Denis Binette, founder of D.E.B. Design Group Ltd., graduated as an Architectural Technologist from CEGEP de Trois-Rivières, Quebec in 1977 and has been applying his skills in the industry ever since. A year after he graduated, Denis moved to Calgary and started working with a large home builder. “I was mostly involved in the multi-family design in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver sectors - and after a few years, I was promoted to Head Designer for the same firm and that is how I started in the home design business.” In 1984 Denis founded D.E.B. Design Group Ltd., which offers customized residential home designs for private customers as well as model homes for various builders and, in 1985, his company began designing exceptional floor plans for Elite Homes, and has been doing so ever since. “The homes we design for Elite Homes offer a certain level of customization,” says Denis, “kind of a ‘wish list’ for clients, when it comes to choosing different elements and features to make their home their own.”

One of the homes that Denis recently designed for this award-winning home builder is the Gemini. This beautiful two-storey, three-bedroom home offers 2,553-square-feet of living space and has some really amazing design features that have already made it one of Elite’s more popular models. The Gemini is as impressive from the outside as it is on the inside. With the front door nestled between the large side-lights and the sun-burst transom, the entrance is quite attractive. As you enter the large foyer you are greeted with a wide staircase leading up to the open loft area above. The loft itself offers a versatile area that can serve as an entertainment room, office or whatever suits your individual life-style, while offering a great view from either above or below. Next to the foyer is the formal dining room; a feature that is once again starting to gain popularity with custom home buyers. In addition to the main entry, there is another entrance through the front-attached garage which leads you into a convenient locker-room. This area then opens up onto the laundry room (complete with wash stand), which remains hidden from the main living areas. From there you can access the handy walk-through pantry and gain access to the spacious dining-nook and kitchen area, which makes bringing in groceries a snap.

What Denis likes about the Gemini is that it incorporates different floor and ceiling heights throughout the home; making it more visually interesting. “Upstairs, the master bedroom includes a raised ensuite that is situated above the dining-nook below, which then creates a higher ceiling in the nook,” says Denis. “What we wanted to create was a variety of ceiling heights on the main floor.” This design feature combined with the loft at the entrance of the home, and the open staircase does just that – the floor plan is very visually attractive. The ensuite itself is very impressive as well. With its vaulted ceiling, Jack & Jill sinks set on either side of a spacious corner vanity, a large corner soaker tub and the built-in shower area, this ensuite would already be considered luxurious. Add the island and the coffee-bar to the design, and you’ve got a truly amazing ensuite.

The Gemini is currently a show home in Royal Oak Estates, so if you are interested in seeing this extraordinary home, it is located at 616 – Royal Court N.W. You can see for yourself why Denis Binette is still a leader in designing new homes, and why he’ll still be around well into the future. NL