners — they love choosing seeds, planting them, and then seeing their project come to life! It’s a bit of magic that the whole family can enjoy together.
5. Picnics at the Beach
The Village of Spring Lake features a lovely private beach that is ideal for afternoon picnics and a swim. (Seasonal passes — June to October — for the beach can be purchased by Spring Lake residents.) Launch your canoe, play with your kids at the playground, or simply spread a blanket out and enjoy the sand and sun.
6. Exploring Lake and Ravine Trails
SLR is so lush in the summertime! Our native tree and plant species feature every shade of green you can imagine. Taking a walk along our Ravine or Lake trail is a daily pleasure for many of our residents, some of whom are also avid bird watchers. We are proud to provide nesting boxes for native birds throughout the community, and love spotting everything from goldfinches to owls to blue herons.
Stony Plain’s market runs April to end of December every Saturday, 9-1. With 70 + vendors, it offers a range of fresh food products and artisanal crafts. We always find treasures here, and the atmosphere is fun and friendly.
Carvel Station Market runs Thursday evenings, 5-8. With a “Make/Bake/Grow’ theme, the 25+ vendors feature everything from handmade cutting boards to fresh loaves of bread to ripe tomatoes. A rotating range of food trucks and bouncy castle for the kids make this market an awesome Thursday night tradition.
8. Chickakoo Lake Recreation Area
Hikers, cyclists and horseback riders visit Chickakoo to explore the beauty along its 14 kms of trails. The lake is stocked with trout and the area is also home to a wide variety of bird species. Just a 15 minute drive from SLR, Chickakoo is a gorgeous spot to spend a summer afternoon.
9. Golf at Cougar Creek Golf Resort (+ 3 other Nearby Courses!)
Championship-length golf course Cougar Creek is located just 15 minutes east of SLR, giving our golf-loving residents an excellent opportunity to play their favourite sport on a pro course close to home. A short drive north of Stony Plain in the Glory Hills is executive par 3 course Duffy’s Challenge. And both Stony Plain and Spruce Grove feature local golf courses: the 18-hole Stony Plain Golf Course and The Links at Spruce Grove.
We invite you to visit Spring Lake Ranch this summer to see the community in all its green + sunny glory. Book your visit (which includes a Lot tour!) with Sarah Corker at scorker@springlakeranch.ca.
And be sure to follow us on facebook here and instagram @springlakeranch for updates!
Living at Spring Lake Ranch makes it’s easier to have this perspective, as the serenity and beauty of our surroundings makes for an actual winter wonderland.
We LOVE having nature on our doorstep, and winter provides an opportunity to do so many fun outdoor activities right here in the community.
Here are some ways to embrace the season…
SLEDDING
The contoured landscape of SLR offers hilly spots to launch a sled and glide on down. No matter how many times your kids have bundled up and headed out for a day of sledding, the glee on their faces as the sled picks up speed and they soar across the snow is priceless. For the brave Mom and Dad’s out there, you can also join in the fun!
Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing
Snowshoeing at Spring Lake Ranch
The stillness and calm found in the nature surrounding Spring Lake Ranch in winter is incredibly peaceful. By strapping on snowshoes or skis and spending a quiet hour among the trees, you will feel rejuvenated. Bonus: it’s a great way to get some cardio exercise too! The lush green of summer is replaced with branches cloaked in snow, and the sunlight casts beautiful patterns across the ravine. As you can see, even our furry residents enjoy these winter adventures!
ICE FISHING
For those who love to fish, being in Alberta means you do it through a thick pane of ice for many months of the year. Bundled up in warm layers, hot cocoa in one hand, a fishing rod in the other and staring down the auger hole in hopes of a nibble. The patience. The calm. The quiet. And then the feeling of hooking something large on your line and reeling it in!
Did you know that Spring Lake is stocked with rainbow trout? So even in winter, you can hang out on the lake and fish for your dinner — just steps from your door.
Ice Skating
Just a couple minutes away in The Village of Spring Lake, residents have access to the outdoor skating rink. (Spring Lake Ranch helped design and manage the trades to build this addition to the community as well as contributing half the total costs for the rink shack!)
This is a great spot to teach your kids how to skate and connect with other members of the Spring Lake Community. Many kids have laced up their first skates here, and adults continue to practice their skills. In the evenings, with the lit up rink, the more advanced skaters and hockey players will often get a game of shinny happening.
You will also find skating fun on Loon Lake within SLR. Some of the residents get together to help maintain the ice throughout the season. It makes a wonderful place to gather with your neighbours, sip on hot cocoa and skate with the beauty of nature surrounding you.
WALKING ON SPRING LAKE
Once Spring Lake freezes, the outdoor playground of SLR expands tremendously. You can walk for many kilometers as you circumnavigate the lake or explore the crown land island (known by the locals as Osprey Island). This added frozen terrain is also great for snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
We welcome you to visit SLR and take in the peace and beauty of winter. We are currently booking viewings of The WILCOR HOMES for sale at SLR. After your tour, you can even borrow snowshoes from our team (or bring your own) and head out to explore lake and trails! It’s a fantastic way to experience the community.
If you want to book a tour to view the homes for sale that are under construction, explore the los available for purchase or have any questions about the community, please contact Sarah Corker at 780.288.9767 or scorker@springlakeranch.ca
We’re thrilled to announce that The BIRCHVIEW is complete and Move-in Ready!
This 5 Bdrm (2 + 2 + flex room) design by Wilcor homes is a 1733 sq ft bungalow on a stunning private property at Spring Lake Ranch. It features gorgeous finishings in a modern palette and oversize windows with fantastic ravine views.
Check out the video tour above and view the full listing with photo gallery on MLS here. (Listing #E4175800)
To Book Your Tour, contact Angela Deblois at angela@angeladebloisrealty.com. This is a must-see!
This summer marks 12 years since Wilcor Homes built its first custom home at Spring Lake Ranch! What started as one custom design on 60 acres of land has grown into a beautiful community filled with homes and families.
Wilcor’s custom and spec homes feature natural elements like stone, timbers, and large view windows, and have been featured in Best Home, the Edmonton Journal, and Homes & Land.
Here, Sarah Corker and Rainbow Williams open up about their collaborative design process and how they help clients through the custom-build journey. Read on to find out who is the “dreamer,” who is the “realist” and what’s next for Wilcor Homes.
Congratulations on 12 years of Wilcor Homes! The real estate industry has had its share of ups and downs during that time, and yet Spring Lake Ranch has continued to grow. As a custom builder, what are some key things you’ve done to succeed in a challenging market?
Sarah: For us the main key has been building quality homes that showcase the kind of features people consistently love. We know that most homebuyers drawn to Spring Lake Ranch are looking for bungalows with features like the 3 car garage, finished basement, large windows, hardwood flooring, and custom cabinetry.
We also continue to market ourselves in new and different ways. Social media is a component that has grown and changed so much in the last decade and we have prioritized growing and changing with it. The amount of people that have found us through Facebook and Instagram is amazing. Both are excellent platforms to tell our story and keep people looped in with what we are up to.
Rainbow: We’ve stayed focused on what’s important to us. Quality construction, strong relationships with our clients, and building in limited quantities. We can’t control the market, but we can control what we do. Working with experienced contractors and staying current with building technologies and design, we attract clients that often become friends.
Can you tell us a bit about your process as a builder and designer? Do clients meet with both of you to design their homes? Who does what and how do you combine your ideas when it comes to design?
S: Initially clients usually meet with me to learn about the community, walk the lots and tour the homes. From there, Rainbow and I will sit down with them and discuss the building specifics of Wilcor Homes. We work on the home design together and have a lot of fun at this stage. We love talking plans, looking at elevations and trying new ideas. I then help people make their selections, from exterior colours and materials to interior finishings.
I always say that I have the fun job and Rainbow has the challenging one in that I get to design and choose all the elements and he has to execute them and make it all a reality. Perhaps I am the dreamer and he is the realist!
R: We have a consistent process that each client is lead through. Typically, this starts with a meeting on site in one of our homes, either finished or under construction.
Meeting the clients together reinforces our teamwork and allows them to see how we work together. As our clients are different, so are we. Sarah prefers a visual, tactile perspective with materials and plans, whereas I am far more conceptual. These different styles compliment each other, like we do, and allows for a strong connection.
The homes you build feature a lot of natural materials like wood and stone, as well as oversized windows that bring in a lot of light. These elements will seemingly never go out of style! But what about design trends? What’s been inspiring you in the design world recently that you’ve showcased in your homes?
S: I love design and working with the newest trends while also building “forever homes”. It’s an evolving industry with new looks, materials and finishing techniques coming into play all the time.
In my opinion, the more neutral the backdrop (paint and flooring) the more the home can grow and change with trends. A person can easily change a light fixture or cabinet pull to evolve with the times but to re-paint an entire home is a lot of work and expense.
Currently, I am loving all the whites (both walls and cabinets) that are still on the scene but then pairing it with a hit of wood, metal or contrasting black. Tile is also an area that is really fun with more elaborate installation (herringbone, chevron, stacked and staggered techniques) and different shapes such as octagon, large format or super small format. A person can add texture and dimension without going crazy with colours.
R: Sarah tends to drive our “trendy” aspects in the homes. We stay current by working with industry leaders for lighting, plumbing and flooring as well as drawing inspiration from design publications. For me the installation of practical and functional products with new technology is exciting. LED lighting, smart wiring, solar power and innovative kitchen concepts are a few areas I really enjoy exploring. Lastly, everyone likes a good shower, so using large or small format tiles and high quality plumbing fixtures all contained with 10mm glass makes a master ensuite that much better.
A lot of people dream of building a custom home, but feel overwhelmed by all the decisions involved. How do you help guide the process?
S: We truly value all of the relationships we have developed over the years with our clients, with our suppliers and with our trades. Our focus on communication really assists our clients in staying well informed with the building process and allows them to come to us with questions and feedback along the way. We appreciate that custom building is a large undertaking for our clients so we do our best to ease the process. Part of this comes from our 12 years of experience in the industry and part of this comes from having built our own custom home so we totally understand what our clients are going through.
Right from the beginning of financing and design, we guide our clients. We work with their lawyers and bankers to get everything in place. We then have a step-by-step process for them to make all of their home selections. Our suppliers are also a key part of this as they meet with our clients and assist them with choosing their products and educating them on the various options.
R: It starts from our first interaction with each client. We outline the process from start to finish, along with putting clear timelines on each decision. Then we work together with our suppliers and clients to ensure that we are staying on budget and on time. Lastly, we perform a review of all the material selections multiple times to ensure that the products are working together, and the clients are satisfied. Our extensive experience building custom homes help our clients feel confident as they navigate the selection process.
A big part of building custom at SLR is getting to choose your lot. How much does the lot size and views affect the kind of home that’s built on it? How do you optimize the property features?
S: We call this Site-Specific Design and it’s a very important part of designing a home. We spend quite a bit of time on the vacant lot to determine the best views, optimal light exposure and maximum privacy. From here, we design the home to feature all of these aspects. Placement of windows is a big part of this as well as the decks. Each person is unique; some want to feature their deck to take in the hot, west sun, for example, while others prefer the morning light.
R: During the master planning stage, we designed each lot at Spring Lake Ranch to have its own view channel. As we plan the home on the lot, we take this into consideration as well as conditions such as passive solar (specific window placements to take advantage of light and the sun) and location of trees for privacy, right down to the direction of the window openings for capturing cross breezes.
Looking ahead, what projects are coming up at Wilcor Homes? How can people stay connected and learn about new homes for sale or building their own?h
S:The Birchview is nearing completion and it’s coming together beautifully. It’s a 3 bedroom bungalow for sale on one of the more private lots at SLR. From the back of the home, all you can see are trees. I am especially excited about the tile in this home — a combination of octagon and herringbone. Lots of whites with hits of black and gold.
We are also working on a new custom build at Spring Lake Ranch, a build in the city and a new spec home.
On September 14th, we are having a big community event with live music, a BBQ and the Remax hot air balloon! People interested in SLR should definitely mark their calendars and stay tuned for our fall building incentive.
R: Each year we bring new designs to the community, and this year is no different. The Birchview combines a spacious master bedroom, larger en-suite with walk in shower, massive 3 car garage, 3 bedroom main floor, dual laundry location (for family living, or empty nesters), large fully developed daylight basement, and a new colour of James Hardie Siding. There are many special design features like unique tile, floating vanities, wall mounted faucets and a large walk-in pantry. It’s a fantastic home and we are very proud of it.
This fall we’re planning to break ground on a new design similar to The Aspen, featuring new exterior elevations and same changes to the floor plan. We never build the same house twice!
As always, we welcome all to sign up for the Newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram, but most important come out and visit us! Nothing does SLR more justice than a walk on the nature trails, taking in the lake or just sitting in a gazebo listening to the orchestra of birds who call SLR home throughout the year.
Thank you so much, Sarah and Rainbow!
Check out SLR Homes For Sale here and Lots For Sale here. Learn more about Wilcor Homes here.
We’re excited to share the Edmonton Journal’s recent feature article on Spring Lake Ranch!
In “‘A hidden gem’: Spring Lake Ranch offers room to grow”, writer Laura Severs did a great job conveying what makes SLR such a special community:
“The calendar may say something different but spring, as in Spring Lake Ranch, a residential community outside of Edmonton, has just sprung forward.
The 60-acre lakeside community, located 10 minutes west of Stony Plain in Parkland County, recently released its last 15 lots as Phase 4 of the residential development is now on the market.
“What started as a vision or a dream is now a beautiful, thriving community with people living in their forever homes,” said Sarah Corker, director of Spring Lake Ranch. “We had talked about what will be — in 2008 when the shovels first hit the ground. It’s better than imagined.””
It’s that time of year! Halloween decorations are getting put up, the weather is cooling down, and, if you’re an Alberta homeowner, you’re thinking about what needs to get done to prepare your home for winter.
At Spring Lake Ranch, we like to get a head start on winterizing our homes. This makes for a worry-free winter when it comes to home maintenance as well as an easier transition to spring, This year, we’re sharing our “To Do” list for winterizing your home to help ease the process. Keep this guide handy and let us know if you have any questions! (Email Sarah Corker at scorker@springlakeranch.ca.)
1. Walk the Perimeter of Your Home’s Exterior
New homes typically settle within the first three years. Check for signs of settling and address these before the season’s first freeze. Ensure that water is draining away from your home properly, and drain rain barrels so they do not crack due to to frozen rainwater. Make sure hoses are disconnected and put away and all hose bibs are turned off. Lastly, check stairs, paths and railings for safety. When the ground gets slippery, falls are more likely, so ensure all footing is even and rails are sturdy.
The TIMBER HAVEN (For Sale)
The CEDARWOOD design
2. Clear your Downspouts and Eaves
Removing tree leaves and needles and other debris will help prevent ice damning. And once winter arrives, remember to remove snow from the roof of your home with a roof rake regularly!
Colourful fall trees and leaves at Spring Lake Ranch
3. Clean the Windows
This is best done sooner than later, before it’s too cold for the task! Clean windows will help brighten those long winter months.
The TAMARACK Bungalow. (Our newest version of this design is For Sale–the first home build in Phase 4.)
Great Room of The MEADOWVIEW Bungalow (For Sale)
4. Clean your Furnace
Over the summer when it’s not running, your furnace collects dust which, if not cleaned prior, gets blown through the house once it gets going! Prevent this by making your annual furnace cleaning occur every fall.
5. Have your Wood-burning Fireplace Cleaned and Gas Fireplace checked
Chimney buildup can be hazardous, so regular cleaning by a certified chimney sweep is important.
Stone fireplace of Scott + Kerri J’s custom bungalow at Spring Lake Ranch
Stone fireplace of The WEST VIEW
6. Prevent Frozen Pipes
Insulate the pipes near windows, doors and in unheated parts of your home. And remember to keep the heat set no lower than 13 degrees celsius when you’re away.
The TAMARACK Bungalow
7. Prevent Cold Drafts
This is essential for maximizing your home’s energy efficiency. Repair caulking as needed around doors, windows, air vents and outside faucets. Check weatherstripping on windows and doors and seal any cracks in foundation walls.
Fresh snowfall at Spring Lake Ranch
8. Protect Your Entryway
A thick floor mat with rug pad underneath to keep it in place will help stave off the wear that wet and snowy boots can cause on your floors. Keep a boot scraper outside to remove snow and debris from footwear, and place a waterproof tray in the entryway for shoe storage.
Entryway of The MEADOWVIEW Bungalow (For Sale)
Follow these steps, and you can rest easy this winter knowing you’re home is prepared for the season.
Until then…enjoy the rest of fall! The scenery has been truly stunning at SLR this year. (The recent winds scattered a lot of the leaves but there are still some fall colours lingering.) The crisp air is lovely for walking our Lake and Ravine trails. We welcome you to take a drive out and explore the area!
Aerial views of Juniper Lane with three very private Lots For Sale, Meadow Reserve bordering The Meadow View Bungalow, other SLR homes, Loon Lake, and Spring Lake. (Taken earlier this fall.)
Interested in viewing one of these featured homes For Sale? Contact Sarah Corker at 780.288.9767 or scorker@springlakeranch.ca.
When our team began creating the SLR community, we chose to develop it in 4 phases.
This stunning final phase of Spring Lake Ranch includes 2 quiet cul-de-sacs, Spruce Crescent and Juniper Lane, with gorgeous properties that back onto the treed ravine. Starting at $164,900.
Phase 4 properties are 1/2 acre lots, which, as we highlighted in this post, is the ideal size for a balanced lifestyle. With a property under one acre, you can have a beautiful garden, grow your own veggies, and still have plenty of room for a fire pit and hot tub— without having to dedicate all your free time to maintaining your land.
PLUS: you have the privacy of country living while still being part of a community.
A beautiful Phase 4 property bordering the treed ravine
Some Phase 4 Lots border the Meadow Reserve, a peaceful oasis that’s home to native bird species.
Many Phase 4 properties back onto SLR’s treed Ravine, which features a walking trail and lovely treetop and sky views. A morning stroll here is one of our favourite ways to start the day! (And kids LOVE searching for frogs and other forest creatures.)
This summer, Wilcor Homes began construction on our first Phase 4 home build. This gorgeous home For Sale is an updated design of The TAMARACK, and is located on Lot 33, backing onto the Ravine. This brand-new TAMARACK will be Move-in Ready December 2017!
We’ll be releasing more details on this home soon, but for now you can view the original design here. If you’re interested in viewing or learning more about The TAMARACK prior to its public Open House this fall, contact Sarah Corker at 1.888.867.1055 or scorker@springlakeranch.ca.
We often have visitors to SLR ask about the building options available when they purchase a lot. When you are ready to start the design and build process, you can choose to work with SLR’s premier builder Wilcor Homes, or another builder of your choosing. Homes built at SLR follow our architectural guidelines, which maintains the beauty, quality, and value of the community.
Phase 4 has 15 Lots For Sale, starting at $164,900.
If you have questions or would like to view Phase 4 properties and have the opportunity to reserve your Lot, contact Sarah Corker. 1.888.867.1055 or scorker@springlakeranch.ca.
We welcome your interest, and look forward to seeing this gorgeous area of SLR become home to more wonderful residents! To keep updated on Phase 4 + other SLR news, subscribe to our newsletter here, follow us on facebook here, and on instagram @springlakeranch.
Check out Phase 4 and the SLR community from above in this amazing aerial video — captured from a helicopter!
Can you describe your role at Spring Lake Ranch? What might you be doing on a given work day?
My role with SLR is tremendously varied from sales to marketing to design and everything in between. A typical day includes: Working with our clients and suppliers, so perhaps a meeting at Robinson’s Lighting and Bath to review a lighting package for a home. Receiving an enquiry sales call to set up a tour for one of our homes or lots. Working with my amazing marketing team to develop new content for social media, newsletters, and blogs. Being in touch with our client’s mortgage broker and lawyer to organize the financing for their home. Also, I walk through our builds regularly to see the progress, ensure the proper selections are being made, check paint colours and finishing details, and take photos.
At night, after my children go to sleep, I work on design and planning. This is when my creative juices flow and I like to dive into new floor plans, colour palettes and lighting inspiration and check in with the various design blogs I follow. This is also when my husband and business partner and I get a chance to talk about the “big picture”, plan our next builds, bounce ideas for events, and actively discuss our dreams.
SLR is known for its natural beauty and gorgeous homes. What’s it like seeing people discover it for the first time?
Often, people will walk into one of our homes and be in awe with the oversized windows, high ceilings and open concept of the heart of the home (kitchen, dining, great room). After lots of questions and the “getting to know you” conversation, there will be a pause and this is when people all of a sudden realize how quiet it is at Spring Lake Ranch. They take in the sounds of the birds in the summer or just the absolute silence in the winter. It’s magic!
You and the SLR team started creating the community almost a decade ago. What’s the biggest lesson you have learned along the way in bringing this vision to life?
In the early stages of the project when Dad, Rainbow and I had a vision and 66 acres of wide open land, our mantra was UNWAVERING FAITH. Faith that others will find this natural gem on a lake, fall in love and want to call it home. That unique homeswill be built. That a community will grow and flourish here.
I have learned that some people, like our earliest residents, can see things before they exist — I call them ‘visionaries’. The rest of us are more tactile, needing to touch, feel and walk through a house in order to understand how it can become a home to raise a family, to rejuvenate in, a home to love in. Now this community is a thriving, special place thanks to all the people who live here, who have chosen Spring Lake Ranch as their home and have seen our vision come to life.
Rainbow Williams, Sarah Corker, and Terry Williams
Let’s talk design. Wilcor Homes has always specialized in open floor plans, high ceilings, and natural elements like wood and stone. In what ways has this aesthetic shifted or evolved in the last decade? How do trends shape the way you approach a new build?
We moved here from the West coast, where you see many more two storey homes, whereas here we have the space with our half acre lots to do bungalows. Previously, in my mind bungalows were a home for retirees (my Gran had a charming one in Lloydminster!) but there has been a big shift in the design, making them more open in concept and appealing to all age demographics. We now specialize in bungalow designs and are building them for families of all ages and sizes.
The other big shift in our designs is seen in the more functional parts of the home — the mudroom and laundry room. Alberta mud is a real thing. After one full season here (and getting stuck in the mud many times) we learned the importance of making this space really functional. We now add extra square footage, a window if possible, and an oversized closet for the many jackets you need in this four season climate.
Another area of change has been in our exteriors. We love using Hardie Board siding as it requires no future maintenance, is a fire retardant, and is incredibly durable — important in this climate where a flash hail storm can occur.
We always love incorporating natural elements. Wood and stone give a home a solid, secure feeling of time-honoured design. We use real stone veneer in all of our applications both inside and outside the home and love to highlight the entrance with solid Douglas fir timbers. I would say this has become our trademark on the exterior of many of our homes.
You and the Wilcor Homes team have built several custom homes at SLR. There are obviously many design decisions that your clients need to make along the way. How do you help guide people through the process, while keeping true to their vision?
Building a home requires so many decisions as a family, with the building team, and with the product suppliers — all staying within an allocated budget determined by the bank. But mostly it requires vision, like the ability to see how the paint colour will work with the flooring and cabinets and then adding lights to fully showcase the work.
We allow our clients the freedom to make selections for their home, as it’s our goal to make their vision a reality. We share our expertise throughout the process, meeting regularly to provide design and finishing options, review selections, and pull all the details together.
They say that every time you build, you learn something new. This is where our experience and expertise come in — we understand every aspect of creating a beautiful quality home. Building custom is not for everyone, so we also build Wilcor Homes to completion, using exceptional materials and finishings that are contemporary while still having that timeless appeal. People love this option — it’s essentially falling in love with a showhome and then moving in and making it your own!
The TAMARACK Great Room
What room tends to be the #1 priority for people in ‘getting it right’?
The kitchen. Hands down, this is the heart of the home, where it all happens. We gather here and share food, stories, love, laughter, tears, and conversation. I love to design a kitchen that fully functions with the different work zones incorporated (prepping, cooking, cleaning, conversing) while having stunning aesthetics: cabinets that will look great today as well as in 10+ years, a solid surface countertop, oversized island, and windows — as many and as big as possible. Lighting a kitchen properly is very important. I love island lights on a dimmer, separate pot lights (also on a dimmer), a light over the sink for late night dishes, and under cabinet lights for example. With this variety, you can really change the mood in the room, from being focused on function and being able to see every detail to toning it down and creating a more intimate experience.
When designing a home, what do you look to for ideas and inspiration? How do you make each new build feel fresh and exciting?
Often my inspiration for colour palettes can come from nature. I love to be active outside all year round and I also enjoy taking photos. In doing so, I capture the natural surroundings around me and draw upon the photos to see how all of the colours and textures work together.
White is a constant colour used in the world of design. Right now there is a big trend of white cabinets in the kitchen, lighter wall colours, and even white washed hardwood floors. When I go for a walk on a snowy day, I take in all the many colours of white and grey and then think about how to integrate these colours into our homes. I just completed a home using the Benjamin Moore colour Paper White which has a slight blue tone to it. My favourite trim colour, ironically, is called Snowfall White!
Overall I love a neutral palette with layers of texture where you can add accent colours depending on the time of year through soft finishings such as pillows, flowers, tea towels. ‘Pops of colour’. By keeping your background simple and neutral, you can play with different colours and have fun with them without fully committing to a purple room.
To stay current, I also follow a number of design blogs and have a daily does on Instagram where I get tons of visual inspiration. Desire to Inspire is a Canadian and Australian team that posts endless photos of stunning homes all around the world. In the real of Instagram, I love to follow @robinsonltgbath (our lighting and plumbing supplier) showcasing their products installed in gorgeous homes; @interiordesignmag for awe inspiring photos; @dominomag for really functional style and ideas; and @styleathome, a Canadian resource for fabulous decorating, design, and entertaining ideas.
What is the most fulfilling part of your work?
It’s the moment when I get to walk our clients through their finished home. The look on their faces, the happy tears. The feeling of completion. The ‘thank you’ hugs.
I have learned something from every family we have worked with. Whether it’s been an improvement in the design (such as adding a pocket door instead of a door with a swing so you can increase the use of space), a new material selection (we recently installed shiplap in a house for the first time), or the integration of materials (stone, new hardwood flooring or mixed metal lights). I love all of of it, as the process pushes me to stay present and to be continually improving. Our relationships with our clients and trades allow us to feel proud about the quality homes we build. We have made some lifelong friends along the way and I feel truly blessed by this.
What is the highlight of SLR for you when it comes to the natural setting? What views or “nature” moments stand out?
Spring. After a long winter of snowballs, skating and bundled-up walks on the trails, hearing the Canadian geese and other birds returning home is one of my favourite sounds. Seeing the first buds on the trees and bulbs sprouting through the soil makes me do a happy dance! My kids plant handfuls of sunflower seeds in our gardens as we love watching the goldfinches they attract in the late summer days. Spring is also the start of lake activities that our whole family enjoys: fishing, paddle boarding, and canoeing.
What’s next at SLR? What projects are in the works?
This is a very exciting year, as we are releasing the final phase of the community which includes two quiet cul-de-sacs, Spruce Crescent and Juniper Lane, with lots backing onto the treed ravine. We have done the development of SLR in phases, and Phase 4 marks completion. In June, we will hold our spring 2017 Home and Lot Hop, at which people can tourHomes and Lots For Sale— including our new Phase 4 properties! We are also holding an Open House for the Tamarack Bungalow on Saturday, April 29th from 12-4 pm.
I get goosebumps thinking about driving through Spring Lake Ranch in 30 years from now, showing our grandchildren all the homes we built, tree we planted, and friends we made. It’s extremely gratifying to see that the unwavering faith we started out with has resulted in such a unique and beautiful community.
Thank you, Sarah!
*Interested in learning more about Spring Lake Ranch homes and properties? Contact Sarah Corker at 1.888.867.1055
At Spring Lake Ranch we pride ourselves not only on our homes, but on the wonderful residents who live in them. They make the community such a special place to live! Here, they share what brought them to Spring Lake Ranch, what they love about their homes, and some of their favourite highlights of the community.
Hugh and Stephanie A, Owners of The HAWKSWOOD:
“We are in LOVE with our house! It is extremely functional for our family. We love the open concept layout, the beautiful view of the lake and forest, the walkout basement with the Jack & Jill bathroom connecting the two bedrooms, the large island in the kitchen and the laundry room! We’ve built twice and have never had such a positive experience. The Wilcor team has been extremely helpful through the whole process and has gone out of their way to make sure we are happy in our new home. They are truly amazing.
We love that we are so close to nature (the trails and lakes) but still just steps away from a playground for our kids. We have a large yard but also have neighbours close so we don’t feel isolated. It’s the best of both worlds.”
Scott and Kerri J, Owners of a Custom Bungalow:
Scott: “For several years, we wanted to find the right acreage property and we believed that the selection and discovery process would take years to complete. Not so! The beauty of Spring Lake revealed itself through the newly developed area at Spring Lake Ranch. Instantly, we fell in love with the west-coast designs of Wilcor Homes and the possibility of waking up to the pristine serenity of the lake. We were sold! Wilcor Homes simplified and personalized the process of creating our custom built home.
Kerri:“I fell in love with Spring Lake Ranch. I was already enamoured with the ranch-style homes, rolling hills, and beautiful views, and then when frogs jumped across my sons’ feet and an owl landed on a treetop, I was sold. We have looked at many other lakeside communities within 45 minutes of downtown Edmonton and none compare to the beauty and serenity of Spring lake Ranch. We had spoken to various builders in the area but it was very clear that with Wilcor we have people we truly like, who take pride in the homes they build, and who love the community. Our experience has exceeded our expectations.”
Meghan and Murray H, Owners of The LAKEWOOD:
“SLR was so appealing because of the close proximity to schools, strong sense of community, mix of young families in the area, outdoor activities available and the absolute beauty of the neighbourhood.
We love everything about our new home. From the oversized windows in the great room, to the forest at the back of our lot and the bright and inviting kitchen to the high ceilings throughout the home. The attention to detail and the quality of materials and craftsmanship made it a very easy decision to buy in SLR.
We were also impressed at the thought and detail that went into the layout of the community. Ensuring that each lot maximizes the beauty of the area, the addition of walking trails and leaving as much of the natural landscape as possible during construction are a few of the highlights. As residents that are moving from out of town, we are excited for our family to not only be moving to a new home, but to a vibrant new community.”
Garnet + Darla D, Owners of The Meadow View:
“We knew we were wanting to move to the Spring Lake area, and had been looking at numerous houses. My wife thought, why not build and get all that we want. With Spring Lake Ranch being a new area, we took a closer look, and immediately knew this was the spot. Overall the best part has been the ease of dealings with Wilcor.”
Kim and Mike N, Owners of The CEDARWOOD:
“Spring Lake Ranch offers an active lifestyle with quiet walks, skating, and a playground for the kids. We love our home’s vaulted ceiling and natural light. Living here makes us feel happy, at peace, and proud of our community.”
Sam and Graham P, Owners of The Timber-frame Hybrid:
“It doesn’t matter how busy the work day has been, arriving at Spring Lake Ranch triggers the ‘relax” button. The community is friendly and offers privacy, fresh air and beautiful views. We love our home’s stone fireplace and exposed timbers. Living in a spacious, peaceful yet non-remote community is the ideal combination for us.
“The Wilcor team guided us through every step, translating our ideas into practical solutions that enabled our vision to come to life. They worked closely with us, listened to what we wanted, and created a fantastic design which we are really happy with. We’ve found our forever home.”
Chris and Angela G, Owners of The Lakeview:
“The first few days in our new home we quickly noticed how quiet it is at Spring Lake Ranch. We love how all we can see is the lake and beautiful trees out our windows. The play areas in the Village of Spring Lake are impressive and is a feature you would not find in other acreage developments.
The walkout bungalow design is what we have always wanted and to get it with a lake view is a serious plus. The Lakeview design compliments the lot and enhances the view with the big windows.The curved stair case, stone fireplace and custom cabinetry are features that we could not find when looking at other builders homes. After searching in Spruce Grove and Stony Plain we could not find a lot size that appealed to us. This lot size is perfect, big enough to run around in but not so big that the yard work will be overwhelming. We look forward to having campfires with friends and canoeing on the lake.”
Noel and Erin C, Owners of The RIVERSTONE:
“Driving out here we have the feeling of knowing this is where we belong. We have had this feeling since the first time we came to Spring Lake Ranch. The feeling of finding home. It’s like being on a vacation, surrounded by peacefulness, beautiful scenery and a house that is cozy and feels like home.
Shawn and Michelle B, Owners of The JASPER:
“We were being transferred through our work to the Edmonton area from Sylvan Lake, Alberta. Close friends of ours already own a beautiful home in Spring Lake Ranch and suggested we take a look. We did and we fell in love with the community.
We loved the small lake town feel, like a secret gem. When we finally sold our home after nine long months, we knew exactly where we were headed. The Jasper floor plan is perfect for us and Wilcor hasn’t missed a detail or cut any corners. We can’t wait to start exploring the awesome outdoor trails and take our 3 boys fishing!”View more homes here and book your tour at 1.888.867.1055. Or visit during OPEN Hours, Saturdays, 12-5 pm. Find directions here.
Want to learn more about building with Wilcor Homes? Right this way.
Looking for a home and considering Spring Lake Ranch?
You’re not the only one! SLR has become one of Alberta’s premier Lakeside locations, with new residents moving to the community each season. As we dive into a new season, we want to share our Top 5 Reasons why NOW is an excellent time to build or buy your ideal home at SLR. Our residents consider it their own piece of paradise!
