Design Contest Win Denied
The Mirror, Friday, December 2, 2004
Bed and breakfast owner Heather Newman (The Granaries on Bear Mountain) was thrilled and a little mystified last week when she was notified of her third place win in Canadian House and Homes 2005 Design Contest. The entry outlining the transformation of three old granaries into a unique and luxurious guest house was actually submitted for last years contest but somehow ended up in the pile with this year's entries. Design editor Sabrina Linn said she was impressed by the project's use of recycled materials and the fact that everyone got into the DIY act including "the crew" of teen-aged daughters. All those reality home improvement shows must be having an impact.
Third prize for the 2005 Design contest is a sink valued at $200 and a one or two page spread in the April 2005 issue of the magazine. Unfortunately, when CHH discovered that "The Granaries" has already been photographed for an upcoming feature by Canadian Home and Country, the prize had to be withdrawn and the article and pictures cancelled. " It wouldn't be nice to scoop a story that was due to be published in a competitors magazine after they have invested time and money in an idea", explained Hilary Smyth, deputy editor at Canadian House and Home when she broke the news to Heather Newman today. "We wouldn't appreciate it the situation was reversed".
"Of course I was disappointed" confessed Heather. "It would have been great exposure for the bed and breakfast and Dawson Creek if it hadn't missed the line-up last year and had won. There would have been no conflict then. When I submitted the entry in the new online format, I wondered if it had ever got there - cyberspace can be a mysterious place. It's still pretty exciting to be recognized by CHH as well as having a lengthier feature in Canadian Home and Country due out in May or June to kick off next year's season and, it's been interesting to reflect on the politics and ethics of publishing. I do understand where they're coming from"
Since the Newman gardens and "The Granaries on Bear Mountain "have been featured twice in the annual DC Holticulture Society Garden Tea and Tour , Ms Smyth promised that she would forward the file to their sister publication " Gardening Life" for a possible story with a different angle. Then, there's always potential for another design entry if the creative urge strikes again. "I'm sure the home design publishing business is always looking for new ideas, especially considering today's crowded magazine shelves" concluded Ms Newman .
"The Granaries on Bear Mountain "is open May to Oct. For gift certificates or information on honeymoon, romance, wedding or spa packages, visit www. thegranaries .com or contact Heather Newman toll-free at1 (888) 782-6304 or locally at (250) 782-6304.